freebeacon--2020-04-15--Inside Huawei’s D.C. Influence Campaign

Inside Huawei’s D.C. Influence Campaign

Former Florida congressman Cliff Stearns once spearheaded Congress 's response to the risks that plague the nation 's information infrastructure , using his influence to warn Americans about the `` increased possibility of a devastating cyberattack . ''
Now , he is among the growing number of former U.S. cyber and national security officials who have worked for a Chinese tech giant widely seen as the leading cybersecurity threat in the world .
Huawei , China 's leading provider of 5G infrastructure , claims to be a private company that is independent from the Chinese government .
But intelligence officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can serve as a conduit for Chinese espionage , which has prompted American allies such as the United Kingdom , Germany , and Australia to restrict or prohibit the firm from operating within their borders .
In the United States , Huawei was indicted in January 2019 and American companies were prohibited from doing business with the firm .
In response , Huawei has launched a two-pronged , multimillion-dollar offensive to assuage the concerns of policymakers and the public , hiring an army of D.C. insiders like Stearns , whose work with Huawei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convince Congress and the White House to relax sanctions and pouring more than $ 1 million into advertorials in major outlets , including the New York Times .
Experts say that existing laws prohibit Huawei employees and lobbyists from divulging explicitly classified information to their employers .
But Scott Amey , general counsel at the Project on Government Oversight , warned that companies like Huawei hire former officials explicitly because they offer unparalleled access to stakeholders and information .
`` Hiring former senior officials as lobbyists provides access to decision-makers and information—two things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swampy government agencies and getting results that benefit their clients , '' Amey said .
`` Huawei is spending millions each quarter to protect business opportunities here , and influence peddlers are more than happy to cash in . ''
Huawei did not respond to a request for comment .
Huawei 's lobbying campaign is similar to those conducted by several other Chinese tech firms that are also considered national security threats or human rights violators .
ByteDance , the company behind TikTok , has also spent roughly $ 270,000 since July 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbyists even as concerns mount about its relationship with the Chinese government .
The Chinese telecommunications company ZTE was removed from a federal sanction list after spending millions on a lobbying campaign spearheaded by former Obama administration official Angela Simpson and former Democratic Senate aide Peter Ruffo .
Neither Simpson nor Ruffo responded to a request for comment .
Stearns 's lobbying firm , APCO Worldwide LLC , helped to advance Huawei 's priorities on the Hill beginning in 2010 , pushing to expand the company 's access to American telecommunications networks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , but the tech giant has cultivated new relationships with D.C. insiders and former national security officials .
They include Samir Jain , an attorney who served as the senior director for cybersecurity policy at the National Security Council in the Obama administration .
Huawei 's retention of Jain and his law firm , Jones Day , in March 2019 was widely criticized as an example of D.C. swampiness .
Jones Day has brought in at least $ 60,000 from Huawei since then , according to data from ProPublica .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer Andy Purdy , who ran the Department of Homeland Security 's National Cyber Security Division ( NCSD ) in the George W. Bush administration .
During Purdy 's tenure , the NCSD was responsible for assessing cybersecurity threats .
Purdy said in an email that he does not see Huawei as a threat to U.S. national security and said there is nothing inappropriate about his employment at the beleaguered tech firm .
Jain and Stearns did not respond to requests for comment .
Purdy makes frequent appearances in the U.S. media to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Fox Business in February , for example , to deny allegations that the Chinese company could create a `` backdoor '' to assist in regime espionage .
Experts say these former officials are either purposefully shielding themselves from damning information about the Chinese tech giant or actively misleading the lawmakers and news reporters they are working to persuade .
`` They 're all informed and smart enough to know about the threat that Huawei constitutes , and yet they still do the work .
And so these people are either willfully ignorant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadly the Chinese government constitute , or they 're just deceptive , '' said Klon Kitchen , a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and former national security adviser to Sen. Ben Sasse ( R. , Neb. )
.
`` And it 's hard to argue that any of the individuals we 're talking about could reasonably be thought to be ignorant . ''

Former Florida congressman Cliff Stearns once spearheaded Congress's response to the risks that plague the nation's information infrastructure, using his influence to warn Americans about the "increased possibility of a devastating cyberattack." Now, he is among the growing number of former U.S. cyber and national security officials who have worked for a Chinese tech giant widely seen as the leading cybersecurity threat in the world.
Huawei, China's leading provider of 5G infrastructure, claims to be a private company that is independent from the Chinese government. But intelligence officials across the globe believe that the company can serve as a conduit for Chinese espionage, which has prompted American allies such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia to restrict or prohibit the firm from operating within their borders. In the United States, Huawei was indicted in January 2019 and American companies were prohibited from doing business with the firm.
In response, Huawei has launched a two-pronged, multimillion-dollar offensive to assuage the concerns of policymakers and the public, hiring an army of D.C. insiders like Stearns, whose work with Huawei spanned from 2014 to 2018, to convince Congress and the White House to relax sanctions and pouring more than $1 million into advertorials in major outlets, including the New York Times.
Experts say that existing laws prohibit Huawei employees and lobbyists from divulging explicitly classified information to their employers. But Scott Amey, general counsel at the Project on Government Oversight, warned that companies like Huawei hire former officials explicitly because they offer unparalleled access to stakeholders and information.
"Hiring former senior officials as lobbyists provides access to decision-makers and information—two things that go a long way in navigating swampy government agencies and getting results that benefit their clients," Amey said. "Huawei is spending millions each quarter to protect business opportunities here, and influence peddlers are more than happy to cash in."
Huawei did not respond to a request for comment.
Huawei's lobbying campaign is similar to those conducted by several other Chinese tech firms that are also considered national security threats or human rights violators. ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, has also spent roughly $270,000 since July 2019 to hire several former U.S. officials as lobbyists even as concerns mount about its relationship with the Chinese government. The Chinese telecommunications company ZTE was removed from a federal sanction list after spending millions on a lobbying campaign spearheaded by former Obama administration official Angela Simpson and former Democratic Senate aide Peter Ruffo. Neither Simpson nor Ruffo responded to a request for comment.
Stearns's lobbying firm, APCO Worldwide LLC, helped to advance Huawei's priorities on the Hill beginning in 2010, pushing to expand the company's access to American telecommunications networks. APCO's relationship with Huawei ended in 2019, but the tech giant has cultivated new relationships with D.C. insiders and former national security officials.
They include Samir Jain, an attorney who served as the senior director for cybersecurity policy at the National Security Council in the Obama administration. Huawei's retention of Jain and his law firm, Jones Day, in March 2019 was widely criticized as an example of D.C. swampiness. Jones Day has brought in at least $60,000 from Huawei since then, according to data from ProPublica. The company has also retained as its chief security officer Andy Purdy, who ran the Department of Homeland Security's National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) in the George W. Bush administration. During Purdy's tenure, the NCSD was responsible for assessing cybersecurity threats.
Purdy said in an email that he does not see Huawei as a threat to U.S. national security and said there is nothing inappropriate about his employment at the beleaguered tech firm. Jain and Stearns did not respond to requests for comment.
Purdy makes frequent appearances in the U.S. media to argue Huawei's case. He spoke to Fox Business in February, for example, to deny allegations that the Chinese company could create a "backdoor" to assist in regime espionage.
Experts say these former officials are either purposefully shielding themselves from damning information about the Chinese tech giant or actively misleading the lawmakers and news reporters they are working to persuade.
"They're all informed and smart enough to know about the threat that Huawei constitutes, and yet they still do the work. And so these people are either willfully ignorant of the threat that Huawei and more broadly the Chinese government constitute, or they're just deceptive," said Klon Kitchen, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and former national security adviser to Sen. Ben Sasse (R., Neb.). "And it's hard to argue that any of the individuals we're talking about could reasonably be thought to be ignorant."


freebeacon--2020-04-15--Major Democratic Group Received $100,000 in Chinese Government-Linked Tech Firm Stock

A prominent Democratic group poised to spend millions backing former vice president Joe Biden received $ 100,000 in the form of stock shares in the Chinese technology giant Baidu from an anonymous donor .
Baidu , like many Chinese technology companies , is closely affiliated with China 's ruling Communist Party .
American Bridge , an opposition research group founded by liberal operative David Brock , reported the receipt of the 450 shares in late 2018 , a gift that was disclosed in its latest tax filings .
The multinational internet services company acts as China 's Google and operates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The gift was valued at $ 101,037 , according to the organization 's Form 990 .
It is unclear whether the group sold the stock or opted to retain it in the hope share prices would rise .
American Bridge did not respond to a request for comment .
Brock 's group is preparing to spend at least $ 50 million against Trump .
The nonprofit 's sister group , the American Bridge PAC , recently partnered with the pro-Biden super PAC to form a $ 175 million joint venture .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 elections .
But this six-figure gift to American Bridge is raising concern among experts who argue that Baidu is beholden to China 's communist regime to a greater extent than other Chinese companies .
An American political group profiting from such a company could pose problems at a time when tensions between the United States and China are high , particularly in regards to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` The party calls , you act , or you risk disappearing , '' said Derek Scissors , a resident scholar at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese economy .
`` Further , Baidu is under a greater degree of party control than the average Chinese private firm because Baidu 's business is basically dissemination of information . ''
`` Moreover , holding Baidu stock automatically involves a bit of rooting for China , '' Scissors said .
`` Baidu is a prominent firm that attracts more interest when China is seen to be thriving .
A strong American economy is generally considered good for Google .
Same thing . ''
Although the U.S. financial sector has money tied up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said political groups themselves should not directly accept Baidu stocks as gifts .
He said that American Bridge should immediately sell its shares of the Chinese tech giant if it has not already done so .
Founded in 2000 , Baidu became a tech powerhouse in China with support from the country 's government .
Robin Li , the company 's cofounder and current CEO , is a delegate to the Chinese People 's Political Consultative Conference , the government 's top political advisory body .
Baidu provides internet services in China similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States .
The company is heavily censored and `` gives priority to advertising rather than relevant search results , '' according to a 2006 New York Times report .
The Chinese search engine has manipulated searches to hide the communist affiliations of powerful individuals in the country .
In 2018 , Reuters reported that searching `` Is Jack Ma a Communist Party member ? ''
on the Baidu search engine turned up results saying he was not .
Ma , a prominent Chinese politician and the cofounder of the Alibaba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company , is a member of the Chinese Communist Party .
Former U.S. officials have warned of tech companies like Baidu that have connections to the Communist regime .
`` Whether de facto or de jure , such giants can in some important respects or for some purposes act as arms of the state—or , more precisely , the Chinese Communist Party , to which the Chinese state apparatus is itself subordinate , '' Christopher Ford , the assistant secretary of state for international security and nonproliferation , has said .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officially state-owned or publicly traded that does not take direction at a fundamental level from the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing , '' a senior Trump administration official told the Free Beacon .
American Bridge has been a top political group on the left for years .
Its nonprofit arm , which hides its funders , reported receiving $ 8.2 million in contributions and grants on its 2018 tax forms , as reported by the Center for Responsive Politics .
Its funds were primarily gathered from 29 anonymous six-figure donations .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported noncash gifts of Sonic Corporation stocks valued at $ 74,349 and publicly traded stock valued at $ 743,558 .
While American Bridge 's nonprofit hides its donors , the group 's super PAC is required to disclose its funders .
The PAC has so far raised $ 23 million for the 2020 elections , including $ 2 million from billionaire financier George Soros .
The nonprofit arm has passed $ 4.3 million to its PAC this cycle .
The PAC has spent at least $ 6.3 million on attack ads slamming Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states of Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin .
It also recently announced that it will partner with pro-Biden super PAC Unite the Country to form a $ 175 million effort against Trump .
The groups will collaborate on research , polling , and ad buys .
Unite the Country 's founders also established Future Majority , a Democratic dark money strategy center that plans to spend $ 60 million on the 2020 elections .
Confidential documents obtained by the Free Beacon in early 2017 showed that American Bridge planned to cement itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research '' by being at the `` epicenter of Democrats ' work to regain power . ''
`` With 20,000 hours of video , 289 candidate research books , and the largest available archive of Trump research in the Democratic Party , we are uniquely prepared to take on the Trump administration , defeat Republicans who enable it , and rebuild progressive power in the states , '' Brock 's memo states .

A prominent Democratic group poised to spend millions backing former vice president Joe Biden received $100,000 in the form of stock shares in the Chinese technology giant Baidu from an anonymous donor. Baidu, like many Chinese technology companies, is closely affiliated with China's ruling Communist Party.
American Bridge, an opposition research group founded by liberal operative David Brock, reported the receipt of the 450 shares in late 2018, a gift that was disclosed in its latest tax filings. The multinational internet services company acts as China's Google and operates under a degree of state party control. The gift was valued at $101,037, according to the organization's Form 990. It is unclear whether the group sold the stock or opted to retain it in the hope share prices would rise.
American Bridge did not respond to a request for comment.
Brock's group is preparing to spend at least $50 million against Trump. The nonprofit's sister group, the American Bridge PAC, recently partnered with the pro-Biden super PAC to form a $175 million joint venture. The PAC has already poured seven figures into the 2020 elections.
But this six-figure gift to American Bridge is raising concern among experts who argue that Baidu is beholden to China's communist regime to a greater extent than other Chinese companies. An American political group profiting from such a company could pose problems at a time when tensions between the United States and China are high, particularly in regards to the coronavirus pandemic.
"The party calls, you act, or you risk disappearing," said Derek Scissors, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute who focuses on the Chinese economy. "Further, Baidu is under a greater degree of party control than the average Chinese private firm because Baidu's business is basically dissemination of information."
"Moreover, holding Baidu stock automatically involves a bit of rooting for China," Scissors said. "Baidu is a prominent firm that attracts more interest when China is seen to be thriving. A strong American economy is generally considered good for Google. Same thing."
Although the U.S. financial sector has money tied up in Chinese firms like Baidu, Scissors said political groups themselves should not directly accept Baidu stocks as gifts. He said that American Bridge should immediately sell its shares of the Chinese tech giant if it has not already done so.
Founded in 2000, Baidu became a tech powerhouse in China with support from the country's government. Robin Li, the company's cofounder and current CEO, is a delegate to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the government's top political advisory body.
Baidu provides internet services in China similar to those that Google and Yahoo provide in the United States. The company is heavily censored and "gives priority to advertising rather than relevant search results," according to a 2006 New York Times report.
The Chinese search engine has manipulated searches to hide the communist affiliations of powerful individuals in the country. In 2018, Reuters reported that searching "Is Jack Ma a Communist Party member?" on the Baidu search engine turned up results saying he was not. Ma, a prominent Chinese politician and the cofounder of the Alibaba Group, China's biggest online retail company, is a member of the Chinese Communist Party.
Former U.S. officials have warned of tech companies like Baidu that have connections to the Communist regime. "Whether de facto or de jure, such giants can in some important respects or for some purposes act as arms of the state—or, more precisely, the Chinese Communist Party, to which the Chinese state apparatus is itself subordinate," Christopher Ford, the assistant secretary of state for international security and nonproliferation, has said.
"There is no major Chinese company, whether officially state-owned or publicly traded that does not take direction at a fundamental level from the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing," a senior Trump administration official told the Free Beacon.
American Bridge has been a top political group on the left for years. Its nonprofit arm, which hides its funders, reported receiving $8.2 million in contributions and grants on its 2018 tax forms, as reported by the Center for Responsive Politics. Its funds were primarily gathered from 29 anonymous six-figure donations. In addition to the Baidu stock, it also reported noncash gifts of Sonic Corporation stocks valued at $74,349 and publicly traded stock valued at $743,558.
While American Bridge's nonprofit hides its donors, the group's super PAC is required to disclose its funders. The PAC has so far raised $23 million for the 2020 elections, including $2 million from billionaire financier George Soros. The nonprofit arm has passed $4.3 million to its PAC this cycle.
The PAC has spent at least $6.3 million on attack ads slamming Trump's response to coronavirus in the battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. It also recently announced that it will partner with pro-Biden super PAC Unite the Country to form a $175 million effort against Trump. The groups will collaborate on research, polling, and ad buys. Unite the Country's founders also established Future Majority, a Democratic dark money strategy center that plans to spend $60 million on the 2020 elections.
Confidential documents obtained by the Free Beacon in early 2017 showed that American Bridge planned to cement itself "as the standard bearer of opposition research" by being at the "epicenter of Democrats' work to regain power."
"With 20,000 hours of video, 289 candidate research books, and the largest available archive of Trump research in the Democratic Party, we are uniquely prepared to take on the Trump administration, defeat Republicans who enable it, and rebuild progressive power in the states," Brock's memo states.


freebeacon--2020-04-15--Gun-Rights Groups Challenge NM, VA Shutdown Orders

America 's leading gun-rights groups filed a pair of lawsuits challenging shutdown orders issued by the Democratic governors of New Mexico and Virginia .
The National Rifle Association , Second Amendment Foundation , and Firearms Policy Coalition ( FPC ) filed a federal suit against New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ( D. ) on Friday over her emergency shutdown of gun stores .
The Virginia Citizens Defense League and Gun Owners of America filed a suit in state court on Thursday over Gov .
Ralph Northam 's ( D. ) order to shutter indoor gun ranges .
Both suits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow the spread of coronavirus , violate gun-rights protections and are especially worrying given the prisoner releases taking place across the country—including in New Mexico and Virginia .
`` Politicians imperil our families by declaring our fundamental right of self-defense ‘ non-essential ' while they free criminals , '' Jason Ouimet , executive director of the NRA 's Institute for Legislative Action , said in a statement .
FPC president Brandon Combs said the Second Amendment is more essential than ever as states and localities divert law enforcement resources to cope with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no duty to protect you , and coronavirus-related impacts to law enforcement could be significant , '' he said .
`` Times like now are precisely when people must be able to acquire self-defense tools to defend their lives and homes . ''
Neither Grisham nor Northam responded to requests for comment .
States began issuing stay-at-home orders in March , but policymakers have yet to resolve how such shutdown orders apply to gun manufacturers , ranges , or dealers .
Gun-rights groups have aggressively challenged declarations that affect gun businesses in both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to maintain public access to firearms .
Court rulings have had mixed outcomes so far , as judges weigh public health and emergency government power against constitutionally protected rights .
In March , a North Carolina judge forced a county sheriff to reopen his pistol purchase permitting process , while the Pennsylvania Supreme Court allowed Governor Tom Wolf ( D. ) to move forward with gun store shutdowns .
In April , two federal judges denied attempts to block shutdowns in parts of California .
Gun-rights advocates have had more success in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun businesses `` essential '' than they have had in the courts .
The Department of Homeland Security updated its guidance to states at the end of March to add gun stores , ranges , and manufacturers to the `` essential '' list .
Most states that initially shut down gun stores—including Pennsylvania , New Jersey , and Delaware—subsequently allowed the businesses to reopen on a limited basis .
Gun-control groups have launched a counteroffensive , asking government officials to shutter gun retailers .
Everytown for Gun Safety and Brady United both issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignore the federal guidance and eliminate gun sales during the pandemic .
On Saturday , activists said temporary closures are needed to not only halt the spread of the virus but to slow the record-setting spike in new gun sales that the country witnessed in March .
`` Keeping gun shops open during the pandemic will not only contribute to the spread of the virus , it will increase its deadly toll .
Now is the worst time to be buying a gun and bringing it into the home , '' Griffin Dix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chapter , wrote in an op-ed .
`` I strongly urge state and local officials to require gun shops to remain closed temporarily during this pandemic , like other nonessential businesses . ''
Alan Gottlieb , founder of the Second Amendment Foundation , said the gun-rights groups would continue to pursue legal action anywhere shutdowns occur , adding that even temporary restrictions on Americans ' access to firearms are unconstitutional .
`` Of course , there is an emergency , but such emergencies do not nullify the Constitution , even temporarily , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow public officials to put their personal agendas above the rights protected by the Constitution , and that includes the right of the people to keep and bear arms . ''

America's leading gun-rights groups filed a pair of lawsuits challenging shutdown orders issued by the Democratic governors of New Mexico and Virginia.
The National Rifle Association, Second Amendment Foundation, and Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a federal suit against New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D.) on Friday over her emergency shutdown of gun stores. The Virginia Citizens Defense League and Gun Owners of America filed a suit in state court on Thursday over Gov. Ralph Northam's (D.) order to shutter indoor gun ranges. Both suits claim the emergency measures, meant to slow the spread of coronavirus, violate gun-rights protections and are especially worrying given the prisoner releases taking place across the country—including in New Mexico and Virginia.
"Politicians imperil our families by declaring our fundamental right of self-defense 'non-essential' while they free criminals," Jason Ouimet, executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement.
FPC president Brandon Combs said the Second Amendment is more essential than ever as states and localities divert law enforcement resources to cope with the deadly pandemic.
"The government has no duty to protect you, and coronavirus-related impacts to law enforcement could be significant," he said. "Times like now are precisely when people must be able to acquire self-defense tools to defend their lives and homes."
Neither Grisham nor Northam responded to requests for comment.
States began issuing stay-at-home orders in March, but policymakers have yet to resolve how such shutdown orders apply to gun manufacturers, ranges, or dealers. Gun-rights groups have aggressively challenged declarations that affect gun businesses in both state and federal courts, in an attempt to maintain public access to firearms.
Court rulings have had mixed outcomes so far, as judges weigh public health and emergency government power against constitutionally protected rights. In March, a North Carolina judge forced a county sheriff to reopen his pistol purchase permitting process, while the Pennsylvania Supreme Court allowed Governor Tom Wolf (D.) to move forward with gun store shutdowns. In April, two federal judges denied attempts to block shutdowns in parts of California.
Gun-rights advocates have had more success in lobbying federal and state officials to label gun businesses "essential" than they have had in the courts. The Department of Homeland Security updated its guidance to states at the end of March to add gun stores, ranges, and manufacturers to the "essential" list. Most states that initially shut down gun stores—including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware—subsequently allowed the businesses to reopen on a limited basis.
Gun-control groups have launched a counteroffensive, asking government officials to shutter gun retailers. Everytown for Gun Safety and Brady United both issued memos encouraging state and local officials to ignore the federal guidance and eliminate gun sales during the pandemic. On Saturday, activists said temporary closures are needed to not only halt the spread of the virus but to slow the record-setting spike in new gun sales that the country witnessed in March.
"Keeping gun shops open during the pandemic will not only contribute to the spread of the virus, it will increase its deadly toll. Now is the worst time to be buying a gun and bringing it into the home," Griffin Dix, president of the group's Oakland chapter, wrote in an op-ed. "I strongly urge state and local officials to require gun shops to remain closed temporarily during this pandemic, like other nonessential businesses."
Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation, said the gun-rights groups would continue to pursue legal action anywhere shutdowns occur, adding that even temporary restrictions on Americans' access to firearms are unconstitutional.
"Of course, there is an emergency, but such emergencies do not nullify the Constitution, even temporarily," he said. "We cannot allow public officials to put their personal agendas above the rights protected by the Constitution, and that includes the right of the people to keep and bear arms."


freebeacon--2020-04-14--Trump to Halt Funding for WHO

Trump to Halt Funding for WHO

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has instructed his administration to halt funding to the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic while his administration reviews its response to the global crisis .
Trump , at a White House news conference , said the WHO had `` failed in its basic duty and it must be held accountable . ''
He said the group had promoted China ’ s `` disinformation '' about the virus that likely led to a wider outbreak of the virus than otherwise would have occurred .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ donor to the Geneva-based WHO , contributing more than $ 400 million in 2019 , roughly 15 % of its budget .
The hold on funding was expected .
Trump has been increasingly critical of the organization as the global health crisis has continued , and he has reacted angrily to criticism of his administration ’ s response .
The decision drew immediate condemnation .
American Medical Association President Dr. Patrice Harris called it `` a dangerous step in the wrong direction that will not make defeating COVID-19 easier '' and urged Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused the WHO of being too lenient with China in the earliest days of the pandemic , causing unnecessary deaths by failing to impose a travel ban on China .
`` The WHO failed in this basic duty and must be held accountable , '' Trump said .
The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 , the highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the virus , topped 25,700 on Tuesday , out of more than 600,000 known U.S. infections , according to a running Reuters tally .
Millions of Americans have lost their jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crippled as citizens have stayed home and businesses were ordered to close , casting a shadow over Trump ’ s hopes of being re-elected in November .
WHO NEEDS MORE RESOURCES The World Health Organization is a U.N. specialized agency – an independent international body that works with the United Nations .
A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump ’ s announcement .
The WHO has been appealing for more than $ 1 billion to fund operations against the pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it leads the global response against the disease .
Trump said Washington would discuss with global health partners what it will do with the millions of dollars that would normally go to the WHO and said the United States would continue to engage with the organization .
Trump has long questioned the value of the United Nations and scorned the importance of multilateralism as he focuses on an `` America First '' agenda .
Since Trump took office , he has quit the U.N. Human Rights Council , the U.N. cultural agency UNESCO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change and the Iran nuclear deal and opposed a U.N. migration pact .
The Trump administration cut funding in 2017 for the U.N. Population Fund ( UNFPA ) , the U.N. agency that helps Palestinian refugees ( UNRWA ) in 2018 and put on hold its contribution to the U.N. ’ s aviation agency last year .
Under the WHO ’ s 2018-19 biennium budget , the United States was required to pay $ 237 million – known as an assessed contribution , which is appropriated by Congress – and also made some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were tied to specific programs .
According to the WHO website , China ’ s contribution for 2018-2019 was almost $ 76 million in assessed contributions and some $ 10 million in voluntary funding .
Reporting by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland ; additional reporting by Michelle Nichols in New York ; Writing by Patricia Zengerle ; Editing by Chris Reese , Leslie Adler and Cynthia Osterman

By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has instructed his administration to halt funding to the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic while his administration reviews its response to the global crisis.
Trump, at a White House news conference, said the WHO had "failed in its basic duty and it must be held accountable." He said the group had promoted China’s "disinformation" about the virus that likely led to a wider outbreak of the virus than otherwise would have occurred.
The United States is the biggest overall donor to the Geneva-based WHO, contributing more than $400 million in 2019, roughly 15% of its budget.
The hold on funding was expected. Trump has been increasingly critical of the organization as the global health crisis has continued, and he has reacted angrily to criticism of his administration’s response.
The decision drew immediate condemnation. American Medical Association President Dr. Patrice Harris called it "a dangerous step in the wrong direction that will not make defeating COVID-19 easier" and urged Trump to reconsider.
The Republican president has accused the WHO of being too lenient with China in the earliest days of the pandemic, causing unnecessary deaths by failing to impose a travel ban on China.
"The WHO failed in this basic duty and must be held accountable," Trump said.
The U.S. death toll from COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the virus, topped 25,700 on Tuesday, out of more than 600,000 known U.S. infections, according to a running Reuters tally.
Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, and the U.S. economy has been crippled as citizens have stayed home and businesses were ordered to close, casting a shadow over Trump’s hopes of being re-elected in November.
WHO NEEDS MORE RESOURCES
The World Health Organization is a U.N. specialized agency - an independent international body that works with the United Nations. A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s announcement.
The WHO has been appealing for more than $1 billion to fund operations against the pandemic. The agency needs more resources than ever as it leads the global response against the disease.
Trump said Washington would discuss with global health partners what it will do with the millions of dollars that would normally go to the WHO and said the United States would continue to engage with the organization.
Trump has long questioned the value of the United Nations and scorned the importance of multilateralism as he focuses on an "America First" agenda.
Since Trump took office, he has quit the U.N. Human Rights Council, the U.N. cultural agency UNESCO, a global accord to tackle climate change and the Iran nuclear deal and opposed a U.N. migration pact.
The Trump administration cut funding in 2017 for the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), the U.N. agency that helps Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in 2018 and put on hold its contribution to the U.N.’s aviation agency last year.
Under the WHO’s 2018-19 biennium budget, the United States was required to pay $237 million - known as an assessed contribution, which is appropriated by Congress - and also made some $656 million in voluntary contributions that were tied to specific programs.
According to the WHO website, China’s contribution for 2018-2019 was almost $76 million in assessed contributions and some $10 million in voluntary funding.
Reporting by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; additional reporting by Michelle Nichols in New York; Writing by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Chris Reese, Leslie Adler and Cynthia Osterman


freebeacon--2020-04-14--Blue States Ask Supreme Court to Suspend Green Card Benefits Restriction, Citing Pandemic

A coalition of left-leaning states and interest groups asked the Supreme Court to pause a Trump administration rule that denies green cards to immigrants who use government benefit programs , citing the coronavirus pandemic .
New York attorney general Letitia James is leading the coalition , warning the justices that the government 's public charge rule poses a continuing threat to health and safety because it deters migrants from seeking economic assistance or enrolling in Medicaid .
`` The rule makes it more likely that immigrants will suffer serious illness if infected and spread the virus inadvertently to others—risks that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large proportion of the essential workers who continue to interact with the public , '' the motion reads .
`` The rule also deters access to public benefits , including nutrition benefits , that are critical for both immigrants and the country as a whole to weather the economic crisis triggered by COVID-19 . ''
President Donald Trump has enacted some of the far-reaching border control policies he has long advocated for in response to the coronavirus .
The administration has banned nonessential travel at the southern border and sped removal time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including asylum-seekers .
The public charge rule is one of the few examples of an immigration policy the government has relaxed .
U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ) issued guidance in March advising that publicly funded testing , treatment , and preventative care related to coronavirus would not count against green card applicants .
The plaintiffs in the public charge challenge say that guidance does not provide clear direction for immigrants and should be made binding by court order .
The Supreme Court allowed the rule to take effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote in January .
The plaintiffs asked the justices Monday night to revisit that decision , arguing that the virus has shifted the legal balance in favor of the immigrants .
The motion underscores that the justices `` may lift or modify a previously granted stay when new circumstances arise . ''
The plaintiffs also presented the Court with an alternative : It could clarify that its January ruling does not prohibit a lower court judge from taking a fresh look at the case and putting a short-term hold on the rule .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at nonprofits submitted declarations supporting Monday night 's motion .
In one such statement , Malou Chávez of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in Seattle said her organization has seen an uptick in inquiries related to accessing benefits .
Despite USCIS 's March advisory , she said clients remain wary of applying for government aid .
Other doctors and local officials submitted similar statements to the Court .
`` Community members who may be in need of medical care are reluctant to seek care because their fear of a future case denial based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current need , '' Chávez 's statement reads .
The USCIS alert also says that migrants who apply for economic support can submit evidence for the agency to consider .
`` If the alien is prevented from working or attending school and must rely on public benefits for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and recovery phase , the alien can provide an explanation and relevant supporting documentation , '' the alert reads .
A federal immigration law has long directed that immigrants should not receive green cards if they are `` likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge . ''
Historically , a `` public charge '' has been defined as a person dependent on a cash-assistance program .
The administration changed that policy in 2019 and expanded the definition to include other forms of non-cash benefits such as food stamps .
In announcing the change , then-USCIS acting director Ken Cuccinelli said the policy promotes the `` virtues of perseverance , hard work , and self-sufficiency . ''
At an earlier phase of the case , the government said it must be allowed to enforce the rule while legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be forced to issue green cards to immigrants it would otherwise disqualify .
It is difficult to revoke green cards once issued .
The Department of Justice declined to comment on Monday 's request .
Connecticut , Vermont , New York City , and immigrant rights groups are formally supporting the motion .
The Supreme Court had not asked the Trump administration to respond to the request by press time .
The case is No .
19A785 Department of Homeland Security v. New York .
DHS v. New York motion to l… by @ @ @ @ @

A coalition of left-leaning states and interest groups asked the Supreme Court to pause a Trump administration rule that denies green cards to immigrants who use government benefit programs, citing the coronavirus pandemic.
New York attorney general Letitia James is leading the coalition, warning the justices that the government's public charge rule poses a continuing threat to health and safety because it deters migrants from seeking economic assistance or enrolling in Medicaid.
"The rule makes it more likely that immigrants will suffer serious illness if infected and spread the virus inadvertently to others—risks that are heightened because immigrants make up a large proportion of the essential workers who continue to interact with the public," the motion reads. "The rule also deters access to public benefits, including nutrition benefits, that are critical for both immigrants and the country as a whole to weather the economic crisis triggered by COVID-19."
President Donald Trump has enacted some of the far-reaching border control policies he has long advocated for in response to the coronavirus. The administration has banned nonessential travel at the southern border and sped removal time for immigrants caught entering the United States illegally, including asylum-seekers. The public charge rule is one of the few examples of an immigration policy the government has relaxed. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued guidance in March advising that publicly funded testing, treatment, and preventative care related to coronavirus would not count against green card applicants. The plaintiffs in the public charge challenge say that guidance does not provide clear direction for immigrants and should be made binding by court order.
The Supreme Court allowed the rule to take effect while legal challenges continue on a five-to-four vote in January. The plaintiffs asked the justices Monday night to revisit that decision, arguing that the virus has shifted the legal balance in favor of the immigrants.
The motion underscores that the justices "may lift or modify a previously granted stay when new circumstances arise."
The plaintiffs also presented the Court with an alternative: It could clarify that its January ruling does not prohibit a lower court judge from taking a fresh look at the case and putting a short-term hold on the rule.
Doctors, local officials, and staff at nonprofits submitted declarations supporting Monday night's motion. In one such statement, Malou Chávez of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in Seattle said her organization has seen an uptick in inquiries related to accessing benefits. Despite USCIS's March advisory, she said clients remain wary of applying for government aid. Other doctors and local officials submitted similar statements to the Court.
"Community members who may be in need of medical care are reluctant to seek care because their fear of a future case denial based on a public charge determination overcomes any current need," Chávez's statement reads.
The USCIS alert also says that migrants who apply for economic support can submit evidence for the agency to consider.
"If the alien is prevented from working or attending school and must rely on public benefits for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and recovery phase, the alien can provide an explanation and relevant supporting documentation," the alert reads.
A federal immigration law has long directed that immigrants should not receive green cards if they are "likely at any time to become a public charge." Historically, a "public charge" has been defined as a person dependent on a cash-assistance program. The administration changed that policy in 2019 and expanded the definition to include other forms of non-cash benefits such as food stamps.
In announcing the change, then-USCIS acting director Ken Cuccinelli said the policy promotes the "virtues of perseverance, hard work, and self-sufficiency."
At an earlier phase of the case, the government said it must be allowed to enforce the rule while legal challenges unfold. Otherwise, it will be forced to issue green cards to immigrants it would otherwise disqualify. It is difficult to revoke green cards once issued.
The Department of Justice declined to comment on Monday's request.
Connecticut, Vermont, New York City, and immigrant rights groups are formally supporting the motion.
The Supreme Court had not asked the Trump administration to respond to the request by press time. The case is No. 19A785 Department of Homeland Security v. New York.
DHS v. New York motion to l... by Washington Free Beacon on Scribd


freebeacon--2020-04-14--Bernie Sanders Bends the Knee to the Establishment, Again

Sen. Bernie Sanders 's ( I. , Vt. ) endorsement of former vice president Joe Biden marks the second straight election in which the Vermont senator took on the Democratic establishment before throwing his support behind the establishment candidate .
Sanders repeatedly boasted during the 2020 primary that his campaign was `` taking on the Democratic establishment . ''
He declared Biden 's candidacy the `` same old , same old establishment politics '' and said the establishment was `` freaking out '' over his early success in the primaries .
Sanders officially capitulated on Monday after Biden gained an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He told his supporters to back Biden , whom he has attacked for voting for the Iraq war , having ties to Wall Street , opposing Medicare for All , supporting free trade agreements , and their differences on entitlements .
`` Joe and I have a very different voting record , '' Sanders said in March .
`` Joe and I have a very different vision for the future of this country .
And Joe and I are running very different campaigns . ''
Similarly , in 2016 , Sanders called his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary Clinton , the `` candidate of the establishment '' and said he was running the `` anti-establishment campaign . ''
Sanders assailed Clinton for her vote for the Iraq war , ties to Wall Street , opposition to Medicare for All , past support for free trade agreements , and their differences on entitlements .
`` I do n't believe that she is qualified if she is through her super PAC taking tens of millions of dollars in special-interest funds , '' he said at an April 2016 rally .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you get $ 15 million from Wall Street through your super PAC .
I do n't think you are qualified if you voted for the disastrous war in Iraq . ''
Then as now , Sanders was defeated by the candidate favored by Democratic leadership and eventually endorsed her White House run .
Sanders did n't hold out as long in 2020 , endorsing in April instead of July .

Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I., Vt.) endorsement of former vice president Joe Biden marks the second straight election in which the Vermont senator took on the Democratic establishment before throwing his support behind the establishment candidate.
Sanders repeatedly boasted during the 2020 primary that his campaign was "taking on the Democratic establishment." He declared Biden's candidacy the "same old, same old establishment politics" and said the establishment was "freaking out" over his early success in the primaries.
Sanders officially capitulated on Monday after Biden gained an insurmountable lead in the primary fight. He told his supporters to back Biden, whom he has attacked for voting for the Iraq war, having ties to Wall Street, opposing Medicare for All, supporting free trade agreements, and their differences on entitlements.


freebeacon--2020-04-14--U.S. to Block Iran Receiving $1.6 Billion From ‘Victory’ Over 9/11 Victims

The Trump administration has received guarantees Iran will not repatriate some $ 1.6 billion related to Tehran 's recent `` legal victory '' against American terror victims .
Iranian president Hassan Rouhani claimed during the weekend that a Luxembourg court had freed $ 1.6 billion in frozen assets to be sent back to Iran .
The money has long been sought as compensation by American victims of Iran-backed terror attacks .
Victims of the 9/11 attacks and the 1983 bombing of a Marine barracks in Lebanon , among others , have argued that the regime owes compensation for sponsoring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Free Beacon the United States has `` received assurances that the funds continue to be frozen and will not be transferred to Iran at this time . ''
The money is being closely watched in light of the Trump administration 's decision in February to waive sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran ( CBI ) so it could access cash for `` humanitarian purposes '' amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Potentially billions in hard currency are now available to the regime , which continues to spend its cash reserves on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' medical needs .
Senior State Department officials said they are working to block any transfer of this money , which has been frozen in Luxembourg bank accounts pending an outcome by the European nation 's courts .
`` The Luxembourg district court states the decision is not final and is subject to appeal , '' the senior State Department official told the Free Beacon .
`` Contrary to regime propaganda , these funds have not been sent to Iran .
On April 3 , the vice president to the Luxembourg district court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The United States will continue to use all possible means to ensure that these funds in Luxembourg are not released . ''
The Luxembourg Court of Cassation , which adjudicated the case and ruled in Iran 's favor , confirmed its decision on Tuesday and indicated the money has not yet made its way back to Iran .
The court ruled the United States has no authority to seize the funds on behalf of American terror victims .
That decision can now be appealed to a higher court .
Luxembourg made clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move the money before a final decision is made it would be subject to million-dollar fines .
Iran had in mid-2019 appealed court rulings holding it accountable for the attacks .
The Luxembourg court 's decision , while not final , could pave the way for the Islamic Republic to take back the $ 1.6 billion that had been frozen .
Rouhani , in addressing the decision , called it a `` very good victory '' against America and falsely claimed Iran had already repatriated the money .
Rouhani claimed victory over victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American courts have long linked Iran .
The money has also been sought by the families of American service members killed in the 1983 bombing of a Marine barracks in Lebanon , another attack sponsored by Tehran .
`` $ 1.6 billion of our money was in Luxembourg and the Americans had put their hands on it , '' Rouhani said .
He added that Iran `` freed this money from the Americans ' grasp . ''
The governor of Iran 's Central Bank also claimed that the cash had been released .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Islamic Republic could gain two major achievements and neutralize U.S. efforts to seize and transfer Iran 's assets , '' Abdolnaser Hemmati said in reports carried by Iran 's state-controlled media .
`` Initially , $ 1.6 billion of CBI assets , blocked in Clearstream Banking SA back on January 15 , 2016 , was released , '' he said .
`` Under a transient order issued by a court in Luxembourg , the transfer of the CBI asset was diverted to the U.S . ''

The Trump administration has received guarantees Iran will not repatriate some $1.6 billion related to Tehran's recent "legal victory" against American terror victims.
Iranian president Hassan Rouhani claimed during the weekend that a Luxembourg court had freed $1.6 billion in frozen assets to be sent back to Iran. The money has long been sought as compensation by American victims of Iran-backed terror attacks. Victims of the 9/11 attacks and the 1983 bombing of a Marine barracks in Lebanon, among others, have argued that the regime owes compensation for sponsoring the attacks.
Senior Trump administration officials told the Washington Free Beacon the United States has "received assurances that the funds continue to be frozen and will not be transferred to Iran at this time."
The money is being closely watched in light of the Trump administration's decision in February to waive sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) so it could access cash for "humanitarian purposes" amid the coronavirus pandemic. Potentially billions in hard currency are now available to the regime, which continues to spend its cash reserves on regional terror operations instead of its citizens' medical needs.
Senior State Department officials said they are working to block any transfer of this money, which has been frozen in Luxembourg bank accounts pending an outcome by the European nation's courts.
"The Luxembourg district court states the decision is not final and is subject to appeal," the senior State Department official told the Free Beacon. "Contrary to regime propaganda, these funds have not been sent to Iran. On April 3, the vice president to the Luxembourg district court issued a prohibition on the asset transfer. The United States will continue to use all possible means to ensure that these funds in Luxembourg are not released."
The Luxembourg Court of Cassation, which adjudicated the case and ruled in Iran's favor, confirmed its decision on Tuesday and indicated the money has not yet made its way back to Iran. The court ruled the United States has no authority to seize the funds on behalf of American terror victims.
That decision can now be appealed to a higher court. Luxembourg made clear that if any financial institution attempts to move the money before a final decision is made it would be subject to million-dollar fines.
Iran had in mid-2019 appealed court rulings holding it accountable for the attacks. The Luxembourg court's decision, while not final, could pave the way for the Islamic Republic to take back the $1.6 billion that had been frozen.
Rouhani, in addressing the decision, called it a "very good victory" against America and falsely claimed Iran had already repatriated the money.
Rouhani claimed victory over victims of the 9/11 attacks, to which American courts have long linked Iran. The money has also been sought by the families of American service members killed in the 1983 bombing of a Marine barracks in Lebanon, another attack sponsored by Tehran.
"$1.6 billion of our money was in Luxembourg and the Americans had put their hands on it," Rouhani said. He added that Iran "freed this money from the Americans' grasp."
The governor of Iran's Central Bank also claimed that the cash had been released.
"Thanks to judiciary actions in Luxembourg, the Islamic Republic could gain two major achievements and neutralize U.S. efforts to seize and transfer Iran's assets," Abdolnaser Hemmati said in reports carried by Iran's state-controlled media.
"Initially, $1.6 billion of CBI assets, blocked in Clearstream Banking SA back on January 15, 2016, was released," he said. "Under a transient order issued by a court in Luxembourg, the transfer of the CBI asset was diverted to the U.S."


freebeacon--2020-04-14--Obama Bros Called Out for Misrepresenting Interview on Biden’s Accuser

Former Obama administration staffers Jon Favreau , Jon Lovett , and Tommy Vietor are facing a progressive backlash after a guest on their popular podcast repeatedly misrepresented sexual assault allegations against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
The influential liberal activists invited Salon writer Amanda Marcotte on Monday 's `` Pod Save America '' episode to discuss allegations that Biden sexually assaulted former staffer Tara Reade in 1993 .
Marcotte 's interview included a number of false claims about Reade—who filed a police report Thursday—sparking pushback from fellow progressive journalist Katie Halper .
Halper , who first reported the allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the inaccuracies were part of the media 's `` demonstrable double standard '' in covering sexual assault allegations against Biden and others who have faced accusations in the # MeToo era .
`` Marcotte , NY Times , & WaPo have a demonstrable double standard when it comes to truth between Reade and Biden and truth between Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh , '' Halper said in a series of Monday tweets .
Halper 's criticism came a day after the New York Times deleted a controversial line in a Sunday article detailing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially wrote that it found `` no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden , beyond the hugs , kisses , and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable , '' the paper removed the second half of the sentence without explanation following a complaint from the Biden campaign .
Vietor quoted the passage during the Monday podcast , though he failed to mention that it had been stealth-edited at the request of Democratic operatives .
In her interview with Vietor , Marcotte claimed Reade worked in Biden 's Senate office `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1993 , basically . ''
Reade worked as a staff assistant for Biden for nine months , spanning from December 1992 to August 1993 , Senate records show .
Marcotte summed up Reade 's allegations by saying she accused Biden of `` push [ ing ] her up against a wall and digitally penetrat [ ing ] her , '' adding that `` there 's not a whole lot more to the accusation . ''
According to Reade , Biden explained away his advances by saying , `` Come on , man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before telling Reade , `` You 're nothing to me . ''
Reade also said she was retaliated against following the incident , accusing Biden of moving her to a windowless office and stripping her of most of her duties .
Two former interns who worked with Reade told the Times Reade `` abruptly stopped supervising them in April . ''
Neither Marcotte nor Vietor discussed these aspects of Reade 's allegation , and Vietor responded to Marcotte 's summary of the incident by reading a statement from the Biden campaign denying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reade `` said she complained about [ the assault ] to multiple people , '' those people told Marcotte that they `` do n't recall any such kind of complaint . ''
Both the New York Times and Washington Post spoke to friends of Reade 's who said that she detailed the allegation to them at the time .
Marcotte also downplayed the existence of a `` paper trail , '' saying she found `` no evidence '' that Reade filed a complaint with the Senate in 1993 , as Reade has stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donated to the University of Delaware in 2011 but have not been released to the public .
The university initially indicated that the documents would be released two years after Biden retired from `` public office , '' a date that passed in early January .
The university now says the papers will be released two years after Biden retires from `` public life , '' meaning the documents will remain sealed throughout Biden 's presidential campaign .
Vietor said Reade 's accusation highlights `` how challenging it is to figure out anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Halper criticized Marcotte for participating in a `` smear campaign '' against Reade .
`` Kind of weird to omit that [ Reade ] was upset because she was almost immediately smeared as a Russian agent .
Especially weird because Marcotte repeats these smears , '' she said in the lengthy Twitter thread .
`` She & others are trying to justify media 's silence because it 's been so deafening people have to be given an answer . ''
Neither `` Pod Save America '' nor Marcotte responded to requests for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time the `` Pod Save America '' group has faced pushback for failing to take sexual misconduct seriously .
Favreau in 2008 was photographed groping the breast of a Hillary Clinton cardboard cutout , a move he later attributed to a lack of understanding that `` once you get to the White House … you have to be serious here . ''

Former Obama administration staffers Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor are facing a progressive backlash after a guest on their popular podcast repeatedly misrepresented sexual assault allegations against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
The influential liberal activists invited Salon writer Amanda Marcotte on Monday's "Pod Save America" episode to discuss allegations that Biden sexually assaulted former staffer Tara Reade in 1993. Marcotte's interview included a number of false claims about Reade—who filed a police report Thursday—sparking pushback from fellow progressive journalist Katie Halper. Halper, who first reported the allegations in a March interview with Reade, said the inaccuracies were part of the media's "demonstrable double standard" in covering sexual assault allegations against Biden and others who have faced accusations in the #MeToo era.
"Marcotte, NY Times, & WaPo have a demonstrable double standard when it comes to truth between Reade and Biden and truth between Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh," Halper said in a series of Monday tweets.
Halper's criticism came a day after the New York Times deleted a controversial line in a Sunday article detailing Reade's allegations. Though the Times initially wrote that it found "no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden, beyond the hugs, kisses, and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable," the paper removed the second half of the sentence without explanation following a complaint from the Biden campaign. Vietor quoted the passage during the Monday podcast, though he failed to mention that it had been stealth-edited at the request of Democratic operatives.
In her interview with Vietor, Marcotte claimed Reade worked in Biden's Senate office "like, for a few months in 1993, basically." Reade worked as a staff assistant for Biden for nine months, spanning from December 1992 to August 1993, Senate records show.
Marcotte summed up Reade's allegations by saying she accused Biden of "push[ing] her up against a wall and digitally penetrat[ing] her," adding that "there's not a whole lot more to the accusation." According to Reade, Biden explained away his advances by saying, "Come on, man, I heard you liked me," before telling Reade, "You're nothing to me." Reade also said she was retaliated against following the incident, accusing Biden of moving her to a windowless office and stripping her of most of her duties. Two former interns who worked with Reade told the Times Reade "abruptly stopped supervising them in April." Neither Marcotte nor Vietor discussed these aspects of Reade's allegation, and Vietor responded to Marcotte's summary of the incident by reading a statement from the Biden campaign denying the assault occurred.
Marcotte claimed that while Reade "said she complained about [the assault] to multiple people," those people told Marcotte that they "don't recall any such kind of complaint." Both the New York Times and Washington Post spoke to friends of Reade's who said that she detailed the allegation to them at the time.
Marcotte also downplayed the existence of a "paper trail," saying she found "no evidence" that Reade filed a complaint with the Senate in 1993, as Reade has stated. Biden's official Senate papers were donated to the University of Delaware in 2011 but have not been released to the public. The university initially indicated that the documents would be released two years after Biden retired from "public office," a date that passed in early January. The university now says the papers will be released two years after Biden retires from "public life," meaning the documents will remain sealed throughout Biden's presidential campaign. Vietor said Reade's accusation highlights "how challenging it is to figure out anything that happened a long time ago."
Halper criticized Marcotte for participating in a "smear campaign" against Reade.
"Kind of weird to omit that [Reade] was upset because she was almost immediately smeared as a Russian agent. Especially weird because Marcotte repeats these smears," she said in the lengthy Twitter thread. "She & others are trying to justify media's silence because it's been so deafening people have to be given an answer."
Neither "Pod Save America" nor Marcotte responded to requests for comment.
This is not the first time the "Pod Save America" group has faced pushback for failing to take sexual misconduct seriously. Favreau in 2008 was photographed groping the breast of a Hillary Clinton cardboard cutout, a move he later attributed to a lack of understanding that "once you get to the White House … you have to be serious here."


freebeacon--2020-04-16--Dem Defends Wet Markets in Face of Scientific Consensus About Their Dangers

An Illinois Democrat who has blamed President Trump for coronavirus deaths defended Chinese wet markets at a Monday tele-townhall , ignoring the scientific consensus that they are breeding grounds for deadly diseases .
`` I think we need to be careful about laying all the blame on a particular cultural practice in a country that we do n't live in , '' Rep. Sean Casten ( D. , Ill. ) told his constituents .
`` These viruses could hop from animals to humans , but you do n't shut that down just by shutting down a particular cultural practice that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Casten has frequently accused President Donald Trump of killing Americans by disseminating misinformation about the pandemic , going so far as to say the president 's daily coronavirus briefings are `` getting people killed . ''
His defense of wet markets , however , contradicts a scientific consensus dating back to 2006 that such markets pose a significant public health risk .
While China has restricted the country 's scientists from pinpointing the exact origins of the virus , existing evidence suggests that the virus started in a wet market in Wuhan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets also runs counter to the policies advocated by Dr. Anthony Fauci , a top doctor on the Trump administration 's coronavirus taskforce .
`` [ They ] should shut down those things right away , '' Fauci said on April 2 , referring to the wet markets .
`` It just boggles my mind that when we have so many diseases that emanate out of that unusual human-animal interface that we do n't just shut it down . ''
This is not the first time Casten has disseminated false information about coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assign any blame to China for its mishandling of the pandemic , asserting that `` viruses do n't know borders . ''
In reality , Beijing significantly exacerbated the outbreak by clamping down on whistleblowers and refusing to publicly announce the severity of the disease in the early days of the pandemic .
If China responded to the outbreak three weeks earlier , there would have been 95 percent fewer cases , according to one study .
Casten did not respond to a request for comment .
Casten mentioned the avian flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguing that the problem lies not with unregulated markets but the vector animals that transmit the disease to human beings .
He neglected to tell constituents that the 2006 avian flu , as well as the 2003 SARS outbreak , actually originated in Asian wet markets .
Experts began calling for restrictions on wet markets as early as 2010 , according to the South China Morning Post .
Chinese propagandists have pointed to wet markets as the likely source of the deadly contagion .
Xinhua News Agency , a state-owned media outlet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quantity of novel coronavirus '' was detected in Wuhan 's wet markets .
China has since allowed some city wet markets to reopen , pushing a bipartisan group of 70 members of Congress to send a letter to the World Health Organization demanding a ban on the sales of live wildlife .
China has a nominal ban on such sales , but experts have said loopholes have rendered reforms toothless .
Jeanne Ives , the Republican candidate challenging Casten , criticized the Illinois Democrat for offering political cover to China by defending wet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that COVID-19 originated in the wet markets , there is strong evidence that the spread was escalated there .
Regardless , everything China does should be suspect and investigated now , '' an Ives campaign spokeswoman said .
`` And Sean Casten has done nothing but praise and defend them . ''

An Illinois Democrat who has blamed President Trump for coronavirus deaths defended Chinese wet markets at a Monday tele-townhall, ignoring the scientific consensus that they are breeding grounds for deadly diseases.
"I think we need to be careful about laying all the blame on a particular cultural practice in a country that we don't live in," Rep. Sean Casten (D., Ill.) told his constituents. "These viruses could hop from animals to humans, but you don't shut that down just by shutting down a particular cultural practice that we aren't familiar with."
Casten has frequently accused President Donald Trump of killing Americans by disseminating misinformation about the pandemic, going so far as to say the president's daily coronavirus briefings are "getting people killed." His defense of wet markets, however, contradicts a scientific consensus dating back to 2006 that such markets pose a significant public health risk. While China has restricted the country's scientists from pinpointing the exact origins of the virus, existing evidence suggests that the virus started in a wet market in Wuhan, China.
Casten's defense of wet markets also runs counter to the policies advocated by Dr. Anthony Fauci, a top doctor on the Trump administration's coronavirus taskforce.
"[They] should shut down those things right away," Fauci said on April 2, referring to the wet markets. "It just boggles my mind that when we have so many diseases that emanate out of that unusual human-animal interface that we don't just shut it down."
This is not the first time Casten has disseminated false information about coronavirus. In March, the congressman refused to assign any blame to China for its mishandling of the pandemic, asserting that "viruses don't know borders." In reality, Beijing significantly exacerbated the outbreak by clamping down on whistleblowers and refusing to publicly announce the severity of the disease in the early days of the pandemic. If China responded to the outbreak three weeks earlier, there would have been 95 percent fewer cases, according to one study.
Casten did not respond to a request for comment.
Casten mentioned the avian flu when he defended the wet markets, arguing that the problem lies not with unregulated markets but the vector animals that transmit the disease to human beings. He neglected to tell constituents that the 2006 avian flu, as well as the 2003 SARS outbreak, actually originated in Asian wet markets. Experts began calling for restrictions on wet markets as early as 2010, according to the South China Morning Post.
Chinese propagandists have pointed to wet markets as the likely source of the deadly contagion. Xinhua News Agency, a state-owned media outlet, reported in January that a "large quantity of novel coronavirus" was detected in Wuhan's wet markets. China has since allowed some city wet markets to reopen, pushing a bipartisan group of 70 members of Congress to send a letter to the World Health Organization demanding a ban on the sales of live wildlife. China has a nominal ban on such sales, but experts have said loopholes have rendered reforms toothless.
Jeanne Ives, the Republican candidate challenging Casten, criticized the Illinois Democrat for offering political cover to China by defending wet markets.
"While we don't know that COVID-19 originated in the wet markets, there is strong evidence that the spread was escalated there. Regardless, everything China does should be suspect and investigated now," an Ives campaign spokeswoman said. "And Sean Casten has done nothing but praise and defend them."


freebeacon--2020-01-07--U.S. Official: U.S. Denies Iran’s Zarif Visa to Attend U.N.

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – The United States has denied a visa to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that would have allowed him to attend a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York on Thursday , a U.S. official said .
Monday 's comments by the official , who spoke on condition of anonymity , came as tensions escalate between the two countries after the United States killed Iran 's most prominent military commander , Qassem Soleimani , in Baghdad on Friday .
Under the 1947 U.N. `` headquarters agreement , '' the United States is generally required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for foreign diplomats .
But Washington says it can deny visas for `` security , terrorism and foreign policy '' reasons .
The U.S. State Department declined immediate comment .
Iran 's mission to the United Nations said : `` We have seen the media reports , but we have not received any official communication from either the U.S. or the U.N. regarding Foreign Minister Zarif 's visa . ''
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric declined to comment on the U.S. denial of a visa for Zarif .
Zarif wanted to attend a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the topic of upholding the U.N. Charter .
The meeting and Zarif 's travel had been planned before the latest flare-up in tensions between Washington and Tehran .
The Security Council meeting would have given Zarif a global spotlight to publicly criticize the United States for killing Soleimani .
Iran 's U.N. envoy , Majid Takht Ravanchi , has described the killing of Soleimani as `` an obvious example of State terrorism and , as a criminal act , constitutes a gross violation of the fundamental principles of international law , including , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Nations . ''
Zarif last traveled to New York in September for the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations – after the United States sanctioned him for implementing `` the reckless agenda of Iran 's Supreme Leader . ''
The sanctions block any property or interests Zarif has in the United States , but he said he had none .
Zarif also attended U.N. meetings in April and July .
During his July visit , Washington imposed tight travel restrictions on Zarif and diplomats at Iran 's mission to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small section of New York City .
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke with U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier on Monday .
State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement the pair discussed events in the Middle East and that Pompeo `` expressed his appreciation '' for Guterres ' diplomatic efforts .

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has denied a visa to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that would have allowed him to attend a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York on Thursday, a U.S. official said.
Monday's comments by the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, came as tensions escalate between the two countries after the United States killed Iran's most prominent military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad on Friday.
Under the 1947 U.N. "headquarters agreement," the United States is generally required to allow access to the United Nations for foreign diplomats. But Washington says it can deny visas for "security, terrorism and foreign policy" reasons.
The U.S. State Department declined immediate comment. Iran's mission to the United Nations said: "We have seen the media reports, but we have not received any official communication from either the U.S. or the U.N. regarding Foreign Minister Zarif's visa."
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric declined to comment on the U.S. denial of a visa for Zarif.
Zarif wanted to attend a meeting of the Security Council on Thursday on the topic of upholding the U.N. Charter. The meeting and Zarif's travel had been planned before the latest flare-up in tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The Security Council meeting would have given Zarif a global spotlight to publicly criticize the United States for killing Soleimani.
Iran's U.N. envoy, Majid Takht Ravanchi, has described the killing of Soleimani as "an obvious example of State terrorism and, as a criminal act, constitutes a gross violation of the fundamental principles of international law, including, in particular ... the Charter of the United Nations."
Zarif last traveled to New York in September for the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations - after the United States sanctioned him for implementing "the reckless agenda of Iran's Supreme Leader."
The sanctions block any property or interests Zarif has in the United States, but he said he had none.
Zarif also attended U.N. meetings in April and July. During his July visit, Washington imposed tight travel restrictions on Zarif and diplomats at Iran's mission to the United Nations, confining them to a small section of New York City.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke with U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier on Monday. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement the pair discussed events in the Middle East and that Pompeo "expressed his appreciation" for Guterres' diplomatic efforts.
(Reporting by Steve Holland; Additional reporting and writing by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Peter Cooney)
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freebeacon--2020-01-07--South Korea’s Moon Cites ‘Desperate Need’ for Ways to Improve Ties With North

SEOUL ( Reuters ) – There is a `` desperate need '' for practical ways to improve ties with North Korea , the South 's President Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday , adding that he was ready to meet with the reclusive leader in Pyongyang repeatedly if necessary .
Moon , sidelined from his leading role in the diplomatic effort with North Korea in 2018 , said he regretted the past year 's lack of progress in negotiations .
In an annual New Year 's speech in Seoul , Moon called for new talks with Kim Jong Un , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S.-North Korea communication .
`` In a time of deadlock in U.S.-North Korea talks – and where we are even concerned about a step backward in inter-Korean relations – we are in desperate need of practical ways to improve inter-Korean cooperation , '' he said .
He also said he would continue to push for restarting the Kaesong Industrial Complex and tours to Mt .
Kumgang , and mentioned border cooperation without elaborating .
He added the joint 2032 Olympics bid would be a unifying event , as would completing the inter-Korean railroad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era where separation is no longer a roadblock for peace and prosperity for South and North Korea , '' he said .
North Korea has been unresponsive to other recent overtures from Seoul , and cooperation projects between the neighbors have stalled in the face of international sanctions that bar most business with the North .
Pyongyang has expressed frustration at what it calls Washington 's lack of flexibility , while U.S. officials say it must take more concrete steps to dismantle its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs before sanctions are eased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks must continue , '' Moon said .
`` Provocations and threats are not helpful for anyone . ''
Over the New Year , Kim said he planned to further develop nuclear programs and introduce a `` new strategic weapon '' in the near future , though he signaled there was still room for dialogue with the United States .
Security and prosperity on the Korean peninsula are dependent on resolving international tensions , but the two Koreas could achieve progress through cooperation , Moon said .
`` I suggest South and North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .

By Sangmi Cha and Josh Smith
SEOUL (Reuters) - There is a "desperate need" for practical ways to improve ties with North Korea, the South's President Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday, adding that he was ready to meet with the reclusive leader in Pyongyang repeatedly if necessary.
Moon, sidelined from his leading role in the diplomatic effort with North Korea in 2018, said he regretted the past year's lack of progress in negotiations.
In an annual New Year's speech in Seoul, Moon called for new talks with Kim Jong Un, and vowed to keep up work to facilitate U.S.-North Korea communication.
"In a time of deadlock in U.S.-North Korea talks - and where we are even concerned about a step backward in inter-Korean relations - we are in desperate need of practical ways to improve inter-Korean cooperation," he said.
He also said he would continue to push for restarting the Kaesong Industrial Complex and tours to Mt. Kumgang, and mentioned border cooperation without elaborating. He added the joint 2032 Olympics bid would be a unifying event, as would completing the inter-Korean railroad.
"We want to make an era where separation is no longer a roadblock for peace and prosperity for South and North Korea," he said.
North Korea has been unresponsive to other recent overtures from Seoul, and cooperation projects between the neighbors have stalled in the face of international sanctions that bar most business with the North.
Pyongyang has expressed frustration at what it calls Washington's lack of flexibility, while U.S. officials say it must take more concrete steps to dismantle its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs before sanctions are eased.
"The momentum for U.S.-North Korea talks must continue," Moon said. "Provocations and threats are not helpful for anyone."
Over the New Year, Kim said he planned to further develop nuclear programs and introduce a "new strategic weapon" in the near future, though he signaled there was still room for dialogue with the United States.
Security and prosperity on the Korean peninsula are dependent on resolving international tensions, but the two Koreas could achieve progress through cooperation, Moon said.
"I suggest South and North Korea put our heads together," he said.
(Reporting by Josh Smith and Sangmi Cha; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Gerry Doyle)


freebeacon--2020-01-07--Putin Makes Rare Visit to Syria, Meets Assad

BEIRUT/MOSCOW ( Reuters ) – Vladimir Putin met Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Tuesday , the Russian leader 's second trip to Syria since Moscow intervened decisively on the Syrian president 's behalf in a civil war .
The visit comes at a time of heightened regional tension , when Assad 's other main military ally Iran has said it will retaliate against the United States for the killing of an Iranian general .
Qassem Soleimani , who was one of the key figures in Syria 's civil war as the architect of Iranian military operations in the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria when he was killed by a U.S. drone on Friday at Baghdad airport .
Russian and Iranian support have helped Assad win back nearly all territory from rebels who tried to overthrow him during the civil war that began nearly nine years ago .
Putin told Assad that much had been done to restore Syrian statehood , while Assad thanked Putin for his assistance in restoring peaceful life in Syria , Russia 's Interfax news agency reported , citing the Kremlin .
Putin will visit several facilities in Syria during the trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency SANA showed a photo of Putin smiling as he shook Assad 's hand and said they had listened to a military presentation by the head of Russian forces in Syria .
Putin 's previous trip to Syria was in 2017 when he visited Russia ’ s Hmeymim air base .

BEIRUT/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Vladimir Putin met Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Tuesday, the Russian leader's second trip to Syria since Moscow intervened decisively on the Syrian president's behalf in a civil war.
The visit comes at a time of heightened regional tension, when Assad's other main military ally Iran has said it will retaliate against the United States for the killing of an Iranian general.
Qassem Soleimani, who was one of the key figures in Syria's civil war as the architect of Iranian military operations in the Middle East, had just arrived in Iraq from Syria when he was killed by a U.S. drone on Friday at Baghdad airport.
Russian and Iranian support have helped Assad win back nearly all territory from rebels who tried to overthrow him during the civil war that began nearly nine years ago.
Putin told Assad that much had been done to restore Syrian statehood, while Assad thanked Putin for his assistance in restoring peaceful life in Syria, Russia's Interfax news agency reported, citing the Kremlin. Putin will visit several facilities in Syria during the trip, it added.
Syrian state news agency SANA showed a photo of Putin smiling as he shook Assad's hand and said they had listened to a military presentation by the head of Russian forces in Syria.
Putin's previous trip to Syria was in 2017 when he visited Russia’s Hmeymim air base.
(Additional reporting by Polina Devitt in Moscow; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Peter Graff)


freebeacon--2020-01-07--Warren: ‘I Actually Don’t Know Why’ Fundraising Is Declining

Presidential hopeful and Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren ( D. ) said she does not know why her fundraising numbers are in decline .
`` I actually do n't know why the numbers are a little bit off , but I will say this : What 's been happening is we just keep building on it , '' she said on MSNBC Monday night .
MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow asked Warren about her falling fundraising hauls , noting that she had taken in less money in the last quarter and had fallen behind Joe Biden , Pete Buttigieg , and Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Warren did not specify how she planned to boost receipts but said that she is proud of the large number of grassroots donations her campaign has received .
She also told Maddow that she was `` at a standing stop '' when she first jumped in to the race , adding that she `` built this from scratch . ''
As she prepared to enter the race last February , Warren transferred $ 10.4 million from her 2018 Senate campaign to her presidential coffers .
Much of that haul was raised from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now running against , '' the New York Times reported , with Warren cashing in on private , lavishly catered fundraisers in Manhattan , Hollywood , Silicon Valley , and Martha 's Vineyard .
Warren raised $ 21.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 , trailing Sanders ( $ 34.5 million ) , Buttigieg ( $ 24.7 million ) , and Biden ( $ 22.7 million ) .
Warren 's total marked a $ 3.5 million decline from the third quarter of 2019 , when she raised $ 24.6 million .
Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleground states , according to recent polling .
She commands 16 percent support in Iowa , 7 points behind the three-way tie of Biden , Buttigieg , and Sanders .
She is in third place in New Hampshire at 18 percent support , 9 points behind Sanders and 7 points behind Biden .

Presidential hopeful and Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren (D.) said she does not know why her fundraising numbers are in decline.
"I actually don't know why the numbers are a little bit off, but I will say this: What's been happening is we just keep building on it," she said on MSNBC Monday night.
MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow asked Warren about her falling fundraising hauls, noting that she had taken in less money in the last quarter and had fallen behind Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.).
Warren did not specify how she planned to boost receipts but said that she is proud of the large number of grassroots donations her campaign has received. She also told Maddow that she was "at a standing stop" when she first jumped in to the race, adding that she "built this from scratch."
As she prepared to enter the race last February, Warren transferred $10.4 million from her 2018 Senate campaign to her presidential coffers. Much of that haul was raised from "the same donor class she is now running against," the New York Times reported, with Warren cashing in on private, lavishly catered fundraisers in Manhattan, Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and Martha's Vineyard.
Warren raised $21.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, trailing Sanders ($34.5 million), Buttigieg ($24.7 million), and Biden ($22.7 million). Warren's total marked a $3.5 million decline from the third quarter of 2019, when she raised $24.6 million.
Warren is also trailing her opponents in early battleground states, according to recent polling. She commands 16 percent support in Iowa, 7 points behind the three-way tie of Biden, Buttigieg, and Sanders. She is in third place in New Hampshire at 18 percent support, 9 points behind Sanders and 7 points behind Biden.


freebeacon--2020-01-07--Sanders Appears to Compare Soleimani Strike to Putin’s Assassination of Dissidents

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) on Monday appeared to compare the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani to Russian president Vladimir Putin 's assassinations of dissidents .
`` But this guy was , as bad as he was , an official of the Iranian government , '' Sanders told CNN anchor Anderson Cooper .
`` Then if China does that , you know , if Russia does that—Russia has been implicated , under Putin , with assassinating dissidents .
So once you 're in the business of assassination , you unleash some very , very terrible forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonstate actor , not a general , an official , a high-ranking official in the Iranian government , would it be different in your mind ? ''
Cooper asked .
Sanders said he is not a lawyer and called for Congress to take action to prevent President Donald Trump from going to war with Iran .
He added the authorization for the use of military force was needed and that Trump does n't have the right to go to war without the approval of Congress .
The Sanders campaign did not respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's statement .
Soleimani led the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which trained , funded , and armed Iran-sympathetic terrorist groups in Lebanon , Syria , Iraq , and around the Middle East , killing thousands , including hundreds of Americans .
Sanders 's campaign previously described the killing of Soleimani as a `` dangerous escalation '' that will push the United States down the path to an `` endless '' war .

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) on Monday appeared to compare the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani to Russian president Vladimir Putin's assassinations of dissidents.
"But this guy was, as bad as he was, an official of the Iranian government," Sanders told CNN anchor Anderson Cooper. "Then if China does that, you know, if Russia does that—Russia has been implicated, under Putin, with assassinating dissidents. So once you're in the business of assassination, you unleash some very, very terrible forces."
"If Soleimani was a nonstate actor, not a general, an official, a high-ranking official in the Iranian government, would it be different in your mind?" Cooper asked.
Sanders said he is not a lawyer and called for Congress to take action to prevent President Donald Trump from going to war with Iran. He added the authorization for the use of military force was needed and that Trump doesn't have the right to go to war without the approval of Congress.
The Sanders campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the senator's statement.
Soleimani led the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which trained, funded, and armed Iran-sympathetic terrorist groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and around the Middle East, killing thousands, including hundreds of Americans.
Sanders's campaign previously described the killing of Soleimani as a "dangerous escalation" that will push the United States down the path to an "endless" war.