alternet--2020-12-11--White NYC cop ignores veteran Black officer’s attempts to deescalate, kills man in his apartment

If actions form the measuring stick , New York City 's foremost figures fall disappointingly short of proving they care at all about Black people .
They fall short repeatedly .
They fell short when the city 's police union endorsed a man for president who defended white supremacists .
They fell short when the department took five years to fire a white cop shown in viral video choking Eric Garner to death , Garner having been accused of little more than selling loose cigarettes outside a store on Staten Island .
They fell short when New York City Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be married to a Black woman , passed over a Black man three times in a row to serve as police commissioner .
But there 's something especially triggering about the department 's recent example of indifference in the shooting death of Kawaski Trawick , 32 , a Black personal trainer and aspiring professional dancer who struggled with mental illness .
Perhaps it 's because his death on April 14 , 2019 at the hands of white police officer Brendan Thompson is exactly the kind of ending the Black community has come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's because of what played out in building surveillance footage the department released Tuesday .
Despite the reason why , the incident depicted in a ProPublica video is triggering .
The encounter began , as many do , with a noise complaint from one of Trawick 's neighbors .
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said in a 42-page investigation report that the neighbor called building security .
A security worker told Trawick on an intercom `` to keep the noise down because his neighbors were complaining . ''
Trawick refused and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large stick , according to the report .
When officers arrived , he was holding a serrated kitchen knife and cooking , Trawick told them .
Police Chief Terence Monahan said at a press conference the day after the shooting that officers told Trawick repeatedly to drop the weapons and he did not .
Thompson even shocked Trawick with a Taser , and although he fell to the floor , he did n't stay down , Monahan said .
`` As the officers moved inside the apartment to disarm ( the ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suddenly jumped to his feet and charged at the officers from a short distance - still with the knife and stick in his hands , '' Monahan said in prepared remarks .
`` The officers exited the apartment , but the suspect was still advancing quickly toward them .
`` At that point , one of the officers discharged his service weapon four times at the direction of the suspect , striking him in the chest . ''
The video the New York City Police Department ( NYPD ) released nearly 20 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footage from Thompson 's body camera , building surveillance video , 911 audio , evidence photos , and a videotaped explanation of the department 's investigation process .
The footage shows Trawick pacing the halls of Hill House , a supportive housing facility for those battling addiction , mental health , and other issues .
He wore boxers , calf-high boots , and a long black vest as he roamed the building 's halls .
At times , he knocked on doors , tapping them with the stick , raising his arms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple people called 911 to report that Trawick seemed to be `` intoxicated '' and `` losing his mind . ''
A building security guard said in 911 audio : `` I have a tenant in the building who is harassing tenants and supers . ''
She described Trawick as `` short '' and `` bald '' and gave a description of what he wore .
She also said he was banging on the super 's door in the basement .
Trawick , who called 911 minutes after the guard , told authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that someone was trying to attack him , and that there was a fire that threatened his life .
`` If you do n't hurry up we 're going to burn down , '' he could be heard saying in 911 audio .
Other surveillance video that the district attorney 's office released Nov. 17 shows firefighters arriving and leaving shortly after determining there had been no fire .
By the time Thompson and police officer Herbert Davis , a Black man , arrived at about 11 PM , Trawick was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30-second buffer in Thompson 's body camera video during which no audio was obtained , police said .
Davis , a nearly 16-year veteran of the department , was n't wearing a body camera , police said .
When he knocked on Trawick 's door , Davis pushed the door open and is seen in the building surveillance video taking out his baton .
Thompson , who has been on the force about three years , began aiming his Taser at Trawick from outside Trawick 's apartment .
Video does not show that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his apartment .
Their interaction with Trawick happened at his doorway .
When the sound picks up on Thompson 's body camera video , Trawick can be heard asking , `` Why are you in my home ? ''
Officers did n't answer his question .
Trawick was wearing his boxers and boots and holding the knife as Thompson continued aiming his Taser , which shined a small red laser light at the tenant .
When Trawick turned his back to officers to turn his music down , he returned with the knife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it down , '' Davis ordered .
`` We ai n't gon na tase him , '' he told Thompson , who within seconds noticed Trawick 's knife .
`` Oh , he 's got a knife , '' Thompson said .
Hearing the observation , Trawick said : `` I have a knife because I 'm cooking . ''
He did n't follow officers ' repeated orders to `` drop the knife , '' and officers did n't answer his repeated question of why they were there since the fire department had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , Trawick began mumbling to himself and motioning to his head , and Thompson shocked Trawick with the Taser .
Video showed him falling and later jumping up , grabbing the stick , and yelling , `` I 'm gon na kill you all !
Get out ! ''
He ran away from officers , then back toward them .
And instead of again firing his Taser , Thompson fired his gun four times at Trawick , shooting him twice , police said .
Thompson requested an ambulance and Trawick was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died of his injuries , police said .
Both NYPD officers received deescalation training and are taught to `` isolate and contain '' people during mental health crises , according to department policy .
District Attorney Clark said in a press release prosecutors found `` no criminality '' in Trawick 's death , but that changes are still needed .
`` Once again , we have a death that painfully illustrates that changes are needed in the response to those in mental health crisis , and that we as a community must do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of supportive housing in the City , '' Clark said .
`` There must be treatment and services readily available to prevent persons from reaching a point where they may cause harm to themselves or others .
`` I continue to encourage a productive conversation about how to better approach calls to help people in crisis to avoid an escalation resulting in a fatality . ''

If actions form the measuring stick, New York City's foremost figures fall disappointingly short of proving they care at all about Black people. They fall short repeatedly. They fell short when the city's police union endorsed a man for president who defended white supremacists. They fell short when the department took five years to fire a white cop shown in viral video choking Eric Garner to death, Garner having been accused of little more than selling loose cigarettes outside a store on Staten Island. They fell short when New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who happens to be married to a Black woman, passed over a Black man three times in a row to serve as police commissioner.
But there's something especially triggering about the department's recent example of indifference in the shooting death of Kawaski Trawick, 32, a Black personal trainer and aspiring professional dancer who struggled with mental illness. Perhaps it's because his death on April 14, 2019 at the hands of white police officer Brendan Thompson is exactly the kind of ending the Black community has come to expect when cops are involved. Perhaps, it's because of what played out in building surveillance footage the department released Tuesday. Despite the reason why, the incident depicted in a ProPublica video is triggering.
(WARNING: This video contains violent footage of the shooting that may not be suitable for younger readers and difficult to watch for other viewers.)
NYPD said its killing of Kawaski Trawick appeared justified.
The Truth: A white cop killed Trawick after the cop's more experienced (& Black) partner repeatedly tried to stop him. pic.twitter.com/K9mz3U342r
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) December 9, 2020
The encounter began, as many do, with a noise complaint from one of Trawick's neighbors. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said in a 42-page investigation report that the neighbor called building security. A security worker told Trawick on an intercom "to keep the noise down because his neighbors were complaining." Trawick refused and left the building eight minutes later holding a large stick, according to the report. When officers arrived, he was holding a serrated kitchen knife and cooking, Trawick told them.
Police Chief Terence Monahan said at a press conference the day after the shooting that officers told Trawick repeatedly to drop the weapons and he did not. Thompson even shocked Trawick with a Taser, and although he fell to the floor, he didn't stay down, Monahan said. "As the officers moved inside the apartment to disarm (the) suspect and take him into custody he suddenly jumped to his feet and charged at the officers from a short distance - still with the knife and stick in his hands," Monahan said in prepared remarks. "The officers exited the apartment, but the suspect was still advancing quickly toward them.
"At that point, one of the officers discharged his service weapon four times at the direction of the suspect, striking him in the chest."
The video the New York City Police Department (NYPD) released nearly 20 months after the shooting was edited to include footage from Thompson's body camera, building surveillance video, 911 audio, evidence photos, and a videotaped explanation of the department's investigation process. The footage shows Trawick pacing the halls of Hill House, a supportive housing facility for those battling addiction, mental health, and other issues. He wore boxers, calf-high boots, and a long black vest as he roamed the building's halls. At times, he knocked on doors, tapping them with the stick, raising his arms, and talking.
(WARNING: This video contains violent footage of the shooting that may not be suitable for younger readers and difficult to watch for other viewers.)
NYPD said its killing of Kawaski Trawick appeared justified.
The Truth: A white cop killed Trawick after the cop's more experienced (& Black) partner repeatedly tried to stop him. pic.twitter.com/K9mz3U342r
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) December 9, 2020
According to police, multiple people called 911 to report that Trawick seemed to be "intoxicated" and "losing his mind." A building security guard said in 911 audio: "I have a tenant in the building who is harassing tenants and supers." She described Trawick as "short" and "bald" and gave a description of what he wore. She also said he was banging on the super's door in the basement. Trawick, who called 911 minutes after the guard, told authorities he was locked out of his apartment, that someone was trying to attack him, and that there was a fire that threatened his life. "If you don't hurry up we're going to burn down," he could be heard saying in 911 audio.
Other surveillance video that the district attorney's office released Nov. 17 shows firefighters arriving and leaving shortly after determining there had been no fire. By the time Thompson and police officer Herbert Davis, a Black man, arrived at about 11 PM, Trawick was in his fourth-floor apartment. There was a 30-second buffer in Thompson's body camera video during which no audio was obtained, police said. Davis, a nearly 16-year veteran of the department, wasn't wearing a body camera, police said. When he knocked on Trawick's door, Davis pushed the door open and is seen in the building surveillance video taking out his baton. Thompson, who has been on the force about three years, began aiming his Taser at Trawick from outside Trawick's apartment. Video does not show that Trawick ever consented to officers coming into his apartment. Their interaction with Trawick happened at his doorway.
When the sound picks up on Thompson's body camera video, Trawick can be heard asking, "Why are you in my home?" Officers didn't answer his question. Trawick was wearing his boxers and boots and holding the knife as Thompson continued aiming his Taser, which shined a small red laser light at the tenant. When Trawick turned his back to officers to turn his music down, he returned with the knife and stick in hand. "Put it down," Davis ordered. "We ain't gonna tase him," he told Thompson, who within seconds noticed Trawick's knife. "Oh, he's got a knife," Thompson said.
Hearing the observation, Trawick said: "I have a knife because I'm cooking." He didn't follow officers' repeated orders to "drop the knife," and officers didn't answer his repeated question of why they were there since the fire department had already come and gone. At one point, Trawick began mumbling to himself and motioning to his head, and Thompson shocked Trawick with the Taser. Video showed him falling and later jumping up, grabbing the stick, and yelling, "I'm gonna kill you all! Get out!" He ran away from officers, then back toward them. And instead of again firing his Taser, Thompson fired his gun four times at Trawick, shooting him twice, police said. Thompson requested an ambulance and Trawick was taken to Bronx Lebanon Hospital, where he died of his injuries, police said.
Both NYPD officers received deescalation training and are taught to "isolate and contain" people during mental health crises, according to department policy. District Attorney Clark said in a press release prosecutors found "no criminality" in Trawick's death, but that changes are still needed. "Once again, we have a death that painfully illustrates that changes are needed in the response to those in mental health crisis, and that we as a community must do better to provide appropriate assistance for residents of supportive housing in the City," Clark said. "There must be treatment and services readily available to prevent persons from reaching a point where they may cause harm to themselves or others.
"I continue to encourage a productive conversation about how to better approach calls to help people in crisis to avoid an escalation resulting in a fatality."


alternet--2020-12-11--'A difficult situation’: Journalist discusses her bombshell article on aging senators

One of the most talked-about articles of the week is a Jane Mayer piece in The New Yorker that tackles a delicate subject : aging members of Congress who have suffered some type of mental decline .
Mayer , in her article , discussed the 87-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein extensively , but the article was n't really about Feinstein exclusively , but rather , older members of Congress in general .
And the journalist discussed that subject some more during a Friday , December 11 appearance on MSNBC 's `` Morning Joe . ''
Mayer told `` Morning Joe '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's a sad story… .
because ( Feinstein has ) been a tremendous force in politics… .
She 's really slipping , she 's really struggling . ''
Mayer went on to say , `` It 's a difficult situation .
It 's a hard thing… .
I do n't pretend to think that this is an easy subject . ''
The journalist told Scarborough and Brzezinski that there has been a pattern of `` cover-up '' in Congress when some senators have declined mentally .
But modern technology , Mayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that `` cover-up '' to continue .
`` The secrets are coming out , '' Mayer told Scarborough and Brzezinski .
`` They 're harder to keep . ''
Some internet users have accused Mayer 's New Yorker article of being ageist and sexist , which is unfair because even though Mayer wrote about Feinstein extensively , she did n't really single her out — Mayer also wrote about conservative White male Republican senators who suffered mental decline as they aged .
Moreover , Mayer pointed out that some left-of-center progressive groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett .
Also , progressive groups that criticized Feinstein during those hearings have had high praise for Sen. Bernie Sanders , who is 79 and is still sharp as hell mentally .
And progressives , in general , think highly of Dr. Anthony Fauci , whose 80th birthday is December 24 .
So , it is n't as though progressive groups are saying that everyone over 70 has to retire .
On `` Morning Joe , '' Mayer said of her article , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something that people are grappling with in real time . ''
One of the things that makes it difficult to encourage aging senators to retire if they are slipping mentally , Mayer told Scarborough and Brzezinski , is the fact that incumbent senators have a major advantage during elections .
Scarborough , a former GOP congressman , agreed , telling Mayer , `` It is extraordinary difficult to beat an incumbent senator . ''

One of the most talked-about articles of the week is a Jane Mayer piece in The New Yorker that tackles a delicate subject: aging members of Congress who have suffered some type of mental decline. Mayer, in her article, discussed the 87-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein extensively, but the article wasn't really about Feinstein exclusively, but rather, older members of Congress in general. And the journalist discussed that subject some more during a Friday, December 11 appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
Mayer told "Morning Joe" hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, "It's a sad story…. because (Feinstein has) been a tremendous force in politics…. She's really slipping, she's really struggling."
Mayer went on to say, "It's a difficult situation. It's a hard thing…. I don't pretend to think that this is an easy subject."
The journalist told Scarborough and Brzezinski that there has been a pattern of "cover-up" in Congress when some senators have declined mentally. But modern technology, Mayer said, has been making it harder for that "cover-up" to continue.
"The secrets are coming out," Mayer told Scarborough and Brzezinski. "They're harder to keep."
Some internet users have accused Mayer's New Yorker article of being ageist and sexist, which is unfair because even though Mayer wrote about Feinstein extensively, she didn't really single her out — Mayer also wrote about conservative White male Republican senators who suffered mental decline as they aged. Moreover, Mayer pointed out that some left-of-center progressive groups were critical of Feinstein's performance during the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
Also, progressive groups that criticized Feinstein during those hearings have had high praise for Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is 79 and is still sharp as hell mentally. And progressives, in general, think highly of Dr. Anthony Fauci, whose 80th birthday is December 24. So, it isn't as though progressive groups are saying that everyone over 70 has to retire.
On "Morning Joe," Mayer said of her article, "This took real reporting….. This is something that people are grappling with in real time."
One of the things that makes it difficult to encourage aging senators to retire if they are slipping mentally, Mayer told Scarborough and Brzezinski, is the fact that incumbent senators have a major advantage during elections. Scarborough, a former GOP congressman, agreed, telling Mayer, "It is extraordinary difficult to beat an incumbent senator."


alternet--2020-12-11--'Stop the world from killing itself!' Donald Trump goes on a Friday morning angry Tweetstorm

President Donald Trump has a mere 39 days left in office , and while he refuses to acknowledge that fact , his grasp on reality appears to be just as rapidly unraveling .
Friday morning the President launched a series of angry tweets , covering everything from North Korea to Hunter Biden to his unlawful call strong-arming the President of Ukraine to `` the dam vaccines '' to demanding the Supreme Court overturn the election , to this tweet that left many people actually worried : He did manage to acknowledge there is going to be a Biden administration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plagued mess , '' which is exactly what he has inflicted on America for the past four years .
There is zero reason to think Biden will do the same , given the incredible wealth of talent and expertise he has already assembled .
But everything with Trump is projection .
Whenever Trump says `` everybody knows , '' you can bet he 's lying .
Trump tried to turn Hunter Biden 's announcement that his taxes are under investigation into vindication of his call to the president of Ukraine , a call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports , the DOJ 's investigation `` has focused on Hunter 's business dealings in China , '' not Ukraine .
`` And Joe Biden 'is not implicated , ' per CNN . ''
Trump , who has washed his hands of the coronavirus pandemic entirely , is trying to steal all the credit for the vaccines – even though he refused to buy enough and now it appears Americans will have to wait months longer than we were told to get inoculated .
Trump literally called the vaccine `` one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day history . '
'' minutes after blasting the FDA for being `` a big , old , slow turtle , '' that 's `` playing games , '' and ordering the FDA chief to `` Get the dam vaccines out NOW . ''
Trump will go down in history as the worst president ever America has ever seen .
He likely will face massive legal problems once he leaves office .
There will be no `` Trump 2024 , '' at least not for Donald Trump .
And it will take at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovering from this disaster .

President Donald Trump has a mere 39 days left in office, and while he refuses to acknowledge that fact, his grasp on reality appears to be just as rapidly unraveling.
Friday morning the President launched a series of angry tweets, covering everything from North Korea to Hunter Biden to his unlawful call strong-arming the President of Ukraine to "the dam vaccines" to demanding the Supreme Court overturn the election, to this tweet that left many people actually worried:
I just want to stop the world from killing itself!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2020
He did manage to acknowledge there is going to be a Biden administration, claiming it will be "a scandal plagued mess," which is exactly what he has inflicted on America for the past four years. There is zero reason to think Biden will do the same, given the incredible wealth of talent and expertise he has already assembled. But everything with Trump is projection.
Whenever Trump says "everybody knows," you can bet he's lying.
Now that the Biden Administration will be a scandal plagued mess for years to come, it is much easier for the Supreme Court of the United States to follow the Constitution and do what everybody knows has to be done. They must show great Courage & Wisdom. Save the USA!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2020
Trump tried to turn Hunter Biden's announcement that his taxes are under investigation into vindication of his call to the president of Ukraine, a call that was unlawful.
But as Vox reports, the DOJ's investigation "has focused on Hunter's business dealings in China," not Ukraine. "And Joe Biden 'is not implicated,' per CNN."
Trump, who has washed his hands of the coronavirus pandemic entirely, is trying to steal all the credit for the vaccines – even though he refused to buy enough and now it appears Americans will have to wait months longer than we were told to get inoculated.
Trump literally called the vaccine "one of the 'greatest and fastest medical miracles in modern day history.'" minutes after blasting the FDA for being "a big, old, slow turtle," that's "playing games," and ordering the FDA chief to "Get the dam vaccines out NOW."
The Swine Flu (H1N1), and the attempt for a vaccine by the Obama Administration, with Joe Biden in charge, was a complete and total disaster. Now they want to come in and take over one of the “greatest and fastest medical miracles in modern day history." I don't think so!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2020
While my pushing the money drenched but heavily bureaucratic @US_FDA saved five years in the approval of NUMEROUS great new vaccines, it is still a big, old, slow turtle. Get the dam vaccines out NOW, Dr. Hahn @SteveFDA. Stop playing games and start saving lives!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2020
Trump will go down in history as the worst president ever America has ever seen. He likely will face massive legal problems once he leaves office. There will be no "Trump 2024," at least not for Donald Trump. And it will take at least until then for America to start recovering from this disaster.


alternet--2020-12-11--'No comparison': CNN’s Avlon lays out reasons why Trump’s bogus election challenges and Bush v. Gore

'No comparison': CNN’s Avlon lays out reasons why Trump’s bogus election challenges and Bush v. Gore are worlds apart

A common talking point among Republicans is that if former Vice President Al Gore could question the presidential election results in Florida in 2000 , why is it wrong for President Donald Trump to make sure that he really lost to President-elect Joe Biden in key battleground states ?
But CNN 's John Avlon , during a `` Reality Check '' segment aired on December 11 , laid out some reasons why Team Trump 's election lawsuits and the Bush v. Gore battle of 2000 are in no way comparable .
On his `` Reality Check '' segment , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Day , '' Avlon explained that Gore was questioning the vote count in only one state : Florida — where , Avlon stressed , the margin was `` razor thin .
`` Avlon pointed out that on December 13 , 2000 , Gore conceded to then-Texas Gov .
George W. Bush —acknowledging him as president-elect and congratulating him on his victory .
`` That 's the way it should be done , '' Avlon said of Gore 's concession speech .
And Avlon made it clear that he does n't expect Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressed , `` There is a world of difference between Florida 2000 and Election 2020 .
That race was razor thin , with a margin of an ultimate margin of 537 votes in a single state where Bush 's brother was governor .
This time , Biden has won the Electoral College by a margin of 306 to 232 — in the popular vote , by more than 7 million .
So , there is just no comparison . ''
Avlon also compared what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lindsey Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what they were saying in 2000 during the Bush v. Gore case .
Graham has joined Trump in making baseless claims of widespread voter fraud , and McConnell is saying that Trump is entitled to all of the vote recounts that he wants .
But Avlon showed some old clips of McConnell and Graham in 2000 , when both Republican senators were accusing Gore of being a sore loser and wanted him to go ahead and concede .
McConnell compared Gore to figure skate Tonya Harding , and he did n't mean @ @ @ @ @

A common talking point among Republicans is that if former Vice President Al Gore could question the presidential election results in Florida in 2000, why is it wrong for President Donald Trump to make sure that he really lost to President-elect Joe Biden in key battleground states? But CNN's John Avlon, during a "Reality Check" segment aired on December 11, laid out some reasons why Team Trump's election lawsuits and the Bush v. Gore battle of 2000 are in no way comparable.
On his "Reality Check" segment, which aired during CNN's morning program "New Day," Avlon explained that Gore was questioning the vote count in only one state: Florida — where, Avlon stressed, the margin was "razor thin."Avlon pointed out that on December 13, 2000, Gore conceded to then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush —acknowledging him as president-elect and congratulating him on his victory. "That's the way it should be done," Avlon said of Gore's concession speech. And Avlon made it clear that he doesn't expect Trump to make such a speech.
Avlon stressed, "There is a world of difference between Florida 2000 and Election 2020. That race was razor thin, with a margin of an ultimate margin of 537 votes in a single state where Bush's brother was governor. This time, Biden has won the Electoral College by a margin of 306 to 232 — in the popular vote, by more than 7 million. So, there is just no comparison."
Avlon also compared what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina are saying now compared to what they were saying in 2000 during the Bush v. Gore case. Graham has joined Trump in making baseless claims of widespread voter fraud, and McConnell is saying that Trump is entitled to all of the vote recounts that he wants. But Avlon showed some old clips of McConnell and Graham in 2000, when both Republican senators were accusing Gore of being a sore loser and wanted him to go ahead and concede. McConnell compared Gore to figure skate Tonya Harding, and he didn't mean it as a compliment.


alternet--2020-12-11--Whitmer slams Michigan GOP over its actions toward Trump-opposing Democratic lawmaker

After a leveling blistering rebuke of President Donald Trump 's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani , Rep. Cynthia Johnson ( D-Mich. ) was faced with stark criticism -- and now Michigan House Republicans have stripped her committee assignments including her appointment to the House Oversight Committee .
There have even been threats of possible sanctions during the next House term .
However , Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ( D ) insists the Republican Party has gone too far with their retaliation against Johnson .
During an interview with MLive , Whitmer weighed in with her concerns about the attack on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appealed to House leadership to reconsider their decision , according to MLive.com .
`` I think that removing her from her committees is too far , truly , and I 've reached out and asked the incoming House leadership to reconsider that , '' Whitmer said .
Whitmer added , `` The simple requirement that she show up to do her job last week at a hearing with Rudy Giuliani , where she was exposed to COVID , frankly , and everyone who was there was , has now made her the target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threats on her life . ''
The Democratic governor also expressed the importance of showing each other `` some grace '' during this critical time .
`` None of this is acceptable .
None of it is acceptable , '' Whitmer said .
`` And I believe that it is crucial that we show one another some grace right now . ''
Whitmer 's latest remarks come just days after Johnson went viral for her stark rebuke of Giuliani .
The House Democrat posted a now-deleted video message to Facebook on Tuesday as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal battle .
At one point during the video , she also leveled a warning toward Trump supporters , specifically .
Johnson said she had a `` warning to you Trumpers .
Be careful .
Walk lightly . ''
She also says , `` And for those of you who are soldiers , you know how to do it .
Do it right .
Be in order .
Make them pay . ''
Johnson has not yet spoken out about the video message .

After a leveling blistering rebuke of President Donald Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, Rep. Cynthia Johnson (D-Mich.) was faced with stark criticism -- and now Michigan House Republicans have stripped her committee assignments including her appointment to the House Oversight Committee. There have even been threats of possible sanctions during the next House term.
However, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) insists the Republican Party has gone too far with their retaliation against Johnson. During an interview with MLive, Whitmer weighed in with her concerns about the attack on Johnson as she revealed she has already appealed to House leadership to reconsider their decision, according to MLive.com.
"I think that removing her from her committees is too far, truly, and I've reached out and asked the incoming House leadership to reconsider that," Whitmer said.
Whitmer added, "The simple requirement that she show up to do her job last week at a hearing with Rudy Giuliani, where she was exposed to COVID, frankly, and everyone who was there was, has now made her the target of a lot of racist attacks and threats on her life."
The Democratic governor also expressed the importance of showing each other "some grace" during this critical time.
"None of this is acceptable. None of it is acceptable," Whitmer said. "And I believe that it is crucial that we show one another some grace right now."
Whitmer's latest remarks come just days after Johnson went viral for her stark rebuke of Giuliani. The House Democrat posted a now-deleted video message to Facebook on Tuesday as she criticized Trump and Giuliani's post-election legal battle.
At one point during the video, she also leveled a warning toward Trump supporters, specifically. Johnson said she had a "warning to you Trumpers. Be careful. Walk lightly." She also says, "And for those of you who are soldiers, you know how to do it. Do it right. Be in order. Make them pay."
Johnson has not yet spoken out about the video message.


alternet--2020-12-11--The appalling reason why Republican lawmakers may have joined the Texas lawsuit

More than 100 Republican lawmakers and nearly half of state attorneys general have signed on to a Texas lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump 's election loss , and a top political analyst revealed an alarming reason why they 're willing to upend democracy .
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton asked the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate votes from Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , and 106 GOP House members and 17 other state attorneys general signed on to the challenge .
`` I get a question all the time from my friends , people in Washington , outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this ? ''
Washington Post reporter Robert Costa told MSNBC 's `` Morning Joe . ''
`` Why are they behaving this way ?
Is n't President Trump going out the door ? ''
`` That 's not what they think , '' Costa added .
`` He 's not going away .
There 's a growing acceptance , while he may be at Mar-A-Lago in 2021 , he will not run from the scene .
He may prepare to run in 2024 .
Even if he does n't , he 's going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2022 , so many of these Republicans are operating sometimes out of loyalty , sometimes to be sharing in the theatrics of the moment and sometimes out of fear . ''
Some of the lawmakers are making a cynical gamble , Costa said , but some of them seem to believe Trump has a path to victory .
`` Some of it 's cynical , but let 's not forget that in some channels of the conservative media , there is a belief still that President Trump has an ability to win this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Costa said .
`` President Trump is watching these media outlets , he 's reading the media outlets [ and ] it 's creating an echo chamber inside of the Republican Party .
So the motives are n't all just to stand with President Trump in solidarity , to show voters who are frustrated with President Trump 's defeat that they 're doing that .
It 's about actually believing the cause , and that 's where American politics is going .
They are not shared facts at this moment .
@

More than 100 Republican lawmakers and nearly half of state attorneys general have signed on to a Texas lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's election loss, and a top political analyst revealed an alarming reason why they're willing to upend democracy.
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton asked the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate votes from Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and 106 GOP House members and 17 other state attorneys general signed on to the challenge.
"I get a question all the time from my friends, people in Washington, outside of Washington -- why are Republicans doing this?" Washington Post reporter Robert Costa told MSNBC's "Morning Joe." "Why are they behaving this way? Isn't President Trump going out the door?"
"That's not what they think," Costa added. "He's not going away. There's a growing acceptance, while he may be at Mar-A-Lago in 2021, he will not run from the scene. He may prepare to run in 2024. Even if he doesn't, he's going to be meddling in primary races in 2022, so many of these Republicans are operating sometimes out of loyalty, sometimes to be sharing in the theatrics of the moment and sometimes out of fear."
Some of the lawmakers are making a cynical gamble, Costa said, but some of them seem to believe Trump has a path to victory.
"Some of it's cynical, but let's not forget that in some channels of the conservative media, there is a belief still that President Trump has an ability to win this election through going to the Supreme Court," Costa said. "President Trump is watching these media outlets, he's reading the media outlets [and] it's creating an echo chamber inside of the Republican Party. So the motives aren't all just to stand with President Trump in solidarity, to show voters who are frustrated with President Trump's defeat that they're doing that. It's about actually believing the cause, and that's where American politics is going. They are not shared facts at this moment."


alternet--2020-12-11--Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson explains why Steve Bannon 'must be destroyed'

Rick Wilson , one of the Never Trump Republicans behind the popular Lincoln Project political action committee ( PAC ) , weighed in with his opinion of President Donald Trump 's former advisor Steve Bannon and why he `` must be destroyed . ''
During an interview with AdAge , Wilson discussed his ad development process for the political organization , and , at one point , he also offered his take on Bannon beginning with their long history .
`` Bannon and I have a lot of history , '' Wilson admitted .
He went on to explain what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to Wilson , the rift deepened in 2015 when he publicly denounced Trump during his first presidential bid .
At the time , Bannon was serving as the chief executive officer of Trump 's 2016 presidential campaign .
Wilson received details about a Slack conversation where Bannon plotted to take him down .
Based on the context of the conversation , Bannon was out to get him over his decision to distance from Trump .
`` In 2015 , when I came out against Trump , a person inside Breitbart News sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He added , `` And Bannon said , ' I want you to go after Wilson .
I want you to go after his kids , his family , his wife , his business , everything .
I want to destroy him . '
Bannon was reportedly warned that Wilson would not go down easily and would likely retaliate but he welcomed the challenge .
Now , Wilson has made it a point to continue going after Bannon .
He added , `` So , since then , I have pursued Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will never — Steven Bannon will never be off the hook for me .
Once he goes back to prison , once he gets into prison , I 'm gon na ...
I 'm only just starting . ''
Wilson 's latest interview comes months after Bannon found himself at the center of a fraud investigation over the `` We Build the Wall '' campaign where he allegedly swindled Trump supporters into donating funds that were not used for the intended purpose .
While Bannon is behind bars , Wilson also plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gon na send him stuff like—I 'm gon na send him stuff that it 's gon na make sure that every time he gets a letter , it 's gon na cause him to have a disciplinary hearing , '' Wilson said laughing .
`` He 's a truly repugnant individual who was , you know , kidding aside . ''

Rick Wilson, one of the Never Trump Republicans behind the popular Lincoln Project political action committee (PAC), weighed in with his opinion of President Donald Trump's former advisor Steve Bannon and why he "must be destroyed."
During an interview with AdAge, Wilson discussed his ad development process for the political organization, and, at one point, he also offered his take on Bannon beginning with their long history.
"Bannon and I have a lot of history," Wilson admitted.
He went on to explain what led to his opposition with Bannon. According to Wilson, the rift deepened in 2015 when he publicly denounced Trump during his first presidential bid. At the time, Bannon was serving as the chief executive officer of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
Wilson received details about a Slack conversation where Bannon plotted to take him down. Based on the context of the conversation, Bannon was out to get him over his decision to distance from Trump.
"In 2015, when I came out against Trump, a person inside Breitbart News sent me an internal Slack from Bannon."
He added, "And Bannon said, 'I want you to go after Wilson. I want you to go after his kids, his family, his wife, his business, everything. I want to destroy him.'
Bannon was reportedly warned that Wilson would not go down easily and would likely retaliate but he welcomed the challenge. Now, Wilson has made it a point to continue going after Bannon.
He added, "So, since then, I have pursued Steve Bannon like a wild animal. And I will never — Steven Bannon will never be off the hook for me. Once he goes back to prison, once he gets into prison, I'm gonna... I'm only just starting."
Wilson's latest interview comes months after Bannon found himself at the center of a fraud investigation over the "We Build the Wall" campaign where he allegedly swindled Trump supporters into donating funds that were not used for the intended purpose. While Bannon is behind bars, Wilson also plans to troll him.
"I'm gonna send him stuff like—I'm gonna send him stuff that it's gonna make sure that every time he gets a letter, it's gonna cause him to have a disciplinary hearing," Wilson said laughing. "He's a truly repugnant individual who was, you know, kidding aside."


alternet--2020-12-12--Trump declares Supreme Court decision against his conspiracy theories 'an embarrassment to the USA!!

Trump declares Supreme Court decision against his conspiracy theories 'an embarrassment to the USA!!!'

Donald Trump continued to rage against the humiliating U.S. Supreme Court decision against his conspiracy theories about the 2020 election @ @ @ @ @ President-elect Joe Biden .
After the decision came down , Trump skipped the White House @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter about getting `` screwed . ''
He then declared the ruling `` a @ @ @ @ @ to the USA !
!
! ''

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alternet--2020-12-12--Pelosi slams GOP lawmakers for going along with Trump's post-election coup attempt in the first plac

Pelosi slams GOP lawmakers for going along with Trump's post-election coup attempt in the first place

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) scorched House Republicans who expressed support of the Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn the results of the election .
The top-ranking Democrat released a statement on Friday evening reacting to the U.S. Supreme Court 's decision to reject Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 's ( R ) lawsuit filed on behalf of President Trump in hopes of overturning election results in four battleground states .
In her statement , she also addressed the 126 House Republicans , including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-Calif. ) and Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the frivolous effort despite having no evidence of widespread voter frraud .
`` The 126 Republican Members that signed onto this lawsuit brought dishonor to the House .
Instead of upholding their oath to support and defend the Constitution , they chose to subvert the Constitution and undermine public trust in our sacred democratic institutions , '' Pelosi said in her statement .
Pelosi went on to note the immediate need for a shift in focus and change in priorities .
As the coronavirus continues to spread violently in states across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations .
Instead , they have been laser-focused on supporting a lame-duck president with dozens of post-election court losses , no substantial evidence to support voter fraud , and no chance of a consecutive , second term .
She urged her colleagues to move forward from the `` election subversion '' and put the voter fraud conspiracy theories to rest .
`` The pandemic is raging , with nearly 300,000 having died and tens of millions having lost jobs , '' the California Democrat added .
`` Strong , unified action is needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must once and for all end their election subversion – immediately . ''
Pelosi 's remarks came shortly after the Supreme Court handed down its decision .
According to the nation 's highest court , the state of Texas failed to display cognizable interest in how other states handle elections .
`` Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections , '' the ruling states .
`` All other pending motions are dismissed as moot . ''

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) scorched House Republicans who expressed support of the Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn the results of the election.
The top-ranking Democrat released a statement on Friday evening reacting to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reject Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's (R) lawsuit filed on behalf of President Trump in hopes of overturning election results in four battleground states.
In her statement, she also addressed the 126 House Republicans, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), who publicly supported the frivolous effort despite having no evidence of widespread voter frraud.
"The 126 Republican Members that signed onto this lawsuit brought dishonor to the House. Instead of upholding their oath to support and defend the Constitution, they chose to subvert the Constitution and undermine public trust in our sacred democratic institutions," Pelosi said in her statement.
Pelosi went on to note the immediate need for a shift in focus and change in priorities. As the coronavirus continues to spread violently in states across the country, Republicans still have not prioritized stimulus negotiations. Instead, they have been laser-focused on supporting a lame-duck president with dozens of post-election court losses, no substantial evidence to support voter fraud, and no chance of a consecutive, second term.
She urged her colleagues to move forward from the "election subversion" and put the voter fraud conspiracy theories to rest. "The pandemic is raging, with nearly 300,000 having died and tens of millions having lost jobs," the California Democrat added. "Strong, unified action is needed to crush the virus, and Republicans must once and for all end their election subversion – immediately."
Pelosi's remarks came shortly after the Supreme Court handed down its decision. According to the nation's highest court, the state of Texas failed to display cognizable interest in how other states handle elections.
"Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections," the ruling states. "All other pending motions are dismissed as moot."


alternet--2020-12-12--Dan Crenshaw worked with Trump's VA Secretary to smear vet who alleged sexual assault: IG

Rep. Dan Crenshaw , R-Tx.
, told Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie that a Navy veteran who reported a sexual assault at a VA hospital had filed frivolous allegations when they served in the same unit , according to multiple senior officials in an internal investigation report released yesterday .
The report outlines a number of `` troubling '' issues with the department 's handling of the assault investigation , including testimony that Wilkie had disparaged the woman after looking into her background himself .
Pressure from the top of the agency also allegedly prompted VA police to investigate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued by the office of VA Inspector General ( OIG ) Michael Missal , could not corroborate any wrongdoing because the secretary and top staff would not cooperate with investigators , and neither would Crenshaw .
Missal concluded that Wilkie and senior officials showed `` a lack of genuine commitment '' that jeopardized a `` safe and welcoming environment '' for accusers .
It would not be the first time Wilkie withheld inconvenient information : In 2019 , CNN reported that , in violation of Senate rules , Wilkie had failed to disclose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and a 1995 address in which he praised former Confederate President Jefferson Davis at the U.S. Capitol .
`` The tone set by Secretary Wilkie was at minimum unprofessional and at worst provided the basis for senior officials to put out information to national reporters to question the credibility and background of the veteran who filed the sexual assault complaint , '' Missal wrote , adding that the conduct would `` appear to undermine V.A .
's stated goals of providing a safe and welcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complainants of sexual assault with respect . ''
The woman , Andrea Goldstein , claimed in 2019 that while she waited in a VA hospital , a contractor `` bumped his entire body against mine and told me I looked like I needed a smile and a good time . ''
Following a request from House Veterans Affairs Committee chair Mike Takano , D-Calif. , for whom Goldstein had once staffed , Wilkie ordered the OIG to investigate .
After the investigation , Wilkie sent Takano a letter saying that the investigation concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' counter to the OIG 's explicit directions to VA staff not to comment on the merits of the accusation .
Wilkie also highlighted the statement in an email to press outlets .
Missal reminded Wilkie he had not reached that conclusion .
`` Neither I nor my staff told you or anyone else at the Department that the allegations were unsubstantiated , '' Missal wrote in an email , adding : `` Reaching a decision to close the investigation with no criminal charges does not mean the underlying allegation is unsubstantiated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ retracted the description , calling it `` a poor choice of words . ''
Missal cites an email Wilkie sent to two top aides after the fundraiser he attended with Crenshaw : `` Ask me in the morning what Congressman Crenshaw said about the Takano staffer whose glamor ( sic ) shot was in the New York Times , '' it said .
The secretary acknowledged to investigators that Crenshaw had initiated a conversation , but claimed the Texas Republican only said that he served with her .
When asked why such an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilkie replied , `` Well , I do n't remember .
I have no idea . ''
A Wilkie deputy also told investigators that Crenshaw `` might have said something to the fact that [ Goldstein ] made allegations in the military . ''
Another official testified that Wilkie had mentioned that Crenshaw told him about Goldstein 's alleged past complaints .
Although Crenshaw did not cooperate in the investigation , he denied any discussions about Goldstein in an interview with ProPublica .
That contradicts Wilkie 's testimony .
The secretary had also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation because the HVAC chair was `` laying the grounds for a spectacle . ''
Department staff had also expressed suspicion due to Goldstein 's specific work on sexual assault issues for Takano .
Testimony from current and former VA officials indicates that Wilkie had looked into Goldstein himself almost immediately after she filed her complaint , and that department pressure had focused the VA police investigation on the victim .
One former VA official testified that Wilkie told him he knew Goldstein had filed `` at least six EEO-type complaints '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former official believed the Secretary got from his contacts at the Pentagon .
Another witness said that only three days after the assault was reported , a senior VA official had remarked in a meeting that the secretary or others had already obtained information about Goldstein .
The report says that VA police described an `` unusual level of engagement by VA senior officials '' for a criminal investigation , such as an immediate visit to the medical center to review possible video footage .
When police met to review the video , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and later passed around the results .
Only two days later did they run a background check on the alleged assaulter .
Indeed , half a dozen senior staff told investigators that Wilkie had personally remarked multiple times about Goldstein 's alleged history of complaints .
The secretary denied all accusations against him , but despite the fact that Missal found his testimony `` incomplete or incorrect , '' the OIG could not reconcile the contradictions because Wilkie declined a second interview .
Ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Jon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement that the department 's `` deep failures '' exhibit a `` higher priority on politics and personal vendettas than on seeking justice for a veteran who was sexually assaulted at one of its facilities . ''
`` The Inspector General 's report sheds light on deep failures and unprofessional conduct by VA Secretary Wilkie and his senior political team .
Above all else , it uncovers a disturbing pattern of unethical behavior at VA that placed a higher priority on politics and personal vendettas than on seeking justice for a veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its facilities , '' Tester said .
`` The men and women at VA , particularly those at the highest levels , are entrusted with doing right by our nation 's veterans .
Secretary Wilkie and his leadership team have violated that trust , '' he continued .
`` Moving forward , it is critical that all veterans , especially the survivors of sexual violence , are heard and respected . ''
Wilkie gave Salon a lengthy statement denying the allegations and attacking his accusers as well as his own inspector general , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impossible standard '' dedicated to `` scoring political points . ''
The IG `` can not substantiate that I sought to investigate or asked others to investigate the veteran , '' Wilkie said .
`` That 's because these allegations are false . ''
`` The OIG is criticizing VA for not doing the very same thing it has spent months investigating , '' Wilkie said .
`` Such faulty rationale is not the product of a serious investigation .
In fact , it 's indicative of one that has become more dedicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department — a dynamic that has defined the OIG 's conduct throughout this investigation . ''
That language , however , reflects the OIG 's own conclusion :

Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Tx., told Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie that a Navy veteran who reported a sexual assault at a VA hospital had filed frivolous allegations when they served in the same unit, according to multiple senior officials in an internal investigation report released yesterday.
This article originally appeared at Salon.
The report outlines a number of "troubling" issues with the department's handling of the assault investigation, including testimony that Wilkie had disparaged the woman after looking into her background himself. Pressure from the top of the agency also allegedly prompted VA police to investigate the victim.
However, the report, issued by the office of VA Inspector General (OIG) Michael Missal, could not corroborate any wrongdoing because the secretary and top staff would not cooperate with investigators, and neither would Crenshaw. Missal concluded that Wilkie and senior officials showed "a lack of genuine commitment" that jeopardized a "safe and welcoming environment" for accusers.
It would not be the first time Wilkie withheld inconvenient information: In 2019, CNN reported that, in violation of Senate rules, Wilkie had failed to disclose a speech he gave in 2009 to a chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and a 1995 address in which he praised former Confederate President Jefferson Davis at the U.S. Capitol.
"The tone set by Secretary Wilkie was at minimum unprofessional and at worst provided the basis for senior officials to put out information to national reporters to question the credibility and background of the veteran who filed the sexual assault complaint," Missal wrote, adding that the conduct would "appear to undermine V.A.'s stated goals of providing a safe and welcoming environment for all veterans and to treat complainants of sexual assault with respect."
The woman, Andrea Goldstein, claimed in 2019 that while she waited in a VA hospital, a contractor "bumped his entire body against mine and told me I looked like I needed a smile and a good time." Following a request from House Veterans Affairs Committee chair Mike Takano, D-Calif., for whom Goldstein had once staffed, Wilkie ordered the OIG to investigate.
After the investigation, Wilkie sent Takano a letter saying that the investigation concluded that the claims were "unsubstantiated," counter to the OIG's explicit directions to VA staff not to comment on the merits of the accusation. Wilkie also highlighted the statement in an email to press outlets.
Missal reminded Wilkie he had not reached that conclusion.
"Neither I nor my staff told you or anyone else at the Department that the allegations were unsubstantiated," Missal wrote in an email, adding: "Reaching a decision to close the investigation with no criminal charges does not mean the underlying allegation is unsubstantiated."
Following press requests, the secretary retracted the description, calling it "a poor choice of words."
Missal cites an email Wilkie sent to two top aides after the fundraiser he attended with Crenshaw: "Ask me in the morning what Congressman Crenshaw said about the Takano staffer whose glamor (sic) shot was in the New York Times," it said.
The secretary acknowledged to investigators that Crenshaw had initiated a conversation, but claimed the Texas Republican only said that he served with her. When asked why such an innocuous remark had prompted the email, Wilkie replied, "Well, I don't remember. I have no idea."
A Wilkie deputy also told investigators that Crenshaw "might have said something to the fact that [Goldstein] made allegations in the military." Another official testified that Wilkie had mentioned that Crenshaw told him about Goldstein's alleged past complaints.
Although Crenshaw did not cooperate in the investigation, he denied any discussions about Goldstein in an interview with ProPublica. That contradicts Wilkie's testimony.
The secretary had also speculated in an email that Takano requested the investigation because the HVAC chair was "laying the grounds for a spectacle." Department staff had also expressed suspicion due to Goldstein's specific work on sexual assault issues for Takano.
Testimony from current and former VA officials indicates that Wilkie had looked into Goldstein himself almost immediately after she filed her complaint, and that department pressure had focused the VA police investigation on the victim.
One former VA official testified that Wilkie told him he knew Goldstein had filed "at least six EEO-type complaints" while on active duty, which the former official believed the Secretary got from his contacts at the Pentagon. Another witness said that only three days after the assault was reported, a senior VA official had remarked in a meeting that the secretary or others had already obtained information about Goldstein.
The report says that VA police described an "unusual level of engagement by VA senior officials" for a criminal investigation, such as an immediate visit to the medical center to review possible video footage. When police met to review the video, they ran a background check on Goldstein and later passed around the results. Only two days later did they run a background check on the alleged assaulter.
Indeed, half a dozen senior staff told investigators that Wilkie had personally remarked multiple times about Goldstein's alleged history of complaints. The secretary denied all accusations against him, but despite the fact that Missal found his testimony "incomplete or incorrect," the OIG could not reconcile the contradictions because Wilkie declined a second interview.
Ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Jon Tester, D-Montana, told Salon in a statement that the department's "deep failures" exhibit a "higher priority on politics and personal vendettas than on seeking justice for a veteran who was sexually assaulted at one of its facilities."
"The Inspector General's report sheds light on deep failures and unprofessional conduct by VA Secretary Wilkie and his senior political team. Above all else, it uncovers a disturbing pattern of unethical behavior at VA that placed a higher priority on politics and personal vendettas than on seeking justice for a veteran who was sexually assaulted at one of its facilities," Tester said.
"The men and women at VA, particularly those at the highest levels, are entrusted with doing right by our nation's veterans. Secretary Wilkie and his leadership team have violated that trust," he continued. "Moving forward, it is critical that all veterans, especially the survivors of sexual violence, are heard and respected."
Wilkie gave Salon a lengthy statement denying the allegations and attacking his accusers as well as his own inspector general, whose investigation he said set "an impossible standard" dedicated to "scoring political points."
The IG "cannot substantiate that I sought to investigate or asked others to investigate the veteran," Wilkie said. "That's because these allegations are false."
"The OIG is criticizing VA for not doing the very same thing it has spent months investigating," Wilkie said. "Such faulty rationale is not the product of a serious investigation. In fact, it's indicative of one that has become more dedicated to scoring political points than improving the department — a dynamic that has defined the OIG's conduct throughout this investigation."
That language, however, reflects the OIG's own conclusion:
The evidence is replete with examples of VA senior leaders undertaking defensive actions and engaging in confrontational messaging while failing to recognize the need to take corrective action to address known problems. The tone set by Secretary Wilkie was at minimum unprofessional and at worst provided the basis for senior officials to put out information to national reporters to question the credibility and background of the veteran who filed the sexual assault complaint.


alternet--2020-12-12--Pelosi could use the 14th Amendment to avoid seating GOP politicians who supported Trump's election

Pelosi could use the 14th Amendment to avoid seating GOP politicians who supported Trump's election steal

Progressives are pushing for Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to use Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to avoid seating any Republican House members who have publicly supported President Donald Trump 's attempt to steal the election from Democratic President-Elect Joe Biden .
That 's because Section 3 of the 14th Amendment literally says that anyone who has tried to rebel against the Constitution after having pledged to protect it ca n't hold political office .
This would include any GOP House members who signed onto an amicus brief supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of thousands of votes in four swing states , so that Trump can steal a democratically decided election .
The Section reads : `` No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress , or elector of President and Vice President , or hold any office , civil or military , under the United States , or under any State , who , having previously taken an oath , as a member of Congress , or as an officer of the United States , or as a member of any State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial officer of any State , to support the Constitution of the United States , shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same , or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.
`` Democratic New Jersey Representative Bill Pascrell wrote in a tweet , `` The text of the 14th Amendment expressly forbids Members of Congress from engaging in rebellion against the United States .
Trying to overturn a democratic election and install a dictator seems like a pretty clear example of that . ''
Twitter users seem to like @ @ @

Progressives are pushing for Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to use Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to avoid seating any Republican House members who have publicly supported President Donald Trump's attempt to steal the election from Democratic President-Elect Joe Biden.
That's because Section 3 of the 14th Amendment literally says that anyone who has tried to rebel against the Constitution after having pledged to protect it can't hold political office. This would include any GOP House members who signed onto an amicus brief supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's bogus Supreme Court case seeking to toss hundreds of thousands of votes in four swing states, so that Trump can steal a democratically decided election.
The Section reads: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. "
Democratic New Jersey Representative Bill Pascrell wrote in a tweet, "The text of the 14th Amendment expressly forbids Members of Congress from engaging in rebellion against the United States. Trying to overturn a democratic election and install a dictator seems like a pretty clear example of that."
Twitter users seem to like the idea:


alternet--2020-12-12--How Chris Krebs' firing is a prime example of how Trump's bullying is eroding the GOP

The firing of Chris Krebs , the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the United States Department of Homeland Security , is just one example of how President Donald Trump 's bullying has eroded the Republican Party and other areas of government .
Now , his lawsuit against the Trump campaign , its attorney highlights the `` coordinated campaign of intimidation , retaliation , and threats '' leveled by the president , according to an MSNBC editorial .
In the suit filed against the Trump campaign , Krebs argues that the attacks are part of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question Trump 's claims that the election was rigged or who resist his campaign to nullify the election .
Although there is a real possibility Krebs ' lawsuit may not lead to the outcome he desires , it does shed light on the type of political violence Trump has incited in an effort to bring his own political agenda to fruition .
Krebs also outlines how Trump 's threats are `` central to the campaign to deter Republicans from breaking with Trump , even as he 'stoked fear , hawked conspiracy theories , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It is no secret that very few Republicans have spoken out against Trump 's attack on America 's democracy .
In fact , an overwhelming number of them have rallied behind the president despite his lack of evidence to support his claims .
Not even 50 losses in court have stopped Trump from launching political attacks , spreading false information , and spinning conspiracy theories on social media .
In fact , the president 's attacks have escalated over the last couple of weeks .
On Wednesday , he took to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim saying : `` We will soon be learning about the word `` courage '' , and saving our Country .
I received hundreds of thousands of legal votes more , in all of the Swing States , than did my opponent .
ALL Data taken after the vote says that it was impossible for me to lose unless FIXED ! ''
While the context of Trump 's use of the word `` courage '' remains unclear , the editorial notes that the tweet could be taken as a way to incite violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Supreme Court has denied the state of Texas ' lawsuit seeking to challenge the outcome of the election in four key battleground states , Republicans have not called on the president or their colleagues to uphold and protect America 's democracy .

The firing of Chris Krebs, the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the United States Department of Homeland Security, is just one example of how President Donald Trump's bullying has eroded the Republican Party and other areas of government.
Now, his lawsuit against the Trump campaign, its attorney highlights the "coordinated campaign of intimidation, retaliation, and threats" leveled by the president, according to an MSNBC editorial.
The publication reports:
In the suit filed against the Trump campaign, Krebs argues that the attacks are part of an intentional plan to bully any Republicans who question Trump's claims that the election was rigged or who resist his campaign to nullify the election.
Although there is a real possibility Krebs' lawsuit may not lead to the outcome he desires, it does shed light on the type of political violence Trump has incited in an effort to bring his own political agenda to fruition.
Krebs also outlines how Trump's threats are "central to the campaign to deter Republicans from breaking with Trump, even as he 'stoked fear, hawked conspiracy theories, and essentially claimed a vast criminal conspiracy." It is no secret that very few Republicans have spoken out against Trump's attack on America's democracy. In fact, an overwhelming number of them have rallied behind the president despite his lack of evidence to support his claims.
Not even 50 losses in court have stopped Trump from launching political attacks, spreading false information, and spinning conspiracy theories on social media. In fact, the president's attacks have escalated over the last couple of weeks.
On Wednesday, he took to Twitter with yet another bogus election fraud claim saying: "We will soon be learning about the word "courage", and saving our Country. I received hundreds of thousands of legal votes more, in all of the Swing States, than did my opponent. ALL Data taken after the vote says that it was impossible for me to lose unless FIXED!"
While the context of Trump's use of the word "courage" remains unclear, the editorial notes that the tweet could be taken as a way to incite violence or level intimidation. Even as the U.S. Supreme Court has denied the state of Texas' lawsuit seeking to challenge the outcome of the election in four key battleground states, Republicans have not called on the president or their colleagues to uphold and protect America's democracy.


alternet--2020-12-12--REVEALED: Anti-LGBTQ nonprofits, businesses and schools received millions in PPP funds

The Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) recipient list released has revealed that several non-profit organizations , businesses , and schools with policies that are particularly discriminatory against lesbian , gay , bisexual , transgender , and queer individuals received millions in loan funds amid the pandemic , according to information released by the Small Business Administration .
The program , which was intended to be a financial relief effort for small businesses facing peril amid the coronavirus pandemic , awarded a total of approximately $ 2.5 million to seven groups including `` the American College of Pediatricians , American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human Rights ( C-Fam ) , Church Militant/St .
Michael 's Media , Liberty Counsel , Pacific Justice Institute and Ruth Institute , '' according to NBC News .
It has been reported that all seven groups have been categorized as `` anti-LGBTQ hate groups '' by the Southern Poverty Law Center ( SPLC ) .
According to the data , the American Family Association received $ 1.4 million of the $ 2.5 million total .
Now , LGBTQ advocates are speaking out about the latest reports criticizing the pandemic program and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an SPLC data analyst , criticized the Trump administration for funding discriminatory groups while true small businesses suffer .
`` Extremist movements thrive in climates of political uncertainty , '' she said .
`` Now , the government is doing even more to help hate groups by handing them millions of dollars in forgivable loans . ''
Kyle Herrig , president of the watchdog firm , Accountable.US , also criticized the priorities of the administration which led to bailouts for larger businesses — the exact opposite of the program 's intended purpose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clearer example of the Trump administration 's warped priorities than allowing countless mom-and-pop shops to go under without proper relief while bailing out wealthy and well-connected anti-LGBTQ enterprises on Americans ' dime , '' Herrig said in an email .
Justin Nelson , president of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce , also had a similar perspective .
as he expressed concern about LGBTQ-owned small businesses that have faced pandemic-related struggles similar to mom and pop businesses .
Despite submitting applications for PPP loans , Nelson indicated that only a small number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` These folks are worried about keeping the lights on , '' he said .
`` We had a number of businesses that applied , and only a small number that received funding . ''

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) recipient list released has revealed that several non-profit organizations, businesses, and schools with policies that are particularly discriminatory against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals received millions in loan funds amid the pandemic, according to information released by the Small Business Administration.
The program, which was intended to be a financial relief effort for small businesses facing peril amid the coronavirus pandemic, awarded a total of approximately $2.5 million to seven groups including "the American College of Pediatricians, American Family Association, Center for Family and Human Rights (C-Fam), Church Militant/St. Michael's Media, Liberty Counsel, Pacific Justice Institute and Ruth Institute," according to NBC News.
It has been reported that all seven groups have been categorized as "anti-LGBTQ hate groups" by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). According to the data, the American Family Association received $1.4 million of the $2.5 million total.
Now, LGBTQ advocates are speaking out about the latest reports criticizing the pandemic program and the Trump administration's priorities. Cassie Miller, an SPLC data analyst, criticized the Trump administration for funding discriminatory groups while true small businesses suffer.
"Extremist movements thrive in climates of political uncertainty," she said. "Now, the government is doing even more to help hate groups by handing them millions of dollars in forgivable loans."
Kyle Herrig, president of the watchdog firm, Accountable.US, also criticized the priorities of the administration which led to bailouts for larger businesses — the exact opposite of the program's intended purpose.
"It is hard to find a clearer example of the Trump administration's warped priorities than allowing countless mom-and-pop shops to go under without proper relief while bailing out wealthy and well-connected anti-LGBTQ enterprises on Americans' dime," Herrig said in an email.
Justin Nelson, president of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, also had a similar perspective. as he expressed concern about LGBTQ-owned small businesses that have faced pandemic-related struggles similar to mom and pop businesses. Despite submitting applications for PPP loans, Nelson indicated that only a small number of the businesses were awarded funds.
"These folks are worried about keeping the lights on," he said. "We had a number of businesses that applied, and only a small number that received funding."


alternet--2020-12-12--Trump calls for the immediate firing of AG Bill Barr over Hunter Biden investigation

U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr may be the next top-ranking White House official on President Donald Trump 's cut list .
On Saturday morning , Barr was one of the first people Trump attacked via Twitter .
Trump began with a retweet of the Wall Street Journal 's report suggesting Barr was aware of the Hunter Biden investigation back in April but remained mum about it .
Attorney General William Barr has known about a disparate set of investigations involving Hunter Biden 's business and financial dealings since at least this spring , a person familiar with the matter said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the heated election campaign .
The president also tweeted a direct attack on Barr asking , `` Why did n't Bill Barr reveal the truth to the public , before the Election , about Hunter Biden .
Joe was lying on the debate stage that nothing was wrong , or going on - Press confirmed .
Big disadvantage for Republicans at the polls . ''
According to Mediaite , Trump is also calling for the firing of Barr `` today '' if it is confirmed that he was aware of the investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rant comes shortly after the Biden transition team released a statement that included remarks from Hunter Biden .
The president-elect 's son confirmed an investigation into his taxes was being conducted by the U.S. Attorney 's Office in Delaware .
`` I learned yesterday for the first time that the U.S. Attorney 's Office in Delaware advised my legal counsel , also yesterday , that they are investigating my tax affairs , '' he said in the statement .
He added , `` I take this matter very seriously but I am confident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately , including with the benefit of professional tax advisors . ''
Despite the investigation , the transition team reiterated the president-elect 's support of his son .
The statement added , `` President-elect Biden is deeply proud of his son , who has fought through difficult challenges , including the vicious personal attacks of recent months , only to emerge stronger . ''

U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr may be the next top-ranking White House official on President Donald Trump's cut list. On Saturday morning, Barr was one of the first people Trump attacked via Twitter.
Trump began with a retweet of the Wall Street Journal's report suggesting Barr was aware of the Hunter Biden investigation back in April but remained mum about it.
The Wall Street Journal reported:
Attorney General William Barr has known about a disparate set of investigations involving Hunter Biden's business and financial dealings since at least this spring, a person familiar with the matter said and worked to avoid their public disclosure during the heated election campaign.
The president also tweeted a direct attack on Barr asking, "Why didn't Bill Barr reveal the truth to the public, before the Election, about Hunter Biden. Joe was lying on the debate stage that nothing was wrong, or going on - Press confirmed. Big disadvantage for Republicans at the polls."
According to Mediaite, Trump is also calling for the firing of Barr "today" if it is confirmed that he was aware of the investigation several months ago.
Trump's latest rant comes shortly after the Biden transition team released a statement that included remarks from Hunter Biden. The president-elect's son confirmed an investigation into his taxes was being conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Delaware.
"I learned yesterday for the first time that the U.S. Attorney's Office in Delaware advised my legal counsel, also yesterday, that they are investigating my tax affairs," he said in the statement.
He added, "I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors."
Despite the investigation, the transition team reiterated the president-elect's support of his son. The statement added, "President-elect Biden is deeply proud of his son, who has fought through difficult challenges, including the vicious personal attacks of recent months, only to emerge stronger."


alternet--2020-12-12--Right-wingers on Parler call for  civil war after SCOTUS dumps Trump's election fraud case

After the Supreme Court refused to hear Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 's case seeking to toss hundreds of thousands of votes in four swing states , right-wingers on Parler , the far-right version of Twitter , are literally calling for Trump to use the military and conservative states to secede from the union , essentially setting the conditions for a bloody civil war .
Here 's a sampling of different messages on Parler : `` Time for succession ...
If even the GOP majority Supreme Court wo n't hear the citizens ' claims of corruption in the election process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own separate country from all of those that cheat us of our given rights !
! ''
`` I 'm fucking raging !
!
!
!
Patriots do NOT allow those dirty thieving DemocRats to take this election from our one and only hero President Donald J .
Trump !
!
!
If he sold out Supreme Court wo n't stand up for DJT then we MUST boycott the runoff election to show those pussy ass so-called Republicans how much . ''
`` Trump will not let this stand .
There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemies of our nation can not be allowed to take over its government .
This is the reason we have a military . ''
`` Are we just going to sit back in our lazy boy recliners and whine about this or are we going to stand up and take action ?
It 's time . ''
`` Trump needs to declare war .
We are under attack '' `` # Texit Texas must exit '' `` INSURRECTION ACT time !
!
!
!
! ''
`` TIME TO CALL IN THE KRACKIN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing but fraud .
Basement Biden got more votes then Obama ?
!
Yeah , right .
Dems want to play ?
!
Let 's play .
New game , new rules .
Except this time , the reds win . ''
https : //twitter.com/gtconway3d/status/1337557156246269952 https : //twitter.com/MomJovi/status/1337582517180792833 In related news , Vice found that even the most extreme right-wingers are starting to abandon Parler because there are no liberals , Democrats and progressives there to argue with ; the site has lots of pornography , including child pornography ; and fraudsters have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make fraudulent verified accounts for them .

After the Supreme Court refused to hear Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's case seeking to toss hundreds of thousands of votes in four swing states, right-wingers on Parler, the far-right version of Twitter, are literally calling for Trump to use the military and conservative states to secede from the union, essentially setting the conditions for a bloody civil war. Here's a sampling of different messages on Parler: "Time for succession... If even the GOP majority Supreme Court won't hear the citizens' claims of corruption in the election process; then we need to create our own separate country from all of those that cheat us of our given rights!!" "I'm fucking raging!!!! Patriots do NOT allow those dirty thieving DemocRats to take this election from our one and only hero President Donald J. Trump!!! If he sold out Supreme Court won't stand up for DJT then we MUST boycott the runoff election to show those pussy ass so-called Republicans how much." "Trump will not let this stand. There is no way Biden will be inaugurated. The enemies of our nation cannot be allowed to take over its government. This is the reason we have a military." "Are we just going to sit back in our lazy boy recliners and whine about this or are we going to stand up and take action? It's time." "Trump needs to declare war. We are under attack" "#Texit Texas must exit" "INSURRECTION ACT time!!!!!" "TIME TO CALL IN THE KRACKIN (MARSHAL-LAW)" This election was nothing but fraud. Basement Biden got more votes then Obama?! Yeah, right. Dems want to play?! Let's play. New game, new rules. Except this time, the reds win." https://twitter.com/gtconway3d/status/1337557156246269952 https://twitter.com/MomJovi/status/1337582517180792833 In related news, Vice found that even the most extreme right-wingers are starting to abandon Parler because there are no liberals, Democrats and progressives there to argue with; the site has lots of pornography, including child pornography; and fraudsters have been able to imitate right-wing leaders and make fraudulent verified accounts for them.


alternet--2020-12-12--Giuliani is likely behind the latest Hunter Biden fiasco — which raises questions about the credibil

Giuliani is likely behind the latest Hunter Biden fiasco — which raises questions about the credibility of it

President Donald Trump 's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani reportedly met with the Federal Bureau of Investigations ( FBI ) agents in Delaware who were investigating Hunter Biden 's finances while President-elect Joe Biden was on the campaign trail .
Now , more questions are looming about the FBI .
An editorial published by The New York Times lays out how the latest Pittsburgh inquiry raises questions about politicization among FBI agents .
While Hunter Biden did admit that there is a current tax investigation underway , there is speculation that the entire basis of the latest investigation stems from Giuliani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Democratic presidential candidate prior to Election Day .
It has been reported that U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr personally requested for top Pittsburgh federal prosecutor Scott Brady to review the investigative material Giuliani had gathered on the Biden family .
Back in January , Brady met with Giuliani for nearly four hours to discuss the findings .
Due to the election and Giuliani 's affiliation with Trump , the meeting is said to have `` raised alarms within the F.B.I .
and the Justice Department . ''
There were also concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle of an election year .
Mr. Giuliani had served as Mr. Trump 's attack dog during the Russia investigation before becoming the face of an effort to tarnish Hunter Biden during President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. 's campaign .
If Mr. Brady 's investigation became public , the agents feared that the F.B.I .
could be drawn into a politically toxic battle in the midst of the presidential election , just as it was in 2016 .
Giuliani 's track record before and after the election has also been a factor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the credibility of the latest investigation .
Mr. Giuliani had tried to promote scrutiny of Hunter Biden 's work for Burisma , which had been mired in a corruption scandal .
He accused Joseph R. Biden Jr. of corruptly pushing for the ouster of Ukraine 's top prosecutor , who had been investigating Burisma , as a favor to his son while he was vice president .
No evidence of wrongdoing by the president-elect has emerged .
As of Saturday , Dec. 12 , Hunter Biden has not been charged with any financial @ @

President Donald Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani reportedly met with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) agents in Delaware who were investigating Hunter Biden's finances while President-elect Joe Biden was on the campaign trail.
Now, more questions are looming about the FBI. An editorial published by The New York Times lays out how the latest Pittsburgh inquiry raises questions about politicization among FBI agents.
While Hunter Biden did admit that there is a current tax investigation underway, there is speculation that the entire basis of the latest investigation stems from Giuliani's farfetched attempts to throw a curveball at the Democratic presidential candidate prior to Election Day.
It has been reported that U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr personally requested for top Pittsburgh federal prosecutor Scott Brady to review the investigative material Giuliani had gathered on the Biden family. Back in January, Brady met with Giuliani for nearly four hours to discuss the findings.
Due to the election and Giuliani's affiliation with Trump, the meeting is said to have "raised alarms within the F.B.I. and the Justice Department." There were also concerns about the politicization of the bureau in the middle of an election year.
Mr. Giuliani had served as Mr. Trump's attack dog during the Russia investigation before becoming the face of an effort to tarnish Hunter Biden during President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s campaign. If Mr. Brady's investigation became public, the agents feared that the F.B.I. could be drawn into a politically toxic battle in the midst of the presidential election, just as it was in 2016.
Giuliani's track record before and after the election has also been a factor taken into consideration which raises questions about the credibility of the latest investigation.
Mr. Giuliani had tried to promote scrutiny of Hunter Biden's work for Burisma, which had been mired in a corruption scandal. He accused Joseph R. Biden Jr. of corruptly pushing for the ouster of Ukraine's top prosecutor, who had been investigating Burisma, as a favor to his son while he was vice president. No evidence of wrongdoing by the president-elect has emerged.
As of Saturday, Dec. 12, Hunter Biden has not been charged with any financial crimes.


alternet--2020-12-12--'It's not over': NewsMax has a  bizarre response to SCOTUS rejecting Texas' election lawsuit

Following the U.S. Supreme Court 's decision to reject Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 's election lawsuit , NewsMax host Greg Kelly quickly fired back with a delusional rebuke of the court 's ruling .
To make matters worse , he dangerously continued to perpetuate a sense of false hope for his viewers by declaring that the election is still `` not over , '' according to The Daily Beast .
On Friday evening , Kelly opened `` The Greg Kelly Show '' with remarks about the court 's ruling .
`` First off , it 's not over , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Supreme Court did turn down the Texas case . ''
Before offering details about the ruling , Kelly focused on what he believes is a slight glimmer of hope .
`` We have the situation in Pennsylvania that has not been settled .
We have Georgia that has not been settled , we have Michigan that has not been settled , independent of this lawsuit from Texas . ''
During the show , NewsMax White House Correspondent Emerald Robinson also agreed with Kelly 's claim about the election not being over .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for conservatives is the fact that all three of the Trump-appointed Supreme Court Justices ' —Amy Coney Barrett , Brett Kavanaugh , and Neil Gorsuch— ruled against the case .
Apparently , they assumed the Trump-appointed justices would automatically side with the president even without evidence .
Since they opted to uphold the Constitutional oath they took to protect America 's democracy , Kelly and Robinson surmised that they must not `` understand the gravity of the situation . ''
`` What I 'm hearing from a lot of conservatives is that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the new justice , Amy Coney Barrett , actually understand the gravity of the situation , '' Robinson said .
She added , `` The president put three Supreme Court justices on the bench during his first term , yet none of those that he put on the bench—at the recommendation of the Federalist Society—were with the team , or with Alito and Thomas , in actually deciding to hear the case .
They chose not to .
They sided with the liberal judges . ''
Sadly , it appears Robinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an objective lens .
It was never about siding with a political party .
The ruling was always centered on upholding the law .

Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reject Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's election lawsuit, Newsmax host Greg Kelly quickly fired back with a delusional rebuke of the court's ruling.
To make matters worse, he dangerously continued to perpetuate a sense of false hope for his viewers by declaring that the election is still "not over," according to The Daily Beast.
On Friday evening, Kelly opened "The Greg Kelly Show" with remarks about the court's ruling. "First off, it's not over," a distressed Kelly began. "The Supreme Court did turn down the Texas case." Before offering details about the ruling, Kelly focused on what he believes is a slight glimmer of hope.
"We have the situation in Pennsylvania that has not been settled. We have Georgia that has not been settled, we have Michigan that has not been settled, independent of this lawsuit from Texas."
During the show, Newsmax White House Correspondent Emerald Robinson also agreed with Kelly's claim about the election not being over. What appears to have been most surprising for conservatives is the fact that all three of the Trump-appointed Supreme Court Justices' —Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, and Neil Gorsuch— ruled against the case.
Apparently, they assumed the Trump-appointed justices would automatically side with the president even without evidence. Since they opted to uphold the Constitutional oath they took to protect America's democracy, Kelly and Robinson surmised that they must not "understand the gravity of the situation."
"What I'm hearing from a lot of conservatives is that they wonder if Justice Gorsuch, Justice Kavanaugh, and the new justice, Amy Coney Barrett, actually understand the gravity of the situation," Robinson said.
She added, "The president put three Supreme Court justices on the bench during his first term, yet none of those that he put on the bench—at the recommendation of the Federalist Society—were with the team, or with Alito and Thomas, in actually deciding to hear the case. They chose not to. They sided with the liberal judges."
Sadly, it appears Robinson failed to look at the ruling through an objective lens. It was never about siding with a political party. The ruling was always centered on upholding the law.