usatoday--2020-05-01--Mika Brzezinski's Joe Biden interview draws mixed reactions, from 'terrible' to 'excellent'

MSNBC 's `` Morning Joe '' co-host Mika Brzezinski interviewed 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden Friday , and viewers reacting on social media were divided on how they think it went .
In the interview , Brzezinski asks Biden about former Senate staffer Tara Reade 's sexual assault allegations against him before pressing him again with the same question .
Twitter users were quick to share their thoughts on how everything played out , with some praising the journalist for her tough questioning and others saying she conducted the interview poorly .
The topic also surged on the social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours following the interview .
User @ swkoti called the interview an `` attack on Biden '' that was `` disgraceful . ''
`` Mika Brzezinski ’ s questioning wasn ’ t that of a reporter looking for facts .
She acted as a prosecutor refusing to accept Biden ’ s responses without repeating the same questioning over and over , '' @ swkoti continued .
`` Mika , you 're conducting one of the worst interviews I 've ever watched .
You 're asking Biden the same question over and over and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quit badgering him , '' user @ jeber tweeted .
`` Leave it to Mika to ( expletive ) this up .
Terrible interview , '' user @ hopeformaybe tweeted .
`` Stop it mika .
You look foolish at this point .
He denied the accusation , '' user @ peacelovinMimi tweeted .
Others , however , shared why they liked the interview .
`` Mika did an excellent interview with Biden ... '' user @ JonathanTurley tweeted .
`` Friends , I don ’ t get this badgering I see of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too hard on @ JoeBiden .
I love and respect @ JoeBiden but he needed to answer every single question she put to him .
It would be a disservice to all involved if she had not done so .
Hats off to her , '' she tweeted .
`` I ca n't believe how many people are mad at Mika for asking 'tough ' questions ... the man was accused of rape !
She should have shown a montage of his inappropriate touching and asked him about it ... every woman on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
I 'm sick of it , '' user @ julielynnemusic tweeted with a GIF of Biden leaning to try and kiss a young woman .
`` Mika did a great job , she asked questions , and went as deep as she could go asking for any information that could be questioned .
Nothing more could have been said or done without convicting him before evidence is produced .
If the goal is to get truth and set the record straight , '' user @ Denise092863 tweeted .
Some questioned why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she 's interviewed in the past .
`` If only Mika badgered trump like this in 2016 , '' user @ CopeMay tweeted .
`` Why was n't Mika as tough on Trump or Kelly Anne in 2016 ?
She had no trouble beating up on HRC , '' user @ maninabasement tweeted . '
I am a dad .
I have a son ' : Anderson Cooper proudly announces the birth of his son Wyatt More : Cristina Cuomo is 'grateful to be feeling well again ' after coronavirus diagnosis

Mika Brzezinski's Joe Biden interview draws mixed reactions, from 'terrible' to 'excellent'
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden denies Tara Reade sexual assault allegation Former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden addressed the sexual assault allegation made against him for the first time on MSNBC. USA TODAY
MSNBC's "Morning Joe" co-host Mika Brzezinski interviewed 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden Friday, and viewers reacting on social media were divided on how they think it went.
In the interview, Brzezinski asks Biden about former Senate staffer Tara Reade's sexual assault allegations against him before pressing him again with the same question.
Twitter users were quick to share their thoughts on how everything played out, with some praising the journalist for her tough questioning and others saying she conducted the interview poorly. The topic also surged on the social media platform with her name trending in the hours following the interview.
User @swkoti called the interview an "attack on Biden" that was "disgraceful."
"Mika Brzezinski’s questioning wasn’t that of a reporter looking for facts. She acted as a prosecutor refusing to accept Biden’s responses without repeating the same questioning over and over," @swkoti continued.
"Mika, you're conducting one of the worst interviews I've ever watched. You're asking Biden the same question over and over and evidently don't understand his answers... Quit badgering him," user @jeber tweeted.
"Leave it to Mika to (expletive) this up. Terrible interview," user @hopeformaybe tweeted.
"Stop it mika. You look foolish at this point. He denied the accusation," user @peacelovinMimi tweeted.
Read: Joe Biden's full statement on Tara Reade's sexual assault allegation
Others, however, shared why they liked the interview.
"Mika did an excellent interview with Biden..." user @JonathanTurley tweeted.
Jennifer Palmieri, Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Comms Director, also backed up Brzezinski.
"Friends, I don’t get this badgering I see of @morningmika for 'harping” or being too hard on @JoeBiden. I love and respect @JoeBiden but he needed to answer every single question she put to him. It would be a disservice to all involved if she had not done so. Hats off to her," she tweeted.
"I can't believe how many people are mad at Mika for asking 'tough' questions...the man was accused of rape! She should have shown a montage of his inappropriate touching and asked him about it... every woman on earth has been in a situation like this. I'm sick of it," user @julielynnemusic tweeted with a GIF of Biden leaning to try and kiss a young woman.
I can't believe how many people are mad at Mika for asking "tough" questions...the man was accused of rape! She should have shown a montage of his inappropriate touching and asked him about it... every woman on earth has been in a situation like this. I'm sick of it. #MorningJoe pic.twitter.com/pmSeEpW5p8 — julielynne (@julielynnemusic) May 1, 2020
"Mika did a great job, she asked questions, and went as deep as she could go asking for any information that could be questioned. Nothing more could have been said or done without convicting him before evidence is produced. If the goal is to get truth and set the record straight," user @Denise092863 tweeted.
Some questioned why she wasn't harder on other people she's interviewed in the past.
"If only Mika badgered trump like this in 2016," user @CopeMay tweeted.
"Why wasn't Mika as tough on Trump or Kelly Anne in 2016? She had no trouble beating up on HRC," user @maninabasement tweeted.
Cardi B and Bernie Sanders share wild interview together on Twitter Rapper Cardi B and former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders went live on Twitter together to discuss Sanders' endorsement of Joe Biden. USA TODAY, Storyful
'I am a dad. I have a son': Anderson Cooper proudly announces the birth of his son Wyatt
More: Cristina Cuomo is 'grateful to be feeling well again' after coronavirus diagnosis


usatoday--2020-05-02--Trump urges Michigan Gov. Whitmer to talk to protesters, whom he called 'very good people'

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump , who has called to `` liberate '' states currently in lockdown over the coronavirus , expressed support Friday for armed protesters who packed the Michigan statehouse this week .
`` The Governor of Michigan should give a little , and put out the fire , '' Trump said in a reference to Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .
`` These are very good people , but they are angry . ''
He added : `` They want their lives back again , safely !
See them , talk to them . ''
Critics , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the door of the Michigan governor 's office , said it may be difficult to compromise with people carrying weapons .
`` At the point of a gun ?
Hell no , '' tweeted Democratic strategist Jim Manley .
Protesters who entered the Michigan statehouse demanded that Whitmer end the lockdown immediately , chanting `` let us work . ''
Whitmer , whose state has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus , said opening up Michigan at this time will only increase the number of cases and deaths .
Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been encouraging protesters in Michigan and elsewhere for weeks , at one point urging them to `` liberate '' their states .
His list of states to be liberated included Michigan .
More : Trump to Mike Pence : 'Do n't call the woman in Michigan , ' aka Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer After the liberate tweets , Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee told ABC News that it was dangerous to `` have a president of the United States basically encourage insubordination , to encourage illegal activity . ''
Historian Joshua Zeitz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's office in New Jersey , said protesters with guns should not be accorded the kind of respect advocated by Trump .
`` You make an appointment to see the governor or staff , '' Zeitz tweeted .
`` You don ’ t storm the State House with assault rifles and barricade the door to the Gov ’ s office .
Doing so makes you a thug and a terorrist , not a 'good person . '
''

Trump urges Michigan Gov. Whitmer to talk to protesters, whom he called 'very good people'
Show Caption Hide Caption Michigan anti-lockdown protesters crowd inside state capitol The Michigan protestors yelled “free the people” and chanted “let us in” inside the state capitol during an ongoing legislative session. USA TODAY, Storyful
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump, who has called to "liberate" states currently in lockdown over the coronavirus, expressed support Friday for armed protesters who packed the Michigan statehouse this week.
"The Governor of Michigan should give a little, and put out the fire," Trump said in a reference to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. "These are very good people, but they are angry."
He added: "They want their lives back again, safely! See them, talk to them."
Critics, some tweeting pictures of men with rifles posted near the door of the Michigan governor's office, said it may be difficult to compromise with people carrying weapons.
"At the point of a gun? Hell no," tweeted Democratic strategist Jim Manley.
The Governor of Michigan should give a little, and put out the fire. These are very good people, but they are angry. They want their lives back again, safely! See them, talk to them, make a deal. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 1, 2020
Protesters who entered the Michigan statehouse demanded that Whitmer end the lockdown immediately, chanting "let us work."
Whitmer, whose state has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus, said opening up Michigan at this time will only increase the number of cases and deaths.
Trump, who has attacked Whitmer previously, has been encouraging protesters in Michigan and elsewhere for weeks, at one point urging them to "liberate" their states. His list of states to be liberated included Michigan.
More: Trump to Mike Pence: 'Don't call the woman in Michigan,' aka Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
After the liberate tweets, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee told ABC News that it was dangerous to "have a president of the United States basically encourage insubordination, to encourage illegal activity."
Historian Joshua Zeitz, noting he once worked in a governor's office in New Jersey, said protesters with guns should not be accorded the kind of respect advocated by Trump.
"You make an appointment to see the governor or staff," Zeitz tweeted. "You don’t storm the State House with assault rifles and barricade the door to the Gov’s office. Doing so makes you a thug and a terorrist, not a 'good person.'"


usatoday--2020-05-02--Trump's social distancing guidelines quietly expire as the administration shifts focus to reopening

WASHINGTON – The deadline to extend social distancing guidelines quietly passed on Thursday as the White House pushed a new set of suggestions designed to reopen the U.S. economy now decimated by the coronavirus pandemic .
The White House is sunsetting the federal guidelines , once a central tenet of its coronavirus response and the focus of the administration 's message , in the latest sign of the president 's eagerness to revive the once booming economy upended by the coronavirus crisis .
The Trump administration is under economic pressure to shift its strategy from battling the coronavirus to pressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he hopes will help secure his reelection in November .
The administration has pivoted to a three-phase plan that leaves the decision to states , creating a patchwork strategy that some health experts warn could undermine the progress that has been made in stemming the spread of coronavirus .
The social distancing recommendations , released in mid-March and extended from two weeks to span 45 days , called on Americans to work from home and avoid nonessential travel as well as public spaces like restaurants and bars in order to `` flatten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people infected with COVID-19 .
President Donald Trump came under fire for floating the idea of lifting social distancing restrictions as early as April 12 , which was Easter Sunday .
He changed his tune after he was confronted with a projected death toll of 100,000 to 240,000 if people were allowed to return to public spaces too early .
But as April came to a close this week , Trump said he has no plans to extend the federal recommendations after they expire Thursday , even as his own task force coordinator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would exist in some form through the summer .
`` They 'll be fading out , because now the governors are doing it , '' Trump said of the guidelines during a meeting with Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards on Wednesday .
Mapping the coronavirus outbreak : All of the COVID-19 cases in the US Despite the number of U.S. coronavirus cases surpassing 1 million , with a grim death toll of more than 60,000 , the White House has been eager to paint an optimistic outlook of Americans returning to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence told reporters Thursday that most governors have embraced the federal guidelines and have incorporated them into their plans to reopen their states .
The president 's son-in-law and senior adviser , Jared Kushner , told `` Fox and Friends '' on Wednesday that Americans will return to their normal routines as early as June .
`` I think what you 'll see in May , as the states are reopening now , is May will be a transition month . ''
he said .
`` And I think you 'll see by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be back to normal and the hope is that ... by July the country is really rocking again . ''
Reopening the economy : Trump to travel to Arizona Honeywell facility next week amid push to lift coronavirus restrictions While the president and his aides have suggested that some governors are ready to allow people to go back to work and reopen schools , his health experts have stressed that states need to meet the requirements of the new `` Opening Up America Again '' guidance .
The new federal plan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , outlines three stages that stagger the end of social distancing based on a two-week period of `` downward trajectory '' of coronavirus cases .
But the plan is largely predicated on benchmarks including the availability of widespread testing , which governors say is not yet available .
Health experts and state and local officials have expressed concern that opening too soon poses the threat of a deadly second wave of virus spread that would shut down much of the country and choke an already battered economy .
Lifting coronavirus lockdowns : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves to reopen .
See the list '' We have no really effective drugs or vaccines , what we have is our behavior , '' said Joshua Sharfstein , director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health .
`` That communication that leads people to take action to protect themselves is the best medicine right now .
And when they muddle the message , we dilute the medicine . ''
More than half of states have announced plans to loosen coronavirus restrictions under the encouragement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance .
Republican Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp was one of the first to enact aggressive plans to ease stay-at-home orders , despite criticism from the president that it was `` too soon , '' allowing gyms , tattoo parlors , salons and massage therapists to reopen April 24 .
The president has praised other governors such as Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott , who unveiled his plan to reopen all retail stores , restaurants , movie theaters and malls at a 25 % capacity level on Friday – a week after Kemp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , including Tennessee and Missouri , have also announced plans to return to business as usual on Monday even as they have n't yet met the requirements under the new reopening guidance .
Wendy Parmet , a Northeastern University law professor who specializes in health care and bioethics , said the expiration of the guidelines does n't change much as states are already calling the shots on when to lift restrictions .
But some people could read the president 's decision not to renew social distancing rules as a declaration that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume .
`` More people may pressure their state and local leaders to lift their own orders , and more people may stop practicing social distancing , '' she said .
`` That 's dangerous because much of the country has not met the criteria for reopening that the White House set forth in its own Guidelines for Opening Up American Again that were issued . ''
The federal guidelines still encourage people to limit social gatherings to fewer than 10 people through May 15 while several states are pushing a more gradual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordination with neighboring states : California is moving forward in coordination with Washington , Oregon , Colorado and Nevada ; governors from Connecticut , Delaware , New Jersey , New York , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island and Massachusetts have also announced plans to form a joint task force .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , warned states that do n't have the capability to test people and conduct contact tracing to `` go very slowly . ''
`` You can ’ t just leap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where you ’ re really tempting a rebound .
That ’ s the thing I get concerned about .
I hope they do n't do that , '' he told NBC 's `` TODAY '' show on Thursday .
Fauci cautioned that new cases are bound to occur as states begin opening up public spaces .
`` There will be blips , '' he added .
`` There 's no doubt .
When you pull back , there will be cases , and what we need to do is make sure ( states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identifying , isolating and contact tracing individuals . ''
Even as governors weigh reopening schools and businesses against public safety , most Americans say staying at home to combat the coronavirus is more important than jump-starting the economy .
`` There 's good evidence that most people wo n't resume normal parts of their lives until they feel safe doing so , '' said Andy Slavitt , former director of Medicare and Medicaid in the Obama administration .
`` They do n't want to feel like these five weeks are wasted . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not : As states reopen , Americans more comfortable with small steps , survey shows A CBS News poll released last week found that 70 % of respondents believe the top priority should be `` to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus by keeping people home and social distancing , even if the economy is hurting in the short term . ''
Even if states begin lifting social distancing restrictions , that does n't mean the economy is going to improve , Slavitt adds .
`` If you think about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hiring again , small businesses to feel comfortable opening and consumers to feel comfortable spending , that 's going to require a level of public health results that we have n't delivered yet . ''

Courtney Subramanian and Michael Collins, USA TODAY

Trump’s social distancing guidelines quietly expire as the administration shifts focus to reopening
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump and Florida Gov. DeSantis discus reopening the state President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis discussed the re-opening of Florida's businesses during a White House meeting. Associated Press, Wochit
WASHINGTON – The deadline to extend social distancing guidelines quietly passed on Thursday as the White House pushed a new set of suggestions designed to reopen the U.S. economy now decimated by the coronavirus pandemic.
The White House is sunsetting the federal guidelines, once a central tenet of its coronavirus response and the focus of the administration's message, in the latest sign of the president's eagerness to revive the once booming economy upended by the coronavirus crisis. The Trump administration is under economic pressure to shift its strategy from battling the coronavirus to pressing ahead with a message of economic revival that he hopes will help secure his reelection in November.
The administration has pivoted to a three-phase plan that leaves the decision to states, creating a patchwork strategy that some health experts warn could undermine the progress that has been made in stemming the spread of coronavirus.
The social distancing recommendations, released in mid-March and extended from two weeks to span 45 days, called on Americans to work from home and avoid nonessential travel as well as public spaces like restaurants and bars in order to "flatten the curve" of the number of people infected with COVID-19.
President Donald Trump came under fire for floating the idea of lifting social distancing restrictions as early as April 12, which was Easter Sunday. He changed his tune after he was confronted with a projected death toll of 100,000 to 240,000 if people were allowed to return to public spaces too early.
But as April came to a close this week, Trump said he has no plans to extend the federal recommendations after they expire Thursday, even as his own task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx suggested that social distancing would exist in some form through the summer.
"They'll be fading out, because now the governors are doing it," Trump said of the guidelines during a meeting with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on Wednesday.
Mapping the coronavirus outbreak: All of the COVID-19 cases in the US
Coronavirus: How R-0 can be used to fight COVID-19 R-0 may be the most important scientific term you’ve never heard of when it comes to stopping the coronavirus pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Despite the number of U.S. coronavirus cases surpassing 1 million, with a grim death toll of more than 60,000, the White House has been eager to paint an optimistic outlook of Americans returning to work by this summer. Vice President Mike Pence told reporters Thursday that most governors have embraced the federal guidelines and have incorporated them into their plans to reopen their states.
The president's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, told "Fox and Friends" on Wednesday that Americans will return to their normal routines as early as June.
"I think what you'll see in May, as the states are reopening now, is May will be a transition month." he said. "And I think you'll see by June, a lot of the country should be back to normal and the hope is that ... by July the country is really rocking again."
Reopening the economy: Trump to travel to Arizona Honeywell facility next week amid push to lift coronavirus restrictions
While the president and his aides have suggested that some governors are ready to allow people to go back to work and reopen schools, his health experts have stressed that states need to meet the requirements of the new "Opening Up America Again" guidance.
The new federal plan to restart the economy, launched earlier this month, outlines three stages that stagger the end of social distancing based on a two-week period of "downward trajectory" of coronavirus cases. But the plan is largely predicated on benchmarks including the availability of widespread testing, which governors say is not yet available.
Health experts and state and local officials have expressed concern that opening too soon poses the threat of a deadly second wave of virus spread that would shut down much of the country and choke an already battered economy.
Lifting coronavirus lockdowns: More than half of states are making moves to reopen. See the list
"We have no really effective drugs or vaccines, what we have is our behavior," said Joshua Sharfstein, director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "That communication that leads people to take action to protect themselves is the best medicine right now. And when they muddle the message, we dilute the medicine."
More than half of states have announced plans to loosen coronavirus restrictions under the encouragement of the president and the new federal guidance. Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp was one of the first to enact aggressive plans to ease stay-at-home orders, despite criticism from the president that it was "too soon," allowing gyms, tattoo parlors, salons and massage therapists to reopen April 24.
The president has praised other governors such as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who unveiled his plan to reopen all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls at a 25% capacity level on Friday – a week after Kemp's plan went into effect. Other states, including Tennessee and Missouri, have also announced plans to return to business as usual on Monday even as they haven't yet met the requirements under the new reopening guidance.
Trump upbeat on economy, orders meat plants open Donald Trump paints a rosy picture of the US economy despite the coronavirus pandemic sending it into a collapse. Trump also said his executive action to order meat processing plants to stay open had been welcomed by the companies involved. (April 29) AP
Wendy Parmet, a Northeastern University law professor who specializes in health care and bioethics, said the expiration of the guidelines doesn't change much as states are already calling the shots on when to lift restrictions. But some people could read the president's decision not to renew social distancing rules as a declaration that the problem is over and public life can resume.
Safety first: Reopening small businesses after COVID-19
"More people may pressure their state and local leaders to lift their own orders, and more people may stop practicing social distancing," she said. "That's dangerous because much of the country has not met the criteria for reopening that the White House set forth in its own Guidelines for Opening Up American Again that were issued."
The federal guidelines still encourage people to limit social gatherings to fewer than 10 people through May 15 while several states are pushing a more gradual approach. Some governors have relied on coordination with neighboring states: California is moving forward in coordination with Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada; governors from Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Massachusetts have also announced plans to form a joint task force.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned states that don't have the capability to test people and conduct contact tracing to "go very slowly."
"You can’t just leap over things and get into a situation where you’re really tempting a rebound. That’s the thing I get concerned about. I hope they don't do that," he told NBC's "TODAY" show on Thursday.
Fauci cautioned that new cases are bound to occur as states begin opening up public spaces.
"There will be blips," he added. "There's no doubt. When you pull back, there will be cases, and what we need to do is make sure (states) have in place the capability of identifying, isolating and contact tracing individuals."
Even as governors weigh reopening schools and businesses against public safety, most Americans say staying at home to combat the coronavirus is more important than jump-starting the economy.
"There's good evidence that most people won't resume normal parts of their lives until they feel safe doing so," said Andy Slavitt, former director of Medicare and Medicaid in the Obama administration. "They don't want to feel like these five weeks are wasted."
Haircut? Sure. Flying? Maybe not: As states reopen, Americans more comfortable with small steps, survey shows
A CBS News poll released last week found that 70% of respondents believe the top priority should be "to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus by keeping people home and social distancing, even if the economy is hurting in the short term."
Even if states begin lifting social distancing restrictions, that doesn't mean the economy is going to improve, Slavitt adds.
"If you think about what it takes for employers to feel comfortable hiring again, small businesses to feel comfortable opening and consumers to feel comfortable spending, that's going to require a level of public health results that we haven't delivered yet."
Contributing: Joel Shannon and Lorenzo Reyes


usatoday--2020-05-03--Joe Biden has addressed Tara Reade's sexual assault allegation. Will voters care?

After weeks of silence , Joe Biden denied sexual assault accusations from a former Senate staffer publicly for the first time Friday : `` No , it is not true .
I 'm saying unequivocally it did not happen , '' he said .
But it 's unclear whether the presumptive Democratic nominee 's interview on MSNBC 's Morning Joe did enough to extinguish the controversy as allies of President Donald Trump seize on the allegation .
By opposing the release of records stored at the University of Delaware – he says the school 's collection does n't contain personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel for Republicans to keep the issue alive , experts said .
Still , even after the rise of the # MeToo movement , not all political experts are convinced the allegation will hurt Biden , despite him needing strong support among suburban women to beat Trump in November .
More : 'This never happened ' : Joe Biden denies sexual assault allegation , calls on National Archives to release records '' For many years , these sorts of allegations would kill off a candidacy , partly because people did n't know all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Larry Sabato , director of the University of Virginia 's Center for Politics .
`` That 's gone . ''
Sabato pointed to the multiple sexual assault allegations against Trump and the infamous video where Trump describes grabbing women 's genitals that came out one month before the November election .
Trump , who has denied all allegations related to sexual impropriety , won the presidency .
`` It tells you it does n't matter , '' Sabato said .
`` What makes that even more true is the pandemic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people care about .
They 're focused on what 's happening in their lives , and right now it 's a disaster . ''
Analysis : Biden 's denial was unequivocal .
That does n't mean he 's put this issue to rest .
Tara Reade , a former Biden Senate staffer , has alleged that while bringing a gym bag to Biden in a Capitol Hill office building in 1993 , Biden pushed her against a wall , groped her and digitally penetrated her without consent .
She was 29 years old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gained increasing media coverage since Reade discussed them in a March podcast , and comes at a time when Biden leads most national and swing-state polls , while Trump has had to defend his reaction to the coronavirus pandemic .
Former President Bill Clinton , like Trump , was not thwarted by sexual misconduct allegations that arose during his re-election bid .
But complicating things for Biden : He 's a Democrat running in the # MeToo era , where top Democrats and liberals have said women should be believed when they come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Before the White House , Trump faced an array of sexual misconduct accusations .
As president , he faces another Biden was among the Democrats who came to the defense of Christine Blasey Ford when in 2018 she accused Brett Kavanaugh , then a nominee for the Supreme Court , of sexually assaulting her decades ago .
Kavanaugh was eventually confirmed and now sits on the high court .
In the MSNBC interview Friday , Biden did n't directly answer a question about the difference between Ford 's allegation and Reade 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off with a presumption they 're telling the truth , '' Biden said .
`` Then you have to look at the circumstances and the facts .
And the facts in this case do not exist .
They never happened.
” Political experts said Reade 's allegation could complicate Biden 's support among two crucial voting blocs – liberals who backed U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary and are not sold yet on Biden , and independent women in suburbs who were key to Democrats regaining control of the House in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University poll last week found Biden ahead of Trump 50 % to 40 % in a head-to-head race .
But the same poll found 22 % of Democrats who supported Sanders in the Democratic primary do n't necessarily plan to support Biden in November .
`` I wonder if the sexual-allegations issue is something that is holding maybe even Sanders voters back .
I do n't know , '' said David Paleologos , director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center .
`` But certainly , you can not afford to lose independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like this . ''
Although either group might not vote for Trump as a result of Reade 's allegation , Paleologos suggested their enthusiasm for Biden could wane if the issue continues to draw attention .
More : USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll : Six months out , Biden jumps to lead over Trump amid coronavirus concerns Grant Reeher , a political science professor at Syracuse University , said Biden and Trump are both ensured a similar percentage of voters regardless of any allegations or missteps on the campaign trail .
The race is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both of these candidates , no matter what allegations come forward , or no matter what , strange and bizarre thing they do in a press conference , they 're both going to get 43 % of the vote because the country is so polarized , '' Reeher said .
However , he warned of a possible `` dampening effect '' for Biden if more comes out about Reade 's allegation .
Reeher also suggested the controversy could complicate Biden 's ' ability to win over Sanders ' supporters – many who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic nominee because he does n't have these `` kind of skeletons in the closet that we worried about with Biden . ''
'He has more to do' Democrats , for the most part , have remained united behind Biden amid Reade 's allegation .
That includes two women considered contenders as Biden 's vice presidential pick : Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minnesota , and former George state Rep. Stacey Abrams , who narrowly lost a bid for Georgia governor in 2018 .
`` I believe women , and I believe survivors of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have their voices heard , '' Abrams told CNN 's Don Lemon this week .
But she pointed to a New York Times report on Reade 's allegation that Abrams said she believes exonerates him .
`` I believe Joe Biden . ''
Other potential running mates , Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Massachusetts , and Sen. Kamala Harris , D-California , have not commented on the accusations .
On Thursday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was `` satisfied '' with how Biden has responded .
`` The happiest day for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden for president of the United States , '' Pelosi said .
`` He 's a person of great integrity . ''
Biden 's interview came after liberal activists – including Alexis McGill Johnson , acting president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund , and Shaunna Thomas , co-founder and executive director of the women 's advocacy group UltraViolet – called on Biden to address Reade 's allegation .
Advocates from the left face a dilemma : Wanting to support Biden against Trump while not ignoring an issue important to their supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden to directly address this issue and he has more to do , '' Thomas said later Friday , adding that those seeking power have an `` obligation to support policies and practices '' that put the needs of survivors first .
`` We need a leader who can show humility , own the harm that people have experienced as a result of their behavior , and take meaningful steps to facilitate healing , '' she said .
`` We know that leader can not be and will not be Donald Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ – seize on allegation Despite the multiple sexual misconduct allegations against Trump , the Trump campaign and other Republicans have worked to draw attention to Reade 's allegation .
They 've argued the situation underscores a “ double standard ” when compared with how Democrats and members of the media handled the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh .
Following Biden ’ s MSNBC interview , the Trump campaign released an ad attacking Harris , Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , D-N.Y. , and Sen. Cory Booker , D-N.J. “ The double standard exhibited by Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Democrat elected officials – some of whom want to be Biden ’ s running mate – is glaring and can not be allowed to stand , ” Trump Campaign Deputy Communications Director Erin Perrine said in a statement .
The president , usually quick to attack his adversaries , has largely refrained from going on the attack himself , telling reporters Thursday Reade 's accusation could be false .
`` I know about false accusations , ” Trump said .
“ I ’ ve been falsely charged numerous times – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then pointed to the accusations against Kavanaugh , whom he said was “ falsely charged.
” But Trump 's top campaign surrogates , including his son Donald Trump Jr. , have not avoided the issue .
`` What ’ s # BidenHiding ? ''
Trump Jr. said Friday in a long series of tweets on Reade 's allegation .
The strategy could be aimed at eroding one of Biden 's strengths : trust .
Only 31 percent of Americans in the USA TODAY/Suffolk poll said Trump is trustworthy and honest , compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tactic could also renew scrutiny of the numerous allegations leveled against the president , as well as the “ Access Hollywood ” tape that emerged in 2016 in which Trump can be heard bragging about groping women .
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany bristled at the suggestion , telling reporters Friday that the president had denied the allegations against him and the matter had been put to rest after his election .
“ Leave it to the media to really take an issue about the former vice president and turn it on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years ago that were asked and answered in the form of the vote of the American people , ” McEnany said .
Alex Conant , a GOP strategist and former spokesman for Sen. Marco Rubio ’ s 2016 presidential bid , said it ’ s too early to tell how the allegation against Biden will affect the election in November .
Conant said while it ’ s possible the president doesn ’ t want to get into a back-and-forth with Biden over # MeToo issues , Trump is not afraid to invoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's contentious Senate confirmation hearing had a rallying effect that united Republicans before the 2018 election .
“ I think these sort of scandals will occupy media attention and fire up the base in both parties .
But given how many people are worried about their job , it ’ s hard to imagine anything other than the economy dominates not just the presidential race , but down ballot races as well , ” Conant said .
“ If we ’ re still talking about these allegations in six months , things have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden campaign .
”

Joey Garrison and Courtney Subramanian, USA TODAY

Joe Biden has addressed Tara Reade's sexual assault allegation. Will voters care?
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden denies Tara Reade sexual assault allegation Former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden addressed the sexual assault allegation made against him for the first time on MSNBC. USA TODAY
Chairman Tom Perez on Sunday dismissed calls for the Democratic National Committee to launch an investigation into a former Senate staffer's allegation that Joe Biden assaulted her 27 years ago, saying the former vice president was already an "open book."
Biden had already undergone a "comprehensive investigation" when he was selected as Barack Obama's running mate in 2008, Perez told ABC News "This Week" host Martha Raddatz.
"They looked at the entire history of Joe Biden, his entire career," Perez said. "And I’ll tell you, if Barack Obama had any indication that there was an issue, Barack Obama would not have had him as his vice president. Barack Obama trusted Joe Biden. I trust Joe Biden. And those investigations have been done."
After weeks of silence, Biden denied the accusations publicly for the first time Friday: "No, it is not true. I'm saying unequivocally it did not happen," he said.
But it's unclear whether the presumptive Democratic nominee's interview on MSNBC's Morning Joe did enough to extinguish the controversy as allies of President Donald Trump seized on the allegation.
By opposing the release of records stored at the University of Delaware – Biden says the school's collection doesn't contain personnel records – he might have provided more fuel for Republicans to keep the issue alive, experts said.
"We’ve seen him really be challenged for the first time in five weeks on allegations that many in the media have ignored, and finally, those are coming to light," Ronna McDaniel, the Republican National Committee chair, told Raddatz.
McDaniel argued that the assault allegation – combined with what she called a "far-left" policy shift – revealed the veteran politician, first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972, was actually an unknown commodity.
"He hasn’t been vetted. People haven’t seen the 2020 version of Joe Biden," McDaniel said.
Still, even after the rise of the #MeToo movement, not all political experts are convinced the allegation will hurt Biden, despite him needing strong support among suburban women to beat Trump in November.
More: 'This never happened': Joe Biden denies sexual assault allegation, calls on National Archives to release records
"For many years, these sorts of allegations would kill off a candidacy, partly because people didn't know all the gory details about everybody else," said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. "That's gone."
Sabato pointed to the multiple sexual assault allegations against Trump and the infamous video where Trump describes grabbing women's genitals that came out one month before the November election. Trump, who has denied all allegations related to sexual impropriety, won the presidency.
"It tells you it doesn't matter," Sabato said. "What makes that even more true is the pandemic and the economic collapse. That's all people care about. They're focused on what's happening in their lives, and right now it's a disaster."
Analysis: Biden's denial was unequivocal. That doesn't mean he's put this issue to rest.
WH: 'Glad' Biden went on record about allegations President Donald Trump's new press secretary says she is "pleased" that Trump's rival Joe Biden "went on the record" about the sexual assault allegations against him. Kayleigh McEnany made the comments hours after Biden flatly denied the charges. (May 1) AP
The #MeToo factor
Tara Reade, a former Biden Senate staffer, has alleged that while bringing a gym bag to Biden in a Capitol Hill office building in 1993, Biden pushed her against a wall, groped her and digitally penetrated her without consent. She was 29 years old at the time.
The allegation has gained increasing media coverage since Reade discussed them in a March podcast. It comes at a time when Biden leads most national and swing-state polls, while Trump has had to defend his response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Former President Bill Clinton, like Trump, was not thwarted by sexual misconduct allegations during his reelection bid. But complicating things for Biden: He's a Democrat running in the #MeToo era, where top Democrats and liberals have said women should be believed when they come forward with sexual assault claims.
More: Before the White House, Trump faced an array of sexual misconduct accusations. As president, he faces another
Biden was among the Democrats who came to the defense of Christine Blasey Ford when in 2018 she accused Brett Kavanaugh, then a nominee for the Supreme Court, of sexually assaulting her decades ago. Kavanaugh was eventually confirmed and now sits on the high court. In the MSNBC interview Friday, Biden didn't directly answer a question about the difference between Ford's allegation and Reade's.
"(Women) should start off with a presumption they're telling the truth," Biden said. "Then you have to look at the circumstances and the facts. And the facts in this case do not exist. They never happened.”
A dampening effect?
Political experts said Reade's allegation could complicate Biden's support among two crucial voting blocs – liberals who backed U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary and are not sold yet on Biden, and independent women in suburbs who were key to Democrats regaining control of the House in the 2018 midterms.
A USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll last week found Biden ahead of Trump 50% to 40% in a head-to-head race. But the same poll found 22% of Democrats who supported Sanders in the Democratic primary don't necessarily plan to support Biden in November.
"I wonder if the sexual-allegations issue is something that is holding maybe even Sanders voters back. I don't know," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center. "But certainly, you cannot afford to lose independent women or Democratic women on an issue like this."
Although either group might not vote for Trump as a result of Reade's allegation, Paleologos suggested their enthusiasm for Biden could wane if the issue continues to draw attention.
More: USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll: Six months out, Biden jumps to lead over Trump amid coronavirus concerns
Grant Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University, said Biden and Trump are both ensured a similar percentage of voters regardless of any allegations or missteps on the campaign trail. The race is about the fight for the middle.
"Both of these candidates, no matter what allegations come forward, or no matter what strange and bizarre thing they do in a press conference, they're both going to get 43% of the vote because the country is so polarized," Reeher said.
However, he warned of a possible "dampening effect" for Biden if more comes out about Reade's allegation.
Reeher also suggested the controversy could complicate Biden's ability to win over Sanders' supporters – many who have argued the Vermont senator should be the Democratic nominee because he doesn't have these "kind of skeletons in the closet that we worried about with Biden."
More: Nearly 1 in 4 Bernie Sanders backers not supporting Biden
'He has more to do'
Democrats, for the most part, have remained united behind Biden amid Reade's allegation. That includes two women considered contenders to be Biden's vice presidential pick: Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and former George state Rep. Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost a bid for Georgia governor in 2018.
"I believe women, and I believe survivors of violence always deserve to be supported and to have their voices heard," Abrams told CNN's Don Lemon this week. But she pointed to a New York Times report on Reade's allegation that Abrams said she believes exonerates him. "I believe Joe Biden."
Other potential running mates, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., have not commented on the accusations. On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was "satisfied" with how Biden has responded.
"The happiest day for me this week was to support Joe Biden for president of the United States," Pelosi said. "He's a person of great integrity."
More: 'A person of great integrity': Nancy Pelosi defends Joe Biden over Tara Reade allegation
Pelosi praises Biden amidst assault allegations House Speaker Nancy Pelosi offered strong support for former Vice President Joe Biden as he has addressed an allegation of sexual assault from the 1990s. Democrats have defended their support for Biden as they also embrace the #MeToo era. (April 30) AP
Biden's interview came after liberal activists – including Alexis McGill Johnson, acting president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and Shaunna Thomas, co-founder and executive director of the women's advocacy group UltraViolet – called on Biden to address Reade's allegation.
Advocates from the left face a dilemma: Wanting to support Biden against Trump while not ignoring an issue important to their supporters.
“It was right for Joe Biden to directly address this issue, and he has more to do," Thomas said later Friday, adding that those seeking power have an "obligation to support policies and practices" that put the needs of survivors first.
"We need a leader who can show humility, own the harm that people have experienced as a result of their behavior, and take meaningful steps to facilitate healing," she said. "We know that leader cannot be and will not be Donald Trump."
Republicans – but not Trump himself – seize on allegation
Despite the multiple sexual misconduct allegations against Trump, the Trump campaign and other Republicans have worked to draw attention to Reade's allegation. They've argued the situation underscores a “double standard” when compared with how Democrats and members of the media handled the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh.
Following Biden’s MSNBC interview, the Trump campaign released an ad attacking Harris, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.
“The double standard exhibited by Biden, prominent liberal women’s groups, and Democrat elected officials – some of whom want to be Biden’s running mate – is glaring and cannot be allowed to stand,” Trump ampaign Deputy Communications Director Erin Perrine said in a statement.
The president, usually quick to attack his adversaries, has largely refrained from going on the attack himself, telling reporters Thursday Reade's accusation could be false.
"I know about false accusations,” Trump said. “I’ve been falsely charged numerous times – and there is such a thing.” He then pointed to the accusations against Kavanaugh, whom he said was “falsely charged.”
But Trump's top campaign surrogates, including his son Donald Trump Jr., have not avoided the issue.
"What’s #BidenHiding?" Trump Jr. said Friday in a long series of tweets on Reade's allegation.
The strategy could be aimed at eroding one of Biden's strengths: trust. Only 31% of Americans in the USA TODAY/Suffolk poll said Trump is trustworthy and honest, compared to 47% for Biden.
But the tactic could also renew scrutiny of the numerous allegations leveled against the president, as well as the “Access Hollywood” tape that emerged in 2016 in which Trump can be heard bragging about groping women. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany bristled at the suggestion, telling reporters Friday that the president had denied the allegations against him and the matter had been put to rest after his election.
“Leave it to the media to really take an issue about the former vice president and turn it on the president and bring up accusations from four years ago that were asked and answered in the form of the vote of the American people,” McEnany said.
Alex Conant, a GOP strategist and former spokesman for Sen. Marco Rubio’s 2016 presidential bid, said it’s too early to tell how the allegation against Biden will affect the election in November.
Conant said while it’s possible the president doesn’t want to get into a back-and-forth with Biden over #MeToo issues, Trump is not afraid to invoke Kavanaugh as a campaign issue. Kavanaugh's contentious Senate confirmation hearing had a rallying effect that united Republicans before the 2018 election.
“I think these sort of scandals will occupy media attention and fire up the base in both parties. But given how many people are worried about their job, it’s hard to imagine anything other than the economy dominates not just the presidential race, but down ballot races as well,” Conant said.
“If we’re still talking about these allegations in six months, things have gone very off the rails for the Biden campaign.”
Contributing: Rebecca Morin
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.


usatoday--2020-05-03--'Devastatingly worrisome': Dr. Deborah Birx decries scenes of protesters not practicing social dista

Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House coronavirus task force coordinator , expressed concern Sunday about the lack of social distancing at protests and rallies against stay-at-home orders .
`` It 's devastatingly worrisome to me , personally , because if they go home and infect their grandmother or their grandfather who has a comorbid condition , and they have a serious or a very unfortunate outcome , they will feel guilty for the rest of our lives .
So , we need to protect each other at the same time we ’ re voicing our discontent , '' Birx @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrators crowding into the state capitol in Michigan last week .
Similar protests have taken place across the country against restrictive measures aimed at containing the spread of the virus , and many states have begun to reopen amid political and economic pressure .
`` Every single metro area and every single outbreak across the country is different , '' Birx said .
But she stressed that `` as states reopen , we really want them to follow the gating criteria '' outlined last month by the administration .
Under those guidelines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decline in cases before beginning to reopen .
What states are opening up , and when ?
: States are constantly changing their restrictions — here 's a list '' Fox News Sunday '' host Chris Wallace said that while more than half the states have started to reopen `` in some way , shape or form , '' none of them have met the administration 's benchmark of two-week declines .
`` Why not set a firm – if not binding – a firm national policy on when states can reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think federal guidelines are a pretty firm policy of what we think is important from a public health standpoint , '' Birx replied .
`` We made it very clear that the guidelines are based on very strong evidence and data , '' she said .
`` We 've made it clear what the gating criteria is . ''
She added that the White House task force has asked every governor to post exactly where his or her state stood in terms of meeting of the criteria and where the virus was appearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really take action to understand how to protect themselves . ''
Mississippi is one state that has started to reopen , even though it hit a record number of new cases two days ago with 397 .
Republican Gov .
Tate Reeves delayed a further easing of the restrictions because of that spike in cases .
But , on Sunday , Reeves said that it was a `` one-day blip '' due to a large number of test results coming in a batch from private labs .
`` I spoke personally with Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the models are just different for different states , just like they 're different for various counties .
And we believe that that particular gating criteria just does n't work in states like ours , who have never had more than 300 cases in any one day with the exception of Friday and that data dump , '' Reeves told Wallace .
Gov .
Phil Murphy , D-New Jersey , declined to comment on governors such as Reeves who were opening up ahead of the timeline recommended by the White House .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the New Jersey glass '' and he was not familiar with the data from other states .
`` I do know , in our state , and as we coordinate with our regional partners , most notably our neighbors , New York , Pennsylvania , Delaware , we have to make the call based on data and science , '' said Murphy , whose state has suffered the second-highest number of deaths from the coronavirus after New York .
Murphy did begrudge the right of people opposing his stay-at-home order to protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wished they would do it safely .
`` My biggest issue is they were congregating without face masks , '' Murphy said .
Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer said the protests last week in Lansing , which included demonstrators armed with semi-automatic rifles and body armor , reflected `` some of the worst racism and awful parts of our history in this country . ''
`` The Confederate flags , and nooses , the swastikas , the behavior that you have seen in all of the clips is not representative of who we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We have to keep listening to the epidemiologists and experts , and not listen to the partisan rhetoric or these political rallies , or tweets , for that matter , '' Whitmer said .
`` We had far more people die yesterday in Maryland than we had protesters , '' Republican Gov .
Larry Hogan told CNN on Sunday .
Hogan said he was concerned by the images of protesters gathering without social distancing , as well as the large gathering on the National Mall in Washington on Saturday to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angels and the Air Force 's Thunderbirds .
`` You see this happening around the country , as states try to open in a safe way .
Unfortunately , the pressure is to do it in a not safe way , '' Hogan said .
`` And that 's something we 're very concerned about , and one of the reasons why we 're being cautious and trying to do things in a slow , safe and effective manner . ''
Regardless of their state 's policy , Birx said it was critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect themselves from infection .
`` You need to continue to social distance .
You need to continue to practice scrupulous hand-washing , '' she said .
`` And I think most importantly , if you have any preexisting conditions , through phase one and phase two of any reopening , we have asked you to continue to shelter in place . ''
Birx 's concern about the protests contrasts statements from President Donald Trump , who has expressed support for them and tweeted to `` liberate '' states following his own administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get back to work , '' Trump told reporters when asked about the protests at an April 21 briefing .
He maintained that demonstrators were keeping they 're `` a lot of space in between '' and `` doing social distancing , '' though images from many of the protests showed that participants were not adhering to the government 's recommendations .
Birx also diverged from Trump , who previously pointed to revised models projecting 50,000-60,000 deaths from COVID-19 through August .
But the country has already seen more than 67,000 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 and 240,000 American lives lost , '' Birx said .
`` And that 's with full mitigation and us learning from each other of how to social distance . ''

'Devastatingly worrisome': Dr. Deborah Birx decries scenes of protesters not practicing social distancing amid coronavirus
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: How R-0 can be used to fight COVID-19 R-0 may be the most important scientific term you’ve never heard of when it comes to stopping the coronavirus pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, expressed concern Sunday about the lack of social distancing at protests and rallies against stay-at-home orders.
"It's devastatingly worrisome to me, personally, because if they go home and infect their grandmother or their grandfather who has a comorbid condition, and they have a serious or a very unfortunate outcome, they will feel guilty for the rest of our lives. So, we need to protect each other at the same time we’re voicing our discontent," Birx said when asked on Fox News about demonstrators crowding into the state capitol in Michigan last week.
Similar protests have taken place across the country against restrictive measures aimed at containing the spread of the virus, and many states have begun to reopen amid political and economic pressure.
"Every single metro area and every single outbreak across the country is different," Birx said. But she stressed that "as states reopen, we really want them to follow the gating criteria" outlined last month by the administration. Under those guidelines, states should see two consecutive weeks of a decline in cases before beginning to reopen.
What states are opening up, and when?: States are constantly changing their restrictions — here's a list
Coronavirus: USA TODAY Suffolk University poll favors Big Government. With the coronavirus pandemic striking fear, Americans are in favor of the federal government doing more to combat the health and economic effects. USA TODAY
"Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace said that while more than half the states have started to reopen "in some way, shape or form," none of them has met the administration's benchmark of two-week declines.
"Why not set a firm – if not binding – a firm national policy on when states can reopen?" Wallace asked.
"I think federal guidelines are a pretty firm policy of what we think is important from a public health standpoint," Birx replied.
"We made it very clear that the guidelines are based on very strong evidence and data. We've made it clear what the gating criteria is."
She added that the White House task force has asked every governor to post exactly where his or her state stood in terms of meeting of the criteria and where the virus was appearing, "because an educated community can really take action to understand how to protect themselves."
Mississippi is one state that has started to reopen, even though it hit a record number of new cases two days ago with 397. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves delayed a further easing of the restrictions because of that spike in cases. But, on Sunday, Reeves said that it was a "one-day blip" due to a large number of test results coming in a batch from private labs.
"I spoke personally with Dr. Birx, and we agree that sometimes the models are just different for different states, just like they're different for various counties. And we believe that that particular gating criteria just doesn't work in states like ours, who have never had more than 300 cases in any one day with the exception of Friday and that data dump," Reeves told Wallace.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, declined to comment on governors such as Reeves who were opening up ahead of the timeline recommended by the White House. He explained his "nose was pressed up against the New Jersey glass" and he was not familiar with the data from other states.
"I do know, in our state, and as we coordinate with our regional partners, most notably our neighbors, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, we have to make the call based on data and science," said Murphy, whose state has suffered the second-highest number of deaths from the coronavirus. New York has seen the most deaths.
Murphy did begrudge the right of people opposing his stay-at-home order to protest but, echoing Birx, said he wished they would do it safely.
"My biggest issue is they were congregating without face masks," Murphy said.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the protests last week in Lansing, which included demonstrators armed with semi-automatic rifles and body armor, reflected "some of the worst racism and awful parts of our history in this country."
"The Confederate flags, and nooses, the swastikas, the behavior that you have seen in all of the clips is not representative of who we are in Michigan," she told CNN.
"We have to keep listening to the epidemiologists and experts, and not listen to the partisan rhetoric or these political rallies, or tweets, for that matter."
Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan told CNN on Sunday: "We had far more people die yesterday in Maryland than we had protesters."
Hogan said he was concerned by the images of protesters gathering without social distancing, as well as the large gathering on the National Mall in Washington on Saturday to see a flyover by the Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds.
Fact check: Are governors' stay-at-home orders bad for your health?
"You see this happening around the country, as states try to open in a safe way. Unfortunately, the pressure is to do it in a not safe way," Hogan said. "And that's something we're very concerned about, and one of the reasons why we're being cautious and trying to do things in a slow, safe and effective manner."
Regardless of their state's policy, Birx said it was critical that people do what they can to protect themselves from infection.
"You need to continue to social distance. You need to continue to practice scrupulous hand-washing," she said. "And I think most importantly, if you have any preexisting conditions, through phase one and phase two of any reopening, we have asked you to continue to shelter in place."
Birx's concern about the protests contrasts statements from President Donald Trump, who has expressed support for them and tweeted to "liberate" states following his own administration's guidelines.
"People want to get back to work," Trump told reporters when asked about the protests at an April 21 briefing. He maintained that demonstrators were keeping they're "a lot of space in between" and "doing social distancing," though images from many of the protests showed that participants were not adhering to the government's recommendations.
Birx also diverged from Trump, who previously pointed to revised models projecting 50,000-60,000 deaths from COVID-19 through August. But the country has already seen more than 67,000 deaths.
"Our projections have always been between 100,000 and 240,000 American lives lost," Birx said. "And that's with full mitigation and us learning from each other of how to social distance."


usatoday--2020-05-03--Trump says new FBI notes exonerate Michael Flynn, analysts say that's not the case

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump claimed Thursday that newly released FBI notes exonerate former national security adviser Michael Flynn , even though he pleaded guilty to charges of lying about contacts with a Russian ambassador .
The notes have given Trump and his allies new ammunition to argue that the FBI unfairly targeted him and his aides during the Russia investigation .
Legal analysts said the president and his people are distorting the contents of the notes , which focus on a 2017 interview in which Flynn apparently lied to agents about his contacts with Sergey Kislyak , the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They tormented him – dirty cops tormented Gen. Flynn , '' Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday while suggesting he would pardon his ex-aide if he is unable to withdraw his guilty plea .
`` If you look at those notes from yesterday , that was total exoneration , '' Trump said .
Less than a month after taking office in 2017 , Trump fired Flynn as national security adviser .
Trump and his aides said the former military officer lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his talks with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked a federal judge to allow him to withdraw his 2017 guilty plea for lying to the FBI .
Flynn claims that he was coerced into making that plea and that the FBI framed him as part of an effort to embarrass Trump .
While seeking to withdraw his guilty plea , Flynn ’ s case has been stalled in federal court for more than two years as his defense team alleges a government conspiracy to frame him .
Four pages of emails and documents , unsealed Wednesday , show FBI officials preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
The documents show investigators mulling over what to tell Flynn and how to handle the investigation into Flynn ’ s communications with the Russian ambassador weeks before Trump took office .
“ What is our goal ?
Truth/Admission or to get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired ?
” according to a page of handwritten notes .
“ We regularly show evidence , with the goal of getting them to admit their wrongdoing.
” The notes also show that investigators predicted Flynn would lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond if he did .
“ If we get him to admit to breaking the Logan Act , give facts to DOJ & let them decide , ” according to the notes , which referred to the law forbidding private citizens from corresponding with foreign governments .
“ Or , if he initially lies , then we present him ( redacted ) & he admits it , document for DOJ & let them decide how to address it.
” “ If we ’ re seen as playing games , WH will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , referring to the White House .
In another email , former FBI lawyer Lisa Page asked if officials should advise Flynn at the beginning of the interview that lying to the FBI is a crime – or if that warning should come after Flynn gave a false statement .
“ Does the policy speak to that ?
” Page asked in an email sent to former FBI agent Peter Strzok and other officials whose names were redacted .
A second batch of documents unsealed Thursday shows that investigators were prepared to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crossfire Razor – but decided to keep the probe open .
Documents dated Jan. 4 , 2017 , show that investigators did not find `` derogatory '' information on Flynn and the probe `` did not yield any information on which to predicate further investigative efforts . ''
Communications among investigators show that Strzok told other FBI officials that same day not to close Crossfire Razor .
Strzok told officials , whose names were redacted , that the `` 7th floor '' – referring to the FBI leadership – is involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawyers for former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe , Strzok and Page did not comment .
James Baker , former FBI general counsel , also declined to comment .
Flynn 's defense team , led by conservative lawyer and Fox News commentator Sidney Powell , has declared his innocence , accusing investigators of forcing him to admit to crimes he didn ’ t commit and hiding evidence that would ’ ve exonerated him .
A federal judge has rejected those claims .
More : Feds recommend prison sentence of up to six months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More : Barr appoints outside prosecutor to review criminal case against Michael Flynn The documents were released as a result of a Justice Department review of the criminal case against Flynn .
Attorney General William Barr tapped Jeffrey Jensen , the chief federal prosecutor in St. Louis nominated by Trump in 2017 , to look into concerns raised by Flynn 's attorneys about the FBI 's investigation of the former Army general .
`` Mr. Jensen obtained and analyzed these documents during the course of his ongoing review and determined they should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's defense counsel , '' Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said .
Last week , the U.S. Attorney 's Office in Washington , D.C. , disclosed that prosecutors have turned over documents to Flynn 's attorneys as part of Jensen 's review .
In court records filed shortly after , Flynn 's attorneys said prosecutors had just given the defense team “ stunning ” evidence that proves he was “ deliberately set up and framed ” by FBI agents .
Legal analysts called the FBI notes run-of-the-mill , and said FBI agents had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly about his conversations with Kislyak .
`` They were debating how to approach him about the lie , '' said Bradley Moss , a national security lawyer .
`` Law enforcement does this kind of thing on a routine basis .
The only difference is it ’ s usually not with a powerful White House staffer . ''
Renato Mariotti , a former federal prosecutor , said the notes reflected preparation for an interview , and are not unusual at all .
`` Michael Flynn was treated like thousands of other subjects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` If you don ’ t like how Flynn was treated , change the rules for everyone .
Because this is how it works . ''
A foreign policy adviser to Trump 's presidential 's campaign , Flynn contacted Kislyak shortly after Trump won the 2016 election Flynn initially denied that he spoke about the prospect that the Barack Obama administration would sanction Russia over its interference in the 2016 elections .
Later , he acknowledged that the topic of sanctions did come up , and pleaded guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired Flynn , Trump has frequently expressed sympathy for his former aide 's legal plight .
Trump has described Flynn as a pawn in what he has called a `` hoax '' FBI effort to tie him to Russians who hacked Democratic emails and pushed fake news during the 2016 election .
The office of special counsel Robert Mueller , who prosecuted the Flynn case , found that the Russian government undertook a “ sweeping and systematic ” campaign to help Trump win the White House in 2016 , believing it would benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report released in 2019 , Mueller ’ s team said it did not find evidence that Trump or his associates conspired with Russians to sway the election , though investigators found that the then-candidate and his campaign aides were eager beneficiaries of Russia ’ s help .
Flynn is one of half a dozen former Trump aides and associates who either pleaded guilty or were convicted of crimes such as lying to Congress and fraud as a result of the Mueller investigation .
Roger Stone , a longtime Trump confidant , was sentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who lost a bid for a new trial , is appealing his conviction .
Paul Manafort , Trump ’ s former campaign chairman , is serving more than seven years in prison .
Michael Cohen , Trump ’ s former personal attorney , is serving three years and was granted an early release as the coronavirus pandemic spreads in the federal prison system .

David Jackson and Kristine Phillips, USA TODAY

Trump says new FBI notes exonerate Michael Flynn, analysts say that's not the case
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump claims Michael Flynn exonerated by FBI notes President Trump says newly released FBI notes show that Gen. Michael Flynn was unfairly ousted. During a White House event, Trump fielded questions. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump claimed Thursday that newly released FBI notes exonerate former national security adviser Michael Flynn, even though he pleaded guilty to charges of lying about contacts with a Russian ambassador.
The notes have given Trump and his allies new ammunition to argue that the FBI unfairly targeted him and his aides during the Russia investigation. Legal analysts said the president and his people are distorting the contents of the notes, which focus on a 2017 interview in which Flynn apparently lied to agents about his contacts with Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the United States.
"They tormented him – dirty cops tormented Gen. Flynn," Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday while suggesting he would pardon his ex-aide if he is unable to withdraw his guilty plea.
"If you look at those notes from yesterday, that was total exoneration," Trump said.
Less than a month after taking office in 2017, Trump fired Flynn as national security adviser. Trump and his aides said the former military officer lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his talks with the Russians. Now, Flynn has asked a federal judge to allow him to withdraw his 2017 guilty plea for lying to the FBI. Flynn claims that he was coerced into making that plea and that the FBI framed him as part of an effort to embarrass Trump.
More: Michael Flynn's sentencing collapses amid a judge's 'disgust' over former national security adviser's conduct
More: Michael Flynn withdraws guilty plea, accuses prosecutors of acting in 'bad faith'
While seeking to withdraw his guilty plea, Flynn’s case has been stalled in federal court for more than two years as his defense team alleges a government conspiracy to frame him.
Four pages of emails and documents, unsealed Wednesday, show FBI officials preparing for an interview with Flynn in January 2017. The documents show investigators mulling over what to tell Flynn and how to handle the investigation into Flynn’s communications with the Russian ambassador weeks before Trump took office.
“What is our goal? Truth/Admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?” according to a page of handwritten notes. “We regularly show evidence, with the goal of getting them to admit their wrongdoing.”
The notes also show that investigators predicted Flynn would lie to the FBI and mulled over how to respond if he did.
“If we get him to admit to breaking the Logan Act, give facts to DOJ & let them decide,” according to the notes, which referred to the law forbidding private citizens from corresponding with foreign governments. “Or, if he initially lies, then we present him (redacted) & he admits it, document for DOJ & let them decide how to address it.”
“If we’re seen as playing games, WH will be furious,” according to the notes, referring to the White House.
In another email, former FBI lawyer Lisa Page asked if officials should advise Flynn at the beginning of the interview that lying to the FBI is a crime – or if that warning should come after Flynn gave a false statement.
“Does the policy speak to that?” Page asked in an email sent to former FBI agent Peter Strzok and other officials whose names were redacted.
A second batch of documents unsealed Thursday shows that investigators were prepared to close the investigation on Flynn – code named Crossfire Razor – but decided to keep the probe open.
Documents dated Jan. 4, 2017, show that investigators did not find "derogatory" information on Flynn and the probe "did not yield any information on which to predicate further investigative efforts." Communications among investigators show that Strzok told other FBI officials that same day not to close Crossfire Razor. Strzok told officials, whose names were redacted, that the "7th floor" – referring to the FBI leadership – is involved in the decision to keep the investigation open.
Lawyers for former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe, Strzok and Page did not comment. James Baker, former FBI general counsel, also declined to comment.
Flynn's defense team, led by conservative lawyer and Fox News commentator Sidney Powell, has declared his innocence, accusing investigators of forcing him to admit to crimes he didn’t commit and hiding evidence that would’ve exonerated him. A federal judge has rejected those claims.
More: Feds recommend prison sentence of up to six months for ex-Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn
More: Barr appoints outside prosecutor to review criminal case against Michael Flynn
The documents were released as a result of a Justice Department review of the criminal case against Flynn. Attorney General William Barr tapped Jeffrey Jensen, the chief federal prosecutor in St. Louis nominated by Trump in 2017, to look into concerns raised by Flynn's attorneys about the FBI's investigation of the former Army general.
"Mr. Jensen obtained and analyzed these documents during the course of his ongoing review and determined they should be provided to the court and Mr. Flynn's defense counsel," Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said.
Last week, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., disclosed that prosecutors have turned over documents to Flynn's attorneys as part of Jensen's review. In court records filed shortly after, Flynn's attorneys said prosecutors had just given the defense team “stunning” evidence that proves he was “deliberately set up and framed” by FBI agents.
Legal analysts called the FBI notes run-of-the-mill, and said FBI agents had good reason to believe Flynn had lied repeatedly about his conversations with Kislyak.
"They were debating how to approach him about the lie," said Bradley Moss, a national security lawyer. "Law enforcement does this kind of thing on a routine basis. The only difference is it’s usually not with a powerful White House staffer."
Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, said the notes reflected preparation for an interview, and are not unusual at all.
"Michael Flynn was treated like thousands of other subjects who were interviewed by FBI agents," he said. "If you don’t like how Flynn was treated, change the rules for everyone. Because this is how it works."
A foreign policy adviser to Trump's presidential's campaign, Flynn contacted Kislyak shortly after Trump won the 2016 election
Flynn initially denied that he spoke about the prospect that the Barack Obama administration would sanction Russia over its interference in the 2016 elections. Later, he acknowledged that the topic of sanctions did come up, and pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
Though he fired Flynn, Trump has frequently expressed sympathy for his former aide's legal plight. Trump has described Flynn as a pawn in what he has called a "hoax" FBI effort to tie him to Russians who hacked Democratic emails and pushed fake news during the 2016 election.
The office of special counsel Robert Mueller, who prosecuted the Flynn case, found that the Russian government undertook a “sweeping and systematic” campaign to help Trump win the White House in 2016, believing it would benefit from his presidency.
In a voluminous report released in 2019, Mueller’s team said it did not find evidence that Trump or his associates conspired with Russians to sway the election, though investigators found that the then-candidate and his campaign aides were eager beneficiaries of Russia’s help.
Flynn is one of half a dozen former Trump aides and associates who either pleaded guilty or were convicted of crimes such as lying to Congress and fraud as a result of the Mueller investigation.
Roger Stone, a longtime Trump confidant, was sentenced to 40 months in prison. Stone, who lost a bid for a new trial, is appealing his conviction. Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, is serving more than seven years in prison. Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney, is serving three years and was granted an early release as the coronavirus pandemic spreads in the federal prison system.


usatoday--2020-05-04--Poll: Democrats want to see Elizabeth Warren as Joe Biden's vice president pick

WASHINGTON – Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, tops the list of potential running mates Democrats hope to see considered by former Vice President Joe Biden , according to a new poll .
The presumptive Democratic nominee has said he 'll name a woman to join him as vice president on the ticket , and 71 % of registered Democrats and Democratic leaners think he should consider Warren as his pick , according to a CBS News/YouGov poll released Sunday .
Fifty-nine percent said he should consider Sen. Kamala Harris , D-Calif. , 50 % said the same for former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % for Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn .
Asked who Biden should pick for the ticket if he had to choose today , Warren led the group with 36 % , followed by Harris at 19 % , Abrams at 14 % and Klobuchar at 13 % .
Others on the list such as Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer struggled with name recognition among about half or more voters .
Tara Reade 's assault claim : Joe Biden has denied it .
Will voters care ?
Warren , Harris and Klobuchar are all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsuccessful 2018 run for governor put her on the map and prompted national discussion over issues of voter suppression .
White Democrats and liberals favored Warren in the poll by large margins .
Black Democrats were more split between the top three running mates .
Warren also topped the list for moderate Democrats , and was followed by Klobuchar and Harris for that group .
Independents surveyed also put Warren at the top of their list , with 41 % , followed by Klobuchar at 38 % , Harris at 31 % and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden should put Klobuchar on the ticket , however .
First lady Michelle Obama was not among the list of other women named for the VP slot in the survey , but asked separately , 64 % of Democrats said Biden should pick her if she wanted to run .
Joe Biden needs his Joe Biden : Here 's a look at the women who could be on his vice presidential shortlist Democrats surveyed most valued in a running mate someone who would be prepared to take over the role of president if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a high priority .
They also prefer a vice presidential candidate who will motivate traditional Democrats to turn out to vote , with 71 % calling it a high priority , over one who will appeal to swing or Trump voters , 57 % .
And as the coronavirus pandemic continues to threaten American lives and the economy , Democrats see crisis management experience as very important in a potential vice president .
Of all registered voters , including those who lean Democratic and Republican , 27 % said the person Biden picks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election , while an equal number said his choice is very important and 29 % said it is somewhat important .
Biden was also chosen over President Donald Trump by likely voters , 49 % -43 % .
The CBS News/YouGov poll surveyed 2,200 U.S. residents and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points .

Poll: Democrats want Elizabeth Warren as Joe Biden's vice president pick
Show Caption Hide Caption Five things to know about Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth Warren is a top pick for Democratic voters as Joe Biden's VP pick. Here are five things you should know about the Massachusetts senator. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., tops the list of potential running mates Democrats hope to see considered by former Vice President Joe Biden, according to a new poll.
The presumptive Democratic nominee said he'll name a woman to join him as vice president on the ticket, and 71% of registered Democrats and Democratic leaners say he should consider Warren, according to a CBS News/YouGov poll released Sunday.
Fifty-nine percent say he should consider Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., 50% say the same for former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and 49% for Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
Asked whom Biden should pick for the ticket if he had to choose today, Warren leads the group with 36%, followed by Harris at 19%, Abrams at 14% and Klobuchar at 13%. Others on the list, such as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, struggle with name recognition among about half or voters.
Tara Reade's assault claim: Joe Biden has denied it. Will voters care?
Warren, Harris and Klobuchar are all former 2020 presidential candidates. Abrams' unsuccessful run for governor in 2018 put her on the map and prompted national discussion over issues of voter suppression.
White Democrats and liberals favor Warren in the poll by large margins. Black Democrats are more split between the top three running mates. Warren tops the list for moderate Democrats, followed by Klobuchar and Harris.
Independents surveyed put Warren at the top of their list, with 41%, followed by Klobuchar at 38%, Harris at 31% and Abrams at 23%. Republicans say Biden should put Klobuchar on the ticket.
First lady Michelle Obama was not among the list of women named for the VP slot in the survey, but asked separately, 64% of Democrats say Biden should pick her if she wants to run.
Joe Biden needs his Joe Biden: Here's a look at the women who could be on his vice presidential shortlist
Democrats surveyed most value in a running mate someone who would be prepared to take over the role of president if needed – 82% call this a high priority. They prefer a vice presidential candidate who will motivate traditional Democrats to turn out to vote – 71% call it a high priority – over one who would appeal to swing or Trump voters, 57%.
As the coronavirus pandemic threatens Americans' health and the economy, Democrats see crisis management experience as very important in a potential vice president.
Of all registered voters, including those who lean Democratic and Republican, 27% say the person Biden picks as vice president isn't important in the election; an equal number say his choice is very important, and 29% say it is somewhat important.
Biden is chosen over President Donald Trump by likely voters, 49%-43%.
The CBS News/YouGov poll surveyed 2,200 U.S. residents and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. For the 808 Democrats and Democrat leaners surveyed, the margin of error is plus or minus 4 points.
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