shareblue--2020-08-05--Mask mandate could have saved 55,000 lives — but some are still resisting

A national mask mandate might have saved up to 55,000 lives if it had been instituted in early April , according to analysis published in the journal Medrxiv .
The study , which has not yet been peer-reviewed , predicted a 17 % to 55 % reduction in coronavirus deaths between April and May if all employees who interacted with the public had been required to wear a face mask starting on April 1 .
Nearly 100,000 people died during that period , meaning between 17,000 and 55,000 deaths could have been prevented .
Masks are `` a very effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considerable reduction in fatalities , '' study co-author Victor Chernozhukov said in a press release , according to Newsweek .
A separate analysis from the University of Washington 's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in early July predicted that up to 28,000 deaths could be prevented before Oct. 1 if nearly everyone wore face masks .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious disease expert , endorsed the idea of universal mask-wearing during an interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday .
`` For me , as a public health official , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody wears a mask , '' Fauci said .
He noted that states have a lot of power when it comes to mandates , and added that there is `` no doubt you should be wearing a mask . ''
Only 33 states plus Washington , D.C. , had mask mandates in place as of Wednesday , according to a tally from AARP .
The group explained that some of the mandates have exceptions , including for young children or those with disabilities , but broadly require masks in indoor locations and where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state led by a Democratic governor has a face mask mandate , the Democratic Governors Association pointed out in a July 31 press release .
`` Democratic governors are following facts and science , while Republican governors continue to ignore public health officials , '' David Turner , the group 's communications director , stated .
`` Republican governors need to stop messing around — widespread mask use can curb the spread of the coronavirus and save lives . ''
While about a third of Republican governors have issued mask mandates , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Florida , one of the nation 's biggest coronavirus hotspots , Gov .
Ron DeSantis has consistently resisted calls by public officials to institute a mandate .
On June 24 , more than a dozen U.S. House members from Florida wrote DeSantis a letter urging him to `` implement an immediate statewide mask order requiring that all individuals wear a mask while in public in order to fight the spread of COVID-19 . ''
On July 3 , 10 members of the Florida House also sent a letter to DeSantis asking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has thus far refused to issue such an order .
In Georgia , Gov .
Brian Kemp sued the city of Atlanta , calling the mayor 's mask mandate `` void and unenforceable '' because it went beyond Kemp 's statewide order that only encouraged the use of masks .
At the federal level , Donald Trump has been inconsistent on the issue of masks , oftentimes sending mixed messages to the public .
On April 3 , he told reporters that he was not going to be wearing a mask , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear them .
Trump did not wear a mask at a May 5 tour of an Arizona Honeywell facility that produced face masks .
Later that month , Trump retweeted Fox News contributor Brit Hume mocking Joe Biden for wearing a mask in public .
On July 19 , he told Fox News that he opposed a national mask mandate , saying he did not `` agree with the statement that if everybody wore a mask everything disappears . ''
But two days later , Trump encouraged everyone to wear a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Whether you like the mask or not , they have an impact , '' Trump said .
`` They 'll have an effect .
And we need everything we can get . ''
Four days later , Trump was photographed playing golf with retired football star Brett Favre .
Neither was wearing a mask .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A national mask mandate might have saved up to 55,000 lives if it had been instituted in early April, according to analysis published in the journal Medrxiv.
The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, predicted a 17% to 55% reduction in coronavirus deaths between April and May if all employees who interacted with the public had been required to wear a face mask starting on April 1. Nearly 100,000 people died during that period, meaning between 17,000 and 55,000 deaths could have been prevented.
Masks are “a very effective policy” that result in “a considerable reduction in fatalities,” study co-author Victor Chernozhukov said in a press release, according to Newsweek.
A separate analysis from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in early July predicted that up to 28,000 deaths could be prevented before Oct. 1 if nearly everyone wore face masks.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, endorsed the idea of universal mask-wearing during an interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday.
“For me, as a public health official, obviously I would like the consideration that everybody wears a mask,” Fauci said. He noted that states have a lot of power when it comes to mandates, and added that there is “no doubt you should be wearing a mask.”
Only 33 states plus Washington, D.C., had mask mandates in place as of Wednesday, according to a tally from AARP. The group explained that some of the mandates have exceptions, including for young children or those with disabilities, but broadly require masks in indoor locations and where social distancing is not possible.
Every state led by a Democratic governor has a face mask mandate, the Democratic Governors Association pointed out in a July 31 press release.
“Democratic governors are following facts and science, while Republican governors continue to ignore public health officials,” David Turner, the group’s communications director, stated. “Republican governors need to stop messing around — widespread mask use can curb the spread of the coronavirus and save lives.”
While about a third of Republican governors have issued mask mandates, some have actively resisted such a measure.
In Florida, one of the nation’s biggest coronavirus hotspots, Gov. Ron DeSantis has consistently resisted calls by public officials to institute a mandate.
On June 24, more than a dozen U.S. House members from Florida wrote DeSantis a letter urging him to “implement an immediate statewide mask order requiring that all individuals wear a mask while in public in order to fight the spread of COVID-19.”
On July 3, 10 members of the Florida House also sent a letter to DeSantis asking for an immediate statewide mandate. Yet DeSantis has thus far refused to issue such an order.
In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp sued the city of Atlanta, calling the mayor’s mask mandate “void and unenforceable” because it went beyond Kemp’s statewide order that only encouraged the use of masks.
At the federal level, Donald Trump has been inconsistent on the issue of masks, oftentimes sending mixed messages to the public.
On April 3, he told reporters that he was not going to be wearing a mask, despite federal guidance at the time encouraging people to wear them.
Trump did not wear a mask at a May 5 tour of an Arizona Honeywell facility that produced face masks. Later that month, Trump retweeted Fox News contributor Brit Hume mocking Joe Biden for wearing a mask in public.
On July 19, he told Fox News that he opposed a national mask mandate, saying he did not “agree with the statement that if everybody wore a mask everything disappears.”
But two days later, Trump encouraged everyone to wear a mask during a White House press conference.
“Whether you like the mask or not, they have an impact,” Trump said. “They’ll have an effect. And we need everything we can get.”
Four days later, Trump was photographed playing golf with retired football star Brett Favre. Neither was wearing a mask.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-05--GOP senators let virus benefits expire while they investigated Obama

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Wednesday on unsupported accusations about the origins of the FBI 's investigation into foreign meddling in the 2016 presidential election .
Vaguely dubbed `` Obamagate , '' the conspiracy theory , pushed by Donald Trump , holds that the administration of former President Barack Obama spied on members of Trump 's 2016 campaign team , specifically incoming national security adviser Michael Flynn .
The hearing , which featured testimony by Sally Yates , a former deputy attorney general under Obama , comes as Senate Republicans allowed a $ 600 weekly boost to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renew it , despite the fact that the Democratic-controlled House had passed an extension of the benefit back on May 15 .
The fact that the Judiciary Committee hearing was held while the Republicans who run the Senate neglected to spend any time on the critical assistance for laid-off workers as it expired reflects the priorities of the GOP lawmakers .
Trump has pushed for committee chair Lindsey Graham and other Republicans to investigate Obama — part of an effort to tie presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to the false allegations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sally Yates has zero credibility .
She was a part of the greatest political crime of the Century , and ObamaBiden knew EVERYTHING !
Sally Yates leaked the General Flynn conversation ?
Ask her under oath .
Republicans should start playing the Democrats game ! ''
Trump tweeted as the hearing proceeded .
Yates denied under oath that Flynn had been spied on .
She pointed out that the FBI had intercepted conversations Flynn had with Russian ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak about removing sanctions that had been placed on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , and that Flynn had lied about them to the public and to FBI agents .
These things made him a counterintelligence risk , Yates said .
Flynn eventually pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI .
About a meeting in the Oval Office between her and President Obama on Jan. 5 , 2017 , Yates said : `` During the meeting , the president , the vice president , the national security adviser did not attempt to any way to direct or influence any investigation . ''
The outgoing administration was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` General Flynn had essentially neutered the U.S. government 's message of deterrence , '' Yates said at the hearing .
Democrats criticized Graham for holding the hearing at all .
`` While America burns , McConnell [ and ] Republicans ca n't be bothered to pass new stimulus checks we enacted 82 days ago but today they are spending their time investigating the Obama administration , '' Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. of New Jersey tweeted .
`` The republican party is unfit to govern and does n't give a damn about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The American Independent Foundation .

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Wednesday on unsupported accusations about the origins of the FBI’s investigation into foreign meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Vaguely dubbed “Obamagate,” the conspiracy theory, pushed by Donald Trump, holds that the administration of former President Barack Obama spied on members of Trump’s 2016 campaign team, specifically incoming national security adviser Michael Flynn.
The hearing, which featured testimony by Sally Yates, a former deputy attorney general under Obama, comes as Senate Republicans allowed a $600 weekly boost to unemployment payments expire without any efforts to renew it, despite the fact that the Democratic-controlled House had passed an extension of the benefit back on May 15.
The fact that the Judiciary Committee hearing was held while the Republicans who run the Senate neglected to spend any time on the critical assistance for laid-off workers as it expired reflects the priorities of the GOP lawmakers. Trump has pushed for committee chair Lindsey Graham and other Republicans to investigate Obama — part of an effort to tie presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to the false allegations and help Trump’s reelection bid.
“Sally Yates has zero credibility. She was a part of the greatest political crime of the Century, and ObamaBiden knew EVERYTHING! Sally Yates leaked the General Flynn conversation? Ask her under oath. Republicans should start playing the Democrats game!” Trump tweeted as the hearing proceeded.
Yates denied under oath that Flynn had been spied on. She pointed out that the FBI had intercepted conversations Flynn had with Russian ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak about removing sanctions that had been placed on his country over its meddling in the 2016 election, and that Flynn had lied about them to the public and to FBI agents. These things made him a counterintelligence risk, Yates said.
Flynn eventually pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
About a meeting in the Oval Office between her and President Obama on Jan. 5, 2017, Yates said: “During the meeting, the president, the vice president, the national security adviser did not attempt to any way to direct or influence any investigation.” The outgoing administration was worried about sharing classified information with Flynn.
“General Flynn had essentially neutered the U.S. government’s message of deterrence,” Yates said at the hearing.
Democrats criticized Graham for holding the hearing at all.
“While America burns, McConnell [and] Republicans can’t be bothered to pass new stimulus checks we enacted 82 days ago but today they are spending their time investigating the Obama administration,” Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. of New Jersey tweeted. “The republican party is unfit to govern and doesn’t give a damn about you.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-05--Trump and his allies keep falsely claiming Biden won't debate him

Surrogates for Donald Trump 's campaign have claimed repeatedly in recent days that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is planning to pull out of debates due to media pressure and Democratic fears that the former vice president is in cognitive decline .
But there is no truth to that argument .
Back in June , Biden agreed to debate Trump three times — the traditional number of debates that have taken place for decades .
However that has not stopped nearly a half dozen Trump aides and campaign surrogates from making the argument , including Trump 's eldest son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel ; Trump campaign aide Jason Miller ; Trump campaign spokesperson Erin Perrine ; and Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw ( R ) .
Both Trump Jr. and McDaniel accused Biden 's supporters of not wanting Biden to debate out of fear of his cognitive decline — a baseless accusation about Biden 's mental health .
That argument has not helped Trump against Biden , as Biden still carries a large lead over Trump both in national polls and in critical swing states Trump needs to win to secure his reelection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Business , McDaniel claimed Biden `` does n't want to debate , '' adding that Biden 's supporters are `` afraid to put him on a debate stage . ''
Trump Jr. falsely said in a Tuesday interview on an Iowa talk radio station that `` there 's an active push to get Joe Biden not to debate my father because , honestly , no one can look at Joe Biden and say this guy 's all there . ''
Trump himself has accused Biden of supposedly refusing to debate him , claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sleepy guy in a basement of a house that the press is giving a free pass to who does n't want to do debates because of COVID . ''
Biden has mostly stayed away from in-person campaign events since the start of the pandemic , adhering to health experts ' social distancing guidance to limit spread of the coronavirus and holding livestream events from his home instead .
The accusation that Biden wo n't debate Trump appears to have stemmed from social media posts by a handful of pundits .
`` My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden should n't feel obligated to throw Trump a lifeline by granting him any debates at all , '' Zac Petkanas , a Democratic strategist , tweeted on July 27 .
`` This is not a normal presidential election and Trump is not a legitimate candidate . ''
However , Biden nor his aides have ever said Biden would n't take to the debate stage .
`` Donald Trump and his allies at Fox News have decided an imaginary controversy about debates will be their latest attempt to distract Americans from the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has cost 150,000 Americans their lives and left millions jobless , '' Biden spokesperson TJ Ducklo said in a statement to CNN Tuesday .
And it 's not Biden who has left the door open to skipping debates , but Trump , whose aides accused the Commission on Presidential Debates back in January of being `` biased . ''
`` The problem is that the so-called Commission on Presidential Debates is stacked with Trump Haters & Never Trumpers .
3 years ago they were forced to publicly apologize for modulating my microphone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trump tweeted in December .
( The CPD never modulated Trump 's microphone , as Trump suggested . )
Trump also has a history of skipping debates .
In the 2016 GOP presidential primary , Trump skipped multiple debates , including one in January 2016 over his disdain for the planned moderator , now-former Fox News host Megyn Kelly .
In March of 2016 , he also skipped a primary debate simply because he was tired of doing them .
“ I think we ’ ve had enough debates , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Surrogates for Donald Trump’s campaign have claimed repeatedly in recent days that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is planning to pull out of debates due to media pressure and Democratic fears that the former vice president is in cognitive decline.
But there is no truth to that argument.
Back in June, Biden agreed to debate Trump three times — the traditional number of debates that have taken place for decades.
However that has not stopped nearly a half dozen Trump aides and campaign surrogates from making the argument, including Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.; Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel; Trump campaign aide Jason Miller; Trump campaign spokesperson Erin Perrine; and Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R).
Both Trump Jr. and McDaniel accused Biden’s supporters of not wanting Biden to debate out of fear of his cognitive decline — a baseless accusation about Biden’s mental health. That argument has not helped Trump against Biden, as Biden still carries a large lead over Trump both in national polls and in critical swing states Trump needs to win to secure his reelection.
In an appearance Tuesday on Fox Business, McDaniel claimed Biden “doesn’t want to debate,” adding that Biden’s supporters are “afraid to put him on a debate stage.”
Trump Jr. falsely said in a Tuesday interview on an Iowa talk radio station that “there’s an active push to get Joe Biden not to debate my father because, honestly, no one can look at Joe Biden and say this guy’s all there.”
Trump himself has accused Biden of supposedly refusing to debate him, claiming back in April, “We have a sleepy guy in a basement of a house that the press is giving a free pass to who doesn’t want to do debates because of COVID.”
Biden has mostly stayed away from in-person campaign events since the start of the pandemic, adhering to health experts’ social distancing guidance to limit spread of the coronavirus and holding livestream events from his home instead.
The accusation that Biden won’t debate Trump appears to have stemmed from social media posts by a handful of pundits.
“My opinion that no one asked for: Biden shouldn’t feel obligated to throw Trump a lifeline by granting him any debates at all,” Zac Petkanas, a Democratic strategist, tweeted on July 27. “This is not a normal presidential election and Trump is not a legitimate candidate.”
However, Biden nor his aides have ever said Biden wouldn’t take to the debate stage.
“Donald Trump and his allies at Fox News have decided an imaginary controversy about debates will be their latest attempt to distract Americans from the president’s disastrous response to the coronavirus, which has cost 150,000 Americans their lives and left millions jobless,” Biden spokesperson TJ Ducklo said in a statement to CNN Tuesday.
And it’s not Biden who has left the door open to skipping debates, but Trump, whose aides accused the Commission on Presidential Debates back in January of being “biased.”
“The problem is that the so-called Commission on Presidential Debates is stacked with Trump Haters & Never Trumpers. 3 years ago they were forced to publicly apologize for modulating my microphone in the first debate against Crooked Hillary,” Trump tweeted in December. (The CPD never modulated Trump’s microphone, as Trump suggested.)
Trump also has a history of skipping debates.
In the 2016 GOP presidential primary, Trump skipped multiple debates, including one in January 2016 over his disdain for the planned moderator, now-former Fox News host Megyn Kelly.
In March of 2016, he also skipped a primary debate simply because he was tired of doing them.
“I think we’ve had enough debates,” Trump said at the time.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-05--GOP Senate nominee: $600 virus unemployment benefit is 'way too much'

Tommy Tuberville , the Republican Senate nominee in Alabama , said on Tuesday that the recently expired $ 600 coronavirus unemployment `` was way too much '' during an interview on `` Alabama 's Morning News with JT . ''
Tuberville , who recently won the Republican primary and is challenging incumbent Democratic Sen. Doug Jones , claimed Alabamians are not working because `` they 're making more settin ' around '' and said he did n't want unemployed workers to `` get used to all this . ''
Millions of Americans are currently unemployed as a result of lockdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has killed over 157,000 U.S. citizens so far .
The $ 600 unemployment supplement passed in March in the CARES Act was paid out in addition to state unemployment insurance .
But it expired after Senate Republicans refused to extend it , even though experts said the benefit is the single best help to stave off a more severe economic crisis .
Many have used the money to pay rent and purchase food .
Alabama has one of the lowest unemployment benefits in the country at $ 275 a week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ WERC 's `` Alabama 's Morning News with JT '' : TOMMY TUBERVILLE : We 'd probably get more done with just the president running this country .
So let the Democrats go home and do whatever they do , which is not govern , which is not try to help the American people .
And President Trump can get it done , he 'll get enough done .
You know , you 've got to remember now , we 've still got a trillion dollars left that we have n't spent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not like we 're – it 's a desperate situation .
What happened is we had the elimination of the employment tax this past week , this plus $ 600 , which was way too much .
We 're having people just set out not working because they 're making more settin ' around .
We 've got to go back to work .
I 'd rather pay 'em to go to work , pay people more money to go back to work rather than just set at home , because we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it 's not going to work .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Tommy Tuberville, the Republican Senate nominee in Alabama, said on Tuesday that the recently expired $600 coronavirus unemployment “was way too much” during an interview on “Alabama’s Morning News with JT.”
Tuberville, who recently won the Republican primary and is challenging incumbent Democratic Sen. Doug Jones, claimed Alabamians are not working because “they’re making more settin’ around” and said he didn’t want unemployed workers to “get used to all this.”
Millions of Americans are currently unemployed as a result of lockdowns occurring due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed over 157,000 U.S. citizens so far.
The $600 unemployment supplement passed in March in the CARES Act was paid out in addition to state unemployment insurance. But it expired after Senate Republicans refused to extend it, even though experts said the benefit is the single best help to stave off a more severe economic crisis. Many have used the money to pay rent and purchase food.
Alabama has one of the lowest unemployment benefits in the country at $275 a week.
From the August 4 edition of 105.5 WERC’s “Alabama’s Morning News with JT”:
TOMMY TUBERVILLE: We’d probably get more done with just the president running this country. So let the Democrats go home and do whatever they do, which is not govern, which is not try to help the American people. And President Trump can get it done, he’ll get enough done. You know, you’ve got to remember now, we’ve still got a trillion dollars left that we haven’t spent in the other package, so it’s not like we’re – it’s a desperate situation. What happened is we had the elimination of the employment tax this past week, this plus $600, which was way too much. We’re having people just set out not working because they’re making more settin’ around. We’ve got to go back to work. I’d rather pay ’em to go to work, pay people more money to go back to work rather than just set at home, because we’re going to get used to all this and it’s not going to work.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-05--Trump won't stop contradicting his own public health experts on virus

In the early days of the coronavirus crisis , Donald Trump was flanked in the White House briefing room by a team of public health experts in a seeming portrait of unity to confront the disease that was ravaging the globe .
But as the crisis has spread to all reaches of the country , with escalating deaths and little sense of endgame , a chasm has widened between Trump and the experts .
The result : daily delivery of a mixed message to the public at a moment when coherence is most needed .
Trump and his political advisers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rival in its response to the pandemic .
They point to the fact that the U.S. has administered more virus tests than any other nation and that the percentage of deaths among those infected is among the lowest .
`` Right now , I think it 's under control , '' Trump said during an interview with Axios .
He added , `` We have done a great job . ''
But the surge in infections , hospitalizations , and deaths tells a different story .
And it suggests that Trump is increasingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's own medical and public health experts .
The U.S. death toll , which stands at more than 156,000 , is expected to accelerate .
The latest composite forecast from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects an average of nearly 1,000 deaths per day through Aug. 22 .
Dr. Deborah Birx , White House coronavirus task force coordinator , warned this week that the virus has become `` extraordinarily widespread . ''
Trump did n't like that .
He dismissed her comment as `` pathetic '' and charged she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi , who had earlier criticized Birx .
Adm. Brett Giroir , the assistant secretary of Health and Human Services , who has avoided contradicting Trump throughout the crisis , said on Sunday it was time to `` move on '' from the debate over hydroxychloroquine , a drug Trump continues to promote as a COVID-19 treatment even though there is no clear evidence it is effective .
Dr. Robert Redfield , head of the CDC , last week acknowledged during an ABC News interview that the initial federal government response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not a separation from the president , it 's a cavernous gap , '' said Lawrence Gostin , a public health expert at Georgetown University .
`` What we 're seeing is that scientists will no longer be cowed by the White House . ''
Until recently , the medical experts on the White House coronavirus task force have walked a tightrope .
They have been pressing to deliver the best science to the public while trying to avoid appearing to directly contradict Trump — in hopes of maintaining influence in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , at moments , as an awkward dance .
For months now , the West Wing has controlled the media schedule of Dr. Anthony Fauci , who drew the ire of Trump and his advisers in the early days of the pandemic because of the outsized media attention he received and his perceived willingness to contradict Trump , according to three White House officials and Republicans close to the West Wing not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations .
Fauci , the nation 's top infectious disease expert , has struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or any other member of the task force about the nation 's move to `` reopen , '' provoking the frustration of Trump , who sees a resurgent economy as key to winning another four years in office .
Birx , until recently , had largely stayed on Trump 's good side , though her rosy depictions of the pandemic fight drew recent skepticism from Democrats and other public health officials .
But Trump also shredded Birx privately as well as in his public comments this week for not striking a more optimistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for saying she had `` tremendous respect '' for Trump 's rival Pelosi , the officials said .
Throughout the pandemic , some government public health officials have privately expressed to West Wing staffers that they are fearful of contradicting Trump even as they try to focus on the data and the science behind the administration 's response to the virus , officials said .
But publicly , there has been a concerted effort to appear that the team and the Oval Office are speaking with one voice .
Redfield disputed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to distance themselves from Trump .
`` I do n't think that 's an accurate characterization , '' Redfield said in an interview .
He added , `` I think we communicate freely and directly as we see the outbreak as members of the task force . ''
On Monday , Trump seemed to walk back from his criticism that Birx was `` taking the bait '' from Pelosi and said that he had great respect for the doctor .
He suggested his frustration was spurred by his administration not receiving proper credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushing to replenish the stockpile of ventilators early in the crisis .
On Tuesday , he boasted that the U.S. has increased testing capacity by 32,000 % since March 12 and has `` far and away the most testing capacity in the world . ''
Trump in early March declared `` anybody that needs a test gets a test . ''
Yet , in many parts of the country , it can still take a week or longer for patients to receive test results .
His positive self-evaluation gives short shrift to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's fourth highest per capita virus death rate , according to Johns Hopkins University 's coronavirus resource center .
In the Axios interview , Trump insisted that the appropriate statistic to judge the virus response is the ratio of deaths to cases .
By that metric , the U.S. ranks 14th among the 20 countries most affected by COVID-19 .
Chile , India , Argentina , Russia , South Africa , and Bangladesh all have lower rates of deaths to infections , according to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 % in your country that 's infected is dying , '' Georgetown University 's Gostin said .
Trump 's undercutting of his health advisers makes it all but impossible for the federal government to speak with a single authoritative voice at a time of national crisis , critics say .
`` It 's a very dangerous place for the country to be , '' said Kathleen Sebelius , health and human services secretary under President Barack Obama .
`` The reason I say it is very dangerous is that we continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public health crisis in this country into a debate about whether people like Donald Trump or not .
We have never seen a situation like this before , and we are paying the price . ''

In the early days of the coronavirus crisis, Donald Trump was flanked in the White House briefing room by a team of public health experts in a seeming portrait of unity to confront the disease that was ravaging the globe.
But as the crisis has spread to all reaches of the country, with escalating deaths and little sense of endgame, a chasm has widened between Trump and the experts. The result: daily delivery of a mixed message to the public at a moment when coherence is most needed.
Trump and his political advisers insist that the United States has no rival in its response to the pandemic. They point to the fact that the U.S. has administered more virus tests than any other nation and that the percentage of deaths among those infected is among the lowest.
“Right now, I think it’s under control,” Trump said during an interview with Axios. He added, “We have done a great job.”
But the surge in infections, hospitalizations, and deaths tells a different story. And it suggests that Trump is increasingly out of step with the federal government’s own medical and public health experts.
The U.S. death toll, which stands at more than 156,000, is expected to accelerate. The latest composite forecast from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects an average of nearly 1,000 deaths per day through Aug. 22.
Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus task force coordinator, warned this week that the virus has become “extraordinarily widespread.”
Trump didn’t like that. He dismissed her comment as “pathetic” and charged she was capitulating to criticism from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had earlier criticized Birx.
Adm. Brett Giroir, the assistant secretary of Health and Human Services, who has avoided contradicting Trump throughout the crisis, said on Sunday it was time to “move on” from the debate over hydroxychloroquine, a drug Trump continues to promote as a COVID-19 treatment even though there is no clear evidence it is effective.
Dr. Robert Redfield, head of the CDC, last week acknowledged during an ABC News interview that the initial federal government response to the virus was too slow.
“It’s not a separation from the president, it’s a cavernous gap,” said Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert at Georgetown University. “What we’re seeing is that scientists will no longer be cowed by the White House.”
Until recently, the medical experts on the White House coronavirus task force have walked a tightrope. They have been pressing to deliver the best science to the public while trying to avoid appearing to directly contradict Trump — in hopes of maintaining influence in the decision-making process.
The effort has played out, at moments, as an awkward dance.
For months now, the West Wing has controlled the media schedule of Dr. Anthony Fauci, who drew the ire of Trump and his advisers in the early days of the pandemic because of the outsized media attention he received and his perceived willingness to contradict Trump, according to three White House officials and Republicans close to the West Wing not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations.
Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, has struck a far more cautious tone than Trump or any other member of the task force about the nation’s move to “reopen,” provoking the frustration of Trump, who sees a resurgent economy as key to winning another four years in office.
Birx, until recently, had largely stayed on Trump’s good side, though her rosy depictions of the pandemic fight drew recent skepticism from Democrats and other public health officials. But Trump also shredded Birx privately as well as in his public comments this week for not striking a more optimistic tone about states that are doing well and for saying she had “tremendous respect” for Trump’s rival Pelosi, the officials said.
Throughout the pandemic, some government public health officials have privately expressed to West Wing staffers that they are fearful of contradicting Trump even as they try to focus on the data and the science behind the administration’s response to the virus, officials said. But publicly, there has been a concerted effort to appear that the team and the Oval Office are speaking with one voice.
Redfield disputed on Monday that the health officials were looking to distance themselves from Trump.
“I don’t think that’s an accurate characterization,” Redfield said in an interview. He added, “I think we communicate freely and directly as we see the outbreak as members of the task force.”
On Monday, Trump seemed to walk back from his criticism that Birx was “taking the bait” from Pelosi and said that he had great respect for the doctor.
He suggested his frustration was spurred by his administration not receiving proper credit for testing so many people or for pushing to replenish the stockpile of ventilators early in the crisis. On Tuesday, he boasted that the U.S. has increased testing capacity by 32,000% since March 12 and has “far and away the most testing capacity in the world.” Trump in early March declared “anybody that needs a test gets a test.” Yet, in many parts of the country, it can still take a week or longer for patients to receive test results.
His positive self-evaluation gives short shrift to the fact that the U.S. has the world’s fourth highest per capita virus death rate, according to Johns Hopkins University’s coronavirus resource center.
In the Axios interview, Trump insisted that the appropriate statistic to judge the virus response is the ratio of deaths to cases. By that metric, the U.S. ranks 14th among the 20 countries most affected by COVID-19. Chile, India, Argentina, Russia, South Africa, and Bangladesh all have lower rates of deaths to infections, according to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins.
“It’s not a bragging right that over 3% in your country that’s infected is dying,” Georgetown University’s Gostin said.
Trump’s undercutting of his health advisers makes it all but impossible for the federal government to speak with a single authoritative voice at a time of national crisis, critics say.
“It’s a very dangerous place for the country to be,” said Kathleen Sebelius, health and human services secretary under President Barack Obama. “The reason I say it is very dangerous is that we continue to have a White House that has made a public health crisis in this country into a debate about whether people like Donald Trump or not. We have never seen a situation like this before, and we are paying the price.”


shareblue--2020-08-05--Kelly Loeffler cries 'cancel culture' after WNBA players back her Senate opponent

Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) complained on Tuesday after several players on the WNBA 's Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury wore warm-up shirts emblazoned with `` VOTE WARNOCK . ''
Rev .
Raphael Warnock is a Democratic challenger running for Senate against Loeffler .
`` This is just more proof that the out of control cancel culture wants to shut out anyone who disagrees with them , '' Loeffler , who is a co-owner of the Dream , said in a statement on Tuesday night .
She accused the WNBA of being `` more concerned with playing politics than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plays center for the Dream , said that the late Rep. John Lewis was her inspiration for taking a political stand .
`` We are @ wnba players , but like the late , great John Lewis said , we are also ordinary people with extraordinary vision , '' Williams tweeted on Tuesday along with a photo of her in a `` VOTE WARNOCK '' shirt .
Warnock `` has spent his life fighting for the people and we need him in Washington .
Join the movement for a better Georgia at www.Warnockforgeorgia.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been critical of players and the entire WNBA league for publicly supporting the anti-racist Black Lives Matter movement .
In July , Loeffler called on the WNBA to promote the American flag and reject its support for Black Lives Matter , saying the movement had a `` political agenda '' that `` sends a message of exclusion . ''
`` We need less — not more politics in sports , '' she said .
After her criticism , many players and the WNBA Players ' Association called for Loeffler to be removed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league rejected the idea .
League players have routinely worn shirts supporting Black Lives Matter during the season , but Tuesday was the first time players supported Loeffler 's challenger .
Warnock said that he was `` honored and humbled by the overwhelming support from the WNBA players '' and that Loeffler and those `` who seek to silence and dismiss others when they speak up for justice have planted themselves on the wrong side of history . ''
Some 63 % of Americans support the Black Lives Matter movement , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 21 .
In a Gallup poll released on July 28 , 65 % of Americans supported anti-racist protests taking place around the country following the death of George Floyd , a Black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes .
Loeffler , who was appointed to her position in early 2020 , faces a close race in Georgia .
She is being challenged by a fellow Republican , Rep. Doug Collins , as well as Warnock and other Democrats .
If none @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the vote on Nov. 3 , the top two will move on to a runoff election in early January 2021 .
In two polls released in July , no candidate reached even 30 % support .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) complained on Tuesday after several players on the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury wore warm-up shirts emblazoned with “VOTE WARNOCK.” Rev. Raphael Warnock is a Democratic challenger running for Senate against Loeffler.
“This is just more proof that the out of control cancel culture wants to shut out anyone who disagrees with them,” Loeffler, who is a co-owner of the Dream, said in a statement on Tuesday night. She accused the WNBA of being “more concerned with playing politics than basketball.”
Elizabeth Williams, who plays center for the Dream, said that the late Rep. John Lewis was her inspiration for taking a political stand.
“We are @wnba players, but like the late, great John Lewis said, we are also ordinary people with extraordinary vision,” Williams tweeted on Tuesday along with a photo of her in a “VOTE WARNOCK” shirt.
Warnock “has spent his life fighting for the people and we need him in Washington. Join the movement for a better Georgia at www.Warnockforgeorgia.com,” she added.
Loeffler has been critical of players and the entire WNBA league for publicly supporting the anti-racist Black Lives Matter movement.
In July, Loeffler called on the WNBA to promote the American flag and reject its support for Black Lives Matter, saying the movement had a “political agenda” that “sends a message of exclusion.” “We need less — not more politics in sports,” she said.
After her criticism, many players and the WNBA Players’ Association called for Loeffler to be removed as co-owner of the Dream, but the league rejected the idea.
League players have routinely worn shirts supporting Black Lives Matter during the season, but Tuesday was the first time players supported Loeffler’s challenger.
Warnock said that he was “honored and humbled by the overwhelming support from the WNBA players” and that Loeffler and those “who seek to silence and dismiss others when they speak up for justice have planted themselves on the wrong side of history.”
Some 63% of Americans support the Black Lives Matter movement, according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll released on July 21.
In a Gallup poll released on July 28, 65% of Americans supported anti-racist protests taking place around the country following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.
Loeffler, who was appointed to her position in early 2020, faces a close race in Georgia. She is being challenged by a fellow Republican, Rep. Doug Collins, as well as Warnock and other Democrats.
If none of the candidates garner more than 50% of the vote on Nov. 3, the top two will move on to a runoff election in early January 2021. In two polls released in July, no candidate reached even 30% support.
Cook Political Report lists the race as “Lean Republican.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-05--Leader of Ferguson protests ends longtime political dynasty in Missouri primary

Cori Bush , a onetime homeless woman who led protests following a white police officer 's fatal shooting of a Black 18-year-old in Ferguson , Missouri , ousted longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay Tuesday in the state 's Democratic primary , ending a political dynasty that has spanned more than a half-century .
Bush 's victory came in a rematch of 2018 , when she failed to capitalize on a national Democratic wave that favored political newcomers such as Bush 's friend , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
But this time around , Bush 's supporters said protests over the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis and outrage over racial injustice finally pushed her over the edge .
An emotional Bush , speaking to supporters while wearing a mask , said few people expected her to win .
`` They counted us out , '' she said .
`` They called me — I 'm just the protester , I 'm just the activist with no name , no title , and no real money .
That 's all they said that I was .
But St. Louis showed up today . ''
Bush 's campaign spokeswoman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district were `` galvanized . ''
`` They 're ready to turn the page on decades of failed leadership , '' Korth said .
Bush , 44 , also had backing from political action committee Justice Democrats and Fight Corporate Monopolies this election .
She campaigned for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during his presidential bid .
Bush 's primary win essentially guarantees her a seat in Congress representing the heavily Democratic St. Louis area .
Missouri 's 1st Congressional District , which encompasses Ferguson , has been represented by Clay or his father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 32 years before retiring in 2000 .
William Lacy Clay , 64 , was elected that year .
Clay did n't face a serious challenger until Bush .
This year , he ran on his decades-long record in Congress .
`` This election is a simple choice , '' Clay said in a statement on Monday .
`` Cori Bush 's Empty Rhetoric , or my record of real results and real reforms for the people . ''
Both Clay and Bush are Black , and Black residents slightly outnumber whites in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Louis County .
Bush became ill while pregnant with her second child in 2001 and had to quit her job at a preschool .
When she and her then-husband were evicted from a rental home , the couple , their newborn , and their 14-month-old son lived out of a Ford Explorer for several months .
Eventually , the couple divorced .
Bush earned a nursing degree .
She also became a pastor .
Michael Brown 's death in 2014 in Ferguson vaulted her into another role : activist .
She became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests that followed the fatal police shooting of the Black , unarmed 18-year-old .
She was back on the streets in 2017 after a white St. Louis officer was acquitted in the shooting death of a Black suspect .
`` She 's being buoyed by this movement , and the movement 's origin is in Ferguson , '' Justice Democrats spokesman Waleed Shahid said .

Cori Bush, a onetime homeless woman who led protests following a white police officer’s fatal shooting of a Black 18-year-old in Ferguson, Missouri, ousted longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay Tuesday in the state’s Democratic primary, ending a political dynasty that has spanned more than a half-century.
Bush’s victory came in a rematch of 2018, when she failed to capitalize on a national Democratic wave that favored political newcomers such as Bush’s friend, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
But this time around, Bush’s supporters said protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis and outrage over racial injustice finally pushed her over the edge.
An emotional Bush, speaking to supporters while wearing a mask, said few people expected her to win.
“They counted us out,” she said. “They called me — I’m just the protester, I’m just the activist with no name, no title, and no real money. That’s all they said that I was. But St. Louis showed up today.”
Bush’s campaign spokeswoman, Keenan Korth, said voters in the district were “galvanized.”
“They’re ready to turn the page on decades of failed leadership,” Korth said.
Bush, 44, also had backing from political action committee Justice Democrats and Fight Corporate Monopolies this election. She campaigned for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during his presidential bid.
Bush’s primary win essentially guarantees her a seat in Congress representing the heavily Democratic St. Louis area. Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, which encompasses Ferguson, has been represented by Clay or his father for a half-century. Bill Clay served 32 years before retiring in 2000. William Lacy Clay, 64, was elected that year.
Clay didn’t face a serious challenger until Bush. This year, he ran on his decades-long record in Congress.
“This election is a simple choice,” Clay said in a statement on Monday. “Cori Bush’s Empty Rhetoric, or my record of real results and real reforms for the people.”
Both Clay and Bush are Black, and Black residents slightly outnumber whites in the district that includes St. Louis and north St. Louis County.
Bush became ill while pregnant with her second child in 2001 and had to quit her job at a preschool. When she and her then-husband were evicted from a rental home, the couple, their newborn, and their 14-month-old son lived out of a Ford Explorer for several months.
Eventually, the couple divorced. Bush earned a nursing degree. She also became a pastor.
Michael Brown’s death in 2014 in Ferguson vaulted her into another role: activist. She became a leader of some of the many protests that followed the fatal police shooting of the Black, unarmed 18-year-old. She was back on the streets in 2017 after a white St. Louis officer was acquitted in the shooting death of a Black suspect.
She continues to lead protests.
“She’s being buoyed by this movement, and the movement’s origin is in Ferguson,” Justice Democrats spokesman Waleed Shahid said.


shareblue--2020-08-05--Indicted GOP congressman loses despite Trump and Pence endorsements

Rep. Steve Watkins ( R-KS ) lost his primary bid on Tuesday , despite running with endorsements from both Donald Trump and Mike Pence .
His defeat comes just weeks after he was indicted for felony voter fraud .
Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner defeated Watkins for the Republican nomination in Kansas 's 2nd Congressional District , 49.1 % to 34.1 % .
LaTurner will now face Democratic Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla in November .
Watkins was indicted last month on three felony counts of voter fraud .
Prosecutors alleged he illegally registered to vote using the address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his home address .
Watkins has admitted to voting with the wrong address , but minimized it an inadvertent mistake .
He `` temporarily and voluntarily '' agreed to give up his House committee assignments after the indictment , saying this would allow him to `` fight these bogus charges . ''
This was not the first ethics controversy for the first-term Republican congressman .
During his 2018 campaign , a woman accused Watkins of having locked the door of a room to make unwelcome sexual advances in 2006 .
His campaign denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watkins also faced questions during that campaign about whether he inflated his resume , after he falsely suggested he owned and built up a defense contracting company from scratch .
Despite those earlier controversies , Watkins was named a Kansas co-chair of the Trump-Pence 2020 reelection campaign in November .
Watkins played up this honorary position in campaign ads and in his stump speeches .
He also highlighted endorsements from Trump and Pence prominently on his campaign website .
Pence recorded a video endorsement message last September , thanking Kansans for supporting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the July indictment , Trump and Pence did nothing to disavow Watkins .
A campaign spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story about whether Watkins remains a Kansas co-chair .
Trump memorably bragged last month about the value of his endorsements , falsely claiming to be `` 88 and 2 ( really 1 ) in ENDORSEMENTS this election cycle . ''
In reality , voters have repeatedly rejected his advice — even in many Republican nomination contests .
In addition to Watkins , voters broke with Trump in primaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3rd Congressional District , Virginia 's 5th Congressional District , Kentucky 's 4th Congressional District , North Carolina 's 11th Congressional District , and the North Dakota treasurer 's race — and in a non-partisan Wisconsin Supreme Court race .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Rep. Steve Watkins (R-KS) lost his primary bid on Tuesday, despite running with endorsements from both Donald Trump and Mike Pence.
His defeat comes just weeks after he was indicted for felony voter fraud.
Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner defeated Watkins for the Republican nomination in Kansas’s 2nd Congressional District, 49.1% to 34.1%. LaTurner will now face Democratic Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla in November.
Watkins was indicted last month on three felony counts of voter fraud. Prosecutors alleged he illegally registered to vote using the address of a UPS storefront, rather than his home address. Watkins has admitted to voting with the wrong address, but minimized it an inadvertent mistake.
He “temporarily and voluntarily” agreed to give up his House committee assignments after the indictment, saying this would allow him to “fight these bogus charges.”
This was not the first ethics controversy for the first-term Republican congressman.
During his 2018 campaign, a woman accused Watkins of having locked the door of a room to make unwelcome sexual advances in 2006. His campaign denied those allegations as “preposterous.”
Watkins also faced questions during that campaign about whether he inflated his resume, after he falsely suggested he owned and built up a defense contracting company from scratch.
Despite those earlier controversies, Watkins was named a Kansas co-chair of the Trump-Pence 2020 reelection campaign in November. Watkins played up this honorary position in campaign ads and in his stump speeches.
He also highlighted endorsements from Trump and Pence prominently on his campaign website. Pence recorded a video endorsement message last September, thanking Kansans for supporting the “awesome” Watkins.
Even after the July indictment, Trump and Pence did nothing to disavow Watkins.
A campaign spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story about whether Watkins remains a Kansas co-chair.
Trump memorably bragged last month about the value of his endorsements, falsely claiming to be “88 and 2 (really 1) in ENDORSEMENTS this election cycle.”
In reality, voters have repeatedly rejected his advice — even in many Republican nomination contests.
In addition to Watkins, voters broke with Trump in primaries or caucuses this year in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, and the North Dakota treasurer’s race — and in a non-partisan Wisconsin Supreme Court race.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-06--Trump denounces coronavirus evictions after long record of evicting his own tenants

Donald Trump on Monday said he opposed the expiration of an eviction moratorium in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I do n't want people to be evicted , '' Trump said at a news conference when asked if he was considering signing an executive order to halt evictions .
`` And , you know , when they 're evicted , when they 're thrown out of there , whatever the place may be , in many cases , they go to big shelters .
And if you talk about pandemic , this is a pandemic , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they 're thrown out viciously .
It 's not their fault — it 's China 's fault .
It 's not anybody 's fault — it 's China 's fault . ''
Trump said he would sign an executive order if Congress did n't extend the moratorium .
But Trump has a long history of evicting tenants from his real estate properties — many of them poor , elderly , or sick .
A number of the forceful evictions took place in the 1980s , when Trump owned rental properties in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of properties , according to American Bridge , a Democratic research group .
In 1980 , the Trump Organization evicted 74-year-old bedridden stroke victim Mary Filan from her Queens apartment , taking her belongings such as a `` sofa , chairs , TV , jewelry , dishes , and silverware '' and bringing them to a dump , the Village Voice reported at the time .
Filan 's belongings were broken beyond repair .
`` They said they 'd come to put me on the street because I owed four months ' rent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The last thing I got from Trump was a bill for $ 10.20 about two weeks ago , and I sent that .
They just want me out because they can get twice as much rent , '' Filan said about the incident .
Also in the 1980s , Trump tried to force out tenants of 100 Central Park South — which he wanted to revamp — with forceful tactics .
`` [ Trump ] brought specious lawsuits against some of them , and judges have thrown these out , charging him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 'intimidation ' — in one case ordering young Donald to pay the tenant 's legal fees , '' the New York Times wrote .
`` Also , he proposed putting some of the city 's homeless people into the dozen or so apartments he has already emptied in the building . ''
One of those tenants was James Galef , who had lived in the building since he as born .
`` On Jan. 1 , 1982 , 10 months after Mr. Trump bought the 15-story building , Mr. Galef received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the apartment to its original condition within 10 days or face immediate eviction , '' the New York Times wrote of Galef 's treatment by Trump .
`` This meant , [ Galef ] said , that he had to replace a wall that had been torn down in 1955 , before he was born . ''
And in the early 2000s , Trump tried to evict tenants from a hotel he purchased on Park Avenue in New York so he could renovate it .
According to a New York Times report , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 17 remaining tenants . ''
`` Donald Trump , not China , allowed coronavirus to wreck our country by mismanaging the response .
Tragically , the downstream effect of an economy in ruins is housing insecurity , '' Kyle Morse , an American Bridge 21st Century spokesperson , said in a statement .
`` Trump 's history of brutal evictions and his White House ’ s refusal to seriously negotiate on a coronavirus relief package proves how little he cares about the millions of unemployed Americans and whether they have a roof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 28 million people may be kicked out of their homes if the current eviction moratorium is not extended , Reuters reported .
But an executive order extending the eviction moratorium would n't be necessary if Senate Republicans had considered a bill passed in the House months ago .
Led by Democrats , the House passed a bill on May 15 extending the eviction moratorium as well as extending the $ 600 weekly unemployment insurance boost , giving more direct payments to Americans , and appropriating aid for state and local governments and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pass House Democrats ' legislation and would n't even engage in negotiations with Democrats until days before the eviction moratorium was set to expire on July 25 .
Democrats are currently negotiating with the White House to try to find terms for a coronavirus relief package that Senate Republicans will agree to .
A major hold-up includes a boost to unemployment insurance .
Democrats are standing firm in their demand that Congress pass $ 600 a weekly unemployment insurance boost , while the Trump administration and Senate Republicans want to drastically cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Monday said he opposed the expiration of an eviction moratorium in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I don’t want people to be evicted,” Trump said at a news conference when asked if he was considering signing an executive order to halt evictions. “And, you know, when they’re evicted, when they’re thrown out of there, whatever the place may be, in many cases, they go to big shelters. And if you talk about pandemic, this is a pandemic, and they go to shelters. Number one, they’re thrown out viciously. It’s not their fault — it’s China’s fault. It’s not anybody’s fault — it’s China’s fault.”
Trump said he would sign an executive order if Congress didn’t extend the moratorium.
But Trump has a long history of evicting tenants from his real estate properties — many of them poor, elderly, or sick.
A number of the forceful evictions took place in the 1980s, when Trump owned rental properties in New York and tried to expand his portfolio of properties, according to American Bridge, a Democratic research group.
In 1980, the Trump Organization evicted 74-year-old bedridden stroke victim Mary Filan from her Queens apartment, taking her belongings such as a “sofa, chairs, TV, jewelry, dishes, and silverware” and bringing them to a dump, the Village Voice reported at the time. Filan’s belongings were broken beyond repair.
“They said they’d come to put me on the street because I owed four months’ rent. I don’t owe back rent. The last thing I got from Trump was a bill for $10.20 about two weeks ago, and I sent that. They just want me out because they can get twice as much rent,” Filan said about the incident.
Also in the 1980s, Trump tried to force out tenants of 100 Central Park South — which he wanted to revamp — with forceful tactics.
“[Trump] brought specious lawsuits against some of them, and judges have thrown these out, charging him with ‘bad faith,’ ‘harassment’ and ‘intimidation’ — in one case ordering young Donald to pay the tenant’s legal fees,” the New York Times wrote. “Also, he proposed putting some of the city’s homeless people into the dozen or so apartments he has already emptied in the building.”
One of those tenants was James Galef, who had lived in the building since he as born.
“On Jan. 1, 1982, 10 months after Mr. Trump bought the 15-story building, Mr. Galef received a notice that said he had to restore the apartment to its original condition within 10 days or face immediate eviction,” the New York Times wrote of Galef’s treatment by Trump. “This meant, [Galef] said, that he had to replace a wall that had been torn down in 1955, before he was born.”
And in the early 2000s, Trump tried to evict tenants from a hotel he purchased on Park Avenue in New York so he could renovate it. According to a New York Times report, he “sought to evict 3 of the 17 remaining tenants.”
“Donald Trump, not China, allowed coronavirus to wreck our country by mismanaging the response. Tragically, the downstream effect of an economy in ruins is housing insecurity,” Kyle Morse, an American Bridge 21st Century spokesperson, said in a statement. “Trump’s history of brutal evictions and his White House’s refusal to seriously negotiate on a coronavirus relief package proves how little he cares about the millions of unemployed Americans and whether they have a roof over their head.”
As many as 28 million people may be kicked out of their homes if the current eviction moratorium is not extended, Reuters reported.
But an executive order extending the eviction moratorium wouldn’t be necessary if Senate Republicans had considered a bill passed in the House months ago.
Led by Democrats, the House passed a bill on May 15 extending the eviction moratorium as well as extending the $600 weekly unemployment insurance boost, giving more direct payments to Americans, and appropriating aid for state and local governments and food stamps.
But Senate Republicans refused to pass House Democrats’ legislation and wouldn’t even engage in negotiations with Democrats until days before the eviction moratorium was set to expire on July 25.
Democrats are currently negotiating with the White House to try to find terms for a coronavirus relief package that Senate Republicans will agree to.
A major hold-up includes a boost to unemployment insurance. Democrats are standing firm in their demand that Congress pass $600 a weekly unemployment insurance boost, while the Trump administration and Senate Republicans want to drastically cut those payments.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-06--Local health official defies GOP governor to keep schools shut down

A Montgomery County , Maryland , health official on Wednesday defied Gov .
Larry Hogan 's emergency order banning local health officials in the state from mandating school closing by declaring that `` nonpublic '' schools in his county must remain closed to in-person instruction at least through Oct. 1 .
In his `` Health Officer Directive and Order Regarding Nonpublic Schools , '' Dr. Travis Gayles , Montgomery County 's chief of public health services , wrote that `` the current surveillance and epidemiological data do not support the safe reopening of schools for in-person instruction in any capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous order requiring all private and religious schools in the county to remain closed , issued on July 31 , was overruled by Hogan on Monday .
Hogan amended a statewide emergency order in order to prohibit local health officials from making broad decisions on school closures .
`` The blanket closure mandate imposed by Montgomery County was overly broad and inconsistent with the powers intended to be delegated to the county health officer , '' Hogan said in a statement .
`` One thing that I think has been lost in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustrating — is that the purpose behind what we 're doing is to keep kids safe , and to keep staff members safe and family members at home , '' Gayles said at a press briefing shortly before he issued the new order .
Maryland experienced statewide increases in the number of new coronavirus cases over the summer after Hogan allowed many businesses to reopen .
On July 20 , health officials from several counties , including Montgomery , urged Hogan to `` take action to curb these trends , including revisiting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In response , Hogan 's spokesperson said the governor was `` prepared to take action , '' but blamed the rising number of cases on `` a small segment of bad actors . ''
As of Thursday , the daily number of new coronavirus cases in Maryland had increased by 19 % over the past week compared to the previous week , according to the New York Times .
Montgomery County has seen 674 new cases in the past seven days , and the county has averaged one death per day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statewide order to close schools on March 12 , the entire state of Maryland was averaging one new case per week , according to data from the Times .
Some parents in Montgomery County have filed a lawsuit over the school closures .
Kim Beahn , a plaintiff in the suit whose three children attend a private religious school , told WTOP that they were feeling `` depressed , and confused , and very frustrated '' at the possibility of not returning to the classroom .
`` I ca n't even imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fall and winter with no sports , no school , no social interaction , '' she added .
Several schools across the country that have reopened have already experienced coronavirus outbreaks .
One school in Indiana was forced to quarantine nearly 50 students after several students tested positive .
On Monday , a second-grader at a Cherokee County school in Georgia tested positive for coronavirus on the first day of school .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A Montgomery County, Maryland, health official on Wednesday defied Gov. Larry Hogan’s emergency order banning local health officials in the state from mandating school closing by declaring that “nonpublic” schools in his county must remain closed to in-person instruction at least through Oct. 1.
In his “Health Officer Directive and Order Regarding Nonpublic Schools,” Dr. Travis Gayles, Montgomery County’s chief of public health services, wrote that “the current surveillance and epidemiological data do not support the safe reopening of schools for in-person instruction in any capacity in Montgomery County.”
Gayles’ previous order requiring all private and religious schools in the county to remain closed, issued on July 31, was overruled by Hogan on Monday.
Hogan amended a statewide emergency order in order to prohibit local health officials from making broad decisions on school closures. “The blanket closure mandate imposed by Montgomery County was overly broad and inconsistent with the powers intended to be delegated to the county health officer,” Hogan said in a statement.
“One thing that I think has been lost in this conversation — and it is a little frustrating — is that the purpose behind what we’re doing is to keep kids safe, and to keep staff members safe and family members at home,” Gayles said at a press briefing shortly before he issued the new order.
Maryland experienced statewide increases in the number of new coronavirus cases over the summer after Hogan allowed many businesses to reopen. On July 20, health officials from several counties, including Montgomery, urged Hogan to “take action to curb these trends, including revisiting the activities allowed” under his executive orders.
In response, Hogan’s spokesperson said the governor was “prepared to take action,” but blamed the rising number of cases on “a small segment of bad actors.”
As of Thursday, the daily number of new coronavirus cases in Maryland had increased by 19% over the past week compared to the previous week, according to the New York Times. Montgomery County has seen 674 new cases in the past seven days, and the county has averaged one death per day in the same period.
When Hogan issued a statewide order to close schools on March 12, the entire state of Maryland was averaging one new case per week, according to data from the Times.
Some parents in Montgomery County have filed a lawsuit over the school closures. Kim Beahn, a plaintiff in the suit whose three children attend a private religious school, told WTOP that they were feeling “depressed, and confused, and very frustrated” at the possibility of not returning to the classroom.
“I can’t even imagine going into the cold, dark days of fall and winter with no sports, no school, no social interaction,” she added.
Several schools across the country that have reopened have already experienced coronavirus outbreaks. One school in Indiana was forced to quarantine nearly 50 students after several students tested positive.
On Monday, a second-grader at a Cherokee County school in Georgia tested positive for coronavirus on the first day of school.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-06--Trump claims Biden will somehow 'hurt the Bible, hurt God' if elected

Donald Trump claimed on Thursday that former Vice President Joe Biden would `` hurt the Bible , hurt God '' if he is elected president .
Trump also falsely claimed that Biden , who is a practicing Catholic , wants `` no religion '' and seeks to `` take away your guns '' and `` destroy your Second Amendment . ''
Shortly after Trump made his remarks , the Biden campaign responded .
`` Trump is the only president in our history to have tear-gassed peaceful Americans and thrown a priest out of his church just so he could profane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own cynical optics , '' Biden spokesman Andrew Bates said in a press release .
In June , military police used tear gas on peaceful protesters in in Lafayette Park , across from the White House , so that Trump could walk through the area to pose in front of St. John 's Episcopal Church holding a Bible .
The Right Rev .
Mariann Budde , bishop of the church , later testified to Congress that Trump 's actions were an `` usurpation of our sacred space . ''
Trump has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bible .
During the 2016 campaign , he infamously mispronounced a book from the New Testament , citing `` Two Corinthians . ''
Despite repeatedly claiming that the Bible is his favorite book , he has been unwilling to name any verses from it .
DONALD TRUMP : Joe Biden 's policies put China first and America last , and that 's what he 'll continue to do if he ever got the shot .
And you will have a disruption in the markets the likes of which our country has never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the markets because he 's going to double and triple your taxes , he 's going to do things that nobody ever would think even possible .
Because he 's following the radical left agenda .
Take away your guns , destroy your Second Amendment , no religion , no anything , hurt the Bible , hurt God .
He 's against God , he 's against guns , he 's against energy , our kind of energy .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump claimed on Thursday that former Vice President Joe Biden would “hurt the Bible, hurt God” if he is elected president. Trump also falsely claimed that Biden, who is a practicing Catholic, wants “no religion” and seeks to “take away your guns” and “destroy your Second Amendment.”
Shortly after Trump made his remarks, the Biden campaign responded.
“Trump is the only president in our history to have tear-gassed peaceful Americans and thrown a priest out of his church just so he could profane it — and a Bible — for his own cynical optics,” Biden spokesman Andrew Bates said in a press release.
In June, military police used tear gas on peaceful protesters in in Lafayette Park, across from the White House, so that Trump could walk through the area to pose in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church holding a Bible.
The Right Rev. Mariann Budde, bishop of the church, later testified to Congress that Trump’s actions were an “usurpation of our sacred space.”
Trump has also struggled to prove his own familiarity with the Bible. During the 2016 campaign, he infamously mispronounced a book from the New Testament, citing “Two Corinthians.”
Despite repeatedly claiming that the Bible is his favorite book, he has been unwilling to name any verses from it.
From an Aug. 6 rally:
DONALD TRUMP: Joe Biden’s policies put China first and America last, and that’s what he’ll continue to do if he ever got the shot. And you will have a disruption in the markets the likes of which our country has never seen. You will have a crash in the markets because he’s going to double and triple your taxes, he’s going to do things that nobody ever would think even possible. Because he’s following the radical left agenda. Take away your guns, destroy your Second Amendment, no religion, no anything, hurt the Bible, hurt God. He’s against God, he’s against guns, he’s against energy, our kind of energy.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-06--Head of US elections to McConnell: Fund this election now to avoid 'devastating failure'

Federal Election Commissioner Ellen Weintraub called on Donald Trump and Congress to provide adequate funding for the 2020 election in a sharply worded public statement released on Thursday .
`` Mr. President , Members of Congress , should you fail to provide the funds America needs for its elections , you will be derelict in your duty to your country , '' Weintraub wrote .
A lack of federal funding `` would be a devastating failure to protect our democracy in a moment of historic need . ''
The nation 's top election official emphasized that money was needed soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe and can process all the ballots America 's voters will mail in , '' adding that after a year filled with a pandemic and economic turmoil , `` the last thing American needs is to end the year with an electoral crisis . ''
In May , the House of Representatives passed a coronavirus relief bill that included $ 3.6 billion for states to prepare for the upcoming election , which included funding for election security .
The bill also included $ 25 billion for the U.S .
Postal Service , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots during the election .
For months after the House vote , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to bring up that bill for a vote , negotiate with House leaders , or pass a separate coronavirus relief bill through the Republican-controlled Senate .
When McConnell released a relief package on July 27 , the bill contained no money at all to help prepare for the 2020 election .
`` Federal funding for safe elections can make sure we avoid a democracy crisis in November , '' Michael Waldman , president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May .
`` Time matters .
Officials ca n't just walk into a Staples in November and pick up the necessary equipment .
They face ordering and purchasing deadlines that started this month . ''
Weintraub 's statement was released as the White House and Democratic leaders are negotiating the terms of a coronavirus relief package .
Details of any potential deal have not emerged , but Politico reported on Wednesday that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is taking a hard line on the House priorities .
Americans who want to avoid a crisis in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loudly clearly , and immediately — to your elected representatives and call upon them to fund this election , '' Weintraub said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Federal Election Commissioner Ellen Weintraub called on Donald Trump and Congress to provide adequate funding for the 2020 election in a sharply worded public statement released on Thursday.
“Mr. President, Members of Congress, should you fail to provide the funds America needs for its elections, you will be derelict in your duty to your country,” Weintraub wrote. A lack of federal funding “would be a devastating failure to protect our democracy in a moment of historic need.”
The nation’s top election official emphasized that money was needed soon so states “can keep in-person voting safe and can process all the ballots America’s voters will mail in,” adding that after a year filled with a pandemic and economic turmoil, “the last thing American needs is to end the year with an electoral crisis.”
In May, the House of Representatives passed a coronavirus relief bill that included $3.6 billion for states to prepare for the upcoming election, which included funding for election security. The bill also included $25 billion for the U.S. Postal Service, which will play a critical role in delivering ballots during the election.
For months after the House vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to bring up that bill for a vote, negotiate with House leaders, or pass a separate coronavirus relief bill through the Republican-controlled Senate.
When McConnell released a relief package on July 27, the bill contained no money at all to help prepare for the 2020 election.
“Federal funding for safe elections can make sure we avoid a democracy crisis in November,” Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice, said in May. “Time matters. Officials can’t just walk into a Staples in November and pick up the necessary equipment. They face ordering and purchasing deadlines that started this month.”
Weintraub’s statement was released as the White House and Democratic leaders are negotiating the terms of a coronavirus relief package. Details of any potential deal have not emerged, but Politico reported on Wednesday that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is taking a hard line on the House priorities.
Americans who want to avoid a crisis in November should “make that known — loudly clearly, and immediately — to your elected representatives and call upon them to fund this election,” Weintraub said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-06--Trump says Asians 'understand exactly' why he uses racist terms for coronavirus

Donald Trump on Thursday defended his repeated use of a racist term to refer to the coronavirus , baselessly suggesting that Asian Americans are fine with it .
Radio host Geraldo Rivera , interviewing Trump on his `` Geraldo in Cleveland '' program , asked Trump about his repeated use of the phrase `` China virus . ''
Rivera said he had `` some Asian friends '' who object to the `` racial overtone '' of the term .
Trump quickly dismissed the premise of the question .
`` No , I tell you , I do too have great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it is that we 're doing and saying .
And they understand how China has hurt our country , you know , very much . ''
In the early days of the pandemic , Trump began using the term `` Chinese virus '' — even when it was not included in his prepared remarks .
In an interview in March , Trump said he would stop the practice .
`` I do n't regret it , but they accused us of having done it through our soldiers , they said our soldiers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a thing is that ? ''
he told Fox News .
`` Look , everyone knows it came out of China , but I decided we should n't make any more of a big deal out of it .
I think I made a big deal .
I think people understand it . ''
By late May , he had started using the term again , and he has n't stopped since .
At a campaign rally in June , he also used the term `` kung-flu '' to describe the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conway had been pushed to call `` very hurtful '' and `` highly offensive . ''
Public health experts have warned against naming viruses after geographic locations , with the World Health Organization urging the use of names based on the effects of the viruses themselves `` to follow best practices in naming new human infectious diseases to minimize unnecessary negative effects on nations , economies and people . ''
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that `` stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationality , even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease . ''
Asian and Asian American people have experienced a rise in hate crimes since the start of the pandemic .
John C. Yang , executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice , told NBC News this week that politicians using terms like `` China virus '' have stoked `` misinformation and fear . ''
`` Our community is struggling to cope with COVID-19 xenophobic attacks while also being one of the communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Polls show that Trump is wrong about his level of support among Asian Americans .
A recent Navigator poll found 66 % of Asian Americans who are registered to vote disapprove of his handling of the pandemic , compared to just 32 % who approve .
More than three-quarters of those surveyed said Trump 's `` words and actions '' have put people 's lives at risk .
The vast majority of Americans disagree with Trump 's racist language choices as well .
According to a Hill-HarrisX poll released in mid-July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is inappropriate to use terms like `` China virus '' and `` kung-flu . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Thursday defended his repeated use of a racist term to refer to the coronavirus, baselessly suggesting that Asian Americans are fine with it.
Radio host Geraldo Rivera, interviewing Trump on his “Geraldo in Cleveland” program, asked Trump about his repeated use of the phrase “China virus.” Rivera said he had “some Asian friends” who object to the “racial overtone” of the term.
Trump quickly dismissed the premise of the question.
“No, I tell you, I do too have great Asian support. And they understand exactly what it is that we’re doing and saying. And they understand how China has hurt our country, you know, very much.”
In the early days of the pandemic, Trump began using the term “Chinese virus” — even when it was not included in his prepared remarks.
In an interview in March, Trump said he would stop the practice. “I don’t regret it, but they accused us of having done it through our soldiers, they said our soldiers did it on purpose, what kind of a thing is that?” he told Fox News. “Look, everyone knows it came out of China, but I decided we shouldn’t make any more of a big deal out of it. I think I made a big deal. I think people understand it.”
By late May, he had started using the term again, and he hasn’t stopped since. At a campaign rally in June, he also used the term “kung-flu” to describe the virus — which even White House counselor Kellyanne Conway had been pushed to call “very hurtful” and “highly offensive.”
Public health experts have warned against naming viruses after geographic locations, with the World Health Organization urging the use of names based on the effects of the viruses themselves “to follow best practices in naming new human infectious diseases to minimize unnecessary negative effects on nations, economies and people.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that “stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease.”
Asian and Asian American people have experienced a rise in hate crimes since the start of the pandemic.
John C. Yang, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, told NBC News this week that politicians using terms like “China virus” have stoked “misinformation and fear.”
“Our community is struggling to cope with COVID-19 xenophobic attacks while also being one of the communities most affected by it,” he said.
Polls show that Trump is wrong about his level of support among Asian Americans. A recent Navigator poll found 66% of Asian Americans who are registered to vote disapprove of his handling of the pandemic, compared to just 32% who approve. More than three-quarters of those surveyed said Trump’s “words and actions” have put people’s lives at risk.
The vast majority of Americans disagree with Trump’s racist language choices as well.
According to a Hill-HarrisX poll released in mid-July, 66% of registered voters say it is inappropriate to use terms like “China virus” and “kung-flu.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-06--Jerry Falwell Jr. 'sorry' for his unzipped pants in photo with wife's assistant

Evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr. was forced to apologize after he posted a scandalous photo with his wife 's assistant on a yacht in which both of their pants are unzipped and their stomachs are exposed .
`` She 's pregnant , so she could n't get her pants up .
And I had on pair of jeans that I had n't worn in a long time so I could n't get mine zipped either .
And so I just put my belly out like hers , '' Falwell said Thursday on a local talk radio show , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the photo .
`` I 've promised my kids I 'm going to try to be a good boy from here on out , '' Falwell said , adding that his wife 's assistant is a `` sweetheart '' and that he regrets having `` embarrassed her . ''
This is not the first time Falwell — an early supporter of Donald Trump 's — has found himself caught up in a scandal about racy photos .
In October 2019 , Falwell settled a case with a male pool attendant at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexually compromising photographs involving the Falwells , '' the New York Times reported .
Michael Cohen , Trump 's former lawyer and fixer , helped Falwell keep the alleged photos private .
Falwell 's issue with sexually explicit photos comes as his work preaches abstinence and so-called `` family values . ''
Liberty University , the evangelical Christian Liberty University where Falwell Jr. serves as president , has an `` honor code '' that includes a commitment from students to `` promote our commitment to Biblical principles of abstinence and purity . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked marriage equality through his work at Liberty , writing in an op-ed for Christian Newswire that his university `` believes that marriage between one man and one woman provides the best environment for children . ''
He has vowed to remove the school from any federal programs that ban LGBTQ discrimination .
Falwell has come under fire this year for other reasons as well .
In early March , at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic , Falwell falsely called the virus an `` attempt to get Trump . ''
Falwell went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic raged on — leading to an uproar from professors and students on the campus .
And in late June , as racial justice protests swept the nation , Black graduates of Liberty spoke out about racism on the campus .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr. was forced to apologize after he posted a scandalous photo with his wife’s assistant on a yacht in which both of their pants are unzipped and their stomachs are exposed.
“She’s pregnant, so she couldn’t get her pants up. And I had on pair of jeans that I hadn’t worn in a long time so I couldn’t get mine zipped either. And so I just put my belly out like hers,” Falwell said Thursday on a local talk radio show, adding that he’s “apologized to everybody” for the photo.
“I’ve promised my kids I’m going to try to be a good boy from here on out,” Falwell said, adding that his wife’s assistant is a “sweetheart” and that he regrets having “embarrassed her.”
wut is happening pic.twitter.com/8iEOr9EeRQ — Robert Downen (@RobertDownen_) August 3, 2020
This is not the first time Falwell — an early supporter of Donald Trump’s — has found himself caught up in a scandal about racy photos.
In October 2019, Falwell settled a case with a male pool attendant at a hotel in Miami Beach over alleged “sexually compromising photographs involving the Falwells,” the New York Times reported.
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, helped Falwell keep the alleged photos private.
Falwell’s issue with sexually explicit photos comes as his work preaches abstinence and so-called “family values.”
Liberty University, the evangelical Christian Liberty University where Falwell Jr. serves as president, has an “honor code” that includes a commitment from students to “promote our commitment to Biblical principles of abstinence and purity.”
Amid his sex scandals, Falwell has attacked marriage equality through his work at Liberty, writing in an op-ed for Christian Newswire that his university “believes that marriage between one man and one woman provides the best environment for children.” He has vowed to remove the school from any federal programs that ban LGBTQ discrimination.
Falwell has come under fire this year for other reasons as well.
In early March, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Falwell falsely called the virus an “attempt to get Trump.” Falwell went on to reopen the school even as the pandemic raged on — leading to an uproar from professors and students on the campus.
And in late June, as racial justice protests swept the nation, Black graduates of Liberty spoke out about racism on the campus.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.