westernjournal--2020-04-01--1,400 NYPD Members Test Positive for Coronavirus, Thousands More Out Sick

In New York City , the United States epicenter of the coronavirus , 1,400 members of the New York City Police Department have tested positive for COVID-19 .
New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea confirmed that roughly 17 percent of the department , 6,172 employees , are also out sick , CNN reported .
“ We are scrambling , but that shouldn ’ t have a negative connotation , ” Shea told CNN ’ s Jim Sciutto .
“ We are able to handle many , many different tasks here .
We ’ re still fighting crime.
” Shea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constant state of planning.
” TRENDING : House Republicans Push Bill To Take Back the $ 25 Million Kennedy Center Received in Coronavirus Bill “ Right now , we ’ re in a good shape in New York City , ” he added .
“ But the bottom line is anyone that can help will be asked upon to help to keep people safe.
” On Monday , Shea appeared on Fox News ’ “ The Story ” to discuss the coronavirus deaths of a uniformed officer and four civilian members .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a very difficult time for the members of the New York City Police Department , ” he said .
“ Any time we lose someone , it ’ s difficult .
This is a very surreal feeling .
We pride ourselves in taking care of our family and we ’ re in a situation right now where we don ’ t even really have time to mourn .
It ’ s every man and every woman stepping in and trying to get a mission done.
” He added , “ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be today .
There is just too much work to do.
” Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday the death toll in New York has reached 1,941 , ABC News reported .
Over 83,000 people have also tested positive for COVID-19 in the state and 12,000 of those have been hospitalized .
RELATED : Trump Warns Iran Is 'Planning a Sneak Attack on US Troops , ' Issues Threat “ Anyone can get this disease .
Relatively young people , strong people , people who take a lot of vitamin pills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot , ” Cuomo said .
“ There is no superhero who is immune.
” He also presented a model that projects about 16,000 New Yorkers will die from coronavirus before the pandemic is over , according to the New York Daily News .
“ We ’ re still looking for the curve to straighten , we ’ re still looking at where we see a plateau , ” Cuomo said .
“ The line is still going up.
” Shea told CNN that “ it ’ s been clearly a difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole .
The message is to all New Yorkers that we ’ re all in this together.
” Although previous messaging has said that older people are at the highest risk of contracting the coronavirus , data suggests that younger people are still at some risk , too .
According to Dr. Mike Ryan , the World Health Organization ’ s emergencies chief , 10 to 15 percent of people under 50 with COVID-19 have “ moderate to severe infection , ” ABC News reported .
“ So many patients are not fitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told from China or Italy .
This is not just elderly patients ; it ’ s anyone , ” doctor Kaedrea Jackson told Bloomberg .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In New York City, the United States epicenter of the coronavirus, 1,400 members of the New York City Police Department have tested positive for COVID-19.
New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea confirmed that roughly 17 percent of the department, 6,172 employees, are also out sick, CNN reported.
“We are scrambling, but that shouldn’t have a negative connotation,” Shea told CNN’s Jim Sciutto.
“We are able to handle many, many different tasks here. We’re still fighting crime.”
Shea said the department is in a “constant state of planning.”
“Right now, we’re in a good shape in New York City,” he added. “But the bottom line is anyone that can help will be asked upon to help to keep people safe.”
More than 1,400 NYPD officers have tested positive for coronavirus and 17% of the force is out sick, per a law enforcement source. “The mantra here is next woman, next man up,” Commissioner Dermot Shea tells @JimSciutto. “We’ve had people return [from coronavirus]… to help.” pic.twitter.com/CeitHhFniG — CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) April 1, 2020
On Monday, Shea appeared on Fox News’ “The Story” to discuss the coronavirus deaths of a uniformed officer and four civilian members.
Are you surprised by the toll the coronavirus has taken on the country? Yes No
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“Five members of the family. It’s a very difficult time for the members of the New York City Police Department,” he said.
“Any time we lose someone, it’s difficult. This is a very surreal feeling. We pride ourselves in taking care of our family and we’re in a situation right now where we don’t even really have time to mourn. It’s every man and every woman stepping in and trying to get a mission done.”
He added, “And we will mourn, but it won’t be today. There is just too much work to do.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday the death toll in New York has reached 1,941, ABC News reported.
Over 83,000 people have also tested positive for COVID-19 in the state and 12,000 of those have been hospitalized.
“Anyone can get this disease. Relatively young people, strong people, people who take a lot of vitamin pills, people who go to the gym a lot,” Cuomo said. “There is no superhero who is immune.”
He also presented a model that projects about 16,000 New Yorkers will die from coronavirus before the pandemic is over, according to the New York Daily News.
“We’re still looking for the curve to straighten, we’re still looking at where we see a plateau,” Cuomo said. “The line is still going up.”
Shea told CNN that “it’s been clearly a difficult time for New York City as a whole. The message is to all New Yorkers that we’re all in this together.”
Although previous messaging has said that older people are at the highest risk of contracting the coronavirus, data suggests that younger people are still at some risk, too.
According to Dr. Mike Ryan, the World Health Organization’s emergencies chief, 10 to 15 percent of people under 50 with COVID-19 have “moderate to severe infection,” ABC News reported.
“So many patients are not fitting the picture that we’ve been told from China or Italy. This is not just elderly patients; it’s anyone,” doctor Kaedrea Jackson told Bloomberg.
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westernjournal--2020-04-01--Iranian Muslims May Be Creating COVID-19 ‘Super-Spreaders’ Through Pilgrimages

In countries around the world , public places such as schools , stores , theme parks and even houses of worship have shuttered their doors in an effort to promote social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
Yet there is one place that is still seeing its share of visitors despite these measures , and that is a pair of Islamic shrines located in Qom , Iran .
The city is considered holy to Shiite Muslims and draws pilgrims from around the globe .
Authorities in Iran closed the city shrines on March 16 , sparking protests by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shrines , including at the Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom , according to Time .
Despite the purported closures , Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad tweeted a video Monday allegedly showing tour buses and pilgrims on foot are still headed toward one of the city ’ s holy sites .
TRENDING : House Republicans Push Bill To Take Back the $ 25 Million Kennedy Center Received in Coronavirus Bill “ You know how ?
By keeping open these religious shrines in Qom , epicentre of the virus in Iran .
These pilgrims will then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regime is endangering the health of Iranians & world.
” The subtitled footage appears to have been taken from a moving vehicle with a male voice describing the scene as he apparently passes a holy site only identified as being in the city of Qom .
He describes how “ busloads of pilgrims ” are pouring in , likely bringing Indian and Pakistani Muslims to the shrine .
“ Strangely , authorities keep denying this , ” he says , according to the subtitles .
At one point , the video ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulls up to another man on a motorcycle .
It appears from the subtitles that the motorcyclist , who is wearing a protective medical-style face mask , comments , “ You know , they say every place should close down and people should self-isolate .
Who are these people ?
” The driver of the vehicle replies , “ We don ’ t know where they ’ re coming from .
They ’ re all in Qom , visiting the shrine.
” He ends his remarks and the video by asking rhetorically , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break the coronavirus pandemic ?
Really , like this ?
” RELATED : Calif. Gov .
Newsom Commutes Sentences of Two Child Killers , Nine Other Convicted Murderers Iranian authorities were initially slow to respond to the coronavirus and even more reluctant to close the shrines as they covered up news of the pandemic in their country .
As a result , Iran now has a staggering number of coronavirus infections as 47,593 are sickened and 3,036 have died as of Wednesday , according to Johns Hopkins .
If the footage and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the city are in serious danger of further spreading coronavirus and pose an urgent threat to public health .
During this time of tragedy and uncertainty , it makes sense that the faithful would be drawn to holy sites to gather in prayer , but the unfortunate reality is that large gatherings spread sickness and death during the global coronavirus pandemic .
Holy sites for other religions are closed around the world , including the Vatican in Italy as well as the healing springs at Lourdes , France , both of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 1.2 billion Catholics .
“ Pope Francis , giving an extraordinary # UrbiEtOrbi in a rainy and empty St. Peter ’ s Square is a powerful image , ” reads a Catholic Talk Show tweet showing the startling image of the pope addressing an empty plaza outside of St. Peter ’ s Basilica in the Vatican .
Closing holy sites in Iran is a sensitive issue , to be sure , but allowing pilgrims to defy the supposed closure is reckless in a country of over 81 million citizens that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is compounded exponentially as the pilgrims visiting the holy sites today will become the “ patient zeros ” of tomorrow as they bring the virus back to their families and home countries .
The greatest risk might come from those who return home feeling well and continue with business as usual , silently spreading the virus to family , friends , neighbors , shopkeepers and so on .
When millions are sacrificing so much everywhere else in the world , a situation such as this could negate the impact of others who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indeed become the “ super-spreaders ” that Alinejad warned about .
We are all in need of comfort , and turning to God in uncertain times is admirable .
Spreading coronavirus , however , is not .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In countries around the world, public places such as schools, stores, theme parks and even houses of worship have shuttered their doors in an effort to promote social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Yet there is one place that is still seeing its share of visitors despite these measures, and that is a pair of Islamic shrines located in Qom, Iran. The city is considered holy to Shiite Muslims and draws pilgrims from around the globe.
Authorities in Iran closed the city shrines on March 16, sparking protests by Islamic faithful and some clerics at the shrines, including at the Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom, according to Time.
Despite the purported closures, Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad tweeted a video Monday allegedly showing tour buses and pilgrims on foot are still headed toward one of the city’s holy sites.
“Iranian authorities are creating #CoronaVirus super-spreaders,” Alinejad wrote.
“You know how? By keeping open these religious shrines in Qom, epicentre of the virus in Iran. These pilgrims will then travel to their own countries. The regime is endangering the health of Iranians & world.”
Iranian authorities are creating #CoronaVirus super-spreaders. You know how? By keeping open these religious shrines in Qom, epicentre of the virus in Iran. These pilgrims will then travel to their own countries. The regime is endangering the health of Iranians & world pic.twitter.com/UNtXXQbium — Masih Alinejad ? (@AlinejadMasih) March 30, 2020
The subtitled footage appears to have been taken from a moving vehicle with a male voice describing the scene as he apparently passes a holy site only identified as being in the city of Qom.
Do you think religious sites should be closed to pilgrims during the coronavirus crisis? Yes No
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He describes how “busloads of pilgrims” are pouring in, likely bringing Indian and Pakistani Muslims to the shrine. “Strangely, authorities keep denying this,” he says, according to the subtitles.
At one point, the video’s narrator rolls down his window as he pulls up to another man on a motorcycle.
It appears from the subtitles that the motorcyclist, who is wearing a protective medical-style face mask, comments, “You know, they say every place should close down and people should self-isolate. Who are these people?”
The driver of the vehicle replies, “We don’t know where they’re coming from. They’re all in Qom, visiting the shrine.”
He ends his remarks and the video by asking rhetorically, “Is this how they want to break the coronavirus pandemic? Really, like this?”
Iranian authorities were initially slow to respond to the coronavirus and even more reluctant to close the shrines as they covered up news of the pandemic in their country.
As a result, Iran now has a staggering number of coronavirus infections as 47,593 are sickened and 3,036 have died as of Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins.
If the footage and the commentators’ statements are correct, visitors to the city are in serious danger of further spreading coronavirus and pose an urgent threat to public health.
During this time of tragedy and uncertainty, it makes sense that the faithful would be drawn to holy sites to gather in prayer, but the unfortunate reality is that large gatherings spread sickness and death during the global coronavirus pandemic.
Holy sites for other religions are closed around the world, including the Vatican in Italy as well as the healing springs at Lourdes, France, both of which are important pilgrimage sites for the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.
“Pope Francis, giving an extraordinary #UrbiEtOrbi in a rainy and empty St. Peter’s Square is a powerful image,” reads a Catholic Talk Show tweet showing the startling image of the pope addressing an empty plaza outside of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Pope Francis, giving an extraordinary #UrbiEtOrbi in a rainy and empty St. Peter’s Square is a powerful image. pic.twitter.com/zkTHRn2OKK — The Catholic Talk Show (@CatholicTalkSho) March 27, 2020
Closing holy sites in Iran is a sensitive issue, to be sure, but allowing pilgrims to defy the supposed closure is reckless in a country of over 81 million citizens that is already battling the virus.
The problem is compounded exponentially as the pilgrims visiting the holy sites today will become the “patient zeros” of tomorrow as they bring the virus back to their families and home countries.
The greatest risk might come from those who return home feeling well and continue with business as usual, silently spreading the virus to family, friends, neighbors, shopkeepers and so on.
When millions are sacrificing so much everywhere else in the world, a situation such as this could negate the impact of others who are practicing social distancing. These pilgrims can indeed become the “super-spreaders” that Alinejad warned about.
We are all in need of comfort, and turning to God in uncertain times is admirable. Spreading coronavirus, however, is not.
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westernjournal--2020-04-01--Pence Channels Hit Movie ‘Independence Day’ To Rally Blue-Collar Walmart Workers

Vice President Mike Pence delivered an “ Independence Day ” -style speech to the workers at a Walmart distribution center in Virginia on Wednesday , pledging the United States will come back from the coronavirus pandemic “ stronger and better than ever before.
” The vice president , who is head of President Donald Trump ’ s coronavirus task force , was introduced by Walmart CEO Doug McMillion at the Gordonsville facility , about 20 miles northeast of Charlottesville .
“ Thank you for doing a great job , for keeping food on the table for the American people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , ” Pence said .
The vice president also expressed gratitude for farmers who are working “ around the clock to keep the food supply rolling.
” “ But I want you know , whether it ’ s truck drivers , whether it ’ s the people working here throughout the distribution center , we know you ’ re on the front lines , and the fact that you ’ re showing up every day , you ’ re rolling your sleeves up and you ’ re doing the work says an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of you , about the way you love your neighbors and the way you love your country , ” Pence said .
TRENDING : House Republicans Push Bill To Take Back the $ 25 Million Kennedy Center Received in Coronavirus Bill “ You ’ re the people that are making the difference on the ground , ” he continued .
“ It ’ s our health care workers and it ’ s the people that are keeping the supply chain rolling … that make it possible not just to meet this moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to express confidence in the ultimate outcome in the coronavirus fight .
“ We ’ re going to get through this , ” he said .
“ We ’ re going to get through this by working together and every American doing their part.
” The vice president concluded , “ God bless you .
Keep up that great work .
And here ’ s to that day in the future when we put the coronavirus in the past and come back stronger and better than ever before .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right here … you played your part.
” RELATED : White House Halts USAID 's Foreign Shipments of Coronavirus Aid , Diverts Supplies to US Pence ’ s remarks were in ways reminiscent of Bill Pullman ’ s performance as President Thomas Whitmore in the 1996 blockbuster film “ Independence Day.
” “ We ’ re fighting for our right to live , to exist , ” Whitmore said .
“ And should we win the day , the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one voice , ‘ We will not go quietly into the night , we will not vanish without a fight.
’ “ We ’ re going to live on .
We ’ re going to survive .
Today we celebrate our Independence Day !
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Vice President Mike Pence delivered an “Independence Day”-style speech to the workers at a Walmart distribution center in Virginia on Wednesday, pledging the United States will come back from the coronavirus pandemic “stronger and better than ever before.”
The vice president, who is head of President Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force, was introduced by Walmart CEO Doug McMillion at the Gordonsville facility, about 20 miles northeast of Charlottesville.
“Thank you for doing a great job, for keeping food on the table for the American people. You’re making an incredible difference here,” Pence said.
The vice president also expressed gratitude for farmers who are working “around the clock to keep the food supply rolling.”
“But I want you know, whether it’s truck drivers, whether it’s the people working here throughout the distribution center, we know you’re on the front lines, and the fact that you’re showing up every day, you’re rolling your sleeves up and you’re doing the work says an awful lot about each and every one of you, about the way you love your neighbors and the way you love your country,” Pence said.
“You’re the people that are making the difference on the ground,” he continued. “It’s our health care workers and it’s the people that are keeping the supply chain rolling … that make it possible not just to meet this moment, but to overcome this moment.”
“You’re keeping food on the table of America. And we’re grateful.”@VP @Mike_Pence and U.S. Agriculture @SecretarySonny Perdue tour a VA @Walmart Distribution Center and meet with employees. pic.twitter.com/lGwI9Tu3v8 — The Hill (@thehill) April 1, 2020
Do you find Pence's speech inspiring? Yes No
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Pence went on to express confidence in the ultimate outcome in the coronavirus fight.
“We’re going to get through this,” he said. “We’re going to get through this by working together and every American doing their part.”
The vice president concluded, “God bless you. Keep up that great work. And here’s to that day in the future when we put the coronavirus in the past and come back stronger and better than ever before.
“When that day comes you’ll know right here … you played your part.”
Your sparks have never shined brighter. To our over 1 million heroes across the country, we thank you. #TeamWalmart pic.twitter.com/4BRugo7azN — Walmart (@Walmart) March 26, 2020
Pence’s remarks were in ways reminiscent of Bill Pullman’s performance as President Thomas Whitmore in the 1996 blockbuster film “Independence Day.”
“We’re fighting for our right to live, to exist,” Whitmore said. “And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice, ‘We will not go quietly into the night, we will not vanish without a fight.’
“We’re going to live on. We’re going to survive. Today we celebrate our Independence Day!”
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westernjournal--2020-04-01--‘Tip of the Iceberg’: FBI Broke FISA Rules for Wiretap Warrants in Every Case IG Studied

This is one development President Donald Trump ’ s supporters will need to remember come November — and the mainstream news media and Democrats are hoping the country forgets .
With the tidal wave of coronavirus news reports swamping pretty much every other development in the news these days — and understandably so — it ’ s easy for even major news items to vanish beneath the surface of American political life .
But this one is one that can ’ t be swept away .
As Fox News reported , the Justice Department Inspector General reported Tuesday that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own supposedly rigorous process for obtaining a secret warrant to investigate the Trump presidential campaign is part of a pattern of almost criminal carelessness in the nation ’ s premier law enforcement agency .
According to the IG ’ s report , the office reviewed 29 of about 700 FBI requests for warrants under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act between 2014 and 2019 .
TRENDING : House Republicans Push Bill To Take Back the $ 25 Million Kennedy Center Received in Coronavirus Bill The audit showed every single one had problems with documentation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — “ inadequately supported facts , ” according to the report .
In a masterpiece of bureaucratic understatement , Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz wrote that the documented “ deficiency in the FBI ’ s efforts to support the factual statements in FISA applications … undermines the FBI ’ s ability to achieve its ‘ scrupulously accurate ’ standard for FISA applications.
” That ’ s pretty dry language for describing what amounts to a corruption — intentional or otherwise — of the secret court system set up to protect Americans from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Republicans on Capitol Hill were more colorful .
In a Twitter post , Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley , the former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , wrote that the audit shows the FBI ’ s problem with its FISA applications go far beyond the warrants it received to investigate Trump campaign aide Carter Page – warrants that turned out to be shaky at best .
“ We r learning FBI flubs on Carter Page spying case r just tip of iceberg , ” Grassley wrote .
“ IG audited 29 other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ONE OF THEM !
Constitutional rights r at stake when FBI fails 2justify use of spying tools Reforms needed 2protect civil liberties.
” RELATED : FBI Offers Workout App to Quarantined Americans -- Turns Out It Can Spy on You Naturally , Grassley got a lot of criticism from liberals demanding how he could be focusing like a little thing like the FBI abusing its powers to spy on American citizens when the nation is facing a health crisis .
And the # Resistance Democrats and mainstream media would nothing like more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the coronavirus crisis that its voters forget how Trump opponents in the Justice Department , FBI and major media institutions spent three years investigating the Trump administration based on slanted , incomplete or outright false information .
But the reality is that the United States is a nation of more than 300 million people with a constitutional form of government more than 230 years old .
It ’ s been through world wars and changed the face of the globe and a Civil War that nearly ripped the country apart .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is — is going to pass .
What the country looks like moving forward is going to depend a lot on how a supposedly self-governing people react to the kind of governmental behavior documented in the Horowitz report .
In the Senate , South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham , chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , has announced he wants Horowitz to appear for hearings on the new report , according to National Review .
That will doubtless revive questions in Horowitz ’ s previous report that found multiple , glaring problems with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — the subject of Horowitz ’ s previous appearance before Graham ’ s committee ( which did not go well for the FBI ) .
Republican Jim Jordan of Ohio , ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee , officially asked Democratic Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York to schedule hearings on the matter as well .
Considering Nadler ’ s chief interest in his office is attempting to remove Trump from the White House , it ’ s a fair bet that isn ’ t going to happen during the 116th Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its members last week to pass the massive $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief package , legislative business such as Judiciary Committee hearings is going to be on hold for the foreseeable future .
But even if the coronavirus flood hasn ’ t peaked yet , it ’ s inevitable that it ’ s going to recede at some point .
When it does , Republicans , Trump supporters and all American voters are going to need to remember exactly what was happening in their government before COVID-19 cases wiped out every other consideration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media who spent years assuring the country that the FBI ’ s reputation is unassailable , that the FISA court system was a rock-solid guarantor of American liberty against police-state abuse , are going to have a lot to answer for .
And no American should forget it .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

This is one development President Donald Trump’s supporters will need to remember come November — and the mainstream news media and Democrats are hoping the country forgets.
With the tidal wave of coronavirus news reports swamping pretty much every other development in the news these days — and understandably so — it’s easy for even major news items to vanish beneath the surface of American political life.
But this one is one that can’t be swept away.
As Fox News reported, the Justice Department Inspector General reported Tuesday that the FBI’s failure to follow its own supposedly rigorous process for obtaining a secret warrant to investigate the Trump presidential campaign is part of a pattern of almost criminal carelessness in the nation’s premier law enforcement agency.
According to the IG’s report, the office reviewed 29 of about 700 FBI requests for warrants under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act between 2014 and 2019.
The audit showed every single one had problems with documentation, errors, or — most damningly — “inadequately supported facts,” according to the report.
The #FBI’s bungling of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act applications runs far deeper than the well-known problems with the bureau’s surveillance of the Trump campaign according to a newly-released inspector general’s audit. #TWTFrontPagehttps://t.co/IZKSCbi3ll — The Washington Times (@WashTimes) April 1, 2020
In a masterpiece of bureaucratic understatement, Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz wrote that the documented “deficiency in the FBI’s efforts to support the factual statements in FISA applications … undermines the FBI’s ability to achieve its ‘scrupulously accurate’ standard for FISA applications.”
Do Democrats and the media want this report lost in the coronavirus crisis? Yes No
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That’s pretty dry language for describing what amounts to a corruption — intentional or otherwise — of the secret court system set up to protect Americans from being spied on by their own government.
Republicans on Capitol Hill were more colorful.
In a Twitter post, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, wrote that the audit shows the FBI’s problem with its FISA applications go far beyond the warrants it received to investigate Trump campaign aide Carter Page – warrants that turned out to be shaky at best.
“We r learning FBI flubs on Carter Page spying case r just tip of iceberg,” Grassley wrote. “IG audited 29 other spying applications on Americans+found problems w EVERY ONE OF THEM! Constitutional rights r at stake when FBI fails 2justify use of spying tools Reforms needed 2protect civil liberties.”
We r learning FBI flubs on Carter Page spying case r just tip of iceberg IG audited 29 other spying applications on Americans+found problems w EVERY ONE OF THEM! Constitutional rights r at stake when FBI fails 2justify use of spying tools Reforms needed 2protect civil liberties — ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) March 31, 2020
Naturally, Grassley got a lot of criticism from liberals demanding how he could be focusing like a little thing like the FBI abusing its powers to spy on American citizens when the nation is facing a health crisis.
And the #Resistance Democrats and mainstream media would nothing like more than for the country to get so distracted by the coronavirus crisis that its voters forget how Trump opponents in the Justice Department, FBI and major media institutions spent three years investigating the Trump administration based on slanted, incomplete or outright false information.
But the reality is that the United States is a nation of more than 300 million people with a constitutional form of government more than 230 years old. It’s been through world wars and changed the face of the globe and a Civil War that nearly ripped the country apart. The coronavirus crisis — as serious as it is — is going to pass.
What the country looks like moving forward is going to depend a lot on how a supposedly self-governing people react to the kind of governmental behavior documented in the Horowitz report.
In the Senate, South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has announced he wants Horowitz to appear for hearings on the new report, according to National Review.
That will doubtless revive questions in Horowitz’s previous report that found multiple, glaring problems with how the FBI handled the Page investigation — the subject of Horowitz’s previous appearance before Graham’s committee (which did not go well for the FBI).
Republican Jim Jordan of Ohio, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, officially asked Democratic Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York to schedule hearings on the matter as well. Considering Nadler’s chief interest in his office is attempting to remove Trump from the White House, it’s a fair bet that isn’t going to happen during the 116th Congress.
With Congress barely able to muster its members last week to pass the massive $2 trillion coronavirus relief package, legislative business such as Judiciary Committee hearings is going to be on hold for the foreseeable future.
But even if the coronavirus flood hasn’t peaked yet, it’s inevitable that it’s going to recede at some point.
When it does, Republicans, Trump supporters and all American voters are going to need to remember exactly what was happening in their government before COVID-19 cases wiped out every other consideration.
Democrats and the liberals in the media who spent years assuring the country that the FBI’s reputation is unassailable, that the FISA court system was a rock-solid guarantor of American liberty against police-state abuse, are going to have a lot to answer for.
And no American should forget it.
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westernjournal--2020-04-01--Doctor Who Went Viral for Greeting Son Through Glass Door Survived Tornado ‘By the Grace of God’

Dr. Jared Burks has worked tirelessly over the past few weeks sacrificing everything to care for people who have been exposed to or infected by the coronavirus in his community .
Not only has he been working long hours , but he also made the difficult decision to self-isolate in order to protect his wife and one-year-old son from exposure to the virus .
On his first day off in two weeks , Jared was finally able to see his family .
During the both heartwarming and heartbreaking reunion of sorts , Burks ’ wife Alyssa snapped a photo of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the glass door of their home — a precious photo that would soon become one of the last memories the family would share in their Jonesboro , Arkansas , home .
Just three days after it went viral , the Burks ’ home was leveled by a tornado .
Alyssa wrote in a post on Facebook that it was only “ by the grace of God ” that her husband survived .
TRENDING : House Republicans Push Bill To Take Back the $ 25 Million Kennedy Center Received in Coronavirus Bill Alyssa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been staying with her mother to practice safe social distancing from her husband when the storm hit .
She said she was informed about the coming tornado while watching the news on Saturday and immediately called her husband , who was home alone when it touched down .
“ I called him and said there ’ s a really really big tornado , ” Alyssa said .
She added that they decided the best option was for him to remain in the house and let the storm blow over .
Soon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and knew the home had been hit .
Alyssa waited anxiously for word that Jared was safe , and soon the call came .
Thankfully , he was able to get into one of the master bathroom closets , as far away from any window as he could get , and escaped without injury .
Alyssa posted an update on Facebook after the storm was over to inform everybody that their family was safe from the EF-3 tornado and that Jared had survived , giving glory to God .
The tornado injured 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leveled or damaged hundreds of homes .
The Burks ’ home was among those completely destroyed by the twister .
The door where the viral photo was captured just days before was damaged too , making the picture even more precious to the young family than they could ’ ve imagined .
RELATED : Couple Cancels Wedding Over COVID-19 Concerns , Friends Show Up To Celebrate Anyway The family will forever be grateful for the sweet moment that Jared and Zeke shared at the glass door .
Not only did the photo show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was also the first time Jared got to see his son crawl and it was a memory from what once was their home .
“ As soon as he saw his dad he just raced to the door , ” Alyssa told ABC News .
“ He got up on the glass because I think he wanted him to hold him , so it was sad , it was cute , but it was really heartbreaking because it ’ s hard.
” By Tuesday morning , over $ 115,000 had been donated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family friend , Evan Clower , to help get the Burks back on their feet .
“ After the Coronavirus and having to be separated for weeks due to his residency , a tornado hit the Burks family home and destroyed it , ” Clower wrote .
“ They are going to need help picking up the pieces so that they can find another place to live , collect their items , rebuild , all while Jared is working and fighting for those who health may be compromised.
” Alyssa told ABC News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband is eager to return to work as soon as possible to continue to help those who need it .
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Dr. Jared Burks has worked tirelessly over the past few weeks sacrificing everything to care for people who have been exposed to or infected by the coronavirus in his community.
Not only has he been working long hours, but he also made the difficult decision to self-isolate in order to protect his wife and one-year-old son from exposure to the virus. On his first day off in two weeks, Jared was finally able to see his family.
During the both heartwarming and heartbreaking reunion of sorts, Burks’ wife Alyssa snapped a photo of the tired doctor greeting his son Zeke through the glass door of their home — a precious photo that would soon become one of the last memories the family would share in their Jonesboro, Arkansas, home.
Just three days after it went viral, the Burks’ home was leveled by a tornado. Alyssa wrote in a post on Facebook that it was only “by the grace of God” that her husband survived.
Alyssa told ABC News that she and Zeke had been staying with her mother to practice safe social distancing from her husband when the storm hit.
She said she was informed about the coming tornado while watching the news on Saturday and immediately called her husband, who was home alone when it touched down.
“I called him and said there’s a really really big tornado,” Alyssa said. She added that they decided the best option was for him to remain in the house and let the storm blow over.
Soon, Alyssa said she heard her home alarm and knew the home had been hit.
Alyssa waited anxiously for word that Jared was safe, and soon the call came. Thankfully, he was able to get into one of the master bathroom closets, as far away from any window as he could get, and escaped without injury.
Alyssa posted an update on Facebook after the storm was over to inform everybody that their family was safe from the EF-3 tornado and that Jared had survived, giving glory to God.
The tornado injured 22 people in the Jonesboro area, and leveled or damaged hundreds of homes.
The Burks’ home was among those completely destroyed by the twister. The door where the viral photo was captured just days before was damaged too, making the picture even more precious to the young family than they could’ve imagined.
The family will forever be grateful for the sweet moment that Jared and Zeke shared at the glass door. Not only did the photo show the love between the two, but it was also the first time Jared got to see his son crawl and it was a memory from what once was their home.
“As soon as he saw his dad he just raced to the door,” Alyssa told ABC News. “He got up on the glass because I think he wanted him to hold him, so it was sad, it was cute, but it was really heartbreaking because it’s hard.”
By Tuesday morning, over $115,000 had been donated to the GoFundMe page created by a family friend, Evan Clower, to help get the Burks back on their feet.
“After the Coronavirus and having to be separated for weeks due to his residency, a tornado hit the Burks family home and destroyed it,” Clower wrote.
“They are going to need help picking up the pieces so that they can find another place to live, collect their items, rebuild, all while Jared is working and fighting for those who health may be compromised.”
Alyssa told ABC News that despite the difficult times, her husband is eager to return to work as soon as possible to continue to help those who need it.
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westernjournal--2020-04-01--Classified US Intelligence Document Reveals China Hid Extent of Coronavirus Outbreak: Report

A classified U.S. intelligence report to the White House revealed China has hidden the extent of the coronavirus outbreak in its country , according to three anonymous U.S. officials .
The officials , who asked not to be identified or detail the contents of the report , told Bloomberg the gist of the document said that China ’ s reporting on COVID-19 cases and deaths was “ intentionally incomplete.
” As of Wednesday morning , there were 82,361 cases of COVID-19 in China and 3,316 fatalities from the disease , according to data from Johns Hopkins .
Comparatively , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 4,127 fatalities .
However , two of the officials told Bloomberg the classified intelligence document concluded China ’ s reported numbers are fake .
TRENDING : House Republicans Push Bill To Take Back the $ 25 Million Kennedy Center Received in Coronavirus Bill According to Bloomberg , Chinese officials have revised the methodology for counting cases of the virus and imposed a strict lockdown , causing skepticism of the reported numbers both inside and outside of the country .
There have also been reported stacks of ash urns at funeral homes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased scrutiny of the government ’ s containment narrative , Bloomberg reported last Friday .
The Trump administration has long criticized China for covering up the extent of the coronavirus .
“ The medical community made — interpreted the Chinese data as : This was serious , but smaller than anyone expected , ” White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said at a news conference on Tuesday .
“ Because I think probably we were missing a significant amount of the data , now that what we see happened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Other countries have also been accused of hiding the actual number of coronavirus cases and deaths .
In a statement on March 23 , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listed the ways the Iranian authorities have contributed to the global spread of COVID-19 , including by lying to the public about the true scale of the crisis in the country and continuing flights to China as the virus was spreading .
“ The regime continues to lie to the Iranian people and the world about the number of cases and deaths , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regime admits , ” Pompeo said .
Moreover , despite there being 9,887 cases of COVID-19 in South Korea as of Wednesday , according to data from Johns Hopkins , North Korea has not reported any cases of the virus .
RELATED : White House Halts USAID 's Foreign Shipments of Coronavirus Aid , Diverts Supplies to US However , the Financial Times reported March 25 that North Korean officials have been secretly seeking international help in the last several weeks , citing people familiar with the matter and a document it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be transparent about the virus , according to Bloomberg .
“ This data set matters , ” he said at a Tuesday media conference .
“ I would urge every nation : Do your best to collect the data .
Do your best to share that information.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A classified U.S. intelligence report to the White House revealed China has hidden the extent of the coronavirus outbreak in its country, according to three anonymous U.S. officials.
The officials, who asked not to be identified or detail the contents of the report, told Bloomberg the gist of the document said that China’s reporting on COVID-19 cases and deaths was “intentionally incomplete.”
As of Wednesday morning, there were 82,361 cases of COVID-19 in China and 3,316 fatalities from the disease, according to data from Johns Hopkins.
Comparatively, there were 190,740 cases in the United States and 4,127 fatalities.
However, two of the officials told Bloomberg the classified intelligence document concluded China’s reported numbers are fake.
According to Bloomberg, Chinese officials have revised the methodology for counting cases of the virus and imposed a strict lockdown, causing skepticism of the reported numbers both inside and outside of the country.
There have also been reported stacks of ash urns at funeral homes in Wuhan, China, which have also increased scrutiny of the government’s containment narrative, Bloomberg reported last Friday.
The Trump administration has long criticized China for covering up the extent of the coronavirus.
“The medical community made — interpreted the Chinese data as: This was serious, but smaller than anyone expected,” White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said at a news conference on Tuesday.
Do you think China tried to mislead the world about the extent of the outbreak? Yes No
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“Because I think probably we were missing a significant amount of the data, now that what we see happened to Italy and see what happened to Spain.”
Other countries have also been accused of hiding the actual number of coronavirus cases and deaths.
In a statement on March 23, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listed the ways the Iranian authorities have contributed to the global spread of COVID-19, including by lying to the public about the true scale of the crisis in the country and continuing flights to China as the virus was spreading.
“The regime continues to lie to the Iranian people and the world about the number of cases and deaths, which are unfortunately far higher than the regime admits,” Pompeo said.
Moreover, despite there being 9,887 cases of COVID-19 in South Korea as of Wednesday, according to data from Johns Hopkins, North Korea has not reported any cases of the virus.
However, the Financial Times reported March 25 that North Korean officials have been secretly seeking international help in the last several weeks, citing people familiar with the matter and a document it had viewed.
Pompeo has urged the nations to be transparent about the virus, according to Bloomberg.
“This data set matters,” he said at a Tuesday media conference.
“I would urge every nation: Do your best to collect the data. Do your best to share that information.”
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westernjournal--2020-04-01--Joe Biden Confirms One Name He’s Considering for Vice President: Michigan’s Governor

Former Vice President Joe Biden confirmed this week that he is considering Democratic Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer to be his running mate if he is chosen as the Democratic Party ’ s presidential nominee .
“ She made the list in my mind two months ago , ” Biden told MSNBC host Brian Williams on Tuesday .
“ There ’ s probably going to be a list , I ’ m in the process of , Brian , we ’ ll have it by mid-April , putting together an organization that will run the background checks … by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ve thought about some of the women who I believe are ready to be president and I think I can work with and would be willing to work with me .
It ’ s going to be somewhere between six and 10 of them.
” TRENDING : House Republicans Push Bill To Take Back the $ 25 Million Kennedy Center Received in Coronavirus Bill During the March Democratic presidential debate held in Washington , D.C. , Biden vowed he would pick a woman as his vice president .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman to be vice president , ” the former vice president said .
When asked to confirm that he was committed to choosing a woman to be his running mate , Biden said unequivocally , “ Yes.
” Biden has previously dropped hints about his running mate considerations , saying he would prefer to have some diversity on his ticket .
“ Whomever I pick , preferably it will be someone who was of color and/or a different gender , but I ’ m not making that commitment until I know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can completely and thoroughly trust as authentic and on the same page [ as me ] , ” he told The Washington Post in August .
Whitmer , who endorsed Biden in March and serves as a co-chairwoman of his national campaign , said last month that she wouldn ’ t be his running mate , The Detroit News reported .
“ I think it ’ s important that he has a woman running mate , to be honest .
I think that there are a lot of phenomenal potential running mates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m going to help him vet and make sure he ’ s got a great running mate .
It is not going to be me .
But I ’ m going to have a hand in helping make sure that he hs got the rounded out ticket that can win.
” Whitmer has accused President Donald Trump of preventing her state from getting the equipment it needs to fight the coronavirus , according to Politico .
RELATED : Confronted with Obama Admin H1N1 Failure , Biden Says ' I Was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve gotten back is that vendors with whom we ’ ve procured contracts — they ’ re being told not to send stuff to Michigan , ” she said .
Trump lashed out at Whitmer in a Friday tweet , saying she was “ way in over her head.
” Biden came to the governor ’ s defense and said she “ has been a tenacious fighter for Michigan families , ” The Hill reported .
“ Donald Trump could learn a thing or two from Governor Whitmer — speed matters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Biden said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Former Vice President Joe Biden confirmed this week that he is considering Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to be his running mate if he is chosen as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.
“She made the list in my mind two months ago,” Biden told MSNBC host Brian Williams on Tuesday. “There’s probably going to be a list, I’m in the process of, Brian, we’ll have it by mid-April, putting together an organization that will run the background checks … by the second or third week in April.
“I’ve thought about some of the women who I believe are ready to be president and I think I can work with and would be willing to work with me. It’s going to be somewhere between six and 10 of them.”
How many names are on @JoeBiden‘s potential VP shortlist? The former vice president joins us for an in-depth conversation tonight at 11PM ET. Learn more: https://t.co/bDoHpBQFxX#11thHour pic.twitter.com/5LbX04qOa4 — 11th Hour (@11thHour) March 31, 2020
During the March Democratic presidential debate held in Washington, D.C., Biden vowed he would pick a woman as his vice president.
“I commit that I will in fact pick a woman to be vice president,” the former vice president said.
When asked to confirm that he was committed to choosing a woman to be his running mate, Biden said unequivocally, “Yes.”
Biden has previously dropped hints about his running mate considerations, saying he would prefer to have some diversity on his ticket.
Do you think Whitmer would be a good choice for Biden's running mate? Yes No
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“Whomever I pick, preferably it will be someone who was of color and/or a different gender, but I’m not making that commitment until I know that the person I’m dealing with I can completely and thoroughly trust as authentic and on the same page [as me],” he told The Washington Post in August.
Whitmer, who endorsed Biden in March and serves as a co-chairwoman of his national campaign, said last month that she wouldn’t be his running mate, The Detroit News reported.
“I think it’s important that he has a woman running mate, to be honest. I think that there are a lot of phenomenal potential running mates for him,” she said.
“I’m going to help him vet and make sure he’s got a great running mate. It is not going to be me. But I’m going to have a hand in helping make sure that he hs got the rounded out ticket that can win.”
Whitmer has accused President Donald Trump of preventing her state from getting the equipment it needs to fight the coronavirus, according to Politico.
“What I’ve gotten back is that vendors with whom we’ve procured contracts — they’re being told not to send stuff to Michigan,” she said.
Trump lashed out at Whitmer in a Friday tweet, saying she was “way in over her head.”
I love Michigan, one of the reasons we are doing such a GREAT job for them during this horrible Pandemic. Yet your Governor, Gretchen “Half” Whitmer is way in over her head, she doesn’t have a clue. Likes blaming everyone for her own ineptitude! #MAGA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2020
Biden came to the governor’s defense and said she “has been a tenacious fighter for Michigan families,” The Hill reported.
“Donald Trump could learn a thing or two from Governor Whitmer — speed matters, details matter, and people matter,” Biden said.
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westernjournal--2020-04-01--White House Halts USAID’s Foreign Shipments of Coronavirus Aid, Diverts Supplies to US

The White House coronavirus task force has temporarily stopped the U.S. Agency for International Development ’ s overseas shipments of personal protective equipment and requested for the aid to be sent to the United States instead , according to a Tuesday report .
Vice President Mike Pence is leading the task force as it investigates foreign shipments of aid and struggles with a shortage of medical equipment back home , Politico reported .
One anonymous person close to USAID said Pence ’ s ongoing review of the disbursement of supplies has made an impact .
“ They ’ re really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making sure Americans get everything they need and then starting to provide assistance elsewhere , and the vice president ’ s oversight is slowing down the decision-making process , ” the person told Politico .
The coronavirus task force is looking into how to address the shortage of protective gear in the United States compared with other countries ’ ability to address the problem themselves .
TRENDING : House Republicans Push Bill To Take Back the $ 25 Million Kennedy Center Received in Coronavirus Bill “ The idea is to figure out what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compares to what USAID has overseas , ” an aid official told Politico .
“ Given what ’ s happening in the United States and the shortage of critical supplies , it would be really difficult to be sending things abroad when we need them here at home.
” The danger of scrutinizing coronavirus-related aid is the possibility of damaging relationships with allies who could be of help later down the road .
“ One of the big questions the task force is discussing is how foreign aid could help us when a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s in the fall or later this summer , ” another person close to USAID told Politico .
“ Pence realizes you have to wait for the right time to provide assistance , but also that foreign assistance can help us as well.
” Although shipments from USAID have been temporarily stopped , private companies are still shipping supplies to foreign buyers with as many as 280 million masks purchased per day , Forbes reported .
The Trump administration has recently received criticism from Democrats about a shipment of medical supplies sent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus outbreak .
In February , the administration announced it was sending 17.8 tons of medical supplies , including masks and respirators , to China to help it fight the virus .
The move has received criticism from Democrats now that the United States is facing a shortage of supplies .
“ You sent 18 tons of PPE to China early but ignored warnings & called COVID19 concerns a hoax .
You ’ ve endangered doctors , nurses , aids , orderlies , & janitors – all risking their lives to save ours.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ House adviser to former President Barack Obama , suggested the shipment of 2 million masks to China before COVID-19 came to America “ would be a devastating ad.
” “ That was kind of a different era when there was not much of an appreciation of this hitting the United States , ” an anonymous Trump administration official told Politico in response .
The Trump administration also said the shipment to China came from private donations instead of the Strategic National Stockpile .
“ It ’ s a good thing that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and when we ’ re sending [ personal protective equipment ] as we ’ re looking to fulfill needs at home , ” Pence spokeswoman Katie Miller said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The White House coronavirus task force has temporarily stopped the U.S. Agency for International Development’s overseas shipments of personal protective equipment and requested for the aid to be sent to the United States instead, according to a Tuesday report.
Vice President Mike Pence is leading the task force as it investigates foreign shipments of aid and struggles with a shortage of medical equipment back home, Politico reported.
One anonymous person close to USAID said Pence’s ongoing review of the disbursement of supplies has made an impact.
“They’re really trying to walk a fine line between making sure Americans get everything they need and then starting to provide assistance elsewhere, and the vice president’s oversight is slowing down the decision-making process,” the person told Politico.
The coronavirus task force is looking into how to address the shortage of protective gear in the United States compared with other countries’ ability to address the problem themselves.
“The idea is to figure out what is in short supply and how it compares to what USAID has overseas,” an aid official told Politico.
“Given what’s happening in the United States and the shortage of critical supplies, it would be really difficult to be sending things abroad when we need them here at home.”
The danger of scrutinizing coronavirus-related aid is the possibility of damaging relationships with allies who could be of help later down the road.
“One of the big questions the task force is discussing is how foreign aid could help us when a second wave hits, whether that’s in the fall or later this summer,” another person close to USAID told Politico.
Do you think we should be taking care of our own needs before foreign needs? Yes No
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“Pence realizes you have to wait for the right time to provide assistance, but also that foreign assistance can help us as well.”
Although shipments from USAID have been temporarily stopped, private companies are still shipping supplies to foreign buyers with as many as 280 million masks purchased per day, Forbes reported.
The Trump administration has recently received criticism from Democrats about a shipment of medical supplies sent to China in the early days of the virus outbreak.
In February, the administration announced it was sending 17.8 tons of medical supplies, including masks and respirators, to China to help it fight the virus.
The move has received criticism from Democrats now that the United States is facing a shortage of supplies.
“Trump, you incompetent idiot!” California Rep. Maxine Waters tweeted Monday.
“You sent 18 tons of PPE to China early but ignored warnings & called COVID19 concerns a hoax. You’ve endangered doctors, nurses, aids, orderlies, & janitors – all risking their lives to save ours.”
Trump, you incompetent idiot! You sent 18 tons of PPE to China early but ignored warnings & called COVID19 concerns a hoax. You’ve endangered doctors, nurses, aids, orderlies, & janitors – all risking their lives to save ours. Pray 4 forgiveness for the harm that you’re causing! — Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) March 30, 2020
Dan Pfeiffer, a senior White House adviser to former President Barack Obama, suggested the shipment of 2 million masks to China before COVID-19 came to America “would be a devastating ad.”
Trump sending two million masks to China weeks before COVID came to America because he didn’t take the threat seriously would be a devastating ad. https://t.co/SujjXAupQl — Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) March 29, 2020
“That was kind of a different era when there was not much of an appreciation of this hitting the United States,” an anonymous Trump administration official told Politico in response.
The Trump administration also said the shipment to China came from private donations instead of the Strategic National Stockpile.
“It’s a good thing that we’re taking a holistic look at where and when we’re sending [personal protective equipment] as we’re looking to fulfill needs at home,” Pence spokeswoman Katie Miller said.
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westernjournal--2020-04-01--China Tacitly Admits It’s Been Underreporting Coronavirus Cases All Along

Last week , the Media Resource Center released a study that found one-fifth of stories dealing with the coronavirus on nightly network newscasts in the U.S. used statistics from the Chinese government .
Rather stunningly , 97 percent of the time , these statistics went unchallenged .
The study found only one mention , for instance , of the fact that China had covered up the extent of the SARS epidemic in 2002-03 , which was caused by a related coronavirus .
Only one mention of the fact that the Beijing government had censored information about the new coronavirus from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been little questioning of the accuracy of the numbers being presented to the world .
This could have been important context , particularly when you consider that new numbers confirm China ’ s been underreporting novel coronavirus cases all along — and that ’ s not even counting claims that the death toll in the Chinese city of Wuhan could be exponentially higher than Beijing had reported .
According to The Daily Caller , China ’ s National Health Commission revealed Wednesday via Chinese state media that the government hasn ’ t been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus but are asymptomatic .
“ From April 1 , we will publish reports , outcomes and management of asymptomatic people in daily epidemic notifications , and respond to social concerns in a timely manner , ” commission head Chang Jile said on China Central Television , the Daily Caller reported .
TRENDING : House Republicans Push Bill To Take Back the $ 25 Million Kennedy Center Received in Coronavirus Bill China says it ’ s currently monitoring 1,541 cases that are asymptomatic , according to The Daily Caller .
In addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South China Morning Post and published March 22 found that China didn ’ t report 43,000 asymptomatic carriers that tested positive in February .
It ’ s unclear whether asymptomatic carriers can pass on the disease to others .
The World Health Organization says that it ’ s “ extremely rare ” while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has reported transmission from silent carriers .
It ’ s also unclear how this jibes with Beijing ’ s claims that there ’ ve been no new infections in the hardest-hit areas of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed its reporting guidelines on the novel coronavirus so that only cases showing symptoms of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , are counted in their total .
Reporting guidelines vary worldwide .
In a country like South Korea , where the tests are freely available , all cases are reported .
In countries like Italy and the United States , meanwhile , the tests are usually used on those who are already showing symptoms .
In China , according to China Beige Book chief economist Derek Scissors , the numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deploying testing throughout the country .
“ There ’ s been no mass testing , which means the numbers should not compared to the United States , where we are now doing , late , mass testing , ” he told CNBC on Monday .
The fact that the Chinese government is just starting to report asymptomatic carriers , “ more than two months after they applied a quarantine , ” is “ a good sign of what the Chinese have been doing ’ til now , ” Scissors said .
“ Add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Chinese Communist ] Party is not honest about anything that ’ s politically sensitive.
” Oficially , the number of cases in China has stayed almost entirely level throughout the month of March at 80,000 cases , more or less .
The Chinese had reported 3,316 deaths as of Wednesday morning , according to data from Johns Hopkins University ’ s Coronavirus Resource Center .
Almost all of those have been in Hubei Province , home to Wuhan , the original epicenter of the virus .
However , that ’ s if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and anecdotal reports out of Hubei cast serious doubt on whether the death toll is really that low .
According to a Radio Free Asia report Friday , there are seven large funeral homes that serve the city of Wuhan and its surrounding area .
Residents told Radio Free Asia the homes have been releasing the cremated remains of about 500 corpses a day to families , a number that suggests a far higher death total than the 3,000 deaths in Hubei that are in the official account .
Estimates put the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at upwards of 40,000 .
Estimates involving furnace activity at the funeral homes put cremations at roughly 46,8000 , Radio Free Asia reported .
“ It can ’ t be right … because the incinerators have been working round the clock , so how can so few people have died ?
” a resident identified as Zhang told Radio Free Asia .
That ’ s some very crude modeling and it ’ s unclear how Radio Free Asia was able to check these numbers to see whether they were even in the ballpark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depending on the accuracy of these anecdotal reports , they could indicate a dramatic shift in the coronavirus numbers and call into question virtually everything else about China ’ s response and reporting .
When 97 percent of U.S. coverage on nightly newscasts is completely uncritical toward the Beijing regime , that ’ s an appalling situation .
This is a country that covered up the existence of the virus , then instituted an oppressive crackdown to stop transmission .
It now demands plaudits for these policies , despite the fact that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong Free Press estimated that 95 percent of coronavirus cases could have been prevented had China moved quickly to prevent the disease from spreading .
And make no mistake , Beijing is trying really hard to get those plaudits through its propaganda channels , accusing the West of xenophobia while spreading innuendoes that maybe the virus was actually introduced into China by the United States .
Both are preposterous on face — and it ’ s worth noting , in the face of Beijing ’ s racism claims , that the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Communist Party ’ s mismanagement .
We can ’ t trust China ’ s numbers , methods or government .
Not 97 percent of the time .
Not even 1 percent .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Last week, the Media Resource Center released a study that found one-fifth of stories dealing with the coronavirus on nightly network newscasts in the U.S. used statistics from the Chinese government. Rather stunningly, 97 percent of the time, these statistics went unchallenged.
The study found only one mention, for instance, of the fact that China had covered up the extent of the SARS epidemic in 2002-03, which was caused by a related coronavirus. Only one mention of the fact that the Beijing government had censored information about the new coronavirus from appearing in Hong Kong. There has been little questioning of the accuracy of the numbers being presented to the world.
This could have been important context, particularly when you consider that new numbers confirm China’s been underreporting novel coronavirus cases all along — and that’s not even counting claims that the death toll in the Chinese city of Wuhan could be exponentially higher than Beijing had reported.
According to The Daily Caller, China’s National Health Commission revealed Wednesday via Chinese state media that the government hasn’t been reporting patients who have tested positive for coronavirus but are asymptomatic.
“From April 1, we will publish reports, outcomes and management of asymptomatic people in daily epidemic notifications, and respond to social concerns in a timely manner,” commission head Chang Jile said on China Central Television, the Daily Caller reported.
China says it’s currently monitoring 1,541 cases that are asymptomatic, according to The Daily Caller. In addition to that, government data obtained by the South China Morning Post and published March 22 found that China didn’t report 43,000 asymptomatic carriers that tested positive in February.
It’s unclear whether asymptomatic carriers can pass on the disease to others. The World Health Organization says that it’s “extremely rare” while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has reported transmission from silent carriers. It’s also unclear how this jibes with Beijing’s claims that there’ve been no new infections in the hardest-hit areas of the country.
On Feb. 7, Beijing changed its reporting guidelines on the novel coronavirus so that only cases showing symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, are counted in their total.
Reporting guidelines vary worldwide. In a country like South Korea, where the tests are freely available, all cases are reported. In countries like Italy and the United States, meanwhile, the tests are usually used on those who are already showing symptoms. In China, according to China Beige Book chief economist Derek Scissors, the numbers are problematic because Beijing isn’t deploying testing throughout the country.
Should China's coronavirus numbers be believed? Yes No
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“There’s been no mass testing, which means the numbers should not compared to the United States, where we are now doing, late, mass testing,” he told CNBC on Monday.
The fact that the Chinese government is just starting to report asymptomatic carriers, “more than two months after they applied a quarantine,” is “a good sign of what the Chinese have been doing ’til now,” Scissors said.
“Add to the fact that we know the [Chinese Communist] Party is not honest about anything that’s politically sensitive.”
Oficially, the number of cases in China has stayed almost entirely level throughout the month of March at 80,000 cases, more or less. The Chinese had reported 3,316 deaths as of Wednesday morning, according to data from Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center. Almost all of those have been in Hubei Province, home to Wuhan, the original epicenter of the virus.
However, that’s if these numbers are to be believed — and anecdotal reports out of Hubei cast serious doubt on whether the death toll is really that low.
According to a Radio Free Asia report Friday, there are seven large funeral homes that serve the city of Wuhan and its surrounding area. Residents told Radio Free Asia the homes have been releasing the cremated remains of about 500 corpses a day to families, a number that suggests a far higher death total than the 3,000 deaths in Hubei that are in the official account.
Estimates put the number of urns being delivered to funeral homes at upwards of 40,000. Estimates involving furnace activity at the funeral homes put cremations at roughly 46,8000, Radio Free Asia reported.
“It can’t be right … because the incinerators have been working round the clock, so how can so few people have died?” a resident identified as Zhang told Radio Free Asia.
That’s some very crude modeling and it’s unclear how Radio Free Asia was able to check these numbers to see whether they were even in the ballpark, so caveat lector. However, depending on the accuracy of these anecdotal reports, they could indicate a dramatic shift in the coronavirus numbers and call into question virtually everything else about China’s response and reporting.
When 97 percent of U.S. coverage on nightly newscasts is completely uncritical toward the Beijing regime, that’s an appalling situation. This is a country that covered up the existence of the virus, then instituted an oppressive crackdown to stop transmission.
It now demands plaudits for these policies, despite the fact that a study reported by the independent, nonprofit Hong Kong Free Press estimated that 95 percent of coronavirus cases could have been prevented had China moved quickly to prevent the disease from spreading.
And make no mistake, Beijing is trying really hard to get those plaudits through its propaganda channels, accusing the West of xenophobia while spreading innuendoes that maybe the virus was actually introduced into China by the United States. Both are preposterous on face — and it’s worth noting, in the face of Beijing’s racism claims, that the Chinese people have suffered more than anyone because of the Communist Party’s mismanagement.
We can’t trust China’s numbers, methods or government. Not 97 percent of the time. Not even 1 percent.
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westernjournal--2020-04-01--GOP Congressman Announces the ‘Beat China Act’

A Republican congressman from Texas has proposed legislation that would provide the impetus to wrest manufacturing of critical medicines needed by Americans out of the control of China .
“ This is something that I think a lot of the American people are starting to recognize that is a problem we need to address going forward , ” Rep. Chip Roy said Wednesday morning during an interview on Fox News ’ “ Fox & Friends.
” “ China , I think something like 97 percent of our antibiotics come either directly from China or have significant materials that are coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But , it ’ s not just China by the way , right ?
India — I think 40 percent of our generics come from India .
And this is something we need to deal with .
“ We have got a piece of legislation we are introducing — I think this week — we ’ re calling the ‘ Beat China Act , ’ but it will help us with all countries maintaining our ability to produce drugs here in the United States or at least in our territories and protectorates.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ To Take Back the $ 25 Million Kennedy Center Received in Coronavirus Bill Last month , a state-run Chinese media outlet said China had the power to plunge the United States “ into a mighty sea of coronavirus , ” Fox News reported Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said last month that China has “ a tremendous amount of leverage.
” “ They can threaten to cut us off from our pharmaceutical supplies , they could trigger a domestic problem here that would make it difficult or us to confront them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his legislation aims to address that through the tax code , to remedy a change that negatively affected pharmaceutical production in Puerto Rico , a U.S. territory .
“ We have got legislation that would just simply fix that tax code so that you are treated equally in Puerto Rico as you are even in the domestic and continental United States , ” he said .
“ And if we do that , we can bring back a lot of the pharmaceutical manufacturing that left Puerto Rico … and went offshore to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not alone .
Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin are also trying to revive America ’ s pharmaceutical sector .
“ I think we need to do a lot of different things , ” Roy said .
“ But what I ’ m trying to do is find ways to incentivize and encourage manufacturers to make these drugs here in the United States or in our territories where sometimes the price of manufacturing is a lot less than it is in the continental United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because these drugs are imperative for our national security and the well-being of our citizens.
” In a news release on his website , Roy said in a statement , “ If the Chinese wanted to put us in a serious bind , they could withhold these lifesaving drugs from the United States , as their own government-run newspapers have already suggested .
… “ There is much to do to ensure we are taking necessary actions to support proper public health and economic responses during the coronavirus pandemic , but we also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most concerning issues facing our country that have only been highlighted by the recent crisis .
I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to debate solutions to bringing the medical supply chain back to the U.S. ” China ’ s control of the U.S. pharmaceutical trade was decried by Rosemary Gibson of the Hastings Center last year during testimony to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission .
“ National health security and national security are threatened by U.S. dependence on China for thousands of ingredients and raw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s aim is to become the pharmacy to the world , and it is on track to achieve it .
China ’ s dominance is global , ” said Gibson , co-author of “ China Rx : Exposing the Risks of America ’ s Dependence on China for Medicine.
” She said then that China has already shown it can flex its muscles when it chooses .
“ As China gains more control over America ’ s supply of medicines , it could charge American consumers and patients higher prices , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep prices affordable , ” Gibson said .
“ This is not mere speculation .
China ’ s domestic companies formed a vitamin C cartel in the early 2000s and increased prices up to 600 percent , which increased the cost to American consumers and businesses.
” She added , “ The nation ’ s health security is in jeopardy .
The U.S. can no longer make penicillin .
The last U.S. penicillin fermentation plant closed in 2004.
” “ Medicines in the hands of an adversary can be weaponized .
Supplies can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with lethal contaminants or sold without any real medicine in them , rendering them ineffective , ” she testified .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A Republican congressman from Texas has proposed legislation that would provide the impetus to wrest manufacturing of critical medicines needed by Americans out of the control of China.
“This is something that I think a lot of the American people are starting to recognize that is a problem we need to address going forward,” Rep. Chip Roy said Wednesday morning during an interview on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.”
“China, I think something like 97 percent of our antibiotics come either directly from China or have significant materials that are coming through China,” he said. “But, it’s not just China by the way, right? India — I think 40 percent of our generics come from India. And this is something we need to deal with.
“We have got a piece of legislation we are introducing — I think this week — we’re calling the ‘Beat China Act,’ but it will help us with all countries maintaining our ability to produce drugs here in the United States or at least in our territories and protectorates.”
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
Last month, a state-run Chinese media outlet said China had the power to plunge the United States “into a mighty sea of coronavirus,” Fox News reported
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said last month that China has “a tremendous amount of leverage.”
“They can threaten to cut us off from our pharmaceutical supplies, they could trigger a domestic problem here that would make it difficult or us to confront them,” Rubio told Fox News.
Roy said his legislation aims to address that through the tax code, to remedy a change that negatively affected pharmaceutical production in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory.
Do you support Rep. Chip Roy's legislation? Yes No
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“We have got legislation that would just simply fix that tax code so that you are treated equally in Puerto Rico as you are even in the domestic and continental United States,” he said. “And if we do that, we can bring back a lot of the pharmaceutical manufacturing that left Puerto Rico … and went offshore to China.”
The congressman noted that he is not alone. Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin are also trying to revive America’s pharmaceutical sector.
“I think we need to do a lot of different things,” Roy said. “But what I’m trying to do is find ways to incentivize and encourage manufacturers to make these drugs here in the United States or in our territories where sometimes the price of manufacturing is a lot less than it is in the continental United States.
“We need to do it because these drugs are imperative for our national security and the well-being of our citizens.”
In a news release on his website, Roy said in a statement, “If the Chinese wanted to put us in a serious bind, they could withhold these lifesaving drugs from the United States, as their own government-run newspapers have already suggested. …
“There is much to do to ensure we are taking necessary actions to support proper public health and economic responses during the coronavirus pandemic, but we also need to look ahead to fixing some of the most concerning issues facing our country that have only been highlighted by the recent crisis. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to debate solutions to bringing the medical supply chain back to the U.S.”
China’s control of the U.S. pharmaceutical trade was decried by Rosemary Gibson of the Hastings Center last year during testimony to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
“National health security and national security are threatened by U.S. dependence on China for thousands of ingredients and raw materials to make our medicines. China’s aim is to become the pharmacy to the world, and it is on track to achieve it. China’s dominance is global,” said Gibson, co-author of “China Rx: Exposing the Risks of America’s Dependence on China for Medicine.”
She said then that China has already shown it can flex its muscles when it chooses.
“As China gains more control over America’s supply of medicines, it could charge American consumers and patients higher prices, or extort concessions from the federal government to keep prices affordable,” Gibson said. “This is not mere speculation. China’s domestic companies formed a vitamin C cartel in the early 2000s and increased prices up to 600 percent, which increased the cost to American consumers and businesses.”
She added, “The nation’s health security is in jeopardy. The U.S. can no longer make penicillin. The last U.S. penicillin fermentation plant closed in 2004.”
Gibson called the situation a national security risk.
“Medicines in the hands of an adversary can be weaponized. Supplies can be withheld. Medicines can be made with lethal contaminants or sold without any real medicine in them, rendering them ineffective,” she testified.
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westernjournal--2020-04-01--US Rep Calls Out European Leader’s Coronavirus ‘Power Grab’: ‘A Serious Affront to Democracy’

Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel of New York , chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee , accused Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban of using the coronavirus outbreak as an excuse to engage in a “ blatant power grab ” in order to rule “ like a dictator.
” Multiple European Union leaders have also spoken out forcefully against the new powers granted to Orban , who has been PM since 2010 .
The Washington Post reported the Hungarian parliament voted to give Orban “ the power to govern unchallenged for as long as he sees fit , a move rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union member state in the name of fighting the novel coronavirus.
” The “ coronavirus bill , ” passed 137 to 53 , places Hungary in a state of emergency indefinitely .
“ The law also punishes those who ‘ distort ’ or publish ‘ false ’ information on the outbreak with five years in jail , ” according to The Post .
TRENDING : House Republicans Push Bill To Take Back the $ 25 Million Kennedy Center Received in Coronavirus Bill Engel said in a Monday statement , “ Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the face of the worst global health crisis in recent history .
This legislation marginalizes the Hungarian parliament and allows Prime Minister Orban to rule by decree like a dictator.
” The congressman also highlighted that the coronavirus bill has “ no sunset clause or end date for when these powers would be terminated ; that decision would be made solely by the Prime Minister.
” “ The legislation solidifies his position as the incontestable ruler of a non-democratic Hungary , ” Engel said .
“ Such a serious affront to democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a NATO ally and EU member.
” Ursula von der Leyen , president of the European Commission ( the executive branch of the EU ) , issued a statement on Tuesday calling for all emergency measures to be “ limited to what is necessary and strictly proportionate ” and to not last indefinitely , The Guardian reported .
“ It is of utmost importance that emergency measures are not at the expense of our fundamental principles and values as set out in the treaties , ” von der Leyen added , without naming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Veld , a Dutch liberal member of EU ’ s parliament , who chairs the rule of law group in the body , was more direct .
“ Viktor Orban has completed his project of killing democracy and the rule of law in Hungary , ” she said , according to The Guardian .
“ Clearly , the actions of the Hungarian government are incompatible with EU membership.
” Didier Reynders , the EU commissioner for justice , also expressed concern about the new powers given to Orban .
The commission “ evaluates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with regard to fundamental rights , ” Reynders tweeted .
RELATED : Trump Warns Iran Is 'Planning a Sneak Attack on US Troops , ' Issues Threat “ This is particularly the case for the law passed today in [ Hungary ] concerning the state of emergency and new criminal penalties for the dissemination of false information , ” he added .
Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi called on the EU to respond and even expel Hungary from the EU if necessary .
“ I have been dreaming of a ‘ United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he wrote on Twitter .
“ Precisely for this reason , I have the right , and the duty , to say that after what Orban has done today , the European Union MUST act and make him change his mind .
Or , simply , expel Hungary from the Union.
” The Guardian reported that Orban ’ s spokesman , Zoltan Kovacs , responding specifically to von der Leyen ’ s statement , said that the legislation passed by Hungary ’ s parliament was “ congruent with the treaties and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus.
” Kovács further said the law was consistent with EU values , the rule of law and freedom of the press .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel of New York, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, accused Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban of using the coronavirus outbreak as an excuse to engage in a “blatant power grab” in order to rule “like a dictator.”
Multiple European Union leaders have also spoken out forcefully against the new powers granted to Orban, who has been PM since 2010.
The Washington Post reported the Hungarian parliament voted to give Orban “the power to govern unchallenged for as long as he sees fit, a move rights groups said effectively suspends democracy in the European Union member state in the name of fighting the novel coronavirus.”
The “coronavirus bill,” passed 137 to 53, places Hungary in a state of emergency indefinitely.
“The law also punishes those who ‘distort’ or publish ‘false’ information on the outbreak with five years in jail,” according to The Post.
Engel said in a Monday statement, “Prime Minister Orban is making a blatant power grab in the face of the worst global health crisis in recent history. This legislation marginalizes the Hungarian parliament and allows Prime Minister Orban to rule by decree like a dictator.”
The congressman also highlighted that the coronavirus bill has “no sunset clause or end date for when these powers would be terminated; that decision would be made solely by the Prime Minister.”
“The legislation solidifies his position as the incontestable ruler of a non-democratic Hungary,” Engel said. “Such a serious affront to democracy anywhere is outrageous, and particularly within a NATO ally and EU member.”
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission (the executive branch of the EU), issued a statement on Tuesday calling for all emergency measures to be “limited to what is necessary and strictly proportionate” and to not last indefinitely, The Guardian reported.
Do you agree that this was a "power grab?" Yes No
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“It is of utmost importance that emergency measures are not at the expense of our fundamental principles and values as set out in the treaties,” von der Leyen added, without naming Hungary specifically.
Sophie in’t Veld, a Dutch liberal member of EU’s parliament, who chairs the rule of law group in the body, was more direct.
“Viktor Orban has completed his project of killing democracy and the rule of law in Hungary,” she said, according to The Guardian. “Clearly, the actions of the Hungarian government are incompatible with EU membership.”
Didier Reynders, the EU commissioner for justice, also expressed concern about the new powers given to Orban.
The commission “evaluates the emergency measures taken by Member States with regard to fundamental rights,” Reynders tweeted.
?? @EU_Commission evaluates the emergency measures taken by Member States with regard to fundamental rights. This is particularly the case for the law passed today in #Hungary concerning the state of emergency and new criminal penalties for the dissemination of false information. — didier reynders (@dreynders) March 30, 2020
“This is particularly the case for the law passed today in [Hungary] concerning the state of emergency and new criminal penalties for the dissemination of false information,” he added.
Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi called on the EU to respond and even expel Hungary from the EU if necessary.
“I have been dreaming of a ‘United States of Europe’ for years,” he wrote on Twitter.
I have been dreaming of a “United States of Europe” for years. Precisely for this reason, I have the right, and the duty, to say that after what Orban has done today, the European Union MUST act and make him change his mind. Or, simply, expel Hungary from the Union — Matteo Renzi (@matteorenzi) March 30, 2020
“Precisely for this reason, I have the right, and the duty, to say that after what Orban has done today, the European Union MUST act and make him change his mind. Or, simply, expel Hungary from the Union.”
The Guardian reported that Orban’s spokesman, Zoltan Kovacs, responding specifically to von der Leyen’s statement, said that the legislation passed by Hungary’s parliament was “congruent with the treaties and the Hungarian constitution and targeted exclusively at fighting the coronavirus.”
Kovács further said the law was consistent with EU values, the rule of law and freedom of the press.
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