freebeacon--2020-09-30--Good Government Watchdog Zeroes in on Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Book Deal

When Rep. Tim Ryan ( D. , Ohio ) signed publishing agreements to write two books , he noted those agreements on the congressionally mandated financial disclosure reports .
House members are prohibited from receiving book advances , and Ryan said he would receive none but reported royalties `` based on actual sales consistent with the guidance of the Congressional Ethics Committee . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R. , Calif. ) have similarly reported in their disclosure reports receiving book royalties , the latter noting that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) , whose 2020 memoir made a splash when it was announced last year : According to Fortune , the deal was valued at between $ 100,000 and $ 250,000 .
But Omar ’ s 2018 financial disclosure report makes no mention of a book deal ; nor does her 2019 report document the receipt of any book royalties .
That ’ s the subject of a new complaint from the Foundation for Accountability and Civil Trust , which is asking the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Federal law requires a member ’ s financial statement provide a ‘ full and complete statement ’ of their financial picture , and omitting a significant financial benefit would be a violation of federal law , '' the complaint states .
Omar has been a lightning rod on Capitol Hill since her election in 2018 .
She came under fire for a series of anti-Semitic remarks , alleging that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee , a pro-Israel lobbying group , buys politicians ’ support for Israel and that pro-Israel lawmakers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Omar subsequently apologized for her comments , saying she needed to be `` educated '' on the history of anti-Semitism .
Omar spokesman Jeremy Slevin , who has not responded to multiple requests for comment , said in May that the House Ethics Committee had approved Omar ’ s book deal , though her reports do not document any such deal .
The House Ethics Committee is responsible for greenlighting book agreements .
House rules prohibit members from receiving advances , but the Ethics Committee has told members they may receive royalties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales .
Omar ’ s publisher , Dey Street Books , did not respond to a request for comment .
The House Ethics Committee also did not respond to a request for comment .
It is not the first time the freshman lawmaker ’ s financial dealings have sparked controversy .
The Minnesota Campaign Finance Board found last year that Omar had improperly used campaign funds for personal travel .
The board demanded that Omar reimburse her campaign for the expenses , which totaled nearly $ 3,500 , and slapped her with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in 2018 , Omar was forced to reimburse thousands of dollars in speaking fees in violation of Minnesota state house rules , in what the Minneapolis Star Tribune described as `` a pattern of carelessness and/or self-dealing with legally restricted funds . ''
Omar has also defended her decision to retain her husband , Tim Mynett , as a campaign consultant and has funneled over a million dollars to his firm in the 2020 campaign cycle alone .

The congresswoman, whose memoir was published earlier this year, has not listed book deal on financial disclosure reports
When Rep. Tim Ryan (D., Ohio) signed publishing agreements to write two books, he noted those agreements on the congressionally mandated financial disclosure reports. House members are prohibited from receiving book advances, and Ryan said he would receive none but reported royalties "based on actual sales consistent with the guidance of the Congressional Ethics Committee."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) have similarly reported in their disclosure reports receiving book royalties, the latter noting that his royalties went to charity.
Then there’s freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.), whose 2020 memoir made a splash when it was announced last year: According to Fortune, the deal was valued at between $100,000 and $250,000. But Omar’s 2018 financial disclosure report makes no mention of a book deal; nor does her 2019 report document one.
That’s the subject of a new complaint from the Foundation for Accountability and Civil Trust, which is asking the House Ethics Committee to investigate the matter. "Federal law requires a member’s financial statement provide a ‘full and complete statement’ of their financial picture, and omitting a significant financial benefit would be a violation of federal law," the complaint states.
Omar has been a lightning rod on Capitol Hill since her election in 2018. She came under fire for a series of anti-Semitic remarks, alleging that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group, buys politicians’ support for Israel and that pro-Israel lawmakers have "allegiance to a foreign country." Omar subsequently apologized for her comments, saying she needed to be "educated" on the history of anti-Semitism.
Omar spokesman Jeremy Slevin said in May that the House Ethics Committee had approved Omar’s book deal and that she did not receive any advance payment.
"The financial disclosure form was for 2019 and she did not receive any form of compensation for the book in 2019, nor did she receive any advance for the book at all," Slevin said. Asked to provide the Ethics Committee approval, Slevin said the documents are not public.
The House Ethics Committee is responsible for greenlighting book agreements. House rules prohibit members from receiving advances, but the Ethics Committee has told members they may receive royalties, which are based on actual book sales.
Omar’s publisher, Dey Street Books, did not respond to a request for comment. The House Ethics Committee also did not respond to a request for comment.
It is not the first time the freshman lawmaker’s financial dealings have sparked controversy. The Minnesota Campaign Finance Board found last year that Omar had improperly used campaign funds for personal travel. The board demanded that Omar reimburse her campaign for the expenses, which totaled nearly $3,500, and slapped her with a $500 penalty.
The previous year, in 2018, Omar was forced to reimburse thousands of dollars in speaking fees in violation of Minnesota state house rules, in what the Minneapolis Star Tribune described as "a pattern of carelessness and/or self-dealing with legally restricted funds."
Omar has also defended her decision to retain her husband, Tim Mynett, as a campaign consultant and has funneled over a million dollars to his firm in the 2020 campaign cycle alone.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--Trump Administration Considers Assembling ‘Asian NATO’ to Counter China

Trump administration officials are quietly considering the creation of a NATO-style alliance with Asian countries in an effort against China , the Washington Times reported .
The idea was first publicly floated by Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun last month in a discussion regarding the current informal alliance between India , Australia , Japan , and the United States , commonly known as `` the Quad . ''
`` It ’ s something that I think in the second term of the Trump administration or , were the president not to win , the first term of the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be very much worthwhile to be explored , '' Biegun said during a U.S.-India strategic dialogue on Aug. 31 .
The Quad alliance has received greater attention in recent weeks as the four countries engage on Indo-Pacific issues .
Envoys from the four countries met virtually Friday to discuss issues germane to China ’ s rising geopolitical ambitions and the rule of law .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will also travel to Japan next week to meet with Quad foreign ministers in one of the highest-profile diplomatic summits of the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason than ever to think a new defensive alignment is possible , especially as India and Australia face antagonism from China .
Indian soldiers broke into pitched conflict with the People ’ s Liberation Army in the Himalayas this summer , while China has detained an Australian journalist .
`` The Quad really has legs at this point and I think that ’ s because there ’ s a growing consensus among the Quad countries , as well as other nations in the region , that China ’ s activities there are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global stability , '' Michael Kugelman , deputy director of the Asia program at the Wilson Center , told the Washington Times .
Solidifying alliances in the Indo-Pacific has been a major priority for Washington in recent months as it sizes up the China challenge .
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has made multiple overtures toward bringing allies into the fold on key issues such as freedom of navigation and defending liberal democracy .
Esper called allies in the region an `` asymmetric advantage '' Washington possesses over China .
Accordingly , arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration , while Washington has also led the way in curbing Beijing ’ s expansionist attitude in the South China Sea through new appeals to international maritime law .
These new tactics coincide with Pompeo ’ s call for a `` coalition '' of democracies and other like-minded countries to fight back against the Chinese Communist Party .
Allies have already responded favorably to the idea of closer cooperation within the Quad and beyond against China .
`` The Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision is increasingly important in the post COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Toshimitsu Motegi on Tuesday .
`` We would like to confirm the importance of further deepening the collaboration among us and many other countries to realize the vision . ''

Trump administration officials are quietly considering the creation of a NATO-style alliance with Asian countries in an effort against China, the Washington Times reported.
The idea was first publicly floated by Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun last month in a discussion regarding the current informal alliance between India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, commonly known as "the Quad."
"It’s something that I think in the second term of the Trump administration or, were the president not to win, the first term of the next president, it could be something that would be very much worthwhile to be explored," Biegun said during a U.S.-India strategic dialogue on Aug. 31.
The Quad alliance has received greater attention in recent weeks as the four countries engage on Indo-Pacific issues. Envoys from the four countries met virtually Friday to discuss issues germane to China’s rising geopolitical ambitions and the rule of law.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will also travel to Japan next week to meet with Quad foreign ministers in one of the highest-profile diplomatic summits of the Trump administration.
Experts say there is more reason than ever to think a new defensive alignment is possible, especially as India and Australia face antagonism from China. Indian soldiers broke into pitched conflict with the People’s Liberation Army in the Himalayas this summer, while China has detained an Australian journalist.
"The Quad really has legs at this point and I think that’s because there’s a growing consensus among the Quad countries, as well as other nations in the region, that China’s activities there are not only aggressive, but increasingly threatening to global stability," Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia program at the Wilson Center, told the Washington Times.
Solidifying alliances in the Indo-Pacific has been a major priority for Washington in recent months as it sizes up the China challenge. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has made multiple overtures toward bringing allies into the fold on key issues such as freedom of navigation and defending liberal democracy. Esper called allies in the region an "asymmetric advantage" Washington possesses over China.
Accordingly, arms sales to Pacific allies have increased during the Trump administration, while Washington has also led the way in curbing Beijing’s expansionist attitude in the South China Sea through new appeals to international maritime law.
These new tactics coincide with Pompeo’s call for a "coalition" of democracies and other like-minded countries to fight back against the Chinese Communist Party.
Allies have already responded favorably to the idea of closer cooperation within the Quad and beyond against China.
"The Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision is increasingly important in the post COVID-19 world," said Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Tuesday. "We would like to confirm the importance of further deepening the collaboration among us and many other countries to realize the vision."


freebeacon--2020-10-02--Cal Cunningham Refuses to Take Position on Joe Biden’s Refusal to Take Position on Court Packing

Former vice president Joe Biden has refused to answer questions about whether he would support a Democratic proposal to pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices , suggesting he does n't think voters deserve to know where he stands on the issue .
Biden 's running mate , Kamala Harris , has argued that court packing is something Democrats will `` deal with later . ''
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) recently told his Democratic colleagues `` nothing is off the table '' when it comes to court packing , but some of his handpicked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country are reluctant to embrace the proposal .
One of those candidates , Cal Cunningham in North Carolina , has described proposals to pack the Supreme Court as the `` exact wrong path '' for Democrats .
That 's a sensible position , given the widespread public skepticism .
A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll found that just 34 percent of Americans support the idea of court packing .
Cunningham does not , however , seem to think his party 's presidential candidate should tell voters whether or not he supports proposals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justices .
The Democrat demurred when asked if Biden should give a direct answer to that question during Thursday night 's debate against incumbent senator Thom Tillis ( R. , N.C. ) .
`` I can speak for my standpoint .
I can speak for the people of North Carolina , '' Cunningham said .
`` Justice [ Ruth Bader ] Ginsburg herself said that nine was the right number .
That has stood us well through the history of this country .
That 's where it should stay . ''

Former vice president Joe Biden has refused to answer questions about whether he would support a Democratic proposal to pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices, suggesting he doesn't think voters deserve to know where he stands on the issue. Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris, has argued that court packing is something Democrats will "deal with later."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) recently told his Democratic colleagues "nothing is off the table" when it comes to court packing, but some of his handpicked candidates in hotly contested Senate races around the country are reluctant to embrace the proposal.
One of those candidates, Cal Cunningham in North Carolina, has described proposals to pack the Supreme Court as the "exact wrong path" for Democrats. That's a sensible position, given the widespread public skepticism. A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll found that just 34 percent of Americans support the idea of court packing.
Cunningham does not, however, seem to think his party's presidential candidate should tell voters whether or not he supports proposals to pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices. The Democrat demurred when asked if Biden should give a direct answer to that question during Thursday night's debate against incumbent senator Thom Tillis (R., N.C.).
"I can speak for my standpoint. I can speak for the people of North Carolina," Cunningham said. "Justice [Ruth Bader] Ginsburg herself said that nine was the right number. That has stood us well through the history of this country. That's where it should stay."


freebeacon--2020-10-02--Biden Suddenly Shy on Where He Stands on Packing Supreme Court

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden vehemently opposed packing the Supreme Court as a `` bonehead '' idea that would taint @ @ @ @ @ career , but he and running mate Kamala Harris refuse to answer where they stand @ @ @ @ @ is senior writer at the Washington Free Beacon .
He was previously a sports reporter @ @ @ @ @ and has done freelance sports reporting for the Washington Post .
He graduated from Vanderbilt @ @ @ @ @ in Marietta , Ga. His Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz .
He can be reached @ @ @ @ @

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden vehemently opposed packing the Supreme Court as a "bonehead" idea that would taint its integrity earlier in his career, but he and running mate Kamala Harris refuse to answer where they stand in 2020.


freebeacon--2020-10-01--Activists Vandalize Pro-Life Memorial at University of North Texas

Activists at the University of North Texas staged a game of capture the flag to vandalize a pro-life memorial for the unborn .
The Young Conservatives of Texas ( YCT ) held its first-ever Memorial for the Unborn—a dedication to the lives lost to abortion and miscarriage built entirely out of flags—only for it to be torn up by pro-abortion activists .
Freshman Dale Bautista , who goes by the online name `` I cried having sex , '' called on students to play capture the flag with flags from the memorial .
The activist tapped three other left-wing students—one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act as team captains for the game .
In video footage obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon , activists can be seen ripping flags out of the ground .
In one video , a stand-alone activist jumps with glee after capturing a single flag .
YCT president Kelly Neidert told the Free Beacon that activists showed up to take down the flags within an hour of the memorial 's completion .
Though she called campus police after repeated confrontations with the activists , law enforcement did not arrive until after the capture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We alerted campus police earlier in the day , but it took them 30 minutes to show up after we called them twice , '' Neidert said .
`` They did issue a citation for one student who stole 180 flags , but aside from that , there were no ramifications for the students . ''
Bautista , the game 's ringleader , told the Free Beacon he initially called on students to steal flags because he believed YCT had flouted COVID social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines , not because of its pro-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has told student groups they can not meet in person and said he was `` infuriated '' that YCT members did not wear masks at all times .
`` The reason I did this is not necessarily for the reason of going against abortion , but for the reason of social distancing and COVID , '' Bautista said .
`` I want COVID regulations to be strict with club meetings , and I ca n't stand by and watch them break enough rules and try to justify it . ''
The university had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly wore masks when they could not adequately social distance .
Another video shows a male student holding a handful of flags while condemning female YCT members for not `` allowing '' him to have a choice in a woman 's abortion .
`` We should let women choose .
But no , you do n't let them choose , you just do all this dumb s—t and then decide that I ca n't have a choice either .
I do n't have a say , but okay , '' the student said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memorials for the unborn destroyed .
At Marquette University , an abortion advocacy group vandalized a pro-life memorial three times .
Activists at Miami University in Ohio vandalized a Cemetery of the Innocent display three times as well .
Earlier this year , the Young America 's Foundation group at the University of Florida caught and recorded students who destroyed their pro-life memorial .
Following YCT 's event , pro-abortion students created a donation fund for Planned Parenthood that they plan to make in the conservative group 's name .
One student posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribute to YCT 's fake Planned Parenthood donation .
According to recent tweets , the students raised $ 35 .
YCT 's executive director Madison Mills told the Free Beacon she was `` appalled '' that students would try to donate to Planned Parenthood on the group 's behalf .
`` These people are taking time out of their day to try and ruin someone else 's , '' she said .
`` I honestly thought about contacting Planned Parenthood and telling them that the donation under our name was not from us… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tables were turned we would never do [ this ] . ''

Activists at the University of North Texas staged a game of capture the flag to vandalize a pro-life memorial for the unborn.
The Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) held its first-ever Memorial for the Unborn—a dedication to the lives lost to abortion and miscarriage built entirely out of flags—only for it to be torn up by pro-abortion activists. Freshman Dale Bautista, who goes by the online name "I cried having sex," called on students to play capture the flag with flags from the memorial. The activist tapped three other left-wing students—one of whom identifies as an Antifa member—to act as team captains for the game.
In video footage obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon, activists can be seen ripping flags out of the ground. In one video, a stand-alone activist jumps with glee after capturing a single flag.
YCT president Kelly Neidert told the Free Beacon that activists showed up to take down the flags within an hour of the memorial's completion. Though she called campus police after repeated confrontations with the activists, law enforcement did not arrive until after the capture the flag game was underway.
"We alerted campus police earlier in the day, but it took them 30 minutes to show up after we called them twice," Neidert said. "They did issue a citation for one student who stole 180 flags, but aside from that, there were no ramifications for the students."
Bautista, the game's ringleader, told the Free Beacon he initially called on students to steal flags because he believed YCT had flouted COVID social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines, not because of its pro-life stance. Bautista claims that the university has told student groups they cannot meet in person and said he was "infuriated" that YCT members did not wear masks at all times.
"The reason I did this is not necessarily for the reason of going against abortion, but for the reason of social distancing and COVID," Bautista said. "I want COVID regulations to be strict with club meetings, and I can't stand by and watch them break enough rules and try to justify it."
The university had approved the memorial, and YCT members reportedly wore masks when they could not adequately social distance.
Another video shows a male student holding a handful of flags while condemning female YCT members for not "allowing" him to have a choice in a woman's abortion.
"We should let women choose. But no, you don't let them choose, you just do all this dumb s—t and then decide that I can't have a choice either. I don't have a say, but okay," the student said.
Pro-life students have routinely seen their memorials for the unborn destroyed. At Marquette University, an abortion advocacy group vandalized a pro-life memorial three times. Activists at Miami University in Ohio vandalized a Cemetery of the Innocent display three times as well. Earlier this year, the Young America's Foundation group at the University of Florida caught and recorded students who destroyed their pro-life memorial.
Following YCT's event, pro-abortion students created a donation fund for Planned Parenthood that they plan to make in the conservative group's name. One student posted her Venmo information and encouraged students to contribute to YCT's fake Planned Parenthood donation. According to recent tweets, the students raised $35.
YCT's executive director Madison Mills told the Free Beacon she was "appalled" that students would try to donate to Planned Parenthood on the group's behalf.
"These people are taking time out of their day to try and ruin someone else's," she said. "I honestly thought about contacting Planned Parenthood and telling them that the donation under our name was not from us… I can tell you that if the tables were turned we would never do [this]."


freebeacon--2020-10-01--L.A. Ordered to Pay NRA Six Figures After Losing First Amendment Case

A federal court ordered Los Angeles to hand over more than $ 100,000 to the National Rifle Association after ruling that the city had violated the gun-rights group 's First Amendment rights .
Federal district court judge Stephen Wilson struck down a city ordinance aimed at punishing prospective contractors with ties to the NRA as an infringement on the right to free speech and association .
On Tuesday , he ordered city officials to pay for the Second Amendment group 's attorney fees , which totaled nearly $ 150,000 .
`` In this case , the text of the Ordinance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the concurrent public statements made by the Ordinance ’ s primary legislative sponsor evince a strong intent to suppress the speech of the NRA , '' Wilson ruled in December .
`` Even though the Ordinance only forces disclosure of activity that may not be expressive , the clear purpose of the disclosure is to undermine the NRA ’ s explicitly political speech . ''
The NRA filed suit against the ordinance shortly after it was implemented in April 2019 .
Amy Hunter , a spokeswoman for the NRA , told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city unfairly targeted the group because of its advocacy .
`` Violations of any constitutional rights by government officials should carry consequences , '' she said .
`` The courts have rightfully imposed those consequences upon Los Angeles .
The NRA will continue our fight and , as always , work to hold politicians accountable . ''
Neither Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti ( D. ) nor councilmember Mitch O'Farrell ( D. ) , who sponsored the ordinance , responded to requests for comment .
Los Angeles is not alone in targeting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped a similar ploy in response to an NRA lawsuit .
The group is still locked in a First Amendment challenge over a letter sent by New York officials that warned banks away from working with the group .
The ruling may put a damper on enthusiasm for similar measures from other government officials opposed to the NRA .
Los Angeles Ordinance No .
186000 took effect on April 1 , 2019 , and explicitly stated it was intended to prevent the city from doing business with anyone who had ties to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles has enacted ordinances and adopted positions that promote gun safety and sensible gun ownership , '' the ordinance reads .
`` The City 's residents deserve to know if the City 's public funds are spent on contractors that have contractual or sponsorship ties with the NRA .
Public funds provided to such contractors undermines the City 's efforts to legislate and promote gun safety . ''
City leaders publicly defended the ordinance .
In interviews with NPR , Garcetti said he had confidence in the policy while O'Farrell charged that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firmly in place . ''
Judge Wilson disagreed , saying , `` the City adopted the Ordinance ‘ because of disagreement with the message ' of the NRA and with the explicit intent to suppress that message—the Ordinance should therefore be considered a content-based regulation of speech . ''
The city agreed in February to repeal the ordinance , stop any enforcement of it , and notify contractors they do not have to disclose ties to the NRA .

A federal court ordered Los Angeles to hand over more than $100,000 to the National Rifle Association after ruling that the city had violated the gun-rights group's First Amendment rights.
Federal district court judge Stephen Wilson struck down a city ordinance aimed at punishing prospective contractors with ties to the NRA as an infringement on the right to free speech and association. On Tuesday, he ordered city officials to pay for the Second Amendment group's attorney fees, which totaled nearly $150,000.
"In this case, the text of the Ordinance, the Ordinance's legislative history, and the concurrent public statements made by the Ordinance’s primary legislative sponsor evince a strong intent to suppress the speech of the NRA," Wilson ruled in December. "Even though the Ordinance only forces disclosure of activity that may not be expressive, the clear purpose of the disclosure is to undermine the NRA’s explicitly political speech."
The NRA filed suit against the ordinance shortly after it was implemented in April 2019. Amy Hunter, a spokeswoman for the NRA, told the Washington Free Beacon the rulings prove the city unfairly targeted the group because of its advocacy.
"Violations of any constitutional rights by government officials should carry consequences," she said. "The courts have rightfully imposed those consequences upon Los Angeles. The NRA will continue our fight and, as always, work to hold politicians accountable."
Neither Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti (D.) nor councilmember Mitch O'Farrell (D.), who sponsored the ordinance, responded to requests for comment.
Los Angeles is not alone in targeting the group. San Francisco's Democratic mayor stopped a similar ploy in response to an NRA lawsuit. The group is still locked in a First Amendment challenge over a letter sent by New York officials that warned banks away from working with the group. The ruling may put a damper on enthusiasm for similar measures from other government officials opposed to the NRA.
Los Angeles Ordinance No. 186000 took effect on April 1, 2019, and explicitly stated it was intended to prevent the city from doing business with anyone who had ties to the NRA.
"The City of Los Angeles has enacted ordinances and adopted positions that promote gun safety and sensible gun ownership," the ordinance reads. "The City's residents deserve to know if the City's public funds are spent on contractors that have contractual or sponsorship ties with the NRA. Public funds provided to such contractors undermines the City's efforts to legislate and promote gun safety."
City leaders publicly defended the ordinance. In interviews with NPR, Garcetti said he had confidence in the policy while O'Farrell charged that "the NRA's First Amendment rights remain firmly in place."
Judge Wilson disagreed, saying, "the City adopted the Ordinance 'because of disagreement with the message' of the NRA and with the explicit intent to suppress that message—the Ordinance should therefore be considered a content-based regulation of speech." The city agreed in February to repeal the ordinance, stop any enforcement of it, and notify contractors they do not have to disclose ties to the NRA.


freebeacon--2020-10-01--U.S. Sanctions Force Iranian Currency to Historic Low

American sanctions on Iran helped drop the Islamic Republic 's chief currency to its lowest value ever , the Associated Press reported Thursday .
Iran 's currency now trades at 300,000 rials to a single American dollar , depreciating in value by a third since its previous all-time low in June and by more than 12 percent since only mid-September .
Iran 's currency was valued at 32,000 rials to the dollar following the Iran nuclear deal agreement in 2015 .
Washington 's crippling sanctions , along with Iran 's mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic , have precipitated Tehran 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sanctions target Iran 's oil exports , which have flattened in 2020 .
Just in August , U.S. naval forces interdicted Iranian oil cargo headed to financially devastated Venezuela .
Although Washington 's `` maximum pressure '' campaign has long been a focus of the White House , the Trump administration has taken even more intense measures against Iran in recent weeks .
Last month , the State Department reinstated `` snapback '' sanctions on Tehran and sanctioned members of Iran 's judicial system over the execution of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harsh sanctions against Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah , the Washington Free Beacon reported Thursday .
Last week , special Iran envoy Elliott Abrams explained the success of Washington 's sanctions during congressional testimony .
`` Our efforts to disrupt the regime 's ability to carry out its malicious agenda have met with real success , '' Abrams said .
`` By any measure , the Iranian regime is weaker today than when President Trump took office .
The regime faces unprecedented and worsening economic and political crises that are exacerbated by the poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to advance its radical ideology . ''

American sanctions on Iran helped drop the Islamic Republic's chief currency to its lowest value ever, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
Iran's currency now trades at 300,000 rials to a single American dollar, depreciating in value by a third since its previous all-time low in June and by more than 12 percent since only mid-September.
Iran's currency was valued at 32,000 rials to the dollar following the Iran nuclear deal agreement in 2015.
Washington's crippling sanctions, along with Iran's mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic, have precipitated Tehran's financial nosedive.
Among other things, the sanctions target Iran's oil exports, which have flattened in 2020. Just in August, U.S. naval forces interdicted Iranian oil cargo headed to financially devastated Venezuela.
Although Washington's "maximum pressure" campaign has long been a focus of the White House, the Trump administration has taken even more intense measures against Iran in recent weeks. Last month, the State Department reinstated "snapback" sanctions on Tehran and sanctioned members of Iran's judicial system over the execution of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari. Congressional Republicans are also pushing for harsh sanctions against Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah, the Washington Free Beacon reported Thursday.
Last week, special Iran envoy Elliott Abrams explained the success of Washington's sanctions during congressional testimony.
"Our efforts to disrupt the regime's ability to carry out its malicious agenda have met with real success," Abrams said. "By any measure, the Iranian regime is weaker today than when President Trump took office. The regime faces unprecedented and worsening economic and political crises that are exacerbated by the poor choices the regime makes in an effort to advance its radical ideology."


freebeacon--2020-10-01--ANALYSIS: New York Times Puts Non-White Lives In Danger

The New York Times is being criticized for publishing a lengthy op-ed defending the Chinese government 's authoritarian crackdown in Hong Kong .
Under the headline , `` Hong Kong Is China , Like It or Not , '' the Times granted valuable journalistic space to Chinese politician Regina Ip to denounce pro-democracy protesters for `` stirring up chaos and disaffection toward our motherland , '' and defending government-led efforts to postpone elections .
A Washington Free Beacon analysis of the newspaper 's decision to publish the controversial opinion piece determined that the New York Times was putting the lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectively endorsing an authoritarian regime that considers pro-democracy advocacy to be a form of domestic terrorism .
The dangerous op-ed also threatens the lives of professional journalists attempting to report on the situation in Hong Kong , and empowers a regime that views the media as the enemy of the people .
On the same day the op-ed was published , Chinese authorities arrested dozens of pro-democracy protesters for unauthorized assembly .
The Chinese government has been cracking down on such protests with greater intensity since a new national security law approved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subversive '' anti-government activity .
Thousands of protesters have been arrested in Hong Kong this year .
`` Something had to be done , and the Chinese authorities did it , '' is how Ip describes the Chinese government 's crackdown on pro-democracy activists in the pages of the New York Times , an organization that only recently agreed to stop getting paid to publish Chinese propaganda on its website .
It is merely the latest example of what former Free Beacon podcast guest Matthew Continetti called `` The Dialectic of Woke .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Hollywood , the NBA , and the New York Times , have assumed an activist role when it comes to promoting `` social justice '' at home , but are aggressively nonchalant about the erosion of democracy , or even ethnic cleansing , in places like China .
Turning a blind eye to the genocide of Uighur Muslims , for example , is simply the cost of doing business in the Chinese market .
Not surprisingly , the criticism directed at the New York Times for publishing Ip 's op-ed pales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erupted in June after the paper published an opinion piece by Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
, who called for military force to prevent violent unrest in America 's cities .
Opinion-page editor James Bennet was forced to resign after critics accused him of recklessly endangering Black lives , and the lives of journalists .
Former New York Times public editor Margaret Sullivan , among others , agreed with the angry mob that Cotton 's views `` should be known , but not amplified and normalized within the prized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the New York Times . ''
If there is any sort of standard by which elite media institutions are attempting to conduct themselves , it 's not clear why Chinese government propaganda should be more deserving of that `` prized real estate , '' or why Cotton 's op-ed involved a topic of `` life-and-death importance , '' whereas Ip 's does not .

The New York Times is being criticized for publishing a lengthy op-ed defending the Chinese government's authoritarian crackdown in Hong Kong. Under the headline, "Hong Kong Is China, Like It or Not," the Times granted valuable journalistic space to Chinese politician Regina Ip to denounce pro-democracy protesters for "stirring up chaos and disaffection toward our motherland," and defending government-led efforts to postpone elections.
A Washington Free Beacon analysis of the newspaper's decision to publish the controversial opinion piece determined that the New York Times was putting the lives of people of color at risk by effectively endorsing an authoritarian regime that considers pro-democracy advocacy to be a form of domestic terrorism. The dangerous op-ed also threatens the lives of professional journalists attempting to report on the situation in Hong Kong, and empowers a regime that views the media as the enemy of the people.
On the same day the op-ed was published, Chinese authorities arrested dozens of pro-democracy protesters for unauthorized assembly. The Chinese government has been cracking down on such protests with greater intensity since a new national security law approved in June empowered them to combat so-called "subversive" anti-government activity. Thousands of protesters have been arrested in Hong Kong this year.
"Something had to be done, and the Chinese authorities did it," is how Ip describes the Chinese government's crackdown on pro-democracy activists in the pages of the New York Times, an organization that only recently agreed to stop getting paid to publish Chinese propaganda on its website.
It is merely the latest example of what former Free Beacon podcast guest Matthew Continetti called "The Dialectic of Woke." America's elite cultural institutions, such as Hollywood, the NBA, and the New York Times, have assumed an activist role when it comes to promoting "social justice" at home, but are aggressively nonchalant about the erosion of democracy, or even ethnic cleansing, in places like China. Turning a blind eye to the genocide of Uighur Muslims, for example, is simply the cost of doing business in the Chinese market.
Not surprisingly, the criticism directed at the New York Times for publishing Ip's op-ed pales in comparison to the woke conniptions that erupted in June after the paper published an opinion piece by Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), who called for military force to prevent violent unrest in America's cities. Opinion-page editor James Bennet was forced to resign after critics accused him of recklessly endangering Black lives, and the lives of journalists.
Former New York Times public editor Margaret Sullivan, among others, agreed with the angry mob that Cotton's views "should be known, but not amplified and normalized within the prized real estate that is the op-ed page of the New York Times." If there is any sort of standard by which elite media institutions are attempting to conduct themselves, it's not clear why Chinese government propaganda should be more deserving of that "prized real estate," or why Cotton's op-ed involved a topic of "life-and-death importance," whereas Ip's does not.


freebeacon--2020-10-01--Portland Spends $8 Million Responding to Anti-Police Riots

The Portland Police Bureau spent nearly $ 8 million to respond to protests and riots this summer , as protesters in Portland continue their push to defund the police , KATU News reported Wednesday .
The police bureau spent $ 7 million alone on pay and benefits for officers responding to the nightly riots , which broke out in late May and , in Portland , continued for over 100 straight nights .
Those demonstrating have repeatedly called on city officials to pass police reform legislation and to slash funding to the city ’ s police department .
Throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , launching explosives at government buildings and setting fire to local police precincts .
Though Mayor Ted Wheeler ( D. ) said his approach to quelling the violence was to just let it `` burn itself out , '' he told his neighbors in August that he planned on moving due to the repeated riots outside of his own condo .
In Portland , police overtime pay increased 200 percent in June and July compared with the same time period last year .
The police department paid officers who responded to the riots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June through mid-August .
Prior to the riots , PPB had only spent $ 4.5 million in police overtime pay in 2020 .
Anti-police protests broke out across the country in May following the death of George Floyd .
In Portland , these protests became violent nightly riots .
The Justice Department labeled Portland , as well as Seattle and New York , `` anarchist jurisdictions '' last week for failing to quell the violence and for moving to defund their police departments .

The Portland Police Bureau spent nearly $8 million to respond to protests and riots this summer, as protesters in Portland continue their push to defund the police, KATU News reported Wednesday.
The police bureau spent $7 million alone on pay and benefits for officers responding to the nightly riots, which broke out in late May and, in Portland, continued for over 100 straight nights. Those demonstrating have repeatedly called on city officials to pass police reform legislation and to slash funding to the city’s police department.
Throughout the summer, rioters wreaked havoc in Portland, launching explosives at government buildings and setting fire to local police precincts. Though Mayor Ted Wheeler (D.) said his approach to quelling the violence was to just let it "burn itself out," he told his neighbors in August that he planned on moving due to the repeated riots outside of his own condo.
In Portland, police overtime pay increased 200 percent in June and July compared with the same time period last year. The police department paid officers who responded to the riots $5.3 million in overtime alone from June through mid-August. Prior to the riots, PPB had only spent $4.5 million in police overtime pay in 2020.
Anti-police protests broke out across the country in May following the death of George Floyd. In Portland, these protests became violent nightly riots. The Justice Department labeled Portland, as well as Seattle and New York, "anarchist jurisdictions" last week for failing to quell the violence and for moving to defund their police departments.


freebeacon--2020-10-01--NYT Runs Op-Ed Defending Hong Kong’s Hostile Takeover

A Thursday New York Times op-ed defended the Chinese Communist regime 's hostile takeover of Hong Kong .
The article , titled `` Hong Kong Is China , Like It or Not '' and written by Hong Kong Executive Council member Regina Ip , attempts to justify Beijing 's `` national security '' law and violent crackdown on the island city 's pro-democracy activism and activists this summer .
`` Something had to be done , and the Chinese authorities did it , '' Ip wrote .
`` Beijing ’ s national security law is saving ‘ one country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong does not become a danger to China . ''
China , which asserts that it has always had sovereignty over the island , has imprisoned and censored countless pro-democracy Hong Kong activists .
Most recently , the regime imprisoned famous pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai for refusing to comply with the draconian new national security measures .
Lai 's arrest flies in the face of Ip 's claim that the national security law is `` constructive '' in nature and merely fills gaps in existing protocol in Hong Kong .
The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ astonished intellectuals on both sides of the political spectrum .
`` I wonder if NYT will apologize for running this op-ed , which is clearly so dangerous to the advocates of democracy and autonomy in Hong Kong , '' tweeted American Enterprise Institute fellow Hal Brands .
`` The boss of the NYT op-ed page was fired because he ran a controversial op-ed by a sitting U.S .
Senator , '' he wrote on Twitter .
`` But a few months later , a propagandist for an authoritarian regime gets to argue that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed in the same pages .
This is just nuts . ''
The New York Times ‘ s issues with abetting Chinese influence go beyond approving Ip 's op-ed .
The newspaper received money from such Chinese state-run media as People 's Daily to post pro-China advertorials .
It eventually took the ads down with little fanfare , the Washington Free Beacon reported .

A Thursday New York Times op-ed defended the Chinese Communist regime's hostile takeover of Hong Kong.
The article, titled "Hong Kong Is China, Like It or Not" and written by Hong Kong Executive Council member Regina Ip, attempts to justify Beijing's "national security" law and violent crackdown on the island city's pro-democracy activism and activists this summer.
"Something had to be done, and the Chinese authorities did it," Ip wrote. "Beijing’s national security law is saving 'one country, two systems' by ensuring that Hong Kong does not become a danger to China."
China, which asserts that it has always had sovereignty over the island, has imprisoned and censored countless pro-democracy Hong Kong activists. Most recently, the regime imprisoned famous pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai for refusing to comply with the draconian new national security measures.
Lai's arrest flies in the face of Ip's claim that the national security law is "constructive" in nature and merely fills gaps in existing protocol in Hong Kong.
The Times's choice to publish the op-ed astonished intellectuals on both sides of the political spectrum.
"I wonder if NYT will apologize for running this op-ed, which is clearly so dangerous to the advocates of democracy and autonomy in Hong Kong," tweeted American Enterprise Institute fellow Hal Brands.
Liberal commentator Yascha Mounk offered even harsher criticism.
"The boss of the NYT op-ed page was fired because he ran a controversial op-ed by a sitting U.S. Senator," he wrote on Twitter. "But a few months later, a propagandist for an authoritarian regime gets to argue that a violent putdown of peaceful protests was needed in the same pages. This is just nuts."
The New York Times's issues with abetting Chinese influence go beyond approving Ip's op-ed. The newspaper received money from such Chinese state-run media as People's Daily to post pro-China advertorials. It eventually took the ads down with little fanfare, the Washington Free Beacon reported.


freebeacon--2020-10-01--Ossoff Tells Voters He’ll Defend Second Amendment But Wants to Ban Semiautomatic Rifle Sales

Georgia Democratic Senate hopeful Jon Ossoff is running as a defender of the Second Amendment but supports a ban on all semiautomatic rifle sales .
Ossoff portrays himself as a protector of gun rights in a new ad airing across the state .
`` Nothing ’ s more important than keeping Georgians safe , '' he says .
`` I ’ ll defend our Second Amendment . ''
Ossoff ’ s list of endorsements from top gun-control groups , including the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Brady PAC , raises questions about his claim .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ semiautomatic rifles , '' referring to them as `` assault weapons . ''
Such a ban would include the AR-15 , the most popular rifle in the United States .
Democrats endorsed banning assault weapons at their 2020 national convention as well , and they have made gun control a central part of their legislative priority if they regain full control of Congress .
Ossoff was noncommittal on support for a gun buyback when asked by MSNBC last year , but said he supported `` strict licensing '' for all semiautomatic weapons .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave Ossoff an `` F '' rating for his stance on gun control .
The group endorsed Ossoff 's opponent , Sen. David Perdue ( R. , Ga. ) .
The two are in a tight race that is crucial to Senate party control next year .
`` The people of Georgia want a senator who stands by their convictions , whether they 're speaking to folks in Fulton County or Tift County , but Jon Ossoff seems to have a problem when it comes to telling them the truth , '' Perdue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
Fulton County contains Atlanta and is the state 's most populous county , while Tift County is located in rural southern Georgia .
Ossoff 's campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
Besides his opposition to a Georgia law allowing concealed carry on college campuses , Ossoff largely sidestepped guns during his failed run for Georgia 's Sixth Congressional District in 2017 .
He told reporters at the time that he `` grew up around firearms '' and would support legislation that would `` keep people safe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This has become too typical of lying liberal Jon Ossoff , as he is now trying to cover up his radical anti-Second Amendment record from Georgians , '' said National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Paige Lindgren .
`` His false claims and lies about protecting the Second Amendment are an effort to pander to one audience in part of the state while appeasing his base in another . ''
Ossoff also claimed in the new ad he did not support defunding police , although he said in June that funding for police departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' if they failed to meet hypothetical federal standards on proper use of force .

Georgia Democratic Senate hopeful Jon Ossoff is running as a defender of the Second Amendment but supports a ban on all semiautomatic rifle sales.
Ossoff portrays himself as a protector of gun rights in a new ad airing across the state. "Nothing’s more important than keeping Georgians safe," he says. "I’ll defend our Second Amendment."
Ossoff’s list of endorsements from top gun-control groups, including the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Brady PAC, raises questions about his claim.
He has called for a ban on selling "semiautomatic rifles," referring to them as "assault weapons." Such a ban would include the AR-15, the most popular rifle in the United States. Democrats endorsed banning assault weapons at their 2020 national convention as well, and they have made gun control a central part of their legislative priority if they regain full control of Congress.
Ossoff was noncommittal on support for a gun buyback when asked by MSNBC last year, but said he supported "strict licensing" for all semiautomatic weapons.
The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund gave Ossoff an "F" rating for his stance on gun control.
The group endorsed Ossoff's opponent, Sen. David Perdue (R., Ga.). The two are in a tight race that is crucial to Senate party control next year.
"The people of Georgia want a senator who stands by their convictions, whether they're speaking to folks in Fulton County or Tift County, but Jon Ossoff seems to have a problem when it comes to telling them the truth," Perdue told the Washington Free Beacon in a statement. Fulton County contains Atlanta and is the state's most populous county, while Tift County is located in rural southern Georgia.
Ossoff's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Besides his opposition to a Georgia law allowing concealed carry on college campuses, Ossoff largely sidestepped guns during his failed run for Georgia's Sixth Congressional District in 2017. He told reporters at the time that he "grew up around firearms" and would support legislation that would "keep people safe and uphold the Second Amendment."
"This has become too typical of lying liberal Jon Ossoff, as he is now trying to cover up his radical anti-Second Amendment record from Georgians," said National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Paige Lindgren. "His false claims and lies about protecting the Second Amendment are an effort to pander to one audience in part of the state while appeasing his base in another."
Ossoff also claimed in the new ad he did not support defunding police, although he said in June that funding for police departments had to be "on the line" if they failed to meet hypothetical federal standards on proper use of force.


freebeacon--2020-10-01--California Becomes First State to Create Reparations Task Force

California governor Gavin Newsom ( D. ) signed a bill on Wednesday creating a government task force to research and develop plans for giving reparations to the descendants of slaves .
Assembly Bill 3121 makes California the first state to form a task force charged with researching the effects of slavery and creating a plan for reparations .
The law—which comes after a summer of racial unrest following the death of George Floyd in May—also requires the group to educate the public on California 's historical involvement with slavery and segregation .
Additional legislation would be required for the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could come in the form of cash payments or increased funding to black communities .
The bill notes that any state-funded payments should not replace reparations from the federal government .
Months of unrest over racial injustice have led many colleges , universities , and even some local governments to begin reparations .
Regents at the University of California are already required by law to conduct research on slavery and its lasting effects .
Asheville , N.C. , approved legislation to increase funding for programs promoting black homeownership—one form of reparations—to black residents @ @ @

California governor Gavin Newsom (D.) signed a bill on Wednesday creating a government task force to research and develop plans for giving reparations to the descendants of slaves.
Assembly Bill 3121 makes California the first state to form a task force charged with researching the effects of slavery and creating a plan for reparations. The law—which comes after a summer of racial unrest following the death of George Floyd in May—also requires the group to educate the public on California's historical involvement with slavery and segregation.
Additional legislation would be required for the state to give out the reparations, which could come in the form of cash payments or increased funding to black communities. The bill notes that any state-funded payments should not replace reparations from the federal government.
State assemblywoman Shirley Nash Weber (D.) introduced the bill earlier this summer.
Months of unrest over racial injustice have led many colleges, universities, and even some local governments to begin reparations. Regents at the University of California are already required by law to conduct research on slavery and its lasting effects. Asheville, N.C., approved legislation to increase funding for programs promoting black homeownership—one form of reparations—to black residents in July.


freebeacon--2020-10-01--Newsom Signs Law Mandating Diversity Quotas for Corporate Boardrooms

California governor Gavin Newsom ( D. ) on Wednesday signed legislation mandating publicly traded businesses to hire one diverse board member each by 2021 .
Newsom signed a series of racial justice bills last night before their Oct. 1 expiration , including the boardroom diversity quota bill .
In addition to adding one diverse member each by 2021 , companies with four-person boards must have at least two diverse members , and nine-person boards must include at least three diverse directors by 2022 to meet the quota .
California is the first state in the country to implement such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director from an underrepresented community '' as a person `` who self-identifies as Black , African American , Hispanic , Latino , Asian , Pacific Islander , Native American , Native Hawaiian , or Alaska Native , or who self-identifies as gay , lesbian , bisexual , or transgender . ''
Several corporations , including Zillow and Nextdoor , already pledged to add a black director to their boards earlier this year following a wave of racial justice protests .
In August , Amazon , Google , and other companies collaborated on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers in New York City over the next 10 years .
California lawmakers created a slew of racial justice legislation following a summer of racial justice protests that began after the death of George Floyd in May .
Newsom signed other bills Wednesday evening , one that established a government reparations task force , and another that now allows judges to change sentences if they are believed to be harsher due to racial bias or discrimination .

California governor Gavin Newsom (D.) on Wednesday signed legislation mandating publicly traded businesses to hire one diverse board member each by 2021.
Newsom signed a series of racial justice bills last night before their Oct. 1 expiration, including the boardroom diversity quota bill. In addition to adding one diverse member each by 2021, companies with four-person boards must have at least two diverse members, and nine-person boards must include at least three diverse directors by 2022 to meet the quota. California is the first state in the country to implement such a mandate.
The bill defines a "director from an underrepresented community" as a person "who self-identifies as Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, Native Hawaiian, or Alaska Native, or who self-identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender."
Several corporations, including Zillow and Nextdoor, already pledged to add a black director to their boards earlier this year following a wave of racial justice protests. In August, Amazon, Google, and other companies collaborated on a pledge to hire 100,000 low-income or minority workers in New York City over the next 10 years.
California lawmakers created a slew of racial justice legislation following a summer of racial justice protests that began after the death of George Floyd in May. Newsom signed other bills Wednesday evening, one that established a government reparations task force, and another that now allows judges to change sentences if they are believed to be harsher due to racial bias or discrimination.


freebeacon--2020-10-01--Xi Wants ‘Permanent Friendship’ with Communist Cuba

Chinese strongman Xi Jinping called for forging a `` permanent friendship '' with the fellow Communist government in Cuba , Chinese state media reported .
Xi sent a congratulatory message to Cuban leader Raúl Castro , brother of first Cuban Communist dictator Fidel Castro , Monday .
According to China 's People Daily Online , he `` stands ready to help make the two countries good friends , good comrades , and good brothers forever . ''
Xi noted that Cuba was the first Latin American country to develop official ties with Mao 's China .
He hoped that exchanging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic would lead to a `` new chapter '' in the two countries ' longstanding friendship .
In recent years , that friendship has expanded into explicit and reciprocal exchanges .
In 2018 , China 's Belt and Road initiative came to Cuba , making it a vanguard country in the western hemisphere and a `` regional node '' in Beijing 's complex trade network .
That closer economic relationship has also brought greater political solidarity between the countries .
In May , Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned American `` interference '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uighur genocide and the Hong Kong national security law .
`` We welcome China ’ s decision to consolidate development , recover from COVID-19 , and strengthen institutions , legality , and national security in its entire territory , '' Rodriguez said .
Beijing , in turn , criticized American action in Cuba a month later .
`` China will always stand by the Cuban people in their righteous struggle to safeguard national sovereignty and legitimate interests and oppose foreign interference , [ Chinese foreign minister ] Wang [ Yi ] said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity to support Cuba 's economic and social development . ''
Cuba last aligned itself with a major communist nation in the 1960s , when its friendship with the Soviet Union prompted the Cuban Missile Crisis .
While the Trump administration has put strict sanctions on both countries , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has repeatedly assured voters that he will return to Obama-era engagement with Cuba .
Biden has also long supported maintaining free-trade relations with China .
In September , he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to the United States , rather than an `` opponent . ''

Chinese strongman Xi Jinping called for forging a "permanent friendship" with the fellow Communist government in Cuba, Chinese state media reported.
Xi sent a congratulatory message to Cuban leader Raúl Castro, brother of first Cuban Communist dictator Fidel Castro, Monday. According to China's People Daily Online, he "stands ready to help make the two countries good friends, good comrades, and good brothers forever."
Xi noted that Cuba was the first Latin American country to develop official ties with Mao's China. He hoped that exchanging technology and financial tools during the coronavirus pandemic would lead to a "new chapter" in the two countries' longstanding friendship.
In recent years, that friendship has expanded into explicit and reciprocal exchanges. In 2018, China's Belt and Road initiative came to Cuba, making it a vanguard country in the western hemisphere and a "regional node" in Beijing's complex trade network.
That closer economic relationship has also brought greater political solidarity between the countries. In May, Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned American "interference" in China's internal affairs—namely, the Uighur genocide and the Hong Kong national security law.
"We welcome China’s decision to consolidate development, recover from COVID-19, and strengthen institutions, legality, and national security in its entire territory," Rodriguez said.
Beijing, in turn, criticized American action in Cuba a month later.
"China will always stand by the Cuban people in their righteous struggle to safeguard national sovereignty and legitimate interests and oppose foreign interference, [Chinese foreign minister] Wang [Yi] said," reads a state media report. "China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity to support Cuba's economic and social development."
Cuba last aligned itself with a major communist nation in the 1960s, when its friendship with the Soviet Union prompted the Cuban Missile Crisis.
While the Trump administration has put strict sanctions on both countries, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has repeatedly assured voters that he will return to Obama-era engagement with Cuba.
Biden has also long supported maintaining free-trade relations with China. In September, he would only describe Beijing as a "competitor" to the United States, rather than an "opponent."


freebeacon--2020-10-01--Schumer PAC Backs Former Lobbyist by Claiming Lindsey Graham Is Beholden to Special Interests

A super PAC tied to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) is attacking Republican senator Lindsey Graham for being beholden to special interests—even though Graham 's Democratic opponent , Jaime Harrison , spent years as a lobbyist for Big Pharma .
The Senate Majority PAC is pouring $ 6.5 million into a South Carolina ad blitz , signaling that national Democrats see the race between Graham and Harrison as competitive .
The first ad , released Tuesday , claims Graham has `` gone Washington '' over special interests and the price of prescription drugs .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantially in the not-too-distant future , and it 's going to be beautiful , '' President Trump says at the start of the ad .
`` Not with Lindsey Graham in the Senate , '' the ad 's narrator says , `` because it 's Graham who stands in the way .
He 's spent 25 years in Congress taking millions from special interests like big drug companies , then voted against lowering drug prices .
If we want lower drug prices , we need to clean out the swamp .
Lindsay Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The ad never references Harrison , who pushed the interests of major pharmaceutical companies for years as a D.C. lobbyist .
While Harrison was working for the now-defunct Podesta Group , he directly represented pharma giants Amgen , Sanofi , Novo Nordisk , Genzyme , Merck , and Amylin Pharmaceuticals .
His campaign did not respond to inquiries about his work with Big Pharma .
Harrison 's eight-year span as a lobbyist proved lucrative for the Senate candidate .
Prior to joining the Podesta Group in 2008 , he reported no assets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valued between $ 140,000 and $ 365,000 .
By the time Harrison had left the Podesta Group in 2016 , he had amassed up to $ 3.45 million in assets .
National Democrats are now looking to South Carolina as an opportunity to flip a Republican-held Senate seat .
The ad buy from the Senate Majority PAC is the group 's first foray into the Palmetto State and includes a $ 1.5 million digital campaign and $ 5 million in television ads .
`` Jaime Harrison has put this seat in play by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust of South Carolinians who are ready for change , '' J.B. Poersch , the Senate Majority PAC 's president , told the Washington Post .
The candidates and outside groups have already bombarded South Carolinians with $ 72 million in ad spending .
Harrison has accounted for $ 50 million of that total since his June Democratic primary .
Graham , by comparison , has spent less than $ 20 million on ads to date .

A super PAC tied to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) is attacking Republican senator Lindsey Graham for being beholden to special interests—even though Graham's Democratic opponent, Jaime Harrison, spent years as a lobbyist for Big Pharma.
The Senate Majority PAC is pouring $6.5 million into a South Carolina ad blitz, signaling that national Democrats see the race between Graham and Harrison as competitive. The first ad, released Tuesday, claims Graham has "gone Washington" over special interests and the price of prescription drugs.
"You'll be seeing drug prices falling substantially in the not-too-distant future, and it's going to be beautiful," President Trump says at the start of the ad. "Not with Lindsey Graham in the Senate," the ad's narrator says, "because it's Graham who stands in the way. He's spent 25 years in Congress taking millions from special interests like big drug companies, then voted against lowering drug prices. If we want lower drug prices, we need to clean out the swamp. Lindsay Graham: gone Washington, gone bad."
The ad never references Harrison, who pushed the interests of major pharmaceutical companies for years as a D.C. lobbyist. While Harrison was working for the now-defunct Podesta Group, he directly represented pharma giants Amgen, Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, Genzyme, Merck, and Amylin Pharmaceuticals. His campaign did not respond to inquiries about his work with Big Pharma.
Harrison's eight-year span as a lobbyist proved lucrative for the Senate candidate. Prior to joining the Podesta Group in 2008, he reported no assets, with credit card and loan debts valued between $140,000 and $365,000. By the time Harrison had left the Podesta Group in 2016, he had amassed up to $3.45 million in assets.
National Democrats are now looking to South Carolina as an opportunity to flip a Republican-held Senate seat. The ad buy from the Senate Majority PAC is the group's first foray into the Palmetto State and includes a $1.5 million digital campaign and $5 million in television ads.
"Jaime Harrison has put this seat in play by running a strong campaign and earning the trust of South Carolinians who are ready for change," J.B. Poersch, the Senate Majority PAC's president, told the Washington Post.
The candidates and outside groups have already bombarded South Carolinians with $72 million in ad spending. Harrison has accounted for $50 million of that total since his June Democratic primary. Graham, by comparison, has spent less than $20 million on ads to date.


freebeacon--2020-10-01--Media Duck Questions After People of Praise Accuser Exposed For Fabulism

Several news outlets are standing by stories featuring a suspect source who aired extraordinary allegations against the People of Praise , the Christian charismatic group connected to Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett .
Coral Anika Theill , a former member of the group , told the Associated Press that it treated her like a `` brood mare , '' accusing its male leaders of directing every `` consequential personal decision '' in her and other members ' lives .
A Washington Free Beacon report demonstrated that Theill has a history of fabulism , litigiousness , and hyper-partisanship .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP stands by its story .
Other outlets that cited Theill 's testimony in reports involving Barrett include Reuters , the Washington Post , Politico , and Newsweek .
Theill 's emergence raises questions about how a source of uncertain credibility appeared in reporting from industry-leading publications .
Her incendiary allegations recall others that upended modern Supreme Court confirmations , such as those of Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh .
Reuters told the Free Beacon that it updated its Sept. 22 report featuring Theill to include additional information .
Those changes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about her credibility .
An internet archive shows Reuters last updated its story on Sunday , Sept. 27 , one day before the Free Beacon ‘ s story was published .
`` As more information became available , we updated our story and added comment from a People of Praise representative , '' a Reuters spokesperson told the Free Beacon .
Newsweek did not respond to requests for comment .
The National Catholic Reporter , whose 2018 interview with Theill was referenced in stories from the Washington Post and Politico , likewise did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations have enjoyed a wide hearing in print , the broadcast media may be more reticent about airing them .
On her personal Facebook page , Theill claims that she sat for a pre-taped interview with CBS 's Inside Edition and scheduled an appearance on CNN .
She has not appeared on camera for either platform as of this writing , and the Free Beacon could not independently confirm that she has communicated with either organization .
CNN and Inside Edition did not respond to the Free Beacon ‘ s inquiries about Theill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear on future broadcasts .
A Sept. 23 television interview on Democracy Now !
, an independent news program , brought certain presentation problems into sharp relief .
Theill 's answers were rambling and unfocused , and she appeared to be reading from prepared remarks .
Over the course of the eight-minute interview , Theill accused her ex-husband of kidnapping her during their time in the community , compared her life with the People of Praise to The Handmaid 's Tale , and said the group resembled the Jim Jones cult .
Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Temple followers at a Guyana commune in 1978 .
A tendency to deal in extremes was highlighted in the Free Beacon ‘ s Sept. 28 report .
A review of Theill 's writings , litigation history , and social media footprint shows that she has accused her therapists , her attorneys , her parents , and even her own children of abuse and neglect , while waging a quixotic legal crusade against them .
Her ex-husband , Vaughn Martin Warner , obtained a defamation judgment against her in 2014 .

Several news outlets are standing by stories featuring a suspect source who aired extraordinary allegations against the People of Praise, the Christian charismatic group connected to Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
Coral Anika Theill, a former member of the group, told the Associated Press that it treated her like a "brood mare," accusing its male leaders of directing every "consequential personal decision" in her and other members' lives. A Washington Free Beacon report demonstrated that Theill has a history of fabulism, litigiousness, and hyper-partisanship.
A spokesperson told the Free Beacon that the AP stands by its story. Other outlets that cited Theill's testimony in reports involving Barrett include Reuters, the Washington Post, Politico, and Newsweek.
Theill's emergence raises questions about how a source of uncertain credibility appeared in reporting from industry-leading publications. Her incendiary allegations recall others that upended modern Supreme Court confirmations, such as those of Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh.
Reuters told the Free Beacon that it updated its Sept. 22 report featuring Theill to include additional information. Those changes, however, do not include new qualifiers about her credibility. An internet archive shows Reuters last updated its story on Sunday, Sept. 27, one day before the Free Beacon's story was published.
"As more information became available, we updated our story and added comment from a People of Praise representative," a Reuters spokesperson told the Free Beacon.
Newsweek did not respond to requests for comment. The National Catholic Reporter, whose 2018 interview with Theill was referenced in stories from the Washington Post and Politico, likewise did not provide comment.
While Theill's accusations have enjoyed a wide hearing in print, the broadcast media may be more reticent about airing them.
On her personal Facebook page, Theill claims that she sat for a pre-taped interview with CBS's Inside Edition and scheduled an appearance on CNN. She has not appeared on camera for either platform as of this writing, and the Free Beacon could not independently confirm that she has communicated with either organization. CNN and Inside Edition did not respond to the Free Beacon's inquiries about Theill's alleged interviews or whether they will appear on future broadcasts.
A Sept. 23 television interview on Democracy Now!, an independent news program, brought certain presentation problems into sharp relief. Theill's answers were rambling and unfocused, and she appeared to be reading from prepared remarks.
Over the course of the eight-minute interview, Theill accused her ex-husband of kidnapping her during their time in the community, compared her life with the People of Praise to The Handmaid's Tale, and said the group resembled the Jim Jones cult. Jones staged the mass murder-suicide of his Peoples Temple followers at a Guyana commune in 1978.
A tendency to deal in extremes was highlighted in the Free Beacon's Sept. 28 report. A review of Theill's writings, litigation history, and social media footprint shows that she has accused her therapists, her attorneys, her parents, and even her own children of abuse and neglect, while waging a quixotic legal crusade against them. Her ex-husband, Vaughn Martin Warner, obtained a defamation judgment against her in 2014.


freebeacon--2020-10-01--Public University Professor Routinely Writes Articles for Chinese Propaganda Outlet

A professor at a public , taxpayer-funded university in Michigan regularly writes articles for a Chinese propaganda outlet working to delegitimize the United States .
Grand Valley State University ( GVSU ) professor Joel Wendland-Liu has written multiple articles for China Global Television Network ( CGTN ) , which is owned and operated by the Chinese government .
According to detailed reports from the Guardian , Beijing has purchased several media outlets to `` tell China 's story well '' as part of a larger worldwide propaganda campaign .
CGTN is one of them .
It pushes an anti-capitalist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese Communist Party 's global influence .
Wendland-Liu has written several articles for the site , including one that conflates Trump supporters who disapprove of mask-wearing with those who support Nazis and police brutality .
He also writes for an American communist outlet called People 's World , wherein Wendland-Liu routinely criticizes white people for being committed to American capitalism ( Wendland-Liu is white ) .
On Twitter , the professor even promoted a Chinese propaganda campaign that claims Western governments are levying `` false allegations of genocide and slavery '' regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A GVSU spokeswoman told the Washington Free Beacon that the school did not object to the professor 's role at either outlet .
`` When writing for publications , [ professors ] are expressing their own views and not those of the university , '' the spokeswoman said .
`` Faculty members often do freelance work outside of their university employment , and they are allowed to do so . ''
Neither GVSU nor Wendland-Liu responded to inquiries about whether he was paid by CGTN .
GVSU College Republicans board member Trevor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions of the Chinese Communist Party .
`` By not condemning this behavior by its staff , Grand Valley is inherently condoning these actions , '' Blood told the Free Beacon .
`` To say I am disappointed in [ GVSU ] would be an understatement . ''
Wendland-Liu is hardly the most prominent American to toe the Chinese Communist Party line .
Max Baucus , a Biden surrogate and former Obama ambassador to China , gave at least four different interviews to Chinese state-run media in May alone , during which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nazi demagoguery .
Baucus has been a consistent critic of the Trump administration 's antagonistic trade policies with China and has appeared on CGTN to promote his beliefs .
According to a Free Beacon report , Chinese outlets push anti-Trump rhetoric as part of a deliberate propaganda operation .
In one instance , CGTN amplified Baucus 's claim that Americans are worried about `` getting their heads chopped off '' if they voice disagreement with the U.S. government 's China policy .
Beijing also disseminates propaganda via Confucius Institutes , which are on-campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has funneled $ 150 million to U.S. universities to push Chinese cultural lessons , all of which bar staff from discussing topics considered taboo by the Chinese government , such as the imprisonment of Uighur Muslims and the protests in Hong Kong .

A professor at a public, taxpayer-funded university in Michigan regularly writes articles for a Chinese propaganda outlet working to delegitimize the United States.
Grand Valley State University (GVSU) professor Joel Wendland-Liu has written multiple articles for China Global Television Network (CGTN), which is owned and operated by the Chinese government. According to detailed reports from the Guardian, Beijing has purchased several media outlets to "tell China's story well" as part of a larger worldwide propaganda campaign. CGTN is one of them. It pushes an anti-capitalist, anti-American narrative that many experts believe advances the Chinese Communist Party's global influence.
Wendland-Liu has written several articles for the site, including one that conflates Trump supporters who disapprove of mask-wearing with those who support Nazis and police brutality. He also writes for an American communist outlet called People's World, wherein Wendland-Liu routinely criticizes white people for being committed to American capitalism (Wendland-Liu is white). On Twitter, the professor even promoted a Chinese propaganda campaign that claims Western governments are levying "false allegations of genocide and slavery" regarding the imprisonment of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.
A GVSU spokeswoman told the Washington Free Beacon that the school did not object to the professor's role at either outlet.
"When writing for publications, [professors] are expressing their own views and not those of the university," the spokeswoman said. "Faculty members often do freelance work outside of their university employment, and they are allowed to do so."
Neither GVSU nor Wendland-Liu responded to inquiries about whether he was paid by CGTN.
GVSU College Republicans board member Trevor Blood said the university is condoning the actions of the Chinese Communist Party.
"By not condemning this behavior by its staff, Grand Valley is inherently condoning these actions," Blood told the Free Beacon. "To say I am disappointed in [GVSU] would be an understatement."
Wendland-Liu is hardly the most prominent American to toe the Chinese Communist Party line. Max Baucus, a Biden surrogate and former Obama ambassador to China, gave at least four different interviews to Chinese state-run media in May alone, during which he repeatedly compared U.S. rhetoric about China to Nazi demagoguery. Baucus has been a consistent critic of the Trump administration's antagonistic trade policies with China and has appeared on CGTN to promote his beliefs.
According to a Free Beacon report, Chinese outlets push anti-Trump rhetoric as part of a deliberate propaganda operation. In one instance, CGTN amplified Baucus's claim that Americans are worried about "getting their heads chopped off" if they voice disagreement with the U.S. government's China policy.
Beijing also disseminates propaganda via Confucius Institutes, which are on-campus centers for Chinese-sanctioned programming. The Chinese government has funneled $150 million to U.S. universities to push Chinese cultural lessons, all of which bar staff from discussing topics considered taboo by the Chinese government, such as the imprisonment of Uighur Muslims and the protests in Hong Kong.


freebeacon--2020-10-01--Lawmaker Calls for Federal Investigation After San Francisco State University Hosted Terrorist

A Republican lawmaker petitioned the Trump administration ’ s Department of Education to launch an investigation into a San Francisco university after it hosted an online event with a Palestinian terrorist .
Rep. Doug Lamborn ( R. , Colo. ) called on Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to investigate San Francisco State University ( SFSU ) for hosting an event last week with Leila Khaled , a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine ( PFLP ) , a U.S.-designated terror organization .
Khaled , who was the keynote speaker at the SFSU event , hijacked airplanes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the PFLP ’ s most prominent terrorists .
Lamborn suggested `` cutting all federal funding '' to the school .
The SFSU event attracted widespread condemnation after the Washington Free Beacon first reported that Khaled would be participating .
The event was supposed to be held on Zoom , but was canceled after a legal advocacy group informed the online meeting platform that it could run afoul of U.S. anti-terrorism laws .
SFSU attempted to hold the event on Facebook and later YouTube , but both companies removed it , citing violations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is clear to me that providing technology services and forums to terrorists would contradict material support laws , '' Lamborn wrote to DeVos .
`` I ask that an investigation be launched into SFSU ’ s conduct in this matter , and that any and all federal funds given to SFSU , directly or indirectly , be canceled . ''
The lawmaker also calls for the Treasury Department , which enforces sanctions laws , to investigate the school for possible violations .
A copy of his complaint was forwarded to Treasury Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to SFSU last week demanding they cancel the event or face repercussions , told the Free Beacon that SFSU ’ s behavior should disqualify it from receiving federal education funds .
`` I am deeply concerned that an American institution in higher education , such as San Francisco State University , would send an invitation to a terrorist and repeat hijacker such as Leila Khaled , '' Lamborn said .
`` SFSU receives taxpayer funds and must be held accountable for their appalling actions . ''
`` America is not a nation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we should never allow these terrorists to speak to our campuses , '' he said .
In his letter to the Education Department , Lamborn said that SFSU ’ s hosting of Khaled could radicalize `` impressionable young people '' who attend the school .

A Republican lawmaker petitioned the Trump administration’s Department of Education to launch an investigation into a San Francisco university after it hosted an online event with a Palestinian terrorist.
Rep. Doug Lamborn (R., Colo.) called on Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to investigate San Francisco State University (SFSU) for hosting an event last week with Leila Khaled, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a U.S.-designated terror organization. Khaled, who was the keynote speaker at the SFSU event, hijacked airplanes in the late 1960s and is one of the PFLP’s most prominent terrorists. Lamborn suggested "cutting all federal funding" to the school.
The SFSU event attracted widespread condemnation after the Washington Free Beacon first reported that Khaled would be participating. The event was supposed to be held on Zoom, but was canceled after a legal advocacy group informed the online meeting platform that it could run afoul of U.S. anti-terrorism laws. SFSU attempted to hold the event on Facebook and later YouTube, but both companies removed it, citing violations of their terms of service.
"It is clear to me that providing technology services and forums to terrorists would contradict material support laws," Lamborn wrote to DeVos. "I ask that an investigation be launched into SFSU’s conduct in this matter, and that any and all federal funds given to SFSU, directly or indirectly, be canceled."
The lawmaker also calls for the Treasury Department, which enforces sanctions laws, to investigate the school for possible violations. A copy of his complaint was forwarded to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Lamborn, who wrote to SFSU last week demanding they cancel the event or face repercussions, told the Free Beacon that SFSU’s behavior should disqualify it from receiving federal education funds.
"I am deeply concerned that an American institution in higher education, such as San Francisco State University, would send an invitation to a terrorist and repeat hijacker such as Leila Khaled," Lamborn said. "SFSU receives taxpayer funds and must be held accountable for their appalling actions."
Lamborn praised Zoom for canceling the event.
"America is not a nation that negotiates with terrorists of any kind, and we should never allow these terrorists to speak to our campuses," he said.
In his letter to the Education Department, Lamborn said that SFSU’s hosting of Khaled could radicalize "impressionable young people" who attend the school.


freebeacon--2020-10-01--‘Survivor’ Champ Wants Iowa Dem ‘Voted Off the Island’

Three-time Survivor contestant Sarah Lacina is featured in a new political ad that goes after Iowa Democratic congresswoman Abby Finkenauer , saying that her record of voting with Nancy Pelosi means it 's `` time to vote her off the island . ''
Lacina , an Iowa police officer who won the longtime CBS show 's $ 1 million prize in 2017 and is considered one of the greatest players ever to compete , says in the ad that you learn who to trust living on the deception-filled island .
`` On Survivor , you learn who to trust , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finkenauer , '' Lacina said .
`` I don ’ t care what tribe you ’ re on , you can ’ t trust anyone who votes with Nancy Pelosi 93 % of the time . ''
Finkenauer was first elected to Congress in 2018 and is one of the most vulnerable members entering the November election .
Her Republican opponent is Ashley Hinson , who coasted through a primary earlier this year .
Lacina was the winner of Survivor ‘ s 37th season and nearly won the most recent season , which @ @ @ @ @ @

Three-time Survivor contestant Sarah Lacina is featured in a new political ad that goes after Iowa Democratic congresswoman Abby Finkenauer, saying that her record of voting with Nancy Pelosi means it's "time to vote her off the island."
Lacina, an Iowa police officer who won the longtime CBS show's $1 million prize in 2017 and is considered one of the greatest players ever to compete, says in the ad that you learn who to trust living on the deception-filled island.
"On Survivor, you learn who to trust, and I don’t trust Abby Finkenauer," Lacina said. "I don’t care what tribe you’re on, you can’t trust anyone who votes with Nancy Pelosi 93% of the time."
CBS Survivor champion Sarah Lacina has a message for @Abby4Iowa - "On Survivor, you learn who to trust, and I don’t trust Abby Finkenauer. I don’t care what tribe you’re on, you can’t trust anyone who votes with Nancy Pelosi 93% of the time." #IA01 pic.twitter.com/hiBgl9ge6k — Ashley Hinson (@hinsonashley) October 1, 2020
Finkenauer was first elected to Congress in 2018 and is one of the most vulnerable members entering the November election. Her Republican opponent is Ashley Hinson, who coasted through a primary earlier this year.
Lacina was the winner of Survivor's 37th season and nearly won the most recent season, which brought together only past winners.