freebeacon--2020-08-11--Prominent Colombian Socialist and Former Guerrilla Endorses Joe Biden

Prominent Colombian socialist and former guerrilla fighter Gustavo Petro announced his endorsement of Joe Biden .
Petro declared his support for Biden Monday on CNN En Español .
`` If I could vote in the United States , in the interest of my Latin American people , I would vote for Biden , without a doubt , '' Petro said , doubling down on a tweet endorsement he issued last week .
The socialist was a member of the far-left guerrilla movement M-19 in the 1980s , and later ran for president in 2018 on a socialist platform .
M-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1985 with the alleged support of Medellín Cartel leader Pablo Escobar .
Taking hostage and killing Colombian judges , the attackers also destroyed evidence in approximately 6,000 criminal cases , some of which pertained to Escobar himself .
American Enterprise Institute research fellow Ryan C. Berg told the Washington Free Beacon Petro ’ s record in politics resembles the ideology of the far-left guerrilla group .
`` As a politician , Petro is closely associated with the '21st Century Socialism ' movement of Hugo Chávez and other leftist leaders in Latin America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Juan Guaidó once called Petro `` an accomplice of the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro . ''
Though he finished second to conservative Iván Duque Márquez in the 2018 election , many Colombian Americans still consider Petro a dangerous figure .
Petro won support from only 9 percent of Colombian Americans who voted in the 2018 election , and his socialist policies make him highly unpopular among the community .
Colombian-American activist Fabio Andrade said he found Petro 's endorsement of Biden `` offensive . ''
`` We ’ re offended , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know about this terrorist , a person that has the blood of Colombians on his hands , '' Andrade told the Free Beacon .
`` This endorsement is pathetic and very dangerous . ''
The Biden campaign has not condemned Petro ’ s endorsement and did not respond to a request for comment before press time .
A negative reaction to Petro 's endorsement could have an electoral impact , particularly in Florida .
`` If this has any impact on the election , it could play into Trump 's rhetoric that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialists in foreign countries and thereby hurt Biden with Hispanic voters in key swing states such as Florida , '' Berg told the Free Beacon .
This was not the first time in recent weeks the Biden campaign has dealt with accusations of socialism within its ranks .
Rep. Karen Bass ( D. , Calif. ) , once widely considered a leading candidate for Biden 's vice presidential selection , has expressed an affinity for socialist conferences and Castro ’ s Cuba .
One Democratic consultant said Bass made `` Bernie Sanders look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Biden is entering the party convention and needs to balance between moderate and progressive voices in the Democratic Party , Petro 's endorsement pops up and provides Trump with another chance to equate a vote for Biden with socialism in Latin America , '' Berg said .
Trump campaign spokeswoman Mercedes Schlapp agreed .
`` By endorsing Joe Biden , socialist Gustavo Petro has confirmed what millions of Hispanics already know : A vote for Joe Biden is a vote for the ‘ progressive ’ Castrochavista ideology that Petro and other Latin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embraced , '' Schlapp said .

Prominent Colombian socialist and former guerrilla fighter Gustavo Petro announced his endorsement of Joe Biden.
Petro declared his support for Biden Monday on CNN En Español. "If I could vote in the United States, in the interest of my Latin American people, I would vote for Biden, without a doubt," Petro said, doubling down on a tweet endorsement he issued last week.
The socialist was a member of the far-left guerrilla movement M-19 in the 1980s, and later ran for president in 2018 on a socialist platform. M-19 attacked Colombia’s Palace of Justice in 1985 with the alleged support of Medellín Cartel leader Pablo Escobar. Taking hostage and killing Colombian judges, the attackers also destroyed evidence in approximately 6,000 criminal cases, some of which pertained to Escobar himself.
American Enterprise Institute research fellow Ryan C. Berg told the Washington Free Beacon Petro’s record in politics resembles the ideology of the far-left guerrilla group. "As a politician, Petro is closely associated with the '21st Century Socialism' movement of Hugo Chávez and other leftist leaders in Latin America," he said. Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó once called Petro "an accomplice of the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro."
Though he finished second to conservative Iván Duque Márquez in the 2018 election, many Colombian Americans still consider Petro a dangerous figure. Petro won support from only 9 percent of Colombian Americans who voted in the 2018 election, and his socialist policies make him highly unpopular among the community.
Colombian-American activist Fabio Andrade said he found Petro's endorsement of Biden "offensive."
"We’re offended, it’s very simple. Knowing what we know about this terrorist, a person that has the blood of Colombians on his hands," Andrade told the Free Beacon. "This endorsement is pathetic and very dangerous."
The Biden campaign has not condemned Petro’s endorsement and did not respond to a request for comment before press time.
A negative reaction to Petro's endorsement could have an electoral impact, particularly in Florida. "If this has any impact on the election, it could play into Trump's rhetoric that Democrats are happy to be associated with socialists in foreign countries and thereby hurt Biden with Hispanic voters in key swing states such as Florida," Berg told the Free Beacon.
This was not the first time in recent weeks the Biden campaign has dealt with accusations of socialism within its ranks. Rep. Karen Bass (D., Calif.), once widely considered a leading candidate for Biden's vice presidential selection, has expressed an affinity for socialist conferences and Castro’s Cuba. One Democratic consultant said Bass made "Bernie Sanders look like Ronald Reagan."
"Just as Biden is entering the party convention and needs to balance between moderate and progressive voices in the Democratic Party, Petro's endorsement pops up and provides Trump with another chance to equate a vote for Biden with socialism in Latin America," Berg said.
Trump campaign spokeswoman Mercedes Schlapp agreed. "By endorsing Joe Biden, socialist Gustavo Petro has confirmed what millions of Hispanics already know: A vote for Joe Biden is a vote for the ‘progressive’ Castrochavista ideology that Petro and other Latin American socialists promote and that Biden has embraced," Schlapp said.


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Just 3 Percent of Hispanics Call Themselves ‘Latinx’

Only 23 percent of self-identified Hispanic or Latino adults have heard the progressive neologism `` Latinx , '' a newly released Pew Research poll reveals , while just 3 percent actually describe themselves with the word .
The term , which proponents employ as a gender-neutral variant of `` Latino '' and `` Latina , '' has gained widespread currency in recent years among corporations , universities , and progressive politicians .
But , Pew finds , few Latino adults themselves either use it or even recognize it .
Those most likely to do so are Latinos under 30 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-identified Democrats .
Least likely are foreign-born Latinos and those who speak primarily Spanish .
The overwhelming majority of all respondents think terms like `` Hispanic '' or `` Latino '' are more appropriate .
The word was adopted by high-powered Democrats in the 2020 election cycle , including vice-presidential hopefuls Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
and Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) .
That the term is little known except by the young and well-educated suggests that such language choices reflect more the priorities of progressives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hispanic Americans writ large .
To reach this finding , Pew 's research team surveyed some 3,030 self-identified Hispanic adults in December 2019 .
Over three-quarters had not heard the term `` Latinx '' prior to the survey .
Those most likely to have heard it were 18- to 29-year-olds ( 42 percent ) , those with a college degree or more ( 38 percent ) , and Democrats ( 29 percent ) .
Those groups were similarly most likely to self-identify as Latinx , including 7 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the term may reflect the low frequency of gender nonconformity in the population as a whole—transgender people , of whom gender nonconforming people are sometimes identified as a subset , represent less than 0.5 percent of the U.S. population .
But it may also reflect the unpopularity of a term which imposes English notions of genderlessness on a language in which nouns are intrinsically gendered , as is suggested by the finding that English-dominant and bilingual respondents are four times as likely to have heard the term as Spanish-dominant respondents .
Among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term `` Latinx , '' one-third told Pew they thought it should be used to describe the Hispanic population as a whole , while two-thirds opposed .
In general , respondents favored the terms `` Hispanic '' ( 61 percent ) and `` Latino '' ( 29 percent ) to describe the population ; Latinx ( 4 percent ) loses out to even `` something else '' ( 5 percent ) .
Pew 's findings confirm other polls which have reliably indicated that `` Latinx '' is neither widely used nor liked among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` progressive polling firm '' found that just 2 percent of respondents used `` Latinx '' to describe themselves , while just 1 percent of Hispanic Democratic voters in Florida preferred the term .
The apparent unpopularity of `` Latinx '' has done little to stymie its embrace by progressive America .
Pew noted that it has been adopted at Microsoft , NPR , and UC Davis , and by the City of Chicago .
Even the Merriam-Webster dictionary has acknowledged the term .
It 's also gained widespread use among progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout her political career , the Washington Free Beacon previously reported , before pivoting to `` Latinx '' in advance of her 2020 presidential run .
Warren also made extensive use of the term in her campaign , even selling a `` Latinx with Warren '' T-shirt on her official website .
The term is notably absent from eventual primary victor Joe Biden 's Latino issues platform .

Only 23 percent of self-identified Hispanic or Latino adults have heard the progressive neologism "Latinx," a newly released Pew Research poll reveals, while just 3 percent actually describe themselves with the word.
The term, which proponents employ as a gender-neutral variant of "Latino" and "Latina," has gained widespread currency in recent years among corporations, universities, and progressive politicians. But, Pew finds, few Latino adults themselves either use it or even recognize it.
Those most likely to do so are Latinos under 30, those with a college degree, and self-identified Democrats. Least likely are foreign-born Latinos and those who speak primarily Spanish. The overwhelming majority of all respondents think terms like "Hispanic" or "Latino" are more appropriate.
The word was adopted by high-powered Democrats in the 2020 election cycle, including vice-presidential hopefuls Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and Kamala Harris (D., Calif.). That the term is little known except by the young and well-educated suggests that such language choices reflect more the priorities of progressives' young, ideologically motivated base than of Hispanic Americans writ large.
To reach this finding, Pew's research team surveyed some 3,030 self-identified Hispanic adults in December 2019. Over three-quarters had not heard the term "Latinx" prior to the survey. Those most likely to have heard it were 18- to 29-year-olds (42 percent), those with a college degree or more (38 percent), and Democrats (29 percent). Those groups were similarly most likely to self-identify as Latinx, including 7 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds.
This low rate of self-identification with the term may reflect the low frequency of gender nonconformity in the population as a whole—transgender people, of whom gender nonconforming people are sometimes identified as a subset, represent less than 0.5 percent of the U.S. population. But it may also reflect the unpopularity of a term which imposes English notions of genderlessness on a language in which nouns are intrinsically gendered, as is suggested by the finding that English-dominant and bilingual respondents are four times as likely to have heard the term as Spanish-dominant respondents.
Among the quarter of respondents who had heard the term "Latinx," one-third told Pew they thought it should be used to describe the Hispanic population as a whole, while two-thirds opposed. In general, respondents favored the terms "Hispanic" (61 percent) and "Latino" (29 percent) to describe the population; Latinx (4 percent) loses out to even "something else" (5 percent).
Pew's findings confirm other polls which have reliably indicated that "Latinx" is neither widely used nor liked among Hispanic Americans. A 2019 poll from a "progressive polling firm" found that just 2 percent of respondents used "Latinx" to describe themselves, while just 1 percent of Hispanic Democratic voters in Florida preferred the term.
The apparent unpopularity of "Latinx" has done little to stymie its embrace by progressive America. Pew noted that it has been adopted at Microsoft, NPR, and UC Davis, and by the City of Chicago. Even the Merriam-Webster dictionary has acknowledged the term.
It's also gained widespread use among progressive politicians. Harris used "Latino" throughout her political career, the Washington Free Beacon previously reported, before pivoting to "Latinx" in advance of her 2020 presidential run. Warren also made extensive use of the term in her campaign, even selling a "Latinx with Warren" T-shirt on her official website. The term is notably absent from eventual primary victor Joe Biden's Latino issues platform.


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Harris Locks Up VP Nom: Willie Brown’s Ex-Girlfriend Spurns His Advice

( Reuters ) – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Tuesday tapped Senator Kamala Harris of California as his choice for vice president , his campaign told supporters in a text message .
Harris , 55 , becomes the first Black woman on a major presidential ticket in U.S. history and providing him with a partner well suited to go on the attack against Republican President Donald Trump .
`` I have the great honor to announce that I ’ ve picked @ KamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy , and one of the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mate , '' Biden said on Twitter .
With social unrest over racial injustice and police brutality against Black Americans rocking the country for months , Biden had been under increasing pressure to select a woman of color as his running mate .
She is also the first Asian-American on a major presidential ticket .
In Harris , a senator from California who made her own run for the White House before ending it and endorsing Biden , he gains a deeply experienced politician already battle-tested by the rigors of the 2020 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stretch of the Nov. 3 election .
Harris , who became only the Senate ’ s second Black woman in its history when she was elected in 2016 , will be relied on to help drive the African-American vote – the Democratic Party ’ s most loyal constituency .
Four years ago , the first dip in Black voter turnout in 20 years contributed to Democrat Hillary Clinton ’ s upset loss to Trump .
Biden , whose foundering campaign was rescued by Black voters in South Carolina ’ s primary in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It will be crucial in battleground states such as Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin that Trump won by the slimmest margins in 2016 but where opinion polls now show him trailing his Democratic rival .
The Black vote is also central to Biden ’ s hopes of winning Southern states Georgia and Florida that Trump carried four years ago but that opinion polls indicate will be competitive this year .
Biden served as vice president for eight years under President Barack Obama , the first Black U.S. president .
Harris , 55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general in California , is well known for her sometimes aggressive questioning style in the Senate , most notably of Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 Supreme Court confirmation hearing .
As a presidential candidate , she also took Biden to task in a nationally televised debate over his past stances on mandatory busing for students as a means to desegregate schools .
Some Biden advisers have told Reuters the attacks made them question whether she would be a trusted working partner because of her political ambitions .
While that exchange failed to boost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign will now look for her to train her prosecutorial fire on Trump and Vice President Mike Pence .
Harris is scheduled to debate Pence on Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City , Utah .
The choice of a running mate has added significance for Biden , who will turn 78 in November and be the oldest person to become president if he is elected .
Biden ’ s age also has led to broad speculation he will serve only one term , making Harris a potential top contender for the nomination in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned that would make her a bad fit for the No.2 job and questioned her loyalty .
Biden publicly committed to choosing a woman as his No .
2 in a March debate after discussing the matter with his wife Jill and had considered other former presidential rivals such as Senators Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren .
After the protests that erupted over the May 25 killing of George Floyd , a Black man , by a white policeman in Minneapolis , Biden ’ s search focused predominantly on candidates of color .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s running mate at the Democratic convention that begins on Monday , where Biden will also be formally nominated to challenge Trump .
Harris has become a key ally for Biden at a time when race has been thrust to the forefront of the campaign .
After Floyd ’ s death , she became a prominent voice in the push for racial justice and police reform , standing with marchers and sparring with Republicans in the U.S. Senate over reform legislation .
Harris at times came under criticism from some in the Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record as California attorney general where , they say , she did not do enough to investigate police shootings and too often sided with prosecutors in wrongful conviction cases .
Her defenders say she has always been reform-minded – and point to her record in the Senate , where she has championed a police-reform bill and an anti-lynching bill , among other measures .
Harris herself has said she became a prosecutor in order to bring a more progressive approach to the office .
The daughter of an Indian mother and a Jamaican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout her career .
She was the first woman to serve as San Francisco ’ s district attorney , elected to that office in 2003 , and the first woman to serve as California ’ s attorney general , elected to that office in 2010 .
Biden considered several Black women in addition to Harris , including former Obama administration national security adviser Susan Rice , Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and U.S. Representative Val Demings , a former police chief in Orlando , Florida .
Biden also considered Asian-American Senator Tammy Duckworth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Latina .
Historically , the vice presidential nominee has been the one to take the lead in criticizing the opposing ticket , although Trump has largely shredded that tradition .
Brian Brokaw , a California political consultant who managed Harris ’ campaigns for attorney general and Senate , said Harris fits that role well .
`` She is someone who can really make Republicans quake in their boots , '' Brokaw said .

(Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Tuesday tapped Senator Kamala Harris of California as his choice for vice president, his campaign told supporters in a text message.
Harris, 55, becomes the first Black woman on a major presidential ticket in U.S. history and providing him with a partner well suited to go on the attack against Republican President Donald Trump.
"I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked @KamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate," Biden said on Twitter.
With social unrest over racial injustice and police brutality against Black Americans rocking the country for months, Biden had been under increasing pressure to select a woman of color as his running mate. She is also the first Asian-American on a major presidential ticket.
In Harris, a senator from California who made her own run for the White House before ending it and endorsing Biden, he gains a deeply experienced politician already battle-tested by the rigors of the 2020 presidential campaign as they head into the final stretch of the Nov. 3 election.
Harris, who became only the Senate’s second Black woman in its history when she was elected in 2016, will be relied on to help drive the African-American vote – the Democratic Party’s most loyal constituency. Four years ago, the first dip in Black voter turnout in 20 years contributed to Democrat Hillary Clinton’s upset loss to Trump.
Biden, whose foundering campaign was rescued by Black voters in South Carolina’s primary in February, needs their strong support against Trump. It will be crucial in battleground states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin that Trump won by the slimmest margins in 2016 but where opinion polls now show him trailing his Democratic rival.
The Black vote is also central to Biden’s hopes of winning Southern states Georgia and Florida that Trump carried four years ago but that opinion polls indicate will be competitive this year.
Biden served as vice president for eight years under President Barack Obama, the first Black U.S. president.
Harris, 55, a former prosecutor and state attorney general in California, is well known for her sometimes aggressive questioning style in the Senate, most notably of Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 Supreme Court confirmation hearing.
As a presidential candidate, she also took Biden to task in a nationally televised debate over his past stances on mandatory busing for students as a means to desegregate schools. Some Biden advisers have told Reuters the attacks made them question whether she would be a trusted working partner because of her political ambitions.
While that exchange failed to boost her White House hopes, the Biden campaign will now look for her to train her prosecutorial fire on Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. Harris is scheduled to debate Pence on Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The choice of a running mate has added significance for Biden, who will turn 78 in November and be the oldest person to become president if he is elected.
Biden’s age also has led to broad speculation he will serve only one term, making Harris a potential top contender for the nomination in 2024. Some of his allies were concerned that would make her a bad fit for the No.2 job and questioned her loyalty.
Biden publicly committed to choosing a woman as his No. 2 in a March debate after discussing the matter with his wife Jill and had considered other former presidential rivals such as Senators Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren.
After the protests that erupted over the May 25 killing of George Floyd, a Black man, by a white policeman in Minneapolis, Biden’s search focused predominantly on candidates of color.
Harris will be confirmed as Biden’s running mate at the Democratic convention that begins on Monday, where Biden will also be formally nominated to challenge Trump.
A PROMINENT VOICE
Harris has become a key ally for Biden at a time when race has been thrust to the forefront of the campaign.
After Floyd’s death, she became a prominent voice in the push for racial justice and police reform, standing with marchers and sparring with Republicans in the U.S. Senate over reform legislation.
Harris at times came under criticism from some in the Black community and from progressive advocates for her record as California attorney general where, they say, she did not do enough to investigate police shootings and too often sided with prosecutors in wrongful conviction cases.
Her defenders say she has always been reform-minded – and point to her record in the Senate, where she has championed a police-reform bill and an anti-lynching bill, among other measures. Harris herself has said she became a prosecutor in order to bring a more progressive approach to the office.
The daughter of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, Harris has knocked down barriers throughout her career. She was the first woman to serve as San Francisco’s district attorney, elected to that office in 2003, and the first woman to serve as California’s attorney general, elected to that office in 2010.
Biden considered several Black women in addition to Harris, including former Obama administration national security adviser Susan Rice, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and U.S. Representative Val Demings, a former police chief in Orlando, Florida. Biden also considered Asian-American Senator Tammy Duckworth and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Latina.
Historically, the vice presidential nominee has been the one to take the lead in criticizing the opposing ticket, although Trump has largely shredded that tradition. Brian Brokaw, a California political consultant who managed Harris’ campaigns for attorney general and Senate, said Harris fits that role well.
"She is someone who can really make Republicans quake in their boots," Brokaw said.
(Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Soyoung Kim and Jonathan Oatis)


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Congress Probes U.S. Reliance on Chinese Spy Drones

Republican lawmakers launched a probe into U.S. reliance on Chinese-made drones , which have become standard in many state and local law enforcement agencies and are used as espionage tools by the Communist regime .
While Chinese drones have proliferated across America as state and local law enforcement agencies became reliant on the technology , the U.S. intelligence community assesses that China is using these drones to gather information on Americans and the U.S. domestic infrastructure .
The federal government banned the use of Chinese-made drones earlier this year due to concerns over spying , but police , firefighters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still employing the technology .
Republican lawmakers in Congress petitioned Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in a letter to launch an investigation into China 's sophisticated spy operations .
The lawmakers maintain that the importation of Chinese-made drones poses a national security risk and must be more heavily regulated to ensure that local authorities and first responders are not leaving themselves vulnerable .
The letter comes amid mounting concerns in Congress about China 's espionage operations inside the United States , which reach far beyond the issue of drones .
Sen. Martha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the letter 's organizers , recently introduced legislation that would block federal funds from being spent on Chinese-made drones and similar equipment .
Other congressional investigations are focused on China 's economic sabotage and efforts to steal proprietary information from the federal government and the U.S. business and medical communities .
Drones are vital tools for local and state authorities and are employed to deal with everything from wildfires to the monitoring of critical infrastructure .
China is a leader in the production of low-cost drones , making it an attractive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , like many Chinese technology sectors , is beholden to the Communist Party , which exerts unilateral control over the information obtained by the drones .
For this reason , the Department of the Interior grounded its entire fleet of 800 drones in January , citing security flaws .
But local authorities continue to purchase and deploy Chinese drones , prompting Sens .
McSally , Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
, Rick Scott ( R. , Fla. ) , Marco Rubio ( R. , Fla. ) , Marsha Blackburn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hawley ( R. , Mo . )
, and Richard Blumenthal ( D. , Conn. ) to press for greater regulation .
`` In order to protect national security and the privacy of American citizens , and to protect the essential domestic [ drone ] industry , we ask that you engage all the appropriate divisions within the Department of Commerce to immediately investigate the national security implications of the importation of [ drones ] manufactured in the People 's Republic of China and determine any necessary enforcement measures , '' the lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was publicly released on Tuesday .
Chinese drones have `` flooded the U.S. market , posing a myriad of risks to American citizens ' security and privacy , '' the lawmakers said .
As the federal government begins to crack down on these Chinese spy tools , U.S. state and local municipalities must follow suit , the lawmakers said .
McSally 's May legislation specifically bars federal funds from being used to purchase equipment from any company tied to the Communist Party .
This would also apply to states that receive federal funding @ @ @ @ @

Republican lawmakers launched a probe into U.S. reliance on Chinese-made drones, which have become standard in many state and local law enforcement agencies and are used as espionage tools by the Communist regime.
While Chinese drones have proliferated across America as state and local law enforcement agencies became reliant on the technology, the U.S. intelligence community assesses that China is using these drones to gather information on Americans and the U.S. domestic infrastructure. The federal government banned the use of Chinese-made drones earlier this year due to concerns over spying, but police, firefighters, and first responders in many U.S. states are still employing the technology.
Republican lawmakers in Congress petitioned Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in a letter to launch an investigation into China's sophisticated spy operations. The lawmakers maintain that the importation of Chinese-made drones poses a national security risk and must be more heavily regulated to ensure that local authorities and first responders are not leaving themselves vulnerable.
The letter comes amid mounting concerns in Congress about China's espionage operations inside the United States, which reach far beyond the issue of drones. Sen. Martha McSally (R., Ariz.), one of the letter's organizers, recently introduced legislation that would block federal funds from being spent on Chinese-made drones and similar equipment. Other congressional investigations are focused on China's economic sabotage and efforts to steal proprietary information from the federal government and the U.S. business and medical communities.
Drones are vital tools for local and state authorities and are employed to deal with everything from wildfires to the monitoring of critical infrastructure. China is a leader in the production of low-cost drones, making it an attractive supplier. China's drone industry, however, like many Chinese technology sectors, is beholden to the Communist Party, which exerts unilateral control over the information obtained by the drones. For this reason, the Department of the Interior grounded its entire fleet of 800 drones in January, citing security flaws.
But local authorities continue to purchase and deploy Chinese drones, prompting Sens. McSally, Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), Rick Scott (R., Fla.), Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R., Mo.), and Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) to press for greater regulation.
"In order to protect national security and the privacy of American citizens, and to protect the essential domestic [drone] industry, we ask that you engage all the appropriate divisions within the Department of Commerce to immediately investigate the national security implications of the importation of [drones] manufactured in the People's Republic of China and determine any necessary enforcement measures," the lawmakers wrote in an Aug. 5 letter that was publicly released on Tuesday.
Chinese drones have "flooded the U.S. market, posing a myriad of risks to American citizens' security and privacy," the lawmakers said.
As the federal government begins to crack down on these Chinese spy tools, U.S. state and local municipalities must follow suit, the lawmakers said.
McSally's May legislation specifically bars federal funds from being used to purchase equipment from any company tied to the Communist Party. This would also apply to states that receive federal funding to purchase such equipment.


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Pennsylvania District Mandates White Supremacy Lessons for Kindergartners

Elementary school children returning to a wealthy Pennsylvania classroom in the fall will learn that sympathizing with police officers is racist .
Gladwyne Elementary School—located in Lower Merion School District , one of the richest in the nation—will require fourth and fifth graders to read Not My Idea : A Book About Whiteness , which claims that white people who relate to police officers or decline to watch the news are complicit in racism .
The curriculum also assigns A Kid 's Book About Racism to kindergarten and first graders .
The books are raising eyebrows among some parents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Elana Fishbein , a mother of two boys and a social worker , penned a letter to the district 's superintendent , board members , and the school 's principal demanding the school remove its new `` cultural proficiency '' curriculum .
`` The book teaches kids not only to defy parents but to hate themselves , '' Fishbein told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` To hate their parents also because they are white .
By default , [ the kids ] are white , and they 're privileged , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] is teaching this to little kids . ''
In the wake of the George Floyd protests , public schools are increasingly politicizing their curricula .
In Virginia 's Loudoun County School District—the richest county in the nation—schools teamed up with the left-wing education group Teaching Tolerance to develop a new curriculum about slavery for kindergartners .
The proposed lesson plans recommend restructuring history and social studies classes to emphasize slavery as fundamental to American society .
Cultural proficiency lessons at Gladwyne were announced in an email to parents on June 9 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ other lessons on equity and race , the school 's `` Cultural Proficiency Committee '' believes those lessons are insufficient and created a fifth lesson focused explicitly on anti-racism .
`` Generally , each class also engages in a cultural proficiency lesson ; however , we realize that this is not enough , '' Gladwyne principal Veronica Ellers wrote in an email obtained by the Free Beacon .
`` We plan to continue designing lessons that promote anti-racist actions in the upcoming 20-21 school year and beyond . ''
A Kid 's Book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions it deems harmful and racist .
The book claims asking questions can be racist and issues a call to action for five- to seven-year-olds to call out and identify racism .
`` [ Racism ] happens all the time , '' the book reads .
`` Sometimes it shows up in small ways .
Like a look , a comment , a question , a thought , a joke , a word , or a belief… .
If you see someone being treated badly , made fun of , excluded from playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their skin color call it racism . ''
Amy Buckman , a district spokeswoman , defended the move .
`` The Lower Merion School District fully supports the ongoing implementation of an anti-racist curriculum in its schools and encourages the use of developmentally appropriate books that raise awareness of the very real issues of racism and privilege , '' she said .
If kindergartners can be called racist for asking questions , so can parents who question the `` anti-racism '' being taught to their children .
Fishbein told the Free Beacon that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the cultural proficiency curriculum , but are scared to speak out for fear of being branded racist .
`` If you say anything that 's racist according to the school or parent 's definition of racism , you 're out , '' Fishbein said .
`` You 're called a racist .
No wonder the parents do n't talk . ''
Lower Merion refused to respond to her emails .
That silence was more than enough for Fishbein .
Her children will attend a private school in the fall .

Elementary school children returning to a wealthy Pennsylvania classroom in the fall will learn that sympathizing with police officers is racist.
Gladwyne Elementary School—located in Lower Merion School District, one of the richest in the nation—will require fourth and fifth graders to read Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness, which claims that white people who relate to police officers or decline to watch the news are complicit in racism. The curriculum also assigns A Kid's Book About Racism to kindergarten and first graders.
The books are raising eyebrows among some parents, who take issue with their political focus. Elana Yaron Fishbein, a mother of two boys and a doctor of social work, penned a letter to the district's superintendent, board members, and the school's principal demanding the school remove its new "cultural proficiency" curriculum.
"The book teaches kids not only to defy parents but to hate themselves," Fishbein told the Washington Free Beacon. "To hate their parents also because they are white. By default, [the kids] are white, and they're privileged, and they're bad. [The school] is teaching this to little kids."
In the wake of the George Floyd protests, public schools are increasingly politicizing their curricula. In Virginia's Loudoun County School District—the richest county in the nation—schools teamed up with the left-wing education group Teaching Tolerance to develop a new curriculum about slavery for kindergartners. The proposed lesson plans recommend restructuring history and social studies classes to emphasize slavery as fundamental to American society.
Cultural proficiency lessons at Gladwyne were announced in an email to parents on June 9. The email claims that despite offering four other lessons on equity and race, the school's "Cultural Proficiency Committee" believes those lessons are insufficient and created a fifth lesson focused explicitly on anti-racism.
"Generally, each class also engages in a cultural proficiency lesson; however, we realize that this is not enough," Gladwyne principal Veronica Ellers wrote in an email obtained by the Free Beacon. "We plan to continue designing lessons that promote anti-racist actions in the upcoming 20-21 school year and beyond."
A Kid's Book About Racism has an exhaustive list of actions it deems harmful and racist. The book claims asking questions can be racist and issues a call to action for five- to seven-year-olds to call out and identify racism.
"[Racism] happens all the time," the book reads. "Sometimes it shows up in small ways. Like a look, a comment, a question, a thought, a joke, a word, or a belief.... If you see someone being treated badly, made fun of, excluded from playing, or looked down on because of their skin color call it racism."
Amy Buckman, a district spokeswoman, defended the move. "The Lower Merion School District fully supports the ongoing implementation of an anti-racist curriculum in its schools and encourages the use of developmentally appropriate books that raise awareness of the very real issues of racism and privilege," she said.
If kindergartners can be called racist for asking questions, so can parents who question the "anti-racism" being taught to their children. Fishbein told the Free Beacon that parents privately message her echoing their disapproval of the cultural proficiency curriculum, but are scared to speak out for fear of being branded racist.
"If you say anything that's racist according to the school or parent's definition of racism, you're out," Fishbein said. "You're called a racist. No wonder the parents don't talk."
Lower Merion refused to respond to her emails. That silence was more than enough for Fishbein. Her children will attend a private school in the fall.


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Explosions Hit U.S. Coalition Supply Convoys in Iraq: Sources and Military Say

BAGHDAD ( Reuters ) – At least two explosions have hit convoys supplying U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq in the last 24 hours , security sources said , the first on Monday evening near the southern border with Kuwait and the second on Tuesday north of Baghdad .
The explosions , which caused no casualties but did some material damage , are the latest in a string of such incidents in recent weeks .
An attack in southern Iraq on Sunday hit a convoy carrying supplies to coalition forces , the military said .
Several thousand U.S. forces are still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose mission is to fight Sunni Muslim Islamic State militants .
Those forces are also a target for Iran-backed Shi'ite militias , which the United States blames for regular rocket attacks on bases hosting the coalition , and on other U.S. targets such as Washington 's embassy in Baghdad .
The militias have vowed to avenge the death of paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis , who was killed alongside Iranian military mastermind Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January .
Political forces aligned with the militias demand a full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also oppose Iraq 's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi , who took office in May .
He is viewed as being friendly with the United States and has challenged the power of Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq .
Kadhimi is struggling to make good on pledges to ensure Iraq does not become a theatre for power and resources struggles between foreign countries including the United States , Iran and other regional powers .
In a separate incident in northeastern Iraq on Tuesday , a Turkish air strike – part of Ankara 's latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the northern , Kurdish part of Iraq – killed three members of Iraq 's border guard , the Iraqi military said in a statement .
Tuesday 's explosion near the Taji military base north of Baghdad caused a fire to a container on one vehicle , the Iraqi military said in a statement .
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast .
The explosion on Monday night near the Jraischan border crossing between Iraq and Kuwait struck a convoy carrying equipment for U.S. forces , three sources from different branches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Iraqi military denied that incident took place .
Kuwait 's military on Twitter also denied any attack along its border with Iraq .
Vehicles are regularly loaded with military equipment at the crossing , the security sources said , and cargo is usually loaded or unloaded before entering or exiting Iraq .
Foreign companies are contracted by U.S. forces to provide security in the area , the Iraqi security sources said .
A little known Iraqi Shi'ite militia group by the name of Ashab al-Kahf claimed responsibility for the attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a distance .
It said it was able to destroy U.S. military equipment and large parts of the crossing .

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - At least two explosions have hit convoys supplying U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq in the last 24 hours, security sources said, the first on Monday evening near the southern border with Kuwait and the second on Tuesday north of Baghdad.
The explosions, which caused no casualties but did some material damage, are the latest in a string of such incidents in recent weeks. An attack in southern Iraq on Sunday hit a convoy carrying supplies to coalition forces, the military said.
Several thousand U.S. forces are still based in Iraq, leading a coalition whose mission is to fight Sunni Muslim Islamic State militants.
Those forces are also a target for Iran-backed Shi'ite militias, which the United States blames for regular rocket attacks on bases hosting the coalition, and on other U.S. targets such as Washington's embassy in Baghdad.
The militias have vowed to avenge the death of paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed alongside Iranian military mastermind Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January. Political forces aligned with the militias demand a full withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq.
They also oppose Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who took office in May. He is viewed as being friendly with the United States and has challenged the power of Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq.
Kadhimi is struggling to make good on pledges to ensure Iraq does not become a theatre for power and resources struggles between foreign countries including the United States, Iran and other regional powers.
In a separate incident in northeastern Iraq on Tuesday, a Turkish air strike - part of Ankara's latest campaign against Kurdish separatist militants based in the northern, Kurdish part of Iraq - killed three members of Iraq's border guard, the Iraqi military said in a statement.
MULTIPLE ATTACKS
Tuesday's explosion near the Taji military base north of Baghdad caused a fire to a container on one vehicle, the Iraqi military said in a statement. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.
The explosion on Monday night near the Jraischan border crossing between Iraq and Kuwait struck a convoy carrying equipment for U.S. forces, three sources from different branches of Iraq's security services and military said.
The Iraqi military denied that incident took place.
Kuwait's military on Twitter also denied any attack along its border with Iraq.
Vehicles are regularly loaded with military equipment at the crossing, the security sources said, and cargo is usually loaded or unloaded before entering or exiting Iraq.
Foreign companies are contracted by U.S. forces to provide security in the area, the Iraqi security sources said.
A little known Iraqi Shi'ite militia group by the name of Ashab al-Kahf claimed responsibility for the attack and published a video showing an explosion at a distance. It said it was able to destroy U.S. military equipment and large parts of the crossing.
(Reporting by Aref Mohammed, Baghdad newsroom, John Davison in Geneva; Additional reporting by Lisa Barington in Dubai; Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Grant McCool, Gareth Jones, William Maclean)


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Gideon Championed Taxpayer-Funded Abortion in Maine, Then Donations Came

Democratic Maine Senate candidate Sara Gideon took hundreds of thousands of dollars from abortion interest groups after she passed legislation to force taxpayers to pay for abortion and drastically expanded abortion access during her tenure as the speaker of the Maine House of Representatives .
Gideon championed pro-abortion legislation even in the face of bipartisan opposition throughout her career as speaker .
In 2019 , she cosponsored legislation that required the taxpayer-funded state Medicaid program to pay for abortion , passing the bill through the House even as seven Democrats voted against it .
She also pushed through legislation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sale of contraceptives from vending machines in the same year .
Multiple Democrats voted against both bills .
The rapid-fire passage of pro-abortion legislation in 2019 cemented Gideon 's place as Maine 's leading pro-abortion legislator , a reputation that translated into endorsements and financial support from national pro-abortion groups .
Both NARAL Pro-Choice America and EMILY 's List endorsed Gideon a day after she formally entered the race , funneling nearly $ 200,000 in donations to Gideon 's campaign .
Planned Parenthood , meanwhile , has spent roughly $ 100,000 since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's candidacy .
Gideon , who did not respond to a request for comment , is neck-and-neck in the fight for the Senate seat held by Sen. Susan Collins , one of the few congressional Republicans who support Roe v. Wade .
Karen Vachon , executive director of the Maine National Right to Life Committee , said campaign donations have led Gideon to embrace radical abortion policies .
She linked increasing abortions in the state directly to the policies that Gideon championed .
`` Maine CDC ’ s recently released abortion data for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortions since 2018 , '' Vachon said .
`` This is disturbing and is a direct result of progressive abortion policy passed under Sara Gideon ’ s leadership . ''
Neither Planned Parenthood nor NARAL returned requests for comment .
Gideon 's support for taxpayer-funded abortion is opposed by majority of American voters .
The candidate has made abortion a central issue of her campaign even with Collins 's long record as a pro-choice Republican .
She has used judicial confirmations , particularly that of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh , to attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exact opposite of what Susan Collins professed over and over again that she was sure that he would do—and that is respecting the precedent of Roe v. Wade , '' Gideon said in a video conversation with the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America .
While multiple pro-abortion groups support Gideon , Planned Parenthood in particular has a direct financial incentive to do so .
The Democrat has promised to restore roughly $ 60 million in Title X funding for the abortion group , effectively reversing the Trump administration 's decision to withhold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gideon has already introduced a bill in the state legislature that would force Maine taxpayers to replace lost Title X funding for Planned Parenthood .
Vachon blasted Gideon as a pawn of the well-funded national groups advancing the pro-abortion agenda .
`` She is a puppet of big money , '' Vachon said .
`` All this big money that is being spent by Planned Parenthood is not reflective of the people—it is to advance the progressive agenda . ''

Democratic Maine Senate candidate Sara Gideon took hundreds of thousands of dollars from abortion interest groups after she passed legislation to force taxpayers to pay for abortion and drastically expanded abortion access during her tenure as the speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.
Gideon championed pro-abortion legislation even in the face of bipartisan opposition throughout her career as speaker. In 2019, she cosponsored legislation that required the taxpayer-funded state Medicaid program to pay for abortion, passing the bill through the House even as seven Democrats voted against it. She also pushed through legislation that allowed nurses to perform abortions and authorized the sale of contraceptives from vending machines in the same year. Multiple Democrats voted against both bills.
The rapid-fire passage of pro-abortion legislation in 2019 cemented Gideon's place as Maine's leading pro-abortion legislator, a reputation that translated into endorsements and financial support from national pro-abortion groups. Both NARAL Pro-Choice America and EMILY's List endorsed Gideon a day after she formally entered the race, funneling nearly $200,000 in donations to Gideon's campaign. Planned Parenthood, meanwhile, has spent roughly $100,000 since July in outside spending to support Gideon's candidacy.
Gideon, who did not respond to a request for comment, is neck-and-neck in the fight for the Senate seat held by Sen. Susan Collins, one of the few congressional Republicans who support Roe v. Wade.
Karen Vachon, executive director of the Maine National Right to Life Committee, said campaign donations have led Gideon to embrace radical abortion policies. She linked increasing abortions in the state directly to the policies that Gideon championed.
"Maine CDC’s recently released abortion data for 2019 shows a 3 percent rise in abortions since 2018," Vachon said. "This is disturbing and is a direct result of progressive abortion policy passed under Sara Gideon’s leadership."
Neither Planned Parenthood nor NARAL returned requests for comment.
Gideon's support for taxpayer-funded abortion is opposed by majority of American voters. The candidate has made abortion a central issue of her campaign even with Collins's long record as a pro-choice Republican. She has used judicial confirmations, particularly that of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, to attack Collins.
"[Kavanaugh] did the exact opposite of what Susan Collins professed over and over again that she was sure that he would do—and that is respecting the precedent of Roe v. Wade," Gideon said in a video conversation with the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.
While multiple pro-abortion groups support Gideon, Planned Parenthood in particular has a direct financial incentive to do so. The Democrat has promised to restore roughly $60 million in Title X funding for the abortion group, effectively reversing the Trump administration's decision to withhold federal funds from groups that provide abortions. Gideon has already introduced a bill in the state legislature that would force Maine taxpayers to replace lost Title X funding for Planned Parenthood.
Vachon blasted Gideon as a pawn of the well-funded national groups advancing the pro-abortion agenda.
"She is a puppet of big money," Vachon said. "All this big money that is being spent by Planned Parenthood is not reflective of the people—it is to advance the progressive agenda."


freebeacon--2020-08-11--In British Parliament, New Conservative Caucus Looks to Get Tough on China

The U.K. Parliament 's China Research Group ( CRG ) —a caucus of Conservative Party China hawks—has increased both its membership and operations significantly since April , the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday .
Founded by MP and former British Army officer Tom Tugendhat , the group has clarified its message in recent months .
`` The point is pretty simple , '' said Tugendhat .
`` It is to make sure we have a better understanding of what China is doing globally . ''
Roughly 100 of the Parliament 's 364 Conservative members subscribe to CRG 's newsletter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look well beyond the immediate coronavirus crisis or issues relating to Huawei and will consider the longer term challenges associated with the rise of China and its industrial and diplomatic policies , '' according to the group 's official page .
Such policies include China 's economic policy , technological development , and foreign relations .
The group has already mobilized to alter strategic thinking in London .
British prime minister Boris Johnson previously described himself as `` very pro-China '' and largely maintained the status quo in Chinese-British relations before the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a paradigm change on the British right , however , culminating recently in new British sanctions against Chinese tech company Huawei .
The Conservatives ' new emphasis on brushing back China aligns with Washington 's efforts against the Chinese Communist Party in recent months .
Visiting London in July , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a `` coalition '' to mitigate Chinese global influence .
`` We want to see every nation who understands freedom and democracy … to understand this threat that the Chinese Communist Party is posing to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ echo Pompeo 's words .
`` We need an international coalition , '' said CRG member and Conservative lawmaker Damian Green .
`` Britain is in a good place to pull this together . ''

The U.K. Parliament's China Research Group (CRG)—a caucus of Conservative Party China hawks—has increased both its membership and operations significantly since April, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.
Founded by MP and former British Army officer Tom Tugendhat, the group has clarified its message in recent months. "The point is pretty simple," said Tugendhat. "It is to make sure we have a better understanding of what China is doing globally." Roughly 100 of the Parliament's 364 Conservative members subscribe to CRG's newsletter.
"The group's work will look well beyond the immediate coronavirus crisis or issues relating to Huawei and will consider the longer term challenges associated with the rise of China and its industrial and diplomatic policies," according to the group's official page. Such policies include China's economic policy, technological development, and foreign relations.
The group has already mobilized to alter strategic thinking in London. British prime minister Boris Johnson previously described himself as "very pro-China" and largely maintained the status quo in Chinese-British relations before the coronavirus pandemic. The CRG has pushed for a paradigm change on the British right, however, culminating recently in new British sanctions against Chinese tech company Huawei.
The Conservatives' new emphasis on brushing back China aligns with Washington's efforts against the Chinese Communist Party in recent months. Visiting London in July, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a "coalition" to mitigate Chinese global influence.
"We want to see every nation who understands freedom and democracy … to understand this threat that the Chinese Communist Party is posing to them," Pompeo said.
British lawmakers echo Pompeo's words. "We need an international coalition," said CRG member and Conservative lawmaker Damian Green. "Britain is in a good place to pull this together."


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Iran Claims Arrest of American and Israeli Spies

Iranian authorities claimed on Tuesday that the regime 's intelligence services had arrested five foreign spies alleged to be working for the American CIA and Israeli Mossad , according to reports in the country ’ s state-controlled press .
Iran 's Ministry of Intelligence claimed the alleged spies were seeking information about the country ’ s `` nuclear , political , economic , military , and infrastructural projects with the aim of sabotaging '' these sectors , according to Iran ’ s semi-official Mehr News Agency .
The announcement comes on the heels of the July execution of Reza Asgari @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense ministry who was arrested by Iranian authorities and charged with providing the CIA with key details about the Islamic Republic 's military activities .
Iran in July also sentenced a second alleged spy to death .
He is accused of providing the Mossad and CIA with information about Iranian general Qassem Soleimani , who was killed earlier this year by a U.S. drone strike .
The State Department declined to address Washington Free Beacon requests for comment .
Israel has not yet commented on the veracity of Iran ’ s claims .

Iranian authorities claimed on Tuesday that the regime's intelligence services had arrested five foreign spies alleged to be working for the American CIA and Israeli Mossad, according to reports in the country’s state-controlled press.
Iran's Ministry of Intelligence claimed the alleged spies were seeking information about the country’s "nuclear, political, economic, military, and infrastructural projects with the aim of sabotaging" these sectors, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency.
The announcement comes on the heels of the July execution of Reza Asgari, a onetime member of Iran's defense ministry who was arrested by Iranian authorities and charged with providing the CIA with key details about the Islamic Republic's military activities.
Iran in July also sentenced a second alleged spy to death. He is accused of providing the Mossad and CIA with information about Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, who was killed earlier this year by a U.S. drone strike.
The State Department declined to address Washington Free Beacon requests for comment.
Israel has not yet commented on the veracity of Iran’s claims.


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Seattle Police Chief Steps Down After City Council Slashes Police Budget

Seattle police chief Carmen Best announced her resignation Monday night after the Seattle City Council passed a set of budget amendments that would lay off up to 100 officers and cut millions in funding for the city 's police department—a move that Best said was `` reckless . ''
`` The push from [ the ] council and some of our community is to do these large scale changes in 2020 with no practical plan for community safety , and I believe wholeheartedly that that is completely reckless , '' Best said at a press conference following the council 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly failed to include Best , the city 's first black police chief , in discussions on the budget cuts—which initially included a $ 100,000 cut to her salary .
The council also refused to condemn protesters who marched to Best 's home earlier this month .
Mayor Jenny Durkan ( D. ) and Best have squabbled with the city council for weeks over its drastic approach to reforming the city 's police department .
The amendments passed Monday cut $ 3 million from the police department budget , including a $ 20,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will reduce the police force by up to 100 officers .
In a conversation with KING 5 news anchor Joyce Taylor last week , Best said she believes the council would have treated her differently if she was white .
`` Have you ever seen a white police chief in Seattle treated like they have sidelined me ? ''
Best asked .
Police union rules require that layoffs are conducted by tenure .
The layoffs would hit the city 's newest recruits—the most diverse class of officers in the city 's history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are our most diverse class ever , and they are so committed to reform and community policing , '' Durkan said .
`` The youngest officers would be the first to go . ''
Best served in the city 's police department for nearly three decades .
Her resignation will take effect on Sept. 2 .

Seattle police chief Carmen Best announced her resignation Monday night after the Seattle City Council passed a set of budget amendments that would lay off up to 100 officers and cut millions in funding for the city's police department—a move that Best said was "reckless."
"The push from [the] council and some of our community is to do these large scale changes in 2020 with no practical plan for community safety, and I believe wholeheartedly that that is completely reckless," Best said at a press conference following the council's preliminary vote last week.
The council reportedly failed to include Best, the city's first black police chief, in discussions on the budget cuts—which initially included a $100,000 cut to her salary. The council also refused to condemn protesters who marched to Best's home earlier this month.
Mayor Jenny Durkan (D.) and Best have squabbled with the city council for weeks over its drastic approach to reforming the city's police department.
The amendments passed Monday cut $3 million from the police department budget, including a $20,000 pay cut for the police chief, and will reduce the police force by up to 100 officers.
In a conversation with KING 5 news anchor Joyce Taylor last week, Best said she believes the council would have treated her differently if she was white.
"Have you ever seen a white police chief in Seattle treated like they have sidelined me?" Best asked.
Police union rules require that layoffs are conducted by tenure. The layoffs would hit the city's newest recruits—the most diverse class of officers in the city's history, according to Durkan.
"They are our most diverse class ever, and they are so committed to reform and community policing," Durkan said. "The youngest officers would be the first to go."
Best served in the city's police department for nearly three decades. Her resignation will take effect on Sept. 2.


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Goodman: Hunter Biden’s Mysterious Source of Income Creates Problems for Biden Campaign

After Hunter Biden abruptly resolved a $ 453,890 tax lien , Joe Biden ’ s campaign needs to explain the younger Biden 's source of income , Washington Free Beacon investigative reporter Alana Goodman told Fox Business on Tuesday .
`` How did he manage to pay off this $ 450,000 tax lien in six days ?
You know , most people just do n't have a half a million dollars lying around , '' Goodman said .
Goodman questioned Hunter Biden ’ s ability to resolve the lien after he told an Arkansas judge in his paternity case last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt , and lacked income .
`` We asked the Biden campaign , ‘ How was he able to settle this ? '
'' Goodman said .
`` ‘ What happened , how did he get this money , and does he have a job now ? '
And we got no response from the Biden campaign . ''
Goodman said there are also a lot of questions surrounding Hunter Biden ’ s relationship with foreign countries such as Ukraine and China , and that the former vice president `` will have an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the work that Hunter Biden did in China . ''
Biden 's lucrative positions at foreign firms include the board of directors for Ukrainian energy giant Burisma between 2014 and 2019 and served on the board of BHR Partners , the $ 1.5 billion international private equity arm of Chinese investment fund Bohai Capital .
Biden stepped down from both boards last year , according to his lawyer .

After Hunter Biden abruptly resolved a $453,890 tax lien, Joe Biden’s campaign needs to explain the younger Biden's source of income, Washington Free Beacon investigative reporter Alana Goodman told Fox Business on Tuesday.
"How did he manage to pay off this $450,000 tax lien in six days? You know, most people just don't have a half a million dollars lying around," Goodman said.
Goodman questioned Hunter Biden’s ability to resolve the lien after he told an Arkansas judge in his paternity case last November that he was unemployed, in debt, and lacked income.
"We asked the Biden campaign, 'How was he able to settle this?'" Goodman said. "'What happened, how did he get this money, and does he have a job now?' And we got no response from the Biden campaign."
Goodman said there are also a lot of questions surrounding Hunter Biden’s relationship with foreign countries such as Ukraine and China, and that the former vice president "will have an issue for his son's finances because of the work that Hunter Biden did in China."
Biden's lucrative positions at foreign firms include the board of directors for Ukrainian energy giant Burisma between 2014 and 2019 and served on the board of BHR Partners, the $1.5 billion international private equity arm of Chinese investment fund Bohai Capital. Biden stepped down from both boards last year, according to his lawyer.


freebeacon--2020-08-11--HHS Secretary Rips China and Praises Taiwan as ‘Model for The World’

Department of Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar concluded his trip to Taiwan Tuesday with a speech criticizing China , the Wall Street Journal reported .
Applauding Taiwan as a `` model for the world in so many respects , '' Azar pushed for increased bilateral engagement with Taiwan .
His trip to the island nation included a series of dialogues with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-Wen .
Topics included public health , balancing against China , and supply chain security .
Azar is the highest ranking American official to visit Taiwan since 1979 , when relations with communist China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to blast China for its role in excluding Taiwan from international initiatives , particularly during the coronavirus pandemic .
Accusing China of `` political bullying , '' he said Beijing had used its `` influence not to advance public-health objectives , but its own narrow political interests . ''
Even with limited international assistance , Taiwan has weathered coronavirus better than many other countries .
Official numbers show only 480 cases and 7 deaths in a population of nearly 24 million people .
Building on Taiwan ’ s public health success , Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last week , the United States greenlit the sale of at least four sophisticated aerial drones to the Taiwanese .
Drone sales have historically been reserved for only the closest U.S. allies .
Weeks earlier , Taiwan reached a $ 620 million agreement with U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin for Patriot Missile defense system upgrades .
U.S.-Taiwan collaboration and Azar ’ s visit have drawn the ire of Beijing , which pursues a `` One China '' policy under which foreign nations treat Taiwan as part of mainland China .
During Azar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were forced out of Taiwanese airspace in what one defense analyst called a `` calculated response '' to the American visit .
Beijing also sanctioned Lockheed for their sale of the missile systems .
Taipei touted Azar 's visit as a diplomatic success .
`` Taiwan will continue to work closely with the U.S. and other international partners to respond to challenges arising from the current pandemic and make contributions to the field of global health , '' read a press release from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office—Taiwan ’ s de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House staff made similar remarks .
The visit was intended to `` demonstrate the robust U.S.-Taiwan partnership in health security , one of many aspects of our comprehensive and strategic bilateral relationship , '' one senior White House official told the Washington Free Beacon .

Department of Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar concluded his trip to Taiwan Tuesday with a speech criticizing China, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Applauding Taiwan as a "model for the world in so many respects," Azar pushed for increased bilateral engagement with Taiwan. His trip to the island nation included a series of dialogues with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-Wen. Topics included public health, balancing against China, and supply chain security. Azar is the highest ranking American official to visit Taiwan since 1979, when relations with communist China were normalized.
Azar did not hesitate to blast China for its role in excluding Taiwan from international initiatives, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic. Accusing China of "political bullying," he said Beijing had used its "influence not to advance public-health objectives, but its own narrow political interests."
Even with limited international assistance, Taiwan has weathered coronavirus better than many other countries. Official numbers show only 480 cases and 7 deaths in a population of nearly 24 million people.
Building on Taiwan’s public health success, Washington has worked with Taiwan on defense agreements. Last week, the United States greenlit the sale of at least four sophisticated aerial drones to the Taiwanese. Drone sales have historically been reserved for only the closest U.S. allies. Weeks earlier, Taiwan reached a $620 million agreement with U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin for Patriot Missile defense system upgrades.
U.S.-Taiwan collaboration and Azar’s visit have drawn the ire of Beijing, which pursues a "One China" policy under which foreign nations treat Taiwan as part of mainland China. During Azar’s visit, Chinese fighter jets were forced out of Taiwanese airspace in what one defense analyst called a "calculated response" to the American visit. Beijing also sanctioned Lockheed for their sale of the missile systems.
Taipei touted Azar's visit as a diplomatic success. "Taiwan will continue to work closely with the U.S. and other international partners to respond to challenges arising from the current pandemic and make contributions to the field of global health," read a press release from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office—Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the United States.
White House staff made similar remarks. The visit was intended to "demonstrate the robust U.S.-Taiwan partnership in health security, one of many aspects of our comprehensive and strategic bilateral relationship," one senior White House official told the Washington Free Beacon.


freebeacon--2020-08-12--Chicago Charity Frees Accused Terrorist and Burglars

A Chicago-based charity has worked to free at least 20 defendants facing felony charges—including attempted terrorism and assault of a police officer—as an unprecedented crime wave rocks the city .
The Chicago Community Bond Fund , which opposes cash bail and pretrial incarceration , has posted bond for the alleged felons , putting them back on the streets before their trials .
The charity , like other community bond funds across the country , is now flush with cash , raising $ 3.5 million from 75,000 contributors in late May and early June .
Bond funds together have taken in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd ’ s death alone , according to the New York Times .
Much of that financial support came courtesy of celebrity donors like Harry Styles , Seth Rogan , Abbi Jacobson , and Lizzo , who urged fans to contribute to local bail funds .
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen similarly announced that they would make a large donation to a national fund called the Bail Project .
Bond receipts obtained by the Washington Free Beacon show that the Chicago fund has posted bond for defendants charged with violent crimes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 31 and June 1 in Cook County alone , seven faced weapons charges .
Among the individuals freed by the group is 25-year-old Christian Frazee , who was charged with attempted terrorism and possession of an incendiary device .
Prosecutors say Frazee was detained in the early morning hours of June 1 as he approached squad cars wielding a molotov cocktail and a lighter .
He allegedly had a butane torch lighter and a bat in his backpack .
The Free Beacon obtained a copy of Frazee ’ s bond receipt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office .
While the identity of the entity that posted bond is redacted , a source with knowledge of the record confirmed that the CCBF posted Frazee ’ s $ 100,000 bond .
The fund also promotes the work of Chicago-based activist groups that have played a lead role in organizing anti-police protests .
Together with public interest groups like the National Lawyers Guild that provide legal services for activists , the CCBF acts as a kind of insurance policy for demonstrators who have taken to the streets in massive numbers throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bond for , the Chicago fund takes into account the accused ’ s `` position in relation to structural violence '' and likelihood of abuse behind bars .
Women and gender nonconforming people are overrepresented in its client pool , the group said in 2017 .
In addition to Frazee , the Chicago Community Bond Fund also posted bonds in Cook County for nine people charged with burglary , six people charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon , and three people charged with aggravated battery on a peace officer , bond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fund did not respond to the Free Beacon ‘ s questions about its recent activities .
CCBF executive director Sharlyn Grace , however , said in a 2016 interview that the group resists distinctions between deserving and undeserving defendants , arguing bond should turn on whether an alleged offender poses a threat to others .
`` It 's important to differentiate between being charged with a crime and being a threat to society , '' Grace said .
`` We 're not interested in creating a deserving and undeserving category , or throwing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus to get a small percentage of people out . ''
Authorities in Chicago are scrambling to contain widespread crime and unrest .
The first week of protests following Floyd ’ s death—the same period that the Chicago fund freed at least 20 accused felons—registered the highest counts of arson , burglary , homicide , and gun violence on record , the Free Beacon reported Friday .
The violence has continued apace throughout the summer .
Local press reported that 13 officers were injured in scuffles with demonstrators on Monday night .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysts are also raising questions about the group ’ s financial practices .
In particular , experts question why it is holding on to hundreds of thousands of dollars rather than using it to post bond—a practice known as asset hoarding .
For example , the Fund had almost $ 900,000 in unspent cash on hand at the end of 2018 .
CharityWatch , a nonpartisan , nonprofit watchdog that evaluates charitable organizations , says asset hoarding is a problem because cash held in reserve by one charity is money that could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This asset level relative to annual budget is only six months below what CharityWatch considers to be hoarding , '' said Laurie Styron , CharityWatch ’ s executive director .
She also cautioned that the Fund 's small size means it should not be strictly held to the guidelines that CharityWatch applies to larger charities .
The fund ’ s cash-hoarding tendency is especially salient given its massive early June payday .
`` For a charity that was already holding onto more than two-and-a-half years ' worth of donations before its cash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization is prepared to spend donations within a timeframe that most donors would find reasonable , '' Styron said .

The Chicago Community Bail Fund has raised millions in the wake of the George Floyd protests, which it has used to post bond for many accused of violent crimes
A Chicago-based charity has worked to free at least 20 defendants facing felony charges—including attempted terrorism and assault of a police officer—as an unprecedented crime wave rocks the city.
The Chicago Community Bond Fund, which opposes cash bail and pretrial incarceration, has posted bond for the alleged felons, putting them back on the streets before their trials. The charity, like other community bond funds across the country, is now flush with cash, raising $3.5 million from 75,000 contributors in late May and early June. Bond funds together have taken in $90 million in the weeks following George Floyd’s death alone, according to the New York Times.
Much of that financial support came courtesy of celebrity donors like Harry Styles, Seth Rogan, Abbi Jacobson, and Lizzo, who urged fans to contribute to local bail funds. John Legend and Chrissy Teigen similarly announced that they would make a large donation to a national fund called the Bail Project.
Bond receipts obtained by the Washington Free Beacon show that the Chicago fund has posted bond for defendants charged with violent crimes. Of the 24 people the group freed on May 31 and June 1 in Cook County alone, seven faced weapons charges.
Among the individuals freed by the group is 25-year-old Christian Frazee, who was charged with attempted terrorism and possession of an incendiary device. Prosecutors say Frazee was detained in the early morning hours of June 1 as he approached squad cars wielding a molotov cocktail and a lighter. He allegedly had a butane torch lighter and a bat in his backpack.
The Free Beacon obtained a copy of Frazee’s bond receipt from the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office. While the identity of the entity that posted bond is redacted, a source with knowledge of the record confirmed that the CCBF posted Frazee’s $100,000 bond.
The fund also promotes the work of Chicago-based activist groups that have played a lead role in organizing anti-police protests. Together with public interest groups like the National Lawyers Guild that provide legal services for activists, the CCBF acts as a kind of insurance policy for demonstrators who have taken to the streets in massive numbers throughout the summer.
When considering whom to post bond for, the Chicago fund takes into account the accused’s "position in relation to structural violence" and likelihood of abuse behind bars. Women and gender nonconforming people are overrepresented in its client pool, the group said in 2017.
In addition to Frazee, the Chicago Community Bond Fund also posted bonds in Cook County for nine people charged with burglary, six people charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and three people charged with aggravated battery on a peace officer, bond receipts show.
The Chicago Community Bond Fund did not respond to the Free Beacon's questions about its recent activities. CCBF executive director Sharlyn Grace, however, said in a 2016 interview that the group resists distinctions between deserving and undeserving defendants, arguing bond should turn on whether an alleged offender poses a threat to others.
"It's important to differentiate between being charged with a crime and being a threat to society," Grace said. "We're not interested in creating a deserving and undeserving category, or throwing the vast majority of people under the bus to get a small percentage of people out."
Authorities in Chicago are scrambling to contain widespread crime and unrest. The first week of protests following Floyd’s death—the same period that the Chicago fund freed at least 20 accused felons—registered the highest counts of arson, burglary, homicide, and gun violence on record, the Free Beacon reported Friday. The violence has continued apace throughout the summer. Local press reported that 13 officers were injured in scuffles with demonstrators on Monday night.
As the Chicago fund rakes in cash, analysts are also raising questions about the group’s financial practices. In particular, experts question why it is holding on to hundreds of thousands of dollars rather than using it to post bond—a practice known as asset hoarding. For example, the Fund had almost $900,000 in unspent cash on hand at the end of 2018.
CharityWatch, a nonpartisan, nonprofit watchdog that evaluates charitable organizations, says asset hoarding is a problem because cash held in reserve by one charity is money that could be put to good use by another.
"This asset level relative to annual budget is only six months below what CharityWatch considers to be hoarding," said Laurie Styron, CharityWatch’s executive director. She also cautioned that the Fund's small size means it should not be strictly held to the guidelines that CharityWatch applies to larger charities.
The fund’s cash-hoarding tendency is especially salient given its massive early June payday.
"For a charity that was already holding onto more than two-and-a-half years' worth of donations before its cash influx, it's unclear if this organization is prepared to spend donations within a timeframe that most donors would find reasonable," Styron said.


freebeacon--2020-08-12--Dem Northam’s Parole Board to Release Convicted Murderer

Convicted first-degree murderer Robert Dwayne Godfrey is set to walk free with parole after serving only 26 years of his 200-year sentence due to a review from Virginia governor Ralph Northam 's ( D. ) state parole board .
Godfrey was sentenced in 1994 for the shooting of 68-year-old Albert Haywood Hamilton Sr. , of Grayson County , Va. Before his transfer to a state prison , Godfrey escaped Grayson County Jail , hiding out for 36 hours .
Grayson County Commonwealth 's Attorney Brandon Boyles is pushing for an investigation into the parole decision .
`` I am beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Boyles said in a statement obtained by the Free Beacon .
`` I have been in contact with the Office of Inspector General and they have indicated to me that they will open an investigation into this case . ''
`` One of Godfrey 's co-defendants was only convicted of robbery and accessory after the fact , and was sentenced to 60 years , '' Boyles added .
`` He 's still in prison and we have no indication that he 's getting parole .
How does this make any sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vincent Martin , a Virginia man convicted for the murder of a police officer , was paroled despite retaining a life sentence .
Martin maintains his innocence on such charges , but several state Republican lawmakers pushed Northam in an open letter to delay the release .
`` That the Parole Board would even consider Mr. Martin a suitable candidate for release is cause for serious concern , '' the letter read .
Northam has made criminal justice reform a major component of his platform as governor .
In January , Northam offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decriminalization , loosening penalties for petty thefts , and reducing driver 's license suspensions .
`` Doubling the amount you can steal from your neighbor without serious consequence is unfortunately a prime example of the Democrats ' looming agenda on crime and criminals , '' said Virginia House of Delegates minority leader Todd Gilbert ( R. ) at the time .

Convicted first-degree murderer Robert Dwayne Godfrey is set to walk free with parole after serving only 26 years of his 200-year sentence due to a review from Virginia governor Ralph Northam's (D.) state parole board.
Godfrey was sentenced in 1994 for the shooting of 68-year-old Albert Haywood Hamilton Sr., of Grayson County, Va. Before his transfer to a state prison, Godfrey escaped Grayson County Jail, hiding out for 36 hours.
Grayson County Commonwealth's Attorney Brandon Boyles is pushing for an investigation into the parole decision. "I am beyond angry with the Virginia State Parole Board," Boyles said in a statement obtained by the Free Beacon. "I have been in contact with the Office of Inspector General and they have indicated to me that they will open an investigation into this case."
"One of Godfrey's co-defendants was only convicted of robbery and accessory after the fact, and was sentenced to 60 years," Boyles added. "He's still in prison and we have no indication that he's getting parole. How does this make any sense?"
The decision also comes after Vincent Martin, a Virginia man convicted for the murder of a police officer, was paroled despite retaining a life sentence. Martin maintains his innocence on such charges, but several state Republican lawmakers pushed Northam in an open letter to delay the release.
"That the Parole Board would even consider Mr. Martin a suitable candidate for release is cause for serious concern," the letter read.
Northam has made criminal justice reform a major component of his platform as governor. In January, Northam offered a suite of recommendations that included marijuana decriminalization, loosening penalties for petty thefts, and reducing driver's license suspensions.
"Doubling the amount you can steal from your neighbor without serious consequence is unfortunately a prime example of the Democrats' looming agenda on crime and criminals," said Virginia House of Delegates minority leader Todd Gilbert (R.) at the time.


freebeacon--2020-08-12--Kamala Harris Brings Gun Confiscation Support to Dem Presidential Ticket

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has done something unprecedented with his pick of Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) as his running mate : put a candidate on the presidential ticket who publicly supports gun confiscation .
During her failed primary campaign , Harris was one of only a handful of candidates to explicitly advocate for the confiscation of what she estimated to be tens of millions of legally owned firearms .
`` We have to have a buyback program and I support a mandatory gun buyback program , '' she said during an October policy forum hosted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives .
`` It ’ s got to be smart .
We 've got to do it the right way but there are five million [ assault weapons ] at least , some estimate as many as 10 million , and we ’ re going to have to have smart public policy that ’ s about taking those off the streets but doing it the right way . ''
While Hillary Clinton advocated for a sales ban and even the reversal of the Supreme Court precedent overturning Washington , D.C. 's total ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she never expressed support for any form of direct firearms confiscation .
And though Joe Biden has advocated for even more stringent gun-control policies than Clinton—including a ban on all guns without `` smart '' features—he told CNN 's Anderson Cooper last year there is `` no legal way '' to confiscate guns Americans already own .
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The addition of Harris moves the Biden campaign further to the left on gun control—beyond any other major party campaign in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also damage the perception Joe Biden has cultivated as a more moderate Democrat .
`` I think you 're dealing with a guy who 's got a complete and total anti-gun platform , '' Jason Ouimet , head of the NRA 's political action committee , told the Washington Free Beacon in a recent interview .
`` And for that little bit of moderate that he wanted to purport , I think that went out the window . ''
Mark Oliva , a spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation , said Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign trail indicates she would push Biden even further to the left on the issue .
`` During her short-lived presidential campaign , she demanded gun-control legislation within 100 days and threatened executive action if Congress didn ’ t deliver , '' Oliva told the Free Beacon .
`` Senator Harris was clear when she said gun control would be an administration priority .
Her platform included entertaining forced confiscation of lawfully owned semiautomatic rifles , redefining ‘ sporting purpose ’ for lawful firearm possession , criminalizing private firearm transfers and repealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act .
In fact , she supports politicizing the Department of Justice and using the weight of the federal government to harass a constitutionally protected industry in a series of frivolous lawsuits to bankrupt manufacturers . ''
`` Joe Biden ’ s selection of Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate makes this ticket the most serious threat to American Second Amendment rights ever faced in a presidential election , '' he said .
Gun-control groups , on the other hand , cheered Biden 's decision to name Harris his vice-presidential nominee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ former congresswoman Gabby Giffords , emphasized Harris 's support for expanding background checks to private sales in a celebratory email to its donors and did n't mention her support for confiscation .
`` Joe Biden just announced his pick for Vice President and we are so thrilled to have Senator Kamala Harris join the fight to defeat Trump in November , '' the group said in an email to supporters .
`` Like Joe Biden , Kamala Harris is a gun safety champion with a proven record of fighting the NRA and standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work tirelessly together to pass universal background checks and make every community safer from gun violence . ''
Kris Brown , president of the gun-control group Brady United , described the pick as `` a game changer for gun violence prevention '' in an email to the group 's donors .
She said Biden and Harris would pass gun-control measures like expanding and better funding the background check system , a ban on so-called ghost guns , and a ban on the sale of so-called assault weapons , but also did not mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` By choosing Harris , Biden takes a bold stance , '' Brown said in the email .
`` He proves he understands a fundamental problem our country is facing : gun violence .
And with two gun violence prevention champions on the ticket , we can finally overcome the NRA , Donald Trump , and Mitch McConnell . ''
Oliva sees Biden 's pick of Harris in a very different light .
`` Senator Harris is a willing partner with Joe Biden to reinstate the failed ban on modern sporting rifles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` His selection of Senator Harris as his running mate suggests he ’ s comfortable with setting aside fundamental American rights . ''

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has done something unprecedented with his pick of Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) as his running mate: put a candidate on the presidential ticket who publicly supports gun confiscation.
During her failed primary campaign, Harris was one of only a handful of candidates to explicitly advocate for the confiscation of what she estimated to be tens of millions of legally owned firearms.
"We have to have a buyback program and I support a mandatory gun buyback program," she said during an October policy forum hosted by the gun-control group March for Our Lives. "It’s got to be smart. We've got to do it the right way but there are five million [assault weapons] at least, some estimate as many as 10 million, and we’re going to have to have smart public policy that’s about taking those off the streets but doing it the right way."
While Hillary Clinton advocated for a sales ban and even the reversal of the Supreme Court precedent overturning Washington, D.C.'s total ban on handgun ownership during her 2016 campaign, she never expressed support for any form of direct firearms confiscation. And though Joe Biden has advocated for even more stringent gun-control policies than Clinton—including a ban on all guns without "smart" features—he told CNN's Anderson Cooper last year there is "no legal way" to confiscate guns Americans already own.
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The addition of Harris moves the Biden campaign further to the left on gun control—beyond any other major party campaign in recent history. Gun-rights groups argue it may also damage the perception Joe Biden has cultivated as a more moderate Democrat.
"I think you're dealing with a guy who's got a complete and total anti-gun platform," Jason Ouimet, head of the NRA's political action committee, told the Washington Free Beacon in a recent interview. "And for that little bit of moderate that he wanted to purport, I think that went out the window."
Mark Oliva, a spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, said Harris's track record in Congress and on the campaign trail indicates she would push Biden even further to the left on the issue.
"During her short-lived presidential campaign, she demanded gun-control legislation within 100 days and threatened executive action if Congress didn’t deliver," Oliva told the Free Beacon. "Senator Harris was clear when she said gun control would be an administration priority. Her platform included entertaining forced confiscation of lawfully owned semiautomatic rifles, redefining ‘sporting purpose’ for lawful firearm possession, criminalizing private firearm transfers and repealing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. In fact, she supports politicizing the Department of Justice and using the weight of the federal government to harass a constitutionally protected industry in a series of frivolous lawsuits to bankrupt manufacturers."
Oliva called the pick a danger to gun owners.
"Joe Biden’s selection of Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate makes this ticket the most serious threat to American Second Amendment rights ever faced in a presidential election," he said.
Gun-control groups, on the other hand, cheered Biden's decision to name Harris his vice-presidential nominee. Giffords, the gun-control group headed by former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, emphasized Harris's support for expanding background checks to private sales in a celebratory email to its donors and didn't mention her support for confiscation.
"Joe Biden just announced his pick for Vice President and we are so thrilled to have Senator Kamala Harris join the fight to defeat Trump in November," the group said in an email to supporters. "Like Joe Biden, Kamala Harris is a gun safety champion with a proven record of fighting the NRA and standing up for common sense. They will work tirelessly together to pass universal background checks and make every community safer from gun violence."
Kris Brown, president of the gun-control group Brady United, described the pick as "a game changer for gun violence prevention" in an email to the group's donors. She said Biden and Harris would pass gun-control measures like expanding and better funding the background check system, a ban on so-called ghost guns, and a ban on the sale of so-called assault weapons, but also did not mention Harris's support for gun confiscation.
"By choosing Harris, Biden takes a bold stance," Brown said in the email. "He proves he understands a fundamental problem our country is facing: gun violence. And with two gun violence prevention champions on the ticket, we can finally overcome the NRA, Donald Trump, and Mitch McConnell."
Oliva sees Biden's pick of Harris in a very different light.
"Senator Harris is a willing partner with Joe Biden to reinstate the failed ban on modern sporting rifles," he told the Free Beacon. "His selection of Senator Harris as his running mate suggests he’s comfortable with setting aside fundamental American rights."