usatoday--2020-12-02--Can Trump pardon himself? What's a preemptive pardon? Experts explain the sweeping power

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump 's unrestrained use of his pardon powers , which he has used to help allies , has raised a question debated among legal experts : Can a president pardon himself ?
This question has been percolating since at least 2018 when the special counsel investigation on Russian election interference was well underway and some of Trump 's closest aides , including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn , had been indicted .
There was speculation , fueled by Trump himself , about whether he would attempt to undo the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by issuing a slew of pardons – even for himself .
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about what Trump can and can not do with the broad pardon powers of the president : Justice Department policy says Trump can not pardon himself because no one can be a judge whose official actions would directly affect himself or herself .
`` Under the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case , the President can not pardon himself , '' stated an Office of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1974 , days before President Richard Nixon resigned .
The opinion , though , outlines another way : The president could step down under the 25th Amendment , at which time the vice president steps in and grants him the pardon , and then the president resumes office .
Still , there is no consensus among legal experts on whether or not a president can pardon himself .
Because no president has ever done so , courts have not had to tackle the question .
Can Trump really do that ?
: The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Harvard Law School constitutional professor ; Richard Painter , a White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush ; and Norman Eisen , a White House ethics lawyer under President Barack Obama agreed with Justice Department guidelines .
They said that the Constitution gives the president the power to act as a judge in another person 's criminal case as he sees fit .
It also allows him to pardon anyone at anytime , as long as the crime is a federal offense .
But it does not give him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own actions .
`` The Constitution specifically bars the president from using the pardon power to prevent his own impeachment or removal , '' they wrote in a 2017 Washington Post op-ed .
`` It adds that any official removed through impeachment remains fully subject to criminal prosecution .
That provision makes no sense if the president could pardon himself . ''
A president might also avoid taking such action for political reasons , Brian Kalt , a law professor at Michigan State University , wrote in 1996 .
`` He might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the imputation of guilt carried by a pardon , '' Kalt wrote .
But John Yoo , a former Justice Department official under George W. Bush , argued that the president 's pardon powers are absolute .
He can pardon anyone , including himself .
A self-pardon ?
: Trump says he can pardon himself in Mueller inquiry — but maintains he 's done 'nothing wrong' Jonathan Turley , a law professor at George Washington University , argued the Constitution does not bar presidents from pardoning whomever they want .
`` There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be the subject of a pardon .
The president is simply given the power to pardon for any federal crime , '' Turley wrote in a 2018 USA TODAY op-ed .
A preemptive pardon is granted to someone who has not been charged or convicted of a crime .
The Supreme Court held in 1866 that a president can issue pardons `` at any time after '' an offense is committed , `` either before legal proceedings are taken , or during their pendency , or after conviction and judgment . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani discussed a possible preemptive pardon that would shield him from the prospect of federal criminal charges arising from his work as the president 's aggressive defender-in-chief .
The pardon discussion involving Giuliani prompted a swift denial from the former mayor .
`` NYT lies again , '' Giuliani tweeted .
`` Never had the discussion they falsely attribute to an anonymous source .
Hard to keep up with all their lies . ''
Giuliani 's attorney , Robert Costello , maintained that Giuliani had no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani did nothing wrong , '' the attorney said .
`` That 's always been our position , and that has n't changed . ''
Federal investigators in New York have been examining Giuliani 's business dealings with two men who were indicted last year on campaign finance violations .
Ukrainian-born Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman of Belarus are accused of conspiring to circumvent federal campaign finance laws by funneling foreign money to U.S. political candidates in a scheme to buy influence .
Preemptive pardons are unusual but not unprecedented .
President Gerald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for any crimes he might have committed related to the Watergate scandal .
President Jimmy Carter preemptively pardoned hundreds of thousands of men who avoided the draft during the Vietnam War .
President George H.W .
Bush pardoned former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and former CIA official Duane Clarridge before they were tried on charges tied to the Iran-Contra scandal .
The two have been charged , but Bush pardoned them before their trials were set to begin .
Generally , pardons are irreversible .
Congress and courts ca n't reverse them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent .
In 2008 , President George W. Bush took the unusual step of revoking a pardon he gave to Isaac Robert Toussie , a real estate developer convicted of mail fraud after learning that Toussie 's father was a major Republican donor .
Bush was able to revoke the pardon , which he granted just the day before , because the pardon attorney had not signed the grant of clemency .
Still , the Supreme Court has not tackled the question of when a pardon is no longer revocable .
`` Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president signs a warrant that the pardon is effective .
Others could just as plausibly argue that there also has to be some form of communication or delivery to the person who 's pardoned .
And that the president , until that occurs , could change his mind , so I think the operative question here is going to be what constitutes delivery and we do n't have a Supreme Court opinion on exactly what that would be , '' Dan Kobil , a law professor at Capital University in Ohio , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bush reversed the pardon .
What is the difference between pardon , clemency and commuting a sentence ?
Clemency is a broad term that encompasses both pardons and commuting a sentence .
Pardons and sentence commutations are the two common forms of clemency , which is a way to provide relief to someone who had been convicted of a crime .
A pardon forgives past crimes and restores a person 's civil rights .
A commutation reduces a person 's sentence , either partially or completely .
Roger Stone gets clemency : Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ railing against 'unfair ' conviction , sentencing Trump 's use of his clemency powers has drawn scrutiny because he has granted these to people with personal or political connections to him or in cases indirectly tied to him .
And he has done so often without consulting with the Justice Department 's Office of the Pardon Attorney , which traditionally advises the president on who qualifies for clemency .
Most notably , Trump pardoned Flynn , who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his communications with a former Russian ambassador .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone , a longtime ally who was convicted of lying to Congress for protecting Trump and his campaign from the Russia investigation .
So far , Trump has granted 27 pardons and 11 commutations .

Kristine Phillips and Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY

Can Trump pardon himself? What's a preemptive pardon? Experts explain the sweeping power
Show Caption Hide Caption Flynn: Trump gives 'full pardon' to ex-national security advisor Michael Flynn pleaded guilty three years ago to lying about his conversations with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's unrestrained use of his pardon powers, which he has used to help allies, has raised a question debated among legal experts: Can a president pardon himself?
This question has been percolating since at least 2018 when the special counsel investigation on Russian election interference was well underway and some of Trump's closest aides, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn, had been indicted.
There was speculation, fueled by Trump himself, about whether he would attempt to undo the work of former special counsel Robert Mueller by issuing a slew of pardons – even for himself.
Pardon for money: DOJ reviewing 'secret' pardon for money scheme targeting White House officials
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about what Trump can and cannot do with the broad pardon powers of the president:
Can Trump pardon himself?
Justice Department policy says Trump cannot pardon himself because no one can be a judge whose official actions would directly affect himself or herself.
"Under the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case, the President cannot pardon himself," stated an Office of Legal Counsel opinion dated Aug. 5, 1974, days before President Richard Nixon resigned.
The opinion, though, outlines another way: The president could step down under the 25th Amendment, at which time the vice president steps in and grants him the pardon, and then the president resumes office.
Still, there is no consensus among legal experts on whether or not a president can pardon himself. Because no president has ever done so, courts have not had to tackle the question.
Can Trump really do that?: The presidential pardon power, explained
Laurence Tribe, a Harvard Law School constitutional professor; Richard Painter, a White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush; and Norman Eisen, a White House ethics lawyer under President Barack Obama agreed with Justice Department guidelines.
They said that the Constitution gives the president the power to act as a judge in another person's criminal case as he sees fit. It also allows him to pardon anyone at anytime, as long as the crime is a federal offense. But it does not give him the power to make such decisions regarding his own actions.
"The Constitution specifically bars the president from using the pardon power to prevent his own impeachment or removal," they wrote in a 2017 Washington Post op-ed. "It adds that any official removed through impeachment remains fully subject to criminal prosecution. That provision makes no sense if the president could pardon himself."
A president might also avoid taking such action for political reasons, Brian Kalt, a law professor at Michigan State University, wrote in 1996.
"He might choose to maintain his innocence and avoid the imputation of guilt carried by a pardon," Kalt wrote.
But John Yoo, a former Justice Department official under George W. Bush, argued that the president's pardon powers are absolute. He can pardon anyone, including himself.
A self-pardon?: Trump says he can pardon himself in Mueller inquiry — but maintains he's done 'nothing wrong'
Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, argued the Constitution does not bar presidents from pardoning whomever they want.
"There is no language specifying who may or may not be the subject of a pardon. The president is simply given the power to pardon for any federal crime," Turley wrote in a 2018 USA TODAY op-ed.
What is a preemptive pardon?
A preemptive pardon is granted to someone who has not been charged or convicted of a crime. The Supreme Court held in 1866 that a president can issue pardons "at any time after" an offense is committed, "either before legal proceedings are taken, or during their pendency, or after conviction and judgment."
On Tuesday, the New York Times reported that Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani discussed a possible preemptive pardon that would shield him from the prospect of federal criminal charges arising from his work as the president's aggressive defender-in-chief.
The pardon discussion involving Giuliani prompted a swift denial from the former mayor.
"NYT lies again," Giuliani tweeted. "Never had the discussion they falsely attribute to an anonymous source. Hard to keep up with all their lies."
Giuliani's attorney, Robert Costello, maintained that Giuliani had no need for a pardon.
"Rudy Giuliani did nothing wrong," the attorney said. "That's always been our position, and that hasn't changed."
Federal investigators in New York have been examining Giuliani's business dealings with two men who were indicted last year on campaign finance violations. Ukrainian-born Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman of Belarus are accused of conspiring to circumvent federal campaign finance laws by funneling foreign money to U.S. political candidates in a scheme to buy influence.
Preemptive pardons are unusual but not unprecedented.
President Gerald Ford pardoned his predecessor, Nixon, for any crimes he might have committed related to the Watergate scandal. President Jimmy Carter preemptively pardoned hundreds of thousands of men who avoided the draft during the Vietnam War.
President George H.W. Bush pardoned former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and former CIA official Duane Clarridge before they were tried on charges tied to the Iran-Contra scandal. The two have been charged, but Bush pardoned them before their trials were set to begin.
The history of presidential pardons and executive clemency From Roger Stone to Chelsea Manning to Thanksgiving turkeys, here's all you need to know about presidential pardons and executive clemency. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Can a pardon be reversed?
Generally, pardons are irreversible. Congress and courts can't reverse them, but a president can – to some extent.
In 2008, President George W. Bush took the unusual step of revoking a pardon he gave to Isaac Robert Toussie, a real estate developer convicted of mail fraud after learning that Toussie's father was a major Republican donor. Bush was able to revoke the pardon, which he granted just the day before, because the pardon attorney had not signed the grant of clemency.
Still, the Supreme Court has not tackled the question of when a pardon is no longer revocable.
"Some people would argue that as soon as the president signs a warrant that the pardon is effective. Others could just as plausibly argue that there also has to be some form of communication or delivery to the person who's pardoned. And that the president, until that occurs, could change his mind, so I think the operative question here is going to be what constitutes delivery and we don't have a Supreme Court opinion on exactly what that would be," Dan Kobil, a law professor at Capital University in Ohio, told NPR in 2008, shortly after Bush reversed the pardon.
What is the difference between pardon, clemency and commuting a sentence?
Clemency is a broad term that encompasses both pardons and commuting a sentence. Pardons and sentence commutations are the two common forms of clemency, which is a way to provide relief to someone who had been convicted of a crime.
A pardon forgives past crimes and restores a person's civil rights. A commutation reduces a person's sentence, either partially or completely.
Flynn gets a pardon: President Trump pardons ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn; ends three-year legal odyssey
Roger Stone gets clemency: Trump grants clemency to ally Roger Stone after railing against 'unfair' conviction, sentencing
Trump's use of his clemency powers has drawn scrutiny because he has granted these to people with personal or political connections to him or in cases indirectly tied to him. And he has done so often without consulting with the Justice Department's Office of the Pardon Attorney, which traditionally advises the president on who qualifies for clemency.
Most notably, Trump pardoned Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his communications with a former Russian ambassador. He commuted the entire sentence of Roger Stone, a longtime ally who was convicted of lying to Congress for protecting Trump and his campaign from the Russia investigation.
So far, Trump has granted 27 pardons and 11 commutations.
SUPREME COURT: Upholding 'double jeopardy' standards could blunt impact of Trump pardons


usatoday--2020-12-03--Barack Obama criticizes progressives over 'defund the police,' saying slogan can drive away moderate

Former President Barack Obama told progressives that they might be hurting their own cause by using slogans like `` defund the police '' as rallying cries for goals such as reforming the criminal justice system .
In an interview with Snapchat ’ s “ Good Luck America , ” Obama said such phrases and labels such as `` socialism '' can drive away moderate voters and cost elections for Democratic candidates .
A transcript of portions of the interview was released Wednesday .
`` If you believe , as I do , that we should be able to reform the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not biased and treats everybody fairly , I guess you can use a snappy slogan , like 'defund the police . '
`` '' But , you know , you lost a big audience the minute you say it , which makes it a lot less likely that you 're actually going to get the changes you want done , '' he told Snapchat 's Peter Hamby .
Explainer : What 'defund the police ' means and why some say 'reform ' is not enough Obama 's comments come as the Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Although Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the presidential race by a comfortable margin in the Electoral College and in the popular vote , his wins in some battleground states were narrower than expected .
Democrats failed to capture the Senate and lost seats in the House as some voters split their tickets , voting for Biden in the White House race and Republicans in down-ballot contests .
The former president 's comments on `` defund the police '' swiftly drew backlash from some progressives .
`` We lose people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not a slogan but a policy demand , '' Rep. Ilhan Omar , D-Minn. , tweeted in response to the president 's comments .
`` We didn ’ t lose Breonna ( Taylor ) because of a slogan .
Instead of conceding this narrative , let ’ s shape our own , '' responded Charles Booker , a progressive candidate who ran unsuccessfully for the Kentucky Democratic nomination for Senate .
Obama said in the interview his critique is largely rhetorical , not substantive , telling Snapchat that discussing actions rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sympathetic audience to progressive ideas .
`` The key is deciding , do you want to actually get something done or do you want to feel good among the people you already agree with ? ''
he stressed .
Obama was also critical of using phrases like `` socialism , '' saying that `` nobody really cares about the label . ''
Reform efforts : Pilot program will replace NYPD for mental health 911 calls in 2 neighborhoods “ Socialism is still a loaded term for a lot of folks .
Once again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we should focus on talking about getting certain things done , '' Obama argued .
The former president was supportive of many of the young progressives in the party , saying that `` promoting young people is really important '' and lamented the party 's tendency to `` stick so long with the same old folks '' and not make enough room for new voices .
Figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. , also speak `` to a broad section of young people who are interested in what she has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree with everything she says , '' Obama said .
Obama connected his criticisms to his own time as an activist `` who used to be the young , shiny cool guy but now is the gray-haired old grizzled vet.
” During the 2020 campaign and in interviews to discuss his memoir , `` A Promised Land , '' Obama has focused heavily on urging young people to get involved in pushing for change .
`` My ideal reader is some 25-year-old kid who is starting to be curious about the world and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaning , '' Obama told the Atlantic in November .
Youth enthusiasm for Obama is widely cited as an integral part of his electoral success .
Snapchat , which has a younger audience than social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter , is a platform in line with his expressed interest in again connecting with the country 's next generation .
`` If you want to get something done in a democracy , in a country as big and diverse as ours , then you 've got to be able to meet people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Snapchat .
`` And play a game of addition and not subtraction . ''

Barack Obama criticizes progressives over 'defund the police,' saying slogan can drive away moderates
Show Caption Hide Caption Barack Obama on ego and the presidency By the time he assumed office, Obama realized, "The ego part of it didn't interest me anymore. What interested me was what could I get done." Apple TV+
Former President Barack Obama told progressives that they might be hurting their own cause by using slogans like "defund the police" as rallying cries for goals such as reforming the criminal justice system.
In an interview with Snapchat’s “Good Luck America,” Obama said such phrases and labels such as "socialism" can drive away moderate voters and cost elections for Democratic candidates. A transcript of portions of the interview was released Wednesday.
"If you believe, as I do, that we should be able to reform the criminal justice system so that it's not biased and treats everybody fairly, I guess you can use a snappy slogan, like 'defund the police.' "
"But, you know, you lost a big audience the minute you say it, which makes it a lot less likely that you're actually going to get the changes you want done," he told Snapchat's Peter Hamby.
Explainer: What 'defund the police' means and why some say 'reform' is not enough
Obama's comments come as the Democratic Party wrestles with its underperformance in the 2020 election.
Although Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the presidential race by a comfortable margin in the Electoral College and in the popular vote, his wins in some battleground states were narrower than expected. Democrats failed to capture the Senate and lost seats in the House as some voters split their tickets, voting for Biden in the White House race and Republicans in down-ballot contests.
The former president's comments on "defund the police" swiftly drew backlash from some progressives.
With all due respect, Mr. President—let’s talk about losing people. We lost Michael Brown Jr. We lost Breonna Taylor. We’re losing our loved ones to police violence.
It’s not a slogan. It’s a mandate for keeping our people alive. Defund the police. https://t.co/Wsxp1Y1bBi — Cori Bush (@CoriBush) December 2, 2020
"We lose people in the hands of police. It’s not a slogan but a policy demand," Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., tweeted in response to the president's comments.
"We didn’t lose Breonna (Taylor) because of a slogan. Instead of conceding this narrative, let’s shape our own," responded Charles Booker, a progressive candidate who ran unsuccessfully for the Kentucky Democratic nomination for Senate.
Democratic Whip James Clyburn: 'Defund the police' cost Democrats seats, hurt Black Lives Matter movement
Obama said in the interview his critique is largely rhetorical, not substantive, telling Snapchat that discussing actions rather than phrases will garner a larger, more sympathetic audience to progressive ideas.
"The key is deciding, do you want to actually get something done or do you want to feel good among the people you already agree with?" he stressed.
Obama was also critical of using phrases like "socialism," saying that "nobody really cares about the label."
Reform efforts: Pilot program will replace NYPD for mental health 911 calls in 2 neighborhoods
“Socialism is still a loaded term for a lot of folks. Once again, instead of talking labels and ideology, we should focus on talking about getting certain things done," Obama argued.
The former president was supportive of many of the young progressives in the party, saying that "promoting young people is really important" and lamented the party's tendency to "stick so long with the same old folks" and not make enough room for new voices.
Figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., also speak "to a broad section of young people who are interested in what she has to say, even if they don't agree with everything she says," Obama said.
Analysis: Louisville police's 'no-knock' warrants most often targeted Black residents
Obama connected his criticisms to his own time as an activist "who used to be the young, shiny cool guy but now is the gray-haired old grizzled vet.”
During the 2020 campaign and in interviews to discuss his memoir, "A Promised Land," Obama has focused heavily on urging young people to get involved in pushing for change.
Transition 2020: Biden names top White House and cabinet positions
"My ideal reader is some 25-year-old kid who is starting to be curious about the world and wants to do something that has some meaning," Obama told the Atlantic in November.
Youth enthusiasm for Obama is widely cited as an integral part of his electoral success. Snapchat, which has a younger audience than social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, is a platform in line with his expressed interest in again connecting with the country's next generation.
"If you want to get something done in a democracy, in a country as big and diverse as ours, then you've got to be able to meet people where they are," Obama said on Snapchat. "And play a game of addition and not subtraction."


usatoday--2020-12-03--Christmas tree lighting: Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie say traditions are needed 'more than ever'

The holidays , like everything else in 2020 , are n't what we 'd normally expect , thanks to the coronavirus pandemic .
But NBC 's `` Today '' show co-anchors Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie are not letting that dampen their spirit .
Last week , Kotb and Guthrie hosted the Macy 's Thanksgiving Day Parade without spectators , and Wednesday night , NBC 's annual “ Christmas in Rockefeller Center , '' featuring the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting , which took priority over a rescheduled NFL game .
It airs live ( 8 EST/delayed PST ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes – At Home Holiday Special '' ( 10 EST/PST ) .
USA TODAY chatted with Kotb and Guthrie about the holiday season and how the pandemic has altered their professional and personal plans .
( This interview has been edited for clarity and length . )
Will the magical feeling of being at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting translate through a screen without a live audience ?
Hoda Kotb : Very few people get to know what it feels like to look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think watching it through the screen is magical .
Savannah Guthrie : If you 're home , you put it on , the music is great , you can be decorating your tree , you 're wrapping presents .
Honestly , we might notice because we 're used to seeing the crowds , but for folks at home , you 're not going to notice that much difference .
There were a lot of jokes about the tree when it arrived .
Do you think it will be at its full majesty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She looked shabby when she first came , I 've got to admit .
In the beginning she looked like what 2020 was .
[ But ] I just looked out the window today at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree .
She looked pretty , she looked full .
Her hair was voluminous .
She looked good — looked like she had a little Pantene shine going .
I think people are going to be really impressed .
Can holiday spirit and the tree lighting resonate more in a year like this ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are feeling separate .
They 're feeling apart from the people they love the most .
When we turn the lights on here [ at the tree ] , New York lights up and we hope it lights up a lot of people that they feel that warm glow from this tree .
We hope to give folks at home a feeling of normalcy .
We 're still here .
The tree is still here .
Guthrie : We 're going to all be working harder to make those family connections , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appreciate it more .
I hope everybody will still have a beautiful meaningful Christmas .
And I hope a big part of that , for all of us that are able , is to reach out and give to others .
How did the Thanksgiving parade go , without an audience and in the rain ?
Kotb : It was one of our favorites yet .
and I do n't know why it was maybe because I think we maybe all needed it more than ever this year.We were desperate for something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be , and this parade provided it .
It was n't like all the others but man , it was awesome .
Guthrie : There was just this palpable feeling that people wanted it and needed it and were so grateful for it .
Was the energy different without the crowd ?
Kotb : Massive crowds are amazing and you feel the juice , but I felt something in this year that was different and unique and special .
It was n't a loud roar of the crowd but you felt the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The only big difference I noticed was after there was a live performance , you did n't get the applause and so we missed that .
We love to wave to people in the stands , but honestly there was a lot of energy .
How are you feeling at 'Today ' ?
Are you used to this kind of new normal ?
Kotb : When we first sat six feet apart Savannah and I ... we were like 'where the hell are you ? '
But now , when we look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am like , 'Were you sitting on my lap ? '
Guthrie : We 're used to it now , and I think viewers are used to seeing it .
I 'm looking forward to that day [ when we can stop distancing ] .
How are the holidays looking for your families this year ?
Kotb : Every year , my mom and my sister come for Christmas ... [ but ] it 's not looking great .
I think we are going to say , `` 2020 , it 's been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our next holiday season .
But it 'll be me and Joel ( Schiffman ) and the girls .
We 're getting our Christmas tree this weekend .
Guthrie : It 's going to be hard , because we 're not going to be with family the way we normally would be .
It 's been a long time since we 've seen my mom .
She lives in Arizona and we miss her so much .
I think I had my heart set on us being together for Christmas but she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really ca n't take a chance , so it 'll be harder .
I just sent my mom some ornaments for her tree that have my kids ' pictures on them .
And we just decorated our tree yesterday .
I put on the Christmas music , I let the kids have hot chocolate , we broke a couple ornaments — we 're trying to make the most of it .
Hoda Kotb 's second quote book : 'This Just Speaks to Me , ' gives solace in the time of COVID-19

Christmas tree lighting: Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie say traditions are needed 'more than ever'
The holidays, like everything else in 2020, aren't what we'd normally expect, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. But NBC's "Today" show co-anchors Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie are not letting that dampen their spirit.
Last week, Kotb and Guthrie hosted the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade without spectators, and Wednesday night, NBC's annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center," featuring the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, which took priority over a rescheduled NFL game. It airs live (8 EST/delayed PST). Immediately afterward, they will host the "Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes – At Home Holiday Special" (10 EST/PST).
USA TODAY chatted with Kotb and Guthrie about the holiday season and how the pandemic has altered their professional and personal plans. (This interview has been edited for clarity and length.)
Will the magical feeling of being at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting translate through a screen without a live audience?
Hoda Kotb: Very few people get to know what it feels like to look at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree up close. I think watching it through the screen is magical.
Savannah Guthrie: If you're home, you put it on, the music is great, you can be decorating your tree, you're wrapping presents. Honestly, we might notice because we're used to seeing the crowds, but for folks at home, you're not going to notice that much difference.
There were a lot of jokes about the tree when it arrived. Do you think it will be at its full majesty when it's lit?
Kotb: She looked shabby when she first came, I've got to admit. In the beginning she looked like what 2020 was. [But] I just looked out the window today at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. She looked pretty, she looked full. Her hair was voluminous. She looked good — looked like she had a little Pantene shine going. I think people are going to be really impressed.
Can holiday spirit and the tree lighting resonate more in a year like this?
Kotb: I think so; people are feeling separate. They're feeling apart from the people they love the most. When we turn the lights on here [at the tree], New York lights up and we hope it lights up a lot of people that they feel that warm glow from this tree. We hope to give folks at home a feeling of normalcy. We're still here. The tree is still here.
Guthrie: We're going to all be working harder to make those family connections, and when you work hard at something you appreciate it more. I hope everybody will still have a beautiful meaningful Christmas. And I hope a big part of that, for all of us that are able, is to reach out and give to others.
How did the Thanksgiving parade go, without an audience and in the rain?
Kotb: It was one of our favorites yet. and I don't know why it was maybe because I think we maybe all needed it more than ever this year. We were desperate for something that reminded us of the way it used to be, and this parade provided it. It wasn't like all the others but man, it was awesome.
Guthrie: There was just this palpable feeling that people wanted it and needed it and were so grateful for it.
Was the energy different without the crowd?
Kotb: Massive crowds are amazing and you feel the juice, but I felt something in this year that was different and unique and special. It wasn't a loud roar of the crowd but you felt the heartbeat of a city.
Guthrie: The only big difference I noticed was after there was a live performance, you didn't get the applause and so we missed that. We love to wave to people in the stands, but honestly there was a lot of energy.
How are you feeling at 'Today'? Are you used to this kind of new normal?
Kotb: When we first sat six feet apart Savannah and I... we were like 'where the hell are you?' But now, when we look at old videos of the show, I am like, 'Were you sitting on my lap?'
Guthrie: We're used to it now, and I think viewers are used to seeing it. I'm looking forward to that day [when we can stop distancing].
How are the holidays looking for your families this year?
Kotb: Every year, my mom and my sister come for Christmas... [but] it's not looking great. I think we are going to say, "2020, it's been nice knowing you" ... and plan for our next holiday season. But it'll be me and Joel (Schiffman) and the girls. We're getting our Christmas tree this weekend.
Guthrie: It's going to be hard, because we're not going to be with family the way we normally would be. It's been a long time since we've seen my mom. She lives in Arizona and we miss her so much. I think I had my heart set on us being together for Christmas but she's in that risk group that we really can't take a chance, so it'll be harder.
I just sent my mom some ornaments for her tree that have my kids' pictures on them. And we just decorated our tree yesterday. I put on the Christmas music, I let the kids have hot chocolate, we broke a couple ornaments — we're trying to make the most of it.
Hoda Kotb's second quote book: 'This Just Speaks to Me,' gives solace in the time of COVID-19
Savannah Guthrie, George Stephanopoulos: Draw praise, hate after Trump-Biden town halls


usatoday--2020-12-02--Mystery space object flying near Earth discovered to be a 1960's NASA rocket booster

Mystery space object flying near Earth discovered to be a 1960 's NASA rocket booster Earth captured the old rocket @ @ @ @ @ the sun and will keep it as a temporary satellite until March 2021 .

Space object near Earth confirmed to be a 1960's NASA rocket booster
Earth captured the old rocket booster in its orbit around the sun and will keep it as a temporary satellite until March 2021.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-02--Christmas gifts for the moms in your life

Christmas gifts for the moms in your life Here are some gift ideas for mom this holiday season .

Christmas gift guide: mom
Here are some gift ideas for mom this holiday season.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-03--Live politics updates: Pence heads to Tennessee to talk COVID vaccine, 3 ex-presidents say they'll t

Live politics updates: Pence heads to Tennessee to talk COVID vaccine, 3 ex-presidents say they'll take it

USA TODAY 's coverage of the 2020 election and President-elect Joe Biden 's transition continues this week as he rolls out his picks for top jobs in his administration and states continue to certify their vote counts .
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 .
Rep. Mo Brooks , R-Ala. , will challenge the official Electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s victory on Jan. 6 .
The representative told reporters Wednesday he would challenge the results if a senator joined him in the effort .
Politico originally reported that Brooks had discussed challenging the results with close allies .
Brooks then confirmed the reporting on Twitter .
“ In my judgment , if only lawful votes by eligible American citizens were cast , Donald Trump won the Electoral College by a significant margin , and Congress ’ s certification should reflect that , ” Brooks told Politico .
“ This election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary voter fraud and election theft measures.
” Brooks said he ’ s had “ indirect ” communications with senators about a potential Electoral College challenge but none have yet expressed interest in the effort .
There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud akin to what Brooks claims .
President Donald Trump has made repeated baseless accusations of voter fraud about the election .
Attorneys affiliated with the Trump campaign continue to file lawsuits challenging the legitimacy of the election , though courts have rejected most efforts .
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as she prepares to take office Jan. 20 .
Her announcement followed President-elect Joe Biden naming his top White House staffers , along with members of his foreign-policy and economics teams .
The Harris officials are : • Tina Flournoy , who currently serves as chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton , will become chief of staff for Harris .
She previously served as assistant to the president for public policy at the American Federation of Teachers .
She earlier worked for Democratic campaigns , after graduating from Georgetown University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who currently serves as senior advisor to Harris on the transition , will become Harris ' domestic policy adviser .
She previously served as a resident fellow at the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University .
She was earlier chief of staff in Harris ’ Senate office and worked for Sen. Michael Bennet , D-Colo. She graduated from the University of Michigan and George Washington University .
• Nancy McEldowney , who served for more than 30 years in the U.S. Foreign Service , will become Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria and as chargé d ’ affaires and deputy chief of mission in Turkey and Azerbaijan .
While working at the State Department , she served as director of the Foreign Service Institute and as interim president of the National Defense University .
Harris said Flournoy would bring deep experience and public policy experience to the job .
Harris called Kosoglu one of closest and most trusted aides from the Senate and campaign .
And Harris said McEldowney will be invaluable in keeping Americans safe and advancing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Mike Pence heads to Memphis , Tennessee , on Thursday to hold a roundtable discussion on distributing a COVID-19 vaccine , as case numbers in the U.S. reach new highs .
The U.S. reached two grim daily milestones Wednesday , surpassing 3,000 coronavirus deaths and 100,000 hospitalizationsfor the first time .
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield said the U.S. could see 450,000 deaths by February .
More than 273,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorized in the U.S. , officials are preparing for mass distribution of doses .
Operation Warp Speed , the White House-led initiative to develop and distribute vaccines , plans to begin the first vaccine deliveries within 24 hours of FDA authorization .
Obama , Clinton and Bush say they 'd take COVID vaccine on camera Former Presidents Barack Obama , George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have said they are willing to take a coronavirus vaccine to prove that the treatment is safe and effective .
They may even film themselves getting injected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the American public have expressed concerns about taking a potential coronavirus vaccine , despite early results from several vaccine trials showing them to be highly effective at stopping COVID-19 .
`` I promise you that when it 's been made for people who are less at risk , I will be taking it , '' Obama said on an episode of SiriusXM 's `` The Joe Madison Show '' that airs Thursday .
Some audio of Obama 's comments were released Wednesday on YouTube .
`` I may end up taking it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just so that people know that I trust this science , '' Obama continued .
“ What I don ’ t trust is getting COVID.
” Staffers of Bush and Clinton confirmed that the ex-presidents are willing to take a coronavirus vaccine in some public manner , as well , according to CNN .

Live politics updates: Biden says he will ask Americans to wear masks for first 100 days
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 stimulus: Biden unveils new economic team Biden said "help is on the way" and called on Congress to pass a "robust" COVID-19 relief package while unveiling his administration's economic team. Associated Press, USA TODAY
USA TODAY's coverage of the 2020 election and President-elect Joe Biden's transition continues this week as he rolls out his picks for top jobs in his administration and states continue to certify their vote counts.
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.
During an interview on CNN, President-elect Joe Biden said it was not important in a “personal sense” whether President Donald Trump, who has yet to concede the election, attends his inauguration, but he should for the country.
“I think it is important only in one sense, not in a personal sense, but important in the sense that we are able to demonstrate, at the end of this chaos that he’s created, that there is peaceful transfer of power, with the competing parties standing there, shaking hands, and moving on,” Biden stated.
He continued that he worries about the image that is being projected onto the rest of the world saying, “they’re wondering, ‘my Lord, these things happen in tinhorn dictatorships. This is not the United States.’”
“It’s totally his decision, and it’s of no personal consequence to me,” Biden reiterated. “But, it is to the country.”
Biden also stated that despite Trump not publicly conceding, and continuing to wage largely meritless lawsuits to try and overthrow the results of the election, Republican Senators have been calling to congratulate him privately.
"There have been more than several sitting Republican senators who have privately called me to congratulate me. And I understand the situation they find themselves in. Until the election is clearly decided... with the electoral college votes, they're in a very tough position," Biden said.
— Savannah Behrmann
President-elect Joe Biden elaborated Thursday on his plan to ask all Americans to wear masks during the first 100 days of his administration.
During an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Biden said, “Just 100 days to mask, not forever. And I think we'll see a significant reduction.”
President-elect Biden tells Jake Tapper he will ask all Americans to wear masks for the first 100 days after he takes office: "I think we'll see a significant reduction ... to drive down the numbers considerably" https://t.co/lQkT0HPc5h pic.twitter.com/PxIGzPjxP7 — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) December 3, 2020
Biden said that where he has authority, he will issue an order mandating that masks be worn in places like federal buildings, airplanes, and interstate transportation like buses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that wearing a mask protects not only the person covering their face but also protects those around them from transmitting COVID-19.
Biden and President Donald Trump have taken drastically different approaches to the coronavirus, including wearing masks, and the rhetoric around face coverings.
Trump has fought many of the coronavirus recommendations laid out by health experts his own administration, which includes mask-wearing. Biden has strictly followed COVID-19 guidelines throughout the duration of his campaign and often called on citizens to wear face coverings.
— Savannah Behrmann
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has raised $207.5 million since the Nov. 3 election as he leveled a series of evidence-free claims of voting irregularities while simultaneously embarking on a fundraising blitz to drum up cash from supporters.
The money, partially steered toward a new political action committee that will allow him to spend on other Republican candidates, not only demonstrates a continued deep well of support among the GOP, but also underscores t the president will have the ability to remain an influential force outside of the White House.
Speculation has swirled for months about Trump's potential next steps – and that has included reports that he may launch a television network or continue to headline rallies. Several aides have openly speculated that Trump may run again in 2024, and the president himself recently hinted at the idea.
“We are trying to do another four years. Otherwise, I'll see you in four years,” Trump told supporters gathered at the White House this week for a Christmas party – remarks caught on video and shared on social media.
The numbers, provided by the campaign and not verified by USA TODAY, come with caveats. The fine print in some of Trump’s fundraising solicitations after the election noted a portion of donations would be used to pay down debt. The extent of that debt – which could affect how much political cash Trump will have at his disposal – won’t be clear until reports are officially filed with the Federal Election Commission later Thursday.
What is clear: The Trump campaign sent a barrage of fundraising requests after President-elect Joe Biden won the election, and those requests echoed many of the false or unverified claims of voter fraud that Trump and his allies have leveled from the White House. The requests asked for contributions to defray legal costs.
While the legal fight has so far faltered and six battleground states that decided the election have already certified their results – and Biden’s win – the fundraising has continued at full tilt. That has happened even as several institutional GOP donors told USA TODAY last month they are taking their money elsewhere: Namely, two runoff elections in Georgia that will decide which party controls the Senate next year.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany dismissed reports this week about whether the president is considering another run for president in four years.
“I've not heard any discussions of that. I'm aware of the reporting, but the president's campaign is currently pursuing active litigation, and that is the focus, at least at the moment,” she told reporters on Wednesday.
The fundraising total provided by the campaign included amounts raised by Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., the Republican National Committee, Trump Victory and the Trump Make America Great Again Committee, as well as the president’s new PAC, Save America.
Bill Stepien, Trump 2020 campaign manager, said the fundraising “positions” the president to “continue leading the fight” to “clean up” what he described as a corrupt elections process. Neither Trump nor the campaign have provided evidence of corruption, and several courts – including one scathing opinion crafted by a Trump-appointed judge – have dismissed the claims.
– John Fritze and David Jackson
House Democrats on Thursday elected a new head of their campaign arm after disappointing losses this cycle that led to about a dozen Democrats incumbents losing and a slimmed down majority.
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., was elected in a close 119-107 vote against Rep. Tony Cárdenas to chair the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, promising to move the party forward and being open to working with the best talent, even consulting groups that previously challenged incumbents.
The caucus also elected an array of new leaders to head House committees, including Rep. Gregory Meeks to head the House Foreign Affairs Committee after Chairman Eliot Engel was defeated earlier this year in the primaries, Rep. Rosa DeLauro to chair the House Appropriations Committee as the current Chairwoman Nita Lowey is retiring, and Rep. David Scott to lead the House Agriculture Committee after Chairman Collin Peterson was defeated on Election Day.
– Christal Hayes
White House communications director Alyssa Farah announced Thursday she is resigning after a three-and-a-half year stint serving the Trump administration in roles spanning the West Wing and Pentagon.
Farah, 31, described it as an "honor of a lifetime" to serve the Trump administration, first as Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary and later as the Department of Defense spokeswoman before she returned to the White House as communications director in April.
"I am deeply proud of the incredible things we were able to accomplish to make our country stronger, safer, and more secure," she said in a statement. "Under this Administration, the ISIS caliphate was destroyed, American hostages were returned home, NATO is stronger than ever, we’ve brokered historic Middle East peace deals, and I was on the ground in Kabul for the announcement of a historic peace deal between the Afghan Government and the Taliban aimed at ending America’s longest war."
The announcement signals White House aides are looking ahead to life after Jan. 20, when President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn into office, even as President Donald Trump continues to level unfounded claims of voter fraud in an effort to overturn the election results. Her resignation comes a month after the Nov. 3 election.
Farah's return to the West Wing aligned with the arrival of Mark Meadows as Trump's chief of staff. Farah served as Meadows' communications director while he was a congressman and later as a spokeswoman for the House Freedom Caucus, which Meadows helped found.
"I’m forever grateful to have had the opportunity to serve my country," she said in her statement.
– David Jackson and Courtney Subramanian
President-elect Joe Biden announced Thursday that Brian Deese, an economist and climate expert, will serve as his director of the National Economic Council.
Deese is a former deputy director of the council, a deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget and a senior adviser to former President Barack Obama. Deese played a leading role in the U.S. auto bailout a decade ago and in negotiating the Paris climate accord when Biden was vice president, according to the transition.
Biden said in a statement that Deese is “among the most tested and accomplished public servants in the country.”
Before joining the Obama administration, Deese was global head of sustainable investing at BlackRock, an investment management firm, where the transition said he worked on strategies to focus on climate and to accelerate to transition to low-carbon emissions. Deese got a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and a law degree from Yale Law School.
– Bart Jansen
President Donald Trump offered a vague answer Thursday about whether he still has confidence in Attorney General William Barr, who on Tuesday said the Justice Department has not found evidence of voter fraud to overturn Trump's election loss.
Asked if he still has confidence in Barr, Trump told reporters at the White House: "Ask me that in a number of weeks from now."
Trump is scheduled to leave office on Jan. 20, just 48 days from now.
Trump also said Barr "hasn’t done anything yet," and that his department "should be looking at all of this fraud" – even though judges and election officials across the country, from both parties, have ruled that the election was conducted fairly and openly.
The Justice Department declined to comment on Trump's remarks.
Trump's comments on Barr come after the attorney general declared there was no widespread evidence of voter fraud so far in the 2020 presidential election, contrary to assertions by Trump and his legal team. Barr has also resisted Trump's public pressure to prosecute President-elect Joe Biden and other former Obama administration officials on baseless claims of corruption and the surveillance of the 2016 race.
Trump again complained about the election during a brief Q-and-A session with reporters after he awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to retired football coach – and political supporter – Lou Holtz.
"One of the greatest coaches in American history," Trump said of Holtz, a consistent winner at Notre Dame and other schools, including William & Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, and South Carolina.
Holtz, who endorsed Trump during the campaign and gave an anti-Biden speech at the virtual Republican convention, reciprocated by calling Trump the "greatest president in my lifetime."
At least 30 people attended the ceremony in the Oval Office. Most did not wear masks, despite recent outbreaks of COVID-19 within the West Wing.
– David Jackson and Kevin Johnson
Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., will challenge the official Electoral College votes when Congress certifies President-elect Joe Biden’s victory on Jan. 6. The representative told reporters Wednesday he would challenge the results if a senator joined him in the effort.
Politico originally reported that Brooks had discussed challenging the results with close allies. Brooks then confirmed the reporting on Twitter.
“In my judgment, if only lawful votes by eligible American citizens were cast, Donald Trump won the Electoral College by a significant margin, and Congress’s certification should reflect that,” Brooks told Politico. “This election was stolen by the socialists engaging in extraordinary voter fraud and election theft measures.”
Brooks said he’s had “indirect” communications with senators about a potential Electoral College challenge but none have yet expressed interest in the effort.
There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud akin to what Brooks claims. President Donald Trump has made repeated baseless accusations of voter fraud about the election. Attorneys affiliated with the Trump campaign continue to file lawsuits challenging the legitimacy of the election, though courts have rejected most efforts.
– Matthew Brown
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris named three of her top staffers Thursday, as she prepares to take office Jan. 20.
Her announcement followed President-elect Joe Biden naming his top White House staffers, along with members of his foreign-policy and economics teams. The Harris officials are:
Tina Flournoy, who currently serves as chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton, will become chief of staff for Harris. She previously served as assistant to the president for public policy at the American Federation of Teachers. She earlier worked for Democratic campaigns, after graduating from Georgetown University Law Center.
Rohini Kosoglu, who currently serves as senior advisor to Harris on the transition, will become Harris' domestic policy adviser. She previously served as a resident fellow at the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She was earlier chief of staff in Harris’ Senate office and worked for Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. She graduated from the University of Michigan and George Washington University.
Nancy McEldowney, who served for more than 30 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, will become Harris' national security adviser. She has served as U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria and as chargé d’affaires and deputy chief of mission in Turkey and Azerbaijan. While working at the State Department, she served as director of the Foreign Service Institute and as interim president of the National Defense University.
Harris said Flournoy would bring deep experience and public policy experience to the job. Harris called Kosoglu one of closest and most trusted aides from the Senate and campaign. And Harris said McEldowney will be invaluable in keeping Americans safe and advancing the country’s interests abroad.
– Bart Jansen
Vice President Mike Pence heads to Memphis, Tennessee, on Thursday to hold a roundtable discussion on distributing a COVID-19 vaccine, as case numbers in the U.S. reach new highs.
The U.S. reached two grim daily milestones Wednesday, surpassing 3,000 coronavirus deaths and 100,000 hospitalizationsfor the first time. Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield said the U.S. could see 450,000 deaths by February. More than 273,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University data.
Though a vaccine has not yet been authorized in the U.S., officials are preparing for mass distribution of doses. Operation Warp Speed, the White House-led initiative to develop and distribute vaccines, plans to begin the first vaccine deliveries within 24 hours of FDA authorization.
– Sean Rossman, John Bacon, Adrianna Rodriguez and Grace Hauck
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have said they are willing to take a coronavirus vaccine to prove that the treatment is safe and effective. They may even film themselves getting injected.
The announcement comes as large swaths of the American public have expressed concerns about taking a potential coronavirus vaccine, despite early results from several vaccine trials showing them to be highly effective at stopping COVID-19.
"I promise you that when it's been made for people who are less at risk, I will be taking it," Obama said on an episode of SiriusXM's "The Joe Madison Show" that airs Thursday. Some audio of Obama's comments were released Wednesday on YouTube.
"I may end up taking it on TV or having it filmed, just so that people know that I trust this science," Obama continued. “What I don’t trust is getting COVID.”
Staffers of Bush and Clinton confirmed that the ex-presidents are willing to take a coronavirus vaccine in some public manner, as well, according to CNN.
– Matthew Brown


usatoday--2020-12-03--Monolith discovered in California, similar to metal structure found in Utah

Another monolith has been spotted – this time in Southern California , and it appears similar to the one discovered in the Utah desert .
It ’ s unclear who placed the monolith on a hiking trail in Atascadero , KEYT-TV and The Atascadero News reported Wednesday .
The tall , silver structure drew some hikers to the area after photos were posted on social media .
Connor Allen , news correspondent for the Paso Robles Press and Atascadero News , shared photos of the structure , adding it was located `` at the top of Pine Mountain in Atascadero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that unlike the Utah monolith , the `` Atascadero obelisk was not attached to the ground , and could be knocked over with a firm push . ''
At least two other monoliths have been spotted elsewhere .
A similar structure that officials said was made of riveted plates of stainless steel was reportedly toppled in Utah by a group of people who said “ leave no trace . ''
In Romania , a journalist with a local publication reported a monolith also disappeared shortly after being found on a hill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed without permission , as well .
Two adventure sportsmen , Utah residents Andy Lewis and Sylvan Christensen , stepped forward to say they were part of the team who removed the Utah monolith .
They posted a 23-second video showing the monolith , once embedded into the rock , being dismantled , loaded onto a wheel barrow and carried away at night .
The structure had been placed without permission on public land .
Visitors left behind a mess of human waste and debris , parking cars on vegetation as well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had fallen over and made a loud thud , one of them said , ‘ This is why you don ’ t leave trash in the desert , ’ ” Colorado photographer Ross Bernards wrote in an Instagram post .
'If you think we ’ re proud , we ’ re not ' : Meet the outdoor sportsmen who say they removed the Utah monolith More : Photographers captured removal of the mysterious Utah monolith .
Here 's why it vanished .

Monolith in California, similar to structure found in Utah, removed, replaced with cross
Show Caption Hide Caption Monolith found in California after Utah one disappears At least three monoliths have been spotted in recent weeks. USA TODAY
Another monolith, similar to the one discovered in the Utah desert, has appeared and vanished – this time in Southern California.
It’s unclear who placed the monolith on a hiking trail in Atascadero, KEYT-TV and The Atascadero News reported Wednesday. The tall, silver structure drew some hikers to the area after photos were posted on social media.
Connor Allen, news correspondent for the Paso Robles Press and Atascadero News, shared photos of the structure, adding it was located "at the top of Pine Mountain in Atascadero!!"
The Atascadero News also reported that unlike the Utah monolith, the "Atascadero obelisk was not attached to the ground, and could be knocked over with a firm push."
And, like other monoliths before it, the California structure vanished as strangely as it appeared. According to a press release from the city of Atascadero, the 10-foot-tall monolith, which weighed an estimated 200 pounds, disappeared early Thursday morning. Video on social media shows a group of men removing the monolith and replacing it with a plywood cross, the release adds.
🚨 🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 🚨
There is currently a monolith at the top of Pine Mountain in Atascadero!!
(Photos by @Atownreporter) pic.twitter.com/0vPhEWYkeY — Connor Allen (@ConnorCAllen) December 2, 2020
"We are upset that these young men felt the need to drive 5 hours to come into our community and vandalize the Monolith," Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno said in a statement. "The Monolith was something unique and fun in an otherwise stressful time."
The city encourages anyone with information about the monolith to contact the Atascadero Police Department, which is looking into the incident.
At least two other monoliths have been spotted elsewhere. A similar structure that officials said was made of riveted plates of stainless steel was reportedly toppled in Utah by a group of people who said “leave no trace."
In Romania, a journalist with a local publication reported a monolith also disappeared shortly after being found on a hill. A local official said that structure was placed without permission, as well.
Monolith structure found in Utah vanishes A three-sided metal column discovered embedded in Utah's remote Red Rock Country has reportedly vanished without a trace. Associated Press, USA TODAY
Two adventure sportsmen, Utah residents Andy Lewis and Sylvan Christensen, stepped forward to say they were part of the team who removed the Utah monolith. They posted a 23-second video showing the monolith, once embedded into the rock, being dismantled, loaded onto a wheel barrow and carried away at night.
The structure had been placed without permission on public land. Visitors left behind a mess of human waste and debris and parked cars on vegetation as well, officials said.
“Right after it had fallen over and made a loud thud, one of them said, ‘This is why you don’t leave trash in the desert,’” Colorado photographer Ross Bernards wrote in an Instagram post.
Contributing: Bryan Alexander, Charles Trepany USA TODAY; The Associated Press
'If you think we’re proud, we’re not': Meet the outdoor sportsmen who say they removed the Utah monolith
More: Photographers captured removal of the mysterious Utah monolith. Here's why it vanished.


usatoday--2020-12-03--Cris Collinsworth apologizes for comment about being 'blown away' by female fans' NFL knowledge

It 's been an eventful year behind the microphone for Cris Collinsworth .
Earlier this season , he and `` Sunday Night Football '' broadcast partner Al Michaels caught flak for making jokes about being required to wear masks throughout their call at Levi Stadium , home of the San Francisco 49ers , at the request of local health officials .
With Michaels off this week , replaced by Mike Tirico , Collinsworth found himself in hot water once again .
During the second quarter of the broadcast of Wednesday 's Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers game , Collinsworth said in reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fan .
In particular , the ladies that I met .
They have really specific questions about the game , and I 'm like , 'Wow , ' you ’ re just blown away by how strong the fans are here in this town . ''
'IS N'T JUST ABOUT FOOTBALL ' : Ravens ' saga is reminder of human element in NFL 's COVID-19 era The backlash online was swift , prompting Collinsworth to issue an apology statement posted on Twitter .
`` Today on our broadcast I made reference to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who so impressed me with their football knowledge that I wanted to tell their story on the air , '' Collinsworth wrote .
`` I know the way I phrased it insulted many .
I 'm so sorry .
What I intended as a compliment to the fans of Pittsburgh , became an insult .
`` I 'm sick about insulting any fan , but especially female fans and journalists .
I know first hand how much harder they have to work than any of us in this industry .
I was wrong @ @ @ @ @

Cris Collinsworth apologizes for comment about being 'blown away' by female fans' NFL knowledge
Show Caption Hide Caption Lorenzo's Locks: Three best bets to consider for NFL Week 13 SportsPulse: Week 12 was a nightmare for bettors. Lorenzo Reyes is here to provide an oasis and the three best bets for Week 13 in the NFL. USA TODAY
It's been an eventful year behind the microphone for Cris Collinsworth.
Earlier this season, he and "Sunday Night Football" broadcast partner Al Michaels caught flak for making jokes about being required to wear masks throughout their call at Levi's Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, at the request of local health officials.
With Michaels off this week, replaced by Mike Tirico, Collinsworth found himself in hot water once again.
During the second quarter of the broadcast of Wednesday's Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers game, Collinsworth said in reference to Pittsburgh, "Everybody's a fan. In particular, the ladies that I met. They have really specific questions about the game, and I'm like, 'Wow,' you’re just blown away by how strong the fans are here in this town."
NO 'THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL': Here's why.
'ISN'T JUST ABOUT FOOTBALL': Ravens' saga is reminder of human element in NFL's COVID-19 era
Also Chris Collinsworth was blown away that the women in Pittsburgh had really specific questions about football pic.twitter.com/eskujaRsKn — gifdsports (@gifdsports) December 3, 2020
The backlash online was swift, prompting Collinsworth to issue an apology statement posted on Twitter.
"Today on our broadcast I made reference to a couple of women I met in Pittsburgh who so impressed me with their football knowledge that I wanted to tell their story on the air," Collinsworth wrote. "I know the way I phrased it insulted many. I'm so sorry. What I intended as a compliment to the fans of Pittsburgh, became an insult.
"I'm sick about insulting any fan, but especially female fans and journalists. I know first hand how much harder they have to work than any of us in this industry. I was wrong and deeply apologize."
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.


usatoday--2020-12-03--US Health and Human Services unveils action plan to address 'maternal morbidity,' reduce racial disp

After an emergency cesarean section in February 2018 , the Texas mom was in so much pain she couldn ’ t walk .
She told doctors she wasn ’ t feeling well .
Still , hospital staff sent her home .
In the following days , she only felt worse .
Her heart rate rose , she nursed a fever and her stomach swelled , turning red .
A week after the C-section , Moseley noticed a black blister on her stomach .
The 40-year-old IT professional wound up in the ICU .
Her kidneys were failing .
She had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection at the incision site .
Moseley is one of about 25,000 women nationwide who develop severe complications during pregnancy each year , according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
Approximately 700 die from those complications .
Women of color are most at risk .
“ I didn ’ t know that Black women were dying at the rate they were dying at — until it was almost me , ” Moseley said .
Black women like Moseley die at three times the rate of white women from pregnancy-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention .
In light of those troubling statistics , the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday morning an action plan to improve maternal health .
The road map outlines three targets to achieve in the next five years : reduce the maternal mortality rate by 50 % ; reduce the low-risk C-section delivery rate by 25 % and control blood pressure in 80 % of reproductive aged-women .
The department announced various objectives for a `` life course approach '' toward improving women 's health pre-pregnancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We really need to create health along the life course .
You ’ re not going to magically make someone healthy when they find out they have a positive pregnancy test , '' said Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams , who released an accompanying call to action .
`` We want to make sure people are healthy before they become pregnant , while they ’ re pregnant and after they deliver . ''
The coronavirus has magnified the disparities and health inequities that put moms of color at risk for pregnancy-related complications .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their stories show the dangers of being Black and pregnant “ It is incredibly important because we know that many women have foregone prenatal care out of fear of COVID , ” said Adams .
“ We were facing what I consider an epidemic of maternal morbidity and mortality prior to COVID-19 .
But … there is a very real chance that these numbers are actually going to get worse because of COVID-19.
” This issue is personal to Adams , whose wife had several high-risk pregnancies and three C-sections .
His sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of St. Mary ’ s County in Maryland , also is undergoing a high-risk pregnancy .
“ So , I very much understand the importance of having someone who can advocate on your behalf and having high-quality health care , ” he said .
HHS cites a four-tiered approach to achieving its goal of reducing maternal morbidity and mortality , one of which is to improve data and bolster research on the issue .
The department plans to allocate $ 3 million toward projects related to maternal health data collection and better connect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System and state hospital discharge data .
`` It really does start with the data , and that data should inform our interventions and our policies so that we can truly give moms the best chance , '' Adams said .
The plan also aims to `` advance a nationwide paid family leave plan '' so mothers can focus on their health and children , and a public-private partnership with the March of Dimes to implement evidence-based maternal health strategies in hospitals that serve mostly Black patients and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An HHS spokeswoman says the department hopes to improve care in at least 100 hospitals .
Maternal deaths and injuries : Top 10 takeaways from USA TODAY investigation of hospitals March of Dimes CEO Stacey Stewart said the program will implement strategies using patient safety toolkits developed by a national data-based initiative on maternal health improvement , the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health .
`` These are bundles of maternal safety supports that have been proven to work , '' Stewart said .
`` The issue is are they being implemented in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and can we enhance the ability for those hospitals to implement those practices ? ''
Stewart said along the way , she hopes the program also will help detect issues and barriers that individual hospitals have providing quality care to Black moms .
`` One of the things and the areas that we know it 's really impacted Black maternal health is the issue of implicit bias , '' Stewart said , adding that the March of Dimes has recently rolled out an implicit bias training program for health care providers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been at play in her hospital experience .
`` When I told my doctor , at the time of discharge and readmission , I was very clear and adamant about how I was feeling , '' she said .
`` And I was dismissed .
If they were listening to me , they could have responded faster . ''
The HHS plan also describes a Rural Obstetric Readiness program to begin in 2021 for rural Indian Health Services sites that lack labor and delivery services .
The CDC reports Native American women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnancy-related complications than white women .
Maternal health outcomes are impacted by race as well as geography .
HHS says fewer than half of women in rural parts of the U.S. are within 30 miles of a hospital Joy Anderson knows that struggle all too well .
Anderson is the executive director of the Healthy Start Program in Florida 's Gadsden County , the state 's only majority-Black county .
She often sees pregnant women with obesity and hypertension or diabetes , both of which plague the North Florida county , federally recognized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Gadsden County does n't have in-county prenatal care , '' Anderson explained .
`` There 's no full-time provider in Gadsden .
Most of the moms have to seek their services outside the county ... That would n't be such an issue if it were n't so transportation disadvantaged as well . ''
As a result , women can miss their out-of-county obstetric care appointments , which is often a `` day-long ordeal '' through Medicaid-offered transportation from rural Gadsden to Florida 's capital city some 30 miles east , Anderson explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
`` Having a maternity-care desert where we already have a predisposition to higher poor birth outcomes is a great challenge for us . ''
Looking back at her own postpartum complications , Moseley says if she had n't been her own advocate , she believes she may not have lived .
`` I lived to share this story , '' she said .
`` If I would n't have been taking selfies ... and I ( had n't ) discovered those blisters , I would have died .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke up and did n't get listened to , did n't get the attention that they need – they 're not here any more .
... We should n't have to die . ''
Reach Nada Hassanein at nhassanein @ gannett.com or on Twitter @ nhassanein_ .

US Health and Human Services unveils action plan to address 'maternal morbidity,' reduce racial disparities
Show Caption Hide Caption Maternal deaths on rise because hospitals and doctors ignore safety measures. High blood pressure took one mom's life. Excessive bleeding left another with a hysterectomy. Would long-known safety practices have saved both? Walbert Castillo, USA TODAY
Keelee Moseley knew something wasn’t right.
After an emergency cesarean section in February 2018, the Texas mom was in so much pain she couldn’t walk. She told doctors she wasn’t feeling well. Still, hospital staff sent her home.
In the following days, she only felt worse. Her heart rate rose, she nursed a fever and her stomach swelled, turning red.
A week after the C-section, Moseley noticed a black blister on her stomach. The 40-year-old IT professional wound up in the ICU. Her kidneys were failing. She had sepsis, and a flesh-eating, life-threatening infection at the incision site.
Moseley is one of about 25,000 women nationwide who develop severe complications during pregnancy each year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Approximately 700 die of those complications. Women of color are most at risk.
“I didn’t know that Black women were dying at the rate they were dying at – until it was almost me,” Moseley said.
Black women like Moseley die at three times the rate of white women from pregnancy-related causes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In light of those troubling statistics, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday morning an action plan to improve maternal health.
The road map outlines three targets to achieve in the next five years: reduce the maternal mortality rate by 50%; reduce the low-risk C-section delivery rate by 25% and control blood pressure in 80% of reproductive aged-women.
The department announced various objectives for a "life course approach" toward improving women's health pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy and postpartum.
"We really need to create health along the life course. You’re not going to magically make someone healthy when they find out they have a positive pregnancy test," said Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, who released an accompanying call to action. "We want to make sure people are healthy before they become pregnant, while they’re pregnant and after they deliver."
The coronavirus has magnified the disparities and health inequities that put moms of color at risk for pregnancy-related complications.
Without an 'ounce of empathy': Their stories show the dangers of being Black and pregnant
“It is incredibly important because we know that many women have foregone prenatal care out of fear of COVID,” Adams said. “We were facing what I consider an epidemic of maternal morbidity and mortality prior to COVID-19. But … there is a very real chance that these numbers are actually going to get worse because of COVID-19.”
This issue is personal to Adams, whose wife had several high-risk pregnancies and three C-sections. His sister, who lives in a rural area of St. Mary’s County in Maryland, also is undergoing a high-risk pregnancy.
“So, I very much understand the importance of having someone who can advocate on your behalf and having high-quality health care,” he said.
Interventions based on data
HHS cites a four-tiered approach to achieving its goal of reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, one of which is to improve data and bolster research on the issue. The department plans to allocate $3 million toward projects related to maternal health data collection and better connect the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System and state hospital discharge data.
"It really does start with the data, and that data should inform our interventions and our policies so that we can truly give moms the best chance," Adams said.
The plan also aims to "advance a nationwide paid family leave plan" so mothers can focus on their health and children, and a public-private partnership with the March of Dimes to implement evidence-based maternal health strategies in hospitals that serve mostly Black patients and provide obstetric care for Black moms. An HHS spokeswoman says the department hopes to improve care in at least 100 hospitals.
Maternal deaths and injuries: Top 10 takeaways from USA TODAY investigation of hospitals
March of Dimes CEO Stacey Stewart said the program will implement strategies using patient safety tool kits developed by a national data-based initiative on maternal health improvement, the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
"These are bundles of maternal safety supports that have been proven to work," Stewart said. "The issue is, are they being implemented in hospitals that are primarily serving Black mothers, and can we enhance the ability for those hospitals to implement those practices?"
Stewart said that along the way, she hopes the program also will help detect issues and barriers that individual hospitals have providing quality care to Black moms.
"One of the things and the areas that we know it's really impacted Black maternal health is the issue of implicit bias," Stewart said, adding that the March of Dimes has recently rolled out an implicit bias training program for health care providers.
Moseley says she thinks implicit bias may have been at play in her hospital experience.
"When I told my doctor, at the time of discharge and readmission, I was very clear and adamant about how I was feeling," she said. "And I was dismissed. If they were listening to me, they could have responded faster."
Focus on rural communities
The HHS plan also describes a Rural Obstetric Readiness program to begin in 2021 for rural Indian Health Services sites that lack labor and delivery services. The CDC reports Native American women are twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women.
Maternal health outcomes are impacted by race as well as geography. HHS says
fewer than half of women in rural parts of the U.S. are within 30 miles of a hospital
with obstetric services.
Joy Anderson knows that struggle all too well. Anderson is the executive director of the Healthy Start Program in Florida's Gadsden County, the state's only majority-Black county. She often sees pregnant women with obesity and hypertension or diabetes, both of which plague the North Florida county, federally recognized as a health professional shortage area.
"Gadsden County doesn't have in-county prenatal care," Anderson explained. "There's no full-time provider in Gadsden. Most of the moms have to seek their services outside the county ... That wouldn't be such an issue if it weren't so transportation disadvantaged as well."
As a result, women can miss their out-of-county obstetric care appointments, which is often a "daylong ordeal" through Medicaid-offered transportation from rural Gadsden to Florida's capital city some 30 miles east, Anderson explained.
"It is a maternity-care desert," she said. "Having a maternity-care desert where we already have a predisposition to higher poor birth outcomes is a great challenge for us."
Looking back at her own postpartum complications, Moseley says if she hadn't been her own advocate, she believes she may not have lived.
"I lived to share this story," she said. "If I wouldn't have been taking selfies ... and I (hadn't) discovered those blisters, I would have died. I think about all the women who spoke up and didn't get listened to, didn't get the attention that they need – they're not here any more. ... We shouldn't have to die."
Reach Nada Hassanein at nhassanein@gannett.com or on Twitter @nhassanein_.


usatoday--2020-12-03--'Simply unthinkable': Law officers call for halt to executions in Trump's final weeks

A coalition of 90 current and former law enforcement officials are calling on federal authorities to halt five executions scheduled during the final weeks of the Trump administration , claiming that the uncertain transition period and resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic risk undermining confidence in the criminal justice system .
“ When people believe the state is executing a person , or applying the death penalty unjustly ... their trust in our system of government and law enforcement is undermined , ” the officials stated in an open letter released by the group Fair and Just Prosecution .
This year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its use of the death penalty after a 17-year hiatus , executing more prisoners — eight — than any system in the country .
Two more are scheduled for execution this month and three in January , just days before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden , who opposes capital punishment .
The opposition group , which includes current and former prosecutors , state attorneys general , police chiefs and sheriffs , argued that the slate of executions appeared to represent a `` rush '' against the clock ticking down on President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks posed by the virus .
Last month , the execution date for Lisa Montgomery , the only woman on federal death row , was moved from its original date of Dec. 8 to Jan. 12 , after her lawyers contracted the virus .
The delay , the legal team said , `` gives Lisa Montgomery a meaningful opportunity to prepare and present a clemency application after her attorneys recover from COVID . ''
Montgomery was convicted in a brutal 2004 murder-kidnapping case in which she strangled a pregnant Missouri woman and removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knife .
The child survived and was later recovered by authorities .
Defense attorneys have argued that Montgomery suffers from severe mental illness and was a victim of rape , incest and child sex-trafficking .
`` It is impossible for attorneys to effectively represent their clients during this time , either in clemency or in their motions to stay or reverse the sentence of death , '' the group said .
`` At a time when the country is struggling through a deadly pandemic , spending scarce resources to carry out federal executions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives to defend clients on death row is simply unthinkable . ''
Attorney General William Barr , who was instrumental in pushing for the re-opening of the federal death chamber , has been largely unmoved by criticism of its aggressive application even in the midst of a pandemic .
OUT OF JAIL : Paul Manafort released to home confinement amid pandemic ; 'time is of the essence , ' Barr says '' The American people have made the considered choice to permit capital punishment for the most egregious federal crimes , '' Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ execution since 2003 , when Daniel Lewis Lee was put to death for the 1996 murders of three members of an Arkansas family .
At the time , Lee 's attorney , Ruth Friedman , denounced the government 's action as `` reckless and relentless , '' saying that her client remained strapped to the gurney for hours as the last legal challenges played out over night .
“ It is shameful that the government saw fit to carry out this execution during a pandemic , '' Friedman said .
Miriam Krinsky , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Fair and Just Prosecution , said the busy execution schedule in the last days of an administration is `` a sad legacy to leave . ''
With five inmates set to die during the next several weeks , Krinsky said it is particularly striking that Trump was weighing possible preemptive pardons for family members and his personal attorney .
`` It is ironic that his focus seems to be reserved for those who are close to him or for political payback , '' she said .
`` It is yet another example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , former chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in North Carolina , said his support for the petition marked the first time he has joined such an effort .
The former executive director of the Major Cities Chiefs Association said his backing should not indicate blanket opposition to the death penalty .
`` In very narrow and limited circumstances , it should be an option , '' Stephens said .
`` But I have lots of concerns in its application .
In the final months ( of the administration ) it feels like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't sound like good common sense . ''

'Simply unthinkable': Law officers call for halt to executions in Trump's final weeks
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 coalition of 90 current and former law enforcement officials are calling on federal authorities to halt five executions scheduled during the final weeks of the Trump administration, claiming that the uncertain transition period and resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic risk undermining confidence in the criminal justice system.
“When people believe the state is executing a person, or applying the death penalty unjustly ... their trust in our system of government and law enforcement is undermined,” the officials said in an open letter released by the group Fair and Just Prosecution.
This year, the Trump administration has dramatically revived its use of the death penalty after a 17-year hiatus, executing more prisoners – eight – than any system in the country.
More: Re-opening federal death chamber: Victim opposition, pandemic threaten first execution in 17 years
Two more are scheduled for execution this month and three in January, just days before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, who opposes capital punishment.
The opposition group, which includes current and former prosecutors, state attorneys general, police chiefs and sheriffs, argued that the slate of executions appeared to represent a "rush" against the clock ticking down on President Donald Trump's tenure despite the formidable health risks posed by the virus.
Last month, the execution date for Lisa Montgomery, the only woman on federal death row, was moved from its original date of Dec. 8 to Jan. 12 after her lawyers contracted the virus.
More: Lisa Montgomery's execution, delayed by attorneys' COVID-19 cases, rescheduled for Jan. 12
The delay, the legal team said, "gives Lisa Montgomery a meaningful opportunity to prepare and present a clemency application after her attorneys recover from COVID."
Montgomery was convicted in a 2004 murder-kidnapping case in which she strangled a pregnant Missouri woman and removed the baby from her body with a knife. The child survived and was recovered by authorities. Defense attorneys have argued that Montgomery has severe mental illness and was a victim of rape, incest and child sex trafficking.
"It is impossible for attorneys to effectively represent their clients during this time, either in clemency or in their motions to stay or reverse the sentence of death," the group said. "At a time when the country is struggling through a deadly pandemic, spending scarce resources to carry out federal executions and forcing defense lawyers to risk their lives to defend clients on death row is simply unthinkable."
Attorney General William Barr, who was instrumental in pushing for the reopening of the federal death chamber, has been largely unmoved by criticism of its aggressive application even in the midst of a pandemic.
OUT OF JAIL: Paul Manafort released to home confinement amid pandemic; 'time is of the essence,' Barr says
"The American people have made the considered choice to permit capital punishment for the most egregious federal crimes," Barr said in July after the first federal execution since 2003, when Daniel Lewis Lee was put to death for the 1996 murders of three members of an Arkansas family.
At the time, Lee's attorney, Ruth Friedman, denounced the government's action as "reckless and relentless," saying her client remained strapped to the gurney for hours as the last legal challenges played out overnight.
“It is shameful that the government saw fit to carry out this execution during a pandemic," Friedman said.
Miriam Krinsky, a former federal prosecutor and executive director of Fair and Just Prosecution, said the busy execution schedule in the last days of an administration is "a sad legacy to leave."
With five inmates set to die during the next several weeks, Krinsky said, it is particularly striking that Trump was weighing possible preemptive pardons for family members and his personal attorney.
"It is ironic that his focus seems to be reserved for those who are close to him or for political payback," she said. "It is yet another example of system failure."
Darrel Stephens, former chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in North Carolina, said his support for the petition marked the first time he has joined such an effort.
The former executive director of the Major Cities Chiefs Association said his backing should not indicate blanket opposition to the death penalty.
"In very narrow and limited circumstances, it should be an option," Stephens said. "But I have lots of concerns in its application. In the final months (of the administration), it feels like a rush to execution. It doesn't sound like good common sense."