usatoday--2020-12-08--Panel blasts Fort Hood leaders, Army after disappearance, death of Spc. Vanessa Guillen; 14 fired or

WASHINGTON – An independent investigation into tragedies at Fort Hood , including the bludgeoning murder of Spc .
Vanessa Guillen , found that leadership at the Army 's largest base created a `` permissive environment '' that let sexual harassment and assault and other crimes occur with little consequence .
The report , released Tuesday , represents a scathing indictment of a dysfunctional Army culture and called for changes in staffing and programs to protect soldiers from assault .
It found systemic failures starting with Army leaders who failed to address known problems with sexual assault and crime to understaffed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate crimes .
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said 14 Army leaders at Fort Hood have been fired or suspended as a result of the report .
Among those relieved of command was Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt , deputy commanding general for III Corps .
McCarthy suspended Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Broadwater pending the outcome of an investigation .
`` This report , without a doubt , will cause the Army to change our culture , ” he said .
Guillen 's murder in April – and the failure to find her remains for nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on life at the sprawling post in Texas .
The Army also announced Tuesday that it would change its procedures to search for soldiers soon after they are reported missing instead of assuming they 've deserted their posts or gone absent without leave .
Congress has launched its own inquiry into the problems at Fort Hood .
Beyond Guillen , Pvt .
Mejhor Morta and Sgt .
Elder Fernandes also vanished from the base and were discovered dead .
Morta had drowned , and Fernandes died by suicide .
Vanessa Guillen : Fort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , died 'in the line of duty , ' Army says Tuesday 's report was produced by an independent panel of five experts who investigated whether personnel at Fort Hood and the surrounding community have allowed a climate of sexual harassment and discrimination to flourish .
Chris Swecker , a lawyer and former assistant director of the FBI ’ s Criminal Investigative Division , led the panel .
Commanders at the post were singled out for failing to protect their soldiers .
`` A military installation is essentially a large , gated community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Commander of a military installation possesses a wide variety of options to proactively address and mitigate the spectrum of crime incidents .
Despite having the capability , very few tools were employed at Fort Hood to do so . ''
The panel found that the Army 's principal effort aimed at addressing sexual assault , its Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program , was ineffective at Fort Hood .
It blamed leaders at the post for giving it short shrift .
`` During the review period , no Commanding General or subordinate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigate known risks of high crime , sexual assault and sexual harassment , '' the report says .
Fort Hood : Army shakes up leadership at Fort Hood after murder of Vanessa Guillen That failure led to underreporting of sex crimes on the base , according to the report .
Victims had little confidence that their complaints would be addressed , and , worse , feared retaliation .
Much of the blame rests with their superior officers and noncommissioned officers , the report says .
`` Without intervention from the NCOs and officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims feared the inevitable consequences of reporting : ostracism , shunning and shaming , harsh treatment , and indelible damage to their career , '' the report says .
`` Many have left the Army or plan to do so at the earliest opportunity . ''
The five civilian committee members and their staff interviewed more than 2,500 soldiers and Army civilians as part of the three-month investigation .
Soldiers , in interviews with the panel , had some of the most damning criticism .
Most focus groups told investigators that they worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families both on and off the post , according to the report .
One reason cited was commanders ' emphasis on preparing for deployments and that the welfare of soldiers was a secondary concern .
`` One group of soldiers compared Fort Hood to deployment in war zones , '' the report states .
`` One said , 'being at Fort Hood is more of a deployment than Kuwait . '
Several soldiers stated they felt 'safer in Afghanistan than at Fort Hood . '
'' The report shows that commanders can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual assault , said Don Christensen , president of Protect Our Defenders , a group that advocates for troops who are victims of sexual assault .
He called for congressional action .
`` From investigations to accountability , this is a damning inside look at Fort Hood 's callous disregard to its soldiers ' well-being , '' Christensen said .
`` As a result , soldiers fear reporting sexual assault and harassment and suffer severe retaliation if they do .
Sadly , I do n't believe this climate is unique to Fort Hood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave no doubt that it is time for Congress to finally act on fundamental reform of the military justice system . ''
In September , the Army signaled that major changes were coming .
Officials announced that Efflandt would no longer take command of the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss in El Paso , Texas .
The Army directed one of its senior officers to investigate how it handled Guillen 's disappearance and murder .
A fellow soldier suspected in her death died by suicide as investigators sought to arrest him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hood drew scrutiny and criticism from the highest level of Army leadership .
One-third of soldiers surveyed there said they 'd been sexually harassed .
Rates of other crimes at Fort Hood outpaced other installations as well .
`` The numbers are bad , and we need to make some adjustments , '' McCarthy said in September .
`` We ’ re very concerned . ''

Panel blasts Fort Hood leaders, Army after disappearance, death of Spc. Vanessa Guillen; 14 fired or suspended
Show Caption Hide Caption 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
WASHINGTON – An independent investigation into tragedies at Fort Hood, including the bludgeoning murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, found that leadership at the Army's largest base created a "permissive environment" that let sexual harassment and assault and other crimes occur with little consequence.
The report, released Tuesday, represents a scathing indictment of a dysfunctional Army culture and called for changes in staffing and programs to protect soldiers from assault. It found systemic failures starting with Army leaders who failed to address known problems with sexual assault and crime to understaffed and resourced programs to aid victims and investigate crimes.
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said 14 Army leaders at Fort Hood have been fired or suspended as a result of the report. Among those relieved of command was Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt, deputy commanding general for III Corps. McCarthy suspended Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Broadwater pending the outcome of an investigation.
"This report, without a doubt, will cause the Army to change our culture,” he said.
Guillen's murder in April – and the failure to find her remains for nearly three months – focused attention and investigations on life at the sprawling post in Texas. The Army also announced Tuesday that it would change its procedures to search for soldiers soon after they are reported missing instead of assuming they've deserted their posts or gone absent without leave.
Congress has launched its own inquiry into the problems at Fort Hood. Beyond Guillen, Pvt. Mejhor Morta and Sgt. Elder Fernandes also vanished from the base and were discovered dead. Morta had drowned, and Fernandes died by suicide.
Vanessa Guillen: Fort Hood soldier who went missing in April, died 'in the line of duty,' Army says
Tuesday's report was produced by an independent panel of five experts who investigated whether personnel at Fort Hood and the surrounding community have allowed a climate of sexual harassment and discrimination to flourish. Chris Swecker, a lawyer and former assistant director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, led the panel.
Commanders at the post were singled out for failing to protect their soldiers.
"A military installation is essentially a large, gated community," the report says. "The Commander of a military installation possesses a wide variety of options to proactively address and mitigate the spectrum of crime incidents. Despite having the capability, very few tools were employed at Fort Hood to do so."
The panel found that the Army's principal effort aimed at addressing sexual assault, its Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program, was ineffective at Fort Hood. It blamed leaders at the post for giving it short shrift.
"During the review period, no Commanding General or subordinate echelon commander chose to intervene proactively and mitigate known risks of high crime, sexual assault and sexual harassment," the report says.
Fort Hood: Army shakes up leadership at Fort Hood after murder of Vanessa Guillen
That failure led to underreporting of sex crimes on the base, according to the report. Victims had little confidence that their complaints would be addressed, and, worse, feared retaliation. Much of the blame rests with their superior officers and noncommissioned officers, the report says.
"Without intervention from the NCOs and officers entrusted with their health and safety, victims feared the inevitable consequences of reporting: ostracism, shunning and shaming, harsh treatment, and indelible damage to their career," the report says. "Many have left the Army or plan to do so at the earliest opportunity."
The five civilian committee members and their staff interviewed more than 2,500 soldiers and Army civilians as part of the three-month investigation.
Soldiers, in interviews with the panel, had some of the most damning criticism. Most focus groups told investigators that they worried about their own safety and that of their families both on and off the post, according to the report. One reason cited was commanders' emphasis on preparing for deployments and that the welfare of soldiers was a secondary concern.
"One group of soldiers compared Fort Hood to deployment in war zones," the report states. "One said, 'being at Fort Hood is more of a deployment than Kuwait.' Several soldiers stated they felt 'safer in Afghanistan than at Fort Hood.'"
The report shows that commanders cannot be trusted to protect troops from sexual assault, said Don Christensen, president of Protect Our Defenders, a group that advocates for troops who are victims of sexual assault. He called for congressional action.
"From investigations to accountability, this is a damning inside look at Fort Hood's callous disregard to its soldiers' well-being," Christensen said. "As a result, soldiers fear reporting sexual assault and harassment and suffer severe retaliation if they do. Sadly, I don't believe this climate is unique to Fort Hood or the Army. This report should leave no doubt that it is time for Congress to finally act on fundamental reform of the military justice system."
In September, the Army signaled that major changes were coming. Officials announced that Efflandt would no longer take command of the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
The Army directed one of its senior officers to investigate how it handled Guillen's disappearance and murder. A fellow soldier suspected in her death died by suicide as investigators sought to arrest him. Guillen was 20.
Problems at Fort Hood drew scrutiny and criticism from the highest level of Army leadership. One-third of soldiers surveyed there said they'd been sexually harassed. Rates of other crimes at Fort Hood outpaced other installations as well.
"The numbers are bad, and we need to make some adjustments," McCarthy said in September. "We’re very concerned."


usatoday--2020-12-09--Politics live updates: House approves defense bill amid Trump veto threat

USA TODAY 's coverage of the 2020 election and President-elect Joe Biden 's transition continues this week as he rolls out more of his picks for top jobs in his administration .
Meanwhile , the remaining final states certify their vote counts before the Electoral College ballots are officially cast Monday .
President Donald Trump has cleared the way for Biden 's team to use federal resources and get briefings during the transition , although Trump has yet to formally concede the race .
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on the election and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday approved a wide-ranging defense policy bill , even as President Donald Trump renewed his threat to veto the bill unless lawmakers clamp down on social media companies he claims were biased against him during the election .
Trump tweeted Tuesday that he will veto `` the very weak National Defense Authorization Act , '' or NDAA , unless it repeals so-called Section 230 , a part of the communications code that shields Twitter , Facebook and other tech giants from content liability .
Trump also wants Congress to strip out a provision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military bases that now honor Confederate leaders .
Congressional leaders vowed to move ahead on the hugely popular bill — which affirms automatic 3 % pay raises for U.S. troops and authorizes other military programs — despite the veto threat .
The House approved the bill , 335-78 , more than the two-thirds required to override a potential veto .
The measure now goes to the Senate .
Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney , a member of the House Republican leadership , urged Trump not to follow through on his veto threat , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` We should override . ''
If Trump vetoes the bill , `` we will come back to vote to override , '' said Rep. Adam Smith , D-Wash. , the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee .
But with Trump pressuring Republicans to stand with him , it was unclear until the final tally whether the bill would receive the two-thirds support needed to override a veto .
The House Freedom Caucus , a bloc of roughly three-dozen conservatives , backed Trump 's position Tuesday and opposed the bill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday they were pleased after meeting with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to discuss their priorities for racial justice and other issues , but that the administration would be judged by its appointees and policies .
The leaders described the type of background and diversity they sought with Biden ’ s nominees for cabinet secretaries and other top posts , but didn ’ t discuss specific names .
“ We can ’ t judge the diversity of the cabinet in a hypothetical sense , ” said Marc Morial , CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described the nearly two-hour virtual discussion as a “ positive meeting.
” “ But we have to judge ultimately by the results.
” Participants highlighted the need for racial justice following a year of protests nationwide after the deaths of Black men and women at the hands of police .
Several participants focused on the need to enforce civil rights and fight voter suppression .
“ We did not in any way pull any punches and he did not , ” said the Rev .
Al Sharpton , president of the National Action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candid ” and “ very blunt.
” Sherrilyn Ifill , president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund , urged Biden to support legislation to restore a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act .
She suggested part of the Civil Rights Act could allow the federal government to withhold federal funding from discriminatory law enforcement organizations , as a tool against bigoted police .
“ They clearly listened , ” Ifill said of Biden and Harris taking notes .
Several participants , including Vanita Gupta , CEO of the Leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Biden that whoever is chosen as attorney general must be familiar with the Justice Department and prepared to fight voter suppression and civil rights violations from the first day .
“ Voter suppression is alive and well , ” said Kristen Clarke , president of the Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law .
Much of the attention focused on Biden ’ s pledge to appoint the most diverse administration in history .
Melanie Campbell , CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and convener of the Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to choose more Black women .
The NAACP is urging President-elect Biden to create a new position at the White House for a national adviser on racial justice , equity and advancement .
NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson said the post should be similar to the climate envoy slot created for John Kerry , a former secretary of State and senator .
“ The meeting was very positive , ” Johnson said .
“ It was a good table-setting opportunity.
” At different stages in the transition , groups representing Black Americans , Latinos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to appoint a more diverse administration .
He asked advocacy groups to wait for all his nominees and appointees before questioning his commitment to diversity .
“ Look , it ’ s each one of these groups ’ jobs to push their leaders to make sure there ’ s a greater diversity , ” Biden said Friday at a news conference .
“ I ’ m not going to tell you now exactly what I ’ m doing in any department , but I promise you it will be the single most diverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on gender , that ’ s ever existed in the United States of America.
” Among his department secretaries , Biden nominated Janet Yellen as the first woman at Treasury , Alejandro Mayorkas as the first Latino secretary at Homeland Security , Xavier Becerra as the first Latino secretary at Health and Human Services and Lloyd Austin as the first Black secretary at Defense .
Biden is also expected to nominate Rep. Marcia Fudge , D-Ohio , who is Black , as secretary of Housing and Urban Development .
And he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a cabinet post for Linda Thomas-Greenfield , who is Black .
President Donald Trump is continuing to push for direct stimulus checks as part of a COVID-19 economic relief package being negotiated on Capitol Hill , an idea jettisoned from recent proposals but that has gained some bipartisan support , a White House official said Tuesday .
Lawmakers are considering a $ 908 billion bipartisan plan that would extend a loan program for small businesses as well as federal unemployment benefits , among other items .
But that proposal does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 1,200 sent to millions of Americans as part of the first CARES Act signed in March .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he spoke with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Tuesday and presented a new , $ 916 billion stimulus proposal .
Mnuchin said he had discussed the measure with other Republican leaders .
A source with knowledge of the proposal speaking on the condition of anonymity said that it included $ 600 direct payments .
Ben Williamson , a White House spokesman and adviser to Chief of Staff Mark Meadows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to American workers continue to be a high priority of the president ’ s . ''
Williamson said that the amount of payment the White House would like to see remains `` to be determined . ''
Direct payments have drawn some support in the Senate , notably from Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, who told Politico this week that he had actively lobbied Trump to veto any stimulus that doesn ’ t include them .
On the other end of the spectrum , a group of Democratic senators led by Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocated for the payments .
Prospects for a lame-duck stimulus remain murky , and the political crosscurrents of the already complicated negotiations are roiled further by the fact that both Trump and President-elect Joe Biden have staked claims on the outcome .
Biden last week endorsed the $ 908 billion bipartisan package and told fellow Democrats – many of whom want a larger package – that there will be other opportunities when his administration takes over next year .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday floated the idea of Congress proceeding with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up their demand for liability protections for businesses while Democrats drop payments to state and local governments .
The idea was quickly shot down by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer .
The NAACP is urging President-elect Joe Biden to create a new position at the White House for a national adviser on racial justice , equity and advancement .
The request is among the points NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson is raising Tuesday as a group of civil rights leaders meets with Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris about how to increase diversity in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his administration would be the most diverse in history , has asked for advocacy groups to await his entire slate of nominees and appointees .
He has named the first woman to head the Treasury , the first Latinos to lead the departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services , and the first Black person to lead the Pentagon .
But Johnson urged Biden to create the adviser on race , who would report directly to him , similar to the climate envoy slot created for John Kerry , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson described the post on race with developing “ bold , visionary thinking and strategy on racial justice within the White House and fostering the development of holistic measures throughout government to tackle the pervasive problem of system racism.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made an offer Tuesday that he said could help Congress reach a deal on coronavirus relief : eliminate the two most contentious issues and take them up next year .
McConnell , R-Ky. , said he would relent on mandating business liability protections , a key provision he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in exchange for Democrats dropping funds for state and local governments , a provision they have mandated be part of any relief bill .
The idea was quickly shot down by Democrats , who pointed to a bipartisan group of lawmakers making progress on a potential deal .
The two issues have been the biggest sticking points as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have worked to negotiate a compromise on potentially billions of dollars to help unemployed Americans , small businesses and distribution of a vaccine .
`` I have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two most contentious items be set aside , '' McConnell said at his weekly news conference .
`` What I recommend is we set aside liability and set aside state and local and pass those things that we can agree on , knowing full well we 'll be back at this after the first of the year . ''
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , railed against the proposal , arguing state and local governments are weathering a financial crisis due to revenue shortfalls in the pandemic that is leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firefighters , sanitation workers and police officers .
`` Leader McConnell has refused to be part of the bipartisan negotiations and now he 's sabotaging good faith , bipartisan negotiations , '' Schumer said .
`` We believe they have been making good progress , and they ought to be allowed to move forward because they are the best hope for a bipartisan solution . ''
The House and Senate plan to stick around next week to pass a government spending bill , meaning congressional leaders will have until next Friday to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjourns for the year .
WILMINGTON , Del .
– President-elect Joe Biden ’ s health team described priorities and experience Tuesday beyond just combatting COVID-19 , which will dominate their early service in his administration .
Biden introduced Xavier Becerra as his choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , briefly mispronouncing the California attorney general 's name before quickly correcting himself .
Becerra , who appeared by video , emphasized the second `` H '' in the Department of Health and Human Services and vowed that children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tall '' under the Biden administration .
He likened his “ breathtaking opportunity ” that of another California Democrat , John Gardner , who was tapped by President Lyndon B. Johnson to lead the Department of Health , Education and Welfare while ushering in Medicare , Medicaid and greater civil rights .
`` Now it 's our turn to discover the breathtaking opportunities before us in the midst of this hardship and pain , '' said Becerra , the son of Mexican immigrants who served 24 years in the House and would become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's our turn to build up , and to back up , our doctors and medical professionals , our hospitals and clinics battling the coronavirus . ''
Biden tapped Dr. Vivek Murthy , who served as surgeon general from 2014 to 2017 , to return to the post in an expanded role .
Murthy cited devastating health crises facing the country in addition to the pandemic , including opioid addiction , mental-health concerns , racial-health disparities and high rates of chronic illness such as heart disease and diabetes .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also exacerbated by broader societal issues , from the economic strains so many people are facing to the disconnection and loneliness that so many of us feel , ” Murthy said .
“ In my expanded role , I will work to bring a health focus to our policies across government so that our schools , our workplaces and our communities can be forces for strengthening our health and well-being.
” Biden chose Dr. Rochelle Walensky , a Harvard professor of medicine and chief of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention .
Her medical training coincided with the most harrowing years of the AIDS crisis and development in 1995 of the first cocktail of remedies approved by the Food and Drug Administration .
“ I ’ ve dedicated my career ever since to researching and treating infectious diseases , and to ending the HIV/AIDS crisis for good , ” Walensky said .
Biden named Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith , an associate professor at Yale School of Medicine , to lead his COVID-19 Equity Task Force .
She grew up on St. Thomas , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from preventable conditions .
She said COVID-19 revealed social inequities that left 70 % of Black people and 60 % of Latinos who know someone who was hospitalized or died from the virus .
“ As I grew up , I came to understand that there were deeper dimensions to health beyond what I saw in the human biology textbooks that I borrowed from my mother ’ s textbooks , ” she said .
“ It is our societal obligation to ensure equitable access to testing , treatments and vaccines , ” including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the homeless .
Christopher Krebs , the federal government 's former top cybersecurity chief who was fired for describing the November vote as the most secure in history , sued the Trump campaign and one of the president 's lawyers for defamation Tuesday , claiming that attorney falsely characterized his remarks as treasonous while suggesting that Krebs be `` taken out at dawn and shot . ''
In the legal action filed in a Maryland state court , Krebs characterized Joseph diGenova 's statements during a Nov. 30 Newsmax broadcast as `` shockingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency asserted that diGenova 's commentary was especially troubling because it was `` released into the current climate of political toxicity and instability , in which public officials across the country ... are being targeted with acts and threats of violence simply for performing their public duties . ''
Krebs , who also named Newsmax Media Inc. as a defendant , accused the group of encouraging `` actual violence '' against him and other Republicans `` for speaking truth and performing his constitutional duties without regard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Republicans who publicly rejected the 'rigged election ' narrative—was ... a central element of the Defendants ’ conspiracy , '' Krebs claimed , adding that the Trump campaign has used the argument to `` fraudulently entice '' supporters to continue donating money for the president 's future political activities .
`` Mr. diGenova is not a paid contributor to Newsmax and has no official ties to him , '' the company said .
`` Mr. diGenova has appeared on Newsmax since then on two occasions stating that he made the comment 'facetiously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he intended no harm to Mr .
Krebs . ''
Krebs was abruptly fired last month by President Donald Trump , just days after declaring that the election was secure in a pointed rebuke to the president who continues to allege without evidence that the vote was `` rigged . ''
The president 's flurry of legal actions , pursued by a team that has included diGenova , have been repeatedly dismissed .
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended the White House ’ s decision to hold a series of holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite a surge in coronavirus cases .
At a summit on COVID-19 vaccines , a reporter asked Trump why the parties were being held even though public health officials have discouraged Americans from traveling over the holidays and have suggested avoiding large in-person gatherings .
Trump said the number of guests at the indoor parties has been “ reduced substantially ” and that many of the attendees are wearing face masks .
“ I look out at the audience at those parties ... we have a lot of people wearing masks , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's a good thing . ''
Hundreds of people are expected to attend the parties and receptions , which started last week and will continue through December .
In addition to paring down the guest lists , first lady Melania Trump ’ s office has said other safety precautions are being taken , such as serving individually plated food served from plexiglass-protected stations and positioning hand-sanitizer stations throughout the State Floor .
WILMINGTON , Del .
– President-elect Joe Biden outlined three health goals to combat COVID-19 during his first 100 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks during that period , to distribute 100 million vaccinations and to reopen many schools if the virus is brought under greater control .
Biden said he developed the goals in consultation with Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
He announced the goals while introducing his appointees , including California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as secretary of Health and Human Services and Dr. Vivek Murthy as surgeon general .
As his first goal , Biden , who will be sworn in Jan. 20 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his first day to require mask wearing in federal buildings and on interstate transportation such as planes , trains and buses .
The Trump administration rejected a request to take a similar step .
“ We ’ re going to require masks wherever possible , ” Biden said .
“ It ’ s not a political statement , it ’ s a patriotic act.
” As his second priority , Biden said he would push to deliver 100 million vaccinations during the first 100 days .
The vaccinations are expected to require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his goal would be to vaccinate 50 million people .
The earliest vaccine recipients under Biden ’ s goal would go to those at highest risk , first to health care professionals , to people living in long-term care and “ as soon as possible ” to educators .
“ Developing a vaccine is only one herculean task , ” Biden said .
“ Distributing it is another herculean task.
” Biden said his third goal is to reopen many schools .
He said the goal would depend on Congress providing funding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely , for masking , vaccinations , safety equipment and training .
“ We ’ ll still have much to do in the first 100 days , ” Biden said .
Rep. Jim Clyburn says Rep. Marcia Fudge expected to be in Biden Cabinet Rep. Jim Clyburn , the highest-ranking Black member of House leadership , said Tuesday that he expects President-elect Joe Biden to nominate Rep. Marcia Fudge to a Cabinet post and that retired Gen. Lloyd Austin would make a good secretary of the Defense Department .
Fudge , D-Ohio , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been promoted as a potential secretary of Agriculture .
Clyburn , a co-chairman of Biden ’ s inaugural committee whose support in South Carolina was crucial to Biden winning the Democratic nomination and ultimately the White House , said he expects Fudge to join the Cabinet .
“ I look for her to be in the Cabinet , ” Clyburn , D-S.C. , told MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe ” on Tuesday .
“ I don ’ t know that she will be the secretary of agriculture .
That may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of the Cabinet , at least she will be nominated for a Cabinet position.
” Clyburn said he also supported Austin , who would become the first Black secretary of Defense , if confirmed by the Senate .
Clyburn said he worked with Austin on diversity issues while he was at the Pentagon and that the Congressional Black Caucus supports him .
“ We worked together on diversity issues , ” Clyburn said .
“ I look for this to be a pretty smooth hearing and confirmation .
I like him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to be a good fit for us.
” Clyburn ’ s comments come as various groups have argued for more diversity on Biden ’ s Cabinet and among top advisers .
Biden will meet Tuesday with civil-rights groups .
Trump reached out to Pennsylvania House speaker over election President Donald Trump and his allies have continued to lobby Pennsylvania officials on its failed election cases in the commonwealth , going so far as to try and stop the state ’ s certification of the election results .
The measures reflect a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleground states ahead of the Dec. 14 convention of the Electoral College .
Trump has sought to overturn results in states he lost to President-elect Joe Biden .
The president called state House Speaker Bryan Cutler to make his case , according to the Associated Press .
The New York Times reported the president called Cutler twice over the past few days .
Cutler 's spokesman Michael Straub told the Times the president asked `` what options were available to the legislature . ''
Supporters of the president have gathered in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results of the election .
Pennsylvania certified Biden 's win in the state in November .
On Saturday , Trump called Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp , a Republican , urging him to ask the state legislature to overturn the results , which showed Biden the winner .
Kemp has since told state lawmakers that attempts to change the election outcome by picking their own presidential electors is `` not an option . ''
Georgia : Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp to state legislators : Picking own presidential electors 'not an option' Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly , who represents part of northwestern Pennsylvania , have filed further lawsuits alleging widespread and coordinated fraud in state court .
Nine state Republican lawmakers also filed a lawsuit on Monday levying similar claims .
Ted Cruz said he would present oral arguments if PA case went to SCOTUS Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said he would present the oral argument in front of the Supreme Court if the high court decided to hear the Trump campaign 's latest election challenge in Pennsylvania .
“ Petitioners ’ legal team has asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argue the case before the Supreme Court , if the Court grants certiorari .
I have agreed , and told them that if the Court takes the appeal , I will stand ready to present the oral argument , ” Cruz told FOX News Monday , which he confirmed in a tweet .
The latest case filed in Pennsylvania regarding the election asks for the state to exclude the mail-in ballots received , citing them as unconstitutional .
Pennsylvania received more than 2.5 million mail-in ballots in the 2020 election .
President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
GOP Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania is leading the case , claiming that all the mail-in votes are illegal votes and that the state ’ s 2019 law that made mail-in voting universal was illegal .
Kelly was ruled against twice by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in cases that also ask to invalidate mail-in votes and block Joe Biden ’ s win .
“ As I said last week , the bitter division and acrimony we see across the Nation needs resolution .
I believe # SCOTUS has a responsibility to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its powers , that we are following the law and following the Constitution , ” Cruz also tweeted Monday .

Sarah Elbeshbishi, Matthew Brown and Bart Jansen, USA TODAY

Politics live updates: House approves defense bill amid Trump veto threat
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden's Cabinet picks and other roles in his administration The president says he wants a government as diverse as America when he enters the White House. Here are some of his Executive Branch picks. USA TODAY
USA TODAY's coverage of the 2020 election and President-elect Joe Biden's transition continues this week as he rolls out more of his picks for top jobs in his administration. Meanwhile, the remaining final states certify their vote counts before the Electoral College ballots are officially cast Monday.
President Donald Trump has cleared the way for Biden's team to use federal resources and get briefings during the transition, although Trump has yet to formally concede the race.
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on the election and the transition.
The Democratic-controlled House on Tuesday approved a wide-ranging defense policy bill, even as President Donald Trump renewed his threat to veto the bill unless lawmakers clamp down on social media companies he claims were biased against him during the election.
Trump tweeted Tuesday that he will veto "the very weak National Defense Authorization Act,'' or NDAA, unless it repeals so-called Section 230, a part of the communications code that shields Twitter, Facebook and other tech giants from content liability. Trump also wants Congress to strip out a provision of the bill that allows renaming of military bases that now honor Confederate leaders.
Congressional leaders vowed to move ahead on the hugely popular bill — which affirms automatic 3% pay raises for U.S. troops and authorizes other military programs — despite the veto threat.
The House approved the bill, 335-78, more than the two-thirds required to override a potential veto. The measure now goes to the Senate.
Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, a member of the House Republican leadership, urged Trump not to follow through on his veto threat, but added that if he does veto it, "We should override.''
If Trump vetoes the bill, "we will come back to vote to override," said Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
But with Trump pressuring Republicans to stand with him, it was unclear until the final tally whether the bill would receive the two-thirds support needed to override a veto. The House Freedom Caucus, a bloc of roughly three-dozen conservatives, backed Trump's position Tuesday and opposed the bill.
– The Associated Press
Leaders of seven civil rights groups said Tuesday they were pleased after meeting with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to discuss their priorities for racial justice and other issues, but that the administration would be judged by its appointees and policies.
The leaders described the type of background and diversity they sought with Biden’s nominees for cabinet secretaries and other top posts, but didn’t discuss specific names.
“We can’t judge the diversity of the cabinet in a hypothetical sense,” said Marc Morial, CEO of the National Urban League, who described the nearly two-hour virtual discussion as a “positive meeting.” “But we have to judge ultimately by the results.”
Participants highlighted the need for racial justice following a year of protests nationwide after the deaths of Black men and women at the hands of police. Several participants focused on the need to enforce civil rights and fight voter suppression.
“We did not in any way pull any punches and he did not,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, who called the meeting “candid” and “very blunt.”
Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, urged Biden to support legislation to restore a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. She suggested part of the Civil Rights Act could allow the federal government to withhold federal funding from discriminatory law enforcement organizations, as a tool against bigoted police.
“They clearly listened,” Ifill said of Biden and Harris taking notes.
Several participants, including Vanita Gupta, CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, told Biden that whoever is chosen as attorney general must be familiar with the Justice Department and prepared to fight voter suppression and civil rights violations from the first day.
“Voter suppression is alive and well,” said Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law.
Much of the attention focused on Biden’s pledge to appoint the most diverse administration in history. Melanie Campbell, CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable, urged Biden to choose more Black women.
The NAACP is urging President-elect Biden to create a new position at the White House for a national adviser on racial justice, equity and advancement. NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson said the post should be similar to the climate envoy slot created for John Kerry, a former secretary of State and senator.
“The meeting was very positive,” Johnson said. “It was a good table-setting opportunity.”
At different stages in the transition, groups representing Black Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans have each urged Biden to appoint a more diverse administration. He asked advocacy groups to wait for all his nominees and appointees before questioning his commitment to diversity.
“Look, it’s each one of these groups’ jobs to push their leaders to make sure there’s a greater diversity,” Biden said Friday at a news conference. “I’m not going to tell you now exactly what I’m doing in any department, but I promise you it will be the single most diverse cabinet based on race, color, based on gender, that’s ever existed in the United States of America.”
Among his department secretaries, Biden nominated Janet Yellen as the first woman at Treasury, Alejandro Mayorkas as the first Latino secretary at Homeland Security, Xavier Becerra as the first Latino secretary at Health and Human Services and Lloyd Austin as the first Black secretary at Defense.
Biden is also expected to nominate Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, who is Black, as secretary of Housing and Urban Development. And he said his U.S. ambassador to the United Nations would be a cabinet post for Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who is Black.
–Bart Jansen and Deborah Barfield Berry
President Donald Trump is continuing to push for direct stimulus checks as part of a COVID-19 economic relief package being negotiated on Capitol Hill, an idea jettisoned from recent proposals but that has gained some bipartisan support, a White House official said Tuesday.
Lawmakers are considering a $908 billion bipartisan plan that would extend a loan program for small businesses as well as federal unemployment benefits, among other items. But that proposal does not include another round of direct payments like the $1,200 sent to millions of Americans as part of the first CARES Act signed in March.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he spoke with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Tuesday and presented a new, $916 billion stimulus proposal. Mnuchin said he had discussed the measure with other Republican leaders. A source with knowledge of the proposal speaking on the condition of anonymity said that it included $600 direct payments.
Ben Williamson, a White House spokesman and adviser to Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, said Tuesday that "direct payments to American workers continue to be a high priority of the president’s." Williamson said that the amount of payment the White House would like to see remains "to be determined."
Direct payments have drawn some support in the Senate, notably from Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who told Politico this week that he had actively lobbied Trump to veto any stimulus that doesn’t include them. On the other end of the spectrum, a group of Democratic senators led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., have also advocated for the payments.
Prospects for a lame-duck stimulus remain murky, and the political crosscurrents of the already complicated negotiations are roiled further by the fact that both Trump and President-elect Joe Biden have staked claims on the outcome. Biden last week endorsed the $908 billion bipartisan package and told fellow Democrats – many of whom want a larger package – that there will be other opportunities when his administration takes over next year.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday floated the idea of Congress proceeding with a slimmed-down stimulus in which Republicans give up their demand for liability protections for businesses while Democrats drop payments to state and local governments. The idea was quickly shot down by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
– John Fritze and Christal Hayes
The NAACP is urging President-elect Joe Biden to create a new position at the White House for a national adviser on racial justice, equity and advancement.
The request is among the points NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson is raising Tuesday as a group of civil rights leaders meets with Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris about how to increase diversity in his administration.
Biden, who has said his administration would be the most diverse in history, has asked for advocacy groups to await his entire slate of nominees and appointees. He has named the first woman to head the Treasury, the first Latinos to lead the departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, and the first Black person to lead the Pentagon.
But Johnson urged Biden to create the adviser on race, who would report directly to him, similar to the climate envoy slot created for John Kerry, a former secretary of State and senator.
Johnson described the post on race with developing “bold, visionary thinking and strategy on racial justice within the White House and fostering the development of holistic measures throughout government to tackle the pervasive problem of system racism.”
– Bart Jansen
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made an offer Tuesday that he said could help Congress reach a deal on coronavirus relief: eliminate the two most contentious issues and take them up next year.
McConnell, R-Ky., said he would relent on mandating business liability protections, a key provision he has fought to include for months, in exchange for Democrats dropping funds for state and local governments, a provision they have mandated be part of any relief bill. The idea was quickly shot down by Democrats, who pointed to a bipartisan group of lawmakers making progress on a potential deal.
The two issues have been the biggest sticking points as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have worked to negotiate a compromise on potentially billions of dollars to help unemployed Americans, small businesses and distribution of a vaccine.
"I have a suggestion to make, which is that the two most contentious items be set aside," McConnell said at his weekly news conference. "What I recommend is we set aside liability and set aside state and local and pass those things that we can agree on, knowing full well we'll be back at this after the first of the year."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., railed against the proposal, arguing state and local governments are weathering a financial crisis due to revenue shortfalls in the pandemic that is leading to layoffs of critical workers such as firefighters, sanitation workers and police officers.
"Leader McConnell has refused to be part of the bipartisan negotiations and now he's sabotaging good faith, bipartisan negotiations," Schumer said. "We believe they have been making good progress, and they ought to be allowed to move forward because they are the best hope for a bipartisan solution."
The House and Senate plan to stick around next week to pass a government spending bill, meaning congressional leaders will have until next Friday to come to some type of compromise before Congress adjourns for the year.
– Christal Hayes
WILMINGTON, Del. – President-elect Joe Biden’s health team described priorities and experience Tuesday beyond just combatting COVID-19, which will dominate their early service in his administration.
Biden introduced Xavier Becerra as his choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, briefly mispronouncing the California attorney general's name before quickly correcting himself.
Becerra, who appeared by video, emphasized the second "H" in the Department of Health and Human Services and vowed that children, seniors and disabled Americans will "stand tall" under the Biden administration. He likened his “breathtaking opportunity” that of another California Democrat, John Gardner, who was tapped by President Lyndon B. Johnson to lead the Department of Health, Education and Welfare while ushering in Medicare, Medicaid and greater civil rights.
"Now it's our turn to discover the breathtaking opportunities before us in the midst of this hardship and pain," said Becerra, the son of Mexican immigrants who served 24 years in the House and would become the first Latino secretary of the department. "It's our turn to build up, and to back up, our doctors and medical professionals, our hospitals and clinics battling the coronavirus."
Biden tapped Dr. Vivek Murthy, who served as surgeon general from 2014 to 2017, to return to the post in an expanded role. Murthy cited devastating health crises facing the country in addition to the pandemic, including opioid addiction, mental-health concerns, racial-health disparities and high rates of chronic illness such as heart disease and diabetes.
“These challenges are both caused by but also exacerbated by broader societal issues, from the economic strains so many people are facing to the disconnection and loneliness that so many of us feel,” Murthy said. “In my expanded role, I will work to bring a health focus to our policies across government so that our schools, our workplaces and our communities can be forces for strengthening our health and well-being.”
Biden chose Dr. Rochelle Walensky, a Harvard professor of medicine and chief of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Her medical training coincided with the most harrowing years of the AIDS crisis and development in 1995 of the first cocktail of remedies approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“I’ve dedicated my career ever since to researching and treating infectious diseases, and to ending the HIV/AIDS crisis for good,” Walensky said.
Biden named Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, an associate professor at Yale School of Medicine, to lead his COVID-19 Equity Task Force. She grew up on St. Thomas, where she said people often died too young from preventable conditions. She said COVID-19 revealed social inequities that left 70% of Black people and 60% of Latinos who know someone who was hospitalized or died from the virus.
“As I grew up, I came to understand that there were deeper dimensions to health beyond what I saw in the human biology textbooks that I borrowed from my mother’s textbooks,” she said. “It is our societal obligation to ensure equitable access to testing, treatments and vaccines,” including for the undocumented, the incarcerated and the homeless.
– Courtney Subramanian and Bart Jansen
Christopher Krebs, the federal government's former top cybersecurity chief who was fired for describing the November vote as the most secure in history, sued the Trump campaign and one of the president's lawyers for defamation Tuesday, claiming that attorney falsely characterized his remarks as treasonous while suggesting that Krebs be "taken out at dawn and shot."
In the legal action filed in a Maryland state court, Krebs characterized Joseph diGenova's statements during a Nov. 30 Newsmax broadcast as "shockingly irresponsible and dangerous."
The former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency asserted that diGenova's commentary was especially troubling because it was "released into the current climate of political toxicity and instability, in which public officials across the country ... are being targeted with acts and threats of violence simply for performing their public duties."
DiGenova declined comment Tuesday.
Krebs, who also named Newsmax Media Inc. as a defendant, accused the group of encouraging "actual violence" against him and other Republicans "for speaking truth and performing his constitutional duties without regard to party loyalty.”
"This objective—retaliating against Republicans who publicly rejected the 'rigged election' narrative—was ... a central element of the Defendants’ conspiracy," Krebs claimed, adding that the Trump campaign has used the argument to "fraudulently entice" supporters to continue donating money for the president's future political activities.
In a statement, Newsmax called the lawyer's comments "inappropriate."
"Mr. diGenova is not a paid contributor to Newsmax and has no official ties to him," the company said. "Mr. diGenova has appeared on Newsmax since then on two occasions stating that he made the comment 'facetiously' and apologized. He stated that he intended no harm to Mr. Krebs."
Krebs was abruptly fired last month by President Donald Trump, just days after declaring that the election was secure in a pointed rebuke to the president who continues to allege without evidence that the vote was "rigged."
The president's flurry of legal actions, pursued by a team that has included diGenova, have been repeatedly dismissed.
– Kevin Johnson
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended the White House’s decision to hold a series of holiday parties and receptions at the presidential mansion despite a surge in coronavirus cases.
At a summit on COVID-19 vaccines, a reporter asked Trump why the parties were being held even though public health officials have discouraged Americans from traveling over the holidays and have suggested avoiding large in-person gatherings.
Trump said the number of guests at the indoor parties has been “reduced substantially” and that many of the attendees are wearing face masks.
“I look out at the audience at those parties...we have a lot of people wearing masks,” he said. “And I think that's a good thing."
Hundreds of people are expected to attend the parties and receptions, which started last week and will continue through December. In addition to paring down the guest lists, first lady Melania Trump’s office has said other safety precautions are being taken, such as serving individually plated food served from plexiglass-protected stations and positioning hand-sanitizer stations throughout the State Floor.
– Michael Collins, David Jackson and John Fritze
WILMINGTON, Del. – President-elect Joe Biden outlined three health goals to combat COVID-19 during his first 100 days in office: to have everyone where masks during that period, to distribute 100 million vaccinations and to reopen many schools if the virus is brought under greater control.
Biden said he developed the goals in consultation with Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He announced the goals while introducing his appointees, including California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as secretary of Health and Human Services and Dr. Vivek Murthy as surgeon general.
As his first goal, Biden, who will be sworn in Jan. 20, said he would sign an executive order on his first day to require mask wearing in federal buildings and on interstate transportation such as planes, trains and buses. The Trump administration rejected a request to take a similar step.
“We’re going to require masks wherever possible,” Biden said. “It’s not a political statement, it’s a patriotic act.”
As his second priority, Biden said he would push to deliver 100 million vaccinations during the first 100 days. The vaccinations are expected to require two inoculations for each person, so his goal would be to vaccinate 50 million people.
The earliest vaccine recipients under Biden’s goal would go to those at highest risk, first to health care professionals, to people living in long-term care and “as soon as possible” to educators.
“Developing a vaccine is only one herculean task,” Biden said. “Distributing it is another herculean task.”
Biden said his third goal is to reopen many schools. He said the goal would depend on Congress providing funding to students, educators and staffers to return safely, for masking, vaccinations, safety equipment and training.
“We’ll still have much to do in the first 100 days,” Biden said.
– Courtney Subramanian and Bart Jansen
Rep. Jim Clyburn, the highest-ranking Black member of House leadership, said Tuesday that he expects President-elect Joe Biden to nominate Rep. Marcia Fudge to a Cabinet post and that retired Gen. Lloyd Austin would make a good secretary of the Defense Department.
Fudge, D-Ohio, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, has been promoted as a potential secretary of Agriculture. Clyburn, a co-chairman of Biden’s inaugural committee whose support in South Carolina was crucial to Biden winning the Democratic nomination and ultimately the White House, said he expects Fudge to join the Cabinet.
“I look for her to be in the Cabinet,” Clyburn, D-S.C., told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Tuesday. “I don’t know that she will be the secretary of agriculture. That may not be. But she will be a member of the Cabinet, at least she will be nominated for a Cabinet position.”
Clyburn said he also supported Austin, who would become the first Black secretary of Defense, if confirmed by the Senate. Clyburn said he worked with Austin on diversity issues while he was at the Pentagon and that the Congressional Black Caucus supports him.
“We worked together on diversity issues,” Clyburn said. “I look for this to be a pretty smooth hearing and confirmation. I like him very much. I think he’s going to be a good fit for us.”
Clyburn’s comments come as various groups have argued for more diversity on Biden’s Cabinet and among top advisers. Biden will meet Tuesday with civil-rights groups.
– Bart Jansen
President Donald Trump and his allies have continued to lobby Pennsylvania officials on its failed election cases in the commonwealth, going so far as to try and stop the state’s certification of the election results.
The measures reflect a national attempt by the Trump campaign in battleground states ahead of the Dec. 14 convention of the Electoral College. Trump has sought to overturn results in states he lost to President-elect Joe Biden.
The president called state House Speaker Bryan Cutler to make his case, according to the Associated Press. The New York Times reported the president called Cutler twice over the past few days. Cutler's spokesman Michael Straub told the Times the president asked "what options were available to the legislature."
Supporters of the president have gathered in front of Cutler’s house to protest the results of the election.
Pennsylvania certified Biden's win in the state in November.
On Saturday, Trump called Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, urging him to ask the state legislature to overturn the results, which showed Biden the winner. Kemp has since told state lawmakers that attempts to change the election outcome by picking their own presidential electors is "not an option."
Georgia: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to state legislators: Picking own presidential electors 'not an option'
Some Trump allies, like Republican Rep. Mike Kelly, who represents part of northwestern Pennsylvania, have filed further lawsuits alleging widespread and coordinated fraud in state court. Nine state Republican lawmakers also filed a lawsuit on Monday levying similar claims.
– Matthew Brown
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said he would present the oral argument in front of the Supreme Court if the high court decided to hear the Trump campaign's latest election challenge in Pennsylvania.
“Petitioners’ legal team has asked me whether I would be willing to argue the case before the Supreme Court, if the Court grants certiorari. I have agreed, and told them that if the Court takes the appeal, I will stand ready to present the oral argument,” Cruz told FOX News Monday, which he confirmed in a tweet.
The latest case filed in Pennsylvania regarding the election asks for the state to exclude the mail-in ballots received, citing them as unconstitutional. Pennsylvania received more than 2.5 million mail-in ballots in the 2020 election. President Donald Trump lost the state to President-elect Joe Biden.
GOP Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania is leading the case, claiming that all the mail-in votes are illegal votes and that the state’s 2019 law that made mail-in voting universal was illegal. Kelly was ruled against twice by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in cases that also ask to invalidate mail-in votes and block Joe Biden’s win.
“As I said last week, the bitter division and acrimony we see across the Nation needs resolution. I believe #SCOTUS has a responsibility to the American People to ensure, within its powers, that we are following the law and following the Constitution,” Cruz also tweeted Monday.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi


usatoday--2020-12-09--Players walk off, PSG-Basaksehir Champions League game suspended after official's alleged racial abu

The UEFA Championship League game between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir was suspended Tuesday after players from both teams walked off the field , alleging an official used a racial term towards an assistant coach .
Players from Basaksehir were seen angered after assistant coach Pierre Webo , who is from Cameroon , was given a red card .
Discussions between players and staff of both teams continued with referees while players and staff alleged the fourth official , Sebastian Coltescu , used a racial term towards Webo before he was sent off the field .
As players exited the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confronted the official including Demba Ba who demanded that Coltescu explain why he used the racial term towards the coach .
The game was suspended after players did not return to the field , and will resume Wednesday from the 14th minute , when the game was originally halted .
UEFA , the governing body of European soccer , said in a statement that it was aware of the incident and `` will be conducting a thorough investigation . ''
The resumption on Wednesday will have a `` new team of match officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NO TO RACISM '' shortly after the teams refused to play and left the field .
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey @ usatoday.com or on Twitter @ analisbailey .

Players walk off, PSG-Basaksehir Champions League game suspended after official's alleged racial abuse
The UEFA Champions League game between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir was suspended Tuesday after players from both teams walked off the field, alleging an official used a racial term towards an assistant coach.
Players from Basaksehir were seen angered after assistant coach Pierre Webo, who is from Cameroon, was given a red card.
Discussions between players and staff of both teams continued with referees while players and staff alleged the fourth official, Sebastian Coltescu, used a racial term towards Webo before he was sent off the field.
As players exited the field in solidarity, multiple Basaksehir players confronted the official including Demba Ba who demanded that Coltescu explain why he used the racial term towards the coach.
The game was suspended after players did not return to the field, and will resume Wednesday from the 14th minute, when the game was originally halted.
UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, said in a statement that it was aware of the incident and "will be conducting a thorough investigation."
The resumption on Wednesday will have a "new team of match officials."
PSG vs Istanbul Basaksehir has been suspended following an alleged racist incident involving the 4th official towards Istanbul's assistant manager. pic.twitter.com/mLIkZiPK7u — Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) December 8, 2020
The Champions League this evening has been marred by a racial incident between the fourth official and Başakşehir coach Pierre Webó. Here is the footage in full. #beINUCL #UCL 📺 HD11
Watch - https://t.co/hkoevnV6B4 pic.twitter.com/vSofNvTZvB — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) December 8, 2020
The Istanbul team tweeted "NO TO RACISM" shortly after the teams refused to play and left the field.
UEFA is aware of an incident during tonight’s Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir and will be conducting a thorough investigation.
Racism, and discrimination in all its forms, has no place within football.
#NoToRacism — UEFA (@UEFA) December 8, 2020
Players, including PSG star Kylian Mbappé also tweeted their support:
SAY NO TO RACISM. ❌❌❌
M.WEBO WE ARE WITH YOU. ✊🏽 — Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) December 8, 2020
Contributing: AP
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.


usatoday--2020-12-08--Louisiana man who tortured, killed his toddler daughter will be executed Friday

A 55-year-old Louisiana man who was convicted of capital murder in the killing of his daughter in South Texas is set to be executed Friday .
Alfred Bourgeois , a truck driver from LaPlace , Louisianna , was convicted of capital murder in 2004 for the death of his 2-year-old daughter at Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi .
He was also found guilty of physically and emotionally torturing , sexually molesting and beating the child to death , court records state .
In July 2002 , Bourgeois , his daughter and two family members followed him on his trucking route to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shipment , according to court documents .
Documents state Bourgeois became angry with his daughter because she tipped over her potty training seat he would force her to sit on .
He grabbed her by her shoulders and slammed the back of her head into the windshield around the dashboard four times , records state .
The child was taken to the hospital where she later died after being on life support .
The medical examiner found deep tissue bruising in every area of the girl 's body , documents state .
Authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girl violently and sexually .
Bourgeois was put on death row in 2004 .
He is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Friday , Dec. 11 at the Federal Correction Complex Terre Haute in Indiana .
Alexandria Rodriguez covers breaking news and crime in South Texas .
Support local news by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe

Alexandria Rodriguez, Corpus Christi Caller Times

Louisiana man who tortured, killed his toddler daughter will be executed Friday
Show Caption Hide Caption DOJ set to execute more federal prisoners before Inauguration Day As Inauguration day approaches the Justice Department is planning for more federal executions, before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn into office. Buzz60
A 55-year-old Louisiana man who was convicted of capital murder in the killing of his daughter in South Texas is set to be executed Friday.
Alfred Bourgeois, a truck driver from LaPlace, Louisianna, was convicted of capital murder in 2004 for the death of his 2-year-old daughter at Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi.
He was also found guilty of physically and emotionally torturing, sexually molesting and beating the child to death, court records state.
In July 2002, Bourgeois, his daughter and two family members followed him on his trucking route to Corpus Christi naval base to deliver a shipment, according to court documents.
Documents state Bourgeois became angry with his daughter because she tipped over her potty training seat he would force her to sit on. He grabbed her by her shoulders and slammed the back of her head into the windshield around the dashboard four times, records state.
The child was taken to the hospital where she later died after being on life support. The medical examiner found deep tissue bruising in every area of the girl's body, documents state.
Authorities also discovered Bourgeois had constantly abused the girl violently and sexually. Bourgeois was put on death row in 2004.
He is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Friday, Dec. 11 at the Federal Correction Complex Terre Haute in Indiana.
Alexandria Rodriguez covers breaking news and crime in South Texas. Support local news by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe


usatoday--2020-12-09--As COVID-19 continues to worsen, nation needs a New Deal for the arts

President-elect Joe Biden says he wants to lead a presidency that is for all Americans .
Here ’ s his chance : Save the arts .
Music , film , dance , theater , painting , sculpture — these are the universal languages of our heritage , and they ’ re fighting for survival .
We ’ re not just talking about empty seats at the Lincoln Center .
We ’ re talking about the foreseeable end of more than 670,000 small creative businesses and nonprofits : Places like rural community theaters and city symphonies and cultural institutions that create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
More than just “ nightlife , ” these places — these people — are the heart and hands of American culture .
And they need help .
Every sector takes a hit during a recession , but for our creative economy , this COVID-19 downturn is life or death .
Long before the pandemic , the internet age undercut artists and arts workers by making their goods and services available for next to nothing .
Now , by nature of this virus , cultural institutions that bring large groups of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely .
We still don ’ t know when that will be , and many are already struggling to hang on .
In the leanest years of the Great Depression , the U.S. government stepped in to save America ’ s creative economy .
The time has come again : We need a New Deal for the arts .
Rescue arts venues and organizations from bankruptcy .
Send freelance arts workers relief checks and government-funded jobs .
Fund a National Theater , like most leading countries in the world .
Restore arts education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school .
And to lead the charge , appoint a Cabinet-level secretary of arts and culture .
Biden must recognize that not only are the arts the soul of this nation , they are also too big to fail .
The arts amount to an $ 878 billion industry , according to 2017 data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis .
Last year , the arts and related industries represented 4.2 % of gross domestic product , a larger share of our economy than agriculture and transportation .
Add to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : from the lumber yard that supplies wood for set construction to the electricians who hang the lights .
Whenever people go see a performance , it sets off a wave of spending that helps keep afloat local bars , restaurants and public transit .
In major arts districts , that money overflows into hotels , retailers and airlines , too .
Lawmakers looking to jump-start commerce should do the math : A thriving arts scene is an economic multiplier .
It also generates an outstanding return on tax dollars .
Nonprofit arts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in government allocations into more than $ 27.5 billion in tax revenue .
As for the upfront costs of such a plan , a recent open letter to the U.S. Senate offers a reasonable start at just under $ 44 billion .
That ’ s 5 % of the arts ’ value added to the economy , and proportionate to the $ 50 billion bailout of the airline industry .
It ’ s also less than 1 % of our federal budget .
Any claim that we can ’ t afford to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pentagon has spent more on military bands than our entire government has allocated to the National Endowment for the Arts .
It 's clear the arts will need more money than anyone in government is openly talking about .
Even after there ’ s a vaccine , venues will only be able to safely reopen by accommodating smaller audiences — which in turn is only possible if they can afford to operate at a deficit .
What ’ s more , organizations and venues are just the most visible tip of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , millions of people work under the radar and without a net .
Here , the case for government intervention bridges economics and education to basic ethics .
Just like Uber drivers , artists are vulnerable in ways that shouldn ’ t be legal — no health insurance , no sick leave , no predictable income — and many of them doubly so now that their day jobs in restaurants and retail have disappeared .
Staunch opponents of arts funding often point to a lack of accountability .
From where we sit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to create a Cabinet-level secretary of arts and culture , somebody designated to make sure our money is spent responsibly .
The secretary ’ s mandate would be straightforward : Help the arts flourish .
They could start by getting every public school in the country to hire more art , music , dance and theater teachers , buy more musical instruments and arts supplies , and integrate the arts into other core subjects .
This is especially urgent in the lowest-income , lowest-performing school districts — strong arts education programs consistently help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ math , lower rates of suspension and dropout , as well as higher levels of civic engagement and social tolerance .
The secretary could also develop market-friendly artistic enterprises that yield a strong return on federal investment .
They could help our creative industries compete abroad , and work with the ministers of culture to expand America ’ s influence around the globe .
We can hear the skeptics already : Let ’ s take care of the basics and then we ’ ll talk about the unalienable right to see `` Hamilton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , simply : The arts are not a luxury .
They are not elite , nor extracurricular .
American arts and artists are essential .
Hunkering down doesn ’ t mean we should neglect the activities and experiences that elevate us .
To the contrary , this year has delivered challenges drastic enough to demand change on a massive scale .
If our leaders are going to make good on the opportunity , they ’ ll need to do what artists have always done best : Imagine what ’ s possible , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellen Burstyn is co-president of The Actors Studio .
Charles Segars ( @ CharlesSegars ) is CEO of Ovation TV and founder of Stand For The Arts .

Ellen Burstyn and Charles Segars, Opinion contributors

As COVID-19 continues to worsen, nation needs a New Deal for the arts Arts are a multibillion dollar industry that accounts for greater share of economy than agriculture, transportation. When creators don't work, GDP suffers.
President-elect Joe Biden says he wants to lead a presidency that is for all Americans. Here’s his chance: Save the arts.
Music, film, dance, theater, painting, sculpture — these are the universal languages of our heritage, and they’re fighting for survival. We’re not just talking about empty seats at the Lincoln Center. We’re talking about the foreseeable end of more than 670,000 small creative businesses and nonprofits: Places like rural community theaters and city symphonies and cultural institutions that create millions of jobs in towns across the country.
More than just “nightlife,” these places — these people — are the heart and hands of American culture. And they need help.
A multibillion dollar industry is dying
Every sector takes a hit during a recession, but for our creative economy, this COVID-19 downturn is life or death. Long before the pandemic, the internet age undercut artists and arts workers by making their goods and services available for next to nothing. Now, by nature of this virus, cultural institutions that bring large groups of people together will be the last to open safely. We still don’t know when that will be, and many are already struggling to hang on.
In the leanest years of the Great Depression, the U.S. government stepped in to save America’s creative economy. The time has come again: We need a New Deal for the arts. Rescue arts venues and organizations from bankruptcy. Send freelance arts workers relief checks and government-funded jobs. Fund a National Theater, like most leading countries in the world. Restore arts education to the core curriculum of every public school. And to lead the charge, appoint a Cabinet-level secretary of arts and culture.
Biden must recognize that not only are the arts the soul of this nation, they are also too big to fail.
The arts amount to an $878 billion industry, according to 2017 data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Last year, the arts and related industries represented 4.2% of gross domestic product, a larger share of our economy than agriculture and transportation. Add to that knock-on effects for business of all kinds: from the lumber yard that supplies wood for set construction to the electricians who hang the lights. Whenever people go see a performance, it sets off a wave of spending that helps keep afloat local bars, restaurants and public transit. In major arts districts, that money overflows into hotels, retailers and airlines, too.
Lawmakers looking to jump-start commerce should do the math: A thriving arts scene is an economic multiplier. It also generates an outstanding return on tax dollars. Nonprofit arts organizations annually spin some $5 billion in government allocations into more than $27.5 billion in tax revenue.
As for the upfront costs of such a plan, a recent open letter to the U.S. Senate offers a reasonable start at just under $44 billion. That’s 5% of the arts’ value added to the economy, and proportionate to the $50 billion bailout of the airline industry.
It’s also less than 1% of our federal budget. Any claim that we can’t afford to support the arts is fiction. Consider that the Pentagon has spent more on military bands than our entire government has allocated to the National Endowment for the Arts.
Cabinet-level position means accountability
It's clear the arts will need more money than anyone in government is openly talking about. Even after there’s a vaccine, venues will only be able to safely reopen by accommodating smaller audiences — which in turn is only possible if they can afford to operate at a deficit.
What’s more, organizations and venues are just the most visible tip of the arts sector. Across the creative industries, millions of people work under the radar and without a net. Here, the case for government intervention bridges economics and education to basic ethics. Just like Uber drivers, artists are vulnerable in ways that shouldn’t be legal — no health insurance, no sick leave, no predictable income — and many of them doubly so now that their day jobs in restaurants and retail have disappeared.
Staunch opponents of arts funding often point to a lack of accountability. From where we sit, that’s all the more reason to create a Cabinet-level secretary of arts and culture, somebody designated to make sure our money is spent responsibly.
The secretary’s mandate would be straightforward: Help the arts flourish. They could start by getting every public school in the country to hire more art, music, dance and theater teachers, buy more musical instruments and arts supplies, and integrate the arts into other core subjects.
This is especially urgent in the lowest-income, lowest-performing school districts — strong arts education programs consistently help students achieve higher scores in reading and math, lower rates of suspension and dropout, as well as higher levels of civic engagement and social tolerance. The secretary could also develop market-friendly artistic enterprises that yield a strong return on federal investment. They could help our creative industries compete abroad, and work with the ministers of culture to expand America’s influence around the globe.
We can hear the skeptics already: Let’s take care of the basics and then we’ll talk about the unalienable right to see "Hamilton."
To that we would say, simply: The arts are not a luxury. They are not elite, nor extracurricular. American arts and artists are essential.
Hunkering down doesn’t mean we should neglect the activities and experiences that elevate us. To the contrary, this year has delivered challenges drastic enough to demand change on a massive scale. If our leaders are going to make good on the opportunity, they’ll need to do what artists have always done best: Imagine what’s possible, and make it happen.
Tony-award winning actress Ellen Burstyn is co-president of The Actors Studio. Charles Segars (@CharlesSegars) is CEO of Ovation TV and founder of Stand For The Arts.


usatoday--2020-12-08--Ex-election security chief Christopher Krebs sues Trump campaign, lawyer for defamation

Christopher Krebs , the government 's former election security chief who was fired for describing the November vote as the most secure in history , sued the Trump campaign and one of the president 's lawyers for defamation Tuesday , claiming that the attorney falsely characterized his remarks as treasonous while suggesting that Krebs be `` taken out at dawn and shot . ''
In the legal action filed in a Maryland state court , Krebs characterized Joseph diGenova 's statements during a Nov. 30 Newsmax broadcast as `` shockingly irresponsible and dangerous . ''
The former Department of Homeland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was especially troubling because it was `` released into the current climate of political toxicity and instability , in which public officials across the country ... are being targeted with acts and threats of violence simply for performing their public duties . ''
More : Trump campaign lawyer stirs outrage by saying ex-cyber chief should be 'taken out at dawn and shot' Krebs , who also named Newsmax Media Inc. as a defendant , accused the group of encouraging `` actual violence '' against him and other Republicans `` for speaking truth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party loyalty.
” '' Mr. diGenova is not a paid contributor to Newsmax and has no official ties to him , '' the company said .
Mr. diGenova has appeared on Newsmax since then on two occasions stating that he made the comment 'facetiously ' and apologized .
He stated that he intended no harm to Mr .
Krebs . ''
But the Krebs ' lawsuit claimed that the attorney 's claims with the support of the Trump campaign are part of a `` continuing conspiracy '' designed to discourage Republicans from speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This objective—retaliating against Republicans who publicly rejected the 'rigged election ' narrative—was ... a central element of the Defendants ’ conspiracy , '' Krebs claimed , adding that the Trump campaign has used the argument to `` fraudulently entice '' supporters to continue donating money for the president 's future political activities .
According to the lawsuit , diGenova ’ s comments `` led to an avalanche of despicably offensive and frighteningly threatening statements '' directed at Krebs .
The former Department of Homeland Security official , who served as director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CISA ) , said his `` fears were shared by his wife and several of his five young children , including his ten-year-old , who piercingly asked : 'Daddy ’ s going to get executed ? '
” No parent should ever have to hear those words , '' he said .
Krebs was abruptly fired last month by President Donald Trump , just days after declaring that the election was secure in a pointed rebuke to the president who continues to allege without evidence that the vote was `` rigged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions , pursued by a team that has included diGenova and Rudy Giuliani , have been largely dismissed .

Ex-election security chief Christopher Krebs sues Trump campaign, lawyer for defamation
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump fires CISA Director Chris Krebs, who denied election fraud President Trump has fired Chris Krebs, the head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. CISA is tasked with protecting elections from cyberattacks. Newsy, Newsy
Christopher Krebs, the government's former election security chief who was fired for describing the November vote as the most secure in history, sued the Trump campaign and one of the president's lawyers for defamation Tuesday, claiming that the attorney falsely characterized his remarks as treasonous while suggesting that Krebs be "taken out at dawn and shot."
In the legal action filed in a Maryland state court, Krebs characterized Joseph diGenova's statements during a Nov. 30 Newsmax broadcast as "shockingly irresponsible and dangerous."
The former Department of Homeland Security official asserted that diGenova's commentary was especially troubling because it was "released into the current climate of political toxicity and instability, in which public officials across the country...are being targeted with acts and threats of violence simply for performing their public duties."
More: Trump campaign lawyer stirs outrage by saying ex-cyber chief should be 'taken out at dawn and shot'
Krebs, who also named Newsmax Media Inc. as a defendant, accused the group of encouraging "actual violence" against him and other Republicans "for speaking truth and performing his constitutional duties without regard to party loyalty.”
DiGenova declined to comment Tuesday.
In a statement, Newsmax called the lawyer's comments "inappropriate."
"Mr. diGenova is not a paid contributor to Newsmax and has no official ties to him," the company said. Mr. diGenova has appeared on Newsmax since then on two occasions stating that he made the comment 'facetiously' and apologized. He stated that he intended no harm to Mr. Krebs."
But the Krebs' lawsuit claimed that the attorney's claims with the support of the Trump campaign are part of a "continuing conspiracy" designed to discourage Republicans from speaking out against unsubstantiated allegations of election fraud.
"This objective—retaliating against Republicans who publicly rejected the 'rigged election' narrative—was... a central element of the Defendants’ conspiracy," Krebs claimed, adding that the Trump campaign has used the argument to "fraudulently entice" supporters to continue donating money for the president's future political activities.
According to the lawsuit, diGenova’s comments "led to an avalanche of despicably offensive and frighteningly threatening statements" directed at Krebs.
The former Department of Homeland Security official, who served as director of the Cyber-security and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), said his "fears were shared by his wife and several of his five young children, including his ten-year-old, who piercingly asked: 'Daddy’s going to get executed?'
”No parent should ever have to hear those words," he said.
Krebs was abruptly fired last month by President Donald Trump, just days after declaring that the election was secure in a pointed rebuke to the president who continues to allege without evidence that the vote was "rigged."
The president's flurry of legal actions, pursued by a team that has included diGenova and Rudy Giuliani, have been largely dismissed.


usatoday--2020-12-08--Lori Loughlin's daughter Olivia Jade says she 'wasn't aware' of parents' actions

Olivia Jade Giannulli , the daughter of actress Lori Loughlin and fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli , spoke for the first time publicly about the scandal that landed both her parents in prison after they pleaded guilty to paying $ 500,000 in bribes to get their two children accepted into the University of Southern California as fake crew recruits .
The former `` Full House '' actress Loughlin and her husband are currently serving out their sentences and 21-year-old Giannulli has not spoken to them , she said , as she shared that and other revelations during an episode of `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday on Facebook Watch .
In the episode , Giannulli said it took her some time to grasp what had happened when news broke of her parents ' arrest .
`` I just remember getting a call , and it was like , 'Hey , Liv , have you talked to your mom ? '
And I was like , 'No , why ? '
And they were like , 'Well , I 'll just let you talk to her , ' `` she recalled , saying she had a `` really weird @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom 's name online .
She continued , `` I was sitting with a group of friends , and I knew any second everybody was going to know too , if they did n't already .
And I remember just like freezing and feeling so ashamed , I went home and hid myself for probably like three or four months . ''
Later in the episode , Giannulli clarified that she has n't been in touch with her parents .
`` There 's a quarantine phase , just cause of COVID , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I just have n't heard anything , so I 'm just waiting , '' she said .
She added she was not fully in-the-know of the actions taken to secure her admission to USC , and she clarified she worked hard during high school and was a `` very involved student . ''
`` I was n't aware of what was going on , '' she said .
`` I did work hard and when this did come out , I was a little confused ...
If only people knew how bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She also described how she 's been coping with her parents in prison .
`` No matter what the situation is , you do n't want to see your parents go to prison , '' she said .
`` But also I think it 's important for us to move on and move forward . ''
Host Jada Pinkett Smith knew the show would `` get heat '' for having Giannulli sit down .
Smith 's mother , Adrienne Banfield-Jones , went so far as to say she fought the appearance `` tooth-and-nail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ironic that she chooses three Black women to reach out to for her redemption story , '' she said .
`` It 's bothersome to me on so many levels .
Her being her is the epitome of white privilege to me . ''
Giannulli addressed her privilege later in the show .
`` We did all of this and we 're so ignorant , and I feel like a huge part of privilege is not knowing you have privilege , '' she said .
`` And so when it was happening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't feel like , that 's not fair , a lot of people do n't have that . ''
She continued .
`` That 's embarrassing within itself that I walked around my whole 20 years of life not realizing , like you have insane privilege .
You 're like the poster child of white privilege and you had no idea . ''
Giannulli , who goes by `` Olivia Jade '' online , has nearly 2 million YouTube subscribers .
Prior to the scandal , she frequently posted fashion , beauty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the scandal , Giannulli was dropped by several sponsors , including Sephora and TRESemme , and faced backlash on all of her social media channels .
Her last video before news of her parents ' involvement in the scandal broke on March 12 , 2019 was a clothing haul posted the day prior .
Nine months later , she uploaded a video titled `` hi again '' that has been viewed more than 6 million times , where she said she wanted to `` move on '' with her life .
Weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Routine '' but has been absent on the platform since .
More : Lori Loughlin reports to California prison for 2-month sentence in college admissions case

Lori Loughlin's daughter Olivia Jade says she 'wasn't aware' of parents' actions
Show Caption Hide Caption Who is Lori Loughlin's daughter Olivia Jade? YouTuber, influencer...cheater? Lori Loughlin, mother of Olivia Jade and her sister, Isabella Rose, was charged with bribing their way into USC. USA TODAY
Olivia Jade Giannulli, the daughter of actress Lori Loughlin and fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, spoke for the first time publicly about the scandal that landed both her parents in prison after they pleaded guilty to paying $500,000 in bribes to get their two children accepted into the University of Southern California as fake crew recruits.
The former "Full House" actress Loughlin and her husband are currently serving out their sentences and 21-year-old Giannulli has not spoken to them, she said, as she shared that and other revelations during an episode of "Red Table Talk," which aired Tuesday on Facebook Watch.
In the episode, Giannulli said it took her some time to grasp what had happened when news broke of her parents' arrest.
"I just remember getting a call, and it was like, 'Hey, Liv, have you talked to your mom?' And I was like, 'No, why?' And they were like, 'Well, I'll just let you talk to her,' " she recalled, saying she had a "really weird gut feeling" before she searched her mom's name online.
She continued, "I was sitting with a group of friends, and I knew any second everybody was going to know too, if they didn't already. And I remember just like freezing and feeling so ashamed, I went home and hid myself for probably like three or four months."
Later in the episode, Giannulli clarified that she hasn't been in touch with her parents.
"There's a quarantine phase, just cause of COVID, so I think that's the reason, but I just haven't heard anything, so I'm just waiting," she said.
She added she was not fully in-the-know of the actions taken to secure her admission to USC, and she clarified she worked hard during high school and was a "very involved student."
"I wasn't aware of what was going on," she said. "I did work hard and when this did come out, I was a little confused... If only people knew how bad I feel that this happened."
She also described how she's been coping with her parents in prison.
"No matter what the situation is, you don't want to see your parents go to prison," she said. "But also I think it's important for us to move on and move forward."
Host Jada Pinkett Smith knew the show would "get heat" for having Giannulli sit down. Smith's mother, Adrienne Banfield-Jones, went so far as to say she fought the appearance "tooth-and-nail."
"I find it really ironic that she chooses three Black women to reach out to for her redemption story," she said. "It's bothersome to me on so many levels. Her being her is the epitome of white privilege to me."
Giannulli addressed her privilege later in the show.
"We did all of this and we're so ignorant, and I feel like a huge part of privilege is not knowing you have privilege," she said. "And so when it was happening, it didn't feel wrong. It didn't feel like, that's not fair, a lot of people don't have that."
She continued. "That's embarrassing within itself that I walked around my whole 20 years of life not realizing, like you have insane privilege. You're like the poster child of white privilege and you had no idea."
Giannulli, who goes by "Olivia Jade" online, has nearly 2 million YouTube subscribers. Prior to the scandal, she frequently posted fashion, beauty and lifestyle vlogs.
As a result of the scandal, Giannulli was dropped by several sponsors, including Sephora and TRESemme, and faced backlash on all of her social media channels.
Her last video before news of her parents' involvement in the scandal broke on March 12, 2019 was a clothing haul posted the day prior. Nine months later, she uploaded a video titled "hi again" that has been viewed more than 6 million times, where she said she wanted to "move on" with her life. Weeks later she posted about her "Everyday Routine" but has been absent on the platform since.
Contributing: The Associated Press; Cydney Henderson
More: Lori Loughlin reports to California prison for 2-month sentence in college admissions case
'Fuller House' final episodes: Where's Lori Loughlin's Aunt Becky?