usatoday--2020-07-10--I hope white women will help us change America in 2020. But so far I'm not counting on it.

One might think that at this point , Joe Biden choosing a Black woman as his running mate is a foregone conclusion .
However , with a Democratic Party hesitant to lose the mysterious “ swing voter ” in a post-Donald Trump America functioning under the familiar dark cloud of emboldened armed white supremacists , I am offering no such prediction — just thoughts and prayers .
White voters may eventually be the minority constituency , but we ’ re not there yet .
Ergo , electing a Black woman as the first t crack the glass ceiling at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some white women allies .
And judging by the history of the feminist movement and previous underwhelming displays of solidarity , I have concerns about how this may pan out .
The relationship of the feminist movement and Black activism has long been peppered with mistrust .
“ We ” didn ’ t “ suddenly ” arrive at this moment of change .
Black women have been working , fighting , voting , running , building and sacrificing for a moment such as this for centuries .
We have waged and won political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of many white women .
Which is why I can ’ t always support the feminist coalition at large .
Both the movement and the news media ’ s coverage of it have long seemed overwhelmingly preoccupied with the suffering of white women .
For most of my life the faces of the movement were white women .
Gloria Steinem was the face of feminism , but not Shirley Chisholm .
I was an adult by the time Angela Davis was regarded as a feminist .
Even now , as many in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution by declaring that it ’ s when women got the right to vote — the omission of Black women is painful .
Practically speaking , given that they were sidelined by the suffragist movement and kept from voting by restrictive state laws , 1920 is when white women got the right to vote .
Not us .
However , once Black women did secure our own path to the ballot box , we wielded that power with great authority .
And continue to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democracy Campaign found that in the 2018 congressional elections , there was a 105 % increase in candidates who were women of color .
They made up 4 % of candidates and 5 % of the winners .
The 116th Congress is the most diverse the country has ever seen .
Meanwhile , white men comprise 30 % of the population but still hold 62 % of elected offices at the local , state and federal levels .
The political structure still overwhelmingly favors white men as the ruling class .
And white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is why Trump has resorted to the only thing he has ever been able to run on — stoking fear among his base of white supporters , particularly white suburban women , in an effort to win re-election .
But will they be frightened ?
Or disgusted ?
In 2016 , an estimated 52 % of the white female vote went to Trump .
And let ’ s be honest , the president is just punctuating the same racist points he made before finding his way to the White House .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roy Moore , who was accused of sexually predatory behavior .
He secured a majority of white women voters in Alabama ’ s 2017 Senate race .
In the Georgia governor ’ s race in 2018 , nearly 75 % of white women outpaced even white men voting for anti-choice candidate Republican Brian Kemp .
A whopping 97 % of Black women supported his opponent , Stacey Abrams , an African American who had served in the state legislature and was a staunch protector of women ’ s reproductive rights .
During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican Party dipped only slightly .
Not nearly enough .
Criminal treatment : As schools prepare to reopen , we must remove cops from campuses to protect Black girls So now that the presidential election is coinciding with a racial reckoning centuries in the making , what will happen when candidates start to focus on people of color in their stump speeches ?
Which is long overdue , by the way .
The Democratic Party has not won a majority of white voters since the 1960s .
Biden choosing a Black woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wide net of influence legislatively if the VP pick adopts a comprehensive agenda that addresses housing , criminal justice reform , education , voting rights and more .
Additionally , should Biden win the presidency and keep his word to name a Black woman to the Supreme Court , the judiciary could shift depending on how many appointments become available during his first term .
And if a new crop of Democratic congressional nominees goes on to win in November , moderate Biden could be facing an increasingly progressive and even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Will white women welcome this new terrain ?
The demographics of the country are changing and new voters are entering the electorate .
For them , President Barack Obama ’ s historic presidency was their floor , not their ceiling .
Previously , young Black people and other voters of color could only envision the possible .
And , for many , even that seemed out of reach .
At this moment , people of color are reimagining America .
And that blank slate has them seeing the impossible .
Is it impossible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support this changing America ?
They may never recover : Trump has failed minority-owned businesses .
Here 's how Congress can help .
I hope not .
It will take everyone to decisively remove a racist from the White House as voters will be facing an unholy trinity at the ballot box : GOP-led voter suppression , foreign election interference that specifically targets Black voters , and the devastating impact of COVID-19 .
Yet can we depend on many of these white women to vote in their self-interest ?
It aligns with ours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question .
As long as there are more Amy Coopers than there are Taylor Swifts , both racism and sexism will continue to dominate our laws and policies at all levels of government .
It 's a system under which we all suffer .
Tiffany D. Cross , former Washington Bureau Chief of BET news , is a political analyst who appears on MSNBC , CNN and SiriusXM .
Her new book , “ Say It Louder !
Black Voters , White Narratives , and Saving Our Democracy , ” was published this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TiffanyDCross

I hope white women will help us change America in 2020. But so far I'm not counting on it. We need all the support we can get from white women as we reimagine America. It will take everyone to decisively remove a racist from the White House.
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
One might think that at this point, Joe Biden choosing a Black woman as his running mate is a foregone conclusion. However, with a Democratic Party hesitant to lose the mysterious “swing voter” in a post-Donald Trump America functioning under the familiar dark cloud of emboldened armed white supremacists, I am offering no such prediction — just thoughts and prayers.
White voters may eventually be the minority constituency, but we’re not there yet. Ergo, electing a Black woman as the first t crack the glass ceiling at the most senior level of government will require some white women allies. And judging by the history of the feminist movement and previous underwhelming displays of solidarity, I have concerns about how this may pan out.
The relationship of the feminist movement and Black activism has long been peppered with mistrust. “We” didn’t “suddenly” arrive at this moment of change. Black women have been working, fighting, voting, running, building and sacrificing for a moment such as this for centuries. We have waged and won political and social battles, mostly absent the support of many white women. Which is why I can’t always support the feminist coalition at large. Both the movement and the news media’s coverage of it have long seemed overwhelmingly preoccupied with the suffering of white women.
Feminism is a story of white women
For most of my life the faces of the movement were white women. Gloria Steinem was the face of feminism, but not Shirley Chisholm. I was an adult by the time Angela Davis was regarded as a feminist. Even now, as many in the media prepare to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution by declaring that it’s when women got the right to vote — the omission of Black women is painful. Practically speaking, given that they were sidelined by the suffragist movement and kept from voting by restrictive state laws, 1920 is when white women got the right to vote. Not us. However, once Black women did secure our own path to the ballot box, we wielded that power with great authority. And continue to do so today.
A report from the Reflective Democracy Campaign found that in the 2018 congressional elections, there was a 105% increase in candidates who were women of color. They made up 4% of candidates and 5% of the winners. The 116th Congress is the most diverse the country has ever seen. Meanwhile, white men comprise 30% of the population but still hold 62% of elected offices at the local, state and federal levels. The political structure still overwhelmingly favors white men as the ruling class. And white women have been their biggest enablers.
This is why Trump has resorted to the only thing he has ever been able to run on — stoking fear among his base of white supporters, particularly white suburban women, in an effort to win re-election. But will they be frightened? Or disgusted? In 2016, an estimated 52% of the white female vote went to Trump. And let’s be honest, the president is just punctuating the same racist points he made before finding his way to the White House. They always knew who he was.
Take Roy Moore, who was accused of sexually predatory behavior. He secured a majority of white women voters in Alabama’s 2017 Senate race. In the Georgia governor’s race in 2018, nearly 75% of white women outpaced even white men voting for anti-choice candidate Republican Brian Kemp. A whopping 97% of Black women supported his opponent, Stacey Abrams, an African American who had served in the state legislature and was a staunch protector of women’s reproductive rights. During the 2018 midterms, white female support for the Republican Party dipped only slightly. Not nearly enough.
Criminal treatment: As schools prepare to reopen, we must remove cops from campuses to protect Black girls
So now that the presidential election is coinciding with a racial reckoning centuries in the making, what will happen when candidates start to focus on people of color in their stump speeches? Which is long overdue, by the way. The Democratic Party has not won a majority of white voters since the 1960s.
Obama was a floor, not a ceiling
Biden choosing a Black woman as his running mate could potentially cast a wide net of influence legislatively if the VP pick adopts a comprehensive agenda that addresses housing, criminal justice reform, education, voting rights and more. Additionally, should Biden win the presidency and keep his word to name a Black woman to the Supreme Court, the judiciary could shift depending on how many appointments become available during his first term. And if a new crop of Democratic congressional nominees goes on to win in November, moderate Biden could be facing an increasingly progressive and even more diverse Congress if he beats Trump.
Will white women welcome this new terrain?
The demographics of the country are changing and new voters are entering the electorate. For them, President Barack Obama’s historic presidency was their floor, not their ceiling. Previously, young Black people and other voters of color could only envision the possible. And, for many, even that seemed out of reach. At this moment, people of color are reimagining America. And that blank slate has them seeing the impossible. Is it impossible for the bulk of white women to support this changing America?
They may never recover: Trump has failed minority-owned businesses. Here's how Congress can help.
I hope not. It will take everyone to decisively remove a racist from the White House as voters will be facing an unholy trinity at the ballot box: GOP-led voter suppression, foreign election interference that specifically targets Black voters, and the devastating impact of COVID-19. Yet can we depend on many of these white women to vote in their self-interest? It aligns with ours, but still, that is the question.
As long as there are more Amy Coopers than there are Taylor Swifts, both racism and sexism will continue to dominate our laws and policies at all levels of government. It's a system under which we all suffer.
Tiffany D. Cross, former Washington Bureau Chief of BET news, is a political analyst who appears on MSNBC, CNN and SiriusXM. Her new book, “Say It Louder! Black Voters, White Narratives, and Saving Our Democracy,” was published this week. Follow her on Twitter: @TiffanyDCross


usatoday--2020-07-10--'Black Lives Matter' mural painted at Trump Tower

Large yellow letters spelling the words 'Black Lives Matter ' have found a brand-new home , and this time it @ @ @ @ @ 5th Avenue in front of Trump Tower .
( July 9 )

'Black Lives Matter' mural painted at Trump Tower
Large yellow letters spelling the words 'Black Lives Matter' have found a brand-new home, and this time it's New York City's 5th Avenue in front of Trump Tower. (July 9)
AP


usatoday--2020-07-11--Trump grants clemency to ally Roger Stone after railing against 'unfair' conviction, sentencing

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime confidant Roger Stone , a Republican operative convicted of lying to Congress to protect the president 's campaign from an investigation into Russian election interference .
The White House announced Trump 's decision late Friday , days before Stone was set to report to prison for a 40-month sentence handed down in February , a stunning outcome for a well-knownconsultant who advised political campaigns for decades .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany described Stone as `` a victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attempt to undermine the Trump presidency . ''
But congressional Democrats slammed the move , the latest in series of instances in which the president has wielded his broad clemency powers in highly political criminal cases .
The grant , which wiped out Stone 's sentence but left his conviction in place , brought the years-long battle over Russia 's involvement in the 2016 election back to the forefront in the middle of Trump 's bid for reelection .
Stone was the last person charged in the nearly two-year probe by special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Calif. , a leading figure in the congressional Russia investigation , said Stone repeatedly lied to the House Intelligence Committee that Schiff chairs .
`` Stone knew that telling the truth about his interactions with senior campaign officials and Trump himself would expose the president ’ s eagerness to obtain foreign help , '' Schiff said .
`` So he lied . ''
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner , the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee , said that while `` the United States was founded on the rule of law '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but contempt for it . ''
The Justice Department declined to comment on Trump 's decision Friday .
Grant Smith , an attorney for Stone , said his client was `` incredibly honored '' that Trump used `` his awesome and unique power under the Constitution of the United States for this act of mercy . ''
The Justice Department told a federal appeals court this week that Stone should begin his sentence July 14 , despite his plea to delay it over concerns about the coronavirus .
Hours later , the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conservative news organization Newsmax .
`` He was framed .
He was treated horribly , '' Trump said of Stone .
`` His prayer may be answered . ''
Trump 's decision follows a public dispute with Attorney General William Barr in February over the president 's public remarks about criminal cases .
Trump railed against the Justice Department for recommending Stone serve up to nine years , describing the initial recommendation as a `` miscarriage of justice . ''
Justice officials backed away from that tougher sentence .
That reaction prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration who say the president is making inappropriate forays into criminal cases .
Robert Litt , a lawyer for Aaron Zelinsky – one of the attorneys who prosecuted Stone but later quit the case in protest after the Justice Department backtracked from the tougher sentence – did not comment on the clemency .
But Litt said Zelinsky `` stands by his testimony '' before the House Judiciary Committee and the findings of the Mueller investigation .
Zelinsky testified last month that the Justice Department gave Stone `` unprecedentedly favorable treatment '' because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has granted clemency in a series of political cases .
In February , he commuted the prison sentence of former Illinois Gov .
Rod Blagojevich , a Democrat , and granted pardons to former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik , rogue financier Michael Milken and former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr. Trump for years has offered vague answers to questions about whether he would use his sweeping clemency powers to help allies and former employees ensnared by the Russian investigations , which he has collectively dismissed as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone 's sentence this year , U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said the GOP consultant `` took it upon himself to lie , to impede , to obstruct before the investigation was complete , in an endeavor to influence the result . ''
Stone was found guilty in November of lying to Congress and obstructing the Russia investigation .
The 67-year-old GOP operative was one of several Trump associates to be convicted in cases stemming from former special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into Russia 's interference in the 2016 presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged by overzealous prosecutors pursing a case that never should have existed , and arrested in an operation that never should have been approved , but there were also serious questions about the jury in the case , '' the White House said in a statement .
More : Who was pardoned , who got shorter sentences in Trump 's clemency spree ?
The president had previously granted 25 pardons – full legal forgiveness for a crime – and 10 commutations , which shortens a sentence .
Though that clemency has often been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arpaio , a former sheriff in Arizona , and commentator Dinesh D'Souza , the decision on Stone represents the first time Trump has circumvented the justice system in a case directly tied to himself .
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney , both New York Democrats , asserted in a joint statement that the commutation undermines the rule of law .
`` By this action , President Trump abused the powers of his office in an apparent effort to reward Roger Stone for his refusal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s own conduct , '' the said .
`` No other president has exercised the clemency power for such a patently personal and self-serving purpose . ''
Stone was convicted of lying to investigators about efforts by Trump campaign aides to learn about WikiLeaks ' plans to release emails that Russian operatives stole from Hillary Clinton 's campaign .
Mueller 's investigation found Russia undertook a `` sweeping '' campaign to help Trump , but found no evidence he coordinated with the effort .
Mueller : Trump ’ s aides were eager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t a conspiracy Because the president dismisses the investigations as politically motivated he has also written off the indictments and convictions of former aides and associates .
His decision to grant clemency to Stone comes at a time when polls show he is trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in key battleground states .
Biden campaign spokesman Bill Russo said that Trump had `` once again abused his power , releasing this commutation on a Friday night , hoping to yet again avoid scrutiny as he lays waste to the norms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shining beacon to the rest of the world . ''
Trump has expressed sympathy for several former aides convicted of crimes , but he had previously refused to reveal his plans about clemency .
Trump 's other pardons – including Arpaio , D'Souza and Scooter Libby , former Vice President Dick Cheney 's chief of staff – have often involved highly politicized cases .
Trump granted pardons last year to two members of the military , Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance and Maj. Mathew Golsteyn , who were accused of war crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media outlets .
In wielding his clemency power , Trump has circumvented the formal process for review .
That process includes an FBI background check and recommendations from career prosecutors .
Because the president 's power to pardon comes directly from the Constitution , he 's not required to go through that process .

John Fritze, Kevin Johnson and Kristine Phillips, USA TODAY

Trump grants clemency to ally Roger Stone after railing against 'unfair' conviction, sentencing
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump grants clemency to Roger Stone President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime confidant Roger Stone. USA TODAY, Wochit
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime confidant Roger Stone, a Republican operative convicted of lying to Congress to protect the president's campaign from an investigation into Russian election interference.
The White House announced Trump's decision late Friday, days before Stone was set to report to prison for a 40-month sentence handed down in February, a stunning outcome for a well-known consultant who advised political campaigns for decades.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany described Stone as "a victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump presidency."
But congressional Democrats slammed the move, the latest in series of instances in which the president has wielded his broad clemency powers in highly political criminal cases. The grant, which wiped out Stone's sentence but left his conviction in place, brought the years-long battle over Russia's involvement in the 2016 election back to the forefront in the middle of Trump's bid for reelection.
Stone was the last person charged in the nearly two-year probe by special counsel Robert Mueller.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., a leading figure in the congressional Russia investigation, said Stone repeatedly lied to the House Intelligence Committee that Schiff chairs.
"Stone knew that telling the truth about his interactions with senior campaign officials and Trump himself would expose the president’s eagerness to obtain foreign help," Schiff said. "So he lied."
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that while "the United States was founded on the rule of law" it seemed that Trump "has nothing but contempt for it."
The Justice Department declined to comment on Trump's decision Friday.
Grant Smith, an attorney for Stone, said his client was "incredibly honored" that Trump used "his awesome and unique power under the Constitution of the United States for this act of mercy."
The Justice Department told a federal appeals court this week that Stone should begin his sentence July 14, despite his plea to delay it over concerns about the coronavirus. Hours later, the president presaged his decision during an interview with the conservative news organization Newsmax.
"He was framed. He was treated horribly," Trump said of Stone. "His prayer may be answered."
Trump's decision follows a public dispute with Attorney General William Barr in February over the president's public remarks about criminal cases. Trump railed against the Justice Department for recommending Stone serve up to nine years, describing the initial recommendation as a "miscarriage of justice."
Justice officials backed away from that tougher sentence.
That reaction prompted an outcry from critics of the Trump administration who say the president is making inappropriate forays into criminal cases.
Robert Litt, a lawyer for Aaron Zelinsky – one of the attorneys who prosecuted Stone but later quit the case in protest after the Justice Department backtracked from the tougher sentence – did not comment on the clemency.
But Litt said Zelinsky "stands by his testimony" before the House Judiciary Committee and the findings of the Mueller investigation. Zelinsky testified last month that the Justice Department gave Stone "unprecedentedly favorable treatment" because he's a friend of the president.
Trump has granted clemency in a series of political cases. In February, he commuted the prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, and granted pardons to former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik, rogue financier Michael Milken and former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr.
Trump for years has offered vague answers to questions about whether he would use his sweeping clemency powers to help allies and former employees ensnared by the Russian investigations, which he has collectively dismissed as a "hoax."
In handing down Stone's sentence this year, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said the GOP consultant "took it upon himself to lie, to impede, to obstruct before the investigation was complete, in an endeavor to influence the result."
Stone was found guilty in November of lying to Congress and obstructing the Russia investigation. The 67-year-old GOP operative was one of several Trump associates to be convicted in cases stemming from Mueller's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election.
"Not only was Mr. Stone charged by overzealous prosecutors pursing a case that never should have existed, and arrested in an operation that never should have been approved, but there were also serious questions about the jury in the case," the White House said in a statement.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he believes the commutation was justified.
"Mr. Stone is in his 70s and this was a non-violent, first-time offense," Graham tweeted.
More: Who was pardoned, who got shorter sentences in Trump's clemency spree?
The president had previously granted 25 pardons – full legal forgiveness for a crime – and 10 commutations, which shortens a sentence. Though that clemency has often been aimed at conservative figures such as Joe Arpaio, a former sheriff in Arizona, and commentator Dinesh D'Souza, the decision on Stone represents the first time Trump has circumvented the justice system in a case directly tied to himself.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, both New York Democrats, asserted in a joint statement that the commutation undermines the rule of law.
"By this action, President Trump abused the powers of his office in an apparent effort to reward Roger Stone for his refusal to cooperate with investigators examining the president’s own conduct," the said. "No other president has exercised the clemency power for such a patently personal and self-serving purpose."
“What has happened to Roger Stone should never happen to anyone in our Country again.” @TuckerCarlson @FoxNews — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2020
Stone was convicted of lying to investigators about efforts by Trump campaign aides to learn about WikiLeaks' plans to release emails that Russian operatives stole from Hillary Clinton's campaign. Mueller's investigation found Russia undertook a "sweeping" campaign to help Trump, but found no evidence he coordinated with the effort.
Mueller: Trump’s aides were eager to take Russian dirt. But it wasn’t a conspiracy
Because the president dismisses the investigations as politically motivated he has also written off the indictments and convictions of former aides and associates. His decision to grant clemency to Stone comes at a time when polls show he is trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in key battleground states.
Biden campaign spokesman Bill Russo said that Trump had "once again abused his power, releasing this commutation on a Friday night, hoping to yet again avoid scrutiny as he lays waste to the norms and the values that make our country a shining beacon to the rest of the world."
Trump has expressed sympathy for several former aides convicted of crimes, but he had previously refused to reveal his plans about clemency.
Trump's other pardons – including Arpaio, D'Souza and Scooter Libby, former Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff – have often involved highly politicized cases. Trump granted pardons last year to two members of the military, Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance and Maj. Mathew Golsteyn, who were accused of war crimes but who become causes célèbres in conservative media outlets.
More: Trump pardons servicemembers in high profile war crimes cases
In wielding his clemency power, Trump has circumvented the formal process for review. That process includes an FBI background check and recommendations from career prosecutors. Because the president's power to pardon comes directly from the Constitution, he's not required to go through that process.


usatoday--2020-07-10--Still gagged: Mary Trump's restraining order extended until one day before tell-all book goes on sal

You can read all the juicy details about President Donald Trump and his family in a book that goes on sale next week but you wo n't be hearing from its author .
Not yet anyway .
Mary Trump , the niece whose book spills toxic tea about her uncle Donald , is still banned from speaking about it or promoting it until just one day before it 's due to go on sale , a New York judge ordered Friday .
The order from Judge Hal Greenwald in Dutchess County , N.Y. , is the latest turn in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publisher , Simon & Schuster , on one side , and her relatives , including the president and his brother Robert Trump and their sister , ex-federal judge Maryanne Trump Barry , on the other .
The Trump family is trying to stop `` Too Much and Never Enough : How My Family Created the World 's Most Dangerous Man '' from being published on July 14 , as scheduled .
They say Mary Trump has no right to write it or promote it because she signed a confidentiality agreement in 2001 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : A bizarre White House dinner with Donald Trump and more cringeworthy moments from Mary Trump ’ s book Mary Trump and Simon & Schuster are arguing that their First Amendment rights are being violated by unconstitutional prior restraint – the temporary restraining order that still applies to Mary Trump .
And they argue the NDA she signed with her family , after the estate of her grandfather was settled , is invalid now .
The lawsuit , filed by Robert Trump in June , has already come before three New York judges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now stands : Simon & Schuster is not under a restraining order and will officially publish the book next week .
But Mary Trump , 55 , a psychologist , remains personally gagged and wo n't be able to help promote it until Greenwald decides whether to lift or make her restraining order permanent , and grants Robert Trump the injunction he seeks .
That decision will happen either on July 13 or shortly after .
It is not clear from the order whether there will be an in-person hearing for oral arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the book is already out : Some 600,000 copies have already been shipped to bookstores across the country .
Plus , scores of journalists have read it and published multiple stories about its excoriating depiction of her uncle Donald and her grandfather , the late Fred Trump .
More : 'Far beyond garden-variety narcissism . '
Book by Trump 's niece paints him as habitual liar , inept businessman Among other stunning details , she says Donald Trump paid someone to take his SAT test to get into business school , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the New York Times ' prize-winning investigation of the Trump family 's long history of dubious tactics in property valuation to avoid higher taxes .
The legal wrangling over the book quickly spiraled after Robert Trump filed the lawsuit on June 26 : Now there are more than a dozen lawyers involved representing the three parties , plus lawyers representing two outside friends-of-the-court .
More than 130 legal documents have been filed in the case ( and counting ) , with arguments ranging from lofty First Amendment protections to the nitty-gritty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced rapidly changing developments – and a bonanza of pre-publication free publicity for the book .
More : Mary Trump 's book closer to publication as legal team files affidavit , court sides with publisher As far as Simon & Schuster is concerned , this situation – in which a book is published but the author is legally prohibited from promoting it – is unprecedented , according to spokeswoman Julia Prosser .
But even if Mary Trump is unable to speak out about her book initially , there are already plenty of others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Mary Trump , Ted Boutrous , did not return a message seeking comment , nor did Charles Harder , the lead lawyer for her uncles .

Still gagged: Mary Trump's restraining order extended until one day before tell-all book goes on sale
Show Caption Hide Caption 4 things to know about Trump's niece's tell-all-book President Trump's niece, Mary Trump, will release her tell-all-book on July 14. Here are some of the most notable excerpts. USA TODAY, Wochit
You can read all the juicy details about President Donald Trump and his family in a book that goes on sale next week but you won't be hearing from its author. Not yet anyway.
Mary Trump, the niece whose book spills toxic tea about her uncle Donald, is still banned from speaking about it or promoting it until just one day before it's due to go on sale, a New York judge ordered Friday.
The order from Judge Hal Greenwald in Dutchess County, N.Y., is the latest turn in the tense legal battle between Mary Trump and her publisher, Simon & Schuster, on one side, and her relatives, including the president and his brother Robert Trump and their sister, ex-federal judge Maryanne Trump Barry, on the other.
The Trump family is trying to stop "Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man" from being published on July 14, as scheduled. They say Mary Trump has no right to write it or promote it because she signed a confidentiality agreement in 2001 and is still bound by it.
More: A bizarre White House dinner with Donald Trump and more cringeworthy moments from Mary Trump’s book
Mary Trump and Simon & Schuster are arguing that their First Amendment rights are being violated by unconstitutional prior restraint – the temporary restraining order that still applies to Mary Trump. And they argue the NDA she signed with her family, after the estate of her grandfather was settled, is invalid now.
The lawsuit, filed by Robert Trump in June, has already come before three New York judges, with mixed results. As it now stands: Simon & Schuster is not under a restraining order and will officially publish the book next week.
But Mary Trump, 55, a psychologist, remains personally gagged and won't be able to help promote it until Greenwald decides whether to lift or make her restraining order permanent, and grants Robert Trump the injunction he seeks.
That decision will happen either on July 13 or shortly after. It is not clear from the order whether there will be an in-person hearing for oral arguments in the case.
In practical terms, the book is already out: Some 600,000 copies have already been shipped to bookstores across the country. Plus, scores of journalists have read it and published multiple stories about its excoriating depiction of her uncle Donald and her grandfather, the late Fred Trump.
More: 'Far beyond garden-variety narcissism.' Book by Trump's niece paints him as habitual liar, inept businessman
Among other stunning details, she says Donald Trump paid someone to take his SAT test to get into business school, and she outs herself as a key source to the New York Times' prize-winning investigation of the Trump family's long history of dubious tactics in property valuation to avoid higher taxes.
The legal wrangling over the book quickly spiraled after Robert Trump filed the lawsuit on June 26: Now there are more than a dozen lawyers involved representing the three parties, plus lawyers representing two outside friends-of-the-court. More than 130 legal documents have been filed in the case (and counting), with arguments ranging from lofty First Amendment protections to the nitty-gritty of contract law.
All of this has produced rapidly changing developments – and a bonanza of pre-publication free publicity for the book.
More: Mary Trump's book closer to publication as legal team files affidavit, court sides with publisher
As far as Simon & Schuster is concerned, this situation – in which a book is published but the author is legally prohibited from promoting it – is unprecedented, according to spokeswoman Julia Prosser.
But even if Mary Trump is unable to speak out about her book initially, there are already plenty of others talking about it.
The lead lawyer for Mary Trump, Ted Boutrous, did not return a message seeking comment, nor did Charles Harder, the lead lawyer for her uncles.


usatoday--2020-07-10--Philadelphia Eagles penalize DeSean Jackson for 'conduct detrimental to the team'

The Philadelphia Eagles announced Friday that they are penalizing DeSean Jackson for `` conduct detrimental to the team , '' following anti-Semitic posts the veteran wide receiver made on Instagram .
Jackson accepted the consequences and apologized , the Eagles said .
`` In our many conversations with him , it has also been made clear that this is only the beginning .
We have discussed a concrete plan for how he and we can heal moving forward .
He understands that in order to remain on the team , he must also commit to supporting his words with actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in part .
Because the Eagles are not announcing a suspension , it ’ s likely they have fined Jackson .
Teams typically do n't announce the amount when they fine players .
Jackson had initially posted a fake quote attributed to Adolf Hitler over the Fourth of July weekend .
He reposted the fabricated quote on his Instagram story Monday attempting to clarify why he posted it .
Following significant backlash to the posts , Jackson issued two apologies ( one a video on Instagram , and one on Twitter ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Opinion : DeSean Jackson 's anti-Semitic social media posts provide painful yet important lesson for all of us More : Julian Edelman invites DeSean Jackson to trip to Holocaust Museum after Eagles WR 's anti-Semitic posts Earlier Friday , Jackson virtually met with Edward Mosberg , a 94-year-old Holocaust survivor .
`` I 'm taking this time to continue with educating myself and bridging the gap between different cultures , communities & religions , '' Jackson wrote in his post about the meeting on Instagram .
`` I know he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lane Johnson said of Jackson .
`` With everything that ’ s happened in the past months , I know his heart ’ s in a good place as far as helping the community and helping his people .
Ultimately , whenever you make mistakes , you have to own up to it and I think the best thing about it now is get educated and try to make all the wrongs you did right .
That ’ s all you can do . ''
`` We appreciate ( Jackson 's ) desire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand there is still a lot of work to be done , '' the Eagles said in their statement .
`` We will continue to assist DeSean in this process , and we also know all of us in our organization need to listen and learn more about things that are unfamiliar or uncomfortable to us .
`` We must continue to fight against anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination , while not losing sight of the important battle against systemic racism . ''

Philadelphia Eagles penalize DeSean Jackson for 'conduct detrimental to the team'
Show Caption Hide Caption Why NFL history isn't on Patrick Mahomes' side with decade-long deal SportsPulse: Common sense points to the Chiefs' deal with Patrick Mahomes being a slam dunk. But as Ralphie Aversa details, history is not on Mahomes side when it comes to past decade long deals in the NFL. USA TODAY
The Philadelphia Eagles announced Friday that they are penalizing DeSean Jackson for "conduct detrimental to the team," following anti-Semitic posts the veteran wide receiver made on Instagram.
Jackson accepted the consequences and apologized, the Eagles said.
"In our many conversations with him, it has also been made clear that this is only the beginning. We have discussed a concrete plan for how he and we can heal moving forward. He understands that in order to remain on the team, he must also commit to supporting his words with actions," the Eagles' statement read in part.
Because the Eagles are not announcing a suspension, it’s likely they have fined Jackson. Teams typically don't announce the amount when they fine players.
Jackson had initially posted a fake quote attributed to Adolf Hitler over the Fourth of July weekend. He reposted the fabricated quote on his Instagram story Monday attempting to clarify why he posted it.
Following significant backlash to the posts, Jackson issued two apologies (one a video on Instagram, and one on Twitter), saying he would work to educate himself.
Opinion: DeSean Jackson's anti-Semitic social media posts provide painful yet important lesson for all of us
More: Julian Edelman invites DeSean Jackson to trip to Holocaust Museum after Eagles WR's anti-Semitic posts
Earlier Friday, Jackson virtually met with Edward Mosberg, a 94-year-old Holocaust survivor. "I'm taking this time to continue with educating myself and bridging the gap between different cultures, communities & religions," Jackson wrote in his post about the meeting on Instagram.
"I know he’s under the fire," Eagles teammate Lane Johnson said of Jackson.
"With everything that’s happened in the past months, I know his heart’s in a good place as far as helping the community and helping his people. Ultimately, whenever you make mistakes, you have to own up to it and I think the best thing about it now is get educated and try to make all the wrongs you did right. That’s all you can do."
"We appreciate (Jackson's) desire to educate himself, but we all understand there is still a lot of work to be done," the Eagles said in their statement.
"We will continue to assist DeSean in this process, and we also know all of us in our organization need to listen and learn more about things that are unfamiliar or uncomfortable to us.
"We must continue to fight against anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination, while not losing sight of the important battle against systemic racism."
Contributing: Scott Gleeson, Mike Jones, Jori Epstein


usatoday--2020-07-11--Pac-12 joins Big Ten with conference-only football, other sports for the fall

The Pac-12 will use a conference-only playing schedule for football and several other fall sports should teams be able to compete in the face of the coronavirus pandemic , the conference announced Friday .
In doing so , the Pac-12 joins the Big Ten in becoming the second Power Five conference to make a decision that could foreshadow similar changes across the entire Bowl Subdivision .
“ The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports continues to be our number one priority , ” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by science and data , and based upon the trends and indicators over the past days , it has become clear that we need to provide ourselves with maximum flexibility to schedule , and to delay any movement to the next phase of return-to-play activities.
” The conference announced later on Friday evening that Scott had tested positive for the coronavirus and was self-quarantining `` at the direction of his physician . ''
Scott is continuing to work remotely , the league said .
In addition , the conference said it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities “ until a series of health and safety indicators , which have recently trended in a negative direction , provided sufficient positive data to enable a move to a second phase of return-to-play activities.
” There was “ complete agreement ” among Pac-12 athletics directors as the group discussed the viable options , Oregon State athletics director Scott Barnes said .
“ We were all in agreement that this was our best bet.
” While denying big paydays to teams from smaller conferences , the decision also cancels some significant games , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arlington , Texas on Sept. 5 as well Notre Dame games against USC and Stanford .
“ With the Pac-12 ’ s decision to move to a conference-only schedule , we will do our best to adjust , ” Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne said on Twitter .
“ What that looks like is to be determined.
” More : Opinion : After a jarring 24 hours in college sports , football season is in big trouble More : Top college football matchups we wo n't see in 2020 after Big Ten 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of marquee non-conference games eliminated by the league 's decision can often play a significant role in determining the makeup of the College Football Playoff .
The executive director of the playoff , Bill Hancock , told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday that the selection committee will use the same protocols to determine the national semifinals and New Year ’ s Six bowls even if teams play fewer games than during a standard regular season or only face conference opponents .
`` The fundamental mission of the committee has not changed : Choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocol , ” Hancock said .
“ This is why the committee has 13 football experts .
Their duty , their task , is to select the best four teams based on the play on the field and the schedules the conferences establish . ''
The Pac-12 had been discussing multiple scenarios for this coming season , a person familiar with the league ’ s talks told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday , including the possibility that the season would be delayed or even moved into the spring .
In its statement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference-only schedules will be announced by the end of July .
The Pac-12 ’ s decision came following an afternoon meeting of the league ’ s CEO Group , which is composed of university presidents and chancellors from member schools .
`` The CEO Group made clear that it hopes to play football and all other fall sports provided that it can meet the health and safety needs of its student-athletes and obtain appropriate permissions from state and local health authorities , '' the statement said .
The remaining three members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to approach this coming season .
The commissioner of the Big 12 , Bob Bowlsby , told the Des Moines Register on Thursday that there was no forthcoming announcement from the conference .
An official in the ACC told USA TODAY Sports that the league has discussed playing conference-only games , and while those talks had been ongoing the Big Ten ’ s statement on Thursday should move ahead the ACC ’ s timeline for a decision .
In a statement released on Friday , the ACC said it would make a decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of July .
`` As we continue to work on the best possible path forward for the return of competition , we will do so in a way that appropriately coincides with our universities ' academic missions , '' commissioner John Swofford said .
`` Over the last few months , our conference has prepared numerous scenarios related to the fall athletics season . ''
The SEC `` will continue to meet regularly with our campus leaders in the coming weeks , guided by medical advisors , to make the important decisions necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to SEC fall sports , '' commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement .
`` We recognize the challenges ahead and know the well-being of our student-athletes , coaches , staff and fans must remain at the forefront of those decisions . ''
As with the Big Ten , the Pac-12 announcement came under the caveat that games are played this fall , which remains uncertain given the continued spread of COVID-19 and the number of positive tests already seen at programs in the FBS .
The NCAA allowed athletes to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate in voluntary team activities .
Many FBS athletics departments and football programs have since experienced a large number of positive tests for COVID-19 , however , including Clemson , LSU and Texas .
The positive tests have included athletes and coaches from all sports and not just football .
The outbreaks have led several programs to table team workouts .
Ohio State and North Carolina placed team activities on hold on Wednesday , with UNC announcing it was suspending workouts after 37 athletes tested positive among 429 coronavirus tests .
In conjunction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Pac-12 ’ s decision adds to the growing sense of pessimism among coaches , athletics directors and university administrators that the season may not proceed as planned .
“ I ’ m really concerned .
That is the question of the day .
I am very concerned , ” Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith said on Thursday .
`` I ca n't reiterate enough the fact that we might not play .
We just might not .
And I think that people need to understand that .
”

Pac-12 joins Big Ten with conference-only football, other sports for the fall
Show Caption Hide Caption Fragility of college football season: 'All it's going to take is one bad outcome' SportsPulse: Dan Wolken and Paul Myerberg discuss if there will be college football this fall. As Wolken put its, all it takes is one bad outcome due to the pandemic to send the sport into chaos. USA TODAY
The Pac-12 will use a conference-only playing schedule for football and several other fall sports should teams be able to compete in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, the conference announced Friday.
In doing so, the Pac-12 joins the Big Ten in becoming the second Power Five conference to make a decision that could foreshadow similar changes across the entire Bowl Subdivision.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports continues to be our number one priority,” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement.
“Our decisions have and will be guided by science and data, and based upon the trends and indicators over the past days, it has become clear that we need to provide ourselves with maximum flexibility to schedule, and to delay any movement to the next phase of return-to-play activities.”
The conference announced later on Friday evening that Scott had tested positive for the coronavirus and was self-quarantining "at the direction of his physician." Scott is continuing to work remotely, the league said.
In addition, the conference said it would be delaying the beginning of all mandatory athletic activities “until a series of health and safety indicators, which have recently trended in a negative direction, provided sufficient positive data to enable a move to a second phase of return-to-play activities.”
There was “complete agreement” among Pac-12 athletics directors as the group discussed the viable options, Oregon State athletics director Scott Barnes said. “We were all in agreement that this was our best bet.”
While denying big paydays to teams from smaller conferences, the decision also cancels some significant games, starting with Southern California against Alabama in Arlington, Texas on Sept. 5 as well Notre Dame games against USC and Stanford.
“With the Pac-12’s decision to move to a conference-only schedule, we will do our best to adjust,” Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne said on Twitter. “What that looks like is to be determined.”
More: Opinion: After a jarring 24 hours in college sports, football season is in big trouble
More: Top college football matchups we won't see in 2020 after Big Ten's decision to go conference only
The sorts of marquee non-conference games eliminated by the league's decision can often play a significant role in determining the makeup of the College Football Playoff.
The executive director of the playoff, Bill Hancock, told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday that the selection committee will use the same protocols to determine the national semifinals and New Year’s Six bowls even if teams play fewer games than during a standard regular season or only face conference opponents.
"The fundamental mission of the committee has not changed: Choose the best four teams based on the protocol,” Hancock said.
“This is why the committee has 13 football experts. Their duty, their task, is to select the best four teams based on the play on the field and the schedules the conferences establish."
The Pac-12 had been discussing multiple scenarios for this coming season, a person familiar with the league’s talks told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday, including the possibility that the season would be delayed or even moved into the spring.
In its statement, the conference said that details on the conference-only schedules will be announced by the end of July.
The Pac-12’s decision came following an afternoon meeting of the league’s CEO Group, which is composed of university presidents and chancellors from member schools.
"The CEO Group made clear that it hopes to play football and all other fall sports provided that it can meet the health and safety needs of its student-athletes and obtain appropriate permissions from state and local health authorities," the statement said.
The remaining three members of the Power Five have yet to decide how to approach this coming season. The commissioner of the Big 12, Bob Bowlsby, told the Des Moines Register on Thursday that there was no forthcoming announcement from the conference.
An official in the ACC told USA TODAY Sports that the league has discussed playing conference-only games, and while those talks had been ongoing the Big Ten’s statement on Thursday should move ahead the ACC’s timeline for a decision.
In a statement released on Friday, the ACC said it would make a decision regarding the 2020 season by the end of July.
"As we continue to work on the best possible path forward for the return of competition, we will do so in a way that appropriately coincides with our universities' academic missions," commissioner John Swofford said. "Over the last few months, our conference has prepared numerous scenarios related to the fall athletics season."
The SEC "will continue to meet regularly with our campus leaders in the coming weeks, guided by medical advisors, to make the important decisions necessary to determine the best path forward related to SEC fall sports," commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement.
"We recognize the challenges ahead and know the well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans must remain at the forefront of those decisions."
As with the Big Ten, the Pac-12 announcement came under the caveat that games are played this fall, which remains uncertain given the continued spread of COVID-19 and the number of positive tests already seen at programs in the FBS.
The NCAA allowed athletes to return to campuses beginning on June 1 and to participate in voluntary team activities. Many FBS athletics departments and football programs have since experienced a large number of positive tests for COVID-19, however, including Clemson, LSU and Texas. The positive tests have included athletes and coaches from all sports and not just football.
The outbreaks have led several programs to table team workouts. Ohio State and North Carolina placed team activities on hold on Wednesday, with UNC announcing it was suspending workouts after 37 athletes tested positive among 429 coronavirus tests.
In conjunction with the Big Ten’s move, the Pac-12’s decision adds to the growing sense of pessimism among coaches, athletics directors and university administrators that the season may not proceed as planned.
“I’m really concerned. That is the question of the day. I am very concerned,” Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith said on Thursday. "I can't reiterate enough the fact that we might not play. We just might not. And I think that people need to understand that.”


usatoday--2020-07-10--Amazon says memo to employees banning TikTok was sent in error

Amazon said it sent an email memo on Friday requesting employees to delete the social media app TikTok in error .
A company spokesperson told Reuters there has been no change in its policy on TikTok .
“ This morning ’ s email to some of our employees was sent in error , ” a TikTok rep told Reuters .
“ There is no change to our policies right now with regard to TikTok.
” Earlier Friday , The New York Times , citing a company email , reported how Amazon told employees they must remove TikTok , a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from devices that access Amazon email .
In order to obtain access to company email on their devices , TikTok had to be deleted by Friday , said the report .
In a statement obtained by USA TODAY , TikTok said user security is `` of the utmost importance '' to the service .
`` While Amazon did not communicate to us before sending their email , and we still do not understand their concerns , we welcome a dialogue so we can address any issues they may have and enable their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' reads the statement from TikTok .
A TikTok ban coming soon ?
: The U.S. government says it is 'looking at ' ban Car buying during COVID-19:6 key questions answered on new , used cars , trucks , SUVs Meanwhile , CNN reports the security team for the Democratic National Committee is warning campaigns and committees to take extra precautions when using TikTok .
Tiktok is owned by Beijing-based company ByteDance , and has faced questions over privacy and security for its connections to China .
Earlier this week , Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is `` looking at '' possibly banning TikTok .
India banned TikTok , along with several other Chinese apps , this month .
Late last year , the U.S. Navy urged military personnel and staff to delete TikTok from their phones , claiming it could pose a cybersecurity threat .
TikTok has said all data is stored on servers in the U.S. , and insisted it would not comply with requests by China to remove content .
Dalvin Brown and The Associated Press contributed to this report .
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter @ @ @ @

Amazon says memo to employees banning TikTok was sent in error
Show Caption Hide Caption Face masks causing confrontations as businesses enforce guidelines Businesses and cities across the country are requiring people to wear masks, which some people say infringe upon their individual rights. USA TODAY
Amazon said it sent an email memo on Friday requesting employees to delete the social media app TikTok in error.
A company spokesperson told Reuters there has been no change in its policy on TikTok.
“This morning’s email to some of our employees was sent in error,” a TikTok rep told Reuters. “There is no change to our policies right now with regard to TikTok.”
Earlier Friday, The New York Times, citing a company email, reported how Amazon told employees they must remove TikTok, a video app popular among teens and young people, from devices that access Amazon email.
In order to obtain access to company email on their devices, TikTok had to be deleted by Friday, said the report.
In a statement obtained by USA TODAY, TikTok said user security is "of the utmost importance" to the service.
"While Amazon did not communicate to us before sending their email, and we still do not understand their concerns, we welcome a dialogue so we can address any issues they may have and enable their team to continue participating in our community," reads the statement from TikTok.
A TikTok ban coming soon?: The U.S. government says it is 'looking at' ban
Car buying during COVID-19: 6 key questions answered on new, used cars, trucks, SUVs
Meanwhile, CNN reports the security team for the Democratic National Committee is warning campaigns and committees to take extra precautions when using TikTok.
Tiktok is owned by Beijing-based company ByteDance, and has faced questions over privacy and security for its connections to China. Earlier this week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. is "looking at" possibly banning TikTok.
India banned TikTok, along with several other Chinese apps, this month.
Late last year, the U.S. Navy urged military personnel and staff to delete TikTok from their phones, claiming it could pose a cybersecurity threat.
TikTok has said all data is stored on servers in the U.S., and insisted it would not comply with requests by China to remove content.
Dalvin Brown and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.


usatoday--2020-07-10--Seattle singer Lady A says country group Lady A is 'trying to intimidate me' with lawsuit

Anita White , the Seattle blues singer known as Lady A , is speaking out for the first time after the country group formerly known as Lady Antebellum hit her with a trademark lawsuit this week .
`` I was n't surprised , '' she told cable news network HLN .
`` They have been trying to intimidate me and bully me . ''
Lady Antebellum changed its name to Lady A last month , saying when they formed 14 years ago , they did n't consider the pre-Civil War `` associations that weigh down this word , '' including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Black , previously said no one from the group approached her before announcing the name change .
About a week after the initial announcement , White and musicians Hillary Scott , Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood had a Zoom call .
White told USA TODAY they had an `` open and honest conversations '' and Scott apologized .
It seemed both sides intended to keep using the stage name Lady A .
But , `` I do n't want to coexist , '' White said Friday , adding she believes the change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't resolve the issue the band said it was trying to address .
`` If you 're going to say that you want to be socially conscious and Black Lives Matter to you , and so you take Antebellum out of the name and you shorten it to Lady A , that 's still Antebellum , '' White said .
More : Tim McGraw drops uplifting song 'Here on Earth ' , title track for his first album in five years On Wednesday , the country group issued a statement that said their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed negotiations and that they had hoped the two could coexist .
The band claims it has held a trademark for `` Lady A '' for nearly a decade ; the singer says she 's been going by that name for 20 years .
The suit seeks no monetary damages .
`` Reluctantly we have come to the conclusion that we need to ask a court to affirm our right to continue to use the name Lady A , a trademark we have held for many years .
It was a stirring in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blindspots that led us to announce a few weeks ago that we were dropping the word ‘ Antebellum ' from our name and moving forward using only the name so many of our fans already knew us by , '' the statement , provided to USA TODAY by publicist Tyne Parrish , says .
More : Eminem slams Drew Brees , people who refuse to wear masks in new Kid Cudi song White confirmed Friday the band 's claim that she had asked for $ 10 million : $ 5 million to rebrand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ split between three charities .
Lawyers have agreed to represent White for free in the pending lawsuit .

Seattle singer Lady A says country group Lady A is 'trying to intimidate me' with lawsuit
Show Caption Hide Caption Kelsea Ballerini, other Country stars react to 'Lady A' name change Country music reacts to "Lady Antebellum" changing its name to "Lady A" in the aftermath of anti-racism protests over the death of George Floyd. Entertain This!, USA TODAY
Anita White, the Seattle blues singer known as Lady A, is speaking out for the first time after the country group formerly known as Lady Antebellum hit her with a trademark lawsuit this week.
"I wasn't surprised," she told cable news network HLN. "They have been trying to intimidate me and bully me."
Lady Antebellum changed its name to Lady A last month, saying when they formed 14 years ago, they didn't consider the pre-Civil War "associations that weigh down this word," including ties to slavery.
White, who is Black, previously said no one from the group approached her before announcing the name change. About a week after the initial announcement, White and musicians Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood had a Zoom call. White told USA TODAY they had an "open and honest conversations" and Scott apologized.
It seemed both sides intended to keep using the stage name Lady A. But, "I don't want to coexist," White said Friday, adding she believes the change from Lady Antebellum to Lady A doesn't resolve the issue the band said it was trying to address.
"If you're going to say that you want to be socially conscious and Black Lives Matter to you, and so you take Antebellum out of the name and you shorten it to Lady A, that's still Antebellum," White said.
More: Tim McGraw drops uplifting song 'Here on Earth', title track for his first album in five years
On Wednesday, the country group issued a statement that said their decision to head to court came after failed negotiations and that they had hoped the two could coexist. The band claims it has held a trademark for "Lady A" for nearly a decade; the singer says she's been going by that name for 20 years. The suit seeks no monetary damages.
"Reluctantly we have come to the conclusion that we need to ask a court to affirm our right to continue to use the name Lady A, a trademark we have held for many years. It was a stirring in our hearts and reflection on our own blindspots that led us to announce a few weeks ago that we were dropping the word ‘Antebellum' from our name and moving forward using only the name so many of our fans already knew us by," the statement, provided to USA TODAY by publicist Tyne Parrish, says.
More: Eminem slams Drew Brees, people who refuse to wear masks in new Kid Cudi song
White confirmed Friday the band's claim that she had asked for $10 million: $5 million to rebrand herself and $5 million to be split between three charities.
Lawyers have agreed to represent White for free in the pending lawsuit.
Follow Gary Dinges on Twitter @gdinges


usatoday--2020-07-10--How the South and Southwest became the global epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic

America ’ s coronavirus epidemic is less a single war than a series of local or regional battles that have shifted across the country .
A USA TODAY analysis shows early northern hot spots like New York City , Seattle and Chicago tempering their epidemics since April , while an intense set of outbreaks began to surge across America ’ s Sunbelt starting in May .
Although the recent rapid growth in the South and Southwest has been well documented , new mapping by the news network provides an unusually vivid portrait of the stark shift in the pandemic ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big flareups have hit nearly all parts of the country throughout the crisis .
America hasn ’ t been facing one coronavirus outbreak ; it ’ s been facing hundreds , spread across time and communities .
Those patterns pop out on maps that visualize COVID-19 hot spots .
At the beginning of the pandemic , COVID-19 outbreaks were surging in the Northeast .
That 's changed in recent weeks .
While Americans were talking about outbreaks in Seattle and New Orleans in late March , intense outbreaks were bursting through communities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of April , intense outbreaks were sweeping communities in Mississippi , Georgia , Iowa and eastern North Carolina .
Communities in a swath from Amarillo , Texas , to St .
Cloud , Minn. , unconnected by a major highway , were hit hard .
But some of the biggest numbers of people affected by the coronavirus were in major northern populations centers .
That ’ s changed in roughly the past six weeks .
Early in the pandemic , President Donald J. Trump repeatedly suggested the coronavirus would not fare well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer temperatures .
Instead , the virus is blasting through some of America ’ s hottest locations .
The coronavirus began rampaging through Sunbelt states soon after they opened in late May and early June .
In about a month , Florida ’ s case positivity rate quadrupled , daily new cases increased from about 1,000 to about 8,000 , hospitalizations more than doubled and deaths began trending upward , data from Johns Hopkins University and the Covid Tracking Project show .
In Arizona , busy bars may have helped fuel an intense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new cases in Arizona , with about 7.3 million people , now rival those of the European Union , with about 450 million people .
And the Arizona numbers are likely undercounts .
About 26 % of the state ’ s test results come back positive , a strong indication that testing is not widespread .
The World Health Organization recommends a level of testing where positives make up only 5 % of the results .
Some of the biggest new health threats are in America ’ s most populous states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ per day to 7,500 in four weeks .
California leaped from 2,900 to 7,700 new daily case reports .
Texas is now closing bars and stopping other reopenings as its hospital beds fill .
In California , patients from overwhelmed hospitals in southern California are now sending patients to be treated near San Francisco .
The Northeast , and particularly New York City , was hit hard by COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic .
By mid-June , the number of new coronavirus cases per capita had begun to surge in southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of epidemiology and global health at Boston University School of Public Health , said it ’ s too early to tell how some of the Southern states may fare .
Many of the new cases are among younger people less likely to have serious effects from COVID-19 .
But some of them will pass that on to more vulnerable people .
If the Southern states can protect those in the most danger , especially those 80 or older , they can limit the death toll .
`` If the Sunbelt states can manage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact really wo n't be as bad even as the case counts go up , ” said Fox .
Fox said the Northeast got a better handle on the coronavirus with fairly strong lockdowns , people getting concerned enough to become cautious , contact tracing and other efforts .
“ Any infection that you can prevent is going to prevent further infections , ” he said .
Share of daily new cases reported by each US region The share of cases reported by northern states has declined as the share of cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunbelt states already trying to deal with fast-growing coronavirus counts are also among those scheduled to open schools soon .
`` If effective plans are not in place then transmission is going to start to reoccur , ” Fox said .
And while serious effects are relatively rare among children , they can bring coronavirus infections home from school .
`` Everything that we do now is really about keeping everything open as we move into the fall and minimizing the impact .
Everything is going to change when schools start to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the best possible position to sustain those reopenings . ''

Mike Stucka, Janie Haseman, Ramon Padilla, Javier Zarracina and Carlie Procell, USA TODAY

America’s coronavirus epidemic is less a single war than a series of local or regional battles that have shifted across the country.
A USA TODAY analysis shows early northern hot spots like New York City, Seattle and Chicago tempering their epidemics since April, while an intense set of outbreaks began to surge across America’s Sunbelt starting in May.
Although the recent rapid growth in the South and Southwest has been well documented, new mapping by the news network provides an unusually vivid portrait of the stark shift in the pandemic’s hottest spots.
Of course, big flareups have hit nearly all parts of the country throughout the crisis.
America hasn’t been facing one coronavirus outbreak; it’s been facing hundreds, spread across time and communities.
Those patterns pop out on maps that visualize COVID-19 hot spots.
At the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 outbreaks were surging in the Northeast. That's changed in recent weeks.
While Americans were talking about outbreaks in Seattle and New Orleans in late March, intense outbreaks were bursting through communities in Colorado and southwest Georgia.
By the end of April, intense outbreaks were sweeping communities in Mississippi, Georgia, Iowa and eastern North Carolina. Communities in a swath from Amarillo, Texas, to St. Cloud, Minn., unconnected by a major highway, were hit hard.
But some of the biggest numbers of people affected by the coronavirus were in major northern populations centers. That’s changed in roughly the past six weeks.
Early in the pandemic, President Donald J. Trump repeatedly suggested the coronavirus would not fare well with heat and would go away with summer temperatures. Instead, the virus is blasting through some of America’s hottest locations.
The coronavirus began rampaging through Sunbelt states soon after they opened in late May and early June. In about a month, Florida’s case positivity rate quadrupled, daily new cases increased from about 1,000 to about 8,000, hospitalizations more than doubled and deaths began trending upward, data from Johns Hopkins University and the Covid Tracking Project show.
In Arizona, busy bars may have helped fuel an intense spread of coronavirus. The daily counts of new cases in Arizona, with about 7.3 million people, now rival those of the European Union, with about 450 million people.
And the Arizona numbers are likely undercounts. About 26% of the state’s test results come back positive, a strong indication that testing is not widespread. The World Health Organization recommends a level of testing where positives make up only 5% of the results.
Some of the biggest new health threats are in America’s most populous states. Texas went from 1,700 newly reported cases per day to 7,500 in four weeks. California leaped from 2,900 to 7,700 new daily case reports.
Texas is now closing bars and stopping other reopenings as its hospital beds fill.
In California, patients from overwhelmed hospitals in southern California are now sending patients to be treated near San Francisco.
Watch coronavirus hot spots shift south
The Northeast, and particularly New York City, was hit hard by COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic. By mid-June, the number of new coronavirus cases per capita had begun to surge in southern states.
Matthew Fox, a professor of epidemiology and global health at Boston University School of Public Health, said it’s too early to tell how some of the Southern states may fare. Many of the new cases are among younger people less likely to have serious effects from COVID-19. But some of them will pass that on to more vulnerable people. If the Southern states can protect those in the most danger, especially those 80 or older, they can limit the death toll.
"If the Sunbelt states can manage to really protect the nursing homes the impact really won't be as bad even as the case counts go up,” said Fox.
Fox said the Northeast got a better handle on the coronavirus with fairly strong lockdowns, people getting concerned enough to become cautious, contact tracing and other efforts.
“Any infection that you can prevent is going to prevent further infections,” he said.
Share of daily new cases reported by each US region
The share of cases reported by northern states has declined as the share of cases in the South and West has increased.
Sunbelt states already trying to deal with fast-growing coronavirus counts are also among those scheduled to open schools soon.
"If effective plans are not in place then transmission is going to start to reoccur,” Fox said.
And while serious effects are relatively rare among children, they can bring coronavirus infections home from school.
"Everything that we do now is really about keeping everything open as we move into the fall and minimizing the impact. Everything is going to change when schools start to reopen, and so we want to be in the best possible position to sustain those reopenings."


usatoday--2020-07-11--Ten weeks: A timeline of the search for Vanessa Guillen

Fort Hood closes and alters operating hours at select access control points because of COVID-19 .
Pfc .
Vanessa Guillen sends her last text message to Spc .
Aaron David Robinson .
Guillen is last seen at in the parking lot of her Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters on Fort Hood .
Guillen ’ s family drive to Fort Hood to tell officials she had not responded to text messages or phone calls from her boyfriend , sisters or mother throughout the day .
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division is notified Guillen is missing .
A witness says that before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room where she was working to go to an arms room controlled by Robinson to confirm serial numbers for weapons and equipment .
The Belton Police Department , the Belton Fire Department and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers search an area along the Leon River and FM 317 after Fort Hood requests their help .
Fort Hood investigators told them that a phone possibly belonging to Guillen was pinged in the area .
Fort Hood Military Police issue a `` Be on the Lookout '' ( BOLO ) for Guillen to surrounding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car keys , barracks room key , identification card and wallet were found in the armory room where she had been working .
The U.S. Army CID offers an award of up to $ 15,000 for information leading to the whereabouts of Guillen .
The U.S. Army CID interviews Robinson .
He tells them that after he finished his work on April 22 , he went to his off-post residence that he shared with his girlfriend , Cecily Aguilar , and did not leave the rest of the night , except around 6:30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post to sign on to a government computer to enroll in training .
Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy starts a press conference about the Army 's response to COVID-19 by mentioning Guillen .
`` I 'd like to start out this morning by talking about a missing soldier , Private First Class Vanessa Guillen , in hopes of increasing the public 's awareness and assistance in finding her .
Private First Class Guillen went missing on 22 April from Ford Hood , Texas .
In concert with local law enforcement efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her .
Our hearts go out to her family , and we will not stop looking for her until we find her.
” While investigating Guillen 's disappearance , the U.S. Army CID uncovers a statement that could be considered potential sexual harassment .
After subsequent investigation , another allegation of verbal harassment involving the same individual was discovered .
They do not tell the public about the existence of this statement , what the statement is or who made the statement .
Mayra Guillen , Vanessa Guillen ’ s older sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her family have yet to receive any information regarding the disappearance .
Mayra Guillen says because she and her family are not allowed on base to search , all they can do is hand out flyers in the surrounding community and wait for answers .
Investigators interview two witnesses who say that on April 22 , they saw Robinson pulling a large `` tough box , '' with wheels , that appeared very heavy in weight , out the arms room where he worked .
The two witnesses said they observed Robinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his vehicle and drive away .
Robinson consents to a search of his cell phone , which shows he made multiple calls to Aguilar the night of April 22 and as early as 3:05 a.m. April 23 .
Fort Hood Public Affairs Director Tom E. Rheinlander says they continue to investigate Guillen 's disappearance .
`` At one point , more than 500 soldiers from the 3rd Cavalry Division searched daily on foot in training areas , barracks and across the post , '' he said .
He said additional targeted searches with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aircraft from the 1st Cavalry Division provided more than 100 hours of flight time to the search on and off the installation .
Someone starts a petition for the White House to hold the Army accountable for Guillen 's disappearance and the subsequent investigation .
It has 180,241 signatures as of Wednesday , July 8 , surpassing the amount required for the White House to respond within 30 days .
The Guillen family holds a press conference .
They say Guillen told them prior to her disappearance that she had been sexually harrassed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she could report it .
They call on the Army to be more transparent about its search for her .
`` I haven ’ t seen anything that proves to me that they are actually searching , '' Mayra Guillen says .
The Guillen family protests outside of Fort Hood , demanding answers about the soldier 's disappearance .
U.S. Army investigators increase the reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Guillen to $ 25,000 .
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division says it has now interviewed more than 150 people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports that Guillen was sexually assaulted .
3rd Cavalry Regiment Troopers search from the training area near their regiment area of operations.The soldiers from Aries Troop , Pioneer Squadron , 3rd Cavalry Regiment , are joined by soldiers from the 74th Multi-Bridge Reconnaissance Company , 62nd Engineer Battalion , 36th Engineer Brigade .
Fort Hood officials say that there were previous searches of 3rd Cavalry Regiment buildings , barracks , fields , training areas , lakes , and trails at Fort Hood .
Authorities find skeletal remains in a field in Killeen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not Pfc .
Vanessa Guillen .
Authorities later confirm they are the remains of Pvt .
Gregory Morales , who was last seen in August 2019 .
Investigators say nothing indicates that the Morales and Guillen cases are related .
The U.S. Army CID , the Bell County Sheriff 's Office and the Texas Rangers search the Leon River at Belton after location data from Robinson 's phone indicated it was near the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 436 and West Main Street in Belton , specifically , on or around a bridge at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north and remaining in the area for about two hours .
They find the burned remains of what appears to be the same `` tough box '' witnesses described Robinson leaving Fort Hood with on April 22 .
They also smell something decomposing , but they do not find any human remains .
The 3rd Cavalry Regiment Division , Col. Ralph Overland , appoints a team to investigate allegations that Pfc .
Vanessa Guillen was sexually harassed .
Someone building a fence on a property near the intersection of FM 436 and Hartrick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Office after they discover what they believe to be human remains .
The Bell County Sheriff 's Office sends two detectives who concur they look to be human remains .
The detectives call Fort Hood , the Army CID , the Texas Rangers and the FBI and stay with the remains until a mortician transports them to a medical examiner , Major T.J. Cruz , of the Belton County Sheriff 's Office , told USA TODAY .
Aguilar tells investigators that Robinson told her on April 22 that he struck Guillen with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fort Hood , killing her .
Aguilar tells investigators that Robinson took Guillen 's body off the post , picked Aguilar up from her work at a gas station and then showed the body to her .
Aguilar said they then tried to dispose of the body in multiple ways over multiple days and burned their clothes at their residence .
The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force tries to find Robinson , who they say has absconded from Fort Hood .
They do not share his name or the fact that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Investigators listen in when Aguilar calls Robinson .
During the call , Robinson does not deny his involvement in the disappearance and death of Guillen .
Robinson texts Aguilar pictures of news articles about human remains being found .
He also says during the call , `` baby , they found the pieces , they found the pieces . ''
Robinson fatally shoots himself when confronted by law enforcement in the 4700 block of East Rancier Avenue in Killeen .
Damon Phelps , a special agent with the U.S. Army CID , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is potentially sexual harassment that Army discovered on May 7 .
Phelps said the Army also has n't found evidence that a noncommissioned officer walked in on Guillen in a locker room while she was showering .
The remains found June 30 are identified as Guillen .
Attorney Natalie Khawam , who represents the Guillen family , proposes a bill named # IAMVANESSAGUILLEN , which would help protect military victims of sexual harassment and assault .
Khawam , who has worked on similar legislation in the past , will introduce a draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , D.C .

Heather Osborne, Jessica Priest, Javier Zarracina, Karl Gelles USA TODAY NETWORK, USA TODAY

April 3
Fort Hood closes and alters operating hours at select access control points because of COVID-19.
April 22
Pfc. Vanessa Guillen sends her last text message to Spc. Aaron David Robinson. Guillen is last seen at in the parking lot of her Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters on Fort Hood.
U.S. Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen, 20 Villalpando, Rob, U.S. Army
April 22: 9 p.m.
Guillen’s family drive to Fort Hood to tell officials she had not responded to text messages or phone calls from her boyfriend, sisters or mother throughout the day.
April 23:
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division is notified Guillen is missing. A witness says that before her disappearance, she left the arms room where she was working to go to an arms room controlled by Robinson to confirm serial numbers for weapons and equipment.
Army's prime suspect in Ft. Hood murder fled with gun before he could be arrested Army criminal investigators defended their response into the disappearance of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, whose mutilated remains were found near Ft. Hood. USA TODAY
April 24:
The Belton Police Department, the Belton Fire Department and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers search an area along the Leon River and FM 317 after Fort Hood requests their help. Fort Hood investigators told them that a phone possibly belonging to Guillen was pinged in the area.
Fort Hood Military Police issue a "Be on the Lookout" (BOLO) for Guillen to surrounding law enforcement. They say Guillen's car keys, barracks room key, identification card and wallet were found in the armory room where she had been working.
April 26:
Find Vanessa Guillen page was created on Facebook.
Find Vanessa Guillen Facebook Page Facebook
April 27:
The U.S. Army CID offers an award of up to $15,000 for information leading to the whereabouts of Guillen.
April 28:
The U.S. Army CID interviews Robinson. He tells them that after he finished his work on April 22, he went to his off-post residence that he shared with his girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, and did not leave the rest of the night, except around 6:30 p.m. when he had to come on post to sign on to a government computer to enroll in training.
Aaron Robinson (Facebook photo) Facebook photo
April 30:
Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy starts a press conference about the Army's response to COVID-19 by mentioning Guillen. "I'd like to start out this morning by talking about a missing soldier, Private First Class Vanessa Guillen, in hopes of increasing the public's awareness and assistance in finding her. Private First Class Guillen went missing on 22 April from Ford Hood, Texas. In concert with local law enforcement efforts, the Army will continue aggressively searching for her. Our hearts go out to her family, and we will not stop looking for her until we find her.”
May 7:
While investigating Guillen's disappearance, the U.S. Army CID uncovers a statement that could be considered potential sexual harassment. After subsequent investigation, another allegation of verbal harassment involving the same individual was discovered. They do not tell the public about the existence of this statement, what the statement is or who made the statement.
May 15:
Mayra Guillen, Vanessa Guillen’s older sister who lives in Houston, says she and her family have yet to receive any information regarding the disappearance. Mayra Guillen says because she and her family are not allowed on base to search, all they can do is hand out flyers in the surrounding community and wait for answers.
May 18:
Investigators interview two witnesses who say that on April 22, they saw Robinson pulling a large "tough box," with wheels, that appeared very heavy in weight, out the arms room where he worked. The two witnesses said they observed Robinson load the "tough box" into his vehicle and drive away.
Cecily Aguilar, girlfriend of Aaron Robinson. Bell County
May 19:
Robinson consents to a search of his cell phone, which shows he made multiple calls to Aguilar the night of April 22 and as early as 3:05 a.m. April 23.
May 21:
Fort Hood Public Affairs Director Tom E. Rheinlander says they continue to investigate Guillen's disappearance. "At one point, more than 500 soldiers from the 3rd Cavalry Division searched daily on foot in training areas, barracks and across the post," he said. He said additional targeted searches with smaller groups of soldiers continued, and aircraft from the 1st Cavalry Division provided more than 100 hours of flight time to the search on and off the installation.
May 23:
Someone starts a petition for the White House to hold the Army accountable for Guillen's disappearance and the subsequent investigation. It has 180,241 signatures as of Wednesday, July 8, surpassing the amount required for the White House to respond within 30 days.
June 10:
The Guillen family holds a press conference. They say Guillen told them prior to her disappearance that she had been sexually harrassed at Fort Hood and did not feel she could report it. They call on the Army to be more transparent about its search for her. "I haven’t seen anything that proves to me that they are actually searching," Mayra Guillen says.
June 12:
The Guillen family protests outside of Fort Hood, demanding answers about the soldier's disappearance.
Lupe Guillen, younger sister of Pfc. Vanessa Guillen, screams for justice during a protest outside Fort Hood on June 12. Heather Osbourne
June 15:
U.S. Army investigators increase the reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Guillen to $25,000.
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division says it has now interviewed more than 150 people and that it has no credible information or reports that Guillen was sexually assaulted.
June 17:
3rd Cavalry Regiment Troopers search from the training area near their regiment area of operations.The soldiers from Aries Troop, Pioneer Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, are joined by soldiers from the 74th Multi-Bridge Reconnaissance Company, 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade. Fort Hood officials say that there were previous searches of 3rd Cavalry Regiment buildings, barracks, fields, training areas, lakes, and trails at Fort Hood.
A sign pictures an image of Spc. Vanessa Guillen at the intersection of I-35 Frontage Road and Texas State Highway 195 toward Killeen on Thursday, July 2, 2020. Guillen was last seen in the parking lot on the Fort Hood base on April 22. Investigators found unidentified human remains on June 30 about 20 miles away from the base that are being analyzed several days before the suspect, Aaron David Robinson, 20, killed himself when confronted in Killeen by police officers and federal marshals. [BRONTE WITTPENN/AMERICAN-STATESMAN] Bronte Wittpenn, Austin American-Statesman
June 19:
Authorities find skeletal remains in a field in Killeen, Texas. Guillen family says it's not Pfc. Vanessa Guillen. Authorities later confirm they are the remains of Pvt. Gregory Morales, who was last seen in August 2019. Investigators say nothing indicates that the Morales and Guillen cases are related.
June 21:
The U.S. Army CID, the Bell County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Rangers search the Leon River at Belton after location data from Robinson's phone indicated it was near the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 436 and West Main Street in Belton, specifically, on or around a bridge at 1:59 a.m. April 23, before going north and remaining in the area for about two hours. They find the burned remains of what appears to be the same "tough box" witnesses described Robinson leaving Fort Hood with on April 22. They also smell something decomposing, but they do not find any human remains.
June 30:
The 3rd Cavalry Regiment Division, Col. Ralph Overland, appoints a team to investigate allegations that Pfc. Vanessa Guillen was sexually harassed.
Someone building a fence on a property near the intersection of FM 436 and Hartrick Bluff Spur calls the Bell County Sheriff's Office after they discover what they believe to be human remains. The Bell County Sheriff's Office sends two detectives who concur they look to be human remains. The detectives call Fort Hood, the Army CID, the Texas Rangers and the FBI and stay with the remains until a mortician transports them to a medical examiner, Major T.J. Cruz, of the Belton County Sheriff's Office, told USA TODAY.
Aguilar tells investigators that Robinson told her on April 22 that he struck Guillen with a hammer in the arms room at Fort Hood, killing her. Aguilar tells investigators that Robinson took Guillen's body off the post, picked Aguilar up from her work at a gas station and then showed the body to her. Aguilar said they then tried to dispose of the body in multiple ways over multiple days and burned their clothes at their residence.
The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force tries to find Robinson, who they say has absconded from Fort Hood. They do not share his name or the fact that they are looking for him with the public.
Investigators listen in when Aguilar calls Robinson. During the call, Robinson does not deny his involvement in the disappearance and death of Guillen. Robinson texts Aguilar pictures of news articles about human remains being found. He also says during the call, "baby, they found the pieces, they found the pieces."
July 1: 12;29 a.m.
Robinson fatally shoots himself when confronted by law enforcement in the 4700 block of East Rancier Avenue in Killeen.
Aguilar is arrested.
July 6
Damon Phelps, a special agent with the U.S. Army CID, says Robinson was not involved in the statement that is potentially sexual harassment that Army discovered on May 7. Phelps said the Army also hasn't found evidence that a noncommissioned officer walked in on Guillen in a locker room while she was showering.
The remains found June 30 are identified as Guillen.
Special Agent Damon Phelps speaks on the investigation into the death Spc. Vanessa Guillen at Fort Hood in Killeen on Thursday, July 2, 2020. [BRONTE WITTPENN/AMERICAN-STATESMAN] Bronte Wittpenn, Austin American-Statesman
July 9
Attorney Natalie Khawam, who represents the Guillen family, announced the proposal of a bill named #IAMVANESSAGUILLEN, which if passed would help protect military victims of sexual harassment and assault. Khawam, who worked on similar legislation in the past, will introduce a draft of the bill during a congressional press conference in D.C. on July 30, followed by a protest from the Capitol to the White House.
SOURCE Mapcreator.io, fthoodhousing.