usatoday--2020-09-04--Trump mocks Biden for mask-wearing, dismisses health questions in Pennsylvania rally

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump dismissed questions about his own health and mocked his Democratic opponent for wearing a mask in a freewheeling rally Thursday in Pennsylvania that came as polls show a tightening race .
For a second day , Trump dismissed questions about an unscheduled visit he made to Walter Reed Medical Center in November , brushing aside a report about the visit as a conspiracy concocted by critics .
At the same time , Trump raised unfounded questions about Joe Biden 's own health , and criticized his mask-wearing .
`` They want to try to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical level , '' Trump told a crowded rally held in airport hangar outside of Pittsburgh .
`` I don ’ t like rumors like that .
It ’ s not true . ''
Trump was responding to a new book that asserted Vice President Mike Pence had been put on `` standby '' to take over the powers of the presidency during Trump 's unexpected visit to Walter Reed Medical Center in November .
The White House has said Trump went to Walter Reed as part of his annual physical .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times reporter Michael Schmidt , does n't mention the health issue in question , Trump has latched on to questions raised by his critics on social media about whether he had suffered a series of `` ministrokes . ''
There is no evidence to support the notion that Trump suffered a stroke of any kind .
Trump has increasingly focused on the story in recent days , using it as part of an effort to delegitimize critics .
`` Then yesterday I read that I had strokes – ministrokes , they called them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't know what a ministroke is , but it ’ s not good . ''
Trump spent far less time discussing the pandemic or its economic consequences .
After telling his audience to wear a mask if they celebrated Labor Day weekend with others , he went on to rip Biden for frequently appearing in public with a mask .
`` Did you ever see a man who likes a mask as much as him ? ''
Trump asked a crowd that , based on images posted to social media , appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It gives him a feeling of security . ''
The Biden campaign mocked Trump for talking about his health .
`` Why is he talking about mini-strokes ?
, '' Biden spokesman Andrew Bates said in a tweet directed at a counterpart with the Trump campaign .
Jonathan Reiner , professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University , said Trump 's frequent refusal to wear a mask has nothing to do with health and everything to do with `` vanity . ''
`` He didn ’ t like the way he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak , '' Reiner said .
`` This is what happened when the president ’ s narcissism collided with the needs of the country .
Narcissism won . ''
Trump touched down in Latrobe about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh shortly before 7 p.m .
ET and spoke at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport – continuing a recent pattern of campaigning in partially outdoor airport hangars amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump acknowledged that `` we 're doing the hangar thing now because the arenas , ca n't do that because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the airport rallies because he could just get off the plane , give a speech `` and get the hell out of here . ''
The rally is Trump 's second major campaign event since the Republican National Convention last week – he rallied in New Hampshire on Friday – and comes at a time when conventional wisdom suggests many are just beginning to tune into the race .
The rally was another example of the president 's campaign bringing together a large crowd for an event at a time when Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country returning to normal .
Trump held a crowded rally in New Hampshire last week and , days earlier , gathered a large group on the South Lawn – an outdoor venue – to hear his acceptance speech at the party 's convention .
Both campaigns predicted the race would tighten after Biden held double digit leads throughout much of the summer , and there are signs that is beginning to take shape .
Biden was leading Trump 50 % -43 % in a USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll published this week .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held in June .
In Pennsylvania , Biden holds a 4-point lead over Trump among registered voters and a 1- to 3-point lead among likely voters , according to a Monmouth University Poll this week .
Patrick Murray , director of the poll , described the race as a `` game of inches . ''
Trump has largely re-tooled his stump speech to focus more heavily on criticizing Biden and defending his administration 's response to the pandemic and the economic fallout it has caused .
He started attacking Biden right off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to surrender your jobs to China , '' he said , without providing evidence to back up that unfounded claim .
Latrobe is best known as the birthplace of golfer Arnold Palmer , whose charisma and aggressive style of play drew thousands to the sport during the 1950s and 1960s .
Trump , an avid golfer , referenced Palmer early in his remarks .
`` What a great guy he was , '' the president said .

John Fritze and David Jackson, USA TODAY

Trump mocks Biden for mask-wearing, dismisses health questions in Pennsylvania rally
Show Caption Hide Caption Donald Trump mocks the way Biden wears his mask President Donald Trump is mocking his Democratic rival for letting his mask hang off his ear when he delivers speeches. Speaking to rally-goers in Pennsylvania, Trump says of Joe Biden, "Did you ever see a man who likes a mask as much as him?" (Sept. 3) AP
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump dismissed questions about his own health and mocked his Democratic opponent for wearing a mask in a freewheeling rally Thursday in Pennsylvania that came as polls show a tightening race.
For a second day, Trump dismissed questions about an unscheduled visit he made to Walter Reed Medical Center in November, brushing aside a report about the visit as a conspiracy concocted by critics. At the same time, Trump raised unfounded questions about Joe Biden's own health, and criticized his mask-wearing.
"They want to try to get me to be in Biden’s physical level," Trump told a crowded rally held in airport hangar outside of Pittsburgh. "I don’t like rumors like that. It’s not true."
Trump was responding to a new book that asserted Vice President Mike Pence had been put on "standby" to take over the powers of the presidency during Trump's unexpected visit to Walter Reed Medical Center in November.
The White House has said Trump went to Walter Reed as part of his annual physical.
Though the book, written by New York Times reporter Michael Schmidt, doesn't mention the health issue in question, Trump has latched on to questions raised by his critics on social media about whether he had suffered a series of "ministrokes." There is no evidence to support the notion that Trump suffered a stroke of any kind.
Trump has increasingly focused on the story in recent days, using it as part of an effort to delegitimize critics.
"Then yesterday I read that I had strokes – ministrokes, they called them," Trump said. "I don't know what a ministroke is, but it’s not good."
Trump spent far less time discussing the pandemic or its economic consequences. After telling his audience to wear a mask if they celebrated Labor Day weekend with others, he went on to rip Biden for frequently appearing in public with a mask.
"Did you ever see a man who likes a mask as much as him?" Trump asked a crowd that, based on images posted to social media, appeared to be largely mask free. "It gives him a feeling of security."
The Biden campaign mocked Trump for talking about his health.
"Why is he talking about mini-strokes?," Biden spokesman Andrew Bates said in a tweet directed at a counterpart with the Trump campaign.
Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University, said Trump's frequent refusal to wear a mask has nothing to do with health and everything to do with "vanity."
"He didn’t like the way he looked and thought it made him look weak," Reiner said. "This is what happened when the president’s narcissism collided with the needs of the country. Narcissism won."
Trump touched down in Latrobe about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh shortly before 7 p.m. ET and spoke at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport – continuing a recent pattern of campaigning in partially outdoor airport hangars amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump acknowledged that "we're doing the hangar thing now because the arenas, can't do that because of the pandemic." Trump said he preferred the airport rallies because he could just get off the plane, give a speech "and get the hell out of here."
The rally is Trump's second major campaign event since the Republican National Convention last week – he rallied in New Hampshire on Friday – and comes at a time when conventional wisdom suggests many are just beginning to tune into the race.
The rally was another example of the president's campaign bringing together a large crowd for an event at a time when Trump is eager to present an image of the country returning to normal. Trump held a crowded rally in New Hampshire last week and, days earlier, gathered a large group on the South Lawn – an outdoor venue – to hear his acceptance speech at the party's convention.
Both campaigns predicted the race would tighten after Biden held double digit leads throughout much of the summer, and there are signs that is beginning to take shape. Biden was leading Trump 50%-43% in a USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll published this week. That advantage narrowed from the 12-point edge he held in June.
In Pennsylvania, Biden holds a 4-point lead over Trump among registered voters and a 1- to 3-point lead among likely voters, according to a Monmouth University Poll this week. Patrick Murray, director of the poll, described the race as a "game of inches."
Trump has largely re-tooled his stump speech to focus more heavily on criticizing Biden and defending his administration's response to the pandemic and the economic fallout it has caused. He started attacking Biden right off the bat on Thursday.
"Joe Biden wants to surrender your jobs to China," he said, without providing evidence to back up that unfounded claim.
Latrobe is best known as the birthplace of golfer Arnold Palmer, whose charisma and aggressive style of play drew thousands to the sport during the 1950s and 1960s.
Trump, an avid golfer, referenced Palmer early in his remarks.
"What a great guy he was," the president said.


usatoday--2020-09-04--South Dakota dismisses 'elite class of so-called experts,' carries on with state fair after Sturgis

South Dakota dismisses 'elite class of so-called experts,' carries on with state fair after Sturgis rally drove COVID-19 surge

South Dakota is one of the nation 's hot spots for COVID-19 infections .
That did n't stop another large-scale event from kicking off Thursday .
The rural South Dakota State Fair , which reported an attendance of 205,000 people last year , is set to run through Labor Day with more hand-washing stations , social distancing reminders and an encouragement — but not a requirement — for attendees to wear masks .
It comes on the heels of the state 's two largest events : The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and the The Sioux Empire Fair .
In the weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerged as a virus hotbed , according to data analysis .
State and national health experts say the rise in cases is likely fueled by a combination of factors , including school reopenings , small gatherings and major events .
Inside the numbers : The coronavirus spread is slowing in some states .
It 's getting worse in others .
Those larger events have been made possible by South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem 's steadfast resistance to restrictive measures aimed at slowing the spread of the virus .
She has discouraged schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the best way to prevent infections , and railed against an `` elite class of so-called experts '' whose opinions impact individuals ' liberties .
But as cases surge in the state , public health officials are grappling with the impact of the Sturgis rally , which gained national attention as one of the largest events to be held since the onset of the pandemic .
The event has so far been linked to one death .
In South Dakota , 118 residents who attended the rally subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been linked to the rally .
While that 's less than 1 % of the more than 460,000 people who converged on Sturgis , Dr. Robert J. Kim-Farley said it 's likely `` the tip of the iceberg . ''
Kim-Farley , a professor of epidemiology and community health sciences at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health , told USA TODAY on Thursday that COVID-19 is a particularly difficult virus to trace to its infection point .
Symptoms might not show up for weeks , if at all , in an infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be spreading the virus .
Cellphone location data analyzed by the nonprofit COVID Alliance has found evidence that rally participants came from each of the 48 continental United States and more than half of the nation 's counties .
The data also suggests participants were less likely to practice social distancing — they stayed at home less and traveled more compared to their neighbors .
This behavior continued before and after the August rally , COVID Alliance data shows .
Gov .
Kristi Noem 'remains focused on our hospitalization rate , ' not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's impact ripples across the nation , a spike in cases in South Dakota is also gaining national attention .
The Mouth Rushmore State has recorded the nation 's third-highest rate of coronavirus cases per capita over the last two weeks , according to The Associated Press , and the highest per-capita rate in the nation for the past seven days , according to New York Times data .
A statement from Noem 's office emailed to USA TODAY on Thursday says the Republican governor `` remains focused on our hospitalization rate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that only 6 % of our ICU beds are currently occupied by COVID patients . ''
While hospitalizations are a more accurate metric for studying COVID-19 spread than cases , there 's a lag time from days to weeks , Kim-Farley said .
It 's `` a little bit early to say that hospitalizations haven ’ t been affected , '' Kim-Farley said .
State epidemiologist Josh Clayton acknowledged there is typically a two-week lag between increases in cases and hospitalizations .
Currently , less than 100 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized , well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and the surge of cases is impacting the state fair , Candi Briley , the event 's assistant manager , told USA TODAY .
While organizers are `` ready to welcome fairgoers '' to Huron , about 125 miles northwest of Sioux Falls , they `` understand some people might not feel comfortable coming out and we respect ( their decision ) , '' Briley said .
For those who do , they 'll be encouraged to keep their distance .
Among the reminders , according to Briley , are signs featuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ squeal of a time at the fair .
Stay 6 feet apart . ''

South Dakota dismisses 'elite class of so-called experts,' carries on with state fair after Sturgis rally fueled COVID-19 surge
Show Caption Hide Caption Sturgis tests for COVID-19 after motorcycle rally After the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brought hundreds of thousands of people to the Black Hills of South Dakota, residents of the small town lined up to be tested for the coronavirus. (Aug. 25) AP
South Dakota is one of the nation's hot spots for COVID-19 infections. That didn't stop another large-scale event from kicking off Thursday.
The rural South Dakota State Fair, which reported an attendance of 205,000 people last year, is set to run through Labor Day with more hand-washing stations, social distancing reminders and an encouragement — but not a requirement — for attendees to wear masks. It comes on the heels of the state's two largest events: The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and the The Sioux Empire Fair.
In the weeks following those events, South Dakota has emerged as a virus hotbed, according to data analysis. State and national health experts say the rise in cases is likely fueled by a combination of factors, including school reopenings, small gatherings and major events.
Inside the numbers: The coronavirus spread is slowing in some states. It's getting worse in others.
Those larger events have been made possible by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's steadfast resistance to restrictive measures aimed at slowing the spread of the virus. She has discouraged schools from requiring masks, instead promoting hand-washing as the best way to prevent infections, and railed against an "elite class of so-called experts" whose opinions impact individuals' liberties.
But as cases surge in the state, public health officials are grappling with the impact of the Sturgis rally, which gained national attention as one of the largest events to be held since the onset of the pandemic.
The event has so far been linked to one death. In South Dakota, 118 residents who attended the rally subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. Nationally, about 300 cases have been linked to the rally.
While that's less than 1% of the more than 460,000 people who converged on Sturgis, Dr. Robert J. Kim-Farley said it's likely "the tip of the iceberg."
Kim-Farley, a professor of epidemiology and community health sciences at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, told USA TODAY on Thursday that COVID-19 is a particularly difficult virus to trace to its infection point. Symptoms might not show up for weeks, if at all, in an infected person. Meanwhile, that person could be spreading the virus.
Cellphone location data analyzed by the nonprofit COVID Alliance has found evidence that rally participants came from each of the 48 continental United States and more than half of the nation's counties.
The data also suggests participants were less likely to practice social distancing — they stayed at home less and traveled more compared to their neighbors. This behavior continued before and after the August rally, COVID Alliance data shows.
Gov. Kristi Noem 'remains focused on our hospitalization rate,' not state's case count
While the rally's impact ripples across the nation, a spike in cases in South Dakota is also gaining national attention.
The Mount Rushmore State has recorded the nation's third-highest rate of coronavirus cases per capita over the last two weeks, according to The Associated Press, and the highest per-capita rate in the nation for the past seven days, according to New York Times data.
A statement from Noem's office emailed to USA TODAY on Thursday says the Republican governor "remains focused on our hospitalization rate, and we are encouraged by the fact that only 6% of our ICU beds are currently occupied by COVID patients."
Mapping coronavirus: Tracking the U.S. outbreak
While hospitalizations are a more accurate metric for studying COVID-19 spread than cases, there's a lag time from days to weeks, Kim-Farley said.
It's "a little bit early to say that hospitalizations haven’t been affected," Kim-Farley said.
State epidemiologist Josh Clayton acknowledged there is typically a two-week lag between increases in cases and hospitalizations. Currently, less than 100 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized, well within the state's capacity.
The pandemic and the surge of cases is impacting the state fair, Candi Briley, the event's assistant manager, told USA TODAY.
While organizers are "ready to welcome fairgoers" to Huron, about 125 miles northwest of Sioux Falls, they "understand some people might not feel comfortable coming out and we respect (their decision)," Briley said.
For those who do, they'll be encouraged to keep their distance. Among the reminders, according to Briley, are signs featuring pigs that read, "Have a squeal of a time at the fair. Stay 6 feet apart."
Contributing: Jonathan Ellis, Sioux Falls (S.D.) Argus Leader; The Associated Press.


usatoday--2020-09-03--White House and Congress reach informal deal to avert a government shutdown at end of month

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Trump administration have come to an informal deal to avert a government shutdown at the end of the month when the federal government is set to run out of funding , two congressional sources said Thursday .
Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin came to the agreement Tuesday during a phone call about the two sides ' stalled efforts to pass another COVID-19 relief package , a source familiar with the call said .
The deal would extend government funding at the same levels they are currently operating at and will likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid a high-stakes series of negotiations before voters cast their ballots in November .
Full details about the agreement were not available but staff-level talks are set to begin soon , the two congressional sources said , adding that no decisions have been set in stone on how long the bill would last .
While discussions have picked back up between Democrats and the administration on another stimulus relief package to help Americans and businesses weathering the coronavirus pandemic , it 's unclear whether any stimulus relief might be added to the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not explicitly discuss the option and did not rule it out , one source familiar with their conversation said .
The agreement may ease worries about another government shutdown .
But it does n't solve the issue of how to offer relief to Americans suffering the economic fallout .
The two sides remain divided over what they want in a new round of coronavirus relief .
Pelosi , Mnuchin , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows negotiated for weeks trying to reconcile the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's $ 1.1 trillion package .
Both proposals included $ 1,200 direct payments for struggling Americans , billions for schools trying to reopen and money for businesses trying to stay afloat .
The inaction prompted Trump to sign four executive orders to continue some aspects of earlier stimulus bills , but they did not address all the relief sought in talks .
After he signed the orders , the two sides continued to blame the other side for the impasse as Congress left for a month-long recess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week , potentially the last opportunity for Congress to act on coronavirus legislation while also juggling must-pass bills to keep the government funded .
Senate Republicans have said they hope to vote on a smaller COVID-19 bill next week , though the legislation is likely to face opposition from Democrats who argue more funding is needed to help state and local governments and businesses .
More : Republicans say the Senate will take up coronavirus stimulus bill next week amid stalemate with Democrats More : Government shutdown sets record as longest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end ?
More : Fed-up workers , repairs delayed , missed mortgage payments : Why the government shutdown never ended for some White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters Thursday `` we do believe that we will be able to get funding to avoid a shutdown . ''
The last government shutdown from Dec. 2018 to Jan. 2019 was the longest on record , at 35 days long .
Stemming from a standoff between Congress and the White House over funding for a wall along the southern U.S. border , it forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on furloughs or without pay .
Trash piled up at national parks , air travel was disrupted and repairs on the Hubble Space Telescope were delayed .
Even tax revenue decreased .
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated tax revenue was down $ 2 billion in 2019 because the IRS had halted some operations during the shutdown .
But a shutdown this year would have a ripple effect unlike those before it , experts said .
Sarah Binder , professor of political science at George Washington University and a Brookings Institution senior fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catastrophic blow ” to have a shutdown in the middle of the pandemic , especially if workers at agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health were furloughed .
But “ nobody really wants to be blamed for the government shutdown , ” especially so close to an election , she said .
Congress ' few weeks in session are the House and Senate 's last opportunity to pass legislation of any kind before the November elections , and Binder said the short time frame could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands ” on a deal on both funding the government and a COVID-19 relief bill .
Rep. Bobby Scott , D-Va. , and the chair of the House Education and Labor Committee said Thursday it was definitely a “ legitimate question ” on whether the government could shut down at the end of the month , an outcome he said would be “ disappointing ” and “ regrettable.
” “ I do n't think there 's interest on either side in a government shutdown , particularly in the middle of a pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely Congress would pass a measure to fund the government .
“ I would rate the chance of a shutdown is as close as close to zero as you can get , '' he said .

Christal Hayes and Nicholas Wu, USA TODAY

White House and Congress reach informal deal to avert a government shutdown at end of month
Show Caption Hide Caption Donald Trump mocks the way Biden wears his mask President Donald Trump is mocking his Democratic rival for letting his mask hang off his ear when he delivers speeches. Speaking to rally-goers in Pennsylvania, Trump says of Joe Biden, "Did you ever see a man who likes a mask as much as him?" (Sept. 3) AP
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Trump administration have come to an informal deal to avert a government shutdown at the end of the month when the federal government is set to run out of funding, two congressional sources said Thursday.
Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin came to the agreement Tuesday during a phone call about the two sides' stalled efforts to pass another COVID-19 relief package, a source familiar with the call said. The deal would extend government funding at the same levels they are currently operating at and will likely allow both sides of the aisle to avoid a high-stakes series of negotiations before voters cast their ballots in November.
Full details about the agreement were not available but staff-level talks are set to begin soon, the two congressional sources said, adding that no decisions have been set in stone on how long the bill would last.
Marijuana vote: House will vote on federal marijuana legalization for the first time, bill's future in Senate uncertain
While discussions have picked back up between Democrats and the administration on another stimulus relief package to help Americans and businesses weathering the coronavirus pandemic, it's unclear whether any stimulus relief might be added to the government spending bill. Pelosi and Mnuchin did not explicitly discuss the option and did not rule it out, one source familiar with their conversation said.
The agreement may ease worries about another government shutdown. But it doesn't solve the issue of how to offer relief to Americans suffering the economic fallout. The two sides remain divided over what they want in a new round of coronavirus relief.
Pelosi, Mnuchin, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows negotiated for weeks trying to reconcile the Democrats' roughly $3.4 trillion plan with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's $1.1 trillion package. Both proposals included $1,200 direct payments for struggling Americans, billions for schools trying to reopen and money for businesses trying to stay afloat.
The inaction prompted Trump to sign four executive orders to continue some aspects of earlier stimulus bills, but they did not address all the relief sought in talks. After he signed the orders, the two sides continued to blame the other side for the impasse as Congress left for a month-long recess.
The Senate returns from its recess next week, potentially the last opportunity for Congress to act on coronavirus legislation while also juggling must-pass bills to keep the government funded. Senate Republicans have said they hope to vote on a smaller COVID-19 bill next week, though the legislation is likely to face opposition from Democrats who argue more funding is needed to help state and local governments and businesses.
More: Republicans say the Senate will take up coronavirus stimulus bill next week amid stalemate with Democrats
More: Government shutdown sets record as longest in U.S. history. When will it finally end?
More: Fed-up workers, repairs delayed, missed mortgage payments: Why the government shutdown never ended for some
Trump, Pelosi, Schumer spar in Oval Office President Donald Trump sparred in the Oval Office with Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer over a border wall and a potential government shutdown. (Dec. 11) AP
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters Thursday "we do believe that we will be able to get funding to avoid a shutdown."
The last government shutdown from Dec. 2018 to Jan. 2019 was the longest on record, at 35 days long. Stemming from a standoff between Congress and the White House over funding for a wall along the southern U.S. border, it forced about 800,000 federal government workers to go on furloughs or without pay.
Trash piled up at national parks, air travel was disrupted and repairs on the Hubble Space Telescope were delayed. Even tax revenue decreased. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated tax revenue was down $2 billion in 2019 because the IRS had halted some operations during the shutdown.
But a shutdown this year would have a ripple effect unlike those before it, experts said.
Sarah Binder, professor of political science at George Washington University and a Brookings Institution senior fellow, said it would be a “catastrophic blow” to have a shutdown in the middle of the pandemic, especially if workers at agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health were furloughed.
But “nobody really wants to be blamed for the government shutdown,” especially so close to an election, she said.
Congress' few weeks in session are the House and Senate's last opportunity to pass legislation of any kind before the November elections, and Binder said the short time frame could be a way to “force lawmakers’ hands” on a deal on both funding the government and a COVID-19 relief bill.
Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., and the chair of the House Education and Labor Committee said Thursday it was definitely a “legitimate question” on whether the government could shut down at the end of the month, an outcome he said would be “disappointing” and “regrettable.”
“I don't think there's interest on either side in a government shutdown, particularly in the middle of a pandemic," he said, adding it was likely Congress would pass a measure to fund the government.
“I would rate the chance of a shutdown is as close as close to zero as you can get," he said.


usatoday--2020-09-04--Serena Williams moves into third round at U.S. Open; matchup with Sloane Stephens is next

NEW YORK — Serena Williams has clocked the fastest serve – 124 MPH – of any woman at the 2020 U.S. Open .
She has smoked 20 aces through two rounds , also a tournament-high .
Neither of these facts comes as any more of a surprise than her result in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night , when Williams , a 23-time major champion , took another step toward No .
24 , with a 6-2 , 6-4 victory over No .
117 Margarita Gasparyan of Russia .
Now 20-0 in second-round matches at the Open , Williams , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six-time winner in Flushing Meadows , had to survive some serious service-game wobbles in the second set , when she double-faulted four times and was broken in consecutive games .
Gasparyan elevated her play and matched Williams evenly from the baseline the rest of the way .
Williams , who played with physio tape on her upper left thigh , said after the match she was not injured .
`` That 's preventative .
I forgot I had it on , '' she said , with a laugh .
`` I usually take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear it all the time , just not for my match . ''
Williams looked to be on her way after breaking Gasparyan to go up 3-1 in the second , but Gasparyan broke back in Game 5 when Williams knocked a backhand long .
The set was back on serve .
Williams righted herself quickly , smoking a series of turbo-charged backhands to help outlast Gasparyan and forge another break , only to get broken again to shrink her lead to 4-3 .
Gasparyan held for 4-4 , and suddenly the set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her form , barely , surviving a break point and four deuces before earning a tough hold to go up 5-4 .
Minutes later , Williams closed out the unexpected drama with a remarkable backhand return that set up a missed forehand .
`` It was n't that frustrating .
I felt like she returned really well , '' Williams said .
`` I think that 's been what 's holding me back is I get frustrated .
But I 'm out here and I 'm fighting .
I felt like it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would help me know what not to do next time . ''
The 38-year-old Williams faces a formidable challenge in her third-round match when her opponent will be 2017 champion Sloane Stephens , who is ranked No .
39 and scored a 6-2 , 6-2 triumph over Olga Govortsova of Belarus .
Stephens was ranked as high as No .
3 two years ago and has had more downs than ups since then , but she was impressive against Govortsova .
Stephens has only beaten Williams once in six matches , including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they haven ’ t played in five years .
`` She plays so smooth , '' Williams said .
`` She looks like she does n't have much energy and then - bam !
- there 's five winners .
She 's beaten me before , so she knows how to play well .
It 's not easy .
I 'm glad I had a tough match today to get me ready for that one . ''

Serena Williams moves into third round at U.S. Open; matchup with Sloane Stephens is next
Show Caption Hide Caption Women of the Century: Billie Jean King says everyone needs a champion Tennis legend Billie Jean King uses her fame to champion women on and off the court, and fight for equal pay, LGBTQ rights, and racial justice. USA TODAY
NEW YORK — Serena Williams has clocked the fastest serve – 124 MPH – of any woman at the 2020 U.S. Open. She has smoked 20 aces through two rounds, also a tournament-high. Neither of these facts comes as any more of a surprise than her result in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night, when Williams, a 23-time major champion, took another step toward No. 24, with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over No. 117 Margarita Gasparyan of Russia.
Now 20-0 in second-round matches at the Open, Williams, the No. 3 seed and a six-time winner in Flushing Meadows, had to survive some serious service-game wobbles in the second set, when she double-faulted four times and was broken in consecutive games. Gasparyan elevated her play and matched Williams evenly from the baseline the rest of the way.
Williams, who played with physio tape on her upper left thigh, said after the match she was not injured.
"That's preventative. I forgot I had it on," she said, with a laugh. "I usually take it off for my matches. I wear it all the time, just not for my match."
Williams looked to be on her way after breaking Gasparyan to go up 3-1 in the second, but Gasparyan broke back in Game 5 when Williams knocked a backhand long. The set was back on serve. Williams righted herself quickly, smoking a series of turbo-charged backhands to help outlast Gasparyan and forge another break, only to get broken again to shrink her lead to 4-3.
Gasparyan held for 4-4, and suddenly the set was level. And then Williams regained her form, barely, surviving a break point and four deuces before earning a tough hold to go up 5-4. Minutes later, Williams closed out the unexpected drama with a remarkable backhand return that set up a missed forehand.
"It wasn't that frustrating. I felt like she returned really well," Williams said. "I think that's been what's holding me back is I get frustrated. But I'm out here and I'm fighting. I felt like it was a minor setback and if anything it would help me know what not to do next time."
The 38-year-old Williams faces a formidable challenge in her third-round match when her opponent will be 2017 champion Sloane Stephens, who is ranked No. 39 and scored a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Olga Govortsova of Belarus.
Stephens was ranked as high as No. 3 two years ago and has had more downs than ups since then, but she was impressive against Govortsova. Stephens has only beaten Williams once in six matches, including a memorable Australian Open quarterfinal in 2013, but they haven’t played in five years.
"She plays so smooth," Williams said. "She looks like she doesn't have much energy and then - bam! - there's five winners. She's beaten me before, so she knows how to play well. It's not easy. I'm glad I had a tough match today to get me ready for that one."
Follow Wayne Coffey on Twitter @wr_coffey


usatoday--2020-09-04--Her neighbors called for help. When cops showed up, they attacked a domestic abuse victim.

The young woman who answered her apartment door in an oversized AC/DC T-shirt had scratch marks on her neck .
But she insisted she was fine when a Williamson County , Texas sheriff ’ s deputy responded to the call of a concerned neighbor about possible domestic violence .
Her boyfriend was gone , she assured the deputy .
She made clear she wanted nothing to do with police .
“ I do not want to talk to you , especially Williamson County , ” the 20-year-old said in body camera footage .
“ Y ’ all have a really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with you.
” Moments later , without provocation , deputy Lorenzo Hernandez grabbed the young woman .
As she screamed , he threatened to use his Taser .
He and two other deputies slammed her to the ground , handcuffing her while they searched her home .
The violent escalation of what should have been a routine law enforcement interaction is the latest in a string of aggressive encounters by Williamson County Sheriff ’ s deputies that have come to light amid ongoing investigation by the American-Statesman , part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposed by the newspaper include the March 2019 Tasing death of Black father of two Javier Ambler during a traffic stop , and several , dangerous high-speed pursuits launched over minor traffic infractions .
The troubling pattern coincides with the agency ’ s 11-month partnership with A & E reality show ‘ Live PD , ’ during which televisions crews filmed Williamson County deputies as they patrolled the streets , made arrests and interacted with the public .
The show was canceled two days after the Statesman and KVUE-TV first reported details of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t filming the incident involving the domestic abuse victim , although Hernandez was one of the show ’ s stars .
But it was captured from multiple angles on body camera footage recently obtained by the Statesman .
It also is one of five use-of-force cases currently under investigation by the Texas Rangers and local prosecutors .
The Sept. 21 , 2019 , incident is particularly troubling because it involved not a dangerous suspect , but an alleged victim accused of no crime , according to law enforcement experts who viewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Statesman .
Domestic violence advocates say they were horrified that the deputies also scolded the woman for what happened .
That behavior , they said , only makes it harder to persuade victims to trust police enough to report abuse .
“ Understand the circumstances y ’ all put yourselves in , and you make us have to deal with those issues , ” Hernandez told the woman after deputies unlatched her handcuffs .
A former department sergeant told the Statesman that he flagged the case to supervisors but was initially treated adversarially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the department ’ s chief deputy said that Hernandez ’ s handling of the incident “ was not in keeping with the high standards of the sheriff ’ s office.
” Chody , who has praised Hernandez publicly , suspended him for a day after an internal affairs investigation of the incident .
Two months after the incident , he promoted Hernandez .
Hernandez did not respond to an email seeking comment .
The woman at the center of the case did not want to speak publicly , and the Statesman is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her behalf that she not be identified .
As deputies converged on the suburban apartment complex at 7:23 p.m. that Saturday evening , deputy Amanda Pereira was the first to contact the woman .
A neighbor led her to an apartment with a dark green door and a mat that read “ Hope , Love , Joy ” .
“ She begged us not to call , ” the neighbor whispered to the deputy .
Pereira , who graduated from the department ’ s training academy three months earlier , knocked on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her that she only wanted to know that she wasn ’ t hurt .
Periera asked her to explain what happened , questioned her about her fresh neck injuries and scribbled her name and birthdate in a notepad .
“ I don ’ t know where he is , ” she told Pereira .
“ He left .
We got into an argument .
That ’ s it .
Nothing physical.
” The woman then went back inside her apartment .
“ She doesn ’ t want to be cooperative , ” Pereira @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer , as he arrived on the scene and rushed past her toward the apartment door .
“ So , we need to see who else is inside your apartment , ” Pereira told the woman as she answered .
“ No , y ’ all really don ’ t , ” the woman replied , holding up her hand .
“ What the f -- - ?
What are y'all doing ?
” the woman cried out .
“ Let go of the door or I ’ m going to Tase you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dickerson arrived and dashed up the stairs .
His body camera captured Pereira with her arm around the woman ’ s neck as he began reaching to handcuff the 20-year-old .
Following a 30-second scuffle , the three deputies handcuffed the woman , who fell to the ground .
“ Oh my gosh , y ’ all are psycho !
” the woman yelled .
“ Quit running your mouth and calm down , ” Hernandez yelled .
“ Shut your mouth and quit talking .
Regardless of whether you want to cooperate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to do.
” The woman told deputies multiple times they were hurting her .
As the deputies sat her up , Hernandez entered the apartment with Dickerson , shining their flashlights and shouting , “ Williamson County Sheriff ’ s Office !
” During a five-minute fruitless search , Pereira remained outside with the woman and her sister , who had been inside the apartment and also told deputies the man was gone .
Deputies led the woman back into her home and unclasped the handcuffs .
“ When we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what happens , ” Hernandez said , pointing to the handcuffs .
“ All this screaming , and uh , all this s -- - does not make us stop .
OK ?
” The woman responded : “ What are my legal rights ?
Can you tell me my legal rights ?
” “ We have to do a welfare check to make sure all persons are secure in this house , ” Hernandez continued .
He wagged a finger and scolded , “ Next time we show up , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that , to keep us out of your house.
” When the case jacket landed on his desk a couple of days later , Sgt .
Troy Brogden , whose job was to assign new investigations to a brigade of detectives , was immediately troubled .
“ I am reading ( Pereira ’ s ) report , and I got to the part where it mentioned her head hit the ground with a thud , ” Brogden , now retired , told the Statesman in a recent interview .
“ I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
’ ” “ I have had that situation I do n't know how many times , ” Brogden said .
“ You explain , ‘ I have to come in and I have to see who is here ’ and there was none of that .
It was , ‘ Get out of my way .
I ’ m the boss.
’ The whole thing was uncalled for.
” Texas law allows law enforcement to enter a home without a warrant if they have a reasonable fear someone inside is in danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple occasions to address the matter .
He felt his efforts to bring accountability to the deputies were received adversarially by the department and Chody .
“ He told me he didn ’ t think I was ‘ Team Chody , ’ ” Brogden said .
“ I told them , ‘ It ’ s not ‘ Team Chody.
’ It ’ s ‘ Team Williamson County.
’ I was embarrassed to say I worked there.
” He retired a few months later .
The department declined to provide documentation of its internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Deputy Tim Ryle said “ his failure to properly deescalate the incident is unacceptable.
” Hernandez was removed from being a field training officer and was ordered to receive additional training in addition to the single day suspension .
He was promoted two months later to detective and is currently investigating property crimes .
Hernandez was among a new crop of deputies Chody brought into the department after he took over the agency north of Austin in January 2017 .
Hired that September , Hernandez was the first of at least three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Office .
The other two were Deputies J.J. Johnson and Zach Camden , who were involved in Ambler ’ s death .
Four months before joining Williamson County , Hernandez had an embarrassing and potentially dangerous blunder that resulted in disciplinary action .
He notified supervisors that as he was getting ready for work , he had “ looked everywhere ” for a pouch with his gun .
According to his personnel records , he called the Bastrop Police Department , which reported that a Sig Sauer .40 caliber handgun had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hernandez later explained that he had gone there to eat with his family .
He told supervisors that while grabbing leftovers , he inadvertently forgot the gun .
He was suspended without pay for 12 hours .
In Williamson County , Hernandez was quickly featured on “ Live PD , ” smiling in several promotional photographs .
Hernandez appeared in an episode that captured the violent arrest on June 2019 of Ramsey Mitchell , who was left with long-lasting injuries after five deputies unleashed a barrage of punches , knee jabs and Taser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrives after other deputies , including Johnson and Camden , have pinned Mitchell to the ground .
Hernandez runs from his vehicle to the melee and delivers several punches to Mitchell .
Texas Rangers are also investigating that incident .
Hernandez has stepped up in Chody ’ s charity fundraising efforts .
Last March , Chody posted a picture of himself with Hernandez and another deputy who had their heads shaved for the St. Baldricks Foundation , which raises money to help children with cancer .
A month later , Chody Tweeted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through a table by pro-wrestler Dustin Rhodes to raise money for the same charity .
Wearing a red T-shirt with the words “ Tased and Confused , ” Hernandez thanked viewers who had contributed and pointed to the wooden folding table that he was about to be thrown into as blue and red police lights flashed around him .
Rhodes then counted to three , lifted Hernandez and slammed him into a table so hard it snapped in two .
“ OUCH !
!
!
” Chody wrote on Facebook .
“ Thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have some humanity ’ Timothy T. Williams , a retired senior detective supervisor for the Los Angeles Police Department who developed domestic violence policies and procedures for the agency , reviewed the bodycam footage and said deputies made multiple mistakes .
They initially sent only one officer to talk to the alleged victim .
The deputy fired off questions instead of building a rapport .
He was troubled that no one explained the importance of searching her home prior to Hernandez using force .
Williams said the deputies could have also complicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the assailant : Investigators may have had difficulty determining which wounds were from that attacker or Hernandez .
Nikhita Ved , senior director of legal services for the SAFE Alliance , a nonprofit that helps domestic violence victims , said many survivors have been in relationships in which power and control were exerted over them .
They would benefit from law enforcement having calm conversation -- not carrying on familiar parts of their abusive relationship , she said .
“ A conversation has a lot of power , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not someone who can assist in an investigation can go a long way.
” Experts generally agree that deputies had an obligation to enter the home to ensure the woman ’ s safety and reduce the department ’ s liability if she was subsequently harmed .
Former Harris County Assistant District Attorney L.E .
Wilson , a state expert on search and seizure laws , said the incident is the type that officers often confront with no clear answer about how to proceed .
“ It boils down to , ‘ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
’ ” he said .
“ If they genuinely had a concern about the occupants , I think they have the right to go in and walk through before they leave .
’ ” Williams said that the incident highlights how officers ’ demeanors can help set the tone of an encounter and determine whether a sensitive scene can be calmed or spiral out of control .
“ What you saw is wrong , ” he said .
“ You have to have some humanity .
”

Tony Plohetski, Austin American-Statesman

Her neighbors called for help. When cops showed up, they attacked a domestic abuse victim.
Show Caption Hide Caption Texas cops take down a domestic abuse victim Without provocation, Texas deputies slammed a domestic violence victim to the ground and threatened to Tase her. Afterward, they blamed her. Alyssa Vidales, Austin American-Statesman
The young woman who answered her apartment door in an oversized AC/DC T-shirt had scratch marks on her neck.
But she insisted she was fine when a Williamson County, Texas sheriff’s deputy responded to the call of a concerned neighbor about possible domestic violence.
Her boyfriend was gone, she assured the deputy. She made clear she wanted nothing to do with police.
“I do not want to talk to you, especially Williamson County,” the 20-year-old said in body camera footage. “Y’all have a really bad reputation. I do not want to deal with you.”
Moments later, without provocation, deputy Lorenzo Hernandez grabbed the young woman. As she screamed, he threatened to use his Taser. He and two other deputies slammed her to the ground, handcuffing her while they searched her home.
The violent escalation of what should have been a routine law enforcement interaction is the latest in a string of aggressive encounters by Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies that have come to light amid ongoing investigation by the American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Other incidents recently exposed by the newspaper include the March 2019 Tasing death of Black father of two Javier Ambler during a traffic stop, and several, dangerous high-speed pursuits launched over minor traffic infractions.
The troubling pattern coincides with the agency’s 11-month partnership with A&E reality show ‘Live PD,’ during which televisions crews filmed Williamson County deputies as they patrolled the streets, made arrests and interacted with the public. The show was canceled two days after the Statesman and KVUE-TV first reported details of Ambler’s death.
Live PD wasn’t filming the incident involving the domestic abuse victim, although Hernandez was one of the show’s stars. But it was captured from multiple angles on body camera footage recently obtained by the Statesman.
It also is one of five use-of-force cases currently under investigation by the Texas Rangers and local prosecutors.
The Sept. 21, 2019, incident is particularly troubling because it involved not a dangerous suspect, but an alleged victim accused of no crime, according to law enforcement experts who viewed the footage at the request of the Statesman.
Domestic violence advocates say they were horrified that the deputies also scolded the woman for what happened. That behavior, they said, only makes it harder to persuade victims to trust police enough to report abuse.
“Understand the circumstances y’all put yourselves in, and you make us have to deal with those issues,” Hernandez told the woman after deputies unlatched her handcuffs.
A former department sergeant told the Statesman that he flagged the case to supervisors but was initially treated adversarially.
In a statement this week, the department’s chief deputy said that Hernandez’s handling of the incident “was not in keeping with the high standards of the sheriff’s office.” Sheriff RobertChody, who has praised Hernandez publicly, suspended him for a day after an internal affairs investigation of the incident.
Two months after the incident, he promoted Hernandez.
Hernandez did not respond to an email seeking comment.
The woman at the center of the case did not want to speak publicly, and the Statesman is not naming her because her family asked on her behalf that she not be identified.
The incident
As deputies converged on the suburban apartment complex at 7:23 p.m. that Saturday evening, deputy Amanda Pereira was the first to contact the woman.
A neighbor led her to an apartment with a dark green door and a mat that read “Hope, Love, Joy”.
“She begged us not to call,” the neighbor whispered to the deputy.
Pereira, who graduated from the department’s training academy three months earlier, knocked on the woman’s door. She assured her that she only wanted to know that she wasn’t hurt.
Periera asked her to explain what happened, questioned her about her fresh neck injuries and scribbled her name and birthdate in a notepad.
“I don’t know where he is,” she told Pereira. “He left. We got into an argument. That’s it. Nothing physical.”
The woman then went back inside her apartment.
“She doesn’t want to be cooperative,” Pereira reported to Hernandez, a department training officer, as he arrived on the scene and rushed past her toward the apartment door.
Pereira knocked.
“So, we need to see who else is inside your apartment,” Pereira told the woman as she answered.
“No, y’all really don’t,” the woman replied, holding up her hand.
Hernandez grabbed the woman, who started screaming.
“What the f---? What are y'all doing?” the woman cried out.
“Let go of the door or I’m going to Tase you!” Hernandez yelled.
Deputy David Dickerson arrived and dashed up the stairs. His body camera captured Pereira with her arm around the woman’s neck as he began reaching to handcuff the 20-year-old.
Following a 30-second scuffle, the three deputies handcuffed the woman, who fell to the ground.
“Oh my gosh, y’all are psycho!” the woman yelled.
“Quit running your mouth and calm down,” Hernandez yelled. “Shut your mouth and quit talking. Regardless of whether you want to cooperate, we are going to do what we need to do.”
The woman told deputies multiple times they were hurting her. As the deputies sat her up, Hernandez entered the apartment with Dickerson, shining their flashlights and shouting, “Williamson County Sheriff’s Office!”
During a five-minute fruitless search, Pereira remained outside with the woman and her sister, who had been inside the apartment and also told deputies the man was gone.
Deputies led the woman back into her home and unclasped the handcuffs.
Hernandez admonished her.
“When we don’t get your cooperation, that is what happens,” Hernandez said, pointing to the handcuffs. “All this screaming, and uh, all this s--- does not make us stop. OK?”
The woman responded: “What are my legal rights? Can you tell me my legal rights?”
“We have to do a welfare check to make sure all persons are secure in this house,” Hernandez continued. He wagged a finger and scolded, “Next time we show up, you don’t have the right to do that, to keep us out of your house.”
A case review
When the case jacket landed on his desk a couple of days later, Sgt. Troy Brogden, whose job was to assign new investigations to a brigade of detectives, was immediately troubled.
“I am reading (Pereira’s) report, and I got to the part where it mentioned her head hit the ground with a thud,” Brogden, now retired, told the Statesman in a recent interview. “I was like, ‘Why was nothing done?’”
Watching body camera footage increased his concerns.
“I have had that situation I don't know how many times,” Brogden said. “You explain, ‘I have to come in and I have to see who is here’ and there was none of that. It was, ‘Get out of my way. I’m the boss.’ The whole thing was uncalled for.”
Texas law allows law enforcement to enter a home without a warrant if they have a reasonable fear someone inside is in danger.
Brogden said he urged supervisors on multiple occasions to address the matter. He felt his efforts to bring accountability to the deputies were received adversarially by the department and Chody.
“He told me he didn’t think I was ‘Team Chody,’” Brogden said. “I told them, ‘It’s not ‘Team Chody.’ It’s ‘Team Williamson County.’ I was embarrassed to say I worked there.”
He retired a few months later.
The department declined to provide documentation of its internal affairs investigation. In a statement, Chief Deputy Tim Ryle said “his failure to properly deescalate the incident is unacceptable.” Hernandez was removed from being a field training officer and was ordered to receive additional training in addition to the single day suspension.
He was promoted two months later to detective and is currently investigating property crimes.
Hernandez was among a new crop of deputies Chody brought into the department after he took over the agency north of Austin in January 2017.
Hired that September, Hernandez was the first of at least three hires from the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office. The other two were Deputies J.J. Johnson and Zach Camden, who were involved in Ambler’s death.
Four months before joining Williamson County, Hernandez had an embarrassing and potentially dangerous blunder that resulted in disciplinary action.
He notified supervisors that as he was getting ready for work, he had “looked everywhere” for a pouch with his gun. According to his personnel records, he called the Bastrop Police Department, which reported that a Sig Sauer .40 caliber handgun had been found at a local Wingstop restaurant.
Hernandez later explained that he had gone there to eat with his family. He told supervisors that while grabbing leftovers, he inadvertently forgot the gun. He was suspended without pay for 12 hours.
In Williamson County, Hernandez was quickly featured on “Live PD,” smiling in several promotional photographs. Hernandez appeared in an episode that captured the violent arrest on June 2019 of Ramsey Mitchell, who was left with long-lasting injuries after five deputies unleashed a barrage of punches, knee jabs and Taser shocks. In the video, Hernandez arrives after other deputies, including Johnson and Camden, have pinned Mitchell to the ground. Hernandez runs from his vehicle to the melee and delivers several punches to Mitchell. Texas Rangers are also investigating that incident.
Hernandez has stepped up in Chody’s charity fundraising efforts. Last March, Chody posted a picture of himself with Hernandez and another deputy who had their heads shaved for the St. Baldricks Foundation, which raises money to help children with cancer.
A month later, Chody Tweeted that Hernandez had agreed to being body slammed through a table by pro-wrestler Dustin Rhodes to raise money for the same charity.
Wearing a red T-shirt with the words “Tased and Confused,” Hernandez thanked viewers who had contributed and pointed to the wooden folding table that he was about to be thrown into as blue and red police lights flashed around him.
Rhodes then counted to three, lifted Hernandez and slammed him into a table so hard it snapped in two.
“OUCH!!!” Chody wrote on Facebook. “Thanks for your support.”
‘You have to have some humanity’
Timothy T. Williams, a retired senior detective supervisor for the Los Angeles Police Department who developed domestic violence policies and procedures for the agency, reviewed the bodycam footage and said deputies made multiple mistakes.
They initially sent only one officer to talk to the alleged victim. The deputy fired off questions instead of building a rapport.
He was troubled that no one explained the importance of searching her home prior to Hernandez using force.
Williams said the deputies could have also complicated an investigation had they found and arrested the assailant: Investigators may have had difficulty determining which wounds were from that attacker or Hernandez.
Nikhita Ved, senior director of legal services for the SAFE Alliance, a nonprofit that helps domestic violence victims, said many survivors have been in relationships in which power and control were exerted over them. They would benefit from law enforcement having calm conversation -- not carrying on familiar parts of their abusive relationship, she said.
“A conversation has a lot of power,” she said. “Treating them like they are a survivor and not someone who can assist in an investigation can go a long way.”
Experts generally agree that deputies had an obligation to enter the home to ensure the woman’s safety and reduce the department’s liability if she was subsequently harmed.
Former Harris County Assistant District Attorney L.E. Wilson, a state expert on search and seizure laws, said the incident is the type that officers often confront with no clear answer about how to proceed.
“It boils down to, ‘What does the officer think is going on?’” he said. “If they genuinely had a concern about the occupants, I think they have the right to go in and walk through before they leave. ’”
Williams said that the incident highlights how officers’ demeanors can help set the tone of an encounter and determine whether a sensitive scene can be calmed or spiral out of control.
“What you saw is wrong,” he said. “You have to have some humanity.”


usatoday--2020-09-04--Why sample ballots in South Carolina didn't list Joe Biden as a presidential candidate

GREENVILLE , S.C. – Sample ballots for the November general election in South Carolina did not include the Democratic presidential ticket of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris until reporters started asking questions Thursday .
By Thursday afternoon , the South Carolina Democratic Party officially certified Biden and Harris as its presidential ticket .
A short time later , their names appeared on the state Election Commission 's online sample ballot along with the Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and Mike Pence and the presidential candidates for the Alliance , Green and Libertarian parties .
South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 8 to certify Biden and Harris as its presidential ticket .
He was livid that state election officials made sample ballots before that deadline .
`` The state election commissioners ought to be fired for this , '' he said .
`` This is complete malfeasance . ''
Chris Whitmire , a spokesperson for the state Election Commission , said in an email that sample ballots are prepared up to 100 days before an election to meet requirements for military and overseas citizens who may be voting a blank federal write-in absentee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said sample ballots are updated as candidates are certified .
`` The online sample ballot provides voters with information about what their ballot content is at the time they view it , '' Whitmire said .
`` Military and overseas voters voting a FWAB need this information to know what their choices are at the time of completing the FWAB .
`` While most know the major presidential candidates , the sample ballot , in many cases , is the only way for one of these voters to know about other candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is a disclaimer on the cover page that candidates may change at any time and a recommendation that voters check their sample ballot as close to election day as possible . ''
Whitmire said Trump and Pence were certified as the Republican presidential ticket in South Carolina on Aug. 27 .

Why sample ballots in South Carolina didn't list Joe Biden as a presidential candidate
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump suggests North Carolina voters test the state's system President Trump suggested that voters in North Carolina should test the state's election system by voting once by mail, then a second time in person. USA TODAY
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Sample ballots for the November general election in South Carolina did not include the Democratic presidential ticket of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris until reporters started asking questions Thursday.
By Thursday afternoon, the South Carolina Democratic Party officially certified Biden and Harris as its presidential ticket. A short time later, their names appeared on the state Election Commission's online sample ballot along with the Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and Mike Pence and the presidential candidates for the Alliance, Green and Libertarian parties.
South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Trav Robertson said his party had until Sept. 8 to certify Biden and Harris as its presidential ticket. He was livid that state election officials made sample ballots before that deadline.
Kenosha takeaways: Biden focuses on Jacob Blake, Trump touts police in dueling Kenosha visits
"The state election commissioners ought to be fired for this," he said. "This is complete malfeasance."
Chris Whitmire, a spokesperson for the state Election Commission, said in an email that sample ballots are prepared up to 100 days before an election to meet requirements for military and overseas citizens who may be voting a blank federal write-in absentee ballot, also known as FWAB. He said sample ballots are updated as candidates are certified.
"The online sample ballot provides voters with information about what their ballot content is at the time they view it," Whitmire said. "Military and overseas voters voting a FWAB need this information to know what their choices are at the time of completing the FWAB.
"While most know the major presidential candidates, the sample ballot, in many cases, is the only way for one of these voters to know about other candidates, local candidates and referendum questions. There is a disclaimer on the cover page that candidates may change at any time and a recommendation that voters check their sample ballot as close to election day as possible."
Whitmire said Trump and Pence were certified as the Republican presidential ticket in South Carolina on Aug. 27.
Follow Kirk Brown on Twitter @KirkBrown_AIM


usatoday--2020-09-03--North Carolina elections chief says 'It is illegal to vote twice in an election' after Trump comment

A day after President Donald Trump appeared to encourage supporters in North Carolina to both mail in ballots and vote in person , the state 's Board of Elections issued a statement Thursday telling voters it is illegal to vote in an election twice .
`` It is illegal to vote twice in an election , '' said Karen Brinson Bell , executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections .
Bell said state law made it a `` Class I felony '' for a voter , `` with intent to commit a fraud to register or vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than one time ... in the same primary or election . ''
`` Attempting to vote twice in an election or soliciting someone to do so also is a violation of North Carolina law , '' Brinson Bell added .
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein also chimed in , advising residents `` vote , but do not vote twice . ''
After arriving in Wilmington , North Carolina , on Wednesday , Trump told local station WECT that voters in the state should test their state 's election system by voting once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second time in person .
`` Let them send it in and let them go vote , and if the system is as good as they say it is , then obviously they wo n't be able to vote , '' Trump said .
Vote by mail ?
: Democratic group warns Trump may use it to prematurely declare victory even if he 's losing Trump has repeatedly said an increase in mailed-in ballots due to COVID-19 concerns could lead to widespread fraud .
But most experts say incidents of such fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a statistically significant scale .
Brinson Bell said there are `` numerous checks in place in North Carolina that prevent people from double voting , '' including pollbooks at every early voting site that says who has already cast their ballots .
If a voter tries to check in at a polling site and it indicates they have already voted , they will be given a provisional ballot instead of a regular one , she said .
The provisional ballot will then `` be researched after Election Day to determine whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` On Election Day , voters who have voted absentee are removed from the pollbook , which is updated before voting starts at 6:30 a.m. Absentee ballots that are received on Election Day are not counted until after the election , and this prevents double voting , '' she added .
Poll : Biden voters twice as likely than Trump supporters to vote by mail in November In addition , the board conducts audits after each election that `` check voter history against ballots cast and would detect if someone tries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election . ''
Brinson Bell said `` if someone tries to get around the system '' their mailed-in ballot `` can be retrieved and not counted , so it will not affect the outcome of an election . ''
An Elections Board investigations team looks into alleged incidents of double voting and can refer cases to prosecutors if they think further action is warranted .
Brinson Bell said if voters request to vote by mail but change their mind , they should discard the absentee ballot , not mail it in , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by giving voters instructions on how they can check the status of a mailed-in ballot .
At least four other Democratic attorneys general joined Stein Thursday in telling their state 's residents not to double-vote , including Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh , Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey , Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel .
`` Please , folks , don ’ t follow Trump ’ s advice .
It ’ s a crime , and we will prosecute anyone who tries – whomever they vote for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t try this at home .
I will prosecute you , '' said Nessel .
Some critics said Trump 's comments broke the law by encouraging voters to break the law .
`` In no uncertain terms , we condemn President Trump ’ s statements encouraging voters to break the law and vote twice in North Carolina this election season , '' said Kristen Clarke , president of the Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights , in a statement .
`` President Trump 's statements may also be illegal to the extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commit intentional voter fraud , regardless of whether those attempts prove unsuccessful . ''
`` President Trump ’ s repeated requests to his followers to commit felonies are felony crimes themselves because he is inciting the commission of those crimes , '' said Karen Hobert Flynn , president of the election watchdog organization Common Cause .
`` You can not test election integrity rules by breaking them any more than you can rob a bank to make sure your money is safe . ''
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything illegal .
`` The president does not condone unlawful voting , '' she said , adding the president was simply encouraging voters to ensure their votes are counted .
Return to sender : Return to sender : Trump 's strategy on mail ballots divides party before GOP convention

North Carolina elections chief says 'It is illegal to vote twice in an election' after Trump comment on double voting
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump suggests North Carolina voters test the state's system President Trump suggested that voters in North Carolina should test the state's election system by voting once by mail, then a second time in person. USA TODAY
A day after President Donald Trump appeared to encourage supporters in North Carolina to both mail in ballots and vote in person, the state's Board of Elections issued a statement Thursday telling voters it is illegal to vote in an election twice.
"It is illegal to vote twice in an election," said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Bell said state law made it a "Class I felony" for a voter, "with intent to commit a fraud to register or vote at more than one precinct or more than one time ... in the same primary or election."
"Attempting to vote twice in an election or soliciting someone to do so also is a violation of North Carolina law," Brinson Bell added.
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein also chimed in, advising residents "vote, but do not vote twice."
After arriving in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Wednesday, Trump told local station WECT that voters in the state should test their state's election system by voting once by mail, then trying to vote a second time in person.
"Let them send it in and let them go vote, and if the system is as good as they say it is, then obviously they won't be able to vote," Trump said.
Vote by mail?: Democratic group warns Trump may use it to prematurely declare victory even if he's losing
Trump has repeatedly said an increase in mailed-in ballots due to COVID-19 concerns could lead to widespread fraud. But most experts say incidents of such fraud are rare and unlikely to be successful on a statistically significant scale.
Brinson Bell said there are "numerous checks in place in North Carolina that prevent people from double voting," including pollbooks at every early voting site that says who has already cast their ballots. If a voter tries to check in at a polling site and it indicates they have already voted, they will be given a provisional ballot instead of a regular one, she said.
The provisional ballot will then "be researched after Election Day to determine whether it should be counted," Brinson Bell said.
"On Election Day, voters who have voted absentee are removed from the pollbook, which is updated before voting starts at 6:30 a.m. Absentee ballots that are received on Election Day are not counted until after the election, and this prevents double voting," she added.
Fact check: New Jersey ballot fraud case doesn't signal 'national trouble' with vote by mail
Poll: Biden voters twice as likely than Trump supporters to vote by mail in November
In addition, the board conducts audits after each election that "check voter history against ballots cast and would detect if someone tries to vote more than once in an election."
Brinson Bell said "if someone tries to get around the system" their mailed-in ballot "can be retrieved and not counted, so it will not affect the outcome of an election." An Elections Board investigations team looks into alleged incidents of double voting and can refer cases to prosecutors if they think further action is warranted.
Brinson Bell said if voters request to vote by mail but change their mind, they should discard the absentee ballot, not mail it in, and vote in person instead. She concluded by giving voters instructions on how they can check the status of a mailed-in ballot.
At least four other Democratic attorneys general joined Stein Thursday in telling their state's residents not to double-vote, including Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
"Please, folks, don’t follow Trump’s advice. It’s a crime, and we will prosecute anyone who tries – whomever they vote for," said Frosh,
"Don’t try this at home. I will prosecute you," said Nessel.
Some critics said Trump's comments broke the law by encouraging voters to break the law.
"In no uncertain terms, we condemn President Trump’s statements encouraging voters to break the law and vote twice in North Carolina this election season," said Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, in a statement. "President Trump's statements may also be illegal to the extent that he is literally encouraging voters to commit intentional voter fraud, regardless of whether those attempts prove unsuccessful."
"President Trump’s repeated requests to his followers to commit felonies are felony crimes themselves because he is inciting the commission of those crimes," said Karen Hobert Flynn, president of the election watchdog organization Common Cause. "You cannot test election integrity rules by breaking them any more than you can rob a bank to make sure your money is safe."
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters Thursday Trump was not encouraging anyone to do anything illegal.
"The president does not condone unlawful voting," she said, adding the president was simply encouraging voters to ensure their votes are counted.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci
Return to sender: Return to sender: Trump's strategy on mail ballots divides party before GOP convention


usatoday--2020-09-03--'You shoot at the police, expect us to shoot back': Ohio sheriff responds to protest 'lawlessness'

CINCINNATI – The Butler County Sheriff 's Office in Ohio issued a statement Wednesday in response to what its leader called `` lawlessness in the country over the last few months directed towards police . ''
`` If you come to this county expecting a free pass to harm one of my men or women in uniform , keep in mind , nothing in life is free , ” Sheriff Richard Jones said in a news release and on Facebook .
The statement referred to people dumping water on police in New York , bricks and frozen water bottles being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and people shooting at officers in Chicago .
Use of ‘ less-lethal ’ weapons : Cities , states ban police use of rubber bullets '' You shoot at the police , expect us to shoot back , '' Jones said .
`` I will not allow my deputies or any law enforcement officer in Butler County to take the abuse I have seen over the past several months . ''
Jones posted the same information on the organization 's Facebook page shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday .
Nearly 3,000 people have shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have liked it .
Protests against police brutality and racial inequality have continued nationwide since George Floyd , a Black man , died on Memorial Day under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer , who has since been fired and arrested .
The killings of other Black people , such as Breonna Taylor in Louisville , Kentucky , also led to protests .
Lawsuit : Lawyer for Breonna Taylor 's boyfriend sues police , says he did n't shoot officer Looting and violence have marred protests .
In Chicago , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after hundreds smashed windows , stole from stores and clashed with police .
Chicago Police Department Superintendent David Brown said shots were fired at officers who returned fire .
Brown said the incident was n't an organized protest but `` pure criminality . ''
Unrest in Portland , Oregon , has also devolved into violence .

'You shoot at the police, expect us to shoot back': Ohio sheriff responds to protest 'lawlessness'
CINCINNATI – The Butler County Sheriff's Office in Ohio issued a statement Wednesday in response to what its leader called "lawlessness in the country over the last few months directed towards police."
"If you come to this county expecting a free pass to harm one of my men or women in uniform, keep in mind, nothing in life is free,” Sheriff Richard Jones said in a news release and on Facebook.
The statement referred to people dumping water on police in New York, bricks and frozen water bottles being thrown at police in Portland, Oregon, and people shooting at officers in Chicago.
Use of ‘less-lethal’ weapons: Cities, states ban police use of rubber bullets
Police arrest, identify Texas man: 3 officers were shot during 18-hour standoff
"You shoot at the police, expect us to shoot back," Jones said. "I will not allow my deputies or any law enforcement officer in Butler County to take the abuse I have seen over the past several months."
Jones posted the same information on the organization's Facebook page shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday. Nearly 3,000 people have shared the post, and more than 4,000 people have liked it .
Protests against police brutality and racial inequality have continued nationwide since George Floyd, a Black man, died on Memorial Day under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, who has since been fired and arrested. The killings of other Black people, such as Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, also led to protests.
Lawsuit: Lawyer for Breonna Taylor's boyfriend sues police, says he didn't shoot officer
Looting and violence have marred protests. In Chicago, more than 100 people were arrested in August after hundreds smashed windows, stole from stores and clashed with police.
Chicago Police Department Superintendent David Brown said shots were fired at officers who returned fire. Brown said the incident wasn't an organized protest but "pure criminality."
Unrest in Portland, Oregon, has also devolved into violence.
Contributing: Jordan Culver, N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-09-03--Marines pull off sneaky surprise at baseball game

These moms thought they were playing an in-game contest at a St. Paul Saints baseball game , but their sneaky @ @ @ @ @ .

Marines pull off sneaky surprise at baseball game
These moms thought they were playing an in-game contest at a St. Paul Saints baseball game, but their sneaky Marine sons had other plans.
Militarykind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-09-04--What we know about Nancy Pelosi's visit to the San Francisco hair salon she accused of a 'setup'

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi 's visit to a San Francisco hair salon amid pandemic shutdowns has landed her in hot water , as the president and Republicans accuse her of hypocrisy and she claims she was set up .
It started on Monday , when Pelosi went for a hair appointment after she says she was told by the business that they were able to accommodate her within the local guidelines intended to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
But the guidelines prohibited the salon from operating at the time .
Now , both Pelosi and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing backlash over the appointment .
Here 's what happened : Pelosi visited eSalon in San Francisco , where she says she has gone for hair appointments many times , on Monday afternoon .
According to the salon 's owner , Pelosi 's assistants had set up the appointment with an independent stylist in advance .
A security camera shows Pelosi walking through part of the salon with wet hair and what appears to be her face mask around her neck rather than covering her face .
The footage was released by Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scathing interview with the salon 's owner calling it a `` slap in the face '' for Pelosi to get her hair done at the salon when others could not .
According to the owner , Erica Kious , an independent stylist took the appointment with Pelosi .
That stylist , who has been identified by his lawyer as Jonathan DeNardo , texted Kious on Sunday night informing her that he had made an appointment with Pelosi 's team for Monday afternoon .
Pelosi 's team was told by the salon that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time under the current coronavirus guidelines , Pelosi 's spokesperson Drew Hammill said in a statement .
`` This business offered for the Speaker to come in on Monday and told her they were allowed by the city to have one customer at a time in the business , '' Hammill said .
`` I trusted that , '' Pelosi later said .
More : Nancy Pelosi calls for apology from San Francisco salon for hair appointment 'setup' Did the visit break the rules ?
According to Pelosi 's spokesperson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the appointment took place the afternoon of Monday , Aug. 31 .
On that day , San Francisco hair salons were still forbidden from operating due to restrictions in place during the pandemic .
The next day , Sept. 1 , the restrictions were amended to allow salons and other personal service providers to operate as long as they do so outdoors , with one customer at a time .
Haircutting and styling services are now permitted , but certain services such as shampooing and hair coloring are still not allowed .
Customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all times , and those receiving hair services are advised to wear masks with ear loops rather than ties that go behind the head and would interfere .
Pelosi was seen inside the salon , with wet hair and without her face covered .
She said her mask was off because her hair had just been washed , but that she `` always '' has a mask .
`` I just had my hair washed .
I do n't wear a mask when I 'm washing my hair .
Do you wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your hair ? ''
she said to reporters on Wednesday .
Pelosi says she was set up Answering questions at a press conference about the salon appointment , Pelosi claimed that she had been set up by the businesses and called for an apology .
`` It was a setup , and I take responsibility for falling for a setup , '' Pelosi said on Wednesday .
`` I think that this salon owes me an apology for setting me up , '' she said .
Pelosi said she had been going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trusted that what they told her about the guidelines was correct .
Kious , the owner , contested that Pelosi was set up in an interview with Fox News ' Tucker Carlson on Wednesday night .
Kious said the appointment was `` already booked '' by the time she found out about it because the stylist had communicated directly with Pelosi 's team .
`` There was no way I could 've set that up , '' Kious said .
`` I did n't go in there and turn cameras on as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her up . ''
DeNardo , who did Pelosi 's hair that day , disputed Kious ' account .
Kious said that Pelosi 's appointment was handled by the stylist and that it was `` already booked , '' but she also provided a screenshot to Fox News showing that DeNardo had given her a heads up about the appointment the night before .
`` I was like , are you kidding me right now ?
Do I let this happen ?
What do I do ? ''
Kious told Fox News in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she `` ca n't control '' what her stylists do , without explaining why .
She criticized Pelosi in her interview with Carlson , saying , `` If she 's in there comfortably without a mask and feeling safe , then why are we shut down ? ''
Kious said she has received death threats and the business has been flooded with negative reviews .
She also said the business has suffered during the shutdown .
`` This is n't even political , '' Kious said of her disapproval of Pelosi 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd the visit ahead of time on a phone call .
`` Ms. Kious took special interest in the appointment during this telephone call , wherein she made several vitriolic and incendiary comments about Speaker Pelosi and her purported responsibility for temporarily suspending operations of Ms. Kious ' business , despite such orders actually being put into place not by Speaker Pelosi , but by Governor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor London Breed , '' DeNardo 's lawyer , Matthew Soleimanpour , said in a statement .
DeNardo also accused Kious of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
USA TODAY has reached out to Kious and DeNardo .
`` The fact that Ms. Kious is now objecting to Speaker Pelosi 's presence at eSalon , and from a simple surface-level review of Ms. Kious ' political leanings , it appears Ms. Kious is furthering a set-up of Speaker Pelosi for her own vain aspirations , '' the statement reads .
President Donald Trump has tweeted several times in response to Pelosi 's visit , and his campaign has since used the incident to sell Trump face masks to its supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being `` decimated '' for her visit .
`` If she was set up then she should n't be leading the House of Representatives .
I want the salon owner to lead the House of Representatives because she set up , think of it , she set up the speaker of the House , '' Trump said during a campaign event Thursday night .
`` Nancy , you 're not supposed to get set up , you 're representing our country . ''

What we know about Nancy Pelosi's visit to the San Francisco hair salon she accused of a 'setup'
Show Caption Hide Caption Pelosi on salon visit: "It was a setup" House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded to criticism over a solo hair salon visit in San Francisco at a time when California businesses are limited by concern over coronavirus, calling it "a setup." (Sept. 2) AP
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's visit to a San Francisco hair salon amid pandemic shutdowns has landed her in hot water, as the president and Republicans accuse her of hypocrisy and she claims she was set up.
It started on Monday, when Pelosi went for a hair appointment after she says she was told by the business that they were able to accommodate her within the local guidelines intended to stop the spread of the coronavirus. But the guidelines prohibited the salon from operating at the time.
Now, both Pelosi and the owner of the salon she visited are facing backlash over the appointment. Here's what happened:
Pelosi visited hair salon despite closures
Pelosi visited eSalon in San Francisco, where she says she has gone for hair appointments many times, on Monday afternoon. According to the salon's owner, Pelosi's assistants had set up the appointment with an independent stylist in advance.
A security camera shows Pelosi walking through part of the salon with wet hair and what appears to be her face mask around her neck rather than covering her face.
The footage was released by Fox News on Tuesday, along with a scathing interview with the salon's owner calling it a "slap in the face" for Pelosi to get her hair done at the salon when others could not.
According to the owner, Erica Kious, an independent stylist took the appointment with Pelosi. That stylist, who has been identified by his lawyer as Jonathan DeNardo, texted Kious on Sunday night informing her that he had made an appointment with Pelosi's team for Monday afternoon.
Pelosi's team was told by the salon that they could have one person in the salon at a time under the current coronavirus guidelines, Pelosi's spokesperson Drew Hammill said in a statement.
"This business offered for the Speaker to come in on Monday and told her they were allowed by the city to have one customer at a time in the business," Hammill said.
"I trusted that," Pelosi later said.
More: Nancy Pelosi calls for apology from San Francisco salon for hair appointment 'setup'
Did the visit break the rules?
According to Pelosi's spokesperson, the salon owner and the stylist, the appointment took place the afternoon of Monday, Aug. 31. On that day, San Francisco hair salons were still forbidden from operating due to restrictions in place during the pandemic.
The next day, Sept. 1, the restrictions were amended to allow salons and other personal service providers to operate as long as they do so outdoors, with one customer at a time.
Haircutting and styling services are now permitted, but certain services such as shampooing and hair coloring are still not allowed. Customers and employees are required to wear masks at all times, and those receiving hair services are advised to wear masks with ear loops rather than ties that go behind the head and would interfere.
Pelosi was seen inside the salon, with wet hair and without her face covered. She said her mask was off because her hair had just been washed, but that she "always" has a mask.
"I just had my hair washed. I don't wear a mask when I'm washing my hair. Do you wear a mask when you’re washing your hair?" she said to reporters on Wednesday.
Pelosi says she was set up
Answering questions at a press conference about the salon appointment, Pelosi claimed that she had been set up by the businesses and called for an apology.
"It was a setup, and I take responsibility for falling for a setup," Pelosi said on Wednesday.
"I think that this salon owes me an apology for setting me up," she said.
Pelosi said she had been going to that "neighborhood salon" for years and trusted that what they told her about the guidelines was correct.
Kious, the owner, contested that Pelosi was set up in an interview with Fox News' Tucker Carlson on Wednesday night. Kious said the appointment was "already booked" by the time she found out about it because the stylist had communicated directly with Pelosi's team.
"There was no way I could've set that up," Kious said. "I didn't go in there and turn cameras on as soon as she walked in and set her up."
DeNardo, who did Pelosi's hair that day, disputed Kious' account.
Fact check: Satirical post turned news falsely claims Pelosi will resign if Trump wins
Owner and stylist offer conflicting accounts
Kious said that Pelosi's appointment was handled by the stylist and that it was "already booked," but she also provided a screenshot to Fox News showing that DeNardo had given her a heads up about the appointment the night before.
"I was like, are you kidding me right now? Do I let this happen? What do I do?" Kious told Fox News in reaction to the text. Kious claimed that she "can't control" what her stylists do, without explaining why. She criticized Pelosi in her interview with Carlson, saying, "If she's in there comfortably without a mask and feeling safe, then why are we shut down?"
Kious said she has received death threats and the business has been flooded with negative reviews. She also said the business has suffered during the shutdown. "This isn't even political," Kious said of her disapproval of Pelosi's visit.
DeNardo claims that Kious OK'd the visit ahead of time on a phone call.
"Ms. Kious took special interest in the appointment during this telephone call, wherein she made several vitriolic and incendiary comments about Speaker Pelosi and her purported responsibility for temporarily suspending operations of Ms. Kious' business, despite such orders actually being put into place not by Speaker Pelosi, but by Governor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor London Breed," DeNardo's lawyer, Matthew Soleimanpour, said in a statement.
DeNardo also accused Kious of operating the salon throughout the mandated closures. USA TODAY has reached out to Kious and DeNardo.
"The fact that Ms. Kious is now objecting to Speaker Pelosi's presence at eSalon, and from a simple surface-level review of Ms. Kious' political leanings, it appears Ms. Kious is furthering a set-up of Speaker Pelosi for her own vain aspirations," the statement reads.
Trump responds
President Donald Trump has tweeted several times in response to Pelosi's visit, and his campaign has since used the incident to sell Trump face masks to its supporters.
The president said that Pelosi was being "decimated" for her visit.
Nancy Pelosi says she got “set up” by a Beauty Parlor owner. Maybe the Beauty Parlor owner should be running the House of Representatives instead of Crazy Nancy? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2020
"If she was set up then she shouldn't be leading the House of Representatives. I want the salon owner to lead the House of Representatives because she set up, think of it, she set up the speaker of the House," Trump said during a campaign event Thursday night. "Nancy, you're not supposed to get set up, you're representing our country."


usatoday--2020-09-03--Compare the candidates: What Biden, Trump say about the issues

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