freebeacon--2020-08-20--Cash-Strapped USPS Killed Profitable Custom Stamp Program Over Jesus Stamps

The United States Postal Service pulled the plug on a profitable custom stamp program rather than let Americans use religious imagery .
The cash-strapped agency generated millions of dollars by allowing customers to design their own stamps before eliminating the program in June .
Jeremy Dys , special counsel at nonprofit religious freedom law firm First Liberty , said the decision came shortly after several people attempted to create stamps featuring religious backdrops and imagery .
Dys criticized USPS—which requested $ 75 billion from taxpayers in April—for leaving money on the table .
`` Rather than permit anything that might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stamp that you would pay for and then give money to the U.S .
Postal Service through a revenue stream , they decided to walk away from multimillion-dollars ' worth of custom stamp programs , '' Dys told the Washington Free Beacon .
A USPS spokesman said that the decision to end the program resulted from the `` insignificant '' revenue , adding that the program had become an `` unacceptable risk '' to the service 's brand .
`` After careful consideration , the Postal Service has concluded that the Customized Postage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal brand and business interests that outweighs any countervailing benefits , given the program 's declining demand , its insignificant contribution to the Postal Service 's revenues , and the availability of alternatives , '' a spokesman told the Free Beacon .
The issue first came to light in 2018 when a custom stamp vendor , citing USPS regulations , blocked an order from Tavia Hunt , wife of Kansas City Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt , to make a customized stamp of her family posing in front of St .
Basil 's Cathedral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fletcher , a Texas graphic designer , attempted to make a custom stamp to celebrate Christmas , only to be thwarted by USPS officials .
While religious imagery drew objections from the USPS , the service has still made room for customizable postage for corporate clients , allowing commercial mailers to use corporate logos and trademarks on stamps .
The service 's finances and policies have faced scrutiny in recent weeks as Democrats push for expanded mail-in voting ahead of the 2020 election .
House Democrats are voting on a bill to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional funding ahead of the election .
Dys said Congress should demand answers from USPS officials before it considers further bailouts .
`` If they 're considering giving millions or billions of dollars to the Postal Service , they should know that the Postal Service decided to walk away from their own revenue stream , '' Dys said .
`` It is an absolute mess .
And it 's a mess of the Post Office 's own creation here . ''
The USPS is facing a dire financial situation with a net loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The Postal Service 's business model is broken and will only produce widening losses in the coming years , absent dramatic changes , '' the USPS admitted in its 2019 financial report .
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is slated to testify before the Senate on Friday to discuss reports of delivery delays , as well as the administration 's decision to halt any reforms until after the election .

The United States Postal Service pulled the plug on a profitable custom stamp program rather than let Americans use religious imagery.
The cash-strapped agency generated millions of dollars by allowing customers to design their own stamps before eliminating the program in June. Jeremy Dys, special counsel at nonprofit religious freedom law firm First Liberty, said the decision came shortly after several people attempted to create stamps featuring religious backdrops and imagery. Dys criticized USPS—which requested $75 billion from taxpayers in April—for leaving money on the table.
"Rather than permit anything that might be religious to appear on a custom stamp that you would pay for and then give money to the U.S. Postal Service through a revenue stream, they decided to walk away from multimillion-dollars' worth of custom stamp programs," Dys told the Washington Free Beacon.
A USPS spokesman said that the decision to end the program resulted from the "insignificant" revenue, adding that the program had become an "unacceptable risk" to the service's brand.
"After careful consideration, the Postal Service has concluded that the Customized Postage program constitutes an unacceptable risk to our legal brand and business interests that outweighs any countervailing benefits, given the program's declining demand, its insignificant contribution to the Postal Service's revenues, and the availability of alternatives," a spokesman told the Free Beacon.
The issue first came to light in 2018 when a custom stamp vendor, citing USPS regulations, blocked an order from Tavia Hunt, wife of Kansas City Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, to make a customized stamp of her family posing in front of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. In 2019, Susan Fletcher, a Texas graphic designer, attempted to make a custom stamp to celebrate Christmas, only to be thwarted by USPS officials. While religious imagery drew objections from the USPS, the service has still made room for customizable postage for corporate clients, allowing commercial mailers to use corporate logos and trademarks on stamps.
The service's finances and policies have faced scrutiny in recent weeks as Democrats push for expanded mail-in voting ahead of the 2020 election. House Democrats are voting on a bill to provide the service with $25 billion in additional funding ahead of the election.
Dys said Congress should demand answers from USPS officials before it considers further bailouts.
"If they're considering giving millions or billions of dollars to the Postal Service, they should know that the Postal Service decided to walk away from their own revenue stream," Dys said. "It is an absolute mess. And it's a mess of the Post Office's own creation here."
The USPS is facing a dire financial situation with a net loss of $8.8 billion in 2019.
"The Postal Service's business model is broken and will only produce widening losses in the coming years, absent dramatic changes," the USPS admitted in its 2019 financial report.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is slated to testify before the Senate on Friday to discuss reports of delivery delays, as well as the administration's decision to halt any reforms until after the election.


freebeacon--2020-08-20--Tlaib Slams Biden Campaign for Disavowing Anti-Semite Linda Sarsour

Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib ( Mich. ) took a shot at Joe Biden on Wednesday after his presidential campaign dissociated itself with anti-Semitic liberal activist Linda Sarsour .
`` I am so sick and tired of folks going after @ lsarsour and other Palestinian activists for speaking the truth about oppression and injustice , '' Tlaib wrote on social media .
`` You don ’ t get it yet .
We don ’ t stop until everyone is free .
We will always outwork the hate . ''
Tlaib 's remarks came after Biden ’ s campaign emphatically denied having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Democratic National Convention caucus meeting Tuesday .
Andrew Bates , a spokesman for the Biden campaign , said Sarsour has `` no role in the campaign whatsoever '' and affirmed Biden ’ s support for Israel .
He reiterated the DNC 's platform , which rejects any effort to `` delegitimize Israel '' including the Boycott , Divestment , and Sanctions movement—which both Tlaib and Sarsour support .
Sarsour has tweeted her support for extremist groups including the Muslim Brotherhood and the Nation of Islam .
And while Sarsour denies ever meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader of the Nation of Islam , she spoke at a rally he hosted in Washington , D.C. , in 2015 .
She also appeared at an event in Chicago with Rasmea Odeh , a terrorist who was involved in a 1969 bombing in Israel that killed two civilians .
Tlaib , one of four far-left House Democrats known as `` the Squad , '' has not yet endorsed Biden .

Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib (Mich.) took a shot at Joe Biden on Wednesday after his presidential campaign dissociated itself with anti-Semitic liberal activist Linda Sarsour.
"I am so sick and tired of folks going after @lsarsour and other Palestinian activists for speaking the truth about oppression and injustice," Tlaib wrote on social media. "You don’t get it yet. We don’t stop until everyone is free. We will always outwork the hate."
I couldn't agree more. I am so sick and tired of folks going after @lsarsour and other Palestinian activists for speaking the truth about oppression and injustice. You don't get it yet. We don't stop until everyone is free. We will always outwork the hate. https://t.co/Y0AIY2cPcB — Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 20, 2020
Tlaib's remarks came after Biden’s campaign emphatically denied having connections to Sarsour after she spoke at a Democratic National Convention caucus meeting Tuesday. Andrew Bates, a spokesman for the Biden campaign, said Sarsour has "no role in the campaign whatsoever" and affirmed Biden’s support for Israel. He reiterated the DNC's platform, which rejects any effort to "delegitimize Israel" including the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement—which both Tlaib and Sarsour support.
Sarsour has tweeted her support for extremist groups including the Muslim Brotherhood and the Nation of Islam. And while Sarsour denies ever meeting Louis Farrakhan, the extremist, anti-Semitic leader of the Nation of Islam, she spoke at a rally he hosted in Washington, D.C., in 2015. She also appeared at an event in Chicago with Rasmea Odeh, a terrorist who was involved in a 1969 bombing in Israel that killed two civilians.
Tlaib, one of four far-left House Democrats known as "the Squad," has not yet endorsed Biden.


freebeacon--2020-08-20--Russian Opposition Leader Hospitalized After Suspected Poisoning

Russian politician and noted Putin critic Alexei Navalny was hospitalized in grave condition Thursday following a suspected poisoning , the New York Times reported .
Navalny suddenly lost consciousness after groaning in agony on a flight to Moscow , needing to be rushed to a hospital after the plane made an emergency landing .
Navalny was put on a ventilator and is reported to have stabilized , but is still in a coma .
Kira Yarmish , Navalny 's spokeswoman , said the opposition leader may have been poisoned by something put in his tea .
`` If law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , why are there so many cops in the hospital ? ''
she said in response to a Russian law enforcement source that said poisoning was not suspected .
A Putin spokesman wished Navalny a swift recovery and said the Kremlin would provide assistance in transporting Navalny abroad to another hospital if requested .
As the opposition leader of Russia of the Future—an anti-Kremlin party—Navalny has long been one of Russia ’ s most fiery critics of the Putin regime .
In the past , he had filed a detailed anti-corruption report that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with United Russia , the Putin-backed party that dominates Russian politics .
If confirmed by toxicologists , this would not be the first time Navalny has been poisoned .
In jail last year , Navalny suffered a `` severe allergic reaction , '' which his doctor suspected could have been the result of poisoning .
Navalny was sentenced to 30 days in jail last year for mobilizing protesters against a ruling that barred opposition candidates from running for office in Moscow .
In 2017 , Navalny was doused by an unknown green substance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substance ultimately lost him about 80 percent of his vision in his left eye .
Over the past two decades , Russian security services have been suspected of poisoning critics of the Kremlin .
In recent weeks , pro-democratic uproar against the Kremlin-aligned dictator Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus has occurred , threatening Russia 's influence in the country .
Meanwhile , a wave of protests have sprung up in Russia 's Far East in response to the imprisonment of Sergei Furgal , a popular governor and Putin critic .

Russian politician and noted Putin critic Alexei Navalny was hospitalized in grave condition Thursday following a suspected poisoning, the New York Times reported.
Navalny suddenly lost consciousness after groaning in agony on a flight to Moscow, needing to be rushed to a hospital after the plane made an emergency landing. Navalny was put on a ventilator and is reported to have stabilized, but is still in a coma.
Kira Yarmish, Navalny's spokeswoman, said the opposition leader may have been poisoned by something put in his tea. "If law enforcement agencies are not looking into intentional poisoning, why are there so many cops in the hospital?" she said in response to a Russian law enforcement source that said poisoning was not suspected.
A Putin spokesman wished Navalny a swift recovery and said the Kremlin would provide assistance in transporting Navalny abroad to another hospital if requested.
As the opposition leader of Russia of the Future—an anti-Kremlin party—Navalny has long been one of Russia’s most fiery critics of the Putin regime. In the past, he had filed a detailed anti-corruption report that highlighted the self-service of local officials affiliated with United Russia, the Putin-backed party that dominates Russian politics.
If confirmed by toxicologists, this would not be the first time Navalny has been poisoned. In jail last year, Navalny suffered a "severe allergic reaction," which his doctor suspected could have been the result of poisoning. Navalny was sentenced to 30 days in jail last year for mobilizing protesters against a ruling that barred opposition candidates from running for office in Moscow.
In 2017, Navalny was doused by an unknown green substance after shaking hands in Siberia. The substance ultimately lost him about 80 percent of his vision in his left eye.
Over the past two decades, Russian security services have been suspected of poisoning critics of the Kremlin.
In recent weeks, pro-democratic uproar against the Kremlin-aligned dictator Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus has occurred, threatening Russia's influence in the country. Meanwhile, a wave of protests have sprung up in Russia's Far East in response to the imprisonment of Sergei Furgal, a popular governor and Putin critic.


freebeacon--2020-08-20--Kim Jong Un Admits North Korean Economy in Dire Straits

North Korean strongman Kim Jong Un told fellow Workers ’ Party members that his country ’ s economy is experiencing `` shortcomings '' due to the coronavirus pandemic and U.S. sanctions , the Associated Press reported Thursday .
The economy has `` not improved in the face of … severe internal and external situations , '' Kim told party members .
Meanwhile , state-organized development plans have `` seriously delayed and the people ’ s living standard [ has ] not been improved remarkably . ''
While North Korean officials insist that Kim ’ s grip on power in Pyongyang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country is struggling under his command .
Tough sanctions from both the United Nations and Washington have limited North Korea ’ s economic output , especially as leadership consistently chooses to invest in its nuclear program rather than the welfare of its people .
The flattened coronavirus economy combined with sanctions have put the North Korean economy in dire straits .
Earlier this week , Kim requisitioned pet dogs from party elites , which some suspect are being used for the food supply .
Despite major setbacks , Pyongyang has been unwilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks .
In recent months , North Korea has put its relationship with South Korea on ice and upended progress on trilateral denuclearization talks .
Experts expect that Kim is unlikely to negotiate on his nuclear program until after the U.S. presidential election .
North Korea has issued veiled threats warning it may interfere in the November election .
`` By January , [ Kim ] will know the result of the U.S. presidential election so [ he ] may update North Korea ’ s position on denuclearization talks , '' Leif-Eric Easley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seoul , said .
`` North Korea continues to expand its capabilities despite economic challenges and independent of diplomatic signaling .
While much of the world is focused on the pandemic and contentious elections , the Kim regime is advancing its nuclear , missile , and cyber programs for coercion , not just deterrence , '' Easley added .

North Korean strongman Kim Jong Un told fellow Workers’ Party members that his country’s economy is experiencing "shortcomings" due to the coronavirus pandemic and U.S. sanctions, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
The economy has "not improved in the face of ... severe internal and external situations," Kim told party members. Meanwhile, state-organized development plans have "seriously delayed and the people’s living standard [has] not been improved remarkably."
While North Korean officials insist that Kim’s grip on power in Pyongyang is absolute, it is increasingly clear the country is struggling under his command.
Tough sanctions from both the United Nations and Washington have limited North Korea’s economic output, especially as leadership consistently chooses to invest in its nuclear program rather than the welfare of its people.
The flattened coronavirus economy combined with sanctions have put the North Korean economy in dire straits. Earlier this week, Kim requisitioned pet dogs from party elites, which some suspect are being used for the food supply.
Despite major setbacks, Pyongyang has been unwilling to come to the table on diplomatic talks. In recent months, North Korea has put its relationship with South Korea on ice and upended progress on trilateral denuclearization talks.
Experts expect that Kim is unlikely to negotiate on his nuclear program until after the U.S. presidential election. North Korea has issued veiled threats warning it may interfere in the November election.
"By January, [Kim] will know the result of the U.S. presidential election so [he] may update North Korea’s position on denuclearization talks," Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said.
"North Korea continues to expand its capabilities despite economic challenges and independent of diplomatic signaling. While much of the world is focused on the pandemic and contentious elections, the Kim regime is advancing its nuclear, missile, and cyber programs for coercion, not just deterrence," Easley added.


freebeacon--2020-08-20--LOCK HIM UP: Anti-Neocon Grifter Steve Bannon Indicted for Wall Fraud

Steve Bannon , the anti-neocon grifter who successfully infiltrated the Trump administration before being exposed , has been indicted on @ @ @ @ @ American patriots who thought they were donating money to fund construction of President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ The indictment was announced two weeks after the U.S. State Department tapped Elliott Abrams , @ @ @ @ @ to run the department 's Iran policy—a move that signaled a concerted effort to adopt @ @ @ @ @ philosophy for the first time in history .
Bannon is alleged to have received more @ @ @ @ @ an online crowdfunding campaign that he advertised as raising money to build a wall on @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors in New York allege that Bannon and his associates , including Air Force veteran @ @ @ @ @ companies and nonprofit entities in an attempt to conceal the grift .
Bannon , sometimes @ @ @ @ @ Steve , '' was previously charged with misdemeanor domestic violence following a January 1996 incident @ @ @ @

Steve Bannon, the anti-neocon grifter who successfully infiltrated the Trump administration before being exposed, has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly defrauding American patriots who thought they were donating money to fund construction of President Donald Trump's beautiful border wall.
The indictment was announced two weeks after the U.S. State Department tapped Elliott Abrams, an experienced pro-freedom diplomat, to run the department's Iran policy—a move that signaled a concerted effort to adopt a "Full Neoconservatism" philosophy for the first time in history.
Bannon is alleged to have received more than $1 million via an online crowdfunding campaign that he advertised as raising money to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border. Federal prosecutors in New York allege that Bannon and his associates, including Air Force veteran Brian Kolfage, used shell companies and nonprofit entities in an attempt to conceal the grift.
Bannon, sometimes referred to as "Sloppy Steve," was previously charged with misdemeanor domestic violence following a January 1996 incident involving his ex-wife.


freebeacon--2020-08-20--Study: 12 Percent of Voters in Virginia Could Be Registered Illegally

Up to 12 percent of registered voters in Virginia could be on the rolls illegally , according to a new white paper circulating among officials at the Department of Justice 's front office and members of Congress .
Using data from one Virginia county 's jury pools , which are largely drawn from voter registration rolls , the study conducted by the National Election Integrity Task Force , found that 3 percent of the prospective jury pool—a total of 12,917 people—were ineligible to serve due to self-reporting as non-citizens , who are not allowed to vote under federal law .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are also ineligible to vote .
An additional 2 percent were `` likely unlawful participants due to self-reporting as non-English speaking , '' and another 6 percent `` are worthy of further investigation due to the undeliverability , and non-response , to the solicitation for jury duty , which is a crime in Virginia . ''
Taken together and extrapolating the data , the authors estimate up to 12 percent of voters in the entire state of Virginia could be registered illegally .
`` At this point in time , the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and invalid , '' the paper argues .
The study calls for a federal audit of the Virginia voter registration rolls and Department of Justice enforcement of voter ID laws on a state level .
It comes at a time when President Donald Trump and administration officials have been raising alarms about illegal ballot activity in the 2020 election .
Earlier this month , Trump said he would oppose a funding increase for the U.S .
Postal Service due to concerns about fraud in universal mail-in voting .
Attorney General William Barr 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican members of Congress have been briefed on the findings , which has prompted `` executive and legislative branch discussions , '' according to the NEITF .
One of the study 's authors , John Mills , a former Department of Defense director for cybersecurity policy , said the study 's findings indicate that there are ineligible voters who have been registered to vote in the state .
`` The point of fraud is at registration , so once you 're registered you 're in the system , '' said Mills .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security officials , public officials and attorneys that was founded by Mills last year to investigate voter fraud in Virginia and other states .
Members include former acting secretary of the Air Force Tidal W. `` Ty '' McCoy , former New Jersey mayor Mario Kranjac and former Virginia prosecutor Tim Griffin .
The data in the white paper were based on background questionnaires filled out by prospective jurors in Virginia 's 31st circuit court , which covers Prince William County on the border of Washington , D.C .
The jury pool is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although the circuit court said it also uses data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles .
Until Monday , the circuit court 's website said jurors were `` randomly selected from the Voter Registration Lists '' in the county .
When contacted by the Washington Free Beacon , the circuit court 's elected Democratic clerk Jacqueline C. Smith said she instituted a new policy in 2017 and now uses both voting registration rolls and DMV records to select jurors .
Smith updated the website to reflect this change on Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a breakdown of how many jurors are chosen from the voter registration list versus the DMV list .
`` We are n't able to track that data as all selections are random , '' said Smith .
`` The two data sets are made into one , eliminating duplicate entries , and an algorithm is used to make a random selection . ''
There was no significant difference between self-reported non-citizens in the 2016 jury pool data and the 2017 and 2018 data that included DMV lists .
Two prospective jurors said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 and five in 2018 , according to county records .
However , the number of self-reported non-citizens in the 2019 jury pool spiked to 352 , according to county records .
The number of felons in the jury pool also jumped to 117 in 2019 , up from 14 , 4 , and 12 during the three prior years .
Brian Gaines , a political science professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who has studied voter fraud , said there are some other challenges when it comes to drawing conclusions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this case it may well be that people want to get out of jury service so they 'll lie about their citizenship rather than face the prospect of having to serve in a jury , '' he said .
But Gaines noted that there is a higher potential for voter fraud in the upcoming election due to increased reliance on mail-in ballots .
`` It 's not a secret or secure ballot , and it 's almost guaranteed there will be somewhat more fraud , '' said Gaines .
One member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Griffin , said the study was an attempt to understand voter turnout changes in the state , which previously leaned Republican but has shifted blue in recent years .
Virginia saw 42 percent voter turnout in 2019 , up from 29 percent in the last off-year election in 2015 .
He said most of this increase appears to come from Northern Virginia .
`` It 's just odd trends that we 're seeing from Northern Virginia , '' said Griffin .
`` I think that it 's past time that somebody in Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter rolls are filled out . ''

Up to 12 percent of registered voters in Virginia could be on the rolls illegally, according to a new white paper circulating among officials at the Department of Justice's front office and members of Congress.
Using data from one Virginia county's jury pools, which are largely drawn from voter registration rolls, the study conducted by the National Election Integrity Task Force, found that 3 percent of the prospective jury pool—a total of 12,917 people—were ineligible to serve due to self-reporting as non-citizens, who are not allowed to vote under federal law. One percent self-reported as convicted felons, who are also ineligible to vote. An additional 2 percent were "likely unlawful participants due to self-reporting as non-English speaking," and another 6 percent "are worthy of further investigation due to the undeliverability, and non-response, to the solicitation for jury duty, which is a crime in Virginia."
Taken together and extrapolating the data, the authors estimate up to 12 percent of voters in the entire state of Virginia could be registered illegally. "At this point in time, the entire Virginia voting roll should be considered untrustworthy and invalid," the paper argues.
The study calls for a federal audit of the Virginia voter registration rolls and Department of Justice enforcement of voter ID laws on a state level. It comes at a time when President Donald Trump and administration officials have been raising alarms about illegal ballot activity in the 2020 election. Earlier this month, Trump said he would oppose a funding increase for the U.S. Postal Service due to concerns about fraud in universal mail-in voting.
Attorney General William Barr's chief of staff's office and seven Republican members of Congress have been briefed on the findings, which has prompted "executive and legislative branch discussions," according to the NEITF.
One of the study's authors, John Mills, a former Department of Defense director for cybersecurity policy, said the study's findings indicate that there are ineligible voters who have been registered to vote in the state.
"The point of fraud is at registration, so once you're registered you're in the system," said Mills.
The NEITF is a group of former national security officials, public officials and attorneys that was founded by Mills last year to investigate voter fraud in Virginia and other states. Members include former acting secretary of the Air Force Tidal W. "Ty" McCoy, former New Jersey mayor Mario Kranjac and former Virginia prosecutor Tim Griffin.
The data in the white paper were based on background questionnaires filled out by prospective jurors in Virginia's 31st circuit court, which covers Prince William County on the border of Washington, D.C. The jury pool is largely drawn from county voter registration rolls, although the circuit court said it also uses data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
Until Monday, the circuit court's website said jurors were "randomly selected from the Voter Registration Lists" in the county. When contacted by the Washington Free Beacon, the circuit court's elected Democratic clerk Jacqueline C. Smith said she instituted a new policy in 2017 and now uses both voting registration rolls and DMV records to select jurors. Smith updated the website to reflect this change on Monday.
Smith said she was unable to provide a breakdown of how many jurors are chosen from the voter registration list versus the DMV list.
"We aren't able to track that data as all selections are random," said Smith. "The two data sets are made into one, eliminating duplicate entries, and an algorithm is used to make a random selection."
There was no significant difference between self-reported non-citizens in the 2016 jury pool data and the 2017 and 2018 data that included DMV lists. Two prospective jurors said they were non-citizens in 2016, versus one in 2017 and five in 2018, according to county records.
However, the number of self-reported non-citizens in the 2019 jury pool spiked to 352, according to county records. The number of felons in the jury pool also jumped to 117 in 2019, up from 14, 4, and 12 during the three prior years.
Brian Gaines, a political science professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who has studied voter fraud, said there are some other challenges when it comes to drawing conclusions from jury pool data.
"In this case it may well be that people want to get out of jury service so they'll lie about their citizenship rather than face the prospect of having to serve in a jury," he said.
But Gaines noted that there is a higher potential for voter fraud in the upcoming election due to increased reliance on mail-in ballots.
"It's not a secret or secure ballot, and it's almost guaranteed there will be somewhat more fraud," said Gaines.
One member of the task force, former Virginia prosecutor Tim Griffin, said the study was an attempt to understand voter turnout changes in the state, which previously leaned Republican but has shifted blue in recent years. Virginia saw 42 percent voter turnout in 2019, up from 29 percent in the last off-year election in 2015. He said most of this increase appears to come from Northern Virginia.
"It's just odd trends that we're seeing from Northern Virginia," said Griffin. "I think that it's past time that somebody in Virginia has taken a look at how the voter rolls are filled out."


freebeacon--2020-08-21--As Governor, Bullock Paid Women Less Than Men

Montana Democratic governor Steve Bullock has paid female staffers less than their male counterparts during the entirety of his tenure , a Washington Free Beacon analysis shows .
Bullock—who in 2016 urged Montana businesses to put their `` commitment to closing the pay gap on display '' by signing an `` equal pay Montana '' pledge—has never achieved gender pay equity since taking office in 2013 .
Women working in Bullock 's office have earned an average hourly rate of $ 28.71 , just 84 percent of the $ 34.03 average paid to men , state wage disclosures show .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has long portrayed himself as an ally in the `` fight for fair pay . ''
The Democrat launched an equal pay task force in 2013 , calling the gender wage gap `` absolutely unacceptable . ''
The issue has also bled into his bid to unseat Republican senator Steve Daines .
In a June tweet from his campaign account , Bullock stressed the need to `` support our local workforce by advocating for equal pay '' as businesses began reopening in the state .
Bullock 's state executive office , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Democrat paid women 81 cents for every dollar men earned in his first year as governor , according to Montana employee pay data .
Bullock came closest to achieving pay equity in 2016 , when female staffers earned 87 percent of the wages paid to their male counterparts .
By 2018 , women were paid just 78 cents on the dollar .
Bullock 's office told the Free Beacon the state 's employee pay data do not account for `` different job positions '' and `` differences in experiences or length of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the governor has `` honored equal pay for equal work . ''
But Bullock has routinely recognized gender pay stats that do not account for such factors .
According to a 2018 fact sheet issued by Bullock 's task force , the state uses data from the U.S. Census to determine its wage gap by comparing male and female median wages .
Such data do not account for `` differences in experiences or length of service . ''
Bullock 's pay gap is not the first stain on his record with women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who worked under Bullock at the Democratic Governors Association in 2015 , left the job after an internal investigation found he was credibly accused of sexual harassment .
Bullock kept the allegation secret , and O'Brien went on to serve as acting chief of staff under New York City mayor Bill de Blasio ( D. ) in 2017 .
O'Brien resigned a year later after investigators confirmed multiple sexual harassment allegations levied against him .
Bullock 's office confirmed that it did not warn de Blasio of O'Brien 's misconduct , saying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountable for his actions , Kevin would not repeat this behavior . ''
In addition , Bullock on Monday was accused of groping a former George Washington University freshman at a Democratic governors ' event .
In a video posted to TikTok , the student said Bullock `` grabbed [ her ] butt '' while taking a photo , adding that she informed her date of the encounter .
Bullock 's campaign denied the charge , calling it `` disgraceful for Republicans to try and use this as a political attack . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ request for comment from the Free Beacon .
Bullock also had a public falling out with former lieutenant governor Angela McLean , who abruptly resigned in November 2015 , less than two years after Bullock appointed her .
While Bullock claimed he did not force the resignation , saying McLean simply `` was n't that good a fit , '' internal emails released by his administration contradict the explanation .
In a May 2015 email sent to Bullock , McLean noted that the governor 's chief of staff `` confirmed for me this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different running mate . ''
McLean attributed the decision to a contentious private conversation she had with Bullock months earlier .
`` From what I understand , this goes back to our conversation in December , '' McLean wrote .
`` I guess I am learning ambition is a funny thing and realizing the full consequences of standing up for what you believe is right . ''

Montana Democratic governor Steve Bullock has paid female staffers less than their male counterparts during the entirety of his tenure, a Washington Free Beacon analysis shows.
Bullock—who in 2016 urged Montana businesses to put their "commitment to closing the pay gap on display" by signing an "equal pay Montana" pledge—has never achieved gender pay equity since taking office in 2013. Women working in Bullock's office have earned an average hourly rate of $28.71, just 84 percent of the $34.03 average paid to men, state wage disclosures show.
Bullock, a 2020 Senate contender, has long portrayed himself as an ally in the "fight for fair pay." The Democrat launched an equal pay task force in 2013, calling the gender wage gap "absolutely unacceptable." The issue has also bled into his bid to unseat Republican senator Steve Daines. In a June tweet from his campaign account, Bullock stressed the need to "support our local workforce by advocating for equal pay" as businesses began reopening in the state.
Bullock's state executive office, however, did not meet his own standard. The Democrat paid women 81 cents for every dollar men earned in his first year as governor, according to Montana employee pay data. Bullock came closest to achieving pay equity in 2016, when female staffers earned 87 percent of the wages paid to their male counterparts. By 2018, women were paid just 78 cents on the dollar.
Bullock's office told the Free Beacon the state's employee pay data do not account for "different job positions" and "differences in experiences or length of service in state government," adding that the governor has "honored equal pay for equal work." But Bullock has routinely recognized gender pay stats that do not account for such factors. According to a 2018 fact sheet issued by Bullock's task force, the state uses data from the U.S. Census to determine its wage gap by comparing male and female median wages. Such data do not account for "differences in experiences or length of service."
Bullock's pay gap is not the first stain on his record with women. Former senior aide Kevin O'Brien, who worked under Bullock at the Democratic Governors Association in 2015, left the job after an internal investigation found he was credibly accused of sexual harassment. Bullock kept the allegation secret, and O'Brien went on to serve as acting chief of staff under New York City mayor Bill de Blasio (D.) in 2017. O'Brien resigned a year later after investigators confirmed multiple sexual harassment allegations levied against him.
Bullock's office confirmed that it did not warn de Blasio of O'Brien's misconduct, saying the governor "expected that having been held accountable for his actions, Kevin would not repeat this behavior."
In addition, Bullock on Monday was accused of groping a former George Washington University freshman at a Democratic governors' event. In a video posted to TikTok, the student said Bullock "grabbed [her] butt" while taking a photo, adding that she informed her date of the encounter. Bullock's campaign denied the charge, calling it "disgraceful for Republicans to try and use this as a political attack." The student did not respond to a request for comment from the Free Beacon.
Bullock also had a public falling out with former lieutenant governor Angela McLean, who abruptly resigned in November 2015, less than two years after Bullock appointed her. While Bullock claimed he did not force the resignation, saying McLean simply "wasn't that good a fit," internal emails released by his administration contradict the explanation.
In a May 2015 email sent to Bullock, McLean noted that the governor's chief of staff "confirmed for me this morning that you are indeed considering a different running mate." McLean attributed the decision to a contentious private conversation she had with Bullock months earlier.
"From what I understand, this goes back to our conversation in December," McLean wrote. "I guess I am learning ambition is a funny thing and realizing the full consequences of standing up for what you believe is right."


freebeacon--2020-08-21--ANALYSIS: Joe Biden Still Alive, Can Read

Former vice president Joe Biden , a 77-year-old grandfather of seven ( five acknowledged , two unacknowledged ) , formally accepted his party 's nomination and delivered the primetime address to the Democratic convention Thursday evening .
Biden 's speech was assessed by professional journalists to be one of the highlights of an otherwise unimpressive lifetime career in politics , and had # Resistance leaders applauding in their living rooms and posting pictures of their cats on the internet .
Though not as dark and divisive as former President Barack Obama 's address on Wednesday , Biden 's speech surpassed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was alive , 2 ) He was awake , and 3 ) He had n't lost the ability to read and say words out loud .
That is not to say Biden 's speech was n't teeming with darkness and division , two of the most dominant themes on display throughout the four-day convention .
It was .
He accused Donald Trump of having `` cloaked America in darkness for far too long , '' promising to help the country `` overcome this season of darkness , '' deeply alarming phrases cribbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst dictators who donned military uniforms and rallied the masses .
CNN , the media wing of the Democratic Party , immediately sought to spin the address as uplifting , publishing headlines such as , `` Biden lays out brighter vision for America . ''
CNN reporters and other professional journos had reacted similarly to Obama 's deranged invective , calling it `` the finest convention speech in modern history . ''
Biden mostly toed the Democratic line until delivering a controversial sign off— '' God protect our troops '' —that is sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base .
On the other hand , he opened his speech by reading a quote from Ella Baker , a socialist activist who rejected Martin Luther King 's leadership style .
All in all , Biden managed to read the words on his teleprompter and say them out loud with an acceptable degree of competence .
Minutes before Biden took the stage on Thursday , one of the most pressing questions leading up to the convention was answered .
Hunter Biden , the former VP 's renegade son who fathered two of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared in a short video to introduce his father .
As long as Biden continues to lead in the polls , Hunter 's prospects for finding employment are looking brighter by the day .

Former vice president Joe Biden, a 77-year-old grandfather of seven (five acknowledged, two unacknowledged), formally accepted his party's nomination and delivered the primetime address to the Democratic convention Thursday evening.
Biden's speech was assessed by professional journalists to be one of the highlights of an otherwise unimpressive lifetime career in politics, and had #Resistance leaders applauding in their living rooms and posting pictures of their cats on the internet. Though not as dark and divisive as former President Barack Obama's address on Wednesday, Biden's speech surpassed expectation on multiple counts: 1) He was alive, 2) He was awake, and 3) He hadn't lost the ability to read and say words out loud.
That is not to say Biden's speech wasn't teeming with darkness and division, two of the most dominant themes on display throughout the four-day convention. It was. He accused Donald Trump of having "cloaked America in darkness for far too long," promising to help the country "overcome this season of darkness," deeply alarming phrases cribbed from the speech notes of history's worst dictators who donned military uniforms and rallied the masses.
CNN, the media wing of the Democratic Party, immediately sought to spin the address as uplifting, publishing headlines such as, "Biden lays out brighter vision for America." CNN reporters and other professional journos had reacted similarly to Obama's deranged invective, calling it "the finest convention speech in modern history."
Biden mostly toed the Democratic line until delivering a controversial sign off—"God protect our troops"—that is sure to rile up the party's left-wing base. On the other hand, he opened his speech by reading a quote from Ella Baker, a socialist activist who rejected Martin Luther King's leadership style. All in all, Biden managed to read the words on his teleprompter and say them out loud with an acceptable degree of competence.
Minutes before Biden took the stage on Thursday, one of the most pressing questions leading up to the convention was answered. Hunter Biden, the former VP's renegade son who fathered two of the grandchildren his dad refuses to acknowledge, appeared in a short video to introduce his father. As long as Biden continues to lead in the polls, Hunter's prospects for finding employment are looking brighter by the day.


The Sleight-of-Hand Convention

Joe Biden delivered the best speech in a half-century political career on Thursday night .
It was interesting to contrast his delivery with Kamala Harris 's 24 hours earlier .
Both the presidential and vice-presidential nominee spoke to an empty hall .
But Biden was forceful , emotional , emphatic , and clear-sighted as he made the case for an effective federal response to the coronavirus and a bipartisan reconstruction of the American polity after decades of increasing polarization .
I could n't help thinking what the world would look like if Biden had disobeyed President Obama and run for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very different place , I imagine .
But that 's not where we live .
Biden 's impressive oratory capped off a four day exercise in sleight of hand .
The Democrats spent hours reminding Americans that Joe Biden is a decent and empathetic human being and that the current occupant of the White House has , shall we say , other qualities .
But that 's about as specific as things got .
Address after address , video montage after video montage , mentioned systemic racism and the injustices committed against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the convention , and the word `` China '' was not uttered until 10:57 p.m. on Thursday .
Nor did any of the Democrats mention the violence that has erupted in America 's cities after the protests against the killing of George Floyd .
Biden talked about jobs , but the American worker made only guest appearances in the four days of programming .
If you are a Hispanic contractor or an Obama-Trump voter in the Midwest , was any of this convention relevant to you ?
No doubt Biden 's speech was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vague about what they plan to do if they find themselves in power next year .
Time and again , Americans have elected Democratic governments only to find themselves shocked and appalled two years later .
The Democrats campaign as a worker 's party , but govern as a Bobo one .
It happened to Bill Clinton .
It happened to Obama .
Is there any reason to think a Biden presidency will be different ?
Perhaps so .
Biden has spent such a long time in politics .
He comes from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today .
He might deliver on his promises of lowering the temperature in Washington and restoring a sense of normalcy to the land .
But he also leads a party whose liberal base is trending ever left .
It 's obsessed with issues of identity and redistribution that polarize and fragment this nation .
And a large part of the country has decided that politics itself is corrupt , that only disruptive leaders can fight business as usual , that a businessman despised by the elite has a better grasp of the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this convention .
The Democrats had only to present themselves as a viable alternative to the president .
Biden had only to prove that he is cognizant and in control .
I think we can say the Democrats achieved what they set out to accomplish .
But next week the cameras turn to the Republicans .
And if there is one thing we know about Donald Trump , it 's not that he meets expectations .
He defies them .

Joe Biden delivered the best speech in a half-century political career on Thursday night. It was interesting to contrast his delivery with Kamala Harris's 24 hours earlier. Both the presidential and vice-presidential nominee spoke to an empty hall. But Biden was forceful, emotional, emphatic, and clear-sighted as he made the case for an effective federal response to the coronavirus and a bipartisan reconstruction of the American polity after decades of increasing polarization. I couldn't help thinking what the world would look like if Biden had disobeyed President Obama and run for president in 2016. It would be a very different place, I imagine.
But that's not where we live. Biden's impressive oratory capped off a four day exercise in sleight of hand. The Democrats spent hours reminding Americans that Joe Biden is a decent and empathetic human being and that the current occupant of the White House has, shall we say, other qualities. But that's about as specific as things got. Address after address, video montage after video montage, mentioned systemic racism and the injustices committed against indigenous people. I watched all of the convention, and the word "China" was not uttered until 10:57 p.m. on Thursday. Nor did any of the Democrats mention the violence that has erupted in America's cities after the protests against the killing of George Floyd. Biden talked about jobs, but the American worker made only guest appearances in the four days of programming.
If you are a Hispanic contractor or an Obama-Trump voter in the Midwest, was any of this convention relevant to you? No doubt Biden's speech was affecting. But the Democrats were awfully vague about what they plan to do if they find themselves in power next year. Time and again, Americans have elected Democratic governments only to find themselves shocked and appalled two years later. The Democrats campaign as a worker's party, but govern as a Bobo one. It happened to Bill Clinton. It happened to Obama. Is there any reason to think a Biden presidency will be different?
Perhaps so. Biden has spent such a long time in politics. He comes from a generation closer to World War II than today. He might deliver on his promises of lowering the temperature in Washington and restoring a sense of normalcy to the land. But he also leads a party whose liberal base is trending ever left. It's obsessed with issues of identity and redistribution that polarize and fragment this nation. And a large part of the country has decided that politics itself is corrupt, that only disruptive leaders can fight business as usual, that a businessman despised by the elite has a better grasp of the economy than professional politicians.
Expectations were low for this convention. The Democrats had only to present themselves as a viable alternative to the president. Biden had only to prove that he is cognizant and in control. I think we can say the Democrats achieved what they set out to accomplish. But next week the cameras turn to the Republicans. And if there is one thing we know about Donald Trump, it's not that he meets expectations. He defies them.


freebeacon--2020-08-21--$18 Million Bought Bloomberg Just Five Minute Slot at DNC

An $ 18 million contribution to the Democratic National Committee bought billionaire Democrat Mike Bloomberg just five minutes of speaking time during Thursday night 's convention .
Bloomberg announced his speaking role on August 13 , sparking opposition from liberal activists .
In a letter released Monday , a group of former Bloomberg campaign staffers called on DNC chairman Tom Perez to remove the billionaire from the proceedings .
The staffers , who are also suing Bloomberg for wrongful termination , said they `` do not believe there is a place on the convention stage for people like Mike Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights . ''
But the billionaire appears to have bought the right to stay in the party 's good graces .
Bloomberg gave $ 18 million to the DNC in March , meaning he spent $ 3.6 million for every minute of convention speaking time .
He pledged an additional $ 60 million on Monday to boost House Democrats in the upcoming November election .
Bloomberg has also bolstered Democrats through a gun control group that has pledged to spend $ 60 million in the 2020 election .
Despite pouring millions into anti-gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue in his DNC remarks .
The barrage of spending has not been enough for some party activists .
Bloomberg , who spent more than $ 1 billion on his failed presidential campaign , did not rule out contributing an additional $ 1 billion to defeat Trump in a January interview with the New York Times .
The Democrat , however , has not given directly to Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's campaign , nor has he given to a number of prominent Biden-aligned groups .
Bloomberg also reneged on a promise to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payroll through November regardless of his status in the race , prompting a class-action lawsuit .
He encouraged disgruntled former aides to apply for jobs at the DNC created by his $ 18 million contribution .
Bloomberg faced criticism from Biden during the Democratic primary over allegations of sexism .
The billionaire 's company , Bloomberg L.P. , has received a slew of legal complaints alleging a `` culture of sexual harassment . ''
One former employee said that after learning she was pregnant , Bloomberg responded , `` Kill it . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their experiences due to non-disclosure agreements , which Biden condemned .
`` You think that women , in fact , were ready to say , ‘ I do n't want anyone to know about what you did to me ? '
'' Biden said during a February debate .
`` That 's not how it works .
The way it works is … the mayor comes along and his attorneys say , ‘ I will give you this amount of money if you promise you 'll never say anything . '
'' When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women from the agreements , Biden campaign manager Kate Bedingfield called on the billionaire to `` dispense with tricks and come clean . ''
Biden also criticized Bloomberg over his stop-and-frisk policing policy , which gave New York police officers the authority to stop anyone suspected of committing a crime .
In a February tweet , Biden noted that of the 685,724 people stopped `` at the height '' of the program , `` nearly 80 percent were black or latino '' and `` nearly 90 percent were innocent . ''
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Biden said .
`` Who does he think he 's fooling ? ''
Bloomberg spoke directly before Biden during Thursday 's convention proceedings .
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment regarding Bloomberg 's inclusion .
It is unclear whether Bloomberg , who has a well-documented history of standing on boxes to increase his height , stood on an elevated surface during his Thursday speech .

An $18 million contribution to the Democratic National Committee bought billionaire Democrat Mike Bloomberg just five minutes of speaking time during Thursday night's convention.
Bloomberg announced his speaking role on August 13, sparking opposition from liberal activists. In a letter released Monday, a group of former Bloomberg campaign staffers called on DNC chairman Tom Perez to remove the billionaire from the proceedings. The staffers, who are also suing Bloomberg for wrongful termination, said they "do not believe there is a place on the convention stage for people like Mike Bloomberg who make a mockery of workers' rights."
But the billionaire appears to have bought the right to stay in the party's good graces. Bloomberg gave $18 million to the DNC in March, meaning he spent $3.6 million for every minute of convention speaking time. He pledged an additional $60 million on Monday to boost House Democrats in the upcoming November election. Bloomberg has also bolstered Democrats through a gun control group that has pledged to spend $60 million in the 2020 election. Despite pouring millions into anti-gun bills, Bloomberg did not mention the issue in his DNC remarks.
The barrage of spending has not been enough for some party activists. Bloomberg, who spent more than $1 billion on his failed presidential campaign, did not rule out contributing an additional $1 billion to defeat Trump in a January interview with the New York Times. The Democrat, however, has not given directly to Democratic nominee Joe Biden's campaign, nor has he given to a number of prominent Biden-aligned groups.
Bloomberg also reneged on a promise to keep his presidential campaign staff on his payroll through November regardless of his status in the race, prompting a class-action lawsuit. He encouraged disgruntled former aides to apply for jobs at the DNC created by his $18 million contribution.
Bloomberg faced criticism from Biden during the Democratic primary over allegations of sexism. The billionaire's company, Bloomberg L.P., has received a slew of legal complaints alleging a "culture of sexual harassment." One former employee said that after learning she was pregnant, Bloomberg responded, "Kill it." Some Bloomberg employees were unable to discuss their experiences due to non-disclosure agreements, which Biden condemned.
"You think that women, in fact, were ready to say, 'I don't want anyone to know about what you did to me?'" Biden said during a February debate. "That's not how it works. The way it works is … the mayor comes along and his attorneys say, 'I will give you this amount of money if you promise you'll never say anything.'"
When Bloomberg went on to release just three women from the agreements, Biden campaign manager Kate Bedingfield called on the billionaire to "dispense with tricks and come clean."
Biden also criticized Bloomberg over his stop-and-frisk policing policy, which gave New York police officers the authority to stop anyone suspected of committing a crime. In a February tweet, Biden noted that of the 685,724 people stopped "at the height" of the program, "nearly 80 percent were black or latino" and "nearly 90 percent were innocent."
"He defended it as recently as this year," Biden said. "Who does he think he's fooling?"
Bloomberg spoke directly before Biden during Thursday's convention proceedings. The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment regarding Bloomberg's inclusion.
It is unclear whether Bloomberg, who has a well-documented history of standing on boxes to increase his height, stood on an elevated surface during his Thursday speech.


freebeacon--2020-08-21--Kuwaiti News Anchor Calls Palestinian Rejection of UAE-Israel Peace Deal ‘Historic Mistake’

Kuwaiti television anchor Fajer Alsaeed said this week that the Palestinian rejection of the agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel is a `` historic mistake . ''
`` If the Palestinians reject the benefits that the UAE managed to achieve for them , there will not be a second chance .
I hope that they will deal with it reasonably and do away with the revolutionary spirit that is not suitable for this day and age , '' Alsaeed said Monday , according to a translation by the Middle East Media Research Institute .
`` I believe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palestinian decision-makers , '' she added .
The UAE-Israel deal , which the Trump administration helped to broker , saw the two sides agree to a `` full normalization of relations , '' including business and diplomatic relations .
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to halt the Israeli annexation of territory in the West Bank in return for the recognition .
The Palestinian Authority denounced the agreement .
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas called the deal `` nonsense '' and accused the UAE of turning its back on Palestinians .
Iran and Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agreement .
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the country is considering cutting ties with the UAE and Iran called the deal a `` historic mistake . ''
In the past Alsaeed met with Abbas , but last year she received criticism and death threats after she called for `` greater acceptance of peace with Israel . ''
The network she founded , Scope TV , has faced backlash for criticism Kuwaiti officials , and an armed mob even overran the studio in 2010 in response to her perceived critiques of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kuwaiti ruling family were found responsible for the attack in court , according to AFP .

Kuwaiti television anchor Fajer Alsaeed said this week that the Palestinian rejection of the agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel is a "historic mistake."
"If the Palestinians reject the benefits that the UAE managed to achieve for them, there will not be a second chance. I hope that they will deal with it reasonably and do away with the revolutionary spirit that is not suitable for this day and age," Alsaeed said Monday, according to a translation by the Middle East Media Research Institute.
"I believe that this is a historic mistake by the Palestinian decision-makers," she added.
The UAE-Israel deal, which the Trump administration helped to broker, saw the two sides agree to a "full normalization of relations," including business and diplomatic relations. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to halt the Israeli annexation of territory in the West Bank in return for the recognition.
The Palestinian Authority denounced the agreement. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas called the deal "nonsense" and accused the UAE of turning its back on Palestinians.
Iran and Turkey also joined in on the criticism of the agreement. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the country is considering cutting ties with the UAE, and Iran called the deal a "historic mistake."
In the past Alsaeed met with Abbas, but last year she received criticism and death threats after she called for "greater acceptance of peace with Israel." The network she founded, Scope TV, has faced backlash for criticizing Kuwaiti officials, and an armed mob even overran the studio in 2010 in response to her perceived critiques of the Kuwaiti ruling family. Three members of the Kuwaiti ruling family were found responsible for the attack in court, according to AFP.


freebeacon--2020-08-21--NRA PAC Funding Falls 42 Percent in July

The National Rifle Association 's political action committee saw a steep drop-off in fundraising during the month of July , federal records show .
The NRA Political Victory Fund ( PVF ) brought in $ 628,404 in July , according to filings with the Federal Election Commission , down 42 percent from June when the group brought in more than $ 1.1 million .
The new fundraising haul is the lowest for the PAC since January .
This amount is also a 42 percent drop from the same time period during the 2016 election cycle .
An NRA official with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the July shortfall was due to a shift in strategy .
The official said the group is undertaking a major fundraising campaign centered around August 's political conventions .
They said the group remains on track to meet its goal of spending `` tens of millions of dollars '' in the 2020 elections , as PVF chairman Jason Ouimet told the Washington Free Beacon earlier this month .
The fundraising fall comes as the gun-rights group fights for its survival after New York attorney general Letitia James ( D. ) filed suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial impropriety by top executives .
The NRA is simultaneously facing a wave of spending from gun-control groups backed by billionaire Michael Bloomberg .
How well the group can respond to these pressures could influence both state and federal elections .
Even with the fundraising setback in July , the PVF , combined with the NRA 's newly formed super PAC , has managed to amass enough cash on hand to rival that of the leading gun-control PACs and super PACs .
The PVF has $ 15.4 million in cash on hand—about $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same point in 2016—as well as $ 4 million reported by the NRA 's super PAC as of July .
The $ 19.6 million war chest is only about $ 275,000 behind the combined total of the country 's three largest gun-control groups—Everytown Victory Fund , Brady PAC , and Giffords PAC .
The NRA launched its super PAC in March .
While donors to the NRA 's regular PAC are capped at giving $ 5,000 per year , the group 's super PAC can raise and spend unlimited sums on political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 million the super PAC has taken in so far was transferred over from the NRA 's lobbying arm .
The group reports just one outside donor who gave $ 25,000 .
Ouimet previously said the NRA had experienced significant fundraising hurdles in recent months—as many of the gun-control groups also have—but said they would remain a strong force in the election .
`` We 'll spend tens of millions of dollars .
Will it be $ 50 million ?
I do n't know , '' Ouimet said .
`` We got shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fundraising .
Yeah , that has an impact on us just the same way it has an impact on everybody else .
Does it mean that we 're not going to be effective ?
Does it mean that we 're not going to play ?
No . ''
The NRA also pointed to the different sources of funding as a differentiator between them and the gun-control groups .
About 73 percent of donations to the PVF came from donors who gave less than $ 200 , a 20-point advantage over the Brady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ super PAC and the Everytown super PAC were funded primarily by their nonprofit sister organizations , Everytown 's money is largely generated by donations from billionaire Michael Bloomberg .
The NRA 's money comes primarily from dues paid by its members .
The PVF made $ 1.6 million in contributions to federal candidates and another $ 92,328 in independent expenditures in July .
While the NRA 's super PAC did n't spend anything on elections last month , the group plans to spend more than $ 4 million on a 30-second ad critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin , according to Medium Buying .

The National Rifle Association's political action committee saw a steep drop-off in fundraising during the month of July, federal records show.
The NRA Political Victory Fund (PVF) brought in $628,404 in July, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission, down 42 percent from June when the group brought in more than $1.1 million. The new fundraising haul is the lowest for the PAC since January. This amount is also a 42 percent drop from the same time period during the 2016 election cycle.
An NRA official with knowledge of the group's fundraising plans said the July shortfall was due to a shift in strategy. The official said the group is undertaking a major fundraising campaign centered around August's political conventions. They said the group remains on track to meet its goal of spending "tens of millions of dollars" in the 2020 elections, as PVF chairman Jason Ouimet told the Washington Free Beacon earlier this month.
The fundraising fall comes as the gun-rights group fights for its survival after New York attorney general Letitia James (D.) filed suit to completely dissolve it over allegations of financial impropriety by top executives. The NRA is simultaneously facing a wave of spending from gun-control groups backed by billionaire Michael Bloomberg. How well the group can respond to these pressures could influence both state and federal elections.
Even with the fundraising setback in July, the PVF, combined with the NRA's newly formed super PAC, has managed to amass enough cash on hand to rival that of the leading gun-control PACs and super PACs. The PVF has $15.4 million in cash on hand—about $3 million more than it did at the same point in 2016—as well as $4 million reported by the NRA's super PAC as of July. The $19.6 million war chest is only about $275,000 behind the combined total of the country's three largest gun-control groups—Everytown Victory Fund, Brady PAC, and Giffords PAC.
The NRA launched its super PAC in March. While donors to the NRA's regular PAC are capped at giving $5,000 per year, the group's super PAC can raise and spend unlimited sums on political advertisements. Almost all of the $4 million the super PAC has taken in so far was transferred over from the NRA's lobbying arm. The group reports just one outside donor who gave $25,000.
Ouimet previously said the NRA had experienced significant fundraising hurdles in recent months—as many of the gun-control groups also have—but said they would remain a strong force in the election.
"We'll spend tens of millions of dollars. Will it be $50 million? I don't know," Ouimet said. "We got shut down from doing any of that level of fundraising. Yeah, that has an impact on us just the same way it has an impact on everybody else. Does it mean that we're not going to be effective? Does it mean that we're not going to play? No."
The NRA also pointed to the different sources of funding as a differentiator between them and the gun-control groups. About 73 percent of donations to the PVF came from donors who gave less than $200, a 20-point advantage over the Brady PAC donations. While both the NRA super PAC and the Everytown super PAC were funded primarily by their nonprofit sister organizations, Everytown's money is largely generated by donations from billionaire Michael Bloomberg. The NRA's money comes primarily from dues paid by its members.
The PVF made $1.6 million in contributions to federal candidates and another $92,328 in independent expenditures in July. While the NRA's super PAC didn't spend anything on elections last month, the group plans to spend more than $4 million on a 30-second ad critical of Democratic nominee Joe Biden in Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, according to Medium Buying.


freebeacon--2020-08-21--Congressional Republicans Praise Trump Admin Bid to ‘Snapback’ All Sanctions on Iran

A delegation of Republicans in the House and Senate praised the Trump administration ’ s recent move to reimpose all international sanctions on Iran that were lifted as part of the landmark nuclear deal with Iran , an effort that will essentially destroy the final remnants of the accord .
Nearly 50 GOP lawmakers from both the House and Senate signed a letter sent Friday to President Donald Trump praising his decision to invoke what is known as `` snapback '' at the United Nations , a dispute resolution mechanism written into the original agreement that allows any member nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Iran is found to be in violation of the deal .
A copy of the letter was obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed the U.N. order late Thursday , eliciting anger from European allies that are still wedded to the agreement .
The move followed a failed diplomatic effort by the Trump administration to indefinitely extend an arms embargo on Iran that is set to expire in mid-October .
Not a single European nation backed that effort , leading the Trump administration to invoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms embargo from lifting .
If the United States had not acted , adversarial nations such as Russia and China would have been legally permitted to sell Iran billions of dollars ’ worth of advanced military equipment .
The group of Republican lawmakers , led by Sen. John Cornyn ( R. , Texas ) and Rep. Liz Cheney ( R. , Wyo . )
, said the snapback decision will serve as a wakeup call to European nations that have put their relationship with Iran , Russia , and China ahead of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to invite our European allies to join us in deterring Iran ’ s nuclear ambitions , but it was clear that until the [ nuclear deal ] was terminated they would attempt to preserve the flawed accord , even in the face of blatant Iranian violations , '' the lawmakers wrote .
`` Snapback presents an explicit choice to all nations : Stand for the rule of law or violate binding [ U.N. Security Council resolutions ] to support a murderous regime seeking a nuclear weapons capability . ''
In addition to Cheney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a who ’ s who of GOP lawmakers , including Sens .
Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) , Marco Rubio ( R. , Fla. ) , Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
, Martha McSally ( R. , Ariz. ) , and Reps. Jim Banks ( R. , Ind . )
, Joe Wilson ( R. , S.C. ) , Lee Zeldin ( R. , N.Y. ) , and Steve Scalise ( R. , La . )
, among many others .
The lawmakers said Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Iran has been in violation of the accord for several years now .
This includes stockpiling and enriching uranium to levels needed for a nuclear weapon .
The decision kills the last remaining vestiges of the Obama administration ’ s nuclear deal , an outcome that many of these lawmakers have been advocating since Trump came into office .
With snapback invoked , the United States `` finally puts an end to the Obama administration ’ s failed attempt at appeasing the Ayatollah and sends a clear message to the regime that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with its attempts to destabilize the Middle East and agree to complete , verifiable , and irreversible denuclearization , '' they wrote .

A delegation of Republicans in the House and Senate praised the Trump administration’s recent move to reimpose all international sanctions on Iran that were lifted as part of the landmark nuclear deal with Iran, an effort that will essentially destroy the final remnants of the accord.
Nearly 50 GOP lawmakers from both the House and Senate signed a letter sent Friday to President Donald Trump praising his decision to invoke what is known as "snapback" at the United Nations, a dispute resolution mechanism written into the original agreement that allows any member nation to trigger the reimposition of international sanctions if Iran is found to be in violation of the deal. A copy of the letter was obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed the U.N. order late Thursday, eliciting anger from European allies still wedded to the agreement. The move followed a failed diplomatic effort by the Trump administration to indefinitely extend an arms embargo on Iran that is set to expire in mid-October. Not a single European nation backed that effort, leading the Trump administration to invoke snapback as a means to prevent the arms embargo from lifting. If the United States had not acted, adversarial nations such as Russia and China would have been legally permitted to sell Iran billions of dollars’ worth of advanced military equipment.
The group of Republican lawmakers, led by Sen. John Cornyn (R., Texas) and Rep. Liz Cheney (R., Wyo.), said the snapback decision will serve as a wakeup call to European nations that have put their relationship with Iran, Russia, and China ahead of the United States.
"We will continue to invite our European allies to join us in deterring Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but it was clear that until the [nuclear deal] was terminated they would attempt to preserve the flawed accord, even in the face of blatant Iranian violations," the lawmakers wrote. "Snapback presents an explicit choice to all nations: Stand for the rule of law or violate binding [U.N. Security Council resolutions] to support a murderous regime seeking a nuclear weapons capability."
In addition to Cheney and Cornyn, the letter was signed by a who’s who of GOP lawmakers, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), Martha McSally (R., Ariz.), and Reps. Jim Banks (R., Ind.), Joe Wilson (R., S.C.), Lee Zeldin (R., N.Y.), and Steve Scalise (R., La.), among many others.
The lawmakers said Trump’s snapback decision is necessary due to evidence that Iran has been in violation of the accord for several years now. This includes stockpiling and enriching uranium to levels needed for a nuclear weapon.
The decision kills the last remaining vestiges of the Obama administration’s nuclear deal, an outcome that many of these lawmakers have been advocating since Trump came into office.
With snapback invoked, the United States "finally puts an end to the Obama administration’s failed attempt at appeasing the Ayatollah and sends a clear message to the regime that the only way forward is to cease with its attempts to destabilize the Middle East and agree to complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization," they wrote.


freebeacon--2020-08-21--Ossoff Says He Refuses ‘Corporate Donations,’ Which Are Illegal

Georgia Democratic Senate hopeful Jon Ossoff walked back an earlier pledge to not accept corporate PAC donations in a new ad , saying he does not accept `` corporate donations , '' which are already illegal .
`` Politicians like David Perdue put the donors and lobbyists who fund their campaigns ahead of ordinary people , '' he said .
`` I approve this message because I 'm not taking corporate donations , and I 'll put working families and small businesses first . ''
By law , corporations can not make direct contributions from their coffers to political candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up corporate PACs that raise money from high-level employees or shareholders , which they can in turn donate to candidates .
Ossoff claimed in an earlier ad he would not take corporate PAC funds as part of his anti-corruption platform .
The Washington Free Beacon , however , reported he accepted $ 37,500 in the second quarter of 2020 from nine Democratic-affiliated leadership PACs , which were in turn funded by corporate PAC cash .
He attacked Sen. David Perdue ( R. , Ga. ) for accepting pharmaceutical PAC money and then voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took $ 20,000 from five leadership PACs that have accepted more than $ 220,000 from pharmaceutical and health product PACs in the 2020 cycle , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
Ossoff 's campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
`` Jon Ossoff was caught breaking his pledge to refuse corporate PAC money , so now he 's desperately trying to course correct and pretend he 's a hero for obeying basic campaign finance law , '' Perdue spokeswoman Casey Black said in a statement .
`` Ossoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing but a hypocritical , two-faced politician who tells people what he thinks they want to hear . ''

Georgia Democratic Senate hopeful Jon Ossoff walked back an earlier pledge to not accept corporate PAC donations in a new ad, saying he does not accept "corporate donations," which are already illegal.
"Politicians like David Perdue put the donors and lobbyists who fund their campaigns ahead of ordinary people," he said. "I approve this message because I'm not taking corporate donations, and I'll put working families and small businesses first."
By law, corporations cannot make direct contributions from their coffers to political candidates. They can, however, set up corporate PACs that raise money from high-level employees or shareholders, which they can in turn donate to candidates.
Ossoff claimed in an earlier ad he would not take corporate PAC funds as part of his anti-corruption platform. The Washington Free Beacon, however, reported he accepted $37,500 in the second quarter of 2020 from nine Democratic-affiliated leadership PACs, which were in turn funded by corporate PAC cash. He attacked Sen. David Perdue (R., Ga.) for accepting pharmaceutical PAC money and then voting to favor drug companies, but Ossoff took $20,000 from five leadership PACs that have accepted more than $220,000 from pharmaceutical and health product PACs in the 2020 cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Ossoff's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Perdue's campaign accused Ossoff of breaking a previous promise.
"Jon Ossoff was caught breaking his pledge to refuse corporate PAC money, so now he's desperately trying to course correct and pretend he's a hero for obeying basic campaign finance law," Perdue spokeswoman Casey Black said in a statement. "Ossoff continues to show Georgians that he's nothing but a hypocritical, two-faced politician who tells people what he thinks they want to hear."


freebeacon--2020-08-21--At the DNC, Only Some Black Lives Matter

LeGend Taliferro was asleep in his Kansas City , Mo.
, home in late June when a gunman opened fire from the street outside his window , shooting him dead .
He was four years old , one of the many black boys and girls killed in the past three months .
Victims were front and center at the Democratic National Convention : of police brutality , of climate change , and of every other -ism .
And while virtually every speaker said that `` black lives matter , '' not a single moment at the Democratic convention was dedicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America 's Democrat-led cities .
Maybe the DNC ’ s hypocritical silence comes from their awareness that President Donald Trump polls ahead of Democratic nominee Joe Biden when it comes to keeping America safe from crime .
More likely they were mum because supporting law and order , never mind the police , makes one persona non grata in today 's Democratic Party .
Biden , at least , managed to trip over the bar , acknowledging that `` most cops are good '' —a tepid endorsement of law enforcement which outraged activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucus backed the outright elimination of police , a position supported by just 15 percent of Americans .
One caucus leader called for doing away with immigration enforcement and prisons too .
If they had their way , at least Harvey Weinstein would be free to produce the Democrats ’ 2024 convention .
The DNC 's silence on the murder spike is more evidence of the grip that jailbreak liberalism has on the party , driven by mindless hatred of public safety and the police who provide it .
If you are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nationwide moment of silence .
But if you are one of the hundreds of young men , many of them black , who have been shot and killed under a Democratic mayor 's watch this summer , then your death is beneath the attention of the party 's elite .
The only time that Democratic leaders do speak up about homicide is when it serves their gun-grabbing goals .
Take Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot , who ’ s blamed her city ’ s shooting spike on out-of-state guns , even though the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are from Illinois , home to some of the toughest gun laws in the nation .
To leaders like Lightfoot , murdered black men are just an opportunity to push the gun-control agenda and complain about the ( sadly much diminished ) influence of the NRA .
Never do they consider that it might be their own failed governance , and the anti-police protests that they continue to stir up , that ’ s driving the violence .
When Democratic governors call federal law enforcement an `` occupying force , '' and when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about investigating police forces than keeping crime down , voters should be afraid .
They should be afraid for themselves and their families .
But they should also be afraid for the young black men in Chicago and Baltimore and Kansas City for whom the chance of being murdered is 30 to 40 times higher than the national average .
Biden and his party will no doubt spend the coming months lecturing Americans about the need for , as he put it Thursday evening , `` the hard work of rooting out our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell us , over and over again , that `` black lives matter . ''
When they say that , they don ’ t mean the black lives , like LeGend Taliferro ’ s , so senselessly snuffed out .
Voters should remember : in the Democratic Party , the only lives that matter are those that get Democrats votes .

LeGend Taliferro was asleep in his Kansas City, Mo., home in late June when a gunman opened fire from the street outside his window, shooting him dead. He was four years old, one of the many black boys and girls killed in the past three months.
Victims were front and center at the Democratic National Convention: of police brutality, of climate change, and of every other -ism. And while virtually every speaker said that "black lives matter," not a single moment at the Democratic convention was dedicated to the dozens murdered this summer in America's Democrat-led cities.
Maybe the DNC’s hypocritical silence comes from their awareness that President Donald Trump polls ahead of Democratic nominee Joe Biden when it comes to keeping America safe from crime. More likely they were mum because supporting law and order, never mind the police, makes one persona non grata in today's Democratic Party.
Biden, at least, managed to trip over the bar, acknowledging that "most cops are good"—a tepid endorsement of law enforcement, which outraged activists nonetheless.
The DNC’s LGBTQ caucus backed the outright elimination of police, a position supported by just 15 percent of Americans. One caucus leader called for doing away with immigration enforcement and prisons too. If they had their way, at least Harvey Weinstein would be free to produce the Democrats’ 2024 convention.
The DNC's silence on the murder spike is more evidence of the grip that jailbreak liberalism has on the party, driven by mindless hatred of public safety and the police who provide it. If you are a victim of police brutality, you merit a nationwide moment of silence. But if you are one of the hundreds of young men, many of them black, who have been shot and killed under a Democratic mayor's watch this summer, then your death is beneath the attention of the party's elite.
The only time that Democratic leaders do speak up about homicide is when it serves their gun-grabbing goals. Take Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot, who’s blamed her city’s shooting spike on out-of-state guns, even though the plurality of illegal guns in the city are from Illinois, home to some of the toughest gun laws in the nation.
To leaders like Lightfoot, murdered black men are just an opportunity to push the gun-control agenda and complain about the (sadly much diminished) influence of the NRA. Never do they consider that it might be their own failed governance, and the anti-police protests that they continue to stir up, that’s driving the violence.
When Democratic governors call federal law enforcement an "occupying force," and when Biden's criminal justice platform says more about investigating police forces than keeping crime down, voters should be afraid. They should be afraid for themselves and their families. But they should also be afraid for the young black men in Chicago and Baltimore and Kansas City for whom the chance of being murdered is 30 to 40 times higher than the national average.
Biden and his party will no doubt spend the coming months lecturing Americans about the need for, as he put it Thursday evening, "the hard work of rooting out our systemic racism." And they will tell us, over and over again, that "black lives matter."
When they say that, they don’t mean the black lives, like LeGend Taliferro’s, so senselessly snuffed out. Voters should remember: In the Democratic Party, the only lives that matter are those that get Democrats votes.


freebeacon--2020-08-21--Black Leaders In Seattle Condemn Protesters and Praise Police Chief

Black activists and faith leaders in Seattle criticized Black Lives Matter protesters for violence in their city and voiced their support for police chief Carmen Best .
`` Being a black woman , she has the perspective of some of the groups that have the most troubled relationships with law enforcement , '' Leslie Braxton , a local reverend , said in a Thursday press conference .
Best , Seattle ’ s first black police chief , announced on Aug. 10 she would step down after the city council approved sweeping police reform legislation—which would cut millions in funding and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s police force .
Best said the city council 's move was `` reckless '' and provides `` no practical plan for community safety . ''
Police reform activist Andre Taylor , whose brother was shot and killed by Seattle police , criticized protesters marching in the name of Black Lives Matter .
`` I don ’ t support Black Lives Matter , at least locally what local groups are doing , '' Taylor said .
`` There is a disservice being done .
If the protest of agitation allows a level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out against it—then people that want violence can mingle right in . ''
Best responded to the activists , saying she was `` humbled and gratified '' by their support , but said she was `` confident '' in her decision to retire after nearly three decades in the department .
The Seattle City Council moved quickly to enact police reform legislation this summer following nationwide anti-police protests .
In addition to cutting millions in police department funding , the bill they passed on Aug. 10 prohibits the police department from removing homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mayor Jenny Durkan ( D. ) , will cut the city ’ s `` most diverse class of police '' officers from the force .
While anti-police protests have pushed many local governments to defund and reform their police departments , a recent Gallup poll found that more than 80 percent of black Americans want to maintain police presence in their neighborhoods .

Black activists and faith leaders in Seattle criticized Black Lives Matter protesters for violence in their city and voiced their support for police chief Carmen Best.
"Being a black woman, she has the perspective of some of the groups that have the most troubled relationships with law enforcement," Leslie Braxton, a local reverend, said in a Thursday press conference.
Best, Seattle’s first black police chief, announced on Aug. 10 she would step down after the city council approved sweeping police reform legislation that would cut millions in funding and nearly 100 officers from the city’s police force. Best said the city council's move was "reckless" and provides "no practical plan for community safety."
Police reform activist Andre Taylor, whose brother was shot and killed by Seattle police, criticized protesters marching in the name of Black Lives Matter.
"I don’t support Black Lives Matter, at least locally what local groups are doing," Taylor said. "There is a disservice being done. If the protest of agitation allows a level of violence—at least they don’t speak out against it—then people that want violence can mingle right in."
Best responded to the activists, saying she was "humbled and gratified" by their support, but said she was "confident" in her decision to retire after nearly three decades in the department.
The Seattle City Council moved quickly to enact police reform legislation this summer following nationwide anti-police protests. In addition to cutting millions in police department funding, the bill they passed on Aug. 10 prohibits the police department from removing homeless people from the streets and, according to Mayor Jenny Durkan (D.), will cut the city’s "most diverse class of police" officers from the force.
While anti-police protests have pushed many local governments to defund and reform their police departments, a recent Gallup poll found that more than 80 percent of black Americans want to maintain police presence in their neighborhoods.