shareblue--2020-07-16--Fact check: Trump lies about Biden on border wall, deportations, education, and more

Donald Trump is assailing Joe Biden for immigration proposals that Biden actually is n't proposing .
Trump 's account of what his Democratic presidential rival says he 'd do with people in the country illegally is false in almost every detail .
Trump issued his heated indictment of Biden 's immigration policies and other plans in a sprawling performance from the Rose Garden on Tuesday and carried on with the theme Wednesday .
In addition to misrepresenting Biden 's still-evolving agenda , Trump ignored the fact that the Obama-Biden administration aggressively deported people , drawing fierce criticism from some advocates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Trump 's assertions and how they compare with the facts : TRUMP : `` Sign new immigrants up for welfare immediately .
This is Joe Biden .
So they walk off , and they come in , and they put a foot into our land , and we sign up new immigrants up for welfare .
We sign them up immediately .
They get welfare benefits .
United States citizens do n't get what they 're looking to give illegal immigrants . ''
THE FACT : Biden has proposed no such thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigration that Biden advisers created with advisers from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ' former presidential campaign .
Biden instead has proposed something far more limited .
He would reverse a Trump administration rule that allows immigration officials to consider whether someone seeking a U.S. visa or green card is likely to use Medicaid or certain other public benefits .
If so , that person 's bid to live legally in the U.S. could be disadvantaged .
The committee of advisers makes a similar recommendation in hopes of influencing the Democratic platform .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extending blanket public assistance immediately to immigrants regardless of their legal status .
TRUMP : `` What they 're going to do is they 're going to rip down the wall .
They 're taking it down .
They want to take down the wall , which we fought hard for . ''
Biden 's immigration plan does not include money for new border fencing , and he and the task force are n't calling for any new walls .
But neither has proposed taking down existing barriers .
TRUMP : `` Abolish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You come in here illegally , no more detention . ''
THE FACTS : Such a plan also does not exist .
Instead , Biden has promised to adhere to federal court precedent capping how long immigrants can be held in detention , which the Trump administration has challenged .
He also supports `` community-based '' alternatives to detention and would close private , for-profit detention centers .
As for the task force of advisers , it proposes using federal money to help states find alternatives to detention for immigrant children specifically and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resort for all immigrants .
Biden is not bound by what these advisers want him to do , and in any event , they are not proposing to eliminate incarceration but to reduce it .
TRUMP : `` Think of that : Abolish immigration enforcement .
They 're going to abolish immigration enforcement . ''
THE FACT : No , they 're not .
Biden has been notably outspoken in arguing that crossing the U.S. border illegally is a crime and should remain punished as such in federal court .
In fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsed immigration plans supported by Sanders and other former presidential candidates that sought to decriminalize illegal border crossings and make doing so only a civil offense .
TRUMP : `` Stop all deportation .
So if we get a MS-13 gang member , which we 've taken out of our country by the thousands — brought them back to Honduras , Guatemala — ca n't do that anymore — El Salvador .
Ca n't do that anymore .
Stop all deportations .
So in other words , we 'll take all of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison for rape , murder , lots of other things . ''
THE FACTS : Biden has n't proposed ceasing deportations .
He 's not committed to a policy on it either way .
The committee of advisers has proposed a 100-day moratorium on deportations , not a ban .
TRUMP : `` Federal student aid and free community college for illegal aliens .
What do you think about that ? ''
THE FACTS : Only for the people already in the country who came illegally as children — the so-called Dreamers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposing such aid for everyone who is in the country illegally or who comes illegally in the future .
TRUMP : `` Expand asylum for all new illegal aliens .
How about that one ?
All new illegal aliens , expand asylum . ''
THE FACTS : No .
Biden and the task force are not proposing asylum for all who seek it .
They have advocated rolling back Trump administration restrictions that greatly reduced the number of immigrants who are now eligible for U.S. asylum .
That would probably expand the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels before Trump took office .
That 's far from a universal granting of asylum .
TRUMP , on Biden 's supposed plan : `` Cancel all asylum cooperation agreements in the Western Hemisphere . ''
THE FACTS : Yes , both Biden and the task force want to undo Trump administration agreements with Mexico and Central America that require many immigrants to remain in those countries until their claims for asylum can begin to be processed at the U.S. border .
TRUMP : `` Incentivize illegal-alien child smuggling .
Give it an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they 're saying , that 's exactly what they do : Incentivize illegal-alien child smuggling . ''
THE FACTS : The consequences of any new policy ca n't be known in advance with precision .
But Biden and the advisers argue that rolling back Trump 's `` zero tolerance '' immigration policy would actually free up law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes , like the smuggling of immigrants , children , and drugs .
Biden has also vaguely promised to `` improve cross-agency collaboration , '' which he says would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Whether that 's so ca n't be known in advance , either .

Donald Trump is assailing Joe Biden for immigration proposals that Biden actually isn’t proposing. Trump’s account of what his Democratic presidential rival says he’d do with people in the country illegally is false in almost every detail.
Trump issued his heated indictment of Biden’s immigration policies and other plans in a sprawling performance from the Rose Garden on Tuesday and carried on with the theme Wednesday.
In addition to misrepresenting Biden’s still-evolving agenda, Trump ignored the fact that the Obama-Biden administration aggressively deported people, drawing fierce criticism from some advocates for immigrants.
Here’s a look at Trump’s assertions and how they compare with the facts:
WELFARE
TRUMP: “Sign new immigrants up for welfare immediately. This is Joe Biden. So they walk off, and they come in, and they put a foot into our land, and we sign up new immigrants up for welfare. We sign them up immediately. They get welfare benefits. United States citizens don’t get what they’re looking to give illegal immigrants.”
THE FACT: Biden has proposed no such thing. Nor has the task force on immigration that Biden advisers created with advisers from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ former presidential campaign.
Biden instead has proposed something far more limited. He would reverse a Trump administration rule that allows immigration officials to consider whether someone seeking a U.S. visa or green card is likely to use Medicaid or certain other public benefits. If so, that person’s bid to live legally in the U.S. could be disadvantaged.
The committee of advisers makes a similar recommendation in hopes of influencing the Democratic platform. But neither Biden nor the panel has endorsed extending blanket public assistance immediately to immigrants regardless of their legal status.
___
THE WALL
TRUMP: “What they’re going to do is they’re going to rip down the wall. They’re taking it down. They want to take down the wall, which we fought hard for.”
THE FACTS: Also false.
Biden’s immigration plan does not include money for new border fencing, and he and the task force aren’t calling for any new walls. But neither has proposed taking down existing barriers.
___
DETENTION
TRUMP: “Abolish immigration detention. No more detention. You come in here illegally, no more detention.”
THE FACTS: Such a plan also does not exist.
Instead, Biden has promised to adhere to federal court precedent capping how long immigrants can be held in detention, which the Trump administration has challenged. He also supports “community-based” alternatives to detention and would close private, for-profit detention centers.
As for the task force of advisers, it proposes using federal money to help states find alternatives to detention for immigrant children specifically and says detention centers should be a last resort for all immigrants. Biden is not bound by what these advisers want him to do, and in any event, they are not proposing to eliminate incarceration but to reduce it.
___
ENFORCEMENT
TRUMP: “Think of that: Abolish immigration enforcement. They’re going to abolish immigration enforcement.”
THE FACT: No, they’re not.
Biden has been notably outspoken in arguing that crossing the U.S. border illegally is a crime and should remain punished as such in federal court. In fact, he and the task force have not endorsed immigration plans supported by Sanders and other former presidential candidates that sought to decriminalize illegal border crossings and make doing so only a civil offense.
___
DEPORTATION
TRUMP: “Stop all deportation. So if we get a MS-13 gang member, which we’ve taken out of our country by the thousands — brought them back to Honduras, Guatemala — can’t do that anymore — El Salvador. Can’t do that anymore. Stop all deportations. So in other words, we’ll take all of these people — many of whom are in prison for rape, murder, lots of other things.”
THE FACTS: Biden hasn’t proposed ceasing deportations. He’s not committed to a policy on it either way. The committee of advisers has proposed a 100-day moratorium on deportations, not a ban.
___
EDUCATION
TRUMP: “Federal student aid and free community college for illegal aliens. What do you think about that?”
THE FACTS: Only for the people already in the country who came illegally as children — the so-called Dreamers. Neither Biden nor the task force is proposing such aid for everyone who is in the country illegally or who comes illegally in the future.
___
ASYLUM
TRUMP: “Expand asylum for all new illegal aliens. How about that one? All new illegal aliens, expand asylum.”
THE FACTS: No. Biden and the task force are not proposing asylum for all who seek it.
They have advocated rolling back Trump administration restrictions that greatly reduced the number of immigrants who are now eligible for U.S. asylum. That would probably expand the number of immigrants eligible for asylum closer to levels before Trump took office. That’s far from a universal granting of asylum.
___
TRUMP, on Biden’s supposed plan: “Cancel all asylum cooperation agreements in the Western Hemisphere.”
THE FACTS: Yes, both Biden and the task force want to undo Trump administration agreements with Mexico and Central America that require many immigrants to remain in those countries until their claims for asylum can begin to be processed at the U.S. border.
___
SMUGGLING
TRUMP: “Incentivize illegal-alien child smuggling. Give it an incentive. Because if you look at what they’re saying, that’s exactly what they do: Incentivize illegal-alien child smuggling.”
THE FACTS: The consequences of any new policy can’t be known in advance with precision. But Biden and the advisers argue that rolling back Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy would actually free up law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes, like the smuggling of immigrants, children, and drugs.
Biden has also vaguely promised to “improve cross-agency collaboration,” which he says would help multiple agencies investigate and prosecute smugglers. Whether that’s so can’t be known in advance, either.


shareblue--2020-07-16--White House won't say if Karen Pence will return to teaching this fall

The Trump administration has demanded schools reopen for in-person instruction despite the pandemic , but won ’ t say if second lady Karen Pence will be among those returning to the classroom next month .
Immanuel Christian School is `` planning to return to full time instruction on campus in August , '' according to its website .
The school confirmed its plan to reopen during a brief phone call on Wednesday .
Pence taught art classes at the school two days a week last year .
`` I am excited to be back in the classroom and doing what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in January 2019 .
`` I have missed teaching art . ''
Pence previously taught at Immanuel Christian for 12 years when her husband was a member of Congress .
The White House did not respond to multiple emails asking about the second lady ’ s plans for the upcoming school year .
Immanuel Christian officials did not answer questions about Pence specifically on Wednesday , and did not respond to multiple email inquiries on the topic .
On July 7 , Pence spoke at a White House event encouraging schools to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent surge in coronavirus cases .
`` We need to take care of our kids , '' the second lady said , claiming that reopening schools would prevent `` these emotional , mental health challenges that our kids will face if they do n't get back into school . ''
Her husband , Vice President Mike Pence , has made similar statements in support of in-person instruction this fall .
It is `` absolutely essential that we get our kids back into classroom for in-person learning , '' the vice president said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reiterated the position during a trip to Louisiana , saying , `` We really do believe that to open up America again , we need to open up our schools . ''
Donald Trump previously threatened to cut off federal funding for schools that opted not to open for in-person instruction this fall , and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos demanded that schools `` must reopen and they must be fully operational , '' on July 8 .
`` Ultimately , it 's not a matter of if schools should reopen .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Rushing to reopen schools without `` a comprehensive plan that includes federal resources to provide for the safety of our students and educators with funding for Personal Protective Equipment , socially distanced instruction , and addressing racial inequity '' has the potential to put students and teachers at risk , according to a joint letter from the National Education Association , the American Federation of Teachers , and other groups representing the interests of educators and parents .
`` No one wants students to safely return to classrooms more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also recognize that we must do it the safest way possible , not the most politically expedient way , '' the groups wrote .
`` As parents , educators and administrators , we want to do what is best for students , and we are fighting for what we need to reopen schools safely .
This administration and Congress must do better to partner with us and lead . ''
Immanuel Christian is located in northern Virginia , about 15 miles from the White House .
Coronavirus cases in that area have remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , D.C. , NBC affiliate WRC-TV , but Fairfax County , where Immanuel Christian is located , still has one of the highest concentrations of cases in the state .
The county has 1,273 cases per 100,000 residents compared to a statewide average of 744 per 100,000 residents .
On its website , Immanuel Christian laid out a `` Return to Campus Plan '' with some of the health and safety precautions it will take to reduce potential spread of the virus .
The measures include staggering when students change classrooms to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hallways , implementing new cleaning routines , requiring students to take their temperature before school each day , and installing hand sanitizer stations in each room .
The plan , which was updated in June , did not mention face masks , which health officials advise wearing to reduce the spread of the virus .
Pence 's decision to teach at Immanuel Christian sparked controversy last year because of the school ’ s bigoted policies .
In order to work at the school , applicants must agree that marriage should only be between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school refuses to accept LGBTQ students , HuffPost reported .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The Trump administration has demanded schools reopen for in-person instruction despite the pandemic, but won’t say if second lady Karen Pence will be among those returning to the classroom next month.
Immanuel Christian School is “planning to return to full time instruction on campus in August,” according to its website. The school confirmed its plan to reopen during a brief phone call on Wednesday.
Pence taught art classes at the school two days a week last year.
“I am excited to be back in the classroom and doing what I love to do,” Pence said in January 2019. “I have missed teaching art.”
Pence previously taught at Immanuel Christian for 12 years when her husband was a member of Congress.
The White House did not respond to multiple emails asking about the second lady’s plans for the upcoming school year.
Immanuel Christian officials did not answer questions about Pence specifically on Wednesday, and did not respond to multiple email inquiries on the topic.
On July 7, Pence spoke at a White House event encouraging schools to reopen in the fall, despite a recent surge in coronavirus cases.
“We need to take care of our kids,” the second lady said, claiming that reopening schools would prevent “these emotional, mental health challenges that our kids will face if they don’t get back into school.”
Her husband, Vice President Mike Pence, has made similar statements in support of in-person instruction this fall.
It is “absolutely essential that we get our kids back into classroom for in-person learning,” the vice president said on July 8. On Tuesday, he reiterated the position during a trip to Louisiana, saying, “We really do believe that to open up America again, we need to open up our schools.”
Donald Trump previously threatened to cut off federal funding for schools that opted not to open for in-person instruction this fall, and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos demanded that schools “must reopen and they must be fully operational,” on July 8.
“Ultimately, it’s not a matter of if schools should reopen. It’s simply a matter of how,” she said.
Rushing to reopen schools without “a comprehensive plan that includes federal resources to provide for the safety of our students and educators with funding for Personal Protective Equipment, socially distanced instruction, and addressing racial inequity” has the potential to put students and teachers at risk, according to a joint letter from the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and other groups representing the interests of educators and parents.
“No one wants students to safely return to classrooms more than parents, educators and administrators. We also recognize that we must do it the safest way possible, not the most politically expedient way,” the groups wrote.
“As parents, educators and administrators, we want to do what is best for students, and we are fighting for what we need to reopen schools safely. This administration and Congress must do better to partner with us and lead.”
Immanuel Christian is located in northern Virginia, about 15 miles from the White House.
Coronavirus cases in that area have remained steady since June 20, according to Washington, D.C., NBC affiliate WRC-TV, but Fairfax County, where Immanuel Christian is located, still has one of the highest concentrations of cases in the state. The county has 1,273 cases per 100,000 residents compared to a statewide average of 744 per 100,000 residents.
On its website, Immanuel Christian laid out a “Return to Campus Plan” with some of the health and safety precautions it will take to reduce potential spread of the virus.
The measures include staggering when students change classrooms to reduce the number of people in the hallways, implementing new cleaning routines, requiring students to take their temperature before school each day, and installing hand sanitizer stations in each room.
The plan, which was updated in June, did not mention face masks, which health officials advise wearing to reduce the spread of the virus.
Pence’s decision to teach at Immanuel Christian sparked controversy last year because of the school’s bigoted policies.
In order to work at the school, applicants must agree that marriage should only be between one man and one woman, and the school refuses to accept LGBTQ students, HuffPost reported.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-16--Trump campaign lie about Biden gets a rare Fox News fact check

Trump campaign press secretary Hogan Gidley falsely claimed that Vice President Joe Biden wants to `` defund the police '' during an interview on Fox News on Thursday .
The falsehood drew a rare real-time fact check from the conservative network .
`` He 's not calling to defund the police , '' anchor Sandra Smith told Gidley .
Donald Trump and his campaign have been pushing the false claim for weeks .
In a fact check of a Trump campaign ad promoting the same message , the Washington Post stated the claim was `` simply false . ''
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional funding for police departments to aid efforts in `` community policing . ''
`` I do n't support defunding police , '' Biden wrote in an op-ed discussing the proposal .
`` Every single police department should have the money they need to institute real reforms like adopting a national use of force standard , buying body cameras , and recruiting more diverse police officers . ''
From the July 16 edition of Fox News ' `` America 's Newsroom '' : HOGAN GIDLEY : As I 've mentioned on your show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump and Joe Biden is stark .
You do n't have to guess what America would look like under Joe Biden , you 've seen it .
The economy was horrible .
The city streets are devolving into lawlessness , and all he says is , `` Should we defund the police ?
Yes , comma , absolutely . ''
That 's what his stance is — SANDRA SMITH , Fox News : He 's not saying to defund the police .
He 's not calling to defund the police .
GIDLEY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , `` yes , absolutely , '' and he said that the police are actually becoming the enemy .
So , you do n't have to guess .
Your job is n't safe , your life is n't safe , and your American way of life is not safe with Joe Biden , because his policies just wage war on all three .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Trump campaign press secretary Hogan Gidley falsely claimed that Vice President Joe Biden wants to “defund the police” during an interview on Fox News on Thursday.
The falsehood drew a rare real-time fact check from the conservative network.
“He’s not calling to defund the police,” anchor Sandra Smith told Gidley.
Donald Trump and his campaign have been pushing the false claim for weeks. In a fact check of a Trump campaign ad promoting the same message, the Washington Post stated the claim was “simply false.”
Biden has called for $300 million in additional funding for police departments to aid efforts in “community policing.”
“I don’t support defunding police,” Biden wrote in an op-ed discussing the proposal. “Every single police department should have the money they need to institute real reforms like adopting a national use of force standard, buying body cameras, and recruiting more diverse police officers.”
From the July 16 edition of Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom”:
HOGAN GIDLEY: As I’ve mentioned on your show before, the compare and contrast with Donald Trump and Joe Biden is stark. You don’t have to guess what America would look like under Joe Biden, you’ve seen it. The economy was horrible. The city streets are devolving into lawlessness, and all he says is, “Should we defund the police? Yes, comma, absolutely.” That’s what his stance is — SANDRA SMITH, Fox News: He’s not saying to defund the police. He’s not calling to defund the police. GIDLEY: He was asked about defunding, he said, “yes, absolutely,” and he said that the police are actually becoming the enemy. So, you don’t have to guess. Your job isn’t safe, your life isn’t safe, and your American way of life is not safe with Joe Biden, because his policies just wage war on all three.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-16--White House claims Trump was just following CDC rules by not wearing a mask

The White House falsely claimed on Wednesday that Donald Trump 's failure to wear a mask on a visit to Atlanta was in accordance with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Trump 's failure to wear a mask violated both a city order and CDC recommendations .
`` The President takes the health and safety of everyone traveling in support of himself and all White House operations very seriously , '' White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement provided to CNN .
`` When preparing for and carrying out any travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Physician to the President and the White House Military Office , to ensure plans incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible . ''
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms told the network that , by not wearing a face covering during his visit to the city 's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport , Trump violated her executive order .
`` So by not having on a mask , President Trump did violate law in the city of Atlanta , '' Bottoms said , `` but I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules and regulations in the city . ''
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's latest update of its `` Considerations for Wearing Cloth Face Coverings '' guidance states that it `` recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings '' and notes that masks are `` most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings . ''
In a press release published Tuesday titled , `` CDC calls on Americans to wear masks to prevent COVID-19 spread , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloth face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19 that could reduce the spread of the disease , particularly when used universally within communities . ''
Trump has almost always refused to wear face mask in public .
`` I just do n't want to wear one myself , '' he told reporters in April .
`` Somehow , sitting in the Oval Office behind that beautiful Resolute Desk , the great Resolute Desk , I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents , prime ministers , dictators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't know .
Somehow , I do n't see it for myself .
I just do n't . ''
In May , unnamed officials told the Associated Press that Trump 's refusal to wear a face covering was because he feared it would make him look bad and `` send the wrong message '' as he pushed to quickly reopen the economy .
He even refused to wear a mask when touring an Arizona mask factory that month — flouting signs that said , `` Face mask required in this area . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` politically correct '' for wearing a mask ; retweeted a Fox News analyst mocking how Joe Biden looked in one ; dismissed the effectiveness of masks in preventing the spread of the coronavirus ; and suggested Americans might be wearing masks just to signal their anti-Trump views .
On Wednesday , Republican Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp issued an executive order banning Atlanta and other localities from issuing mask requirements .
He called such orders `` a bridge too far , '' even as the number of new coronavirus cases in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each day .
CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield , a Trump appointee , said Tuesday that mask use could control the COVID-19 pandemic , and that `` masking is not a political issue — it 's a public health issue . ''
`` I really do believe if the American public all embraced masking now , and we really did it , you know , rigorously , '' he told the Journal of the American Medical Association , `` I think if we can get everybody to wear a mask right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four to six , eight weeks , we can bring this epidemic under control . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The White House falsely claimed on Wednesday that Donald Trump’s failure to wear a mask on a visit to Atlanta was in accordance with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Trump’s failure to wear a mask violated both a city order and CDC recommendations.
“The President takes the health and safety of everyone traveling in support of himself and all White House operations very seriously,” White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement provided to CNN. “When preparing for and carrying out any travel, White House Operations collaborates with the Physician to the President and the White House Military Office, to ensure plans incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible.”
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms told the network that, by not wearing a face covering during his visit to the city’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Trump violated her executive order.
“So by not having on a mask, President Trump did violate law in the city of Atlanta,” Bottoms said, “but I am somehow not surprised that he disregarded our rules and regulations in the city.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest update of its “Considerations for Wearing Cloth Face Coverings” guidance states that it “recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings” and notes that masks are “most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.”
In a press release published Tuesday titled, “CDC calls on Americans to wear masks to prevent COVID-19 spread,” the CDC said that it “affirms that cloth face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19 that could reduce the spread of the disease, particularly when used universally within communities.”
Trump has almost always refused to wear face mask in public.
“I just don’t want to wear one myself,” he told reporters in April. “Somehow, sitting in the Oval Office behind that beautiful Resolute Desk, the great Resolute Desk, I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens, I don’t know. Somehow, I don’t see it for myself. I just don’t.”
In May, unnamed officials told the Associated Press that Trump’s refusal to wear a face covering was because he feared it would make him look bad and “send the wrong message” as he pushed to quickly reopen the economy. He even refused to wear a mask when touring an Arizona mask factory that month — flouting signs that said, “Face mask required in this area.”
Trump has attacked a reporter for being “politically correct” for wearing a mask; retweeted a Fox News analyst mocking how Joe Biden looked in one; dismissed the effectiveness of masks in preventing the spread of the coronavirus; and suggested Americans might be wearing masks just to signal their anti-Trump views.
On Wednesday, Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order banning Atlanta and other localities from issuing mask requirements. He called such orders “a bridge too far,” even as the number of new coronavirus cases in his state have spiked to more than 3,000 each day.
CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, a Trump appointee, said Tuesday that mask use could control the COVID-19 pandemic, and that “masking is not a political issue — it’s a public health issue.”
“I really do believe if the American public all embraced masking now, and we really did it, you know, rigorously,” he told the Journal of the American Medical Association, “I think if we can get everybody to wear a mask right now, I really do think over the next four to six, eight weeks, we can bring this epidemic under control.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-16--Florida teacher: Yearbooks shouldn't need memorial pages for COVID deaths

Dave Galloway , a sixth-grade science teacher and military veteran in Florida , said that he fears for the health of himself , other teachers , and students if schools in his state reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` No yearbook this year should include a memorial page for those that passed from COVID , '' he told CNN on Thursday .
Florida Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis has ordered schools in the state to reopen and has frequently defended his position .
The state reported 10,181 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and 112 deaths .
The surge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 301,810 .
`` Florida broke its one-day record for coronavirus deaths Tuesday with another 132 fatalities reported as the state sees a skyrocketing fatality rate that 's near the highest in the nation , '' the Orlando Sentinel reported .
From the July 16 edition of CNN 's `` New Day '' : ALISYN CAMEROTA , CNN : You point out that you are a veteran , you do not scare easily .
CAMEROTA : But you say that you feel like they 're forcing you to go back in the trenches ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean , I 'm a former U.S. Army paratrooper .
I spent 12 years in the infantry .
I 'm not hardwired for stress .
I 'm able to absorb what 's going on and make a good point of action , if you will .
And they are putting an assumed level of risk on teachers that – and students , and our most vulnerable students – that quite frankly , I find untenable .
No school year , I 'm sorry , no yearbook this year should include a memorial page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
And that 's what we 're looking at .
Martin mentioned earlier , part of my prep this year is I 'm looking at setting up a will ?
It 's just – it 's mind-boggling .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Dave Galloway, a sixth-grade science teacher and military veteran in Florida, said that he fears for the health of himself, other teachers, and students if schools in his state reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“No yearbook this year should include a memorial page for those that passed from COVID,” he told CNN on Thursday.
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered schools in the state to reopen and has frequently defended his position.
The state reported 10,181 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and 112 deaths. The surge in infections pushed Florida’s total cases to 301,810.
“Florida broke its one-day record for coronavirus deaths Tuesday with another 132 fatalities reported as the state sees a skyrocketing fatality rate that’s near the highest in the nation,” the Orlando Sentinel reported.
From the July 16 edition of CNN’s “New Day”:
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN: You point out that you are a veteran, you do not scare easily. DAVE GALLOWAY: Yes, ma’am. CAMEROTA: But you say that you feel like they’re forcing you to go back in the trenches? GALLOWAY: Literally and figuratively. I mean, I’m a former U.S. Army paratrooper. I spent 12 years in the infantry. I’m not hardwired for stress. I’m able to absorb what’s going on and make a good point of action, if you will. And they are putting an assumed level of risk on teachers that – and students, and our most vulnerable students – that quite frankly, I find untenable. No school year, I’m sorry, no yearbook this year should include a memorial page for those that passed from COVID this year. And that’s what we’re looking at. Martin mentioned earlier, part of my prep this year is I’m looking at setting up a will? It’s just – it’s mind-boggling.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-16--Trump boots campaign manager after failed Tulsa rally and tanking polls

Donald Trump shook up his campaign staff amid sinking poll numbers less than four months before the election , replacing campaign manager Brad Parscale with veteran GOP operative Bill Stepien .
`` I am pleased to announce that Bill Stepien has been promoted to the role of Trump Campaign Manager , '' Trump said Wednesday on Facebook .
`` Brad Parscale , who has been with me for a very long time and has led our tremendous digital and data strategies , will remain in that role , while being a Senior Advisor to the campaign . ''
Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Trump annoyed by the publicity Parscale had garnered in the role .
But the final straw appeared to be a Tulsa , Oklahoma , rally last month that drew an unexpectedly low crowd of about 6,200 people after Parscale had bragged that more than a million people had requested tickets .
Trump was furious .
The shakeup injected familiar turmoil to Trump 's 2020 campaign , which had so far largely avoided the regular staff churn that dominated the 2016 campaign and his White House .
It comes as Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , with the nation facing health and economic crises during a pandemic that has killed more than 135,000 Americans .
The staff change was not expected to alter the day-to-day running of the campaign .
News of the shuffle was delivered to Parscale on Wednesday afternoon by White House adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner .
Parscale , a political novice , ran Trump 's digital advertising in 2016 and was credited with helping bring about his surprise victory that year .
Stepien has been in politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie and serving as Trump 's national field director in 2016 .
Parscale had been increasingly sidelined in the weeks since the Tulsa rally and as Trump 's public and private poll numbers have taken a hit amid the pandemic .
Speculation had been rampant about who might be promoted to lead the operation , with names like former Trump strategist Steve Bannon floated .
Parscale is a close ally of Kushner , who wields ultimate control over the campaign .
A Florida resident , he had not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign 's Arlington , Virginia , headquarters , sparking some resentments among staffers .
Rather than parting ways completely , Parscale was retained in part because of the difficulty the campaign would have faced in rebuilding its digital advertising operation so close to the Nov. 3 general election .
While the Republican National Committee owned most of the campaign 's data , voter modeling , and outreach tools , Parscale ran most of the microtargeted online advertising that Trump aides believed were key in 2016 .
Parscale 's digital advertising firm was among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some in Trump 's orbit have alleged that the former campaign manager was profiting off Trump 's reelection .
Parscale has repeatedly denied the claims .
Trump has been pressed by allies in recent months to expand his political circle and more forcefully define his run against Biden .
Last month , Trump announced a promotion for Stepien and returned former communications chief Jason Miller to his campaign , taking away some of Parscale 's clout and influence .
Biden also shuffled his campaign team , albeit much earlier in the cycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary run .
For Biden , the moves marked genuine shakeups that expanded and changed how his campaign operated .
Biden elevated Anita Dunn , effectively displacing his first campaign manager , Greg Schultz , after a fourth-place Iowa finish and as he was already headed for a second embarrassing finish in New Hampshire .
Dunn had joined Biden at the outset of his campaign after having served President Barack Obama as a top communications adviser .
With Dunn 's urging , Biden hired his current campaign manager , Jen O'Malley Dillon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resurrect Biden in Nevada and South Carolina and put him on the path to the nomination .
Schultz is now at the Democratic National Committee , helping lead the joint battleground strategy among the national party , the Biden campaign , and state parties .

Donald Trump shook up his campaign staff amid sinking poll numbers less than four months before the election, replacing campaign manager Brad Parscale with veteran GOP operative Bill Stepien.
“I am pleased to announce that Bill Stepien has been promoted to the role of Trump Campaign Manager,” Trump said Wednesday on Facebook. “Brad Parscale, who has been with me for a very long time and has led our tremendous digital and data strategies, will remain in that role, while being a Senior Advisor to the campaign.”
Trump and Parscale’s relationship had been increasingly strained, with Trump annoyed by the publicity Parscale had garnered in the role. But the final straw appeared to be a Tulsa, Oklahoma, rally last month that drew an unexpectedly low crowd of about 6,200 people after Parscale had bragged that more than a million people had requested tickets. Trump was furious.
The shakeup injected familiar turmoil to Trump’s 2020 campaign, which had so far largely avoided the regular staff churn that dominated the 2016 campaign and his White House. It comes as Trump has been struggling in his reelection campaign against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, with the nation facing health and economic crises during a pandemic that has killed more than 135,000 Americans.
The staff change was not expected to alter the day-to-day running of the campaign. News of the shuffle was delivered to Parscale on Wednesday afternoon by White House adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Parscale, a political novice, ran Trump’s digital advertising in 2016 and was credited with helping bring about his surprise victory that year. Stepien has been in politics for years, working for former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and serving as Trump’s national field director in 2016.
Parscale had been increasingly sidelined in the weeks since the Tulsa rally and as Trump’s public and private poll numbers have taken a hit amid the pandemic. Speculation had been rampant about who might be promoted to lead the operation, with names like former Trump strategist Steve Bannon floated.
Parscale is a close ally of Kushner, who wields ultimate control over the campaign. A Florida resident, he had not been a regular presence of late in the campaign’s Arlington, Virginia, headquarters, sparking some resentments among staffers.
Rather than parting ways completely, Parscale was retained in part because of the difficulty the campaign would have faced in rebuilding its digital advertising operation so close to the Nov. 3 general election. While the Republican National Committee owned most of the campaign’s data, voter modeling, and outreach tools, Parscale ran most of the microtargeted online advertising that Trump aides believed were key in 2016.
Parscale’s digital advertising firm was among the campaign’s most significant vendors, and some in Trump’s orbit have alleged that the former campaign manager was profiting off Trump’s reelection. Parscale has repeatedly denied the claims.
Trump has been pressed by allies in recent months to expand his political circle and more forcefully define his run against Biden. Last month, Trump announced a promotion for Stepien and returned former communications chief Jason Miller to his campaign, taking away some of Parscale’s clout and influence.
Biden also shuffled his campaign team, albeit much earlier in the cycle, amid a disastrous stretch in his primary run. For Biden, the moves marked genuine shakeups that expanded and changed how his campaign operated.
Biden elevated Anita Dunn, effectively displacing his first campaign manager, Greg Schultz, after a fourth-place Iowa finish and as he was already headed for a second embarrassing finish in New Hampshire. Dunn had joined Biden at the outset of his campaign after having served President Barack Obama as a top communications adviser.
With Dunn’s urging, Biden hired his current campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon, in March after Dunn and others helped resurrect Biden in Nevada and South Carolina and put him on the path to the nomination. Schultz is now at the Democratic National Committee, helping lead the joint battleground strategy among the national party, the Biden campaign, and state parties.


shareblue--2020-07-16--Georgia governor orders mayors to let people spread virus if they want to

Public health experts say masks are one of the most effective tools for stopping the spread of the coronavirus — which has spiraled out of control in a large swath of the United States .
But Georgia 's GOP Gov .
Brian Kemp has banned cities and counties from issuing mask mandates , claiming such orders are `` a bridge too far , '' the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported .
Republicans had been reluctant since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to order the use of masks in public .
Yet a number of mask-skeptical GOP leaders have reversed course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus have skyrocketed .
Alabama Gov .
Kay Ivey announced a statewide face mask requirement on Wednesday , after resisting one for weeks .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott issued a mask mandate — after previously banning them — on July 2 .
And Mississippi 's GOP Gov.Tate Reeves on Monday begged residents of his state to wear masks , as the state began to run out of space to take care of coronavirus patients in its hospitals .
Some national GOP leaders , like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of face masks — which some Republican voters have resisted doing .
`` We must have no stigma , none , about wearing masks when we leave our homes and come near other people , '' McConnell said on June 30 .
`` Wearing simple face coverings is not about protecting ourselves , it is about protecting everyone we encounter . ''
Local Georgia leaders are up in arms about Kemp 's ban on mask orders .
`` It 's officially official .
Governor Kemp does not give a damn about us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the AJC .
`` In Savannah , we will continue to keep the faith and follow the science .
Masks will continue to be available . ''
Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz said in an email on Thursday morning that it `` defies reason to both suggest that businesses need to open for our economic health , but refuse to offer the regulatory tools that will allow them to stay open and thrive . ''
Georgia is one of a number of states seeing a spike in coronavirus cases .
The seven-day average is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 787 one month ago , according to data from the New York Times .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Public health experts say masks are one of the most effective tools for stopping the spread of the coronavirus — which has spiraled out of control in a large swath of the United States.
But Georgia’s GOP Gov. Brian Kemp has banned cities and counties from issuing mask mandates, claiming such orders are “a bridge too far,” the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.
Republicans had been reluctant since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to order the use of masks in public.
Yet a number of mask-skeptical GOP leaders have reversed course in recent days, as cases of the coronavirus have skyrocketed.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a statewide face mask requirement on Wednesday, after resisting one for weeks.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a mask mandate — after previously banning them — on July 2.
And Mississippi’s GOP Gov.Tate Reeves on Monday begged residents of his state to wear masks, as the state began to run out of space to take care of coronavirus patients in its hospitals.
Some national GOP leaders, like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), have also been urging the use of face masks — which some Republican voters have resisted doing.
“We must have no stigma, none, about wearing masks when we leave our homes and come near other people,” McConnell said on June 30. “Wearing simple face coverings is not about protecting ourselves, it is about protecting everyone we encounter.”
Local Georgia leaders are up in arms about Kemp’s ban on mask orders.
“It’s officially official. Governor Kemp does not give a damn about us,” Savannah Mayor Van Johnson told the AJC. “In Savannah, we will continue to keep the faith and follow the science. Masks will continue to be available.”
Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz said in an email on Thursday morning that it “defies reason to both suggest that businesses need to open for our economic health, but refuse to offer the regulatory tools that will allow them to stay open and thrive.”
Georgia is one of a number of states seeing a spike in coronavirus cases. The seven-day average is now at 3,087 cases — up from 787 one month ago, according to data from the New York Times.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


Cartoon: Ivanka Beans

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--2020-07-15--GOP attacks on later abortion are especially harmful to Black women

In the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling against a Louisiana abortion restriction , conservatives are left to scramble for how to attack abortion next .
There 's a good chance that anti-abortion extremists will fall back on one of their major offensives of the past year : attacks on later abortion .
Throughout 2020 , the GOP has ramped up its attacks on later abortion , introducing bills at both the state and the federal level to stigmatize them and make them more difficult to obtain .
Completely absent from the GOP attacks on later abortion has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most .
All abortion restrictions and bans tend to fall hardest on Black people , people of color , and people with limited economic means .
Bans on later abortions are no exception .
There are complex reasons people seek later abortions , but a frequent reason is simply that they can not afford to have one earlier and must take time to get enough money for a later procedure .
Studies have shown that Black women tend to access later abortions more often simply because they 're unable to get one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a partnership of eight Black reproductive health organizations , explains : `` As a result of many factors , including systemic racism , Black women disproportionately face geographic , transportation , infrastructure and economic barriers to obtaining abortion care , and are more likely to be harmed by these various bans and restrictions . ''
Black women experience higher rates of poverty , homelessness , food and housing insecurity , and unreliable transportation .
Compared to their white counterparts , they 're also more likely to be uninsured .
Later abortions are both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Kaiser Family Foundation says that abortions at or after 21 weeks can cost `` well over $ 1,000 , excluding the cost of travel and lost wages . ''
Further , later abortions `` are only performed by a subset of all abortion providers . ''
The National Partnership for Women and Families , a nonprofit , nonpartisan organization working to change policies around gender and racial equity , points out that one factor contributing to the difficulties of Black women seeking abortions is that the majority of the Black population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people , live in the South , a region in which multiple states have displayed a deep commitment to making abortions hard to get .
For example , although the Supreme Court just ruled one of Louisiana 's abortion restrictions unconstitutional , the state still has over half a dozen other restrictions , including mandatory ultrasounds , a waiting period , a ban on telemedicine for medication abortions , and a 20-week ban .
Louisiana is flanked by Mississippi , a state with an 18-week abortion ban , and Texas , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living there who is approaching the states ' limits for an abortion procedure ca n't necessarily travel to a nearby state .
Instead , they may have to travel several states away .
People who ca n't easily make that trip end up either unable to get an abortion at all or having one later in pregnancy because of the time it takes to acquire money and make arrangements .
Black activists have been sounding the alarm about restrictive abortion bans for quite some time .
When Tennessee hurriedly passed a six-week ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder and CEO of SisterReach , based in Memphis , said : `` Black women and girls , other vulnerable Tennessee women and pregnant people , will die without safe and legal access to abortion care . ''
In 2019 , Alabama passed a ban criminalizing abortion from the moment a person knows they are pregnant .
( The law was later struck down . )
At the time the law was passed , Jenna King-Shepherd , an Alabama pro-choice activist , explained exactly who such a ban would harm : `` Women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really going to be impacted by this , more so than anyone else .
And the people who do n't have the means of transportation … to cross state lines to go and receive their abortion services that they need , and really it 's just an assault on them . ''
There 's another core problem that hinders Black access to abortion — the Hyde Amendment .
For over 40 years , that legislative provision has forbidden the use of federal funds , including Medicaid , for nearly all abortions .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sung Yeon Choimorrow , all leaders of reproductive health organizations focused on people of color , point out , the mere existence of Hyde is an instance of racial injustice .
That 's because , they note , `` Due to structural inequities , women of color are disproportionately impacted , since 31 percent of Black women of reproductive age , 27 percent of Latina women of reproductive age , and 19 percent of Asian American and Pacific Islander ( AAPI ) women are enrolled in Medicaid . ''
Abortion restrictions present a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom the maternal mortality rate is shockingly high .
Black Mamas Matter Alliance , which focuses on maternal and reproductive health , reports that `` Black women are dying at a rate three to four times higher than White women , a pattern that has persisted across the United States for generations . ''
Blocking access to later abortions simply continues this pattern .
As Howell put it on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade , `` Black women and all women of color will suffer the most from this unrelenting onslaught on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barriers to accessing health care — especially reproductive health services — we do not need more hurdles . ''
Intersectional reproductive health organizations , including SisterSong and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health , are working to overcome these systemic barriers .
The Black Women 's Health Imperative , an organization devoted to improving the health of Black women and girls , says , `` Without access to late-term abortions , Black women may be forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term , which can lead to economic insecurity and poor mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
As restrictions increase , access decreases .
When existing hardships are coupled with the fact that later abortions are costlier and harder to arrange , many may be denied the right entirely .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

In the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling against a Louisiana abortion restriction, conservatives are left to scramble for how to attack abortion next. There’s a good chance that anti-abortion extremists will fall back on one of their major offensives of the past year: attacks on later abortion.
Throughout 2020, the GOP has ramped up its attacks on later abortion, introducing bills at both the state and the federal level to stigmatize them and make them more difficult to obtain. Completely absent from the GOP attacks on later abortion has been any discussion of who will be hurt the most.
All abortion restrictions and bans tend to fall hardest on Black people, people of color, and people with limited economic means. Bans on later abortions are no exception.
There are complex reasons people seek later abortions, but a frequent reason is simply that they cannot afford to have one earlier and must take time to get enough money for a later procedure.
Studies have shown that Black women tend to access later abortions more often simply because they’re unable to get one earlier.
In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, a partnership of eight Black reproductive justice organizations, explains: “As a result of many factors, including systemic racism, Black women disproportionately face geographic, transportation, infrastructure and economic barriers to obtaining abortion care, and are more likely to be harmed by these various bans and restrictions.”
Black women experience higher rates of poverty, homelessness, food and housing insecurity, and unreliable transportation. Compared to their white counterparts, they’re also more likely to be uninsured.
Later abortions are both more expensive and more difficult to obtain. The Kaiser Family Foundation says that abortions at or after 21 weeks can cost “well over $1,000, excluding the cost of travel and lost wages.” Further, later abortions “are only performed by a subset of all abortion providers.”
The National Partnership for Women and Families, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to change policies around gender and racial equity, points out that one factor contributing to the difficulties of Black women seeking abortions is that the majority of the Black population in the United States, over 23 million people, live in the South, a region in which multiple states have displayed a deep commitment to making abortions hard to get.
For example, although the Supreme Court just ruled one of Louisiana’s abortion restrictions unconstitutional, the state still has over half a dozen other restrictions, including mandatory ultrasounds, a waiting period, a ban on telemedicine for medication abortions, and a 20-week ban. Louisiana is flanked by Mississippi, a state with an 18-week abortion ban, and Texas, a state with a 20-week ban.
Anyone living there who is approaching the states’ limits for an abortion procedure can’t necessarily travel to a nearby state. Instead, they may have to travel several states away. People who can’t easily make that trip end up either unable to get an abortion at all or having one later in pregnancy because of the time it takes to acquire money and make arrangements.
Black activists have been sounding the alarm about restrictive abortion bans for quite some time. When Tennessee hurriedly passed a six-week ban in June, Cherisse Scott, the founder and CEO of SisterReach, based in Memphis, said: “Black women and girls, other vulnerable Tennessee women and pregnant people, will die without safe and legal access to abortion care.”
In 2019, Alabama passed a ban criminalizing abortion from the moment a person knows they are pregnant. (The law was later struck down.) At the time the law was passed, Jenna King-Shepherd, an Alabama pro-choice activist, explained exactly who such a ban would harm: “Women of color are the ones who are really going to be impacted by this, more so than anyone else. And the people who don’t have the means of transportation … to cross state lines to go and receive their abortion services that they need, and really it’s just an assault on them.”
There’s another core problem that hinders Black access to abortion — the Hyde Amendment. For over 40 years, that legislative provision has forbidden the use of federal funds, including Medicaid, for nearly all abortions.
As Jessica González-Rojas, Marcela Howell, and Sung Yeon Choimorrow, all leaders of reproductive health organizations focused on people of color, point out, the mere existence of Hyde is an instance of racial injustice. That’s because, they note, “Due to structural inequities, women of color are disproportionately impacted, since 31 percent of Black women of reproductive age, 27 percent of Latina women of reproductive age, and 19 percent of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women are enrolled in Medicaid.”
Abortion restrictions present a particular harm to Black people, among whom the maternal mortality rate is shockingly high. Black Mamas Matter Alliance, which focuses on maternal and reproductive health, reports that “Black women are dying at a rate three to four times higher than White women, a pattern that has persisted across the United States for generations.” Blocking access to later abortions simply continues this pattern.
As Howell put it on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, “Black women and all women of color will suffer the most from this unrelenting onslaught on reproductive rights. We already face systemic barriers to accessing health care — especially reproductive health services — we do not need more hurdles.” Intersectional reproductive health organizations, including SisterSong and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, are working to overcome these systemic barriers.
The Black Women’s Health Imperative, an organization devoted to improving the health of Black women and girls, says, “Without access to late-term abortions, Black women may be forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term, which can lead to economic insecurity and poor mental health outcomes for themselves and their families.”
As restrictions increase, access decreases. When existing hardships are coupled with the fact that later abortions are costlier and harder to arrange, many may be denied the right entirely.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-15--10 signs Trump's reelection chances are in serious trouble

Donald Trump 's reelection chances are in dire straits , according to a new Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday .
The poll not only found Trump falling further behind presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , but also shows Trump has lost ground with his best constituencies from 2016 .
`` Yes , there 's still 16 weeks until Election Day , but this is a very unpleasant real-time look at what the future could be for President Trump , '' Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy said in a statement .
`` There is no upside , no silver lining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this survey for the president . ''
In response to the poor poll , Vice President Mike Pence told reporters , `` The only poll that I put stock in is the one that 's going to take place on Nov .
3 . ''
That is usually not something winning candidates say .
Here are the 10 worst numbers for Trump from the survey : The poll found Biden 's lead over Trump is growing .
Biden now leads Trump 52 % to 37 % , according to the poll .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 4-point loss for Trump since Quinnipiac last polled the race in mid-June .
Biden achieving a majority of the vote as Trump falls below 40 % is a troubling sign for Trump .
White voters were Trump 's best constituency in 2016 , when he carried the demographic 57 % to 37 % over Hillary Clinton , according to exit poll data .
But the Quinnipiac poll found Trump is now losing white voters to Biden , 49 % to 43 % .
Biden is leading with voters 65 and up Older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country , and Biden now leads them over Trump by a whopping 14 points , 54 % to Trump 's 40 % That 's a huge red flag for Trump , who won that demographic 52 % to 45 % in 2016 , per exit poll data .
Trump 's approval rating is at its lowest level since August 2017 Less than four months from Election Day , Trump 's approval rating is at a paltry 36 % , according to the poll .
That 's a full 6-point drop since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In October 2018 — right before the midterm elections in which Democrats won back control of the House for the first time in nearly a decade — Quinnipiac had Trump 's approval rating at 41 % .
Voters now trust Biden more to handle the economy Voters ' thoughts on which candidate could better handle the economy has been the one bright spot for Trump amid his recent polling slide , as voters consistently said they trusted Trump more than Biden on the issue .
In fact , Trump 's campaign viewed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tides of the race to help Trump win .
However , Quinnipiac 's new poll found Trump has lost that edge .
By a margin of 50 % to 45 % , voters said they think Biden would do a better job with the economy than Trump .
That 's a total reversal from Quinnipiac 's June poll , which found voters giving Trump the edge on the economy by a margin of 51 % to 46 % .
Trump 's approval rating on the coronavirus is at its worst level yet The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , with the death toll rising above 135,000 .
And those numbers seem to have taken a toll on Trump , as his approval rating on the issue has fallen to just 35 % — the worst number since Quinnipiac began asking questions about Trump 's handling of the virus in March .
Even worse , the poll found that 62 % of voters actually think Trump is hurting efforts to control the virus .
Nearly two-thirds of voters disapprove of Trump 's handling of school reopenings Trump and his administration have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct full in-person learning this fall , despite the uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus in almost every state in the country .
And that does n't seem to be sitting well with voters , as 61 % disapprove of the way Trump is handling the issue .
A deeper look shows that 62 % of voters do n't think it 's safe for K-12 schools to resume in-person learning .
Voters think Trump is lying about his knowledge of Russian bounties The revelation that intelligence officials had briefed Trump on a Russian attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bounties to Taliban soldiers is not sitting well with voters .
The Trump administration claims Trump was never briefed on the issue , but 59 % of voters are n't buying that explanation .
Ultimately , more than three-quarters of voters , or 77 % , are either `` very '' or `` somewhat '' concerned about the bounty story — which Trump has yet to address .
The Pentagon has said the reports of Russian bounties are `` not corroborated . ''
Fauci is trusted over Trump on coronavirus The poll found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far more than Trump for information on the coronavirus .
Sixty-five percent trust Fauci for accurate information , while 67 % do not trust Trump .
This comes as Trump and his administration have been trying to discredit Fauci .
Trump has brushed back attempts by Congress and states to remove Confederate statues , as well as attempts to change the names of military bases named after traitorous Confederate generals who took up arms against the United States to preserve slavery .
Trump has claimed that the statues and military bases represent `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters disagree with his position .
Fifty-four percent of voters support removing Confederate statues , while 51 % support renaming military bases named after Confederates .
In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday , Trump said , `` I know people that like the Confederate flag , and they 're not thinking about slavery . ''
But the poll found voters disagree with that assessment , with 56 % saying the flag is a symbol of racism .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump’s reelection chances are in dire straits, according to a new Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday.
The poll not only found Trump falling further behind presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, but also shows Trump has lost ground with his best constituencies from 2016.
“Yes, there’s still 16 weeks until Election Day, but this is a very unpleasant real-time look at what the future could be for President Trump,” Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy said in a statement. “There is no upside, no silver lining, no encouraging trend hidden somewhere in this survey for the president.”
In response to the poor poll, Vice President Mike Pence told reporters, “The only poll that I put stock in is the one that’s going to take place on Nov. 3.”
That is usually not something winning candidates say.
Here are the 10 worst numbers for Trump from the survey:
Trump is losing Biden by 15%
The poll found Biden’s lead over Trump is growing.
Biden now leads Trump 52% to 37%, according to the poll. That’s a 3-point bump for Biden and a 4-point loss for Trump since Quinnipiac last polled the race in mid-June.
Biden achieving a majority of the vote as Trump falls below 40% is a troubling sign for Trump.
Biden now leads with white voters
White voters were Trump’s best constituency in 2016, when he carried the demographic 57% to 37% over Hillary Clinton, according to exit poll data.
But the Quinnipiac poll found Trump is now losing white voters to Biden, 49% to 43%.
Biden is leading with voters 65 and up
Older voters are the most reliable voting bloc in the country, and Biden now leads them over Trump by a whopping 14 points, 54% to Trump’s 40%
That’s a huge red flag for Trump, who won that demographic 52% to 45% in 2016, per exit poll data.
Trump’s approval rating is at its lowest level since August 2017
Less than four months from Election Day, Trump’s approval rating is at a paltry 36%, according to the poll.
That’s a full 6-point drop since Quinnipiac’s last survey from mid-June.
In October 2018 — right before the midterm elections in which Democrats won back control of the House for the first time in nearly a decade — Quinnipiac had Trump’s approval rating at 41%.
Voters now trust Biden more to handle the economy
Voters’ thoughts on which candidate could better handle the economy has been the one bright spot for Trump amid his recent polling slide, as voters consistently said they trusted Trump more than Biden on the issue.
In fact, Trump’s campaign viewed the economy as their way to turn the tides of the race to help Trump win.
However, Quinnipiac’s new poll found Trump has lost that edge.
By a margin of 50% to 45%, voters said they think Biden would do a better job with the economy than Trump. That’s a total reversal from Quinnipiac’s June poll, which found voters giving Trump the edge on the economy by a margin of 51% to 46%.
Trump’s approval rating on the coronavirus is at its worst level yet
The coronavirus is spreading like wildfire across the country, with the death toll rising above 135,000.
And those numbers seem to have taken a toll on Trump, as his approval rating on the issue has fallen to just 35% — the worst number since Quinnipiac began asking questions about Trump’s handling of the virus in March.
Even worse, the poll found that 62% of voters actually think Trump is hurting efforts to control the virus.
Nearly two-thirds of voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of school reopenings
Trump and his administration have been pushing for schools to reopen and conduct full in-person learning this fall, despite the uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus in almost every state in the country.
And that doesn’t seem to be sitting well with voters, as 61% disapprove of the way Trump is handling the issue.
A deeper look shows that 62% of voters don’t think it’s safe for K-12 schools to resume in-person learning.
Voters think Trump is lying about his knowledge of Russian bounties
The revelation that intelligence officials had briefed Trump on a Russian attempt to get American troops killed by offering bounties to Taliban soldiers is not sitting well with voters.
The Trump administration claims Trump was never briefed on the issue, but 59% of voters aren’t buying that explanation.
Ultimately, more than three-quarters of voters, or 77%, are either “very” or “somewhat” concerned about the bounty story — which Trump has yet to address.
The Pentagon has said the reports of Russian bounties are “not corroborated.”
Fauci is trusted over Trump on coronavirus
The poll found voters trust infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci far more than Trump for information on the coronavirus.
Sixty-five percent trust Fauci for accurate information, while 67% do not trust Trump.
This comes as Trump and his administration have been trying to discredit Fauci.
Support for Confederate statues is declining
Trump has brushed back attempts by Congress and states to remove Confederate statues, as well as attempts to change the names of military bases named after traitorous Confederate generals who took up arms against the United States to preserve slavery.
Trump has claimed that the statues and military bases represent “heritage.” But a majority of voters disagree with his position.
Fifty-four percent of voters support removing Confederate statues, while 51% support renaming military bases named after Confederates.
In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Trump said, “I know people that like the Confederate flag, and they’re not thinking about slavery.”
But the poll found voters disagree with that assessment, with 56% saying the flag is a symbol of racism.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-16--GOP attacks on Black Lives Matter are a 'throwback' to anti-civil rights playbook

Some Republican lawmakers are dismissing the Movement for Black Lives and the recent nationwide protests against systemic racism as `` Marxist . ''
Experts say this is taking a page out of the same playbook racists used against Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other 1960s civil rights leaders .
At least nine Republican lawmakers have recently attacked the push to end police violence and remove racist memorials as `` Communist . ''
• • Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( TN ) tweeted last week : `` The founders of the political arm of the Black Lives Matter organization are self-proclaimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a movement to wipe out our history , destroy our families and burn our country to the ground . ''
• Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( GA ) tweeted on Wednesday : `` The BLM political organization 's goals — which are rooted in Marxist principles & include defunding the police — do not unite Americans .
I 'm standing up .
I 'm speaking out .
And I wo n't be canceled for calling this out . ''
• Sen. Marco Rubio ( FL ) tweeted last month : `` Support the cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be more fully American but truly living up to our founding principles .
Oppose with all you have the cause of the anarchists , Marxist mobs which is to destroy America which they view as inherently evil & irredeemable . ''
• Rep. Jeff Duncan ( SC ) tweeted last month , after protesters toppled a Confederate statue in Washington , D.C. : `` This is what I 'm talking about !
These Marxist inspired movements of rioting and destruction are dangerous !
Is this why folks want to abolish the police ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
• Rep. Matt Gaetz ( FL ) tweeted last month : `` What we see from this Marxist movement in Black Lives Matter to totally overturn our country , to make us hate our country and replace it with something else , is very dangerous . ''
• Rep. Paul Gosar ( AZ ) tweeted on Wednesday : `` In Hong Kong , media ca n't criticize the Chinese Communist Party .
In America , the media is consumed with hating @ realDonaldTrump and Americans ca n't even criticize a Marxist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
• Rep. Jody Hice ( GA ) tweeted earlier this month : `` America is witnessing an aggressive campaign by Marxist radicals to erode our institutions & destabilize our nation .
Democrats responded by gutting police budgets , allowing the mob to tear down statues , & bending over backwards to enact their agenda .
You ca n't appease Marxists ! ''
• Rep. Adam Kinzinger ( IL ) tweeted last month , after protesters attempted to remove a statute of Abraham Lincoln standing over a freed slave : `` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet somehow some will defend this sentiment .
( Or attack Trump in their response instead . )
'' • Rep. Lee Zeldin ( NY ) tweeted earlier this month , after an unidentified vandal removed a Frederick Douglass statue in Rochester , New York : `` Every day is filled w/mind boggling new ways to somehow make even less sense than the crazed rhetoric , Marxist organizing & illegal acts of the day before .
The winner today is the tearing down of a statue of escaped slave & abolitionist Frederick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to refer to a story published by a right-wing site about a 2015 video of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors .
In the video , Cullors said that she and another co-founder of the movement were `` trained organizers '' and `` trained Marxists . ''
Cullors did not immediately respond to a request for comments for this story .
But attempts to discredit an entire civil rights movement based on the alleged ideological views of a few of its leaders are nothing new .
Opponents of the 1960s civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hoover , repeatedly tried to undermine Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. , claiming among other things that his associate Stanley Levison was a `` secret member of the Communist Party . ''
Billboards were put up in Alabama in 1965 that purported to show King at a `` Communist training school . ''
The photo used was in fact taken at the Highlander Folk School in Monteagle , Tennessee , in 1957 .
The FBI also focused on an organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom , Bayard Rustin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Young Communist League .
Clayborne Carson , director of the Martin Luther King , Jr. , Research and Education Institute at Stanford University , said in a phone interview that the latest attacks `` seem like a throwback . ''
`` It 's almost two centuries since Marx , '' Carson said .
`` It seems like at some point that would be very antiquated .
Especially since I would suspect that very few people who consider themselves progressive today have very much Marx . ''
Noting that actual Marxists he spoke with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of monuments to Union Army leaders from the Civil War era , Carson observed that it `` does seem like 30 years after the end of the Cold War , we would have moved on from that kind of rhetoric . ''
Sam Fulwood III , a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and an expert on media , race , and ethnicity , said in a phone interview that this is `` a harkening back to the old tropes of white superiority . ''
`` Dr. King and Bayard Rustin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of being Communists because they were asking for a more communal vision of the country , rather than the rugged individualism that white people espoused , '' Fulwood noted .
Fulwood said there is a `` potent argument to raise the specter of Communism '' : `` That imagery still retains its potency among recalcitrant white people .
There 's always this sort of longing to turn back the clock , not just to the '60s , but to after the Civil War . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent @ @

Some Republican lawmakers are dismissing the Movement for Black Lives and the recent nationwide protests against systemic racism as “Marxist.” Experts say this is taking a page out of the same playbook racists used against Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other 1960s civil rights leaders.
At least nine Republican lawmakers have recently attacked the push to end police violence and remove racist memorials as “Communist.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (TN) tweeted last week: “The founders of the political arm of the Black Lives Matter organization are self-proclaimed ‘trained Marxists.’ We are witnessing a movement to wipe out our history, destroy our families and burn our country to the ground.” Sen. Kelly Loeffler (GA) tweeted on Wednesday: “The BLM political organization’s goals — which are rooted in Marxist principles & include defunding the police — do not unite Americans. I’m standing up. I’m speaking out. And I won’t be canceled for calling this out.” Sen. Marco Rubio (FL) tweeted last month: “Support the cause of racial equality is a call to be more fully American but truly living up to our founding principles. Oppose with all you have the cause of the anarchists, Marxist mobs which is to destroy America which they view as inherently evil & irredeemable.” Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC) tweeted last month, after protesters toppled a Confederate statue in Washington, D.C.: “This is what I’m talking about! These Marxist inspired movements of rioting and destruction are dangerous! Is this why folks want to abolish the police? So these mobs can run free unabated?” Rep. Matt Gaetz (FL) tweeted last month: “What we see from this Marxist movement in Black Lives Matter to totally overturn our country, to make us hate our country and replace it with something else, is very dangerous.” Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ) tweeted on Wednesday: “In Hong Kong, media can’t criticize the Chinese Communist Party. In America, the media is consumed with hating @realDonaldTrump and Americans can’t even criticize a Marxist, race-based 501(c)3!” Rep. Jody Hice (GA) tweeted earlier this month: “America is witnessing an aggressive campaign by Marxist radicals to erode our institutions & destabilize our nation. Democrats responded by gutting police budgets, allowing the mob to tear down statues, & bending over backwards to enact their agenda. You can’t appease Marxists!” Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL) tweeted last month, after protesters attempted to remove a statute of Abraham Lincoln standing over a freed slave: “This is Bolshevik, Marxist, and ignorant. Yet somehow some will defend this sentiment. (Or attack Trump in their response instead.)” Rep. Lee Zeldin (NY) tweeted earlier this month, after an unidentified vandal removed a Frederick Douglass statue in Rochester, New York: “Every day is filled w/mind boggling new ways to somehow make even less sense than the crazed rhetoric, Marxist organizing & illegal acts of the day before. The winner today is the tearing down of a statue of escaped slave & abolitionist Frederick Douglass.”
Some of the comments appeared to refer to a story published by a right-wing site about a 2015 video of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors. In the video, Cullors said that she and another co-founder of the movement were “trained organizers” and “trained Marxists.”
Cullors did not immediately respond to a request for comments for this story.
But attempts to discredit an entire civil rights movement based on the alleged ideological views of a few of its leaders are nothing new.
Opponents of the 1960s civil rights movement, including then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, repeatedly tried to undermine Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., claiming among other things that his associate Stanley Levison was a “secret member of the Communist Party.”
Billboards were put up in Alabama in 1965 that purported to show King at a “Communist training school.” The photo used was in fact taken at the Highlander Folk School in Monteagle, Tennessee, in 1957.
The FBI also focused on an organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Bayard Rustin, for his earlier involvement with the Young Communist League.
Clayborne Carson, director of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute at Stanford University, said in a phone interview that the latest attacks “seem like a throwback.”
“It’s almost two centuries since Marx,” Carson said. “It seems like at some point that would be very antiquated. Especially since I would suspect that very few people who consider themselves progressive today have very much Marx.”
Noting that actual Marxists he spoke with recently would definitely be against the removal of monuments to Union Army leaders from the Civil War era, Carson observed that it “does seem like 30 years after the end of the Cold War, we would have moved on from that kind of rhetoric.”
Sam Fulwood III, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and an expert on media, race, and ethnicity, said in a phone interview that this is “a harkening back to the old tropes of white superiority.”
“Dr. King and Bayard Rustin and the civil rights leaders were often accused of being Communists because they were asking for a more communal vision of the country, rather than the rugged individualism that white people espoused,” Fulwood noted.
Fulwood said there is a “potent argument to raise the specter of Communism”: “That imagery still retains its potency among recalcitrant white people. There’s always this sort of longing to turn back the clock, not just to the ’60s, but to after the Civil War.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-16--White House defends Trump's dismissal of police violence against Black people

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Thursday defended Donald Trump 's inaccurate claim that `` more white people '' are killed by police than Black people .
Asked about Trump 's assertion , McEnany told reporters that Trump was noting a `` fact . ''
She then cited unsourced statistics regarding police shootings .
`` You had 9 unarmed Black individuals who were fatally shot and 19 unarmed white individuals , '' McEnany said .
She did note that Black people are a much smaller percentage of the population , undermining her own defense .
Multiple studies have previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States are as much as six times more likely to be killed by police than white people .
WEIJIA JIANG , CBS News : In an interview with CBS News , President Trump said more white people are killed as an answer to why Black people are still being killed by police officers .
But by population percentages , Black people are about three times more likely than white people to die in a police encounter .
If the president wo n't even acknowledge that , how can he fix the problem ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledged and expressed the absolute atrocity of the case of George Floyd and his heart goes out to that family still .
He was noting a fact that there were — when you look at unarmed killings with police interactions in this country , that you had 9 unarmed Black individuals who were fatally shot and 19 unarmed white individuals .
That 's down from 38 and 32 , respectively , in 2015 .
So , the numbers have actually come down since the Obama administration , he was making that point .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ make is this : That Black men and women who die of homicide , they 're as likely to die of homicide at eight times greater than that of white individuals and Hispanics , combined .
That 's the rate combined .
So , that 's an extraordinary thing that we want to look at .
I 've listed for you the names of these kids who 've died across this country , it is unacceptable , and under this president , he 'll take action and the derelict mayor of Chicago should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because she 's doing a very poor job at securing her streets .
JIANG : But we 're talking about people who are dying at the hands of police officers .
McENANY ( to another reporter ) : Yes .
Yes .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Thursday defended Donald Trump’s inaccurate claim that “more white people” are killed by police than Black people.
Asked about Trump’s assertion, McEnany told reporters that Trump was noting a “fact.” She then cited unsourced statistics regarding police shootings.
“You had 9 unarmed Black individuals who were fatally shot and 19 unarmed white individuals,” McEnany said. She did note that Black people are a much smaller percentage of the population, undermining her own defense.
Multiple studies have previously shown that Black people in the United States are as much as six times more likely to be killed by police than white people.
From a July 16 press briefing:
WEIJIA JIANG, CBS News: In an interview with CBS News, President Trump said more white people are killed as an answer to why Black people are still being killed by police officers. But by population percentages, Black people are about three times more likely than white people to die in a police encounter. If the president won’t even acknowledge that, how can he fix the problem? KAYLEIGH McENANY: The president has routinely acknowledged and expressed the absolute atrocity of the case of George Floyd and his heart goes out to that family still. He was noting a fact that there were — when you look at unarmed killings with police interactions in this country, that you had 9 unarmed Black individuals who were fatally shot and 19 unarmed white individuals. That’s down from 38 and 32, respectively, in 2015. So, the numbers have actually come down since the Obama administration, he was making that point. But one point he wants to strongly make is this: That Black men and women who die of homicide, they’re as likely to die of homicide at eight times greater than that of white individuals and Hispanics, combined. That’s the rate combined. So, that’s an extraordinary thing that we want to look at. I’ve listed for you the names of these kids who’ve died across this country, it is unacceptable, and under this president, he’ll take action and the derelict mayor of Chicago should step up and ask for federal help, because she’s doing a very poor job at securing her streets. JIANG: But we’re talking about people who are dying at the hands of police officers. McENANY (to another reporter): Yes. Yes.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-16--GOP forced to scale back convention after 6 weeks of insisting it wouldn't

Republicans will severely restrict attendance at the August GOP nominating convention , according to a letter from Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel .
According to the Associated Press , only RNC delegates will be allowed to attend the first three nights of the convention , which will now take place in Jacksonville , Florida .
On the fourth night , when Donald Trump is expected to accept the nomination , alternate delegates can join delegates , as well as a guest for each .
The news comes six weeks after North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper advised the RNC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group wanted to hold the convention in Charlotte , the original location .
In late May , the RNC had demanded Cooper allow a full convention to go forward with as many as 19,000 people at Charlotte ’ s Spectrum Arena with no face mask or social distancing requirements .
`` The people of North Carolina do not know what the status of COVID-19 will be in August , so planning for a scaled-down convention with fewer people , social distancing and face coverings is a necessity , '' Cooper responded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 .
`` Neither public health officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek , '' he added .
In response to Cooper 's letter , Trump announced the convention would leave the state .
`` Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte , North Carolina , a place I love , '' Trump tweeted .
Because Cooper refused `` to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena … we are now forced to seek another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Convention , '' he added .
RNC officials settled on Jacksonville , but the move has been plagued with difficulties .
Soon after the decision was made , coronavirus cases surged across Florida .
The state was one of the first to reopen businesses early , amid the pandemic , a decision that likely contributed to the increase in cases , according to health experts .
`` More people are out and about , '' Dr. Mary Jo Trepka , Florida International University 's top epidemiologist , told CNN on June 24 about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has most likely contributed to it . ''
On the day of Trepka 's interview , Florida had added 3,286 new cases .
On Sunday , Florida added 15,299 new cases , the highest one-day total in any state since the pandemic began .
The sharp increase of cases in many states was `` inevitable , '' Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's leading infectious disease expert and member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force , said on Wednesday .
He said the numbers were likely the result of `` people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in crowds . ''
Venues in Florida must operate at 50 % capacity , according to an executive order signed on June 3 by Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis .
And Jacksonville recently instituted a requirement that face masks be worn indoors .
Despite the same restrictions in Florida that Cooper requested in North Carolina , Republicans are determined to move forward with the in-person convention .
“ We can gather and put on a top-notch event that celebrates the incredible accomplishments of President Trump ’ s administration and his re-nomination for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a safe and responsible manner , ” McDaniel wrote .
But rather than a crowd of 19,000 Trump wanted , it will likely be much , much smaller .
There will be about 2,500 delegates and roughly the same number of alternate delegates .
If each of those is allowed one guest , the crowd size would be 10,000 , about half as large as Trump had hoped for .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republicans will severely restrict attendance at the August GOP nominating convention, according to a letter from Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel.
According to the Associated Press, only RNC delegates will be allowed to attend the first three nights of the convention, which will now take place in Jacksonville, Florida. On the fourth night, when Donald Trump is expected to accept the nomination, alternate delegates can join delegates, as well as a guest for each.
The news comes six weeks after North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper advised the RNC to reduce the number of attendees if the group wanted to hold the convention in Charlotte, the original location.
In late May, the RNC had demanded Cooper allow a full convention to go forward with as many as 19,000 people at Charlotte’s Spectrum Arena with no face mask or social distancing requirements.
“The people of North Carolina do not know what the status of COVID-19 will be in August, so planning for a scaled-down convention with fewer people, social distancing and face coverings is a necessity,” Cooper responded in a letter to the RNC on June 2.
“Neither public health officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek,” he added.
In response to Cooper’s letter, Trump announced the convention would leave the state.
“Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, a place I love,” Trump tweeted. Because Cooper refused “to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena … we are now forced to seek another State to host the 2020 Republican National Convention,” he added.
RNC officials settled on Jacksonville, but the move has been plagued with difficulties.
Soon after the decision was made, coronavirus cases surged across Florida. The state was one of the first to reopen businesses early, amid the pandemic, a decision that likely contributed to the increase in cases, according to health experts.
“More people are out and about,” Dr. Mary Jo Trepka, Florida International University’s top epidemiologist, told CNN on June 24 about the spike in cases. “That has most likely contributed to it.”
On the day of Trepka’s interview, Florida had added 3,286 new cases.
On Sunday, Florida added 15,299 new cases, the highest one-day total in any state since the pandemic began.
The sharp increase of cases in many states was “inevitable,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert and member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, said on Wednesday. He said the numbers were likely the result of “people at bars with no masks, congregating in crowds.”
Venues in Florida must operate at 50% capacity, according to an executive order signed on June 3 by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. And Jacksonville recently instituted a requirement that face masks be worn indoors.
Despite the same restrictions in Florida that Cooper requested in North Carolina, Republicans are determined to move forward with the in-person convention.
“We can gather and put on a top-notch event that celebrates the incredible accomplishments of President Trump’s administration and his re-nomination for a second term — while also doing so in a safe and responsible manner,” McDaniel wrote.
But rather than a crowd of 19,000 Trump wanted, it will likely be much, much smaller.
There will be about 2,500 delegates and roughly the same number of alternate delegates. If each of those is allowed one guest, the crowd size would be 10,000, about half as large as Trump had hoped for.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.