westernjournal--2020-05-19--Legislation To Block Relief ‘Bailouts’ for Illegal Immigrants Announced

Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton announced legislation Tuesday that would prevent state and local governments from using public funds to make coronavirus assistance payments to individuals living in the United States illegally .
Cotton plans to introduce the No Bailouts for Illegal Aliens Act , an amendment to the CARES Act that would restrict any future payments to states or municipalities until they certify they ’ re not distributing stimulus checks or other payments to illegal aliens .
“ Congress passed the CARES Act to help workers impacted by the China virus pandemic , not to give a handout to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Cotton said in a prepared statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
“ The federal government shouldn ’ t be subsidizing states ’ efforts to send cash to illegal aliens.
” Under the auspices of the bill , states or municipalities would be deemed ineligible for further funds provided by the CARES Act if they are not compliant with the certification requirements .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' Cotton ’ s office specifically singled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applications from illegal aliens for direct cash assistance .
Cotton ’ s bill does not affect the loans offered to companies and non-profit groups under the CARES Act , and also does not affect the unemployment measures or relief checks given to American under the CARES Act .
“ States and municipalities that refuse to comply with the certification requirement will not be eligible for CARES Act funds , ” Cotton ’ s office said in a news release .
“ The bill will not affect any of the Paycheck Protection Program loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nonprofit organizations , ” the release added .
“ The bill also will not affect the unemployment provisions or the relief checks offered to Americans under the CARES Act.
” Introduction of the legislation marks the latest back-and-forth between Democrats and Republicans on the issue of coronavirus relief for those living in the U.S. illegally .
The CARES Act , the first major stimulus bill passed by Congress to provide economic relief to the country , did not allow illegal aliens to be eligible for assistance , sparking protest from some Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 in 4 Americans Blame China for US Coronavirus Death Toll The House of Representatives , controlled by the Democratic Party , has since passed the HEROES Act , which if signed into law would make many illegal aliens eligible for cash assistance by way of Taxpayer Identification Numbers .
On the day the House Democrats introduced their bill , House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy called it a “ liberal wishlist that has no chance of becoming law.
” The White House has also indicated that the Democrats ’ coronavirus package is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton announced legislation Tuesday that would prevent state and local governments from using public funds to make coronavirus assistance payments to individuals living in the United States illegally.
Cotton plans to introduce the No Bailouts for Illegal Aliens Act, an amendment to the CARES Act that would restrict any future payments to states or municipalities until they certify they’re not distributing stimulus checks or other payments to illegal aliens.
“Congress passed the CARES Act to help workers impacted by the China virus pandemic, not to give a handout to those who broke our immigration laws,” Cotton said in a prepared statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“The federal government shouldn’t be subsidizing states’ efforts to send cash to illegal aliens.”
Under the auspices of the bill, states or municipalities would be deemed ineligible for further funds provided by the CARES Act if they are not compliant with the certification requirements.
Congress passed the CARES Act to help workers impacted by the China virus pandemic, not to give a handout to those who broke our immigration laws. The federal government shouldn’t be subsidizing states’ efforts to send cash to illegal aliens. https://t.co/oG8Yrvd7YO — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) May 19, 2020
Cotton’s office specifically singled out California, which on Monday began accepting applications from illegal aliens for direct cash assistance.
Cotton’s bill does not affect the loans offered to companies and non-profit groups under the CARES Act, and also does not affect the unemployment measures or relief checks given to American under the CARES Act.
Do you think illegal immigrants should receive coronavirus relief funds? Yes No
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“States and municipalities that refuse to comply with the certification requirement will not be eligible for CARES Act funds,” Cotton’s office said in a news release.
“The bill will not affect any of the Paycheck Protection Program loans offered under the CARES Act to companies and nonprofit organizations,” the release added.
“The bill also will not affect the unemployment provisions or the relief checks offered to Americans under the CARES Act.”
Introduction of the legislation marks the latest back-and-forth between Democrats and Republicans on the issue of coronavirus relief for those living in the U.S. illegally.
The CARES Act, the first major stimulus bill passed by Congress to provide economic relief to the country, did not allow illegal aliens to be eligible for assistance, sparking protest from some Democratic lawmakers.
The House of Representatives, controlled by the Democratic Party, has since passed the HEROES Act, which if signed into law would make many illegal aliens eligible for cash assistance by way of Taxpayer Identification Numbers.
On the day the House Democrats introduced their bill, House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy called it a “liberal wishlist that has no chance of becoming law.” The White House has also indicated that the Democrats’ coronavirus package is a no-go.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--Navarro: China Cut Off Domestic Travel from Wuhan but Allowed Int’l Travel To Continue, Spreading CO

Navarro: China Cut Off Domestic Travel from Wuhan but Allowed Int’l Travel To Continue, Spreading COVID

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro says China ’ s actions early on in the pandemic were responsible for its spread beyond the original hot spots .
Navarro threw a few pointed questions China ’ s way during an interview broadcast Friday on the Fox Business program “ WSJ at Large.
” Chief among these : Why did China restrict domestic travel to and from Wuhan while allowing international travel out of the city to continue ?
Navarro , a trade hawk and a China hawk in particular , discussed his belief that our supply chain needs to move back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be serious changes to how we do business with China .
In the interview , Navarro again pushed for China to pay for the coronavirus outbreak , at least in part .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' “ I think there needs to be a national discussion , has to be bipartisan … about compensatory damages by a country that inflicted this pandemic on the world , ” Navarro said .
The mechanism that would bring this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something Navarro was yet clear on .
“ That ’ s above my pay grade , but you ’ re asking me important questions , ” he said .
“ I ’ m simply suggesting to you that this crisis , and China ’ s role in virtually manufacturing this whole crisis , we need to have a national discussion.
” However , he was clear on one thing : Beijing ’ s subterfuge in keeping the virus secret was deliberate and deadly .
“ China hid the virus behind the shield of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a time , Gerry , when that virus could have been contained in Wuhan , ” he told host Gerry Baker .
“ Instead , what China did was put hundreds of thousands of Wuhanians and Chinese on planes that were allowed to go to Milan and New York and elsewhere , but not to Beijing and Shanghai.
” Baker asked him if he was saying that “ China , quite deliberately — shutting off some , a lot of domestic travel , but allowing international travel — quite deliberately knew how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be exported , along with a lot of other Chinese exports to the United States and elsewhere ?
” RELATED : COVID Study Calls Into Question Every Bureaucrat Who Had Cops Arrest People at Parks , Beaches “ That ’ s a matter of fact .
It should not be in dispute , ” Navarro replied .
Navarro is one of the individuals who believe that the novel coronavirus “ could have been contained in Wuhan.
” Whether or not this is accurate is a matter of dispute .
However , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that , at the time the virus was raging in China , it was the United States that was cutting off international flights to China as opposed to the other way around .
As we speak , another 100 million people in a different part of China are under lockdown .
According to Bloomberg News , thanks to 34 new cases in Jilin province , authorities have instituted Wuhan-style stay-at-home orders .
If you think that Gretchen Whitmer is going too far — well , she is , but she ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns .
Bloomberg reported that under the lockdown order in the city of Shulan , “ only one person from each family allowed to leave to purchase essentials for two hours every two days.
” That ’ s quite a bit different from how things work here .
There isn ’ t really anywhere for the residents of Shulan to go on international flights , but imagine if there were .
The Chinese government had absolutely no interest in stopping such flights the first time — at least not immediately .
Would they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would end international flights , if just because the eyes of the world are upon them now .
The question asks itself , however : Why didn ’ t they do it the first time , then ?
China dissembled constantly at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic for reasons we may never fully understand .
If one were to guess , it likely had to do with maintaining stability at home and face with the outside world by projecting an image of a country that had it under control .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that , we ’ re in profound misery .
Even if China didn ’ t exercise the deliberate agency Peter Navarro is talking about , the untold suffering they ’ ve caused doesn ’ t just deserve recompense , it demands it .
The left is never going to demand it , which is why the Trump administration needs to .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro says China’s actions early on in the pandemic were responsible for its spread beyond the original hot spots.
Navarro threw a few pointed questions China’s way during an interview broadcast Friday on the Fox Business program “WSJ at Large.”
Chief among these: Why did China restrict domestic travel to and from Wuhan while allowing international travel out of the city to continue?
Navarro, a trade hawk and a China hawk in particular, discussed his belief that our supply chain needs to move back to the United States and that there must be serious changes to how we do business with China.
In the interview, Navarro again pushed for China to pay for the coronavirus outbreak, at least in part.
“I think there needs to be a national discussion, has to be bipartisan … about compensatory damages by a country that inflicted this pandemic on the world,” Navarro said.
The mechanism that would bring this about, however, wasn’t something Navarro was yet clear on. Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
“That’s above my pay grade, but you’re asking me important questions,” he said.
“I’m simply suggesting to you that this crisis, and China’s role in virtually manufacturing this whole crisis, we need to have a national discussion.”
Should China have to pay for its role in the coronavirus pandemic? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (773 Votes) No: 0% (1 Votes)
However, he was clear on one thing: Beijing’s subterfuge in keeping the virus secret was deliberate and deadly.
“China hid the virus behind the shield of the World Health Organization, and that was a time, Gerry, when that virus could have been contained in Wuhan,” he told host Gerry Baker.
“Instead, what China did was put hundreds of thousands of Wuhanians and Chinese on planes that were allowed to go to Milan and New York and elsewhere, but not to Beijing and Shanghai.”
Baker asked him if he was saying that “China, quite deliberately — shutting off some, a lot of domestic travel, but allowing international travel — quite deliberately knew how serious this was and allowed the virus to be exported, along with a lot of other Chinese exports to the United States and elsewhere?”
“That’s a matter of fact. It should not be in dispute,” Navarro replied.
Navarro is one of the individuals who believe that the novel coronavirus “could have been contained in Wuhan.” Whether or not this is accurate is a matter of dispute. However, one of the things we so easily forget is that, at the time the virus was raging in China, it was the United States that was cutting off international flights to China as opposed to the other way around.
As we speak, another 100 million people in a different part of China are under lockdown.
According to Bloomberg News, thanks to 34 new cases in Jilin province, authorities have instituted Wuhan-style stay-at-home orders. If you think that Gretchen Whitmer is going too far — well, she is, but she’s got nothing on how Xi Jinping does lockdowns.
Bloomberg reported that under the lockdown order in the city of Shulan, “only one person from each family allowed to leave to purchase essentials for two hours every two days.”
That’s quite a bit different from how things work here.
There isn’t really anywhere for the residents of Shulan to go on international flights, but imagine if there were. The Chinese government had absolutely no interest in stopping such flights the first time — at least not immediately.
Would they do it this time?
I imagine they would end international flights, if just because the eyes of the world are upon them now. The question asks itself, however: Why didn’t they do it the first time, then?
China dissembled constantly at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic for reasons we may never fully understand. If one were to guess, it likely had to do with maintaining stability at home and face with the outside world by projecting an image of a country that had it under control.
They didn’t — and, thanks to that, we’re in profound misery. Even if China didn’t exercise the deliberate agency Peter Navarro is talking about, the untold suffering they’ve caused doesn’t just deserve recompense, it demands it.
The left is never going to demand it, which is why the Trump administration needs to.
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--Anti-Border Wall De Blasio Now Considering Using a Fence To Keep New Yorkers Off the Beach

A large wall to keep people out .
For the past few years , New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has blasted President Donald Trump over his plans to construct a wall along the border between Mexico and the United States .
The goal of the wall is to make sure those entering the country do it legally .
Trump has battled liberals over this issue since he took office in 2017 .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' De Blasio has called the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the construction of the wall “ inhumane ” and , of course , “ racist.
” But now the mayor is considering the same approach .
He said Sunday he has not ruled out building a wall or fence along his city ’ s beaches to keep New Yorkers from having fun as Memorial Day weekend approaches .
In an interview with Fox News , de Blasio said he didn ’ t want to build a wall but he might have to in order to keep the people away from the water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very quickly , ” de Blasio told Fox News ’ Maria Bartiromo .
“ We are so far from being out of the woods here in the epicenter , and until we are safe , no beaches are open.
” Trump is building a wall along the southern border to protect the sovereignty of the United States .
He is using the might and intelligence of the military to accomplish this mission .
De Blasio hinted that he might want the same military to construct a wall for him .
But what are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blasio wants to satisfy his craving for authority and to control the residents he represents .
There is a difference .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that the state ’ s beaches will be open for Memorial Day weekend .
Thousands of people usually gather to observe the time that is set aside to honor the military personnel who died while protecting the United States .
But not if de Blasio has his way .
RELATED : Watch Horde of Cops Take Woman to Ground for Refusing To Wear Mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ folks in local communities ” can still walk on the beach and on the boardwalk , but they are forbidden from swimming or congregating .
To enforce his decrees , de Blasio said he will deploy the New York Police Department and officers in the Parks Department .
What will it say to Americans if they see police officers lined up to keep them out of the water ?
This move would have the appearance of a totalitarian regime .
The mayor ’ s position to entertain building a wall to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ironic and hypocritical .
He views it as a method to enforce his edicts at the same time that he rips the president ’ s border wall as racist and inhumane .
So is de Blasio ’ s effort to cut off public access to the beaches also racist and inhumane ?
Or is it another opportunity for a liberal official to use the pandemic as a power grab to control the citizens ?
The left clearly does not care about the safety of the American people .
It only cares about controlling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A large wall to keep people out.
What a novel idea.
For the past few years, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has blasted President Donald Trump over his plans to construct a wall along the border between Mexico and the United States.
The goal of the wall is to make sure those entering the country do it legally.
Trump has battled liberals over this issue since he took office in 2017.
De Blasio has called the president’s attempt to keep the nation safe with the construction of the wall “inhumane” and, of course, “racist.”
But now the mayor is considering the same approach.
He said Sunday he has not ruled out building a wall or fence along his city’s beaches to keep New Yorkers from having fun as Memorial Day weekend approaches.
In an interview with Fox News, de Blasio said he didn’t want to build a wall but he might have to in order to keep the people away from the water.
“Our beaches get very crowded very quickly,” de Blasio told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo. “We are so far from being out of the woods here in the epicenter, and until we are safe, no beaches are open.”
Trump is building a wall along the southern border to protect the sovereignty of the United States. He is using the might and intelligence of the military to accomplish this mission. De Blasio hinted that he might want the same military to construct a wall for him.
But what are his motives? It appears that de Blasio wants to satisfy his craving for authority and to control the residents he represents. There is a difference.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that the state’s beaches will be open for Memorial Day weekend. Thousands of people usually gather to observe the time that is set aside to honor the military personnel who died while protecting the United States.
But not if de Blasio has his way.
The mayor said that “folks in local communities” can still walk on the beach and on the boardwalk, but they are forbidden from swimming or congregating.
To enforce his decrees, de Blasio said he will deploy the New York Police Department and officers in the Parks Department.
What will it say to Americans if they see police officers lined up to keep them out of the water? This move would have the appearance of a totalitarian regime.
Do you think Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 89% (358 Votes) No: 11% (43 Votes)
The mayor’s position to entertain building a wall to keep people out of the water is ironic and hypocritical. He views it as a method to enforce his edicts at the same time that he rips the president’s border wall as racist and inhumane.
So is de Blasio’s effort to cut off public access to the beaches also racist and inhumane?
Or is it another opportunity for a liberal official to use the pandemic as a power grab to control the citizens?
The left clearly does not care about the safety of the American people. It only cares about controlling them.
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--Biden Finally Unveils His Underwhelming Nickname for Trump

Former Vice President Joe Biden has given President Donald Trump a new moniker in an apparent attempt to mimic Trump ’ s habit of skewering his opponents by assigning them nicknames .
Biden , the Democrats ’ presumptive presidential nominee , gave Trump a nickname that left many wondering whether he should leave the use of sobriquets to his rival .
The former vice president described Trump as “ President Tweety ” Monday as an apparent reference to Trump ’ s frequent use of Twitter to reach his 80 million followers .
“ Sleepy Joe , ” as the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic to the Asian American and Pacific Islander Victory Fund ’ s progressive summit .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' “ Trump is out there tweeting again this morning .
I call him President Tweety .
Reopen the country , end of quote , ” Biden said from his home in Delaware .
The reference was to a tweet Trump posted Monday that read , “ REOPEN OUR COUNTRY !
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you ’ re sitting on the money small businesses need in order to stay alive ?
Stop tweeting about it .
Get the money out to Main Street now .
It ’ s there .
It ’ s been passed , ” Biden said .
The nickname , though , was underwhelming , according to many who have weighed in .
Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly , who butted heads with Trump beginning in August 2015 at the first Republican primary debate , wrote on Twitter , “ People not named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game.
” “ No one seems very good at it and it ’ s embarrassing , ” she wrote .
RELATED : First Four Facts You Need To Know About Kamala Harris Donald Trump Jr. , meanwhile , described Biden ’ s label of his father as “ cringeworthy.
” “ ‘ President Tweety ’ is exactly the type of high quality nickname that you would expect to come from someone who uses the phrase ‘ lying dog-faced pony soldier ’ like it ’ s a normal thing to say , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed out that Biden ’ s attempt at giving the president a bird-related label was nearly drowned out by the sound of geese honking in the background .
During an interview with Snapchat last week , Biden last week had said he was “ resisting ” giving Trump a nickname .
“ Look , Trump is a master at laying nicknames on people , but the vast majority of the voters out there that have voted , including young people , are not getting all their news from the internet , ” Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign ’ s presence on social media .
“ And — but I ’ m trying to compete there.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Former Vice President Joe Biden has given President Donald Trump a new moniker in an apparent attempt to mimic Trump’s habit of skewering his opponents by assigning them nicknames.
Biden, the Democrats’ presumptive presidential nominee, gave Trump a nickname that left many wondering whether he should leave the use of sobriquets to his rival.
The former vice president described Trump as “President Tweety” Monday as an apparent reference to Trump’s frequent use of Twitter to reach his 80 million followers.
Do you think "President Tweety" is a good nickname for Trump? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 24% (358 Votes) No: 76% (1124 Votes)
“Sleepy Joe,” as the president calls Biden, was complaining about Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic to the Asian American and Pacific Islander Victory Fund’s progressive summit.
“Trump is out there tweeting again this morning. I call him President Tweety. Reopen the country, end of quote,” Biden said from his home in Delaware.
Joe Biden reveals his nickname for Donald Trump is “President Tweety” Read more at @nypost https://t.co/6XPeCgpHNo pic.twitter.com/LUcSrI7g5b — Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) May 19, 2020
The reference was to a tweet Trump posted Monday that read, “REOPEN OUR COUNTRY!”
REOPEN OUR COUNTRY! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 18, 2020
“How are we supposed to do that if you’re sitting on the money small businesses need in order to stay alive? Stop tweeting about it. Get the money out to Main Street now. It’s there. It’s been passed,” Biden said.
The nickname, though, was underwhelming, according to many who have weighed in.
Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly, who butted heads with Trump beginning in August 2015 at the first Republican primary debate, wrote on Twitter, “People not named Trump should really stop playing the nickname game.”
“No one seems very good at it and it’s embarrassing,” she wrote.
People not named Trump should really stop playing the nickname game. No one seems very good at it and it’s embarrassing. https://t.co/PLXehqlHeI — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) May 19, 2020
Donald Trump Jr., meanwhile, described Biden’s label of his father as “cringeworthy.”
“‘President Tweety’ is exactly the type of high quality nickname that you would expect to come from someone who uses the phrase ‘lying dog-faced pony soldier’ like it’s a normal thing to say,” the president’s son tweeted.
“President Tweety” is exactly the type of high quality nickname that you would expect to come from someone who uses the phrase “lying dog-faced pony soldier” like it’s a normal thing to say. So cringeworthy! ??? — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 18, 2020
Others pointed out that Biden’s attempt at giving the president a bird-related label was nearly drowned out by the sound of geese honking in the background.
OFF THE RAILS: Biden Calls Trump ‘President Tweetie,’ Random Man Appears in Background, Birds Interrupt https://t.co/nOsN5ZODt7 — Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) May 19, 2020
Biden was drowned out by honking geese the moment he referred to “President Tweety” https://t.co/IHavGI8uMN via @BreitbartNews — Joel B. Pollak (@joelpollak) May 19, 2020
During an interview with Snapchat last week, Biden last week had said he was “resisting” giving Trump a nickname.
“Look, Trump is a master at laying nicknames on people, but the vast majority of the voters out there that have voted, including young people, are not getting all their news from the internet,” Biden said of trying to keep up with the Trump campaign’s presence on social media. “And — but I’m trying to compete there.”
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--15 NCAA Teams Hit with Postseason Bans

15 NCAA Teams Hit with Postseason Bans

The number of teams facing postseason bans because of low scores on the NCAA ’ s Academic Progress Rate has nearly doubled in one year .
Fifteen teams face the most severe sanction next season or the season after compared with eight in 2019-20 .
Stephen F. Austin and Alabama A & M each had three teams on the list released Tuesday .
Any teams posting a four-year score below 930 , which predicts about a 50 percent graduation rate , can be penalized .
Scores are based on academic eligibility , graduation and retention .
Each athlete receives one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eligible and another if they graduate or return to school for the next term .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' The NCAA announced last week that a record 1,266 teams had perfect scores of 1,000 .
But these scores , which cover 2015-16 through 2018-19 , shows seven teams in Division I falling below 900 , with two each at Stephen F. Austin and Alabama A & M .
The men ’ s basketball team at Stephen F. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Division I team , an 810 , while the Lumberjacks ’ football program finished with an 894 .
Both programs , along with the school ’ s baseball team , now face postseason bans .
Ryan Ivey , athletic director of the school in Nacogdoches , Texas , declined to comment ahead of a news conference later Wednesday .
Alabama A & M ’ s men ’ s track and field team posted the second-lowest score in the nation , 866 , and will be prohibited from postseason play along with its men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soccer teams .
Athletic director Kenyatta Walker , however , cited improving single-year scores as well as better marks in other sports as examples of progress the school ’ s athletes have made in the classroom .
“ Our student-athletes have been resilient and have risen to the occasion , ” Walker said .
“ We are excited to see the continued improvement in our athletic department ’ s APR scores , this is a true testament to the commitment and excellence from our student-athletes , the academic support staff and coaches.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which can include reductions in practice time and games played , 18 are from historically black colleges and universities .
The other five : the Chicago State men ’ s basketball program , McNeese State ’ s football program and the three teams from Stephen F. Austin .
Those schools could elect to delay the penalty by one year following last week ’ s vote by the Division I committee on academics .
Howard and Prairie View A & M will be ineligible in football , while Delaware State and Alabama State face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The current state of our men ’ s basketball program as it pertains to APR has been difficult for all parties involved , ” Alabama State athletic director Jennifer Lynne Williams said .
“ The staff of ASU ’ s department of intercollegiate athletics is particularly saddened for our student-athletes .
Their complete student-athlete experience is what we value most , and to have an obstacle such as this one impede on their experience is extremely disappointing.
” All of this comes at a time the NCAA ’ s numbers reveal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted an overall score of 983 for the third consecutive year .
When broken down by sport , things didn ’ t change much , either .
Baseball and women ’ s basketball teams each improved by one point , to 977 and 983 , respectively , while football maintained last year ’ s score of 977 .
Men ’ s basketball dropped one point to 966 .
And for the first time , schools will see an economic payoff from classroom success .
The NCAA will distribute money to schools that post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or higher ; have a Graduation Success Rate of 90 percent or higher ; or produce a federal graduation rate among athletes that tops the federal average of nonathletes by at least 13 percentage points .
The Division I board of directors said it will not announce which schools receive the payout but acknowledged the dollar amounts were impacted by the cancellation of the men ’ s basketball tournament .
“ The sustained academic achievement of Division I student-athletes is nothing short of remarkable , ” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the classroom is just as evident as their efforts on the field .
Their success is something to be celebrated.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The number of teams facing postseason bans because of low scores on the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate has nearly doubled in one year.
Fifteen teams face the most severe sanction next season or the season after compared with eight in 2019-20.
Stephen F. Austin and Alabama A&M each had three teams on the list released Tuesday.
Any teams posting a four-year score below 930, which predicts about a 50 percent graduation rate, can be penalized.
Scores are based on academic eligibility, graduation and retention. Each athlete receives one point per semester if they remain academically eligible and another if they graduate or return to school for the next term.
The NCAA announced last week that a record 1,266 teams had perfect scores of 1,000.
But these scores, which cover 2015-16 through 2018-19, shows seven teams in Division I falling below 900, with two each at Stephen F. Austin and Alabama A&M.
The men’s basketball team at Stephen F. Austin posted the worst score of any Division I team, an 810, while the Lumberjacks’ football program finished with an 894. Both programs, along with the school’s baseball team, now face postseason bans.
Ryan Ivey, athletic director of the school in Nacogdoches, Texas, declined to comment ahead of a news conference later Wednesday.
Do you think the NCAA's penalties for athletes' academic struggles are fair? Yes No
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Alabama A&M’s men’s track and field team posted the second-lowest score in the nation, 866, and will be prohibited from postseason play along with its men’s basketball and women’s soccer teams.
Athletic director Kenyatta Walker, however, cited improving single-year scores as well as better marks in other sports as examples of progress the school’s athletes have made in the classroom.
“Our student-athletes have been resilient and have risen to the occasion,” Walker said. “We are excited to see the continued improvement in our athletic department’s APR scores, this is a true testament to the commitment and excellence from our student-athletes, the academic support staff and coaches.”
Of the 23 teams facing penalties, which can include reductions in practice time and games played, 18 are from historically black colleges and universities. The other five: the Chicago State men’s basketball program, McNeese State’s football program and the three teams from Stephen F. Austin.
Those schools could elect to delay the penalty by one year following last week’s vote by the Division I committee on academics.
Howard and Prairie View A&M will be ineligible in football, while Delaware State and Alabama State face tourney bans in men’s basketball.
“The current state of our men’s basketball program as it pertains to APR has been difficult for all parties involved,” Alabama State athletic director Jennifer Lynne Williams said. “The staff of ASU’s department of intercollegiate athletics is particularly saddened for our student-athletes. Their complete student-athlete experience is what we value most, and to have an obstacle such as this one impede on their experience is extremely disappointing.”
All of this comes at a time the NCAA’s numbers reveal a rather stable academic picture: Athletes posted an overall score of 983 for the third consecutive year.
When broken down by sport, things didn’t change much, either. Baseball and women’s basketball teams each improved by one point, to 977 and 983, respectively, while football maintained last year’s score of 977. Men’s basketball dropped one point to 966.
And for the first time, schools will see an economic payoff from classroom success.
The NCAA will distribute money to schools that post an all-sport, single-year score of 985 or higher; have a Graduation Success Rate of 90 percent or higher; or produce a federal graduation rate among athletes that tops the federal average of nonathletes by at least 13 percentage points.
The Division I board of directors said it will not announce which schools receive the payout but acknowledged the dollar amounts were impacted by the cancellation of the men’s basketball tournament.
“The sustained academic achievement of Division I student-athletes is nothing short of remarkable,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a statement. “Their hard work in the classroom is just as evident as their efforts on the field. Their success is something to be celebrated.”
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--Feds Buying Up Riot Gear for Veterans Department That Used To Be Unarmed

Even by the distinctly low standards of what the government is prone to spend taxpayer funds on , a series of purchase order requests by the federal government for security and police designed to guard — of all places — Veterans Affairs facilities is a new , strange nadir .
According to The Intercept , the federal government has ramped up spending in one curious area , beefing up its riot gear for federal police protecting VA facilities .
This has been done under the aegis of a special authorization designed to expedite requests “ in response to Covid-19 outbreak.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ VA ’ s special contracts for security services have been extended .
The orders include , according to The Intercept , “ disposable cuffs , gas masks , ballistic helmets , and riot gloves , along with law enforcement protective equipment ” for federal police guarding VA health care centers around the country .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' This isn ’ t the first time , believe it or not , that riot gear has gone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously that “ [ b ] etween 2005 and 2014 , VA police departments acquired millions of dollars ’ worth of body armor , chemical agents , night vision equipment , and other weapons and tactical gear.
” However , a December 2018 report from the VA ’ s Office of the Inspector General found that they “ did not have adequate and coordinated governance over its police program to ensure effective management and oversight for its approximately 4,000-strong police officer workforce , ” which isn ’ t a particularly comforting thought .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one wonders ?
“ In the summer of 2000 , less than 20 VA hospitals had an armed police force .
Today , more than 1,900 of VA ’ s approximately 2,200 police officers carry a firearm , ” a 2002 VA publication noted .
We ’ re now at the point where they have night vision equipment — and for what ?
Are they doing tactical strikes protecting their local VA ?
One clue might be found in this paragraph in The Intercept ’ s Sunday report : “ Redcon Solutions Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq War veterans , has won over $ 1.6 million in contracts to provide guards for ‘ Covid-19 screening security guard services.
’ Similar contracts have gone out to private security firms to guard VA facilities in San Francisco , Des Moines , and Fayetteville , among others.
” This is apparently a major concern among those currently working at the VA — that COVID-19 testing could end up posing a danger to the VA police force .
Not only was there “ a rise in absentee staff due to childcare issues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absences .
One facility reported absenteeism of older employees due to concerns with their own safety in light of COVID-19 risks , ” according to a VA OIG report from March 19-24 , but there was also “ the need for additional police presence for COVID-19-related screenings .
The remaining two facilities were concerned with the potential need for additional police presence in a surge and budget-related issues.
” RELATED : Veterans Set Ilhan Omar Straight After She Pushes for Major GI Bill Change Fair enough , but what ’ s the riot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afraid of their people , mind you , but not like this .
There ’ s no outstanding security issue at our VA health facilities at the moment that would warrant this equipment , and the mere suggestion there might be by purchasing this COVID-related minatory ephemera is an insult not only to the American taxpayer but to the veterans who the VA serves .
I understand that this was money that was probably out there for the taking and that agencies which are eligible always find reasons to take it whether they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last thing our veterans want to see is their own health care facilities being militarized .
In the very best situation , gas masks and riot gloves sit unused in a police locker inside the VA police facility , gathering dust and reminding us all how we were willing to set fire to piles of money in the spring of 2020 as if the vaccine for the novel coronavirus was somehow inside one of those $ 100 bills and needed to be released via immolation .
At worst , the riot gear gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that makes us wish we had burned that money .
The VA has had enough problems over the past decade or so to that it doesn ’ t need its police force to be turned into NYPD riot cops .
COVID-19 hasn ’ t changed that .
You don ’ t need to be a civil libertarian to realize the arrant danger this weapons buy — and make no mistake , that ’ s what this is — puts our veterans in .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Even by the distinctly low standards of what the government is prone to spend taxpayer funds on, a series of purchase order requests by the federal government for security and police designed to guard — of all places — Veterans Affairs facilities is a new, strange nadir.
According to The Intercept, the federal government has ramped up spending in one curious area, beefing up its riot gear for federal police protecting VA facilities.
This has been done under the aegis of a special authorization designed to expedite requests “in response to Covid-19 outbreak.”
In addition to that, the VA’s special contracts for security services have been extended.
The orders include, according to The Intercept, “disposable cuffs, gas masks, ballistic helmets, and riot gloves, along with law enforcement protective equipment” for federal police guarding VA health care centers around the country.
This isn’t the first time, believe it or not, that riot gear has gone to VA police departments.
The Intercept reported previously that “[b]etween 2005 and 2014, VA police departments acquired millions of dollars’ worth of body armor, chemical agents, night vision equipment, and other weapons and tactical gear.”
However, a December 2018 report from the VA’s Office of the Inspector General found that they “did not have adequate and coordinated governance over its police program to ensure effective management and oversight for its approximately 4,000-strong police officer workforce,” which isn’t a particularly comforting thought.
And how did we get there, one wonders?
Should the VA be buying riot gear? Yes No
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“In the summer of 2000, less than 20 VA hospitals had an armed police force. Today, more than 1,900 of VA’s approximately 2,200 police officers carry a firearm,” a 2002 VA publication noted.
We’re now at the point where they have night vision equipment — and for what? Are they doing tactical strikes protecting their local VA?
One clue might be found in this paragraph in The Intercept’s Sunday report: “Redcon Solutions Group, a private security company founded by Iraq War veterans, has won over $1.6 million in contracts to provide guards for ‘Covid-19 screening security guard services.’ Similar contracts have gone out to private security firms to guard VA facilities in San Francisco, Des Moines, and Fayetteville, among others.”
This is apparently a major concern among those currently working at the VA — that COVID-19 testing could end up posing a danger to the VA police force.
Not only was there “a rise in absentee staff due to childcare issues, school closures, and planned spring break absences. One facility reported absenteeism of older employees due to concerns with their own safety in light of COVID-19 risks,” according to a VA OIG report from March 19-24, but there was also “the need for additional police presence for COVID-19-related screenings. The remaining two facilities were concerned with the potential need for additional police presence in a surge and budget-related issues.”
Fair enough, but what’s the riot gear for again?
Governments should be afraid of their people, mind you, but not like this. There’s no outstanding security issue at our VA health facilities at the moment that would warrant this equipment, and the mere suggestion there might be by purchasing this COVID-related minatory ephemera is an insult not only to the American taxpayer but to the veterans who the VA serves.
I understand that this was money that was probably out there for the taking and that agencies which are eligible always find reasons to take it whether they need to or not.
But the last thing our veterans want to see is their own health care facilities being militarized.
In the very best situation, gas masks and riot gloves sit unused in a police locker inside the VA police facility, gathering dust and reminding us all how we were willing to set fire to piles of money in the spring of 2020 as if the vaccine for the novel coronavirus was somehow inside one of those $100 bills and needed to be released via immolation.
At worst, the riot gear gets used in a disproportionate show of force that makes us wish we had burned that money.
The VA has had enough problems over the past decade or so to that it doesn’t need its police force to be turned into NYPD riot cops. COVID-19 hasn’t changed that.
You don’t need to be a civil libertarian to realize the arrant danger this weapons buy — and make no mistake, that’s what this is — puts our veterans in.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--Nancy Pelosi Attempts To Body Shame Trump but Gets the Facts Wrong

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reacted to news that President Donald Trump is taking the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a preventative measure against the coronavirus by describing him as “ morbidly obese.
” In an appearance Monday evening on CNN , the California Democrat was asked about Trump ’ s announcement that he has been taking the drug for about a week and a half .
“ As far as the president is concerned , he ’ s our president and I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists , especially in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we say , weight group , morbidly obese , they say .
So , I think it ’ s not a good idea , ” Pelosi told host Anderson Cooper .
Apparently unfazed , Cooper did not ask a follow-up question .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' The speaker ’ s description of Trump , surely intended to needle her political rival , was inaccurate .
The president ’ s 2019 physical , performed by White House physician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be 6 feet 3 and 243 pounds , USA Today reported .
According to the body mass index calculator provided by the National Heart , Lung and Blood Institute , the president ’ s BMI is 30.4 , which puts him in the “ overweight to moderately obese ” category .
The president would have to gain another 77 pounds , or have a BMI of 40 , to be considered “ morbidly obese , ” as Pelosi asserted .
The use of the BMI scale to evaluate a person ’ s level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent years .
Many on social media were quick to point to the barb from Pelosi as a hit below the belt — one that would bring outrage if the target were someone else .
RELATED : House Considering a Provision That Would Allow Lengthy Recess The speaker made the comment just hours after Trump told reporters at the White House that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine after consulting with the White House physician .
The president was meeting with a group of restaurant owners when he revealed he had been taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be surprised at how many people are taking it , especially the frontline workers — before you catch it , ” he said , according to a White House transcript of the comments .
“ The frontline workers — many , many are taking it .
I happen to be taking it , ” he added .
“ I ’ m taking it — hydroxychloroquine.
” After being asked if he was taking the drug under the recommendation of a doctor , Trump said he had consulted with a physician .
“ Yeah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t recommend — no , I asked him , ‘ What do you think ?
’ He said , ‘ Well , if you ’ d like it.
’ I said , ‘ Yeah , I ’ d like it .
I ’ d like to take it . '
” Conley said in a statement provided to NBC News that he and the president had a discussion about the use of the drug .
“ After numerous discussions he and I had for and against the use of hydroxychloroquine , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relative risks , ” the doctor said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reacted to news that President Donald Trump is taking the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a preventative measure against the coronavirus by describing him as “morbidly obese.”
In an appearance Monday evening on CNN, the California Democrat was asked about Trump’s announcement that he has been taking the drug for about a week and a half.
“As far as the president is concerned, he’s our president and I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists, especially in his age group and in his, shall we say, weight group, morbidly obese, they say. So, I think it’s not a good idea,” Pelosi told host Anderson Cooper.
Apparently unfazed, Cooper did not ask a follow-up question.
The speaker’s description of Trump, surely intended to needle her political rival, was inaccurate.
The president’s 2019 physical, performed by White House physician Dr. Sean Conley, found Trump to be 6 feet 3 and 243 pounds, USA Today reported.
According to the body mass index calculator provided by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the president’s BMI is 30.4, which puts him in the “overweight to moderately obese” category.
Do you think there would be an outcry from the media if Trump were to describe a Democrat as 'morbidly obese'? Yes No
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The president would have to gain another 77 pounds, or have a BMI of 40, to be considered “morbidly obese,” as Pelosi asserted.
The use of the BMI scale to evaluate a person’s level of health has also come under scrutiny in recent years.
Many on social media were quick to point to the barb from Pelosi as a hit below the belt — one that would bring outrage if the target were someone else.
Nancy Pelosi called President Trump morbidly obese on CNN. Democrats and CNN love it. Imagine if Trump called Stacey Abrams morbidly obese. They’d all call him a racist fat shaming jerk. All we’d hear about for a month is body positivity. Total hypocrites. pic.twitter.com/7TmVeZxazL — Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) May 19, 2020
Stacey Abrams is morbidly obese. …we’re allowed to do this now, right? — Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) May 19, 2020
Our speaker of the house, @SpeakerPelosi calls our President ”morbidly obese” on national television as a sneering @andersoncooper looks on. This really happened. pic.twitter.com/UmQWsOri1D — Brandon Straka (@BrandonStraka) May 19, 2020
The speaker made the comment just hours after Trump told reporters at the White House that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine after consulting with the White House physician.
The president was meeting with a group of restaurant owners when he revealed he had been taking the drug.
“You’d be surprised at how many people are taking it, especially the frontline workers — before you catch it,” he said, according to a White House transcript of the comments.
“The frontline workers — many, many are taking it. I happen to be taking it,” he added. “I’m taking it — hydroxychloroquine.”
After being asked if he was taking the drug under the recommendation of a doctor, Trump said he had consulted with a physician.
BREAKING: President Trump says he has been taking Hydroxychloroquine. “You’d be surprised at how many people are taking it… I happen to be taking it.” pic.twitter.com/DMW0i145OF — Benny (@bennyjohnson) May 18, 2020
“Yeah. A White House doctor — didn’t recommend — no, I asked him, ‘What do you think?’ He said, ‘Well, if you’d like it.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I’d like it. I’d like to take it.'”
Conley said in a statement provided to NBC News that he and the president had a discussion about the use of the drug.
“After numerous discussions he and I had for and against the use of hydroxychloroquine, we concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks,” the doctor said.
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--California Inmate Takes Advantage of Release, Arrested for Allegedly Choking a Child

Californians are dealing with the consequences of their liberal leaders ’ soft-on-crime policies , highlighting the need for a major shake-up in the statehouse .
On May 12 , 28-year-old Daniel Orozco was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs .
He was also cited for driving his car on the wrong side of the highway , according to a Facebook post by the Salinas Police Department .
The next day , he was released as a result of the Golden State ’ s embarrassing stance on crime .
But within ten minutes of his release , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from her vehicle in the parking lot of a local medical center .
The woman resisted the attack and wouldn ’ t give him her keys , so Orozco started to strangle her 11-year-old child , according to police .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' Consequently , the woman surrendered her keys , and he allegedly took off in her car .
Thankfully , police were eventually able to stop the car and arrest the suspect once again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county jail for carjacking , kidnapping , child endangerment and assault with a deadly weapon , ” the Salinas Police Department said .
To put it bluntly , the law-abiding people of California deserve better .
They need leaders who will take a zero-tolerance stance on crime , ensuring that zero-cash bail policies for misdemeanors and some low-level felonies — like the emergency policy adopted by California ’ s Judicial Council last month — go nowhere .
Democrats in California have made it clear who they value , and it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For some reason , they want the support of criminals instead of those citizens who mind their own business , follow the rules and make an honest living .
And remember , the Democratic politicians who support soft-on-crime policies are often the same ones who want increased gun control , which makes it harder for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves from dangerous criminals .
The people in California can not wait any longer .
They need a swift change in leadership .
And it begins in the governor ’ s mansion , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and secure away from crime .
But California ’ s leaders don ’ t seem to care .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Californians are dealing with the consequences of their liberal leaders’ soft-on-crime policies, highlighting the need for a major shake-up in the statehouse.
On May 12, 28-year-old Daniel Orozco was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs. He was also cited for driving his car on the wrong side of the highway, according to a Facebook post by the Salinas Police Department.
The next day, he was released as a result of the Golden State’s embarrassing stance on crime.
But within ten minutes of his release, police say, he allegedly forced a woman from her vehicle in the parking lot of a local medical center.
The woman resisted the attack and wouldn’t give him her keys, so Orozco started to strangle her 11-year-old child, according to police.
Consequently, the woman surrendered her keys, and he allegedly took off in her car. Thankfully, police were eventually able to stop the car and arrest the suspect once again.
“Orozco was again booked into county jail for carjacking, kidnapping, child endangerment and assault with a deadly weapon,” the Salinas Police Department said.
To put it bluntly, the law-abiding people of California deserve better.
Should California start cracking down on crime? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (2522 Votes) No: 0% (12 Votes)
They need leaders who will take a zero-tolerance stance on crime, ensuring that zero-cash bail policies for misdemeanors and some low-level felonies — like the emergency policy adopted by California’s Judicial Council last month — go nowhere.
Democrats in California have made it clear who they value, and it’s not the law-abiding residents of the state.
For some reason, they want the support of criminals instead of those citizens who mind their own business, follow the rules and make an honest living.
And remember, the Democratic politicians who support soft-on-crime policies are often the same ones who want increased gun control, which makes it harder for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves from dangerous criminals.
The people in California cannot wait any longer.
They need a swift change in leadership. And it begins in the governor’s mansion, where Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is safe and secure away from crime.
Letting criminals go free is unacceptable.
But California’s leaders don’t seem to care.
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--Ravi Zacharias Dead at Age 74

Ravi Zacharias Dead at Age 74

Evangelist and Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias passed away on Tuesday , two months after he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer .
“ My dad , at 74 , has ‘ join [ ed ] with the triumphant saints that sing [ his ] Savior ’ s praise , ' ” daughter Sarah Davis wrote in an update on Zacharias ’ website .
“ We who knew and loved him celebrate his life , and more importantly , his Savior.
” “ My dad ’ s humility , grace , tenderness for people , and above all love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my mind , my heart , and my life , ” Davis wrote .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' On March 12 , Zacharias announced that a biopsy taken during his back surgery revealed he had a malignant tumor on his sacrum — a rare type of cancer called Sarcoma .
On May 8 , Davis shared the heartbreaking news that doctors had done all they were able to do , so Zacharias and his family would return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together for whatever time the Lord gives us.
” Following the announcement , Zacharias ’ organization , Ravi Zacharias International Ministries , tweeted asking Christians to share their most treasured memories of him using the hashtag # ThankYouRavi .
Among those who shared their memories were former football star and current MLB prospect Tim Tebow , Lee Strobel , Christian rapper Lecrae and Australian-born Christian author and activist Christine Caine .
Zacharias was born in India and raised in an Anglican family , but said that he converted to Christianity while reading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suicide attempt as a teenager , Christianity Today reported .
He was an evangelist for the past 48 years and founded the organization RZIM in 1984 .
“ Even in his final days , until he lacked the energy and breath to speak , he turned every conversation to Jesus and what the Lord had done , ” Davis wrote Tuesday .
“ He perpetually marveled that God took a seventeen-year-old skeptic , defeated in hopelessness and unbelief , and called him into a life of glorious hope and belief in the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry across the globe for 48 years.
” He edited or wrote over 25 books on theology , apologetics , comparative religion and philosophy , according to the RZIM website .
RELATED : Chicago Mayor Prepares To Dish Out Punishments After Churches Defy Lockdown and Hold Services His ultimate mission was “ to present and defend the truth of Jesus Christ that others may find life in Him.
” Davis pointed to John 14:19 , which reads “ Because I live , you also will live ” and will be etched on Zacharias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beautiful father is more alive than he has ever been , ” she wrote .
“ We thank God for him and recommit our lives to sharing this truth with all who will hear , until He calls us to our eternal home.
” The family will have private graveside service and later provide details for a public memorial service that will be held in Atlanta , Georgia , and streamed online .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Evangelist and Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias passed away on Tuesday, two months after he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
“My dad, at 74, has ‘join[ed] with the triumphant saints that sing [his] Savior’s praise,'” daughter Sarah Davis wrote in an update on Zacharias’ website.
“We who knew and loved him celebrate his life, and more importantly, his Savior.”
“My dad’s humility, grace, tenderness for people, and above all love for the Lord are forever imprinted on my mind, my heart, and my life,” Davis wrote.
On March 12, Zacharias announced that a biopsy taken during his back surgery revealed he had a malignant tumor on his sacrum — a rare type of cancer called Sarcoma.
On May 8, Davis shared the heartbreaking news that doctors had done all they were able to do, so Zacharias and his family would return home “where our family can be together for whatever time the Lord gives us.”
Following the announcement, Zacharias’ organization, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, tweeted asking Christians to share their most treasured memories of him using the hashtag #ThankYouRavi.
Among those who shared their memories were former football star and current MLB prospect Tim Tebow, Lee Strobel, Christian rapper Lecrae and Australian-born Christian author and activist Christine Caine.
Zacharias was born in India and raised in an Anglican family, but said that he converted to Christianity while reading the Bible in the hospital after a failed suicide attempt as a teenager, Christianity Today reported.
He was an evangelist for the past 48 years and founded the organization RZIM in 1984.
“Even in his final days, until he lacked the energy and breath to speak, he turned every conversation to Jesus and what the Lord had done,” Davis wrote Tuesday.
“He perpetually marveled that God took a seventeen-year-old skeptic, defeated in hopelessness and unbelief, and called him into a life of glorious hope and belief in the truth of Scripture — a message he would carry across the globe for 48 years.”
He edited or wrote over 25 books on theology, apologetics, comparative religion and philosophy, according to the RZIM website.
His ultimate mission was “to present and defend the truth of Jesus Christ that others may find life in Him.”
Davis pointed to John 14:19, which reads “Because I live, you also will live” and will be etched on Zacharias’ gravestone.
“Today, my beautiful father is more alive than he has ever been,” she wrote.
“We thank God for him and recommit our lives to sharing this truth with all who will hear, until He calls us to our eternal home.”
The family will have private graveside service and later provide details for a public memorial service that will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, and streamed online.
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--European Country’s Legislature Votes To Ban People from Legally Changing Their Gender

Hungarian lawmakers on Tuesday approved legislation banning the legal recognition of transgender citizens .
Amendments to the law on the birth , death and marriage registry , approved mostly by deputies from Prime Minister Viktor Orban ’ s Fidesz party , will prevent transgender or intersex people from legally changing their gender to match their gender identity .
The bill changes the “ sex ” category in official documents like birth certificates to “ sex at birth , ” defined as the “ biological sex determined by primary sex characteristics and chromosomes.
” Once determined , the birth sex category @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendments were part of a large legislative package submitted by Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen , head of the Christian Democratic party .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' “ Given that the complete change of the biological sex is not possible , it is necessary to state in law that there is no possibility to change it in the registry of births , marriages and deaths , either , ” an explanation accompanying the amendment said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various groups .
These groups are asking Hungary ’ s president to refrain from signing the bill into law and send it for review to the Constitutional Court .
Among those expressing concerns about the legislation were the European Parliament , the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights , the Council of Europe ’ s Commissioner for Human Rights and the Hungarian Psychological Society .
“ This decision pushes Hungary back toward the dark ages and tramples the rights of transgender and intersex people , ” Amnesty International Hungary international researcher Krisztina Tamas-Saroy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not only expose them to further discrimination , but will also deepen an already intolerant and hostile environment faced by the LGBTI community .
RELATED : US Rep Calls Out European Leader 's Coronavirus 'Power Grab ' : ' A Serious Affront to Democracy' “ Everyone ’ s gender identity should be legally recognised and everyone must be allowed to change their legal name and gender markers on all official documents.
” Dunja Mijatovic , the Council of Europe ’ s Commissioner for Human Rights , earlier asked Hungary ’ s Parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities to “ ensure that transgender people have access to expeditious and transparent procedures for changing their names and gender or sex in the civil registry , and on identity cards , passports , educational certificates and other similar documents.
” In 2018 , the Orban government , which sees Muslim immigrants as a threat to Christian culture in Europe , withdrew state funding from gender studies programs .
The government also removed official accreditation for masters degrees in the discipline .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Hungarian lawmakers on Tuesday approved legislation banning the legal recognition of transgender citizens.
Amendments to the law on the birth, death and marriage registry, approved mostly by deputies from Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party, will prevent transgender or intersex people from legally changing their gender to match their gender identity.
The bill changes the “sex” category in official documents like birth certificates to “sex at birth,” defined as the “biological sex determined by primary sex characteristics and chromosomes.”
Once determined, the birth sex category can’t be changed.
The amendments were part of a large legislative package submitted by Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen, head of the Christian Democratic party.
“Given that the complete change of the biological sex is not possible, it is necessary to state in law that there is no possibility to change it in the registry of births, marriages and deaths, either,” an explanation accompanying the amendment said.
Hungary’s parliament voted to end legal recognition of transgender people. A new law defines gender as “biological sex” assigned at birth and makes it impossible to legally change. Critics say it is an attempt to “erase” the trans community and will worsen discrimination. pic.twitter.com/ClbeCCHltz — AJ+ (@ajplus) May 19, 2020
The legislation has come under strong criticism from various groups.
These groups are asking Hungary’s president to refrain from signing the bill into law and send it for review to the Constitutional Court.
Hungary’s Parliament has passed #Article33 of a bill that renders legal gender recognition impossible for trans and intersex people in the country. We promise to keep fighting this bill which is a clear violation of human rights!#Töröljéka33ast#Drop33 pic.twitter.com/NXB4po3hRk — European Greens (@europeangreens) May 19, 2020
Among those expressing concerns about the legislation were the European Parliament, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights and the Hungarian Psychological Society.
“This decision pushes Hungary back toward the dark ages and tramples the rights of transgender and intersex people,” Amnesty International Hungary international researcher Krisztina Tamas-Saroy said in a statement.
“It will not only expose them to further discrimination, but will also deepen an already intolerant and hostile environment faced by the LGBTI community.
Do you support these amendments? Yes No
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“Everyone’s gender identity should be legally recognised and everyone must be allowed to change their legal name and gender markers on all official documents.”
Dunja Mijatovic, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, earlier asked Hungary’s Parliament to reject the amendments, calling on authorities to “ensure that transgender people have access to expeditious and transparent procedures for changing their names and gender or sex in the civil registry, and on identity cards, passports, educational certificates and other similar documents.”
In 2018, the Orban government, which sees Muslim immigrants as a threat to Christian culture in Europe, withdrew state funding from gender studies programs.
The government also removed official accreditation for masters degrees in the discipline.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--Couple Arrested for Alleged Role in Cross-Border Kidnappings of Americans

An American woman and her boyfriend were arrested and charged for allegedly collecting ransom money as part of their involvement in a deadly kidnapping conspiracy of U.S. residents in Tijuana , Mexico .
Leslie Briana Matla , a 20-year-old U.S. citizen who lived in Mexico , and her boyfriend , Juan Carlos Montoya Sanchez , a 25-year-old resident of Tijuana , were arrested by U.S. authorities pursuant to money laundering conspiracy charges , according to an announcement from the Department of Justice .
“ The complaint alleges that Matla crossed the border from Mexico into the United States to pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family members at locations predetermined by her co-conspirators , ” the DOJ news release reads .
In the span of a month , three California men — residents of San Diego , Norwalk and Pasadena — were kidnapped in Tijuana while visiting family members or on business .
Each time , their family members were contacted by a Mexican phone number and told to pay thousands of dollars for their return .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' Unfortunately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ransom money didn ’ t guarantee a safe release .
Salvador Acosta Medina , a U.S. citizen living in San Diego , called his son on March 28 and requested $ 25,000 for his release , according to the Los Angeles Times .
The son complied , stashing a bag with the funds in the women ’ s restroom at a McDonald ’ s in San Ysidro , as the captors had directed .
Despite Medina ’ s son receiving a WhatsApp message from his phone the next day claiming Medina would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body in Tijuana .
A similar story played out two weeks later after Edgar Esteban Guzman ’ s family reported him missing to the FBI .
Guzman ’ s mother received a Facebook message from his account with an image of his beaten face .
The family negotiated a payment of $ 1,000 and her son ’ s Chevrolet Camaro , according to the affidavit .
However , the money transfer never materialized , and Guzman ’ s body was eventually discovered .
Things changed , however , when the captors in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only identified by authorities by his initials .
The mother of the man ’ s children negotiated a $ 14,000 payment , but she never had to pay the money .
Just minutes before the drop was supposed to take place , a Mexican anti-kidnapping squad raided a hotel the captors operated out of and arrested nine suspects — and freed the taco proprietor .
Malta was arrested on Thursday and Sanchez was arrested on Sunday — both in San Diego .
RELATED : Singer Duffy Breaks Silence , Says She Was 'Drugged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Against Her Will Upon review of U.S.-Mexico border crossing records , security camera footage and social media , law enforcement identified Matla as the woman sent to the U.S. side to pick up the ransom money .
Financial records indicate Sanchez received wire transfers from the victims ’ families .
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

An American woman and her boyfriend were arrested and charged for allegedly collecting ransom money as part of their involvement in a deadly kidnapping conspiracy of U.S. residents in Tijuana, Mexico.
Leslie Briana Matla, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen who lived in Mexico, and her boyfriend, Juan Carlos Montoya Sanchez, a 25-year-old resident of Tijuana, were arrested by U.S. authorities pursuant to money laundering conspiracy charges, according to an announcement from the Department of Justice.
“The complaint alleges that Matla crossed the border from Mexico into the United States to pick up ransom payments from kidnapped victims’ family members at locations predetermined by her co-conspirators,” the DOJ news release reads.
In the span of a month, three California men — residents of San Diego, Norwalk and Pasadena — were kidnapped in Tijuana while visiting family members or on business.
Each time, their family members were contacted by a Mexican phone number and told to pay thousands of dollars for their return.
Unfortunately for the family members, paying the ransom money didn’t guarantee a safe release.
Salvador Acosta Medina, a U.S. citizen living in San Diego, called his son on March 28 and requested $25,000 for his release, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The son complied, stashing a bag with the funds in the women’s restroom at a McDonald’s in San Ysidro, as the captors had directed.
Despite Medina’s son receiving a WhatsApp message from his phone the next day claiming Medina would be released, Mexican authorities subsequently found his body in Tijuana.
A similar story played out two weeks later after Edgar Esteban Guzman’s family reported him missing to the FBI.
Guzman’s mother received a Facebook message from his account with an image of his beaten face. The family negotiated a payment of $1,000 and her son’s Chevrolet Camaro, according to the affidavit.
However, the money transfer never materialized, and Guzman’s body was eventually discovered.
Things changed, however, when the captors in late April abducted a taco shop proprietor, only identified by authorities by his initials. The mother of the man’s children negotiated a $14,000 payment, but she never had to pay the money. Just minutes before the drop was supposed to take place, a Mexican anti-kidnapping squad raided a hotel the captors operated out of and arrested nine suspects — and freed the taco proprietor.
Malta was arrested on Thursday and Sanchez was arrested on Sunday — both in San Diego.
Upon review of U.S.-Mexico border crossing records, security camera footage and social media, law enforcement identified Matla as the woman sent to the U.S. side to pick up the ransom money.
Financial records indicate Sanchez received wire transfers from the victims’ families.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--White House Review of WHO Complete, Trump Sends Scathing Letter

President Donald Trump has given the World Health Organization an ultimatum , warning that unless it changes its ways , the U.S. may make its funding freeze permanent and could even pull out of the organization .
Trump sent a letter Monday to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus indicting the WHO for its failures to contain the coronavirus .
The president released the text of his letter on Twitter .
“ The only way forward for the World Health Organization is if it can actually demonstrate independence from China , ” Trump wrote .
“ My Administration has already started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organization .
But action is needed quickly .
We do not have time to waste .
“ That is why it is my duty , as President of the United States , to inform you that , if the World Health Organization does not commit to major substantive improvements within the next 30 days , I will make my temporary freeze of United States funding to the World Health Organization permanent and reconsider our membership in the organization , ” he added .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' “ I can not allow American taxpayer dollars to continue to finance an organization that , in its present state , is so clearly not serving America ’ s interests.
” Trump noted in his letter that after his April 14 decision to freeze WHO funding temporarily , his administration reviewed the WHO ’ s “ failed response to the COVID-19 outbreak .
“ This review has confirmed many of the serious concerns I raised last month and identified others that the World Health Organization should have addressed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alarming lack of independence from the People ’ s Republic of China , ” Trump wrote .
Most of Trump ’ s letter is an exhaustive indictment of the steps the WHO could have taken to alert the world to the danger of the coronavirus , beginning when initial accounts of the virus emerged in December .
“ The World Health Organization failed to independently investigate credible reports that conflicted directly with the Chinese government ’ s official accounts , even those that came from sources within Wuhan itself , ” he wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said On Dec. 31 , “ Taiwanese authorities had communicated information to the World Health Organization indicating human-to-human transmission of a new virus .
Yet the World Health Organization chose not to share any of this critical information with the rest of the world , probably for political reasons , ” he wrote .
“ The World Health Organization has repeatedly made claims about the coronavirus that were either grossly inaccurate or misleading , ” Trump wrote , noting that on Jan. 14 , “ the World Health Organization gratuitously reaffirmed China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not be transmitted between humans.
” RELATED : House Democrats Seeking Materials To Start New Articles of Impeachment Against Trump Trump ’ s letter slams the WHO for giving in to pressure from China .
“ On January 21 , 2020 , President Xi Jinping of China reportedly pressured you not to declare the coronavirus outbreak an emergency , ” Trump wrote .
“ You gave in to this pressure the next day and told the world that the coronavirus did not pose a Public Health Emergency of International Concern .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 , 2020 , overwhelming evidence to the contrary forced you to reverse course.
” The letter also criticizes the WHO for praising Chinese transparency in dealing with the virus while it “ did not mention that China had , by then , silenced or punished several doctors for speaking out about the virus and restricted Chinese institutions from publishing information about it.
” The WHO played favorites , Trump said .
“ You also strongly praised China ’ s strict domestic travel restrictions , but were inexplicably against my closing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with respect to people coming from China .
I put the ban in place regardless of your wishes , ” he wrote .
“ Your political gamesmanship on this issue was deadly , as other governments , relying on your comments , delayed imposing life-saving restrictions on travel to and from China .
Incredibly , on February 3 , 2020 , you reinforced your position , opining that because China was doing such a great job protecting the world from the virus , travel restrictions were ‘ causing more harm than good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the World Health Organization has been curiously insistent on praising China for its alleged ‘ transparency , ' ” Trump added .
“ You have consistently joined in these tributes , notwithstanding that China has been anything but transparent .
In early January , for example , China ordered samples of the virus to be destroyed , depriving the world of critical information .
“ Even now , China continues to undermine the International Health Regulations by refusing to share accurate and timely data , viral samples and isolates , and by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its origins .
And , to this day , China continues to deny international access to their scientists and relevant facilities , all while casting blame widely and recklessly and censoring its own experts.
” “ It is clear the repeated missteps by you and your organization in responding to the pandemic have been extremely costly for the world , ” Trump wrote .
The WHO said Tuesday it was “ considering the contents ” of the letter , ” CNN reported .
On Monday , Tedros said the WHO would conduct a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I will initiate an independent evaluation at the earliest appropriate moment to review experience gained and lessons learned , and to make recommendations to improve national and global pandemic preparedness and response , ” he said , according to The Hill .
“ To be truly comprehensive , such an evaluation must encompass the entirety of the response by all actors , in good faith.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump has given the World Health Organization an ultimatum, warning that unless it changes its ways, the U.S. may make its funding freeze permanent and could even pull out of the organization.
Trump sent a letter Monday to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus indicting the WHO for its failures to contain the coronavirus.
The president released the text of his letter on Twitter.
“The only way forward for the World Health Organization is if it can actually demonstrate independence from China,” Trump wrote. “My Administration has already started discussions with you on how to reform the organization. But action is needed quickly. We do not have time to waste.
“That is why it is my duty, as President of the United States, to inform you that, if the World Health Organization does not commit to major substantive improvements within the next 30 days, I will make my temporary freeze of United States funding to the World Health Organization permanent and reconsider our membership in the organization,” he added.
“I cannot allow American taxpayer dollars to continue to finance an organization that, in its present state, is so clearly not serving America’s interests.”
Trump noted in his letter that after his April 14 decision to freeze WHO funding temporarily, his administration reviewed the WHO’s “failed response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“This review has confirmed many of the serious concerns I raised last month and identified others that the World Health Organization should have addressed, especially the World Health Organization’s alarming lack of independence from the People’s Republic of China,” Trump wrote.
Most of Trump’s letter is an exhaustive indictment of the steps the WHO could have taken to alert the world to the danger of the coronavirus, beginning when initial accounts of the virus emerged in December.
Should the U.S. pull out of the WHO? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 98% (1054 Votes) No: 2% (21 Votes)
“The World Health Organization failed to independently investigate credible reports that conflicted directly with the Chinese government’s official accounts, even those that came from sources within Wuhan itself,” he wrote.
The WHO ignored vital information, Trump said
On Dec. 31, “Taiwanese authorities had communicated information to the World Health Organization indicating human-to-human transmission of a new virus. Yet the World Health Organization chose not to share any of this critical information with the rest of the world, probably for political reasons,” he wrote.
“The World Health Organization has repeatedly made claims about the coronavirus that were either grossly inaccurate or misleading,” Trump wrote, noting that on Jan. 14, “the World Health Organization gratuitously reaffirmed China’s now-debunked claim that the coronavirus could not be transmitted between humans.”
This is the letter sent to Dr. Tedros of the World Health Organization. It is self-explanatory! pic.twitter.com/pF2kzPUpDv — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2020
Trump’s letter slams the WHO for giving in to pressure from China.
“On January 21, 2020, President Xi Jinping of China reportedly pressured you not to declare the coronavirus outbreak an emergency,” Trump wrote. “You gave in to this pressure the next day and told the world that the coronavirus did not pose a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Just over one week later, on January 30, 2020, overwhelming evidence to the contrary forced you to reverse course.”
The letter also criticizes the WHO for praising Chinese transparency in dealing with the virus while it “did not mention that China had, by then, silenced or punished several doctors for speaking out about the virus and restricted Chinese institutions from publishing information about it.”
The WHO played favorites, Trump said.
“You also strongly praised China’s strict domestic travel restrictions, but were inexplicably against my closing of the United States border, or the ban, with respect to people coming from China. I put the ban in place regardless of your wishes,” he wrote. “Your political gamesmanship on this issue was deadly, as other governments, relying on your comments, delayed imposing life-saving restrictions on travel to and from China. Incredibly, on February 3, 2020, you reinforced your position, opining that because China was doing such a great job protecting the world from the virus, travel restrictions were ‘causing more harm than good.'”
“Throughout this crisis, the World Health Organization has been curiously insistent on praising China for its alleged ‘transparency,'” Trump added. “You have consistently joined in these tributes, notwithstanding that China has been anything but transparent. In early January, for example, China ordered samples of the virus to be destroyed, depriving the world of critical information.
“Even now, China continues to undermine the International Health Regulations by refusing to share accurate and timely data, viral samples and isolates, and by withholding vital information about the virus and its origins. And, to this day, China continues to deny international access to their scientists and relevant facilities, all while casting blame widely and recklessly and censoring its own experts.”
“It is clear the repeated missteps by you and your organization in responding to the pandemic have been extremely costly for the world,” Trump wrote.
The WHO said Tuesday it was “considering the contents” of the letter,” CNN reported.
On Monday, Tedros said the WHO would conduct a review of its response to the coronavirus.
“I will initiate an independent evaluation at the earliest appropriate moment to review experience gained and lessons learned, and to make recommendations to improve national and global pandemic preparedness and response,” he said, according to The Hill. “To be truly comprehensive, such an evaluation must encompass the entirety of the response by all actors, in good faith.”
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--Two New Republican Congressman Officially Sworn Into House

A former Navy fighter pilot who captured a California congressional district from Democrats and a state legislator who retained a Republican-held Wisconsin seat joined the House on Tuesday , buoying a GOP seeking momentum for its uphill fight for the chamber ’ s majority in this fall ’ s elections .
California ’ s Mike Garcia and Wisconsin ’ s Tom Tîffany , who won special elections last week to fill vacancies , are conservatives backed by President Donald Trump .
Both will serve until Jan. 3 , filling unexpired terms of lawmakers who resigned last year .
The two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House floor as they were sworn into office by Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
The new congressmen elbow-bumped afterward but did not wear face masks .
In brief remarks , Garcia said one of his goals was “ to hopefully get through this crisis as a solid , unified country.
” Tiffany said he wants to “ advance the cause of freedom and liberty.
” TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' Pelosi later presided at ceremonial swearing-in events for both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood less than the recommended 6 feet ( 1.8 meters ) away from the men and their families .
Garcia ’ s win came in a Los Angeles-area district that was among dozens of suburban seats that Democrats won from the GOP in 2018 , catapulting them to House control .
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had carried the district by 7 percentage points in 2016 , and two years later Democrat Katie Hill won the seat by 9 points .
But Garcia was elected last week by 10 points over Democrat Christy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the state assemblywoman .
He also raised about the same $ 2.3 million as Smith ’ s campaign , unusual in an election cycle in which most Democratic candidates in competitive races are collecting significantly more in contributions .
RELATED : Democratic Congressman Admits to Affair with Intern Just Before Crucial Primary , Throwing Election Up in the Air Hill resigned last year after allegations that she ’ d had an inappropriate relationship with an aide .
Republicans have touted Garcia ’ s victory as a sign that their political fortunes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who leads the House GOP ’ s campaign arm , has said it means his party can win the House .
Garcia and Smith will face each other again in November for a full two-year House term .
Tiffany will represent a rural , conservative-leaning district in Wisconsin .
He replaces former GOP Rep. Sean Duffy , who said he left office to spend more time with his family .
With Garcia and Tiffany joining the House , Democrats control the chamber 233-198 , with one independent and three vacancies .
The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A former Navy fighter pilot who captured a California congressional district from Democrats and a state legislator who retained a Republican-held Wisconsin seat joined the House on Tuesday, buoying a GOP seeking momentum for its uphill fight for the chamber’s majority in this fall’s elections.
California’s Mike Garcia and Wisconsin’s Tom Tîffany, who won special elections last week to fill vacancies, are conservatives backed by President Donald Trump. Both will serve until Jan. 3, filling unexpired terms of lawmakers who resigned last year.
The two men stood side by side on the House floor as they were sworn into office by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The new congressmen elbow-bumped afterward but did not wear face masks.
In brief remarks, Garcia said one of his goals was “to hopefully get through this crisis as a solid, unified country.”
Tiffany said he wants to “advance the cause of freedom and liberty.”
It is my honor to welcome the newest member of the House of Representatives—Republican from California—Mike Garcia! Veteran. Businessman. Family man. And first-generation American. Mike is the definition of the American dream. https://t.co/jo4lneXWkp — Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) May 19, 2020
Pelosi later presided at ceremonial swearing-in events for both lawmakers, most noteworthy because she briefly stood less than the recommended 6 feet (1.8 meters) away from the men and their families.
Garcia’s win came in a Los Angeles-area district that was among dozens of suburban seats that Democrats won from the GOP in 2018, catapulting them to House control.
Do you think both of these new congressmen will be re-elected in November? Yes No
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had carried the district by 7 percentage points in 2016, and two years later Democrat Katie Hill won the seat by 9 points.
But Garcia was elected last week by 10 points over Democrat Christy Smith, casting himself as an outsider against the state assemblywoman.
He also raised about the same $2.3 million as Smith’s campaign, unusual in an election cycle in which most Democratic candidates in competitive races are collecting significantly more in contributions.
Join us in welcoming the newest members of the House Republican Conference: Rep. Mike Garcia (CA-25) and Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07)! pic.twitter.com/6YMCJsp12C — House Republicans (@HouseGOP) May 19, 2020
Hill resigned last year after allegations that she’d had an inappropriate relationship with an aide.
Republicans have touted Garcia’s victory as a sign that their political fortunes are improving. Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer, who leads the House GOP’s campaign arm, has said it means his party can win the House.
Garcia and Smith will face each other again in November for a full two-year House term.
Tiffany will represent a rural, conservative-leaning district in Wisconsin. He replaces former GOP Rep. Sean Duffy, who said he left office to spend more time with his family.
With Garcia and Tiffany joining the House, Democrats control the chamber 233-198, with one independent and three vacancies.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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