saraacater--2020-12-14--Antrim Forensics report: Auditors allege voting machines ‘intentionally and purposefully designed… t

Antrim Forensics report: Auditors allege voting machines ‘intentionally and purposefully designed… to influence elections’

A forensic audit of Michigan ’ s Antrim County ’ s general election voting machines was made public Monday by Circuit Judge Kevin Elsenheimer , a former Republican lawmaker .
The audit was conducted by Allied Security Operations Group , out of Dallas , Texas and was done “ to test the integrity of the Dominion Voting System in how it performed in Antrim County , Michigan for the 2020 election , ” the audit stated .
According to the report Russell James Ramsland , Jr. , a resident of Dallas County , Texas , who holds an MBA from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degree from Duke University , led the audit in Antrim County with his company .
Ramsland , who has worked with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA ) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) , among other organizations , alleges in the report that the failures are so egregious that a full investigation by Director of National Intelligence is warranted .
The audit was conducted on the controversial Dominion Voting Machine system that was used in 28 states during the general election on November , 3 .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , “ Dominion voting system is a Canadian owned company with global subsidiaries .
It is owned by Staple Street Capital which is in turn owned by UBS Securities LLC , of which 3 out of their 7 board members are Chinese nationals .
The Dominion software is licensed from Smartmatic which is a Venezuelan owned and controlled company .
Dominion Server locations have been determined to be in Serbia , Canada , the US , Spain and Germany .
” The forensic report said the security company is still investigating and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ based on the preliminary results , we conclude that the errors are so significant that they call into question the integrity and legitimacy of the results in the Antrim County 2020 election to the point that the results are not certifiable , ” the forensic report states .
“ Because the same machines and software are used in 48 other counties in Michigan , this casts doubt on the integrity of the entire election in the state of Michigan.
” Moreover , the audit stated that it is DNI John Ratcliffe ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that President Obama signed Executive Order on National Critical Infrastructure on 6 January 2017 , stating in Section 1 .
Cybersecurity of Federal Networks , “ The Executive Branch operates its information technology ( IT ) on behalf of the American people .
The President will hold heads of executive departments and agencies ( agency heads ) accountable for managing cybersecurity risk to their enterprises .
In addition , because risk management decisions made by agency heads can affect the risk to the executive branch as a whole , and to national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States to manage cybersecurity risk as an executive branch enterprise.
” The audit also concluded that based on the findings related to the nation ’ s national security that under President Trump ’ s July , 2018 Executive Order , which strengthened President Obama ’ s prior Executive Order to include requirements to ensure the integrity of the US election systems , and that “ its people were not manipulated by foreign meddling , either through electronic or systemic manipulation , social media , or physical changes made in hardware , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s security company suggested in the audit that there is enough evidence in their findings to have the Michigan State Legislature decertify the election results .
The audit says that “ the Dominion Voting System is intentionally and purposefully designed with inherent errors to create systemic fraud and influence election results.
” For example , the auditors state that the roughly 6,000 votes that were originally taken from President Donald Trump , in the Republican county , and attributed to Joe Biden , were not due to simple mistakes but actually occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voting software designed to create error.
” The security team that conducted the audit also alleges that Dominion Voting System machines “ classifies ballots into two categories , 1 ) normal ballots and 2 ) adjudicated ballots.
” They say the distinction is significant because the ballots , which are “ sent to adjudication can be altered by administrators , and adjudication files can be moved between different Results Tally and Reporting ( RTR ) terminals with no audit trail of which administrator actually adjudicates ( i.e .
votes ) the ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that because of this , the voting machines “ demonstrated a significant and fatal error in security and election integrity because it provides no meaningful observation of the adjudication process or audit trail of which administrator actually adjudicated the ballots.
” You can follow Sara A Carter on Parler @ SaraCarterOfficial or on Twitter @ SaraCarterDC

A forensic audit of Michigan’s Antrim County’s general election voting machines was made public Monday by Circuit Judge Kevin Elsenheimer, a former Republican lawmaker. The audit was conducted by Allied Security Operations Group, out of Dallas, Texas and was done “to test the integrity of the Dominion Voting System in how it performed in Antrim County, Michigan for the 2020 election,” the audit stated.
According to the report Russell James Ramsland, Jr., a resident of Dallas County, Texas, who holds an MBA from Harvard University, and a political science degree from Duke University, led the audit in Antrim County with his company.
Ramsland, who has worked with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), among other organizations, alleges in the report that the failures are so egregious that a full investigation by Director of National Intelligence is warranted.
The audit was conducted on the controversial Dominion Voting Machine system that was used in 28 states during the general election on November, 3. According to Ramsland’s company’s report, “Dominion voting system is a Canadian owned company with global subsidiaries. It is owned by Staple Street Capital which is in turn owned by UBS Securities LLC, of which 3 out of their 7 board members are Chinese nationals. The Dominion software is licensed from Smartmatic which is a Venezuelan owned and controlled company. Dominion Server locations have been determined to be in Serbia, Canada, the US, Spain and Germany. ”
The forensic report said the security company is still investigating and that “research is ongoing” but “based on the preliminary results, we conclude that the errors are so significant that they call into question the integrity and legitimacy of the results in the Antrim County 2020 election to the point that the results are not certifiable,” the forensic report states. “Because the same machines and software are used in 48 other counties in Michigan, this casts doubt on the integrity of the entire election in the state of Michigan.”
Moreover, the audit stated that it is DNI John Ratcliffe’s responsibility as well. It noted that President Obama signed Executive Order on National Critical Infrastructure on 6 January 2017, stating in Section 1. Cybersecurity of Federal Networks, “The Executive Branch operates its information technology (IT) on behalf of the American people. The President will hold heads of executive departments and agencies (agency heads) accountable for managing cybersecurity risk to their enterprises. In addition, because risk management decisions made by agency heads can affect the risk to the executive branch as a whole, and to national security, it is also the policy of the United States to manage cybersecurity risk as an executive branch enterprise.”
The audit also concluded that based on the findings related to the nation’s national security that under President Trump’s July, 2018 Executive Order, which strengthened President Obama’s prior Executive Order to include requirements to ensure the integrity of the US election systems, and that “its people were not manipulated by foreign meddling, either through electronic or systemic manipulation, social media, or physical changes made in hardware, software, or supporting systems.”
Ramsland’s security company suggested in the audit that there is enough evidence in their findings to have the Michigan State Legislature decertify the election results.
The audit says that “the Dominion Voting System is intentionally and purposefully designed with inherent errors to create systemic fraud and influence election results.”
For example, the auditors state that the roughly 6,000 votes that were originally taken from President Donald Trump, in the Republican county, and attributed to Joe Biden, were not due to simple mistakes but actually occurred because “of machine error built into the voting software designed to create error.”
The security team that conducted the audit also alleges that Dominion Voting System machines “classifies ballots into two categories, 1) normal ballots and 2) adjudicated ballots.”
They say the distinction is significant because the ballots, which are “sent to adjudication can be altered by administrators, and adjudication files can be moved between different Results Tally and Reporting (RTR) terminals with no audit trail of which administrator actually adjudicates (i.e. votes) the ballot batch.”
Allied Security Operations Group said that because of this, the voting machines “demonstrated a significant and fatal error in security and election integrity because it provides no meaningful observation of the adjudication process or audit trail of which administrator actually adjudicated the ballots.”
Read the full audit here and we’ll continue to follow this election story at SaraACarter.com as it develops.
Antrim Michigan Forensics Report [121320] v2 [Redacted] by Sara on Scribd
You can follow Sara A Carter on Parler @SaraCarterOfficial or on Twitter @SaraCarterDC


saraacater--2020-12-14--Dark Wire: 14 arrested in Tennessee sex trafficking bust

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced on Saturday the arrests of 14 men allegedly tied to a sex trafficking ring @ @ @ @ @ .
The undercover investigation began on December 9 when investigators used “ several decoy advertisements @ @ @ @ @ prostitution to find suspects soliciting sex with minors , TBI said .
The investigation was @ @ @ @ @ the Chattanooga Police Department , Homeland Security Investigations , the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking @ @ @ @ @ nonprofit organization that provides support for human trafficking survivors .
To read the full story @ @ @ @ @ .

In a recent development, the Tate brothers, Andrew and Tristan, along with two associates, find themselves at the center of a high-profile case involving human trafficking allegations.
The charges leveled against them indicate the formation of an organized criminal group in 2021 with the intent to carry out human trafficking operations not only in Romania but also in the United States and the United Kingdom, according to the BBC.
The investigation, which led to their arrest in December last year, has culminated in an indictment filed with the Bucharest court. According to the indictment, the Tate brothers are accused of luring their victims with false promises of love and marriage. Seven individuals have been identified as alleged victims, who were later coerced and subjected to a harrowing ordeal.
Prosecutors contend that the victims were taken to locations in Ilfov county, Romania, where they faced constant surveillance, intimidation, and control. The defendants allegedly forced the victims into debt and coerced them into participating in pornographic activities, with the explicit material subsequently shared on social media platforms. Shockingly, one of the defendants is accused of raping a woman on two occasions in March 2022, further amplifying the gravity of the charges.
While the trial is not expected to commence immediately, as a Romanian judge is granted 60 days to inspect the case files, it is anticipated to be a protracted legal battle. The complexity of the case and the severity of the charges will undoubtedly result in a lengthy trial process, with several years potentially passing before a verdict is reached.
Representatives for the Tate brothers released a statement acknowledging the unsurprising nature of the news but maintaining their belief in their innocence.
As reported by the BBC, the Tate brothers media team stared, “While this news is undoubtedly predictable, we embrace the opportunity it presents to demonstrate their innocence and vindicate their reputation.”
They expressed their eagerness to present a comprehensive body of evidence meticulously collected over time, which they believe will substantiate their claims of innocence and restore their tarnished reputation.
However, it should be noted that additional charges, such as money laundering and trafficking of minors, are still under investigation. If evidence is uncovered to support these allegations, a separate indictment could be filed, further complicating the legal proceedings for the defendants.
Andrew Tate, who gained notoriety through his participation in the reality television show Big Brother, has a controversial past, having been removed from the show in 2016 following a video that appeared to depict him assaulting a woman.
Despite subsequent bans on social media platforms due to his contentious statements, he has managed to amass a following, particularly among young men, by promoting an ostentatious and hyper-masculine lifestyle.
As the case unfolds, public attention will undoubtedly be drawn to the trial, with many eagerly awaiting the outcome and hoping for justice to be served for the alleged victims. The complex web of charges and the high-profile nature of the defendants ensure that this trial will be closely monitored and scrutinized by the media and the public alike.
Follow Alexander Carter on Twitter @AlexCarterDC for more!


saraacater--2020-12-14--Michigan Judge allows release of Antrim County election forensic report on Dominion Voting machines

Michigan Judge allows release of Antrim County election forensic report on Dominion Voting machines and allegations of fraud A Michigan judge ordered the public release Monday of a report submitted by lawyers supporting President Donald Trump and the election fraud allegations they say will reveal serious concerns that the computer machines used in the voting in Antrim County were compromised .
The forensic report allegedly contains data that will reveal that the computer systems used to vote in the county were not secure and had foreign components that made them susceptible to manipulation and or fraud , according to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Assistant Attorney General Erik Grill , representing Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson , immediately shot back against the release of the report , which President Donald Trump supporters say raises significant questions of voter fraud and implications to the U.S. national security .
He suggested that the report being released is “ inaccurate , incomplete and misleading , ” according to the Detroit News .
“ There ’ s no reason to hide , ” said Grill , during a virtual court hearing Monday morning .
“ There is nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer experts working to expose what they say is a serious threat to U.S. security and infrastructure say the report will reveal the irregularities in the data and external foreign interference in the system .
The legal team “ submitted the forensics report to the Judge ( Sunday ) at 8:30 a.m. per the Judge ’ s request , ” stated a source familiar with the report .
According to sources , who spoke to me this weekend the forensic report of the computer system reveals that there are serious national security implications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election system is categorized as critical infrastructure , this is a threat to , it is a national security concern.
” The lawsuit was initiated by Antrim County resident William Bailey .
Circuit Judge Kevin Elsenheimer , a former Republican lawmaker , allowed Allied Securities Operation Group and Bailey to take forensic images of the county ’ s 22 tabulators and review other election-related material to ensure election integrity .
The forensic analysis has been under protective order .
It could not be released prior to the Judge ’ s decision Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redactions .
Antrim County has roughly 23,000 residents and the discovery that roughly 6,000 votes cast using the Dominion Voting Systems that should have gone to President Donald Trump went to Joe Biden without explanation triggered the ongoing investigation by Trump supporters .
The bizarre explanation that a failure to update voting software led to Joe Biden initially receiving those thousands of votes ahead of Trump in the Republican-leaning county wasn ’ t accepted by the majority of Trump supporters , nor many of the Michigan GOP .
If the forensic report is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as other issues of alleged fraud regarding the Dominion Voting Systems used in 28 states across the country , it may snowball to other state legislatures requesting audits of their systems as well .
You can follow Sara A. Carter on Parler @ SaraCarterOfficial or on Twitter @ SaraCarterDC

A Michigan judge ordered the public release Monday of a report submitted by lawyers supporting President Donald Trump and the election fraud allegations they say will reveal serious concerns that the computer machines used in the voting in Antrim County were compromised. The forensic report allegedly contains data that will reveal that the computer systems used to vote in the county were not secure and had foreign components that made them susceptible to manipulation and or fraud, according to those directly familiar with the case.
Michigan’s Assistant Attorney General Erik Grill, representing Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, immediately shot back against the release of the report, which President Donald Trump supporters say raises significant questions of voter fraud and implications to the U.S. national security. He suggested that the report being released is “inaccurate, incomplete and misleading,” according to the Detroit News. “There’s no reason to hide,” said Grill, during a virtual court hearing Monday morning. “There is nothing to hide.”
However, lawyers and computer experts working to expose what they say is a serious threat to U.S. security and infrastructure say the report will reveal the irregularities in the data and external foreign interference in the system.
The legal team “submitted the forensics report to the Judge (Sunday) at 8:30 a.m. per the Judge’s request,” stated a source familiar with the report.
According to sources, who spoke to me this weekend the forensic report of the computer system reveals that there are serious national security implications to the evidence discovered because “the election system is categorized as critical infrastructure, this is a threat to, it is a national security concern.”
The lawsuit was initiated by Antrim County resident William Bailey. Circuit Judge Kevin Elsenheimer, a former Republican lawmaker, allowed Allied Securities Operation Group and Bailey to take forensic images of the county’s 22 tabulators and review other election-related material to ensure election integrity.
The forensic analysis has been under protective order. It could not be released prior to the Judge’s decision Monday, when Elsenheimer ordered the release with some redactions.
Antrim County has roughly 23,000 residents and the discovery that roughly 6,000 votes cast using the Dominion Voting Systems that should have gone to President Donald Trump went to Joe Biden without explanation triggered the ongoing investigation by Trump supporters.
The bizarre explanation that a failure to update voting software led to Joe Biden initially receiving those thousands of votes ahead of Trump in the Republican-leaning county wasn’t accepted by the majority of Trump supporters, nor many of the Michigan GOP.
If the forensic report is accurate on the irregularities, as well as other issues of alleged fraud regarding the Dominion Voting Systems used in 28 states across the country, it may snowball to other state legislatures requesting audits of their systems as well.
You can follow Sara A. Carter on Parler @SaraCarterOfficial or on Twitter @SaraCarterDC


saraacater--2020-12-14--Dark Wire: Jewish man dragged, run over during menorah lighting in Kentucky

Dark Wire : Jewish man dragged , run over during menorah lighting in Kentucky It ’ s the fourth time @ @ @ @ @ have been targets of antisemitism at the Lexington , Kentucky Chabad of the Bluegrass this @ @ @ @ @ the attack took place on the third night of Hannukah ( Saturday ) when a @ @ @ @ @ was hit by a car , dragged for one block and run over .
The @ @ @ @ @ language ” when he grabbed the victim , dragged him by the arm , and @ @ @ @ @ The victim was injured and later transported to a hospital , but before leaving the @ @ @ @ @ community to continue with the candle lighting , the center wrote on its Facebook page @ @ @ @ @ the victim with saving the lives of several children whom he jumped in front of @ @ @ @ @ .
To read the full report on TheDarkWire.com , click here .


saraacater--2020-12-15--REPORTS: UK officials report NEW Covid-19 strain, move to Tier 3 Lockdowns

A new strain of COVID-19 , which spreads even faster than the current strain was discovered in the United Kingdom @ @ @ @ @ in the Southern part of the nation , according to the UK Health Ministry and @ @ @ @ @ Ministry Matt Hancock announced that more than 11 million people will be moving to a @ @ @ @ @ due to the new outbreak and an effort to mitigate it .
He said UK @ @ @ @ @ cases of the new “ variant ” virus , which “ has been discovered in @ @ @ @ @ the UK.
” The World Health Organization has been informed , Hancock said .
A @ @ @ @ @ whether or not the new vaccines developed by Pfizer , Moderna and others will work @ @ @ @ @ ?
What measures will be taken in the United States to help mitigate the spread @ @ @ @ @ You can follow Sara A. Carter on Parler @ SaraCarterOfficial and on Twitter @ SaraCarterDC


saraacater--2020-12-15--Some frustrated NYPD officers flee for Long Island police departments: NYPost

Roughly 50 NYPD officers have ditched New York City for police departments in neighboring Long Island , with insiders citing an increasingly anti-police climate in the city and not enough pay , The New York Post reported Tuesday .
The Nassau County Police Department in particular is receiving the brunt of these now-former city officers .
Since Friday , dozens of officers , many of whom had less than five years on the job , have quit the NYPD , even though it meant taking a pay cut in the short term , law enforcement sources told The Post .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they will be better appreciated by their community , local politicians and district attorneys who still value the job they do protecting innocent people and property over criminals , ” said one source , describing the benefits of joining other police departments .
While they will make less money in the short run due to quitting , the NYC-turned-Nassau officers will ultimately make more money in the long run , sources told The Post .
The Post notes that Nassau County last held an entrance exam in January 2018 and still drawing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s recruiting site .
In spite of this hurdle , the officers made their exit amid large-scale Black Lives Matter and Defund The Police protests this summer and autumn , more restrictive policies , and NYPD funding cuts in the city ’ s budget .
New York City also saw a spike in crime over the summer , as well as some highly publicized incidents of violence toward , and the murder of police officers , with a lack of support from Mayor Bill de Blasio , with whom the NYPD has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to The Post , it was not an overnight decision for these officers to leave the NYPD .
During the summer , NYPD officers were retiring at such a high rate that the department had to restrict the rate at which they could do so .
In particular , one week at the beginning of July saw a 400 % surge in retirements .
This low morale caused the Department of Homeland Security over the summer to actively try to recruit fed-up NYPD officers , according to The Post .
However , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had clocked in enough time to qualify for their pensions , while this new batch of officers are still young .
This , The Post writes , means that this recent loss of officers to other departments will be felt longer within the NYPD , and that New York City has gotten less return on the money it had invested in training them than the retirees .
“ The city spent millions of dollars training these cops hoping that they would be around for another 20-plus years , ” said one Manhattan officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walked out the door , putting a further drain on the city ’ s budget nightmare.
” Pat Lynch , president of the Police Benevolent Association union , blamed the city for unwillingness to cough up money for adequate law enforcement .
“ We continue to lose trained , experienced police officers to Nassau County and other departments where they can earn up to 70 percent more , ” said Lynch in a statement .
“ It ’ s yet another sign that New York City politicians don ’ t really care about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What they want is fewer cops on streets , and their refusal to pay us a fair-market wage is getting them exactly that , ” he added .
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .

Roughly 50 NYPD officers have ditched New York City for police departments in neighboring Long Island, with insiders citing an increasingly anti-police climate in the city and not enough pay, The New York Post reported Tuesday. The Nassau County Police Department in particular is receiving the brunt of these now-former city officers.
Since Friday, dozens of officers, many of whom had less than five years on the job, have quit the NYPD, even though it meant taking a pay cut in the short term, law enforcement sources told The Post.
“They are going to a department where they will be better appreciated by their community, local politicians and district attorneys who still value the job they do protecting innocent people and property over criminals,” said one source, describing the benefits of joining other police departments.
While they will make less money in the short run due to quitting, the NYC-turned-Nassau officers will ultimately make more money in the long run, sources told The Post.
The Post notes that Nassau County last held an entrance exam in January 2018 and still drawing from that list, according the department’s recruiting site. In spite of this hurdle, the officers made their exit amid large-scale Black Lives Matter and Defund The Police protests this summer and autumn, more restrictive policies, and NYPD funding cuts in the city’s budget.
New York City also saw a spike in crime over the summer, as well as some highly publicized incidents of violence toward, and the murder of police officers, with a lack of support from Mayor Bill de Blasio, with whom the NYPD has not had a friendly relationship.
According to The Post, it was not an overnight decision for these officers to leave the NYPD.
During the summer, NYPD officers were retiring at such a high rate that the department had to restrict the rate at which they could do so. In particular, one week at the beginning of July saw a 400% surge in retirements.
This low morale caused the Department of Homeland Security over the summer to actively try to recruit fed-up NYPD officers, according to The Post.
However, many of those retirements were senior investigators who had clocked in enough time to qualify for their pensions, while this new batch of officers are still young. This, The Post writes, means that this recent loss of officers to other departments will be felt longer within the NYPD, and that New York City has gotten less return on the money it had invested in training them than the retirees.
“The city spent millions of dollars training these cops hoping that they would be around for another 20-plus years,” said one Manhattan officer. “That money and experience just walked out the door, putting a further drain on the city’s budget nightmare.”
Pat Lynch, president of the Police Benevolent Association union, blamed the city for unwillingness to cough up money for adequate law enforcement.
“We continue to lose trained, experienced police officers to Nassau County and other departments where they can earn up to 70 percent more,” said Lynch in a statement. “It’s yet another sign that New York City politicians don’t really care about improving policing in this city.
“What they want is fewer cops on streets, and their refusal to pay us a fair-market wage is getting them exactly that,” he added.
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.


saraacater--2020-12-15--McEnany slams Swalwell of hypocrisy on Russia probe, amid reports of his relationship with a suspect

McEnany slams Swalwell of hypocrisy on Russia probe, amid reports of his relationship with a suspected Chinese spy

McEnany slams Swalwell of hypocrisy on Russia probe , amid reports of his relationship with a suspected Chinese spy White Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany criticized Rep. Eric Swalwell ( D-Calif. ) of hypocrisy for reportedly having a relationship with a suspected Chinese spy when he had been a proponent of the Russia collusion probe .
She also accused the media of underreporting this story as well as the ongoing story about the federal investigation Hunter Biden ‘ s taxes .
At a Tuesday press briefing , McEnany was discussing the Trump administration ’ s policy toward Iran and saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has negotiated between Israel and predominantly Muslim countries did not get much media coverage .
She added , “ but I guess we shouldn ’ t be surprised because in the last 24 , 48 hours , there have been quite a few stories that have not gotten a ton of coverage in the mainstream media.
” After which , the press secretary described the details of the original Axios report that broke the story about Swalwell , praising the outlet ’ s reporting .
She then turned her attention to Swalwell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting close to a suspected Chinese spy named Christine Fang when he had falsely accused President Donald Trump of collusion with Russia during the 2016 presidential election .
“ Swalwell hypocritically went on to be one of the lead instigators of the Russia collusion hoax and the impeachment sham , ” McEnany said .
She then pulled various quotes of Swalwell , where he falsely accused Trump and his allies of collusion with Russia and having a wide range of ties to the country .
After these quotes , McEnany said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathlessly by the media .
There was no coverage , however , of Swalwell being the one implicated with not Russia , but China .
In fact , The New York Times website , as of this morning had not one result for Eric Swalwell ’ s ties to Chinese spies , not one result.
” Furthermore , she claimed that on the day the Swalwell story broke , ABC , NBC , MSNBC , and CBS had “ zero ” coverage of the story .
CNN , she said , “ devoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Additionally , McEnany went on to compare various outlets ’ headlines about Hunter Biden before and after the November 3 election to suggest that these outlets were favorable to then-candidate Joe Biden prior to the election but started to report on Hunter Biden after , which she called an “ interesting turn of events ” .
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .

White Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany criticized Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) of hypocrisy for reportedly having a relationship with a suspected Chinese spy when he had been a proponent of the Russia collusion probe. She also accused the media of underreporting this story as well as the ongoing story about the federal investigation Hunter Biden‘s taxes.
At a Tuesday press briefing, McEnany was discussing the Trump administration’s policy toward Iran and saying that the four peace deals the United States has negotiated between Israel and predominantly Muslim countries did not get much media coverage. She added, “but I guess we shouldn’t be surprised because in the last 24, 48 hours, there have been quite a few stories that have not gotten a ton of coverage in the mainstream media.”
There was no coverage, however, of Swalwell being the one implicated with not Russia, but China. In fact, The New York Times website, as of this morning had not one result for Eric Swalwell’s ties to Chinese spies, not one result White House Press Secretary Kayleigh Mcenany
After which, the press secretary described the details of the original Axios report that broke the story about Swalwell, praising the outlet’s reporting.
She then turned her attention to Swalwell, accusing the Democratic congressman of hypocrisy for getting close to a suspected Chinese spy named Christine Fang when he had falsely accused President Donald Trump of collusion with Russia during the 2016 presidential election.
.@PressSec @KayleighMcEnany also made sure to cap off her latest close statement with some serious 🔥🔥about the liberal media censoring stories about Hunter Biden's corrupt business dealings before the election but now admitting the truth that there's plenty of there there (2/2) pic.twitter.com/XMYt4o8SSO — Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) December 15, 2020
“Swalwell hypocritically went on to be one of the lead instigators of the Russia collusion hoax and the impeachment sham,” McEnany said.
She then pulled various quotes of Swalwell, where he falsely accused Trump and his allies of collusion with Russia and having a wide range of ties to the country.
After these quotes, McEnany said, “these baseless attacks were false yet covered breathlessly by the media. There was no coverage, however, of Swalwell being the one implicated with not Russia, but China. In fact, The New York Times website, as of this morning had not one result for Eric Swalwell’s ties to Chinese spies, not one result.”
Furthermore, she claimed that on the day the Swalwell story broke, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, and CBS had “zero” coverage of the story.
CNN, she said, “devoted three minutes and 16 seconds to it.”
Additionally, McEnany went on to compare various outlets’ headlines about Hunter Biden before and after the November 3 election to suggest that these outlets were favorable to then-candidate Joe Biden prior to the election but started to report on Hunter Biden after, which she called an “interesting turn of events”.
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.


saraacater--2020-12-15--Biden to nominate Buttigieg for Secretary of Transportation

Biden to nominate Buttigieg for Secretary of Transportation President-elect Joe Biden will nominate former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg to @ @ @ @ @ , according to multiple reports that cite people familiar with the matter .
Buttigieg , @ @ @ @ @ ago was a mayor of South Bend , Indiana , has astronomically made himself a @ @ @ @ @ through his dark-horse 2020 presidential campaign .
After dropping out of the race , he @ @ @ @ @ , a fellow moderate , for the Democrats ’ nomination .
If Buttigieg is confirmed @ @ @ @ @ he will become the second openly gay member of the Cabinet in U.S. history .
@ @ @ @ @ on Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .

UPDATE:
In a significant turn of events, Attorney General Merrick Garland made a surprising announcement on Friday, elevating Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss to the role of special counsel. This decision marks a shift in focus towards the investigation of the Biden family’s financial matters. The probe, which encompasses Hunter Biden’s tax affairs and any potential connections his father, President Joe Biden, might have with his foreign associates, is slated to extend into the 2024 election cycle. Interestingly, this move comes as former President Donald Trump is simultaneously facing two federal indictments from the same department.
Garland stressed that the decision to appoint Weiss as an independent prosecutor aligns with the “public interest” and adheres to departmental regulations. Importantly, this transition was initiated by Weiss himself, who, earlier this week, conveyed his belief that the investigation had reached a point where he should proceed as a special counsel.
Weiss is no stranger to this intricate landscape. He is the federal prosecutor responsible for bringing charges against President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, in Delaware. Recent times have witnessed the unfolding of legal proceedings involving Hunter Biden, including a probation-oriented plea arrangement that was ultimately rejected by a judge. In June, Hunter Biden agreed to a deal with federal prosecutors, admitting guilt in two tax-related offenses and a firearm charge, potentially leading to the dismissal of the latter charge. This latest development underscores the intensification of scrutiny into the financial affairs of the Biden family and highlights the evolving legal landscape involving prominent political figures.
—
Attorney General Merrick Garland will speak to the public Friday afternoon. It is highly anticipated because I believe, as do many others, that he may be getting ready to announce the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate “Hunter Biden” and his financial dealings overseas. Although, welcome there are still too many concerns with the DOJ that need to be addressed and there is little faith among many Americans that anything will be done.
Americans have witnessed the makings and the result of a two tiered justice system since President Trump was elected and then the continuing targeting of Trump even after his term as president.
I’ve spoken about the need for an outside investigation into Hunter Biden and President Biden at length on my podcast, The Sara Carter Show and on Fox News. But I’ve been jaded by the failures of past investigations and the weaponization of the Justice Department to do its job. The failure of the DOJ to be blind and just has been devastating to our nation.
Will Garland appoint a special counsel? I don’t know but as Americans we must demand that our leadership, our bureaucracies and our law makers follow the rule of law without prejudice. If they do not, as we have seen over the past decade with the establishments attacks on President Donald Trump and the weaponization of the system to target him, then our foundation will not only be fractured but it will be irreparable.
Either way, the alleged crimes and obvious financial connections linked to the Biden family with adversarial nations like China and Russia must be thoroughly investigated and the investigation must be made public. The Biden connections and large sums of money taken from government connected energy companies in Ukraine must also be thoroughly vetted and any improprieties must be made public.


saraacater--2020-12-15--McConnell congratulates Biden on election victory, draws criticism from some conservatives

McConnell congratulates Biden on election victory , draws criticism from some conservatives Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Tuesday after the Electoral College elected them Monday , saying that “ [ t ] he Electoral College has spoken ” .
This is the first time that the influential Kentucky Republican acknowledged their 2020 election victory and comes as President Donald Trump and his allies refuse to concede , even after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a case that had been seen as a last-ditch attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results in a few swing states that went for Biden .
“ Yesterday electors met in all 50 states .
So as of this morning , our country has officially a president-elect and a vice president-elect , ” McConnell said on the Senate floor Tuesday .
“ Our system of government has processes to determine who will be sworn in on Jan. 20 .
The Electoral College has spoken , ” he said .
“ So today I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden.
” McConnell also offered some warm words to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former is “ no stranger to the Senate , he ’ s devoted himself to public service for many years.
” The longtime Republican leader also acknowledged the history made by Harris being elected as the first female vice president , remarking , “ Beyond our differences , all Americans can take pride that our nation has a female vice president-elect for the very first time.
” While McConnell said many Americans had hoped the election would produce a different result , saying that “ many of us hoped that the presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our system of government has processes to determine who will be sworn in on January 20.
” He also praised President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence , listing GOP victories from the past four years , including things such as the 2017 tax cuts and the confirmation of three Supreme Court justices .
“ The outsider who swore he would shake up Washington and lead our country to new accomplishments , both at home and abroad , proceeded to do exactly that , ” McConnell said of the outgoing president .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Republican would be delivering the remarks he gave on Tuesday in his floor speech , two people familiar with the process told The Wall Street Journal .
Additionally , McConnell ’ s statement comes after other top Senate Republicans on Monday acknowledged their election victory following the Electoral College ’ s certification .
On a Tuesday conference call , McConnell and others in the Republican leadership reportedly urged their fellow Republicans to not to engage in any attempts to object to certifying Biden ’ s election win in the January 6 joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the call told Axios in a Tuesday report .
Many conservative figures across Twitter reacted angrily to McConnell and other top Senate Republicans acknowledging Biden ’ s victory , with some figures using profanity , such as Ron Perlman .
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Tuesday after the Electoral College elected them Monday, saying that “[t]he Electoral College has spoken”.
This is the first time that the influential Kentucky Republican acknowledged their 2020 election victory and comes as President Donald Trump and his allies refuse to concede, even after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a case that had been seen as a last-ditch attempt from Texas and other states to overturn the results in a few swing states that went for Biden.
RELATED: Case Denied: Supreme Court Declines to Hear Texas Complaint
“Yesterday electors met in all 50 states. So as of this morning, our country has officially a president-elect and a vice president-elect,” McConnell said on the Senate floor Tuesday.
“Our system of government has processes to determine who will be sworn in on Jan. 20. The Electoral College has spoken,” he said. “So today I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden.”
McConnell also offered some warm words to Biden and Harris, saying that the former is “no stranger to the Senate, he’s devoted himself to public service for many years.” The longtime Republican leader also acknowledged the history made by Harris being elected as the first female vice president, remarking, “Beyond our differences, all Americans can take pride that our nation has a female vice president-elect for the very first time.”
While McConnell said many Americans had hoped the election would produce a different result, saying that “many of us hoped that the presidential election would yield a different result, but our system of government has processes to determine who will be sworn in on January 20.”
He also praised President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, listing GOP victories from the past four years, including things such as the 2017 tax cuts and the confirmation of three Supreme Court justices.
“The outsider who swore he would shake up Washington and lead our country to new accomplishments, both at home and abroad, proceeded to do exactly that,” McConnell said of the outgoing president.
The White House was informed that the top Senate Republican would be delivering the remarks he gave on Tuesday in his floor speech, two people familiar with the process told The Wall Street Journal.
Additionally, McConnell’s statement comes after other top Senate Republicans on Monday acknowledged their election victory following the Electoral College’s certification.
On a Tuesday conference call, McConnell and others in the Republican leadership reportedly urged their fellow Republicans to not to engage in any attempts to object to certifying Biden’s election win in the January 6 joint session of Congress, two sources on the call told Axios in a Tuesday report.
Many conservative figures across Twitter reacted angrily to McConnell and other top Senate Republicans acknowledging Biden’s victory, with some figures using profanity, such as Ron Perlman.
If Senate Republicans want to lose the Georgia races and their majority, conceding the presidential election to Joe Biden and congratulating Kamala Harris is a good place to start. — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) December 15, 2020
2. Trump helped you secure your seat, as he did so man Senate and House seats, and you couldn't even wait until January 6th. You've been the GOP "leader" in the Senate for far too long. It's time for some fresh thinking and new blood.https://t.co/ucaa2cmmcQ — Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) December 15, 2020
I personally don’t care if Cocaine Mitch acknowledges Joe Biden as the President-Elect. He will always be an irredeemable traitorous piece of shit to me. Hey @senatemajldr, if you’re reading this, go fuck yourself. — Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) December 15, 2020
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.


saraacater--2020-12-15--Russian government hackers reportedly compromised U.S. agencies as part of global espionage campaign

Russian government hackers reportedly compromised U.S. agencies as part of global espionage campaign: report

Russian government hackers reportedly compromised U.S. agencies as part of global espionage campaign : report Russian government hackers reportedly infiltrated multiple U.S. government agencies , including the Treasury and Commerce departments , as part of a worldwide espionage campaign that dates back months , people familiar with the matter told The Washington Post in a Monday report .
Over the weekend , officials were clambering to evaluate the nature and extent of the breach and implement effective countermeasures , but initial signs suggested the breach was long-running and significant , the people familiar with the matter told The Post .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ APT29 or Cozy Bear , are part of Russia ’ s Foreign Intelligence Service ( SVR ) and in some cases they breached email systems , the people familiar with the breach told The Post , speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the matter ’ s sensitivity .
This is the same Russian group that hacked the State Department and the White House email servers during the Obama administration .
The FBI is investigating the campaign , which may have begun as early as springtime , and had no comment Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of hacking victims have included government , consulting , technology , telecom , and oil and gas companies in North America , Europe , Asia , and the Middle East , according to FireEye , a cybersecurity firm that was breached too .
On Sunday , the Russian Embassy in Washington called Russian hacking reports “ baseless attempts by American media to accuse Russia of hacking on US government authorities.
” The statement continued , saying that “ attacks in the information space contradict the foreign policy principles of our country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations between states are built .
Russia does not conduct ‘ offensive ’ operations in a virtual environment.
” It was through the update server of a network management system made by the firm SolarWinds that all of the entities were hacked , FireEye said in a blog post Sunday .
Want more information about this story ?
Read the full original Washington Post story here .
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .


saraacater--2020-12-15--Big tech executives donated tens of thousands of dollars to Biden campaign

Big tech executives donated tens of thousands of dollars to Biden campaign Executives at Facebook , Twitter and Instagram donated tens of thousands of dollars to President-elect Joe Biden ’ s campaign , Fox News reports .
Moreover , critics of the tech giants , say their actions during the 2020 general election and actions targeting conservatives on social media raise serious concerns about censorship in America .
The donations are just the tip of the iceberg .
Federal Election Commission records reveal that top executives at the big tech companies made several large donations to the Biden campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donating to the Trump campaign .
The legal maximum amount to donate is $ 2,800 .
Numerous executives donated the maximum amount to the Biden campaign , including Facebook vice president of public policy , Erin Egan , Facebook chief revenue officer David Fischer , Facebook ’ s chief financial officer , David Wehner , Facebook vice presidents Gene Alston , Michael Verdu , Shahriar Rabii and T.S .
Khurana and Instagram ’ s chief operating officer , Marne Levine .
A number of of Facebook and Twitter employees also donated the maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been under fire recently for accusations of censorship .
Earlier this week , Twitter prevented users from sharing tweets by President Donald Trump .
Trump has also accused the tech companies of suppressing the circulation of news stories that expose the alleged Hunter Biden scandals .
Tom Fitton , president of Judicial Watch , a conservative government watchdog group noted that Google and YouTube “ under false and non-sensical pretenses , double down on election intervention and political censorship against @ RealDonaldTrump to help Joe Biden – the after President Trump officially threatens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP members of the House Oversight Committee are demanding a hearing to investigate Twitter and Facebook ’ s “ unjustifiable censorship ” of the New York Post ’ s reporting on Biden ’ s foreign business dealings .
“ Reporting indicates this investigation is related to his overseas business dealings , ” the GOP members wrote in a new letter obtained by Fox News .
“ In light of Hunter Biden ’ s admission that he is under investigation , especially after Big Tech ’ s unjustifiable censorship of the New York Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our hearing request.
” You can follow Annaliese Levy on Twitter @ AnnalieseLevy


saraacater--2020-12-15--Jeffrey Rosen to replace AG William Barr. How will he handle the DOJ?

Jeffrey Rosen to replace AG William Barr .
How will he handle the DOJ ?
Attorney General William Barr resigned from his position on Monday and will be replaced with Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen , according to President Donald Trump .
Barr ’ s unexpected and early resignation comes after intense disagreements over the past year with Trump .
Trump had made it publicly known that he disagreed with Barr ’ s handling of the Justice Department ’ s investigation into the origin of the Russia probe , as well as Barr ’ s conflicting point of view that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud in the 2020 general election .
“ Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen , an outstanding person , will become Acting Attorney General , ” Trump wrote on Twitter Monday .
“ Highly respected Richard Donoghue will be taking over the duties of Deputy Attorney General .
Thank you to all !
” Rosen is expected to lead the Justice Department in an acting capacity until President-elect Joe Biden ’ s inauguration .
He was first confirmed to the deputy attorney general position in May 2019 .
It was during that time that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report on the investigation into the Russian interference .
The report contained many redactions and democrats pushed for the un-redacted copy to be released .
At Rosen ’ s confirmation hearing in 2019 , Sen. Richard Blumenthal , D-Conn , asked for Rosen to publish the un-redacted version .
“ I want your commitment here that you will support full and release of that report to the United States Congress without redactions or edits of any kind , ” Blumenthal said .
Rosen replied , “ Well , Senator , I ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uh , if I ’ m confirmed I would be the deputy attorney general and I ’ d be working for the attorney general.
” Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio told Fox News that he appreciated Barr ’ s summary of the Mueller investigation which was published before the report ’ s actual release .
“ I do appreciate the Attorney General ( Barr ’ s ) work on the Mueller investigation , and the fact that he put out that letter when the Mueller report first came out , I appreciate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now Durham is beefing up his investigation , adding prosecutors to that investigation , I think that ’ s a good thing.
” “ So , we appreciate the service but that ’ s a call for the president , ” Jordan added .
“ And , of course , as I said , I think some Americans were , as I was frustrated , at the pace of some of the things that happened.
” During the final few weeks of a Trump presidency , the promotion of Rosen has raised concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on the incoming Joe Biden administration .
Trump , however , believes it the appointment of a special counsel is necessary to look into the allegations of fraud , money laundering and connections between Biden ’ s son , Hunter Biden , and his connections to China and Ukraine .
There is no certainly , however , that Rosen will request that position .
Either way , sources have told SaraACarter.com , Connecticut prosecutor John Durham , who was appointed by Barr , will still lead his investigation into the FBI ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaign and the debunked belief that he was tied to Russia .
You can follow Annaliese Levy on Twitter @ AnnalieseLevy

Attorney General William Barr resigned from his position on Monday and will be replaced with Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, according to President Donald Trump.
Barr’s unexpected and early resignation comes after intense disagreements over the past year with Trump. Trump had made it publicly known that he disagreed with Barr’s handling of the Justice Department’s investigation into the origin of the Russia probe, as well as Barr’s conflicting point of view that there was no significant evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 general election.
“Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen, an outstanding person, will become Acting Attorney General,” Trump wrote on Twitter Monday. “Highly respected Richard Donoghue will be taking over the duties of Deputy Attorney General. Thank you to all!”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1338614514493878273
Rosen is expected to lead the Justice Department in an acting capacity until President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. He was first confirmed to the deputy attorney general position in May 2019. It was during that time that former Special Counsel Robert Mueller released his report on the investigation into the Russian interference.
The report contained many redactions and democrats pushed for the un-redacted copy to be released. At Rosen’s confirmation hearing in 2019, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, asked for Rosen to publish the un-redacted version.
“I want your commitment here that you will support full and release of that report to the United States Congress without redactions or edits of any kind,” Blumenthal said.
Rosen replied, “Well, Senator, I’d like to say this respectfully, but uh, if I’m confirmed I would be the deputy attorney general and I’d be working for the attorney general.”
Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio told Fox News that he appreciated Barr’s summary of the Mueller investigation which was published before the report’s actual release.
“I do appreciate the Attorney General (Barr’s) work on the Mueller investigation, and the fact that he put out that letter when the Mueller report first came out, I appreciate that he named John Durham and we know now Durham is beefing up his investigation, adding prosecutors to that investigation, I think that’s a good thing.”
“So, we appreciate the service but that’s a call for the president,” Jordan added. “And, of course, as I said, I think some Americans were, as I was frustrated, at the pace of some of the things that happened.”
During the final few weeks of a Trump presidency, the promotion of Rosen has raised concerns about the appointment of a special counsel focused on the incoming Joe Biden administration.
Trump, however, believes it the appointment of a special counsel is necessary to look into the allegations of fraud, money laundering and connections between Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and his connections to China and Ukraine. There is no certainly, however, that Rosen will request that position.
Either way, sources have told SaraACarter.com, Connecticut prosecutor John Durham, who was appointed by Barr, will still lead his investigation into the FBI’s malfeasance in its probe into the Trump campaign and the debunked belief that he was tied to Russia.
You can follow Annaliese Levy on Twitter @AnnalieseLevy


saraacater--2020-12-15--Biden pledge to end drilling on public land receives backlash: ‘I don’t think President Biden knows

Biden pledge to end drilling on public land receives backlash: ‘I don’t think President Biden knows the details of fracking’

Biden pledge to end drilling on public land receives backlash : ‘ I don ’ t think President Biden knows the details of fracking ’ During President-elect Joe Biden ’ s election campaign , he pledged to ban new gas and oil permits — including fracking — on federal lands .
Biden has listed climate change as one of his top priorities , repeatedly saying climate change is the “ existential crisis ” of our time .
Biden ’ s proposed bans could have serious implications for the oil and gas industry in states like Wyoming , Pennsylvania and New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development is prominent .
Experts say it will be difficult to completely ban fossil leasing , permitting and fracking on federal land .
Oil and gas economies are likely to fight any attempt by the Biden administration to end production on public land .
Gale Norton , George W. Bush ’ s Interior secretary from 2001 to 2006 , said the political will to implement these priorities will have to be strong enough to fend off entrenched opposition from states and industries affected by a threat to revenue , E & E News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have to overcome legal and political hurdles to go through with banning new oil and gas permits on federal land , given existing laws and the large amounts of money that drilling royalties generate for the federal and state governments .
Environmental activists are adamant that they will hold the Biden administration accountable to follow through with their promises to tackle the “ existential crisis ” of climate change .
Tom Sansonetti , former Interior solicitor during the George H.W .
Bush administration , said the likelihood of the proposals will depend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Interior .
“ I don ’ t think President Biden knows the details of fracking , ” Sansonetti said .
“ I doubt that he ’ s ever been on an oil rig .
The people in the White House that really have strong feelings about this , they will be the ones that end up shoving that particular policy down the pipeline .
”

During President-elect Joe Biden’s election campaign, he pledged to ban new gas and oil permits — including fracking — on federal lands.
Biden has listed climate change as one of his top priorities, repeatedly saying climate change is the “existential crisis” of our time.
Biden’s proposed bans could have serious implications for the oil and gas industry in states like Wyoming, Pennsylvania and New Mexico — where federal oil and gas development is prominent.
Experts say it will be difficult to completely ban fossil leasing, permitting and fracking on federal land. Oil and gas economies are likely to fight any attempt by the Biden administration to end production on public land.
Gale Norton, George W. Bush’s Interior secretary from 2001 to 2006, said the political will to implement these priorities will have to be strong enough to fend off entrenched opposition from states and industries affected by a threat to revenue, E&E News reported last month.
The Biden administration will have to overcome legal and political hurdles to go through with banning new oil and gas permits on federal land, given existing laws and the large amounts of money that drilling royalties generate for the federal and state governments.
Environmental activists are adamant that they will hold the Biden administration accountable to follow through with their promises to tackle the “existential crisis” of climate change.
Tom Sansonetti, former Interior solicitor during the George H.W. Bush administration, said the likelihood of the proposals will depend on who Biden places in positions at Interior.
“I don’t think President Biden knows the details of fracking,” Sansonetti said. “I doubt that he’s ever been on an oil rig. The people in the White House that really have strong feelings about this, they will be the ones that end up shoving that particular policy down the pipeline.”


saraacater--2020-12-16--FTC Requests Data from Big Tech Companies: ‘Too much about this industry remains dangerously opaque’

FTC Requests Data from Big Tech Companies : ‘ Too much about this industry remains dangerously opaque ’ The Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) ordered nine social media and internet companies on Monday to provide data about how they track Americans ’ online activities and how they use that data .
Included in the nine companies are Amazon.com , Facebook , WhatsApp , Reddit , Snapchat , Twitter , YouTube , Discord Inc. and TikTok owner ByteDance , according to the Wall Street Journal .
The order was approved by a 4-1 majority .
“ We ’ re working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure the FTC has all the information it needs to understand how Twitter operates its services , ” a Twitter spokesperson told the Journal .
The companies have been given 45 days to comply .
Legally , the FTC has authority to request the information and enforce policies against unfair business activities but ordering the companies to turn over the data can not be enforced by law and will not result in any immediate consequence if the companies do not oblige .
In a joint statement , FTC Commissioners Rohit Chopra , Rebecca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business models of the companies have shifted over time “ from supporting users ’ activities to monetizing them.
” “ Never before has there been an industry capable of surveilling and monetizing so much of our personal lives .
Social media and video streaming companies now follow users everywhere through apps on their always-present mobile devices .
This constant access allows these firms to monitor where users go , the people with whom they interact , and what they are doing , ” the statement said .
“ But to what end ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this industry remains dangerously opaque .
”


saraacater--2020-12-16--10 states launch antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging it made deals with Facebook to rig onlin

10 states launch antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging it made deals with Facebook to rig online ad market

10 states launch antitrust lawsuit against Google , alleging it made deals with Facebook to rig online ad market Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ( R ) announced Wednesday that he ’ s spearheading a 10-state lawsuit against Google , claiming that the foremost search engine was illegally quashing competitors and running an online advertising monopoly , in violation of federal antitrust laws .
Additionally , the suit claims that online giant had reached an improper auction-rigging deal with Facebook to maintain its dominance , according to the lawsuit .
Joining the Lone Star State in the case are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Idaho , Indiana , Kentucky , Mississippi , Missouri , North Dakota , South Dakota , and Utah .
The states are asking the court for “ structural , behavioral , and monetary relief ” to stop Google from abusing monopoly power , according to the suit .
This comes a week after 46 states , plus the District of Columbia and Guam , filed a massive antitrust lawsuit against Facebook for monopolistic practices coupled with a separate antitrust lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) on the same day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. District Court in Texas , alleges that the social media giant in 2017 rose as a major new competitor to Google ’ s established grip on the online advertising market .
In response to this business threat , the complaint says , Google initiated a deal with Facebook that allowed the search behemoth to preserve its powerful position in a crucial area of the online advertising market , while guaranteeing Facebook would receive a certain share of the ad auctions that Google runs .
“ Within a few short years of executing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reads , “ Google successfully monopolized the publisher ad server market and grew its ad exchange to number one , despite having entered those two markets much later than the competition.
” “ This internet Goliath used its power to manipulate the market , destroy competition , and harm YOU , the consumer , ” Paxton ’ s office posted on Twitter Wednesday .
In a video attached to the tweet , Paxton said that “ Google effectively eliminated its competition and crowned itself the head of online advertising.
” In a tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its statement that “ Google ’ s monopolization of the display-advertising industry stifle innovation , limit consumer choice and reduce competition .
Texas and its coalition of allied states bring this action to lift the veil on # Google ’ s secret practices.
” Following the announcement of the suit , Google denied that it had engaged in such behavior .
“ Attorney General Paxton ’ s ad tech claims are meritless , yet he ’ s gone ahead in spite of all the facts .
We ’ ve invested in state-of-the-art @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit consumers , ” a Google spokesperson told both The Hill and The Wall Street Journal .
“ We will strongly defend ourselves from his baseless claims in court.
” Back in October , the U.S. Department of Justice ( DOJ ) filed an antitrust case against Google , accusing the technology giant of illegally maintaining a monopoly on online searches and search advertising .
A different batch of state attorneys general is also expected to file a separate lawsuit against Google as soon as this week , The Hill and The Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly on its search business .
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced Wednesday that he’s spearheading a 10-state lawsuit against Google, claiming that the foremost search engine was illegally quashing competitors and running an online advertising monopoly, in violation of federal antitrust laws. Additionally, the suit claims that online giant had reached an improper auction-rigging deal with Facebook to maintain its dominance, according to the lawsuit.
Joining the Lone Star State in the case are the attorneys general from the states of Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah. The states are asking the court for “structural, behavioral, and monetary relief” to stop Google from abusing monopoly power, according to the suit.
‘Within a few short years of executing this unlawful tactic…Google successfully monopolized the publisher ad server market and grew its ad exchange to number one, despite having entered those two markets much later than the competition.’ Anti-Trust Lawsuit Filed against google
This comes a week after 46 states, plus the District of Columbia and Guam, filed a massive antitrust lawsuit against Facebook for monopolistic practices coupled with a separate antitrust lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on the same day.
The complaint, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Texas, alleges that the social media giant in 2017 rose as a major new competitor to Google’s established grip on the online advertising market. In response to this business threat, the complaint says, Google initiated a deal with Facebook that allowed the search behemoth to preserve its powerful position in a crucial area of the online advertising market, while guaranteeing Facebook would receive a certain share of the ad auctions that Google runs.
“Within a few short years of executing this unlawful tactic,” the suit reads, “Google successfully monopolized the publisher ad server market and grew its ad exchange to number one, despite having entered those two markets much later than the competition.”
“This internet Goliath used its power to manipulate the market, destroy competition, and harm YOU, the consumer,” Paxton’s office posted on Twitter Wednesday.
In a video attached to the tweet, Paxton said that “Google effectively eliminated its competition and crowned itself the head of online advertising.”
#BREAKING: Texas takes the lead once more! Today, we’re filing a lawsuit against #Google for anticompetitive conduct.
This internet Goliath used its power to manipulate the market, destroy competition, and harm YOU, the consumer. Stay tuned… pic.twitter.com/fdEVEWQb0e — Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) December 16, 2020
In a tweet below the video, the office added to its statement that “Google’s monopolization of the display-advertising industry stifle innovation, limit consumer choice and reduce competition. Texas and its coalition of allied states bring this action to lift the veil on #Google’s secret practices.”
Google’s monopolization of the display-advertising industry stifle innovation, limit consumer choice and reduce competition.
Texas and its coalition of allied states bring this action to lift the veil on #Google’s secret practices.https://t.co/QBf1YYI2Dc — Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) December 16, 2020
Following the announcement of the suit, Google denied that it had engaged in such behavior.
“Attorney General Paxton’s ad tech claims are meritless, yet he’s gone ahead in spite of all the facts. We’ve invested in state-of-the-art ad tech services that help businesses and benefit consumers,” a Google spokesperson told both The Hill and The Wall Street Journal. “We will strongly defend ourselves from his baseless claims in court.”
Back in October, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an antitrust case against Google, accusing the technology giant of illegally maintaining a monopoly on online searches and search advertising.
A different batch of state attorneys general is also expected to file a separate lawsuit against Google as soon as this week, The Hill and The Wall Street Journal report, with the focus reportedly on its search business.
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.


saraacater--2020-12-16--AOC says Pelosi, Schumer need to go

AOC says Pelosi, Schumer need to go

AOC says Pelosi , Schumer need to go Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) said that the Democratic Party needs new leadership , specifically stating that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer need to go .
She warned , however , that a power vacuum within the Democratic Party could be filled by “ nefarious ” forces who are “ even more conservative ” than the current caucus leaders .
The self-described democratic socialist made the remarks during a podcast interview on “ The Intercept ” that aired Thursday .
“ I do think we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ocasio-Cortez said .
“ I think one of the things that I have struggled with , I think that a lot of people struggle with , is the internal dynamics of the House has made it such that there [ are ] very little options for succession.
” Pelosi , who is 80 years old , was handily re-elected as speaker for another two-year term last month , despite the Democrats ’ lackluster performance in U.S. House races in which they unexpectedly lost a handful of seats to Republicans .
She first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which made her the first—and still only—to serve in the influential role .
She has indicated that this will be her final term as speaker .
Since the 2020 election , Democrats from different factions have clashed with each other over the direction of the party as the progressive wing ’ s influence has grown meteorically in recent years , thanks in part to Ocasio-Cortez , who was first elected during the 2018 midterm elections .
A major incident occurred on a November 5 Democratic conference call , during which moderate Rep. Abigail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly criticized progressives and accused them of playing a role in their 2020 losses .
Schumer , who is 70 years old , also easily won re-election as Senate Minority Leader unopposed .
The direction of the party ’ s leadership also concerned Ocasio-Cortez , indicating that a power vacuum could allow members who are more conservative than the current leadership to seize the reins .
“ My concern—and I acknowledge this as a failing , as something that we need to sort out—is that there isn ’ t a plan , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fill that vacuum ?
Because if you create that vacuum , there are so many nefarious forces at play to fill that vacuum with something even worse .
And so , the actual sad state of affairs is that there are folks more conservative than even they are willing to kind of fill that void.
” The New York City congresswoman also said that there are a lack of leadership opportunities , which ultimately spurs talented freshmen representatives to depart Capitol Hill or to run for statewide office instead .
RELATED : GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s time for term limits in Congress “ The answer is we need to shift power , ” Ocasio-Cortez said .
“ We need to make sure that we have a transition of power in the Democratic Party.
” The Bronx and Queens congresswoman shut down the possibility of running for House leadership anytime soon .
“ The House is extraordinarily complex and I ’ m not ready , ” Ocasio-Cortez said .
“ It can ’ t be me .
I know that I couldn ’ t do that job.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said that the Democratic Party needs new leadership, specifically stating that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer need to go. She warned, however, that a power vacuum within the Democratic Party could be filled by “nefarious” forces who are “even more conservative” than the current caucus leaders.
The self-described democratic socialist made the remarks during a podcast interview on “The Intercept” that aired Thursday.
“I do think we need new leadership in the Democratic Party,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I think one of the things that I have struggled with, I think that a lot of people struggle with, is the internal dynamics of the House has made it such that there [are] very little options for succession.”
Pelosi, who is 80 years old, was handily re-elected as speaker for another two-year term last month, despite the Democrats’ lackluster performance in U.S. House races in which they unexpectedly lost a handful of seats to Republicans. She first ascended to the speakership in 2006, which made her the first—and still only—to serve in the influential role. She has indicated that this will be her final term as speaker.
Since the 2020 election, Democrats from different factions have clashed with each other over the direction of the party as the progressive wing’s influence has grown meteorically in recent years, thanks in part to Ocasio-Cortez, who was first elected during the 2018 midterm elections. A major incident occurred on a November 5 Democratic conference call, during which moderate Rep. Abigail Spanberger (Va.) and other Democrats reportedly criticized progressives and accused them of playing a role in their 2020 losses.
Schumer, who is 70 years old, also easily won re-election as Senate Minority Leader unopposed.
The direction of the party’s leadership also concerned Ocasio-Cortez, indicating that a power vacuum could allow members who are more conservative than the current leadership to seize the reins.
“My concern—and I acknowledge this as a failing, as something that we need to sort out—is that there isn’t a plan,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “How do we fill that vacuum? Because if you create that vacuum, there are so many nefarious forces at play to fill that vacuum with something even worse. And so, the actual sad state of affairs is that there are folks more conservative than even they are willing to kind of fill that void.”
The New York City congresswoman also said that there are a lack of leadership opportunities, which ultimately spurs talented freshmen representatives to depart Capitol Hill or to run for statewide office instead.
RELATED: GOP Senator and Dem fmr. Governor: It’s time for term limits in Congress
“The answer is we need to shift power,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “We need to make sure that we have a transition of power in the Democratic Party.”
The Bronx and Queens congresswoman shut down the possibility of running for House leadership anytime soon.
“The House is extraordinarily complex and I’m not ready,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “It can’t be me. I know that I couldn’t do that job.”
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.


saraacater--2020-12-16--Biden says he’s ‘confident’ that son Hunter Biden did nothing wrong

Biden says he ’ s ‘ confident ’ that son Hunter Biden did nothing wrong On Wednesday , President-elect Joe Biden said he ’ s “ confident ” that his son , Hunter Biden , did nothing wrong amid a federal investigation into the younger Biden ’ s taxes .
“ Are you confident your son Hunter did nothing wrong ?
” a reporter asked after an event where the president-elect officially announced former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg as his nominee for Secretary of Transportation .
RELATED : News Outlets Falsely Report Buttigieg would be First Openly Gay Cabinet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has commented publicly on his son after Hunter Biden confirmed last Wednesday that his tax affairs were being investigated by the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Delaware , the Bidens ’ home state .
When asked by a reporter Friday if his son committed a crime , Biden responded by saying , “ I ’ m proud of my son.
” Furthermore , this comment from the president-elect comes after NBC News this past weekend published emails it had obtained which show that Hunter Biden had $ 400,000 in unreported income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Ukrainian energy company , while his father was vice president and the Obama administration ’ s public face of its Ukraine policy .
Additionally , outgoing U.S. Attorney General William Barr was reportedly aware of federal investigations into Hunter Biden before the November 3 presidential election and worked to ensure the information was not released to the public , The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday .
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .


saraacater--2020-12-16--Rand Paul: ‘The fraud happened. The election in many ways was stolen’

Rand Paul : ‘ The fraud happened .
The election in many ways was stolen ’ Sen. Rand Paul ( R-Ky. ) at Wednesday ’ s U.S. Senate hearing examining irregularities during 2020 presidential election claimed that “ fraud happened ” and that the election “ in many ways was stolen.
” More from the hearing : Sen. Ron Johnson says hyper partisanship and media suppression affected the outcome of the 2020 presidential election This Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing comes after the Electoral College on Monday voted , making President-elect Joe Biden ‘ s victory official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell ( R-Ky. ) and many other top Senate Republicans congratulated the president-elect following Monday ’ s vote .
President Donald Trump refuses to concede the election and continues to claim that the election was stolen from him .
RELATED : McConnell congratulates Biden on election victory , draws criticism from some conservatives The hearing ’ s top witness was Chris Krebs , who served as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) and oversaw the United States ’ election security for the 2020 presidential election .
President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president on the prevalence of election fraud , even having created a CISA website for the purpose of debunking election disinformation .
“ The fraud happened .
The election in many ways was stolen , ” the Kentucky Republican claimed .
“ And the only way it ’ ll be fixed is by , in the future , reinforcing the laws.
” “ But I think [ Kreb ’ s ] job was keeping the foreigners out of the election .
It was the most secure election based on the security of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has never voiced an opinion [ … ] on whether or not dead people voted—I don ’ t think he examined that , ” Paul said toward the end of his speaking time , then questioning if Krebs examined non-citizens ’ voting .
Many Republicans , in alleging that widespread election fraud occurred in the 2020 election , have often cited claims that a lot of dead people and non-citizens voted .
The over 50 lawsuits challenging the results of the election in certain swing states alleging election fraud have overwhelmingly failed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was the safest election—sure , I agree with your statement if you ’ re referring to foreign intervention , ” Paul continued .
“ But if you ’ re saying it ’ s the safest election based on no dead people voted , no non-citizens voted , no people broke the absentee [ ballot ] rules , I think that ’ s false and I think that ’ s what ’ s upset a lot of people on our side is that they ’ re taking your statement to mean ‘ Oh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections . '
” “ I don ’ t think you examined any of the problems that we ’ ve heard here , ” he added , “ so really you ’ re just referring to something differently , the way I look at it.
” You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) at Wednesday’s U.S. Senate hearing examining irregularities during 2020 presidential election claimed that “fraud happened” and that the election “in many ways was stolen.”
More from the hearing: Sen. Ron Johnson says hyper partisanship and media suppression affected the outcome of the 2020 presidential election
This Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing comes after the Electoral College on Monday voted, making President-elect Joe Biden‘s victory official, and after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and many other top Senate Republicans congratulated the president-elect following Monday’s vote. President Donald Trump refuses to concede the election and continues to claim that the election was stolen from him.
RELATED: McConnell congratulates Biden on election victory, draws criticism from some conservatives
The hearing’s top witness was Chris Krebs, who served as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and oversaw the United States’ election security for the 2020 presidential election. President Trump controversially fired Krebs because he disagreed with the president on the prevalence of election fraud, even having created a CISA website for the purpose of debunking election disinformation.
“The fraud happened. The election in many ways was stolen,” the Kentucky Republican claimed. “And the only way it’ll be fixed is by, in the future, reinforcing the laws.”
Rand Paul: “The fraud happened. The election in many ways was stolen.” pic.twitter.com/LyUPp1Oebp — Jack Posobiec ✝ (@JackPosobiec) December 16, 2020
“But I think [Kreb’s] job was keeping the foreigners out of the election. It was the most secure election based on the security of the internet and technology, but he has never voiced an opinion […] on whether or not dead people voted—I don’t think he examined that,” Paul said toward the end of his speaking time, then questioning if Krebs examined non-citizens’ voting.
Many Republicans, in alleging that widespread election fraud occurred in the 2020 election, have often cited claims that a lot of dead people and non-citizens voted. The over 50 lawsuits challenging the results of the election in certain swing states alleging election fraud have overwhelmingly failed in the courts.
“So to say it was the safest election—sure, I agree with your statement if you’re referring to foreign intervention,” Paul continued. “But if you’re saying it’s the safest election based on no dead people voted, no non-citizens voted, no people broke the absentee [ballot] rules, I think that’s false and I think that’s what’s upset a lot of people on our side is that they’re taking your statement to mean ‘Oh, there were no problems in the elections.'”
“I don’t think you examined any of the problems that we’ve heard here,” he added, “so really you’re just referring to something differently, the way I look at it.”
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.


saraacater--2020-12-16--Project Veritas obtains call recording revealing Assange warning State Department of classified leak

Project Veritas obtains call recording revealing Assange warning State Department of classified leaks

Investigative group Project Veritas released Wednesday a 2011 phone call reportedly between Wikileaks ’ Julian Assange and a lawyer Cliff Johnson in the State Department , which was then run by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton .
The video comes as Assange may be pardoned by President Donald Trump , according to reports .
The recordings were from an August 2011 phone call and reveal that Assange warned the U.S. government “ trouble was coming their way with unredacted release of classified cables stolen from Wikileaks , ” Project Veritas reports .
In one part of the phone call , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Yes , so the situation is that we have intelligence that the State Department Database Archive of 250,000 diplomatic cables including declassified cables is being spread around and is to the degree that we believe that within the next few days it will become public and we ’ re not sure what the timing would be… And there may be some possibility to stop it.
” The reported documents were to be redacted by Wikileaks at the time .
However , they were stolen before that was to occur , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be heard saying that the person behind the leak would be ” … .
Daniel Domscheit-Berg , a previous employee that we suspended last August.
” Edward Snowden commented on the video on Twitter Wednesday , saying “ This extraordinary recording ( which I had never heard before ) confirms claims that @ Wikileaks made for years , but its critics dismissed as lies.
” He added , ” 1 ) Assange DID seek to minimize risks to individuals 2 ) Bulk release of cables was forced , not intentional .
”


saraacater--2020-12-16--Sen. Ron Johnson says hyper partisanship and media suppression affected the outcome of the 2020 pres

Sen. Ron Johnson says hyper partisanship and media suppression affected the outcome of the 2020 presidential election The Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee held a hearing on Wednesday to discuss and examine irregularities in the 2020 presidential election .
This hearing comes one day after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged Joe Biden as the President-elect .
Senator Ron Johnson , the Committee ’ s Chairman , called this hearing to “ resolve suspicions with full transparency and public awareness.
” In Johnson ’ s opening statement , he said he believes the alleged election irregularities can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement or violation of election laws and controls , allegations of fraudulent votes and ballot stuffing and corruption of voting machines and software that might be programed to add or switch votes .
“ The most difficult allegations to asses involve vulnerabilities in voting machines and the software used , ” Johnson said .
Johnson did not say he was trying to dispute the outcome , saying that the question was “ whether the level of fraud would alter the election.
” “ This year , in dozens of court cases , through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Electoral College vote , the conclusion has collectively been reached that it would not , ” he said .
As this is Johnson ’ s last investigation and last hearing as a chairman , he wants to ensure that oversight into election integrity will continue into the next congress because “ we must restore confidence in the integrity of our voting system.
” “ The fact that our last two presidential elections have not been accepted as legitimate by large percentages of the American public is a serious problem that threatens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that lightly.
” He continued , “ Even though courts have handed out decisions and the electoral college has awarded Joe Biden 306 electoral votes , a large percentage of the American public does not believe the November election results are legitimate.
” Johnson noted that hyper partisanship and media suppression and censorship played a big role in the outcome of the election .
“ Media suppression can and does affect the outcome of an election , ” Johnson said referring to the Hunter Biden foreign financial entanglements .
The witnesses who testified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represented the Trump campaign in the court case in Wisconsin , Jesse Binnall who was Trump ’ s attorney in Nevada , US Election Assistance Commissioner Donald Palmer , Pennsylvania State Rep Francis Ryan , former CISA director Christopher Krebs and attorney Ken Starr .

The Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee held a hearing on Wednesday to discuss and examine irregularities in the 2020 presidential election. This hearing comes one day after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged Joe Biden as the President-elect.
Senator Ron Johnson, the Committee’s Chairman, called this hearing to “resolve suspicions with full transparency and public awareness.”
In Johnson’s opening statement, he said he believes the alleged election irregularities can be organized into three categories: lack of enforcement or violation of election laws and controls, allegations of fraudulent votes and ballot stuffing and corruption of voting machines and software that might be programed to add or switch votes.
#ElectionIntegrity hearing @SenRonJohnson Wisconsin witness says that by law more than 200,000 people improperly voted in the state – yet those ballots were counted & @JoeBiden “won the state by 20,000 votes…but if the law would have been followed” Biden would’ve lost the state — Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) December 16, 2020
“The most difficult allegations to asses involve vulnerabilities in voting machines and the software used,” Johnson said.
Johnson did not say he was trying to dispute the outcome, saying that the question was “whether the level of fraud would alter the election.”
“This year, in dozens of court cases, through the certification process in each state and by the Electoral College vote, the conclusion has collectively been reached that it would not,” he said.
As this is Johnson’s last investigation and last hearing as a chairman, he wants to ensure that oversight into election integrity will continue into the next congress because “we must restore confidence in the integrity of our voting system.”
“The fact that our last two presidential elections have not been accepted as legitimate by large percentages of the American public is a serious problem that threatens our republic. I do not say that lightly.”
He continued, “Even though courts have handed out decisions and the electoral college has awarded Joe Biden 306 electoral votes, a large percentage of the American public does not believe the November election results are legitimate.”
Johnson noted that hyper partisanship and media suppression and censorship played a big role in the outcome of the election.
“Media suppression can and does affect the outcome of an election,” Johnson said referring to the Hunter Biden foreign financial entanglements.
The witnesses who testified at the hearing included James Troupis who represented the Trump campaign in the court case in Wisconsin, Jesse Binnall who was Trump’s attorney in Nevada, US Election Assistance Commissioner Donald Palmer, Pennsylvania State Rep Francis Ryan, former CISA director Christopher Krebs and attorney Ken Starr.


saraacater--2020-12-16--News Outlets Falsely Report Buttigieg would be First Openly Gay Cabinet Member

News Outlets Falsely Report Buttigieg would be First Openly Gay Cabinet Member President-elect Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that he is nominating former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg for Secretary of Transportation , leading media outlets to immediately begin falsely reporting that if confirmed , the former South Bend , Indiana mayor would be the first openly gay cabinet member .
Queerty , ABC News and Pink News all reported that and ABC News went as far as to say that “ Buttigieg would make history ” if confirmed to the Cabinet .
In February , Trump named Richard Grenell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabinet position .
This was the first time in American history that an openly gay person led the intelligence community .
It was reported in February by Queerty , an online magazine and newspaper covering LGBTQ news , that Grenell was the “ first openly gay cabinet member in history.
” On Wednesday , Queerty reported Buttigieg as the first “ out ” Cabinet member .
Queerty is being called out online for the hypocrisy .
Pink News , a UK based LGBTQ-focused news outlet , is also being criticized for similar reporting @

In a surprising twist, a newly unsealed court document has unveiled that Special Counsel Jack Smith managed to gain access to former President Donald J Trump’s Twitter account, including its private messages and draft tweets. This revelation comes amidst his ongoing investigations into alleged wrongdoings by the ex-president.
The document indicates that Smith obtained a secret search warrant in January, permitting him to scrutinize the ‘@RealDonaldTrump’ account for potential evidence related to criminal activities. Initially, a judge imposed a hefty fine of $350,000 on Elon Musk’s social media conglomerate, previously known as Twitter, for its refusal to cooperate, as revealed in documents released last week.
Furthermore, the court order also restricted the company, now identified as X, from informing Trump about the warrant. According to sources from Smith’s special counsel team, the fear was that if Trump were alerted to the warrant, he might interfere with the investigation.
An attorney from Smith’s team explained, “There actually are concrete cognizable reasons to think that if the former president had notice of these covert investigative steps, there would be actual harm and concern for the investigation, for the witnesses going forward.”
Following some legal wrangling, the unsealed filing discloses that Twitter ultimately provided the requested records. The court filing specifies that Smith secured a search warrant that directed Twitter to hand over ‘data and records’ linked to Trump’s Twitter account, according to reports from the Daily Mail. The content of the messages and draft tweets remains undisclosed.
As per a transcript included in the submission, a legal representative from Twitter affirmed that the company divulged ‘all direct messages, including those in ‘draft form,’ to the special counsel’s team. Moreover, access to both ‘eliminated’ and ‘retained’ direct messages from Trump was accorded to the special counsel’s team.
The former president, in response, accused Joe Biden of being responsible for the warrant and criticized Smith for what he deemed a violation of his privacy. Trump posted on Monday to voice his displeasure, stating, “How dare lowlife prosecutor, Deranged Jack Smith, breaking into my Twitter account without informing me and, indeed, trying to completely hide this atrocity from me. What could he possibly find out that is not already known.”
Smith’s actions have culminated in a 37-count indictment against Trump, with charges ranging from obstruction of justice in relation to classified materials to his efforts to maintain power after losing the 2020 election. The indictment also implicates Trump in spreading falsehoods and encouraging the events of January 6th, characterized as an attack on the Capitol “fueled by lies.”
In response to these developments, Smith issued a public statement underscoring that the assault on the Capitol was “fueled by lies” propagated by Trump, aiming to disrupt the core workings of the U.S. government’s electoral process. Smith asserted his commitment to a ‘swift’ trial as part of his pursuit of justice.
Follow Alexander Carter on Twitter @AlexCarterDC for more!


saraacater--2020-12-16--LIVE: Senate hearing on ‘irregularities in the 2020 election’