cnbc--2020-08-20--Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon pleads not guilty in alleged border wall fundraising scheme

The indictment said the defendants `` collectively received hundreds of thousands of dollars in donor funds from 'We Build the Wall , ' which they each used in a manner inconsistent with the organization 's public representations . ''
The campaign was intended to raise money to help President Donald Trump fulfill a campaign promise to build a border wall .
Instead , prosecutors allege that Bannon and his team profited off the arrangement .
Others in the indictment are Timothy Shea , a 49-year-old from Colorado accused of owning a shell company , Brian Kolfage , a disabled Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who according to his own website was a contributor to Breitbart News , the conservative publication Bannon used to run .
Bannon and three associates were indicted in a federal investigation in the Southern District of New York .
Prosecutors allege the four defrauded donors by raising `` more than $ 25 million to build a wall along the southern border of the United States , '' but some of that money was used for personal gain .
Bannon pleaded not guilty during a court hearing later Thursday , and he was expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News .
Bannon is getting a $ 5 million bond that is secured by $ 1.75 million in cash or property that Bannon has to post by Sept. 3 .
He is not allowed to use private jets or yachts , and he must surrender his passport .
His travel will be limited to Connecticut and the New York and Washington , D.C. , areas .
Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon was arrested Thursday after being charged with defrauding hundreds of thousands of donors through his `` We Build the Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Build the Wall Inc. discuss plans for future barrier construction along the U.S.-Mexico border , Thursday , May 30 , 2019 , in Sunland Park , N.M .
The group expects to finish a segment of 2,300 feet of bollard-style fencing on private land , after raising around $ 23 million through a crowd-funding website .
Organizers say it will have money left over for future projects .
`` The defendants defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors , capitalizing on their interest in funding a border wall to raise millions of dollars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that money would be spent on construction , '' Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement .
`` While repeatedly assuring donors that Brian Kolfage , the founder and public face of We Build the Wall , would not be paid a cent , the defendants secretly schemed to pass hundreds of thousands of dollars to Kolfage , which he used to fund his lavish lifestyle .
We thank the USPIS for their partnership in investigating this case , and we remain dedicated to rooting out and prosecuting fraud wherever we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 , 2016 file photo , retired U.S. Air Force Sr. Airman Brian Kolfage .
What started as an online fundraiser by Kolfage to provide President Donald Trump with donations for his southern border wall has morphed into a new foundation whose members vow to build a wall themselves .
Kolfage 's effort quickly went viral and raised millions of dollars from hundreds of thousands of donors – but GoFundMe threatened to suspend the campaign unless he `` identified a legitimate non-profit organization into which those funds could be transferred , '' according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37-year-old triple amputee , launched the crowdfunding campaign in late 2018 on GoFundMe to build the wall .
His effort came amid a stalemate over government funding on Capitol Hill , where Trump demanded that any spending package include billions of dollars to go toward the border barrier .
The deadlock culminated in the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history .
Prior to his campaign to crowdfund the border wall , Kolfage had been involved in a string of far-right news blogs and groups , one of which had been scrubbed from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive up website traffic .
Some of the sites peddled false conspiracy theories and racist content .
As his wall-funding campaign gained national attention , Kolfage had frequently appeared on Fox News and Fox Business , where he defended Trump and slammed his critics for suffering from `` Trump Derangement Syndrome . ''
Badolato notes on his own website that he has been an `` infrequent freelance contributor in the past to Breitbart News , '' a conservative news outlet Bannon used to run .
Badolato also says on his site that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative publications linked to Bannon including Clinton Cash and The Undefeated : The Rise of Sarah Palin .
Shea , according to an NBC TV station in Colorado , is married to the group 's treasurer , Amanda .
She told the station that she and her husband opened a P.O .
Box in order for donors to send checks .
Amanda Shea insisted to NBC , in late 2018 , that the checks were being made to Kolfage of `` We Build the Wall . ''
Kris Kobach , a former Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a team member of `` We Build the Wall , '' previously told the New York Times that Trump gave his `` blessing '' for the project .
Kobach was not mentioned in the indictment .
A year after that story was published , Trump said he disagreed with the move by a `` private group '' to create a section of the wall `` which raised money by ads , '' he said in a tweet .
The White House press secretary said in a statement that Trump had no involvement the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the group .
`` President Trump has not been involved with Steve Bannon since the campaign and the early part of the Administration , and he does not know the people involved with this project , '' Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement .
Audrey Strauss , the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York , and Philip R. Bartlett , Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the United States Postal Inspection Service ( `` USPIS '' ) , announced the unsealing of an indictment charging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BADOLATO , and TIMOTHY SHEA for their roles in defrauding hundreds of thousands of donors in connection with an online crowdfunding campaign known as `` We Build the Wall '' that raised more than $ 25 million .
The defendants were arrested this morning .
KOLFAGE will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon in the Northern District of Florida .
BANNON will be presented today in the Southern District of New York .
BADOLATO will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Wilson in the Middle District of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix in the District of Colorado .
The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in the Southern District of New York .
Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said : `` As alleged , the defendants defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors , capitalizing on their interest in funding a border wall to raise millions of dollars , under the false pretense that all of that money would be spent on construction .
While repeatedly assuring donors that Brian Kolfage , the founder and public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be paid a cent , the defendants secretly schemed to pass hundreds of thousands of dollars to Kolfage , which he used to fund his lavish lifestyle .
We thank the USPIS for their partnership in investigating this case , and we remain dedicated to rooting out and prosecuting fraud wherever we find it . ''
Inspector-in-Charge Philip R. Bartlett said : `` The defendants allegedly engaged in fraud when they misrepresented the true use of donated funds .
As alleged , not only did they lie to donors , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by creating sham invoices and accounts to launder donations and cover up their crimes , showing no regard for the law or the truth .
This case should serve as a warning to other fraudsters that no one is above the law , not even a disabled war veteran or a millionaire political strategist . ''
According to the Indictment [ 1 ] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court : Starting in approximately December 2018 , BRIAN KOLFAGE , STEPHEN BANNON , ANDREW BADOLATO , and TIMOTHY SHEA , and others , orchestrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of donors , including donors in the Southern District of New York , in connection with an online crowdfunding campaign ultimately known as `` We Build The Wall '' that raised more than $ 25 million to build a wall along the southern border of the United States .
In particular , to induce donors to donate to the campaign , KOLFAGE repeatedly and falsely assured the public that he would `` not take a penny in salary or compensation '' and that `` 100 % of the funds raised .
.
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our mission and purpose '' because , as BANNON publicly stated , `` we 're a volunteer organization . ''
Those representations were false .
In truth , KOLFAGE , BANNON , BADOLATO , and SHEA received hundreds of thousands of dollars in donor funds from We Build the Wall , which they each used in a manner inconsistent with the organization 's public representations .
In particular , KOLFAGE covertly took for his personal use more than $ 350,000 in funds that donors had given to We Build the Wall , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his control ( `` Non-Profit-1 '' ) , received over $ 1 million from We Build the Wall , at least some of which BANNON used to cover hundreds of thousands of dollars in BANNON 's personal expenses .
To conceal the payments to KOLFAGE from We Build the Wall , KOLFAGE , BANNON , BADOLATO , and SHEA devised a scheme to route those payments from We Build the Wall to KOLFAGE indirectly through Non-Profit-1 and a shell company under SHEA 's control , among other avenues .
They did so by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' arrangements , among other ways , to ensure , as KOLFAGE noted in a text message to BADOLATO , that his pay arrangement remained `` confidential '' and kept on a `` need to know '' basis .
KOLFAGE , 38 , of Miramar Beach , Florida , BANNON , 66 , of Washington , D.C. , BADOLATO , 56 , of Sarasota , Florida , and SHEA , 49 , of Castle Rock , Colorado , are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each of which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison .
The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only , as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by the judge .
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the USPIS and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney 's Office for the Southern District of New York .
She also thanked the U.S Attorney 's Office for the Northern District of Florida for their assistance .
The case is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corruption Unit .
Assistant United States Attorneys Nicolas Roos , Alison G. Moe , and Robert B. Sobelman are in charge of the prosecution .
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations .
The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty .
Correction : This story was updated to correctly identify defendant Timothy Shea , 49 , of Colorado , not Timothy Shea , who in May was announced as the acting administrator of Drug Enforcement Administration .
This is breaking news .
Please check back for updates .

Bannon and three associates were indicted in a federal investigation in the Southern District of New York. Prosecutors allege the four defrauded donors by raising "more than $25 million to build a wall along the southern border of the United States," but some of that money was used for personal gain.
Bannon pleaded not guilty during a court hearing later Thursday, and he was expected to be released, according to NBC News. Bannon is getting a $5 million bond that is secured by $1.75 million in cash or property that Bannon has to post by Sept. 3. He is not allowed to use private jets or yachts, and he must surrender his passport. His travel will be limited to Connecticut and the New York and Washington, D.C., areas.
Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon was arrested Thursday after being charged with defrauding hundreds of thousands of donors through his "We Build the Wall" fundraising campaign.
Former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon exits the Manhattan Federal Court, following his arraignment hearing for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, in New York, August 20, 2020.
The indictment said the defendants "collectively received hundreds of thousands of dollars in donor funds from 'We Build the Wall,' which they each used in a manner inconsistent with the organization's public representations."
The campaign was intended to raise money to help President Donald Trump fulfill a campaign promise to build a border wall. Instead, prosecutors allege that Bannon and his team profited off the arrangement.
Others in the indictment are Timothy Shea, a 49-year-old from Colorado accused of owning a shell company, Brian Kolfage, a disabled Iraq war veteran, and Andrew Badolato, who according to his own website was a contributor to Breitbart News, the conservative publication Bannon used to run.
Leaders of We Build the Wall Inc. discuss plans for future barrier construction along the U.S.-Mexico border, Thursday, May 30, 2019, in Sunland Park, N.M. The group expects to finish a segment of 2,300 feet of bollard-style fencing on private land, after raising around $23 million through a crowd-funding website. Organizers say it will have money left over for future projects.
"The defendants defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors, capitalizing on their interest in funding a border wall to raise millions of dollars, under the false pretense that all of that money would be spent on construction," Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement. "While repeatedly assuring donors that Brian Kolfage, the founder and public face of We Build the Wall, would not be paid a cent, the defendants secretly schemed to pass hundreds of thousands of dollars to Kolfage, which he used to fund his lavish lifestyle. We thank the USPIS for their partnership in investigating this case, and we remain dedicated to rooting out and prosecuting fraud wherever we find it."
In this Jan. 14, 2016 file photo, retired U.S. Air Force Sr. Airman Brian Kolfage. What started as an online fundraiser by Kolfage to provide President Donald Trump with donations for his southern border wall has morphed into a new foundation whose members vow to build a wall themselves.
Kolfage's effort quickly went viral and raised millions of dollars from hundreds of thousands of donors – but GoFundMe threatened to suspend the campaign unless he "identified a legitimate non-profit organization into which those funds could be transferred," according to the indictment.
Kolfage, a 37-year-old triple amputee, launched the crowdfunding campaign in late 2018 on GoFundMe to build the wall. His effort came amid a stalemate over government funding on Capitol Hill, where Trump demanded that any spending package include billions of dollars to go toward the border barrier. The deadlock culminated in the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history.
Prior to his campaign to crowdfund the border wall, Kolfage had been involved in a string of far-right news blogs and groups, one of which had been scrubbed from Facebook for allegedly using fake accounts to drive up website traffic. Some of the sites peddled false conspiracy theories and racist content. As his wall-funding campaign gained national attention, Kolfage had frequently appeared on Fox News and Fox Business, where he defended Trump and slammed his critics for suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome."
Badolato notes on his own website that he has been an "infrequent freelance contributor in the past to Breitbart News," a conservative news outlet Bannon used to run. Badolato also says on his site that he was involved with a number of other conservative publications linked to Bannon including Clinton Cash and The Undefeated: The Rise of Sarah Palin.
Shea, according to an NBC TV station in Colorado, is married to the group's treasurer, Amanda. She told the station that she and her husband opened a P.O. Box in order for donors to send checks. Amanda Shea insisted to NBC, in late 2018, that the checks were being made to Kolfage of "We Build the Wall."
Kris Kobach, a former Republican nominee for a Kansas Senate seat and a team member of "We Build the Wall," previously told the New York Times that Trump gave his "blessing" for the project. Kobach was not mentioned in the indictment.
A year after that story was published, Trump said he disagreed with the move by a "private group" to create a section of the wall "which raised money by ads," he said in a tweet.
Tweet:
The White House press secretary said in a statement that Trump had no involvement the project while distancing the administration from Bannon and the group.
"President Trump has not been involved with Steve Bannon since the campaign and the early part of the Administration, and he does not know the people involved with this project," Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement.
Read the DOJ's full release below:
Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Philip R. Bartlett, Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the United States Postal Inspection Service ("USPIS"), announced the unsealing of an indictment charging BRIAN KOLFAGE, STEPHEN BANNON, ANDREW BADOLATO, and TIMOTHY SHEA for their roles in defrauding hundreds of thousands of donors in connection with an online crowdfunding campaign known as "We Build the Wall" that raised more than $25 million. The defendants were arrested this morning. KOLFAGE will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon in the Northern District of Florida. BANNON will be presented today in the Southern District of New York. BADOLATO will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Wilson in the Middle District of Florida. SHEA will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix in the District of Colorado. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in the Southern District of New York. Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: "As alleged, the defendants defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors, capitalizing on their interest in funding a border wall to raise millions of dollars, under the false pretense that all of that money would be spent on construction. While repeatedly assuring donors that Brian Kolfage, the founder and public face of We Build the Wall, would not be paid a cent, the defendants secretly schemed to pass hundreds of thousands of dollars to Kolfage, which he used to fund his lavish lifestyle. We thank the USPIS for their partnership in investigating this case, and we remain dedicated to rooting out and prosecuting fraud wherever we find it." Inspector-in-Charge Philip R. Bartlett said: "The defendants allegedly engaged in fraud when they misrepresented the true use of donated funds. As alleged, not only did they lie to donors, they schemed to hide their misappropriation of funds by creating sham invoices and accounts to launder donations and cover up their crimes, showing no regard for the law or the truth. This case should serve as a warning to other fraudsters that no one is above the law, not even a disabled war veteran or a millionaire political strategist." According to the Indictment[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court: Starting in approximately December 2018, BRIAN KOLFAGE, STEPHEN BANNON, ANDREW BADOLATO, and TIMOTHY SHEA, and others, orchestrated a scheme to defraud hundreds of thousands of donors, including donors in the Southern District of New York, in connection with an online crowdfunding campaign ultimately known as "We Build The Wall" that raised more than $25 million to build a wall along the southern border of the United States. In particular, to induce donors to donate to the campaign, KOLFAGE repeatedly and falsely assured the public that he would "not take a penny in salary or compensation" and that "100% of the funds raised . . . will be used in the execution of our mission and purpose" because, as BANNON publicly stated, "we're a volunteer organization." Those representations were false. In truth, KOLFAGE, BANNON, BADOLATO, and SHEA received hundreds of thousands of dollars in donor funds from We Build the Wall, which they each used in a manner inconsistent with the organization's public representations. In particular, KOLFAGE covertly took for his personal use more than $350,000 in funds that donors had given to We Build the Wall, while BANNON, through a non-profit organization under his control ("Non-Profit-1"), received over $1 million from We Build the Wall, at least some of which BANNON used to cover hundreds of thousands of dollars in BANNON's personal expenses. To conceal the payments to KOLFAGE from We Build the Wall, KOLFAGE, BANNON, BADOLATO, and SHEA devised a scheme to route those payments from We Build the Wall to KOLFAGE indirectly through Non-Profit-1 and a shell company under SHEA's control, among other avenues. They did so by using fake invoices and sham "vendor" arrangements, among other ways, to ensure, as KOLFAGE noted in a text message to BADOLATO, that his pay arrangement remained "confidential" and kept on a "need to know" basis. * * * KOLFAGE, 38, of Miramar Beach, Florida, BANNON, 66, of Washington, D.C., BADOLATO, 56, of Sarasota, Florida, and SHEA, 49, of Castle Rock, Colorado, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by the judge. Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the USPIS and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. She also thanked the U.S Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida for their assistance. The case is being handled by the Office's Public Corruption Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicolas Roos, Alison G. Moe, and Robert B. Sobelman are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
CNBC's Kevin Breuninger contributed to this story.
Correction: This story was updated to correctly identify defendant Timothy Shea, 49, of Colorado, not Timothy Shea, who in May was announced as the acting administrator of Drug Enforcement Administration.
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.


cnbc--2020-08-20--Here are the speakers for the final night of the Democratic National Convention

Former Vice President Joe Biden , Democratic presidential nominee , left , and wife Jill Biden stand on stage during @ @ @ @ @ the Chase Center in Wilmington , Delaware , U.S. , on Wednesday , Aug. 19 @ @ @ @ @ President Joe Biden will officially accept his party 's nomination on the final night of @ @ @ @ @ tell voters why they should chose him over four more years of President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ , Kamala Harris , accepted the vice presidential nomination Wednesday in an evening that also @ @ @ @ @ President Barack Obama and former Rep. Gabby Giffords .
Speakers for the fourth and final @ @ @ @ @ which is being held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic , are set to begin @ @ @ @ @ ET .

Former Vice President Joe Biden, Democratic presidential nominee, left, and wife Jill Biden stand on stage during the Democratic National Convention at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.
Former Vice President Joe Biden will officially accept his party's nomination on the final night of the Democratic National Convention and tell voters why they should chose him over four more years of President Donald Trump.
Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris, accepted the vice presidential nomination Wednesday in an evening that also included impassioned speeches from former President Barack Obama and former Rep. Gabby Giffords.
(Here are the highlights from the first, second and third nights of the DNC.)
Speakers for the fourth and final night of the convention, which is being held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, are set to begin Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.


cnbc--2020-08-20--Here's a list of Trump's ex-associates who have faced charges

The arrest of Steve Bannon , President Donald Trump 's onetime campaign chief and former White House strategist , makes him the latest ex-associate of Trump 's to face charges .
But he 's far from the first .
Numerous other people connected to Trump , either through his 2016 campaign , his presidency or his business , have been charged with crimes .
Many of those charges came out of former special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into Russian election interference in 2016 .
Bannon , 66 , was arrested Thursday morning and charged with defrauding hundreds of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border .
The former executive chairman of right-wing news site Breitbart , Bannon was tapped in August 2016 to become chief executive of the Trump campaign .
After Trump won the presidential election , Bannon became Trump 's chief White House strategist .
He left that role in August 2017 .
Bannon and three others – including Brian Kolfage , who spearheaded the `` We Build the Wall '' fundraising effort – were each indicted by the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Southern District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering .
The counts carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison each , according to a press release from the office .
`` As alleged , not only did they lie to donors , they schemed to hide their misappropriation of funds by creating sham invoices and accounts to launder donations and cover up their crimes , showing no regard for the law or the truth , '' said Philip Bartlett , inspector in charge of the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
Later Thursday , Bannon pleaded not guilty at a court hearing .
The White House distanced Trump from the alleged crowdfunding scheme .
`` As everyone knows , President Trump had no involvement in this project and felt it was only being done in order to showboat , and perhaps raise funds , '' White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement .
She cited Trump 's critical tweet from July about the project .
Trump campaign surrogates , including the president 's son , Donald Trump Jr. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applauded the effort to privately fund the wall .
A spokeswoman said Thursday that Trump Jr. 's `` previous praise of the group was based on what he was led to believe about their supposed intention to help build the wall on our southern border and if he and others were deceived , the group deserves to be held accountable for their actions . ''
Stone , 67 , Trump 's longtime friend and an official on the then-candidate 's 2016 campaign , was arrested in January 2019 in a predawn raid at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a seven-count indictment as part of Mueller 's probe into Russian meddling , possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia , and potential obstruction of the probe by Trump .
Stone was charged with lying to Congress about his communications related to document disclosure group Wikileaks , which released reams of Democratic officials ' emails late in the 2016 election .
Stone was also charged with obstruction and witness tampering for threatening an associate , comedian Randy Credico , in an effort to get him to corroborate his lies to Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November .
Last month , Trump , who has railed against Mueller 's probe and Stone 's prosecution , commuted Stone 's sentence just days before he was set to begin his 40-month prison term .
Flynn , 61 , served as Trump 's first national security advisor before resigning less than a month after Trump 's inauguration .
The resignation was related to Flynn 's conversations with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in the weeks before Trump took office .
In December 2017 , Flynn pleaded guilty to making false statements to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomat .
But he later sought to undo that plea , and the Department of Justice in May moved to drop its prosecution of Flynn .
Earlier this month , the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Washington , D.C. , Circuit heard arguments about whether Flynn 's case in federal court should be dismissed .
Trump has not ruled out the possibility of pardoning Flynn .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 19, 2020. Tom Brenner | Reuters
The arrest of Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump's onetime campaign chief and former White House strategist, makes him the latest ex-associate of Trump's to face charges. But he's far from the first. Numerous other people connected to Trump, either through his 2016 campaign, his presidency or his business, have been charged with crimes. Many of those charges came out of former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference in 2016. Here are some of them:
Steve Bannon
Former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon attends a ceremony at the White House April 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images
Bannon, 66, was arrested Thursday morning and charged with defrauding hundreds of thousands of donors through a campaign to crowdfund the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The former executive chairman of right-wing news site Breitbart, Bannon was tapped in August 2016 to become chief executive of the Trump campaign. After Trump won the presidential election, Bannon became Trump's chief White House strategist. He left that role in August 2017.
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Bannon and three others – including Brian Kolfage, who spearheaded the "We Build the Wall" fundraising effort – were each indicted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The counts carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison each, according to a press release from the office. "As alleged, not only did they lie to donors, they schemed to hide their misappropriation of funds by creating sham invoices and accounts to launder donations and cover up their crimes, showing no regard for the law or the truth," said Philip Bartlett, inspector in charge of the New York field office, in the press release. Later Thursday, Bannon pleaded not guilty at a court hearing.
The White House distanced Trump from the alleged crowdfunding scheme. "As everyone knows, President Trump had no involvement in this project and felt it was only being done in order to showboat, and perhaps raise funds," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement. She cited Trump's critical tweet from July about the project. TWEET Trump campaign surrogates, including the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., and his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle, previously applauded the effort to privately fund the wall. A spokeswoman said Thursday that Trump Jr.'s "previous praise of the group was based on what he was led to believe about their supposed intention to help build the wall on our southern border and if he and others were deceived, the group deserves to be held accountable for their actions."
Roger Stone
Roger Stone, longtime political ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, flashes a victory gesture as he departs following a status conference in the criminal case against him brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller at U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., February 1, 2019. Jim Bourg | Reuters
Stone, 67, Trump's longtime friend and an official on the then-candidate's 2016 campaign, was arrested in January 2019 in a predawn raid at his Florida home. He was hit with a seven-count indictment as part of Mueller's probe into Russian meddling, possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, and potential obstruction of the probe by Trump. Stone was charged with lying to Congress about his communications related to document disclosure group Wikileaks, which released reams of Democratic officials' emails late in the 2016 election. Stone was also charged with obstruction and witness tampering for threatening an associate, comedian Randy Credico, in an effort to get him to corroborate his lies to Congress. Stone was convicted at trial in November. Last month, Trump, who has railed against Mueller's probe and Stone's prosecution, commuted Stone's sentence just days before he was set to begin his 40-month prison term.
Michael Flynn
Former national security adviser Michael Flynn exits a vehicle as he arrives for his sentencing hearing at U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., December 18, 2018. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Paul Manafort
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort exits the courtroom after his arraignment in New York Supreme Court in New York, June 27, 2019. Eduardo Munoz | Reuters
Rick Gates
Rick Gates, former campaign aide to U.S. President Donald Trump, departs federal court after being sentenced to 45 days in jail and three years probation, in Washington, DC, December 17, 2019. Al Drago | Reuters
Gates, 48, who worked on Trump's campaign and his inaugural committee, was sentenced in late 2019 to 45 days in jail for conspiracy and making a false statement. A former close associate of Manafort, Gates had agreed to cooperate with Mueller's team.
Michael Cohen
Michael Cohen, the former personal attorney of U.S. President Donald Trump, sits at the witness table waiting to testify before a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 27, 2019. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
George Papadopoulos
Former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos arrives at a closed-door hearing before the House Judiciary and Oversight Committee October 25, 2018 at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Alex Wong | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-08-20--Judge throws out Trump challenge to Manhattan DA subpoena for tax records

President Donald Trump 's effort to fight a prosecutor 's subpoena for his tax records was rejected Thursday by a federal judge , handing another loss to the president in a high-profile case that already made its way to the Supreme Court .
U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero said the president failed to show that the subpoena would pose an unfair burden , siding in favor of Manhattan D.A .
Cyrus Vance Jr. , who has said his office is pursuing an investigation of potential violations of state law .
Trump is likely to appeal the decision to a higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jay Sekulow , said Trump will appeal the decision .
It is unlikely that any records obtained via subpoena by Vance 's office will become public before the presidential election this fall , if at all .
The subpoena , directed to the president 's longtime accounting firm Mazars USA , seeks the president 's personal and business records , including tax returns , dating to 2011 .
The ruling by the New York federal judge comes a month after the Supreme Court rejected the president 's earlier claims of absolute immunity from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court rejected the immunity argument , it said the president was entitled to object to the subpoena on alternative grounds .
Following the Supreme Court ruling , the president argued that the subpoena was overly broad and politically motivated .
But Marrero said those objections were essentially the same as the earlier immunity arguments .
Marrero wrote that he could not `` mechanically credit '' the president 's new arguments , likening them to `` absolute immunity through a back door . ''
Marrero dismissed the case with prejudice , effectively preventing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court for why the subpoena should not be enforced .
Vance has been relatively opaque about the subject of his investigation .
His office is known to be investigating hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels made on the president 's behalf by his former lawyer Michael Cohen in the run-up to the 2016 election .
Daniels has said she had sex with Trump , but he has denied the affair .
More clues emerged in a filing earlier in August , in which Vance suggested he could also be pursuing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Vance 's office declined to comment on Thursday 's ruling .
Trump has vigorously opposed calls for him to disclose his tax returns , breaking with the practice followed by all modern candidates for president .
Trump is up for reelection against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in November .

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 19, 2020. Tom Brenner | Reuters
President Donald Trump's effort to fight a prosecutor's subpoena for his tax records was rejected Thursday by a federal judge, handing another loss to the president in a high-profile case that already made its way to the Supreme Court. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero said the president failed to show that the subpoena would pose an unfair burden, siding in favor of Manhattan D.A. Cyrus Vance Jr., who has said his office is pursuing an investigation of potential violations of state law. Trump is likely to appeal the decision to a higher court. The president's attorney, Jay Sekulow, said Trump will appeal the decision. It is unlikely that any records obtained via subpoena by Vance's office will become public before the presidential election this fall, if at all. The subpoena, directed to the president's longtime accounting firm Mazars USA, seeks the president's personal and business records, including tax returns, dating to 2011.
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The ruling by the New York federal judge comes a month after the Supreme Court rejected the president's earlier claims of absolute immunity from state criminal subpoenas. While the top court rejected the immunity argument, it said the president was entitled to object to the subpoena on alternative grounds. Following the Supreme Court ruling, the president argued that the subpoena was overly broad and politically motivated. But Marrero said those objections were essentially the same as the earlier immunity arguments. Marrero wrote that he could not "mechanically credit" the president's new arguments, likening them to "absolute immunity through a back door." Marrero dismissed the case with prejudice, effectively preventing the president from bringing new arguments to the court for why the subpoena should not be enforced. Vance has been relatively opaque about the subject of his investigation. His office is known to be investigating hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels made on the president's behalf by his former lawyer Michael Cohen in the run-up to the 2016 election. Daniels has said she had sex with Trump, but he has denied the affair.
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cnbc--2020-08-20--Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy tests positive for Covid-19

Sen. Bill Cassidy tested positive for Covid-19 after exposure to a person with the coronavirus , he said Thursday .
The Louisiana Republican will quarantine for two weeks and notify anyone with whom he came in contact , he said in a statement .
Cassidy , a doctor , is the second U.S. senator to test positive for Covid-19 after Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. '' I am strictly following the direction of our medical experts and strongly encourage others to do the same , '' he said .
Cassidy did not detail the severity of his symptoms .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has made its mark on Congress .
Along with the two senators , at least nine U.S. representatives have tested positive for Covid-19 .
As Washington sits at a stalemate on passing a fifth coronavirus relief package , Cassidy has been one of the loudest advocates for aid among Senate Republicans .
He spoke about developing legislation in a remote interview Thursday morning with CNBC 's `` Squawk Box . ''
It is unclear whether he had already received his positive test result at the time .
`` We need to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus aid , adding that Republicans need to increase the proposed price tag for their bill .
Cassidy has broken with his party in calling for at least $ 500 billion more in aid for state and local governments .
Relief for states and municipalities has divided the GOP and Democrats during the negotiations .
The Trump administration has offered $ 150 billion in aid , while Democrats have pushed for more than $ 900 billion .

Sen. Bill Cassidy tested positive for Covid-19 after exposure to a person with the coronavirus, he said Thursday.
The Louisiana Republican will quarantine for two weeks and notify anyone with whom he came in contact, he said in a statement. Cassidy, a doctor, is the second U.S. senator to test positive for Covid-19 after Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
"I am strictly following the direction of our medical experts and strongly encourage others to do the same," he said. Cassidy did not detail the severity of his symptoms.
As the pandemic spreads around the country, it has made its mark on Congress. Along with the two senators, at least nine U.S. representatives have tested positive for Covid-19.
As Washington sits at a stalemate on passing a fifth coronavirus relief package, Cassidy has been one of the loudest advocates for aid among Senate Republicans. He spoke about developing legislation in a remote interview Thursday morning with CNBC's "Squawk Box."
It is unclear whether he had already received his positive test result at the time.
"We need to get something passed," he said of coronavirus aid, adding that Republicans need to increase the proposed price tag for their bill.
Cassidy has broken with his party in calling for at least $500 billion more in aid for state and local governments. Relief for states and municipalities has divided the GOP and Democrats during the negotiations.
The Trump administration has offered $150 billion in aid, while Democrats have pushed for more than $900 billion.
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cnbc--2020-08-20--Iran unveils new missiles as tensions between Washington and Tehran mount over arms embargo

A missile unveiled by Iran is launched in an unknown location in Iran in this picture received by Reuters on August 20 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON — Iran unveiled a new surface-to-surface ballistic missile on Thursday , a move likely to peeve Washington as the Trump administration attempts to rein in the regime 's missile and nuclear weapon ambitions .
Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said in a televised address that the missile has a range of approximately 870 miles and is named after Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani , who was killed in an U.S. strike in Iraq in January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new cruise missile boasting a range more than 620 miles and was named after Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis , who also was killed in the strike .
Hatami added that the new missiles `` will further strengthen Iran 's deterrence power . ''
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described the new missiles as important for defense .
`` Missiles and particularly cruise missiles are very important for us .
...
The fact that we have increased the range from 300 to 1,000 [ kilometers ] in less than two years is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Our military might and missile programs are defensive , '' he added .

A missile unveiled by Iran is launched in an unknown location in Iran in this picture received by Reuters on August 20, 2020.
WASHINGTON — Iran unveiled a new surface-to-surface ballistic missile on Thursday, a move likely to peeve Washington as the Trump administration attempts to rein in the regime's missile and nuclear weapon ambitions.
Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said in a televised address that the missile has a range of approximately 870 miles and is named after Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in an U.S. strike in Iraq in January. Hatami also said the regime had a new cruise missile boasting a range more than 620 miles and was named after Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who also was killed in the strike.
Hatami added that the new missiles "will further strengthen Iran's deterrence power."
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described the new missiles as important for defense.
"Missiles and particularly cruise missiles are very important for us. ... The fact that we have increased the range from 300 to 1,000 [kilometers] in less than two years is a great achievement," Rouhani said. "Our military might and missile programs are defensive," he added.


cnbc--2020-08-21--Joe Biden accepts Democratic nomination with pledge to serve 'all Americans'

`` The president takes no responsibility , refuses to lead , blames others , cozies up to dictators and fans the flames of hate and division , '' Biden said .
`` He 'll wake up every day believing the job is all about him , never about you .
Is that the America you want for you , your family , and your children ? ''
This is not to say that Biden ignored his opponent entirely .
Biden 's speech projected stability , humanity and trustworthiness , qualities that he portrayed as the antidote to four years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once mentioned Trump by name , surprising some viewers who expected Biden 's speech to echo searing critiques of Trump delivered earlier this week by former President Barack Obama and others .
`` I 'll be a Democratic candidate , '' said Biden , but `` I will be an American president .
I 'll work hard for those who did n't support me , as hard for them as I did for those who did n't vote for me .
That 's the job of a president , to represent all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our party .
This is not a partisan moment .
This must be an American moment . ''
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden accepts the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination during a speech delivered for the largely virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention from the Chase Center in Wilmington , Delaware , U.S. , August 20 , 2020 .
Trump responded to Biden 's speech with a tweet , claiming , `` in 47 years , Joe did none of the things of which he now speaks .
He will never change , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more focused on unity , hope and promise than it was on drawing a contrast between himself and Trump .
As president , Biden said , the first thing he would do is work to get the deadly coronavirus pandemic under control .
`` We 'll develop and deploy rapid tests with the results available immediately .
We 'll make the medical supplies and protective equipment that our country needs .
... We 'll make sure our schools have the resources they need to be open , safe and effective .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
`` We 'll take the muzzle off our experts so the public gets the information they need and deserve , honest , unvarnished truth .
They can handle it .
We 'll have a national mandate to wear a mask .
Not as a burden but as a patriotic duty to protect one another .
In short , we 'll do what we should have done from the very beginning . ''
Speaking alone on a flag-filled stage in Wilmington , Delaware , Biden had the challenge of creating drama and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a supportive crowd from which to draw energy .
Nonetheless , the 77-year-old Biden , who became a U.S. senator at age 30 and served 36 years in the upper chamber , gave the speech of his life .
He achieved moments of true emotion , anger , hope and sadness , and he made none of the verbal stumbles he sometimes does , remnants of a stutter he has worked to overcome his entire life .
`` I will be a president who will stand with our allies and friends , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it clear to our adversaries that the days of cozying up to dictators are over , '' he added , a reference to Trump 's warm relationships with several autocratic leaders around the world .
`` Under President Biden , America will not turn a blind eye to Russian bounties on the heads of American soldiers .
Nor will I put up with foreign interference in our most sacred democratic exercise — voting . ''
Biden 's speech capped a four-day virtual convention that largely went off without a hitch .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one had ever attempted to put on a virtual nominating convention before .
Every minute of the eight hours over four nights was uncharted territory .
Biden 's delivery exceeded expectations , in part because Trump has spent weeks lowering them , repeatedly claiming that Biden is cognitively impaired and barely able to form a cohesive sentence .
Trump and his fellow Republicans have also spent much of the past two months portraying Democrats as the party of looters , rioters and wild-eyed socialists .
But this week 's convention went a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack .
Democrats featured a half-dozen prominent Republicans who endorsed Biden , and a slew of everyday Republicans who also support the former vice president .
They put centrists on display night after night , and largely relegated the party 's loudest progressive voices to the wings .
Whereas Trump 's political speeches rely on energizing his supporters with constant references to who is a `` real '' American and who is n't , over and over on Thursday , Biden stressed inclusion and unity .
The task facing the country is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not be accomplished by a nation divided .
`` Let us begin , you and I together , one nation under God , united in our love for America , united in our love for each other .
For love is more powerful than hate , hope is more powerful than fear , light is more powerful than dark , '' said Biden .
`` This is our moment .
This is our mission .
Let history be able to say at the end of this chapter of American darkness began here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and light joined in the battle for the soul of the nation . ''

"The president takes no responsibility, refuses to lead, blames others, cozies up to dictators and fans the flames of hate and division," Biden said. "He'll wake up every day believing the job is all about him, never about you. Is that the America you want for you, your family, and your children?"
This is not to say that Biden ignored his opponent entirely.
Biden's speech projected stability, humanity and trustworthiness, qualities that he portrayed as the antidote to four years of President Donald Trump. Yet he never once mentioned Trump by name, surprising some viewers who expected Biden's speech to echo searing critiques of Trump delivered earlier this week by former President Barack Obama and others.
"I'll be a Democratic candidate," said Biden, but "I will be an American president. I'll work hard for those who didn't support me, as hard for them as I did for those who didn't vote for me. That's the job of a president, to represent all of us, not just our base or our party. This is not a partisan moment. This must be an American moment."
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden accepts the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination during a speech delivered for the largely virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention from the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., August 20, 2020.
Trump responded to Biden's speech with a tweet, claiming, "in 47 years, Joe did none of the things of which he now speaks. He will never change, just words!"
Biden's message was much more focused on unity, hope and promise than it was on drawing a contrast between himself and Trump.
As president, Biden said, the first thing he would do is work to get the deadly coronavirus pandemic under control.
"We'll develop and deploy rapid tests with the results available immediately. We'll make the medical supplies and protective equipment that our country needs. ... We'll make sure our schools have the resources they need to be open, safe and effective. We'll put politics aside," said Biden.
"We'll take the muzzle off our experts so the public gets the information they need and deserve, honest, unvarnished truth. They can handle it. We'll have a national mandate to wear a mask. Not as a burden but as a patriotic duty to protect one another. In short, we'll do what we should have done from the very beginning."
Speaking alone on a flag-filled stage in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden had the challenge of creating drama and tempo for his words without the benefit of a supportive crowd from which to draw energy. Nonetheless, the 77-year-old Biden, who became a U.S. senator at age 30 and served 36 years in the upper chamber, gave the speech of his life.
He achieved moments of true emotion, anger, hope and sadness, and he made none of the verbal stumbles he sometimes does, remnants of a stutter he has worked to overcome his entire life.
"I will be a president who will stand with our allies and friends," said Biden. "I will make it clear to our adversaries that the days of cozying up to dictators are over," he added, a reference to Trump's warm relationships with several autocratic leaders around the world.
"Under President Biden, America will not turn a blind eye to Russian bounties on the heads of American soldiers. Nor will I put up with foreign interference in our most sacred democratic exercise — voting."
Biden's speech capped a four-day virtual convention that largely went off without a hitch. This was a significant accomplishment, given that no one had ever attempted to put on a virtual nominating convention before. Every minute of the eight hours over four nights was uncharted territory.
Biden's delivery exceeded expectations, in part because Trump has spent weeks lowering them, repeatedly claiming that Biden is cognitively impaired and barely able to form a cohesive sentence.
Trump and his fellow Republicans have also spent much of the past two months portraying Democrats as the party of looters, rioters and wild-eyed socialists. But this week's convention went a long way toward weakening that line of attack.
Democrats featured a half-dozen prominent Republicans who endorsed Biden, and a slew of everyday Republicans who also support the former vice president. They put centrists on display night after night, and largely relegated the party's loudest progressive voices to the wings.
Whereas Trump's political speeches rely on energizing his supporters with constant references to who is a "real" American and who isn't, over and over on Thursday, Biden stressed inclusion and unity. The task facing the country is so great, he said, that it cannot be accomplished by a nation divided.
"Let us begin, you and I together, one nation under God, united in our love for America, united in our love for each other. For love is more powerful than hate, hope is more powerful than fear, light is more powerful than dark," said Biden. "This is our moment. This is our mission. Let history be able to say at the end of this chapter of American darkness began here, tonight, as love and hope and light joined in the battle for the soul of the nation."
The virtual Republican National Convention begins on Monday.


cnbc--2020-08-21--Here are the highlights of the final night of the Democratic National Convention

The fourth and final night of the Democratic National Convention culminated Thursday with Joe Biden accepting the party 's presidential nomination .
In his address , Biden not only eviscerated President Donald Trump 's handling of his first term but also portrayed himself as the best candidate to combat overlapping economic and health-care crises .
During a period of reckoning over entrenched racism and economic injustice in America , the former vice president promised to `` draw on the best of us , not the worst '' and `` be an ally of the light , not the darkness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the night featured testimonials from Biden 's family members , former primary opponents and strangers he has met over the course of his career .
The event continued another theme of the week in former Republicans switching their allegiance to Biden .
Here are some of the highlights from the fourth night of the Democratic convention .
More of the ex-rivals Biden defeated in a jammed Democratic presidential primary spoke on his behalf Thursday .
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg reserved the most venom for Trump .
`` When confronted with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the modern era , Donald Trump spent the year downplaying the threat , ignoring science , and recommending quack cures , which let Covid-19 spread much faster than it should 've , leaving hundreds of thousands needlessly sick or dead .
He has failed the American people , catastrophically , '' said Bloomberg , who noted he has at points in his life been a Republican , Democrat and independent .
`` Four years ago , I came before this very convention and said New Yorkers know a con when we see one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking you to vote against Trump because he 's a bad guy .
I 'm urging you to vote against him because he 's done a bad job , '' he continued .
Bloomberg got the president 's attention .
Shortly after he spoke , Trump responded to his remarks in a tweet .
He contended Bloomberg `` is trying to make a comeback by begging the Democrats for relevance . ''
`` They treated him like a dog — and always will .
Before politics , he said GREAT things about me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Democratic primary candidates gave remarks to lift Biden , and several others discussed the party 's presidential nominee on a video call .
Sen. Cory Booker , D-N.J. , said Biden 's support for union rights and a higher federal minimum wage would help to lift Americans out of poverty .
Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , a gay man , highlighted the fact that Biden supported marriage equality before most in his party did .
Democrats spent much of the night trying to paint a picture of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most compelling moments came when 13-year-old Brayden Harrington addressed a national audience to tell the story of how Biden helped him overcome a stutter .
The Democratic presidential nominee has had to work through a stutter of his own during roughly 50 years as a public official .
Brayden , who met Biden in New Hampshire , said the former vice president taught him the methods he used to get past his speaking difficulties .
He said Biden showed him how he marked his speeches to make it easier to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his address toward the camera to show where he wrote on it , following Biden 's advice .
`` I 'm just a regular kid , and in a short amount of time , Joe Biden made me more confident about something that 's bothered me my whole life .
Joe Biden cared , '' Brayden said .
Former U.S .
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy started his Democratic convention speech by acknowledging the position is not political .
But he said he came off the sidelines to endorse Biden because he believes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat the raging coronavirus pandemic .
`` We need a leader who works with states to ensure that everyone who needs a test gets one and gets results quickly , a leader who secures a safe , effective vaccine and distributes it quickly and fairly , a leader who inspires us to practice distancing and wear masks , not as a political statement but as a patriotic duty , a commitment we make to one another , '' said Murthy , who served as surgeon general from 2014 to 2017 during the Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm here tonight , not because of politics or for party but because I know Joe Biden can be that leader , '' he said .
Ed Good , a 95-year-old veteran of World War II and the Korean War , told the convention he has been a Republican since the 1960s .
He voted for Trump and is a member of the National Rifle Association .
`` I think Trump has been the worst president we 've ever had , so I 'll be glad to see him go , '' he @ @

Former Vice President Joe Biden, Democratic presidential nominee, speaks during the Democratic National Convention at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. Stefani Reynolds | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The fourth and final night of the Democratic National Convention culminated Thursday with Joe Biden accepting the party's presidential nomination. In his address, Biden not only eviscerated President Donald Trump's handling of his first term but also portrayed himself as the best candidate to combat overlapping economic and health-care crises. During a period of reckoning over entrenched racism and economic injustice in America, the former vice president promised to "draw on the best of us, not the worst" and "be an ally of the light, not the darkness." Outside of the main event, the night featured testimonials from Biden's family members, former primary opponents and strangers he has met over the course of his career. The event continued another theme of the week in former Republicans switching their allegiance to Biden. Here are some of the highlights from the fourth night of the Democratic convention.
Bloomberg picks apart Trump
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More of the ex-rivals Biden defeated in a jammed Democratic presidential primary spoke on his behalf Thursday. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg reserved the most venom for Trump. "When confronted with the biggest calamity any president has faced in the modern era, Donald Trump spent the year downplaying the threat, ignoring science, and recommending quack cures, which let Covid-19 spread much faster than it should've, leaving hundreds of thousands needlessly sick or dead. He has failed the American people, catastrophically," said Bloomberg, who noted he has at points in his life been a Republican, Democrat and independent. "Four years ago, I came before this very convention and said New Yorkers know a con when we see one. But tonight, I'm not asking you to vote against Trump because he's a bad guy. I'm urging you to vote against him because he's done a bad job," he continued. Bloomberg got the president's attention. Shortly after he spoke, Trump responded to his remarks in a tweet. He contended Bloomberg "is trying to make a comeback by begging the Democrats for relevance." "They treated him like a dog — and always will. Before politics, he said GREAT things about me!" Trump wrote. Donald Trump tweet Two other 2020 Democratic primary candidates gave remarks to lift Biden, and several others discussed the party's presidential nominee on a video call.
Former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Senator Cory Booker speaks during the 4th and final night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, as participants from across the country are hosted over video links from the originally planned site of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. August 20, 2020. DNC | Reuters
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said Biden's support for union rights and a higher federal minimum wage would help to lift Americans out of poverty. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a gay man, highlighted the fact that Biden supported marriage equality before most in his party did.
A helping hand
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Democrats spent much of the night trying to paint a picture of an empathetic and generous Biden. One of the most compelling moments came when 13-year-old Brayden Harrington addressed a national audience to tell the story of how Biden helped him overcome a stutter. The Democratic presidential nominee has had to work through a stutter of his own during roughly 50 years as a public official. Brayden, who met Biden in New Hampshire, said the former vice president taught him the methods he used to get past his speaking difficulties.
Brayden Harrington speaks by video feed about the bond he shares with Joe Biden over stuttering during the 4th and final night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention DNC | Reuters
He said Biden showed him how he marked his speeches to make it easier to say them out loud. The boy turned his address toward the camera to show where he wrote on it, following Biden's advice. "I'm just a regular kid, and in a short amount of time, Joe Biden made me more confident about something that's bothered me my whole life. Joe Biden cared," Brayden said.
Surgeon general's warning
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Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy started his Democratic convention speech by acknowledging the position is not political. But he said he came off the sidelines to endorse Biden because he believes the former vice president is best equipped to combat the raging coronavirus pandemic. "We need a leader who works with states to ensure that everyone who needs a test gets one and gets results quickly, a leader who secures a safe, effective vaccine and distributes it quickly and fairly, a leader who inspires us to practice distancing and wear masks, not as a political statement but as a patriotic duty, a commitment we make to one another," said Murthy, who served as surgeon general from 2014 to 2017 during the Obama administration. "That's why I'm here tonight, not because of politics or for party but because I know Joe Biden can be that leader," he said.
A veteran turns from Trump
WWII veteran Ed Good speaks by video feed during the 4th and final night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, as participants from across the country are hosted over video links from the originally planned site of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. August 20, 2020. DNC | Reuters
Ed Good, a 95-year-old veteran of World War II and the Korean War, told the convention he has been a Republican since the 1960s. He voted for Trump and is a member of the National Rifle Association. Good endorsed Biden for president. "I think Trump has been the worst president we've ever had, so I'll be glad to see him go," he said.
A night with more comedy
For better or worse, Democrats weaved more comedy into the fourth night of their convention. It mostly came from moderator Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the actress most recently known for playing foul-mouthed Vice President Selina Meyer on HBO's "Veep." In a shift from the first three nights of the event, jokes often led into somber speeches about the crises the country faces. "Joe Biden goes to church so regularly that he doesn't even need tear gas and a bunch of federalized troops to help him get there," she said, referring to the Washington protest that was cleared before Trump marched through the area to pose with a Bible in front of St. John's Episcopal Church.
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