alternet--2020-10-09--These 5 far-right extremist groups could pose a national security threat in the run up to the electi

These 5 far-right extremist groups could pose a national security threat in the run up to the election

Throughout the anti-racism protests that have rocked the United States since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 , President Donald Trump and his obedient sycophants at Fox News have engaged in nonstop fear-mongering over the Antifa movement .
But it is n't Antifa that is imperiling the United States from a national security standpoint in 2020 — it is far-right white nationalist and white supremacist groups and extremist militias .
And on Thursday , October 8 , the danger that white nationalists and militia groups pose was evident when the FBI announced that six men had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorist plot to kidnap and possibly murder Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .
Six men are facing federal charges , while seven of their allies are facing weapons charges at the state level in Michigan .
The men arrested include members of the Wolverine Watchmen , an anti-government militia group , as well as allies of the Boogaloo movement .
As these groups see it , Democrats like Whitmer do not hold power legitimately : the alleged would-be kidnappers , according to the FBI , planned to take Whitmer to Wisconsin after kidnapping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and execute her for treason if found guilty .
And there is no reason to believe that far-right white extremists will not engage in violence in the weeks ahead if they do not like the way the presidential election is going .
Here are five extremist groups or movements to be worried about in the months to come .
According to NBC News , some of the Wolverine Watchmen arrested in connection with the alleged terrorist plot against Whitmer are also supporters of the Boogaloo movement — which has been calling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race war and seeks the violent overthrow of the U.S. government .
Boogaloo members also openly advocate killing police officers .
In Northern California , Boogaloo supporter Steven Carrillo was arrested in connection with an armed attack on a federal courthouse in Oakland on May 29 .
That attack left a security officer from the Federal Protective Service dead .
Trump 's claim that Antifa is a terrorist movement is laughable .
For all their militant rhetoric , Antifa do not engage in terrorist activities like the alleged plot against Whitmer or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white nationalist groups do .
The QAnon movement has been identified by the FBI as a possible source of domestic terrorism , and its sympathizers are making their way to the U.S. House of Representatives .
In Georgia , QAnon supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene won a congressional primary on August 11 , and given how deeply Republican her district is , it is entirely possible that she will win the general election in November and be sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2021 — which is incredibly disturbing when one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the QAnon conspiracy theory , the U.S. government has been infiltrated by an international ring of pedophiles and Satanists , and Trump was put in power to combat the ring .
According to QAnon , an anonymous figure named Q is giving them updates on Trump 's battle .
As ludicrous as QAnon 's beliefs are , supporters take them quite seriously .
And if Trump loses to former Vice President Joe Biden in November and QAnon members feel a sense of desperation , that could make them even more dangerous and unhinged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on September 29 , moderator Chris Wallace ( one of the more reasonable conservatives at Fox News ) gave Trump every chance to condemn white nationalism and white supremacy .
Instead , Trump expressed his solidarity with the far-right Proud Boys — a group of self-described `` western chauvinists '' who openly advocate violence and have been carrying out violent attacks against members of Black Lives Matter at anti-racism demonstrations .
After Trump 's endorsement , members of the Proud Boys expressed their feelings of empowerment and declared that they were ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's behalf .
Proud Boys organizer Joe Biggs , following that debate , posted , `` Trump basically said to go fuck them up !
This makes me so happy . ''
By `` them , '' Biggs was referring to Antifa .
And Biggs also posted , `` President Trump told the proud boys to stand by because someone needs to deal with ANTIFA ... well sir !
we 're ready !
! ''
The Three Percenters are n't one specific group , but rather , a movement of far-right militias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in military-like training , and they have made it clear that they are fully prepared for armed struggle .
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center , `` Percenterism is one of three core components within the anti-government militia movement , along with the Oath Keepers and traditional militia groups .
The reference to ' 3 Percent ' stems from the dubious historical claim that only 3 % of American colonists fought against the British during the War of Independence .
The Wolverine Watchmen are among the many militia groups that believe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not hold power legitimately and that it is their duty to wage armed struggle against their enemies .
According to the FBI , the Wolverine Watchmen believed that Whitmer had violated the U.S. Constitution by promoting social distancing restrictions in Michigan in response to the coronavirus pandemic — and after kidnapping her and putting her on `` trial '' for treason , they would execute her if found guilty .
But the group 's activities , the FBI said , went way beyond their alleged plot to kidnap Whitmer : they also hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overthrow the state government and ignite a civil war .

Throughout the anti-racism protests that have rocked the United States since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, President Donald Trump and his obedient sycophants at Fox News have engaged in nonstop fear-mongering over the Antifa movement. But it isn't Antifa that is imperiling the United States from a national security standpoint in 2020 — it is far-right white nationalist and white supremacist groups and extremist militias. And on Thursday, October 8, the danger that white nationalists and militia groups pose was evident when the FBI announced that six men had been arrested in connection with an alleged terrorist plot to kidnap and possibly murder Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Six men are facing federal charges, while seven of their allies are facing weapons charges at the state level in Michigan.
The men arrested include members of the Wolverine Watchmen, an anti-government militia group, as well as allies of the Boogaloo movement. As these groups see it, Democrats like Whitmer do not hold power legitimately: the alleged would-be kidnappers, according to the FBI, planned to take Whitmer to Wisconsin after kidnapping her, put her on "trial" and execute her for treason if found guilty. And there is no reason to believe that far-right white extremists will not engage in violence in the weeks ahead if they do not like the way the presidential election is going.
Here are five extremist groups or movements to be worried about in the months to come.
1. The Boogaloo Bois
According to NBC News, some of the Wolverine Watchmen arrested in connection with the alleged terrorist plot against Whitmer are also supporters of the Boogaloo movement — which has been calling for a civil war as well as a race war and seeks the violent overthrow of the U.S. government. Boogaloo members also openly advocate killing police officers. In Northern California, Boogaloo supporter Steven Carrillo was arrested in connection with an armed attack on a federal courthouse in Oakland on May 29. That attack left a security officer from the Federal Protective Service dead.
Trump's claim that Antifa is a terrorist movement is laughable. For all their militant rhetoric, Antifa do not engage in terrorist activities like the alleged plot against Whitmer or the drive-by attack in Oakland. But far-right white nationalist groups do.
2. QAnon
The QAnon movement has been identified by the FBI as a possible source of domestic terrorism, and its sympathizers are making their way to the U.S. House of Representatives. In Georgia, QAnon supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene won a congressional primary on August 11, and given how deeply Republican her district is, it is entirely possible that she will win the general election in November and be sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2021 — which is incredibly disturbing when one considers what QAnon believes. According to the QAnon conspiracy theory, the U.S. government has been infiltrated by an international ring of pedophiles and Satanists, and Trump was put in power to combat the ring. According to QAnon, an anonymous figure named Q is giving them updates on Trump's battle.
As ludicrous as QAnon's beliefs are, supporters take them quite seriously. And if Trump loses to former Vice President Joe Biden in November and QAnon members feel a sense of desperation, that could make them even more dangerous and unhinged.
3. The Proud Boys
During Trump's debate with Biden on September 29, moderator Chris Wallace (one of the more reasonable conservatives at Fox News) gave Trump every chance to condemn white nationalism and white supremacy. Instead, Trump expressed his solidarity with the far-right Proud Boys — a group of self-described "western chauvinists" who openly advocate violence and have been carrying out violent attacks against members of Black Lives Matter at anti-racism demonstrations. After Trump's endorsement, members of the Proud Boys expressed their feelings of empowerment and declared that they were ready to carry out acts of violence on the president's behalf.
Proud Boys organizer Joe Biggs, following that debate, posted, "Trump basically said to go fuck them up! This makes me so happy." By "them," Biggs was referring to Antifa. And Biggs also posted, "President Trump told the proud boys to stand by because someone needs to deal with ANTIFA...well sir! we're ready!!"
4. The Three Percenters movement
The Three Percenters aren't one specific group, but rather, a movement of far-right militias. Three Percenters are well-armed and engage in military-like training, and they have made it clear that they are fully prepared for armed struggle. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, "Percenterism is one of three core components within the anti-government militia movement, along with the Oath Keepers and traditional militia groups. The reference to '3 Percent' stems from the dubious historical claim that only 3% of American colonists fought against the British during the War of Independence.
5. The Wolverine Watchmen
The Wolverine Watchmen are among the many militia groups that believe that liberals and progressives and anti-Trump conservatives do not hold power legitimately and that it is their duty to wage armed struggle against their enemies. According to the FBI, the Wolverine Watchmen believed that Whitmer had violated the U.S. Constitution by promoting social distancing restrictions in Michigan in response to the coronavirus pandemic — and after kidnapping her and putting her on "trial" for treason, they would execute her if found guilty. But the group's activities, the FBI said, went way beyond their alleged plot to kidnap Whitmer: they also hoped to kidnap other officials in Michigan, overthrow the state government and ignite a civil war.


alternet--2020-10-09--Bill Barr confirms GOP's Russia report will not be released before Election Day

U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr has reportedly begun suggesting to top Republican officials that the Department of Justice 's invasive report on the origin of the investigation into Russia 's interference in the 2016 election will not be complete before Election Day .
On multiple occasions , President Donald Trump has insisted that `` Obamagate '' is a real scandal .
In fact , on multiple occasions he has accused Former President Barack Obama of investigating his 2016 presidential campaign .
However , there has always been just one issue with Trump 's claims : he never had intelligence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's remarks raise more questions about whether or not Trump will ever be able to confirm his claims .
The latest news comes as Republican lawmakers hoped they would be able to tie the origin of the Russian investigation to Obama 's administration .
For years , Trump and many Republican lawmakers have accused Obama of abusing power but without the completed report to serve as substantial evidence of their accusations , the allegations are nothing more than speculation .
A Republican congressional aide reportedly weighed in on the potential impact the DOJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Providing the report after the critical upcoming date could diminish the significance of the report along with the credibility of the investigation and the Republican Party .
`` This is the nightmare scenario .
Essentially , the year and a half of arguably the number one issue for the Republican base is virtually meaningless if this does n't happen before the election , '' a GOP congressional aide told the publication .
The latest report about Barr 's remarks comes just one day after Trump discussed the Russian investigation during a phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview , Trump slammed Barr , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , and Federal Bureau of Investigations ( FBI ) director Christopher Wray .
Although the report remains incomplete , Trump claimed the delays are simply to get `` more '' information .
`` To be honest , Bill Barr is going to go down as either the greatest attorney general in the history of the country or he 's going to go down as , you know , a very sad situation , '' Trump told host Maria Bartiromo .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He 's got all the information he needs .
They want to get more , more , more .
They keep getting more .
I said , 'you do n't need any more . '
'' During the interview , Trump also lambasted Pompeo as he criticized him for not working harder to locate former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton 's emails .
`` They 're in the State Department , but Mike Pompeo has been unable to get them out , which is very sad , actually , '' Trump said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that reason .
He was unable to get them out .
I do n't know why .
You 're running the State Department , you get them out . ''

U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr has reportedly begun suggesting to top Republican officials that the Department of Justice's invasive report on the origin of the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election will not be complete before Election Day.
On multiple occasions, President Donald Trump has insisted that "Obamagate" is a real scandal. In fact, on multiple occasions he has accused Former President Barack Obama of investigating his 2016 presidential campaign. However, there has always been just one issue with Trump's claims: he never had intelligence to support his allegations. Now, Barr's remarks raise more questions about whether or not Trump will ever be able to confirm his claims.
The latest news comes as Republican lawmakers hoped they would be able to tie the origin of the Russian investigation to Obama's administration. For years, Trump and many Republican lawmakers have accused Obama of abusing power but without the completed report to serve as substantial evidence of their accusations, the allegations are nothing more than speculation.
A Republican congressional aide reportedly weighed in on the potential impact the DOJ's delay could have on the election. Providing the report after the critical upcoming date could diminish the significance of the report along with the credibility of the investigation and the Republican Party.
"This is the nightmare scenario. Essentially, the year and a half of arguably the number one issue for the Republican base is virtually meaningless if this doesn't happen before the election," a GOP congressional aide told the publication.
The latest report about Barr's remarks comes just one day after Trump discussed the Russian investigation during a phone interview on Fox News. During that interview, Trump slammed Barr, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) director Christopher Wray. Although the report remains incomplete, Trump claimed the delays are simply to get "more" information.
"To be honest, Bill Barr is going to go down as either the greatest attorney general in the history of the country or he's going to go down as, you know, a very sad situation," Trump told host Maria Bartiromo. "I'll be honest with you. He's got all the information he needs. They want to get more, more, more. They keep getting more. I said, 'you don't need any more.'"
During the interview, Trump also lambasted Pompeo as he criticized him for not working harder to locate former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's emails.
"They're in the State Department, but Mike Pompeo has been unable to get them out, which is very sad, actually," Trump said. "I'm not happy about him for that reason. He was unable to get them out. I don't know why. You're running the State Department, you get them out."


alternet--2020-10-09--Trump to get on-camera ‘medical evaluation’ by hydroxychloroquine-pushing Fox News doctor

• On February 17 , Siegel said he “ ca n't believe how well ” the Trump administration is handling the coronavirus response , adding : “ The proof is in the pudding .
We have 15 people in the United States with it .
That 's it .
No one has died.
” • Three days later , Siegel described Trump ’ s leadership on the coronavirus as “ tremendous ” and said the administration is “ spreading confidence.
” • On March 6 , Siegel said the “ worst-case scenario ” for coronavirus is “ it could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Siegel agreed with Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Pete Hegseth after he said , “ I feel like the more I learn about this , the less there is to worry about.
” Siegel responded , “ I was about to say the same thing.
” • On April 20 , Siegel cited unreliable antibody testing data to claim : “ The death rate is much , much lower than we ’ ve been talking about if you think about all these asymptomatic cases versus the tragic 600 that passed away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus that for most cases is dramatically mild , we ’ re talking about a lower fatality rate than we thought.
” • On July 7 , he said schools need to reopen because “ the risk to teachers is so much lower than it is to doctors.
” • On the same day , Siegel said , “ The spread among the young is not what is leading to the deaths or hospitalizations.
” Recent research has shown this is false : During the time period Siegel made this remark , young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and may have later passed it on to older , more vulnerable populations .
• Siegel pushed Trump campaign talking points falsely labeling Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris as “ anti-vaxx , ” ignoring that the Trump administration has been undermining scientists in the federal government while promising a viable vaccine by Election Day , which is fueling skepticism toward the president ’ s claims .
• On August 6 , Siegel spun Trump ’ s falsehoods on the risk of coronavirus to children on one of Fox ’ s “ straight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t interpret ” what Trump meant when he said children are “ almost immune ” from coronavirus .
There are many questions swirling around President Donald Trump and his current health status : When did he first test positive for coronavirus ?
When was his last negative test ?
Why is the White House using a rapid test to claim people are coronavirus-free when it 's designed only for those with coronavirus symptoms ?
What is Trump 's current viral load ?
Why wo n't Trump or his doctors say if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is long .
None of those questions are expected to be answered tonight , when a pro-Trump hydroxychloroquine-pushing Fox News doctor who has made questionable and just plain false coronavirus claims will examine President Trump on the conservative cable network 's show hosted by Tucker Carlson .
Fox News recently won a court case by arguing reasonable viewers should not believe what is said on Carlson 's show .
This morning , just 25 days before Election Day , the network announced `` President Trump is scheduled to make his first on-camera interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week that he tested positive for the novel coronavirus . ''
Notice even Fox does n't say `` since he tested positive for the novel coronavirus . ''
It says `` since he announced . ''
Because the Trump administration refuses to level with the American people about the health of their president .
`` The interview will take place on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight ' at 8 p.m .
ET .
Dr. Marc Siegel will conduct a medical evaluation and interview during the program . ''
That is Fox News contributor Dr. Marc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has appeared nearly 300 times on Fox News , as of Sept. 29 , to discuss coronavirus , and says he `` regularly pushes coronavirus misinformation , downplays the severity of the crisis , and discards science in favor of right-wing talking points . ''
`` In the past , '' Bloomberg adds , Dr. Siegel `` has speculated without evidence that [ Joe ] Biden is using speed and Adderall before debates , said it ’ s 'almost impossible ' for people under 70 to die from Covid-19 , and argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Trump ’ s health . ''
Siegel once even attributed a decline in coronavirus deaths to a coronavirus “ vaccine on the horizon ” that has not been released .
`` Rather than reveal his medical records to reporters the traditional way in 2016 , Trump dictated a letter to his doctor and shared it during a TV appearance with Dr. Oz , '' Bloomberg reminds Americans .
As for the medical evaluation – not `` medical examination , '' well , why should Americans trust the word of a physician who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said concern about the pandemic was being exaggerated to attack President Donald Trump politically , then he became among the first Fox personalities to push hydroxychloroquine as a supposed miracle treatment , '' as Media Matters reported last month .
What else has Dr. Siegel said about the deadly virus that to date has killed nearly 215,000 people in the United States ?
Some excerpts from Media Matters ' extensive report : What will Americans learn tonight about the health of their President ?
Probably whatever Trump says is the `` truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Hayes said last night :

On February 17, Siegel said he “can't believe how well” the Trump administration is handling the coronavirus response, adding: “The proof is in the pudding. We have 15 people in the United States with it. That's it. No one has died.”
Three days later, Siegel described Trump’s leadership on the coronavirus as “tremendous” and said the administration is “spreading confidence.”
On March 6, Siegel said the “worst-case scenario” for coronavirus is “it could be the flu.”
On March 8, Siegel agreed with Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Pete Hegseth after he said, “I feel like the more I learn about this, the less there is to worry about.” Siegel responded, “I was about to say the same thing.”
On April 20, Siegel cited unreliable antibody testing data to claim: “The death rate is much, much lower than we’ve been talking about if you think about all these asymptomatic cases versus the tragic 600 that passed away. … We’re talking about a virus that for most cases is dramatically mild, we’re talking about a lower fatality rate than we thought.”
On July 7, he said schools need to reopen because “the risk to teachers is so much lower than it is to doctors.”
On the same day, Siegel said, “The spread among the young is not what is leading to the deaths or hospitalizations.” Recent research has shown this is false: During the time period Siegel made this remark, young people were catching and spreading the disease and may have later passed it on to older, more vulnerable populations.
Siegel pushed Trump campaign talking points falsely labeling Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris as “anti-vaxx,” ignoring that the Trump administration has been undermining scientists in the federal government while promising a viable vaccine by Election Day, which is fueling skepticism toward the president’s claims.
On August 6, Siegel spun Trump’s falsehoods on the risk of coronavirus to children on one of Fox’s “straight news” shows: “I can’t interpret” what Trump meant when he said children are “almost immune” from coronavirus.
I don't think at this point there is any reason to give face value credence to the White House or president's doctors' pronouncements about either the timeline of his illness or his current status. — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) October 9, 2020
From Your Site Articles The bizarre link to hydroxychloroquine at the Capitol riot - Alternet.org ›
There are many questions swirling around President Donald Trump and his current health status: When did he first test positive for coronavirus? When was his last negative test? Why is the White House using a rapid test to claim people are coronavirus-free when it's designed only for those with coronavirus symptoms? What is Trump's current viral load? Why won't Trump or his doctors say if he has currently tested negative? The list is long. None of those questions are expected to be answered tonight, when a pro-Trump hydroxychloroquine-pushing Fox News doctor who has made questionable and just plain false coronavirus claims will examine President Trump on the conservative cable network's show hosted by Tucker Carlson. Fox News recently won a court case by arguing reasonable viewers should not believe what is said on Carlson's show. This morning, just 25 days before Election Day, the network announced "President Trump is scheduled to make his first on-camera interview appearance on Friday since he announced last week that he tested positive for the novel coronavirus." Notice even Fox doesn't say "since he tested positive for the novel coronavirus." It says "since he announced." Because the Trump administration refuses to level with the American people about the health of their president. "The interview will take place on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' at 8 p.m. ET. Dr. Marc Siegel will conduct a medical evaluation and interview during the program." That is Fox News contributor Dr. Marc Siegel. Media Matters reports that Siegel has appeared nearly 300 times on Fox News, as of Sept. 29, to discuss coronavirus, and says he "regularly pushes coronavirus misinformation, downplays the severity of the crisis, and discards science in favor of right-wing talking points." "In the past," Bloomberg adds, Dr. Siegel "has speculated without evidence that [Joe] Biden is using speed and Adderall before debates, said it’s 'almost impossible' for people under 70 to die from Covid-19, and argued that Speaker Nancy Pelosi should 'stop pontificating' about Trump’s health." Siegel once even attributed a decline in coronavirus deaths to a coronavirus“ vaccine on the horizon ” that has not been released. "Rather than reveal his medical records to reporters the traditional way in 2016, Trump dictated a letter to his doctor and shared it during a TV appearance with Dr. Oz," Bloomberg reminds Americans. As for the medical evaluation – not "medical examination," well, why should Americans trust the word of a physician who "repeatedly compared COVID-19 to the flu and said concern about the pandemic was being exaggerated to attack President Donald Trump politically, then he became among the first Fox personalities to push hydroxychloroquine as a supposed miracle treatment," as Media Matters reported last month. What else has Dr. Siegel said about the deadly virus that to date has killed nearly 215,000 people in the United States? Some excerpts from Media Matters' extensive report:What will Americans learn tonight about the health of their President? Probably whatever Trump says is the "truth." Here's what MSNBC's Chris Hayes said last night:


alternet--2020-10-09--Trump's doctor is trampling on public safety

White House physician Sean Conley confirmed on Thursday that President Donald Trump is now free to make a `` safe return '' to public events beginning on Saturday .
However , medical experts are now questioning Conley 's assessment and swift clearance of the president .
The president 's doctor released a memo about the president 's health insisting his condition has stabilized as he completed therapy for COVID-19 .
According to Conley the president is said to have responded the therapy `` extremely well . ''
`` Since returning home , his physical exam has remained stable and devoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness .
Overall he 's responded extremely well to treatment , without evidence on examination of adverse therapeutic effects , '' Conley wrote .
`` Saturday will be day 10 since Thursday 's diagnosis , and based on the trajectory of advanced diagnostics the team has been conducting , I fully anticipate the President 's safe return to public engagements at that time , '' he continued .
The latest news came as Trump announced his intent to resume with campaign rallies over the weekend as he insisted on holding a rally in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday .
Conley is now facing criticism for his overall assessment of Trump 's coronavirus case .
Last week , Trump was airlifted to Walter Reed Medical Center where he was hospitalized for COVID .
The White House faced scrutiny for its inconsistencies and lack of transparency regarding the president 's health .
Although Conley often painted a relatively pleasant picture of Trump 's health , the medications he was administered suggested that the president may have been battling a severe case of COVID .
Despite speculation , Conley defied odds by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital in just three days .
Now , he has given Trump the green light despite the president being COVID-positive for just one week .
Conley 's continued efforts to trample public health norms undermines the expertise of health experts which further diminishes the severity of the coronavirus .
Despite Conley 's stance on Trump , there are 7.8 million coronavirus cases and each person 's response to the virus is different .
More than 217,000 Americans have died from coronavirus .

White House physician Sean Conley confirmed on Thursday that President Donald Trump is now free to make a "safe return" to public events beginning on Saturday. However, medical experts are now questioning Conley's assessment and swift clearance of the president.
The president's doctor released a memo about the president's health insisting his condition has stabilized as he completed therapy for COVID-19. According to Conley the president is said to have responded the therapy "extremely well."
"Since returning home, his physical exam has remained stable and devoid of any indications to suggest progression of illness. Overall he's responded extremely well to treatment, without evidence on examination of adverse therapeutic effects," Conley wrote.
"Saturday will be day 10 since Thursday's diagnosis, and based on the trajectory of advanced diagnostics the team has been conducting, I fully anticipate the President's safe return to public engagements at that time," he continued.
The latest news came as Trump announced his intent to resume with campaign rallies over the weekend as he insisted on holding a rally in Florida on Saturday and another in Wisconsin on Sunday. Conley is now facing criticism for his overall assessment of Trump's coronavirus case.
Last week, Trump was airlifted to Walter Reed Medical Center where he was hospitalized for COVID. The White House faced scrutiny for its inconsistencies and lack of transparency regarding the president's health. Although Conley often painted a relatively pleasant picture of Trump's health, the medications he was administered suggested that the president may have been battling a severe case of COVID. Despite speculation, Conley defied odds by allowing the president to discharge from the hospital in just three days.
Now, he has given Trump the green light despite the president being COVID-positive for just one week. Conley's continued efforts to trample public health norms undermines the expertise of health experts which further diminishes the severity of the coronavirus. Despite Conley's stance on Trump, there are 7.8 million coronavirus cases and each person's response to the virus is different. More than 217,000 Americans have died from coronavirus.


alternet--2020-10-09--Mike Pence told a whopper about Trump's economy -- which was plummeting before the pandemic

There 's fresh evidence that the robust economy Donald Trump inherited from Barack Obama was faltering before the pandemic .
State personal consumption spending growth slowed sharply in 2019 compared to the year before , the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Thursday morning .
The growth rate plummeted by a fifth .
Personal expenditures grew in 2019 but by only 3.9 % , down from 4.9 % in the previous year .
This official data comes just hours after Mike Pence told a whopper about American incomes during the vice presidential debate Wednesday night , a lie that escaped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That 's because no official announced the numbers and mainstream journalists rely way too much on what officials tell them instead of doing their own analyses of official government data .
Pence said , `` the average household income for a family of four increased by $ 4,000 following President Trump 's tax cuts . ''
Incomes Down , Not Up In fact , the average income for the bottom 50 % of income taxpaying households in 2018 averaged $ 300 less than in 2016 , Obama 's last year in office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month ago from the Trump administration 's own official data .
Please note this is not the poorest third of Americans but the poorest third of people who made enough to pay income taxes .
Less income under Trump was n't limited to the poorest third of taxpayers .
Consider the 9 % of taxpayers making $ 75,000 to $ 100,000 .
Their average income in 2018 was $ 128 lower than in 2016 after adjusting for inflation , my analysis of IRS Table1.4 shows .
Total income reported by all Americans did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concentrated near the top of the national income ladder .
In real terms income reported on tax returns increased by almost $ 1 trillion over those two years .
On the surface that 's good .
But only those in the top 7 % , those making more than $ 200,000 and up , saw their share of the national income pie grow .
Every group making less had to get by on less .
Almost half of the trillion-dollar gain flowed to the 1 % , those making $ 500,000 and up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gains were not widely shared .
Just one in 285 taxpayers makes $ 1 million or more .
This very rich and very tiny group took in three of every four dollars of increased income flowing to the one-percenters .
Under Trumpian policies , it 's good to be rich and very bad to be poor or middle class .
But Lying Mike Pence bore false witness by telling you all people are doing well When it comes to increased spending in 2019 you can learn how your state did by looking over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this government website .
The first map shows how much the rate of spending declined in 2019 compared to 2018 .
The data excludes money that state residents spend overseas .
The economic weakness under Trump , pre-pandemic , was n't limited to the incomes of the vast majority or to spending by everyone .
Job growth under Trump , pre-pandemic , ran about 3 % below the rate of Obama after the Great Recession ended and job growth resumed in early 2010 .
Candidate Trump promised to grow the economy by at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could achieve as much as 6 % growth in Gross Domestic Product , which measures our country 's total economic output .
Those of us who study these matters found Trump 's claim either laughable or a lie .
Time proved we were right as Trump underperformed the average of the previous 70 years .
In 2017 , still basking in the glow of the Obama economy , our inflation-adjusted or real Gross Domestic Product grew 2.3 % compared to 2016 .
Growth reached almost 3 % in 2018 as the Trump/Radical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brief kick to economic growth .
In 2019 , however , GDP growth slid to under 2.2 % And Thursday morning brought the latest job loss numbers .
Last week 840,000 Americans filed initial claims for unemployment benefits .
There were also 464,000 claims for pandemic unemployment aid .
In all , 25 million Americans are without work right now and many more will join them soon because Trump decreed Tuesday afternoon that he would not sign any new coronavirus relief bill until after the election and then only if he wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompting Trump to do a partial flip-flop .
But counting on Trump to sign a new relief package would be like trusting that he actually knows how to improve the economy for all Americans , not just the already rich .

There's fresh evidence that the robust economy Donald Trump inherited from Barack Obama was faltering before the pandemic.
State personal consumption spending growth slowed sharply in 2019 compared to the year before, the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Thursday morning. The growth rate plummeted by a fifth.
Personal expenditures grew in 2019 but by only 3.9%, down from 4.9% in the previous year.
Counting on Trump to sign a new relief package would be like trusting that he actually knows how to improve the economy for all Americans, not just the already rich.
This official data comes just hours after Mike Pence told a whopper about American incomes during the vice presidential debate Wednesday night, a lie that escaped the notice of our major news organizations. That's because no official announced the numbers and mainstream journalists rely way too much on what officials tell them instead of doing their own analyses of official government data.
Pence said, "the average household income for a family of four increased by $4,000 following President Trump's tax cuts."
Incomes Down, Not Up
In fact, the average income for the bottom 50% of income taxpaying households in 2018 averaged $300 less than in 2016, Obama's last year in office, as DCReport showed more than a month ago from the Trump administration's own official data. Please note this is not the poorest third of Americans but the poorest third of people who made enough to pay income taxes.
Less income under Trump wasn't limited to the poorest third of taxpayers.
Consider the 9% of taxpayers making $75,000 to $100,000. Their average income in 2018 was $128 lower than in 2016 after adjusting for inflation, my analysis of IRS Table1.4 shows.
Total income reported by all Americans did grow, but the benefits were highly concentrated near the top of the national income ladder.
In real terms income reported on tax returns increased by almost $1 trillion over those two years. On the surface that's good. But only those in the top 7%, those making more than $200,000 and up, saw their share of the national income pie grow. Every group making less had to get by on less.
Almost half of the trillion-dollar gain flowed to the 1%, those making $500,000 and up. But even among the one=ercenters the gains were not widely shared.
Just one in 285 taxpayers makes $1 million or more. This very rich and very tiny group took in three of every four dollars of increased income flowing to the one-percenters. Under Trumpian policies, it's good to be rich and very bad to be poor or middle class. But Lying Mike Pence bore false witness by telling you all people are doing well
Useful Maps
When it comes to increased spending in 2019 you can learn how your state did by looking over this useful series of graphic maps at this government website. The first map shows how much the rate of spending declined in 2019 compared to 2018. The data excludes money that state residents spend overseas.
The economic weakness under Trump, pre-pandemic, wasn't limited to the incomes of the vast majority or to spending by everyone. Job growth under Trump, pre-pandemic, ran about 3% below the rate of Obama after the Great Recession ended and job growth resumed in early 2010.
Candidate Trump promised to grow the economy by at least 4% annually and insisted that he could achieve as much as 6% growth in Gross Domestic Product, which measures our country's total economic output. Those of us who study these matters found Trump's claim either laughable or a lie. Time proved we were right as Trump underperformed the average of the previous 70 years.
In 2017, still basking in the glow of the Obama economy, our inflation-adjusted or real Gross Domestic Product grew 2.3% compared to 2016. Growth reached almost 3% in 2018 as the Trump/Radical Republican tax giveaway to big corporations gave a brief kick to economic growth. In 2019, however, GDP growth slid to under 2.2%
And Thursday morning brought the latest job loss numbers. Last week 840,000 Americans filed initial claims for unemployment benefits. There were also 464,000 claims for pandemic unemployment aid.
In all, 25 million Americans are without work right now and many more will join them soon because Trump decreed Tuesday afternoon that he would not sign any new coronavirus relief bill until after the election and then only if he wins. The stock market instantly sank, prompting Trump to do a partial flip-flop. But counting on Trump to sign a new relief package would be like trusting that he actually knows how to improve the economy for all Americans, not just the already rich.


alternet--2020-10-09--Trump attempting to raid Medicare trust fund in 'shameless stunt' to pay for drug discount cards: re

Trump attempting to raid Medicare trust fund in 'shameless stunt' to pay for drug discount cards: report

Less than a month away from the November election , Trump administration officials are reportedly rushing to implement the president 's recent proposal to send $ 200 prescription drug discount cards to nearly 40 million Medicare recipients—an $ 8 billion plan that would be financed by dipping into the Medicare trust fund .
Politico reported Thursday that the administration is `` seeking to finalize the plan as soon as Friday and send letters to 39 million Medicare beneficiaries next week , informing seniors of Trump 's new effort to lower their drug costs , although many seniors would not receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
While the design of the cards has yet to be finalized , officials are reportedly discussing ways to put Trump 's name on them .
`` It 's a shameless stunt that steals billions from Medicare in order to fund a legally dubious scheme that 's clearly intended to benefit President Trump 's campaign right before Election Day . ''
—Rep .
Frank Pallone Jr .
The plan would cost $ 7.9 billion , according to Politico , with $ 19 million going toward letters touting the initiative , which advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an obvious and potentially unlawful campaign ploy that would provide little relief for the millions impacted by obscenely high drug prices .
`` There it is : Trump wants to steal billions from Medicare to pay for an illegal voter bribery scheme weeks before the election , '' tweeted Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. ( D-N.J. ) .
Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. ( D-N.J. ) , chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee , echoed Pascrell in a statement to Politico .
`` It 's a shameless stunt that steals billions from Medicare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme that 's clearly intended to benefit President Trump 's campaign right before Election Day , '' said Pallone.In a speech on healthcare in Charlotte , North Carolina late last month , Trump proclaimed that his administration would `` in the coming weeks '' be mailing out $ 200 medicine discount cards to tens of millions of Medicare recipients , an announcement that reportedly caught some officials at the Department of Health and Human Services off guard .
`` We do n't need more PR stunts designed to distract us from the reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help the drug corporations with big tax breaks than he has to help seniors struggling to afford medicine . ''
—Margarida Jorge , Lower Drug Prices Now `` Nobody 's seen this before , these cards are incredible , '' said the president , who is badly trailing Democratic nominee Joe Biden among senior voters in recent polls .
`` Biden wo n't be doing this . ''
Politico reported that Seema Verma , administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services , is pressuring officials to have the plan ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns that the discount cards are little more than an attempt to assist Trump 's reelection campaign with taxpayer dollars .
`` This is a solution in search of a problem and a bald play for votes in the form of money in pockets , '' one unnamed HHS official told Politico .
Margarida Jorge , campaign director for Lower Drug Prices Now , said in a statement that `` sending $ 200 gift cards to seniors before the election is a poor substitute for continuing to let drug corporations jack up their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , President Trump is trying to bribe his way to re-election , '' said Jorge .
`` Americans need serious reforms that check Pharma 's power to charge whatever they want and to increase prices any time .
We do n't need more PR stunts designed to distract us from the reality that President Trump has done more to help the drug corporations with big tax breaks than he has to help seniors struggling to afford medicine . ''

We’ve updated the story with the draft plan circulating in the White House.https://t.co/2dQmhiHjvW
Estimated $7.9 billion plan, paid for by tapping the Medicare trust fund, would include spending $19 million to send letters to seniors next week. pic.twitter.com/BeKBX3hV0C — Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) October 8, 2020
Less than a month away from the November election, Trump administration officials are reportedly rushing to implement the president's recent proposal to send $200 prescription drug discount cards to nearly 40 million Medicare recipients—an $8 billion plan that would be financed by dipping into the Medicare trust fund. Politico reported Thursday that the administration is "seeking to finalize the plan as soon as Friday and send letters to 39 million Medicare beneficiaries next week, informing seniors of Trump's new effort to lower their drug costs, although many seniors would not receive the actual cards until after the election." While the design of the cards has yet to be finalized, officials are reportedly discussing ways to put Trump's name on them. "It's a shameless stunt that steals billions from Medicare in order to fund a legally dubious scheme that's clearly intended to benefit President Trump's campaign right before Election Day." —Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. The plan would cost $7.9 billion, according to Politico, with $19 million going toward letters touting the initiative, which advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers are denouncing as an obvious and potentially unlawful campaign ploy that would provide little relief for the millions impacted by obscenely high drug prices. "There it is: Trump wants to steal billions from Medicare to pay for an illegal voter bribery scheme weeks before the election," tweeted Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.). Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, echoed Pascrell in a statement to Politico. "It's a shameless stunt that steals billions from Medicare in order to fund a legally dubious scheme that's clearly intended to benefit President Trump's campaign right before Election Day," said Pallone.In a speech on healthcare in Charlotte, North Carolina late last month, Trump proclaimed that his administration would "in the coming weeks" be mailing out $200 medicine discount cards to tens of millions of Medicare recipients, an announcement that reportedly caught some officials at the Department of Health and Human Services off guard. "We don't need more PR stunts designed to distract us from the reality that President Trump has done more to help the drug corporations with big tax breaks than he has to help seniors struggling to afford medicine." —Margarida Jorge, Lower Drug Prices Now "Nobody's seen this before, these cards are incredible," said the president, who is badly trailing Democratic nominee Joe Biden among senior voters in recent polls. "Biden won't be doing this." Politico reported that Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is pressuring officials to have the plan ready to go before Election Day, heightening internal concerns that the discount cards are little more than an attempt to assist Trump's reelection campaign with taxpayer dollars. "This is a solution in search of a problem and a bald play for votes in the form of money in pockets," one unnamed HHS official told Politico. Margarida Jorge, campaign director for Lower Drug Prices Now, said in a statement that "sending $200 gift cards to seniors before the election is a poor substitute for continuing to let drug corporations jack up their medicine prices afterwards." "Yet again, President Trump is trying to bribe his way to re-election," said Jorge. "Americans need serious reforms that check Pharma's power to charge whatever they want and to increase prices any time. We don't need more PR stunts designed to distract us from the reality that President Trump has done more to help the drug corporations with big tax breaks than he has to help seniors struggling to afford medicine."


alternet--2020-10-09--CNN’s Chris Cuomo rips Bill Barr after shocking video surfaces: ‘He’s damned by his own words’

U.S. Attorney General William Barr addresses his remarks on Operation Legend : Combatting Violent Crime in American Cities Wednesday , July 22 , 2020 , in the East Room of the White House .
( Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour ) Barr is setting the stage to interfere in the election — and legal experts say it 's a ‘ dangerous ’ precedent CNN anchor Chris Cuomo on Thursday blasted Attorney General Bill Barr .
Cuomo played a video of Rep. Pramila Jayapal questioning the attorney general , which has new importance after the plot to kidnap or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
In the clip , Rep. Jayapal grilled Barr about widely reported press accounts of the armed takeover of the Michigan state capitol .
At least two of the men arrested appeared at the rally .
https : //twitter.com/ChadLivengood/status/1314332374759542784 `` He 's damned by his own words , '' Cuomo declared .
`` These people were investigating it at the same time .
A sitting governor , over a dozen bad guys , months of planning , murderous intent , derivative of the main domestic terror threat we face , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
How ?
How is that okay ? ''
Watch :

CNN anchor Chris Cuomo on Thursday blasted Attorney General Bill Barr.
Cuomo played a video of Rep. Pramila Jayapal questioning the attorney general, which has new importance after the plot to kidnap or murder Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI).
In the clip, Rep. Jayapal grilled Barr about widely reported press accounts of the armed takeover of the Michigan state capitol.
At least two of the men arrested appeared at the rally.
"He's damned by his own words," Cuomo declared.
"These people were investigating it at the same time. A sitting governor, over a dozen bad guys, months of planning, murderous intent, derivative of the main domestic terror threat we face," he explained. "And he's clueless? How? How is that okay?"
Watch:


alternet--2020-10-09--Paul Krugman issues a warning about what's to come when Trump loses

Economist and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman , writing for the New York Times , warns that , given Trump 's abrupt dismissal this week of COVID-19 relief efforts intended to ease the economic suffering of Americans and American businesses , we must assume , based on all evidence , that his primary motivation is not rooted in any political calculus , but of pure , unadulterated spite .
And because of that , the implications when he loses his bid for re-election on November 3rd , as current polls indicate is likely , are dire for the country .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses shuttered by the pandemic and Americans facing prolonged unemployment as a result has been treated extensively on this site and elsewhere .
Krugman , however , looks at the political ramifications of what Trump is doing , and comes away with one inarguable conclusion : for Trump , there is no political rationale at work here .
What we are witnessing unfolding in real time is a wholly emotional reaction , borne of rage and vindictiveness , by an unbalanced sociopath who is now training his fury at the American people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ put forth by Senate Republicans ( under the aegis of Mitch McConnell ) for their failure to provide an aid package to the American people : that further aid would signify an implicit and unwelcome acknowledgement that government solutions are necessary in times of unprecedented crisis ; that much of the aid being sought would go towards Democratically-run states ; and that further unemployment aid will discourage people from returning to an unsafe work environment .
But none of these reasons make sense from a political standpoint .
Americans are still hurting by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses are barely hanging on , and state budgets are collapsing .
This is all occurring not just in `` blue '' states but in every state .
And , as he points out , it is not only Democrats , but Wall Street itself that is expressing the need for further stimulus and COVID relief funding .
It is the Federal Reserve that is expressing its exasperation at a president and Senate Majority leader who seem to have abandoned all sense of economic reality .
But if this is Trump 's attitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite William Barr 's phony witch hunts , despite his clarion call for assistance from the Russian Federation , despite his threats of violence and refusal to accept the election results , and despite Fox News ' incessant propaganda supporting him in these efforts , he does in fact lose on November 3rd , what will be his reaction ?
And what will someone with Trump 's vindictive mindset and complete lack of human empathy do to sabotage or destroy the country in the final two and one-half months before he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all about to find out .
But one thing seems certain—whatever revenge Trump takes will be felt by all : Democrats , who he will see as the direct reason for his downfall , and Republicans , who he will see as having failed him .

Economist and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman, writing for theNew York Times, warns that, given Trump's abrupt dismissal this week of COVID-19 relief efforts intended to ease the economic suffering of Americans and American businesses, we must assume, based on all evidence, that his primary motivation is not rooted in any political calculus, but of pure, unadulterated spite. And because of that, the implications when he loses his bid for re-election on November 3rd, as current polls indicate is likely, are dire for the country.
[W]e got a preview of what a lame-duck Trump presidency might look like Tuesday. Trump hasn't even lost yet, but he abruptly cut off talks on an economic relief package millions of Americans desperately need (although as of Thursday he seemed to be backtracking). And his motivation seems to have been sheer spite.
The necessity for further stimulus and relief to businesses shuttered by the pandemic and Americans facing prolonged unemployment as a result has been treated extensively on this site and elsewhere. Krugman, however, looks at the political ramifications of what Trump is doing, and comes away with one inarguable conclusion: for Trump, there is no political rationale at work here. What we are witnessing unfolding in real time is a wholly emotional reaction, borne of rage and vindictiveness, by an unbalanced sociopath who is now training his fury at the American people.
Krugman carefully dissects and dismisses the excuses put forth by Senate Republicans (under the aegis of Mitch McConnell) for their failure to provide an aid package to the American people: that further aid would signify an implicit and unwelcome acknowledgement that government solutions are necessary in times of unprecedented crisis; that much of the aid being sought would go towards Democratically-run states; and that further unemployment aid will discourage people from returning to an unsafe work environment.
But none of these reasons make sense from a political standpoint. Americans are still hurting by the millions, hundreds of thousands of businesses are barely hanging on, and state budgets are collapsing. This is all occurring not just in "blue" states but in every state.
And, as he points out, it is not only Democrats, but Wall Street itself that is expressing the need for further stimulus and COVID relief funding. It is the Federal Reserve that is expressing its exasperation at a president and Senate Majority leader who seem to have abandoned all sense of economic reality.
As far as I can tell, nobody has offered a plausible political motive, any way in which refusing even to try rescuing the economy helps Trump's prospects. What this looks like, instead, is vindictiveness.
[***]
Yet getting a relief deal would have required accepting a compromise with that "nasty" woman Nancy Pelosi. And it seems that he would rather let the economy burn.
But if this is Trump's attitude now, and despite all his machinations, despite William Barr's phony witch hunts, despite his clarion call for assistance from the Russian Federation, despite his threats of violence and refusal to accept the election results, and despite Fox News' incessant propaganda supporting him in these efforts, he does in fact lose on November 3rd, what will be his reaction? And what will someone with Trump's vindictive mindset and complete lack of human empathy do to sabotage or destroy the country in the final two and one-half months before he is forced to leave?
The thing is, if he's behaving like this now, when he still has some chance of winning, how will he act if he loses?
The most immediate concern is that he won't accept the election results. But we should also be worried about what will follow if he is forced to accept the will of the people, but is still running the country. Trump has always been vindictive; what will he do if and when he has nothing left but spite?
It appears we are all about to find out. But one thing seems certain—whatever revenge Trump takes will be felt by all: Democrats, who he will see as the direct reason for his downfall, and Republicans, who he will see as having failed him.