washingtontimes--2020-09-30--Jeffrey DeWitt, D.C. chief financial officer, projects nearly $800 million budget shortfall

D.C. Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey DeWitt announced Wednesday that he anticipates nearly $ 800 million in lost revenue over the next four fiscal years due to reduced economic activity from the coronavirus pandemic .
The District is estimated to lose almost $ 212 million in revenue for fiscal year 2021 , which starts Thursday , nearly $ 210 million for 2022 , $ 190 million for 2023 and $ 170 million for 2024 .
The anticipated drop in revenue mostly is due to forecasted weaker earnings from sales and deed taxes .
However , for fiscal 2020 , the District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than projected in April due to federal relief provided earlier this year .
D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said because of the city ’ s solid financial management over the last decade or two , the District is in a better position to weather the coming storm .
“ But nonetheless , this is not a pretty picture , ” Mr. Mendelson said , adding that over the next two weeks officials will have to determine the next steps to be taken .
Overall , the District is ending fiscal 2020 with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re in a COVID-induced recession .
I don ’ t know how anyone could debate that .
The federal program actually helped the scars to not be as deep .
And so the question is , what is the federal government going to do ?
” Mr. DeWitt said .
Under the House ’ s proposed stimulus package , the District would receive an additional $ 755 million in aid that the city was “ shortchanged ” in June , Mayor Muriel Bowser said .
The CARES Act provided $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Miss Bowser said the District received only $ 495 million .
Although the District is generally treated like a state when it comes to federal funding , the mayor noted that was not the case when it came to coronavirus relief funds .
Due to COVID-19 this spring , D.C. officials instituted a hiring and spending freeze and cut $ 190 million from agency budgets , among other actions .
Officials last month submitted a $ 16.9 billion fiscal 2021 budget to Congress for approval , which is $ 1.5 billion higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
In Maryland , Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan said Tuesday that revenue estimates for the state are almost $ 1 billion less than what was budgeted prior to the coronavirus pandemic .
However , he added that Maryland ’ s fiscal situation is “ significantly less painful ” than it could have been due to “ early and aggressive actions.
” “ The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented fiscal crisis for state and local governments nationwide , which according to Moody ’ s Analytics will face $ 500 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with more than 4 million jobs at stake , ” Mr. Hogan said in a statement .
Mr. Hogan implemented a budget and hiring freeze and recommended budget cuts across all state agencies nearly six months ago after dire projections of state revenue estimates .
Maryland was able to keep more than 70 % of its economy open throughout the pandemic unlike many states , according to the governor .
Meanwhile , the Montgomery County Council on Thursday will hold a public hearing and vote on an amended executive order that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The amended order would allow food service venues with no previous history of citations or closings due to COVID-19 violations to apply for a permit that would allow alcohol to be served from 10 p.m. to midnight .
To receive a permit , a food service venue must designate a staff member or hire a contractor to monitor and enforce face covering and social distance requirements , guarantee all alcoholic beverages are collected from patrons and off all tables by midnight and suspend the sale or provision of alcoholic beverages after 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food venues would be conducted for a late-night alcohol sales program permit .
Venues that violate permit requirements will immediately lose their permit and license to sell alcohol and could face fines up to $ 20,000 .
However , officials will automatically suspend the late-night alcohol sales program if Montgomery County ’ s three-day test positivity average surpasses 3.25 % , three-day average of confirmed COVID-19 cases exceeds 100 , the COVID-19 positive contacts associated with indoor and outdoor dining is greater than 3 % combined and more than 10 % of inspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and order to close .
The county ’ s current test positivity rate is 2.6 % , the same as Maryland ’ s statewide rate .
The District had a 1.6 % test positivity rate as of Saturday , the most recent health data shows .

D.C. Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey DeWitt announced Wednesday that he anticipates nearly $800 million in lost revenue over the next four fiscal years due to reduced economic activity from the coronavirus pandemic.
The District is estimated to lose almost $212 million in revenue for fiscal year 2021, which starts Thursday, nearly $210 million for 2022, $190 million for 2023 and $170 million for 2024. The anticipated drop in revenue mostly is due to forecasted weaker earnings from sales and deed taxes.
However, for fiscal 2020, the District collected $222 million more in revenue than projected in April due to federal relief provided earlier this year.
D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said because of the city’s solid financial management over the last decade or two, the District is in a better position to weather the coming storm.
“But nonetheless, this is not a pretty picture,” Mr. Mendelson said, adding that over the next two weeks officials will have to determine the next steps to be taken.
Overall, the District is ending fiscal 2020 with a revenue loss of $334 million.
“We’re in a COVID-induced recession. I don’t know how anyone could debate that. The federal program actually helped the scars to not be as deep. And so the question is, what is the federal government going to do?” Mr. DeWitt said.
Under the House’s proposed stimulus package, the District would receive an additional $755 million in aid that the city was “shortchanged” in June, Mayor Muriel Bowser said.
The CARES Act provided $1.25 billion in aid to states, but Miss Bowser said the District received only $495 million. Although the District is generally treated like a state when it comes to federal funding, the mayor noted that was not the case when it came to coronavirus relief funds.
Due to COVID-19 this spring, D.C. officials instituted a hiring and spending freeze and cut $190 million from agency budgets, among other actions. Officials last month submitted a $16.9 billion fiscal 2021 budget to Congress for approval, which is $1.5 billion higher than the approved budget for the previous year.
In Maryland, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Tuesday that revenue estimates for the state are almost $1 billion less than what was budgeted prior to the coronavirus pandemic. However, he added that Maryland’s fiscal situation is “significantly less painful” than it could have been due to “early and aggressive actions.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented fiscal crisis for state and local governments nationwide, which according to Moody’s Analytics will face $500 billion in shortfalls over the next two fiscal years, with more than 4 million jobs at stake,” Mr. Hogan said in a statement.
Mr. Hogan implemented a budget and hiring freeze and recommended budget cuts across all state agencies nearly six months ago after dire projections of state revenue estimates. Maryland was able to keep more than 70% of its economy open throughout the pandemic unlike many states, according to the governor.
Meanwhile, the Montgomery County Council on Thursday will hold a public hearing and vote on an amended executive order that would give more flexibility to restaurants and bars.
The amended order would allow food service venues with no previous history of citations or closings due to COVID-19 violations to apply for a permit that would allow alcohol to be served from 10 p.m. to midnight.
To receive a permit, a food service venue must designate a staff member or hire a contractor to monitor and enforce face covering and social distance requirements, guarantee all alcoholic beverages are collected from patrons and off all tables by midnight and suspend the sale or provision of alcoholic beverages after 12 a.m.
Frequent and unscheduled inspections of food venues would be conducted for a late-night alcohol sales program permit. Venues that violate permit requirements will immediately lose their permit and license to sell alcohol and could face fines up to $20,000.
However, officials will automatically suspend the late-night alcohol sales program if Montgomery County’s three-day test positivity average surpasses 3.25%, three-day average of confirmed COVID-19 cases exceeds 100, the COVID-19 positive contacts associated with indoor and outdoor dining is greater than 3% combined and more than 10% of inspected participants receive a citation, permit revocation and order to close.
The county’s current test positivity rate is 2.6%, the same as Maryland’s statewide rate. The District had a 1.6% test positivity rate as of Saturday, the most recent health data shows.
• Shen Wu Tan can be reached at stan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-30--Marc Racicot, ex-RNC chairman, voting for Biden

BILLINGS Mont .
— A former Montana governor and Republican National Committee chair said he will vote for Democrat Joe Biden in the November election , citing character flaws in President Donald Trump .
Marc Racicot made the statement during an interview Tuesday on Yellowstone Public Radio with Home Ground host Brian Kahn .
Racicot , 72 , served two terms as governor after being elected in 1992 and again 1996 .
He was chairman of the RNC in 2002 and 2003 before becoming chairman of George W. Bush ’ s 2004 re-election campaign .
Racicot said Trump lacks the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
“ I regret that I will cause consternation , perhaps , in some corners , but even as a Republican , I will not be supporting Donald Trump for president , and I will not be voting for him , ” Racicot said , adding that he still has policy disagreements with Biden .
He added : “ But at the end , the content of a man ’ s character or a woman ’ s character to serve in that capacity is more important than any other issue that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conscience.
” Racicot said he did not vote for Trump in 2016 and has “ even more grave doubts than I did in 2016.
” He did not say who he voted for in 2016 .

BILLINGS Mont. — A former Montana governor and Republican National Committee chair said he will vote for Democrat Joe Biden in the November election, citing character flaws in President Donald Trump.
Marc Racicot made the statement during an interview Tuesday on Yellowstone Public Radio with Home Ground host Brian Kahn.
Racicot, 72, served two terms as governor after being elected in 1992 and again 1996. He was chairman of the RNC in 2002 and 2003 before becoming chairman of George W. Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign.
Racicot said Trump lacks the patience and humility needed to lead the country.
“I regret that I will cause consternation, perhaps, in some corners, but even as a Republican, I will not be supporting Donald Trump for president, and I will not be voting for him,” Racicot said, adding that he still has policy disagreements with Biden.
He added: “But at the end, the content of a man’s character or a woman’s character to serve in that capacity is more important than any other issue that I have to consider as a matter of conscience.”
Racicot said he did not vote for Trump in 2016 and has “even more grave doubts than I did in 2016.”
He did not say who he voted for in 2016.


washingtontimes--2020-09-30--Nevada county health officer against eased cap on gatherings

RENO , Nev. ( AP ) - A day after Gov .
Steve Sisolak authorized relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings statewide , Washoe County health officials urged local leaders Wednesday to postpone any changes because of a dramatic spike in new daily cases in Reno-Sparks the last two weeks .
Sisolak announced Tuesday night he was lifting a mandatory 50-person cap on public and private gatherings statewide , part of an effort to kick-start conventions , concerts , sports events and trade shows that power the state ’ s economy .
As he has with previous directives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free to adopt stricter rules .
Washoe County Health District Officer Kevin Dick said Wednesday he ’ s recommending to city and county managers that they stick with the current cap .
“ We have almost doubled the number of new cases that are occurring over two weeks , ” Dick said during a weekly videoconference briefing .
“ Given the current status we have in Washoe County , it is in my view not the right time to be making these types of increases in gatherings and interactions while we are at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diseases , ” he said .
The daily average of about 106 new cases over a 14-day stretch is a record for the county - an 88 % increase compared to two weeks ago , Dick said .
The statewide removal of the 50-person cap with conditions including submittal of safety plans , takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday .
Sisolak said his appointed coronavirus response task force that has held weekly meetings and set rules for public activities in virus “ hot spots ” such as Las Vegas , Reno and Elko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor ’ s directives , which serve as a baseline minimum .
Nevada COVID-19 response director Caleb Cage said Wednesday statewide directives would function as a minimum and could be expanded upon by local governments , including Washoe County .
Cage questioned why Dick would take issue with easing restrictions on gatherings , given Washoe County ’ s recent push to reopen bars and taverns .
After several weeks of rejections , the state task force responsible for approving reopening plans lifted restrictions on bars and taverns in the Reno area on Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public taskforce meetings over recent weeks , they have been informing us that they are ready and prepared to reduce restrictions , ” Cage said .
Dick said a significant number of the new cases are in the 18-24 age group , many of them involving students at the University of Nevada , Reno .
“ The number of new cases per 100,000 in that group is 4 to 4.5 times higher than the rate for other age groups , ” he said .
“ We know we have a problem , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to parties and private gatherings.
” Dick said he ’ s also seen photographs from bars and other businesses near the UNR campus where social-distancing is not being practiced .
Metz contributed to this report from Carson City .
He 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

RENO, Nev. (AP) - A day after Gov. Steve Sisolak authorized relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings statewide, Washoe County health officials urged local leaders Wednesday to postpone any changes because of a dramatic spike in new daily cases in Reno-Sparks the last two weeks.
Sisolak announced Tuesday night he was lifting a mandatory 50-person cap on public and private gatherings statewide, part of an effort to kick-start conventions, concerts, sports events and trade shows that power the state’s economy.
As he has with previous directives, the Democratic governor said local governments are free to adopt stricter rules.
Washoe County Health District Officer Kevin Dick said Wednesday he’s recommending to city and county managers that they stick with the current cap.
“We have almost doubled the number of new cases that are occurring over two weeks,” Dick said during a weekly videoconference briefing.
“Given the current status we have in Washoe County, it is in my view not the right time to be making these types of increases in gatherings and interactions while we are at a record high for the rates of diseases,” he said.
The daily average of about 106 new cases over a 14-day stretch is a record for the county - an 88% increase compared to two weeks ago, Dick said.
The statewide removal of the 50-person cap with conditions including submittal of safety plans, takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
Sisolak said his appointed coronavirus response task force that has held weekly meetings and set rules for public activities in virus “hot spots” such as Las Vegas, Reno and Elko will continue to oversee restrictions beyond the governor’s directives, which serve as a baseline minimum.
Nevada COVID-19 response director Caleb Cage said Wednesday statewide directives would function as a minimum and could be expanded upon by local governments, including Washoe County.
Cage questioned why Dick would take issue with easing restrictions on gatherings, given Washoe County’s recent push to reopen bars and taverns. After several weeks of rejections, the state task force responsible for approving reopening plans lifted restrictions on bars and taverns in the Reno area on Sept. 16.
“If you follow the public taskforce meetings over recent weeks, they have been informing us that they are ready and prepared to reduce restrictions,” Cage said.
Dick said a significant number of the new cases are in the 18-24 age group, many of them involving students at the University of Nevada, Reno.
“The number of new cases per 100,000 in that group is 4 to 4.5 times higher than the rate for other age groups,” he said.
“We know we have a problem,” Dick said. “These students are going to parties and private gatherings.”
Dick said he’s also seen photographs from bars and other businesses near the UNR campus where social-distancing is not being practiced.
____
Metz contributed to this report from Carson City. He 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--2020-09-30--Facts on ground in Wisconsin paint tighter contest between Trump, Biden

You could be forgiven for not seeing Democratic presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden starting to sweat in Wisconsin .
First , there was the summer of nonstop crises for President Trump , then the violence in Kenosha that the media assured us would focus suburban women more on race relations than burning buildings , then the string of polls suggesting the president is losing every imaginable key voter in the state .
That ’ s because Wisconsin is not just the most coveted battleground — central to Republicans ’ strategy and chosen site for the Democratic National Convention after Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also because it ’ s more poised to tighten more than any other swing state .
The Supreme Court vacancy that is shaking up the race is but one of several reasons , many of them structural , that the current coastal view of Wisconsin misses the facts on the ground .
Again .
“ It very much is still winnable for Trump down the stretch , and trending in the right direction , ” said Matt Batzel , Wisconsin-based national executive director of the conservative group American Majority Action , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ text campaigns , in crucial areas .
The latest Real Clear Politics polling average puts Mr. Biden up nearly 7 points in Wisconsin , mirroring his nationwide lead .
That casts the state as further out of reach than other battlegrounds , with Pennsylvania , Michigan , Florida , North Carolina and Arizona showing him leading anywhere from 1 to 5 points .
The national narrative obediently follows , but a deeper look at available data and electoral efforts in Wisconsin paint a different picture .
In Wisconsin , like many battlegrounds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who turn out in droves , surrounded by vast Republican-dominated rural areas and small towns , where Trump signs punctuate roads already lined with American flags .
The suburbs are the core battleground .
But there are crucial differences .
First and foremost , Wisconsin is mathematically America ’ s most evenly divided state .
Election results from 2012 to 2018 show Wisconsin favoring Republicans by 0.05 % , according to an analysis by Inside Elections , the narrowest margin .
By this measure , Michigan favors Democrats by 3.7 % and Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida , North Carolina , and Arizona — red-leaning states where Mr. Biden is overperforming — favor Republicans by between 1 % and 5 % .
All this means Wisconsin tends to be tighter than polls currently suggest , to a greater degree than any of the battlegrounds polling right now .
On top of the math showing Mr. Trump can make up ground , Wisconsin ’ s two major in-state polls — which are more credible indicators than national polls — offer him bright spots along the path .
Both the Marquette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin-Madison Elections Research Center polls showed Mr. Trump moving within the margin of error in September , with just a 4-point lead for Mr. Biden among likely voters .
That ’ s the tightest Marquette result since May and a 4-point improvement for the president in the University of Wisconsin poll since August — a period in which he also narrowed Mr. Biden ’ s lead among independents in the UW poll .
Then there is the opportunity to win back skeptical voters .
To be sure , Mr. Trump faces challenges in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburbs like those in the famous “ WOW ” counties ( Waukesha , Ozaukee and Washington ) consistently vote more conservative than in other key states .
And the issue set among voters — favoring the president on the economy , favoring Democrats on COVID-19 , and an evolving mix of sentiments on race relations — have Republicans feeling more bullish than over the summer .
Marquette pollster Charles Franklin sees the race as largely steady , albeit tightening slightly , and agrees the WOW counties are more fertile ground for the conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families — who the president has a track record of winning over — as well as educated suburbanites and other soft Republicans who like his positions , but not his style .
This is where campaigns and activists say the Kenosha riots helped drive the Republican message on not only law and order , but also on prosperity in communities .
It ’ s also where a woman who is a Catholic , pro-life Supreme Court nominee can help , too .
These are some of the reasons you ’ ve seen Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past month after steadfastly staying away during COVID-19 ( and why Mr. Trump has been here five times this year ) .
They ’ re also some of the reasons the national political class consistently has been surprised by Wisconsin upsets for governor , Senate and Supreme Court .
Who will win depends upon the message voters hear more clearly — a path toward prosperous , safe communities from Republicans or the ruins of COVID-19 catastrophe from Democrats .
But barring a currently invisible voter realignment , one thing is for sure : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Brian Reisinger is a writer and conservative operative who previously served as spokesman and adviser to Sen. Ron Johnson and Gov .
Scott Walker of Wisconsin , as well as Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee .
He currently serves as president and chief operating officer of Platform Communications , a Midwestern-based strategic communications firm .
He grew up on a dairy farm in southern Wisconsin .

Brian Reisinger - Special to The Washington Times

ANALYSIS:
You could be forgiven for not seeing Democratic presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden starting to sweat in Wisconsin.
First, there was the summer of nonstop crises for President Trump, then the violence in Kenosha that the media assured us would focus suburban women more on race relations than burning buildings, then the string of polls suggesting the president is losing every imaginable key voter in the state.
But Mr. Biden is sweating.
That’s because Wisconsin is not just the most coveted battleground — central to Republicans’ strategy and chosen site for the Democratic National Convention after Mr. Trump’s 2016 upset — but also because it’s more poised to tighten more than any other swing state. The Supreme Court vacancy that is shaking up the race is but one of several reasons, many of them structural, that the current coastal view of Wisconsin misses the facts on the ground. Again.
“It very much is still winnable for Trump down the stretch, and trending in the right direction,” said Matt Batzel, Wisconsin-based national executive director of the conservative group American Majority Action, which is doing voter outreach, including door-knocking and text campaigns, in crucial areas.
The latest Real Clear Politics polling average puts Mr. Biden up nearly 7 points in Wisconsin, mirroring his nationwide lead. That casts the state as further out of reach than other battlegrounds, with Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina and Arizona showing him leading anywhere from 1 to 5 points.
The national narrative obediently follows, but a deeper look at available data and electoral efforts in Wisconsin paint a different picture.
In Wisconsin, like many battlegrounds, there are large urban centers with Democrats who turn out in droves, surrounded by vast Republican-dominated rural areas and small towns, where Trump signs punctuate roads already lined with American flags. The suburbs are the core battleground. But there are crucial differences.
First and foremost, Wisconsin is mathematically America’s most evenly divided state. Election results from 2012 to 2018 show Wisconsin favoring Republicans by 0.05%, according to an analysis by Inside Elections, the narrowest margin. By this measure, Michigan favors Democrats by 3.7% and Pennsylvania favors them by 6.6%, while Florida, North Carolina, and Arizona — red-leaning states where Mr. Biden is overperforming — favor Republicans by between 1% and 5%.
All this means Wisconsin tends to be tighter than polls currently suggest, to a greater degree than any of the battlegrounds polling right now.
On top of the math showing Mr. Trump can make up ground, Wisconsin’s two major in-state polls — which are more credible indicators than national polls — offer him bright spots along the path.
Both the Marquette University Law School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Elections Research Center polls showed Mr. Trump moving within the margin of error in September, with just a 4-point lead for Mr. Biden among likely voters. That’s the tightest Marquette result since May and a 4-point improvement for the president in the University of Wisconsin poll since August — a period in which he also narrowed Mr. Biden’s lead among independents in the UW poll.
Then there is the opportunity to win back skeptical voters.
To be sure, Mr. Trump faces challenges in the suburbs. But in Wisconsin, suburbs like those in the famous “WOW” counties (Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington) consistently vote more conservative than in other key states. And the issue set among voters — favoring the president on the economy, favoring Democrats on COVID-19, and an evolving mix of sentiments on race relations — have Republicans feeling more bullish than over the summer.
Marquette pollster Charles Franklin sees the race as largely steady, albeit tightening slightly, and agrees the WOW counties are more fertile ground for the conservative message. Regaining ground there means blue-collar families — who the president has a track record of winning over — as well as educated suburbanites and other soft Republicans who like his positions, but not his style. This is where campaigns and activists say the Kenosha riots helped drive the Republican message on not only law and order, but also on prosperity in communities.
It’s also where a woman who is a Catholic, pro-life Supreme Court nominee can help, too.
These are some of the reasons you’ve seen Mr. Biden come to Wisconsin twice in the past month after steadfastly staying away during COVID-19 (and why Mr. Trump has been here five times this year). They’re also some of the reasons the national political class consistently has been surprised by Wisconsin upsets for governor, Senate and Supreme Court.
Who will win depends upon the message voters hear more clearly — a path toward prosperous, safe communities from Republicans or the ruins of COVID-19 catastrophe from Democrats.
But barring a currently invisible voter realignment, one thing is for sure: Wisconsin will not be going quietly.
• Brian Reisinger is a writer and conservative operative who previously served as spokesman and adviser to Sen. Ron Johnson and Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, as well as Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. He currently serves as president and chief operating officer of Platform Communications, a Midwestern-based strategic communications firm. He grew up on a dairy farm in southern Wisconsin.


washingtontimes--2020-09-30--James, Herro see popularity rise in the NBA playoffs

LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. ( AP ) - LeBron James ’ popularity , even in his 17th season , can not be argued .
The NBA released jersey-sales and social media data Wednesday , with the Los Angeles Lakers ’ star forward atop both lists .
James had the top-selling jersey , measured by online sales through the NBA Store , for the period that started when the season resumed on July 30 through Monday ’ s end of the conference finals .
Rounding out the top five : Dallas ’ Luka Doncic , the Lakers ’ Anthony Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Milwaukee ’ s Giannis Antetokounmpo .
Interestingly , the next two spots on the jersey-sales list were taken by players who weren ’ t part of the NBA restart at Walt Disney World - Golden State ’ s Stephen Curry and Brooklyn ’ s Kevin Durant .
The top Heat player on the list was Jimmy Butler at No .
10 .
The Lakers are also the top team in terms of merchandise sold through the NBA Store ’ s site , the league said , followed by Boston , Chicago , Miami @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Milwaukee , Portland and Denver .
James also has added more than 4.1 million followers on his Twitter and Instagram accounts since games resumed July 30 .
Miami ’ s Tyler Herro was second on that list , adding nearly 800,000 followers to his social totals .
Herro , according to the NBA , saw the biggest increase in followers added - 41 % - among all players during the conference finals .
His Instagram total has nearly doubled since the season resumed , going from 990,000 to 1.7 million .
Herro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2000s to play in the NBA Finals when he checked in during the first quarter of Game 1 .
Former President Barack Obama was among those in the “ virtual ” crowd of fans for Game 1 of the NBA Finals .
Obama , a huge basketball enthusiast , appeared on the 17-foot video screens that surround the court during the first quarter .
A slew of players with NBA championships also were on the big screens , including Shaquille O ’ Neal and Dwyane Wade .
O ’ Neal won titles with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three rings with Miami .
The NBA is on pace for more points in these playoffs than ever before .
The record for total points in a postseason is 17,719 , set in 2014 .
The league was up to 16,900 going into Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night - meaning , even if one team sweeps the other in this series , the clubs would have to average only 102.4 points per game for the total-points record to fall .
In terms of points per game , that record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1967 playoffs .
But this season ’ s clip , entering Wednesday , of 109.7 points per team per game is the highest since clubs averaged 110.4 in 1987 .
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has always felt close to Chris Bosh , the four-time finalist with the Heat and two-time champion - someone who saw his career end prematurely because of blood clots .
Bosh and this Heat team have been particularly close ; Bosh was a regular at games and even was with the team for some workouts before the season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
“ We need that energy from our alumni , ” Spoelstra said .
“ I ’ m not on social media , but I love it and I ’ ve heard some of it.
” Bosh knows what players are feeling at this time of year .
“ If I could give any advice to the players participating in this year ’ s Finals - or anyone with any championship opportunity - it would be to not get too high in the wins , or too low in the losses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ The Last Chip.
” “ In the quest to accomplish great things , you have to anticipate that it ’ s going to be a challenge .
And in that challenge , you have to accept that it ’ s not going to be easy.
” The Lakers — as the higher seed — were the home team for Game 1 of the NBA Finals , and they got a little taste of home on their way from the hotel to the arena Wednesday .
“ We just sat in traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a little soccer tournament , ” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said .
“ So that didn ’ t feel like the NBA Finals.
” The Larry O ’ Brien Trophy now comes with its own case - made by Louis Vuitton .
The NBA and the French fashion company struck a partnership earlier this year to make Louis Vuitton the official Trophy Travel Case provider for the league .
The case was hand-crafted near Paris , has brass fixtures and is designed to both carry and display the trophy that ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) - LeBron James’ popularity, even in his 17th season, cannot be argued.
The NBA released jersey-sales and social media data Wednesday, with the Los Angeles Lakers’ star forward atop both lists. James had the top-selling jersey, measured by online sales through the NBA Store, for the period that started when the season resumed on July 30 through Monday’s end of the conference finals.
Rounding out the top five: Dallas’ Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ Anthony Davis, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Interestingly, the next two spots on the jersey-sales list were taken by players who weren’t part of the NBA restart at Walt Disney World - Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant.
The top Heat player on the list was Jimmy Butler at No. 10.
The Lakers are also the top team in terms of merchandise sold through the NBA Store’s site, the league said, followed by Boston, Chicago, Miami, Golden State, Toronto, Dallas, Milwaukee, Portland and Denver.
James also has added more than 4.1 million followers on his Twitter and Instagram accounts since games resumed July 30. Miami’s Tyler Herro was second on that list, adding nearly 800,000 followers to his social totals.
Herro, according to the NBA, saw the biggest increase in followers added - 41% - among all players during the conference finals. His Instagram total has nearly doubled since the season resumed, going from 990,000 to 1.7 million.
Herro became the first player born in the 2000s to play in the NBA Finals when he checked in during the first quarter of Game 1.
FAMOUS FANS
Former President Barack Obama was among those in the “virtual” crowd of fans for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Obama, a huge basketball enthusiast, appeared on the 17-foot video screens that surround the court during the first quarter.
A slew of players with NBA championships also were on the big screens, including Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade. O’Neal won titles with the Lakers and Heat; Wade won three rings with Miami.
SCORING RECORD
The NBA is on pace for more points in these playoffs than ever before.
The record for total points in a postseason is 17,719, set in 2014. The league was up to 16,900 going into Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night - meaning, even if one team sweeps the other in this series, the clubs would have to average only 102.4 points per game for the total-points record to fall.
In terms of points per game, that record is safe - teams averaged 115.8 in the 1967 playoffs. But this season’s clip, entering Wednesday, of 109.7 points per team per game is the highest since clubs averaged 110.4 in 1987.
BOSH SPEAKS
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has always felt close to Chris Bosh, the four-time finalist with the Heat and two-time champion - someone who saw his career end prematurely because of blood clots.
Bosh and this Heat team have been particularly close; Bosh was a regular at games and even was with the team for some workouts before the season was suspended in March because of the coronavirus.
“We need that energy from our alumni,” Spoelstra said. “I’m not on social media, but I love it and I’ve heard some of it.”
Bosh knows what players are feeling at this time of year.
“If I could give any advice to the players participating in this year’s Finals - or anyone with any championship opportunity - it would be to not get too high in the wins, or too low in the losses,” Bosh wrote in his newsletter Wednesday, “The Last Chip.” “In the quest to accomplish great things, you have to anticipate that it’s going to be a challenge. And in that challenge, you have to accept that it’s not going to be easy.”
EL TRAFICO
The Lakers — as the higher seed — were the home team for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, and they got a little taste of home on their way from the hotel to the arena Wednesday.
Somehow, they hit traffic.
“We just sat in traffic for some soccer moms waiting to pull into a little soccer tournament,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “So that didn’t feel like the NBA Finals.”
LARRY MEETS LOUIS
The Larry O’Brien Trophy now comes with its own case - made by Louis Vuitton.
The NBA and the French fashion company struck a partnership earlier this year to make Louis Vuitton the official Trophy Travel Case provider for the league. The case was hand-crafted near Paris, has brass fixtures and is designed to both carry and display the trophy that’ll be presented to the NBA champions.
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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-09-30--Trump-Mark Esper rift widens as Pentagon fears being drawn into election

Distrust between the commander in chief and Pentagon leadership has reached a near-unprecedented level , analysts and military insiders say , with both sides of the Potomac eyeing the other anxiously as Election Day draws near .
As President Trump publicly bashes his own past and present defense officials and casts them as tools of the military-industrial complex , Pentagon leaders are working overtime to distance themselves from an increasingly ugly political contest and to ensure they aren ’ t dragged into any post-election electoral dispute between the incumbent and Democrat Joseph R. Biden .
Taken together , those dynamics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mutual skepticism between the White House and Pentagon that has rarely been seen before , specialists say .
The clearest example may be the relationship between Mr. Trump and Defense Secretary Mark Esper , which looks to be chilly at best following a series of high-profile clashes on hot-button policy issues such as the Confederate flag and the military ’ s role in policing civil unrest .
“ There ’ s just great unease in the Pentagon , ” said Jim Townsend , former deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s uneasiness among the professionals there , both military and civilian.
” “ Esper is probably uneasy about what the White House might end up asking him to do , ” Mr. Townsend told The Washington Times .
“ But the word also is he ’ s not going to be around ” much longer .
Indeed , there was widespread speculation — and , in some corners , an expectation — that the president would fire Mr. Esper after the Pentagon chief publicly opposed a plan to deploy active-duty military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the summer .
Mr. Trump ultimately abandoned that plan and Mr. Esper has remained in his job , though it seems likely the president will pick a new defense chief if he wins reelection in November .
Mr. Esper ’ s uncertain future is one factor that has contributed to the tense situation .
Another is the growing fear among current and former military officials that the president could seek to enlist the military for electoral purposes , perhaps to deal with post-election demonstrations .
Other observers believe the military ultimately may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House if he loses to Mr. Biden but refuses to leave .
The president has said he ’ ll accept the results of a fair election .
There are signs the increasing political outspokenness of ex-military brass is starting to worry those still in the ranks .
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger , in a recent “ State of the Marine Corp ” online session organized by Defense One , said even retired military leaders should be careful about offering partisan political opinions .
“ When your introduction is ‘ retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ there is a direct connecting tissue back to those of us who are wearing uniform today , and we must remain apolitical , ” he said .
“ I ask them to be very thoughtful about engaging either side , it doesn ’ t matter , in partisan politics.
” For their part , the Pentagon ’ s current top leaders insist they have no intention of wading into politics .
In written answers to lawmakers last month , Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley said flatly that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the American electoral process .
“ I believe deeply in the principle of an apolitical U.S. military , ” Gen. Milley said .
Combined with Mr. Esper ’ s previous opposition to the deployment of active-duty forces to American cities , it ’ s clear both men want to avoid politics and , unless absolutely necessary , avoid sending troops to clash with fellow American citizens .
“ Everybody is keeping their fingers crossed and not knowing what to expect , ” Mr. Townsend said of the current environment .
Politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent rifts .
As racial unrest gripped much of the nation over the summer after the death of George Floyd , a black man , while in Minneapolis police custody , the Pentagon began a review of 10 Army bases named after Confederate generals .
Mr. Trump publicly vowed to block any such changes .
Mr. Esper and other military officials also penned a carefully worded policy that effectively banned the Confederate flag at armed forces installations .
The policy did not actually address the specific flag but instead laid out criteria for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Confederacy ’ s “ Stars and Bars ” did not meet .
The Pentagon ’ s delicate handling of the issue helped avoid another public confrontation with the president .
For his part , Mr. Trump has leaned into the distance between himself and Pentagon leaders , appealing to veteran and active-duty voters by criticizing their superiors in unusually blunt terms .
“ I ’ m not saying the military ’ s in love with me , ” Mr. Trump said at a recent news conference .
“ The soldiers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably aren ’ t because they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy.
” White House officials sought to add context those comments , suggesting that the president wasn ’ t referring to Mr. Esper or Gen. Milley specifically but instead speaking about broader issues of military policy and spending .
Mr. Trump argues that he has followed through on a major campaign promise to wind down endless wars in the Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he has significantly reduced America ’ s military presence in both Afghanistan and Iraq .
But an apparent disconnect between Mr. Trump ’ s foreign policy approach — a key piece of his hallmark “ America First ” agenda — and the views of his appointees has only added fuel to the fire .
“ America has never seen this level of mutual distrust between the president and his military leaders .
Firstly , President Trump appointed Pentagon leaders who opposed him and the America First agenda , ” said J.D .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser and Pentagon spokesman .
“ Never have so many top political appointees been so richly , yet undeservedly rewarded in this country.
” Indeed , some former Trump appointees have now turned into some of his harshest critics .
Former Defense Secretary James Mattis is perhaps the best example , with the retired Marine Corps general declaring over the summer that Mr. Trump is “ the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people.
” Retired Air Force General Paul Selva , whom Mr. Trump himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Joint Chiefs of Staff early in his presidency , was one of nearly 500 military and national security leaders who signed a recent letter strongly endorsing Mr. Biden for president .
While Mr. Gordon argued that personnel decisions have been a major contributing factor to today ’ s antagonistic atmosphere , he said the unconventional Mr. Trump has taken other actions that have deepened the divide .
The president “ has at times put his top national security leaders in difficult positions , ” Mr. Gordon told The Times .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a civilian mob outside the White House , referring to Secretary Esper as ‘ Esperanto , ’ which is some made-up international language , or publicly calling out a military-industrial complex , it ’ s easy to see why they don ’ t trust him.
” The June 1 clash between law enforcement and protesters in Lafayette Square brought about arguably the clearest break so far between Mr. Trump and top military leaders .
After demonstrators were aggressively cleared out of the area , the president walked to St. John ’ s Episcopal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other top administration officials , including Mr. Esper .
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley also was with Mr. Trump outside the White House , clad in his battle dress uniform , though he was not in the St. John ’ s photo .
In the days afterwards , both men broke with the president in their own ways .
Mr. Esper came out against the president ’ s proposal to invoke the Insurrection Act and send active-duty forces into American towns .
“ The option to use active-duty forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used as a matter of last resort and only in the most urgent and dire of situations .
We are not in one of those situations now , ” the secretary said .
Several days later , Gen. Milley admitted he made a mistake appearing with Mr. Trump .
“ I should not have been there , ” he said in pre-recorded remarks to the graduating class of the National Defense University on June 11 .
“ My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ As a commissioned uniformed officer , it was a mistake that I have learned from , and I sincerely hope we all can learn from it.
” Whether by coincidence or design , Mr. Esper was far from the U.S. political spotlight this week as Mr. Trump engaged in his first critical debate with Mr. Biden .
As Washington was consumed Wednesday with the fallout from the contentious debate in Cleveland , Mr. Esper was arriving in Tunisia for a multi-day tour of North Africa that will also take him @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Distrust between the commander in chief and Pentagon leadership has reached a near-unprecedented level, analysts and military insiders say, with both sides of the Potomac eyeing the other anxiously as Election Day draws near.
As President Trump publicly bashes his own past and present defense officials and casts them as tools of the military-industrial complex, Pentagon leaders are working overtime to distance themselves from an increasingly ugly political contest and to ensure they aren’t dragged into any post-election electoral dispute between the incumbent and Democrat Joseph R. Biden.
Taken together, those dynamics have sparked a level of tension and mutual skepticism between the White House and Pentagon that has rarely been seen before, specialists say. The clearest example may be the relationship between Mr. Trump and Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper, which looks to be chilly at best following a series of high-profile clashes on hot-button policy issues such as the Confederate flag and the military’s role in policing civil unrest.
“There’s just great unease in the Pentagon,” said Jim Townsend, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO policy during the Obama administration. “There’s uneasiness among the professionals there, both military and civilian.”
“Esper is probably uneasy about what the White House might end up asking him to do,” Mr. Townsend told The Washington Times. “But the word also is he’s not going to be around” much longer.
Indeed, there was widespread speculation — and, in some corners, an expectation — that the president would fire Mr. Esper after the Pentagon chief publicly opposed a plan to deploy active-duty military troops to quell riots in American cities over the summer. Mr. Trump ultimately abandoned that plan and Mr. Esper has remained in his job, though it seems likely the president will pick a new defense chief if he wins reelection in November.
Mr. Esper’s uncertain future is one factor that has contributed to the tense situation. Another is the growing fear among current and former military officials that the president could seek to enlist the military for electoral purposes, perhaps to deal with post-election demonstrations.
Other observers believe the military ultimately may have to oust Mr. Trump from the White House if he loses to Mr. Biden but refuses to leave. The president has said he’ll accept the results of a fair election.
There are signs the increasing political outspokenness of ex-military brass is starting to worry those still in the ranks. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger, in a recent “State of the Marine Corp” online session organized by Defense One, said even retired military leaders should be careful about offering partisan political opinions.
“When your introduction is ‘retired admiral,’ ‘retired general,’ there is a direct connecting tissue back to those of us who are wearing uniform today, and we must remain apolitical,” he said. “I ask them to be very thoughtful about engaging either side, it doesn’t matter, in partisan politics.”
For their part, the Pentagon’s current top leaders insist they have no intention of wading into politics.
In written answers to lawmakers last month, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley said flatly that the armed forces will have “no role” in the American electoral process.
“I believe deeply in the principle of an apolitical U.S. military,” Gen. Milley said.
Combined with Mr. Esper’s previous opposition to the deployment of active-duty forces to American cities, it’s clear both men want to avoid politics and, unless absolutely necessary, avoid sending troops to clash with fellow American citizens.
“Everybody is keeping their fingers crossed and not knowing what to expect,” Mr. Townsend said of the current environment.
Growing divide
Politics and civil unrest are just the most recent rifts.
As racial unrest gripped much of the nation over the summer after the death of George Floyd, a black man, while in Minneapolis police custody, the Pentagon began a review of 10 Army bases named after Confederate generals. Mr. Trump publicly vowed to block any such changes.
Mr. Esper and other military officials also penned a carefully worded policy that effectively banned the Confederate flag at armed forces installations. The policy did not actually address the specific flag but instead laid out criteria for which banners could be flown — criteria that the Confederacy’s “Stars and Bars” did not meet.
The Pentagon’s delicate handling of the issue helped avoid another public confrontation with the president.
For his part, Mr. Trump has leaned into the distance between himself and Pentagon leaders, appealing to veteran and active-duty voters by criticizing their superiors in unusually blunt terms.
“I’m not saying the military’s in love with me,” Mr. Trump said at a recent news conference. “The soldiers are. The top people in the Pentagon probably aren’t because they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy.”
White House officials sought to add context those comments, suggesting that the president wasn’t referring to Mr. Esper or Gen. Milley specifically but instead speaking about broader issues of military policy and spending.
Mr. Trump argues that he has followed through on a major campaign promise to wind down endless wars in the Middle East, and it’s true that he has significantly reduced America’s military presence in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
But an apparent disconnect between Mr. Trump’s foreign policy approach — a key piece of his hallmark “America First” agenda — and the views of his appointees has only added fuel to the fire.
“America has never seen this level of mutual distrust between the president and his military leaders. Firstly, President Trump appointed Pentagon leaders who opposed him and the America First agenda,” said J.D. Gordon, former Trump campaign national security adviser and Pentagon spokesman. “Never have so many top political appointees been so richly, yet undeservedly rewarded in this country.”
Indeed, some former Trump appointees have now turned into some of his harshest critics. Former Defense Secretary James Mattis is perhaps the best example, with the retired Marine Corps general declaring over the summer that Mr. Trump is “the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people.”
Retired Air Force General Paul Selva, whom Mr. Trump himself re-nominated for a term as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff early in his presidency, was one of nearly 500 military and national security leaders who signed a recent letter strongly endorsing Mr. Biden for president.
‘They don’t trust him’
While Mr. Gordon argued that personnel decisions have been a major contributing factor to today’s antagonistic atmosphere, he said the unconventional Mr. Trump has taken other actions that have deepened the divide.
The president “has at times put his top national security leaders in difficult positions,” Mr. Gordon told The Times. “Whether a photo op after clashing with a civilian mob outside the White House, referring to Secretary Esper as ‘Esperanto,’ which is some made-up international language, or publicly calling out a military-industrial complex, it’s easy to see why they don’t trust him.”
The June 1 clash between law enforcement and protesters in Lafayette Square brought about arguably the clearest break so far between Mr. Trump and top military leaders. After demonstrators were aggressively cleared out of the area, the president walked to St. John’s Episcopal Church and posed for photographs along with other top administration officials, including Mr. Esper.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley also was with Mr. Trump outside the White House, clad in his battle dress uniform, though he was not in the St. John’s photo.
In the days afterwards, both men broke with the president in their own ways. Mr. Esper came out against the president’s proposal to invoke the Insurrection Act and send active-duty forces into American towns.
“The option to use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort and only in the most urgent and dire of situations. We are not in one of those situations now,” the secretary said.
Several days later, Gen. Milley admitted he made a mistake appearing with Mr. Trump.
“I should not have been there,” he said in pre-recorded remarks to the graduating class of the National Defense University on June 11.
“My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics,” he said. “As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from, and I sincerely hope we all can learn from it.”
Whether by coincidence or design, Mr. Esper was far from the U.S. political spotlight this week as Mr. Trump engaged in his first critical debate with Mr. Biden.
As Washington was consumed Wednesday with the fallout from the contentious debate in Cleveland, Mr. Esper was arriving in Tunisia for a multi-day tour of North Africa that will also take him to Algeria and Morocco this week.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-30--Harris County wins challenge on citizenship checks on new voters

A Texas court rejected a conservative group ’ s demand that Harris County automatically reject , or at least investigate , voter registration forms submitted by people who say they aren ’ t U.S. citizens , delivering a win to the county registrar Wednesday .
The Public Interest Legal Foundation said it uncovered dozens of examples of people who had not only been added to the voter rolls but even cast ballots — only to later be stricken from the rolls because they had not actually been citizens at the time .
PILF had asked the 14th Court of Appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the registrar do more to weed out those instances .
The court dismissed the request .
“ This was the correct outcome , ” said Registrar Ann Harris Bennett .
She had downplayed the PILF investigation , with her office saying the instances found were “ mistakenly accepted almost a decade ago ” and were “ promptly ” caught and corrected .
Logan Churchwell , a PILF staffer who compiled the data for the lawsuit , said they are assessing their legal options , but said their investigation stands on its own .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris County has proven to register foreign nationals to vote despite their admitting at the time to be foreign nationals , ” he said .
“ We must not lose sight of the fact that Harris County , by all appearances , has set these immigrants up to fail despite their honesty about their lacking eligibility.
” PILF ’ s investigation looked at voters the county itself had once registered , then later kicked of its rolls because it realized they weren ’ t citizens .
In at about 50 cases , PILF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials they weren ’ t citizens , checking “ NO ” next to that question on the registration form .
In five other cases PILF found , they left that field blank .
They were registered anyway .
PILF said they were usually taken off the rolls after they responded to some subsequent government communication , such as a jury summons , by asserting they weren ’ t in fact citizens .

A Texas court rejected a conservative group’s demand that Harris County automatically reject, or at least investigate, voter registration forms submitted by people who say they aren’t U.S. citizens, delivering a win to the county registrar Wednesday.
The Public Interest Legal Foundation said it uncovered dozens of examples of people who had not only been added to the voter rolls but even cast ballots — only to later be stricken from the rolls because they had not actually been citizens at the time.
PILF had asked the 14th Court of Appeals in Houston to issue an order demanding the registrar do more to weed out those instances. The court dismissed the request.
“This was the correct outcome,” said Registrar Ann Harris Bennett.
She had downplayed the PILF investigation, with her office saying the instances found were “mistakenly accepted almost a decade ago” and were “promptly” caught and corrected.
Logan Churchwell, a PILF staffer who compiled the data for the lawsuit, said they are assessing their legal options, but said their investigation stands on its own.
“The facts are still clear: Harris County has proven to register foreign nationals to vote despite their admitting at the time to be foreign nationals,” he said. “We must not lose sight of the fact that Harris County, by all appearances, has set these immigrants up to fail despite their honesty about their lacking eligibility.”
PILF’s investigation looked at voters the county itself had once registered, then later kicked of its rolls because it realized they weren’t citizens.
In at about 50 cases, PILF found, the people had actually told officials they weren’t citizens, checking “NO” next to that question on the registration form. In five other cases PILF found, they left that field blank. They were registered anyway.
PILF said they were usually taken off the rolls after they responded to some subsequent government communication, such as a jury summons, by asserting they weren’t in fact citizens.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-30--Hawaii CEO accused of $12.8M in fraud virus assistance loans

HONOLULU ( AP ) - The CEO of a company that was one of Hawaii ’ s largest recipients of the Paycheck Protection Program defrauded banks of more than $ 12.8 million in money meant to assist businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic , federal authorities said Wednesday .
Martin Kao , CEO of Martin Defense Group LLC , formerly known as Navatek LLC , is charged with bank fraud and money laundering .
Investigators talked to an executive and a former employee who said the company wasn ’ t affected by the pandemic , according to a criminal complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 47 , didn ’ t immediately return an Associated Press message seeking comment .
Kao ’ s first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday .
Congress authorized the Paycheck Protection Program , known as PPP , in March to provide emergency financial assistance to those suffering economic effects of the pandemic through forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses .
Kao transferred more than $ 2 million into his own personal accounts , the complaint said .
Authorities describe his company as a “ research , engineering , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in novel systems for the Department of Defense and other partners in academia and other scientific fields.
” The executive learned details about Kao ’ s loan application in July when he read a news article about Navatek being one of the largest PPP recipients in Hawaii .
The company hired employees and opened branch offices during the pandemic , the executive told investigators .
Kao submitted at least two fraudulent loan applications , authorities said .
“ According to the charges , Kao falsely inflated the number of employees on the loan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its affiliates would not receive , and had not received , another PPP loan , ” the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Hawaii said in a statement .

HONOLULU (AP) - The CEO of a company that was one of Hawaii’s largest recipients of the Paycheck Protection Program defrauded banks of more than $12.8 million in money meant to assist businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic, federal authorities said Wednesday.
Martin Kao, CEO of Martin Defense Group LLC, formerly known as Navatek LLC, is charged with bank fraud and money laundering. Investigators talked to an executive and a former employee who said the company wasn’t affected by the pandemic, according to a criminal complaint.
A defense attorney listed for Kao, 47, didn’t immediately return an Associated Press message seeking comment. Kao’s first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
A statement on behalf of Navatek LLC said, “Navatek is a highly reputable company with a long record of service to its clients and the people of Hawai‘i. The government’s actions today were a complete surprise. As a company, we will address the allegations and have retained legal counsel to review these claims.”
Congress authorized the Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP, in March to provide emergency financial assistance to those suffering economic effects of the pandemic through forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses.
Kao transferred more than $2 million into his own personal accounts, the complaint said.
Authorities describe his company as a “research, engineering, design, and innovations company that specializes in novel systems for the Department of Defense and other partners in academia and other scientific fields.”
The executive learned details about Kao’s loan application in July when he read a news article about Navatek being one of the largest PPP recipients in Hawaii. The company hired employees and opened branch offices during the pandemic, the executive told investigators.
Kao submitted at least two fraudulent loan applications, authorities said.
“According to the charges, Kao falsely inflated the number of employees on the loan application and falsely certified that the applicant and its affiliates would not receive, and had not received, another PPP loan,” the U.S. attorney’s office in Hawaii said in a statement.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--GOP challenger fundraising tops South Carolina's Cunningham

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - The Republican seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham has outraised the freshman Democrat in the final fundraising quarter before their general election matchup , as both candidates ratchet up their rhetoric in the campaign ’ s closing weeks .
Campaign manager Mara Mellstrom told The Associated Press on Thursday that Nancy Mace had raised more than $ 2.3 million in the fundraising period that ended Wednesday .
That amount tops the $ 1.8 million that Cunningham ’ s campaign said he brought in during the same period .
“ This massive level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challengers in close races , and ensures the campaign will have the resources to win on Election Day , ” Mellstrom told the AP .
Mace has raised more than $ 4 million overall during her campaign .
In a release earlier Thursday , Cunningham ’ s campaign said his third-quarter take brought his overall fundraising to more than $ 6.1 million in the race .
That figure , the campaign said , topped the previous fundraising record for a U.S. House race in South Carolina , held by U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than doubled Cunningham ’ s total haul from 2018 , when he stunned South Carolina by becoming the first Democrat to win the 1st District in 40 years .
He also was South Carolina ’ s first new Democrat to go to Congress since Jim Clyburn in 1992 .
Since Cunningham ’ s election - which state GOP Chairman Drew McKissick called “ the biggest disappointment we had on the ballot ” in 2018 - both Republicans and Democrats have targeted the 1st District as a must-win seat for 2020 .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans began laying the groundwork for a “ victory plan , ” including hiring full-time staff devoted to the GOP network .
The district stretches from Charleston along the coast to Hilton Head Island , an area rich with out-of-state retirees whose imported politics may be contributing to the area ’ s shifting preferences .
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has been running digital ads in the race since August 2019 .
Cunningham has pointed to his ratings among the more bipartisan members of Congress , and endorsement from groups such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backs GOP candidates , as evidence of his ability to represent a district that has for years been held by Republicans .
Mace , who worked with President Donald Trump ’ s 2016 campaign and has backing from the White House in her current race , has frequently portrayed Cunningham as a left-leaning foot-soldier of Democratic leadership .
Cunningham and Mace , who met in their first debate Monday night , do agree on some issues , including their opposition to drilling off South Carolina ’ s coast .
As he did during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting offshore drilling a major part of his first term , introducing an anti-drilling measure as his debut bill .
Mace , who once appeared side-by-side with Cunningham at an anti-drilling event in Charleston , has held out Cunningham ’ s bill - which passed the House but not the Senate - as evidence he can ’ t achieve legislative success .
AP ’ s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early , by mail or absentee from each state : https : //interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The Republican seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham has outraised the freshman Democrat in the final fundraising quarter before their general election matchup, as both candidates ratchet up their rhetoric in the campaign’s closing weeks.
Campaign manager Mara Mellstrom told The Associated Press on Thursday that Nancy Mace had raised more than $2.3 million in the fundraising period that ended Wednesday. That amount tops the $1.8 million that Cunningham’s campaign said he brought in during the same period.
“This massive level of support sets her apart from other challengers in close races, and ensures the campaign will have the resources to win on Election Day,” Mellstrom told the AP.
Mace has raised more than $4 million overall during her campaign.
In a release earlier Thursday, Cunningham’s campaign said his third-quarter take brought his overall fundraising to more than $6.1 million in the race. That figure, the campaign said, topped the previous fundraising record for a U.S. House race in South Carolina, held by U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson for his 2010 campaign.
It also more than doubled Cunningham’s total haul from 2018, when he stunned South Carolina by becoming the first Democrat to win the 1st District in 40 years. He also was South Carolina’s first new Democrat to go to Congress since Jim Clyburn in 1992.
Since Cunningham’s election - which state GOP Chairman Drew McKissick called “the biggest disappointment we had on the ballot” in 2018 - both Republicans and Democrats have targeted the 1st District as a must-win seat for 2020.
As early as December 2018, South Carolina Republicans began laying the groundwork for a “victory plan,” including hiring full-time staff devoted to the GOP network. The district stretches from Charleston along the coast to Hilton Head Island, an area rich with out-of-state retirees whose imported politics may be contributing to the area’s shifting preferences. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has been running digital ads in the race since August 2019.
Cunningham has pointed to his ratings among the more bipartisan members of Congress, and endorsement from groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which often backs GOP candidates, as evidence of his ability to represent a district that has for years been held by Republicans. Mace, who worked with President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and has backing from the White House in her current race, has frequently portrayed Cunningham as a left-leaning foot-soldier of Democratic leadership.
Cunningham and Mace, who met in their first debate Monday night, do agree on some issues, including their opposition to drilling off South Carolina’s coast.
As he did during his first campaign, Cunningham has made fighting offshore drilling a major part of his first term, introducing an anti-drilling measure as his debut bill. Mace, who once appeared side-by-side with Cunningham at an anti-drilling event in Charleston, has held out Cunningham’s bill - which passed the House but not the Senate - as evidence he can’t achieve legislative success.
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Follow Meg Kinnard on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.
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AP’s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early, by mail or absentee from each state: https://interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Top White House official tests positive for coronavirus

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.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Vallejo officer involved in 2 fatal shootings fired

VALLEJO , Calif. ( AP ) - A San Francisco Bay Area City fired a police officer who was involved in two fatal shootings within the past two years , officials announced Thursday .
The Vallejo Police Department said it fired Officer Ryan McMahon , who fatally shot Ronell Foster in 2018 and joined five other officers in killing Willie McCoy last year , KPIX-TV reported .
Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams already recommended McMahon ’ s termination back in March , but officially fired him after an Internal Affairs investigation concluded that he violated department policies that included “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when another officer was about to be in the line of fire during McCoy ’ s fatal shooting .
“ Any conduct outside the level of professionalism this City deserves will not be tolerated by the Vallejo Police Department , ” Williams said .
In February 2018 , McMahon reportedly attempted to stop 33-year-old Ronnell Foster for “ riding a bicycle in an unsafe manner.
” Foster ran off , and McMahon shot him with a taser , which had no effect .
McMahon caught up with Foster and after pushing him down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range and beat him with a flashlight .
Foster took the flashlight from McMahon and tried to flee again when McMahon fatally shot him .
Foster ’ s family hired civil rights attorney John Burris , who sued the city of Vallejo .
The city settled the lawsuit for $ 5.7 million .
Last February , McMahon was one of six officers involved in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old McCoy , a rapper who performed under the name Willie Bo .
Officers discovered McCoy sleeping in his car in the drive-thru of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 .
After ordering him to keep his hands visible , the six officers claim that McCoy reached for a handgun in his lap .
They opened fire on him , shooting him 55 times in less than four seconds .
McCoy ’ s family hired Burris to sue the city over the incident , and the department placed McMahon on paid administrative leave that fall .
The lawsuit is pending .

VALLEJO, Calif. (AP) - A San Francisco Bay Area City fired a police officer who was involved in two fatal shootings within the past two years, officials announced Thursday.
The Vallejo Police Department said it fired Officer Ryan McMahon, who fatally shot Ronell Foster in 2018 and joined five other officers in killing Willie McCoy last year, KPIX-TV reported.
Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams already recommended McMahon’s termination back in March, but officially fired him after an Internal Affairs investigation concluded that he violated department policies that included “unsafe conduct” for firing a gun when another officer was about to be in the line of fire during McCoy’s fatal shooting.
“Any conduct outside the level of professionalism this City deserves will not be tolerated by the Vallejo Police Department,” Williams said.
In February 2018, McMahon reportedly attempted to stop 33-year-old Ronnell Foster for “riding a bicycle in an unsafe manner.” Foster ran off, and McMahon shot him with a taser, which had no effect.
McMahon caught up with Foster and after pushing him down stairs, McMahon tased him at close range and beat him with a flashlight. Foster took the flashlight from McMahon and tried to flee again when McMahon fatally shot him.
Foster’s family hired civil rights attorney John Burris, who sued the city of Vallejo. The city settled the lawsuit for $5.7 million.
Last February, McMahon was one of six officers involved in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old McCoy, a rapper who performed under the name Willie Bo.
Officers discovered McCoy sleeping in his car in the drive-thru of a Taco Bell the evening of Feb. 9, 2019. After ordering him to keep his hands visible, the six officers claim that McCoy reached for a handgun in his lap. They opened fire on him, shooting him 55 times in less than four seconds.
McCoy’s family hired Burris to sue the city over the incident, and the department placed McMahon on paid administrative leave that fall. The lawsuit is pending.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Hope Hicks tests positive for coronavirus after flying with Trump on Air Force One: Report

Hope Hicks , one of President Trump ’ s closest aides , has tested positive for coronavirus infection , according to people familiar with the matter .
Mr. Trump confirmed to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday night that Ms. Hicks tested positive .
“ I just went for a test and we ’ ll see what happens , ” Mr. Trump said .
Ms. Hicks , 31 , traveled with the president on Air Force One to and from the presidential debate in Cleveland on Tuesday , and to his campaign rally in Minnesota on Wednesday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the president has contracted the virus , according to Bloomberg , which first reported the story .
“ The president takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously , ” deputy White House press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement that did not address Ms. Hicks .
He said , “ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the greatest extent possible both on complex and when the president is traveling.
” The positive test of a close aide raised the question of whether the president and many of his senior advisers , including Jared Kushner and Stephen Miller , would need to self-quarantine for two weeks .

Hope Hicks, one of President Trump’s closest aides, has tested positive for coronavirus infection, according to people familiar with the matter.
Mr. Trump confirmed to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday night that Ms. Hicks tested positive. “I just went for a test and we’ll see what happens,” Mr. Trump said.
Ms. Hicks, 31, traveled with the president on Air Force One to and from the presidential debate in Cleveland on Tuesday, and to his campaign rally in Minnesota on Wednesday.
The White House said there is no indication that the president has contracted the virus, according to Bloomberg, which first reported the story.
“The president takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously,” deputy White House press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement that did not address Ms. Hicks.
He said, “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 limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible both on complex and when the president is traveling.”
The positive test of a close aide raised the question of whether the president and many of his senior advisers, including Jared Kushner and Stephen Miller, would need to self-quarantine for two weeks.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.