politicususa--2020-05-28--Trump White House Demands The Names Of Twitter’s Fact Checkers

Trump Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany is demanding to know the names of the fact-checkers that Twitter is using to correct Trump .
McEnany said on Fox News , “ So Twitter wants this to be the standard , they get to “ fact check ” the President Of The United States in an untruthful way , not fact check Chinese propaganda until we pointed it out and they started doing it moments ago , yet we don ’ t get to ask who the fact-checkers are that an untenable proposition , and that ’ s an unfair proposition , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” This is a common tactic in the Trump playbook .
They want the names of the fact-checkers , so that they can be singled out , demonized , smeared , and bullied by this White House .
The fact check was not written by Twitter .
The link under Trump ’ s tweets goes to a series of mainstream articles with factual information that contradicts Trump ’ s lies .
Trump is using the Twitter fact check as a distraction from the worsening pandemic and economic news .
Trump always needs an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already defeated him , he is trying to target some employees at Twitter .
This is a sad and pathetic sham that a majority of Americans should not and will not fall for .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany is demanding to know the names of the fact-checkers that Twitter is using to correct Trump.
McEnany said on Fox News, “So Twitter wants this to be the standard, they get to “fact check” the President Of The United States in an untruthful way, not fact check Chinese propaganda until we pointed it out and they started doing it moments ago, yet we don’t get to ask who the fact-checkers are that an untenable proposition, and that’s an unfair proposition, and we will ask who the fact-checkers are.”
Video:
.@PressSec calls out Twitter for Fact Checking President Trump before Chinese Propaganda. pic.twitter.com/ujvcvpGuOV — Benny (@bennyjohnson) May 28, 2020
This is a common tactic in the Trump playbook. They want the names of the fact-checkers, so that they can be singled out, demonized, smeared, and bullied by this White House. The fact check was not written by Twitter. The link under Trump’s tweets goes to a series of mainstream articles with factual information that contradicts Trump’s lies.
Trump is using the Twitter fact check as a distraction from the worsening pandemic and economic news. Trump always needs an enemy, and since the coronavirus has already defeated him, he is trying to target some employees at Twitter.
This is a sad and pathetic sham that a majority of Americans should not and will not fall for.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-28--Trump Calls Coronavirus “A Very Bad Gift from China” as Deaths Pass 100,000

Donald Trump addressed the Coronavirus death toll on Thursday by gently criticizing China for the disease .
The President ’ s seemed more concerned with Twitter this morning .
“ We have just reached a very sad milestone with the coronavirus pandemic deaths reaching 100,000 , ” Trump tweeted .
“ To all of the families & friends of those who have passed , I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy & love for everything that these great people stood for & represent .
God be with you !
” As some social media users were quick to point out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
The President has made little reference to the number of casualties throughout the crisis .
Trump tweeted about Covid-19 again a few minutes later , striking a very different tone .
“ All over the World the CoronaVirus , a very bad ‘ gift ’ from China , marches on .
Not good !
” he said .
But the President ’ s first tweets to the American people on Thursday were not about Coronavirus .
Instead , Trump sent a series of retweets from his supporters and then previewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a Big Day for Social Media and FAIRNESS !
” he said .
The as yet mysterious executive order on social media is due later on Thursday .
However , critics have pointed out that the President has no power to regulate social media .

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Donald Trump addressed the Coronavirus death toll on Thursday by gently criticizing China for the disease. The President’s seemed more concerned with Twitter this morning.
“We have just reached a very sad milestone with the coronavirus pandemic deaths reaching 100,000,” Trump tweeted.
We have just reached a very sad milestone with the coronavirus pandemic deaths reaching 100,000. To all of the families & friends of those who have passed, I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy & love for everything that these great people stood for & represent. God be with you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 28, 2020
“To all of the families & friends of those who have passed, I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy & love for everything that these great people stood for & represent. God be with you!”
As some social media users were quick to point out, the death toll actually passed 100,000 on Wednesday. The President has made little reference to the number of casualties throughout the crisis.
Trump tweeted about Covid-19 again a few minutes later, striking a very different tone.
“All over the World the CoronaVirus, a very bad ‘gift’ from China, marches on. Not good!” he said.
But the President’s first tweets to the American people on Thursday were not about Coronavirus. Instead, Trump sent a series of retweets from his supporters and then previewed his executive order.
“This will be a Big Day for Social Media and FAIRNESS!” he said.
The as yet mysterious executive order on social media is due later on Thursday. However, critics have pointed out that the President has no power to regulate social media.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-28--Dr. Fauci Now Says a Second Wave of Coronavirus “Is Not Inevitable”

Dr. Anthony Fauci believes a second wave of Coronavirus later this year could be avoided if the country stays the course .
This marks a change in his views since last month .
The Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told CNN on Wednesday that the U.S. might not see a second wave which was previously widely expected .
“ We often talk about the the possibility of a second wave , or of an outbreak when you ’ re reopening , ” Fauci said .
“ We don ’ t have to accept that as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ And particularly when people start thinking about the fall .
I want people to really appreciate that , it could happen but it is not inevitable.
” Fauci ’ s comments show his opinion has changed since last month .
At that time , he warned that a second Coronavirus wave was inevitable .
Many other experts agreed .
“ I ’ m feeling better about it as we go by with the weeks that go by , and we see that we ’ re getting more and more capability of testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we do the kinds of things that we ’ re putting in place now , to have the workforce , the system , and the will to do the kinds of things that are the clear and effective identification , isolation and contact tracing , we can prevent this second wave that we ’ re talking about , if we do it correctly.
” He warned , however , that precautions still needed to be taken .
“ People who are out there frolicking need to realize that when you do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one week , please don ’ t be overconfident because the effect of spreading is not going to be seen for two , three , maybe even more weeks .
”

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Dr. Anthony Fauci believes a second wave of Coronavirus later this year could be avoided if the country stays the course. This marks a change in his views since last month.
The Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told CNN on Wednesday that the U.S. might not see a second wave which was previously widely expected.
“We often talk about the the possibility of a second wave, or of an outbreak when you’re reopening,” Fauci said.
“We don’t have to accept that as an inevitability,” he said.
Watch the video:
“People who are out there frolicking need to realize that when you do that, and you see no negative effect in one week, please don’t be overconfident because the effect of spreading is not going to be seen for two, three, maybe even more weeks,” Dr. Anthony Fauci says. pic.twitter.com/jLp7ZdWI8w — CNN News Central (@NewsCentralCNN) May 27, 2020
“And particularly when people start thinking about the fall. I want people to really appreciate that, it could happen but it is not inevitable.”
Fauci’s comments show his opinion has changed since last month. At that time, he warned that a second Coronavirus wave was inevitable. Many other experts agreed.
“I’m feeling better about it as we go by with the weeks that go by, and we see that we’re getting more and more capability of testing,” Fauci told CNN.
“If we do the kinds of things that we’re putting in place now, to have the workforce, the system, and the will to do the kinds of things that are the clear and effective identification, isolation and contact tracing, we can prevent this second wave that we’re talking about, if we do it correctly.”
He warned, however, that precautions still needed to be taken.
“People who are out there frolicking need to realize that when you do that, and you see no negative effect in one week, please don’t be overconfident because the effect of spreading is not going to be seen for two, three, maybe even more weeks.”
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-28--Rick Wilson Calls Trump’s Social Media Executive Order “Vomit” and Slams Its “Ludicrously Wrong” Sup

Rick Wilson Calls Trump’s Social Media Executive Order “Vomit” and Slams Its “Ludicrously Wrong” Supporters

Conservative Rick Wilson has preemptively attacked Donald Trump ’ s impending executive order on social media .
He also warned Republicans it could end badly for them .
“ We don ’ t know what the WH Counsel ’ s office is going to vomit out when it comes to this social media executive order , but the idea by many Trump ‘ conservatives ’ that this is a Good Thing , is I think , ludicrously wrong , ” Wilson tweeted .
“ Nothing says ‘ limited government ’ like putting the FTC and Commerce Department in the role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved with the anti-Trump Lincoln Project .
He warned that a future Democratic president could easily target conservatives based on Trump ’ s precedent .
“ What could EVER go wrong with that ?
” Wilson mused .
“ Let me give my Trump fluffer audience a couple mild , not too far-fetched scenarios to contemplate.
” “ In 2028 , President Cortez ( D-Progville , WA ) decides that online anti-abortion speech is unacceptable and deceptive .
Or that no online platform should allow discussion of those terrible guns , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capitalism has done enough damage or that The Federalist or Sturmbart or the Daily Caller represent a clear and present danger for trying to revive the Trump Cult , again ?
” “ Are these broadly drawn and lurid scenarios ?
Sure .
Is Trump teeing this shit up ?
Yup .
So good job , ‘ conservatives ’ !
Go you !
” The White House has not yet revealed the contents of Trump ’ s executive order .
However , it will likely have no real effect on how social media @ @

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Conservative Rick Wilson has preemptively attacked Donald Trump’s impending executive order on social media. He also warned Republicans it could end badly for them.
“We don’t know what the WH Counsel’s office is going to vomit out when it comes to this social media executive order, but the idea by many Trump ‘conservatives’ that this is a Good Thing, is I think, ludicrously wrong,” Wilson tweeted.
1/ We don't know what the WH Counsel's office is going to vomit out when it comes to this social media executive order, but the idea by many Trump "conservatives" that this is a Good Thing, is I think, ludicrously wrong. Nothing says "limited government" like putting the… — Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) May 28, 2020
“Nothing says ‘limited government’ like putting the FTC and Commerce Department in the role of policing online speech.”
Wilson is involved with the anti-Trump Lincoln Project. He warned that a future Democratic president could easily target conservatives based on Trump’s precedent.
“What could EVER go wrong with that?” Wilson mused. “Let me give my Trump fluffer audience a couple mild, not too far-fetched scenarios to contemplate.”
“In 2028, President Cortez (D-Progville, WA) decides that online anti-abortion speech is unacceptable and deceptive. Or that no online platform should allow discussion of those terrible guns,” he hypothesized.
“Or that free market capitalism has done enough damage or that The Federalist or Sturmbart or the Daily Caller represent a clear and present danger for trying to revive the Trump Cult, again?”
“Are these broadly drawn and lurid scenarios? Sure. Is Trump teeing this shit up? Yup. So good job, ‘conservatives’! Go you!”
The White House has not yet revealed the contents of Trump’s executive order. However, it will likely have no real effect on how social media operate.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-28--Trump Claims Today “Will Be a Big Day For Social Media and FAIRNESS” As Coronavirus Deaths Top 100K

President Trump took to Twitter to declare that today “ will be a Big Day for Social Media and FAIRNESS @ @ @ @ @ after he threatened to shut down social media platforms after Twitter , his communication tool @ @ @ @ @ his tweets .
The president ’ s statement comes after news outlets revealed the president @ @ @ @ @ executive order against social media companies .
The order reinterprets the Communications Decency Act , @ @ @ @ @ companies from lawsuits .
The president faced heated criticism for lashing out at social media @ @ @ @ @ United States from the coronavirus pandemic topped 100,000 .
According to current statistics , the @ @ @ @ @ 102,197 people .
Trump made headlines yesterday for mocking former vice president Joe Biden for @ @ @ @ @ to note the sobering milestone .
He is also contending with more criticism for his @ @ @ @ @ due to his multiple tweets alleging that “ Morning Joe ” host Joe Scarborough murdered @ @ @ @ @

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President Trump took to Twitter to declare that today “will be a Big Day for Social Media and FAIRNESS!” just a day after he threatened to shut down social media platforms after Twitter, his communication tool of choice, began fact-checking his tweets.
This will be a Big Day for Social Media and FAIRNESS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 28, 2020
The president’s statement comes after news outlets revealed the president reportedly plans to sign an executive order against social media companies. The order reinterprets the Communications Decency Act, which shields websites and tech companies from lawsuits.
The president faced heated criticism for lashing out at social media companies as deaths in the United States from the coronavirus pandemic topped 100,000. According to current statistics, the death toll now stands at 102,197 people.
Trump made headlines yesterday for mocking former vice president Joe Biden for wearing a mask while failing to note the sobering milestone. He is also contending with more criticism for his behavior on social media platforms due to his multiple tweets alleging that “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough murdered his former congressional staffer.


politicususa--2020-05-28--Zuckerberg Says Social Media Platforms “Shouldn’t Be Arbiters of Truth”After Twitter Fact Checks Tru

Zuckerberg Says Social Media Platforms “Shouldn’t Be Arbiters of Truth”After Twitter Fact Checks Trump

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says social media companies shouldn ’ t be responsible for fact-checking the content posted on their platforms following President Donald Trump ’ s criticism of Twitter for fact-checking his claim that vote-by-mail initiatives are “ substantially fraudulent.
” “ I don ’ t think that Facebook or internet platforms in general should be arbiters of truth , ” Zuckerberg said during an appearance on “ Squawk Box.
” Political speech is one of the most sensitive parts in a democracy , and people should be able to see what politicians say.
” Facebook does employ fact-checkers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there to “ really catch the worst of the worst stuff.
” “ The point of that program isn ’ t to try to parse words on is something slightly true or false , ” he said .
“ In terms of political speech , again , I think you want to give broad deference to the political process and political speech.
” President Trump has threatened to shut down social media platforms after Twitter ’ s fact-check .
“ Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices .
We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before we can ever allow this to happen , ” he wrote .
“ We saw what they attempted to do , and failed , in 2016 .
We can ’ t let a more sophisticated version of that happen again.
” The president reportedly plans to sign an executive order against social media companies .
The order reinterprets the Communications Decency Act , which shields websites and tech companies from lawsuits .

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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says social media companies shouldn’t be responsible for fact-checking the content posted on their platforms following President Donald Trump’s criticism of Twitter for fact-checking his claim that vote-by-mail initiatives are “substantially fraudulent.”
“I don’t think that Facebook or internet platforms in general should be arbiters of truth,” Zuckerberg said during an appearance on “Squawk Box.” Political speech is one of the most sensitive parts in a democracy, and people should be able to see what politicians say.”
Facebook does employ fact-checkers, but Zuckerberg insists they’re there to “really catch the worst of the worst stuff.”
“The point of that program isn’t to try to parse words on is something slightly true or false,” he said. “In terms of political speech, again, I think you want to give broad deference to the political process and political speech.”
President Trump has threatened to shut down social media platforms after Twitter’s fact-check.
The president suggested that social media “totally silences” conservative voices.
“Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices. We will strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen,” he wrote. “We saw what they attempted to do, and failed, in 2016. We can’t let a more sophisticated version of that happen again.”
The president reportedly plans to sign an executive order against social media companies. The order reinterprets the Communications Decency Act, which shields websites and tech companies from lawsuits.


politicususa--2020-05-29--Trump Is Launching A Cover-Up Of The Economic Damage Caused By His Coronavirus Incompetence

In the latest cover-up orchestrated by the Trump administration , the White House is reportedly refusing to release a yearly economic forecast – a standard practice carried out every summer .
According to The New York Times , “ The White House will not release its official midyear economic update this summer , declining to put its stamp on data documenting the plunge into recession during the coronavirus pandemic and avoiding going on record with a prediction about the economy ’ s future.
” As MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow pointed out Thursday , this is just the latest example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a subject that could hurt the president politically .
“ We are learning from this federal government with each passing day of the epidemic that not talking about something terrible is at least to their mind the easiest way to pretend that that terrible thing just isn ’ t happening , ” she said .
For eight straight weeks , as of today , we are over two million Americans filing for unemployment .
Simultaneously , and perhaps in a related development , the White House announced today that they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national forecast for the economy this summer .
The White House does that every year .
They do a budget in February and then they do an economic forecast in the summer for how things are going to go for the rest of the year .
Except this year , for the first time in decades , they ’ ve just said they ’ re not going to do that .
Better not to say , right ?
Imagine what that report would say about the forecast for the economy , if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Better just to keep mum maybe .
We are learning from this federal government with each passing day of the epidemic that not talking about something terrible is at least to their mind the easiest way to pretend that that terrible thing just isn ’ t happening .
Smiles , everyone , smiles .
Fantasy island .
Trump will have to face the numbers in November Throughout this pandemic , Donald Trump has either ignored or downplayed data that he saw as politically damaging to his reelection campaign , whether it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus or the number of folks filing for jobless benefits .
Back in March , in fact , the Trump administration even tried to pressure states into not releasing unemployment figures .
Unfortunately for the president , ignoring the mess he made doesn ’ t mean it will go away – not when over 100,000 Americans have died from a virus he still doesn ’ t take seriously enough , or when more than 40 million Americans have lost their jobs .
Donald Trump might not want to confront the public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he will be forced to in November .

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In the latest cover-up orchestrated by the Trump administration, the White House is reportedly refusing to release a yearly economic forecast – a standard practice carried out every summer.
According to The New York Times, “The White House will not release its official midyear economic update this summer, declining to put its stamp on data documenting the plunge into recession during the coronavirus pandemic and avoiding going on record with a prediction about the economy’s future.”
As MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow pointed out Thursday, this is just the latest example of the Trump administration refusing to talk about a subject that could hurt the president politically.
“We are learning from this federal government with each passing day of the epidemic that not talking about something terrible is at least to their mind the easiest way to pretend that that terrible thing just isn’t happening,” she said.
Video:
Rachel Maddow blasts the White House for refusing to release its economic forecast because they know the numbers will make Donald Trump look bad. #ctl #p2 #maddow pic.twitter.com/Wf3K03z9wp — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) May 29, 2020
Maddow said:
For eight straight weeks, as of today, we are over two million Americans filing for unemployment. Simultaneously, and perhaps in a related development, the White House announced today that they’re just not going to give their annual national forecast for the economy this summer. The White House does that every year. They do a budget in February and then they do an economic forecast in the summer for how things are going to go for the rest of the year. Except this year, for the first time in decades, they’ve just said they’re not going to do that. Better not to say, right? Imagine what that report would say about the forecast for the economy, if they did have to put it out. Better just to keep mum maybe. We are learning from this federal government with each passing day of the epidemic that not talking about something terrible is at least to their mind the easiest way to pretend that that terrible thing just isn’t happening. Smiles, everyone, smiles. Fantasy island.
Trump will have to face the numbers in November
Throughout this pandemic, Donald Trump has either ignored or downplayed data that he saw as politically damaging to his reelection campaign, whether it’s how many people have been infected with the coronavirus or the number of folks filing for jobless benefits.
Back in March, in fact, the Trump administration even tried to pressure states into not releasing unemployment figures.
Unfortunately for the president, ignoring the mess he made doesn’t mean it will go away – not when over 100,000 Americans have died from a virus he still doesn’t take seriously enough, or when more than 40 million Americans have lost their jobs.
Donald Trump might not want to confront the public health and economic carnage he has created, but he will be forced to in November.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-29--Geraldo Rivera on Trump’s Comments About Minneapolis Protesters: “All He Does is Diminish Himself”

During an appearance on Fox News ’ s The Five , Geraldo Rivera condemned President Donald Trump after Twitter flagged the president for “ glorifying violence ” after he referred to those who ’ ve protested in Minneapolis following George Floyd ’ s death as “ THUGS ” and said that “ When the looting starts , the shooting starts.
” Rivera said Democrats are “ studiously avoiding ” incidences of looting in Minneapolis , but added , “ But the other thing is , the president , in these tweets , ‘ when the looting starts , the shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ What is this , 6th grade ?
” he continued .
“ You don ’ t put gasoline on the fire .
That ’ s not calming anybody .
Who are you daring ?
” Rivera mocked the idea that any demonstrators would stop what they ’ re doing because Donald Trump tweeted that they might get shot .
“ That ’ s not going to happen !
” he exclaimed .
“ All he does is diminish himself.
” Rivera concluded that he “ laments ” the “ recklessness ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to Twitter.
” The president later insisted that his remark about looting “ was spoken as a fact , not as a statement.
” “ It ’ s very simple , ” he said , “ nobody should have any problem with this other than the haters , and those looking to cause trouble on social media .
”

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During an appearance on Fox News’s The Five, Geraldo Rivera condemned President Donald Trump after Twitter flagged the president for “glorifying violence” after he referred to those who’ve protested in Minneapolis following George Floyd’s death as “THUGS” and said that “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
Rivera said Democrats are “studiously avoiding” incidences of looting in Minneapolis, but added, “But the other thing is, the president, in these tweets, ‘when the looting starts, the shooting starts,’ c’mon!”
“What is this, 6th grade?” he continued. “You don’t put gasoline on the fire. That’s not calming anybody. Who are you daring?” Rivera mocked the idea that any demonstrators would stop what they’re doing because Donald Trump tweeted that they might get shot. “That’s not going to happen!” he exclaimed. “All he does is diminish himself.”
Rivera concluded that he “laments” the “recklessness” of Trump’s “tempestuous nature when it comes to Twitter.”
The president later insisted that his remark about looting “was spoken as a fact, not as a statement.”
“It’s very simple,” he said, “nobody should have any problem with this other than the haters, and those looking to cause trouble on social media.”


politicususa--2020-05-29--Lindsey Graham Announces Hearing into Police Use of Force in George Floyd Killing

Senator Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) , who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee , announced the committee will hold a hearing on police use of force after George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis while in police custody .
Graham said he ’ d spoken with Senator Dianne Feinstein , the committee ’ s ranking member , about the killing , which has resulted in several days of protests .
“ Both of us are appalled at what we saw and believe it is important to have a hearing as soon as possible as to how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Committee intends to call a wide variety of witnesses on the topics of better policing , addressing racial discrimination regarding the use of force , as well as building stronger bonds between communities and police.
” Graham added that the committee aims “ to shine a bright light on the problems associated with Mr. Floyd ’ s death , with the goal of finding a better way forward for our nation.
” The announcement comes as President Donald Trump faces heavy criticism for his response to the killing .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ glorifying violence ” after he referred to those who ’ ve protested in Minneapolis following Floyd ’ s death as “ THUGS ” and said that “ When the looting starts , the shooting starts.
” Twitter said the president ’ s tweet violated its rules about glorifying violence but would not be removed because “ Twitter has determined that it may be in the public ’ s interest for the Tweet to remain accessible .
”

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Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced the committee will hold a hearing on police use of force after George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis while in police custody.
Graham said he’d spoken with Senator Dianne Feinstein, the committee’s ranking member, about the killing, which has resulted in several days of protests.
“Both of us are appalled at what we saw and believe it is important to have a hearing as soon as possible as to how to combat this outrage,” Graham said. “The Committee intends to call a wide variety of witnesses on the topics of better policing, addressing racial discrimination regarding the use of force, as well as building stronger bonds between communities and police.”
Graham added that the committee aims “to shine a bright light on the problems associated with Mr. Floyd’s death, with the goal of finding a better way forward for our nation.”
The announcement comes as President Donald Trump faces heavy criticism for his response to the killing. Earlier today, Twitter flagged the president for “glorifying violence” after he referred to those who’ve protested in Minneapolis following Floyd’s death as “THUGS” and said that “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
….These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
Twitter said the president’s tweet violated its rules about glorifying violence but would not be removed because “Twitter has determined that it may be in the public’s interest for the Tweet to remain accessible.”


politicususa--2020-05-29--Trump Announces U.S. Will Sever Ties with WHO as Coronavirus Deaths Top 104,000

President Donald Trump announced earlier today that the United States will sever ties with the World Health Organization ( WHO ) during his press conference earlier today .
“ China has total control over the World Health Organization despite only paying $ 40 million per year compared to what the United States has been paying , which is approximately $ 450 million a year , ” Trump said during a news conference in the White House Rose Garden .
“ The world needs answers from China on the virus .
We must have transparency .
Why is it that China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all other parts of China ?
” he continued .
“ It didn ’ t go to Beijing , it went nowhere else , but they allowed them to freely travel throughout the world , including Europe and the United States.
” The president ’ s announcement comes as the death toll from the novel coronavirus in the United States tops 104,000 .
He had repeatedly threatened to cut ties with WHO in recent weeks as the pandemic tore its way through the nation .
The decision was met with heated criticism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ failed to make the requested greatly needed reform ” and the U.S. “ will be today terminating our relationship with the World Health Organization and redirecting those funds to other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs .
”

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President Donald Trump announced earlier today that the United States will sever ties with the World Health Organization (WHO) during his press conference earlier today.
“China has total control over the World Health Organization despite only paying $40 million per year compared to what the United States has been paying, which is approximately $450 million a year,” Trump said during a news conference in the White House Rose Garden.
“The world needs answers from China on the virus. We must have transparency. Why is it that China shut off infected people from Wuhan to all other parts of China?” he continued. “It didn’t go to Beijing, it went nowhere else, but they allowed them to freely travel throughout the world, including Europe and the United States.”
The president’s announcement comes as the death toll from the novel coronavirus in the United States tops 104,000. He had repeatedly threatened to cut ties with WHO in recent weeks as the pandemic tore its way through the nation.
The decision was met with heated criticism.
Trump is so mad about Chinese influence at the WHO that he's going to dramatically increase Chinese influence at the WHO. Makes a lot of sense in the middle of a pandemic that requires global cooperation. — Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) May 29, 2020
Trump said “The world needs answers from China on the virus.” We’re less likely to get answers on anything (or viral samples for research), if we’re not a @WHO member. He’s planning on “redirecting funding”-where? For what? Polio? AIDS? Malaria? TB? https://t.co/ClyWcRnW54 — Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 29, 2020
This is a phenomenal mistake, not only for the world, but for American self-interest and national security.
Withdrawing from @WHO — especially in the middle of a #pandemic — is self-destructive. There is no alternative global health presence.https://t.co/KxqxcF7XF0 — Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) May 29, 2020
The president further claimed that the WHO “failed to make the requested greatly needed reform” and the U.S. “will be today terminating our relationship with the World Health Organization and redirecting those funds to other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs.”


politicususa--2020-05-29--Chicago Mayor on Trump’s “Thugs” Tweet: “It Begins with ‘F’ and Ends with ‘You'”

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot denounced President Donald Trump , saying he was “ encouraging people to be shot in the street ” after referring to those who ’ ve protested in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd as “ THUGS ” and saying that “ When the looting starts , the shooting starts.
” “ I will code what I really want to say to Donald Trump , ” Lightfoot said .
“ It ’ s two words .
It begins with F and ends with you.
” She added that the president aims to “ polarize , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And we absolutely can not let him prevail.
” Derek Chauvin , the police officer seen on video kneeling on Floyd ’ s neck while he cried out “ I can ’ t breathe , ” was arrested and charged with third-degree murder after three days of violent protests in Minneapolis .
Chauvin faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted .
“ Its been a painful reminder that while we have been focused on fighting this violence , we know our work and facing hard truths about Mr. Floyd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men in my family , ” Lightfoot said , recalling the death of Laquan McDonald , a Chicago teen who was shot 16 times by police officers in 2014 .
Twitter flagged President Trump for “ glorifying violence ” in his tweets about the George Floyd protests .

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Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot denounced President Donald Trump, saying he was “encouraging people to be shot in the street” after referring to those who’ve protested in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd as “THUGS” and saying that “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
“I will code what I really want to say to Donald Trump,” Lightfoot said. “It’s two words. It begins with F and ends with you.”
She added that the president aims to “polarize, to destabilize local government and inflame racist urges. And we absolutely cannot let him prevail.”
Derek Chauvin, the police officer seen on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck while he cried out “I can’t breathe,” was arrested and charged with third-degree murder after three days of violent protests in Minneapolis. Chauvin faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
“Its been a painful reminder that while we have been focused on fighting this violence, we know our work and facing hard truths about Mr. Floyd, and I think about my brothers and men in my family,” Lightfoot said, recalling the death of Laquan McDonald, a Chicago teen who was shot 16 times by police officers in 2014.
Twitter flagged President Trump for “glorifying violence” in his tweets about the George Floyd protests.


politicususa--2020-05-29--Trump’s Mail Voting Attack Massively Backfires On Him In Pennsylvania

Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 1 million approved mail-in ballots as Trump ’ s attack on voting by mail has backfired in Pennsylvania .
As of Thursday morning , about 1.3 million registered Democrats had requested and been approved for mail ballots for the June 2 primary election , compared with about 524,000 Republicans .
Republicans made just 29 % of the requests , even though they represent 38 % of registered voters in the state and 45 % of those registered with either major party .
“ Our county kind of is a Trump county .
We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Snover said .
“ He ’ s spoken about it .
He ’ s tweeted about it .
He doesn ’ t want us to do it.
” Snover said “ more than one person ” has told her that “ Trump doesn ’ t want us mailing in , [ so ] I ’ m not mailing it in.
” While Trump has been trying to discredit mail voting , Democrats have been organizing the state and getting ballots in the hands of millions of Pennsylvanians .
The situation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides of the aisle have been predicting Trump ’ s efforts are hurting Republicans .
Pennsylvania Republicans have been trying to organize mail-in voting , but they have been cut off at the knees by Trump ’ s rhetoric .
Trump is only harming himself and his party by attacking the safety and credibility of voting by mail .
Trump wants to give himself an excuse and delegitimize Biden , but he has created a self-fulfilling prophecy that could hand Joe Biden Pennsylvania and the presidency with his attacks on mail voting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 1 million approved mail-in ballots as Trump’s attack on voting by mail has backfired in Pennsylvania.
Via The Philadelphia Inquirer:
As of Thursday morning, about 1.3 million registered Democrats had requested and been approved for mail ballots for the June 2 primary election, compared with about 524,000 Republicans. Republicans made just 29% of the requests, even though they represent 38% of registered voters in the state and 45% of those registered with either major party.
….
“Our county kind of is a Trump county. We’re kind of listening to Trump on this,” Snover said. “He’s spoken about it. He’s tweeted about it. He doesn’t want us to do it.”
Snover said “more than one person” has told her that “Trump doesn’t want us mailing in, [so] I’m not mailing it in.”
While Trump has been trying to discredit mail voting, Democrats have been organizing the state and getting ballots in the hands of millions of Pennsylvanians.
The situation in Pennsylvania is precisely what experts on both sides of the aisle have been predicting Trump’s efforts are hurting Republicans. Pennsylvania Republicans have been trying to organize mail-in voting, but they have been cut off at the knees by Trump’s rhetoric.
Trump is only harming himself and his party by attacking the safety and credibility of voting by mail. Trump wants to give himself an excuse and delegitimize Biden, but he has created a self-fulfilling prophecy that could hand Joe Biden Pennsylvania and the presidency with his attacks on mail voting.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-05-29--Trump Runs From Reporters In Press Conference Disaster

The White House promised that Trump would hold a press conference , but the President came out , issued a statement , and ran for the door when reporters asked questions .
Our actions will be strong , our actions will be meaningful .
More than two decades ago , on a rainy night in 1997 , British soldiers lowered the union flag and Chinese soldiers raised the Chinese flag in Hong Kong .
The Hong Kong people felt proud of their Chinese heritage and their unique Hong Kong identity .
The people of Hong Kong hope that in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would increasingly come to resemble its most dynamic city , the rest of the world was electrified by a sense of optimism that Hong Kong was a glimpse into China ’ s future , not that Hong Kong would grow into a reflection of China ’ s past .
In every decision , I will continue to proudly defend and protect the workers ’ families and citizens of the United States of America .
Thank you very much .
Thank you .
Trump delayed the press conference to try to damage control on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .
When that didn ’ t work , Trump finally came out to the Rose Garden , nearly an hour late , read his statement , and then couldn ’ t get away from the reporters fast enough .
The whole event was a fiasco , and a disaster for Trump , whose inability to take even the slightest bit of responsibility for his words leads to a perpetual cycle of political self-injury that he compounds by refusing to stand in front of reporters and answer the difficult questions .
When Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The White House promised a press conference but delivered a panicked president in total collapse who took no questions .

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The White House promised that Trump would hold a press conference, but the President came out, issued a statement, and ran for the door when reporters asked questions.
Trump said:
Our actions will be strong, our actions will be meaningful. More than two decades ago, on a rainy night in 1997, British soldiers lowered the union flag and Chinese soldiers raised the Chinese flag in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong people felt proud of their Chinese heritage and their unique Hong Kong identity.
The people of Hong Kong hope that in the years and decades to come, China would increasingly come to resemble its most dynamic city, the rest of the world was electrified by a sense of optimism that Hong Kong was a glimpse into China’s future, not that Hong Kong would grow into a reflection of China’s past. In every decision, I will continue to proudly defend and protect the workers’ families and citizens of the United States of America. Thank you very much. Thank you.
Video of Trump running away:
Trump spouts some racism against China, pulls the US out of the WHO, and then runs away, as he gave a "press conference" with zero questions. pic.twitter.com/4SyhPBoZFc — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 29, 2020
Trump delayed the press conference to try to damage control on his encouragement of violence against protesters on Twitter. When that didn’t work, Trump finally came out to the Rose Garden, nearly an hour late, read his statement, and then couldn’t get away from the reporters fast enough.
The whole event was a fiasco, and a disaster for Trump, whose inability to take even the slightest bit of responsibility for his words leads to a perpetual cycle of political self-injury that he compounds by refusing to stand in front of reporters and answer the difficult questions.
When Trump is in trouble, he hides.
The White House promised a press conference but delivered a panicked president in total collapse who took no questions.


politicususa--2020-05-29--Trump Delays Press Conference So That He Can Call Non-Racists Haters

Trump tried to spin his encouragement of violence with a totally new meaning and claimed that anyone who called out @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump has delayed a press conference with reporters waiting in the Rose Garden so @ @ @ @ @ do damage control on Twitter .
The President Of The United States is more worried @ @ @ @ @ he is about the presidency .
Trump ’ s tweets are nonsense .
The phrase @ @ @ @ @ connotations of racial violence for decades .
Trump was glorifying violence against African-American protesters , @ @ @ @ @ to face questions from the media and trying to spin his racism away .
None @ @ @ @ @ work .
Trump tried to use racism to divide the country because his campaign is @ @ @ @ @ that they could potentially flip .
Trump got caught engaging in vile and racist politics @ @ @ @ @ to come out of the White House and face questions about his statements .

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Trump tried to spin his encouragement of violence with a totally new meaning and claimed that anyone who called out his racism was a hater.
Trump tweeted:
….It was spoken as a fact, not as a statement. It’s very simple, nobody should have any problem with this other than the haters, and those looking to cause trouble on social media. Honor the memory of George Floyd! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
Trump has delayed a press conference with reporters waiting in the Rose Garden so that he could try to do damage control on Twitter. The President Of The United States is more worried about his Twitter platform than he is about the presidency.
Trump’s tweets are nonsense. The phrase that he tweeted has had connotations of racial violence for decades. Trump was glorifying violence against African-American protesters, and now he is afraid to face questions from the media and trying to spin his racism away.
None of it is going to work. Trump tried to use racism to divide the country because his campaign is targeting Minnesota as a state that they could potentially flip. Trump got caught engaging in vile and racist politics, so he is refusing to come out of the White House and face questions about his statements.


politicususa--2020-05-29--Coronavirus Cases Surge In Florida As They Beg Trump For Convention

Florida wants Trump to move the Republican convention to their state , but coronavirus cases have grown by the thousands and deaths by the dozens .
The Florida Department of Health says the number of known cases of COVID-19 in the state rose by 1,212 since yesterday morning as the virus spreads and as more people are tested across the state .
The total number of cases in Florida is now 54,497 .
The number of deaths has reached 2,364 , an increase of 45 since Wednesday ’ s update .
Locally , Hillsborough reported three new deaths , Pinellas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each noted one more .
Trump wants to have a regular Republican convention .
North Carolina has told him that it might not be possible .
States like Florida and Texas have stepped in to try and steal the convention away from North Carolina .
The problem is that anybody who is thinking about holding an event in Florida with a crowd is going to be taking a gigantic risk as coronavirus cases state are still growing by the thousands .
The combination of a Trump convention and the state of Florida could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus and shut down the country before it ever really resumes .

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Florida wants Trump to move the Republican convention to their state, but coronavirus cases have grown by the thousands and deaths by the dozens.
Fox 13 reported:
The Florida Department of Health says the number of known cases of COVID-19 in the state rose by 1,212 since yesterday morning as the virus spreads and as more people are tested across the state. The total number of cases in Florida is now 54,497.
The number of deaths has reached 2,364, an increase of 45 since Wednesday’s update. Locally, Hillsborough reported three new deaths, Pinellas reported two, while Manatee and Highlands each noted one more.
Trump wants to have a regular Republican convention. North Carolina has told him that it might not be possible. States like Florida and Texas have stepped in to try and steal the convention away from North Carolina.
The problem is that anybody who is thinking about holding an event in Florida with a crowd is going to be taking a gigantic risk as coronavirus cases state are still growing by the thousands.
The combination of a Trump convention and the state of Florida could set off the second wave of the virus and shut down the country before it ever really resumes.


politicususa--2020-05-29--Obama Disgraces Trump With Statement On The Death Of George Floyd

Former President Barack Obama issued a statement about the death of George Floyd that highlighted the disgraceful behavior of Trump @ @ @ @ @ president is supposed to do .
His statement was full of empathy and disavowed the @ @ @ @ @ bigotry in American society .
Obama argued that the American people need to work together @ @ @ @ @ so that George Floyd and other Americans do not needlessly lose their lives to police @ @ @ @ @ situation from the narrow prism of what is in it for him .
Obama expressed @ @ @ @ @ do a difficult and life-threatening job in our communities , and also condemned that flames @ @ @ @ @ been fanning .
Obama didn ’ t mention Trump ’ s name .
His statement @ @ @ @ @ Trump is a national disgrace .

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Former President Barack Obama issued a statement about the death of George Floyd that highlighted the disgraceful behavior of Trump.
Here is Obama’s statement:
My statement on the death of George Floyd: pic.twitter.com/Hg1k9JHT6R — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 29, 2020
Obama did what a president is supposed to do. His statement was full of empathy and disavowed the new normal of racism and bigotry in American society. Obama argued that the American people need to work together to create a new normal so that George Floyd and other Americans do not needlessly lose their lives to police violence.
Trump views every situation from the narrow prism of what is in it for him. Obama expressed empathy for police officers who do a difficult and life-threatening job in our communities, and also condemned that flames of racism that Trump has been fanning.
Obama didn’t mention Trump’s name. His statement alone highlighted exactly why Donald Trump is a national disgrace.


politicususa--2020-05-29--George Floyd’s Killer, Derek Chauvin, Arrested Taken Into Police Custody

Fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been arrested and taken into custody over the killing of George Floyd .
WCCO in Minneapolis reported : Fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been arrested days after George Floyd ’ s fatal arrest that sparked protests , rioting and outcry across the city and nation .
On Friday , John Harrington , commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety , announced that Chauvin has been taken into custody in connection with the May 25 death .
The video clearly shows that Chauvin killed Floyd during an arrest .
His guilt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and community leaders want to know what it took days for him to be brought into custody when the evidence is obvious that a crime was committed .
Chauvin should have been immediately taken into custody after he killed Floyd , who was unarmed and not posing a physical threat to the officer .
If this half measure was intended to quell the protests , it is unlikely to work , as the killer has yet to be charged with a crime , and there were three other officers on the scene who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No one should be satisfied until Derek Chauvin is convicted and sent to prison .

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Fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been arrested and taken into custody over the killing of George Floyd.
WCCO in Minneapolis reported:
Fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been arrested days after George Floyd’s fatal arrest that sparked protests, rioting and outcry across the city and nation.
On Friday, John Harrington, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, announced that Chauvin has been taken into custody in connection with the May 25 death.
Chauvin’s arrest was confirmed on MSNBC:
George Floyd's killer, former police officer Derek Chauvin has been taken into custody. pic.twitter.com/VeZ0OEhXPi — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 29, 2020
The video clearly shows that Chauvin killed Floyd during an arrest. His guilt is not in question. Civil rights and community leaders want to know what it took days for him to be brought into custody when the evidence is obvious that a crime was committed.
Chauvin should have been immediately taken into custody after he killed Floyd, who was unarmed and not posing a physical threat to the officer. If this half measure was intended to quell the protests, it is unlikely to work, as the killer has yet to be charged with a crime, and there were three other officers on the scene who have not been taken into custody.
No one should be satisfied until Derek Chauvin is convicted and sent to prison.


politicususa--2020-05-29--Taylor Swift Calls Trump A White Supremacist And Vows To Vote Him Out

Taylor Swift unloaded on Trump for feigning moral superiority while threatening violence as his presidency fanned the flames of white @ @ @ @ @ tweet that was flagged by Twitter for promoting violence has backfired on the president and @ @ @ @ @ of the GOP/Trump circles .
Taylor Swift has become more open with her views on @ @ @ @ @ years , but this is Swift ’ s strongest and most blunt statement to date @ @ @ @ @ most influential voices with younger and female voters in the United States .
Her vow @ @ @ @ @ terrify Republicans because a low turnout base election is the President ’ s only chance @ @ @ @ @ thought he was doing by encouraging violence has blown up in his face , as @ @ @ @ @ , the more the nation turns against him .

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Taylor Swift unloaded on Trump for feigning moral superiority while threatening violence as his presidency fanned the flames of white supremacy.
Swift tweeted:
After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence? ‘When the looting starts the shooting starts’??? We will vote you out in November. @realdonaldtrump — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 29, 2020
Trump’s tweet that was flagged by Twitter for promoting violence has backfired on the president and resulted in universal condemnation outside of the GOP/Trump circles. Taylor Swift has become more open with her views on politics over the past few years, but this is Swift’s strongest and most blunt statement to date.
She is one of most influential voices with younger and female voters in the United States. Her vow to vote Trump out should terrify Republicans because a low turnout base election is the President’s only chance of winning.
Whatever Trump thought he was doing by encouraging violence has blown up in his face, as the more this president speaks, the more the nation turns against him.


politicususa--2020-05-29--Democrats United In Disgust at Trump: He Wants “Protesters to Be Shot on Sight”

Democrats have shown a united front in their response to Donald Trump ’ s tweet about shooting protesters in Minneapolis .
The President appeared to double down on Friday morning .
“ The National Guard has arrived on the scene , ” Trump tweeted .
“ They are in Minneapolis and fully prepared .
George Floyd will not have died in vain .
Respect his memory !
!
!
” Several prominent Democrats had already condemned the President ’ s earlier tweet saying “ When the looting starts , the shooting starts.
” Twitter has accused him of “ glorifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 2016 opponent Hillary Clinton accused him of advocating violence against Americans .
“ The president of the United States is calling for violence against American citizens .
That is so wrong , ” the former Secretary of State said .
“ We need honest reckoning and reconciliation .
If you haven ’ t already joined the work to replace him in November , start now.
” “ After Trump ’ s incompetence causes 100,000 die from a deadly virus , he calls for the death of Democrats and protesters to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ When I imagined the worst case scenario under Trump , I admittedly never imagined this.
” “ Imagine having a president who , rather than ‘ glorifying violence ’ in a crisis , brought the country together , ” he tweeted .
“ Instead , when we are sick , Trump makes us sicker .
When we are poor , he makes us poorer .
And when we are weak , he makes us weaker.
” Vice President Joe Biden made similar comments on Friday and is expected to address issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later today .

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Democrats have shown a united front in their response to Donald Trump’s tweet about shooting protesters in Minneapolis. The President appeared to double down on Friday morning.
“The National Guard has arrived on the scene,” Trump tweeted.
“They are in Minneapolis and fully prepared. George Floyd will not have died in vain. Respect his memory!!!”
The National Guard has arrived on the scene. They are in Minneapolis and fully prepared. George Floyd will not have died in vain. Respect his memory!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
Several prominent Democrats had already condemned the President’s earlier tweet saying “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.” Twitter has accused him of “glorifying violence” with those words.
Trump’s 2016 opponent Hillary Clinton accused him of advocating violence against Americans.
“The president of the United States is calling for violence against American citizens. That is so wrong,” the former Secretary of State said.
“We need honest reckoning and reconciliation. If you haven’t already joined the work to replace him in November, start now.”
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy was decidedly more blunt.
“After Trump’s incompetence causes 100,000 die from a deadly virus, he calls for the death of Democrats and protesters to be shot on sight,” Murphy said.
“When I imagined the worst case scenario under Trump, I admittedly never imagined this.”
California Congressman Eric Swalwell asked people to imagine if Trump weren’t president.
“Imagine having a president who, rather than ‘glorifying violence’ in a crisis, brought the country together,” he tweeted.
“Instead, when we are sick, Trump makes us sicker. When we are poor, he makes us poorer. And when we are weak, he makes us weaker.”
Vice President Joe Biden made similar comments on Friday and is expected to address issues in Minneapolis in a more comprehensive form later today.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-29--Biden Says “Enough” to Trump “Calling for Violence Against American Citizens”

Joe Biden has called out President Donald Trump following his tweet about shooting protesters .
The presumptive Democratic nominee weighed in as conditions in Minneapolis grow more fraught .
“ Enough , ” Biden tweeted on Friday morning before writing a thread about Trump ’ s response to the violence in Minnesota .
He also addressed the arrest of a CNN team during a live broadcast .
“ This is not abstract : a black reporter was arrested while doing his job this morning , while the white police officer who killed George Floyd remains free , ” Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was taken , but this , to me , says everything.
” “ I will not lift the President ’ s tweet , ” Biden went on .
“ I will not give him that amplification.
” “ But he is calling for violence against American citizens during a moment of pain for so many .
I ’ m furious , and you should be too.
” Events surrounding the death of George Floyd have developed rapidly over the past 24 hours .
President Trump ’ s tweet about shooting looters was tagged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hours later , the official White House Twitter account shared the same message and it too was flagged by Twitter for violating the site ’ s terms of service .
A CNN team arrested on Friday morning were released later in the day .
Biden said he would be speaking about events in Minnesota later .

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Joe Biden has called out President Donald Trump following his tweet about shooting protesters. The presumptive Democratic nominee weighed in as conditions in Minneapolis grow more fraught.
“Enough,” Biden tweeted on Friday morning before writing a thread about Trump’s response to the violence in Minnesota. He also addressed the arrest of a CNN team during a live broadcast.
Enough. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 29, 2020
This is not abstract: a black reporter was arrested while doing his job this morning, while the white police officer who killed George Floyd remains free,” Biden said.
“I am glad swift action was taken, but this, to me, says everything.”
“I will not lift the President’s tweet,” Biden went on. “I will not give him that amplification.”
“But he is calling for violence against American citizens during a moment of pain for so many. I’m furious, and you should be too.”
Events surrounding the death of George Floyd have developed rapidly over the past 24 hours. President Trump’s tweet about shooting looters was tagged by Twitter for “glorifying violence”.
Hours later, the official White House Twitter account shared the same message and it too was flagged by Twitter for violating the site’s terms of service.
A CNN team arrested on Friday morning were released later in the day. Biden said he would be speaking about events in Minnesota later.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-29--Twitter Flags Trump And White House Tweet For Glorifying Violence

Trump escalated his war with Twitter by having the White House retweet his Tweet , so Twitter flagged the official White House account for glorifying violence .
Here is the warning : Trump is trying to use the death of George Floyd to divide America , and his glorification of violence was a calculated political play for his reelection campaign .
The Trump campaign knows that Michigan is likely lost to them , so they have targeted Minnesota .
Trump rant about the “ weak ” Democratic mayor was part of his play for the state in November .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message to the Trump administration that they won ’ t be scared off by the President ’ s toothless executive order .
Twitter is asserting control over its platform .
The reality is that Trump needs Twitter more than Twitter needs Trump .
Donald Trump has been a recurring giant headache for Twitter .
He is a walking terms of service violation , and he brings the company more bad publicity than good .
More social media companies need to stand up to Trump , who has overestimated the power of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routinely fact-checked on social media , he would lose a powerful disinformation tool .
Twitter isn ’ t the good guy here , but it will be interesting to see if the rest of social media follows their lead and pushes back on Trump .

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Trump escalated his war with Twitter by having the White House retweet his Tweet, so Twitter flagged the official White House account for glorifying violence.
Here is the warning:
Trump is trying to use the death of George Floyd to divide America, and his glorification of violence was a calculated political play for his reelection campaign. The Trump campaign knows that Michigan is likely lost to them, so they have targeted Minnesota. Trump rant about the “weak” Democratic mayor was part of his play for the state in November.
By flagging the tweet, Twitter is sending a message to the Trump administration that they won’t be scared off by the President’s toothless executive order.
Twitter is asserting control over its platform.
The reality is that Trump needs Twitter more than Twitter needs Trump. Donald Trump has been a recurring giant headache for Twitter. He is a walking terms of service violation, and he brings the company more bad publicity than good.
More social media companies need to stand up to Trump, who has overestimated the power of his Twitter account. If the President were routinely fact-checked on social media, he would lose a powerful disinformation tool.
Twitter isn’t the good guy here, but it will be interesting to see if the rest of social media follows their lead and pushes back on Trump.


politicususa--2020-05-29--Joe Biden: George Floyd’s Death Reveals “Ugly Underbelly of Our Society”

Joe Biden has warned of the “ open wound ” of racial injustice in the U.S. following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
The former Vice President spoke at a virtual campaign event .
“ We can ’ t ignore that we are in a country with an open wound right now — a -wound far older and deeper than…George Floyd ’ s killing – and his brutal , brutal death captured on film , ” Biden said .
“ His final words , pleading for breathe .
‘ Let me breathe , I can ’ t breathe.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this—this ugly underbelly of our society.
” Biden briefly touched on the violent turn of protests in Minnesota , urging peaceful demonstrations .
But he acknowledged the anger .
“ But people all across this country are enraged and rightly so , ” he said .
“ Every day African-Americans go about their lives with constant anxiety and trauma of wondering ‘ Will I be next ?
’ Sounds like an exaggeration , but it ’ s not.
” “ These tragedies , these injustices cut at the very heart of our most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , equal in rights and in dignity , are part of an ingrained systemic cycle of racism and oppression that throughout every part of our society.
” “ We need to make sure justice is real for the Floyd family , that the protections and the rule of law are real for every American , that officers in the Floyd case must be held accountable , including with the FBI investigation and independent Department of Justice civil rights investigation.
” “ If we ’ re not committed as a nation , with every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just to binding up this wound in hope that somehow the scab once again will cover things over.
” “ But to treat the underlying injury , we ’ re never going to eventually heal , ” the presumptive Democratic nominee said .

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Joe Biden has warned of the “open wound” of racial injustice in the U.S. following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The former Vice President spoke at a virtual campaign event.
“We can’t ignore that we are in a country with an open wound right now — a -wound far older and deeper than…George Floyd’s killing – and his brutal, brutal death captured on film,” Biden said.
“His final words, pleading for breathe. ‘Let me breathe, I can’t breathe.’ It’s ripped open anew this—this ugly underbelly of our society.”
Biden briefly touched on the violent turn of protests in Minnesota, urging peaceful demonstrations. But he acknowledged the anger.
“But people all across this country are enraged and rightly so,” he said.
“Every day African-Americans go about their lives with constant anxiety and trauma of wondering ‘Will I be next?’ Sounds like an exaggeration, but it’s not.”
“These tragedies, these injustices cut at the very heart of our most sacred of beliefs — that all Americans, equal in rights and in dignity, are part of an ingrained systemic cycle of racism and oppression that throughout every part of our society.”
“We need to make sure justice is real for the Floyd family, that the protections and the rule of law are real for every American, that officers in the Floyd case must be held accountable, including with the FBI investigation and independent Department of Justice civil rights investigation.”
“If we’re not committed as a nation, with every ounce of purpose in our beings — not just to binding up this wound in hope that somehow the scab once again will cover things over.”
“But to treat the underlying injury, we’re never going to eventually heal,” the presumptive Democratic nominee said.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-30--Opinion: For Trump, churches are only essential for votes and money

It is highly likely that most Americans understand that terrible Trump ’ s only regard for religion is pandering to his evangelical cult because they are dedicated to keeping him in the Oval Office .
When Trump made a big deal about opening up the country so the plague-infected faithful could celebrate a pagan holiday Christians changed to Easter , he was indulging his evangelical base and little else .
In fact , it is almost certain that Trump was acting on the advice , and on behalf , of his evangelical sycophants posing as White House “ faith ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s crusade to open churches for the Christian “ resurrection ” holiday that faith and worship had nothing to do with why he and his theocratic counselors wanted the faithful to spread , or contract , COVID-19 during in-person church services .
Those so-called “ essential ” meetings have emerged as one of the major “ hotbeds ” of COVID-19 transmission ; a fact that is nothing more than an irritant to both Trump and the clergy .
Neither Trump nor his evangelical advisors have any regard for the health of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in .
Trump needs the evangelical electoral support and the wealthy clergy can hardly fleece their congregants unless they are closely packed in the pews .
It was no different last week when Trump “ ordered ” governors to immediately “ open up churches ” because , he claimed , they were an “ essential ” part of making America great .
The big clue Trump could not possibly care less about religion was when he showed up at one of his golf courses on a Sunday morning instead of singing psalms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cult members waiting for some campaigning from the pulpit .
There was some commentary on Trump recreating on the links while the number of his plague victims grew closer to 100,000 .
However , there was very little , if any , outrage asking : Why , if in-person church attendance was so “ essential ” to people of faith , was Trump playing instead of praying ?
Even Trump ’ s evangelical sycophants were nonplussed that Trump was not indulging in an “ essential ” part of American life .
Of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is a consummate sinner and no kind of Christian ; not unlike a huge percentage of his so-called “ followers of Christ ” base .
Trump ’ s drive to energize his evangelical support group is not a unilateral effort by any means .
Besides the wealthy clergy complaining loudly that they are losing money , they are also aware of lost opportunities to campaign for Trump from the pulpit .
This is particularly true since Trump made deleting the so-called “ Johnson Amendment ” out of existence a primary reason the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
Trump attempted to deliver on that hideous campaign promise a few months after his very poorly-attended inauguration .
He told the wealthy evangelical clergy class that they are free to campaign from the pulpit to their vile hearts ’ content because they enjoy religious freedom and immunity from the law .
The Johnson Amendment does not prevent clergy from openly campaigning for Republicans , but they can not campaign from the pulpit and maintain their tax-free status .
The Johnson Amendment is a constitutional provision in the tax code that bans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigning for political candidates if they want to keep their tax-exempt status .
Trump therefore issued an executive order to undermine that tax law so that his personal evangelical advisors can endorse , and promote Trump , from the pulpit without fear of repercussions .
Trump and his White House faith advisors have a powerful ally in the Justice Department in Attorney General Bill Barr who understands how crucial opening up churches is to Trump ’ s reelection .
Shortly after several states ’ governors made provisions banning in-person church services , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he , like his sinful boss Trump , was not going to tolerate any governor ’ s attempt to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus by restricting in-person church services .
In fact , just yesterday ( Friday ) , the White House rejected the Center for Disease Control ’ s recommendations on limiting church choir activity because it is a giant vector for the virus .
Although Barr lacks the authority to punish mostly Democratic governors who attempt to protect the lives of their citizens , he made it abundantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ being persecuted ” by restrictions on in-person church services .
His message to the faithful was that if they wanted to take legal action against Democratic governors , the Justice Department would join the battle on behalf of the poor persecuted evangelicals .
Barr knows , like Trump knows , that a sure-fire method of currying favor with the faithful is to claim the Trump administration will open up churches quickly – to help the clergy maintain their wealthy lifestyles as recompense for free campaign assistance every Sunday .
It is remarkable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious leaders opposed to opening up churches during a global pandemic ; some have even sent strong messages to Trump making their case that the faithful are perfectly able to remain faithful without in-person church services .
There are also just as many members of the clergy who attest that they have no interest in campaigning from the pulpit ; they are religious leaders , not political activists .
It is worth noting that the faithful evangelicals worshipping Trump as their god-savior have never ever opened their mythological book of god-rules .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ savior ’ s commandments regarding “ essential ” worship , including instruction on appropriate prayer , they would be cognizant they do not need in-person services to be “ faithful.
” If they were genuinely faithful , they would know that Jesus told them to pray in private – such as in a closet .
They are also supposed to donate to the poor , not churches and wealthy clergy .
Nowhere in the Christian bible does Jesus Christ instruct “ Christians ” to donate to wealthy members of the clergy , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ obey the government ” and “ pay taxes.
” Apparently , Trump , his evangelical acolytes , and Attorney General Barr will have their chance to elevate religion to a place only Trump enjoys – above the law .
After a Federal Appeals Court slapped down a plea by a group of evangelical clergy in California , they instantly appealed to the Supreme Court .
Now , if the High Court ’ s conservatives follow precedent from Antonin Scalia , they will slap down the evangelicals idea that because they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law .
Scalia made it quite clear in 1990 saying : “ We have never held that an individual ’ s religious beliefs excuse him from .
Compliance with an otherwise valid law prohibiting conduct that the State is free to regulate.
” In what is a surprising development late Friday , the Supreme Court rejected the California clergy ’ s argument that the COVID-19 restrictions violate the First Amendment .
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that “ those restrictions appear consistent with the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beleaguered evangelicals simply “ want to be treated equally to comparable secular businesses.
” If that is the case , it is time to strip tax exemption from churches and let them operate as the highly profitable businesses they really are .
It is more evident every day that neither Trump nor his evangelical malcontents are interested in worship , faith , or preserving life ; the clergy want more money from congregants and taxpayers alike , and they desperately want to repay Trump with weekly campaign rallies in church .
If their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmitting Trump ’ s plague throughout their congregations and surrounding communities , then it is a price they are more than willing to make Americans pay .
As for Trump , his only regard is manipulating the faithful to further his reelection to make their goal of an American theocracy reach fruition .

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It is highly likely that most Americans understand that terrible Trump’s only regard for religion is pandering to his evangelical cult because they are dedicated to keeping him in the Oval Office.
When Trump made a big deal about opening up the country so the plague-infected faithful could celebrate a pagan holiday Christians changed to Easter, he was indulging his evangelical base and little else. In fact, it is almost certain that Trump was acting on the advice, and on behalf, of his evangelical sycophants posing as White House “faith” counselors.
It became fairly evident during Trump’s crusade to open churches for the Christian “resurrection” holiday that faith and worship had nothing to do with why he and his theocratic counselors wanted the faithful to spread, or contract, COVID-19 during in-person church services.
Those so-called “essential” meetings have emerged as one of the major “hotbeds” of COVID-19 transmission; a fact that is nothing more than an irritant to both Trump and the clergy. Neither Trump nor his evangelical advisors have any regard for the health of the faithful or the communities they live in. Trump needs the evangelical electoral support and the wealthy clergy can hardly fleece their congregants unless they are closely packed in the pews.
It was no different last week when Trump “ordered” governors to immediately “open up churches” because, he claimed, they were an “essential” part of making America great. The big clue Trump could not possibly care less about religion was when he showed up at one of his golf courses on a Sunday morning instead of singing psalms and praying in church with his deranged evangelical cult members waiting for some campaigning from the pulpit.
There was some commentary on Trump recreating on the links while the number of his plague victims grew closer to 100,000. However, there was very little, if any, outrage asking: Why, if in-person church attendance was so “essential” to people of faith, was Trump playing instead of praying? Even Trump’s evangelical sycophants were nonplussed that Trump was not indulging in an “essential” part of American life.
Of course anyone who has heard Trump speak knows he is a consummate sinner and no kind of Christian; not unlike a huge percentage of his so-called “followers of Christ” base. Trump’s drive to energize his evangelical support group is not a unilateral effort by any means. Besides the wealthy clergy complaining loudly that they are losing money, they are also aware of lost opportunities to campaign for Trump from the pulpit. This is particularly true since Trump made deleting the so-called “Johnson Amendment” out of existence a primary reason the evangelical faithful to vote for him in 2016.
Trump attempted to deliver on that hideous campaign promise a few months after his very poorly-attended inauguration. He told the wealthy evangelical clergy class that they are free to campaign from the pulpit to their vile hearts’ content because they enjoy religious freedom and immunity from the law.
The Johnson Amendment does not prevent clergy from openly campaigning for Republicans, but they cannot campaign from the pulpit and maintain their tax-free status. The Johnson Amendment is a constitutional provision in the tax code that bans churches and other houses of worship from campaigning for political candidates if they want to keep their tax-exempt status. Trump therefore issued an executive order to undermine that tax law so that his personal evangelical advisors can endorse, and promote Trump, from the pulpit without fear of repercussions.
Trump and his White House faith advisors have a powerful ally in the Justice Department in Attorney General Bill Barr who understands how crucial opening up churches is to Trump’s reelection. Shortly after several states’ governors made provisions banning in-person church services, Trump’s hit man issued a warning that he, like his sinful boss Trump, was not going to tolerate any governor’s attempt to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus by restricting in-person church services. In fact, just yesterday (Friday), the White House rejected the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations on limiting church choir activity because it is a giant vector for the virus.
Although Barr lacks the authority to punish mostly Democratic governors who attempt to protect the lives of their citizens, he made it abundantly clear that he would not tolerate evangelicals “being persecuted” by restrictions on in-person church services. His message to the faithful was that if they wanted to take legal action against Democratic governors, the Justice Department would join the battle on behalf of the poor persecuted evangelicals. Barr knows, like Trump knows, that a sure-fire method of currying favor with the faithful is to claim the Trump administration will open up churches quickly – to help the clergy maintain their wealthy lifestyles as recompense for free campaign assistance every Sunday.
It is remarkable that there are no small number of religious leaders opposed to opening up churches during a global pandemic; some have even sent strong messages to Trump making their case that the faithful are perfectly able to remain faithful without in-person church services. There are also just as many members of the clergy who attest that they have no interest in campaigning from the pulpit; they are religious leaders, not political activists.
It is worth noting that the faithful evangelicals worshipping Trump as their god-savior have never ever opened their mythological book of god-rules. If they had looked at their lord and savior’s commandments regarding “essential” worship, including instruction on appropriate prayer, they would be cognizant they do not need in-person services to be “faithful.” If they were genuinely faithful, they would know that Jesus told them to pray in private – such as in a closet. They are also supposed to donate to the poor, not churches and wealthy clergy. Nowhere in the Christian bible does Jesus Christ instruct “Christians” to donate to wealthy members of the clergy, or their filthy mega-churches violating their biblical command to “obey the government” and “pay taxes.”
Apparently, Trump, his evangelical acolytes, and Attorney General Barr will have their chance to elevate religion to a place only Trump enjoys – above the law. After a Federal Appeals Court slapped down a plea by a group of evangelical clergy in California, they instantly appealed to the Supreme Court. Now, if the High Court’s conservatives follow precedent from Antonin Scalia, they will slap down the evangelicals idea that because they are “religious,” they are above the law. Scalia made it quite clear in 1990 saying:
“We have never held that an individual’s religious beliefs excuse him from. Compliance with an otherwise valid law prohibiting conduct that the State is free to regulate.”
In what is a surprising development late Friday, the Supreme Court rejected the California clergy’s argument that the COVID-19 restrictions violate the First Amendment. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that “those restrictions appear consistent with the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.” The other conservatives claimed that the poor beleaguered evangelicals simply “want to be treated equally to comparable secular businesses.”
If that is the case, it is time to strip tax exemption from churches and let them operate as the highly profitable businesses they really are.
It is more evident every day that neither Trump nor his evangelical malcontents are interested in worship, faith, or preserving life; the clergy want more money from congregants and taxpayers alike, and they desperately want to repay Trump with weekly campaign rallies in church. If their greed and lust for power result in transmitting Trump’s plague throughout their congregations and surrounding communities, then it is a price they are more than willing to make Americans pay. As for Trump, his only regard is manipulating the faithful to further his reelection to make their goal of an American theocracy reach fruition.


politicususa--2020-05-30--Opinion: Trump’s Abuse of First Amendment as Racist Club Aligns with Republican, Right-Wing Supreme

Opinion: Trump’s Abuse of First Amendment as Racist Club Aligns with Republican, Right-Wing Supreme Court Practices

While Donald Trump has been involved in a dispute with Twitter , speciously and ignorantly crying that the social media company violated his First Amendment rights , uprisings and mass actions protesting the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor—and the pervasive devaluing of Black lives generally–have mounted .
The simultaneity of these events may be just coincidence , but their juxtaposition is nonetheless revealing in terms of Trump ’ s—and the Republican ’ s—strategy of deploying the First Amendment as an ideological club not actually to enable the free speech that necessarily underpins democracy but rather to amplify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , mainly those of his opposition and the American majority , especially people of color .
This contemporary juxtaposition highlights Trump ’ s rhetorical misuse of the First Amendment to fuel his racist agenda and stoke his base ’ s sensitivities to his divisive agenda as he moves into campaign mode ahead of November 2020 .
Think back to Trump ’ s indictment of former San Francisco Forty-Niner quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players who knelt for the National Anthem .
He viewed them as un-American , just as he views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to stand proudly for the national anthem or you shouldn ’ t be playing , you shouldn ’ t be there , maybe you shouldn ’ t be in the country , ” Trump notoriously said .
He also said , during that controversy , “ Wouldn ’ t you love to see one of these NFL owners , when somebody disrespects our flag , to say , ‘ Get that son of a bitch off the field right now , out , he ’ s fired .
He ’ s fired.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a total disrespect of our heritage .
That ’ s a total disrespect of everything that we stand for.
” Kaepernick was , of course , for all intents and purposes , fired .
Just a couple of African American police officers in Chicago were reprimanded for kneeling in their police station and as ESPN ’ s Jemele Hill was suspended for comments she made to fans urging them to boycott companies that advertise with the Dallas Cowboys after Jerry Jones threatened to bench players who knelt for the anthem .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What is that “ we ” stand for ?
Or , rather , who does Trump think is “ we ” ?
I guess people of color , whom he hates , and anyone else who disagrees with him .
I don ’ t remember Trump standing up for Julie Briskman ’ s First Amendment rights .
Briskman , a marketing executive at Akima , a government contracting firm , was fired for flipping off President Trump ’ s motorcade while riding her bike .
She wasn ’ t even at work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ photograph had been published with great popularity , she identified herself to her company and was promptly called into a room and fired for violating code-of-conduct policies .
Clearly , she did not have the right to express herself as she chooses , even outside of the workplace , without consequences for her employment .
And , sadly , as I ’ ve explained in detail elsewhere , Americans do not enjoy the rights of free speech in the workplace , a problem in itself .
But this isn ’ t in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment .
It ’ s about the exploitation of the First Amendment , playing upon America ’ s ignorance of what ’ s really in the Constitution .
The First Amendment is an authoritarian weapon , and has been weaponized as such even by the right-wing dominated Supreme Court .
Justice Elena Kagan ’ s powerful dissent in the Supreme Court ’ s decision in the Janus case in summer 2018 warned Americans about this exploitation , referring at the time specifically to Justice Samuel Alito ’ s absolute distortion of the First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could no longer charge agency fees or “ fair share ” dues to non-members who nonetheless benefit from union representation .
He argued it violated employees ’ First Amendment rights .
Of course , as we ’ ve seen , free speech is not a right in the workplace , and as I ’ ve explained elsewhere , the ruling actually silenced workers ’ voice and undermined workplace democracy by undermining the strength of unions .
The ruling served to diminish labor ’ s ability to represent itself and have a voice in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger national political conversation .
Kagan was most succinct and incisive in her dissent when she accused the majority in the court of “ turning the First Amendment into a sword.
” She astutely points out , “ Speech is everywhere—a part of every human activity ( employment , health care , securities trading , you name it ) .
” Thus , she viewed the Janus ruling and its leveraging of the First Amendment as opening up possibilities for instituting repressive measures rather promoting freedom , writing , “ The majority ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every stop are black-robed rulers overriding citizens ’ choices.
” She concludes re-asserting that the First Amendment “ was meant not to undermine but to protect democratic governance—including over the role of public-sector unions.
” Similarly , Trump has no interest in defending the First Amendment .
He has an interest in silencing his opposition and fortifying his ability to widely broadcast lie after damaging lie without being fact-checked by Twitter .
As Jason Easley just recently reported for PoliticusUsa , Trump in fact threatened violence on those protesting outside the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of African Americans .
He does not celebrate American values or the Constitution .
He is both ignorant and contemptuous of them .
Given the sad truth that Americans do not enjoy the rights of free speech in the workplace , maybe Trump ’ s employer can find some way to address his ignorant and dangerous speech .
Who ’ s his boss ?
Oh , that ’ s us .
Well , let ’ s fire him in November .

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While Donald Trump has been involved in a dispute with Twitter, speciously and ignorantly crying that the social media company violated his First Amendment rights, uprisings and mass actions protesting the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor—and the pervasive devaluing of Black lives generally–have mounted.
The simultaneity of these events may be just coincidence, but their juxtaposition is nonetheless revealing in terms of Trump’s—and the Republican’s—strategy of deploying the First Amendment as an ideological club not actually to enable the free speech that necessarily underpins democracy but rather to amplify Trump’s own voice while silencing others, mainly those of his opposition and the American majority, especially people of color.
This contemporary juxtaposition highlights Trump’s rhetorical misuse of the First Amendment to fuel his racist agenda and stoke his base’s sensitivities to his divisive agenda as he moves into campaign mode ahead of November 2020.
Think back to Trump’s indictment of former San Francisco Forty-Niner quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players who knelt for the National Anthem.
He viewed them as un-American, just as he views immigrants, deserving deportation: “You have to stand proudly for the national anthem or you shouldn’t be playing, you shouldn’t be there, maybe you shouldn’t be in the country,” Trump notoriously said.
He also said, during that controversy, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he’s fired. He’s fired.”
And also: “That’s a total disrespect of our heritage. That’s a total disrespect of everything that we stand for.”
Kaepernick was, of course, for all intents and purposes, fired. Just a couple of African American police officers in Chicago were reprimanded for kneeling in their police station and as ESPN’s Jemele Hill was suspended for comments she made to fans urging them to boycott companies that advertise with the Dallas Cowboys after Jerry Jones threatened to bench players who knelt for the anthem.
And what heritage are these protesters disrespecting? What is that “we” stand for? Or, rather, who does Trump think is “we”?
I guess people of color, whom he hates, and anyone else who disagrees with him.
I don’t remember Trump standing up for Julie Briskman’s First Amendment rights.
Remember her?
Briskman, a marketing executive at Akima, a government contracting firm, was fired for flipping off President Trump’s motorcade while riding her bike. She wasn’t even at work. Because she had been photographed and the photograph had been published with great popularity, she identified herself to her company and was promptly called into a room and fired for violating code-of-conduct policies. Clearly, she did not have the right to express herself as she chooses, even outside of the workplace, without consequences for her employment.
And, sadly, as I’ve explained in detail elsewhere, Americans do not enjoy the rights of free speech in the workplace, a problem in itself.
Trump’s First Amendment rights weren’t violated either.
But this isn’t in any factual or legal sense about the First Amendment. It’s about the exploitation of the First Amendment, playing upon America’s ignorance of what’s really in the Constitution.
The First Amendment is an authoritarian weapon, and has been weaponized as such even by the right-wing dominated Supreme Court.
Justice Elena Kagan’s powerful dissent in the Supreme Court’s decision in the Janus case in summer 2018 warned Americans about this exploitation, referring at the time specifically to Justice Samuel Alito’s absolute distortion of the First Amendment to rule that public sector unions could no longer charge agency fees or “fair share” dues to non-members who nonetheless benefit from union representation. He argued it violated employees’ First Amendment rights. Of course, as we’ve seen, free speech is not a right in the workplace, and as I’ve explained elsewhere, the ruling actually silenced workers’ voice and undermined workplace democracy by undermining the strength of unions. The ruling served to diminish labor’s ability to represent itself and have a voice in the workplace and by extension in the larger national political conversation.
Kagan was most succinct and incisive in her dissent when she accused the majority in the court of “turning the First Amendment into a sword.” She astutely points out, “Speech is everywhere—a part of every human activity (employment, health care, securities trading, you name it).” Thus, she viewed the Janus ruling and its leveraging of the First Amendment as opening up possibilities for instituting repressive measures rather promoting freedom, writing, “The majority’s road runs long. And at every stop are black-robed rulers overriding citizens’ choices.” She concludes re-asserting that the First Amendment “was meant not to undermine but to protect democratic governance—including over the role of public-sector unions.”
Similarly, Trump has no interest in defending the First Amendment. He has an interest in silencing his opposition and fortifying his ability to widely broadcast lie after damaging lie without being fact-checked by Twitter.
As Jason Easley just recently reported for PoliticusUsa, Trump in fact threatened violence on those protesting outside the White House in response to the ongoing state killings of African Americans.
He does not celebrate American values or the Constitution. He is both ignorant and contemptuous of them.
Given the sad truth that Americans do not enjoy the rights of free speech in the workplace, maybe Trump’s employer can find some way to address his ignorant and dangerous speech.
Who’s his boss? Oh, that’s us.
Well, let’s fire him in November.