usatoday--2020-07-03--Opinion: NFL's gestures in confronting racism are meaningless so long as Colin Kaepernick remains un

The NFL is doing everything it can to show it ’ s sincere about confronting racism in America .
Everything , that is , except the one thing it needs to do .
The one thing that could actually have a significant impact .
So long as Colin Kaepernick remains blackballed by the NFL , playing the Black national anthem before all Week 1 games and finding a way to recognize the Black men and women who ’ ve been killed by law enforcement is just window-dressing .
A way to make a statement without saying anything of substance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans who will tune out “ Lift Ev ’ ry Voice and Sing ” just as they do “ The Star-Spangled Benner , ” treating it as extra time to stop in the restroom , visit the concession stands or find their seats .
Decals on helmets are easy to overlook , whether someone is in the stadium or watching from home .
You really want to send a message that the NFL recognizes racism permeates every part of our society , that the system remains inherently rigged against Black and brown people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Civil War ?
Then someone needs to sign Kaepernick .
Kaepernick had the audacity – and courage -- four years ago to call out police brutality against people of color , and plead for America to acknowledge its most fundamental and glaring flaw .
But white America had little interest in recognizing its privilege , let alone giving it up , and that goes doubly so for rich , white America .
Which describes pretty much all of the NFL owners .
It was easier to discredit Kaepernick than hear his message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an offense to the flag or the anthem or the military or whatever so he could be ignored .
Never mind that the then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback took a knee at the suggestion of a former NFL player who had also been a Green Beret , or that peaceful protest is a bedrock of our democracy .
Like so many civil rights activists who came before him , Kaepernick was seen as a threat .
The NFL , worried about alienating fans , chose its bottom line over its conscience .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when President Donald Trump used the protesting players as a dog whistle to rile up his base .
When Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers after the 2016 season , having already been told he would be released , the NFL had its out .
No team would dare sign him , even as washed-up re-treads were given chance after chance after chance .
Even when Goodell tried to force owners into doing the right thing , setting up a poorly thought-out workout for Kaepernick last fall , they wouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a seismic shift in attitudes since a white police officer pressed his knee into the neck of George Floyd for almost nine minutes , ignoring the Black man ’ s cries that he couldn ’ t breathe before Floyd ’ s body went limp .
Protests have taken place in every state and abroad , in cities large and small .
It has not just been Black and brown people pleading for their humanity to be seen .
White America has joined in , finally recognizing that liberty and justice do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been pulled down .
Debates are being had about the nature of policing .
Polls show that the Black Lives Matter movement , considered radical only a few years ago , is now supported by the majority of Americans .
Even the opinion of athlete protests has evolved .
According to a Yahoo News/YouGov poll last month , 52 percent of the country now thinks it ’ s “ OK for NFL players to kneel during the national anthem to protest police killings of African Americans.
” As athletes have joined their voices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have scrambled to catch up .
NWSL players wore “ Black Lives Matter ” T-shirts , knelt during the anthem and had a moment of silence during the Challenge Cup .
The NBA is in discussions with its players on how best to acknowledge what ’ s happening in the country when it resumes play .
Goodell has apologized to Kaepernick , and promised to work with players in their fight for racial equality .
Now comes the addition of “ Lift Ev ’ ry Voice and Sing , ” to the pregame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victims of police brutality .
But gestures , even notable ones , are easy .
It ’ s the hard work that ’ s needed now and , for the NFL , that means signing Kaepernick .

Opinion: NFL's gestures in confronting racism are meaningless so long as Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned
Show Caption Hide Caption Armour: If you don't understand Colin Kaepernick's message after George Floyd's death, you never will SportsPulse: Athletes took to social media to voice their anger over George Floyd's death, with many resurfacing photos of Colin Kaepernick's protest over criminal and social injustice. USA TODAY Sports' Nancy Armour reiterates Kaepernick's protest was never the issue in this country. USA TODAY
The NFL is doing everything it can to show it’s sincere about confronting racism in America.
Everything, that is, except the one thing it needs to do. The one thing that could actually have a significant impact.
So long as Colin Kaepernick remains blackballed by the NFL, playing the Black national anthem before all Week 1 games and finding a way to recognize the Black men and women who’ve been killed by law enforcement is just window-dressing. A way to make a statement without saying anything of substance.
There will be a good portion of fans who will tune out “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” just as they do “The Star-Spangled Banner,” treating it as extra time to stop in the restroom, visit the concession stands or find their seats. Decals on helmets are easy to overlook, whether someone is in the stadium or watching from home.
You really want to send a message that the NFL recognizes racism permeates every part of our society, that the system remains inherently rigged against Black and brown people some 150 years after the end of the Civil War? Then someone needs to sign Kaepernick.
Kaepernick had the audacity – and courage -- four years ago to call out police brutality against people of color, and plead for America to acknowledge its most fundamental and glaring flaw. But white America had little interest in recognizing its privilege, let alone giving it up, and that goes doubly so for rich, white America.
Which describes pretty much all of the NFL owners.
It was easier to discredit Kaepernick than hear his message. To characterize his method of protest as an offense to the flag or the anthem or the military or whatever so he could be ignored. Never mind that the then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback took a knee at the suggestion of a former NFL player who had also been a Green Beret, or that peaceful protest is a bedrock of our democracy.
Like so many civil rights activists who came before him, Kaepernick was seen as a threat. The NFL, worried about alienating fans, chose its bottom line over its conscience. The league’s cowardice became further entrenched when President Donald Trump used the protesting players as a dog whistle to rile up his base.
When Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers after the 2016 season, having already been told he would be released, the NFL had its out. No team would dare sign him, even as washed-up re-treads were given chance after chance after chance.
Even when Goodell tried to force owners into doing the right thing, setting up a poorly thought-out workout for Kaepernick last fall, they wouldn’t budge.
But there has been a seismic shift in attitudes since a white police officer pressed his knee into the neck of George Floyd for almost nine minutes, ignoring the Black man’s cries that he couldn’t breathe before Floyd’s body went limp.
Protests have taken place in every state and abroad, in cities large and small. It has not just been Black and brown people pleading for their humanity to be seen. White America has joined in, finally recognizing that liberty and justice do not exist for all.
Confederate statues have been pulled down. Debates are being had about the nature of policing. Polls show that the Black Lives Matter movement, considered radical only a few years ago, is now supported by the majority of Americans.
Even the opinion of athlete protests has evolved. According to a Yahoo News/YouGov poll last month, 52 percent of the country now thinks it’s “OK for NFL players to kneel during the national anthem to protest police killings of African Americans.”
As athletes have joined their voices in the call for change, leagues have scrambled to catch up. NWSL players wore “Black Lives Matter” T-shirts, knelt during the anthem and had a moment of silence during the Challenge Cup. The NBA is in discussions with its players on how best to acknowledge what’s happening in the country when it resumes play.
Goodell has apologized to Kaepernick, and promised to work with players in their fight for racial equality. Now comes the addition of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” to the pregame program, along with on-uniform elements recognizing the victims of police brutality.
But gestures, even notable ones, are easy. It’s the hard work that’s needed now and, for the NFL, that means signing Kaepernick.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour.


usatoday--2020-07-02--Feds arrest Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, accused of recruiting child sex victims

Ghislaine Maxwell , the longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein , was arrested Thursday and charged with helping to procure young victims for the disgraced financier 's child sex trafficking operation that began more than 25 years ago .
Maxwell made a brief appearance via video-link in a New Hampshire federal court , hours after her arrest in the small town of Bradford where she had recently purchased a large tract of property .
A federal judge directed that she be transported for a detention hearing in Manhattan where the charges were announced .
A federal grand jury in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that accuse her of helping Epstein “ recruit , groom , and ultimately abuse victims ” between 1994 and 1997 .
Both allegedly knew the victims were under age 18 and as young as 14 .
Maxwell and Epstein enticed and lured the victims to Epstein ’ s homes scattered across the United States and abroad , “ which Maxwell knew and intended would result in their grooming for and subjection to sexual abuse , ” the indictment charged .
“ Moreover , in an effort to conceal her crimes , Maxwell repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she gave sworn testimony in 2016 , the indictment charged .
Court documents describe elaborate schemes in which Maxwell and Epstein allegedly accompanied victims on shopping trips and movie outings , all designed to put the girls at ease in preparation for more intimate encounters .
`` Having developed a rapport with a victim , Maxwell would try to normalize sexual abuse ... by among other things discussing sexual topics , undressing in front of the victim , being present when a minor victim was undressed and being present for sex acts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' prosecutors alleged .
Epstein , while awaiting trial on the trafficking charges last year , died by suicide in a federal detention center in New York .
Following Epstein 's death , federal authorities vowed to continue the investigation and have sought , but so far failed , to obtain the cooperation of Britain 's Prince Andrew , a friend of Epstein .
Facing allegations that Epstein once forced a 17-year-old girl to have sex with the prince , Andrew announced in November that he was stepping away from his public duties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buckingham Palace cast the allegations as `` false and without any foundation . ''
With Epstein gone , however , much speculation has swirled around Maxwell , a British socialite also described in civil court records as a co-conspirator accused of recruiting girls to perform sex acts on Epstein .
Maxwell is the daughter of Robert Maxwell , a publishing tycoon and former member of the British Parliament who died in 1991 after falling overboard his luxury yacht , Lady Ghislaine , named after the youngest of his nine children .
The six-count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Epstein and Maxwell in which the pair went to great lengths to procure young victims .
Over the years , Maxwell allegedly facilitated the victims ' travel to Epstein 's homes in New York , Florida , New Mexico and London for the expressed purpose of engaging in sex acts with the financier .
Audrey Strauss , the acting U.S. Attorney in Manhattan , said Maxwell repeatedly lied about her conduct and Epstein 's actions in 2016 , during a deposition in a related case .
`` Maxwell lied because the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Strauss said at a briefing in New York .
`` Maxwell enticed minor girls , got them to trust her , then delivered them into the trap that she and Epstein had set for them .
She pretended to be a woman they could trust ... Today , after many years , Ghislaine Maxwell finally stands charged for her role in these crimes . ''
New York FBI chief William Sweeney , Jr. said investigators had been monitoring Maxwell 's movements , at some point determining that she had `` slithered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home in New Hampshire , where she was arrested Thursday without incident .
The announcement of the case against Maxwell was the first public action taken by Strauss since she was appointed to replace Geoffrey Berman , following his abrupt ouster last month by Attorney General William Barr and President Donald Trump .
Berman 's office , the most high-profile district within the sprawling Justice Department , has been engaged in various investigations that have shadowed the Trump administration , including an ongoing inquiry into the president 's lawyer , Rudy Giuliani .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation this past year , '' Strauss said .
`` It ’ s not easy to put together a case that goes back that far .
There ’ s nothing other than we did the investigation , and we were ready at this time to proceed . ''
Of the pursuit of Prince Andrew 's cooperation , Strauss said : `` We would welcome Prince Andrew coming in to talk to us .
We would like to have the benefit of his statement . ''
In court filings asking that Maxwell remain in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evidence against her and the prospect of a long prison sentence , if convicted , offered `` strong incentive '' to flee to another country .
`` That risk is only amplified by the defendant 's extensive international ties , her citizenship in two foreign countries , her wealth , and her lack of meaningful ties to the United States , '' prosecutors wrote .
`` In short , Maxwell has three passports , large sums of money , extensive international connections , and absolutely no reason to stay in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lengthy prison sentence . ''
Maxwell is a citizen of France , the United Kingdom and the United States , and has passports in all three countries .
Prosecutors cited travel records showing Maxwell has been on at least 15 international flights to the United Kingdom , Japan , Qatar and other locations in the past three years .
They also said Maxwell has had more than 15 bank accounts since 2016 , with balances as high as $ 20 million .
She earned $ 15 million from selling a property in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connections and significant financial means would present clear risk of flight under normal circumstances , but in this case , the risk of flight is exacerbated by the transient nature of the defendant 's current lifestyle , '' prosecutors said , adding that Maxwell has been in hiding since Epstein was indicted last year and made efforts to avoid getting found , including changing her phone number and ordering packages in another name .
Prosecutors said Maxwell 's most recent hiding place was a 156-acre property bought in cash in December 2019 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , professor at Cardozo School of Law and former federal prosecutor in the Manhattan office , said the charges `` reflect the other shoe dropping '' in the case against Epstein .
`` The indictment against Epstein made clear that he did not act alone and was assisted significantly by others in his sex trafficking crimes , '' Roth said .

Kevin Johnson, Kevin McCoy and Kristine Phillips, USA TODAY

Feds arrest Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, accused of recruiting child sex victims
Show Caption Hide Caption Ghislaine Maxwell: Epstein associate arrested for part in sex trafficking Ghislaine Maxwell, longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein, has been arrested as part of the continuing federal inquiry into the child sex trafficking. USA TODAY
Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein, was arrested Thursday and charged with helping to procure young victims for the disgraced financier's child sex trafficking operation that began more than 25 years ago.
Maxwell made a brief appearance via video-link in a New Hampshire federal court, hours after her arrest in the small town of Bradford where she had recently purchased a large tract of property. A federal judge directed that she be transported for a detention hearing in Manhattan where the charges were announced.
A federal grand jury in New York indicted Maxwell on perjury and conspiracy charges that accuse her of helping Epstein “recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims” between 1994 and 1997. Both allegedly knew the victims were under age 18 and as young as 14.
Maxwell and Epstein enticed and lured the victims to Epstein’s homes scattered across the United States and abroad, “which Maxwell knew and intended would result in their grooming for and subjection to sexual abuse,” the indictment charged.
“Moreover, in an effort to conceal her crimes, Maxwell repeatedly lied about her conduct,” including when she gave sworn testimony in 2016, the indictment charged.
Court documents describe elaborate schemes in which Maxwell and Epstein allegedly accompanied victims on shopping trips and movie outings, all designed to put the girls at ease in preparation for more intimate encounters.
"Having developed a rapport with a victim, Maxwell would try to normalize sexual abuse ... by among other things discussing sexual topics, undressing in front of the victim, being present when a minor victim was undressed and being present for sex acts involving the minor victim and Epstein," prosecutors alleged.
Epstein, while awaiting trial on the trafficking charges last year, died by suicide in a federal detention center in New York.
Following Epstein's death, federal authorities vowed to continue the investigation and have sought, but so far failed, to obtain the cooperation of Britain's Prince Andrew, a friend of Epstein.
More: The death of Jeffrey Epstein: Fact, fiction, confusion and a warden reassigned
Facing allegations that Epstein once forced a 17-year-old girl to have sex with the prince, Andrew announced in November that he was stepping away from his public duties as a royal. The prince and Buckingham Palace cast the allegations as "false and without any foundation."
Epstein's connection to Trump and Acosta, explained Jeffrey Epstein has had a long list of friends from high places, including the likes of Stephen Hawking, Bill Clinton and President Trump. But did Epstein leverage these connections? We explain. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
With Epstein gone, however, much speculation has swirled around Maxwell, a British socialite also described in civil court records as a co-conspirator accused of recruiting girls to perform sex acts on Epstein.
Maxwell is the daughter of Robert Maxwell, a publishing tycoon and former member of the British Parliament who died in 1991 after falling overboard his luxury yacht, Lady Ghislaine, named after the youngest of his nine children.
The six-count indictment filed Thursday outlines an alleged partnership between Epstein and Maxwell in which the pair went to great lengths to procure young victims.
Over the years, Maxwell allegedly facilitated the victims' travel to Epstein's homes in New York, Florida, New Mexico and London for the expressed purpose of engaging in sex acts with the financier.
Audrey Strauss, the acting U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, said Maxwell repeatedly lied about her conduct and Epstein's actions in 2016, during a deposition in a related case.
"Maxwell lied because the truth, as alleged, was almost unspeakable," Strauss said at a briefing in New York. "Maxwell enticed minor girls, got them to trust her, then delivered them into the trap that she and Epstein had set for them. She pretended to be a woman they could trust ... Today, after many years, Ghislaine Maxwell finally stands charged for her role in these crimes."
New York FBI chief William Sweeney, Jr. said investigators had been monitoring Maxwell's movements, at some point determining that she had "slithered away" to a "gorgeous" home in New Hampshire, where she was arrested Thursday without incident.
The announcement of the case against Maxwell was the first public action taken by Strauss since she was appointed to replace Geoffrey Berman, following his abrupt ouster last month by Attorney General William Barr and President Donald Trump.
Berman's office, the most high-profile district within the sprawling Justice Department, has been engaged in various investigations that have shadowed the Trump administration, including an ongoing inquiry into the president's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani.
"We were working hard on this investigation this past year," Strauss said. "It’s not easy to put together a case that goes back that far. There’s nothing other than we did the investigation, and we were ready at this time to proceed."
Of the pursuit of Prince Andrew's cooperation, Strauss said: "We would welcome Prince Andrew coming in to talk to us. We would like to have the benefit of his statement."
In court filings asking that Maxwell remain in custody awaiting trial, prosecutors argued that the evidence against her and the prospect of a long prison sentence, if convicted, offered "strong incentive" to flee to another country.
"That risk is only amplified by the defendant's extensive international ties, her citizenship in two foreign countries, her wealth, and her lack of meaningful ties to the United States," prosecutors wrote. "In short, Maxwell has three passports, large sums of money, extensive international connections, and absolutely no reason to stay in the United States and face the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence."
Maxwell is a citizen of France, the United Kingdom and the United States, and has passports in all three countries.
Prosecutors cited travel records showing Maxwell has been on at least 15 international flights to the United Kingdom, Japan, Qatar and other locations in the past three years.
They also said Maxwell has had more than 15 bank accounts since 2016, with balances as high as $20 million. She earned $15 million from selling a property in New York.
"The defendant's international connections and significant financial means would present clear risk of flight under normal circumstances, but in this case, the risk of flight is exacerbated by the transient nature of the defendant's current lifestyle," prosecutors said, adding that Maxwell has been in hiding since Epstein was indicted last year and made efforts to avoid getting found, including changing her phone number and ordering packages in another name.
Prosecutors said Maxwell's most recent hiding place was a 156-acre property bought in cash in December 2019 in Bradford, New Hampshire.
Jessica Roth, professor at Cardozo School of Law and former federal prosecutor in the Manhattan office, said the charges "reflect the other shoe dropping" in the case against Epstein.
"The indictment against Epstein made clear that he did not act alone and was assisted significantly by others in his sex trafficking crimes," Roth said.


usatoday--2020-07-02--Trump says administration has done 'incredible job' with coronavirus, despite daily cases climbing t

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump insisted Thursday his administration is getting coronavirus under control even as the daily number of new cases in the U.S. surpassed 50,000 for the first time and a top health expert warned the situation could get far worse .
At a White House news conference focused on the latest U.S. jobs report , Trump boasted about steps his administration has taken to contain the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We ’ ve implemented an aggressive strategy to vanquish and kill the virus and protect Americans at the highest risk , while allowing those at lower risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said .
“ That ’ s what ’ s happening.
” “ In many cases , ” he added , “ we ’ ve done an incredible job.
” While Trump contended the coronavirus crisis is `` being handled , '' his comments came a day after the U.S. reported 50,655 cases , the largest single-day total of new cases since the pandemic began .
More than 128,000 people have died in the U.S. and the country 's case total has reached more than 2.6 million , according to Johns Hopkins University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up at news conference without a face mask after saying he 'd wear one in 'tight ' crowd Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , warned Tuesday that new coronavirus infections could increase to 100,000 a day if the nation doesn ’ t get its surge of cases under control .
`` We ’ ve really got to do something about that , and we need to deal with it quickly , '' Fauci said during a Senate hearing on the pandemic .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called a surprise press briefing following the release of new data from the Department of Labor , which showed the U.S. economy added 4.8 million jobs in June .
The unemployment rate fell to 11.1 % from 13.3 % in May , as businesses shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic began to reopen and more Americans went back to work .
But the president appeared to take a victory lap even as economists warned a renewed spike in coronavirus cases in several states could force more shutdowns and curb gains made in unemployment numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims for the first time last week , according to Thursday 's report .
Latest on jobs:4.8M jobs added and unemployment falls to 11.1 % as more states reopen after COVID-19 shutdowns Nearly two dozen states have been forced to pause plans to reopen or again shut down parts of their econom–ies .
California reimposed restrictions on its residents after seeing a surge while Texas and Georgia set single-day records for new cases .
Arizona reached high marks in virtually all meaningful categories , including new cases , deaths , ER visits and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , insisted the U.S. is getting the virus “ under control.
” “ We have some areas where we 're putting out the flames or the fires , and that 's working out well ...
I think you 'll see that shortly , '' Trump told reporters .
One of the president 's top health officials appeared to contradict that assertion .
Adm. Brett P. Giroir , assistant secretary of health at the Department of Health and Human Services , told Congress on Thursday that the U.S. is `` not flattening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spike in cases is not only due to expanded testing as the president has suggested .
Trump has repeatedly blamed increased testing for a rise in confirmed coronavirus cases , but health experts have pointed to other factors including some areas loosening social-distancing restrictions too quickly as well as people refusing to wear masks in public .
`` There is no question that the more testing you get , the more you will uncover , but we do believe this is a real increase in cases because of the percent positivities are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases , '' Giroir said .
`` We really do believe the current outbreak is primarily due to under 35s with a lot of gatherings , not appropriate protection like masks .
Yes , it ’ s important to reopen and we believe in the guidelines , but I think the weight of the evidence is guidelines are not – you know the personal responsibility is really a key right now . ''
Despite the uptick in COVID-19 cases , Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the White House had no regrets about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I think we ’ ve had a very careful plan working with the states – this is primarily the states ’ responsibility , '' Mnuchin told reporters after Trump left the briefing room .
Anthony Fauci : Coronavirus cases could reach 100,000 a day without changes White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow , who appeared alongside Trump and Mnuchin , said administration officials were developing `` recovery best practices '' amid the recent spike .
“ If you have to phase out bars , so be it , for a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think some places might have been over-exuberant and now have to come back , and get back to these best practices of distances and masks and testing and personal hygiene.
” Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , seized on Trump 's economic remarks , lambasting the president for leaving out an important number .
`` As happy as I was for millions of workers returning to their jobs , there is one number that I was stunned that the president did n't mention even once in the process , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
The number was 50,000 .
Yesterday , the number of new COVID-19 cases in America topped 50,000 in a single day .
We 've never hit that number before in the course of this virus , '' Biden said .
`` To me and to many Americans , this is a very worrisome turn in the path and severity of the virus . ''

Courtney Subramanian, Michael Collins and David Jackson, USA TODAY

Trump says administration has done 'incredible job' with coronavirus, despite daily cases climbing to high
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump: Economy 'roaring back' after jobs report President Donald Trump says the positive jobs report Thursday shows the U.S. economy is “roaring back” from the coronavirus and is the result of "a lot of talent." (July 2) AP
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump insisted Thursday his administration is getting coronavirus under control even as the daily number of new cases in the U.S. surpassed 50,000 for the first time and a top health expert warned the situation could get far worse.
At a White House news conference focused on the latest U.S. jobs report, Trump boasted about steps his administration has taken to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’ve implemented an aggressive strategy to vanquish and kill the virus and protect Americans at the highest risk, while allowing those at lower risk to return safely to work,” Trump said. “That’s what’s happening.”
“In many cases,” he added, “we’ve done an incredible job.”
While Trump contended the coronavirus crisis is "being handled," his comments came a day after the U.S. reported 50,655 cases, the largest single-day total of new cases since the pandemic began. More than 128,000 people have died in the U.S. and the country's case total has reached more than 2.6 million, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
More: President Trump shows up at news conference without a face mask after saying he'd wear one in 'tight' crowd
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned Tuesday that new coronavirus infections could increase to 100,000 a day if the nation doesn’t get its surge of cases under control.
"We’ve really got to do something about that, and we need to deal with it quickly," Fauci said during a Senate hearing on the pandemic. "It could get very bad."
Pres. Donald Trump explains why not all COVID-19 advisors wear masks President Trump's top health advisers attended a White House event with protective masks, though the president himself did not wear a face covering. USA TODAY
Trump called a surprise press briefing following the release of new data from the Department of Labor, which showed the U.S. economy added 4.8 million jobs in June. The unemployment rate fell to 11.1% from 13.3% in May, as businesses shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic began to reopen and more Americans went back to work.
But the president appeared to take a victory lap even as economists warned a renewed spike in coronavirus cases in several states could force more shutdowns and curb gains made in unemployment numbers. Another 1.4 million people filed unemployment claims for the first time last week, according to Thursday's report.
Latest on jobs: 4.8M jobs added and unemployment falls to 11.1% as more states reopen after COVID-19 shutdowns
Nearly two dozen states have been forced to pause plans to reopen or again shut down parts of their econom–ies. California reimposed restrictions on its residents after seeing a surge while Texas and Georgia set single-day records for new cases. Arizona reached high marks in virtually all meaningful categories, including new cases, deaths, ER visits and the number of people hospitalized.
Trump, however, insisted the U.S. is getting the virus “under control.”
“We have some areas where we're putting out the flames or the fires, and that's working out well...I think you'll see that shortly," Trump told reporters.
One of the president's top health officials appeared to contradict that assertion. Adm. Brett P. Giroir, assistant secretary of health at the Department of Health and Human Services, told Congress on Thursday that the U.S. is "not flattening the curve right now" and the spike in cases is not only due to expanded testing as the president has suggested.
Trump has repeatedly blamed increased testing for a rise in confirmed coronavirus cases, but health experts have pointed to other factors including some areas loosening social-distancing restrictions too quickly as well as people refusing to wear masks in public.
"There is no question that the more testing you get, the more you will uncover, but we do believe this is a real increase in cases because of the percent positivities are going up. So this is real increases in cases," Giroir said.
"We really do believe the current outbreak is primarily due to under 35s with a lot of gatherings, not appropriate protection like masks. Yes, it’s important to reopen and we believe in the guidelines, but I think the weight of the evidence is guidelines are not – you know the personal responsibility is really a key right now."
Despite the uptick in COVID-19 cases, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the White House had no regrets about encouraging states to end their lockdown measures.
"I think we’ve had a very careful plan working with the states – this is primarily the states’ responsibility," Mnuchin told reporters after Trump left the briefing room.
Anthony Fauci: Coronavirus cases could reach 100,000 a day without changes
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow, who appeared alongside Trump and Mnuchin, said administration officials were developing "recovery best practices" amid the recent spike.
“If you have to phase out bars, so be it, for a few weeks,” Kudlow said. “I think some places might have been over-exuberant and now have to come back, and get back to these best practices of distances and masks and testing and personal hygiene.”
Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, seized on Trump's economic remarks, lambasting the president for leaving out an important number.
"As happy as I was for millions of workers returning to their jobs, there is one number that I was stunned that the president didn't mention even once in the process, in the entire time he talked about it. The number was 50,000. Yesterday, the number of new COVID-19 cases in America topped 50,000 in a single day. We've never hit that number before in the course of this virus," Biden said.
"To me and to many Americans, this is a very worrisome turn in the path and severity of the virus."
Contributing: Jorge L. Ortiz, John Bacon and Joey Garrison.


usatoday--2020-07-02--Son transforms house to take mom back in time

Son transforms house to take mom back in time Jason van Genderen from Australia built his mom a virtual aquarium @ @ @ @ @ because it was a place they used to go together before she was diagnosed with @ @ @ @

Son transforms house to take mom back in time
Jason van Genderen from Australia built his mom a virtual aquarium display on Mother's Day because it was a place they used to go together before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Humankind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-02--Fireworks stand explodes, goes up in flames near El Paso, Texas

Fireworks stand explodes , goes up in flames near El Paso , Texas A fireworks stand near El Paso , @ @ @ @ @ in flames on Wednesday night .

Fireworks stand explodes, goes up in flames near El Paso, Texas
A fireworks stand near El Paso, Texas exploded and went up in flames on Wednesday night.
USA TODAY, Wochit


usatoday--2020-07-02--11 tips to safely celebrate Fourth of July

Party-hosting tips : How to safely celebrate while social distancing There are ways to host and attend a Fourth of @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .

Party-hosting tips: How to safely celebrate while social distancing
There are ways to host and attend a party and still maintain social distancing.
ProblemSolved, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-02--Amid COVID-19, Trump administration keeps immigration courts open, putting judges, lawyers and immig

NEW ORLEANS -- A labor union representing the nation ’ s immigration judges filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Trump administration , arguing that the government is stifling the judges ’ rights to speak publicly on key issues , including the threat of COVID-19 to their lives and to public health .
The judges ’ lawsuit is the latest signal of deep distrust between the professionals who work in the nation ’ s immigration courts and President Donald Trump ’ s administration .
The lawsuit comes as the government moves to reopen immigration courts it had previously closed because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles-based immigration judge who is president of the National Association of Immigration Judges , said the government has released little information on how it makes decisions on opening and closing courts because of coronavirus concerns .
“ If you ’ re not going to share information and you ’ re not going to tell us what standards are being used , and you ’ re essentially stifling any ability to hold the government accountable , ( that ) creates frustration and anxiety , ” she said .
“ So people don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have trust that the agency is doing the right thing.
” She said the government is reluctant to discuss national standards for reopening courtrooms .
“ They keep basically stonewalling us and punting , saying , well , this is something each court and each supervisory judge will have to decide , ” she said .
She said bad decisions about reopening courts could lead to infections and deaths .
“ So this can literally be a life-and-death situation for our community members if we don ’ t do the right thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed paramount and that we follow the right protocols.
” An administration spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit Wednesday .
About 460 immigration judges work in 67 courts and two adjudication centers throughout the United States and its territories , ranging from border cities such as El Paso to inland cities like Atlanta .
Working without juries , the judges decide which immigrants should stay in the United States and which should be deported .
Their current caseload is at a record high : more than 1.1 million deportation cases .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts come from Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador .
In some cases , immigration court hearings are a matter of life and death as some people face reprisals back home from governments , violent ex-spouses or organized crime .
This year , Human Rights Watch released a report documenting 138 cases since 2013 of people being killed in El Salvador after they were deported from the U.S .
The COVID-19 pandemic extended the life-and-death stakes to anyone who visits the courts , including professionals who work there .
Judges , defense lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts joined together on March 15 to issue a statement demanding that the Trump administration temporarily close down all immigration court hearings for safety .
The administration eventually closed “ non-detained ” courts where immigrants can come and go freely , but it left courts running in detention centers .
The government is now reopening some of the non-detained courts that it shut down .
For instance , the New Orleans court opened in a limited capacity on Monday , even as COVID-19 cases in Louisiana surged to more than 60,000 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filing of documents , the lawsuit said .
“ These changes have already had , and will continue to have , profound implications for public health , but few immigration judges have felt free to speak out , ” the judges wrote in the lawsuit , filed in federal court in Alexandria , Virginia .
The suit notes that the few immigration judges who serve as officers in the National Association of Immigration Judges can still speak publicly as union representatives .
“ But hundreds more remain silenced , ” the lawsuit said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again this January reduced judges ’ rights and say they can not talk in their personal capacities about immigration law or policy or related topics , the lawsuit said .
On other topics , immigration judges may speak publicly only with government approval , the judges say .
The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University in New York is cooperating with the judges in the lawsuit .
The federal agency that runs the courts is called the Executive Office for Immigration Review , or EOIR .
It 's an arm of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Attorney General William Barr , a Trump appointee .
In response to inquiries about COVID-19 in the courts , the agency did not make any officials available for an interview .
`` EOIR takes the safety , health , and well-being of its employees very seriously , '' the agency said in a statement , adding that officials follow guidance from various federal entities , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The statement said the agency is taking safety precautions such as using telephonic hearings whenever possible .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all hearings could help keep immigrants stuck in detention because they could n't ask a judge for release .
`` EOIR is committed to ensuring that every detained alien receives his or her day in court , ” the government said .
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, has questioned how the federal government can ensure social distancing is being followed amid the reopenings of the nation ’ s immigration courts .
“ We fear that you are rushing to reopen the courts without a rigorous process or sufficient communication with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 23 letter to the Executive Office for Immigration Review .
Immigrant sick from coronavirus forced to do telephone court hearing before being sent to hospital , lawyer says Louisiana emerged this year as the largest hot spot for coronavirus in the South .
It is also one of the major centers for immigration detention in the U.S .
Even as hundreds of cases of the new virus appeared in the state 's immigration detention centers , immigration courts never stopped in the small towns of Jena and Oakdale , which oversee the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in immigration detention centers across Louisiana .
After many states enforced quarantine restrictions in March because of the pandemic , judges here still ordered immigrants deported and dozens of deportation flights took off from Alexandria , Louisiana , to other countries .
One case involved a 26-year-old man from Guatemala detained at Richwood Correctional Center , a sprawling 1,129 bed facility in northeast Louisiana .
He tested positive for the virus on April 12 , said his attorney Veronica Semino .
Semino said he had developed a debilitating cough and had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large dormitory in the facility , which is run by LaSalle Corrections .
Meanwhile she had made two attempts to push back a hearing scheduled only four days after he had been tested , to no avail .
The man could barely speak throughout the hearing , which was conducted by telephone , according to Semino .
“ He had no lung capacity .
During the hearing , they activated the EMS transport and literally within 15 minutes he was in an ambulance on the way to the hospital , ” said Semino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s vitals were being monitored throughout the hearing .
“ Here is this person who was obviously gravely , ill , had to be taken to the ICU , and all went forward as normal , ” she said .
He was hospitalized for close to two weeks and was returned to Richwood Correctional Center , according to Semino .
As of Wednesday , ICE has confirmed 65 cases at the facility .
Despite cases of COVID-19 growing to more than 1,200 across Louisiana by March 23 , it wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice to bring their own gloves , protective eyewear and N-95 masks to meet with clients or attend court proceedings in person , said Phillip Hunter , a Baton Rouge-based immigration attorney who has clients at the LaSalle ICE Processing Center in Jena .
That same week , he began seeing detainees escorted into the five courtrooms in the LaSalle courtrooms wearing masks to cover their noses and mouths .
Hunter said that as the outbreak has developed in Louisiana , lawyers are now allowed to file motions by telephone rather than appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letting people with serious health issues out on bond in some cases .
“ But it ’ s not like they ’ ve stopped detaining people , ” he added .
Homero Lopez , an immigration attorney who represents clients at the Oakdale Immigration Court , said that in the early days of the outbreak in Louisiana it wasn ’ t always clear if attorneys would be allowed to file documents online or participate in hearings via telephone .
“ It wasn ’ t like they were notifying us about this , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started granting motions to continue cases based on COVID-19 , he said .
“ If we said we couldn ’ t go to court because of lack of childcare or a health condition , they would grant motions to continue , ” said Lopez .
During the pandemic , the government has sometimes announced court openings and closures on Twitter .
But uncertainty remains for many court officials .
“ I ’ m really scared .
I ’ m like holding on for dear life to what ’ s going to happen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fanny Behar-Ostrow said in late May .
`` I am really - like , very afraid if they start reopening our offices and make us physically have to go in .
I ’ m hopeful that they ’ re going to continue to let us telework .
I really don ’ t think that this pandemic is over , by any means.
” Behar-Ostrow is head of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 511 , a labor union representing attorneys who work for ICE , a role that usually means arguing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fears for her colleagues because the often-cramped immigration courts are not set up for social distancing of any kind .
She said she 'd like to see the suspension of all hearings — detained and non-detained — and does n't understand why the Trump administration seeks to keep the immigration courts going .
“ My guess is that it ’ s political .
But it ’ s a guess .
I ’ d rather not get into this because like I said , I ’ ve seen a lot of administrations .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways and a lot of times things are done because of political reasons , ” she said .
The court where she works , in downtown Miami , is now open for detained hearings only .
Memphis immigration attorney Lily Axelrod , who acts as a liaison to the local immigration court , said the administration 's willingness to keep the courts going shows an underlying political goal : keep deportation numbers high , even if that means jeopardizing public safety .
“ So I think we ’ ve all seen that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of immigrants or the safety of immigrants , or following the law necessarily with respect to immigrants .
But I had no idea the level of contempt or apathy they had toward their own employees , '' she said .
Trump administration worried about having to release immigrants In a separate case , the American Immigration Lawyers Association and other groups filed a federal lawsuit on March 30 in Washington , D.C. , on behalf of a small group of immigration detainees worried about contracting COVID-19 .
They asked the court to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other than bond hearings .
On April 13 , the government responded , saying the lawsuit would `` force the release of tens of thousands of aliens despite the laws enacted by Congress . ''
EOIR director James McHenry argued that if the government stopped detained hearings , the government might have to do a mass release of immigrants to avoid constitutional issues related to indefinite imprisonment .
And that , he said , could harm the public , because some immigrants have criminal records or pose national security concerns .
On April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judges were still insisting on dangerous in-person hearings , and that some remote hearings did n't work well , including because some judges failed to call the detainees ' attorneys .
On April 28 , U.S. District Court Judge Carl Nichols rejected the lawyers ' request for a temporary restraining order , concluding the government was already doing enough to respond to the pandemic .
The plaintiffs later withdrew their lawsuit .
ICE spokesman Brian Cox said that to protect against COVID-19 , the agency is arresting and detaining far fewer people than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of 22,805 people were held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in the United States , according to an ICE web site .
That ’ s down from about 38,500 as of March 1 , a decrease of 41 % .
Many of the existing detainees were picked up by the Border Patrol , not through non-border enforcement by ICE , Cox said .
Of those currently detained , 51 % had a criminal conviction , another 14 % had pending criminal charges , and 35 % were held on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head of the immigration judges ' union , said the pandemic exposed another longstanding problem in the immigration courts : lack of independence .
Unlike the federal judges who hear civil and criminal cases , the immigration judges do n't belong to a separate , independent branch of the government .
Instead , they 're employees of the U.S. Department of Justice and the Trump administration , the same branch of government that pays immigration prosecutors .
The administration is working to decertify the judges ’ union , a step that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speak out and oppose the government .
The Trump administration also helps make the court rules , issuing decisions in recent years that have made it much harder for immigrants to win their cases .
One of the biggest came in 2018 , when then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions overturned an earlier decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals and ruled against a woman from El Salvador who said her ex-husband had repeatedly abused her physically , emotionally and sexually both during and after their marriage .
This decision , known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it much harder for immigrants to win asylum claims based on domestic violence or gang violence .
Even before COVID-19 , going before an immigration judge was a frightening experience for many immigrants .
Yoselin Alejandra Madriz-Chacon , a 27-year-old now living in Little Rock , Arkansas , appeared briefly in Memphis Immigration Court in February .
She told the judge she 'd recently gone through a bad breakup and had n't been able to hire an attorney .
The judge gave her a delay of a few weeks .
She was born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. at age six on a tourist visa that later expired .
She said she 's been unable to adjust her status .
“ You never know when people are gon na say you have to go back home , ” she said .
“ I haven ’ t been there since I was six years old , and it ’ s terrifying at times , especially when you ’ re going through a hard time with your personal life and you still have this on top to deal with.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had now been continued until February 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The delay has given her time to earn more money as a painter on building projects , and she hopes to use the income to hire a lawyer and return to Memphis to resolve her case .
In New Orleans , immigration court reopened Monday in a limited capacity .
The courtroom is limited to judges , attorneys , their clients and interpreters .
Witnesses have been asked to turn in testimony through an affidavit or report telephonically .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive are restricted from appearing at the court .
The restrictions could make it more challenging for immigration attorneys to properly represent their clients , according to Emily Trostle , an immigration attorney based in New Orleans .
“ I am not comfortable with that , ” she said .
Maria Clark reports from New Orleans for The American South .
Daniel Connolly writes for The ( Memphis ) Commercial Appeal .

Daniel Connolly, Maria Clark, USA TODAY NETWORK

Amid COVID-19, Trump administration keeps immigration courts open, putting judges, lawyers and immigrants at risk
NEW ORLEANS -- A labor union representing the nation’s immigration judges filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Trump administration, arguing that the government is stifling the judges’ rights to speak publicly on key issues, including the threat of COVID-19 to their lives and to public health.
The judges’ lawsuit is the latest signal of deep distrust between the professionals who work in the nation’s immigration courts and President Donald Trump’s administration. The lawsuit comes as the government moves to reopen immigration courts it had previously closed because of the pandemic.
Ashley Tabbador, a Los Angeles-based immigration judge who is president of the National Association of Immigration Judges, said the government has released little information on how it makes decisions on opening and closing courts because of coronavirus concerns.
“If you’re not going to share information and you’re not going to tell us what standards are being used, and you’re essentially stifling any ability to hold the government accountable, (that) creates frustration and anxiety,” she said. “So people don’t trust, they don’t have trust that the agency is doing the right thing.”
She said the government is reluctant to discuss national standards for reopening courtrooms.
“They keep basically stonewalling us and punting, saying, well, this is something each court and each supervisory judge will have to decide,” she said.
She said bad decisions about reopening courts could lead to infections and deaths. “So this can literally be a life-and-death situation for our community members if we don’t do the right thing to ensure that the health of everyone is placed paramount and that we follow the right protocols.”
An administration spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit Wednesday.
About 460 immigration judges work in 67 courts and two adjudication centers throughout the United States and its territories, ranging from border cities such as El Paso to inland cities like Atlanta.
Working without juries, the judges decide which immigrants should stay in the United States and which should be deported. Their current caseload is at a record high: more than 1.1 million deportation cases.
More than half of all immigrants in the courts come from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
In some cases, immigration court hearings are a matter of life and death as some people face reprisals back home from governments, violent ex-spouses or organized crime. This year, Human Rights Watch released a report documenting 138 cases since 2013 of people being killed in El Salvador after they were deported from the U.S.
The COVID-19 pandemic extended the life-and-death stakes to anyone who visits the courts, including professionals who work there. Judges, defense lawyers and prosecutors who work in the immigration courts joined together on March 15 to issue a statement demanding that the Trump administration temporarily close down all immigration court hearings for safety.
The administration eventually closed “non-detained” courts where immigrants can come and go freely, but it left courts running in detention centers.
The government is now reopening some of the non-detained courts that it shut down. For instance, the New Orleans court opened in a limited capacity on Monday, even as COVID-19 cases in Louisiana surged to more than 60,000. The government is also suspending rules allowing electronic filing of documents, the lawsuit said.
“These changes have already had, and will continue to have, profound implications for public health, but few immigration judges have felt free to speak out,” the judges wrote in the lawsuit, filed in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia.
The suit notes that the few immigration judges who serve as officers in the National Association of Immigration Judges can still speak publicly as union representatives.
“But hundreds more remain silenced,” the lawsuit said.
New policies announced in 2017 and again this January reduced judges’ rights and say they cannot talk in their personal capacities about immigration law or policy or related topics, the lawsuit said. On other topics, immigration judges may speak publicly only with government approval, the judges say. The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University in New York is cooperating with the judges in the lawsuit.
The federal agency that runs the courts is called the Executive Office for Immigration Review, or EOIR. It's an arm of the Department of Justice and ultimately answers to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, a Trump appointee.
In response to inquiries about COVID-19 in the courts, the agency did not make any officials available for an interview.
"EOIR takes the safety, health, and well-being of its employees very seriously," the agency said in a statement, adding that officials follow guidance from various federal entities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The statement said the agency is taking safety precautions such as using telephonic hearings whenever possible. The statement also said that a blanket suspension of all hearings could help keep immigrants stuck in detention because they couldn't ask a judge for release.
"EOIR is committed to ensuring that every detained alien receives his or her day in court,” the government said.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has questioned how the federal government can ensure social distancing is being followed amid the reopenings of the nation’s immigration courts.
“We fear that you are rushing to reopen the courts without a rigorous process or sufficient communication with stakeholders,” she wrote in a June 23 letter to the Executive Office for Immigration Review.
Immigrant sick from coronavirus forced to do telephone court hearing before being sent to hospital, lawyer says
Louisiana emerged this year as the largest hot spot for coronavirus in the South. It is also one of the major centers for immigration detention in the U.S.
Even as hundreds of cases of the new virus appeared in the state's immigration detention centers, immigration courts never stopped in the small towns of Jena and Oakdale, which oversee the cases of more than 5,000 people locked up in immigration detention centers across Louisiana.
After many states enforced quarantine restrictions in March because of the pandemic, judges here still ordered immigrants deported and dozens of deportation flights took off from Alexandria, Louisiana, to other countries.
One case involved a 26-year-old man from Guatemala detained at Richwood Correctional Center, a sprawling 1,129 bed facility in northeast Louisiana. He tested positive for the virus on April 12, said his attorney Veronica Semino.
Semino said he had developed a debilitating cough and had been isolated with one other man in a large dormitory in the facility, which is run by LaSalle Corrections. Meanwhile she had made two attempts to push back a hearing scheduled only four days after he had been tested, to no avail.
The man could barely speak throughout the hearing, which was conducted by telephone, according to Semino.
“He had no lung capacity. During the hearing, they activated the EMS transport and literally within 15 minutes he was in an ambulance on the way to the hospital,” said Semino.
She later learned that her client’s vitals were being monitored throughout the hearing.
“Here is this person who was obviously gravely, ill, had to be taken to the ICU, and all went forward as normal,” she said.
He was hospitalized for close to two weeks and was returned to Richwood Correctional Center, according to Semino. As of Wednesday, ICE has confirmed 65 cases at the facility.
Despite cases of COVID-19 growing to more than 1,200 across Louisiana by March 23, it wasn’t until that week that attorneys received a notice to bring their own gloves, protective eyewear and N-95 masks to meet with clients or attend court proceedings in person, said Phillip Hunter, a Baton Rouge-based immigration attorney who has clients at the LaSalle ICE Processing Center in Jena. That same week, he began seeing detainees escorted into the five courtrooms in the LaSalle courtrooms wearing masks to cover their noses and mouths.
Hunter said that as the outbreak has developed in Louisiana, lawyers are now allowed to file motions by telephone rather than appear in court and some judges have begun letting people with serious health issues out on bond in some cases.
“But it’s not like they’ve stopped detaining people,” he added.
Homero Lopez, an immigration attorney who represents clients at the Oakdale Immigration Court, said that in the early days of the outbreak in Louisiana it wasn’t always clear if attorneys would be allowed to file documents online or participate in hearings via telephone.
“It wasn’t like they were notifying us about this,” he said.
Eventually, some judges started granting motions to continue cases based on COVID-19, he said.
“If we said we couldn’t go to court because of lack of childcare or a health condition, they would grant motions to continue,” said Lopez.
Prosecutors, immigration defense lawyers fear getting COVID-19
During the pandemic, the government has sometimes announced court openings and closures on Twitter. But uncertainty remains for many court officials.
“I’m really scared. I’m like holding on for dear life to what’s going to happen in a few weeks," immigration prosecutor Fanny Behar-Ostrow said in late May. "I am really - like, very afraid if they start reopening our offices and make us physically have to go in. I’m hopeful that they’re going to continue to let us telework. I really don’t think that this pandemic is over, by any means.”
Behar-Ostrow is head of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 511, a labor union representing attorneys who work for ICE, a role that usually means arguing in favor of deportation.
She said she fears for her colleagues because the often-cramped immigration courts are not set up for social distancing of any kind. She said she'd like to see the suspension of all hearings — detained and non-detained — and doesn't understand why the Trump administration seeks to keep the immigration courts going.
“My guess is that it’s political. But it’s a guess. I’d rather not get into this because like I said, I’ve seen a lot of administrations. I’ve seen the pendulum swing both ways and a lot of times things are done because of political reasons,” she said.
The court where she works, in downtown Miami, is now open for detained hearings only.
Memphis immigration attorney Lily Axelrod, who acts as a liaison to the local immigration court, said the administration's willingness to keep the courts going shows an underlying political goal: keep deportation numbers high, even if that means jeopardizing public safety.
“So I think we’ve all seen that this administration does not care about human rights of immigrants or the safety of immigrants, or following the law necessarily with respect to immigrants. But I had no idea the level of contempt or apathy they had toward their own employees," she said.
Trump administration worried about having to release immigrants
In a separate case, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and other groups filed a federal lawsuit on March 30 in Washington, D.C., on behalf of a small group of immigration detainees worried about contracting COVID-19. They asked the court to close both detained and non-detained immigration courts, other than bond hearings.
On April 13, the government responded, saying the lawsuit would "force the release of tens of thousands of aliens despite the laws enacted by Congress."
EOIR director James McHenry argued that if the government stopped detained hearings, the government might have to do a mass release of immigrants to avoid constitutional issues related to indefinite imprisonment. And that, he said, could harm the public, because some immigrants have criminal records or pose national security concerns.
On April 24, lawyers for detainees said some judges were still insisting on dangerous in-person hearings, and that some remote hearings didn't work well, including because some judges failed to call the detainees' attorneys.
On April 28, U.S. District Court Judge Carl Nichols rejected the lawyers' request for a temporary restraining order, concluding the government was already doing enough to respond to the pandemic.
The plaintiffs later withdrew their lawsuit.
ICE spokesman Brian Cox said that to protect against COVID-19, the agency is arresting and detaining far fewer people than usual.
As of June 27, a total of 22,805 people were held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in the United States, according to an ICE web site.
That’s down from about 38,500 as of March 1, a decrease of 41%. Many of the existing detainees were picked up by the Border Patrol, not through non-border enforcement by ICE, Cox said.
Of those currently detained, 51% had a criminal conviction, another 14% had pending criminal charges, and 35% were held on alleged immigration violations only.
Presidential administration pays judges, pays prosecutors, makes rules
Tabbador, the head of the immigration judges' union, said the pandemic exposed another longstanding problem in the immigration courts: lack of independence.
Unlike the federal judges who hear civil and criminal cases, the immigration judges don't belong to a separate, independent branch of the government. Instead, they're employees of the U.S. Department of Justice and the Trump administration, the same branch of government that pays immigration prosecutors.
The administration is working to decertify the judges’ union, a step that would make it much more difficult for them to speak out and oppose the government.
The Trump administration also helps make the court rules, issuing decisions in recent years that have made it much harder for immigrants to win their cases. One of the biggest came in 2018, when then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions overturned an earlier decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals and ruled against a woman from El Salvador who said her ex-husband had repeatedly abused her physically, emotionally and sexually both during and after their marriage.
This decision, known as “Matter of A-B,” made it much harder for immigrants to win asylum claims based on domestic violence or gang violence.
Immigration courts represent uncertainty for immigrants
Even before COVID-19, going before an immigration judge was a frightening experience for many immigrants.
Yoselin Alejandra Madriz-Chacon, a 27-year-old now living in Little Rock, Arkansas, appeared briefly in Memphis Immigration Court in February. She told the judge she'd recently gone through a bad breakup and hadn't been able to hire an attorney. The judge gave her a delay of a few weeks.
She was born in Costa Rica and was brought to the U.S. at age six on a tourist visa that later expired. She said she's been unable to adjust her status.
“You never know when people are gonna say you have to go back home,” she said. “I haven’t been there since I was six years old, and it’s terrifying at times, especially when you’re going through a hard time with your personal life and you still have this on top to deal with.”
In June, she said her court case had now been continued until February 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The delay has given her time to earn more money as a painter on building projects, and she hopes to use the income to hire a lawyer and return to Memphis to resolve her case.
In New Orleans, immigration court reopened Monday in a limited capacity. The courtroom is limited to judges, attorneys, their clients and interpreters. Witnesses have been asked to turn in testimony through an affidavit or report telephonically. People presenting COVID-19 symptoms and those who have tested positive are restricted from appearing at the court.
The restrictions could make it more challenging for immigration attorneys to properly represent their clients, according to Emily Trostle, an immigration attorney based in New Orleans.
“I am not comfortable with that,” she said.
Maria Clark reports from New Orleans for The American South. Daniel Connolly writes for The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal.


usatoday--2020-07-02--Flying snakes undulate in midair while gliding from trees. Virginia Tech researchers used motion-cap

Add flying snakes to the ever-growing list of insects and reptiles getting their time in the spotlight during a year in which people are probably looking into online zoology courses .
A recent study published in the journal Nature Physics sheds light on why the paradise tree snake ( C. paradisi ) undulates in midair .
The motion keeps the snake — which does n't actually fly , it just glides — stable after jumping from trees , researchers at Virginia Tech found .
But , for years , it was unknown if the motion served any purpose , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researcher and a scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory .
“ The most striking feature of when ( the snakes ) are gliding is the undulation , ” said Yeaton , who conducted the research while he was a Ph .
D. student in mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech .
To capture more detail , the researchers conducted their study inside “ The Cube , ” a four-story black-box theater on Virginia Tech ’ s campus .
The theater is equipped with motion-capture cameras , and 11 to 17 markers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the researchers to record “ the exact position of the snake ’ s body more than 300 times per glide.
” Each glide took about two seconds .
The team collected data over May and June in 2015 , Yeaton said .
The group spent two years analyzing the data , then submitted its paper in fall 2018 , he said .
Toxic toads : Florida tells residents to humanely kill these invasive , toxic toads that are lethal to pets “ When we did the work , we were basically able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the animal is doing in the air and then that really led us to build this complete model of the snake ’ s dynamics , ” Yeaton said .
“ We could then start asking those questions , 'Why is the snake undulating ?
What effect does it have ? '
'' Researchers found the snakes moved from side to side , but also slightly up and down .
They were able to generate a computer physics model of the snake to better study the undulations and their impact on the snake 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the model that you ca n't do with the live animal , '' Virginia Tech professor Jake Socha said .
`` What we wanted to do with the live animal is tell it to stop undulating .
Like , 'Hey , snake , stop undulating . '
We could tell the model to do that .
When you turned the undulation off in the model , you see that you get really bad gliding performance .
He added , `` In fact , it tumbles out of the sky much more readily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No need to worry , for now , about the snakes showing up stateside like `` murder hornets '' and gypsy moths — they 're native to south and southeast Asia .
The reason behind the snakes ’ undulation was a riddle begging to be solved , said Socha , who has been studying flying snakes since 1996 .
The discovery could be applied to future robotics , the researchers found .
“ It ’ s pretty interesting because all other animal gliders — and I think most engineered gliders , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they pretty much hold still , '' Socha said .
`` You might make small adjustments , but you ’ re holding still in your gliding.
” All snakes undulate when they move , so snakes might have just been mimicking their motion on the ground while in the air , he said .
Asian giant 'murder ' hornet:5 things to know about the invasive species “ If you jump off a big cliff and you start flailing your arms , that doesn ’ t really do anything , ” Socha said with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
The same thing is there , where the undulation is something that all snakes do when they ’ re trying to locomote.
” “ The Cube ” was originally built for performing arts students , Socha said .
Part of the process of getting to use the building was ensuring the snakes would n't wander off and end up in some unsuspecting professor 's office , he added .
`` I guarantee you they did not have flying snakes in mind when they designed this facility , '' Socha said .

Flying snakes undulate in midair while gliding from trees. Virginia Tech researchers used motion-capture cameras to find out why.
Show Caption Hide Caption Flying snakes: Researchers have concluded they undulate in the air The mystery behind flying snakes has been solved by a team of researchers from Virginia Tech. USA TODAY
Add flying snakes to the ever-growing list of insects and reptiles getting their time in the spotlight during a year in which people are probably looking into online zoology courses.
A recent study published in the journal Nature Physics sheds light on why the paradise tree snake (C. paradisi) undulates in midair. The motion keeps the snake — which doesn't actually fly, it just glides — stable after jumping from trees, researchers at Virginia Tech found.
But, for years, it was unknown if the motion served any purpose, said Isaac Yeaton, the study's lead researcher and a scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.
“The most striking feature of when (the snakes) are gliding is the undulation,” said Yeaton, who conducted the research while he was a Ph. D. student in mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech.
To capture more detail, the researchers conducted their study inside “The Cube,” a four-story black-box theater on Virginia Tech’s campus. The theater is equipped with motion-capture cameras, and 11 to 17 markers were placed on the snakes, which allowed the researchers to record “the exact position of the snake’s body more than 300 times per glide.” Each glide took about two seconds.
The team collected data over May and June in 2015, Yeaton said. The group spent two years analyzing the data, then submitted its paper in fall 2018, he said.
Toxic toads: Florida tells residents to humanely kill these invasive, toxic toads that are lethal to pets
“When we did the work, we were basically able to get our first full understanding of what the animal is doing in the air and then that really led us to build this complete model of the snake’s dynamics,” Yeaton said. “We could then start asking those questions, 'Why is the snake undulating? What effect does it have?'"
Researchers found the snakes moved from side to side, but also slightly up and down. They were able to generate a computer physics model of the snake to better study the undulations and their impact on the snake's glide.
"You can do things with the model that you can't do with the live animal," Virginia Tech professor Jake Socha said. "What we wanted to do with the live animal is tell it to stop undulating. Like, 'Hey, snake, stop undulating.' We could tell the model to do that. When you turned the undulation off in the model, you see that you get really bad gliding performance.
He added, "In fact, it tumbles out of the sky much more readily than when you have undulation."
No need to worry, for now, about the snakes showing up stateside like "murder hornets" and gypsy moths — they're native to south and southeast Asia.
The reason behind the snakes’ undulation was a riddle begging to be solved, said Socha, who has been studying flying snakes since 1996. The discovery could be applied to future robotics, the researchers found.
“It’s pretty interesting because all other animal gliders — and I think most engineered gliders, as well — the thing they all share is they pretty much hold still," Socha said. "You might make small adjustments, but you’re holding still in your gliding.”
All snakes undulate when they move, so snakes might have just been mimicking their motion on the ground while in the air, he said.
Asian giant 'murder' hornet: 5 things to know about the invasive species
“If you jump off a big cliff and you start flailing your arms, that doesn’t really do anything,” Socha said with a laugh. “But you do it. The same thing is there, where the undulation is something that all snakes do when they’re trying to locomote.”
“The Cube” was originally built for performing arts students, Socha said. Part of the process of getting to use the building was ensuring the snakes wouldn't wander off and end up in some unsuspecting professor's office, he added.
"I guarantee you they did not have flying snakes in mind when they designed this facility," Socha said.


usatoday--2020-07-02--Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain is in the hospital with coronavirus

Herman Cain , a 2012 Republican presidential candidate , who attended President Donald Trump 's rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , was taken to the hospital Wednesday after contracting COVID-19 .
Cain , 74 , tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday and `` developed symptoms serious enough that he required hospitalization , '' according to a statement on his Twitter account .
The former Godfather 's Pizza CEO is `` resting comfortably in an Atlanta-area hospital '' after spending the night there , the statement said .
`` Mr. Cain did not require a respirator , and he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no way of knowing how or where Mr. Cain contracted the coronavirus , but we do know he is a fighter who has beaten Stage 4 cancer , '' the statement continued .
`` With God 's help , we are confident he will make a quick and complete recovery . ''
Many health experts expressed concern about holding the Tulsa rally , particularly at an indoor venue amid the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 128,000 people in the U.S.They said it had the potential to become a `` super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention has labeled such gatherings as among the most high-risk places for spreading infection .
It has stressed that if people do gather in groups , they should maintain six feet of distance and wear masks .
A photo of Cain , a co-chair of Black voices for Trump , at the Tulsa rally shows him and a number of other people in close proximity without any face coverings .
Cain described attending the rally in an op-ed for the Western Journal .
He said that contrary to reports that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the venue that could accommodate more than 19,000 , `` I saw with my own eyes that there were at least 16,000 people there . ''
`` Yes , there were some empty seats in the nosebleed sections , but 16,000 people in the COVID-19 era is pretty impressive , '' Cain said .
`` I ’ ve had about enough of the media telling us this rally was some sort of bust .
It was triumphant and electric , '' Cain wrote .
`` Everyone who attended came away from it feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump announced he intended to nominate Cain to serve on the Federal Reserve board .
The plan to nominate Cain , who has been accused of repeated sexual harassment , was met with immediate backlash from both Democrats and Republicans .
Two weeks later , Cain said he asked Trump to take his name out of consideration because he could n't afford the `` pay cut . ''
Cain survived stage 4 colon cancer , which was diagnosed in 2006 .

Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain is in the hospital with coronavirus
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus conversation dominates President Trump's campaign rally During the rally, President Trump touted his success during the pandemic, saying he saved hundreds of thousands of lives. USA TODAY, Wochit
Herman Cain, a 2012 Republican presidential candidate, who attended President Donald Trump's rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was taken to the hospital Wednesday after contracting COVID-19.
Cain, 74, tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday and "developed symptoms serious enough that he required hospitalization," according to a statement on his Twitter account.
The former Godfather's Pizza CEO is "resting comfortably in an Atlanta-area hospital" after spending the night there, the statement said. "Mr. Cain did not require a respirator, and he is awake and alert."
"There is no way of knowing how or where Mr. Cain contracted the coronavirus, but we do know he is a fighter who has beaten Stage 4 cancer," the statement continued. "With God's help, we are confident he will make a quick and complete recovery."
Many health experts expressed concern about holding the Tulsa rally, particularly at an indoor venue amid the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 128,000 people in the U.S. They said it had the potential to become a "super spreader" event.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has labeled such gatherings as among the most high-risk places for spreading infection. It has stressed that if people do gather in groups, they should maintain six feet of distance and wear masks.
'Super spreader': Health experts fear Trump rally in Tulsa could spread infection
A photo of Cain, a co-chair of Black voices for Trump, at the Tulsa rally shows him and a number of other people in close proximity without any face coverings.
Cain described attending the rally in an op-ed for the Western Journal. He said that contrary to reports that only about 6,200 attended the event in the venue that could accommodate more than 19,000, "I saw with my own eyes that there were at least 16,000 people there."
"Yes, there were some empty seats in the nosebleed sections, but 16,000 people in the COVID-19 era is pretty impressive," Cain said.
"I’ve had about enough of the media telling us this rally was some sort of bust. It was triumphant and electric," Cain wrote. "Everyone who attended came away from it feeling good."
In April 2019, Trump announced he intended to nominate Cain to serve on the Federal Reserve board. The plan to nominate Cain, who has been accused of repeated sexual harassment, was met with immediate backlash from both Democrats and Republicans. Two weeks later, Cain said he asked Trump to take his name out of consideration because he couldn't afford the "pay cut."
Cain survived stage 4 colon cancer, which was diagnosed in 2006.
Coronavirus: Reporter at Trump’s Tulsa rally tests positive for COVID-19


usatoday--2020-07-02--President Trump shows up at news conference without a face mask after saying he'd wear one in 'tight

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump showed up at a White House news conference on Thursday without a face mask , just one day after saying he 'd be open to wearing them in certain situations .
The president 's decision to go maskless comes after he questioned whether they should be mandatory , saying during a television interview , “ you have many places in the country where people stay very long distance.
” But Trump told Fox Business Network he ’ d wear one if he found himself in a crowd where social distancing wasn ’ t possible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation with people , I would absolutely , ” he said .
Thursday 's news conference about jobs numbers was held in the White House briefing room , a small theater in the West Wing .
Reporters who attended the press event were seated with empty chairs between them to practice social distancing .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , who took the podium with White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow after Trump finished speaking , noted that he and Kudlow were not wearing a face mask because both of them had been given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But even with that , we did social distancing , '' Mnuchin said , telling reporters , `` I 'm pleased to see you 're all wearing masks . ''
Mnuchin defended Trump 's decision to go without a mask .
`` Because he 's the president of the United States and people are not around him close and the people who are around him are tested , '' Mnuchin said .
`` I do n't think he needs to wear a mask , but the rest of us – absolutely . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he seldom finds himself in tight situations and noted that people are tested for coronavirus before they get close to him .
But he said he has worn a mask in cases where he has been with a small group of people .
“ I sort of liked the way it looked , ” he said .
“ It was a dark black mask , and I thought it looked OK .
It looked like the Lone Ranger.
” Several prominent Republicans , including Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans in recent days to wear a mask in public when they are unable to practice social distancing .
Sen. Lamar Alexander , a Tennessee Republican who chairs the Senate health committee , called Tuesday on Trump to occasionally wear a mask even though “ there are not many occasions when it is necessary for him to do so.
” Michael Collins covers the White House .
Reach him on Twitter @ mcollinsNEWS .

President Trump shows up at news conference without a face mask after saying he'd wear one in 'tight' crowd
Show Caption Hide Caption Mnuchin: Trump supports wearing masks Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told the White House press corps Thursday that President Trump supports Americans wearing masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19. (July 2) AP
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump showed up at a White House news conference on Thursday without a face mask, just one day after saying he'd be open to wearing them in certain situations.
The president's decision to go maskless comes after he questioned whether they should be mandatory, saying during a television interview, “you have many places in the country where people stay very long distance.”
But Trump told Fox Business Network he’d wear one if he found himself in a crowd where social distancing wasn’t possible. “If I were in a tight situation with people, I would absolutely,” he said.
Thursday's news conference about jobs numbers was held in the White House briefing room, a small theater in the West Wing. Reporters who attended the press event were seated with empty chairs between them to practice social distancing.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who took the podium with White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow after Trump finished speaking, noted that he and Kudlow were not wearing a face mask because both of them had been given a coronavirus test Thursday morning.
"But even with that, we did social distancing," Mnuchin said, telling reporters, "I'm pleased to see you're all wearing masks."
Mnuchin defended Trump's decision to go without a mask.
"Because he's the president of the United States and people are not around him close and the people who are around him are tested," Mnuchin said. "I don't think he needs to wear a mask, but the rest of us – absolutely."
"The president supports wearing masks," Mnuchin added.
In the Fox interview, Trump said he seldom finds himself in tight situations and noted that people are tested for coronavirus before they get close to him. But he said he has worn a mask in cases where he has been with a small group of people.
“I sort of liked the way it looked,” he said. “It was a dark black mask, and I thought it looked OK. It looked like the Lone Ranger.”
Several prominent Republicans, including Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, have publicly urged Americans in recent days to wear a mask in public when they are unable to practice social distancing.
Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican who chairs the Senate health committee, called Tuesday on Trump to occasionally wear a mask even though “there are not many occasions when it is necessary for him to do so.”
Michael Collins covers the White House. Reach him on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS.


usatoday--2020-07-02--'If it's close – watch out': Biden says he has 600 lawyers ready to fight election 'chicanery' by Tr

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden told supporters Wednesday night his campaign assembled a team of 600 lawyers to fight against efforts he expects from President Donald Trump to limit voter participation in the upcoming election .
The former vice president made the remark when asked at a fundraiser what he planned to do to address the `` very real concern '' that the president would try to suppress the vote .
`` Well , first of all , to continue to shout from the rooftops : 'Be careful — he ’ s coming , ' '' Biden replied .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fears Trump will try to `` steal '' the election , said Trump and Republicans are pursuing a `` systematic program on vote suppression '' that could pose a serious obstacle amid the coronavirus outbreak Exclusive USA TODAY poll : Biden widens his lead , but Trump keeps the edge on enthusiasm More : About that running mate : 72 % of Democrats in USA TODAY poll say it 's 'important ' Biden pick woman of color '' So here 's what we 're doing , we 're continuing to fight any effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , support the countless state and local officials working like hell to make voting safe and accessible for citizens , especially the most vulnerable , or call out local rules that do n't adequately ensure access to vote , '' Biden said .
The team of 600 lawyers , along with 10,000 volunteers , would be in every state to figure out if any `` chicanery is likely to take place . ''
Biden predicted it would be `` very , very , very difficult '' to stave off the objections he expects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president has posted many tweets claiming mailed-in ballots are ripe for fraud and abuse .
`` The fact is that this is a fella who is literally trying to take away the funding for the post office so they can ’ t deliver the ballots .
Not a joke , '' Biden said .
He pointed out that five states already conduct their elections almost entirely by mail , and that there is bipartisan agreement that a shift toward absentee ballots makes sense in this election .
`` Because of MAIL-IN BALLOTS , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our nations history – unless this stupidity is ended .
We voted during World War One & World War Two with no problem , but now they are using Covid in order to cheat by using Mail-Ins , '' Trump tweeted on June 22 .
But experts dispute Trump 's claims about vote-by-mail .
A study by the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice at the New York School of Law found incidents of overall voter fraud `` extraordinarily rare . ''
Another study found that despite Trump 's claims to the contrary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an advantage with mail-in ballots .
Trump has also said foreign nations could print off `` millions '' of ballots and mail them in .
Lawrence Norden , director of the Election Reform Program at the Brennan Center , called that claim `` nonsense . ''
Justin Clark , senior counsel for the Trump campaign , accused Biden of `` lying and fear mongering '' with his remarks about the election .
`` Democrats are the ones trying to fundamentally change how we vote .
They are inserting chaos and confusion into our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way they can win , '' Clark said in a statement .
`` The President is committed to fair and free elections and ensuring everyone who is eligible to vote , gets their vote counted . ''
Biden made it clear on Wednesday that he will continue to denounce Trump 's opposition to vote-by-mail as a form of voter suppression and he encouraged supporters `` to holler at the top of our lungs '' if they see any efforts to infringe on voting rights in their state .
`` It 's going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close – watch out , '' he said .
'We need real plans ' : Joe Biden blasts Trump , offers alternatives to coronavirus response

'If it's close – watch out': Biden says he has 600 lawyers ready to fight election 'chicanery' by Trump
Show Caption Hide Caption How a contentious election affects a peaceful transition of power What history has shown us about contested elections and peaceful transitions of power. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden told supporters Wednesday night his campaign assembled a team of 600 lawyers to fight against efforts he expects from President Donald Trump to limit voter participation in the upcoming election.
The former vice president made the remark when asked at a fundraiser what he planned to do to address the "very real concern" that the president would try to suppress the vote.
"Well, first of all, to continue to shout from the rooftops: 'Be careful — he’s coming,'" Biden replied.
Biden, who has previously said he fears Trump will try to "steal" the election, said Trump and Republicans are pursuing a "systematic program on vote suppression" that could pose a serious obstacle amid the coronavirus outbreak
Exclusive USA TODAY poll: Biden widens his lead, but Trump keeps the edge on enthusiasm
More: About that running mate: 72% of Democrats in USA TODAY poll say it's 'important' Biden pick woman of color
"So here's what we're doing, we're continuing to fight any effort to exploit the pandemic for political purposes, support the countless state and local officials working like hell to make voting safe and accessible for citizens, especially the most vulnerable, or call out local rules that don't adequately ensure access to vote," Biden said.
The team of 600 lawyers, along with 10,000 volunteers, would be in every state to figure out if any "chicanery is likely to take place."
Biden predicted it would be "very, very, very difficult" to stave off the objections he expects Trump to make about mail-in-voting. The president has posted many tweets claiming mailed-in ballots are ripe for fraud and abuse.
"The fact is that this is a fella who is literally trying to take away the funding for the post office so they can’t deliver the ballots. Not a joke," Biden said. He pointed out that five states already conduct their elections almost entirely by mail, and that there is bipartisan agreement that a shift toward absentee ballots makes sense in this election.
"Because of MAIL-IN BALLOTS, 2020 will be the most RIGGED Election in our nations history – unless this stupidity is ended. We voted during World War One & World War Two with no problem, but now they are using Covid in order to cheat by using Mail-Ins," Trump tweeted on June 22.
But experts dispute Trump's claims about vote-by-mail. A study by the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice at the New York School of Law found incidents of overall voter fraud "extraordinarily rare." Another study found that despite Trump's claims to the contrary, there is no evidence Democrats have an advantage with mail-in ballots.
Trump has also said foreign nations could print off "millions" of ballots and mail them in. Lawrence Norden, director of the Election Reform Program at the Brennan Center, called that claim "nonsense."
Justin Clark, senior counsel for the Trump campaign, accused Biden of "lying and fear mongering" with his remarks about the election.
"Democrats are the ones trying to fundamentally change how we vote. They are inserting chaos and confusion into our voting process because it is the only way they can win," Clark said in a statement. "The President is committed to fair and free elections and ensuring everyone who is eligible to vote, gets their vote counted."
Biden made it clear on Wednesday that he will continue to denounce Trump's opposition to vote-by-mail as a form of voter suppression and he encouraged supporters "to holler at the top of our lungs" if they see any efforts to infringe on voting rights in their state.
"It's going to be hard. And if it's close – watch out," he said.
Contributing: Joey Garrison
'We need real plans': Joe Biden blasts Trump, offers alternatives to coronavirus response


usatoday--2020-07-02--Opinion: NFL's gestures in confronting racism are meaningless so long as Colin Kaepernick remains un


usatoday--2020-07-02--Potty break almost foils soldier surprise

Spc .
Caleb Whitley has n't seen his family in 11 months .
Just as he 's about to walk @ @ @ @ @ she has other plans that involve a very important potty break .

Potty break almost foils soldier surprise
Spc. Caleb Whitley hasn't seen his family in 11 months. Just as he's about to walk up behind his daughter, she has other plans that involve a very important potty break.
Militarykind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-03--Serena Williams' daughter makes an adorable doubles partner on the tennis court

Serena Williams appears to have a new doubles partner .
And , holy cow , are they an adorable duo @ @ @ @ @ shared photos of her and her daughter , Alexis Olympia , sharing the court as @ @ @ @ @ Each is lined up in the appropriate position and Alexis Olympia even mimicks some of @ @ @ @ @ .
Williams , one of the greatest tennis players of all time , has won @ @ @ @ @ 23 singles , 14 doubles and 2 mixed doubles — in her career .
Williams @ @ @ @ @ came in 2017 , when she claimed the Australian Open championship while pregnant with Alexis @ @ @ @ @ on Sept. 1 of that year .

Serena Williams' daughter makes an adorable doubles partner on the tennis court
Serena Williams appears to have a new doubles partner.
And, holy cow, are they an adorable duo.
On Thursday, Williams shared photos of her and her daughter, Alexis Olympia, sharing the court as "doubles" partners. Each is lined up in the appropriate position and Alexis Olympia even mimicks some of her mother's trademark stances.
Williams, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, has won 39 Grand Slam titles — 23 singles, 14 doubles and 2 mixed doubles — in her career.
Williams' last Grand Slam title came in 2017, when she claimed the Australian Open championship while pregnant with Alexis Olympia, who was born on Sept. 1 of that year.