washingtontimes--2020-10-25--AP source: Arizona accused of 5 Level I violations by NCAA

Arizona was accused of nine counts of misconduct , including five Level I violations , in a Notice of Allegations sent by the NCAA last week , a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press .
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the violations have not been publicly released .
The Athletic first reported the violations Sunday , citing a letter sent to the NCAA by Arizona ’ s outside counsel , Paul Kelly .
Kelly also requested the school ’ s case be referred to the new Independent Accountability Resolution Process .
The violations include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to monitor by the university , and lack of head coach control by basketball coach Sean Miller .
Women ’ s swimming and diving coach Augie Busch also was accused of lack of head coach control .
Arizona had been in the NCAA ’ s crosshairs since 2017 , when assistant coach Emanuel Richardson was among 10 people arrested as part of a federal corruption investigation into college basketball .
Richardson was fired by the university and later pleaded guilty to accepting $ 20,000 in bribes from aspiring business manager Christian Dawkins .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence in 2019 .
Miller faced allegations in two federal trials following the FBI investigation and was asked about the school receiving notice during a media availability last week .
“ I ’ m not going to comment on anything that is around any investigation .
That ’ s what I ’ m called to do as a member of our athletic departments , so I ’ m unable to comment , ” he said on Thursday .
Miller sat out a game in 2018 after ESPN reported he was heard on an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to future No .
1 overall NBA pick Deandre Ayton .
Miller vehemently denied the report and university President Robert C. Robbins announced a few days later that Miller would remain the Wildcats ’ coach .
Oklahoma State was the first school to be punished by the NCAA in the wake of the federal probe .
In early June , the Cowboys were banned from the 2021 postseason and received numerous other penalties after the NCAA infractions committee found former Oklahoma State assistant coach Lamont Evans accepted up to $ 22,000 in bribes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The NCAA issued charges against Kansas last September .
That case , involving five Level I violations , was accepted in July into the new Independent Accountability Resolution Process .
Cases involving North Carolina State and LSU have also been recommended to the IARP .
Louisville responded to NCAA allegations last month and Southern California , TCU and South Carolina have been charged with violations stemming from the FBI investigation .
Alabama , LSU , Creighton and Auburn also were connected to the probe .
Arizona had one of its lowest-rated recruiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years .
Arizona rebounded last season with another top-10 recruiting class and was in position to return to the NCAA Tournament before the season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Arizona ’ s 2020 recruiting class is No .
5 in the 247 Sports composite .

Arizona was accused of nine counts of misconduct, including five Level I violations, in a Notice of Allegations sent by the NCAA last week, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the violations have not been publicly released.
The Athletic first reported the violations Sunday, citing a letter sent to the NCAA by Arizona’s outside counsel, Paul Kelly. Kelly also requested the school’s case be referred to the new Independent Accountability Resolution Process.
The violations include a lack of institutional control and failure to monitor by the university, and lack of head coach control by basketball coach Sean Miller.
Women’s swimming and diving coach Augie Busch also was accused of lack of head coach control.
Arizona had been in the NCAA’s crosshairs since 2017, when assistant coach Emanuel Richardson was among 10 people arrested as part of a federal corruption investigation into college basketball.
Richardson was fired by the university and later pleaded guilty to accepting $20,000 in bribes from aspiring business manager Christian Dawkins. He was sentenced to a three-month prison sentence in 2019.
Miller faced allegations in two federal trials following the FBI investigation and was asked about the school receiving notice during a media availability last week.
“I’m not going to comment on anything that is around any investigation. That’s what I’m called to do as a member of our athletic departments, so I’m unable to comment,” he said on Thursday.
Miller sat out a game in 2018 after ESPN reported he was heard on an FBI wiretap discussing a $100,000 payment to future No. 1 overall NBA pick Deandre Ayton. Miller vehemently denied the report and university President Robert C. Robbins announced a few days later that Miller would remain the Wildcats’ coach.
Oklahoma State was the first school to be punished by the NCAA in the wake of the federal probe. In early June, the Cowboys were banned from the 2021 postseason and received numerous other penalties after the NCAA infractions committee found former Oklahoma State assistant coach Lamont Evans accepted up to $22,000 in bribes to steer athletes to certain financial advisers.
The NCAA issued charges against Kansas last September. That case, involving five Level I violations, was accepted in July into the new Independent Accountability Resolution Process. Cases involving North Carolina State and LSU have also been recommended to the IARP.
Louisville responded to NCAA allegations last month and Southern California, TCU and South Carolina have been charged with violations stemming from the FBI investigation.
Alabama, LSU, Creighton and Auburn also were connected to the probe.
Arizona had one of its lowest-rated recruiting classes in 2018 and the Wildcats went on to miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years. Arizona rebounded last season with another top-10 recruiting class and was in position to return to the NCAA Tournament before the season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Arizona’s 2020 recruiting class is No. 5 in the 247 Sports composite.
___
More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Jews For Trump car parade stirs protests, fights in New York

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Skirmishes broke out between supporters and opponents of President Donald Trump as a Jews For Trump convoy of hundreds of cars draped with American flags and Trump 2020 banners rolled slowly through Manhattan and Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon .
The caravan traveled from Coney Island to the Trump Tower in Manhattan before heading to a rally in a Brooklyn park .
Videos shared on Twitter showed several protesters pelting the vehicles with eggs or stones , snatching flags and shouting insults .
In one video showing physical fights between several people , police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ let him go.
” Another video showed a small group of people throwing objects from a Brooklyn highway overpass at vehicles bedecked with Trump flags .
Trump ’ s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani briefly greeted supporters from the passenger seat of a car driving near Trump Tower during the parade , videos show .
New York City police said seven people were taken into custody in connection with physical confrontations in Times Square .
Charges were pending Sunday night .
According to the Jews For Trump website , Sunday ’ s rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beleaguered Red Zone community , ” a reference to the coronavirus hot spots designated by New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo as areas where schools and nonessential businesses must close to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
The rally follows weeks of tensions in Brooklyn ’ s Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods over the coronavirus restrictions .
Heshy Tischler , a City Council candidate and leader of Brooklyn protests against the restrictions , promoted Sunday ’ s car parade on Twitter .
Boris Epshteyn , an adviser to the Trump campaign and co-chair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday ’ s rally in Brooklyn ’ s Marine Park at the end of the car parade .

NEW YORK (AP) - Skirmishes broke out between supporters and opponents of President Donald Trump as a “Jews For Trump” convoy of hundreds of cars draped with American flags and Trump 2020 banners rolled slowly through Manhattan and Brooklyn over the weekend.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, called Monday on the Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden, to denounce attacks on the president’s Jewish supporters.
“I really hope that Joe Biden, his campaign, will come out and condemn these anti-Semitic actions that were taken against Trump supporters and be respectful again,” Kushner, who is Jewish, said on “Fox & Friends.”
There was no immediate response from the Biden campaign.
The caravan traveled from Coney Island to the Trump Tower in Manhattan on Sunday before heading to a rally in a Brooklyn park. Videos shared on Twitter showed several protesters pelting the vehicles with eggs or stones, snatching flags, and shouting insults.
In one video showing physical fights between several people, police officers detain an unidentified man and protesters chant “let him go.” Another video showed a small group of people throwing objects from a Brooklyn highway overpass at vehicles bedecked with Trump flags.
Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani briefly greeted supporters from the passenger seat of a car driving near Trump Tower during the parade, videos show.
New York City police said seven people were taken into custody in connection with physical confrontations in Times Square.
According to the Jews For Trump website, Sunday’s rally was intended to show solidarity with “the beleaguered Red Zone community,” a reference to the coronavirus hot spots designated by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, as areas where schools and nonessential businesses must close to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The rally follows weeks of tensions in Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods over the coronavirus restrictions. Heshy Tischler, a City Council candidate and leader of Brooklyn protests against the restrictions, promoted Sunday’s car parade on Twitter.
Boris Epshteyn, an adviser to the Trump campaign and co-chair of Jewish Voices for Trump, organized Sunday’s rally in Brooklyn’s Marine Park at the end of the car parade.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Servicewomen killed in Alabama plane crash identified

FOLEY , Ala. ( AP ) - Authorities have identified the two service members who were killed when their plane crashed in a residential Alabama neighborhood .
U.S. Coast Guard Ensign Morgan Garrett , 24 , and U.S. Navy Lt. Rhiannon Ross , 30 , were on a routine training flight Friday out of Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton , Florida , when their plane crashed in Foley , Alabama , news outlets reported .
The T-6B Texan II aircraft crashed around 5 p.m. Friday .
No one was injured on the ground .
The crash happened near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were still on campus during an after-school program .
Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler said the crash was “ a little too close for comfort.
” Garrett , of Waxhaw , North Carolina , was a student aviator for the Coast Guard .
She was identified by Rear Adm. William Kelly , superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy .
Kelly said Garrett graduated from the academy in New London , Connecticut , in May 2019 , and majored in marine and environmental sciences .
She was a regimental activities officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a middle-distance runner in track and field .
Ross , of Wixom , Michigan , was identified by the Navy .
She was a member of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor ’ s Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps .
Ross served three years with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 out of Norfolk , Virginia , before joining the Florida based Training Squadron Two in 2018 .

FOLEY, Ala. (AP) - Authorities have identified the two service members who were killed when their plane crashed in a residential Alabama neighborhood.
U.S. Coast Guard Ensign Morgan Garrett, 24, and U.S. Navy Lt. Rhiannon Ross, 30, were on a routine training flight Friday out of Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida, when their plane crashed in Foley, Alabama, news outlets reported.
The T-6B Texan II aircraft crashed around 5 p.m. Friday. No one was injured on the ground.
The crash happened near a Baldwin County public school when students were still on campus during an after-school program. Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler said the crash was “a little too close for comfort.”
Garrett, of Waxhaw, North Carolina, was a student aviator for the Coast Guard. She was identified by Rear Adm. William Kelly, superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Kelly said Garrett graduated from the academy in New London, Connecticut, in May 2019, and majored in marine and environmental sciences. She was a regimental activities officer at the academy, and competed as a middle-distance runner in track and field.
Ross, of Wixom, Michigan, was identified by the Navy. She was a member of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor’s Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps. Ross served three years with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 out of Norfolk, Virginia, before joining the Florida based Training Squadron Two in 2018.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--AP FACT CHECK: Trump and his oh-so-familiar falsehoods

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - President Donald Trump says Mexico is paying for the wall ( it isn ’ t ) , health care choice for veterans came from him ( it didn ’ t ) and his tax cut stands as the biggest in American history ( nowhere close ) .
These are among his touchstones - the falsehoods that span his presidency - and he ’ s giving them another go in the final days of his relentless campaigning .
He ’ s got fresher false material , too , claiming “ incredible ” numbers in the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a statement from his chief of staff Sunday that the government can not bring the coronavirus under control .
He warned darkly of voting fraud in the Nov. 3 election without offering evidence that malfeasance is in play .
In weekend rallies , Trump also portrayed Democratic rival Joe Biden as the helmsman of a Marxist party who lined his own pockets with $ 3.5 million via Moscow .
This didn ’ t happen .
A look at rhetoric from the weekend : TRUMP : “ Even without vaccines , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to be over.
” - on C-SPAN , Sunday .
TRUMP : “ We ’ re rounding the turn .
It ’ s going to be over.
” - New Hampshire rally Sunday .
TRUMP : “ We ’ re rounding the turn , we ’ re doing great .
Our numbers are incredible.
” - North Carolina rally Saturday .
THE FACTS : The numbers have turned harrowing , not “ incredible.
” The U.S. set a daily record Friday for new confirmed coronavirus infections and nearly matched it Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins University show .
Close to 8.6 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus since the pandemic began , and about 225,000 have died ; both totals are the world ’ s highest .
About half the states have seen their highest daily infection numbers so far at some point in October .
“ We ’ re not going to control the pandemic , ” Mark Meadows , Trump ’ s chief of staff , said on CNN .
“ We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines , therapeutics and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share his boss ’ view that the pandemic is turning a corner or that it will , absent a vaccine .
TRUMP on how long he may be immune to reinfection from the coronavirus : “ With me it was for four months .
If it was anybody else they ’ d say for life.
” - Ohio rally .
TRUMP : “ Now it used to be that if you had it , you were immune for life , right ?
For life .
With me , they say I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , once I got it , the immunity went down from life to four months .
I don ’ t know .
They don ’ t know either.
” - North Carolina .
THE FACTS : The only truth in these statements is that “ they don ’ t know.
” Trump is suggesting here that experts are saying he is only immune from reinfection for four months because they don ’ t like him .
But the science of immunity is not about him and the uncertainty is not a conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have final answers on how long or well people who had COVID-19 are protected from it again .
While there ’ s evidence that reinfection in unlikely for at least three months even for those with a mild case of COVID-19 , very few diseases leave people completely immune for life .
Antibodies are only one piece of the body ’ s defenses , and they naturally wane over time .
TRUMP : “ And by the way , Mexico is paying for the wall.
” - New Hampshire rally .
TRUMP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for it .
Totally.
” - North Carolina rally .
TRUMP : “ We got it financed .
Mexico will be paying for it because we ’ re going to charge a fee.
” THE FACTS : The U.S. is paying for it .
Mexico isn ’ t .
The Mexican government flatly refused to contribute to extending or reinforcing barriers on U.S. soil - “ Not now , not ever , ” Enrique Peña Nieto , then Mexico ’ s president , tweeted in May 2018 .
Since the start , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it appear that he was keeping his promise to make Mexico pay for the project at the core of his 2016 campaign .
But the money is coming from today ’ s U.S. taxpayers and the future ones who will inherit the federal debt .
TRUMP : “ The last administration failed our veterans .
I reformed the VA , passed VA Choice.
” - North Carolina rally .
THE FACTS : He did not get the Choice program passed .
President Barack Obama did .
Trump expanded it .
The program allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Veterans Affairs system under certain conditions .
TRUMP on Biden when he was vice president : “ So Russia , the mayor of Moscow ’ s wife , who ’ s a very wealthy man , she ’ s a very wealthy woman , retired , gave him three and a half million dollars.
” - North Carolina rally .
THE FACTS : No she didn ’ t .
A Republican congressional report that investigated the Moscow business dealings of Biden ’ s son , Hunter , pointed to a $ 3.5 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linked to Hunter Biden .
The money didn ’ t go to Joe Biden at all .
Nor is there evidence that Hunter Biden pocketed the sum .
The GOP report said the money went to the investment firm .
And Hunter Biden ’ s lawyer has said in a statement that his client had no interest in that firm .
TRUMP : “ I banned people from China , where it was heavily infected , from coming into a country .
Biden was totally against that .
He called me xenophobic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we should have done it sooner .
Well he didn ’ t want to do it at all.
” - North Carolina rally .
THE FACTS : That ’ s false .
Trump never banned travel from China ; he restricted it .
Biden did not call the travel restrictions xenophobic ; he used the term in regard to Trump ’ s other rhetoric about foreigners .
And he did not oppose the restrictions , but rather took no clear position for many weeks , before supporting them .
TRUMP : “ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential debate Thursday .
THE FACTS : Trump is correct ; Biden said it on tape , telling a Democratic primary debate , “ No new fracking.
” Trump has been playing Biden ’ s remark at his own rallies .
A fracking ban wasn ’ t and still isn ’ t Biden ’ s policy , though .
Biden ’ s campaign corrected his remark after the primary debate .
Biden would ban new oil and gas permits on federal land only ; most oil and gas does not come from those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not ban fracking .
Still , Trump called him out for shaping his stance to suit a more liberal primary audience and argued at his Ohio rally Saturday that Biden in office would be beholden to Democrats who want to ban fossil fuels , people he hyperbolically called “ the communists , the Marxists and the left wing extremists.
” TRUMP : “ In Nevada , they want to have a thing where you don ’ t have to have any verification of the signature.
” — New Hampshire rally .
THE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequent assertions to the contrary .
The state ’ s existing law requires signature checks on mail ballots .
A new law also spells out a process by which election officials are to check a signature against the one in government records .
In Nevada ’ s June primary , nearly 7,000 ballots were thrown out due to mismatched or missing signatures .
TRUMP : “ I say the biggest risk we have are the fake ballots.
” - New Hampshire rally .
TRUMP : “ If we don ’ t know the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - unlike it has always been where you generally find out the election that night or soon - we could be going on forever with this .
It ’ s the craziest thing … and we shouldn ’ t let it happen.
” — New Hampshire rally .
THE FACTS : His statements are overblown .
It ’ s true that many states are expecting a surge in mail-in voting because of the coronavirus pandemic , which may lead to longer times in vote counting .
The U.S. Supreme Court , for instance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots received up to three days after the election .
But there is no evidence to indicate that massive fraud is afoot .
Any delay in declaring a winner of the presidential race after Nov. 3 would not in itself be illegal .
Broadly speaking , voter fraud has proved exceedingly rare .
The Brennan Center for Justice in 2017 ranked the risk of ballot fraud at 0.00004 % to 0.0009 % , based on studies of past elections .
In the five states that regularly send ballots to all voters who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of fraud or difficulty counting the votes .
Even if the election is messy and contested in court , the country will have a president in January - and not have vote counting going on “ forever ” as he asserts - because the Constitution and federal law ensure it .
TRUMP : “ We brought in tremendous numbers of companies … I said to Prime Minister Abe , a great , great gentleman who retired … ’ Shinzo , you got to open some factories in Michigan … You ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you got to make them in the U.S. ’ He ’ d say ’ Well , I don ’ t do that … this is done by the private sector … ’ I said , ‘ You have to do it.
’ The next day , they announced five companies were opening up factories.
” - New Hampshire rally .
No Japanese automaker assembly plants have been announced or built in Michigan , let alone in one day , and there are no plans to add any .
There is one manufacturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Motors and Honda , south of Detroit .
It ’ s the $ 85 million expansion of an existing facility to make hydrogen fuel cells with about 100 new jobs , according to the Center for Automotive Research , an industry think-tank in Ann Arbor , Michigan .
Subaru has a new research center with about 100 new jobs , and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi and Toyota have announced expansions of research facilities .
These are not new “ car plants ” run by Japanese automakers and these initiatives did not all materialize in one day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that crazy Iran deal , right ?
The Iran nuclear deal , where Obama gave them $ 150 billion for the privilege.
” - North Carolina rally .
THE FACTS : No , Obama did not give the Iranians $ 150 billion for signing the multinational deal to constrain their nuclear development .
The deal let Iran have access to $ 150 billion of its own assets that were frozen abroad until Tehran agreed to the terms .
The U.S. made a separate payout to Iran of about $ 1.8 billion .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military equipment that Iran paid for but never received .
TRUMP : “ You know , you got the biggest tax cut in the history of our country .
I got it for you.
” - North Carolina rally .
THE FACTS : His tax cuts are not close to the biggest in U.S. history .
It ’ s a $ 1.5 trillion tax cut over 10 years .
As a share of the total economy , a tax cut of that size ranks 12th , according to the Committee for a Responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 1981 cut is the biggest , followed by the 1945 rollback of taxes that financed World War II .
Post-Reagan tax cuts also stand among the historically significant : President George W. Bush ’ s cuts in the early 2000s and Obama ’ s renewal of them a decade later .
EDITOR ’ S NOTE - A look at the veracity of claims by political figures .

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump says Mexico is paying for the wall (it isn’t), health care choice for veterans came from him (it didn’t) and his tax cut stands as the biggest in American history (nowhere close).
These are among his touchstones - the falsehoods that span his presidency - and he’s giving them another go in the final days of his relentless campaigning.
He’s got fresher false material, too, claiming “incredible” numbers in the pandemic response despite record infections, rising deaths and a statement from his chief of staff Sunday that the government cannot bring the coronavirus under control. He warned darkly of voting fraud in the Nov. 3 election without offering evidence that malfeasance is in play.
In weekend rallies, Trump also portrayed Democratic rival Joe Biden as the helmsman of a Marxist party who lined his own pockets with $3.5 million via Moscow. This didn’t happen.
A look at rhetoric from the weekend:
THE VIRUS
TRUMP: “Even without vaccines, we’re rounding the turn. It’s going to be over.” - on C-SPAN, Sunday.
TRUMP: “We’re rounding the turn. It’s going to be over.” - New Hampshire rally Sunday.
TRUMP: “We’re rounding the turn, we’re doing great. Our numbers are incredible.” - North Carolina rally Saturday.
THE FACTS: The numbers have turned harrowing, not “incredible.”
The U.S. set a daily record Friday for new confirmed coronavirus infections and nearly matched it Saturday with 83,178, data published by Johns Hopkins University show. Close to 8.6 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and about 225,000 have died; both totals are the world’s highest. About half the states have seen their highest daily infection numbers so far at some point in October.
“We’re not going to control the pandemic,” Mark Meadows, Trump’s chief of staff, said on CNN. “We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines, therapeutics and other mitigation areas.” He did not share his boss’ view that the pandemic is turning a corner or that it will, absent a vaccine.
___
TRUMP on how long he may be immune to reinfection from the coronavirus: “With me it was for four months. If it was anybody else they’d say for life.” - Ohio rally.
TRUMP: “Now it used to be that if you had it, you were immune for life, right? For life. With me, they say I’m immune for four months. In other words, once I got it, the immunity went down from life to four months. I don’t know. They don’t know either.” - North Carolina.
THE FACTS: The only truth in these statements is that “they don’t know.”
Trump is suggesting here that experts are saying he is only immune from reinfection for four months because they don’t like him. But the science of immunity is not about him and the uncertainty is not a conspiracy against him. Public-health authorities don’t have final answers on how long or well people who had COVID-19 are protected from it again.
While there’s evidence that reinfection is unlikely for at least three months even for those with a mild case of COVID-19, very few diseases leave people completely immune for life. Antibodies are only one piece of the body’s defenses, and they naturally wane over time.
___
THE WALL
TRUMP: “And by the way, Mexico is paying for the wall.” - New Hampshire rally.
TRUMP: “No, they are paying for it. Totally.” - North Carolina rally.
TRUMP: “We got it financed. Mexico will be paying for it because we’re going to charge a fee.”
THE FACTS: The U.S. is paying for it. Mexico isn’t. The Mexican government flatly refused to contribute to extending or reinforcing barriers on U.S. soil - “Not now, not ever,” Enrique Peña Nieto, then Mexico’s president, tweeted in May 2018.
Since the start, Trump has been fishing for ways to make it appear that he was keeping his promise to make Mexico pay for the project at the core of his 2016 campaign. But the money is coming from today’s U.S. taxpayers and the future ones who will inherit the federal debt.
___
VETERANS
TRUMP: “We passed VA Choice.” - New Hampshire rally.
TRUMP: “The last administration failed our veterans. I reformed the VA, passed VA Choice.” - North Carolina rally.
THE FACTS: He did not get the Choice program passed. President Barack Obama did. Trump expanded it. The program allows veterans to get medical care outside the Veterans Affairs system under certain conditions.
___
THE BIDENS
TRUMP on Biden when he was vice president: “So Russia, the mayor of Moscow’s wife, who’s a very wealthy man, she’s a very wealthy woman, retired, gave him three and a half million dollars.” - North Carolina rally.
THE FACTS: No she didn’t.
A Republican congressional report that investigated the Moscow business dealings of Biden’s son, Hunter, pointed to a $3.5 million investment made there to an investment firm linked to Hunter Biden.
The money didn’t go to Joe Biden at all. Nor is there evidence that Hunter Biden pocketed the sum. The GOP report said the money went to the investment firm. And Hunter Biden’s lawyer has said in a statement that his client had no interest in that firm.
___
CHINA
TRUMP: “I banned people from China, where it was heavily infected, from coming into a country. Biden was totally against that. He called me xenophobic. And now he goes out and says we should have done it sooner. Well he didn’t want to do it at all.” - North Carolina rally.
THE FACTS: That’s false. Trump never banned travel from China; he restricted it. Biden did not call the travel restrictions xenophobic; he used the term in regard to Trump’s other rhetoric about foreigners. And he did not oppose the restrictions, but rather took no clear position for many weeks, before supporting them.
___
FRACKING
BIDEN: “I never said I oppose fracking.” - presidential debate Thursday.
TRUMP: “You said it in the tape.” - presidential debate Thursday.
THE FACTS: Trump is correct; Biden said it on tape, telling a Democratic primary debate, “No new fracking.” Trump has been playing Biden’s remark at his own rallies.
A fracking ban wasn’t and still isn’t Biden’s policy, though. Biden’s campaign corrected his remark after the primary debate. Biden would ban new oil and gas permits on federal land only; most oil and gas does not come from those properties. He has said repeatedly he would not ban fracking.
Still, Trump called him out for shaping his stance to suit a more liberal primary audience and argued at his Ohio rally Saturday that Biden in office would be beholden to Democrats who want to ban fossil fuels, people he hyperbolically called “the communists, the Marxists and the left wing extremists.”
___
VOTING FRAUD
TRUMP: “In Nevada, they want to have a thing where you don’t have to have any verification of the signature.” — New Hampshire rally.
THE FACTS: Not true, despite his frequent assertions to the contrary. The state’s existing law requires signature checks on mail ballots. A new law also spells out a process by which election officials are to check a signature against the one in government records.
In Nevada’s June primary, nearly 7,000 ballots were thrown out due to mismatched or missing signatures.
___
TRUMP: “I say the biggest risk we have are the fake ballots.” - New Hampshire rally.
TRUMP: “If we don’t know the result on Nov. 3, that means - unlike it has always been where you generally find out the election that night or soon - we could be going on forever with this. It’s the craziest thing … and we shouldn’t let it happen.” — New Hampshire rally.
THE FACTS: His statements are overblown.
It’s true that many states are expecting a surge in mail-in voting because of the coronavirus pandemic, which may lead to longer times in vote counting. The U.S. Supreme Court, for instance, will allow Pennsylvania to count mailed-in ballots received up to three days after the election. But there is no evidence to indicate that massive fraud is afoot. Any delay in declaring a winner of the presidential race after Nov. 3 would not in itself be illegal.
Broadly speaking, voter fraud has proved exceedingly rare. The Brennan Center for Justice in 2017 ranked the risk of ballot fraud at 0.00004% to 0.0009%, based on studies of past elections.
In the five states that regularly send ballots to all voters who have registered, there have been no major cases of fraud or difficulty counting the votes.
Even if the election is messy and contested in court, the country will have a president in January - and not have vote counting going on “forever” as he asserts - because the Constitution and federal law ensure it.
___
AUTO INDUSTRY
TRUMP: “We brought in tremendous numbers of companies … I said to Prime Minister Abe, a great, great gentleman who retired … ’Shinzo, you got to open some factories in Michigan … You’re selling too many cars made in Japan, you got to make them in the U.S.’ He’d say ’Well, I don’t do that … this is done by the private sector …’ I said, ‘You have to do it.’ The next day, they announced five companies were opening up factories.” - New Hampshire rally.
THE FACTS: That’s a made-up story he’s told before.
No Japanese automaker assembly plants have been announced or built in Michigan, let alone in one day, and there are no plans to add any.
There is one manufacturing facility, a joint venture between General Motors and Honda, south of Detroit. It’s the $85 million expansion of an existing facility to make hydrogen fuel cells with about 100 new jobs, according to the Center for Automotive Research, an industry think-tank in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Subaru has a new research center with about 100 new jobs, and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi and Toyota have announced expansions of research facilities.
These are not new “car plants” run by Japanese automakers and these initiatives did not all materialize in one day.
___
IRAN
TRUMP: “We got off that crazy Iran deal, right? The Iran nuclear deal, where Obama gave them $150 billion for the privilege.” - North Carolina rally.
THE FACTS: No, Obama did not give the Iranians $150 billion for signing the multinational deal to constrain their nuclear development. The deal let Iran have access to $150 billion of its own assets that were frozen abroad until Tehran agreed to the terms.
The U.S. made a separate payout to Iran of about $1.8 billion. That was to settle an old debt over military equipment that Iran paid for but never received.
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TAXES
TRUMP: “You know, you got the biggest tax cut in the history of our country. I got it for you.” - North Carolina rally.
THE FACTS: His tax cuts are not close to the biggest in U.S. history.
It’s a $1.5 trillion tax cut over 10 years. As a share of the total economy, a tax cut of that size ranks 12th, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. President Ronald Reagan’s 1981 cut is the biggest, followed by the 1945 rollback of taxes that financed World War II.
Post-Reagan tax cuts also stand among the historically significant: President George W. Bush’s cuts in the early 2000s and Obama’s renewal of them a decade later.
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EDITOR’S NOTE - A look at the veracity of claims by political figures.
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washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Police in northern Mexico seize two home-made armored cars

CIUDAD VICTORIA , Mexico ( AP ) - Police announced Sunday they have seized two home-made tank-like armored trucks and three other vehicles with less extensive welded-plate bullet-proofing in the northern border town of Ciudad Camargo , across from Rio Grande City , Texas .
Police in the border state of Tamaulipas said the two tank-like vehicles were like combat vehicles known in that region as “ monsters , ” a nickname originally given to an armored dump truck found near Camargo in 2010 .
Police distributed photos of one of the trucks covered with thick welded steel plate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a ramming prow attached to the front .
Such vehicles “ are regularly used in confrontations in the area , ” state police said The other vehicles were mostly pickups with steel plates welded upright in the bed to provide protected firing positions .
Officers found the vehicles in a field after noticing a man with a gun who was apparently guarding them , officials said .
The suspect opened fire and then fled as police approached .
Military-style gear , helmets and ammunition were also found at the scene .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turf battles between factions of the Gulf cartel and remnants of the old Zetas cartel .
The two gangs also fought in the same area over a decade ago .
In the border state of Sonora , to the west , prosecutors announced Sunday they had found two more vehicles with steel-plate bullet-proofing in the city of Caborca , along with guns and ammunition .
The area has been the scene of battles between the sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquin “ El Chapo ” Guzman and the gang of fugitive drug lord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure who is on the FBI ’ s most wanted list for the murder of a federal agent over three decades ago .

CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico (AP) - Police announced Sunday they have seized two home-made tank-like armored trucks and three other vehicles with less extensive welded-plate bullet-proofing in the northern border town of Ciudad Camargo, across from Rio Grande City, Texas.
Police in the border state of Tamaulipas said the two tank-like vehicles were like combat vehicles known in that region as “monsters,” a nickname originally given to an armored dump truck found near Camargo in 2010.
Police distributed photos of one of the trucks covered with thick welded steel plate, complete with a firing turret on top and a ramming prow attached to the front. Such vehicles “are regularly used in confrontations in the area,” state police said
The other vehicles were mostly pickups with steel plates welded upright in the bed to provide protected firing positions.
Officers found the vehicles in a field after noticing a man with a gun who was apparently guarding them, officials said. The suspect opened fire and then fled as police approached.
Military-style gear, helmets and ammunition were also found at the scene.
The area has been the scene of pitched turf battles between factions of the Gulf cartel and remnants of the old Zetas cartel. The two gangs also fought in the same area over a decade ago.
In the border state of Sonora, to the west, prosecutors announced Sunday they had found two more vehicles with steel-plate bullet-proofing in the city of Caborca, along with guns and ammunition.
The area has been the scene of battles between the sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and the gang of fugitive drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, a notorious underworld figure who is on the FBI’s most wanted list for the murder of a federal agent over three decades ago.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Show goes on for Olivier Awards, even with UK theaters shut

LONDON ( AP ) - Andrew Scott and Ian McKellen were among acting winners as Britain ’ s Laurence Olivier Awards celebrated the best of the London stage in bittersweet fashion Sunday night - most U.K. theaters remain closed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Stage curtains came down when Britain went into lockdown in March , and the virus also scuttled the planned springtime ceremony for Britain ’ s leading awards for theater , opera and dance .
Instead the trophies were bestowed during a pre-recorded event streamed online and shown on British TV .
“ Fleabag ” star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play for his turn as a narcissistic actor in Noel Coward ’ s “ Present Laughter.
” Sharon D. Clarke won the best actress prize for her performance as an American matriarch in Arthur Miller ’ s “ Death of a Salesman.
” Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell won directing award for the same production , which featured Black actors in the central roles of the struggling Loman family .
McKellen won a special Olivier - his seventh - for his one-man 80th birthday tour of the U.K. , staged before the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Choreographer Matthew Bourne won a record ninth Olivier , alongside collaborator Stephen Mears , for his fleet-footed work on “ Mary Poppins.
” Tom Stoppard ’ s “ Leopoldstadt , ” which addresses history and the Holocaust through the story of a Viennese Jewish family , was named best new play .
The best musical trophy went to “ Dear Evan Hansen.
” Director Jamie Lloyd ’ s production of “ Cyrano de Bergerac , ” starring James McAvoy , was named best revival of a play , while a Trevor Nunn-directed production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the prize for best musical revival .
Britain lifted its full lockdown in June but remains under strict limits on social mixing as it tries to curb a new wave of coronavirus infections .
A handful of theaters have reopened to reduced , socially distanced audiences , but many are still shut and relying on emergency funding from the government to stay afloat .
Olivier organizers say the next awards ceremony will likely not be until 2022 , because so little work has been staged this year .
Prince Charles ’ wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented lyricist Don Black with a special Olivier Award for a six-decade career that includes lyrics for Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals such as “ Sunset Boulevard ” and “ Starlight Express ” and James Bond themes including “ Thunderball ” and “ Diamonds Are Forever.
” Camilla , who recorded her contribution at London ’ s Palladium theater Tuesday , said Black ’ s “ wonderful lyrics have become part of the fabric of our lives.
” The duchess urged those working in theater to “ please remain resilient — we need you @ @ @ @ @ @ @

LONDON (AP) - Andrew Scott and Ian McKellen were among acting winners as Britain’s Laurence Olivier Awards celebrated the best of the London stage in bittersweet fashion Sunday night - most U.K. theaters remain closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Stage curtains came down when Britain went into lockdown in March, and the virus also scuttled the planned springtime ceremony for Britain’s leading awards for theater, opera and dance. Instead the trophies were bestowed during a pre-recorded event streamed online and shown on British TV.
“Fleabag” star Scott was named best actor in a play for his turn as a narcissistic actor in Noel Coward’s “Present Laughter.” Sharon D. Clarke won the best actress prize for her performance as an American matriarch in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.” Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell won directing award for the same production, which featured Black actors in the central roles of the struggling Loman family.
McKellen won a special Olivier - his seventh - for his one-man 80th birthday tour of the U.K., staged before the pandemic as a fundraiser for regional theaters. Choreographer Matthew Bourne won a record ninth Olivier, alongside collaborator Stephen Mears, for his fleet-footed work on “Mary Poppins.”
Tom Stoppard’s “Leopoldstadt,” which addresses history and the Holocaust through the story of a Viennese Jewish family, was named best new play. The best musical trophy went to “Dear Evan Hansen.”
Director Jamie Lloyd’s production of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” starring James McAvoy, was named best revival of a play, while a Trevor Nunn-directed production of “Fiddler on the Roof” took the prize for best musical revival.
Britain lifted its full lockdown in June but remains under strict limits on social mixing as it tries to curb a new wave of coronavirus infections. A handful of theaters have reopened to reduced, socially distanced audiences, but many are still shut and relying on emergency funding from the government to stay afloat.
Olivier organizers say the next awards ceremony will likely not be until 2022, because so little work has been staged this year.
Prince Charles’ wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, presented lyricist Don Black with a special Olivier Award for a six-decade career that includes lyrics for Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals such as “Sunset Boulevard” and “Starlight Express” and James Bond themes including “Thunderball” and “Diamonds Are Forever.”
Camilla, who recorded her contribution at London’s Palladium theater Tuesday, said Black’s “wonderful lyrics have become part of the fabric of our lives.”
The duchess urged those working in theater to “please remain resilient — we need you and we have missed you.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Authorities investigating gun pulled at demonstrations

WOODINVILLE , Wash. ( AP ) - Authorities were investigating why a man wearing a pro-Trump baseball hat pulled out a handgun during a confrontation with demonstrators opposed to the president in suburban Seattle on Saturday .
It happened after anti-Trump demonstrators , mostly teen and young adults , gathered in Woodinville to oppose another group that had been rallying for President Donald Trump at an intersection .
The situation escalated when someone flung a bucket of liquid at the man , Sgt .
Ryan Abbott of the King County Sheriff ’ s Office told The Seattle Times .
Officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were working to confirm the contents , he said .
The unidentified man who drew the gun remained nearby and told officers that his eyes were burning , Abbott said .
Video footage shows the man holding a handgun parallel to his head before a woman pushes him away and someone shouts “ It ’ s water , you snowflake !
” Mandy Luttinen , who joined the event to watch over the anti-Trump demonstrators , said the incident happened as the opposing events were winding down and the pro-Trump group walked past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a parking lot .
The bucket appeared to be holding water tainted with mud or tobacco juice and was thrown by someone not participating in either demonstration , she said .

WOODINVILLE, Wash. (AP) - Authorities were investigating why a man wearing a pro-Trump baseball hat pulled out a handgun during a confrontation with demonstrators opposed to the president in suburban Seattle on Saturday.
It happened after anti-Trump demonstrators, mostly teen and young adults, gathered in Woodinville to oppose another group that had been rallying for President Donald Trump at an intersection.
The situation escalated when someone flung a bucket of liquid at the man, Sgt. Ryan Abbott of the King County Sheriff’s Office told The Seattle Times. Officers retrieved the bucket with fluid inside and were working to confirm the contents, he said. The unidentified man who drew the gun remained nearby and told officers that his eyes were burning, Abbott said.
Video footage shows the man holding a handgun parallel to his head before a woman pushes him away and someone shouts “It’s water, you snowflake!”
Mandy Luttinen, who joined the event to watch over the anti-Trump demonstrators, said the incident happened as the opposing events were winding down and the pro-Trump group walked past the young protesters on their way to a parking lot. The bucket appeared to be holding water tainted with mud or tobacco juice and was thrown by someone not participating in either demonstration, she said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Australia protests Qatar airport's exams of women passengers

CANBERRA , Australia ( AP ) - Australia on Monday condemned Qatar authorities ’ treatment of women passengers on a flight to Sydney who were subjected to internal examinations after a newborn baby was found abandoned at a Doha airport .
The women , including 13 Australians , were examined at Hamad International Airport on Oct. 2 after Qatar Airways Flight 908 to Sydney was delayed .
Australia ’ s foreign affairs department described the treatment of the women as inappropriate and beyond circumstances in which they could give free and informed consent .
“ This is a grossly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of events , ” Foreign Minister Marise Payne told reporters .
“ It ’ s not something that I ’ ve ever heard of occurring in my life , in any context .
We have made our views very clear to the Qatari authorities on this matter.
” Australia would await a report from the Qatari government before “ we will determine the next steps , ” Payne said .
She said the incident had been reported to Australian Federal Police , but did not explain which action police might take .
Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment .
Hamad International Airport management said the baby was safe and being cared for by medical and social workers .
Medical professionals were concerned for the mother ’ s health after the infant was found and had requested she be located , the airport said in a statement .
“ Individuals who had access to a specific area of the airport where the newborn infant was found were asked to assist in the query , ” the statement added .
The women were examined in an ambulance parked on the tarmac @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Babeck , who was returning home to Australia on the flight , said women were taken from the plane regardless of their age .
“ When the women came back , many of them or probably all of them were upset .
One of them was in tears , a younger woman , and people couldn ’ t believe what had happened , ” Babeck said .
“ They told me they had to take their underwear off or their clothes from the bottom and then it was inspected whether they had given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers are now in 14-day hotel quarantines in Sydney as part of coronavirus measures .
State-owned Qatar Airways told Guardian Australia it had not been contacted by any of the passengers on the flight and said it could not comment .
“ We appreciate the concerns and distress expressed to you by the Australian passengers who you have spoken to and will be investigating these matters with relevant authorities and officials , ” a spokeswoman said .

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australia on Monday condemned Qatar authorities’ treatment of female passengers on a flight to Sydney who were subjected to internal examinations after a newborn baby was found abandoned at a Doha airport.
The women, including 13 Australians, were examined at Hamad International Airport on Oct. 2 after Qatar Airways Flight 908 to Sydney was delayed.
Australia’s foreign affairs department described the treatment of the women as inappropriate and beyond circumstances in which they could give free and informed consent.
“This is a grossly, grossly disturbing, offensive, concerning set of events,” Foreign Minister Marise Payne told reporters. “It’s not something that I’ve ever heard of occurring in my life, in any context. We have made our views very clear to the Qatari authorities on this matter.”
Australia will await a report from the Qatari government before “we will determine the next steps,” Payne said.
She said the matter was reported to Australian Federal Police, but did not explain what action police might take. Police said in a statement they are working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the matter and that further comment would be inappropriate.
The baby was still unidentified and was being cared for by medical and social workers, airport officials said in a statement sent to The Associated Press.
Medical professionals were concerned for the mother’s health and had requested she be located, it said. “Individuals who had access to a specific area of the airport where the newborn infant was found were asked to assist in the query,” it added.
The statement did not acknowledge the forced examinations.
The women were examined in an ambulance parked on the tarmac, Seven Network News reported.
Wolfgang Babeck, who was returning home to Australia on the flight, said women were taken from the plane regardless of their age.
“When the women came back, many of them or probably all of them were upset. One of them was in tears, a younger woman, and people couldn’t believe what had happened,” Babeck said.
“They told me they had to take their underwear off or their clothes from the bottom and then it was inspected whether they had given birth,” he added.
Babeck said no explanation was provided for why the departure was delayed for more than three hours or why women were required to leave the plane. He said the examinations were conducted by a woman.
The passengers are now in 14-day hotel quarantines in Sydney as part of coronavirus measures.
Qatar Airways and the Qatari government did not respond to questions from the AP on Monday.
In Qatar, like much of the Middle East, sex outside of marriage is a criminal act. Female migrant workers in the past have hidden their pregnancies and tried to travel abroad to give birth. Others have abandoned their babies anonymously to avoid prison.
Qatar, a small, energy-rich country on the Arabian Peninsula, is home to state-owned Qatar Airways, which along with Etihad and Emirates leverages its location to be a major hub for East-West travel. Its modern Hamad International Airport serves as the base for Qatar Airways’ operations and soon will funnel travelers into the country for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Donald Trump got bad GSA treatment

Donald Trump got bad GSA treatment

The federal custodian of presidential transition records plotted against President Trump by secretly sharing all his files with the FBI , says a Senate Republican report titled “ Don ’ t Brief the Trump Team.
” The General Services Administration ignored a written agreement with the winning Trump campaign to destroy the documents as the private property of Trump for America Inc. , not official government papers , according to the 285-page report .
“ This conduct undermines the GSA ’ s role as a neutral provider of services to presidential transition teams , ” the report concludes .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or protect the legal rights of the Trump transition team.
” During the FBI ’ s probe into alleged Trump-Russian election collusion , the GSA knew that a subpoena was required to meet FBI demands but ignored its own guidelines and avoided any legal process .
The GSA was , in fact , an activist .
It proactively contacted the FBI after the resignation of retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as national security adviser in February 2017 and asked whether the bureau wanted the files .
At that point , it decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept the White House in the dark .
“ This is yet another example of the disparate treatment the Trump campaign and administration received from the federal bureaucracy , ” the report states .
It offers as an example the FBI ’ s decision during the campaign to disguise its election interference probe as a routine threat assessment brief for candidate Trump .
The report was written by the Republican staff of Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violated America ’ s cherished peaceful transfer of power and government cooperation with a transition office by going behind the back of a president who views Washington ’ s power centers as “ the swamp.
” “ Future presidential transition teams must have confidence that their use of government resources and facilities for internal communications and deliberations — including key decisions such as nominations , staffing , and significant policy changes — will not expose them to exploitation by third parties , including political opponents , ” the Senate report states .
Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in other probes , such as how the FBI investigated the Trump campaign .
Mr. Johnson this month released the FBI ’ s complete set of interviews , called Form 302s , for former Justice Department Associate Deputy Attorney General Bruce Ohr .
The reports showed that Hillary Clinton ’ s opposition research firm Fusion GPS was feeding false anti-Trump claims even after the election in a bid to take down the new president .
The two senators released on Sept. 23 a report on the foreign money paid to Hunter Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , during his vice presidency and afterward .
The GSA is the real estate manager of the federal government and provides basic operating equipment such as computer storage capability .
The Senate report says the GSA didn ’ t receive a formal preservation request until June 2017 , the month after Robert Mueller was named special counsel to investigate any Trump-Russia collusion .
The Trump campaign learned about the retention , but the GSA refused to provide copies .
By August , Mr. Mueller completed his acquisition by obtaining transition team records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisers Keith Kellogg and Jared Kushner .
The Mueller request came from FBI counsel Kevin Clinesmith .
Clinesmith pleaded guilty earlier this year to altering a CIA email to make it look like Trump campaign volunteer Carter Page never worked as an official agency source when in fact he did .
The GSA seemed in January 2017 to be on its way of adhering to the Trump agreement by erasing data from information technology hardware and software returned by the transition office .
GSA associate counsel Seth Greenfield stopped the process after Flynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inspector general , who “ got the ball rolling for GSA ’ s preservation of records , ” Mr. Greenfield said in an internal email .
“ Contrary to the express terms of its memorandum of understanding with Trump for America , the GSA began preserving transition team records on February 15 , 2017 , ” the Senate report states .
The following month , then-FBI General Counsel James Baker sent an email requesting only records related to Flynn .
The GSA continued to save transition documents despite no one asking it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Select Committee on Intelligence asked for all papers from the Trump team .
The FBI followed with its request .
With the Senate looking at the records , the GSA refused to let Trump for America review its own files , according to a series of emails that the committees obtained .
At one point , a GSA official told the Trump for America counsel that 80 % of all data had been wiped when it had not .
In the end , Mr. Mueller said he failed to establish that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaign and the Kremlin , which hacked into Democratic Party computers .
He prosecuted Trump associates for lobbying violations , tax evasion and lying to investigators .

The federal custodian of presidential transition records plotted against President Trump by secretly sharing all his files with the FBI, says a Senate Republican report titled “Don’t Brief the Trump Team.”
The General Services Administration ignored a written agreement with the winning Trump campaign to destroy the documents as the private property of Trump for America Inc., not official government papers, according to the 285-page report.
“This conduct undermines the GSA’s role as a neutral provider of services to presidential transition teams,” the report concludes. “The GSA did not honor this promise or protect the legal rights of the Trump transition team.”
During the FBI’s probe into alleged Trump-Russian election collusion, the GSA knew that a subpoena was required to meet FBI demands but ignored its own guidelines and avoided any legal process.
The GSA was, in fact, an activist. It proactively contacted the FBI after the resignation of retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as national security adviser in February 2017 and asked whether the bureau wanted the files. At that point, it decided to retain all transition materials and deliberately kept the White House in the dark.
“This is yet another example of the disparate treatment the Trump campaign and administration received from the federal bureaucracy,” the report states. It offers as an example the FBI’s decision during the campaign to disguise its election interference probe as a routine threat assessment brief for candidate Trump.
DOCUMENT: 'Don't Brief the Trump Team' report
The report was written by the Republican staff of Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa.
The senators charge that the GSA violated America’s cherished peaceful transfer of power and government cooperation with a transition office by going behind the back of a president who views Washington’s power centers as “the swamp.”
“Future presidential transition teams must have confidence that their use of government resources and facilities for internal communications and deliberations — including key decisions such as nominations, staffing, and significant policy changes — will not expose them to exploitation by third parties, including political opponents,” the Senate report states.
Mr. Grassley and Mr. Johnson have teamed up in other probes, such as how the FBI investigated the Trump campaign.
Mr. Johnson this month released the FBI’s complete set of interviews, called Form 302s, for former Justice Department Associate Deputy Attorney General Bruce Ohr. The reports showed that Hillary Clinton’s opposition research firm Fusion GPS was feeding false anti-Trump claims even after the election in a bid to take down the new president.
The two senators released on Sept. 23 a report on the foreign money paid to Hunter Biden, son of Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden, during his vice presidency and afterward.
The GSA is the real estate manager of the federal government and provides basic operating equipment such as computer storage capability.
The Senate report says the GSA didn’t receive a formal preservation request until June 2017, the month after Robert Mueller was named special counsel to investigate any Trump-Russia collusion.
The Trump campaign learned about the retention, but the GSA refused to provide copies. By August, Mr. Mueller completed his acquisition by obtaining transition team records for then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo and presidential advisers Keith Kellogg and Jared Kushner.
The Mueller request came from FBI counsel Kevin Clinesmith. Clinesmith pleaded guilty earlier this year to altering a CIA email to make it look like Trump campaign volunteer Carter Page never worked as an official agency source when in fact he did.
The GSA seemed in January 2017 to be on its way of adhering to the Trump agreement by erasing data from information technology hardware and software returned by the transition office. GSA associate counsel Seth Greenfield stopped the process after Flynn’s firing and reached out to the inspector general, who “got the ball rolling for GSA’s preservation of records,” Mr. Greenfield said in an internal email.
“Contrary to the express terms of its memorandum of understanding with Trump for America, the GSA began preserving transition team records on February 15, 2017,” the Senate report states.
The following month, then-FBI General Counsel James Baker sent an email requesting only records related to Flynn.
The GSA continued to save transition documents despite no one asking it to.
In April 2017, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence asked for all papers from the Trump team. The FBI followed with its request.
With the Senate looking at the records, the GSA refused to let Trump for America review its own files, according to a series of emails that the committees obtained.
At one point, a GSA official told the Trump for America counsel that 80% of all data had been wiped when it had not.
In the end, Mr. Mueller said he failed to establish that there was a 2016 election conspiracy between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin, which hacked into Democratic Party computers.
He prosecuted Trump associates for lobbying violations, tax evasion and lying to investigators.
• Rowan Scarborough can be reached at rscarborough@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Inside the Beltway: Change: Tepid Trumpers turn to avid Trumpers

There ’ s some timely change afoot out there , and a Real Clear Politics headline tells all : “ 2016 ’ s reluctant Trumpers are 2020 ’ s avid Trumpers , ” writes GOP strategist Charlie Gerow in a personal commentary for the news organization which cites Republicans who were once nervous about then-candidate Donald Trump .
“ They remained cautious about Trump even after the Republican National Convention .
Ultimately , though , they pulled the lever for Trump over Hillary Clinton .
Call them ‘ Reluctant Trumpers.
’ They ’ re still around , too .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : they are now enthusiastic Trumpers .
I know .
I ’ m one of them , ” says Mr. Gerow , who was national co-chairman for Carly Fiorina ’ s campaign for president .
There are , he says , “ a significant number of Republicans whose support for Trump has moved from tepid to an enthusiastic , and a growing wave of intensity in overall support for Trump.
” Mr. Gerow also noted that many well connected GOPers now believe Mr. Trump is a great president , not just a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart after Mr. Trump proved himself with the innovative “ America First ” concept , sound economic measures — plus pushback against China , illegal immigration and expensive overseas wars .
Then there are those who always believed that Mr. Trump was the man for the job .
“ As for the enlightened who saw the way four years ago , their enthusiasm remains unquenched .
The rallies , caravans , flotillas , and every imaginable demonstration of intense support tell the story better than any words .
Trump ’ s support has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dreams of replicating , ” says Mr. Gerow .
Much media coverage has attempted to jinx the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
Now that the confirmation is imminent , that coverage is now full of a mixed messages .
A scant few headlines from the last 24 hours : “ Amy Coney Barrett ’ s judicial philosophy doesn ’ t hold up to scrutiny ” ( The Atlantic ) ; “ Power grab : How Republican hardball gave us Amy Coney Barrett ” ( The Guardian ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic moment ” ( The American Spectator ) ; “ Amy Coney Barrett expected to be approved to the Supreme Court ” ( New York Daily News ) ; “ Enlarging the Supreme Court is the only answer to the right ’ s judicial radicalism ” ( The Washington Post ) ; “ Barrett will complicate John Roberts ’ goal of keeping the Supreme Court out of politics ” ( CNN ) ; “ Senate advances Amy Coney Barrett nomination , confirmation expected Monday ” ( CNBC ) .
Pat Boone — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has long been in President Trump ’ s corner , predicting that he would be reelected as far back as 2017 .
“ He said exactly what he was going to do — and he is doing it , ” Mr. Boone said at the time .
He is still rooting for the president .
Mr. Boone is deploying his well-known , gorgeous voice in a new voter outreach announcement to motivate voters in a certain demographic which constitute 23 % of the electorate , according to Pew Research Center .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be heard by voters in several key Senate races .
Pat moves the needle to get out the vote among our 60-plus constituency , ” Jim Martin , founder and chairman of the 60 Plus Association — tells Inside the Beltway .
The organization , incidentally , describes itself as the “ conservative alternative to the American Association of Retired Persons.
” Staging a “ reunion ” of actors from old sitcoms and movies seems like a pleasant , innocuous thing to do .
But in these times , these “ reunions ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them as a vehicle to condemn President Trump and support Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden and other Democrats .
The former casts of “ Seinfeld , ” “ Back to the Future , ” “ Happy Days , ” “ Veep ” and “ Parks and Recreation ” have gathered on a virtual basis to raise money for Mr. Biden — prompting Deadline , a prominent entertainment industry source , to track the phenomenon and cite a reunion of cast members from “ The Princess Bride.
” It raised $ 4 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reunion events have focused on the show themselves , with trivia and cast interviews , rather than spending extended periods of time on partisan politics .
But they undoubtedly have the bandwagon effect , i.e .
if the stars of your favorite shows want Trump out , wouldn ’ t you ?
” asked the news organization .
Terence Samuel , managing news editor for National Public Radio , said his outlet will ignore Hunter Biden ’ s overseas business dealings , explaining that the revelations were “ pure distractions ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ waste of time ” for his audience .
National Review points out in an editorial that President Trump and his family , however , don ’ t qualify for “ that standard ” of coverage .
“ National Public Radio is free to cover whatever news it deems important .
But if it runs interference for the preferred presidential candidate of the editors , it should do so without the $ 250 million provided by taxpayers every year .
As it is , NPR programming largely caters to the sensibilities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have the financial resources to ensure that NPR remains a vibrant source of left-wing news and entertainment without the federal government chipping in , ” the editorial noted .
“ Until that time , however , taxpayers have every right to expect organizations such as NPR to hold the powerful accountable without partisan favor — and that goes for both Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
” • 19 % of registered U.S. voters have a “ great deal ” of confidence that the presidential election will be fair ; 12 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 % of Democrats agree .
• 18 % have “ quite a bit ” of confidence ; 16 % of Republicans , 15 % of independents and 23 % of Democrats agree .
• 30 % have a “ moderate amount ” ; 30 % of Republicans , 28 % of independents and 32 % of Democrats agree .
• 19 % have “ only a little ” confidence ; 25 % of Republicans , 22 % of independents and 13 % of Democrats agree .
• 9 % have no confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Republicans , 10 % of independents and 5 % of Democrats agree .
Source : AN ECONOMIST/YOUGOV POLL of 1,500 REGISTERED U.S .
VOTERS conducted Oct. 18-20 .

NEWS AND OPINION:
There’s some timely change afoot out there, and a Real Clear Politics headline tells all: “2016’s reluctant Trumpers are 2020’s avid Trumpers,” writes GOP strategist Charlie Gerow in a personal commentary for the news organization which cites Republicans who were once nervous about then-candidate Donald Trump.
“They remained cautious about Trump even after the Republican National Convention. Ultimately, though, they pulled the lever for Trump over Hillary Clinton. Call them ‘Reluctant Trumpers.’ They’re still around, too. But’s there’s a difference: they are now enthusiastic Trumpers. I know. I’m one of them,” says Mr. Gerow, who was national co-chairman for Carly Fiorina‘s campaign for president.
There are, he says, “a significant number of Republicans whose support for Trump has moved from tepid to an enthusiastic, and a growing wave of intensity in overall support for Trump.”
Mr. Gerow also noted that many well connected GOPers now believe Mr. Trump is a great president, not just a good one. They had a change of heart after Mr. Trump proved himself with the innovative “America First” concept, sound economic measures — plus pushback against China, illegal immigration and expensive overseas wars.
Then there are those who always believed that Mr. Trump was the man for the job.
“As for the enlightened who saw the way four years ago, their enthusiasm remains unquenched. The rallies, caravans, flotillas, and every imaginable demonstration of intense support tell the story better than any words. Trump’s support has an intensity that the Biden campaign only dreams of replicating,” says Mr. Gerow.
THE CONFIRMATION PRESS
Much media coverage has attempted to jinx the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Now that the confirmation is imminent, that coverage is now full of a mixed messages. A scant few headlines from the last 24 hours:
“Amy Coney Barrett’s judicial philosophy doesn’t hold up to scrutiny” (The Atlantic); “Power grab: How Republican hardball gave us Amy Coney Barrett” (The Guardian); “Amy Coney Barrett’s historic moment” (The American Spectator); “Amy Coney Barrett expected to be approved to the Supreme Court” (New York Daily News); “Enlarging the Supreme Court is the only answer to the right’s judicial radicalism” (The Washington Post); “Barrett will complicate John Roberts’ goal of keeping the Supreme Court out of politics” (CNN); “Senate advances Amy Coney Barrett nomination, confirmation expected Monday” (CNBC).
BOONE TOWN
Pat Boone — the iconic, all-American singer and actor — has long been in President Trump‘s corner, predicting that he would be reelected as far back as 2017.
“He said exactly what he was going to do — and he is doing it,” Mr. Boone said at the time.
He is still rooting for the president. Mr. Boone is deploying his well-known, gorgeous voice in a new voter outreach announcement to motivate voters in a certain demographic which constitute 23% of the electorate, according to Pew Research Center.
“We’re doing a Boone call to be heard by voters in several key Senate races. Pat moves the needle to get out the vote among our 60-plus constituency,” Jim Martin, founder and chairman of the 60 Plus Association — tells Inside the Beltway.
The organization, incidentally, describes itself as the “conservative alternative to the American Association of Retired Persons.”
HOLLYWOOD’S ‘REUNION’ ILLUSION
Staging a “reunion” of actors from old sitcoms and movies seems like a pleasant, innocuous thing to do. But in these times, these “reunions” have turned political as Hollywood denizens use them as a vehicle to condemn President Trump and support Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden and other Democrats.
The former casts of “Seinfeld,” “Back to the Future,” “Happy Days,” “Veep” and “Parks and Recreation” have gathered on a virtual basis to raise money for Mr. Biden — prompting Deadline, a prominent entertainment industry source, to track the phenomenon and cite a reunion of cast members from “The Princess Bride.” It raised $4 million for Wisconsin Democrats.
“Most of the reunion events have focused on the show themselves, with trivia and cast interviews, rather than spending extended periods of time on partisan politics. But they undoubtedly have the bandwagon effect, i.e. if the stars of your favorite shows want Trump out, wouldn’t you?” asked the news organization.
NPR’S ‘STANDARD’
Terence Samuel, managing news editor for National Public Radio, said his outlet will ignore Hunter Biden‘s overseas business dealings, explaining that the revelations were “pure distractions” and “politically driven” — and therefore a “waste of time” for his audience.
National Review points out in an editorial that President Trump and his family, however, don’t qualify for “that standard” of coverage.
“National Public Radio is free to cover whatever news it deems important. But if it runs interference for the preferred presidential candidate of the editors, it should do so without the $250 million provided by taxpayers every year. As it is, NPR programming largely caters to the sensibilities of urban liberals. And that demographic happens to have the financial resources to ensure that NPR remains a vibrant source of left-wing news and entertainment without the federal government chipping in,” the editorial noted.
“Until that time, however, taxpayers have every right to expect organizations such as NPR to hold the powerful accountable without partisan favor — and that goes for both Donald Trump and Joe Biden.”
POLL DU JOUR
• 19% of registered U.S. voters have a “great deal” of confidence that the presidential election will be fair; 12% of Republicans, 18% of independents and 24% of Democrats agree.
• 18% have “quite a bit” of confidence; 16% of Republicans, 15% of independents and 23% of Democrats agree.
• 30% have a “moderate amount”; 30% of Republicans, 28% of independents and 32% of Democrats agree.
• 19% have “only a little” confidence; 25% of Republicans, 22% of independents and 13% of Democrats agree.
• 9% have no confidence “at all”; 14% of Republicans, 10% of independents and 5% of Democrats agree.
Source: AN ECONOMIST/YOUGOV POLL of 1,500 REGISTERED U.S. VOTERS conducted Oct. 18-20.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Mexico seizes industrial-scale meth, fentanyl lab in capital

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Soldiers and police in Mexico seized an industrial-scale meth and fentanyl lab that was so big it startled investigators , federal prosecutors announced Sunday .
The lab had chemical preparation vats about two stories tall that could process 11,000 pounds ( 5,000 kilograms ) of raw material at a time , said Felipe de Jesus Gallo of the federal Attorney General ’ s Office .
“ In the Attorney General ’ s Office , we have no record of any seizure of equipment of this size before , ” Gallo said .
The mega-lab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storefront advertising industrial cleaning products on the outskirts of Mexico City .
Behind the storefront was a warehouse , with tall stacks of drums and 265-gallon ( 1,000 liter ) tanks holding precursor chemicals , which Gallo said could be used to produce methamphetamines and the synthetic opioid fentanyl .
Code-named “ Blue , ” the coordinated series of raids also hit other properties in the northern state of Durango , Mexico City and the surrounding State of Mexico .
At one property in Mexico City , authorities arrested an engineer who allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime group .
A drum of what appeared to be a precursor of fentanyl was found as well as written instructions on how to process it .
Authorities also found 290 kilograms of meth “ with a high level of purity ” at a lab raided in the northern state of Sonora .
Gallo said some of the drugs were destined for the United States .
Tying together the raids was evidence that the whole operation was being run by people tied to a group in Sinaloa , home to the drug cartel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they had gathered intelligence indicating fentanyl precursors were being imported from China via a company in Hong Kong .
Marines traced a shipment of containers that moved through a Japanese port to the Baja California seaport of Ensenada .
The marines said they had found an undisclosed amount of three precursor chemicals in the containers that could be converted into fentanyl through “ a simple process .
”

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Soldiers and police in Mexico seized an industrial-scale meth and fentanyl lab that was so big it startled investigators, federal prosecutors announced Sunday.
The lab had chemical preparation vats about two stories tall that could process 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of raw material at a time, said Felipe de Jesus Gallo of the federal Attorney General’s Office.
“In the Attorney General’s Office, we have no record of any seizure of equipment of this size before,” Gallo said.
The mega-lab was uncovered this past week in a storefront advertising industrial cleaning products on the outskirts of Mexico City.
Behind the storefront was a warehouse, with tall stacks of drums and 265-gallon (1,000 liter) tanks holding precursor chemicals, which Gallo said could be used to produce methamphetamines and the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
Code-named “Blue,” the coordinated series of raids also hit other properties in the northern state of Durango, Mexico City and the surrounding State of Mexico.
At one property in Mexico City, authorities arrested an engineer who allegedly built and ran labs for an organized crime group. A drum of what appeared to be a precursor of fentanyl was found as well as written instructions on how to process it.
Authorities also found 290 kilograms of meth “with a high level of purity” at a lab raided in the northern state of Sonora. Gallo said some of the drugs were destined for the United States.
Tying together the raids was evidence that the whole operation was being run by people tied to a group in Sinaloa, home to the drug cartel of the same name.
Mexican marines said they had gathered intelligence indicating fentanyl precursors were being imported from China via a company in Hong Kong. Marines traced a shipment of containers that moved through a Japanese port to the Baja California seaport of Ensenada. The marines said they had found an undisclosed amount of three precursor chemicals in the containers that could be converted into fentanyl through “a simple process.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Joe Biden campaign accuses Trump administration of 'waving the white flag' on coronavirus

The campaign of Democrat Joseph R. Biden accused President Trump of “ waving the white flag ” on the novel coronavirus after White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said that it would be impossible to “ control the pandemic.
” Mr. Meadows ‘ comment came in a feisty exchange with CNN ’ s Jake Tapper , who disapproved of Vice President Mike Pence ’ s decision to continue to work and campaign despite having five staffers test positive for COVID-19 .
After Mr. Tapper said that the pandemic is “ out of control , ” Mr. Meadows pointed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical treatments and vaccines for the virus .
“ So , here ’ s what we have to do .
We ’ re not going to control the pandemic , ” Mr. Meadows said on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union.
” “ We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines , therapeutics and other mitigation areas.
” He was asked , “ Why aren ’ t we going to get control of the pandemic ?
” Mr. Meadows replied , “ Because this is a contagious virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s contagious , ” adding that “ we are making efforts to contain it.
” The Biden campaign released a statement afterward saying that Mr. Meadows had “ stunningly admitted this morning that the administration has given up on even trying to control this pandemic.
” “ This wasn ’ t a slip by Meadows , it was a candid acknowledgment of what President Trump ’ s strategy has been from the beginning of this crisis : to wave the white flag of defeat and hope that by ignoring it , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meadows accused former Mr. Biden of supporting lockdowns and mask mandates , and pushed by against Mr. Tapper ’ s suggestion that Trump supporters at rallies should be required to wear masks .
“ We offer them out , ” Mr. Meadows said , while adding that “ we live in a free society , Jake.
” Cases of COVID-19 have surged in the past month as some K-12 and university students return to classrooms , while the number of new deaths has remained relatively flat , as shown on the Johns Hopkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus map .
American Commitment president Phil Kerpen , who follows COVID-19 statistical trends closely , tweeted that Mr. Tapper “ still doesn ’ t understand that containment is impossible after 1 % prevalence ?
” “ Media shocked SHOCKED to learn we ’ re in mitigation not containment , ” Mr. Kerpen said .
“ How is this real life ?
”

The campaign of Democrat Joseph R. Biden accused President Trump of “waving the white flag” on the novel coronavirus after White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said that it would be impossible to “control the pandemic.”
Mr. Meadows’ comment came in a feisty exchange with CNN’s Jake Tapper, who disapproved of Vice President Mike Pence’s decision to continue to work and campaign despite having five staffers test positive for COVID-19.
After Mr. Tapper said that the pandemic is “out of control,” Mr. Meadows pointed to the administration’s push to advance medical treatments and vaccines for the virus.
“So, here’s what we have to do. We’re not going to control the pandemic,” Mr. Meadows said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines, therapeutics and other mitigation areas.”
He was asked, “Why aren’t we going to get control of the pandemic?”
Mr. Meadows replied, “Because this is a contagious virus. Just like the flu, it’s contagious,” adding that “we are making efforts to contain it.”
The Biden campaign released a statement afterward saying that Mr. Meadows had “stunningly admitted this morning that the administration has given up on even trying to control this pandemic.”
“This wasn’t a slip by Meadows, it was a candid acknowledgment of what President Trump’s strategy has been from the beginning of this crisis: to wave the white flag of defeat and hope that by ignoring it, the virus would simply go away.”
Mr. Meadows accused former Mr. Biden of supporting lockdowns and mask mandates, and pushed by against Mr. Tapper’s suggestion that Trump supporters at rallies should be required to wear masks.
“We offer them out,” Mr. Meadows said, while adding that “we live in a free society, Jake.”
Cases of COVID-19 have surged in the past month as some K-12 and university students return to classrooms, while the number of new deaths has remained relatively flat, as shown on the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker and New York Times coronavirus map.
American Commitment president Phil Kerpen, who follows COVID-19 statistical trends closely, tweeted that Mr. Tapper “still doesn’t understand that containment is impossible after 1% prevalence?”
“Media shocked SHOCKED to learn we’re in mitigation not containment,” Mr. Kerpen said. “How is this real life?”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Florida police chief piloting plane killed in crash

DUNNELLON , Fla. ( AP ) - A Florida police chief died Sunday morning when the plane he was piloting crashed into an open field , authorities said .
Marion County Fire Rescue said the plane crashed around 11:30 a.m. in an open field , not far from the Marion County Airport .
Graham was the only person on board .
A Marion County Sheriff ’ s Office spokesperson said no one else was injured .
The National Transportation Safety Board said in a tweet that it was investigating the crash .
Guinn said Graham was “ fascinated ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s license .
Graham became chief in January 2012 .
He was placed on paid administrative leave after being accused of racial discrimination , sexual harassment , hostile treatment and retaliation against three officers in 2016 , but was reinstated and cleared the following year .
Recently , Graham was on a vocal presence in Ocala during the Black Lives Matter protests after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
He condemned Floyd ’ s killing and told the crowd they could contact him personally “ if they believe one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” The Ocala Star-Banner reported .
Guinn said Ocala Deputy Chief Mike Balken will be named interim police chief .
“ ( Graham ‘ s ) leadership was responsible for changing the direction of the department , ” Guinn said .
“ I couldn ’ t have asked for anybody better .
”

DUNNELLON, Fla. (AP) - A Florida police chief died Sunday morning when the plane he was piloting crashed into an open field, authorities said.
Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn confirmed the death of Ocala Police Chief Greg Graham, news outlets reported.
Marion County Fire Rescue said the plane crashed around 11:30 a.m. in an open field, not far from the Marion County Airport. Graham was the only person on board. A Marion County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said no one else was injured.
The National Transportation Safety Board said in a tweet that it was investigating the crash.
Guinn said Graham was “fascinated” with flying and had recently received his pilot’s license.
“It’s hard to believe,” Guinn said.
Graham became chief in January 2012. He was placed on paid administrative leave after being accused of racial discrimination, sexual harassment, hostile treatment and retaliation against three officers in 2016, but was reinstated and cleared the following year.
Recently, Graham was on a vocal presence in Ocala during the Black Lives Matter protests after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
He condemned Floyd’s killing and told the crowd they could contact him personally “if they believe one of his officers has done anything wrong,” The Ocala Star-Banner reported.
Guinn said Ocala Deputy Chief Mike Balken will be named interim police chief.
“(Graham’s) leadership was responsible for changing the direction of the department,” Guinn said. “I couldn’t have asked for anybody better.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Temporary hospital to be set up in El Paso convention center

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - A part of the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center will be turned into a makeshift hospital to help with the ongoing surge of coronavirus cases , Texas officials announced Sunday .
Gov .
Greg Abbott said 50 hospital beds will be set up in the convention center and another 50 beds could be added if needed .
Abbott ordered the alternate care site to expand hospital capacity in the El Paso area in response to the coronavirus surge , he said .
The site , scheduled to open this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel .
The state has already provided over 900 medical personnel to El Paso , some of whom will be staffing the convention center site .
“ The alternate care site and auxiliary medical units will reduce the strain on hospitals in El Paso as we contain the spread of COVID-19 in the region , ” Abbott said .
El Paso County health officials reported 772 new coronavirus cases Sunday , a day after a record 1,216 new cases were reported , making up more than 20 % of the 3,793 new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases since the pandemic first hit Texas to 862,375 .
An estimated 91,885 active cases were the most since Aug. 30 , and the 5,206 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported Sunday was the most since Aug. 22 .
Meanwhile , the true number of cases in Texas is likely higher though because many people haven ’ t been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
The 48 new COVID-19 deaths reported Sunday raised the state ’ s death toll for the outbreak to 17,504 .
For most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms , such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A part of the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center will be turned into a makeshift hospital to help with the ongoing surge of coronavirus cases, Texas officials announced Sunday.
Gov. Greg Abbott said 50 hospital beds will be set up in the convention center and another 50 beds could be added if needed.
Abbott ordered the alternate care site to expand hospital capacity in the El Paso area in response to the coronavirus surge, he said. The site, scheduled to open this week, will provide additional medical equipment and medical personnel.
The state has already provided over 900 medical personnel to El Paso, some of whom will be staffing the convention center site.
“The alternate care site and auxiliary medical units will reduce the strain on hospitals in El Paso as we contain the spread of COVID-19 in the region,” Abbott said.
El Paso County health officials reported 772 new coronavirus cases Sunday, a day after a record 1,216 new cases were reported, making up more than 20% of the 3,793 new cases reported statewide. That brought the total cases since the pandemic first hit Texas to 862,375. An estimated 91,885 active cases were the most since Aug. 30, and the 5,206 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported Sunday was the most since Aug. 22.
Meanwhile, the true number of cases in Texas is likely higher though because many people haven’t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The 48 new COVID-19 deaths reported Sunday raised the state’s death toll for the outbreak to 17,504.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.