shareblue--2020-07-05--Civil rights protests are energizing Black candidates' campaigns

It was a scene Jeannine Lee Lake never would have imagined when she first ran against Greg Pence , Vice President Mike Pence 's brother , for a rural Indiana congressional seat two years ago : an almost entirely white crowd of more than 100 people marching silently in the Pences ' hometown this month , offering prayers for Black people killed by police and an end to systemic racism .
Leading them was Lake , who is in a rematch against Pence .
She is the only Black woman running for federal office in Indiana this fall .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and again faces long odds in the deeply conservative district , has spent much of the past few weeks at events such as the one in Columbus on Juneteenth .
In communities across a district that is 93 % white , Lake has talked about seeing her children pulled over by police and `` harassed for no reason . ''
She has spoken the names of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and other Black people killed by police , telling crowds `` we 're here to call for change . ''
`` In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 2018 the same as the 2020 race in regard to the grassroots effort and the galvanization of the movement that is now Black Lives Matter , '' said Lake , 50 .
`` It 's just a total shift . ''
The reenergized movement against racial inequality has amplified the voices of Black candidates , in some cases pushing the political debate over race into Republican-leaning areas .
Democrats say they 've seen a significant boost in fundraising and other engagement for candidates running on racial justice issues , and believe it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ districts in November .
Polls show unusually broad bipartisan support for some change to the nation 's criminal justice system .
But lawmakers in Washington are at an impasse after far-reaching federal legislation passed the Democrat-led House on Thursday over objections from Republicans .
Pence voted no , saying he opposes changes to the qualified immunity system that shields officers from liability .
In Arkansas , Democratic state Sen. Joyce Elliott says she 's seeing new momentum in her bid to unseat GOP Rep. French Hill and become the state 's first Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running digital ads shortly after Floyd 's death last month .
In them , she spoke about her experience integrating a school in the 1960s where she and other Black students were n't wanted .
It was the kind of fundraising appeal that typically would bring in about $ 1.50 for every $ 1 a congressional campaign spent on the ad buy .
This ad cost Elliott 's campaign about $ 2,500 and raised $ 24,000 within one week , said Julia Ager , president of Sapphire Strategies , the digital firm for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are seeing a similar trend , she said .
`` The environment is different , and that environment has created a boon of support , '' Ager said .
For people who are tired of inaction and want to see more Black people in Congress , `` it seems like a clear place to direct money . ''
Elliott , 69 , has also been traveling to Black Lives Matter protests around the district , which includes Little Rock and its suburbs and has been represented by a Republican for more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the kidney donor speaks to crowds from the back of a pickup truck , often to predominantly white audiences .
She tells her story of overcoming adversity , mentioning the people in school who did n't want her or other Black students there .
At one recent event , the crowd gathered in the shadow of a Confederate statue , where the discussion turned to trying to have it removed .
After a lifetime of feeling like she had to `` push , push , push , '' Elliott said , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big warm embrace . ''
Her campaign has been backed by EMILY 's List , which supports women in politics , and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC .
Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) , who is in the running to be the Democratic nominee for vice president , endorsed Elliott 's campaign on Saturday .
`` I 'm feeling now as if a door has opened , '' Elliott said .
`` People can look at someone like me and say , 'Why not Joyce Elliott ?
Is n't she the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In North Carolina , Democrats saw Pat Timmons-Goodson as a strong candidate for a newly redrawn congressional district held by Republican Rep. Richard Hudson even before the discussion over policing and racial inequality was reinvigorated .
Timmons-Goodson was the first Black woman on the Supreme Court of North Carolina and served on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights , where she helped write recommendations on policing .
In 2016 , President Barack Obama nominated her to the federal court , though the nomination was among those blocked by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Timmons-Goodson received national attention during that debate , as the seat on the court was left vacant for years and became part of a national fight over the courts .
But her campaign says support for her candidacy exploded in recent weeks .
Timmons-Goodson reported fewer than 1,000 individual contributions for the first quarter of 2020 .
In the quarter that ends Tuesday , the campaign expects to report some 20,000 contributions .
Lake may have a tougher fight ahead in Indiana , but she 's had to order more campaign signs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers .
Pence 's campaign largely ignores her bid .
Other Black activists tell Lake they 're considering running for office , too .
Her campaign also is organizing `` Candidates for Change '' events , which will be held in more than half the district 's 19 counties and will focus on issues of policing , inequality and systemic racism — conversations that may not have occurred before in some places .
Even as the pandemic has canceled much campaigning , the protests have gone on .
`` I 'm going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do , '' she said .

It was a scene Jeannine Lee Lake never would have imagined when she first ran against Greg Pence, Vice President Mike Pence’s brother, for a rural Indiana congressional seat two years ago: an almost entirely white crowd of more than 100 people marching silently in the Pences’ hometown this month, offering prayers for Black people killed by police and an end to systemic racism.
Leading them was Lake, who is in a rematch against Pence. She is the only Black woman running for federal office in Indiana this fall.
The Democrat, who lost badly in 2018 and again faces long odds in the deeply conservative district, has spent much of the past few weeks at events such as the one in Columbus on Juneteenth. In communities across a district that is 93% white, Lake has talked about seeing her children pulled over by police and “harassed for no reason.” She has spoken the names of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black people killed by police, telling crowds “we’re here to call for change.”
“In no way, shape, or form is 2018 the same as the 2020 race in regard to the grassroots effort and the galvanization of the movement that is now Black Lives Matter,” said Lake, 50. “It’s just a total shift.”
The reenergized movement against racial inequality has amplified the voices of Black candidates, in some cases pushing the political debate over race into Republican-leaning areas. Democrats say they’ve seen a significant boost in fundraising and other engagement for candidates running on racial justice issues, and believe it could help the party flip some Republican-held districts in November.
Polls show unusually broad bipartisan support for some change to the nation’s criminal justice system. But lawmakers in Washington are at an impasse after far-reaching federal legislation passed the Democrat-led House on Thursday over objections from Republicans. Pence voted no, saying he opposes changes to the qualified immunity system that shields officers from liability.
In Arkansas, Democratic state Sen. Joyce Elliott says she’s seeing new momentum in her bid to unseat GOP Rep. French Hill and become the state’s first Black woman elected to Congress. She began running digital ads shortly after Floyd’s death last month. In them, she spoke about her experience integrating a school in the 1960s where she and other Black students weren’t wanted.
It was the kind of fundraising appeal that typically would bring in about $1.50 for every $1 a congressional campaign spent on the ad buy. This ad cost Elliott’s campaign about $2,500 and raised $24,000 within one week, said Julia Ager, president of Sapphire Strategies, the digital firm for Elliott’s campaign. Other Black candidates are seeing a similar trend, she said.
“The environment is different, and that environment has created a boon of support,” Ager said. For people who are tired of inaction and want to see more Black people in Congress, “it seems like a clear place to direct money.”
Elliott, 69, has also been traveling to Black Lives Matter protests around the district, which includes Little Rock and its suburbs and has been represented by a Republican for more than a decade. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the kidney donor speaks to crowds from the back of a pickup truck, often to predominantly white audiences. She tells her story of overcoming adversity, mentioning the people in school who didn’t want her or other Black students there. At one recent event, the crowd gathered in the shadow of a Confederate statue, where the discussion turned to trying to have it removed.
After a lifetime of feeling like she had to “push, push, push,” Elliott said, “now it feels like this is a big warm embrace.”
Her campaign has been backed by EMILY’s List, which supports women in politics, and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), who is in the running to be the Democratic nominee for vice president, endorsed Elliott’s campaign on Saturday.
“I’m feeling now as if a door has opened,” Elliott said. “People can look at someone like me and say, ‘Why not Joyce Elliott? Isn’t she the right person for this moment?'”
In North Carolina, Democrats saw Pat Timmons-Goodson as a strong candidate for a newly redrawn congressional district held by Republican Rep. Richard Hudson even before the discussion over policing and racial inequality was reinvigorated.
Timmons-Goodson was the first Black woman on the Supreme Court of North Carolina and served on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, where she helped write recommendations on policing. In 2016, President Barack Obama nominated her to the federal court, though the nomination was among those blocked by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and other Republicans.
Timmons-Goodson received national attention during that debate, as the seat on the court was left vacant for years and became part of a national fight over the courts. But her campaign says support for her candidacy exploded in recent weeks. Timmons-Goodson reported fewer than 1,000 individual contributions for the first quarter of 2020. In the quarter that ends Tuesday, the campaign expects to report some 20,000 contributions.
Lake may have a tougher fight ahead in Indiana, but she’s had to order more campaign signs and more than doubled her ranks of campaign volunteers. Pence’s campaign largely ignores her bid.
Other Black activists tell Lake they’re considering running for office, too. Her campaign also is organizing “Candidates for Change” events, which will be held in more than half the district’s 19 counties and will focus on issues of policing, inequality and systemic racism — conversations that may not have occurred before in some places. Even as the pandemic has canceled much campaigning, the protests have gone on.
“I’m going to keep on going, as long as they do,” she said.


shareblue--2020-07-06--Missouri governor's new pick to train cops is sheriff who defends police violence

Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson appointed a sheriff who has defended police violence to the state 's Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission .
Parson announced on June 19 that he was naming Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak to the panel , which handles the training and licensing of law enforcement officers .
Both Parson and Marshak are Republicans .
A day after his appointment , Marshak appeared on the `` Weekend Report '' podcast produced by St. Louis-area talk radio station FM 97.1 and argued that the actions of an Atlanta police officer charged with murder in the shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legally justifiable .
Brooks , a Black man , was shot by a white police officer during a sobriety test outside a Wendy 's restaurant in Atlanta .
He died after surgery .
The officer has since been fired and faces multiple criminal charges .
`` I 've looked at Atlanta 's use of force policy .
It 's eight pages .
Under that particular case , the police officer was completely justified , '' Marshak said .
Referring to the Supreme Court 's ruling in Graham v. Connor in 1989 that claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be investigated based on whether such use is `` objectively reasonable , '' Marshak said that the way to evaluate the force used by police officers is `` through their lens : What did the police officer know at the time ?
And was it reasonable , based on everything he knows or perceives at that time ?
It 's not relevant that we look at it in hindsight 20/20 . ''
In the same interview , Marshak defended the doctrine of qualified immunity under which law enforcement personnel are legally shielded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Qualified immunity is there to protect government officials , not just police officers , '' he said .
`` It is there to protect government officials in the capacity that they are doing their government business . ''
In the wake of the death of George Floyd and other Black Americans killed by police officers , many civil rights advocates and lawmakers have pushed to eliminate qualified immunity as a way of reducing police violence .
This was not the first time Marshak has come to the defense of the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier in June , he tweeted that while there is a history of racism in America , `` racism is not systemic police .
[ Law enforcement ] does exceptional with Use of Force .
# realnumbersmatter . ''
Parson did not immediately respond to inquiries for this story .
In an email , Marshak stood by his comments and said he had not discussed them with Parson .
But Parson had previously indicated that he supported police reform .
In early June , he told reporters that he opposed defunding the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutality .
`` Doing away with police officers , law enforcement officers , is not an answer for anything , '' Parson said .
`` You want to change the way we do business ?
You want things better ?
We can all do better .
I can do better as governor .
Law enforcement , never hurts to learn , can always do better . ''
`` To try to blame all law enforcement for some bad actors in law enforcement is not the answer .
To get rid of the bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out how we get better , we need to have that discussion , '' Parson said .
`` It will take governors sitting down in communities that maybe we do n't always sit down with enough and try to figure out how do we do real changes . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson appointed a sheriff who has defended police violence to the state’s Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.
Parson announced on June 19 that he was naming Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak to the panel, which handles the training and licensing of law enforcement officers.
Both Parson and Marshak are Republicans.
A day after his appointment, Marshak appeared on the “Weekend Report” podcast produced by St. Louis-area talk radio station FM 97.1 and argued that the actions of an Atlanta police officer charged with murder in the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks in June were legally justifiable.
Brooks, a Black man, was shot by a white police officer during a sobriety test outside a Wendy’s restaurant in Atlanta. He died after surgery. The officer has since been fired and faces multiple criminal charges.
“I’ve looked at Atlanta’s use of force policy. It’s eight pages. Under that particular case, the police officer was completely justified,” Marshak said. Referring to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Graham v. Connor in 1989 that claims of excessive use of force by police should be investigated based on whether such use is “objectively reasonable,” Marshak said that the way to evaluate the force used by police officers is “through their lens: What did the police officer know at the time? And was it reasonable, based on everything he knows or perceives at that time? It’s not relevant that we look at it in hindsight 20/20.”
In the same interview, Marshak defended the doctrine of qualified immunity under which law enforcement personnel are legally shielded from liability for many of their actions. “Qualified immunity is there to protect government officials, not just police officers,” he said. “It is there to protect government officials in the capacity that they are doing their government business.”
In the wake of the death of George Floyd and other Black Americans killed by police officers, many civil rights advocates and lawmakers have pushed to eliminate qualified immunity as a way of reducing police violence.
This was not the first time Marshak has come to the defense of the law enforcement community against charges of abuse. Earlier in June, he tweeted that while there is a history of racism in America, “racism is not systemic police. [Law enforcement] does exceptional with Use of Force. #realnumbersmatter.”
Parson did not immediately respond to inquiries for this story. In an email, Marshak stood by his comments and said he had not discussed them with Parson.
But Parson had previously indicated that he supported police reform. In early June, he told reporters that he opposed defunding the police but wanted to address racism and police brutality.
“Doing away with police officers, law enforcement officers, is not an answer for anything,” Parson said. “You want to change the way we do business? You want things better? We can all do better. I can do better as governor. Law enforcement, never hurts to learn, can always do better.”
“To try to blame all law enforcement for some bad actors in law enforcement is not the answer. To get rid of the bad operators is the answer. To figure out how we get better, we need to have that discussion,” Parson said. “It will take governors sitting down in communities that maybe we don’t always sit down with enough and try to figure out how do we do real changes.”
Updated to include a response from Marshak.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-06--Trump's promise to US farmers falls tens of billions of dollars short

Donald Trump promised back in January that American farmers would benefit greatly from his highly touted trade deal with China .
Now , reports show that promise may be difficult to keep .
As of May , China had purchased just $ 5.4 billion worth of U.S. agricultural product , despite a goal of at least $ 33 billion by the end of the year , the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday .
Through the first five months of the year , that amounts to barely 10 % of what Trump promised initially .
In December 2019 , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchase tens of billions of dollars worth of agricultural products from American farmers in 2020 .
`` I think they 'll hit $ 50 billion , '' Trump told reporters on Dec. 13 when the White House announced `` Phase One '' of the deal .
`` They 've already stepped it up . ''
The Journal noted that the official deal with China set a goal of $ 33 billion in agricultural purchases , a goal on which China is still falling behind .
Again , in January , Trump reassured farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , claiming that the harm inflicted on them by his long-running trade war with China would soon be reversed .
`` You stayed in the fight .
You were always with me .
You never even thought of giving up and we got it done , '' he said in a speech at the American Farm Bureau Federation ’ s annual convention .
He claimed he would make sure China held up its end of the deal .
`` I think it 's going to work out and I think China is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement that we signed is a good agreement , '' he said .
The Democratic Party was quick to criticize Trump about China ’ s low purchase total .
`` It 's clear that Trump got played , and American workers and farmers have paid the price , '' DNC War Room director Adrienne Watson said in an email on Monday .
The deal is the culmination of a nearly two-year-long trade war between the two nations that has severely damaged U.S. agricultural interests .
From the time Trump entered the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankruptcies in the Midwest increased by 45 % .
In Wisconsin alone , 10 % of dairy farms ended operations in 2019 , the largest decline in Wisconsin state history .
An investigation in early 2020 found that the trade war may have also contributed to a spike in farmer suicides in 2017 and 2018 .
As a candidate , Trump repeatedly pledged to help U.S. farmers with exports .
`` ... We ’ re going to negotiate trade deals to help our farmers , help them export their goods , and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a rally in September 2016 .
`` Because the way it is now , it 's impossible ... and grow family farming in America .
We 're going to grow the farms . ''
Even in the middle of the trade war , which began in March 2018 , Trump bragged about how well farmers were doing .
`` Farmers are starting to do great again , after 15 years of a downward spiral , '' Trump tweeted in July 2019 .
In August that year , Trump tweeted that `` our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be able to hurt them in that their President has stood with them and done what no other president would do . ''
Trump later attempted to mitigate some of the damage caused by his trade war by spending more than $ 28 billion in bailout funds .
A 2019 investigation by Democrats on the Senate Agriculture Committee found that the bailouts unfairly benefited wealthy farmers at the expense of smaller and medium-sized farms .
A separate study by the Counter found that 99 % of the first $ 8 billion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The study found , for instance , that despite 14 % of Mississippi farms having Black principal operators , they received only 1.4 % of the $ 200 million in bailout funds sent to Mississippi .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump promised back in January that American farmers would benefit greatly from his highly touted trade deal with China. Now, reports show that promise may be difficult to keep.
As of May, China had purchased just $5.4 billion worth of U.S. agricultural product, despite a goal of at least $33 billion by the end of the year, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.
Through the first five months of the year, that amounts to barely 10% of what Trump promised initially.
In December 2019, Trump made headlines when he pledged China would purchase tens of billions of dollars worth of agricultural products from American farmers in 2020.
“I think they’ll hit $50 billion,” Trump told reporters on Dec. 13 when the White House announced “Phase One” of the deal. “They’ve already stepped it up.”
The Journal noted that the official deal with China set a goal of $33 billion in agricultural purchases, a goal on which China is still falling behind.
Again, in January, Trump reassured farmers that the deal was a win for them, claiming that the harm inflicted on them by his long-running trade war with China would soon be reversed.
“You stayed in the fight. You were always with me. You never even thought of giving up and we got it done,” he said in a speech at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention.
He claimed he would make sure China held up its end of the deal.
“I think it’s going to work out and I think China is going all out to prove that the agreement that we signed is a good agreement,” he said.
The Democratic Party was quick to criticize Trump about China’s low purchase total.
“It’s clear that Trump got played, and American workers and farmers have paid the price,” DNC War Room director Adrienne Watson said in an email on Monday.
The deal is the culmination of a nearly two-year-long trade war between the two nations that has severely damaged U.S. agricultural interests.
From the time Trump entered the White House through the middle of 2019, farmer bankruptcies in the Midwest increased by 45%.
In Wisconsin alone, 10% of dairy farms ended operations in 2019, the largest decline in Wisconsin state history.
An investigation in early 2020 found that the trade war may have also contributed to a spike in farmer suicides in 2017 and 2018.
As a candidate, Trump repeatedly pledged to help U.S. farmers with exports. “…We’re going to negotiate trade deals to help our farmers, help them export their goods, and make money doing it,” he said at a rally in September 2016. “Because the way it is now, it’s impossible… and grow family farming in America. We’re going to grow the farms.”
Even in the middle of the trade war, which began in March 2018, Trump bragged about how well farmers were doing.
“Farmers are starting to do great again, after 15 years of a downward spiral,” Trump tweeted in July 2019.
In August that year, Trump tweeted that “our great American Farmers know that China will not be able to hurt them in that their President has stood with them and done what no other president would do.”
Trump later attempted to mitigate some of the damage caused by his trade war by spending more than $28 billion in bailout funds.
A 2019 investigation by Democrats on the Senate Agriculture Committee found that the bailouts unfairly benefited wealthy farmers at the expense of smaller and medium-sized farms.
A separate study by the Counter found that 99% of the first $8 billion of bailout funds went to white farmers.
The study found, for instance, that despite 14% of Mississippi farms having Black principal operators, they received only 1.4% of the $200 million in bailout funds sent to Mississippi.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-06--McEnany: Bubba Wallace should apologize because Trump feels slandered

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany argued on Monday that NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace should apologize to officials and other drivers — as Donald Trump demanded Monday morning — because of others who have engaged in hate-crime hoaxes in the past .
Trump tweeted Monday morning that Wallace should apologize after a noose was found in the driver 's garage .
An FBI investigation found that the noose was in place since 2019 and no crime had been committed .
Throughout the process , Wallace never made any accusations regarding the sport .
`` Always deal with the hate being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over hate every day .
Love should come naturally as people are taught to hate , '' Wallace wrote in a statement responding to Trump on Monday afternoon .
`` Even when it 's HATE from the POTUS… Love wins . ''
After being repeatedly pressed by reporters to explain why Trump is now asking Wallace , who is Black , to apologize , McEnany cited other incidents without directly addressing the attack on Wallace 's character .
PAULA REID , CBS News : Why is it Bubba Watson 's responsibility to apologize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did n't report and he never even saw ?
It was NASCAR that found this , that reported this , and even the FBI referred to it as a noose even if they said it was n't a specific crime against Mr. Wallace .
Why is the president even suggesting that Mr. Wallace should apologize ?
KAYLEIGH McENANY : Well , look , the FBI as I noted concluded that this was not a hate crime , and he believes it 'd go a long way if Bubba came out and acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has .
In interviews he 's been very clear that the FBI found this was not intentional .
Why is he directing this at Mr. Wallace ?
McENANY : This is where the president comes from , and this where the president stands .
And he actually hinted at this in his July 4th speech : `` To those in the media who falsely and consistently label their opponents as racists , who condemn patriotic citizens who offer a clear and truthful defense of American unity .
We want a clear and faithful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and when you level false charges , you not only slander me , you slander the American people . ''
McENANY : He believes the American people are good people .
REID : It was an open investigation , Kayleigh , into a noose .
The FBI said it was a noose .
McENANY : : In the allegations , in the rush to judgement with Jussie Smollett , in the Bubba Wallace case , and with the Covington Catholic boys , we should n't be so quick to jump onto those narratives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those that have been proven false .
REID : Are you suggesting that Mr. Wallace should apologize for an investigation that someone else initiated suggesting he was possibly the victim of a hate crime ?
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany argued on Monday that NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace should apologize to officials and other drivers — as Donald Trump demanded Monday morning — because of others who have engaged in hate-crime hoaxes in the past.
Trump tweeted Monday morning that Wallace should apologize after a noose was found in the driver’s garage. An FBI investigation found that the noose was in place since 2019 and no crime had been committed. Throughout the process, Wallace never made any accusations regarding the sport.
“Always deal with the hate being thrown at you with LOVE! Love over hate every day. Love should come naturally as people are taught to hate,” Wallace wrote in a statement responding to Trump on Monday afternoon. “Even when it’s HATE from the POTUS… Love wins.”
After being repeatedly pressed by reporters to explain why Trump is now asking Wallace, who is Black, to apologize, McEnany cited other incidents without directly addressing the attack on Wallace’s character.
From a July 6 press briefing:
PAULA REID, CBS News: Why is it Bubba Watson’s responsibility to apologize for an investigation into a noose that he didn’t report and he never even saw? It was NASCAR that found this, that reported this, and even the FBI referred to it as a noose even if they said it wasn’t a specific crime against Mr. Wallace. Why is the president even suggesting that Mr. Wallace should apologize? KAYLEIGH McENANY: Well, look, the FBI as I noted concluded that this was not a hate crime, and he believes it’d go a long way if Bubba came out and acknowledged that as well. REID: He has. In interviews he’s been very clear that the FBI found this was not intentional. Why is he directing this at Mr. Wallace? McENANY: This is where the president comes from, and this where the president stands. And he actually hinted at this in his July 4th speech: “To those in the media who falsely and consistently label their opponents as racists, who condemn patriotic citizens who offer a clear and truthful defense of American unity. We want a clear and faithful defense of American history and unity, and when you level false charges, you not only slander me, you slander the American people.” REID: Who was charged? McENANY: He believes the American people are good people. REID: It was an open investigation, Kayleigh, into a noose. The FBI said it was a noose. McENANY:: In the allegations, in the rush to judgement with Jussie Smollett, in the Bubba Wallace case, and with the Covington Catholic boys, we shouldn’t be so quick to jump onto those narratives. Those are just three examples of those that have been proven false. REID: Are you suggesting that Mr. Wallace should apologize for an investigation that someone else initiated suggesting he was possibly the victim of a hate crime?
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-06--GOP attacks Biden for 'audacity' to say 'all people are created equal'

A spokesperson for the Republican National Committee slammed presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for saying `` all people are created equal . ''
During an appearance on Fox News on July 5 , RNC spokesperson Liz Harrington criticized an op-ed Biden published on NBC News ' website on the Fourth of July .
In the op-ed , Biden says that Independence Day is a celebration of `` the natural expansion of our founding notion from 'all men are created equal ' to 'all people are created equal and should be treated equally throughout their lives . '
'' Harrington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's very fitting that Joe Biden , in this op-ed , has the audacity to literally rewrite the greatest foundational document in the history of mankind : the Declaration of Independence .
His woke staffers changed it to , not `` all men are created equal , '' `` all people are created equal and are guaranteed equality throughout life . ''
That is not a constitutional republic that we were founded on , on freedom of opportunity .
That 's the same radical-left socialism that has taken over his party , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but rewriting it and out to destroy it .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A spokesperson for the Republican National Committee slammed presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for saying “all people are created equal.”
During an appearance on Fox News on July 5, RNC spokesperson Liz Harrington criticized an op-ed Biden published on NBC News’ website on the Fourth of July.
In the op-ed, Biden says that Independence Day is a celebration of “the natural expansion of our founding notion from ‘all men are created equal’ to ‘all people are created equal and should be treated equally throughout their lives.'”
Harrington took issue with that notion.
From Fox News on July 5:
It’s very fitting that Joe Biden, in this op-ed, has the audacity to literally rewrite the greatest foundational document in the history of mankind: the Declaration of Independence. His woke staffers changed it to, not “all men are created equal,” “all people are created equal and are guaranteed equality throughout life.” That is not a constitutional republic that we were founded on, on freedom of opportunity. That’s the same radical-left socialism that has taken over his party, that is really not just eroding our foundation but rewriting it and out to destroy it.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-06--Lindsey Graham: 'I don't think Bubba Wallace has anything to apologize for'

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) said on Monday that NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace does n't have to apologize to anyone , directly contradicting a tweet from Donald Trump .
Earlier in the day , Trump tweeted that he wanted an apology from Wallace , who is Black , after a noose was found in the driver 's garage .
After an investigation , the FBI determined that no crime had been committed and the noose had been in place since 2019 .
From the July 6 edition of Fox News Radio 's `` The Brian Kilmeade Show '' : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president tweeted this out : `` Has Bubba Wallace apologized to all those great NASCAR drivers and officials who came to his aid , stood by his side , and were willing to sacrifice everything for him , only to find out that the whole thing was just another hoax ?
That and flag decision has caused lowest ratings ever . ''
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM ( R-SC ) : Well , I do n't think Bubba Wallace has anything to apologize for .
I do say this about the drivers : Even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the door open , in the times in which we live , there 's a lot of anxiety .
So , what did you see ?
You saw the best in NASCAR .
When there was a chance that it was a threat against Bubba Wallace , they all rallied to Bubba 's side .
So , I would be looking to celebrate that kind of attitude more than being worried about it being a hoax .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said on Monday that NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace doesn’t have to apologize to anyone, directly contradicting a tweet from Donald Trump.
Earlier in the day, Trump tweeted that he wanted an apology from Wallace, who is Black, after a noose was found in the driver’s garage.
After an investigation, the FBI determined that no crime had been committed and the noose had been in place since 2019.
From the July 6 edition of Fox News Radio’s “The Brian Kilmeade Show”:
BRIAN KILMEADE, host: So the president tweeted this out: “Has Bubba Wallace apologized to all those great NASCAR drivers and officials who came to his aid, stood by his side, and were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to find out that the whole thing was just another hoax? That and flag decision has caused lowest ratings ever.” SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC): Well, I don’t think Bubba Wallace has anything to apologize for. I do say this about the drivers: Even though it was a noose created to hold the door open, in the times in which we live, there’s a lot of anxiety. So, what did you see? You saw the best in NASCAR. When there was a chance that it was a threat against Bubba Wallace, they all rallied to Bubba’s side. So, I would be looking to celebrate that kind of attitude more than being worried about it being a hoax.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-06--McConnell sends Senate home for two weeks without acting on pandemic

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sent the Senate home for a two-week recess on Thursday night without acting on a new pandemic response .
On Sunday , the nation broke another record for most new coronavirus cases .
On May 15 , the House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act , a bill to provide trillions in funding to address the public health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Upon the bill 's introduction , McConnell ( R-KY ) announced he would block the legislation , mocking it as `` dead on arrival . ''
He promised in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a different response plan .
`` We 're taking a careful look at a fourth and final bill , '' McConnell said on May 29 .
`` You could anticipate the decision being made on whether to go forward in about a month .
And it will be narrowly crafted , designed to help us where we are a month from now , not where we were three months ago . ''
`` We need a pause ?
Tell that to the virus , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pause ?
Is hunger in America taking a pause ? ''
Now , more than a month later , McConnell has not introduced any legislation to address the still-growing crisis .
On Thursday , he announced that the Senate would hold only brief `` pro forma '' sessions until July 20 .
His office did not respond to an inquiry for this story .
The Washington Post reported on Monday that McConnell plans to attempt to negotiate and pass some sort of bill during the three weeks between that day and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the United States broke its record for highest seven-day average of new cases for the 27th day in a row on Sunday .
More than 2.9 million Americans have been infected with the coronavirus and at least 129,938 have died .
Hospitals in some states are running out of capacity to treat the spiking numbers of patients .
Had McConnell 's Senate Republican majority passed the HEROES Act at some point in the past 52 days , it could have provided $ 75 billion for tracing , testing , and treatment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay and child care for essential workers and an emergency exposure control plan to protect them in the workplace .
Instead , the Senate spent much of the past several weeks on confirming Donald Trump 's judicial nominees and other political appointees .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sent the Senate home for a two-week recess on Thursday night without acting on a new pandemic response. On Sunday, the nation broke another record for most new coronavirus cases.
On May 15, the House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act, a bill to provide trillions in funding to address the public health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon the bill’s introduction, McConnell (R-KY) announced he would block the legislation, mocking it as “dead on arrival.” He promised in late May he would soon consider taking action on a different response plan.
“We’re taking a careful look at a fourth and final bill,” McConnell said on May 29. “You could anticipate the decision being made on whether to go forward in about a month. And it will be narrowly crafted, designed to help us where we are a month from now, not where we were three months ago.”
“We need a pause? Tell that to the virus,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded at the time. “Is the virus taking a pause? Is hunger in America taking a pause?”
Now, more than a month later, McConnell has not introduced any legislation to address the still-growing crisis. On Thursday, he announced that the Senate would hold only brief “pro forma” sessions until July 20. His office did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
The Washington Post reported on Monday that McConnell plans to attempt to negotiate and pass some sort of bill during the three weeks between that day and the planned August recess.
His inaction comes as the United States broke its record for highest seven-day average of new cases for the 27th day in a row on Sunday. More than 2.9 million Americans have been infected with the coronavirus and at least 129,938 have died. Hospitals in some states are running out of capacity to treat the spiking numbers of patients.
Had McConnell’s Senate Republican majority passed the HEROES Act at some point in the past 52 days, it could have provided $75 billion for tracing, testing, and treatment. The bill also would have ensured hazard pay and child care for essential workers and an emergency exposure control plan to protect them in the workplace.
Instead, the Senate spent much of the past several weeks on confirming Donald Trump’s judicial nominees and other political appointees.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-06--Trump demands Black NASCAR driver apologize after a noose was found in his garage

Donald Trump on Monday demanded that Bubba Wallace , NASCAR 's only Black driver , apologize after a noose was found in his garage .
`` Has @ BubbaWallace apologized to all of those great NASCAR drivers & officials who came to his aid , stood by his side , & were willing to sacrifice everything for him , only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX ? ''
Trump tweeted .
`` That & Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER ! ''
A noose was found in Wallace 's garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both an FBI investigation and an internal NASCAR review to see whether its placement was racially motivated .
The investigation found that the noose was not directed at Wallace , and had been in the garage since 2019 .
`` I was relieved , just like many others , to know that it was n't targeted towards me , '' Wallace said during an appearance on the `` Today Show '' on June 24 .
Wallace has been outspoken about social justice issues .
He wore a shirt that read `` I Ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a race in June — a nod to the killing of George Floyd — and had Black Lives Matter painted onto his car for a race several days later .
And the incident with the noose was n't a `` hoax , '' as Trump claimed .
There was indeed a noose hanging in the stall Wallace ended up assigned to at Talladega , and he was not the one who found it and reported it to NASCAR .
Trump has a history of attacking Black athletes who are outspoken about politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that NFL players who took a knee during the national anthem are `` unable to define '' what they are protesting .
In fact , they had made clear that they were protesting against police brutality and systemic racism .
Trump also mocked the intelligence of NBA All-Star LeBron James and said former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick should have been suspended for launching the protests during the playing of the national anthem before football games .
Aside from attacking Wallace , Trump also lamented the fact that NASCAR had banned the Confederate flag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Confederate flag at NASCAR events runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans , our competitors and our industry , '' NASCAR said in a statement on June 10 .
The last state with a Confederate symbol in its flag , Mississippi , voted to remove it in the wake of protests against systemic racism that followed the killing of Floyd .
Trump has continued to support keeping the Confederate flag and other racist monuments and memorials .
In two speeches over the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dishonors United States history .
`` We pay tribute to generations of American heroes whose names are etched on our monuments and memorials , and in the pages of history , and in the hearts of a very grateful people , '' Trump said in a speech on July Fourth at the White House .
`` We will never allow an angry mob to tear down our statues , erase our history , indoctrinate our children , or trample on our freedoms . ''
Republicans are worried that Trump 's overt racism could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also take down other GOP candidates running in 2020 .
Polls show voters disapprove of Trump 's handling of race relations in the wake of protests against systemic racism .
As Trump 's poll numbers continue to drop against likely Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , Republicans fear voters will punish them too , leading to what a GOP strategist called a `` wipeout '' in November .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Monday demanded that Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s only Black driver, apologize after a noose was found in his garage.
“Has @BubbaWallace apologized to all of those great NASCAR drivers & officials who came to his aid, stood by his side, & were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX?” Trump tweeted. “That & Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER!”
A noose was found in Wallace’s garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway in northeastern Alabama last month, prompting both an FBI investigation and an internal NASCAR review to see whether its placement was racially motivated.
The investigation found that the noose was not directed at Wallace, and had been in the garage since 2019.
“I was relieved, just like many others, to know that it wasn’t targeted towards me,” Wallace said during an appearance on the “Today Show” on June 24.
Wallace has been outspoken about social justice issues. He wore a shirt that read “I Can’t Breathe — Black Lives Matter” at a race in June — a nod to the killing of George Floyd — and had Black Lives Matter painted onto his car for a race several days later.
And the incident with the noose wasn’t a “hoax,” as Trump claimed. There was indeed a noose hanging in the stall Wallace ended up assigned to at Talladega, and he was not the one who found it and reported it to NASCAR.
Trump has a history of attacking Black athletes who are outspoken about politics and social justice.
He falsely claimed that NFL players who took a knee during the national anthem are “unable to define” what they are protesting. In fact, they had made clear that they were protesting against police brutality and systemic racism.
Trump also mocked the intelligence of NBA All-Star LeBron James and said former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick should have been suspended for launching the protests during the playing of the national anthem before football games.
Aside from attacking Wallace, Trump also lamented the fact that NASCAR had banned the Confederate flag from its events.
“The presence of the Confederate flag at NASCAR events runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry,” NASCAR said in a statement on June 10.
The last state with a Confederate symbol in its flag, Mississippi, voted to remove it in the wake of protests against systemic racism that followed the killing of Floyd.
Trump has continued to support keeping the Confederate flag and other racist monuments and memorials.
In two speeches over the weekend, Trump said that removing such monuments dishonors United States history.
“We pay tribute to generations of American heroes whose names are etched on our monuments and memorials, and in the pages of history, and in the hearts of a very grateful people,” Trump said in a speech on July Fourth at the White House. “We will never allow an angry mob to tear down our statues, erase our history, indoctrinate our children, or trample on our freedoms.”
Republicans are worried that Trump’s overt racism could not only cause Trump to lose but also take down other GOP candidates running in 2020.
Polls show voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of race relations in the wake of protests against systemic racism. As Trump’s poll numbers continue to drop against likely Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, Republicans fear voters will punish them too, leading to what a GOP strategist called a “wipeout” in November.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-06--Federal judge forces Dakota Access pipeline to shut down for review

A federal judge on Monday sided with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and ordered the Dakota Access pipeline to shut down until more environmental review is done .
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said in April that the pipeline , which has been in operation three years , remains `` highly controversial '' under federal environmental law , and a more extensive review is necessary than the environmental assessment that was done .
In a 24-page order Monday , Boasberg wrote that he was `` mindful of the disruption such a shutdown will cause , '' but said he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down .
`` Clear precedent favoring vacatur during such a remand coupled with the seriousness of the Corps ' deficiencies outweighs the negative effects of halting the oil flow for the thirteen months that the Corps believes the creation of an EIS will take , '' Boasberg wrote .
Boasberg had ordered both parties to submit briefs on whether the pipeline should continue operating during the new environmental review .
The pipeline was the subject of months of protests , sometimes violent , during its construction near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Standing Rock tribe presses litigation against the pipeline even after it began carrying oil from North Dakota across South Dakota and Iowa and to a shipping point in Illinois in June 2017 .
The $ 3.8 billion , 1,172-mile ( 1,886 kilometer ) underground pipeline crosses beneath the Missouri River , just north of the reservation .
The tribe draws its water from the river and fears pollution .
Texas-based Energy Transfer insisted the pipeline is safe .

A federal judge on Monday sided with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and ordered the Dakota Access pipeline to shut down until more environmental review is done.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said in April that the pipeline, which has been in operation three years, remains “highly controversial” under federal environmental law, and a more extensive review is necessary than the environmental assessment that was done. In a 24-page order Monday, Boasberg wrote that he was “mindful of the disruption such a shutdown will cause,” but said he had concluded that the pipeline must be shut down.
“Clear precedent favoring vacatur during such a remand coupled with the seriousness of the Corps’ deficiencies outweighs the negative effects of halting the oil flow for the thirteen months that the Corps believes the creation of an EIS will take,” Boasberg wrote.
Boasberg had ordered both parties to submit briefs on whether the pipeline should continue operating during the new environmental review.
The pipeline was the subject of months of protests, sometimes violent, during its construction near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation that straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota border. The Standing Rock tribe presses litigation against the pipeline even after it began carrying oil from North Dakota across South Dakota and Iowa and to a shipping point in Illinois in June 2017.
The $3.8 billion, 1,172-mile (1,886 kilometer) underground pipeline crosses beneath the Missouri River, just north of the reservation. The tribe draws its water from the river and fears pollution. Texas-based Energy Transfer insisted the pipeline is safe.


shareblue--2020-07-06--Trump-connected lobbyists grab billions in coronavirus aid

Forty lobbyists with ties to Donald Trump helped clients secure more than $ 10 billion in federal coronavirus aid , among them five former administration officials whose work potentially violates Trump 's own ethics policy , according to a report .
The lobbyists identified Monday by the watchdog group Public Citizen either worked in the Trump executive branch , served on his campaign , were part of the committee that raised money for inaugural festivities , or were part of his presidential transition .
Many are donors to Trump 's campaigns , and some are prolific fundraisers for his reelection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served on the transition , is the finance chair for the Republican National Committee , and has bundled more than $ 1 million for Trump 's fundraising committees .
He was hired in March by Laundrylux , a supplier of commercial laundry machines , after the Department of Homeland Security issued guidance that did n't include laundromats as essential businesses that could stay open during the lockdown .
A week later , the administration issued new guidance adding laundromats to the list .
Dave Urban , a Trump adviser and confidant , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbying fees this year .
The firm he leads , American Continental Group , represents 15 companies , including Walgreens and the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship , on coronavirus issues .
Trump pledged to clamp down on Washington 's influence peddling with a `` drain the swamp '' campaign mantra .
But during his administration , the lobbying industry has flourished , a trend that intensified once Congress passed more than $ 3.6 trillion in coronavirus stimulus .
While the money is intended as a lifeline to a nation whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it also jump-started a familiar lobbying bonanza .
`` The swamp is alive and well in Washington , D.C. , '' said Mike Tanglis , one of the report 's authors .
`` These ( lobbying ) booms that these people are having , you can really attribute them to their connection to Trump . ''
The White House did not respond to a request for comment .
Shortly after Trump took office , he issued an executive order prohibiting former administration officials from lobbying the agency or office where they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five years .
Another section of the order forbids lobbying of the administration by former political appointees for the remainder of Trump 's time in office .
Yet five lobbyists who are former administration officials have potentially done just that during the coronavirus lobbying boom : — Courtney Lawrence was a former deputy assistant secretary for legislation in the Department of Health and Human Services in 2017 and 2018 .
She became a lobbyist for Cigna in 2018 and is listed as part of a team that has lobbied HHS , Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least two other agencies .
Cigna did not respond to a request for comment .
— Shannon McGahn , the wife of former White House counsel Don McGahn , worked in 2017 and 2018 as a counselor to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
She then joined the National Association of Realtors as its top lobbyist and is listed on disclosures as part of a team that has lobbied both houses of Congress , plus six agencies , including the Treasury Department .
The Realtors Association did not respond to a request for comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of government relations at the National Association of Manufacturers .
Stoick 's biography on NAM 's website indicates that he is `` NAM 's lead lobbyist in Washington , '' where he started working after serving as a senior adviser in the Treasury Department .
Disclosures indicate that Stoick and his colleagues lobbied both houses of Congress plus at least five executive branch agencies , including Treasury .
`` NAM carefully adheres to the legal and ethical rules regulating lobbying activity , including ensuring that its employees comply with all applicable prohibitions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Linda Kelly , the organization 's general counsel , said in a statement .
— Geoffrey Burr joined the firm Brownstein Hyatt after serving as chief of staff to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao .
The firm 's lobbying disclosure for the first quarter of 2020 includes Burr on a list of lobbyists who contacted the White House and Congress on coronavirus-related matters on behalf of McDonald 's .
— Emily Felder joined Brownstein Hyatt after leaving the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services , where she worked in the legislative office .
Felder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first quarter of 2020 that shows she was part of a team that lobbied Congress and the White House .
A spokeswoman for the firm said both Felder and Burr abide by the Trump administration 's ethics rules , which limit their lobbying to the House and the Senate .
`` We are confident that our lobbyists are in compliance with all lobbying rules and applicable prohibitions and did not violate their Trump Administration pledge , '' spokeswoman Lara Day said in a statement .
Public Citizen 's Craig Holman , who himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group intends to file ethics complaints with the White House .
But he 's not optimistic that they will lead to anything .
Last year , he filed more than 30 complaints , all of which were either ignored or rejected .
`` There does not appear to be anyone who is enforcing the executive order , '' Holman said .

Forty lobbyists with ties to Donald Trump helped clients secure more than $10 billion in federal coronavirus aid, among them five former administration officials whose work potentially violates Trump’s own ethics policy, according to a report.
The lobbyists identified Monday by the watchdog group Public Citizen either worked in the Trump executive branch, served on his campaign, were part of the committee that raised money for inaugural festivities, or were part of his presidential transition. Many are donors to Trump’s campaigns, and some are prolific fundraisers for his reelection.
They include Brian Ballard, who served on the transition, is the finance chair for the Republican National Committee, and has bundled more than $1 million for Trump’s fundraising committees. He was hired in March by Laundrylux, a supplier of commercial laundry machines, after the Department of Homeland Security issued guidance that didn’t include laundromats as essential businesses that could stay open during the lockdown. A week later, the administration issued new guidance adding laundromats to the list.
Dave Urban, a Trump adviser and confidant, has collected more than $2.3 million in lobbying fees this year. The firm he leads, American Continental Group, represents 15 companies, including Walgreens and the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, on coronavirus issues.
Trump pledged to clamp down on Washington’s influence peddling with a “drain the swamp” campaign mantra. But during his administration, the lobbying industry has flourished, a trend that intensified once Congress passed more than $3.6 trillion in coronavirus stimulus.
While the money is intended as a lifeline to a nation whose economy has been upended by the pandemic, it also jump-started a familiar lobbying bonanza.
“The swamp is alive and well in Washington, D.C.,” said Mike Tanglis, one of the report’s authors. “These (lobbying) booms that these people are having, you can really attribute them to their connection to Trump.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Shortly after Trump took office, he issued an executive order prohibiting former administration officials from lobbying the agency or office where they were formerly employed, for a period of five years. Another section of the order forbids lobbying of the administration by former political appointees for the remainder of Trump’s time in office.
Yet five lobbyists who are former administration officials have potentially done just that during the coronavirus lobbying boom:
— Courtney Lawrence was a former deputy assistant secretary for legislation in the Department of Health and Human Services in 2017 and 2018. She became a lobbyist for Cigna in 2018 and is listed as part of a team that has lobbied HHS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and at least two other agencies. Cigna did not respond to a request for comment.
— Shannon McGahn, the wife of former White House counsel Don McGahn, worked in 2017 and 2018 as a counselor to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. She then joined the National Association of Realtors as its top lobbyist and is listed on disclosures as part of a team that has lobbied both houses of Congress, plus six agencies, including the Treasury Department. The Realtors Association did not respond to a request for comment.
— Jordan Stoick is the vice president of government relations at the National Association of Manufacturers. Stoick’s biography on NAM’s website indicates that he is “NAM’s lead lobbyist in Washington,” where he started working after serving as a senior adviser in the Treasury Department. Disclosures indicate that Stoick and his colleagues lobbied both houses of Congress plus at least five executive branch agencies, including Treasury.
“NAM carefully adheres to the legal and ethical rules regulating lobbying activity, including ensuring that its employees comply with all applicable prohibitions on contacting their former employers,” Linda Kelly, the organization’s general counsel, said in a statement.
— Geoffrey Burr joined the firm Brownstein Hyatt after serving as chief of staff to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. The firm’s lobbying disclosure for the first quarter of 2020 includes Burr on a list of lobbyists who contacted the White House and Congress on coronavirus-related matters on behalf of McDonald’s.
— Emily Felder joined Brownstein Hyatt after leaving the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where she worked in the legislative office. Felder is listed on a disclosure for the first quarter of 2020 that shows she was part of a team that lobbied Congress and the White House.
A spokeswoman for the firm said both Felder and Burr abide by the Trump administration’s ethics rules, which limit their lobbying to the House and the Senate.
“We are confident that our lobbyists are in compliance with all lobbying rules and applicable prohibitions and did not violate their Trump Administration pledge,” spokeswoman Lara Day said in a statement.
Public Citizen’s Craig Holman, who himself is a registered lobbyist, said the group intends to file ethics complaints with the White House. But he’s not optimistic that they will lead to anything. Last year, he filed more than 30 complaints, all of which were either ignored or rejected.
“There does not appear to be anyone who is enforcing the executive order,” Holman said.


shareblue--2020-07-06--Trump tells people to stop watching Fox News after it airs polls showing him losing

Donald Trump ended the July Fourth holiday weekend by rage-tweeting at Fox News after the outlet reported that public polling shows he would lose to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden if the election were held today .
`` @ FoxNews gladly puts up the phony suppression polls as soon as they come out .
We are leading in the REAL polls because people are sick & tired of watching the Democrat run cities , in all cases , falling apart .
Also , now 96 % Approval Rating in the Republican Party .
Another 2016 ! ''
Trump tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FoxNews weekend afternoons is the worst !
Getting into @ CNN and MSDNC territory .
Watch @ OANN & @ newsmax instead .
Much better ! ''
Trump 's tweet came just minutes after a guest on Fox News dismissed the Trump campaign 's assertion that polls showing Trump losing are wrong , according to Media Matters for America 's Matt Gertz , who tracks the relationship between Trump 's tweets and what Fox News airs .
Public polling in recent weeks looks extremely grim for Trump , as the public increasingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure to contain the coronavirus as well as his response to protests calling for an end to police violence and systemic racism .
Fox News has not released a national public poll since late last month .
That one showed Biden leading Trump by 12 points , with Trump garnering a dismal 38 % of the vote .
After that poll was published , Trump attacked Fox News , tweeting that their poll was `` done by the same group of haters that got it even more wrong in 2016 . ''
Ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , according to a polling average from FiveThirtyEight .
Even worse for Trump is that the polling average shows Biden winning more than 51 % of the vote , a clear majority .
According to CNN polling expert Harry Enten , `` No one in an incumbent presidential election has been polling above 50 % at this point like Biden and gone on to lose . ''
Trump and his campaign have said the polls are wrong and even went as far as to demand CNN retract a poll that showed Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since that CNN poll was published , multiple other polls — including from pro-Trump outlets — have shown Biden with a double-digit lead , without any additional demands from the Trump campaign to take the polling down .
To combat the growing narrative that Trump is in a historically bad place with four months to go until Election Day , the campaign has been claiming , without any evidence , there are `` silent '' Trump supporters who will come out en masse and help Trump defeat Biden in November .
The campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump but released no internal polls showing that Trump is beating Biden .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump ended the July Fourth holiday weekend by rage-tweeting at Fox News after the outlet reported that public polling shows he would lose to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden if the election were held today.
“@FoxNews gladly puts up the phony suppression polls as soon as they come out. We are leading in the REAL polls because people are sick & tired of watching the Democrat run cities, in all cases, falling apart. Also, now 96% Approval Rating in the Republican Party. Another 2016!” Trump tweeted Sunday afternoon.
He added, “@FoxNews weekend afternoons is the worst! Getting into @CNN and MSDNC territory. Watch @OANN & @newsmax instead. Much better!”
Trump’s tweet came just minutes after a guest on Fox News dismissed the Trump campaign’s assertion that polls showing Trump losing are wrong, according to Media Matters for America’s Matt Gertz, who tracks the relationship between Trump’s tweets and what Fox News airs.
Public polling in recent weeks looks extremely grim for Trump, as the public increasingly turns away from his candidacy following his failure to contain the coronavirus as well as his response to protests calling for an end to police violence and systemic racism.
Fox News has not released a national public poll since late last month. That one showed Biden leading Trump by 12 points, with Trump garnering a dismal 38% of the vote.
After that poll was published, Trump attacked Fox News, tweeting that their poll was “done by the same group of haters that got it even more wrong in 2016.”
Ultimately, Biden now leads Trump by 9.6%, according to a polling average from FiveThirtyEight.
Even worse for Trump is that the polling average shows Biden winning more than 51% of the vote, a clear majority.
According to CNN polling expert Harry Enten, “No one in an incumbent presidential election has been polling above 50% at this point like Biden and gone on to lose.”
Trump and his campaign have said the polls are wrong and even went as far as to demand CNN retract a poll that showed Biden with a 14-point lead.
However, since that CNN poll was published, multiple other polls — including from pro-Trump outlets — have shown Biden with a double-digit lead, without any additional demands from the Trump campaign to take the polling down.
To combat the growing narrative that Trump is in a historically bad place with four months to go until Election Day, the campaign has been claiming, without any evidence, there are “silent” Trump supporters who will come out en masse and help Trump defeat Biden in November.
The campaign pointed to signs of “enthusiasm” for Trump but released no internal polls showing that Trump is beating Biden.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-07--4 Senate Republicans say they won't be at convention to nominate Trump

Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley told reporters on Monday that he would not attend the Republican National Convention in August , missing his party 's nominating event for the first time in 40 years .
The 86-year-old said , `` I 'm not going to go because of the virus situation . ''
Grassley is one of only four Republican senators who have said that they do not plan to attend the convention , scheduled to be held Aug. 24-27 in Jacksonville , Florida .
The American Independent Foundation sent inquiries to 52 GOP senators about their plans for attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A spokesperson for Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander wrote in an email , `` Senator Alexander is an honorary chair of the Tennessee Trump campaign , but he will not be attending the convention because he believes the delegate spots should be reserved for those who have not had that privilege before as he has had . ''
A spokesperson for Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said that she will skip this year 's gathering : `` Senator Collins never made plans to attend the convention because she has never attended the national convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election . ''
A spokesperson for Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski wrote , `` While we do not typically share details of Senator Murkowski 's travel schedule we can confirm that she does not plan to attend the convention at this time . ''
The convention was originally scheduled to take place in Charlotte , North Carolina .
Upset that the state would not allow him to ignore safety rules instituted to curb the spread of COVID-19 , Donald Trump announced in June that he would move most of the event to Jacksonville .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ now spiking in Florida , Jacksonville has implemented regulations on social distancing and the wearing of face masks , which may still be in effect in August .
A recent poll found 58 % of Jacksonville voters do not want the Republican convention held there and 71 % worry the packed gathering may further spread the coronavirus .
Many top Republicans skipped the nominating convention in 2016 , citing an array of excuses for their absence during Trump 's big moment .
A spokesperson for Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said then that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would `` instead take his kids to watch some dumpster fires across the state , all of which enjoy more popularity than the current front-runners . ''
According to FiveThirtyEight , Trump 's average disapproval rating is now 55.7 % , with an approval rating of 40.6 % .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley told reporters on Monday that he would not attend the Republican National Convention in August, missing his party’s nominating event for the first time in 40 years. The 86-year-old said, “I’m not going to go because of the virus situation.”
Grassley is one of only four Republican senators who have said that they do not plan to attend the convention, scheduled to be held Aug. 24-27 in Jacksonville, Florida.
The American Independent Foundation sent inquiries to 52 GOP senators about their plans for attending the convention; only three responded.
A spokesperson for Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander wrote in an email, “Senator Alexander is an honorary chair of the Tennessee Trump campaign, but he will not be attending the convention because he believes the delegate spots should be reserved for those who have not had that privilege before as he has had.”
A spokesperson for Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said that she will skip this year’s gathering: “Senator Collins never made plans to attend the convention because she has never attended the national convention in years when she is up for election.”
A spokesperson for Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski wrote, “While we do not typically share details of Senator Murkowski’s travel schedule we can confirm that she does not plan to attend the convention at this time.”
The convention was originally scheduled to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina. Upset that the state would not allow him to ignore safety rules instituted to curb the spread of COVID-19, Donald Trump announced in June that he would move most of the event to Jacksonville.
With the number of new coronavirus cases now spiking in Florida, Jacksonville has implemented regulations on social distancing and the wearing of face masks, which may still be in effect in August. A recent poll found 58% of Jacksonville voters do not want the Republican convention held there and 71% worry the packed gathering may further spread the coronavirus.
Many top Republicans skipped the nominating convention in 2016, citing an array of excuses for their absence during Trump’s big moment.
A spokesperson for Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said then that he would not be attending that convention and would “instead take his kids to watch some dumpster fires across the state, all of which enjoy more popularity than the current front-runners.”
According to FiveThirtyEight, Trump’s average disapproval rating is now 55.7%, with an approval rating of 40.6%.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-07--HHS secretary says schools shouldn't 'hide behind' CDC virus guidance

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Tuesday that state and local leaders should not let coronavirus safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stop them from fully reopening schools this fall .
`` Our CDC guidance is guidance .
When it comes to reopening our schools , nobody should hide behind CDC 's guidance to not reopen schools , '' Azar said at a White House event to discuss the topic .
`` Our guidance is to enable and empower the reopening of schools and physical attendance by our kids , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on ways to slow the spread of coronavirus , and notes that it is not meant to be used in place of local , state , or federal dictates .
It states that `` full sized , in-person classes '' put students , teachers , and staff at the highest risk for spreading the virus .
The lowest risk is for teachers and students to participate in virtual classes , the agency writes .
In addition , the CDC guidance advises schools to consider closing for short or long durations in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wider community .
`` You will likely dismiss students and most staff for 2-5 days , '' the CDC states about what to do if a student or staff member has a confirmed coronavirus case .
In the event of widespread community transmission , the guidance states schools may need to consider dismissing school for two weeks or longer .
The CDC did not respond to a request for comment on Azar 's statement about its guidance .
Other Trump administration officials have also pushed for schools to reopen in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worsen .
`` Ultimately , it 's not a matter of if schools need to open , it 's a matter of how , '' Education Secretary Betsy DeVos told governors during a phone call on Tuesday , according to the audio obtained by the Associated Press .
`` School must reopen , they must be fully operational . ''
Second lady Karen Pence said this week , during the same White House event at which Azar spoke , that reopening schools was necessary to prevent `` emotional , mental health challenges that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't get back into school . ''
And in an op-ed published Tuesday in USA Today , Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , a staunch Trump ally , argued that schools must reopen in order to help the U.S. economy .
Continued school closures will `` exacerbate the economic crisis caused by the pandemic by preventing parents across the country from returning to work , '' McCarthy wrote .
Donald Trump himself has called on schools to reopen in the fall .
`` SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN THE FALL !
!
! ''
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet with another accusing Democrats of wanting to keep schools closed `` for political reasons . ''
He did not offer evidence to back up the claim .
Education experts have expressed concern about reopening schools in the middle of a pandemic .
The American Federation of Teachers , a teachers union , estimated it would cost more than $ 116 billion to implement appropriate safety measures necessary to protect students , teachers , and staff from the virus .
The funds would be necessary for personal protective equipment , additional cleaning and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more school buses to ensure safe distancing for students .
Health experts told Education Week , a trade publication , that every school also needs at least one full-time registered nurse to help monitor student health .
However , 25 % of schools don ’ t have any nurses on staff , and 35 % of schools employ a part-time nurse only .
Several states have experienced a spike in coronavirus cases after rushing to reopen businesses too early , against expert advice .
The governors of Florida , Texas , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen their economies after cases began to surge .
On Tuesday , the United States had more than 2.9 million confirmed cases , according to the New York Times .
At least 130,810 people have died .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Tuesday that state and local leaders should not let coronavirus safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stop them from fully reopening schools this fall.
“Our CDC guidance is guidance. When it comes to reopening our schools, nobody should hide behind CDC’s guidance to not reopen schools,” Azar said at a White House event to discuss the topic.
“Our guidance is to enable and empower the reopening of schools and physical attendance by our kids,” he added.
The CDC’s guidance for schools is focused on ways to slow the spread of coronavirus, and notes that it is not meant to be used in place of local, state, or federal dictates.
It states that “full sized, in-person classes” put students, teachers, and staff at the highest risk for spreading the virus. The lowest risk is for teachers and students to participate in virtual classes, the agency writes.
In addition, the CDC guidance advises schools to consider closing for short or long durations in the event of outbreaks at the school or in the wider community.
“You will likely dismiss students and most staff for 2-5 days,” the CDC states about what to do if a student or staff member has a confirmed coronavirus case. In the event of widespread community transmission, the guidance states schools may need to consider dismissing school for two weeks or longer.
The CDC did not respond to a request for comment on Azar’s statement about its guidance.
Other Trump administration officials have also pushed for schools to reopen in the fall even if the pandemic continues to worsen.
“Ultimately, it’s not a matter of if schools need to open, it’s a matter of how,” Education Secretary Betsy DeVos told governors during a phone call on Tuesday, according to the audio obtained by the Associated Press. “School must reopen, they must be fully operational.”
Second lady Karen Pence said this week, during the same White House event at which Azar spoke, that reopening schools was necessary to prevent “emotional, mental health challenges that our kids will face if they don’t get back into school.”
And in an op-ed published Tuesday in USA Today, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a staunch Trump ally, argued that schools must reopen in order to help the U.S. economy.
Continued school closures will “exacerbate the economic crisis caused by the pandemic by preventing parents across the country from returning to work,” McCarthy wrote.
Donald Trump himself has called on schools to reopen in the fall.
“SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN THE FALL!!!” Trump tweeted on Monday.
Trump followed that tweet with another accusing Democrats of wanting to keep schools closed “for political reasons.” He did not offer evidence to back up the claim.
Education experts have expressed concern about reopening schools in the middle of a pandemic.
The American Federation of Teachers, a teachers union, estimated it would cost more than $116 billion to implement appropriate safety measures necessary to protect students, teachers, and staff from the virus. The funds would be necessary for personal protective equipment, additional cleaning and disinfecting of schools, and the costs of more school buses to ensure safe distancing for students.
Health experts told Education Week, a trade publication, that every school also needs at least one full-time registered nurse to help monitor student health. However, 25% of schools don’t have any nurses on staff, and 35% of schools employ a part-time nurse only.
Several states have experienced a spike in coronavirus cases after rushing to reopen businesses too early, against expert advice. The governors of Florida, Texas, and Arizona were forced to roll back efforts to reopen their economies after cases began to surge.
On Tuesday, the United States had more than 2.9 million confirmed cases, according to the New York Times. At least 130,810 people have died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-07--These anti-LGBTQ groups got more than $2 million in virus relief loans

More than $ 2.6 million in taxpayer money appropriated for saving small businesses during the pandemic has gone to anti-LGBTQ organizations , analysis of Small Business Administration data reveals .
The Paycheck Protection Program , passed as part of the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act in March , provided hundreds of billions of dollars in forgivable loans to American businesses .
Donald Trump , on signing the bill , said it would `` keep our small businesses strong and our big businesses strong .
And that 's keeping our country strong and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Small Business Administration released the names of every business that received at least $ 150,000 in loans .
The list included three groups that have been designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as anti-LGBTQ hate groups .
It also included at least five other organizations with a history of working against LGBTQ rights .
Chris Fleming , spokesperson for Accountable for Equality , which works to educate the public about anti-LGBTQ extremists , said in an email this week that some of the groups have gone so far as to oppose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in anti-lynching and hate crimes laws .
`` I do n't think it 's a stretch to say that tax payer funds should n't go to support groups that defend killing gay people , '' he wrote .
`` Public funds have no business pushing tax paying Americans out of the public square , let alone promoting hate and violence .
These groups promote the marginalization of LGBT people . ''
In total , the eight groups received between $ 2,650,000 and $ 6,400,000 through the PPP program .
The American Family Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in PPP loans .
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes the group as working toward `` 'combating the homosexual agenda ' through various means , including publicizing companies that have pro-gay policies and organizing boycotts against them . ''
A recent post on the American Family Association website decries backers of `` science , '' claiming that they `` rush to legitimize the feminist-LGBTQ agenda , they ignore clear , scientific reality regarding life and sex , '' and `` work to prevent anyone from having hope for recovery of natural sexuality .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a request for comment for this story .
The Center for Arizona Policy received between $ 150,000 and $ 350,000 in PPP loans .
The Arizona-based group 's website calls LGBTQ non-discrimination laws `` a sword against individuals , businesses , and organizations who have a historic understanding of marriage and gender . ''
The group did not respond to a request for comment for this story .
The Concerned Women for America received between $ 150,000 and $ 350,000 .
The group 's website claims that the Equality Act — a federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` erase the protected category of sex which has been a foundation for securing the rights and opportunities of women in the US . ''
The CWA also did not respond to a request for comment for this story .
The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute received between $ 350,000 and $ 1,000,000 in PPP funding .
Dobson , who is also the founder of the anti-LGBTQ group Focus on the Family , condemned the Equality Act on the institute 's website , calling it `` a thinly veiled attempt to finish off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , which ought to be plainly obvious based upon a cursory reading of the First Amendment . ''
He claimed the legislation would `` place Christians who believe in traditional marriage at grave legal and civil jeopardy . ''
The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute did not respond to a request for comment for this story .
The First Liberty Institute received between $ 350,000 and $ 1,000,000 in PPP loan money .
An October post on the group 's website defended employers seeking the legal right to discriminate against LGBTQ people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These Americans may struggle to articulate why they oppose allowing biological males who identify as female to use the women 's locker room with the smoothness of a slick politician , '' the group wrote .
`` To them , it 's just common sense : Men are men , and women are women . ''
The group did not respond to a request for comment for this story .
The Liberty Counsel received between $ 350,000 and $ 1,000,000 .
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes Liberty Counsel as `` a legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guise of religious liberty . ''
Its website has a page on `` protecting marriage & family , '' arguing that marriage is only a `` bond between one man and one woman . ''
Elsewhere on its site , the group claims that `` homosexual conduct can result in significant damage to those involved who engage in such conduct .
There is no evidence that a person is born homosexual .
And there is evidence that people can change . ''
It did not respond to a request for comment for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a designated hate group , received between $ 150,000 and $ 350,000 in PPP loan money .
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes the group as an `` anti-LGBT hate group '' that has `` compared legalized gay marriage to Hitler and the Nazis ’ ascent in Germany ; endorsed so-called 'reparative ' or sexual orientation conversion therapy ; claimed marriage equality would lead to legal polygamy and incest ; fought against protections for trans children and fabricated a story of harassment by a trans student ; and said that LGBT History Month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The group 's website attacks the Equality Act as `` an intolerant abomination disguised as a gift for human rights . ''
The group did not respond to a request for comment for this story .
The Family Leader Foundation received between $ 150,000 and $ 350,000 in PPP loans .
The group is the 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) `` charitable '' arm of Bob Vander Plaats ' Iowa-based THE FAMiLY LEADER operation , which has argued Black children born into slavery were better off than those in single parent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website explicitly states that it `` affirms sexual relations within the bond of marriage , and opposes distortions of sexuality or special rights to those practicing distorted sexual behavior . ''
It did not respond to a request for comment for this story .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

More than $2.6 million in taxpayer money appropriated for saving small businesses during the pandemic has gone to anti-LGBTQ organizations, analysis of Small Business Administration data reveals.
The Paycheck Protection Program, passed as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March, provided hundreds of billions of dollars in forgivable loans to American businesses.
Donald Trump, on signing the bill, said it would “keep our small businesses strong and our big businesses strong. And that’s keeping our country strong and our jobs strong.”
On Monday, the Small Business Administration released the names of every business that received at least $150,000 in loans.
The list included three groups that have been designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as anti-LGBTQ hate groups. It also included at least five other organizations with a history of working against LGBTQ rights.
Chris Fleming, spokesperson for Accountable for Equality, which works to educate the public about anti-LGBTQ extremists, said in an email this week that some of the groups have gone so far as to oppose including sexual orientation and gender identity protections in anti-lynching and hate crimes laws.
“I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that tax payer funds shouldn’t go to support groups that defend killing gay people,” he wrote. “Public funds have no business pushing tax paying Americans out of the public square, let alone promoting hate and violence. These groups promote the marginalization of LGBT people.”
In total, the eight groups received between $2,650,000 and $6,400,000 through the PPP program.
Here’s who’s on the list.
American Family Association
The American Family Association received between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 in PPP loans.
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes the group as working toward “‘combating the homosexual agenda’ through various means, including publicizing companies that have pro-gay policies and organizing boycotts against them.”
A recent post on the American Family Association website decries backers of “science,” claiming that they “rush to legitimize the feminist-LGBTQ agenda, they ignore clear, scientific reality regarding life and sex,” and “work to prevent anyone from having hope for recovery of natural sexuality.”
The group did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
Center for Arizona Policy
The Center for Arizona Policy received between $150,000 and $350,000 in PPP loans.
The Arizona-based group’s website calls LGBTQ non-discrimination laws “a sword against individuals, businesses, and organizations who have a historic understanding of marriage and gender.”
The group did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
Concerned Women for America
The Concerned Women for America received between $150,000 and $350,000. The group’s website claims that the Equality Act — a federal bill to ban anti-LGBTQ discrimination — would “erase the protected category of sex which has been a foundation for securing the rights and opportunities of women in the US.”
The CWA also did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
Dr. James Dobson Family Institute
The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute received between $350,000 and $1,000,000 in PPP funding.
Dobson, who is also the founder of the anti-LGBTQ group Focus on the Family, condemned the Equality Act on the institute’s website, calling it “a thinly veiled attempt to finish off religious liberty in America once and for all, which ought to be plainly obvious based upon a cursory reading of the First Amendment.”
He claimed the legislation would “place Christians who believe in traditional marriage at grave legal and civil jeopardy.”
The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
First Liberty Institute
The First Liberty Institute received between $350,000 and $1,000,000 in PPP loan money.
An October post on the group’s website defended employers seeking the legal right to discriminate against LGBTQ people, specifically targeting transgender individuals.
“These Americans may struggle to articulate why they oppose allowing biological males who identify as female to use the women’s locker room with the smoothness of a slick politician,” the group wrote. “To them, it’s just common sense: Men are men, and women are women.”
The group did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
Liberty Counsel
The Liberty Counsel received between $350,000 and $1,000,000.
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes Liberty Counsel as “a legal organization advocating for anti-LGBT discrimination under the guise of religious liberty.” Its website has a page on “protecting marriage & family,” arguing that marriage is only a “bond between one man and one woman.”
Elsewhere on its site, the group claims that “homosexual conduct can result in significant damage to those involved who engage in such conduct. There is no evidence that a person is born homosexual. And there is evidence that people can change.”
It did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
Pacific Justice Institute
The Pacific Justice Institute, a designated hate group, received between $150,000 and $350,000 in PPP loan money.
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes the group as an “anti-LGBT hate group” that has “compared legalized gay marriage to Hitler and the Nazis’ ascent in Germany; endorsed so-called ‘reparative’ or sexual orientation conversion therapy; claimed marriage equality would lead to legal polygamy and incest; fought against protections for trans children and fabricated a story of harassment by a trans student; and said that LGBT History Month promotes gay pornography to children.”
The group’s website attacks the Equality Act as “an intolerant abomination disguised as a gift for human rights.”
The group did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
The Family Leader Foundation
The Family Leader Foundation received between $150,000 and $350,000 in PPP loans.
The group is the 501(c)(3) “charitable” arm of Bob Vander Plaats‘ Iowa-based THE FAMiLY LEADER operation, which has argued Black children born into slavery were better off than those in single parent homes today.
The Family Leader Foundation website explicitly states that it “affirms sexual relations within the bond of marriage, and opposes distortions of sexuality or special rights to those practicing distorted sexual behavior.”
It did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.