shareblue--2020-12-01--Barr: No evidence of fraud that would change the fact Trump lost

Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday the Justice Department has not uncovered evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election .
His comments come despite Donald Trump 's repeated claims that the election was stolen , and his refusal to concede his loss to President-Elect Joe Biden .
In an interview with the Associated Press , Barr said U.S. attorneys and FBI agents have been working to follow up specific complaints and information they 've received , but they 've uncovered no evidence that would change the outcome of the election .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election , '' Barr told the AP .
The comments are especially direct coming from Barr , who has been one of Trump 's most ardent allies .
Before the election , he had repeatedly raised the notion that mail-in voter fraud could be especially vulnerable to fraud during the coronavirus pandemic as Americans feared going to polls and instead chose to vote by mail .
Last month , Barr issued a directive to U.S. attorneys across the country allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' of voting irregularities , if they existed , before the 2020 presidential election was certified , despite no evidence at that time of widespread fraud .
That memorandum gave prosecutors the ability to go around longstanding Justice Department policy that normally would prohibit such overt actions before the election was certified .
Soon after it was issued , the department 's top elections crime official announced he would step aside from that position because of the memo .
The Trump campaign team led by Rudy Giuliani has been alleging a widespread conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes into the system with no evidence .
They have filed multiple lawsuits in battleground states alleging that partisan poll watchers did n't have a clear enough view at polling sites in some locations and therefore something illegal must have happened .
The claims have been repeatedly dismissed including by Republican judges who have ruled the suits lacked evidence .
Local Republicans in some battleground states have followed Trump in making similar unsupported claims .
Trump has railed against the election in tweets and in interviews though his own administration has said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump recently allowed his administration to begin the transition over to Biden , but has still refused to admit he lost .
The issues Trump 's campaign and its allies have pointed to are typical in every election : Problems with signatures , secrecy envelopes and postal marks on mail-in ballots , as well as the potential for a small number of ballots miscast or lost .
But they 've also requested federal probes into the claims .
Attorney Sidney Powell has spun fictional tales of election systems flipping votes , German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ software created in Venezuela `` at the direction of Hugo Chavez , '' – the late Venezuelan president who died in 2013 .
Powell has since been removed from the legal team after an interview she gave where she threatened to `` blow up '' Georgia with a `` biblical '' court filing .
Barr did n't name Powell specifically but said : `` There 's been one assertion that would be systemic fraud and that would be the claim that machines were programmed essentially to skew the election results .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and so far , we have n't seen anything to substantiate that , '' Barr said .
He said people were confusing the use of the federal criminal justice system with allegations that should be made in civil lawsuits .
He said such a remedy for those complaints would be a top-down audit conducted by state or local officials , not the U.S. Justice Department .
`` There 's a growing tendency to use the criminal justice system as sort of a default fix-all , and people do n't like something they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in and 'investigate , ' '' Barr said .
He said first of all there must be a basis to believe there is a crime to investigate .
`` Most claims of fraud are very particularized to a particular set of circumstances or actors or conduct .
They are not systemic allegations and .
And those have been run down ; they are being run down , '' Barr said .
`` Some have been broad and potentially cover a few thousand votes .
They have been followed up on . ''

Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday the Justice Department has not uncovered evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
His comments come despite Donald Trump’s repeated claims that the election was stolen, and his refusal to concede his loss to President-Elect Joe Biden.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Barr said U.S. attorneys and FBI agents have been working to follow up specific complaints and information they’ve received, but they’ve uncovered no evidence that would change the outcome of the election.
“To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election,” Barr told the AP.
The comments are especially direct coming from Barr, who has been one of Trump’s most ardent allies. Before the election, he had repeatedly raised the notion that mail-in voter fraud could be especially vulnerable to fraud during the coronavirus pandemic as Americans feared going to polls and instead chose to vote by mail.
Last month, Barr issued a directive to U.S. attorneys across the country allowing them to pursue any “substantial allegations” of voting irregularities, if they existed, before the 2020 presidential election was certified, despite no evidence at that time of widespread fraud. That memorandum gave prosecutors the ability to go around longstanding Justice Department policy that normally would prohibit such overt actions before the election was certified. Soon after it was issued, the department’s top elections crime official announced he would step aside from that position because of the memo.
The Trump campaign team led by Rudy Giuliani has been alleging a widespread conspiracy by Democrats to dump millions of illegal votes into the system with no evidence. They have filed multiple lawsuits in battleground states alleging that partisan poll watchers didn’t have a clear enough view at polling sites in some locations and therefore something illegal must have happened. The claims have been repeatedly dismissed including by Republican judges who have ruled the suits lacked evidence. Local Republicans in some battleground states have followed Trump in making similar unsupported claims.
Trump has railed against the election in tweets and in interviews though his own administration has said the 2020 election was the most secure ever. Trump recently allowed his administration to begin the transition over to Biden, but has still refused to admit he lost.
The issues Trump’s campaign and its allies have pointed to are typical in every election: Problems with signatures, secrecy envelopes and postal marks on mail-in ballots, as well as the potential for a small number of ballots miscast or lost.
But they’ve also requested federal probes into the claims. Attorney Sidney Powell has spun fictional tales of election systems flipping votes, German servers storing U.S. voting information and election software created in Venezuela “at the direction of Hugo Chavez,” – the late Venezuelan president who died in 2013. Powell has since been removed from the legal team after an interview she gave where she threatened to “blow up” Georgia with a “biblical” court filing.
Barr didn’t name Powell specifically but said: “There’s been one assertion that would be systemic fraud and that would be the claim that machines were programmed essentially to skew the election results. And the DHS and DOJ have looked into that, and so far, we haven’t seen anything to substantiate that,” Barr said.
He said people were confusing the use of the federal criminal justice system with allegations that should be made in civil lawsuits. He said such a remedy for those complaints would be a top-down audit conducted by state or local officials, not the U.S. Justice Department.
“There’s a growing tendency to use the criminal justice system as sort of a default fix-all, and people don’t like something they want the Department of Justice to come in and ‘investigate,'” Barr said.
He said first of all there must be a basis to believe there is a crime to investigate.
“Most claims of fraud are very particularized to a particular set of circumstances or actors or conduct. They are not systemic allegations and. And those have been run down; they are being run down,” Barr said. “Some have been broad and potentially cover a few thousand votes. They have been followed up on.”


shareblue--2020-12-01--Republicans are slamming Fauci for saying something he didn't say

Donald Trump and other GOP politicians are attacking Dr. Anthony Fauci on social media , falsely claiming the top infectious diseases specialist said in a weekend interview that schools should never have closed during the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` The president was RIGHT when he said get the kids back in school — Now Dr. Fauci says , 'You know what , I 'm looking at the data — the kids should be in school , '' Trump tweeted , quoting `` Fox and Friends '' cohost Brian Kilmeade .
Sen. Rand Paul ( R-WV ) was equally quick to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I told him [ schools should remain open ] multiple times over the summer , '' Paul tweeted Sunday , adding that Fauci `` owes '' an apology `` to every single parent and school-age child in America . ''
Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) was also salty Monday about what he sees as unnecessary school closures .
`` Dem priorities , '' he tweeted , listing `` prosecute Tiger King '' with a check mark beside it , an oblique reference to an upcoming House vote concerning private ownership of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` x 's '' were other list items : `` emergency COVID relief , '' `` help small businesses , '' `` reopen the economy , '' and `` get kids back in school . ''
But Fauci never said schools should n't have closed — nor that they should all immediately reopen .
`` Close the bars and keep the schools open , is what we really say , '' Fauci said in his Sunday interview with ABC 's `` This Week . ''
`` Obviously , you do n't have one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in the past … the default position should be to try as best as possible , within reason , to keep the children in school or to get them back to school . ''
When `` you look at the data , '' Fauci said , transmission `` among children and from children is not really very big at all , not like one would have suspected . ''
He added that while officials should `` try to get the kids back , '' the swiftest way for schools to reopen safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disease .
There 's nothing new about this assessment .
It aligns with months-old guidance from both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , both of which advocated for a case-by-case approach to schools reopening .
The CDC 's August guidelines describe a `` continuum of risk , '' ranging from all-virtual learning as the least risky model for schools to adopt , to in-person learning as the riskiest .
They recommend school districts make decisions based on their local COVID numbers and risk-mitigation options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option where there 's wide community spread .
The CDC 's August guidelines also support Fauci 's statement that students are a low-risk population , noting that `` the best available evidence from countries that have reopened schools indicate that COVID-19 poses low risks to school-aged children — at least in areas with low community transmission . ''
But , the CDC cautions , while children themselves are at a lower risk , that must be weighed against the higher risk posed to teachers , administrators , and staff , whose rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community .
Sept. 14 guidelines from the World Health Organization also advise a risk-based analysis to reopening schools .
Where few cases are present , the WHO recommends that schools should remain open .
But , in the event of widespread community transmission , the WHO recommends schools turn to virtual learning .
The facts have n't stopped right-wing media from pushing the myth that Fauci is changing his story , though .
Far-right outlet the Federalist ran a hit piece Tuesday accusing Fauci of keeping schools closed just to spite Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ host Tucker Carlson claimed Fauci and other experts had been lying to the American public all along .
`` In case you missed it over the Thanksgiving weekend , the country 's public health establishment admitted it has tortured your children for eight months for no apparent reason , '' Carlson falsely claimed .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump and other GOP politicians are attacking Dr. Anthony Fauci on social media, falsely claiming the top infectious diseases specialist said in a weekend interview that schools should never have closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Retweeting a Fox News clip Tuesday morning, Trump weaponized Fauci’s ABC interview against him.
“The president was RIGHT when he said get the kids back in school — Now Dr. Fauci says, ‘You know what, I’m looking at the data — the kids should be in school,” Trump tweeted, quoting “Fox and Friends” cohost Brian Kilmeade.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was equally quick to accuse Fauci of lying and hypocrisy.
“I told him [schools should remain open] multiple times over the summer,” Paul tweeted Sunday, adding that Fauci “owes” an apology “to every single parent and school-age child in America.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) was also salty Monday about what he sees as unnecessary school closures.
“Dem priorities,” he tweeted, listing “prosecute Tiger King” with a check mark beside it, an oblique reference to an upcoming House vote concerning private ownership of tigers and lions.
Accompanied by red “x’s” were other list items: “emergency COVID relief,” “help small businesses,” “reopen the economy,” and “get kids back in school.”
But Fauci never said schools shouldn’t have closed — nor that they should all immediately reopen.
“Close the bars and keep the schools open, is what we really say,” Fauci said in his Sunday interview with ABC’s “This Week.” “Obviously, you don’t have one size fits all. But as I said in the past … the default position should be to try as best as possible, within reason, to keep the children in school or to get them back to school.”
When “you look at the data,” Fauci said, transmission “among children and from children is not really very big at all, not like one would have suspected.”
He added that while officials should “try to get the kids back,” the swiftest way for schools to reopen safely is to first contain the community spread of the disease.
There’s nothing new about this assessment. It aligns with months-old guidance from both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both of which advocated for a case-by-case approach to schools reopening.
The CDC’s August guidelines describe a “continuum of risk,” ranging from all-virtual learning as the least risky model for schools to adopt, to in-person learning as the riskiest.
They recommend school districts make decisions based on their local COVID numbers and risk-mitigation options, with virtual learning being the safest option where there’s wide community spread.
The CDC’s August guidelines also support Fauci’s statement that students are a low-risk population, noting that “the best available evidence from countries that have reopened schools indicate that COVID-19 poses low risks to school-aged children — at least in areas with low community transmission.”
But, the CDC cautions, while children themselves are at a lower risk, that must be weighed against the higher risk posed to teachers, administrators, and staff, whose rate of transmission reflects the trends of the surrounding community.
Sept. 14 guidelines from the World Health Organization also advise a risk-based analysis to reopening schools.
Where few cases are present, the WHO recommends that schools should remain open. But, in the event of widespread community transmission, the WHO recommends schools turn to virtual learning.
The facts haven’t stopped right-wing media from pushing the myth that Fauci is changing his story, though.
Far-right outlet the Federalist ran a hit piece Tuesday accusing Fauci of keeping schools closed just to spite Trump.
And on Monday night, Fox News host Tucker Carlson claimed Fauci and other experts had been lying to the American public all along.
“In case you missed it over the Thanksgiving weekend, the country’s public health establishment admitted it has tortured your children for eight months for no apparent reason,” Carlson falsely claimed.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-01--Trump administration defends axing virus aid programs on way out the door

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is defending his decision to close down a number of emergency Federal Reserve loan programs at a time when coronavirus cases are surging .
Democrats were unconvinced , however , saying that Mnuchin 's actions are politically motivated and intended to remove tools that the Biden administration could use to support the economy .
Mnuchin argued that the programs he decided not to extend into next year were being lightly utilized .
He said the $ 455 billion allocated for those Fed loan programs could be better used elsewhere if Congress moved the funds into relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democrats aired their criticism Tuesday as Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testified at a Senate Banking Committee oversight hearing about the $ 2 trillion CARES Act approved by Congress last March .
Powell , as he had before , urged Congress to authorize further economic support , something that lawmakers have been struggling to do for months .
A bipartisan group of lawmakers pressured congressional leaders Tuesday to accept a compromise to end the impasse before Congress adjourns for the holidays .
The group including Senate centrists such as Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , R-Maine , are pushing a $ 908 billion measure , including $ 228 billion to extend and upgrade `` paycheck protection '' subsidies for a second round of relief for hard-hit businesses like restaurants .
It would revive a special jobless benefit , but at a reduced level of $ 300 per week , half the amount enacted in March .
State and local governments would receive $ 160 billion , and there is also money for vaccines .
Sen. Mark Warner , D-Va. , and one of the lawmakers involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Powell to agree that the proposal being discussed was something that would help the economy .
Powell told the committee to think of the additional relief as a `` bridge '' to get the economy from the current situation with rising virus cases , to a period when the vaccines will be widely distributed . ''
`` We can see the end .
We just need a way to get there , '' Powell told lawmakers .
In his opening testimony , Powell described the nations economic outlook right now as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Fed will do all it can to support an economic recovery .
As for the five lending programs that Mnuchin terminated , he insisted that the CARES Act that allowed for creation of the five lending programs did not give him the authority to extend them past Dec. 31 .
While the Fed initially said after Mnuchin 's Nov. 19 announcement that it would have preferred that the loan programs had been extended , Powell in his appearance Tuesday was careful not to criticize Mnuchin , who was supported by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo , R-Idaho .
But Democrats charged that Mnuchin 's intended to hobble Biden administration from delivering the economy a badly needed boost .
`` You appear to be trying to sabotage our economy on the way out the door , '' Sen. Sherrod Brown , D-Ohio , told Mnuchin .
He said there was `` no legitimate justification '' for Mnuchin 's action .
He said Mnuchin erred in his interpretation of congressional intent , which was to continue providing support .
The Treasury and the Fed announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Fed has been using would be extended through March .
Those facilities helped to stabilize short-term funding markets when the coronavirus hit last spring , sending shockwaves through the financial system .
The five programs that will be allowed to expire after Dec. 31 included backstops for corporate and municipal debt and the purchase of loans for small businesses and nonprofits .
Countering Mnuchin 's statement that the programs were not being used , Democrats said that the loan requirements were too stringent and should have been loosened so that more companies @ @ @ @ @ @

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is defending his decision to close down a number of emergency Federal Reserve loan programs at a time when coronavirus cases are surging.
Democrats were unconvinced, however, saying that Mnuchin’s actions are politically motivated and intended to remove tools that the Biden administration could use to support the economy.
Mnuchin argued that the programs he decided not to extend into next year were being lightly utilized. He said the $455 billion allocated for those Fed loan programs could be better used elsewhere if Congress moved the funds into relief programs for small businesses and unemployed workers.
Democrats aired their criticism Tuesday as Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testified at a Senate Banking Committee oversight hearing about the $2 trillion CARES Act approved by Congress last March.
Powell, as he had before, urged Congress to authorize further economic support, something that lawmakers have been struggling to do for months.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers pressured congressional leaders Tuesday to accept a compromise to end the impasse before Congress adjourns for the holidays.
The group including Senate centrists such as Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, are pushing a $908 billion measure, including $228 billion to extend and upgrade “paycheck protection” subsidies for a second round of relief for hard-hit businesses like restaurants.
It would revive a special jobless benefit, but at a reduced level of $300 per week, half the amount enacted in March. State and local governments would receive $160 billion, and there is also money for vaccines.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and one of the lawmakers involved in the centrist effort, got both Mnuchin and Powell to agree that the proposal being discussed was something that would help the economy.
Powell told the committee to think of the additional relief as a “bridge” to get the economy from the current situation with rising virus cases, to a period when the vaccines will be widely distributed.”
“We can see the end. We just need a way to get there,” Powell told lawmakers. In his opening testimony, Powell described the nations economic outlook right now as “extraordinarily uncertain.”
Powell promised again that the Fed will do all it can to support an economic recovery.
As for the five lending programs that Mnuchin terminated, he insisted that the CARES Act that allowed for creation of the five lending programs did not give him the authority to extend them past Dec. 31.
While the Fed initially said after Mnuchin’s Nov. 19 announcement that it would have preferred that the loan programs had been extended, Powell in his appearance Tuesday was careful not to criticize Mnuchin, who was supported by the Republicans senators on the committee, including Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho.
But Democrats charged that Mnuchin’s intended to hobble Biden administration from delivering the economy a badly needed boost.
“You appear to be trying to sabotage our economy on the way out the door,” Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, told Mnuchin. He said there was “no legitimate justification” for Mnuchin’s action. He said Mnuchin erred in his interpretation of congressional intent, which was to continue providing support.
The Treasury and the Fed announced on Monday that four other lending programs the Fed has been using would be extended through March. Those facilities helped to stabilize short-term funding markets when the coronavirus hit last spring, sending shockwaves through the financial system.
The five programs that will be allowed to expire after Dec. 31 included backstops for corporate and municipal debt and the purchase of loans for small businesses and nonprofits.
Countering Mnuchin’s statement that the programs were not being used, Democrats said that the loan requirements were too stringent and should have been loosened so that more companies could take advantage of them.


shareblue--2020-12-01--Some Republicans want Trump to shut up before he costs them the Senate

Georgia Republicans are afraid Donald Trump 's false claims about election fraud in their state and his harsh criticisms of state officials are damaging the reputation of the state 's Republican Party .
They fear that Republican voters will be discouraged and not turn out to vote in the runoff elections for Georgia 's two Senate seats on Jan. 5 , 2021 .
Neither Senate race in Georgia resulted in a winner last month .
In the runoffs , incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue will face Democratic opponent Jon Ossoff , while his fellow incumbent Kelly Loeffler runs against Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press , Trump plans to visit Georgia Saturday to campaign alongside Perdue and Loeffler .
But many Republicans are worried his inflammatory rhetoric could not only be a sticking point for Republicans but also cost them the Senate seats .
`` The president has basically taken hostage this race , '' said Brendan Buck , previously a senior adviser to former House Speaker Paul Ryan .
Prominent Georgia Republican donor Dan Eberhart said that Trump is `` acting in bad sportsmanship and bad faith . ''
`` Trump 's comments are damaging the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP .
Trump has not been subtle about what he wants done as he has attacked Republican elected officials in Georgia .
On Tuesday , Trump urged Gov .
Brian Kemp to call off the runoff election — an odd request given that Trump plans to travel to Georgia to campaign for the Republican senators on Saturday .
`` Do something , @ BrianKempGA , '' Trump tweeted .
`` You allowed your state to be scammed .
We must check signatures and count signed envelopes against ballots .
Then call off election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will all WIN ! ''
`` Why wo n't Governor @ BrianKempGA , the hapless Governor of Georgia , use his emergency powers , which can be easily done , to overrule his obstinate Secretary of State , and do a match of signatures on envelopes .
It will be a 'goldmine ' of fraud , and we will easily WIN the state ... .
, '' Trump tweeted Monday .
A spokesperson from Kemp 's office responded to Trump , telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that state law `` prohibits the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger `` has oversight over elections that can not be overridden by executive order . ''
Raffensperger , also a Republican , has also been blasted by Trump for refusing to overturn the state election results .
Raffensperger , who has repeatedly stated he is a Trump supporter , last week complained that Trump `` threw him under a bus . ''
`` For those wondering ... my family voted for him , donated to him and are now being thrown under the bus by him , '' Raffensperger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today .
`` Truth matters , especially in election administration , '' he said during a news conference on Monday , claiming : `` There are those who are exploiting the emotions of many Trump supporters with fantastic claims , half-truths , misinformation , and frankly , they 're misleading the president as well , apparently . ''
Some Republicans fear Trump 's appearance in Georgia could harm Loeffler 's and Perdue 's chances of winning the Jan. 5 runoffs .
`` I had someone message me just last week saying : 'Nope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust the election .
Never voting again , ' '' former Republican state representative Buzz Brockway told the New York Times .
`` The president has a very dedicated group of supporters who do n't really support the broader Republican Party — they support him . ''
Eric Johnson , Loeffler 's campaign adviser and a former Georgia state Senate leader , agreed that Trump may be hurting Perdue 's and Loeffler 's cause .
`` You ca n't say the system is rigged but elect these two senators , '' he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he either drops it or he says I want everybody to vote and get their friends to vote so that the margins are so large that they ca n't steal it . ''
Although Perdue and Loeffler called on Raffensperger to resign earlier in November , alleging widespread voter fraud , Trump 's team has criticized the senators for not doing enough to push through Trump 's efforts at overturning the election results .
Prominent Trump supporter Lin Wood recently told his more than 630,000 Twitter followers that Loeffler and Perdue needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Let ’ s speak truth about @ SenLoeffler & @ sendavidperdue .
Why are they doing little or nothing to support efforts by GA citizens to address unlawful election & need for @ BrianKempGA to order special session of legislature ?
If not fixed , I will NOT vote in GA runoff .
Will you ? ''
Wood tweeted .
And Georgia Republicans are taking note : During a recent campaign speech in Griffin , Georgia , Perdue was heckled for his alleged failure to help Trump .
`` What are you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud case ? ''
the heckler shouted , according to a Washington Post report .
`` What are you doing to stop what 's been going on here and this election fraud ? ''
Trump 's remarks are fueling the rhetoric of the many Republicans who are already calling for a boycott of the runoff election .
Winning the Jan. 5 runoff is Democrats ' last clear path to a Senate majority in 2021 .
If Warnock and Ossoff both win their races , the Senate will be evenly split between Democrats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the tie-breaking vote in her role as president of the upper chamber .
On Monday night , Georgia 's Republican lieutenant governor , Geoff Duncan , appeared on CNN and slammed Trump 's claims of voter fraud in Georgia , warning him that he could be `` alienating voters '' with his rhetoric .
`` It troubles me that some folks are willing , just for the sole intent of flipping an election , of spreading misinformation , '' said Duncan .
`` I think we 're better than this .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here in Georgia and as a country . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Georgia Republicans are afraid Donald Trump’s false claims about election fraud in their state and his harsh criticisms of state officials are damaging the reputation of the state’s Republican Party.
They fear that Republican voters will be discouraged and not turn out to vote in the runoff elections for Georgia’s two Senate seats on Jan. 5, 2021.
Neither Senate race in Georgia resulted in a winner last month. In the runoffs, incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue will face Democratic opponent Jon Ossoff, while his fellow incumbent Kelly Loeffler runs against Democrat Raphael Warnock.
According to the Associated Press, Trump plans to visit Georgia Saturday to campaign alongside Perdue and Loeffler.
But many Republicans are worried his inflammatory rhetoric could not only be a sticking point for Republicans but also cost them the Senate seats.
“The president has basically taken hostage this race,” said Brendan Buck, previously a senior adviser to former House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Prominent Georgia Republican donor Dan Eberhart said that Trump is “acting in bad sportsmanship and bad faith.”
“Trump’s comments are damaging the Republican brand,” Eberhart told the AP.
Trump has not been subtle about what he wants done as he has attacked Republican elected officials in Georgia.
On Tuesday, Trump urged Gov. Brian Kemp to call off the runoff election — an odd request given that Trump plans to travel to Georgia to campaign for the Republican senators on Saturday.
“Do something, @BrianKempGA,” Trump tweeted. “You allowed your state to be scammed. We must check signatures and count signed envelopes against ballots. Then call off election. It won’t be needed. We will all WIN!”
“Why won’t Governor @BrianKempGA, the hapless Governor of Georgia, use his emergency powers, which can be easily done, to overrule his obstinate Secretary of State, and do a match of signatures on envelopes. It will be a ‘goldmine’ of fraud, and we will easily WIN the state….,” Trump tweeted Monday.
A spokesperson from Kemp’s office responded to Trump, telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that state law “prohibits the governor from interfering in elections” and that Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger “has oversight over elections that cannot be overridden by executive order.”
Raffensperger, also a Republican, has also been blasted by Trump for refusing to overturn the state election results.
Raffensperger, who has repeatedly stated he is a Trump supporter, last week complained that Trump “threw him under a bus.”
“For those wondering … my family voted for him, donated to him and are now being thrown under the bus by him,” Raffensperger wrote in an op-ed published in USA Today.
“Truth matters, especially in election administration,” he said during a news conference on Monday, claiming: “There are those who are exploiting the emotions of many Trump supporters with fantastic claims, half-truths, misinformation, and frankly, they’re misleading the president as well, apparently.”


shareblue--2020-12-01--GOP senators are concocting ridiculous excuses to oppose Biden's nominees

President-elect Joe Biden is slowly rolling out his nominees for key Cabinet positions — a slate of professionals who are unquestionably qualified for the jobs they 've been tapped for .
But Senate Republicans are already finding reasons to oppose his picks , using hypocritical and illogical excuses for why they ca n't support Biden 's nominees .
For example , Sen. John Cornyn ( R-TX ) said Biden should not have nominated Neera Tanden , president of a liberal think tank , to direct the Office of Management and Budget , because Tanden has tweeted criticism of Republicans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ combative and insulting comments about many members of the Senate , mainly on our side of the aisle , that it creates certainly a problematic path , '' Cornyn said Monday , according to Bloomberg News .
But Cornyn has ignored Trump 's tweets for the last four years , claiming not to have seen some of Trump 's worst comments on the social media site .
What 's more , he voted to confirm Richard Grenell to be Trump 's ambassador to Germany , even though Grenell is known for being a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Democrats .
In fact , almost as soon as Grenell was confirmed , he sent a tweet that insulted the Germans .
( Trump later installed Grenell as acting director of national intelligence , even though Grenell had no national security experience . )
Cornyn said Biden should have consulted Republicans about the Tanden nomination to save them `` embarrassment '' for Tanden being rejected .
Yet Cornyn still has not said Biden is president-elect .
Aside from panning Tanden , Cornyn also demanded `` complete transparency '' from Biden 's secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding Blinken 's clients in foreign countries .
`` I will not support any nominee who does n't provide full transparency into their work on behalf of a foreign government , '' Cornyn said Monday in a speech on the Senate floor .
`` I will not do it .
The American people deserve to know if these or any future nominees are beholden to anything other than our national interest . ''
However , Cornyn did not put up any fight about Trump 's foreign business entanglements , nor demand to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a different standard for Trump than he does for Biden .
Meanwhile , Sen. John Thune ( R-SD ) also criticized some of Tanden 's past comments .
`` She 's been pretty partisan in some of her previous positions .
And in many cases , with respect to Republican senators who would have to vote on her potential nomination , '' Thune said Monday , according to Politico 's Burgess Everett .
Of course , being a `` partisan '' who has made political attacks against the other party was n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump nominees like Mick Mulvaney — Trump 's first OMB director , who describes himself as a `` right-wing nutjob . ''
Then there 's Sen. Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) , who is already crafting excuses for why he will vote against Biden 's nominees , claiming that `` Democrats deprived President Trump of a working government for four years '' and so he will do the same to Biden .
That is simply not true .
Republicans controlled the Senate for all four of Trump 's years in office and got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so Republicans were able to pass all of Trump 's nominees without a single Democratic vote .
That makes Trump 's decision to fill his administration with acting officials all the more confounding , as the GOP-controlled Senate could have confirmed them with a simple majority vote .
Hawley also complained that Biden was appointing `` corporatists '' to his administration .
However , during the campaign , Hawley warned that Biden would appoint liberal `` Marxists '' to the administration — making it seem that no one Biden picks could meet Hawley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his shift in a tweet that included a lot of buzzwords from the far-right culture war .
`` Let me explain this to you , '' Hawley tweeted in response to a critic who called out his 180 degree shift .
`` Corporate liberals are woke capitalists .
The corporatists love critical race theory and all the other warmed-over Marxist garbage .
They sell out working Americans and sneer at them at the same time .
That ’ s the New Left . ''
Ultimately , if Democrats win both Georgia Senate races @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to block all of Biden 's nominees .
However , if Republicans win one or both of the seats , they could start Biden 's tenure off with obstructionism that would rob Biden of even putting together a Cabinet of his choice .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

President-elect Joe Biden is slowly rolling out his nominees for key Cabinet positions — a slate of professionals who are unquestionably qualified for the jobs they’ve been tapped for.
But Senate Republicans are already finding reasons to oppose his picks, using hypocritical and illogical excuses for why they can’t support Biden’s nominees.
For example, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said Biden should not have nominated Neera Tanden, president of a liberal think tank, to direct the Office of Management and Budget, because Tanden has tweeted criticism of Republicans.
“I think in light of her combative and insulting comments about many members of the Senate, mainly on our side of the aisle, that it creates certainly a problematic path,” Cornyn said Monday, according to Bloomberg News.
But Cornyn has ignored Trump’s tweets for the last four years, claiming not to have seen some of Trump’s worst comments on the social media site.
What’s more, he voted to confirm Richard Grenell to be Trump’s ambassador to Germany, even though Grenell is known for being a “Twitter troll” who tweets insults at Democrats.
In fact, almost as soon as Grenell was confirmed, he sent a tweet that insulted the Germans. (Trump later installed Grenell as acting director of national intelligence, even though Grenell had no national security experience.)
Cornyn said Biden should have consulted Republicans about the Tanden nomination to save them “embarrassment” for Tanden being rejected. Yet Cornyn still has not said Biden is president-elect.
Aside from panning Tanden, Cornyn also demanded “complete transparency” from Biden’s secretary of state pick, Tony Blinken, regarding Blinken’s clients in foreign countries.
“I will not support any nominee who doesn’t provide full transparency into their work on behalf of a foreign government,” Cornyn said Monday in a speech on the Senate floor. “I will not do it. The American people deserve to know if these or any future nominees are beholden to anything other than our national interest.”
However, Cornyn did not put up any fight about Trump’s foreign business entanglements, nor demand to see Trump’s tax returns — showing he has a different standard for Trump than he does for Biden.
Meanwhile, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) also criticized some of Tanden’s past comments.
“She’s been pretty partisan in some of her previous positions. And in many cases, with respect to Republican senators who would have to vote on her potential nomination,” Thune said Monday, according to Politico’s Burgess Everett.
Of course, being a “partisan” who has made political attacks against the other party wasn’t an issue when Thune voted to confirm Trump nominees like Mick Mulvaney — Trump’s first OMB director, who describes himself as a “right-wing nutjob.”
Then there’s Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), who is already crafting excuses for why he will vote against Biden’s nominees, claiming that “Democrats deprived President Trump of a working government for four years” and so he will do the same to Biden.
That is simply not true.
Republicans controlled the Senate for all four of Trump’s years in office and got rid of the filibuster on nominees, so Republicans were able to pass all of Trump’s nominees without a single Democratic vote.
That makes Trump’s decision to fill his administration with acting officials all the more confounding, as the GOP-controlled Senate could have confirmed them with a simple majority vote.
Hawley also complained that Biden was appointing “corporatists” to his administration.
However, during the campaign, Hawley warned that Biden would appoint liberal “Marxists” to the administration — making it seem that no one Biden picks could meet Hawley’s standards.
Hawley tried to explain his shift in a tweet that included a lot of buzzwords from the far-right culture war.
“Let me explain this to you,” Hawley tweeted in response to a critic who called out his 180 degree shift. “Corporate liberals are woke capitalists. The corporatists love critical race theory and all the other warmed-over Marxist garbage. They sell out working Americans and sneer at them at the same time. That’s the New Left.”
Ultimately, if Democrats win both Georgia Senate races in January, then Republicans wouldn’t be able to block all of Biden’s nominees.
However, if Republicans win one or both of the seats, they could start Biden’s tenure off with obstructionism that would rob Biden of even putting together a Cabinet of his choice.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


Cartoon: Christmas conspiracies

Clay Jones is a nationally syndicated political cartoonist .
He has worked for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and The Free Lance-Star @ @ @ @ @ draws a weekly cartoon for CNN Opinion .
He lives in the Washington suburbs of @ @ @

A decade after Sandy Hook, grief remains but hope grows
December, the anniversary of the worst grade school mass shooting in the U.S. is a difficult month for many in Newton. But in the face of heartbreak and grief, some survivors and families of victims feel hope for a brighter future.
By Associated Press - December 22, 2022


shareblue--2020-12-02--Trump spends 46 minutes insisting he didn't lose the election — with props

Donald Trump on Wednesday posted a rambling , 46-minute-long video to Facebook in which he asserted that he won the 2020 presidential election , which he did not do .
Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election .
Biden received over 81 million votes , the most garnered by a presidential candidate in American history and nearly 7 million more than Trump received .
Biden secured 306 electoral votes , well above the 270 needed to win the presidency , and will be sworn in on Jan. 20 , 2021 .
In the video , recorded at the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theories and claims about the election as he denied once again that Biden won the race .
In one instance , Trump complained ( while holding up a visual aid ) that `` massive dumps '' of votes in Wisconsin were suspicious , and that the erosion of a lead he had had on election night as the votes were counted was a `` terrible thing . ''
`` I went from leading by a lot to losing by a little .
And that 's right here , that 's at 3:42 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A terrible thing , '' he said .
Contrary to Trump 's claims , there was nothing suspicious about the counting of votes in Wisconsin .
While voters who cast ballots on Election Day favored Trump , votes that came in via absentee ballots heavily favored Biden .
Those votes were tabulated overnight and added to the earlier totals .
A recount in the state ordered by Trump ended up adding an additional 87 votes to Biden 's lead of 20,565 votes .
Biden 's victory in Wisconsin was later certified by state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all six of the states where Trump contested his losses .
Trump also falsely claimed that `` illegal '' votes had been counted in the race and accused Dominion Voting Systems , a provider of voting system software , of manipulating the results of the election to favor Biden .
This conspiracy has been debunked and disproven multiple times .
In fact , Dominion software was used to count votes in 351 of 731 counties in swing states that were won by Trump .
From a Dec. 2 speech at the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we 're leading by a lot , and then , at 3:42 in the morning , there was this .
It was a massive dump of votes .
Mostly Biden .
Almost all Biden .
And to this day , everyone 's trying to figure out , `` Where did it come from ? ''
But I went from leading by a lot to losing by a little .
And that 's right here , that 's at 3:42 in the morning .
That 's Wisconsin .
A terrible thing .
Published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Donald Trump on Wednesday posted a rambling, 46-minute-long video to Facebook in which he asserted that he won the 2020 presidential election, which he did not do.
Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election. Biden received over 81 million votes, the most garnered by a presidential candidate in American history and nearly 7 million more than Trump received.
Biden secured 306 electoral votes, well above the 270 needed to win the presidency, and will be sworn in on Jan. 20, 2021.
In the video, recorded at the White House, Trump rehashed several repeatedly debunked conspiracy theories and claims about the election as he denied once again that Biden won the race.
In one instance, Trump complained (while holding up a visual aid) that “massive dumps” of votes in Wisconsin were suspicious, and that the erosion of a lead he had had on election night as the votes were counted was a “terrible thing.”
“I went from leading by a lot to losing by a little. And that’s right here, that’s at 3:42 in the morning. That’s Wisconsin. A terrible thing,” he said.
Contrary to Trump’s claims, there was nothing suspicious about the counting of votes in Wisconsin. While voters who cast ballots on Election Day favored Trump, votes that came in via absentee ballots heavily favored Biden. Those votes were tabulated overnight and added to the earlier totals.
A recount in the state ordered by Trump ended up adding an additional 87 votes to Biden’s lead of 20,565 votes. Biden’s victory in Wisconsin was later certified by state officials, as it has been in all six of the states where Trump contested his losses.
Trump also falsely claimed that “illegal” votes had been counted in the race and accused Dominion Voting Systems, a provider of voting system software, of manipulating the results of the election to favor Biden. This conspiracy has been debunked and disproven multiple times.
In fact, Dominion software was used to count votes in 351 of 731 counties in swing states that were won by Trump.
From a Dec. 2 speech at the White House:
DONALD TRUMP: That, Wisconsin, we’re leading by a lot, and then, at 3:42 in the morning, there was this. It was a massive dump of votes. Mostly Biden. Almost all Biden. And to this day, everyone’s trying to figure out, “Where did it come from?” But I went from leading by a lot to losing by a little. And that’s right here, that’s at 3:42 in the morning. That’s Wisconsin. A terrible thing.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-02--Supposedly 'pro-life' Ted Cruz wants the US to execute a lot more people

Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) , who touts himself as a champion of the `` pro-life '' cause , wrote an op-ed for Fox News Wednesday applauding Attorney General William Barr 's decision to schedule a record-breaking number of federal executions before Donald Trump leaves office in January .
Under Barr , the Justice Department resumed federal executions in July 2019 after a 17-year lapse , a controversial move even among conservative groups .
According to CNN , eight federal inmates have already been put to death this year and Barr has added another five to the schedule — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before President-elect Joe Biden 's January inauguration .
`` What is clear is that this administration wants these prisoners dead before Joe Biden takes office , '' Robert Dunham , executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center , told CNN on Monday .
But Cruz 's Wednesday op-ed praises Barr 's decision , claiming federal executions are the best way to uphold law and order .
`` Barr 's decision to set execution dates should be applauded for upholding the rule of law , serving justice deterring crime , and helping bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruz wrote in his Fox News op-ed .
But according to the American Civil Liberties Union , there is no evidence that supports the death penalty as a deterrent to future crime .
In fact , the ACLU notes , states with the death penalty do n't have lower crime rates — or murder rates — than states without it , and states that have abolished the death penalty have not seen an increase in crime and murder rates over time .
The National Criminal Justice Reference Service , in a 2006 study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , found no evidence that capital punishment had a deterrent effect .
`` Our conclusion is that there is little empirical evidence in favor of the deterrence hypothesis , '' the study found .
But Cruz 's op-ed demonstrates equally little regard for empirical evidence .
`` The Justice Department can and should do more to enforce lawful capital sentences , '' he wrote .
In fact , he added , the Justice Department should not only implement the death penalty in the currently scheduled cases but should also schedule executions for every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 50 at last count .
`` This justice delayed is justice denied , '' Cruz wrote .
`` That 's why the Justice Department should schedule execution dates for every single eligible death row inmate . ''
Even with Cruz 's longstanding support of the death penalty — a stance he built his career on — he also touts his `` pro-life '' convictions .
Cruz has long voted to overturn abortion rights and access to women 's health care .
He earned a score of 0 % on NARAL 's `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has the dubious distinction of voting to confirm more than two dozen Trump judicial nominees who oppose abortion rights since 2019 .
According to NARAL , he 's reliably voted to restrict abortion rights .
Cruz has also voted against women 's access to no-copay contraception , as well as for Planned Parenthood to be disqualified from participating in certain federal programs .
`` The fight for life is far from over .
... Now , more than ever , I remain committed to restore a culture where every human life is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from God , '' he said in a February speech on the Senate floor , just months before expressing a fervent support for executing as many federal inmates as possible .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who touts himself as a champion of the “pro-life” cause, wrote an op-ed for Fox News Wednesday applauding Attorney General William Barr’s decision to schedule a record-breaking number of federal executions before Donald Trump leaves office in January.
Under Barr, the Justice Department resumed federal executions in July 2019 after a 17-year lapse, a controversial move even among conservative groups.
According to CNN, eight federal inmates have already been put to death this year and Barr has added another five to the schedule — squeezing in a few more executions just before President-elect Joe Biden’s January inauguration.
“What is clear is that this administration wants these prisoners dead before Joe Biden takes office,” Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, told CNN on Monday.
But Cruz’s Wednesday op-ed praises Barr’s decision, claiming federal executions are the best way to uphold law and order.
“Barr’s decision to set execution dates should be applauded for upholding the rule of law, serving justice deterring crime, and helping bring closure to victims’ families,” Cruz wrote in his Fox News op-ed.
But according to the American Civil Liberties Union, there is no evidence that supports the death penalty as a deterrent to future crime.
In fact, the ACLU notes, states with the death penalty don’t have lower crime rates — or murder rates — than states without it, and states that have abolished the death penalty have not seen an increase in crime and murder rates over time.
The National Criminal Justice Reference Service, in a 2006 study paid for by the Department of Justice, found no evidence that capital punishment had a deterrent effect.
“Our conclusion is that there is little empirical evidence in favor of the deterrence hypothesis,” the study found.
But Cruz’s op-ed demonstrates equally little regard for empirical evidence.
“The Justice Department can and should do more to enforce lawful capital sentences,” he wrote.
In fact, he added, the Justice Department should not only implement the death penalty in the currently scheduled cases but should also schedule executions for every federal prisoner on death row — just over 50 at last count.
“This justice delayed is justice denied,” Cruz wrote. “That’s why the Justice Department should schedule execution dates for every single eligible death row inmate.”
Even with Cruz’s longstanding support of the death penalty — a stance he built his career on — he also touts his “pro-life” convictions.
Cruz has long voted to overturn abortion rights and access to women’s health care.
He earned a score of 0% on NARAL’s “Congressional Record on Choice” scorecard, and has the dubious distinction of voting to confirm more than two dozen Trump judicial nominees who oppose abortion rights since 2019.
According to NARAL, he’s reliably voted to restrict abortion rights. Cruz has also voted against women’s access to no-copay contraception, as well as for Planned Parenthood to be disqualified from participating in certain federal programs.
“The fight for life is far from over. … Now, more than ever, I remain committed to restore a culture where every human life is respected and protected as a precious gift from God,” he said in a February speech on the Senate floor, just months before expressing a fervent support for executing as many federal inmates as possible.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-02--New lawsuit could pave the way for better transgender health care

A lawsuit recently filed on on behalf of a transgender teenager could lead to significant legal progress for transgender people across the country who need gender-affirming care but have been unable to access it through their employer health plans .
LGBTQ advocacy group Lambda Legal filed the lawsuit last week on behalf of a 15 year-old transgender boy and his parents after he was denied gender-affirming care by his mother 's employer-provided insurance plan .
The boy 's mother works at St. Michael Medical Center in Washington state , a medical clinic in the Catholic Health Initiatives Franciscan system .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Seattle law firm Sirianni Youtz Spoonemore Hamburger PLLC , is suing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for refusing to cover gender-affirming care in that employer-provided plan , issuing a blanket exclusion of anything related to transgender health care needs .
In its complaint , the group said the decision by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to administer such a plan is discrimination on the basis of sex , which is banned under the Affordable Care Act .
The transgender boy , who is referred to in the lawsuit as C.P.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance plan .
Although he began receiving gender-affirming care three years ago , his family was recently informed that not all of his care could be covered because Catholic Health Initiatives Franciscan has an exclusion for health care `` for or leading to gender reassignment surgery , '' Lambda Legal explained .
C.P .
's family had to spend more than $ 10,000 on care that was not covered because of the exclusion , according to the suit .
Patricia Pritchard , C.P .
's mother , stated , `` What is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expensive care for their child supposed to do ?
This is a matter of life and death for many transgender people and children , and I hate to think of the difficult and scary decisions families are forced to make . ''
She added , `` It 's not fair , and it 's not right . ''
According to a 2019 report from the Williams Institute , a research center out of the University of California Los Angeles , transgender people who wanted hormone therapy and surgical care and received that care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past-year suicide thoughts and attempts '' compared to those who did n't .
One of the lawyers working on C.P .
's case , Omar Gonzalez-Pagan , a senior attorney and health care strategist at Lambda Legal , said the lawsuit is key to improving health care access for transgender people everywhere .
He explained that it would create a standard that says third-party health plan administrators like Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois `` can not apply or enforce discriminatory exclusions even if these are established by others . ''
A win for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold some significance in the face of a Trump administration rule that gutted a regulation in the Affordable Care Act over the summer .
In June , the administration eliminated a rule originally enacted in 2016 that clarified any ban on sex discrimination in health care also included discrimination against transgender people .
Although federal judges partially blocked the move , specifically provisions that excluded sex stereotyping from the definition of sex discrimination , the courts did not allow gender identity to be included in the 2016 regulation again , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gonzalez-Pagan said that since the Trump administration reversal was not completely blocked , the lawsuit could serve to counteract later efforts to limit transgender people 's access to health care more broadly .
The Trump administration rule has also tried to narrow which entities have to follow the Affordable Care Act regulations , and Gonzalez-Pagan said C.P .
's lawsuit also seeks to counteract those efforts .
The suit is the latest in a long line of legal efforts by transgender people pushing for greater access to gender-affirming , medically necessary care .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were denied gender-affirming health care under Florida 's state employee health plan sued state agencies , arguing that the Florida Department of Management Services `` recognize [ d ] it is medically necessary but they choose not to cover it '' regardless of that fact .
One of the women said she `` had three suicide attempts '' as a result of the state 's decision to block her care .
`` Life was n't worth living at that point , '' she told Rewire News .
The women are being represented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legal Counsel , and pro bono attorney Eric Lindstrom , according to a press release from January .
Last year , the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in favor of two transgender women who argued that their sex reassignment surgeries were medically necessary .
The court said Iowa 's ban on Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care violated a state civil rights law .
`` So many people still don ’ t understand that this is not something we need for trivial or cosmetic reasons , '' EerieAnna Good said at the time .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommending for someone who has a medical need for it . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A lawsuit recently filed on on behalf of a transgender teenager could lead to significant legal progress for transgender people across the country who need gender-affirming care but have been unable to access it through their employer health plans.
LGBTQ advocacy group Lambda Legal filed the lawsuit last week on behalf of a 15 year-old transgender boy and his parents after he was denied gender-affirming care by his mother’s employer-provided insurance plan. The boy’s mother works at St. Michael Medical Center in Washington state, a medical clinic in the Catholic Health Initiatives Franciscan system.
Lambda Legal, which is working with the Seattle law firm Sirianni Youtz Spoonemore Hamburger PLLC, is suing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for refusing to cover gender-affirming care in that employer-provided plan, issuing a blanket exclusion of anything related to transgender health care needs.
In its complaint, the group said the decision by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to administer such a plan is discrimination on the basis of sex, which is banned under the Affordable Care Act.
The transgender boy, who is referred to in the lawsuit as C.P., is dependent on his mother’s insurance plan. Although he began receiving gender-affirming care three years ago, his family was recently informed that not all of his care could be covered because Catholic Health Initiatives Franciscan has an exclusion for health care “for or leading to gender reassignment surgery,” Lambda Legal explained.
C.P.’s family had to spend more than $10,000 on care that was not covered because of the exclusion, according to the suit.
Patricia Pritchard, C.P.’s mother, stated, “What is a family who cannot afford this very expensive care for their child supposed to do? This is a matter of life and death for many transgender people and children, and I hate to think of the difficult and scary decisions families are forced to make.”
She added, “It’s not fair, and it’s not right.”
According to a 2019 report from the Williams Institute, a research center out of the University of California Los Angeles, transgender people who wanted hormone therapy and surgical care and received that care “had a substantially lower prevalence of past-year suicide thoughts and attempts” compared to those who didn’t.
One of the lawyers working on C.P.’s case, Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, a senior attorney and health care strategist at Lambda Legal, said the lawsuit is key to improving health care access for transgender people everywhere.
He explained that it would create a standard that says third-party health plan administrators like Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois “cannot apply or enforce discriminatory exclusions even if these are established by others.”
A win for C.P. and his family would also hold some significance in the face of a Trump administration rule that gutted a regulation in the Affordable Care Act over the summer.
In June, the administration eliminated a rule originally enacted in 2016 that clarified any ban on sex discrimination in health care also included discrimination against transgender people.
Although federal judges partially blocked the move, specifically provisions that excluded sex stereotyping from the definition of sex discrimination, the courts did not allow gender identity to be included in the 2016 regulation again, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s legal analysis.
Gonzalez-Pagan said that since the Trump administration reversal was not completely blocked, the lawsuit could serve to counteract later efforts to limit transgender people’s access to health care more broadly.
The Trump administration rule has also tried to narrow which entities have to follow the Affordable Care Act regulations, and Gonzalez-Pagan said C.P.’s lawsuit also seeks to counteract those efforts.
The suit is the latest in a long line of legal efforts by transgender people pushing for greater access to gender-affirming, medically necessary care.
Earlier this year, two transgender women who were denied gender-affirming health care under Florida’s state employee health plan sued state agencies, arguing that the Florida Department of Management Services “recognize[d] it is medically necessary but they choose not to cover it” regardless of that fact.
One of the women said she “had three suicide attempts” as a result of the state’s decision to block her care. “Life wasn’t worth living at that point,” she told Rewire News.
The women are being represented by the ACLU of Florida, Southern Legal Counsel, and pro bono attorney Eric Lindstrom, according to a press release from January.
Last year, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in favor of two transgender women who argued that their sex reassignment surgeries were medically necessary. The court said Iowa’s ban on Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care violated a state civil rights law.
“So many people still don’t understand that this is not something we need for trivial or cosmetic reasons,” EerieAnna Good said at the time. “It’s medical care a doctor is recommending for someone who has a medical need for it.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-02--56 mean tweets about Republicans that the GOP Senate really won't like

Senate Republicans are threatening to reject the nomination of Neera Tanden , President-elect Joe Biden 's pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget , complaining that Tanden has tweeted `` partisan '' criticisms of Republicans .
However , Donald Trump has tweeted insults at Senate Republicans and other GOP lawmakers and officials for years — and these same Republicans have let them slide .
In fact , Trump has insulted so many people on Twitter throughout the years that the New York Times began tracking his attacks .
As of May 2019 , the last time the Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 598 people , places , and things on Twitter , including the Republican Party itself .
Here is a selection of mean tweets Trump has posted about Republican lawmakers , officials , and public figures over the years : Trump has insulted the Senate majority leader , calling him a failure for not repealing the Affordable Care Act in 2017 .
`` The only problem I have with Mitch McConnell is that , after hearing Repeal & Replace for 7 years , he failed !
That should NEVER have happened ! ''
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who called Tanden a `` nut job '' and would n't commit to giving her a hearing , has been on the receiving end of mean Trump tweets .
During the 2016 campaign , when the South Carolina senator ran against Trump for the GOP nomination , Trump called Graham `` really sad , '' `` nasty , '' and a `` dumb mouthpiece , '' whom Trump said he `` ran out of the race like a little boy . ''
Collins , who also commented about Tanden 's tweets , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she 'd vote for her confirmation , has also been attacked by Trump on Twitter .
Ahead of the 2020 election , Trump abandoned Collins ' reelection bid for her Maine Senate seat , declaring that she was `` not worth the work ! ''
Trump has called Alaska 's Murkowski a disappointment , tweeting in July 2017 that she `` really let the Republicans , and our country , down yesterday '' when she voted against a Republican bill to repeal Obamacare .
Romney has been one of few Republican senators to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him on one of the charges on which Trump was impeached .
And that in turn has led to Romney , the junior senator from Utah , receiving a barrage of insults from Trump 's itchy Twitter fingers .
Trump has called Romney `` a disaster , '' `` really sad , '' `` awkward and goofy , '' and `` a mixed up man who does n't have a clue . ''
Just before the 2020 election , Sasse said Trump `` kisses dictators ' butts '' — which led Trump to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that required two tweets .
Some of Trump 's worst comments against the Texas senator came during the 2016 campaign , when he falsely accused Cruz 's father of being involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy .
But Trump tweeted plenty of insults at Cruz , giving him the nickname `` Lyin ' Ted '' and calling him a `` nasty guy , '' and a `` choker . ''
In July , Toomey criticized Trump for commuting the sentence of Roger Stone , the longtime Trump ally who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress , and obstructing a congressional investigation .
That led Trump to slam the Pennsylvania senator on Twitter : `` Do RINO 'S Pat Toomey & Mitt Romney have any problem with the fact that we caught Obama , Biden , & Company illegally spying on my campaign ?
Do they care if Comey , McCabe , Page & her lover , Peter S , the whole group , ran rampant , wild & unchecked - lying & leaking all the way ?
NO ! ''
After Toomey said last month that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump tweeted that Toomey is `` no friend of mine . ''
Haley , the former South Carolina governor who served as Trump 's ambassador to the United Nations , criticized Tanden for `` a track record of disparaging Rep Senators . ''
Trump has criticized Haley , tweeting in March 2016 : `` The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley ! ''
The late Arizona Republican was one of Trump 's favorite punching bags .
In fact , Trump continued to attack McCain even after his death .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his class '' and was `` incapable of doing anything . ''
He also attacked McCain 's daughter , Meghan , calling her `` terrible ...
Angry and obnoxious . ''
Trump attacked McCain 's fellow Arizonian as well , calling him a `` weak and ineffective guy , '' `` toxic , '' and `` really sad . ''
Corker was another Republican Trump feuded with before Corker retired in 2018 .
Trump gave Corker , a senator from Tennessee , the nickname `` Little Bob Corker '' and called him a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Angry that Raffensperger , the Republican top election official in Georgia , would n't overturn the state 's election results , Trump has attacked him for it , tweeting : `` Georgia Secretary of State , a so-called Republican ( RINO ) , wo n't let the people checking the ballots see the signatures for fraud .
Why ?
Without this the whole process is very unfair and close to meaningless . ''
Trump has also turned on Kemp , who has rejected Trump 's demands to overturn the results of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tillerson to serve as his top diplomat , Trump called him `` 'dumb as a rock ' and totally ill prepared and ill equipped to be Secretary of State . ''
Trump turned on Mattis , his first secretary of defense , calling him the `` most overrated General . ''
Trump threatened to `` tell the real story on him '' at a later date .
Bolton has trashed Trump since leaving the administration .
And Trump has trashed him back , calling him `` one of the dumbest people in government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work with '' and a `` wacko . ''
Trump has attacked former Ohio Gov .
John Kasich numerous times over the years , calling him `` one of the worst presidential candidates in history '' and a `` total dud . ''
Amash left the Republican Party over its fealty to Trump , and has often criticized Trump 's actions .
Trump has tweet insults at Amash , who now represents his Michigan district as a member of the Libertarian Party , calling him a `` a total lightweight who opposes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy . ''
Trump has had an on-again off-again relationship with Bannon , the right-wing former head of Trump 's 2016 campaign who is currently under federal indictment for allegedly scamming donors as part of a private effort to build Trump 's long-promised border wall .
In 2018 , Trump accused Bannon of being a source for Michael Wolff 's book about the Trump White House , tweeting , `` Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boring and untruthful book .
He used Sloppy Steve Bannon , who cried when he got fired and begged for his job .
Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone .
Too bad ! ''
Former Florida Gov .
Jeb Bush , who ran for president in 2016 , was one of Trump 's favorite targets during the campaign , calling him `` desperate and sad , '' a `` pathetic figure , '' a `` low energy individual , '' and a `` sad sack . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying George W. Bush was `` not nice ! ''
Before bringing him into his Cabinet , Trump attacked Carson on numerous occasions .
He said Carson was `` incapable of understanding foreign policy , '' and tweeted in 2015 , when Carson was a candidate for president : `` With Ben Carson wanting to hit his mother on head with a hammer , stab a friend and Pyramids built for grain storage - do n't people get it ? ''
Trump turned on Cohen , his personal lawyer , after Cohen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of the 2016 election to pay hush money to a porn actress who said she 'd had an affair with Trump .
Trump called Cohen a `` bad lawyer and fraudster '' and a `` rat , '' adding , `` If anyone is looking for a good lawyer , I would strongly suggest that you do n't retain the services of Michael Cohen ! ''
The husband of former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway , who had at one point been under consideration for positions with the Justice Department in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his disdain for Trump , with Trump returning the favor .
In March 2019 , Trump tweeted : `` George Conway , often referred to as Mr. Kellyanne Conway by those who know him , is VERY jealous of his wife 's success & angry that I , with her help , did n't give him the job he so desperately wanted .
I barely know him but just take a look , a stone cold LOSER & husband from hell ! ''
Walker , the former governor of Wisconsin and another failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some mean tweets from Trump .
Trump called Walker a `` puppet '' of the Koch brothers and said that he was `` not presidential material . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Senate Republicans are threatening to reject the nomination of Neera Tanden, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget, complaining that Tanden has tweeted “partisan” criticisms of Republicans.
However, Donald Trump has tweeted insults at Senate Republicans and other GOP lawmakers and officials for years — and these same Republicans have let them slide.
In fact, Trump has insulted so many people on Twitter throughout the years that the New York Times began tracking his attacks. As of May 2019, the last time the Times updated that list, Trump had insulted 598 people, places, and things on Twitter, including the Republican Party itself.
Here is a selection of mean tweets Trump has posted about Republican lawmakers, officials, and public figures over the years:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Trump has insulted the Senate majority leader, calling him a failure for not repealing the Affordable Care Act in 2017.
“The only problem I have with Mitch McConnell is that, after hearing Repeal & Replace for 7 years, he failed! That should NEVER have happened!” Trump tweeted in August 2017.
Sen. Lindsey Graham
Graham, who called Tanden a “nut job” and wouldn’t commit to giving her a hearing, has been on the receiving end of mean Trump tweets.
During the 2016 campaign, when the South Carolina senator ran against Trump for the GOP nomination, Trump called Graham “really sad,” “nasty,” and a “dumb mouthpiece,” whom Trump said he “ran out of the race like a little boy.”
Sen. Susan Collins
Collins, who also commented about Tanden’s tweets, though she would not say whether or not she’d vote for her confirmation, has also been attacked by Trump on Twitter.
Ahead of the 2020 election, Trump abandoned Collins’ reelection bid for her Maine Senate seat, declaring that she was “not worth the work!”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski
Trump has called Alaska’s Murkowski a disappointment, tweeting in July 2017 that she “really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday” when she voted against a Republican bill to repeal Obamacare.
Sen. Mitt Romney
Romney has been one of few Republican senators to criticize Trump, even voting to convict him on one of the charges on which Trump was impeached.
And that in turn has led to Romney, the junior senator from Utah, receiving a barrage of insults from Trump’s itchy Twitter fingers.
Trump has called Romney “a disaster,” “really sad,” “awkward and goofy,” and “a mixed up man who doesn’t have a clue.”
Sen. Ben Sasse
Just before the 2020 election, Sasse said Trump “kisses dictators’ butts” — which led Trump to attack him on Twitter in a rant that required two tweets.
The least effective of our 53 Republican Senators, and a person who truly doesn’t have what it takes to be great, is Little Ben Sasse of Nebraska, a State which I have gladly done so much to help. @SenSasse was as nice as a RINO can be until he recently won the Republican nomination to run for a second term. Then he went back to his rather stupid and obnoxious ways. Must feel he can’t lose to a Dem. Little Ben is a liability to the Republican Party, and an embarrassment to the Great State of Nebraska. Other than that, he’s just a wonderful guy!
Sen. Marco Rubio
Sen. Ted Cruz
Some of Trump’s worst comments against the Texas senator came during the 2016 campaign, when he falsely accused Cruz’s father of being involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
But Trump tweeted plenty of insults at Cruz, giving him the nickname “Lyin’ Ted” and calling him a “nasty guy,” and a “choker.”
Sen. Pat Toomey
In July, Toomey criticized Trump for commuting the sentence of Roger Stone, the longtime Trump ally who was convicted of witness tampering, lying to Congress, and obstructing a congressional investigation.
That led Trump to slam the Pennsylvania senator on Twitter: “Do RINO’S Pat Toomey & Mitt Romney have any problem with the fact that we caught Obama, Biden, & Company illegally spying on my campaign? Do they care if Comey, McCabe, Page & her lover, Peter S, the whole group, ran rampant, wild & unchecked – lying & leaking all the way? NO!”
After Toomey said last month that the election was over and Trump had lost, Trump tweeted that Toomey is “no friend of mine.”
Ambassador Nikki Haley
Haley, the former South Carolina governor who served as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, criticized Tanden for “a track record of disparaging Rep Senators.”
Trump has criticized Haley, tweeting in March 2016: “The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley!”
Sen. John McCain
The late Arizona Republican was one of Trump’s favorite punching bags. In fact, Trump continued to attack McCain even after his death.
He claimed McCain “graduated last in his class” and was “incapable of doing anything.”
He also attacked McCain’s daughter, Meghan, calling her “terrible … Angry and obnoxious.”
Sen. Jeff Flake
Trump attacked McCain’s fellow Arizonian as well, calling him a “weak and ineffective guy,” “toxic,” and “really sad.”
Sen. Bob Corker
Corker was another Republican Trump feuded with before Corker retired in 2018.
Trump gave Corker, a senator from Tennessee, the nickname “Little Bob Corker” and called him a “fool” and a “lightweight.”
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger
Angry that Raffensperger, the Republican top election official in Georgia, wouldn’t overturn the state’s election results, Trump has attacked him for it, tweeting: “Georgia Secretary of State, a so-called Republican (RINO), won’t let the people checking the ballots see the signatures for fraud. Why? Without this the whole process is very unfair and close to meaningless.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp
Trump has also turned on Kemp, who has rejected Trump’s demands to overturn the results of the state.
Trump called Kemp “hapless.”
Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson
Despite having personally nominated Tillerson to serve as his top diplomat, Trump called him “‘dumb as a rock’ and totally ill prepared and ill equipped to be Secretary of State.”
Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
Trump turned on Mattis, his first secretary of defense, calling him the “most overrated General.” Trump threatened to “tell the real story on him” at a later date.
Former national security adviser John Bolton
Bolton has trashed Trump since leaving the administration.
And Trump has trashed him back, calling him “one of the dumbest people in government that I’ve had the ‘pleasure’ to work with” and a “wacko.”
Gov. John Kasich
Trump has attacked former Ohio Gov. John Kasich numerous times over the years, calling him “one of the worst presidential candidates in history” and a “total dud.”
Rep. Justin Amash
Amash left the Republican Party over its fealty to Trump, and has often criticized Trump’s actions.
Trump has tweet insults at Amash, who now represents his Michigan district as a member of the Libertarian Party, calling him a “a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy.”
Steve Bannon
Trump has had an on-again off-again relationship with Bannon, the right-wing former head of Trump’s 2016 campaign who is currently under federal indictment for allegedly scamming donors as part of a private effort to build Trump’s long-promised border wall.
In 2018, Trump accused Bannon of being a source for Michael Wolff’s book about the Trump White House, tweeting, “Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book. He used Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad!”
Gov. Jeb Bush
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who ran for president in 2016, was one of Trump’s favorite targets during the campaign, calling him “desperate and sad,” a “pathetic figure,” a “low energy individual,” and a “sad sack.”
President George W. Bush
Trump also attacked Jeb through his brother, saying George W. Bush was “not nice!”
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson
Before bringing him into his Cabinet, Trump attacked Carson on numerous occasions. He said Carson was “incapable of understanding foreign policy,” and tweeted in 2015, when Carson was a candidate for president: “With Ben Carson wanting to hit his mother on head with a hammer, stab a friend and Pyramids built for grain storage – don’t people get it?”
Michael Cohen
Trump turned on Cohen, his personal lawyer, after Cohen was indicted as part of a scheme ahead of the 2016 election to pay hush money to a porn actress who said she’d had an affair with Trump.
Trump called Cohen a “bad lawyer and fraudster” and a “rat,” adding, “If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!”
George Conway
The husband of former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, who had at one point been under consideration for positions with the Justice Department in the Trump administration, has been vocal about his disdain for Trump, with Trump returning the favor.
In March 2019, Trump tweeted: “George Conway, often referred to as Mr. Kellyanne Conway by those who know him, is VERY jealous of his wife’s success & angry that I, with her help, didn’t give him the job he so desperately wanted. I barely know him but just take a look, a stone cold LOSER & husband from hell!”
Gov. Scott Walker
Walker, the former governor of Wisconsin and another failed 2016 GOP presidential hopeful, also earned some mean tweets from Trump.
Trump called Walker a “puppet” of the Koch brothers and said that he was “not presidential material.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-02--White House hosts parties while warning governors of holiday coronavirus threat

The White House coronavirus task force this week issued its most dire warnings yet to states about the COVID-19 pandemic , saying that the `` COVID risk to all Americans is at a historic high , '' and that public health officials should go around their state and local government leaders if needed to warn the public about the risks , CNN reported .
Yet despite the urgent warnings , Donald Trump has already begun to host holiday parties at the White House , including the first on Tuesday night in which maskless revelers could be heard coughing , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politico .
It 's the latest instance in which Trump is ignoring the dangers of the virus to hold what could be another superspreader event at the White House .
Already , at least two White House events have been virus superspreaders : the announcement of Amy Coney Barrett as Trump 's Supreme Court pick , as well as Trump 's election night party .
Last week , the White House said it was pressing forward with holiday parties this year despite the virus risk .
But now they are doing so even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned this week that the virus is at its most dangerous level yet , with the task force saying that a `` post-Thanksgiving surge will compromise COVID patient care , as well as medical care overall . ''
`` It must be made clear that if you are over 65 or have significant health conditions , you should not enter any indoor public spaces where anyone is unmasked due to the immediate risk to your health ; you should have groceries and medications delivered , '' the task force wrote in their report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The task force also said that anyone under the age of 40 who gathered with people outside of their immediate families should assume they got the virus , and to avoid anyone who is at heightened risk of getting the virus .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked on Wednesday why the White House would host indoor holiday parties despite the warnings .
McEnany claimed that the White House was taking precautions , like having `` smaller guest lists '' and that the White House was offering masks for guests — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing them , according to Politico 's report .
`` If you can loot businesses , burn down burnings , engage in protest , you can also go to a Christmas party , '' McEnany said .
The task force 's warnings come as hospitals are quickly filling up .
Nearly 100,000 people are hospitalized with the virus across the country , a 32 % increase from two weeks ago , according to data from the New York Times .
On Tuesday , another 2,607 people died from the virus , the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Times ' data .
To date , 270,630 people have died in the United States from the virus .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The White House coronavirus task force this week issued its most dire warnings yet to states about the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that the “COVID risk to all Americans is at a historic high,” and that public health officials should go around their state and local government leaders if needed to warn the public about the risks, CNN reported.
Yet despite the urgent warnings, Donald Trump has already begun to host holiday parties at the White House, including the first on Tuesday night in which maskless revelers could be heard coughing, according to video from the event obtained by Politico.
It’s the latest instance in which Trump is ignoring the dangers of the virus to hold what could be another superspreader event at the White House.
Already, at least two White House events have been virus superspreaders: the announcement of Amy Coney Barrett as Trump’s Supreme Court pick, as well as Trump’s election night party.
Last week, the White House said it was pressing forward with holiday parties this year despite the virus risk.
But now they are doing so even as Trump’s own virus task force warned this week that the virus is at its most dangerous level yet, with the task force saying that a “post-Thanksgiving surge will compromise COVID patient care, as well as medical care overall.”


shareblue--2020-12-02--McEnany: Trump was right to ignore LGBTQ people on World AIDS Day

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday defended Donald Trump 's decision , for the third time in his presidency , to omit any mention of LGBTQ people from his proclamation of World AIDS Day .
`` I think that he commemorated the day as he should have , '' McEnany told reporters after being asked about the action .
Trump made the same omission in 2019 — while promising to cure HIV by 2030 .
He also omitted references to LGBTQ people in 2017 and 2018 .
By contrast , former President Barack Obama noted in his 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , transgender people , youth , black and Latino Americans , people living in the Southern United States , and people who inject drugs are at a disproportionate risk . ''
McEnany also falsely claimed that Trump had `` honored World AIDS Day yesterday in a way that no president has before , with the red ribbon there '' affixed to the front of the White House .
In fact , both of Trump 's predecessors had red ribbons hung in front of the White House .
President George W. Bush was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2007 , and he also put one up in Dec. 2008 .
Obama did it multiple times , including in Nov. 2009 and Dec. 2012 .
Throughout his presidency , Trump has frequently attacked the LGBTQ community on a host of issues .
REPORTER : Kayleigh , as demonstrated by the large red ribbon out there on the White House , yesterday was World AIDS Day .
The president issued a proclamation yesterday , but consistent with his previous three proclamations , omitted any reference to LGBTQ people even though they bare the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reference to racial and ethnic minorities , so why not LGBTQ people ?
KAYLEIGH McENANY : The president honored World AIDS Day yesterday in a way that no president has before , with the red ribbon there , and I think that he commemorated the day as he should have .
REPORTER : That does n't explain why there 's no reference to LGBTQ people in the proclamation .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday defended Donald Trump’s decision, for the third time in his presidency, to omit any mention of LGBTQ people from his proclamation of World AIDS Day.
“I think that he commemorated the day as he should have,” McEnany told reporters after being asked about the action.
Trump made the same omission in 2019 — while promising to cure HIV by 2030. He also omitted references to LGBTQ people in 2017 and 2018.
By contrast, former President Barack Obama noted in his 2016 proclamation, “Gay and bisexual men, transgender people, youth, black and Latino Americans, people living in the Southern United States, and people who inject drugs are at a disproportionate risk.”
McEnany also falsely claimed that Trump had “honored World AIDS Day yesterday in a way that no president has before, with the red ribbon there” affixed to the front of the White House.
In fact, both of Trump’s predecessors had red ribbons hung in front of the White House. President George W. Bush was the first to put the ribbon up in 2007, and he also put one up in Dec. 2008. Obama did it multiple times, including in Nov. 2009 and Dec. 2012.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has frequently attacked the LGBTQ community on a host of issues.
From a Dec. 2 White House press briefing:
REPORTER: Kayleigh, as demonstrated by the large red ribbon out there on the White House, yesterday was World AIDS Day. The president issued a proclamation yesterday, but consistent with his previous three proclamations, omitted any reference to LGBTQ people even though they bare the brunt of HIV/AIDS. The president included a reference to racial and ethnic minorities, so why not LGBTQ people? KAYLEIGH McENANY: The president honored World AIDS Day yesterday in a way that no president has before, with the red ribbon there, and I think that he commemorated the day as he should have. REPORTER: That doesn’t explain why there’s no reference to LGBTQ people in the proclamation.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.