freebeacon--2020-06-03--Trump Administration to Bar Chinese Passenger Flights to U.S.

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – President Donald Trump ’ s administration said on Wednesday it will bar Chinese passenger carriers from flying to the United States starting on June 16 as it pressures Beijing to allow U.S. air carriers to resume flights .
The move , announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation , penalizes China after Beijing failed to comply with an existing agreement on flights between the world ’ s two largest economies .
Relations between the two countries have also soured in recent months amid escalating tensions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic .
The order applies to Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airlines Corp , China Southern Airlines Co ( 600029.SS ) and Hainan Airlines Holding Co ( 600221.SS ) .
Delta Air Lines ( DAL.N ) and United Airlines ( UAL.O ) have asked to resume flights to China this month , even as Chinese carriers have continued U.S. flights during the pandemic .
Delta said in a statement on Wednesday that `` we support and appreciate the U.S. government ’ s actions to enforce our rights and ensure fairness . ''
United did not immediately comment .
China `` remains unable '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` to allow U.S. carriers to reinstate scheduled passenger flights , '' the Transportation Department said in a formal notice made public on Wednesday .
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The Trump administration on May 22 accused China ’ s government of making it impossible for U.S. airlines to resume service to China and ordered four Chinese carriers to file flight schedules with the U.S. government .
The Chinese carriers are flying no more than one scheduled flight a week to the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of additional charter flights , often to help Chinese students return home .
The Trump administration is also cracking down on Chinese passenger airline charter flights and will warn carriers not to expect approvals .
Administration officials have suggested charter flights have been used to circumvent Chinese government limits on flights .
On Jan. 31 , the U.S. government barred from entry most non-U.S. citizens who had been in China within the previous 14 days due to the coronavirus crisis but did not impose any restrictions on Chinese flights .
Major U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights to China in February .
Delta and United are flying cargo flights to China .
Delta had requested approval for a daily flight to Shanghai Pudong airport from Detroit and Seattle , while United had asked to fly daily to Shanghai Pudong from San Francisco and Newark airport in New Jersey and between San Francisco and Beijing .
China ’ s air authority in late March said Chinese airlines could maintain just one weekly passenger flight on one route to any given country and that carriers could fly no more than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 12 , according to the U.S. order .
But because U.S. passenger airlines had stopped all flights by March 12 , China `` effectively precludes U.S. carriers from reinstating scheduled passenger flights to China , '' the Transportation Department said .

By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump’s administration said on Wednesday it will bar Chinese passenger carriers from flying to the United States starting on June 16 as it pressures Beijing to allow U.S. air carriers to resume flights.
The move, announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation, penalizes China after Beijing failed to comply with an existing agreement on flights between the world’s two largest economies. Relations between the two countries have also soured in recent months amid escalating tensions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
The order applies to Air China (601111.SS), China Eastern Airlines Corp, China Southern Airlines Co (600029.SS) and Hainan Airlines Holding Co (600221.SS).
Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) and United Airlines (UAL.O) have asked to resume flights to China this month, even as Chinese carriers have continued U.S. flights during the pandemic. Delta said in a statement on Wednesday that "we support and appreciate the U.S. government’s actions to enforce our rights and ensure fairness." United did not immediately comment.
China "remains unable" to say when it will revise its rules "to allow U.S. carriers to reinstate scheduled passenger flights," the Transportation Department said in a formal notice made public on Wednesday.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Trump administration on May 22 accused China’s government of making it impossible for U.S. airlines to resume service to China and ordered four Chinese carriers to file flight schedules with the U.S. government.
The Chinese carriers are flying no more than one scheduled flight a week to the United States but also have flown a significant number of additional charter flights, often to help Chinese students return home.
The Trump administration is also cracking down on Chinese passenger airline charter flights and will warn carriers not to expect approvals. Administration officials have suggested charter flights have been used to circumvent Chinese government limits on flights.
On Jan. 31, the U.S. government barred from entry most non-U.S. citizens who had been in China within the previous 14 days due to the coronavirus crisis but did not impose any restrictions on Chinese flights. Major U.S. carriers voluntarily decided to halt all passenger flights to China in February.
Delta and United are flying cargo flights to China. Delta had requested approval for a daily flight to Shanghai Pudong airport from Detroit and Seattle, while United had asked to fly daily to Shanghai Pudong from San Francisco and Newark airport in New Jersey and between San Francisco and Beijing.
China’s air authority in late March said Chinese airlines could maintain just one weekly passenger flight on one route to any given country and that carriers could fly no more than the number of flights they were flying on March 12, according to the U.S. order.
But because U.S. passenger airlines had stopped all flights by March 12, China "effectively precludes U.S. carriers from reinstating scheduled passenger flights to China," the Transportation Department said.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Will Dunham)


freebeacon--2020-06-04--Top Dem Ally Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

Former United Auto Workers president Gary Jones , a top ally to Democrats at both the state and national levels , pleaded guilty to embezzlement on Wednesday .
Jones admitted to using more than $ 1 million in union funds on various extravagances , including clothing , golf outings and equipment , vacation rentals , liquor , fine dining , and premium cigars .
The union—which is still under investigation after a federal probe began more than five years ago—endorsed presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in April and has spent big backing Democrats in recent years .
In the 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action committee gave $ 200,000 to the Michigan Democratic Party and $ 68,000 to Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer 's ( D. ) campaign .
Disgraced former UAW vice president Norwood Jewell , who admitted to receiving illegal benefits from Fiat Chrysler executives , served as a party superdelegate in 2016 and remained listed as a party leader following his guilty plea .
The union has also continued to support Whitmer through her controversial handling of the coronavirus pandemic , calling her a `` leading voice '' who has been at all times `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do what is right for the health and safety of UAW members '' in a May statement .
The union also gave $ 10,000 to Sen. Gary Peters ( D. , Mich. ) prior to his election in 2014 and has since contributed $ 1,000,000 to Senate Majority PAC in the 2020 cycle , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
Aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) , the PAC launched an ad in March attacking Republican Senate hopeful John James , who has outraised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarters .
UAW also gave $ 105,000 to Michigan Senate Victory 2020 , a joint fundraising committee that supports both Peters and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee .
The PAC , Biden , Whitmer , and Peters did not respond to requests for comment .
Despite the ongoing investigation , both Peters and Biden praised the union as GM employees went on strike in September 2019 .
Nine UAW officials had already admitted to wrongdoing at the time , and former Region 5 director Vance Pearson attended negotiations with the auto giant just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a federal court hearing in Missouri .
Pearson went on to plead guilty to embezzlement in February .
Michigan Republican Party chairwoman Laura Cox celebrated Jones 's plea , accusing Democrats of turning a blind eye to the union 's corruption for years .
`` For too long , UAW bosses took advantage of our nation 's hard-working auto workers .
Given political cover by some of the nation 's most powerful Democrats , their corruption went unchecked , '' Cox told the Free Beacon .
`` I applaud efforts by the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labor history , and finally bring those responsible to justice .
Hopefully , today marks a new era for American workers and greater Federal oversight of how unions conduct their business . ''
In total , the union has spent more than $ 11.6 million on direct contributions to Democrats since 2008 , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
Labor watchdogs said that the political contributions have purchased the union extensive influence in the Democratic Party .
Mark Mix , executive president of the National Right to Work Committee , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` shameful but hardly surprising . ''
He pointed to the Biden endorsement as well as the former vice president 's embrace of mandatory dues payments as evidence of their shared interests .
`` If Biden and the UAW elite get their way , American private sector workers ' freedom to withhold money from corrupt union brass will be completely extinguished , '' Mix said in a statement .
`` Union bosses will shower his campaign with union money , including forced dues , in exchange for these promises of expanded coercive privileges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UAW president Rory Gamble released a statement pledging to `` continue to focus on implementing the necessary reforms to protect our members . ''

Former United Auto Workers president Gary Jones, a top ally to Democrats at both the state and national levels, pleaded guilty to embezzlement on Wednesday.
Jones admitted to using more than $1 million in union funds on various extravagances, including clothing, golf outings and equipment, vacation rentals, liquor, fine dining, and premium cigars. The union—which is still under investigation after a federal probe began more than five years ago—endorsed presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in April and has spent big backing Democrats in recent years.
In the 2018 cycle alone, the UAW's political action committee gave $200,000 to the Michigan Democratic Party and $68,000 to Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer's (D.) campaign. Disgraced former UAW vice president Norwood Jewell, who admitted to receiving illegal benefits from Fiat Chrysler executives, served as a party superdelegate in 2016 and remained listed as a party leader following his guilty plea. The union has also continued to support Whitmer through her controversial handling of the coronavirus pandemic, calling her a "leading voice" who has been at all times "inclusive and focused on building a consensus to do what is right for the health and safety of UAW members" in a May statement.
The union also gave $10,000 to Sen. Gary Peters (D., Mich.) prior to his election in 2014 and has since contributed $1,000,000 to Senate Majority PAC in the 2020 cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), the PAC launched an ad in March attacking Republican Senate hopeful John James, who has outraised the embattled Michigan Democrat for three consecutive quarters. UAW also gave $105,000 to Michigan Senate Victory 2020, a joint fundraising committee that supports both Peters and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
The PAC, Biden, Whitmer, and Peters did not respond to requests for comment.
Despite the ongoing investigation, both Peters and Biden praised the union as GM employees went on strike in September 2019. Nine UAW officials had already admitted to wrongdoing at the time, and former Region 5 director Vance Pearson attended negotiations with the auto giant just days before he was scheduled to attend a federal court hearing in Missouri. Pearson went on to plead guilty to embezzlement in February.
Michigan Republican Party chairwoman Laura Cox celebrated Jones's plea, accusing Democrats of turning a blind eye to the union's corruption for years.
"For too long, UAW bosses took advantage of our nation's hard-working auto workers. Given political cover by some of the nation's most powerful Democrats, their corruption went unchecked," Cox told the Free Beacon. "I applaud efforts by the federal government to end this dark chapter in labor history, and finally bring those responsible to justice. Hopefully, today marks a new era for American workers and greater Federal oversight of how unions conduct their business."
In total, the union has spent more than $11.6 million on direct contributions to Democrats since 2008, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Labor watchdogs said that the political contributions have purchased the union extensive influence in the Democratic Party. Mark Mix, executive president of the National Right to Work Committee, called the guilty plea and the larger scandal "shameful but hardly surprising." He pointed to the Biden endorsement as well as the former vice president's embrace of mandatory dues payments as evidence of their shared interests.
"If Biden and the UAW elite get their way, American private sector workers' freedom to withhold money from corrupt union brass will be completely extinguished," Mix said in a statement. "Union bosses will shower his campaign with union money, including forced dues, in exchange for these promises of expanded coercive privileges."
Following Jones's plea, UAW president Rory Gamble released a statement pledging to "continue to focus on implementing the necessary reforms to protect our members."


freebeacon--2020-06-05--Appeals Court Bench Slaps Judge Who Ordered Universal Vote-By-Mail In Texas

The Fifth U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday blocked an order requiring Texas officials to make mail-in ballots available to any voter who wants one due to the coronavirus ahead of elections in July .
Mail-in ballots are available in Texas if the applicant is over the age of 65 .
Voters under 65 must demonstrate that they will be outside the state or have a disability to vote by mail .
Texas Democrats challenged those rules , arguing among other things that they violate equal protection and the 26th Amendment 's bar on age discrimination in voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Democratic plaintiffs in a May 19 order requiring the state to make vote-by-mail available to virtually all Texans .
The Fifth Circuit decision includes pointed rebukes of Biery 's order , predicting his decision `` will be remembered more for audacity than legal reasoning . ''
Voters will cast ballots on July 14 in about 30 primary races where no candidate attained a majority of the vote .
Among numerous other state and federal races , Democrats M.J. Hegar and Royce West are vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the November general election .
Early voting for the primary runoffs begins on June 29 .
State officials expanded the early voting period to disperse turnout and reduce the possibility that polling precincts will become vectors of transmission .
After Thursday 's decision , mail-in ballots will only be available to those who ordinarily qualify under the state 's rules .
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton said the decision would ensure the integrity of the election .
`` Allowing universal mail-in ballots , which are particularly vulnerable to fraud , would only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawful voters .
The unanimous Fifth Circuit ruling puts a stop to this blatant violation of Texas law . ''
Judge Jerry Smith delivered the court 's opinion .
Judge James Ho joined Smith 's ruling and wrote his own separate opinion .
Judge Gregg Costa concurred in the bottom-line outcome only .
Smith , relying on a 1969 Supreme Court precedent , said the Texas rules do not jeopardize the right to vote , since the precinct place is open to all comers .
He said the case simply presents `` a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' which the state can lawfully deny for any number of reasons .
`` That [ rule ] , which is designed to make voting more available to some groups who can not easily get to the polls , does not itself deny the plaintiffs the exercise of the franchise , '' Smith wrote .
`` The plaintiffs are welcome and permitted to vote , and there is no indication that they are in fact absolutely prohibited from voting by the state . ''
He elsewhere noted that elections officials are implementing various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Texas plans to implement measures to protect those who go to the polls , '' he wrote .
`` Those measures include the bread and butter of social distancing , such as protective masks for election workers , plentiful cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer , cotton swabs for contacting touch screens , and floor decals inside the polling places that show where voters should stand . ''
The decision includes particularly sharp criticisms of Biery 's order , noting his decision cites among other authorities `` the Declaration of Independence , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various poems . ''
In one section of his decision , Biery said Texas 's refusal to extend vote by mail during the pandemic suggests a ploy to keep younger voters away from the polls `` because of the way they may vote . ''
`` Instead of searching for a conceivable basis for the rules , the court jerry-rigged some straw men and proceeded to burn them , '' Smith wrote of Biery 's contention .
In a separate opinion , Ho argued that Biery 's order would actually undermine voting rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups unequally , they must fix the problem by extending equal treatment to everyone or scrap the benefit altogether .
If Biery is correct , Ho warned , then this case calls for abolishing Texas 's entire vote-by-mail system .
`` Surely plaintiffs do not want a ‘ leveling-down ' injunction—after all , depriving the elderly of mail-in voting would seem antithetical to the spirit of their lawsuit , '' Ho wrote .
`` But it may be the only relief courts are authorized to provide . ''
The case is No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday blocked an order requiring Texas officials to make mail-in ballots available to any voter who wants one due to the coronavirus ahead of elections in July.
Mail-in ballots are available in Texas if the applicant is over the age of 65. Voters under 65 must demonstrate that they will be outside the state or have a disability to vote by mail. Texas Democrats challenged those rules, arguing among other things that they violate equal protection and the 26th Amendment's bar on age discrimination in voting.
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery sided with the Democratic plaintiffs in a May 19 order requiring the state to make vote-by-mail available to virtually all Texans. The Fifth Circuit decision includes pointed rebukes of Biery's order, predicting his decision "will be remembered more for audacity than legal reasoning."
Voters will cast ballots on July 14 in about 30 primary races where no candidate attained a majority of the vote. Among numerous other state and federal races, Democrats M.J. Hegar and Royce West are vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. John Cornyn (R., Texas) in the November general election. Early voting for the primary runoffs begins on June 29. State officials expanded the early voting period to disperse turnout and reduce the possibility that polling precincts will become vectors of transmission. After Thursday's decision, mail-in ballots will only be available to those who ordinarily qualify under the state's rules.
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton said the decision would ensure the integrity of the election.
"Allowing universal mail-in ballots, which are particularly vulnerable to fraud, would only lead to greater election fraud and disenfranchise lawful voters. The unanimous Fifth Circuit ruling puts a stop to this blatant violation of Texas law."
Judge Jerry Smith delivered the court's opinion. Judge James Ho joined Smith's ruling and wrote his own separate opinion. Judge Gregg Costa concurred in the bottom-line outcome only.
Smith, relying on a 1969 Supreme Court precedent, said the Texas rules do not jeopardize the right to vote, since the precinct place is open to all comers. He said the case simply presents "a claimed right to receive absentee ballots," which the state can lawfully deny for any number of reasons.
"That [rule], which is designed to make voting more available to some groups who cannot easily get to the polls, does not itself deny the plaintiffs the exercise of the franchise," Smith wrote. "The plaintiffs are welcome and permitted to vote, and there is no indication that they are in fact absolutely prohibited from voting by the state."
He elsewhere noted that elections officials are implementing various public health measures to protect voters.
"Texas plans to implement measures to protect those who go to the polls," he wrote. "Those measures include the bread and butter of social distancing, such as protective masks for election workers, plentiful cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer, cotton swabs for contacting touch screens, and floor decals inside the polling places that show where voters should stand."
The decision includes particularly sharp criticisms of Biery's order, noting his decision cites among other authorities "the Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address, the Bible, and various poems." In one section of his decision, Biery said Texas's refusal to extend vote by mail during the pandemic suggests a ploy to keep younger voters away from the polls "because of the way they may vote."
"Instead of searching for a conceivable basis for the rules, the court jerry-rigged some straw men and proceeded to burn them," Smith wrote of Biery's contention.
In a separate opinion, Ho argued that Biery's order would actually undermine voting rights. When courts find a law treats groups unequally, they must fix the problem by extending equal treatment to everyone or scrap the benefit altogether. If Biery is correct, Ho warned, then this case calls for abolishing Texas's entire vote-by-mail system.
"Surely plaintiffs do not want a 'leveling-down' injunction—after all, depriving the elderly of mail-in voting would seem antithetical to the spirit of their lawsuit," Ho wrote. "But it may be the only relief courts are authorized to provide."
The case is No. 20-50407 Texas Democratic Party v. Abbott.
Texas Democratic Party v. A... by Washington Free Beacon on Scribd


freebeacon--2020-06-04--NYT Reporter Cheers Denunciation of Left-Wing Writer as ‘Racist’ for Protest Coverage

New York Times politics reporter Astead Herndon joined in on criticism of the Intercept ‘ s Lee Fang , whose coverage of the ongoing protests in California was blasted by one of his colleagues at the left-wing outlet as `` racist . ''
Herndon cheered Intercept writer Akela Lacy , who accused her coworker , Lee Fang , of `` continuing to push racist narratives '' about black-on-black crime .
`` This is n't about me and him it 's about institutional racism and using free speech to couch anti-blackness , '' she said , adding in another tweet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` [ Y ] es akela , '' Herndon responded , along with an emoji of raised hands in affirmation .
Fang has posted interviews to his Twitter feed of citizens offering mixed reactions to the protests stemming from the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody .
Some of the protests in American cities have been marred by rioting and looting , and one of Fang 's interview subjects criticized the lack of attention paid to black-on-black crime .
The Intercept is a left-wing outlet which has run afoul of mainstream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation , boosting of Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , and reporting on Tara Reade , the former Joe Biden staffer who accused him of sexual assault .
The Times released new staff guidelines in 2017 for social media use , encouraging employees to refrain from partisan comments or any remark that takes a side or `` undercuts the Times ’ s journalistic reputation . ''
Herndon was among the dozens of Times staffers who criticized the paper for publishing Sen. Tom Cotton 's ( R. , Ark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States military to quell any violent uprisings .
He said Thursday that if elected officials want to make `` provocative arguments , '' it should be in the context of a news story , not an `` unvarnished '' opinion piece .
Many other staffers shared a form of the sentence , `` Running this puts Black @ nytimes staff in danger '' with a screenshot of Cotton 's article .
The uproar forced editorial page editor James Bennet to write a defense of his decision to publish the piece .
The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff reaction to it .
Herndon did not respond to a request for comment .

New York Times politics reporter Astead Herndon joined in on criticism of the Intercept's Lee Fang, whose coverage of the ongoing protests in California was blasted by one of his colleagues at the left-wing outlet as "racist."
Herndon cheered Intercept writer Akela Lacy, who accused her coworker, Lee Fang, of "continuing to push racist narratives" about black-on-black crime. "This isn't about me and him it's about institutional racism and using free speech to couch anti-blackness," she said, adding in another tweet, "Stop being racist Lee."
"[Y]es akela," Herndon responded, along with an emoji of raised hands in affirmation. Fang has posted interviews to his Twitter feed of citizens offering mixed reactions to the protests stemming from the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Some of the protests in American cities have been marred by rioting and looting, and one of Fang's interview subjects criticized the lack of attention paid to black-on-black crime.
https://twitter.com/AsteadWesley/status/1268443597596241920?s=20
https://twitter.com/akela_lacy/status/1268393841264152576?s=20
The Intercept is a left-wing outlet which has run afoul of mainstream Democrats with its criticism of the Russia investigation, boosting of Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), and reporting on Tara Reade, the former Joe Biden staffer who accused him of sexual assault.
The Times released new staff guidelines in 2017 for social media use, encouraging employees to refrain from partisan comments or any remark that takes a side or "undercuts the Times’s journalistic reputation."
Herndon was among the dozens of Times staffers who criticized the paper for publishing Sen. Tom Cotton's (R., Ark.) call to send the United States military to quell any violent uprisings. He said Thursday that if elected officials want to make "provocative arguments," it should be in the context of a news story, not an "unvarnished" opinion piece. Many other staffers shared a form of the sentence, "Running this puts Black @nytimes staff in danger" with a screenshot of Cotton's article.
Supporting my colleagues, and particularly the black ones. if electeds want to make provocative arguments let them withstand the questions and context of a news story, not unvarnished and unchecked https://t.co/MwiD8BenzO — Astead (@AsteadWesley) June 4, 2020
The uproar forced editorial page editor James Bennet to write a defense of his decision to publish the piece. The Times also published a news article about the staff reaction to it.
Herndon did not respond to a request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-06-04--What Aren’t Minnesota’s Democratic Leaders Telling Us?

Though others may have forgotten , we are still recovering from the whiplash induced by Minnesota Democrats ' about-face on the forces behind the riots that have convulsed the Twin Cities .
State leaders stood idly by last week as the Twin Cities burned .
Keith Ellison , the Minnesota attorney general and former Democratic National Committee deputy chair , invoked Martin Luther King Jr. to declare that `` rioting is the voice of the unheard . ''
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey allowed protesters to torch a police station , saying that `` the symbolism of a building can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When , over the weekend , Democratic governor Tim Walz summoned the National Guard to address the riots , the message shifted .
Authorities , including Frey , Ellison , and Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) , started blaming white supremacists for the destruction .
Walz himself , who had called the burning embers of the Twin Cities `` symbolic of decades and generations of pain , of anguish unheard , '' now said the rioting was `` an organized attempt to destabilize civil society '' and pointed the finger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began circulating images of a man whom left-wing Twitter had accused of being an undercover cop .
Frey blamed `` white supremacists , members of organized crime , out of state instigators , and possibly even foreign actors '' —giving his decision to allow protesters to ransack a symbol of the rule of law an even more disturbing significance .
And at no point did anyone offer a shred of evidence to support their claims .
Most confusing of all was Omar—who previously claimed people were `` coming in to infiltrate '' peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that white supremacists had burned down minority-owned businesses .
Local media have revealed the falsity of these claims , reporting that jail records do not substantiate the assertion that the criminals came mostly from out-of-state .
And rather than refute the evidence , Walz , Ellison , and co. have quietly walked back their allegations .
The mainstream media—which happily embraced the implication that Trump supporters were burning things—have moved on to other issues .
But we still want to know : What exactly happened ?
Either Minnesotans were lied to by leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise , or those leaders stood by while white supremacists burned down the cities they were elected to run .
So , which is it ?
We asked Minnesota Democrats for evidence to back up their assertions or an explanation for this flip-flop .
Ellison did not respond to a request for comment .
Walz referred the Washington Free Beacon to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety , a spokesman for which said the department was pursuing investigations but was `` unable to provide details due to the ongoing and active investigative work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Omar said the congresswoman meant that those who riot and protest are by definition not of the community .
Our questions about the basis for her fundraising appeal that said white supremacists had set fire to minority-owned businesses went unanswered .
The prevarications we have seen from Minnesota 's leaders are a microcosm of the leadership failures now apparent in Democratic-led cities around the country : from De Blasio 's New York to Greg Fischer 's Louisville , Lyda Krewson 's St. Louis , and Eric Garcetti 's Los Angeles .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , when America 's cities were blighted and crime-ridden , thanks in large part to ideological leaders afraid of keeping the peace .
If the past few weeks prove anything , it is that this new cadre of progressive mayors promises a terrifying return to form .

Though others may have forgotten, we are still recovering from the whiplash induced by Minnesota Democrats' about-face on the forces behind the riots that have convulsed the Twin Cities.
State leaders stood idly by last week as the Twin Cities burned. Keith Ellison, the Minnesota attorney general and former Democratic National Committee deputy chair, invoked Martin Luther King Jr. to declare that "rioting is the voice of the unheard." Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey allowed protesters to torch a police station, saying that "the symbolism of a building cannot outweigh the importance of life."
When, over the weekend, Democratic governor Tim Walz summoned the National Guard to address the riots, the message shifted. Authorities, including Frey, Ellison, and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.), started blaming white supremacists for the destruction. Walz himself, who had called the burning embers of the Twin Cities "symbolic of decades and generations of pain, of anguish unheard," now said the rioting was "an organized attempt to destabilize civil society" and pointed the finger at "outside agitators."
Ellison began circulating images of a man whom left-wing Twitter had accused of being an undercover cop. Frey blamed "white supremacists, members of organized crime, out of state instigators, and possibly even foreign actors"—giving his decision to allow protesters to ransack a symbol of the rule of law an even more disturbing significance.
And at no point did anyone offer a shred of evidence to support their claims.
Most confusing of all was Omar—who previously claimed people were "coming in to infiltrate" peaceful protests and alleged in a fundraising email that white supremacists had burned down minority-owned businesses.
Local media have revealed the falsity of these claims, reporting that jail records do not substantiate the assertion that the criminals came mostly from out-of-state. And rather than refute the evidence, Walz, Ellison, and co. have quietly walked back their allegations.
The mainstream media—which happily embraced the implication that Trump supporters were burning things—have moved on to other issues. But we still want to know: What exactly happened?
Either Minnesotans were lied to by leaders too afraid of the mob to act otherwise, or those leaders stood by while white supremacists burned down the cities they were elected to run.
So, which is it?
We asked Minnesota Democrats for evidence to back up their assertions or an explanation for this flip-flop. Ellison did not respond to a request for comment. Walz referred the Washington Free Beacon to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, a spokesman for which said the department was pursuing investigations but was "unable to provide details due to the ongoing and active investigative work by these agencies." A spokesman for Omar said the congresswoman meant that those who riot and protest are by definition not of the community. Our questions about the basis for her fundraising appeal that said white supremacists had set fire to minority-owned businesses went unanswered.
The prevarications we have seen from Minnesota's leaders are a microcosm of the leadership failures now apparent in Democratic-led cities around the country: from De Blasio's New York to Greg Fischer's Louisville, Lyda Krewson's St. Louis, and Eric Garcetti's Los Angeles.
There was a time, not so long ago, when America's cities were blighted and crime-ridden, thanks in large part to ideological leaders afraid of keeping the peace. If the past few weeks prove anything, it is that this new cadre of progressive mayors promises a terrifying return to form.


freebeacon--2020-06-04--These Brave NYT Editors Refused to Endorse the Reckless Trumpian Assault on the Media

There is some `` unusual internal dissension '' brewing at the New York Times in response to the paper 's decision to publish an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
that called for deploying the U.S. military to `` restore order to our streets '' in response to the at-times violent unrest sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Polling suggests a majority of Americans agree with Cotton .
Nevertheless , the angry mob persisted in attacking the Times for publishing the wrong opinion in its opinion section .
Doing what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceled their Times subscriptions .
The paper 's own staffers lashed out anonymously in interviews with the paper 's own media reporter , insisting that their sources would no longer speak to the Times .
Others logged in to their social media accounts to express a Trumpian disdain for the prominent media outlet .
Such attacks have often been described as a dangerous threat to democracy .
Nikole Hannah-Jones , a Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent for the Times magazine who recently argued that `` destroying property , which can be replaced , is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was `` deeply ashamed '' of the paper 's decision to publish Cotton 's op-ed .
Dozens of other Times editors warned that running the op-ed had put the paper 's black employees `` in danger . ''
A number of Times politics and news editors helped fuel the outrage over the paper 's decision to run the article .
Deputy editor of breaking news Erin McCann and Times magazine politics editor Charles Homans joined senior politics editors Jonathan Ellis and Caryn Wilson in tweeting or retweeting the anti-media sentiment expressed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mattis .
The Times got Tom Cotton , '' Wilson tweeted , along with an expletive face emoji .
These staff members were presumably unmoved by Times editorial page editor James Bennet 's assessment that `` debating influential ideas openly , rather than letting them go unchallenged , '' was beneficial to society .
Plenty of their editorial colleagues , however , refrained from chiming in on the controversy .
In the modern age , a failure to weigh in on controversy is often described as complicity in bad things .
In this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the courageous act of standing up for the media , the foremost beacon of freedom our society has ever known .
By not tweeting about Cotton 's op-ed , they were standing up for the right of war zone journalists like CNN 's Jim Acosta , who risks his life everyday to shout questions at the president and junior White House staffers .

There is some "unusual internal dissension" brewing at the New York Times in response to the paper's decision to publish an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) that called for deploying the U.S. military to "restore order to our streets" in response to the at-times violent unrest sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Polling suggests a majority of Americans agree with Cotton. Nevertheless, the angry mob persisted in attacking the Times for publishing the wrong opinion in its opinion section. Doing what comes naturally, aggrieved anti-media liberals performatively canceled their Times subscriptions.
The paper's own staffers lashed out anonymously in interviews with the paper's own media reporter, insisting that their sources would no longer speak to the Times. Others logged in to their social media accounts to express a Trumpian disdain for the prominent media outlet. Such attacks have often been described as a dangerous threat to democracy.
Nikole Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent for the Times magazine who recently argued that "destroying property, which can be replaced, is not violence," wrote on Twitter that she was "deeply ashamed" of the paper's decision to publish Cotton's op-ed. Dozens of other Times editors warned that running the op-ed had put the paper's black employees "in danger."
A number of Times politics and news editors helped fuel the outrage over the paper's decision to run the article. Deputy editor of breaking news Erin McCann and Times magazine politics editor Charles Homans joined senior politics editors Jonathan Ellis and Caryn Wilson in tweeting or retweeting the anti-media sentiment expressed by critics. "The Atlantic got Jim Mattis. The Times got Tom Cotton," Wilson tweeted, along with an expletive face emoji.
https://twitter.com/CarynAWilson/status/1268337738970996739
These staff members were presumably unmoved by Times editorial page editor James Bennet's assessment that "debating influential ideas openly, rather than letting them go unchallenged," was beneficial to society. Plenty of their editorial colleagues, however, refrained from chiming in on the controversy. In the modern age, a failure to weigh in on controversy is often described as complicity in bad things.
In this case, the following editors were complicit in the courageous act of standing up for the media, the foremost beacon of freedom our society has ever known. By not tweeting about Cotton's op-ed, they were standing up for the right of war zone journalists like CNN's Jim Acosta, who risks his life everyday to shout questions at the president and junior White House staffers.
GOD BLESS THESE HEROES.


freebeacon--2020-06-04--Embattled New York Dem Won’t Seek NYT Endorsement Over Cotton Op-Ed

In the midst of a far-left primary challenge , Rep. Eliot Engel ( D. , N.Y. ) said he would not seek the New York Times ‘ s endorsement after the paper ran an op-ed from Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
arguing that the military should be deployed to quell riots in cities across America .
Engel announced the decision in a Thursday statement , saying , `` any endorsement from an editorial board that supports the publication of such un-American demands '' is `` not worth the paper it 's printed on . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using the military against American citizens on American soil—and the obvious pain it causes for the paper 's journalists of color—I have decided not to seek the New York Times endorsement and I call on my opponents in this race to do the same , '' Engel said .
`` No U.S .
Senator should be calling out the military on the pages of the New York Times .
And no real progressive leader can morally accept the paper 's endorsement . ''
Engel is in the closing weeks of a primary challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed by the same Justice Democrats group that helped Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez upset a veteran Democratic congressman in 2018 .
He has faced attacks in the past few months from the far left for his pro-Israel positions .
Engel said he is canceling his interview with the Times editorial board and called on `` every progressive seeking election in this country '' to do the same .
Bowman did not respond to a request for comment asking if he would follow suit .
Times staffers , as well as their union , expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ op-ed , with some calling out sick in protest .
A number of staff writers , as well as senior editor Kwame Opam , said the decision to run the op-ed `` puts Black @ NYTimes staff in danger '' in a barrage of Wednesday tweets .
The public backlash from Times staffers comes four months after the paper made the decision to publish an op-ed from Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani , who once participated in the kidnapping of a Times reporter .
The fallout from that op-ed was limited to public criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page editor James Bennet explained his decision to run the op-ed Wednesday , saying , `` Times Opinion owes it to our readers to show them counter-arguments , particularly those made by people in a position to set policy . ''
He did not respond to a request for comment on Engel 's statement .
Cotton defended his op-ed during a Thursday appearance on Fox News 's America 's Newsroom .
`` These rioters , if not subdued , not only will destroy the livelihoods of law-abiding citizens but will also take more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cotton also commended the Times for publishing the op-ed , saying the paper `` stood up to the woke progressive mob in their own newsroom . ''
Engel declined to comment further on his decision .

In the midst of a far-left primary challenge, Rep. Eliot Engel (D., N.Y.) said he would not seek the New York Times's endorsement after the paper ran an op-ed from Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) arguing that the military should be deployed to quell riots in cities across America.
Engel announced the decision in a Thursday statement, saying, "any endorsement from an editorial board that supports the publication of such un-American demands" is "not worth the paper it's printed on."
"Because of the opinion column calling for using the military against American citizens on American soil—and the obvious pain it causes for the paper's journalists of color—I have decided not to seek the New York Times endorsement and I call on my opponents in this race to do the same," Engel said. "No U.S. Senator should be calling out the military on the pages of the New York Times. And no real progressive leader can morally accept the paper's endorsement."
Engel is in the closing weeks of a primary challenge from educator Jamaal Bowman, who is backed by the same Justice Democrats group that helped Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez upset a veteran Democratic congressman in 2018. He has faced attacks in the past few months from the far left for his pro-Israel positions. Engel said he is canceling his interview with the Times editorial board and called on "every progressive seeking election in this country" to do the same. Bowman did not respond to a request for comment asking if he would follow suit.
Times staffers, as well as their union, expressed disapproval over the publication of Cotton's op-ed, with some calling out sick in protest. A number of staff writers, as well as senior editor Kwame Opam, said the decision to run the op-ed "puts Black @NYTimes staff in danger" in a barrage of Wednesday tweets. The public backlash from Times staffers comes four months after the paper made the decision to publish an op-ed from Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, who once participated in the kidnapping of a Times reporter. The fallout from that op-ed was limited to public criticism from one Times Afghan correspondent.
Editorial page editor James Bennet explained his decision to run the op-ed Wednesday, saying, "Times Opinion owes it to our readers to show them counter-arguments, particularly those made by people in a position to set policy." He did not respond to a request for comment on Engel's statement.
Cotton defended his op-ed during a Thursday appearance on Fox News's America's Newsroom.
"These rioters, if not subdued, not only will destroy the livelihoods of law-abiding citizens but will also take more innocent lives," he said. Cotton also commended the Times for publishing the op-ed, saying the paper "stood up to the woke progressive mob in their own newsroom."
Engel declined to comment further on his decision.


freebeacon--2020-06-04--UCLA Students Demand Dismissal of Professors Who Refuse to Cancel Final Exams Over Floyd Death

University of California Los Angeles students are demanding that professors cancel or extend final exams for minority students in light of the death of George Floyd and some are pressuring the school to fire professors who refuse .
Anderson School of Management professor Gordon Klein was doxxed by students after he refused to allow minority students to abstain from taking final exams .
A student in Klein 's Management 127 class , who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retribution , requested accommodations for minority students during `` these trying times . ''
In the exchange , Klein questioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how students should be treated .
`` Thanks for your suggestion in your email below that I give black students special treatment , given the tragedy in Minnesota , '' Klein wrote in his response email .
`` Do you know the names of the classmates that are black ?
How can I identify them since we 've been having online classes only ?
Are there any students that may be of mixed parentage , such as half black-half Asian ?
What do you suggest I do with respect to them ?
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klein concluded his email with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that people should not be evaluated based on the color of their skin .
Preet Bains , a UCLA senior , started a Change.org petition urging the university to fire Klein for his response to the student 's email .
`` We ask for your support in having Professor Klein 's professorship terminated for his extremely insensitive , dismissive , and woefully racist response to his students ' request for empathy and compassion during a time of civil unrest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18,000 people had signed the petition as of Thursday afternoon .
Bains did not respond to a request for comment .
UCLA student Emilia Martinez , who initially shared the email on Twitter , said an `` Afrolatinx '' friend had sent the email but asked to remain anonymous .
Martinez told the Washington Free Beacon that she went public with the emails to hold professors `` accountable . ''
`` I believed this information was important to bring to light because as a non-black poc , I believe it is my duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said in an email .
`` I felt this was a very unreasonable response to a very valid request and decided that the Professor should be held properly accountable . ''
In a separate email to his entire class , Klein said that outside events , including personal hardship , do not necessarily relieve students of their responsibilities .
He pointed to his daughter , who suffered a severe illness and lost close friends to suicide during her time at UCLA .
Those personal hardships did not interfere with fulfilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor , who did not return a request for comment .
`` Some students have asked that the final exam be delayed or changed or waived altogether .
Life deals all of us challenges and I have no doubt that many of you are facing some now .
In a perfectly fair world , I would be able to take these individual factors into account and perhaps modify the terms in our course syllabus , but my understanding of university rules is that , with rare exceptions , I should not , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UCLA sent a message to faculty encouraging professors to provide alternate forms of final assessments in light of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The university does not require professors to cancel final exams or exempt minority students from completing their course work .
Some professors who accommodated student requests have been attacked online .
Professor David Jewitt followed university suggestions and extended his Earth , Planetary , and Space Sciences final exam deadlines .
The original accommodations extended the final from June 8 to June 15 and extended the class extra credit assignment from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor 's changes were met with backlash , prompting Jewitt to claim that the deadline extension produced more controversy among students than Floyd 's death .
`` Changing the exam date produced ten times as many upset emails as did the original event in Minnesota .
To accommodate people 's summer plans , we will open the exam window on June 8 … and keep it open , so that the ultimate deadline is June 15 , '' Jewitt wrote .
Students have called on professors to cancel classes over national political events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of President Trump in 2016 , Yale University and Columbia University professors canceled classes to allow students time to mourn .
In 2018 , Yale University professors canceled 31 classes so students could protest the confirmation of now-Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh .
UCLA education professor Tyrone Howard was heralded earlier this week after he replaced his class 's final paper with a one-page write up on how students feel about `` what is going on in the nation right now . ''
`` In lieu of your final paper , I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflection ( double or single spaced ) .
I just want you to respond to these two simple questions : ‘ What do I make about what is going on in the nation right now ? '
and ‘ How am I doing right now ? '
'' Howard wrote in an email to his Education 130 class .
Howard , who did not respond to a request for comment , took to Twitter to encourage UCLA faculty to follow his lead .
`` I would implore all of my UCLA faculty colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final exams .
Many students are struggling now , they need our support , and many are not in the best emotional space to focus on academics .
Be compassionate & understanding , '' Howard tweeted .
UCLA did not respond to a request for comment .

University of California Los Angeles students are demanding that professors cancel or extend final exams for minority students in light of the death of George Floyd and some are pressuring the school to fire professors who refuse.
Anderson School of Management professor Gordon Klein was doxxed by students after he refused to allow minority students to abstain from taking final exams. A student in Klein's Management 127 class, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, requested accommodations for minority students during "these trying times." In the exchange, Klein questioned the appropriateness of using race to determine how students should be treated.
"Thanks for your suggestion in your email below that I give black students special treatment, given the tragedy in Minnesota," Klein wrote in his response email. "Do you know the names of the classmates that are black? How can I identify them since we've been having online classes only? Are there any students that may be of mixed parentage, such as half black-half Asian? What do you suggest I do with respect to them? A full concession or just half?"
Klein concluded his email with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that people should not be evaluated based on the color of their skin.
Preet Bains, a UCLA senior, started a Change.org petition urging the university to fire Klein for his response to the student's email.
"We ask for your support in having Professor Klein's professorship terminated for his extremely insensitive, dismissive, and woefully racist response to his students' request for empathy and compassion during a time of civil unrest," the petition reads.
More than 18,000 people had signed the petition as of Thursday afternoon. Bains did not respond to a request for comment. UCLA student Emilia Martinez, who initially shared the email on Twitter, said an "Afrolatinx" friend had sent the email but asked to remain anonymous. Martinez told the Washington Free Beacon that she went public with the emails to hold professors "accountable."
"I believed this information was important to bring to light because as a non-black poc, I believe it is my duty to amplify my black peer's voices," she said in an email. "I felt this was a very unreasonable response to a very valid request and decided that the Professor should be held properly accountable."
In a separate email to his entire class, Klein said that outside events, including personal hardship, do not necessarily relieve students of their responsibilities. He pointed to his daughter, who suffered a severe illness and lost close friends to suicide during her time at UCLA. Those personal hardships did not interfere with fulfilling her course work, according to the professor, who did not return a request for comment.
"Some students have asked that the final exam be delayed or changed or waived altogether. Life deals all of us challenges and I have no doubt that many of you are facing some now. In a perfectly fair world, I would be able to take these individual factors into account and perhaps modify the terms in our course syllabus, but my understanding of university rules is that, with rare exceptions, I should not," Klein said.
On March 16, UCLA sent a message to faculty encouraging professors to provide alternate forms of final assessments in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The university does not require professors to cancel final exams or exempt minority students from completing their course work.
Some professors who accommodated student requests have been attacked online. Professor David Jewitt followed university suggestions and extended his Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences final exam deadlines. The original accommodations extended the final from June 8 to June 15 and extended the class extra credit assignment from June 5 to June 8. The professor's changes were met with backlash, prompting Jewitt to claim that the deadline extension produced more controversy among students than Floyd's death.
"Changing the exam date produced ten times as many upset emails as did the original event in Minnesota. To accommodate people's summer plans, we will open the exam window on June 8 … and keep it open, so that the ultimate deadline is June 15," Jewitt wrote.
Students have called on professors to cancel classes over national political events in the past. Following the election of President Trump in 2016, Yale University and Columbia University professors canceled classes to allow students time to mourn. In 2018, Yale University professors canceled 31 classes so students could protest the confirmation of now-Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh.
UCLA education professor Tyrone Howard was heralded earlier this week after he replaced his class's final paper with a one-page write up on how students feel about "what is going on in the nation right now."
"In lieu of your final paper, I would like everyone to submit a 1 page reflection (double or single spaced). I just want you to respond to these two simple questions: 'What do I make about what is going on in the nation right now?' and 'How am I doing right now?'" Howard wrote in an email to his Education 130 class.
https://twitter.com/_ ornelaspaola/status/ 1267137156478197761?s=19
Howard, who did not respond to a request for comment, took to Twitter to encourage UCLA faculty to follow his lead.
"I would implore all of my UCLA faculty colleagues to strongly consider canceling or significantly altering final exams. Many students are struggling now, they need our support, and many are not in the best emotional space to focus on academics. Be compassionate & understanding," Howard tweeted.
https://twitter.com/ TyroneCHoward/status/ 1267268810572087296?s=19
UCLA did not respond to a request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-06-04--Judge Tied to Federalist Society Ban Belonged to Left-Wing Legal Group

A federal judge tied to an ethics proposal that would bar judges from joining the Federalist Society and its would-be liberal equivalent , the American Constitution Society ( ACS ) , was an ACS member as recently as 2010 , prompting charges of bad faith from legal conservatives .
The Committee on Codes of Conduct , an official judicial body that gives ethics advice to federal judges , produced a draft advisory opinion that would bar judges from joining the Federalist Society or ACS .
Though the committee 's work is confidential and the opinion was unsigned , conservative lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge John McConnell of the federal district court in Rhode Island engineered the suggested change .
McConnell , who sits on the committee , has given over half a million dollars to liberal causes and has close ties to Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse ( D. , R.I. ) , a passionate Federalist Society critic .
`` Judge John McConnell—Senator Sheldon Whitehouse 's buddy and one of the most political judges in the entire federal judiciary—has shown his utter hypocrisy by targeting and arguing that being members of two specific outside legal groups is ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment if he has resigned his membership in one of those groups after it was discovered he belonged , '' Mike Davis , president of the conservative Article III Project , told the Washington Free Beacon .
McConnell disclosed his ACS membership on a questionnaire while his nomination was pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2010 .
He listed his membership dates as 2008 to `` present , '' indicating an ongoing connection to the organization as of his nomination .
It is not clear if or when his enrollment terminated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ACS membership , or whether he has participated in ACS activities since taking the bench .
An aide to McConnell told the Free Beacon that the judge `` does not comment on confidential Codes of Conduct matters . ''
Whitehouse and other detractors say the Federalist Society , founded as an intellectual forum for students and law professors , has become the institutional axis of a conservative political campaign to transform American society through the courts .
In a May report , Whitehouse and other Democratic lawmakers said the Society is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massively funded GOP apparatus designed to rewrite the law , '' noting its influence over judicial selection and political appointments under President Donald Trump .
The committee 's draft opinion pointedly cites `` changing circumstances '' as a reason for reevaluating judicial participation in the Federalist Society and similarly notes the group enjoys financial support from `` sources that support conservative political causes . ''
Legal conservatives widely interpreted the committee 's move as an attack on the Federalist Society .
While the rule change bars judicial membership in both the Federalist Society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outpaces ACS in membership and resources .
`` These left-wing judges try to justify their political hit by also including a throw-away liberal group that doesn ’ t have nearly the reach or influence as the Federalist Society , '' Davis told the Free Beacon .
The new rule would still allow judges to belong to the American Bar Association , an interest group many see as neutral but which regularly endorses progressive policy positions , maintains a lobbying practice , and files amicus briefs in politically salient cases .
The draft opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermines public confidence in the courts .
While neither group is expressly partisan , the philosophies they endorse and the issues they highlight clearly skew left or right .
The ACS supports interpreting the Constitution `` against the backdrop of history and lived experience '' and promotes legal issues important to Democrats such as ballot access and campaign finance reform .
On the other hand , the Federalist Society identifies itself as a `` group of conservatives and libertarians '' and believes courts should read laws as enacted .
`` Official affiliation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person that the affiliated judge endorses the views and particular ideological perspectives advocated by the organization , '' the advisory opinion reads .
The Codes of Conduct Committee set a May 20 deadline for judges to submit comments on the draft advisory opinion .
A timeline for further action is unclear .

A federal judge tied to an ethics proposal that would bar judges from joining the Federalist Society and its would-be liberal equivalent, the American Constitution Society (ACS), was an ACS member as recently as 2010, prompting charges of bad faith from legal conservatives.
The Committee on Codes of Conduct, an official judicial body that gives ethics advice to federal judges, produced a draft advisory opinion that would bar judges from joining the Federalist Society or ACS. Though the committee's work is confidential and the opinion was unsigned, conservative lawyers and commentators have pushed suspicions that Chief Judge John McConnell of the federal district court in Rhode Island engineered the suggested change. McConnell, who sits on the committee, has given over half a million dollars to liberal causes and has close ties to Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D., R.I.), a passionate Federalist Society critic.
"Judge John McConnell—Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's buddy and one of the most political judges in the entire federal judiciary—has shown his utter hypocrisy by targeting and arguing that being members of two specific outside legal groups is (somehow) 'unethical'—yet refusing to even comment if he has resigned his membership in one of those groups after it was discovered he belonged," Mike Davis, president of the conservative Article III Project, told the Washington Free Beacon.
McConnell disclosed his ACS membership on a questionnaire while his nomination was pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2010. He listed his membership dates as 2008 to "present," indicating an ongoing connection to the organization as of his nomination. It is not clear if or when his enrollment terminated.
The judge declined to answer questions about his ACS membership, or whether he has participated in ACS activities since taking the bench. An aide to McConnell told the Free Beacon that the judge "does not comment on confidential Codes of Conduct matters."
Whitehouse and other detractors say the Federalist Society, founded as an intellectual forum for students and law professors, has become the institutional axis of a conservative political campaign to transform American society through the courts. In a May report, Whitehouse and other Democratic lawmakers said the Society is the "nerve center for a complex and massively funded GOP apparatus designed to rewrite the law," noting its influence over judicial selection and political appointments under President Donald Trump. The committee's draft opinion pointedly cites "changing circumstances" as a reason for reevaluating judicial participation in the Federalist Society and similarly notes the group enjoys financial support from "sources that support conservative political causes."
Legal conservatives widely interpreted the committee's move as an attack on the Federalist Society. While the rule change bars judicial membership in both the Federalist Society and ACS, the Federalist Society comfortably outpaces ACS in membership and resources.
"These left-wing judges try to justify their political hit by also including a throw-away liberal group that doesn’t have nearly the reach or influence as the Federalist Society," Davis told the Free Beacon.
The new rule would still allow judges to belong to the American Bar Association, an interest group many see as neutral but which regularly endorses progressive policy positions, maintains a lobbying practice, and files amicus briefs in politically salient cases.
The draft opinion argues that judicial membership in either organization undermines public confidence in the courts. While neither group is expressly partisan, the philosophies they endorse and the issues they highlight clearly skew left or right. The ACS supports interpreting the Constitution "against the backdrop of history and lived experience" and promotes legal issues important to Democrats such as ballot access and campaign finance reform. On the other hand, the Federalist Society identifies itself as a "group of conservatives and libertarians" and believes courts should read laws as enacted.
"Official affiliation with either organization could convey to a reasonable person that the affiliated judge endorses the views and particular ideological perspectives advocated by the organization," the advisory opinion reads.
The Codes of Conduct Committee set a May 20 deadline for judges to submit comments on the draft advisory opinion. A timeline for further action is unclear.


freebeacon--2020-06-04--Hickenlooper Defies Judge, Skips Ethics Commission Hearing

Former Colorado governor and current Democratic Senate candidate John Hickenlooper defied a judge 's order and skipped a hearing on his alleged violation of a state ban on corporate gifts .
Colorado 's Independent Ethics Commission issued a subpoena to compel Hickenlooper to testify over allegations he violated the state 's ban on accepting corporate gifts in office .
Hickenlooper 's legal team challenged the subpoena on the grounds that a remote hearing would not be conducive to a fair trial .
Wednesday night , a judge ruled against Hickenlooper 's attempt to block the subpoena and ordered him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , remote legal proceedings are the norm right now and the IEC has made an informed decision to proceed by video conference in order to avoid any additional delays in [ Hickenlooper ’ s ] case .
The court will not second-guess that decision , '' the judge wrote .
Hickenlooper did not appear at the hearing Thursday , according to the Denver Post .
The refusal to show up puts him in violation of both the commission 's subpoena and the judge 's order .
He has also denied violating the ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` politically motivated '' and said `` an unreliable and glitchy virtual hearing would not protect his due process rights . ''
The complaints , filed by the Public Trust Institute , allege that Hickenlooper traveled on planes and accepted travel expenses paid for by corporations on multiple occasions while governor .
The complaints also allege that Hickenlooper 's administration redacted the travel expenses from public records .
The first complaint was filed in October 2018 , and a subsequent complaint was filed in November 2018 .
Hickenlooper is running for the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Colo. ) in November 's election .
The Democratic primary will take place June 30 .
The failed presidential candidate has frequently voiced his opposition to the influence of corporate money in politics .
Federal Election Commission records show his senatorial campaign has taken more than $ 1 million in corporate donations , and hundreds of thousands in donations from corporate-backed PACs .

Former Colorado governor and current Democratic Senate candidate John Hickenlooper defied a judge's order and skipped a hearing on his alleged violation of a state ban on corporate gifts.
Colorado's Independent Ethics Commission issued a subpoena to compel Hickenlooper to testify over allegations he violated the state's ban on accepting corporate gifts in office. Hickenlooper's legal team challenged the subpoena on the grounds that a remote hearing would not be conducive to a fair trial. Wednesday night, a judge ruled against Hickenlooper's attempt to block the subpoena and ordered him to testify.
"For better or worse, remote legal proceedings are the norm right now and the IEC has made an informed decision to proceed by video conference in order to avoid any additional delays in [Hickenlooper’s] case. The court will not second-guess that decision," the judge wrote.
Hickenlooper did not appear at the hearing Thursday, according to the Denver Post. The refusal to show up puts him in violation of both the commission's subpoena and the judge's order.
He has also denied violating the ban. His campaign spokeswoman called the complaints "politically motivated" and said "an unreliable and glitchy virtual hearing would not protect his due process rights."
The complaints, filed by the Public Trust Institute, allege that Hickenlooper traveled on planes and accepted travel expenses paid for by corporations on multiple occasions while governor. The complaints also allege that Hickenlooper's administration redacted the travel expenses from public records. The first complaint was filed in October 2018, and a subsequent complaint was filed in November 2018.
Hickenlooper is running for the opportunity to challenge Sen. Cory Gardner (R., Colo.) in November's election. The Democratic primary will take place June 30.
The failed presidential candidate has frequently voiced his opposition to the influence of corporate money in politics. Federal Election Commission records show his senatorial campaign has taken more than $1 million in corporate donations, and hundreds of thousands in donations from corporate-backed PACs.


freebeacon--2020-06-04--Iran, Russia Smuggling Weapons to Libyan Terror Factions

Iran and Russia were caught shipping heavy weaponry into Libya , providing new evidence of an illicit arms smuggling operation that has equipped anti-government terror groups with , among other things , anti-tank missiles , according to American and Libyan officials who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon .
A weapons cache was recently flown into Libya by Cham Wings , a Syrian-operated commercial airline tied to Bashar al-Assad and subject to U.S. sanctions .
The shipment included Russian-made weapons and , for the first time , Iranian arms , according to information obtained by Libya 's Government of National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's U.S.-backed interim ruling council .
The weapons were delivered to Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar , who is in charge of multiple terrorist factions waging war against the GNA and its Western backers .
Russia and Iran are supporting Haftar 's forces , which have been accused of carrying out war crimes .
Iran 's new involvement marks a significant escalation in Libya 's years-long civil war , according to American , Israeli , and Libyan officials .
By fomenting chaos in the country , Iran hopes to increase its regional footprint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States and other Western governments .
Haftar 's militias used this weaponry to battle GNA forces in and around Tripoli , a central battleground in the civil war .
`` The Iranian twist is something that 's new , '' Mohammed Ali Abdallah , a senior adviser to the GNA and its representative to the United States , told the Free Beacon .
`` Their involvement has not been as visible in this crisis . ''
As with its involvement in Syria , Yemen , Iraq , and Lebanon—all regional hotspots where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes to topple the U.S.-backed government and turn the nation into a proxy for the Islamic Republic .
In early May , Syria 's Cham Wings airline flew the Russian and Iranian arms into Libya , according to Abdallah .
At least a portion of the weapons , including drones and anti-tank missiles , were provided by Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps .
Abdallah said the GNA was able to track specific flights and planes that delivered the arms , saying they point to a `` supply chain of weapons . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided with this information , telling the Free Beacon that Iran is violating a United Nations-endorsed arms embargo on Libya .
The accusations also demonstrate the danger of allowing a U.N. arms embargo on Iran to expire later this month , the official said .
`` The United States opposes any violation of the U.N. arms embargoes on Libya and Iran , '' a State Department spokesperson said .
`` If true , these reports demonstrate the need for stronger implementation of the arms embargo on Libya and for renewal of the arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities throughout the region . ''
The spokesperson said Russia and Iran must immediately `` suspend military operations '' and `` halt the ongoing transfer of foreign military equipment '' to these Libyan terror factions .
The Israeli government also has evidence that Iran is shipping weapons to Haftar 's forces in Libya .
Danny Danon , Israel 's ambassador to the U.N. , informed the Security Council last month that satellite imagery confirmed the presence of Iranian anti-tank missiles .
`` The presence of this advanced Iranian-manufactured system on Libyan soil is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms embargo , Danon wrote in a letter obtained by the Free Beacon .
Israel maintains that Iran 's involvement provides `` proof of the Iranian regime 's ambitions for regional influence , as well as its utter disregard of the international calls for the cessation of hostilities and non-interference , '' the letter said .
GNA official Abdallah warned that Iran and Russia are seeking to prolong Libya 's civil war to establish a greater footprint in the country and region .
Russia in particular has much to gain , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia—and Iran to a lesser extent—can establish a military presence on Libya 's Mediterranean coastline , where large natural gas reserves are located .
By locking down this territory , Russia can control Europe 's supply of natural gas and prevent the continent from seeking alternative sources .
Libya has been entrenched in civil war since former leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed in 2011 , leaving a power vacuum .
Haftar served as a longtime military aide to Gaddafi and sought to consolidate his power as a warlord in subsequent years .
Haftar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his war efforts have been condemned by most Western nations .
`` The endgame is prolonging the crisis , '' Abdallah said .
`` This is specifically true for Russia and even a certain extent to Iran . ''
The Trump administration shares this view .
The State Department told the Free Beacon that the Kremlin has exacerbated the Libyan crisis by providing Haftar ’ s forces with weapons , mercenaries , and counterfeit Libyan currency .
The U.S. military recently released information about Russia 's deployment of advanced fighter aircraft to Haftar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obfuscate its involvement , Russia allegedly painted over flags on the aircraft .
`` Unfortunately for the Kremlin , painting over the flags on its fighter aircraft wo n't hide the truth , '' the State Department spokesperson said .
`` Russia 's destabilizing activities in Libya are plain to see .
Neither the international community nor the Libyan people are falling for Russia 's claims that its mercenaries are somehow distinct from Russia 's self-serving agenda in Libya . ''
On Thursday , the GNA claimed it had retaken Tripoli and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Iran and Russia were caught shipping heavy weaponry into Libya, providing new evidence of an illicit arms smuggling operation that has equipped anti-government terror groups with, among other things, anti-tank missiles, according to American and Libyan officials who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon.
A weapons cache was recently flown into Libya by Cham Wings, a Syrian-operated commercial airline tied to Bashar al-Assad and subject to U.S. sanctions. The shipment included Russian-made weapons and, for the first time, Iranian arms, according to information obtained by Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA), the country's U.S.-backed interim ruling council.
The weapons were delivered to Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, who is in charge of multiple terrorist factions waging war against the GNA and its Western backers. Russia and Iran are supporting Haftar's forces, which have been accused of carrying out war crimes.
Iran's new involvement marks a significant escalation in Libya's years-long civil war, according to American, Israeli, and Libyan officials. By fomenting chaos in the country, Iran hopes to increase its regional footprint and undermine democratic reformers backed by the United States and other Western governments. Haftar's militias used this weaponry to battle GNA forces in and around Tripoli, a central battleground in the civil war.
"The Iranian twist is something that's new," Mohammed Ali Abdallah, a senior adviser to the GNA and its representative to the United States, told the Free Beacon. "Their involvement has not been as visible in this crisis."
As with its involvement in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon—all regional hotspots where Iran is funding and arming terror groups—Tehran hopes to topple the U.S.-backed government and turn the nation into a proxy for the Islamic Republic.
In early May, Syria's Cham Wings airline flew the Russian and Iranian arms into Libya, according to Abdallah. At least a portion of the weapons, including drones and anti-tank missiles, were provided by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Abdallah said the GNA was able to track specific flights and planes that delivered the arms, saying they point to a "supply chain of weapons."
The State Department confirmed it had been provided with this information, telling the Free Beacon that Iran is violating a United Nations-endorsed arms embargo on Libya. The accusations also demonstrate the danger of allowing a U.N. arms embargo on Iran to expire later this month, the official said.
"The United States opposes any violation of the U.N. arms embargoes on Libya and Iran," a State Department spokesperson said. "If true, these reports demonstrate the need for stronger implementation of the arms embargo on Libya and for renewal of the arms embargo on Iran to curtail its destabilizing activities throughout the region."
The spokesperson said Russia and Iran must immediately "suspend military operations" and "halt the ongoing transfer of foreign military equipment" to these Libyan terror factions.
The Israeli government also has evidence that Iran is shipping weapons to Haftar's forces in Libya.
Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the U.N., informed the Security Council last month that satellite imagery confirmed the presence of Iranian anti-tank missiles. "The presence of this advanced Iranian-manufactured system on Libyan soil is another grave violation" of the U.N. arms embargo, Danon wrote in a letter obtained by the Free Beacon.
Israel maintains that Iran's involvement provides "proof of the Iranian regime's ambitions for regional influence, as well as its utter disregard of the international calls for the cessation of hostilities and non-interference," the letter said.
GNA official Abdallah warned that Iran and Russia are seeking to prolong Libya's civil war to establish a greater footprint in the country and region. Russia in particular has much to gain, he said.
With the government in shambles, Russia—and Iran to a lesser extent—can establish a military presence on Libya's Mediterranean coastline, where large natural gas reserves are located. By locking down this territory, Russia can control Europe's supply of natural gas and prevent the continent from seeking alternative sources.
Libya has been entrenched in civil war since former leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed in 2011, leaving a power vacuum. Haftar served as a longtime military aide to Gaddafi and sought to consolidate his power as a warlord in subsequent years. Haftar is the GNA's top antagonist and his war efforts have been condemned by most Western nations.
"The endgame is prolonging the crisis," Abdallah said. "This is specifically true for Russia and even a certain extent to Iran."
The Trump administration shares this view. The State Department told the Free Beacon that the Kremlin has exacerbated the Libyan crisis by providing Haftar’s forces with weapons, mercenaries, and counterfeit Libyan currency.
The U.S. military recently released information about Russia's deployment of advanced fighter aircraft to Haftar's militias. In an effort to obfuscate its involvement, Russia allegedly painted over flags on the aircraft.
"Unfortunately for the Kremlin, painting over the flags on its fighter aircraft won't hide the truth," the State Department spokesperson said. "Russia's destabilizing activities in Libya are plain to see. Neither the international community nor the Libyan people are falling for Russia's claims that its mercenaries are somehow distinct from Russia's self-serving agenda in Libya."
On Thursday, the GNA claimed it had retaken Tripoli and the surrounding territory from Haftar's militias.


freebeacon--2020-06-04--NYT Editor Who Sent Anti-Semitic Tweets Says Cotton Op-ed Endangers Blacks

A New York Times editor who was forced to delete and apologize for anti-Semitic statements is expressing concern that the paper ’ s publication of an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
puts black lives at risk .
Newsletters editor Tom Wright-Piersanti retweeted the NewsGuild of New York union 's statement criticizing the Times for Cotton 's op-ed , which calls for the military to quell violent uprisings in American cities .
Wright-Piersanti also retweeted a message shared by dozens of Times staffers and editors about the piece : `` Running this put Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologized last August after Breitbart exposed tweets he sent in 2009 and 2010 referring disparagingly to Jews .
In one , he wrote , `` I was going to say ‘ Crappy Jew Year , ’ but one of my resolutions is to be less anti-Semitic .
So… HAPPY Jew Year .
You Jews . ''
In another , he referred to the `` Jew-police . ''
New York City experienced a record number of hate crimes against Jews in 2019 and its most since 1992 .
He also deleted tweets where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` Indians with mohawks . ''
Wright-Piersanti has only six tweets on his profile , and five of them are retweets .
None of them weighed in on the Times decision last year to publish an anti-Semitic cartoon portraying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a seeing-eye dog for President Donald Trump .
He did not reply to a request for comment .
Cotton 's op-ed set off an uproar at the Times and prompted a tweetstorm from editorial page editor James Bennet to explain why he published it .
He noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` forcefully defended '' the protests and criticized the use of force against them .
The Times also published a news article about its own newspaper 's internal strife over the op-ed .
`` It is not unusual for right-leaning opinion articles in The Times to attract criticism , '' reporter Marc Tracy wrote .
The Times has also published op-eds by Russian president Vladimir Putin , Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , and deputy Taliban leader S Cotton has been a U.S. senator since 2015 and is a veteran of the Iraq @ @ @ @

A New York Times editor who was forced to delete and apologize for anti-Semitic statements is expressing concern that the paper’s publication of an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) puts black lives at risk.
Newsletters editor Tom Wright-Piersanti retweeted the NewsGuild of New York union's statement criticizing the Times for Cotton's op-ed, which calls for the military to quell violent uprisings in American cities. Wright-Piersanti also retweeted a message shared by dozens of Times staffers and editors about the piece: "Running this put Black @nytimes staffers in danger."
Wright-Piersanti apologized last August after Breitbart exposed tweets he sent in 2009 and 2010 referring disparagingly to Jews. In one, he wrote, "I was going to say ‘Crappy Jew Year,’ but one of my resolutions is to be less anti-Semitic. So… HAPPY Jew Year. You Jews." In another, he referred to the "Jew-police." New York City experienced a record number of hate crimes against Jews in 2019 and its most since 1992.
He also deleted tweets where he said he hated "mohawk Indians" and "Indians with mohawks."
Wright-Piersanti has only six tweets on his profile, and five of them are retweets. None of them weighed in on the Times decision last year to publish an anti-Semitic cartoon portraying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a seeing-eye dog for President Donald Trump. He did not reply to a request for comment.
Cotton's op-ed set off an uproar at the Times and prompted a tweetstorm from editorial page editor James Bennet to explain why he published it. He noted the newspaper's liberal editorial board had "forcefully defended" the protests and criticized the use of force against them. The Times also published a news article about its own newspaper's internal strife over the op-ed.
"It is not unusual for right-leaning opinion articles in The Times to attract criticism," reporter Marc Tracy wrote.
The Times has also published op-eds by Russian president Vladimir Putin, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and deputy Taliban leader S
Cotton has been a U.S. senator since 2015 and is a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.


freebeacon--2020-06-04--NBC Reporter: Historic Church Set Aflame Experienced ‘Some Vandalism’

NBC reporter Tom Costello said the historic St. John 's Episcopal Church experienced `` some vandalism '' after the church was lit on fire Sunday night .
Costello was reporting on air from Lafayette Square in Washington , D.C. , on Thursday morning when he pointed out the proximity of the church .
`` Let me just give you the lay of the land .
Across the street here is St. John 's Church .
As you know , that 's the church that had some vandalism , and President Trump stood in front of with the Bible a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fire that burned in St. John 's drew widespread attention , including from the NBC affiliate in Washington , D.C. A Fox News broadcast showed the fire burning in the basement of the church .
The fire came during Sunday night 's rioting and looting , which followed a day of protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Firefighters extinguished the fire before it caused significant structural damage .
The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington said no one who works for the church was in the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and when she went to the church Monday morning , the damage had been contained .
The church 's nursery was mostly destroyed , while some of its windows were smashed and graffiti was sprayed on the building .
The day after the fire , park police dispersed protesters in front of the White House to allow President Trump to pose for a photo holding a Bible in front of the church .
The bishop criticized the photo , saying that Trump was spreading a `` message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Every president since James Madison has attended a service at the church , which held its first service in 1816 .
Costello 's description of the fire as `` some vandalism '' was part of a pattern of downplaying the impact of the riots from some members of the media .
While peaceful protests have occurred during the day , America 's major cities have been ransacked by widespread looting for several consecutive nights .

NBC reporter Tom Costello said the historic St. John's Episcopal Church experienced "some vandalism" after the church was lit on fire Sunday night.
Costello was reporting on air from Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., on Thursday morning when he pointed out the proximity of the church.
"Let me just give you the lay of the land. Across the street here is St. John's Church. As you know, that's the church that had some vandalism, and President Trump stood in front of with the Bible a few nights ago," Costello said.
The fire that burned in St. John's drew widespread attention, including from the NBC affiliate in Washington, D.C. A Fox News broadcast showed the fire burning in the basement of the church.
https://twitter.com/alexsalvinews/status/1267284748017123328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fmedia%2Fstelter-apologizes-st-johns-church-tweet
The fire came during Sunday night's rioting and looting, which followed a day of protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Firefighters extinguished the fire before it caused significant structural damage. The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington said no one who works for the church was in the building at the time of the fire, and when she went to the church Monday morning, the damage had been contained.
The church's nursery was mostly destroyed, while some of its windows were smashed and graffiti was sprayed on the building. The day after the fire, park police dispersed protesters in front of the White House to allow President Trump to pose for a photo holding a Bible in front of the church. The bishop criticized the photo, saying that Trump was spreading a "message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that our church stands for."
Every president since James Madison has attended a service at the church, which held its first service in 1816.
Costello's description of the fire as "some vandalism" was part of a pattern of downplaying the impact of the riots from some members of the media. While peaceful protests have occurred during the day, America's major cities have been ransacked by widespread looting for several consecutive nights.


freebeacon--2020-06-04--Navy Veteran Detained by Iranians Has Been Freed

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – A U.S. Navy veteran detained in Iran since 2018 was freed on Thursday and was on his way back home , his family said in a statement , a rare instance of cooperation between Tehran and Washington despite their bitter relationship .
Michael White had been released from an Iranian prison in mid-March on medical furlough but was held in Iran under Swiss custody .
`` For 683 days my son , Michael , has been held hostage in Iran by the IRGC and I have been living a nightmare , '' his mother Joanne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am blessed to announce that the nightmare is over , and my son is safely on his way home . ''
IRGC is the acronym for Iran ’ s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps .
Both countries have called for the release of prisoners because of the novel coronavirus outbreak .
Iran is one of the worst-hit countries in the Middle East , while the United States has reported the highest number of deaths and infections worldwide from the virus .
U.S.-Iranian relations have been bitter since the Islamic Revolution toppled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ushered in an era of theocratic rule .
Tensions flared after President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed U.S. sanctions that have crippled Iran ’ s economy .
Worsening tensions , a Jan. 3 U.S. drone strike in Iraq killed Qassem Soleimani , the powerful head of Iran ’ s elite Quds Force .
White ’ s release comes two days after the United States deported Sirous Asgari , an Iranian professor imprisoned in the United States despite being acquitted on charges of stealing trade secrets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
Both the U.S. State Department and Iranian officials have repeatedly denied that Asgari was part of a swap with White , or anyone else and said his case was separate .

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Navy veteran detained in Iran since 2018 was freed on Thursday and was on his way back home, his family said in a statement, a rare instance of cooperation between Tehran and Washington despite their bitter relationship.
Michael White had been released from an Iranian prison in mid-March on medical furlough but was held in Iran under Swiss custody.
"For 683 days my son, Michael, has been held hostage in Iran by the IRGC and I have been living a nightmare," his mother Joanne White said in a statement. "I am blessed to announce that the nightmare is over, and my son is safely on his way home." IRGC is the acronym for Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Both countries have called for the release of prisoners because of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Iran is one of the worst-hit countries in the Middle East, while the United States has reported the highest number of deaths and infections worldwide from the virus.
U.S.-Iranian relations have been bitter since the Islamic Revolution toppled the U.S.-backed Shah of Iran in 1979 and ushered in an era of theocratic rule. Tensions flared after President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed U.S. sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy.
Worsening tensions, a Jan. 3 U.S. drone strike in Iraq killed Qassem Soleimani, the powerful head of Iran’s elite Quds Force.
White’s release comes two days after the United States deported Sirous Asgari, an Iranian professor imprisoned in the United States despite being acquitted on charges of stealing trade secrets. Iranian media reported his arrival on Wednesday.
Both the U.S. State Department and Iranian officials have repeatedly denied that Asgari was part of a swap with White, or anyone else and said his case was separate.
(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Jonathan Landay; editing by Jonathan Oatis; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Jonathan Oatis)