freebeacon--2020-03-06--Dem Rep Claims Abortions Are Safer Than Wisdom Teeth Removal

Rep. Jackie Speier ( D. , Calif. ) on Wednesday said abortion procedures are safer than having one 's wisdom teeth removed .
`` Abortions are one of the safest procedures you could do on an outpatient basis , safer than doing an endoscopy or doing a wisdom teeth extraction , '' Speier said .
Speier made the comment while walking to the Supreme Court to express support for abortion rights as the justices heard oral arguments about a Louisiana abortion access law .
Opponents of the law argue it is meant to shut down abortion clinics across the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform abortions to maintain admitting privileges at a nearby hospital , where a woman may need emergency care following problems with an abortion procedure .
Speier argued the Louisiana law is purely political since abortions are `` extremely safe . ''
There are 22 states not required to report any data on postabortion complications so it is unclear how many women ultimately suffer from the procedure .
There is also no federal requirement for clinics to report abortion complications or manufacturers to track complications that follow a medical abortion .
Risks of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and injury to the uterus or cervix .
A medicated abortion procedure includes risks such as incomplete abortion ( ongoing pregnancy ) , heavy and continued bleeding , infection , fever , and digestive system discomfort .

Rep. Jackie Speier (D., Calif.) on Wednesday said abortion procedures are safer than having one's wisdom teeth removed.
"Abortions are one of the safest procedures you could do on an outpatient basis, safer than doing an endoscopy or doing a wisdom teeth extraction," Speier said.
Speier made the comment while walking to the Supreme Court to express support for abortion rights as the justices heard oral arguments about a Louisiana abortion access law. Opponents of the law argue it is meant to shut down abortion clinics across the state. The law would require doctors who perform abortions to maintain admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, where a woman may need emergency care following problems with an abortion procedure.
Speier argued the Louisiana law is purely political since abortions are "extremely safe." There are 22 states not required to report any data on postabortion complications so it is unclear how many women ultimately suffer from the procedure. There is also no federal requirement for clinics to report abortion complications or manufacturers to track complications that follow a medical abortion.
Risks of a surgical abortion include hemorrhage, infection, and injury to the uterus or cervix. A medicated abortion procedure includes risks such as incomplete abortion (ongoing pregnancy), heavy and continued bleeding, infection, fever, and digestive system discomfort.


freebeacon--2020-03-06--NYT Editorial Board Member and MSNBC’s Brian Williams Can’t Do Basic Math

MSNBC broadcast a wildly inaccurate tweet Thursday night claiming that Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg 's $ 500 million in election spending could 've provided every American with $ 1 million each .
During a discussion on the former New York City mayor 's failed presidential run , New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay told MSNBC 's Brian Williams that `` somebody tweeted recently that actually with the money he 's spent , he could have given every American a million dollars . ''
Williams then displayed the tweet in question from journalist Mekita Rivas .
`` Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. population , 327 million , '' Williams said .
`` He could have given each American $ 1 million and have had lunch money left over .
It 's an incredible way of putting it . ''
`` It 's an incredible way of putting it , '' Gay agreed .
`` It 's true .
It 's disturbing . ''
It is not true .
Very basic math indicates that $ 500 million could only provide 500 people with $ 1 million .
If Bloomberg 's election spending were equally spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would receive less than $ 2 .
Before the MSNBC segment aired , Rivas 's tweet had already been thoroughly mocked .
Rivas doubled down and claimed that Bloomberg could easily give every American $ 1 million before locking her account and adding `` I know , I ’ m bad at math '' to its bio .
It would take $ 327 trillion to provide every American with $ 1 million , more than three times the entire global gross domestic product .
With an estimated net worth of $ 58.3 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with about $ 178 .
Gay later addressed her error on Twitter , self-deprecatingly tweeting `` Buying a calculator , brb . ''

MSNBC broadcast a wildly inaccurate tweet Thursday night claiming that Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg's $500 million in election spending could've provided every American with $1 million each.
During a discussion on the former New York City mayor's failed presidential run, New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay told MSNBC's Brian Williams that "somebody tweeted recently that actually with the money he's spent, he could have given every American a million dollars." Williams then displayed the tweet in question from journalist Mekita Rivas.
"Bloomberg spent $500 million on ads, U.S. population, 327 million," Williams said. "He could have given each American $1 million and have had lunch money left over. It's an incredible way of putting it."
"It's an incredible way of putting it," Gay agreed. "It's true. It's disturbing."
It is not true. Very basic math indicates that $500 million could only provide 500 people with $1 million. If Bloomberg's election spending were equally spread across the U.S. population, each person would receive less than $2.
Before the MSNBC segment aired, Rivas's tweet had already been thoroughly mocked. Rivas doubled down and claimed that Bloomberg could easily give every American $1 million before locking her account and adding "I know, I’m bad at math" to its bio.
It would take $327 trillion to provide every American with $1 million, more than three times the entire global gross domestic product. With an estimated net worth of $58.3 billion, Bloomberg could only provide every American with about $178.
Gay later addressed her error on Twitter, self-deprecatingly tweeting "Buying a calculator, brb."


freebeacon--2020-03-06--Warren Hits Sanders for ‘Ugly, Dangerous’ Behavior by His Supporters

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
said Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) is failing to address online harassment perpetrated by his supporters , adding that candidates are responsible for the behavior of their supporters .
`` I think there 's a real problem with this online bullying and sort of organized nastiness , and I 'm not just talking about who said mean things , '' Warren said during a Thursday interview with MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow .
`` I 'm talking about some really ugly stuff that went on . ''
Warren mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Culinary Workers Union Local 226 after the union criticized Sanders 's Medicare for All proposal .
`` We are responsible for the people who claim to be our supporters and do really threatening , ugly , dangerous things to other candidates , '' Warren said .
Warren added that Sanders ’ s supporters are extreme for threatening individuals and sharing their private information .
`` It 's a particular problem with Sanders 's supporters ? ''
Maddow asked .
`` It is .
It just is .
It 's just a factual question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded .
She said she spoke with the Vermont senator about the problem and said he needs to find a solution .
`` The point is , you do n't have a creative solution , sit down and try a creative solution , '' Warren said .
`` And if the first one does n't work , move it aside and let 's try the second , and if that one does n't work , move it aside and let 's try a third .
But throwing up our hands and saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that can not be the right answer . ''
She called for `` an understanding that nobody tries to put somebody 's family at risk or somebody personally at risk because they disagree with you on the politics of it , because they see the policy different , because they do n't support your candidate and they support some other candidate . ''
Warren ended her presidential campaign after a poor performance on Super Tuesday , in which she came in third in her home state of Massachusetts .

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) is failing to address online harassment perpetrated by his supporters, adding that candidates are responsible for the behavior of their supporters.
"I think there's a real problem with this online bullying and sort of organized nastiness, and I'm not just talking about who said mean things," Warren said during a Thursday interview with MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow. "I'm talking about some really ugly stuff that went on."
Warren mentioned harassment experienced by members of Nevada's Culinary Workers Union Local 226 after the union criticized Sanders's Medicare for All proposal.
"We are responsible for the people who claim to be our supporters and do really threatening, ugly, dangerous things to other candidates," Warren said.
Warren added that Sanders’s supporters are extreme for threatening individuals and sharing their private information.
"It's a particular problem with Sanders's supporters?" Maddow asked.
"It is. It just is. It's just a factual question, and it is," Warren responded.
She said she spoke with the Vermont senator about the problem and said he needs to find a solution.
"The point is, you don't have a creative solution, sit down and try a creative solution," Warren said. "And if the first one doesn't work, move it aside and let's try the second, and if that one doesn't work, move it aside and let's try a third. But throwing up our hands and saying, no, we can't do this, that cannot be the right answer."
She called for "an understanding that nobody tries to put somebody's family at risk or somebody personally at risk because they disagree with you on the politics of it, because they see the policy different, because they don't support your candidate and they support some other candidate."
Warren ended her presidential campaign after a poor performance on Super Tuesday, in which she came in third in her home state of Massachusetts.


freebeacon--2020-03-07--Justice Department Warns of Border Rush as It Asks Supreme Court to Protect Asylum Policy

Fearing an unprecedented influx of asylum seekers on the southern border , the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to lift a court decision blocking implementation of the `` Wait in Mexico '' policy , which requires asylum seekers to remain in Mexico until their claims are heard .
The Ninth U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an injunction blocking the Migrant Protection Protocols ( MPP ) in February .
The appeals court reined in the injunction Wednesday , saying the protocol would be blocked only in Arizona and California .
The injunction 's reduced reach will still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the administration told the justices in a Friday legal filing .
`` The injunction is virtually guaranteed to impose irreparable harm by prompting a rush on the border , '' Solicitor General Noel Francisco told the justices in a legal filing .
`` There is no need to speculate about the consequences .
Immediately following the 9th Circuit 's Feb. 28 decision , hundreds of migrants presented themselves at the border for admission . ''
The Ninth Circuit decision could prove damaging to President Donald Trump 's reelection prospects .
Unless the injunction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protection ( CBP ) will be responsible for housing thousands of asylum seekers pending decisions on their applications .
A CBP official wrote in a sworn statement that the agency does not have the capacity to accommodate those migrants and warned of overcrowding and threats to health and safety .
Reports of poor conditions at migrant detention facilities beset the administration throughout 2019 .
The same CBP official wrote that lawyers for Mexican-based asylum seekers contacted the agency within hours of the lower decision seeking admission for their clients .
One lawyer asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of entry .
The Trump administration says the migrants now waiting in Mexico are subject to a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( INA ) that authorizes the attorney general to require that asylum seekers wait outside U.S. borders .
The Ninth Circuit rejected that argument , saying that provision applies to applicants who pose a threat to U.S. security .
A different INA provision provides that asylum seekers with a credible fear of persecution are entitled to remain in the United States before their claims are heard , the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPP leaves asylum seekers in Mexico at heightened risk of violence , in violation of U.S. treaty obligations .
The panel noted one migrant-plaintiff currently waiting in Mexico expressed fear of violent retribution from the MS-13 gang .
The plaintiff said he left Honduras to escape MS-13 violence , only to learn the gang 's Mexican elements are vindictively targeting asylum seekers near the U.S. border .
U.S. ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau submitted his own sworn statement warning that the Ninth Circuit 's decision will damage the government 's relationship with Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the courts are loathe to disturb diplomatic relations .
`` It is my firm belief , as the United States ambassador to Mexico , that a stay of the panel decision pending further review is imperative to prevent a crisis on our country 's southern border and in its critically important relationship with Mexico , '' Landau wrote .
The Supreme Court has become a major arbiter of U.S. immigration policy since 2017 .
The Trump administration has obtained emergency stays from the justices after interim lower court defeats in cases involving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds for border wall construction .
The Court will also decide whether the government lawfully rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program by June .
The MPP applies to asylum-seekers who pass through a third country on their way to the United States .
Approximately 60,000 aliens were returned to Mexico under the protocol since January 2019 .
The U.S. and Mexican governments finalized MPP in 2018 , after successive waves of Central American migrants journeyed through Mexico to submit asylum claims at U.S. ports of entry .
The protocol does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ application was referred to Justice Elena Kagan , who hears emergency matters arising from the Ninth Circuit .
Kagan ordered the immigrant plaintiffs to file a response on Monday .
She will likely refer the matter to the full Court for disposition .
The case is No .
19A960 Chad Wolf v. Innovation Law Lab .

Fearing an unprecedented influx of asylum seekers on the southern border, the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to lift a court decision blocking implementation of the "Wait in Mexico" policy, which requires asylum seekers to remain in Mexico until their claims are heard.
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an injunction blocking the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) in February. The appeals court reined in the injunction Wednesday, saying the protocol would be blocked only in Arizona and California. The injunction's reduced reach will still foment chaos at ports of entry, the administration told the justices in a Friday legal filing.
"The injunction is virtually guaranteed to impose irreparable harm by prompting a rush on the border," Solicitor General Noel Francisco told the justices in a legal filing. "There is no need to speculate about the consequences. Immediately following the 9th Circuit's Feb. 28 decision, hundreds of migrants presented themselves at the border for admission."
The Ninth Circuit decision could prove damaging to President Donald Trump's reelection prospects. Unless the injunction is stayed, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be responsible for housing thousands of asylum seekers pending decisions on their applications. A CBP official wrote in a sworn statement that the agency does not have the capacity to accommodate those migrants and warned of overcrowding and threats to health and safety. Reports of poor conditions at migrant detention facilities beset the administration throughout 2019.
The same CBP official wrote that lawyers for Mexican-based asylum seekers contacted the agency within hours of the lower decision seeking admission for their clients. One lawyer asked to bring 1,000 individuals to a port of entry.
The Trump administration says the migrants now waiting in Mexico are subject to a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that authorizes the attorney general to require that asylum seekers wait outside U.S. borders. The Ninth Circuit rejected that argument, saying that provision applies to applicants who pose a threat to U.S. security. A different INA provision provides that asylum seekers with a credible fear of persecution are entitled to remain in the United States before their claims are heard, the court said.
The Ninth Circuit also said MPP leaves asylum seekers in Mexico at heightened risk of violence, in violation of U.S. treaty obligations. The panel noted one migrant-plaintiff currently waiting in Mexico expressed fear of violent retribution from the MS-13 gang. The plaintiff said he left Honduras to escape MS-13 violence, only to learn the gang's Mexican elements are vindictively targeting asylum seekers near the U.S. border.
U.S. ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau submitted his own sworn statement warning that the Ninth Circuit's decision will damage the government's relationship with Mexico. Landau's intervention is significant because the courts are loathe to disturb diplomatic relations.
"It is my firm belief, as the United States ambassador to Mexico, that a stay of the panel decision pending further review is imperative to prevent a crisis on our country's southern border and in its critically important relationship with Mexico," Landau wrote.
The Supreme Court has become a major arbiter of U.S. immigration policy since 2017. The Trump administration has obtained emergency stays from the justices after interim lower court defeats in cases involving the travel ban and the use of Pentagon funds for border wall construction. The Court will also decide whether the government lawfully rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program by June.
The MPP applies to asylum-seekers who pass through a third country on their way to the United States. Approximately 60,000 aliens were returned to Mexico under the protocol since January 2019.
The U.S. and Mexican governments finalized MPP in 2018, after successive waves of Central American migrants journeyed through Mexico to submit asylum claims at U.S. ports of entry. The protocol does not apply to Mexican nationals.
Friday's application was referred to Justice Elena Kagan, who hears emergency matters arising from the Ninth Circuit. Kagan ordered the immigrant plaintiffs to file a response on Monday. She will likely refer the matter to the full Court for disposition.
The case is No. 19A960 Chad Wolf v. Innovation Law Lab.


freebeacon--2020-03-07--Jersey Cops Arrest Black Gun Owner Over Licensed Gun, Legal Ammo

A New Jersey gun owner is fighting charges for carrying a firearm for which he had a permit and ammunition state police have publicly said is legal .
Roosevelt Twyne , a 25-year-old African-American security guard , was arrested by Roselle Park Police in February after a traffic stop stemming from tinted windows on his car .
Evan Nappen , Twyne 's attorney , told the Washington Free Beacon that his client was then erroneously charged for illegally carrying a firearm and being in possession of so-called hollow point ammunition .
`` He was arrested for the hollow point ammunition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Then they claimed he was transporting his handgun illegally .
He had a permit to carry a handgun .
The law … makes it clear that it 's illegal to transport unless you are licensed pursuant to chapter 58 .
And that is precisely what a handgun carry permit is . ''
Nappen said the ammunition that led to Twyne 's arrest was the same ammunition issued by his employer .
He also pointed to a New Jersey State Police website that says the polymer-tipped Hornady `` Critical Duty '' ammunition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be hollow point ammunition '' and not illegal to possess in the state—the website goes so far as to specifically name `` Critical Duty '' as an example of legal ammunition .
`` It 's lawful , '' Nappen told the Free Beacon .
`` It 's publicly announced as lawful because it is .
It 's not hollow .
It 's filled . ''
Roselle Park police chief Daniel J. McCaffery did not return a request for comment .
The Union County Prosecutor 's Office did not respond to questions about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case will be heard next month in New Jersey Superior Court .
The charges against Twyne are representative of the difficulties of navigating New Jersey 's gun laws , which are among the strictest in the nation .
They may also reveal issues in the police 's understanding of the state 's voluminous , complex gun restrictions .
The case also shows how disruptive gun-related charges can be , even when the accused has a clean record and is not alleged to have done anything violent .
Twyne said he has not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his life has been turned upside down .
`` Honestly , it 's been traumatic and has impacted my life in a way that I 've never experienced before , '' he told the Free Beacon in a statement .
`` It 's hard because now even looking for a part time job or any job , it 's made it so much harder for me .
Not only has it tainted my name and reputation , which I have worked hard to attain , not just growing up in Elizabeth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a difference . ''
Nappen said the three police officers , who were white , did not make any racist remarks during the arrest but said the issue of race is the `` elephant in the room . ''
`` They did n't make racist comments , '' he said .
`` They did n't say anything racist but , on its face , it 's dubious .
Let 's just say it 's dubious . ''
Many of the earliest gun-control measures instituted in the United States were directed at disarming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` black codes '' put into place throughout the South in the wake of the Civil War banned the ownership or carry of firearms by African Americans .
Gun-control provisions targeted at African Americans or in response to their activism continued through the Civil Rights era .
Racial concerns over gun-control laws and their enforcement remain today .
In 2018 , the Department of Justice reported African Americans are most likely to be convicted of federal gun crimes and most likely to face jail time over those crimes .
The modern gun-control movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies and statements .
Michael Bloomberg , the former New York mayor and prominent funder of gun-control groups nationwide who recently dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary , ran a controversial stop-and-frisk program that he said tried to keep people from carrying guns .
The policy remained in place until 2013 when the program was drastically curtailed by a federal judge 's ruling , which said it targeted `` blacks and Hispanics who would not have been stopped if they were white . ''
Igor Volsky , executive director of gun-control activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrutiny for saying the gun industry 's efforts to sell firearms to minorities and women were `` incredibly dangerous '' last month .
Maj Toure , an African-American gun-rights advocate , said `` the overt racism of gun control rears its ugly head again '' in response to Volsky 's comments .
Whether or not race was a factor in Twyne 's stop , Nappen said he should have been released without charges once police reviewed his gun-carry permit .
`` Once they got all of his licenses , he 's a block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , '' he said .
`` You arrest him and put these charges on him ?
I mean , who is this person we 're dealing with now ?
This is n't some gang banger that they 've been trying to get forever and they finally can put something on him because he 's such a danger to the public .
This is a good guy .
Licensed .
He just showed you everything .
He 's not a danger to anybody .
He 's a good guy on our side .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Why is he then subjected to the next phase with both the charges that are baseless ? ''
Nappen said Twyne 's ordeal reminded him of former client Shaneen Allen , an African-American mother of two who spent two days in a New Jersey jail on gun-carry charges before being pardoned by then-governor Chris Christie ( R. ) in 2015 .
Allen , a Pennsylvania resident , was stopped by a New Jersey police officer for an illegal lane change while on her way to a birthday party for one of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of prison time for carrying a gun because New Jersey does not recognize her Pennsylvanian gun-carry permit—something she did not realize at the time .
`` The difference with Shaneen is she made an honest mistake , '' Nappen said .
`` Mr. Roosevelt did n't make any mistakes .
Shaneen was an injustice without a doubt but here even completely obeying the law you still become a victim of gun laws .
It 's ridiculous . ''
A crowdfunding effort to pay for Twyne 's defense has raised nearly $ 5,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twyne 's case will be heard by Judge Robert Kirsch at 9 a.m. on April 2 , according to the prosecutor 's office .

A New Jersey gun owner is fighting charges for carrying a firearm for which he had a permit and ammunition state police have publicly said is legal.
Roosevelt Twyne, a 25-year-old African-American security guard, was arrested by Roselle Park Police in February after a traffic stop stemming from tinted windows on his car. Evan Nappen, Twyne's attorney, told the Washington Free Beacon that his client was then erroneously charged for illegally carrying a firearm and being in possession of so-called hollow point ammunition.
"He was arrested for the hollow point ammunition," Nappen told the Free Beacon. "Then they claimed he was transporting his handgun illegally. He had a permit to carry a handgun. The law ... makes it clear that it's illegal to transport unless you are licensed pursuant to chapter 58. And that is precisely what a handgun carry permit is."
Nappen said the ammunition that led to Twyne's arrest was the same ammunition issued by his employer. He also pointed to a New Jersey State Police website that says the polymer-tipped Hornady "Critical Duty" ammunition in question is "not considered to be hollow point ammunition" and not illegal to possess in the state—the website goes so far as to specifically name "Critical Duty" as an example of legal ammunition.
"It's lawful," Nappen told the Free Beacon. "It's publicly announced as lawful because it is. It's not hollow. It's filled."
Roselle Park police chief Daniel J. McCaffery did not return a request for comment. The Union County Prosecutor's Office did not respond to questions about the charges against Twyne but did say his case will be heard next month in New Jersey Superior Court.
The charges against Twyne are representative of the difficulties of navigating New Jersey's gun laws, which are among the strictest in the nation. They may also reveal issues in the police's understanding of the state's voluminous, complex gun restrictions. The case also shows how disruptive gun-related charges can be, even when the accused has a clean record and is not alleged to have done anything violent.
Twyne said he has not been able to work in nearly a month and his life has been turned upside down.
"Honestly, it's been traumatic and has impacted my life in a way that I've never experienced before," he told the Free Beacon in a statement. "It's hard because now even looking for a part time job or any job, it's made it so much harder for me. Not only has it tainted my name and reputation, which I have worked hard to attain, not just growing up in Elizabeth, but as a black man trying to make a difference."
Nappen said the three police officers, who were white, did not make any racist remarks during the arrest but said the issue of race is the "elephant in the room."
"They didn't make racist comments," he said. "They didn't say anything racist but, on its face, it's dubious. Let's just say it's dubious."
Many of the earliest gun-control measures instituted in the United States were directed at disarming African Americans and other minorities. Many "black codes" put into place throughout the South in the wake of the Civil War banned the ownership or carry of firearms by African Americans. Gun-control provisions targeted at African Americans or in response to their activism continued through the Civil Rights era.
Racial concerns over gun-control laws and their enforcement remain today. In 2018, the Department of Justice reported African Americans are most likely to be convicted of federal gun crimes and most likely to face jail time over those crimes.
The modern gun-control movement has also faced criticism for racially tinged policies and statements. Michael Bloomberg, the former New York mayor and prominent funder of gun-control groups nationwide who recently dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary, ran a controversial stop-and-frisk program that he said tried to keep people from carrying guns. The policy remained in place until 2013 when the program was drastically curtailed by a federal judge's ruling, which said it targeted "blacks and Hispanics who would not have been stopped if they were white."
Igor Volsky, executive director of gun-control activist group Guns Down America, came under scrutiny for saying the gun industry's efforts to sell firearms to minorities and women were "incredibly dangerous" last month. Maj Toure, an African-American gun-rights advocate, said "the overt racism of gun control rears its ugly head again" in response to Volsky's comments.
Whether or not race was a factor in Twyne's stop, Nappen said he should have been released without charges once police reviewed his gun-carry permit.
"Once they got all of his licenses, he's a block away from home and everything is clear now," he said. "You arrest him and put these charges on him? I mean, who is this person we're dealing with now? This isn't some gang banger that they've been trying to get forever and they finally can put something on him because he's such a danger to the public. This is a good guy. Licensed. He just showed you everything. He's not a danger to anybody. He's a good guy on our side. On the side of law and order. Why is he then subjected to the next phase with both the charges that are baseless?"
Nappen said Twyne's ordeal reminded him of former client Shaneen Allen, an African-American mother of two who spent two days in a New Jersey jail on gun-carry charges before being pardoned by then-governor Chris Christie (R.) in 2015. Allen, a Pennsylvania resident, was stopped by a New Jersey police officer for an illegal lane change while on her way to a birthday party for one of her sons. She was arrested and faced years of prison time for carrying a gun because New Jersey does not recognize her Pennsylvanian gun-carry permit—something she did not realize at the time.
"The difference with Shaneen is she made an honest mistake," Nappen said. "Mr. Roosevelt didn't make any mistakes. Shaneen was an injustice without a doubt but here even completely obeying the law you still become a victim of gun laws. It's ridiculous."
A crowdfunding effort to pay for Twyne's defense has raised nearly $5,500 from 189 donors as of Friday.
Twyne's case will be heard by Judge Robert Kirsch at 9 a.m. on April 2, according to the prosecutor's office.


freebeacon--2020-03-07--Chris Hayes: Black Voters Can’t Join GOP Because of ‘Structural White Supremacy’

MSNBC anchor Chris Hayes erased the existence of black Republicans Friday when he asserted that there 's `` only one party '' to which African Americans can belong .
`` White people in America have two parties to choose from and between those two parties they sort in all kinds of ways , '' Hayes said , describing different white voter profiles but asserting that all types of black Americans must join `` the Democratic Party , because there 's only one party they can be a part of because of the nature of structural white supremacy in America in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this `` broader range of lives experience among African-American voters in the party '' should help more liberal Democrats understand why so many black voters have chosen to vote for Joe Biden .
Hayes was responding to Princeton professor and MSNBC contributor Eddie Glaude , who argued that a `` politics of fear '' was driving black voters to Biden from Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , whose left-wing policy preferences are closer to Glaude 's .
`` It could very well be the case that since South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been kind of swamped with fear and panic , '' Glaude said , arguing that a lot of voters were thinking , `` If we nominate Bernie Sanders , we 're going to reelect Donald Trump , the country is going to go to hell . ''
`` We heard all of this from Mike Bloomberg 's campaign : ‘ If you nominate Bernie Sanders , down ballot we 're going to lose all these candidates .
We 're going to lose the House .
Nancy Pelosi is going to lose her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of politics of fear and in some ways inducing a panic among the electorate . ''
Glaude also acknowledged that some black voters `` just simply agree with Biden . ''
In 2016 , Donald Trump improved slightly on Mitt Romney 's numbers with black voters , and some evidence shows he may receive more support this year .
According to numbers from the pro-Democratic BlackPAC , which were cited in the New York Times , `` Trump ’ s favorability rating among black voters overall increased from 7 percent in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 13 percent `` strongly '' approving .
This along with other statistics led BlackPAC to warn that `` the loyalty of a quarter of black voters to the Democratic Party may be waning . ''

MSNBC anchor Chris Hayes erased the existence of black Republicans Friday when he asserted that there's "only one party" to which African Americans can belong.
"White people in America have two parties to choose from and between those two parties they sort in all kinds of ways," Hayes said, describing different white voter profiles but asserting that all types of black Americans must join "the Democratic Party, because there's only one party they can be a part of because of the nature of structural white supremacy in America in the political coalitions."
Hayes argued that this "broader range of lives experience among African-American voters in the party" should help more liberal Democrats understand why so many black voters have chosen to vote for Joe Biden.
Hayes was responding to Princeton professor and MSNBC contributor Eddie Glaude, who argued that a "politics of fear" was driving black voters to Biden from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), whose left-wing policy preferences are closer to Glaude's.
"It could very well be the case that since South Carolina and even before South Carolina the electorate has been kind of swamped with fear and panic," Glaude said, arguing that a lot of voters were thinking, "If we nominate Bernie Sanders, we're going to reelect Donald Trump, the country is going to go to hell."
"We heard all of this from Mike Bloomberg's campaign: 'If you nominate Bernie Sanders, down ballot we're going to lose all these candidates. We're going to lose the House. Nancy Pelosi is going to lose her gavel.' So there was a kind of politics of fear and in some ways inducing a panic among the electorate."
Glaude also acknowledged that some black voters "just simply agree with Biden."
In 2016, Donald Trump improved slightly on Mitt Romney's numbers with black voters, and some evidence shows he may receive more support this year. According to numbers from the pro-Democratic BlackPAC, which were cited in the New York Times, "Trump’s favorability rating among black voters overall increased from 7 percent in 2016 to 18 percent in 2019," with 13 percent "strongly" approving. This along with other statistics led BlackPAC to warn that "the loyalty of a quarter of black voters to the Democratic Party may be waning."


freebeacon--2020-03-07--Cuomo Praises Serial Groper Al Franken: ‘Your Voice Is Needed’

A CNN anchor said on Friday that disgraced former Democratic senator and accused serial groper Al Franken 's `` voice is needed '' in the 2020 primary .
Anchor Chris Cuomo and Franken spoke for nearly 15 minutes about the Democratic primary on Friday night .
The segment featured effusive praise from Cuomo , who only briefly touched on the numerous allegations of sexual misconduct that led to Franken 's resignation in 2018 .
`` Your voice is needed .
It is unusual in your party right now to hear the way you 're talking based on the state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You 're welcome here anytime to help us make sense of the election going forward . ''
Franken described how he had been `` screaming '' at the television during the debates because the candidates have n't been attacking President Donald Trump .
Near the end of the interview , the host attempted to minimize the accusations of groping and unwanted kissing by pointing out that many Senate Democrats regretted calling for Franken to resign .
`` It 's just regrettable when somebody who has that kind of passion for public service winds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own terms , '' Cuomo said .
`` The New Yorker comes out with an article .
Eight of the senators who were against you are in this article saying they regret it , and they say that to different degrees .
In fact , some go much further than that . ''
Franken appeared on the network one day after former president Bill Clinton came under fire for blaming his own sexual misconduct on the `` stress '' and `` anxieties '' he felt in the White House .
Clinton 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lewinsky has been slammed by liberals , such as Bill Maher , as `` callous . ''
Franken formally resigned in early January 2018 after eight women came forward and accused him of groping and forcibly kissing them .
He initially refused to step down , but changed course after Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ( D. , N.Y ) and dozens of fellow Democratic senators called for him to resign .
This is not the first time Cuomo or CNN has attempted to rehab the image of a disgraced former Democratic lawmaker .
Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she resigned from Congress in the face of sexual misconduct allegations .
Cuomo framed the interview as Hill `` fighting back . ''

A CNN anchor said on Friday that disgraced former Democratic senator and accused serial groper Al Franken's "voice is needed" in the 2020 primary.
Anchor Chris Cuomo and Franken spoke for nearly 15 minutes about the Democratic primary on Friday night. The segment featured effusive praise from Cuomo, who only briefly touched on the numerous allegations of sexual misconduct that led to Franken's resignation in 2018.
"Your voice is needed. It is unusual in your party right now to hear the way you're talking based on the state of play," Cuomo said. "You're welcome here anytime to help us make sense of the election going forward."
Franken described how he had been "screaming" at the television during the debates because the candidates haven't been attacking President Donald Trump. Near the end of the interview, the host attempted to minimize the accusations of groping and unwanted kissing by pointing out that many Senate Democrats regretted calling for Franken to resign.
"It's just regrettable when somebody who has that kind of passion for public service winds up having to exit it not on their own terms," Cuomo said. "The New Yorker comes out with an article. Eight of the senators who were against you are in this article saying they regret it, and they say that to different degrees. In fact, some go much further than that."
Franken appeared on the network one day after former president Bill Clinton came under fire for blaming his own sexual misconduct on the "stress" and "anxieties" he felt in the White House. Clinton's explanation of his relationship with intern Monica Lewinsky has been slammed by liberals, such as Bill Maher, as "callous."
Franken formally resigned in early January 2018 after eight women came forward and accused him of groping and forcibly kissing them. He initially refused to step down, but changed course after Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y) and dozens of fellow Democratic senators called for him to resign.
This is not the first time Cuomo or CNN has attempted to rehab the image of a disgraced former Democratic lawmaker. Cuomo interviewed California Democrat Katie Hill shortly after she resigned from Congress in the face of sexual misconduct allegations. Cuomo framed the interview as Hill "fighting back."


freebeacon--2020-03-08--Liberal Nonprofit Recruits CFPB Official Who Gave It Special Access

A progressive nonprofit recruited a top Consumer Financial Protection Bureau official who gave its activists significant access to the agency 's policy and hiring decisions .
The Center for Responsible Lending ( CRL ) brought on David Silberman , the former acting deputy director of the bureau , as a senior adviser in early February .
While at the CFPB , Silberman repeatedly solicited advice from the progressive group when writing regulations and filling senior CFPB jobs , internal emails reveal .
He had a particularly close relationship with CRL president Michael Calhoun .
Silberman was the CFPB 's associate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations starting in 2011 and was acting deputy director of the entire agency from 2016 to 2017 .
CRL 's decision is the most recent example of the revolving door between CRL and CFPB , a friendly relationship that has given the progressive group outsized clout in the agency .
Conservatives have frequently criticized CFPB as an unaccountable , left-leaning regulator that uses government power to push a partisan agenda .
CRL is one of many progressive groups pushing for new regulations on the payday loan industry .
Such groups criticize payday loans—which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency expenditures—as exploitative because high interest rates can send poor people into debt spirals and bankruptcy .
When surveyed in 2016 , 94 percent of payday loan borrowers said taking out the loans can be a `` sensible decision '' during financial emergencies .
Some of CRL 's recommended policies funneled business into the Self-Help Credit Union , an affiliate of CRL , by urging federal regulators like CFPB to quash competitors in the short-term loan business .
CFPB adopted some of CRL 's policy recommendations—such as the ability-to-repay provision that requires lenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the loan and meet living expenses—in its final rules released in 2017 .
The agency planned to implement the rules in 2019 , but the new CFPB director appointed by President Donald Trump temporarily shelved those plans .
When the CFPB was starting to consider regulations on payday loans , Silberman attended an exclusive CRL briefing for CFPB staffers about payday loans in August 2013 , according to the emails .
The briefing discussed a CRL report that sharply criticized the payday loans as a `` debt treadmill '' and recommended severe restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to actively consult CRL about payday loan regulation , meeting often with Calhoun .
He met with the CRL president so frequently that he once complained of `` withdrawal pains '' when he could not schedule a meeting for three weeks .
On another occasion , he wrote about `` need [ ing ] a Calhoun fix . ''
`` I 'm lonely , '' Silberman wrote to Calhoun in a 2015 email .
`` Do you have time to get together next week ?
No specific agenda items but always good to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of collaboration between the duo took place in April 2014 , when Silberman asked Calhoun to send him an outline about payday loans .
Calhoun replied minutes later in an email with the outline , asking Silberman to `` feel free to improve it ! ''
Neither CRL nor the Self-Help Credit Union responded to requests for comment .
CFPB also did not respond to a request for comment .
The internal emails were first obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request filed by the Community Financial Services Association , a payday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped an alumna of a CRL affiliate get a job in the senior leadership of the agency .
When CFPB was looking for a new assistant director of financial education , Silberman asked Calhoun if he had `` anyone you want to throw into the mix '' for consideration in March 2014 .
Calhoun responded by recommending Janneke Ratcliffe , a former employee of the Self-Help Credit Union .
CFPB ultimately hired Ratcliffe for the job , which she still holds .
The position is listed as one of the agency 's senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the only people to work for both CRL and CFPB .
Leslie Parrish , a senior CRL researcher from 2005 until 2011 , worked for CFPB between 2011 and 2013 .
She returned to CRL in 2013 , then in 2015 took on another job at CFPB , where she stayed until 2018 .
Will Corbett , CRL 's litigation director , was senior counsel for CFPB until 2018 .
Conservative critics of the CFPB have frequently zeroed in on the autonomy of the agency 's director , whom the president can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court heard oral arguments about the issue on Tuesday and will soon decide whether the agency director 's independence is an unconstitutional encroachment on the president 's authority .

A progressive nonprofit recruited a top Consumer Financial Protection Bureau official who gave its activists significant access to the agency's policy and hiring decisions.
The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) brought on David Silberman, the former acting deputy director of the bureau, as a senior adviser in early February. While at the CFPB, Silberman repeatedly solicited advice from the progressive group when writing regulations and filling senior CFPB jobs, internal emails reveal. He had a particularly close relationship with CRL president Michael Calhoun.
Silberman was the CFPB's associate director for research, markets, and regulations starting in 2011 and was acting deputy director of the entire agency from 2016 to 2017. CRL's decision is the most recent example of the revolving door between CRL and CFPB, a friendly relationship that has given the progressive group outsized clout in the agency. Conservatives have frequently criticized CFPB as an unaccountable, left-leaning regulator that uses government power to push a partisan agenda.
CRL is one of many progressive groups pushing for new regulations on the payday loan industry. Such groups criticize payday loans—which often go toward covering living expenses or emergency expenditures—as exploitative because high interest rates can send poor people into debt spirals and bankruptcy. When surveyed in 2016, 94 percent of payday loan borrowers said taking out the loans can be a "sensible decision" during financial emergencies. Some of CRL's recommended policies funneled business into the Self-Help Credit Union, an affiliate of CRL, by urging federal regulators like CFPB to quash competitors in the short-term loan business.
CFPB adopted some of CRL's policy recommendations—such as the ability-to-repay provision that requires lenders to certify that the borrowers can repay the loan and meet living expenses—in its final rules released in 2017. The agency planned to implement the rules in 2019, but the new CFPB director appointed by President Donald Trump temporarily shelved those plans.
When the CFPB was starting to consider regulations on payday loans, Silberman attended an exclusive CRL briefing for CFPB staffers about payday loans in August 2013, according to the emails. The briefing discussed a CRL report that sharply criticized the payday loans as a "debt treadmill" and recommended severe restrictions on the industry.
Silberman soon started to actively consult CRL about payday loan regulation, meeting often with Calhoun. He met with the CRL president so frequently that he once complained of "withdrawal pains" when he could not schedule a meeting for three weeks. On another occasion, he wrote about "need[ing] a Calhoun fix."
"I'm lonely," Silberman wrote to Calhoun in a 2015 email. "Do you have time to get together next week? No specific agenda items but always good to talk."
The most overt example of collaboration between the duo took place in April 2014, when Silberman asked Calhoun to send him an outline about payday loans. Calhoun replied minutes later in an email with the outline, asking Silberman to "feel free to improve it!"
Neither CRL nor the Self-Help Credit Union responded to requests for comment. CFPB also did not respond to a request for comment.
The internal emails were first obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request filed by the Community Financial Services Association, a payday loan industry trade group.
Silberman also helped an alumna of a CRL affiliate get a job in the senior leadership of the agency. When CFPB was looking for a new assistant director of financial education, Silberman asked Calhoun if he had "anyone you want to throw into the mix" for consideration in March 2014. Calhoun responded by recommending Janneke Ratcliffe, a former employee of the Self-Help Credit Union.
CFPB ultimately hired Ratcliffe for the job, which she still holds. The position is listed as one of the agency's senior leadership positions.
Silberman and Ratcliffe are not the only people to work for both CRL and CFPB. Leslie Parrish, a senior CRL researcher from 2005 until 2011, worked for CFPB between 2011 and 2013. She returned to CRL in 2013, then in 2015 took on another job at CFPB, where she stayed until 2018. Will Corbett, CRL's litigation director, was senior counsel for CFPB until 2018.
Conservative critics of the CFPB have frequently zeroed in on the autonomy of the agency's director, whom the president cannot fire without cause. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments about the issue on Tuesday and will soon decide whether the agency director's independence is an unconstitutional encroachment on the president's authority.


freebeacon--2020-03-08--Sanders Disgusted to See Swastika Displayed at His Phoenix Rally

Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) said he was disgusted to see a protester display a Nazi flag at his campaign event on Thursday evening .
`` Obviously it is unspeakable , it is disgusting , '' Sanders told CNN anchor Jake Tapper on Sunday .
`` It is something that , I 've got to tell you , I never expected in my life as an American to see a swastika at a major political rally .
It 's horrible . ''
The Jewish senator spoke at a campaign rally in Phoenix when the audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flag .
Sanders said he could not see what was on the flag at the time but was told afterward what had taken place .
`` The idea that there was a swastika , a symbol of everything that this country stands against , '' Sanders said .
`` We lost 400,000 people fighting that symbol , fighting Nazism .
Six million Jews were killed , other people were killed .
The most devastating war in the history of humanity and that you have in the United States of America , somebody who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yelling out vulgar things as well . ''
The anti-Semitic protester was widely condemned by political leaders and organizations as images of the incident circulated online .

Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) said he was disgusted to see a protester display a Nazi flag at his campaign event on Thursday evening.
"Obviously it is unspeakable, it is disgusting," Sanders told CNN anchor Jake Tapper on Sunday. "It is something that, I've got to tell you, I never expected in my life as an American to see a swastika at a major political rally. It's horrible."
The Jewish senator spoke at a campaign rally in Phoenix when the audience started booing a protester waving a Nazi flag. Sanders said he could not see what was on the flag at the time but was told afterward what had taken place.
"The idea that there was a swastika, a symbol of everything that this country stands against," Sanders said. "We lost 400,000 people fighting that symbol, fighting Nazism. Six million Jews were killed, other people were killed. The most devastating war in the history of humanity and that you have in the United States of America, somebody who is an anti-Semite [and] was yelling out vulgar things as well."
The anti-Semitic protester was widely condemned by political leaders and organizations as images of the incident circulated online.


freebeacon--2020-03-08--Sanders: Dem Establishment Forced Klobuchar and Buttigieg to Drop Out

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) on Sunday claimed former Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) and Pete Buttigieg were ousted by the party establishment to boost Joe Biden in the Super Tuesday primaries .
`` One of the things that I was kind of not surprised by is the power of the establishment to force Amy Klobuchar , who worked so hard , Pete Buttigieg , who you know really worked extremely hard as well , out of the race , '' Sanders said during an interview with ABC 's This Week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media narrative , and what the establishment wanted , was to make sure that people coalesced around Biden and tried to defeat me , '' Sanders said .
`` So that 's not surprising . ''
Both Buttigieg and Klobuchar dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Biden the day before Super Tuesday .
Biden 's first-place finishes in 10 Super Tuesday states marked a major comeback for the former vice president , who failed to win a contest before the South Carolina primary .
Sanders 's progressive agenda , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle class , has marginalized his ability to gather broad Democratic and establishment support .

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) on Sunday claimed former Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) and Pete Buttigieg were ousted by the party establishment to boost Joe Biden in the Super Tuesday primaries.
"One of the things that I was kind of not surprised by is the power of the establishment to force Amy Klobuchar, who worked so hard, Pete Buttigieg, who you know really worked extremely hard as well, out of the race," Sanders said during an interview with ABC's This Week.
"What was very clear from the media narrative, and what the establishment wanted, was to make sure that people coalesced around Biden and tried to defeat me," Sanders said. "So that's not surprising."
Both Buttigieg and Klobuchar dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Biden the day before Super Tuesday.
Biden's first-place finishes in 10 Super Tuesday states marked a major comeback for the former vice president, who failed to win a contest before the South Carolina primary.
Sanders's progressive agenda, including Medicare for All and raising taxes for the middle class, has marginalized his ability to gather broad Democratic and establishment support.


freebeacon--2020-03-09--Iowa Dem, Schumer’s Super PAC Hit With Illegal Coordination Complaint

A watchdog group hit Iowa Democrat Theresa Greenfield with a complaint alleging her Senate campaign illegally coordinated with a super PAC affiliated with Sen. Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) .
The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust ( FACT ) on Monday filed the complaint to the Federal Election Commission .
It alleges that Greenfield 's campaign and the Senate Majority PAC violated election laws when the super PAC produced a pro-Greenfield television ad that mirrored language from a document the campaign posted to its website several weeks earlier .
The ad also used video footage that Greenfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates have used their campaign websites to request outside organizations , with which they are prohibited from coordinating , produce and run television advertisements on their behalf , '' the complaint states .
`` The requests are conveyed in a specific format , i.e .
using a campaign webpage entitled ‘ Important Update , ' identifying the information with specific ‘ code words ' such as ‘ Iowa voters need to hear about , ' and linking to a PDF document that is designed to provide the information and citations for the substance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be in the same format .
The purpose and effect are clear : to give specific instructions , information , and graphic campaign materials to outside organizations to run advertisements beneficial to their campaign . ''
The complaint follows a Washington Free Beacon report that detailed similarities between the information posted on Greenfield 's website and the ad from the Schumer-affiliated PAC .
The materials , given the production of the ad , appeared to be `` signaling '' the PAC , according to the complaint .
Around the beginning of February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Important Update '' on its website with information on the candidate that `` Iowa voters need to hear about . ''
The Senate Majority PAC announced on Feb. 24 a $ 1 million ad buy in support of Greenfield in the Hawkeye State .
The ad it subsequently produced contained the same subject matter as a memo attached to the `` Update '' and used B-roll footage from a silent , unlisted YouTube video linked in the memo .
`` Under federal law , Senate candidates are prohibited from coordinating with Super PACs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the complaint states .
`` Senate Majority PAC is also prohibited from republishing campaign materials , including photographs and video from a campaign committee . ''
FACT says there is reason to believe the campaign solicited the production of the ad from the PAC , which is an `` illegal in-kind contribution in the form of a television advertisement . ''
The watchdog group calls on the commission to take appropriate investigative and enforcement actions to address the `` apparent violations . ''
`` There is reason to believe Greenfield and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an illegal contribution from Senate Majority PAC by coordinating communications valued at over $ 1 million , '' the complaint says .
`` Facts demonstrating coordination are : Greenfield made the request for the advertisement in a known format designed to convey the request , the request was acted on within a short amount of time , and the advertisement conveyed the requested information and republished the provided campaign materials . ''
Greenfield , who is backed by Democratic Party establishment figures , has pledged to clean up corruption in Washington .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ad buy , Greenfield released an anticorruption plan that promised to `` truly '' end illegal coordination between campaigns and outside groups such as super PACs .
`` We need to enact legislation to ensure that these outside groups truly act independently , and not as an arm of any campaign , '' the plan states .
The Democratic primary for Iowa 's Senate race will take place on June 2 .
Greenfield is considered the favorite to win and face Sen. Joni Ernst ( R. ) in November 's general election .

A watchdog group hit Iowa Democrat Theresa Greenfield with a complaint alleging her Senate campaign illegally coordinated with a super PAC affiliated with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.).
The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) on Monday filed the complaint to the Federal Election Commission. It alleges that Greenfield's campaign and the Senate Majority PAC violated election laws when the super PAC produced a pro-Greenfield television ad that mirrored language from a document the campaign posted to its website several weeks earlier. The ad also used video footage that Greenfield's campaign posted.
"Several federal candidates have used their campaign websites to request outside organizations, with which they are prohibited from coordinating, produce and run television advertisements on their behalf," the complaint states. "The requests are conveyed in a specific format, i.e. using a campaign webpage entitled 'Important Update,' identifying the information with specific 'code words' such as 'Iowa voters need to hear about,' and linking to a PDF document that is designed to provide the information and citations for the substance of the advertisement, which all appear to be in the same format. The purpose and effect are clear: to give specific instructions, information, and graphic campaign materials to outside organizations to run advertisements beneficial to their campaign."
The complaint follows a Washington Free Beacon report that detailed similarities between the information posted on Greenfield's website and the ad from the Schumer-affiliated PAC. The materials, given the production of the ad, appeared to be "signaling" the PAC, according to the complaint.
Around the beginning of February, Greenfield's campaign posted an "Important Update" on its website with information on the candidate that "Iowa voters need to hear about." The Senate Majority PAC announced on Feb. 24 a $1 million ad buy in support of Greenfield in the Hawkeye State. The ad it subsequently produced contained the same subject matter as a memo attached to the "Update" and used B-roll footage from a silent, unlisted YouTube video linked in the memo.
"Under federal law, Senate candidates are prohibited from coordinating with Super PACs such as Senate Majority PAC on advertisements," the complaint states. "Senate Majority PAC is also prohibited from republishing campaign materials, including photographs and video from a campaign committee."
FACT says there is reason to believe the campaign solicited the production of the ad from the PAC, which is an "illegal in-kind contribution in the form of a television advertisement." The watchdog group calls on the commission to take appropriate investigative and enforcement actions to address the "apparent violations."
"There is reason to believe Greenfield and Theresa Greenfield for Iowa solicited and accepted an illegal contribution from Senate Majority PAC by coordinating communications valued at over $1 million," the complaint says. "Facts demonstrating coordination are: Greenfield made the request for the advertisement in a known format designed to convey the request, the request was acted on within a short amount of time, and the advertisement conveyed the requested information and republished the provided campaign materials."
Greenfield, who is backed by Democratic Party establishment figures, has pledged to clean up corruption in Washington. Just days before Senate Majority PAC announced its ad buy, Greenfield released an anticorruption plan that promised to "truly" end illegal coordination between campaigns and outside groups such as super PACs.
"We need to enact legislation to ensure that these outside groups truly act independently, and not as an arm of any campaign," the plan states.
The Democratic primary for Iowa's Senate race will take place on June 2. Greenfield is considered the favorite to win and face Sen. Joni Ernst (R.) in November's general election.


freebeacon--2020-03-09--Journalists Argue Use of Term ‘Wuhan Virus’ is Racist as China Seeks to Obfuscate on Origins of Epid

Journalists Argue Use of Term ‘Wuhan Virus’ is Racist as China Seeks to Obfuscate on Origins of Epidemic

Journalists are calling Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other Republicans racist for referring to the deadly COVID-19 as the `` Wuhan virus , '' as the Chinese regime attempts to not only deny the origin of the coronavirus but blame the United States for its spread .
Pompeo referred to the coronavirus as `` Wuhan virus '' in a March 5 press conference and in interviews the following day .
Journalists accused Rep. Paul Gosar ( R. , Ariz. ) of racism for using the term , even as the congressman placed himself in self-quarantine after being exposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Wuhan virus '' was a direct rebuke of the Chinese Communist Party , which has begun to deny that the virus originated in China , even though it admitted as much in the early stages of the outbreak .
French newspaper La Croix reported Monday that the `` relentless Chinese propaganda machine '' has launched an effort to deny the Chinese origin of the coronavirus .
`` In the eyes of the Chinese Communist Party , that China could have been singled out as the source of the coronavirus is unacceptable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that links China to the virus must be questioned and disappear from all history books . ''
La Croix reports that Chinese diplomats have received orders to tweet that Wuhan is where `` we thought at the beginning to be at the origin of the epidemic '' and to say that the virus 's `` real origin remains unknown .
We are looking for where it comes from exactly . ''
The Chinese embassy in Tokyo , meanwhile , has sent messages to its nationals warning of the `` Japanese coronavirus . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ public statements from Chinese officials , including remarks from Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian that , `` It is yet undetermined where the virus originated . ''
The report comes after Sen. Marco Rubio ( R. , Fla. ) warned in an op-ed that the Chinese , Russians , and Iranians were waging disinformation campaigns blaming America for the virus .
`` The Chinese military portal Xilu.com recently published an article baselessly claiming that the virus is ‘ a biochemical weapon produced by the U.S. to target China , ' '' noted Rubio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence and foreign relations committees .
Pompeo has taken issue with American reporters for using regime talking points to distance China from the outbreak .
`` No less authority than the Chinese Communist Party said it came from Wuhan , '' Pompeo told CNBC .
`` So do n't take Mike Pompeo 's word for it .
We have pretty high confidence that we know where this began , and we have high confidence too that there was information that could have been made available more quickly and data that could have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world . ''
`` As a first matter , the Chinese Communist Party has said that this is where the virus started , '' Pompeo told Fox News Friday .
`` It has proven incredibly frustrating to work with the Chinese Communist Party to get our hands around the dataset which will ultimately be the solution to both getting the vaccine and attacking this risk . ''
Reporters had no problem citing the origin of the outbreak before Pompeo 's remarks .
A Lexis Nexis search finds that the term `` Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media 3,583 times prior to March 5 .
The term `` Wuhan coronavirus , '' also used by Pompeo , was used 8,119 times over the same timeframe .
Media use of both terms dropped off when the World Health Organization issued a Feb. 11 guidance officially labeling the virus `` COVID-19 . ''
But Lexis Nexis indicates `` Wuhan virus '' was still used 423 times by English-language media between Feb. 12 and March 5 ; `` Wuhan coronavirus '' was used 1,184 times .
The term `` Wuhan virus '' actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearing in print in 1996 to refer to a particularly worrisome strain of influenza .
`` The Type A-Wuhan virus , which can lead to deadly complications in the elderly , is the most dangerous of three viruses expected around the nation , '' the Associated Press reported at the time , citing a Clinton administration CDC official who called the virus `` Wuhan . ''

Journalists are calling Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other Republicans racist for referring to the deadly COVID-19 as the "Wuhan virus," as the Chinese regime attempts to not only deny the origin of the coronavirus but blame the United States for its spread.
Pompeo referred to the coronavirus as "Wuhan virus" in a March 5 press conference and in interviews the following day. Journalists accused Rep. Paul Gosar (R., Ariz.) of racism for using the term, even as the congressman placed himself in self-quarantine after being exposed to the virus.
FYI: Calling #COVID19 the "Wuhan Virus" is racist. — David Gura (@davidgura) March 9, 2020
Just astoundingly gross to call it the Wuhan Virus. https://t.co/cMrsA59xTH — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) March 9, 2020
Pompeo's use of "Wuhan virus" was a direct rebuke of the Chinese Communist Party, which has begun to deny that the virus originated in China, even though it admitted as much in the early stages of the outbreak.
French newspaper La Croix reported Monday that the "relentless Chinese propaganda machine" has launched an effort to deny the Chinese origin of the coronavirus. "In the eyes of the Chinese Communist Party, that China could have been singled out as the source of the coronavirus is unacceptable," the paper said. "Everything that links China to the virus must be questioned and disappear from all history books."
La Croix reports that Chinese diplomats have received orders to tweet that Wuhan is where "we thought at the beginning to be at the origin of the epidemic" and to say that the virus's "real origin remains unknown. We are looking for where it comes from exactly." The Chinese embassy in Tokyo, meanwhile, has sent messages to its nationals warning of the "Japanese coronavirus."
The French paper's reporting comports with public statements from Chinese officials, including remarks from Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian that, "It is yet undetermined where the virus originated."
The report comes after Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) warned in an op-ed that the Chinese, Russians, and Iranians were waging disinformation campaigns blaming America for the virus.
"The Chinese military portal Xilu.com recently published an article baselessly claiming that the virus is 'a biochemical weapon produced by the U.S. to target China,'" noted Rubio, who sits on the Senate's intelligence and foreign relations committees.
Pompeo has taken issue with American reporters for using regime talking points to distance China from the outbreak.
"No less authority than the Chinese Communist Party said it came from Wuhan," Pompeo told CNBC. "So don't take Mike Pompeo's word for it. We have pretty high confidence that we know where this began, and we have high confidence too that there was information that could have been made available more quickly and data that could have been provided and shared among health professionals across the world."
"As a first matter, the Chinese Communist Party has said that this is where the virus started," Pompeo told Fox News Friday. "It has proven incredibly frustrating to work with the Chinese Communist Party to get our hands around the dataset which will ultimately be the solution to both getting the vaccine and attacking this risk."
Reporters had no problem citing the origin of the outbreak before Pompeo's remarks. A Lexis Nexis search finds that the term "Wuhan virus" had appeared in English-language news media 3,583 times prior to March 5. The term "Wuhan coronavirus," also used by Pompeo, was used 8,119 times over the same timeframe.
Media use of both terms dropped off when the World Health Organization issued a Feb. 11 guidance officially labeling the virus "COVID-19." But Lexis Nexis indicates "Wuhan virus" was still used 423 times by English-language media between Feb. 12 and March 5; "Wuhan coronavirus" was used 1,184 times.
The term "Wuhan virus" actually predates the current coronavirus outbreak, first appearing in print in 1996 to refer to a particularly worrisome strain of influenza. "The Type A-Wuhan virus, which can lead to deadly complications in the elderly, is the most dangerous of three viruses expected around the nation," the Associated Press reported at the time, citing a Clinton administration CDC official who called the virus "Wuhan."


freebeacon--2020-03-09--Poll: Just 1% of Hispanic Dems in Florida Prefer The Term ‘Latinx’

Just 1 percent of Hispanic Democratic voters in Florida prefer the term `` Latinx , '' the gender-free alternative to `` Latino '' and `` Latina '' that has been embraced by several liberal groups and top Democratic politicians , according to a new poll .
The poll , shared Monday by Politico ‘ s Marc Caputo , surveyed 800 Hispanic Democrats in Florida and found the preferred label is still `` Hispanic , '' the primary choice of 69 percent of respondents .
Twenty-three percent said they preferred `` Latino , '' 9 percent said they had no preference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Latinx , '' an attempt to remove the gender forms inherent in the Spanish language .
Support for `` Latinx '' among Hispanic Florida Democrats is even lower than its support among Hispanics nationally—just 2 percent of respondents to a nationwide poll conducted last November identified `` Latinx '' as their preferred term .
Despite its lack of popularity , some liberals have adopted the term due to concerns that people of Latin American descent who do n't identify exclusively with either gender—such as the gender-nonconforming , transsexuals , and the gender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and `` Latina . ''
The term was adopted by several Democratic presidential candidates , including Sens .
Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) and Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass. )
.
Harris began using the non-gendered term around the time she launched her failed presidential campaign .
Warren similarly used the term consistently on the campaign trail , hired a `` Latinx outreach director , '' and sold unisex `` Latinx with Warren '' t-shirts .
The Massachusetts senator 's embrace of the term did not pay off with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders in Latino support .
Sanders , who won 49 percent of the Latino vote in California , uses `` Latino '' rather than `` Latinx '' in campaign materials because `` Latino '' is more widely used , according to senior campaign adviser Chuck Rocha .
Biden 's campaign also avoids the use of `` Latinx , '' though the former vice president used the gender-neutral term in a July tweet .
The term has caught on , however , in academia .
Prominent institutions including Harvard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reference to the Hispanic community .
The University of Virginia this academic year unveiled a brand new Latinx Student Center .
`` Latinx '' was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in September 2018 .
The dictionary acknowledged at the time that the term may not `` catch on in mainstream use . ''

Just 1 percent of Hispanic Democratic voters in Florida prefer the term "Latinx," the gender-free alternative to "Latino" and "Latina" that has been embraced by several liberal groups and top Democratic politicians, according to a new poll.
The poll, shared Monday by Politico's Marc Caputo, surveyed 800 Hispanic Democrats in Florida and found the preferred label is still "Hispanic," the primary choice of 69 percent of respondents. Twenty-three percent said they preferred "Latino," 9 percent said they had no preference, and 1 percent said they preferred "Latinx," an attempt to remove the gender forms inherent in the Spanish language.
Support for "Latinx" among Hispanic Florida Democrats is even lower than its support among Hispanics nationally—just 2 percent of respondents to a nationwide poll conducted last November identified "Latinx" as their preferred term.
Despite its lack of popularity, some liberals have adopted the term due to concerns that people of Latin American descent who don't identify exclusively with either gender—such as the gender-nonconforming, transsexuals, and the gender fluid—are excluded by the terms "Latino" and "Latina."
The term was adopted by several Democratic presidential candidates, including Sens. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.). Harris began using the non-gendered term around the time she launched her failed presidential campaign. Warren similarly used the term consistently on the campaign trail, hired a "Latinx outreach director," and sold unisex "Latinx with Warren" t-shirts.
The Massachusetts senator's embrace of the term did not pay off with Latino voters—she trailed both former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders in Latino support. Sanders, who won 49 percent of the Latino vote in California, uses "Latino" rather than "Latinx" in campaign materials because "Latino" is more widely used, according to senior campaign adviser Chuck Rocha. Biden's campaign also avoids the use of "Latinx," though the former vice president used the gender-neutral term in a July tweet.
The term has caught on, however, in academia. Prominent institutions including Harvard University now use the term exclusively in reference to the Hispanic community. The University of Virginia this academic year unveiled a brand new Latinx Student Center.
"Latinx" was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in September 2018. The dictionary acknowledged at the time that the term may not "catch on in mainstream use."


freebeacon--2020-03-09--FLASHBACK: Biden’s Newest Fans Have Savaged Him This Campaign Season

Five of Joe Biden 's new Democratic endorsers had sharp words for him when they were mounting their own presidential bids , attacking him on race , his record , and even his cognitive functioning .
Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed Biden on Wednesday after saying Biden had no managerial experience to equip him for the Oval Office , adding the presidency should n't be a `` training job . ''
Sen. Cory Booker ( D. , N.J. ) quipped that Biden was `` high '' when he decided to oppose marijuana legalization , and he called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also said sometimes `` you just wonder '' about Biden 's cognitive abilities after Julián Castro dinged him for forgetfulness during a debate .
Booker endorsed Biden on Monday .
Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) eviscerated Biden for opposing federal busing in the 1970s and for his laudatory remarks about segregationist Dixiecrats from his Senate days .
She endorsed Biden on Sunday .
Beto O'Rourke , who endorsed Biden on March 2 , said Biden was a `` return to the past '' in an interview on Morning Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be who we are going forward . ''
After Biden said former South Bend , Ind.
, mayor Pete Buttigieg was not Barack Obama , Buttigieg fired back , saying neither was Biden and that the 2020 election was about moving forward .
He backed the former vice president on March 2 as well .
Biden , after poor finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire , has become the frontrunner in the race due to his strong performance on Super Tuesday .
He rolled up lopsided wins in the south , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Minnesota , and the party establishment has rallied around him against Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) .

Five of Joe Biden's new Democratic endorsers had sharp words for him when they were mounting their own presidential bids, attacking him on race, his record, and even his cognitive functioning.
Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed Biden on Wednesday after saying Biden had no managerial experience to equip him for the Oval Office, adding the presidency shouldn't be a "training job."
Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) quipped that Biden was "high" when he decided to oppose marijuana legalization, and he called him an architect of mass incarceration. He also said sometimes "you just wonder" about Biden's cognitive abilities after Julián Castro dinged him for forgetfulness during a debate. Booker endorsed Biden on Monday.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) eviscerated Biden for opposing federal busing in the 1970s and for his laudatory remarks about segregationist Dixiecrats from his Senate days. She endorsed Biden on Sunday.
Beto O'Rourke, who endorsed Biden on March 2, said Biden was a "return to the past" in an interview on Morning Joe, saying, "that cannot be who we are going forward."
After Biden said former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg was not Barack Obama, Buttigieg fired back, saying neither was Biden and that the 2020 election was about moving forward. He backed the former vice president on March 2 as well.
Biden, after poor finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, has become the frontrunner in the race due to his strong performance on Super Tuesday. He rolled up lopsided wins in the south, as well as surprising victories in Texas, Massachusetts, and Minnesota, and the party establishment has rallied around him against Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.).


freebeacon--2020-03-09--Trump Admin Infighting Over Open Skies Treaty Infuriates GOP Hawks

Senior Trump administration officials are working behind the scenes to thwart President Donald Trump 's attempt to pull out of a treaty that allows Russia to conduct surveillance operations in the United States , according to executive and congressional officials .
Russia has repeatedly violated the Open Skies Treaty , an accord with Russia and some 30 European nations that permits reciprocal reconnaissance flights .
The president has reportedly signed paperwork to withdraw the United States from the agreement , which has been in effect since 2002 .
Some officials argue the accord provides the United States with important access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gilmore , a onetime Trump critic who now serves as the administration 's representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe , has pushed to keep the United States in the agreement , a position shared by others in the administration .
U.S. officials pressed European allies in November to help address a series of concerns—including Russia 's alleged use of the treaty to spy on sensitive U.S. facilities—and Gilmore is scheduled to participate this week in an interagency meeting to see if those concerns have been met .
The administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill , where Republican hawks are calling for an immediate withdrawal from the treaty .
Sens .
Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
and Ted Cruz ( R. , Tex . )
filed a resolution in October to pull America out of the agreement .
`` Sen. Cruz has long said that it is past time for the United States to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty , '' a spokesman for the Texas senator told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` Russia has exploited the treaty in all sorts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's residence in Bedminster .
The treaty enables Russia 's espionage capabilities and surveillance of major American cities , at the expense of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars . ''
Cotton called the treaty `` outdated '' and questioned the value of continuing U.S. participation .
`` While Russia has been restricting Open Skies Treaty overflights for years , we still allow them to conduct regular surveillance flights over the United States , '' the senator told the Free Beacon .
`` Remaining in Open Skies no longer serves the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president should withdraw from the outdated treaty . ''
Top administration officials including Secretary of Defense Mark Esper have been upfront about Russia 's violations , which include denying the United States reciprocal permission to conduct flights in its airspace .
`` We 've also been denied access to military exercise overflights , '' Esper testified before Congress last week .
`` I have a lot of concerns about the treaty as it stands now . ''
President Trump is said to have signed documents declaring his intent to pull out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the treaty is being reviewed .
`` The United States is committed to agreements that advance U.S. , Allied , and partner security and include counterparts that fulfill their obligations , '' the official said .
`` The administration is currently conducting a review of the costs and benefits associated with the Open Skies Treaty . ''
But other officials such as Gilmore , the former Republican governor of Virginia , are said to be working to keep the United States engaged in the agreement .
The disparate messages coming from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point to Gilmore 's early opposition to Trump as a possible motivation for his current position .
In December 2015 , for instance , Gilmore—then a challenger for the Republican presidential nomination—wrote in a since-deleted tweet that `` Trump 's fascist talk drives all minorities from GOP . ''
He reiterated this allegation in multiple interviews at the time .
`` Gilmore appears to be a case study in the failure of the [ government hiring ] process earlier in the administration , '' said one former U.S. official , discussing the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear he has nothing but contempt for the president—how does he get away with calling President Trump a ‘ racist ' ?
And he appears to be going out of his way to undermine administration policy . ''
A senior Republican national security official expressed a similar view , describing Gilmore 's position as `` essentially a rebellion against the president 's stated position . ''
Gilmore discussed the administration 's continued participation in the treaty during a March 2 press briefing at the State Department .
His comments appeared to contradict those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed Russia is denying the United States flight permission .
`` The United States continues to participate in the Open Skies Treaty , '' Gilmore said .
`` We are still continuing to fly .
We submitted all of our flight plans .
We are—all of our allies have , and the Russians have .
And they 're all flying . ''
Gilmore went on to tout a recent flight over Kaliningrad , `` which has always been somewhat of a sticking point . ''
`` It was very cooperative , '' Gilmore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports that we 've had are that some of their reluctance to let us fly over one of their major exercises , they 're saying they 're not going to do that , they 're not going to make that objection anymore . ''
Asked about possible U.S. plans to withdraw from the agreement , Gilmore claimed the issue is still up in the air .
The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

Senior Trump administration officials are working behind the scenes to thwart President Donald Trump's attempt to pull out of a treaty that allows Russia to conduct surveillance operations in the United States, according to executive and congressional officials.
Russia has repeatedly violated the Open Skies Treaty, an accord with Russia and some 30 European nations that permits reciprocal reconnaissance flights. The president has reportedly signed paperwork to withdraw the United States from the agreement, which has been in effect since 2002.
Some officials argue the accord provides the United States with important access to Russian military sites. Ambassador Jim Gilmore, a onetime Trump critic who now serves as the administration's representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, has pushed to keep the United States in the agreement, a position shared by others in the administration.
U.S. officials pressed European allies in November to help address a series of concerns—including Russia's alleged use of the treaty to spy on sensitive U.S. facilities—and Gilmore is scheduled to participate this week in an interagency meeting to see if those concerns have been met.
The administration's divide has generated anger on Capitol Hill, where Republican hawks are calling for an immediate withdrawal from the treaty. Sens. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) and Ted Cruz (R., Tex.) filed a resolution in October to pull America out of the agreement.
"Sen. Cruz has long said that it is past time for the United States to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty," a spokesman for the Texas senator told the Washington Free Beacon. "Russia has exploited the treaty in all sorts of ways, including literally flying over the president's residence in Bedminster. The treaty enables Russia's espionage capabilities and surveillance of major American cities, at the expense of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars."
Cotton called the treaty "outdated" and questioned the value of continuing U.S. participation.
"While Russia has been restricting Open Skies Treaty overflights for years, we still allow them to conduct regular surveillance flights over the United States," the senator told the Free Beacon. "Remaining in Open Skies no longer serves the best interests of the United States, and the president should withdraw from the outdated treaty."
Top administration officials including Secretary of Defense Mark Esper have been upfront about Russia's violations, which include denying the United States reciprocal permission to conduct flights in its airspace.
"We've also been denied access to military exercise overflights," Esper testified before Congress last week. "I have a lot of concerns about the treaty as it stands now."
President Trump is said to have signed documents declaring his intent to pull out of the deal. A senior administration official said the treaty is being reviewed.
"The United States is committed to agreements that advance U.S., Allied, and partner security and include counterparts that fulfill their obligations," the official said. "The administration is currently conducting a review of the costs and benefits associated with the Open Skies Treaty."
But other officials such as Gilmore, the former Republican governor of Virginia, are said to be working to keep the United States engaged in the agreement. The disparate messages coming from the administration have agitated Trump allies.
Some point to Gilmore's early opposition to Trump as a possible motivation for his current position.
In December 2015, for instance, Gilmore—then a challenger for the Republican presidential nomination—wrote in a since-deleted tweet that "Trump's fascist talk drives all minorities from GOP." He reiterated this allegation in multiple interviews at the time.
"Gilmore appears to be a case study in the failure of the [government hiring] process earlier in the administration," said one former U.S. official, discussing the matter only on background. "It's clear he has nothing but contempt for the president—how does he get away with calling President Trump a 'racist'? And he appears to be going out of his way to undermine administration policy."
A senior Republican national security official expressed a similar view, describing Gilmore's position as "essentially a rebellion against the president's stated position."
Gilmore discussed the administration's continued participation in the treaty during a March 2 press briefing at the State Department. His comments appeared to contradict those of officials such as Esper, who claimed Russia is denying the United States flight permission.
"The United States continues to participate in the Open Skies Treaty," Gilmore said. "We are still continuing to fly. We submitted all of our flight plans. We are—all of our allies have, and the Russians have. And they're all flying."
Gilmore went on to tout a recent flight over Kaliningrad, "which has always been somewhat of a sticking point."
"It was very cooperative," Gilmore said. "And also, the reports that we've had are that some of their reluctance to let us fly over one of their major exercises, they're saying they're not going to do that, they're not going to make that objection anymore."
Asked about possible U.S. plans to withdraw from the agreement, Gilmore claimed the issue is still up in the air.
The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.