cnbc--2020-12-02--Biden's pick to lead OMB could face scrutiny for Wall Street ties, clashes with progressives

Office of Management and Budget nominee Neera Tanden speaks after US President-elect Joe Biden announced his economic team at The Queen Theatre in Wilmington , Delaware , on December 1 , 2020 .
President-elect Joe Biden 's choice to lead the Office of Management and Budget has been a political insider for well over a decade , and the alliances she has developed as an influential leader within the Democratic Party could come under scrutiny during her confirmation process — from both sides of the aisle .
Tanden , the 50-year-old daughter of immigrants from India , would be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OMB if she is confirmed .
Since 2011 , Neera Tanden has been CEO of the Center for American Progress , a Washington-based liberal think tank , and its political arm , the Center for American Progress Action Fund .
The nonprofit was originally founded by John Podesta , Hillary Clinton 's 2016 campaign chairman .
The examination of Tanden 's record has already focused on her Twitter posts critical of President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers as well as her clashes with Sen. Bernie Sanders and his progressive allies .
Many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to corporate and establishment political leaders as one reason she should not be part of Biden 's Cabinet .
Tanden was critical of Sanders in March for not dropping out of the Democratic race after Biden secured key victories during Super Tuesday and as the coronavirus made its way to the United States .
`` You know who could have stopped the primary ?
Sanders !
Biden is the plurality winner already , which was Sanders standard .
He could have quit but instead he pushed people to vote , '' Tanden tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to be a Sanders supporter .
`` That endangered people a lot more than my tweeted question . ''
However , she also repeatedly tweeted support for Sanders .
Before her tenure as CEO of CAP , she advised Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama during the 2008 election .
She served as an advisor to Kathleen Sebelius , the Obama administration 's secretary of Health and Human Services , and later played an advisory role for Clinton during her 2016 campaign against Trump .
If Democrats ca n't pick up key victories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Georgia , Tanden 's confirmation is no slam dunk .
Even if Democrats do take the majority , she could still face tough questions .
Numerous Republican senators have already come out against her being selected to lead OMB .
Still , as a potential OMB chief , Tanden will be responsible for preparing and introducing to Congress the administration 's budget .
The agency , as former Ronald Reagan administration advisor Bill Kristol tweeted , is `` where Cabinet secretaries ' ill-considered projects go to die , where programs are evaluated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over the years in Washington , Tanden and the nonprofit she runs have developed strong relationships with business and political leaders .
She intends to stay on as CAP 's president and chief executive through the confirmation process , according to a person briefed on the matter .
`` She 's smart as a whip and knows the architecture of government cold , '' Orin Kramer , a hedge fund founder and board member of CAP Action Fund , told CNBC in a recent interview .
Under Tanden , the center and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with ties to Wall Street and Silicon Valley .
In an email from February 2016 , Tanden informed CAP 's board that she was recommending Jonathan Lavine , a co-managing partner at investment juggernaut Bain Capital , to join the body .
`` Jonathan is a longtime donor to CAP , but is interested in becoming a substantial investor .
He has also supported Media Matters and other progressive organizations , '' Tanden wrote at the time .
`` Based on his distinguished career , philanthropy , and work on progressive causes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to the board , '' she said .
Lavine 's foundation gave at least $ 1 million to the foundation last year .
CAP publicizes its donors on their website .
A spokesperson for CAP and Tanden did not return requests for comment for this story .
Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , co-founded Bain .
During Romney 's failed 2012 election against Obama , Tanden appeared to take aim at the company .
CAP 's 990 tax returns show that Lavine was on the board in 2018 but not in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund executive , is listed as a member of the board as of the most recent tax return , for 2019 .
Others who gave big last year to the organization include Mindich and his wife ; Stewart Bainum Jr. , the chairman of Choice Hotels International , a foundation with ties to the late co-CEO 's of Golden West Financial Corp. ; and former Goldman Sachs executive Lawrence Linden .
Others include major financial firms such as BlackRock , Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Bank of America .
Facebook gave $ 100,000 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
Another CAP board member from the finance community is Donald Sussman , a Democratic megadonor and hedge fund manager .
His daughter , Emily Sussman was paid over $ 60,000 in 2018 as a `` managing director of campaigns , '' the 990 return at that time says .
Even with CAP 's allegiances in the business world , Tanden has at times pushed back on Hillary Clinton critics who take aim at the former secretary of State 's previous speaking engagement at financial firms .
CAP has previously advocated for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried interest loophole and changes to antitrust policies and enforcement , among other key proposals .
The Center for American Progress Action Fund , CAP 's political arm , ramped up its efforts last year to push what it says on its return as a move to `` shape the national policy debate and transform progressive concepts into policy . ''
CAP donated over $ 8 million in 2019 to the action fund , almost double from a year earlier .
CAP Action doubled its overall fundraising last year to $ 16 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went toward its now defunct news organization ThinkProgress .
CAP Action 's infusion of cash into ThinkProgress came the same year the news outlet closed .
The Daily Beast reported at the time that ThinkProgress was in the midst of a $ 3 million hole between revenues and expenses .
It also came during the Democratic presidential primaries and while CAP Action continued to target Trump .
CAP and the news outlet came under scrutiny earlier that year for publishing a video that took aim at Sanders .
Tanden insisted at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of CAP , and CAP Action and called the video `` overly harsh . ''
Many of Sanders ' top lieutenants from his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns have publicly cast the blame for such attacks on Tanden .
They have vocally opposed her selection as OMB chief since it was announced on Monday .


cnbc--2020-12-03--USAID inspector general is looking into possible violations of Federal Records Act by agency leaders

USAID inspector general is looking into possible violations of Federal Records Act by agency leaders, sources say

The inspector general responsible for overseeing the U.S. Agency for International Development is looking into the actions of its leaders over apparent deletion of social media accounts , according to people familiar with the matter .
The apparent probe is directed at John Barsa , the foreign aid agency 's acting deputy administrator , and his close aide Bethany Kozma , among others , according to these people .
The focus appears to be on the removal of social media accounts tied to former senior USAID leaders , they said , which could be a Federal Records Act violation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the inspector general 's office was asked whether a former leader there had direct access to their USAID social media account or if it was maintained by the public affairs office .
In this case , the account was managed by the USAID office and not the official , this person explained .
Social media accounts dedicated to federal officials are deemed federal records under the law and deletion of this type of documentation could lead to fines or up to three years in prison , according to the Congressional Research Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNBC that the social media accounts have not been deleted and explained they had been archived , calling it standard practice .
`` The Agency did not delete any social-media accounts — just unpublished and processed for archiving , as required by the National Archives and Records Administration ( NARA ) , '' acting agency spokesperson Pooja Jhunjhunwala said on Thursday .
`` This is the standard protocol for the retirement of the social-media accounts of USAID 's leaders when they vacate their positions . ''
Jhunjhunwala declined to comment further and referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the USAID 's inspector general 's office , which did not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation .
`` The USAID Office of Inspector General can neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation , '' Andrew Schmidt , the director of congressional and public affairs at the inspector general 's office , told CNBC .
Any potential investigation into current USAID leadership could spill into 2021 , as President Donald Trump wraps up his term in office .
Ann Calvaresi Barr , USAID 's independent inspector general , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being nominated to the post by then President Barack Obama .
Her office leads oversight into allegations that have been made against USAID , the Millennium Challenge Corporation , United States African Development Foundation , Inter-American Foundation and U.S. Development Finance Corporation .
The inspector general 's website shows examples of over a dozen investigations that took place in 2018 .
Bonnie Glick , who was appointed by Trump to be the second-highest ranking official at USAID , departed the agency last month .
Barsa then reportedly took her spot as the deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrator expired under Federal Vacancies Reform Act .
Following Glick leaving the agency , her USAID Twitter and Instagram accounts seem to have been deleted , which could be in violation of the records act .
The front page to Glick 's USAID Twitter account says it no longer exists .
Her federal Instagram account has a similar message .
Former USAID administrator Mark Green 's federal Twitter account also appears to have been deleted .
He left the agency earlier this year .
USAID is the federal government agency that oversees foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 19 billion .
The agency under Barsa 's leadership has been under scrutiny ever since he obtained the role , with critics pointing to a group of Trump loyalists that seem to have sway within the organization .
CNBC reported this summer that morale for many of those working at the agency had hit a new low , partly due to the actions of Trump loyalist and then USAID White House liaison , William Maloney .
Maloney , according to people familiar with the matter , has rejoined the agency after temporarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Global Media .
He is now helping with matters involving Freedom of Information Act requests .
Pete Marocco , another controversial Trump administration hire , is also back at the agency , according to the magazine Foreign Policy .

The inspector general responsible for overseeing the U.S. Agency for International Development is looking into the actions of its leaders over apparent deletion of social media accounts, according to people familiar with the matter.
The apparent probe is directed at John Barsa, the foreign aid agency's acting deputy administrator, and his close aide Bethany Kozma, among others, according to these people. The focus appears to be on the removal of social media accounts tied to former senior USAID leaders, they said, which could be a Federal Records Act violation.
One of the people who recently spoke with the inspector general's office was asked whether a former leader there had direct access to their USAID social media account or if it was maintained by the public affairs office. In this case, the account was managed by the USAID office and not the official, this person explained.
Social media accounts dedicated to federal officials are deemed federal records under the law and deletion of this type of documentation could lead to fines or up to three years in prison, according to the Congressional Research Service.
The acting spokesperson for USAID told CNBC that the social media accounts have not been deleted and explained they had been archived, calling it standard practice.
"The Agency did not delete any social-media accounts — just unpublished and processed for archiving, as required by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)," acting agency spokesperson Pooja Jhunjhunwala said on Thursday. "This is the standard protocol for the retirement of the social-media accounts of USAID's leaders when they vacate their positions."
Jhunjhunwala declined to comment further and referred any questions on a possible inquiry to the USAID's inspector general's office, which did not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.
"The USAID Office of Inspector General can neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation," Andrew Schmidt, the director of congressional and public affairs at the inspector general's office, told CNBC.
Any potential investigation into current USAID leadership could spill into 2021, as President Donald Trump wraps up his term in office. Ann Calvaresi Barr, USAID's independent inspector general, was confirmed by the Senate in 2015 after being nominated to the post by then President Barack Obama.
Her office leads oversight into allegations that have been made against USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, United States African Development Foundation, Inter-American Foundation and U.S. Development Finance Corporation. The inspector general's website shows examples of over a dozen investigations that took place in 2018.
Bonnie Glick, who was appointed by Trump to be the second-highest ranking official at USAID, departed the agency last month. Barsa then reportedly took her spot as the deputy administrator after his higher title of acting administrator expired under Federal Vacancies Reform Act.
Following Glick leaving the agency, her USAID Twitter and Instagram accounts seem to have been deleted, which could be in violation of the records act. The front page to Glick's USAID Twitter account says it no longer exists. Her federal Instagram account has a similar message.
Former USAID administrator Mark Green's federal Twitter account also appears to have been deleted. He left the agency earlier this year.
USAID is the federal government agency that oversees foreign aid and has a budget of over $19 billion. The agency under Barsa's leadership has been under scrutiny ever since he obtained the role, with critics pointing to a group of Trump loyalists that seem to have sway within the organization.
CNBC reported this summer that morale for many of those working at the agency had hit a new low, partly due to the actions of Trump loyalist and then USAID White House liaison, William Maloney.
Maloney, according to people familiar with the matter, has rejoined the agency after temporarily moving over to the U.S. Agency for Global Media. He is now helping with matters involving Freedom of Information Act requests.
Pete Marocco, another controversial Trump administration hire, is also back at the agency, according to the magazine Foreign Policy.


cnbc--2020-12-03--Georgia U.S. Senate runoffs center on stock trading and Trump's false claims of rigged elections

With weeks until two critical Senate runoff elections in Georgia , both races appear centered on accusations of improper equity trading and President Donald Trump 's mixed messaging about the integrity of the state 's ballots .
The contests pit two Republican incumbents — David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler — against two Democratic challengers , Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock .
At stake are not only two Senate seats long held by the GOP , but party control of the upper house of the U.S. Congress .
In a real sense , Georgia voters will singlehandedly decide on the course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot will be the size of President-elect Joe Biden 's `` Build Back Better '' economic plan , the odds of meaningful tax reform , the balance of progressives and moderates in the Cabinet and the composition of federal courts throughout the country .
It 's `` impossible to overstate the importance '' of the Georgia runoff election , Cowen analyst Chris Krueger wrote Thursday morning .
`` The fate of 2021 federal policy will be decided by two Georgia Senate elections — full stop , '' he added .
`` Dems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate majority .
This is close to a jump ball in our mind . ''
Both runoff elections are scheduled for Jan. 5 ; polls will close at 7 p.m .
ET .
Leading up to the runoffs , Republicans have secured 50 Senate seats and Democrats have 48 , including two independent senators who caucus with Democrats .
In other words , Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell needs to hold on to just one Georgia seat to cement a majority in the chamber , whereas Democrats need to win both for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be the tiebreaker in Senate votes that resulted in ties .
Georgia has for much of the last 30 years been viewed as a Republican stronghold , dominated by GOP politicians at both the state and federal levels .
So when Georgia officials last month certified that Joe Biden had become the first Democrat to carry the state in a presidential election since 1992 , it sent political shockwaves across the nation and ensured that control of the U.S. Senate was anything but certain .
Though there are few polls to judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race , online betting markets suggest gamblers are expecting a razor-thin margin on Election Day .
Notably , both Republican incumbents are defending themselves against accusations of ill-timed equity trading and trying to persuade voters that their stock trades were innocuous .
According to a New York Times investigation published Wednesday , Perdue 's 2,596 trades during his first term in office accounted for nearly a third of all senators ' trades reported in the past six years .
The transactions , mostly in stocks but also in bonds and funds , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the next five most active traders in the Senate , the Times report found .
Some of his trades , including a sale of more than $ 1 million worth of stock in a financial analysis firm , Cardlytics , have reportedly sparked federal investigations at the Justice Department .
Both Perdue and Loeffler deny accusations of illegal or improper stock trading .
Still , Perdue 's opponent and Atlanta native Ossoff has seized upon those investigations and sought to leverage them in his campaign against the incumbent .
`` Perhaps Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properly to the Covid-19 pandemic if you had n't been fending off multiple federal investigations for insider trading , '' Ossoff said during a debate against Perdue in October .
`` It 's not just that you 're a crook , senator , it 's that you 're attacking the health of the people that you represent , '' Ossoff added .
Loeffler , who came under fire earlier in the year for trades made after closed-door Senate hearings , is married to Jeffrey Sprecher , the CEO of the company that owns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple 's combined net worth is about $ 520 million , according to The Washington Post .
Sprecher and Loeffler 's trades , involving sales of up to $ 3 million worth of securities , came in the weeks before stock market indexes dramatically fell in value due to the coronavirus pandemic , and on the heels of a private , all-senators briefing on the virus outbreak from Trump administration health officials that Loeffler attended on Jan. 24 .
Loeffler faces a challenge from Warnock , a reverend at the same Atlanta church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr. was pastor in the 1960s .
Trump has been an outspoken critic of Georgia 's recent elections and has , without evidence , said the state 's results are fraudulent .
The president has for weeks attempted to strike harmony between two contradictory realities : One in which Georgia and its election system are rife with `` massive voter fraud '' and another in which he implores the state 's voters to use that same system to reelect Perdue and Loeffler .
The attacks levied by Trump , and the even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have other Republican leaders worried that his broadsides could work to depress GOP turnout come January .
Conservative attorneys , such as Trump supporter Lin Wood , have continued to file long-shot lawsuits challenging election results in key states , while amplifying their conspiracy claims outside of court .
At a large , in-person rally in Atlanta on Wednesday , Wood viciously attacked Georgia Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp and called on Perdue and Loeffler to demand a special session of the state 's legislature .
`` We 're not going to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made by China ! ''
Wood told the crowd .
In recent weeks , Trump has appealed to Georgia voters while continuing to criticize the state 's Republican leaders and pressuring them to take steps toward reversing Biden 's win there .
`` We are not sure anyone has an accurate model for what turnout looks like for a runoff election during a pandemic when control of [ the ] Senate [ is ] at stake and Trump 's base may not [ turn out ] because the President has convinced them the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deep State , '' Cowen analyst Krueger wrote .
The president tweeted Thursday morning that `` The 'Republican ' Governor of Georgia , @ BrianKempGA , and the Secretary of State , MUST immediately allow a signature verification match on the Presidential Election . ''
`` If that happens , '' the president added , `` we quickly and easily win the State and importantly , pave the way for a big David and Kelly WIN ! ''

Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue arrive at a campaign stop with Vice President Mike Pence, not pictured, at the Cherokee Conference Center in Canton, Georgia, U.S., on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. Elijah Nouvelage | Bloomberg | Getty Images
With weeks until two critical Senate runoff elections in Georgia, both races appear centered on accusations of improper equity trading and President Donald Trump's mixed messaging about the integrity of the state's ballots. The contests pit two Republican incumbents — David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler — against two Democratic challengers, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. At stake are not only two Senate seats long held by the GOP, but party control of the upper house of the U.S. Congress. In a real sense, Georgia voters will singlehandedly decide on the course of congressional policy for 2021. On the ballot will be the size of President-elect Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" economic plan, the odds of meaningful tax reform, the balance of progressives and moderates in the Cabinet and the composition of federal courts throughout the country. It's "impossible to overstate the importance" of the Georgia runoff election, Cowen analyst Chris Krueger wrote Thursday morning. "The fate of 2021 federal policy will be decided by two Georgia Senate elections — full stop," he added. "Dems have to win both to take the Senate majority. This is close to a jump ball in our mind."
Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards
Both runoff elections are scheduled for Jan. 5; polls will close at 7 p.m. ET. Leading up to the runoffs, Republicans have secured 50 Senate seats and Democrats have 48, including two independent senators who caucus with Democrats. In other words, Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell needs to hold on to just one Georgia seat to cement a majority in the chamber, whereas Democrats need to win both for a 50-50 split. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would be the tiebreaker in Senate votes that resulted in ties.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Rev. Raphael Warnock speaks during an Election Night event on November 3, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Jessica McGowan | Getty Images
Georgia has for much of the last 30 years been viewed as a Republican stronghold, dominated by GOP politicians at both the state and federal levels. So when Georgia officials last month certified that Joe Biden had become the first Democrat to carry the state in a presidential election since 1992, it sent political shockwaves across the nation and ensured that control of the U.S. Senate was anything but certain. Though there are few polls to judge how Georgia voters are feeling about either race, online betting markets suggest gamblers are expecting a razor-thin margin on Election Day.
Taking stock
Notably, both Republican incumbents are defending themselves against accusations of ill-timed equity trading and trying to persuade voters that their stock trades were innocuous. According to a New York Times investigation published Wednesday, Perdue's 2,596 trades during his first term in office accounted for nearly a third of all senators' trades reported in the past six years. The transactions, mostly in stocks but also in bonds and funds, are about equal to the combined trading volume of the next five most active traders in the Senate, the Times report found.
Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., who is running for reelection, speaks during a campaign event at Peachtree Dekalb Airport in Atlanta, Ga., on Monday, November 2, 2020. Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
Some of his trades, including a sale of more than $1 million worth of stock in a financial analysis firm, Cardlytics, have reportedly sparked federal investigations at the Justice Department. Both Perdue and Loeffler deny accusations of illegal or improper stock trading. Still, Perdue's opponent and Atlanta native Ossoff has seized upon those investigations and sought to leverage them in his campaign against the incumbent. "Perhaps Sen. Perdue would have been able to respond properly to the Covid-19 pandemic if you hadn't been fending off multiple federal investigations for insider trading," Ossoff said during a debate against Perdue in October. "It's not just that you're a crook, senator, it's that you're attacking the health of the people that you represent," Ossoff added.
U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) speaks to supporters during a campaign event at Bare Bones Steakhouse on October 28, 2020 in Buford, Georgia. Sen. Loeffler is running for re-election after being appointed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in January following the retirement of Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA). Justin Sullivan | Getty Images
Loeffler, who came under fire earlier in the year for trades made after closed-door Senate hearings, is married to Jeffrey Sprecher, the CEO of the company that owns the New York Stock Exchange. The couple's combined net worth is about $520 million, according to The Washington Post. Sprecher and Loeffler's trades, involving sales of up to $3 million worth of securities, came in the weeks before stock market indexes dramatically fell in value due to the coronavirus pandemic, and on the heels of a private, all-senators briefing on the virus outbreak from Trump administration health officials that Loeffler attended on Jan. 24. Loeffler faces a challenge from Warnock, a reverend at the same Atlanta church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was pastor in the 1960s.
Donald dissonant


cnbc--2020-12-03--Trump doubles down on $740 billion defense bill veto threat over Section 230 tech fight

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks following the ceremonial swearing-in of James Mattis as secretary of defense on January 27 , 2017 , at the Pentagon in Washington , DC .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump threatened again on Thursday to veto a colossal defense bill if lawmakers do not include a measure eliminating legal protections for social media companies .
Trump is calling for the repeal of a federal law , known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , which protects tech giants like Facebook and Twitter from being held legally liable for what is posted on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the provision as a `` liability shielding gift '' to `` Big Tech '' and called for it to be `` completely terminated '' otherwise he would nix this year 's National Defense Authorization Act , or NDAA .
The president also said the measure posed a serious threat to U.S. national security as well as election integrity but did not give any further explanatory details .
Trump has also said that Twitter , his social media platform of choice , has unfairly censored him .
The president 's issue with Section @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter added warning labels to several of his tweets that alleged mail-in voting is fraudulent .
Trump has still not conceded the U.S. presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden .
The NDAA , which typically passes with overwhelming bipartisan support and veto-proof majorities , is a sweeping defense bill that authorizes a topline of $ 740 billion in spending and outlines Pentagon policy .
The bill could have enough bipartisan support for Congress to override Trump 's veto if he makes good on his threat .
This year 's legislation includes a 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plan to rename military installations bearing names of Confederate leaders as well as a slew of other provisions .
The NDAA , in its current form , does not include any measure in relation to Section 230 .
This is not the first time the president has targeted the NDAA .
Earlier this year , Trump said he would veto the measure if it included language on changing U.S. military installations named after Confederate generals .
Read more : Trump says U.S. Army bases will keep Confederate names Despite Trump 's threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year 's NDAA .
This week , Trump 's plan to `` unequivocally veto '' the NDAA was met with swift bipartisan opposition as lawmakers work to pass the crucial bill needed to fund the military by the end of the year .
The latest legislation hiccup between the White House and the Hill comes as lawmakers sprint to complete a second pandemic stimulus bill .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks following the ceremonial swearing-in of James Mattis as secretary of defense on January 27, 2017, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump threatened again on Thursday to veto a colossal defense bill if lawmakers do not include a measure eliminating legal protections for social media companies.
Trump is calling for the repeal of a federal law, known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects tech giants like Facebook and Twitter from being held legally liable for what is posted on their platforms.
On Wednesday, Trump referred to the provision as a "liability shielding gift" to "Big Tech" and called for it to be "completely terminated" otherwise he would nix this year's National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA.
The president also said the measure posed a serious threat to U.S. national security as well as election integrity but did not give any further explanatory details. Trump has also said that Twitter , his social media platform of choice, has unfairly censored him.
The president's issue with Section 230 came to light this summer after Twitter added warning labels to several of his tweets that alleged mail-in voting is fraudulent. Trump has still not conceded the U.S. presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden.
The NDAA, which typically passes with overwhelming bipartisan support and veto-proof majorities, is a sweeping defense bill that authorizes a topline of $740 billion in spending and outlines Pentagon policy.
The bill could have enough bipartisan support for Congress to override Trump's veto if he makes good on his threat.
This year's legislation includes a 3% pay raise for U.S. troops, a plan to rename military installations bearing names of Confederate leaders as well as a slew of other provisions. The NDAA, in its current form, does not include any measure in relation to Section 230.
This is not the first time the president has targeted the NDAA. Earlier this year, Trump said he would veto the measure if it included language on changing U.S. military installations named after Confederate generals.
Read more: Trump says U.S. Army bases will keep Confederate names
Despite Trump's threats, lawmakers included the renaming provision in this year's NDAA.
This week, Trump's plan to "unequivocally veto" the NDAA was met with swift bipartisan opposition as lawmakers work to pass the crucial bill needed to fund the military by the end of the year.
The latest legislation hiccup between the White House and the Hill comes as lawmakers sprint to complete a second pandemic stimulus bill.


cnbc--2020-12-03--Pelosi and McConnell resume talks as Congress rushes to strike a Covid stimulus deal

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke Thursday for the first time since at least the 2020 election as Congress scrambles to strike a coronavirus stimulus deal and prevent a government shutdown .
The congressional leaders discussed their `` shared commitment to completing an omnibus [ spending bill ] and COVID relief as soon as possible , '' Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said in a tweet .
They have signaled they want to resolve both thorny issues by Dec. 11 , the last day of government funding .
`` Yeah , well we had a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the discussion .
`` I think we 're both interested in getting an outcome , both on the omnibus and on a coronavirus package . ''
The phone call comes amid the strongest push in months to break a logjam over how to boost an economy and health-care system weighed down by the pandemic .
Pelosi engaged in a frantic series of aid talks with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin before the Nov. 3 election , but the discussions did not yield an agreement .
Earlier Thursday , McConnell said he has seen `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal before the end of the year .
Among other implications if Congress fails to act , about 12 million people could lose unemployment benefits after Christmas .
`` Compromise is within reach .
We know where we agree .
We can do this , '' the Kentucky Republican said on the Senate floor .
Whether Democrats , who lead the House and can hold up any bill in the Senate , will accept McConnell 's vision of compromise remains to be seen .
Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they embraced a $ 908 billion bipartisan proposal as a starting point for talks with McConnell .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke Thursday for the first time since at least the 2020 election as Congress scrambles to strike a coronavirus stimulus deal and prevent a government shutdown.
The congressional leaders discussed their "shared commitment to completing an omnibus [spending bill] and COVID relief as soon as possible," Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said in a tweet. They have signaled they want to resolve both thorny issues by Dec. 11, the last day of government funding.
"Yeah, well we had a good conversation," McConnell told reporters of the discussion. "I think we're both interested in getting an outcome, both on the omnibus and on a coronavirus package."
The phone call comes amid the strongest push in months to break a logjam over how to boost an economy and health-care system weighed down by the pandemic. Pelosi engaged in a frantic series of aid talks with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin before the Nov. 3 election, but the discussions did not yield an agreement.
Earlier Thursday, McConnell said he has seen "hopeful signs" for striking a stimulus deal before the end of the year. Among other implications if Congress fails to act, about 12 million people could lose unemployment benefits after Christmas.
"Compromise is within reach. We know where we agree. We can do this," the Kentucky Republican said on the Senate floor.
Whether Democrats, who lead the House and can hold up any bill in the Senate, will accept McConnell's vision of compromise remains to be seen. Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., cut their aid demands Wednesday when they embraced a $908 billion bipartisan proposal as a starting point for talks with McConnell.


cnbc--2020-12-03--Wisconsin Supreme Court won't hear Trump election lawsuit

US President Donald Trump listens during a Medal of Freedom ceremony for retired football Lou Holtz in the Oval Office of the White House December 3 , 2020 , in Washington , DC .
With the Electoral College set to cast their votes on Dec. 14 — thereby securing victory for Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris — lawyers for Trump 's campaign had argued that they did n't have time to proceed through normal legal channels .
The Trump campaign 's lawsuit , which aimed to invalidate more than 221,000 ballots in the state 's two most Democrat-heavy counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower courts , the Wisconsin Supreme Court said in a 4-3 decision .
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday said it would not hear President Donald Trump 's latest legal attempt to challenge his loss to Joe Biden in the presidential election .
`` In this case , there is not enough time to follow the normal judicial procedure without this Court asserting its original jurisdiction authority immediately , '' the lawyers wrote in their petition , which was filed Tuesday .
Justice Brian Hagedorn wrote in an opinion concurring with the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed in the circuit court . ''
`` Following this law is not disregarding our duty , as some of my colleagues suggest .
It is following the law , '' Hagedorn wrote .
The Trump campaign 's case argued that ballots in Dane and Milwaukee counties had been improperly counted .
But Hagedorn said that `` even if this court has constitutional authority to hear the case straightaway , notwithstanding the statutory text , the briefing reveals important factual disputes that are best managed by a circuit court . ''
The court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said she agreed with the idea of having the circuit court conduct fact-finding hearings in the lawsuit .
But she added that she would prefer to have the lower court `` report its factual findings to us , and we would decide the important legal questions presented . ''
In a statement , Trump campaign counsel Jim Troupis said , `` We welcome the direction of the Supreme Court to file in Dane and Milwaukee Counties as we pursue making certain that only legal votes count in Wisconsin - and we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was clear from their writings that the court recognizes the seriousness of these issues , and we look forward to taking the next step , '' Troupis said in the statement , adding , `` We fully expect to be back in front of the Supreme Court very soon . ''
Despite news outlets calling the race for Biden and Harris weeks earlier , and although numerous key swing states have already certified that the Democrats won their presidential races , Trump is refusing to concede .
He and his campaign are filing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' presidential races , as part of the broader goal of overturning Biden 's nationwide victory .
Many of those cases from the campaign 's legal team , which is being led by Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani , have already been tossed out of court .
The most recent case , filed by Trump on Wednesday evening in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee , asks the court to rule that the Wisconsin state legislature 's election authority had been undermined , then asks for the matter to be handed over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remedy the situation , including through `` any impact upon the allocation of Presidential electors for the State of Wisconsin . ''
In a 46-minute , falsehood-filled video posted to Facebook on Wednesday evening , Trump signaled that his end goal is for the legal efforts to reach the Supreme Court .
`` This election was a total catastrophe , '' Trump said during the lengthy election rant .
`` But we 're going to show it .
And hopefully the courts , in particular the Supreme Court of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hopefully they will do what 's right for our country . ''
This is breaking news .
Please check back for updates .

US President Donald Trump listens during a Medal of Freedom ceremony for retired football Lou Holtz in the Oval Office of the White House December 3, 2020, in Washington, DC.
With the Electoral College set to cast their votes on Dec. 14 — thereby securing victory for Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris — lawyers for Trump's campaign had argued that they didn't have time to proceed through normal legal channels.
The Trump campaign's lawsuit, which aimed to invalidate more than 221,000 ballots in the state's two most Democrat-heavy counties, must first work its way through lower courts, the Wisconsin Supreme Court said in a 4-3 decision.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday said it would not hear President Donald Trump's latest legal attempt to challenge his loss to Joe Biden in the presidential election.
"In this case, there is not enough time to follow the normal judicial procedure without this Court asserting its original jurisdiction authority immediately," the lawyers wrote in their petition, which was filed Tuesday.
Justice Brian Hagedorn wrote in an opinion concurring with the majority vote that "these actions should be filed in the circuit court."
"Following this law is not disregarding our duty, as some of my colleagues suggest. It is following the law," Hagedorn wrote.
The Trump campaign's case argued that ballots in Dane and Milwaukee counties had been improperly counted. But Hagedorn said that "even if this court has constitutional authority to hear the case straightaway, notwithstanding the statutory text, the briefing reveals important factual disputes that are best managed by a circuit court."
The court's chief justice, in a dissent, said she agreed with the idea of having the circuit court conduct fact-finding hearings in the lawsuit. But she added that she would prefer to have the lower court "report its factual findings to us, and we would decide the important legal questions presented."
In a statement, Trump campaign counsel Jim Troupis said, "We welcome the direction of the Supreme Court to file in Dane and Milwaukee Counties as we pursue making certain that only legal votes count in Wisconsin - and we will immediately do so."
"It was clear from their writings that the court recognizes the seriousness of these issues, and we look forward to taking the next step," Troupis said in the statement, adding, "We fully expect to be back in front of the Supreme Court very soon."
Despite news outlets calling the race for Biden and Harris weeks earlier, and although numerous key swing states have already certified that the Democrats won their presidential races, Trump is refusing to concede.
He and his campaign are filing new lawsuits challenging various aspects of states' presidential races, as part of the broader goal of overturning Biden's nationwide victory. Many of those cases from the campaign's legal team, which is being led by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, have already been tossed out of court.
The most recent case, filed by Trump on Wednesday evening in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee, asks the court to rule that the Wisconsin state legislature's election authority had been undermined, then asks for the matter to be handed over to that legislature so it can decide how to remedy the situation, including through "any impact upon the allocation of Presidential electors for the State of Wisconsin."
In a 46-minute, falsehood-filled video posted to Facebook on Wednesday evening, Trump signaled that his end goal is for the legal efforts to reach the Supreme Court.
"This election was a total catastrophe," Trump said during the lengthy election rant. "But we're going to show it. And hopefully the courts, in particular the Supreme Court of the United States, will see it, and respectfully, hopefully they will do what's right for our country."
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.


cnbc--2020-12-03--Ivanka Trump says she was deposed for 5 hours in inaugural spend probe. Here's what she failed to me

Ivanka Trump says she was deposed for 5 hours in inaugural spend probe. Here's what she failed to mention

Ivanka Trump arrives to introduce her father , US President Donald Trump during a `` Make America Great Again '' rally at Total Sports Park on November 1 , 2020 , in Washington , Michigan .
But what the senior White House advisor did not mention is that she only said that after being warned by a top inaugural committee official of the `` quite high '' minimum rate of $ 3.6 million for food and beverage and use of the banquet halls during inauguration week that the committee was being quoted by the Trump International Hotel .
Ivanka Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politically motivated '' included an email that indicates she told managers of her father 's hotel in Washington to charge `` fair market rate '' for its services during the inauguration after Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election .
But in doing so she conspicuously omitted the $ 3.6 million question posed by a Republican felon that underscored fears the Trump family was profiting from a nonprofit set up to celebrate the White House victory .
President Donald Trump 's daughter Ivanka Trump on Thursday blasted the Washington , D.C. , attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lawsuit related to 2017 inauguration spending .
Nor did Ivanka Trump mention that the mere fact of having an incoming president having his inaugural committee buy goods and services from a hotel he owned was unprecedented in U.S. history , much less when that hotel wanted to charge that committee , a nonprofit entity funded by private donors , millions of dollars for those services .
Ivanka Trump 's effort to spin news of the deposition comes as President Donald Trump 's company faces a criminal probe by the Manhattan district attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes , as that company is under investigation by the New York state attorney general for possible misstatement of asset values and as her father is being sued by a writer for defaming her after the writer said he raped her in the 1990s .
And it comes more than a month after her brother Eric Trump was deposed in the New York AG 's case after trying to duck complying with a subpoena until after the presidential election , which their father lost by nearly 7 million votes to President-elect Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general , Karl Racine , announced he was suing the Trump Inaugural Committee , The Trump Organization and the Trump International Hotel `` for blatantly and unlawfully abusing nonprofit funds to enrich the Trump family . ''
`` An independent investigation by my office has revealed that the Inaugural Committee made exorbitant and unlawful payments to the Trump Hotel to rent event space for Inaugural activities , '' Racine said .
`` This came as a result of coordination between Inaugural Committee Deputy Chairman Rick Gates , Trump International Hotel management , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Racine 's suit alleges more than $ 1 million in improper payments to the hotel by the inaugural committee .
On Tuesday , as part of that suit , Ivanka Trump , who is a senior White House advisor to her father — as is her husband , real estate mogul Jared Kushner — was deposed by lawyers for the AG 's office .
`` This week spent 5+ hours in a deposition with the Democrat D.C. AG 's office where they questioned the rates charged by the Trump Hotel at the inauguration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet Thursday .
`` I shared with them an email from 4 years ago where I sent instructions to the hotel to charge ' a fair market rate ' ( see below ) which the hotel then did , '' she wrote .
`` This 'inquiry ' is another politically motivated demonstration of vindictiveness & waste of taxpayer dollars . ''
The tweet includes what purports to be an email that Ivanka Trump sent the hotel 's managers on Dec. 14 , 2016 , saying , `` Just seeing this .
why do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be a fair market rate . ''
Not included in her tweet are prior emails about the hotel 's rates or subsequent ones , which underscore the concern among top inaugural committee officials about whether the Trump hotel was overcharging for its services , and in doing so lining the Trump family 's pockets .
Those emails are posted online by the DC AG 's office .
After this story was first published , Racine tweeted a reposnse to Ivanka Trump 's criticism of him , and linked to emails that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit after gathering evidence that the Presidential Inaugural Committee knowingly entered into a grossly overpriced contract with the Trump Hotel , '' Racine wrote .
`` Any claim to the contrary is incorrect . ''
`` DC law requires nonprofits to use funds for stated public purposes , and to avoid unreasonable , wasteful expenses , '' the attorney general said .
`` Our investigation revealed the Committee willfully used nonprofit funds to enrich the Trump family.It 's very simple : They broke the law .
That 's why we sued . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was written on Dec. 10 , 2016 , by Patricia Tang , director of sales and marketing for the hotel , who told inaugural committee staffer Ramsey Ratcliffe that the price for room rental and minimum F & B — food and beverage — `` is $ 3,600,000 . ''
Ratcliffe forwarded that email less than three minutes later to his other inaugural committee staffers with a one word comment : `` Ummm ... . ''
Gates , a longtime Republican consultant and high-ranking official in the Trump 2016 campaign , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Ivanka Trump .
Gates told Ivanka he had `` two concerns '' with Tang 's email .
`` First , the cost itself seems quite high compared to other property buyouts for the week , '' Gates wrote , referring to the costs of renting other non-Trump-owned hotels out for inauguration week .
`` Second , I am a bit worried about the optics of PIC [ Presidential Inaugural Committee ] paying Trump Hotel a high fee and the media making a big story out of it , '' added Gates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges of conspiracy and to making false statements related to his work with former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort in Ukraine .
Two days after that email , Ivanka Trump replied to Gates , saying she had asked `` our GM Mickael '' Damelincourt , of the hotel `` to call you directly . ''
Gates replied that he and Damelincourt were planning to meet the next morning `` and sort out the issues . ''
An email from Damelincourt to Gates on Dec. 16 , 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow up to our conversation earlier today , '' quotes a revised price of $ 700,000 , or $ 175,000 per day , for the entire ballroom space for Tuesday , Wednesday , Thursday and Friday of inauguration week .
And there would be no minimum charge for food and beverage , the general manager said .
Later that same day , the woman running the inauguration preparation efforts , Stephanie Winston Wolkoff , who was best friends with first lady Melania Trump before they had a falling out , wrote Gates to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revised rates quoted by the Trump-owned hotel .
`` These are events in PE 's [ president-elect 's ] honor at his hotel and one of them is with and for family and close friends , '' Winston Wolkoff wrote .
`` Please take this into consideration that when this is audited it will become public knowledge that the locations were also gifted and costs underwritten to lower rental fees , '' she wrote .
`` I understand that compared to the original pricing this is great but we should look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion , '' Winston Wolkoff told Gates , `` the max rental fee should be $ 85,000 per day . ''
That fee would be $ 90,000 less per day than the lower , revised price quoted by the general manager that Ivanka Trump had instructed to ask for a `` fair market rate '' from her father 's inaugural committee .
Alan Garten , a spokesman for the Trump Organization , told NBC News on Wednesday when asked about Ivanka Trump 's deposition , `` Ms. Trump 's only involvement was connecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge a 'fair market rate ' , which the hotel did . ''
Garten did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC on Thursday about Ivanka Trump 's tweet .
Ivanka Trump and her brother Donald Trump Jr. previously were targeted years ago by prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorney 's office , who were looking into whether prospective buyers at the Trump SoHo hotel in New York had been misled about the building 's success .
The two Trump children narrowly avoided being criminally charged in 2012 , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ProPublica and WNYC .
The outlets reported that Marc Kasowitz , a lawyer for Ivanka and Donald Jr. , had donated $ 25,000 to DA Cyrus Vance 's reelection campaign and directly appealed to him that the case should be dropped .
That donation had been returned before Vance met with Kasowitz , according to the outlets .

Ivanka Trump arrives to introduce her father, US President Donald Trump during a "Make America Great Again" rally at Total Sports Park on November 1, 2020, in Washington, Michigan.
But what the senior White House advisor did not mention is that she only said that after being warned by a top inaugural committee official of the "quite high" minimum rate of $3.6 million for food and beverage and use of the banquet halls during inauguration week that the committee was being quoted by the Trump International Hotel.
Ivanka Trump's tweet condemning the suit as "politically motivated" included an email that indicates she told managers of her father's hotel in Washington to charge "fair market rate" for its services during the inauguration after Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election.
But in doing so she conspicuously omitted the $3.6 million question posed by a Republican felon that underscored fears the Trump family was profiting from a nonprofit set up to celebrate the White House victory.
President Donald Trump 's daughter Ivanka Trump on Thursday blasted the Washington, D.C., attorney general's office for deposing her in a lawsuit related to 2017 inauguration spending.
Nor did Ivanka Trump mention that the mere fact of having an incoming president having his inaugural committee buy goods and services from a hotel he owned was unprecedented in U.S. history, much less when that hotel wanted to charge that committee, a nonprofit entity funded by private donors, millions of dollars for those services.
Ivanka Trump's effort to spin news of the deposition comes as President Donald Trump's company faces a criminal probe by the Manhattan district attorney's office that relates to his income taxes, as that company is under investigation by the New York state attorney general for possible misstatement of asset values and as her father is being sued by a writer for defaming her after the writer said he raped her in the 1990s.
And it comes more than a month after her brother Eric Trump was deposed in the New York AG's case after trying to duck complying with a subpoena until after the presidential election, which their father lost by nearly 7 million votes to President-elect Joe Biden.
Last January, Washington's attorney general, Karl Racine, announced he was suing the Trump Inaugural Committee, The Trump Organization and the Trump International Hotel "for blatantly and unlawfully abusing nonprofit funds to enrich the Trump family."
"An independent investigation by my office has revealed that the Inaugural Committee made exorbitant and unlawful payments to the Trump Hotel to rent event space for Inaugural activities," Racine said. "This came as a result of coordination between Inaugural Committee Deputy Chairman Rick Gates, Trump International Hotel management, and members of the Trump family."
Racine's suit alleges more than $1 million in improper payments to the hotel by the inaugural committee.
On Tuesday, as part of that suit, Ivanka Trump, who is a senior White House advisor to her father — as is her husband, real estate mogul Jared Kushner — was deposed by lawyers for the AG's office.
"This week spent 5+ hours in a deposition with the Democrat D.C. AG's office where they questioned the rates charged by the Trump Hotel at the inauguration," Ivanka Trump griped in her tweet Thursday.
"I shared with them an email from 4 years ago where I sent instructions to the hotel to charge 'a fair market rate' (see below) which the hotel then did," she wrote.
"This 'inquiry' is another politically motivated demonstration of vindictiveness & waste of taxpayer dollars."
The tweet includes what purports to be an email that Ivanka Trump sent the hotel's managers on Dec. 14, 2016, saying, "Just seeing this. why don't you call and negotiate. It should be a fair market rate."
Not included in her tweet are prior emails about the hotel's rates or subsequent ones, which underscore the concern among top inaugural committee officials about whether the Trump hotel was overcharging for its services, and in doing so lining the Trump family's pockets. Those emails are posted online by the DC AG's office.
After this story was first published, Racine tweeted a reposnse to Ivanka Trump's criticism of him, and linked to emails that she failed to mention.
"We filed suit after gathering evidence that the Presidential Inaugural Committee knowingly entered into a grossly overpriced contract with the Trump Hotel," Racine wrote. "Any claim to the contrary is incorrect."
"DC law requires nonprofits to use funds for stated public purposes, and to avoid unreasonable, wasteful expenses," the attorney general said. "Our investigation revealed the Committee willfully used nonprofit funds to enrich the Trump family.It's very simple: They broke the law. That's why we sued."
One email Ivanka Trump did not highlight, was written on Dec. 10, 2016, by
Patricia Tang, director of sales and marketing for the hotel, who told inaugural committee staffer Ramsey Ratcliffe that the price for room rental and minimum F&B — food and beverage — "is $3,600,000."
Ratcliffe forwarded that email less than three minutes later to his other inaugural committee staffers with a one word comment: "Ummm...."
Gates, a longtime Republican consultant and high-ranking official in the Trump 2016 campaign, then forwarded Ratcliffe's and Tang's emails to Ivanka Trump.
Gates told Ivanka he had "two concerns" with Tang's email.
"First, the cost itself seems quite high compared to other property buyouts for the week," Gates wrote, referring to the costs of renting other non-Trump-owned hotels out for inauguration week.
"Second, I am a bit worried about the optics of PIC [Presidential Inaugural Committee] paying Trump Hotel a high fee and the media making a big story out of it," added Gates, who within two years from that time pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges of conspiracy and to making false statements related to his work with former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort in Ukraine.
Two days after that email, Ivanka Trump replied to Gates, saying she had asked "our GM Mickael" Damelincourt, of the hotel "to call you directly."
"Thanks!" Ivanka added.
Gates replied that he and Damelincourt were planning to meet the next morning "and sort out the issues."
An email from Damelincourt to Gates on Dec. 16, 2016, which notes that this was "a follow up to our conversation earlier today," quotes a revised price of $700,000, or $175,000 per day, for the entire ballroom space for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of inauguration week. And there would be no minimum charge for food and beverage, the general manager said.
Later that same day, the woman running the inauguration preparation efforts, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who was best friends with first lady Melania Trump before they had a falling out, wrote Gates to "express my concern" about the revised rates quoted by the Trump-owned hotel.
"These are events in PE's [president-elect's] honor at his hotel and one of them is with and for family and close friends," Winston Wolkoff wrote.
"Please take this into consideration that when this is audited it will become public knowledge that the locations were also gifted and costs underwritten to lower rental fees," she wrote. "I understand that compared to the original pricing this is great but we should look at the whole context."
"In my opinion," Winston Wolkoff told Gates, "the max rental fee should be $85,000 per day."
That fee would be $90,000 less per day than the lower, revised price quoted by the general manager that Ivanka Trump had instructed to ask for a "fair market rate" from her father's inaugural committee.
Alan Garten, a spokesman for the Trump Organization, told NBC News on Wednesday when asked about Ivanka Trump's deposition, "Ms. Trump's only involvement was connecting the parties and instructing the hotel to charge a 'fair market rate', which the hotel did."
Garten did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC on Thursday about Ivanka Trump's tweet.
A White House spokesman declined to comment.
Ivanka Trump and her brother Donald Trump Jr. previously were targeted years ago by prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorney's office, who were looking into whether prospective buyers at the Trump SoHo hotel in New York had been misled about the building's success.
The two Trump children narrowly avoided being criminally charged in 2012, according to an investigation by The New Yorker, ProPublica and WNYC.
The outlets reported that Marc Kasowitz, a lawyer for Ivanka and Donald Jr., had donated $25,000 to DA Cyrus Vance's reelection campaign and directly appealed to him that the case should be dropped.
That donation had been returned before Vance met with Kasowitz, according to the outlets.


cnbc--2020-12-03--Biden appoints Brian Deese, architect of auto industry bailout, to lead National Economic Council

Brian Deese , deputy director of the White House National Economic Council , speaks in the White House briefing room in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Tuesday , April 17 , 2012 .
WASHINGTON – President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday announced that Brian Deese , currently the head of sustainable investing at BlackRock , will be the director of the National Economic Council .
Deese is a former deputy director of the National Economic Council , deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget , and senior advisor to President Obama .
The appointment , which does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president-elect 's focus on both restoring the economy from the Covid-19 recession as well as refocusing U.S. efforts to combat the effects and causes of climate change .
`` Brian is among the most tested and accomplished public servants in the country , '' Biden said in a statement .
He is `` a trusted voice I can count on to help us end the ongoing economic crisis , build a better economy that deals everybody in , and take on the existential threat of climate change in a way that creates good-paying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After working on Obama 's 2008 campaign , Deese joined the White House as a member of the National Economic Council and was later promoted to deputy director .
It was during this time that Deese took a leading role in orchestrating the bailout and reorganization of the U.S. automobile industry .
In later years , he became a senior advisor to Obama on issues that in part focused on climate change and energy .
He eventually played a central role in crafting the global climate-change agreement that was reached in Paris in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. out of the landmark climate agreement during his tenure , though Biden has said he will reverse that decision .
Larry Kudlow , a former CNBC contributor , is Trump 's current NEC director after he replaced Gary Cohn in 2018 .
Some progressives have raised concerns about Deese 's work for BlackRock , the globe 's largest asset manager , arguing that the president 's chief economic advisor should not have close ties to corporations and the finance industry .
But Deese 's work for BlackRock centered on the manager 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top-down initiative to invest in and promote companies that demonstrate a track record of good governance and work to reduce their impact on the environment .
Larry Fink , the CEO of BlackRock and Deese 's boss , has repeatedly stressed his firm 's growing focus on sustainable investment and climate change .
In his 2020 letter to CEOs , Fink himself wrote that `` Climate Risk Is Investment Risk . ''
Through Deese , Biden will likely seek to advance a climate-friendly agenda using economic policy as a vehicle .
This tactic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Back Better '' proposals , a broad economic strategy that attempts to boost the U.S. economy through a greater focus on equitability , income equality , tax reform and policy backed by environmental activists .
The president-elect has promised some $ 2 trillion over the next four years to reduce carbon emissions and bolster the amount of renewable energy used for electricity generation .

Brian Deese, deputy director of the White House National Economic Council, speaks in the White House briefing room in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, April 17, 2012.
WASHINGTON – President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday announced that Brian Deese, currently the head of sustainable investing at BlackRock, will be the director of the National Economic Council.
Deese is a former deputy director of the National Economic Council, deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, and senior advisor to President Obama.
The appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation, underscores the president-elect's focus on both restoring the economy from the Covid-19 recession as well as refocusing U.S. efforts to combat the effects and causes of climate change.
"Brian is among the most tested and accomplished public servants in the country," Biden said in a statement.
He is "a trusted voice I can count on to help us end the ongoing economic crisis, build a better economy that deals everybody in, and take on the existential threat of climate change in a way that creates good-paying American jobs," Biden added.
After working on Obama's 2008 campaign, Deese joined the White House as a member of the National Economic Council and was later promoted to deputy director. It was during this time that Deese took a leading role in orchestrating the bailout and reorganization of the U.S. automobile industry.
In later years, he became a senior advisor to Obama on issues that in part focused on climate change and energy. He eventually played a central role in crafting the global climate-change agreement that was reached in Paris in 2015.
President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the landmark climate agreement during his tenure, though Biden has said he will reverse that decision.
Larry Kudlow, a former CNBC contributor, is Trump's current NEC director after he replaced Gary Cohn in 2018.
Some progressives have raised concerns about Deese's work for BlackRock, the globe's largest asset manager, arguing that the president's chief economic advisor should not have close ties to corporations and the finance industry.
But Deese's work for BlackRock centered on the manager's sustainable investment strategy as part of a top-down initiative to invest in and promote companies that demonstrate a track record of good governance and work to reduce their impact on the environment.
Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock and Deese's boss, has repeatedly stressed his firm's growing focus on sustainable investment and climate change. In his 2020 letter to CEOs, Fink himself wrote that "Climate Risk Is Investment Risk."
Through Deese, Biden will likely seek to advance a climate-friendly agenda using economic policy as a vehicle.
This tactic is evident throughout Biden's "Build Back Better" proposals, a broad economic strategy that attempts to boost the U.S. economy through a greater focus on equitability, income equality, tax reform and policy backed by environmental activists.
The president-elect has promised some $2 trillion over the next four years to reduce carbon emissions and bolster the amount of renewable energy used for electricity generation.


cnbc--2020-12-03--Anthony Fauci to meet with Joe Biden's Covid transition team for first time

Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci speaks with Vice President Mike Pence as they participate in a news briefing with member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Thursday , Nov 19 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , will meet with members of President-elect Joe Biden 's coronavirus pandemic response team for the first time Thursday , a transition official told CNBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step toward full coordination between the Biden transition 's Covid-19 `` landing team '' and the top officials directing the federal government 's current pandemic response .
Fauci has already spoken with incoming White House chief of staff Ron Klain , but Thursday 's meeting , first reported by CNN , will be the first time that Fauci formally briefs Biden 's Covid team .
The nation 's foremost infectious disease expert has previously said he plans to remain in his post at NIAID for the foreseeable future .
Nine months into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiencing its worst phase yet , with more than 200,000 new cases and a record 2,800 deaths reported on Wednesday .
The meeting between Fauci and Biden 's advisors is occurring later in the year than many would have hoped .
This is chiefly due to President Donald Trump 's refusal to greenlight the start of a formal transition process until last week , and his broader refusal to accept his loss in the Nov. 3 presidential election .
Dr. Deborah Birx , who coordinates the White House coronavirus task force , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Biden transition team this week .

Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci speaks with Vice President Mike Pence as they participate in a news briefing with member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Thursday, Nov 19, 2020 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will meet with members of President-elect Joe Biden's coronavirus pandemic response team for the first time Thursday, a transition official told CNBC.
The virtual meeting marks a significant step toward full coordination between the Biden transition's Covid-19 "landing team" and the top officials directing the federal government's current pandemic response.
Fauci has already spoken with incoming White House chief of staff Ron Klain, but Thursday's meeting, first reported by CNN, will be the first time that Fauci formally briefs Biden's Covid team.
The nation's foremost infectious disease expert has previously said he plans to remain in his post at NIAID for the foreseeable future. Nine months into the coronavirus pandemic, the nation is currently experiencing its worst phase yet, with more than 200,000 new cases and a record 2,800 deaths reported on Wednesday.
The meeting between Fauci and Biden's advisors is occurring later in the year than many would have hoped. This is chiefly due to President Donald Trump's refusal to greenlight the start of a formal transition process until last week, and his broader refusal to accept his loss in the Nov. 3 presidential election.
Dr. Deborah Birx, who coordinates the White House coronavirus task force, is also reportedly planning to begin formal coordination with the Biden transition team this week.


cnbc--2020-12-03--GOP congressman: New bipartisan Covid stimulus bill in 'range of reason' as momentum shifts to act

The tide on Capitol Hill is shifting in favor of compromising to pass a new economic stimulus package to help Americans and U.S. small businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic , the leaders of the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus told CNBC on Thursday .
`` The bottom line is , this is right in the range of reason .
It 's not a perfect bill , but it is a compromise bill that can bring people together , '' Rep. Tom Reed , R-N.Y. , said on `` Squawk Box . ''
His co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same interview : `` We 're exhausted ... after how long we 've been fighting to get something done , but I really believe now you 're seeing the momentum in this next week to get this emergency package into law . ''
`` I think there 's a deep recognition ... that we 've got to get something done .
People are really hurting .
Small businesses are going out , scores of them , every single day , '' the New Jersey Democrat said .
The Problem Solvers Caucus this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus plan with a bipartisan group of senators , including Sens .
Joe Manchin , D-W.Va. , and Mitt Romney , R-Utah .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , who had for months backed a more expensive relief bill , put their support behind the bipartisan proposal Wednesday , calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to use it as the basis begin stimulus negotiations .
McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , has favored a smaller package closer to $ 500 billion .
In rejecting the bipartisan proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just do n't have time to waste time . ''
President Donald Trump supports McConnell 's approach , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday .
`` We look forward to making progress on that , '' Mnuchin said , according to Reuters .
Mnuchin and Pelosi had tried for months but failed to reach a deal before the election .
McConnell said on the Senate floor on Thursday , `` Compromise is within reach .
We know where we agree .
We can do this . ''
He also he sees `` hopeful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ craft the new $ 908 billion package — which includes funds for small business aid and a $ 300 per week unemployment supplement — believe it will continue to gather support in Washington .
`` It 's time to listen to the American people , '' said Reed , who has for months been urging action by Congress , which has been in a stalemate since the summer over additional relief even as the pandemic continued to rage .
Reed , who represents a large swath of western and central New York state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days that there could be more Republican support for a coronavirus relief package in the range of $ 550 billion to $ 700 billion .
`` So that means we 're real close .
You look at where the Democratic leadership was .
They were at $ 1.3 trillion .
They 're now at $ 900 billion supporting this bipartisan , bicameral package that we put together , '' he said .
`` Now you 're seeing the movement in the Senate .
You see the White House in a position to potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to get this done as Covid surges , as people continue to suffer , businesses running out of the lifelines , '' added Reed .
`` The bottom line is , this is right in the range of reason .
It 's not a perfect bill , but it is a compromise bill that can bring people together . ''
Correction : This story was revised to correct that Reed is a Republican .
One earlier version misstated his affiliation .

The tide on Capitol Hill is shifting in favor of compromising to pass a new economic stimulus package to help Americans and U.S. small businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, the leaders of the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus told CNBC on Thursday.
"The bottom line is, this is right in the range of reason. It's not a perfect bill, but it is a compromise bill that can bring people together," Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., said on "Squawk Box."
His co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, added in the same interview: "We're exhausted ... after how long we've been fighting to get something done, but I really believe now you're seeing the momentum in this next week to get this emergency package into law."
"I think there's a deep recognition ... that we've got to get something done. People are really hurting. Small businesses are going out, scores of them, every single day," the New Jersey Democrat said.
The Problem Solvers Caucus this week unveiled a $908 billion coronavirus stimulus plan with a bipartisan group of senators, including Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Mitt Romney, R-Utah.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who had for months backed a more expensive relief bill, put their support behind the bipartisan proposal Wednesday, calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to use it as the basis begin stimulus negotiations.
McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, has favored a smaller package closer to $500 billion. In rejecting the bipartisan proposal Tuesday, he said, "We just don't have time to waste time." President Donald Trump supports McConnell's approach, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday. "We look forward to making progress on that," Mnuchin said, according to Reuters. Mnuchin and Pelosi had tried for months but failed to reach a deal before the election.
McConnell said on the Senate floor on Thursday, "Compromise is within reach. We know where we agree. We can do this." He also he sees "hopeful signs."
The lawmakers who helped craft the new $908 billion package — which includes funds for small business aid and a $300 per week unemployment supplement — believe it will continue to gather support in Washington. "It's time to listen to the American people," said Reed, who has for months been urging action by Congress, which has been in a stalemate since the summer over additional relief even as the pandemic continued to rage.
Reed, who represents a large swath of western and central New York state, said he has heard in recent days that there could be more Republican support for a coronavirus relief package in the range of $550 billion to $700 billion. "So that means we're real close. You look at where the Democratic leadership was. They were at $1.3 trillion. They're now at $900 billion supporting this bipartisan, bicameral package that we put together," he said.
"Now you're seeing the movement in the Senate. You see the White House in a position to potentially sign a package. They recognize we have to get this done as Covid surges, as people continue to suffer, businesses running out of the lifelines," added Reed. "The bottom line is, this is right in the range of reason. It's not a perfect bill, but it is a compromise bill that can bring people together."
Correction: This story was revised to correct that Reed is a Republican. One earlier version misstated his affiliation.


cnbc--2020-12-04--Biden says $1,200 stimulus checks 'may be still in play' in Covid relief talks

President-elect Joe Biden on Friday said that another round of coronavirus stimulus checks for U.S. families `` may be still in play . ''
`` I think it would be better if they had the $ 1,200 [ payments to families ] , '' Biden said when asked at a press conference to respond to criticism about a new Covid relief plan revealed this week as a starting point for the latest round of negotiations on Capitol Hill .
Biden added : `` And I understand that may be still in play .
But , I 'm not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole purpose of this is , we 've got to make sure people are n't thrown out of their apartments , lose their homes , are able to have unemployment insurance [ that ] they can continue to feed their families on as we grow back the economy . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , have backed a bipartisan $ 908 billion relief plan as a basis for talks with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. On Friday , Pelosi told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers striking a deal .
Biden has endorsed the plan as a `` good start , '' but he has promised to push for more aid when his administration takes charge .
At the press conference , Biden would not say if he has spoken to McConnell .
The proposal does not include a second $ 1,200 direct payment to most Americans .
Pelosi and Schumer have called for another stimulus check for months as part of trillions in aid they hoped to approve .
When the Democratic leaders yielded ground and asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion measure , they noted that `` we and others will offer improvements . ''

President-elect Joe Biden on Friday said that another round of coronavirus stimulus checks for U.S. families "may be still in play."
"I think it would be better if they had the $1,200 [payments to families]," Biden said when asked at a press conference to respond to criticism about a new Covid relief plan revealed this week as a starting point for the latest round of negotiations on Capitol Hill.
Biden added: "And I understand that may be still in play. But, I'm not going to comment on the specific details. The whole purpose of this is, we've got to make sure people aren't thrown out of their apartments, lose their homes, are able to have unemployment insurance [that] they can continue to feed their families on as we grow back the economy."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have backed a bipartisan $908 billion relief plan as a basis for talks with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
On Friday, Pelosi told reporters "there is momentum" toward lawmakers striking a deal.
Biden has endorsed the plan as a "good start," but he has promised to push for more aid when his administration takes charge. At the press conference, Biden would not say if he has spoken to McConnell.
The proposal does not include a second $1,200 direct payment to most Americans. Pelosi and Schumer have called for another stimulus check for months as part of trillions in aid they hoped to approve.
When the Democratic leaders yielded ground and asked to start talks around the $908 billion measure, they noted that "we and others will offer improvements."


cnbc--2020-12-04--Alleged Jeffrey Epstein madam Ghislaine Maxwell wants bail hearing just before Christmas

Ghislaine Maxwell , longtime associate of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein , speaks at a news conference on oceans and sustainable development at the United Nations in New York , June 25 , 2013 in this screengrab taken from United Nations TV file footage .
Ghislaine Maxwell wants to get out of jail — and before the holidays if possible .
Maxwell , who is accused of procuring young girls to be sexually abused by eccentric money manager Jeffrey Epstein , on Friday asked a judge to schedule a hearing on her forthcoming bail request for Dec. 21 , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialite 's lawyers in a letter to Manhattan federal court Judge Allison Nathan said that prosecutors have agreed to that date , and to a series of deadlines beforehand for related legal flings .
The letter came a day after Nathan rejected defense lawyers ' request that she hold a conference with them and prosecutors outside of the public eye on issues related to the privacy of people who would co-sign a possible release bond for Maxwell if one is granted .
Maxwell , who has pleaded not guilty in the case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to agree to set bail pending her scheduled trial next summer .
On the heels of Maxwell 's arrest last July , Nathan denied her first request to be released on $ 5 million bond , saying that she represented a substantial flight risk because of her holding of French citizenship — France does not extradite citizens — and her significant wealth .
The judge also cited serious charges , which could land Maxwell , 58 , in prison for up to 35 years if she is convicted .
In addition to charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underage girls for her former boyfriend Epstein in the 1990s , Maxwell also is charged with perjury for allegedly lying during a deposition for a lawsuit filed by an Epstein accuser .
Since her first bail hearing , Maxwell has been locked up in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn .
That federal lockup 's grim conditions are radically different than the luxurious venues where she and Epstein once socialized with former friends including Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton , as well as with Britain 's Prince Andrew and other wealthy individuals @

Ghislaine Maxwell, longtime associate of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, speaks at a news conference on oceans and sustainable development at the United Nations in New York, June 25, 2013 in this screengrab taken from United Nations TV file footage.
Ghislaine Maxwell wants to get out of jail — and before the holidays if possible.
Maxwell, who is accused of procuring young girls to be sexually abused by eccentric money manager Jeffrey Epstein, on Friday asked a judge to schedule a hearing on her forthcoming bail request for Dec. 21, just four days before Christmas.
The British socialite's lawyers in a letter to Manhattan federal court Judge Allison Nathan said that prosecutors have agreed to that date, and to a series of deadlines beforehand for related legal flings.
The letter came a day after Nathan rejected defense lawyers' request that she hold a conference with them and prosecutors outside of the public eye on issues related to the privacy of people who would co-sign a possible release bond for Maxwell if one is granted.
Maxwell, who has pleaded not guilty in the case, faces long odds in getting the judge to agree to set bail pending her scheduled trial next summer.
On the heels of Maxwell's arrest last July, Nathan denied her first request to be released on $5 million bond, saying that she represented a substantial flight risk because of her holding of French citizenship — France does not extradite citizens — and her significant wealth.
The judge also cited serious charges, which could land Maxwell, 58, in prison for up to 35 years if she is convicted.
In addition to charges related to allegedly recruiting and grooming several underage girls for her former boyfriend Epstein in the 1990s, Maxwell also is charged with perjury for allegedly lying during a deposition for a lawsuit filed by an Epstein accuser.
Since her first bail hearing, Maxwell has been locked up in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
That federal lockup's grim conditions are radically different than the luxurious venues where she and Epstein once socialized with former friends including Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, as well as with Britain's Prince Andrew and other wealthy individuals.


cnbc--2020-12-04--New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy slams New York Young Republican Club for hosting large, maskless gala in

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy slams New York Young Republican Club for hosting large, maskless gala in Jersey City amid Covid surge

`` The Gala was held in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations , including capacity restrictions , '' NYYRC president Gavin Wax said in an email .
`` Any suggestion to the contrary and any legal threats are made in bad faith and politically motivated .
As far as we are aware , the First Amendment has not been repealed . ''
The controversial event took place as the U.S. reported a record number of daily new Covid-19 cases , current hospitalizations and single-day deaths on Thursday , indicating that the national virus crisis is only accelerating .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly snuck into Jersey City to hold a `` gala fundraiser '' – ignoring our social distancing and mask rules , '' New Jersey Democratic Gov .
Phil Murphy said on Twitter .
`` It is beyond the pale that anyone would willingly endanger people in another state . ''
The New York Young Republican Club hosted a large indoor gala with little-to-no mask-wearing or social distancing in Jersey City Thursday night , drawing fierce criticism from New Jersey 's governor Friday .
The Metropolitan Republican Club held a Christmas party in person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the event amid coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic in Manhattan of New York City , United States on December 3 , 2020 .
The NYYRC originally said the annual gala would be held at the Caldwell Factory in Manhattan .
The planned event drew criticism from New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and New York City councilmembers .
The NYYRC then scrapped the event location and refused to disclose where the gala would take place .
Later , pictures and videos posted on social media revealed the event was held at Maritime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows indoor gatherings of up to 150 people for religious and political activities protected by the First Amendment , but requires attendees at indoor events to wear face coverings and stay six feet part , which did not occur at the gala .
Wax told Gothamist that the gala `` had exactly 150 guests , '' but when asked by CNBC to confirm the number , he said in an email , `` That 's the legal limit .
We had under that .
Not sure the final number that actually attended since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop issued an administrative order Friday closing Maritime Parc `` until such time as the operators prepare and submit a written operational plan ... describing how they intend to comply with Governor Phil Murphy 's Executive orders ... regarding capacity mandates and mask wearing . ''
A spokesperson for Maritime Parc confirmed that the event 's headcount was within the allotted capacity under current state restrictions .
`` All guests were required to wear masks upon entering and exiting the event space .
While we can not force compliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger gatherings , all guests were informed upon entering the event , '' the spokesperson said in a statement .
`` The New Jersey State Police had visited prior to the event to ensure compliance and go over rules/regulations , '' the statement said .
`` Maritime Parc will assist the investigation in whatever ways necessary and is eager to help . ''
Featured attendees at the gala included keynote speaker James O'Keefe , founder of far-right group Project Veritas , and Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida , who wore a gas mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting on Covid relief legislation .
The office of Rep. Gaetz did not respond when asked whether the congressman self-quarantined per New Jersey guidelines before appearing at the event .
New Jersey requires that travelers from outside of the immediate region self-isolate for at least 14 days .
Gaetz spoke on the House floor on Friday without wearing a mask .
`` Matt – You are not welcome in New Jersey , and frankly I do n't ever want you back in this state , '' Gov .
Murphy said on Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidate Sarah Palin , who was originally slated as a featured attendee but pulled out of the event .
Mayor Fulop said on Twitter that `` JC law enforcement will be visiting the Maritime Parc this AM + will follow appropriate steps within laws of NJ . ''
The Jersey City Police Department did not respond to requests for comment .

"The Gala was held in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including capacity restrictions," NYYRC president Gavin Wax said in an email. "Any suggestion to the contrary and any legal threats are made in bad faith and politically motivated. As far as we are aware, the First Amendment has not been repealed."
The controversial event took place as the U.S. reported a record number of daily new Covid-19 cases, current hospitalizations and single-day deaths on Thursday, indicating that the national virus crisis is only accelerating.
"Last night, the @NYYRC allegedly snuck into Jersey City to hold a "gala fundraiser" – ignoring our social distancing and mask rules," New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said on Twitter. "It is beyond the pale that anyone would willingly endanger people in another state."
The New York Young Republican Club hosted a large indoor gala with little-to-no mask-wearing or social distancing in Jersey City Thursday night, drawing fierce criticism from New Jersey's governor Friday.
The Metropolitan Republican Club held a Christmas party in person. At least 50 guests were attended at the event amid coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Manhattan of New York City, United States on December 3, 2020.
The NYYRC originally said the annual gala would be held at the Caldwell Factory in Manhattan. The planned event drew criticism from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City councilmembers. The NYYRC then scrapped the event location and refused to disclose where the gala would take place.
Later, pictures and videos posted on social media revealed the event was held at Maritime Parc in Jersey City. New Jersey allows indoor gatherings of up to 150 people for religious and political activities protected by the First Amendment, but requires attendees at indoor events to wear face coverings and stay six feet part, which did not occur at the gala.
Wax told Gothamist that the gala "had exactly 150 guests," but when asked by CNBC to confirm the number, he said in an email, "That's the legal limit. We had under that. Not sure the final number that actually attended since we had some no shows."
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop issued an administrative order Friday closing Maritime Parc "until such time as the operators prepare and submit a written operational plan...describing how they intend to comply with Governor Phil Murphy's Executive orders...regarding capacity mandates and mask wearing."
A spokesperson for Maritime Parc confirmed that the event's headcount was within the allotted capacity under current state restrictions. "All guests were required to wear masks upon entering and exiting the event space. While we cannot force compliance with the suggested social distancing guidelines at larger gatherings, all guests were informed upon entering the event," the spokesperson said in a statement.
"The New Jersey State Police had visited prior to the event to ensure compliance and go over rules/regulations," the statement said. "Maritime Parc will assist the investigation in whatever ways necessary and is eager to help."
Featured attendees at the gala included keynote speaker James O'Keefe, founder of far-right group Project Veritas, and Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, who wore a gas mask on the House floor in March while voting on Covid relief legislation.
The office of Rep. Gaetz did not respond when asked whether the congressman self-quarantined per New Jersey guidelines before appearing at the event. New Jersey requires that travelers from outside of the immediate region self-isolate for at least 14 days. Gaetz spoke on the House floor on Friday without wearing a mask.
"Matt – You are not welcome in New Jersey, and frankly I don't ever want you back in this state," Gov. Murphy said on Twitter.
Gaetz took the place of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who was originally slated as a featured attendee but pulled out of the event.
Mayor Fulop said on Twitter that "JC law enforcement will be visiting the Maritime Parc this AM + will follow appropriate steps within laws of NJ."
The Jersey City Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.


cnbc--2020-12-04--Sidney Powell amends court filing that mistakenly said Georgia votes were flipped from Biden to Trum

Sidney Powell amends court filing that mistakenly said Georgia votes were flipped from Biden to Trump

Attorney Sidney Powell speaks at a press conference on election results in Alpharetta , Georgia , U.S. , December 2 , 2020 .
Despite being cut loose from President Donald Trump 's legal team , Powell is forging ahead with her election-conspiracy crusade to overturn Joe Biden 's presidential win .
But the conservative attorney 's self-described Kraken keeps getting its tentacles tied in a knot of typos and errors — including the recent backward claim , later amended , that a pernicious voting algorithm took votes from Biden and flipped them to Trump .
Powell corrected the error later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mistake to a federal appeals court , which she is asking to decertify the results of Georgia 's presidential race .
The initial , mixed-up message claimed in a filing that `` machine-controlled algorithms deliberately run by Dominion Voting Systems ... generally took more than 2.5 % of the votes from Mr. Biden and flipped them to Mr. Trump for a more than 5 % fraudulent vote increase for Mr .
Biden . ''
That claim — that votes had been improperly handed to Trump , which somehow resulted in a net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Bassakwards , '' Powell admitted in an email to CNBC .
`` If I had a Nicole for every mistake I 've made in life , I could retire , '' Powell 's email to a reporter said .
`` Wish I had you as a proofreader at 1 a.m. '' In a later filing to amend the brief , Powell explained that `` Counsel for Plaintiffs are a small team handling multiple significant cases in four states . ''

Attorney Sidney Powell speaks at a press conference on election results in Alpharetta, Georgia, U.S., December 2, 2020.
Sidney Powell's Kraken needs an editor.
Despite being cut loose from President Donald Trump's legal team, Powell is forging ahead with her election-conspiracy crusade to overturn Joe Biden's presidential win.
But the conservative attorney's self-described Kraken keeps getting its tentacles tied in a knot of typos and errors — including the recent backward claim, later amended, that a pernicious voting algorithm took votes from Biden and flipped them to Trump.
Powell corrected the error later Friday, citing CNBC as she explained the mistake to a federal appeals court, which she is asking to decertify the results of Georgia's presidential race.
The initial, mixed-up message claimed in a filing that "machine-controlled algorithms deliberately run by Dominion Voting Systems ... generally took more than 2.5% of the votes from Mr. Biden and flipped them to Mr. Trump for a more than 5% fraudulent vote increase for Mr. Biden."
That claim — that votes had been improperly handed to Trump, which somehow resulted in a net increase in votes for Biden — was "Bassakwards," Powell admitted in an email to CNBC.
"If I had a Nicole for every mistake I've made in life, I could retire," Powell's email to a reporter said. "Wish I had you as a proofreader at 1 a.m."
In a later filing to amend the brief, Powell explained that "Counsel for Plaintiffs are a small team handling multiple significant cases in four states."