shareblue--2020-06-02--Trump has attended church 14 times since taking office — including photo-ops

Donald Trump sparked outcry from religious leaders after military police tear-gassed and fired rubber bullets into a peaceful crowd in order to let Trump to be able to walk from the White House to a church for a photo-op .
Trump 's stunt at St. John 's Episcopal Church on Lafayette Square in Washington , D.C. , marked the 14th time that he 's attended a church since he took office in January 2017 .
While he 's tried to paint himself as a champion for religious freedom and has eagerly courted the religious right , Trump is not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also opaque .
He 's been unable to name his favorite Bible verse and did not recite a common prayer during a funeral service for the late George H.W .
Bush .
He 's said he believes in God but does not ask God for the forgiveness of his sins .
The White House did not return a request for comment on whether Trump made any other visits to churches during his time in office .
Here 's a look at all of the times Trump has attended church since he was sworn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump attended a service at St. John 's Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square on his inauguration day .
His predecessors , including former presidents Barack Obama , George W. Bush , George H.W .
Bush , and Ronald Reagan attended services at the same church on their inauguration days .
Former President Bill Clinton attended services at Metropolitan AME Church , a historically black church in Washington , D.C. April 16 , 2017 : Trump attended Easter services at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church in Palm Beach , Florida .
Trump was in Florida because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resort .
Sept. 2 , 2017 : During a visit to Texas to survey the destruction from Hurricane Harvey , Trump went to First Church of Pearland .
He did n't attend services there , but rather gave remarks to volunteers who were giving out supplies to those impacted by the storm .
Dec. 24 , 2017 : Trump attended Christmas Eve services at Bethesda-by-the-Sea church in Palm Beach .
Again , Trump was at his Mar-a-Lago resort to spend the Christmas holiday .
April 1 , 2018 : On his second Easter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attended church services at Bethesda-by-the-Sea , as he once again was at his Mar-a-Lago resort for the holiday .
Dec. 5 , 2018 : Trump attended the funeral service of former President George H.W .
Bush at the Washington National Cathedral , along with his five living predecessors .
But Trump caused a stir when he did not say the Apostles ' Creed , which according to the Washington Post is `` one of the prayers most core to Christianity . ''
Dec. 24 , 2018 : Trump attended Christmas Eve services at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't travel to Mar-a-Lago thanks to the government shutdown .
March 17 , 2019 : After a monthslong church-going drought , Trump attended Lenten services at St. John 's Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square .
Prior to his church attendance , Trump was airing his grievances on Twitter , including frustration about his portrayal on `` Saturday Night Live . ''
April 21 , 2019 : Trump was back in Palm Beach for Easter , where he again attended Easter services at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church .
June 2 , 2019 : After playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia , Trump went to a conservative evangelical church for 11 minutes so the church 's pastor could pray over him .
Rev .
Franklin Graham , the son of Billy Graham , had designated the day as a `` Special Day of Prayer '' for Trump .
Dec. 24 , 2019 : Trump was back in Florida for his annual Christmas holiday at Mar-a-Lago .
But rather than attend Bethesda-by-the-Sea , Trump went to Christmas Eve services at a `` conservative Baptist-affiliated church '' in West Palm Beach , Florida , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of church venue came days after a Christian magazine wrote an op-ed criticizing Trump 's `` grossly immoral character . ''
Jan. 3 , 2010 : Trump held a campaign rally at an evangelical megachurch in Miami , Florida , in his effort to court the evangelical vote .
The event raised questions about the church 's tax-exempt status .
June 1 , 2020 : Trump stood outside St. John 's Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square holding a Bible after tear-gassing peaceful protesters to clear a path to walk there .
He did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pray , nor did he read a Bible verse .
Religious leaders condemned Trump for using the church as a political prop .
June 2 , 2020 : Trump visited the Saint John Paul II National Shrine ahead of an executive order signing on `` religious freedom '' but was condemned by the Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory for using the shrine as a political prop .
Gregory called Trump 's visit `` baffling and reprehensible '' and that Trump `` egregiously misused and manipulated '' the shrine .
Published with permission of The @ @ @ @

Donald Trump sparked outcry from religious leaders after military police tear-gassed and fired rubber bullets into a peaceful crowd in order to let Trump to be able to walk from the White House to a church for a photo-op.
Trump’s stunt at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., marked the 14th time that he’s attended a church since he took office in January 2017.
While he’s tried to paint himself as a champion for religious freedom and has eagerly courted the religious right, Trump is not a regular churchgoer.
His religious views are also opaque. He’s been unable to name his favorite Bible verse and did not recite a common prayer during a funeral service for the late George H.W. Bush. He’s said he believes in God but does not ask God for the forgiveness of his sins.
The White House did not return a request for comment on whether Trump made any other visits to churches during his time in office.
Here’s a look at all of the times Trump has attended church since he was sworn in:
Jan. 20, 2017: Trump attended a service at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square on his inauguration day. His predecessors, including former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan attended services at the same church on their inauguration days. Former President Bill Clinton attended services at Metropolitan AME Church, a historically black church in Washington, D.C.
April 16, 2017: Trump attended Easter services at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump was in Florida because he spent the Easter holiday at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
Sept. 2, 2017: During a visit to Texas to survey the destruction from Hurricane Harvey, Trump went to First Church of Pearland. He didn’t attend services there, but rather gave remarks to volunteers who were giving out supplies to those impacted by the storm.
Dec. 24, 2017: Trump attended Christmas Eve services at Bethesda-by-the-Sea church in Palm Beach. Again, Trump was at his Mar-a-Lago resort to spend the Christmas holiday.
April 1, 2018: On his second Easter in the White House, Trump again attended church services at Bethesda-by-the-Sea, as he once again was at his Mar-a-Lago resort for the holiday.
Dec. 5, 2018: Trump attended the funeral service of former President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral, along with his five living predecessors. But Trump caused a stir when he did not say the Apostles’ Creed, which according to the Washington Post is “one of the prayers most core to Christianity.”
Dec. 24, 2018: Trump attended Christmas Eve services at the Washington National Cathedral because he couldn’t travel to Mar-a-Lago thanks to the government shutdown.
March 17, 2019: After a monthslong church-going drought, Trump attended Lenten services at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square. Prior to his church attendance, Trump was airing his grievances on Twitter, including frustration about his portrayal on “Saturday Night Live.”
April 21, 2019: Trump was back in Palm Beach for Easter, where he again attended Easter services at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.
June 2, 2019: After playing a round at his golf property in Virginia, Trump went to a conservative evangelical church for 11 minutes so the church’s pastor could pray over him. Rev. Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham, had designated the day as a “Special Day of Prayer” for Trump.
Dec. 24, 2019: Trump was back in Florida for his annual Christmas holiday at Mar-a-Lago. But rather than attend Bethesda-by-the-Sea, Trump went to Christmas Eve services at a “conservative Baptist-affiliated church” in West Palm Beach, Florida, according to USA Today. Trump’s change of church venue came days after a Christian magazine wrote an op-ed criticizing Trump’s “grossly immoral character.”
Jan. 3, 2010: Trump held a campaign rally at an evangelical megachurch in Miami, Florida, in his effort to court the evangelical vote. The event raised questions about the church’s tax-exempt status.
June 1, 2020: Trump stood outside St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square holding a Bible after tear-gassing peaceful protesters to clear a path to walk there. He did not go inside, nor did he pray, nor did he read a Bible verse. Religious leaders condemned Trump for using the church as a political prop.
June 2, 2020: Trump visited the Saint John Paul II National Shrine ahead of an executive order signing on “religious freedom” but was condemned by the Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory for using the shrine as a political prop. Gregory called Trump’s visit “baffling and reprehensible” and that Trump “egregiously misused and manipulated” the shrine.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-02--Businesses nationwide say protests are more important than damage to their own property

For more than a week , thousands of Americans have gathered in the streets to protest racist police violence following the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes .
Violence has erupted at some of the protests —including some instigated by police attacking protesters and members of the press , and some from people who broke windows and vandalized businesses .
Across the country , small business owners are sweeping up broken glass and speaking out about the situation .
In Minneapolis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Gandhi Mahal restaurant caught on fire .
`` This is Hafsa , Ruhel 's daughter writing , as I am sitting next to my dad watching the news , I hear him say on the phone ; 'let my building burn , Justice needs to be served , put those officers in jail , ' '' Hafsa wrote Friday on the restaurant 's Facebook page .
`` Gandhi Mahal May have felt the flames last night , but our firey drive to help protect and stand with our community will never die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dozens more businesses have spoken out in support of the protests in the Minneapolis region alone , and the same sentiment was shared in other cities across the country .
`` If burning everything to ground brings proper attention to the disgusting injustice in our country ...
So be it , '' Hawk 's Bar & Grill of Madison wrote Saturday on its Facebook page .
`` Our property is replaceable .
Black lives are n't . ''
`` Our broken windows are nothing compared to 400 years of broken lives , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grape , a Boston beer , wine , and liquor store , told Boston.com .
`` Please do n't let what happened after the protest drown out the more important story — our country wants and needs change .
Our time is now . ''
`` If sweeping up some glass and replacing a couple windows is a piece of everybody realizing the costs of racism-fueled police violence towards minorities is no longer affordable , then so be it , '' Bill Penzey , owner of Wisconsin-based Penzey 's Spices , wrote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City , Rothman 's put out a statement on Facebook Monday , saying the store was looted , but the company recognizes `` that this is a moment of profound anger in this country , and we support those who are working to achieve justice for black Americans , '' adding the hashtag # justiceforgeorgefloyd .
Also in New York , Missy O'Reilly , the owner of a karaoke bar , said broken glass and stolen alcohol is `` an easy fix compared to what people of color are dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I do n't want people to start villainizing marginalized people '' because of the damage .
In the middle of the country , Tyler Enders , co-owner of Made in KC in Kansas City , told a local news station on Monday , `` We would n't be having this conversation today , which is really a conversation about racism in America and racism in Kansas City , if people did n't break windows on Saturday . ''
In addition to smaller businesses , some large organizations voiced support for the protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota and had at least one store vandalized , released a statement expressing sadness over the death of Floyd and other black Americans , adding that the company will `` commit to contributing to a city and community that will turn the pain we 're all experiencing into better days for everyone . ''
After the Washington , D.C. , AFL-CIO union building caught fire on Sunday , the group released a Monday statement stating that the labor movement `` is much more than a building , '' and adding , `` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will say it again : Black Lives Matter . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

For more than a week, thousands of Americans have gathered in the streets to protest racist police violence following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes.
Violence has erupted at some of the protests —including some instigated by police attacking protesters and members of the press, and some from people who broke windows and vandalized businesses.
Across the country, small business owners are sweeping up broken glass and speaking out about the situation.
In Minneapolis, where protests first began, Ruhel Islam’s Gandhi Mahal restaurant caught on fire.
“This is Hafsa, Ruhel’s daughter writing, as I am sitting next to my dad watching the news, I hear him say on the phone; ‘let my building burn, Justice needs to be served, put those officers in jail,'” Hafsa wrote Friday on the restaurant’s Facebook page. “Gandhi Mahal May have felt the flames last night, but our firey drive to help protect and stand with our community will never die! Peace be with everyone.”
Dozens more businesses have spoken out in support of the protests in the Minneapolis region alone, and the same sentiment was shared in other cities across the country.
“If burning everything to ground brings proper attention to the disgusting injustice in our country…So be it,” Hawk’s Bar & Grill of Madison wrote Saturday on its Facebook page. “Our property is replaceable. Black lives aren’t.”
“Our broken windows are nothing compared to 400 years of broken lives,” Hadley Douglas, owner of the Urban Grape, a Boston beer, wine, and liquor store, told Boston.com. “Please don’t let what happened after the protest drown out the more important story — our country wants and needs change. Our time is now.”
“If sweeping up some glass and replacing a couple windows is a piece of everybody realizing the costs of racism-fueled police violence towards minorities is no longer affordable, then so be it,” Bill Penzey, owner of Wisconsin-based Penzey’s Spices, wrote in an email to customers Saturday.
In New York City, Rothman’s put out a statement on Facebook Monday, saying the store was looted, but the company recognizes “that this is a moment of profound anger in this country, and we support those who are working to achieve justice for black Americans,” adding the hashtag #justiceforgeorgefloyd.
Also in New York, Missy O’Reilly, the owner of a karaoke bar, said broken glass and stolen alcohol is “an easy fix compared to what people of color are dealing with in this country,” adding, “I don’t want people to start villainizing marginalized people” because of the damage.
In the middle of the country, Tyler Enders, co-owner of Made in KC in Kansas City, told a local news station on Monday, “We wouldn’t be having this conversation today, which is really a conversation about racism in America and racism in Kansas City, if people didn’t break windows on Saturday.”
In addition to smaller businesses, some large organizations voiced support for the protests.
Target, which is based in Minnesota and had at least one store vandalized, released a statement expressing sadness over the death of Floyd and other black Americans, adding that the company will “commit to contributing to a city and community that will turn the pain we’re all experiencing into better days for everyone.”
After the Washington, D.C., AFL-CIO union building caught fire on Sunday, the group released a Monday statement stating that the labor movement “is much more than a building,” and adding, “We’ve said it for years and we will say it again: Black Lives Matter.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-02--Conway: Trump's 3-minute visit to church for a photo was not a photo-op

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway insisted Tuesday that Donald Trump 's photo-op in front of St. John 's Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square the day before was not actually a photo-op .
On Monday , military police fired tear gas into a crowd of peaceful protesters , including clergy members , to clear a path for Trump to walk from the White House to the nearby church .
Trump spent approximately three minutes in front of the church , posing for pictures with a Bible .
Asked by a reporter whether it was his Bible , Trump responded that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not go inside the church , nor did he meet with any members of the church .
Video of the photo-op was later used for a propaganda video sent out by the official White House Twitter account .
`` WE WERE DRIVEN OFF OF THE PATIO AT ST. JOHN 'S - a place of peace and respite and medical care throughout the day - SO THAT MAN COULD HAVE A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH !
!
! ''
Gini Gerbasi , rector for St. John 's Episcopal Church in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening .
Trump 's actions were also criticized by other members of the clergy in Washington .
From a June 2 media availability at the White House : KELLYANNE CONWAY : I think the words photo-op itself call into que— you 're looking in somebody 's heart and wondering , second-guessing why they would go over there .
Is it a photo-op because a photo was taken ?
While the president of the United States was in front of a church where he went on Inauguration Day ?
Where every president has gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that itself is a mischaracterization .
I know it ended up being a Sesame Street Grover word of the day , but that does n't make it right and it does n't make it true .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway insisted Tuesday that Donald Trump’s photo-op in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square the day before was not actually a photo-op.
On Monday, military police fired tear gas into a crowd of peaceful protesters, including clergy members, to clear a path for Trump to walk from the White House to the nearby church.
Trump spent approximately three minutes in front of the church, posing for pictures with a Bible. Asked by a reporter whether it was his Bible, Trump responded that it was “a Bible.” Trump did not go inside the church, nor did he meet with any members of the church.
Video of the photo-op was later used for a propaganda video sent out by the official White House Twitter account.
“WE WERE DRIVEN OFF OF THE PATIO AT ST. JOHN’S – a place of peace and respite and medical care throughout the day – SO THAT MAN COULD HAVE A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH!!!” Gini Gerbasi, rector for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown, wrote on Facebook later that evening.
Trump’s actions were also criticized by other members of the clergy in Washington.
From a June 2 media availability at the White House:
KELLYANNE CONWAY: I think the words photo-op itself call into que— you’re looking in somebody’s heart and wondering, second-guessing why they would go over there. Is it a photo-op because a photo was taken? While the president of the United States was in front of a church where he went on Inauguration Day? Where every president has gone for more than two centuries? I think that itself is a mischaracterization. I know it ended up being a Sesame Street Grover word of the day, but that doesn’t make it right and it doesn’t make it true.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-02--Trump has moved on from the COVID-19 pandemic

Donald Trump in recent days has demonstrated that he has moved on from the coronavirus pandemic .
But the coronavirus pandemic has not moved on .
According to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , more than 26,000 new coronavirus cases were reported in the United States on Sunday , bringing the total number to more than 1.7 million .
The death toll grew by nearly 700 to 104,396 .
With the number of cases diagnosed every day increasing in some states as social distancing requirements are eased , and with more than 40 million Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two months , the coronavirus remains the source of huge challenges to public health and the economy .
Trump has responded by simply changing the subject .
After holding nearly daily briefings on the coronavirus in late March and early April , Trump abandoned them last month .
He has not held a coronavirus briefing since May 15 .
He complained in late April that the briefings were `` Not worth the time & effort . ''
Instead , he has used press events to complain about protests , attack China , threaten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record on prescription drug costs .
The nation 's top epidemiologist , Dr. Anthony Fauci , was a fixture at Trump 's daily briefings .
Trump praised Fauci in April as `` absolutely terrific '' and even suggested he run for Congress .
On Monday , Fauci said that he had not spoken or met with Trump since May 18 .
Earlier in May , Trump had vowed to keep the coronavirus task force on which Fauci served going `` indefinitely '' after realizing its popularity .
In an interview with the website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meetings , which had been held every day , `` have not occurred as often lately '' either .
On Tuesday , NPR reported that the administration 's coronavirus testing czar , Adm. Brett Giroir , said he will be `` demobilized '' from working on the issue with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a few weeks and will not be replaced .
The lack of widespread testing remains a problem in dealing with the spread of the coronavirus and ending social distancing , according to public health experts .
Rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears to be simply to urge the nation to ignore it .
Last week , Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper said Trump had called him and demanded that North Carolina disregard safety rules intended to curb the virus 's spread and allow him to hold the scheduled Republican National Convention in August with no social distancing , face masks , or other safety measures in place .
If the state refused to let him do so , he said , he would consider relocating it to one that would .
Even Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Though in recent days he has tweeted that vaccines and therapeutics are `` coming along really well '' and complained that the virus was a `` very bad 'gift ' from China , '' the his focus has mainly been elsewhere .
On Tuesday , he gave his `` Complete and Total Endorsement ! ''
to nine Republican allies ; praised law enforcement for `` Overwhelming Force '' and `` Domination '' over citizens protesting against police violence in Washington , D.C. ; and attacked Democratic leaders in New York and members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump in recent days has demonstrated that he has moved on from the coronavirus pandemic. But the coronavirus pandemic has not moved on.
According to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 26,000 new coronavirus cases were reported in the United States on Sunday, bringing the total number to more than 1.7 million. The death toll grew by nearly 700 to 104,396.
With the number of cases diagnosed every day increasing in some states as social distancing requirements are eased, and with more than 40 million Americans thrown out of work in just over two months, the coronavirus remains the source of huge challenges to public health and the economy.
Trump has responded by simply changing the subject.
After holding nearly daily briefings on the coronavirus in late March and early April, Trump abandoned them last month. He has not held a coronavirus briefing since May 15. He complained in late April that the briefings were “Not worth the time & effort.”
Instead, he has used press events to complain about protests, attack China, threaten social media companies, and misrepresent his record on prescription drug costs.
The nation’s top epidemiologist, Dr. Anthony Fauci, was a fixture at Trump’s daily briefings. Trump praised Fauci in April as “absolutely terrific” and even suggested he run for Congress.
On Monday, Fauci said that he had not spoken or met with Trump since May 18. Earlier in May, Trump had vowed to keep the coronavirus task force on which Fauci served going “indefinitely” after realizing its popularity.
In an interview with the website STAT, Fauci said that task force meetings, which had been held every day, “have not occurred as often lately” either.
On Tuesday, NPR reported that the administration’s coronavirus testing czar, Adm. Brett Giroir, said he will be “demobilized” from working on the issue with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a few weeks and will not be replaced. The lack of widespread testing remains a problem in dealing with the spread of the coronavirus and ending social distancing, according to public health experts.
Rather than solve the problem, Trump’s strategy appears to be simply to urge the nation to ignore it. Last week, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said Trump had called him and demanded that North Carolina disregard safety rules intended to curb the virus’s spread and allow him to hold the scheduled Republican National Convention in August with no social distancing, face masks, or other safety measures in place. If the state refused to let him do so, he said, he would consider relocating it to one that would.
Even Trump’s tweets have mostly stopped discussing the pandemic. Though in recent days he has tweeted that vaccines and therapeutics are “coming along really well” and complained that the virus was a “very bad ‘gift’ from China,” the his focus has mainly been elsewhere.
On Tuesday, he gave his “Complete and Total Endorsement!” to nine Republican allies; praised law enforcement for “Overwhelming Force” and “Domination” over citizens protesting against police violence in Washington, D.C.; and attacked Democratic leaders in New York and members of the press.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-02--114 GOP lawmakers voted against civil rights more than 90% of the time

Some Republicans in Congress expressed outrage this week over the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who died of asphyxiation when a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his throat for more than 8 minutes , prompting days of protests and unrest across the country .
But an examination of the voting records of Republicans from the last Congress finds that a huge number lawmakers voted against civil rights at almost every chance .
`` I fully understand the anger that so many people feel .
I felt that anger when I watched that video .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully support the right of people to peacefully protest and register their concerns , '' Sen. Pat Toomey ( R-PA ) said Monday , referring to footage of the white former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressing his knee onto the neck of Floyd .
`` Americans have the right to peacefully protest , no one has a right to violently riot . ''
However , the NAACP publishes a legislative scorecard each Congress , indicating which lawmakers voted for the organization 's civil rights priorities and which lawmakers voted against them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ received an `` F '' rating from the group after voting with the NAACP just 6 % of the time .
This included votes to confirm Jeff Sessions to be attorney general of the United States despite his history of racism , to roll back nondiscrimination rules for federal contractors , and to make it easier for automobile lenders to discriminate .
Toomey was not alone .
In fact , 18 of his colleagues in the Senate Republican caucus received scores below 10 % for their votes in 2017 and 2018 .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , based on her votes as a then-member of the House of Representatives ) House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted Monday : `` George Floyd and his family deserve justice .
Peaceful protestors deserve to be seen and heard .
Looters , rioters , and anarchists deserve consequences .
I support the President in restoring law and order .
Keep America safe ! ''
He voted with the NAACP just 9 % of the time in the last Congress .
House Republican Whip Steve Scalise and House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current House Republicans had scores under 10 % .
Three — Reps. George Holding of North Carolina , Jeff Duncan of South Carolina , and Brian Babin of Texas —received just a 3 % score .
Former Rep. John Ratliffe of Texas , who recently became Donald Trump 's director of national intelligence , also scored just 3 % .
In his newsletter , Popular Information , journalist Judd Legum noted on Tuesday that many of the companies who have been highlighting their support for the Black Lives Matter movement also donated tens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with `` F '' ratings from the NAACP through their corporate PACs .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Some Republicans in Congress expressed outrage this week over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died of asphyxiation when a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his throat for more than 8 minutes, prompting days of protests and unrest across the country. But an examination of the voting records of Republicans from the last Congress finds that a huge number lawmakers voted against civil rights at almost every chance.
“I fully understand the anger that so many people feel. I felt that anger when I watched that video. I still feel that anger, and I fully support the right of people to peacefully protest and register their concerns,” Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) said Monday, referring to footage of the white former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressing his knee onto the neck of Floyd. “Americans have the right to peacefully protest, no one has a right to violently riot.”
However, the NAACP publishes a legislative scorecard each Congress, indicating which lawmakers voted for the organization’s civil rights priorities and which lawmakers voted against them. And in the 115th Congress, Toomey received an “F” rating from the group after voting with the NAACP just 6% of the time. This included votes to confirm Jeff Sessions to be attorney general of the United States despite his history of racism, to roll back nondiscrimination rules for federal contractors, and to make it easier for automobile lenders to discriminate.
Toomey was not alone. In fact, 18 of his colleagues in the Senate Republican caucus received scores below 10% for their votes in 2017 and 2018.
They included:
Richard Shelby of Alabama (6%)
Dan Sullivan of Alaska (9%)
Tom Cotton of Arkansas (6%)
Marco Rubio of Florida (6%)
David Perdue of Georgia (9%)
James Risch of Idaho (6%)
Mike Crapo of Idaho (9%)
Rand Paul of Kentucky (9%)
John Kennedy of Louisiana (9%)
Ben Sasse of Nebraska (6%)
James Lankford of Oklahoma (9%)
James Inhofe of Oklahoma (9%)
Mike Rounds of South Dakota (9%)
Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee (6%, based on her votes as a then-member of the House of Representatives)
Mike Lee of Utah (9%)
Ron Johnson of Wisconsin (6%)
John Barrasso of Wyoming (3%)
Mike Enzi of Wyoming (3%)
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted Monday: “George Floyd and his family deserve justice. Peaceful protesters deserve to be seen and heard. Looters, rioters, and anarchists deserve consequences. I support the President in restoring law and order. Keep America safe!”
He voted with the NAACP just 9% of the time in the last Congress. House Republican Whip Steve Scalise and House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney received identical scores.
In all, 95 current House Republicans had scores under 10%. Three — Reps. George Holding of North Carolina, Jeff Duncan of South Carolina, and Brian Babin of Texas —received just a 3% score. Former Rep. John Ratliffe of Texas, who recently became Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence, also scored just 3%.
In his newsletter, Popular Information, journalist Judd Legum noted on Tuesday that many of the companies who have been highlighting their support for the Black Lives Matter movement also donated tens or even hundreds of thousands to lawmakers with “F” ratings from the NAACP through their corporate PACs.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-02--McConnell pushes through two more judges while ignoring protests and pandemic

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has focused the Senate almost exclusively on confirming Donald Trump 's far-right judicial nominees even as the death toll from the coronavirus soars past 100,000 and violence explodes across the country during protests against the killing by police of black people .
On Monday , the Senate voted on the nomination of John Badalamenti to be a U.S. district judge in Florida .
Badalamenti , like many of Trump 's judicial nominees , is a member of the far-right Federalist Society .
By a 55-22 vote , Badalamenti became the 197th Trump judicial nominee confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court , according to Vanita Gupta , president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights .
`` Senators are not responding to COVID-19 or passing critically needed police reform , '' Gupta tweeted on Monday , adding that confirming judges is still McConnell 's priority .
McConnell and staunch Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham have gone so far as to encourage older conservative judges to retire so that Trump can name their replacements , as a safeguard against the possibility of Republicans losing the Senate or the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general election .
`` So if you 're a circuit judge in your mid-60s , late 60s , you can take senior status , now would be a good time to do that , if you want to make sure the judiciary is right of center , '' Graham said last week .
Meanwhile , not long after McConnell continued to focus on confirming judges , military police used tear gas and flash-bang grenades to disperse peaceful protesters near the White House to open a path for Donald Trump to walk to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters were part of a global movement opposing racist police violence following the recent deaths of George Floyd , Ahmaud Arbery , and Breonna Taylor .
Floyd , who was black , died after a white police officer pinned him to the ground with his knee on Floyd 's neck .
Another issue taking a back seat to McConnell 's work to pack the courts with Trump nominees , of course , is the coronavirus pandemic still gripping the country .
More than 100,000 Americans have died as a result of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection is approaching 2 million .
In early May , McConnell said he felt no `` urgency '' to act on additional pandemic relief legislation , even as the number of unemployment claims was dramatically increasing .
More than 40 million Americans have filed jobless claims , and unemployment has reached levels the country has not seen since the Great Depression .
On May 15 , the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a $ 3 trillion coronavirus relief bill that provides additional financial support to Americans , as well as support for local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since then , McConnell has refused to hold a vote on the bill .
Since the protests against racist police violence began , Democrats have proposed legislation to address the issue .
In the Senate , Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii announced he would propose an amendment to the annual defense policy bill to end the program that provides military-grade equipment to local police forces .
On Monday , Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey announced police reform proposals to `` ensure greater accountability and transparency . ''
Meanwhile , McConnell put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote in the coming days on Trump 's nomination of Drew Tipton to serve on a federal court in Texas .
Tipton has no judicial experience and was the former president of the Republican National Lawyers Association .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has focused the Senate almost exclusively on confirming Donald Trump’s far-right judicial nominees even as the death toll from the coronavirus soars past 100,000 and violence explodes across the country during protests against the killing by police of black people.
On Monday, the Senate voted on the nomination of John Badalamenti to be a U.S. district judge in Florida. Badalamenti, like many of Trump’s judicial nominees, is a member of the far-right Federalist Society.
By a 55-22 vote, Badalamenti became the 197th Trump judicial nominee confirmed to a lifetime appointment on the federal court, according to Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
“Senators are not responding to COVID-19 or passing critically needed police reform,” Gupta tweeted on Monday, adding that confirming judges is still McConnell’s priority.
McConnell and staunch Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham have gone so far as to encourage older conservative judges to retire so that Trump can name their replacements, as a safeguard against the possibility of Republicans losing the Senate or the White House, or both, in the 2020 general election.
“So if you’re a circuit judge in your mid-60s, late 60s, you can take senior status, now would be a good time to do that, if you want to make sure the judiciary is right of center,” Graham said last week.
Meanwhile, not long after McConnell continued to focus on confirming judges, military police used tear gas and flash-bang grenades to disperse peaceful protesters near the White House to open a path for Donald Trump to walk to a nearby church for a photo-op.
The protesters were part of a global movement opposing racist police violence following the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. Floyd, who was black, died after a white police officer pinned him to the ground with his knee on Floyd’s neck.
Another issue taking a back seat to McConnell’s work to pack the courts with Trump nominees, of course, is the coronavirus pandemic still gripping the country.
More than 100,000 Americans have died as a result of the coronavirus, and the number of cases of infection is approaching 2 million.
In early May, McConnell said he felt no “urgency” to act on additional pandemic relief legislation, even as the number of unemployment claims was dramatically increasing. More than 40 million Americans have filed jobless claims, and unemployment has reached levels the country has not seen since the Great Depression.
On May 15, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill that provides additional financial support to Americans, as well as support for local and state governments. In the weeks since then, McConnell has refused to hold a vote on the bill.
Since the protests against racist police violence began, Democrats have proposed legislation to address the issue.
In the Senate, Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii announced he would propose an amendment to the annual defense policy bill to end the program that provides military-grade equipment to local police forces.
On Monday, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey announced police reform proposals to “ensure greater accountability and transparency.”
Meanwhile, McConnell put the wheels in motion to hold a Senate vote in the coming days on Trump’s nomination of Drew Tipton to serve on a federal court in Texas. Tipton has no judicial experience and was the former president of the Republican National Lawyers Association.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-02--Biden: George Floyd's death should be 'wake-up call for our nation'

Joe Biden called for an `` era of action to reverse systemic racism , with long overdue and concrete changes '' on Tuesday , a day after Donald Trump threatened to use the military to shut down protests .
Biden , speaking in Philadelphia , focused his remarks on the death of George Floyd — an unarmed black man who died of asphyxiation when a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his throat for more than 8 minutes — as a `` wake-up call for our nation all of us . ''
`` ' I ca n't breathe .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's last words .
But they did n't die with him .
They 're still being heard .
They 're echoing across this nation , '' Biden said .
`` They speak to a nation where too often just the color of your skin puts your life at risk .
They speak to a nation where more than 100,000 people have lost their lives to a virus and 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment — with a disproportionate number of these deaths and job losses concentrated in the black and minority communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of color `` are saying to themselves , ' I ca n't breathe ' '' on a daily basis .
Noting that `` I ca n't breathe '' were also the final words uttered by Eric Garner , another unarmed black man who in 2014 was killed by a white police officer , Biden called for America `` to listen to those words , to try to understand them , to respond to them , and respond with action . ''
He called for `` leadership that can unite us , leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can recognize pain and deep grief of communities that have had a knee on their neck for a long time , '' and promised that as president , he would not `` traffic in fear and division , '' would never `` fan the flames of hate , '' and will `` seek to heal the racial wounds that have long plagued this country , not use them for political gain . ''
The speech was a stark contrast with what Trump said Monday night .
Just before using tear gas and violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of Lafayette Square to enable a photo opportunity , he spoke in the Rose Garden about national protests against police violence .
After briefly asserting that `` All Americans were rightly sickened and revolted by the brutal death of George Floyd .
My administration is fully committed that , for George and his family , justice will be served .
He will not have died in vain , '' Trump focused the rest of his speech on attacking and threatening the protesters .
`` [ W ] e can not allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drowned out by an angry mob , '' he claimed .
`` The biggest victims of the rioting are peace-loving citizens in our poorest communities , and as their President , I will fight to keep them safe .
I will fight to protect you .
I am your President of law and order , and an ally of all peaceful protesters . ''
Trump then proceeded to accuse `` professional anarchists , violent mobs , arsonists , looters , criminals , rioters , Antifa , and others '' of gripping the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame `` state and local governments '' for failure to `` take necessary action to safeguard their residents . ''
He promised to use military force to end `` lawlessness '' in cities around the country .
He said nothing about addressing the problems of police brutality and racism .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Joe Biden called for an “era of action to reverse systemic racism, with long overdue and concrete changes” on Tuesday, a day after Donald Trump threatened to use the military to shut down protests.
Biden, speaking in Philadelphia, focused his remarks on the death of George Floyd — an unarmed black man who died of asphyxiation when a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his throat for more than 8 minutes — as a “wake-up call for our nation all of us.”
“‘I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.’ George Floyd’s last words. But they didn’t die with him. They’re still being heard. They’re echoing across this nation,” Biden said. “They speak to a nation where too often just the color of your skin puts your life at risk. They speak to a nation where more than 100,000 people have lost their lives to a virus and 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment — with a disproportionate number of these deaths and job losses concentrated in the black and minority communities.”
Biden said that millions of people of color “are saying to themselves, ‘I can’t breathe'” on a daily basis.
Noting that “I can’t breathe” were also the final words uttered by Eric Garner, another unarmed black man who in 2014 was killed by a white police officer, Biden called for America “to listen to those words, to try to understand them, to respond to them, and respond with action.”
He called for “leadership that can unite us, leadership that brings us together, leadership that can recognize pain and deep grief of communities that have had a knee on their neck for a long time,” and promised that as president, he would not “traffic in fear and division,” would never “fan the flames of hate,” and will “seek to heal the racial wounds that have long plagued this country, not use them for political gain.”
The speech was a stark contrast with what Trump said Monday night. Just before using tear gas and violence to clear peaceful protesters and clergy members out of Lafayette Square to enable a photo opportunity, he spoke in the Rose Garden about national protests against police violence.
After briefly asserting that “All Americans were rightly sickened and revolted by the brutal death of George Floyd. My administration is fully committed that, for George and his family, justice will be served. He will not have died in vain,” Trump focused the rest of his speech on attacking and threatening the protesters.
“[W]e cannot allow the righteous cries and peaceful protesters to be drowned out by an angry mob,” he claimed. “The biggest victims of the rioting are peace-loving citizens in our poorest communities, and as their President, I will fight to keep them safe. I will fight to protect you. I am your President of law and order, and an ally of all peaceful protesters.”
Trump then proceeded to accuse “professional anarchists, violent mobs, arsonists, looters, criminals, rioters, Antifa, and others” of gripping the nation with “domestic terror” and to blame “state and local governments” for failure to “take necessary action to safeguard their residents.” He promised to use military force to end “lawlessness” in cities around the country.
He said nothing about addressing the problems of police brutality and racism.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-03--GOP leaders stand by protesters in Hong Kong but attack them in the US

Two Republican House leaders , Minority Whip Steve Scalise and National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Tom Emmer , criticized the use of tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters in Hong Kong just last year .
But each of them praised the same tactics when they were ordered by the Trump administration on Monday night .
On Tuesday , the day after the administration ordered the use of tear gas and rubber bullets to clear a crowd of peaceful protesters from the front of the White House so Trump could walk across the street for a photo-op , Scalise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) were asked by Politico about the Trump administration 's handling of `` racial tensions . ''
Both men were `` mostly unbending in their defense of Trump , '' Politico reported , adding they both `` brushed aside complaints '' about the tactics used by federal law enforcement personnel to clear away protesters .
The gathering at the White House was part of nationwide protests against racist police brutality , which were sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minnesota , a black man who died after a white police officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight minutes .
Emmer , who leads the GOP effort to regain control of the House , said that `` law and order is going to be , is going to be an issue , '' adding that `` I think that issue is going to benefit the president and Republican campaigns . ''
Scalise , the second-highest-ranking Republican in the House , defended the use of force by saying that presidents always have some level of security around them .
The refusal to stand up for peaceful American protesters was in stark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters in Hong Kong last year .
In October 2019 , both men supported a resolution declaring the rights of the people of Hong Kong to peacefully assemble and protest .
The resolution , which passed by voice vote , specifically called out `` the police 's excessive use of force on June 12 , 2019 , as seen in video footage , to disperse the protestors , including the use of tear gas , bean bag rounds , rubber bullets , batons , and pepper spray , caused severe injuries to protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong police 's use of force against the demonstrators in ways that are inconsistent with international standards . ''
The protests in Hong Kong focused on a legislative attempt to allow extradition to China as well as issues of police violence .
In November 2019 , both Emmer and Scalise voted for a bill to restrict the sale of crowd control equipment to Hong Kong in order to prevent the police from using it .
The bill included specific references to tear gas , pepper spray , and pepper balls .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scalise 's office claimed that tear gas was not used on Monday night .
However , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the chemicals used Monday night qualify as tear gas .
The spokesperson also claimed the protest was not peaceful , though videos of the event show it was peaceful until the protesters were confronted by law enforcement officers .
Emmer 's office did not respond to a request for comment .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Two Republican House leaders, Minority Whip Steve Scalise and National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Tom Emmer, criticized the use of tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters in Hong Kong just last year. But each of them praised the same tactics when they were ordered by the Trump administration on Monday night.
On Tuesday, the day after the administration ordered the use of tear gas and rubber bullets to clear a crowd of peaceful protesters from the front of the White House so Trump could walk across the street for a photo-op, Scalise (LA) and Emmer (MN) were asked by Politico about the Trump administration’s handling of “racial tensions.”
Both men were “mostly unbending in their defense of Trump,” Politico reported, adding they both “brushed aside complaints” about the tactics used by federal law enforcement personnel to clear away protesters.
The gathering at the White House was part of nationwide protests against racist police brutality, which were sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, a black man who died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes.
Emmer, who leads the GOP effort to regain control of the House, said that “law and order is going to be, is going to be an issue,” adding that “I think that issue is going to benefit the president and Republican campaigns.”
Scalise, the second-highest-ranking Republican in the House, defended the use of force by saying that presidents always have some level of security around them.
The refusal to stand up for peaceful American protesters was in stark contrast to their votes to defend peaceful protesters in Hong Kong last year.
In October 2019, both men supported a resolution declaring the rights of the people of Hong Kong to peacefully assemble and protest.
The resolution, which passed by voice vote, specifically called out “the police’s excessive use of force on June 12, 2019, as seen in video footage, to disperse the protestors, including the use of tear gas, bean bag rounds, rubber bullets, batons, and pepper spray, caused severe injuries to protesters.”
It also condemned “the Hong Kong police’s use of force against the demonstrators in ways that are inconsistent with international standards.”
The protests in Hong Kong focused on a legislative attempt to allow extradition to China as well as issues of police violence.
In November 2019, both Emmer and Scalise voted for a bill to restrict the sale of crowd control equipment to Hong Kong in order to prevent the police from using it. The bill included specific references to tear gas, pepper spray, and pepper balls.
When asked to comment, a spokesperson from Scalise’s office claimed that tear gas was not used on Monday night. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the chemicals used Monday night qualify as tear gas. The spokesperson also claimed the protest was not peaceful, though videos of the event show it was peaceful until the protesters were confronted by law enforcement officers.
Emmer’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-03--Trump ignores Pride Month while continuing his attacks on LGBTQ people

Donald Trump has yet to make a statement honoring LGBTQ Pride Month , three days in , even as violence against LGBTQ people rises .
Trump has already issued other proclamations for the month of June .
He proclaimed June Great Outdoors Month , National Ocean Month , and National Homeownership Month .
`` As our Nation 's economy begins to recover , my Administration remains focused on getting government out of the way of responsible homeownership and reforming our housing finance system , '' he said in a statement on National Homeownership Month .
`` ...
This month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way for more Americans to achieve the financial benefits and stability of homeownership . ''
Trump also proclaimed June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month and African-American Music Appreciation Month .
A statement or proclamation designating June as LGBTQ Pride Month was still conspicuously missing from the White House website at the time of publication .
Trump has never recognized Pride Month in an official proclamation .
Last year , he tweeted about LGBTQ Pride Month in the context of other countries that persecute that LGBTQ people .
`` As we celebrate LGBT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBT people have made to our great Nation , let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish , imprison , or even execute individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation , '' Trump tweeted at that time .
The administration also told NBC News last year that it was launching a global campaign to stop the criminalization of homosexuality .
Trump 's daughter and senior adviser , Ivanka , did acknowledge Pride Month in a short tweet on Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ # Pride2020 , '' she tweeted .
The Trump administration has rolled back numerous LGBTQ protections since its earliest days .
One of the first major decisions on LGBTQ rights made by the Trump administration was to reverse the Obama-era guidance protecting transgender student 's rights in schools .
The administration has also attempted to ban transgender people from the military , and the Justice Department filed a legal brief in July 2017 saying that businesses should have a constitutional right to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation .
Trump also fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS in December that year .
( The Department of Health and Human Services later appointed new members in March 2019 . )
The Trump administration is additionally moving forward with rules that enable discrimination against transgender people in homeless shelters and remove Obamacare regulations that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in health care , even during the pandemic , which has greatly affected LGBTQ people 's health and incomes .
Trump 's silence on Pride Month is especially notable given the recent fierce protests against police abuse and brutality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them black and a number of them LGBTQ people .
The protests have most recently focused on the death of George Floyd , a black man killed by a white cop last month in Minnesota .
But activists have also protested the deaths of several LGBTQ black people , highlighting their stories and honoring their memories .
One of those killed is McKinsley LaKeith Lincoln , a gay black man from Louisiana who was found dead in the street of a gunshot wound .
Lincoln 's family said police did not notify them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after they had been given the news by neighbors .
The family is still looking for answers about his killing .
Tony McDade , a black trans man , was also killed by a white police officer in Florida on May 27 .
Police said they approached McDade because he `` matched the description '' of a suspect in a stabbing and claimed that he had a gun .
A witness told a local radio station , however , that the officer did n't identify himself or give McDade a warning before shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transgender and gender non-conforming people have been killed in the first five months of 2020 alone .
According to the FBI database , hate crimes against LGBTQ people have risen over the past few years .
Those figures may also not account for the full picture , as USA Today noted in June last year .
`` The FBI data ... likely dramatically underestimates the true number of hate crimes against the LGBTQ community , experts say , given flaws in the current data collection process and massive discrepancies with the much larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlet wrote at the time .
`` A better gauge of hate crime trends in the U.S. may be the National Crime Victimization Survey ( NCVS ) , a household-based survey administered by the U.S. Census Bureau .
This self-reported data suggests that Americans experience closer to 200,000 hate crimes each year – a far cry from the FBI ’ s estimate of approximately 7,500 . ''
The number of anti-LGBTQ hate groups also rose from 49 in 2018 to at least 70 last year , according to the Southern Poverty Law Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community , in fact , represented the fastest-growing sector among hate groups in 2019 — expanding from 49 in 2018 to 70 in 2019 , a nearly 43 % increase , '' the civil rights group wrote in its year-end report on hate and extremism .
`` Much of this growth has taken place among groups at the grassroots level , a surge possibly fueled by continued anti-LGBTQ sentiment and policy emanating from government officials . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump has yet to make a statement honoring LGBTQ Pride Month, three days in, even as violence against LGBTQ people rises.
Trump has already issued other proclamations for the month of June. He proclaimed June Great Outdoors Month, National Ocean Month, and National Homeownership Month.
“As our Nation’s economy begins to recover, my Administration remains focused on getting government out of the way of responsible homeownership and reforming our housing finance system,” he said in a statement on National Homeownership Month. “…This month, we renew our commitment to helping pave the way for more Americans to achieve the financial benefits and stability of homeownership.”
Trump also proclaimed June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month and African-American Music Appreciation Month.
A statement or proclamation designating June as LGBTQ Pride Month was still conspicuously missing from the White House website at the time of publication.
Trump has never recognized Pride Month in an official proclamation. Last year, he tweeted about LGBTQ Pride Month in the context of other countries that persecute that LGBTQ people.
“As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made to our great Nation, let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish, imprison, or even execute individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation,” Trump tweeted at that time.
The administration also told NBC News last year that it was launching a global campaign to stop the criminalization of homosexuality.
Trump’s daughter and senior adviser, Ivanka, did acknowledge Pride Month in a short tweet on Monday. “Less hate, more love! #Pride2020,” she tweeted.
The Trump administration has rolled back numerous LGBTQ protections since its earliest days.
One of the first major decisions on LGBTQ rights made by the Trump administration was to reverse the Obama-era guidance protecting transgender student’s rights in schools. The administration has also attempted to ban transgender people from the military, and the Justice Department filed a legal brief in July 2017 saying that businesses should have a constitutional right to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
Trump also fired all members of the White House Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS in December that year. (The Department of Health and Human Services later appointed new members in March 2019.)
The Trump administration is additionally moving forward with rules that enable discrimination against transgender people in homeless shelters and remove Obamacare regulations that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in health care, even during the pandemic, which has greatly affected LGBTQ people’s health and incomes.
Trump’s silence on Pride Month is especially notable given the recent fierce protests against police abuse and brutality on people of color, most of them black and a number of them LGBTQ people.
The protests have most recently focused on the death of George Floyd, a black man killed by a white cop last month in Minnesota. But activists have also protested the deaths of several LGBTQ black people, highlighting their stories and honoring their memories.
One of those killed is McKinsley LaKeith Lincoln, a gay black man from Louisiana who was found dead in the street of a gunshot wound. Lincoln’s family said police did not notify them of his death until days later, after they had been given the news by neighbors. The family is still looking for answers about his killing.
Tony McDade, a black trans man, was also killed by a white police officer in Florida on May 27. Police said they approached McDade because he “matched the description” of a suspect in a stabbing and claimed that he had a gun. A witness told a local radio station, however, that the officer didn’t identify himself or give McDade a warning before shooting him.
Overall, at least 12 transgender and gender non-conforming people have been killed in the first five months of 2020 alone.
According to the FBI database, hate crimes against LGBTQ people have risen over the past few years. Those figures may also not account for the full picture, as USA Today noted in June last year.
“The FBI data…likely dramatically underestimates the true number of hate crimes against the LGBTQ community, experts say, given flaws in the current data collection process and massive discrepancies with the much larger number of self-reported incidents,” the outlet wrote at the time. “A better gauge of hate crime trends in the U.S. may be the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), a household-based survey administered by the U.S. Census Bureau. This self-reported data suggests that Americans experience closer to 200,000 hate crimes each year – a far cry from the FBI’s estimate of approximately 7,500.”
The number of anti-LGBTQ hate groups also rose from 49 in 2018 to at least 70 last year, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“Groups that vilify the LGBTQ community, in fact, represented the fastest-growing sector among hate groups in 2019 — expanding from 49 in 2018 to 70 in 2019, a nearly 43% increase,” the civil rights group wrote in its year-end report on hate and extremism. “Much of this growth has taken place among groups at the grassroots level, a surge possibly fueled by continued anti-LGBTQ sentiment and policy emanating from government officials.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-03--Trump used White House address to register to vote in Florida

In September 2019 , just as he was changing his domicile of record from New York to Florida , Donald Trump filled out a voter registration form in his new state in which he stated that his `` legal residence '' was 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington , D.C .
Registering to vote in Florida using an out-of-state address is a violation of Florida law , the Washington Post notes .
Trump also listed his mailing address as his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach , directing that election-related mailings should be sent to him there courtesy of `` Sean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and general manager of Trump Florida Properties , spells his first name `` Shawn . ''
A month later , Trump filed a new registration application changing the legal residence to Mar-a-Lago .
He voted absentee in Florida in the state 's March 2020 primary .
Marc Elias , a lawyer specializing in elections and voting , tweeted in response to the Post report , `` It is looking more and more like @ realDonaldTrump may have committed absentee ballot fraud in Florida . ''
Florida 's voter registration form carries a criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a 3rd degree felony to submit false information .
Maximum penalties are $ 5,000 and/or 5 years in prison . ''
Republicans have for years falsely claimed voter fraud is a widespread problem in the United States .
It is n't , according to experts who study the issue .
Republican-controlled legislatures have passed strict voter identification laws that they claim are intended to prevent fraud , but that voting rights advocates say ultimately disenfranchise minority voters .
After Democratic victories in the 2018 midterm elections , GOP-controlled legislatures moved to restrict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduction in April 2019 of a bill that would criminalize putting incorrect information on a voter registration form .
That , of course , is what Trump did in Florida .
The Texas Election Code includes a section that says knowingly providing `` false information on an application for ballot by mail '' is a crime .
Trump 's official state of residence has been an issue since he first changed it from New York to Florida .
He listed Mar-a-Lago as his permanent residence for tax purposes , even though in 1993 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and instead designated the mansion as a `` private club , '' according to the Washington Post .
Disputes over the legal and tax ramifications of that promise , and of his current designation of Mar-a-Lago as his legal residence , continue in Palm Beach .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

In September 2019, just as he was changing his domicile of record from New York to Florida, Donald Trump filled out a voter registration form in his new state in which he stated that his “legal residence” was 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. Registering to vote in Florida using an out-of-state address is a violation of Florida law, the Washington Post notes.
Trump also listed his mailing address as his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, directing that election-related mailings should be sent to him there courtesy of “Sean McCabe.” McCabe, the president and general manager of Trump Florida Properties, spells his first name “Shawn.”
A month later, Trump filed a new registration application changing the legal residence to Mar-a-Lago. He voted absentee in Florida in the state’s March 2020 primary.
Marc Elias, a lawyer specializing in elections and voting, tweeted in response to the Post report, “It is looking more and more like @realDonaldTrump may have committed absentee ballot fraud in Florida.”
Florida’s voter registration form carries a criminal offense warning that states, “It is a 3rd degree felony to submit false information. Maximum penalties are $5,000 and/or 5 years in prison.”
Republicans have for years falsely claimed voter fraud is a widespread problem in the United States. It isn’t, according to experts who study the issue.
Republican-controlled legislatures have passed strict voter identification laws that they claim are intended to prevent fraud, but that voting rights advocates say ultimately disenfranchise minority voters.
After Democratic victories in the 2018 midterm elections, GOP-controlled legislatures moved to restrict voter registration, such as Texas’ introduction in April 2019 of a bill that would criminalize putting incorrect information on a voter registration form. That, of course, is what Trump did in Florida.
The Texas Election Code includes a section that says knowingly providing “false information on an application for ballot by mail” is a crime.
Trump’s official state of residence has been an issue since he first changed it from New York to Florida.
He listed Mar-a-Lago as his permanent residence for tax purposes, even though in 1993 he vowed he would not live there and instead designated the mansion as a “private club,” according to the Washington Post. Disputes over the legal and tax ramifications of that promise, and of his current designation of Mar-a-Lago as his legal residence, continue in Palm Beach.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-03--GOP senator: If you're still refusing to wear a mask, 'I hope you're a scientist'

A GOP senator last week scolded Americans , including those in his own party , for refusing to wear face masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina was asked during a tele-town hall about the refusal by Donald Trump and other Republicans leaders to wear facial coverings and Trump 's mockery of those who do wear them .
`` Anybody shaming somebody for wearing a mask because a medical professional asked them to , '' Tillis answered .
`` I do n't mean anybody any offense out there who thinks they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope you 're tested daily , I hope you 're an epidemiologist , I hope you 're a scientist , because only with that experience can you possibly think that it 's safe to go out without a mask . ''
Tillis compared refusal to listen to expert advice on wearing masks to living in a flood-prone area and ignoring government flood advisories as a hurricane approached .
There is `` no scientific basis for that behavior , '' Tillis said .
`` There 's a strong scientific basis for saying , If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get sick or you will likely infect somebody , and you will likely cause us additional challenges as we want to open up the economy . ''
Donald Trump has refused to wear a mask in front of cameras , saying that he `` did n't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it '' and that it was `` not necessary . ''
Last week , he mocked a reporter for wearing one , calling it `` politically correct . ''
Tillis did not criticize Trump .
Asked specifically about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his mocking of Biden for doing so , Tillis claimed he did n't know what Trump had said .
`` I have n't seen the specific comment that the president made , '' he said , `` The president is in a setting where anybody around him and the president 's tested , sometimes several times a week . ''
Several congressional Republicans have pointedly refused to wear masks , even when urged to by colleagues .
On Wednesday , Iowa Democratic state Sen. Zach Wahls tweeted that at that day 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Senator or staffer is wearing a mask . ''
Tillis ' comments not long before the Republican National Committee 's announcement on Wednesday that it will move its nominating convention out of his state because it would not exempt attendees at the convention from virus safety rules .
Trump had demanded that the thousands of convention delegates be permitted to attend the August gathering without any face coverings or social distancing , according to North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper .
Last month , the Associated Press reported that Trump has refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would look ridiculous and affect his reelection chances in November .
On May 25 , Trump retweeted a comment made by a Fox News analyst mocking Joe Biden for wearing a face mask .
Biden responded by calling Trump an `` absolute fool '' for his `` macho stuff , '' warning it was `` costing people 's lives . ''
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged that `` everyone wear cloth face coverings when leaving their homes , regardless of whether they have fever or symptoms of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization found doing so may reduce the spread of the coronavirus by as much as 82 % .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A GOP senator last week scolded Americans, including those in his own party, for refusing to wear face masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina was asked during a tele-town hall about the refusal by Donald Trump and other Republicans leaders to wear facial coverings and Trump’s mockery of those who do wear them.
“Anybody shaming somebody for wearing a mask because a medical professional asked them to,” Tillis answered. “I don’t mean anybody any offense out there who thinks they shouldn’t wear a mask, but I hope you’re tested daily, I hope you’re an epidemiologist, I hope you’re a scientist, because only with that experience can you possibly think that it’s safe to go out without a mask.”
Tillis compared refusal to listen to expert advice on wearing masks to living in a flood-prone area and ignoring government flood advisories as a hurricane approached.
There is “no scientific basis for that behavior,” Tillis said. “There’s a strong scientific basis for saying, If you do that, you will likely get sick or you will likely infect somebody, and you will likely cause us additional challenges as we want to open up the economy.”
Donald Trump has refused to wear a mask in front of cameras, saying that he “didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it” and that it was “not necessary.” Last week, he mocked a reporter for wearing one, calling it “politically correct.”
Tillis did not criticize Trump. Asked specifically about Trump’s refusal to wear a mask and his mocking of Biden for doing so, Tillis claimed he didn’t know what Trump had said. “I haven’t seen the specific comment that the president made,” he said, “The president is in a setting where anybody around him and the president’s tested, sometimes several times a week.”
Several congressional Republicans have pointedly refused to wear masks, even when urged to by colleagues. On Wednesday, Iowa Democratic state Sen. Zach Wahls tweeted that at that day’s legislative session, “Not a single Republican Senator or staffer is wearing a mask.”
Tillis’ comments not long before the Republican National Committee’s announcement on Wednesday that it will move its nominating convention out of his state because it would not exempt attendees at the convention from virus safety rules. Trump had demanded that the thousands of convention delegates be permitted to attend the August gathering without any face coverings or social distancing, according to North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.
Last month, the Associated Press reported that Trump has refused to wear a mask because he feared he would look ridiculous and affect his reelection chances in November.
On May 25, Trump retweeted a comment made by a Fox News analyst mocking Joe Biden for wearing a face mask. Biden responded by calling Trump an “absolute fool” for his “macho stuff,” warning it was “costing people’s lives.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged that “everyone wear cloth face coverings when leaving their homes, regardless of whether they have fever or symptoms of COVID-19.” A study commissioned by the World Health Organization found doing so may reduce the spread of the coronavirus by as much as 82%.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-03--McEnany: Trump was acting like Churchill when he staged Bible photo-op

On Wednesday , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany compared Donald Trump 's photo-op with a Bible to the actions of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II .
McEnany specifically compared Trump 's three-minute appearance outside a church , after protesters were tear-gassed to clear the site for him , to Churchill inspecting sites of bomb damage during the London Blitz that killed tens of thousands of civilians .
She also compared Trump 's brief performance with previous presidential actions , like George W. Bush throwing out the first pitch after 9/11 .
McEnany praised the purported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just two days earlier , she said Trump did not need to take the symbolic action of making an Oval Office address to discuss the protests .
`` A national Oval Office address is not going to stop Antifa , '' said McEnany .
`` What ’ s going to stop is action .
And this president is committed to acting on this . ''
REPORTER : Kayleigh , why did the president feel it was important to go walk over there through the park and to the church ?
KAYLEIGH MCENANY : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president wanted to send a very powerful message : That we will not be overcome by looting , by rioting , by burning .
This is not what defines America .
And going and standing by St. John 's church was a very important moment .
And I would note that throughout all of time , we 've seen presidents and leaders across the world who 've had leadership moments and very powerful symbols that were important for a nation to see at any given time to show a message of resilience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him inspecting the bombing damage .
It sent a powerful message of leadership to the British people .
And George W. Bush throwing out the ceremonial first pitch after 9/11 , and Jimmy Carter , putting on a sweater to encourage energy savings , and George H.W .
Bush signing the Americans with Disabilities Act flanked by two disabled Americans .
And for this president , it was powerful and important to send a message that the rioters , the looters , the anarchists , they will not prevail .
That burning churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that moment , holding the Bible up , is something that has been widely hailed by Franklin Graham and others , and it was a very important symbol for the American people to see that we will get through this through unity and through faith .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Wednesday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany compared Donald Trump’s photo-op with a Bible to the actions of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II.
McEnany specifically compared Trump’s three-minute appearance outside a church, after protesters were tear-gassed to clear the site for him, to Churchill inspecting sites of bomb damage during the London Blitz that killed tens of thousands of civilians.
She also compared Trump’s brief performance with previous presidential actions, like George W. Bush throwing out the first pitch after 9/11.
McEnany praised the purported symbolism of Trump’s photo-op, but just two days earlier, she said Trump did not need to take the symbolic action of making an Oval Office address to discuss the protests.
“A national Oval Office address is not going to stop Antifa,” said McEnany. “What’s going to stop is action. And this president is committed to acting on this.”
From the June 3 White House press briefing:
REPORTER: Kayleigh, why did the president feel it was important to go walk over there through the park and to the church? KAYLEIGH MCENANY: It was extremely important. Look, the president wanted to send a very powerful message: That we will not be overcome by looting, by rioting, by burning. This is not what defines America. And going and standing by St. John’s church was a very important moment. And I would note that throughout all of time, we’ve seen presidents and leaders across the world who’ve had leadership moments and very powerful symbols that were important for a nation to see at any given time to show a message of resilience and determination like Churchill, we saw him inspecting the bombing damage. It sent a powerful message of leadership to the British people. And George W. Bush throwing out the ceremonial first pitch after 9/11, and Jimmy Carter, putting on a sweater to encourage energy savings, and George H.W. Bush signing the Americans with Disabilities Act flanked by two disabled Americans. And for this president, it was powerful and important to send a message that the rioters, the looters, the anarchists, they will not prevail. That burning churches are not what America’s about, and that moment, holding the Bible up, is something that has been widely hailed by Franklin Graham and others, and it was a very important symbol for the American people to see that we will get through this through unity and through faith.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-03--I am an ER doctor, and coronavirus misinformation is making my job harder

These last few months have been difficult , and , as states begin to reopen , the next few months will undoubtedly be the same .
A constantly evolving global pandemic of a novel virus will do that , and through this lens , our ability to parse fact from fiction has been tested .
As a physician , I am concerned about some in Congress and the media spewing chaotic and contradictory information about the novel coronavirus , seeking to make villains of our public health experts and even politicizing guidelines on wearing protective masks .
These efforts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacting our ability to make good decisions while fighting this virus .
A quote shared by many emergency physicians to trainees on their first shifts is , “ At a cardiac arrest the first procedure is to take your own pulse.
” This quote from Samuel Shem 's classic book `` The House of God '' speaks to two things : that the core competency of our specialty is making good decisions in chaotic situations , and the importance of taking a moment to carefully assess a situation before you act .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consuming media on the novel coronavirus .
Many of my patients have asked me about things that they have read online or seen in the news relating to things that I know are false , such as the two doctors from Bakersfield , California , who claimed that there are far more people infected with the coronavirus and that therefore the fatality rate is less than that of seasonal flu , something that Donald Trump also echoed .
To them and you , I say these individuals have no background in public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every expert and fact-checker disputes their work , and that they have a significant financial incentive to reopen the economy .
To put it generously , this leaves them vulnerable to confirmation bias , as they interpret all their data as confirming what they want to be true , rather than what is objectively true .
Similarly , the doctor featured in the recent viral video `` Plandemic '' is a disgraced former researcher .
She was fired after a manuscript she published was shown to include falsified data ; she stole information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to her arrest ; and , to top it off , she peddles anti-vaccine conspiracy theories .
Both these sources lack credibility , but what they say has been consumed by millions as factual information , which makes it harder for me and other medical workers to do our jobs .
When reviewing scientific literature , credibility is everything .
Our gold standard is multiple peer-reviewed publications demonstrating similar outcomes .
Likewise , when consuming media online or on TV , credibility is key .
We must ask ourselves : Are these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and has this information been reported by a credible source ?
Do they have high-quality data to back up their claims ?
My patients have also repeatedly asked , “ Dr .
Cooper , who can we trust ?
” and to them I say , trust Dr. Deborah Birx and Dr. Anthony Fauci , who between them have eight decades of experience in medicine , public health , and vaccine science .
Trust the CDC and WHO , which have together eradicated smallpox , are in the process of eradicating polio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , MERS , Zika , and countless other viruses .
I urge Americans to be diligent consumers of the media , because when you are , you can protect yourself and your family .
I also urge Donald Trump and my fellow elected officials to do the same , and to consider the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence : We hold these truths to be self-evident , that all men are created equal , that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights , that among these are Life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Before we can enjoy liberty , we must have life .
Before we make a decision , we must take our pulse .
And before digesting information in the media , we must review the credibility of the source .

These last few months have been difficult, and, as states begin to reopen, the next few months will undoubtedly be the same. A constantly evolving global pandemic of a novel virus will do that, and through this lens, our ability to parse fact from fiction has been tested.
As a physician, I am concerned about some in Congress and the media spewing chaotic and contradictory information about the novel coronavirus, seeking to make villains of our public health experts and even politicizing guidelines on wearing protective masks. These efforts are not just cynical politics; they are impacting our ability to make good decisions while fighting this virus.
A quote shared by many emergency physicians to trainees on their first shifts is, “At a cardiac arrest the first procedure is to take your own pulse.”
This quote from Samuel Shem’s classic book “The House of God” speaks to two things: that the core competency of our specialty is making good decisions in chaotic situations, and the importance of taking a moment to carefully assess a situation before you act. I advise everyone to follow this guidance when consuming media on the novel coronavirus.
Many of my patients have asked me about things that they have read online or seen in the news relating to things that I know are false, such as the two doctors from Bakersfield, California, who claimed that there are far more people infected with the coronavirus and that therefore the fatality rate is less than that of seasonal flu, something that Donald Trump also echoed.
To them and you, I say these individuals have no background in public health.
We must be cognizant that virtually every expert and fact-checker disputes their work, and that they have a significant financial incentive to reopen the economy. To put it generously, this leaves them vulnerable to confirmation bias, as they interpret all their data as confirming what they want to be true, rather than what is objectively true.
Similarly, the doctor featured in the recent viral video “Plandemic” is a disgraced former researcher. She was fired after a manuscript she published was shown to include falsified data; she stole information and equipment from her lab, which led to her arrest; and, to top it off, she peddles anti-vaccine conspiracy theories.
Both these sources lack credibility, but what they say has been consumed by millions as factual information, which makes it harder for me and other medical workers to do our jobs.
When reviewing scientific literature, credibility is everything. Our gold standard is multiple peer-reviewed publications demonstrating similar outcomes.
Likewise, when consuming media online or on TV, credibility is key.
We must ask ourselves: Are these sources experts in the topic of discussion, and has this information been reported by a credible source? Do they have high-quality data to back up their claims?
My patients have also repeatedly asked, “Dr. Cooper, who can we trust?” and to them I say, trust Dr. Deborah Birx and Dr. Anthony Fauci, who between them have eight decades of experience in medicine, public health, and vaccine science. Trust the CDC and WHO, which have together eradicated smallpox, are in the process of eradicating polio, and have responded effectively to SARS, MERS, Zika, and countless other viruses.
I urge Americans to be diligent consumers of the media, because when you are, you can protect yourself and your family. I also urge Donald Trump and my fellow elected officials to do the same, and to consider the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Before we can enjoy liberty, we must have life. Before we make a decision, we must take our pulse. And before digesting information in the media, we must review the credibility of the source.


shareblue--2020-06-03--Meet the far-right extremist who beat Steve King

The candidate who defeated white nationalist Rep. Steve King on Tuesday in Republican primary voting in Iowa has a far-right record similar to King 's .
State Sen. Randy Feenstra defeated King 45.7 % to 36.0 % for the GOP nomination in Iowa 's 4th Congressional District after running a campaign framing himself as a more effective advocate for similar causes .
Feenstra received support from much of the GOP establishment , including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce , National Right to Life , and operative Karl Rove , who recently signed on as an adviser to Donald Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King 's racism , Feenstra focused mostly on his lack of impact .
He blamed the incumbent for not being able to adequately protect Donald Trump against House Democrats ' efforts to impeach him .
`` When President Trump needs him most , Congressman King is unable to help due to his bizarre behavior and his removal from key committees .
As the Judiciary Committee continues the sham impeachment process , Iowans are once again left without a seat at the table , '' he tweeted in December .
`` King has let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down , '' he charged in another tweet .
Trump congratulated Feenstra on Wednesday via tweet , saying , `` You will be a great Congressman ! ''
It is unsurprising that Trump , who endorsed and donated to King 's previous campaigns , would be enthusiastic about Feenstra .
Feenstra called himself `` a pro-Trump effective conservative that delivers conservative results . ''
Trump and Feenstra share anti-immigrant views .
On his campaign website , Feenstra notes that he `` agrees with President Trump that we must secure our southern border .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ backing a ban on `` sanctuary cities '' in Iowa and promises to `` support building the wall while opposing Nancy Pelosi 's and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 's reckless open borders policies that are endangering Iowa communities . ''
`` A house without walls is n't safe .
Neither is a nation with open borders .
In Congress , I will help President Trump get the wall built and stop the left 's dangerous border policy . ''
Feenstra tweeted in April .
He has also been an advocate for socially conservative policies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He highlighted the endorsement of religious right activist Bob Vander Plaats , head of an organization that once argued black children were better off under slavery because `` sadly a child born into slavery in 1860 was more likely to be raised by his mother and father in a two-parent household than was an African-American baby born after the election of the USA 's first African-American President . ''
Feenstra promises to protect `` Christian values , '' noting his work `` fighting to defund Planned Parenthood , sponsoring a bill that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] a strong supporter of amending the Iowa Constitution to not grant the right to an abortion . ''
In a January tweet , he lamented , `` Sadly , Roe v Wade is still the law of the land . ''
In 2011 , Feenstra was the sole state Senate sponsor of a constitutional amendment aimed at overturning marriage equality in the state .
Feenstra also boasts of his `` A '' rating from the National Rifle Association and his record of defending `` our God-given liberties , like our 2nd Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` largest expansion of 2nd Amendment rights in Iowa history , ' the state 's 'Stand Your Ground ' law , and a 'constitutional carry bill , ' '' letting people carry firearms with no permit .
`` Stand your ground '' laws , which permit people who feel threatened to shoot or kill without any duty to try to retreat , have been shown to increase the incidence of homicide and make it easier for white people who kill African Americans to escape prosecution .
Last September , Feenstra tweeted : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her socialist allies in Congress win .
Join me standing with President Trump ! ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The candidate who defeated white nationalist Rep. Steve King on Tuesday in Republican primary voting in Iowa has a far-right record similar to King’s.
State Sen. Randy Feenstra defeated King 45.7% to 36.0% for the GOP nomination in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District after running a campaign framing himself as a more effective advocate for similar causes.
Feenstra received support from much of the GOP establishment, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Right to Life, and operative Karl Rove, who recently signed on as an adviser to Donald Trump’s reelection campaign.
Rather than run against King’s racism, Feenstra focused mostly on his lack of impact.
He blamed the incumbent for not being able to adequately protect Donald Trump against House Democrats’ efforts to impeach him.
“When President Trump needs him most, Congressman King is unable to help due to his bizarre behavior and his removal from key committees. As the Judiciary Committee continues the sham impeachment process, Iowans are once again left without a seat at the table,” he tweeted in December.
“King has let us down, and let Pres Trump down,” he charged in another tweet.
Trump congratulated Feenstra on Wednesday via tweet, saying, “You will be a great Congressman!”
It is unsurprising that Trump, who endorsed and donated to King’s previous campaigns, would be enthusiastic about Feenstra. Feenstra called himself “a pro-Trump effective conservative that delivers conservative results.”
Trump and Feenstra share anti-immigrant views. On his campaign website, Feenstra notes that he “agrees with President Trump that we must secure our southern border.” He highlights his legislative record of backing a ban on “sanctuary cities” in Iowa and promises to “support building the wall while opposing Nancy Pelosi’s and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s reckless open borders policies that are endangering Iowa communities.”
“A house without walls isn’t safe. Neither is a nation with open borders. In Congress, I will help President Trump get the wall built and stop the left’s dangerous border policy.” Feenstra tweeted in April.
He has also been an advocate for socially conservative policies, including opposing reproductive choice and LGBTQ equality.
He highlighted the endorsement of religious right activist Bob Vander Plaats, head of an organization that once argued black children were better off under slavery because “sadly a child born into slavery in 1860 was more likely to be raised by his mother and father in a two-parent household than was an African-American baby born after the election of the USA’s first African-American President.”
Feenstra promises to protect “Christian values,” noting his work “fighting to defund Planned Parenthood, sponsoring a bill that defined life at conception and [as] a strong supporter of amending the Iowa Constitution to not grant the right to an abortion.” In a January tweet, he lamented, “Sadly, Roe v Wade is still the law of the land.”
In 2011, Feenstra was the sole state Senate sponsor of a constitutional amendment aimed at overturning marriage equality in the state.
(In 2009, King warned that same-sex marriage was part of a “push for a socialist society where the foundations of individual rights and liberties are undermined.”)
Feenstra also boasts of his “A” rating from the National Rifle Association and his record of defending “our God-given liberties, like our 2nd Amendment.” He notes that he backed the “largest expansion of 2nd Amendment rights in Iowa history,’ the state’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law, and a ‘constitutional carry bill,'” letting people carry firearms with no permit. “Stand your ground” laws, which permit people who feel threatened to shoot or kill without any duty to try to retreat, have been shown to increase the incidence of homicide and make it easier for white people who kill African Americans to escape prosecution.
Last September, Feenstra tweeted: “We can’t let Pelosi and her socialist allies in Congress win. Join me standing with President Trump!”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.