freebeacon--2020-01-24--Iran Claims Trump Admin Knocked Regime Mouthpiece Off the Internet

Iran is blaming the Trump administration for shutting down the Internet domains of one of its key propaganda mouthpieces .
Iran 's state-controlled Fars News Agency on Friday claimed the U.S. Treasury Department shut down international access to its site for running afoul of American sanctions on the regime .
Fars , which has close ties to the ruling regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps , a U.S.-sanctioned entity , claimed in a post on Twitter that its English-language website was shut down due to new regulations in American sanctions .
`` From an hour ago , audience access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encountered a problem due to being placed on America 's sanctions list , and the technical part of [ this ] News Agency is working to create access for the audience on the farsnews.ir domain , '' the news agency said on Twitter , according to an independent translation of the Farsi language tweet .
The Fars News website was not accessible at its U.S. domain and other international domains at the time of writing .
However , a Fars domain registered in Iran remains active and includes reports claiming the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fars said on its Iranian-controlled site that its international Internet provider notified the outlet Friday that the site is being shuttered due to its addition to the Treasury Department 's sanctions list .
The State and Treasury Departments did not immediately respond to Washington Free Beacon requests for comment on whether the claims made by Fars are accurate .
The Free Beacon will update this developing report as more information becomes available .

Iran is blaming the Trump administration for shutting down the Internet domains of one of its key propaganda mouthpieces.
Iran's state-controlled Fars News Agency on Friday claimed the U.S. Treasury Department shut down international access to its site for running afoul of American sanctions on the regime.
Fars, which has close ties to the ruling regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S.-sanctioned entity, claimed in a post on Twitter that its English-language website was shut down due to new regulations in American sanctions.
"From an hour ago, audience access to the Fars News Agency site has encountered a problem due to being placed on America's sanctions list, and the technical part of [this] News Agency is working to create access for the audience on the farsnews.ir domain," the news agency said on Twitter, according to an independent translation of the Farsi language tweet.
The Fars News website was not accessible at its U.S. domain and other international domains at the time of writing. However, a Fars domain registered in Iran remains active and includes reports claiming the United States booted the news agency from the web.
Fars said on its Iranian-controlled site that its international Internet provider notified the outlet Friday that the site is being shuttered due to its addition to the Treasury Department's sanctions list.
The State and Treasury Departments did not immediately respond to Washington Free Beacon requests for comment on whether the claims made by Fars are accurate. The Free Beacon will update this developing report as more information becomes available.


freebeacon--2020-01-24--Tom Steyer Admits He Heard Warren and Sanders Bicker. Watch Him Lie About It

Billionaire presidential candidate Tom Steyer said Friday he `` of course '' overheard the squabble between Sens .
Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) and Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
after last week 's debate , contradicting his previous denials .
`` I was asked over and over and over what they were saying to each other , which of course I could hear , but I also felt like it was a private conversation they were having , '' Steyer told Fox News .
`` My oldest son texted me… .
He said , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't be a snitch . '
'' He did n't let down his son , repeatedly saying after the Jan. 14 debate that he did not know what Sanders and Warren were arguing about .
The dispute was over Sanders 's denial of Warren 's claim Sanders told her a woman could not be elected president .
Steyer found himself awkwardly between the two during the tense exchange .
`` I did n't really hear , '' Steyer told CBS News in the spin room afterward .
`` I think they were trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them , but I did n't really hear what it was . ''
`` I really was n't listening , '' Steyer told a CNN panel after the debate .
`` The last thing I wanted to do was get in between the two of them and try and listen in .
That was not my goal and I did n't do it . ''
`` I did n't really hear it , Alisyn , '' he told CNN 's Alisyn Camerota the following morning .
`` I was going over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released audio from a hot mic which recorded Warren accusing Sanders of calling her a liar .

Billionaire presidential candidate Tom Steyer said Friday he "of course" overheard the squabble between Sens. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) after last week's debate, contradicting his previous denials.
"I was asked over and over and over what they were saying to each other, which of course I could hear, but I also felt like it was a private conversation they were having," Steyer told Fox News. "My oldest son texted me.... He said, 'Dad, whatever you do, don't be a snitch.'"
He didn't let down his son, repeatedly saying after the Jan. 14 debate that he did not know what Sanders and Warren were arguing about. The dispute was over Sanders's denial of Warren's claim Sanders told her a woman could not be elected president.
Steyer found himself awkwardly between the two during the tense exchange.
"I didn't really hear," Steyer told CBS News in the spin room afterward. "I think they were trying to figure out something between the two of them, but I didn't really hear what it was."
"I really wasn't listening," Steyer told a CNN panel after the debate. "The last thing I wanted to do was get in between the two of them and try and listen in. That was not my goal and I didn't do it."
"I didn't really hear it, Alisyn," he told CNN's Alisyn Camerota the following morning. "I was going over to say good night."
CNN later released audio from a hot mic which recorded Warren accusing Sanders of calling her a liar.


freebeacon--2020-01-24--Trump Becomes First U.S. President to Attend March for Life

President Donald Trump urged pro-life activists to keep up the fight while criticizing Democrats for their `` extreme '' abortion positions , as he became the first sitting president in American history to attend the annual March for Life .
`` We are fighting for those who have no voice , '' Trump said .
`` As president , I 'm truly proud to stand with you… .
Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House . ''
He spoke at length about the administration 's record on the issue , pointing to preserving religious liberty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restrict taxpayer funding for abortionists abroad and through the Title X program , as well as the judges he has appointed to the bench .
He praised rallygoers for their commitment to defending `` the dignity and sanctity of every human life . ''
`` You embrace mothers with care and compassion .
You are powered by prayer and motivated by pure , unselfish love .
We are so grateful , '' Trump told tens of thousands of attendees gathered on the National Mall .
Trump 's appearance required additional security measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which left thousands more waiting .
Julie Hansberry of Asheville , N.C. , has been attending the march since 2000 .
The president 's appearance , she said , would rank as the second most memorable rally of her life—she met her husband at the 2005 rally .
She said she hoped the president 's address would bolster attention to the threat abortion poses to the unborn .
`` I think that that 's going to affect the pro-life movement because it gives us a lot of coverage that we 've been lacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hansberry said the speech could also solidify support among activists who are `` getting the vote out too because Trump has done so much for the pro-life movement in his presidency . ''
Dozens of Trump campaign staff and volunteers were on hand distributing materials that touted the White House 's accomplishments on that front .
Trump took direct aim at Democrats for holding `` the most radical and extreme '' positions on the issue .
He pointed to state laws overturning limits on late-term abortion and parental notification rules , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopefuls Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , and Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) , who blocked protections for infants who survive abortions .
He focused much of his criticism on taxpayer funding for abortion , which has become a major theme of the Democratic primary .
Former vice president Joe Biden abandoned his longstanding opposition to taxpayer funding at the outset of the 2020 campaign , joining other leading contenders who want to repeal the Hyde Amendment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voiceless… .
They are coming after me because I am fighting for you , '' Trump said .
`` When it comes to abortion … Democrats have embraced the most radical and extreme positions taken in this country for years and decades… .
Nearly every top Democrat in Congress now supports taxpayer funding for abortion all the way up until the point of birth . ''
Trump identified as `` pro-choice '' before the 2016 campaign .
Some rallygoers said his record as president has proven his commitment to the issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Free Beacon that he `` firmly '' supports Trump in light of his positions on taxpayer funding .
`` I don ’ t know what the president ’ s religious views are necessarily , but I think for him to say , ‘ I ’ m pro-life and I ’ m going to come and speak at a pro-life event , ' shows how passionate he is about this , '' Patrick said .
`` I think this is the perfect place for him to show up [ with ] the steps he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how he ’ s come out in strong support of life from the beginning [ of conception ] . ''
Pro-life activists praised Trump for his willingness to make abortion a major campaign theme in 2020 .
Terry Schilling , executive director of the American Principles Project , said the White House successfully `` set a standard for all future pro-life presidents . ''
`` President Trump 's attendance at the March for Life prevented the media from continuing to ignore the hundreds of thousands of pro-life activists who show up every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It gives him an opportunity to make his case to millions of pro-life Americans across the country . ''
Kari Beckman , a Catholic educator , traveled from Georgia to support the movement .
She said that abortion should be a unifying issue for lawmakers .
That has not been the case in her home state where a Republican majority passed legislation largely restricting abortion beyond the first six weeks of pregnancy .
State Democrats vowed to mount a primary challenge against the lone Democratic lawmaker who supported the bill .
Beckman called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position '' that there is a `` right to kill children . ''
`` The one issue that should unite this country is the issue of life .
We should all want to defend life from conception to natural death , '' she said .

President Donald Trump urged pro-life activists to keep up the fight while criticizing Democrats for their "extreme" abortion positions, as he became the first sitting president in American history to attend the annual March for Life.
"We are fighting for those who have no voice," Trump said. "As president, I'm truly proud to stand with you.... Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House."
He spoke at length about the administration's record on the issue, pointing to preserving religious liberty in the adoption process, regulatory enforcement to restrict taxpayer funding for abortionists abroad and through the Title X program, as well as the judges he has appointed to the bench. He praised rallygoers for their commitment to defending "the dignity and sanctity of every human life."
"You embrace mothers with care and compassion. You are powered by prayer and motivated by pure, unselfish love. We are so grateful," Trump told tens of thousands of attendees gathered on the National Mall.
Trump's appearance required additional security measures for tens of thousands of rallygoers, which left thousands more waiting. Julie Hansberry of Asheville, N.C., has been attending the march since 2000. The president's appearance, she said, would rank as the second most memorable rally of her life—she met her husband at the 2005 rally. She said she hoped the president's address would bolster attention to the threat abortion poses to the unborn.
"I think that that's going to affect the pro-life movement because it gives us a lot of coverage that we've been lacking in the past," she said. Hansberry said the speech could also solidify support among activists who are "getting the vote out too because Trump has done so much for the pro-life movement in his presidency."
Dozens of Trump campaign staff and volunteers were on hand distributing materials that touted the White House's accomplishments on that front. Trump took direct aim at Democrats for holding "the most radical and extreme" positions on the issue. He pointed to state laws overturning limits on late-term abortion and parental notification rules, as well as Senate Democrats, including 2020 hopefuls Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), and Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), who blocked protections for infants who survive abortions. He focused much of his criticism on taxpayer funding for abortion, which has become a major theme of the Democratic primary. Former vice president Joe Biden abandoned his longstanding opposition to taxpayer funding at the outset of the 2020 campaign, joining other leading contenders who want to repeal the Hyde Amendment.
"Together we are the voice for the voiceless.... They are coming after me because I am fighting for you," Trump said. "When it comes to abortion ... Democrats have embraced the most radical and extreme positions taken in this country for years and decades.... Nearly every top Democrat in Congress now supports taxpayer funding for abortion all the way up until the point of birth."
Trump identified as "pro-choice" before the 2016 campaign. Some rallygoers said his record as president has proven his commitment to the issue. Ohio resident Joel Patrick told the Washington Free Beacon that he "firmly" supports Trump in light of his positions on taxpayer funding.
"I don’t know what the president’s religious views are necessarily, but I think for him to say, 'I’m pro-life and I’m going to come and speak at a pro-life event,' shows how passionate he is about this," Patrick said. "I think this is the perfect place for him to show up [with] the steps he’s taken to defund Planned Parenthood, how he’s come out in strong support of life from the beginning [of conception]."
Pro-life activists praised Trump for his willingness to make abortion a major campaign theme in 2020. Terry Schilling, executive director of the American Principles Project, said the White House successfully "set a standard for all future pro-life presidents."
"President Trump's attendance at the March for Life prevented the media from continuing to ignore the hundreds of thousands of pro-life activists who show up every year," Schilling said. "It gives him an opportunity to make his case to millions of pro-life Americans across the country."
Kari Beckman, a Catholic educator, traveled from Georgia to support the movement. She said that abortion should be a unifying issue for lawmakers. That has not been the case in her home state where a Republican majority passed legislation largely restricting abortion beyond the first six weeks of pregnancy. State Democrats vowed to mount a primary challenge against the lone Democratic lawmaker who supported the bill. Beckman called on lawmakers to reject the "extreme position" that there is a "right to kill children."
"The one issue that should unite this country is the issue of life. We should all want to defend life from conception to natural death," she said.


freebeacon--2020-01-24--Schumer Characterizes Trump’s Behavior as ‘Evil Scheme’

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) on Friday dubbed President Trump ’ s conversation with Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ evil scheme . ''
`` It was clear who was the cook chief and bottlewasher @ @ @ @ @ whole evil scheme : Mick Mulvaney , '' Schumer said during his press conference on @ @ @ @ @ White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney of leading the alleged scheme despite the House @ @ @ @ @ was solely responsible for directing communications with Ukraine , per witness testimony .
Schumer ’ @ @ @ @ @ pressure Republican Senate leadership to request witnesses , like Mulvaney , to appear before the @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t we hear from Mulvaney ? ''
Schumer asked .

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) on Friday dubbed President Trump’s conversation with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky an "evil scheme."
"It was clear who was the cook chief and bottlewasher in this whole horrible scheme—this whole evil scheme: Mick Mulvaney," Schumer said during his press conference on impeachment.
Schumer accused acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney of leading the alleged scheme despite the House Democrats' claim that Trump was solely responsible for directing communications with Ukraine, per witness testimony.
Schumer’s push comes as Democrats pressure Republican Senate leadership to request witnesses, like Mulvaney, to appear before the Senate trial.
"Why can’t we hear from Mulvaney?" Schumer asked.


freebeacon--2020-01-24--Biden Campaign Urged Iowa Staffers to Risk Their Lives for Uncle Joe

Former vice president Joe Biden 's presidential campaign ordered its Iowa staffers to be `` adaptable , flexible , and willing '' while suspending the campaign 's inclement weather policy in the finals weeks before the Iowa caucuses .
`` Hey guys , all weather policy is dissolved throughout the entire state because we have five weeks left until the election , '' Kay Glad , Biden ’ s regional organizing director for Iowa , texted staffers on Dec. 30 , when much of the state was blanketed in snow .
`` If it feels like unsafe driving conditions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frankly I don ’ t want to hear any complaints because you know how important this is and how much time we have left . ''
Glad 's texts were leaked by an anonymous Biden campaign staffer to the Nation , which published them on Friday .
The staffer described an atmosphere of fear , noting there had been at least five separate car accidents involving Iowa campaign staff between Christmas and New Year 's Day .
The campaign 's existing policy had recommended that staffers avoid driving in potentially dangerous conditions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggest that staff performance over the coming weeks , including with respect to the suspended driving policy , would be considered `` an audition '' for the `` post-Iowa '' portion of the campaign .
`` By showing an ability to be adaptable , flexible , and willing to what [ sic ] you ’ ve been hired to do , then that is the most basic threshold of demonstrating your ability of leading others , '' she wrote .
`` Every single day is an audition for post-Iowa . ''
The Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had suspended the weather policy but had done so without authorization and had since been reprimanded for insubordination .
One day after the Nation reached out for comment , the Biden campaign emailed staff to reiterate that the existing weather policy remained in place .

Former vice president Joe Biden's presidential campaign ordered its Iowa staffers to be "adaptable, flexible, and willing" while suspending the campaign's inclement weather policy in the finals weeks before the Iowa caucuses.
"Hey guys, all weather policy is dissolved throughout the entire state because we have five weeks left until the election," Kay Glad, Biden’s regional organizing director for Iowa, texted staffers on Dec. 30, when much of the state was blanketed in snow. "If it feels like unsafe driving conditions, then talk to me separately but quite frankly I don’t want to hear any complaints because you know how important this is and how much time we have left."
Glad's texts were leaked by an anonymous Biden campaign staffer to the Nation, which published them on Friday. The staffer described an atmosphere of fear, noting there had been at least five separate car accidents involving Iowa campaign staff between Christmas and New Year's Day. The campaign's existing policy had recommended that staffers avoid driving in potentially dangerous conditions.
Glad in the texts went on to suggest that staff performance over the coming weeks, including with respect to the suspended driving policy, would be considered "an audition" for the "post-Iowa" portion of the campaign.
"By showing an ability to be adaptable, flexible, and willing to what [sic] you’ve been hired to do, then that is the most basic threshold of demonstrating your ability of leading others," she wrote. "Every single day is an audition for post-Iowa."
The Biden campaign acknowledged to the Nation that Glad had suspended the weather policy but had done so without authorization and had since been reprimanded for insubordination. One day after the Nation reached out for comment, the Biden campaign emailed staff to reiterate that the existing weather policy remained in place.


freebeacon--2020-01-24--Review: ‘Bad Boys for Life’

Review: ‘Bad Boys for Life’

Bad Boys for Life , the blockbuster reboot of the Will Smith-Martin Lawrence violent-buddy-cop franchise that arrived a mere 17 years after Bad Boys II , takes place in an alternate universe .
Sure , it looks like Miami , with the Intracoastal and the boats and the white high-rises and the noisy clubs .
And theoretically , the year is 2020 .
But this is a 2020 Miami in which cops can go around killing dozens of people in shootouts on Collins Avenue and not get into any trouble .
This is a Miami in which a drug dealer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a bridge and then just fly away scot-free .
This is a Miami where an honest cop drives a Porsche and lives in a $ 7 million apartment .
This is a Miami in which cops do n't retire after they get their 20 years in .
After all , why should they ?
On their police department salaries , they can buy Porsches and $ 7 million apartments .
All of this is to say , if you like cop movies in which the cops are living high on the hog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comic quips while they slaughter people left and right , you will love this thing .
You will love it , that is to say , if you loved the sub-genre that birthed it—the Lethal Weapon genre .
Before Lethal Weapon debuted in 1987 , the key quality of a cop movie was its grittiness .
Cop movies were about the mean streets , the violent criminals who made them mean , and the haunted police officers fighting a perennial battle to stave off the forces of darkness threatening to overwhelm civilization .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ French Connection , which shows a decayed New York being protected , if that 's what you want to call it , by a comparably decayed policeman named Jimmy `` Popeye '' Doyle .
You can practically taste the bad coffee Popeye drinks and smell the garbage left rotting on the sidewalks through which he pursues a heroin dealer .
Watch The French Connection today and what will strike you is the accretion of detail about just how difficult , lonely , and life-sucking it is to be a cop—how boring and freezing-cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to maintain surveillance of a perp , and how the city in question is in such awful shape you wonder why anyone would even bother .
That was the deal—until Lethal Weapon producer Joel Silver and director Richard Donner got the inspired idea to morph the cop movie into a James Bond picture .
Lethal Weapon discarded the pseudo-documentary feel and substituted glossy , jokey , profane dialogue scenes interrupted at regular intervals by utterly implausible action sequences Silver called `` whammos '' —chases ending in explosions .
Logic and even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only unnecessary but kind of a buzzkill .
Cars fly through the air , land 50 feet away , and are not only drivable but can continue to function like high-performance racers .
Audiences ate it up .
They were tired of depressed cynical cops fighting a losing battle .
They wanted action hero cops who treated bad guys like they were Bond villains , and that 's what they got .
Dozens of similar movies followed ( many of them direct to video ) over the next couple of years ; by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to parody the genre .
The problem is you ca n't parody something that 's already an implicit parody , and Last Action Hero was even more leaden and witless than the movies it was making fun of .
By the time the original Bad Boys debuted in 1995 , I had come to dislike this type of picture so intensely I did n't bother seeing it .
So how you react to Bad Boys for Life will depend entirely on whether you are nostalgic for a good old hyperviolent , deliberately ridiculous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that pretends it 's real , or whether the thought of revisiting the genre feels like going to a classic Vegas hotel that should have been razed long ago .
I 'd understand if you went and loved it , but as for me , to quote Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon , `` I 'm too old for this s—t . ''

Bad Boys for Life, the blockbuster reboot of the Will Smith-Martin Lawrence violent-buddy-cop franchise that arrived a mere 17 years after Bad Boys II, takes place in an alternate universe. Sure, it looks like Miami, with the Intracoastal and the boats and the white high-rises and the noisy clubs. And theoretically, the year is 2020. But this is a 2020 Miami in which cops can go around killing dozens of people in shootouts on Collins Avenue and not get into any trouble. This is a Miami in which a drug dealer assassin can fly a helicopter and shoot up a bridge and then just fly away scot-free. This is a Miami where an honest cop drives a Porsche and lives in a $7 million apartment. This is a Miami in which cops don't retire after they get their 20 years in. After all, why should they? On their police department salaries, they can buy Porsches and $7 million apartments.
All of this is to say, if you like cop movies in which the cops are living high on the hog, dressing in Armani, and exchanging comic quips while they slaughter people left and right, you will love this thing. You will love it, that is to say, if you loved the sub-genre that birthed it—the Lethal Weapon genre. Before Lethal Weapon debuted in 1987, the key quality of a cop movie was its grittiness. Cop movies were about the mean streets, the violent criminals who made them mean, and the haunted police officers fighting a perennial battle to stave off the forces of darkness threatening to overwhelm civilization.
The apotheosis of the form was The French Connection, which shows a decayed New York being protected, if that's what you want to call it, by a comparably decayed policeman named Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle. You can practically taste the bad coffee Popeye drinks and smell the garbage left rotting on the sidewalks through which he pursues a heroin dealer. Watch The French Connection today and what will strike you is the accretion of detail about just how difficult, lonely, and life-sucking it is to be a cop—how boring and freezing-cold the stakeouts are, how difficult it is to maintain surveillance of a perp, and how the city in question is in such awful shape you wonder why anyone would even bother.
That was the deal—until Lethal Weapon producer Joel Silver and director Richard Donner got the inspired idea to morph the cop movie into a James Bond picture. Lethal Weapon discarded the pseudo-documentary feel and substituted glossy, jokey, profane dialogue scenes interrupted at regular intervals by utterly implausible action sequences Silver called "whammos"—chases ending in explosions. Logic and even a connection to physical reality were deemed not only unnecessary but kind of a buzzkill. Cars fly through the air, land 50 feet away, and are not only drivable but can continue to function like high-performance racers. Audiences ate it up. They were tired of depressed cynical cops fighting a losing battle. They wanted action hero cops who treated bad guys like they were Bond villains, and that's what they got.
Dozens of similar movies followed (many of them direct to video) over the next couple of years; by 1993, Last Action Hero was looking to parody the genre. The problem is you can't parody something that's already an implicit parody, and Last Action Hero was even more leaden and witless than the movies it was making fun of. By the time the original Bad Boys debuted in 1995, I had come to dislike this type of picture so intensely I didn't bother seeing it.
So how you react to Bad Boys for Life will depend entirely on whether you are nostalgic for a good old hyperviolent, deliberately ridiculous cop picture set in an alternate universe that pretends it's real, or whether the thought of revisiting the genre feels like going to a classic Vegas hotel that should have been razed long ago. I'd understand if you went and loved it, but as for me, to quote Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon, "I'm too old for this s—t."


freebeacon--2020-01-24--Continetti: Impeachment Is About Solidifying the Left

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti said on Friday the Democratic House managers ' handling of the Senate impeachment trial has been less about gaining Republican support than about `` solidifying the left-wing base . ''
`` What impeachment is really about is solidifying the left-wing base of the Democrats ahead of the 2020 election , '' Continetti said during Fox News 's America 's Newsroom .
Continetti claims House managers Reps. Adam Schiff ( D. , Calif. ) and Jerry Nadler ( D. , N.Y. ) have `` actually unified the Republican conference '' through their rhetoric , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most moderate Republican senators .
`` You 've had Jerry Nadler say that the opening votes of the trial amounted to treason .
And then you had Adam Schiff suggest that a failure to convict President Trump would call into question the legitimacy of the 2020 election , '' Continetti said .
`` This is not the language that will appeal even to independent or center-minded Republicans .
It is meant for the resistance folks . ''
Continetti wrote in a column titled , `` Nadler ’ s Folly , '' that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D. , Calif. ) had neglected to move to impeach Trump , it would have invited `` a challenge from the left . ''

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti said on Friday the Democratic House managers' handling of the Senate impeachment trial has been less about gaining Republican support than about "solidifying the left-wing base."
"What impeachment is really about is solidifying the left-wing base of the Democrats ahead of the 2020 election," Continetti said during Fox News's America's Newsroom.
Continetti claims House managers Reps. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.) and Jerry Nadler (D., N.Y.) have "actually unified the Republican conference" through their rhetoric, which has "shocked and offended" most moderate Republican senators.
"You've had Jerry Nadler say that the opening votes of the trial amounted to treason. And then you had Adam Schiff suggest that a failure to convict President Trump would call into question the legitimacy of the 2020 election," Continetti said. "This is not the language that will appeal even to independent or center-minded Republicans. It is meant for the resistance folks."
Continetti wrote in a column titled, "Nadler’s Folly," that if Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) had neglected to move to impeach Trump, it would have invited "a challenge from the left."


freebeacon--2020-01-24--Twitter Attaches Warning to Trump Campaign’s Pro-Life Video

Twitter attached a warning reserved for graphic , gory , or violent content to a pro-life video from the Trump campaign , prompting accusations of censorship against the social media giant .
Hours before Trump is scheduled to become the first sitting U.S. president to attend the annual March for Life , his official campaign account posted a video showing couples with newborns and a pregnant woman looking at an ultrasound of her baby .
`` Life is the greatest miracle of all .
We see it in the eyes of every new mother who cradles that wonderful , innocent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loving arms , '' Trump says in the video .
`` Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life . ''
The video was flagged as containing `` sensitive material , '' despite showing no sexual , violent , or hateful imagery .
Such warnings are reserved for graphic or hateful content .
`` You may not post media that is excessively gory or share violent or adult content within live video or in profile or header images .
Media depicting sexual violence and/or assault is also not permitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its guidelines .
`` Our aim is to limit exposure to sensitive images and videos and to prevent the sharing of potentially disturbing types of sensitive media . ''
The Trump campaign said Twitter 's content warning amounted to `` censorship '' and an attempt to hinder pro-life messages on the site .
`` Twitter ’ s censorship of the video launching President Trump 's pro-life coalition is a perfect example of the left stomping on any idea they do n't like , '' spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said .
`` This video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctity of life .
President Trump is the most pro-life President ever and his support for unborn children can not be silenced . ''
Not all videos discussing abortion have been flagged as potentially `` sensitive . ''
Planned Parenthood videos featuring women discussing their abortions automatically play for any user .
Friday 's episode is not the first time social media platforms have removed or hidden pro-life messages .
In June , Twitter banned activist Lila Rose from posting videos on the site .
In 2018 , Facebook blocked pro-life organizations from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Twitter said the video was flagged `` in error '' and the settings have since been changed .
Some activists called on the company to apologize .
Terry Schilling , executive director of the American Principles Project , said Twitter 's history of censoring pro-life content casts doubt upon its explanation for the warning label .
`` This is one of the biggest moments in the history of the pro-life movement and Twitter decides to try and shut it down , '' Schilling said .
`` Jack Dorsey [ Twitter CEO ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump is scheduled to address the March for Life at noon .

Twitter attached a warning reserved for graphic, gory, or violent content to a pro-life video from the Trump campaign, prompting accusations of censorship against the social media giant.
Hours before Trump is scheduled to become the first sitting U.S. president to attend the annual March for Life, his official campaign account posted a video showing couples with newborns and a pregnant woman looking at an ultrasound of her baby.
"Life is the greatest miracle of all. We see it in the eyes of every new mother who cradles that wonderful, innocent, and glorious newborn child in her loving arms," Trump says in the video. "Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life."
The video was flagged as containing "sensitive material," despite showing no sexual, violent, or hateful imagery.
Such warnings are reserved for graphic or hateful content.
"You may not post media that is excessively gory or share violent or adult content within live video or in profile or header images. Media depicting sexual violence and/or assault is also not permitted," the social media giant says in its guidelines. "Our aim is to limit exposure to sensitive images and videos and to prevent the sharing of potentially disturbing types of sensitive media."
The Trump campaign said Twitter's content warning amounted to "censorship" and an attempt to hinder pro-life messages on the site.
"Twitter’s censorship of the video launching President Trump's pro-life coalition is a perfect example of the left stomping on any idea they don't like," spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said. "This video shows children and families and highlights the sanctity of life. President Trump is the most pro-life President ever and his support for unborn children cannot be silenced."
Not all videos discussing abortion have been flagged as potentially "sensitive." Planned Parenthood videos featuring women discussing their abortions automatically play for any user.
Ylonda. Nick. Hannah. Brittany. Four people living full and empowered lives because they had the freedom to access abortion. Their stories are a call for compassion and self determination. Watch the full film: https://t.co/7DsppFvVNP #OursToTell pic.twitter.com/XVlHDUZdqB — Planned Parenthood (@PPFA) January 23, 2020
Friday's episode is not the first time social media platforms have removed or hidden pro-life messages. In June, Twitter banned activist Lila Rose from posting videos on the site. In 2018, Facebook blocked pro-life organizations from advertising on the site.
A spokeswoman for Twitter said the video was flagged "in error" and the settings have since been changed.
Some activists called on the company to apologize. Terry Schilling, executive director of the American Principles Project, said Twitter's history of censoring pro-life content casts doubt upon its explanation for the warning label.
"This is one of the biggest moments in the history of the pro-life movement and Twitter decides to try and shut it down," Schilling said. "Jack Dorsey [Twitter CEO] owes the pro-life community an apology."
Trump is scheduled to address the March for Life at noon.


freebeacon--2020-01-24--CBS Anchor to Warren: Are You Saying ‘Tough Luck’ to People Who Saved for College?

CBS anchor Tony Dokoupil on Friday asked Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
about her exchange with a father who accused Warren of hurting people who saved for college .
`` For Americans who are in that father 's position , who felt they did the right thing and you 're bailing out those who did n't , what 's your response ? ''
Dokoupil said .
`` Look , we build a future going forward by making it better , '' Warren said .
`` By that same logic what would we have done ?
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start it last week for you , or last month for you ? ''
`` Are you saying ‘ tough luck ' to these people ? ''
Dokoupil interjected .
`` No , '' Warren responded .
`` Our kids have taken on a trillion and a half dollars in student loan debt .
We have got to back that up and say we 're doing better going forward . ''
A viral exchange between Warren and a father in Iowa , caught on video earlier this week , saw the two arguing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student-loan forgiveness plan is unfair to those who saved to pay for college .
The father asked Warren if the money he saved for his daughter 's tuition would be given back to him ; Warren replied `` Of course not . ''
The father said Warren 's plan left people like him `` screwed '' and walked away .
The Massachusetts senator has proposed tuition-free higher education and student debt cancellation as part of her 2020 platform .
The programs would cost taxpayers an estimated $ 1.25 trillion .
An analysis conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated that free college would require radical tax hikes and leave 86 percent of American households in a worse financial position .

CBS anchor Tony Dokoupil on Friday asked Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) about her exchange with a father who accused Warren of hurting people who saved for college.
"For Americans who are in that father's position, who felt they did the right thing and you're bailing out those who didn't, what's your response?" Dokoupil said.
"Look, we build a future going forward by making it better," Warren said. "By that same logic what would we have done? Not started Social Security because we didn't start it last week for you, or last month for you?"
"Are you saying 'tough luck' to these people?" Dokoupil interjected.
"No," Warren responded. "Our kids have taken on a trillion and a half dollars in student loan debt. We have got to back that up and say we're doing better going forward."
A viral exchange between Warren and a father in Iowa, caught on video earlier this week, saw the two arguing about whether the Democratic candidate's proposed student-loan forgiveness plan is unfair to those who saved to pay for college. The father asked Warren if the money he saved for his daughter's tuition would be given back to him; Warren replied "Of course not." The father said Warren's plan left people like him "screwed" and walked away.
The Massachusetts senator has proposed tuition-free higher education and student debt cancellation as part of her 2020 platform. The programs would cost taxpayers an estimated $1.25 trillion. An analysis conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin estimated that free college would require radical tax hikes and leave 86 percent of American households in a worse financial position.


freebeacon--2020-01-25--Automatic Voter Registration Led to Illegal Ballots, Illinois Admits

A watchdog group has requested records from the Illinois State Board of Elections after 574 noncitizens were added to its voter rolls , allowing some of them to vote illegally in the 2018 midterm elections .
The Public Interest Legal Foundation , an election integrity law firm , made the request on Thursday after the board admitted the error .
The individuals in question were improperly invited onto the rolls through a glitch in the state 's automatic voter registration system while applying for a driver 's license or state identification .
The watchdog says Democratic politicians are pushing automatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integrity .
The issues in Illinois with automatic voter registration , which has been implemented in 18 states and the District of Columbia , contribute to an already widespread trend of noncitizens making their way onto voter rolls nationwide .
`` States have no business experimenting with automatic voter registration until they can zero out the risk of ineligible noncitizens passing through traditional Motor Voter , '' said Logan Churchwell , communications director at PILF .
PILF is attempting to find out if all of the self-reported noncitizens were registered through DMV transactions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to identify remaining registered noncitizens .
The 574 noncitizens were self-identified and more could potentially remain on the voter rolls .
The state found 19 who cast ballots in 2018 , but the total number of illegal votes remains unknown .
The group is also seeking information on whether any noncitizens self-reported prior to the new cases or if any noncitizens voted in elections that could have been decided by their participation .
`` This is not a new problem for Illinois .
That state 's Motor Voter system made national news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ automatic voter registration , '' Churchwell said .
`` States like Virginia , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , Michigan , California , Georgia , Florida , and more have demonstrated how foreign nationals can and do enter voter registries through the Motor Voter process , regardless of automation . ''
PILF previously uncovered 232 cases of noncitizens who registered to vote in Chicago .
The individuals later self-reported their illegal registrations in hopes of becoming naturalized U.S. citizens .
`` The Foundation fully expects there are more foreign nationals still registered to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , '' Churchwell said .
`` We just do n't know who they are yet since they have n't felt the need to self-report—but their time will come . ''
Illinois 's State Board of Elections did not respond to a request for comment by press time .

A watchdog group has requested records from the Illinois State Board of Elections after 574 noncitizens were added to its voter rolls, allowing some of them to vote illegally in the 2018 midterm elections.
The Public Interest Legal Foundation, an election integrity law firm, made the request on Thursday after the board admitted the error. The individuals in question were improperly invited onto the rolls through a glitch in the state's automatic voter registration system while applying for a driver's license or state identification.
The watchdog says Democratic politicians are pushing automatic voter registration at the expense of election integrity. The issues in Illinois with automatic voter registration, which has been implemented in 18 states and the District of Columbia, contribute to an already widespread trend of noncitizens making their way onto voter rolls nationwide.
"States have no business experimenting with automatic voter registration until they can zero out the risk of ineligible noncitizens passing through traditional Motor Voter," said Logan Churchwell, communications director at PILF.
PILF is attempting to find out if all of the self-reported noncitizens were registered through DMV transactions and if the state is undertaking any efforts to identify remaining registered noncitizens. The 574 noncitizens were self-identified and more could potentially remain on the voter rolls. The state found 19 who cast ballots in 2018, but the total number of illegal votes remains unknown. The group is also seeking information on whether any noncitizens self-reported prior to the new cases or if any noncitizens voted in elections that could have been decided by their participation.
"This is not a new problem for Illinois. That state's Motor Voter system made national news in 2017 well before policymakers foolishly installed automatic voter registration," Churchwell said. "States like Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, California, Georgia, Florida, and more have demonstrated how foreign nationals can and do enter voter registries through the Motor Voter process, regardless of automation."
PILF previously uncovered 232 cases of noncitizens who registered to vote in Chicago. The individuals later self-reported their illegal registrations in hopes of becoming naturalized U.S. citizens.
"The Foundation fully expects there are more foreign nationals still registered to vote in Illinois—and some of them voted in 2018," Churchwell said. "We just don't know who they are yet since they haven't felt the need to self-report—but their time will come."
Illinois's State Board of Elections did not respond to a request for comment by press time.


Beacon Extra 1/24/20

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon ’ s morning newsletter , your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom .
To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning , sign up here .
LIFE UNDER CHIEF WARREN NOT FAIR … `` Warren Confronted By Man At Campaign Event Over Tuition Reimbursement , '' via THE HILL : A man confronted Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
after a campaign event in Grimes , Iowa , earlier this week to vent frustration that her promise to wipe out student loan debt would not reimburse him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already paid … '' My daughter is in school , '' the man said .
`` I saved all my money just to pay my student loans .
Can I have my money back ? ''
`` Of course not , '' Warren responded .
`` So you want to help those who do n't save any money and the ones that do the right thing get screwed ? ''
he responded .
PETE PROWLS … `` Top Cory Booker Supporters Are Accusing Pete Buttigieg Of ‘ Chasing Ambulances ' , '' via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not appropriate and calling me four hours after [ Booker dropped out ] was not appropriate , '' said [ Democratic Iowa state representative Amy ] Nielsen , who provided a copy of Buttigieg ’ s voicemail … Monica Kurth , a state representative from Davenport who endorsed Booker in August , said she was `` speechless '' when she picked up the phone and heard from Buttigieg about four hours after the campaign ended .
SHE ’ S NOT SWITCHING , CHUCK … `` Jerry Nadler ‘ stunned ' Susan Collins into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' via POLITICO : Sen. Susan Collins was `` stunned '' by Rep. Jerry Nadler ’ s late-night diatribe this week against what he deemed a `` cover-up '' by Senate Republicans for President Donald Trump—so much so that she wrote a note to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts … Collins said she believed the back and forth between House Judiciary Chairman Nadler ( D. , N.Y. ) and White House Counsel Pat Cipollone violated Senate rules and felt compelled to point that out , even though senators are required to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial .
NOT PEACHY … `` Two Months Ahead Of Primary , Georgia Democrats Worry About Division , '' via AJC : Two months before Georgia holds its presidential primary , top state Democrats still have no clear favorite in the race for the White House—and are increasingly worried the bitter race could further strain tensions between moderates and liberals dueling for the nomination .
Many of the party ’ s grassroots leaders are wrestling over whom to back in the field of presidential hopefuls and mindful that the internal fissures could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s chances of flipping Georgia for the first time since 1992 , dozens of activists told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
NOW BERNIE REALLY WON ’ T SHAKE YOUR HAND … `` Tom Steyer Exaggerates Fossil Fuel Divestment , '' via NYT : Most directly , Mr. Steyer has assets worth between $ 1,001 and $ 15,000 in Direct Petroleum Exploration Inc. , a Colorado company that `` operates oil and gas field properties , '' according to Bloomberg … He also has a stake of between $ 1.25 million and $ 5.5 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Co. , an Australian firm that is the second largest shareholder of the oil and gas exploration company Strike Energy Limited .
And HMI Capital Partners , where Mr. Steyer has invested between $ 5 million and $ 25 million , owned stocks in Texas-based Summit Midstream Partners , which focuses primarily on shale infrastructure , according to a 2018 form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission .
OY VEY … `` Once Pushed Out of Washington , Valerie Plame Is Asking Voters to Send Her Back , '' via NYT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign got its start in 2017 , when Ms. Plame raised an uproar for a tweet linking to an article , `` America ’ s Jews Are Driving America ’ s Wars , '' in a publication that has been criticized for publishing anti-Semitic material .
Ms. Plame continues to get questions about her shifting response to the controversy … In an interview , Ms. Plame said her grandfather was from a Ukrainian Jewish family `` right out of ‘ Fiddler on the Roof , ’ '' an ancestral connection she only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that she began attending events at the synagogue in the `` aftermath '' of the outcry over her tweet , but disputed that this decision involved political expediency .
THE STRUGGLE TO STAY AWAKE IS REAL … `` In Marathon Impeachment Trial , Senators Walk To Stay Focused Or Pass The Time With A Fidget Spinner , '' via WAPO : On either side of the chamber , [ Pat ] Toomey and [ Cory ] Booker stood at their desks , with Booker occasionally pacing back and forth .
Rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Booker were just trying to stay loose and focused , as the House managers crossed the five-hour mark in that phase of opening arguments in President Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
`` I think that it ’ s just healthy .
On an airplane I stand up for a six-hour flight .
It ’ s just healthy to stand and let the blood flow , '' Booker explained Thursday afternoon … Age is definitely a cause of concern for [ Pat ] Roberts and Senate leaders trying to manage the trial load @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns 87 in June , is the oldest senator , but there are four others in their 80s and nine more who are older than 75 .
SEND THE BOMBERS … `` Iran-Backed Militias Continue Attacks on U.S. Outposts in Iraq , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : James Jeffrey , the Trump administration ’ s special representative for Syria engagement and special envoy for the global coalition to defeat ISIS , said the United States continues to experience targeted strikes by Iran-backed militia groups seeking to foment unrest in Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani , Iran-backed militants have scaled down their attacks but continue to launch strikes at U.S. positions in the war-torn country , Jeffrey told reporters in a briefing .
HOW DARE YOU … `` Treasury Secretary Mnuchin says climate activist Greta Thunberg should go study economics , '' via WAPO : U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin mocked the Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg on Thursday , urging her to go to college and study economics before she tells countries what to do … Thunberg and numerous European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in a state of emergency and urgent action is required .
The European Union has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050 .
THEY ’ RE ALL IN , BABY … `` Adam Schiff Dazzles the Press , '' by WFB ’ s David Rutz : Mainstream media and liberal commentators said Rep. Adam Schiff ( D. , Calif. ) would be remembered for `` generations to come '' and was `` dazzling , '' `` masterful , '' `` very very good , '' `` very very powerful , '' `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` brilliant , '' `` absolutely brilliant , '' and `` virtuoso '' in his opening statement for President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial .
FAKE NEWS , SCHMAKE NEWS … `` CNN Silent on Contributor ’ s False Viral Tweet , '' by WFB ’ s Alex Griswold : Former Clinton White House press secretary Joe Lockhart received more than 9,000 retweets and 36,000 likes for a tweet claiming to report an overheard conversation between two Fox News-watching GOP senators … Replies to the tweet indicate that many people took Lockhart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment about the episode , a CNN spokesman redirected the Washington Free Beacon to a communications director for the network who ignored multiple requests for comment .
DEATH OF TERRORIST BOTHERS LAWYER … `` EX-CIA Lawyer : The Soleimani Hit Was a Homicide Under U.S. Criminal Law , '' via DAILY BEAST : Unchastened by impeachment , and emboldened by the Justice Department 's dusty old opinion that he can not be indicted while in office , Trump nonetheless ordered the killing of [ Qassem ] Soleimani , a senior Iranian official , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1116 .
The Department of Justice has jurisdiction to prosecute a violation of that statute … If proven , that fact pattern would violate 18 USC Section 1116—our criminal code does not discriminate among victims ( Iranian/German ) and places ( Iraq/France ) .
Perhaps the president is wrong this time , and voters will care that he is bragging about committing cold-blooded murder .
ACQUITTAL IN A NEW YORK MINUTE … `` Nadler ’ s Folly , '' by WFB ’ s Matthew Continetti : The House Democrat made a critical error @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He did n't just say that Republican senators , who voted to begin the proceedings without calling witnesses , were part of a cover up .
He said they had committed treason … The contemptuous attitude of Democrats toward Republicans , and the pass-the-buck mentality that drove the House to impeach Trump before the evidence was in and inter-branch disputes settled by the courts , give GOP senators every reason to vote on the charges sooner rather than later .
No one doubts that it 's a vote Trump will win .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ SHOW : 1,139 .
Come back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com .

Schiff dazzles the media, Nadler errs, and some kids are more off-limits than others
Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon’s morning newsletter, your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom. To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning, sign up here.
LIFE UNDER CHIEF WARREN NOT FAIR … "Warren Confronted By Man At Campaign Event Over Tuition Reimbursement," via THE HILL: A man confronted Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) after a campaign event in Grimes, Iowa, earlier this week to vent frustration that her promise to wipe out student loan debt would not reimburse him for the tuition that he’d already paid …
"My daughter is in school," the man said. "I saved all my money just to pay my student loans. Can I have my money back?"
"Of course not," Warren responded.
"So you want to help those who don't save any money and the ones that do the right thing get screwed?" he responded.
PETE PROWLS … "Top Cory Booker Supporters Are Accusing Pete Buttigieg Of ‘Chasing Ambulances'," via BUZZFEED: "What he said was not appropriate and calling me four hours after [Booker dropped out] was not appropriate," said [Democratic Iowa state representative Amy] Nielsen, who provided a copy of Buttigieg’s voicemail …
Monica Kurth, a state representative from Davenport who endorsed Booker in August, said she was "speechless" when she picked up the phone and heard from Buttigieg about four hours after the campaign ended.
SHE’S NOT SWITCHING, CHUCK … "Jerry Nadler 'stunned' Susan Collins into writing a note to John Roberts," via POLITICO: Sen. Susan Collins was "stunned" by Rep. Jerry Nadler’s late-night diatribe this week against what he deemed a "cover-up" by Senate Republicans for President Donald Trump—so much so that she wrote a note to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts …
Collins said she believed the back and forth between House Judiciary Chairman Nadler (D., N.Y.) and White House Counsel Pat Cipollone violated Senate rules and felt compelled to point that out, even though senators are required to stay at their desks and not speak during the trial.
NOT PEACHY … "Two Months Ahead Of Primary, Georgia Democrats Worry About Division," via AJC: Two months before Georgia holds its presidential primary, top state Democrats still have no clear favorite in the race for the White House—and are increasingly worried the bitter race could further strain tensions between moderates and liberals dueling for the nomination.
Many of the party’s grassroots leaders are wrestling over whom to back in the field of presidential hopefuls and mindful that the internal fissures could deal lasting damage to the party’s chances of flipping Georgia for the first time since 1992, dozens of activists told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
NOW BERNIE REALLY WON’T SHAKE YOUR HAND … "Tom Steyer Exaggerates Fossil Fuel Divestment," via NYT: Most directly, Mr. Steyer has assets worth between $1,001 and $15,000 in Direct Petroleum Exploration Inc., a Colorado company that "operates oil and gas field properties," according to Bloomberg …
He also has a stake of between $1.25 million and $5.5 million in funds managed by M.H. Carnegie & Co., an Australian firm that is the second largest shareholder of the oil and gas exploration company Strike Energy Limited. And HMI Capital Partners, where Mr. Steyer has invested between $5 million and $25 million, owned stocks in Texas-based Summit Midstream Partners, which focuses primarily on shale infrastructure, according to a 2018 form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
OY VEY … "Once Pushed Out of Washington, Valerie Plame Is Asking Voters to Send Her Back," via NYT: One of the biggest issues in the campaign got its start in 2017, when Ms. Plame raised an uproar for a tweet linking to an article, "America’s Jews Are Driving America’s Wars," in a publication that has been criticized for publishing anti-Semitic material. Ms. Plame continues to get questions about her shifting response to the controversy …
In an interview, Ms. Plame said her grandfather was from a Ukrainian Jewish family "right out of ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’" an ancestral connection she only began exploring as an adult. She said that she began attending events at the synagogue in the "aftermath" of the outcry over her tweet, but disputed that this decision involved political expediency.
THE STRUGGLE TO STAY AWAKE IS REAL … "In Marathon Impeachment Trial, Senators Walk To Stay Focused Or Pass The Time With A Fidget Spinner," via WAPO: On either side of the chamber, [Pat] Toomey and [Cory] Booker stood at their desks, with Booker occasionally pacing back and forth. Rather than serving as centurion guards, Toomey and Booker were just trying to stay loose and focused, as the House managers crossed the five-hour mark in that phase of opening arguments in President Trump’s impeachment trial.
"I think that it’s just healthy. On an airplane I stand up for a six-hour flight. It’s just healthy to stand and let the blood flow," Booker explained Thursday afternoon …
Age is definitely a cause of concern for [Pat] Roberts and Senate leaders trying to manage the trial load. [Dianne] Feinstein, who turns 87 in June, is the oldest senator, but there are four others in their 80s and nine more who are older than 75.
SEND THE BOMBERS … "Iran-Backed Militias Continue Attacks on U.S. Outposts in Iraq," by WFB’s Adam Kredo: James Jeffrey, the Trump administration’s special representative for Syria engagement and special envoy for the global coalition to defeat ISIS, said the United States continues to experience targeted strikes by Iran-backed militia groups seeking to foment unrest in Iraq.
In the weeks since U.S. forces killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, Iran-backed militants have scaled down their attacks but continue to launch strikes at U.S. positions in the war-torn country, Jeffrey told reporters in a briefing.
HOW DARE YOU … "Treasury Secretary Mnuchin says climate activist Greta Thunberg should go study economics," via WAPO: U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin mocked the Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg on Thursday, urging her to go to college and study economics before she tells countries what to do …
Thunberg and numerous European leaders spent the week saying the world is in a state of emergency and urgent action is required. The European Union has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050.
THEY’RE ALL IN, BABY … "Adam Schiff Dazzles the Press," by WFB’s David Rutz: Mainstream media and liberal commentators said Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.) would be remembered for "generations to come" and was "dazzling," "masterful," "very very good," "very very powerful," "awfully impressive," "expert," "brilliant," "absolutely brilliant," and "virtuoso" in his opening statement for President Donald Trump's impeachment trial.
FAKE NEWS, SCHMAKE NEWS … "CNN Silent on Contributor’s False Viral Tweet," by WFB’s Alex Griswold: Former Clinton White House press secretary Joe Lockhart received more than 9,000 retweets and 36,000 likes for a tweet claiming to report an overheard conversation between two Fox News-watching GOP senators …
Replies to the tweet indicate that many people took Lockhart's scoop seriously. When reached for comment about the episode, a CNN spokesman redirected the Washington Free Beacon to a communications director for the network who ignored multiple requests for comment.
REMINDER: FREDO ATTACKED THE COVINGTON BOYS …
Why do these trumpers think it is ok to go at a kid? https://t.co/RYY2IrJPL3 — Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) January 23, 2020
DEATH OF TERRORIST BOTHERS LAWYER … "EX-CIA Lawyer: The Soleimani Hit Was a Homicide Under U.S. Criminal Law," via DAILY BEAST: Unchastened by impeachment, and emboldened by the Justice Department's dusty old opinion that he cannot be indicted while in office, Trump nonetheless ordered the killing of [Qassem] Soleimani, a senior Iranian official, in Iraq, in violation of Section 1116. The Department of Justice has jurisdiction to prosecute a violation of that statute …
If proven, that fact pattern would violate 18 USC Section 1116—our criminal code does not discriminate among victims (Iranian/German) and places (Iraq/France). Perhaps the president is wrong this time, and voters will care that he is bragging about committing cold-blooded murder.
ACQUITTAL IN A NEW YORK MINUTE … "Nadler’s Folly," by WFB’s Matthew Continetti: The House Democrat made a critical error early in the trial of President Trump. He didn't just say that Republican senators, who voted to begin the proceedings without calling witnesses, were part of a cover up. He said they had committed treason …
The contemptuous attitude of Democrats toward Republicans, and the pass-the-buck mentality that drove the House to impeach Trump before the evidence was in and inter-branch disputes settled by the courts, give GOP senators every reason to vote on the charges sooner rather than later. No one doubts that it's a vote Trump will win.
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW: 1,139. Come back, Joe!
"You know who really doesn’t have it? Joe Biden." —Former President Barack Obama
Thanks for reading! Send tips to rutz@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-01-25--Schiff Under Fire for Citing Alleged White House Threat to Punish Dissenting Senators

Senate Republicans on Friday slammed Rep. Adam Schiff ( D. , Calif. ) after the House 's lead prosecutor repeated reporting that the White House had threatened to put senators ' `` head [ s ] '' on a `` pike '' if they did not vote to acquit President Donald Trump .
Schiff 's use of the anonymously sourced CBS News report of the threat went over like a `` lead balloon '' with its intended audience , Sen. Mike Lee ( R. , Utah ) told Fox News .
`` It was n't just me who reacted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think every member of the Senate Republican conference , all 53 of us , simultaneously , audibly groaned .
We were very upset , and many of the same senators who they were trying to communicate to were really upset by this and did n't take kindly to it … I do n't know why Schiff would want to do that , but he lost big time tonight . ''
Schiff , widely praised in the media for his presentation of the case for removing Trump , appeared uncomfortable after the remark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure if the report was true and hoped it was not .
Politico reported that some in the chamber said Schiff 's claim was `` not true , '' including Sen. Susan Collins ( R. , Maine ) , one of the Republicans that Democrats hope to sway into voting to subpoena more witnesses and documents in Trump 's trial .
Sen. Lisa Murkowski ( R. , Alaska ) , another moderate target of persuasion for House Democrats , said Schiff 's comment was `` where he lost me . ''
Sen. John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said no member had been issued such a threat , and Sen. Kevin Cramer ( R. , N.D. ) called it a `` really dumb moment , '' according to Politico .
`` The whole room was visibly upset on our side , '' Sen. James Lankford ( R. , Okla. ) told the New York Times .
`` And it 's sad , it 's insulting and demeaning to everyone to say that we somehow live in fear and that the president has threatened all of us to put our head on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just Republicans who disapproved .
Sen. Joe Manchin ( D. , W.Va. ) , one of a few Democrats who could potentially vote to acquit Trump , said Schiff 's comment `` could have been left out , that 's for sure . ''
White House lawyers on Saturday will make their case that Trump should not be convicted of charges of abuse of power and obstructing Congress .
In only the third impeachment trial in American history , Democrats are calling for Trump 's removal from office for what they call an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential 2020 opponent Joe Biden .

Senate Republicans on Friday slammed Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.) after the House's lead prosecutor repeated reporting that the White House had threatened to put senators' "head[s]" on a "pike" if they did not vote to acquit President Donald Trump.
Schiff's use of the anonymously sourced CBS News report of the threat went over like a "lead balloon" with its intended audience, Sen. Mike Lee (R., Utah) told Fox News.
"It wasn't just me who reacted that way," he said. "I think every member of the Senate Republican conference, all 53 of us, simultaneously, audibly groaned. We were very upset, and many of the same senators who they were trying to communicate to were really upset by this and didn't take kindly to it ... I don't know why Schiff would want to do that, but he lost big time tonight."
Schiff, widely praised in the media for his presentation of the case for removing Trump, appeared uncomfortable after the remark, quickly adding that he was not sure if the report was true and hoped it was not. Politico reported that some in the chamber said Schiff's claim was "not true," including Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine), one of the Republicans that Democrats hope to sway into voting to subpoena more witnesses and documents in Trump's trial.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska), another moderate target of persuasion for House Democrats, said Schiff's comment was "where he lost me." Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.) said no member had been issued such a threat, and Sen. Kevin Cramer (R., N.D.) called it a "really dumb moment," according to Politico.


freebeacon--2020-01-26--CNN Blames Bar Shooting on Lax Gun Laws. It Got The Facts Wrong

A CNN article on a recent Kansas City bar shooting mischaracterized the shooter 's criminal history to blame the killing on Missouri 's gun laws .
Police identified 29-year-old Jahron Swift as the shooter who killed one woman and injured 15 before he was killed by an armed guard January 19 .
CNN published a report Wednesday saying Swift likely would have gone to prison over a weapons charge if not for the state 's 2017 permitless carry law .
However , the report obfuscated the date of Swift 's charge to suggest the law let him off the hook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior arrests and weapons charges came before Missouri 's gun law went into effect .
Even after it was enacted on Jan. 1 , 2017 , the permitless carry law would not have nullified Swift 's pending unlawful use of weapons charges .
But regardless of the permitless carry law , Swift was convicted of two felonies and therefore could not have legally carried a gun .
`` Court records show that Swift had two weapons charges in 2016 and 2017 .
The 2016 charge was for unlawful use of a weapon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the CNN report reads .
`` Swift was charged in 2017 with unlawful concealed carry , which could have revoked his probation on the previous charge and increased his chances of going to prison.… However , the second charge came as [ the ] Missouri legislature adopted measures that permitted concealed weapons being carried without a permit . ''
Swift was not on probation at the time of his second arrest , as the report insinuates , and he received a drug felony charge in addition to the weapons charge allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Swift was arrested following an August 2015 traffic stop in which he was caught with five grams of cocaine , more than $ 1,100 in cash , and a .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun .
He was charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon .
CNN 's report failed to mention Swift 's possession of cocaine .
A permitless carry law would not have impacted Swift 's weapons charge , as Swift was in possession of both a weapon and a felony controlled substance .
Swift was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he not possess a firearm or be in the presence of a firearm .
While out on bond , Swift was once again arrested and charged with unlawful use of a weapon in 2016 .
Though the arrest violated Swift 's release conditions , a county judge denied a motion to revoke his bond , as the charges stemming from his August 2015 arrest were still being processed by the courts .
CNN did not respond to a request for comment .
Mike Mansur , a spokesman for the Jackson County prosecutor 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's criminal history but declined to comment further .
Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker blamed lawmakers for the dismissal of the weapons charge stemming from Swift 's 2016 arrest .
She suggested she dropped Swift 's charge in expectation the permitless carry law would nullify it .
`` It 's like Prohibition .
One day it 's illegal and the next day , it 's legal , '' she told the Kansas City Star .
Swift went on to plead guilty in March 2017 to one count of possession of a controlled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one count of unlawful use of a weapon , a class D felony .
Under Missouri law , the punishment for a class D felony ranges from two to four years , while class C felons face sentences of two to seven years .
As a part of his plea deal , Swift received three years probation .
Swift was also ordered to forfeit the weapon he possessed during the August 2015 traffic stop .
While he did not receive a jail sentence , he was still not legally permitted to own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of letting felons off on probation .
The county gave twice as many probation sentences for second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter as all of the state 's other circuit courts combined from 2009 to 2013 , according to a Star report .
Politicians have also attempted to blame the shooting on lax gun laws .
Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas told the Star it was `` deeply concerning '' that Swift `` was allowed to continue carrying a firearm '' without mentioning Swift was legally barred from possessing one .
Lucas did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While gun-control supporters have used the shooting to criticize the state 's permitless carry law , one local prosecutor disputed the notion that a stricter law would have prevented the shooting .
`` It goes back to what we say all the time .
You can have whatever laws you want to have , but if somebody wants to have a gun , and they have less than pure motives , they 'll find a way to get that gun regardless of what the rules are , '' the prosecutor , who requested @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A CNN article on a recent Kansas City bar shooting mischaracterized the shooter's criminal history to blame the killing on Missouri's gun laws.
Police identified 29-year-old Jahron Swift as the shooter who killed one woman and injured 15 before he was killed by an armed guard January 19. CNN published a report Wednesday saying Swift likely would have gone to prison over a weapons charge if not for the state's 2017 permitless carry law. However, the report obfuscated the date of Swift's charge to suggest the law let him off the hook for it.
All of Swift's prior arrests and weapons charges came before Missouri's gun law went into effect. Even after it was enacted on Jan. 1, 2017, the permitless carry law would not have nullified Swift's pending unlawful use of weapons charges. But regardless of the permitless carry law, Swift was convicted of two felonies and therefore could not have legally carried a gun.
"Court records show that Swift had two weapons charges in 2016 and 2017. The 2016 charge was for unlawful use of a weapon and marijuana possession, according to court records," the CNN report reads. "Swift was charged in 2017 with unlawful concealed carry, which could have revoked his probation on the previous charge and increased his chances of going to prison.… However, the second charge came as [the] Missouri legislature adopted measures that permitted concealed weapons being carried without a permit."
Swift was not on probation at the time of his second arrest, as the report insinuates, and he received a drug felony charge in addition to the weapons charge allegedly nullified by the state's gun laws.
Swift was arrested following an August 2015 traffic stop in which he was caught with five grams of cocaine, more than $1,100 in cash, and a .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon. CNN's report failed to mention Swift's possession of cocaine. A permitless carry law would not have impacted Swift's weapons charge, as Swift was in possession of both a weapon and a felony controlled substance.
Swift was released on bond under the conditions that he not possess a firearm or be in the presence of a firearm. While out on bond, Swift was once again arrested and charged with unlawful use of a weapon in 2016. Though the arrest violated Swift's release conditions, a county judge denied a motion to revoke his bond, as the charges stemming from his August 2015 arrest were still being processed by the courts.
CNN did not respond to a request for comment.
Mike Mansur, a spokesman for the Jackson County prosecutor's office, confirmed the timeline of Swift's criminal history but declined to comment further.
Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker blamed lawmakers for the dismissal of the weapons charge stemming from Swift's 2016 arrest. She suggested she dropped Swift's charge in expectation the permitless carry law would nullify it.
"It's like Prohibition. One day it's illegal and the next day, it's legal," she told the Kansas City Star.
Swift went on to plead guilty in March 2017 to one count of possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony, and one count of unlawful use of a weapon, a class D felony. Under Missouri law, the punishment for a class D felony ranges from two to four years, while class C felons face sentences of two to seven years. As a part of his plea deal, Swift received three years probation. Swift was also ordered to forfeit the weapon he possessed during the August 2015 traffic stop. While he did not receive a jail sentence, he was still not legally permitted to own a firearm.
Jackson County has a history of letting felons off on probation. The county gave twice as many probation sentences for second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter as all of the state's other circuit courts combined from 2009 to 2013, according to a Star report.
Politicians have also attempted to blame the shooting on lax gun laws. Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas told the Star it was "deeply concerning" that Swift "was allowed to continue carrying a firearm" without mentioning Swift was legally barred from possessing one. Lucas did not respond to request for comment.
While gun-control supporters have used the shooting to criticize the state's permitless carry law, one local prosecutor disputed the notion that a stricter law would have prevented the shooting.
"It goes back to what we say all the time. You can have whatever laws you want to have, but if somebody wants to have a gun, and they have less than pure motives, they'll find a way to get that gun regardless of what the rules are," the prosecutor, who requested anonymity to speak candidly, said.


freebeacon--2020-01-26--‘Economist’ EIC: No One Talked About Impeachment in Davos

The editor in chief of the Economist said on Sunday that attendees at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland , were gearing up for a second Trump term , while `` literally no one '' spoke to her about impeachment .
CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria asked Economist editor Zanny Minton Beddoes what the global elite in Davos thought about impeachment .
`` To be honest , I did n't think they 're paying a huge amount of attention to it , '' Beddoes said .
She went on to say that while few were closely following what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendees were `` taking almost as given that there might be a second term for President Trump . ''
`` The mood I think certainly amongst the business types in Davos was ‘ get ready for a second term , ' '' Beddoes said .
`` Literally no one spoke to me about impeachment . ''
House Democrats presented their impeachment case against Trump to the Senate this past week .
Trump 's lawyers will continue their defense of the president this week , in advance of a possible end to the trial @ @ @

The editor in chief of the Economist said on Sunday that attendees at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, were gearing up for a second Trump term, while "literally no one" spoke to her about impeachment.
CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria asked Economist editor Zanny Minton Beddoes what the global elite in Davos thought about impeachment.
"To be honest, I didn't think they're paying a huge amount of attention to it," Beddoes said.
She went on to say that while few were closely following what they saw as a foregone conclusion, many attendees were "taking almost as given that there might be a second term for President Trump."
"The mood I think certainly amongst the business types in Davos was 'get ready for a second term,'" Beddoes said. "Literally no one spoke to me about impeachment."
House Democrats presented their impeachment case against Trump to the Senate this past week. Trump's lawyers will continue their defense of the president this week, in advance of a possible end to the trial on Friday.


freebeacon--2020-01-26--Klobuchar: I Don’t Think Sanders Should Be Leading the Ticket

Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) said on Sunday that fellow Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) should not be leading the ticket for her party 's nomination .
Klobuchar did say that she was `` ready to support the winner '' but specifically named Sanders as a liability for her party 's electoral chances in 2020 .
`` I think Senator Sanders 's idea of kicking 149 million Americans off their current health insurance in four years is wrong , '' Klobuchar said on NBC 's Meet the Press .
`` That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be leading the ticket . ''
Sanders 's Medicare for All proposal would abolish private health insurance and replace it with a single-payer , government-run health care system .
Other 2020 contenders , including Klobuchar and former vice president Joe Biden , have criticized Sanders 's plan as a radical and costly alternative to the current regime , or to the `` public option '' approach preferred by Biden .
In an interview on Friday night , CBS anchor Norah O'Donnell accused Sanders of not knowing the true cost of his program .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders replied .
`` Nobody knows .
This is hard to predict . ''
Last year , Sanders said his Medicare for All plan would cost $ 40 trillion over ten years , but added that his plan is cheaper than Biden 's .
He has consistently justified the cost by arguing that most Americans will see a net gain from no longer having to pay insurance premiums .
Medicare for All has over the course of this election cycle proved a thorn in the side for Democrats running in moderate districts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ off of her support for Medicare for All after pushing for the policy in 2012 .
Sanders currently trails Biden by less than a percentage point in the RealClearPolitics polling average for Iowa .
Klobuchar is in fifth place .

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) said on Sunday that fellow Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) should not be leading the ticket for her party's nomination.
Klobuchar did say that she was "ready to support the winner" but specifically named Sanders as a liability for her party's electoral chances in 2020.
"I think Senator Sanders's idea of kicking 149 million Americans off their current health insurance in four years is wrong," Klobuchar said on NBC's Meet the Press. "That's why I don't think he should be leading the ticket."
Sanders's Medicare for All proposal would abolish private health insurance and replace it with a single-payer, government-run health care system. Other 2020 contenders, including Klobuchar and former vice president Joe Biden, have criticized Sanders's plan as a radical and costly alternative to the current regime, or to the "public option" approach preferred by Biden.
In an interview on Friday night, CBS anchor Norah O'Donnell accused Sanders of not knowing the true cost of his program. "You don't know," Sanders replied. "Nobody knows. This is hard to predict." Last year, Sanders said his Medicare for All plan would cost $40 trillion over ten years, but added that his plan is cheaper than Biden's. He has consistently justified the cost by arguing that most Americans will see a net gain from no longer having to pay insurance premiums.
Medicare for All has over the course of this election cycle proved a thorn in the side for Democrats running in moderate districts. Missouri House contender Jill Schupp recently backed off of her support for Medicare for All after pushing for the policy in 2012.
Sanders currently trails Biden by less than a percentage point in the RealClearPolitics polling average for Iowa. Klobuchar is in fifth place.