shareblue--2020-05-07--Trump's favorite Fox News host: 'Have some courage' and defy safety orders

Pete Hegseth , a close ally of Donald Trump and a host on Fox News , argued on Thursday that Americans should `` have some courage '' and return to going out in public despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
Hegseth once told viewers of the conservative network that he `` has n't washed hands in 10 years , '' later claiming he was joking .
Now he is pushing to ignore the advice of experienced medical experts .
Those experts have warned several times that a premature reopening , without sufficient testing and other measures , could lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than74,000 Americans have died from the virus and more than 1.2 million have been infected .
In advocating for an early return to business , Hegseth invoked the case of a Texas salon owner whose decision to violate that state 's stay-at-home orders has made her a cause célèbre on Fox and with Republican lawmakers .
Trump has expressed similar sentiments , pushing for Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ( D ) to give in to the demands of weapon-carrying protesters who stormed the state Capitol and demanded an end to social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have on public health , Trump hailed the crowd for being `` protestors that like me . ''
He also called them `` very good people '' despite the presence of flags supporting the pro-slavery Confederacy and signs with misogynist attacks on Whitmer .
Hegseth has operated for years as a close adviser to Trump .
Trump reportedly turned to Hegseth for direct consultation on how to craft legislation affecting veterans , perhaps because Hegseth is a former Army National Guard officer .
Trump also considered Hegseth early on as a candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary .
The New York Times noted in 2016 that , `` on the campaign trail Mr. Trump echoed many of Mr. Hegseth ’ s positions , '' Hegseth has used his role at the conservative network to praise Trump , particularly on actions like the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and separating immigrant children from their families .
From the May 7 edition of Fox News ' `` Outnumbered '' : MELISSA FRANCIS , co-host : Today , I was walking out to the supermarket .
I saw the Starbucks reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , they 're fighting for their business , this franchise owner .
They had signs out , they had masks on , they had gloves on , you know .
They want to get back to work , and they want to get back to the American way of life and do it safely .
PETE HEGSETH : At some level .
I have n't liked the wartime analogy from the beginning .
It 's not apt .
I 've met , we have a series on Fox Nation called `` Modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gals who risk their life voluntarily to go to the most dangerous places in the world .
So , I do n't love the warrior talk , but I do think you 're going to need that kind of ethos and that spirit to put freedom before fear .
Listen , there 's a lot of anxiety , there 's lot of misinformation .
The experts have been telling us hundreds of thousands of people are going to die .
Now that we 're learning more , herd immunity is our friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're going to have some courage .
And we 've seen courage .
We 're going to talk about it later , in Texas where people are defying ridiculous orders .
That takes courage .
That 's not easy .
So I think that spirit , the American spirit , frankly , is in full supply and ready to go if some of our experts and some of our leaders will just get out of their way , they 're drunk on power , it 's time to open up .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The American Independent Foundation .

Pete Hegseth, a close ally of Donald Trump and a host on Fox News, argued on Thursday that Americans should “have some courage” and return to going out in public despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Hegseth once told viewers of the conservative network that he “hasn’t washed hands in 10 years,” later claiming he was joking. Now he is pushing to ignore the advice of experienced medical experts.
Those experts have warned several times that a premature reopening, without sufficient testing and other measures, could lead to thousands more deaths. Already, more than74,000 Americans have died from the virus and more than 1.2 million have been infected.
In advocating for an early return to business, Hegseth invoked the case of a Texas salon owner whose decision to violate that state’s stay-at-home orders has made her a cause célèbre on Fox and with Republican lawmakers.
Trump has expressed similar sentiments, pushing for Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) to give in to the demands of weapon-carrying protesters who stormed the state Capitol and demanded an end to social distancing measures.
Despite the impact such reopenings could have on public health, Trump hailed the crowd for being “protestors that like me.” He also called them “very good people” despite the presence of flags supporting the pro-slavery Confederacy and signs with misogynist attacks on Whitmer.
Hegseth has operated for years as a close adviser to Trump. Trump reportedly turned to Hegseth for direct consultation on how to craft legislation affecting veterans, perhaps because Hegseth is a former Army National Guard officer.
Trump also considered Hegseth early on as a candidate to be his administration’s Veterans Affairs secretary. The New York Times noted in 2016 that, “on the campaign trail Mr. Trump echoed many of Mr. Hegseth’s positions,”
Hegseth has used his role at the conservative network to praise Trump, particularly on actions like the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and separating immigrant children from their families.
From the May 7 edition of Fox News’ “Outnumbered”:
MELISSA FRANCIS, co-host: Today, I was walking out to the supermarket. I saw the Starbucks reopen, you know. They had balloons out, they’re fighting for their business, this franchise owner. They had signs out, they had masks on, they had gloves on, you know. They want to get back to work, and they want to get back to the American way of life and do it safely. Is that being a warrior? PETE HEGSETH: At some level. I haven’t liked the wartime analogy from the beginning. It’s not apt. I’ve met, we have a series on Fox Nation called “Modern Warriors.” These are the guys and gals who risk their life voluntarily to go to the most dangerous places in the world. So, I don’t love the warrior talk, but I do think you’re going to need that kind of ethos and that spirit to put freedom before fear. Listen, there’s a lot of anxiety, there’s lot of misinformation. The experts have been telling us hundreds of thousands of people are going to die. Now that we’re learning more, herd immunity is our friend. Healthy people getting out there, they’re going to have some courage. And we’ve seen courage. We’re going to talk about it later, in Texas where people are defying ridiculous orders. That takes courage. That’s not easy. So I think that spirit, the American spirit, frankly, is in full supply and ready to go if some of our experts and some of our leaders will just get out of their way, they’re drunk on power, it’s time to open up. That’s my sense.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-07--Wisconsin Supreme Court justice: Meatpackers aren't 'regular folks'

The conservative chief justice of Wisconsin 's state Supreme Court is under fire after she said this week that meatpackers in Wisconsin who have contracted the coronavirus are n't `` regular folks '' like other residents of the state .
Chief Justice Patience Roggensack made the comment during oral arguments conducted via teleconferencing on Tuesday in a suit brought by Republican lawmakers against Wisconsin Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers ' stay-at-home orders .
Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General Colin Roth , arguing on behalf of Evers , cited a surge in cases in Brown County as an example of why the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Brown County `` surged from just 60 to almost 800 '' over the course of two weeks .
The outbreak was traced to the JBS Packerland meatpacking plant in the county , at which 300 workers were sickened by the coronavirus , according to the Green Bay Press Gazette .
Outcry against Roggensack 's comment followed the condemnation of comments made by her fellow conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley comparing Evers ' stay-at-home orders to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II .
`` It is shocking and deeply offensive that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in meatpacking plants aren ’ t 'regular folks ' who deserve protection , '' United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473 , which represents meatpacking workers in the state , said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel .
Democratic lawmakers also slammed Roggensack 's comment , calling it elitist and out of touch .
Democratic state Sen. Dave Hansen , who represents Brown County , told the Journal Sentinel that Roggensack 's comment was laced with `` elitism and ignorance . ''
Meatpacking plants across the country , workers at which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have no choice but to go to work , have been hit hard by coronavirus outbreaks .
Donald Trump has ordered meatpacking plants to stay open , despite the fact that the plants have become hot spots of virus transmission .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The conservative chief justice of Wisconsin’s state Supreme Court is under fire after she said this week that meatpackers in Wisconsin who have contracted the coronavirus aren’t “regular folks” like other residents of the state.
Chief Justice Patience Roggensack made the comment during oral arguments conducted via teleconferencing on Tuesday in a suit brought by Republican lawmakers against Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ stay-at-home orders.
Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General Colin Roth, arguing on behalf of Evers, cited a surge in cases in Brown County as an example of why the orders were necessary. Roth said cases in Brown County “surged from just 60 to almost 800” over the course of two weeks. The outbreak was traced to the JBS Packerland meatpacking plant in the county, at which 300 workers were sickened by the coronavirus, according to the Green Bay Press Gazette.
Roggensack interjected.
“These were due to the meatpacking, though,” she said. “That’s where Brown County got the flare. It wasn’t just the regular folks in Brown County.”
Outcry against Roggensack’s comment followed the condemnation of comments made by her fellow conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley comparing Evers’ stay-at-home orders to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
“It is shocking and deeply offensive that Justice Patience Roggensack would suggest that workers in meatpacking plants aren’t ‘regular folks’ who deserve protection,” United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473, which represents meatpacking workers in the state, said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Democratic lawmakers also slammed Roggensack’s comment, calling it elitist and out of touch.
Democratic state Sen. Dave Hansen, who represents Brown County, told the Journal Sentinel that Roggensack’s comment was laced with “elitism and ignorance.”
Meatpacking plants across the country, workers at which are largely immigrants who say they fear they have no choice but to go to work, have been hit hard by coronavirus outbreaks.
Donald Trump has ordered meatpacking plants to stay open, despite the fact that the plants have become hot spots of virus transmission.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-07--DOJ dropping case of former Trump adviser Flynn despite guilty plea

The Justice Department on Thursday said it is dropping the criminal case against Donald Trump 's first national security adviser , Michael Flynn , abandoning a prosecution that became a rallying cry for Trump and his supporters in attacking the FBI 's Russia investigation .
The move is a stunning reversal for one of the signature cases brought by special counsel Robert Mueller .
It comes even though prosecutors for the last three years had maintained that Flynn had lied to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador in a January 2017 interview .
Flynn himself admitted as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mueller as he investigated ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign .
In court documents being filed Thursday , the Justice Department said it is dropping the case `` after a considered review of all the facts and circumstances of this case , including newly discovered and disclosed information . ''
The documents were obtained by the Associated Press .
The Justice Department said it had concluded that Flynn 's interview by the FBI was `` untethered to , and unjustified by , the FBI 's counterintelligence investigation into Mr. Flynn '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2017 , was `` conducted without any legitimate investigative basis . ''
The U.S. attorney reviewing the Flynn case , Jeff Jensen , recommended the move to Attorney General William Barr last week and formalized the recommendation in a document this week .
`` Through the course of my review of General Flynn 's case , I concluded the proper and just course was to dismiss the case , '' Jensen said in a statement .
`` I briefed Attorney General Barr on my findings , advised him on these conclusions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is certain to be embraced by Trump , who has relentlessly tweeted about the case and last week pronounced Flynn `` exonerated , '' and energize supporters who have taken up the retired Army lieutenant general as something of a cause celebre .
But it may also add to Democratic concerns that Attorney General William Barr is excessively loyal to Trump , and could be a distraction for a Justice Department that for months has sought to focus on crimes arising from the coronavirus .
The Justice Department 's action comes amid an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case and an aggressive effort by Flynn 's lawyers to challenge the basis for the prosecution .
The lawyers cited newly disclosed FBI emails and notes last week to allege that Flynn was entrapped into lying when agents interviewed him at the White House days after Trump 's inauguration .
Though none of the documents appeared to undercut the central allegation that Flynn had lied to the FBI , Trump last week pronounced him `` exonerated The decision is the latest dramatic turn in a years-old case full of twists and turns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leveled a series of allegations about the FBI 's actions and asked to withdraw his guilty plea .
A judge has rejected most of the claims and not ruled on others , including the bid to revoke the plea .
The decision comes as Barr has increasingly challenged the Russia investigation , saying in a television interview last month that it was started `` without any basis . ''
In February , he overruled a decision by prosecutors in the Roger Stone case in favor of a more lenient recommended sentence for the @ @ @ @

The Justice Department on Thursday said it is dropping the criminal case against Donald Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, abandoning a prosecution that became a rallying cry for Trump and his supporters in attacking the FBI’s Russia investigation.
The move is a stunning reversal for one of the signature cases brought by special counsel Robert Mueller. It comes even though prosecutors for the last three years had maintained that Flynn had lied to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador in a January 2017 interview. Flynn himself admitted as much and became a key cooperator for Mueller as he investigated ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.
In court documents being filed Thursday, the Justice Department said it is dropping the case “after a considered review of all the facts and circumstances of this case, including newly discovered and disclosed information.” The documents were obtained by the Associated Press.
The Justice Department said it had concluded that Flynn’s interview by the FBI was “untethered to, and unjustified by, the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into Mr. Flynn” and that the interview on January 24, 2017, was “conducted without any legitimate investigative basis.”
The U.S. attorney reviewing the Flynn case, Jeff Jensen, recommended the move to Attorney General William Barr last week and formalized the recommendation in a document this week.
“Through the course of my review of General Flynn’s case, I concluded the proper and just course was to dismiss the case,” Jensen said in a statement. “I briefed Attorney General Barr on my findings, advised him on these conclusions, and he agreed.”
The decision is certain to be embraced by Trump, who has relentlessly tweeted about the case and last week pronounced Flynn “exonerated,” and energize supporters who have taken up the retired Army lieutenant general as something of a cause celebre. But it may also add to Democratic concerns that Attorney General William Barr is excessively loyal to Trump, and could be a distraction for a Justice Department that for months has sought to focus on crimes arising from the coronavirus.
The Justice Department’s action comes amid an internal review into the handling of the case and an aggressive effort by Flynn’s lawyers to challenge the basis for the prosecution. The lawyers cited newly disclosed FBI emails and notes last week to allege that Flynn was entrapped into lying when agents interviewed him at the White House days after Trump’s inauguration. Though none of the documents appeared to undercut the central allegation that Flynn had lied to the FBI, Trump last week pronounced him “exonerated
The decision is the latest dramatic turn in a years-old case full of twists and turns. In recent months, his attorneys have leveled a series of allegations about the FBI’s actions and asked to withdraw his guilty plea. A judge has rejected most of the claims and not ruled on others, including the bid to revoke the plea.
The decision comes as Barr has increasingly challenged the Russia investigation, saying in a television interview last month that it was started “without any basis.” In February, he overruled a decision by prosecutors in the Roger Stone case in favor of a more lenient recommended sentence for the longtime Trump friend.


shareblue--2020-05-07--Trump official blames workers for getting sick as they're forced to keep working

Alex Azar , Donald Trump 's secretary of Health and Human Services , blamed workers ' lifestyle for coronavirus outbreaks at meatpacking plants across the nation , Politico reported on Thursday .
On a call with members of Congress in late April , Azar blamed the `` home and social '' conditions of workers for the spread of the virus , three people on the call told Politico , rather than the conditions in the plants .
Meanwhile , last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report that explicitly blames working conditions at meatpacking plants for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found `` structural and operational practices that made it difficult to maintain a 6-foot ( 2-meter ) distance while working , especially on production lines , and in nonproduction settings during breaks and while entering and exiting facilities . ''
In addition , the type of work performed at these plants `` made adherence to face covering recommendations difficult , '' and some meatpacking plants had `` difficulty adhering to the heightened cleaning and disinfection guidance recommended for all worksites to reduce '' coronavirus transmission .
Workers are being forced to go back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive order on April 28 , the same day as Azar 's call with members of Congress , declaring meat processing critical infrastructure during the crisis .
Trump issued the order despite the fact that many meatpacking plants have become coronavirus hot spots .
Republican officials in many states are threatening to block unemployment insurance for workers who do not return to reopened businesses , even if they do n't because they fear contracting the virus .
`` If you 're an employer and you offer to bring your employee back to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a voluntary quit , '' Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds said in late April .
`` Therefore , they would not be eligible for the unemployment money . ''
A couple of weeks after Reynolds made this statement , 58 % of workers at a Tyson Foods pork plant in Iowa tested positive for coronavirus .
In April , a plant in South Dakota suspended operations after more than 400 workers became sick with the new coronavirus .
The Trump administration 's desire to blame workers and let companies off the hook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader Mitch McConnell , who said that the Senate would not pass any additional coronavirus relief packages unless they included measures preventing workers from suing their employers if they got sick .
`` Well , let me make it perfectly clear that the Senate is not interested in passing a bill that does not have liability protection , '' McConnell said on April 28 , adding , `` we have a red line on liability .
It wo n't pass the Senate without it . ''
McConnell went even further the next day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses would be a `` second pandemic . ''
Unions are demanding more workplace safety guidelines as plants and stores reopen .
The federal government should `` compel all meatpacking companies to provide the highest level of protective equipment '' and coronavirus testing ; enforce CDC guidelines on measures such as physical distancing ; and ensure paid sick leave for workers who fall ill , Marc Perrone , president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union , said after Trump demanded meatpacking plants reopen .
Rep. Ann Kuster ( D-NH ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's comments blaming the workers ' living conditions for transmission of the coronavirus .
`` He was essentially turning it around , blaming the victim and implying that their lifestyle was the problem , '' Kuster said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Alex Azar, Donald Trump’s secretary of Health and Human Services, blamed workers’ lifestyle for coronavirus outbreaks at meatpacking plants across the nation, Politico reported on Thursday.
On a call with members of Congress in late April, Azar blamed the “home and social” conditions of workers for the spread of the virus, three people on the call told Politico, rather than the conditions in the plants.
Meanwhile, last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report that explicitly blames working conditions at meatpacking plants for transmission of the virus.
The CDC found “structural and operational practices that made it difficult to maintain a 6-foot (2-meter) distance while working, especially on production lines, and in nonproduction settings during breaks and while entering and exiting facilities.”
In addition, the type of work performed at these plants “made adherence to face covering recommendations difficult,” and some meatpacking plants had “difficulty adhering to the heightened cleaning and disinfection guidance recommended for all worksites to reduce” coronavirus transmission.
Workers are being forced to go back to meatpacking plants after Trump issued an executive order on April 28, the same day as Azar’s call with members of Congress, declaring meat processing critical infrastructure during the crisis. Trump issued the order despite the fact that many meatpacking plants have become coronavirus hot spots.
Republican officials in many states are threatening to block unemployment insurance for workers who do not return to reopened businesses, even if they don’t because they fear contracting the virus.
“If you’re an employer and you offer to bring your employee back to work and they decide not to, that’s a voluntary quit,” Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said in late April. “Therefore, they would not be eligible for the unemployment money.”
A couple of weeks after Reynolds made this statement, 58% of workers at a Tyson Foods pork plant in Iowa tested positive for coronavirus.
In April, a plant in South Dakota suspended operations after more than 400 workers became sick with the new coronavirus.
The Trump administration’s desire to blame workers and let companies off the hook aligns with the efforts of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said that the Senate would not pass any additional coronavirus relief packages unless they included measures preventing workers from suing their employers if they got sick.
“Well, let me make it perfectly clear that the Senate is not interested in passing a bill that does not have liability protection,” McConnell said on April 28, adding, “we have a red line on liability. It won’t pass the Senate without it.”
McConnell went even further the next day, telling Fox News that lawsuits against businesses would be a “second pandemic.”
Unions are demanding more workplace safety guidelines as plants and stores reopen.
The federal government should “compel all meatpacking companies to provide the highest level of protective equipment” and coronavirus testing; enforce CDC guidelines on measures such as physical distancing; and ensure paid sick leave for workers who fall ill, Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, said after Trump demanded meatpacking plants reopen.
Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH) told Politico she was disturbed by Azar’s comments blaming the workers’ living conditions for transmission of the coronavirus.
“He was essentially turning it around, blaming the victim and implying that their lifestyle was the problem,” Kuster said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-07--GOP congressman says virus safety rules violate 'religious liberty'

Rep. Andy Biggs ( R-AZ ) accused the governor of Illinois this week of violating people 's religious liberty by enforcing a limit on the number of people who can attend gatherings at churches during the pandemic .
`` Religious liberty is a fundamental right of every American , '' Biggs tweeted on Wednesday night .
`` Governors and mayors who abuse that right are in violation of the Constitution and the very essence of who we are as Americans . ''
Biggs was referring to an announcement by Gov .
JB Pritzker earlier Wednesday regarding his five-phase plan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan , gatherings of more than 50 people — including those at church services — will not be banned as long as the coronavirus threat continues in the state .
`` You know that , in phase three , there can be gatherings , church gatherings , of 10 or fewer .
In phase four , 50 or fewer .
So that 's the guidance that 's been given to me , '' Pritzker told reporters at the time .
`` I 'm not the one providing that guidance .
It really is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Rep. Chip Roy ( R-TX ) also attacked Pritzker 's comments on Wednesday , tweeting , `` No .
Just , no .
@ LetAmericaOpen . ''
As Pritzker noted , under the current stay-at-home order , the `` exercise of religion '' is considered an essential activity and religious gatherings are permitted , as long as no more than 10 people are present .
As the pandemic slows , that limit will rise to 50 .
A church in Lena , Illinois , unsuccessfully sought a restraining order in federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's restriction .
It had reportedly been ignoring the law and holding services for 60 to 80 people at a time and made a religious liberty argument against the limits .
Other Republicans across the country have attacked stay-at-home orders in recent weeks , claiming they are a violation of various constitutional freedoms .
Rep. Jim Jordan ( R-OH ) called for a House Judiciary hearing last month on the `` threats to liberty '' from social distancing requirements .
Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) attacked Pennsylvania last month for enforcing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` police state . ''
Roy and other Texas Republicans blasted officials in their own state for trying to force a salon to stay closed this week .
After its owner was fine and jailed for refusing to follow a court order , Rep. Dan Crenshaw ( R-TX ) tweeted , `` These punishments are NOT just .
They are not reasonable .
Small-minded 'leaders ' across the country have become drunk with power .
This must end . ''
More than 68,000 people in Illinois have tested positive for the coronavirus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state so far .
Experts have said social distancing and other virus safety measures may need to continue through the summer in order to prevent the outbreak from worsening .
`` Social distancing will be with us through the summer to really ensure that we protect one another as we move through these phases , '' Dr. Deborah Birx , a public health expert and member of the White House coronavirus task force , said during an interview on NBC 's `` Meet the Press '' late last month .
Still , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at those outbreaks [ in cities like Houston and Detroit ] over time … and you look at how they 've reached their peak and come down and what those cases look like as they come down , it gives us great hope . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) accused the governor of Illinois this week of violating people’s religious liberty by enforcing a limit on the number of people who can attend gatherings at churches during the pandemic.
“Religious liberty is a fundamental right of every American,” Biggs tweeted on Wednesday night. “Governors and mayors who abuse that right are in violation of the Constitution and the very essence of who we are as Americans.”
Biggs was referring to an announcement by Gov. JB Pritzker earlier Wednesday regarding his five-phase plan to reopen the state.
Under Pritzker’s plan, gatherings of more than 50 people — including those at church services — will not be banned as long as the coronavirus threat continues in the state.
“You know that, in phase three, there can be gatherings, church gatherings, of 10 or fewer. In phase four, 50 or fewer. So that’s the guidance that’s been given to me,” Pritzker told reporters at the time. “I’m not the one providing that guidance. It really is what the scientists and epidemiologists are recommending.”
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) also attacked Pritzker’s comments on Wednesday, tweeting, “No. Just, no. @LetAmericaOpen.”
As Pritzker noted, under the current stay-at-home order, the “exercise of religion” is considered an essential activity and religious gatherings are permitted, as long as no more than 10 people are present. As the pandemic slows, that limit will rise to 50.
A church in Lena, Illinois, unsuccessfully sought a restraining order in federal court this week to stop the governor’s restriction. It had reportedly been ignoring the law and holding services for 60 to 80 people at a time and made a religious liberty argument against the limits.
Other Republicans across the country have attacked stay-at-home orders in recent weeks, claiming they are a violation of various constitutional freedoms.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) called for a House Judiciary hearing last month on the “threats to liberty” from social distancing requirements.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) attacked Pennsylvania last month for enforcing a stay-at-home order, likening it to a “police state.”
Roy and other Texas Republicans blasted officials in their own state for trying to force a salon to stay closed this week.
After its owner was fine and jailed for refusing to follow a court order, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) tweeted, “These punishments are NOT just. They are not reasonable. Small-minded ‘leaders’ across the country have become drunk with power. This must end.”
More than 68,000 people in Illinois have tested positive for the coronavirus to date, with about 3,000 deaths in the state so far.
Experts have said social distancing and other virus safety measures may need to continue through the summer in order to prevent the outbreak from worsening.
“Social distancing will be with us through the summer to really ensure that we protect one another as we move through these phases,” Dr. Deborah Birx, a public health expert and member of the White House coronavirus task force, said during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” late last month.
Still, she added, “If you look at those outbreaks [in cities like Houston and Detroit] over time … and you look at how they’ve reached their peak and come down and what those cases look like as they come down, it gives us great hope.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-07--GOP congressman caught on tape pushing false election results

Rep. Ken Buck , the chair of the Colorado Republican Party , was caught on tape allegedly pressuring a district GOP party chair to sign a false affidavit certifying the results of that district assembly 's vote on the nomination of candidates for a Republican primary to replace its term-limited state senator .
State Senate District 10 assembly delegates voted on March 22 on the candidacies of Republican activist David Stiver and state Rep. Larry Liston to run for the seat .
With a 30 % vote threshold for advancing to the June primary , Stiver received 24 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the midst of allegations by Stiver and supporters of irregularities in the assembly voting process , Buck spoke to state Senate District 10 party chair Eli Bremer during a meeting of the Colorado Republican Party 's central committee .
On a tape of the conversation obtained by the Denver Post , Buck can be heard telling Bremer , `` Do you understand that the order of the executive committee and the central committee , that you will submit the paperwork to include Mr. Stivers [ sic ] and Mr. Liston on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top-line vote ? ''
Bremer responds that he understands that the central committee `` had adopted a resolution that requires me to sign a false affidavit to the state . ''
`` And will you do so ? ''
Buck asks .
Bremer tells Buck that he will `` seek legal counsel to find out if I am putting myself in jeopardy of a misdemeanor for doing that . ''
`` You 've got a sitting congressman , a sitting state party chair , who is trying to bully a volunteer — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't get paid for this — into committing a crime , '' Bremer told the Post on Wednesday .
Buck told the Post that he did nothing wrong , saying , `` What I was asking Eli to do was not to commit fraud , I was asking Eli if he understood the decision of the central committee and if he was willing to follow the request of the Republican central committee . ''
Said Bremer , `` This is the position that my party has put me in .
The state party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something that is demonstrably not legal , they 've put me in legal jeopardy . ''
Buck 's congressional office would not comment on matters related to Buck 's position as state party chair .
The Colorado Republican Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Buck , a staunch conservative , was elected to Congress in 2014 , and was elected chair of the Colorado Republican Party in 2019 .
He is no stranger to scandal .
In March , Buck filmed a video of himself threatening former Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O'Rourke with a gun , saying , `` If you want to take everyone 's AR-15 in America , why do n't you swing by my office in Washington , D.C. , and start with this one ? ''
while briefly pointing an assault rifle at the camera .
During a December hearing into the impeachment of Donald Trump , Buck used his five minutes of questioning to push debunked conspiracy theories about the 2012 terrorist attack on U.S. facilities in Benghazi , Libya .
He later voted against impeaching Trump .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of allegations of election fraud leveled against Republicans in the past few years .
In 2019 , McCrae Dowless , a longtime political operative who worked for North Carolina Republican congressional candidate Mark Harris , was indicted on seven counts related to election fraud in the 2018 election .
Dowless was indicted for a scheme through which he and colleagues allegedly collected absentee ballots from voters , and filled out some of them .
Both activities are illegal in North Carolina .
The alleged fraud was so extensive that the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a court ordered a new election , which was held in 2019 .
In Colorado , Bremer said Buck owed him an apology .
`` How in the heck is the Republican Party going to go out and say we ’ re for the rule of law except when it applies to us — we can do whatever we want to ? ''
Bremer told the Denver Post .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Rep. Ken Buck, the chair of the Colorado Republican Party, was caught on tape allegedly pressuring a district GOP party chair to sign a false affidavit certifying the results of that district assembly’s vote on the nomination of candidates for a Republican primary to replace its term-limited state senator.
State Senate District 10 assembly delegates voted on March 22 on the candidacies of Republican activist David Stiver and state Rep. Larry Liston to run for the seat. With a 30% vote threshold for advancing to the June primary, Stiver received 24% of the vote; Liston received 75%.
In the midst of allegations by Stiver and supporters of irregularities in the assembly voting process, Buck spoke to state Senate District 10 party chair Eli Bremer during a meeting of the Colorado Republican Party’s central committee.
On a tape of the conversation obtained by the Denver Post, Buck can be heard telling Bremer, “Do you understand that the order of the executive committee and the central committee, that you will submit the paperwork to include Mr. Stivers [sic] and Mr. Liston on the ballot, with Mr. Liston receiving the top-line vote?”
Bremer responds that he understands that the central committee “had adopted a resolution that requires me to sign a false affidavit to the state.”
“And will you do so?” Buck asks. Bremer tells Buck that he will “seek legal counsel to find out if I am putting myself in jeopardy of a misdemeanor for doing that.”
“You’ve got a sitting congressman, a sitting state party chair, who is trying to bully a volunteer — I’m a volunteer; I don’t get paid for this — into committing a crime,” Bremer told the Post on Wednesday.
Buck told the Post that he did nothing wrong, saying, “What I was asking Eli to do was not to commit fraud, I was asking Eli if he understood the decision of the central committee and if he was willing to follow the request of the Republican central committee.”
Said Bremer, “This is the position that my party has put me in. The state party has not only commanded me to do something that is demonstrably not legal, they’ve put me in legal jeopardy.”
Buck’s congressional office would not comment on matters related to Buck’s position as state party chair. The Colorado Republican Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Buck, a staunch conservative, was elected to Congress in 2014, and was elected chair of the Colorado Republican Party in 2019. He is no stranger to scandal.
In March, Buck filmed a video of himself threatening former Vice President Joe Biden and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke with a gun, saying, “If you want to take everyone’s AR-15 in America, why don’t you swing by my office in Washington, D.C., and start with this one?” while briefly pointing an assault rifle at the camera.
During a December hearing into the impeachment of Donald Trump, Buck used his five minutes of questioning to push debunked conspiracy theories about the 2012 terrorist attack on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya. He later voted against impeaching Trump.
The Colorado scandal is only the latest in a series of allegations of election fraud leveled against Republicans in the past few years.
In 2019, McCrae Dowless, a longtime political operative who worked for North Carolina Republican congressional candidate Mark Harris, was indicted on seven counts related to election fraud in the 2018 election. Dowless was indicted for a scheme through which he and colleagues allegedly collected absentee ballots from voters, and filled out some of them. Both activities are illegal in North Carolina.
The alleged fraud was so extensive that the results of the 2018 election were nullified and a court ordered a new election, which was held in 2019.
In Colorado, Bremer said Buck owed him an apology.
“How in the heck is the Republican Party going to go out and say we’re for the rule of law except when it applies to us — we can do whatever we want to?” Bremer told the Denver Post.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-07--Trump refuses to wear mask because he's worried about looking bad in attack ads

Donald Trump is refusing to wear a mask in public because he fears it will make him `` look ridiculous '' and will be used by his opponents in attack ads in the 2020 election , according to an Associated Press report .
Trump has come under fire for not wearing a mask during a visit to a mask-making plant in Arizona on Tuesday .
Not wearing a mask went against the recommendation of his own administration — which advises Americans to wear masks in public settings — as well as the rules of the plant , which required all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverings .
Trump on Wednesday claimed that he did wear a mask behind the scenes during his visit to the Honeywell plant , though there is not proof of that .
`` I put — I had a mask on for a period of time , '' Trump said when asked by reporters why he did n't follow plant rules .
When reporters replied that they did not see Trump ever have a mask on , he said he took it off because he was told by company officials that he did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Well , I ca n't help it if you did n't see me , '' Trump said .
`` I mean , I had a mask on , but I did n't need it .
And I asked specifically the head of Honeywell : 'Should I wear a mask ? '
And he said , 'Well , you don ’ t need one in this territory .
And as you know , we were far away from people , from the people making the masks .
They were making the masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump told the AP that Trump does n't want to wear a mask because he fears it will make him look bad .
An unnamed aide also told the AP that Trump thinks wearing a mask would `` send the wrong message '' to Americans as he seeks to reopen the economy .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — who has worn masks in public — criticized Trump for not wearing a mask over concerns about his appearance .
`` It ’ s a vanity thing , I guess , with him , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vain , '' Pelosi told MSNBC .
`` You 'd think , as the president of the United States , you would have the confidence to honor the guidance that you 're giving others in the country . ''
Public health experts say wearing a mask can help protect people from passing the virus on to others .
Trump and those he comes in contact with are reportedly frequently tested for the coronavirus , which is one excuse Trump and other members of his administration , including Mike Pence , have made when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , one of Trump 's personal valet drivers tested positive for the virus , CNN reported Thursday , suggesting testing is not a foolproof way of staying virus-free .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump is refusing to wear a mask in public because he fears it will make him “look ridiculous” and will be used by his opponents in attack ads in the 2020 election, according to an Associated Press report.
Trump has come under fire for not wearing a mask during a visit to a mask-making plant in Arizona on Tuesday. Not wearing a mask went against the recommendation of his own administration — which advises Americans to wear masks in public settings — as well as the rules of the plant, which required all visitors and employees to don protective face coverings.
Trump on Wednesday claimed that he did wear a mask behind the scenes during his visit to the Honeywell plant, though there is not proof of that.
“I put — I had a mask on for a period of time,” Trump said when asked by reporters why he didn’t follow plant rules.
When reporters replied that they did not see Trump ever have a mask on, he said he took it off because he was told by company officials that he did not have to wear a face covering.
“Well, I can’t help it if you didn’t see me,” Trump said. “I mean, I had a mask on, but I didn’t need it. And I asked specifically the head of Honeywell: ‘Should I wear a mask?’ And he said, ‘Well, you don’t need one in this territory. And as you know, we were far away from people, from the people making the masks. They were making the masks.” However, officials working closely with Trump told the AP that Trump doesn’t want to wear a mask because he fears it will make him look bad. An unnamed aide also told the AP that Trump thinks wearing a mask would “send the wrong message” to Americans as he seeks to reopen the economy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — who has worn masks in public — criticized Trump for not wearing a mask over concerns about his appearance.
“It’s a vanity thing, I guess, with him, I don’t know why he would be vain,” Pelosi told MSNBC. “You’d think, as the president of the United States, you would have the confidence to honor the guidance that you’re giving others in the country.”
Public health experts say wearing a mask can help protect people from passing the virus on to others.
Trump and those he comes in contact with are reportedly frequently tested for the coronavirus, which is one excuse Trump and other members of his administration, including Mike Pence, have made when they were caught not wearing masks.
However, one of Trump’s personal valet drivers tested positive for the virus, CNN reported Thursday, suggesting testing is not a foolproof way of staying virus-free.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-08--News you might have missed: Obama to give national commencement address

Also this week , Connecticut offers statewide online job training programs , Oregon Democrats celebrate a voter registration milestone , and a `` Parks and Recreations '' reunion special raises millions for charity .
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news .
Barack Obama will deliver prime-time commencement address for class of 2020 President Barack Obama will join a star-studded cast to deliver a commencement address to the high school graduating class of 2020 , the Associated Press reported on Tuesday .
Obama will be joined by basketball legend LeBron James , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malala Yousafzai , U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe , and several others during the event .
All four major networks — ABC , NBC , CBS , and Fox — and their television and streaming partners will broadcast the address .
Lincoln Debenham , a graduating high school senior from Los Angeles , asked the former president to give a national address to his class in a mid-April tweet that went viral .
`` Hi @ BarackObama !
Like most high school/college seniors , I 'm saddened by the loss of milestone events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted .
`` In an unprecedented time , it would give us great comfort to hear your voice .
We ask you to consider giving a national commencement speech to the class of 2020 . ''
The commencement address air on May 16 at 8 p.m. EDT .
More than 5,000 courses are available online for Connecticut residents who are out of work and looking for job training opportunities , New Haven TV station WTNH reported on Monday .
The online service `` gives hard-working Connecticut residents a beneficial training opportunity that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Democratic Gov .
Ned Lamont said in a statement .
The courses — in information technology , customer service , project management , and more — are part of a program called SkillUp CT , which also offers training to prepare people for more than 100 industry certifications .
The courses are available to anyone in the state .
Field organizers with former Vice President Joe Biden 's presidential campaign have ratified a union contract guaranteeing a $ 15 minimum wage , HuffPost reported on Monday .
It is the first presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union contract .
`` We are proud that our campaign continues to live out the values that have defined Vice President Biden 's career , '' Maju Varghese , the Biden campaign 's chief operating officer , told HuffPost .
`` That is why his plan to grow a stronger , more inclusive middle class — the backbone of the American economy — demands that we strengthen public and private sector unions and help all workers bargain successfully for what they deserve . ''
In addition to the minimum wage , the union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sets up a grievance process .
The field organizers will be a part of Teamsters Local 238 in Cedar Rapids , Iowa , the first state to vote in the Democratic primary .
For the first time in state history , Oregon has more than one million registered Democrats , the Democratic Party of Oregon announced on Tuesday .
According to the secretary of state 's office , there are 1,006,266 registered Democrats in the state and 711,344 Republicans .
`` Oregon Democrats believe that we 're greater together than we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together — we are more than one million strong , '' Carla `` K.C . ''
Hanson , chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon , said in a statement .
The achievement was also praised by Tom Perez , chair of the Democratic National Committee .
`` This remarkable achievement is a testament to what we already knew : Democrats are more energized and better organized than ever before , '' Perez said .
Andrew Cuomo , New York 's Democratic governor , has extended a moratorium on evictions in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
`` I do n't want to see people and their children evicted at this time , through no fault of their own , '' Cuomo said about the extension .
In addition , landlords are prohibited from charging late fees to those who can not pay rent , and renters can apply their security deposit toward rent .
The Ann Arbor City Council has voted unanimously to support an effort to outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ people in the state of Michigan , MLive reported on Wednesday .
The council endorsed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put a measure on the ballot in November that would amend the state 's civil rights law to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation , gender identity , or gender expression .
`` We need to do everything we can to protect the vulnerable members of the LGBTQ community , '' Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor said .
`` It 's inexcusable as a society that we permit this kind of invidious discrimination and we ought to do everything we can to stop it . ''
The Fair and Equal Michigan campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to place the measure on the ballot .
On April 30 , the cast of the hit television show `` Parks and Recreation '' reunited for a special episode to raise money for Feeding America , a charity that helps food-insecure families across the country .
According to IndieWire , the effort has already raised more than $ 3 million .
The full 25-minute episode can be viewed on YouTube .
The show ran for seven seasons , from 2009 through 2015 , and revolved around city government employees in the fictional town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode brought the cast back together to show how each character was dealing with shelter-in-place orders during the coronavirus pandemic .
Viewers can continue to make donations to Feeding America through May 21 .

Also this week, Connecticut offers statewide online job training programs, Oregon Democrats celebrate a voter registration milestone, and a “Parks and Recreations” reunion special raises millions for charity.
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news.
President Barack Obama will join a star-studded cast to deliver a commencement address to the high school graduating class of 2020, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday. Obama will be joined by basketball legend LeBron James, education activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe, and several others during the event.
All four major networks — ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox — and their television and streaming partners will broadcast the address.
Lincoln Debenham, a graduating high school senior from Los Angeles, asked the former president to give a national address to his class in a mid-April tweet that went viral.
“Hi @BarackObama! Like most high school/college seniors, I’m saddened by the loss of milestone events, prom & graduation,” Debenham tweeted. “In an unprecedented time, it would give us great comfort to hear your voice. We ask you to consider giving a national commencement speech to the class of 2020.”
The commencement address air on May 16 at 8 p.m. EDT.
More than 5,000 courses are available online for Connecticut residents who are out of work and looking for job training opportunities, New Haven TV station WTNH reported on Monday.
The online service “gives hard-working Connecticut residents a beneficial training opportunity that they can utilize from their own homes,” Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement.
The courses — in information technology, customer service, project management, and more — are part of a program called SkillUp CT, which also offers training to prepare people for more than 100 industry certifications.
The courses are available to anyone in the state.
Field organizers with former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign have ratified a union contract guaranteeing a $15 minimum wage, HuffPost reported on Monday. It is the first campaign of a presumptive presidential nominee to have staff covered by a union contract.
“We are proud that our campaign continues to live out the values that have defined Vice President Biden’s career,” Maju Varghese, the Biden campaign’s chief operating officer, told HuffPost. “That is why his plan to grow a stronger, more inclusive middle class — the backbone of the American economy — demands that we strengthen public and private sector unions and help all workers bargain successfully for what they deserve.”
In addition to the minimum wage, the union contract also gives field organizers overtime pay and sets up a grievance process. The field organizers will be a part of Teamsters Local 238 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the first state to vote in the Democratic primary.
For the first time in state history, Oregon has more than one million registered Democrats, the Democratic Party of Oregon announced on Tuesday. According to the secretary of state’s office, there are 1,006,266 registered Democrats in the state and 711,344 Republicans.
“Oregon Democrats believe that we’re greater together than we are on our own, and now — together — we are more than one million strong,” Carla “K.C.” Hanson, chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon, said in a statement.
The achievement was also praised by Tom Perez, chair of the Democratic National Committee.
“This remarkable achievement is a testament to what we already knew: Democrats are more energized and better organized than ever before,” Perez said.
Andrew Cuomo, New York’s Democratic governor, has extended a moratorium on evictions in the state through Aug. 20, CNBC reported on Thursday.
“I don’t want to see people and their children evicted at this time, through no fault of their own,” Cuomo said about the extension.
In addition, landlords are prohibited from charging late fees to those who cannot pay rent, and renters can apply their security deposit toward rent.
The Ann Arbor City Council has voted unanimously to support an effort to outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ people in the state of Michigan, MLive reported on Wednesday.
The council endorsed the “Fair and Equal Michigan” campaign to put a measure on the ballot in November that would amend the state’s civil rights law to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
“We need to do everything we can to protect the vulnerable members of the LGBTQ community,” Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor said. “It’s inexcusable as a society that we permit this kind of invidious discrimination and we ought to do everything we can to stop it.”
The Fair and Equal Michigan campaign needs to collect 340,000 signatures in order to place the measure on the ballot.
On April 30, the cast of the hit television show “Parks and Recreation” reunited for a special episode to raise money for Feeding America, a charity that helps food-insecure families across the country. According to IndieWire, the effort has already raised more than $3 million.
The full 25-minute episode can be viewed on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vl_oUMyGYU&feature=emb_logo
The show ran for seven seasons, from 2009 through 2015, and revolved around city government employees in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.
The reunion episode brought the cast back together to show how each character was dealing with shelter-in-place orders during the coronavirus pandemic.
Viewers can continue to make donations to Feeding America through May 21.


shareblue--2020-05-08--Governors ignore White House reopening guidelines despite rising cases

Many governors across the United States are disregarding or creatively interpreting White House guidelines for safely easing restrictions and letting businesses reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic , an Associated Press analysis found .
The AP determined that 17 states did not meet a key benchmark set by the White House for loosening up — a 14-day downward trajectory in new cases or positive test rates .
And yet many of those have begun to reopen or are about to do so , including Alabama , Kentucky , Maine , Mississippi , Missouri , Nebraska , Ohio , Oklahoma , Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way in which the nonbinding guidelines are written , other states , including Georgia , have technically managed to meet the criteria and reopen despite not seeing a steady decline in cases and deaths .
Asked Thursday about states reopening without meeting the benchmarks , Donald Trump said : `` The governors have great power as to that , given by us .
We want them to do that .
We rely on them .
We trust them .
And hopefully they are making the right decisions . ''
The push to ease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are collapsing by the day .
Over 33 million Americans have applied for unemployment benefits over the past seven weeks , and a highly anticipated report on Friday is expected to show U.S. joblessness as high as 16 % , a level not seen since the Great Depression nearly a century ago .
Elsewhere around the world , the Bank of England projected that Britain 's economy will shrink by 14 % this year , its biggest decline since 1706 , when Europe was embroiled in the War of the Spanish Succession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies and billionaires to contribute to a $ 6.7 billion appeal to fight the coronavirus in poor countries , warning that failure to help could cause a `` hunger pandemic , '' famine , riots and conflict .
U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said the initial $ 2 billion appeal launched March 25 was being increased because of the worsening situation .
The economic woes have affected even brand-name businesses , with Neiman Marcus filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy , the first U.S. department store chain to be toppled by the outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that underway in Europe , where regional and political rifts are emerging over how fast to lift the lockdowns .
French mayors are resisting the government 's call to reopen schools , while Italian governors want Rome to ease restrictions faster .
As Britain looks to reopen the economy , Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon has warned that acting too fast could let the virus wreak havoc again — something public health experts worldwide have cautioned could happen without widespread testing and tracing .
The United States has recorded over 74,000 deaths and 1.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , University of Washington researchers nearly doubled their projection of deaths in the United States to about 134,000 through early August , largely to reflect the loosening of stay-at-home restrictions .
When Trump announced the guidelines April 16 , he said he was `` establishing clear scientific metrics and benchmarks on testing , new case growth and hospital capacity that must be met before advancing each phase . ''
Since then , many states have reopened while daily cases and positive test rates have either plateaued or continued to climb , the AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone , using their own criteria .
The White House has not been specific about how states should calculate the 14-day downward trajectory .
Depending on how that 's done , a state might pass or fail .
The AP analyzed counts of tests and confirmed cases compiled by Johns Hopkins University and looked at the numbers using a rolling seven-day average to account for day-to-day variability in test reporting .
As governments grapple with when to restart their economies , the Trump administration has shelved a 17-page Centers for Disease Control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local authorities do it safely .
Agency scientists were told that the report — supposed to be published last Friday — `` would never see the light of day , '' said a CDC official who was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity .
There are few specifics to the White House guidelines that say that before reopening , states should have a downward trend in flu- and COVID-19-like illnesses for 14 days ; hospitals should be able to treat all patients without crisis care ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at-risk health workers .
It says local officials `` may need to tailor the application of these criteria to local circumstances . ''
In Nebraska new cases and positivity rates increased in recent weeks , but Gov .
Pete Ricketts , a Republican , eased rules to allow salons , tattoo parlors , and restaurants to reopen with restrictions in most counties .
Churches also were allowed to resume in-person services , weddings and funerals last Monday , with some restrictions .
Ricketts said Wednesday that the number of new cases is naturally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and suggested a statewide lockdown was too drastic .
`` We could ban just about all deaths on the interstate by reducing the speed to 5 mph , but we do n't do that , '' he said .
Georgia has the most aggressive reopening schedule in the country .
The state recorded a decrease in positivity rates , meeting one White House criteria , but it has had nearly 600 more deaths and an emerging hot spot in a poultry-processing area since restrictions were loosened .
Utah is following its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that plan long before there was a federal plan , '' said retired Utah National Guard Maj. Gen. Jeff Burton , who heads the state 's response .
`` It 's a solid plan that lays out the road to recovery . ''
Of the 33 states that have had a 14-day downward trajectory of either cases or positive test rates , 25 are partially opened or moving to reopen within days , the AP analysis finds .
Nevada Democratic Gov .
Steve Sisolak said Thursday the state will begin letting restaurants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting Saturday .
Casinos , nightclubs , spas , and gyms must remain closed .
Other states such as Illinois , Maryland , Minnesota , New Mexico , Virginia and Wisconsin , which have not seen a 14-day decline , remain closed despite meeting some benchmarks .
Oregon hit a new low in cases last week and is moving to loosen restrictions May 15 for daycare centers and retailers statewide and on other select businesses in the least affected counties .
California , the most populous state and the first to impose a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturers reopen with safety measures as soon as Friday .
The state has met at least one of the federal benchmarks , according to the AP analysis .
Public health experts say the guidance from the White House has been anything but clear .
In addition to burying the CDC report , the administration has tried to push responsibility for expanding testing onto the states .
States share some blame , said Lawrence Gostin , a public health expert at Georgetown University , but `` the responsibility for coordinating and enforcing and implementing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House . ''
He compared the situation to `` an orchestra without a conductor . ''
Worldwide , the virus has infected more than 3.8 million people and killed over a quarter-million , by Johns Hopkins ' count , which experts agree understates the dimensions of the pandemic because of limited testing , differences in counting the dead and concealment by some governments .

Many governors across the United States are disregarding or creatively interpreting White House guidelines for safely easing restrictions and letting businesses reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic, an Associated Press analysis found.
The AP determined that 17 states did not meet a key benchmark set by the White House for loosening up — a 14-day downward trajectory in new cases or positive test rates. And yet many of those have begun to reopen or are about to do so, including Alabama, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah.
Because of the broad way in which the nonbinding guidelines are written, other states, including Georgia, have technically managed to meet the criteria and reopen despite not seeing a steady decline in cases and deaths.
Asked Thursday about states reopening without meeting the benchmarks, Donald Trump said: “The governors have great power as to that, given by us. We want them to do that. We rely on them. We trust them. And hopefully they are making the right decisions.”
The push to ease state lockdowns comes amid pressure from businesses that are collapsing by the day. Over 33 million Americans have applied for unemployment benefits over the past seven weeks, and a highly anticipated report on Friday is expected to show U.S. joblessness as high as 16%, a level not seen since the Great Depression nearly a century ago.
Elsewhere around the world, the Bank of England projected that Britain’s economy will shrink by 14% this year, its biggest decline since 1706, when Europe was embroiled in the War of the Spanish Succession.
The United Nations urged governments, companies and billionaires to contribute to a $6.7 billion appeal to fight the coronavirus in poor countries, warning that failure to help could cause a “hunger pandemic,” famine, riots and conflict. U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said the initial $2 billion appeal launched March 25 was being increased because of the worsening situation.
The economic woes have affected even brand-name businesses, with Neiman Marcus filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the first U.S. department store chain to be toppled by the outbreak.
The reopening debate in the U.S. echoes that underway in Europe, where regional and political rifts are emerging over how fast to lift the lockdowns.
French mayors are resisting the government’s call to reopen schools, while Italian governors want Rome to ease restrictions faster. As Britain looks to reopen the economy, Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon has warned that acting too fast could let the virus wreak havoc again — something public health experts worldwide have cautioned could happen without widespread testing and tracing.
The United States has recorded over 74,000 deaths and 1.2 million confirmed infections. But this week, University of Washington researchers nearly doubled their projection of deaths in the United States to about 134,000 through early August, largely to reflect the loosening of stay-at-home restrictions.
When Trump announced the guidelines April 16, he said he was “establishing clear scientific metrics and benchmarks on testing, new case growth and hospital capacity that must be met before advancing each phase.”
Since then, many states have reopened while daily cases and positive test rates have either plateaued or continued to climb, the AP analysis found. Some are going it alone, using their own criteria.
The White House has not been specific about how states should calculate the 14-day downward trajectory. Depending on how that’s done, a state might pass or fail. The AP analyzed counts of tests and confirmed cases compiled by Johns Hopkins University and looked at the numbers using a rolling seven-day average to account for day-to-day variability in test reporting.
As governments grapple with when to restart their economies, the Trump administration has shelved a 17-page Centers for Disease Control and Prevention document with step-by-step advice to help local authorities do it safely.
Agency scientists were told that the report — supposed to be published last Friday — “would never see the light of day,” said a CDC official who was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.
There are few specifics to the White House guidelines that say that before reopening, states should have a downward trend in flu- and COVID-19-like illnesses for 14 days; hospitals should be able to treat all patients without crisis care; and robust testing should be in place for at-risk health workers.
It says local officials “may need to tailor the application of these criteria to local circumstances.”
In Nebraska new cases and positivity rates increased in recent weeks, but Gov. Pete Ricketts, a Republican, eased rules to allow salons, tattoo parlors, and restaurants to reopen with restrictions in most counties. Churches also were allowed to resume in-person services, weddings and funerals last Monday, with some restrictions.
Ricketts said Wednesday that the number of new cases is naturally going to increase as testing ramps up, and suggested a statewide lockdown was too drastic.
“We could ban just about all deaths on the interstate by reducing the speed to 5 mph, but we don’t do that,” he said.
Georgia has the most aggressive reopening schedule in the country.
The state recorded a decrease in positivity rates, meeting one White House criteria, but it has had nearly 600 more deaths and an emerging hot spot in a poultry-processing area since restrictions were loosened.
Utah is following its own color-coded reopening system.
“We had that plan long before there was a federal plan,” said retired Utah National Guard Maj. Gen. Jeff Burton, who heads the state’s response. “It’s a solid plan that lays out the road to recovery.”
Of the 33 states that have had a 14-day downward trajectory of either cases or positive test rates, 25 are partially opened or moving to reopen within days, the AP analysis finds.
Nevada Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak said Thursday the state will begin letting restaurants, salons, and other non-essential businesses open starting Saturday. Casinos, nightclubs, spas, and gyms must remain closed.
Other states such as Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Virginia and Wisconsin, which have not seen a 14-day decline, remain closed despite meeting some benchmarks. Oregon hit a new low in cases last week and is moving to loosen restrictions May 15 for daycare centers and retailers statewide and on other select businesses in the least affected counties.
California, the most populous state and the first to impose a comprehensive lockdown, is letting retailers and manufacturers reopen with safety measures as soon as Friday. The state has met at least one of the federal benchmarks, according to the AP analysis.
Public health experts say the guidance from the White House has been anything but clear. In addition to burying the CDC report, the administration has tried to push responsibility for expanding testing onto the states.
States share some blame, said Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert at Georgetown University, but “the responsibility for coordinating and enforcing and implementing a national plan comes from the White House.”
He compared the situation to “an orchestra without a conductor.”
Worldwide, the virus has infected more than 3.8 million people and killed over a quarter-million, by Johns Hopkins’ count, which experts agree understates the dimensions of the pandemic because of limited testing, differences in counting the dead and concealment by some governments.


shareblue--2020-05-08--McEnany: I only said Trump was racist because 'I was watching CNN'

On Friday , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany blamed 2015 comments she made describing Donald Trump as racist and hateful on CNN 's reporting .
`` I was watching CNN and I was naively believing some of the headlines that I saw on CNN , '' McEnany told reporters .
She noted that she went on to be hired as a pundit by CNN and in that capacity extolled Trump 's virtues .
In 2015 , when McEnany appeared on CNN as a pundit , she said his statement at the launch of his presidential campaign that Mexican immigrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` To me , a racist statement is a racist statement .
I do n't like what Donald Trump said , '' she said .
She also said his comments were `` derogatory '' and `` hateful . ''
McEnany also said at the time , `` Donald Trump has shown himself to be a showman , I do n't think he is a serious candidate . ''
`` The fact that the Republican Party is now having to claim him is both unfortunate , and , to me , inauthentic , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ALCINDOR , PBS : In 2015 , shortly after the president said that some Mexican immigrants were rapists and criminals , you said that that language was racist and hateful .
Do you still believe that today ?
KAYLEIGH MCENANY : Well , I 'm actually glad you asked that , because for about the first four weeks of the election , I was watching CNN and I was naively believing some of the headlines that I saw on CNN .
ALCINDOR : It 's okay if you want to read headlines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to know if you personally still believe that .
MCENANY : I 'm actually not going to read the headlines .
So , I very quickly came around to supporting the president .
In fact , CNN hired me .
I was on many 8-on-1 panels where I proudly supported this president , who I believe is one of the best presidents , if not the best president , this country will ever have .
But I would encourage the individual who did that analysis of my past , rather than focusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on some of the very guests CNN chose to have on their network .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Friday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany blamed 2015 comments she made describing Donald Trump as racist and hateful on CNN’s reporting.
“I was watching CNN and I was naively believing some of the headlines that I saw on CNN,” McEnany told reporters. She noted that she went on to be hired as a pundit by CNN and in that capacity extolled Trump’s virtues.
In 2015, when McEnany appeared on CNN as a pundit, she said his statement at the launch of his presidential campaign that Mexican immigrants are rapists was “racist.”
“To me, a racist statement is a racist statement. I don’t like what Donald Trump said,” she said. She also said his comments were “derogatory” and “hateful.”
McEnany also said at the time, “Donald Trump has shown himself to be a showman, I don’t think he is a serious candidate.”
“The fact that the Republican Party is now having to claim him is both unfortunate, and, to me, inauthentic,” McEnany said in another appearance.
From the April 8 White House press briefing:
YAMICHE ALCINDOR, PBS: In 2015, shortly after the president said that some Mexican immigrants were rapists and criminals, you said that that language was racist and hateful. Do you still believe that today? KAYLEIGH MCENANY: Well, I’m actually glad you asked that, because for about the first four weeks of the election, I was watching CNN and I was naively believing some of the headlines that I saw on CNN. ALCINDOR: It’s okay if you want to read headlines, it’s fine. I also just want to know if you personally still believe that. MCENANY: I’m actually not going to read the headlines. So, I very quickly came around to supporting the president. In fact, CNN hired me. I was on many 8-on-1 panels where I proudly supported this president, who I believe is one of the best presidents, if not the best president, this country will ever have. But I would encourage the individual who did that analysis of my past, rather than focusing on me, he really should be focused on some of the very guests CNN chose to have on their network.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-08--House Republicans move to repeal law Trump wants to use against John Kerry

A group of House Republicans introduced a bill on Friday to repeal the Logan Act , a centuries-old federal law barring unauthorized Americans from having negotiations with hostile foreign regimes .
But Donald Trump has previously said the law should be used to prosecute former Secretary of State John Kerry and Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-CT ) .
`` Today , I introduced the TRAP Act to repeal the 1799 Logan Act , a law recently used by [ James Comey 's ] politicized FBI to set up General Flynn , '' Rep .
Guy Reschenthaler ( R-PA ) tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ archaic & useless law .
In 221 years of existence , only 2 people have been prosecuted under the Act & both were acquitted . ''
Reps. Kelly Armstrong ( R-ND ) , Jim Jordan ( R-OH ) , Devin Nunes ( R-CA ) , Greg Steube ( R-FL ) , and Scott Perry ( R-PA ) signed on as original co-sponsors .
Reschenthaler was referring to Trump 's former national security adviser Michael Flynn , who made and concealed a December 2016 call to Russia 's ambassador to the United States after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Flynn was not prosecuted for that possible violation of the Logan Act , but he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about the conversation .
Trump 's Department of Justice still decided this week to drop the charges during the sentencing phase of the prosecution — a move critics called `` blatantly corrupt . ''
While the Logan Act has rarely been enforced , Donald Trump repeatedly accused Kerry and Murphy ( D-CT ) of violating it after they spoke with Iranian officials at separate international events .
In May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecuted for his conversation with Iran .
`` John Kerry speaks to them a lot .
John Kerry tells them not to call .
That 's a violation of the law , '' Trump claimed .
`` And frankly he should be prosecuted on that .
But my people do n't want to do anything that 's ... only the Democrats do that kind of stuff .
You know ?
If it were the opposite way , they 'd prosecute him under the Logan Act .
But John Kerry violated the Logan Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three months ago .
`` Kerry & Murphy illegally violated the Logan Act .
This is why Iran is not making a deal .
Must be dealt with strongly ! ''
Trump tweeted in February .
Kerry told Fox News at the time that Trump 's accusation was `` once again , another presidential lie , a complete effort by the president to distort reality . ''
Neither Kerry nor Murphy has been charged with any crime .
Nunes upon learning of Kerry 's conversation with an Iranian official in 2019 tweeted : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Send in the G Men ... '' Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A group of House Republicans introduced a bill on Friday to repeal the Logan Act, a centuries-old federal law barring unauthorized Americans from having negotiations with hostile foreign regimes.
But Donald Trump has previously said the law should be used to prosecute former Secretary of State John Kerry and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).
“Today, I introduced the TRAP Act to repeal the 1799 Logan Act, a law recently used by [James Comey’s] politicized FBI to set up General Flynn,” Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) tweeted. “The Logan Act is an archaic & useless law. In 221 years of existence, only 2 people have been prosecuted under the Act & both were acquitted.”
Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Jim Jordan (R-OH), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Greg Steube (R-FL), and Scott Perry (R-PA) signed on as original co-sponsors.
Reschenthaler was referring to Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who made and concealed a December 2016 call to Russia’s ambassador to the United States after the Obama administration announced sanctions against the country. Flynn was not prosecuted for that possible violation of the Logan Act, but he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about the conversation.
Trump’s Department of Justice still decided this week to drop the charges during the sentencing phase of the prosecution — a move critics called “blatantly corrupt.”
While the Logan Act has rarely been enforced, Donald Trump repeatedly accused Kerry and Murphy (D-CT) of violating it after they spoke with Iranian officials at separate international events.
In May 2019, Trump said Kerry should be prosecuted for his conversation with Iran.
“John Kerry speaks to them a lot. John Kerry tells them not to call. That’s a violation of the law,” Trump claimed. “And frankly he should be prosecuted on that. But my people don’t want to do anything that’s… only the Democrats do that kind of stuff. You know? If it were the opposite way, they’d prosecute him under the Logan Act. But John Kerry violated the Logan Act.”
Trump renewed the call just three months ago. “Kerry & Murphy illegally violated the Logan Act. This is why Iran is not making a deal. Must be dealt with strongly!” Trump tweeted in February.
Kerry told Fox News at the time that Trump’s accusation was “once again, another presidential lie, a complete effort by the president to distort reality.” Neither Kerry nor Murphy has been charged with any crime.
Nunes upon learning of Kerry’s conversation with an Iranian official in 2019 tweeted: “OMG! Logan Act violations!! Send in the G Men…”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-08--GOP senator skips coronavirus hearing to fly on Air Force One with Trump

Sen. Martha McSally ( R-AZ ) did not attend a Senate hearing Tuesday on the federal government 's coronavirus response so she could take a trip on Air Force One with Donald Trump .
The Senate Banking Committee , of which McSally is a member , held a hearing with Brian Miller , Trump 's nominee to be special inspector general for pandemic recovery at the Treasury Department .
Miller , currently a White House lawyer , would oversee more than $ 2 trillion in coronavirus response spending if he is confirmed .
Instead of participating in the hearing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McSally bragged about her trip with Trump on social media , posting a selfie with two other Republican members of Congress preparing to board Air Force One .
In the photo , none of the members wore face masks or maintained distancing of six feet , both included in guidelines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended to slow the spread of the virus .
The hearing started at 2:30 p.m. Air Force One departed for Arizona , with McSally on board , at 10:20 a.m. With Trump , McSally toured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including face masks .
`` Martha McSally is n't elected , but it 's still her responsibility to show up for work and do her job making sure that there is proper oversight of taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief spending , '' Brad Bainum , a spokesperson for the Arizona Democratic Party , said in a Thursday email .
McSally was appointed to her position , vacated by Republican Jon Kyle , in 2018 , after losing her own 2018 Senate race to Democrat Krysten Sinema .
McSally 's office did not respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously displayed a lack of interest in conducting oversight of the Trump administration .
In early April , Trump fired Glenn Fine , the acting Pentagon inspector general and the person tasked with chairing the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee created under the CARES Act .
When asked about the firing during a mid-April tele-town hall , McSally dismissed the question , saying , `` I 'm not dialed into the Washington , D.C. , drama and those things that are happening . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) did not attend a Senate hearing Tuesday on the federal government’s coronavirus response so she could take a trip on Air Force One with Donald Trump.
The Senate Banking Committee, of which McSally is a member, held a hearing with Brian Miller, Trump’s nominee to be special inspector general for pandemic recovery at the Treasury Department. Miller, currently a White House lawyer, would oversee more than $2 trillion in coronavirus response spending if he is confirmed.
Instead of participating in the hearing, McSally flew to Arizona with Trump.
McSally bragged about her trip with Trump on social media, posting a selfie with two other Republican members of Congress preparing to board Air Force One. In the photo, none of the members wore face masks or maintained distancing of six feet, both included in guidelines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended to slow the spread of the virus.
The hearing started at 2:30 p.m. Air Force One departed for Arizona, with McSally on board, at 10:20 a.m.
With Trump, McSally toured an Arizona factory that makes protective equipment, including face masks.
“Martha McSally isn’t elected, but it’s still her responsibility to show up for work and do her job making sure that there is proper oversight of taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief spending,” Brad Bainum, a spokesperson for the Arizona Democratic Party, said in a Thursday email. McSally was appointed to her position, vacated by Republican Jon Kyl, in 2018, after losing her own 2018 Senate race to Democrat Krysten Sinema.
McSally’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
McSally has previously displayed a lack of interest in conducting oversight of the Trump administration.
In early April, Trump fired Glenn Fine, the acting Pentagon inspector general and the person tasked with chairing the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee created under the CARES Act.
When asked about the firing during a mid-April tele-town hall, McSally dismissed the question, saying, “I’m not dialed into the Washington, D.C., drama and those things that are happening.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-08--Trump claims US is 'going back to work' amid worst unemployment since Depression

During a Fox News phone interview on Friday , Donald Trump was confronted with the news that the nation 's unemployment rate has risen from 4.4 % to 14.7 % , with 20.5 million jobs lost .
He responded by saying that the nation is getting `` back to work '' and claiming credit for creating the `` greatest economy in the history of the world '' prior to the pandemic .
During a `` Fox & Friends '' call-in , Trump was asked about what the Fox host called `` terrible '' numbers .
He responded that they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even the Democrats are n't blaming me for that . ''
Skimming past the unemployment figures , Trump said : `` What I can do is I 'll bring it back .
Look , I created with a lot of great people and with the country — 'cause our country is warriors and now maybe more than ever , 'cause they 're going back to work , and they 're warriors — we created the greatest economy in the history of the world .
Best we 've ever had , best employment numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of jobs , in every way , the best economy in the history of the world . ''
Trump claimed the economy would soon completely recover .
`` I created , as president , we had the strongest economy in the history of the world , the strongest economy we 've ever had , and we had to close it , which is artificial .
We artificially closed it .
Those jobs will all be back , and they 'll be back very soon , and next year we 're going to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` People are ready to go .
We got ta get it open . ''
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , April 's unemployment rate was the worst since the Great Depression .
Last month , 20.5 million people lost their jobs .
That figure does not reflect the entire number of Americans who have lost their jobs since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down much of the nation 's economy .
Marketplace reported that , according to Erica Groshen , chief economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics under President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April only include those without paid work who are actively looking for a job .
It does n't include , for example , `` [ p ] eople who say that for now , ' I 'm not working , and I 'm not looking for work until I feel I can be safe out there , ' '' Groshen said .
Trump 's claim that he created the `` greatest economy '' is easily refuted .
In February , prior to the economic shutdown in the United States , the BBC ran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and summed up its finding : `` It 's true the economy has been doing well - but there have been periods when it was even stronger . ''
Among its findings were the fact that quarterly GDP growth under Trump has never reached the 5.5 % peak it reached during the Obama administration .
Before the pandemic hit , even Trump 's own Council of Economic Advisers was predicting less than 2.5 % growth for 2020 — well below his promised `` 4 , 5 , and maybe even 6 % ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump inherited an economy that was already getting back on its feet .
Overall , we found a continuation of the favorable trend lines Trump inherited from Obama . ''
Elsewhere during the call on on Fox , Trump once again used racist terms to praise his own response to the virus , falsely bragging that he blocked `` Chinese people '' from entering the country and mocking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for visiting San Francisco 's Chinatown in February in support of her Asian American constituents .
As for Trump 's claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economic disaster that has befallen the United States , that is not based in fact either .
Said Rep. Don Beyer ( D-VA ) , vice chair of the United States Joint Economic Committee , in statement released on Friday : `` In two months , almost a decade 's worth of job growth has been wiped out , the unemployment rate has more than quadrupled , and more than 75,000 Americans have died because President Trump did not take seriously multiple early warnings about the global threat of the coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
`` This is President Trump 's economic legacy — cracks in the economy as a result of his trade wars and tax cuts have now split wide open as a result of his ignorance and incompetence , '' Beyer said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

During a Fox News phone interview on Friday, Donald Trump was confronted with the news that the nation’s unemployment rate has risen from 4.4% to 14.7%, with 20.5 million jobs lost. He responded by saying that the nation is getting “back to work” and claiming credit for creating the “greatest economy in the history of the world” prior to the pandemic.
During a “Fox & Friends” call-in, Trump was asked about what the Fox host called “terrible” numbers. He responded that they were “no surprise” and that “even the Democrats aren’t blaming me for that.”
Skimming past the unemployment figures, Trump said: “What I can do is I’ll bring it back. Look, I created with a lot of great people and with the country — ’cause our country is warriors and now maybe more than ever, ’cause they’re going back to work, and they’re warriors — we created the greatest economy in the history of the world. Best we’ve ever had, best employment numbers, best stock markets, best number of jobs, in every way, the best economy in the history of the world.”
Trump claimed the economy would soon completely recover. “I created, as president, we had the strongest economy in the history of the world, the strongest economy we’ve ever had, and we had to close it, which is artificial. We artificially closed it. Those jobs will all be back, and they’ll be back very soon, and next year we’re going to have a phenomenal year,” he promised. “People are ready to go. We gotta get it open.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, April’s unemployment rate was the worst since the Great Depression. Last month, 20.5 million people lost their jobs. That figure does not reflect the entire number of Americans who have lost their jobs since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down much of the nation’s economy.
Marketplace reported that, according to Erica Groshen, chief economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics under President Barack Obama, the figures released for April only include those without paid work who are actively looking for a job.
It doesn’t include, for example, “[p]eople who say that for now, ‘I’m not working, and I’m not looking for work until I feel I can be safe out there,'” Groshen said.
Trump’s claim that he created the “greatest economy” is easily refuted.
In February, prior to the economic shutdown in the United States, the BBC ran a fact-check of Trump’s economic claims and summed up its finding: “It’s true the economy has been doing well – but there have been periods when it was even stronger.” Among its findings were the fact that quarterly GDP growth under Trump has never reached the 5.5% peak it reached during the Obama administration. Before the pandemic hit, even Trump’s own Council of Economic Advisers was predicting less than 2.5% growth for 2020 — well below his promised “4, 5, and maybe even 6% ultimately” numbers.
Wrote Politifact, “Trump inherited an economy that was already getting back on its feet. Overall, we found a continuation of the favorable trend lines Trump inherited from Obama.”
Elsewhere during the call on on Fox, Trump once again used racist terms to praise his own response to the virus, falsely bragging that he blocked “Chinese people” from entering the country and mocking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for visiting San Francisco’s Chinatown in February in support of her Asian American constituents.
As for Trump’s claim that no one is blaming him for the economic disaster that has befallen the United States, that is not based in fact either.
Said Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), vice chair of the United States Joint Economic Committee, in statement released on Friday: “In two months, almost a decade’s worth of job growth has been wiped out, the unemployment rate has more than quadrupled, and more than 75,000 Americans have died because President Trump did not take seriously multiple early warnings about the global threat of the coronavirus and failed to lead a competent fight against it.
“This is President Trump’s economic legacy — cracks in the economy as a result of his trade wars and tax cuts have now split wide open as a result of his ignorance and incompetence,” Beyer said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.