inquisitr--2020-05-14--Jared Kushner Reportedly Convinced Donald Trump In March That Coronavirus Testing Would ‘Spook Marke

Jared Kushner Reportedly Convinced Donald Trump In March That Coronavirus Testing Would ‘Spook Markets’

President Donald Trump and his administration have faced criticism for being slow to respond to the coronavirus pandemic , particularly when it comes to testing efforts .
A new report from the Financial Times sheds light on the topic , saying that Trump was reportedly convinced early on by his adviser and son-in-law , Jared Kushner , that testing was a bad idea .
Earlier this week , Trump appeared before a banner that touted the U.S. for leading the world in testing , a claim that some critics say is inaccurate .
Meanwhile , Kushner said that the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and predicted that the country would be back to normal by the summer .
But early on , some argue that Trump didn ’ t take testing seriously .
On March 6 , Trump visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a show that his administration had the situation well in-hand .
In the days following , he famously said on several occasions that the virus would fade out .
He also claimed that anyone who needed testing would be able to access it shortly ; a statement that proved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reveals that part of the president ’ s seeming hesitancy to focus on testing is the result of urging by Kushner , who reportedly worried that a focus on access to tests and ventilator manufacturing would send the wrong message and cause the markets to crash .
Back in March , Kushner ’ s advice held more weight with the president than the messages coming from experts , an anonymous source inside the White House said .
“ Jared [ Kushner ] had been arguing that testing too many people , or ordering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets and so we just shouldn ’ t do it , ” the insider said .
“ That advice worked far more powerfully on him than what the scientists were saying .
He thinks they always exaggerate.
” Detractors say that the coronavirus is the crisis of Trump ’ s tenure in the office , much like 9/11 was for George W. Bush .
“ It is as though we knew for a fact that 9/11 was going to happen for months , did nothing to prepare for it and then shrugged a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oh well , there ’ s not much we can do about it , ' ” Gonsalves said .
“ Trump could have prevented mass deaths and he didn ’ t. ” Another insider said that it has been difficult to give Trump advice .
The source claimed it was like “ bringing fruits to the volcano.
” Anthony Scaramucci , a former Trump adviser and head of communications in the White House , claimed that the people around the president are forced to flatter him , prove their loyalty , and bolster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does .

President Donald Trump and his administration have faced criticism for being slow to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, particularly when it comes to testing efforts. A new report from the Financial Times sheds light on the topic, saying that Trump was reportedly convinced early on by his adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, that testing was a bad idea.
Earlier this week, Trump appeared before a banner that touted the U.S. for leading the world in testing, a claim that some critics say is inaccurate. Meanwhile, Kushner said that the Trump administration had responded well to the pandemic and predicted that the country would be back to normal by the summer.
But early on, some argue that Trump didn’t take testing seriously. On March 6, Trump visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a show that his administration had the situation well in-hand. In the days following, he famously said on several occasions that the virus would fade out. He also claimed that anyone who needed testing would be able to access it shortly; a statement that proved to be inaccurate.
Now, an insider reveals that part of the president’s seeming hesitancy to focus on testing is the result of urging by Kushner, who reportedly worried that a focus on access to tests and ventilator manufacturing would send the wrong message and cause the markets to crash.
Back in March, Kushner’s advice held more weight with the president than the messages coming from experts, an anonymous source inside the White House said.
“Jared [Kushner] had been arguing that testing too many people, or ordering too many ventilators, would spook the markets and so we just shouldn’t do it,” the insider said. “That advice worked far more powerfully on him than what the scientists were saying. He thinks they always exaggerate.”
Detractors say that the coronavirus is the crisis of Trump’s tenure in the office, much like 9/11 was for George W. Bush.
Gregg Gonsalves, a public health scholar at Yale University, criticized Trump’s apparent inaction.
“It is as though we knew for a fact that 9/11 was going to happen for months, did nothing to prepare for it and then shrugged a few days later and said, ‘Oh well, there’s not much we can do about it,'” Gonsalves said. “Trump could have prevented mass deaths and he didn’t.”
Another insider said that it has been difficult to give Trump advice. The source claimed it was like “bringing fruits to the volcano.”
Anthony Scaramucci, a former Trump adviser and head of communications in the White House, claimed that the people around the president are forced to flatter him, prove their loyalty, and bolster his ego, something critics say Kushner does.


inquisitr--2020-05-14--Richard Burr Stepping Down As Senate Intel Chair After FBI Seized Phone In Stock Sale Investigation

Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina temporarily stepped down from his position as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee .
The move comes one day after the FBI seized his phone as part of an investigation into whether or not the Republican lawmaker used inside information about the coronavirus pandemic to influence his decision to sell hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stock in mid-February , Bloomberg reported Thursday .
“ Senator Burr contacted me this morning to inform me of his decision to step aside as chairman of the Intelligence Committee during the pendency of the investigation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We agreed that this decision would be in the best interests of the committee and will be effective at the end of the day tomorrow.
” FBI agents reportedly received a warrant Wednesday night and seized Burr ’ s phone at his residence .
The senator is accused of using non-public information obtained during cl0sed-door meetings about COVID-19 for financial gain .
While he has denied any wrongdoing and has called for the Ethics Committee to look into the matter , as The Inquisitr previously reported , he said he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his stocks .
Critics claim he used information not available to the broader public to sell more than $ 1 million in stocks shortly before the economic downturn hit the country and the market crashed .
Burr isn ’ t the only lawmaker accused of using inside information to make financial decisions .
Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler from Georgia is also accused of selling stock at the end of January after attending a closed-door meeting that reportedly focused on the impending coronavirus pandemic .
She has also denied the accusation , Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the personal transaction reports that were filed , it notices at the bottom that I ’ m only informed of my transactions after they occur — several weeks , ” Loeffler said .
“ So , certainly , those transactions — at least on my behalf — were a mix of buys and sells .
Very routine for my portfolio.
” Senators James Inhofe , a Republican from Oklahoma , and Dianne Feinstein , a Democrat from California , have also been accused of selling stocks .
They both deny any wrongdoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feinstein , no further action has been taken against her .
Burr has yet to comment on the seizure of his phone and his replacement on the Intelligence committee has yet to be announced .
He has already stated he doesn ’ t plan to run for reelection in 2022 when his term ends .

Oops! Page Not Found
The page you were looking for doesn’t exist,
isn’t available or was loaded incorrectly.


inquisitr--2020-05-14--Lindsey Graham Warns ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’ After Donald Trump Called For Barack Obama To Te

Lindsey Graham Warns ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’ After Donald Trump Called For Barack Obama To Testify

On Thursday , President Donald Trump tweeted that he wanted Sen. Lindsey Graham to force former President Barack Obama to testify regarding the so-called Obamagate , but the South Carolina Republican poured cold water on the idea , according to Politico .
“ If I were a Senator or Congressman , the first person I would call to testify about the biggest political crime and scandal in the history of the USA , by FAR , is former President Obama , ” Trump wrote .
The message was one of over 100 messages by Trump on social media about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was politically motivated and ordered by the former president .
While Trump hasn ’ t presented any evidence for his claim , he has called for an investigation into the situation , something he feels that Graham , who chairs the Senate judiciary committee , should initiate .
Graham replied to the tweet , shooting down the idea .
“ I don ’ t think now ’ s the time for me to do that .
I don ’ t know if that ’ s even possible , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but be careful what you wish for.
” Graham expressed concern that to compel Obama to testify could set a dangerous precedent and it could mean that Trump himself could be made to testify after he is no longer in the Oval Office .
“ We do have oversight of it as Congress — appropriate oversight , ” Graham said .
“ But hauling a former president before an oversight committee , I don ’ t think that ’ s been done before .
And presidentially , I ’ d be careful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
Trump ’ s Justice Department has argued that a former president can ’ t be compelled to testify before Congress .
Graham has said , however , that he plans to have several people who worked in the Obama administration testify before the committee .
Other GOP leaders have refrained from commenting on whether or not the Justice Department or Congress should investigate Obama and members of his administration for what role , if any , it had in the FBI ’ s investigation into Trump ’ s alleged contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Inquisitr previously reported , Trump has called the situation the “ biggest political crime ” in history , though he hasn ’ t mentioned any specific crimes that he believes the former president may have committed .
A few days ago , he told reporters that the so-called crime is obvious .
Some have speculated that the issue Trump is referring to is an old claim he made that Obama had ordered his phones wiretapped at his Trump Tower office , though former FBI Director James Comey has denied that this took @ @

On Thursday, President Donald Trump tweeted that he wanted Sen. Lindsey Graham to force former President Barack Obama to testify regarding the so-called Obamagate, but the South Carolina Republican poured cold water on the idea, according to Politico.
“If I were a Senator or Congressman, the first person I would call to testify about the biggest political crime and scandal in the history of the USA, by FAR, is former President Obama,” Trump wrote.
The message was one of over 100 messages by Trump on social media about a claim that the Russian investigation against him was politically motivated and ordered by the former president. While Trump hasn’t presented any evidence for his claim, he has called for an investigation into the situation, something he feels that Graham, who chairs the Senate judiciary committee, should initiate.
Graham replied to the tweet, shooting down the idea.
“I don’t think now’s the time for me to do that. I don’t know if that’s even possible,” he said. “I understand President Trump’s frustration, but be careful what you wish for.”
Graham expressed concern that to compel Obama to testify could set a dangerous precedent and it could mean that Trump himself could be made to testify after he is no longer in the Oval Office.
“We do have oversight of it as Congress — appropriate oversight,” Graham said. “But hauling a former president before an oversight committee, I don’t think that’s been done before. And presidentially, I’d be careful what I wish for,” he added.
Trump’s Justice Department has argued that a former president can’t be compelled to testify before Congress. Graham has said, however, that he plans to have several people who worked in the Obama administration testify before the committee.
Other GOP leaders have refrained from commenting on whether or not the Justice Department or Congress should investigate Obama and members of his administration for what role, if any, it had in the FBI’s investigation into Trump’s alleged contact with Russia during the 2016 campaign.
As The Inquisitr previously reported, Trump has called the situation the “biggest political crime” in history, though he hasn’t mentioned any specific crimes that he believes the former president may have committed. A few days ago, he told reporters that the so-called crime is obvious.
.@PhilipRucker: You appeared to accuse Obama of a crime yesterday. What did he do? TRUMP: "Obamagate." RUCKER: What is the crime? TRUMP: "You know what the crime is. The crime is very obvious to everybody." pic.twitter.com/EUueidNwGp — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 11, 2020
Some have speculated that the issue Trump is referring to is an old claim he made that Obama had ordered his phones wiretapped at his Trump Tower office, though former FBI Director James Comey has denied that this took place.


inquisitr--2020-05-14--President Donald Trump Slams Coronavirus Whistleblower Rick Bright, Calls Him A ‘Disgruntled Employe

President Donald Trump Slams Coronavirus Whistleblower Rick Bright, Calls Him A ‘Disgruntled Employee’

Earlier this morning , President Donald Trump took to his Twitter account to tweet that he had never met or heard of ousted scientist and coronavirus whistleblower Rick Bright ahead of the scientist ’ s congressional testimony .
Trump went on to say that Bright was not “ liked or respected ” by anyone he has spoken to about him and that he believes Bright is nothing more than a “ disgruntled employee ” that has no place in the government .
According to CNBC , Bright ’ s testimony to Congress is about the Trump administration ’ s handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since the tweet was published , Bright stood before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health with prepared remarks about Trump ’ s handling of the virus .
The scientist believes the country will suffer “ if leaders can ’ t mount a more coordinated response to contain the outbreak.
” Previously , Bright worked as the director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority .
He was removed and sent to work for the National Institutes of Health , where the duties are reportedly less demanding .
After his ousting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Office of Special Counsel .
According to his attorneys , he was transferred after his outspoken criticism of Trump and his desire “ to provide unfettered access to potentially dangerous drugs , including chloroquine… which is untested and possibly deadly when used improperly.
” Trump previously came under fire for touting anti-malaria drugs as a potential cure for the coronavirus .
He also received backlash after theorizing that disinfectants could potentially be injected into people suffering from the virus .
ABC News reported that Trump ’ s attack on Bright comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly rejected the advice of the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci , on how cautious governors and local officials need to be when reopening schools amid the pandemic.
” The president told reporters that schools should be reopened as the virus has very little impact on younger people .
Contrary to his statement , there have been increasing news reports of young folks becoming afflicted with COVID-19 .
An article from CNN said Bright is hoping to be reinstated to his position as director of the Biomedical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prepared testimony received by the publication , Bright is expected to warn Congress that “ without clear planning and implementation of the steps that I and other experts have outlined , 2020 will be the darkest winter in modern history.
” He is also expected to reiterate that he believes he was removed from his position because he did not promote the use of unproven drugs to American citizens “ without transparent information on the potential health risks .
”


inquisitr--2020-05-14--Donald Trump Lashes Out At Barack Obama, Says He’s Involved In ‘Biggest Political Crime’ In US Histo

Donald Trump Lashes Out At Barack Obama, Says He’s Involved In ‘Biggest Political Crime’ In US History

President Donald Trump on Thursday lashed out at former president Barack Obama , accusing him of knowledge of the “ biggest political crime in history.
” In a Facebook post , Trump suggested the Senate or the House of Representatives needs to call in the 44th president to testify before either body .
“ If I were a Senator or Congressman , the first person I would call to testify about the biggest political crime and scandal in the history of the USA , by FAR , is former President Obama .
He knew EVERYTHING .
Do it Lindsey Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Nice Guy .
No more talk !
” he wrote .
What crime Trump is calling on the South Carolina senator — or any of his colleagues in either legislative body — to investigate is unclear , as of this writing .
As Slate reported , Trump has been mentioning unspecified crimes supposedly committed by Obama for a few days now , sometimes referring to the matter as “ Obamagate.
” Over the previous weekend , Trump tweeted several times about “ Obamagate ” and “ the biggest political crime in history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime could be .
When questioned about it by The Washington Post reporter Philip Rucker , Trump intimated there ’ s no ambiguity about the supposed crime .
“ You know what the crime is .
The crime is very obvious to everybody .
All you have to do is read the newspapers , except yours , ” Trump told Rucker .
Slate writer Jeremy Stahl posited that “ Obamagate ” refers to a supposed 2016 incident of which Obama was never tied to any wrongdoing .
In March 2017 , shortly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had ordered his phones in his office at Trump Tower wiretapped , a claim that had appeared in Breitbart News .
At the time , Representative Devin Nunes , the then-chair of the House Intelligence Committee , promised to investigate .
Some time later , then-FBI Director James Comey testified before the committee that neither the FBI nor the Department of Justice had any evidence supporting the idea that Trump ’ s phones had been wiretapped , the Associated Press reported .
Two years later , in April 2019 , Trump revisited the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no crime was committed and intimating instead that he was not being literal , that his allegations were made on a hunch , and that they were “ insignificant.
” However , in August 2019 , as The Hill reported , Trump said the allegation of wiretapping “ turned out to be true.
” As of this writing , Senator Graham has not responded to Trump ’ s appeal to call Obama to testify .

President Donald Trump on Thursday lashed out at former president Barack Obama, accusing him of knowledge of the “biggest political crime in history.”
In a Facebook post, Trump suggested the Senate or the House of Representatives needs to call in the 44th president to testify before either body.
“If I were a Senator or Congressman, the first person I would call to testify about the biggest political crime and scandal in the history of the USA, by FAR, is former President Obama. He knew EVERYTHING. Do it Lindsey Graham, just do it. No more Mr. Nice Guy. No more talk!” he wrote.
What crime Trump is calling on the South Carolina senator — or any of his colleagues in either legislative body — to investigate is unclear, as of this writing.
As Slate reported, Trump has been mentioning unspecified crimes supposedly committed by Obama for a few days now, sometimes referring to the matter as “Obamagate.”
Over the previous weekend, Trump tweeted several times about “Obamagate” and “the biggest political crime in history,” without mentioning what that supposed crime could be. When questioned about it by The Washington Post reporter Philip Rucker, Trump intimated there’s no ambiguity about the supposed crime.
“You know what the crime is. The crime is very obvious to everybody. All you have to do is read the newspapers, except yours,” Trump told Rucker.
.@PhilipRucker: You appeared to accuse Obama of a crime yesterday. What did he do? TRUMP: "Obamagate." RUCKER: What is the crime? TRUMP: "You know what the crime is. The crime is very obvious to everybody." pic.twitter.com/EUueidNwGp — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 11, 2020
Slate writer Jeremy Stahl posited that “Obamagate” refers to a supposed 2016 incident of which Obama was never tied to any wrongdoing.
In March 2017, shortly after his inauguration, Trump tweeted that Obama had ordered his phones in his office at Trump Tower wiretapped, a claim that had appeared in Breitbart News.
At the time, Representative Devin Nunes, the then-chair of the House Intelligence Committee, promised to investigate. Some time later, then-FBI Director James Comey testified before the committee that neither the FBI nor the Department of Justice had any evidence supporting the idea that Trump’s phones had been wiretapped, the Associated Press reported.
Two years later, in April 2019, Trump revisited the allegation, this time appearing to concede that no crime was committed and intimating instead that he was not being literal, that his allegations were made on a hunch, and that they were “insignificant.”
However, in August 2019, as The Hill reported, Trump said the allegation of wiretapping “turned out to be true.”
As of this writing, Senator Graham has not responded to Trump’s appeal to call Obama to testify.


inquisitr--2020-05-14--Donald Trump And Joe Biden Deadlocked In Traditionally Red State Of Georgia, Poll Shows

The state of Georgia has gone to Republicans in presidential elections for close to 30 years , but a new poll suggests that could change in November .
As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported , an internal poll released by a group supporting Georgia Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp showed that President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden are deadlocked in the state , with Biden holding a slim edge that is within the poll ’ s margin of error .
The poll showed that Biden had the support of 47 percent of voters , compared to 46 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that most voters had already made up their minds , with just 5 percent saying they were undecided .
As the report noted , Trump held a slight edge in voters who were positive of their decision for the vote in November .
“ Trump has a slight intensity advantage over Biden , with 43 % of voters saying they ’ ll ‘ definitely ’ vote for him compared with 39 % who say the same about the Democrat , ” the report noted .
Trump won Georgia by just over 5 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe it could be a swing state in 2020 after close statewide elections in 2018 .
If Biden could pick up the state , it could create a difficult path to victory for Trump .
He won in 2016 by a slim margin , flipping a series of traditionally blue states in Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin and leaving little room for error .
Bill Clinton was the last Democrat to win in the Peach State , with the Arkansas governor taking Georgia and a number of other southern states in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what effect Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus could have on his election chances in Georgia .
As the National Review noted , the poll did not ask voters whether they approve of his handling of the crisis , but it did find that a slim majority approved of how Kemp has responded .
A total of 51 percent said they approved of his decision to allow some businesses to begin reopening in the state , despite criticism from those who believe it was not yet safe .
Other polls have shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As The Inquisitr reported , a new poll of battleground states released by CNN showed that while Biden holds a five-point lead nationally , Trump holds a slight edge among the 15 states identified as likely battlegrounds in November — Wisconsin , Pennsylvania , Georgia , Minnesota , Nevada , North Carolina , Ohio , Florida , Maine , New Mexico , Arizona , New Hampshire , Virginia , Colorado , and Michigan .

The state of Georgia has gone to Republicans in presidential elections for close to 30 years, but a new poll suggests that could change in November.
As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, an internal poll released by a group supporting Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp showed that President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden are deadlocked in the state, with Biden holding a slim edge that is within the poll’s margin of error. The poll showed that Biden had the support of 47 percent of voters, compared to 46 percent for Trump. The poll also found that most voters had already made up their minds, with just 5 percent saying they were undecided.
As the report noted, Trump held a slight edge in voters who were positive of their decision for the vote in November.
“Trump has a slight intensity advantage over Biden, with 43% of voters saying they’ll ‘definitely’ vote for him compared with 39% who say the same about the Democrat,” the report noted.
Trump won Georgia by just over 5 points in 2016, but many political experts believe it could be a swing state in 2020 after close statewide elections in 2018. If Biden could pick up the state, it could create a difficult path to victory for Trump. He won in 2016 by a slim margin, flipping a series of traditionally blue states in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin and leaving little room for error. Bill Clinton was the last Democrat to win in the Peach State, with the Arkansas governor taking Georgia and a number of other southern states in the 1992 election.
It was not clear what effect Trump’s handling of the coronavirus could have on his election chances in Georgia. As the National Review noted, the poll did not ask voters whether they approve of his handling of the crisis, but it did find that a slim majority approved of how Kemp has responded. A total of 51 percent said they approved of his decision to allow some businesses to begin reopening in the state, despite criticism from those who believe it was not yet safe.
Other polls have shown a close race across the country. As The Inquisitr reported, a new poll of battleground states released by CNN showed that while Biden holds a five-point lead nationally, Trump holds a slight edge among the 15 states identified as likely battlegrounds in November — Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, Maine, New Mexico, Arizona, New Hampshire, Virginia, Colorado, and Michigan.


inquisitr--2020-05-14--Joe Biden Backs Anthony Fauci Amid Criticism From Donald Trump

President Donald Trump and one of his top advisors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic , Dr.Anthony Fauci , Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , are seemingly at odds after the president criticized Fauci ’ s recent Senate testimony on Wednesday .
However , presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden believes that Trump continues to miss the mark with regards to the novel coronavirus and expressed support for Fauci via Twitter .
In addition to retweeting a CNN story about GOP senators being split on Fauci ’ s admonishment that the U.S. may be reopening too quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he trusts Fauci and took aim at some of Trump ’ s past statements and actions .
Fauci and three other high-ranking administration officials testified before a Senate committee on Tuesday , as the legislative body aims to track the administration ’ s progress in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic .
During Fauci ’ s testimony , Kentucky Senator Rand Paul — a medical doctor in his own right — sparred with the infectious disease expert on the issue of keeping schools closed .
While Fauci testified specifically with regards to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he also pointed out that children are not exempt from potentially becoming infected .
Meanwhile , Paul pointedly declared that keeping schools closed would be “ a huge mistake.
” As reported by The Inquisitr , President Trump has taken the same stance as Paul and is vehemently against the notion of keeping schools closed .
Trump even went so far as to deem that portion of Fauci ’ s testimony as being “ unacceptable , ” per Politico .
“ I was surprised by his answer , actually , because , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me , it ’ s not an acceptable answer , especially when it comes to schools , ” Trump said while meeting with governors at the White House .
For his part , Biden has consistently espoused a more cautious approach to reopening the American economy , expressing concern that doing so too quickly and/or without the proper safety protocols in place could make the situation even worse than it already is .
During a Tuesday appearance on Good Morning America , Biden said that he would advise governors to listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science as they weigh the merits of reopening commerce .
He went on to assess Trump ’ s response to the pandemic as “ incompetent .
”


inquisitr--2020-05-13--Coronavirus Test Used By Donald Trump And White House Staff Is Unreliable, According To New Study

An NYU Langone Health study suggests that the Abbott Laboratories rapid coronavirus test used by President Donald Trump and his White House staff is unreliable and creates false negatives in almost half of all cases , Raw Story reported .
According to the study , the test created false negatives approximately one-third of the time when using a nasal swab transported in a liquid solution and 48 percent of the time when using a dry swab — the procedure recommended by the company .
As noted by Raw Story , the study is not yet peer-reviewed , and Abbott Laboratories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it ’ s not clear if the samples were properly gathered .
Scott Stoffel , a spokesman for the company , claimed that the reported rate of false negatives for the test is 0.02 percent and said that a University of Detroit study found that test to be 98 percent accurate .
As reported by Forbes , “ point-of-care ” tests such as the one provided by Abbott Laboratories — which offers results in fewer than 13 minutes — are being used to increase testing in the United States as the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , countries that have successfully flattened their coronavirus curve have utilized mass testing to track and isolate infected individuals .
“ The fact that it misses positive samples on patients being admitted to the hospital with clinical picture of COVID19 makes this technology unacceptable in our clinical setting , ” the study reads .
The news comes after in the wake of a new White House policy that requires Trump and staffers to wear masks .
The plan was implemented after staffers close to Trump and Vice President Mike Pence tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Business Journal , Abbott Laboratories recently received an emergency authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its new “ Alinity m ” test , which can reportedly process 1,080 coronavirus tests in 24 hours .
Robert Ford , president and chief executive officer of Abbott , released a statement on the new test ’ s rollout and its importance amid the pandemic .
The company is reportedly working to install the instrument in hospitals and health systems across the country .
According to a study from Harvard University , 41 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to safely reopen their economies .


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Trump Administration Official Sued By ACLU Over Sexual Assault Rule Change

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit against the Trump administration ’ s Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos over changes in regulations governing how K-12 campuses and colleges handle allegations of assault .
Yahoo News reported that the lawsuit , filed Thursday , claims that DeVos ’ changes could “ inflict significant harm ” on victims and “ dramatically undermine ” the civil rights of accusers .
The changes are to a 1972 law referred to as Title IX , which was enacted to prevent discrimination on campuses that received federal financial aid .
DeVos ’ changes which have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process rights of those being accused of assault and harassment .
The changes make the educational institutions ’ hearing process more similar to that of a courtroom , including live hearings and cross-examinations .
The ACLU ’ s suit was filed on behalf of four groups , including Know Your IX and Girls for Gender Equity , and was filed in U.S. District Court in Maryland .
The suit was filed by the ACLU ’ s New York-based law firm Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP and stated what they believe to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This new federal effort to weaken Title IX makes it more difficult for victims… to continue their educations and needlessly comes amid a global pandemic.
” Last week , DeVos recorded a message about the issue of grievances between students being heard and ruled on under the revised law .
The education secretary assured viewers that it was their utmost priority to ensure fairness and lay the foundation for a just criminal trial in cases where the accusations carry on outside the education setting .
“ Justice is not a political issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process everyone can trust .
A process widely believed to deliver fair and reliable results … Too often these young women and men suffered unthinkable acts , mustered the courage to report them , endured a grievance process , and thought they had achieved justice only to have it overturned in courts of law.
” Critics are frustrated that there is reportedly a heavier burden on those alleging sexual harassment than on students who allege other forms of harassment , ” and fear that tighter restrictions on the reporting process will lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
School issues are still currently on hold , however , thanks to the global coronavirus pandemic .
As The Inquisitr previously reported , there is currently still some disagreement among President Donald Trump and his advisors about when schools will re-open after nationwide closures .

'1000 Lb Sister' Tammy Slaton Defends Her 'Filtered' Pictures, Ask Critics to Talk to Her Hand
She said, "Listen, I am not trying to be rude, but it's my profile. And if I like using the filters, I will. Plain and simple," as she waved goodbye. ...


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Donald Trump Slammed For Claim He Never Heard Of Whistleblower, One Of Nation’s Top Biomedical Exper

Donald Trump Slammed For Claim He Never Heard Of Whistleblower, One Of Nation’s Top Biomedical Experts

Donald Trump is coming under fire for a claim that he had never “ even heard of ” a whistleblower who is criticizing the administration ’ s coronavirus response — even though the man who blew the whistle is one of the nation ’ s top biomedical research experts .
Trump took to Twitter on Thursday to blast Rick Bright , the former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority , the government agency working on a vaccine for the virus .
Trump claimed in one tweet that he never met or even heard of Bright , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bright was one of the top experts within the administration responding to the coronavirus .
“ I don ’ t know the so-called Whistleblower Rick Bright , never met him or even heard of him , but to me he is a disgruntled employee , not liked or respected by people I spoke to and who , with his attitude , should no longer be working for our government !
” Trump tweeted .
That came under criticism from Congressman Joe Kennedy , who hinted that the claim reflects rather poorly on Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t know or even hear of the person in charge of biomedical research for your Administration in the midst of a global health pandemic is part of the reason why we ’ re quickly approaching 100,000 deaths in this country , ” the Massachusetts congressman tweeted .
Kennedy ’ s tweet echoed one of the major criticisms of Trump since the coronavirus outbreak , with many saying he failed to heed the warnings of the medical experts within his administration .
Trump has at times contradicted them during daily coronavirus press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have later been corrected by other members of the coronavirus task force .
Trump ’ s attack came as Bright spoke before a House subcommittee on health , saying that lives were unnecessarily lose due to inaction on the part of the Trump administration in the critical early weeks of the outbreak .
He also issued a stark warning about the nation potentially facing “ the darkest winter in modern history ” if a second wave of the coronavirus hits in late fall as many public health experts have predicted .
Bright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan for responding to the outbreak including ways to procure sufficient masks , treatments , and vaccines .
Bright had claimed that he was ousted from his position after voicing concerns about a potential coronavirus treatment being touted by Trump — a claim the president has denied .


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Joe Biden Says He Wouldn’t Pardon Donald Trump As President, Would Allow Any Potential Investigation

Joe Biden Says He Wouldn’t Pardon Donald Trump As President, Would Allow Any Potential Investigations

Joe Biden said he would not pardon Donald Trump as president , and would not block any potential criminal investigations into Trump ’ s time in office .
The presumptive Democratic candidate touched on the issue during a virtual town-hall style event held by MSNBC on Thursday , saying that he would not follow in the footsteps of President Gerald Ford , who pardoned Richard Nixon in the wake of the Watergate scandal .
As NBC News reported , Biden did not accuse Trump of any specific crime , but said that he would not interfere in any investigations — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing .
“ It ’ s hands off completely .
The attorney general is not the president ’ s lawyer .
It ’ s the people ’ s lawyer , ” Biden said .
“ We never saw anything like the prostitution of that office like we see it today.
” Trump has been widely criticized for what critics see as his attempts to exert influence over decisions at the Department of Justice , despite the separation that has traditionally existed between the White House and the department .
The criticism has intensified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drop the prosecution of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn , which came after Trump had frequently criticized the case against Flynn and publicly considered issuing a pardon for him .
Some legal experts believe that Trump could face prosecution after leaving office , as he was implicated in a campaign finance charge that sent his former personal attorney , Michael Cohen , to prison .
Trump faces a number of other pending civil lawsuits .
Biden had not previously committed to allowing investigations or to not pardoning Trump if he were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Democratic candidates had been more explicit .
Last summer , Elizabeth Warren vowed to investigate any potential crimes of the Trump administration had she won the presidency , including those committed against immigrants .
She also committed to releasing all information that had been requested of the Trump administration during impeachment hearings that were ultimately not turned over to Congress .
Biden also responded to claims from Trump that the Obama administration engaged in political “ crimes ” that he had not specified , but appeared to be in reference to Flynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama administration of entrapping Flynn , but the former vice president said he took part in nothing of the sort .
“ I was never a part or had any knowledge of any criminal investigation into Flynn while I was in office , period .
Not one single time , ” Biden said .

Joe Biden said he would not pardon Donald Trump as president, and would not block any potential criminal investigations into Trump’s time in office.
The presumptive Democratic candidate touched on the issue during a virtual town-hall held by MSNBC on Thursday. Biden said that he would not follow in the footsteps of President Gerald Ford, who pardoned Richard Nixon in the wake of the Watergate scandal.
As NBC News reported, Biden did not accuse Trump of any specific crime, but said that he would not interfere in any investigations — as he appeared to accuse Trump of doing.
“It’s hands off completely. The attorney general is not the president’s lawyer. It’s the people’s lawyer. We never saw anything like the prostitution of that office like we see it today.”
Trump has been widely criticized for what critics see as his attempts to exert influence over decisions at the Department of Justice, despite the separation that has traditionally existed between the White House and the department. The criticism has intensified after the Justice Department’s decision to drop the prosecution of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. The decision came after Trump frequently criticized the case against Flynn and publicly considered issuing a pardon for him.
Some legal experts believe that Trump could face prosecution after leaving office, as he was implicated in a campaign finance charge that sent his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, to prison. Trump faces a number of other pending civil lawsuits.
Biden had not previously committed to allowing investigations — or pardoning Trump — if he were to have been found guilty, though other Democratic candidates had been more explicit. Last summer, Elizabeth Warren vowed to investigate any potential crimes of the Trump administration had she won the presidency, including those committed against immigrants. She also committed to releasing all information that had been requested of the Trump administration that was ultimately not turned over to Congress during impeachment hearings.
Biden also responded to claims from Trump that the Obama administration engaged in political “crimes.” The president did not specify what those crimes entailed, but they appeared to be related to Flynn. Trump and allies have accused the Obama administration of entrapping Flynn, but the former vice president said he took part in nothing of the sort.
“I was never a part or had any knowledge of any criminal investigation into Flynn while I was in office, period. Not one single time.”


inquisitr--2020-05-15--FDA Issues Alert About ‘Possible Accuracy Concerns’ For Coronavirus Test The Trump White House Uses

The United States Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert about the possibility that the Abbott ID Now test used by President Donald Trump and other White House staff .
According to the alert , the FDA said the test might provide an unacceptable number of false-negative results , a CNN journalist tweeted .
“ New : FDA has issued an alert about ‘ possible accuracy concerns ’ with Abbott ID Now coronavirus test used by the White House , as studies suggest it may provide an unacceptable number of false negatives , ” CNN Chief National Security correspondent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that FDA data shows that the COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test from Abbott Labs may deliver inaccurate results .
This news might be a cause for concern considering that President Trump ’ s valet and Vice President Pence ’ s press secretary , as well as several members of the Secret Service , have tested positive for the novel coronavirus recently .
“ We are still evaluating the information about inaccurate results and are in direct communications with Abbott about this important issue , ” said Tim Stenzel , director of the Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the FDA ’ s Center for Devices and Radiological Health , in a statement .
“ We will continue to study the data available and are working with the company to create additional mechanisms for studying the test.
” According to Stenzel , the ID test can be trusted for positive tests , but negative results need to be further confirmed via a high-sensitivity authorized molecular test .
On Thursday , The Inquisitr reported that New York University published a study that showed the Abbott test missed one-third of the results that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after collecting samples using nasopharyngeal swabs .
However , Abbott Labs denied the study ’ s findings .
The company suggested that the discrepancy might have had something to do with the way the samples in the study were collected and indicated that there might have been user error .
As a result of the unexpected positive infection results among people who work closely with the president or the vice president , the staff at the White House staff must wear masks all the time except when they ’ re seated at their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , Trump continued to go around without anything covering his face , and he indicated that he stays far away from everyone .
He seemed to downplay the situation with staffers who tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
Right now , senior White House officials who regularly work with Trump receive daily testing .
However , it ’ s unclear if the Abbott test is providing false positives or not .


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Mitch McConnell Walks Back Claim That Barack Obama Left No Gameplan For Pandemic: ‘I Clearly Made A

Mitch McConnell Walks Back Claim That Barack Obama Left No Gameplan For Pandemic: ‘I Clearly Made A Mistake’

Mitch McConnell is taking back a claim that the Barack Obama ’ s administration left no gameplan for how to deal with a pandemic , days after members of the Obama administration pointed out that they left a 69-page detailed plan that some claim Donald Trump ’ s White House ignored .
The Senate majority leader had said earlier in the week during a Donald Trump campaign event with Lara Trump that Obama was not prepared for the possibility of an outbreak like the current coronavirus .
After chiding Obama for his private criticism of Trump on the handling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that they did not leave the Trump administration with anything to prepare for it .
“ They claim pandemics only happen once every hundred years but what if that ’ s no longer true ?
We want to be early , ready for the next one , because clearly the Obama administration did not leave to this administration any kind of game plan for something like this , ” McConnell said , via CNN .
That claim was immediately disputed , with the former head of the Obama administration ’ s Ebola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they left a 69-page “ Pandemic Playbook ” that was ignored by the Trump administration .
As CNN reported , the playbook included step-by-step advice on how to ask questions about the outbreak to learn more and what decision-making process to follow .
“ The color-coded , checklist-style document addresses issues like testing , funding , personal protective equipment , emergency declarations , border control measures , diplomacy , the use of the military , public communication , even mortuary services , ” the report noted .
On Thursday , McConnell walked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had left nothing behind for Trump to follow in a pandemic .
Appearing on Fox News , he said that there was indeed a plan .
“ I was wrong , ” McConnell said , via The Hill .
“ They did leave behind a plan .
I clearly made a mistake in that regard.
” “ As to whether or not the plan was followed and who is the critic and all the rest , I don ’ t have any observation about that because I don ’ t know enough about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in any detail , ” he added .
Donald Trump has been criticized for his response to the coronavirus outbreak , with critics saying he wasted critical time in the early weeks by not taking it more seriously and putting measures in place to prepare for the medical needs .
Trump offered predictions in the early week that the outbreak would go away soon , with what was then 15 cases soon going down to zero .
Since then more than 1.4 million Americans have tested positive for the virus , with @ @ @ @ @


inquisitr--2020-05-15--House Democrats Face Opposition To The Next Coronavirus Relief Package From All Sides

The day before the House of Representatives is set to vote on the new coronavirus relief package , House Democrats are facing opposition from both Republicans and other Democrats , CNN reported .
On Tuesday , Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi revealed the details of the next coronavirus relief package , dubbed the HEROES Act , and said that the House plans to vote on the legislation on Friday .
The $ 3 trillion relief package is the most comprehensive relief package yet .
It aims to fill the gaps in the previous coronavirus relief plans and provide systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industries struggling to survive during the coronavirus pandemic .
However , many members of the House aren ’ t happy with the version of the bill they ’ re set to vote on Friday , CNN reported .
According to CNN , many Republicans don ’ t like the HEROES Act for several reasons .
For one , they think it ’ s too expensive , especially given the money that ’ s already been allocated to previous relief packages .
Many and Senate Republicans have also said they think the HEROES Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been wanting to implement for years — student loan forgiveness , increased support for Medicare and Medicaid , direct financial relief to individuals , protections for illegal immigrants — that aren ’ t relevant to the current needs of the country .
Several Republicans have also said they think it ’ s too soon to pass another coronavirus relief package .
They want to assess the impact of the latest coronavirus relief package before spending more money .
Opposition to the HEROES Act isn ’ t just coming from Republicans though .
Moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill , per CNN .
Only hours after the contents of the bill were revealed , members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus sent a letter to House leadership asking them to delay Friday ’ s vote .
They insisted they needed extra time to review the over 1,800 pages that comprise the bill so they could understand what had been left out .
Many Progressives wanted the bill to include more provisions to ensure that small businesses could make payroll and that unemployed workers could get financial support , but their proposals were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Thursday , some moderate Democrats also voiced their displeasure with the HEROES Act , according to CNN .
Many moderate Democrats sided with Republicans , saying that the bill was too expensive .
Some moderate Democrats also criticized House leaders for moving forward with a bill that doesn ’ t have bipartisan support .
They contended that House leadership is aware that this bill won ’ t pass in the Senate and is essentially wasting time by proposing and voting on this version of the bill .
As of right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to CNN , Democratic leadership is still confident the HEROES Act will pass in the House .


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Nancy Pelosi Says Donald Trump’s Attacks On China Are ‘An Interesting Diversion’

Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday that President Donald Trump ‘ s attacks on China are a “ diversion , ” The Hill reported .
Speaking to reporters gathered in the Capitol Building , the top Democrat argued that Trump is blaming china for the COVID-19 outbreak in order to shift attention away from his administration ’ s failures .
“ What the president is saying about China is interesting — it ’ s an interesting diversion , ” she said .
In recent weeks , Trump ’ s attacks on official Beijing have intensified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China — where the coronavirus is thought to have originated — could have prevented the outbreak .
Trump went as far as to compare the spread of the virus to Pearl Harbor and September 11 attacks .
He has also threatened to “ cut off ” all ties with China .
Trump ’ s attacks echo the criticism expressed by a number of leading Republicans .
Notably , Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has called on the United States to “ sanction the hell out of China for spreading pandemics.
” Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese government , stating that the country should be treated as America ’ s “ greatest geopolitical threat.
” According to Pelosi , instead of analyzing the beginnings of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States , lawmakers should focus on the future .
“ We should be using our energy on how we go forward [ instead of ] making judgments about what his administration did or didn ’ t do .
We ’ re talking about going forward .
There will be plenty of time for after-action review , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Democrats and Republicans to put partisanship aside and work together to address the crises caused by COVID-19 .
House Democrats have called for additional economic stimulus measures .
On Friday , the lower chamber will move forward with a $ 3 trillion relief package .
The legislation proposes additional funds for states , medical professionals , businesses , and workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Expected to pass the Democratic-controlled House , the legislation does not stand a chance in the GOP-controlled Senate .
Republicans have expressed opposition to additional relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitting the pause button .
Pelosi pushed back against McConnell ’ s suggestion , arguing that Americans need urgent action from Congress .
“ He wants us to just pause .
But families know that hunger doesn ’ t take a pause , not having a job doesn ’ t take a pause , not being able to pay the rent doesn ’ t take a pause , ” she said .
Dubbed the HEROES Act ( Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act ) , the House Democrats ’ bill would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indebted students , and expand vital programs such as Medicare and Medicaid .


inquisitr--2020-05-16--MSNBC Analyst Blasts Donald Trump: ‘He’s Just A Moron’

During an interview broadcast on Friday , MSNBC analyst John Heilemann slammed and insulted President Donald Trump , Raw Story reported .
“ Can I just say at the start that the man is idiot , ” Heilemann told anchor Nicolle Wallace .
Heilemann ripped into Trump for suggesting that widespread testing may not be the best approach to fighting the coronavirus pandemic .
“ The idea of the president of the United States stands up and says , ‘ the problem with testing is that if we test we have more cases.
’ That ’ s what he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more cases.
’ You know what ?
The testing doesn ’ t make the cases , the testing reveals the cases , ” the analyst said .
On Thursday , during a visit to a medical equipment distribution center in Pennsylvania , the commander-in-chief argued that the United States has a high number of COVID-19 cases because other nations do not test their population nearly as much .
Trump also criticized the media for not reporting the facts as he sees them .
Studies have shown that the United States is not even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world when it comes to the number of tests per 1,000 people .
Furthermore , public health experts have argued that 900,000 tests should be done every single day before the economy can reopen safely .
Trump has also argued that the demands for testing — and the lockdown measures imposed in certain states — are meant to hurt his chances of winning the 2020 presidential election .
According to Heilemann , the commander-in-chief ’ s actions are a clear sign that he is concerned about the November election , which is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally his base .
The analyst concluded that “ a president who ’ s focused on feeding the base in the spring of a re-election year is a president who knows he ’ s in deep , deep doo-doo.
” According to an analysis from The Washington Post , since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States , Trump has made a number of controversial remarks about testing .
The president has repeatedly questioned the need for widespread testing , arguing that his political opponents are looking to weaponize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his reelection campaign .
Trump has also suggested that coronavirus tests are unreliable , recently arguing that tests “ aren ’ t necessarily great.
” According to the president , even if someone is negative for COVID-19 , they could contract the virus at some point , which is why resources shouldn ’ t be spent on tests .
Public health experts — including Dr. Anthony S. Fauci and other leading members of the White House coronavirus task force — have argued that testing is key to fighting the pandemic .


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Hillary Clinton Says Armed Protests Against Stay-At-Home Orders In Michigan Are ‘Domestic Terrorism”

Hillary Clinton is taking aim at the armed protesters who gathered at the Michigan state capitol to demonstrate against the state ’ s stay-at-home orders are “ domestic terrorists.
” The former secretary of state took to Twitter to share a Newsweek story about the state being forced to close its capitol building and canceled legislative session after Governor Gretchen Whitmer faced death threats online .
Clinton had harsh words for the armed protesters who came to the capitol building for planned protests against Whitmer ’ s stay-at-home order , the latest in a series of demonstrations against the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storming a legislature to disrupt its democratic proceedings is domestic terrorism .
It can not be tolerated , ” Clinton wrote .
The tweet attracted some viral interest , but also pushback among some defenders of President Donald Trump , who critics have accused of encouraging the protests with previous tweets to “ liberate ” a series of states with Democratic governors .
“ It is not domestic terrorism , Hillary , ” tweeted former Republican congressional candidate DeAnna Lorraine , who had gained attention for a past tweet calling for the firing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci that was retweeted by Trump .
“ It ’ s called a protest .
You ’ re just proving that you have no respect for the First or Second amendment which we already knew .
As The Hill noted , many of those who showed up to this week ’ s protest were armed with rifles , and one demonstrator was seen carrying an American flag with a doll hanging from a noose .
The protests have disrupted the Michigan state capitol in the past .
As The Inquisitr reported , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstration called “ American Patriot Rally ” that also featured a number of armed protesters .
Others described a frightening scene , with video showing that tensions among some of the protesters boiled over into shouting .
Michigan state Senator Danya Polehanki took to Twitter to recount how some lawmakers were frightened at the scene unfolding around them .
“ Directly above me , men with rifles yelling at us .
Some of my colleagues who own bullet proof vests are wearing them .
I have never appreciated our Sergeants-at-Arms more than today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted a number of states , calling on leadership to lift restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus and instead allow people to start going back to work .
Many of these have taken a partisan tilt , with protesters often carrying signs supporting Trump and taking aim at his political opponents .


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Donald Trump Is Likely Being Conned By His Campaign Manager, Journalist Says

In a Friday piece for The Bulwark , journalist Jonathan V. Last accused Donald Trump ‘ s campaign manager , Brad Parscale , of running a con on the president .
According to Last , Parscale has convinced Trump that he has a “ magical machine ” that no one can understand but him .
“ Creating the impression that the entire Trump campaign will rise or fall with an opaque digital operation is a way to make Parscale un-fireable , ” Last wrote , noting that the president ’ s 2016 campaign relied on Trump ’ s personality alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s 2020 operation is “ too sprawling , too micro-targeted , and too evanescent ” to determine whether it ’ s effective or not .
The only gauge for its effectiveness , Last wrote , are the polls , which he said show presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden with the most extensive , steadiest lead that a challenger has ever held over an incumbent .
Unlike his 2016 campaign , Trump ’ s new venture has leaned on figures he previously thought disposable , such as campaign managers .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the campaign even as he continues to trail Biden in the polls , it ’ s a sign that the president no longer has the confidence to gain support from his voters on his own — as he did in 2016 .
In this scenario , Last says Trump will be held hostage to “ whatever sales pitch he bought from Parscale.
” “ It ’ s a good reminder that inside every con man is a mark , ” Last concluded his piece .
Parscale , who was a digital marketing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Trump ’ s 2020 operation a “ Death Star , ” a reference to the massive , iconic Star Wars space station .
As reported by The Guardian , Parscale claimed that the Trump campaign has an “ enormous lead in cash ” over Biden ’ s campaign and suggested that it will topple the former vice president ’ s bid for office .
Despite such threats , Biden has been leading Trump in recent months .
In another sign that doesn ’ t bode well for the president , Biden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditionally red state of Georgia .
In 2016 , Trump beat Hillary Clinton in the state by over 5 points .
However , the close statewide elections in 2018 have fueled uncertainty , and political experts believe it could become a swing state in November .
Other recent polls show Trump with a slight lead over Biden in several battleground states .


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Joe Biden’s Campaign Says They Plan To Compete In Traditionally Red States Like Arizona, Texas, And

Joe Biden’s Campaign Says They Plan To Compete In Traditionally Red States Like Arizona, Texas, And Georgia

Joe Biden ’ s campaign is planning to compete with Donald Trump in a trio of traditionally red states , saying in a digital briefing with reporters on Friday they plan to expand the electoral map in November .
As The Hill reported , Biden campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon told reporters that they see Arizona , Texas , and Georgia as potential battlegrounds in November , with Arizona a top target for red states that they could flip blue .
While Arizona has been red for the last 20 years , a number of pundits believe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the presumptive Democratic nominee .
O ’ Malley Dillon said Biden ’ s campaign will be starting there in an attempt to flip the electoral map , while also competing in other traditionally red states .
“ This is something we are very , very focused on , ” O ’ Malley Dillon said .
“ We believe there will be an expanded map in 2020 .
We believe there will be battleground states that have never been battleground states before.
” Georgia and Texas had been seen as more long shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls have shown signs of a close race .
As The Inquisitr reported , a recent internal Republican poll showed that Biden and Trump were deadlocked in the Peach State , with Biden holding a slim one-point edge over Trump .
Another Dallas Morning News/University of Texas at Tyler poll released earlier this month showed Trump and Biden in a tight race in Texas .
While the campaign is looking to turn states that have long been red , there are other long-blue states that Trump turned in 2016 in their sights .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Rust Belt states that Trump narrowly won in 2016 as top targets — Michigan , Ohio , Wisconsin , and Pennsylvania .
The campaign also identified Iowa , North Carolina , and Florida as other potential states to flip , all ones that Barack Obama had won and Biden now looks to turn blue again .
The former vice president ’ s campaign said on Friday that these states will take much of their attention .
“ We don ’ t have to win all of these states , but these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory and represent the bulk of our focus and attention as we think about battleground states , ” O ’ Malley Dillon said .
She added that polling showed Biden ahead in many of these states , including Florida , Pennsylvania , Michigan , Wisconsin , and Arizona .
Those states combined with the more safely blue states would put Biden around 318 electoral votes , she noted , a comfortable victory .

Joe Biden’s campaign is planning to compete with Donald Trump in a trio of traditionally red states, saying in a digital briefing with reporters on Friday they plan to expand the electoral map in November.
As The Hill reported, Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon told reporters that they see Arizona, Texas, and Georgia as potential battlegrounds in November, with Arizona a top target for red states that they could flip blue. While Arizona has been red for the last 20 years, a number of pundits believe that changing demographics make it a potential target for the presumptive Democratic nominee.
O’Malley Dillon said Biden’s campaign will be starting there in an attempt to flip the electoral map, while also competing in other traditionally red states.
“This is something we are very, very focused on,” O’Malley Dillon said.
“We believe there will be an expanded map in 2020. We believe there will be battleground states that have never been battleground states before.”
Georgia and Texas had been seen as more long shots given the demographics, though some recent polls have shown signs of a close race. As The Inquisitr reported, a recent internal Republican poll showed that Biden and Trump were deadlocked in the Peach State, with Biden holding a slim one-point edge over Trump. Another Dallas Morning News/University of Texas at Tyler poll released earlier this month showed Trump and Biden in a tight race in Texas.
While the campaign is looking to turn states that have long been red, there are other long-blue states that Trump turned in 2016 in their sights. Biden’s campaign had already pointed to the Rust Belt states that Trump narrowly won in 2016 as top targets — Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. The campaign also identified Iowa, North Carolina, and Florida as other potential states to flip, all ones that Barack Obama had won and Biden now looks to turn blue again.
The former vice president’s campaign said on Friday that these states will take much of their attention.
“We don’t have to win all of these states, but these are core states to our path to victory and represent the bulk of our focus and attention as we think about battleground states,” O’Malley Dillon said.
She added that polling showed Biden ahead in many of these states, including Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona. Those states combined with the more safely blue states would put Biden around 318 electoral votes, she noted, a comfortable victory.


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Donald Trump’s Coronavirus Response Is ‘Insane,’ MSNBC Analyst Says

During an appearance on MSNBC ’ s Deadline , Steve Schmidt , a network political analyst and former campaign manager for the late John McCain , blasted Donald Trump ‘ s “ insane ” coronavirus response , Breitbart reported .
“ We are in a state of accelerating degeneracy in this country , ” he said .
“ We ’ ve never been aa country so weak as we are now , so pitied by our friends around the world , so cheered on by our adversaries as we decline .
There ’ s no other way to put it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s asinine.
” Schmidt accused Trump of having stepped back from American values , democracy , and liberty “ for years.
” Amid the pandemic , Schmidt claims that Trump is denigrating the presidency with his “ imbecility , ” “ asininity , ” and “ foolishness.
” The 50-year-old strategist noted that the U.S. is now the world ’ s epicenter for coronavirus and claimed it ’ s the country where the likelihood of dying from the virus in the future is the highest .
Schmidt is one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a super PAC run by Republicans who oppose Trump .
As reported by CNBC , the group recently released an ad that took aim at the president ’ s handling of the pandemic , which sparked a flurry of angry tweets in response .
Schmidt ’ s comments come the same day as the renowned medical journal , The Lancet , called on Americans to vote Trump out of office , Global News reported .
According to the journal , Trump ’ s administration has continued to erode the Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is damaging to public health and science .
The journal called on Americans to install a president that understands the importance of separating public health from “ partisan politics.
” Former President Barack Obama , who has remained relatively quiet about Trump ’ s performance as president , reportedly expressed dismay at Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic in a leaked private phone call .
Obama allegedly suggested that a mindset of personal gain currently dominates the U.S. government as opposed to a focus on what ’ s right for the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his handling of coronavirus , Trump recently said that the United States would be reopening its economy regardless of if a vaccine is created anytime soon .
While estimates suggest vaccine creation could take 12- to 18-months , some experts have shed doubt on this compressed timeframe , which allegedly assumes a process that does not hit any roadblocks .


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Donald Trump’s ‘Obamagate’ Might Be Something Other Than Strategy According To Anonymous Republican

President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed what he ’ s dubbed “ Obamagate ” recently , and many people believe it ’ s part of the White House strategy to distract from what some people think is a chaotic coronavirus pandemic response .
However , a Republican close to the administration believes that it is simpler than that , according to the Huffington Post .
They view the new push as a return to Trump ’ s “ birtherism ” movement against President Obama .
“ There ’ s no strategy .
This White House could never be accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican informal White House adviser who spoke on condition of anonymity .
However , the source said that he didn ’ t think President Trump ’ s fixation with the so-called scandal would less long because something else would come along .
Last week , Attorney General William Barr asked the courts to drop the case against former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn , alleging that although Flynn pleaded guilty two times , the FBI ’ s case against him was flawed .
After that , President Trump mentioned “ Obamagate ” several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Obama illegally spied on him , declaring it the greatest political crime in United States history .
Plus , Trump has also put some of the blame on former Vice President Joe Biden , who is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee for 2020 .
The Inquisitr reported earlier this week that when pressed about the crimes committed , Trump didn ’ t have a clear answer .
He called it “ Obamagate ” and then suggested that reporters knew exactly what the crimes were .
Then , when Trump suggested that Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindsay Graham told the president to be careful in what he wishes for since Trump also maintains that he has total immunity as president .
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic , Trump has blamed President Obama for everything from bare cupboards in the national stockpile to faulty tests for COVID-19 .
Before he even got into politics , Trump pushed a “ birtherism ” conspiracy against Obama , that said the former president wasn ’ t born in the U.S. , which made him ineligible to be the president .
At one point in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent investigators to Hawaii to find Obama ’ s birth certificate .
While many Democrats and others believe the president is trying to change the conversation from the number of people in the country who have died or become ill due to the novel coronavirus , the White House adviser maintained that it is something far more straightforward .
“ It ’ s just an opportunity to stick his finger in Obama ’ s eye , ” the adviser said .
“ This is something that just landed in his lap , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with it.
” Given President Obama ’ s one-word tweet yesterday , it does not seem like he has involved himself in President Trump ’ s “ Obamagate ” accusations .


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Donald Trump ‘Projects His Sense Of Inferiority’ With Attacks On Female Reporters, Yale Psychiatrist

Donald Trump ‘Projects His Sense Of Inferiority’ With Attacks On Female Reporters, Yale Psychiatrist Claims

Donald Trump is projecting his sense of inferiority in the personal and often sharp-tongued attacks on female reporters , a Yale psychiatrist and noted critic of the president is claiming .
Dr. Bandy X. Lee , who has frequently raised concerns about Trump ’ s mental acuity and temper during his three years in office , said in an interview with Salon that Trump ’ s recent attacks on female reporters during the White House ’ s daily coronavirus press briefings show what she sees as his incapacity to lead .
Lee claimed that whatever Trump accuses of others is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” so his choice of the word “ nasty ” to describe female reporters is telling , as is his use of the word “ human scum ” to describe Barack Obama and others .
Lee went further , saying Trump may want to see harm come to the United States if he can ’ t attack his critics .
“ He may project his sense of inferiority and defectiveness onto weak and vulnerable groups , even more vehemently if they are capable women and minorities , and seek to destroy them in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she told Salon .
“ I recently answered questions about whether his willful inactions count as genocide .
While I believe they do , they are possibly worse , since one would potentially do anything not to face feelings of self-hatred , including destroy the whole nation if simply attacking his critics does not work.
” Lee ’ s statement came after Trump had a pair of high-profile spats with women who asked questions during White House briefings .
This week , Trump came under fire after telling CBS News reporter Weijia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to “ ask China ” a question she had asked him about his apparent need to compare the United States to other countries when it came to coronavirus testing , cases , and deaths .
Weeks before this , Trump was also criticized and faces charges of racism after he grew heated during an exchange with a female reporter of color .
In this incident , Trump PBS News reporter Yamiche Alcindor , who is black , that “ you people ” should be more positive when addressing him at the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to reporters in general when he said “ you people , ” many critics pointed out that the phrase had often been used in a derogatory manner when addressing people of color .
Lee said her concerns for Trump were beyond his mental state , saying she was worried that his poor response to the coronavirus outbreak could put the United States on a “ worst-case scenario ” path that may match early projections of up to 2 million Americans dead .

Donald Trump is projecting his sense of inferiority in the personal and often sharp-tongued attacks on female reporters, a Yale psychiatrist and noted critic of the president is claiming.
Dr. Bandy X. Lee, who has frequently raised concerns about Trump’s mental acuity and temper during his three years in office, said in an interview with Salon that Trump’s recent attacks on female reporters during the White House’s daily coronavirus press briefings show what she sees as his incapacity to lead.
Lee claimed that whatever Trump accuses of others is actually “a confession about himself,” so his choice of the word “nasty” to describe female reporters is telling, as is his use of the word “human scum” to describe Barack Obama and others.
Lee went further, saying Trump may want to see harm come to the United States if he can’t attack his critics.
“He may project his sense of inferiority and defectiveness onto weak and vulnerable groups, even more vehemently if they are capable women and minorities, and seek to destroy them in lieu of dealing with his feelings,” she told Salon.
“I recently answered questions about whether his willful inactions count as genocide. While I believe they do, they are possibly worse, since one would potentially do anything not to face feelings of self-hatred, including destroy the whole nation if simply attacking his critics does not work.”
Lee’s statement came after Trump had a pair of high-profile spats with women who asked questions during White House briefings. This week, Trump came under fire after telling CBS News reporter Weijia Jiang, a reporter of Asian descent, to “ask China” a question she had asked him about his apparent need to compare the United States to other countries when it came to coronavirus testing, cases, and deaths.
Weeks before this, Trump was also criticized and faces charges of racism after he grew heated during an exchange with a female reporter of color. In this incident, Trump PBS News reporter Yamiche Alcindor, who is black, said that “you people” should be more positive when addressing him at the press conferences. While Trump appeared to be referring to reporters in general when he said “you people,” many critics pointed out that the phrase had often been used in a derogatory manner when addressing people of color.
Lee said her concerns for Trump were beyond his mental state, saying she was worried that his poor response to the coronavirus outbreak could put the United States on a “worst-case scenario” path that may match early projections of up to 2 million Americans dead.


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Congress’ Job Approval Rating Reaches Highest Point Since 2009

The United States Congress ‘ job approval rating is at the highest point since 2009 , according to a Gallup poll released on Friday .
Congress ’ job approval rating is now 31 percent .
The institution last had an approval this high during former President Barack Obama ’ s first year in office , when the Democratic Party controlled both chambers .
Earlier this year , Congress ’ job approval rating was 23 percent , but the COVID-19 outbreak appears to have changed public perception .
Amid the coronavirus pandemic , both chambers have offered economic relief to Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval ratings up .
According to the poll , roughly eight in 10 Americans approve of the first stimulus bill .
Overall , 48 percent of Americans believe Congress is handling the coronavirus pandemic well .
Twenty-four percent of Republicans , 32 percent of independent voters , and 39 percent of Democrats approve of Congress ’ job performance .
During President Donald Trump ’ s first two years in the White House — when the Republican Party had control over both chambers — Republicans viewed Congress more positively than Democrats .
Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Representatives , Republicans have a lower of opinion of Congress .
Trump ’ s approval rating is relatively high as well — 49 percent .
As Gallup noted , Congress ’ efforts to solve the COVID-19 crisis appear to have caused the surge in approval ratings .
“ Although Americans are still mostly negative toward Congress , their opinions of the institution now are the most positive they have been in over a decade .
Its work to address the coronavirus crisis has likely contributed to those higher ratings .
Congress has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the House working on a bill that would provide $ 3 trillion in additional relief.
” The Democratic-controlled House has indeed been working on providing additional relief for businesses and workers , but Senate Republicans have argued that more deliberation is necessary before a final decision is made .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday that both parties need to come together and work on addressing the coronavirus crisis .
She also criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for suggesting that Congress needs to take a pause .
“ He wants us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that hunger doesn ’ t take a pause , not having a job doesn ’ t take a pause , not being able to pay the rent doesn ’ t take a pause , ” Pelosi said .
The House Democrats ’ $ 3 trillion bill — dubbed the HEROES Act ( Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act ) — proposes additional funds for businesses and health care workers .
The bill would also expand Medicare and Medicaid , aid renters and homeowners , and provide additional funding for states .


inquisitr--2020-05-15--House To Vote Friday On $3 Trillion Stimulus Package

The House of Representatives is slated to vote Friday on the biggest relief package in US history which has dissent on all sides , according to CNN , The stimulus package , nicknamed the HEROES Act , would again send payments to individuals across the nation who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic .
The new package would also follow the last stimulus bill ’ s footsteps and offer funding to state and local governments as well as hazard pay for essential workers .
Included in the package would be $ 200 billion in hazard pay for essential workers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both adults and children up to $ 6,000 per household , for those who meet the income criteria .
Unlike its predecessor , however , this bill does not have bipartisan support in the House .
Republicans consider the total to be an astronomical number and a price that taxpayers can ’ t afford to pay down the road with even moderate Democrats have voiced concern about the package .
More progressive in the party , however , don ’ t think it goes far enough to help Americans .
Democratic Reps. Abigail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oklahoma , Ben McAdams of Utah , Joe Cunningham of South Carolina , and Cindy Axne of Iowa have all opposed the bill , according to CNN , and House Progressive Caucus co-chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal said she will not vote to endorse it .
Jayapal ’ s frustration with the measure stemmed from the fact that it did not include the paycheck guarantee proposal or the recurring monthly payments that some progressives believed to be crucial .
House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi told her party Thursday evening in no uncertain terms that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the measure .
Republicans have assured their constituents that the bill is nothing more than a Democratic wish list and that it will be immediately killed when it reaches the Senate floor .
The Inquisitr previously reported that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Republican from Kentucky , is already speaking out against the bill , pointing out that , “ We now have a debt the size of our economy.
” Friday ’ s vote is expected to fall close to party lines , with some possible Democratic exceptions , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate .

The House of Representatives is slated to vote on Friday on the biggest relief package in U.S. history, which has dissent on all sides, according to CNN.
The stimulus package, named the HEROES Act, would again send payments to individuals across the nation who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new package would also follow the last stimulus bill’s footsteps and offer funding to state and local governments as well as hazard pay for essential workers.
Included in the package would be $200 billion in hazard pay for essential workers, as well as another $1,200 for both adults and children up to $6,000 per household, for those who meet the income criteria.
Unlike its predecessor, however, this bill does not have bipartisan support in the House. Republicans consider the total to be an astronomical number and a price that taxpayers can’t afford to pay down the road, and even moderate Democrats have voiced concern about the package.
More progressives in the party don’t think it goes far enough to help Americans. House Democrats Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, Kendra Horn of Oklahoma, Ben McAdams of Utah, Joe Cunningham of South Carolina, and Cindy Axne of Iowa have all opposed the bill, according to CNN, and House Progressive Caucus co-chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal said she will not vote to endorse it.
“I, unfortunately, will be voting no on the bill,” she said.
Jayapal’s frustration with the measure stemmed from the fact that it did not include the paycheck guarantee proposal, or the recurring monthly payments, that some progressives believed to be crucial.
WATCH: @RepDanKildee explains the $3 trillion coronavirus stimulus package the House is expected to vote on today in the face of opposition from House Republicans #nine2noon pic.twitter.com/WXa0xk8inZ — America's Newsroom (@AmericaNewsroom) May 15, 2020
House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi told her party on Thursday evening in no uncertain terms that she saw no reason to vote against the measure.
“If you vote against this and all this funding for your state, then you have to go home and defend it. And if you can defend that no vote, then you’re a better politician than me.”
Republicans have assured their constituents that the bill is nothing more than a Democratic wish list and that it will be immediately killed when it reaches the Senate floor.
The Inquisitr previously reported that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, is already speaking out against the bill.
“We now have a debt the size of our economy,” he pointed out. “So I’ve said, and the president has said as well, that we have to take a pause here and take a look at what we’ve done.”
Friday’s vote is expected to fall close to party lines, with some possible Democratic exceptions. If passed, the bill would then move on to the Senate.


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Justin Amash Says Donald Trump’s DOJ Is Fighting Against ‘Better Protection Of Americans’ Rights’

Amid his exploratory committee for the Libertarian Party ’ s presidential nomination , congressman Justin Amash continues to take aim at Joe Biden and Donald Trump — his potential rivals .
On Thursday evening , Amash accused Trump ’ s Department of Justice ( DOJ ) of fighting against the rights of Americans .
Amash took issue with a recent statement from National Security Spokesman Mark Raimondi , who criticized the amended Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) reauthorization that passed the Senate on Thursday .
According to Raimondi , the amendment of H.R .
6172 , also known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , would “ degrade ” the DOJ ’ s ability to conduct surveillance of spies , terrorists , and other national security threats .
As reported by Politico , the amendment included expanded “ legal protections ” that Attorney General William Barr helped negotiate for specific groups of individuals that are “ targeted by federal surveillance.
” According to Amash , the DOJ ’ s opposition to the new amendment reflects their opposition to American rights .
As reported by Politico , the amended bill will now move back to the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ wide , bipartisan margin.
” Trump , who has frequently accused the federal government of misusing its spying powers , has not revealed whether he supports the bill with amendments to such powers .
Republican Sen. Mike Lee , who helped secure the amendment with Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy , offered praise for the bill .
“ We got some good reforms here , ” Lee said .
“ They are consistent with many of the aims that House members who negotiated the last House bill had in mind.
” Lee previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it reached his desk without the amendment .
Amash previously criticized Barr for his alleged role in creating a surveillance state .
He also slammed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for his alleged role in driving the expansion of the Patriot Act — an expansion that was reportedly conducted with the help of Trump and his allies to provide Barr with more power .
Throughout his congressional career , Amash has worked against FISA and has leveled criticism at both Republicans and Democrats for failing to reign in the powers provided by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an amendment that would prevent the bill from being used against Americans engaged in crimes unrelated to terrorism or national security .
However , Trump threatened a veto of the change and ultimately signed a law that expanded such powers .

Amid his exploratory committee for the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination, congressman Justin Amash continues to take aim at Joe Biden and Donald Trump — his potential rivals. On Thursday evening, Amash accused Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) of fighting against the rights of Americans.
Amash took issue with a recent statement from National Security Spokesman Mark Raimondi, who criticized the amended Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) reauthorization that passed the Senate on Thursday. According to Raimondi, the amendment of H.R. 6172, also known as the USA Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2020, would “degrade” the DOJ’s ability to conduct surveillance of spies, terrorists, and other national security threats. As reported by Politico, the amendment included expanded “legal protections” that Attorney General William Barr helped negotiate for specific groups of individuals that are “targeted by federal surveillance.”
According to Amash, the DOJ’s opposition to the new amendment reflects their opposition to American rights.
“To be clear, this is Donald Trump’s Department of Justice arguing against better protection of Americans’ rights at the FISA court. The bill is still bad; the administration wants it to be worse.”
As reported by Politico, the amended bill will now move back to the House, where it initially passed by a “wide, bipartisan margin.” Trump, who has frequently accused the federal government of misusing its spying powers, has not revealed whether he supports the bill with amendments to such powers.
Republican Sen. Mike Lee, who helped secure the amendment with Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy, offered praise for the bill.
“We got some good reforms here,” Lee said.
“They are consistent with many of the aims that House members who negotiated the last House bill had in mind.”
Lee previously lobbied Trump to veto the bill if it reached his desk without the amendment.
These are the votes on H.R. 6172: USA FREEDOM Act that allows the @FBI to seize your browser history without a warrant. “Staunch progressives” don’t vote for warrantless mass surveillance, @RepSires does. pic.twitter.com/lKdGgVBpmd — Hector Oseguera, Esq. (@Oseguera2020) May 14, 2020
Amash previously criticized Barr for his alleged role in creating a surveillance state. He also slammed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for his alleged role in driving the expansion of the Patriot Act — an expansion that was reportedly conducted with the help of Trump and his allies to provide Barr with more power.
Throughout his congressional career, Amash has worked against FISA and has leveled criticism at both Republicans and Democrats for failing to reign in the powers provided by the act. The 40-year-old congressman previously offered an amendment that would prevent the bill from being used against Americans engaged in crimes unrelated to terrorism or national security. However, Trump threatened a veto of the change and ultimately signed a law that expanded such powers.


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Donald Trump Says United States Will Reopen Regardless Of Vaccine: ‘We’re Back’

President Donald Trump spoke at the Rose Garden on Friday for a press conference and said that the U.S. would reopen regardless of when a vaccine hits the market , Breitbart reported .
“ I just want to make something clear : it ’ s very important , vaccine or no vaccine , we ’ re back , ” he said .
Trump pointed to America ’ s resilience in the 1918 Spanish flu and the long-term immunity that was born from it .
The president also expressed optimism that coronavirus will , at some point , “ go away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s suggestion that it “ may never go away , ” as reported by The Guardian .
“ It may flare up , and it may not flare up , ” Trump said .
“ We ’ ll have to see what happens , but if it doesn ’ t flare up , we ’ ll have to put out the fire.
” Trump and members of the coronavirus task force notably did not wear masks at the press conference .
When pressed by CNN about the decision , the president pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the event and their adherence to social distancing recommendations .
“ We ’ re outdoors , so I told them , I gave them the option , they can wear it or not , ” he said .
While Trump appears optimistic about his plans to fast-track vaccine development , a project dubbed Operation Warp Speed , not all public health experts are on board .
According to Vox , a COVID-19 vaccine may take longer than the predicted 12 to 18 months .
Although the publication noted that it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timeframe , it also highlighted the possibility that it will be longer .
In particular , some experts caution that the 12- to 18-month timeframe may be “ optimistic , ” especially considering that the previous vaccine record was four years .
Dr. Amesh Adalja , a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security , called the current timeline “ very ambitious.
” In addition , Kendall Hoyt , a vaccine and biosecurity expert at Dartmouth , suggested that such a schedule is only possible without any problems in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s possible that , like pathogens like HIV and malaria , there will never be a coronavirus vaccine .
Furthermore , the creation of a vaccine must be followed by research on its safety and efficacy .
Failure to account for possible safety issues could not only harm the American public , but provide anti-vaccination advocates with ammunition for their cause .


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Donald Trump Claims Protesters Honking During His Press Conference Are There To Show Him ‘Love’

Donald Trump held a press conference on Friday to discuss his administration ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic , and during the entire speech , truck drivers lined the streets to honk their horns .
The president claimed to the assembled press pool that the truckers were there honking to show a “ sign of love.
” As Trump explained the details about his Operation Warp Speed — a program aimed at rushing the development of a vaccine for COVID-19 — the blare of horns can be heard in the background throughout the nearly hour-long speech , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump interrupted his speech to address the noise .
“ And you hear that outside ?
That beautiful sound ?
Those are truckers that are with us all the way , ” he said .
“ They ’ re protesting in favor of President Trump as opposed to against.
” However , as Rick Santiago told The Washington Post , the truckers were gathered to call on the administration to help the trucking industry , which they say has been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic .
Drivers say that the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those in the trucking industry .
As The Washington Post reports , truck drivers are reporting that they traveled 13 percent fewer miles last month , with larger declines in industries like energy transportation .
The truckers are seeking a suspension of the 12 percent tax currently levied on new trucks and trailers and to protest the low rates that they say they ’ re being paid .
In a similar protest in Houston , truck drivers claimed that they were experiencing wage theft .
“ This is our distress call to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems we are facing .
He has called us heroes — his heroes need his help now , ” Santiago said of the blaring horns .
The noise escalated during the period that Trump took questions from reporters , where he was grilled on why he was pushing for the country to reopen despite the warnings of experts , including his own White House coronavirus expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci .
The president said that the lockdown measures caused “ drugs ” and “ suicide ” and needed to end to stimulate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he thought it was likely that the vaccine would be ready by the end of the year as some experts predict , and he said that he hoped that it would .
However , if it didn ’ t , he predicted the virus would likely fade away anyway .


inquisitr--2020-05-15--Former Staffer In Joe Biden’s Senate Office Disputes Claim From Accuser Tara Reade About Why She Was

Former Staffer In Joe Biden’s Senate Office Disputes Claim From Accuser Tara Reade About Why She Was Fired

A former staffer of Joe Biden ’ s Senate office is disputing a claim from sexual assault accuser Tara Reade about why she was fired from the office .
Reade , who claims that Biden assaulted her in a secluded part of the U.S. Senate building in 1993 , has said that she was fired in retaliation for reporting the sexual harassment that she claimed took place .
But staffer Ben Savage , who said he had a desk next to Reade in Biden ’ s mail room , is now disputing her claim .
Savage spoke to PBS NewsHour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor job performance , which he claims to have witnessed firsthand .
Savage said that Reade had been mishandling a critical part of her duties , processing constituent mail .
Savage said it was he that reported the issues to his boss , then-deputy chief of staff Dennis Toner .
Savage went on to say that Reade ’ s duties were scaled back after this , and that he took over some of the tasks and changed other parts of the process so that she was excluded .
The former Biden staffer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were no others like them during his three years working for the Delaware senator .
“ Of all the people who held that position , she ’ s the only one during my time there who couldn ’ t necessarily keep up or who found it frustrating.
” Biden has denied the allegations from Reade , saying that nothing like what she described ever took place .
He also called on the secretary of the U.S. Senate and the National Archives to release any information regarding a complaint Reade said she filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both bodies said they were not able to release this information .
As The Inquisitr reported , Biden said in an interview this week that he did not recall Reade during her time working in the office .
He also said the allegation that he forcefully assaulted a staffer in the U.S. Senate building does not fit his character — something that other staffers told PBS NewsHour .
“ This is just totally , thoroughly , completely out of character .
And the idea that in a public place , in a hallway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean , it ’ s just- I- anyway , I promise you .
It never happened.
” Both Biden and his campaign have called on journalists to thoroughly investigate Reade ’ s claims , saying they believe the evidence will show them to be unfounded .