politicususa--2020-05-14--Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Slams “Tyrannical” Decision to Overturn Stay-at-Home Order

A conservative judge has harshly criticized his colleagues for their decision to overturn Wisconsin ’ s stay-at-home order .
The court ruled 4-3 to strike down Governor Tony Evers ’ restrictions .
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has a conservative majority but Justice Brian Hagedorn dissented from the ruling and blasted the majority for acting in a “ tyrannical ” fashion .
Hagedorn wrote that Wisconsinites had not given the court the power to “ to step in and impose our wisdom ” but “ they left that to the legislative and executive branches.
” “ The rule of law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , is threatened no less by a tyrannical judiciary than by a tyrannical executive or legislature , ” Hagedorn said in the minority ’ s dissent .
“ Today ’ s decision may or may not be good policy , but it is not grounded in the law.
” “ In striking down most of Order 28 , this court has strayed from its charge and turned this case into something quite different than the case brought to us , ” he went on .
“ To make matters worse , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for what the relevant laws mean , and how our state is to govern through this crisis moving forward.
” Two other members of the court joined the dissent but Hagedorn ’ s fellow conservatives in the majority naturally disagreed with his view .
Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley said his dissent “ contains no constitutional analysis whatsoever , affirmatively rejects the constitution , and subjugates liberty.
” Critics have previously accused Wisconsin ’ s supreme court of extreme partisanship , driven by Republicans ’ attempts to seize control of the court in furtherance @ @ @ @ @

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A conservative judge has harshly criticized his colleagues for their decision to overturn Wisconsin’s stay-at-home order. The court ruled 4-3 to strike down Governor Tony Evers’ restrictions.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has a conservative majority but Justice Brian Hagedorn dissented from the ruling and blasted the majority for acting in a “tyrannical” fashion.
Hagedorn wrote that Wisconsinites had not given the court the power to “to step in and impose our wisdom” but “they left that to the legislative and executive branches.”
“The rule of law, and therefore the true liberty of the people, is threatened no less by a tyrannical judiciary than by a tyrannical executive or legislature,” Hagedorn said in the minority’s dissent.
“Today’s decision may or may not be good policy, but it is not grounded in the law.”
“In striking down most of Order 28, this court has strayed from its charge and turned this case into something quite different than the case brought to us,” he went on.
“To make matters worse, it has failed to provide almost any guidance for what the relevant laws mean, and how our state is to govern through this crisis moving forward.”
Two other members of the court joined the dissent but Hagedorn’s fellow conservatives in the majority naturally disagreed with his view.
Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley said his dissent “contains no constitutional analysis whatsoever, affirmatively rejects the constitution, and subjugates liberty.”
Critics have previously accused Wisconsin’s supreme court of extreme partisanship, driven by Republicans’ attempts to seize control of the court in furtherance of their political goals.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-14--Trump Worried Too Much Coronavirus Testing Would Panic the Stock Market

Donald Trump was reluctant to do too much Coronavirus preparation in case it panicked the stock market , according to a new report .
The markets have been volatile since the pandemic hit the U.S. President Trump was concerned that doing too much to tackle Coronavirus could send the markets into a panic , according to the Financial Times .
The newspaper quotes an unnamed administration source .
“ Jared [ Kushner ] had been arguing that testing too many people , or ordering too many ventilators , would spook the markets and so we just shouldn ’ t do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That advice worked far more powerfully on [ Trump ] than what the scientists were saying.
” “ He thinks they always exaggerate , ” the FT quoted their source as saying .
This “ unnamed Trump confidante ” reportedly speaks to President Trump frequently and would be in a position to gauge his mindset .
However , Trump has slammed anonymously sourced reports in the past .
The FT investigation also quotes another unnamed official who explained what it ’ s like to advice the President .
Giving Trump advice is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , the official said .
“ You ’ re trying to appease a great force that ’ s impervious to reason.
” The Trump administration has been widely criticized for failing to act fast enough or decisively enough when the virus hit .
The President initially downplayed the severity of the disease and fought with Democratic governors .
He has since pushed to reopen the economy against expert advice .

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Donald Trump was reluctant to do too much Coronavirus preparation in case it panicked the stock market, according to a new report. The markets have been volatile since the pandemic hit the U.S.
President Trump was concerned that doing too much to tackle Coronavirus could send the markets into a panic, according to the Financial Times. The newspaper quotes an unnamed administration source.
“Jared [Kushner] had been arguing that testing too many people, or ordering too many ventilators, would spook the markets and so we just shouldn’t do it,” the source said.
“That advice worked far more powerfully on [Trump] than what the scientists were saying.”
“He thinks they always exaggerate,” the FT quoted their source as saying.
This “unnamed Trump confidante” reportedly speaks to President Trump frequently and would be in a position to gauge his mindset. However, Trump has slammed anonymously sourced reports in the past.
The FT investigation also quotes another unnamed official who explained what it’s like to advice the President.
Giving Trump advice is like “bringing fruits to the volcano”, the official said.
“You’re trying to appease a great force that’s impervious to reason.”
The Trump administration has been widely criticized for failing to act fast enough or decisively enough when the virus hit.
The President initially downplayed the severity of the disease and fought with Democratic governors. He has since pushed to reopen the economy against expert advice.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-14--Trump Suggests Obama and Biden Should Be in Jail for “Obamagate”

Donald Trump has suggested that Barack Obama and Joe Biden should be in prison .
The President blamed the two Democrats for conspiring against him as part of the “ Obamagate ” conspiracy theory .
Trump spoke to Fox Business ’ Maria Bartiromo in an interview that aired on Thursday .
He reiterated his claims about the former president and vice president working against his administration .
“ If I were a Democrat instead of a Republican , I think everybody would ’ ve been in jail a long time ago , and I ’ m talking with 50-year sentences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People should be going to jail for this stuff , ” he said .
“ This was all Obama .
This was all Biden.
” The President is referring to a conspiracy theory claiming the Obama administration tried to sabotage the Trump presidency in the weeks before he took office in 2017 .
Though there is no evidence for this or any wrongdoing Trump has described , the topic has now come to dominate pro-Trump media as the President attempts to make it an election issue .
Trump also argued that Russia didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s probe focused on potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia .
“ Nobody ’ s been tougher -you can speak to Putin or anybody else -nobody has been tougher on Russian than I have .
”

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Donald Trump has suggested that Barack Obama and Joe Biden should be in prison. The President blamed the two Democrats for conspiring against him as part of the “Obamagate” conspiracy theory.
Trump spoke to Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo in an interview that aired on Thursday. He reiterated his claims about the former president and vice president working against his administration.
“If I were a Democrat instead of a Republican, I think everybody would’ve been in jail a long time ago, and I’m talking with 50-year sentences,” Trump told Bartiromo.
Watch the video:
"If I were a Democrat instead of a Republican, I think everybody would've been in jail a long time ago, & I'm talking with 50-year sentences…people should be going to jail for this stuff…this was all Obama. This was all Biden": Trump suggests Obama & Biden should be in prison pic.twitter.com/MOwPvpYRu4 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 14, 2020
“People should be going to jail for this stuff,” he said.
“This was all Obama. This was all Biden.
The President is referring to a conspiracy theory claiming the Obama administration tried to sabotage the Trump presidency in the weeks before he took office in 2017.
Though there is no evidence for this or any wrongdoing Trump has described, the topic has now come to dominate pro-Trump media as the President attempts to make it an election issue.
Trump also argued that Russia didn’t want him to win in 2016. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe focused on potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.
“Actually, [Russia] wanted Hillary Clinton to win,” Trump said.
“Nobody’s been tougher -you can speak to Putin or anybody else -nobody has been tougher on Russian than I have.”
“They wanted Hillary Clinton to win.”
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-14--Trump Says Health Official Who Filed Whistleblower Complaint, Is “A Disgruntled Employee”

President Donald Trump said health official Rick Bright is “ a disgruntled employee ” in remarks on Twitter this morning .
Bright , who once led the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority ( BARDA ) , filed a whistleblower complaint after his warnings about the novel coronavirus at the Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) and his criticisms about the president ’ s promotion of hydroxychloroquine as an effective treatment resulted in his demotion .
“ I don ’ t know the so-called Whistleblower Rick Bright , never met him or even heard of him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee , not liked or respected by people I spoke to and who , with his attitude , should no longer be working for our government !
” Trump tweeted this morning .
Bright arrived at Capitol Hill this morning and will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health beginning at 10 a.m .
According to a leaked copy of his prepared remarks , he warns that the lack of a coordinated response will contribute to “ the darkest winter in modern history.
” Responding to Bright ’ s allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services spokesperson said that it was “ a personnel matter that is currently under review ” but added that the department “ strongly disagrees with the allegations and characterizations .
”

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President Donald Trump said health official Rick Bright is “a disgruntled employee” in remarks on Twitter this morning.
Bright, who once led the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), filed a whistleblower complaint after his warnings about the novel coronavirus at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and his criticisms about the president’s promotion of hydroxychloroquine as an effective treatment resulted in his demotion.
“I don’t know the so-called Whistleblower Rick Bright, never met him or even heard of him, but to me he is a disgruntled employee, not liked or respected by people I spoke to and who, with his attitude, should no longer be working for our government!” Trump tweeted this morning.
I don’t know the so-called Whistleblower Rick Bright, never met him or even heard of him, but to me he is a disgruntled employee, not liked or respected by people I spoke to and who, with his attitude, should no longer be working for our government! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 14, 2020
Bright arrived at Capitol Hill this morning and will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health beginning at 10 a.m. According to a leaked copy of his prepared remarks, he warns that the lack of a coordinated response will contribute to “the darkest winter in modern history.”
Responding to Bright’s allegations, a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said that it was “a personnel matter that is currently under review” but added that the department “strongly disagrees with the allegations and characterizations.”


politicususa--2020-05-14--Wisconsin is Now “The Wild West,” Says State Gov. After Court Strikes Down Stay-at-Home Order

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers ( D ) says his state is now “ the Wild West ” after the state Supreme Court , in a 4-3 ruling , struck down his stay-at-home order .
“ At this point in time , there is no orders .
There ’ s nothing that ’ s compelling people to do anything other than having chaos here , ” Evers told MSNBC ’ s Ali Velshi .
“ We ’ re going to have more cases .
We ’ re going to have more deaths , and it ’ s a sad occasion for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good progress ” during the lockdown , he added , noting that the ruling would thrust “ into chaos ” a state that exhibited “ one of the lowest numbers of cases per capita in the Midwest.
” “ When you have no requirements anymore , that ’ s a problem , ” he said .
“ We ’ re just leaving it open .
We ’ re going to have more cases .
We ’ re going to have more deaths .
And it ’ s a sad occasion for the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how disappointed I am.
” You can watch footage of Evers ’ remarks below .
There are nearly 11,000 cases of the coronavirus in Wisconsin and 421 deaths , according to current statistics .
A Marquette University Law School poll released Tuesday indicates that 7 out of 10 Wisconsin residents support Evers ’ stay-at-home order , but support fell from 86 percent to 69 percent in May amid Republican opposition .
The order remains in effect until May 20 because the ruling doesn ’ t mean that Evers ’ order is immediately void @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injunction to block the extension , with a six-day stay to give state health officials time to go through the rule-making process , ” according to the Associated Press .
In her dissent , Justice Rebecca Dallet , who was joined by one conservative and one liberal justice , wrote , “ This decision will undoubtedly go down as one of the most blatant examples of judicial activism in this court ’ s history .
And it will be Wisconsinites who pay the price .
”

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) says his state is now “the Wild West” after the state Supreme Court, in a 4-3 ruling, struck down his stay-at-home order.
“At this point in time, there is no orders. There’s nothing that’s compelling people to do anything other than having chaos here,” Evers told MSNBC’s Ali Velshi. “We’re going to have more cases. We’re going to have more deaths, and it’s a sad occasion for the state.”
Residents had made “good progress” during the lockdown, he added, noting that the ruling would thrust “into chaos” a state that exhibited “one of the lowest numbers of cases per capita in the Midwest.”
“When you have no requirements anymore, that’s a problem,” he said. “We’re just leaving it open. We’re going to have more cases. We’re going to have more deaths. And it’s a sad occasion for the state. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am.” You can watch footage of Evers’ remarks below.
There are nearly 11,000 cases of the coronavirus in Wisconsin and 421 deaths, according to current statistics.
A Marquette University Law School poll released Tuesday indicates that 7 out of 10 Wisconsin residents support Evers’ stay-at-home order, but support fell from 86 percent to 69 percent in May amid Republican opposition.
The order remains in effect until May 20 because the ruling doesn’t mean that Evers’ order is immediately void. “Republicans had sought a temporary injunction to block the extension, with a six-day stay to give state health officials time to go through the rule-making process,” according to the Associated Press.
In her dissent, Justice Rebecca Dallet, who was joined by one conservative and one liberal justice, wrote, “This decision will undoubtedly go down as one of the most blatant examples of judicial activism in this court’s history. And it will be Wisconsinites who pay the price.”


politicususa--2020-05-14--Federal Court Rules Trump Violated the Constitution’s Emoluments Clauses

The Richmond , Virginia-based Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that President Donald Trump violated the Constitution ’ s emoluments clauses .
The president ’ s attorneys had tried to preserve the president ’ s immunity from the lawsuit filed by Democratic attorneys general in Maryland and the District of Columbia , who successfully argued that the president ’ s ownership of the Trump International Hotel , on Pennsylvania Avenue violates anti-corruption provisions of the U.S. Constitution on the president accepting payments from foreign governments without congressional consent .
And that ’ s not the end of it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pending lawsuits concerning the hotel , including one “ brought by a group of more than 200 Democratic Party lawmakers , ” according to Reuters .
Trump has faced allegations of violating the emoluments clause from the start of his tenure .
In January 2017 , legal watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington ( CREW ) accused him of violating the constitutional provision , “ no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them , shall , without the Consent of the Congress , accept of any present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of any kind whatever , from any King , Prince , or foreign State.
” “ As a direct result of [ Trump ] ’ s purposeful refusal to acknowledge that he is submerged in conflicts of interest and his purposeful refusal to take precautions necessary to avoid those conflicts , ” the organization ’ s lawsuit alleged , “ [ he ] is now committing and is poised to continue to commit many violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause — some documented , and others not yet apparent due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] ’ s business holdings — during the opening moments of his presidency and continually thereafter .
”

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The Richmond, Virginia-based Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that President Donald Trump violated the Constitution’s emoluments clauses.
The president’s attorneys had tried to preserve the president’s immunity from the lawsuit filed by Democratic attorneys general in Maryland and the District of Columbia, who successfully argued that the president’s ownership of the Trump International Hotel, on Pennsylvania Avenue violates anti-corruption provisions of the U.S. Constitution on the president accepting payments from foreign governments without congressional consent.
And that’s not the end of it for the president: There are two other pending lawsuits concerning the hotel, including one “brought by a group of more than 200 Democratic Party lawmakers,” according to Reuters.
Trump has faced allegations of violating the emoluments clause from the start of his tenure. In January 2017, legal watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) accused him of violating the constitutional provision, “no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”
“As a direct result of [Trump]’s purposeful refusal to acknowledge that he is submerged in conflicts of interest and his purposeful refusal to take precautions necessary to avoid those conflicts,” the organization’s lawsuit alleged, “[he] is now committing and is poised to continue to commit many violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause — some documented, and others not yet apparent due to the complex and secretive nature of [Trump]’s business holdings — during the opening moments of his presidency and continually thereafter.”


politicususa--2020-05-15--Maddow Says Trump’s Broken Coronavirus Response Is Still Causing Outbreaks Across The Country

Even as states begin to lift their stay-at-home orders , Rachel Maddow said on Thursday that Donald Trump ’ s failed federal response to the coronavirus is still causing outbreaks all across the country .
“ Coast to coast , tip to tail , the federal response just continues to be absolutely terrible , ” the MSNBC host said .
“ It ’ s really not getting any better.
” Maddow said that Trump ’ s bungled management of this crisis is “ causing big outbreaks in your state.
” She pointed out that in New Mexico , an ICE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is failing to follow proper safety protocols , which has allowed the virus to spread .
It is one thing to have an absent or lame federal response to an epidemic .
It ’ s another thing when the federal government is actually the entity that is itself screwing up and not following the rules and not following infection control procedures and , therefore , they are who is causing big outbreaks in your state .
But that ’ s what is happening in New Mexico now .
That ’ s why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know , coast to coast , tip to tail , the federal response just continues to be absolutely terrible .
It ’ s really not getting any better .
I mean today , for some reason , the person at the Pentagon in charge of procuring equipment under the Defense Production Act , they just fired her .
Without explanation .
Sure , seems like a good time .
Does it have anything to do with the fact that they just installed somebody at the Pentagon to check high-level officials there for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis , Trump ’ s response is still a disaster It ’ s one thing to get hit by an unpredictable crisis and struggle to get your footing .
But the United States is well into this outbreak now , and Trump ’ s response is still a horror show of epic proportions .
“ We are months into this crisis , ” former Vice President Joe Biden tweeted on Thursday .
“ There is simply no excuse for President Trump ’ s failure to implement a national testing strategy.
” From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example to his monumental failure to enact a national testing strategy that ’ s critical to reopening the economy , he still can ’ t figure out how to respond this pandemic .
It ’ s almost as if putting a failed businessman turned game show host in charge of managing a global health emergency was a bad idea .

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Even as states begin to lift their stay-at-home orders, Rachel Maddow said on Thursday that Donald Trump’s failed federal response to the coronavirus is still causing outbreaks all across the country.
“Coast to coast, tip to tail, the federal response just continues to be absolutely terrible,” the MSNBC host said. “It’s really not getting any better.”
Maddow said that Trump’s bungled management of this crisis is “causing big outbreaks in your state.”
She pointed out that in New Mexico, an ICE facility controlled by Trump’s federal government is failing to follow proper safety protocols, which has allowed the virus to spread.
Video:
Maddow said:
It is one thing to have an absent or lame federal response to an epidemic. It’s another thing when the federal government is actually the entity that is itself screwing up and not following the rules and not following infection control procedures and, therefore, they are who is causing big outbreaks in your state. But that’s what is happening in New Mexico now. That’s why that governor is so mad. And you know, coast to coast, tip to tail, the federal response just continues to be absolutely terrible. It’s really not getting any better. I mean today, for some reason, the person at the Pentagon in charge of procuring equipment under the Defense Production Act, they just fired her. Without explanation. Sure, seems like a good time. Does it have anything to do with the fact that they just installed somebody at the Pentagon to check high-level officials there for loyalty to President Trump?
Months into the crisis, Trump’s response is still a disaster
It’s one thing to get hit by an unpredictable crisis and struggle to get your footing. But the United States is well into this outbreak now, and Trump’s response is still a horror show of epic proportions.
We are months into this crisis,” former Vice President Joe Biden tweeted on Thursday. “There is simply no excuse for President Trump’s failure to implement a national testing strategy.”
We are months into this crisis. There is simply no excuse for President Trump’s failure to implement a national testing strategy. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 15, 2020
From Trump’s refusal to lead by example to his monumental failure to enact a national testing strategy that’s critical to reopening the economy, he still can’t figure out how to respond this pandemic.
It’s almost as if putting a failed businessman turned game show host in charge of managing a global health emergency was a bad idea.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-15--Republicans Who Voted To Repeal Obamacare Are Now Urging Unemployed Americans To Enroll In It

Even Republican lawmakers are urging their unemployed constituents to enroll in a health insurance plan via the Affordable Care Act as pandemic-related job losses continue to mount .
In a video shown on MSNBC on Thursday , Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn – a man who repeatedly voted to kill the Affordable Care Act – urged jobless Americans to enroll in an Obamacare health plan .
“ The good news is that if you lose your employer-provided coverage , which covers about 180 million Americans , that is a significant life event which makes you then eligible to sign up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GOP lawmaker said with a straight face .
“ The good news is people can get coverage under the Affordable Care Act or via Medicaid based on their income , ” he added .
Millions of Americans have access to coverage thanks to Barack Obama One of the many arguments in favor of Barack Obama ’ s signature piece of legislation , the Affordable Care Act , was that Americans could keep their health insurance even if they lost their job .
That didn ’ t stop Republicans from opposing it tooth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Congress during Obama ’ s presidency , and then attempting to repeal it once Donald Trump took office .
Now , thanks to Barack Obama , millions of unemployed Americans have the option to sign up for health insurance coverage during this crisis because he beat Republicans and signed this life-saving piece of legislation into law .
Republicans are trying to rewrite history on Obamacare , but they don ’ t get to tout the benefits of a law they have been trying to kill or undermine since day one .

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Even Republican lawmakers are urging their unemployed constituents to enroll in a health insurance plan via the Affordable Care Act as pandemic-related job losses continue to mount.
In a video shown on MSNBC on Thursday, Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn – a man who repeatedly voted to kill the Affordable Care Act – urged jobless Americans to enroll in an Obamacare health plan.
“The good news is that if you lose your employer-provided coverage, which covers about 180 million Americans, that is a significant life event which makes you then eligible to sign up for the Affordable Care Act,” the GOP lawmaker said with a straight face.
“The good news is people can get coverage under the Affordable Care Act or via Medicaid based on their income,” he added.
Video:
Republicans are now touting the benefits of the Affordable Care Act since their unemployed constituents are relying on it for health insurance coverage. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/YzGbplOBbo — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) May 15, 2020
Millions of Americans have access to coverage thanks to Barack Obama
One of the many arguments in favor of Barack Obama’s signature piece of legislation, the Affordable Care Act, was that Americans could keep their health insurance even if they lost their job.
That didn’t stop Republicans from opposing it tooth and nail as it worked its way through Congress during Obama’s presidency, and then attempting to repeal it once Donald Trump took office.
Now, thanks to Barack Obama, millions of unemployed Americans have the option to sign up for health insurance coverage during this crisis because he beat Republicans and signed this life-saving piece of legislation into law.
Republicans are trying to rewrite history on Obamacare, but they don’t get to tout the benefits of a law they have been trying to kill or undermine since day one.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-16--Hackers Claiming to Have Trump Documents Demand $42 Million Ransom

According to a report from the team at Variety , which was the first to report on the post on @ @ @ @ @ criminal group hacked the major entertainment law firm Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks and claims @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump .
The group has used ransomware attacks to lock networks and is @ @ @ @ @ return access to systems and documents .
“ The next person we ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s an election race going on , and we found a ton of @ @ @ @ @ group ’ s post reportedly said .
“ And to you voters , we can @ @ @ @ @ such a publication , you certainly don ’ t want to see him as president.
@ @ @ @ @ also claims to have obtained documents on celebrities such as Lady Gaga , Madonna , @ @ @ @ @ provided a one-week deadline .
It also claimed to have already received $ 365,000 in @ @ @ @ @

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According to a report from the team at Variety, which was the first to report on the post on the dark web, a criminal group hacked the major entertainment law firm Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks and claims to have obtained documents on President Donald Trump. The group has used ransomware attacks to lock networks and is demanding $42 million to return access to systems and documents.
“The next person we’ll be publishing is Donald Trump. There’s an election race going on, and we found a ton of dirty laundry,” the group’s post reportedly said. “And to you voters, we can let you know that after such a publication, you certainly don’t want to see him as president.”
The group, which also claims to have obtained documents on celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Christina Aguilera, has provided a one-week deadline. It also claimed to have already received $365,000 in response to the attack.


politicususa--2020-05-16--Trump Criticized for “Super-Duper Missile” Comments After Space Force Flag Unveiling at Oval Office

President Donald Trump signed the 2020 Armed Forces Day Proclamation and unveiled the official flag of the Space Force , the newest branch of the armed forces .
“ We ’ ve worked very hard on this and it ’ s so important from a defensive standpoint , from an offensive standpoint , from every standpoint there is , ” Trump said .
“ As you know , China , Russia , perhaps others , started off a lot sooner than us , ” Trump added .
“ We should have started this a long time ago , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spades .
We have developed some of the most incredible weapons anyone ’ s ever seen .
And it ’ s moving along very rapidly.
” “ We recognize that to combat the evolving threats of a 21st-century world , we must look to the newest warfighting domain and address malign activities in space .
America ’ s leadership in space is unparalleled , and with the addition of the United States Space Force , we are now even better positioned to meet the evolving threats in this emerging frontier of technology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an official White House proclamation .
“ Approximately 16,000 military and civilian personnel have already been assigned to the Space Force , embarking on their mission to organize , train , and equip these new fighters responsible for protecting the United States and allied interests in the vast domain of space.
” But the president came under fire for suggesting that the Space Force has a new weapon that could overwhelm enemy defenses .
“ We have , I call it the ‘ super-duper missile.
’ And I heard the other night [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than what they have right now , ” Trump said .
Criticism soon rained down on the president , with many scoffing at what they suggest amounts to little more than a distraction amid his response to the coronavirus pandemic .
It ’ s still not clear what missile the president was describing .

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President Donald Trump signed the 2020 Armed Forces Day Proclamation and unveiled the official flag of the Space Force, the newest branch of the armed forces.
“We’ve worked very hard on this and it’s so important from a defensive standpoint, from an offensive standpoint, from every standpoint there is,” Trump said.
“As you know, China, Russia, perhaps others, started off a lot sooner than us,” Trump added. “We should have started this a long time ago, but we’ve made up for it in spades. We have developed some of the most incredible weapons anyone’s ever seen. And it’s moving along very rapidly.”
Today I was presented with the brand new @SpaceForceDoD flag in the Oval Office. I will take Great Pride in displaying it at the @WhiteHouse! pic.twitter.com/S29tBFYlQY — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 15, 2020
“We recognize that to combat the evolving threats of a 21st-century world, we must look to the newest warfighting domain and address malign activities in space. America’s leadership in space is unparalleled, and with the addition of the United States Space Force, we are now even better positioned to meet the evolving threats in this emerging frontier of technology, exploration, and discovery,” reads an official White House proclamation. “Approximately 16,000 military and civilian personnel have already been assigned to the Space Force, embarking on their mission to organize, train, and equip these new fighters responsible for protecting the United States and allied interests in the vast domain of space.”
But the president came under fire for suggesting that the Space Force has a new weapon that could overwhelm enemy defenses.
“We have, I call it the ‘super-duper missile.’ And I heard the other night [it’s] 17 times faster than what they have right now,” Trump said.
Today, the president said the words "super duper missile." pic.twitter.com/rMMFsfri5l — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 15, 2020
Criticism soon rained down on the president, with many scoffing at what they suggest amounts to little more than a distraction amid his response to the coronavirus pandemic.
In case you were wondering, yes, the "president" of the United States actually said the words "Super Duper Missile." And yes, he's still in charge of the nuclear codes. — BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮ (@mmpadellan) May 15, 2020
But, how is this super duper missile going to protect us from the greatest threat to Americans today, this teeny tiny virus? https://t.co/mhiM5TUgK8 — Khashoggi’s Ghost 🇺🇦🌻 (@UROCKlive1) May 15, 2020
What sort of government doesn’t have enough money to provide people with healthcare, but has money for a Star Trek rip-off space force??? — Stop Cop City (@JoshuaPHilll) May 15, 2020
A second wave may already be starting, but…. hey, look, Space Force, shiny ball, Super Duper Missile, look over here, Warp Speed vaccine, binders full of women with empty plans….. #TrumpHasNoPlan https://t.co/YqnDlbnAr0 — Derek Cressman (@DerekCressman) May 15, 2020
It’s still not clear what missile the president was describing.


politicususa--2020-05-15--Trump Crumbles As Truckers Protest Blasts Him Off The Stage

The nation ’ s long-haul truckers are at the White House blasting their horns during all of Trump ’ s events to protest the lack of stimulus aid provided to them .
The truckers clearly got under Trump ’ s skin at his press conference as he tried to twist their protest into an act of support for him .
And you hear that outside , that beautiful sound ; those are truckers that are with us all the way .
They ’ re protesting in favor of President Trump , as opposed to against .
There ’ s hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the sign of love , not the sign of your typical protests .
So I want to thank our great truckers .
They like me and I like them .
We ’ re working on something together .
But we have the mightiest — and they ’ ll be helping us with this , by the way , speaking of truckers .
We have the mightiest military in the long history of humankind .
We have the best and most devoted workers ever to walk the face of the Earth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these amazing strengths for the most aggressive vaccine project in history .
There ’ s never been a vaccine project anywhere in history like this .
Video of delusional Trump thinking that a protest against him is a show of support : Video of the truckers later in the day : The truckers have been protesting Trump for 15 days .
They are a loose-knit group of hundreds of operators who are protesting everything from safety concerns to being cut out of stimulus funding .
The protesters have made it clear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support anyone .
Trump couldn ’ t ignore the protesters any longer and had to offer up a cover story on live TV because he won ’ t admit that the truckers are protesting him .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The nation’s long-haul truckers are at the White House blasting their horns during all of Trump’s events to protest the lack of stimulus aid provided to them.
The truckers clearly got under Trump’s skin at his press conference as he tried to twist their protest into an act of support for him.
Trump said:
And you hear that outside, that beautiful sound; those are truckers that are with us all the way. They’re protesting in favor of President Trump, as opposed to against. There’s hundreds of trucks out there. And that’s the sign of love, not the sign of your typical protests. So I want to thank our great truckers. They like me and I like them. We’re working on something together.
But we have the mightiest — and they’ll be helping us with this, by the way, speaking of truckers. We have the mightiest military in the long history of humankind. We have the best and most devoted workers ever to walk the face of the Earth. And now we’re combining all of these amazing strengths for the most aggressive vaccine project in history. There’s never been a vaccine project anywhere in history like this.
Video of delusional Trump thinking that a protest against him is a show of support:
Trump tried to claim that the trucker protest that has disrupted all of his events today is a protest in favor of him. (It isn't). pic.twitter.com/pZ81HMeft5 — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 15, 2020
Video of the truckers later in the day:
bizarre scenes at the White House today as Trump held multiple events outside while protesting tuckers blared their horns to disrupt them (earlier in the day Trump claimed the truckers are really honking, "booo-urns.") pic.twitter.com/efuHZAkfek — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 15, 2020
The truckers have been protesting Trump for 15 days. They are a loose-knit group of hundreds of operators who are protesting everything from safety concerns to being cut out of stimulus funding. The protesters have made it clear that they are not at the White House to support anyone.
Trump couldn’t ignore the protesters any longer and had to offer up a cover story on live TV because he won’t admit that the truckers are protesting him.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-15--Kayleigh McEnany Just Tried The Most Desperate Stunt To Blame Obama For Pandemic Response

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany described the 69-page Obama administration pandemic response plan as a thin piece of paper and then held up binders .
McEnany said at the White House press briefing , “ Some have erroneously suggested that the Trump administration threw out the pandemic response playbook left by the Obama/Biden administration .
What the critics fail to note however is that this thin packet of paper was replaced by two detailed pandemic response reports commissioned by the Trump administration , so we exchanged this one…for these two pandemic response plans.
” McEnany gave herself away when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports , but by the end of her comments , they were plans .
Reports and plans are not the same things .
The 69-page Obama pandemic response plan is extremely detailed with charts , graphs , plans , and decision making rubrics .
One can also read the Obama administration plan .
The binders that McEnany held up are not available to the public .
The Trump administration is trying to convince the American people that their failed pandemic response is all Obama ’ s fault .
If they have a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy is in tatters , and the country leads the world in coronavirus infections and deaths .
The only person responsible for this national disaster is Donald J. Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany described the 69-page Obama administration pandemic response plan as a thin piece of paper and then held up binders.
McEnany said at the White House press briefing, “Some have erroneously suggested that the Trump administration threw out the pandemic response playbook left by the Obama/Biden administration. What the critics fail to note however is that this thin packet of paper was replaced by two detailed pandemic response reports commissioned by the Trump administration, so we exchanged this one…for these two pandemic response plans.”
Video:
Kayleigh McEnany begins the press briefing with some show and tell, dismissing the pandemic response plan left by Obama for Trump as a "thin packet of paper." pic.twitter.com/3d8JaQmqnQ — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 15, 2020
McEnany gave herself away when she began by calling the Trump documents reports, but by the end of her comments, they were plans. Reports and plans are not the same things. The 69-page Obama pandemic response plan is extremely detailed with charts, graphs, plans, and decision making rubrics. One can also read the Obama administration plan.
The binders that McEnany held up are not available to the public. The Trump administration is trying to convince the American people that their failed pandemic response is all Obama’s fault. If they have a plan, it has failed as the US economy is in tatters, and the country leads the world in coronavirus infections and deaths.
The only person responsible for this national disaster is Donald J. Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-15--Vaccine Event Totally Backfires As Trump Humiliates Himself

Trump held an event to hype his effort to get a virus vaccine by the end of the year , but then added that the coronavirus might not need a vaccine .
Trump announced that he wants a vaccine by the end of the year or sooner : Then he said that the virus might go away without a vaccine , “ You know , it is not solely vaccine-based .
Other things have never had a vaccine and they go away .
So I don ’ t want people to think this is all dependent on vaccine , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I will tell you , therapeutically or therapeutics what is going on there is equally as impressive.
” Trump was asked about being worried about students bringing the virus home to grandparents if schools reopen and he essentially admitted that opening the economy is more important : Trump held an event to promise a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year , where he said that the virus might not need a vaccine , and may just go away on its own .
Hoping that the pandemic goes away is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is offering .
As usual , he brought out a parade of officials and put on a show , but there were no details or information offered as to how Trump is going to get a vaccine , and then vaccinate the American people .
The entire event was a fresh humiliation that highlighted the incompetence of Donald Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump held an event to hype his effort to get a virus vaccine by the end of the year, but then added that the coronavirus might not need a vaccine.
Trump announced that he wants a vaccine by the end of the year or sooner:
Every expert has said that there will be no vaccine before the end of the year, but here is Trump repeating his lie that he wants a vaccine by the end of the year or sooner. pic.twitter.com/iDN8J9cqSD — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 15, 2020
Then he said that the virus might go away without a vaccine, “You know, it is not solely vaccine-based. Other things have never had a vaccine and they go away. So I don’t want people to think this is all dependent on vaccine, but a vaccine would be a tremendous thing and I will tell you, therapeutically or therapeutics what is going on there is equally as impressive.”
Video:
At an event where he is promising a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year, Trump says the virus may just go away and not need a vaccine. pic.twitter.com/uC0KTlLMei — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 15, 2020
Trump was asked about being worried about students bringing the virus home to grandparents if schools reopen and he essentially admitted that opening the economy is more important:
Trump is admitting that grandparents and vulnerable populations have to die because the economy must reopen. pic.twitter.com/bNlQ5W1PbF — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 15, 2020
Trump held an event to promise a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year, where he said that the virus might not need a vaccine, and may just go away on its own.
Hoping that the pandemic goes away is not a plan, but that is what Trump is offering. As usual, he brought out a parade of officials and put on a show, but there were no details or information offered as to how Trump is going to get a vaccine, and then vaccinate the American people.
The entire event was a fresh humiliation that highlighted the incompetence of Donald Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-15--Trump Is Trying To Take Away Food Stamps During The Pandemic

Trump is appealing a court ruling that protected hundreds of thousands of people ’ s access to food stamps during the pandemic .
The Trump administration , aiming to tighten rules for federal food benefits , has appealed a federal judge ’ s ruling that temporarily enabled hundreds of thousands of people to maintain food stamp benefits during the coronavirus pandemic , according to court documents .
Last year , Congress blocked a Trump administration-backed effort to tighten the rules through the Farm Bill .
Since then , the administration has tried changing rules at the U.S. Department of Agriculture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the appeal will hurt poor Americans , noting that last month the U.S. economy lost 20.5 million jobs , the steepest plunge in payrolls since the Great Depression .
In the middle of the worst economy since the Great Depression , Donald Trump is still trying to take away food assistance from hundreds of thousands of people .
Trump ’ s donors and allies have already gotten millions of dollars in coronavirus bailouts , but this president is trying to take away basic food assistance from some of the most economically vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stamp recipients are children , the elderly , and the disabled .
At a time when unemployment is growing at a historic rate , the federal government should be providing more food and nutritional help to those who need it most instead of taking aid away .
Trump ’ s agenda is cruelty , and his penchant for punishing the poor will cost him in November .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump is appealing a court ruling that protected hundreds of thousands of people’s access to food stamps during the pandemic.
Via Reuters:
The Trump administration, aiming to tighten rules for federal food benefits, has appealed a federal judge’s ruling that temporarily enabled hundreds of thousands of people to maintain food stamp benefits during the coronavirus pandemic, according to court documents.
….
Last year, Congress blocked a Trump administration-backed effort to tighten the rules through the Farm Bill. Since then, the administration has tried changing rules at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the program. Critics said the appeal will hurt poor Americans, noting that last month the U.S. economy lost 20.5 million jobs, the steepest plunge in payrolls since the Great Depression.
In the middle of the worst economy since the Great Depression, Donald Trump is still trying to take away food assistance from hundreds of thousands of people. Trump’s donors and allies have already gotten millions of dollars in coronavirus bailouts, but this president is trying to take away basic food assistance from some of the most economically vulnerable Americans.
The vast majority of food stamp recipients are children, the elderly, and the disabled.
At a time when unemployment is growing at a historic rate, the federal government should be providing more food and nutritional help to those who need it most instead of taking aid away. Trump’s agenda is cruelty, and his penchant for punishing the poor will cost him in November.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-15--Former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius: “Terrifying” Coronavirus Response Could Be “Total Nightmare”

The Trump administration response to Coronavirus is “ terrifying ” , according to former Obama cabinet secretary Kathleen Sebelius .
She branded the White House approach “ chaos.
” The former Secretary of Health and Human Services told Rolling Stone that the administration hasn ’ t done enough and instead created a “ nightmare ” scenario .
“ In this case , every state needed the feds from the outset , ” Sebelius said .
“ And what has been terrifying to watch is that the federal government has refused to use the unique purchasing authority , the unique production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no state can mobilize.
” “ In addition to that , the White House created a framework where states competed with one another and competed with the federal government.
” “ The administration is creating a system of chaos and competition as opposed to collaboration .
This has made the situation worse for most states , ” she said .
Sebelius discussed what should happen next .
She strongly indicated that if the federal government ’ s response doesn ’ t change , things will get worse before they get better .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this episode , ” Sebelius cautioned .
“ I would just put on your radar screen the fact that we absolutely have to have a plan of what happens between now , the middle of April 2020 , and when we finish a national vaccination campaign.
” “ The federal role has to be funding , guidance , communication , logistics .
The PPE , the equipment , the ventilator fight was just precursor.
” “ Wait ‘ til we get to a vaccine or to treatment .
If everybody ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this out , we will have a total nightmare .
”

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The Trump administration response to Coronavirus is “terrifying”, according to former Obama cabinet secretary Kathleen Sebelius. She branded the White House approach “chaos.”
The former Secretary of Health and Human Services told Rolling Stone that the administration hasn’t done enough and instead created a “nightmare” scenario.
“In this case, every state needed the feds from the outset,” Sebelius said.
“And what has been terrifying to watch is that the federal government has refused to use the unique purchasing authority, the unique production authority and the national logistics system that no state can mobilize.”
“In addition to that, the White House created a framework where states competed with one another and competed with the federal government.”
“The administration is creating a system of chaos and competition as opposed to collaboration. This has made the situation worse for most states,” she said.
Sebelius discussed what should happen next. She strongly indicated that if the federal government’s response doesn’t change, things will get worse before they get better.
“We’re in the early days of this episode,” Sebelius cautioned.
“I would just put on your radar screen the fact that we absolutely have to have a plan of what happens between now, the middle of April 2020, and when we finish a national vaccination campaign.”
“The federal role has to be funding, guidance, communication, logistics. The PPE, the equipment, the ventilator fight was just precursor.”
“Wait ‘til we get to a vaccine or to treatment. If everybody’s on their own to try and figure this out, we will have a total nightmare.”
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-15--Joe Biden Says He Wouldn’t Pardon Trump If He Becomes President

Joe Biden wouldn ’ t pardon Donald Trump for any crimes relating to his presidency .
The presumptive Democratic nominee has dismissed the idea out of hand .
The former Vice President spoke to NBC News on Thursday .
Asked about pardoning Trump in the same way former President Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon , Biden was firm a “ no ” .
Biden committed to letting the law take its course .
“ Absolutely , yes , I commit , ” he said .
“ It ’ s hands-off completely .
Look , the attorney general of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer , it ’ s the people ’ s lawyer.
” “ It ’ s not something the president is entitled to do , to direct either a prosecution or decide to drop a case , ” he said .
“ That is not the president ’ s role or responsibility and it ’ s a dereliction of his duty.
” He also took aim at the current Justice Department .
Attorney General William Barr has faced much criticism for his decision to drop the case against Michael Flynn .
Biden said refusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his DOJ would be .
He pointed out that the current state of Justice was unprecedented in his experience .
“ We never saw anything like the prostitution of that office like we see it today , ” Biden said .
Though he didn ’ t cite any specific crimes that President Trump might be guilty of , there ’ s been serious speculation that failing to win reelection will open the President to possible charges .
Ford pardoned Nixon in 1974 in an effort to heal the country .
However , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s vice president .
Pardoning a president from another party is without precedent .

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Joe Biden wouldn’t pardon Donald Trump for any crimes relating to his presidency. The presumptive Democratic nominee has dismissed the idea out of hand.
The former Vice President spoke to NBC News on Thursday. Asked about pardoning Trump in the same way former President Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon, Biden was firm a “no”.
Biden committed to letting the law take its course.
“Absolutely, yes, I commit,” he said.
“It’s hands-off completely. Look, the attorney general of the United States is not the president’s lawyer, it’s the people’s lawyer.”
“It’s not something the president is entitled to do, to direct either a prosecution or decide to drop a case,” he said.
“That is not the president’s role or responsibility and it’s a dereliction of his duty.”
He also took aim at the current Justice Department. Attorney General William Barr has faced much criticism for his decision to drop the case against Michael Flynn.
Biden said refusing to pardon Trump would show how different his DOJ would be. He pointed out that the current state of Justice was unprecedented in his experience.
“We never saw anything like the prostitution of that office like we see it today,” Biden said.
Though he didn’t cite any specific crimes that President Trump might be guilty of, there’s been serious speculation that failing to win reelection will open the President to possible charges.
Ford pardoned Nixon in 1974 in an effort to heal the country. However, both men were Republicans and Ford was Nixon’s vice president. Pardoning a president from another party is without precedent.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-15--Washington Congresswoman Says Republicans “Are Literally Willing to Let People Die”

Speaking to VICE , Washington Representative Pramila Jayapal ( D ) lambasted members of the Republican Party , saying “ [ they ’ re ] basically doing everything possible to strip health care away ” even in the middle of global pandemic .
“ That ’ s why [ Democrats ] have to have alternatives to that and really show the contrast between Republican [ politicians ] —whether it ’ s governors or members of Congress or the Trump administration—who are literally willing to let people die , ” she said .
“ That is what is so clear to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening up too quickly and sending people back to work when we don ’ t have testing , contact tracing , isolation , all the things that the public health people , the scientists , the researchers , the doctors have told us…and yet we ’ re saying , ‘ well , you know , too bad , people are just going to go have to go back to work , ' ” she continued .
“ Most people who are smart will say , “ Uh , I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a little bit safer.
” But the people who really don ’ t have the economic means or don ’ t have flexible employers are the ones that are going to end up going back and potentially comprising an even larger percentage of people who get the virus.
” Pointing out that there are myriad ways to protect health care , Jayapal shone a spotlight on a proposal pushed by her and Senator Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) “ to basically cover all the costs of health care during the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleague , Representative Joe Kennedy ( D-Mass . )
, who along with Jayapal crafted the Medicare Crisis Program , which would “ expand the number of people that are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid—so if you ’ re unemployed , you would be covered by Medicare , if you ’ re uninsured , you would be covered by Medicaid.
” And then there ’ s her Paycheck Guarantee Act , “ which would guarantee paychecks and benefits , which would include health care and , in that bill , we would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care for now .
” “ Obviously I ’ m a Medicare for All person , but I think this is not the time to be kicking people off their health care [ from job loss ] , ” Jayapal added .
According to a new Kaiser Family Foundation report , nearly 27 million Americans could lose their health insurance as a result of spiking unemployment numbers .

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Speaking to VICE, Washington Representative Pramila Jayapal (D) lambasted members of the Republican Party, saying “[they’re] basically doing everything possible to strip health care away” even in the middle of global pandemic.
“That’s why [Democrats] have to have alternatives to that and really show the contrast between Republican [politicians]—whether it’s governors or members of Congress or the Trump administration—who are literally willing to let people die,” she said.
“That is what is so clear to me. [We’re] opening up too quickly and sending people back to work when we don’t have testing, contact tracing, isolation, all the things that the public health people, the scientists, the researchers, the doctors have told us…and yet we’re saying, ‘well, you know, too bad, people are just going to go have to go back to work,'” she continued. “Most people who are smart will say, “Uh, I don’t think I’m going back until it’s a little bit safer.” But the people who really don’t have the economic means or don’t have flexible employers are the ones that are going to end up going back and potentially comprising an even larger percentage of people who get the virus.”
Pointing out that there are myriad ways to protect health care, Jayapal shone a spotlight on a proposal pushed by her and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) “to basically cover all the costs of health care during the crisis through Medicare.” She also praised her colleague, Representative Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.), who along with Jayapal crafted the Medicare Crisis Program, which would “expand the number of people that are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid—so if you’re unemployed, you would be covered by Medicare, if you’re uninsured, you would be covered by Medicaid.”
And then there’s her Paycheck Guarantee Act, “which would guarantee paychecks and benefits, which would include health care and, in that bill, we would at least keep people on their employer-covered health care for now. ”
PPP has been nearly inaccessible for minority-owned businesses. We must pass the #PaycheckGuaranteeAct to ensure all workers and all businesses get critical relief. pic.twitter.com/KuvhPZrVET — Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) May 15, 2020
“Obviously I’m a Medicare for All person, but I think this is not the time to be kicking people off their health care [from job loss],” Jayapal added.
According to a new Kaiser Family Foundation report, nearly 27 million Americans could lose their health insurance as a result of spiking unemployment numbers.


politicususa--2020-05-15--Trump’s Coronavirus Response Slammed by One of the World’s Oldest Medical Journals

In an unsigned editorial , The Lancet , one of the world ’ s oldest and most esteemed medical journals , slammed President Trump ’ s “ inconsistent and incoherent national response ” to the coronavirus pandemic as the death toll in the United States nears 87,000 .
Pointing out that the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , once the “ national pillar of public health and globally respected ” has for a long time “ been subject to conservative politics that have increasingly eroded the agency ’ s ability to mount effective , evidence-based public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Lancet admonishes the Trump administration for having “ further chipped away at the CDC ’ s capacity to combat infectious diseases.
” “ CDC staff in China were cut back with the last remaining CDC officer recalled home from the China CDC in July , 2019 , leaving an intelligence vacuum when COVID-19 began to emerge .
In a press conference on Feb 25 , Nancy Messonnier , director of the CDC ’ s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases , warned US citizens to prepare for major disruptions to movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer appeared at White House briefings on COVID-19 .
More recently , the Trump administration has questioned guidelines that the CDC has provided .
These actions have undermined the CDC ’ s leadership and its work during the COVID-19 pandemic , ” the editorial continues , noting that despite the agency ’ s mistakes , “ especially on testing in the early stages of the pandemic , ” the Trump administration “ is obsessed with magic bullets—vaccines , new medicines , or a hope that the virus will simply disappear.
” “ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health principles , like test , trace , and isolate , will see the emergency brought to an end , and this requires an effective national public health agency .
The CDC needs a director who can provide leadership without the threat of being silenced and who has the technical capacity to lead today ’ s complicated effort , ” The Lancet warns .
The editorial concludes that the Trump administration ’ s “ further erosion of the CDC will harm global cooperation in science and public health , as it is trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moreover , “ A strong CDC is needed to respond to public health threats , both domestic and international , and to help prevent the next inevitable pandemic .
Americans must put a president in the White House come January , 2021 , who will understand that public health should not be guided by partisan politics.
” The Lancet ‘ s editorial comes just days after The Daily Beast reported that the president and members of the White House coronavirus task force are pressuring CDC officials to change “ how the agency works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The report notes that Trump and his associates are “ pushing for revisions that could lead to far fewer deaths being counted than originally reported , according to five administration officials working on the government ’ s response to the pandemic.
” The CDC has pushed back against the president ’ s suggestions that the official death toll was “ incorrectly tallied or even inflated by current methodology .
”

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In an unsigned editorial, The Lancet, one of the world’s oldest and most esteemed medical journals, slammed President Trump’s “inconsistent and incoherent national response” to the coronavirus pandemic as the death toll in the United States nears 87,000.
Pointing out that the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), once the “national pillar of public health and globally respected” has for a long time “been subject to conservative politics that have increasingly eroded the agency’s ability to mount effective, evidence-based public health responses” across several administrations, The Lancet admonishes the Trump administration for having “further chipped away at the CDC’s capacity to combat infectious diseases.”
“CDC staff in China were cut back with the last remaining CDC officer recalled home from the China CDC in July, 2019, leaving an intelligence vacuum when COVID-19 began to emerge. In a press conference on Feb 25, Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, warned US citizens to prepare for major disruptions to movement and everyday life. Messonnier subsequently no longer appeared at White House briefings on COVID-19. More recently, the Trump administration has questioned guidelines that the CDC has provided. These actions have undermined the CDC’s leadership and its work during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the editorial continues, noting that despite the agency’s mistakes, “especially on testing in the early stages of the pandemic,” the Trump administration “is obsessed with magic bullets—vaccines, new medicines, or a hope that the virus will simply disappear.”
“But only a steadfast reliance on basic public health principles, like test, trace, and isolate, will see the emergency brought to an end, and this requires an effective national public health agency. The CDC needs a director who can provide leadership without the threat of being silenced and who has the technical capacity to lead today’s complicated effort,” The Lancet warns.
The editorial concludes that the Trump administration’s “further erosion of the CDC will harm global cooperation in science and public health, as it is trying to do by defunding WHO. ”
Moreover, “A strong CDC is needed to respond to public health threats, both domestic and international, and to help prevent the next inevitable pandemic. Americans must put a president in the White House come January, 2021, who will understand that public health should not be guided by partisan politics.”
The Lancet‘s editorial comes just days after The Daily Beast reported that the president and members of the White House coronavirus task force are pressuring CDC officials to change “how the agency works with states to count coronavirus-related deaths.”
The report notes that Trump and his associates are “pushing for revisions that could lead to far fewer deaths being counted than originally reported, according to five administration officials working on the government’s response to the pandemic.”
The CDC has pushed back against the president’s suggestions that the official death toll was “incorrectly tallied or even inflated by current methodology.”


politicususa--2020-05-15--Trump Claims Made-Up “Obamagate” is “The Greatest Political Scandal in the History of the United Sta

Trump Claims Made-Up “Obamagate” is “The Greatest Political Scandal in the History of the United States”

President Donald Trump continued promoting his “ Obamagate ” conspiracy theory on Twitter this morning in a joint attack against former President Barack Obama and media organizations that have printed unfavorable coverage of his presidency .
First Trump thanked the hosts of “ Fox and Friends ” for “ covering , supremely , the greatest political scandal in the history of the United States , OBAMAGATE.
” He added : “ Fake News @ CNN and Concast ’ s own MSDNC are only trying to make their 3 year Con Job just go away .
They are embarrassed and don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He then assailed The New York Times and The Washington Post as “ a disgrace to journalism , ” and said that “ They are all Fake News , and they know it better than anyone else .
History is unfolding , and it is not a pretty picture for ‘ journalism . '
” Trump began to promote his Obamagate conspiracy earlier this week after news outlets obtained a tape of a web talk between Obama and members of the Obama Alumni Association in which he said the “ rule of law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States after it emerged the Justice Department dismissed the case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn .
“ The news over the last 24 hours I think has been somewhat downplayed – about the justice department dropping charges against Michael Flynn , ” Obama reportedly said on the recording .
“ And the fact that there is no precedent that anybody can find for someone who has been charged with perjury [ in fact Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI ] just getting off scot-free .
That ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get worried that basic – not just institutional norms – but our basic understanding of rule of law is at risk , ” he continued .
“ And when you start moving in those directions , it can accelerate pretty quickly as we ’ ve seen in other places.
” Trump peddled conspiracy theories about the role Obama played during the Russia investigation for the rest of the night of May 10 .
He was criticized last week for retweeting a conspiracy theory suggesting that Obama “ was the one running the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the Obama administration did , is unprecedented … and I hope a lot of people will pay a big price because they are dishonest , crooked people .
They are scum , human scum , ” Trump said earlier this week .
“ [ Flynn ] was targeted by the Obama administration , and he was targeted in order to try to take down a president.
” Flynn resigned from the White House in disgrace after he provided false information about his communications with the Russian government , particularly after the news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then the Russian ambassador to the United States , became public .
He later pleaded guilty to a felony count of “ willfully and knowingly ” making false statements to the FBI .

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President Donald Trump continued promoting his “Obamagate” conspiracy theory on Twitter this morning in a joint attack against former President Barack Obama and media organizations that have printed unfavorable coverage of his presidency.
First Trump thanked the hosts of “Fox and Friends” for “covering, supremely, the greatest political scandal in the history of the United States, OBAMAGATE.” He added: “Fake News @CNN and Concast’s own MSDNC are only trying to make their 3 year Con Job just go away. They are embarrassed and don’t know what to do.”
He then assailed The New York Times and The Washington Post as “a disgrace to journalism,” and said that “They are all Fake News, and they know it better than anyone else. History is unfolding, and it is not a pretty picture for ‘journalism.'”
Thank you to @foxandfriends for covering, supremely, the greatest political scandal in the history of the United States, OBAMAGATE. Fake News @CNN and Concast’s own MSDNC are only trying to make their 3 year Con Job just go away. They are embarrassed and don’t know what to do…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 15, 2020
….Likewise, the @nytimes and @washingtonpost are a disgrace to journalism. They are all Fake News, and they know it better than anyone else. History is unfolding, and it is not a pretty picture for “journalism”. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 15, 2020
Trump began to promote his Obamagate conspiracy earlier this week after news outlets obtained a tape of a web talk between Obama and members of the Obama Alumni Association in which he said the “rule of law is at risk” in the United States after it emerged the Justice Department dismissed the case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
“The news over the last 24 hours I think has been somewhat downplayed – about the justice department dropping charges against Michael Flynn,” Obama reportedly said on the recording.
“And the fact that there is no precedent that anybody can find for someone who has been charged with perjury [in fact Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI] just getting off scot-free. That’s the kind of stuff where you begin to get worried that basic – not just institutional norms – but our basic understanding of rule of law is at risk,” he continued. “And when you start moving in those directions, it can accelerate pretty quickly as we’ve seen in other places.”
Trump peddled conspiracy theories about the role Obama played during the Russia investigation for the rest of the night of May 10.
He was criticized last week for retweeting a conspiracy theory suggesting that Obama “was the one running the Russian hoax.”
“What they did, what the Obama administration did, is unprecedented … and I hope a lot of people will pay a big price because they are dishonest, crooked people. They are scum, human scum,” Trump said earlier this week. “[Flynn] was targeted by the Obama administration, and he was targeted in order to try to take down a president.”
Flynn resigned from the White House in disgrace after he provided false information about his communications with the Russian government, particularly after the news of his conversations with Sergey Kislyak, then the Russian ambassador to the United States, became public. He later pleaded guilty to a felony count of “willfully and knowingly” making false statements to the FBI.


politicususa--2020-05-16--Opinion: Betsy DeVos’ Uses Pandemic to Intensify GOP Assault on States

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has fit right in with the Trump administration , treating her government position as opportunity to enrich herself and serve her own narrow ideological interests at taxpayer expense .
Given her role in supporting ( or not ) the public school systems on which the majority of American families depend to educate their children , she isn ’ t just funding her own interests at taxpayer expense , but even more insidiously at the expense of the well-being and cultivation of the nation ’ s children .
And not even just the nation ’ s children—she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the efforts of hardworking adults to earn a college degree .
In fact , last fall , Federal Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim held DeVos in contempt of court for having refused to cease and desist from hounding defrauded students to repay loans from corrupt for-profit colleges .
DeVos , Judge Kim determined , had broken the law in reversing Obama-era legislation enabling students swindled by fraudulent for-profit to qualify for loan forgiveness .
She spoke with disdain about these students simply seeking “ free money.
” She wanted those loans paid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ even clearer when last December she advocated for spinning of the Department of Education ’ s Federal Student Aid office into a stand-alone agency .
As The Intercept ’ s Ryan Grim , explained , “ This very much appears to be a Betsy DeVos scheme to block the next president from unilaterally forgiving federal student debt , which she is well aware a president could do without Congress .
The DeVos family is heavily invested in the student loan industry and this is just flat-out corruption.
” DeVos ’ s machinations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique to her .
They need to be understood as part and parcel of a larger Republican assault on the public sphere itself , on government and particularly state governments , which the GOP would prefer to starve to death , letting it wither away in favor of enabling a private sector to control the nation ’ s resources and decision-making .
The brewing fight over the $ 3 trillion relief package the House just passed will largely be informed , as I ’ ve written about earlier for PoliticusUsa ( here and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s desire to support state governments , particularly in blue states .
As Mitch McConnell has stated directly , he would prefer states to go bankrupt .
What he doesn ’ t say directly is that states declaring bankruptcy , because the process is overseen by federal courts , forego control of their budgets to the federal courts , largely stocked with Republican judges , who then decide spending priorities , giving them the ability to slash public funding .
The recent $ 2.2 trillion relief package passed by Congress to address the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , containing aid for school systems and higher education , has given DeVos avaricious hands access to billions of dollars ; and in typical fashion she is distributing it not to serve as optimally as possible the nation ’ s public school systems and public institutions of higher education .
Rather she is busy funneling a good portion of the money to private institutions and also creating micro-grants that function like vouchers , enabling families to use public dollars to pay tuition at private and parochial schools , according to Erica L. Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
When it comes to funding for higher education , designed primarily to help struggling public institutions , DeVos has directed much of that money to small private or religious colleges regardless of need , including nearly a half million dollars for The Wright Graduate University for the Realization of Human Potential , a private institution in Wisconsin whose website homepage features above all its defense against being identified as a cult , in addition to other legal defenses against state licensure agencies .
But this pandemic corruption is not new .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault on state ’ s seeking to support the public sphere .
Remember Republican Governor Sam Brownback ’ s Kansas back in 2016 , when the school year was shortened due to revenue shortfalls attributable to his massive corporate tax cuts .
It was clear that these Republican fiscal and tax policies do not beenfit the economic health of these states or create a higher quality of life .
Brownback ’ s cuts to education were so egregious that they were deemed unconstitutional by the state ’ s supreme court .
Bobby Jindal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations , leaving the state in economic chaos and facing massive cuts to education and basic social services .
In Illinois in 2016 , former Republican Governor Jim Edgar , who campaigned for Bruce Rauner , expressed buyer ’ s remorse and was roundly critical of Rauner ’ s holding the state hostage in seeking the union-busting , anti-working-class legislation he wanted passed by the legislature .
Edgar indicted his venture capitalist mentality in trying to run the state like one of his businesses : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He doesn ’ t even really come from mainstream business .
He comes from ( being an ) entrepreneur where you buy a business , you tear it apart and you sell it .
… I don ’ t think you ’ re going to tear apart the state and sell it .
He might want to , but you can ’ t do that.
” Of course , tearing apart and selling states seems to be Republicans have in mind .
Clearly , effective governing and public policy must address the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working people of any state to ensure and foster the health of the state ’ s local economy and to attract citizens .
What is also clear is that the contemporary GOP has given up on governing and instead dedicated itself to the rapacious agenda of more aggressively continuing the re-distribution of wealth to the top at the expense of working and taxpaying citizens .
The behavior of DeVos and the entire GOP is aimed at exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to intensify this assault on states , on the public sphere , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people .

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Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has fit right in with the Trump administration, treating her government position as opportunity to enrich herself and serve her own narrow ideological interests at taxpayer expense.
Given her role in supporting (or not) the public school systems on which the majority of American families depend to educate their children, she isn’t just funding her own interests at taxpayer expense, but even more insidiously at the expense of the well-being and cultivation of the nation’s children.
And not even just the nation’s children—she has repeatedly undermined, in fraudulent ways, the efforts of hardworking adults to earn a college degree.
In fact, last fall, Federal Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim held DeVos in contempt of court for having refused to cease and desist from hounding defrauded students to repay loans from corrupt for-profit colleges. DeVos, Judge Kim determined, had broken the law in reversing Obama-era legislation enabling students swindled by fraudulent for-profit to qualify for loan forgiveness.
She spoke with disdain about these students simply seeking “free money.” She wanted those loans paid. Why? Well, her motives became even clearer when last December she advocated for spinning of the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office into a stand-alone agency.
Again, why?
As The Intercept’s Ryan Grim, explained, “This very much appears to be a Betsy DeVos scheme to block the next president from unilaterally forgiving federal student debt, which she is well aware a president could do without Congress. The DeVos family is heavily invested in the student loan industry and this is just flat-out corruption.”
DeVos’s machinations, however, should not be understood as unique to her. They need to be understood as part and parcel of a larger Republican assault on the public sphere itself, on government and particularly state governments, which the GOP would prefer to starve to death, letting it wither away in favor of enabling a private sector to control the nation’s resources and decision-making.
The brewing fight over the $3 trillion relief package the House just passed will largely be informed, as I’ve written about earlier for PoliticusUsa (here and here), by the GOP’s desire to support state governments, particularly in blue states. As Mitch McConnell has stated directly, he would prefer states to go bankrupt. What he doesn’t say directly is that states declaring bankruptcy, because the process is overseen by federal courts, forego control of their budgets to the federal courts, largely stocked with Republican judges, who then decide spending priorities, giving them the ability to slash public funding.
The recent $2.2 trillion relief package passed by Congress to address the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, containing aid for school systems and higher education, has given DeVos avaricious hands access to billions of dollars; and in typical fashion she is distributing it not to serve as optimally as possible the nation’s public school systems and public institutions of higher education. Rather she is busy funneling a good portion of the money to private institutions and also creating micro-grants that function like vouchers, enabling families to use public dollars to pay tuition at private and parochial schools, according to Erica L. Green’s reporting for The New York Times.
According to Green:
Ms. DeVos has used $180 million of those dollars to encourage states to create “microgrants” that parents of elementary and secondary school students can use to pay for educational services, including private school tuition. She has directed school districts to share millions of dollars designated for low-income students with wealthy private schools.
When it comes to funding for higher education, designed primarily to help struggling public institutions, DeVos has directed much of that money to small private or religious colleges regardless of need. Nearly a half million dollars was initially made available to The Wright Graduate University for the Realization of Human Potential, a private institution in Wisconsin whose website homepage features above all its defense against being identified as a cult, in addition to other legal defenses against state licensure agencies. Wright did, in fact, turn down this funding.
But this pandemic corruption is not new. It is part of a longstanding Republican assault on state’s seeking to support the public sphere.
Remember Republican Governor Sam Brownback’s Kansas back in 2016, when the school year was shortened due to revenue shortfalls attributable to his massive corporate tax cuts. It was clear that these Republican fiscal and tax policies do not beenfit the economic health of these states or create a higher quality of life. Brownback’s cuts to education were so egregious that they were deemed unconstitutional by the state’s supreme court. Bobby Jindal wreaked similar havoc in Louisiana, granting massive tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations,leaving the state in economic chaos and facing massive cuts to education and basic social services.
In Illinois in 2016, former Republican Governor Jim Edgar, who campaigned for Bruce Rauner, expressed buyer’s remorse and was roundly critical of Rauner’s holding the state hostage in seeking the union-busting, anti-working-class legislation he wanted passed by the legislature. Edgar indicted his venture capitalist mentality in trying to run the state like one of his businesses: “He does not come from government. He doesn’t even really come from mainstream business. He comes from (being an) entrepreneur where you buy a business, you tear it apart and you sell it. … I don’t think you’re going to tear apart the state and sell it. He might want to, but you can’t do that.”
Of course, tearing apart and selling states seems to be Republicans have in mind.
Clearly, effective governing and public policy must address the health and quality of living conditions for the working people of any state to ensure and foster the health of the state’s local economy and to attract citizens.
What is also clear is that the contemporary GOP has given up on governing and instead dedicated itself to the rapacious agenda of more aggressively continuing the re-distribution of wealth to the top at the expense of working and taxpaying citizens.
The behavior of DeVos and the entire GOP is aimed at exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to intensify this assault on states, on the public sphere, which is above all an attack on the American people.
This essay has been corrected to indicate that Wright Graduate University did not accept any of the money DeVos made available to them. I am following the correction The New York Times made on its article: “An earlier version of this article misstated that a school received funding from the Education Department. The Wright Graduate University for the Realization of Human Potential was allocated about $495,000, but it did not claim it.”