truepundit--2020-12-26--REPORT: Proposed ATF Regulation Could Cost Gun Industry $2 Billion, 80 Firearm Makers Tell Mitch McC

REPORT: Proposed ATF Regulation Could Cost Gun Industry $2 Billion, 80 Firearm Makers Tell Mitch McConnell

A proposed firearm regulation from the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives could cost the U.S. gun industry $ 2 billion dollars , dozens of manufacturers told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , according to the Washington Free Beacon .
Around 80 gun makers cautioned McConnell in a Saturday phone call that the ATF ’ s move to re-classify weapons with pistol braces would have a sizable financial impact on the industry , the Free Beacon reported , citing several members of the conversation .
Pistol braces , designed to stabilize a shooter ’ s arm for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obtain a rifle-style weapon with a short barrel length without a $ 200 tax fee and waiting period that a traditional short-barreled rifle would , according to Gun News Daily .
Reclassification of the devices may make those in possession of weapons with pistol braces owners of short-barreled rifles , which are illegal to own without the proper registration and paperwork under the National Firearms Act ( NFA ) .
The move could criminalize between 3 and 4 million gun owners in addition to the $ 2 billion price tag projected by manufacturers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCallum , founder of Palmetto State Armory , one of the leading manufacturers of AR-15s , predicted a $ 150 million loss if the ATF followed through with the regulation .
McCallum also insisted that inaction by Republicans to stop the agency may have a deleterious effect on the Georgia runoffs .
“ This could actually cost the Georgia runoff for Republicans , ” McCallum told the Free Beacon .
“ Gun owners are demoralized right now.
” The bureau ’ s move to re-classify pistol braces has received over 48,000 public comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation were staunchly opposed to the proposed changes .
“ This ATF is simply out of control , ” senior vice president of the Gun Owners of America Erich Pratt said in a press release last week about the bureau ’ s actions .
“ This agency — which shouldn ’ t exist in the first place — is not held accountable for its actions , and honest gun owners who are being turned into criminals are paying the price.
” The DCNF was not able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion figure was calculated by the gun groups .
Neither the ATF nor McConnell ’ s office did not immediately return requests for comment from the DCNF at the time of publishing .

A proposed firearm regulation from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives could cost the U.S. gun industry $2 billion dollars, dozens of manufacturers told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, according to the Washington Free Beacon.
Around 80 gun makers cautioned McConnell in a Saturday phone call that the ATF’s move to re-classify weapons with pistol braces would have a sizable financial impact on the industry, the Free Beacon reported, citing several members of the conversation.
Pistol braces, designed to stabilize a shooter’s arm for one-hand firing, allows a buyer to obtain a rifle-style weapon with a short barrel length without a $200 tax fee and waiting period that a traditional short-barreled rifle would, according to Gun News Daily.
Reclassification of the devices may make those in possession of weapons with pistol braces owners of short-barreled rifles, which are illegal to own without the proper registration and paperwork under the National Firearms Act (NFA). The move could criminalize between 3 and 4 million gun owners in addition to the $2 billion price tag projected by manufacturers, according to the Beacon.
Jamin McCallum, founder of Palmetto State Armory, one of the leading manufacturers of AR-15s, predicted a $150 million loss if the ATF followed through with the regulation. McCallum also insisted that inaction by Republicans to stop the agency may have a deleterious effect on the Georgia runoffs.
“This could actually cost the Georgia runoff for Republicans,” McCallum told the Free Beacon. “Gun owners are demoralized right now.”
The bureau’s move to re-classify pistol braces has received over 48,000 public comments as of Wednesday. The majority of comments reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation were staunchly opposed to the proposed changes.
“This ATF is simply out of control,” senior vice president of the Gun Owners of America Erich Pratt said in a press release last week about the bureau’s actions. “This agency — which shouldn’t exist in the first place — is not held accountable for its actions, and honest gun owners who are being turned into criminals are paying the price.”
The DCNF was not able to verify how exactly the $2 billion figure was calculated by the gun groups.
Neither the ATF nor McConnell’s office did not immediately return requests for comment from the DCNF at the time of publishing.


truepundit--2020-12-26--44% Say They’re Not Doing Christmas In Person Due To Coronavirus

A study found 44 % of Americans said they ’ re not gathering for Christmas with their loved ones , a Civic Science infographic said .
More respondents in December reported canceling in-person Christmas than in October , the study ’ s infographic said .
In October , 36 % responded that they still planned in-person gatherings , but that number dropped to 30 % just before the holiday .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) discouraged Americans from Christmas and holiday travel due to the pandemic in a Dec. 2 telephone press conference .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the upcoming holiday season is to stay at home and not travel , ” Dr. Henry Walke , director of the Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections ( DPEI ) in the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases , said in the briefing .
Americans are also divided over celebrating Christmas in-person by region , the study reported .
A fourth of Westerners said they would “ definitely ” celebrate Christmas in person , compared to 35 % of Southerners who responded similarly , according to the infographic .
Thirty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 % of Midwesterners said they plan to celebrate Christmas in-person .
The survey suggests Americans are less interested in celebrating New Year ’ s Eve and New Year ’ s Day in-person .
The study found 64 % of participants said they don ’ t plan to gather for the New Year ’ s holidays .
The study was conducted in three parts , asking about Christmas plans , Christmas plans based on respondents ’ region of residence , and New Year ’ s plans .
The study on general Christmas plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 with a two percent margin of error , and 12,463 people participated , Civic Science Chief Brand Officer Arnie Bolewitz told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
The study of Christmas plans based on regions was done between Dec. 1 and Dec. 21 with 3,450 participants , while the study on New Year ’ s plans was done between Oct.20 and Dec. 21 with 11,555 participants , according to the infographic .

A study found 44% of Americans said they’re not gathering for Christmas with their loved ones, a Civic Science infographic said.
More respondents in December reported canceling in-person Christmas than in October, the study’s infographic said. In October, 36% responded that they still planned in-person gatherings, but that number dropped to 30% just before the holiday.
While Americans have become increasingly pessimistic about the prospect of celebrating Christmas in person with friends and family, 30% still say they ‘definitely’ expect to do so: https://t.co/ED4VVU0tkU pic.twitter.com/7IxdTIfTp6 — CivicScience (@CivicScience) December 23, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discouraged Americans from Christmas and holiday travel due to the pandemic in a Dec. 2 telephone press conference.
“The best thing for Americans to do in the upcoming holiday season is to stay at home and not travel,” Dr. Henry Walke, director of the Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections (DPEI) in the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, said in the briefing.
Americans are also divided over celebrating Christmas in-person by region, the study reported. A fourth of Westerners said they would “definitely” celebrate Christmas in person, compared to 35% of Southerners who responded similarly, according to the infographic. Thirty percent of respondents in the Northeast and 31% of Midwesterners said they plan to celebrate Christmas in-person.
The survey suggests Americans are less interested in celebrating New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in-person. The study found 64% of participants said they don’t plan to gather for the New Year’s holidays.
The study was conducted in three parts, asking about Christmas plans, Christmas plans based on respondents’ region of residence, and New Year’s plans.
The study on general Christmas plans was done between Oct. 20 and Dec. 21 with a two percent margin of error, and 12,463 people participated, Civic Science Chief Brand Officer Arnie Bolewitz told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The study of Christmas plans based on regions was done between Dec. 1 and Dec. 21 with 3,450 participants, while the study on New Year’s plans was done between Oct.20 and Dec. 21 with 11,555 participants, according to the infographic.


truepundit--2020-12-26--The Pandemic Has Led To More Drug Overdoses In A 12-Month Period Than At Any Point In US History

The United States recorded over 81,000 drug overdose deaths in a 12-month stretch , the worst year-long total reported in American history .
The U.S. has long been struggling to combat the opioid epidemic , but experts say that the total between May 2019 and May 2020 , published in a CDC report last week , can be at least partially attributed to the coronavirus pandemic .
Specifically , experts attribute the total to the pandemic ’ s disruption of in-person treatment and recovery when it began to spread nationwide in March .
Americans who suffered from drug use were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once they entered quarantine and were kept away from others , upping the risk that an overdose would prove fatal since nobody was available to contact already-burdened emergency services , the CDC report outlines .
Experts also said that already-lethal drugs themselves have become even more dangerous ; since the pandemic caused supply problems for cartels and dealers , they mixed extremely potent drugs like fentanyl into heroin , cocaine and methamphetamine .
“ I don ’ t think there are a bunch of new people who suddenly started using drugs because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the supply of people who are already using drugs is more contaminated , ” Shannon Monnant , a researcher at Syracuse University who focuses on drug overdoses , told the Associated Press .
In addition to worsening the drug crisis in the U.S. , the pandemic has already been the leading factor behind the dramatic spike in deaths this year .
Over 3 million Americans are projected to have lost their lives before 2021 , resulting in more than 400,000 Americans dying this year compared to last and making 2020 the deadliest year @ @ @ @

The United States recorded over 81,000 drug overdose deaths in a 12-month stretch, the worst year-long total reported in American history.
The U.S. has long been struggling to combat the opioid epidemic, but experts say that the total between May 2019 and May 2020, published in a CDC report last week, can be at least partially attributed to the coronavirus pandemic.
Specifically, experts attribute the total to the pandemic’s disruption of in-person treatment and recovery when it began to spread nationwide in March. Americans who suffered from drug use were also increasingly likely to use drugs alone once they entered quarantine and were kept away from others, upping the risk that an overdose would prove fatal since nobody was available to contact already-burdened emergency services, the CDC report outlines.
Experts also said that already-lethal drugs themselves have become even more dangerous; since the pandemic caused supply problems for cartels and dealers, they mixed extremely potent drugs like fentanyl into heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.
“I don’t think there are a bunch of new people who suddenly started using drugs because of COVID. If anything, I think the supply of people who are already using drugs is more contaminated,” Shannon Monnant, a researcher at Syracuse University who focuses on drug overdoses, told the Associated Press.
In addition to worsening the drug crisis in the U.S., the pandemic has already been the leading factor behind the dramatic spike in deaths this year. Over 3 million Americans are projected to have lost their lives before 2021, resulting in more than 400,000 Americans dying this year compared to last and making 2020 the deadliest year in American history.


truepundit--2020-12-26--Biden Wants To Pick Boston Mayor Marty Walsh For Labor Secretary, But Is ‘Concerned’ About Him Being

Biden Wants To Pick Boston Mayor Marty Walsh For Labor Secretary, But Is ‘Concerned’ About Him Being White: Report

President-elect Joe Biden reportedly favors selecting Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to lead the Department of Labor but is hesitant about choosing him because he is white , according to Politico .
While Mayor Marty Walsh appears to be President-elect Joe Biden ’ s favorite for secretary of labor , his race could receive harsh blowback from progressives pushing for a diverse cabinet , five people close to the transition who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Politico .
Biden , who had heavy union backing during the campaign , has a close relationship with Walsh , a former union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diversity ” are the reason Biden has delayed his labor secretary pick announcement , the individuals told Politico .
Walsh ’ s race could ultimately lead Biden to choose someone else .
Walsh first joined a labor union , Laborers , Local 223 , in 1988 and worked his way up to eventually being elected president of the union in 2005 , according to The Boston Globe .
In 2011 , he was selected to lead the Building Trades Council , which represents 35,000 ironworkers , pipefitters , and other laborers .
Walsh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tactics to get his way , The Globe reported .
Walsh was reportedly wiretapped as part of a federal investigation into union practices when he led the Building Trades Council , according to Boston Magazine .
“ Can he raise his voice ?
Yes .
But who can ’ t ?
” John J. Moriarty , a contractor who dealt with Walsh on numerous projects , told The Globe .
“ He would certainly forcefully want you to get to resolution , but I can honestly say I never felt threatened.
” Major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden choosing Walsh to lead the Department of Labor , Bloomberg News reported .
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations President Richard Trumka is reportedly reaching out to union leaders to rally support for Walsh .
“ Marty cut his teeth in the labor movement .
He is a card-carrying union member who has executive experience running a large city , ” said American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees ( AFSCME ) President Lee Saunders in a statement .
“ There ’ s no doubt he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighter for workers ’ rights and that is why AFSCME backs him for secretary of labor.
” Pending Senate confirmation , Biden ’ s cabinet is poised to become the most diverse in U.S. history , according to The Brookings Institution .
Walsh declared racism a public health crisis in June following the death of George Floyd who died after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck .

President-elect Joe Biden reportedly favors selecting Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to lead the Department of Labor but is hesitant about choosing him because he is white, according to Politico.
While Mayor Marty Walsh appears to be President-elect Joe Biden’s favorite for secretary of labor, his race could receive harsh blowback from progressives pushing for a diverse cabinet, five people close to the transition who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Politico. Biden, who had heavy union backing during the campaign, has a close relationship with Walsh, a former union member and leader.
“Concerns over diversity” are the reason Biden has delayed his labor secretary pick announcement, the individuals told Politico. Walsh’s race could ultimately lead Biden to choose someone else.
.@mmcassella and @tylerpager report that Biden is considering Boston Mayor Marty Walsh for Labor Secretary but is concerned about diversity.
🔐 https://t.co/T3lznwCPX5 pic.twitter.com/6s609KAEHf — Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) December 23, 2020
Walsh first joined a labor union, Laborers, Local 223, in 1988 and worked his way up to eventually being elected president of the union in 2005, according to The Boston Globe. In 2011, he was selected to lead the Building Trades Council, which represents 35,000 ironworkers, pipefitters, and other laborers.
Walsh also earned a reputation for using strong-arm tactics to get his way, The Globe reported. Walsh was reportedly wiretapped as part of a federal investigation into union practices when he led the Building Trades Council, according to Boston Magazine.
“Can he raise his voice? Yes. But who can’t?” John J. Moriarty, a contractor who dealt with Walsh on numerous projects, told The Globe. “He would certainly forcefully want you to get to resolution, but I can honestly say I never felt threatened.”
Major unions have come out in support of Biden choosing Walsh to lead the Department of Labor, Bloomberg News reported. American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations President Richard Trumka is reportedly reaching out to union leaders to rally support for Walsh.
“Marty cut his teeth in the labor movement. He is a card-carrying union member who has executive experience running a large city,” said American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) President Lee Saunders in a statement. “There’s no doubt he’d be a high profile and passionate fighter for workers’ rights and that is why AFSCME backs him for secretary of labor.”
Pending Senate confirmation, Biden’s cabinet is poised to become the most diverse in U.S. history, according to The Brookings Institution.
Walsh declared racism a public health crisis in June following the death of George Floyd who died after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck.


truepundit--2020-12-26--Top Dominion Employee Sues Trump Campaign, Sidney Powell, Newsmax, OANN For Defamation

A top employee for Dominion Voting Systems , an election hardware company , sued President Donald Trump ’ s campaign and multiple news outlets for allegations of defamation and for peddling “ false conspiracy theories.
” Dominion Director of Product Strategy for Eric Coomer filed the lawsuit on Tuesday after the executive said he was the subject of death threats , harassment and “ damage to his reputation ” following claims from the president ’ s campaign , Newsmax , One America News Network , OANN reporter Chanel Rion and blogger Michelle Malkin , among others , including Sidney Powell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment to 28 U.S. states , and its equipment was widely used throughout the 2020 presidential race — the results of which have been contested by Trump and other prominent GOP figures , NPR wrote .
“ Today I have filed a lawsuit in Colorado in an effort to unwind as much of the damage as possible done to me , my family , my life , and my livelihood as a result of the numerous false public statements that I was somehow responsible for ‘ rigging ’ the 2020 presidential election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The widespread dissemination of false conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election has had devastating consequences both for me personally and for many of the thousands of American election workers and officials , both Republican and Democratic , who put aside their political beliefs to run free , fair , and transparent elections , ” the Dominion executive continued .
Trump called the company ’ s voting machines “ a disaster ” and claimed the software “ changed the results ” of the presidential race in response to an alleged “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is BIG NEWS .
Dominion Voting Machines are a disaster all over the Country .
Changed the results of a landslide election .
Can ’ t let this happen .
Thank you for the genius , bravery , and patriotism of the Judge .
Should get a medal !
” The president has presented no evidence to support his widespread voting fraud claims following the outcome of the election .
Both Fox News and Newsmax earlier in the week clarified their coverage of Dominion and Smartmatic , another voting technology company after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the corporations , according to the BBC .
“ Newsmax would like to clarify its news coverage and note it has not reported as true certain claims made about these companies , ” Newsmax ’ s John Tabacco said in a segment .
Fox News also aired a clip of an open-source software analyst who said “ I have not seen any evidence that Smartmatic software was used to delete , change , alter anything related to vote tabulation.
” The segment , which appeared on Lou Dobbs Tonight , occurred the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

A top employee for Dominion Voting Systems, an election hardware company, sued President Donald Trump’s campaign and multiple news outlets for allegations of defamation and for peddling “false conspiracy theories.”
Dominion Director of Product Strategy for Eric Coomer filed the lawsuit on Tuesday after the executive said he was the subject of death threats, harassment and “damage to his reputation” following claims from the president’s campaign, Newsmax, One America News Network, OANN reporter Chanel Rion and blogger Michelle Malkin, among others, including Sidney Powell, NPR reported.
Dominion provides voting equipment to 28 U.S. states, and its equipment was widely used throughout the 2020 presidential race — the results of which have been contested by Trump and other prominent GOP figures, NPR wrote.
“Today I have filed a lawsuit in Colorado in an effort to unwind as much of the damage as possible done to me, my family, my life, and my livelihood as a result of the numerous false public statements that I was somehow responsible for ‘rigging’ the 2020 presidential election,” Coomer said, according to NPR.
“The widespread dissemination of false conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election has had devastating consequences both for me personally and for many of the thousands of American election workers and officials, both Republican and Democratic, who put aside their political beliefs to run free, fair, and transparent elections,” the Dominion executive continued.
Trump called the company’s voting machines “a disaster” and claimed the software “changed the results” of the presidential race in response to an alleged “forensic audit” last week.
“This is BIG NEWS. Dominion Voting Machines are a disaster all over the Country. Changed the results of a landslide election. Can’t let this happen. Thank you for the genius, bravery, and patriotism of the Judge. Should get a medal!”
This is BIG NEWS. Dominion Voting Machines are a disaster all over the Country. Changed the results of a landslide election. Can’t let this happen. Thank you for the genius, bravery, and patriotism of the Judge. Should get a medal! https://t.co/4WwiA83Prg — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2020
The president has presented no evidence to support his widespread voting fraud claims following the outcome of the election.
Both Fox News and Newsmax earlier in the week clarified their coverage of Dominion and Smartmatic, another voting technology company after the media conglomerates were issued legal notices from the corporations, according to the BBC.
“Newsmax would like to clarify its news coverage and note it has not reported as true certain claims made about these companies,” Newsmax’s John Tabacco said in a segment.
Newsmax just aired this note to “clarify” its coverage of Smartmatic and Dominion. pic.twitter.com/I5XZ7CQpAk — John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) December 21, 2020
Fox News also aired a clip of an open-source software analyst who said “I have not seen any evidence that Smartmatic software was used to delete, change, alter anything related to vote tabulation.” The segment, which appeared on Lou Dobbs Tonight, occurred the same day that Newsmax issued its clarification.


truepundit--2020-12-26--Detroit Sues Black Lives Matter Members, Claims They Endangered ‘Lives Of Police And The Public’

Officials in Detroit sued a prominent activist group and several Black Lives Matter demonstrators for damages following allegations of riots , violence and a “ civil conspiracy ” to defame local authorities .
The suit was filed against multiple individuals and an organization called Detroit Will Breathe , which indicates on its webpage that it plans to use “ militant resistance ” to enact “ meaningful change ” for people of color .
City leaders allege that the group was part of a conspiracy to damage property , attack law enforcement and incite riot activity , the lawsuit read .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrongfully conspired with one another with the intent to and for the illegal purpose of disturbing the peace , engaging in disorderly conduct , inciting riots , destroying public property , resisting or obstructing officers in charge of duty , and committing acts of violence against Counter-Plaintiffs and DPD officers , ” the legal document read .
“ While Counter-Defendants have attempted to characterize their protests as ‘ peaceful , ’ the protests in Detroit have repeatedly turned violent , endangering the lives of police and the public , ” the lawsuit continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ physical injuries , ” “ suffering and emotional distress , ” and “ loss of business opportunity.
” In one example , the city pointed to Detroit Will Breathe sharing a video of a demonstrator saying “ non-violence is no longer their shield or their answer ” as he told a crowd to take police “ badges and teeth , ” the lawsuit read .
Another subject of the suit , Nakia Wallace , said , “ I don ’ t think there ’ s a space for Detroit to…not condone violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Fox 2 during the unrest , according to the legal document .
The city ’ s lawsuit follows a complaint from Detroit Will Breathe that alleged that law enforcement engaged in “ unnecessary , unreasonable , and excessive force , have repeatedly responded with violence and brutality.
” In late August , 44 demonstrators were arrested following a standoff with law enforcement that saw tear gas deployment after police issued multiple warnings to disperse , according to Click On Detroit .
Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib lambasted the city for counter-suing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Detroit Free Press .
“ Every day , there is a movement in every corner of the country to declare that not only do Black lives matter , but that we must also create the laws and opportunities necessary to fulfill the full promise of that rallying cry , ” Tlaib wrote .
“ In the country ’ s largest majority-Black city , this movement should not be met with city leaders ’ efforts to suppress anyone ’ s First Amendment rights .
”

Officials in Detroit sued a prominent activist group and several Black Lives Matter demonstrators for damages following allegations of riots, violence and a “civil conspiracy” to defame local authorities.
The suit was filed against multiple individuals and an organization called Detroit Will Breathe, which indicates on its webpage that it plans to use “militant resistance” to enact “meaningful change” for people of color. City leaders allege that the group was part of a conspiracy to damage property, attack law enforcement and incite riot activity, the lawsuit read.
“Counter-Defendants illegally, maliciously, and wrongfully conspired with one another with the intent to and for the illegal purpose of disturbing the peace, engaging in disorderly conduct, inciting riots, destroying public property, resisting or obstructing officers in charge of duty, and committing acts of violence against Counter-Plaintiffs and DPD officers,” the legal document read.
“While Counter-Defendants have attempted to characterize their protests as ‘peaceful,’ the protests in Detroit have repeatedly turned violent, endangering the lives of police and the public,” the lawsuit continued.
Detroit added that the defendants caused “physical injuries,” “suffering and emotional distress,” and “loss of business opportunity.” In one example, the city pointed to Detroit Will Breathe sharing a video of a demonstrator saying “non-violence is no longer their shield or their answer” as he told a crowd to take police “badges and teeth,” the lawsuit read.
Another subject of the suit, Nakia Wallace, said, “I don’t think there’s a space for Detroit to…not condone violence, right?” in an interview with Fox 2 during the unrest, according to the legal document.
The city’s lawsuit follows a complaint from Detroit Will Breathe that alleged that law enforcement engaged in “unnecessary, unreasonable, and excessive force, [and] have repeatedly responded with violence and brutality.”
In late August, 44 demonstrators were arrested following a standoff with law enforcement that saw tear gas deployment after police issued multiple warnings to disperse, according to Click On Detroit.
Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib lambasted the city for counter-suing the demonstrators in an op-ed published last week in the Detroit Free Press.
“Every day, there is a movement in every corner of the country to declare that not only do Black lives matter, but that we must also create the laws and opportunities necessary to fulfill the full promise of that rallying cry,” Tlaib wrote. “In the country’s largest majority-Black city, this movement should not be met with city leaders’ efforts to suppress anyone’s First Amendment rights.”


truepundit--2020-12-26--Here’s Everything We Know About The New Coronavirus Strain In The UK

• The U.K. informed the World Health Organization that the mutant strain of coronavirus could spread more quickly than previous strains , chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty said in a statement .
• “ We now have high confidence that this variant does have a transmission advantage over other virus variants that are currently in the U.K. , ” Peter Horby , professor of emerging infectious diseases at the University of Oxford , said at a Tuesday press conference , CNN reported .
• While it remains unknown where the strain originated , it likely came from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was able to mutate , according to The New York Times .
A new , more contagious strain of coronavirus is spreading in the U.K. prompting British leaders to introduce additional lockdowns as nations worldwide issue travel restrictions .
On Saturday , the U.K. informed the World Health Organization that the mutant strain of coronavirus could spread more quickly than previous strains , chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty said in a statement .
British government leaders including Prime Minister Boris Johnson also met on an emergency basis over the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to NBC News .
“ The UK has identified a new variant of COVID-19 through Public Health England ’ s genomic surveillance , ” Whitty said .
Since Whitty ’ s announcement , more than 40 countries including India , Canada , Germany and France have announced rules restricting travel from the U.K .
The U.S. has not joined the growing list of countries to introduce such rules as of Tuesday evening .
Here is everything that ’ s known about the new strain .
How contagious is it ?
British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than previous strains on Tuesday , according to CNN .
The strain is up to 71 % more transmissible than previous versions of the virus .
“ We now have high confidence that this variant does have a transmission advantage over other virus variants that are currently in the U.K. , ” Peter Horby , professor of emerging infectious diseases at the University Oxford , said at a Tuesday press conference , CNN reported .
Some experts have speculated that the new strain could be more contagious because it affects children more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are less likely than teenagers or adults to get infected or pass on the virus .
But the new variant may make children ‘ as equally susceptible as adults , ’ ” said Wendy Barclay , a government adviser and virologist at Imperial College London , according to The New York Times .
How deadly is it ?
There hasn ’ t been evidence that the new strain is more severe , The Times reported .
However , in South Africa , where it is currently spreading rapidly , there is some evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There is no current evidence to suggest the new strain causes a higher mortality rate or that it affects vaccines and treatments although urgent work is underway to confirm this , ” Whitty said on Saturday .
At the genetic level , there isn ’ t any significant “ epidemiological or clinical differences , ” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) said in a report Tuesday .
Where did it originate from ?
While it remains unknown where the strain originated , it likely came from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to mutate , according to The Times .
Individuals with weak immune systems who are infected with coronavirus might have been hosts where the new strain formed .
For most people , coronavirus enters their body until their immune system is able to develop the antibodies to destroy it within a few weeks at most , The Times reported .
But , the virus can linger for months in someone who is immunocompromised .
When it lingers , the virus can mutate multiple times in the immunocompromised body , according to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hosts that the new strain could have come from , according to The Times .
The virus could mutate in an animal species , like mink , before being given back to humans .
Has the U.K. contained it ?
Although nations around the world have attempted to combat the new strain through travel restrictions and the U.K. has implemented strict restrictions of its own , the strain is likely not contained , according to top U.S. infectious disease experts .
“ When you see something that is pretty prevalent in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also mutations that we ’ re seeing in South Africa — and given the travel throughout the world , I would not be surprised if it is already here , ” National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said Monday .
“ When we start to look for it , we ’ re going to find it.
” “ Certainly , it is not yet the prevalent one , the way it seems to have assumed that prevalent nature in the UK .
But we ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I ’ m sure , sooner or later , we ’ re going to run into it and find it , ” Fauci said .
In addition , some researchers said hundreds of people in the U.S. have probably been infected with the new strain , CNN reported .
The strains in South Africa are unrelated to the new strain in the U.K. , according to the CDC .
Will already approved vaccines work against the strain ?
The vaccines made by pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna will be effective against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar ” to previous strains at the genetic level , University of Washington ’ s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation affiliate assistant professor Vin Gupta told CNBC Monday .
Virus mutations are sometimes able to render vaccines ineffective , but experts say that is likely not the case for this new strain .
“ There is a strong belief here that the vaccine , as it exists today … will have effectiveness in warding off infection from this new strain in England , in addition to the old strain that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Gupta said , according to CNBC .
Dr. Moncef Slaoui , who is leading the U.S. vaccine effort , agreed the vaccines would be able to combat the new strain , according to The Times .

The U.K. informed the World Health Organization that the mutant strain of coronavirus could spread more quickly than previous strains, chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty said in a statement.
“We now have high confidence that this variant does have a transmission advantage over other virus variants that are currently in the U.K.,” Peter Horby, professor of emerging infectious diseases at the University of Oxford, said at a Tuesday press conference, CNN reported.
While it remains unknown where the strain originated, it likely came from a set of hosts where the virus was able to mutate, according to The New York Times.
A new, more contagious strain of coronavirus is spreading in the U.K. prompting British leaders to introduce additional lockdowns as nations worldwide issue travel restrictions.
On Saturday, the U.K. informed the World Health Organization that the mutant strain of coronavirus could spread more quickly than previous strains, chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty said in a statement. British government leaders including Prime Minister Boris Johnson also met on an emergency basis over the weekend to establish the country’s response, according to NBC News.
“The UK has identified a new variant of COVID-19 through Public Health England’s genomic surveillance,” Whitty said.
Since Whitty’s announcement, more than 40 countries including India, Canada, Germany and France have announced rules restricting travel from the U.K.
The U.S. has not joined the growing list of countries to introduce such rules as of Tuesday evening.
Here is everything that’s known about the new strain.
How contagious is it?
British scientists confirmed the strain is more contagious than previous strains on Tuesday, according to CNN. The strain is up to 71% more transmissible than previous versions of the virus.
“We now have high confidence that this variant does have a transmission advantage over other virus variants that are currently in the U.K.,” Peter Horby, professor of emerging infectious diseases at the University Oxford, said at a Tuesday press conference, CNN reported.
Some experts have speculated that the new strain could be more contagious because it affects children more than past variants.
“Normally, children are less likely than teenagers or adults to get infected or pass on the virus. But the new variant may make children ‘as equally susceptible as adults,’” said Wendy Barclay, a government adviser and virologist at Imperial College London, according to The New York Times.
How deadly is it?
There hasn’t been evidence that the new strain is more severe, The Times reported. However, in South Africa, where it is currently spreading rapidly, there is some evidence of the virus causing higher viral load.
“There is no current evidence to suggest the new strain causes a higher mortality rate or that it affects vaccines and treatments although urgent work is underway to confirm this,” Whitty said on Saturday.
At the genetic level, there isn’t any significant “epidemiological or clinical differences,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a report Tuesday.
Where did it originate from?
While it remains unknown where the strain originated, it likely came from a set of hosts where the virus was able to mutate, according to The Times. Individuals with weak immune systems who are infected with coronavirus might have been hosts where the new strain formed.
For most people, coronavirus enters their body until their immune system is able to develop the antibodies to destroy it within a few weeks at most, The Times reported. But, the virus can linger for months in someone who is immunocompromised.
When it lingers, the virus can mutate multiple times in the immunocompromised body, according to The Times.
Animals are another potential set of hosts that the new strain could have come from, according to The Times. The virus could mutate in an animal species, like mink, before being given back to humans.
Has the U.K. contained it?
Although nations around the world have attempted to combat the new strain through travel restrictions and the U.K. has implemented strict restrictions of its own, the strain is likely not contained, according to top U.S. infectious disease experts.
“When you see something that is pretty prevalent in a place like the U.K. — there are also mutations that we’re seeing in South Africa — and given the travel throughout the world, I would not be surprised if it is already here,” National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said Monday. “When we start to look for it, we’re going to find it.”
“Certainly, it is not yet the prevalent one, the way it seems to have assumed that prevalent nature in the UK. But we’re going to be looking for it right now, and I’m sure, sooner or later, we’re going to run into it and find it,” Fauci said.
In addition, some researchers said hundreds of people in the U.S. have probably been infected with the new strain, CNN reported.
The strains in South Africa are unrelated to the new strain in the U.K., according to the CDC.
For the UK variant:
Outside of the UK, we see very small numbers of sequences in Denmark (a bit hard to see – hidden behind UK circle) & Australia. Their position on the tree indicates that they’re likely exports from the UK. 6/Nhttps://t.co/20xkiUxAUV pic.twitter.com/1fRboTpWlL — Dr Emma Hodcroft (@firefoxx66) December 19, 2020
Will already approved vaccines work against the strain?
The vaccines made by pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna will be effective against the new strain, which is “very similar” to previous strains at the genetic level, University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation affiliate assistant professor Vin Gupta told CNBC Monday. Virus mutations are sometimes able to render vaccines ineffective, but experts say that is likely not the case for this new strain.
“There is a strong belief here that the vaccine, as it exists today … will have effectiveness in warding off infection from this new strain in England, in addition to the old strain that we’ve been contending with for months now,” Gupta said, according to CNBC.
Dr. Moncef Slaoui, who is leading the U.S. vaccine effort, agreed the vaccines would be able to combat the new strain, according to The Times.


truepundit--2020-12-26--Pfizer, US Reach Deal For 100 Million Additional Coronavirus Vaccine Doses

The Trump Administration has purchased an additional 100 million doses of Pfizer ’ s coronavirus vaccine , the drugmaker announced Wednesday .
The new agreement means that Pfizer will supply 200 million doses to the United States , according to the company ’ s statement , which will be distributed through July 2021 .
Also included in the deal is the option to purchase an additional 400 million doses .
“ With these 100 million additional doses , the United States will be able to protect more individuals and hopefully end this devastating pandemic more quickly , ” said Pfizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to continuing our work with the U.S. government and health care providers around the country.
” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar also touted the agreement , saying that it will “ give Americans even more confidence that we will have enough supply to vaccinate every American who wants it by June 2021.
” “ Securing more doses from Pfizer and BioNTech for delivery in the second quarter of 2021 further expands our supply of doses across the Operation Warp Speed portfolio , ” he added .
The development will likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in vaccine supply .
Though Pfizer and Moderna ’ s vaccines have already begun to be administered , demand nationwide remains extremely high amid the surge in coronavirus cases and deaths .
Pfizer ’ s vaccine was granted emergency use authorization from the FDA on Dec. 11 , followed by Moderna ’ s vaccine one week later .
The country is on track to issue approximately 20 million vaccine doses before the end of the year , according to the Associated Press , though both shots require two doses to be effective .

The Trump Administration has purchased an additional 100 million doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, the drugmaker announced Wednesday.
The new agreement means that Pfizer will supply 200 million doses to the United States, according to the company’s statement, which will be distributed through July 2021. Also included in the deal is the option to purchase an additional 400 million doses.
“With these 100 million additional doses, the United States will be able to protect more individuals and hopefully end this devastating pandemic more quickly,” said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. “We look forward to continuing our work with the U.S. government and health care providers around the country.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar also touted the agreement, saying that it will “give Americans even more confidence that we will have enough supply to vaccinate every American who wants it by June 2021.”
“Securing more doses from Pfizer and BioNTech for delivery in the second quarter of 2021 further expands our supply of doses across the Operation Warp Speed portfolio,” he added.
The development will likely help the federal government mitigate any shortage in vaccine supply. Though Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines have already begun to be administered, demand nationwide remains extremely high amid the surge in coronavirus cases and deaths.
Pfizer’s vaccine was granted emergency use authorization from the FDA on Dec. 11, followed by Moderna’s vaccine one week later.
The country is on track to issue approximately 20 million vaccine doses before the end of the year, according to the Associated Press, though both shots require two doses to be effective.


truepundit--2020-12-26--New Jobless Claims Decrease To 803,000, Economists Expected 888,000

The number of Americans filing new unemployment claims decreased to 803,000 last week as the economy continued to suffer the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , according to the Department of Labor .
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics ( BLS ) figure released Thursday represented a decrease of new jobless claims compared to the week ending Dec. 12 , in which there were 885,000 new jobless claims reported .
Roughly 20.4 million Americans continue to collect unemployment benefits , according to the BLS report Thursday .
Economists expected Thursday ’ s jobless claims number to come in around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New jobless claims fell below 1 million in the first week of August , which was the first time the weekly claims had fallen below 1 million since March .
“ The recent surge in COVID cases has led to many states reimplementing lockdown measures and other business restrictions that will likely crimp the labor market recovery in the short run , ” Deutsche Bank economists said , according to Yahoo Finance .
“ We have already begun to see some evidence of this in the high-frequency data , with changes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly correlated with the state ’ s growth in COVID cases.
” Investors , meanwhile , have focused on the passage of the coronavirus relief bill , according to CNBC .
Congress overwhelmingly passed a $ 900 billion stimulus package Monday , which included direct payments of $ 600 and $ 320 billion in small business support , but President Donald Trump threatened to veto the bill Tuesday .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged at the end of November , surpassing 30,000 for the first time in the index ’ s history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to CNBC .
The U.S. economy surged by a record 33.1 % in the third quarter .
However , in a sign of the economic recovery slowing , the U.S. added just 245,000 jobs in November , while unemployment fell to 6.7 % , according to the Department of Labor data released Dec. 4 .
U.S. retail sales plummeted by 1.1 % in November even as holiday shopping began , a Department of Commerce report showed Dec. 16 .
Jobless claims hovered around 200,000 per week before the pandemic , according to WSJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency in March as coronavirus spread rapidly around the world .
Average coronavirus cases and deaths per million have been increasing steadily in the U.S. since mid-October , according to The COVID Tracking Project .
On Wednesday , the U.S. reported 3,131 new coronavirus-related deaths and 188,614 new cases while 117,777 Americans remained hospitalized from the virus .

The number of Americans filing new unemployment claims decreased to 803,000 last week as the economy continued to suffer the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to the Department of Labor.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) figure released Thursday represented a decrease of new jobless claims compared to the week ending Dec. 12, in which there were 885,000 new jobless claims reported. Roughly 20.4 million Americans continue to collect unemployment benefits, according to the BLS report Thursday.
Economists expected Thursday’s jobless claims number to come in around 888,000, The Wall Street Journal reported. New jobless claims fell below 1 million in the first week of August, which was the first time the weekly claims had fallen below 1 million since March.
“The recent surge in COVID cases has led to many states reimplementing lockdown measures and other business restrictions that will likely crimp the labor market recovery in the short run,” Deutsche Bank economists said, according to Yahoo Finance. “We have already begun to see some evidence of this in the high-frequency data, with changes in a state’s jobless claims becoming increasingly correlated with the state’s growth in COVID cases.”
Investors, meanwhile, have focused on the passage of the coronavirus relief bill, according to CNBC. Congress overwhelmingly passed a $900 billion stimulus package Monday, which included direct payments of $600 and $320 billion in small business support, but President Donald Trump threatened to veto the bill Tuesday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged at the end of November, surpassing 30,000 for the first time in the index’s history due to positive vaccine developments, according to CNBC. The U.S. economy surged by a record 33.1% in the third quarter.
However, in a sign of the economic recovery slowing, the U.S. added just 245,000 jobs in November, while unemployment fell to 6.7%, according to the Department of Labor data released Dec. 4. U.S. retail sales plummeted by 1.1% in November even as holiday shopping began, a Department of Commerce report showed Dec. 16.
Jobless claims hovered around 200,000 per week before the pandemic, according to WSJ. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in March as coronavirus spread rapidly around the world.
Average coronavirus cases and deaths per million have been increasing steadily in the U.S. since mid-October, according to The COVID Tracking Project. On Wednesday, the U.S. reported 3,131 new coronavirus-related deaths and 188,614 new cases while 117,777 Americans remained hospitalized from the virus.


truepundit--2020-12-26--DACA Supporters Ask Judge To Wait Until After Biden Inauguration To Make Ruling

Supporters of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program asked a federal judge Tuesday to wait until President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in before ruling on a challenge to the policy .
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ) advocates asked U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen to hold off on ruling on a 2018 Texas lawsuit until the incoming Biden administration has a chance to address the program , Politico reported .
Hanen blocked an Obama administration effort to expand DACA in 2015 .
“ Given … the ongoing federal transition we think this court can expect further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey State Solicitor Jeremy Feigenbaum , who was representing states seeking to preserve DACA , said , Politico reported .
“ Policies can be a bit of a moving target during transition.
” Hanen asked : “ How can they change what happened eight years ago ?
” Feigenbaum argued that the Biden administration could eliminate “ confusion ” surrounding DACA that followed a Supreme Court ruling denying the Trump administration ’ s efforts to end the program in 2017 , Politico reported .
Texas state attorney Todd Disher urged Hanen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He suggested giving DACA two years to scale down , a similar plan as the Trump administration ’ s that failed in the Supreme Court .
“ There is no additional reason now to delay , ” Disher said .
“ There is simply no reason to leave an unlawful program in place.
” Feigenbaum said that the Department of Homeland Security should have the opportunity to craft a new program if Hanen were to deem DACA illegal .
Hanen said the Biden administration could also reintroduce DACA , but go through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comment on the policy — a step the Obama administration skipped .
He said that was one of the flaws with DACA when he ruled against the proposed expansion in 2015 .
A Justice Department official asked Hanen to allow for an organized shutdown of the program if it ’ s decided to be illegal , Politico reported .
“ DHS will need flexibility and time to wind the program down if it is determined to be unlawful , ” John Coghlan , the attorney , said .
Hanen did not give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledged that the case at hand is “ completely different ” from when he ruled against aspects of the program before it was instituted , Politico reported .

Supporters of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program asked a federal judge Tuesday to wait until President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in before ruling on a challenge to the policy.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) advocates asked U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen to hold off on ruling on a 2018 Texas lawsuit until the incoming Biden administration has a chance to address the program, Politico reported. Hanen blocked an Obama administration effort to expand DACA in 2015.
“Given … the ongoing federal transition we think this court can expect further changes to that framework soon,” New Jersey State Solicitor Jeremy Feigenbaum, who was representing states seeking to preserve DACA, said, Politico reported. “Policies can be a bit of a moving target during [a] transition.”
ICYMI, the hearing in Texas’s lawsuit to end DACA is happening today (in person) in a Houston courtroom https://t.co/yhA3lV5Fme — Michelle Hackman (@MHackman) December 22, 2020
Hanen asked: “How can they change what happened eight years ago?”
Feigenbaum argued that the Biden administration could eliminate “confusion” surrounding DACA that followed a Supreme Court ruling denying the Trump administration’s efforts to end the program in 2017, Politico reported.
Texas state attorney Todd Disher urged Hanen to rule against DACA and invalidate the program. He suggested giving DACA two years to scale down, a similar plan as the Trump administration’s that failed in the Supreme Court.
“There is no additional reason now to delay,” Disher said. “There is simply no reason to leave an unlawful program in place.”
Feigenbaum said that the Department of Homeland Security should have the opportunity to craft a new program if Hanen were to deem DACA illegal.
Hanen said the Biden administration could also reintroduce DACA, but go through a formal period that allows the public to comment on the policy — a step the Obama administration skipped. He said that was one of the flaws with DACA when he ruled against the proposed expansion in 2015.
A Justice Department official asked Hanen to allow for an organized shutdown of the program if it’s decided to be illegal, Politico reported.
“DHS will need flexibility and time to wind the program down if it is determined to be unlawful,” John Coghlan, the attorney, said.
Hanen did not give a timeline for a ruling. He acknowledged that the case at hand is “completely different” from when he ruled against aspects of the program before it was instituted, Politico reported.


truepundit--2020-12-26--How Will The Incoming Biden Administration Approach Immigration Policies? Here’s What 2 Experts Say

• The Biden campaign promised to end for-profit detention centers , saying businesses shouldn ’ t profit from refugees or asylum seekers , but a Heritage Foundation expert says these facilities provide the highest levels of federally mandated detention standards .
• Biden has yet to say how he will manage migrant caravans from Central America if they reach the U.S. border , though some experts expect he will return to catch and release policies .
• The Biden campaign said it would end President Donald Trump ’ s Migrant Protection Protocols that require migrants to remain in Mexico as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect President-elect Joe Biden ’ s administration to do away with several of President Donald Trump ’ s immigration policies , though some are skeptical that undoing Trump ’ s policies will be easy .
Biden ’ s campaign promised to end for-profit detention centers , undo policies instituted during the Trump administration such as the Migrant Protection Protocols , and to welcome immigrants , asylum seekers and refugees into the country , according to his campaign website .
“ I think they ’ re going to have a difficult time trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden campaign promised because the Trump administration made a lot of immigration changes , and it ’ s not going to be so easy to roll them all back as the Biden campaign wishes they could , ” Heritage Foundation Senior Research Fellow Lora Ries told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
The Biden campaign promised to end for-profit centers because businesses shouldn ’ t profit from refugees and people seeking asylum , according to his campaign website .
He said he will make sure that facilities that temporarily hold migrants are held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have high standards in our detention centers , and the fact is that our immigrant community has become a source of profit for these private corporations , ” League of United Latin American Citizens CEO Sindy Benavides told the DCNF .
“ Overall , detention centers need to be reviewed to make sure that we have practices in place that are human.
” Benavides cited reports of the lack of care and uniformity when it comes to illegal immigrants accessing healthcare and medical treatment such as the multiple allegations against a private ICE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were given hysterectomies without their consent .
She also said that children in custody at detention centers are frequently given medication that neither they nor their parents consent to .
However , county jails don ’ t have the budget to maintain the same high federal detention standards so they won ’ t contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) to house detainees because they simply can not meet the standards , former ICE Director Thomas Homan told the DCNF .
Ries claims that private and for-profit immigration detention centers meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They make the strange boogeyman out of so-called private or for-profit detention centers , yet what ’ s ironic is these standards for immigration detention are so high that they exceed the federal bureau of prisons and many of the state and local sheriffs say they won ’ t contract with ICE because they can ’ t afford the standards , ” Ries told the DCNF .
“ I think Americans would be floored at how high the standards are and how generous they are.
” The Biden administration has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a migrant caravan reaches the U.S. border , though experts believe that Biden would re-institute catch and release policies and eliminate Trump ’ s Migrant Protection Protocols ( MPP ) which requires asylum seekers and refugees to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed .
Biden ’ s pick for domestic policy adviser , Susan Rice , said that the Biden administration would not take immediate action to end MPP due to public health concerns , The Washington Post reported .
“ In previous years when families entered the U.S. they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would say most of them did follow up and check-in with the local court as they were mandated , so we know that there are alternative ways that the U.S. government can work with refugees and immigrants , ” Benavides told the DCNF .
Around 43 % of illegal immigrants pending trial failed to appear in court in 2017 , according to the Center for Immigration Studies .
Among unaccompanied children , 46 % disappeared from immigration courts between 2013 and 2017 and 49 % failed to appear in court in 2017 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of catch and release because there are only so many detention beds and when those are exceeded , you ’ ve got no more beds to detain people in and so they release them into the interior of the country and say ‘ show up for court , ’ which many of them never do , ” Ries told the DCNF .
Recently a migrant caravan from Central America attempted to head to the U.S. after hurricanes and economic downturn though they were stopped at the Guatemalan border and not allowed to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly young people and a few mothers with children , say that they “ lost everything ” and have “ no choice ” but to go to the U.S. , Reuters reported .
“ What we ’ re seeing is that a lot of these individuals that are migrating from some of the countries that were just hit by natural disasters are being turned away or held at the Guatemalan border , so they ’ re not even able to reach the U.S. border to file for humanitarian relief or asylum , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of them aren ’ t even able to reach the U.S. border to do that.
” Rice said that the incoming administration will “ need time ” to overturn Trump ’ s immigration policies and expressed concern that if policies are lifted too quickly the U.S. could experience a migration surge , The Post reported .
“ Migrants and asylum seekers absolutely should not believe those in the region peddling the idea that the border will suddenly be fully open to process everyone on Day 1 .
It will not , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our priority is to reopen asylum processing at the border consistent with the capacity to do so safely and to protect public health , especially in the context of COVID-19 .
This effort will begin immediately , but it will take months to develop the capacity that we will need to reopen fully , ” Rice said .
The Biden campaign said Trump ’ s decision to temporarily end DACA disrupted the lives of “ millions ” of recipients and dreamers , according to his campaign website .
The Biden campaign said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pathway to citizenship and that he will reinstate the program .
“ LULAC is pushing for there to be action on day one , ” Benavides told the DCNF .
She said that LULAC expects a Biden administration to reinstate DACA and Temporary Protected Status within the first 100 days .
Benavides added that Biden should consider expanding Temporary Protected Status to cover migrants and asylum seekers from Venezuela , Honduras , Nicaragua , Guatemala and all of the countries that recently experienced a natural disaster .
The Biden campaign said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families and that he will work on reuniting those who have been with their families , according to the campaign website .
“ We hope to see a freeze of enforcement practices , and a moratorium of worksite raids , to help deported veterans , we want to see a moratorium on deportations of military service members who have served and fought for our country to be able to provide advanced parole for them , ” Benavides told the DCNF .
“ If our veterans are abroad they ’ re targeted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skills that they have learned through our own military … they ’ re killed on the spot , so their lives are literally on the line , ” Benavides added .
The Biden campaign said it will increase training for agents and independent oversight of ICE and Customs and Border Protection agencies , though his plan does not address potentially defunding ICE as many progressives have advocated for , according to his campaign website .
Neither Rice nor Biden ’ s pick for national security advisor , Jake Sullivan , commented on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Trump ’ s border wall , interior enforcement or several other key policies instituted by the Trump administration , The Post reported .

The Biden campaign promised to end for-profit detention centers, saying businesses shouldn’t profit from refugees or asylum seekers, but a Heritage Foundation expert says these facilities provide the highest levels of federally mandated detention standards.
Biden has yet to say how he will manage migrant caravans from Central America if they reach the U.S. border, though some experts expect he will return to catch and release policies.
The Biden campaign said it would end President Donald Trump’s Migrant Protection Protocols that require migrants to remain in Mexico as their claims are processed.
Immigration experts expect President-elect Joe Biden’s administration to do away with several of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, though some are skeptical that undoing Trump’s policies will be easy.
Biden’s campaign promised to end for-profit detention centers, undo policies instituted during the Trump administration such as the Migrant Protection Protocols, and to welcome immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees into the country, according to his campaign website.
“I think they’re going to have a difficult time trying to make all the immigration changes that the Biden campaign promised because the Trump administration made a lot of immigration changes, and it’s not going to be so easy to roll them all back as the Biden campaign wishes they could,” Heritage Foundation Senior Research Fellow Lora Ries told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The president-elect promises sweeping change to immigration policy in 2021. https://t.co/jsHcFEyON2 — ABC News (@ABC) December 20, 2020
For-Profit Detention Centers
The Biden campaign promised to end for-profit centers because businesses shouldn’t profit from refugees and people seeking asylum, according to his campaign website. He said he will make sure that facilities that temporarily hold migrants are held to high standards.
“We must have high standards in our detention centers, and the fact is that our immigrant community has become a source of profit for these private corporations,” League of United Latin American Citizens CEO Sindy Benavides told the DCNF. “Overall, detention centers need to be reviewed to make sure that we have practices in place that are human.”
Benavides cited reports of the lack of care and uniformity when it comes to illegal immigrants accessing healthcare and medical treatment such as the multiple allegations against a private ICE detention center in Georgia where female detainees were given hysterectomies without their consent. She also said that children in custody at detention centers are frequently given medication that neither they nor their parents consent to.
However, county jails don’t have the budget to maintain the same high federal detention standards so they won’t contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to house detainees because they simply cannot meet the standards, former ICE Director Thomas Homan told the DCNF.
Ries claims that private and for-profit immigration detention centers meet much federal higher standards than other facilities.
“They make the strange boogeyman out of so-called private or for-profit detention centers, yet what’s ironic is these standards for immigration detention are so high that they exceed the federal bureau of prisons and many of the state and local sheriffs say they won’t contract with ICE because they can’t afford the standards,” Ries told the DCNF. “I think Americans would be floored at how high the standards are and how generous they are.”
Migrant Caravans, Asylum Claims And Migrant Protection Protocols
The Biden administration has not outlined a plan for processing people if a migrant caravan reaches the U.S. border, though experts believe that Biden would re-institute catch and release policies and eliminate Trump’s Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) which requires asylum seekers and refugees to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed.
Biden’s pick for domestic policy adviser, Susan Rice, said that the Biden administration would not take immediate action to end MPP due to public health concerns, The Washington Post reported.
“In previous years when families entered the U.S. they were released into the community, and I would say most of them did follow up and check-in with the local court as they were mandated, so we know that there are alternative ways that the U.S. government can work with refugees and immigrants,” Benavides told the DCNF.
Around 43% of illegal immigrants pending trial failed to appear in court in 2017, according to the Center for Immigration Studies. Among unaccompanied children, 46% disappeared from immigration courts between 2013 and 2017 and 49% failed to appear in court in 2017.
“They would return to a policy of catch and release because there are only so many detention beds and when those are exceeded, you’ve got no more beds to detain people in and so they release them into the interior of the country and say ‘show up for court,’ which many of them never do,” Ries told the DCNF.
Recently a migrant caravan from Central America attempted to head to the U.S. after hurricanes and economic downturn though they were stopped at the Guatemalan border and not allowed to continue through the country. The migrants, mostly young people and a few mothers with children, say that they “lost everything” and have “no choice” but to go to the U.S., Reuters reported.
“What we’re seeing is that a lot of these individuals that are migrating from some of the countries that were just hit by natural disasters are being turned away or held at the Guatemalan border, so they’re not even able to reach the U.S. border to file for humanitarian relief or asylum,” Benavides told the DCNF. “So many of them aren’t even able to reach the U.S. border to do that.”
Rice said that the incoming administration will “need time” to overturn Trump’s immigration policies and expressed concern that if policies are lifted too quickly the U.S. could experience a migration surge, The Post reported.
“Migrants and asylum seekers absolutely should not believe those in the region peddling the idea that the border will suddenly be fully open to process everyone on Day 1. It will not,” Rice said, The Post reported.
“Our priority is to reopen asylum processing at the border consistent with the capacity to do so safely and to protect public health, especially in the context of COVID-19. This effort will begin immediately, but it will take months to develop the capacity that we will need to reopen fully,” Rice said.
It’s making and breaking promises like this that keep voters home on Election Day. Why do we continue to do this? We are better than this! We should ALL be pushing Joe Biden to support the immigration measures he promised in January. — Brianna Westbrook (@BWestbrookAZ8) December 22, 2020
DACA, Temporary Protected Status And Enforcement
The Biden campaign said Trump’s decision to temporarily end DACA disrupted the lives of “millions” of recipients and dreamers, according to his campaign website. The Biden campaign said that dreamers and their parents should have a pathway to citizenship and that he will reinstate the program.
“LULAC is pushing for there to be action on day one,” Benavides told the DCNF. She said that LULAC expects a Biden administration to reinstate DACA and Temporary Protected Status within the first 100 days.
Benavides added that Biden should consider expanding Temporary Protected Status to cover migrants and asylum seekers from Venezuela, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and all of the countries that recently experienced a natural disaster.
The Biden campaign said the administration won’t deport veterans or their families and that he will work on reuniting those who have been with their families, according to the campaign website.
“We hope to see a freeze of enforcement practices, and a moratorium of worksite raids, to help deported veterans, we want to see a moratorium on deportations of military service members who have served and fought for our country to be able to provide advanced parole for them,” Benavides told the DCNF.
“If our veterans are abroad they’re targeted by the criminal elements simply because of the skills that they have learned through our own military … they’re killed on the spot, so their lives are literally on the line,” Benavides added.
The Biden campaign said it will increase training for agents and independent oversight of ICE and Customs and Border Protection agencies, though his plan does not address potentially defunding ICE as many progressives have advocated for, according to his campaign website.
Neither Rice nor Biden’s pick for national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, commented on the incoming administration’s plans for dealing with Trump’s border wall, interior enforcement or several other key policies instituted by the Trump administration, The Post reported.


truepundit--2020-12-26--This Year’s ‘War On Christmas’ Looks A Little Different In A Pandemic

• Conservatives have fought back against the “ War on Christmas ” since the early days of former President Barack Obama ’ s administration , but the phrase has taken on a whole new meaning in 2020 as Americans face their first COVID Christmas amidst renewed restrictions .
• Governors have enforced new lockdown measures for the Christmas season , prohibiting Americans from gathering together to celebrate the holidays and forcing businesses and restaurants that are already hurting to shut their doors during the busiest season of the year .
• Fox News host Tucker Carlson has suggested that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because Christmas is “ bigger than they are.
” Conservatives have fought back against the “ War on Christmas ” since the early days of former President Barack Obama ’ s administration , but the phrase has taken on a whole new meaning in 2020 as Americans face their first COVID Christmas .
Governors like Democratic California Gov .
Gavin Newsom and Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo have enforced new lockdown measures for the Christmas season , prohibiting Americans from gathering together to celebrate the holidays and forcing businesses and restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season of the year .
CNN host Jake Tapper asked Dr. Anthony Fauci in mid November if “ Christmas is probably not gon na be possible , ” a question that angered many social media users .
Obama was formerly criticized for waging a supposed “ War on Christmas ” through exclusion of the word “ Christmas ” or Christmas symbols — but the idea that lawmakers could cancel Christmas suggested a much more real war on Christmas to conservatives .
“ I have news for him , ” tweeted evangelist and missionary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be celebrated by millions around the world bc it isn ’ t about gatherings—it ’ s about Jesus Christ .
As Christians , we celebrate that ‘ God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son , that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
’ This is what Christmas is about— # COVID doesn ’ t change that !
” Fox News host Tucker Carlson has suggested that “ power-hungry leaders ” are trying to cancel Christmas because it is “ bigger than they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all years , Christmas has a deeper resonance , maybe closer to its original meaning , ” Carlson said in an early December monologue .
“ In a time of crisis , you inevitably start thinking about things you might otherwise ignore if you are busier and more content , things like , what is the purpose of all of this ?
What matters most in my life ?
And what happens when it ends ?
” Carlson insisted that “ we take our leaders seriously when we are reminded that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ they too will pass , all of us will.
” “ If death is inevitable — and that may be the one thing you are not allowed to stay in this country , but it ’ s still true — then maybe we should pause before we destroy the living in the name of trying to eliminate it , ” he continued .
“ Politicians understand this threat .
They ’ ve figured out that Christmas is bigger than they are , and therefore , it is a threat to them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clip of Fauci urging Americans to avoid “ congregate settings.
” “ What Fauci is saying here in English is that you need to avoid going to church , ” Carlson said .
“ You need to avoid your own family.
” Religious services are fundamental to many Americans ’ observation of Christmas : for example , Catholics observe Christmas as a Holy Day of Obligation centered around attending mass at church .
Gallup polling released in early December found that only those who attended religious services weekly saw a positive change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rated their mental health .
No other Demographic group in the Gallup poll saw a percentage increase in rating their mental health as excellent .
“ Houses of worship and religious services provide so much more than just a weekly meeting place — they are where so many Americans find strength , community , and meaning , ” the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty ’ s Director of Research Caleb Lyman told the DCNF at the time .
The Gallup poll results are particularly striking in contrast to Democratic lawmakers ’ restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the United States have issued orders throughout the pandemic that restrict or prohibit religious services , and the Department of Justice has pushed back against such restrictions on multiple occasions .
And as Christmas approaches , lawmakers restrictions have sparked anxieties in many Americans that they will be unable to attend church on Christmas Eve or on Christmas day itself .
D.C. Archbishop Wilton Gregory filed a lawsuit in early December against D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser accusing the Democrat of “ arbitrary ” and “ discriminatory ” restrictions on churches ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act , the District ’ s arbitrary , unscientific , and discriminatory treatment of religious worship is illegal , ” the lawsuit said .
“ As Christmas fast approaches , the District has imposed arbitrary 50-person caps on Mass attendance—even for masked , socially-distant services , and even when those services are held in churches that can in normal times host over a thousand people , ” the lawsuit said .
Bowser later backed down and eased restrictions on churches , allowing D.C. churches to be filled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The United States Supreme Court sided against Newsom ’ s restrictions on worship services in early December after the court sided with religious organizations challenging Cuomo ’ s coronavirus restrictions the night before Thanksgiving , calling the New York Democrat ’ s measures “ discriminatory ” in its injunction for emergency relief .
“ The Court ’ s majority made clear that the First Amendment ’ s Free Exercise clause is not to be carelessly trampled upon but rather vigorously protected , ” Judicial Crisis Network ’ s Carrie Severino told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both Cuomo and Newsom , along with Democratic Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak , as runners up for the foundation ’ s Ebenezer Award for “ everyday scroogery ” which consists of “ barring the doors of houses of worship and turning Americans out into the cold innkeeper-style this Christmas and Hanukkah.
” Democratic Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam lowered the number of people who may gather in Virginia to 10 people or less ahead of Christmas , sparking anxieties that he would also restrict churches and houses of worship .
The governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to churches , but urged those who wish to continue worshipping in person to stay home and practice recommended safety measures .
“ This year , we need to think about what is truly the most important thing , ” Northam said .
“ Is it the worship or the building ?
” “ For me , God is wherever you are , ” Sisolak said .
“ You don ’ t have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers.
” Critics of Northam ’ s comments pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a fundamental aspect of worship for many religions , particularly Catholicism .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ] – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Conservatives have fought back against the “War on Christmas” since the early days of former President Barack Obama’s administration, but the phrase has taken on a whole new meaning in 2020 as Americans face their first COVID Christmas amidst renewed restrictions.
Governors have enforced new lockdown measures for the Christmas season, prohibiting Americans from gathering together to celebrate the holidays and forcing businesses and restaurants that are already hurting to shut their doors during the busiest season of the year.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson has suggested that “power-hungry leaders trying to cancel Christmas” because Christmas is “bigger than they are.”
Conservatives have fought back against the “War on Christmas” since the early days of former President Barack Obama’s administration, but the phrase has taken on a whole new meaning in 2020 as Americans face their first COVID Christmas.
Governors like Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo have enforced new lockdown measures for the Christmas season, prohibiting Americans from gathering together to celebrate the holidays and forcing businesses and restaurants to shut their doors during the busiest season of the year.
CNN host Jake Tapper asked Dr. Anthony Fauci in mid November if “Christmas is probably not gonna be possible,” a question that angered many social media users. Obama was formerly criticized for waging a supposed “War on Christmas” through exclusion of the word “Christmas” or Christmas symbols — but the idea that lawmakers could cancel Christmas suggested a much more real war on Christmas to conservatives.
The war on Christmas is back! Tapper: “Christmas is probably not gonna be possible.” pic.twitter.com/RavvSJov9j — Barstool News Network (@BarstoolNewsN) November 15, 2020
“I have news for him,” tweeted evangelist and missionary Franklin Graham. “Christmas is going to be celebrated by millions around the world bc it isn’t about gatherings—it’s about Jesus Christ. As Christians, we celebrate that ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ This is what Christmas is about—#COVID doesn’t change that!”
They tried to cancel Thanksgiving. Didn’t work! They’re coming for Christmas next. — Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) November 27, 2020
Fox News host Tucker Carlson has suggested that “power-hungry leaders” are trying to cancel Christmas because it is “bigger than they are.”
“This year, of all years, Christmas has a deeper resonance, maybe closer to its original meaning,” Carlson said in an early December monologue. “In a time of crisis, you inevitably start thinking about things you might otherwise ignore if you are busier and more content, things like, what is the purpose of all of this? What matters most in my life? And what happens when it ends?”
Carlson insisted that “we take our leaders seriously when we are reminded that they are just people” and remember that if “they too will pass, all of us will.”
“If death is inevitable — and that may be the one thing you are not allowed to stay in this country, but it’s still true — then maybe we should pause before we destroy the living in the name of trying to eliminate it,” he continued. “Politicians understand this threat. They’ve figured out that Christmas is bigger than they are, and therefore, it is a threat to them. Better cancel it.”
WATCH:
Carlson also aired a clip of Fauci urging Americans to avoid “congregate settings.”
“What Fauci is saying here in English is that you need to avoid going to church,” Carlson said. “You need to avoid your own family.”
“You need to spend Christmas alone,” Carlson added.
Religious services are fundamental to many Americans’ observation of Christmas: for example, Catholics observe Christmas as a Holy Day of Obligation centered around attending mass at church.
Gallup polling released in early December found that only those who attended religious services weekly saw a positive change between 2019 and 2020 in how they rated their mental health. No other Demographic group in the Gallup poll saw a percentage increase in rating their mental health as excellent.
“Houses of worship and religious services provide so much more than just a weekly meeting place — they are where so many Americans find strength, community, and meaning,” the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty’s Director of Research Caleb Lyman told the DCNF at the time.
The Gallup poll results are particularly striking in contrast to Democratic lawmakers’ restrictions on houses of worship. Governors and mayors across the United States have issued orders throughout the pandemic that restrict or prohibit religious services, and the Department of Justice has pushed back against such restrictions on multiple occasions. And as Christmas approaches, lawmakers restrictions have sparked anxieties in many Americans that they will be unable to attend church on Christmas Eve or on Christmas day itself.
D.C. Archbishop Wilton Gregory filed a lawsuit in early December against D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser accusing the Democrat of “arbitrary” and “discriminatory” restrictions on churches ahead of Christmas.
“Under both the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the District’s arbitrary, unscientific, and discriminatory treatment of religious worship is illegal,” the lawsuit said.
“As Christmas fast approaches, the District has imposed arbitrary 50-person caps on Mass attendance—even for masked, socially-distant services, and even when those services are held in churches that can in normal times host over a thousand people,” the lawsuit said.
Bowser later backed down and eased restrictions on churches, allowing D.C. churches to be filled to 25% capacity or 250 persons.
The United States Supreme Court sided against Newsom’s restrictions on worship services in early December after the court sided with religious organizations challenging Cuomo’s coronavirus restrictions the night before Thanksgiving, calling the New York Democrat’s measures “discriminatory” in its injunction for emergency relief.
“The Court’s majority made clear that the First Amendment’s Free Exercise clause is not to be carelessly trampled upon but rather vigorously protected,” Judicial Crisis Network’s Carrie Severino told the DCNF in early December.
Becket named both Cuomo and Newsom, along with Democratic Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, as runners up for the foundation’s Ebenezer Award for “everyday scroogery” which consists of “barring the doors of houses of worship and turning Americans out into the cold innkeeper-style this Christmas and Hanukkah.”
Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam lowered the number of people who may gather in Virginia to 10 people or less ahead of Christmas, sparking anxieties that he would also restrict churches and houses of worship. The governor clarified that this order did not apply to churches, but urged those who wish to continue worshipping in person to stay home and practice recommended safety measures.
“This year, we need to think about what is truly the most important thing,” Northam said. “Is it the worship or the building?”
“For me, God is wherever you are,” Sisolak said. “You don’t have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers.”
Critics of Northam’s comments pointed out that in-person attendance at religious services is a fundamental aspect of worship for many religions, particularly Catholicism.
Fake Christians truly, deeply don’t understand Christianity. https://t.co/XGkcZPFXMn — Christopher Bedford (@CBedfordDC) December 10, 2020
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected]. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-26--Trump Pardons George Papadopoulos, Former Aide Ensnared In Russia Probe

President Donald Trump granted a full pardon on Tuesday to George Papadopoulos , the former campaign aide at the center of the FBI ’ s investigation into possible collusion with Russia to influence the 2016 election .
“ Mr .
Papadopoulos was charged with a process-related crime , one count of making false statements , in connection with Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into possible Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election , ” the White House said in a statement about the pardon .
“ Today ’ s pardon helps correct the wrong that Mueller ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump also pardoned Alex van der Zwaan , a Dutch national convicted in the Mueller probe .
Last month , Trump pardoned Michael Flynn , his former national security adviser , who pleaded guilty to false statements charges on Dec. 1 , 2017 .
Papadopoulos was the first Trump associate to plead guilty in the Mueller probe .
He served 12 days in prison on charges that he made false statements to the FBI in January 2017 regarding his interactions with a Maltese professor who claimed to have learned that the Russian government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The FBI opened Crossfire Hurricane , its counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign , on July 31 , 2016 , based on an Australian diplomat ’ s tip regarding a meeting he had on May 10 , 2016 with Papadopoulos .
Alexander Downer , the diplomat , claimed that Papadopoulos told him that Russia might help the Trump campaign by releasing material close to the election .
Investigators initially thought that Papadopoulos took part in a collusion scheme with Russia or knew of Trump associates who might have been .
But the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed , ultimately turned up no evidence of a conspiracy between Trump associates and the Russian government .
Papadopoulos has denied telling anyone on the Trump campaign about his conversations with the Maltese diplomat , Joseph Mifsud .
“ Notably , Mueller stated in his report that he found no evidence of collusion in connection with Russia ’ s attempts to interfere in the election .
Nonetheless , the Special Counsel ’ s team still charged Mr. Papadopoulos with this process-related crime , ” the White House said in its pardon statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not represented by an attorney during the Jan. 27 , 2017 , interview that led to charges against him .
Papadopoulos told FBI agents during that initial interview about a meeting he had with Mifsud in London on April 26 , 2016 , where the mystery professor spoke of Russians having Clinton emails .
The special counsel ’ s team accused Papadopoulos of making misleading statements about the timeline of his interactions with Mifsud , who has been in hiding since Papadopoulos ’ s plea deal was revealed in 2017 .
Papadopoulos did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .

President Donald Trump granted a full pardon on Tuesday to George Papadopoulos, the former campaign aide at the center of the FBI’s investigation into possible collusion with Russia to influence the 2016 election.
“Mr. Papadopoulos was charged with a process-related crime, one count of making false statements, in connection with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election,” the White House said in a statement about the pardon.
“Today’s pardon helps correct the wrong that Mueller’s team inflicted on so many people.”
Trump also pardoned Alex van der Zwaan, a Dutch national convicted in the Mueller probe. Last month, Trump pardoned Michael Flynn, his former national security adviser, who pleaded guilty to false statements charges on Dec. 1, 2017.
Papadopoulos was the first Trump associate to plead guilty in the Mueller probe. He served 12 days in prison on charges that he made false statements to the FBI in January 2017 regarding his interactions with a Maltese professor who claimed to have learned that the Russian government had Hillary Clinton’s emails.
The FBI opened Crossfire Hurricane, its counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign, on July 31, 2016, based on an Australian diplomat’s tip regarding a meeting he had on May 10, 2016 with Papadopoulos.
Alexander Downer, the diplomat, claimed that Papadopoulos told him that Russia might help the Trump campaign by releasing material close to the election.
Investigators initially thought that Papadopoulos took part in a collusion scheme with Russia or knew of Trump associates who might have been. But the FBI probe, and the Mueller investigation that followed, ultimately turned up no evidence of a conspiracy between Trump associates and the Russian government.
Papadopoulos has denied telling anyone on the Trump campaign about his conversations with the Maltese diplomat, Joseph Mifsud.
“Notably, Mueller stated in his report that he found no evidence of collusion in connection with Russia’s attempts to interfere in the election. Nonetheless, the Special Counsel’s team still charged Mr. Papadopoulos with this process-related crime,” the White House said in its pardon statement.
The White House noted that Papadopoulos was not represented by an attorney during the Jan. 27, 2017, interview that led to charges against him.
Papadopoulos told FBI agents during that initial interview about a meeting he had with Mifsud in London on April 26, 2016, where the mystery professor spoke of Russians having Clinton emails. The special counsel’s team accused Papadopoulos of making misleading statements about the timeline of his interactions with Mifsud, who has been in hiding since Papadopoulos’s plea deal was revealed in 2017.
Papadopoulos did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


truepundit--2020-12-28--PAINE IN THE MORNING: The 8 things you need to know — Monday the 28th of December — BREAKING INTEL F

PAINE IN THE MORNING: The 8 things you need to know — Monday the 28th of December — BREAKING INTEL FROM ‘TARGETED’ NASHVILLE BOMBING & More

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Listen above @ @ @ @ @ the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

There is also a full, ad-free video podcast of this broadcast available on True Pundit’s Patreon Page and/or True Pundit’s SubscribeStar.com page for our subscribers to help us do what we do.
Listen above or below.
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truepundit--2020-12-29--INSIDERS: NASHVILLE BOMBING A ‘TARGETED’ TERROR STRIKE ON AT&T — DID THE BOMBER WORK WITH OR FOR THE

INSIDERS: NASHVILLE BOMBING A ‘TARGETED’ TERROR STRIKE ON AT&T — DID THE BOMBER WORK WITH OR FOR THE FBI?

Shocking Intel on the Nashville bombing and the previous employment and high-level training of the bomber as revealed from top-level @ @ @ @ @ Podcast .
Listen above .
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Shocking Intel on the Nashville bombing and the previous employment and high-level training of the bomber as revealed from top-level sources on the Thomas Paine Podcast. Listen above.
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-28--France Forced To Postpone “Health Dictatorship” Vaccine Legislation

A radical bill proposed by the French Government that would see unvaccinated people refused basic services such as public transport @ @ @ @ @ after a massive backlash .
The proposed law mandates that citizens have proof of a @ @ @ @ @ preventative treatment , including the administration of a vaccine ” in order to “ access @ @ @ @ @ , as well as certain activities.
” However , the government has been forced to @ @ @ @ @ protests .
French Health Minister Olivier Véran publicly postponed the bill in an announcement Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ needs to be trust for the French people to go and get vaccinated of their @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re still in a state of sanitary crisis … the government won ’ @ @ @ @ @ several months , before we ’ re out of the crisis , ” Véran stated @ @ @ @ @ by political figures across the spectrum , with conservative MP Fabien Di Filippo labelling it @ @ @ @ @ READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

A radical bill proposed by the French Government that would see unvaccinated people refused basic services such as public transport has been put on ice after a massive backlash.
The proposed law mandates that citizens have proof of a negative COVID test or “preventative treatment, including the administration of a vaccine” in order to “access transport or to some locations, as well as certain activities.”
However, the government has been forced to delay the legislation after angry protests.
French Health Minister Olivier Véran publicly postponed the bill in an announcement Tuesday evening.
“Because there needs to be trust for the French people to go and get vaccinated of their own free will, because we’re still in a state of sanitary crisis … the government won’t present the text [to the National Assembly] for several months, before we’re out of the crisis,” Véran stated.
The bill was lambasted by political figures across the spectrum, with conservative MP Fabien Di Filippo labelling it “vaccine blackmail.” – READ MORE
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