freebeacon--2020-10-14--Andrea Mitchell: Gay Marriage Court Ruling Is So Beautiful, It’s Read Aloud at Straight Weddings

MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell on Wednesday cited former justice Anthony Kennedy 's decision legalizing gay marriage as a `` beautifully written '' example of the Supreme Court taking public opinion into account .
Mitchell said she has heard Kennedy 's decision `` read at heterosexual weddings because it so glorifies what love means and what marriage means . ''
She said it shows how Supreme Court justices are `` very aware of the political winds '' when they approach cases , instead of sitting in an `` ivory tower '' of judicial ideology .
Mitchell was discussing the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has repeatedly stated she will not allow personal bias to affect her decisions .
But Barrett has faced an onslaught of criticism from liberal commentators and Democrats who say she harbors `` extreme '' views .
One Washington Post writer argued that judges are incapable of being neutral , and thus Barrett has tried to `` fool '' Americans by promising to rule without bias .
Anchor Chuck Todd responded to Mitchell by making the case that justices can prevent harm to the country by ruling in accord with public opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider public opinion ] , they could actually end up hurting the country if they issue an opinion that may seem to make sense in an ideological belief system , but pragmatically it would n't , '' Todd said .
Former justice Kennedy wrote in his Obergefell v. Hodges decision that the Court should not consider `` whether advocates of same-sex marriage now enjoy or lack momentum in the democratic process , '' but he did allude to how society 's understanding of marriage had evolved .
`` The ancient origins of marriage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not stood in isolation from developments in law and society .
The history of marriage is one of both continuity and change .
That institution—even as confined to opposite-sex relations—has evolved over time . ''

MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell on Wednesday cited former justice Anthony Kennedy's decision legalizing gay marriage as a "beautifully written" example of the Supreme Court taking public opinion into account.
Mitchell said she has heard Kennedy's decision "read at heterosexual weddings because it so glorifies what love means and what marriage means." She said it shows how Supreme Court justices are "very aware of the political winds" when they approach cases, instead of sitting in an "ivory tower" of judicial ideology.
Mitchell was discussing the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who has repeatedly stated she will not allow personal bias to affect her decisions. But Barrett has faced an onslaught of criticism from liberal commentators and Democrats who say she harbors "extreme" views. One Washington Post writer argued that judges are incapable of being neutral, and thus Barrett has tried to "fool" Americans by promising to rule without bias.
Anchor Chuck Todd responded to Mitchell by making the case that justices can prevent harm to the country by ruling in accord with public opinion.
"If they don't [consider public opinion], they could actually end up hurting the country if they issue an opinion that may seem to make sense in an ideological belief system, but pragmatically it wouldn't," Todd said.
Former justice Kennedy wrote in his Obergefell v. Hodges decision that the Court should not consider "whether advocates of same-sex marriage now enjoy or lack momentum in the democratic process," but he did allude to how society's understanding of marriage had evolved.
"The ancient origins of marriage confirm its centrality, but it has not stood in isolation from developments in law and society. The history of marriage is one of both continuity and change. That institution—even as confined to opposite-sex relations—has evolved over time."


freebeacon--2020-10-14--Hickenlooper Dodges on Court Packing

Hickenlooper Dodges on Court Packing

Colorado Senate candidate John Hickenlooper ( D. ) dodged the question of court packing during a Tuesday debate .
The debate moderator directly pressed Hickenlooper to say whether or not he would support packing the Supreme Court if Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed , but the candidate avoided answering the question .
`` It ’ s a hypothetical , '' Hickenlooper said .
`` Let ’ s put it this way : I do n't like the idea of court packing , we 're seeing it right now .
We 're seeing court packing in full fury and it does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Hickenlooper was saying that President Trump 's nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court constitutes court packing—a new Democratic strategy to redefine the legal term .
Incumbent Sen. Cory Gardner ( R. , Colo. ) took Hickenlooper to task for misrepresenting the term and being unclear on court issues .
Claiming that Barrett 's nomination represents court packing is `` Orwellian spin , '' Gardner said .
`` Now , John knows exactly what court packing means .
He 's trying to hide tonight… '' '' It is absolutely shameful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people of Colorado that he 'll stand with Chuck Schumer and radical Democrats on packing the Supreme Court , '' Jackson said .
`` Coloradans deserve to know that Hickenlooper would vote to blow up a 150-year Supreme Court precedent and throw our courts into a partisan tug of war . ''
Biden has also offered ambiguous answers to such integral judicial questions as term limits for justices and Puerto Rico statehood .
Hickenlooper has previously gone on record advocating for District of Columbia statehood .

Colorado Senate candidate John Hickenlooper (D.) dodged the question of court packing during a Tuesday debate.
The debate moderator directly pressed Hickenlooper to say whether or not he would support packing the Supreme Court if Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed, but the candidate avoided answering the question.
"It’s a hypothetical," Hickenlooper said. "Let’s put it this way: I don't like the idea of court packing, we're seeing it right now. We're seeing court packing in full fury and it doesn't make any sense to me."
Hickenlooper was saying that President Trump's nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court constitutes court packing—a new Democratic strategy to redefine the legal term.
Incumbent Sen. Cory Gardner (R., Colo.) took Hickenlooper to task for misrepresenting the term and being unclear on court issues.
Claiming that Barrett's nomination represents court packing is "Orwellian spin," Gardner said. "Now, John knows exactly what court packing means. He's trying to hide tonight…"
Colorado Republican Party spokesman Joe Jackson blasted Hickenlooper's non-answer.
"It is absolutely shameful that John Hickenlooper continues to dodge telling the people of Colorado that he'll stand with Chuck Schumer and radical Democrats on packing the Supreme Court," Jackson said. "Coloradans deserve to know that Hickenlooper would vote to blow up a 150-year Supreme Court precedent and throw our courts into a partisan tug of war."
Hickenlooper's aversion to answering the court-packing question resembles Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's strategy.
Biden has also offered ambiguous answers to such integral judicial questions as term limits for justices and Puerto Rico statehood. Hickenlooper has previously gone on record advocating for District of Columbia statehood.


freebeacon--2020-10-14--Journos Who Promoted Michael Avenatti Urge ‘Caution’ on Hunter Biden Collusion Story

The professional journos are at it again .
A New York Post report on Hunter Biden 's emails suggests the renegade son of the former vice president attempted to introduce his dad to a Ukrainian oil executive in 2015 .
Members of the news media seized on the report , urging `` caution '' and admonishing their colleagues for sharing it on social media .
Members of the media have not always displayed such skepticism when it comes to promoting salacious claims about a prominent political figure .
The professional journos were not as hesitant , for example , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of gang rape against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 confirmation hearing .
MORE : Facebook Reduces Reach of Hunter Biden Report Before Fact-Checking It MSNBC producer Kyle Griffin spoke for many of his journo colleagues when he urged his followers not to share the New York Post report , which he said would amount to `` amplifying what appears to be disinformation . ''
Griffin and his boss , Lawrence O'Donnell , were less concerned with amplifying flawed accusations in 2018 , when the MSNBC host interviewed media darling Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose lurid accusation against Kavanaugh fell apart upon minimal scrutiny .
Avenatti , who has since been convicted of fraud , and Swetnick were eventually referred to the Department of Justice for making `` materially false claims '' to the Senate Judiciary Committee .
The media did not , to say the least , exercise caution when it came to amplifying their claims .
Washington Post `` fact checker '' Glenn Kessler alluded to the New York Post report by tweeting out the paper 's policy on publishing `` hacked or leaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` be careful what is in your social media feeds . ''
In 2018 , Kessler wrote a `` fact checker '' `` analysis '' of the accusations against Kavanaugh , which did not appear to check any facts or perform any sort of analysis .
The piece did , however , repeat Swetnick 's allegation that Kavanaugh had participated in a `` gang rape . ''
CNN 's Brian Stelter amplified Kessler 's tweet advising caution .
His network has n't always followed that advice .
For example , CNN published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the accuser had already recanted .
David Corn , an MSNBC analyst and D.C. bureau chief of Mother Jones , urged the media to `` do better '' when it comes to handling the allegations in the New York Post ‘ s story on Hunter Biden .
Corn reacted somewhat differently to Swetnick 's allegations against Kavanaugh .
Indeed , he simply posted the `` new Avenatti declaration '' that supposedly `` raises serious new questions '' about the Supreme Court nominee .
Here 's Molly Jong-Fast on Julie Swetnick : `` Swetnick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ train , ' getting girls drunk and participating in gang rapes .
These are shocking accusations .
But maybe we should have expected revelations about sexual misconduct from a Trump nominee . ''
Former CNN producer Steve Krakauer had the following , somewhat provocative , take on the matter :

The professional journos are at it again. A New York Post report on Hunter Biden's emails suggests the renegade son of the former vice president attempted to introduce his dad to a Ukrainian oil executive in 2015. Members of the news media seized on the report, urging "caution" and admonishing their colleagues for sharing it on social media.
Members of the media have not always displayed such skepticism when it comes to promoting salacious claims about a prominent political figure. The professional journos were not as hesitant, for example, to amplify outlandish (and false) accusations of gang rape against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 confirmation hearing.
MORE: Facebook Reduces Reach of Hunter Biden Report Before Fact-Checking It
MSNBC producer Kyle Griffin spoke for many of his journo colleagues when he urged his followers not to share the New York Post report, which he said would amount to "amplifying what appears to be disinformation."
No one should link to or share that NY Post 'report'. You can discuss the obvious flaws and unanswerable questions in the report without amplifying what appears to be disinformation. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 14, 2020
Griffin and his boss, Lawrence O'Donnell, were less concerned with amplifying flawed accusations in 2018, when the MSNBC host interviewed media darling Michael Avenatti about his client, Julie Swetnick, whose lurid accusation against Kavanaugh fell apart upon minimal scrutiny.
Avenatti, who has since been convicted of fraud, and Swetnick were eventually referred to the Department of Justice for making "materially false claims" to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The media did not, to say the least, exercise caution when it came to amplifying their claims.
Now: Michael Avenatti on @TheLastWord on Julie Swetnick. Tune in now, — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 27, 2018
Washington Post "fact checker" Glenn Kessler alluded to the New York Post report by tweeting out the paper's policy on publishing "hacked or leaked material," and urging his followers to "be careful what is in your social media feeds."
In 2018, Kessler wrote a "fact checker" "analysis" of the accusations against Kavanaugh, which did not appear to check any facts or perform any sort of analysis. The piece did, however, repeat Swetnick's allegation that Kavanaugh had participated in a "gang rape."
New #FactChecker --> Brett Kavanaugh and allegations of sexual misconduct: The complete list https://t.co/DWk550a1fy — Glenn Kessler (@GlennKesslerWP) September 27, 2018
CNN's Brian Stelter amplified Kessler's tweet advising caution. His network hasn't always followed that advice. For example, CNN published a story on a Kavanaugh allegation after the accuser had already recanted.
David Corn, an MSNBC analyst and D.C. bureau chief of Mother Jones, urged the media to "do better" when it comes to handling the allegations in the New York Post's story on Hunter Biden.
JUST POSTED: I explain how the NY Post embraced and promoted Russian disinformation with its supposed Biden bombshell. Will the rest of the media do better? Please read, RT, like, and share. https://t.co/712nUhM0fz — David Corn (@DavidCornDC) October 14, 2020
Corn reacted somewhat differently to Swetnick's allegations against Kavanaugh. Indeed, he simply posted the "new Avenatti declaration" that supposedly "raises serious new questions" about the Supreme Court nominee.
The new Avenatti declaration contains very significant allegations from a witness/victim named Julie Swetnick that raises serious new questions about Kavanaugh and that necessitates a more thorough investigation and the questioning of Mark Judge. pic.twitter.com/jPfCvZRVUI — David Corn (@DavidCornDC) September 26, 2018
Here's Daily Beast editor Molly Jong-Fast on the Hunter Biden story:
https://twitter.com/MollyJongFast/status/1316341608389005312
Here's Molly Jong-Fast on Julie Swetnick: "Swetnick accused Kavanaugh of running a 'rape train,' getting girls drunk and participating in gang rapes. These are shocking accusations. But maybe we should have expected revelations about sexual misconduct from a Trump nominee."
Former CNN producer Steve Krakauer had the following, somewhat provocative, take on the matter:


freebeacon--2020-10-14--Priest Challenging California COVID Restrictions Rips Newsom Over Lakers Celebration

A Catholic priest challenging California 's lockdown rules says that religious believers deserve to be treated the same as Lakers fans , thousands of whom gathered in Los Angeles following its NBA title clincher .
Father Trevor Burfitt of Our Lady of the Angels Church said the chaotic celebrations that followed Sunday 's NBA championship demonstrates the `` biased and inequitable treatment '' that local authorities and California Democratic governor Gavin Newsom have shown to his parishioners .
`` Governor Newsom 's endless shutdowns and discriminatory edicts are interfering in the worship by God 's people , something that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this nation and is echoed in the constitutions of states across the country , '' Burfitt said .
`` Governor Newsom 's biased and inequitable treatment of the Church is piercing the souls of faithful Catholics , myself included . ''
Burfitt , who filed a lawsuit against Newsom to end the state 's indefinite state of emergency in response to the coronavirus , contrasted the return of in-person services with the behavior exhibited by local fans .
The massive—and violent—gatherings of Lakers fans saw clashes with police and at least 76 arrests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and threw glass bottles , rocks , and other objects at police officers .
The police department said that more than 30 buildings were vandalized .
Newsom tweeted out a congratulatory message to the team on Sunday night .
His statement failed to make any mention of the crowd sizes outside of the Lakers arena .
In response to a request for comment , Newsom 's office pointed to the governor 's press conference on Monday where Newsom addressed the gathering .
`` We saw some images last night that are a point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the transmission of the virus , '' Newsom said .
`` We just ask people to be cautious , to be mindful , at the same time they celebrate this historic victory . ''
A spokesman for Democratic mayor Eric Garcetti 's office told the Washington Free Beacon that the mayor was grateful to the city 's inhabitants who stayed home and celebrated .
`` Using occasions like this one to attack officers , vandalize businesses , and destroy property is unacceptable , and we will make sure the few people who engaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions , '' the spokesman said .
He did not specifically mention any coronavirus restrictions nor address the crackdown on local churches .
Los Angeles County did not respond to a request for comment .
California 's guidelines for combating the spread of coronavirus urged Californians to limit interactions with individuals outside of the household .
It also called for mask wearing and social distancing .
The state recently announced it would allow up to three families to gather together outdoors , provided the families are socially distanced and wearings masks .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system for reopening the state county-by-county in late August .
Those rules are overly prohibitive , especially as millions of Americans in other states have returned to worship safely , according to Dr. Grazie Pozo Christie , policy adviser with the Catholic Association .
She said lawmakers were overtly discriminating against believers even as they tolerate mass gatherings and even violence at secular events .
`` Although church attendance has been sharply restricted , ostensibly to slow the spread of coronavirus , thousands of people were allowed to gather together after the Lakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is essential to people of faith and can , with appropriate precautions , be conducted safely , '' Dr. Christie said .
`` When it comes to transmission , viruses do n't discriminate between religious and secular gatherings .
Sadly , the same ca n't be said for some state and local governments in California . ''
Fr .
Burfitt is not the only man of the cloth who has challenged strict lockdown rules that apply to churches , even as businesses and social gatherings have been allowed to reopen .
Grace Community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit after Los Angeles County authorities refused to allow it to return to in-person services .
The suit contrasted the discrimination that houses of worship faced even as California Democrats welcomed and participated in Black Lives Matter protests that attracted tens of thousands of people with no regard for social distancing .

A Catholic priest challenging California's lockdown rules says that religious believers deserve to be treated the same as Lakers fans, thousands of whom gathered in Los Angeles following its NBA title clincher.
Father Trevor Burfitt of Our Lady of the Angels Church said the chaotic celebrations that followed Sunday's NBA championship demonstrates the "biased and inequitable treatment" that local authorities and California Democratic governor Gavin Newsom have shown to his parishioners.
"Governor Newsom's endless shutdowns and discriminatory edicts are interfering in the worship by God's people, something that was expressly forbidden in the foundational documents of this nation and is echoed in the constitutions of states across the country," Burfitt said. "Governor Newsom's biased and inequitable treatment of the Church is piercing the souls of faithful Catholics, myself included."
Burfitt, who filed a lawsuit against Newsom to end the state's indefinite state of emergency in response to the coronavirus, contrasted the return of in-person services with the behavior exhibited by local fans. The massive—and violent—gatherings of Lakers fans saw clashes with police and at least 76 arrests as fans climbed on top of vehicles and threw glass bottles, rocks, and other objects at police officers. The police department said that more than 30 buildings were vandalized.
Newsom tweeted out a congratulatory message to the team on Sunday night. His statement failed to make any mention of the crowd sizes outside of the Lakers arena. In response to a request for comment, Newsom's office pointed to the governor's press conference on Monday where Newsom addressed the gathering.
"We saw some images last night that are a point of obvious concern as it relates to the transmission of the virus," Newsom said. "We just ask people to be cautious, to be mindful, at the same time they celebrate this historic victory."
A spokesman for Democratic mayor Eric Garcetti's office told the Washington Free Beacon that the mayor was grateful to the city's inhabitants who stayed home and celebrated. "Using occasions like this one to attack officers, vandalize businesses, and destroy property is unacceptable, and we will make sure the few people who engaged in this behavior face consequences for their actions," the spokesman said. He did not specifically mention any coronavirus restrictions nor address the crackdown on local churches.
Los Angeles County did not respond to a request for comment.
California's guidelines for combating the spread of coronavirus urged Californians to limit interactions with individuals outside of the household. It also called for mask wearing and social distancing. The state recently announced it would allow up to three families to gather together outdoors, provided the families are socially distanced and wearings masks. The governor's office also released a four-tiered system for reopening the state county-by-county in late August.
Those rules are overly prohibitive, especially as millions of Americans in other states have returned to worship safely, according to Dr. Grazie Pozo Christie, policy adviser with the Catholic Association. She said lawmakers were overtly discriminating against believers even as they tolerate mass gatherings and even violence at secular events.
"Although church attendance has been sharply restricted, ostensibly to slow the spread of coronavirus, thousands of people were allowed to gather together after the Lakers won the championship game. The Mass is essential to people of faith and can, with appropriate precautions, be conducted safely," Dr. Christie said. "When it comes to transmission, viruses don't discriminate between religious and secular gatherings. Sadly, the same can't be said for some state and local governments in California."
Fr. Burfitt is not the only man of the cloth who has challenged strict lockdown rules that apply to churches, even as businesses and social gatherings have been allowed to reopen. Grace Community Church, a megachurch, filed a suit after Los Angeles County authorities refused to allow it to return to in-person services. The suit contrasted the discrimination that houses of worship faced even as California Democrats welcomed and participated in Black Lives Matter protests that attracted tens of thousands of people with no regard for social distancing.


freebeacon--2020-10-14--Virginia School District Forces Teachers to Undergo Equity Training on Day Off

Virginia 's Arlington County public school district required teachers to undergo an equity training program on Columbus Day—a day they were supposed to have off .
According to emails and videos obtained by the Washington Free Beacon , the mandatory session coached over 4,300 staff members on how to become `` equity influencers . ''
Paul Gorski , the consultant whose Equity Literacy Institute ran the training , asserted without evidence that black students constantly hear the `` n-word '' in schools across the Northeastern United States .
The hour-and-a-half program gave such further examples of `` inequities '' as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for rich families to afford .
Teachers also had the option of attending additional sessions throughout the day .
One seminar , `` Engaging Colleagues in Equity Learning Using Case Studies , '' encouraged teachers to use anecdotal evidence instead of data when making arguments .
Another , `` A Deep Dive on Racial Equity , '' was presented by a white woman and taught teachers how to cultivate an `` actively antiracist learning environment . ''
Other school districts in the Washington , D.C. , suburbs have also reallocated funds and resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County , public schools have spent $ 422,500 in taxpayer funds since 2018 on diversity training inspired by critical race theory , which claims racism is inherent to nearly every aspect of American life .
The district also considered adopting a speech code that would prohibit teachers from critiquing the school board 's racial-equity plan .
Paul Gorski 's presentation addressed what he called `` experience disparities '' in `` feelings of belonging [ and ] bias-free learning environments . ''
These inequities , he said , are just as important as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scores , and graduation rates .
Arlington school district did not respond to requests for comment and did not disclose how much it paid Gorski 's Equity Literacy Institute .

Virginia's Arlington County public school district required teachers to undergo an equity training program on Columbus Day—a day they were supposed to have off.
According to emails and videos obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, the mandatory session coached over 4,300 staff members on how to become "equity influencers." Paul Gorski, the consultant whose Equity Literacy Institute ran the training, asserted without evidence that black students constantly hear the "n-word" in schools across the Northeastern United States. The hour-and-a-half program gave such further examples of "inequities" as yearbooks, which Gorski said are easier for rich families to afford.
Teachers also had the option of attending additional sessions throughout the day. One seminar, "Engaging Colleagues in Equity Learning Using Case Studies," encouraged teachers to use anecdotal evidence instead of data when making arguments. Another, "A Deep Dive on Racial Equity," was presented by a white woman and taught teachers how to cultivate an "actively antiracist learning environment."
Other school districts in the Washington, D.C., suburbs have also reallocated funds and resources for similar programs. In nearby Loudoun County, public schools have spent $422,500 in taxpayer funds since 2018 on diversity training inspired by critical race theory, which claims racism is inherent to nearly every aspect of American life. The district also considered adopting a speech code that would prohibit teachers from critiquing the school board's racial-equity plan.
Paul Gorski's presentation addressed what he called "experience disparities" in "feelings of belonging [and] bias-free learning environments." These inequities, he said, are just as important as "outcome disparities" in grades, test scores, and graduation rates.
Arlington school district did not respond to requests for comment and did not disclose how much it paid Gorski's Equity Literacy Institute.


freebeacon--2020-10-14--BEASTMODE: Hawley Asks If Hypothetical Vice President’s Son Selling Access Is Corrupt

Curious about foreign influence after another lawmaker broached it on Wednesday , Sen. Josh Hawley ( R. , Mo .
@ @ @ @ @ Amy Coney Barrett whether a hypothetical vice president whose hypothetical adult son worked for a @ @ @ @ @ access to that vice president constituted corruption .
He appeared to be asking about Joe @ @ @ @ @ whose work for a Ukrainian gas company and the access it afforded to his father @ @ @ @ @ 's presidential campaign .

Curious about foreign influence after another lawmaker broached it on Wednesday, Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) asked Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett whether a hypothetical vice president whose hypothetical adult son worked for a foreign oligarch and sold hypothetical access to that vice president constituted corruption.
He appeared to be asking about Joe Biden's son Hunter, whose work for a Ukrainian gas company and the access it afforded to his father has dogged the elder Biden's presidential campaign.


freebeacon--2020-10-14--ATF Suspends Attempt to Resurrect Obama-Era AR-15 Pistol Ban

The Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms , and Explosives has delayed a local field office 's attempt to resurrect an Obama-era rule that threatens to turn millions of legal gun owners into criminals .
On Wednesday , the agency informed New Hampshire gun company Q LLC that it will not enforce a cease-and-desist order issued by its Boston branch .
The Department of Justice is now reviewing the field office 's decision to label an AR-15 featuring a specialized arm brace illegal .
`` The purpose of this suspension is to allow the United States Department of Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Firearms Act to the manufacture and transfer of the model ‘ Honey Badger Pistol ' firearm , '' ATF chief counsel Joel Roessner said in a letter .
The move gave the gun company and owners of such weapons—which have been legal since 2012—a 60-day reprieve .
Gun-rights activists have been pressing the White House to rein in the agency since the Boston order became public .
The controversy emerged three months before Election Day and could alienate a key Republican ally in the 2020 election .
The National Rifle Association , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump 's reelection , said the suspension does not go far enough .
`` The ATF ’ s letter is a weak attempt to placate gun owners and does not resolve this issue , '' NRA spokeswoman Amy Hunter told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` The NRA will continue to fight to get a speedy and fair resolution from DOJ on this important matter . ''
Some gun-rights activists are now threatening to sue the federal government if the proposed ban is not completely revoked .
Adam Kraut , director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coalition , accused `` rogue elements '' at the ATF of trying to implement an `` anti-gun owner agenda . ''
He asked President Trump to fire or reassign the agents and lawyers involved in the cease-and-desist letter .
`` I strongly suggest the reassignment of all offending rogue officers , attorneys , agents , and/or employees to areas of the Agency where they may not run wild with personal or prior administration ’ s agendas , '' Kraut said in a letter sent to the White House and Justice Department .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the White House did not respond to requests for comment .
The ATF determined in 2012 that specialized arm braces could legally be used in place of standard shoulder stocks .
There are now millions of gun owners who own such weapons , many of which have received direct approval from the ATF .
Despite that 2012 ruling , Boston agents said Q LLC 's braced AR-15 ran afoul of federal law .
Adam Johnson , CEO of Q LLC , called the agency 's actions `` irresponsible . ''
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to make the popular AR-15 due to the vague nature of the suspension letter .
He called on the agency to lay out a definitive ruling and set objective standards on the legality of such weapons .
`` Playing politics at the expense of small businesses is unbecoming of a proper regulatory agency and ignoring the underlying evaluation in this letter is simply irresponsible , '' he said .
The department review is scheduled to end on Dec. 7 , 2020 .

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has delayed a local field office's attempt to resurrect an Obama-era rule that threatens to turn millions of legal gun owners into criminals.
On Wednesday, the agency informed New Hampshire gun company Q LLC that it will not enforce a cease-and-desist order issued by its Boston branch. The Department of Justice is now reviewing the field office's decision to label an AR-15 featuring a specialized arm brace illegal.
"The purpose of this suspension is to allow the United States Department of Justice to further review the applicability of the National Firearms Act to the manufacture and transfer of the model 'Honey Badger Pistol' firearm," ATF chief counsel Joel Roessner said in a letter. The move gave the gun company and owners of such weapons—which have been legal since 2012—a 60-day reprieve.
Gun-rights activists have been pressing the White House to rein in the agency since the Boston order became public. The controversy emerged three months before Election Day and could alienate a key Republican ally in the 2020 election. The National Rifle Association, which has pledged to spend millions on President Donald Trump's reelection, said the suspension does not go far enough.
"The ATF’s letter is a weak attempt to placate gun owners and does not resolve this issue," NRA spokeswoman Amy Hunter told the Washington Free Beacon. "The NRA will continue to fight to get a speedy and fair resolution from DOJ on this important matter."
Some gun-rights activists are now threatening to sue the federal government if the proposed ban is not completely revoked. Adam Kraut, director of legal strategy at the Firearms Policy Coalition, accused "rogue elements" at the ATF of trying to implement an "anti-gun owner agenda." He asked President Trump to fire or reassign the agents and lawyers involved in the cease-and-desist letter.
"I strongly suggest the reassignment of all offending rogue officers, attorneys, agents, and/or employees to areas of the Agency where they may not run wild with personal or prior administration’s agendas," Kraut said in a letter sent to the White House and Justice Department.
The ATF, its Boston field division, and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.
The ATF determined in 2012 that specialized arm braces could legally be used in place of standard shoulder stocks. There are now millions of gun owners who own such weapons, many of which have received direct approval from the ATF. Despite that 2012 ruling, Boston agents said Q LLC's braced AR-15 ran afoul of federal law.
Adam Johnson, CEO of Q LLC, called the agency's actions "irresponsible." He said his company is not sure it can continue to make the popular AR-15 due to the vague nature of the suspension letter. He called on the agency to lay out a definitive ruling and set objective standards on the legality of such weapons.
"Playing politics at the expense of small businesses is unbecoming of a proper regulatory agency and ignoring the underlying evaluation in this letter is simply irresponsible," he said.
The department review is scheduled to end on Dec. 7, 2020.


freebeacon--2020-10-14--Number of Shooting Victims in NYC Nearly Doubles From 2019

The number of shooting victims and incidents in New York City has nearly doubled this year compared with 2019 , according to the latest NYPD crime data .
There have been 1,482 shooting victims in the city so far this year—a 98.8 percent year-to-date increase from the 745 people who were shot from January to October in 2019 .
Just over 1,200 shooting incidents have occurred in 2020 , compared with 633 in the same time frame in 2019 .
Some major cities such as New York City have experienced a crime uptick this summer as anti-police and racial-justice protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that arrest rates in New York City plummeted following the death of George Floyd in May—and the resulting protests and riots—while shooting and homicide rates skyrocketed .
Crime rates in the city reached historic lows during the coronavirus pandemic shutdowns , just before Floyd ’ s death .
Despite the rise in shootings , New York City mayor Bill de Blasio ( D. ) in June announced a $ 1 billion NYPD funding cut and the disbanding of a plainclothes anti-crime unit tasked with removing illegal guns from the streets .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cut , saying it adversely affects the communities where crime has increased the most .
While de Blasio has attributed the city ’ s crime spike to `` a combination of crises , '' including the coronavirus pandemic , other city officials have blamed the mayor ’ s hasty police reform push for the violence .
New York City police commissioner Dermot Shea said earlier this year that de Blasio ’ s police reform legislation `` handcuffed '' his police force .
And a spokesman for the state ’ s office of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News that the mayor tried to `` shift the blame '' on other officials `` for his inability '' to address violence in the city .

The number of shooting victims and incidents in New York City has nearly doubled this year compared with 2019, according to the latest NYPD crime data.
There have been 1,482 shooting victims in the city so far this year—a 98.8 percent year-to-date increase from the 745 people who were shot from January to October in 2019. Just over 1,200 shooting incidents have occurred in 2020, compared with 633 in the same time frame in 2019.
Some major cities such as New York City have experienced a crime uptick this summer as anti-police and racial-justice protests erupted nationwide. The Washington Free Beacon reported that arrest rates in New York City plummeted following the death of George Floyd in May—and the resulting protests and riots—while shooting and homicide rates skyrocketed. Crime rates in the city reached historic lows during the coronavirus pandemic shutdowns, just before Floyd’s death.
Despite the rise in shootings, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio (D.) in June announced a $1 billion NYPD funding cut and the disbanding of a plainclothes anti-crime unit tasked with removing illegal guns from the streets. Some lawmakers in the city spoke out against the cut, saying it adversely affects the communities where crime has increased the most.
While de Blasio has attributed the city’s crime spike to "a combination of crises," including the coronavirus pandemic, other city officials have blamed the mayor’s hasty police reform push for the violence. New York City police commissioner Dermot Shea said earlier this year that de Blasio’s police reform legislation "handcuffed" his police force. And a spokesman for the state’s office of court administration told the New York Daily News that the mayor tried to "shift the blame" on other officials "for his inability" to address violence in the city.


freebeacon--2020-10-14--Facebook Reduces Reach of Hunter Biden Report Before Fact-Checking It

A Facebook communications director said Wednesday that the platform will be limiting the distribution of a New York Post report on Hunter Biden before it is fact checked .
`` While I will intentionally not link to the New York Post , I want be clear [ sic ] that this story is eligible to be fact checked by Facebook 's third-party fact checking partners , '' Andy Stone tweeted .
`` In the meantime , we are reducing its distribution on our platform . ''
Stone defended Facebook reducing the article 's reach by saying it is part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook policy states that `` if we have signals that a piece of content is false , we temporarily reduce its distribution pending review by a third-party fact-checker . ''
Facebook did not specify what its `` signals '' are in this case , but many liberal Twitter users have cast doubt on the article 's veracity .
Stone is a former Democratic operative who worked for a major Democratic Super PAC , the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee , Rep. Jerry McNerney ( D. , Calif. ) , and former Democratic senator Barbara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hunter Biden introduced his father Joe Biden , then the vice president , to an executive from a Ukrainian energy firm .
The story contradicts the Democratic presidential nominee 's longstanding claim that he never discussed his son 's business in Ukraine with him .
A Senate committee told the Post that it is investigating the documents and hard drive cited in the article .
Sen. Josh Hawley ( R. , Mo . )
also penned a letter to Facebook asking for more information about how the company came to this conclusion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday afternoon .

A Facebook communications director said Wednesday that the platform will be limiting the distribution of a New York Post report on Hunter Biden before it is fact checked.
"While I will intentionally not link to the New York Post, I want be clear [sic] that this story is eligible to be fact checked by Facebook's third-party fact checking partners," Andy Stone tweeted. "In the meantime, we are reducing its distribution on our platform."
While I will intentionally not link to the New York Post, I want be clear that this story is eligible to be fact checked by Facebook's third-party fact checking partners. In the meantime, we are reducing its distribution on our platform. — Andy Stone (@andymstone) October 14, 2020
Stone defended Facebook reducing the article's reach by saying it is part of the company's standard operating procedure. Facebook policy states that "if we have signals that a piece of content is false, we temporarily reduce its distribution pending review by a third-party fact-checker."
Facebook did not specify what its "signals" are in this case, but many liberal Twitter users have cast doubt on the article's veracity.
Stone is a former Democratic operative who worked for a major Democratic Super PAC, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rep. Jerry McNerney (D., Calif.), and former Democratic senator Barbara Boxer.
The Post story detailed how Hunter Biden introduced his father Joe Biden, then the vice president, to an executive from a Ukrainian energy firm. The story contradicts the Democratic presidential nominee's longstanding claim that he never discussed his son's business in Ukraine with him.
A Senate committee told the Post that it is investigating the documents and hard drive cited in the article.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) also penned a letter to Facebook asking for more information about how the company came to this conclusion, and he posted the letter on Twitter Wednesday afternoon.


freebeacon--2020-10-14--NYT’s Peter Beinart Rakes in Six Figures from Anti-Israel Group

Peter Beinart , a longtime Atlantic writer whom the New York Times recently hired as an opinion contributor , received over six figures from a leading anti-Israel foundation that has funded groups active in the Boycott , Divestment , and Sanctions ( BDS ) movement .
The Foundation for Middle East Peace ( FMEP ) , a U.S.-based nonprofit that provides grant money to a host of leading anti-Israel organizations , hired Beinart as a consultant in 2016 .
The foundation paid him more than $ 140,000 through at least 2018 , according to its financial disclosure forms .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any other FMEP employee at the time , other than the group 's executive director .
The New York Times hired Beinart as a contributing opinion writer this week .
His columns criticizing Israel , including a recent article arguing against Israel ’ s right to exist , have made him a leading figure in left-leaning foreign policy circles .
Beinart 's FMEP work provides a window into his relationship with some of the leading purveyors of the BDS movement , which seeks to wage economic warfare on Israel .
Beinart began working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its financial disclosure forms .
He was paid $ 66,667 that year .
The group 's 2017 and 2018 tax forms show Beinart received $ 33,333 and $ 110,000 , respectively .
The forms list Beinart as the only outside consultant receiving more than $ 50,000 a year .
The group 's website lists him as a nonresident fellow .
`` I 'm proud to have been a non-resident fellow of the Foundation for Middle East Peace since 2017 , '' Beinart told the Washington Free Beacon in an email .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other events I 've done with them , which aim to amplify voices in Israel-Palestine that are too often ignored . ''
In 2018 , FMEP made grants to several groups prominent in the BDS movement , including Palestine Legal , If Not Now , Churches for Middle East Peace , and Breaking the Silence , according to a list of grant recipients on its website .
The group also made a grant to Defense for Children International-Palestine , which reportedly has ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group .
`` FMEP has stood with courageous non-profit organizations working to end Israel ’ s occupation of the West Bank , Gaza Strip , and East Jerusalem and striving for a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , '' states the group 's website .
The organization has promoted Beinart 's work , highlighting a 2019 op-ed headlined `` It ’ s Time to End America ’ s Blank Check Military Aid to Israel . ''
Matthew Duss , now a top adviser to Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group hired Beinart .
Current president Lara Friedman is a veteran of the anti-Israel advocacy scene , formerly serving as director of policy and government relations at Americans for Peace Now , a far-left Middle East group .
FMEP has charged Israel with alleged war crimes and accused the Jewish state of illegally occupying Palestinian lands .
It runs `` The Stealth Campaign to Support Settlements [ and ] Gag Free Speech , '' a project that tracks U.S. state and federal efforts to counter the BDS movement .
It has also called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel for alleged war crimes .
Recent FMEP events have featured groups biased against Israel , such as Human Rights Watch .
An April FMEP event discussing `` COVID-19 and the Settlements '' featured speakers who accused Israel of using the global pandemic to crack down on Palestinians living in disputed territories , according to NGO Monitor , a watchdog .

Peter Beinart, a longtime Atlantic writer whom the New York Times recently hired as an opinion contributor, received over six figures from a leading anti-Israel foundation that has funded groups active in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
The Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP), a U.S.-based nonprofit that provides grant money to a host of leading anti-Israel organizations, hired Beinart as a consultant in 2016. The foundation paid him more than $140,000 through at least 2018, according to its financial disclosure forms. His compensation is significantly higher than that of any other FMEP employee at the time, other than the group's executive director.
The New York Times hired Beinart as a contributing opinion writer this week. His columns criticizing Israel, including a recent article arguing against Israel’s right to exist, have made him a leading figure in left-leaning foreign policy circles. Beinart's FMEP work provides a window into his relationship with some of the leading purveyors of the BDS movement, which seeks to wage economic warfare on Israel.
Beinart began working with the group in 2016, according to its financial disclosure forms. He was paid $66,667 that year. The group's 2017 and 2018 tax forms show Beinart received $33,333 and $110,000, respectively. The forms list Beinart as the only outside consultant receiving more than $50,000 a year. The group's website lists him as a nonresident fellow.
"I'm proud to have been a non-resident fellow of the Foundation for Middle East Peace since 2017," Beinart told the Washington Free Beacon in an email. "I'm also proud of the podcasts and other events I've done with them, which aim to amplify voices in Israel-Palestine that are too often ignored."
In 2018, FMEP made grants to several groups prominent in the BDS movement, including Palestine Legal, If Not Now, Churches for Middle East Peace, and Breaking the Silence, according to a list of grant recipients on its website. The group also made a grant to Defense for Children International-Palestine, which reportedly has ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a U.S.- and European Union-designated terrorist group.
"FMEP has stood with courageous non-profit organizations working to end Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem and striving for a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," states the group's website.
The organization has promoted Beinart's work, highlighting a 2019 op-ed headlined "It’s Time to End America’s Blank Check Military Aid to Israel."
Matthew Duss, now a top adviser to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), helmed FMEP when the group hired Beinart. Current president Lara Friedman is a veteran of the anti-Israel advocacy scene, formerly serving as director of policy and government relations at Americans for Peace Now, a far-left Middle East group.
FMEP has charged Israel with alleged war crimes and accused the Jewish state of illegally occupying Palestinian lands. It runs "The Stealth Campaign to Support Settlements [and] Gag Free Speech," a project that tracks U.S. state and federal efforts to counter the BDS movement. It has also called for the International Criminal Court to prosecute Israel for alleged war crimes.
Recent FMEP events have featured groups biased against Israel, such as Human Rights Watch. An April FMEP event discussing "COVID-19 and the Settlements" featured speakers who accused Israel of using the global pandemic to crack down on Palestinians living in disputed territories, according to NGO Monitor, a watchdog.


freebeacon--2020-10-14--‘Feminist’ Icon Katie Hill Launches Sexist Attack on Amy Coney Barrett

Katie Hill , the disgraced former congresswoman and left-wing millennial sex pioneer whose story is being made into a feature film starring Elizabeth Moss , lobbed a virulently sexist attack at Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Wednesday .
Despite the widespread agreement among feminist experts that judging women on their clothes is flagrantly sexist behavior , Hill remarked that Barrett 's `` outfits are all way too handmaid-y . ''
The tweet was a reference to the Hulu television series , The Handmaid 's Tale , which is beloved by upper-middle-class white women .
The reference was intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which women are enslaved for reproductive purposes .
Like most millennials , Hill is often compelled to post her thoughts on social media platforms .
She apparently regretted doing so , and quickly deleted the tweet after realizing that misogyny is n't cool .
It was also a bit off message .
Hill 's recently published memoir , She Will Rise , argued that more women should hold positions of power .
As it so happens , Barrett is a woman .
Lesson learned ?
Probably not .
Hill 's comment was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media 's coverage of Barrett 's confirmation hearing , which blatantly violated the feminist community 's guidelines for anti-sexist reporting .
While many liberals have embraced Hill as a feminist hero , her former staff members are disgusted by the veneration of their former boss .
`` Katie Hill ’ s story—our story—is also one of workplace abuse and harassment , '' a group of Hill 's former employees recently posted on the disgraced congresswoman 's Twitter account .
`` Katie Hill is not a hero for women .
We deserve heroes who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult moments . ''

Katie Hill, the disgraced former congresswoman and left-wing millennial sex pioneer whose story is being made into a feature film starring Elizabeth Moss, lobbed a virulently sexist attack at Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Wednesday.
Despite the widespread agreement among feminist experts that judging women on their clothes is flagrantly sexist behavior, Hill remarked that Barrett's "outfits are all way too handmaid-y." The tweet was a reference to the Hulu television series, The Handmaid's Tale, which is beloved by upper-middle-class white women. The reference was intended to suggest that Barrett desires a world in which women are enslaved for reproductive purposes.
Like most millennials, Hill is often compelled to post her thoughts on social media platforms. She apparently regretted doing so, and quickly deleted the tweet after realizing that misogyny isn't cool. It was also a bit off message. Hill's recently published memoir, She Will Rise, argued that more women should hold positions of power. As it so happens, Barrett is a woman.
Lesson learned? Probably not. Hill's comment was in line with much of the mainstream media's coverage of Barrett's confirmation hearing, which blatantly violated the feminist community's guidelines for anti-sexist reporting. While many liberals have embraced Hill as a feminist hero, her former staff members are disgusted by the veneration of their former boss.
"Katie Hill’s story—our story—is also one of workplace abuse and harassment," a group of Hill's former employees recently posted on the disgraced congresswoman's Twitter account. "Katie Hill is not a hero for women. We deserve heroes who embody our values even in the most difficult moments."


freebeacon--2020-10-14--Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary Changes Meaning of ‘Preference’ Following SCOTUS Hearing

Merriam-Webster 's online dictionary quietly changed the meaning of the word `` preference '' and the term `` sexual preference '' on Tuesday after a Democratic senator claimed it was an `` offensive and outdated term . ''
Under its online entry for the word `` preference , '' Merriam-Webster now lists `` sexual preference '' as an `` offensive '' term .
A usage paragraph was also published to explain : `` The term preference as used to refer to sexual orientation is widely considered offensive in its implied suggestion that a person can choose who they are sexually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently as last month , however , the dictionary included the term as an appropriate word for someone 's sexual orientation .
Merriam-Webster did not respond to a request for comment but provided further context on its policy for `` offensive words '' in an auto-reply message .
`` Our job is to report on how language is actually used , not to prescribe how it ought to be used .
We do n't ‘ own ' the English language , '' the message reads .
`` Some words are , unfortunately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not an endorsement of their sentiments , just a reflection of the realities of language and the people that use it . ''
On Tuesday , Sen. Mazie Hirono ( D. , Hawaii ) seized on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett 's use of the term `` sexual preference '' during a line of questioning about Barrett 's comments on Obergefell v. Hodges , the Supreme Court case that granted same-sex couples the right to marry .
`` ‘ Sexual preference ' is an offensive and outdated term .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual orientation is a choice .
It is not , '' Hirono said .
Despite Hirono 's objections , leading liberal Democrats , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , and the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg have also used the term in the past few years .
In May , Biden told supporters that his campaign would `` bring everybody along regardless of color , sexual preference , [ or ] their backgrounds . ''

Merriam-Webster's online dictionary quietly changed the meaning of the word "preference" and the term "sexual preference" on Tuesday after a Democratic senator claimed it was an "offensive and outdated term."
Under its online entry for the word "preference," Merriam-Webster now lists "sexual preference" as an "offensive" term. A usage paragraph was also published to explain: "The term preference as used to refer to sexual orientation is widely considered offensive in its implied suggestion that a person can choose who they are sexually or romantically attracted to."
As recently as last month, however, the dictionary included the term as an appropriate word for someone's sexual orientation.
As recently as last month, Webster’s Dictionary included a definition of 'preference" as 'orientation" or 'sexual preference." TODAY they changed it and added the word 'offensive." Insane - I just checked through Wayback Machine and it’s real. (via @ThorSvensonn & @chadfelixg) pic.twitter.com/oOq1SNtCP2 — Steve Krakauer (@SteveKrak) October 14, 2020
Merriam-Webster did not respond to a request for comment but provided further context on its policy for "offensive words" in an auto-reply message.
"Our job is to report on how language is actually used, not to prescribe how it ought to be used. We don't 'own' the English language," the message reads. "Some words are, unfortunately, offensive. Their inclusion in the dictionary is not an endorsement of their sentiments, just a reflection of the realities of language and the people that use it."
On Tuesday, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D., Hawaii) seized on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett's use of the term "sexual preference" during a line of questioning about Barrett's comments on Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court case that granted same-sex couples the right to marry.
"'Sexual preference' is an offensive and outdated term. It is used by anti-LGBTQ activists to suggest that sexual orientation is a choice. It is not," Hirono said.
Despite Hirono's objections, leading liberal Democrats, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, and the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg have also used the term in the past few years. In May, Biden told supporters that his campaign would "bring everybody along regardless of color, sexual preference, [or] their backgrounds."


freebeacon--2020-10-14--Public Support for Barrett’s Confirmation Shoots Up, New Survey Shows

New survey data show that public support for Judge Amy Coney Barrett 's confirmation to the Supreme Court is steadily rising .
A Morning Consult/Politico poll released Wednesday found that 48 percent of respondents favor Barrett 's confirmation , with just 31 percent opposed .
That 's up 11 points from the Sept. 26 announcement of her nomination , when Morning Consult pegged support for her confirmation at 37 percent .
Support for Barrett has climbed among independents and even Democrats .
Independents favor her confirmation 38-31 , up 10 points from Sept. 26 .
A quarter of Democratic voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 14 percent in September .
Opposition to her nomination is strongest among Democratic women , at 59 percent .
Women overall favor her confirmation 40-35 .
The figures suggest that Democratic process arguments related to the election , and their dire warnings about the fate of the Affordable Care Act , have failed to move public opinion .
Respondents favor her confirmation as soon as possible 44-36 , regardless of who wins the election .
Public opinion on that point was evenly divided immediately after the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data .
The survey was completed on Oct. 11 , one day before Barrett 's hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee began .
Most observers gave Barrett approving reviews over the first two days of statements and questioning .
A strong performance on her part on Wednesday , her final day before the panel , would round out a successful outing and likely solidify growing support for her nomination .
Barring startling last-minute revelations or another outbreak of the coronavirus on Capitol Hill , a confirmation vote is expected at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Oct. 9 to Oct. 11 and reached approximately 2,000 voters .
The margin of error was 2 percent .

New survey data show that public support for Judge Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation to the Supreme Court is steadily rising.
A Morning Consult/Politico poll released Wednesday found that 48 percent of respondents favor Barrett's confirmation, with just 31 percent opposed. That's up 11 points from the Sept. 26 announcement of her nomination, when Morning Consult pegged support for her confirmation at 37 percent.
Support for Barrett has climbed among independents and even Democrats. Independents favor her confirmation 38-31, up 10 points from Sept. 26. A quarter of Democratic voters believe she should be confirmed, up from 14 percent in September.
Opposition to her nomination is strongest among Democratic women, at 59 percent. Women overall favor her confirmation 40-35.
The figures suggest that Democratic process arguments related to the election, and their dire warnings about the fate of the Affordable Care Act, have failed to move public opinion. Respondents favor her confirmation as soon as possible 44-36, regardless of who wins the election. Public opinion on that point was evenly divided immediately after the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death, according to prior Morning Consult data.
The survey was completed on Oct. 11, one day before Barrett's hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee began. Most observers gave Barrett approving reviews over the first two days of statements and questioning. A strong performance on her part on Wednesday, her final day before the panel, would round out a successful outing and likely solidify growing support for her nomination.
Barring startling last-minute revelations or another outbreak of the coronavirus on Capitol Hill, a confirmation vote is expected at the end of October. Wednesday's poll was conducted from Oct. 9 to Oct. 11 and reached approximately 2,000 voters. The margin of error was 2 percent.


freebeacon--2020-10-15--America Has Fewest Cops in a Quarter Century, Data Find

There are now fewer police officers per person in the United States than at any point in the last 25 years , recently released federal data show , after over a decade of decline .
There were roughly 214 police officers per 100,000 Americans in 2019 , according to the latest figures from the Census Bureau 's Annual Survey of Public Employment and Payroll , which tracks employment across state and local governments .
That represents a 1.5 percent decline from 2018 and a 9 percent drop from 2007 , when police numbers last peaked .
Since that year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precipitously , thanks in part to the Great Recession 's effects on police budgets and in part to growing hostility to law enforcement in the years since mass protests in Ferguson , Mo .
Recent events , including a wave of retirements and the cancellations of recruitment classes amid public outcry and COVID-driven budget crunches , suggest that the trend will persist through 2020 .
That trend bodes ill for violent crime in America—which has plateaued in recent years—given the large body of evidence finding that cops have a substantial impact on crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's police force , in other words , could mean a resurgence of the high crime rates that plagued the country throughout the 1980s and '90s—a deadly consequence of this creeping trend .
The number of sworn police officers rose steadily throughout the 1990s , in part due to expanded federal funding under the 1994 crime bill .
That increase has been associated with significant reductions in crime and is considered to be a major driver of the `` great crime decline '' of the late '90s and early 2000s .
But , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that decade , police employment rates began to crater amid the Great Recession , as state and local austerity kicked in .
They took another nosedive beginning in 2016 , the year after the first round of police protests drove public confidence in cops to its lowest level to date .
These two events have contributed to deeper demographic and labor market shifts , with many departments seeing a wave of retirements , according to a 2018 report from the Police Executive Research Forum , a nonpartisan organization of police chiefs .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wages of policing and increasing legal and social threats to the job are pushing away young people who might otherwise take up the badge .
`` A lot of forces have converged over the last decade or so to make policing a much less attractive line of work , '' Rafael Mangual , deputy director of legal policy at the Manhattan Institute , told the Washington Free Beacon .
Mangual noted that in addition to low pay , police are seeing an uptick in violent deaths as well as an increase in `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen a new push for ‘ accountability ' that often comes in the form of officers being laid off or prosecuted or sued , and a very robust public discussion of how to expand the scope of legal liability for police officers . ''
Those trends are likely to only grow more pronounced in the next several years .
Nationwide protests against the police have prompted a wave of retirements among both chiefs and the rank and file , with NYPD retirements up 75 percent compared with 2019 .
A number of large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Austin , Portland , Baltimore , and Washington , D.C.—have responded to these protests by slashing police budgets by up to a third , meaning fewer resources for hiring and training .
The public fixation on police has , in fact , come at a time of general belt-tightening , driven by the coronavirus .
Census Bureau data show that police account for roughly 7 percent of all payroll spending , while national data suggest they consistently account for between 4 and 5 percent of all state and local spending .
But while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major city police forces now are likely to face a disproportionate share of the coming austerity , as the political controversy around them benefits other public sector workers .
The major effect of that reduction , Mangual predicted , `` is a reduced capacity to fight crime and keep violent crime at bay . ''
`` If you limit police departments ' ability to put cops on dots , as it were , that 's going to translate to an increase in crime , '' he said .
Overwhelming empirical evidence supports the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on day-to-day crime and that therefore their reduced manpower could lead to a spike in crime .
In New York , where Mayor Bill de Blasio has overseen the slashing of the force , shootings in the city have nearly doubled 2019 figures .
That increase in shootings may be linked to the manpower demands of ongoing mass protests—a troubling sign for a world that will soon see fewer cops on the beat .

There are now fewer police officers per person in the United States than at any point in the last 25 years, recently released federal data show, after over a decade of decline.
There were roughly 214 police officers per 100,000 Americans in 2019, according to the latest figures from the Census Bureau's Annual Survey of Public Employment and Payroll, which tracks employment across state and local governments. That represents a 1.5 percent decline from 2018 and a 9 percent drop from 2007, when police numbers last peaked.
Since that year, the number of sworn officers has declined precipitously, thanks in part to the Great Recession's effects on police budgets and in part to growing hostility to law enforcement in the years since mass protests in Ferguson, Mo. Recent events, including a wave of retirements and the cancellations of recruitment classes amid public outcry and COVID-driven budget crunches, suggest that the trend will persist through 2020.
That trend bodes ill for violent crime in America—which has plateaued in recent years—given the large body of evidence finding that cops have a substantial impact on crime rates. The continued erosion of America's police force, in other words, could mean a resurgence of the high crime rates that plagued the country throughout the 1980s and '90s—a deadly consequence of this creeping trend.
The number of sworn police officers rose steadily throughout the 1990s, in part due to expanded federal funding under the 1994 crime bill. That increase has been associated with significant reductions in crime and is considered to be a major driver of the "great crime decline" of the late '90s and early 2000s.
But, after remaining elevated throughout the middle of that decade, police employment rates began to crater amid the Great Recession, as state and local austerity kicked in. They took another nosedive beginning in 2016, the year after the first round of police protests drove public confidence in cops to its lowest level to date.
These two events have contributed to deeper demographic and labor market shifts, with many departments seeing a wave of retirements, according to a 2018 report from the Police Executive Research Forum, a nonpartisan organization of police chiefs. At the same time, the relatively meager wages of policing and increasing legal and social threats to the job are pushing away young people who might otherwise take up the badge.
"A lot of forces have converged over the last decade or so to make policing a much less attractive line of work," Rafael Mangual, deputy director of legal policy at the Manhattan Institute, told the Washington Free Beacon.
Mangual noted that in addition to low pay, police are seeing an uptick in violent deaths as well as an increase in "legal risk": "We've seen a new push for 'accountability' that often comes in the form of officers being laid off or prosecuted or sued, and a very robust public discussion of how to expand the scope of legal liability for police officers."
Those trends are likely to only grow more pronounced in the next several years. Nationwide protests against the police have prompted a wave of retirements among both chiefs and the rank and file, with NYPD retirements up 75 percent compared with 2019. A number of large cities across the country—including New York, Austin, Portland, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.—have responded to these protests by slashing police budgets by up to a third, meaning fewer resources for hiring and training.
The public fixation on police has, in fact, come at a time of general belt-tightening, driven by the coronavirus. Census Bureau data show that police account for roughly 7 percent of all payroll spending, while national data suggest they consistently account for between 4 and 5 percent of all state and local spending. But while a small share of budget burden, major city police forces now are likely to face a disproportionate share of the coming austerity, as the political controversy around them benefits other public sector workers.
The major effect of that reduction, Mangual predicted, "is a reduced capacity to fight crime and keep violent crime at bay."
"If you limit police departments' ability to put cops on dots, as it were, that's going to translate to an increase in crime," he said.
Overwhelming empirical evidence supports the idea that cops have a deterrent effect on day-to-day crime and that therefore their reduced manpower could lead to a spike in crime. In New York, where Mayor Bill de Blasio has overseen the slashing of the force, shootings in the city have nearly doubled 2019 figures. That increase in shootings may be linked to the manpower demands of ongoing mass protests—a troubling sign for a world that will soon see fewer cops on the beat.


freebeacon--2020-10-15--Kelly Campaign Spox Calls Police ‘Worthless F—ing Pigs’

The campaign spokesman for Arizona Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly referred to police as `` worthless f—ing pigs '' on Twitter in August , a comment that could complicate Kelly 's effort to distance himself from radical anti-police sentiment from the left flank of his party .
T.J. L'Heureux , Kelly 's deputy press secretary , posted the message in response to a video that showed Chicago police clashing with protesters over the summer .
`` You worthless f—ing pigs , '' wrote L'Heureux on Aug. 17 , directing the message to the Chicago Police Department 's official Twitter account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a spokesperson one week later , on Aug. 24 .
The post came as the Kelly campaign has sought to portray itself as moderate on policing issues .
Kelly , whose parents were police officers , has said he opposes defunding law enforcement agencies , a policy supported by some Democratic lawmakers and leaders of the anti-police protests erupting across the country .
Joe Clure , the executive director of the Arizona Police Association , a trade association for state law enforcement entities , called L'Heureux 's statement `` frankly disgusting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time I 've seen this from Democratic campaign personnel , '' Clure told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` I hope that [ Kelly ] fires [ the staffer ] immediately to show that he does n't condone this kind of attitude that police are ‘ f—ing worthless . '
'' L'Heureux 's Twitter post included a video of Chicago police officers in riot gear seizing open umbrellas from a phalanx of protesters on Aug. 16 .
According to the Chicago police superintendent , protesters were using umbrellas to shield their actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers .
At a previous protest , rioters reportedly hid behind umbrellas while distributing projectiles and pelting police with frozen water bottles , rocks , and pipes .
Kelly 's opponent , Republican incumbent senator Martha McSally , accused him in August of wanting to `` defund the police , '' a charge Kelly denies .
But Kelly has also criticized the criminal justice system for having `` deep systemic issues here with racism . ''
`` There needs to be a justice system that does n't discriminate against anyone because of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we should defund the police , '' Kelly told KTAR News in June .
Although Kelly has attempted to strike a moderate tone on the issue , the Arizona Police Association threw its endorsement behind McSally in September .
L'Heureux was a press assistant for Pete Buttigieg 's presidential campaign until March .
On Aug. 24 , he announced on Twitter that he had been hired by Kelly 's campaign , writing , `` Just thought I 'd let you know I 'm joining the Communications team for @ CaptMarkKelly and am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
71 days until Nov. 3—let 's do this # FullSpeedAhead . ''

Comments came as Arizona Dem tried to portray himself as moderate on policing issues
The campaign spokesman for Arizona Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly referred to police as "worthless f—ing pigs" on Twitter in August, a comment that could complicate Kelly's effort to distance himself from radical anti-police sentiment from the left flank of his party.
T.J. L'Heureux, Kelly's deputy press secretary, posted the message in response to a video that showed Chicago police clashing with protesters over the summer. "You worthless f—ing pigs," wrote L'Heureux on Aug. 17, directing the message to the Chicago Police Department's official Twitter account.
L'Heureux officially joined Kelly's campaign as a spokesperson one week later, on Aug. 24.
The post came as the Kelly campaign has sought to portray itself as moderate on policing issues. Kelly, whose parents were police officers, has said he opposes defunding law enforcement agencies, a policy supported by some Democratic lawmakers and leaders of the anti-police protests erupting across the country.
Joe Clure, the executive director of the Arizona Police Association, a trade association for state law enforcement entities, called L'Heureux's statement "frankly disgusting."
"It sadly isn't the first time I've seen this from Democratic campaign personnel," Clure told the Washington Free Beacon. "I hope that [Kelly] fires [the staffer] immediately to show that he doesn't condone this kind of attitude that police are 'f—ing worthless.'"
L'Heureux's Twitter post included a video of Chicago police officers in riot gear seizing open umbrellas from a phalanx of protesters on Aug. 16.
According to the Chicago police superintendent, protesters were using umbrellas to shield their actions from view as they prepared to attack officers. At a previous protest, rioters reportedly hid behind umbrellas while distributing projectiles and pelting police with frozen water bottles, rocks, and pipes.
Kelly's opponent, Republican incumbent senator Martha McSally, accused him in August of wanting to "defund the police," a charge Kelly denies. But Kelly has also criticized the criminal justice system for having "deep systemic issues here with racism."
"There needs to be a justice system that doesn't discriminate against anyone because of their race, but I do not agree that we should defund the police," Kelly told KTAR News in June.
Although Kelly has attempted to strike a moderate tone on the issue, the Arizona Police Association threw its endorsement behind McSally in September.
L'Heureux was a press assistant for Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign until March. On Aug. 24, he announced on Twitter that he had been hired by Kelly's campaign, writing, "Just thought I'd let you know I'm joining the Communications team for @CaptMarkKelly and am super excited to help turn AZ blue! 71 days until Nov. 3—let's do this #FullSpeedAhead."


freebeacon--2020-10-15--Former Dem Officials Rally Against Court Packing

More than a dozen former Democratic officials have joined a campaign to thwart any attempt to pack the Supreme Court .
Fifteen Democrats—nine former state attorneys general and six ex-congressmen—are backing the Keep Nine Coalition .
The bipartisan group opposes recent efforts by progressive Democrats to expand the Supreme Court in the event that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wins the election .
Biden has staunchly refused to state his stance on court packing , going so far as to argue voters do not deserve to know where he stands on the matter .
Andrew Miller , the former Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was alarmed that many of his partymates have warmed to the idea in the wake of President Trump 's nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to succeed Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court .
He expects the pressure to grow if Democrats capture the Senate and White House in November .
Miller , who also serves as the president of the Keep Nine Coalition , said any move in that direction will undermine the rule of law .
`` I think the effort will be made—assuming Joe Biden wins the presidency—to pack the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably by adding two or three justices , '' he said .
`` I think that would be a terrible decision for the future of the Court and the future of the country . ''
Court packing has rapidly gained credence in progressive Democratic circles as a way to retaliate against the likely confirmation of Barrett in the Republican-controlled Senate .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) has threatened that `` everything is on the table '' if the Republicans confirm Barrett , and several Senate Democrats including Sens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also voiced support for court packing during the presidential primaries .
But despite the idea 's popularity in elite circles , the vast majority of Americans—including the late Justice Ginsberg—oppose the expansion of the Supreme Court .
The Keep Nine Coalition launched before the death of Ginsberg this year .
The bipartisan group—which also includes 10 Republican former legislators and attorneys general—supports a constitutional amendment to specify that the Supreme Court must be composed of nine justices .
The group enlisted Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson ( Minn. ) and Republican congressman Denver Riggleman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House in January .
The Constitution does not specify the number of Supreme Court justices and gives Congress the authority to decide the size of the Court .
However , the size of the Supreme Court has remained constant since the 19th century .
Attempts to expand the Court in the 20th century , most notably by President Franklin D. Roosevelt , faced widespread public opposition .
Nick Rahall , a former Democratic congressman and a member of the coalition , said he hoped that the amendment would insulate the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , and thus maintain its uniquely high level of trust among public institutions .
`` It certainly made a great deal of sense to me … for Congress to pass the keep-nine amendment to the Constitution , '' he said .
`` In my opinion , it is an effort to preserve the independence of our U.S. Supreme Court and to reduce the cycle of retaliation that is so prevailing in our American political life.… I think it is that cycle which has destroyed the public trust in all of our public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll commissioned by the coalition , more than three out of five Americans support an amendment to specify the number of Supreme Court justices .
Paul Summers , the former attorney general of Tennessee and a member of the Federalist Society , said the poll is indicative of widespread public opposition to court packing .
`` There 's an old expression that we have heard , mostly in the South , but it 's probably all over : ‘ If it 's not broken , do n't fix it . '
[ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 151 years .
Let 's make a decision here—let 's create a firewall to keep it nine , '' he said .

More than a dozen former Democratic officials have joined a campaign to thwart any attempt to pack the Supreme Court.
Fifteen Democrats—nine former state attorneys general and six ex-congressmen—are backing the Keep Nine Coalition. The bipartisan group opposes recent efforts by progressive Democrats to expand the Supreme Court in the event that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wins the election. Biden has staunchly refused to state his stance on court packing, going so far as to argue voters do not deserve to know where he stands on the matter.
Andrew Miller, the former Democratic attorney general for Virginia, said he was alarmed that many of his partymates have warmed to the idea in the wake of President Trump's nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to succeed Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. He expects the pressure to grow if Democrats capture the Senate and White House in November. Miller, who also serves as the president of the Keep Nine Coalition, said any move in that direction will undermine the rule of law.
"I think the effort will be made—assuming Joe Biden wins the presidency—to pack the court and to increase its number, probably by adding two or three justices," he said. "I think that would be a terrible decision for the future of the Court and the future of the country."
Court packing has rapidly gained credence in progressive Democratic circles as a way to retaliate against the likely confirmation of Barrett in the Republican-controlled Senate. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) has threatened that "everything is on the table" if the Republicans confirm Barrett, and several Senate Democrats including Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand have also voiced support for court packing during the presidential primaries. But despite the idea's popularity in elite circles, the vast majority of Americans—including the late Justice Ginsberg—oppose the expansion of the Supreme Court.
The Keep Nine Coalition launched before the death of Ginsberg this year. The bipartisan group—which also includes 10 Republican former legislators and attorneys general—supports a constitutional amendment to specify that the Supreme Court must be composed of nine justices. The group enlisted Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson (Minn.) and Republican congressman Denver Riggleman (Va.) to introduce the amendment in the House in January.
The Constitution does not specify the number of Supreme Court justices and gives Congress the authority to decide the size of the Court. However, the size of the Supreme Court has remained constant since the 19th century. Attempts to expand the Court in the 20th century, most notably by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, faced widespread public opposition.
Nick Rahall, a former Democratic congressman and a member of the coalition, said he hoped that the amendment would insulate the Supreme Court from the partisan politics of the day, and thus maintain its uniquely high level of trust among public institutions.
"It certainly made a great deal of sense to me ... for Congress to pass the keep-nine amendment to the Constitution," he said. "In my opinion, it is an effort to preserve the independence of our U.S. Supreme Court and to reduce the cycle of retaliation that is so prevailing in our American political life.… I think it is that cycle which has destroyed the public trust in all of our public institutions."
According to a recent poll commissioned by the coalition, more than three out of five Americans support an amendment to specify the number of Supreme Court justices. Paul Summers, the former attorney general of Tennessee, said the poll is indicative of widespread public opposition to court packing.
"There's an old expression that we have heard, mostly in the South, but it's probably all over: 'If it's not broken, don't fix it.' [The Supreme Court] hadn't been broken in 151 years. Let's make a decision here—let's create a firewall to keep it nine," he said.
Update 10/15/20, 8:45 AM: A previous version of this post incorrectly stated that Paul Summers is a member of the Federalist Society.


freebeacon--2020-10-15--Kelly Disciplines Staffer Who Called Cops ‘Worthless F—ing Pigs’

Mark Kelly ’ s campaign said it does not agree with its spokesperson 's characterization of police as `` worthless f—ing pigs '' on Thursday , after the Washington Free Beacon first reported the staffer ’ s comments .
The Arizona Democrat ’ s Senate campaign said it has taken `` appropriate action '' to deal with the statements by TJ L ’ Heureux , Kelly ’ s deputy press secretary , whom it described as a `` junior staffer . ''
L ’ Heureux also apologized for his comments on Thursday , calling them `` wrong . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bravery and sacrifice of police officers across our nation , '' Kelly ’ s press secretary Jacob Peters told the Arizona Republic .
`` The tweet posted by a junior staff member is unacceptable and we are taking the appropriate action . ''
Peters said the campaign was not aware of L ’ Heureux ’ s comments until the Free Beacon article was published on Thursday .
The Free Beacon had reached out to Peters for comment on Wednesday afternoon , prior to publication , and received no response .
Kelly , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has attempted to portray himself as moderate on criminal justice issues in his race against the Republican incumbent , Sen. Martha McSally .
He has said he doesn ’ t support the `` defund the police '' movement that has been gaining popularity with Democrats , but he has argued that there is systemic racism in the law enforcement system .
On Aug. 17 , L ’ Heureux wrote `` You worthless fucking pigs '' in a tweet directed at the Chicago Police Department .
The message linked to a video that showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L ’ Heureux officially started working for Kelly ’ s campaign one week later .
`` I deeply regret my comment and apologize for what I wrote—I was wrong , '' L'Heureux said in a statement published by the Arizona Republic on Thursday .
`` My comment does not reflect who I am or what I believe , and most importantly , it is not representative of what this campaign stands for .
The language I used and the sentiment I conveyed do not belong in our political process , which is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L ’ Heureux also set his Twitter account to `` private '' on Thursday .
Peters did not say what action the campaign took , but L ’ Heureux still appears to work for Kelly , according to his Twitter biography .
His comments had sparked outrage with police advocates in the state .
Joe Clure , the executive director of the Arizona Police Association , a trade association for state law enforcement entities , called L ’ Heureux ’ s statement `` frankly disgusting . ''
`` It sadly isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this from Democratic campaign personnel , '' Clure told the Free Beacon .
`` I hope that [ Kelly ] fires [ the staffer ] immediately to show that he doesn ’ t condone this kind of attitude that police are ‘ fucking worthless .
’ ''

Mark Kelly’s campaign said it does not agree with its spokesperson's characterization of police as "worthless f—ing pigs" on Thursday, after the Washington Free Beacon first reported the staffer’s comments.
The Arizona Democrat’s Senate campaign said it has taken "appropriate action" to deal with the statements by TJ L’Heureux, Kelly’s deputy press secretary, whom it described as a "junior staffer." L’Heureux also apologized for his comments on Thursday, calling them "wrong."
"Our campaign values the public service, bravery and sacrifice of police officers across our nation," Kelly’s press secretary Jacob Peters told the Arizona Republic. "The tweet posted by a junior staff member is unacceptable and we are taking the appropriate action."
Peters said the campaign was not aware of L’Heureux’s comments until the Free Beacon article was published on Thursday. The Free Beacon had reached out to Peters for comment on Wednesday afternoon, prior to publication, and received no response.
Kelly, whose parents are retired law enforcement officers, has attempted to portray himself as moderate on criminal justice issues in his race against the Republican incumbent, Sen. Martha McSally. He has said he doesn’t support the "defund the police" movement that has been gaining popularity with Democrats, but he has argued that there is systemic racism in the law enforcement system.
On Aug. 17, L’Heureux wrote "You worthless fucking pigs" in a tweet directed at the Chicago Police Department. The message linked to a video that showed Chicago officers clashing with anti-police demonstrators. L’Heureux officially started working for Kelly’s campaign one week later.
"I deeply regret my comment and apologize for what I wrote—I was wrong," L'Heureux said in a statement published by the Arizona Republic on Thursday. "My comment does not reflect who I am or what I believe, and most importantly, it is not representative of what this campaign stands for. The language I used and the sentiment I conveyed do not belong in our political process, which is why I have deleted the tweet."
L’Heureux also set his Twitter account to "private" on Thursday.
Peters did not say what action the campaign took, but L’Heureux still appears to work for Kelly, according to his Twitter biography. His comments had sparked outrage with police advocates in the state.
Joe Clure, the executive director of the Arizona Police Association, a trade association for state law enforcement entities, called L’Heureux’s statement "frankly disgusting."
"It sadly isn’t the first time I’ve seen this from Democratic campaign personnel," Clure told the Free Beacon. "I hope that [Kelly] fires [the staffer] immediately to show that he doesn’t condone this kind of attitude that police are ‘fucking worthless.’"


freebeacon--2020-10-15--Journos Demand ‘Significant Consequences’ for False Hacking Claims. Joy Reid Too Busy Hosting Primet

Journos Demand ‘Significant Consequences’ for False Hacking Claims. Joy Reid Too Busy Hosting Primetime Show to Comment.

Professional journalists on Thursday were appalled to learn that C-SPAN political editor Steve Scully had lied about his Twitter account being `` hacked . ''
Joy Reid , who was getting ready to host her primetime show on MSNBC , could not be reached for comment .
Scully , who was scheduled to host this week 's now-canceled presidential debate , made the false claim last week after critics raised questions about how he appeared to ask prominent Joe Biden supporter Anthony Scaramucci for advice on how to `` respond '' to Trump .
Twitter and the FBI were brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never found , because they did n't exist .
In a statement of apology , Scully said he made the false claim after being `` subjected to relentless criticism on social media . ''
Before it became clear that Scully had lied , many of his colleagues in the media spoke out in his defense , including CNN political analyst Joe Lockhart .
Naturally , the professional journalists swarmed social media in response to the news that Scully had lied , demanding `` significant consequences '' for journalists who lie , and asserting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` never ends well . ''
Scully 's fate , indefinite suspension at C-SPAN , was slightly different than the fate of MSNBC 's Joy Reid , who never explicitly admitted to having lied when she claimed her old blog was hacked .
In 2018 , after online sleuths uncovered a series of homophobic , Islamophobic , and anti-Semitic posts authored in her name , Reid ( sort of ) apologized , then demanded the FBI investigate the hackers , who remain at large .
Reid was recently promoted to the 7 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who resigned after being accused of inappropriate sexual behavior .
She currently hosts her own show , The ReidOut .
CNN 's Brian Stelter was quick to pinpoint the real victim of the Steve Scully scandal : the media 's `` reputation . ''

Professional journalists on Thursday were appalled to learn that C-SPAN political editor Steve Scully had lied about his Twitter account being "hacked." Joy Reid, who was getting ready to host her primetime show on MSNBC, could not be reached for comment.
Scully, who was scheduled to host this week's now-canceled presidential debate, made the false claim last week after critics raised questions about how he appeared to ask prominent Joe Biden supporter Anthony Scaramucci for advice on how to "respond" to Trump. Twitter and the FBI were brought in to investigate.
The hackers were never found, because they didn't exist. In a statement of apology, Scully said he made the false claim after being "subjected to relentless criticism on social media."
Before it became clear that Scully had lied, many of his colleagues in the media spoke out in his defense, including CNN political analyst Joe Lockhart.
FACT -- if Steve Scully says he didn't send it you can take it to the bank. Period. Anyone who questions him or makes accusations is a damn liar. https://t.co/W8Ri1TyWWz — Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) October 9, 2020
Naturally, the professional journalists swarmed social media in response to the news that Scully had lied, demanding "significant consequences" for journalists who lie, and asserting that falsely claiming you've been hacked "never ends well."
More seriously: I think Steve Scully is a good person. But journalists cannot lie like that, full stop. There have to be significant consequences when they do. https://t.co/WaBNRhEKYJ — Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) October 15, 2020
Oooofff. I'm really, really sorry to hear this. Steve's a real pro and has brought clarity over noise to political news for decades. But this is a massive mistake. Never say you were hacked when you weren't hacked. It never ever absolutely never ends well. https://t.co/QzQuxEGMSB — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 15, 2020
Scully's fate, indefinite suspension at C-SPAN, was slightly different than the fate of MSNBC's Joy Reid, who never explicitly admitted to having lied when she claimed her old blog was hacked. In 2018, after online sleuths uncovered a series of homophobic, Islamophobic, and anti-Semitic posts authored in her name, Reid (sort of) apologized, then demanded the FBI investigate the hackers, who remain at large.
Reid was recently promoted to the 7 p.m. slot on MSNBC to replace Chris Matthews, who resigned after being accused of inappropriate sexual behavior. She currently hosts her own show, The ReidOut.
CNN's Brian Stelter was quick to pinpoint the real victim of the Steve Scully scandal: the media's "reputation."


freebeacon--2020-10-15--Ilhan Omar Funnels 70 Percent of Campaign Expenditures to Husband’s Company

Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) funneled an additional $ 1.1 million to her husband 's company , bringing her total payments to the firm to $ 2.7 million for the election cycle , new filings show .
Omar 's campaign filings , released Thursday , show that she sent $ 1.1 million more to the E Street Group , a political consulting firm owned by her husband , Tim Mynett .
The payments account for nearly 70 percent of the $ 1.6 million Omar 's campaign has disbursed between July 23 and the end of September .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , travel expenses , and production costs .
Omar has faced criticism on a number of issues since she entered Congress in 2018 .
Among other things , her lack of transparency about her past marriages has come under fire , and the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board has ordered her to repay thousands for a campaign finance violation .
She now faces a complaint for potentially running afoul of House ethics rules in relation to an advance she received for her memoir .
The freshman `` Squad '' member has showered her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The E Street Group is the highest paid vendor from the campaign , and Omar had already sent $ 1.6 million to the group .
With the $ 1.1 .
million in new payments , the firm has now received a total of $ 2.7 million from Omar 's campaign for the 2020 elections .
Prior to tying the knot with Mynett in March , Omar had long denied their romantic involvement .
In August divorce filings , Mynett 's then-wife accused the congresswoman of having an affair with her husband .
Omar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not separated from then-husband Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi .
`` I have no interest in allowing the conversation about my personal life to continue and so I have no desire to discuss it , '' she said .
Mynett , likewise , denied the affair and said his then-wife was attempting to `` ruin his career . ''
Omar 's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) funneled an additional $1.1 million to her husband's company, bringing her total payments to the firm to $2.7 million for the election cycle, new filings show.
Omar's campaign filings, released Thursday, show that she sent $1.1 million more to the E Street Group, a political consulting firm owned by her husband, Tim Mynett. The payments account for nearly 70 percent of the $1.6 million Omar's campaign has disbursed between July 23 and the end of September. They have helped cover advertisements, consulting, travel expenses, and production costs.
Omar has faced criticism on a number of issues since she entered Congress in 2018. Among other things, her lack of transparency about her past marriages has come under fire, and the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board has ordered her to repay thousands for a campaign finance violation.
She now faces a complaint for potentially running afoul of House ethics rules in relation to an advance she received for her memoir.
The freshman "Squad" member has showered her husband's company with cash this cycle. The E Street Group is the highest paid vendor from the campaign, and Omar had already sent $1.6 million to the group.
With the $1.1. million in new payments, the firm has now received a total of $2.7 million from Omar's campaign for the 2020 elections.
Prior to tying the knot with Mynett in March, Omar had long denied their romantic involvement. In August divorce filings, Mynett's then-wife accused the congresswoman of having an affair with her husband.
Omar claimed at the time that she was not separated from then-husband Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi.
"I have no interest in allowing the conversation about my personal life to continue and so I have no desire to discuss it," she said.
Mynett, likewise, denied the affair and said his then-wife was attempting to "ruin his career."
Omar's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.