npr--2020-12-10--What Joe Biden Can (And Can't) Do To Stimulate This Pandemic Economy On His Own

What Joe Biden Can ( And Ca n't ) Do To Stimulate This Pandemic Economy On His Own Congress still has n't reached a deal on a new COVID relief package to help millions of Americans who could fall off an economic cliff by the end of the year when moratoriums on evictions and some unemployment benefits are set to expire .
But whether or not Congress agrees on an additional aide package during the lame duck session , Joe Biden will still inherit a fragile economy and a possibly uncooperative Congress , which raises questions about what — if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his own to bolster an economic recovery .
One thing most economists agree on is that the best way the president can directly stimulate the economy is by tackling the public health crisis and ensuring vaccines are deployed efficiently .
`` The number one rule of virus economics I always say is that if you want to help the economy , you need to get control of the spread of the virus , '' said Austan Goolsbee , a former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Obama , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said controlling the virus is n't a tradeoff with improving the economy , in his view , it 's foundational to an economic recovery .
Biden could help control the virus , some say , by encouraging Americans to wear masks , but he could also mandate changes to make workplaces safer .
`` The president has the authority to direct [ the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ] to put in place an emergency temporary standard to help protect workers during COVID , '' said Heidi Shierholz , a former Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Economic Policy Institute .
As of August , only about a quarter of the U.S. workforce was working from home , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .
Many economists believes additional congressional spending is vital right now , but if that 's not feasible , then it 's worth considering what Biden could do autonomously .
`` There are many areas where the federal government might got some relief out the door , '' Goolsbee said .
`` One of the more obvious spaces being that of student loans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ loan payments until the end of January .
A number of Democrats on the Hill , including notably Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , are urging Biden to go further .
`` It is my belief that the new president — president Biden — within the first few weeks of becoming president can simply sign an executive order and eliminate , end , $ 50,000 of student debt from every student , '' Schumer , D-N.Y. , said at a press conference last month .
Some economic experts have argued that student loan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of stimulus that does n't inject a lot of cash into the economy given how much it would cost the government .
Others have called for an income cap , of roughly $ 150,000 , so that any cancelation program would specifically target low and middle-income families .
But , either way , as Schumer and others Democrats are arguing , it 's something Biden could do with `` the flick of a pen . ''
`` Ninety-five percent of all student debt is actually held by the government , and so the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his or her authority to cancel a lot of that debt , '' said Felicia Wong , who spoke to NPR in her capacity as president and CEO of the Roosevelt Institute .
She is also a member of Biden 's transition advisory board .
Wong has another idea for Biden that she says would move money into people 's pockets immediately .
`` ( The ) Federal government 's a really big employer , and Joe Biden had promised on the campaign trail a $ 15 an hour federal minimum wage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would require Congress .
But his administration could take an executive action that says all federal contractors have to pay their employees at least $ 15 an hour . ''
Wong says the change would help a number of low-income workers and put pressure on other companies outside of the federal government 's purview .
Other experts say Biden could try to tackle parts of his broader economic agenda without Congress ; he could , for example , modify Trump 's trade tariffs or change regulations around the Affordable Care Act .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what maybe almost anyone thought would be possible with multiple billions of dollars to payments to farmers [ and ] diversions of billions of dollars from defense budget to building the wall , '' Goolsbee said .
The president also adopted a number of COVID relief measures without Congress , issuing a moratorium on evictions and taking disaster money away from FEMA to pay for expanded temporary unemployment assistance .
But even though Biden could employ similar executive actions , policy experts say it 's not clear the Trump administration 's maneuvers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy needed .
Plus , they add , sweeping unilateral action in the midst of an economic crisis is n't in Biden 's nature .
`` President-elect Biden is a creature of Congress himself , and I think as a consequence - he 's going to be more in tune in working with Congress , rather than going around Congress issuing executive orders , '' said Bill Hoagland , senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center .
Shierholz also questions how much some of these unilateral moves , like canceling student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` more equitable economy '' in the long run , would actually tackle the immediate financial problems people are facing .
The economy needs a stimulus , she says , and while there 's an assumption that a new president can walk into the Oval Office and immediately change the course of the economy , she said , presidents lacks the specific tools to do that .
The most viable path for a sustained economic recovery , she says , requires buy-in from Congress .
For example , she said one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government could offer would be more money to cash-strapped state and local governments dealing with less tax revenue .
This would allow them to keep first responders , like police officers and firefighters , on the job .
But the president ca n't dole out more money to state governments — Congress would need to allocate those funds .
So , in some ways , the biggest economic test for Biden is n't how much he can do on his own , but how good he is at cutting deals .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is trying to lean on his nearly 50 years of experience in Washington , '' Shierholz said .
`` That is what it will come down to .
Can President Biden convince [ current Senate Majority Leader ] Mitch McConnell to move on some of that stuff because that is what it will take to get the stimulus that is needed . ''

What Joe Biden Can (And Can't) Do To Stimulate This Pandemic Economy On His Own
Enlarge this image toggle caption Samuel Corum/Getty Images Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Congress still hasn't reached a deal on a new COVID-19 relief package to help millions of Americans who could fall off an economic cliff by the end of the year when moratoriums on evictions and some unemployment benefits are set to expire. But whether or not Congress agrees on an additional aide package during the lame-duck session, Joe Biden will still inherit a fragile economy and a possibly uncooperative Congress, which raises questions about what — if anything — the next president can do on his own to bolster an economic recovery.
One thing most economists agree on is that the best way the president can directly stimulate the economy is by tackling the public health crisis and ensuring vaccines are deployed efficiently.
"The No. 1 rule of virus economics, I always say, is that if you want to help the economy, you need to get control of the spread of the virus," said Austan Goolsbee, a former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama who also informally advised Biden's campaign.
He said controlling the virus isn't a tradeoff with improving the economy, in his view, it's foundational to an economic recovery.
Biden could help control the virus, some say, by encouraging Americans to wear masks, but he could also mandate changes to make workplaces safer.
"The president has the authority to direct [the Occupational Safety and Health Administration] to put in place an emergency temporary standard to help protect workers during COVID," said Heidi Shierholz, a former Obama administration labor economist who now works at the Economic Policy Institute.
As of August, about a quarter of the U.S. workforce was working from home, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Student loans
Many economists believe additional congressional spending is vital right now, but if that's not feasible, then it's worth considering what Biden could do autonomously.
"There are many areas where the federal government might get some relief out the door," Goolsbee said. "One of the more obvious spaces being that of student loans."
The Trump administration has deferred student loan payments until the end of January.
A number of Democrats on the Hill, including notably Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are urging Biden to go further.
"It is my belief that the new president — President Biden — within the first few weeks of becoming president can simply sign an executive order and eliminate, end, $50,000 of student debt from every student," Schumer, D-N.Y., said at a press conference last month.
Some economic experts have argued that student loan debt cancelation is actually a poor form of stimulus that doesn't inject a lot of cash into the economy given how much it would cost the government. Others have called for an income cap, of roughly $150,000, so that any cancelation program would specifically target low and middle-income families.
But either way, as Schumer and others Democrats are arguing, it's something Biden could do with "the flick of a pen."
"Ninety-five percent of all student debt is actually held by the government, and so the secretary of education would have it in his or her authority to cancel a lot of that debt," said Felicia Wong, who spoke to NPR in her capacity as president and CEO of the Roosevelt Institute. She is also a member of Biden's transition advisory board.
Federal contractor minimum wage
Enlarge this image toggle caption Susan Walsh/AP Susan Walsh/AP
Wong has another idea for Biden that she said would move money into people's pockets immediately.
"(The) federal government's a really big employer, and Joe Biden had promised on the campaign trail a $15 an hour federal minimum wage," she said. "Well, that would require Congress. But his administration could take an executive action that says all federal contractors have to pay their employees at least $15 an hour."
Wong said the change would help a number of low-income workers and put pressure on other companies outside of the federal government's purview.
Trade, health care policy
Other experts say Biden could try to tackle parts of his broader economic agenda without Congress; he could, for example, modify Trump's trade tariffs or change regulations around the Affordable Care Act.
"The Trump administration stretched the bounds of what maybe almost anyone thought would be possible with multiple billions of dollars to payments to farmers [and] diversions of billions of dollars from defense budget to building the wall," Goolsbee said.
The president also adopted a number of COVID-19 relief measures without Congress, issuing a moratorium on evictions and taking disaster money away from FEMA to pay for expanded temporary unemployment assistance.
A creature of Congress
But even though Biden could employ similar executive actions, policy experts say it's not clear the Trump administration's maneuvers were entirely legal or as large as the economy needed. Plus, they add, sweeping unilateral action in the midst of an economic crisis isn't in Biden's nature.
"President-elect Biden is a creature of Congress himself, and I think as a consequence — he's going to be more in tune in working with Congress, rather than going around Congress issuing executive orders," said Bill Hoagland, senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Shierholz also questions how much some of these unilateral moves — such as canceling student loan debt, which might provide a "more equitable economy" in the long run — would actually tackle the immediate financial problems people are facing. The economy needs a stimulus, she said. And while there's an assumption that a new president can walk into the Oval Office and immediately change the course of the economy, she said, presidents lack the specific tools to do that. The most viable path for a sustained economic recovery, she said, requires buy-in from Congress.
For example, she said one of the most effective forms of stimulus the federal government could offer would be more money to cash-strapped state and local governments dealing with less tax revenue. This would allow them to keep first responders, such as police officers and firefighters, on the job.
But the president can't dole out more money to state governments — Congress would need to allocate those funds.
So, in some ways, the biggest economic test for Biden isn't how much he can do on his own, but how good he is at cutting deals.
"The thing he'll have to resort to is trying to lean on his nearly 50 years of experience in Washington," Shierholz said. "That is what it will come down to. Can President Biden convince [current Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell to move on some of that stuff because that is what it will take to get the stimulus that is needed."


npr--2020-12-10--Federal Executions Pit The Trump Administration Against The Catholic Church

Federal Executions Pit The Trump Administration Against The Catholic Church For the ninth time in six months , the Trump administration is preparing to put a federal prisoner to death .
Brandon Bernard , 40 , is due to be executed Thursday evening at the U.S. Penitentiary Terre Haute in Indiana , as punishment for the murder of a young couple in Texas in 1999 .
The Justice Department plans another federal execution later this month , with three more scheduled in January .
In a statement on the resumption of federal executions after a 17-year hiatus , Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justified because the people sentenced to die had been convicted of `` horrific crimes . ''
The spate of federal executions has put the Trump administration in sharp conflict with the Catholic Church , which in recent decades has vigorously opposed capital punishment .
In his 1995 encyclical The Gospel of Life , Pope John Paul II declared that `` the dignity of human life must never be taken away , even in the case of someone who has done great evil . ''
His successor , Benedict XVI , called on governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death penalty and to reform the penal system in a way that ensures respect for the prisoners ' human dignity . ''
Pope Francis in 2018 took the cause one step further , revising the Catholic Catechism to make clear that capital punishment is `` inadmissible '' in all circumstances .
Under Attorney General Barr 's direction , the Justice Department began ordering federal executions in the midst of the presidential election campaign , and the U.S. Catholic Church grew increasingly outspoken in its opposition .
In their latest appeal , U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration to halt scheduled federal executions during the Advent season , celebrated by Christians as the period of expectation and preparation of Christmas .
`` We call on President Trump and Attorney General Barr , in recognition of God 's unmerited gift of self-giving love : Stop these executions , '' said Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City and Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City , Kan. Coakley chairs the U.S. bishops ' domestic justice committee , and Naumann chairs the bishops ' committee on pro-life activities .
`` We have to clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect and defend even those who have committed heinous crimes , '' Coakley told NPR .
`` They do n't forfeit their human dignity .
It 's a God-given dignity , not something that the State bestows , nor which the State can withdraw . ''
A survey in early 2020 by Real Clear Opinion Research and the Catholic television network EWTN found that 57 % of U.S. Catholics support the death penalty , a finding that indicates , according to Coakley , that Church leaders need to do more to educate Catholics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of [ Catholics ] who do n't understand the Church 's teaching , '' Coakley says .
`` It 's a teaching that deserves our assent and respect .
I do n't think it can be simply disregarded . ''
Among the lay Catholics not yet in line with their Church 's position on the death penalty , few rank higher than Attorney General Barr , a practicing Catholic who speaks often of his faith .
In September , Barr was honored at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast with the Christifideles Laici Award @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Church , Exemplary Selfless and Steadfast Service in the Lord 's Vineyard . ''
The annual breakfast event , held virtually this year , is organized by a group of lay Catholics and is not officially associated with the U.S. Catholic Church .
The award came despite Barr 's strong support for capital punishment .
On Sept. 22 , just one day before the prayer breakfast , Barr ordered a federal prisoner be put to death .
The day after the breakfast , he ordered another man to be be executed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ oppose the death penalty , Barr 's recognition at the prayer breakfast was inappropriate , given his record of ordering federal executions .
`` I 'm appalled , '' said Sister Helen Prejean , a Catholic activist nun who has worked for nearly 40 years to end capital punishment .
`` It 's a blatant going against the teachings of the Catholic Church . ''
Notably , U.S. bishops did not endorse the award to Barr .
`` I do n't think that it was an appropriate choice , '' Coakley told NPR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bishops of the United States in choosing to honor him in that way . ''
During his remarks while accepting the award , Barr quoted John Paul II as saying , `` the lay faithful are never to relinquish their participation in 'public life . '
'' He noted how the Justice Department under his leadership has stood up for the right of religious people `` to exercise their faith and be treated the same as others . ''
He did not mention the death penalty .
Among the groups sponsoring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a lay advocacy group that this year vigorously supported President Trump 's reelection effort .
Brian Burch , the group 's president , says his organization does recognize the Church 's opposition to the death penalty .
`` As a Catholic organization ourselves , we look to the guidance of our Church , '' Burch told NPR , `` and our Church is saying , 'We should be working to end its use in all circumstances . '
'' Catholic Vote nevertheless supported Barr 's award because of his record in opposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we have had to use the death penalty , we 're not talking about large numbers , '' Burch says .
`` The numbers [ of executions ] pale in comparison to the heinousness of the abortion numbers in our country . ''
One difference between abortion and capital punishment , however , is that in the latter case , it is the government that does the killing .
Archbishop Coakley , while sharing the Catholic Church 's steadfast opposition to abortion , notes that the death penalty amounts to `` violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Other Catholic leaders , however , point out their Church actually supported the use of the death penalty for well over a thousand years , and they argue that recent pronouncements against it do n't necessarily rise to the level of official Church doctrine .
Steven Long , a theology professor at Ave Maria University in southwest Florida , says the Church 's relatively recent condemnations of the death penalty qualify as `` prudential admonitions . ''
As such , he says , `` one has to take them seriously ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by circumstances which are not the same in different times and places . ''
Other Catholics , however , note that when the Church previously condoned use of the death penalty , it was for the purpose of protecting society from dangerous criminals , not for the purpose of retribution .
`` In his Gospel of Life encyclical , John Paul II called the death penalty unnecessary , '' notes Coakley , `` given the development of other alternatives that criminal justice systems can use to protect society and restore the balance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has accompanied many prisoners on Death Row , the unacceptability of the death penalty is simply a matter of Christian teaching .
`` People are worth more than the worst act of their life , '' she says .
`` Human beings can always change .
That 's at the core of the Gospel of Life .
That is what Jesus taught us . ''
In any case , any controversy over federal executions is due to end after Joe Biden and Kamala Harris take office Jan. 20 .
Both have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the death penalty .

Federal Executions Pit The Trump Administration Against The Catholic Church
Enlarge this image toggle caption Star Tribune via Getty Images/Star Tribune via Getty Images Star Tribune via Getty Images/Star Tribune via Getty Images
For the ninth time in six months, the Trump administration is preparing to put a federal prisoner to death.
Brandon Bernard, 40, is due to be executed Thursday evening at the U.S. Penitentiary Terre Haute in Indiana, as punishment for the murder of a young couple in Texas in 1999. The Justice Department plans another federal execution later this month, with three more scheduled in January.
In a statement on the resumption of federal executions after a 17-year hiatus, Attorney General William Barr said the death penalties were justified because the people sentenced to die had been convicted of "horrific crimes."
The spate of federal executions has put the Trump administration in sharp conflict with the Catholic Church, which in recent decades has vigorously opposed capital punishment.
In his 1995 encyclical The Gospel of Life, Pope John Paul II declared that "the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil." His successor, Benedict XVI, called on governments "to make every effort to eliminate the death penalty and to reform the penal system in a way that ensures respect for the prisoners' human dignity."
Pope Francis in 2018 took the cause one step further, revising the Catholic Catechism to make clear that capital punishment is "inadmissible" in all circumstances.
Halt for Advent
Under Attorney General Barr's direction, the Justice Department began ordering federal executions in the midst of the presidential election campaign, and the U.S. Catholic Church grew increasingly outspoken in its opposition.
In their latest appeal, U.S. Catholic leaders this week asked the Trump administration to halt scheduled federal executions during the Advent season, celebrated by Christians as the period of expectation and preparation of Christmas.
"We call on President Trump and Attorney General Barr, in recognition of God's unmerited gift of self-giving love: Stop these executions," said Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City and Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kan. Coakley chairs the U.S. bishops' domestic justice committee, and Naumann chairs the bishops' committee on pro-life activities.
"We have to clearly articulate our position about the need to protect and defend even those who have committed heinous crimes," Coakley told NPR. "They don't forfeit their human dignity. It's a God-given dignity, not something that the State bestows, nor which the State can withdraw."
A survey in early 2020 by Real Clear Opinion Research and the Catholic television network EWTN found that 57% of U.S. Catholics support the death penalty, a finding that indicates, according to Coakley, that Church leaders need to do more to educate Catholics.
"There are still a lot of [Catholics] who don't understand the Church's teaching," Coakley says. "It's a teaching that deserves our assent and respect. I don't think it can be simply disregarded."
Controversial award
Among the lay Catholics not yet in line with their Church's position on the death penalty, few rank higher than Attorney General Barr, a practicing Catholic who speaks often of his faith. In September, Barr was honored at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast with the Christifideles Laici Award in recognition of his "Fidelity to the Church, Exemplary Selfless and Steadfast Service in the Lord's Vineyard."
The annual breakfast event, held virtually this year, is organized by a group of lay Catholics and is not officially associated with the U.S. Catholic Church. The award came despite Barr's strong support for capital punishment. On Sept. 22, just one day before the prayer breakfast, Barr ordered a federal prisoner be put to death. The day after the breakfast, he ordered another man to be be executed.
For Catholics who had been working to oppose the death penalty, Barr's recognition at the prayer breakfast was inappropriate, given his record of ordering federal executions.
"I'm appalled," said Sister Helen Prejean, a Catholic activist nun who has worked for nearly 40 years to end capital punishment. "It's a blatant going against the teachings of the Catholic Church."
Notably, U.S. bishops did not endorse the award to Barr.
"I don't think that it was an appropriate choice," Coakley told NPR. "They didn't speak for the bishops of the United States in choosing to honor him in that way."
During his remarks while accepting the award, Barr quoted John Paul II as saying, "the lay faithful are never to relinquish their participation in 'public life.'" He noted how the Justice Department under his leadership has stood up for the right of religious people "to exercise their faith and be treated the same as others." He did not mention the death penalty.
Among the groups sponsoring the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast is Catholic Vote, a lay advocacy group that this year vigorously supported President Trump's reelection effort. Brian Burch, the group's president, says his organization does recognize the Church's opposition to the death penalty.
"As a Catholic organization ourselves, we look to the guidance of our Church," Burch told NPR, "and our Church is saying, 'We should be working to end its use in all circumstances.'"
Catholic Vote nevertheless supported Barr's award because of his record in opposing abortion.
"Albeit unfortunate and regrettable that we have had to use the death penalty, we're not talking about large numbers," Burch says. "The numbers [of executions] pale in comparison to the heinousness of the abortion numbers in our country."
One difference between abortion and capital punishment, however, is that in the latter case, it is the government that does the killing.
Archbishop Coakley, while sharing the Catholic Church's steadfast opposition to abortion, notes that the death penalty amounts to "violence by the State committed in our name."
Evolving Catholic view
Other Catholic leaders, however, point out their Church actually supported the use of the death penalty for well over a thousand years, and they argue that recent pronouncements against it don't necessarily rise to the level of official Church doctrine.
Steven Long, a theology professor at Ave Maria University in southwest Florida, says the Church's relatively recent condemnations of the death penalty qualify as "prudential admonitions." As such, he says, "one has to take them seriously ... [but] ... they are limited by circumstances which are not the same in different times and places."
Other Catholics, however, note that when the Church previously condoned use of the death penalty, it was for the purpose of protecting society from dangerous criminals, not for the purpose of retribution.
"In his Gospel of Life encyclical, John Paul II called the death penalty unnecessary," notes Coakley, "given the development of other alternatives that criminal justice systems can use to protect society and restore the balance of justice."
For Sister Helen Prejean, who has accompanied many prisoners on Death Row, the unacceptability of the death penalty is simply a matter of Christian teaching.
"People are worth more than the worst act of their life," she says. "Human beings can always change. That's at the core of the Gospel of Life. That is what Jesus taught us."
In any case, any controversy over federal executions is due to end after Joe Biden and Kamala Harris take office Jan. 20. Both have repeatedly emphasized their opposition to any use of the death penalty.


npr--2020-12-10--Giuliani Leaves Hospital After COVID-19 Treatment

Rudy Giuliani has left the hospital following treatment for COVID-19 , days after his coronavirus diagnosis was made public in @ @ @ @ @ .
Giuliani , the president 's personal attorney , was spotted Wednesday evening leaving Georgetown @ @ @ @ @ a thumbs up sign out of his car 's passenger-side window as he passed reporters @ @ @ @ @ criticized mask-wearing during the pandemic , was seen wearing one as he left the hospital @ @ @ @ @ hospitalization , Giuliani was traveling the country as head of the Trump campaign 's failed @ @ @ @ @ 2020 election results .
Dozens of White House staffers and officials close to the president @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus since October .
Most recently , Jenna Ellis ' diagnosis was made public on @ @ @ @ @ legal adviser to the president .
Giuliani 's son , Andrew Giuliani , who is @ @ @ @ @ also said he tested positive on Nov. 20 .

Giuliani Leaves Hospital After COVID-19 Treatment
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Rudy Giuliani has left the hospital following treatment for COVID-19, days after his coronavirus diagnosis was made public in a tweet by President Trump.
Giuliani, the president's personal attorney, was spotted Wednesday evening leaving Georgetown University Hospital. He flashed a thumbs up sign out of his car's passenger-side window as he passed reporters.
Giuliani, who had criticized mask-wearing during the pandemic, was seen wearing one as he left the hospital.
Leading up to his hospitalization, Giuliani was traveling the country as head of the Trump campaign's failed attempts to legally challenge the 2020 election results.
Dozens of White House staffers and officials close to the president have tested positive for the coronavirus since October. Most recently, Jenna Ellis' diagnosis was made public on Tuesday. Ellis is a legal adviser to the president. Giuliani's son, Andrew Giuliani, who is a White House staffer, also said he tested positive on Nov. 20.


npr--2020-12-10--Justice Dept. Sues Alabama Over Prison Conditions

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Alabama Wednesday , saying unsafe and unsanitary conditions in the state 's men 's prisons violate the Constitution .
The DOJ says Alabama 's prison system fails to provide adequate protection from prisoner-on-prisoner violence , sexual abuse , and excessive force at the hands of prison staff .
Alabama 's 13 major correctional facilities have become notorious over the years for its reported unsafe conditions , violence , and inadequacies regarding medical treatment of prisoners .
The federal lawsuit is the government 's last resort to get the state to improve prison conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The State of Alabama is deliberately indifferent to the serious and systemic constitutional problems present in Alabama 's prisons for men . ''
A representative for the Alabama Department of Corrections ( ADOC ) did not immediately respond to NPR 's request for comment ; however , Alabama Gov .
Kay Ivey issued a statement to AL.com saying news of the lawsuit was `` disappointing . ''
`` The state has actively been negotiating in good faith with the Department of Justice following the release of its findings letters , '' Ivey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legal process , we unfortunately can not provide additional comment at this time . ''
She went on to say that the state is moving forward on plans to `` reimagine and rebuild '' the state 's correctional system with the construction of three new regional men 's prisons .
Since spring 2019 , U.S. attorneys had been in negotiations with Alabama officials to get the state to address several long-standing issues in its prisons .
Yet , ADOC failed to agree to changes to improve conditions , Justice Department attorneys said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States has determined that constitutional compliance can not be secured by voluntary means , '' according to the lawsuit .
The complaint says that instead of resolving the problems , prisoner-on-prisoner homicides in Alabama have actually increased , and sexual abuse in prisons remains `` unabated . ''
Prison facilities remain `` inadequate , '' and staffing levels are critically low , it adds .
`` Alabama 's prisons for men are now more overcrowded than in 2016 , when the United States initiated its investigation , '' the lawsuit alleges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been well-documented in recent years .
The state 's department of corrections reported nine men were killed by other prisoners in the state 's prisons in the first six months of 2020 , according to the complaint .
The state corrections system has dealt with an outbreak of coronavirus throughout several facilities with 43 inmates dying from the disease this year , according to AL.com .
Tension leading to violence among inmates is exacerbated by overcrowding , broken toilets and showers that create an unsanitary environment within many of the prisons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment for prisoners is also reportedly woefully inadequate .
A federal judge determined last May that the risk of suicide among Alabama prisoners was `` so severe and imminent '' that he ordered the ADOC to immediately implement permanent mental health remedies to address `` severe and systematic inadequacies . ''
This decision came after 15 prisoners killed themselves in the span of 15 months .
In July , the federal government put the state on notice for its `` unconstitutional '' prison conditions when the Justice Department and U.S. attorneys for Alabama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used against male prisoners .
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama Richard W. Moore said in a statement , `` Our investigation has demonstrated that constitutionally required standards have not been met in Alabama prisons and this must be corrected .
I am disappointed that the efforts of both Alabama officials and Department of Justice officials to find appropriate solutions have not resulted in a mutually agreed upon resolution .
Our oath as public officials now requires us to follow the Constitution and to pursue justice in the courts . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alabama under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act , which authorizes the department to act when it has reasonable cause to believe there is a pattern or practice of deprivation of constitutional rights of prisoners in correctional facilities operated by or on behalf of a state or local government .
The DOJ 's lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to address deficient conditions identified by the department 's investigation .

Justice Department Sues Alabama Over Prison Conditions
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brynn Anderson/AP Brynn Anderson/AP
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Alabama on Wednesday, saying unsafe and unsanitary conditions in the state's men's prisons violate the Constitution.
The DOJ says Alabama's prison system fails to provide adequate protection from prisoner-on-prisoner violence, sexual abuse and excessive force at the hands of prison staff.
Alabama's 13 major correctional facilities have become notorious over the years for reported unsafe conditions, violence and inadequacies regarding medical treatment of prisoners. The federal lawsuit is the government's last resort to get the state to improve prison conditions.
The government's complaint says, "The State of Alabama is deliberately indifferent to the serious and systemic constitutional problems present in Alabama's prisons for men."
A representative for the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment; however, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statement to AL.com saying news of the lawsuit was "disappointing."
"The state has actively been negotiating in good faith with the Department of Justice following the release of its findings letters," Ivey said. "Out of respect for the legal process, we unfortunately cannot provide additional comment at this time."
She went on to say that the state is moving forward on plans to "reimagine and rebuild" the state's correctional system with the construction of three new regional men's prisons.
Since spring 2019, U.S. attorneys had been in negotiations with Alabama officials to get the state to address several longstanding issues in its prisons. Yet, ADOC failed to agree to changes to improve conditions, Justice Department attorneys said in Wednesday's filing.
"The United States has determined that constitutional compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means," according to the lawsuit.
The complaint says that instead of resolving the problems, prisoner-on-prisoner homicides in Alabama have actually increased, and sexual abuse in prisons remains "unabated." Prison facilities remain "inadequate," and staffing levels are critically low, it adds.
"Alabama's prisons for men are now more overcrowded than in 2016, when the United States initiated its investigation," the lawsuit alleges.
The problems in Alabama's correctional facilities have been well-documented in recent years.
The state's department of corrections reported nine men were killed by other prisoners in the state's prisons in the first six months of 2020, according to the complaint.
The state corrections system has dealt with coronavirus outbreaks in several facilities, with 43 inmates dying from COVID-19 this year, according to AL.com.
Tension leading to violence among inmates is exacerbated by overcrowding, broken toilets and showers that create an unsanitary environment within many of the prisons, the Justice Department alleges.
Mental health treatment for prisoners is also reportedly woefully inadequate. A federal judge determined last May that the risk of suicide among Alabama prisoners was "so severe and imminent" that he ordered the ADOC to immediately implement permanent mental health remedies to address "severe and systematic inadequacies." This decision came after 15 prisoners killed themselves in the span of 15 months.
In July, the federal government put the state on notice for its "unconstitutional" prison conditions when the Justice Department and U.S. attorneys for Alabama released a report detailing widespread excessive force used against male prisoners.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama Richard W. Moore said in a statement, "Our investigation has demonstrated that constitutionally required standards have not been met in Alabama prisons and this must be corrected. I am disappointed that the efforts of both Alabama officials and Department of Justice officials to find appropriate solutions have not resulted in a mutually agreed upon resolution. Our oath as public officials now requires us to follow the Constitution and to pursue justice in the courts."
The DOJ is pursuing its case against Alabama under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, which authorizes the department to act when it has reasonable cause to believe there is a pattern or practice of deprivation of constitutional rights of prisoners in correctional facilities operated by or on behalf of a state or local government.
The DOJ's lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to address deficient conditions identified by the department's investigation.


npr--2020-12-10--House Oversight Committee Chair: Testimony Points To Political Interference At CDC

A new kerfuffle is unfolding in a House oversight committee with the Democratic chair accusing White House appointees of political meddling and attempting to influence the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strategies on the coronavirus pandemic in a manner that paints the administration in a more favorable light .
In a Thursday letter to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services , Rep. James Clyburn expressed `` serious concern about what may be deliberate efforts by the Trump Administration to conceal and destroy evidence that senior political appointees interfered with career officials ' response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clyburn , a Democrat from South Carolina , chairs the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis .
In addition to HHS Secretary Alex Azar , the letter was also addressed to CDC Director Robert Redfield .
Clyburn suggested Redfield may have instructed subordinates to delete an email from an HHS appointee instructing the CDC to alter or rescind reports believed to be damaging to President Trump .
The congressman also accused Redfield of pushing back the publication of a report on a coronavirus outbreak among children in Georgia so that the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The allegations stem from the transcribed interview of Charlotte Kent , chief of the Scientific Publications Branch and editor-in-chief of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report at the CDC , who addressed Select Subcommittee staff on Monday .
During her testimony , Kent said she was instructed to delete an Aug. 8 email sent by HHS senior advisor Paul Alexander , and that she understood the direction came from the CDC head Redfield .
As she recounted the incident , Alexander 's email demanded that the CDC insert new language in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to children or `` pull it down and stop all reports immediately , '' according to Clyburn .
The letter says Alexander also vented about alleged bias within the CDC against Trump : `` CDC tried to report as if once kids get together , there will be spread and this will impact school reopening .
...
Very misleading by CDC and shame on them .
Their aim is clear .
...
This is designed to hurt this Presidnet [ sic ] for their reasons which I am not interested in . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisor to HHS spokesman Michael Caputo , is no longer with the department .
He left in September and is now is an assistant professor of health research at McMaster University near Toronto .
Caputo formerly served as a Trump campaign official .
He has no medical or scientific background .
This is not the first time Alexander has been called out as improperly trying to influence the nation 's leading health officials .
In September , Politico uncovered emails showing Alexander tried to prevent Anthony Fauci , the government 's top infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks that coronavirus poses to children .
Earlier this week , Kent explained that when she later searched for the email it had already vanished .
Federal employees must generally preserve documents under the Federal Records Act .
When asked , she said she did not know who had deleted the correspondence .
On Thursday Clyburn said the Trump Administration 's `` political meddling with the nation 's coronavirus response has put American lives at greater risk , '' and called the efforts `` dangerous . ''
He called for all documents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Select Subcommittee , including ranking member Steve Scalise of Louisiana , called Clyburn 's allegations false , adding that all stonewalling claims have been debunked .
`` The letter fails to acknowledge the predicate of the Democrats ' investigation is now fully debunked .
Despite there being zero evidence of actual interference in CDC scientific reports , Select Subcommittee Democrats continue to search for illusory evidence in obstruction of the Trump Administration 's unprecedented whole-of-America response to the coronavirus pandemic . ''
He added that during Monday 's testimony , Kent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unequivocally confirmed that there was no political interference and the scientific integrity of the MMWR was never compromised . ''
Redfield also addressed the allegations on Thursday , issuing a statement that reads : `` Regarding the email in question , I instructed CDC staff to ignore Dr. Alexander 's comments . ''
`` As I testified before Congress , I am fully committed to maintaining the independence of the MMWR , and I stand by that statement . ''
Meanwhile , Clyburn is now seeking to interview Redfield about the incident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ testimony , HHS `` abruptly canceled '' four additional transcribed interviews the select subcommittee had scheduled for the week .
Clyburn called it part of a broader pattern of `` obstruction '' and warned that if the Department failed to produce all missing documents by Dec. 15 , `` the Select Subcommittee will have no choice but to issue subpoenas to compel production . ''

House Oversight Committee Chair: Testimony Points To Political Interference At CDC
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kevin Lamarque/AP Kevin Lamarque/AP
A new kerfuffle is unfolding in a House oversight committee with the Democratic chair accusing White House appointees of political meddling and attempting to influence the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strategies on the coronavirus pandemic in a manner that paints the administration in a more favorable light.
In a Thursday letter to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Rep. James Clyburn expressed "serious concern about what may be deliberate efforts by the Trump Administration to conceal and destroy evidence that senior political appointees interfered with career officials' response to the coronavirus crisis" at the CDC.
Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, chairs the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. In addition to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, the letter was also addressed to CDC Director Robert Redfield.
Clyburn suggested Redfield may have instructed subordinates to delete an email from an HHS appointee instructing the CDC to alter or rescind reports believed to be damaging to President Trump. The congressman also accused Redfield of pushing back the publication of a report on a coronavirus outbreak among children in Georgia so that the White House could continue to push for school reopenings.
The allegations stem from the transcribed interview of Charlotte Kent, chief of the Scientific Publications Branch and editor-in-chief of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report at the CDC, who addressed Select Subcommittee staff on Monday. During her testimony, Kent said she was instructed to delete an Aug. 8 email sent by HHS senior advisor Paul Alexander, and that she understood the direction came from the CDC head Redfield.
As she recounted the incident, Alexander's email demanded that the CDC insert new language in a previously published scientific report on coronavirus risks to children or "pull it down and stop all reports immediately," according to Clyburn.
The letter says Alexander also vented about alleged bias within the CDC against Trump: "CDC tried to report as if once kids get together, there will be spread and this will impact school reopening. ... Very misleading by CDC and shame on them. Their aim is clear. ... This is designed to hurt this Presidnet [sic] for their reasons which I am not interested in."
Alexander, who served as a scientific advisor to HHS spokesman Michael Caputo, is no longer with the department. He left in September and is now is an assistant professor of health research at McMaster University near Toronto. Caputo formerly served as a Trump campaign official. He has no medical or scientific background.
This is not the first time Alexander has been called out as improperly trying to influence the nation's leading health officials. In September, Politico uncovered emails showing Alexander tried to prevent Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, from speaking about the risks that coronavirus poses to children.
Earlier this week, Kent explained that when she later searched for the email it had already vanished. Federal employees must generally preserve documents under the Federal Records Act. When asked, she said she did not know who had deleted the correspondence.
On Thursday Clyburn said the Trump Administration's "political meddling with the nation's coronavirus response has put American lives at greater risk," and called the efforts "dangerous." He called for all documents to be preserved or recovered.
House Republicans on the Select Subcommittee, including ranking member Steve Scalise of Louisiana, called Clyburn's allegations false, adding that all stonewalling claims have been debunked.
"The Select Subcommittee Democrats' letter drastically mischaracterizes Dr. Kent's interview," Scalise wrote in a statement.
"The letter fails to acknowledge the predicate of the Democrats' investigation is now fully debunked. Despite there being zero evidence of actual interference in CDC scientific reports, Select Subcommittee Democrats continue to search for illusory evidence in obstruction of the Trump Administration's unprecedented whole-of-America response to the coronavirus pandemic."
He added that during Monday's testimony, Kent, a career CDC official, "unequivocally confirmed that there was no political interference and the scientific integrity of the MMWR was never compromised."
"Case closed," he declared.
Redfield also addressed the allegations on Thursday, issuing a statement that reads: "Regarding the email in question, I instructed CDC staff to ignore Dr. Alexander's comments."
"As I testified before Congress, I am fully committed to maintaining the independence of the MMWR, and I stand by that statement."
Meanwhile, Clyburn is now seeking to interview Redfield about the incident.
He says that hours after Kent's testimony, HHS "abruptly canceled" four additional transcribed interviews the select subcommittee had scheduled for the week. Clyburn called it part of a broader pattern of "obstruction" and warned that if the Department failed to produce all missing documents by Dec. 15, "the Select Subcommittee will have no choice but to issue subpoenas to compel production."


npr--2020-12-10--Newly Sworn-In GOP N.H. House Speaker Dies Of COVID-19, Autopsy Shows

Rep. Dick Hinch , a Republican who was elected speaker of the New Hampshire House just one week ago , died of COVID-19 on Wednesday .
This comes about a month before the state legislature , the largest in the U.S. , is expected to convene for its regularly scheduled annual session .
The state 's attorney general , Gordon MacDonald , announced the cause of death Thursday afternoon with the consent of Hinch 's family , following an autopsy by New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner Jennie Duval .
Hinch , who was 71 and from Merrimack , was poised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's House of Representatives .
New Hampshire Republicans gained control of both the House and the state Senate from Democrats in elections last month .
Hinch was formally elected House speaker on Dec. 2 at an outdoor session held on an athletic field at the University of New Hampshire because of coronavirus concerns .
Earlier that same week , several Republican House members were confirmed to have tested positive for the coronavirus after attending an indoor GOP caucus meeting .
Since then , a member of Gov .
Chris Sununu 's staff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office have also tested positive , according to announcements from each office .
At the time the legislative staffer 's diagnosis was announced , the House speaker 's office said : `` no legislators were identified as close contacts . ''
`` All staff identified as possible close contacts have been notified and asked to quarantine out of an abundance of caution , '' the office said in a statement at the time .
After state officials confirmed that COVID-19 caused Hinch 's death , acting Speaker Sherman Packard and Senate President Chuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state health officials and other authorities about `` any additional , specific steps we should take , beyond our on-going COVID-19 protocols and contact tracing , to ensure the continued protection of our legislators and staff . ''
`` As legislative leaders , we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our fellow legislators and staff members who work at the statehouse in Concord , '' Packard and Morse said in a joint statement .
`` It is our responsibility to ensure COVID-19 incident notification and transparency .
These are responsibilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before becoming House speaker , Hinch served as House majority leader from 2015 to 2018 .
In his speech to fellow lawmakers upon being named speaker , he invoked a bipartisan tone .
`` I ask each of you to not look at each other as Republicans and Democrats , but as friends and colleagues , working towards the same goal , '' Hinch said .
`` Our methods to get there and what we envision as a better New Hampshire may be different , but at the end of the day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respect each other and understand each other , that we are all here to make a positive difference in our communities and our state . ''
Packard , who was appointed Hinch 's deputy , will serve as acting speaker until the full House can vote to name Hinch 's successor .
The House is scheduled to meet again on Jan. 6 .

Newly Sworn-In GOP N.H. House Speaker Dies Of COVID-19, Autopsy Shows
Enlarge this image toggle caption Elise Amendola/AP Elise Amendola/AP
Rep. Dick Hinch, a Republican who was elected speaker of the New Hampshire House just one week ago, died of COVID-19 on Wednesday. This comes about a month before the state legislature, the largest in the U.S., is expected to convene for its regularly scheduled annual session.
The state's attorney general, Gordon MacDonald, announced the cause of death Thursday afternoon with the consent of Hinch's family, following an autopsy by New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner Jennie Duval.
Hinch, who was 71 and from Merrimack, was poised to lead his party in the state's House of Representatives. New Hampshire Republicans gained control of both the House and the state Senate from Democrats in elections last month.
Hinch was formally elected House speaker on Dec. 2 at an outdoor session held on an athletic field at the University of New Hampshire because of coronavirus concerns. Earlier that same week, several Republican House members were confirmed to have tested positive for the coronavirus after attending an indoor GOP caucus meeting.
Since then, a member of Gov. Chris Sununu's staff and an employee in the House speaker's office have also tested positive, according to announcements from each office. At the time the legislative staffer's diagnosis was announced, the House speaker's office said: "no legislators were identified as close contacts."
"All staff identified as possible close contacts have been notified and asked to quarantine out of an abundance of caution," the office said in a statement at the time.
After state officials confirmed that COVID-19 caused Hinch's death, acting Speaker Sherman Packard and Senate President Chuck Morse said they plan to consult with state health officials and other authorities about "any additional, specific steps we should take, beyond our on-going COVID-19 protocols and contact tracing, to ensure the continued protection of our legislators and staff."
"As legislative leaders, we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our fellow legislators and staff members who work at the statehouse in Concord," Packard and Morse said in a joint statement. "It is our responsibility to ensure COVID-19 incident notification and transparency. These are responsibilities that we take extremely seriously."
Before becoming House speaker, Hinch served as House majority leader from 2015 to 2018.
In his speech to fellow lawmakers upon being named speaker, he invoked a bipartisan tone.
"I ask each of you to not look at each other as Republicans and Democrats, but as friends and colleagues, working towards the same goal," Hinch said. "Our methods to get there and what we envision as a better New Hampshire may be different, but at the end of the day, please remember that we have a responsibility to respect each other and understand each other, that we are all here to make a positive difference in our communities and our state."
Packard, who was appointed Hinch's deputy, will serve as acting speaker until the full House can vote to name Hinch's successor. The House is scheduled to meet again on Jan. 6.


npr--2020-12-10--Idaho Anne Frank Memorial Defaced With Nazi Propaganda

The Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial in downtown Boise , Idaho , was tagged with Nazi propaganda sometime between Monday evening and Tuesday morning .
The memorial spans nearly an acre along the Boise River , situated in the heart of the community .
A visitor was out for a morning walk through the park and realized the memorial had been vandalized .
Nine stickers with swastikas were placed throughout the memorial .
The Boise Police Department said it is reviewing surveillance video in its investigation .
Mayor Lauren McLean said acts of hatred are not the Boise way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rhetoric we 've seen over the past days and months has no place in our community , '' she said in a statement .
`` Bad actors who use racist and violent rhetoric are not welcome in this community . ''
Dan Prinzing , executive director of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights , and his staff are the caretakers of the Anne Frank memorial .
It 's the only one in the country .
This is the second time it has been vandalized .
In 2017 , anti-Semitic graffiti over four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth of damage , Prinzing said .
`` While this defacement did n't cause significant damage , it was the where , the how , the premeditation , '' he said .
`` We have always felt like the heart of the community , and this was a stab in the heart . ''
The Wassmuth Center has decided to install security cameras following the acts of vandalism .
The funds for the security system , which is expected to be around $ 5,000 , would likely come from educational programs .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oliver Russell , a local social impact branding firm , said that will not be necessary .
He is starting a crowdfunding effort to pay for the security cameras .
He said he hopes to raise more than what is required .
Any money leftover will go to the Wassmuth Center .
`` I would have to think that will be an easy lift for the community , and the goal then is to surpass that so we can make a huge statement , '' Stoddard said .
`` It 's more about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money .
Idaho supports human rights . ''
One of the stickers left a message , `` We are everywhere . ''
Prinzing and Stoddard said the community must come together to drown out that message .
`` The stickers are proclaiming , 'We are everywhere . '
We are going to own that narrative , that love and compassion are louder than the voices of division and hate , '' Prinzing said .
`` While we can not physically stand together , we can each stand up in our homes , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we work , our schools , to stand up against injustice .
It starts there . ''
Dustin Jones is an intern with NPR 's News Desk .

Idaho Anne Frank Memorial Defaced With Nazi Propaganda
Enlarge this image toggle caption Wassmuth Center for Human Rights via AP Wassmuth Center for Human Rights via AP
The Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial in downtown Boise, Idaho, was tagged with Nazi propaganda sometime between Monday evening and Tuesday morning. The memorial spans nearly an acre along the Boise River, situated in the heart of the community. A visitor was out for a morning walk through the park and realized the memorial had been vandalized.
Nine stickers with swastikas were placed throughout the memorial. The Boise Police Department said it is reviewing surveillance video in its investigation.
Mayor Lauren McLean said acts of hatred are not the Boise way. "This is not normal — the rhetoric we've seen over the past days and months has no place in our community," she said in a statement. "Bad actors who use racist and violent rhetoric are not welcome in this community."
Dan Prinzing, executive director of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, and his staff are the caretakers of the Anne Frank memorial. It's the only one in the country. This is the second time it has been vandalized. In 2017, anti-Semitic graffiti over four consecutive nights led to nearly $20,000 worth of damage, Prinzing said.
"While this defacement didn't cause significant damage, it was the where, the how, the premeditation," he said. "We have always felt like the heart of the community, and this was a stab in the heart."
The Wassmuth Center has decided to install security cameras following the acts of vandalism. The funds for the security system, which is expected to be around $5,000, would likely come from educational programs. But Russ Stoddard, founder and president of Oliver Russell, a local social impact branding firm, said that will not be necessary.
He is starting a crowdfunding effort to pay for the security cameras. He said he hopes to raise more than what is required. Any money leftover will go to the Wassmuth Center.
"I would have to think that will be an easy lift for the community, and the goal then is to surpass that so we can make a huge statement," Stoddard said. "It's more about the statement than it is about the money. Idaho supports human rights."
One of the stickers left a message, "We are everywhere." Prinzing and Stoddard said the community must come together to drown out that message.
"The stickers are proclaiming, 'We are everywhere.' We are going to own that narrative, that love and compassion are louder than the voices of division and hate," Prinzing said. "While we cannot physically stand together, we can each stand up in our homes, our neighborhoods, places of worship, where we work, our schools, to stand up against injustice. It starts there."
Dustin Jones is an intern with NPR's News Desk.


npr--2020-12-10--Spain Evicts Francisco Franco's Heirs From Late Dictator's Summer Palace

It has been more than eight decades since Spain 's fascist dictator , Gen. Francisco Franco , took possession of the Pazo de Meirás during the civil war that brought him to power .
Since then , the palace in the northwest region of Galicia has served as an opulent summer retreat — first for the dictator himself , then for his family after Franco 's death roughly 45 years ago .
On Thursday , the Spanish government formally seized the palace from Franco 's heirs in a simple ceremony that capped a hard-fought legal struggle to expropriate the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Spain 's left-wing government — which won possession of the palace in a court ruling in September , and has repeatedly pushed to remove or reclaim other memorials that glorify the dictator 's nearly four-decade reign .
The transfer of ownership Thursday is a credit to `` the thousands and thousands of men and women from Galicia and the rest of Spain who have tried to make this place the birthright of all , '' Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo said in a statement .
`` This was a laudable objective , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us all and which has been pushed by the activism of many people . ''
Calvo said the government plans to repurpose the palace to educate the public about the dark side of Franco 's reign and celebrate the legacy of Emilia Pardo Bazán , the prolific writer whose family previously owned the manor .
Franco 's supporters bought the palace and donated it to him in 1938 , and his heirs say Franco made a formal 1941 purchase of the property .
But in September — ruling in a case brought by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marta Canales found the 1941 sale to be fraudulent and asserted that the palace was not given to Franco , specifically , but rather to the Spanish head of state .
Franco 's heirs lost a subsequent appeal of the ruling .
They handed over the keys to the manor on Wednesday , one day before the court-ordered deadline .
`` Today the circus is celebrated with its clowns , '' the dictator 's grandson , also named Francisco Franco , said in a statement translated by Politico .
He added : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this circus . ''
The eviction at the Pazo de Meirás did not satisfy the Association for the Recovery of Historical Memory , however .
The group , which dedicates itself to preserving the memory of Franco 's human rights abuses , said Wednesday that the return of the palace `` can not end without a judicial process against those who illegally occupied it and filled it with the fruit of a huge plunder of the state 's patrimony . ''
There is disagreement about how many people fell victim to Franco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely believed that more than 100,000 people were killed or disappeared during his absolute rule in Spain from the end of its bloody civil war in 1939 until his death in 1975 .
Yet his legacy remains the subject of significant controversy in the country , particularly in recent years .
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has made it a central campaign promise to reevaluate the dictator 's memory and how it 's marked in official monuments .
Last year , after a long , bitter legal battle that reached the country 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's remains from the massive mausoleum northwest of Madrid constructed as his memorial .
Franco 's remains were flown by helicopter to a cemetery near the Spanish capital , where he was reinterred next to his wife .

Spain Evicts Francisco Franco's Heirs From Late Dictator's Summer Palace
Enlarge this image toggle caption M. Dylan/AP M. Dylan/AP
It has been more than eight decades since Spain's fascist dictator, Gen. Francisco Franco, took possession of the Pazo de Meirás during the civil war that brought him to power.
Since then, the palace in the northwest region of Galicia has served as an opulent summer retreat — first for the dictator himself, then for his family after Franco's death roughly 45 years ago.
Not anymore.
On Thursday, the Spanish government formally seized the palace from Franco's heirs in a simple ceremony that capped a hard-fought legal struggle to expropriate the property.
The moment was a symbolic triumph for Spain's left-wing government — which won possession of the palace in a court ruling in September, and has repeatedly pushed to remove or reclaim other memorials that glorify the dictator's nearly four-decade reign.
The transfer of ownership Thursday is a credit to "the thousands and thousands of men and women from Galicia and the rest of Spain who have tried to make this place the birthright of all," Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo said in a statement. "This was a laudable objective, which dignifies Spanish democracy, which dignifies us all and which has been pushed by the activism of many people."
Calvo said the government plans to repurpose the palace to educate the public about the dark side of Franco's reign and celebrate the legacy of Emilia Pardo Bazán, the prolific writer whose family previously owned the manor.
Franco's supporters bought the palace and donated it to him in 1938, and his heirs say Franco made a formal 1941 purchase of the property. But in September — ruling in a case brought by the Spanish government in 2019 — Judge Marta Canales found the 1941 sale to be fraudulent and asserted that the palace was not given to Franco, specifically, but rather to the Spanish head of state.
Franco's heirs lost a subsequent appeal of the ruling. They handed over the keys to the manor on Wednesday, one day before the court-ordered deadline.
"Today the circus is celebrated with its clowns," the dictator's grandson, also named Francisco Franco, said in a statement translated by Politico. He added: "We are not going to lend ourselves to this circus."
The eviction at the Pazo de Meirás did not satisfy the Association for the Recovery of Historical Memory, however. The group, which dedicates itself to preserving the memory of Franco's human rights abuses, said Wednesday that the return of the palace "cannot end without a judicial process against those who illegally occupied it and filled it with the fruit of a huge plunder of the state's patrimony."
There is disagreement about how many people fell victim to Franco's repressive regime, though it is widely believed that more than 100,000 people were killed or disappeared during his absolute rule in Spain from the end of its bloody civil war in 1939 until his death in 1975. Yet his legacy remains the subject of significant controversy in the country, particularly in recent years.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has made it a central campaign promise to reevaluate the dictator's memory and how it's marked in official monuments. Last year, after a long, bitter legal battle that reached the country's Supreme Court, the government exhumed Franco's remains from the massive mausoleum northwest of Madrid constructed as his memorial.
Franco's remains were flown by helicopter to a cemetery near the Spanish capital, where he was reinterred next to his wife.


npr--2020-12-10--Challenging The NCAA: HBCUs Say No More Discrimination In Academic Rules

Challenging The NCAA : HBCUs Say No More Discrimination In Academic Rules For more than 50 years , the NCAA has imposed academic rules to make sure college athletes are n't just athletes , and the decades-long process has generated plenty of controversy .
Critics claim the academic standards , and the penalties for not meeting them , discriminate against Black college athletes and Historically Black Colleges and Universities .
Now , lawyers have filed a class action , civil rights lawsuit demanding the NCAA 's current system , called the Academic Performance Program , be abolished .
The APP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benchmarks .
If a team comes up short of the benchmark , which uses a metric called the APR ( Academic Progress Rate ) , the punishment can range from having practice time cut , to a ban on postseason play .
The benchmarks are based on team members ' grades , eligibility , whether they 're graduating or staying in school .
And they put HBCUs at a disadvantage .
Attorney Beth Fegan says that 's because an important part of HBCUs mission has always been to enroll low income , first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so HBCUs are already starting at lower graduation success rates , lower academic progress rates , '' Fegan said , `` and yet they 're being held to the same benchmarks as predominantly white institutions who do n't have the mission [ HBCUs do ] .
The NCAA should be supporting the mission of HBCUs , not penalizing them for it . ''
Fegan has done battle with the NCAA before .
The discrimination lawsuit she and other attorneys filed Thursday in Federal District Court , zeroes in on the academic penalties .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ says skews dramatically toward HBCUs .
`` While only six and a half percent of Division 1 schools are HBCUs , '' she said , `` Seventy-two percent of the teams that 've been banned from post-season competition are HBCUs .
So in effect , 114 of 159 teams are HBCU teams that 've been banned . ''
The bans on those HBCU teams meant less money for schools that are n't rich to start with .
And it meant college athlete 's lives were altered .
In 2017 , Troyce Manassa was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basketball team at Savannah State University .
It 's the oldest public HBCU in Georgia .
A 6 ' 4 '' guard , Manassa was named to his All-Conference second team .
But his final season ended with a post-season ban , because the team from several years earlier did n't hit its academic benchmarks .
For Manassa , it meant no chance to shine in tournament play .
`` It caused me a lot of emotional distress , '' Manassa said .
`` Just knowing that we could 've done something , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also knowing I could 've achieved some milestones , like [ scoring ] 1,000 points [ for his career ] .
I finished with 900 and something .
Just [ not being able to ] perform on the big stage .
It was just a bummer for me overall . ''
Without the extra visibility he would 've gotten in the postseason , Manassa had to hunt for professional opportunities after he graduated .
He eventually landed on lower division teams in Mongolia and Australia .
`` The levels I 've played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lowest of the low , '' he said .
`` And I definitely think I could 've played at a much higher level . ''
Now 27 , Manassa has paused his basketball odyssey because of the pandemic .
He 's studying for the GRE and hopes to pursue a masters degree in business research .
And he also has a new role – he 's one of three named plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the NCAA .
Manassa says he relished the nurturing environment at his HBCU .
But having experienced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even though he was n't the reason , Manassa feels strongly that the NCAA needs to measure more fairly .
`` All schools are not created equal , '' he said .
`` So how you going to hold every school to the same standard if every school do n't have the means to live up to those standards ? ''
Monique Ositelu has spent a good deal of her professional time thinking about the inequities of the current system .
She is a senior policy analyst at New America , a policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and focuses on higher education issues .
Ositelu was also a former Division 1 track and field athlete , so these issues are near to her heart .
Her preference is for the NCAA to do away with the APP 's APR metric .
`` It 's an innacurate , inequitable and discriminatory tool , '' she said .
`` In its attempt to say it 's measuring academic progress , there 's no empirical evident that it 's doing that . ''
And Ositelu says if the intention of penalizing schools was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that 's not happening either .
`` I found in collecting data , '' she said , `` that even [ with ] those schools that got a penalty , both HBCU and non-HBCU , [ the penalty ] had no effect on increasing the grad rate .
So the question is , is it doing what they intended it to do ?
Or is this an underlying approach to use policies to perpetuate institutional racism , and cover it by saying 'oh we want all our student athletes to do well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] are dismantling HBCU athletic programs and having disproportionate impacts on Black athletes . ''
Any path forward , Ositelu says , has to be more equitable .
And whatever metrics are used to promote academic progress among college athletes , she says they need to be race and resource conscious .
`` Understanding that HBCUs have a completely different mission than predominantly white institutions , '' Ositelu said .
`` Their student bodies , with their challenges and needs , are different .
And so [ it 's important ] to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metrics .
Tailor them to what HBCUs can actually achieve .
So it 's not punitive . ''
The NCAA did not respond to repeated requests for comment on this story .
But over the years , NCAA officials have acknowledged , numerous times , that academic rules and penalties hurt Black athletes and HBCUs disproportionately .
The NCAA has provided extra money to HBCUs to help with academic support for athletes .
But critics say it still pales in comparison to the money that large , predominantly white schools spend .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black college athletes whose teams have been penalized by the APP , and for an end to the program and its penalties .

Challenging The NCAA: HBCUs Say No More Discrimination In Academic Rules
For more than 50 years, the NCAA has imposed academic rules to make sure college athletes aren't just athletes, and the decades-long process has generated plenty of controversy.
Education HBCU Lawsuit In Maryland Challenges Funding Disparities HBCU Lawsuit In Maryland Challenges Funding Disparities Listen · 3:55 3:55
Critics claim the academic standards, and the penalties for not meeting them, discriminate against Black college athletes and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Now, lawyers have filed a class action, civil rights lawsuit demanding the NCAA's current system, called the Academic Performance Program, be abolished.
Putting HBCUs at a disadvantage
The APP requires college teams to hit certain academic benchmarks. If a team comes up short of the benchmark, which uses a metric called the APR (Academic Progress Rate), the punishment can range from having practice time cut, to a ban on postseason play.
The benchmarks are based on team members' grades, eligibility, whether they're graduating or staying in school. And they put HBCUs at a disadvantage.
Attorney Beth Fegan says that's because an important part of HBCUs mission has always been to enroll low income, first generation and at-risk students.
"And so HBCUs are already starting at lower graduation success rates, lower academic progress rates," Fegan said, "and yet they're being held to the same benchmarks as predominantly white institutions who don't have the mission [HBCUs do]. The NCAA should be supporting the mission of HBCUs, not penalizing them for it."
Fegan has done battle with the NCAA before. The discrimination lawsuit she and other attorneys filed Thursday in Federal District Court, zeroes in on the academic penalties. A decade's worth, that Fegan says skews dramatically toward HBCUs.
"While only six and a half percent of Division 1 schools are HBCUs," she said, "Seventy-two percent of the teams that've been banned from post-season competition are HBCUs. So in effect, 114 of 159 teams are HBCU teams that've been banned."
The bans on those HBCU teams meant less money for schools that aren't rich to start with. And it meant college athlete's lives were altered.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Murphy/Getty Images Joe Murphy/Getty Images
No chance to shine
In 2017, Troyce Manassa was the senior captain of the men's basketball team at Savannah State University. It's the oldest public HBCU in Georgia. A 6'4" guard, Manassa was named to his All-Conference second team. But his final season ended with a post-season ban, because the team from several years earlier didn't hit its academic benchmarks. For Manassa, it meant no chance to shine in tournament play.
"It caused me a lot of emotional distress," Manassa said. "Just knowing that we could've done something, knowing I could've had that opportunity. Also knowing I could've achieved some milestones, like [scoring] 1,000 points [for his career]. I finished with 900 and something. Just [not being able to] perform on the big stage. It was just a bummer for me overall."
Without the extra visibility he would've gotten in the postseason, Manassa had to hunt for professional opportunities after he graduated. He eventually landed on lower division teams in Mongolia and Australia.
"The levels I've played at so far [were] the lowest of the low," he said. "And I definitely think I could've played at a much higher level."
Now 27, Manassa has paused his basketball odyssey because of the pandemic.
He's studying for the GRE and hopes to pursue a masters degree in business research. And he also has a new role – he's one of three named plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the NCAA.
Sports College Football This Fall Could Create Legal Troubles For NCAA College Football This Fall Could Create Legal Troubles For NCAA Listen · 3:49 3:49
Manassa says he relished the nurturing environment at his HBCU. But having experienced the penalty of not measuring up academically, even though he wasn't the reason, Manassa feels strongly that the NCAA needs to measure more fairly.
"All schools are not created equal," he said. "So how you going to hold every school to the same standard if every school don't have the means to live up to those standards?"
Inaccurate, inequitable and discriminatory
Monique Ositelu, PhD, has spent a good deal of her professional time thinking about the inequities of the current system. She is a senior policy analyst at New America, a policy think tank in Washington, D.C., and focuses on higher education issues.
Ositelu was also a former Division 1 track and field athlete, so these issues are near to her heart.
Her preference is for the NCAA to do away with the APP's APR metric.
"It's an innacurate, inequitable and discriminatory tool," she said. "In its attempt to say it's measuring academic progress, there's no empirical evidence that it's doing that."
And Ositelu says if the intention of penalizing schools was to improve academic progress and graduation rates, that's not happening either.
Sports NCAA Board of Governors To Ensure Fair Compensation For College Athletes NCAA Board of Governors To Ensure Fair Compensation For College Athletes Listen · 3:37 3:37
"I found in collecting data," she said, "that even [with] those schools that got a penalty, both HBCU and non-HBCU, [the penalty] had no effect on increasing the grad rate. So the question is, is it doing what they intended it to do? Or is this an underlying approach to use policies to perpetuate institutional racism, and cover it by saying 'oh we want all our student athletes to do well,' but actually [the penalties] are dismantling HBCU athletic programs and having disproportionate impacts on Black athletes."
Any path forward, Ositelu says, has to be more equitable. And whatever metrics are used to promote academic progress among college athletes, she says they need to be race and resource conscious.
"Understanding that HBCUs have a completely different mission than predominantly white institutions," Ositelu said. "Their student bodies, with their challenges and needs, are different. And so [it's important] to give HBCUs latitude and autonomy to alter these metrics. Tailor them to what HBCUs can actually achieve. So it's not punitive."
The rules continue
The NCAA did not respond to repeated requests for comment on this story.
But over the years, NCAA officials have acknowledged, numerous times, that academic rules and penalties hurt Black athletes and HBCUs disproportionately.
Still, the rules continued.
The NCAA has provided extra money to HBCUs to help with academic support for athletes. But critics say it still pales in comparison to the money that large, predominantly white schools spend.
The lawsuit filed Thursday asks for compensation for Black college athletes whose teams have been penalized by the APP, and for an end to the program and its penalties.


npr--2020-12-10--Biden Administration: Here's Who Has Been Named So Far

Biden Administration : Here 's Who Has Been Named So Far Updated on Dec. 10 at 3:40 p.m .
ET President-elect Joe Biden is assembling his inner circle of advisers and Cabinet officials as Inauguration Day on Jan. 20 draws closer .
In his latest selection , Biden tapped Democratic Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio as the secretary of housing and urban development and Tom Vilsack as head of the Department of Agriculture — a role Vilsack held during both terms of the Obama administration .
The president-elect selected Denis McDonough , another Obama administration alum , for secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama 's chief of staff during his second term .
Biden announced Katherine Tai as his pick for the U.S. trade representative .
Tai currently is the chief trade counsel for the House Committee on Ways and Means .
He said Susan Rice would lead his Domestic Policy Council .
Rice served in the Obama administration as both U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and later as national security adviser .
NPR is providing information on the members of the Biden team as they are announced for the White House , national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions and other positions , including CDC director and economic advisers .
As Biden begins to act on some of his early promises , he is naming close advisers and aides to work with him in the White House — people who will run operations and brief him on top matters of national security , the economy and other key issues .
Most of these officials do not need U.S. Senate confirmation .
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and soon-to-be first lady Jill Biden also are naming their top aides .
As the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on by the coronavirus pandemic , increased focus will be on whom Biden picks to lead his economic , financial and trade policies .
Many of these nominees will play crucial roles in determining further coronavirus relief aid .
These positions must be confirmed by the Senate .
Biden will also nominate officials to lead the federal government 's domestic and international security efforts .
These officials will oversee U.S. intelligence and defense as well as spearhead relations with world leaders and international coalitions .
All of these officials must also be confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new climate position in the National Security Council .
Biden will overhaul departments to remove Trump appointees and nominate officials who will carry out his policy agenda .
These officials require Senate confirmation .
These officials will work on Biden 's push to roll back Trump administration policies on immigration and climate as well as help with the coronavirus response .
Most of these officials for key agencies must also receive Senate confirmation .
This page was originally published on Nov. 17 at 11:49 a.m .
ET .

Biden Administration: Here Are His Cabinet Members And Key Advisers
Enlarge this image Caroline Amenabar/NPR, Stephen Melkisethian/Flickr Caroline Amenabar/NPR, Stephen Melkisethian/Flickr
The U.S. Senate continues to take up President Biden's nominees for key roles.
The top figures in an administration are made up of a combination of Cabinet and high-ranking nominees who require Senate confirmation, and senior advisers tapped by the president, who don't require congressional approval.
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Below, see who Biden's chosen for:
Note that Biden's original nominee to head the Office of Management and Budget, Neera Tanden, withdrew from consideration on March 2.
National security: These officials oversee U.S. intelligence and defense, and spearhead relations with world leaders and international coalitions.
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Economic policy: These picks direct Biden's economic and trade policies, and the government's financial oversight.
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Additional members of Biden's Cabinet: These nominees, who all require Senate confirmation, help carry out Biden's policy agenda on issues ranging from health care to climate change.
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Other key positions: These top roles include officials who help in the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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White House: These are the top aides Biden counts on to run his White House and advise him on top policy initiatives. Most did not need confirmation by the Senate.
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NPR's Roberta Rampton contributed reporting.


npr--2020-12-10--Morocco Becomes Latest Arab Country To Normalize Ties With Israel

Morocco Becomes Latest Arab Country To Normalize Ties With Israel Israel and Morocco have agreed to normalize relations , the fourth such pact in recent months between Israel and Arab countries in the Middle East and Africa .
In announcing the latest agreement on Thursday , President Trump tweeted : `` Another HISTORIC breakthrough today !
Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations – a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East ! ''
In an apparent quid pro quo for Morocco 's diplomatic opening to Israel , Trump also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sovereignty over Western Sahara .
`` Morocco 's serious , credible , and realistic autonomy proposal is the ONLY basis for a just and lasting solution for enduring peace and prosperity ! ''
the president tweeted .
Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony largely controlled by Morocco since Spain withdrew more than 40 years ago .
Virtually no nation recognizes Morocco 's sovereignty over the non-self-governing territory , and the region 's Indigenous population has waged a decades-long struggle for independence .
The change in U.S. policy on Western Sahara took officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A U.N. spokesman said officials there learned about it in a tweet and still believe the status of the former Spanish colony should be resolved according to U.N. resolutions .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the agreement with Morocco and thanked Trump `` for his extraordinary efforts to expand peace , to bring peace to Israel and the peoples of the Middle East . ''
The Israeli leader also thanked Morocco 's King Mohammed VI `` for taking this historic decision to bring a historic peace between us . ''
Netanyahu said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship '' and would be working to establish full diplomatic relations and begin flights between the two countries .
In September , Netanyahu and representatives of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates officially normalized relations , signing diplomatic agreements during a White House ceremony that was hosted by Trump .
The Trump administration had also brokered those deals .
The following month , Israel and Sudan agreed to normalize their relations and open economic and trade ties .
In another quid pro quo for an Arab nation 's recognition of Israel , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its State Sponsors of Terrorism list .
Palestinian officials say the series of deals has come at the expense of their hopes for an independent state .
They have long urged Arab countries to withhold ties with Israel until Israel and the Palestinians reach a final peace agreement .
Jared Kushner , Trump 's son-in-law and senior adviser , said , `` This recognition will strengthen America 's relationship with Morocco .
It recognizes the inevitable . ''

Morocco Becomes Latest Arab Country To Normalize Ties With Israel
Enlarge this image toggle caption Emil Salman/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Emil Salman/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Israel and Morocco have agreed to normalize relations, the fourth such pact in recent months between Israel and Arab countries in the Middle East and Africa.
In announcing the latest agreement on Thursday, President Trump tweeted: "Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations – a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East!"
In an apparent quid pro quo for Morocco's diplomatic opening to Israel, Trump also said he signed a proclamation recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. "Morocco's serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal is the ONLY basis for a just and lasting solution for enduring peace and prosperity!" the president tweeted.
Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony largely controlled by Morocco since Spain withdrew more than 40 years ago. Virtually no nation recognizes Morocco's sovereignty over the non-self-governing territory, and the region's Indigenous population has waged a decades-long struggle for independence.
The change in U.S. policy on Western Sahara took officials at the United Nations by surprise. A U.N. spokesman said officials there learned about it in a tweet and still believe the status of the former Spanish colony should be resolved according to U.N. resolutions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the agreement with Morocco and thanked Trump "for his extraordinary efforts to expand peace, to bring peace to Israel and the peoples of the Middle East."
The Israeli leader also thanked Morocco's King Mohammed VI "for taking this historic decision to bring a historic peace between us." Netanyahu said their nations "have had a warm relationship" and would be working to establish full diplomatic relations and begin flights between the two countries.
In September, Netanyahu and representatives of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates officially normalized relations, signing diplomatic agreements during a White House ceremony that was hosted by Trump. The Trump administration had also brokered those deals.
The following month, Israel and Sudan agreed to normalize their relations and open economic and trade ties. In another quid pro quo for an Arab nation's recognition of Israel, the U.S. said it would remove Sudan from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list.
Palestinian officials say the series of deals has come at the expense of their hopes for an independent state. They have long urged Arab countries to withhold ties with Israel until Israel and the Palestinians reach a final peace agreement.
Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, said, "This recognition will strengthen America's relationship with Morocco. It recognizes the inevitable."
NPR's Michele Kelemen contributed to this report.