usatoday--2020-09-13--Billionaire Michael Bloomberg plans to spend $100 million to help Biden in Florida

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg announced Sunday he plans to spend at least $ 100 million to help Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the crucial battleground state of Florida , where polling has tightened in recent weeks as President Donald Trump fights for a second term .
`` Voting starts on Sept. 24 in Florida so the need to inject real capital in that state quickly is an urgent need , '' Bloomberg adviser Kevin Sheekey told The Washington Post .
`` Mike believes that by investing in Florida it will allow campaign resources and other Democratic resources to be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of Pennsylvania . ''
Bloomberg , whose net worth is estimated at more than $ 50 billion , spent about $ 1 billion on his own failed Democratic primary bid before dropping out and immediately endorsing Biden .
He vowed to `` do whatever it takes to defeat Trump '' and has contributed millions to help Democratic candidates in 2020 .
He transferred $ 18 million from his presidential campaign to the Democratic National Committee .
It has been nearly 100 years since a Republican won a presidential election without Florida and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's path to winning the Electoral College .
It would require the president to hold all that states he won in 2016 including battleground states like Arizona , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
He currently trails Biden in the polls in five of those states .
Trump reacted to the news of Bloomberg 's planned contribution with a tweet that mocked the former New York mayor 's failed primary bid .
In the tweet , Trump referred to Bloomberg with a disparaging nickname and claimed he spent $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump said Bloomberg gave `` the worst and most inept Debate Performance in the history of Presidential Politics . ''
Referring to her with a racist nickname , Trump said Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, `` ended his political career on first question , OVER ! ''
During Bloomberg 's first debate on Feb. 20 , Warren confronted him on allegations he had made crude remarks about women and many commentators thought he appeared unprepared to address the issue .
Republicans are confident about their chance in Florida this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stronger-than-expected turnout in 2016 as evidence the state is trending in their direction .
They ’ ve invested millions in Florida focused on Latino outreach and boosting their field operation .
Most polls found Biden with a strong lead in Florida through July .
His lead in the RealClearPolitics average in the state peaked at more than 8 percentage points at the end of that month before dropping to less than half that by the end of August .
A recent NBC News/Marist poll found Biden and Trump tied in Florida as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to 1.2 points .
Most of Bloomberg 's contribution will go toward television and digital advertising in the state where Republicans are outspending Democrats by about $ 8 million , according to The Associated Press .
The ads will be in both English and Spanish as polls show Biden trailing Trump among Latino voters in the state .
Many more Democrats than Republicans plan to vote by mail , according to polls .
That has raised the possibility that Trump would appear victorious on election night , only to see that lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted .
Democrats are concerned Trump – who has declared , without evidence , that voting-by-mail is a plot to steal the election – would use that discrepancy to cast doubt on the election results .
`` It would give lie to what we expect to be Trump ’ s election night messaging that Democrats are stealing the election , because unlike other battleground states , Florida counts its absentee ballots on or by Election Day , '' Wolfson said .
`` We think Florida is incredibly close but winnable . ''

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg plans to spend $100 million to help Biden in Florida
Show Caption Hide Caption Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg announced Sunday he plans to spend at least $100 million to help Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the crucial battleground state of Florida, where polling has tightened in recent weeks as President Donald Trump fights for a second term.
"Voting starts on Sept. 24 in Florida so the need to inject real capital in that state quickly is an urgent need," Bloomberg adviser Kevin Sheekey told The Washington Post. "Mike believes that by investing in Florida it will allow campaign resources and other Democratic resources to be used in other states, in particular the state of Pennsylvania."
Bloomberg, whose net worth is estimated at more than $50 billion, spent about $1 billion on his own failed Democratic primary bid before dropping out and immediately endorsing Biden. He vowed to "do whatever it takes to defeat Trump" and has contributed millions to help Democratic candidates in 2020. He transferred $18 million from his presidential campaign to the Democratic National Committee.
It has been nearly 100 years since a Republican won a presidential election without Florida and a Biden victory there would dramatically narrow Trump's path to winning the Electoral College. It would require the president to hold all that states he won in 2016 including battleground states like Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. He currently trails Biden in the polls in five of those states.
I thought Mini Mike was through with Democrat politics after spending almost 2 Billion Dollars, and then giving the worst and most inept Debate Performance in the history of Presidential Politics. Pocahontas ended his political career on first question, OVER! Save NYC instead. https://t.co/WgbVvEUt2N — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 13, 2020
Trump reacted to the news of Bloomberg's planned contribution with a tweet that mocked the former New York mayor's failed primary bid. In the tweet, Trump referred to Bloomberg with a disparaging nickname and claimed he spent $2 billion, doubling his actual expenditures.
Trump said Bloomberg gave "the worst and most inept Debate Performance in the history of Presidential Politics." Referring to her with a racist nickname, Trump said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., "ended his political career on first question, OVER!" During Bloomberg's first debate on Feb. 20, Warren confronted him on allegations he had made crude remarks about women and many commentators thought he appeared unprepared to address the issue.
"Save NYC instead," Trump advised Bloomberg.
Republicans are confident about their chance in Florida this year, pointing to GOP wins in 2018 and stronger-than-expected turnout in 2016 as evidence the state is trending in their direction. They’ve invested millions in Florida focused on Latino outreach and boosting their field operation.
Most polls found Biden with a strong lead in Florida through July. His lead in the RealClearPolitics average in the state peaked at more than 8 percentage points at the end of that month before dropping to less than half that by the end of August. A recent NBC News/Marist poll found Biden and Trump tied in Florida as of Sunday, his RealClearPolitics average lead was down to 1.2 points.
Most of Bloomberg's contribution will go toward television and digital advertising in the state where Republicans are outspending Democrats by about $8 million, according to The Associated Press. The ads will be in both English and Spanish as polls show Biden trailing Trump among Latino voters in the state.
Poll: A majority of young Latinos support Biden over Trump
Many more Democrats than Republicans plan to vote by mail, according to polls. That has raised the possibility that Trump would appear victorious on election night, only to see that lead slip away as the mailed-in ballots are counted. Democrats are concerned Trump – who has declared, without evidence, that voting-by-mail is a plot to steal the election – would use that discrepancy to cast doubt on the election results.
"It would give lie to what we expect to be Trump’s election night messaging that Democrats are stealing the election, because unlike other battleground states, Florida counts its absentee ballots on or by Election Day," Wolfson said. "We think Florida is incredibly close but winnable."
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-09-14--'It seems systematic': Doctors group finds 115 cases of head injuries from crowd control weapons dur

At least 115 people were injured this summer when police shot them in the head or neck with so-called `` less-lethal '' projectiles at protests over racial injustice and police brutality , according to a report published Monday .
It 's the most comprehensive tally of such injuries to date , with about twice as many victims as USA TODAY cited in a July examination of how police across the U.S. wielded the weapons to control crowds .
But Physicians for Human Rights , the organization that compiled the incidents , believes even its figures are an undercount because its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excluded some reports without adequate evidence .
The organization identified Austin , Texas , Portland , Oregon , and Los Angeles as hotspots during the period studied , May 26 to July 27 .
Abigail Rodas , who was shot in the jaw with a rubber bullet on May 30 , was one of the victims in Los Angeles , according to a lawsuit filed against the city and the police chief on behalf of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles , the Los Angeles Community Action Network and 14 people , including six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the suit , Rodas was leaving a protest when she “ was struck in the face by a projectile and momentarily lost consciousness.
” A steel plate was used to repair her jawbone , the lawsuit says .
She could n't talk for about 10 days and could drink only liquids for a week , it says .
“ Nearly three weeks after the injury , she has screws in her gums and rubber bands to immobilize her jaw while the bones rejoin , ” the suit says .
The city denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying any use of force `` was reasonable and necessary for self-defense . ''
Protests shine light on use of 'less lethal ' weapons The sheer number of incidents in those two months was shocking , said Dr. Rohini Haar , the lead investigator for the analysis and an emergency physician in Oakland , California .
“ It seems systematic , '' Haar said .
`` It seems like there needs to be a reckoning with the use of force in protests . ''
'Protests shouldn ’ t end in people being blinded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban police use of rubber bullets Rochester protests : We know about injuries to police last Saturday night .
What about injuries to protesters ?
The projectiles in question are often called `` rubber bullets , '' but in law enforcement they 're known as `` kinetic impact projectiles . ''
They include plastic projectiles tipped with hard sponge or foam , `` bean bag '' rounds that consist of fabric socks containing metal shot , and `` Sting-Balls '' — grenades that spray hard rubber pellets .
The report also cites incidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at people .
Though the weapons are referred to as `` less lethal , '' Haar said there should be a shift to language that acknowledges how dangerous they can be .
“ Weapons are just as lethal as somebody wants them to be , ” she said .
A study published in 2017 in the medical journal BMJ Open , which Haar co-authored , found that 3 % of people hit by projectiles worldwide died .
Fifteen percent of the 1,984 people studied were permanently injured .
In a letter to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicine , a group of Austin doctors said 19 patients were treated for bean bag-related wounds at the downtown hospital closest to the protests over two days in late May .
'Less lethal ' can still maim and kill : A visual guide to weapons police use on protesters For its analysis , Physicians for Human Rights searched social media , news accounts , lawsuits and other publicly available sources .
They counted incidents on social media only if they were documented by photos or videos , and included news reports without visual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affiliates of major outlets .
Physicians for Human Rights identified by name most of the people who were struck .
Among the group 's recommendations are banning weapons that release scattershot or multiple projectiles from a single canister because they can hit people indiscriminately , Haar said .
Metal projectiles are particularly dangerous , she said .
She called for more training and adherence to departments ' rules on the use of such weapons .
“ One of the findings of our study is police do not even appear to be following their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons or when , ” Haar said .
There are no national standards for police use of less-lethal projectiles and no comprehensive data on their use , USA TODAY found .
Demonstrators in Los Angeles , Minneapolis , San Jose , Denver and Dallas told USA TODAY they were shot with less-lethal projectiles even though those departments don ’ t allow the weapons to be used against nonviolent people .
Some witnesses said police aimed at faces or fired at close range .
Police have said they fired the weapons to protect themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fractured skulls , lost eyes : Police break their own rules when shooting protesters with ‘ rubber bullets ’ Wounded say enough is enough : Police use of rubber bullets , bean bag rounds has left a bloody trail for decades Haar , who has been studying these projectiles since 2014 , said they have no place in crowd control .
`` Even before you get to the use of weapons , there needs to be a change in how we engage with protesters in terms of communication , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phone number of a protest leader , opening the lines of communication .
Police have other options besides firing projectiles , Haar said , such as `` arresting the person that is actually violent , not just dispersing the entire crowd , or changing what you decide is an illegal assembly . ''
Haar said the use of these projectiles tends to escalate tensions , `` where the protesters feel like they ’ re being attacked.
” Those who are n't struck , she said , `` are often incited .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is dispersed that the anger goes away .
The volatility has a cumulative impact that can last weeks or months.
” At least seven major U.S. cities and a few states have enacted or proposed limits on the use of less-lethal projectiles .
However , similar efforts have stalled in the face of opposition from police agencies or other critics .
And as the summer stretched on , local and federal law enforcement agencies continued to use less-lethal weapons when confronting protesters .
Haar said city councils have reached out to her recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reckon with what they want in their communities . ''
`` I see more hope now than I have in all of my years of research , '' she said .
`` I think the attention now is remarkable , and we actually have a really good chance of getting some actual , meaningful change . ''

'It seems systematic': Doctors group finds 115 cases of head injuries from crowd control weapons during nationwide protests
Show Caption Hide Caption "Less lethal" projectiles fired by police have seriously hurt people WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Projectiles used by police to quell demonstrations have caused serious injuries to protesters, bystanders and journalists. Jasper Colt, USA TODAY
At least 115 people were injured this summer when police shot them in the head or neck with so-called "less-lethal" projectiles at protests over racial injustice and police brutality, according to a report published Monday.
It's the most comprehensive tally of such injuries to date, with about twice as many victims as USA TODAY and Kaiser Health News cited in a July examination of how police across the U.S. wielded the weapons to control crowds.
But Physicians for Human Rights, the organization that compiled the incidents, believes even its figures are an undercount because its analysis is based on publicly available data and excluded some reports without adequate evidence.
The organization identified Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and Los Angeles as hotspots during the period studied, May 26 to July 27.
Abigail Rodas, who was shot in the jaw with a rubber bullet on May 30, was one of the victims in Los Angeles, according to a lawsuit filed against the city and the police chief on behalf of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Community Action Network and 14 people, including six who were struck with projectiles.
According to the suit, Rodas was leaving a protest when she “was struck in the face by a projectile and momentarily lost consciousness.”
A steel plate was used to repair her jawbone, the lawsuit says. She couldn't talk for about 10 days and could drink only liquids for a week, it says.
“Nearly three weeks after the injury, she has screws in her gums and rubber bands to immobilize her jaw while the bones rejoin,” the suit says.
The city denied the allegations in a court filing, saying any use of force "was reasonable and necessary for self-defense."
Protests shine light on use of 'less lethal' weapons
The sheer number of incidents in those two months was shocking, said Dr. Rohini Haar, the lead investigator for the analysis and an emergency physician in Oakland, California.
“It seems systematic," Haar said. "It seems like there needs to be a reckoning with the use of force in protests."
'Protests shouldn’t end in people being blinded': Cities, states begin to ban police use of rubber bullets
Rochester protests: We know about injuries to police last Saturday night. What about injuries to protesters?
The projectiles in question are often called "rubber bullets," but in law enforcement they're known as kinetic impact projectiles.
They include plastic projectiles tipped with hard sponge or foam, "bean bag" rounds that consist of fabric socks containing metal shot, and "Sting-Balls" — grenades that spray hard rubber pellets. The report also cites incidents in which tear gas canisters were fired at people.
Though the weapons are referred to as "less lethal," Haar said, there should be a shift to language that acknowledges how dangerous they can be. “Weapons are just as lethal as somebody wants them to be,” she said.
A study published in 2017 in the medical journal BMJ Open, which Haar co-authored, found that 3% of people hit by projectiles worldwide died. Fifteen percent of the 1,984 people studied were permanently injured.
In a letter to the editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, a group of Austin doctors said 19 patients were treated for bean bag-related wounds at the downtown hospital closest to the protests over two days in late May.
For its analysis, Physicians for Human Rights searched social media, news accounts, lawsuits and other publicly available sources. They counted incidents on social media only if they were documented by photos or videos, and included news reports without visual evidence only from major newspapers or local affiliates of major outlets.
Physicians for Human Rights identified by name most of the people who were struck.
Among the group's recommendations are banning weapons that release scattershot or multiple projectiles from a single canister because they can hit people indiscriminately, Haar said. Metal projectiles are particularly dangerous, she said.
She called for more training and adherence to departments' rules on the use of such weapons.
“One of the findings of our study is police do not even appear to be following their own protocols for how to use these weapons or when,” Haar said.
There are no national standards for police use of less-lethal projectiles and no comprehensive data on their use, USA TODAY and Kaiser Health News found.
Demonstrators in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Jose, Denver and Dallas said they were shot with less-lethal projectiles even though those departments don’t allow the weapons to be used against nonviolent people. Some witnesses said police aimed at faces or fired at close range.
Police have said they fired the weapons to protect themselves and property in chaotic, dangerous situations.
Fractured skulls, lost eyes: Police break their own rules when shooting protesters with ‘rubber bullets’
Wounded say enough is enough: Police use of rubber bullets, bean bag rounds has left a bloody trail for decades
'Protesters feel like they're being attacked'
Haar, who has been studying these projectiles since 2014, said they have no place in crowd control. "Even before you get to the use of weapons, there needs to be a change in how we engage with protesters in terms of communication," she said.
For example, police can get the phone number of a protest leader, opening the lines of communication. Police have other options besides firing projectiles, Haar said, such as "arresting the person that is actually violent, not just dispersing the entire crowd, or changing what you decide is an illegal assembly."
Haar said the use of these projectiles tends to escalate tensions, "where the protesters feel like they’re being attacked.” Those who aren't struck, she said, "are often incited. It’s not until that full crowd is dispersed that the anger goes away. The volatility has a cumulative impact that can last weeks or months.”
Iraq war veteran hit by police projectile in 2011 suffered permanent brain damage Scott Olsen, a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq war, was hit by a beanbag round during Occupy Oakland in 2011 and suffered permanent brain damage. Jasper Colt, Judy Griesedieck, USA TODAY
At least seven major U.S. cities and a few states have enacted or proposed limits on the use of less-lethal projectiles.
Similar efforts have stalled in the face of opposition from police agencies or other critics. And as the summer stretched on, local and federal law enforcement agencies continued to use less-lethal weapons when confronting protesters.
Haar said city councils have reached out to her recently, showing they are "really trying to reckon with what they want in their communities."
"I see more hope now than I have in all of my years of research," she said. "I think the attention now is remarkable, and we actually have a really good chance of getting some actual, meaningful change."
Contributing: Kevin McCoy


usatoday--2020-09-14--Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak says Trump took 'reckless and selfish actions' by holding indoor rally

President Donald Trump hosted a crowded indoor political rally Sunday in Nevada , ignoring objections by the governor and others that he might have spread COVID-19 to unknown numbers of people .
`` Tonight , President Donald Trump is taking reckless and selfish actions that are putting countless lives in danger here in Nevada , '' said Gov .
Steve Sisolak , a Democrat .
`` The president appears to have forgotten that this country is still in the middle of a global pandemic . ''
Trump , who has held outdoor rallies in recent months , said the owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was `` unfair '' for the president to be denied permission for indoor events .
`` Tell your governor to open up your state , '' Trump told hundreds of supporters – most of them packed together on a factory floor , many of them not wearing masks given out by the Trump campaign .
More : Donald Trump may need Nevada to win .
So what 's motivating his supporters ?
We asked them More : Trump rallies 2.0 : Behind the curtain at the president 's campaign events in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his standard stump speech , filled with full-throated attacks on opponent Joe Biden and the Democrats over violence in cities , energy development , running mate Kamala Harris , foreign policy , trade , immigration , and the party 's `` left-wing '' agenda .
It was Trump 's first indoor rally since a June 20 event in Tulsa , Okla. , that preceded a spike in coronavirus cases in that city .
Campaign staff members and Secret Service agents tested positive for the virus right before that Tulsa rally .
The Nevada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henderson , near Las Vegas – likely violated state restrictions on large gatherings in the midst of the COVID pandemic .
Henderson officials issued a compliance letter and verbal warning to the event organizers .
Kathleen Richards , a spokeswoman for the city of Henderson , said that `` gatherings of more than 50 people in a private or public setting is prohibited . ''
`` If the governor ’ s directives are not followed , '' she said , `` the city may assess a fine of up to $ 500 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the business license . ''
Biden aides criticized the rally as a threat to public health .
Holding a mass event indoors reflects `` the same toxic attitude that has crippled Trump 's incoherent pandemic response , cost over 193,000 Americans their lives , killed millions of jobs , and needlessly torn the nation apart when we need to come together in this moment of crisis , '' said Biden spokesman Andrew Bates .
In a statement , the Trump campaign said that everyone attending the event received a temperature check , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear it ) , and had access to hand sanitizers .
“ If you can join tens of thousands of people protesting in the streets , gamble in a casino , or burn down small businesses in riots , you can gather peacefully under the 1st Amendment to hear from the President of the United States , '' said campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh .
Since the problems in Tulsa , Trump has conducted a series of smaller rallies outdoors at airports .
The indoor rally capped a day that continued a western campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and soliciting Latino voters in Nevada .
“ I have achieved more for Hispanic Americans in 47 months than Joe Biden in 47 years , '' Trump said while criticizing his Democratic challenger during Latino `` roundtable '' meeting at a Vegas hotel .
Trump also hosted a pair of fundraisers in the Las Vegas area Sunday expected to raise about $ 18 million .
In remarks at the roundtable , Trump stressed the impact of policies on Latino residents , a key constituency in battleground states , which include Arizona , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's itinerary Monday as he hosts a similar roundtable in Phoenix .
Trump is also scheduled to visit California to review the damage from the deadly wildfires .
More : Trump claims during Nevada campaign rally that Democrats are trying to 'rig ' upcoming election More : Trump will visit California on Monday for briefing on devastating wildfires Biden , Harris , and their aides have said that Trump 's actions to curb immigration are aimed at people of color , particularly Latinos .
The president has said that Mexico and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapists '' and criminals across the U.S. border .
That said , Democrats said the votes of many Latinos in key states are up for grabs ahead of the Nov. 3 election .
`` We know that we have work to do , '' said Biden senior adviser Symone Sanders , speaking on ABC 's This Week .
`` We have said from the beginning – and Vice President Biden has been very clear about this as has Sen. Harris – that we are really working to earn every single vote in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the votes of the Latino Hispanic community . ''
Nationwide polls give Biden an overall edge over Trump little more than seven weeks ahead of Election Day .
During his meeting with Latino supporters , Trump again made unfounded accusations regarding Democrats and their push to expand mail-in voting , claiming that `` the only way they 're going to win is with rigged ballots . ''
At the rally , Trump attacked Sisolak over mail-in voting , and told supporters that `` they might not count your ballot in this state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting , and that Trump is lying about the system in order to lay the groundwork for a protest of the election he is likely to lose .
Four years ago , Democrat Hillary Clinton narrowly defeated Trump in Nevada by a margin of 47.9 % -45.5 % , a little less than 2.5 percentage points .
A recent New York Times/Siena College gave Biden a narrow lead over Trump in Nevada , 46 % -42 % .
During his day in Las Vegas , Trump said he signed a new executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug prices , though those are subject to market forces .
Trump again touted his COVID-19 response – `` we are rounding the corner '' – even though coronavirus cases in the U.S. are still rising and the number of deaths is approaching 200,000 .
At the roundtable and the rally , Trump attacked the violence in `` Democrat-run cities , '' including the Saturday shootings of two Los Angeles County sheriff 's deputies .
Hoping that authorities will track down the gunman , Trump told the rally crowd : `` He 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an animal . ''
Biden also condemned the shootings of the deputies .
`` This cold-blooded shooting is unconscionable and the perpetrator must be brought to justice , '' the Democratic nominee tweeted .

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak says Trump took 'reckless and selfish actions' by holding indoor rally
Show Caption Hide Caption Pres. Trump suggests he softened COVID reaction to reduce 'panic' A new book suggests that President Trump understood the threats of the coronavirus even as he told the nation it was no worse than the seasonal flu. USA TODAY
President Donald Trump hosted a crowded indoor political rally Sunday in Nevada, ignoring objections by the governor and others that he might have spread COVID-19 to unknown numbers of people.
"Tonight, President Donald Trump is taking reckless and selfish actions that are putting countless lives in danger here in Nevada," said Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat. "The president appears to have forgotten that this country is still in the middle of a global pandemic."
Trump, who has held outdoor rallies in recent months, said the owner of the building near Las Vegas thought it was "unfair" for the president to be denied permission for indoor events.
"Tell your governor to open up your state," Trump told hundreds of supporters – most of them packed together on a factory floor, many of them not wearing masks given out by the Trump campaign.
More: Donald Trump may need Nevada to win. So what's motivating his supporters? We asked them
More: Trump rallies 2.0: Behind the curtain at the president's campaign events in the COVID-19 era
Otherwise, the president delivered his standard stump speech, filled with full-throated attacks on opponent Joe Biden and the Democrats over violence in cities, energy development, running mate Kamala Harris, foreign policy, trade, immigration, and the party's "left-wing" agenda.
COVID-19: How Herd Immunity works, why you still need to wear a mask Without masks and a vaccine, we could reach Herd Immunity from COVID-19, but deaths would skyrocket. We break down the science of it. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
It was Trump's first indoor rally since a June 20 event in Tulsa, Okla., that preceded a spike in coronavirus cases in that city. Campaign staff members and Secret Service agents tested positive for the virus right before that Tulsa rally.
The Nevada rally – at a manufacturing business in Henderson, near Las Vegas – likely violated state restrictions on large gatherings in the midst of the COVID pandemic.
Henderson officials issued a compliance letter and verbal warning to the event organizers. Kathleen Richards, a spokeswoman for the city of Henderson, said that "gatherings of more than 50 people in a private or public setting is prohibited."
"If the governor’s directives are not followed," she said, "the city may assess a fine of up to $500 per violation as well as suspend or revoke the business license."
Biden aides criticized the rally as a threat to public health.
Holding a mass event indoors reflects "the same toxic attitude that has crippled Trump's incoherent pandemic response, cost over 193,000 Americans their lives, killed millions of jobs, and needlessly torn the nation apart when we need to come together in this moment of crisis," said Biden spokesman Andrew Bates.
In a statement, the Trump campaign said that everyone attending the event received a temperature check, was provided a mask (and encouraged to wear it), and had access to hand sanitizers.
“If you can join tens of thousands of people protesting in the streets, gamble in a casino, or burn down small businesses in riots, you can gather peacefully under the 1st Amendment to hear from the President of the United States," said campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh.
Since the problems in Tulsa, Trump has conducted a series of smaller rallies outdoors at airports.
The indoor rally capped a day that continued a western campaign swing by raising money, attacking Democrats, and soliciting Latino voters in Nevada.
“I have achieved more for Hispanic Americans in 47 months than Joe Biden in 47 years," Trump said while criticizing his Democratic challenger during Latino "roundtable" meeting at a Vegas hotel.
Trump also hosted a pair of fundraisers in the Las Vegas area Sunday expected to raise about $18 million.
In remarks at the roundtable, Trump stressed the impact of policies on Latino residents, a key constituency in battleground states, which include Arizona, Florida and Nevada.
Arizona is on Trump's itinerary Monday as he hosts a similar roundtable in Phoenix. Trump is also scheduled to visit California to review the damage from the deadly wildfires.
More: Trump claims during Nevada campaign rally that Democrats are trying to 'rig' upcoming election
More: Trump will visit California on Monday for briefing on devastating wildfires
Biden, Harris, and their aides have said that Trump's actions to curb immigration are aimed at people of color, particularly Latinos. The president has said that Mexico and other countries are only interested in sending "rapists" and criminals across the U.S. border.
That said, Democrats said the votes of many Latinos in key states are up for grabs ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
"We know that we have work to do," said Biden senior adviser Symone Sanders, speaking on ABC's This Week. "We have said from the beginning – and Vice President Biden has been very clear about this as has Sen. Harris – that we are really working to earn every single vote in this country, and we want to earn the votes of the Latino Hispanic community."
Nationwide polls give Biden an overall edge over Trump little more than seven weeks ahead of Election Day.
During his meeting with Latino supporters, Trump again made unfounded accusations regarding Democrats and their push to expand mail-in voting, claiming that "the only way they're going to win is with rigged ballots."
At the rally, Trump attacked Sisolak over mail-in voting, and told supporters that "they might not count your ballot in this state."
Democrats said Republicans also use mail-in voting, and that Trump is lying about the system in order to lay the groundwork for a protest of the election he is likely to lose.
Four years ago, Democrat Hillary Clinton narrowly defeated Trump in Nevada by a margin of 47.9%-45.5%, a little less than 2.5 percentage points.
A recent New York Times/Siena College gave Biden a narrow lead over Trump in Nevada, 46%-42%.
During his day in Las Vegas, Trump said he signed a new executive order that he claimed will lead to lower drug prices, though those are subject to market forces.
Trump again touted his COVID-19 response – "we are rounding the corner" – even though coronavirus cases in the U.S. are still rising and the number of deaths is approaching 200,000.
At the roundtable and the rally, Trump attacked the violence in "Democrat-run cities," including the Saturday shootings of two Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies.
Hoping that authorities will track down the gunman, Trump told the rally crowd: "He's not a human being – he's an animal."
Biden also condemned the shootings of the deputies.
"This cold-blooded shooting is unconscionable and the perpetrator must be brought to justice," the Democratic nominee tweeted.


usatoday--2020-09-14--Now Trump wants Americans to pay for his defense in a rape-related defamation case

In its latest shocking but not surprising move , the Department of Justice , funded by you , the American taxpayer , is now trying to intervene in journalist E. Jean Carroll ’ s defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump .
You may recall that last year he denied he had raped Carroll in the 1990s and said she was “ not my type.
” The DOJ move was shocking because it went well beyond the legal standard to argue that the president ’ s statements about Carroll were official actions and entitled Trump to be defended by the Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was thoroughly unsurprising because this president has consistently hijacked the federal government , and the Justice Department in particular , to advance his own personal interests .
He sees the government as serving him over the country , and Attorney General William Barr has been only too glad to oblige .
Barr ’ s Justice Department inserting itself in a lawsuit about alleged personal misconduct by the president long before he took office is both the most egregious act in and logical conclusion of his campaign to remake the Justice Department into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal service .
Experts agree that the DOJ ’ s intervention here is unprecedented and suspect .
But it is yet one more piece of the president ’ s plan to turn the federal government into the world ’ s largest Trump business .
When I served as a corruption prosecutor at the Justice Department under both Democratic and Republican administrations , the principle was drummed into me that , no matter what might be swirling around outside the department ’ s doors , any political influence on investigations or litigation decisions was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ window when Barr entered the building .
Barr auditioned for his job with an unsolicited memo arguing against any finding that the president obstructed justice in connection with the investigation of Russian election interference , and he has acted accordingly ever since .
He undermined special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation with a misleadingpublic summaryweeks before the actual report was released .
He ginned up a new investigation into the origins of the Russia probe despite multiple investigations and courts finding legitimate bases for that probe .
Most devastating has been Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutions , and now a civil lawsuit , to help the president .
Barr and his lieutenants pushed for a lower sentence for the president ’ s ally Roger Stone .
They sought to drop the case against the president ’ s former national security adviser Michael Flynn despite Flynn having admitted to the criminal conduct twice under oath .
In both cases , Barr acted against the judgment of respected career prosecutors .
In both cases this politicization was unprecedented and dangerous .
The unethical William Barr : 27 lawyers , 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Justice Department are far from the only offenders .
Trump ’ s ally and donor Louis DeJoy became postmaster general in June and quickly took steps that have already served to undermine the U.S .
Postal Service , which the president has long denigrated , and voting by mail , which the president has said will hurt his chance of reelection .
The National Park Service spent money and changed rules to facilitate Fourth of July celebrations and a Mount Rushmore event for the ego of the president , and approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fireworks display at the Republican National Convention .
The use of federal officials and resources for the president ’ s political benefit , in violation of an important ethics law called the Hatch Act , has become a regular feature of this presidency , with dozens of violations by top aides and the disturbing spectacle of the White House itself serving as the backdrop for the president ’ s speech at his nominating convention .
Our foreign policy apparatus has been marshaled to help the president personally , with Secretary of State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a taxpayer-funded official trip to the Middle East and , far more consequentially , government officials pushing the president of Ukraine to announce an investigation into President Trump ’ s political rival .
2020 election : Vote by mail works , despite what Donald Trump says Meanwhile , the Trump administration has at every turn supported the president ’ s businesses , whether it is the hundreds of thousands the Secret Service has paid for the president ’ s many visits to his resorts or the scores of officials who have appeared at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principle of our democracy rests on John Adams ’ ideal that ours is a “ government of laws and not of men.
” Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox chose those words to remind America what was at stake after President Richard Nixon fired him during the Saturday Night Massacre .
Once again , a president who believes he ’ s above the law has put that principle into jeopardy .
Once again , we must choose to defend our democracy .
Or sink into despotism .
Noah Bookbinder , a former criminal prosecutor for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is the executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington .
Follow him on Twitter : @ NoahBookbinder

Now Trump wants Americans to pay for his defense in a rape-related defamation case This is Barr's most egregious act and the logical conclusion of his campaign to remake the DOJ into Trump's personal, taxpayer-funded legal service.
In its latest shocking but not surprising move, the Department of Justice, funded by you, the American taxpayer, is now trying to intervene in journalist E. Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump. You may recall that last year he denied he had raped Carroll in the 1990s and said she was “not my type.”
The DOJ move was shocking because it went well beyond the legal standard to argue that the president’s statements about Carroll were official actions and entitled Trump to be defended by the Justice Department at taxpayers’ expense.
But it was thoroughly unsurprising because this president has consistently hijacked the federal government, and the Justice Department in particular, to advance his own personal interests. He sees the government as serving him over the country, and Attorney General William Barr has been only too glad to oblige.
Unprecedented and suspect
Barr’s Justice Department inserting itself in a lawsuit about alleged personal misconduct by the president long before he took office is both the most egregious act in and logical conclusion of his campaign to remake the Justice Department into the president’s personal, taxpayer-funded legal service. Experts agree that the DOJ’s intervention here is unprecedented and suspect. But it is yet one more piece of the president’s plan to turn the federal government into the world’s largest Trump business.
When I served as a corruption prosecutor at the Justice Department under both Democratic and Republican administrations, the principle was drummed into me that, no matter what might be swirling around outside the department’s doors, any political influence on investigations or litigation decisions was unacceptable. That principle went out the window when Barr entered the building.
Barr auditioned for his job with an unsolicited memo arguing against any finding that the president obstructed justice in connection with the investigation of Russian election interference, and he has acted accordingly ever since. He undermined special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation with a misleading public summary weeks before the actual report was released. He ginned up a new investigation into the origins of the Russia probe despite multiple investigations and courts finding legitimate bases for that probe.
Most devastating has been Barr’s willingness to insert himself into prosecutions, and now a civil lawsuit, to help the president. Barr and his lieutenants pushed for a lower sentence for the president’s ally Roger Stone. They sought to drop the case against the president’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn despite Flynn having admitted to the criminal conduct twice under oath. In both cases, Barr acted against the judgment of respected career prosecutors. In both cases this politicization was unprecedented and dangerous.
The unethical William Barr: 27 lawyers, 4 powerful allegations of dishonesty and deceit
Barr and the Justice Department are far from the only offenders.
Trump’s ally and donor Louis DeJoy became postmaster general in June and quickly took steps that have already served to undermine the U.S. Postal Service, which the president has long denigrated, and voting by mail, which the president has said will hurt his chance of reelection.
The National Park Service spent money and changed rules to facilitate Fourth of July celebrations and a Mount Rushmore event for the ego of the president, and approved the use of the Washington Monument for a fireworks display at the Republican National Convention.
Trump believes he's above the law
The use of federal officials and resources for the president’s political benefit, in violation of an important ethics law called the Hatch Act, has become a regular feature of this presidency, with dozens of violations by top aides and the disturbing spectacle of the White House itself serving as the backdrop for the president’s speech at his nominating convention.
Our foreign policy apparatus has been marshaled to help the president personally, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo giving a convention speech during a taxpayer-funded official trip to the Middle East and, far more consequentially, government officials pushing the president of Ukraine to announce an investigation into President Trump’s political rival.
2020 election: Vote by mail works, despite what Donald Trump says
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has at every turn supported the president’s businesses, whether it is the hundreds of thousands the Secret Service has paid for the president’s many visits to his resorts or the scores of officials who have appeared at events at his hotels.
The bedrock principle of our democracy rests on John Adams’ ideal that ours is a “government of laws and not of men.” Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox chose those words to remind America what was at stake after President Richard Nixon fired him during the Saturday Night Massacre. Once again, a president who believes he’s above the law has put that principle into jeopardy. Once again, we must choose to defend our democracy. Or sink into despotism.
Noah Bookbinder, a former criminal prosecutor for the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section, is the executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Follow him on Twitter: @NoahBookbinder


usatoday--2020-09-14--Trump campaign courts Latino voters in Arizona, historically Democrats. Here's what that looks like

In a south Phoenix strip mall near a Chinese restaurant and cell phone store , sits a new office designed to mobilize Latino voters and convince them to vote for President Donald Trump in November .
Outside the front doors , the words `` Latinos for Trump '' are written in chalk on the sidewalk .
The windows of Latinos for Trump are adorned with photos of Latinos and core values the Trump campaign believes will attract this group of voters : faith , family , opportunity .
President Donald Trump 's fifth visit to Arizona this year , set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who both presidential candidates are courting as the state increasingly becomes a battleground .
The president was scheduled to host a Latinos for Trump roundtable at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix on Monday , after spending time earlier in the day in California getting a wildfire update .
In advance of the Arizona visit , about 30 volunteers gathered at the office , which opened this summer , to hear how they could attract Latinos when they speak to other voters .
The coalition says it has about 1,200 volunteers throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also has offices in Tucson and Yuma , boasts a full calendar of voter engagement activities , such as door knocking , watch parties and phone banks .
The office includes literature for local Republican candidates and signature teal-and-red signs with the group 's name .
Pam Kirby , a former Scottsdale school board member who is on the advisory board for Latinos for Trump , said the centers serve as a public statement from the president that he cares about Latino voters .
`` He 's walking the talk .
He does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yes , I value the Latino vote .
He 's actually making financial investments , '' Kirby said .
On its website , Latinos for Trump shares key issues in Trump 's platform that the group says align well with Latino voters : freedom , faith , family , economy , jobs and opportunity .
`` Latinos for Trump are mobilizing to re-elect President Donald .
J. Trump by sharing the historic gains made in Latino communities as a result of the Trump administration , '' the group 's website said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity , safer communities and religious liberty for generations to come . ''
Joe Biden , the Democratic nominee for president , has not yet visited Arizona this cycle .
His running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris , appeared at a virtual event in Arizona on Saturday .
Jill Biden , the candidate 's wife , also held a virtual event last week in Arizona .
This is n't the first coalition associated with the Trump campaign that 's working to make inroads with specific subsets of voters .
Another group that called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand for a visit from Vice President Mike Pence last month as part of efforts by the Trump campaign to reach out to religious voters .
The use of the church 's name for a group that is not affiliated with the church angered some LDS voters in Arizona , who said the group 's name was `` out of bounds . ''
Another group called Women for Trump works to engage female voters .
Trump 's actions and words , especially on immigration policies involving the border wall and the future of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. as children — have frequently drawn fire from Latinos .
While he was running for president in 2015 , he commented that Mexico was n't sending its `` best '' to the U.S. '' When Mexico sends its people , they ’ re not sending their best .
They ’ re not sending you .
They ’ re not sending you .
They ’ re sending people that have lots of problems , and they ’ re bringing those problems with us .
They ’ re bringing drugs .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And some , I assume , are good people , '' he said .
Latinos are projected to make up almost one-fourth of Arizona 's voters this year , one of the highest shares of Latino voters in the country , according to the Pew Research Center .
Both presidential campaigns are trying to engage Latino voters in Arizona .
Some have criticized the Biden campaign for being slow to reach out to Latino voters , although efforts to engage Latino voters have ramped up in recent weeks .
For instance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ features Phoenix chef Silvana Salcido Esparza , owner of Barrio Cafe , who speaks in both English and Spanish about struggling to keep her restaurant open through the pandemic .
Historically , Latinos have overwhelmingly voted for Democrats .
In the 2018 midterm elections , 69 % of Latinos voted for Democratic candidates in congressional races , compared with 29 % of Latinos who voted for Republican candidates , according to Pew Research Center .
But in Arizona , where the presidential race is seen as increasingly tight , especially for a historically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who traditionally have supported Democrats could pay off .
Kirby said Latinos for Trump has signed up new voters and met Latinos who typically vote for Democrats who have switched their parties .
`` They see Latinos standing up as conservatives , and they realize we share the same values .
They are switching from Democrat to Republican , '' she said .
In August , the Biden campaign launched the Arizona Latino Leaders Council , a group of more than 30 Latino leaders tasked with engaging Latinos across the state .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raúl Grijalva , state House Minority Leader Charlene Fernandez and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero , all of whom are co-chairs of the council .
The campaign also released an `` agenda for the Latino community , '' which includes priorities that the Biden administration would undertake if they win the office .
These priorities include economic mobility plans , investments in improving health disparities , expanding access to quality education and overhauling the immigration system .
Election 2020 : Kamala Harris tells AZ biz group 'immigrants have too much at stake ' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic that the Biden campaign has made strong efforts to reach out to Latino leaders and involve them in engaging Arizona Latino voters instead of parachuting in like candidates sometimes do .
She believes the campaign sought input from Latinos and came up with a well-defined policy agenda that will meaningfully benefit Latinos .
She pointed to ads running in both English and Spanish .
The campaign is dropping off literature at voters ' homes and finding ways to boost turnout and engagement , she said .
The Arizona advisory council , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` We 're listening to leaders , not just elected leaders , but community leaders throughout Arizona to hear what their interests are and how we can get better to get to the population , '' Romero said .
She sees Trump 's visit and attempts to engage Latino voters as hypocritical .
She described actions she said have hurt Latinos , such as Trump 's efforts to build a more robust border wall , attempts to end protections for Dreamers , pardoning former Sheriff Joe Arpaio on a criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
`` The effects of his words should carry strong with Latinos , especially here in Arizona .
I think it is maximum hypocrisy of Trump doing outreach to Latinos here in Arizona , '' Romero said .
Several speakers at the Saturday gathering shared how their loved ones or friends often were shocked to hear they voted Republican .
Kirby thanked the crowd for showing that it is `` OK to be a Latino Republican . ''
Art del Cueto , the president of the National Border Patrol Council , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why they 're voting a certain way , and it sometimes sounds like they have n't thought much about the reasons they 're voting for a candidate .
`` I think a movement like this is important because it gives the individual the right to think for themselves , not just think what somebody in their family had told them , or not just to think what some headlines in the news media told them , '' he said .
Del Cueto implored volunteers to make sure they and their loved ones were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home is not an option .
Promise yourself to bring 10 voters each to the polls , he told them .
Sergio Arellano , a veteran and business owner who is on the Latinos for Trump advisory board , said that it used to be rare to find Latino Republicans .
But he 's seen involvement grow over the past few years as efforts to reach out to Latinos have increased , he said .
Pocketbook issues like jobs , unemployment and business opportunities come up with voters more than immigration , Arellano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday that he 's had liberals on social media dismissively say that Trump does n't care about him or other Latino voters .
Trump would n't be coming to Phoenix to talk to Latino voters if he did n't care , Arellano said .
Tatiana Peña , who is running as a Republican for the Arizona House in Legislative District 27 , echoed the idea .
`` If he hates Latinos , why is he here ?
If he hates Latinos , why is he coming on Monday to talk to Latinos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Daniel Gonzalez contributed to this story .
Reach reporter Rachel Leingang by email at rachel.leingang @ gannett.com or by phone at 602-444-8157 , or find her on Twitter and Facebook .

Trump campaign courts Latino voters in Arizona, historically Democrats. Here's what that looks like
Show Caption Hide Caption How a contentious election affects a peaceful transition of power What history has shown us about contested elections and peaceful transitions of power. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
In a south Phoenix strip mall near a Chinese restaurant and cell phone store, sits a new office designed to mobilize Latino voters and convince them to vote for President Donald Trump in November.
Outside the front doors, the words "Latinos for Trump" are written in chalk on the sidewalk.
The windows of Latinos for Trump are adorned with photos of Latinos and core values the Trump campaign believes will attract this group of voters: faith, family, opportunity.
President Donald Trump's fifth visit to Arizona this year, set for Monday, centers on Latino voters, who both presidential candidates are courting as the state increasingly becomes a battleground.
The president was scheduled to host a Latinos for Trump roundtable at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix on Monday, after spending time earlier in the day in California getting a wildfire update.
In advance of the Arizona visit, about 30 volunteers gathered at the office, which opened this summer, to hear how they could attract Latinos when they speak to other voters.
The coalition says it has about 1,200 volunteers throughout Arizona.
Latinos for Trump, which also has offices in Tucson and Yuma, boasts a full calendar of voter engagement activities, such as door knocking, watch parties and phone banks. The office includes literature for local Republican candidates and signature teal-and-red signs with the group's name.
Pam Kirby, a former Scottsdale school board member who is on the advisory board for Latinos for Trump, said the centers serve as a public statement from the president that he cares about Latino voters.
"He's walking the talk. He doesn't just sit in DC and say, yes, I value the Latino vote. He's actually making financial investments," Kirby said.
On its website, Latinos for Trump shares key issues in Trump's platform that the group says align well with Latino voters: freedom, faith, family, economy, jobs and opportunity.
"Latinos for Trump are mobilizing to re-elect President Donald. J. Trump by sharing the historic gains made in Latino communities as a result of the Trump administration," the group's website said. "Re-electing President Trump will ensure economic opportunity, safer communities and religious liberty for generations to come."
Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for president, has not yet visited Arizona this cycle. His running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, appeared at a virtual event in Arizona on Saturday. Jill Biden, the candidate's wife, also held a virtual event last week in Arizona.
This isn't the first coalition associated with the Trump campaign that's working to make inroads with specific subsets of voters.
Another group that called itself Latter-day Saints for Trump was on hand for a visit from Vice President Mike Pence last month as part of efforts by the Trump campaign to reach out to religious voters. The use of the church's name for a group that is not affiliated with the church angered some LDS voters in Arizona, who said the group's name was "out of bounds."
Another group called Women for Trump works to engage female voters.
Trump's actions and words, especially on immigration policies involving the border wall and the future of Dreamers — young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children — have frequently drawn fire from Latinos.
While he was running for president in 2015, he commented that Mexico wasn't sending its "best" to the U.S.
"When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people," he said.
Campaigns court Latino voters
Latinos are projected to make up almost one-fourth of Arizona's voters this year, one of the highest shares of Latino voters in the country, according to the Pew Research Center.
Both presidential campaigns are trying to engage Latino voters in Arizona. Some have criticized the Biden campaign for being slow to reach out to Latino voters, although efforts to engage Latino voters have ramped up in recent weeks.
For instance, a new ad from the Biden/Harris campaign features Phoenix chef Silvana Salcido Esparza, owner of Barrio Cafe, who speaks in both English and Spanish about struggling to keep her restaurant open through the pandemic.
Historically, Latinos have overwhelmingly voted for Democrats. In the 2018 midterm elections, 69% of Latinos voted for Democratic candidates in congressional races, compared with 29% of Latinos who voted for Republican candidates, according to Pew Research Center.
But in Arizona, where the presidential race is seen as increasingly tight, especially for a historically red state, peeling off some voters who traditionally have supported Democrats could pay off.
Kirby said Latinos for Trump has signed up new voters and met Latinos who typically vote for Democrats who have switched their parties.
"They see Latinos standing up as conservatives, and they realize we share the same values. They are switching from Democrat to Republican," she said.
Biden campaign ramps up Latino outreach
In August, the Biden campaign launched the Arizona Latino Leaders Council, a group of more than 30 Latino leaders tasked with engaging Latinos across the state. The group includes Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, state House Minority Leader Charlene Fernandez and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, all of whom are co-chairs of the council.
The campaign also released an "agenda for the Latino community," which includes priorities that the Biden administration would undertake if they win the office.
These priorities include economic mobility plans, investments in improving health disparities, expanding access to quality education and overhauling the immigration system.
Harris held a virtual roundtable event on Saturday with Latino small business owners.
Election 2020: Kamala Harris tells AZ biz group 'immigrants have too much at stake' to sit out election
Romero told The Arizona Republic that the Biden campaign has made strong efforts to reach out to Latino leaders and involve them in engaging Arizona Latino voters instead of parachuting in like candidates sometimes do.
She believes the campaign sought input from Latinos and came up with a well-defined policy agenda that will meaningfully benefit Latinos. She pointed to ads running in both English and Spanish. The campaign is dropping off literature at voters' homes and finding ways to boost turnout and engagement, she said.
The Arizona advisory council, which she co-chairs, meets every week, she said.
"We're listening to leaders, not just elected leaders, but community leaders throughout Arizona to hear what their interests are and how we can get better to get to the population," Romero said.
She sees Trump's visit and attempts to engage Latino voters as hypocritical. She described actions she said have hurt Latinos, such as Trump's efforts to build a more robust border wall, attempts to end protections for Dreamers, pardoning former Sheriff Joe Arpaio on a criminal contempt conviction and a failed response to COVID-19.
"The effects of his words should carry strong with Latinos, especially here in Arizona. I think it is maximum hypocrisy of Trump doing outreach to Latinos here in Arizona," Romero said.
Latinos for Trump centers mobilize volunteers
Several speakers at the Saturday gathering shared how their loved ones or friends often were shocked to hear they voted Republican.
Kirby thanked the crowd for showing that it is "OK to be a Latino Republican."
Art del Cueto, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, said he talks to family members and asks why they're voting a certain way, and it sometimes sounds like they haven't thought much about the reasons they're voting for a candidate.
"I think a movement like this is important because it gives the individual the right to think for themselves, not just think what somebody in their family had told them, or not just to think what some headlines in the news media told them," he said.
Del Cueto implored volunteers to make sure they and their loved ones weren't complacent this election. Sitting at home is not an option. Promise yourself to bring 10 voters each to the polls, he told them.
Sergio Arellano, a veteran and business owner who is on the Latinos for Trump advisory board, said that it used to be rare to find Latino Republicans. But he's seen involvement grow over the past few years as efforts to reach out to Latinos have increased, he said.
Pocketbook issues like jobs, unemployment and business opportunities come up with voters more than immigration, Arellano said.
He told the group gathered on Saturday that he's had liberals on social media dismissively say that Trump doesn't care about him or other Latino voters.
Trump wouldn't be coming to Phoenix to talk to Latino voters if he didn't care, Arellano said.
Tatiana Peña, who is running as a Republican for the Arizona House in Legislative District 27, echoed the idea.
"If he hates Latinos, why is he here? If he hates Latinos, why is he coming on Monday to talk to Latinos?" she told the crowd.
Reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Daniel Gonzalez contributed to this story.
Reach reporter Rachel Leingang by email at rachel.leingang@gannett.com or by phone at 602-444-8157, or find her on Twitter and Facebook.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.


usatoday--2020-09-14--House returns Monday for busy session with pandemic, shutdown, marijuana on agenda

WASHINGTON — The House is set to return from a monthlong recess Monday , launching a congressional sprint on a number of must-pass bills to avert a government shutdown .
Both the House and Senate only have several weeks left in session before the November election .
The small window , meshed with essential legislation , a global pandemic and a presidential election , has left Congress with a jam-packed schedule .
The House also aims to tackle topics beyond the expected , like the federal legalization of marijuana .
Here ’ s what to expect this month once the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s capital : Optimism on Capitol Hill has faded fast .
Americans weathering the deep-rooted impacts of the coronavirus pandemic appear increasingly unlikely to see any additional financial relief from Congress before the November election .
After passing a series of bills totaling more than $ 3 trillion to help blunt COVID-19 , congressional leaders have so far been unable to find a bipartisan compromise on another batch of aid for unemployed Americans , schools and businesses .
Top Democrats and White House negotiators spent weeks attempting to broker a deal , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their heels and blaming one another for the prolonged impasse .
Last week , Senate Democrats blocked a Republican $ 300 billion COVID-19 stimulus bill .
That further dampened prospects Congress will pass additional pandemic aid .
After the chamber failed to move forward on the measure , a host of lawmakers voiced skepticism that any movement would be made on such a package until voters cast their ballots .
Senate stimulus plan : Senate Democrats block $ 300 billion coronavirus stimulus package , leaving little hope for relief before November Senate Majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Kentucky that the outlook appeared grim .
“ I wish I could tell you we were going to get another package , but it does n't look that good right now , ” he said .
But lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have not closed the door to more aid passing , insisting that the failure would force both sides back to the negotiating table .
Sen. Richard Shelby , R-Ala. , who chairs the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee , said all hope was not lost yet , though `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You know , you never know around here .
Sometimes things look bleak and they revive , and so forth , '' he told reporters .
The impasse has not been helpful to those in tight November races and moderate Democrats in the House , many of whom have attempted to pushed/ a public pressure campaign to take up a smaller bill to quickly get financial relief to families and the unemployed .
A senior Democratic aide associated with the moderate wing of the party , granted anonymity to speak candidly , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to House Democratic leadership and said it wanted a vote on a negotiated stimulus deal by the end of the session .
Rep. John Yarmuth , D-Ky. , the chair of the House Budget Committee and a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus , told USA TODAY one way to help break the impasse and pressure Senate Republicans would be to pass individual parts of the stimulus , such as a boost to unemployment benefits or action on evictions .
Doing so would `` force them to take action on what we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yarmuth said .
Congress may be able to compromise on a lower amount for aid to state and local governments .
Democrats have made providing funds to struggling state and local governments a priority since spring , but Republicans have roundly opposed the idea .
Under the Heroes Act , the House Democratic plan passed in May , Yarmuth said the city government in Louisville , Kentucky , would have gotten aid `` far in excess of what the crisis has cost in revenue , '' he said .
`` We can help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very important way at far less cost than we had in Heroes . ''
But amid the impasse , `` I do n't think we 're losing the messaging battle on this , but I do n't think we 're winning it either , '' he said , adding it could look bad for Democrats to leave at the end of the session with a stimulus plan unresolved .
`` It 's not good government to leave without doing anything , '' he said , noting Democrats would look much better if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , however , is hopeful a deal is possible .
She said in a Friday CNN interview she is “ completely optimistic ” about a compromise .
“ I do think that we should have an agreement , ” she said .
“ That ’ s what we all want.
” In a little over two weeks , the federal government will shut down if Congress does not pass a series of annual bills .
Pelosi and the Trump administration came to an informal deal that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s still unclear how long the bills will extend to and when exactly they will be taken up in both chambers .
The government will shut down on Sept. 30 unless Congress passes a continuing resolution and the president signs off .
Pelosi and McConnell have both shot down ideas to add COVID-19 relief to the spending legislation , measures that are likely to be some of the last bills to become law before the election .
“ Those negotiations are separate from this , ” Pelosi said when asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Congress reach informal deal to avert a government shutdown at end of month The addition of coronavirus programs , such as unemployment benefits , could add more uncertainty over a potential government shutdown – something that experts say could have untested consequences amid a global pandemic in which Americans are relying on government programs and agencies .
Sarah Binder , a professor of political science at George Washington University and a Brookings Institution senior fellow , said it would be a “ catastrophic blow ” to have a shutdown in the middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health were furloughed .
House Democrats will continue to escalate their confrontation with the U.S .
Postal Service when they return .
A congressional panel is set to hold a hearing Monday on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy ’ s alleged conflicts of interest and how his leadership could “ jeopardize the Postal Service and the mail-in voting process for the 2020 election.
” No current postal officials are set to testify , but among the witnesses are S. David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Postal Board of Governors , the body overseeing the agency , and former Federal Election Commission Chairwoman Ann M. Ravel .
Both are Democrats .
Democratic lawmakers have opened several investigations into the Postal Service , most recently into allegations DeJoy pressured employees at his former company into giving political donations to Republicans and helped reimburse the cost – a potential campaign finance violation .
Democratic lawmakers allege DeJoy , a major Republican donor , has conflicts of interest in running the agency and argue delays and operational changes at the Postal Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ability to handle an expected surge of mail-in ballots this fall .
More : House committee to investigate Postmaster General DeJoy over political donations to GOP candidates DeJoy testified twice before lawmakers in August , acknowledging delays in the mail across the country but pledging to deliver all election mail on time .
In testimony , DeJoy slammed what he called a `` false narrative '' that Postal Service changes had been made to disrupt the election , and he defended his changes as necessary to support the agency 's finances .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended some operational changes in August but said he would resume cost-cutting measures , including the effort to improve delivery times , until after the election Nov. 3 .
In addition to a COVID-19 relief bill and government funding , the House plans to address a slate of legislation addressing Democratic priorities , though they are unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled Senate .
One bill allowing the federal legalization of marijuana , the MORE Act , is set for a vote during the week of Sept. 21 .
The timing of the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity before the election – is already causing consternation among moderate Democrats who would prefer the House ’ s attention be directed to other issues , according to the senior aide .
The bill would remove marijuana from the federal list of controlled substances and expunge some marijuana-related criminal records , though it would still be up to states to pass their own regulations on the sale of marijuana .
The MORE Act is likely to pass the House , Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler , D-N.Y. , told USA TODAY earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make progress in the Senate .
The bill only has one Republican co-sponsor , Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Fla. , who said he objected to parts of the bill that were akin , in his view , to “ reparations , ” but would still vote for it .
Also on the agenda are several bills addressing diversity in education , protections for pregnant workers , intelligence reauthorization , and the condemnation of anti-Asian bigotry and bias amid the COVID-19 pandemic .

Nicholas Wu and Christal Hayes, USA TODAY

House returns Monday for busy session with pandemic, shutdown, marijuana on agenda
Show Caption Hide Caption Pelosi: Trump showed 'contempt' for Americans House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the president’s comments to journalist Bob Woodward "is a tragedy beyond words." (Sept. 10) AP
WASHINGTON — The House is set to return from a monthlong recess Monday, launching a congressional sprint on a number of must-pass bills to avert a government shutdown.
Both the House and Senate only have several weeks left in session before the November election. The small window, meshed with essential legislation, a global pandemic and a presidential election, has left Congress with a jam-packed schedule. The House also aims to tackle topics beyond the expected, like the federal legalization of marijuana.
Here’s what to expect this month once the House is back in the nation’s capital:
COVID-19 relief?
Optimism on Capitol Hill has faded fast. Americans weathering the deep-rooted impacts of the coronavirus pandemic appear increasingly unlikely to see any additional financial relief from Congress before the November election.
After passing a series of bills totaling more than $3 trillion to help blunt COVID-19, congressional leaders have so far been unable to find a bipartisan compromise on another batch of aid for unemployed Americans, schools and businesses. Top Democrats and White House negotiators spent weeks attempting to broker a deal, only leading to both sides largely digging in their heels and blaming one another for the prolonged impasse.
Last week, Senate Democrats blocked a Republican $300 billion COVID-19 stimulus bill. That further dampened prospects Congress will pass additional pandemic aid. After the chamber failed to move forward on the measure, a host of lawmakers voiced skepticism that any movement would be made on such a package until voters cast their ballots.
Senate stimulus plan: Senate Democrats block $300 billion coronavirus stimulus package, leaving little hope for relief before November
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters on Friday in Kentucky that the outlook appeared grim.
“I wish I could tell you we were going to get another package, but it doesn't look that good right now,” he said.
But lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have not closed the door to more aid passing, insisting that the failure would force both sides back to the negotiating table. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., who chairs the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, said all hope was not lost yet, though "it looks that way."
"You know, you never know around here. Sometimes things look bleak and they revive, and so forth," he told reporters.
The impasse has not been helpful to those in tight November races and moderate Democrats in the House, many of whom have attempted to pushed/ a public pressure campaign to take up a smaller bill to quickly get financial relief to families and the unemployed.
A senior Democratic aide associated with the moderate wing of the party, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said the moderate Blue Dog Coalition reached out to House Democratic leadership and said it wanted a vote on a negotiated stimulus deal by the end of the session.
Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., the chair of the House Budget Committee and a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told USA TODAY one way to help break the impasse and pressure Senate Republicans would be to pass individual parts of the stimulus, such as a boost to unemployment benefits or action on evictions.
Doing so would "force them to take action on what we do" and give them another option, Yarmuth said.
Congress may be able to compromise on a lower amount for aid to state and local governments. Democrats have made providing funds to struggling state and local governments a priority since spring, but Republicans have roundly opposed the idea.
Under the Heroes Act, the House Democratic plan passed in May, Yarmuth said the city government in Louisville, Kentucky, would have gotten aid "far in excess of what the crisis has cost in revenue," he said. "We can help the state and local governments in a very important way at far less cost than we had in Heroes." But amid the impasse, "I don't think we're losing the messaging battle on this, but I don't think we're winning it either," he said, adding it could look bad for Democrats to leave at the end of the session with a stimulus plan unresolved.
"It's not good government to leave without doing anything," he said, noting Democrats would look much better if they did "something responsible, and reasonable."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, however, is hopeful a deal is possible. She said in a Friday CNN interview she is “completely optimistic” about a compromise.
“I do think that we should have an agreement,” she said. “That’s what we all want.”
Avoiding a government shutdown
In a little over two weeks, the federal government will shut down if Congress does not pass a series of annual bills.
Pelosi and the Trump administration came to an informal deal that would extend government funding at the current operatinglevels. It’s still unclear how long the bills will extend to and when exactly they will be taken up in both chambers. The government will shut down on Sept. 30 unless Congress passes a continuing resolution and the president signs off.
Pelosi and McConnell have both shot down ideas to add COVID-19 relief to the spending legislation, measures that are likely to be some of the last bills to become law before the election. “Those negotiations are separate from this,” Pelosi said when asked Thursday.
Informal deal: White House and Congress reach informal deal to avert a government shutdown at end of month
The addition of coronavirus programs, such as unemployment benefits, could add more uncertainty over a potential government shutdown – something that experts say could have untested consequences amid a global pandemic in which Americans are relying on government programs and agencies.
Sarah Binder, a professor of political science at George Washington University and a Brookings Institution senior fellow, said it would be a “catastrophic blow” to have a shutdown in the middle of the pandemic, especially if workers at agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health were furloughed.
US Postal Service
House Democrats will continue to escalate their confrontation with the U.S. Postal Service when they return. A congressional panel is set to hold a hearing Monday on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s alleged conflicts of interest and how his leadership could “jeopardize the Postal Service and the mail-in voting process for the 2020 election.”
No current postal officials are set to testify, but among the witnesses are S. David Fineman, the former chairman of the Postal Board of Governors, the body overseeing the agency, and former Federal Election Commission Chairwoman Ann M. Ravel. Both are Democrats.
Democratic lawmakers have opened several investigations into the Postal Service, most recently into allegations DeJoy pressured employees at his former company into giving political donations to Republicans and helped reimburse the cost – a potential campaign finance violation. Democratic lawmakers allege DeJoy, a major Republican donor, has conflicts of interest in running the agency and argue delays and operational changes at the Postal Service during his tenure threaten the agency’s ability to handle an expected surge of mail-in ballots this fall.
More: House committee to investigate Postmaster General DeJoy over political donations to GOP candidates
More: Senate report finds 'significant' prescription drug delivery delays under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy
DeJoy testified twice before lawmakers in August, acknowledging delays in the mail across the country but pledging to deliver all election mail on time. In testimony, DeJoy slammed what he called a "false narrative" that Postal Service changes had been made to disrupt the election, and he defended his changes as necessary to support the agency's finances.
Under criticism from both sides, DeJoy suspended some operational changes in August but said he would resume cost-cutting measures, including the effort to improve delivery times, until after the election Nov. 3.
Marijuana and anti-discrimination bills
In addition to a COVID-19 relief bill and government funding, the House plans to address a slate of legislation addressing Democratic priorities, though they are unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled Senate.
One bill allowing the federal legalization of marijuana, the MORE Act, is set for a vote during the week of Sept. 21. The timing of the vote – in the last month of congressional activity before the election – is already causing consternation among moderate Democrats who would prefer the House’s attention be directed to other issues, according to the senior aide.
The bill would remove marijuana from the federal list of controlled substances and expunge some marijuana-related criminal records, though it would still be up to states to pass their own regulations on the sale of marijuana.
The MORE Act is likely to pass the House, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., told USA TODAY earlier this month, though it is unlikely to make progress in the Senate. The bill only has one Republican co-sponsor, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who said he objected to parts of the bill that were akin, in his view, to “reparations,” but would still vote for it.
Also on the agenda are several bills addressing diversity in education, protections for pregnant workers, intelligence reauthorization, and the condemnation of anti-Asian bigotry and bias amid the COVID-19 pandemic.


usatoday--2020-09-15--Michael Cohen: Trump's disdain towards Obama was 'purely racial'

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump 's former self-described fixer and personal attorney , Michael Cohen , claimed Trump 's disdain towards former President Barack Obama , the nation 's first African American president , was steeped in racism .
`` He never was able to fully grasp how the country ended up voting for the very first Black president , '' Cohen said while appearing on ABC 's `` The View '' on Monday .
He continued that the reason why Trump `` despises '' Obama `` to the extent that he does , I believe it ’ s purely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustration with Obama 's ivy-league education .
He added later : “ I believe it ’ s solely predicated on the fact that Barack Obama is Black.
” More : Michael Cohen calls Trump ' a con man ' while Sarah Sanders praises the president as a 'fighter ' in new books Cohen has released a book about his former boss entitled : `` Disloyal , a Memoir : The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J .
Trump . ''
In the new book , Cohen describes several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards minority communities .
`` This was when I started to witness the increasingly reactionary and unhinged Archie Bunker racism that defined Trump and his views on modern America , '' Cohen writes about Trum “ I will never get the Hispanic vote , ” Cohen quoted Trump as saying in his book .
`` Like the blacks , they ’ re too stupid to vote for Trump . ''
'Dynamite behind every door ' : More of Trump 's comments on Obama , race and world leaders from Bob Woodward 's book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USPS for COVID-19 postcards featuring Trump 's name '' Michael Cohen is a disgraced felon and disbarred lawyer who lied to Congress .
He has lost all credibility , and it ’ s unsurprising to see his latest attempt to profit off of lies , '' she said .
Trump has pushed back against accusations of racism by claiming repeatedly that `` nobody has done more for Black Americans than '' he has .
Cohen also claims he even hired an Obama impersonator during the 2016 campaign so the former host of `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commander-in-chief .
`` We even hired a Faux-Bama , or fake Obama , to record a video where Trump ritualistically belittled the first black president and then fired him , a kind of fantasy fulfillment that it was hard to imagine any adult would spend serious money living out , '' Cohen penned .
More : Vindman says Trump is Putin 's 'useful idiot ' , considers himself a 'never-Trumper' Trump 's contempt extended to Black foreign leaders , according to the book .
Cohen quotes him as saying , “ tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person that isn ’ t a shithole . ''
This echoes what he said during a testimony before Congress in 2019 , where Cohen repeated this claim , while adding then : `` This was when Barack Obama was president of the United States . ''
Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to lying to Congress about plans to build a Trump Tower in Russia and , in a separate case , to paying off an adult film star and a former Playboy model who said they had sexual affairs with Trump before he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the direction of Trump , who has denied both affairs .
Cohen is serving the remainder of a three-year sentence in home confinement after he was released because of the coronavirus pandemic .
More : Trump campaign courts Latino voters in Arizona , historically Democrats .
Here 's what that looks like Cohen was also pressed about a recent Vanity Fair article that alleges that Trump made sexually offensive comments about Cohen ’ s daughter , Samantha , who was 15-years-old at the time of the incident .
Co-host Joy Behar asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slide ?
” “ I knew it was wrong .
I would have never allowed anyone to speak about her that way… but I was part of the cult and there really was no wrong that he could do , ” Cohen said .
'Anxious , fearful , angry ' : At 50 days out to Election Day , many voters are wary of both Trump and Biden He was later pressed by co-host Meghan McCain on why the American public should trust him now , to which he claimed his actions were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called it : “ Trump Derangement Syndrome.
” “ You need to look at what the lies were all about -- they were for the benefit of Donald Trump , ” replied Cohen .
“ My need to please him was greater than my ability to control my own moral compass .
”

Michael Cohen: Trump's disdain towards Obama was 'purely racial'
Show Caption Hide Caption Michael Cohen in new book writes Trump is 'a predator, a con man' The White House has called the former Trump fixer's memoir "fan fiction." CBC English, CBC English
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's former self-described fixer and personal attorney, Michael Cohen, claimed Trump's disdain towards former President Barack Obama, the nation's first African American president, was steeped in racism.
"He never was able to fully grasp how the country ended up voting for the very first Black president," Cohen said while appearing on ABC's "The View" on Monday.
He continued that the reason why Trump "despises" Obama "to the extent that he does, I believe it’s purely racial" while also citing Trump's frustration with Obama's ivy-league education.
He added later: “I believe it’s solely predicated on the fact that Barack Obama is Black.”
.@MichaelCohen212 on Pres. Trump’s alleged dislike for former Pres. Barack Obama: “Why he despises him to the extent that he does, I believe it’s purely racial.”
“I believe it’s solely predicated on the fact that Barack Obama is Black,” he adds.https://t.co/1091s9WYqN pic.twitter.com/xjtOWhLU7h — The View (@TheView) September 14, 2020
More: Michael Cohen calls Trump 'a con man' while Sarah Sanders praises the president as a 'fighter' in new books
Cohen has released a book about his former boss entitled: "Disloyal, a Memoir: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump."
In the new book, Cohen describes several instances where he says Trump was disparaging towards minority communities.
"This was when I started to witness the increasingly reactionary and unhinged Archie Bunker racism that defined Trump and his views on modern America," Cohen writes about Trum
“I will never get the Hispanic vote,” Cohen quoted Trump as saying in his book. "Like the blacks, they’re too stupid to vote for Trump."
'Dynamite behind every door': More of Trump's comments on Obama, race and world leaders from Bob Woodward's book
More: Trump administration has not paid USPS for COVID-19 postcards featuring Trump's name
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany has dismissed Cohen's allegations.
"Michael Cohen is a disgraced felon and disbarred lawyer who lied to Congress. He has lost all credibility, and it’s unsurprising to see his latest attempt to profit off of lies," she said.
Trump has pushed back against accusations of racism by claiming repeatedly that "nobody has done more for Black Americans than" he has.
Cohen also claims he even hired an Obama impersonator during the 2016 campaign so the former host of "The Apprentice" could "fire" the commander-in-chief.
"We even hired a Faux-Bama, or fake Obama, to record a video where Trump ritualistically belittled the first black president and then fired him, a kind of fantasy fulfillment that it was hard to imagine any adult would spend serious money living out," Cohen penned.
More: Vindman says Trump is Putin's 'useful idiot', considers himself a 'never-Trumper'
Trump's contempt extended to Black foreign leaders, according to the book. Cohen quotes him as saying, “tell me one country run by a Black person that isn’t a shithole."
This echoes what he said during a testimony before Congress in 2019, where Cohen repeated this claim, while adding then: "This was when Barack Obama was president of the United States."
Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to lying to Congress about plans to build a Trump Tower in Russia and, in a separate case, to paying off an adult film star and a former Playboy model who said they had sexual affairs with Trump before he was elected.
He insisted he acted at the direction of Trump, who has denied both affairs. Cohen is serving the remainder of a three-year sentence in home confinement after he was released because of the coronavirus pandemic.
More: Trump campaign courts Latino voters in Arizona, historically Democrats. Here's what that looks like
Cohen was also pressed about a recent Vanity Fair article that alleges that Trump made sexually offensive comments about Cohen’s daughter, Samantha, who was 15-years-old at the time of the incident.
Co-host Joy Behar asked, “How could you let that slide?”
“I knew it was wrong. I would have never allowed anyone to speak about her that way… but I was part of the cult and there really was no wrong that he could do,” Cohen said.
'Anxious, fearful, angry': At 50 days out to Election Day, many voters are wary of both Trump and Biden
He was later pressed by co-host Meghan McCain on why the American public should trust him now, to which he claimed his actions were akin Stockholm Syndrome, or as he called it: “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
“You need to look at what the lies were all about -- they were for the benefit of Donald Trump,” replied Cohen. “My need to please him was greater than my ability to control my own moral compass.”
Contributing: David Jackson, Courtney Subramanian