theguardian--2020-10-08--Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer slams Trump in response to kidnapping plot – video

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer called for unity and condemned Donald Trump for stoking division during the coronavirus outbreak during a @ @ @ @ @ addressed a plot to kidnap her .
Members of two domestic terrorist groups have been @ @ @ @ @ kidnap , which she said she 'never could have imagined ' when she took office @ @ @ @ @ debate , when Trump told far-right group the Proud Boys to 'stand back and standby @ @ @ @ @ he is 'rallying ' groups such as the ones that plotted her kidnap • Six @ @ @ @ @ kidnap Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer • Trump campaign pushes debate delay as Pelosi teases discussion @ @ @ @ @ – live

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer called for unity and condemned Donald Trump for stoking division during the coronavirus outbreak during a press conference in which she addressed a plot to kidnap her.
Members of two domestic terrorist groups have been charged with Whitmer's attempted kidnap, which she said she 'never could have imagined' when she took office.
Referencing the first presidential debate, when Trump told far-right group the Proud Boys to 'stand back and standby', the governor said he is 'rallying' groups such as the ones that plotted her kidnap


theguardian--2020-10-08--Nancy Pelosi suggests future discussion on Donald Trump's fitness for office – video

Nancy Pelosi teased a discussion about the 25th amendment , which pertains to the president ’ s removal from office @ @ @ @ @ she said would be held tomorrow .
The House speaker also spoke about Trump calling @ @ @ @ @ ' .
She said the president owed it to the American people to share when @ @ @ @ @ after the White House refused to provide a timeline of the president ’ s testing @ @ @ @ @ the hospital • Trump campaign pushes debate delay as Pelosi teases discussion on his fitness @ @ @ @

Nancy Pelosi teased a discussion about the 25th amendment, which pertains to the president’s removal from office if found unfit, which she said would be held tomorrow.
The House speaker also spoke about Trump calling himself a 'perfect physical specimen'. She said the president owed it to the American people to share when he tested positive for Covid-19 after the White House refused to provide a timeline of the president’s testing before he was admitted to the hospital


theguardian--2020-10-09--Trump and Pelosi set for 25th amendment battle over president's 'mental and physical capacity' – liv

Trump and Pelosi set for 25th amendment battle over president's 'mental and physical capacity' – live

Associated Press report that the mother and sisters of a Black teen who was killed by a suburban Milwaukee police officer have been arrested by police who were cracking down on protesters out after a curfew following a decision not to charge the officer .
Alvin Cole ’ s mother , Tracy Cole , and his sisters , Taleavia and Tristiana Cole , were arrested about 8:30pm Thursday along with several others in a church parking lot in Wauwatosa , according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , citing multiple witnesses .
Cole family attorney Kimberley Motley tweeted that Tracy Cole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ ended up in the hospital.
” Motley later tweeted that Tracy and Tristiana Cole were released from the hospital .
Details on why they were at the hospital weren ’ t immediately known .
A Facebook livestream that captured only audio of Tracy Cole was made by a third daughter , the newspaper reported .
On a recording of it , Tracy Cole could be heard screaming in pain as she was being arrested , saying police injured her arm , hit her in the head and used a stun gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night that “ several ” people were arrested , and said one woman requested medical attention and was taken to a hospital .
The city was under a 7pm curfew during a second night of protests after Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm decided not to charge Wauwatosa Officer Joseph Mensah , who is also Black , with the shooting death of Cole , 17 , in February outside Mayfair Mall .
According to investigators ’ reports , Cole had a gun and fired it .
Chisholm said it appeared he shot himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused commands to drop the weapon , prompting Mensah to fire .
Motley , the Cole family attorney , has said she plans to file a federal lawsuit against Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah .
The death of Alvin Cole was the third fatal shooting by Mensah in the last five years .
Mensah shot and killed Antonio Gonzales in 2015 after police said Gonzales refused to drop a sword .
A year later Mensah shot Jay Anderson Jr .
In that case , Mensah found Anderson in a car parked in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw a gun on the passenger seat and thought Anderson was reaching for it , so he shot him .
Mensah wasn ’ t charged in either shooting .

10 Oct 2020 02.31 BST Kari Paul here, signing off for the night! It has been an active day at the end of a very busy news week, so here are some top lines in case you missed them. Three people at the school of Amy Coney Barrett’s teenage children, who attended the super-spreader event in the Rose Garden, have been diagnosed with coronavirus.
The presidential debate on Thursday of next week was officially cancelled after Trump refused to participate remotely. This comes as Trump has two events planned at the White House this weekend and a rally planned on Monday in Florida.
A debate between South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham and his democratic opponent was canceled when Graham refused to take a coronavirus test.
Secretary of state Mike Pompeo said Friday he will release more emails from former secretary of state Hillary Clinton at Trump’s behest.
The Trump administration blocked an order proposed by the CDC last month that would have required masks to be worn on public transit across the US.
Trump participated in his first on-camera interview since his Covid diagnosis, speaking to a Fox News contributor and doctor about his experiences with the virus. Trump said he is glad he got intensive treatment quickly and learned “coronavirus is contagious”. He denied ever having breathing problems, despite reports he was on oxygen previously, and said “I feel very good and very strong. He did not say whether he had tested negative for the virus.
10 Oct 2020 02.09 BST Trump conflicts his own team’s report on his health in Fox News interview Donald Trump said in an interview about his bout of coronavirus on Friday that he never had breathing problems as part of his diagnosis, conflicting with official reports from his doctors and team. His chief previously said he was taking oxygen after having trouble breathing. Trump, doing his first on-camera interview since his coronavirus diagnosis, now claims he never had breathing problems as part of his Covid battle pic.twitter.com/SgbVfSUXA4 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 10, 2020 Trump also said that he had taken a test for the virus and “is either at the bottom of the scale or free” of the virus. “it’s been amazing to watch it disappear”, he said. Meanwhile, the White House has refused to answer whether the president tested negative.
10 Oct 2020 02.05 BST Trump on what he has learned from his own coronavirus experience: ‘Covid is contagious’ In his first on-camera interview since he was hospitalized for coronavirus, Trump talked about what he learned from his experience that he could bring to his leadership on the topic. He said one thing he learned is that “this is a contagious disease” and that “generally you get better from it.” He said the biggest lesson he learned from the experience is that it is important to get medical attention quickly. He did not mention how the 27 million Americans without health insurance should access medical care quickly. Experts have estimated Trump’s round-the-clock treatment for coronavirus would cost the average American more than $1m. “I think the biggest thing is to do it early,” he said. “We have the White House doctor, we have so many doctors, so it is a lot easier for me than somebody that doesn’t have a doctor.” Trump would not say if he had tested negative for coronavirus, ahead of two events he is holding in person at the White House this weekend. He said he is open to donating plasma to help other coronavirus patients. “Well nobody has asked me to do that but I’d love to do it,” he said.
10 Oct 2020 01.44 BST Trump claims to be ‘medication free’ following coronavirus treatment Speaking to a doctor on Tucker Carlson’s evening show, Trump discussed his treatment for coronavirus and claimed he is no longer taking medications for the virus. The remote interview, which had been advertised as a ‘medical exam’, touched on how Trump was treated and his controversial trip outside the White House to greet his supporters. It was conducted by Marc Siegel, a doctor and Fox News contributor who has previously downplayed the severity of coronavirus. Trump once again refused to answer if he had tested negative for coronavirus following his diagnosis but said he is no longer taking medication for it. “I don’t know numbers or anything but I have been retested and I’m at the bottom of the scale or free,” Trump said when asked if he had tested negative. “It’s been really great to see it disappear.”
10 Oct 2020 01.22 BST Trump in first on-camera interview since Covid diagnosis: ‘I feel very good and very strong’ Trump has kicked off his interview on Tucker Carlson’s show. He said he feels “very good and very strong” following his coronavirus treatment at Walter Reed hospital.
He said he “didn’t have any breathing problems”, contradicting his doctor’s previous report that he was on oxygen while in the hospital. He said his primary symptoms were general fatigue and sore throat.
Updated at 01.43 BST
10 Oct 2020 01.16 BST Trump administration blocked a CDC mask order In September, months into a deadly pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 people, the Trump administration blocked a CDC mandate that would have required masks on all public transportation. The coronavirus task force, which is required to sign off on all coronavirus-related policies, refused to pass the CDC recommendation, the New York Times reported. Under the ruling, masks would have been required on airplanes, buses, trains, and subways across the United States as well as in transit hubs like bus stops and train stations. From the report: The order would have been the toughest federal mandate to date aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus, which continues to infect more than 40,000 Americans a day. The officials said that it was drafted under the agency’s “quarantine powers” and that it had the support of the secretary of health and human services, Alex M. Azar II, but the White House Coronavirus Task Force, led by Vice President Mike Pence, declined to even discuss it. In absence of a national mask mandate, individual states, cities, and transportation systems have been left to create their own rules. Health experts say this stokes confusion as the virus continues to spread.
10 Oct 2020 01.01 BST Donald Trump to undergo ‘medical exam’ on television shortly In his first on-camera TV appearance since his coronavirus diagnosis, Donald Trump will speak with Tucker Carlson on Fox News. We will be updating you live so stay tuned.
9 Oct 2020 00.36 BST Trump is still obsessed with Hillary Clinton’s emails Secretary of state Mike Pompeo said Friday he will release more emails from former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, a move sparked by pressure from Donald Trump. “We’re going to get all this information out so the American people can see it. You’ll remember there was classified information on a private server, should have never been there, Hillary Clinton should never have done that, that was unacceptable behavior,” Pompeo said in an interview with Fox News on Friday. Trump spoke of the emails in a previous interview with Fox News on Thursday, saying Pompeo had not yet released emails deleted from Clinton’s private server, which she said in 2015 “were personal and private.” Trump just now to Limbaugh: “She deleted 33,000 emails. She should be in jail for that." — Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) October 9, 2020 The president for at least the third time this week brought up the emails when speaking to conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh on Friday, saying Clinton “should be in jail” for clearing out her inbox. An investigation by the State Department concluded in 2019 there was no “persuasive evidence” of widespread mishandling of classified information by Clinton or her aides.
Updated at 01.03 BST
9 Oct 2020 00.22 BST South Carolina debate canceled after Lindsey Graham refuses Covid-19 test A Friday debate between South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Jaime Harrison and incumbent Republican senator Lindsey Graham was cancelled after Graham refused to take a coronavirus test beforehand. The hashtags #LindseyGrahamHasCovid andn #LindseyIsPositive were trending Friday after the cancellation. The candidates will now participate in two separate interviews, a half hour each, aired on the same network. Graham accused Harrison of adding on requirements to the debate to get out of it. What’s going on @LindseyGrahamSC ? https://t.co/Hk4xpHMTo8 — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) October 9, 2020 Harrison’s demand for coronavirus testing comes after Donald Trump was diagnosed with Covid-19 just days after his debate with Joe Biden. Graham said he did not have to take the test, citing a note from the attending physician of Congress saying that he did not need one. Covid tests are available for free in the United States Senate for members, with same day results. — Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) October 9, 2020 “We’re disappointed that Lindsey has failed to take a simple coronavirus test, but we appreciate our hosts were able to change the event format to make it safer for everyone,” said Harrison campaign spokesman Guy King. “Jaime will be there in Spartanburg to talk to voters.”
Updated at 02.23 BST
9 Oct 2020 23.59 BST Trump rally comes with some distressing fine print Trump earlier announced he will hold a rally in Sanford, Florida on Monday - the first event outside the White House since his coronavirus diagnosis. As with other events held by the Trump campaign, attendees must sign a waiver acknowledging Covid-19 risks. From the registration page: By registering for this event, you understand and expressly acknowledge that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. In attending the event, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19, and waive, release, and discharge Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; the host venue; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers from any and all liability under any theory, whether in negligence or otherwise, for any illness or injury. Rallies for Trump have been criticized for allowing people in close quarters, many without masks. Anyone who is infected with the coronavirus at these events cannot take legal action against the campaign over it.
9 Oct 2020 23.44 BST Presidential debate cancelled as Trump plans first in-person events since Covid diagnosis There will no longer be a presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden on Thursday, the Commission on Presidential Debates confirmed on Friday.
The announcement comes after a public disagreement between the two candidates over the debate’s format. Trump, who is infected with the coronavirus, insisted on having an in-person debate while Biden and the commission advocated for a virtual debate for safety reasons. “It is now apparent there will be no debate on October 15, and the CPD will turn its attention to preparations for the final presidential debate scheduled for October 22,” the commission said in a statement. Meanwhile, Trump is hosting two events at the White House this weekend and is planning a rally in Florida on Monday. It is not clear if the president, who announced a Covid-19 diagnosis one week ago, is still contagious.
Updated at 00.20 BST
9 Oct 2020 23.36 BST Civil rights groups push tech companies to stop hosting Proud Boys content Civil rights group Color of Change said Friday it had convinced Google Cloud to stop facilitating websites that contain content from the Proud Boys hate group. “Big Tech companies can no longer passively support hate groups by allowing them to organize on their platforms,” said Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change. “They - and Congress - must act.” The move comes as scrutiny surrounding tech companies and hate content intensifies. In 2019, web hosting firm Cloudflare cut off hate speech-filled message board 8chan from hosting on its platform after it was used to post a mass shooting manifesto.
Last week, Facebook announced it would remove all pages and groups related to Qanon, a baseless conspiracy theory that has been linked to violence. Twitter recently began to remove calls to violence from Donald Trump’s account and Facebook similarly is flagging misinformation and other dangerous content from the president. A spokesman from Google Cloud said the websites were not direct customers of Google but of a website hoster who uses Google Cloud. “After a heads up from Color of Change, we notified one of our customers – a website hoster – who then took action,” Google Cloud said in a statement. “The websites in question were not Google Cloud customers.” Color of Change is still calling on others to take similar action and deplatform hate groups. It criticized PayPal for refusing to remove a fundraiser page for a domestic terrorist who killed two people in Kenosha, Wisconsin. “Tech companies must enact and enforce a proactive, aggressive approach to stop the violent, hateful activity on its platforms – it cannot continue to fall on advocates, as it has for far too long,” Color of Change said in a statement. “Anything short of creating the policies and enforcement mechanisms necessary to proactively keep these hate-fueled groups off of tech platforms will only lead to more dangerous outcomes.” This post has been updated to reflect that the websites in question were not direct customers of Google Cloud.
Updated at 22.05 BST


theguardian--2020-10-09--'Our worst nightmare': will militias heed Trump's call to watch the polls?

In the final minutes of last week ’ s televised presidential debate , a few days before he tested positive for Covid-19 , Donald Trump was asked by the moderator , Chris Wallace , whether he would call on his supporters to stay calm and desist from civil unrest in the immediate aftermath of next month ’ s election .
Trump pointedly declined the invitation .
Instead , he replied : “ I ’ m urging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully , because that ’ s what has to happen .
I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who monitor the activities of far-right militia groups and white-supremacist paramilitaries , Trump ’ s remarks were as welcome as jet fuel being used to quell a wildfire .
Indeed , since they were made the FBI launched a series of arrests of militia members and others plotting to kidnap the Michigan governor , Gretchen Whitmer , and attack law enforcement , adding to a sense of a nation spiraling out of control as November ’ s election approaches .
“ The militias will absolutely seize on [ Trump ’ s comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who tracks militias at the progressive thinktank Political Research Associates .
“ The possibility of armed factions with military-style rifles showing up at polling places is very troubling.
” Devin Burghart , the director of the anti-bigotry organization the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights , had a similar sinking sensation when he heard Trump ’ s words .
“ My first thought was ‘ Here we go ’ .
This is the stuff of our worst nightmares.
” The US president ’ s clarion call to his supporters to intervene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a perilous moment .
As the country is battered by the combined winds of the pandemic and Trump ’ s personal battle against the virus , the Black Lives Matter reckoning over racial injustice , and the pending turbulent election , the US is not only more virulently divided than at any time in decades , it is also more heavily armed .
FBI background checks – a direct indicator of gun sales – almost doubled year-on-year this summer , a reflection of the jitters that abound .
As America arms itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way on to the streets , borne by self-styled private militias and culminating in violent clashes that have caused bloodshed in several US cities .
With the most ferociously-contested presidential election in modern times now less than a month away , there are signs that heavily-armed militia groups , many of them finely attuned to Trump ’ s every whim , are setting their sights on the ballot .
“ A number of groups have begun talking about mobilizations on election day and beyond .
We ’ re hearing initial chatter about preparations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying close attention , ” Burghart said .
Burghart ’ s research group has been tracking the escalation of militia activity especially in key swing states .
In Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin in particular , groups have been detected discussing what they call “ voter integrity ” efforts on polling day .
“ We anticipate that after Trump ’ s call to arms at last week ’ s debate we ’ ll see a lot more activity from here , ” Burghart said .
In Montana , a popular base for libertarians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs of militia groups assiduously retweeting Trump ’ s falsehoods about mail-in voting fraud , circulating the lies widely among themselves .
In the closed social media groups and chatrooms where more detailed conversations can be held away from public oversight , far-right ideologues are going several steps further than merely repeating Trump ’ s conspiracy theories .
They are attaching them to familiar antisemitic and racist tropes .
One popular line in Montana is that the billionaire philanthropist George Soros , who is Jewish , is using his fortune to encourage liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rachel Carroll Rivas , the co-director of the Montana Human Rights Network , which monitors extremist networks in the state , said they were picking up intensifying conversation among militia groups about the legitimacy of the 3 November ballot and of the integrity of mail-in voting .
“ This really is top down – they are repeating word for word what they hear from President Trump.
” In addition to the Soros lie , Rivas said , militia groups such as the Montana branch of the United States Freedom Protectors were positioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement on election day .
Though their planning is as yet relatively unformed , Rivas said , the possibility of interventions by armed members of the group had to be taken seriously .
“ They present themselves as protectors of property and law and order , and are now starting to talk about the election .
They may show up at polling places claiming to want to protect voting rights , but their impact will clearly be intimidatory , ” she said .
Putting a figure on the scale of the threat posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is fraught given their secretive communications online .
The New York Times has estimated there are up to 20,000 active militia members in about 300 groups , with a quarter consisting of military veterans .
The pool of Americans with some militia engagement might extend much wider than that .
An investigation by the Atlantic into the Oath Keepers , one of the most prominent groups , revealed a leaked database of almost 25,000 current or past members , two-thirds of whom were from military or law enforcement backgrounds .
Whatever the numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grown in recent years to the point where they pose the prime domestic terrorism threat , even while the Trump administration has tried to play down the danger .
Earlier this month a whistleblower complained that officials of the Department of Homeland Security had been instructed by superiors to alter intelligence reports to make the peril appear less severe .
It ’ s even harder to put a figure on how much Trump has emboldened the militia , though the encouragement he has given is beyond doubt .
Not only has he consistently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did with the Proud Boys at last week ’ s TV debate , but he has maintained a steady dialogue with them through social media .
“ The relationship between the militias and the current administration is call and response – it ’ s not always clear who ’ s leading the chant .
Sometimes it ’ s coming from the militias , sometimes it ’ s coming from the president , ” Gardiner said .
It ’ s not just the rightwing paramilitaries that pose a mounting danger .
Anti-fascist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recourse to guns too , as was seen with the shooting by a self-styled anti-fascist activist , later himself killed by police , of a member of the pro-Trump group Patriot Prayer in Portland last month .
African American armed militia activity is also back to a level of open defiance that hasn ’ t been seen since the “ cop-watching patrols ” of the Black Panthers in the 1970s .
The NFAC ( Not Fucking Around Coalition ) has staged several actions by its military veteran members , dressed all in black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July the coalition staged a parade of about 1,000 NFAC “ troops ” in Stone Mountain , Georgia , the birthplace of the modern Ku Klux Klan .
The group ’ s leader , Grand Master Jay , told Channel 4 News this month that the goal of the militia was “ the protection of the black race , the policing of the black race , the education of weapons of the black race ” .
The arming of African American and anti-fascist factions has contributed to the volatility of the times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ falls firmly on the other side of the country ’ s widening racial divide – with the overwhelmingly white far-right .
The summer saw the proliferation of incidents across the states of far-right militia groups confronting Black Lives Matter protesters .
Gardiner ’ s team at Political Research Associates has carried out as yet unpublished research that records almost 600 such appearances of small but frighteningly well-armed bands of Trump supporters and far-right extremists .
A troubling aspect of Gardiner ’ s findings is that since the late summer there has been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence .
“ The number of serious incidents of outright violence , shootings , vehicular assaults or menacing with a pointed gun is on the up , ” he said .
An even more sobering observation is that by far the largest subset of these militia events , comprising at least 40 % of the almost 600 recorded total , were uncoordinated , with no known involvement of the Oath Keepers , Three Percenters , Proud Boys , or any other established group .
That means that there have been almost 240 incidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremists coalesced online and then proceeded to take their armed fantasies on to the streets of America .
One expert on domestic terrorism has likened the phenomenon to “ online flash mobs ” .
Take the chain of events that led up to the tragic loss of life in Kenosha , Wisconsin , on 25 August .
Two days previously , protests broke out in the city after a video captured Jacob Blake , an African American man , being shot in the back and paralyzed by a police officer .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals formed themselves into a militia on the streets of Kenosha to act as a vigilante counter-point to the anti-police brutality demonstrators whom they denounced as leftist “ thugs ” .
The unrest culminated with a 17-year-old member of the group , Kyle Rittenhouse , allegedly shooting at protesters , killing two and injuring a third .
An investigation by the Atlantic Council ’ s digital forensic research lab traced the gelling of the militia back to its online roots .
They discovered that 13 hours before the shootings a notice calling on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenosha was placed on the existing Facebook page of a local militia calling itself the “ Kenosha Guard ” .
A second invitation to assemble was put out via a separate Facebook group that popped up that same day having been created by an individual with no known militia affiliation .
He called the page , “ STAND UP KENOSHA !
!
!
!
TONIGHT WE COME TOGETHER ” .
Significantly , it was the spontaneous and impromptu group , Stand Up Kenosha , and not the already established Kenosha Guard militia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – both in terms of the virulence of the violent threats that it posted on Facebook and in the responses it received .
Andy Carvin , a senior fellow at Atlantic Council , said that the finding was surprising , and disturbing .
“ Stand Up Kenosha played a much more dangerous and potentially volatile role that could have led to even more violence .
This is the stuff that now keeps me up at night : these spontaneous groups that have found a way of attracting individuals who have no prior militia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that under both federal and state laws , militias should have long ago been prohibited .
Mary McCord , the legal director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection , said that the legal status of the groups is crystal clear – they are unlawful .
“ There is nothing in the law that allows private individuals to self-deploy and engage in military or law enforcement-type activities , ” she said .
At a federal level , US supreme court rulings in 1886 and 2008 have unambiguously stated that the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to banning private paramilitary organizations .
At state level , all 50 states have provisions in their constitutions or in statute that outlaw militia activity unless it is at the express orders of the governor .
“ This is actually not a grey area at all , you rarely have laws that are so definitive , ” McCord said .
“ It is only because of a lack of understanding that these militias even exist.
” In the final weeks of the election , McCord and her colleagues have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states that point to the laws prohibiting private militias and advise what to do should armed groups turn up at polling places .
She is hoping to arm local law enforcement and voters with legal information so that they can push back on extremists armed with AK-47 style weapons .
It ’ s a daunting task , made none the easier by Trump .
“ When he talks about ‘ poll watching ’ and fraud , and refuses to urge his followers not to engage in civil unrest , that ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

In the final minutes of last week’s televised presidential debate, a few days before he tested positive for Covid-19, Donald Trump was asked by the moderator, Chris Wallace, whether he would call on his supporters to stay calm and desist from civil unrest in the immediate aftermath of next month’s election.
Trump pointedly declined the invitation. Instead, he replied: “I’m urging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully, because that’s what has to happen. I’m urging them to do it.”
For those who monitor the activities of far-right militia groups and white-supremacist paramilitaries, Trump’s remarks were as welcome as jet fuel being used to quell a wildfire. Indeed, since they were made the FBI launched a series of arrests of militia members and others plotting to kidnap the Michigan governor, Gretchen Whitmer, and attack law enforcement, adding to a sense of a nation spiraling out of control as November’s election approaches.
“The militias will absolutely seize on [Trump’s comments],” said Steven Gardiner, who tracks militias at the progressive thinktank Political Research Associates. “The possibility of armed factions with military-style rifles showing up at polling places is very troubling.”
Devin Burghart, the director of the anti-bigotry organization the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights, had a similar sinking sensation when he heard Trump’s words. “My first thought was ‘Here we go’. This is the stuff of our worst nightmares.”
The US president’s clarion call to his supporters to intervene at polling places on election day comes at a perilous moment. As the country is battered by the combined winds of the pandemic and Trump’s personal battle against the virus, the Black Lives Matter reckoning over racial injustice, and the pending turbulent election, the US is not only more virulently divided than at any time in decades, it is also more heavily armed.
FBI background checks – a direct indicator of gun sales – almost doubled year-on-year this summer, a reflection of the jitters that abound. As America arms itself, deadly weaponry is increasingly finding its way on to the streets, borne by self-styled private militias and culminating in violent clashes that have caused bloodshed in several US cities.
People wait in a line to enter a gun store in Culver City, California. Photograph: Ringo HW Chiu/AP
With the most ferociously-contested presidential election in modern times now less than a month away, there are signs that heavily-armed militia groups, many of them finely attuned to Trump’s every whim, are setting their sights on the ballot.
“A number of groups have begun talking about mobilizations on election day and beyond. We’re hearing initial chatter about preparations for 3 November and we’re paying close attention,” Burghart said.
Burghart’s research group has been tracking the escalation of militia activity especially in key swing states. In Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin in particular, groups have been detected discussing what they call “voter integrity” efforts on polling day.
“We anticipate that after Trump’s call to arms at last week’s debate we’ll see a lot more activity from here,” Burghart said.
In Montana, a popular base for libertarians and militia members, there are similar signs of militia groups assiduously retweeting Trump’s falsehoods about mail-in voting fraud, circulating the lies widely among themselves.
In the closed social media groups and chatrooms where more detailed conversations can be held away from public oversight, far-right ideologues are going several steps further than merely repeating Trump’s conspiracy theories. They are attaching them to familiar antisemitic and racist tropes.
One popular line in Montana is that the billionaire philanthropist George Soros, who is Jewish, is using his fortune to encourage liberal voters to cast their ballots multiple times.
Rachel Carroll Rivas, the co-director of the Montana Human Rights Network, which monitors extremist networks in the state, said they were picking up intensifying conversation among militia groups about the legitimacy of the 3 November ballot and of the integrity of mail-in voting. “This really is top down – they are repeating word for word what they hear from President Trump.”
In addition to the Soros lie, Rivas said, militia groups such as the Montana branch of the United States Freedom Protectors were positioning themselves to be vigilante outriders of law enforcement on election day. Though their planning is as yet relatively unformed, Rivas said, the possibility of interventions by armed members of the group had to be taken seriously.
“They present themselves as protectors of property and law and order, and are now starting to talk about the election. They may show up at polling places claiming to want to protect voting rights, but their impact will clearly be intimidatory,” she said.
Putting a figure on the scale of the threat posed by extremist militia groups in the US is fraught given their secretive communications online. The New York Times has estimated there are up to 20,000 active militia members in about 300 groups, with a quarter consisting of military veterans.
A member of the Proud Boys, right, tries to get a counter-protester to leave a Proud Boys rally in Portland in September. Photograph: John Locher/AP
The pool of Americans with some militia engagement might extend much wider than that. An investigation by the Atlantic into the Oath Keepers, one of the most prominent groups, revealed a leaked database of almost 25,000 current or past members, two-thirds of whom were from military or law enforcement backgrounds.
Whatever the numbers, white-supremacist militia groups in America have grown in recent years to the point where they pose the prime domestic terrorism threat, even while the Trump administration has tried to play down the danger. Earlier this month a whistleblower complained that officials of the Department of Homeland Security had been instructed by superiors to alter intelligence reports to make the peril appear less severe.
It’s even harder to put a figure on how much Trump has emboldened the militia, though the encouragement he has given is beyond doubt. Not only has he consistently refused to condemn the groups, as he did with the Proud Boys at last week’s TV debate, but he has maintained a steady dialogue with them through social media.
“The relationship between the militias and the current administration is call and response – it’s not always clear who’s leading the chant. Sometimes it’s coming from the militias, sometimes it’s coming from the president,” Gardiner said.
It’s not just the rightwing paramilitaries that pose a mounting danger. Anti-fascist and radical left groups have shown a growing recourse to guns too, as was seen with the shooting by a self-styled anti-fascist activist, later himself killed by police, of a member of the pro-Trump group Patriot Prayer in Portland last month.
The relationship between the militias and the current administration is call and response Steven Gardiner
African American armed militia activity is also back to a level of open defiance that hasn’t been seen since the “cop-watching patrols” of the Black Panthers in the 1970s. The NFAC (Not Fucking Around Coalition) has staged several actions by its military veteran members, dressed all in black and wielding semi-automatic rifles.
On 4 July the coalition staged a parade of about 1,000 NFAC “troops” in Stone Mountain, Georgia, the birthplace of the modern Ku Klux Klan. The group’s leader, Grand Master Jay, told Channel 4 News this month that the goal of the militia was “the protection of the black race, the policing of the black race, the education of weapons of the black race”.
The arming of African American and anti-fascist factions has contributed to the volatility of the times. But the overwhelming bulk of militia activity falls firmly on the other side of the country’s widening racial divide – with the overwhelmingly white far-right.
The summer saw the proliferation of incidents across the states of far-right militia groups confronting Black Lives Matter protesters. Gardiner’s team at Political Research Associates has carried out as yet unpublished research that records almost 600 such appearances of small but frighteningly well-armed bands of Trump supporters and far-right extremists.
A troubling aspect of Gardiner’s findings is that since the late summer there has been a gradual rise in militia events ending in violence. “The number of serious incidents of outright violence, shootings, vehicular assaults or menacing with a pointed gun is on the up,” he said.
An even more sobering observation is that by far the largest subset of these militia events, comprising at least 40% of the almost 600 recorded total, were uncoordinated, with no known involvement of the Oath Keepers, Three Percenters, Proud Boys, or any other established group.
That means that there have been almost 240 incidents where small and entirely leaderless bands of extremists coalesced online and then proceeded to take their armed fantasies on to the streets of America. One expert on domestic terrorism has likened the phenomenon to “online flash mobs”.
Take the chain of events that led up to the tragic loss of life in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on 25 August. Two days previously, protests broke out in the city after a video captured Jacob Blake, an African American man, being shot in the back and paralyzed by a police officer.
On the night of 25 August, several armed individuals formed themselves into a militia on the streets of Kenosha to act as a vigilante counter-point to the anti-police brutality demonstrators whom they denounced as leftist “thugs”. The unrest culminated with a 17-year-old member of the group, Kyle Rittenhouse, allegedly shooting at protesters, killing two and injuring a third.
An investigation by the Atlantic Council’s digital forensic research lab traced the gelling of the militia back to its online roots. They discovered that 13 hours before the shootings a notice calling on people to gather on the streets of Kenosha was placed on the existing Facebook page of a local militia calling itself the “Kenosha Guard”.
A second invitation to assemble was put out via a separate Facebook group that popped up that same day having been created by an individual with no known militia affiliation. He called the page, “STAND UP KENOSHA!!!! TONIGHT WE COME TOGETHER”.
Significantly, it was the spontaneous and impromptu group, Stand Up Kenosha, and not the already established Kenosha Guard militia, that appeared to have the greatest impact – both in terms of the virulence of the violent threats that it posted on Facebook and in the responses it received.
A so-called militia man shows up on the protester side and offers armed escorts to a safe position in Kenosha, Wisconsin in August. Photograph: Jim Vondruska
Andy Carvin, a senior fellow at Atlantic Council, said that the finding was surprising, and disturbing. “Stand Up Kenosha played a much more dangerous and potentially volatile role that could have led to even more violence. This is the stuff that now keeps me up at night: these spontaneous groups that have found a way of attracting individuals who have no prior militia affiliations of any sort.”
The paradox is that under both federal and state laws, militias should have long ago been prohibited. Mary McCord, the legal director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, said that the legal status of the groups is crystal clear – they are unlawful.
“There is nothing in the law that allows private individuals to self-deploy and engage in military or law enforcement-type activities,” she said.
At a federal level, US supreme court rulings in 1886 and 2008 have unambiguously stated that the second amendment right to bear arms is irrelevant when it comes to banning private paramilitary organizations. At state level, all 50 states have provisions in their constitutions or in statute that outlaw militia activity unless it is at the express orders of the governor.
“This is actually not a grey area at all, you rarely have laws that are so definitive,” McCord said. “It is only because of a lack of understanding that these militias even exist.”
In the final weeks of the election, McCord and her colleagues have been scrambling to distribute fact sheets to all states that point to the laws prohibiting private militias and advise what to do should armed groups turn up at polling places. She is hoping to arm local law enforcement and voters with legal information so that they can push back on extremists armed with AK-47 style weapons.
It’s a daunting task, made none the easier by Trump. “When he talks about ‘poll watching’ and fraud, and refuses to urge his followers not to engage in civil unrest, that’s a thinly-veiled dog-whistle for armed groups to coalesce.”


theguardian--2020-10-09--Demand surges for Regeneron drug that Trump claims ‘cures’ Covid-19

Doctors are reporting a spike in enquiries by patients for an experimental Covid-19 drug cocktail after Donald Trump called the Regeneron Pharmaceuticals drug “ a blessing from God ” that is a “ cure ” for the virus .
Two doctors involved in the trial of the drug told Reuters that more patients are asking to participate in the drug ’ s trials , though medical experts have pointed out the drug , Regn-Cov2 , is still too early in its trial period to confirm that it can help treat Covid-19 .
On Wednesday , just hours after Trump praised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the virus , Regeneron announced that it submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration ’ s ( FDA ) for an emergency use authorization of the drug , which is a cocktail mix of two antibodies meant to aid the immune system in fighting the virus .
Regeneron ’ s stock , and the stock of Eli Lilly , another pharmaceutical company conducting drug trials for an anti-body treatment , soared Thursday after Trump touted the treatment .
“ The politics of the situation would suggest to me that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then American technology fostered by the Trump administration cures Covid , ” said Dr Dirk Sostman , head of research network at Houston Methodist Hospital , a trial site for Regeneron ’ s antibody program , who told Reuters that more patients were seeking to take part in the trial .
“ I would think there would be pressure on regulators [ to approve the drug ] , ” he said .
Though Trump said that “ hundreds of thousands ” of doses were ready for use , Regeneron said that it actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have enough for 300,000 patients in the coming months .
The company has said 275 patients participated in the first phase of the drug trial .
The US has more than 7.5m confirmed cases of Covid-19 and over 212,000 people have died of the disease , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Because the drug is in clinical trials , it is only available to patients who are accepted into the trial .
With approval from the FDA , drug companies can offer a treatment to patients not participating in trials under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are meant to make treatments accessible to patients with a life-threatening condition that has no alternative therapies available .
Regeneron said that under 10 people have been given its drug under the rules .
Doctors on Twitter have been voicing their concerns about promises of a cure when the treatment is still nascent .
“ We don ’ t know if it works .
We don ’ t know about patient outcomes because it hasn ’ t been studied enough .
Frankly , [ Trump ] is an anecdote , ” said Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Michigan and executive director of the Committee to Protect Medicine , in a video on Twitter .
Regeneron ’ s drug is just the latest treatment that Trump is touting as the cure to the virus without the evidence medical experts say is necessary to actual confirm a treatment is safe and effective .
In the spring , Trump infamously announced he was taking anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in an attempt to prevent Covid-19 , though the FDA warned against using the drug for that reason .
Just a month later , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug citing growing evidence that it did not work to prevent the virus and that it had serious side effects .

Doctors are reporting a spike in enquiries by patients for an experimental Covid-19 drug cocktail after Donald Trump called the Regeneron Pharmaceuticals drug “a blessing from God” that is a “cure” for the virus.
Two doctors involved in the trial of the drug told Reuters that more patients are asking to participate in the drug’s trials, though medical experts have pointed out the drug, Regn-Cov2, is still too early in its trial period to confirm that it can help treat Covid-19.
On Wednesday, just hours after Trump praised the drug as the “cure” for the virus, Regeneron announced that it submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) for an emergency use authorization of the drug, which is a cocktail mix of two antibodies meant to aid the immune system in fighting the virus.
Regeneron’s stock, and the stock of Eli Lilly, another pharmaceutical company conducting drug trials for an anti-body treatment, soared Thursday after Trump touted the treatment.
“The politics of the situation would suggest to me that the story could be Trump gets Covid … then American technology fostered by the Trump administration cures Covid,” said Dr Dirk Sostman, head of research network at Houston Methodist Hospital, a trial site for Regeneron’s antibody program, who told Reuters that more patients were seeking to take part in the trial. “I would think there would be pressure on regulators [to approve the drug],” he said.
Though Trump said that “hundreds of thousands” of doses were ready for use, Regeneron said that it actually has enough doses for 50,000 patients and would have enough for 300,000 patients in the coming months. The company has said 275 patients participated in the first phase of the drug trial.
The US has more than 7.5m confirmed cases of Covid-19 and over 212,000 people have died of the disease, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Because the drug is in clinical trials, it is only available to patients who are accepted into the trial. With approval from the FDA, drug companies can offer a treatment to patients not participating in trials under “compassionate use” rules, which are meant to make treatments accessible to patients with a life-threatening condition that has no alternative therapies available. Regeneron said that under 10 people have been given its drug under the rules.
Doctors on Twitter have been voicing their concerns about promises of a cure when the treatment is still nascent.
“We don’t know if it works. We don’t know about patient outcomes because it hasn’t been studied enough. Frankly, [Trump] is an anecdote,” said Dr Rob Davidson, an emergency room physician in Michigan and executive director of the Committee to Protect Medicine, in a video on Twitter.
Regeneron’s drug is just the latest treatment that Trump is touting as the cure to the virus without the evidence medical experts say is necessary to actual confirm a treatment is safe and effective. In the spring, Trump infamously announced he was taking anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in an attempt to prevent Covid-19, though the FDA warned against using the drug for that reason. Just a month later, the FDA revoked its emergency authorization for the drug citing growing evidence that it did not work to prevent the virus and that it had serious side effects.


theguardian--2020-10-09--US Senate elections: the key races that will determine power in Washington

While the world ’ s attention is on Donald Trump ’ s attempt to win re-election as president over challenger Joe Biden , the battle for the US Senate that will culminate on 3 November is equally dramatic .
Even if Biden defeats Trump , he will be unable to pass legislation on key issues such as healthcare , immigration and climate change unless the Democrats simultaneously seize the Senate , where the Republicans now have a 47-53 majority .
The Democrats could pull it off .
Democratic challengers in two states , Arizona and Colorado , appear to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while only one Democratic incumbent , in Alabama , looks especially vulnerable , according to the latest forecast from the Cook Political Report .
The number of additional seats the Democrats need to win for a voting majority depends on who wins the White House , since any Senate tie of 50-50 is broken by the sitting vice-president .
If Trump wins re-election , the Democrats probably need three states , in addition to Arizona and Colorado , for the majority ; if Biden wins , the Democrats probably need only two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is enough time for races not mentioned here to shift and change the calculus .
Where will those seats come from ?
There are five races currently judged as tossups by the Cook Political Report ’ s Senate forecasts .
The Democrats ’ top targets are Maine , North Carolina and Iowa .
In all three races , incumbent Republicans appear to be weighed down by the unpopularity of Trump , while their Democratic opponents could benefit from high turnout among voters who wish to see Trump defeated .
Broad demographic trends are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with fewer women saying they will support Trump in 2020 , suburban voters likewise abandoning him , according to the polls , and support for Trump falling off even among whites without a college degree .
In Maine , the longtime Republican incumbent Susan Collins appears at last to have fallen out with the electorate , a majority of whom say they disapprove of Collins ’ vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh , Trump ’ s second pick to join the supreme court .
In North Carolina , the Republican incumbent , Thom Tillis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus crisis , while a majority of voters say they supported the state ’ s Democratic governor in his clash with Trump over public health rules for hosting the Republican national convention .
While the Republican Joni Ernst had looked difficult to beat earlier this election cycle , she also appears to have suffered from defending Trump ’ s pandemic policies , and challenger Theresa Greenfield has shown unexpected strength .
But with a month to go until the election , these and other races still have time to change dramatically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight over the supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett will galvanize conservative voters , just as the fight over Kavanaugh did in the 2018 midterm elections .
And last-minute political fallout from the debates , the Covid crisis , the economy or some unforeseen twist could change the races yet again .

Ashley Kirk , Tom McCarthy and Helena Robertson

While the world’s attention is on Donald Trump’s attempt to win re-election as president over challenger Joe Biden, the battle for the US Senate that culminates on 3 November is equally dramatic.
Even if Biden defeats Trump, he will be unable to pass legislation on key issues such as healthcare, immigration and climate change unless the Democrats simultaneously seize the Senate, where the Republicans now have a 47-53 majority.
The Democrats could pull it off. Democratic challengers in two states, Arizona and Colorado, appear to have a good chance in defeating Republican incumbents, while only one Democratic incumbent, in Alabama, looks especially vulnerable, according to the latest forecast from the Cook Political Report.
The number of additional seats the Democrats need to win for a voting majority depends on who wins the White House, since any Senate tie of 50-50 is broken by the sitting vice-president. If Trump wins re-election, the Democrats probably need three states, in addition to Arizona and Colorado, for the majority; if Biden wins, the Democrats probably need only two more.
“Probably” because there is enough time for races not mentioned here to shift and change the calculus.
Where will those seats come from? There are seven races currently judged as tossups by the Cook Political Report’s Senate forecasts.
Top Democratic targets: the seven tossups
The Democrats’ top targets are Maine, North Carolina and Iowa.
In all three races, incumbent Republicans appear to be weighed down by the unpopularity of Trump, while their Democratic opponents could benefit from high turnout among voters who wish to see Trump defeated.
Broad demographic trends are also making trouble for Republicans nationally, with fewer women saying they will support Trump in 2020, suburban voters likewise abandoning him, according to the polls, and support for Trump falling off even among whites without a college degree.
In Maine, the longtime Republican incumbent Susan Collins appears at last to have fallen out with the electorate, a majority of whom say they disapprove of Collins’ vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s second pick to join the supreme court.
In North Carolina, the Republican incumbent, Thom Tillis, has defended Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, while a majority of voters say they supported the state’s Democratic governor in his clash with Trump over public health rules for hosting the Republican national convention.
While the Republican Joni Ernst had looked difficult to beat earlier this election cycle, she also appears to have suffered from defending Trump’s pandemic policies, and challenger Theresa Greenfield has shown unexpected strength.
With the campaign in its final week, there is still a chance that these and other races will change course – although time is running out for the Republicans to turn the tide.


theguardian--2020-10-09--How the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan's Democratic governor unravelled

“ Snatch and grab , man , ” Adam Fox told an FBI informant in July .
“ Grab the fuckin ’ governor .
Just grab the bitch .
Because at that point , we do that , dude – it ’ s over.
” Fox , from Michigan , is now facing a potential life sentence , along with five other men , for an elaborate plan to kidnap the state ’ s Democratic governor , Gretchen Whitmer , and put her on trial for “ treason ” , according to the FBI .
The chilling plot , revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was a months-long effort that also saw members of a rightwing militia consider forgoing the kidnapping and instead executing Whitmer on her doorstep .
The news sent shockwaves through the country , as the US faces one the most divisive and viciously fought elections in its history in less that four weeks .
The vote has already been marred by accusations of voter suppression , civil unrest linked to police brutality and sometimes violent incidents by heavily armed rightwingers .
The FBI document showed just how far along the men got in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat became against Whitmer , who had been considered for the role of Joe Biden ’ s running mate .
In recent months , Whitmer has become a focal point of anti-government sentiment and anger over coronavirus lockdown measures .
According to the affidavit , plotters twice surveilled the governor ’ s vacation home and discussed blowing up a bridge leading to the house and using a boat to flee with the captured Whitmer .
The plot continued to gather pace into October , before the FBI arrested Fox , Barry Croft , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris and Brandon Caserta in a series of raids on Wednesday night .
“ When I put my hand on the Bible and took the oath of office 22 months ago , I knew this job would be hard , ” Whitmer said on Thursday .
“ But I ’ ll be honest , I never could have imagined anything like this.
” Fox , Croft , Garbin , Franks , Harris and Caserta face federal charges over conspiring to kidnap Whitmer , while a further seven men , each linked to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , face state charges relating to Michigan ’ s anti-terrorism act .
The FBI affidavit provides a detailed look into how the plot to kidnap Whitmer developed through June , July , August and September , and also shows how the men were doomed throughout – as an informant reported back to the FBI at every turn .
The FBI had begun to monitor a “ group of individuals ” in early 2020 , the agency said , after it became aware of discussions about “ the violent overthrow of certain government and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were among those involved , after they became convinced that Michigan was one of several states violating the US constitution .
Whitmer had become a hate figure among the rightwing through spring , when she was among a number of state governors to issue stay-at-home orders in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus .
In April , thousands of protesters , many armed , besieged the Michigan state capitol , in Lansing , to demonstrate against Whitmer ’ s order .
The protesters chanted : “ Lock her up ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards Hillary Clinton in 2016 , and Donald Trump seemingly offered his support , tweeting : “ LIBERATE MICHIGAN !
” on April 17 .
It was against this backdrop that the FBI picked up on plans to attack the Michigan state capitol .
At a meeting on 6 June , Croft , Fox and more than a dozen people from several states discussed creating “ a society that followed the U.S. Bill of Rights and where they could be self-sufficient ” , according to the FBI .
Croft and Fox decided they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacted a militia group led by Garbin .
From there , plans to attack the capitol began to escalate .
Fox asked to join forces with Garbin , and at a meeting in Dublin , Ohio , Fox said he needed to recruit “ 200 men ” to storm the capitol building and take hostages , including Whitmer .
If successful , the group would have tried Whitmer for treason , according to the FBI affidavit .
They intended to carry this out before the elections on 3 November .
The plan was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On 20 June , Fox held a clandestine meeting at his business in Grand Rapids to plan the attack , the FBI said .
Attendees , who included Grabin , were required to hand over their cellphones and used a hidden trapdoor to reach a basement .
At the meeting Fox and others discussed how they would assault the state capitol and counter police .
They planned to use “ Molotov cocktails ” , according to the FBI , to destroy police vehicles .
At the end of the meeting , recorded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recording device , the conspirators agreed to conduct firearms and tactical training over a weekend in July .
That event saw the plan develop further .
In Cambria , Wisconsin , Fox , Croft , Garbin , Franks and Caserta took part in “ combat drills ” , according to the FBI .
Over the weekend the militia group attempted to construct two explosive devices , using balloons , a fuse and ball bearings , although neither device detonated .
By mid-July , the plans were shifting away from an assault on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in on Whitmer ’ s vacation home and the governor ’ s official summer residence .
“ We about to be busy ladies and gentlemen , ” Fox posted to a private Facebook page .
“ This is where the Patriot shows up .
Sacrifices his time , money , blood sweat and tears… it starts now so get fucking prepared !
!
” On 27 July , Fox discussed his plan to “ snatch ” Whitmer with the FBI informant , and in August , one of the planners suggested taking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person go to her house , ” Harris wrote in an encrypted group chat .
“ Knock on the door and when she answers it just cap her.
” “ Ok sounds good I ’ m in for anything as long as it ’ s well planned.
” The execution plan seems to have been set aside , as the group instead discussed how to map out Whitmer ’ s vacation home , and how they would recruit people who could read blueprints to help refine the attack .
Some of those arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explosive devices , and proposed hiring a “ demo guy ” for the heist .
At the end of August , some of the conspirators conducted surveillance on the Whitmer ’ s vacation home , taking photos and video footage as they discussed how many people would be needed for the kidnapping .
A plan to escape from the property by boat – with Whitmer hostage onboard – was also discussed .
Croft , Fox , Garbin , Franks and others travelled to the house again on 12 September , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to conduct a final training exercise in late October – an exercise which now will not take place .
Speaking on Thursday , Whitmer thanked law enforcement and said she hoped the criminal charges would “ lead to convictions , bringing these sick and depraved men to justice ” .
She said the pandemic ought to be a time for unity – saying “ we are not one another ’ s enemy , the virus is our enemy ” – but she accused Trump of stoking division instead of bringing the American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rallying ” groups such as the ones that plotted her kidnap .
“ Hate groups heard the president ’ s words not as a rebuke but as a rallying cry , as a call to action , ” she said .

“Snatch and grab, man,” Adam Fox told an FBI informant in July. “Grab the fuckin’ governor. Just grab the bitch. Because at that point, we do that, dude – it’s over.”
Fox, from Michigan, is now facing a potential life sentence, along with five other men, for an elaborate plan to kidnap the state’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, and put her on trial for “treason”, according to the FBI.
The chilling plot, revealed in an FBI affidavit released on Thursday, was a months-long effort that also saw members of a rightwing militia consider forgoing the kidnapping and instead executing Whitmer on her doorstep.
The news sent shockwaves through the country, as the US faces one the most divisive and viciously fought elections in its history in less that four weeks. The vote has already been marred by accusations of voter suppression, civil unrest linked to police brutality and sometimes violent incidents by heavily armed rightwingers.
The FBI document showed just how far along the men got in their planning, and how credible the threat became against Whitmer, who had been considered for the role of Joe Biden’s running mate. In recent months, Whitmer has become a focal point of anti-government sentiment and anger over coronavirus lockdown measures.
According to the affidavit, plotters twice surveilled the governor’s vacation home and discussed blowing up a bridge leading to the house and using a boat to flee with the captured Whitmer.
The plot continued to gather pace into October, before the FBI arrested Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta in a series of raids on Wednesday night.
“When I put my hand on the Bible and took the oath of office 22 months ago, I knew this job would be hard,” Whitmer said on Thursday. “But I’ll be honest, I never could have imagined anything like this.”
Fox, Croft, Garbin, Franks, Harris and Caserta face federal charges over conspiring to kidnap Whitmer, while a further seven men, each linked to a militia group called “Wolverine Watchmen”, face state charges relating to Michigan’s anti-terrorism act.
The FBI affidavit provides a detailed look into how the plot to kidnap Whitmer developed through June, July, August and September, and also shows how the men were doomed throughout – as an informant reported back to the FBI at every turn.
The FBI had begun to monitor a “group of individuals” in early 2020, the agency said, after it became aware of discussions about “the violent overthrow of certain government and law-enforcement components”.
Croft and Fox were among those involved, after they became convinced that Michigan was one of several states violating the US constitution.
Whitmer had become a hate figure among the rightwing through spring, when she was among a number of state governors to issue stay-at-home orders in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus.
In April, thousands of protesters, many armed, besieged the Michigan state capitol, in Lansing, to demonstrate against Whitmer’s order.
People protest Michigan’s stay-at-home order at the state Capitol in April. Photograph: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images
The protesters chanted: “Lock her up”, a common refrain used by Trump supporters towards Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Donald Trump seemingly offered his support, tweeting: “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” on April 17.
It was against this backdrop that the FBI picked up on plans to attack the Michigan state capitol.
At a meeting on 6 June, Croft, Fox and more than a dozen people from several states discussed creating “a society that followed the U.S. Bill of Rights and where they could be self-sufficient”, according to the FBI.
Croft and Fox decided they needed to increase their numbers, and contacted a militia group led by Garbin. From there, plans to attack the capitol began to escalate.
Fox asked to join forces with Garbin, and at a meeting in Dublin, Ohio, Fox said he needed to recruit “200 men” to storm the capitol building and take hostages, including Whitmer.
If successful, the group would have tried Whitmer for treason, according to the FBI affidavit. They intended to carry this out before the elections on 3 November.
The plan was more than just a pipe dream.
On 20 June, Fox held a clandestine meeting at his business in Grand Rapids to plan the attack, the FBI said.
Attendees, who included Grabin, were required to hand over their cellphones and used a hidden trapdoor to reach a basement.
02:39 Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer slams Trump in response to kidnapping plot – video
At the meeting Fox and others discussed how they would assault the state capitol and counter police. They planned to use “Molotov cocktails”, according to the FBI, to destroy police vehicles.
At the end of the meeting, recorded by an FBI informant who was wearing a recording device, the conspirators agreed to conduct firearms and tactical training over a weekend in July.
That event saw the plan develop further.
In Cambria, Wisconsin, Fox, Croft, Garbin, Franks and Caserta took part in “combat drills”, according to the FBI.
Over the weekend the militia group attempted to construct two explosive devices, using balloons, a fuse and ball bearings, although neither device detonated.
By mid-July, the plans were shifting away from an assault on the Michigan capitol, as the group homed in on Whitmer’s vacation home and the governor’s official summer residence.
“We about to be busy ladies and gentlemen,” Fox posted to a private Facebook page.
Adam Fox is shown in a booking photo. Photograph: AP
“This is where the Patriot shows up. Sacrifices his time, money, blood sweat and tears… it starts now so get fucking prepared!!”
On 27 July, Fox discussed his plan to “snatch” Whitmer with the FBI informant, and in August, one of the planners suggested taking the kidnapping plan further.
“Have one person go to her house,” Harris wrote in an encrypted group chat.
“Knock on the door and when she answers it just cap her.”
In a follow up chat Franks wrote:
“Ok sounds good I’m in for anything as long as it’s well planned.”
The execution plan seems to have been set aside, as the group instead discussed how to map out Whitmer’s vacation home, and how they would recruit people who could read blueprints to help refine the attack.
Some of those arrested by the FBI continued to experiment with explosive devices, and proposed hiring a “demo guy” for the heist.
At the end of August, some of the conspirators conducted surveillance on the Whitmer’s vacation home, taking photos and video footage as they discussed how many people would be needed for the kidnapping.
A plan to escape from the property by boat – with Whitmer hostage onboard – was also discussed.
Croft, Fox, Garbin, Franks and others travelled to the house again on 12 September, according to the FBI.
The next day they agreed to conduct a final training exercise in late October – an exercise which now will not take place.
Speaking on Thursday, Whitmer thanked law enforcement and said she hoped the criminal charges would “lead to convictions, bringing these sick and depraved men to justice”.
She said the pandemic ought to be a time for unity – saying “we are not one another’s enemy, the virus is our enemy” – but she accused Trump of stoking division instead of bringing the American people together and said the president was “rallying” groups such as the ones that plotted her kidnap.
“Hate groups heard the president’s words not as a rebuke but as a rallying cry, as a call to action,” she said.


theguardian--2020-10-09--Donald Trump plans Florida rally on Saturday amid Covid test secrecy

Donald Trump , who is still recovering from Covid-19 , has suggested he might organize a rally in Florida on Saturday , while continuing to ignore questions on whether he has yet tested negative for the disease .
On Thursday night , Trump said : “ I think I ’ m going to try doing a rally on Saturday night if we can , if we have enough time to put it together .
“ But we want to do a rally in Florida , probably in Florida on Saturday night , might come back and do one in Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least one Trump rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , has been linked by a local health official to a spike in coronavirus cases .
Most supporters at recent Trump events have eschewed masks and social distancing measures to slow the spread of disease .
Asked by Fox News ’ Sean Hannity on Thursday night whether he had yet to test negative for coronavirus – or whether he had been tested at all since his positive test last week – the president did not directly respond , instead touting the experimental drugs he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be likely be tested on Friday .
Asked by Hannity whether he had had a test since testing positive last week , Trump said : “ Well what we ’ re doing is , probably the test will be tomorrow .
The actual test , because there ’ s no reason to test all the time.
” In the rambling interview , during which he spoke with a hoarse voice , at times pausing to cough , the president leapt from one rightwing talking point to the next .
He also referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , after reports confirming that treatments he has taken to treat his Covid-19 were developed using cells derived from aborted fetuses – a practice his administration opposes .
During an hour-long interview with the Fox Business channel earlier in the day , Trump said he wouldn ’ t participate in a virtual debate with his Democratic rival , Joe Biden , after the Commission on Presidential Debates announced the new format amid concerns that the president could still be contagious and spread the virus .
In the interview , Trump said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s what happens , you get better.
” House speaker Nancy Pelosi , announced on Thursday that Democrats in the US Congress would meet to discuss the 25th amendment to the constitution , which contains a clause that allows a president to be removed from office against his will because of physical or mental incapacity .
Trump ’ s physician , Dr Sean Conley , said he anticipated Trump would be able to return to public engagements on Saturday , after initially suggesting that the president might not be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Covid-19 patients can be around others 10 days after their symptoms first appear , provided they have not had a fever in the preceding 24 hours .
Trump has received several treatments , including the antiviral drug remdesivir and an experimental antibody cocktail from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals , whose chief executive has a personal relationship with the president .
On Thursday night , the president suggested he would be willing to debate Biden if the moderator were Hannity , or other loyal Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeanine Pirro .
“ Let ’ s get a fair anchor , someone like the great Sean Hannity , ” he said .
The chair of the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates told the Associated Press on Thursday that the commission would not rethink the virtual debate , and that the final debate , scheduled for 22 October , was still slated to go on with both candidates present as planned .
The president was hospitalised on 2 October after announcing he had contracted the virus that has killed more than 212,000 Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
He returned to the White House on 5 October , and appeared on Thursday to have left his rooms to visit the West Wing – as he did earlier this week – potentially exposing White House staff and others to the infection .
On Thursday , it emerged that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows held a 70-person indoor wedding for his daughter in Atlanta in May in defiance of state and municipal guidelines , the New York Times reported .
Meanwhile , Wisconsin opened a field hospital amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s health care system .
Governor Tony Evers said in a statement , “ We ’ re in a crisis right now and need to immediately change our behaviour to save lives .
”

Donald Trump, who is still recovering from Covid-19, has suggested he might organize a rally in Florida on Saturday, while continuing to ignore questions on whether he has yet tested negative for the disease.
On Thursday night, Trump said: “I think I’m going to try doing a rally on Saturday night if we can, if we have enough time to put it together.
“But we want to do a rally in Florida, probably in Florida on Saturday night, might come back and do one in Pennsylvania, on the following night.”
At least one Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been linked by a local health official to a spike in coronavirus cases. Most supporters at recent Trump events have eschewed masks and social distancing measures to slow the spread of disease. Asked by Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Thursday night whether he had yet to test negative for coronavirus – or whether he had been tested at all since his positive test last week – the president did not directly respond, instead touting the experimental drugs he had been treated with. He said he would be likely be tested on Friday.
Asked by Hannity whether he had had a test since testing positive last week, Trump said: “Well what we’re doing is, probably the test will be tomorrow. The actual test, because there’s no reason to test all the time.”
In the rambling interview, during which he spoke with a hoarse voice, at times pausing to cough, the president leapt from one rightwing talking point to the next. He also referred to abortions as “early term executions”, after reports confirming that treatments he has taken to treat his Covid-19 were developed using cells derived from aborted fetuses – a practice his administration opposes.
During an hour-long interview with the Fox Business channel earlier in the day, Trump said he wouldn’t participate in a virtual debate with his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, after the Commission on Presidential Debates announced the new format amid concerns that the president could still be contagious and spread the virus.
In the interview, Trump said of the virus, “You get better. That’s what happens, you get better.”
House speaker Nancy Pelosi, announced on Thursday that Democrats in the US Congress would meet to discuss the 25th amendment to the constitution, which contains a clause that allows a president to be removed from office against his will because of physical or mental incapacity.
Trump’s physician, Dr Sean Conley, said he anticipated Trump would be able to return to public engagements on Saturday, after initially suggesting that the president might not be able to return to public life until Monday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Covid-19 patients can be around others 10 days after their symptoms first appear, provided they have not had a fever in the preceding 24 hours.
Trump has received several treatments, including the antiviral drug remdesivir and an experimental antibody cocktail from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, whose chief executive has a personal relationship with the president.
On Thursday night, the president suggested he would be willing to debate Biden if the moderator were Hannity, or other loyal Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham or Jeanine Pirro. “Let’s get a fair anchor, someone like the great Sean Hannity,” he said.
The chair of the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates told the Associated Press on Thursday that the commission would not rethink the virtual debate, and that the final debate, scheduled for 22 October, was still slated to go on with both candidates present as planned.
The president was hospitalised on 2 October after announcing he had contracted the virus that has killed more than 212,000 Americans and infected more than 7.6 million in the country. He returned to the White House on 5 October, and appeared on Thursday to have left his rooms to visit the West Wing – as he did earlier this week – potentially exposing White House staff and others to the infection.
On Thursday, it emerged that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows held a 70-person indoor wedding for his daughter in Atlanta in May in defiance of state and municipal guidelines, the New York Times reported.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin opened a field hospital amid a surge in cases that has overwhelmed the state’s health care system. Governor Tony Evers said in a statement, “We’re in a crisis right now and need to immediately change our behaviour to save lives.”


theguardian--2020-10-09--Nancy Pelosi suggests future 25th Amendment discussion on Donald Trump's fitness for office – video

Nancy Pelosi teased a discussion about the 25th amendment , which pertains to the president ’ s removal from office @ @ @ @ @ she said would be held tomorrow .
The House speaker also spoke about Trump calling @ @ @ @ @ ' .
She said the president owed it to the American people to share when @ @ @ @ @ after the White House refused to provide a timeline of the president ’ s testing @ @ @ @ @ the hospital • Pelosi : Congress will discuss rules for Trump 's removal under 25th @ @ @ @ @ debate delay as Pelosi teases discussion on his fitness for office – live


theguardian--2020-10-10--Debate cancelled as Trump plans first in-person events since Covid diagnosis - as it happened

Trump on what he has learned from his own coronavirus experience : ‘ Covid is contagious ’ In his first on-camera interview since he was hospitalized for coronavirus , Trump talked about what he learned from his experience that he could bring to his leadership on the topic .
He said one thing he learned is that “ this is a contagious disease ” and that “ generally you get better from it.
” He said the biggest lesson he learned from the experience is that it is important to get medical attention quickly .
He did not mention how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should access medical care quickly .
Experts have estimated Trump ’ s round-the-clock treatment for coronavirus would cost the average American more than $ 1m .
“ I think the biggest thing is to do it early , ” he said .
“ We have the White House doctor , we have so many doctors , so it is a lot easier for me than somebody that doesn ’ t have a doctor.
” Trump would not say if he had tested negative for coronavirus , ahead of two events he is holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend .
He said he is open to donating plasma to help other coronavirus patients .
“ Well nobody has asked me to do that but I ’ d love to do it , ” he said .

Kari Paul, Lauren Aratani and Martin Belam


theguardian--2020-10-10--Second presidential debate canceled but Trump plans in-person events

The second presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden has been cancelled , the Commission on Presidential Debates confirmed Friday , a move that came as the president announced his first in-person events since being diagnosed with Covid-19 .
The decision by the nonpartisan commission follows a public disagreement between the two candidates over the debate ’ s format .
The commission had previously announced the debate would take place “ virtually ” due to Trump ’ s diagnosis .
Trump , however , said he would refuse to participate in a virtual event , while Biden advocated for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission said it would not reverse its decision , citing an abundance of caution and health concerns , particularly for the town-hall-style debate that was to feature questions from voters .
“ It is now apparent there will be no debate on October 15 , and the CPD will turn its attention to preparations for the final presidential debate scheduled for October 22 , ” the commission said in a statement .
The third and final debate , scheduled for 22 October in Nashville , Tennessee , is still on .
The move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person events since his Covid-19 diagnosis , including a speech at the White House on Saturday and a campaign rally in Florida on Monday , even as he remains potentially contagious for the virus .
The White House event will see Trump discuss “ law and order ” , and he is expecting to address a crowd from the White House balcony .
The White House physician , Sean Conley , said on Thursday in a press release that “ based on the trajectory of advanced diagnostics the team has been conducting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe return to public engagements ” on Saturday , eight days after Trump announced his positive test early last Friday .
Trump had initially indicated he hoped to hold a rally on Saturday night .
“ I think I ’ m going to try doing a rally on Saturday night if we can , if we have enough time to put it together , ” Trump said on Thursday .
The event did not materialize .
At least one Trump rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , has been linked by a local health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most supporters at recent Trump events have eschewed masks and social distancing measures .
While Trump has been doing hours-long interviews with conservative hosts , it has only been just over a week since he announced his diagnosis .
Medical experts have voiced concerns that , because the White House has refused to show results of Trump ’ s chest x-rays and lung scans , the public does not have a complete picture of whether the president has fully recovered from the virus .
Trump has avoided questions on whether he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the president ’ s first on-camera interview since his diagnosis , Trump said he was feeling “ very good and very strong ” , but once again refused to answer a question about his latest test results .
“ I don ’ t know numbers or anything but I have been retested and I ’ m at the bottom of the scale or free , ” Trump told .
The remote interview , which had been advertised as a “ medical exam ” but did not involve any exam or medical analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a doctor and Fox News contributor who has previously downplayed the severity of coronavirus .
Attendees at Monday ’ s rally in Sanford , Florida , will be asked to sign a waiver acknowledging Covid-19 risks , according to the event ’ s registration page , and waive their right to sue Trump or the venue if they contract the virus .
An outbreak of Covid-19 among senior White House and military figures has caused a dramatic situation within the Trump administration .
At least 20 people in or working around the executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent days .
In an interview on Friday , Dr Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , said the nomination of judge Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court at the White House ’ s Rose Garden in late September was a “ super-spreader ” event .
“ The data speak for themselves .
We had a super-spreader event in the White House .
It was in a situation where people were crowded together , were not wearing masks , ” Fauci said .
At least seven people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have tested positive for the virus , including the US senator Mike Lee ; the University of Notre Dame president , the Rev John Jenkins ; the former New Jersey governor Chris Christie , and the former Trump aide Kellyanne Conway .

The second presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden has been canceled, the Commission on Presidential Debates confirmed Friday, a move that came as the president announced his first in-person events since being diagnosed with Covid-19.
The decision by the nonpartisan commission follows a public disagreement between the two candidates over the debate’s format. The commission had previously announced the debate would take place “virtually” due to Trump’s diagnosis. Trump, however, said he would refuse to participate in a virtual event, while Biden advocated for it for safety reasons.
But the commission said it would not reverse its decision, citing an abundance of caution and health concerns, particularly for the town-hall-style debate that was to feature questions from voters.
“It is now apparent there will be no debate on October 15, and the CPD will turn its attention to preparations for the final presidential debate scheduled for October 22,” the commission said in a statement.
The third and final debate, scheduled for 22 October in Nashville, Tennessee, is still on.
The move came shortly after Trump announced his first in-person events since his Covid-19 diagnosis, including a speech at the White House on Saturday and a campaign rally in Florida on Monday, even as he remains potentially contagious for the virus.
Will be in Sanford, Florida on Monday for a very BIG RALLY! https://t.co/TTOlHJT8kr — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2020
The White House event will see Trump discuss “law and order”, and he is expecting to address a crowd from the White House balcony.
The White House physician, Sean Conley, said on Thursday in a press release that “based on the trajectory of advanced diagnostics the team has been conducting, I fully anticipate the president’s safe return to public engagements” on Saturday, eight days after Trump announced his positive test early last Friday.
Trump had initially indicated he hoped to hold a rally on Saturday night. “I think I’m going to try doing a rally on Saturday night if we can, if we have enough time to put it together,” Trump said on Thursday. The event did not materialize.
At least one Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been linked by a local health official to an increase in coronavirus cases. Most supporters at recent Trump events have eschewed masks and social distancing measures.
While Trump has been doing hours-long interviews with conservative hosts, it has only been just over a week since he announced his diagnosis. Medical experts have voiced concerns that, because the White House has refused to show results of Trump’s chest x-rays and lung scans, the public does not have a complete picture of whether the president has fully recovered from the virus.
Joe Biden talks to reporters after a day of campaigning in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 9 October. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Trump has avoided questions on whether he has yet tested negative for the virus. In the president’s first on-camera interview since his diagnosis, Trump said he was feeling “very good and very strong” , but once again refused to answer a question about his latest test results.
“I don’t know numbers or anything but I have been retested and I’m at the bottom of the scale or free,” Trump told.
The remote interview, which had been advertised as a “medical exam” but did not involve any exam or medical analysis, was conducted by Marc Siegel, a doctor and Fox News contributor who has previously downplayed the severity of coronavirus.
Attendees at Monday’s rally in Sanford, Florida, will be asked to sign a waiver acknowledging Covid-19 risks, according to the event’s registration page, and waive their right to sue Trump or the venue if they contract the virus.
An outbreak of Covid-19 among senior White House and military figures has caused a dramatic situation within the Trump administration. At least 20 people in or working around the executive mansion have tested positive for Covid-19 in recent days.
In an interview on Friday, Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said the nomination of judge Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court at the White House’s Rose Garden in late September was a “super-spreader” event.
“The data speak for themselves. We had a super-spreader event in the White House. It was in a situation where people were crowded together, were not wearing masks,” Fauci said.
At least seven people who attended the event of about 150 people have tested positive for the virus, including the US senator Mike Lee; the University of Notre Dame president, the Rev John Jenkins; the former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, and the former Trump aide Kellyanne Conway.