westernjournal--2020-01-30--Cop Captured in Heartwarming Photograph Comforting Toddler He Found Wandering the Streets

While many people are stirred to help those in need , there ’ s something especially heartstring-pulling when a case involves a child .
Perhaps we can imagine how alone and scared we would be in their shoes , or perhaps we have children and think of how sad it would be if our own kids were in such a predicament .
In 2016 , when James Hurst ( a police officer and a father ) came across a lost toddler wandering the streets who really needed someone to comfort him , he was happy to help .
Hurst , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia , rescued the boy , just 1 year old , then waited with him as he got checked out at the hospital .
TRENDING : Nancy Pelosi Says House Will Soon Pass Legislation Aimed at Blocking Trump 's Travel Ban When the boy began to grow distressed , Hurst ’ s instincts kicked in , and his experience with young sons of his own took over .
“ It was upsetting , I mean I have two small children of my own , ” Hurst told WTOC .
“ It was just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said , according to WTHR .
“ I didn ’ t expect any of this , it ’ s been quite overwhelming actually.
” “ The boy , obviously , being so small , became very upset .
He was crying .
He was sobbing .
I asked the hospital staff if I can hold him to comfort him and soothe him a little bit to try to calm him down , to continue getting medical care and they said that was fine.
” “ So I picked him up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was standing and he was asleep on my chest and with all my body armor and my gun belt , became very heavy holding this small child , so that ’ s when I decided to sit down on the bed and make it easier for him and me.
” Someone snapped a photo of the officer on the hospital bed — the toddler sprawled out across his chest and wrapped in his arms — and shared it on social media .
While the picture has warmed many hearts , Hurst said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being with dignity that sees a child in need ” would do .
According to Mike Cihla with WTOC , the officer wanted to reach out to those who read the story and thank them for their kindness , but he also wanted to point out how this kind of behavior should be standard .
RELATED : Man Arrested in Slayings of His 5 Infant Children After Cold Case Haunted Authorities for Years “ To everyone that has shared , commented on or messaged me about the picture that was taken of me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said , according to Cihla ’ s post .
“ I thank you for your sweet and kind words .
My whole intention was to comfort a small child in need.
” “ This boy did not need a police officer , he needed someone to love on him and take care of him for just a short while to feel better .
Having two boys myself , I knew this child just needed someone there and that ’ s all I was trying to accomplish .
I didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media.
” “ This was not just a job of a police officer but any human being with dignity that sees a child in need .
Sad part is that our country has gotten so bad that something so little gets this much attention .
Thank you everyone for the kind words of sentiment !
!
!
” Still , many were impressed that he took the time to go above and beyond in such a nurturing way .
“ This job is so much more than just chasing the bad guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WTHR , “ it is about serving the citizens of the communities you work in and doing what they need you to do.
” According to WTOC , no charges were filed and the case was handed off to the Department of Family and Children Services .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

While many people are stirred to help those in need, there’s something especially heartstring-pulling when a case involves a child.
Perhaps we can imagine how alone and scared we would be in their shoes, or perhaps we have children and think of how sad it would be if our own kids were in such a predicament.
In 2016, when James Hurst (a police officer and a father) came across a lost toddler wandering the streets who really needed someone to comfort him, he was happy to help.
Hurst, part of the Savannah Police Department in Georgia, rescued the boy, just 1 year old, then waited with him as he got checked out at the hospital.
When the boy began to grow distressed, Hurst’s instincts kicked in, and his experience with young sons of his own took over.
“It was upsetting, I mean I have two small children of my own,” Hurst told WTOC.
“It was just natural to want to soothe this child,” he said, according to WTHR. “I didn’t expect any of this, it’s been quite overwhelming actually.”
“The boy, obviously, being so small, became very upset. He was crying. He was sobbing. I asked the hospital staff if I can hold him to comfort him and soothe him a little bit to try to calm him down, to continue getting medical care and they said that was fine.”
“So I picked him up, minutes later, he, I was standing and he was asleep on my chest and with all my body armor and my gun belt, became very heavy holding this small child, so that’s when I decided to sit down on the bed and make it easier for him and me.”
Someone snapped a photo of the officer on the hospital bed — the toddler sprawled out across his chest and wrapped in his arms — and shared it on social media.
While the picture has warmed many hearts, Hurst said he was just doing what “any human being with dignity that sees a child in need” would do.
According to Mike Cihla with WTOC, the officer wanted to reach out to those who read the story and thank them for their kindness, but he also wanted to point out how this kind of behavior should be standard.
“To everyone that has shared, commented on or messaged me about the picture that was taken of me with the little boy in the hospital,” he said, according to Cihla’s post.
“I thank you for your sweet and kind words. My whole intention was to comfort a small child in need.”
“This boy did not need a police officer, he needed someone to love on him and take care of him for just a short while to feel better. Having two boys myself, I knew this child just needed someone there and that’s all I was trying to accomplish. I didn’t expect all this from everyone on social media.”
“This was not just a job of a police officer but any human being with dignity that sees a child in need. Sad part is that our country has gotten so bad that something so little gets this much attention. Thank you everyone for the kind words of sentiment!!!”
Still, many were impressed that he took the time to go above and beyond in such a nurturing way.
“This job is so much more than just chasing the bad guys,” Hurst added, according to WTHR, “it is about serving the citizens of the communities you work in and doing what they need you to do.”
According to WTOC, no charges were filed and the case was handed off to the Department of Family and Children Services.
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westernjournal--2020-01-30--Thanks to Liberal No-Bail Law, 6 Men Accused of Running $7 Million Fentanyl Ring Go Free

Ok.
It ’ s time we all came clean .
When you first heard mutters last year that the New York state legislature intended to pass a near-blanket ban on cash bail for roughly 400 “ nonviolent ” crimes , misdemeanor or felony , you rolled your eyes .
In fact , chances are when the 1st of the year hit , you kicked back and waited for your “ I told you so ” moment — the moment one of the accused individuals , potentially apprehended on such “ nonviolent ” charges as criminally negligent homicide , turned an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spree upon release .
And don ’ t be too ashamed of yourself just yet , because you were absolutely right .
From repeat bank robberies to alleged abuse , there were more than enough of those sad moments to go around .
I would know .
We at The Western Journal made it a point to cover one of the first ones .
But this week ’ s latest slew of New York “ no bail ” releases more than proves the time for eye rolls and “ I told you so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This new law is undoubtedly endangering everyday citizens .
According to the New York Post , six suspects arrested for the alleged operation of a $ 7 million drug ring were released without bail Wednesday following arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court .
Charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminally using drug paraphernalia , Livo Valdez , Jaslin Baldera , Frederick Baldera , Frandi Ledema , Diego Tejada and Parfraimy Antonio were arrested Monday after a month-long investigation allegedly turned up evidence they had been trafficking the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Drug Enforcement Task Force ’ s Monday raid reportedly caught the six men , aged 21 to 25 according to a tweet from New York Police Department Detectives , in the process of packaging “ approximately 750,000 glassines of heroin.
” Still , Assistant District Attorney Michael Di said , “ None of the defendants are eligible for bail.
” Instead , six men allegedly responsible for a multi-million dollar drug operation reportedly extending into northern New England were allowed to walk free without a second thought .
Apparently putting numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uptick in potentially fatal overdoses with what is currently the deadliest drug in America , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , isn ’ t violent enough to keep a person behind bars until conviction or acquittal in the state of New York .
RELATED : Iowa To Release Child Sex Abuser , Declares He 's No Longer Threat Due to Gender Transition Of course , the leftist mouthpieces at outlets like NowThis will label reporters like myself right-wing hacks and fear-mongers for having the gall to challenge this supposedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice reform.
” In fact , they already have , tweeting Thursday that “ Right-wing media wants you to be terrified of New York City ’ s landmark law banning cash bail in most non-violent cases.
” The claim even came complete with video shaming conservative pundits for reporting the facts on this legislative blunder and peddling ad nauseum the largely unrepresentative sob stories of those hurt with unfair bail and bond sums .
“ We believe that those people deserve to be home and in their community , not languishing in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice reform advocate Khalil Cumberbatch told NowThis .
“ The Senate Republicans don ’ t want that .
They want to go back to the same system : “ Person with power and influence ?
They get arrested , they deserve to go home , ” he added .
“ But someone without means ?
Someone without power and influence ?
They don ’ t deserve to go home .
They deserve to languish in jail.
” The only problem is that Cumbatch ’ s argument is based on a bold-faced lie .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know the mustache-twirling Republican villain he ’ s talking about — the one that simply wants a bunch of people “ languishing in a jail system at tax-payer expense.
” As a small government conservative and a Republican myself , I would personally be happy to see the tax burden of incarcerating thousands upon thousands of truly non-violent drug possessors lifted .
But that simply is not what this type of thoughtless , blanket “ reform ” does .
Instead , it throws open the doors of the pre-trial jail system for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with triple murder and says , “ Would you like to have another go ?
” And according to NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea , the cost is a 32 percent increase in robberies , an 18 percent increase in burglaries and a more than 60 percent increase in car thefts this month alone in New York City .
Clearly , raw idealism and inventiveness do not an effective program make .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Ok. It’s time we all came clean. When you first heard mutters last year that the New York state legislature intended to pass a near-blanket ban on cash bail for roughly 400 “nonviolent” crimes, misdemeanor or felony, you rolled your eyes.
In fact, chances are when the 1st of the year hit, you kicked back and waited for your “I told you so” moment — the moment one of the accused individuals, potentially apprehended on such “nonviolent” charges as criminally negligent homicide, turned an alleged crime or two into a full-blown spree upon release.
And don’t be too ashamed of yourself just yet, because you were absolutely right. From repeat bank robberies to alleged abuse, there were more than enough of those sad moments to go around. I would know. We at The Western Journal made it a point to cover one of the first ones.
But this week’s latest slew of New York “no bail” releases more than proves the time for eye rolls and “I told you so”s is already long past.
This new law is undoubtedly endangering everyday citizens.
According to the New York Post, six suspects arrested for the alleged operation of a $7 million drug ring were released without bail Wednesday following arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court.
After a month long investigation, members of NY’s Drug Enforcement Task Force conducted a search warrant in the Bronx and recovered approximately 750,000 glassines of heroin, dismantling a heroin mill. Six suspects ranging from the ages of 21 to 25 have been arrested. pic.twitter.com/M4r04JhHRP — Chief Rodney Harrison (@NYPDDetectives) January 29, 2020
Charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminally using drug paraphernalia, Livo Valdez, Jaslin Baldera, Frederick Baldera, Frandi Ledema, Diego Tejada and Parfraimy Antonio were arrested Monday after a month-long investigation allegedly turned up evidence they had been trafficking the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl out of a Bronx apartment.
The New York Drug Enforcement Task Force’s Monday raid reportedly caught the six men, aged 21 to 25 according to a tweet from New York Police Department Detectives, in the process of packaging “approximately 750,000 glassines of heroin.”
Still, Assistant District Attorney Michael Di said, “None of the defendants are eligible for bail.”
Instead, six men allegedly responsible for a multi-million dollar drug operation reportedly extending into northern New England were allowed to walk free without a second thought.
Apparently putting numerous East Coast communities at risk of an uptick in potentially fatal overdoses with what is currently the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, isn’t violent enough to keep a person behind bars until conviction or acquittal in the state of New York.
Right-wing media wants you to be terrified of New York City’s landmark law banning cash bail in most non-violent cases pic.twitter.com/BLQOYv5af5 — NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 30, 2020
NYPD Police Commissioner, Dermot Shea just said that crime has skyrocketed due to Democrats’ new bail reform policies. Robberies are up 32% Car theft is up 61% Burglaries are up 18% Democrats have destroyed the once great city of New York. RT! — Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) January 28, 2020
Of course, the leftist mouthpieces at outlets like NowThis will label reporters like myself right-wing hacks and fear-mongers for having the gall to challenge this supposedly honest attempt at common sense “criminal justice reform.”
In fact, they already have, tweeting Thursday that “Right-wing media wants you to be terrified of New York City’s landmark law banning cash bail in most non-violent cases.”
The claim even came complete with video shaming conservative pundits for reporting the facts on this legislative blunder and peddling ad nauseum the largely unrepresentative sob stories of those hurt with unfair bail and bond sums.
“We believe that those people deserve to be home and in their community, not languishing in a jail system at tax-payer expense,” justice reform advocate Khalil Cumberbatch told NowThis. “The Senate Republicans don’t want that. They want to go back to the same system:
“Person with power and influence? They get arrested, they deserve to go home,” he added. “But someone without means? Someone without power and influence? They don’t deserve to go home. They deserve to languish in jail.”
The only problem is that Cumbatch’s argument is based on a bold-faced lie.
At least, I certainly don’t know the mustache-twirling Republican villain he’s talking about — the one that simply wants a bunch of people “languishing in a jail system at tax-payer expense.”
As a small government conservative and a Republican myself, I would personally be happy to see the tax burden of incarcerating thousands upon thousands of truly non-violent drug possessors lifted.
But that simply is not what this type of thoughtless, blanket “reform” does.
Instead, it throws open the doors of the pre-trial jail system for every Tom, Dick and Harry not charged with triple murder and says, “Would you like to have another go?”
And according to NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, the cost is a 32 percent increase in robberies, an 18 percent increase in burglaries and a more than 60 percent increase in car thefts this month alone in New York City.
Clearly, raw idealism and inventiveness do not an effective program make.
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westernjournal--2020-01-30--WHO Declares Global Emergency as Human-to-Human Transmission Found in US

The novel coronavirus spreading throughout China and the rest of the world has finally been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization .
WHO made the announcement Thursday , setting in motion the global cooperation needed to combat the public health emergency of international concern .
“ It is expected that further international exportation of cases may appear in any country , ” WHO warned .
“ Thus , all countries should be prepared for containment , ” it said , “ including active surveillance , early detection , isolation and case management , contact tracing and prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to share full data with WHO.
” This declaration comes as the coronavirus outbreak , which now bears the official interim name of “ 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease , ” continues to infect thousands more every day in the epicenter of China .
Although the communist country has attempted to quarantine its way around this outbreak , the virus ’ ability to infect others during its incubation period rendered this largely ineffective .
The virus has been reported to be able to kill people without even giving them a fever — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the infected .
There is speculation that the virus is so contagious that it can even enter through the unprotected eye .
In its declaration of emergency , WHO revealed the latest data from the Chinese government , which paint a grim picture .
Remember , just last week China reported only a few hundred infected .
This number has increased more than tenfold , to nearly 20,000 , despite the country ’ s massive quarantine .
“ There are now 7,711 confirmed and 12,167 suspected cases throughout [ China ] , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of the confirmed cases , 1,370 are severe and 170 people have died .
124 people have recovered and been discharged from hospital.
” It ’ s uncertain how much of this is due to human-to-human transmission , an increasingly worrying problem with the outbreak .
This method of transmission was discovered in the United States the same day WHO made its emergency announcement .
“ Previously , all confirmed U.S. cases had been associated with travel to Wuhan , China , where an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by this novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention news release said .
RELATED : Limbaugh : Coronavirus , Other Diseases Are All Coming from Leftist Communities , Not Conservative Ones “ However , this latest 2019-nCoV patient has no history of travel to Wuhan , but shared a household with the patient diagnosed with 2019-nCoV infection on January 21 , 2020.
” The CDC insists that risk to the American public is still low .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards @

The novel coronavirus spreading throughout China and the rest of the world has finally been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization.
WHO made the announcement Thursday, setting in motion the global cooperation needed to combat the public health emergency of international concern.
“It is expected that further international exportation of cases may appear in any country,” WHO warned.
“Thus, all countries should be prepared for containment,” it said, “including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of onward spread of 2019-nCoV infection, and to share full data with WHO.”
This declaration comes as the coronavirus outbreak, which now bears the official interim name of “2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease,” continues to infect thousands more every day in the epicenter of China.
Although the communist country has attempted to quarantine its way around this outbreak, the virus’ ability to infect others during its incubation period rendered this largely ineffective.
The virus has been reported to be able to kill people without even giving them a fever — a symptom many checkpoints rely on to identify the infected.
There is speculation that the virus is so contagious that it can even enter through the unprotected eye.
In its declaration of emergency, WHO revealed the latest data from the Chinese government, which paint a grim picture. Remember, just last week China reported only a few hundred infected.
Should the United States refuse any incoming people from China? 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% (377 Votes) No: 2% (9 Votes)
This number has increased more than tenfold, to nearly 20,000, despite the country’s massive quarantine.
“There are now 7,711 confirmed and 12,167 suspected cases throughout [China],” the WHO news release states. “Of the confirmed cases, 1,370 are severe and 170 people have died. 124 people have recovered and been discharged from hospital.”
It’s uncertain how much of this is due to human-to-human transmission, an increasingly worrying problem with the outbreak.
This method of transmission was discovered in the United States the same day WHO made its emergency announcement.
“Previously, all confirmed U.S. cases had been associated with travel to Wuhan, China, where an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by this novel coronavirus has been ongoing since December 2019,” a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention news release said.
CDC confirmed the first US case of person-to-person spread of #2019nCoV in a patient who had close contact w/ a traveler previously diagnosed. While the virus is not spreading widely here, it’s likely that more US cases of #2019nCoV will be reported. https://t.co/qhticS4L77 pic.twitter.com/PLXsLfNrrE — CDC (@CDCgov) January 30, 2020
“However, this latest 2019-nCoV patient has no history of travel to Wuhan, but shared a household with the patient diagnosed with 2019-nCoV infection on January 21, 2020.”
The CDC insists that risk to the American public is still low.
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westernjournal--2020-01-30--Chief Justice Censors Question About ‘Whistleblower,’ So Rand Paul Releases It to the Public

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has spent a career using speeches on the Senate floor building a reputation as a maverick among Republicans on Capitol Hill .
But it was a question he never got to ask Thursday during President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial in the Senate that ’ s putting Paul ’ s name in the headlines now .
At issue was the bizarre , continuing insistence by Democratic impeachment managers like Rep. Adam Schiff that they do not know the identity of the “ whistleblower ” whose accusations kicked off the whole impeachment effort .
Yet at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep one particular name from being uttered aloud .
On Thursday afternoon , Chief Justice John Roberts tried to continue the conspiracy of silence , but Paul would not be stopped from speaking out .
TRENDING : Nancy Pelosi Says House Will Soon Pass Legislation Aimed at Blocking Trump 's Travel Ban The matter rose to a head when Paul — who had clashed with Roberts on the subject Wednesday , according to Fox News — submitted a written question containing the name of Eric Ciaramella , the former National Security Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ whistlelower ” who complained about Trump ’ s July 25 phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky .
Though the question was directed to both the House impeachment managers and the president ’ s defense team , it struck to the heart of the prosecution ’ s ginned-up case against Trump .
As Paul described it in a Twitter post : “ My question today is about whether or not individuals who were holdovers from the Obama National Security Council and Democrat partisans conspired with Schiff staffers to plot impeaching the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceedings.
” He then tweeted what he said was the full question — complete with Ciaramella ’ s name : So Paul ’ s 2.6 million listed Twitter followers know Ciaramella ’ s name .
Countless millions of readers of conservative news sites such as The Western Journal , Breitbart and The Federalist , as well as the vast audiences of conservative radio giants Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin have heard the name .
It ’ s a safe bet that literally anyone in Washington who has followed the impeachment saga knows full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role as the suspected “ whistleblower ” and the absurd lengths Democrats — and now the chief justice of the Supreme Court — are willing to go to pretend that no one knows who ’ s being talked about here .
And yet almost everyone — including the mainstream news outlets and their suffocatingly self-righteous correspondents — is going along with the charade that no one knows who the suspected “ whistleblower ” is .
RELATED : Rand Paul : The Only People Here Making Money Off Politics Are John Bolton & the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salts every time Ciaramella ’ s name gets mentioned — or even alluded to — like to claim the identity of the “ whistleblower ” is protected by federal law .
But as constitutional scholar Jonathan Turley explained in a Twitter post shortly after Roberts ’ decision on Thursday , it ’ s not nearly as cut and dried as liberals would like to believe .
“ This is relatively uncharted because the reading of the name does not directly violate federal law , ” Turley wrote .
“ It is a matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inherent authority.
” Americans should well remember what sticklers Democrats are for decorum when it comes to Senate proceedings .
Remember how decorous liberals were during the Judiciary Committee hearings for Roberts ’ now-colleague Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh ?
Sometimes it was hard to hear for all the decorum coming from Democrats .
At a news conference after Roberts ’ decision , Paul explained his rationale for the question .
“ I think this is an important question , one that deserves to be asked .
It makes no reference to anybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whistleblower , ” he said .
If the question Paul published on Twitter was indeed the question he had handed to Roberts on Thursday — and there ’ s no reason to think it isn ’ t — then it ’ s clear that Roberts has joined the Alice-in-Wonderland world of the impeachment hearings , where everyone must pretend not to know something that everyone knows .
If Democratic lawmakers and the chief justice were to admit they know who the “ whistleblower ” is , if they admitted they know what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they might be forced to admit something else everyone knows : That the impeachment trial of Trump is a sham , dreamed up by a bitter , intellectually dishonest and morally bankrupt political # Resistance that has been disgracing itself daily since the 2016 presidential election by defying the country ’ s tradition of a peaceful transition of power .
As of Thursday , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham appeared to be siding with Roberts on the issue of McConnell ’ s name , according to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their support for the president , and unmistakably clear about their determination to defeat an impeachment effort that aims to overturn the 2016 vote .
So they both have earned the benefit of the doubt .
But the mental gymnastics surrounding the censorship of the name “ Eric Ciaramella ” constitute the kind of farce that ’ s turning the drama of impeachment into the theater of the absurd .
After all , by objecting to the use of the name Eric Ciaramella on the grounds that the identity of the “ whistleblower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dictate that the objection identifies Ciaremalla as the “ whistleblower ” after all .
It might upset “ decorum , ” but sometimes it takes a maverick like Rand Paul to get to the truth .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has spent a career using speeches on the Senate floor building a reputation as a maverick among Republicans on Capitol Hill.
But it was a question he never got to ask Thursday during President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate that’s putting Paul’s name in the headlines now.
At issue was the bizarre, continuing insistence by Democratic impeachment managers like Rep. Adam Schiff that they do not know the identity of the “whistleblower” whose accusations kicked off the whole impeachment effort.
Yet at the same time they continue to try to keep one particular name from being uttered aloud.
On Thursday afternoon, Chief Justice John Roberts tried to continue the conspiracy of silence, but Paul would not be stopped from speaking out.
The matter rose to a head when Paul — who had clashed with Roberts on the subject Wednesday, according to Fox News — submitted a written question containing the name of Eric Ciaramella, the former National Security Council aide who is widely believed to be the “whistlelower” who complained about Trump’s July 25 phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Though the question was directed to both the House impeachment managers and the president’s defense team, it struck to the heart of the prosecution’s ginned-up case against Trump.
As Paul described it in a Twitter post: “My question today is about whether or not individuals who were holdovers from the Obama National Security Council and Democrat partisans conspired with Schiff staffers to plot impeaching the President before there were formal House impeachment proceedings.”
He then tweeted what he said was the full question — complete with Ciaramella’s name:
and are you aware and how do you respond to reports that Ciaramella and Misko may have worked together to plot impeaching the President before there were formal house impeachment proceedings. 2/2 — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 30, 2020
So Paul’s 2.6 million listed Twitter followers know Ciaramella’s name.
Countless millions of readers of conservative news sites such as The Western Journal, Breitbart and The Federalist, as well as the vast audiences of conservative radio giants Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin have heard the name.
It’s a safe bet that literally anyone in Washington who has followed the impeachment saga knows full well who Eric Ciaramella is, his role as the suspected “whistleblower” and the absurd lengths Democrats — and now the chief justice of the Supreme Court — are willing to go to pretend that no one knows who’s being talked about here.
And yet almost everyone — including the mainstream news outlets and their suffocatingly self-righteous correspondents — is going along with the charade that no one knows who the suspected “whistleblower” is.
Democrats who reach for their smelling salts every time Ciaramella’s name gets mentioned — or even alluded to — like to claim the identity of the “whistleblower” is protected by federal law.
But as constitutional scholar Jonathan Turley explained in a Twitter post shortly after Roberts’ decision on Thursday, it’s not nearly as cut and dried as liberals would like to believe.
“This is relatively uncharted because the reading of the name does not directly violate federal law,” Turley wrote. “It is a matter of decorum and restraint claimed by Roberts inherent authority.”
The Chief Justice again refused to read Paul’s question. This is relatively uncharted because the reading of the name does not directly violate federal law. It is a matter of decorum and restraint claimed by Roberts
inherent authority. https://t.co/7aoEta8RVw — Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) January 30, 2020
Decorum.
Americans should well remember what sticklers Democrats are for decorum when it comes to Senate proceedings.
Remember how decorous liberals were during the Judiciary Committee hearings for Roberts’ now-colleague Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh?
Do you think Rand Paul's question should have been read aloud? 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: 99% (5522 Votes) No: 1% (38 Votes)
Sometimes it was hard to hear for all the decorum coming from Democrats.
At a news conference after Roberts’ decision, Paul explained his rationale for the question.
“I think this is an important question, one that deserves to be asked. It makes no reference to anybody who may or may not be a whistleblower,” he said.
If the question Paul published on Twitter was indeed the question he had handed to Roberts on Thursday — and there’s no reason to think it isn’t — then it’s clear that Roberts has joined the Alice-in-Wonderland world of the impeachment hearings, where everyone must pretend not to know something that everyone knows.
If Democratic lawmakers and the chief justice were to admit they know who the “whistleblower” is, if they admitted they know what the name “Eric Ciaramella” signified, they might be forced to admit something else everyone knows:
That the impeachment trial of Trump is a sham, dreamed up by a bitter, intellectually dishonest and morally bankrupt political #Resistance that has been disgracing itself daily since the 2016 presidential election by defying the country’s tradition of a peaceful transition of power.
As of Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham appeared to be siding with Roberts on the issue of Ciaramella’s name, according to The Hill.
Both have been open about their support for the president, and unmistakably clear about their determination to defeat an impeachment effort that aims to overturn the 2016 vote.
So they both have earned the benefit of the doubt.
But the mental gymnastics surrounding the censorship of the name “Eric Ciaramella” constitute the kind of farce that’s turning the drama of impeachment into the theater of the absurd.
After all, by objecting to the use of the name Eric Ciaramella on the grounds that the identity of the “whistleblower” must be protected, logic would dictate that the objection identifies Ciaremalla as the “whistleblower” after all.
It might upset “decorum,” but sometimes it takes a maverick like Rand Paul to get to the truth.
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westernjournal--2020-01-30--Former Gov Hosts Spaghetti Fundraiser for 95-Year-Old Woman Scammed Out of Thousands

Scams are annoying , and most of us have gotten a suspicious call , email or letter at some point in our lives .
But when a scammer targets the elderly and preys on their loneliness , that ’ s a special level of disgusting .
When 95-year-old Barbara Hinckley of Auburn , Maine , got a call informing her that she ’ d won $ 2.5 million and a Mercedes , she didn ’ t quite buy it , but the person who called had a name she remembered .
“ I was suspicious , but I bought stuff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I knew of the name David Sayer because he ’ s a prize director , ” she told WCSH .
“ He was never unkind to me , ” she said of the caller with the borrowed name .
“ He was always thoughtful.
” TRENDING : Nancy Pelosi Says House Will Soon Pass Legislation Aimed at Blocking Trump 's Travel Ban Despite the original red flags that Hinckley saw , over a month she was slowly convinced of the legitimacy of the winnings .
“ I was thrilled ; it all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Washington Post .
“ He sounded educated , and he had a nice voice .
He said there were some procedures that needed to be followed to get me my money and that he ’ d be back in touch .
He also told me not to tell anybody that I was the winner until I ’ d been awarded my money.
” One of those procedures was that the caller eventually tricked her into giving him her entire life savings : roughly $ 18,000 ( though some reports have claimed it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was all I had , ” Hinckley told WCSH .
“ I had $ 8.75 left in my checking account and that was it.
” She was embarrassed after she realized she ’ d been scammed — but thankfully for her , someone who heard about her story decided to do something about the injustice .
John Baldacci , the former governor of Maine and a spaghetti connoisseur , was angered on her behalf and set out to help her .
“ I felt like I needed to do something , and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spaghetti , ” he told WCSH .
“ I just felt like she was my grandmother , like she was everyone ’ s grandmother .
And you wouldn ’ t want that to happen to your grandmother.
” RELATED : Cop Captured in Heartwarming Photograph Comforting Toddler He Found Wandering the Streets So a spaghetti dinner fundraiser was set in motion , resulting in the Facebook page Baldacci Spaghetti Fundraiser Dinner for Barbara Hinckley .
“ The cost is $ 5 a person , ” the page posted on Dec. 24 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so larger donations are very much appreciated .
Anyone who wants to help Hinckley immediately is welcome to send her a check through her church.
” “ If you would like to donate a service or an item to be bid on that night , please let us know .
We ’ d like to encourage you to bring the service in an envelope or item with you on January 8th.
” According to an update , the group managed to raise $ 18,000 for Hinckley — an impressive sum that replenished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just amazing to me to know how many people care , ” she said .
Older people are often the target of these horrible scams .
Publishers Clearing House — though a well-known name — never charges for a win .
If you are contacted by someone who is offering you something that sounds too good to be true and requires any sort of monetary involvement on your behalf , it ’ s likely a scam , and it ’ s best to talk to someone else about the “ offer.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
People who prey on seniors are the lowest form of life , ” Baldacci told The Post .
“ We wanted to make it a teachable moment and let people know that this is a common problem .
Nobody has to feel alone.
” Now , Hinckley lets calls go to message and has advice for everyone : “ Don ’ t answer the phone !
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Scams are annoying, and most of us have gotten a suspicious call, email or letter at some point in our lives.
But when a scammer targets the elderly and preys on their loneliness, that’s a special level of disgusting.
When 95-year-old Barbara Hinckley of Auburn, Maine, got a call informing her that she’d won $2.5 million and a Mercedes, she didn’t quite buy it, but the person who called had a name she remembered.
“I was suspicious, but I bought stuff from Publishers Clearing House since 1989, and I knew of the name David Sayer because he’s a prize director,” she told WCSH.
“He was never unkind to me,” she said of the caller with the borrowed name. “He was always thoughtful.”
Despite the original red flags that Hinckley saw, over a month she was slowly convinced of the legitimacy of the winnings.
“I was thrilled; it all seemed very real,” Hinckley told The Washington Post. “He sounded educated, and he had a nice voice. He said there were some procedures that needed to be followed to get me my money and that he’d be back in touch. He also told me not to tell anybody that I was the winner until I’d been awarded my money.”
One of those procedures was that the caller eventually tricked her into giving him her entire life savings: roughly $18,000 (though some reports have claimed it was $25,000).
“It was all I had,” Hinckley told WCSH. “I had $8.75 left in my checking account and that was it.”
She was embarrassed after she realized she’d been scammed — but thankfully for her, someone who heard about her story decided to do something about the injustice.
John Baldacci, the former governor of Maine and a spaghetti connoisseur, was angered on her behalf and set out to help her.
“I felt like I needed to do something, and all I knew how to do was make spaghetti,” he told WCSH. “I just felt like she was my grandmother, like she was everyone’s grandmother. And you wouldn’t want that to happen to your grandmother.”
So a spaghetti dinner fundraiser was set in motion, resulting in the Facebook page Baldacci Spaghetti Fundraiser Dinner for Barbara Hinckley.
“The cost is $5 a person,” the page posted on Dec. 24. “Everything collected will go entirely to Hinckley, so larger donations are very much appreciated. Anyone who wants to help Hinckley immediately is welcome to send her a check through her church.”
“If you would like to donate a service or an item to be bid on that night, please let us know. We’d like to encourage you to bring the service in an envelope or item with you on January 8th.”
According to an update, the group managed to raise $18,000 for Hinckley — an impressive sum that replenished her savings.
“It’s just amazing to me to know how many people care,” she said.
Older people are often the target of these horrible scams.
Publishers Clearing House — though a well-known name — never charges for a win.
If you are contacted by someone who is offering you something that sounds too good to be true and requires any sort of monetary involvement on your behalf, it’s likely a scam, and it’s best to talk to someone else about the “offer.”
“It’s the most disgusting thing. People who prey on seniors are the lowest form of life,” Baldacci told The Post. “We wanted to make it a teachable moment and let people know that this is a common problem. Nobody has to feel alone.”
Now, Hinckley lets calls go to message and has advice for everyone: “Don’t answer the phone!”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-01-30--California Issued Travel Bans Over Abortion and Adoption Laws, Oklahoma Fires Back with Its Own Ban

In response to a ban issued by the state of California on non-essential state-funded travel to Oklahoma , Oklahoma Gov .
Kevin Stitt has announced an identical ban on travel to California .
The first-term Republican governor issued an executive order Jan. 23 preventing state employees from traveling to California except for business recruiting trips , university sports games and middle school , high school and college trips necessary to participate in various programs and events .
Stitt Order by The Western Journal on Scribd California announced a travel ban on Oklahoma in 2018 after the state passed a law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place children under the care of same-sex couples .
TRENDING : Nancy Pelosi Says House Will Soon Pass Legislation Aimed at Blocking Trump 's Travel Ban “ California will not use state resources to support states that pass discriminatory laws .
… California taxpayers are taking a stand against bigotry and in support of those who would be harmed by this prejudiced policy , ” the state ’ s Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement .
Last year , San Francisco took things further , announcing it was banning city-funded travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws , ” one of which is Oklahoma .
Stitt decided it was time for his state to reciprocate .
“ California and its elected officials over the past few years have banned state travel to the State of Oklahoma in an effort to politically threaten and intimidate Oklahomans for their personal values , ” he said in a statement as he announced his executive order .
“ Enough is enough , ” Stitt continued .
“ If California ’ s elected officials don ’ t want public employees traveling to Oklahoma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on behalf of Oklahoma ’ s pro-life stance.
” “ I am proud to be Governor of a state that fights for the most vulnerable among us , the unborn , ” he said .
Oklahoma law prohibits abortions from taking place after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless doing so is necessary to protect the health or life of the mother .
Mothers considering abortion must first wait 72 hours and receive counseling information first .
According to the updated Assembly Bill 1887 , the California ban extends to states that have “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis of sexual orientation , gender identity , or gender expression.
” Eleven states are on the banned list : Alabama , Iowa , Kansas , Kentucky , Mississippi , North Carolina , Oklahoma , South Carolina , South Dakota , Tennessee and Texas .
San Francisco ’ s abortion-based ban came in October , when Mayor London Breed announced that the city would not fund travel to 22 states or enter any contracts with companies whose headquarters are located there , according to the Los Angeles Times .
“ Every day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights are threatened , and we have to fight back , ” Breed said .
“ Just as we restricted spending with states that have laws that discriminate against LGBTQ people , we are standing up against states that put women ’ s health at risk and that are actively working to limit reproductive freedoms .
“ By limiting travel and contracting with certain states , we are sending a clear message to states that disregard the right to abortion.
” The city issued the ban in hopes that other governments would follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco alone may not be sufficient to encourage states to rethink their laws , if other cities and states follow San Francisco ’ s lead , the financial pressure might be enough to prompt policy changes , ” Breed ’ s office said , according to the Times .
Oklahoma will not be bowing to the pressure anytime soon .
Stitt has made it clear that his priority is protecting life .
“ As I have said all along , I believe that life begins at conception , ” the governor said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We want to be No .
1 in protecting life in the U.S. ” Stitt continues to prioritize the protection of the unborn , saying that he will “ sign every piece of pro-life legislation that hits my desk.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In response to a ban issued by the state of California on non-essential state-funded travel to Oklahoma, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has announced an identical ban on travel to California.
The first-term Republican governor issued an executive order Jan. 23 preventing state employees from traveling to California except for business recruiting trips, university sports games and middle school, high school and college trips necessary to participate in various programs and events.
Stitt Order by The Western Journal on Scribd
California announced a travel ban on Oklahoma in 2018 after the state passed a law allowing faith-based adoption agencies to refuse to place children under the care of same-sex couples.
“California will not use state resources to support states that pass discriminatory laws. … California taxpayers are taking a stand against bigotry and in support of those who would be harmed by this prejudiced policy,” the state’s Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement.
Last year, San Francisco took things further, announcing it was banning city-funded travel to 22 states with “restrictive abortion laws,” one of which is Oklahoma.
Stitt decided it was time for his state to reciprocate.
Do you support Gov. Kevin Stitt's travel ban? Yes No
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“California and its elected officials over the past few years have banned state travel to the State of Oklahoma in an effort to politically threaten and intimidate Oklahomans for their personal values,” he said in a statement as he announced his executive order.
“Enough is enough,” Stitt continued. “If California’s elected officials don’t want public employees traveling to Oklahoma, I am eager to return the gesture on behalf of Oklahoma’s pro-life stance.”
“I am proud to be Governor of a state that fights for the most vulnerable among us, the unborn,” he said.
Oklahoma law prohibits abortions from taking place after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless doing so is necessary to protect the health or life of the mother. Mothers considering abortion must first wait 72 hours and receive counseling information first.
According to the updated Assembly Bill 1887, the California ban extends to states that have “enacted a law that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.”
Eleven states are on the banned list: Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.
San Francisco’s abortion-based ban came in October, when Mayor London Breed announced that the city would not fund travel to 22 states or enter any contracts with companies whose headquarters are located there, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“Every day in this country, women’s reproductive rights are threatened, and we have to fight back,” Breed said. “Just as we restricted spending with states that have laws that discriminate against LGBTQ people, we are standing up against states that put women’s health at risk and that are actively working to limit reproductive freedoms.
“By limiting travel and contracting with certain states, we are sending a clear message to states that disregard the right to abortion.”
The city issued the ban in hopes that other governments would follow suit.
“Although tax revenue from San Francisco alone may not be sufficient to encourage states to rethink their laws, if other cities and states follow San Francisco’s lead, the financial pressure might be enough to prompt policy changes,” Breed’s office said, according to the Times.
Oklahoma will not be bowing to the pressure anytime soon. Stitt has made it clear that his priority is protecting life.
“As I have said all along, I believe that life begins at conception,” the governor said last year, according to Tulsa World. “We want to be No. 1 in protecting life in the U.S.”
Stitt continues to prioritize the protection of the unborn, saying that he will “sign every piece of pro-life legislation that hits my desk.”
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westernjournal--2020-01-30--Before Bolton Wrote About Trump, Schiff Thrashed Him for ‘Lack of Credibility’

Former national security adviser John Bolton is now being heralded as a major corroborating witness for House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff for claims in an upcoming book , despite the Democratic lawmaker publicly shredding Bolton ’ s credibility years before .
According to a New York Times report , Bolton wrote in the book that President Donald Trump admitted to holding back military aid from Ukraine in order to spark an investigation into political rivals .
For Schiff and his Democratic allies ’ case against the president , this claim seemed as good as gold .
“ This would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very direct terms , if this report is accurate , that the president told him unequivocally he was holding up the money until Ukraine did these investigations , ” Schiff told CNN Monday .
“ It completely blasts another hole in the president ’ s defense.
” TRENDING : Nancy Pelosi Says House Will Soon Pass Legislation Aimed at Blocking Trump 's Travel Ban Unfortunately for Democrats , Schiff himself thoroughly trashed John Bolton ’ s credibility less than a few years ago .
“ This is someone who is likely to exaggerate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belligerence , his proclivity to act without thinking , and his love of conspiracy theories , ” Schiff told MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow in 2018 .
“ John Bolton once suggested on Fox News that the Russian hack of the DNC was a false flag operation that had been conducted by the Obama administration.
” Of course , this wasn ’ t the first time Schiff tore into Bolton ’ s credibility .
As far back as the administration of former President George Bush , the Democratic lawmaker was building a case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be trusted .
Schiff told CNN in 2005 that Bolton ’ s “ lack of credibility ” should be taken into account as lawmakers at the time weighed his nomination as the ambassador to the United Nations .
For once , it ’ s hard to disagree with Adam Schiff .
Past footage of Bolton himself undermines the very claim Schiff is holding as truth .
Only one month after the infamous July 2019 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , Bolton described the conversation as warm and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a whole lot , but it seems he was right on the money in saying that Bolton ’ s words should be taken with a grain of salt .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Former national security adviser John Bolton is now being heralded as a major corroborating witness for House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff for claims in an upcoming book, despite the Democratic lawmaker publicly shredding Bolton’s credibility years before.
According to a New York Times report, Bolton wrote in the book that President Donald Trump admitted to holding back military aid from Ukraine in order to spark an investigation into political rivals.
For Schiff and his Democratic allies’ case against the president, this claim seemed as good as gold.
“This would be another witness that would corroborate in very direct terms, if this report is accurate, that the president told him unequivocally he was holding up the money until Ukraine did these investigations,” Schiff told CNN Monday.
“It completely blasts another hole in the president’s defense.”
Unfortunately for Democrats, Schiff himself thoroughly trashed John Bolton’s credibility less than a few years ago.
“This is someone who is likely to exaggerate the dangerous impulses of the president toward belligerence, his proclivity to act without thinking, and his love of conspiracy theories,” Schiff told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow in 2018.
“John Bolton once suggested on Fox News that the Russian hack of the DNC was a false flag operation that had been conducted by the Obama administration.”
Watch the clip below.
Of course, this wasn’t the first time Schiff tore into Bolton’s credibility.
As far back as the administration of former President George Bush, the Democratic lawmaker was building a case that Bolton was a man who shouldn’t be trusted.
Is John Bolton a credible witness? Yes No
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Schiff told CNN in 2005 that Bolton’s “lack of credibility” should be taken into account as lawmakers at the time weighed his nomination as the ambassador to the United Nations.
For once, it’s hard to disagree with Adam Schiff.
Past footage of Bolton himself undermines the very claim Schiff is holding as truth. Only one month after the infamous July 2019 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Bolton described the conversation as warm and cordial.
Schiff may not be right about a whole lot, but it seems he was right on the money in saying that Bolton’s words should be taken with a grain of salt.
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The Three Amigos

For more A.F .
Branco cartoons , go to WesternJournal.com/opinion/cartoons .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

Aldi opened its first store in the U.S. in 1976 after it was founded a decade earlier in Germany by two brothers.


westernjournal--2020-01-30--In Landslide Defeat, Dems Lose Race That Was Supposed To Start Turning Texas Blue

For years , Democrats have been talking about flipping Texas from red to blue , thereby thwarting Republican chances of winning the presidency or likely holding the House of Representatives ever again .
That prospect took a serious hit on Tuesday when Texans elected Republican businessman Gary Gates over Democratic educator Eliz Markowitz by an impressive 58 to 42 percent margin to become the next congressman for the 28th Congressional District .
The district runs from the suburbs of San Antonio south to the Mexican border .
The 30,000 ballots cast represented an unusually high voter turnout , easily surpassing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special election , the Houston Chronicle reported .
Democrats nationally poured more than $ 1 million into the contest , according to CBS News , pinning their hopes on former Rep. Beto O ’ Rourke ’ s strong showing in the district during his 2018 U.S. Senate bid to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz .
O ’ Rourke pulled within three points of Cruz in the 28th , which President Donald Trump won by 10 points in 2016 .
Of course , midterm elections traditionally favor the political party that does not hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who campaigned for Markowitz , tweeted last week , “ The first critical election of 2020 is happening now in Fort Bend , TX .
Victory for Eliz Markowitz means we can win the state house and build the team to defeat Trump in Texas.
” Other former and current 2020 Democratic presidential candidates endorsed Markowitz , too , including former Vice President Joe Biden , former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg , Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro , who hails from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change the outcome and maybe hurt the Democratic candidate ’ s chances .
Karl Rove , a former top campaign adviser to President George W. Bush , told The Associated Press that Democrats “ made a big mistake by nationalizing ” the contest .
Republican Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott noted that “ Beto math ” did not work out in the 28th congressional district race .
“ Beto math was that if he won or was close in a House district then he could help a democrat win .
He came within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abbott tweeted on Tuesday .
RELATED : You Would Hardly Recognize America After Bernie 's First Executive Orders : Report “ Beto math doesn ’ t work .
All of that $ was incinerated.
” Beto math also did not work in his effort to defeat Cruz .
The Democrat raised and spent a record $ 79 million in the endeavor , compared to Cruz ’ s $ 46 million , according to Open Secrets .
It was the most expensive Senate race in U.S. history .
The RealClearPolitics average of polls shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November , with Biden tracking the closest , just 1.4 percent behind .
However , the most recent survey has Trump ahead by five percentage points .
The political site 270toWin puts Texas with its 38 Electoral College votes in the “ likely Republican ” column .
The running tally is 205 for the GOP presidential candidate ( who will presumably be Trump ) to 248 for the Democratic challenger , leaving 85 electoral votes in five swing states up for grabs .
Those states are Pennsylvania , North Carolina , Florida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to 270toWin , Democrats have the advantage in holding the House , though they are likely to lose at least 10 seats , with 21 races currently listed as toss-ups .
In September , conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh said he believes Trump is heading for a landslide win in 2020 that simply is not being calculated by the media and political observers because Democrats have so galvanized the Republican base .
“ I think that there is , across a vast expanse of this country , I think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans who are quietly seething , quietly enraged over everything that has gone on here since Trump was inaugurated , ” he said .
The results in this week ’ s Texas House race may be evidence of Limbaugh ’ s observation being true .
If so , many in the media and the political establishment may be shocked to see not only a Trump victory by a wider margin than 2016 this November , but also a new GOP majority in the House .
We are committed to truth and accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

For years, Democrats have been talking about flipping Texas from red to blue, thereby thwarting Republican chances of winning the presidency or likely holding the House of Representatives ever again.
That prospect took a serious hit on Tuesday when Texans elected Republican businessman Gary Gates over Democratic educator Eliz Markowitz by an impressive 58 to 42 percent margin to become the next state representative for the 28th District.
The district is just to the west of Houston.
The 30,000 ballots cast represented an unusually high voter turnout, easily surpassing the previous record of 22,000 for a special election, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Democrats nationally poured more than $1 million into the contest, according to CBS News, pinning their hopes on former Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s strong showing in the district during his 2018 U.S. Senate bid to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.
O’Rourke pulled within three points of Cruz in the 28th, which President Donald Trump won by 10 points in 2016.
Of course, midterm elections traditionally favor the political party that does not hold the White House.
O’Rourke, who campaigned for Markowitz, tweeted last week, “The first critical election of 2020 is happening now in Fort Bend, TX. Victory for Eliz Markowitz means we can win the state house and build the team to defeat Trump in Texas.”
The first critical election of 2020 is happening now in Fort Bend, TX. Victory for Eliz Markowitz means we can win the state house and build the team to defeat Trump in Texas. Join us to knock on doors this last weekend before Election Day. https://t.co/jRr8swVw1S — Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) January 24, 2020
Other former and current 2020 Democratic presidential candidates endorsed Markowitz, too, including former Vice President Joe Biden, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, who hails from San Antonio.
Their support did not change the outcome and maybe hurt the Democratic candidate’s chances.
Karl Rove, a former top campaign adviser to President George W. Bush, told The Associated Press that Democrats “made a big mistake by nationalizing” the contest.
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott noted that “Beto math” did not work out in the 28th District race.
“Beto math was that if he won or was close in a House district then he could help a democrat win. He came within 3% in this district,” Abbott tweeted on Tuesday.
“Beto math doesn’t work. All of that $ was incinerated.”
Wait. Beto math was that if he won or was close in a House district then he could help a democrat win. He came within 3% in this district. Early returns show the Republican winning by about 18% Beto math doesn’t work.
All of that $ was incinerated. https://t.co/1euLaqE0px — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 29, 2020
Beto math also did not work in his effort to defeat Cruz. The Democrat raised and spent a record $79 million in the endeavor, compared to Cruz’s $46 million, according to Open Secrets.
It was the most expensive Senate race in U.S. history.
The RealClearPolitics average of polls shows Trump beating all comers in Texas this November, with Biden tracking the closest, just 1.4 percent behind. However, the most recent survey has Trump ahead by five percentage points.
The political site 270toWin puts Texas with its 38 Electoral College votes in the “likely Republican” column.
The running tally is 205 for the GOP presidential candidate (who will presumably be Trump) to 248 for the Democratic challenger, leaving 85 electoral votes in five swing states up for grabs.
Those states are Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Wisconsin and Arizona.
Do you think Trump will be re-elected in 2020? 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% (4065 Votes) No: 0% (17 Votes)
Right now, according to 270toWin, Democrats have the advantage in holding the House, though they are likely to lose at least 10 seats, with 21 races currently listed as toss-ups.
In September, conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh said he believes Trump is heading for a landslide win in 2020 that simply is not being calculated by the media and political observers because Democrats have so galvanized the Republican base.
“I think that there is, across a vast expanse of this country, I think that there are millions and millions and millions of Americans who are quietly seething, quietly enraged over everything that has gone on here since Trump was inaugurated,” he said.
The results in this week’s Texas House race may be evidence of Limbaugh’s observation being true.
If so, many in the media and the political establishment may be shocked to see not only a Trump victory by a wider margin than 2016 this November, but also a new GOP majority in the House.
CORRECTION, Jan. 31, 2020: A previous version of this story incorrectly said Gary Gates was elected to Congress rather than the Texas House of Representatives. We apologize for the error and to our readers for any confusion we may have caused.
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westernjournal--2020-01-30--US Hits Iran with New Round of Sanctions, But Holds Back in Some Areas

The Trump administration said Thursday that it will continue — at least for now — its policy of not sanctioning foreign companies that work with Iran ’ s civilian nuclear program .
But to signal that its pressure campaign against Tehran continues , the Treasury Department announced new sanctions targeting the head of Iran ’ s nuclear program and the agency he directs .
Brian Hook , U.S. envoy to Iran , said the U.S. would renew for 60 days sanctions waivers that permit Russian , European and Chinese companies to continue to work on Iran ’ s civilian nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The waivers are among the last remaining components of the 2015 nuclear deal that President Donald Trump pulled out of in 2018 .
Hook told reporters at the State Department that although the waivers will remain in place , the U.S. would closely monitor all aspects of Iran ’ s nuclear program .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. could “ end these projects as developments warrant.
” TRENDING : Nancy Pelosi Says House Will Soon Pass Legislation Aimed at Blocking Trump 's Travel Ban Iran hard-liners in Congress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas , have argued that the waivers should be revoked because they give Iran access to technology that could be used for weapons .
Those who supported U.S. participation in the nuclear deal say the waivers give international experts a valuable window into Iran ’ s atomic program that might otherwise not exist .
They also say some of the work , particularly on nuclear isotopes that can be used in medicine at the Tehran reactor , is humanitarian in nature .
New sanctions against Iran that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organization of Iran and its director , Ali Akbar Salehi .
The sanctions freeze any assets that Salehi has within U.S. jurisdiction .
The new sanctions come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. since Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Tehran ’ s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers in May 2018 .
Since then , Iran has begun breaking terms of the deal , which limited its enrichment of uranium .
“ The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has played a big role in Iran breaching its key nuclear commitments .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ uranium stockpile and enrichment levels , ” Hook said , adding that Salehi personally inaugurated the installation of new advanced centrifuges to expand Iran ’ s uranium enrichment capacity .
Separately , the Treasury Department announced that a new financial channel for humanitarian goods has been created with Switzerland to benefit medical patients in Iran .
RELATED : House Votes Mostly Along Party Lines To Clamp Down on President 's War Powers Hook said four shipments of cancer and transplant drugs have already been delivered to Iran .
“ Iranian cancer and transplant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is subject to strict due diligence measures to avoid misuse by the Iranian regime , ” the department said in a statement .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Trump administration said Thursday that it will continue — at least for now — its policy of not sanctioning foreign companies that work with Iran’s civilian nuclear program. But to signal that its pressure campaign against Tehran continues, the Treasury Department announced new sanctions targeting the head of Iran’s nuclear program and the agency he directs.
Brian Hook, U.S. envoy to Iran, said the U.S. would renew for 60 days sanctions waivers that permit Russian, European and Chinese companies to continue to work on Iran’s civilian nuclear facilities without running afoul of U.S. sanctions.
The waivers are among the last remaining components of the 2015 nuclear deal that President Donald Trump pulled out of in 2018.
Hook told reporters at the State Department that although the waivers will remain in place, the U.S. would closely monitor all aspects of Iran’s nuclear program.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. could “end these projects as developments warrant.”
Iran hard-liners in Congress, including Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, have argued that the waivers should be revoked because they give Iran access to technology that could be used for weapons.
Those who supported U.S. participation in the nuclear deal say the waivers give international experts a valuable window into Iran’s atomic program that might otherwise not exist.
They also say some of the work, particularly on nuclear isotopes that can be used in medicine at the Tehran reactor, is humanitarian in nature.
New sanctions against Iran that the U.S. announced on Thursday target Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and its director, Ali Akbar Salehi.
The sanctions freeze any assets that Salehi has within U.S. jurisdiction.
The new sanctions come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. since Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers in May 2018.
Since then, Iran has begun breaking terms of the deal, which limited its enrichment of uranium.
“The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has played a big role in Iran breaching its key nuclear commitments. It has exceeded the limits on its uranium stockpile and enrichment levels,” Hook said, adding that Salehi personally inaugurated the installation of new advanced centrifuges to expand Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity.
Separately, the Treasury Department announced that a new financial channel for humanitarian goods has been created with Switzerland to benefit medical patients in Iran.
Hook said four shipments of cancer and transplant drugs have already been delivered to Iran.
“Iranian cancer and transplant patients are receiving treatments through this channel, which is subject to strict due diligence measures to avoid misuse by the Iranian regime,” the department said in a statement.
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--2020-01-30--Commerce Secretary: Coronavirus Will Trigger ‘Return of Jobs’ to US

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross suggested Thursday that the viral outbreak in China might offer an unexpected benefit for the U.S. economy : It could encourage American manufacturers in China to return to the United States .
“ I think it will help to accelerate the return of jobs to North America .
Some to U.S. , probably some to Mexico as well , ’ ’ Ross told Fox Business Network .
The new virus , from the coronavirus family , has paralyzed business in China .
TRENDING : Nancy Pelosi Says House Will Soon Pass Legislation Aimed at Blocking Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan and other Chinese cities are on lockdown .
China has reported more than 7,700 cases and 170 deaths .
The crisis has also begun to ripple through U.S. companies with operations in China .
Apple CEO Tim Cook has said the company ’ s suppliers in China have been forced to delay reopening factories that closed for the Lunar New Year holiday .
More than half of Starbucks ’ stores in China are now closed .
McDonald ’ s has closed several hundred restaurants in China .
Ross emphasized that he didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a victory lap over a very unfortunate , very malignant disease.
’ ’ He added , though , that “ the fact is , it does give businesses yet another thing to consider when they go through their review of their supply chain.
’ ’ Even before the viral outbreak , many U.S. and other foreign companies had been rethinking their presence in China and considering their options for relocating elsewhere , possibly elsewhere in Asia .
RELATED : CDC Announces Coronavirus Has Spread from Person to Person in US That is partly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on $ 360 billion in Chinese imports in a war over Beijing ’ s economic policies and partly because Chinese labor and other costs have been rising .
Asked about Ross ’ comments , Larry Kudlow , President Donald Trump ’ s top economic adviser , declined to endorse the notion that the U.S. economy stands to benefit from China ’ s health crisis .
“ This is not about trade , jobs or any of that , ’ ’ Kudlow told reporters .
He added : “ The president has a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The threat of large numbers of people dying is a terrible thing .
We just want to help.
’ ’ The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross suggested Thursday that the viral outbreak in China might offer an unexpected benefit for the U.S. economy: It could encourage American manufacturers in China to return to the United States.
“I think it will help to accelerate the return of jobs to North America. Some to U.S., probably some to Mexico as well,’’ Ross told Fox Business Network.
Secretary Wilbur Ross says coronavirus will be good for [checks notes] American jobs: “I think it will help to accelerate the return of jobs to North America.” pic.twitter.com/Y4SbDIcTi4 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 30, 2020
The new virus, from the coronavirus family, has paralyzed business in China.
The industrial hub of Wuhan and other Chinese cities are on lockdown.
China has reported more than 7,700 cases and 170 deaths.
The crisis has also begun to ripple through U.S. companies with operations in China.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has said the company’s suppliers in China have been forced to delay reopening factories that closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.
Do you think the coronavirus will bring jobs back to the U.S.? 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: 95% (19 Votes) No: 5% (1 Votes)
More than half of Starbucks’ stores in China are now closed.
McDonald’s has closed several hundred restaurants in China.
Ross emphasized that he didn’t “want to talk about a victory lap over a very unfortunate, very malignant disease.’’
He added, though, that “the fact is, it does give businesses yet another thing to consider when they go through their review of their supply chain.’’
Even before the viral outbreak, many U.S. and other foreign companies had been rethinking their presence in China and considering their options for relocating elsewhere, possibly elsewhere in Asia.
That is partly because President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on $360 billion in Chinese imports in a war over Beijing’s economic policies and partly because Chinese labor and other costs have been rising.
Asked about Ross’ comments, Larry Kudlow, President Donald Trump’s top economic adviser, declined to endorse the notion that the U.S. economy stands to benefit from China’s health crisis.
“This is not about trade, jobs or any of that,’’ Kudlow told reporters.
He added: “The president has a lot of compassion for the Chinese situation. The threat of large numbers of people dying is a terrible thing. We just want to help.’’
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--2020-01-30--House Votes Mostly Along Party Lines To Clamp Down on President’s War Powers

Refocusing a debate on war and peace in the midst of the Senate impeachment trial , the Democratic-controlled House on Thursday approved measures reasserting congressional authority over war powers .
In separate votes , the House passed a proposal to repeal the 2002 congressional authorization for the war in Iraq as well as a plan to prevent tax dollars from being used to take military action against Iran without congressional approval .
Repeal of the 2002 authorization was approved by a 236-166 vote , while the funding measure on Iran passed 228-175 .
The actions follow a Jan. 9 vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran .
Democrats said the three measures , taken together , would reassert Congress ’ s constitutional authority in questions of war and peace and sending American forces into harm ’ s way .
TRENDING : Nancy Pelosi Says House Will Soon Pass Legislation Aimed at Blocking Trump 's Travel Ban “ For far too long , Congress has been missing in action on matters of war and peace , ” said Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee of California , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is time to end giving blank checks to any president to wage endless wars , ” she said .
Noting that presidents from both parties have used the “ outdated ” 2002 resolution to justify military action in the Middle East , Lee said leaving the resolution in place “ is not only dangerous but irresponsible.
” Republicans said Lee and fellow Democrats were the ones acting irresponsibly .
“ After President Trump took decisive action to take out a brutal Iranian terrorist responsible for the deaths of hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our president and restrict his ability to protect our nation , ” House Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana said .
The bills sponsored by Lee and fellow California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna , “ severely restrict the president ’ s authority to protect Americans from terrorist threats and fight ISIS , ” Scalise said , referring to the Islamic State terrorist group .
The House bills are unlikely to move forward in the Republican-controlled Senate , and they face veto threats from the White House .
The White House said repeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s ability to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region against threats from Iran and Iranian-sponsored proxies .
The White House also said it would “ embolden our enemies with the recognizable goal of outlasting us.
” RELATED : Is This Tiny Texas House Race a Sign of Things to Come in November ?
According to the White House , the spending measure in Iran would hinder Trump ’ s ability to protect U.S. diplomats , forces and interests in the region from the threat posed by Iran and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not prevent the president from acting to defend U.S. interests , but says Congress must authorize spending U.S. resources on any military action .
“ It ’ s high time Congress reasserted our power of the purse and made clear to any president that they must come to us first before taking any offensive military action .
War should always be a last resort , ” he said .
The House approved a nonbinding resolution on Jan. 9 asserting that Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 3 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Iraq .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , in announcing the House vote , called the killing of Soleimani “ provocative and disproportionate.
” Democrats and several Republicans called Trump administration briefings on the attack inadequate , adding that officials did not provide enough details about why the attack was justified .
The Senate has not acted on a proposal by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia asserting that Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he has at least 51 votes to support the bipartisan resolution .
Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support the House repeal measure , while four Republicans backed the bill on Iran spending .
Two Democrats opposed repeal , while three Democrats opposed limits on Iran funding .
Three Republicans joined Democrats to support both measures : Reps. Warren Davidson of Ohio , Matt Gaetz of Florida and Thomas Massie of Kentucky .
Rep. Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania was the lone Democrat to oppose both measures .
The Associated Press contributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Refocusing a debate on war and peace in the midst of the Senate impeachment trial, the Democratic-controlled House on Thursday approved measures reasserting congressional authority over war powers.
In separate votes, the House passed a proposal to repeal the 2002 congressional authorization for the war in Iraq as well as a plan to prevent tax dollars from being used to take military action against Iran without congressional approval.
Repeal of the 2002 authorization was approved by a 236-166 vote, while the funding measure on Iran passed 228-175.
The actions follow a Jan. 9 vote by the House asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.
Democrats said the three measures, taken together, would reassert Congress’s constitutional authority in questions of war and peace and sending American forces into harm’s way.
“For far too long, Congress has been missing in action on matters of war and peace,” said Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee of California, who sponsored the measure repealing 2002 war authorization.
She called the repeal vote long overdue.
“It is time to end giving blank checks to any president to wage endless wars,” she said.
Noting that presidents from both parties have used the “outdated” 2002 resolution to justify military action in the Middle East, Lee said leaving the resolution in place “is not only dangerous but irresponsible.”
Republicans said Lee and fellow Democrats were the ones acting irresponsibly.
“After President Trump took decisive action to take out a brutal Iranian terrorist responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans, Democrats now seek to restrain our president and restrict his ability to protect our nation,” House Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana said.
The bills sponsored by Lee and fellow California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, “severely restrict the president’s authority to protect Americans from terrorist threats and fight ISIS,” Scalise said, referring to the Islamic State terrorist group.
The House bills are unlikely to move forward in the Republican-controlled Senate, and they face veto threats from the White House.
The White House said repeal of the 2002 war authorization would undermine the president’s ability to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region against threats from Iran and Iranian-sponsored proxies. The White House also said it would “embolden our enemies with the recognizable goal of outlasting us.”
According to the White House, the spending measure in Iran would hinder Trump’s ability to protect U.S. diplomats, forces and interests in the region from the threat posed by Iran and its proxies.
Khanna said his measure would not prevent the president from acting to defend U.S. interests, but says Congress must authorize spending U.S. resources on any military action.
“It’s high time Congress reasserted our power of the purse and made clear to any president that they must come to us first before taking any offensive military action. War should always be a last resort,” he said.
The House approved a nonbinding resolution on Jan. 9 asserting that Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran. The vote followed a Jan. 3 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Iraq.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in announcing the House vote, called the killing of Soleimani “provocative and disproportionate.”
Democrats and several Republicans called Trump administration briefings on the attack inadequate, adding that officials did not provide enough details about why the attack was justified.
The Senate has not acted on a proposal by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia asserting that Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.
Kaine said earlier this month that he has at least 51 votes to support the bipartisan resolution.
Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support the House repeal measure, while four Republicans backed the bill on Iran spending. Two Democrats opposed repeal, while three Democrats opposed limits on Iran funding.
Three Republicans joined Democrats to support both measures: Reps. Warren Davidson of Ohio, Matt Gaetz of Florida and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
Rep. Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania was the lone Democrat to oppose both measures.
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--2020-01-30--Former Trump Aide Carter Page Sues DNC for Distributing ‘Falsehoods’

• Carter Page has taken his first legal action in the wake of a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report on FBI abuse of the FISA process .
• The former Trump campaign aide sued the DNC and its law firm on Thursday over their role in commissioning and disseminating the Steele dossier .
• The DNC , through its lawyers at Perkins Coie , hired Fusion GPS , which in turn hired dossier author Christopher Steele .
• Page says he has received death threats and lost business over the “ falsehoods ” in the dossier .
Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit Thursday against the Democratic National Committee and the law firm that commissioned the infamous Steele dossier , and his lawyer suggests there is more litigation to come .
In the lawsuit , Page accuses the DNC and its law firm , Perkins Coie , of disseminating “ falsehoods ” in the dossier through the media , leading to death threats and a loss of income for the former Trump aide .
“ The Defendants are private actors who used false information , misrepresentations and other misconduct to direct the power of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against a private individual , Plaintiff Carter Page , to further their political agenda , ” Page ’ s lawyers say in the 23-page lawsuit , filed in federal court in Chicago .
Page has sued the DNC and media outlets that published information in the dossier before , but those complaints were tossed out of court .
The latest lawsuit is the first Page has filed through a legal team .
He is represented by the firms Pierce Bainbridge Beck Price & Hechte and Rathje Woodward , out of Chicago .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the release of a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report which undermined the credibility of the dossier , which the FBI cited extensively in applications for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act orders against Page .
John Pierce , one of Page ’ s lawyers , suggested that more lawsuits are in the cards based on the IG ’ s findings .
“ This is a first step to ensure that the full extent of the FISA abuse that has occurred during the last few years is exposed and remedied , ” Pierce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only the first salvo.
” The dossier came into being after Perkins Coie , which also represented the Clinton campaign , hired opposition research firm Fusion GPS to investigate Donald Trump ’ s possible ties to Russia .
Fusion hired Steele in June 2016 .
Page is also suing Marc Elias and Michael Sussmann , two Perins Coie partners who hired Fusion GPS .
Fusion GPS and Steele worked closely to collect information about Trump and campaign aides like Page , and also to disseminate portions of the dossier to journalists .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Fusion GPS — Michael Isikoff and David Corn — published stories before the election based on information from the dossier .
Isikoff published an article at Yahoo !
News on Sept. 23 , 2016 , that detailed Steele ’ s allegations about Page .
RELATED : Democrats ' Convoluted New Rules Could Cause Caucus Night Confusion in Iowa Steele alleged in the 35-page dossier that Page was a part of a “ well-developed conspiracy of cooperation ” between the campaign and Kremlin to influence the 2016 election .
Steele also accused Page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting secretly in Moscow in July 2016 with two Kremlin operatives .
Page has vehemently denied the allegations ever since BuzzFeed News published the dossier on Jan. 10 , 2017 .
The special counsel ’ s report and the IG report supported his denials .
The special counsel found no evidence that any Trump campaign advisers conspired with Russia .
The IG report cast even further doubt on Steele ’ s work .
The report also blasted the FBI for relying heavily on Steele ’ s information in applications for warrants to wiretap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents failed to disclose exculpatory information regarding Page in its four FISA applications against him .
The FBI also failed to tell the FISA Court that Steele ’ s main dossier sources disputed much of what was in the document .
The IG ’ s findings evoked a rare rebuke from the FISA Court .
Judge Rosemary Collyer , who presided over the court until last month , released an order blasting the FBI for submitting “ false ” and “ misleading ” information about Page .
She ordered the FBI to submit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out in the IG report .
The Justice Department has also conceded that two of the four FISA applications were invalid .
The DNC did not return a request for comment .
Elias and Sussmann , the Perkins Coie lawyers , also did not return emails seeking comment .
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 .

Carter Page has taken his first legal action in the wake of a Justice Department inspector general’s report on FBI abuse of the FISA process.
The former Trump campaign aide sued the DNC and its law firm on Thursday over their role in commissioning and disseminating the Steele dossier.
The DNC, through its lawyers at Perkins Coie, hired Fusion GPS, which in turn hired dossier author Christopher Steele.
Page says he has received death threats and lost business over the “falsehoods” in the dossier.
Former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Democratic National Committee and the law firm that commissioned the infamous Steele dossier, and his lawyer suggests there is more litigation to come.
In the lawsuit, Page accuses the DNC and its law firm, Perkins Coie, of disseminating “falsehoods” in the dossier through the media, leading to death threats and a loss of income for the former Trump aide.
“The Defendants are private actors who used false information, misrepresentations and other misconduct to direct the power of the international intelligence apparatus and the media industry against a private individual, Plaintiff Carter Page, to further their political agenda,” Page’s lawyers say in the 23-page lawsuit, filed in federal court in Chicago.
Page has sued the DNC and media outlets that published information in the dossier before, but those complaints were tossed out of court. The latest lawsuit is the first Page has filed through a legal team.
He is represented by the firms Pierce Bainbridge Beck Price & Hechte and Rathje Woodward, out of Chicago.
The suit is also Page’s first since the release of a Justice Department inspector general’s report which undermined the credibility of the dossier, which the FBI cited extensively in applications for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act orders against Page.
John Pierce, one of Page’s lawyers, suggested that more lawsuits are in the cards based on the IG’s findings.
“This is a first step to ensure that the full extent of the FISA abuse that has occurred during the last few years is exposed and remedied,” Pierce told Fox News.
Do you think Carter Page will win his suit? Yes No
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“This is only the first salvo.”
The dossier came into being after Perkins Coie, which also represented the Clinton campaign, hired opposition research firm Fusion GPS to investigate Donald Trump’s possible ties to Russia. Fusion hired Steele in June 2016.
Page is also suing Marc Elias and Michael Sussmann, two Perins Coie partners who hired Fusion GPS.
Fusion GPS and Steele worked closely to collect information about Trump and campaign aides like Page, and also to disseminate portions of the dossier to journalists. At least two journalists who met with Steele and Fusion GPS — Michael Isikoff and David Corn — published stories before the election based on information from the dossier.
Isikoff published an article at Yahoo! News on Sept. 23, 2016, that detailed Steele’s allegations about Page.
Steele alleged in the 35-page dossier that Page was a part of a “well-developed conspiracy of cooperation” between the campaign and Kremlin to influence the 2016 election.
Steele also accused Page, a former Naval officer, of meeting secretly in Moscow in July 2016 with two Kremlin operatives.
Page has vehemently denied the allegations ever since BuzzFeed News published the dossier on Jan. 10, 2017. The special counsel’s report and the IG report supported his denials. The special counsel found no evidence that any Trump campaign advisers conspired with Russia.
The IG report cast even further doubt on Steele’s work. The report also blasted the FBI for relying heavily on Steele’s information in applications for warrants to wiretap Page.
The IG found that FBI agents failed to disclose exculpatory information regarding Page in its four FISA applications against him. The FBI also failed to tell the FISA Court that Steele’s main dossier sources disputed much of what was in the document.
The IG’s findings evoked a rare rebuke from the FISA Court.
Judge Rosemary Collyer, who presided over the court until last month, released an order blasting the FBI for submitting “false” and “misleading” information about Page. She ordered the FBI to submit a proposal to address the problems laid out in the IG report.
The Justice Department has also conceded that two of the four FISA applications were invalid.
The DNC did not return a request for comment. Elias and Sussmann, the Perkins Coie lawyers, also did not return emails seeking comment.
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A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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