freebeacon--2020-10-30--The Next Populist Revolt

The Next Populist Revolt

For the past half decade , Europe has acted as a preview of coming attractions in American politics .
The reaction to the confluence of immigration and terrorism on the continent foreshadowed the direction the Republican Party would take under Donald Trump .
The surprise victory of `` Leave '' in the Brexit referendum hinted at Trump 's unexpected elevation to the presidency .
The terrible images from coronavirus-stricken Italy last March offered a glimpse into New York City 's future .
This week , when Italian authorities reimposed curfews , restrictions on business , and bans on communal gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Milan , and Naples .
Consider it a taste of the next populist revolt .
Lockdowns remain the preferred tool of governments whose public health authorities decide the coronavirus is out of control .
In September , Israel shut down for a month during the Jewish holidays to reduce its coronavirus infection rate .
In October , New York City targeted certain neighborhoods .
In recent days , Newark ordered `` nonessential '' businesses to close at 8 p.m. , a county judge imposed a curfew on El Paso , and Massachusetts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be open or closed .
This response has placed the public under extraordinary strain .
When officials tell businesses to close , they not only deny individuals who ca n't work from home the opportunity to earn a living .
They also impose social costs that much of the public is increasingly unwilling to bear .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that depression , substance abuse , and suicidal ideation increased during the spring .
Extended families limited contact .
Religious practice was curtailed .
Having canceled spring holidays , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thanksgiving , and Christmas need to be reconsidered as well .
When individuals inevitably question , disregard , or disobey the commands of science , they are censored , stigmatized , condescended to , or punished .
Nor is expert authority the only form of power at work .
In spite of evidence that schools are not sites of widespread transmission and remote education harms children in incalculable ways , only 39 of the 50 largest school districts have reopened for at least some in-person instruction .
In Fairfax County , Va. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools to remain closed at least until September 2021 .
Amidst the many Biden-Harris lawn signs are a few for # OpenFCPS , a parent-driven campaign to resume in-person instruction .
The parents are circulating a petition to recall members of the school board who oppose bringing the students back .
Governments resort to shutdowns to impose discipline on an unruly population .
But shutdowns do not solve the problem .
They turn public health crises into economic and social ones .
After a while , the price of shutdowns grows too high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The virus returns .
Before long , the cycle repeats .
There are plenty of ways to think about the politics of the Trump era .
You can analyze the parties according to the traditional left-right axis .
You can study public debate through the prism of liberal democracy versus authoritarianism .
You can understand recent elections as pitting establishment insiders against populist outsiders .
You can see the ideological contest as a three-way grudge match between common-good conservatives , neoliberals in both parties , and woke progressives .
Coronavirus has spawned yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , politics is the struggle between the faction that wants to keep the economy and society relatively open during the pandemic and the faction that is ready and willing to shut them down .
Joe Biden has been able to straddle these two poles .
He says you can have a ( relatively ) open society as well as a public health system that reduces infection to a negligible level .
He says he will `` shut down the virus , not the country . ''
What he has n't explained is how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a widely administered vaccine .
Only Taiwan and South Korea contained outbreaks without nationwide lockdowns .
It is hard to see the United States replicating their success .
Taiwan benefited from its rapid response at the outset of the crisis .
South Korean authorities rapidly approved tests while enjoying access to cell phone data .
None of that happened here .
If Biden takes office during the `` dark winter '' he prophesied at the final presidential debate , he will have to decide , in addition to his national mask mandate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` 30 days to slow the spread . ''
The bureaucratic pressure to shut down will be immense .
The media , entertainment , and technology sectors will be sure to support and promote his decision .
Polarization between `` red '' states and the nation 's capital will intensify .
The commanding heights of culture and business will consign the Republican Party to the ash heap of history .
And opposition to the restoration of progressive rule will manifest itself as a populist revolt whose character , magnitude , disposition , and @ @ @ @ @ @

For the past half decade, Europe has acted as a preview of coming attractions in American politics. The reaction to the confluence of immigration and terrorism on the continent foreshadowed the direction the Republican Party would take under Donald Trump. The surprise victory of "Leave" in the Brexit referendum hinted at Trump's unexpected elevation to the presidency. The terrible images from coronavirus-stricken Italy last March offered a glimpse into New York City's future. This week, when Italian authorities reimposed curfews, restrictions on business, and bans on communal gatherings, violent protests broke out in Turin, Milan, and Naples. Consider it a taste of the next populist revolt.
Lockdowns remain the preferred tool of governments whose public health authorities decide the coronavirus is out of control. In September, Israel shut down for a month during the Jewish holidays to reduce its coronavirus infection rate. In October, New York City targeted certain neighborhoods. In recent days, Newark ordered "nonessential" businesses to close at 8 p.m., a county judge imposed a curfew on El Paso, and Massachusetts has gone back-and-forth on whether schools should be open or closed.
This response has placed the public under extraordinary strain. When officials tell businesses to close, they not only deny individuals who can't work from home the opportunity to earn a living. They also impose social costs that much of the public is increasingly unwilling to bear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation increased during the spring. Extended families limited contact. Religious practice was curtailed. Having canceled spring holidays, Americans are now informed that Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas need to be reconsidered as well. When individuals inevitably question, disregard, or disobey the commands of science, they are censored, stigmatized, condescended to, or punished.
Nor is expert authority the only form of power at work. In spite of evidence that schools are not sites of widespread transmission and remote education harms children in incalculable ways, only 39 of the 50 largest school districts have reopened for at least some in-person instruction. In Fairfax County, Va., the teachers' union has called for schools to remain closed at least until September 2021. Amidst the many Biden-Harris lawn signs are a few for #OpenFCPS, a parent-driven campaign to resume in-person instruction. The parents are circulating a petition to recall members of the school board who oppose bringing the students back.
Governments resort to shutdowns to impose discipline on an unruly population. But shutdowns do not solve the problem. They turn public health crises into economic and social ones. After a while, the price of shutdowns grows too high. The government reopens the economy. The virus returns. Before long, the cycle repeats.
There are plenty of ways to think about the politics of the Trump era. You can analyze the parties according to the traditional left-right axis. You can study public debate through the prism of liberal democracy versus authoritarianism. You can understand recent elections as pitting establishment insiders against populist outsiders. You can see the ideological contest as a three-way grudge match between common-good conservatives, neoliberals in both parties, and woke progressives. Coronavirus has spawned yet another interpretive framework. In this frame, politics is the struggle between the faction that wants to keep the economy and society relatively open during the pandemic and the faction that is ready and willing to shut them down.
Joe Biden has been able to straddle these two poles. He says you can have a (relatively) open society as well as a public health system that reduces infection to a negligible level. He says he will "shut down the virus, not the country." What he hasn't explained is how that can happen in the absence of a widely administered vaccine. Only Taiwan and South Korea contained outbreaks without nationwide lockdowns. It is hard to see the United States replicating their success. Taiwan benefited from its rapid response at the outset of the crisis. South Korean authorities rapidly approved tests while enjoying access to cell phone data. None of that happened here.
If Biden takes office during the "dark winter" he prophesied at the final presidential debate, he will have to decide, in addition to his national mask mandate, whether to put the country through another "30 days to slow the spread." The bureaucratic pressure to shut down will be immense. The media, entertainment, and technology sectors will be sure to support and promote his decision. Polarization between "red" states and the nation's capital will intensify. The commanding heights of culture and business will consign the Republican Party to the ash heap of history. And opposition to the restoration of progressive rule will manifest itself as a populist revolt whose character, magnitude, disposition, and endgame can only be imagined.


freebeacon--2020-10-30--U.S. Sanctions Put Iran in Cash Crunch, Iran Envoy Says

The Iranian government has access to just $ 10 billion in hard currency , complicating the hardline regime ’ s efforts to fund wars across the Middle East , its terror proxy groups such as Hezbollah , and its nuclear program , according to the Trump administration ’ s top Iran envoy .
While Iran has around $ 100 billion stored in various international accounts , U.S. sanctions have frozen most of these funds , leaving the regime with around $ 10 billion in cash and limiting Tehran ’ s ability to fuel its global terror operation .
With active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria , Iraq , and Lebanon , Tehran ’ s resources are closer than ever to running dry , according to Elliott Abrams , the Trump administration ’ s special envoy for Iran .
`` A lot of money is tied up in various ways by our sanctions , '' Abrams told the Washington Free Beacon in an interview .
`` So , the amount that is really accessible [ to Iran ] is much lower '' than the amount currently stored in international bank accounts .
While Iran has not publicly disclosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has forced it to inject nearly $ 1 billion into its ailing economy .
With inflation at an all-time high and revenues at an all-time low , the International Monetary Fund predicts that Iran may only be left with $ 85 billion in cash by the end of the year , much of which remains frozen .
In the final months of President Donald Trump ’ s first term , the United States is pressing forward with a range of sanctions on Iran ’ s oil sector , nuclear sector , terrorist proxy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Abrams .
Many of these sanctions , however , hang in the balance ahead of the contested presidential election next week .
Democratic challenger Joe Biden has vowed to reenter the nuclear deal with Iran , paving the way for Iran to receive major sanctions relief that would refill its government coffers .
Iranian leaders have already staked out a hardline position , insisting that Tehran be granted significant cash windfalls before reentering the deal with a Biden administration .
The United States shows no sign of backing down from its `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ’ s State Department is sanctioning Iran ’ s oil trade—a significant source of revenue for the regime—and warning banks across the globe that if they deal with Iran , they will run afoul of American sanctions laws .
This is likely to deprive the regime of further resources and send a firm message to the global banking system that Iran is not open for business under the Trump administration .
On Thursday , the administration announced the completion of a months-long operation to intercept several shipments of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard Corps to terrorist fighters in Yemen .
In conjunction with the Department of Justice , Abrams also spearheaded the seizure of 1.1 million barrels of Iranian oil bound for Venezuela , representing the U.S. `` government ’ s largest-ever civil seizures of fuel and weapons from Iran , '' according to the State and Justice Departments .
The United States sold the seized oil and donated the profits to a fund maintained for American victims of terrorism .
Iran ’ s oil sector is a high-profile source of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States has been targeting for the past several years .
Much of this oil is being illicitly shipped to China and Venezuela , which has grown increasingly close to Iran under the leadership of dictator Nicolas Maduro .
The State Department has been going after `` shipping companies , insurers , ship captains '' to dismantle Iran ’ s oil trade , according to Abrams .
That effort has reduced Iran ’ s oil revenues and forced it to sell crude oil on the cheap to countries such as China and Venezuela .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the United States cost the regime millions in profits .
Still , the Trump administration remains locked in a diplomatic stalemate with its European allies over the implementation of sanctions and a United Nations arms embargo on Iran .
The United States invoked a mechanism known as `` snapback '' in August that reinstated all international sanctions on Iran that were lifted as part of the nuclear agreement .
European powers , including France , Germany , and the United Kingdom , refused to support the move , generating confusion over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked about the U.S. disagreement with the European Union , Abrams said that American sanctions still have the power to stop businesses from dealing with Iran—despite the rhetoric coming out of Europe .
`` Statements by diplomats and politicians , including foreign ministers , to the effect that these sanctions are not really in effect , or that they won ’ t be followed , or that they won ’ t work , are meaningless , '' Abrams said .
`` Foreign ministers don ’ t actually abide by or refuse to abide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deter the global business and banking communities , Abrams said .
`` The decisions are made all over the world by 10 to 30,000 individuals—business leaders , bankers , financiers—and they look at a proposed transaction and … call their lawyer who says , ‘ Don ’ t be an idiot , ’ '' he said .
`` They sometimes look at transactions and say , ‘ The legal fees will be higher than our profits . '
It does n't matter frankly what foreign ministers say .
It matters what businessmen @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Iranian government has access to just $10 billion in hard currency, complicating the hardline regime’s efforts to fund wars across the Middle East, its terror proxy groups such as Hezbollah, and its nuclear program, according to the Trump administration’s top Iran envoy.
While Iran has around $100 billion stored in various international accounts, U.S. sanctions have frozen most of these funds, leaving the regime with around $10 billion in cash and limiting Tehran’s ability to fuel its global terror operation. With active wars and terrorism operations in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, Tehran’s resources are closer than ever to running dry, according to Elliott Abrams, the Trump administration’s special envoy for Iran.
"A lot of money is tied up in various ways by our sanctions," Abrams told the Washington Free Beacon in an interview. "So, the amount that is really accessible [to Iran] is much lower" than the amount currently stored in international bank accounts. While Iran has not publicly disclosed its financial status, the coronavirus pandemic has forced it to inject nearly $1 billion into its ailing economy. With inflation at an all-time high and revenues at an all-time low, the International Monetary Fund predicts that Iran may only be left with $85 billion in cash by the end of the year, much of which remains frozen.
In the final months of President Donald Trump’s first term, the United States is pressing forward with a range of sanctions on Iran’s oil sector, nuclear sector, terrorist proxy groups, and financial networks, according to Abrams. Many of these sanctions, however, hang in the balance ahead of the contested presidential election next week. Democratic challenger Joe Biden has vowed to reenter the nuclear deal with Iran, paving the way for Iran to receive major sanctions relief that would refill its government coffers. Iranian leaders have already staked out a hardline position, insisting that Tehran be granted significant cash windfalls before reentering the deal with a Biden administration.
The United States shows no sign of backing down from its "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s State Department is sanctioning Iran’s oil trade—a significant source of revenue for the regime—and warning banks across the globe that if they deal with Iran, they will run afoul of American sanctions laws. This is likely to deprive the regime of further resources and send a firm message to the global banking system that Iran is not open for business under the Trump administration.
On Thursday, the administration announced the completion of a months-long operation to intercept several shipments of anti-tank and other advanced missiles sent by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps to terrorist fighters in Yemen. In conjunction with the Department of Justice, Abrams also spearheaded the seizure of 1.1 million barrels of Iranian oil bound for Venezuela, representing the U.S. "government’s largest-ever civil seizures of fuel and weapons from Iran," according to the State and Justice Departments. The United States sold the seized oil and donated the profits to a fund maintained for American victims of terrorism.
Iran’s oil sector is a high-profile source of revenue for the regime that the United States has been targeting for the past several years. Much of this oil is being illicitly shipped to China and Venezuela, which has grown increasingly close to Iran under the leadership of dictator Nicolas Maduro.
The State Department has been going after "shipping companies, insurers, ship captains" to dismantle Iran’s oil trade, according to Abrams. That effort has reduced Iran’s oil revenues and forced it to sell crude oil on the cheap to countries such as China and Venezuela. The most recent seizure of Iranian crude by the United States cost the regime millions in profits.
Still, the Trump administration remains locked in a diplomatic stalemate with its European allies over the implementation of sanctions and a United Nations arms embargo on Iran. The United States invoked a mechanism known as "snapback" in August that reinstated all international sanctions on Iran that were lifted as part of the nuclear agreement. European powers, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, refused to support the move, generating confusion over the state of global sanctions on Tehran.
Asked about the U.S. disagreement with the European Union, Abrams said that American sanctions still have the power to stop businesses from dealing with Iran—despite the rhetoric coming out of Europe.
"Statements by diplomats and politicians, including foreign ministers, to the effect that these sanctions are not really in effect, or that they won’t be followed, or that they won’t work, are meaningless," Abrams said. "Foreign ministers don’t actually abide by or refuse to abide by sanctions."
Sanctions are meant to deter the global business and banking communities, Abrams said.
"The decisions are made all over the world by 10 to 30,000 individuals—business leaders, bankers, financiers—and they look at a proposed transaction and … call their lawyer who says, ‘Don’t be an idiot,’" he said. "They sometimes look at transactions and say, 'The legal fees will be higher than our profits.' It doesn't matter frankly what foreign ministers say. It matters what businessmen and people in finance do."
Jack Beyrer contributed to this report.


freebeacon--2020-10-30--Appeals Court Strikes Down Minnesota Dems’ Mail-In Scheme

In a 2-1 ruling , the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that mail-in ballots in Minnesota must be received by Nov. 3 in order to be counted .
The court ruled that Minnesota secretary of state Steve Simon violated the Constitution when he attempted to extend `` the deadline for receipt of ballots without legislative authorization . ''
Minnesota Republicans filed the lawsuit in September to challenge Simon ’ s proposal , which would have allowed mail-in ballots to be counted until Nov. 10 , a full week after Election Day , even if they lacked a postmark .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Republican elector James Carson said in their suit that the decree was unconstitutional and in violation of federal law .
The suit accused Simon of abusing his authority and challenged the legality of counting ballots without any evidence the ballots were cast on or before Election Day .
The decision comes with just days to go before the election .
It could bolster Republican campaigns in the battleground state .
Polling indicates that President Trump is within range of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the state .
While Biden enjoyed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , polls have narrowed between the two .
As the race has tightened , Republicans and Democrats have appealed to the courts to settle disputes over election laws .
While Democrats have often sought to push back ballot deadlines and expand voting opportunities , Republicans have fought back against such decisions , warning of the potential for voter fraud .
Jason Snead , executive director of the Honest Elections Project , which supported the lawsuit , praised the court 's decision .
`` Secretary Simon attempted to unilaterally rewrite state law .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ confusion into the voting process , '' Snead said in an email .
`` Tonight ’ s ruling by the court is a tremendous victory for voters , fair elections , and the rule of law in Minnesota . ''
The Trump campaign and Republican members of the Minnesota state legislature also filed a separate motion on Thursday to require election officials to separate mail-in ballots received before Election Day from those received after Election Day and those received after the extended mail-in ballot deadline of November 10 .
The appeals court acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ] conclude the challenges that will stem from this ruling are preferable to a post-election scenario where mail-in votes , received after the statutory deadline , are either intermingled with ballots received on time or invalidated without prior warning , '' the court said in its decision .
`` Better to put those voters on notice now while they still have at least some time to adjust their plans and cast their votes in an unquestionably lawful way . ''
Lawsuits concerning ballot deadlines have garnered mixed results in other swing states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of blows to legal challenges in Pennsylvania and North Carolina where Republicans pushed for an end to extended grace periods for mail-in ballots , citing election integrity concerns .
The Court declined to strike down Pennsylvania 's three-day period of accepting ballots after Election Day and did not shorten North Carolina ’ s period of accepting ballots from nine days to three days .
In Wisconsin , the Court sided with Republicans after rejecting a bid from Democrats to allow the counting of mail-in ballots received after Election Day .

A federal appeals court blocked Minnesota Democrats from extending the state’s mail-in ballot deadline past Election Day, handing state Republicans a major legal victory.
In a 2-1 ruling, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that mail-in ballots in Minnesota must be received by Nov. 3 in order to be counted. The court ruled that Minnesota secretary of state Steve Simon violated the Constitution when he attempted to extend "the deadline for receipt of ballots without legislative authorization."
Minnesota Republicans filed the lawsuit in September to challenge Simon’s proposal, which would have allowed mail-in ballots to be counted until Nov. 10, a full week after Election Day, even if they lacked a postmark. State representative Eric Lucero (R.) and Republican elector James Carson said in their suit that the decree was unconstitutional and in violation of federal law. The suit accused Simon of abusing his authority and challenged the legality of counting ballots without any evidence the ballots were cast on or before Election Day.
The decision comes with just days to go before the election. It could bolster Republican campaigns in the battleground state. Polling indicates that President Trump is within range of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the state. While Biden enjoyed a lead in the high single-digits earlier this month, polls have narrowed between the two.
As the race has tightened, Republicans and Democrats have appealed to the courts to settle disputes over election laws. While Democrats have often sought to push back ballot deadlines and expand voting opportunities, Republicans have fought back against such decisions, warning of the potential for voter fraud.
Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Elections Project, which supported the lawsuit, praised the court's decision.
"Secretary Simon attempted to unilaterally rewrite state law. In doing so, he needlessly introduced confusion into the voting process," Snead said in an email. "Tonight’s ruling by the court is a tremendous victory for voters, fair elections, and the rule of law in Minnesota."
The Trump campaign and Republican members of the Minnesota state legislature also filed a separate motion on Thursday to require election officials to separate mail-in ballots received before Election Day from those received after Election Day and those received after the extended mail-in ballot deadline of November 10.
The appeals court acknowledged the potential for confusion.
"[We] conclude the challenges that will stem from this ruling are preferable to a post-election scenario where mail-in votes, received after the statutory deadline, are either intermingled with ballots received on time or invalidated without prior warning," the court said in its decision. "Better to put those voters on notice now while they still have at least some time to adjust their plans and cast their votes in an unquestionably lawful way."
Lawsuits concerning ballot deadlines have garnered mixed results in other swing states. The Supreme Court dealt a pair of blows to legal challenges in Pennsylvania and North Carolina where Republicans pushed for an end to extended grace periods for mail-in ballots, citing election integrity concerns. The Court declined to strike down Pennsylvania's three-day period of accepting ballots after Election Day and did not shorten North Carolina’s period of accepting ballots from nine days to three days.
In Wisconsin, the Court sided with Republicans after rejecting a bid from Democrats to allow the counting of mail-in ballots received after Election Day.


freebeacon--2020-10-31--Dem Senate Candidate Kelly Wanted Ex-Wife Jailed Amid Custody Dispute

Arizona Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly made an odd request years after his 2004 divorce : The famed astronaut petitioned a Texas court in 2010 to sentence his ex-wife to 6 months in jail and 10 years of supervised release after she moved to a new town a few miles outside of their children ’ s school district .
The court records from Galveston County , Texas—which include recriminations from both sides and detail a lengthy custody dispute—show that Kelly claimed his ex-wife Amy ’ s move was a violation of their custody agreement .
The documents , which include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2004 appear to contradict his description of the divorce as `` amicable '' in his 2011 autobiography .
The order was never served , according to Kelly 's campaign .
The former couple faced off in court a year earlier after Kelly accused his ex-wife of moving to a nearby town in Texas without giving him proper notice .
Kelly , who is locked in a tight Senate race against Republican Martha McSally , said then that his ex-wife violated their custody agreement because her new home was a few miles outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending their children , and she had neglected to give him 60 days notice of the move or get his consent .
He asked the court to imprison her in the county jail for six months , the maximum penalty for contempt .
Amy Kelly should `` be confined in the county jail for 179 days or until [ she ] complies with the order , '' Kelly said in the petition .
He requested that she `` be placed on community supervision for ten years on release from jail '' and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s fees along with `` postjudgment interest . ''
`` Movant [ Mark Kelly ] prays that Respondent [ Amy Kelly ] be held in contempt and punished as requested , that the Court order community supervision , that the Court order a bond or security , '' the filing reads .
Kelly dropped his petition without explanation the day before a hearing was scheduled .
Texas attorneys consulted by the Free Beacon were divided on the significance of the court orders .
Rick Walker , a family law attorney and University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations are typically seen in combative divorce cases .
`` If you come and threaten someone with contempt , that ’ s certainly not amicable , '' said Walker , who ran an unsuccessful campaign for a state house seat as a Republican earlier this year .
`` Because you ’ re saying , ‘ I want you , as a parent , to be in jail.
’ I ’ m not sure how that serves the children better . ''
Contacted for comment , a woman who answered the phone said Amy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message for her .
Shortly thereafter , a spokesman for the Kelly campaign contacted the Free Beacon by email .
`` I was notified that someone from the Free Beacon attempted to contact Amy Kelly this morning for a story about Senate candidate Mark Kelly , '' Kelly communications director Jacob Peters wrote .
The Kelly campaign later provided a written statement to the Free Beacon on behalf of Amy Kelly .
`` Mark is and always has been a great dad and is dedicated to his family as much as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Kelly .
`` This impressed me from the beginning .
We continue to have a relationship based on family and friends even today being divorced for 15 years .
It bothers me that anyone could or would attack his integrity involving this matter regarding our family . ''
Jen Cox , campaign manager for Mark Kelly , said in a statement to the Free Beacon that reporting on the divorce records was `` a desperate smear attempt '' and `` completely out of bounds . ''
In June 2012 , Kelly also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would prohibit his ex-wife from making `` disparaging remarks '' about him and his family around their children .
The astronaut-turned-businessman who claims to have a net worth up to $ 27 million also requested that his ex-wife pay his attorney 's fees if the dispute went to trial .
She submitted a notice to the court days later saying that she had filed for bankruptcy the prior month .
Kelly has said he met his current wife , former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords , at a leadership seminar in China in 2003 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed for divorce in June 2004 .
The court approved her temporary restraining order against Mark Kelly on Jun .
8 , 2004 .
`` [ U ] nless Mark E. Kelly is immediately restrained from the commission of the act ( s ) hereinafter prohibited , [ he ] will commit such act ( s ) before notice of the hearing on temporary injunction can be served and a hearing had , '' wrote the judge in the case .
Susan McLerran , a family law attorney in Houston , said temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the type of family court matter , '' and the language included in Amy Kelly ’ s was a boilerplate order .
Walker , by contrast , said the introduction of a temporary restraining order is a sign that a divorce is not amicable .
`` Sometimes it ’ s necessary if there ’ s abuse that ’ s going on that needs to be stopped , but to me these are flags that it ’ s not amicable , '' he said .
The order barred Kelly from communicating with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , obscene or indecent language , '' placing anonymous threatening phone calls to her , `` causing bodily injury to [ her ] or the children , '' threatening his ex-wife and damaging their property .
It also gave his ex-wife temporary custody of the children .
Kelly ’ s ex-wife did not detail in her application any examples of abusive behavior , and judges have wide autonomy to issue temporary injunctions and restraining orders in divorce cases and often give additional weight to petitioners .
There is no indication that Kelly ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or that the court approved it .
A final order dealing with financial and custody details was issued on Oct. 7 , 2004 , three months later , giving both parents shared custody of their two children with the primary domicile going to the mother .
Kelly makes a passing reference to his divorce in Gabby , a 2011 book he wrote with Giffords , the congresswoman turned gun-control activist , whom he married in 2007 .
`` [ Gabby ] was the stepmother , arriving in the girls ’ lives after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he wrote .
`` The divorce was amicable , but the girls didn ’ t need or want another mother figure . ''

Arizona Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly made an odd request years after his 2004 divorce: The famed astronaut petitioned a Texas court in 2010 to sentence his ex-wife to 6 months in jail and 10 years of supervised release after she moved to a new town a few miles outside of their children’s school district.
The court records from Galveston County, Texas—which include recriminations from both sides and detail a lengthy custody dispute—show that Kelly claimed his ex-wife Amy’s move was a violation of their custody agreement.
The documents, which include a temporary restraining order issued against Kelly in 2004, appear to contradict his description of the divorce as "amicable" in his 2011 autobiography. The order was never served, according to Kelly's campaign.
The former couple faced off in court a year earlier after Kelly accused his ex-wife of moving to a nearby town in Texas without giving him proper notice.
Kelly, who is locked in a tight Senate race against Republican Martha McSally, said then that his ex-wife violated their custody agreement because her new home was a few miles outside the school district where they had been sending their children, and she had neglected to give him 60 days notice of the move or get his consent. He asked the court to imprison her in the county jail for six months, the maximum penalty for contempt.
Amy Kelly should "be confined in the county jail for 179 days or until [she] complies with the order," Kelly said in the petition. He requested that she "be placed on community supervision for ten years on release from jail" and that she be ordered to pay his attorney’s fees along with "postjudgment interest."
"Movant [Mark Kelly] prays that Respondent [Amy Kelly] be held in contempt and punished as requested, that the Court order community supervision, that the Court order a bond or security," the filing reads.
Kelly dropped his petition without explanation the day before a hearing was scheduled.
Texas attorneys consulted by the Free Beacon were divided on the significance of the court orders. Rick Walker, a family law attorney and University of North Texas professor, said contempt accusations are typically seen in combative divorce cases.
"If you come and threaten someone with contempt, that’s certainly not amicable," said Walker, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for a state house seat as a Republican earlier this year. "Because you’re saying, ‘I want you, as a parent, to be in jail.’ I’m not sure how that serves the children better."
Contacted for comment, a woman who answered the phone said Amy Kelly was unavailable but agreed to take a message for her. Shortly thereafter, a spokesman for the Kelly campaign contacted the Free Beacon by email. "I was notified that someone from the Free Beacon attempted to contact Amy Kelly this morning for a story about Senate candidate Mark Kelly," Kelly communications director Jacob Peters wrote.
The Kelly campaign later provided a written statement to the Free Beacon on behalf of Amy Kelly.
"Mark is and always has been a great dad and is dedicated to his family as much as he is to his country," said Amy Kelly. "This impressed me from the beginning. We continue to have a relationship based on family and friends even today being divorced for 15 years. It bothers me that anyone could or would attack his integrity involving this matter regarding our family."
Jen Cox, campaign manager for Mark Kelly, said in a statement to the Free Beacon that reporting on the divorce records was "a desperate smear attempt" and "completely out of bounds."
In June 2012, Kelly also filed a request with the court that would prohibit his ex-wife from making "disparaging remarks" about him and his family around their children.
The astronaut-turned-businessman who claims to have a net worth up to $27 million also requested that his ex-wife pay his attorney's fees if the dispute went to trial. She submitted a notice to the court days later saying that she had filed for bankruptcy the prior month.
Kelly has said he met his current wife, former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, at a leadership seminar in China in 2003. His first wife, Amy Kelly, filed for divorce in June 2004.
The court approved her temporary restraining order against Mark Kelly on Jun. 8, 2004. "[U]nless Mark E. Kelly is immediately restrained from the commission of the act(s) hereinafter prohibited, [he] will commit such act(s) before notice of the hearing on temporary injunction can be served and a hearing had," wrote the judge in the case.
Susan McLerran, a family law attorney in Houston, said temporary restraining orders are "very common depending on the type of family court matter," and the language included in Amy Kelly’s was a boilerplate order.
Walker, by contrast, said the introduction of a temporary restraining order is a sign that a divorce is not amicable. "Sometimes it’s necessary if there’s abuse that’s going on that needs to be stopped, but to me these are flags that it’s not amicable," he said.
The order barred Kelly from communicating with his ex-wife in a "vulgar, profane, obscene or indecent language," placing anonymous threatening phone calls to her, "causing bodily injury to [her] or the children," threatening his ex-wife and damaging their property. It also gave his ex-wife temporary custody of the children.
Kelly’s ex-wife did not detail in her application any examples of abusive behavior, and judges have wide autonomy to issue temporary injunctions and restraining orders in divorce cases and often give additional weight to petitioners.
There is no indication that Kelly’s ex-wife sought a permanent restraining order, or that the court approved it. A final order dealing with financial and custody details was issued on Oct. 7, 2004, three months later, giving both parents shared custody of their two children with the primary domicile going to the mother.
Kelly makes a passing reference to his divorce in Gabby, a 2011 book he wrote with Giffords, the congresswoman turned gun-control activist, whom he married in 2007.
"[Gabby] was the stepmother, arriving in the girls’ lives after their mom and I had divorced," he wrote. "The divorce was amicable, but the girls didn’t need or want another mother figure."


freebeacon--2020-10-30--Maine Dem Refused to Spare Small Businesses From Taxes on COVID Relief

Democratic Senate candidate Sara Gideon 's refusal to reopen the Maine state legislature has stalled efforts to amend the state 's tax code to exempt federal COVID business loans from taxation .
Without the amendments , small businesses might be forced to pay millions in taxes for participating in the Paycheck Protection Program .
Gideon , the speaker of the Maine House of Representatives , closed the legislature in March due to the pandemic .
She has failed for months to work out a deal with the Republican minority to reopen the legislature to amend the tax code .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners will have to pay income tax on the portion of their PPP loans that is forgiven , likely squeezing small businesses that are already struggling to stay afloat .
`` Congress intended the forgiven loan to be tax-free , '' Bernstein Shur , a New England-based law firm , wrote in a legal analysis .
`` But , due to other provisions in federal and state law , a forgiven loan will not be tax-free unless Congress and state legislatures pass new laws . ''
Gideon did not respond to a request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which created the small business relief program , stipulated that forgiven PPP loans will not be considered taxable income by the federal IRS .
But since Maine law requires the state legislature to vote every time it wants to update the state 's tax code to conform with federal policies , the state 's tax code still considers forgiven PPP loans taxable income .
California , which has a similar law , has already voted to conform its tax code and exempt PPP loans from taxation , but Maine has yet to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who serves on the state 's tax committee , said that she and her fellow lawmakers intended to pass bills to exempt forgiven PPP loans from taxation .
Gideon has failed to reopen negotiations with the Republican leadership while she has been on the campaign trail , according to Arata .
She called on the Democrat to take action to protect Maine businesses .
`` The intent is to conform [ the state tax code ] and one of the conditions we have to go back in the legislature was that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` Sara Gideon has not been communicating with [ state house minority leader ] Kathleen Dillingham .
So I really do n't know if she 's willing to compromise and bring back the legislature just to address COVID-related items or not . ''
Gideon 's inability to work out a deal to reopen the legislature has become a vulnerability for the Democratic candidate .
Maine , a state reliant on its massive tourism industry , has seen businesses struggle to cope with the coronavirus crash .
Sen. Susan Collins ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rival in the race , has leaned into her role in crafting the PPP legislation .
Thousands of Maine businesses have applied for up to $ 2.2 billion in PPP loans so far .
The Maine Revenue Services warned in July that forgiven PPP loans will be considered taxable income unless the legislature approves measures to `` conform '' the Maine tax code with its federal counterpart .
Since then , the state 's governor has introduced a bill to exempt forgiven PPP loans from being considered taxable income , but the legislature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote on the bill .
Mike Santo , a board member of the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants , said that he did not have an exact figure on how much the gridlock could cost Maine taxpayers .
He estimated , however , that the total amount of PPP loans taken out by Maine taxpayers multiplied by the state 's highest tax rate of 7.15 percent would be a `` pretty decent ballpark figure '' of the total tax burden .
Since Maine small businesses received more than $ 2 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceed $ 100 million under those assumptions .
While Democrats control both houses of the Maine legislature , Gideon and her allies must secure Republican support before reopening the legislature , according to the state 's law .
State Democrats and Republicans have failed to reach a deal to reopen the legislature , prompting Gideon 's Democratic counterpart in the upper chamber to say it is `` unlikely '' that the legislature will be reopened in 2020 .
The crux of the disagreement between Maine Democrats and Republicans is the proposed scope and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to limit the session to pandemic-related bills , while Democrats want a broader mandate to consider non-pandemic-related legislation as well .
`` Special sessions are typically reserved for a … limited agenda , allowing for urgent matters that simply can not wait until the next regular session , '' said Senate Republican Leader Dana Dow in August .
`` The current emergency justifies a brief , direct session that allows us to dispense with the most urgent of issues and then safely adjourn and return to our homes .
No more .
@

Democratic Senate candidate Sara Gideon's refusal to reopen the Maine state legislature has stalled efforts to amend the state's tax code to exempt federal COVID business loans from taxation. Without the amendments, small businesses might be forced to pay millions in taxes for participating in the Paycheck Protection Program.
Gideon, the speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, closed the legislature in March due to the pandemic. She has failed for months to work out a deal with the Republican minority to reopen the legislature to amend the tax code. As the law stands, Maine small business owners will have to pay income tax on the portion of their PPP loans that is forgiven, likely squeezing small businesses that are already struggling to stay afloat.
"Congress intended the forgiven loan to be tax-free," Bernstein Shur, a New England-based law firm, wrote in a legal analysis. "But, due to other provisions in federal and state law, a forgiven loan will not be tax-free unless Congress and state legislatures pass new laws."
Gideon did not respond to a request for comment.
The CARES Act, which created the small business relief program, stipulated that forgiven PPP loans will not be considered taxable income by the federal IRS. But since Maine law requires the state legislature to vote every time it wants to update the state's tax code to conform with federal policies, the state's tax code still considers forgiven PPP loans taxable income. California, which has a similar law, has already voted to conform its tax code and exempt PPP loans from taxation, but Maine has yet to take such action.
Republican legislator Amy Arata, who serves on the state's tax committee, said that she and her fellow lawmakers intended to pass bills to exempt forgiven PPP loans from taxation. Gideon has failed to reopen negotiations with the Republican leadership while she has been on the campaign trail, according to Arata. She called on the Democrat to take action to protect Maine businesses.
"The intent is to conform [the state tax code] and one of the conditions we have to go back in the legislature was that we would only address coronavirus-related items," she said. "Sara Gideon has not been communicating with [state house minority leader] Kathleen Dillingham. So I really don't know if she's willing to compromise and bring back the legislature just to address COVID-related items or not."
Gideon's inability to work out a deal to reopen the legislature has become a vulnerability for the Democratic candidate. Maine, a state reliant on its massive tourism industry, has seen businesses struggle to cope with the coronavirus crash. Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine), Gideon's rival in the race, has leaned into her role in crafting the PPP legislation. Thousands of Maine businesses have applied for up to $2.2 billion in PPP loans so far.
The Maine Revenue Services warned in July that forgiven PPP loans will be considered taxable income unless the legislature approves measures to "conform" the Maine tax code with its federal counterpart. Since then, the state's governor has introduced a bill to exempt forgiven PPP loans from being considered taxable income, but the legislature's continued closure has precluded a floor vote on the bill.
Mike Santo, a board member of the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants, said that he did not have an exact figure on how much the gridlock could cost Maine taxpayers. He estimated, however, that the total amount of PPP loans taken out by Maine taxpayers multiplied by the state's highest tax rate of 7.15 percent would be a "pretty decent ballpark figure" of the total tax burden. Since Maine small businesses received more than $2 billion in loans, the total tax burden could exceed $100 million under those assumptions.
While Democrats control both houses of the Maine legislature, Gideon and her allies must secure Republican support before reopening the legislature, according to the state's law. State Democrats and Republicans have failed to reach a deal to reopen the legislature, prompting Gideon's Democratic counterpart in the upper chamber to say it is "unlikely" that the legislature will be reopened in 2020.
The crux of the disagreement between Maine Democrats and Republicans is the proposed scope and duration of the reopened legislature. Republicans want to limit the session to pandemic-related bills, while Democrats want a broader mandate to consider non-pandemic-related legislation as well.
"Special sessions are typically reserved for a … limited agenda, allowing for urgent matters that simply cannot wait until the next regular session," said Senate Republican Leader Dana Dow in August. "The current emergency justifies a brief, direct session that allows us to dispense with the most urgent of issues and then safely adjourn and return to our homes. No more."


freebeacon--2020-10-30--NRA Slashed Expenses As Membership Dues Fell In 2019

The National Rifle Association cut salaries and programs in 2019 to keep up with a drop in membership and soaring legal bills .
Membership dues to the NRA fell more than $ 57 million—or 33 percent—between 2018 and 2019 , according to a copy of the group 's latest annual report obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
While contributions remained steady , the group was unable to make up the gap in funding from other sources and saw overall revenue fall by about the same amount .
In response to the falling revenue , the group cut expenses across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million—or 17 percent—with legislative programs and public affairs taking the largest hits even .
Legal costs rose by 52 percent to more than $ 33 million .
Like many political advocacy groups , the NRA 's membership and fundraising tend to fluctuate based on election years .
Membership dues in 2019 , however , were also down more than $ 15 million—or 11 percent—from the previous non-election year of 2017 .
The group 's expenses also fell about 7 percent compared to 2017 .
The group still ran a $ 16 million deficit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are factored in .
Amy Hunter , an NRA spokeswoman , said the 2019 annual report does not reflect the current financial state of the NRA .
She said the group added 100,000 new members in August alone amid historic gun sales in 2020 .
`` Revenues and membership are skyrocketing , '' Hunter told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` The NRA is enjoying historic growth from a record number of new gun owners . ''
While the NRA has remained a potent force in the 2020 election , the 2019 downturn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spend at the same rate it did in 2016 .
The group has seen new members join its ranks in 2020 despite the coronavirus pandemic and the New York attorney general 's attempt to dissolve the group over financial-impropriety accusations .
The group has kept its promise to spend tens of millions on behalf of President Donald Trump and has managed to outspend the leading gun-control groups .
The $ 31 million spent between its PAC and super PAC to bolster Republicans is still well below its $ 52 million effort in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not hampered the group 's campaign `` mobilizing millions of voters . ''
Some critics blamed falling dues on accusations of financial impropriety lodged against executive vice president Wayne LaPierre and other top NRA executives .
Rob Pincus , a lifetime NRA member and board member for Save the Second , which advocates for internal NRA policy changes , said the decline may go deeper than the typical election-cycle fluctuation .
`` The drop in membership revenue is directly related to Wayne LaPierre 's refusal to step down during the current crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desk , '' he told the Free Beacon .
Hunter said LaPierre deserves `` great credit for reducing costs and managing the NRA through a financial and health crisis that has destroyed so many businesses and charitable organizations , '' and the gun-rights organization 's financial picture is now bright .
`` We made some tough decisions to ensure the long-term viability of the NRA and its advocacy , '' she said .
Pincus said the drop in membership dues `` should be a concern for all members . ''
The NRA has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous years but the number fluctuates as shorter-term memberships expire or new members sign up .
Pincus , who has been a vocal critic of LaPierre and other executives since the internal turmoil began in 2019 , said an audit proposal he made was met with support from several board members .
Pincus introduced a measure to audit the gun-rights group 's membership rolls and provide a report on how many members the group has at each level at a scaled-down meeting of members in Tucson , Ariz. , this month .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in American politics and the national conversation about guns is directly related to the real number of members the organization has , and percentage of American gun owners who are active members , '' he said .
`` Even if the numbers are falling , we need to know what those numbers are . ''
Despite the membership drop in 2019 , the NRA remained a sizable organization—the largest gun group in the country .
It reported more than $ 342 million in assets in 2019 spread across six different arms .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .

The National Rifle Association cut salaries and programs in 2019 to keep up with a drop in membership and soaring legal bills.
Membership dues to the NRA fell more than $57 million—or 33 percent—between 2018 and 2019, according to a copy of the group's latest annual report obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. While contributions remained steady, the group was unable to make up the gap in funding from other sources and saw overall revenue fall by about the same amount. In response to the falling revenue, the group cut expenses across the board by more than $73 million—or 17 percent—with legislative programs and public affairs taking the largest hits even. Legal costs rose by 52 percent to more than $33 million.
Like many political advocacy groups, the NRA's membership and fundraising tend to fluctuate based on election years. Membership dues in 2019, however, were also down more than $15 million—or 11 percent—from the previous non-election year of 2017. The group's expenses also fell about 7 percent compared to 2017. The group still ran a $16 million deficit in 2019 before contributions with donor restrictions are factored in.
Amy Hunter, an NRA spokeswoman, said the 2019 annual report does not reflect the current financial state of the NRA. She said the group added 100,000 new members in August alone amid historic gun sales in 2020.
"Revenues and membership are skyrocketing," Hunter told the Washington Free Beacon. "The NRA is enjoying historic growth from a record number of new gun owners."
While the NRA has remained a potent force in the 2020 election, the 2019 downturn in membership may have hampered its ability to spend at the same rate it did in 2016. The group has seen new members join its ranks in 2020 despite the coronavirus pandemic and the New York attorney general's attempt to dissolve the group over financial-impropriety accusations. The group has kept its promise to spend tens of millions on behalf of President Donald Trump and has managed to outspend the leading gun-control groups. The $31 million spent between its PAC and super PAC to bolster Republicans is still well below its $52 million effort in 2016. Hunter said diminished spending has not hampered the group's campaign "mobilizing millions of voters."
Some critics blamed falling dues on accusations of financial impropriety lodged against executive vice president Wayne LaPierre and other top NRA executives. Rob Pincus, a lifetime NRA member and board member for Save the Second, which advocates for internal NRA policy changes, said the decline may go deeper than the typical election-cycle fluctuation.
"The drop in membership revenue is directly related to Wayne LaPierre's refusal to step down during the current crisis, the responsibility for which lies on his desk," he told the Free Beacon.
Hunter said LaPierre deserves "great credit for reducing costs and managing the NRA through a financial and health crisis that has destroyed so many businesses and charitable organizations," and the gun-rights organization's financial picture is now bright.
"We made some tough decisions to ensure the long-term viability of the NRA and its advocacy," she said.
Pincus said the drop in membership dues "should be a concern for all members." The NRA has reported up to six million members in previous years but the number fluctuates as shorter-term memberships expire or new members sign up. Pincus, who has been a vocal critic of LaPierre and other executives since the internal turmoil began in 2019, said an audit proposal he made was met with support from several board members.
Pincus introduced a measure to audit the gun-rights group's membership rolls and provide a report on how many members the group has at each level at a scaled-down meeting of members in Tucson, Ariz., this month.
"The NRA's perceived power and influence in American politics and the national conversation about guns is directly related to the real number of members the organization has, and percentage of American gun owners who are active members," he said. "Even if the numbers are falling, we need to know what those numbers are."
Despite the membership drop in 2019, the NRA remained a sizable organization—the largest gun group in the country. It reported more than $342 million in assets in 2019 spread across six different arms. That's $15 million more than in 2018.


freebeacon--2020-10-30--Russia and China Undermine U.N. Reporting on North Korea Sanction Dodging, Analysis Finds

Russia and China work to undermine United Nations reporting on North Korea 's sanction dodging , a new think tank analysis finds .
Andrea Stricker , a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies , outlines Moscow and Beijing 's efforts to help Pyongyang evade sanctions on its arms programs .
`` Russia and China not only are the most prolific violators of international sanctions against North Korea ; they also hinder UN reporting of that fact , '' Stricker writes , using their seats on the Security Council to `` obstruct the work '' of the U.N. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Both countries have also blocked publication of expert reports on North Korea 's missile buildup and fought against the charge to implement a full suite of sanctions against the North Korean regime , the analysis finds .
China has illegally cooperated with North Korea both inside and outside the U.N. in recent months .
A September report showed that North Korea actively turns a blind eye to illegal Chinese fishing in its waters , netting Beijing millions of dollars in revenue .
A recent Free Beacon report highlighted several areas in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bully pulpit to push its own agenda on trade , human rights , and global health .
While President Trump has withdrawn the United States from several of those organizations , Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has made rejoining them a major feature of his campaign platform .
Biden also says he will bring a fresh perspective to dealing with the North Korean regime .
Experts , however , view Biden 's North Korea agenda with some skepticism and note that the Trump administration has waged effective unilateral sanctions on the Communist regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Un has admitted , those tough sanctions , along with the coronavirus pandemic , have wracked the country 's economy .

Russia and China work to undermine United Nations reporting on North Korea's sanction dodging, a new think tank analysis finds.
Andrea Stricker, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, outlines Moscow and Beijing's efforts to help Pyongyang evade sanctions on its arms programs.
"Russia and China not only are the most prolific violators of international sanctions against North Korea; they also hinder UN reporting of that fact," Stricker writes, using their seats on the Security Council to "obstruct the work" of the U.N.'s "North Korea investigatory group."
Both countries have also blocked publication of expert reports on North Korea's missile buildup and fought against the charge to implement a full suite of sanctions against the North Korean regime, the analysis finds.
China has illegally cooperated with North Korea both inside and outside the U.N. in recent months. A September report showed that North Korea actively turns a blind eye to illegal Chinese fishing in its waters, netting Beijing millions of dollars in revenue. A recent Free Beacon report highlighted several areas in which Beijing has used U.N.-affiliated organizations as a bully pulpit to push its own agenda on trade, human rights, and global health.
While President Trump has withdrawn the United States from several of those organizations, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has made rejoining them a major feature of his campaign platform. Biden also says he will bring a fresh perspective to dealing with the North Korean regime.
Experts, however, view Biden's North Korea agenda with some skepticism and note that the Trump administration has waged effective unilateral sanctions on the Communist regime.
As North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has admitted, those tough sanctions, along with the coronavirus pandemic, have wracked the country's economy.


freebeacon--2020-10-30--CULTURE WARRIOR: Trump Guides GOP to First Ever Victory in Battle for Celebrity Endorsements

The Democratic Party has for decades enjoyed a near monopoly when it comes to celebrity endorsements .
Ever since Bill @ @ @ @ @ hound , played saxophone on the Arsenio Hall Show in 1992 , the Democrats have @ @ @ @ @ as the `` cool '' political party beloved by cultural icons .
That effort reached @ @ @ @ @ when celebrity memoirist Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination for president after receiving numerous endorsements @ @ @ @ @ A lot has changed since then .
The 2020 election , for example , is @ @ @ @ @ where the Republican presidential candidate has won the battle for celebrity endorsements .
President Donald @ @ @ @ @ in his own right , has accumulated an impressive roster of celeb supporters that by @ @ @ @ @ , vibe , diversity , and so on—is unquestionably superior to the familiar collection of @ @ @ @ @ his opponent , former vice president Joe Biden .
Consider the evidence and see for @ @

The Democratic Party has for decades enjoyed a near monopoly when it comes to celebrity endorsements. Ever since Bill Clinton, the historic sex hound, played saxophone on the Arsenio Hall Show in 1992, the Democrats have endeavored to build a reputation as the "cool" political party beloved by cultural icons.
That effort reached its apex in 2008, when celebrity memoirist Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination for president after receiving numerous endorsements from his fellow celebs. A lot has changed since then. The 2020 election, for example, is the first in modern history where the Republican presidential candidate has won the battle for celebrity endorsements.
President Donald J. Trump, a celebrity in his own right, has accumulated an impressive roster of celeb supporters that by every reasonable standard—talent, popularity, vibe, diversity, and so on—is unquestionably superior to the familiar collection of washed-up "celebs" endorsing his opponent, former vice president Joe Biden. Consider the evidence and see for yourself:
Top 10 Celebs Endorsing Trump
10. Dana White (UFC President)
9. Roseanne Barr (America's Sweetheart)
8. The Quaid Bros (Iconic Duo)
7. Tekashi 6ix9ine (Snitch)
6. Bobby Orr (Hockey Legend)
5. John Daly (Frat Star)
4. Kid Rock (Musical Genius)
3. Jack Nicklaus (G.O.A.T.)
2. Brett Favre (Hall of Fame Quarterback, Cell Phone User)
1. Lil Wayne (Hip Hop Legend, Cultural Icon)
Top 10 Celebs Endorsing Biden
10. Alan Alda (Octogenarian)
9. George Takei (Nerd)
8. Max Boot (Bald Pundit)
7. Melissa Etheridge (Folk Singer)
6. Anna Wintour (Journalist)
5. Barbra Streisand (Homeowner)
4. Lena Dunham (Feminist)
3. Hillary Clinton (Public Speaker)
2. Cher (Diva)
1. Jimmy Buffett (American Icon)


freebeacon--2020-10-30--Pelosi-Tied Super PAC Targets Republican with Misleading Health Care Ad

A new ad from a liberal super PAC misleadingly accuses Rep. Andy Barr ( R. , Ky. ) of working to raise the cost of a state employee health care plan .
VoteVets , a Democratic outside group closely tied to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) , released an ad Tuesday featuring Kentucky resident Mike Razor .
In the ad , Razor blames Barr and `` big pharma '' for his rising insurance costs , saying `` they 're just going to make me pay more . ''
Razor , however , is a former employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beverage Control , a 2019 Facebook post shows .
He has discussed his enrollment in the Kentucky Employees ' Health Plan , which is `` run by public employees , for public employees , '' according to its website .
That makes his health care a state issue , not a national one , as he acknowledged in a November 2019 Facebook post .
VoteVets has used large contributions from Democratic leaders and progressive megadonors—including $ 533,000 from Pelosi 's House Majority PAC—to spend nearly $ 25 million backing Democrats in the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Responsive Politics .
While the super PAC typically runs military-centered ads , it has recently flooded the airwaves with health care-related spots in contentious House districts across the country .
Its all-Republican targets include Barr , retired Green Beret Nick Freitas ( Va. ) , and decorated combat veteran Sean Parnell ( Pa. ) .
VoteVets did not return a request for comment .
Barr defeated Amy McGrath , now a Democratic Senate nominee , for the congressional seat by roughly 3 points in 2018 and is now facing a challenge from trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet to contribute to Hicks 's campaign , he has donated to Democrats in the past .
Recipients include McGrath , the Biden Victory Fund , the Kentucky Democratic Party , and Sen. Bernie Sanders 's ( I. , Vt. ) 2016 presidential campaign .
The Tuesday ad is not the first time Razor has used health care as a political weapon against Republicans , having previously criticized former Kentucky governor Matt Bevin .
Razor accused the Republican of siphoning money away from the state 's health care fund in 2019 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthem to manage it .
Our healthcare fund is so flush with money that Bevin is robbing it of millions to fund our retirement , '' Razor wrote in a Facebook comment .
`` With the state it should [ be a ] break even deal .
Our out of pocket and deductibles are outrageous . ''
Razor retired from his role with the state in 2015 , according to his social media posts .
Kentucky 's 2020 employee health care manual states that retirees become ineligible for the plan when reaching the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet met that threshold , public records show .
VoteVets has spent nearly $ 250,000 backing Hicks in the race , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
The Democrat has also accepted $ 7,500 in direct contributions from the super PAC in 2020 , campaign finance disclosures show .
Despite the group 's support , Hicks has trailed Barr financially throughout the race , raising $ 2.6 million to the Republican 's $ 4.2 million .
Hicks held roughly $ 165,000 on hand as of October 14 , compared with Barr @ @ @ @ @ @

Ex-govt. worker attacks Barr despite being on plan administered by the state
A new ad from a liberal super PAC misleadingly accuses Rep. Andy Barr (R., Ky.) of working to raise the cost of a state employee health care plan.
VoteVets, a Democratic outside group closely tied to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.), released an ad Tuesday featuring Kentucky resident Mike Razor. In the ad, Razor blames Barr and "big pharma" for his rising insurance costs, saying "they're just going to make me pay more."
Razor, however, is a former employee of the state's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, a 2019 Facebook post shows. He has discussed his enrollment in the Kentucky Employees' Health Plan, which is "run by public employees, for public employees," according to its website.
That makes his health care a state issue, not a national one, as he acknowledged in a November 2019 Facebook post.
VoteVets has used large contributions from Democratic leaders and progressive megadonors—including $533,000 from Pelosi's House Majority PAC—to spend nearly $25 million backing Democrats in the 2020 cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
While the super PAC typically runs military-centered ads, it has recently flooded the airwaves with health care-related spots in contentious House districts across the country. Its all-Republican targets include Barr, retired Green Beret Nick Freitas (Va.), and decorated combat veteran Sean Parnell (Pa.).
VoteVets did not return a request for comment.
Barr defeated Amy McGrath, now a Democratic Senate nominee, for the congressional seat by roughly 3 points in 2018 and is now facing a challenge from trial lawyer Josh Hicks.
While Razor has yet to contribute to Hicks's campaign, he has donated to Democrats in the past. Recipients include McGrath, the Biden Victory Fund, the Kentucky Democratic Party, and Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I., Vt.) 2016 presidential campaign.
The Tuesday ad is not the first time Razor has used health care as a political weapon against Republicans, having previously criticized former Kentucky governor Matt Bevin. Razor accused the Republican of siphoning money away from the state's health care fund in 2019.
"The state is self insured and pays Anthem to manage it. Our healthcare fund is so flush with money that Bevin is robbing it of millions to fund our retirement," Razor wrote in a Facebook comment. "With the state it should [be a] break even deal. Our out of pocket and deductibles are outrageous."
Razor retired from his role with the state in 2015, according to his social media posts. Kentucky's 2020 employee health care manual states that retirees become ineligible for the plan when reaching the age of 65. Razor has not yet met that threshold, public records show.
VoteVets has spent nearly $250,000 backing Hicks in the race, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The Democrat has also accepted $7,500 in direct contributions from the super PAC in 2020, campaign finance disclosures show.
Despite the group's support, Hicks has trailed Barr financially throughout the race, raising $2.6 million to the Republican's $4.2 million. Hicks held roughly $165,000 on hand as of October 14, compared with Barr's nearly $1.2 million.


freebeacon--2020-10-30--Palestinian Government Continues Payments to Terrorists Despite Cash Crunch

The Palestine Liberation Organization continues to pay terrorists and their families from government coffers despite a massive cash crunch that has paralyzed the Palestinian government , according to a non-public State Department report obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
Known as a policy of `` pay to slay , '' the Palestinian government uses money from international donors and other aid groups to financially support imprisoned terrorists and their families .
The practice has long attracted international scorn and played a significant role in the Trump administration ’ s 2018 decision to cut nearly $ 200 million in U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the move was meant to pressure Palestinian leaders into ending the payments , the PLO has continued the practice under the radar , according to a recent report submitted by the State Department to Congress .
`` Despite fiscal constraints … the [ Palestinian Authority ] continued to make payments through the PLO to Palestinians connected to terrorism , '' according to the report .
`` This is despite Israel ’ s decision to suspend extension of sovereignty into the West Bank .
The recipients of the payments included Palestinian terrorists in Israeli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the families of Palestinians who were wounded or died while committing terrorist acts or in connection with terrorism . ''
The continuation of these payments is likely to frustrate lawmakers and U.S. diplomats who have been working to make the Palestinian government solvent and more likely to engage in peace talks with Israel .
While the State Department did not say how much the Palestinian government spends on terrorists , outside groups put the number at upwards of $ 300 million a year .
The pay-to-slay program has been a major roadblock with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fine any banks that facilitate these payments .
Palestinian leaders , however , have vowed to continue supporting terrorists .
`` The [ Palestinian Authority ] argues these transfers are social payments for families who have lost their primary breadwinner , '' according to the report .
`` The United States and Israel argue that the payments incentivize , encourage , and reward terrorism , given higher monthly payments for lengthier prison sentences tied to more severe crimes . ''
The report also identified Iranian-backed terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States and Israel .
This includes Hamas , Palestinian Islamic Jihad , and other militant groups funded by Tehran .
Repeated attacks by these groups , as well as Hamas ’ s efforts to `` build its arsenal used for terrorism against Israel were the primary factors in the worsening economic and humanitarian situation in Gaza , '' the report states .
`` Terrorist groups and their sympathizers continued to smuggle illegal weapons and cash into the Gaza Strip via the few remaining underground tunnels located along the Egypt-Gaza border , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this runs afoul of commitments made by Palestinian leaders to crack down on terror-related activities .
The State Department also highlighted public statements from Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and other top officials promoting violence against Israel .
Palestinian schools and media outlets `` continue to promote the idea that Israel does not have a right to exist '' and they `` support the elimination of Israel on maps , '' according to the report .
`` PLO and PA leaders have praised Palestinian terrorists and claimed that all forms of resistance are legitimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months to feed the International Criminal Court information about alleged war crimes , the report notes .
Both the United States and Israel have rejected these efforts and continue to boycott the court over its investigation into supposed crimes .

The Palestine Liberation Organization continues to pay terrorists and their families from government coffers despite a massive cash crunch that has paralyzed the Palestinian government, according to a non-public State Department report obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
Known as a policy of "pay to slay," the Palestinian government uses money from international donors and other aid groups to financially support imprisoned terrorists and their families. The practice has long attracted international scorn and played a significant role in the Trump administration’s 2018 decision to cut nearly $200 million in U.S. funding to the Palestinian government. While the move was meant to pressure Palestinian leaders into ending the payments, the PLO has continued the practice under the radar, according to a recent report submitted by the State Department to Congress.
"Despite fiscal constraints … the [Palestinian Authority] continued to make payments through the PLO to Palestinians connected to terrorism," according to the report. "This is despite Israel’s decision to suspend extension of sovereignty into the West Bank. The recipients of the payments included Palestinian terrorists in Israeli prison, released Palestinian terrorists, and the families of Palestinians who were wounded or died while committing terrorist acts or in connection with terrorism."
The continuation of these payments is likely to frustrate lawmakers and U.S. diplomats who have been working to make the Palestinian government solvent and more likely to engage in peace talks with Israel. While the State Department did not say how much the Palestinian government spends on terrorists, outside groups put the number at upwards of $300 million a year. The pay-to-slay program has been a major roadblock with Israel, which moved in February to fine any banks that facilitate these payments. Palestinian leaders, however, have vowed to continue supporting terrorists.
A State Department official, speaking on background, confirmed the report's findings when contacted by the Free Beacon and said the U.S. government rejects the Palestinian government's continued policy of paying convicted terrorists.
"The biannual Palestine Liberation Organization Commitments Compliance Act Report reflects the Department's findings of continued payments by the Palestinian Authority to Palestinians connected to terrorism," the official said. "The United States strongly condemns the Palestinian Authority's practice of paying terrorist or their families.
"The [Palestinian Authority] argues these transfers are social payments for families who have lost their primary breadwinner," according to the report. "The United States and Israel argue that the payments incentivize, encourage, and reward terrorism, given higher monthly payments for lengthier prison sentences tied to more severe crimes."
The report also identified Iranian-backed terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip as a "serious threat" to the United States and Israel. This includes Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other militant groups funded by Tehran.
Repeated attacks by these groups, as well as Hamas’s efforts to "build its arsenal used for terrorism against Israel were the primary factors in the worsening economic and humanitarian situation in Gaza," the report states.
"Terrorist groups and their sympathizers continued to smuggle illegal weapons and cash into the Gaza Strip via the few remaining underground tunnels located along the Egypt-Gaza border," according to the report, which notes this runs afoul of commitments made by Palestinian leaders to crack down on terror-related activities.
The State Department also highlighted public statements from Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and other top officials promoting violence against Israel. Palestinian schools and media outlets "continue to promote the idea that Israel does not have a right to exist" and they "support the elimination of Israel on maps," according to the report. "PLO and PA leaders have praised Palestinian terrorists and claimed that all forms of resistance are legitimate."
Palestinian leaders continued in recent months to feed the International Criminal Court information about alleged war crimes, the report notes. Both the United States and Israel have rejected these efforts and continue to boycott the court over its investigation into supposed crimes.


freebeacon--2020-10-30--Biden Pledges to ‘Collaborate’ With CCP in Chinese-Language Newspaper

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden promised a more collaborative approach to China in an op-ed published in a Chinese-language newspaper whose editors frequently attended junkets organized by the Chinese government .
Biden published an op-ed in the World Journal , a U.S. newspaper widely read by the Chinese-American community , on October 22 .
World Journal , which is owned by a Taiwanese news conglomerate , historically had an anti-CCP tilt but has become open to Beijing in recent years .
The newspaper 's editors have attended annual conferences hosted by the Chinese government and reportedly complied with a demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advertisement about the Falun Gong , an oppressed religious movement .
`` Our approach to China will focus on boosting American competitiveness , revitalizing our strengths at home , and renewing our alliances and leadership abroad , '' Biden wrote in the op-ed .
`` We 'll work to collaborate with China when it 's in our interest , including on public health and climate change . ''
The Biden op-ed , written in Chinese , comes as his family 's financial relationship with regime-linked oligarchs has drawn scrutiny .
Companies led by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden garnered millions of dollars from Chinese investors .
Biden 's business partner , Tony Bobulinski , has said that the former vice president was aware of his family 's business dealings in the country .
Biden sharply criticized President Donald Trump in the op-ed and included an accusation that the president fanned anti-immigrant sentiments against the Chinese-American community by calling the coronavirus the `` China virus . ''
Biden also discussed his vision for foreign policy in Asia , where he emphasized ties with Taiwan but did not rule out cooperation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The op-ed 's publication in a newspaper with ties to Beijing speaks to the extent of the Chinese government 's influence in U.S. civil society .
A 2001 report by the Jamestown Foundation , a D.C.-based think tank , found that three out of the four most influential Chinese-language papers in the country `` are either directly or indirectly controlled by the government of Mainland China . ''
The same report found that while World Journal is not controlled by mainland interests , it has increasingly become vulnerable to Beijing 's pressure campaigns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a request for comment .
The World Journal , which boasts a circulation of more than 400,000 per day , was founded with `` anti-communism '' as its founding principle .
The paper softened its anti-mainland rhetoric , however , and came to selectively embrace Beijing 's overtures , according to a report by the Hoover Institution .
`` The Journal ’ s coverage has shifted in recent years and become more pro-PRC in a variety of areas , such as China ’ s militarization of the South China Sea and its handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hoover report read .
`` Sources at the Journal observe that the paper ’ s owners in Taiwan are interested in growing their business in China , which may help explain the paper ’ s evolving editorial stance . ''
World Journal did not return a request for comment .
As part of this growing acceptance of the Beijing government , the paper 's editors have frequently attended an annual forum for the global Chinese media in recent years .
According to the forum 's web page , the annual event is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Chinese State Council , which is now part of the United Front Work Department .
The United Front Work Department is an inter-departmental influence-peddling operation that seeks to improve China 's image abroad and influence foreign institutions .
The annual forum appears to push several of the Chinese government 's key agendas , such as the Belt and Road Initiative , a pet project of Chinese president Xi Jinping that involves multitrillion-dollar infrastructure investments in countries abroad .
The Jamestown report also detailed one instance in which the Chinese consulate allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure from Chinese consulates , the New York edition of the World Journal stopped publishing advertisements from Falun Gong .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden promised a more collaborative approach to China in an op-ed published in a Chinese-language newspaper whose editors frequently attended junkets organized by the Chinese government.
Biden published an op-ed in the World Journal, a U.S. newspaper widely read by the Chinese-American community, on October 22. World Journal, which is owned by a Taiwanese news conglomerate, historically had an anti-CCP tilt but has become open to Beijing in recent years. The newspaper's editors have attended annual conferences hosted by the Chinese government and reportedly complied with a demand from the Chinese consulate to scrub an advertisement about the Falun Gong, an oppressed religious movement.
"Our approach to China will focus on boosting American competitiveness, revitalizing our strengths at home, and renewing our alliances and leadership abroad," Biden wrote in the op-ed. "We'll work to collaborate with China when it's in our interest, including on public health and climate change."
The Biden op-ed, written in Chinese, comes as his family's financial relationship with regime-linked oligarchs has drawn scrutiny. Companies led by his son Hunter Biden and brother Jim Biden garnered millions of dollars from Chinese investors. Biden's business partner, Tony Bobulinski, has said that the former vice president was aware of his family's business dealings in the country.
Biden sharply criticized President Donald Trump in the op-ed and included an accusation that the president fanned anti-immigrant sentiments against the Chinese-American community by calling the coronavirus the "China virus." Biden also discussed his vision for foreign policy in Asia, where he emphasized ties with Taiwan but did not rule out cooperation with Beijing on issues of mutual interest.
The op-ed's publication in a newspaper with ties to Beijing speaks to the extent of the Chinese government's influence in U.S. civil society. A 2001 report by the Jamestown Foundation, a D.C.-based think tank, found that three out of the four most influential Chinese-language papers in the country "are either directly or indirectly controlled by the government of Mainland China." The same report found that while World Journal is not controlled by mainland interests, it has increasingly become vulnerable to Beijing's pressure campaigns.
The Biden campaign did not return a request for comment.
The World Journal, which boasts a circulation of more than 400,000 per day, was founded with "anti-communism" as its founding principle. The paper softened its anti-mainland rhetoric, however, and came to selectively embrace Beijing's overtures, according to a report by the Hoover Institution.
"The Journal’s coverage has shifted in recent years and become more pro-PRC in a variety of areas, such as China’s militarization of the South China Sea and its handling of Taiwan and Hong Kong," the Hoover report read. "Sources at the Journal observe that the paper’s owners in Taiwan are interested in growing their business in China, which may help explain the paper’s evolving editorial stance."
World Journal did not return a request for comment.
As part of this growing acceptance of the Beijing government, the paper's editors have frequently attended an annual forum for the global Chinese media in recent years. According to the forum's web page, the annual event is cohosted by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the Chinese State Council, which is now part of the United Front Work Department. The United Front Work Department is an inter-departmental influence-peddling operation that seeks to improve China's image abroad and influence foreign institutions.
The annual forum appears to push several of the Chinese government's key agendas, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, a pet project of Chinese president Xi Jinping that involves multitrillion-dollar infrastructure investments in countries abroad.
The Jamestown report also detailed one instance in which the Chinese consulate allegedly influenced the paper's contents. After pressure from Chinese consulates, the New York edition of the World Journal stopped publishing advertisements from Falun Gong.


freebeacon--2020-10-30--#ShutDownDC Plans to Target Republicans During Election-Week Protests

# ShutDownDC is organizing groups of protesters to target Republican officials and government buildings during a series of planned election-week demonstrations .
The activist group released its protest schedule along with three maps highlighting different areas for protesters to target next week .
# ShutDownDC 's events begin on Election Day , with an eight-hour `` After You Vote , Hit the Streets '' event at Black Lives Matter Plaza .
On Wednesday , the group plans to target Trump campaign officials and Republican donors at their homes , and on Thursday , protesters will attempt to block the entrances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car and bike `` caravan '' on surrounding streets .
The demonstrations will culminate Friday , when—based on the election results—protesters will attempt to blockade bridges , major highways , intersections , and government office buildings .
The maps pinpoint the locations of prominent conservative groups , such as the Republican National Committee and the Heritage Foundation , as well as of government buildings and high-trafficked streets and bridges .
They also highlight military bases , hospitals , and news outlets .
According to the group 's website , # ShutDownDC will protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlets that call the election before all votes are counted .
The group began in 2019 as a climate change activist movement .
Last fall , it was responsible for blocking roads and intersections to protest climate change .
In the days leading up to the election , downtown Washington , D.C. , business owners have already begun boarding up windows to protect their stores from rioters and looters .
Anti-police protesters vandalized and looted dozens of businesses this summer following George Floyd 's death .

#ShutDownDC is organizing groups of protesters to target Republican officials and government buildings during a series of planned election-week demonstrations.
The activist group released its protest schedule along with three maps highlighting different areas for protesters to target next week. #ShutDownDC's events begin on Election Day, with an eight-hour "After You Vote, Hit the Streets" event at Black Lives Matter Plaza.
On Wednesday, the group plans to target Trump campaign officials and Republican donors at their homes, and on Thursday, protesters will attempt to block the entrances to the White House and create a car and bike "caravan" on surrounding streets.
The demonstrations will culminate Friday, when—based on the election results—protesters will attempt to blockade bridges, major highways, intersections, and government office buildings.
The maps pinpoint the locations of prominent conservative groups, such as the Republican National Committee and the Heritage Foundation, as well as of government buildings and high-trafficked streets and bridges.
They also highlight military bases, hospitals, and news outlets. According to the group's website, #ShutDownDC will protest outside the buildings of any major news outlets that call the election before all votes are counted.
#ShutDownDC launched a similar map during June's anti-police riots.
The group began in 2019 as a climate change activist movement. Last fall, it was responsible for blocking roads and intersections to protest climate change.
In the days leading up to the election, downtown Washington, D.C., business owners have already begun boarding up windows to protect their stores from rioters and looters. Anti-police protesters vandalized and looted dozens of businesses this summer following George Floyd's death.


freebeacon--2020-10-30--Dem Rep Vouches for Biden Accuser’s Character

Democratic congressman Ro Khanna is vouching for the character of Tony Bobulinski , the military veteran and former business associate of Hunter Biden who has taken center stage in the final weeks of the election .
In a Friday email Khanna sent to Bobulinski , the California Democrat writes that he has pushed back against attempts to discredit Bobulinski by both the media and his Democratic colleagues .
`` I did give an on the record statement to The NY Times that I know you , you have always acted honorably with me , and you and other family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that he has also `` made it clear that I do not think you are a Russian agent . ''
Khanna , who has received over $ 21,000 in political contributions from Bobulinski during his political career , also said in the email that he has told others that Bobulinski has talked about `` putting country over party '' in their past conversations .
Democrats including Rep. Adam Schiff ( Calif. ) , chairman of the House Intelligence Committee , have said the story about emails on Hunter Biden 's laptop is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No evidence has been put forward to support the allegation .
Social media companies have taken steps to limit the reach of Bobulinski 's allegations , which stem from emails contained on a computer that allegedly belonged to Hunter Biden .
Sinclair Broadcast Group reported that Bobulinski has spoken to the FBI for the bureau 's active money-laundering investigation into Hunter Biden .
Khanna , who represents California ’ s 17th district , was an official in the Obama administration and a co-chair of Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ s ( I. , Vt. @ @ @ @

Democratic congressman Ro Khanna is vouching for the character of Tony Bobulinski, the military veteran and former business associate of Hunter Biden who has taken center stage in the final weeks of the election.
In a Friday email Khanna sent to Bobulinski, the California Democrat writes that he has pushed back against attempts to discredit Bobulinski by both the media and his Democratic colleagues. "I did give an on the record statement to The NY Times that I know you, you have always acted honorably with me, and you and other family members supported me," Khanna wrote, adding that he has also "made it clear that I do not think you are a Russian agent."
Khanna, who has received over $21,000 in political contributions from Bobulinski during his political career, also said in the email that he has told others that Bobulinski has talked about "putting country over party" in their past conversations.
Democrats including Rep. Adam Schiff (Calif.), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, have said the story about emails on Hunter Biden's laptop is part of a Russian disinformation plot. No evidence has been put forward to support the allegation.
Email this morning from @RoKhanna to Tony Bobulinski. The redactions are mine pic.twitter.com/EA2bsusSJY — John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) October 30, 2020
Social media companies have taken steps to limit the reach of Bobulinski's allegations, which stem from emails contained on a computer that allegedly belonged to Hunter Biden. Sinclair Broadcast Group reported that Bobulinski has spoken to the FBI for the bureau's active money-laundering investigation into Hunter Biden.
Khanna, who represents California’s 17th district, was an official in the Obama administration and a co-chair of Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I., Vt.) presidential campaign.