alternet--2020-12-08--Republicans kill resolution to declare Biden president-elect

Republicans on the six-member joint , bipartisan House and Senate Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies ( JCCIC ) on Tuesday killed a resolution naming Joe Biden President-elect .
The Committee was created under the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution .
It is `` responsible for the planning and execution of the Inaugural Ceremonies of the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States at the Capitol . ''
But on Tuesday in a 3-3 vote along party lines Republicans blocked the Committee from doing its constitutionally-mandated job .
`` The rejection came in a private meeting , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motion recognizing the congressional inaugural committee meeting was preparing for the inauguration of Biden and VP-elect Kamala Harris , a member of the Senate , '' CNN reports .
`` It was rejected by Republicans , a move that effectively denied acknowledging that Biden is the President-elect . ''
The six-person committee is comprised of three members of the House and three members of the Senate .
Three are Democrats and three are Republicans .
They include Rep. Roy Blunt ( R-MO ) , the committee 's chairman , Senator Mitch McConnell ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-MN ) , Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) , House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer ( D-MD ) , and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA ) .
The committee 's website even has a countdown clock to noon on January 20 .
`` For more than 200 years America 's citizens have witnessed the Inauguration ceremonies of the President and Vice President of the United States , '' its website says .
`` From the first Inauguration of George Washington , in New York City , in 1789 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 59th Inaugural Ceremonies , the Swearing-In Ceremonies represent both national renewal and continuity of leadership . ''
The election was five weeks ago today .
President Donald Trump lost but has never conceded .
He spends his days lying , reportedly to everyone he can , that he won while grifting the American public out of hundreds of millions of dollars .
Chairman Blunt , who voted against today 's simple resolution , had the audacity to post this monstrously hypocritical tweet and video touting the committee 's commitment to democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's website .

Republicans on the six-member joint, bipartisan House and Senate Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) on Tuesday killed a resolution naming Joe Biden President-elect.
The Committee was created under the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It is "responsible for the planning and execution of the Inaugural Ceremonies of the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States at the Capitol."
But on Tuesday in a 3-3 vote along party lines Republicans blocked the Committee from doing its constitutionally-mandated job.
"The rejection came in a private meeting, where House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer offered a motion recognizing the congressional inaugural committee meeting was preparing for the inauguration of Biden and VP-elect Kamala Harris, a member of the Senate," CNN reports. "It was rejected by Republicans, a move that effectively denied acknowledging that Biden is the President-elect."
The six-person committee is comprised of three members of the House and three members of the Senate. Three are Democrats and three are Republicans.
They include Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO), the committee's chairman, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
The committee's website even has a countdown clock to noon on January 20.
"For more than 200 years America's citizens have witnessed the Inauguration ceremonies of the President and Vice President of the United States," its website says. "From the first Inauguration of George Washington, in New York City, in 1789, to today, as we prepare for the 59th Inaugural Ceremonies, the Swearing-In Ceremonies represent both national renewal and continuity of leadership."
The election was five weeks ago today. President Donald Trump lost but has never conceded. He spends his days lying, reportedly to everyone he can, that he won while grifting the American public out of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Chairman Blunt, who voted against today's simple resolution, had the audacity to post this monstrously hypocritical tweet and video touting the committee's commitment to democracy and continuity of government of the committee's website.


alternet--2020-12-08--'Ramifications of reckless behavior': CNN’s John King slams Jenna Ellis on news she has COVID

Trump campaign and personal attorney Jenna Ellis is the latest in the president 's orbit – one of literally more than 50 – to test positive for coronavirus .
As the news broke , CNN 's John King chastised the attorney , who has been seen repeatedly without a mask .
Ellis informed the White House , Axios notes , `` stirring West Wing fears after she attended a senior staff Christmas party on Friday .
`` On CNN , anchor John King reported the news , commenting her contracting the virus was simply , `` ramifications of reckless behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was admitted to a D.C. hospital Sunday after he too tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 .
`` People brought their families , '' a senior White House official who attended the party told Axios , after learning of Ellis ' positive diagnosis , as if attending was a good idea sans Ellis ' attendance , which it was not .
White House staffers were angered with Ellis even before learning she has COVID-19 .
`` She had the nerve to show up at the senior staff Christmas party knowing everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump up with nonsense , '' a senior administration official said .

Trump campaign and personal attorney Jenna Ellis is the latest in the president's orbit – one of literally more than 50 – to test positive for coronavirus. As the news broke, CNN's John King chastised the attorney, who has been seen repeatedly without a mask.
Ellis informed the White House, Axios notes, "stirring West Wing fears after she attended a senior staff Christmas party on Friday.
"On CNN, anchor John King reported the news, commenting her contracting the virus was simply, "ramifications of reckless behavior."
Ellis's co-attorney Rudy Giuliani was admitted to a D.C. hospital Sunday after he too tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.
"People brought their families," a senior White House official who attended the party told Axios, after learning of Ellis' positive diagnosis, as if attending was a good idea sans Ellis' attendance, which it was not.
White House staffers were angered with Ellis even before learning she has COVID-19.
"She had the nerve to show up at the senior staff Christmas party knowing everyone was furious with her for constantly stirring Trump up with nonsense," a senior administration official said.


alternet--2020-12-08--'A dangerous stunt': Law experts slam Texas's legal push to overturn the election for Trump

Legal experts weighed in on Tuesday with their disapproval of the state of Texas ' latest lawsuit in the U.S. Supreme Court against four battleground states — Pennsylvania , Georgia , Michigan , and Wisconsin — over the outcome of the presidential election .
The president and his legal team have claimed widespread fraud marred the election results , but their attempts to provide even a sliver of convincing evidence for this bold claim have fallen flat as judges have tossed out more than 45 of their lawsuits in states across the country .
The new lawsuit filed by Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuses states of `` electoral irregularities . ''
Although President-elect Joe Biden has already been declared the winner of the election , and the vote counts have been rigorously vetted , the lawsuit claims the so-called `` flaws '' within the election process `` preclude knowing who legitimately won the 2020 election , '' according to Law & Crime .
`` Plaintiff State respectfully submits that the foregoing types of electoral irregularities exceed the hanging-chad saga of the 2000 election in their degree of departure from both state and federal law .
Moreover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legitimately won the 2020 election and threaten to cloud all future elections , '' Texas said .
It adds : `` Taken together , these flaws affect an outcome-determinative numbers of popular votes in a group of States that cast outcome-determinative numbers of electoral votes .
This Court should grant leave to file the complaint and , ultimately , enjoin the use of unlawful election results without review and ratification by the Defendant States ' legislatures and remand to the Defendant States ' respective legislatures to appoint Presidential Electors in a manner consistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 U.S.C .
§ 2 . ''
' Legal experts see this lawsuit as yet another likely dead end for the Trump campaign .
Steve Vladeck , an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law , pilloried the effort with a string of fiery tweets criticizing the lawsuit .
Vladeck tweeted , `` It looks like we have a new leader in the 'craziest lawsuit filed to purportedly challenge the election ' category : The State of Texas is suing Pennsylvania , Georgia , Michigan , and Wisconsin *directly* in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Supreme Court will `` never '' hear this case .
Josh Douglas , election law and voting rights professor at the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law , also had critical remarks about Paxton and the lawsuit , which he described as `` insane . ''
He tweeted , `` Texas AG Ken Paxton -- who is under FBI investigation for using his office to benefit a political donor and whose top lawyers blew the whistle and resigned -- is now trying to have Texas sue PA , GA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Insane . ''
The lawsuit is also being seen as an attempt to delay the Electoral College vote .
However , like many of Trump 's other post-election lawsuits , most legal experts are expecting this one to fail , as well .

Legal experts weighed in on Tuesday with their disapproval of the state of Texas' latest lawsuit in the U.S. Supreme Court against four battleground states — Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin — over the outcome of the presidential election.
The president and his legal team have claimed widespread fraud marred the election results, but their attempts to provide even a sliver of convincing evidence for this bold claim have fallen flat as judges have tossed out more than 45 of their lawsuits in states across the country. The new lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) accuses states of " electoral irregularities." Although President-elect Joe Biden has already been declared the winner of the election, and the vote counts have been rigorously vetted, the lawsuit claims the so-called "flaws" within the election process "preclude knowing who legitimately won the 2020 election," according to Law & Crime.
"Plaintiff State respectfully submits that the foregoing types of electoral irregularities exceed the hanging-chad saga of the 2000 election in their degree of departure from both state and federal law. Moreover, these flaws cumulatively preclude knowing who legitimately won the 2020 election and threaten to cloud all future elections," Texas said.
It adds: "Taken together, these flaws affect an outcome-determinative numbers of popular votes in a group of States that cast outcome-determinative numbers of electoral votes. This Court should grant leave to file the complaint and, ultimately, enjoin the use of unlawful election results without review and ratification by the Defendant States' legislatures and remand to the Defendant States' respective legislatures to appoint Presidential Electors in a manner consistent with the Electors Clause and pursuant to 3 U.S.C. § 2."'
Legal experts see this lawsuit as yet another likely dead end for the Trump campaign. Steve Vladeck, an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law, pilloried the effort with a string of fiery tweets criticizing the lawsuit.
Vladeck tweeted, "It looks like we have a new leader in the 'craziest lawsuit filed to purportedly challenge the election' category: The State of Texas is suing Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin *directly* in #SCOTUS."
According to Vladeck, the Supreme Court will "never" hear this case.
Josh Douglas, election law and voting rights professor at the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law, also had critical remarks about Paxton and the lawsuit, which he described as "insane."
He tweeted, "Texas AG Ken Paxton--who is under FBI investigation for using his office to benefit a political donor and whose top lawyers blew the whistle and resigned--is now trying to have Texas sue PA, GA, MI, and WI over the presidential election. Insane."
The lawsuit is also being seen as an attempt to delay the Electoral College vote. However, like many of Trump's other post-election lawsuits, most legal experts are expecting this one to fail, as well.


alternet--2020-12-08--Columnist explains why Trump needs to be treated like a child

Countless pundits have compared President Donald Trump 's refusal to accept the 2020 presidential elections to the temper tantrums of a spoiled child .
Washington Post opinion columnist Kate Cohen , however , believes that comparing Trump 's post-election behavior to a child 's temper tantrums `` underestimates the damage he has done and could still do . ''
But Cohen goes on to say that if a Trump/spoiled brat analogy is going to be used , it is important that Trump 's childish behavior not be rewarded .
`` Thinking of this problem in terms of parenting might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Cohen writes .
`` The first thing , of course , is not to give in .
As a parent , you simply can not reward your child when he whines for an extra cookie , a later bedtime , another Georgia ballot recount . ''
According to Cohen , indulging Trump 's temper tantrums `` would teach him that sort of behavior works . ''
And she is glad to see that some people are n't indulging him .
`` State election officials , even Republican ones , have maintained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Biden transition team has gone about its work , '' Cohen explains .
`` Two weeks ago , the General Services Administration finally allowed the official transition to begin .
As of today , every state has certified its vote but three — two of which Biden won .
And even without them , ( President-elect Joe Biden ) has enough pledged electors to become president . ''
Cohen adds , however , that Trump 's `` misbehavior has n't stopped '' — and for that reason , she recommends a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punishments for those who encourage his bad behavior .
`` As every good parent eventually learns , it 's not enough to ignore the misbehavior — and it 's not enough to refuse to reward it , '' Cohen explains .
`` You have to punish it .
Or it will never stop .
In our house , that meant putting whichever child was trying to overturn a free and fair election into a room by himself .
Rep. Bill Pascrell , Jr. ( D-N.J. ) has called for disbarment of Rudolph W. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's legal enablers team .
But what to do with the 74-year-old child himself ?
Clearly , someone 's got to take away his phone .
The only question is , which parent has to play the heavy while the other pretends to be deeply absorbed in washing the dishes ? ''

Countless pundits have compared President Donald Trump's refusal to accept the 2020 presidential elections to the temper tantrums of a spoiled child. Washington Post opinion columnist Kate Cohen, however, believes that comparing Trump's post-election behavior to a child's temper tantrums "underestimates the damage he has done and could still do." But Cohen goes on to say that if a Trump/spoiled brat analogy is going to be used, it is important that Trump's childish behavior not be rewarded.
"Thinking of this problem in terms of parenting might be useful as we struggle to solve it," Cohen writes. "The first thing, of course, is not to give in. As a parent, you simply cannot reward your child when he whines for an extra cookie, a later bedtime, another Georgia ballot recount."
According to Cohen, indulging Trump's temper tantrums "would teach him that sort of behavior works." And she is glad to see that some people aren't indulging him.
"State election officials, even Republican ones, have maintained their composure under Trump's assault, and the Biden transition team has gone about its work," Cohen explains. "Two weeks ago, the General Services Administration finally allowed the official transition to begin. As of today, every state has certified its vote but three — two of which Biden won. And even without them, (President-elect Joe Biden) has enough pledged electors to become president."
Cohen adds, however, that Trump's "misbehavior hasn't stopped" — and for that reason, she recommends a "change in tactics" and stricter punishments for those who encourage his bad behavior.
"As every good parent eventually learns, it's not enough to ignore the misbehavior — and it's not enough to refuse to reward it," Cohen explains. "You have to punish it. Or it will never stop. In our house, that meant putting whichever child was trying to overturn a free and fair election into a room by himself. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.) has called for disbarment of Rudolph W. Giuliani and 22 other members of Trump's legal enablers team. But what to do with the 74-year-old child himself? Clearly, someone's got to take away his phone. The only question is, which parent has to play the heavy while the other pretends to be deeply absorbed in washing the dishes?"


alternet--2020-12-08--Call Trump's treasonous acts what they are

There 's one thing I can rely on when I write about the president , the Republicans and their treasonable rhetoric and behavior .
Like clockwork , a liberal reader will respond , saying is n't , in fact , treason .
It 's something else , perhaps disloyalty or sedition .
The US Constitution is clear about treason 's meaning .
I should be more careful with my words .
Fair enough , but also fair is saying liberals are quick to doubt themselves .
They are ready to compromise even when the Republicans hold compromise in contempt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because mild appeasement costs less than bold confrontation .
To liberals , partisanship is the problem , not the solution .
They refuse , therefore , even when refusing means failing to take their own side in a good fight .
If anyone represents the liberal view in this regard , it 's Barack Obama .
The former president said recently that , to effect real change , activists must meet people `` where they are . ''
That might be fine and dandy when it comes to police reform , but what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking the side of a president seeking to overturn a lawful election ?
What if `` where they are '' is the Republicans saying and doing things with the express intent of harming the republic , because harming the republic tightens their grip on power ?
What if Republican dominance is predicated on betrayal ?
Partisanship is , therefore , not the problem .
Asymmetry is .
Symmetrical partisanship is the solution .
Donald Trump has moved from demanding in secret that election officials break the law to doing so out in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of office , profaning the rule of law and pissing on the spirit of the Constitution .
The Democrats could try impeaching and removing him again .
But , in my view , they do n't have to go that far .
What they should do is point out the obvious for everyone 's sake—that the president 's words and deeds are treasonable .
Anyone standing by his side is complicit .
To my knowledge , no Democrat in the US Congress has dared use the T-word .
It 's long past time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wo n't be easy .
For one thing , the Democrats are usually on the receiving end of such accusations .
Because many Democrats have experienced the pain of being accused of disloyalty , they 'll likely hesitate to accuse Republicans of the same .
For another , the Democrats will worry about members of the Washington press corps reporting `` both sides . ''
The president has frequently accused the Democrats of treason .
They do n't want to be seen as meeting tit with tat .
This more than anything else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fetish of treason 's constitutional definition .
If Republican behavior does not rise to the highest possible standard , why should the Democrats join the Republicans in the partisan gutter ?
What 's the point given that Joe Biden will be inaugurated in 44 days anyway ?
First , this is n't the gutter .
This is the most basic principle of being an American .
Elections are sacred or we invite a master to rule us .
Second , while the Republicans are busy siding with Trump , real people are dying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covid plague .
The death toll may be 345,000 , according to a Times analysis .
Twelve million people are about to lose unemployment insurance .
Trump does n't care .
The GOP seems indifferent .
The republic 's injury is n't just constitutional , legal or even moral .
It 's literal .
( Only 25 Republicans say Biden won the election , according to the Post . )
Third , on a more practical note , the Democrats , in failing to accuse the Republicans of disloyalty , are failing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country or country over power ?
Are you partisan for a party or partisan for the country ?
The Republicans have chosen the former two for the last four years .
They hope everyone forgets that after Trump is gone .
They hope to return to principle in order to oppose Joe Biden .
The Democrats , however , have a role to play—the role of never letting anyone forget .
The Democrats keep appeasing authoritarianism , because it 's cheaper than facing it head-on .
Under a fascist president , the Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it head-on without cost .
Indeed , they got most everything they wanted without having to continue with a phony flag-hugging charade .
Their true nature was revealed , true character exposed .
Now they want their principles back .
They ca n't have them .

There's one thing I can rely on when I write about the president, the Republicans and their treasonable rhetoric and behavior. Like clockwork, a liberal reader will respond, saying isn't, in fact, treason. It's something else, perhaps disloyalty or sedition. The US Constitution is clear about treason's meaning. I should be more careful with my words.
Fair enough, but also fair is saying liberals are quick to doubt themselves. They are ready to compromise even when the Republicans hold compromise in contempt. They are prepared to appease authoritarians, because mild appeasement costs less than bold confrontation. To liberals, partisanship is the problem, not the solution. They refuse, therefore, even when refusing means failing to take their own side in a good fight.
If anyone represents the liberal view in this regard, it's Barack Obama. The former president said recently that, to effect real change, activists must meet people "where they are." That might be fine and dandy when it comes to police reform, but what if "where they are" is taking the side of a president seeking to overturn a lawful election? What if "where they are" is the Republicans saying and doing things with the express intent of harming the republic, because harming the republic tightens their grip on power? What if Republican dominance is predicated on betrayal? Partisanship is, therefore, not the problem. Asymmetry is. Symmetrical partisanship is the solution.
Donald Trump has moved from demanding in secret that election officials break the law to doing so out in the open. He's violating his oath of office, profaning the rule of law and pissing on the spirit of the Constitution. The Democrats could try impeaching and removing him again. But, in my view, they don't have to go that far. What they should do is point out the obvious for everyone's sake—that the president's words and deeds are treasonable. Anyone standing by his side is complicit. To my knowledge, no Democrat in the US Congress has dared use the T-word. It's long past time to dare.
Mounting a rhetorical offensive won't be easy. For one thing, the Democrats are usually on the receiving end of such accusations. Because many Democrats have experienced the pain of being accused of disloyalty, they'll likely hesitate to accuse Republicans of the same. For another, the Democrats will worry about members of the Washington press corps reporting "both sides." The president has frequently accused the Democrats of treason. They don't want to be seen as meeting tit with tat.
This more than anything else is why some liberals are making a fetish of treason's constitutional definition. If Republican behavior does not rise to the highest possible standard, why should the Democrats join the Republicans in the partisan gutter? What's the point given that Joe Biden will be inaugurated in 44 days anyway?
First, this isn't the gutter. This is the most basic principle of being an American. Elections are sacred or we invite a master to rule us. Second, while the Republicans are busy siding with Trump, real people are dying. Nearly 290,000 are dead from the covid plague. The death toll may be 345,000, according to a Times analysis. Twelve million people are about to lose unemployment insurance. Trump doesn't care. The GOP seems indifferent. The republic's injury isn't just constitutional, legal or even moral. It's literal. (Only 25 Republicans say Biden won the election, according to the Post.)
Third, on a more practical note, the Democrats, in failing to accuse the Republicans of disloyalty, are failing to give Americans a choice: Power over country or country over power? Are you partisan for a party or partisan for the country? The Republicans have chosen the former two for the last four years. They hope everyone forgets that after Trump is gone. They hope to return to principle in order to oppose Joe Biden. The Democrats, however, have a role to play—the role of never letting anyone forget.
The Democrats keep appeasing authoritarianism, because it's cheaper than facing it head-on. Under a fascist president, the Republicans altogether stoppedappeasing democracy. They faced it head-on without cost. Indeed, they got most everything they wanted without having to continue with a phony flag-hugging charade. Their true nature was revealed, true character exposed. Now they want their principles back.
They can't have them.


alternet--2020-12-08--A new report details possible recipients of future Trump pardons

It remains to be seen who President Donald Trump will pardon before leaving office on January 20 , but observers expect to see many pardons during this lame duck period .
Journalist Charlotte Klein , in an article for New York Magazine published this week , describes some of the many possibilities .
`` Last-minute pardoning sprees have long been a tradition for outgoing presidents , but President Trump may try to stretch his clemency powers further than any of his predecessors , '' Klein explains .
`` He is reportedly considering pardons for as many as 20 aides , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may include preemptive pardons — which would provide protection against federal offenses , but not state crimes — prior to any charge or conviction .
Trump may even try to preemptively pardon himself , which he has long claimed he has the right to do , though that remains a constitutionally untested theory . ''
The family members Trump might pardon , according to Klein , include his son-in-law , White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner , as well as three of his children : Ivanka Trump ( another White House senior adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr. and the Trump Organization 's Eric Trump .
None of them have been charged with any crimes , as far as we know , so it 's not clear what conduct a pardon would cover .
Trump has already pardoned several cronies , including GOP operative Roger Stone and his National Security Adviser Michael Flynn .
Other possible pardons along these lines , according to Klein , include Rick Gates ( a 2016 deputy campaign chairman who pled guilty to financial fraud ) to George Papadopoulos ( a 2016 campaign adviser who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) to Trump 's 2016 campaign manager , Paul Manafort ( who has been serving seven and a half years for bank fraud , tax fraud and other federal crimes ) .
Manafort , Gates and Papadopoulos have all either pled guilty to federal crimes or been convicted of them .
But other candidates for Trump pardons , according to Klein , include people who are facing criminal charges but have n't been convicted of anything .
Former Breitbart News CEO Steve Bannon , for example , is facing fraud charges and pleaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Klein notes , is WikiLeakers founder Julian Assange , who is incarcerated in the U.K. and is facing possible extradition to the United States .
`` Assange 's partner , Stella Moris , and NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden have publicly called on Trump to pardon Assange in recent weeks , '' Klein notes .
`` According to Assange 's lawyers , Trump associates offered Assange a pardon or 'win-win ' arrangement if he disclosed the source of the Democratic National Committee e-mails leaked to his site during the 2016 campaign . ''

It remains to be seen who President Donald Trump will pardon before leaving office on January 20, but observers expect to see many pardons during this lame duck period. Journalist Charlotte Klein, in an article for New York Magazine published this week, describes some of the many possibilities.
"Last-minute pardoning sprees have long been a tradition for outgoing presidents, but President Trump may try to stretch his clemency powers further than any of his predecessors," Klein explains. "He is reportedly considering pardons for as many as 20 aides, allies and family members, and those may include preemptive pardons — which would provide protection against federal offenses, but not state crimes — prior to any charge or conviction. Trump may even try to preemptively pardon himself, which he has long claimed he has the right to do, though that remains a constitutionally untested theory."
The family members Trump might pardon, according to Klein, include his son-in-law, White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, as well as three of his children: Ivanka Trump (another White House senior adviser), GOP activist Donald Trump, Jr. and the Trump Organization's Eric Trump. None of them have been charged with any crimes, as far as we know, so it's not clear what conduct a pardon would cover.
Trump has already pardoned several cronies, including GOP operative Roger Stone and his National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Other possible pardons along these lines, according to Klein, include Rick Gates (a 2016 deputy campaign chairman who pled guilty to financial fraud) to George Papadopoulos (a 2016 campaign adviser who pled guilty to lying to the FBI) to Trump's 2016 campaign manager, Paul Manafort (who has been serving seven and a half years for bank fraud, tax fraud and other federal crimes).
Manafort, Gates and Papadopoulos have all either pled guilty to federal crimes or been convicted of them. But other candidates for Trump pardons, according to Klein, include people who are facing criminal charges but haven't been convicted of anything. Former Breitbart News CEO Steve Bannon, for example, is facing fraud charges and pleaded "not guilty."
Another possibility, Klein notes, is WikiLeakers founder Julian Assange, who is incarcerated in the U.K. and is facing possible extradition to the United States.
"Assange's partner, Stella Moris, and NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden have publicly called on Trump to pardon Assange in recent weeks," Klein notes. "According to Assange's lawyers, Trump associates offered Assange a pardon or 'win-win' arrangement if he disclosed the source of the Democratic National Committee e-mails leaked to his site during the 2016 campaign."


alternet--2020-12-08--'Knifing one another in the back': Reporter reveals how Trumpism started a civil war in the GOP

President Donald Trump and his supporters have filed countless lawsuits in an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election — and so far , Trump 's baseless claims of widespread voter fraud have been rejected by one court after another .
President-elect Joe Biden , despite Republican attempts at a coup d'état , appears to be on his way to the White House .
But journalist David Siders , in an article published by Politico , argued that even though Team Trump 's legal efforts have been unsuccessful , they are `` showing signs of having far-reaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for years to come . ''
`` State party chairs are tearing into their governors , '' Siders explains .
`` Elected officials are knifing one another in the back .
Failed candidates are seizing on Trump 's rhetoric to claim they were also victims of voter fraud in at least a half dozen states .
As his presidency comes to a close , Trump has not only imprinted his smash-mouth style on the GOP , he has wrenched open the schism between the activist class and the elected class , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party officials and strategists in the states . ''
Siders notes that Trump `` is leaving the party at an unfamiliar crossroads . ''
Unlike other `` one-term presidents , '' Siders adds , Trump is `` adored by the base and is the source of a significant expansion of the GOP 's ranks . ''
`` Millions of Republican voters remain convinced , without evidence , that the election was unfairly taken from him , '' Siders observes .
`` And Trump will leave behind a party apparatus controlled by loyalists unbeholden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The result is that many of the party 's field officers in the states are preparing to dig in to ensure that Trump — and his style of politics — remains the party 's guiding light .
That is putting them at cross-purposes with more traditionalist Republicans , such as Sen. Ben Sasse ( R-Neb . )
and Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , who are positioning themselves as alternatives to Trump . ''
One Never Trump conservative who is quite worried about Trump 's effect on the GOP is Daniel Barker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge who started a PAC of Republicans who supported Biden in 2020 's election .
Barker told Politico , `` There clearly is a major problem ( in the GOP ) … .
If people for the next two or three years view Trump as having 60 or 70 million votes , it 's going to be hard to say no to him . ''
Michael Burke , chair of the Republican Party in Pinal County , Arizona , told Politico that although the `` chances are getting slimmer every day '' that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be successful , the GOP is `` still Donald Trump 's party . ''
And Burke predicts that Trump will be `` the most consequential former president in our lifetime . ''

President Donald Trump and his supporters have filed countless lawsuits in an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election — and so far, Trump's baseless claims of widespread voter fraud have been rejected by one court after another. President-elect Joe Biden, despite Republican attempts at a coup d'état, appears to be on his way to the White House. But journalist David Siders, in an article published by Politico, argued that even though Team Trump's legal efforts have been unsuccessful, they are "showing signs of having far-reaching effects that will reshape the Republican Party for years to come."
"State party chairs are tearing into their governors," Siders explains. "Elected officials are knifing one another in the back. Failed candidates are seizing on Trump's rhetoric to claim they were also victims of voter fraud in at least a half dozen states. As his presidency comes to a close, Trump has not only imprinted his smash-mouth style on the GOP, he has wrenched open the schism between the activist class and the elected class, according to interviews with more than a dozen Republican Party officials and strategists in the states."
Siders notes that Trump "is leaving the party at an unfamiliar crossroads." Unlike other "one-term presidents," Siders adds, Trump is "adored by the base and is the source of a significant expansion of the GOP's ranks."
"Millions of Republican voters remain convinced, without evidence, that the election was unfairly taken from him," Siders observes. "And Trump will leave behind a party apparatus controlled by loyalists unbeholden to less populist, less Trumpian holdovers. The result is that many of the party's field officers in the states are preparing to dig in to ensure that Trump — and his style of politics — remains the party's guiding light. That is putting them at cross-purposes with more traditionalist Republicans, such as Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who are positioning themselves as alternatives to Trump."
One Never Trump conservative who is quite worried about Trump's effect on the GOP is Daniel Barker, a former Arizona Court of Appeals judge who started a PAC of Republicans who supported Biden in 2020's election. Barker told Politico, "There clearly is a major problem (in the GOP)…. If people for the next two or three years view Trump as having 60 or 70 million votes, it's going to be hard to say no to him."
Michael Burke, chair of the Republican Party in Pinal County, Arizona, told Politico that although the "chances are getting slimmer every day" that Trump's challenges to the election results will be successful, the GOP is "still Donald Trump's party." And Burke predicts that Trump will be "the most consequential former president in our lifetime."


alternet--2020-12-08--'Completely unacceptable': GOP senator slams Trump's attempts to pressure lawmakers into overturning

'Completely unacceptable': GOP senator slams Trump's attempts to pressure lawmakers into overturning election

Sen. Pat Toomey is sounding off about President Donald Trump 's repeated attempts to pressure election officials and lawmakers into overturning the presidential election in his favor .
During an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer , Toomey condemned Trump 's ongoing post-election legal battle in his state .
Despite endless lawsuits , the president and his legal team have continued to come up short in Pennsylvania .
However , that has not stopped his attempts to have lawmakers hand him the election .
Trump has even resorted to personally contacting the Republican speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president 's actions and behavior as `` completely unacceptable . ''
`` It 's completely unacceptable and it 's not going to work and the president should give up trying to get legislatures to overturn the results of the elections in their respective states , '' Toomey told the Philadelphia Inquirer .
The Republican senator , who will not seek re-election in 2022 , admitted that the president 's legal team has not provided substantial evidence to support Trump 's endless claims of widespread voter fraud .
`` In my view that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's campaign to acknowledge that they have not been able to demonstrate that there 's been fraud , not on any significant scale , '' Toomey said .
`` That has been determined by election officials , that has been determined by federal judges , that 's been determined by appellate court judges .
That 's the opinion of the attorney general who is a Donald Trump appointee .
While Toomey said he does see the argument from both sides , he admitted that Trump and the Republican Party 's `` accumulation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how far they will go to obtain the outcome they desire .
`` A lot of Republicans across the commonwealth and across the country are sympathetic to some of the allegations being made by the president because they 've witnessed the way he 's been treated for the last four years by the left and the press , '' he said .
`` The accumulation of these outrageous attacks leads people to wonder , 'Well , what would n't they do ? '
'' Toomey added that he understands why Republicans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are clear : President-elect Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States .
`` In my view the outcome of the election is clear and that is that Joe Biden won the election , '' Toomey said , adding , `` But I understand why people are upset and why they are inclined to listen to these allegations that have not been substantiated . ''
With the five post-election losses that were added to the staggering list on Friday , Trump now has a total of 46 court losses since @ @ @

Sen. Pat Toomey is sounding off about President Donald Trump's repeated attempts to pressure election officials and lawmakers into overturning the presidential election in his favor.
During an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Toomey condemned Trump's ongoing post-election legal battle in his state. Despite endless lawsuits, the president and his legal team have continued to come up short in Pennsylvania.
However, that has not stopped his attempts to have lawmakers hand him the election. Trump has even resorted to personally contacting the Republican speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for help overturning the election. Toomey described the president's actions and behavior as "completely unacceptable."
"It's completely unacceptable and it's not going to work and the president should give up trying to get legislatures to overturn the results of the elections in their respective states," Toomey told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Republican senator, who will not seek re-election in 2022, admitted that the president's legal team has not provided substantial evidence to support Trump's endless claims of widespread voter fraud.
"In my view that doesn't change the obligation of the president's campaign to acknowledge that they have not been able to demonstrate that there's been fraud, not on any significant scale," Toomey said. "That has been determined by election officials, that has been determined by federal judges, that's been determined by appellate court judges. That's the opinion of the attorney general who is a Donald Trump appointee.
While Toomey said he does see the argument from both sides, he admitted that Trump and the Republican Party's "accumulation of these outrageous attacks" raises questions about how far they will go to obtain the outcome they desire.
"A lot of Republicans across the commonwealth and across the country are sympathetic to some of the allegations being made by the president because they've witnessed the way he's been treated for the last four years by the left and the press," he said. "The accumulation of these outrageous attacks leads people to wonder, 'Well, what wouldn't they do?'"
Toomey added that he understands why Republicans are upset but he insists the election results are clear: President-elect Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States.
"In my view the outcome of the election is clear and that is that Joe Biden won the election," Toomey said, adding, "But I understand why people are upset and why they are inclined to listen to these allegations that have not been substantiated."
With the five post-election losses that were added to the staggering list on Friday, Trump now has a total of 46 court losses since Election Day.


alternet--2020-12-08--Texas contests election results in four battleground states in unusual last-minute lawsuit

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing four battleground states — Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — whose election results handed the White House to President-elect Joe Biden .
In the suit , he claims that pandemic-era changes to election procedures in those states violated federal law , and asks the U.S. Supreme Court to block the states from voting in the Electoral College .
The last-minute bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a longshot , comes alongside dozens of similar attempts by President Donald Trump and his political allies .
The majority of those lawsuits have already failed .
There is no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election , officials in most states and U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr have said .
Biden won in all four states where Paxton is challenging the results .
In a filing to the high court Tuesday , Paxton claims the four battleground states broke the law by instituting pandemic-related changes to election policies , whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thereby weakening ballot integrity . ''
Paxton claimed that these changes allowed for voter fraud to occur — a conclusion experts and election officials have rejected — and said the court should push back a Dec. 14 deadline by which states must appoint their presidential electors .
“ That deadline , however , should not cement a potentially illegitimate election result in the middle of this storm , '' attorneys for Texas wrote .
Officials in Georgia — where Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger recertified the state 's election results again Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismiss Paxton 's allegations , as were leaders in the other three states named in the lawsuit .
`` The allegations in the lawsuit are false and irresponsible , '' Georgia 's deputy secretary of state , Jordan Fuchs , said in a statement Tuesday .
`` Texas alleges that there are 80,000 forged signatures on absentee ballots in Georgia , but they do n't bring forward a single person who this happened to .
That 's because it did n't happen . ''
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel dismissed Paxton 's suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a serious legal pleading . ''
`` Mr. Paxton 's actions are beneath the dignity of the office of Attorney General and the people of the great state of Texas , '' she said .
Paxton and Trump are political allies whose interests often line up in court , as with Texas ' challenge to the Affordable Care Act .
Paxton , in public appearances , often characterizes their relationship as a friendly one , sharing the story of the time the president called while Paxton was in the shower .
Paxton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for felony securities fraud charges , is facing fresh criminal allegations from eight of his top deputies , who said they believe he broke the law by using the agency to do favors for a political donor .
The FBI is investigating Paxton over those claims , according to the Associated Press .
Paxton has denied wrongdoing .
Notably , Paxton himself is listed as the agency 's lead attorney on the case — a highly unusual role for the state official , who rarely plays a hands-on role even in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief deputy , Brent Webster , signed onto the filing , but conspicuously absent is the agency 's top lawyer for appellate work , Solicitor General Kyle Hawkins , who typically argues the state 's cases before the Supreme Court and did so as recently as last month .
None of Hawkins ' deputies is listed as contributing to the case , nor are any of the agency 's hundreds of other attorneys .
The agency instead appears to have hired an outside attorney , Lawrence Joseph , to contribute to the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about its staffing choices for the lawsuit , nor did Hawkins himself .
Gov .
Greg Abbott , a former Texas attorney general , did not return a request for comment on the lawsuit .

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing four battleground states — Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — whose election results handed the White House to President-elect Joe Biden.
In the suit, he claims that pandemic-era changes to election procedures in those states violated federal law, and asks the U.S. Supreme Court to block the states from voting in the Electoral College.
The last-minute bid, which legal experts have already characterized as a longshot, comes alongside dozens of similar attempts by President Donald Trump and his political allies. The majority of those lawsuits have already failed.
There is no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, officials in most states and U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr have said. Biden won in all four states where Paxton is challenging the results.
In a filing to the high court Tuesday, Paxton claims the four battleground states broke the law by instituting pandemic-related changes to election policies, whether “through executive fiat or friendly lawsuits, thereby weakening ballot integrity."
Paxton claimed that these changes allowed for voter fraud to occur — a conclusion experts and election officials have rejected — and said the court should push back a Dec. 14 deadline by which states must appoint their presidential electors.
“That deadline, however, should not cement a potentially illegitimate election result in the middle of this storm," attorneys for Texas wrote.
Officials in Georgia — where Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger recertified the state's election results again Monday after a recount — were quick to dismiss Paxton's allegations, as were leaders in the other three states named in the lawsuit.
"The allegations in the lawsuit are false and irresponsible," Georgia's deputy secretary of state, Jordan Fuchs, said in a statement Tuesday. "Texas alleges that there are 80,000 forged signatures on absentee ballots in Georgia, but they don't bring forward a single person who this happened to. That's because it didn't happen."
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel dismissed Paxton's suit as "a publicity stunt, not a serious legal pleading."
"Mr. Paxton's actions are beneath the dignity of the office of Attorney General and the people of the great state of Texas," she said.
Paxton and Trump are political allies whose interests often line up in court, as with Texas' challenge to the Affordable Care Act. Paxton, in public appearances, often characterizes their relationship as a friendly one, sharing the story of the time the president called while Paxton was in the shower.
Paxton, who has been under indictment since 2015 for felony securities fraud charges, is facing fresh criminal allegations from eight of his top deputies, who said they believe he broke the law by using the agency to do favors for a political donor. The FBI is investigating Paxton over those claims, according to the Associated Press. Paxton has denied wrongdoing.
Notably, Paxton himself is listed as the agency's lead attorney on the case — a highly unusual role for the state official, who rarely plays a hands-on role even in the state's major cases. Paxton's new chief deputy, Brent Webster, signed onto the filing, but conspicuously absent is the agency's top lawyer for appellate work, Solicitor General Kyle Hawkins, who typically argues the state's cases before the Supreme Court and did so as recently as last month. None of Hawkins' deputies is listed as contributing to the case, nor are any of the agency's hundreds of other attorneys.
The agency instead appears to have hired an outside attorney, Lawrence Joseph, to contribute to the case.
The agency did not answer questions about its staffing choices for the lawsuit, nor did Hawkins himself.
Gov. Greg Abbott, a former Texas attorney general, did not return a request for comment on the lawsuit.


alternet--2020-12-08--Here’s why Trump’s 'window for subversion' with the 2020 election results is closing: report

More than a month has passed since the 2020 presidential election , and President Donald Trump and his legal team continue to fight the election results —claiming , without evidence , that he was the victim of widespread voter fraud and that President-elect Joe Biden did n't really win 306 electoral votes and defeat Trump by more than 7 million in the popular vote .
But CNN reporters Paul LeBlanc and Zachary B. Wolf , in an article published on Safe Harbor Day , explain why Trump 's `` small window for subversion officially closes '' this week .
Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal election law in the United States , Safe Harbor Day — which , according to LeBlanc and Wolf , means `` that when Congress tallies the electoral votes in January , it must accept electoral results that were certified before the deadline . ''
Safe Harbor Day , they point out , is a day to `` determine election results and assign electors . ''
`` Under the Electoral Count Act , this is the date by which states are meant to have counted votes , settled disputes , and determined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the CNN reporters explain .
`` Governors are supposed to create certificates of ascertainment listing the winner of the election and the slate of electors , and those results are shielded from further challenge . ''
LeBlanc and Wolf note that during the November 10-December 11 period , states certify their election results .
Biden 's victory has been certified by state officials in Pennsylvania , Arizona , Georgia , Wisconsin and other battleground states that he won .
Electoral votes , LeBlanc and Wolf add , are cast on `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December '' — which , this year , will be Monday , December 14 .
`` Electors will meet in their respective states and cast paper ballots for U.S. president , '' LeBlanc and Wolf write .
`` The results are then tabulated , signed , sealed and sent by registered mail to the vice president in Washington .
Many states have laws requiring their electors to support the winner of their state 's election . ''
Those electoral votes must arrive in Washington , D.C by December 23 , and in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of Congress .
According to CNN legal analyst Elie Honig , `` The arrival of the Safe Harbor date should effectively extinguish any dying embers of hope even for the last few remaining election denialists .
And what an utter disaster — legally and otherwise — the Trump team 's effort to contest the election in the courts has been . ''
Nonetheless , LeBlanc and Wolf point out that there is `` still room for drama '' from Trump supporters .
`` House conservatives want a floor fight , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staunchest defenders on Capitol Hill are urging him not to concede even after the Electoral College vote next week , calling on their party 's leader to fight for his unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud all the way to the House floor in January .
Watch for an unceremonious exit . ''

More than a month has passed since the 2020 presidential election, and President Donald Trump and his legal team continue to fight the election results —claiming, without evidence, that he was the victim of widespread voter fraud and that President-elect Joe Biden didn't really win 306 electoral votes and defeat Trump by more than 7 million in the popular vote. But CNN reporters Paul LeBlanc and Zachary B. Wolf, in an article published on Safe Harbor Day, explain why Trump's "small window for subversion officially closes" this week.
Tuesday, December 8 is, according to federal election law in the United States, Safe Harbor Day — which, according to LeBlanc and Wolf, means "that when Congress tallies the electoral votes in January, it must accept electoral results that were certified before the deadline." Safe Harbor Day, they point out, is a day to "determine election results and assign electors."
"Under the Electoral Count Act, this is the date by which states are meant to have counted votes, settled disputes, and determined the winner of their Electoral College votes," the CNN reporters explain. "Governors are supposed to create certificates of ascertainment listing the winner of the election and the slate of electors, and those results are shielded from further challenge."
LeBlanc and Wolf note that during the November 10-December 11 period, states certify their election results. Biden's victory has been certified by state officials in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin and other battleground states that he won.
Electoral votes, LeBlanc and Wolf add, are cast on "the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December" — which, this year, will be Monday, December 14.
"Electors will meet in their respective states and cast paper ballots for U.S. president," LeBlanc and Wolf write. "The results are then tabulated, signed, sealed and sent by registered mail to the vice president in Washington. Many states have laws requiring their electors to support the winner of their state's election."
Those electoral votes must arrive in Washington, D.C by December 23, and in early January, electoral votes are certified by members of Congress.
According to CNN legal analyst Elie Honig, "The arrival of the Safe Harbor date should effectively extinguish any dying embers of hope even for the last few remaining election denialists. And what an utter disaster — legally and otherwise — the Trump team's effort to contest the election in the courts has been."
Nonetheless, LeBlanc and Wolf point out that there is "still room for drama" from Trump supporters.
"House conservatives want a floor fight," the CNN reporters observe. "Trump's staunchest defenders on Capitol Hill are urging him not to concede even after the Electoral College vote next week, calling on their party's leader to fight for his unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud all the way to the House floor in January. Watch for an unceremonious exit."


alternet--2020-12-08--Trumpism hasn’t lost its iron grip on the GOP — and Trump is now furiously at war with 'RINOs': jour

Trumpism hasn’t lost its iron grip on the GOP — and Trump is now furiously at war with 'RINOs': journalist

Although former Vice President Joe Biden enjoyed a decisive victory in the 2020 presidential election — winning 306 electoral votes and defeating President Donald Trump by more than 7 million in the popular vote — most Republicans in Congress are afraid to publicly acknowledge Biden as president-elect .
Trump continues to claim , without evidence , that the election was stolen from him because of widespread voter fraud — and many Republicans are afraid of offending him .
This situation , journalist A.B .
Stoddard argues in an article for the conservative website The Bulwark , underscores the dysfunction in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still alive and well among Republicans .
`` In their confusion , '' Stoddard explains , `` Republicans seem not to have noticed the new dynamic which is emerging .
The combination of the 'stop-the-steal ' ragers and the fear of the silent Republican establishment types are mother 's milk to Trump . ''
Trump , Stoddard argues , could n't care less about the long-term wellbeing of the Republican Party — his only motivation is self-interest .
According to Stoddard , `` Donald Trump is going to destroy their party — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he 's trying to , but because the destruction of the GOP will be required in order to fill his psychological needs . ''
The Washington Post , on December 5 , reported that according to a survey of 249 Republicans serving in either the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives , only 25 were willing to publicly acknowledge Biden as president-elect .
And Trump , Stoddard notes , responded to the Post 's reporting by going on a `` RINO hunt '' and tweeting : Under Trumpism , any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election results runs the risk of being labeled a RINO : Republican in Name Only — and the so-called `` RINOs '' being lambasted by Trum supporters range from Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey to Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp , which is ironic in light of how aggressively Ducey and Kemp have supported Trump in the past .
And a major irony that Stoddard notes is the fact that `` Trump was n't a Republican before he ran for president . ''
Indeed , the Trump of the 1990s was more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , as Stoddard points out , loyalty to Trump is a litmus test for who is or is n't a `` real Republican . ''
`` After the 2020 election , the definition of who is a 'real ' Republican will be made by simple binary answer : were you with Trump in his attempt to steal a 'rigged ' election , or against him ?
Are you in or out of the Trump personality cult ?
, '' Stoddard writes .
`` It 's amusing to watch conventional Republicans try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about policy or ideology or something other than Donald Trump and his 'attitude . '
These people were happy to be complicit in Trumpism so long as they got their judges and nobody demanded that they break the law on Trump 's behalf . ''
Many Never Trump conservatives were hoping that 2020 would bring so massive a blue tsunami that the GOP would have no choice but to reject Trumpism and rebuild itself from the ground up .
But that tsunami did n't come about .
Although Biden 's victory was decisive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shrunk in the U.S. House of Representatives — and it remains to be seen how well Democrats will perform in two U.S. Senate runoffs in Georgia in January , and whether or not Democrats will be able to flip the Senate .
Trumpism , Stoddard laments , still has an iron grip on the Republican Party .
`` The MAGA cult no longer sees Democrats and the media as Enemy Number One , '' Stoddard stresses .
`` The Republicans who are n't legally permitted to deny reality are now the big threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next two — or four — years at war them . ''

Although former Vice President Joe Biden enjoyed a decisive victory in the 2020 presidential election — winning 306 electoral votes and defeating President Donald Trump by more than 7 million in the popular vote — most Republicans in Congress are afraid to publicly acknowledge Biden as president-elect. Trump continues to claim, without evidence, that the election was stolen from him because of widespread voter fraud — and many Republicans are afraid of offending him. This situation, journalist A.B. Stoddard argues in an article for the conservative website The Bulwark, underscores the dysfunction in the GOP and the fact that Trumpism is still alive and well among Republicans.
"In their confusion," Stoddard explains, "Republicans seem not to have noticed the new dynamic which is emerging. The combination of the 'stop-the-steal' ragers and the fear of the silent Republican establishment types are mother's milk to Trump."
Trump, Stoddard argues, couldn't care less about the long-term wellbeing of the Republican Party — his only motivation is self-interest.
According to Stoddard, "Donald Trump is going to destroy their party — not because he wants to or even because he's trying to, but because the destruction of the GOP will be required in order to fill his psychological needs."
The Washington Post, on December 5, reported that according to a survey of 249 Republicans serving in either the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives, only 25 were willing to publicly acknowledge Biden as president-elect. And Trump, Stoddard notes, responded to the Post's reporting by going on a "RINO hunt" and tweeting:
Under Trumpism, any Republican who publicly accepts the 2020 presidential election results runs the risk of being labeled a RINO: Republican in Name Only — and the so-called "RINOs" being lambasted by Trum supporters range from Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, which is ironic in light of how aggressively Ducey and Kemp have supported Trump in the past. And a major irony that Stoddard notes is the fact that "Trump wasn't a Republican before he ran for president."
Indeed, the Trump of the 1990s was more of a center-right Blue Dog Democrat. But now, as Stoddard points out, loyalty to Trump is a litmus test for who is or isn't a "real Republican."
"After the 2020 election, the definition of who is a 'real' Republican will be made by simple binary answer: were you with Trump in his attempt to steal a 'rigged' election, or against him? Are you in or out of the Trump personality cult?," Stoddard writes. "It's amusing to watch conventional Republicans try to cling to the idea that Trumpism is about policy or ideology or something other than Donald Trump and his 'attitude.' These people were happy to be complicit in Trumpism so long as they got their judges and nobody demanded that they break the law on Trump's behalf."
Many Never Trump conservatives were hoping that 2020 would bring so massive a blue tsunami that the GOP would have no choice but to reject Trumpism and rebuild itself from the ground up. But that tsunami didn't come about. Although Biden's victory was decisive, the size of the Democratic majority shrunk in the U.S. House of Representatives — and it remains to be seen how well Democrats will perform in two U.S. Senate runoffs in Georgia in January, and whether or not Democrats will be able to flip the Senate.
Trumpism, Stoddard laments, still has an iron grip on the Republican Party.
"The MAGA cult no longer sees Democrats and the media as Enemy Number One," Stoddard stresses. "The Republicans who aren't legally permitted to deny reality are now the big threat. And Trump is going to spend the next two — or four — years at war them."


alternet--2020-12-08--Companies hired to build Trump's border wall imported illegal armed guards: whistleblower

Two whistleblowers have revealed companies hired to build President Donald Trump 's incomplete border wall broke laws while completing construction work for the project .
According to NY Mag , the two whistleblowers — only identified as a former San Diego County deputy sheriff and an FBI agent on construction-security detail — have revealed some of the construction companies contracted to do the work for the wall actually failed properly screen their personnel and potential employees through the required U.S. Customs and Border Protection vetting process .
Back in February , The New York Times initially obtained a report regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that the companies involved were Sullivan Land Services Co. and Ultimate Concrete .
The whistle-blowers said Ultimate Concrete went so far as to build a dirt road to expedite illegal border crossings to sites in San Diego , using construction vehicles to block security cameras … Ultimate Concrete `` constructed a dirt road that would allow access from the Mexican side of the border into the United States , '' the whistle-blowers said in the complaint .
`` This U.C.-constructed road was apparently the route by which the armed Mexican nationals were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' An S.L.S .
project manager then pressured one of the whistle-blowers in July 2019 to not include information about the Mexican security guards in reports required to be submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers .
The companies are also accused of submitting `` fraudulent invoices to the federal government , including for diesel fuel and overstating their costs . ''
The complaint also offered an example of how prices were inflated on the invoices saying , `` If they were using a forklift , they would use it only sporadically throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel , in sum and substance , 'as if it was running all the time . '
'' The report also revealed how many times the wall had been breached by migrants .
Despite the staggering cost of Trump 's wall , it appears that it is failing to serve its intended purpose as U.S. Customs and Border Patrol documents revealed migrants managed to get beyond Trump 's wall approximately 320 times in four different areas across Arizona and California .

Two whistleblowers have revealed companies hired to build President Donald Trump's incomplete border wall broke laws while completing construction work for the project.
According to NY Mag, the two whistleblowers — only identified as a former San Diego County deputy sheriff and an FBI agent on construction-security detail — have revealed some of the construction companies contracted to do the work for the wall actually failed properly screen their personnel and potential employees through the required U.S. Customs and Border Protection vetting process.
Back in February, The New York Times initially obtained a report regarding the illegal vetting process. It was reported that the companies involved were Sullivan Land Services Co. and Ultimate Concrete.
The publication also reported:
The whistle-blowers said Ultimate Concrete went so far as to build a dirt road to expedite illegal border crossings to sites in San Diego, using construction vehicles to block security cameras …
Ultimate Concrete "constructed a dirt road that would allow access from the Mexican side of the border into the United States," the whistle-blowers said in the complaint. "This U.C.-constructed road was apparently the route by which the armed Mexican nationals were unlawfully crossing into the United States."
An S.L.S. project manager then pressured one of the whistle-blowers in July 2019 to not include information about the Mexican security guards in reports required to be submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers.
The companies are also accused of submitting "fraudulent invoices to the federal government, including for diesel fuel and overstating their costs."
The complaint also offered an example of how prices were inflated on the invoices saying, "If they were using a forklift, they would use it only sporadically throughout the day but charge the government for fuel, in sum and substance, 'as if it was running all the time.'"
The report also revealed how many times the wall had been breached by migrants. Despite the staggering cost of Trump's wall, it appears that it is failing to serve its intended purpose as U.S. Customs and Border Patrol documents revealed migrants managed to get beyond Trump's wall approximately 320 times in four different areas across Arizona and California.


alternet--2020-12-08--Arizona GOP Twitter account urges Republicans to 'give their lives' to keep Trump in office: 'Die fo

Arizona GOP Twitter account urges Republicans to 'give their lives' to keep Trump in office: 'Die for something'

In Arizona — one of the states that President-elect Joe Biden won — Republican Gov .
Ducey is being slammed as a RINO by far-right Trump supporters for certifying the state 's 2020 election results and acknowledging Biden , not President Donald Trump , as the winner .
Some Arizona Republicans are continuing to claim , without evidence , that Trump was robbed of a victory in that state by widespread voter fraud .
And one source of pro-Trump conspiracy theories in Arizona , BuzzFeed reporter Paul McLeod notes , is the Arizona GOP 's Twitter account — where extremists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die for Trump if necessary .
McLeod notes that when Twitter user @ ali posted , `` I am willing to give my life for this fight , '' the Arizona GOP only encouraged such rhetoric — telling Arizona Republicans , `` He is .
Are you ? ''
The `` fight '' that @ ali is referring to is Republican efforts to overturn the election results .
Another tweet sent from the Arizona GOP 's Twitter account , @ AZGOP , reads , `` This is what we do , who we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die for something .
`` The willing-to-die-for-Trump rhetoric coming from the far right is by no means limited to the @ AZGOP account on Twitter .
A caller to Rush Limbaugh 's show , distraught over the election results , recently told the far-right radio host he would gladly give his life for Trump .
Here are some of the other over-the-top tweets coming from @ AZGOP and its allies :

In Arizona — one of the states that President-elect Joe Biden won — Republican Gov. Ducey is being slammed as a RINO by far-right Trump supporters for certifying the state's 2020 election results and acknowledging Biden, not President Donald Trump, as the winner. Some Arizona Republicans are continuing to claim, without evidence, that Trump was robbed of a victory in that state by widespread voter fraud. And one source of pro-Trump conspiracy theories in Arizona, BuzzFeed reporter Paul McLeod notes, is the Arizona GOP's Twitter account — where extremists are saying that they're willing to die for Trump if necessary.
McLeod notes that when Twitter user @ali posted, "I am willing to give my life for this fight," the Arizona GOP only encouraged such rhetoric — telling Arizona Republicans, "He is. Are you?"
The "fight" that @ali is referring to is Republican efforts to overturn the election results.
Another tweet sent from the Arizona GOP's Twitter account, @AZGOP, reads, "This is what we do, who we are. Live for nothing, or die for something."The willing-to-die-for-Trump rhetoric coming from the far right is by no means limited to the @AZGOP account on Twitter. A caller to Rush Limbaugh's show, distraught over the election results, recently told the far-right radio host he would gladly give his life for Trump.
Here are some of the other over-the-top tweets coming from @AZGOP and its allies:


alternet--2020-12-08--Trump's coup attempt now includes phone calls pressuring Pennsylvania House speaker

Donald Trump expanded his coup attempt yet again with two calls trying to get the speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to overturn the will of the voters .
`` ' I 'm hearing about all these issues in Philadelphia , and these issues with your law , ' '' a spokesman for Bryan Cutler reported Trump saying .
`` 'What can we do to fix it ? '
'' The spokesman denied Trump pressuring Cutler , but come on , now .
Cutler is not the first state lawmaker Trump has tried to get to overturn election results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his loss .
He previously summoned Republican leaders in the Michigan legislature to the White House and called Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp in an attempt to get him to replace the state 's electors—attacking Kemp when the pressure failed .
`` Cutler made it very clear what power the legislature has and does not have , '' his spokesman said , and the legislature does not have the power to do what Trump wants .
Cutler did , however , join a group of 64 Republican Pennsylvania legislators calling on the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Republican Sen. Pat Toomey has said he `` will not be objecting '' to President-elect Joe Biden 's win of Pennsylvania 's 20 electors .
December 8 should end this phase of Trump 's coup attempt , because it 's Safe Harbor Day .
That means that , by law , Congress is required to accept the results of states that have certified their results by this day .
That gives Biden the win that he earned at the ballot box , despite Trump 's barrage of lawsuits and pressure on state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coup attempt is failing .
That does n't mean things are okay .
America 's democratic institutions are shuddering , straining at the seams , showing their weaknesses and breaking points , but holding .
Barely .
A few Republicans have genuinely pushed back on his pressure , while others have tried to slither along between the lines of , on the one hand , actually breaking the law and , on the other , suggesting it sure would be nice if someone else overturned this election .
Meanwhile millions of Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election was stolen from him , setting the stage for more years of dysfunction and violence .
But on December 14 , electors will officially cast their votes .
On January 6 , Congress will—not without conflict and challenge—count those votes .
And on January 20 , Joe Biden will be inaugurated .

Donald Trump expanded his coup attempt yet again with two calls trying to get the speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to overturn the will of the voters. "'I'm hearing about all these issues in Philadelphia, and these issues with your law,'" a spokesman for Bryan Cutler reported Trump saying. "'What can we do to fix it?'"
The spokesman denied Trump pressuring Cutler, but come on, now. Cutler is not the first state lawmaker Trump has tried to get to overturn election results after dozens of lawsuits failed to undo his loss. He previously summoned Republican leaders in the Michigan legislature to the White House and called Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in an attempt to get him to replace the state's electors—attacking Kemp when the pressure failed.
"Cutler made it very clear what power the legislature has and does not have," his spokesman said, and the legislature does not have the power to do what Trump wants. Cutler did, however, join a group of 64 Republican Pennsylvania legislators calling on the state's congressional delegation to reject its electors. Republican Sen. Pat Toomey has said he "will not be objecting" to President-elect Joe Biden's win of Pennsylvania's 20 electors.
December 8 should end this phase of Trump's coup attempt, because it's Safe Harbor Day. That means that, by law, Congress is required to accept the results of states that have certified their results by this day. That gives Biden the win that he earned at the ballot box, despite Trump's barrage of lawsuits and pressure on state officials to overturn results.
Trump's coup attempt is failing. That doesn't mean things are okay. America's democratic institutions are shuddering, straining at the seams, showing their weaknesses and breaking points, but holding. Barely. A few Republicans have genuinely pushed back on his pressure, while others have tried to slither along between the lines of, on the one hand, actually breaking the law and, on the other, suggesting it sure would be nice if someone else overturned this election. Meanwhile millions of Trump's supporters have been fooled into believing that the election was stolen from him, setting the stage for more years of dysfunction and violence.
But on December 14, electors will officially cast their votes. On January 6, Congress will—not without conflict and challenge—count those votes. And on January 20, Joe Biden will be inaugurated.


alternet--2020-12-08--‘Pernicious conspiracy’: Chris Krebs sues Trump attorney Joe diGenova who called for his execution

Chris Krebs , the former cybersecurity chief who declared – against President Donald Trump 's wishes – that the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ ever , is filing a lawsuit against one of the President 's attorneys who called @ @ @ @ @ York Times staff writer Alan Feuer reports .
`` Anybody who thinks that this election @ @ @ @ @ idiot Krebs who used to be the head of cybersecurity [ for Trump ] , @ @ @ @ @ said on `` The Howie Carr Show , '' which is simulcast on Newsmax .
@ @ @ @ @ class A moron .
He should be drawn and quartered .
Taken out at dawn @ @ @ @ @ his lawsuit Krebs accuses diGenova of `` a calculated and pernicious conspiracy , '' and @ @ @ @ @ unlawful and inflammatory 'call to action ' for '' him to `` suffer the fate @ @ @ @ @ '' The lawsuit says Krebs `` faces a genuine risk of imminent harm . ''
@ @ @ @ @ Alan Feuer with the scoop :

Chris Krebs, the former cybersecurity chief who declared – against President Donald Trump's wishes – that the 2020 election was the most secure ever, is filing a lawsuit against one of the President's attorneys who called for his execution, New York Times staff writer Alan Feuer reports.
"Anybody who thinks that this election went well, like that idiot Krebs who used to be the head of cybersecurity [for Trump]," Trump attorney Joe diGenova said on "The Howie Carr Show," which is simulcast on Newsmax. "That guy is a class A moron. He should be drawn and quartered. Taken out at dawn and shot."
In his lawsuit Krebs accuses diGenova of "a calculated and pernicious conspiracy," and says diGenova "issued an unlawful and inflammatory 'call to action' for" him to "suffer the fate of a convicted traitor."
The lawsuit says Krebs "faces a genuine risk of imminent harm."
Here's The Times' Alan Feuer with the scoop:


alternet--2020-12-08--Watch: Trump awkwardly walks out on Medal of Freedom ceremony

On Monday , Dec. 8 , President Donald Trump presented legendary wrestler and Iowa State University coach Dan Gable with the Medal of Freedom during a White House ceremony .
However , the momentous occasion came to an abrupt end when Trump exited the Oval Office with no explanation .
The move was so bizarre that Gable and his family members were left shrugging his shoulders in confusion .
However , one report sheds light on something else that may have triggered Trump and contributed to his awkward exit .
At one point , members of the press asked whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden 's inauguration next month .
According to The Lead : '' After Gable received his medal , he gave a speech and then the assembled press tried to ask Trump questions about attending the inauguration of Joe Biden and things of that nature .
Trump wanted nothing to do with it and just kind of walked out , looking agitated , leaving Gable and his family hanging in the Oval Office .
If the description does n't make it sound awkward , just look at Gable 's reaction . ''
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bizarre encounter .
During the Q & A period , Trump was asked , `` A week from now , Mr. President , the electors will meet to cast their vote .
There 's not a lot of time between now and then to make your case to overturn the vote .
At this point , are you looking to change the outcome of the election or try to make the case to the American people that it was n't fair ? ''
Trump responded with falsehoods about the election being rigged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court and multiple recounts in various states .
`` Well , I think the case has already been made .
If you look at the polls , it was a rigged election .
You look at the different states , '' Trump said .
`` The election was totally rigged .
It 's a disgrace to our country .
It 's like a third-world country — these ballots pouring in from everywhere , using machinery that nobody knows ownership , nobody knows anything about .
They have `` glitches , '' as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glitches were n't glitches .
They got caught sending out thousands of votes — all against me , by the way . ''
Despite Trump 's false claims , his post-election legal team has failed to overturn results in any of the states they have challenged .

On Monday, Dec. 8, President Donald Trump presented legendary wrestler and Iowa State University coach Dan Gable with the Medal of Freedom during a White House ceremony. However, the momentous occasion came to an abrupt end when Trump exited the Oval Office with no explanation. The move was so bizarre that Gable and his family members were left shrugging his shoulders in confusion.
However, one report sheds light on something else that may have triggered Trump and contributed to his awkward exit. At one point, members of the press asked whether or not he plans to attend President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration next month.
According to The Lead:
"After Gable received his medal, he gave a speech and then the assembled press tried to ask Trump questions about attending the inauguration of Joe Biden and things of that nature. Trump wanted nothing to do with it and just kind of walked out, looking agitated, leaving Gable and his family hanging in the Oval Office. If the description doesn't make it sound awkward, just look at Gable's reaction."
According to NJ.com, the transcript also details the bizarre encounter. During the Q&A period, Trump was asked, "A week from now, Mr. President, the electors will meet to cast their vote. There's not a lot of time between now and then to make your case to overturn the vote. At this point, are you looking to change the outcome of the election or try to make the case to the American people that it wasn't fair?"
Trump responded with falsehoods about the election being rigged, despite losing dozens of post-election lawsuits in court and multiple recounts in various states.
"Well, I think the case has already been made. If you look at the polls, it was a rigged election. You look at the different states," Trump said. "The election was totally rigged. It's a disgrace to our country. It's like a third-world country — these ballots pouring in from everywhere, using machinery that nobody knows ownership, nobody knows anything about. They have "glitches," as they call them. Glitches. The glitches weren't glitches. They got caught sending out thousands of votes — all against me, by the way."
Despite Trump's false claims, his post-election legal team has failed to overturn results in any of the states they have challenged.


alternet--2020-12-08--Would-be ‘strongman' Trump is attempting a coup — and most of his party is silent: Turkish journalis

Would-be ‘strongman' Trump is attempting a coup — and most of his party is silent: Turkish journalist

Zeynep Tufekci , a Turkish journalist who now lives in the United States and teaches at the University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , has been warning that President Donald Trump 's authoritarianism should not be taken lightly .
Tufekci revisits that subject in article published in The Atlantic on December 7 , stressing that whether or not Trump 's attempt to overthrow the United States ' 2020 election results is successful , Americans should be worried that he is even trying it in the first place .
`` The U.S. president is trying to steal the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approves or is pretending not to see it , '' Tufecki warns .
`` This is a particularly dangerous combination , and makes it much more than just typical Trumpian bluster or norm shattering . ''
The Istanbul native opens her article by describing the various coups d'état that members of her family observed living in Turkey .
And the events following the United States ' 2020 election , she warns , give Tufecki — to use another French phrase that has been imported into the English language — a sense of déjà @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one widely understood word captures what Donald Trump is trying to do , even though his acts do not meet its technical definition , '' Tufecki explains .
`` Trump is attempting to stage some kind of coup , one that is embedded in a broader and ongoing power grab .
And if that 's hard to recognize , this might be your first . ''
Americans , Tufecki argues , do n't have first-hand experience with coups d'état .
But when she appeared on MSNBC 's `` Morning Joe '' on December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she stressed that if the events following the 2020 presidential election were happening in other parts of the world , it would be reported as an attempted coup d'état by a would-be `` strongman . ''
Tufecki told `` Morning Joe '' hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski , `` This is an attempt to steal an election… .
The fact that Republican leaders are not standing up to ( Trump ) makes it dangerous….. 74 million people voted for him , and all they 're hearing is that the election was stolen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece , Tufecki describes recent events in the U.S. — and she argues , in essence , that they are characteristic of a banana republic .
The Turkish journalist observes , `` The president and his key allies have repeatedly called for Republican state legislators to steal the election for him by appointing new electors who will support him instead of backing the winner of the state 's electoral votes… .
The president 's high-profile allies are holding rallies where supporters are chanting 'Lock him up !
, ' calling for the imprisonment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is opposing his attempts to steal the election… .
The president 's election lawyer said that 'the entire election , frankly , in all the swing states , should be overturned , and the legislatures should make sure that the electors are selected for Trump'… .
Michael Flynn , the former national security adviser — a powerful post — who was just pardoned by Trump , has amplified calls for the president to suspend the Constitution and hold another election . ''
In an Atlantic article published on November 6 , Tufecki warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a future would-be strongman might have a lot more self-discipline .
And in her latest Atlantic piece , Tufecki warns Americans that democracy is n't something they can take for granted .
`` We 're being tested , and we 're failing , '' Tufecki says of her adopted country .
`` The next attempt to steal an election may involve a closer election and smarter lawsuits .
Imagine the same playbook executed with better decorum , a president exerting pressure that is less crass and issuing tweets that are more polite .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ police this ham-handed attempt at a power grab , how many would resist a smoother , less grossly embarrassing effort ? ''

Zeynep Tufekci, a Turkish journalist who now lives in the United States and teaches at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, has been warning that President Donald Trump's authoritarianism should not be taken lightly. Tufekci revisits that subject in article published in The Atlantic on December 7, stressing that whether or not Trump's attempt to overthrow the United States' 2020 election results is successful, Americans should be worried that he is even trying it in the first place.
"The U.S. president is trying to steal the election, and crucially, his party either tacitly approves or is pretending not to see it," Tufecki warns. "This is a particularly dangerous combination, and makes it much more than just typical Trumpian bluster or norm shattering."
The Istanbul native opens her article by describing the various coups d'état that members of her family observed living in Turkey. And the events following the United States' 2020 election, she warns, give Tufecki — to use another French phrase that has been imported into the English language — a sense of déjà vu.
"In English, only one widely understood word captures what Donald Trump is trying to do, even though his acts do not meet its technical definition," Tufecki explains. "Trump is attempting to stage some kind of coup, one that is embedded in a broader and ongoing power grab. And if that's hard to recognize, this might be your first."
Americans, Tufecki argues, don't have first-hand experience with coups d'état. Butwhen she appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on December 8 to discuss her Atlantic article, she stressed that if the events following the 2020 presidential election were happening in other parts of the world, it would be reported as an attempted coup d'état by a would-be "strongman."
Tufecki told "Morning Joe" hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, "This is an attempt to steal an election…. The fact that Republican leaders are not standing up to (Trump) makes it dangerous….. 74 million people voted for him, and all they're hearing is that the election was stolen from him."
In her Atlantic piece, Tufecki describes recent events in the U.S. — and she argues, in essence, that they are characteristic of a banana republic.
The Turkish journalist observes, "The president and his key allies have repeatedly called for Republican state legislators to steal the election for him by appointing new electors who will support him instead of backing the winner of the state's electoral votes…. The president's high-profile allies are holding rallies where supporters are chanting 'Lock him up!,' calling for the imprisonment of Georgia's Republican governor, who is opposing his attempts to steal the election…. The president's election lawyer said that 'the entire election, frankly, in all the swing states, should be overturned, and the legislatures should make sure that the electors are selected for Trump'…. Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser — a powerful post — who was just pardoned by Trump, has amplified calls for the president to suspend the Constitution and hold another election."
In an Atlantic article published on November 6, Tufecki warned that although Trump is a buffoon, a future would-be strongman might have a lot more self-discipline. And in her latest Atlantic piece, Tufecki warns Americans that democracy isn't something they can take for granted.
"We're being tested, and we're failing," Tufecki says of her adopted country. "The next attempt to steal an election may involve a closer election and smarter lawsuits. Imagine the same playbook executed with better decorum, a president exerting pressure that is less crass and issuing tweets that are more polite. If most Republican officials are failing to police this ham-handed attempt at a power grab, how many would resist a smoother, less grossly embarrassing effort?"


alternet--2020-12-09--'Vibrational frequencies': Trump supporters on why they don’t wear masks — and it's a real doozy

In a video posted to their Twitter account this Tuesday , comedy duo The Good Liars interviewed a pair of @ @ @ @ @ women why they do n't wear masks in the midst of a surging global pandemic @ @ @ @ @ have the vibrational frequency to host the virus , '' one of the women said @ @ @ @ @ you do n't have that vibrational frequency right here , you 're not gon na @ @ @ @ @ to the other woman , she does n't `` put life into COVID , '' @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
`` I never wear a mask , '' she said .
`` @ @ @

In a video posted to their Twitter account this Tuesday, comedy duo The Good Liars interviewed a pair of Trump supporters, asking the women why they don't wear masks in the midst of a surging global pandemic.
"We don't have the vibrational frequency to host the virus," one of the women said. "So, if you don't have that vibrational frequency right here, you're not gonna get it."
According to the other woman, she doesn't "put life into COVID," so she's immune from the virus. "I never wear a mask," she said. "Ever."
Watch the video below:


alternet--2020-12-09--'Reckless and irresponsible': GOP lawyer resigns from Florida government after raid on data analyst'

'Reckless and irresponsible': GOP lawyer resigns from Florida government after raid on data analyst's home

A Republican lawyer in Sarasota , Fla. who was appointed three times to serve the state 's Judicial Nominating Commission cut ties with the state over Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic .
According to Tampa Bay , Ron Filipkowski — a lifelong Republican and Marine veteran who also worked as a state and local prosecutor and was appointed to the 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission by the sitting Florida governor — submitted his resignation on the morning of Tuesday , Dec. 8 .
His decision came after reviewing the search warrant affidavit from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rebekah Jones , former Department of Health data analyst .
Since her departure from the state department , Jones has been running an alternative web platform to report COVID-19 data .
She was also suspected of issuing a warning to `` Department of Health messaging system urging people to `` Be a hero .
Speak out before it 's too late . ''
The state 's search warrant sought to seize electronic devices from Jones ' home .
According to Filipowski , DeSantis ' leadership amid the coronavirus pandemic is `` reckless and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding public access to truthful data on the pandemic , and the specific treatment of Rebekah Jones has made the issue a legal one rather than just medical , '' he wrote in a letter to the governor 's general counsel .
`` ...
I no longer wish to serve the current government of Florida in any capacity . ''
`` What 's the crime ?
The crime is hacking into an email server to tell people to tell the truth ?
, '' he said .
`` That 's not a horrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all . ''
`` Even though I was never happy with the way that DeSantis handled COVID , that is still separate and distinct from what I do on the JNC , '' he said .
`` But this is different because now what you 're doing is using police powers , '' Filipowski said .
`` You 're using law enforcement in intimidating people who are trying to tell the truth and now we are crossing over to my whole life as a prosecutor , employer , crusader .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different level . ''
Filipowski hopes his resignation `` could draw some more attention to it '' and `` to the plight of the people of Florida who I feel are not being told the truth about COVID . ''

A Republican lawyer in Sarasota, Fla. who was appointed three times to serve the state's Judicial Nominating Commission cut ties with the state over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Tampa Bay, Ron Filipkowski — a lifelong Republican and Marine veteran who also worked as a state and local prosecutor and was appointed to the 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission by the sitting Florida governor — submitted his resignation on the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 8. His decision came after reviewing the search warrant affidavit from the state seeking to raid the home of Rebekah Jones, former Department of Health data analyst.
Since her departure from the state department, Jones has been running an alternative web platform to report COVID-19 data. She was also suspected of issuing a warning to "Department of Health messaging system urging people to "Be a hero. Speak out before it's too late." The state's search warrant sought to seize electronic devices from Jones' home.
According to Filipowski, DeSantis' leadership amid the coronavirus pandemic is "reckless and irresponsible."
"The recent events regarding public access to truthful data on the pandemic, and the specific treatment of Rebekah Jones has made the issue a legal one rather than just medical,'' he wrote in a letter to the governor's general counsel. "...I no longer wish to serve the current government of Florida in any capacity."
"What's the crime? The crime is hacking into an email server to tell people to tell the truth?,'' he said. "That's not a horrible crime, if it's a crime at all."
"Even though I was never happy with the way that DeSantis handled COVID, that is still separate and distinct from what I do on the JNC,'' he said.
"But this is different because now what you're doing is using police powers," Filipowski said. "You're using law enforcement in intimidating people who are trying to tell the truth and now we are crossing over to my whole life as a prosecutor, employer, crusader. This is wrong. He is taking it to a different level."
Filipowski hopes his resignation "could draw some more attention to it" and "to the plight of the people of Florida who I feel are not being told the truth about COVID."