washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Conservative hoaxers face charges over false voter robocalls

Two conservative operatives were charged Thursday in connection with false robocalls that aimed to dissuade Black residents in Detroit and other Democratic-leaning U.S. cities from voting by mail , Michigan ’ s attorney general announced .
Jacob Wohl , 22 , and Jack Burkman , 54 , each face four felony counts in Detroit , including conspiring to intimidate voters in violation of election law and using a computer to commit crimes , Attorney General Dana Nessel said .
The calls falsely warned residents in majority-Black Detroit and cities in at least four other states that if they vote by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be subjected to arrest , debt collection and forced vaccination , Nessel said .
The men , who have a history of staging hoaxes and spreading lies about prominent Democrats and government officials , are not in custody , and no date for their arraignments has been set .
Nessel said her office would work with local law enforcement to secure their appearances , saying they could face arrest and extradition or could voluntarily travel to Michigan to face the charges .
The charges carry the potential for years in prison and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer charges carry up to seven years apiece , while election law violations could bring up to five .
Nessel ’ s office warned the public about the calls and launched an investigation in August after thousands of Detroit residents received them .
Wohl and Burkman both denied involvement at the time .
Burkman didn ’ t reply to a Thursday voicemail seeking comment and Wohl didn ’ t reply to an email .
Nessel said the investigation found that Burkman and Wohl created and funded the robocalls to deter voters of color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re all well aware of the frustrations caused by the millions of nuisance robocalls flooding our cellphones and landlines each day , but this particular message poses grave consequences for our democracy and the principles upon which it was built , ” Nessel said .
“ Michigan voters are entitled to a full , free and fair election in November , and my office will not hesitate to pursue those who jeopardize that.
” The pair was behind 85,000 calls nationwide , including nearly 12,000 in Detroit ’ s 313 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls also blanketed urban pockets of Pennsylvania , Ohio , Illinois and New York , she said .
She encouraged anyone who received such a call to file a complaint with her office .
Wohl and Burkman have a history of supporting President Donald Trump and attacking his opponents .
Trump narrowly won the key battleground state of Michigan in 2016 in part due to a drop in turnout for Hillary Clinton in heavily Democratic Detroit .
In Michigan , voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason .
The robocalls sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters are expected to do in record numbers this election cycle to avoid crowded polling places during the coronavirus pandemic .
Republicans are limiting mail-in voting in several states and Trump has warned , without evidence , that it will lead to fraud .
The president also encouraged his supporters during Tuesday ’ s debate to “ go into the polls and watch very carefully ” on Election Day .
A woman on the robocalls said she was part of Project 1559 , a group founded by Wohl and Burkman .
The calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in personal information going into databases that will be used by police to resolve old warrants , credit card companies to collect debts and federal officials to track mandatory vaccines .
“ Don ’ t be finessed into giving your private information to the man , ” the caller said .
“ Beware of vote by mail.
” Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson , like Nessel a Democrat , in August called the robocalls “ an unconscionable , indefensible , blatant attempt to lie to citizens about their right to vote.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation , saying the charges show the state will “ use every tool at our disposal to dispel false rhetoric ” and protect voting rights .
Wohl lives in Los Angeles , and investigators served search warrants in California as part of the inquiry last week , Nessel said .
Wohl and Burkman have made a name for themselves by orchestrating political dirty tricks and hoaxes , including spreading false claims of sexual misconduct by Robert Mueller and former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg .
The pair came under scrutiny in Michigan last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they recruited him to pretend he was raped by Buttigieg , then published the smear without the student ’ s permission .
Last month , the Washington Post said it was duped into falsely reporting that FBI agents had conducted a raid at Burkman ’ s home in Arlington , Virginia , when it was actually a staged event featuring actors .
In August , Wohl told The Associated Press that they suspected “ leftist pranksters ” were behind the robocalls because the caller ID was Burkman ’ s cellphone number .
Burkman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” saying nobody would use their own number for a robocall and threatening to sue Benson for defamation .
Associated Press writer David Eggert contributed to this story from Lansing , Michigan .
This story has been corrected to reflect that Nessel said nearly 12,000 residents in the 313 area code , not ZIP code , received the calls in Detroit .

Two conservative operatives were charged Thursday in connection with false robocalls that aimed to dissuade Black residents in Detroit and other Democratic-leaning U.S. cities from voting by mail, Michigan’s attorney general announced.
Jacob Wohl, 22, and Jack Burkman, 54, each face four felony counts in Detroit, including conspiring to intimidate voters in violation of election law and using a computer to commit crimes, Attorney General Dana Nessel said.
The calls falsely warned residents in majority-Black Detroit and cities in at least four other states that if they vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election they could be subjected to arrest, debt collection and forced vaccination, Nessel said.
The men, who have a history of staging hoaxes and spreading lies about prominent Democrats and government officials, are not in custody, and no date for their arraignments has been set.
Nessel said her office would work with local law enforcement to secure their appearances, saying they could face arrest and extradition or could voluntarily travel to Michigan to face the charges.
The charges carry the potential for years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. The computer charges carry up to seven years apiece, while election law violations could bring up to five.
Nessel’s office warned the public about the calls and launched an investigation in August after thousands of Detroit residents received them.
Wohl and Burkman both denied involvement at the time. Burkman didn’t reply to a Thursday voicemail seeking comment and Wohl didn’t reply to an email.
Nessel said the investigation found that Burkman and Wohl created and funded the robocalls to deter voters of color from participating in the November election.
“We’re all well aware of the frustrations caused by the millions of nuisance robocalls flooding our cellphones and landlines each day, but this particular message poses grave consequences for our democracy and the principles upon which it was built,” Nessel said. “Michigan voters are entitled to a full, free and fair election in November, and my office will not hesitate to pursue those who jeopardize that.”
The pair was behind 85,000 calls nationwide, including nearly 12,000 in Detroit’s 313 area code, Nessel said. Similar calls also blanketed urban pockets of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and New York, she said. She encouraged anyone who received such a call to file a complaint with her office.
Wohl and Burkman have a history of supporting President Donald Trump and attacking his opponents.
Trump narrowly won the key battleground state of Michigan in 2016 in part due to a drop in turnout for Hillary Clinton in heavily Democratic Detroit. In Michigan, voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason.
The robocalls sought to discourage voting by mail, which voters are expected to do in record numbers this election cycle to avoid crowded polling places during the coronavirus pandemic.
Republicans are limiting mail-in voting in several states and Trump has warned, without evidence, that it will lead to fraud. The president also encouraged his supporters during Tuesday’s debate to “go into the polls and watch very carefully” on Election Day.
A woman on the robocalls said she was part of Project 1559, a group founded by Wohl and Burkman. The calls falsely claimed that voting by mail would result in personal information going into databases that will be used by police to resolve old warrants, credit card companies to collect debts and federal officials to track mandatory vaccines.
“Don’t be finessed into giving your private information to the man,” the caller said. “Beware of vote by mail.”
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, like Nessel a Democrat, in August called the robocalls “an unconscionable, indefensible, blatant attempt to lie to citizens about their right to vote.”
She praised Nessel for the swift investigation, saying the charges show the state will “use every tool at our disposal to dispel false rhetoric” and protect voting rights.
Wohl lives in Los Angeles, and investigators served search warrants in California as part of the inquiry last week, Nessel said.
Wohl and Burkman have made a name for themselves by orchestrating political dirty tricks and hoaxes, including spreading false claims of sexual misconduct by Robert Mueller and former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg.
The pair came under scrutiny in Michigan last year, when a college student said they recruited him to pretend he was raped by Buttigieg, then published the smear without the student’s permission.
Last month, the Washington Post said it was duped into falsely reporting that FBI agents had conducted a raid at Burkman’s home in Arlington, Virginia, when it was actually a staged event featuring actors.
In August, Wohl told The Associated Press that they suspected “leftist pranksters” were behind the robocalls because the caller ID was Burkman’s cellphone number. Burkman called the situation “a joke,” saying nobody would use their own number for a robocall and threatening to sue Benson for defamation.
___
Associated Press writer David Eggert contributed to this story from Lansing, Michigan.
___
This story has been corrected to reflect that Nessel said nearly 12,000 residents in the 313 area code, not ZIP code, received the calls in Detroit.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--California governor mixes decisions on labor, crime, housing

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom was no rigid ideologue when it came to his decisions on the hundreds of bills sent to him in an odd legislative year shortened by the coronavirus .
The first-term Democrat most often sided with labor , immigration and criminal justice reform groups but also vetoed bills they had made priorities .
Among some of his higher-profile decisions : He signed measures shifting the burden of proof for allowing workers ’ compensation based on coronavirus ; requiring employers to warn employees if they might have been exposed to the coronavirus ; and allowing more paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labor priority bill that would have required the hospitality industry to give laid-off workers first dibs on getting their old jobs back , and drew protests Thursday for vetoing a measure that would have ended the nearly 50-year exclusion of domestic workers from protections under CAL/OSHA , the California Occupational Safety Health Act .
He created a study commission on slavery reparations ; mandated more diversity on corporate boards ; and earlier made ethnic studies a California State University graduation requirement .
But Newsom blocked making ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and rejected giving low-income immigrants $ 600 to buy groceries citing the cost .
He signed measures capping rent and temporarily blocking evictions , but vetoed proposals to guarantee housing for all and creating an Office to End Homelessness .
Newsom approved banning choke holds ; increasing oversight of both sheriffs and the killings of unarmed suspects by police ; allowing mistrials if defendants can prove racial bias ; limiting probation terms ; and phasing out state-operated juvenile prisons .
But he rejected providing state funding for community organizations to take over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing parolees to reduce the length of their supervision ; creating a California Reentry Commission ; or requiring police to notify the state whenever an officer is fired - in most cases saying the bills track similar existing or pending efforts .
He backed requiring insurers to cover more mental health treatment ; using the state ’ s market power to lower the cost of generic drugs ; banning flavored tobacco ; requiring hospitals to boost supplies of masks , gloves and other protective equipment ; and letting nurse practitioners practice without supervision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for genetic testing companies and requiring insurers to cover telehealth consultation for children and pregnant and new mothers .

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was no rigid ideologue when it came to his decisions on the hundreds of bills sent to him in an odd legislative year shortened by the coronavirus. The first-term Democrat most often sided with labor, immigration and criminal justice reform groups but also vetoed bills they had made priorities.
Among some of his higher-profile decisions:
BUSINESS and LABOR
He signed measures shifting the burden of proof for allowing workers’ compensation based on coronavirus; requiring employers to warn employees if they might have been exposed to the coronavirus; and allowing more paid family leave.
But he vetoed a labor priority bill that would have required the hospitality industry to give laid-off workers first dibs on getting their old jobs back, and drew protests Thursday for vetoing a measure that would have ended the nearly 50-year exclusion of domestic workers from protections under CAL/OSHA, the California Occupational Safety Health Act.
RACIAL JUSTICE
He created a study commission on slavery reparations; mandated more diversity on corporate boards; and earlier made ethnic studies a California State University graduation requirement.
But Newsom blocked making ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement, citing controversy over the model curriculum, and rejected giving low-income immigrants $600 to buy groceries citing the cost.
HOUSING
He signed measures capping rent and temporarily blocking evictions, but vetoed proposals to guarantee housing for all and creating an Office to End Homelessness.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Newsom approved banning choke holds; increasing oversight of both sheriffs and the killings of unarmed suspects by police; allowing mistrials if defendants can prove racial bias; limiting probation terms; and phasing out state-operated juvenile prisons.
But he rejected providing state funding for community organizations to take over some police duties to de-escalate confrontations; allowing parolees to reduce the length of their supervision; creating a California Reentry Commission; or requiring police to notify the state whenever an officer is fired - in most cases saying the bills track similar existing or pending efforts.
HEALTH CARE
He backed requiring insurers to cover more mental health treatment; using the state’s market power to lower the cost of generic drugs; banning flavored tobacco; requiring hospitals to boost supplies of masks, gloves and other protective equipment; and letting nurse practitioners practice without supervision.
But he rejected consumer privacy protections for genetic testing companies and requiring insurers to cover telehealth consultation for children and pregnant and new mothers.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Puerto Rico extends COVID-19 measures amid testing errors

SAN JUAN , Puerto Rico ( AP ) - Puerto Rico ’ s government has extended measures to fight COVID-19 for two more weeks , meaning that bars , gyms and theaters across the U.S. territory will keep operating at limited capacity .
In addition , a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in place until Oct. 16 , and face masks continue to be mandatory , according to an executive order that the interim governor signed late Thursday .
The extension was not publicly announced , and no press conference with health experts was held as has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Wanda Vázquez is on an official trip in the U.S. mainland until next week .
The extension also means bars and clubs will stay closed , and public school classes will continue to be held online .
Health experts had recommended the extension following recent testing problems at Quest Diagnostics , one of the biggest laboratories on the island .
Officials are reviewing 6,000 tests done last month after discovering that some of them yielded inaccurate results .
“ We can not make recommendations to open or close until we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Víctor Ramos , president of the Association of Surgeons , said in a phone interview .
If the tests turn out to be all positive , it ’ s an indication Puerto Rico is still struggling with the pandemic , Ramos said .
If they turn out to be all negative , it would mean the situation is greatly improving , he added .
A laboratory spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment .
The island of 3.2 million people has reported more than 24,000 confirmed cases and more than 24,800 probable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Puerto Rico’s government has extended measures to fight COVID-19 for two more weeks, meaning that restaurants, gyms and theaters across the U.S. territory will keep operating at limited capacity.
In addition, a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in place until Oct. 16, and face masks continue to be mandatory, according to an executive order that the interim governor signed late Thursday. The extension was not publicly announced, and no press conference with health experts was held as has been customary since the pandemic began. Gov. Wanda Vázquez is on an official trip in the U.S. mainland until next week.
The extension also means bars and clubs will stay closed, and public school classes will continue to be held online.
Health experts had recommended the extension following recent testing problems at Quest Diagnostics, one of the biggest laboratories on the island. Officials are reviewing 6,000 tests done last month after discovering that some of them yielded inaccurate results.
“We cannot make recommendations to open or close until we’ve validated the data,” Dr. Víctor Ramos, president of the Association of Surgeons, said in a phone interview.
If the tests turn out to be all positive, it’s an indication Puerto Rico is still struggling with the pandemic, Ramos said. If they turn out to be all negative, it would mean the situation is greatly improving, he added.
A laboratory spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.
The island of 3.2 million people has reported more than 24,000 confirmed cases and more than 24,800 probable ones, with at least 665 deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--AP Week in Pictures: Asia

AP Week in Pictures: Asia

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and @ @ @ @ @ curated by AP photo editor Toru Takahashi in Tokyo .

SEPT. 25-OCT. 1, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and Pacific.
The gallery was curated by AP photo editor Toru Takahashi in Tokyo.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--South Holland firefighter dies in dive training exercise

SOUTH HOLLAND , Ill. ( AP ) - A suburban Chicago firefighter died during an underwater dive training exercise , authorities said Thursday .
South Holland officials say Dylan Cunningham of Thornton was training at Haigh Quarry Lake in Kankakee when a medical emergency occurred late Wednesday , the nature of which authorities haven ’ t disclosed .
He was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago .
“ Dylan was a beloved member of our team , ” South Holland fire Chief Brian Kolosh said in a statement .
“ He was dedicated , loyal , hard-working , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be around .
We are devastated by this loss and are grieving with Dylan ’ s family.
” Cunningham , 29 , who was also a paramedic , had been with the South Holland fire department in a part-time role since 2011 and was promoted to full-time in 2018 .
He also served in the Illinois Army National Guard .
Village officials said Cunningham lived in Thornton with his fiancee and was expecting a child .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office did not determine a cause of death following a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of further investigation .

SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (AP) - A suburban Chicago firefighter died during an underwater dive training exercise, authorities said Thursday.
South Holland officials say Dylan Cunningham of Thornton was training at Haigh Quarry Lake in Kankakee when a medical emergency occurred late Wednesday, the nature of which authorities haven’t disclosed. He was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
“Dylan was a beloved member of our team,” South Holland fire Chief Brian Kolosh said in a statement. “He was dedicated, loyal, hard-working, and also a lot of fun to be around. We are devastated by this loss and are grieving with Dylan’s family.”
Cunningham, 29, who was also a paramedic, had been with the South Holland fire department in a part-time role since 2011 and was promoted to full-time in 2018. He also served in the Illinois Army National Guard. Village officials said Cunningham lived in Thornton with his fiancee and was expecting a child.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office did not determine a cause of death following a Thursday autopsy as the office awaited completion of further investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Sam Burgess,  South Sydney face 2 probes over allegations

Former South Sydney rugby league captain and England rugby international Sam Burgess and his National Rugby League team will be the subject of separate police and NRL investigations over a number of misconduct and drug allegations .
It comes after a story in The Australian newspaper on Friday claimed the club covered up alleged domestic violence and drug use by Burgess and that a senior club staffer - the team doctor - helped facilitate the cover-up .
Burgess , 31 , who has been working as an assistant coach at the Rabbitohs , has denied the allegations .
In late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rugby union for Bath in England .
He was called up to the England national team in August 2015 , becoming a dual-code international , and was a member of England ’ s squad for their unsuccessful 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign .
He played five test matches for England before returning to rugby league for the 2016 NRL season .
New South Wales police and the NRL ’ s Integrity Unit launched separate investigations into the allegations .
In a statement , a NSW Police spokesperson said : “ On Wednesday 30th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received a report outlining various allegations relating to the conduct of a 31-year-old man .
Police have commenced inquiries , however as these inquiries are in their infancy there will be no further comment made at this time.
” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the Integrity Unit would interview Rabbitohs officials .
The team is part-owned by actor Russell Crowe .
“ We will also seek the advice of police and other relevant authorities throughout this process , ” Abdo said .
“ This is new information for the NRL and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The allegations have not yet been tested and due process will be followed as we undertake a thorough investigation.
” Peter V ’ landys , the Australian Rugby League Commission chairman , said he would not comment on specific allegations but told Nine Radio the league would investigate .
“ No doubt about that , and if there ’ s any evidence we ’ ll be gathering all the evidence and all the facts , ” he said .
“ But , I again stress , that all parties including the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process and natural justice , and they ’ ll be afforded that.
” Burgess made 176 appearances between 2010 and 2019 .
He was a key player in the Rabbitohs ’ 2014 NRL title victory and won the Clive Churchill Medal for man-of-the-match .
One of the allegations in The Australian said Burgess had to be injected with liquid tranquilizer after taking drugs , and failed doping tests which were reportedly covered up by the Rabbitohs by using fake identities to hide positive tests for the illegal substances .
The report also claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November 2018 in front of her father Mitch Hooke .
The couple divorced in April this year .
“ The allegations are false and constitute an indefensible defamation against my client , ” O ’ Brien told The Australian .
“ It is apparent sources of the false allegations are those currently in dispute with my client over various issues .
”

Former South Sydney rugby league captain and England rugby international Sam Burgess and his National Rugby League team will be the subject of separate police and NRL investigations over a number of misconduct and drug allegations.
It comes after a story in The Australian newspaper on Friday claimed the club covered up alleged domestic violence and drug use by Burgess and that a senior club staffer helped facilitate the cover-up.
Burgess, 31, who had been working as an assistant coach at the Rabbitohs, has denied the allegations. Later Friday, he stood aside from his coaching duties and from his role as a rugby league television analyst.
“I have today stood down from all work commitments,” Burgess said in a statement.
In late 2014, Burgess switched codes to play rugby union for Bath in England. He was called up to the England national team in August 2015, becoming a dual-code international, and was a member of England’s squad for their unsuccessful 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign.
He played five test matches for England before returning to rugby league for the 2016 NRL season.
New South Wales police and the NRL’s Integrity Unit launched separate investigations into the allegations.
In a statement, a NSW Police spokesperson said: “On Wednesday 30th September officers from the Hume Police District received a report outlining various allegations relating to the conduct of a 31-year-old man. Police have commenced inquiries, however as these inquiries are in their infancy there will be no further comment made at this time.”
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the Integrity Unit would interview Rabbitohs officials. The team is part-owned by actor Russell Crowe.
“We will also seek the advice of police and other relevant authorities throughout this process,” Abdo said. “This is new information for the NRL and it is important we now gather the facts. The allegations have not yet been tested and due process will be followed as we undertake a thorough investigation.”
Peter V’landys, the Australian Rugby League Commission chairman, said he would not comment on specific allegations but told Nine Radio the league would investigate.
“No doubt about that, and if there’s any evidence we’ll be gathering all the evidence and all the facts,” he said. “But, I again stress, that all parties including the South Sydney club and Sam Burgess deserve due process and natural justice, and they’ll be afforded that.”
South Sydney said it will cooperate with the investigations and the club was taking the allegations seriously.
“There is no place in our society for violence, harassment or abuse against women,” a club statement said. “The club takes issues of drug use very seriously and has well-established policies and procedures in place around the use of performance enhancing or illicit/recreational/prescription drugs.”
Burgess made 176 appearances between 2010 and 2019. He was a key player in the Rabbitohs’ 2014 NRL title victory and won the Clive Churchill Medal for man-of-the-match.
One of the allegations in The Australian said Burgess had to be injected with liquid tranquilizer after taking drugs, and failed doping tests which were reportedly covered up by the Rabbitohs by using fake identities to hide positive tests for the illegal substances.
The report also claims Burgess assaulted his pregnant wife Phoebe Burgess in November 2018 in front of her father Mitch Hooke. The couple divorced in April.
Burgess’ lawyer Mark O’Brien has strongly denied the claims.
“The allegations are false and constitute an indefensible defamation against my client,” O’Brien told The Australian. “It is apparent sources of the false allegations are those currently in dispute with my client over various issues.”
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Kyle Rittenhouse suing Joe Biden, campaign, Lin Wood says

Joseph R. Biden ’ s presidential campaign is facing a libel lawsuit over an ad that labels Kenosha shooting suspect @ @ @ @ @ Wood , the attorney for Kyle Rittenhouse , confirmed the lawsuit plans to Fox News @ @ @ @ @ a 17-year old boy & prejudiced Kyle ’ s legal rights , ” Mr. Wood @ @ @ @ @ about the ad , which paints his client as a White supremacist .
The Biden @ @ @ @ @ to Twitter , with the caption “ there ’ s no other way to put @ @ @ @ @ the United States refused to disavow white supremacists on the debate stage last night.
” @ @ @ @ @ clip , the footage cuts to an image of Mr. Rittenhouse .
However , no @ @ @ @ @ Rittenhouse is a White supremacist and his attorneys have maintained that their client was defending @ @ @ @ @ left-wing rioters who came after him .
Two died .
The Anti-Defamation League has previously @ @ @ @ @ s social media activity shows no associated with extremist groups .

Joseph R. Biden’s presidential campaign is facing a libel lawsuit over an ad that labels Kenosha shooting suspect a White nationalist.
Lin Wood, the attorney for Kyle Rittenhouse, confirmed the lawsuit plans to Fox News.
“He falsely accused a 17-year old boy & prejudiced Kyle’s legal rights,” Mr. Wood also wrote in several tweets about the ad, which paints his client as a White supremacist.
The Biden campaign posted a 50-second clip to Twitter, with the caption “there’s no other way to put it: the President of the United States refused to disavow white supremacists on the debate stage last night.”
About 12 seconds into the clip, the footage cuts to an image of Mr. Rittenhouse.
However, no publicly available evidence suggests Mr. Rittenhouse is a White supremacist and his attorneys have maintained that their client was defending himself when he shot three left-wing rioters who came after him. Two died.
The Anti-Defamation League has previously said that Mr. Rittenhouse’s social media activity shows no association with extremist groups.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Phoenix police: Body found in desert could be missing woman

PHOENIX ( AP ) - A body was found Thursday in a north Phoenix desert area and it could be that of a woman who has been missing for almost a month , police said .
They said the body believed to be 59-year-old Julie Concialdi was located about 3 p.m. Thursday and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner will try to positively identify it and determine the cause of death .
Police arrested 57-year-old Joseph Concialdi on Sept. 15 on suspicion of first-degree murder days after he reported his wife of 30 years missing .
They said forensic evidence led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homicide victim .
Court documents described evidence of a sanitized crime scene at the couple ’ s Phoenix home house with blood that matched the woman ’ s DNA .
Police said Julie Concialdi ’ s truck was found burned and abandoned on Sept. 4 .
Two days later , police said Joseph Concialdi called to report his wife missing .
Police said he told them he last saw his wife on Sept. 4 when they had an argument over a vacation and he left to go camping near Payson .
Julie Concialdi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning calls and messages on Sept. 2 and failed to show up for appointments and work .

PHOENIX (AP) - A body was found Thursday in a north Phoenix desert area and it could be that of a woman who has been missing for almost a month, police said.
They said the body believed to be 59-year-old Julie Concialdi was located about 3 p.m. Thursday and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner will try to positively identify it and determine the cause of death.
Police arrested 57-year-old Joseph Concialdi on Sept. 15 on suspicion of first-degree murder days after he reported his wife of 30 years missing.
They said forensic evidence led them to believe Julie Concialdi was a homicide victim.
Court documents described evidence of a sanitized crime scene at the couple’s Phoenix home house with blood that matched the woman’s DNA.
Police said Julie Concialdi’s truck was found burned and abandoned on Sept. 4.
Two days later, police said Joseph Concialdi called to report his wife missing.
Police said he told them he last saw his wife on Sept. 4 when they had an argument over a vacation and he left to go camping near Payson.
Julie Concialdi’s family said she uncharacteristically stopped returning calls and messages on Sept. 2 and failed to show up for appointments and work.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Fire kills 13 at Chinese theme park at start of long holiday

BEIJING ( AP ) - A fire at a tourist site in China killed 13 people on the first day @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
The fire engulfed an exhibition hall of ice lantern and snow @ @ @ @ @ theme park on the outskirts of Taiyuan city in Shanxi province , the Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ 15 people were injured and taken to hospitals , where they were in stable condition @ @ @ @ @ Agency said .
Millions of people are expected to travel in China during the holiday @ @ @ @ @ boost to an economy hit hard by COVID-19 .
Taitaishan is a sprawling park with @ @ @ @ @ other attractions .
The Work Safety Committee of the State Council , a national-level organization @ @ @ @ @ into the fire , the emergency management ministry said .

BEIJING (AP) - A fire at a tourist site in China killed 13 people on the first day of an eight-day national holiday, authorities said.
The fire engulfed an exhibition hall of ice lantern and snow sculptures Thursday at the Taitaishan theme park on the outskirts of Taiyuan city in Shanxi province, the Ministry of Emergency Management said.
Another 15 people were injured and taken to hospitals, where they were in stable condition, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
Millions of people are expected to travel in China during the holiday in a much anticipated a boost to an economy hit hard by COVID-19.
Taitaishan is a sprawling park with several museums, rides and other attractions.
The Work Safety Committee of the State Council, a national-level organization, will oversee the investigation into the fire, the emergency management ministry said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Enrique Tarrio says Proud Boys not White supremacists

Enrique Tarrio insists that the Proud Boys aren ’ t White supremacists , and he would be in a position to know .
For one , he ’ s the international chairman .
For another , he ’ s Black .
“ I denounce White supremacy , ” Mr. Tarrio said in a Thursday interview with WSVN-TV in Miami .
“ I denounce anti-Semitism .
I denounce racism .
I denounce fascism .
I denounce communism and any other -ism that is prejudiced toward people because of their race , religion , culture , tone of skin.
” Mr. Tarrio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Proud Boys against accusations of racism after President Trump came under fire for refusing to denounce the right-wing activist group at Tuesday ’ s debate .
The president , who told moderator Chris Wallace that he had not heard of the group , said , “ Proud Boys , stand back and stand by.
” Democrats erupted , accusing the president of supporting White supremacists .
Sen. Kamala D. Harris , California Democrat and vice presidential nominee , described his Proud Boys comment as “ a dog whistle through a bullhorn.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Democrat , called Mr. Trump a “ national disgrace.
” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , New York Democrat , posted video of Mr. Trump ’ s comment and tweeted , “ Donald Trump is a white supremacist ” and “ This is fascism at our door.
” The message from those who have studied and interacted with the Proud Boys ?
Calm down .
Wilfred Reilly , who teaches political science at Kentucky State University , a historically Black college , said “ the Proud Boys aren ’ t White supremacists.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western chauvinism ” philosophy , which isn ’ t the same as White supremacy .
Mr. Reilly , author of “ Hate Crime Hoax , ” said his research shows law enforcement officials estimate that 10 % to 20 % of Proud Boys members are racial minorities .
“ The Proud Boys are openly right-leaning group and they ’ ll openly fight you .
They don ’ t deny any of this , but saying they ’ re White supremacist , if you ’ re talking about a group of people more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by an Afro-Latino guy , that doesn ’ t make sense , ” Mr. Reilly told The Washington Times .
In Salt Lake City , Proud Boys members held a joint news conference Wednesday with a local Black Lives Matter leader to correct the record and “ denounce White supremacy.
” “ I will go out and say that the Proud Boys as a whole , I will say this on behalf of the entire national organization , denounce White supremacy , ” the chief of the Proud Boys Salt Lake Utah Chapter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told reporters , as shown on Fox13 video .
“ We are in no way , shape or form White supremacists , ” Thad said .
“ We have a vetting system that gets just those guys out of our hair .
We do not have anything to do with White supremacy .
We do not have anything to do with the Ku Klux Klan .
We denounce those organizations.
” Mr. Trump told reporters Wednesday that he was “ unaware who Proud Boys are ” and that he has always denounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Wallace challenged Mr. Trump to denounce White supremacy , and Democratic presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden suggested that he denounce the Proud Boys specifically .
“ Proud Boys , stand back and stand by , ” said Mr. Trump .
“ But I ’ ll tell you what .
I ’ ll tell you what .
Somebody ’ s got to do something about Antifa and the left because this is not a right-wing problem.
” Mr. Reilly said he was not surprised by the accusations that the president was defending White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt on the left to describe anyone who opposes mainstream liberal positions as ‘ alt-right , ’ White supremacist , all the way down the line , ” said Mr. Reilly , who is Black .
“ There ’ s definitely a double standard on coverage of Antifa versus Proud Boys , for example.
” That double-standard could be seen on Amazon , which pulled sales of debate-inspired T-shirts with the logo “ Stand Back and Stand By ” while continuing to offer pro-Antifa clothing and items , along with anti-Antifa merchandise .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines , and those who do not will be subject to action including potential removal of their account .
The products in question have been removed , ” an Amazon spokesperson told CBS News .
Even so , supporters continued to defend the Proud Boys .
In Delaware , Republican Senate candidate Lauren Witzke credited the Proud Boys with providing her with free security at a rally when Black Lives Matter and Antifa activists turned out to protest .
“ I ’ m not sure when patriotic masculinity , defending yourself , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” tweeted Ms. Witzke , who is challenging Democratic Sen. Christopher A. Coons .
“ I also don ’ t recall the Proud Boys rioting and looting the city of Wilmington like ANTIFA did , either.
” Black Trump supporter Melissa Tate also challenged the “ White supremacist ” label .
She posted a video in which she and Beverly Beatty said the Proud Boys helped provide security for them at a Christian prayer event .
“ STOP THE LIES , ” tweeted Ms. Tate , who has 440,700 followers .
“ Proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are Christian men many of them hispanic & some black.
” Founded in 2016 by Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes , Proud Boys is listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center .
Mr. McInnes has sued to have the designation removed .
“ We ’ re a drinking club with a patriot problem , ” Mr. Tarrio told CNN at a Sept. 26 rally in Portland , Oregon .
“ As Proud Boys , I think our main objective is to defend the West.
” Proud Boys , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world , ” have clashed repeatedly with Antifa in Portland .
The Oregon Justice Resource Center filed a lawsuit last week against the Proud Boys , alleging that four counterprotesters were injured by Proud Boys activists wielding paintball guns and bear mace during an Aug. 22 melee in Portland .
“ The Proud Boys represent an unconventional strain of American right-wing extremism , ” the Anti-Defamation League said on its website .
“ While the group can be described as violent , nationalistic , Islamophobic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represent a range of ethnic backgrounds , and its leaders vehemently protest any allegations of racism.
” Mr. McInnes , who left the group in 2018 , has been banned from most social media platforms for his anti-Semitic statements , including a video called “ Ten Things I Hate About Jews , ” which he later changed to “ Ten Things I Hate About Israel.
” Supporters of the Proud Boys include right-wing pundits Ann Coulter and Michelle Malkin , as well as former Republican consultant and convicted felon Roger Stone , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
During the Tuesday debate , Mr. Trump was asked whether he would be willing to tell White supremacists and militia groups to “ stand down and not add to the violence in a number of these cities , ” referring to the ongoing protests and rioting .
“ Sure , I ’ m willing to , but I would say almost everything I see is from the left wing , not from the right wing , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ I ’ m willing to do anything .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ Then do it sir.
” Mr. Trump said to “ give me a name , ” and Mr. Biden said , “ Proud Boys.
” Mr. Trump then challenged Mr. Biden to condemn Antifa , to which Mr. Biden replied , “ Antifa is an idea , not an organization.
” Mr. Trump replied , “ Oh , you ’ ve got to be kidding.
” Blexit founder Candace Owens asked why Mr. Biden was not asked to condemn Antifa .
“ Unbelievable .
Every person in America knows these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter and Antifa , ” she tweeted .
“ Chris Wallace asks the President to condemn white supremacists but did not think to ask Joe Biden to condemn Antifa or BLM , ” she added .

Enrique Tarrio insists that the Proud Boys aren’t White supremacists, and he would be in a position to know. For one, he’s the international chairman. For another, he’s Black.
“I denounce White supremacy,” Mr. Tarrio said in a Thursday interview with WSVN-TV in Miami. “I denounce anti-Semitism. I denounce racism. I denounce fascism. I denounce communism and any other -ism that is prejudiced toward people because of their race, religion, culture, tone of skin.”
Mr. Tarrio headed the rising tide of those defending the Proud Boys against accusations of racism after President Trump came under fire for refusing to denounce the right-wing activist group at Tuesday’s debate.
The president, who told moderator Chris Wallace that he had not heard of the group, said, “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by.”
Democrats erupted, accusing the president of supporting White supremacists. Sen. Kamala D. Harris, California Democrat and vice presidential nominee, described his Proud Boys comment as “a dog whistle through a bullhorn.” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, called Mr. Trump a “national disgrace.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Democrat, posted video of Mr. Trump’s comment and tweeted, “Donald Trump is a white supremacist” and “This is fascism at our door.”
The message from those who have studied and interacted with the Proud Boys? Calm down.
Wilfred Reilly, who teaches political science at Kentucky State University, a historically Black college, said “the Proud Boys aren’t White supremacists.” He said the group espouses a “Western chauvinism” philosophy, which isn’t the same as White supremacy.
Mr. Reilly, author of “Hate Crime Hoax,” said his research shows law enforcement officials estimate that 10% to 20% of Proud Boys members are racial minorities.
“The Proud Boys are openly right-leaning group and they’ll openly fight you. They don’t deny any of this, but saying they’re White supremacist, if you’re talking about a group of people more than 10% people of color and headed by an Afro-Latino guy, that doesn’t make sense,” Mr. Reilly told The Washington Times.
In Salt Lake City, Proud Boys members held a joint news conference Wednesday with a local Black Lives Matter leader to correct the record and “denounce White supremacy.”
“I will go out and say that the Proud Boys as a whole, I will say this on behalf of the entire national organization, denounce White supremacy,” the chief of the Proud Boys Salt Lake Utah Chapter, who gave only the name Thad, told reporters, as shown on Fox13 video.
“We are in no way, shape or form White supremacists,” Thad said. “We have a vetting system that gets just those guys out of our hair. We do not have anything to do with White supremacy. We do not have anything to do with the Ku Klux Klan. We denounce those organizations.”
Mr. Trump told reporters Wednesday that he was “unaware who Proud Boys are” and that he has always denounced White supremacy.
During the debate, Mr. Wallace challenged Mr. Trump to denounce White supremacy, and Democratic presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden suggested that he denounce the Proud Boys specifically.
“Proud Boys, stand back and stand by,” said Mr. Trump. “But I’ll tell you what. I’ll tell you what. Somebody’s got to do something about Antifa and the left because this is not a right-wing problem.”
Mr. Reilly said he was not surprised by the accusations that the president was defending White supremacists.
“There obviously is an attempt on the left to describe anyone who opposes mainstream liberal positions as ‘alt-right,’ White supremacist, all the way down the line,” said Mr. Reilly, who is Black. “There’s definitely a double standard on coverage of Antifa versus Proud Boys, for example.”
Amazon shirts pulled
That double-standard could be seen on Amazon, which pulled sales of debate-inspired T-shirts with the logo “Stand Back and Stand By” while continuing to offer pro-Antifa clothing and items, along with anti-Antifa merchandise.
“All sellers must follow our selling guidelines, and those who do not will be subject to action including potential removal of their account. The products in question have been removed,” an Amazon spokesperson told CBS News.
Even so, supporters continued to defend the Proud Boys. In Delaware, Republican Senate candidate Lauren Witzke credited the Proud Boys with providing her with free security at a rally when Black Lives Matter and Antifa activists turned out to protest.
“I’m not sure when patriotic masculinity, defending yourself, and being Christian became ‘Far-Right,’” tweeted Ms. Witzke, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Christopher A. Coons. “I also don’t recall the Proud Boys rioting and looting the city of Wilmington like ANTIFA did, either.”
Black Trump supporter Melissa Tate also challenged the “White supremacist” label. She posted a video in which she and Beverly Beatty said the Proud Boys helped provide security for them at a Christian prayer event.
“STOP THE LIES,” tweeted Ms. Tate, who has 440,700 followers. “Proud Boys are NOT White Supremacist. They are Christian men many of them hispanic & some black.”
Founded in 2016 by Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes, Proud Boys is listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Mr. McInnes has sued to have the designation removed.
“We’re a drinking club with a patriot problem,” Mr. Tarrio told CNN at a Sept. 26 rally in Portland, Oregon. “As Proud Boys, I think our main objective is to defend the West.”
Proud Boys, which describes its members as “Western chauvinists who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world,” have clashed repeatedly with Antifa in Portland.
The Oregon Justice Resource Center filed a lawsuit last week against the Proud Boys, alleging that four counterprotesters were injured by Proud Boys activists wielding paintball guns and bear mace during an Aug. 22 melee in Portland.
“The Proud Boys represent an unconventional strain of American right-wing extremism,” the Anti-Defamation League said on its website. “While the group can be described as violent, nationalistic, Islamophobic, transphobic and misogynistic, its members represent a range of ethnic backgrounds, and its leaders vehemently protest any allegations of racism.”
Mr. McInnes, who left the group in 2018, has been banned from most social media platforms for his anti-Semitic statements, including a video called “Ten Things I Hate About Jews,” which he later changed to “Ten Things I Hate About Israel.”
Supporters of the Proud Boys include right-wing pundits Ann Coulter and Michelle Malkin, as well as former Republican consultant and convicted felon Roger Stone, whose 2019 sentence was later commuted by Mr. Trump.
During the Tuesday debate, Mr. Trump was asked whether he would be willing to tell White supremacists and militia groups to “stand down and not add to the violence in a number of these cities,” referring to the ongoing protests and rioting.
“Sure, I’m willing to, but I would say almost everything I see is from the left wing, not from the right wing,” Mr. Trump said. “I’m willing to do anything. I want to see peace.”
Mr. Wallace said, “Then do it sir.” Mr. Trump said to “give me a name,” and Mr. Biden said, “Proud Boys.”
Mr. Trump then challenged Mr. Biden to condemn Antifa, to which Mr. Biden replied, “Antifa is an idea, not an organization.” Mr. Trump replied, “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding.”
Blexit founder Candace Owens asked why Mr. Biden was not asked to condemn Antifa. “Unbelievable. Every person in America knows these riots are being orchestrated by black lives matter and Antifa,” she tweeted.
“Chris Wallace asks the President to condemn white supremacists but did not think to ask Joe Biden to condemn Antifa or BLM,” she added.
• Jessica Chasmar contributed to this report.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Navajo Nation has no COVID-19 deaths for 3rd time this week

WINDOW ROCK , Ariz. ( AP ) - Navajo Nation health officials reported 13 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus Thursday with no additional deaths for the third time this week .
The latest figures bring the total number of COVID-19 cases on the vast reservation to 10,369 with the known death toll remaining at 556 .
Tribal officials reported no deaths on Monday and Tuesday with just one death on Wednesday .
They said 107,599 people have been tested for the coronavirus on the reservation that covers parts of Arizona , New Mexico and Utah and 7,262 have recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stricter weekend lockdown as it looks into new clusters of coronavirus cases from family gatherings and off-reservation travel .
Residents now are being required to stay home from Friday evening until early Monday morning .
More recent weekend lockdowns were a day shorter .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including @ @ @ @ @

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) - Navajo Nation health officials reported 13 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus Thursday with no additional deaths for the third time this week.
The latest figures bring the total number of COVID-19 cases on the vast reservation to 10,369 with the known death toll remaining at 556.
Tribal officials reported no deaths on Monday and Tuesday with just one death on Wednesday.
They said 107,599 people have been tested for the coronavirus on the reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah and 7,262 have recovered.
The Navajo Nation has implemented a stricter weekend lockdown as it looks into new clusters of coronavirus cases from family gatherings and off-reservation travel.
Residents now are being required to stay home from Friday evening until early Monday morning. More recent weekend lockdowns were a day shorter.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
But for some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Judge Jeffrey White halts Trump guest workers ban during pandemic

A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Trump likely overstepped his powers when he tried to ban most foreign guest-workers from entering the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic , and ordered the administration to start issuing visas again .
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White said Mr. Trump ’ s ban “ completely disregards … economic reality ” by leaving businesses that have to have foreign workers in the lurch .
“ Without any consideration of the impact on American firms and their business planning , the Proclamation abruptly changed the scope of immigration policy in the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ W. Bush appointee to a federal court in California .
The decision is a severe blow to the president ’ s immigration plans .
He had imposed a general ban on both newly arriving immigrants and most guest workers , saying he didn ’ t want them competing with Americans who are looking for work as the pandemic eases and the country reopens .
Judge White said Mr. Trump bungled both the law and the economics .
He said the areas of highest unemployment are service-related jobs , which aren ’ t being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of guest-workers affected by the ban , meanwhile , are high-skilled tech workers .
“ These jobs are simply not fungible , ” he wrote .
He also said the U.S. immigration system has checks in place , with the Labor Department required to certify there are no workers already in the U.S. willing to take the jobs before they can be opened to foreign guest-workers .
He ruled in favor of a wide array of business interests , who ’ d sued to stop Mr. Trump ’ s June proclamation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign workers was actually essential to the U.S. economy , and without them the companies would suffer , and so would their American owners and employees .
Mr. Trump ’ s order applied to visas for workers looking to transfer inside a company from another country to the U.S. ; to H-1B visas , which go to skilled workers , usually in fields like computer programming ; to seasonal non-farm guest-workers , such as those who staff resorts or do landscaping ; and work-study programs .
Judge White issued a preliminary injunction ordering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-start processing those visas .

A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Trump likely overstepped his powers when he tried to ban most foreign guest-workers from entering the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic, and ordered the administration to start issuing visas again.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White said Mr. Trump’s ban “completely disregards … economic reality” by leaving businesses that have to have foreign workers in the lurch.
“Without any consideration of the impact on American firms and their business planning, the Proclamation abruptly changed the scope of immigration policy in the United States,” wrote Judge White, a George W. Bush appointee to a federal court in California.
The decision is a severe blow to the president’s immigration plans.
He had imposed a general ban on both newly arriving immigrants and most guest workers, saying he didn’t want them competing with Americans who are looking for work as the pandemic eases and the country reopens.
Judge White said Mr. Trump bungled both the law and the economics.
He said the areas of highest unemployment are service-related jobs, which aren’t being taken by the guest-workers. The largest number of guest-workers affected by the ban, meanwhile, are high-skilled tech workers.
“These jobs are simply not fungible,” he wrote.
He also said the U.S. immigration system has checks in place, with the Labor Department required to certify there are no workers already in the U.S. willing to take the jobs before they can be opened to foreign guest-workers.
He ruled in favor of a wide array of business interests, who’d sued to stop Mr. Trump’s June proclamation. The businesses argued that bringing in the foreign workers was actually essential to the U.S. economy, and without them the companies would suffer, and so would their American owners and employees.
Mr. Trump’s order applied to visas for workers looking to transfer inside a company from another country to the U.S.; to H-1B visas, which go to skilled workers, usually in fields like computer programming; to seasonal non-farm guest-workers, such as those who staff resorts or do landscaping; and work-study programs.
Judge White issued a preliminary injunction ordering Homeland Security and the State Department to re-start processing those visas.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Judge blocks large parts of temporary work visa ban

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - A judge on Thursday temporarily lifted a visa ban on a large number of work permits , undercutting a measure that the Trump administration says protects American jobs in a pandemic-wracked economy .
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White said his ruling applied to members of organizations that sued the administration - the U.S. Chamber of Commerce , National Association of Manufacturers , National Retail Federation , TechNet , a technology industry group , and Intrax Inc. , which sponsors cultural exchanges .
White , ruling in Oakland , California , said his order didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he noted they are comprised of “ hundreds of thousands of American businesses of all sizes from a cross-section of economic sectors , ” including Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc. Paul Hughes , an attorney for the associations , said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce alone has “ more than 300,000 members of all shapes and sizes across the United States.
” The injunction , which lifts the ban while the case is being litigated , is at least a temporary setback for the administration ’ s efforts to limit legal immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was appointed by President George W. Bush , said President Donald Trump likely acted outside bounds of his authority .
The judge wrote “ there must be some measure of constraint on Presidential authority in the domestic sphere in order not to render the executive an entirely monarchical power in the immigration context , an area within clear legislative prerogative.
” The ban , which took effect in June and is scheduled to last until the end of this year , applies to H-1B visas , which are widely used by major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visas for nonagricultural seasonal workers , J visas for cultural exchanges and L visas for managers and other key employees of multinational corporations .
It was the second time in three days that White blocked a significant change on immigration .
On Tuesday , he halted major fee increases for citizenship and other benefits three days before they were to take effect .
The Homeland Security and Justice departments did not immediately respond to requests for comments Thursday night .
The National Association of Manufacturers , which represents 1,400 companies , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard-to-fill jobs to support economic recovery , growth and innovation when we most need it.
” “ Today ’ s decision is a temporary win for manufacturers committed to building that innovation in the United States , ” said Linda Kelly , the group ’ s senior vice president and general counsel .
“ A long-term win for manufacturers requires policymakers to support meaningful reforms to our immigration laws that recognize the critical link between smart immigration policy and America ’ s competitive advantage.
” With Congress and the White House deadlocked on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his own .
The Migration Policy Institute recently catalogued more than 400 executive actions during his presidency to change policy , including border enforcement , asylum eligibility and vetting for visas .
Many of Trump ’ s changes on immigration are being challenged in court .
It is unclear how many Joe Biden would roll back if he defeats Trump in November ’ s election or how quickly he would act .

SAN DIEGO (AP) - A judge on Thursday temporarily lifted a visa ban on a large number of work permits, undercutting a measure that the Trump administration says protects American jobs in a pandemic-wracked economy.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White said his ruling applied to members of organizations that sued the administration - the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, National Retail Federation, TechNet, a technology industry group, and Intrax Inc., which sponsors cultural exchanges.
White, ruling in Oakland, California, said his order didn’t extend beyond those groups. But he noted they are comprised of “hundreds of thousands of American businesses of all sizes from a cross-section of economic sectors,” including Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc.
Paul Hughes, an attorney for the associations, said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce alone has “more than 300,000 members of all shapes and sizes across the United States.”
The injunction, which lifts the ban while the case is being litigated, is at least a temporary setback for the administration’s efforts to limit legal immigration during the coronavirus outbreak.
White, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, said President Donald Trump likely acted outside bounds of his authority.
The judge wrote “there must be some measure of constraint on Presidential authority in the domestic sphere in order not to render the executive an entirely monarchical power in the immigration context, an area within clear legislative prerogative.”
The ban, which took effect in June and is scheduled to last until the end of this year, applies to H-1B visas, which are widely used by major American and Indian technology companies, H-2B visas for nonagricultural seasonal workers, J visas for cultural exchanges and L visas for managers and other key employees of multinational corporations.
It was the second time in three days that White blocked a significant change on immigration. On Tuesday, he halted major fee increases for citizenship and other benefits three days before they were to take effect.
The Homeland Security and Justice departments did not immediately respond to requests for comments Thursday night.
The National Association of Manufacturers, which represents 1,400 companies, said the ruling will help with “crucial, hard-to-fill jobs to support economic recovery, growth and innovation when we most need it.”
“Today’s decision is a temporary win for manufacturers committed to building that innovation in the United States,” said Linda Kelly, the group’s senior vice president and general counsel. “A long-term win for manufacturers requires policymakers to support meaningful reforms to our immigration laws that recognize the critical link between smart immigration policy and America’s competitive advantage.”
With Congress and the White House deadlocked on immigration, Trump has reshaped the system on his own. The Migration Policy Institute recently catalogued more than 400 executive actions during his presidency to change policy, including border enforcement, asylum eligibility and vetting for visas.
Many of Trump’s changes on immigration are being challenged in court. It is unclear how many Joe Biden would roll back if he defeats Trump in November’s election or how quickly he would act.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Tillis, Cunningham spar over Supreme Court, absentee voting

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said in a debate Thursday night with Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham that the president ’ s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court - if appointed - should not recuse herself in any potential cases involving the 2020 presidential election .
“ I don ’ t believe that she should ( recuse herself ) , but that ’ s a decision that she ’ ll make based on the facts , ” Tillis said of President Donald Trump ’ s choice , Amy Coney Barrett .
who awaits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a very well-documented recusal process , and I trust Amy Coney Barrett and all the nine justices to act appropriately.
” Concerns about the Supreme Court and mail-in voting in this year ’ s presidential election took center stage at Thursday night ’ s debate .
Cunningham declined to say whether he thinks Barrett is qualified to be on the nation ’ s highest court .
He said that , if elected , he would reserve judgment until meeting her .
“ I would meet with her and I would put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job interview before I would give her my vote , ” Cunningham said .
“ The fact of the matter is that stands in stark contrast to what Sen. Tillis has proposed.
” The day after Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s death , Tillis told Trump supporters gathred at a rally in Fayetteville , North Carolina , that he ’ d support any of the justices Trump had on his list of potential candidates .
In 2016 , Tillis opposed then-President Barack Obama ’ s nomination of Judge Merrick Garland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American people should be heavily weighted in that decision and their voice will soon be heard on Election Day.
” On another issue , Tillis said he believes absentee ballot rule changes pushed by North Carolina Democrats have “ set the groundwork for lawsuits ” in that state .
Tillis , who is voting by mail this year and has praised North Carolina ’ s absentee voting process throughout the election cycle , said he is concerned about recent changes .
Updated guidance unanimously passed last week by the North Carolina State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and federal court .
The two Republican members of the five-member board resigned shortly after receiving substantial pushback from state GOP leaders .
The state ’ s Republican Party said Democrats misled the members into supporting the easing of certain voting procedures .
At the center of the debate is a six-day extension for counties to receive absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day and a process in which voters who filled out their ballots without the necessary witness information could receive an affidavit to correct the problem - rather than having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s a dramatic change that I hope can be halted , ” Tillis said .
Federal Judge William Osteen said Wednesday that the affidavit directive doesn ’ t comply with a ruling he issued in August upholding the need for a witness because it would effectively eliminate the witness requirement mandated under state law .
Osteen ’ s criticism of the memo the state elections board issued last week prompted the group to announce on Thursday it would halt plans to resolve ballot issue with voter affidavits .
Cunningham signaled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to ensure all eligible votes can be counted .
“ We want people to participate , and I have confidence that we will end up in a place where folks will and should have confidence in the outcome , ” Cunningham said .
Anderson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said in a debate Thursday night with Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham that the president’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court - if appointed - should not recuse herself in any potential cases involving the 2020 presidential election.
“I don’t believe that she should (recuse herself), but that’s a decision that she’ll make based on the facts,” Tillis said of President Donald Trump’s choice, Amy Coney Barrett. who awaits the Senate confirmation process. “It’s a very well-documented recusal process, and I trust Amy Coney Barrett and all the nine justices to act appropriately.”
Concerns about the Supreme Court and mail-in voting in this year’s presidential election took center stage at Thursday night’s debate.
Cunningham declined to say whether he thinks Barrett is qualified to be on the nation’s highest court. He said that, if elected, he would reserve judgment until meeting her.
“I would meet with her and I would put her through hearings and give her a job interview before I would give her my vote,” Cunningham said. “The fact of the matter is that stands in stark contrast to what Sen. Tillis has proposed.”
The day after Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, Tillis told Trump supporters gathred at a rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, that he’d support any of the justices Trump had on his list of potential candidates.
In 2016, Tillis opposed then-President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Merrick Garland, arguing that “the voice of the American people should be heavily weighted in that decision and their voice will soon be heard on Election Day.”
On another issue, Tillis said he believes absentee ballot rule changes pushed by North Carolina Democrats have “set the groundwork for lawsuits” in that state.
Tillis, who is voting by mail this year and has praised North Carolina’s absentee voting process throughout the election cycle, said he is concerned about recent changes.
Updated guidance unanimously passed last week by the North Carolina State Board of Elections is being challenged in state and federal court.
The two Republican members of the five-member board resigned shortly after receiving substantial pushback from state GOP leaders. The state’s Republican Party said Democrats misled the members into supporting the easing of certain voting procedures.
At the center of the debate is a six-day extension for counties to receive absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day and a process in which voters who filled out their ballots without the necessary witness information could receive an affidavit to correct the problem - rather than having to fill out an entirely new ballot.
“It’s a dramatic change that I hope can be halted,” Tillis said.
Federal Judge William Osteen said Wednesday that the affidavit directive doesn’t comply with a ruling he issued in August upholding the need for a witness because it would effectively eliminate the witness requirement mandated under state law. Osteen’s criticism of the memo the state elections board issued last week prompted the group to announce on Thursday it would halt plans to resolve ballot issue with voter affidavits.
Cunningham signaled support for the new process because he wants to ensure all eligible votes can be counted.
“We want people to participate, and I have confidence that we will end up in a place where folks will and should have confidence in the outcome,” Cunningham said.
___
Follow Anderson on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BryanRAnderson.
___
Anderson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Trump campaign sues Philadelphia over mail-in voting offices

HARRISBURG , Pa. ( AP ) - President Donald Trump ’ s campaign followed through on a threat to sue Philadelphia , filing papers in court Thursday night over city officials preventing campaign representatives from watching people registering to vote or filling out mail-in ballots in election offices there .
The lawsuit comes amid Trump claiming that he can only lose the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania if Democrats cheat and , as he did in 2016 ’ s campaign , suggesting that the Democratic bastion of Philadelphia needs to be watched closely for election fraud .
The 14-page lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philadelphia , revolves around the question of what rights there are for campaign representatives to watch people in election offices where they can register to vote , apply for mail-in ballots , fill them out or turn them in .
“ Bad things are happening in Philadelphia , ” the campaign ’ s lawsuit said .
“ While transparency and accountability are hallmarks of election integrity , the actions of Philadelphia election officials to date have undermined election integrity by shrouding the casting of ballots in secrecy.
” The campaign is asking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside satellite election offices that Philadelphia began opening Tuesday around the city to help collect what is expected to be an avalanche of mail-in ballots in the Nov. 3 presidential election .
But election lawyers , city officials and the state ’ s top elections official all say that there is no right under Pennsylvania law , even for a certified poll watcher , to watch people do things like register to vote or fill out a mail-in ballot .
Those rights , they say , are limited to certified campaign representatives to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Day or the opening of absentee and mail-in ballots in an election office .
A spokesperson for the city ’ s election board chairwoman said Thursday night that he had not reviewed the lawsuit , but the board generally does not comment on litigation .
The Trump campaign originally threatened to sue Tuesday night .
Some recent Pennsylvania polls show Trump and Biden in a competitive race , while others have Biden slightly ahead .
Philadelphia on Tuesday opened the first seven of what is expected to be 17 satellite election offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deemed to be legal under state law last month by the state Supreme Court in a lawsuit brought by the state Democratic Party .
Trump campaign employees promptly showed up , insisting they be allowed to go in and observe the activity inside .
However , city election officials - including a Republican member of a three-member city election board - prevented them , although they offered the campaign a tour of the facilities to let them see how they operate .
Trump referred to that confrontation in Tuesday night ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , saying “ bad things happen in Philadelphia.
” The fight could widen .
A number of counties , including the state ’ s most heavily populated counties , are opening satellite election offices and putting out drop boxes for voters to drop off mail-in ballots .
Philadelphia is home to one in five registered Democratic voters in Pennsylvania , and its turnout is closely watched in presidential elections .
In 2016 , Trump won Pennsylvania by about 44,000 votes , or less than 1 percentage point .
But he lost Philadelphia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points , or about 475,000 votes , a gap that was slightly smaller than the historic margins produced for Barack Obama .
It is at least the second lawsuit filed in Pennsylvania by the Trump campaign , in an effort to expand poll watching rights and limit how counties can collect mail-in ballots and which mail-in ballots can be counted .

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - President Donald Trump’s campaign followed through on a threat to sue Philadelphia, filing papers in court Thursday night over city officials preventing campaign representatives from watching people registering to vote or filling out mail-in ballots in election offices there.
The lawsuit comes amid Trump claiming that he can only lose the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania if Democrats cheat and, as he did in 2016’s campaign, suggesting that the Democratic bastion of Philadelphia needs to be watched closely for election fraud.
The 14-page lawsuit, filed in a state court in Philadelphia, revolves around the question of what rights there are for campaign representatives to watch people in election offices where they can register to vote, apply for mail-in ballots, fill them out or turn them in.
“Bad things are happening in Philadelphia,” the campaign’s lawsuit said. “While transparency and accountability are hallmarks of election integrity, the actions of Philadelphia election officials to date have undermined election integrity by shrouding the casting of ballots in secrecy.”
The campaign is asking to be able to assign representatives to observe inside satellite election offices that Philadelphia began opening Tuesday around the city to help collect what is expected to be an avalanche of mail-in ballots in the Nov. 3 presidential election.
But election lawyers, city officials and the state’s top elections official all say that there is no right under Pennsylvania law, even for a certified poll watcher, to watch people do things like register to vote or fill out a mail-in ballot.
Those rights, they say, are limited to certified campaign representatives to observe voting at a polling place on Election Day or the opening of absentee and mail-in ballots in an election office.
A spokesperson for the city’s election board chairwoman said Thursday night that he had not reviewed the lawsuit, but the board generally does not comment on litigation. The Trump campaign originally threatened to sue Tuesday night.
Some recent Pennsylvania polls show Trump and Biden in a competitive race, while others have Biden slightly ahead.
Philadelphia on Tuesday opened the first seven of what is expected to be 17 satellite election offices. The offices are a new creation, deemed to be legal under state law last month by the state Supreme Court in a lawsuit brought by the state Democratic Party.
Trump campaign employees promptly showed up, insisting they be allowed to go in and observe the activity inside. However, city election officials - including a Republican member of a three-member city election board - prevented them, although they offered the campaign a tour of the facilities to let them see how they operate.
Trump referred to that confrontation in Tuesday night’s debate with Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, saying “bad things happen in Philadelphia.”
The fight could widen. A number of counties, including the state’s most heavily populated counties, are opening satellite election offices and putting out drop boxes for voters to drop off mail-in ballots.
Philadelphia is home to one in five registered Democratic voters in Pennsylvania, and its turnout is closely watched in presidential elections.
In 2016, Trump won Pennsylvania by about 44,000 votes, or less than 1 percentage point. But he lost Philadelphia to Democrat Hillary Clinton by 67 percentage points, or about 475,000 votes, a gap that was slightly smaller than the historic margins produced for Barack Obama.
It is at least the second lawsuit filed in Pennsylvania by the Trump campaign, in an effort to expand poll watching rights and limit how counties can collect mail-in ballots and which mail-in ballots can be counted.
___
Follow Marc Levy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/timelywriter.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Shia LaBeouf charged with misdemeanor battery, petty theft

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Shia LaBeouf has been charged with misdemeanor battery and petty theft .
Prosecutors allege @ @ @ @ @ with a man named Tyler Murphy and took his hat , according to a criminal @ @ @ @ @ Press on Thursday from the Los Angeles city attorney .
The charges were filed on @ @ @ @ @ 12 incident .
A representative for LaBeouf did not immediately respond to an email seeking @ @ @ @ @ first gained fame as a teenager on the Disney Channel show “ Even Stevens , @ @ @ @ @ roles in 2007 ’ s “ Transformers , ” 2008 ’ s “ Indiana Jones @ @ @ @ @ ” and last year ’ s “ Honey Boy , ” a film he also @ @ @ @ @ his father .
He has had several run-ins with the law during his career , @ @ @ @ @ arrest for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct that was captured on a livestream video .
@ @ @ @ @ rehabilitation for the incident .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Shia LaBeouf has been charged with misdemeanor battery and petty theft.
Prosecutors allege that the 34-year-old actor fought with a man named Tyler Murphy and took his hat, according to a criminal complaint obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday from the Los Angeles city attorney.
The charges were filed on Sept. 24 for the June 12 incident.
A representative for LaBeouf did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
LaBeouf, who first gained fame as a teenager on the Disney Channel show “Even Stevens,” is known for his roles in 2007’s “Transformers,” 2008’s “Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull,” and last year’s “Honey Boy,” a film he also wrote about his relationship with his father.
He has had several run-ins with the law during his career, including a 2017 New York arrest for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct that was captured on a livestream video. He was sent to court-mandated rehabilitation for the incident.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Women sue Denver over alleged fire department discrimination

DENVER ( AP ) - Two Black women have sued the city of Denver over allegations that members of the city ’ s fire department systematically discriminated against them because of their gender and race .
Da Lesha Allen and Charmaine Cassie filed the federal lawsuit Wednesday claiming they faced tougher standards and stricter scrutiny than their white , male colleagues , The Denver Post reports .
The lawsuit also alleges colleagues and supervisors made racist comments about their hair and bodies and applied racist stereotypes to the women after they joined the fire department .
Allen joined the department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The lawsuit says Allen was fired after she filed a discrimination complaint and a city internal affairs investigation determined her complaints were “ unfounded.
” Cassie is still a firefighter with the department .
A fire captain told Cassie she would struggle to complete the department ’ s training program because of its culture and said she should “ keep her head down and act like a slave ” in order to graduate from the training , the lawsuit says .
A lieutenant commented several times on Cassie ’ s body , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big butt , ” the lawsuit alleges .
Another high-ranking firefighter told Allen she would need to figure out how to get her hair into her helmet , even though he knew “ you people like to put all them things in your hair , ” the lawsuit says .
Allen did not have anything in her hair at the time , the lawsuit says .
The majority of fire department employees are white men .
Between 2016 and 2019 , an average 5 % of employees were Black , about 5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of employees were Black women , the lawsuit said .
“ The fire department has a huge history of being the good old boys network , and mostly a white good old boys network , ” said David Lane , an attorney for the women .
“ So women firefighters get washed out of the academy on a routine basis , and these women are standing up to it.
” A city spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit Thursday .

DENVER (AP) - Two Black women have sued the city of Denver over allegations that members of the city’s fire department systematically discriminated against them because of their gender and race.
Da Lesha Allen and Charmaine Cassie filed the federal lawsuit Wednesday claiming they faced tougher standards and stricter scrutiny than their white, male colleagues, The Denver Post reports.
The lawsuit also alleges colleagues and supervisors made racist comments about their hair and bodies and applied racist stereotypes to the women after they joined the fire department. Allen joined the department in 2019 and Cassie joined in 2018.
The lawsuit says Allen was fired after she filed a discrimination complaint and a city internal affairs investigation determined her complaints were “unfounded.” Cassie is still a firefighter with the department.
A fire captain told Cassie she would struggle to complete the department’s training program because of its culture and said she should “keep her head down and act like a slave” in order to graduate from the training, the lawsuit says.
A lieutenant commented several times on Cassie’s body, including a declaration she had a “big butt,” the lawsuit alleges.
Another high-ranking firefighter told Allen she would need to figure out how to get her hair into her helmet, even though he knew “you people like to put all them things in your hair,” the lawsuit says.
Allen did not have anything in her hair at the time, the lawsuit says.
The majority of fire department employees are white men. Between 2016 and 2019, an average 5% of employees were Black, about 5% were women and less than 1% of employees were Black women, the lawsuit said.
“The fire department has a huge history of being the good old boys network, and mostly a white good old boys network,” said David Lane, an attorney for the women. “So women firefighters get washed out of the academy on a routine basis, and these women are standing up to it.”
A city spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit Thursday.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Trump awaiting results after top aide contracts COVID-19

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - President Donald Trump says he and first lady Melania Trump are awaiting coronavirus test results after a top aide he spent substantial time with this week tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ Whether we quarantine or whether we have it , I don ’ t know , ” Trump said during a call-in interview with Fox News Channel ’ s Sean Hannity on Thursday night .
“ I just went for a test and we ’ ll see what happens.
” Trump ’ s comments came after he confirmed that Hope Hicks , one his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus Thursday .
Hicks began feeling mild symptoms during the plane ride home from a rally in Minnesota Wednesday evening , according to an administration official , who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose private information .
She was quarantined away from others on the plane and her diagnosis was confirmed Thursday , the person said .
Hicks , who serves as counselor to Trump , also traveled with Trump to the first presidential debate in Cleveland on Tuesday .
She is the most senior White House official to test positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet another reminder that the virus continues to spread , even as Trump has tried desperately to pretend it no longer poses a danger .
Since the beginning , he , the White House and his campaign have played down the threat and refused to abide by basic public health guidelines - including those issued by his own administration - such as wearing masks in public and practicing social distancing .
Instead , Trump has continued to hold campaign rallies that draw thousands of supporters .
The virus has killed more than 200,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide .
The White House had not responded earlier to multiple questions about the last time Trump was tested and whether he and other staffers who spent time with Hicks in recent days will be asked to quarantine .
Trump traveled to New Jersey Thursday for a fundraiser and the White House sent out a schedule for Friday that includes an intelligence briefing , a phone call on COVID-19 support for “ vulnerable seniors , ” a fundraiser at his Washington , D.C. , hotel and another rally in Sanford , Florida .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ him at higher risk of serious complications from the virus .
He said he expected to have the results back either Thursday night or Friday morning .
In a statement , White House spokesman Judd Deere said the president “ takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously.
” “ White House Operations collaborates with the Physician to the President and the White House Military Office to ensure all plans and procedures incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible both on complex and when the President is traveling , ” Deere said .
Hicks traveled with the president multiple times this week , including aboard Marine One , the presidential helicopter , and on Air Force One to a rally in Minnesota Wednesday , and aboard Air Force One to Tuesday night ’ s first presidential debate in Cleveland .
Hicks is one of the president ’ s most trusted and longest-serving aides , having worked as spokesperson for his 2016 campaign .
She originally served as White House as communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year as an adviser ahead of the election .
Her positive test was first reported by Bloomberg News on Thursday evening .
She did not respond to a request for comment .
Multiple White House staffers have tested positive for the virus , including Katie Miller , Vice President Mike Pence ’ s press secretary , national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien , and one of the president ’ s personal valets .
Kimberly Guilfoyle , who is dating Trump ’ s oldest son , Donald Trump Jr. , tested positive in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show at Mount Rushmore .
Still , Trump has consistently played down concerns about being personally vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 .
“ I felt no vulnerability whatsoever , ” he told reporters back in May .
After earlier positive cases close to the president , the White House instituted a daily testing regimen for the president ’ s senior aides .
Anyone who will be in close proximity to the president or vice president is also tested every day , including reporters .
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with someone with COVID-19 quarantine for 14 days , White House staffers are considered essential workers .
CDC ’ s guidelines for exposed essential workers allows them to return to work if they take precautions , including taking their temperature before going into work , wearing a mask at all times and practicing social distancing .

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump said early Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus, a stunning announcement that plunges the country deeper into uncertainty just a month before the presidential election.
Trump, who has spent much of the year downplaying the threat of a virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans, said he and Mrs. Trump were quarantining. The White House physician said the president is expected to continue carrying out his duties “without disruption” while recovering.
Still, Trump’s diagnosis was sure to have a destabilizing effect in Washington, raising questions about how far the virus had spread through the highest levels of the U.S. government. Hours before Trump announced he had contracted the virus, the White House said a top aide who had traveled with him during the week had tested positive.
“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately,” Trump tweeted just before 1 a.m. “We will get through this TOGETHER!”
Trump was last seen by reporters returning to the White House on Thursday evening and did not appear visibly ill. Trump is 74 years old, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide.
The president’s physician said in a memo that Trump and the first lady, who is 50, “are both well at this time” and “plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence.”
The diagnosis marks a devastating blow for a president who has been trying desperately to convince the American public that the worst of the pandemic is behind them. In the best of cases, if he develops no symptoms, which can include fever, cough and breathing trouble, it will force him off the campaign trail just weeks before the election.
Trump’s handling of the pandemic has already been a major flashpoint in his race against Democrat Joe Biden, who spent much of the summer off the campaign trail and at his home in Delaware because of the virus. Biden has since resumed a more active campaign schedule, but with small, socially distanced crowds. He also regularly wears a mask in public, something Trump mocked him for at Tuesday night’s debate.
“I don’t wear masks like him,” Trump said of Biden. “Every time you see him, he’s got a mask. He could be speaking 200 feet away from me, and he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.”
There was no immediate comment from the Biden campaign on whether the former vice president had been tested since appearing at the debate with Trump or whether he was taking any additional safety protocols.
Trump had been scheduled to attend a fundraiser and hold another campaign rally in Sanford, Florida, on Friday evening. But just after 1 a.m., the White House released a revised schedule with only one event: A phone call on “COVID-19 support to vulnerable seniors.”
Trump’s announcement came hours after he confirmed that Hope Hicks, one of most trusted and longest-serving aides, had been diagnosed with the virus Thursday. Hicks began feeling mild symptoms during the plane ride home from a rally in Minnesota on Wednesday evening, according to an administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose private information. She was isolated from other passengers aboard the plane, the person said.
Hicks had been with Trump and other senior staff aboard Marine One and Air Force One en route to that rally and had accompanied the president to Tuesday’s presidential debate in Cleveland, along with members of the Trump family. They did not wear masks during the debate, in violation of the venue rules.
Multiple White House staffers have previously tested positive for the virus, including Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, Katie Miller, national security adviser Robert O’Brien and one of the president’s personal valets.
But Trump has consistently played down concerns about being personally vulnerable, even after White House staff and allies were exposed and sickened. Since the coronavirus emerged earlier this year, Trump has refused to abide by basic public health guidelines - including those issued by his own administration - such as wearing masks in public and practicing social distancing. Instead, he has continued to hold campaign rallies that draw thousands of supporters.
“I felt no vulnerability whatsoever,” he said told reporters back in May.
The news was sure to rattle an already shaken nation still grappling with how to safely reopen the economy without driving virus transmission. The White House has access to near-unlimited resources, including a constant supply of quick-result tests, and still failed to keep the president safe, raising questions about how the rest of the country will be able to protect its workers, students and the public as businesses and schools reopen.
Questions remain about why it took so long for Trump to be tested and why he and his aides continued to come to work and travel after Hicks fell ill. Trump traveled to New Jersey on Thursday for a fundraiser, exposing attendees to the virus.
Pence’s aides had no immediate comment on whether the vice president had been tested or in contact with Trump.
It is unclear where the Trumps and Hicks may have caught the virus, but in his Fox interview, Trump seemed to suggest it may have been spread by someone in the military or law enforcement.
“It’s very, very hard when you are with people from the military or from law enforcement, and they come over to you, and they want to hug you, and they want to kiss you,” he said, “because we really have done a good job for them. And you get close. And things happen.”
The White House began instituting a daily testing regimen for the president’s senior aides after earlier positive cases close to the president. Anyone in close proximity to the president or vice president is also tested every day, including reporters.
Yet since the early days of the pandemic, experts have questioned the health and safety protocols at the White House and asked why more wasn’t being done to protect the commander in chief. Trump continued to shake hands with visitors long after public health officials were warning against it and he initially resisted being tested.
Trump is far from the first world leader to test positive for the virus, which previously infected Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who spent a week in the hospital, including three nights in intensive care. Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was hospitalized last month while fighting what he called a “hellish” case of COVID-19.
While there is currently no evidence that Trump is seriously ill, the positive test raises questions about what would happen if he were to become incapacitated due to illness.
The Constitution’s 25th Amendment spells out the procedures under which a president can declare themselves “unable to discharge the powers and duties” of the presidency. If he were to make that call, Trump would transmit a written note to the Senate president pro tempore, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Pence would serve as acting president until Trump transmitted “a written declaration to the contrary.”
The vice president and a majority of either the Cabinet or another body established by law, can also declare the president unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, in which case Pence would “immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President” until Trump could provide a written declaration to the contrary.
___
Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.