truthout--2020-07-20--Southern Governors Are Finally Making Their States Mask Up

Coronavirus cases are on the rise in every single state in the South .
Eleven Southern states have seen record single-day increases in COVID-19 cases in the month of July , and ICUs are filling up across the region as deaths continue to climb .
Things are , to put it mildly , not going well .
It might be hard to overstate how dire the situation has become .
Medical experts broadly agree that masks are key to fighting the spread of COVID-19 , and that even homemade masks , worn properly , can significantly reduce the aerosol droplets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association this week calling for universal masking .
And with homemade masks now widely available and thought to be effective , there ’ s increasingly little excuse for people not to wear one in public settings .
“ The option of universal masking is no longer held back by shortage , ” as the authors of a recent piece in Science Magazine wrote .
In the South , until recently , universal masking had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an increasingly dire outlook , even some of the region ’ s most conservative governors have relented , instituting masking orders in the last few weeks .
Of the eight Southern states with statewide mandates , five enacted them in July alone ; another five Southern states remain without such orders .
Govs .
Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas and Kay Ivey of Alabama , both Republicans , are the two to most recently announce a statewide mandate .
For months , Hutchinson had resisted calls to impose a statewide order , instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union that he would not issue what he called an “ unenforceable ” mandate .
But he relented on July 16 — following a call from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ’ s editorial board to institute mandatory masking , and after the previous day ’ s announcement that Arkansas-based Walmart , the world ’ s largest retailer , would require masks for all who enter its stores .
Ivey enacted a statewide order one day before Hutchinson , less than a week after the state ’ s record daily jump in COVID-19 cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than 87 % of Alabama ’ s ICU beds are full , Ivey said in the news conference announcing the mandate .
And even Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott ( R ) , who resisted a statewide stay-at-home order for weeks in March and forged ahead with reopening as COVID-19 deaths climbed in the state , instituted a statewide mask mandate in early July .
Many parts of Texas are in a state of crisis , with hospitals overwhelmed and cases continuing to rise .
Mask-wearing has become a political flashpoint during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared in public wearing a mask only once .
Among some conservatives , mandated masking has come to be seen as a form of government tyranny .
Despite scientists , public health officials , and even some Fox News hosts agreeing that masks help prevent the spread of a lethal virus , they have become a divisive cultural symbol .
And it ’ s hard not to notice that two of the Southern governors most opposed to mask mandates — Ron DeSantis of Florida and Brian Kemp of Georgia — are also two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kemp went in the opposite direction of many of his fellow governors in recent weeks , signing an executive order this week that explicitly bans Georgia localities from enacting mask mandates of their own .
A similar executive order signed earlier in the pandemic had prohibited cities from ordinances that differed from statewide guidance but did not explicitly ban masks .
His latest order , which voids mask ordinances in more than a dozen Georgia localities , was met with derision from the mayors of some of Georgia ’ s biggest cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a damn about us , ” Savannah Mayor Van Johnson tweeted .
And even as COVID-19 cases climb dramatically in Florida , which set a single-day record for any state with 15,300 confirmed cases last weekend , DeSantis is standing firm .
Though he wore a mask during a media event for the first time earlier this week , he has resisted instituting a statewide mask mandate , despite calls from Democratic lawmakers and mayors to do so .
DeSantis has encouraged Florida residents to wear them but has balked at issuing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attach criminal penalties for something , you ’ ve got to enforce it , ” he said .
“ The question is , in some parts of Florida , is that really a good use of resources ?
” Advocates for statewide mask mandates say that even orders that are not enforceable can go a long way in encouraging people to mask up .
Ivey noted that the executive order she signed in Alabama is a tool of information , not one that will be used punitively .
“ We are not asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people not wearing a face mask , ” she said .
“ Our goal is to inform people .
”

Coronavirus cases are on the rise in every single state in the South. Eleven Southern states have seen record single-day increases in COVID-19 cases in the month of July, and ICUs are filling up across the region as deaths continue to climb. Things are, to put it mildly, not going well. It might be hard to overstate how dire the situation has become.
Medical experts broadly agree that masks are key to fighting the spread of COVID-19, and that even homemade masks, worn properly, can significantly reduce the aerosol droplets that are thought to spread the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association this week calling for universal masking. And with homemade masks now widely available and thought to be effective, there’s increasingly little excuse for people not to wear one in public settings.
“The option of universal masking is no longer held back by shortage,” as the authors of a recent piece in Science Magazine wrote.
In the South, until recently, universal masking had been held back by governors. But faced with an increasingly dire outlook, even some of the region’s most conservative governors have relented, instituting masking orders in the last few weeks. Of the eight Southern states with statewide mandates, five enacted them in July alone; another five Southern states remain without such orders.
Govs. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas and Kay Ivey of Alabama, both Republicans, are the two to most recently announce a statewide mandate. For months, Hutchinson had resisted calls to impose a statewide order, instead telling CNN’s State of the Union that he would not issue what he called an “unenforceable” mandate. But he relented on July 16 — following a call from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s editorial board to institute mandatory masking, and after the previous day’s announcement that Arkansas-based Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, would require masks for all who enter its stores.
Ivey enacted a statewide order one day before Hutchinson, less than a week after the state’s record daily jump in COVID-19 cases, and as hospitalizations continued to rise. More than 87% of Alabama’s ICU beds are full, Ivey said in the news conference announcing the mandate.
And even Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who resisted a statewide stay-at-home order for weeks in March and forged ahead with reopening as COVID-19 deaths climbed in the state, instituted a statewide mask mandate in early July. Many parts of Texas are in a state of crisis, with hospitals overwhelmed and cases continuing to rise.
Mask-wearing has become a political flashpoint during the pandemic. President Donald Trump has appeared in public wearing a mask only once. Among some conservatives, mandated masking has come to be seen as a form of government tyranny. Despite scientists, public health officials, and even some Fox News hosts agreeing that masks help prevent the spread of a lethal virus, they have become a divisive cultural symbol. And it’s hard not to notice that two of the Southern governors most opposed to mask mandates — Ron DeSantis of Florida and Brian Kemp of Georgia — are also two of Trump’s most stalwart supporters.
Kemp went in the opposite direction of many of his fellow governors in recent weeks, signing an executive order this week that explicitly bans Georgia localities from enacting mask mandates of their own. A similar executive order signed earlier in the pandemic had prohibited cities from ordinances that differed from statewide guidance but did not explicitly ban masks. His latest order, which voids mask ordinances in more than a dozen Georgia localities, was met with derision from the mayors of some of Georgia’s biggest cities. “Governor Kemp does not give a damn about us,” Savannah Mayor Van Johnson tweeted.
And even as COVID-19 cases climb dramatically in Florida, which set a single-day record for any state with 15,300 confirmed cases last weekend, DeSantis is standing firm. Though he wore a mask during a media event for the first time earlier this week, he has resisted instituting a statewide mask mandate, despite calls from Democratic lawmakers and mayors to do so. DeSantis has encouraged Florida residents to wear them but has balked at issuing a legally enforceable order. “When you attach criminal penalties for something, you’ve got to enforce it,” he said. “The question is, in some parts of Florida, is that really a good use of resources?”
Advocates for statewide mask mandates say that even orders that are not enforceable can go a long way in encouraging people to mask up. Ivey noted that the executive order she signed in Alabama is a tool of information, not one that will be used punitively.
“We are not asking sheriffs or police officers to seek out people not wearing a face mask,” she said. “Our goal is to inform people.”


truthout--2020-07-21--Portland’s Wall of Moms Joined by Dads With Leaf Blowers Against Trump’s Police

In response to the use of tear gas being utilized by federal officers against demonstrators , including a group of moms , in an uprising in Portland , Oregon , this week , a like-minded dads ’ group encouraged others to show up to the event with leaf blowers in order to dissipate the chemical agents .
Uprisings in Portland have happened nightly since the end of May , in response to police violence against Black Americans , including renewed attention to Jason Washington , a Black resident of the city who was shot and killed by police in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as federal officers began appearing at the events .
Last week , there were reports of agents in unmarked vans stopping next to protesters , whisking them away in the vehicles without stated justification and without identifying who they were .
Those actions prompted outcry from Portland residents , and action from a group of mothers who appeared over the weekend to protect demonstrators by standing between them and officers .
Those individuals , known as the Wall of Moms for their way of interlocking arms as a means to protect protesters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas during their peaceful demonstrations .
On Monday , several social media posts from the group known as “ PDX Dad Pod ” encouraged its members and others to appear with leaf blowers , even telling users who followed them on social media that it would be a great purchase to support local businesses .
Video from confrontations between demonstrators and officers on Monday night into Tuesday morning highlighted how protesters used hockey sticks to scoot tear gas canisters back toward those who fired them , and the leaf blowers as a means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters .
Smaller leaf blowers were also used to help get chemicals off people ’ s bodies , video also showed .
A protester by the name of King Turner spoke to local news affiliate KPTV about the demonstrations , and the federal government ’ s intrusion into the events , suggesting that their presence , not the protesters ’ , escalated the situation .
“ I ’ ve just had enough .
When they started snatching people [ off ] the street , it becomes apparent that the federal government is just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ It was even tampering down , and then the feds get involved and lit it up .
It ’ s like throwing gas on a fire.
” After word reached the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) about the use of leaf blowers against tear gas , an official within the department told Washington Post reporter Nick Miroff that they were frustrated with efforts by protesters to do so , and astonished that they ’ d return the chemicals back toward the federal officers who initially fired them off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some comical and some in disbelief , from users on social media over that official ’ s bewilderment .
A protester who goes by the alias “ Doug Smith ” and who spoke to Truthout about the events in Portland also responded to that DHS official ’ s complaints .
“ This dad expresses disdain for Trump using so-called ‘ elite ’ border patrol agents to brutally assault and abduct peaceful American people in an American city , ” the protester said .
Smith also explained that the use of leaf blowers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used against demonstrators could be more effective , if even more protesters showed up with them .
“ Honestly , I think you ’ d need scores of leaf blowers with a phalanx of dads holding their ground under pretty perfect conditions to use them effectively in the dispersal of chemical agents , ” he said .
“ But they are an iconic symbol of a tool dads use to clean up messes .
”

Uprisings against police violence toward Black Americans were intensified by the presence of federal agents in Portland.
In response to the use of tear gas being utilized by federal officers against demonstrators, including a group of moms, in an uprising in Portland, Oregon, this week, a like-minded dads’ group encouraged others to show up to the event with leaf blowers in order to dissipate the chemical agents.
Uprisings in Portland have happened nightly since the end of May, in response to police violence against Black Americans, including renewed attention to Jason Washington, a Black resident of the city who was shot and killed by police in 2018.
Tensions have escalated in recent weeks as federal officers began appearing at the events. Last week, there were reports of agents in unmarked vans stopping next to protesters, whisking them away in the vehicles without stated justification and without identifying who they were. Those actions prompted outcry from Portland residents, and action from a group of mothers who appeared over the weekend to protect demonstrators by standing between them and officers.
Those individuals, known as the Wall of Moms for their way of interlocking arms as a means to protect protesters, were themselves attacked by officers with tear gas during their peaceful demonstrations. On Monday, several social media posts from the group known as “PDX Dad Pod” encouraged its members and others to appear with leaf blowers, even telling users who followed them on social media that it would be a great purchase to support local businesses.
Video from confrontations between demonstrators and officers on Monday night into Tuesday morning highlighted how protesters used hockey sticks to scoot tear gas canisters back toward those who fired them, and the leaf blowers as a means to dissipate clouds of chemicals away from protesters. Smaller leaf blowers were also used to help get chemicals off people’s bodies, video also showed.
A protester uses a hockey stick to swing tear gas canister back, another uses a leaf blower pic.twitter.com/GSdFeErinC — Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 20, 2020
A creative protester at Riot Ribs uses a leaf blower to get tear gas off other protesters. Loud flash bangs. (The feds’ flash bangs are louder than PPB’s and can damage hearing.) pic.twitter.com/pmO0NjRqgX — Lindsey Smith (she/her) (@LindseyPSmith7) July 19, 2020
A protester by the name of King Turner spoke to local news affiliate KPTV about the demonstrations, and the federal government’s intrusion into the events, suggesting that their presence, not the protesters’, escalated the situation.
“I’ve just had enough. When they started snatching people [off] the street, it becomes apparent that the federal government is just … not in check,” Turner said. “It was even tampering down, and then the feds get involved and lit it up. It’s like throwing gas on a fire.”
After word reached the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the use of leaf blowers against tear gas, an official within the department told Washington Post reporter Nick Miroff that they were frustrated with efforts by protesters to do so, and astonished that they’d return the chemicals back toward the federal officers who initially fired them off.
One DHS official we spoke to expressed frustration and astonishment that Portland protesters were showing up with leaf blowers to disperse tear gas and send it right back at fed agents — Nick Miroff (@NickMiroff) July 20, 2020
That prompted a number of responses, some comical and some in disbelief, from users on social media over that official’s bewilderment.
our democracy is being destroyed by people who lost a battle of wits to a leaf blower https://t.co/GLEJTXMBQF — Jess Dweck (@TheDweck) July 21, 2020
leaf blowers will soon be designated as terrorism paraphernalia. https://t.co/w4pclQrPE6 — hend amry (@LibyaLiberty) July 21, 2020
Give me the confidence of a DHS official who thinks he can run the secret police but can't even be bothered to google how protesters handle tear gas in 2020. https://t.co/X9JGQS76Tj — Keith Calder (@keithcalder) July 21, 2020
The only way to stop a bad guy with tear gas is a good guy with a leaf blower. https://t.co/UiVTL1HlET — 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 (@beardedstoner) July 21, 2020
A protester who goes by the alias “Doug Smith” and who spoke to Truthout about the events in Portland also responded to that DHS official’s complaints.
“This dad expresses disdain for Trump using so-called ‘elite’ border patrol agents to brutally assault and abduct peaceful American people in an American city,” the protester said.
Smith also explained that the use of leaf blowers to counter the use of chemical agents used against demonstrators could be more effective, if even more protesters showed up with them.
“Honestly, I think you’d need scores of leaf blowers with a phalanx of dads holding their ground under pretty perfect conditions to use them effectively in the dispersal of chemical agents,” he said. “But they are an iconic symbol of a tool dads use to clean up messes.”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-07-21--Missouri Governor Insists Kids That Get COVID at School Will Just “Get Over It”

Missouri Governor Mike Parson , a Republican , has a stark message for parents of schoolchildren who might be worried about the spread of coronavirus if schools reopen this fall : their kids will “ get over it , ” he said .
Parson insisted in a radio interview on Friday that schools would reopen across the state .
He also downplayed the fears that some children might get sick from COVID-19 as a result of going back .
“ These kids have got to get back to school .
They ’ re at the lowest risk possible , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do get COVID-19 , which they will — and they will when they go to school — they ’ re not going to the hospitals.
” Kids will not “ have to sit in doctor ’ s offices ” if they get sick , he added .
“ They ’ re going to go home and they ’ re going to get over it.
” Parson ’ s words , however , are a simplification of the reality of the disease .
While it ’ s true that children on the whole have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to require hospitalizations , or to die from it , in April , doctors in London reported that some children with COVID-19 appeared to develop an inflammatory condition called Kawasaki ’ s disease , which can attack the heart .
Moreover , as with adults , children with other medical concerns are more susceptible to the disease , with their chances of being seriously ill increasing if they have an underlying ailment .
One study also noted that simultaneously facing other illnesses such as influenza makes it more likely that kids could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said “ might have implications for the winter period 2020–21 , when the incidence of other viral respiratory tract infections … is bound to increase.
” And while death rates are much lower for children than they are for adults with this disease , it ’ s not impossible for kids , even without underlying health issues , to get sick or even die from it .
The same study found that around 0.69 percent of children who contracted COVID-19 may die from the virus — a low number , to be sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every 300 kids who get sick .
Parson also seemed to ignore the fact that children are not the only ones at risk of coronavirus if they return to school .
As State Auditor Nicole Galloway pointed out , parents and other family members , as well as teachers and school staff , are also at risk .
Coronavirus “ doesn ’ t stop with our children , ” Galloway , a Democrat who is running against Parson in the gubernatorial election later this year , said on Facebook in response to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers , janitors , food service workers , parents , grandparents and neighbors who our children see every day are susceptible to this virus , too .
We need a plan that keeps all Missouri families safe.
” In a separate tweet on the issue , Galloway also noted that children are also at risk , despite what Parson said about the disease .
“ Does he not realize multiple American kids have died after being infected ?
” she wrote .
Many state and local governments across the country are trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to the coming school year .
President Donald Trump has insisted , however , that schools should reopen , and furthermore , spurned recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) that suggested ways to do so in a safe manner as being too burdensome and expensive .
However , a document that was leaked from the White House and obtained by The New York Times revealed that Trump ’ s own advisers believe reopening schools across the U.S. could be problematic , likely resulting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump suppressed a CDC report that concluded ‘ fully opening schools and universities remained the highest risk for the spread of coronavirus , ' ” American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten wrote in a tweet in response to news of the document .
“ Trump , Pence , DeVos had this report and said the exact opposite .
His intentional lies will endanger thousands .
”

While kids are less likely to get sick from COVID-19, risks of being hospitalized or dying from the disease still exist.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson, a Republican, has a stark message for parents of schoolchildren who might be worried about the spread of coronavirus if schools reopen this fall: their kids will “get over it,” he said.
Parson insisted in a radio interview on Friday that schools would reopen across the state. He also downplayed the fears that some children might get sick from COVID-19 as a result of going back.
“These kids have got to get back to school. They’re at the lowest risk possible,” he said. “And if they do get COVID-19, which they will — and they will when they go to school — they’re not going to the hospitals.”
Kids will not “have to sit in doctor’s offices” if they get sick, he added. “They’re going to go home and they’re going to get over it.”
Parson’s words, however, are a simplification of the reality of the disease. While it’s true that children on the whole have been less likely to contract COVID-19, to require hospitalizations, or to die from it, in April, doctors in London reported that some children with COVID-19 appeared to develop an inflammatory condition called Kawasaki’s disease, which can attack the heart.
Moreover, as with adults, children with other medical concerns are more susceptible to the disease, with their chances of being seriously ill increasing if they have an underlying ailment.
One study also noted that simultaneously facing other illnesses such as influenza makes it more likely that kids could have severe complications from coronavirus — something researchers said “might have implications for the winter period 2020–21, when the incidence of other viral respiratory tract infections … is bound to increase.”
And while death rates are much lower for children than they are for adults with this disease, it’s not impossible for kids, even without underlying health issues, to get sick or even die from it. The same study found that around 0.69 percent of children who contracted COVID-19 may die from the virus — a low number, to be sure, but equivalent to two deaths for every 300 kids who get sick.
Parson also seemed to ignore the fact that children are not the only ones at risk of coronavirus if they return to school. As State Auditor Nicole Galloway pointed out, parents and other family members, as well as teachers and school staff, are also at risk.
Coronavirus “doesn’t stop with our children,” Galloway, a Democrat who is running against Parson in the gubernatorial election later this year, said on Facebook in response to his comments. “The teachers, bus drivers, janitors, food service workers, parents, grandparents and neighbors who our children see every day are susceptible to this virus, too. We need a plan that keeps all Missouri families safe.”
In a separate tweet on the issue, Galloway also noted that children are also at risk, despite what Parson said about the disease. “Does he not realize multiple American kids have died after being infected?” she wrote.
This is stunning ignorance from @GovParsonMO on how COVID-19 affects children. He admitted that he's okay with your kids (and your families) getting the deadly disease when he sends them back to school. Does he not realize multiple American kids have died after being infected? pic.twitter.com/UZtjt043Fs — Nicole Galloway (@nicolergalloway) July 17, 2020
Many state and local governments across the country are trying to determine what course of action to take when it comes to the coming school year. President Donald Trump has insisted, however, that schools should reopen, and furthermore, spurned recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that suggested ways to do so in a safe manner as being too burdensome and expensive.
However, a document that was leaked from the White House and obtained by The New York Times revealed that Trump’s own advisers believe reopening schools across the U.S. could be problematic, likely resulting in a greater spread of coronavirus.
“Trump suppressed a CDC report that concluded ‘fully opening schools and universities remained the highest risk for the spread of coronavirus,'” American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten wrote in a tweet in response to news of the document. “Trump, Pence, DeVos had this report and said the exact opposite. His intentional lies will endanger thousands.”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-07-21--Trump to Send Federal Agents to Protests in Chicago and Seattle Amid Crackdown

As mayors in six cities call for the immediate removal of the president ’ s rapid deployment units and for Congress to investigate the tactics of federal authorities against antiracism protests , Trump says he may send agents to Chicago this week .
“ We ’ re looking at the infringement on our rights that is just escalating , ” says Chicago activist Jitu Brown , national director of the Journey for Justice Alliance .
We also speak with Jesse Hagopian , a history teacher in Seattle , where Trump has also vowed to send federal officers to quell ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Copy may not be in its final form .
AMY GOODMAN : This is Democracy Now !
The Quarantine Report .
I ’ m Amy Goodman .
Mayors in six cities are now calling for the immediate removal of President Trump ’ s rapid deployment units .
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler made the demand in letters addressed to leading members of Congress , Attorney General William Barr and Homeland Security ’ s acting Secretary Chad Wolf .
He was joined by Washington , D.C. , Mayor Muriel Bowser , Chicago Mayor Lori @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan .
President Trump is expected to send federal agents to Chicago as early as this week to confront protesters .
This is Trump speaking Monday .
AMY GOODMAN : And this is Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot responding to Trump in an interview on Joy Reid ’ s new show on MSNBC .
AMY GOODMAN : “ It ’ s just not going to happen , ” she says .
For more , we ’ re joined by two guests in cities where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ve already been deployed in Portland .
In Chicago , Jitu Brown is with us , national director of the Journey for Justice Alliance and a racial equity fellow with the Atlantic Institute ; and in Seattle , Washingon , Jesse Hagopian , high school teacher of ethnic studies , co-editor of Teaching for Black Lives and editor of Rethinking Schools magazine , serving on the national steering committee of Black Lives Matter at School .
We are going to talk about Trump ’ s push for schools to reopen at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first , Jitu Brown , you are a longtime civil rights , human rights leader in Chicago .
As you hear Lori Lightfoot says we ’ re not allowing tyranny to come to this city , your response to what President Trump is saying he will do ?
JITU BROWN : Well , first of all , thank you for having me on , Amy .
And saying I ’ m a longtime organizer is just saying I ’ m old .
So , that ’ s OK .
I can deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Mayor Lightfoot ’ s statements are the right statements , but it ’ s too late , you know , when you look at Chicago during the COVID — when the COVID outbreak first exploded , and we saw in cities where the Black death toll was way above that of our white counterparts .
For example , in Chicago , we ’ re only 30 % of the population , but we were 70 % of the deaths .
We saw checkpoints in places like Newark , New Jersey , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into different neighborhoods .
We saw , as rebellion — after the murder of George Floyd and rebellions began to ensue around the country , I know in my neighborhood it was martial law .
And , you know , my humble opinion is that it still is .
So , we ’ re looking at — regardless of the disaster or the moment , we are looking at the infringement on our rights that is just escalating , and they ’ re going further and further .
So , you know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago is something that we should definitely be worried about , but we should not act as if our rights have not been infringed upon already , that , I mean , if you really want to talk about it , you can go back to the crime bill .
And I remember when , as a young organizer , I saw Chicago police remove two busloads full of young people from the Ida B .
Wells housing projects and take them to jail .
And that opened the door for the mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women .
And so , I think it ’ s really important that we keep this in context .
The last thing I ’ ll say is , along with the federal agents , the risk of federal agents in unmarked vehicles coming into our city , and what that means for people that are protesting , what that means for organizations , I think it ’ s also important to note that police have taken the gloves off .
Just this past week in Chicago , a young organizer who I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — when I met her , she was fighting to stop the closure of all the high schools in her neighborhood .
She was protesting at an event where they were trying to protest a Christopher Columbus statue , and a Chicago police officer , as she was vigorously protesting , ran up on this 18-year-old girl and smashed her in the mouth with his baton and knocked her teeth out .
We just had a press conference supporting Miracle yesterday .
So , the brutality is not new .
The infringement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agent is Donald Trump or the agent of change or the agent of this type of infringement on our rights are Democrats , our rights are already being infringed upon .
AMY GOODMAN : Jesse Hagopian , before we go to the issue of forced school openings , I ’ m wondering if you can address — I mean , the activism in Seattle has been massive , from the CHAZ and the CHOP , the autonomous zones that were set up in the Capitol Hill neighborhood , to what President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Durkan , has joined other mayors , five other mayors , in writing a letter demanding federal agents not come to Seattle .
JESSE HAGOPIAN : Yes .
Thanks for having me on the show again , Amy .
I really appreciate it .
And it truly is chilling to think that Trump is getting ready to send federal troops , unmarked , to come to my city and snatch people and disappear them from our streets .
And I think that as a history teacher , I know that this type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mark of dictatorial and fascist regimes throughout history .
And it ’ s also , though , been the mark for far too many of our own people here in the United States .
I think we ’ re getting to see now on national television what undocumented immigrants have had to go through for years , and , frankly , Black and Brown families who have had their loved ones snatched and put behind bars in this mass incarceration regime for far too long .
But I will say that our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is just that , because for all her rhetoric about how she doesn ’ t need federal interference , in fact , she has gone along with a lot of the policies that Trump would like .
Here in Seattle , a mass of protesters helped to drive the police out of the East Precinct after they indiscriminately tear-gassed and brutalized protesters in the wake of George Floyd ’ s horrific murder .
And Trump called the protesters terrorists and said he was going to send in troops here to deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t .
And while she said , “ We don ’ t need your federal interference , ” she in fact did clear out the protesters with same brutal tactics .
And so that ’ s why I ’ m supporting Decriminalize Seattle and King County Equity Now ’ s demands that we defund the police by 50 % , that we use that money for health and safety , and that we free all the protesters .

As mayors in six cities call for the immediate removal of the president’s rapid deployment units and for Congress to investigate the tactics of federal authorities against antiracism protests, Trump says he may send agents to Chicago this week. “We’re looking at the infringement on our rights that is just escalating,” says Chicago activist Jitu Brown, national director of the Journey for Justice Alliance. We also speak with Jesse Hagopian, a history teacher in Seattle, where Trump has also vowed to send federal officers to quell ongoing demonstrations.
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.
AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now! The Quarantine Report. I’m Amy Goodman. Mayors in six cities are now calling for the immediate removal of President Trump’s rapid deployment units. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler made the demand in letters addressed to leading members of Congress, Attorney General William Barr and Homeland Security’s acting Secretary Chad Wolf. He was joined by Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. President Trump is expected to send federal agents to Chicago as early as this week to confront protesters. This is Trump speaking Monday.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We’re not going to let New York and Chicago and Philadelphia, Detroit and Baltimore and all of these — Oakland is a mess. We’re not going to let this happen in our country. All run by liberal Democrats.
AMY GOODMAN: And this is Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot responding to Trump in an interview on Joy Reid’s new show on MSNBC.
MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT: We still have a Constitution. We still have laws on the book. And I’m going to use those to deploy against them. We’re not going to have tyranny in the city of Chicago. It’s just not going to happen.
AMY GOODMAN: “It’s just not going to happen,” she says.
For more, we’re joined by two guests in cities where federal troops could be sent, after they’ve already been deployed in Portland. In Chicago, Jitu Brown is with us, national director of the Journey for Justice Alliance and a racial equity fellow with the Atlantic Institute; and in Seattle, Washingon, Jesse Hagopian, high school teacher of ethnic studies, co-editor of Teaching for Black Lives and editor of Rethinking Schools magazine, serving on the national steering committee of Black Lives Matter at School.
We are going to talk about Trump’s push for schools to reopen at all costs in a minute. But first, Jitu Brown, you are a longtime civil rights, human rights leader in Chicago. As you hear Lori Lightfoot says we’re not allowing tyranny to come to this city, your response to what President Trump is saying he will do?
JITU BROWN: Well, first of all, thank you for having me on, Amy. And saying I’m a longtime organizer is just saying I’m old. So, that’s OK. I can deal with that.
But I would just say that Mayor Lightfoot’s statements are the right statements, but it’s too late, you know, when you look at Chicago during the COVID — when the COVID outbreak first exploded, and we saw in cities where the Black death toll was way above that of our white counterparts. For example, in Chicago, we’re only 30% of the population, but we were 70% of the deaths. We saw checkpoints in places like Newark, New Jersey, where people had to show identification to get into different neighborhoods. We saw, as rebellion — after the murder of George Floyd and rebellions began to ensue around the country, I know in my neighborhood it was martial law. And, you know, my humble opinion is that it still is.
So, we’re looking at — regardless of the disaster or the moment, we are looking at the infringement on our rights that is just escalating, and they’re going further and further. So, you know, Donald Trump having federal agents come into Chicago is something that we should definitely be worried about, but we should not act as if our rights have not been infringed upon already, that, I mean, if you really want to talk about it, you can go back to the crime bill. And I remember when, as a young organizer, I saw Chicago police remove two busloads full of young people from the Ida B. Wells housing projects and take them to jail. And that opened the door for the mass incarceration of young Black and Brown men and women. And so, I think it’s really important that we keep this in context.
The last thing I’ll say is, along with the federal agents, the risk of federal agents in unmarked vehicles coming into our city, and what that means for people that are protesting, what that means for organizations, I think it’s also important to note that police have taken the gloves off. Just this past week in Chicago, a young organizer who I worked with, Miracle Boyd, who — when I met her, she was fighting to stop the closure of all the high schools in her neighborhood. She was protesting at an event where they were trying to protest a Christopher Columbus statue, and a Chicago police officer, as she was vigorously protesting, ran up on this 18-year-old girl and smashed her in the mouth with his baton and knocked her teeth out. We just had a press conference supporting Miracle yesterday. So, the brutality is not new. The infringement on our rights is not new. Whether the agent is Donald Trump or the agent of change or the agent of this type of infringement on our rights are Democrats, our rights are already being infringed upon.
AMY GOODMAN: Jesse Hagopian, before we go to the issue of forced school openings, I’m wondering if you can address — I mean, the activism in Seattle has been massive, from the CHAZ and the CHOP, the autonomous zones that were set up in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, to what President Trump is threatening now. The Seattle mayor, Durkan, has joined other mayors, five other mayors, in writing a letter demanding federal agents not come to Seattle.
JESSE HAGOPIAN: Yes. Thanks for having me on the show again, Amy. I really appreciate it.
And it truly is chilling to think that Trump is getting ready to send federal troops, unmarked, to come to my city and snatch people and disappear them from our streets. And I think that as a history teacher, I know that this type of behavior of disappearing protesters is really the mark of dictatorial and fascist regimes throughout history. And it’s also, though, been the mark for far too many of our own people here in the United States. I think we’re getting to see now on national television what undocumented immigrants have had to go through for years, and, frankly, Black and Brown families who have had their loved ones snatched and put behind bars in this mass incarceration regime for far too long.
But I will say that our Mayor Jenny Durkan’s posturing against Trump is just that, because for all her rhetoric about how she doesn’t need federal interference, in fact, she has gone along with a lot of the policies that Trump would like. Here in Seattle, a mass of protesters helped to drive the police out of the East Precinct after they indiscriminately tear-gassed and brutalized protesters in the wake of George Floyd’s horrific murder. And Trump called the protesters terrorists and said he was going to send in troops here to deal with the situation if Jenny Durkan wouldn’t. And while she said, “We don’t need your federal interference,” she in fact did clear out the protesters with same brutal tactics. And so that’s why I’m supporting Decriminalize Seattle and King County Equity Now’s demands that we defund the police by 50%, that we use that money for health and safety, and that we free all the protesters.


truthout--2020-07-21--Fox News Viewers More Likely to Believe COVID Death Count Is Fake, Poll Shows

Nearly one-third of Americans believe the official count of the number of people who have died from coronavirus in the United States is being exaggerated , according to a poll published on Tuesday .
The Axios/Ipsos poll , conducted July 17 to 20 , found that 31 percent of Americans believed the number of casualties from COVID-19 in the country was fewer than what was being reported .
That skepticism is up from where it was at the start of May , when an Axios/Ipsos poll had found less than a quarter of all Americans ( 23 percent ) believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reported number at that time .
The most pronounced shift in these numbers appears to come from the right — nearly 3 out of 5 Republican respondents in the poll ( 59 percent ) said they did not believe the official death count was as high as it was being stated .
That number was just 40 percent in May .
Those who said Fox News was their primary source of media consumption were also more likely to be skeptical , with 61 percent of viewers of the cable news station saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than what was being reported , compared to 44 percent of Fox News viewers saying the same back in March — a 17-point swing .
Other Americans who said they were wary of the numbers being reported were those who said they didn ’ t have a primary news source .
Among that group , 48 percent said they believed the numbers were inflated , and of those , 44 percent of individuals who said local news was their preferred media choice said they believed the reported numbers were too high .
Small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media as their primary media source , as well as those who read newspapers or watch the network evening news programs .
Those who watched CNN or MSNBC as their primary news media saw just a 1 percent increase ( 6 percent to 7 percent ) in skepticism from May to July .
Even though a belief in the number of COVID-19 deaths being lower than what ’ s being reported had increased over the past two months , an equal number of Americans ( 31 percent ) said they trusted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most respondents in the poll ( 37 percent ) said the numbers being reported at the moment are probably lower than the actual death count .
There ’ s strong evidence to suggest that kind of skepticism is actually warranted .
According to a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine earlier this month , as many as 122,300 excess deaths that occurred in the first three months of the crisis , which were not counted as having been from COVID-19 , may be attributable to the disease .
“ Excess deaths ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observed during the initial three-month spread of the pandemic that exceed the sum of COVID-19 deaths and the number of deaths typically seen at that time of year .
While they may not be due entirely because of the disease , the number of excess deaths observed ( which is 28 percent higher than what should be expected ) shows a strong likelihood that coronavirus deaths were drastically undercounted .
Health experts , including those within President Donald Trump ’ s own orbit , have long warned about the strong possibility that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely fewer than what was actually occurring .
In spite of these warnings , however , and according to government sources with knowledge of the matter , Trump has tried to make the rules for counting COVID deaths stricter , which would result in a smaller count of deaths in the long run .
As of 8 a.m. Eastern Time , more than 3.8 million Americans have been diagnosed as having contracted COVID-19 since March , with nearly 141,000 having died from the disease so far .

Experts warn, however, that the number of coronavirus deaths tallied so far is likely an undercount, not an overcount.
Nearly one-third of Americans believe the official count of the number of people who have died from coronavirus in the United States is being exaggerated, according to a poll published on Tuesday.
The Axios/Ipsos poll, conducted July 17 to 20, found that 31 percent of Americans believed the number of casualties from COVID-19 in the country was fewer than what was being reported. That skepticism is up from where it was at the start of May, when an Axios/Ipsos poll had found less than a quarter of all Americans (23 percent) believed the true death count was lower than the reported number at that time.
The most pronounced shift in these numbers appears to come from the right — nearly 3 out of 5 Republican respondents in the poll (59 percent) said they did not believe the official death count was as high as it was being stated. That number was just 40 percent in May.
Those who said Fox News was their primary source of media consumption were also more likely to be skeptical, with 61 percent of viewers of the cable news station saying they believed COVID-19 death numbers were fewer than what was being reported, compared to 44 percent of Fox News viewers saying the same back in March — a 17-point swing.
Other Americans who said they were wary of the numbers being reported were those who said they didn’t have a primary news source. Among that group, 48 percent said they believed the numbers were inflated, and of those, 44 percent of individuals who said local news was their preferred media choice said they believed the reported numbers were too high.
Small increases were reported among those who use social media as their primary media source, as well as those who read newspapers or watch the network evening news programs. Those who watched CNN or MSNBC as their primary news media saw just a 1 percent increase (6 percent to 7 percent) in skepticism from May to July.
Even though a belief in the number of COVID-19 deaths being lower than what’s being reported had increased over the past two months, an equal number of Americans (31 percent) said they trusted the reported numbers to be about right. Most respondents in the poll (37 percent) said the numbers being reported at the moment are probably lower than the actual death count.
There’s strong evidence to suggest that kind of skepticism is actually warranted. According to a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine earlier this month, as many as 122,300 excess deaths that occurred in the first three months of the crisis, which were not counted as having been from COVID-19, may be attributable to the disease.
“Excess deaths” are the number of deaths that were observed during the initial three-month spread of the pandemic that exceed the sum of COVID-19 deaths and the number of deaths typically seen at that time of year. While they may not be due entirely because of the disease, the number of excess deaths observed (which is 28 percent higher than what should be expected) shows a strong likelihood that coronavirus deaths were drastically undercounted.
Health experts, including those within President Donald Trump’s own orbit, have long warned about the strong possibility that the number of COVID-19 deaths being reported were likely fewer than what was actually occurring. In spite of these warnings, however, and according to government sources with knowledge of the matter, Trump has tried to make the rules for counting COVID deaths stricter, which would result in a smaller count of deaths in the long run.
As of 8 a.m. Eastern Time, more than 3.8 million Americans have been diagnosed as having contracted COVID-19 since March, with nearly 141,000 having died from the disease so far.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
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truthout--2020-07-21--Why Is a Right-Wing Flack and Roger Stone Ally in Charge of Fauci’s Schedule?

Last week the Washington Post published a report titled “ Fauci is sidelined by the White House as he steps up blunt talk on pandemic , ” which revealed that President Trump had not sought the counsel of the government ’ s top infectious disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci , in more than a month .
The 2,500-word report only briefly touches on the official who does that scuttling : a man named Michael Caputo , a 2016 Trump campaign aide who has been described as a conspiracy theorist with racist views and is closely allied with former Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not clear when Caputo took control of Fauci ’ s media calendar .
In a brief conversation with Salon , he replied , “ Weeks ago.
” Asked if he could ballpark how many weeks that was , Caputo replied , “ No.
” The administration hired Caputo as deputy press secretary for Health and Human Services sometime in early to mid-April , the month the coronavirus was to “ miraculously ” disappear , according to the president .
In reality , it was the month that reports about Trump ’ s displeasure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deleted more than 1,000 of tweets in early April , many of which were graphic or patently offensive , suggesting he was not expecting to be hired at the time .
Officials have suggested to Salon , in the context of Fauci ’ s recent media appearances , that if HHS were indeed trying to silence the longtime public servant , it ’ s not doing a good job of it .
It ’ s unlikely that the administration could silence Fauci outright without drawing intense public backlash , but Caputo has selectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he darkens or contradicts White House messaging .
Per the Post : Additionally , Fauci himself has insinuated that the Trump administration was suppressing his voice .
A page dedicated to his media appearances on his agency ’ s website is missing the months of May and June entirely .
Caputo told Salon that he handles all of Fauci ’ s media and press and has final say on media calendars for “ six different doctors and scientists , ” including Fauci .
Dr. Deborah Birx , CDC head Dr. Robert Redfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under HHS purview , as are Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brett Giroir and HHS Secretary Alex Azar .
When Salon asked Caputo about the Post ’ s report that he had thwarted some of Fauci ’ s television appearances , which including an invitation from MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow , Caputo replied that he simply cycled officials through in rotation .
“ We have six different scientists and doctors who we use , ” he explained .
“ We get requests from different networks and different shows , and we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with .
You can ’ t have all of them on at the same time.
” “ Sometimes we are utilizing different voices and different scientists .
Fauci is a particularly good one , ” he said .
“ But every day , every network show , presents a different challenge , and we have a wide variety of solutions.
” Caputo then asked if this story was going to run while Fauci ’ s PBS interview aired last Friday .
He was told that was not a goal .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said , emphasizing how “ stupid ” it would be to run a story about him blocking Fauci while Fauci was on TV .
“ I chose Fauci for PBS tonight , ” Caputo continued , contradicting the Post report that the White House gave PBS the nod .
“ Every single booker asks for Fauci .
I give them the person who fits.
” Caputo declined to get into the nitty-gritty of his formula for determining who fits , but did explain his process .
“ I instruct my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of contact , but not to bother me with the name of the scientist or doctor , ” he said .
“ I can do that.
” If that ’ s true , then the gatekeeper of public access to critical information from health officials does not care about what information media outlets want .
It is a highly unorthodox way to run media relations at any time , not to mention at the federal government ’ s public health nerve center in the middle of a pandemic .
Journalists often contact government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a specific official , based on that official ’ s area of medical or scientific expertise .
But Caputo , who has no medical or scientific background , suggested that he considers nothing beyond availability and his own gut instincts .
The Post report complicates Caputo ’ s claim that he calls the shots , alleging that he doesn ’ t make decisions about Fauci without first consulting the White House : Salon asked Caputo why the deputy press secretary for HHS would tell employees not to “ bother ” him by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What ’ s with your attitude ?
” Caputo responded .
“ Don ’ t give me this — this attitude.
” Salon responded that no disrespect was intended , and Caputo instructed us to try another press contact at the department .
( Salon had done so . )
Salon then asked Caputo , twice , whether he had spoken about Roger Stone at any time with HHS officials or with White House hiring chief John McEntee , or with McEntee ’ s deputy , 23-year-old James Bacon .
Reached for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease said , “ The NIAID Office of Communications and Government Relations coordinates media interviews for Dr. Fauci , the director of NIAID .
NIAID ( part of NIH ) , like all agencies part of HHS , has always followed HHS ’ s coordinating process for interviews.
” The spokeswoman did not reply when asked whether that process now involved Caputo , or when he took over Fauci ’ s calendar .
Michael Caputo has spent a sizable portion of his colorful life in political PR , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After graduating from high school in Buffalo , New York , Caputo did PR for the Army .
He left the Army for college , after which he promoted Ronald Reagan ’ s agenda in Central America with Lt. Col. Oliver North .
He also worked media relations for President George H.W .
Bush ’ s losing 1992 campaign .
Somewhere in there he befriended Roger Stone and took up an apprenticeship with the modern master of political dark arts .
For a while Caputo was Stone ’ s driver .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Russia , where he worked for President Boris Yeltsin and later as a consultant charged with rehabilitating Vladimir Putin ’ s image in the U.S .
He has claimed he was once shot in Russia during a drunken donnybrook .
When Caputo returned to the U.S. he returned into the GOP operative world , in 2007 running a website designed to smear Gov .
Eliot Spitzer of New York .
Spitzer was forced to resign the following year amid a prostitution scandal .
At some point Caputo had befriended Donald Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme to secure Trump ’ s bid for the Buffalo Bills NFL team , creating a fake organization and hiring a fake founder — a double-amputee cancer survivor — to gin up sympathy .
Caputo used the organization to orchestrate a bare-knuckle smear campaign targeting Trump ’ s chief competitor for the Buffalo team , Jon Bon Jovi , who later said he needed “ years of therapy ” to get over it .
Bon Jovi and Trump both lost their bids to buy the Bills .
In the spring 2016 Caputo joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to quit in June when he celebrated the sacking of former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski by tweeting , “ Ding dong the witch is dead !
” , adding a picture of the Wicked Witch of the East from “ The Wizard of Oz , ” her feet protruding from under the house that crushed her .
A month earlier , when Caputo was still with the campaign , he and Roger Stone met with a Russian expatriate living in Florida named Henry Greenberg — his original name was Henry Oknyansky — who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton .
In 2018 the Washington Post acquired text messages between Caputo and Stone in which they called Greenberg “ the Russian.
” In his earlier testimony to Congress , Caputo had claimed that he and Stone did not know Greenberg and/or Oknyansky was Russian .
Former special counsel Robert Mueller also interviewed Caputo during his investigation into Russian election interference .
Caputo likened those interviews to a proctology exam , adding that Mueller knew “ more about the campaign than anyone who ever worked there.
” Mueller ’ s team never charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did indict and convict Stone , whom Caputo counts a close friend to this day .
During the campaign , Stone had communicated with “ Guccifer 2.0 , ” the apparent nom de guerre for a group of Russian intelligence officials who funneled stolen Democratic Party emails to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange .
Stone later communicated with Assange directly , and was alleged in testimony by Paul Manafort , Rick Gates and Michael Cohen to have told Trump that email dumps were coming .
This contradicted claims that Trump made to Mueller in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Senate trial of Trump ’ s impeachment kicking into high gear , Caputo published a book titled , The Ukraine Hoax : How Decades of Corruption in the Former Soviet Republic Led to Trump ’ s Phony Impeachment .
The next month the Senate acquitted Trump , and Stone was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for obstructing a congressional inquiry into the president , among other felonies .
It is still not clear how or why Caputo ’ s name came before HHS .
Sometime in April , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health and Human Services — although he has no background in medicine or science , and the United States was in the opening weeks of the worst health crisis in a century .
That was the month that Trump had foretold would “ miraculously ” vanquish the global coronavirus pandemic , and the month when Fauci ’ s future in the administration was first seriously thrown into doubt .
“ Installing Caputo allows the White House to further control [ Alex ] Azar ’ s communications strategy , ” Politico reported at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Azar , the HHS secretary , had been leaking negative stories about Trump to the press in order to buttress his own record on the pandemic response .
It didn ’ t take long for Caputo ’ s deleted tweets to surface .
In late April , CNN uncovered more than 1,300 tweets , many of them racist , misogynistic , cruel and riddled with coronavirus conspiracy theories .
Caputo had posted the tweets between February and early April , mere days before his on-boarding at HHS , indicating that he might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a government position .
Responding to a conspiracy theory that Americans brought the coronavirus to China , Caputo tweeted on March 12 that “ millions of Chinese suck the blood out of rabid bats as an appetizer and eat the ass out of anteaters.
” Caputo suggested in a March 8 tweet that a Democratic “ strategy to defeat ” Trump required hundreds of thousands of American deaths .
He referenced James Hodgkinson , a left-wing activist with record of domestic violence who shot Rep. Steve Scalise , R-La.
, during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus is the Democrats ’ new Russia , their new Ukraine , ” he added .
“ And nobody will believe them except their zombies.
” “ For the Democrat 2020 victory strategy to work , 100,000+ Americans have to die , ” he posted March 11 .
“ For the Democrat 2020 victory strategy to work , you have to believe the media.
” A few days after that story broke , CNN unearthed still more deleted tweets , these tracing back to 2019 and including vile remarks about women .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to former FBI employee Lisa Page , a favorite target of the president ’ s , with a crass reference to oral sex , writing , “ what ’ s that on your chin.
” In another , he wrote : “ I never thought you broke the law , Lisa — sleeping around with married men is quite legal .
Your political opinions also aren ’ t illegal , just unethical at work , like your affairs .
You got dragged into this for hate and love — your hate for Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know.
” He added a GIF of a train heading into a tunnel .
In other tweets from this year , Caputo kept calling women “ dogface ” : “ look at this dogface ” ; “ I would never sleep with you , dog-face ” ; “ you have a dogface.
” In October 2019 , with impeachment in full swing , Caputo attacked then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein , firing off a series of tweets calling him a “ piece of shit , ” a “ traitor , ” a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” CNN has cached the tweets here .
Additionally , Caputo has apparently owed substantial sums in back taxes , in both New York and Florida .
He once complained that the Mueller investigation had almost bankrupted him , but he appears to have been saved from that fate when his self-published GoFundMe page pulled in more than $ 350,000 , outstripping its stated goal by $ 200,000 .
Even a top administration salary , while not petty , is certainly not lucrative , and deputy press secretary positions normally go to junior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Caputo ’ s experience who do not take well to bureaucracy and do not expect to be bossed around .
After Salon ’ s call with Caputo , an HHS press officer sent an email offering to field follow-ups questions .
Our follow-up emails were unanswered .
The media contact page at the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — the agency Fauci has helmed for more than 35 years — says “ Content last reviewed April 7 , 2020.
” Fauci ’ s own “ in the news ” page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearances between April and July .
In a contentious June 24 call with reporters , Caputo blasted back at questions about the White House ’ s apparent efforts to discredit Fauci , a Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree .
“ The reason why we put this call together so quickly and why we have upwards of 75 reporters on this call is because you ’ ve been spun up , ” he yawped , after going nearly an hour without saying anything .
“ Somebody has given you disinformation , ” said Caputo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with palpable contempt just a few months prior .
“ Do you understand ?
I ’ m old enough to remember when it was considered dishonest to undermine public confidence in the public health system.
” The PR veteran later took a more subtle approach .
“ We have great faith in the capacity of all of our scientists and doctors on the coronavirus taskforce to impart necessary public health information , ” Caputo said in a statement .
“ People like Admiral ( Brett ) Giroir , Surgeon General ( Jerome ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very effectively.
” He did not mention Fauci .
The White House and Roger Stone did not reply to multiple requests for comment .
Fauci could not be reached for comment .

Last week the Washington Post published a report titled “Fauci is sidelined by the White House as he steps up blunt talk on pandemic,” which revealed that President Trump had not sought the counsel of the government’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, in more than a month.
But as the Trump administration has strayed from the advice of many of its scientists and public health experts, the White House has moved to sideline Fauci, scuttled some of his planned TV appearances and largely kept him out of the Oval Office for more than a month even as coronavirus infections surge in large swaths of the country.
The 2,500-word report only briefly touches on the official who does that scuttling: a man named Michael Caputo, a 2016 Trump campaign aide who has been described as a conspiracy theorist with racist views and is closely allied with former Trump adviser Roger Stone.
It’s not clear when Caputo took control of Fauci’s media calendar. In a brief conversation with Salon, he replied, “Weeks ago.” Asked if he could ballpark how many weeks that was, Caputo replied, “No.”
The administration hired Caputo as deputy press secretary for Health and Human Services sometime in early to mid-April, the month the coronavirus was to “miraculously” disappear, according to the president.
In reality, it was the month that reports about Trump’s displeasure with Fauci began to surface. Caputo deleted more than 1,000 of tweets in early April, many of which were graphic or patently offensive, suggesting he was not expecting to be hired at the time.
Officials have suggested to Salon, in the context of Fauci’s recent media appearances, that if HHS were indeed trying to silence the longtime public servant, it’s not doing a good job of it.
It’s unlikely that the administration could silence Fauci outright without drawing intense public backlash, but Caputo has selectively muzzled the eminent disease expert, especially when he darkens or contradicts White House messaging. Per the Post:
The tension between the White House and Fauci was on full display last Sunday, when CBS host Margaret Brennan told millions of viewers that “Face the Nation” had tried for three months to interview him. White House communications officials, who must approve television appearances related to the coronavirus, responded by allowing Fauci spots this week on PBS NewsHour, a CNN town hall with Sanjay Gupta and NBC’s “Meet the Press” during the prime Sunday morning slot, according to one person familiar with the situation. Then Fauci joined a Facebook Live event on Tuesday with Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.), disputing Trump’s assertions that a lower death rate showed the country’s progress against the pandemic. Fauci called it “a false narrative” and warned, “Don’t get yourself into false complacency.” Fauci did not end up making any of the scheduled appearances. The White House canceled them after his Tuesday remarks, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to relate behind-the-scenes conversations.
Additionally, Fauci himself has insinuated that the Trump administration was suppressing his voice. A page dedicated to his media appearances on his agency’s website is missing the months of May and June entirely.
Caputo told Salon that he handles all of Fauci’s media and press and has final say on media calendars for “six different doctors and scientists,” including Fauci.
Dr. Deborah Birx, CDC head Dr. Robert Redfield and Surgeon General Jerome Adams are also under HHS purview, as are Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brett Giroir and HHS Secretary Alex Azar.
When Salon asked Caputo about the Post’s report that he had thwarted some of Fauci’s television appearances, which including an invitation from MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Caputo replied that he simply cycled officials through in rotation.
“We have six different scientists and doctors who we use,” he explained. “We get requests from different networks and different shows, and we have far more than just one person we work with. You can’t have all of them on at the same time.”
“Sometimes we are utilizing different voices and different scientists. Fauci is a particularly good one,” he said. “But every day, every network show, presents a different challenge, and we have a wide variety of solutions.”
Caputo then asked if this story was going to run while Fauci’s PBS interview aired last Friday. He was told that was not a goal.
“You would look really bad if you did,” he said, emphasizing how “stupid” it would be to run a story about him blocking Fauci while Fauci was on TV.
“I chose Fauci for PBS tonight,” Caputo continued, contradicting the Post report that the White House gave PBS the nod. “Every single booker asks for Fauci. I give them the person who fits.”
Caputo declined to get into the nitty-gritty of his formula for determining who fits, but did explain his process. “I instruct my team to provide the outlet and point of contact, but not to bother me with the name of the scientist or doctor,” he said. “I can do that.”
If that’s true, then the gatekeeper of public access to critical information from health officials does not care about what information media outlets want. It is a highly unorthodox way to run media relations at any time, not to mention at the federal government’s public health nerve center in the middle of a pandemic.
Journalists often contact government experts precisely because they have specific questions for a specific official, based on that official’s area of medical or scientific expertise. But Caputo, who has no medical or scientific background, suggested that he considers nothing beyond availability and his own gut instincts.
(The voicemail message at the HHS Office of Public Affairs instructs journalists to “please leave your name, outlet, request and contact information.”)
The Post report complicates Caputo’s claim that he calls the shots, alleging that he doesn’t make decisions about Fauci without first consulting the White House:
Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Michael Caputo, a longtime Trump ally, approves Fauci’s television appearances, with input from the White House, said one of the senior administration officials. Several White House aides view Fauci’s interviews as unhelpful and say they’re frustrated he has expressed interest in appearing on programs such as MSNBC’s “Rachel Maddow Show,” which are hostile to the administration. That one was rejected.
Salon asked Caputo why the deputy press secretary for HHS would tell employees not to “bother” him by including a scientist’s name.
“What’s with your attitude?” Caputo responded. “Don’t give me this — this attitude.”
Salon responded that no disrespect was intended, and Caputo instructed us to try another press contact at the department. (Salon had done so.)
Salon then asked Caputo, twice, whether he had spoken about Roger Stone at any time with HHS officials or with White House hiring chief John McEntee, or with McEntee’s deputy, 23-year-old James Bacon.
Caputo hung up.
Reached for comment, a spokeswoman for the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease said, “The NIAID Office of Communications and Government Relations coordinates media interviews for Dr. Fauci, the director of NIAID. NIAID (part of NIH), like all agencies part of HHS, has always followed HHS’s coordinating process for interviews.”
The spokeswoman did not reply when asked whether that process now involved Caputo, or when he took over Fauci’s calendar.
Michael Caputo has spent a sizable portion of his colorful life in political PR, or what might appear to be PR.
After graduating from high school in Buffalo, New York, Caputo did PR for the Army. He left the Army for college, after which he promoted Ronald Reagan’s agenda in Central America with Lt. Col. Oliver North. He also worked media relations for President George H.W. Bush’s losing 1992 campaign.
Somewhere in there he befriended Roger Stone and took up an apprenticeship with the modern master of political dark arts. For a while Caputo was Stone’s driver.
After the Soviet Union collapsed, Caputo moved to Russia, where he worked for President Boris Yeltsin and later as a consultant charged with rehabilitating Vladimir Putin’s image in the U.S. He has claimed he was once shot in Russia during a drunken donnybrook.
When Caputo returned to the U.S. he returned into the GOP operative world, in 2007 running a website designed to smear Gov. Eliot Spitzer of New York. Spitzer was forced to resign the following year amid a prostitution scandal.
At some point Caputo had befriended Donald Trump, and in 2014 he conceived a PR scheme to secure Trump’s bid for the Buffalo Bills NFL team, creating a fake organization and hiring a fake founder — a double-amputee cancer survivor — to gin up sympathy.
Caputo used the organization to orchestrate a bare-knuckle smear campaign targeting Trump’s chief competitor for the Buffalo team, Jon Bon Jovi, who later said he needed “years of therapy” to get over it.
Bon Jovi and Trump both lost their bids to buy the Bills.
In the spring 2016 Caputo joined the Trump campaign, but was forced to quit in June when he celebrated the sacking of former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski by tweeting, “Ding dong the witch is dead!”, adding a picture of the Wicked Witch of the East from “The Wizard of Oz,” her feet protruding from under the house that crushed her.
A month earlier, when Caputo was still with the campaign, he and Roger Stone met with a Russian expatriate living in Florida named Henry Greenberg — his original name was Henry Oknyansky — who offered to sell them dirt on Hillary Clinton.
In 2018 the Washington Post acquired text messages between Caputo and Stone in which they called Greenberg “the Russian.” In his earlier testimony to Congress, Caputo had claimed that he and Stone did not know Greenberg and/or Oknyansky was Russian.
That reaped him high praise:
Thank you to former campaign adviser Michael Caputo for saying so powerfully that there was no Russian collusion in our winning campaign. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2017
Former special counsel Robert Mueller also interviewed Caputo during his investigation into Russian election interference. Caputo likened those interviews to a proctology exam, adding that Mueller knew “more about the campaign than anyone who ever worked there.”
Mueller’s team never charged Caputo with any crime, but they did indict and convict Stone, whom Caputo counts a close friend to this day.
During the campaign, Stone had communicated with “Guccifer 2.0,” the apparent nom de guerre for a group of Russian intelligence officials who funneled stolen Democratic Party emails to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Stone later communicated with Assange directly, and was alleged in testimony by Paul Manafort, Rick Gates and Michael Cohen to have told Trump that email dumps were coming.
This contradicted claims that Trump made to Mueller in sworn written responses.
In January, with the Senate trial of Trump’s impeachment kicking into high gear, Caputo published a book titled, The Ukraine Hoax: How Decades of Corruption in the Former Soviet Republic Led to Trump’s Phony Impeachment.
The next month the Senate acquitted Trump, and Stone was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for obstructing a congressional inquiry into the president, among other felonies.
It is still not clear how or why Caputo’s name came before HHS.
Sometime in April, however, someone placed him in the Department of Health and Human Services — although he has no background in medicine or science, and the United States was in the opening weeks of the worst health crisis in a century.
That was the month that Trump had foretold would “miraculously” vanquish the global coronavirus pandemic, and the month when Fauci’s future in the administration was first seriously thrown into doubt.
“Installing Caputo allows the White House to further control [Alex] Azar’s communications strategy,” Politico reported at the time. Administration officials reportedly believed that Azar, the HHS secretary, had been leaking negative stories about Trump to the press in order to buttress his own record on the pandemic response.
It didn’t take long for Caputo’s deleted tweets to surface.
In late April, CNN uncovered more than 1,300 tweets, many of them racist, misogynistic, cruel and riddled with coronavirus conspiracy theories. Caputo had posted the tweets between February and early April, mere days before his on-boarding at HHS, indicating that he might not himself have expected to be hired for a government position.
Responding to a conspiracy theory that Americans brought the coronavirus to China, Caputo tweeted on March 12 that “millions of Chinese suck the blood out of rabid bats as an appetizer and eat the ass out of anteaters.”
Caputo suggested in a March 8 tweet that a Democratic “strategy to defeat” Trump required hundreds of thousands of American deaths. He referenced James Hodgkinson, a left-wing activist with record of domestic violence who shot Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., during a congressional baseball practice in 2017.
“Coronavirus is the Democrats’ new Russia, their new Ukraine,” he added. “And nobody will believe them except their zombies.”
“For the Democrat 2020 victory strategy to work, 100,000+ Americans have to die,” he posted March 11. “For the Democrat 2020 victory strategy to work, you have to believe the media.”
A few days after that story broke, CNN unearthed still more deleted tweets, these tracing back to 2019 and including vile remarks about women.
In December 2019, Caputo posted a reply to former FBI employee Lisa Page, a favorite target of the president’s, with a crass reference to oral sex, writing, “what’s that on your chin.”
In another, he wrote:
“I never thought you broke the law, Lisa — sleeping around with married men is quite legal. Your political opinions also aren’t illegal, just unethical at work, like your affairs. You got dragged into this for hate and love — your hate for Trump and your love for, well, you know.” He added a GIF of a train heading into a tunnel.
In other tweets from this year, Caputo kept calling women “dogface”: “look at this dogface”; “I would never sleep with you, dog-face”; “you have a dogface.”
In October 2019, with impeachment in full swing, Caputo attacked then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, firing off a series of tweets calling him a “piece of shit,” a “traitor,” a “scumbag” and a “seditionist.”
CNN has cached the tweets here.
Additionally, Caputo has apparently owed substantial sums in back taxes, in both New York and Florida. He once complained that the Mueller investigation had almost bankrupted him, but he appears to have been saved from that fate when his self-published GoFundMe page pulled in more than $350,000, outstripping its stated goal by $200,000.
Even a top administration salary, while not petty, is certainly not lucrative, and deputy press secretary positions normally go to junior or up-and-coming officials, not veteran operatives of Caputo’s experience who do not take well to bureaucracy and do not expect to be bossed around.
After Salon’s call with Caputo, an HHS press officer sent an email offering to field follow-ups questions. Our follow-up emails were unanswered.
The media contact page at the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — the agency Fauci has helmed for more than 35 years — says “Content last reviewed April 7, 2020.”
Fauci’s own “in the news” page shows a conspicuous two-month gap in on-air appearances between April and July.
In a contentious June 24 call with reporters, Caputo blasted back at questions about the White House’s apparent efforts to discredit Fauci, a Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree.
“The reason why we put this call together so quickly and why we have upwards of 75 reporters on this call is because you’ve been spun up,” he yawped, after going nearly an hour without saying anything.
“Somebody has given you disinformation,” said Caputo, who himself had spread coronavirus disinformation with palpable contempt just a few months prior. “Do you understand? I’m old enough to remember when it was considered dishonest to undermine public confidence in the public health system.”
The PR veteran later took a more subtle approach.
“We have great faith in the capacity of all of our scientists and doctors on the coronavirus taskforce to impart necessary public health information,” Caputo said in a statement. “People like Admiral (Brett) Giroir, Surgeon General (Jerome) Adams and others are carrying these messages very effectively.”
He did not mention Fauci.
The White House and Roger Stone did not reply to multiple requests for comment. Fauci could not be reached for comment.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
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truthout--2020-07-21--Senate GOP’s COVID Plan May Raid Social Security and Cut Unemployment Benefits

Progressives are pushing Democratic congressional leaders to forcefully oppose the Senate GOP ’ s coronavirus stimulus legislation after new reporting Monday revealed the package is likely to include a payroll tax cut , a reduction in enhanced unemployment payments , conditions on school funding , and little aid to state and local governments .
“ After weeks of sitting on their hands and doing nothing while infections and deaths rise and tens of millions of people fear an imminent economic catastrophe , the reported plan Senate Republicans put out today would be laughable if it wasn ’ t so outright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Action , Community Change Action , Indivisible , MoveOn , and Greenpeace in a joint statement Monday .
The advocacy groups called on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) to “ reject this plan outright.
” “ The plan put forth by Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans will do nothing but double down on the failed policies that put corporate profits before workers and families , and that helped get us here in the first place , ” the groups said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting point to negotiations.
” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-Calif. ) confirmed to reporters Monday that the plan being crafted in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s ( R-Ky. ) office will include a cut to the payroll tax — a funding mechanism for Social Security and Medicare .
“ It ’ s one of the issues that we ’ re proposing , ” said McCarthy .
An anonymous White House official told Roll Call that the Republican proposal under consideration would defer payment of the payroll tax to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the option of waiving the payback requirement with separate legislation .
Nancy Altman , president of Social Security Works , said in a statement Monday that the Trump-GOP push for a payroll tax cut amounts to an effort to “ raid ” the Social Security system ’ s “ dedicated revenue as a pathway to destroying it.
” “ If the money lost in payroll contributions is replaced with general revenue , Social Security will still be a target , ” warned Altman .
“ Currently , Social Security doesn ’ t add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its dedicated revenue is a set up to the claim that it must be cut in the name of reining in the debt !
McCarthy ’ s statement today means that every Republican member of Congress supports defunding Social Security — unless they quickly and explicitly denounce their party ’ s plan to raid our earned benefits.
” Sen. Chuck Grassley ( R-Iowa ) , chairman of the Senate Finance Committee , was among the few Republicans who publicly voiced skepticism Monday about the payroll tax cut , calling the proposal a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Social Security people think we ’ re raiding the Social Security fund , ” said Grassley , to which Social Security Works executive director Alex Lawson responded : Schumer and Pelosi are expected to meet with White House officials Tuesday to formally kick off negotiations over the stimulus legislation .
The Trump administration is advocating a relief package that contains “ roughly $ 1 trillion in new programs , though officials are expected to use budget gimmicks to make the initial package slightly larger , ” the Post reported .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act passed by the Democrat-controlled House in May proposed more than $ 1 trillion just for state and local governments as they face pandemic-induced budget crises .
“ The bill is expected to omit new aid that Democrats have sought for cities and states , instead allowing governors and local leaders more flexibility to spend the $ 150 billion already allocated , ” the Post noted .
The GOP plan will also likely include another round of $ 1,200 direct stimulus payments and a cut to the $ 600-per-week increase in unemployment benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the week .
During a private White House meeting on Monday , according to the Post , “ Trump criticized the enhanced unemployment benefit , saying it never should have been agreed to in the first place.
” “ From what we understand from press reports , McConnell ’ s bill will prioritize corporate special interests over workers and Main Street businesses , ” Schumer said in a floor speech Monday afternoon .
“ It will fail to adequately address the worsening spread of the virus .
There are currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans , and from all accounts the Republican bill will not do nearly enough for them.
” Sen. Ron Wyden ( D-Ore. ) warned on Twitter that reducing the boosted unemployment insurance ( UI ) payments will slash the incomes of 30 million Americans who are currently relying on the payments to meet basic needs .
Josh Bivens , director of research at the Economic Policy Institute , said Monday that it “ sounds like Senate Republicans want to go cheap ( and cruel ) on by far the most-important bits of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits and aid to state/local governments.
” “ Hard not see all of this as Republicans in the Senate and administration having given up trying to fix problems and shifting to attempts to hobble the political prospects of the next Congress and administration , ” Bivens added .
“ We deserve a lot better than this .
”

The plan being crafted could include a cut to the payroll tax — a funding mechanism for Social Security and Medicare.
Progressives are pushing Democratic congressional leaders to forcefully oppose the Senate GOP’s coronavirus stimulus legislation after new reporting Monday revealed the package is likely to include a payroll tax cut, a reduction in enhanced unemployment payments, conditions on school funding, and little aid to state and local governments.
“After weeks of sitting on their hands and doing nothing while infections and deaths rise and tens of millions of people fear an imminent economic catastrophe, the reported plan Senate Republicans put out today would be laughable if it wasn’t so outright shameful and harmful,” said Care in Action, Community Change Action, Indivisible, MoveOn, and Greenpeace in a joint statement Monday.
The advocacy groups called on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to “reject this plan outright.”
“The plan put forth by Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans will do nothing but double down on the failed policies that put corporate profits before workers and families, and that helped get us here in the first place,” the groups said. “It is not a good faith starting point to negotiations.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) confirmed to reporters Monday that the plan being crafted in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) office will include a cut to the payroll tax — a funding mechanism for Social Security and Medicare. “It’s one of the issues that we’re proposing,” said McCarthy.
An anonymous White House official told Roll Call that the Republican proposal under consideration would defer payment of the payroll tax to a later date. Congress would then have the option of waiving the payback requirement with separate legislation.
Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, said in a statement Monday that the Trump-GOP push for a payroll tax cut amounts to an effort to “raid” the Social Security system’s “dedicated revenue as a pathway to destroying it.”
“If the money lost in payroll contributions is replaced with general revenue, Social Security will still be a target,” warned Altman. “Currently, Social Security doesn’t add a penny to the deficit. Raiding its dedicated revenue is a set up to the claim that it must be cut in the name of reining in the debt! McCarthy’s statement today means that every Republican member of Congress supports defunding Social Security — unless they quickly and explicitly denounce their party’s plan to raid our earned benefits.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, was among the few Republicans who publicly voiced skepticism Monday about the payroll tax cut, calling the proposal a “public relations problem” for the GOP.
“Social Security people think we’re raiding the Social Security fund,” said Grassley, to which Social Security Works executive director Alex Lawson responded:
Because they are planning on raiding it. They are going to take the dedicated revenue away from Social Security, the definition of raiding. https://t.co/Z4TRARlXA3 — Alex “Test, Trace, Isolate” Lawson (@alaw202) July 20, 2020
Schumer and Pelosi are expected to meet with White House officials Tuesday to formally kick off negotiations over the stimulus legislation. The Trump administration is advocating a relief package that contains “roughly $1 trillion in new programs, though officials are expected to use budget gimmicks to make the initial package slightly larger,” the Post reported.
By comparison, the $3 trillion HEROES Act passed by the Democrat-controlled House in May proposed more than $1 trillion just for state and local governments as they face pandemic-induced budget crises.
“The bill is expected to omit new aid that Democrats have sought for cities and states, instead allowing governors and local leaders more flexibility to spend the $150 billion already allocated,” the Post noted.
The GOP plan will also likely include another round of $1,200 direct stimulus payments and a cut to the $600-per-week increase in unemployment benefits, which is set to expire at the end of the week. During a private White House meeting on Monday, according to the Post, “Trump criticized the enhanced unemployment benefit, saying it never should have been agreed to in the first place.”
“From what we understand from press reports, McConnell’s bill will prioritize corporate special interests over workers and Main Street businesses,” Schumer said in a floor speech Monday afternoon. “It will fail to adequately address the worsening spread of the virus. There are currently between 20 million and 30 million unemployed Americans, and from all accounts the Republican bill will not do nearly enough for them.”
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) warned on Twitter that reducing the boosted unemployment insurance (UI) payments will slash the incomes of 30 million Americans who are currently relying on the payments to meet basic needs.
Instead of renewing supercharged unemployment benefits, which have kept our economy afloat for months, Senate Republicans want to: 1) Cut the income of 30 million Americans 2) Give everyone else a fake tax cut they’ll have to repay after the election https://t.co/8f2HngyluU — Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) July 20, 2020
Josh Bivens, director of research at the Economic Policy Institute, said Monday that it “sounds like Senate Republicans want to go cheap (and cruel) on by far the most-important bits of the economic response to Covid — enhanced UI benefits and aid to state/local governments.”
“Hard not see all of this as Republicans in the Senate and administration having given up trying to fix problems and shifting to attempts to hobble the political prospects of the next Congress and administration,” Bivens added. “We deserve a lot better than this.”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.