usatoday--2020-12-08--Best-selling video games are on sale at Walmart just in time for the holidays

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
If you ’ re still hunting down the perfect gift for the gamer in your life , your worries can officially end here .
While we ’ re still working hard to locate stock on the oh-so-coveted PlayStation 5 and brand-new Xbox Series X ( enter our giveaway here ! )
Walmart is currently offering major discounts on beloved games , ranging from popular NBA 2K titles to top-rated Star Wars storylines just in time for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered to your phone .
Sign up for text message alerts from the deal-hunting nerds at Reviewed .
Right now , folks can shop huge rollbacks on much-loved video games such as Marvel ’ s Spider-Man , Game of the Year Edition for the PlayStation 4—once $ 39.99 , it 's now up for grabs for just $ 19.99 , falling $ 20 total .
Although this game was initially released in 2018 , this upgraded version includes new downloadable content ( DLC ) with additional missions and challenges .
It has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walmart shoppers , with a whopping 97 % of buyers recommending this title .
Shoppers noted that the graphics were incredible , while others noted that the storyline was super entertaining , too .
Also on sale is the much-anticipated Watch Dogs : Legion , normally $ 59.99 , now $ 39.82 with the 34 % markdown .
While the game is formatted for the PlayStation 4 , it also comes with a free digital upgrade for lucky PS5 owners .
Complete with a 4.4-star rating , players were generally happy with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are fans of the series .
However , if you or your giftee jive more with sports games , best-selling NBA 2K , Madden NFL and FIFA 21 titles are also discounted , including Madden NFL 21 .
You can nab the latter for $ 29.96 , down a little more than $ 30 from $ 59.99 , and enjoy brand-new features such as competitive team building and backyard mode , a recent addition inspired by wild and more casual gameplay .
Need help finding products ?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can unsubscribe at any time .
So , what are you waiting for ?
With the holidays quickly approaching , you ’ ll want to jump on these unbeatable deals to ensure they arrive before the big day !
Get video games at Walmart from $ 7.96 ( Save $ 2 to $ 40.03 ) The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered .
Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest deals , reviews , and more .
Prices were accurate at the time this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .

Best-selling video games are on sale at Walmart just in time for the holidays
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
If you’re still hunting down the perfect gift for the gamer in your life, your worries can officially end here. While we’re still working hard to locate stock on the oh-so-coveted PlayStation 5 and brand-new Xbox Series X (enter our giveaway here!) Walmart is currently offering major discounts on beloved games, ranging from popular NBA 2K titles to top-rated Star Wars storylines just in time for the gift-giving season.
Get expert shopping advice delivered to your phone. Sign up for text message alerts from the deal-hunting nerds at Reviewed.
Right now, folks can shop huge rollbacks on much-loved video games such as Marvel’s Spider-Man, Game of the Year Edition for the PlayStation 4—once $39.99, it's now up for grabs for just $19.99, falling $20 total. Although this game was initially released in 2018, this upgraded version includes new downloadable content (DLC) with additional missions and challenges. It has a solid 4.8-star rating from more than 150 Walmart shoppers, with a whopping 97% of buyers recommending this title. Shoppers noted that the graphics were incredible, while others noted that the storyline was super entertaining, too.
Also on sale is the much-anticipated Watch Dogs: Legion, normally $59.99, now $39.82 with the 34% markdown. While the game is formatted for the PlayStation 4, it also comes with a free digital upgrade for lucky PS5 owners. Complete with a 4.4-star rating, players were generally happy with the enjoyable gameplay, especially for those that are fans of the series. However, if you or your giftee jive more with sports games, best-selling NBA 2K, Madden NFL and FIFA 21 titles are also discounted, including Madden NFL 21. You can nab the latter for $29.96, down a little more than $30 from $59.99, and enjoy brand-new features such as competitive team building and backyard mode, a recent addition inspired by wild and more casual gameplay.
Need help finding products? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
So, what are you waiting for? With the holidays quickly approaching, you’ll want to jump on these unbeatable deals to ensure they arrive before the big day!
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.


usatoday--2020-12-08--Holiday gifts for your friends

Holiday gifts for your friends

Here are some holiday gift ideas for your friends .

Christmas gift guide: friends
Here are some holiday gift ideas for your friends.
ProblemSolved, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-08--Soldier crashes huge family dinner

Soldier crashes huge family dinner

Mariah is the third oldest of 12 children and had to make sure everyone was there for her military homecoming @

Soldier crashes huge family dinner
Mariah is the third oldest of 12 children and had to make sure everyone was there for her military homecoming.
Militarykind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-08--Two golden retrievers have different reactions to their first snow

Two golden retrievers have different reactions to their first snow These two golden retrievers had very different reactions when they @ @ @ @ @ time this December in New Brunswick , Canada .

Golden retrievers react to their first snow
These two golden retrievers had very different reactions when they saw snow for the first time this December in New Brunswick, Canada.
USA TODAY, Storyful


usatoday--2020-12-08--14 fired or suspended following Fort Hood investigation into violence and sexual assault

14 fired or suspended following Fort Hood investigation into violence and sexual assault An investigation found that leadership at Fort @ @ @ @ @ environment '' that let crimes occur with little consequence .

Fort Hood: Army fires, suspends 14 following investigation
An investigation found that leadership at Fort Hood created a "permissive environment" that let crimes occur with little consequence.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-08--Judge dismisses Michael Flynn case but notes Trump's pardon implies guilt, not innocence

WASHINGTON – A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed the case of Michael Flynn , but not without eviscerating the Justice Department 's handling of the former national security adviser 's prosecution and making clear that a presidential pardon does not mean innocence .
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan dismissed the case following a full and unconditional pardon that President Donald Trump issued for Flynn .
But in a 43-page memorandum , Sullivan also said : '' A pardon does not necessarily render 'innocent ' a defendant of any alleged violation of the law .
Indeed , the Supreme Court has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implies a 'confession ' of guilt . ''
The filing marks the end of the politically charged case that pitted one branch of government against another .
Sullivan , who himself became the target of criticisms from Trump allies , noted that the president 's pardon is `` a political decision , not a legal one . ''
Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said dismissing the case `` is , of course , the correct result . ''
Trump pardoned Flynn last month , ending the three-year legal odyssey for the retired Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again highlighted his proclivity to use his broad powers to help allies and raised speculations about who might be next in line for a pardon .
The Justice Department said it was `` not consulted '' on the president 's decision , though officials were provided a `` heads-up . ''
`` We would have preferred to see if Judge Sullivan would act and for the matter to be resolved in court , '' the department said in a statement last month .
`` We were confident in the likelihood of our success @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this is obviously an appropriate use of the president 's pardon power . ''
Flynn is one of half a dozen former aides who were indicted as a result of the special counsel investigation into Russia 's interference in the 2016 election .
Last summer , Trump commuted the sentence of longtime confidante Roger Stone , a Republican operative who was convicted of lying to Congress to protect Trump and his campaign from the Russia investigation .
Flynn pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about his communications with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Flynn admitted that he lied about his request to then-ambassador Sergey Kislyak that Russia refrain from escalating tensions with the United States in response to sanctions imposed by the Obama administration .
While awaiting sentencing , Flynn sought to withdraw his guilty plea by claiming he was entrapped by politically motivated federal investigators .
Flynn 's defense team , led by former Trump election lawyer Sidney Powell , has repeatedly cast her client 's prosecution as a politically motivated conspiracy among Obama administration officials and accused prosecutors of hiding evidence that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department also reversed course and decided to abandon its prosecution of Flynn , arguing that the FBI interview was `` unjustified '' and his false statements were not relevant to the case .
The move drew widespread criticisms and raised questions about the Justice Department 's motivation for dropping the case .
Sullivan , who appointed a third party to challenge the Justice Department 's action , said in his Tuesday filing that prosecutors ' reasons for reversing course `` appear pretextual . ''
`` For example , Mr. Flynn was serving as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transition team during the events that gave rise to the conviction here , and , as this case has progressed , President Trump has not hidden the extent of his interest in this case , '' Sullivan wrote .
Sullivan also was skeptical of prosecutors ’ reasons for dismissing the case , noting that the Justice Department had previously said Flynn 's false statements to the FBI `` went to the heart '' of the investigation .
`` The government 's about-face , without explanation , raises concerns about the regularity of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that prosecutors ' rationales were `` dubious to say the least . ''
Sullivan said he was not persuaded that prosecutors could not prove Flynn knowingly and willfully lied to the FBI .
To support this , prosecutors pointed to the fact that the FBI agents who interviewed Flynn did not think he was lying , as well as inconsistent FBI records , former FBI director James Comey 's statement that the Flynn case was a `` close one , '' and evidence that Flynn had faulty recollections of his conversation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saga : Appeals court denies ex-Trump adviser Michael Flynn 's request to force dismissal of case But Sullivan said whether or not investigators thought Flynn was lying is irrelevant , and prosecutors have not shown evidence that contradicts the substance of the FBI 's interview with Flynn .
The government 's reliance on Comey 's opinion `` is suspect , '' Sullivan wrote , because Comey was not present during the FBI interview .
Sullivan was also skeptical that Flynn had faulty memory .
`` Mr. Flynn is not just anyone ; he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President , clearly in a position of trust , who claimed that he forgot , within less than a month , that he personally asked for a favor from the Russian Ambassador that undermined the policy of the sitting President prior to the President-Elect taking office , '' Sullivan wrote .

Kristine Phillips and Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY

Judge dismisses Michael Flynn case but notes Trump's pardon implies guilt, not innocence
Show Caption Hide Caption Flynn: Trump gives 'full pardon' to ex-national security advisor Michael Flynn pleaded guilty three years ago to lying about his conversations with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed the case of Michael Flynn, but not without eviscerating the Justice Department's handling of the former national security adviser's prosecution and making clear that a presidential pardon does not mean innocence.
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan dismissed the case following a full and unconditional pardon that President Donald Trump issued for Flynn. But in a 43-page memorandum, Sullivan also said:
"A pardon does not necessarily render 'innocent' a defendant of any alleged violation of the law. Indeed, the Supreme Court has recognized that the acceptance of a pardon implies a 'confession' of guilt."
The filing marks the end of the politically charged case that pitted one branch of government against another. Sullivan, who himself became the target of criticisms from Trump allies, noted that the president's pardon is "a political decision, not a legal one."
Flynn gets a pardon: President Trump pardons ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn; ends three-year legal odyssey
Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said dismissing the case "is, of course, the correct result."
Trump pardoned Flynn last month, ending the three-year legal odyssey for the retired Army general. The president's action once again highlighted his proclivity to use his broad powers to help allies and raised speculations about who might be next in line for a pardon.
The Justice Department said it was "not consulted" on the president's decision, though officials were provided a "heads-up."
"We would have preferred to see if Judge Sullivan would act and for the matter to be resolved in court," the department said in a statement last month. "We were confident in the likelihood of our success in the case. That being said, this is obviously an appropriate use of the president's pardon power."
Flynn is one of half a dozen former aides who were indicted as a result of the special counsel investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election. Last summer, Trump commuted the sentence of longtime confidante Roger Stone, a Republican operative who was convicted of lying to Congress to protect Trump and his campaign from the Russia investigation.
Flynn pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about his communications with a former Russian ambassador before Trump was inaugurated. Flynn admitted that he lied about his request to then-ambassador Sergey Kislyak that Russia refrain from escalating tensions with the United States in response to sanctions imposed by the Obama administration.
While awaiting sentencing, Flynn sought to withdraw his guilty plea by claiming he was entrapped by politically motivated federal investigators.
'Abuse of prosecutorial power': Retired federal judge slams Justice Department in Flynn case
Flynn's defense team, led by former Trump election lawyer Sidney Powell, has repeatedly cast her client's prosecution as a politically motivated conspiracy among Obama administration officials and accused prosecutors of hiding evidence that would've exonerated her client.
The Justice Department also reversed course and decided to abandon its prosecution of Flynn, arguing that the FBI interview was "unjustified" and his false statements were not relevant to the case. The move drew widespread criticisms and raised questions about the Justice Department's motivation for dropping the case.
Sullivan, who appointed a third party to challenge the Justice Department's action, said in his Tuesday filing that prosecutors' reasons for reversing course "appear pretextual."
"For example, Mr. Flynn was serving as an adviser to President Trump’s transition team during the events that gave rise to the conviction here, and, as this case has progressed, President Trump has not hidden the extent of his interest in this case," Sullivan wrote.
Sullivan also was skeptical of prosecutors’ reasons for dismissing the case, noting that the Justice Department had previously said Flynn's false statements to the FBI "went to the heart" of the investigation.
"The government's about-face, without explanation, raises concerns about the regularity of its decision-making process," Sullivan wrote, adding that prosecutors' rationales were "dubious to say the least."
Sullivan said he was not persuaded that prosecutors could not prove Flynn knowingly and willfully lied to the FBI. To support this, prosecutors pointed to the fact that the FBI agents who interviewed Flynn did not think he was lying, as well as inconsistent FBI records, former FBI director James Comey's statement that the Flynn case was a "close one," and evidence that Flynn had faulty recollections of his conversation with the Russian ambassador.
The Flynn legal saga: Appeals court denies ex-Trump adviser Michael Flynn's request to force dismissal of case
But Sullivan said whether or not investigators thought Flynn was lying is irrelevant, and prosecutors have not shown evidence that contradicts the substance of the FBI's interview with Flynn. The government's reliance on Comey's opinion "is suspect," Sullivan wrote, because Comey was not present during the FBI interview.
Sullivan was also skeptical that Flynn had faulty memory.
"Mr. Flynn is not just anyone; he was the National Security Advisor to the President, clearly in a position of trust, who claimed that he forgot, within less than a month, that he personally asked for a favor from the Russian Ambassador that undermined the policy of the sitting President prior to the President-Elect taking office," Sullivan wrote.
Contributing: Kevin Johnson


usatoday--2020-12-08--Texas attorney general asks Supreme Court to block Biden victory in 4 states

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block four battleground states from certifying President-elect Joe Biden 's victory when the Electoral College meets Monday to formally select the next president .
Paxton asked the court to stop Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — all won by Biden — from voting in the Electoral College , arguing that officials used the pandemic as a pretext to unconstitutionally change voting rules for the November general election .
The Republican attorney general also asked the the nation 's highest court to vacate the states ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislators to assign each state 's electoral votes , a move that could shift the election victory to President Donald Trump .
Officials in the four states criticized the filing as an irresponsible publicity stunt that recycled false and disproven claims of election irregularities .
`` Texas alleges that there are 80,000 forged signatures on absentee ballots in Georgia , but they don ’ t bring forward a single person who this happened to .
That ’ s because it didn ’ t happen , '' said Georgia 's deputy secretary of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign have engaged in aggressive but fruitless legal challenges designed to overturn the results of November 's presidential election and allow the Republican to have a second term in office .
Paxton , a staunch Trump backer who has frequently sued in support of the president 's policies , told the Supreme Court that local officials in the four states used `` executive fiat or friendly lawsuits '' to improperly expand voting by mail and weaken signature verification and witness requirements meant to protect ballot integrity .
`` The states violated statutes enacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violating the Constitution .
By ignoring both state and federal law , these states have not only tainted the integrity of their own citizens ’ vote , but of Texas and every other state that held lawful elections , ” Paxton said in a statement .
Paxton 's Bill of Complaint against the states echoed Trump 's claims that rampant illegal voting tainted the election despite a string of lower-court rulings that rejected the claims as unsupported by credible evidence .
Only the Supreme Court , Paxton argued , can delay Monday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` storm '' of controversy over the vote can be resolved .
`` That deadline , however , should not cement a potentially illegitimate election result in the middle of this storm — a storm that is of the Defendant States ’ own making by virtue of their own unconstitutional actions , '' Paxton told the court .
The filing took the unusual step of listing Paxton as the attorney of record and was not signed by any of the agency 's appellate lawyers .
`` Joe Biden won this election , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas Democratic Party .
`` Paxton should stop trying to subvert the will of the people and start working to do the job he was elected to do — protecting everyday Texans . ''
Attorney General Barr : Justice Dept .
finds no evidence of fraud to alter election outcome The Texas Republican Party praised Paxton for standing up to the `` progressive socialist left . ''
`` We can not tolerate judicial and executive actions that undermine election law .
These matters should be resolved in our respective state legislatures , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 8 is an important Electoral College deadline .
Here 's why that 's bad news for Trump But , like their counterpart in Georgia , officials in the three other states dismissed Paxton 's filing as misguided and dangerous : • `` These continued attacks on our fair and free election system are beyond meritless , beyond reckless — they are a scheme by the President of the United States and some in the Republican party to disregard the will of the people — and name their own victors , '' Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These factless , baseless 'lawsuits ' to stir confusion and doubt in our systems are un-American and we should not allow this circus to continue , '' he said .
`` The Michigan issues raised in this complaint have already been thoroughly litigated and roundly rejected in both state and federal courts , '' Nessel said .
• `` I feel sorry for Texans that their tax dollars are being wasted on such a genuinely embarrassing lawsuit , '' Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said .
`` As we are in various other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , the Wisconsin Department of Justice will defend against this attack on our democracy . ''

Chuck Lindell, Austin American-Statesman

Texas attorney general asks Supreme Court to block Biden victory in 4 states
Show Caption Hide Caption Georgia official calls on Trump to 'stop inspiring' death threats over election A Georgia election official called on President Trump to condemn and "stop inspiring" recent threats of violence over the election. Associated Press, USA TODAY
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block four battleground states from certifying President-elect Joe Biden's victory when the Electoral College meets Monday to formally select the next president.
Paxton asked the court to stop Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — all won by Biden — from voting in the Electoral College, arguing that officials used the pandemic as a pretext to unconstitutionally change voting rules for the November general election.
The Republican attorney general also asked the the nation's highest court to vacate the states' certification of Biden's victories and order legislators to assign each state's electoral votes, a move that could shift the election victory to President Donald Trump.
Officials in the four states criticized the filing as an irresponsible publicity stunt that recycled false and disproven claims of election irregularities.
"Texas alleges that there are 80,000 forged signatures on absentee ballots in Georgia, but they don’t bring forward a single person who this happened to. That’s because it didn’t happen," said Georgia's deputy secretary of state, Jordan Fuchs.
Trump and his campaign have engaged in aggressive but fruitless legal challenges designed to overturn the results of November's presidential election and allow the Republican to have a second term in office.
More: Lawsuit by Trump allies challenging Pennsylvania election results reaches Supreme Court
Paxton, a staunch Trump backer who has frequently sued in support of the president's policies, told the Supreme Court that local officials in the four states used "executive fiat or friendly lawsuits" to improperly expand voting by mail and weaken signature verification and witness requirements meant to protect ballot integrity.
"The states violated statutes enacted by their duly elected legislatures, thereby violating the Constitution. By ignoring both state and federal law, these states have not only tainted the integrity of their own citizens’ vote, but of Texas and every other state that held lawful elections,” Paxton said in a statement.
Paxton's Bill of Complaint against the states echoed Trump's claims that rampant illegal voting tainted the election despite a string of lower-court rulings that rejected the claims as unsupported by credible evidence.
Only the Supreme Court, Paxton argued, can delay Monday's vote by the Electoral College until a "storm" of controversy over the vote can be resolved.
"That deadline, however, should not cement a potentially illegitimate election result in the middle of this storm — a storm that is of the Defendant States’ own making by virtue of their own unconstitutional actions," Paxton told the court.
The filing took the unusual step of listing Paxton as the attorney of record and was not signed by any of the agency's appellate lawyers.
Texas Democrats called Paxton's action "downright wrong and embarrassing."
"Joe Biden won this election," said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party. "Paxton should stop trying to subvert the will of the people and start working to do the job he was elected to do — protecting everyday Texans."
Attorney General Barr: Justice Dept. finds no evidence of fraud to alter election outcome
The Texas Republican Party praised Paxton for standing up to the "progressive socialist left."
"We cannot tolerate judicial and executive actions that undermine election law. These matters should be resolved in our respective state legislatures," Chairman Allen West said.
More: Dec. 8 is an important Electoral College deadline. Here's why that's bad news for Trump
But, like their counterpart in Georgia, officials in the three other states dismissed Paxton's filing as misguided and dangerous:
• "These continued attacks on our fair and free election system are beyond meritless, beyond reckless — they are a scheme by the President of the United States and some in the Republican party to disregard the will of the people — and name their own victors," Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said.
"These factless, baseless 'lawsuits' to stir confusion and doubt in our systems are un-American and we should not allow this circus to continue," he said.
• Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called Paxton's filing "a publicity stunt, not a serious legal pleading."
"The Michigan issues raised in this complaint have already been thoroughly litigated and roundly rejected in both state and federal courts," Nessel said.
• "I feel sorry for Texans that their tax dollars are being wasted on such a genuinely embarrassing lawsuit," Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said. "As we are in various other meritless cases challenging the results of the election, the Wisconsin Department of Justice will defend against this attack on our democracy."


usatoday--2020-12-08--Trump touts COVID-19 vaccines at 'summit' amid growing questions over timeline, number of doses

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump , his days in office numbered , sought to take credit for emerging COVID-19 vaccines Tuesday while touting a vague executive order designed to prioritize Americans for inoculations – all amid questions about how many doses would be available and how soon they would be distributed .
The White House `` summit , '' which Trump used to highlight the speedy development of several vaccine candidates and their expected FDA authorization , came as the administration faced scrutiny over whether it ordered enough doses to rapidly inoculate the public from a pandemic that has killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say it 's somewhat of a miracle , and I think that 's true , '' Trump said .
`` This is one of the greatest miracles in the history of modern-day medicine . ''
Trump signed an order that said the government must ensure Americans have access to the vaccine before it is shipped to other countries .
But the practical implications of the order and how it would be enforced are unclear given that drug manufacturers are obligated to honor contracts signed with other governments .
The order says Americans should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine and that “ the most vulnerable ” populations receive it first .
The order also charges national security adviser Robert C. O'Brien with developing a plan to ensure that goal is met and then to facilitate “ international access ” for other countries – but none of those terms are specifically defined .
The order appeared to be a response to reports that the Trump administration , which purchased 100 million doses of vaccine from Pfizer – enough to inoculate 50 million people – passed up a chance last summer to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described those reports as false but provided few details .
What we know : There are now three promising COVID vaccine candidates .
Even before those revelations , the administration was under pressure for revising downward the number of doses available by the end of the year .
Initially , Trump had repeatedly promised 100 million doses by the end of year , but the White House has more recently said it expects 20 million people vaccinated in December .
Trump 's remarks Tuesday came as administration officials convened with drug store chains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the White House .
But the confab did not include members of President-elect Joe Biden 's transition team , even though the incoming administration will be in charge of vaccine distribution after Jan. 20 .
The Operation Warp Speed Vaccine Summit seemed designed to let Trump and his aides claim credit for the work of private drug companies such as Pfizer and Moderna .
Biden held his own health event Tuesday , formally announcing his incoming health team officials , including California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to lead the Department of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be surgeon general .
Both will face the logistical challenge of distributing vaccines while also taking on new roles .
Biden vowed that 100 million shots would be distributed in his first 100 days .
The former vice president said he also wants a majority of U.S. schools to be open in that time .
`` As a country we 've been living with this pandemic for so long we 're at risk of becoming numb to its toll on all of us , '' Biden said .
`` I 'm absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change the course of the disease and change life in America for the better . ''
Trump brushed aside a reporter 's question Tuesday about why Biden officials were n't included in the summit , citing his challenge of election results and arguing that `` we ’ re going to have to see who the next administration is . ''
Few if any aides believe Trump will prevail in his fight , however , and they expect to vacate the White House on Jan. 20 .
The battleground states that decide the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nov. 3 vote , and Trump 's efforts to challenge the outcome in court have fallen short .
In his speech at the summit , Trump did not mention his election challenge and generally eschewed politics , though he did blame China for the COVID-19 outbreak and criticized media coverage of his administration .
Still , the summit had a campaign-like atmosphere .
Organizers showed a video before Trump ’ s speech featuring political analysts who questioned whether vaccines could be produced before the end of the year .
As the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a standing ovation from the summit attendees .
The video included pokes at Trump 's top epidemiologist , Anthony Fauci , for outlining longer timelines for vaccine development .
Fauci , meanwhile , attended Biden 's health care event by video because the president-elect has appointed him his chief medical adviser .
Trump did not address criticism of his vaccination delivery plans .
Trump administration officials said they were confident there would be enough vaccines for every American throughout next year .
But Trump and other officials , including at the Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflicting timelines .
White House officials said the purpose of the summit was to give the public confidence in the vaccine and the plans to distribute it across the country .
The Food and Drug Administration is set to meet Thursday for a final review of a COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer .
It will meet later this month to assess the vaccine developed by Moderna .
Officials at the summit also discussed the supply chain .
Participants included executives from transportation companies , including UPS and FedEx , and drug store chains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ micro-plans '' to deliver vaccines within their states .
The four governors at the summit included Republicans Greg Abbott of Texas , Bill Lee of Tennessee and Ron DeSantis of Florida .
One Democratic governor , John Bel Edwards of Louisiana , also spoke .
`` Let 's make sure we 're leading from the front , '' DeSantis told the summit attendees .
Wrapping up the summit , Vice President Mike Pence said that , less than a year after the pandemic began , the nation is on the `` precipice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is warp speed , '' Pence said .
In his remarks , Trump seemed to place the onus on governors to make sure the vaccines reach people : “ I hope the governors will make wise decisions.
” Not at the summit : Moderna and Pfizer , the two U.S. companies behind the vaccine candidates .
The White House was initially in talks to include both drug makers at the event but determined their participation was not required after the decision to include Peter Marks , director of the FDA 's Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FDA released a 53-page report early Tuesday summarizing data from Pfizer and BioNTech 's COVID-19 vaccine trial .
The data support earlier findings that the vaccine is safe and will prevent 95 % of people from becoming sick with COVID-19 .
The companies are asking the FDA for authorization to use the vaccine in people ages 16 and up .
They have also begun testing the vaccine in ages 12 to 15 but have not accumulated enough data to request authorization in that age group .

David Jackson and John Fritze, USA TODAY

Trump touts COVID-19 vaccines at 'summit' amid growing questions over timeline, number of doses
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump says finally he will take part in peaceful transfer of power President Trump acknowledged for the first time that he would leave the White House when the Electoral College casts its formal vote for Joe Biden. USA TODAY, Associated Press
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump, his days in office numbered, sought to take credit for emerging COVID-19 vaccines Tuesday while touting a vague executive order designed to prioritize Americans for inoculations – all amid questions about how many doses would be available and how soon they would be distributed.
The White House "summit," which Trump used to highlight the speedy development of several vaccine candidates and their expected FDA authorization, came as the administration faced scrutiny over whether it ordered enough doses to rapidly inoculate the public from a pandemic that has killed more than 284,000 Americans.
"They say it's somewhat of a miracle, and I think that's true," Trump said. "This is one of the greatest miracles in the history of modern-day medicine."
Trump signed an order that said the government must ensure Americans have access to the vaccine before it is shipped to other countries. But the practical implications of the order and how it would be enforced are unclear given that drug manufacturers are obligated to honor contracts signed with other governments.
The order says Americans should have “priority access” to the vaccine and that “the most vulnerable” populations receive it first. The order also charges national security adviser Robert C. O'Brien with developing a plan to ensure that goal is met and then to facilitate “international access” for other countries – but none of those terms are specifically defined.
The order appeared to be a response to reports that the Trump administration, which purchased 100 million doses of vaccine from Pfizer – enough to inoculate 50 million people – passed up a chance last summer to buy millions more doses. Senior administration officials described those reports as false but provided few details.
What we know: There are now three promising COVID vaccine candidates.
Preview: Trump holds COVID-19 summit as pressure mounts for FDA vaccine approval
Even before those revelations, the administration was under pressure for revising downward the number of doses available by the end of the year. Initially, Trump had repeatedly promised 100 million doses by the end of year, but the White House has more recently said it expects 20 million people vaccinated in December.
Trump's remarks Tuesday came as administration officials convened with drug store chains, package delivery companies and state governors at the White House. But the confab did not include members of President-elect Joe Biden's transition team, even though the incoming administration will be in charge of vaccine distribution after Jan. 20.
The Operation Warp Speed Vaccine Summit seemed designed to let Trump and his aides claim credit for the work of private drug companies such as Pfizer and Moderna.
Biden held his own health event Tuesday, formally announcing his incoming health team officials, including California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and Dr. Vivek Murthy to be surgeon general. Both will face the logistical challenge of distributing vaccines while also taking on new roles.
Biden vowed that 100 million shots would be distributed in his first 100 days. The former vice president said he also wants a majority of U.S. schools to be open in that time.
"As a country we've been living with this pandemic for so long we're at risk of becoming numb to its toll on all of us," Biden said. "I'm absolutely convinced that in 100 days we can change the course of the disease and change life in America for the better."
Trump brushed aside a reporter's question Tuesday about why Biden officials weren't included in the summit, citing his challenge of election results and arguing that "we’re going to have to see who the next administration is."
Few if any aides believe Trump will prevail in his fight, however, and they expect to vacate the White House on Jan. 20. The battleground states that decide the election have certified Biden as the winner of the Nov. 3 vote, and Trump's efforts to challenge the outcome in court have fallen short.
In his speech at the summit, Trump did not mention his election challenge and generally eschewed politics, though he did blame China for the COVID-19 outbreak and criticized media coverage of his administration.
Still, the summit had a campaign-like atmosphere. Organizers showed a video before Trump’s speech featuring political analysts who questioned whether vaccines could be produced before the end of the year. As the video ended, Trump ascended the stage to a standing ovation from the summit attendees.
The video included pokes at Trump's top epidemiologist, Anthony Fauci, for outlining longer timelines for vaccine development.
Fauci, meanwhile, attended Biden's health care event by video because the president-elect has appointed him his chief medical adviser.
Trump did not address criticism of his vaccination delivery plans.
Trump administration officials said they were confident there would be enough vaccines for every American throughout next year. But Trump and other officials, including at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have offered conflicting timelines.
White House officials said the purpose of the summit was to give the public confidence in the vaccine and the plans to distribute it across the country. The Food and Drug Administration is set to meet Thursday for a final review of a COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer. It will meet later this month to assess the vaccine developed by Moderna.
Officials at the summit also discussed the supply chain. Participants included executives from transportation companies, including UPS and FedEx, and drug store chains CVS and Walgreens.
Governors developed "micro-plans" to deliver vaccines within their states. The four governors at the summit included Republicans Greg Abbott of Texas, Bill Lee of Tennessee and Ron DeSantis of Florida. One Democratic governor, John Bel Edwards of Louisiana, also spoke.
"Let's make sure we're leading from the front," DeSantis told the summit attendees.
Wrapping up the summit, Vice President Mike Pence said that, less than a year after the pandemic began, the nation is on the "precipice of a breakthrough" with vaccines. "That is warp speed," Pence said.
In his remarks, Trump seemed to place the onus on governors to make sure the vaccines reach people: “I hope the governors will make wise decisions.”
Not at the summit: Moderna and Pfizer, the two U.S. companies behind the vaccine candidates. The White House was initially in talks to include both drug makers at the event but determined their participation was not required after the decision to include Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
The FDA released a 53-page report early Tuesday summarizing data from Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine trial. The data support earlier findings that the vaccine is safe and will prevent 95% of people from becoming sick with COVID-19.
The companies are asking the FDA for authorization to use the vaccine in people ages 16 and up. They have also begun testing the vaccine in ages 12 to 15 but have not accumulated enough data to request authorization in that age group.
Contributing: Karen Weintraub and Courtney Subramanian


usatoday--2020-12-09--After years of indifference and denial under President Trump, experts expect Joe Biden to confront t

After years of indifference and denial under President Trump, experts expect Joe Biden to confront the dangers of domestic extremism

For four years , President Donald Trump downplayed homegrown extremism , refused to engage in security briefings and peddled in falsehoods about threats from leftists .
Now former federal security officials are urging President-elect Joe Biden to more seriously acknowledge the growing danger of domestic terrorism , and welcome signs that he plans to do so .
`` Just the fact that Biden 's going to run a normal process , that alone will make us safer because you 'll actually have people paying attention and addressing these issues , '' said Elizabeth Neumann , a former senior Homeland Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's going to treat the challenges we have with domestic terrorism seriously , '' she said .
Neumann was one of a half-dozen former U.S. Department of Homeland Security sources interviewed , along with members of other federal law enforcement agencies and experts in domestic terrorism .
Their consensus was that the last four years have been chaotic at the upper echelon of national security .
Trump has consistently downplayed a spike in homegrown extremism — most of it from the far-right — that his own words have helped grow , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : How they are radicalizing Americans as the COVID-19 pandemic rages “ I can say , unequivocally , when it comes to the issue of domestic terrorism , this White House was completely out to lunch , ” said Miles Taylor , a Trump appointee who served as chief of staff to the former head of the Department of Homeland Security , and who wrote anonymous critiques of the Trump administration .
“ That warped perspective essentially held back administration policy on the issue of domestic terrorism so significantly that I believe it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miles Taylor ?
'Anonymous ' author was known for working on Donald Trump 's immigration policies .
In response to a request for comment from the White House , National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot emailed a statement : “ There is nothing more important to this president than protecting the U.S. from all threats , both foreign and domestic , and he has repeatedly taken strong actions to keep America safe.
” Biden , who launched his campaign in the wake of the 2017 far-right rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and homegrown extremism .
During the campaign , Biden often alluded to violence and intimidation by extremist groups .
During a debate in September , he pressed Trump to repudiate the far-right extremist organization the Proud Boys .
While Biden ’ s blueprint for tackling domestic extremism is unclear , there are signs he will prioritize the issue .
A “ Plan to End Our Gun Violence Epidemic ” on the president-elect ’ s website includes a promise to “ Establish a new Task Force on Online Harassment and Abuse to focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harassment , extremism , and violence against women.
” Biden 's transition team declined to comment for this story .
Experts on extremism and former security officials have a host of suggestions for how Biden could reset the federal response to homegrown extremism .
Several former officials suggested creating a new task force made up of subject matter experts and security officials , specifically directed at the domestic terror threat .
Javed Ali , who served as the senior director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council in 2017 and 2018 , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the 9/11 Commission to study the specter of homegrown extremism and plot a course forwards .
More than anything , what is needed is a change in attitude from the White House on this subject , multiple sources said .
`` I have no doubt that the Biden Administration will take a really aggressive approach to this problem from early on , '' Taylor said .
`` People will still die , but that does n't mean we ca n't right the ship . ''
Homegrown , violent extremism is as old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years have seen a spike in violence from white nationalists , neo-Nazis and other far-right extremists .
An October study by the Center for Strategic & International Studies found that two-thirds of the terrorist plots and attacks in the United States in the first eight months of 2020 were carried out by white supremacists and like-minded extremists .
Since Trump took office , far-right groups have accounted for a significant majority of terror attacks and plots according to an analysis by Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting and Type Investigations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have n't gone unnoticed .
Russ Travers , who served as acting director of the National Counterterrorism Center between 2017 and March 2020 , said that by 2018 he and his analysts were growing alarmed about the threat .
`` It was one of my major initiatives , '' Travers said .
`` I thought that my center should be involved in watching this growing , right-wing domestic terrorism . ''
Intelligence from agencies like the center Center was instrumental in informing the priorities of the Department of Homeland Security , and Neumann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they tried to elevate the importance of threats from white supremacists and other domestic terrorists .
That push was stymied at almost every turn , Taylor said .
`` The last four years were a huge missed opportunity , '' he said .
`` The White House never mounted a 'whole of government ' effort to go after the threat , and that 's exactly what was needed . ''
Neumann said the roadblocks came in two forms : a reluctance by the White House to even talk about white nationalism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a lack of engagement from Trump himself , who could n't stay focused in meetings ( when he showed up ) and would n't make crucial decisions that would help push new counter-terrorism initiatives forwards .
Neumann said the nitty-gritty of counterterrorism work at the Department of Homeland Security involves choosing how to allocate resources or personnel to track and investigate different terror threats .
Under Trump , she said , it was hard to know what to prioritize because there was so little clear direction from the president .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House , '' Neumann said .
`` And the impact is that you can have junior-level people assert that they have had a conversation with the president and he wants to go in ' x ' direction , but someone else will say , 'But he told me he wants to go in this direction . '
So you end up with this weird infighting where everything is unclear . ''
Brette Steele , who served as the Regional Director of Strategic Engagement for DHS 's Security Office of Terrorism Prevention Partnerships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work stagnating because of a lack of engagement from Trump .
Steele used to sit on the Countering Violent Extremism Task Force , a group that aims to prevent people from getting involved with extremist organizations by working with communities and law enforcement .
When she left the task force in 2017 , nobody was ever appointed to take her place , Steele said .
This happened again and again as task force members termed out , she said , and it indicated the administration 's lack of commitment to fighting domestic terrorism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last summer at the House Oversight Committee , they thought the task force had been abolished , '' Steele said .
`` It had n't , it just did n't have any staff .
Nobody tried to kill it , per se , but it just wasn ’ t replenished . ''
While political appointees who were involved in shaping security policy expressed the most frustration with the Trump administration , other former homeland security officials said they were largely left alone to do their work , despite the rhetoric coming out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career level , there was still a lot of good work happening , and no political interference , '' Steele said .
Javed Ali , the official who served as the senior director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council in 2017 and 2018 , ,concurred .
Like most of his contemporaries in national security , Ali said he saw homegrown extremism connected to white nationalism growing significantly in the early years of Trump 's presidency .
`` We realized , 'We 've got to get our hands around this , ' '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back on the idea that we were discouraged from concentrating on domestic terrorism .
At the FBI , that 's what we were increasingly focused on . ''
But that shifting focus seems to have been largely lost on the White House .
The 2018 White House National Counterterrorism Strategy , the blueprint for domestic security , only contains two sentences about domestic terrorism .
Taylor said that was in spite of him and then-chief of homeland security Kirstjen Nielsen fighting for months for the document to have a strong emphasis on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They basically struck everything having to do with domestic terrorism , '' Taylor said .
`` We had focused probably one-third of the document on the domestic terrorism threat , because that 's roughly what our analysts were telling us .
The White House took it from one-third to a 99 percent focus on international terrorism and one percent on domestic terrorism . ''
Many experts on domestic extremism are united on one point : Trump has n't just overseen a rise in homegrown extremism , he has actively encouraged it .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread falsehoods about imaginary threat of wide-scale domestic terrorism from anti-fascists and his dire warnings about immigration have all served to whip up troubled individuals who resort to terrorist violence , those experts said .
As such , a lot depends on how Trump comports himself in the coming months and years .
If he continues to contest the election results and spends the next four years campaigning on the basis of hate-fueled lies , we can expect to see increased domestic terrorist activity , said Travers , the former acting director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political temperature of the rhetoric has got to come down , '' Travers said .
`` There ’ s a lot of angry people out there , and a lot of them have guns . ''

After years of denial under President Trump, experts expect Joe Biden to confront domestic extremism
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump on QAnon conspiracy theory: 'They like me very much' QAnon has been classified by the FBI as a domestic terror threat, according to an internal memo first published by Yahoo! News. USA TODAY
For four years, President Donald Trump downplayed homegrown extremism, refused to engage in security briefings and peddled in falsehoods about threats from leftists. Now former federal security officials are urging President-elect Joe Biden to more seriously acknowledge the growing danger of domestic terrorism, and they welcome signs that he plans to do so.
"Just the fact that Biden's going to run a normal process, that alone will make us safer because you'll actually have people paying attention and addressing these issues," said Elizabeth Neumann, a former senior Homeland Security official.
"The indications are that he's going to treat the challenges we have with domestic terrorism seriously."
Neumann was one of a half-dozen former U.S. Department of Homeland Security sources interviewed, along with members of other federal law enforcement agencies and experts in domestic terrorism.
Their consensus was that the past four years have been chaotic at the upper echelon of national security. Trump has consistently downplayed a spike in homegrown extremism – most of it from the far right – that his own words have helped grow, they said.
QAnon and other dark forces: How they are radicalizing Americans as the COVID-19 pandemic rages
“I can say, unequivocally, when it comes to the issue of domestic terrorism, this White House was completely out to lunch,” said Miles Taylor, a Trump appointee who served as chief of staff to the former head of the Department of Homeland Security and who wrote anonymous critiques of the Trump administration. “That warped perspective essentially held back administration policy on the issue of domestic terrorism so significantly that I believe it has lost American lives.”
Who is Miles Taylor? 'Anonymous' author was known for working on Donald Trump's immigration policies.
In response to a request for comment from the White House, National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot emailed a statement: “There is nothing more important to this president than protecting the U.S. from all threats, both foreign and domestic, and he has repeatedly taken strong actions to keep America safe.”
Biden, who launched his campaign in the wake of the 2017 far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, has indicated he will focus on domestic terrorism and homegrown extremism. During the campaign, Biden often alluded to violence and intimidation by extremist groups. During a debate in September, he pressed Trump to repudiate the extremist organization the Proud Boys.
While Biden’s blueprint for tackling domestic extremism is unclear, there are signs he will prioritize the issue. A “Plan to End Our Gun Violence Epidemic” on the president-elect’s website includes a promise to “Establish a new Task Force on Online Harassment and Abuse to focus on the connection between mass shootings, online harassment, extremism, and violence against women.”
Biden's transition team declined to comment for this story.
Experts on extremism and former security officials have a host of suggestions for how Biden could reset the federal response to homegrown extremism. Several former officials suggested creating a new task force made up of subject matter experts and security officials, specifically directed at the domestic terror threat.
Javed Ali, senior director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council in 2017 and 2018, said Biden could set up a commission similar to the 9/11 Commission to study the specter of homegrown extremism and plot a course forward.
More than anything, what is needed is a change in attitude from the White House on the subject, multiple sources said.
"I have no doubt that the Biden administration will take a really aggressive approach to this problem from early on," Taylor said. "People will still die, but that doesn't mean we can't right the ship."
A growing threat amid 'utter chaos'
Homegrown, violent extremism is as old as the republic. But the past four years have seen a spike in violence from white nationalists, neo-Nazis and other far-right extremists.
An October study by the Center for Strategic & International Studies found that two-thirds of the terrorist plots and attacks in the United States in the first eight months of 2020 were carried out by white supremacists and like-minded extremists.
Since Trump took office, far-right groups have accounted for a significant majority of terror attacks and plots, according to an analysis by Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting and Type Investigations.
Inside the federal government, the trends haven't gone unnoticed.
Russ Travers, who was acting director of the National Counterterrorism Center from 2017 to March 2020, said that by 2018 he and his analysts were growing alarmed about the threat.
"It was one of my major initiatives," Travers said. "I thought that my center should be involved in watching this growing, right-wing domestic terrorism."
Intelligence from agencies like the counterterrorism center was instrumental in informing the priorities of the Department of Homeland Security, and Neumann, Taylor and other homeland security sources said they tried to elevate the importance of threats from white supremacists and other domestic terrorists.
That push was stymied at almost every turn, Taylor said.
"The last four years were a huge missed opportunity," he said. "The White House never mounted a 'whole of government' effort to go after the threat, and that's exactly what was needed."
Neumann said the roadblocks came in two forms: a reluctance by the White House to even talk about white nationalism and far-right terrorism as a real threat, and a lack of engagement from Trump himself, who couldn't stay focused in meetings (when he showed up) and wouldn't make crucial decisions that would help push counterterrorism initiatives forward.
Neumann said the nitty-gritty of counterterrorism work at the Department of Homeland Security involves choosing how to allocate resources or personnel to track and investigate different terror threats. Under Trump, she said, it was hard to know what to prioritize because there was so little clear direction from the president.
"The Trump effect was utter chaos in the White House," Neumann said. "And the impact is that you can have junior-level people assert that they have had a conversation with the president and he wants to go in 'X' direction, but someone else will say, 'But he told me he wants to go in this direction.' So you end up with this weird infighting where everything is unclear."
Brette Steele, who was regional director of strategic engagement for DHS's Security Office of Terrorism Prevention Partnerships, laid out an example of crucial work stagnating because of a lack of engagement from Trump.
Steele used to sit on the Countering Violent Extremism Task Force, a group that aims to prevent people from getting involved with extremist organizations by working with communities and law enforcement. When she left the task force in 2017, nobody was ever appointed to take her place, Steele said. This happened again and again as task force members termed out, she said, and it indicated the administration's lack of commitment to fighting domestic terrorism.
"When I testified on this last summer at the House Oversight Committee, they thought the task force had been abolished," Steele said. "It hadn't; it just didn't have any staff. Nobody tried to kill it per se, but it just wasn’t replenished."
'Still a lot of good work happening'
While political appointees who were involved in shaping security policy expressed the most frustration with the Trump administration, other former homeland security officials said they were largely left alone to do their work, despite the rhetoric coming out of the White House.
"At the career level, there was still a lot of good work happening, and no political interference," Steele said.
Javed Ali, the official who served as the senior director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council in 2017 and 2018, concurred. Like most of his contemporaries in national security, Ali said he saw homegrown extremism connected to white nationalism growing significantly in the early years of Trump's presidency.
"We realized, 'We've got to get our hands around this,'" Ali said. "But I push back on the idea that we were discouraged from concentrating on domestic terrorism. At the FBI, that's what we were increasingly focused on."
But that shifting focus seems to have been largely lost on the White House.
The 2018 White House National Counterterrorism Strategy, the blueprint for domestic security, contains only two sentences about domestic terrorism. Taylor said that was in spite of him and then-Homeland Security chief Kirstjen Nielsen fighting for months for the document to have a strong emphasis on the growing threat of homegrown extremism.
"They basically struck everything having to do with domestic terrorism," Taylor said. "We had focused probably one-third of the document on the domestic terrorism threat, because that's roughly what our analysts were telling us. The White House took it from one-third to a 99% focus on international terrorism and 1% on domestic terrorism."
Lowering the temperature
Many experts on domestic extremism are united on one point: Trump hasn't just overseen a rise in homegrown extremism, he has actively encouraged it.
Trump's bombastic tweets, his willingness to spread falsehoods about threats of wide-scale domestic terrorism from anti-fascists and his dire warnings about immigration have all served to whip up troubled people who resort to terrorist violence, those experts said.
As such, a lot depends on how Trump comports himself in the coming months and years. If he continues to contest the election results and spends the next four years campaigning on the basis of hate-fueled lies, we can expect to see increased domestic terrorist activity, said Travers, former acting director of the National Counterterrorism Center.
"The political temperature of the rhetoric has got to come down," Travers said. "There’s a lot of angry people out there, and a lot of them have guns."


usatoday--2020-12-09--After a Black man was fatally shot by an Ohio deputy, feds join Columbus investigation

COLUMBUS — As federal authorities announced Tuesday they are joining Columbus police in the investigation into the death of a 23-year-old Black man who was shot by a sheriff 's deputy , many questions continue to go unanswered .
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers announced Tuesday that the FBI , the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the Columbus Police Critical Incident Response Team will `` review the facts and circumstances '' surrounding the shooting death of Casey Goodson Jr. by Franklin County Sheriff 's SWAT deputy Jason Meade on Friday afternoon .
DeVillers said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the evidence indicates any federal civil rights laws were violated . ''
Columbus police said they would investigate whether or not Meade , a 17-year sheriff 's office veteran , was legally justified in the shooting .
The FBI and U.S. Attorney 's office will investigate whether any federal civil rights laws were broken .
`` I believe a federal investigation is warranted , '' DeVillers said .
The announcement came 24 hours after a back-and-forth exchange between Columbus police and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost over who would lead the investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : What we know about the fatal shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. Goodson was shot by Meade about 12:15 p.m. Friday following an unsuccessful search for a fugitive involving a U.S .
Marshals task force .
Law enforcement officials have said Goodson drove by after the deputies and agents had finished their unrelated operation on the Northeast Side .
Goodson was waving a firearm at police , according to their narrative of events .
When confronted , Goodson did not drop the firearm and Meade shot him .
Goodson 's family has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a concealed weapon , which Columbus police confirmed , and that he was carrying sub sandwiches while walking into his home when he was shot .
Columbus police have said a firearm belonging to Goodson was recovered at the scene , but information about where exactly the firearm was located has not yet been released .
Additional information regarding Goodson 's death , including the results of an autopsy being performed Tuesday , has also not been released .
Goodson 's family has claimed he was shot in the back three times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released to verify that .
A representative of the coroner 's office said Tuesday that preliminary autopsy results would not be released and a final coroner 's report would not be available until at least six to eight weeks following the autopsy .
The conflicting narratives have drawn statewide and national attention to the case since Friday afternoon , including from Ohio 's Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown .
The senator posted on social media about the case on Monday evening .
His daughter , Columbus City Council President Pro Tempore Elizabeth Brown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media .
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther 's office confirmed Tuesday that Ginther had specifically directed Chief Thomas Quinlan to request the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to take over the investigation into Goodson 's death .
The request began a carousel of communication about whether or not BCI would take the case .
Columbus police said Monday afternoon that BCI had agreed to take over the investigation , which was confirmed by Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and Ginther .
Hours later , Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a statement saying BCI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police had waited three days to call them .
Bethany McCorkle , a spokeswoman for Yost , said Tuesday that BCI never formally accepted the case .
She said BCI has handled more than 50 officer-involved shooting investigations statewide in 2020 , but has been on the scene for all of those .
`` We 're typically the first call because we 're the subject matter experts , '' McCorkle said .
Because three days had passed , she said BCI declined to take the case .
McCorkle said while BCI has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not be treated like a cold case because it is an ongoing investigation .
Ginther 's office did not directly respond to questions about whether he trusted Columbus police to conduct a thorough and complete investigation .
`` We want a thorough , complete , transparent investigation , '' Ginther spokeswoman Robin Davis said .
`` It is critically important we get it right . ''
Davis said the Division of Police must ensure that the public has full confidence in the investigation .
When asked if the mayor had confidence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Davis said the entire process is to `` build the community 's trust in the process . ''
`` The Mayor asking for another agency to lead the investigation is not a reflection on CPD 's ability to do it , '' she said .
Columbus police have received multiple threats regarding the investigation , Sgt .
James Fuqua said .
The threats have come from social media and calls to the division .
Because officer-involved shootings are a separate category for reporting crime data to federal agencies , Goodson 's death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's overall homicide total for the year .
Meade remains on paid administrative leave , as is the sheriff 's office policy following any deputy-involved shooting while the matter is investigated .
Meade 's personnel file from the sheriff 's office shows no significant disciplinary action .
He was given an oral reprimand in 2019 for not properly reporting the use of a Taser to dispatchers or supervisors .
Meade was also one of seven deputies to be involved in the shooting of a man in Pike County in 2018 following a multi-hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be at fault in the incident , which Franklin County SWAT officers responded to in order to assist Pike County .
Protests are planned in the Downtown area on Friday and Saturday with the goal of bringing attention to the case , according to social media .

Feds join investigation into death of Ohio Black man shot 'multiple times' by deputy
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Casey Goodson Jr. died after being shot "multiple times in the torso," and preliminary information indicated his death was a result of a homicide, a coroner in Ohio announced Wednesday.
Goodson, a 23-year-old Black man, was shot outside his Columbus home by a Franklin County sheriff's deputy last week.
Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz announced the preliminary autopsy information Wednesday but said the final report, which expects to take 12 to 14 weeks, will include the exact number of wounds, their location and trajectory.
Goodson's family had said through an attorney that Goodson had been shot three times in the back.
Law enforcement has faced criticism for Goodson's death, and key questions about the incident have gone unanswered. Authorities and family members tell conflicting stories about the events that led to his death, specifically whether he waved a gun.
Goodson's family thanked Ortiz on Wednesday evening for sharing information from his autopsy with them and making a public statement, but said the release "does not answer key questions," in a statement issued through two Columbus law firms now representing them, Walton + Brown and Friedman & Gilbert.
His mother, Tamala Payne, said her family is "shattered" in a statement.
"We want justice," she said. "If it was any one of us, we would be in jail today trying to pay a bond, if we had one. The only threat my son was, was being a Black man in America.”
USA TODAY Network: What we know about the fatal shooting of Casey Goodson Jr.
Feds join investigation
Federal authorities announced Tuesday that they were joining Columbus police in the investigation.
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers announced Tuesday that the FBI, the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the Columbus Police Critical Incident Response Team will "review the facts and circumstances" surrounding the shooting death of Goodson by Franklin County Sheriff's SWAT deputy Jason Meade.
DeVillers said in a statement that appropriate action will be taken "if the evidence indicates any federal civil rights laws were violated."
Columbus police said they would investigate whether Meade, a 17-year sheriff's office veteran, was legally justified in the shooting.
"I believe a federal investigation is warranted," DeVillers said.
The announcement came 24 hours after an exchange between Columbus police and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost over who would lead the investigation.
In Columbus: Ohio State basketball player kneels during national anthem to honor late friend Casey Goodson
Goodson was shot by Meade about 12:15 p.m. EST Friday after an unsuccessful search for a fugitive involving a U.S. Marshals task force.
Law enforcement officials have said Goodson drove by after deputies and agents had finished their unrelated operation on the Northeast Side. Goodson was waving a firearm at police, according to their narrative of events. When confronted, Goodson did not drop the firearm and Meade shot him, they said.
Goodson's family has said that he had a valid license to carry a concealed weapon, which Columbus police confirmed, and that he was carrying sub sandwiches while walking into his home when he was shot.
Casey Goodson Jr.: Questions surround death of Black man shot by veteran SWAT officer
Columbus police have said a firearm belonging to Goodson was recovered at the scene, but information about where exactly the firearm was found has not yet been released.
The conflicting narratives have drawn statewide and national attention to the case since Friday afternoon, including from Ohio's Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.
Casey Goodson Jr. is yet another young Black man who should be alive today. Our hearts break for another family who has lost a son at the hands of the police.
I join the Columbus NAACP & Mr. Goodson’s family in calling for a full investigation of this tragedy. #JusticeForCasey pic.twitter.com/2nxA92REwh — Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) December 8, 2020
The senator posted on social media about the case on Monday evening. His daughter, Columbus City Council President Pro Tempore Elizabeth Brown, has also spoken about the case on social media.
Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther's office confirmed Tuesday that Ginther had specifically directed Chief Thomas Quinlan to request the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to take over the investigation.
The request began a carousel of communication about whether or not BCI would take the case.
Columbus police said Monday afternoon that the Ohio bureau had agreed to take over the investigation, which was confirmed by Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and Ginther.
Hours later, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a statement saying the Ohio bureau would not take the case because Columbus police had waited three days to call them.
Bethany McCorkle, a spokeswoman for Yost, said Tuesday that the bureau never formally accepted the case. She said the agency has handled more than 50 officer-involved shooting investigations statewide in 2020 but has been on the scene for all of those.
"We're typically the first call because we're the subject matter experts," McCorkle said.
Ginther's office did not directly respond to questions about whether he trusted Columbus police to conduct a thorough investigation.
"We want a thorough, complete, transparent investigation," Ginther spokeswoman Robin Davis said. "It is critically important we get it right."
Davis said the Division of Police must ensure that the public has full confidence in the investigation. When asked if the mayor had confidence in the investigation and would publicly say that, Davis said the entire process is to "build the community's trust in the process."
"The mayor asking for another agency to lead the investigation is not a reflection on CPD's ability to do it," she said.
Columbus police have received multiple threats regarding the investigation, Sgt. James Fuqua said. The threats have come from social media and calls to the division.
Because officer-involved shootings are a separate category for reporting crime data to federal agencies, Goodson's death is not considered part of the city's overall homicide total for the year.
Meade remains on paid administrative leave, as is the sheriff's office policy after any deputy-involved shooting while the matter is investigated.
Meade's personnel file from the sheriff's office shows no significant disciplinary action. He was given an oral reprimand in 2019 for not properly reporting the use of a Taser to dispatchers or supervisors.
Meade was also one of seven deputies to be involved in the shooting of a man in Pike County in 2018 after an hours-long standoff. No deputies were found to be at fault in the incident, which Franklin County SWAT officers responded to in order to assist Pike County.
Protests are planned in Columbus on Friday and Saturday, according to social media.
Follow Bethany Bruner on Twitter: @bethany_bruner


usatoday--2020-12-09--Ohio State's Seth Towns kneels during national anthem to honor late friend Casey Goodson

After losing a childhood friend to police violence over the weekend , Ohio State men 's basketball player Seth Towns reacted in a familiar way : protest .
A Franklin County ( Ohio ) Sheriff ’ s Office deputy , who is also a SWAT team member and was identified as Jason Meade , shot and killed 23-year-old Casey Goodson on Friday afternoon after a alleged gun-waving incident .
Family and activists say Goodson was carrying a sandwich and was on his way back from the dentist ’ s office when he was fatally shot in the back .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a young man I grew up with and one of the most kind-hearted people I ’ ve ever known , Casey Goodson , was killed by a Columbus Police veteran and current US Marshal yesterday , '' Towns , a Harvard graduate transfer , wrote on Twitter the next day .
On Tuesday , following the Buckeyes ' 90-85 victory against the Fighting Irish , Towns tweeted a photo of himself kneeling between two teammates during the national anthem .
As protests followed the killing of George Floyd in late May , Towns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Columbus .
He was quickly released and gave an impassioned speech the following day .
“ We have to be true to who we are and our voices , ” Towns said on `` SportsCenter '' at the time .
“ We have to use those voices to impact people , and there is a huge dilemma in this country right now that needs to be addressed and I won ’ t shut up .
I won ’ t stop . ''
Tuesday 's game marks the first time the Buckeyes have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anthem this season .
During their first three games , all at home , the Buckeyes have been in their locker room while the anthem has been played , a change from previous seasons .
Towns has not yet debuted for the Buckeyes , as he recovers from a knee injury .

Ohio State's Seth Towns kneels during national anthem to honor late friend Casey Goodson
After losing a childhood friend to police violence over the weekend, Ohio State men's basketball player Seth Towns reacted in a familiar way: protest.
A Franklin County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Office deputy, who is also a SWAT team member and was identified as Jason Meade, shot and killed 23-year-old Casey Goodson on Friday afternoon after a alleged gun-waving incident. Family and activists say Goodson was carrying a sandwich and was on his way back from the dentist’s office when he was fatally shot in the back.
"Broken hearted this morning to learn that a young man I grew up with and one of the most kind-hearted people I’ve ever known, Casey Goodson, was killed by a Columbus Police veteran and current US Marshal yesterday," Towns, a Harvard graduate transfer, wrote on Twitter the next day.
On Tuesday, following the Buckeyes' 90-85 victory against the Fighting Irish, Towns tweeted a photo of himself kneeling between two teammates during the national anthem.
"Justice for Casey Goodson," he wrote.
Justice for Casey Goodson pic.twitter.com/EpTl1vlou9 — Seth 💤 (@seth_towns17) December 9, 2020
Broken hearted this morning to learn that a young man I grew up with and one of the most kind-hearted people I’ve ever known, Casey Goodson, was killed by a Columbus Police veteran and current US Marshal yesterday. https://t.co/3mwFMsP1JI — Seth 💤 (@seth_towns17) December 5, 2020
As protests followed the killing of George Floyd in late May, Towns was detained by police during a demonstration in Columbus. He was quickly released and gave an impassioned speech the following day.
“We have to be true to who we are and our voices,” Towns said on "SportsCenter" at the time. “We have to use those voices to impact people, and there is a huge dilemma in this country right now that needs to be addressed and I won’t shut up. I won’t stop."
Tuesday's game marks the first time the Buckeyes have been present for the playing of the anthem this season. During their first three games, all at home, the Buckeyes have been in their locker room while the anthem has been played, a change from previous seasons.
Towns has not yet debuted for the Buckeyes, as he recovers from a knee injury.
Contributing: Adam Jardy and Danae King, The Columbus Dispatch
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.


usatoday--2020-12-09--'My voice matters': Notre Dame's Niele Ivey, Duke's Kara Lawson use new roles to speak out

It ’ s happened so many times , Kara Lawson has already lost count .
The former WNBA and Olympic champion , and new head coach of the Duke women ’ s basketball program , will be running errands at a local Target or Costco when a North Carolina fan approaches .
“ They ’ ll walk up to me and say , ‘ Coach , I ’ m a Carolina fan ’ — and it ’ s like no kidding , you have a Carolina shirt on — ‘ but I really want to see you succeed , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humbled her .
“ The response from the African-American community , just how much pride people have in the success of obtaining the position ( of head coach at Duke ) , that has blown me away , ” she says .
“ I ’ m not expecting them to switch allegiances or anything .
But I thank them and tell them how much it means to me for them to say something .
“ I understand I ’ m representing every African-American in this position ; it doesn ’ t matter what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ root for , my success can help every African-American.
” This offseason two of the most prominent programs in women ’ s college basketball hired their first-ever Black head coaches , with Lawson landing at Duke , and Niele Ivey returning to Notre Dame .
Their hirings were significant because in a sport made up predominantly of young Black women — the NCAA estimates 45 % of Division I women ’ s basketball players are Black — only 17 % of coaches are Black women .
In the Power Five conferences , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What ’ s more , Lawson and Ivey step into their roles during a time of major civil unrest , as the country reels from the deaths of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and numerous other Black men and women killed at the hands of police officers .
And in this moment of racial reckoning , when athletes and coaches are speaking out and refusing to be defined solely by their sport , Lawson and Ivey know it ’ s crucial their voices be heard , too .
At an Aug. 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Duke men ’ s basketball team , Lawson spoke powerfully and passionately about the reality of being Black in America .
“ Equality , in theory , is a basic principal .
But in practice , for our country , it ’ s been very complicated , ” Lawson said , adding that Black men and women experience a daily anxiety as they wake up “ knowing that on your drive to school or your drive to work , going to a restaurant , sitting in your house , or hanging out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could be your last moment on earth.
” She spoke of the anger and loneliness Black Americans regularly feel as they watch “ week after week , month after month , our brothers and sisters being shot in broad daylight and nothing being done.
” It will take patience , a competitive spirit and endurance , she said — endurance that “ being born African American , is built into us ” — to create a better future .
Lawson , a self-described introvert , says now there was no question that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The men ’ s program invited her , but she ’ s used to it , too : Her career has been defined by a series of firsts , and as someone who ’ s broken barriers for women and women of color in spaces typically dominated by white men , she “ very much understands the gravity ” of not only her situation and the position she holds , but how her voice can carry into other arenas .
“ My dad used to always tell me , as a Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ box checked and then you have to succeed when you get an opportunity , ” recalls Lawson , who spent the last year as an assistant with the Boston Celtics , one of only a handful of Black women to ever hold that distinction in the NBA .
“ That ’ s just the way it is , because you likely won ’ t get another one.
” But Lawson refuses to look at any opportunity “ through a prism of failure , ” she says , and plans to use her platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For Ivey , who returned to Notre Dame after a year with the Memphis Grizzlies , the conversations around police brutality land a little harder , because she has an 18-year-old son .
Jaden Ivey is a freshman basketball player at Purdue .
“ I don ’ t think a lot of people realize , when you ’ re a working single parent , it ’ s hard because you ’ re gone a lot , ” she says .
“ I ’ ve always felt that fear and worry about him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenage years , when he became more independent and was out in the world on his own.
” The shift in the racial climate , plus her moving from longtime assistant to Woman In Charge , has encouraged Ivey to speak out and speak up .
She feels empowered and supported by her bosses at Notre Dame and points to NBA and WNBA players for “ giving us the blueprint ” on how to balance sports with social justice and understanding how far their voice can reach .
“ I think we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not only acceptable , it ’ s necessary , ” Ivey says .
“ As an assistant I wouldn ’ t have said as much but we can not be silent anymore .
The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor , it pushed all this dialogue to the forefront … and I think speaking out about what ’ s right and what ’ s wrong , that should not be a divisive opinion.
” Asked if she ’ s worried about alienating fans by refusing to stick to sports , Ivey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have fans this year , ” she cracked before turning serious again .
“ I hope I attract the right crowd , people who believe in Notre Dame and support our players on the court but also their passions off the court , who understand our team message .
If we lose fans , I ’ ll have to live with that — because it ’ s important to be authentic for my players.
” Niele Ivey is the right choice for Notre Dame women 's basketball coach Both Ivey and Lawson know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them speaking either .
They ’ re “ inspired every day , ” Ivey says , by players ’ desire to be part of tough conversations .
Lawson says that young people particularly are “ more perceptive and nuanced than people think , ” and can see through someone who is merely spouting words but refusing to act .
Both know they need to encourage players to find their voice , in the same way Black female coaches before Lawson and Ivey paved the way for them .
At South Carolina , Dawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach to lead her team to a national title ( Carolyn Peck was the first , leading Purdue to the 1999 championship ) has been vocal on social media about the importance of voting , lifting up the Black Lives Matter movement .
In June , Mississippi State coach Nikki McCray-Penson spoke at the state capitol in Jackson , Mississippi , urging lawmakers to remove Confederate imagery from the state flag , describing it as racist , oppressive and violent .
At Buffalo , 10th-year coach Felisha Legette-Jack recorded a video with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Black people .
Two years ago , after her team bowed out in the NCAA Tournament after a Cinderella-style run to the Sweet 16 , Legette-Jack was asked about the lack of Black female coaches in college basketball .
Her passionate , emotional answer went viral .
“ I ’ m saddened by it , ” she said .
“ I understand the problem .
I know that the majority of women basketball players look like me .
I think that these young women , if we really care about them as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ models that look like them … “ I hope that if these coaches that see me who resurged themselves or herself into another opportunity and try to make the most of it , I hope they get encouraged and understand : The fight is n't going to easy .
It 's necessary .
It 's necessary not just for you and your sadness and you and your fire and you and your woe-is-me .
“ The fight is for the next young lady that needs a person who looks like her to rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create a foundation so that she can become the COO , the CFO of something very big .
It 's important that they stay in the race and keep fighting .
We see them .
You 're out there .
Keep fighting.
” At Buffalo , Legette-Jack has a rule for players : the first three times you need to speak with her , you can text her .
The next time has to be a call because “ they need to know that their voice matters.
” Watching so many Black coaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legette-Jack .
“ We ’ ve all got ta join in when we ’ re being uplifted like this , ” she says .
“ What I hear right now is so many wonderful voices speaking my language — but you ’ ve got ta speak because you have something to say , not just because you hear other people talking.
” Lawson and Ivey want to create that same type of environment , and Legette-Jack is confident they will .
For her , watching two Black women ascend to two of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t emotional , “ because it just makes sense.
” And in this time of racial reckoning , it also makes sense to Legette-Jack that they ’ ll use those positions , coupled with their voices , as much as possible .
As Ivey says , “ I know my voice matters .
And I know that right now , my voice needs to be heard .
”

'My voice matters': Notre Dame's Niele Ivey, Duke's Kara Lawson use new roles to speak out
Show Caption Hide Caption WNBA player Renee Montgomery on athletes encouraging Americans to vote Sports Pulse: Renee Montgomery on how opting out of playing this year made a big difference SportsPulse, USA TODAY
It’s happened so many times, Kara Lawson has already lost count.
The former WNBA and Olympic champion, and new head coach of the Duke women’s basketball program, will be running errands at a local Target or Costco when a North Carolina fan approaches.
“They’ll walk up to me and say, ‘Coach, I’m a Carolina fan’ — and it’s like no kidding, you have a Carolina shirt on — ‘but I really want to see you succeed,’” Lawson says.
Each encounter has humbled her.
“The response from the African-American community, just how much pride people have in the success of obtaining the position (of head coach at Duke), that has blown me away,” she says. “I’m not expecting them to switch allegiances or anything. But I thank them and tell them how much it means to me for them to say something.
“I understand I’m representing every African-American in this position; it doesn’t matter what color they wear or which team they root for, my success can help every African-American.”
This offseason two of the most prominent programs in women’s college basketball hired their first-ever Black head coaches, with Lawson landing at Duke, and Niele Ivey returning to Notre Dame. Their hirings were significant because in a sport made up predominantly of young Black women — the NCAA estimates 45% of Division I women’s basketball players are Black — only 17% of coaches are Black women. In the Power Five conferences, just 12% of coaches are Black women.
What’s more, Lawson and Ivey step into their roles during a time of major civil unrest, as the country reels from the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and numerous other Black men and women killed at the hands of police officers. And in this moment of racial reckoning, when athletes and coaches are speaking out and refusing to be defined solely by their sport, Lawson and Ivey know it’s crucial their voices be heard, too.
Duke hires Boston Celtics assistant Kara Lawson as women's basketball coach
At an Aug. 27 Black Lives Matter peaceful protest organized by the Duke men’s basketball team, Lawson spoke powerfully and passionately about the reality of being Black in America.
“Equality, in theory, is a basic principal. But in practice, for our country, it’s been very complicated,” Lawson said, adding that Black men and women experience a daily anxiety as they wake up “knowing that on your drive to school or your drive to work, going to a restaurant, sitting in your house, or hanging out with your friends at the park, that could be your last moment on earth.” She spoke of the anger and loneliness Black Americans regularly feel as they watch “week after week, month after month, our brothers and sisters being shot in broad daylight and nothing being done.”
It will take patience, a competitive spirit and endurance, she said — endurance that “being born African American, is built into us” — to create a better future.
Lawson, a self-described introvert, says now there was no question that she would speak that day on campus. The men’s program invited her, but she’s used to it, too: Her career has been defined by a series of firsts, and as someone who’s broken barriers for women and women of color in spaces typically dominated by white men, she “very much understands the gravity” of not only her situation and the position she holds, but how her voice can carry into other arenas.
Mississippi State coach Nikki McCray-Penson: Confederate emblem a symbol of hatred, racism and oppression
“My dad used to always tell me, as a Black woman, you have to have every box checked and then you have to succeed when you get an opportunity,” recalls Lawson, who spent the last year as an assistant with the Boston Celtics, one of only a handful of Black women to ever hold that distinction in the NBA. “That’s just the way it is, because you likely won’t get another one.”
But Lawson refuses to look at any opportunity “through a prism of failure,” she says, and plans to use her platform to speak whenever she feels necessary.
For Ivey, who returned to Notre Dame after a year with the Memphis Grizzlies, the conversations around police brutality land a little harder, because she has an 18-year-old son. Jaden Ivey is a freshman basketball player at Purdue.
“I don’t think a lot of people realize, when you’re a working single parent, it’s hard because you’re gone a lot,” she says. “I’ve always felt that fear and worry about him, and it was especially heightened during his teenage years, when he became more independent and was out in the world on his own.”
The shift in the racial climate, plus her moving from longtime assistant to Woman In Charge, has encouraged Ivey to speak out and speak up. She feels empowered and supported by her bosses at Notre Dame and points to NBA and WNBA players for “giving us the blueprint” on how to balance sports with social justice and understanding how far their voice can reach.
“I think we’re in a time where it’s not only acceptable, it’s necessary,” Ivey says. “As an assistant I wouldn’t have said as much but we cannot be silent anymore. The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, it pushed all this dialogue to the forefront … and I think speaking out about what’s right and what’s wrong, that should not be a divisive opinion.”
Asked if she’s worried about alienating fans by refusing to stick to sports, Ivey laughed.
“We don’t have fans this year,” she cracked before turning serious again. “I hope I attract the right crowd, people who believe in Notre Dame and support our players on the court but also their passions off the court, who understand our team message. If we lose fans, I’ll have to live with that — because it’s important to be authentic for my players.”
Niele Ivey is the right choice for Notre Dame women's basketball coach
Both Ivey and Lawson know that it can’t just be them speaking either. They’re “inspired every day,” Ivey says, by players’ desire to be part of tough conversations. Lawson says that young people particularly are “more perceptive and nuanced than people think,” and can see through someone who is merely spouting words but refusing to act. Both know they need to encourage players to find their voice, in the same way Black female coaches before Lawson and Ivey paved the way for them.
At South Carolina, Dawn Staley, just the second Black female coach to lead her team to a national title (Carolyn Peck was the first, leading Purdue to the 1999 championship) has been vocal on social media about the importance of voting, lifting up the Black Lives Matter movement. In June, Mississippi State coach Nikki McCray-Penson spoke at the state capitol in Jackson, Mississippi, urging lawmakers to remove Confederate imagery from the state flag, describing it as racist, oppressive and violent. At Buffalo, 10th-year coach Felisha Legette-Jack recorded a video with her team calling for the end of violence against Black people.
Two years ago, after her team bowed out in the NCAA Tournament after a Cinderella-style run to the Sweet 16, Legette-Jack was asked about the lack of Black female coaches in college basketball. Her passionate, emotional answer went viral.
P. O. W. E. R. F. U. L “GO FORWARD” THANK YOU @UBCoachJack! For using your platform to not only bring awareness but to inspire ppl like me! 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/mbIlZawgjy — CoachYo (@YolettMcCuin) March 24, 2018
“I’m saddened by it,” she said. “I understand the problem. I know that the majority of women basketball players look like me. I think that these young women, if we really care about them as people, that they will have role models that look like them …
“I hope that if these coaches that see me who resurged themselves or herself into another opportunity and try to make the most of it, I hope they get encouraged and understand: The fight isn't going to easy. It's necessary. It's necessary not just for you and your sadness and you and your fire and you and your woe-is-me.
“The fight is for the next young lady that needs a person who looks like her to rise above and to be coached up and create a foundation so that she can become the COO, the CFO of something very big. It's important that they stay in the race and keep fighting. We see them. You're out there. Keep fighting.”
Working moms in coaching balance basketball and family
At Buffalo, Legette-Jack has a rule for players: the first three times you need to speak with her, you can text her. The next time has to be a call because “they need to know that their voice matters.”
Watching so many Black coaches speak up this offseason has resonated with Legette-Jack.
“We’ve all gotta join in when we’re being uplifted like this,” she says. “What I hear right now is so many wonderful voices speaking my language — but you’ve gotta speak because you have something to say, not just because you hear other people talking.”
Lawson and Ivey want to create that same type of environment, and Legette-Jack is confident they will. For her, watching two Black women ascend to two of the most powerful positions in college athletics wasn’t emotional, “because it just makes sense.”
And in this time of racial reckoning, it also makes sense to Legette-Jack that they’ll use those positions, coupled with their voices, as much as possible.
As Ivey says, “I know my voice matters. And I know that right now, my voice needs to be heard.”