washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Idaho health board meeting halted after 'intense protests'

BOISE , Idaho ( AP ) - Idaho public health officials abruptly ended a meeting Tuesday after the Boise mayor and chief of police said intense protests outside the health department building - as well as outside some health officials ’ homes - were threatening public safety .
The request from Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and the Boise Police Department came just a few minutes after one health board member , Ada County Commissioner Diana Lachiondo , tearfully interrupted the online meeting to say she had to rush home from work to be with her son .
The board had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask mandate in Idaho ’ s most populated region .
“ My 12-year-old son is home alone right now and there are protestors banging outside the door , ” Lachiondo said .
Another board member , family physician Dr. Ted Epperly , said protests were “ not under control at my house , ” as well .
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Central District Health parking lot before and during the meeting .
The protest at the health building was organized , at least in part , by a loose multi-state group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group was created by Ammon Bundy , an outspoken opponent of mask mandates during the coronavirus pandemic who gained national attention and stoked the so-called “ patriot movement ” after leading armed standoffs at his father ’ s Nevada ranch in 2014 and at a wildlife refuge in eastern Oregon in 2016 .
Members of an anti-vaccination group called Health Freedom Idaho also attended the protest .
It wasn ’ t immediately known if Bundy attended the Boise protests Tuesday evening .
Central District Health Director Russ Duke interrupted the Tuesday meeting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s request .
“ I got a call from the mayor , and it sounds like the police , and she is requesting that we stop the meeting at this time because of the intense level of protesters in the parking lot and concern for police safety and staff safety as well as the protesters that are at some of our board members ’ homes right now , ” Duke said .
The Boise Police Department later issued a statement on Twitter that said they requested the meeting adjourn “ in the interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority is to maintain safety and public order .
Officers are currently monitoring the crowd and responding to reports of additional incidents in the city , ” the department wrote .
Board members had been scheduled to hear from local health professionals on the impact of the pandemic before making the vote .
Last week , regional hospital officials warned that they were so overwhelmed by high numbers of coronavirus patients - and by health care staffers unable to work because they have contracted the virus - that the state could be forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by the end of the month or early January .
Crisis standards of care are designed to ensure that the patients most likely to survive COVID-19 are given access to potentially life-saving treatment when there aren ’ t enough medical workers , hospital beds or medical equipment .
The coronavirus is so widespread in Idaho that contact tracers can ’ t keep up with demand .
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports that at least 113,905 Idaho residents have been infected with the virus so far , including 2,012 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 1,074 residents have died from COVID-19 .
The draft mask order is designed to slow the spread of the virus so that the health care system isn ’ t overwhelmed .
If approved , the order would allow youth and adult sports to continue , and would allow visits to long-term care facilities in some situations .
Failing to comply with the mask mandate would result in a misdemeanor , but it includes exceptions for those who have trouble breathing , young children and others .

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Idaho public health officials abruptly ended a meeting Tuesday after the Boise mayor and chief of police said intense protests outside the health department building - as well as outside some health officials’ homes - were threatening public safety.
The request from Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and the Boise Police Department came just a few minutes after one health board member, Ada County Commissioner Diana Lachiondo, tearfully interrupted the online meeting to say she had to rush home from work to be with her son. The board had been expected to vote on a four-county mask mandate in Idaho’s most populated region.
“My 12-year-old son is home alone right now and there are protestors banging outside the door,” Lachiondo said.
Another board member, family physician Dr. Ted Epperly, said protests were “not under control at my house,” as well. Protesters went to at least three board members’ homes, the Boise Police Department said.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Central District Health parking lot before and during the meeting. The protest at the health building was organized, at least in part, by a loose multi-state group called People’s Rights. The group was created by Ammon Bundy, an outspoken opponent of mask mandates during the coronavirus pandemic who gained national attention and stoked the so-called “patriot movement” after leading armed standoffs at his father’s Nevada ranch in 2014 and at a wildlife refuge in eastern Oregon in 2016. Members of an anti-vaccination group called Health Freedom Idaho also attended the protest. It wasn’t immediately known if Bundy attended the Boise protests Tuesday evening.
Other groups are supportive of the proposed mask rule. An organization called the “Pandemic Committee” gathered supportive messages from 600 area residents, putting them on yard signs delivered to the health district building several hours before the meeting was scheduled to begin.
Central District Health Director Russ Duke interrupted the Tuesday meeting to inform board members of the mayor’s request.
“I got a call from the mayor, and it sounds like the police, and she is requesting that we stop the meeting at this time because of the intense level of protesters in the parking lot and concern for police safety and staff safety as well as the protesters that are at some of our board members’ homes right now,” Duke said.
The Boise Police Department later issued a statement on Twitter that said they requested the meeting adjourn “in the interest of public safety.”
“Our first priority is to maintain safety and public order. Officers are currently monitoring the crowd and responding to reports of additional incidents in the city,” the department wrote.
Police arrested one woman at the Central District Health building after officers said she refused to follow CDH rules. The police department also released a statement saying officers were seeking arrest warrants on suspicion of disturbing the peace for some of the protesters who went to board members’ homes.
Video uploaded to Facebook by one of the protesters outside of Lachiondo’s home showed a small group of armed protesters banging on buckets, using air horns, playing loud siren and other noises and screaming on the sidewalk.
Lachiondo later posted a statement on her Twitter account, saying her family was fine and thanking the police for their help.
After the health board meeting, McLean issued a statement condemning what she said was a group of disruptive outsiders seeking to divide the Boise community.
“Our local health board is being asked to make decisions at the local level in lieu of statewide action,” McLean wrote. “And when taking this job seriously - doing everything they can to help address the spread of COVID, they’re threatened and intimidated. No child should be frightened by a mob of protesters, no local official should fear violence for their public service.”
Idaho Gov. Brad Little has repeatedly urged Idahoans to wear masks but has declined to issue a statewide mask mandate, instead leaving that decision in the hands of the regional health boards. He condemned the protestors’ actions at the board members’ homes.
“The actions of protestors at the private residences of public officials is reprehensible. It is nothing more than a bullying tactic that seeks to silence. Our right to free speech should not be used to intimidate and scare others,” Little wrote on his Twitter page. “There is no place for this behavior in Idaho. I urge calm among Idahoans so we can get through the pandemic together, stronger.”
The governor declined to answer Tuesday evening when The Associated Press asked if he still felt it was appropriate to leave contentious decisions on mask mandates in the hands of the local boards, which are made up largely of non-medical professionals.
Instead, Little’s spokeswoman Emily Callihan said Little “will continue to support those local leaders who, in consultation with medical experts, make tough decisions to protect our citizens against COVID-19.”
She also pointed out the governor’s statewide orders that require physical distancing at gatherings, limit public and private gatherings to 10 people (except for religious or political events), require patrons to be seated at bars and restaurants and require masks at long term-care facilities.
Last week, regional hospital officials warned that they were so overwhelmed by high numbers of coronavirus patients - and by health care staffers unable to work because they are sick - that the state could be forced to implement “crisis standards of care” within the next month. Crisis standards of care are designed to ensure that the patients most likely to survive COVID-19 are given access to potentially life-saving treatment when there isn’t enough to go around.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports that at least 113,905 Idaho residents have been infected with the virus so far, including 2,012 new cases reported on Tuesday. So far at least 1,074 residents have died from COVID-19.
The draft mask order is designed to slow the spread of the virus so that the health care system isn’t overwhelmed. If approved, the order would allow youth and adult sports to continue, and would allow visits to long-term care facilities in some situations. Failing to comply with the mask mandate would result in a misdemeanor, but it includes exceptions for those who have trouble breathing, young children and others.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Los Angeles restaurants win court battle over closures

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Los Angeles County ’ s health director acted “ arbitrarily ” and didn ’ t prove the danger to the public when she banned outdoor dining at restaurants as coronavirus cases surged last month , a judge ruled Tuesday in a case other businesses may use to try to overturn closures and restrictions .
The county failed to show that health benefits outweigh the negative economic effects before issuing the ban , Superior Court Judge James Chalfant wrote .
He also said the county did not offer evidence that outdoor dining presented a greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By failing to weigh the benefits of an outdoor dining restriction against its costs , the county acted arbitrarily and its decision lacks a rational relationship to a legitimate end , ″ the judge wrote .
Chalfant limited the outdoor dining ban to three weeks and said once it expires Dec. 16 the Department of Public Health must conduct a risk-benefit analysis before trying to extend it .
It was the first victory for California restaurants challenging health orders that have crippled their industry .
But there was no immediate relief for LA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shutdown ordered by Gov .
Gavin Newsom now is in effect .
The California Restaurant Association , which brought the lawsuit , had hoped the judge would lift the ban but still was pleased with the result .
“ I do think that this is gon na hold the county ’ s feet to the fire when they decide to close down an entire sector of economy , ” association lawyer Richard Schwartz said .
“ You can ’ t have a cure that ’ s worse than the disease.
” Chalfant ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to operation when Newsom ’ s order expires .
However , it ’ s not clear when that will happen since the governor ’ s order is in effect until “ at least ” Dec. 27 .
The association didn ’ t say if it would challenge the state order in court .
Lawyers for the county didn ’ t immediately respond to requests for comment .
Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have reached record levels in Los Angeles County and much of the rest of California .
LA County is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million residents and has a disproportionately large number of California ’ s cases , hospitalizations and deaths .
On Tuesday , the county recorded its 8,000th death .
It is now averaging about 9,000 additional cases a day , more than double what it was two weeks ago .
More than 30,000 restaurants in Los Angeles County were closed to diners for months after a statewide shutdown order in March relegated them to offering takeout .
They never fully recovered as they tried to navigate ever-changing regulations for reopening that eventually allowed dining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleys , parking lots , sidewalks and blocked-off streets .
But as cases surged last month Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer cut the outdoor dining capacity in half and said it would be banned altogether if daily case counts exceeded 4,000 .
Ferrer didn ’ t anticipate the county hitting that number for weeks .
It instead took just a few days .
Now only takeout and delivery meals are allowed .
Cases continued to rise and after banning outdoor dining the county issued a stay-home order that included an overnight curfew and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ superseded by Newsom ’ s order , which took effect Monday .
While some churches have prevailed in court on claims that health orders limiting religious services violate the Constitution , it ’ s been rare for businesses to win .
Restaurants and gyms in San Diego last month lost their effort to lift Newsom ’ s ban on indoor dining and workouts .
Those groups had challenged on grounds the governor didn ’ t have the data to back up the restrictions .
More challenges now are likely , said Robert Lapsley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The entire statewide business community was watching what was happening today because of its implications for the future , ” Lapsley said after Tuesday ’ s ruling .
“ The decision pierces the veil and provides some transparency .
Whole sectors of the economy face ruin based on judgment and not data.
” Los Angeles officials had claimed that eating without a mask raises the threat of transmission of the virus .
In a public meeting two weeks ago , a health officer cited a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracting the virus from eating at a restaurant .
But the study only looked at dining indoors where the virus is known to spread more easily .
“ The best evidence is it ’ s not a significant risk , ” Chalfant said at a hearing last week .
“ And the county has acted inconsistently with the governor ’ s order , which , by the way , requires a risk-benefit analysis .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles County’s health director acted “arbitrarily” and didn’t prove the danger to the public when she banned outdoor dining at restaurants as coronavirus cases surged last month, a judge ruled Tuesday in a case other businesses may use to try to overturn closures and restrictions.
The county failed to show that health benefits outweigh the negative economic effects before issuing the ban, Superior Court Judge James Chalfant wrote. He also said the county did not offer evidence that outdoor dining presented a greater risk of spreading the virus.
“By failing to weigh the benefits of an outdoor dining restriction against its costs, the county acted arbitrarily and its decision lacks a rational relationship to a legitimate end,″ the judge wrote.
Chalfant limited the outdoor dining ban to three weeks and said once it expires Dec. 16 the Department of Public Health must conduct a risk-benefit analysis before trying to extend it.
It was the first victory for California restaurants challenging health orders that have crippled their industry. But there was no immediate relief for LA county restaurant owners because a more sweeping shutdown ordered by Gov. Gavin Newsom now is in effect.
The California Restaurant Association, which brought the lawsuit, had hoped the judge would lift the ban but still was pleased with the result.
“I do think that this is going to hold the county’s feet to the fire when they decide to close down an entire sector of economy,” association lawyer Richard Schwartz said. “You can’t have a cure that’s worse than the disease.”
Chalfant’s ruling clears the way for restaurants to return to operation when Newsom’s order expires. However, it’s not clear when that will happen since the governor’s order is in effect until “at least” Dec. 27.
The association didn’t say if it would challenge the state order in court. Lawyers for the county didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have reached record levels in Los Angeles County and much of the rest of California. LA County is the state’s largest with some 10 million residents and has a disproportionately large number of California’s cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
On Tuesday, the county recorded its 8,000th death. It is now averaging about 9,000 additional cases a day, more than double what it was two weeks ago.
More than 30,000 restaurants in Los Angeles County were closed to diners for months after a statewide shutdown order in March relegated them to offering takeout. They never fully recovered as they tried to navigate ever-changing regulations for reopening that eventually allowed dining on patios and makeshift seating areas in alleys, parking lots, sidewalks and blocked-off streets.
But as cases surged last month Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer cut the outdoor dining capacity in half and said it would be banned altogether if daily case counts exceeded 4,000. Ferrer didn’t anticipate the county hitting that number for weeks. It instead took just a few days. Now only takeout and delivery meals are allowed.
Cases continued to rise and after banning outdoor dining the county issued a stay-home order that included an overnight curfew and many more business closures. It was superseded by Newsom’s order, which took effect Monday.
While some churches have prevailed in court on claims that health orders limiting religious services violate the Constitution, it’s been rare for businesses to win. Restaurants and gyms in San Diego last month lost their effort to lift Newsom’s ban on indoor dining and workouts.
Those groups had challenged on grounds the governor didn’t have the data to back up the restrictions. More challenges now are likely, said Robert Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable.
“The entire statewide business community was watching what was happening today because of its implications for the future,” Lapsley said after Tuesday’s ruling. “The decision pierces the veil and provides some transparency. Whole sectors of the economy face ruin based on judgment and not data.”
Los Angeles officials had claimed that eating without a mask raises the threat of transmission of the virus. In a public meeting two weeks ago, a health officer cited a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that showed twice the risk of contracting the virus from eating at a restaurant.
But the study only looked at dining indoors where the virus is known to spread more easily.
“The best evidence is it’s not a significant risk,” Chalfant said at a hearing last week. “And the county has acted inconsistently with the governor’s order, which, by the way, requires a risk-benefit analysis.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Donors pledge $370 million to UN humanitarian emergency fund

UNITED NATIONS ( AP ) - Over 50 donors pledged $ 370 million Tuesday to the U.N. fund to finance humanitarian emergencies caused by conflict , climate change , natural disasters , the coronavirus pandemic and gender-based violence , the United Nations said .
The U.N. humanitarian office said pledges to the Central Emergency Response Fund for 2021 are higher that those announced a year ago for 2020 .
It said top-ups for this year ’ s appeal , also announced Tuesday , bring the overall funding for 2020 to $ 620 million .
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as CERF , “ is one of the most effective ways to help people trapped in sudden and deteriorating crises ” and is quickly able to reach “ under-funded emergencies that have fallen off the world ’ s radar — or were never on it.
” In 2020 , the U.N. humanitarian office said , CERF provided life-saving assistance to some 65 million people across 52 countries and territories at a total value of more than $ 900 million - “ the highest ever amount allocated by CERF in a single year.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to neglected and underfunded crises .
“ This has been a year like no other , ” the secretary-general said .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has added another layer of suffering , on top of existing crises caused by conflict and the intensifying impacts of climate change.
” Since CERF was established in 2005 , it has provided close to $ 7 billion for humanitarian action that has helped hundreds of millions of people across more than 100 countries and territories .
In 2016 , the General Assembly increase CERF ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Stressing that CERF is “ first and fastest , ” U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said .
“ As the world faces the greatest humanitarian challenges in over a generation , we have never needed it more .
”

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Over 50 donors pledged $370 million Tuesday to the U.N. fund to finance humanitarian emergencies caused by conflict, climate change, natural disasters, the coronavirus pandemic and gender-based violence, the United Nations said.
The U.N. humanitarian office said pledges to the Central Emergency Response Fund for 2021 are higher that those announced a year ago for 2020. It said top-ups for this year’s appeal, also announced Tuesday, bring the overall funding for 2020 to $620 million.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the pledging event that the fund, known as CERF, “is one of the most effective ways to help people trapped in sudden and deteriorating crises” and is quickly able to reach “under-funded emergencies that have fallen off the world’s radar — or were never on it.”
In 2020, the U.N. humanitarian office said, CERF provided life-saving assistance to some 65 million people across 52 countries and territories at a total value of more than $900 million - “the highest ever amount allocated by CERF in a single year.”
Guterres said a record $225 million went to neglected and underfunded crises.
“This has been a year like no other,” the secretary-general said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has added another layer of suffering, on top of existing crises caused by conflict and the intensifying impacts of climate change.”
Since CERF was established in 2005, it has provided close to $7 billion for humanitarian action that has helped hundreds of millions of people across more than 100 countries and territories. In 2016, the General Assembly increase CERF’s annual fundraising target to $1 billion.
Stressing that CERF is “first and fastest,” U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said. “As the world faces the greatest humanitarian challenges in over a generation, we have never needed it more.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Obama, Patti Smith among PEN America honorees

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Artists , activists and a former president gathered online for PEN America ’ s annual gala , held virtually this year because of the pandemic .
Those honored by the literary and human rights organization included the Chinese organizer and dissident Xu Zhiyong ; Darnella Frazier , the teenager who taped the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police ; and Marie Yovanovitch , the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine who was a key witness during the impeachment of President Donald Trump .
Meryl Streep , Spike Lee , Bono and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tributes to Tuesday night ’ s award winners .
Hearst executive vice chairman Frank A. Bennack Jr. was this year ’ s Corporate Honoree .
PEN also presented a literary service prize to Patti Smith , who sang the ballad “ Build a Peaceable Kingdom , ” and the Voice of Influence Award to former President Barack Obama , whose memoir “ A Promised Land ” came out last month .
In a taped conversation with the Pulitzer Prize winning historian and former PEN president Ron Chernow , Obama said that the advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as president .
“ I was consistently raising issues of jailed journalists , jailed dissidents , censorship issues , freedom of the press issues in conversations that I would have , ” he said .
“ There were a number of occasions where , as a consequence of us being aware of the plight of a journalist or a dissident , a human rights activist , that making it onto the agenda of a conversation that I had , that it ended up resulting in somebody ’ s freedom .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - Artists, activists and a former president gathered online for PEN America’s annual gala, held virtually this year because of the pandemic.
Those honored by the literary and human rights organization included the Chinese organizer and dissident Xu Zhiyong; Darnella Frazier, the teenager who taped the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police; and Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine who was a key witness during the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
Meryl Streep, Spike Lee, Bono and Emma Thompson were among the celebrities offering tributes to Tuesday night’s award winners.
Hearst executive vice chairman Frank A. Bennack Jr. was this year’s Corporate Honoree. PEN also presented a literary service prize to Patti Smith, who sang the ballad “Build a Peaceable Kingdom,” and the Voice of Influence Award to former President Barack Obama, whose memoir “A Promised Land” came out last month. In a taped conversation with the Pulitzer Prize winning historian and former PEN president Ron Chernow, Obama said that the advocacy of PEN and other organizations influenced him as president.
“I was consistently raising issues of jailed journalists, jailed dissidents, censorship issues, freedom of the press issues in conversations that I would have,” he said. “There were a number of occasions where, as a consequence of us being aware of the plight of a journalist or a dissident, a human rights activist, that making it onto the agenda of a conversation that I had, that it ended up resulting in somebody’s freedom.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Alaska agency reports third virus-related inmate death

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - A third inmate within the Alaska Department of Corrections has died from complications @ @ @ @ @ department said Tuesday .
The 78-year-old with underlying conditions died Tuesday , four days after @ @ @ @ @ facility in Anchorage to a hospital , the department said .
The person had been @ @ @ @ @ a sexual abuse charge but was not sentenced , the department said .
The two @ @ @ @ @ the department involved individuals who had been held at the Goose Creek Correctional Center near @ @ @ @ @ declined to provide the names of the three individuals , citing privacy concerns .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ man who was serving a sentence for a murder charge died in California on Monday @ @ @ @ @ , has been in custody since 1979 .
He had been serving his state sentence @ @ @ @ @ in that state since 2014 , the department said .
Nelson ’ s death was @ @ @ @ @ and foul play was not suspected , the department said in a release .

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A third inmate within the Alaska Department of Corrections has died from complications related to COVID-19, the department said Tuesday.
The 78-year-old with underlying conditions died Tuesday, four days after being taken from a correctional facility in Anchorage to a hospital, the department said. The person had been in custody since 2017 on a sexual abuse charge but was not sentenced, the department said.
The two prior COVID-19-related deaths announced by the department involved individuals who had been held at the Goose Creek Correctional Center near Wasilla. The department has declined to provide the names of the three individuals, citing privacy concerns.
Meanwhile, the department announced a man who was serving a sentence for a murder charge died in California on Monday. Horace Nelson, 64, has been in custody since 1979. He had been serving his state sentence at a federal correctional facility in that state since 2014, the department said.
Nelson’s death was not related to COVID-19, and foul play was not suspected, the department said in a release.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--LA seeks to skip homeless count over pandemic concerns

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Los Angeles County officials want to cancel the annual homeless count over concerns that it can ’ t be done safely or accurately during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to ask the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for an exemption , the Los Angeles Times reported .
Congress requires that local regions count their homeless populations every two years .
The data collected is used by the federal government to distribute resources for homeless services .
In recent years , as homelessness has grown , Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over several days each January .
Thousands of volunteers fan out to count tents , RVs and cars housing people throughout the region .
Members of the Board of Supervisors said it ’ s likely there wouldn ’ t be enough volunteers to pull off the count this year , the Times reported .
The count is coordinated by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority .
Heidi Marston , the authority ’ s director , said in a statement that there ’ s no way to safely do the tally while assuring that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the federal government grants the waiver , her agency would still count people living inside shelters and tally the number of number of beds and units available to homeless people through various government programs .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles County officials want to cancel the annual homeless count over concerns that it can’t be done safely or accurately during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to ask the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for an exemption, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Congress requires that local regions count their homeless populations every two years. The data collected is used by the federal government to distribute resources for homeless services.
In recent years, as homelessness has grown, Los Angeles has done the count nearly every year over several days each January. Thousands of volunteers fan out to count tents, RVs and cars housing people throughout the region.
Members of the Board of Supervisors said it’s likely there wouldn’t be enough volunteers to pull off the count this year, the Times reported.
The count is coordinated by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Heidi Marston, the authority’s director, said in a statement that there’s no way to safely do the tally while assuring that it was accurate.
Marston said that if the federal government grants the waiver, her agency would still count people living inside shelters and tally the number of number of beds and units available to homeless people through various government programs.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Trump praises Peter Marks, FDA official at center of vaccine approval

President Trump took a victory lap at his White House vaccine summit Tuesday , but the man of the hour is a Food and Drug Administration official few Americans know about .
“ Dr .
Peter Marks , ” President Trump said in a roll call of his Operation Warp Speed roster .
“ Thank you.
” Dr. Marks , director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research , will play a pivotal role in deciding whether the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 is safe and effective enough for distribution in the U.S. , possibly by the weekend .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pfizer , rather than taking the company ’ s word for it , ahead of a Thursday meeting and vote with outside advisers that could pave the way for emergency approval and the first vaccinations of health care workers and long-term-care residents .
The White House pulled Dr. Marks into the summit Tuesday to build confidence in Operation Warp Speed , the initiative that developed vaccines at a record pace and gave Mr. Trump a win during a critical stretch of the pandemic .
“ Corners were not cut here , ” Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House South Court Auditorium .
“ We don ’ t just take the data that ’ s handed to us from companies and look at it .
We actually take the data listings , the raw data that gets sent to us and do analyses ourselves on that , ” Dr. Marks said .
“ Sometimes we learn things that the manufacturers didn ’ t even know about their own vaccines , by doing our analyses.
” Mr. Trump signaled that he won ’ t wait much longer for approval .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency use authorization after Britain on Tuesday became the first Western nation to kick off its vaccination campaign .
“ We ’ ve got to get it moving , ” Mr. Trump said , noting that Moderna ’ s request for approval is right behind Pfizer ’ s .
“ Hopefully , that will go very quickly.
” Dr. Marks , who joined the FDA in 2012 and rose to become director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in 2016 , hasn ’ t been a fixture on the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
But experts say he has built confidence in the regulatory process during a campaign year marked by concerns of political meddling .
“ Peter has been a key figure in helping to preserve the integrity of the FDA review and [ the ] decision to release vaccine under [ emergency use authorization ] , ” said Peter Hotez , dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine .
Lawrence O. Gostin , a professor of health law at Georgetown University , said Dr. Marks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ the nation is in safe , capable hands with his leadership.
” The Pfizer review is just the start .
Operation Warp Speed hedged its bets by developing vaccines under three platforms .
Two drugmakers worked within each category , for six companies in total .
Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna , which used messenger RNA , are ahead of the others and are on track for approval by Christmas .
AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson are steeped in late-stage trials of their adenovirus vaccines .
J & J is developing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two doses — and could apply for emergency use by January or early February , said Moncef Slaoui , the scientific adviser for Operation Warp Speed .
Novavax and a partnership , Sanofi-GlaxoSmithKline , are using recombinant proteins in their vaccines and may apply to the FDA in the first half of next year .
“ We have two in the hand , two close by and two to come , ” Mr. Slaoui said .
Mr. Trump highlighted the mix of candidates as the White House refuted claims that it balked at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We have some big ones we ’ re going to be announcing very soon , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ Johnson & Johnson and others .
They ’ re all coming in , and they ’ re coming in very quickly.
” The president said he is willing to invoke the Defense Production Act to procure additional doses of vaccine , though “ we don ’ t think it will be necessary.
” Mr. Trump also signed an executive order that says the supply of U.S.-secured doses must go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are sent to countries abroad .
The president took credit for efforts to produce ventilators and testing equipment to fight COVID-19 but said little about the swirling crisis that is killing more than 2,000 people per day , based on seven-day rolling averages .
More than 100,000 people are hospitalized for COVID-19 across the country , portending more deaths .
The disease has killed more than 285,000 Americans and sickened 15 million .
Critics have faulted Mr. Trump ’ s conflicting advice on mask-wearing and crowds and say he should be focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his election loss to Democrat Joseph R. Biden .
During the campaign , he told packed rallies that the U.S. was “ rounding the turn ” even as the situation worsened .
Responding to questions about the crisis , Mr. Trump said the vaccine was his “ goal ” and that some people have built-in immunity .
He also defended White House Christmas parties by saying attendance has been cut and many guests wear masks .
Pfizer and Moderna did not send representatives to the White House event despite being the front-runners .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ include the companies but then decided it would be inappropriate because Dr. Marks , a regulator , is reviewing their requests for emergency approval .
Paul Mango , a deputy chief of staff at the Department of Health and Human Services , said Dr. Marks wanted to keep working Tuesday but “ we thought it was much more important for the American people to hear from him briefly about the rigorous process , the exacting process , that he is taking his team through to evaluate these [ vaccines ] .
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to head right back out to the FDA , ” Mr. Mango said in introducing Dr. Marks .
The FDA on Tuesday released data from Pfizer showing the vaccine reduced the risk of COVID-19 after the first dose .
Regulators also said the shots were “ highly effective ” at least seven days after the second dose regardless of age , weight or race .
The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will discuss Pfizer ’ s data Thursday and considerations for various populations before voting on whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign is expected to begin within 24 hours of the FDA ’ s green light .
The United Kingdom began its immunization campaign Tuesday with a 90-year-old grandmother in central England .
Margaret Keenan , of Coventry , became an instant celebrity by being the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine outside of trials .
Donning a blue “ Merry Christmas ” shirt with a penguin on it , Ms. Keenan said she felt “ so privileged ” to be first in line and was looking forward to spending time with family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for attention with the second person in line , who was named William Shakespeare .
HHS told The Washington Times that Operation Warp Speed leaders “ have communicated with their counterparts in the U.K. and will continue to share information related to the strides that we respectively make in developing , manufacturing and distributing COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.
” U.S. officials say they need at least 70 % of the population to take the vaccine to develop the type of herd immunity that will get transmission of the virus to manageable levels next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is guiding logistics for the White House , said he will tell his mother and sons to take the vaccine once it is available , as Operation Warp Speed tries to break through hesitancy across the nation .
“ We can do this , ” he said , “ if we do it together .
”

President Trump took a victory lap at his White House vaccine summit Tuesday, but the man of the hour is a Food and Drug Administration official few Americans know about.
“Dr. Peter Marks,” President Trump said in a roll call of his Operation Warp Speed roster. “Thank you.”
Dr. Marks, director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, will play a pivotal role in deciding whether the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 is safe and effective enough for distribution in the U.S., possibly by the weekend.
His team is poring over data submitted by Pfizer, rather than taking the company’s word for it, ahead of a Thursday meeting and vote with outside advisers that could pave the way for emergency approval and the first vaccinations of health care workers and long-term-care residents.
The White House pulled Dr. Marks into the summit Tuesday to build confidence in Operation Warp Speed, the initiative that developed vaccines at a record pace and gave Mr. Trump a win during a critical stretch of the pandemic.
“Corners were not cut here,” Dr. Marks said from the stage at the White House South Court Auditorium.
“We don’t just take the data that’s handed to us from companies and look at it. We actually take the data listings, the raw data that gets sent to us and do analyses ourselves on that,” Dr. Marks said. “Sometimes we learn things that the manufacturers didn’t even know about their own vaccines, by doing our analyses.”
Mr. Trump signaled that he won’t wait much longer for approval. He wants the FDA to grant Pfizer an emergency use authorization after Britain on Tuesday became the first Western nation to kick off its vaccination campaign.
“We’ve got to get it moving,” Mr. Trump said, noting that Moderna’s request for approval is right behind Pfizer’s. “Hopefully, that will go very quickly.”
Dr. Marks, who joined the FDA in 2012 and rose to become director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in 2016, hasn’t been a fixture on the White House podium or in the Rose Garden during the pandemic. But experts say he has built confidence in the regulatory process during a campaign year marked by concerns of political meddling.
“Peter has been a key figure in helping to preserve the integrity of the FDA review and [the] decision to release vaccine under [emergency use authorization],” said Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine.
Lawrence O. Gostin, a professor of health law at Georgetown University, said Dr. Marks is a “highly respected scientist” and “the nation is in safe, capable hands with his leadership.”
The Pfizer review is just the start. Operation Warp Speed hedged its bets by developing vaccines under three platforms. Two drugmakers worked within each category, for six companies in total.
Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which used messenger RNA, are ahead of the others and are on track for approval by Christmas.
AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson are steeped in late-stage trials of their adenovirus vaccines. J&J is developing a single-dose vaccine — other candidates require two doses — and could apply for emergency use by January or early February, said Moncef Slaoui, the scientific adviser for Operation Warp Speed.
Novavax and a partnership, Sanofi-GlaxoSmithKline, are using recombinant proteins in their vaccines and may apply to the FDA in the first half of next year.
“We have two in the hand, two close by and two to come,” Mr. Slaoui said.
Mr. Trump highlighted the mix of candidates as the White House refuted claims that it balked at a chance to buy more Pfizer doses.
“We have some big ones we’re going to be announcing very soon,” Mr. Trump said. “Johnson & Johnson and others. They’re all coming in, and they’re coming in very quickly.”
The president said he is willing to invoke the Defense Production Act to procure additional doses of vaccine, though “we don’t think it will be necessary.”
Mr. Trump also signed an executive order that says the supply of U.S.-secured doses must go to Americans who want the vaccine before they are sent to countries abroad.
The president took credit for efforts to produce ventilators and testing equipment to fight COVID-19 but said little about the swirling crisis that is killing more than 2,000 people per day, based on seven-day rolling averages. More than 100,000 people are hospitalized for COVID-19 across the country, portending more deaths. The disease has killed more than 285,000 Americans and sickened 15 million.
Critics have faulted Mr. Trump’s conflicting advice on mask-wearing and crowds and say he should be focused on the pandemic instead of vote tallies showing his election loss to Democrat Joseph R. Biden. During the campaign, he told packed rallies that the U.S. was “rounding the turn” even as the situation worsened.
Responding to questions about the crisis, Mr. Trump said the vaccine was his “goal” and that some people have built-in immunity. He also defended White House Christmas parties by saying attendance has been cut and many guests wear masks.
Pfizer and Moderna did not send representatives to the White House event despite being the front-runners.
The White House said it planned to include the companies but then decided it would be inappropriate because Dr. Marks, a regulator, is reviewing their requests for emergency approval.
Paul Mango, a deputy chief of staff at the Department of Health and Human Services, said Dr. Marks wanted to keep working Tuesday but “we thought it was much more important for the American people to hear from him briefly about the rigorous process, the exacting process, that he is taking his team through to evaluate these [vaccines].”
“When he’s done, he’s going to head right back out to the FDA,” Mr. Mango said in introducing Dr. Marks.
The FDA on Tuesday released data from Pfizer showing the vaccine reduced the risk of COVID-19 after the first dose. Regulators also said the shots were “highly effective” at least seven days after the second dose regardless of age, weight or race.
The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will discuss Pfizer’s data Thursday and considerations for various populations before voting on whether the vaccine deserves emergency approval.
The vaccination campaign is expected to begin within 24 hours of the FDA’s green light.
The United Kingdom began its immunization campaign Tuesday with a 90-year-old grandmother in central England.
Margaret Keenan, of Coventry, became an instant celebrity by being the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine outside of trials.
Donning a blue “Merry Christmas” shirt with a penguin on it, Ms. Keenan said she felt “so privileged” to be first in line and was looking forward to spending time with family in the new year.
She competed for attention with the second person in line, who was named William Shakespeare.
HHS told The Washington Times that Operation Warp Speed leaders “have communicated with their counterparts in the U.K. and will continue to share information related to the strides that we respectively make in developing, manufacturing and distributing COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.”
U.S. officials say they need at least 70% of the population to take the vaccine to develop the type of herd immunity that will get transmission of the virus to manageable levels next year.
Army Gen. Gustave Perna, who is guiding logistics for the White House, said he will tell his mother and sons to take the vaccine once it is available, as Operation Warp Speed tries to break through hesitancy across the nation.
“We can do this,” he said, “if we do it together.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Kim's sister slams Seoul over questioning zero-virus claim

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lambasted South Korea ’ s foreign minister for questioning the North ’ s claim to be coronavirus free , warning Wednesday of potential consequences for the comments .
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said over the weekend that it ’ s hard to believe North Korea ’ s claim that there has been no virus outbreak on its soil .
She added that the North has been unresponsive to South Korea ’ s offer for cooperation to jointly tackle the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister , Kim Yo Jong , responded in a statement carried by state media .
“ It can be seen from the reckless remarks made by her without any consideration of the consequences that she is too eager to further chill the frozen relations between North and South Korea , ” she said .
“ Her real intention is very clear .
We will never forget her words and she might have to pay dearly for it , ” Kim said .
The remarks show how sensitive North Korea is to what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ image as its guards against the pandemic and the economic fallout .
Despite its zero-virus case claim , North Korea ’ s state media have repeatedly said there is a “ maximum emergency ” anti-epidemic campaign in which it has closed its international borders , flown out diplomats and isolated residents with suspected symptoms .
The North ’ s border closure with China , it ’ s biggest trading partner , is wrecking its already fragile economy .
The North has admitted it ’ s facing “ multiple crises ” due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last summer and persistent U.S.-led sanctions imposed over its nuclear program .
Experts have said a major disease outbreak in North Korea could cause a humanitarian disaster because of its fragile health care system .
South Korea ’ s foreign minister told a forum in Bahrain on Saturday that the pandemic had “ made North Korea more North Korea - that is , more closed , very top-down decision-making process where there is very little debate on their measures in dealing with COVID-19.
” “ They still say they do not have any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Kang said .
“ So , all signs are the regime is very intensely focused on controlling the disease that they say they do not have.
” Also this week , U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun is in Seoul for talks on North Korea and other issues .
South Korea ’ s spy agency recently told lawmakers that Kim Jong Un had ordered diplomats overseas to refrain from any acts that could provoke Washington because it is worried about President-elect Joe Biden ’ s expected new approach toward North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could still do something provocative to try to draw Biden ’ s attention and create the need to restart stalled nuclear talks in which it could win concessions .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-in lambasted South Korea’s foreign minister for questioning the North’s claim to be coronavirus free, warning Wednesday of potential consequences for the comments.
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said over the weekend that it’s hard to believe North Korea’s claim that there has been no virus outbreak on its soil. She added that the North has been unresponsive to South Korea’s offer for cooperation to jointly tackle the pandemic.
The North Korean leader’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, responded in a statement carried by state media.
“It can be seen from the reckless remarks made by her without any consideration of the consequences that she is too eager to further chill the frozen relations between North and South Korea,” she said.
“Her real intention is very clear. We will never forget her words and she might have to pay dearly for it,” Kim said.
The remarks show how sensitive North Korea is to what it considers any outside attempt to tarnish its image as it steps up its efforts to guard against the pandemic and the economic fallout.
Despite its zero-virus case claim, North Korea’s state media have repeatedly said there is a “maximum emergency” anti-epidemic campaign in which it has closed its international borders, flown out diplomats and isolated residents with suspected symptoms.
North Korea’s border closure with China, it’s biggest trading partner, is wrecking its already fragile economy. The country has admitted it is facing “multiple crises” due to the pandemic, a spate of natural disasters last summer and persistent U.S.-led sanctions imposed over its nuclear program.
Experts have said a major disease outbreak in North Korea could cause a humanitarian disaster because of its broken healthcare system.
Kang, the South Korean foreign minister, told a forum in Bahrain on Saturday that the pandemic had “made North Korea more North Korea - that is, more closed, very top-down decision-making process where there is very little debate on their measures in dealing with COVID-19.”
“They still say they do not have any cases, which is hard to believe,” Kang said. “So, all signs are the regime is very intensely focused on controlling the disease that they say they do not have.”
Also this week, Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, the top U.S. official on North Korea, is in Seoul for talks on North Korea and other issues.
South Korea’s spy agency recently told lawmakers that Kim Jong-un had ordered diplomats overseas to refrain from any acts that could provoke Washington because it is worried about President-elect Joe Biden’s expected new approach toward North Korea.
Some observers say North Korea could still do something provocative to try to draw Biden’s attention and create the need to restart stalled nuclear talks in which it could win concessions.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--State Department kept tabs on anti-Trump dossier, documents show

Attorney General William Barr took a special interest in how political appointees in the Obama State Department became involved in debriefing dossier writer Christopher Steele as he was selling his Trump-Russia conspiracy claims during the 2016 election , newly disclosed documents show .
At the time , late September and October 2016 , Mr. Steele , an FBI source , was examining a number of avenues to propel his allegations about candidate Trump into the limelight before the Nov. 8 election .
His dossier claims would end up discredited .
Mr. Barr made the request in May 2019 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Durham to investigate how the FBI opened and conducted its probe into Mr. Trump and his campaign .
A May 15 , 2019 , email , with the subject line “ AG Barr Request , ” is attached to a reply from the FBI .
The reply contains email threads between Kathleen Kavalec , then-deputy assistant secretary of state for Russia , and FBI agents assigned to “ Crossfire Hurricane , ” as the probe was called .
At one point in the emails , an FBI official pushed back against “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desire to be briefed on what Mr. Steele was telling the bureau .
Overall , the emails show the determination of Mr. Steele , a former foreign intelligence agent , to bring down the Trump candidacy by trying different avenues , be it the news media , the FBI or the State Department .
What Mr. Barr did with the information is not disclosed in the documents obtained by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley , Iowa Republican , and Homeland Security and Government Affairs Chairman Ron Johnson , Wisconsin Republican .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI agents : What Mr. Steele told Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jonathan Winer when they met in September 2016 and what Mr. Steele told the FBI when bureau officials flew to Rome for an Oct. 3 debriefing .
Ms. Kavalec wrote to Stephen C. Laycock , then a counterintelligence section chief , on Sept. 29 disclosing she knows all about Mr. Steele ’ s upcoming meeting in Rome .
Ms. Kavalec and Mr. Laycock had met earlier in the day at the State Department .
“ Regarding the issue we discussed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland ] inquired and was told the source of the information , from Orbis Security , is planning to meet on Monday , October 3 , with [ redacted ] , ” Ms. Kavalec wrote .
“ This source also said some folks from FBI are flying out to meet him .
Apparently the source and [ Mr. Winer ] know each other from New York .
I hope that is helpful in putting the pieces together !
” The next day , Mr. Laycock filled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted the report written by Mr. Winer , identified only as the “ source.
” The follow-up was a Sept. 30 FBI email exchange , in which all names are redacted , stressing how important it was to see the Winer notes that he handed to Ms. Nuland .
“ You know how much of a priority this is , so any information real-time is greatly appreciated by the CD [ counterintelligence division ] FO [ field office ] , ” the email reads .
“ We have folks deploying to interview this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are looking for all they can get specifically , the original document .
Thanks.
” Next , the FBI official told Mr. Strzok and others that Ms. Nuland had the notes , but Mr. Winer [ not identified as such ] promised not to share .
In October a separate email thread started over how the Rome meeting with Mr. Steele went .
“ Toria [ Ms. Nuland ] is back from Moscow and just asked me how the meeting [ redacted ] went earlier this week , ” Ms. Kavalec wrote to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can share ?
Happy to talk secure if that would be convenient .
Best , Kathy.
” At this point , an unnamed writer chimed in , telling Mr. Laycock it was none of State ’ s business , especially since the FBI was investigating a “ political rival.
” “ I also don ’ t know how its State ’ s business or how they think it appropriate to ask about a potential FBI source meet on such a politically charged subject , ” the official wrote .
“ That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ redacted ] will have the best approach and idea on how to give a non-committal answer , ” the official wrote .
“ Obviously she knows we had a team travel [ redacted ] and the source ’ s admission , but I don ’ t think we owe her any type of read-out and a political appointee should know better than to ask about a potential investigation of a political rival .
I think we leave it at a meeting occurred , the FBI collected information.
” After the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , “ electronic communication.
” Its two paragraphs were titled “ US Department of State employees aware of FBI relationship with Steele.
” Ms. Kavalec continued her search for Steele information by meeting with the man himself at the State Department on Oct. 11 , 2016 .
Notes from the meeting were not turned over to congressional investigators .
They surfaced in a Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA ) lawsuit against the FBI by Citizens United , led by David Bossie .
In all , the State Department had three senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s anti-Trump material : Ms. Nuland , Mr. Winer and Ms. Kavalec .

Attorney General William Barr took a special interest in how political appointees in the Obama State Department became involved in debriefing dossier writer Christopher Steele as he was selling his Trump-Russia conspiracy claims during the 2016 election, newly disclosed documents show.
At the time, late September and October 2016, Mr. Steele, an FBI source, was examining a number of avenues to propel his allegations about candidate Trump into the limelight before the Nov. 8 election. His dossier claims would end up discredited.
Mr. Barr made the request in May 2019, the month he appointed U.S. Attorney for Connecticut John Durham to investigate how the FBI opened and conducted its probe into Mr. Trump and his campaign.
A May 15, 2019, email, with the subject line “AG Barr Request,” is attached to a reply from the FBI. The reply contains email threads between Kathleen Kavalec, then-deputy assistant secretary of state for Russia, and FBI agents assigned to “Crossfire Hurricane,” as the probe was called.
At one point in the emails, an FBI official pushed back against “political rival” Ms. Kavalec’s desire to be briefed on what Mr. Steele was telling the bureau.
Overall, the emails show the determination of Mr. Steele, a former foreign intelligence agent, to bring down the Trump candidacy by trying different avenues, be it the news media, the FBI or the State Department.
DOCUMENT: Grassley-Johnson FBI/State Department documents
What Mr. Barr did with the information is not disclosed in the documents obtained by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Iowa Republican, and Homeland Security and Government Affairs Chairman Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican.
Two issues were discussed by Ms. Kavalec and FBI agents: What Mr. Steele told Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jonathan Winer when they met in September 2016 and what Mr. Steele told the FBI when bureau officials flew to Rome for an Oct. 3 debriefing.
Ms. Kavalec wrote to Stephen C. Laycock, then a counterintelligence section chief, on Sept. 29 disclosing she knows all about Mr. Steele’s upcoming meeting in Rome. Ms. Kavalec and Mr. Laycock had met earlier in the day at the State Department.
“Regarding the issue we discussed at the end of our meeting, Toria [Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland] inquired and was told the source of the information, from Orbis Security, is planning to meet on Monday, October 3, with [redacted],” Ms. Kavalec wrote. “This source also said some folks from FBI are flying out to meet him. Apparently the source and [Mr. Winer] know each other from New York. I hope that is helpful in putting the pieces together!”
Mr. Steele heads Orbis Business Intelligence, a private research firm in London.
The next day, Mr. Laycock filled in Crossfire Hurricane leader Peter Strzok, who wanted the report written by Mr. Winer, identified only as the “source.”
The follow-up was a Sept. 30 FBI email exchange, in which all names are redacted, stressing how important it was to see the Winer notes that he handed to Ms. Nuland.
“You know how much of a priority this is, so any information real-time is greatly appreciated by the CD [counterintelligence division] FO [field office],” the email reads. “We have folks deploying to interview this guy [Mr. Steele]. They are looking for all they can get specifically, the original document. Thanks.”
Next, the FBI official told Mr. Strzok and others that Ms. Nuland had the notes, but Mr. Winer [not identified as such] promised not to share.
In October a separate email thread started over how the Rome meeting with Mr. Steele went.
“Toria [Ms. Nuland] is back from Moscow and just asked me how the meeting [redacted] went earlier this week,” Ms. Kavalec wrote to Mr. Laycock. “Is there anything you can share? Happy to talk secure if that would be convenient. Best, Kathy.”
At this point, an unnamed writer chimed in, telling Mr. Laycock it was none of State’s business, especially since the FBI was investigating a “political rival.”
“I also don’t know how its State’s business or how they think it appropriate to ask about a potential FBI source meet on such a politically charged subject,” the official wrote. “That is sending flags up.”
“I think [redacted] will have the best approach and idea on how to give a non-committal answer,” the official wrote. “Obviously she knows we had a team travel [redacted] and the source’s admission, but I don’t think we owe her any type of read-out and a political appointee should know better than to ask about a potential investigation of a political rival. I think we leave it at a meeting occurred, the FBI collected information.”
After the election, the FBI created a Nov. 16, 2016, “electronic communication.” Its two paragraphs were titled “US Department of State employees aware of FBI relationship with Steele.”
Ms. Kavalec continued her search for Steele information by meeting with the man himself at the State Department on Oct. 11, 2016. Notes from the meeting were not turned over to congressional investigators. They surfaced in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the FBI by Citizens United, led by David Bossie.
In all, the State Department had three senior Obama political appointees obtaining Mr. Steele’s anti-Trump material: Ms. Nuland, Mr. Winer and Ms. Kavalec.
• Rowan Scarborough can be reached at rscarborough@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--ICE: Criminal immigrants freed because of COVID going back to crime

ICE delivered a pointed I-told-you-so Tuesday to a federal judge who freed more than 250 undocumented immigrants from detention because of the coronavirus , revealing that in less than two months , at least six of them already stand accused of more crimes .
One is accused of battery , while another was arrested on drunken-driving charges .
Still another was arrested on an outstanding child sex-abuse warrant .
Others cut off their ankle bracelets and have disappeared , greatly reducing the chances of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recapturing them once the pandemic is over and they can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm in our warning that these releases would impact public safety , and unfortunately , it did not take long for some of these criminal aliens to reoffend , ” said acting ICE chief Tony H. Pham .
“ This proves that many of these aliens are recidivist offenders who should not have been released in the first place.
” ICE said in October that it had to release the migrants from its Adelanto facility in California after Judge Terry J. Hatter , a President Carter appointee , ruled that the facility was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which can hold nearly 2,000 people usually , had fewer than 800 people , all of them considered must-detain cases by ICE .
But Judge Hatter ordered 50 releases a day until the number was cut to 475 people or fewer .
ICE said it warned the judge about the records of those he was forcing to be released in late October .
In the weeks since , one 50-year-old man from India was arrested by the Ventura Police Department over an outstanding warrant for lewd and lascivious acts with a minor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was arrested by Newport Beach Police and accused of disorderly conduct under the influence of drugs , and for contempt of court .
A 34-year-old Mexican was arrested in El Segundo on suspicion of burglary , grand theft , and having a loaded gun and drug paraphernalia .
In releasing people , ICE demanded they be fitted with GPS bracelets to monitor their whereabouts , required them to provide accurate addresses , and set check-ins .
But Mr. Pham said some have cut the bracelets , and others have disappeared from the locations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or missed check-ins .
The pandemic has forced population cuts at prisons , jails and detention facilities across the country .
ICE cut its numbers by nearly 50 % in the early months — sometimes under court order .
But a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association in October concluded that infection rates in ICE facilities from April to August was still 13 times higher than the general population .
In Adelanto , ICE has recorded 257 cases since the start of the pandemic , and currently has 15 active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in custody .
Nationwide , ICE says eight detainees have died in custody from COVID .

ICE delivered a pointed I-told-you-so Tuesday to a federal judge who freed more than 250 undocumented immigrants from detention because of the coronavirus, revealing that in less than two months, at least six of them already stand accused of more crimes.
One is accused of battery, while another was arrested on drunken-driving charges. Still another was arrested on an outstanding child sex-abuse warrant.
Others cut off their ankle bracelets and have disappeared, greatly reducing the chances of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recapturing them once the pandemic is over and they can be processed and deported.
“We were firm in our warning that these releases would impact public safety, and unfortunately, it did not take long for some of these criminal aliens to reoffend,” said acting ICE chief Tony H. Pham. “This proves that many of these aliens are recidivist offenders who should not have been released in the first place.”
ICE said in October that it had to release the migrants from its Adelanto facility in California after Judge Terry J. Hatter, a President Carter appointee, ruled that the facility was too packed for safety.
The facility, which can hold nearly 2,000 people usually, had fewer than 800 people, all of them considered must-detain cases by ICE. But Judge Hatter ordered 50 releases a day until the number was cut to 475 people or fewer.
ICE said it warned the judge about the records of those he was forcing to be released in late October.
In the weeks since, one 50-year-old man from India was arrested by the Ventura Police Department over an outstanding warrant for lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under age 14.
A 56-year-old Mexican was arrested by Newport Beach Police and accused of disorderly conduct under the influence of drugs, and for contempt of court. A 34-year-old Mexican was arrested in El Segundo on suspicion of burglary, grand theft, and having a loaded gun and drug paraphernalia.
In releasing people, ICE demanded they be fitted with GPS bracelets to monitor their whereabouts, required them to provide accurate addresses, and set check-ins.
But Mr. Pham said some have cut the bracelets, and others have disappeared from the locations they said they’d be, or missed check-ins.
The pandemic has forced population cuts at prisons, jails and detention facilities across the country.
ICE cut its numbers by nearly 50% in the early months — sometimes under court order.
But a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association in October concluded that infection rates in ICE facilities from April to August was still 13 times higher than the general population.
In Adelanto, ICE has recorded 257 cases since the start of the pandemic, and currently has 15 active cases. Adelanto reports no COVID-related deaths in custody. Nationwide, ICE says eight detainees have died in custody from COVID.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer rip Trump relief plan, back bipartisan talks

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said the latest coronavirus relief proposal from the Trump administration shows progress , but hold out for the ongoing bipartisan package .
“ While it is progress that Leader McConnell has signed off on a $ 916 billion offer that is based off of the bipartisan framework , the President ’ s proposal must not be allowed to obstruct the bipartisan Congressional talks that are underway , ” they wrote in a statement .
“ The bipartisan talks are the best hope for a bipartisan solution .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unemployment insurance proposal being discussed by bipartisan Members of the House and Senate from $ 180 billion to $ 40 billion .
That is unacceptable , ” they continued .
Treasury Secretary Stephen T. Mnuchin offered the proposal to Mrs. Pelosi , California Democrat , Tuesday evening .
It would cover state and local government funding , “ robust ” liability protections for businesses and schools , and loans for small businesses .
It would also give a $ 600 direct payment to individuals .
Mr. Mnuchin also ran the proposal by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy .
Lawmakers are still working on transforming a $ 908 billion framework into legislation , and trying to work out a deal on both liability protections and funds for state and local governments .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said the latest coronavirus relief proposal from the Trump administration shows progress, but hold out for the ongoing bipartisan package.
“While it is progress that Leader McConnell has signed off on a $916 billion offer that is based off of the bipartisan framework, the President’s proposal must not be allowed to obstruct the bipartisan Congressional talks that are underway,” they wrote in a statement. “The bipartisan talks are the best hope for a bipartisan solution.
“The President’s proposal starts by cutting the unemployment insurance proposal being discussed by bipartisan Members of the House and Senate from $180 billion to $40 billion. That is unacceptable,” they continued.
Treasury Secretary Stephen T. Mnuchin offered the proposal to Mrs. Pelosi, California Democrat, Tuesday evening. It would cover state and local government funding, “robust” liability protections for businesses and schools, and loans for small businesses. It would also give a $600 direct payment to individuals.
Mr. Mnuchin also ran the proposal by Senate Majority Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
Lawmakers are still working on transforming a $908 billion framework into legislation, and trying to work out a deal on both liability protections and funds for state and local governments.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Texas reports more than 15,000 new daily COVID-19 cases

DALLAS ( AP ) - Texas on Tuesday reported more than 15,000 newly confirmed daily cases of the coronavirus amid spikes in cases and hospitalization as winter approaches .
The Texas Department of State Health Services also said 9,028 people were hospitalized across the state .
Last week marked the first time Texas surpassed a daily count of 9,000 hospitalizations since a deadly summer outbreak .
During the summer outbreak , the state saw the numbers of new daily cases go just past 10,000 for the first time .
Since late November , the new daily cases have soared past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases reported Tuesday , according to state health officials .
The true number of infections in Texas is likely higher because many haven ’ t been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say Texas has had more than 23,000 COVID-19 related deaths so far , the second highest in the U.S. Over the last two weeks , the rolling average number of daily new cases has increased by 17 % , according to Johns Hopkins .
The university says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas tested positive in the past week .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .
The vast majority of people recover .

DALLAS (AP) - Texas on Tuesday reported more than 15,000 newly confirmed daily cases of the coronavirus amid spikes in cases and hospitalization as winter approaches.
The Texas Department of State Health Services also said 9,028 people were hospitalized across the state. Last week marked the first time Texas surpassed a daily count of 9,000 hospitalizations since a deadly summer outbreak.
During the summer outbreak, the state saw the numbers of new daily cases go just past 10,000 for the first time. Since late November, the new daily cases have soared past 10,000 on several days, with 15,103 new cases reported Tuesday, according to state health officials.
The true number of infections in Texas is likely higher because many haven’t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say Texas has had more than 23,000 COVID-19 related deaths so far, the second highest in the U.S.
Over the last two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases has increased by 17%, according to Johns Hopkins. The university says that one in every 309 people in Texas tested positive in the past week.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--UN urges Iran to address nuclear, ballistic missile concerns

UNITED NATIONS ( AP ) - Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging Iran to address concerns raised about its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and return to “ full implementation ” of its 2015 nuclear deal with major powers .
The U.N. chief expressed regret in a report to the Security Council obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press that the Trump administration withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions against Tehran , and at Iran ’ s 2019 decision to violate limits in the deal including on centrifuges and enriching uranium .
Guterres said in the report on implementation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear agreement that for the last five years the nuclear deal “ has been largely viewed by the international community as a testament to the efficacy of multilateralism , diplomacy and dialogue , and a success in nuclear nonproliferation.
” But President Donald Trump has waged war on the nuclear agreement , denouncing it during the 2016 campaign as the worst deal ever negotiated , and he has kept up opposition in the years since the U.S. pullout in 2018 .
The Trump administration maintains the agreement - the Joint Comprehensive Plan of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because certain restrictions on Iran ’ s nuclear activity gradually expire and will allow the country to eventually develop atomic weapons .
In August , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo formally notified the U.N. that it was invoking a provision of the 2015 deal to restore U.N. sanctions , citing significant Iranian violations and declaring : “ The United States will never allow the world ’ s largest state sponsor of terrorism to freely buy and sell planes , tanks , missiles and other kinds of conventional weapons … ( or ) to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining parties to the JCPOA — Russia , China , Britain , France and Germany — as well as the overwhelming majority of the Security Council called the U.S. action illegal because the U.S. had withdrawn from the treaty .
The council and the secretary-general both said there would be no action on the U.S. demands — which meant there would be no U.N. demand for countries to re-impose U.N. sanctions on Iran .
Nonetheless , concerns by the U.S. as well as the European parties to the JCPOA have increased , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s limits .
Iran has openly announced all its violations of the nuclear deal in advance and said they are reversible .
The deal promised Iran economic incentives in exchange for the curbs on its nuclear program .
Since the U.S. withdrawal and its imposition of new sanctions , Tehran has tried to put pressure on the remaining parties using the violations to come up with new ways to offset the economy-crippling actions by Washington .
Secretary-General Guterres recounted the U.S. actions and Security Council response in the report and stressed again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trade and economic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran , especially during the current economic and health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
” As for implementation of the 2015 Security Council resolution endorsing the JCPOA , the secretary-general said he focused on restrictions on nuclear , ballistic missile , and arms-related transfers to or from Iran .
He said Israel provided information about the presence of four alleged Iranian Dehlavieh anti-tank guided missiles in Libya in June .
On the basis of photographic evidence , he said , one missile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dehlavieh ” but the U.N. Secretariat has been unable to determine if it had been transferred to Libya in violation of the resolution .
On Australia ’ s June 2019 arms seizure , Guterres said analysis of high-definition images of some material determined that “ the 7.62 mm ammunition in this seizure were not of Iranian manufacture.
” The secretary-general said the U.N. received information that an unnamed “ entity ” on the sanctions blacklist took actions “ inconsistent ” with its frozen assets and actions to ship “ valves , electronics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground testing of liquid propellant ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles ” to Iran .
He said the U.N. Secretariat is seeking further information .
The Security Council is scheduled to discuss the report on Dec. 22 .

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging Iran to address concerns raised about its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and return to “full implementation” of its 2015 nuclear deal with major powers.
The U.N. chief expressed regret in a report to the Security Council obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press that the Trump administration withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions against Tehran, and at Iran’s 2019 decision to violate limits in the deal including on centrifuges and enriching uranium.
Guterres said in the report on implementation of a council resolution endorsing the 2015 nuclear agreement that for the last five years the nuclear deal “has been largely viewed by the international community as a testament to the efficacy of multilateralism, diplomacy and dialogue, and a success in nuclear nonproliferation.”
But President Donald Trump has waged war on the nuclear agreement, denouncing it during the 2016 campaign as the worst deal ever negotiated, and he has kept up opposition in the years since the U.S. pullout in 2018.
The Trump administration maintains the agreement - the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA - is fatally flawed because certain restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activity gradually expire and will allow the country to eventually develop atomic weapons. In August, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo formally notified the U.N. that it was invoking a provision of the 2015 deal to restore U.N. sanctions, citing significant Iranian violations and declaring: “The United States will never allow the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism to freely buy and sell planes, tanks, missiles and other kinds of conventional weapons … (or) to have a nuclear weapon.”
But the remaining parties to the JCPOA — Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany — as well as the overwhelming majority of the Security Council called the U.S. action illegal because the U.S. had withdrawn from the treaty. The council and the secretary-general both said there would be no action on the U.S. demands — which meant there would be no U.N. demand for countries to re-impose U.N. sanctions on Iran.
Nonetheless, concerns by the U.S. as well as the European parties to the JCPOA have increased, especially with Iran continuing to violate the deal’s limits. Iran has openly announced all its violations of the nuclear deal in advance and said they are reversible.
The deal promised Iran economic incentives in exchange for the curbs on its nuclear program. Since the U.S. withdrawal and its imposition of new sanctions, Tehran has tried to put pressure on the remaining parties using the violations to come up with new ways to offset the economy-crippling actions by Washington.
Secretary-General Guterres recounted the U.S. actions and Security Council response in the report and stressed again “the importance of initiatives in support of trade and economic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially during the current economic and health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
As for implementation of the 2015 Security Council resolution endorsing the JCPOA, the secretary-general said he focused on restrictions on nuclear, ballistic missile, and arms-related transfers to or from Iran.
He said Israel provided information about the presence of four alleged Iranian Dehlavieh anti-tank guided missiles in Libya in June. On the basis of photographic evidence, he said, one missile “had characteristics consistent with the Iranian-produced Dehlavieh” but the U.N. Secretariat has been unable to determine if it had been transferred to Libya in violation of the resolution.
On Australia’s June 2019 arms seizure, Guterres said analysis of high-definition images of some material determined that “the 7.62 mm ammunition in this seizure were not of Iranian manufacture.”
The secretary-general said the U.N. received information that an unnamed “entity” on the sanctions blacklist took actions “inconsistent” with its frozen assets and actions to ship “valves, electronics, and measuring equipment suitable for use in ground testing of liquid propellant ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles” to Iran. He said the U.N. Secretariat is seeking further information.
The Security Council is scheduled to discuss the report on Dec. 22.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--ICE cancels 'Tools of Tolerance' training to meet Trump's ban on 'anti-American' programs

Enter the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles , and you ’ re confronted with two doors : one green and labeled “ unprejudiced ” and the other red and labeled “ prejudiced.
” Those who try the green door find they can ’ t open it and are directed to “ think ” and then go back and use the red door — a way of telling them they have an inherent prejudice .
For the past four years , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been paying tens of thousands of dollars a year to send executives for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the museum .
That ’ s about to end , The Washington Times has learned .
The agency told employees that the Tolerance Museum training is one of two programs it ’ s axing to comply with President Trump ’ s September executive order instructing the government to examine its training programs and get rid of any that promote “ divisive concepts ” such as inherent racism in all people of a certain race .
The other program is an implicit bias training program for Homeland Security Investigations , ICE ’ s investigative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football jerseys , violent street gangs and other issues .
“ Pursuant to the executive order on combating race and sex stereotyping , ICE reviewed all employee training programs relating to diversity or inclusion to ensure that the agency ’ s efforts encourage employees not to judge each other by their color , race , ethnicity , sex or any other characteristic protected by federal law .
Upon review , ICE has determined that two course offerings will no longer be available , ” the agency said in an internal newsletter , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t respond substantively to inquiries about the decision , but the agency said in the newsletter that it still valued anti-stereotype training and “ funding that would have been used for these training courses will be reinvested in other professional development opportunities for employees.
” An official of the Homeland Security Department told The Times that the Tolerance Museum training was exactly the sort of thing the executive order was trying to weed out of agencies .
The official said one part of the ICE training program at the museum involved a Nazi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The message is , ‘ You guys are a step away from being Nazis , ’ ” the official said .
The Simon Wiesenthal Center , which runs the Tolerance Museum , said it has not received any notification from ICE about canceling the program .
But it provided testimonials from ICE employees who have been through the program and said it was worthwhile .
One called it “ motivating and introspective , ” and another called it “ the best leadership course I have ever attended.
” Still another said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exhibits “ tied it all together.
” Dubbed “ tools of tolerance , ” the program has been used by tens of thousands of law enforcement officers over the years , though ICE said in 2016 that it was the first federal agency to use it and had spent more than a year tailoring the program to ICE ’ s needs .
The three-day course in Beverly Hills used the museum ’ s focus on the Holocaust and comparisons to racial strife in the U.S. , such as the Civil Rights movement and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help ICE executives “ recognize their own inherent cultural biases , ” according to ICE .
Then-Director Sarah Saldana said the goal was to “ transform the way ” the agency ’ s leaders see their workplace .
The museum at the time said it was “ inspiring ” to work with ICE .
That drew outrage from immigrant rights activists , who said it was shocking that a Jewish organization that sprang from Holocaust survivors would praise ICE .
The Homeland Security source said Ms. Saldana signed off on the relationship after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Los Angeles field office , in which disparaging language was reportedly written on someone else ’ s property .
But the source said the incident was later determined to be a hoax .
The racial justice training remained , however , until Mr. Trump ’ s executive order sparked a rethink .
Irked by the aftermath of racial justice riots this summer , the president on Sept. 22 said the government shouldn ’ t be supporting programs that view the U.S. as “ irredeemably racist and sexist.
” “ Such ideas may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have no place in programs and activities supported by federal taxpayer dollars , ” Mr. Trump said in his order .
He ordered agencies to stop paying for programs that “ promote race or sex stereotyping or scapegoating.
” Agencies are already changing their contract language to comply , the National Law Review reported Monday .
Mr. Trump ’ s order also faces legal hurdles , with civil rights groups suing to block it .
A federal judge in California will hold a hearing Thursday on a request to issue a preliminary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President-elect Joseph R. Biden to reverse the executive order .
Whether agencies would restore canceled programs is unclear .
ICE canceled the Tolerance Museum and HSI implicit bias programs on its own , but , like other agencies , it has sent a list of other potentially questionable training programs to the White House for review .
Another ICE program took place at the U.S .
Holocaust Memorial Museum in downtown Washington , just a couple of blocks away from ICE ’ s headquarters .
Titled “ Law Enforcement and Society : Lessons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course involved seminars about behavior and how the Nazis rose to power “ unchallenged.
” At one point , participants were shown photos of Nazi SS troops , the Homeland Security official said .
The message there , too , was “ ICE is a step away from being a Nazi police force , ” the official said .
The Anti-Defamation League was a partner with the Holocaust Museum in developing the program , but it says it cut ties with ICE because of Mr. Trump .
“ As we became increasingly concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the now-outgoing administration , we ceased providing this program to their officials , ” the Anti-Defamation League said in a statement to The Times .
“ We remain open to revisiting this partnership in the future if our concerns with the agency are addressed .
”

Enter the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, and you’re confronted with two doors: one green and labeled “unprejudiced” and the other red and labeled “prejudiced.”
Those who try the green door find they can’t open it and are directed to “think” and then go back and use the red door — a way of telling them they have an inherent prejudice.
For the past four years, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been paying tens of thousands of dollars a year to send executives for a special racial justice training program at the museum.
That’s about to end, The Washington Times has learned.
The agency told employees that the Tolerance Museum training is one of two programs it’s axing to comply with President Trump’s September executive order instructing the government to examine its training programs and get rid of any that promote “divisive concepts” such as inherent racism in all people of a certain race.
The other program is an implicit bias training program for Homeland Security Investigations, ICE’s investigative force that probes child pornography, counterfeit football jerseys, violent street gangs and other issues.
“Pursuant to the executive order on combating race and sex stereotyping, ICE reviewed all employee training programs relating to diversity or inclusion to ensure that the agency’s efforts encourage employees not to judge each other by their color, race, ethnicity, sex or any other characteristic protected by federal law. Upon review, ICE has determined that two course offerings will no longer be available,” the agency said in an internal newsletter, which The Times reviewed.
ICE didn’t respond substantively to inquiries about the decision, but the agency said in the newsletter that it still valued anti-stereotype training and “funding that would have been used for these training courses will be reinvested in other professional development opportunities for employees.”
An official of the Homeland Security Department told The Times that the Tolerance Museum training was exactly the sort of thing the executive order was trying to weed out of agencies.
The official said one part of the ICE training program at the museum involved a Nazi uniform as a spur for conversation.
“The message is, ‘You guys are a step away from being Nazis,’” the official said.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center, which runs the Tolerance Museum, said it has not received any notification from ICE about canceling the program.
But it provided testimonials from ICE employees who have been through the program and said it was worthwhile.
One called it “motivating and introspective,” and another called it “the best leadership course I have ever attended.” Still another said the tie between the training and the museum exhibits “tied it all together.”
Dubbed “tools of tolerance,” the program has been used by tens of thousands of law enforcement officers over the years, though ICE said in 2016 that it was the first federal agency to use it and had spent more than a year tailoring the program to ICE’s needs.
The three-day course in Beverly Hills used the museum’s focus on the Holocaust and comparisons to racial strife in the U.S., such as the Civil Rights movement and the 1992 Los Angeles riots, to help ICE executives “recognize their own inherent cultural biases,” according to ICE.
Then-Director Sarah Saldana said the goal was to “transform the way” the agency’s leaders see their workplace.
The museum at the time said it was “inspiring” to work with ICE. That drew outrage from immigrant rights activists, who said it was shocking that a Jewish organization that sprang from Holocaust survivors would praise ICE.
The Homeland Security source said Ms. Saldana signed off on the relationship after a reported race crime in ICE’s Los Angeles field office, in which disparaging language was reportedly written on someone else’s property.
But the source said the incident was later determined to be a hoax.
The racial justice training remained, however, until Mr. Trump’s executive order sparked a rethink.
Irked by the aftermath of racial justice riots this summer, the president on Sept. 22 said the government shouldn’t be supporting programs that view the U.S. as “irredeemably racist and sexist.”
“Such ideas may be fashionable in the academy, but they have no place in programs and activities supported by federal taxpayer dollars,” Mr. Trump said in his order.
He ordered agencies to stop paying for programs that “promote race or sex stereotyping or scapegoating.”
Agencies are already changing their contract language to comply, the National Law Review reported Monday.
Mr. Trump’s order also faces legal hurdles, with civil rights groups suing to block it. A federal judge in California will hold a hearing Thursday on a request to issue a preliminary injunction.
Some analysts also expect presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden to reverse the executive order. Whether agencies would restore canceled programs is unclear.
ICE canceled the Tolerance Museum and HSI implicit bias programs on its own, but, like other agencies, it has sent a list of other potentially questionable training programs to the White House for review.
Another ICE program took place at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in downtown Washington, just a couple of blocks away from ICE’s headquarters. Titled “Law Enforcement and Society: Lessons of the Holocaust,” the daylong course involved seminars about behavior and how the Nazis rose to power “unchallenged.”
At one point, participants were shown photos of Nazi SS troops, the Homeland Security official said. The message there, too, was “ICE is a step away from being a Nazi police force,” the official said.
The Anti-Defamation League was a partner with the Holocaust Museum in developing the program, but it says it cut ties with ICE because of Mr. Trump.
“As we became increasingly concerned with the policies and practices of ICE under the now-outgoing administration, we ceased providing this program to their officials,” the Anti-Defamation League said in a statement to The Times. “We remain open to revisiting this partnership in the future if our concerns with the agency are addressed.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Rhonda Lee Nelson, Nikki Haley sister-in-law, dies from coronavirus

COLUMBIA , S.C. — Former U.N .
Ambassador Nikki Haley says her sister-in-law has died after contracting the coronavirus .
Haley tweeted Tuesday evening that Rhonda Lee Nelson , sister of her husband Michael , “ passed the day before Thanksgiving of Covid.
” According to an online obituary , Nelson , 53 , lived in West Milton , Ohio , and died Nov. 25 .
She was remembered as a singer and piano musician who “ ministered to many inside and outside of the church.
” According to Nelson ‘ s obituary , Tuesday ’ s memorial service was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian Church in Potsdam , Ohio .
Haley — the governor of South Carolina in late 2016 when President Donald Trump selected her as ambassador to the United Nations - provided no further details on Nelson ‘ s death , which came as coronavirus numbers rise across the country and in states including Ohio .
According to an Associated Press analysis of data provided by The COVID Tracking Project , the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Ohio has risen over the past two weeks from 7,618 on Nov. 22 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every 193 people in Ohio tested positive for the virus in the past week .
Nelson ‘ s obituary thanked her wide support network of family and friends “ who have all showed their love for her through the years and even greater through her last days.
” In her tweet , Haley said her sister-in-law “ loved God , her family & all who knew her .
She will be missed .
”

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley says her sister-in-law has died after contracting the coronavirus.
Haley tweeted Tuesday evening that Rhonda Lee Nelson, sister of her husband Michael, “passed the day before Thanksgiving of Covid.”
According to an online obituary, Nelson, 53, lived in West Milton, Ohio, and died Nov. 25. She was remembered as a singer and piano musician who “ministered to many inside and outside of the church.”
According to Nelson’s obituary, Tuesday’s memorial service was held at the Shepherd’s Field Christian Church in Potsdam, Ohio.
Haley — the governor of South Carolina in late 2016 when President Donald Trump selected her as ambassador to the United Nations - provided no further details on Nelson’s death, which came as coronavirus numbers rise across the country and in states including Ohio. According to an Associated Press analysis of data provided by The COVID Tracking Project, the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Ohio has risen over the past two weeks from 7,618 on Nov. 22 to 8,656 on Dec. 6.
One in every 193 people in Ohio tested positive for the virus in the past week.
Nelson’s obituary thanked her wide support network of family and friends “who have all showed their love for her through the years and even greater through her last days.” In her tweet, Haley said her sister-in-law “loved God, her family & all who knew her. She will be missed.”