freebeacon--2020-09-10--Amid Dem Push to Defund Police, N.H. Police Unions Flip to Back Republican

Two New Hampshire police unions flipped their endorsement from their district 's Democratic incumbent congressman to the Republican challenger in response to Democratic efforts to defund police , WMUR 9 reported Wednesday .
The Manchester Association of Police Supervisors and the Manchester Police Patrolman 's Association endorsed freshman congressman Chris Pappas ( D. , N.H. ) in 2018 , but in a joint statement this week , the unions announced their support for Republican Matt Mowers .
The two unions said recent attempts by Democrats to defund police departments across the country pushed them to flip their endorsement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he campaigned as a supporter of law enforcement , '' reads the unions ' official statement .
`` Once he got down to Congress , Pappas changed .
But as politicians across the country attack our police departments , Matt Mowers has had our backs .
When politicians in Washington voted to remove qualified immunity from police officers , Mowers stood with us .
When others wanted to defund the police , Mowers defended us . ''
The flip comes amid a recent push by Democrats to defund and reform police departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riots .
In response , some unions have looked to Republican candidates for support—just last month , New York City 's largest police union endorsed President Trump for reelection , citing his commitment to law and order .
In a statement Wednesday , Mowers took aim at Pappas , who he has previously criticized for supporting an end to qualified immunity for police officers .
`` In Congress , I will always stand with our law enforcement community , not use our police as a political punching bag like Chris Pappas .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backing our police , '' Mowers said .
`` He voted to remove qualified immunity , something even too extreme for Senator Hassan and Senator Shaheen and opposed by the NAACP leadership in New Hampshire . ''
Mowers , a former White House adviser , will take on Pappas in November .

Two New Hampshire police unions flipped their endorsement from their district's Democratic incumbent congressman to the Republican challenger in response to Democratic efforts to defund police, WMUR 9 reported Wednesday.
The Manchester Association of Police Supervisors and the Manchester Police Patrolman's Association endorsed freshman congressman Chris Pappas (D., N.H.) in 2018, but in a joint statement this week, the unions announced their support for Republican Matt Mowers. The two unions said recent attempts by Democrats to defund police departments across the country pushed them to flip their endorsement.
"In 2018, we endorsed Chris Pappas because he campaigned as a supporter of law enforcement," reads the unions' official statement. "Once he got down to Congress, Pappas changed. But as politicians across the country attack our police departments, Matt Mowers has had our backs. When politicians in Washington voted to remove qualified immunity from police officers, Mowers stood with us. When others wanted to defund the police, Mowers defended us."
The flip comes amid a recent push by Democrats to defund and reform police departments following months of nationwide anti-police protests and riots. In response, some unions have looked to Republican candidates for support—just last month, New York City's largest police union endorsed President Trump for reelection, citing his commitment to law and order.
In a statement Wednesday, Mowers took aim at Pappas, who he has previously criticized for supporting an end to qualified immunity for police officers.
"In Congress, I will always stand with our law enforcement community, not use our police as a political punching bag like Chris Pappas. He's been on the wrong side of backing our police," Mowers said. "He voted to remove qualified immunity, something even too extreme for Senator Hassan and Senator Shaheen and opposed by the NAACP leadership in New Hampshire."
Mowers, a former White House adviser, will take on Pappas in November.


freebeacon--2020-09-11--The Dialectic of Woke

The Dialectic of Woke

Last week a few sharp-eyed members of the audience for Disney ’ s live-action remake of Mulan noticed something ugly in the credits .
The film ’ s producers thanked , among others , the publicity department of the `` CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Committee '' as well as the `` Turpan Municipal Bureau of Public Security . ''
These are the same political and disciplinary institutions that oppress China ’ s Uighur minority .
Disney cooperated with them without batting an eye .
But Disney is more than happy to call attention to human-rights abuses in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police custody earlier this year , the corporation and its subsidiaries , including ABC and ESPN , have issued statements in support of Black Lives Matter .
The House of Mouse has reaffirmed its commitment to the ideology and practices of diversity , equity , and inclusion .
Nor is Disney the only film studio to ignore repression in the People ’ s Republic of China while embracing the cause of social justice at home .
They all do it .
The question is why .
Part of the reason is parochialism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ much about what happens in other countries .
Another motivation is profit .
All companies desire access to the largest possible markets .
Angering the Chinese Communist Party , or violating the tenets of political correctness , endangers the bottom line .
Meanwhile the legitimacy of political , cultural , and economic institutions , including the corporation , has come into question .
To ensure their survival , corporations must conform to the values and regulations of host societies and governments .
That means playing nice with China , embracing `` stakeholder capitalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ibram X. Kendi .
Selective indignation is not new .
What ’ s striking about this latest version is its zones of prevalence .
The sectors of the economy most wedded to the view that American society is systemically racist—entertainment , sports , media , tech—are the least concerned with the real and concrete injustices of the antidemocratic and hostile Chinese regime .
This is the woke dialectic : dissent in America , acquiescence to China .
Just as people became aware of Mulan ’ s complicity in injustice , the Academy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated set of ethnic , racial , and sexual quotas that films must meet in order to become eligible for the best picture Oscar .
`` The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is committed to building an antiracist , inclusive organization that will contextualize and challenge dominant narratives around cinema , and build authentic relationships with diverse communities , '' read part of the statement announcing the rules .
But the Academy is less interested in contextualizing and challenging the absence of civil and political rights elsewhere .
In 2013 it was happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of China ’ s largest multinationals .
The NBA is no different .
Its front offices , coaches , and athletes are among the most progressive in the country .
Social justice messages adorn players ’ uniforms .
`` Black Lives Matter '' is painted on the court .
LeBron James has leveraged his celebrity to earn further political concessions from the league , including the transformation of arenas into polling places on Election Day .
But James has also made embarrassing comments regarding the conflict between democracy and autocracy in Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shame of having operated training facilities in Xinjiang .
The Washington Free Beacon has shown that the same newspapers that devote so much space to advancing America ’ s racial reckoning ( and whose foreign desks often report on the foulness of China ’ s dictatorship ) also accepted millions from the Chinese government to run propaganda .
The same company , Alphabet , that earlier this year announced millions in donations to social justice nonprofits expressed no qualms in 2017 when it opened an AI research center in China .
In other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the progressive reconstruction , radical reform , or transformation of the United States are intertwined with the revisionist great power that aims to replace the United States as global hegemon .
This synthesis of the woke dialectic lends an additional meaning to the term `` allyship . ''
And it is why champions of individual rights , equality under the law , due process , and pluralism stand athwart both political correctness at home and authoritarianism abroad .

Last week a few sharp-eyed members of the audience for Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan noticed something ugly in the credits. The film’s producers thanked, among others, the publicity department of the "CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Committee" as well as the "Turpan Municipal Bureau of Public Security." These are the same political and disciplinary institutions that oppress China’s Uighur minority. Disney cooperated with them without batting an eye.
But Disney is more than happy to call attention to human-rights abuses in the United States. Since George Floyd died in police custody earlier this year, the corporation and its subsidiaries, including ABC and ESPN, have issued statements in support of Black Lives Matter. The House of Mouse has reaffirmed its commitment to the ideology and practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Nor is Disney the only film studio to ignore repression in the People’s Republic of China while embracing the cause of social justice at home. They all do it. The question is why.
Part of the reason is parochialism. Americans just don’t care very much about what happens in other countries. Another motivation is profit. All companies desire access to the largest possible markets. Angering the Chinese Communist Party, or violating the tenets of political correctness, endangers the bottom line. Meanwhile the legitimacy of political, cultural, and economic institutions, including the corporation, has come into question. To ensure their survival, corporations must conform to the values and regulations of host societies and governments. That means playing nice with China, embracing "stakeholder capitalism," and adopting the teachings of Ibram X. Kendi.
Selective indignation is not new. What’s striking about this latest version is its zones of prevalence. The sectors of the economy most wedded to the view that American society is systemically racist—entertainment, sports, media, tech—are the least concerned with the real and concrete injustices of the antidemocratic and hostile Chinese regime. This is the woke dialectic: dissent in America, acquiescence to China.
Just as people became aware of Mulan’s complicity in injustice, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences promulgated a complicated set of ethnic, racial, and sexual quotas that films must meet in order to become eligible for the best picture Oscar. "The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is committed to building an antiracist, inclusive organization that will contextualize and challenge dominant narratives around cinema, and build authentic relationships with diverse communities," read part of the statement announcing the rules. But the Academy is less interested in contextualizing and challenging the absence of civil and political rights elsewhere. In 2013 it was happy to accept $20 million from one of China’s largest multinationals.
The NBA is no different. Its front offices, coaches, and athletes are among the most progressive in the country. Social justice messages adorn players’ uniforms. "Black Lives Matter" is painted on the court. LeBron James has leveraged his celebrity to earn further political concessions from the league, including the transformation of arenas into polling places on Election Day. But James has also made embarrassing comments regarding the conflict between democracy and autocracy in Hong Kong. And the league itself carries the shame of having operated training facilities in Xinjiang.
The Washington Free Beacon has shown that the same newspapers that devote so much space to advancing America’s racial reckoning (and whose foreign desks often report on the foulness of China’s dictatorship) also accepted millions from the Chinese government to run propaganda. The same company, Alphabet, that earlier this year announced millions in donations to social justice nonprofits expressed no qualms in 2017 when it opened an AI research center in China.
In other words, the same businesses that promote the progressive reconstruction, radical reform, or transformation of the United States are intertwined with the revisionist great power that aims to replace the United States as global hegemon. This synthesis of the woke dialectic lends an additional meaning to the term "allyship." And it is why champions of individual rights, equality under the law, due process, and pluralism stand athwart both political correctness at home and authoritarianism abroad.


freebeacon--2020-09-11--Iran Behind Hack Attacks, Online Disinformation Campaigns to Boost Biden

Iran is behind an ongoing series of hack attacks and online disinformation campaigns meant to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election and boost Democratic candidate Joe Biden .
The Islamic Republic is betting on Biden 's campaign , according to regional experts and U.S. officials tracking the country 's efforts to sway the presidential contest .
Tehran has engaged in cyber espionage operations targeting President Donald Trump 's campaign since late 2019 , cyber experts say .
It also has joined adversarial regimes such as Russia and China in waging online disinformation campaigns on social media as part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discord across America .
Iran 's efforts include amplifying anti-Trump voices in its state-controlled news outlets and creating false online personas to elevate similar material .
Both Facebook and Twitter have moved in recent months to remove a litany of false accounts that they say were controlled mainly by Iran , Russia , and China .
These countries have promoted disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic and critiques of Trump 's response .
The sophistication of these attacks has ranged from advanced stealth efforts to infiltrate the campaign and elected officials to more amateurish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false social media accounts .
Iran 's efforts are meant to undermine the 2020 election .
The Trump administration has waged the most aggressive sanctions campaign on Iran in history , destroying its economy and putting the ruling regime in a precarious position .
Iranian leaders are betting on Biden to revive a series of policies first implemented by the Obama administration that gave Tehran access to hard currency and significant relief from crushing international sanctions .
Four more years of Trump could put the Iranian regime on the brink of collapse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 2020 election , it 's clear the regime can not handle four more years of maximum pressure , '' said Behnam Ben Taleblu , an Iran specialist with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank .
`` It 's also clear that the regime has a particular disdain for the Trump administration , which has been remarkably effective in restoring and adding sanctions on Tehran , making them more effective—despite being unilateral—in record-setting time . ''
However , `` this should not be confused with being pro-Biden , per se @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its anti-American ideology that stretches across both political parties , according to Ben Taleblu .
Iran 's election interference has taken many forms .
Earlier this year , for instance , Facebook disclosed that it had removed `` 118 Pages , 389 Facebook accounts , 27 Groups , and 6 Instagram accounts , '' all of them under Iran 's control .
This activity included boosting the liberal `` Occupy movement in the U.S. [ and ] criticism of U.S. policies in the Middle East , '' according to Facebook , which removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This campaign bubbled into public view last month when William Evanina , director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center , disclosed that `` Iran seeks to undermine U.S. democratic institutions , President Trump , and to divide the country in advance of the 2020 elections . ''
Iran 's efforts , Evanina said , are `` driven by a perception that President Trump 's reelection would result in a continuation of U.S. pressure on Iran in an effort to foment regime change . ''
Iran also has enlisted hackers in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Microsoft disclosed that Iran was behind a series of hacks reportedly targeting the Trump campaign .
Tehran reportedly made nearly 3,000 attempts to penetrate accounts over a 30-day period .
`` The targeted accounts are associated with a U.S. presidential campaign , current and former U.S. government officials , journalists covering global politics and prominent Iranians living outside Iran , '' Microsoft reported at the time .
Hacks of this nature have become commonplace for Iran as it seeks to spy on Americans and peddle its propaganda .
`` Iran 's ultimate goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or rejectionist powers like Russia and China , is the decline of the American-led world order , '' said FDD ’ s Ben Taleblu .
`` Having Americans at each other 's throats day-in and day-out helps them accomplish this most nefarious of goals . ''

Iran is behind an ongoing series of hack attacks and online disinformation campaigns meant to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election and boost Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
The Islamic Republic is betting on Biden's campaign, according to regional experts and U.S. officials tracking the country's efforts to sway the presidential contest. Tehran has engaged in cyber espionage operations targeting President Donald Trump's campaign since late 2019, cyber experts say. It also has joined adversarial regimes such as Russia and China in waging online disinformation campaigns on social media as part of a larger effort to polarize voters and sow discord across America.
Iran's efforts include amplifying anti-Trump voices in its state-controlled news outlets and creating false online personas to elevate similar material. Both Facebook and Twitter have moved in recent months to remove a litany of false accounts that they say were controlled mainly by Iran, Russia, and China. These countries have promoted disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic and critiques of Trump's response. The sophistication of these attacks has ranged from advanced stealth efforts to infiltrate the campaign and elected officials to more amateurish campaigns promoting propaganda via a slew of false social media accounts.
Iran's efforts are meant to undermine the 2020 election. The Trump administration has waged the most aggressive sanctions campaign on Iran in history, destroying its economy and putting the ruling regime in a precarious position. Iranian leaders are betting on Biden to revive a series of policies first implemented by the Obama administration that gave Tehran access to hard currency and significant relief from crushing international sanctions. Four more years of Trump could put the Iranian regime on the brink of collapse, experts say.
"In the case of the 2020 election, it's clear the regime cannot handle four more years of maximum pressure," said Behnam Ben Taleblu, an Iran specialist with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank. "It's also clear that the regime has a particular disdain for the Trump administration, which has been remarkably effective in restoring and adding sanctions on Tehran, making them more effective—despite being unilateral—in record-setting time."
However, "this should not be confused with being pro-Biden, per se," as Iran remains wedded to its anti-American ideology that stretches across both political parties, according to Ben Taleblu.
Iran's election interference has taken many forms.
Earlier this year, for instance, Facebook disclosed that it had removed "118 Pages, 389 Facebook accounts, 27 Groups, and 6 Instagram accounts," all of them under Iran's control. This activity included boosting the liberal "Occupy movement in the U.S. [and] criticism of U.S. policies in the Middle East," according to Facebook, which removed a number of similar accounts in 2019.
This campaign bubbled into public view last month when William Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, disclosed that "Iran seeks to undermine U.S. democratic institutions, President Trump, and to divide the country in advance of the 2020 elections."
Iran's efforts, Evanina said, are "driven by a perception that President Trump's reelection would result in a continuation of U.S. pressure on Iran in an effort to foment regime change."
Iran also has enlisted hackers in its disinformation campaign.
In late 2019, Microsoft disclosed that Iran was behind a series of hacks reportedly targeting the Trump campaign. Tehran reportedly made nearly 3,000 attempts to penetrate accounts over a 30-day period.
"The targeted accounts are associated with a U.S. presidential campaign, current and former U.S. government officials, journalists covering global politics and prominent Iranians living outside Iran," Microsoft reported at the time.
Hacks of this nature have become commonplace for Iran as it seeks to spy on Americans and peddle its propaganda.
"Iran's ultimate goal, hence its partnership with other revisionist or rejectionist powers like Russia and China, is the decline of the American-led world order," said FDD’s Ben Taleblu. "Having Americans at each other's throats day-in and day-out helps them accomplish this most nefarious of goals."


freebeacon--2020-09-11--Complaint: Missouri Dem Used State Resources to Boost Gubernatorial Campaign

Missouri Democratic state auditor Nicole Galloway used taxpayer funds to boost her gubernatorial campaign , a legal complaint obtained by the Washington Free Beacon alleges .
According to the complaint—filed by conservative group Liberty Alliance USA—Galloway directed state employees to draft , edit , and place an op-ed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that criticized governor Mike Parson ( R. ) on abortion .
Internal emails obtained by the group show that Galloway 's taxpayer-funded press secretary , Stephanie Deidrick , submitted the op-ed to the Post-Dispatch from her state email account during official work hours on May 31 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parson was not officially launched at the time , but her campaign committee disbursed at least $ 7,000 to a Democratic firm for `` campaign management '' before submitting the op-ed .
The spending came despite the fact that Galloway was elected state auditor just months prior and was not up for reelection until November 2022 .
The Post-Dispatch ran Galloway 's op-ed attacking Parson on June 3 , 2019 .
The op-ed called Parson 's position on abortion `` extreme and cruel , '' accusing him of `` disrespecting women . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star reported that Galloway was `` very seriously considering challenging the governor , '' adding that Parson 's pro-life stance could `` be the factor that tips the scales . ''
Galloway officially launched her campaign weeks later in August 2019 .
Under Missouri law , public funds may not be used to `` advocate , support , or oppose any candidate for public office . ''
The complaint argues that the issue of abortion is `` expressly outside the constitutional duties of State Auditor , '' meaning Galloway `` used state tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related priorities in clear violation of the law . ''
`` The editorial made no reference to the constitutional duties of the State Auditor 's role , which is limited to ‘ conducting postaudits of the accounts of all state agencies ' and ‘ establishing systems of accounting ' for public officials , '' the complaint says .
`` The published editorial served no official purpose of the Auditor 's office and instead attempted to advance the political aspirations of Galloway , who planned to imminently challenge Governor Parson . ''
Galloway 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
The Post-Dispatch also questioned Galloway 's use of state resources to submit the op-ed , calling it a `` personal political mission '' in a September 2 editorial .
`` It was our mistake to publish the op-ed before asking Deidrick what , exactly , do abortion rights have to do with Galloway 's official auditing duties , '' the editorial states .
`` In fact , the topic has nothing to do with those duties but everything to do with Galloway 's effort to position herself on a key political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Parson . ''
The complaint comes nearly two years after the American Democracy Legal Fund ( ADLF ) —a liberal nonprofit run by activist David Brock—accused then-attorney general Josh Hawley of using his official office to boost his 2018 Senate campaign .
An investigation spearheaded by Missouri secretary of state Jay Ashcroft found no evidence of wrongdoing , asserting that interactions between outside consultants and Hawley 's state employees were aimed at communicating `` office-related priorities . ''
Galloway 's office also investigated the ADLF 's complaint and was accused of misconduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigator on the case , Pamela Allison , discussed altering the audit 's conclusions in an August 29 email .
`` I 'm thinking I 'll just drop the confidentiality paragraph in the report and beef up the personal email/personal calendar section , '' Allison wrote .
The ADLF 's complaint was used extensively by former senator Claire McCaskill during her campaign against Hawley .
During her office 's investigation , Galloway hired former McCaskill campaign manager David Kirby as a senior official and accepted a $ 2,600 campaign contribution from McCaskill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ level , of a political operative who personally promoted the very attacks against Mr. Hawley that Galloway was supposed to be independently reviewing is deeply inappropriate and politically unethical , '' a January letter sent from Hawley 's lawyer to Galloway says .
The complaint was filed to Secretary of State Ashcroft on Wednesday .
Ashcroft now has 30 days to respond .

Missouri Democratic state auditor Nicole Galloway used taxpayer funds to boost her gubernatorial campaign, a legal complaint obtained by the Washington Free Beacon alleges.
According to the complaint—filed by conservative group Liberty Alliance USA—Galloway directed state employees to draft, edit, and place an op-ed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that criticized governor Mike Parson (R.) on abortion. Internal emails obtained by the group show that Galloway's taxpayer-funded press secretary, Stephanie Deidrick, submitted the op-ed to the Post-Dispatch from her state email account during official work hours on May 31, 2019.
Galloway's bid to unseat Parson was not officially launched at the time, but her campaign committee disbursed at least $7,000 to a Democratic firm for "campaign management" before submitting the op-ed. The spending came despite the fact that Galloway was elected state auditor just months prior and was not up for reelection until November 2022.
The Post-Dispatch ran Galloway's op-ed attacking Parson on June 3, 2019. The op-ed called Parson's position on abortion "extreme and cruel," accusing him of "disrespecting women." One day later, the Kansas City Star reported that Galloway was "very seriously considering challenging the governor," adding that Parson's pro-life stance could "be the factor that tips the scales." Galloway officially launched her campaign weeks later in August 2019.
Under Missouri law, public funds may not be used to "advocate, support, or oppose any candidate for public office." The complaint argues that the issue of abortion is "expressly outside the constitutional duties of State Auditor," meaning Galloway "used state tax dollars to communicate her views on non-office related priorities in clear violation of the law."
"The editorial made no reference to the constitutional duties of the State Auditor's role, which is limited to 'conducting postaudits of the accounts of all state agencies' and 'establishing systems of accounting' for public officials," the complaint says. "The published editorial served no official purpose of the Auditor's office and instead attempted to advance the political aspirations of Galloway, who planned to imminently challenge Governor Parson."
Galloway's office did not return a request for comment.
The Post-Dispatch also questioned Galloway's use of state resources to submit the op-ed, calling it a "personal political mission" in a September 2 editorial.
"It was our mistake to publish the op-ed before asking Deidrick what, exactly, do abortion rights have to do with Galloway's official auditing duties," the editorial states. "In fact, the topic has nothing to do with those duties but everything to do with Galloway's effort to position herself on a key political issue just before announcing her gubernatorial campaign against Parson."
The complaint comes nearly two years after the American Democracy Legal Fund (ADLF)—a liberal nonprofit run by activist David Brock—accused then-attorney general Josh Hawley of using his official office to boost his 2018 Senate campaign. An investigation spearheaded by Missouri secretary of state Jay Ashcroft found no evidence of wrongdoing, asserting that interactions between outside consultants and Hawley's state employees were aimed at communicating "office-related priorities."
Galloway's office also investigated the ADLF's complaint and was accused of misconduct by Hawley. The Democrat's lead investigator on the case, Pamela Allison, discussed altering the audit's conclusions in an August 29 email.
"I'm thinking I'll just drop the confidentiality paragraph in the report and beef up the personal email/personal calendar section," Allison wrote.
The ADLF's complaint was used extensively by former senator Claire McCaskill during her campaign against Hawley. During her office's investigation, Galloway hired former McCaskill campaign manager David Kirby as a senior official and accepted a $2,600 campaign contribution from McCaskill.
"The involvement, at a senior level, of a political operative who personally promoted the very attacks against Mr. Hawley that Galloway was supposed to be independently reviewing is deeply inappropriate and politically unethical," a January letter sent from Hawley's lawyer to Galloway says.
The complaint was filed to Secretary of State Ashcroft on Wednesday. Ashcroft now has 30 days to respond.


freebeacon--2020-09-11--Sources: Trump Nominees for Afghanistan and Germany Ambassadors ’Not Confirmable’

The Trump administration 's ambassadorial nominees to Afghanistan and Germany will not be approved by Senate Republicans , according to three congressional aides who cite the nominees ’ isolationist and anti-Israel views .
The senior Republican congressional aides said that the nomination of retired U.S Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor is almost certain to fail if it comes to a vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee .
The nomination of William Ruger , a U.S. Navy reserve officer and key figure in Charles Koch 's philanthropic empire , to be ambassador to Afghanistan , is unlikely to get a vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Fox News host Tucker Carlson is linked to both nominees : Macgregor has been a frequent guest on Carlson ’ s show , arguing that there is no evidence Iran `` wants to attack '' the United States and that neoconservatives have manipulated America ’ s foreign policy to benefit Israel .
And Charles Koch was a major funder of Carlson ’ s Daily Caller news site , a relationship Ruger likely facilitated in his role leading the Charles Koch Institute .
The White House formally submitted Ruger ’ s nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next ambassador to Afghanistan will play a critical role as the administration works to prevent the country from descending into chaos .
Ruger , whose nomination is unlikely to see a vote due to the congressional schedule before the election , is viewed by his supporters as an opponent of U.S. military intervention who would work to limit the U.S. presence in Afghanistan and the region at large .
He was described on Wednesday by Arta Moeini , research director at the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy , as a `` genuine anti-interventionist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militarized '' American foreign policy .
Moeini , who discussed the nomination during a panel discussion earlier this week , pointed to Ruger and Macgregor as good examples of Trump ’ s isolationist tendencies .
Macgregor ’ s nomination , submitted to the Senate in late July , was also met with outrage from Republican senators , who pointed to his controversial comments about Jewish Americans manipulating U.S. foreign policy and his attempts to downplay the threat from Iran .
`` The administration has sent the Senate three foreign policy nominees with no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to be some form of Guinness World Record for incompetent congressional relations , '' said one senior GOP congressional official , citing opposition to Ruger , Macgregor , and Anthony Tata , who was recently tapped to become the Pentagon ’ s number two spot .
`` I do not understand why the White House has nominated an anti-Israel , pro-open borders , hardcore isolationist to an important diplomatic post , '' said a second senior Republican congressional aide of Ruger , echoing the sentiments of several other officials who spoke to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the brewing confrontation .
`` He is not confirmable , and the president is not being well-served by his team . ''
The controversial picks reflect the ascendance of John McEntee , the director of the Presidential Personnel Office , according to congressional aides .
McEntee , Trump ’ s onetime bodyman who was dismissed in 2018 amid a `` financial crime investigation , '' according to CNN , and then rehired in February , shares the isolationist foreign policy views of both nominees .
In addition to Charles Koch ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has overseen a growing investment in the American Conservative and RealClearPolitics .
The American Conservative earlier this year celebrated McEntee as `` the new , paleocon head of Trump administration personnel , '' describing him as `` a fan of the articles of [ American Conservative ] founder Pat Buchanan . ''
One veteran Republican strategist said McEntee is creating problems for Trump ahead of the 2020 election .
`` John McEntee keeps advancing people who are either unconfirmable or just too late , '' the source said .
`` He always blames @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his side , but that 's the problem .
When you send nominees who have called Republican members warmongers on TV for four years or you send nominees a few weeks before the election , you 're just creating headaches for the president and his campaign . ''
Bernie Sanders , among others , has embraced the Ruger nomination .
Sanders ’ s Senate office has maintained a close relationship with the Quincy Institute , the think tank backed by Koch and George Soros .
Sanders told PBS ’ s Margaret Hoover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk to [ Ruger ] and hear what he has to say . ''

The Trump administration's ambassadorial nominees to Afghanistan and Germany will not be approved by Senate Republicans, according to three congressional aides who cite the nominees’ isolationist and anti-Israel views.
The senior Republican congressional aides said that the nomination of retired U.S Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor is almost certain to fail if it comes to a vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The nomination of William Ruger, a U.S. Navy reserve officer and key figure in Charles Koch's philanthropic empire, to be ambassador to Afghanistan, is unlikely to get a vote from the committee before the November election.
The Fox News host Tucker Carlson is linked to both nominees: Macgregor has been a frequent guest on Carlson’s show, arguing that there is no evidence Iran "wants to attack" the United States and that neoconservatives have manipulated America’s foreign policy to benefit Israel.
And Charles Koch was a major funder of Carlson’s Daily Caller news site, a relationship Ruger likely facilitated in his role leading the Charles Koch Institute.
The White House formally submitted Ruger’s nomination to the Senate on Thursday. The next ambassador to Afghanistan will play a critical role as the administration works to prevent the country from descending into chaos.
Ruger, whose nomination is unlikely to see a vote due to the congressional schedule before the election, is viewed by his supporters as an opponent of U.S. military intervention who would work to limit the U.S. presence in Afghanistan and the region at large. He was described on Wednesday by Arta Moeini, research director at the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy, as a "genuine anti-interventionist" who believes in a "less militarized" American foreign policy. Moeini, who discussed the nomination during a panel discussion earlier this week, pointed to Ruger and Macgregor as good examples of Trump’s isolationist tendencies.
Macgregor’s nomination, submitted to the Senate in late July, was also met with outrage from Republican senators, who pointed to his controversial comments about Jewish Americans manipulating U.S. foreign policy and his attempts to downplay the threat from Iran.
"The administration has sent the Senate three foreign policy nominees with no chance of clearing the Senate, which has to be some form of Guinness World Record for incompetent congressional relations," said one senior GOP congressional official, citing opposition to Ruger, Macgregor, and Anthony Tata, who was recently tapped to become the Pentagon’s number two spot.
"I do not understand why the White House has nominated an anti-Israel, pro-open borders, hardcore isolationist to an important diplomatic post," said a second senior Republican congressional aide of Ruger, echoing the sentiments of several other officials who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon only on background about the brewing confrontation. "He is not confirmable, and the president is not being well-served by his team."
The controversial picks reflect the ascendance of John McEntee, the director of the Presidential Personnel Office, according to congressional aides. McEntee, Trump’s onetime bodyman who was dismissed in 2018 amid a "financial crime investigation," according to CNN, and then rehired in February, shares the isolationist foreign policy views of both nominees.
In addition to Charles Koch’s investment in the Daily Caller, Ruger has overseen a growing investment in the American Conservative and RealClearPolitics. The American Conservative earlier this year celebrated McEntee as "the new, paleocon head of Trump administration personnel," describing him as "a fan of the articles of [American Conservative] founder Pat Buchanan."
One veteran Republican strategist said McEntee is creating problems for Trump ahead of the 2020 election.
"John McEntee keeps advancing people who are either unconfirmable or just too late," the source said. "He always blames Senate GOP neocons and Tucker Carlson is on his side, but that's the problem. When you send nominees who have called Republican members warmongers on TV for four years or you send nominees a few weeks before the election, you're just creating headaches for the president and his campaign."
Bernie Sanders, among others, has embraced the Ruger nomination. Sanders’s Senate office has maintained a close relationship with the Quincy Institute, the think tank backed by Koch and George Soros. Sanders told PBS’s Margaret Hoover that he "would be happy to talk to [Ruger] and hear what he has to say."


freebeacon--2020-09-11--Biden Megadonor Promoted at Netflix Amid ‘Cuties’ Uproar

Biden megadonor Bela Bajaria was promoted this week to vice president of global TV of the left-leaning streaming giant Netflix , which is facing a wave of criticism over its airing of a French film that sexualizes 11-year-old girls .
Bajaria 's promotion came just days after cohosting a Hollywood-led Biden fundraiser headlined by Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) .
Bajaria gave at least $ 100,000 and as much as $ 500,000 to the Biden Victory Fund as part of the fundraiser .
The promotion also came one day before Cuties—a French film that depicts a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dance troupe—debuted on Netflix .
The company acquired the film following its January debut at the Sundance Film Festival and faced criticism over its promotional poster , which showed four scantily clad pre-teen girls striking provocative poses .
Bajaria previously served as Netflix 's vice president of local language originals—according to the Wall Street Journal , the role put her `` in charge of unscripted programming and international content . ''
Bajaria 's husband , Hollywood producer Doug Prochilo , was also listed as a cohost for the Biden fundraiser .
Prochilo deleted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Free Beacon reported on multiple posts in which Prochilo called a number of Republican women `` twats . ''
His targets included former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders , current press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , Rep. Liz Cheney ( R. , Wyo . )
, and Sen. Susan Collins ( R. , Maine ) .
Netflix told the Washington Free Beacon that Bajaria `` works on the series side of our business , not film . ''
The company declined to comment on her role in the Biden fundraiser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A July CNBC report ranked Netflix the most liberal major tech company .
According to the Center for Responsive Politics , 98 percent of political contributions coming from Netflix employees in the 2020 cycle have gone to Democrats .
Former Obama-era national security adviser and top Biden surrogate Susan Rice serves on the company 's board of directors , and Netflix has given lucrative contracts to prominent Democrats in recent years .
Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal with the streaming giant rumored to be worth more than $ 50 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 also announced a fictional drama inspired by Hillary Clinton 's failed presidential campaign titled `` Girls on the Bus . ''
After apologizing for its `` inappropriate '' promotional poster , Netflix has defended airing Cuties , calling it a `` powerful story '' and `` social commentary against the sexualization of young children . ''
Sen. Josh Hawley ( R. , Mo . )
responded by suggesting that Netflix should `` come talk this over before Congress '' in a Thursday tweet .

Biden megadonor Bela Bajaria was promoted this week to vice president of global TV of the left-leaning streaming giant Netflix, which is facing a wave of criticism over its airing of a French film that sexualizes 11-year-old girls.
Bajaria's promotion came just days after cohosting a Hollywood-led Biden fundraiser headlined by Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.). Bajaria gave at least $100,000 and as much as $500,000 to the Biden Victory Fund as part of the fundraiser.
The promotion also came one day before Cuties—a French film that depicts a group of 11-year-old girls who form a twerking dance troupe—debuted on Netflix. The company acquired the film following its January debut at the Sundance Film Festival and faced criticism over its promotional poster, which showed four scantily clad pre-teen girls striking provocative poses. Bajaria previously served as Netflix's vice president of local language originals—according to the Wall Street Journal, the role put her "in charge of unscripted programming and international content."
Bajaria's husband, Hollywood producer Doug Prochilo, was also listed as a cohost for the Biden fundraiser. Prochilo deleted his Twitter account on September 4 after the Washington Free Beacon reported on multiple posts in which Prochilo called a number of Republican women "twats." His targets included former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, current press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, Rep. Liz Cheney (R., Wyo.), and Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine).
Netflix told the Washington Free Beacon that Bajaria "works on the series side of our business, not film." The company declined to comment on her role in the Biden fundraiser as well as her husband's posts.
A July CNBC report ranked Netflix the most liberal major tech company. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, 98 percent of political contributions coming from Netflix employees in the 2020 cycle have gone to Democrats. Former Obama-era national security adviser and top Biden surrogate Susan Rice serves on the company's board of directors, and Netflix has given lucrative contracts to prominent Democrats in recent years.
Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal with the streaming giant rumored to be worth more than $50 million in May 2018. Netflix in August 2019 also announced a fictional drama inspired by Hillary Clinton's failed presidential campaign titled "Girls on the Bus." After apologizing for its "inappropriate" promotional poster, Netflix has defended airing Cuties, calling it a "powerful story" and "social commentary against the sexualization of young children." Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) responded by suggesting that Netflix should "come talk this over before Congress" in a Thursday tweet.


freebeacon--2020-09-11--No, Biden Didn’t Support Trump’s China Travel Ban

Joe Biden 's national press secretary claimed Thursday that the former vice president was in favor of President Donald Trump 's decision to restrict travel from China , but all of Biden 's public comments , including from the day the decision was announced , indicate otherwise .
`` Joe Biden has been clear that he was not against that travel ban at the time , '' TJ Ducklo told Fox News anchor Bret Baier .
Ducklo 's claim contrasts with Biden 's previous statements on the travel restrictions , including some made on the very day the policy was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar declared the coronavirus a public health emergency and announced the China travel ban , Biden took the stage at a campaign event in Iowa and went after Trump 's `` hysterical xenophobia . ''
`` This is no time for Donald Trump 's record of hysteria xenophobia [ sic ] , hysterical xenophobia , and fear-mongering to lead the way instead of science , '' Biden said .
That same afternoon , Biden took to social media to complain that Trump was `` adding more countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcome in America , '' with an implicit comparison of the restrictions on China to the so-called Muslim ban Democrats opposed .
Biden doubled down on accusing Trump of xenophobia the next day .
`` We need to lead the way with science—not Donald Trump ’ s record of hysteria , xenophobia , and fear-mongering , '' he wrote .
Biden in the following weeks repeatedly expressed doubt about the efficacy of travel restrictions , even into March when infections began spreading to the United States from abroad .
On March 12 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Europe—or any other part of the world—will not stop [ the coronavirus ] . ''
On March 18 , Biden accused Trump of `` xenophobic fear-mongering '' in response to Trump citing the travel restrictions on China as evidence he took effective action to combat the virus .
Ducklo dodged further questions from Baier specifically asking whether or not Biden explicitly supported the ban .
He also refused to answer questions during the interview about whether Biden was using a teleprompter during television interviews and virtual discussions with voters .

Joe Biden's national press secretary claimed Thursday that the former vice president was in favor of President Donald Trump's decision to restrict travel from China, but all of Biden's public comments, including from the day the decision was announced, indicate otherwise.
"Joe Biden has been clear that he was not against that travel ban at the time," TJ Ducklo told Fox News anchor Bret Baier. Ducklo's claim contrasts with Biden's previous statements on the travel restrictions, including some made on the very day the policy was announced. Less than an hour after Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar declared the coronavirus a public health emergency and announced the China travel ban, Biden took the stage at a campaign event in Iowa and went after Trump's "hysterical xenophobia."
"This is no time for Donald Trump's record of hysteria xenophobia [sic], hysterical xenophobia, and fear-mongering to lead the way instead of science," Biden said.
That same afternoon, Biden took to social media to complain that Trump was "adding more countries to his list of who's not welcome in America," with an implicit comparison of the restrictions on China to the so-called Muslim ban Democrats opposed. Biden doubled down on accusing Trump of xenophobia the next day.
"We need to lead the way with science—not Donald Trump’s record of hysteria, xenophobia, and fear-mongering," he wrote.
Biden in the following weeks repeatedly expressed doubt about the efficacy of travel restrictions, even into March when infections began spreading to the United States from abroad. On March 12, Biden tweeted that "banning all travel from Europe—or any other part of the world—will not stop [the coronavirus]." On March 18, Biden accused Trump of "xenophobic fear-mongering" in response to Trump citing the travel restrictions on China as evidence he took effective action to combat the virus.
Ducklo dodged further questions from Baier specifically asking whether or not Biden explicitly supported the ban. He also refused to answer questions during the interview about whether Biden was using a teleprompter during television interviews and virtual discussions with voters.


freebeacon--2020-09-11--Brother of 9/11 Hero ‘Appalled’ Memorial Scrapped Reading of Victims’ Names

The brother of a New York City fireman who died responding to the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center spoke out Friday morning against the city 's decision to cancel the annual reading of victims ' names at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum .
`` When the 9/11 Memorial and Museum decided not to read the names out loud , 9/11 families and , myself included , we were appalled that they would n't do that , '' said Frank Siller , who runs the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation that honors 9/11 first responders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this should be kept sacred because the one thing that we have to do on this day every year is read those names out loud in person and live . ''
Due to the coronavirus pandemic , there was no in-person reading planned for this year 's reading of the names at the site of the memorial .
Tunnel to Towers Foundation helped put on a live reading in nearby Zuccotti Park , where Vice President Mike Pence was in attendance , along with victims ' families .
The event was not public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of coronavirus .
`` We 're proud to take on that responsibility , '' Frank Siller said .
Some New York groups also discouraged in-person participation of the 9/11 ceremonies due to the coronavirus .
Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro in August announced the department `` strongly recommends '' the first responders not participate , but Frank Siller opted to keep the tradition , adding safety precautions .
`` We need to keep letting America know what happened 19 years ago , '' Siller said Thursday .
`` And they need to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recording . ''
Frank 's brother , Stephen Siller , was an off-duty fireman who learned on his scanner that a plane had hit the World Trade Center , He drove his truck toward ground zero , but because authorities had already closed the tunnel by the time he arrived , was forced to travel to downtown Manhattan by foot , making it there in time to rush into the building .
His sacrifice led to the creation of the annual Tunnels to Towers race , a three-and-a-half-mile run from Brooklyn to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The brother of a New York City fireman who died responding to the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center spoke out Friday morning against the city's decision to cancel the annual reading of victims' names at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
"When the 9/11 Memorial and Museum decided not to read the names out loud, 9/11 families and, myself included, we were appalled that they wouldn't do that," said Frank Siller, who runs the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation that honors 9/11 first responders and wounded military service members. "Because this should be kept sacred because the one thing that we have to do on this day every year is read those names out loud in person and live."
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there was no in-person reading planned for this year's reading of the names at the site of the memorial. Tunnel to Towers Foundation helped put on a live reading in nearby Zuccotti Park, where Vice President Mike Pence was in attendance, along with victims' families. The event was not public and precautions were taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
"We're proud to take on that responsibility," Frank Siller said.
Some New York groups also discouraged in-person participation of the 9/11 ceremonies due to the coronavirus. Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro in August announced the department "strongly recommends" the first responders not participate, but Frank Siller opted to keep the tradition, adding safety precautions.
"We need to keep letting America know what happened 19 years ago," Siller said Thursday. "And they need to see that emotion of the day, not a recording."
Frank's brother, Stephen Siller, was an off-duty fireman who learned on his scanner that a plane had hit the World Trade Center, He drove his truck toward ground zero, but because authorities had already closed the tunnel by the time he arrived, was forced to travel to downtown Manhattan by foot, making it there in time to rush into the building. His sacrifice led to the creation of the annual Tunnels to Towers race, a three-and-a-half-mile run from Brooklyn to the site of the World Trade Center.


freebeacon--2020-09-11--Trump Admin Optimistic Saudi Arabia Could Be Next to Make Peace with Israel

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner hinted on Friday that Saudi Arabia could be the next Arab nation to reach a historic peace agreement with Israel .
Speaking to reporters following the administration ’ s surprise announcement that Bahrain would follow in the United Arab Emirates ’ footsteps and normalize relations with the Jewish state , Kushner expressed optimism that other Arab nations will also move to make peace .
Bahrain became the second country in recent days to announce a historic peace deal with Israel that will see it normalize diplomatic relations after decades of hostility .
Kushner and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week in the first flight from Israel to the UAE , which was permitted to fly over Saudi air space .
Asked if Saudi Arabia , one of the most influential Gulf Arab nations , could be next to make peace , Kushner expressed hope .
`` I do believe it ’ s an inevitability that all countries in the Middle East '' will eventually make peace with Israel , Kushner said during a phone call with reporters .
`` I think [ the agreement ] was noticed by everyone in the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and UAE was received . ''
Arab leaders now `` recognize the approach taken in the past has n't worked and they realize their people want to see a more vibrant future , '' Kushner said .
A signing ceremony between the UAE , Bahrain , and Israel will be held at the White House on Tuesday .

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner hinted on Friday that Saudi Arabia could be the next Arab nation to reach a historic peace agreement with Israel.
Speaking to reporters following the administration’s surprise announcement that Bahrain would follow in the United Arab Emirates’ footsteps and normalize relations with the Jewish state, Kushner expressed optimism that other Arab nations will also move to make peace.
Bahrain became the second country in recent days to announce a historic peace deal with Israel that will see it normalize diplomatic relations after decades of hostility. Kushner and other senior White House officials participated last week in the first flight from Israel to the UAE, which was permitted to fly over Saudi air space. Asked if Saudi Arabia, one of the most influential Gulf Arab nations, could be next to make peace, Kushner expressed hope.
"I do believe it’s an inevitability that all countries in the Middle East" will eventually make peace with Israel, Kushner said during a phone call with reporters. "I think [the agreement] was noticed by everyone in the region, how well the deal with Israel and UAE was received."
Arab leaders now "recognize the approach taken in the past hasn't worked and they realize their people want to see a more vibrant future," Kushner said.
A signing ceremony between the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel will be held at the White House on Tuesday.


freebeacon--2020-09-11--Historic Peace Deal Normalizes Israel’s Relations With Bahrain

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/DUBAI ( Reuters ) – Bahrain joined the United Arab Emirates in striking an agreement to normalize relations with Israel on Friday , a dramatic move aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East .
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted the news after he spoke by phone to both Bahrain ’ s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , the White House said .
`` This is a historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East , '' the United States , Bahrain and Israel said in a joint statement .
`` Opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability , security , and prosperity in the region , '' it said .
The United Arab Emirates last month agreed to normalize ties with Israel under a U.S.-brokered deal .
That deal is scheduled to be signed on Sept. 15 at a White House ceremony hosted by Trump and attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan .
The easing of relations with Israel comes amid a backdrop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran to the region .
The Trump administration has tried to coax other Sunni Arab countries to engage with Israel .
The most powerful of those , Saudi Arabia , has signaled it is not ready .
Bahrain , a small island state , is a close ally of Saudi Arabia and the site of the U.S. Navy ’ s regional headquarters .
Riyadh in 2011 sent troops to Bahrain to help quell an uprising and , alongside Kuwait and the UAE , in 2018 offered Bahrain a $ 10 billion economic bailout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fourth Arab country to reach such an agreement with Israel since exchanging embassies with Egypt and Jordan decades ago .
Last week , Bahrain said it would allow flights between Israel and the UAE to use its airspace .
This followed a Saudi decision to allow an Israeli commercial airliner to fly over it on the way to the UAE .

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/DUBAI (Reuters) - Bahrain joined the United Arab Emirates in striking an agreement to normalize relations with Israel on Friday, a dramatic move aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East.
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted the news after he spoke by phone to both Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said.
"This is a historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East," the United States, Bahrain and Israel said in a joint statement.
"Opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability, security, and prosperity in the region," it said.
The United Arab Emirates last month agreed to normalize ties with Israel under a U.S.-brokered deal. That deal is scheduled to be signed on Sept. 15 at a White House ceremony hosted by Trump and attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
The easing of relations with Israel comes amid a backdrop of shared fears about the threat of Iran to the region.
The Trump administration has tried to coax other Sunni Arab countries to engage with Israel. The most powerful of those, Saudi Arabia, has signaled it is not ready.
Bahrain, a small island state, is a close ally of Saudi Arabia and the site of the U.S. Navy’s regional headquarters. Riyadh in 2011 sent troops to Bahrain to help quell an uprising and, alongside Kuwait and the UAE, in 2018 offered Bahrain a $10 billion economic bailout.
Friday’s deal makes Bahrain the fourth Arab country to reach such an agreement with Israel since exchanging embassies with Egypt and Jordan decades ago.
Last week, Bahrain said it would allow flights between Israel and the UAE to use its airspace. This followed a Saudi decision to allow an Israeli commercial airliner to fly over it on the way to the UAE.
(Reporting by Steve Holland, Dan Williams and Aziz El Yaakoubi. Additional reporting by Alex Cornwell and Lisa Barrington; Editing by Nick Tattersall)


freebeacon--2020-09-11--Judge Allows L.A. County to Temporarily Shut Down Church

A California judge granted Los Angeles County a victory over Grace Community Church on Thursday by temporarily suspending indoor worship at the church .
The judge issued a preliminary injunction halting any indoor worship services in the church as the legal questions surrounding the case are decided .
A final decision is expected next week after hearings on the case were held on Sept. 4 .
The decision cited the health threat of the coronavirus and argued that the risk of the virus spreading outweighed the harm from restrictions on worship .
`` The potential consequences of community spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the community—associated and unassociated with the Church—outweighs the harm that flows from the restriction on indoor worship caused by the County Health Order , '' the decision stated .
The legal representation for the church argued that the church has been treated like a second-class citizen and the government gave preferential treatment to Black Lives Matter protesters .
`` While the judge did go out of his way to repeatedly state that he is not ruling on the merits , only a ruling at this very preliminary stage , [ Pastor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has every right to hold church , '' Jenna Ellis , special counsel for the Thomas More Society , said .
`` Church is essential , and no government agent has the runaway , unlimited power to force churches to close indefinitely . ''
Los Angeles County praised the decision and said that they `` look forward '' to working with the church .
`` We went to court only after significant efforts to work with the leaders of Grace Community Church to protect public health .
We now look forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move services outdoors with physical distancing and the use of face coverings , which will allow worshipers to gather for religious observances in a manner that is lower risk and consistent with public health directives , '' the county said in a statement .
The injunction marked a victory for the county , which has been taking more aggressive action against the church over the past couple of weeks .
The county terminated a decades-old lease with the church for a portion of the church 's parking lot and also fined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance .

A California judge granted Los Angeles County a victory over Grace Community Church on Thursday by temporarily suspending indoor worship at the church.
The judge issued a preliminary injunction halting any indoor worship services in the church as the legal questions surrounding the case are decided. A final decision is expected next week after hearings on the case were held on Sept. 4.
The decision cited the health threat of the coronavirus and argued that the risk of the virus spreading outweighed the harm from restrictions on worship.
"The potential consequences of community spread of COVID-19 and concomitant risk of death to members of the community—associated and unassociated with the Church—outweighs the harm that flows from the restriction on indoor worship caused by the County Health Order," the decision stated.
The legal representation for the church argued that the church has been treated like a second-class citizen and the government gave preferential treatment to Black Lives Matter protesters.
"While the judge did go out of his way to repeatedly state that he is not ruling on the merits, only a ruling at this very preliminary stage, [Pastor John MacArthur] is still harmed because he has every right to hold church," Jenna Ellis, special counsel for the Thomas More Society, said. "Church is essential, and no government agent has the runaway, unlimited power to force churches to close indefinitely."
Los Angeles County praised the decision and said that they "look forward" to working with the church.
"We went to court only after significant efforts to work with the leaders of Grace Community Church to protect public health. We now look forward to working with church leaders on a plan to move services outdoors with physical distancing and the use of face coverings, which will allow worshipers to gather for religious observances in a manner that is lower risk and consistent with public health directives," the county said in a statement.
The injunction marked a victory for the county, which has been taking more aggressive action against the church over the past couple of weeks. The county terminated a decades-old lease with the church for a portion of the church's parking lot and also fined the church for having misplaced signs regarding coronavirus guidance.


freebeacon--2020-09-11--Nearly Half of CNN’s Republican Commentators Are Voting for Biden

Nearly half of CNN 's Republican contributors are voting for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , putting the network 's GOP roster dramatically out of step with the broader party electorate .
With the addition of former Trump Homeland Security official Miles Taylor as a contributor , there are now at least six Republicans at CNN who say they will vote for Biden in November , making up 40 percent of the network 's Republican roster .
Nationally , only 8 percent of self-identified Republican voters nationwide say they will vote for Biden , according to a recent Quinnipiac poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump .
Taylor , who last month cut an ad for an anti-Trump group calling Trump 's presidency `` terrifying , '' joined CNN as a contributor this week .
Former Ohio governor John Kasich ( R. ) and former Pennsylvania congressman Charlie Dent ( R. ) , both CNN political commentators , announced their support for Biden this year , and Kasich even spoke at the Democratic National Convention .
Republican strategist Ana Navarro-Cárdenas , a longtime Trump critic , is voting for Biden and helping his campaign reach out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tara Setmayer , both former Capitol Hill staffers , are also voting for Biden .
The disparity illustrates how CNN viewers get a distorted view of how typical Republicans are reacting to news of the day .
Tim Graham , a longtime media watchdog critical of the network , said the message being pushed is that the `` only good Republican '' is one who opposes the president .
`` CNN operates as if its audience are far too sensitive to hear an opinion that supports Trump , or even sounds unwilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evil , '' said Graham , a writer for the Media Research Center .
`` So they end up using Biden-endorsing Republicans as their Republicans , but no one can imagine them ever using a Trump-endorsing Democrat like Vernon Jones as a CNN Democrat analyst .
They imply that the only good Republican is a Biden-Bernie Sanders platform Republican . ''
The Washington Free Beacon could only identify five current Republican CNN contributors who are openly supportive of Trump .
Former Utah congresswoman Mia Love ( R. ) , who did not support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undecided on whether she would vote for him in 2020 , although she stressed she would not vote for Biden .
Others did not respond to the Free Beacon ‘ s request for comment .
It is n't just the Republican contributors who have aligned with Democrats this cycle .
S.E .
Cupp , a lifelong Republican and host of CNN 's weekend show Unfiltered , is also voting for the Democratic nominee and frequently writes and tweets about her support .

Nearly half of CNN's Republican contributors are voting for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, putting the network's GOP roster dramatically out of step with the broader party electorate.
With the addition of former Trump Homeland Security official Miles Taylor as a contributor, there are now at least six Republicans at CNN who say they will vote for Biden in November, making up 40 percent of the network's Republican roster. Nationally, only 8 percent of self-identified Republican voters nationwide say they will vote for Biden, according to a recent Quinnipiac poll, while 90 percent will support President Donald Trump.
Taylor, who last month cut an ad for an anti-Trump group calling Trump's presidency "terrifying," joined CNN as a contributor this week. Former Ohio governor John Kasich (R.) and former Pennsylvania congressman Charlie Dent (R.), both CNN political commentators, announced their support for Biden this year, and Kasich even spoke at the Democratic National Convention. Republican strategist Ana Navarro-Cárdenas, a longtime Trump critic, is voting for Biden and helping his campaign reach out to Florida Latino voters.
Contributors Amanda Carpenter and Tara Setmayer, both former Capitol Hill staffers, are also voting for Biden.
The disparity illustrates how CNN viewers get a distorted view of how typical Republicans are reacting to news of the day. Tim Graham, a longtime media watchdog critical of the network, said the message being pushed is that the "only good Republican" is one who opposes the president.
"CNN operates as if its audience are far too sensitive to hear an opinion that supports Trump, or even sounds unwilling to agree that he's incompetent and/or evil," said Graham, a writer for the Media Research Center. "So they end up using Biden-endorsing Republicans as their Republicans, but no one can imagine them ever using a Trump-endorsing Democrat like Vernon Jones as a CNN Democrat analyst. They imply that the only good Republican is a Biden-Bernie Sanders platform Republican."
A CNN spokesperson declined to comment.
The Washington Free Beacon could only identify five current Republican CNN contributors who are openly supportive of Trump. Former Utah congresswoman Mia Love (R.), who did not support Trump in 2016, said she was undecided on whether she would vote for him in 2020, although she stressed she would not vote for Biden. Others did not respond to the Free Beacon's request for comment.
It isn't just the Republican contributors who have aligned with Democrats this cycle. S.E. Cupp, a lifelong Republican and host of CNN's weekend show Unfiltered, is also voting for the Democratic nominee and frequently writes and tweets about her support.


freebeacon--2020-09-11--Trump: Flight 93 Is Reminder That Americans Will Always Fight Back

President Donald Trump said the heroes of Flight 93 are a reminder that `` America will always rise up , stand tall , and fight back '' during a 9/11 memorial service in Shanksville , Pa. , on Friday .
`` The heroes of Flight 93 are an everlasting reminder that no matter the danger , no matter the threat , no matter the odds , America will always rise up , stand tall , and fight back , '' Trump said .
`` At this very hour on this very field , 40 brave men and women triumphed over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our nation .
Their names and their stories are forever inscribed on the eternal roll call of American heroes , '' he continued .
Shanksville is the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 , the flight that saw passengers fight back against four al Qaeda hijackers , leading to a crash in a large empty field .
According to al Qaeda 's Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Ramzi bin al-Shibh , the intended target of the suicide mission was the United States Capitol Building .
The memorial to those lost now stands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` To the family members of Flight 93 , today every heartbeat in America is wedded to yours , your pain and anguish is the shared grief of our whole nation , '' Trump said .
`` The memory of your treasured loved ones will inspire America for all time to come . ''

President Donald Trump said the heroes of Flight 93 are a reminder that "America will always rise up, stand tall, and fight back" during a 9/11 memorial service in Shanksville, Pa., on Friday.
"The heroes of Flight 93 are an everlasting reminder that no matter the danger, no matter the threat, no matter the odds, America will always rise up, stand tall, and fight back," Trump said.
"At this very hour on this very field, 40 brave men and women triumphed over terror and gave their lives in defense of our nation. Their names and their stories are forever inscribed on the eternal roll call of American heroes," he continued.
Shanksville is the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93, the flight that saw passengers fight back against four al Qaeda hijackers, leading to a crash in a large empty field. According to al Qaeda's Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Ramzi bin al-Shibh, the intended target of the suicide mission was the United States Capitol Building. The memorial to those lost now stands in the field where they crashed.
"To the family members of Flight 93, today every heartbeat in America is wedded to yours, your pain and anguish is the shared grief of our whole nation," Trump said. "The memory of your treasured loved ones will inspire America for all time to come."


freebeacon--2020-09-11--Firefighters Call For Change As Feds Probe Union Corruption

Firefighters are feeling betrayed after the FBI opened a criminal investigation into their union president , a staunch Joe Biden ally who allegedly siphoned more than $ 1 million from the union pension fund in violation of the law .
The FBI—along with the U.S. Attorney 's Office in Washington and the Department of Labor—is investigating Harold Schaitberger , the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters , a group that represents more than 300,000 firefighters .
In March , an internal union probe concluded that Schaitberger and IAFF former treasurer Thomas Miller illegally collected pension payouts while still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of two decades .
Miller is also under federal investigation .
The federal investigation has sent shockwaves down the rank-and-file members of the union , some of whom worry that the scandal will permanently erode trust in the labor organization .
Other union members saw the incident as evidence of the growing disconnect between the local union chapters and headquarters , leading them to wonder whether it is worth paying union dues at all unless the union undertakes major reforms .
`` I think it has a major impact on trust , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Haven , Connecticut , said .
`` I 'm going to be honest with you—I think the only way that trust can be regained is through regime change .
New leadership . ''
Schaitberger is one of Joe Biden 's closest and oldest labor allies .
The union endorsed Biden the day that he launched his presidential campaign in 2019 .
Biden has returned the favor , directing supporters to donate money to the IAFF in late March , just days after the union 's treasurer released his report on Schaitberger 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IAFF confirmed that authorities requested internal documents related to the union pension fund but denied any wrongdoing .
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
Schaitberger is not the only Biden labor ally who has been embroiled in a scandal .
In July , union members filed a lawsuit accusing senior leaders of the American Federation of Government Employees—the largest public-sector union in the country that has endorsed Biden—of covering up sexual abuse and misconduct by its disgraced former president Jeffrey David Cox .
The former United Auto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally , also pleaded guilty in July to spending more than a $ 1 million in union funds for his own gains .
Justin McCarthy , a board member of a local IAFF chapter , said that firefighters in his region are adopting a wait-and-see approach to the scandal , awaiting the conclusion of the federal investigation .
He said that if the allegations are proven true , it could permanently damage the union 's reputation among its members .
`` If the allegations that have been made … are proven true , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very uphill battle to try to regain the trust of their members , '' McCarthy said .
Coughlin said he was frustrated by the international union 's continued lack of transparency—the international union has yet to explain its side of the story to union members .
He said the scandal only confirmed the growing gap between the union 's top brass and the rank-and-file members , noting that his local union negotiated the last contract with next to no help from the international union .
McCarthy also noted that his local chapter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington-based headquarters in recent times .
The union 's overt alignment with Joe Biden is another sign of the growing disconnect between card-holding members and the international headquarters .
IAFF has donated $ 5,000 to the Biden campaign and spent nearly $ 75,000 to support his candidacy in 2019 , according to Department of Labor records .
Despite this massive spending , many union members do not agree with the endorsement , prompting 18,000 of them to file a petition to retract the endorsement .
Coughlin said that many members felt the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with minimal input from the rank-and-file .
`` I will tell you that a lot of firefighters have a problem with the fact that the IAFF just jammed a nominee down our throat without ever hearing from the membership , '' he said .
The internal probe also found a litany of other abuses of power by Schaitberger and his underlings .
Union officials diverted millions of dollars in funds to their pet project , disappearing roughly $ 6 million from the union coffers , according to the report .
The union 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violated both IRS guidelines and federal law , according to three separate legal opinions included in the probe .
`` The record keeping performed prior to my assuming office in September 2016 was so poor , one could argue it was designed that way , '' Edward Kelly , the current treasurer of the union , wrote in the report .
Frank Ricci , former president of the New Haven chapter of the IAFF and a senior strategist at the Yankee Institute , said that the federal probe is a necessary addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a landmark Supreme Court ruling has been a vocal critic of Schaitberger , even as he held a senior role in the union .
Ricci said change is long overdue .
`` I believe there is more corruption and collusion at the expense to firefighters to be uncovered , '' he said .
`` These union bureaucrats aren ’ t running in burning buildings , they are running into restaurants and for car service . ''
McCarthy said that he was `` caught off guard '' by the corruption allegations , but said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said he always knew a large organization like the IAFF could succumb to corruption , but hoped his organization would be better than that .
`` I always believed the fire service to be above this , '' he said .
Neither the FBI nor the Department of Justice returned requests for comment .

Firefighters are feeling betrayed after the FBI opened a criminal investigation into their union president, a staunch Joe Biden ally who allegedly siphoned more than $1 million from the union pension fund in violation of the law.
The FBI—along with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington and the Department of Labor—is investigating Harold Schaitberger, the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, a group that represents more than 300,000 firefighters. In March, an internal union probe concluded that Schaitberger and IAFF former treasurer Thomas Miller illegally collected pension payouts while still being employed by the union over the course of two decades. Miller is also under federal investigation.
The federal investigation has sent shockwaves down the rank-and-file members of the union, some of whom worry that the scandal will permanently erode trust in the labor organization. Other union members saw the incident as evidence of the growing disconnect between the local union chapters and headquarters, leading them to wonder whether it is worth paying union dues at all unless the union undertakes major reforms.
"I think it has a major impact on trust," Daniel Coughlin, a firefighter in New Haven, Connecticut, said. "I'm going to be honest with you—I think the only way that trust can be regained is through regime change. New leadership."
Schaitberger is one of Joe Biden's closest and oldest labor allies. The union endorsed Biden the day that he launched his presidential campaign in 2019. Biden has returned the favor, directing supporters to donate money to the IAFF in late March, just days after the union's treasurer released his report on Schaitberger's financial mismanagement and alleged corruption. The IAFF confirmed that authorities requested internal documents related to the union pension fund but denied any wrongdoing. The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Schaitberger is not the only Biden labor ally who has been embroiled in a scandal. In July, union members filed a lawsuit accusing senior leaders of the American Federation of Government Employees—the largest public-sector union in the country that has endorsed Biden—of covering up sexual abuse and misconduct by its disgraced former president Jeffrey David Cox. The former United Auto Workers president Gary Jones, another Biden ally, also pleaded guilty in July to spending more than a $1 million in union funds for his own gains.
Justin McCarthy, a board member of a local IAFF chapter, said that firefighters in his region are adopting a wait-and-see approach to the scandal, awaiting the conclusion of the federal investigation. He said that if the allegations are proven true, it could permanently damage the union's reputation among its members.
"If the allegations that have been made … are proven true, I think that the union will have a very uphill battle to try to regain the trust of their members," McCarthy said.
Coughlin said he was frustrated by the international union's continued lack of transparency—the international union has yet to explain its side of the story to union members. He said the scandal only confirmed the growing gap between the union's top brass and the rank-and-file members, noting that his local union negotiated the last contract with next to no help from the international union. McCarthy also noted that his local chapter has had "little interaction" with the Washington-based headquarters in recent times.
The union's overt alignment with Joe Biden is another sign of the growing disconnect between card-holding members and the international headquarters. IAFF has donated $5,000 to the Biden campaign and spent nearly $75,000 to support his candidacy in 2019, according to Department of Labor records. Despite this massive spending, many union members do not agree with the endorsement, prompting 18,000 of them to file a petition to retract the endorsement. Coughlin said that many members felt the nomination was forced onto the union, with minimal input from the rank-and-file.
"I will tell you that a lot of firefighters have a problem with the fact that the IAFF just jammed a nominee down our throat without ever hearing from the membership," he said.
The internal probe also found a litany of other abuses of power by Schaitberger and his underlings. Union officials diverted millions of dollars in funds to their pet project, disappearing roughly $6 million from the union coffers, according to the report. The union's sloppy management of the pension fund also violated both IRS guidelines and federal law, according to three separate legal opinions included in the probe. "The record keeping performed prior to my assuming office in September 2016 was so poor, one could argue it was designed that way," Edward Kelly, the current treasurer of the union, wrote in the report.
Frank Ricci, former president of the New Haven chapter of the IAFF and a senior strategist at the Yankee Institute, said that the federal probe is a necessary addition to the internal probe. The firefighter behind a landmark Supreme Court ruling has been a vocal critic of Schaitberger, even as he held a senior role in the union. Ricci said change is long overdue.
"I believe there is more corruption and collusion at the expense to firefighters to be uncovered," he said. "These union bureaucrats aren’t running in burning buildings, they are running into restaurants and for car service."
McCarthy said that he was "caught off guard" by the corruption allegations, but said he was not shocked by it. He said he always knew a large organization like the IAFF could succumb to corruption, but hoped his organization would be better than that.
"I always believed the fire service to be above this," he said.
Neither the FBI nor the Department of Justice returned requests for comment.


freebeacon--2020-09-12--Schumer and Pelosi-Aligned Groups Funnel Millions in Secret Cash Into 2020 Elections

Liberal advocacy groups closely aligned with Sen. Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) have pushed more than $ 12 million in dark money contributions into the 2020 elections , filings show .
Majority Forward , a nonprofit with ties to Schumer 's Senate Majority PAC , has pushed $ 10.6 million in direct contributions into the election , while House Majority Forward , a nonprofit that is linked to Pelosi 's House Majority PAC , has poured $ 1.6 million into 2020 efforts .
The cash ultimately benefits liberal politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dark money .
Majority Forward , created in 2015 , has been the biggest liberal dark money spender in recent years .
The nonprofit has steered $ 8 million in direct contributions to Schumer 's Senate Majority PAC ; $ 1.5 million to Let 's Turn Colorado Blue , which backed Democratic Senate candidate John Hickenlooper in the Democratic primary against Andrew Romanoff ; and $ 500,000 to the progressive group Swing Left , which works in toss-up elections .
House Majority Forward , meanwhile , was launched in 2019 shortly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have required the disclosure of major donors who give to 501 ( c ) ( 4 ) nonprofits like itself .
Its entire $ 1.6 million in direct contributions went to Pelosi 's House Majority PAC , even though House Majority Forward 's website says its work focuses mainly on economic , social , and environmental issues .
Both nonprofits keep their donors ' identities hidden , making it difficult to know where Democratic campaign contributions are ultimately coming from .
Anna Massoglia , a researcher at the Center for Responsive Politics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disclosure rules .
`` Dark money groups funding closely tied super PACs and other political committees that are legally required to disclose their donors keeps the identity of financiers behind the spending hidden , skirting FEC disclosure rules , '' Massoglia said .
The information of individuals who contribute more than $ 200 to a political committee in an election cycle is posted online by the Federal Election Commission .
But when individuals first give cash to an outside dark money group , which then pushes the cash into political committees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democrats have long railed against dark money in politics but now outpace Republicans in its usage .
In 2018 , more than $ 150 million in secret cash was pumped into the elections , 54 percent of which came from Democratic groups as opposed to only 31 percent from Republican groups .
So far in 2020 , more than $ 116 million has been pushed into election efforts from both political parties , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
In addition to its direct contributions , Majority Forward has spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV and digital ads .
This cash , however , is just a fraction of the total amount of dark money that funds political activities .
Many groups that run voter engagement campaigns , for example , do not have to report those efforts to the Federal Election Commission .
Democrats have used such groups to build a formidable apparatus for their wealthiest donors to utilize .
Arabella Advisors , a D.C.-based network that acts as a `` fiscal sponsor '' by providing its tax and legal status to left-wing nonprofits , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Democratic organizations and causes since President Donald Trump took office .
One of the entities housed at Arabella , the Sixteen Thirty Fund , has been used to conceal $ 20 million in liberal election spending in the 2020 cycle so far .
Majority Forward and House Majority Forward did not respond to requests for comment .

Liberal advocacy groups closely aligned with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) have pushed more than $12 million in dark money contributions into the 2020 elections, filings show.
Majority Forward, a nonprofit with ties to Schumer's Senate Majority PAC, has pushed $10.6 million in direct contributions into the election, while House Majority Forward, a nonprofit that is linked to Pelosi's House Majority PAC, has poured $1.6 million into 2020 efforts. The cash ultimately benefits liberal politicians, who routinely vow to rid politics of dark money.
Majority Forward, created in 2015, has been the biggest liberal dark money spender in recent years. The nonprofit has steered $8 million in direct contributions to Schumer's Senate Majority PAC; $1.5 million to Let's Turn Colorado Blue, which backed Democratic Senate candidate John Hickenlooper in the Democratic primary against Andrew Romanoff; and $500,000 to the progressive group Swing Left, which works in toss-up elections. House Majority Forward, meanwhile, was launched in 2019 shortly after House Democrats introduced a bill that would have required the disclosure of major donors who give to 501(c)(4) nonprofits like itself. Its entire $1.6 million in direct contributions went to Pelosi's House Majority PAC, even though House Majority Forward's website says its work focuses mainly on economic, social, and environmental issues.
Both nonprofits keep their donors' identities hidden, making it difficult to know where Democratic campaign contributions are ultimately coming from. Anna Massoglia, a researcher at the Center for Responsive Politics, says this practice acts as a loophole to disclosure rules. "Dark money groups funding closely tied super PACs and other political committees that are legally required to disclose their donors keeps the identity of financiers behind the spending hidden, skirting FEC disclosure rules," Massoglia said.
The information of individuals who contribute more than $200 to a political committee in an election cycle is posted online by the Federal Election Commission. But when individuals first give cash to an outside dark money group, which then pushes the cash into political committees, their identities remain hidden throughout the process.
Democrats have long railed against dark money in politics but now outpace Republicans in its usage. In 2018, more than $150 million in secret cash was pumped into the elections, 54 percent of which came from Democratic groups as opposed to only 31 percent from Republican groups. So far in 2020, more than $116 million has been pushed into election efforts from both political parties, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. In addition to its direct contributions, Majority Forward has spent nearly $24 million this cycle on TV and digital ads.
This cash, however, is just a fraction of the total amount of dark money that funds political activities. Many groups that run voter engagement campaigns, for example, do not have to report those efforts to the Federal Election Commission.
Democrats have used such groups to build a formidable apparatus for their wealthiest donors to utilize. Arabella Advisors, a D.C.-based network that acts as a "fiscal sponsor" by providing its tax and legal status to left-wing nonprofits, has alone injected more than $1 billion into Democratic organizations and causes since President Donald Trump took office. One of the entities housed at Arabella, the Sixteen Thirty Fund, has been used to conceal $20 million in liberal election spending in the 2020 cycle so far.
Majority Forward and House Majority Forward did not respond to requests for comment.


freebeacon--2020-09-12--This Week In Campus Insanity Vol. 10

This Week In Campus Insanity Vol. 10

Welcome back to Campus Insanity , a weekly roundup of the craziest developments at our nation 's 4,000-plus institutions of higher education .
6 .
University of Rhode Island to Remove World War II Memorials Because They Show Too Many White People | The College Fix The University of Rhode Island will remove two murals depicting WWII veterans after the school ’ s administration received complaints that the individuals depicted in the murals are `` predominantly white . ''
Administrators at Northwestern University Law School denounced their alleged racism in an online diversity training session .
4 .
Syracuse Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for President Trump | Campus Reform Syracuse University professor Mark Rupert warned students that he would not tolerate conservative and Republican perspectives in his classroom , specifically from students who support President Donald Trump ’ s `` hateful ideas . ''
3 .
University of Michigan Apologizes For Apparent Segregation of Student Events | Washington Free Beacon The University of Michigan-Dearborn apologized for its framing of two online events that appeared to be segregated by race , claiming their initial descriptions were misleading .
2 .
Rhode Island Professor : ‘ Nothing Wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a Moral Perspective | Campus Reform University of Rhode Island professor Eric Loomis said there was `` nothing wrong with '' the murder of right-wing protester Aaron `` Jay '' Danielson `` from a moral perspective '' because , he claimed , Danielson was a fascist .
San Francisco State University will host terrorist Leila Khaled , who participated in a plane hijacking in 1969 , for a panel on `` Gender , Justice , and Resistance '' on Sept. 23 .
Want more Campus Insanity ?
Read Vol .
9 here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our Top 6 stories please email chrissy @ freebeacon.com & nester @ freebeacon.com .

Welcome back to Campus Insanity, a weekly roundup of the craziest developments at our nation's 4,000-plus institutions of higher education.
6. University of Rhode Island to Remove World War II Memorials Because They Show Too Many White People | The College Fix
The University of Rhode Island will remove two murals depicting WWII veterans after the school’s administration received complaints that the individuals depicted in the murals are "predominantly white."
5. Northwestern Law Administrators Confess Their Racism in Online Diversity Session | Washington Free Beacon
Administrators at Northwestern University Law School denounced their alleged racism in an online diversity training session.
4. Syracuse Prof Warned Students He Does Not Tolerate Support for President Trump | Campus Reform
Syracuse University professor Mark Rupert warned students that he would not tolerate conservative and Republican perspectives in his classroom, specifically from students who support President Donald Trump’s "hateful ideas."
3. University of Michigan Apologizes For Apparent Segregation of Student Events | Washington Free Beacon
The University of Michigan-Dearborn apologized for its framing of two online events that appeared to be segregated by race, claiming their initial descriptions were misleading.
2. Rhode Island Professor: 'Nothing Wrong With' Murder of a Trump Supporter from a Moral Perspective | Campus Reform
University of Rhode Island professor Eric Loomis said there was "nothing wrong with" the murder of right-wing protester Aaron "Jay" Danielson "from a moral perspective" because, he claimed, Danielson was a fascist.
1. Palestinian Hijacker to Speak at San Francisco State University | Fox News
San Francisco State University will host terrorist Leila Khaled, who participated in a plane hijacking in 1969, for a panel on "Gender, Justice, and Resistance" on Sept. 23.
Want more Campus Insanity? Read Vol. 9 here.
If you have any suggestions for our Top 6 stories please email chrissy@freebeacon.com & nester@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-09-12--Another Week of ‘Slow Joe’

Another Week of ‘Slow Joe’

Joe Biden this week laughed off the idea that he is slowing down , but the 77-year-old Democratic nominee struggled @ @ @ @ @ his teleprompter while answering questions—something his national press secretary refused to answer questions about .

Joe Biden this week laughed off the idea that he is slowing down, but the 77-year-old Democratic nominee struggled to speak coherently and read his teleprompter while answering questions—something his national press secretary refused to answer questions about.
Published under: Joe Biden