freebeacon--2020-03-17--Media, Democrats Ran With False Claim Trump ‘Disbanded’ Pandemic Office

The official who once ran the White House pandemic program dismissed a false Democratic talking point that Trump eliminated the pandemic-response team and criticized reporters for parroting the claim in news stories .
`` No , the White House didn ’ t ‘ dissolve ’ its pandemic response office .
I was there , '' wrote former National Security Council adviser Tim Morrison for the Washington Post on Monday .
`` It has been alleged by multiple officials of the Obama administration , including in The Post , that the president and his then-national security adviser , John Bolton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House in charge of pandemic preparedness , '' Morrison wrote .
`` Because I led the very directorate assigned that mission , the counterproliferation and biodefense office , for a year and then handed it off to another official who still holds the post , I know the charge is specious . ''
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said in a March 1 interview that Trump `` eliminated that office . ''
Journalists soon began taking up the former vice president 's talking point as fact .
The Boston Globe picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titled , `` Trump attacks CDC over coronavirus preparedness , though he eliminated an office dedicated to pandemic prevention . ''
The accusation was a particular favorite of the Washington Post , which furthered the narrative by running an op-ed from former Obama NSC staffer Beth Cameron headlined , `` I ran the White House pandemic office .
Trump closed it . ''
Not including Cameron and Morrison 's op-eds , the Post mentioned the accusation in five other op-eds or pieces .
As part of an effort to slim down the historically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of global health and biodefense was merged with two other positions—not eliminated—according to Morrison .
`` If anything , the combined directorate was stronger because related expertise could be commingled , '' he wrote .
The accusation that Trump eliminated the pandemic team was spread by several other prominent Democrats .
DNC chairman Tom Perez said on CNN before Sunday 's debate that President Barack Obama `` created an office of preparedness in the White House .
And what does this president do ?
He eliminates it . ''
The DNC Twitter account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government 's pandemic response team . ''
`` Would be good to have a pandemic response team at the NSC right now .
Like we did before Trump eliminated it , '' Sen. Jeff Merkley ( D. , Ore. ) said on Twitter .
`` Two years ago , President Trump fired the entire global health security team at the White House .
Their job ?
Managing pandemics , '' tweeted Sen. Sherrod Brown ( D. , Ohio ) .
Morrison , who testified in the House impeachment inquiry , said media figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attack the White House .
`` It is this reorganization that critics have misconstrued or intentionally misrepresented , '' Morrison wrote .
Former Obama Ebola czar Ron Klain claimed in interviews that Trump `` abolished '' the program and `` there was a whole bunch of people who were supposed to be getting ready for this event , and we got rid of them . ''
Klain seemingly backtracked in a tweet responding to the publication of Morrison 's op-ed , saying instead that `` the idea that biodefense thinking would protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flawed . ''
When asked to defend his claim that Trump `` got rid of '' a `` whole bunch of people , '' Klain told the Free Beacon in an email , `` They got rid of the key people including [ NSC global health security director Rear Admiral Timothy Ziemer ] — which is the point I made in 2018 when they did this .
This was a horrible decision by the president and we have seen the consequences . ''
Biden also spread other false accusations about the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sunday 's debate that the White House turned down a World Health Organization offer for testing kits .
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment .

The official who once ran the White House pandemic program dismissed a false Democratic talking point that Trump eliminated the pandemic-response team and criticized reporters for parroting the claim in news stories.
"No, the White House didn’t ‘dissolve’ its pandemic response office. I was there," wrote former National Security Council adviser Tim Morrison for the Washington Post on Monday.
"It has been alleged by multiple officials of the Obama administration, including in The Post, that the president and his then-national security adviser, John Bolton, 'dissolved the office' at the White House in charge of pandemic preparedness," Morrison wrote. "Because I led the very directorate assigned that mission, the counterproliferation and biodefense office, for a year and then handed it off to another official who still holds the post, I know the charge is specious."
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said in a March 1 interview that Trump "eliminated that office." Journalists soon began taking up the former vice president's talking point as fact. The Boston Globe picked up the narrative, running a piece titled, "Trump attacks CDC over coronavirus preparedness, though he eliminated an office dedicated to pandemic prevention." The accusation was a particular favorite of the Washington Post, which furthered the narrative by running an op-ed from former Obama NSC staffer Beth Cameron headlined, "I ran the White House pandemic office. Trump closed it." Not including Cameron and Morrison's op-eds, the Post mentioned the accusation in five other op-eds or pieces.
As part of an effort to slim down the historically bloated National Security Council, the directorate of global health and biodefense was merged with two other positions—not eliminated—according to Morrison.
"If anything, the combined directorate was stronger because related expertise could be commingled," he wrote.
The accusation that Trump eliminated the pandemic team was spread by several other prominent Democrats. DNC chairman Tom Perez said on CNN before Sunday's debate that President Barack Obama "created an office of preparedness in the White House. And what does this president do? He eliminates it." The DNC Twitter account likewise tweeted that Trump "eliminated the government's pandemic response team."
"Would be good to have a pandemic response team at the NSC right now. Like we did before Trump eliminated it," Sen. Jeff Merkley (D., Ore.) said on Twitter.
"Two years ago, President Trump fired the entire global health security team at the White House. Their job? Managing pandemics," tweeted Sen. Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio).
Morrison, who testified in the House impeachment inquiry, said media figures and politicians have acted in bad faith to attack the White House.
"It is this reorganization that critics have misconstrued or intentionally misrepresented," Morrison wrote.
Former Obama Ebola czar Ron Klain claimed in interviews that Trump "abolished" the program and "there was a whole bunch of people who were supposed to be getting ready for this event, and we got rid of them." Klain seemingly backtracked in a tweet responding to the publication of Morrison's op-ed, saying instead that "the idea that biodefense thinking would protect us from natural pandemics has always been flawed."
When asked to defend his claim that Trump "got rid of" a "whole bunch of people," Klain told the Free Beacon in an email, "They got rid of the key people including [NSC global health security director Rear Admiral Timothy Ziemer]— which is the point I made in 2018 when they did this. This was a horrible decision by the president and we have seen the consequences."
Biden also spread other false accusations about the Trump administration's response to coronavirus, falsely claiming in Sunday's debate that the White House turned down a World Health Organization offer for testing kits. The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-03-18--Ilhan Omar Is Her New Husband’s Biggest Client, Public Records Show

Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) and new husband Tim Mynett—who is also her campaign consultant—are downplaying the campaign cash the freshman lawmaker funneled to his consulting firm .
But campaign records show that Omar 's campaign has been by far the firm 's biggest client , funneling more than half-a-million dollars to the group in the 2018 and 2020 election cycles , almost half of all the money the company took in from federal candidates .
Omar and Mynett announced their marriage last Wednesday after vigorously denying they were engaged in a romantic relationship .
Now Omar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the E Street Group , a campaign consultancy for progressives , are defending their professional relationship from critics who have charged that Omar broke the law by improperly using campaign money for personal travel—in particular , to reimburse Mynett ’ s travel from California to Washington , D.C. , to visit Omar .
Mynett ’ s business partner , Will Hailer , swatted down those criticisms , arguing that Omar is one of the group ’ s run-of-the-mill clients .
`` On any given day , eight or more people could be touching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ design , digital ads , social media , email content creation , high-dollar fundraising , political support , and many other things that we provide for the campaign , '' Hailer told the Washington Post .
`` Similar to what we provide for countless other clients across the country . ''
A review of campaign finance records , however , found that the firm has just 17 clients and that Omar has been the firm 's largest for the entirety of its existence .
During the 2018 cycle , Omar paid the E @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was one of just four of the firm 's campaign clients .
Omar , who has spent $ 523,443 in total on the group ’ s services in the 2020 campaign cycle , remains the firm 's largest political client , according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics .
The E Street Group began operations in 2018 and brands itself as a team of `` progressive political consultants working with candidates and causes to tell authentic stories . ''
The group brought in a total of $ 145,406 in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this cycle .
The pair have also launched a separate project , estreet.co , which markets itself as a `` group of creative-minded hype agents working with start ups , non profits , breweries , vineyards and more . ''
Aside from Omar , E Street Group 's largest political client this cycle has been MATH PAC , a pro-Andrew Yang super PAC that spent the large majority of its money on media purchases , including $ 475,993 through the E Street Group .
Other clients include failed California congressional candidate Cenk Uygur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street Group , and about a dozen other liberal candidates and committees .
Hailer and Mynett did not respond to an inquiry into whether Omar remains E Street Group 's largest client .
Omar herself is also defending the relationship and the $ 586,117 her campaign has paid her husband ’ s firm .
In a lengthy Monday night Twitter thread , the lawmaker argued that their romantic relationship began after their professional one .
`` My relationship with Tim began long after this work started , '' Omar wrote .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure there were no possible legal issues with our relationship .
We were told this is not uncommon and that no , there weren ’ t . ''
Following divorce filings by Mynett 's then-wife last August alleging that her husband was romantically involved with Omar , the National Legal and Policy Center filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission raising questions about the legality of the arrangement .
The complaint specifically points to non-itemized travel reimbursements from the Omar campaign to E Street Group and suggests Omar was reimbursing Mynett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Ilhan for Congress reimbursed Mynett ’ s LLC for travel so that Rep. Omar would have the benefit of Mynett ’ s romantic companionship , the expenditures must be considered personal in nature , '' the complaint said .
A lawyer for the Omar campaign is also defending the transactions with Mynett 's firm .
`` There is simply nothing unusual about the services that E Street Group provides to Ilhan for Congress—and nothing inappropriate with a vendor being reimbursed for travel for bona fide services—even if that vendor is run by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign lawyer David Mitrani said in a legal memo drafted last week .
Omar has lashed out at news reporters for examining the payments .
`` It ’ s disappointing that reporters would rather amplify the baseless claims and misinformation of rightwing Twitter instead of talking to actual experts on the law , '' she wrote on Twitter .
`` This is everything wrong with media coverage in 2020 . ''
The response follows a similar pattern from Omar , who has regularly responded to the standard scrutiny of a public official by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media last August for asking questions about her relationship with Mynett .
`` No , I am not , '' Omar falsely claimed when asked whether she was separated from her husband and dating Mynett .
`` I have no interest in allowing the conversation about my personal life to continue and so I have no desire to discuss it . ''
Omar 's office also said that no `` legitimate media outlets '' would look into well-sourced claims that she married her brother , suggesting during her first campaign that any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There are people who do not want an East African , Muslim woman elected to office and who will follow Donald Trump 's playbook to prevent it , '' a campaign spokesman said , months before she was first elected .
`` Ilhan Omar 's campaign will not be distracted by negative forces and will continue to focus its energy on creating positive engagement with community members to make the district and state more prosperous and equitable for everyone . ''
`` Whether by colluding with right-wing outlets to go after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , legitimate media outlets have a responsibility not to fan the flames of hate , '' her office said last summer after more evidence arose indicating that she may in fact have married her brother .
`` Continuing to do so is not only demeaning to Ilhan , but to her entire family . ''
Omar was reportedly already involved with Mynett at the time of her office 's statement .
Her office did not reply to new requests for comment .

Firm spokesman says 'on any given day, eight or more people could be touching her account'
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) and new husband Tim Mynett—who is also her campaign consultant—are downplaying the campaign cash the freshman lawmaker funneled to his consulting firm. But campaign records show that Omar's campaign has been by far the firm's biggest client, funneling more than half-a-million dollars to the group in the 2018 and 2020 election cycles, almost half of all the money the company took in from federal candidates.
Omar and Mynett announced their marriage last Wednesday after vigorously denying they were engaged in a romantic relationship.
Now Omar's campaign and Mynett's firm, the E Street Group, a campaign consultancy for progressives, are defending their professional relationship from critics who have charged that Omar broke the law by improperly using campaign money for personal travel—in particular, to reimburse Mynett’s travel from California to Washington, D.C., to visit Omar.
Mynett’s business partner, Will Hailer, swatted down those criticisms, arguing that Omar is one of the group’s run-of-the-mill clients. "On any given day, eight or more people could be touching her account at some point, between design, digital ads, social media, email content creation, high-dollar fundraising, political support, and many other things that we provide for the campaign," Hailer told the Washington Post. "Similar to what we provide for countless other clients across the country."
A review of campaign finance records, however, found that the firm has just 17 clients and that Omar has been the firm's largest for the entirety of its existence. During the 2018 cycle, Omar paid the E Street Group $62,674 for fundraising consulting and was one of just four of the firm's campaign clients. Omar, who has spent $523,443 in total on the group’s services in the 2020 campaign cycle, remains the firm's largest political client, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics.
The E Street Group began operations in 2018 and brands itself as a team of "progressive political consultants working with candidates and causes to tell authentic stories." The group brought in a total of $145,406 in its first cycle and $1,285,994 so far this cycle. The pair have also launched a separate project, estreet.co, which markets itself as a "group of creative-minded hype agents working with start ups, non profits, breweries, vineyards and more."
Aside from Omar, E Street Group's largest political client this cycle has been MATH PAC, a pro-Andrew Yang super PAC that spent the large majority of its money on media purchases, including $475,993 through the E Street Group. Other clients include failed California congressional candidate Cenk Uygur, who spent $6,800 with E Street Group, and about a dozen other liberal candidates and committees.
Hailer and Mynett did not respond to an inquiry into whether Omar remains E Street Group's largest client.
Omar herself is also defending the relationship and the $586,117 her campaign has paid her husband’s firm. In a lengthy Monday night Twitter thread, the lawmaker argued that their romantic relationship began after their professional one.
"My relationship with Tim began long after this work started," Omar wrote. "We consulted with a top FEC campaign attorney to ensure there were no possible legal issues with our relationship. We were told this is not uncommon and that no, there weren’t."
Following divorce filings by Mynett's then-wife last August alleging that her husband was romantically involved with Omar, the National Legal and Policy Center filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission raising questions about the legality of the arrangement. The complaint specifically points to non-itemized travel reimbursements from the Omar campaign to E Street Group and suggests Omar was reimbursing Mynett’s visits with her.
"If Ilhan for Congress reimbursed Mynett’s LLC for travel so that Rep. Omar would have the benefit of Mynett’s romantic companionship, the expenditures must be considered personal in nature," the complaint said.
A lawyer for the Omar campaign is also defending the transactions with Mynett's firm. "There is simply nothing unusual about the services that E Street Group provides to Ilhan for Congress—and nothing inappropriate with a vendor being reimbursed for travel for bona fide services—even if that vendor is run by a candidate’s spouse," campaign lawyer David Mitrani said in a legal memo drafted last week.
Omar has lashed out at news reporters for examining the payments.
"It’s disappointing that reporters would rather amplify the baseless claims and misinformation of rightwing Twitter instead of talking to actual experts on the law," she wrote on Twitter. "This is everything wrong with media coverage in 2020."
The response follows a similar pattern from Omar, who has regularly responded to the standard scrutiny of a public official by criticizing the media.
The lawmaker attacked the media last August for asking questions about her relationship with Mynett. "No, I am not," Omar falsely claimed when asked whether she was separated from her husband and dating Mynett. "I have no interest in allowing the conversation about my personal life to continue and so I have no desire to discuss it."
Omar's office also said that no "legitimate media outlets" would look into well-sourced claims that she married her brother, suggesting during her first campaign that any investigations into her are based on racism.
"There are people who do not want an East African, Muslim woman elected to office and who will follow Donald Trump's playbook to prevent it," a campaign spokesman said, months before she was first elected. "Ilhan Omar's campaign will not be distracted by negative forces and will continue to focus its energy on creating positive engagement with community members to make the district and state more prosperous and equitable for everyone."
"Whether by colluding with right-wing outlets to go after Muslim elected officials or hounding family members, legitimate media outlets have a responsibility not to fan the flames of hate," her office said last summer after more evidence arose indicating that she may in fact have married her brother. "Continuing to do so is not only demeaning to Ilhan, but to her entire family."
Omar was reportedly already involved with Mynett at the time of her office's statement. Her office did not reply to new requests for comment.


freebeacon--2020-03-18--Election Experts Expect Corona Outbreak to Drive Lawsuits in Dem Primaries

Election lawyers say that the outbreak of the coronavirus combined with the postponement of multiple state primaries may increase the chances of legal challenges to Tuesday 's results , particularly among down ballot races .
As voters in Arizona , Florida , and Illinois cast ballots Tuesday amid the coronavirus pandemic , reports emerged of disarray at polling places , including absentee election judges and insufficient voting materials that forced some polling locations to redirect voters .
Those issues could give losing candidates an opportunity to challenge the results , state election experts told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can imagine , a mess , '' Illinois election attorney Richard Means said .
`` If there are some really close races , then that might keep lawyers and judges busy for some time . ''
The main source of chaos in the Prairie State , Means said , was the decision to relocate polling locations away from nursing homes filled with a population vulnerable to the coronavirus .
Although the move is prudent given the risk seniors face from the virus , it also opens the door to legal challenges .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have pulled out for reasonable health concerns , '' Means said .
`` That means the voting machines , and all of the ballots , and the voter registration records , all have to be picked up and moved to another location .
That physical process , all of that moving … has resulted in a real big mess . ''
While the likelihood of suits may increase due to the coronavirus , some legal experts say plaintiffs face an uphill battle to prove it affected the outcome of races .
`` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect to see challenges to some of these results , '' said John Fogarty , an election attorney based in Illinois .
`` But the burden of proof on anything that you ’ d see an election contested on is extraordinarily high .
So you ’ d really need solid evidence , affidavits of people who tried to vote but were turned away and not able to vote otherwise . ''
Ohio health officials on Monday cited an emergency to order the closing of poll locations , and the states of Georgia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponed their primaries .
Democratic governor of Illinois J.B. Pritzker defended his decision to follow through with the primary on Tuesday , saying he wears criticism of the call as a `` badge of honor . ''
Some candidates and political activists , including aides and allies of Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , have already suggested that coronavirus quarantines are a form of voter suppression .
Justice Democrats-backed progressive Morgan Harper said Ohio State University ’ s decision to cancel classes could `` disenfranchise '' voters in a tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` First , I want to thank everyone for all they ’ re doing to keep Ohioans safe , '' Harper said .
`` Decisions have already been made that could potentially disenfranchise certain populations of voters , including Ohio State students , who have now been told that in-person classes are canceled through the end of the month . ''
Harper went on to cite the coronavirus in a fundraising email Thursday , asking voters for `` urgent funds '' to support an `` Emergency Student Voter Contact Fund . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election , saying he does not have the power to do so .
Though some polling places were kept open an hour later to make up for the delay in voting materials , Fogarty ruled out the possibility of extending the primary statewide , saying it `` invites all kinds of problems . ''
`` For better or worse , we ’ re going forward , '' Fogarty said .
`` I don ’ t see any possibility of an extension of voting .
There ’ s just no authority for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s kind of opening up a Pandora ’ s box , really . ''
Joe Biden was declared the winner of the Illinois primary almost immediately after polls closed .

'If there are some really close races, then that might keep lawyers and judges busy for some time.'
Election lawyers say that the outbreak of the coronavirus combined with the postponement of multiple state primaries may increase the chances of legal challenges to Tuesday's results, particularly among down ballot races.
As voters in Arizona, Florida, and Illinois cast ballots Tuesday amid the coronavirus pandemic, reports emerged of disarray at polling places, including absentee election judges and insufficient voting materials that forced some polling locations to redirect voters. Those issues could give losing candidates an opportunity to challenge the results, state election experts told the Washington Free Beacon.
"The Illinois primaries are, as you can imagine, a mess," Illinois election attorney Richard Means said. "If there are some really close races, then that might keep lawyers and judges busy for some time."
The main source of chaos in the Prairie State, Means said, was the decision to relocate polling locations away from nursing homes filled with a population vulnerable to the coronavirus. Although the move is prudent given the risk seniors face from the virus, it also opens the door to legal challenges.
"A lot of hosts of polling places have pulled out for reasonable health concerns," Means said. "That means the voting machines, and all of the ballots, and the voter registration records, all have to be picked up and moved to another location. That physical process, all of that moving … has resulted in a real big mess."
While the likelihood of suits may increase due to the coronavirus, some legal experts say plaintiffs face an uphill battle to prove it affected the outcome of races.
"If it is very close, I would expect to see challenges to some of these results," said John Fogarty, an election attorney based in Illinois. "But the burden of proof on anything that you’d see an election contested on is extraordinarily high. So you’d really need solid evidence, affidavits of people who tried to vote but were turned away and not able to vote otherwise."
Ohio health officials on Monday cited an emergency to order the closing of poll locations, and the states of Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Maryland also postponed their primaries. Democratic governor of Illinois J.B. Pritzker defended his decision to follow through with the primary on Tuesday, saying he wears criticism of the call as a "badge of honor."
Some candidates and political activists, including aides and allies of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), have already suggested that coronavirus quarantines are a form of voter suppression. Justice Democrats-backed progressive Morgan Harper said Ohio State University’s decision to cancel classes could "disenfranchise" voters in a tweet even before the state canceled its primary.
"First, I want to thank everyone for all they’re doing to keep Ohioans safe," Harper said. "Decisions have already been made that could potentially disenfranchise certain populations of voters, including Ohio State students, who have now been told that in-person classes are canceled through the end of the month."
Harper went on to cite the coronavirus in a fundraising email Thursday, asking voters for "urgent funds" to support an "Emergency Student Voter Contact Fund."
Pritzker on Tuesday rebuffed calls to postpone the election, saying he does not have the power to do so. Though some polling places were kept open an hour later to make up for the delay in voting materials, Fogarty ruled out the possibility of extending the primary statewide, saying it "invites all kinds of problems."
"For better or worse, we’re going forward," Fogarty said. "I don’t see any possibility of an extension of voting. There’s just no authority for that. That invites all kinds of problems, it’s kind of opening up a Pandora’s box, really."
Joe Biden was declared the winner of the Illinois primary almost immediately after polls closed.


freebeacon--2020-03-18--Biden Crushes Castro Apologist in Florida Primary, Nomination Within Sight

Public events are being canceled left and right as America combats the Wuhan pandemic unleashed by China .
Nevertheless , Democratic primary voters persisted in their efforts to anoint former vice president Joe Biden as their party 's nominee for president .
Biden , the youngest and most viable male candidate seeking the Democratic nomination , crushed socialist senator Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) in a series of state primaries on Tuesday .
Most notably , the former VP trounced Sanders in Florida , where a large population of Cuban-American voters evidently was not fond of Sanders 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutal left-wing dictatorship .
When all the votes are counted , Biden 's margin of victory over Sanders will almost certainly be larger than Hillary Clinton 's in 2016 ( 10 percent ) .
Biden was projected to gain at least 100 more convention delegates than Sanders in Florida alone .
He was also projected to win at least 93 delegates in Illinois , where he was quickly declared the winner after polls closed at 8 p.m. EST .
The same was true in Arizona , where Biden was projected to pick up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention delegates .
Ohio was also scheduled to hold a primary election on Tuesday , but polls were closed on the orders of Gov .
Mike DeWine ( R. , Ohio ) as a result of concerns over the Wuhan pandemic .
Recent polling showed Biden ahead in the state , where 136 delegates were at stake , by more than 20 points .
Biden was projected to have almost 1,200 delegates by the end of the night , while Sanders was projected to have fewer than 900 .
The winning candidate will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party 's convention in Milwaukee .
Biden 's seemingly insurmountable lead has prompted a number of Democratic officials to call on Sanders to drop out of the race with varying degrees of subtlety .
`` The will of the people is speaking loud and clear , '' said Center for American Progress president Neera Tanden .
`` Time to unite to deal with a national crisis . ''
Former senator Claire McCaskill said it was `` time '' for Sanders to drop out .
`` Bernie 's going to have plenty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because we all want to come together , '' she said on MSNBC .
`` So I do think the pressure is going to mount especially at this time of crisis . ''
Former Obama strategist David Axelrod was the least subtle of all .
`` This is over , '' he said on CNN .
`` It ’ s over .
The election is over tonight . ''
Sanders , meanwhile , did not even mention Tuesday 's elections during an online town hall with supporters .
Instead , the socialist candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sanders called for redistributive policies to address the economic fallout from the crisis , including waiving student loan payments and giving all Americans a $ 2,000 monthly stipend until the virus is under control .
Some Sanders supporters and campaign officials cried foul , accusing the Democratic Party of putting public health at risk in an effort to anoint Biden as the nominee .
`` After several states saw the risk , and postponed primaries , at least to give themselves time to prep , Joe Biden and the Democratic Party doubled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't even make sure polling locations had BASIC cleaning supplies , '' tweeted activist Shaun King , a prominent Sanders campaign surrogate .
`` SUPER irresponsible and dangerous . ''
In other , more important news , President Donald J. Trump won enough GOP delegates on Tuesday to officially secure the Republican nomination .
Trump is projected to serve at least one more term before leaving office as one of the most successful presidents in American history .

Public events are being canceled left and right as America combats the Wuhan pandemic unleashed by China. Nevertheless, Democratic primary voters persisted in their efforts to anoint former vice president Joe Biden as their party's nominee for president.
Biden, the youngest and most viable male candidate seeking the Democratic nomination, crushed socialist senator Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) in a series of state primaries on Tuesday. Most notably, the former VP trounced Sanders in Florida, where a large population of Cuban-American voters evidently was not fond of Sanders's long history of praising Fidel Castro's brutal left-wing dictatorship. When all the votes are counted, Biden's margin of victory over Sanders will almost certainly be larger than Hillary Clinton's in 2016 (10 percent).
Biden was projected to gain at least 100 more convention delegates than Sanders in Florida alone. He was also projected to win at least 93 delegates in Illinois, where he was quickly declared the winner after polls closed at 8 p.m. EST. The same was true in Arizona, where Biden was projected to pick up a majority of the state's 67 convention delegates.
Ohio was also scheduled to hold a primary election on Tuesday, but polls were closed on the orders of Gov. Mike DeWine (R., Ohio) as a result of concerns over the Wuhan pandemic. Recent polling showed Biden ahead in the state, where 136 delegates were at stake, by more than 20 points.
Biden was projected to have almost 1,200 delegates by the end of the night, while Sanders was projected to have fewer than 900. The winning candidate will need 1,991 to secure the nomination at the party's convention in Milwaukee. Biden's seemingly insurmountable lead has prompted a number of Democratic officials to call on Sanders to drop out of the race with varying degrees of subtlety.
"The will of the people is speaking loud and clear," said Center for American Progress president Neera Tanden. "Time to unite to deal with a national crisis."
Former senator Claire McCaskill said it was "time" for Sanders to drop out. "Bernie's going to have plenty of delegates and power to influence the platform because we all want to come together," she said on MSNBC. "So I do think the pressure is going to mount especially at this time of crisis."
Former Obama strategist David Axelrod was the least subtle of all. "This is over," he said on CNN. "It’s over. The election is over tonight."
Sanders, meanwhile, did not even mention Tuesday's elections during an online town hall with supporters. Instead, the socialist candidate focused almost entirely on the Wuhan pandemic. Sanders called for redistributive policies to address the economic fallout from the crisis, including waiving student loan payments and giving all Americans a $2,000 monthly stipend until the virus is under control.
Some Sanders supporters and campaign officials cried foul, accusing the Democratic Party of putting public health at risk in an effort to anoint Biden as the nominee. "After several states saw the risk, and postponed primaries, at least to give themselves time to prep, Joe Biden and the Democratic Party doubled down, ignored the risks, and didn't even make sure polling locations had BASIC cleaning supplies," tweeted activist Shaun King, a prominent Sanders campaign surrogate. "SUPER irresponsible and dangerous."
In other, more important news, President Donald J. Trump won enough GOP delegates on Tuesday to officially secure the Republican nomination. Trump is projected to serve at least one more term before leaving office as one of the most successful presidents in American history.


freebeacon--2020-03-18--Sanders Camp Blames Biden for Encouraging Voters to Cast Ballots Amid Coronavirus Fears

Campaign staff and surrogates of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) criticized Joe Biden and his campaign Tuesday for encouraging people to go to the polls , accusing the former vice president 's campaign of lying and endangering voters in the process .
`` Biden ’ s campaign has lied repeatedly about the safety of going to the polls , '' Sanders ’ s national press secretary Briahna Joy Gray said in a tweet .
`` Bernie Sanders is putting the health and safety of the country first .
I know who I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and prominent Sanders supporter Shaun King echoed Gray ’ s comments in another tweet , arguing that Biden should have pushed to postpone Tuesday 's primary elections .
`` After several states saw the risk , and postponed primaries , at least to give themselves time to prep , @ JoeBiden and the Democratic Party doubled down , ignored the risks , and did n't even make sure polling locations had BASIC cleaning supplies , '' King said in a tweet on Tuesday .
`` SUPER irresponsible and dangerous . ''
Ohio was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections , with Florida , Arizona , and Illinois all forging ahead .
Georgia and Louisiana postponed their primaries last week until May and June , respectively .
At press time , Biden is projected to win Florida and Illinois by wide margins , while Arizona 's polls have yet to close .
On Sunday , Gray attacked Symone Sanders , a senior adviser to the Biden campaign , for saying after Sunday night 's debate that it would be safe to vote on Tuesday according to CDC guidelines .
Sen. Sanders himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tweet on Tuesday , saying that it was a `` personal decision '' and he would `` respect whichever choice voters make . ''
Biden , however , encouraged people to get out and vote as long as they followed guidelines to reduce the chance of spreading illness .
Some supporters of the Sanders campaign also argued on Tuesday that refusing to postpone the primary amounted to voter suppression .
Sanders backers such as Dream Defenders co-director Rachel Gilmer argued that younger voters , Sanders 's key voting bloc , having their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections in favor of Biden .

Campaign staff and surrogates of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) criticized Joe Biden and his campaign Tuesday for encouraging people to go to the polls, accusing the former vice president's campaign of lying and endangering voters in the process.
"Biden’s campaign has lied repeatedly about the safety of going to the polls," Sanders’s national press secretary Briahna Joy Gray said in a tweet. "Bernie Sanders is putting the health and safety of the country first. I know who I’m voting for."
Biden’s campaign has lied repeatedly about the safety of going to the polls. Bernie Sanders is putting the health and safety of the country first. I know who I’m voting for. https://t.co/WjIdPEoJzB — Briahna "Curly Fries" Gray (@briebriejoy) March 17, 2020
Social justice advocate and prominent Sanders supporter Shaun King echoed Gray’s comments in another tweet, arguing that Biden should have pushed to postpone Tuesday's primary elections.
"After several states saw the risk, and postponed primaries, at least to give themselves time to prep, @JoeBiden and the Democratic Party doubled down, ignored the risks, and didn't even make sure polling locations had BASIC cleaning supplies," King said in a tweet on Tuesday. "SUPER irresponsible and dangerous."
After several states saw the risk, and postponed primaries, at least to give themselves time to prep, @JoeBiden and the Democratic Party doubled down, ignored the risks, and didn't even make sure polling locations had BASIC cleaning supplies. SUPER irresponsible and dangerous. — Shaun King (@shaunking) March 17, 2020
Ohio was the only Tuesday primary state to postpone elections, with Florida, Arizona, and Illinois all forging ahead. Georgia and Louisiana postponed their primaries last week until May and June, respectively. At press time, Biden is projected to win Florida and Illinois by wide margins, while Arizona's polls have yet to close.
On Sunday, Gray attacked Symone Sanders, a senior adviser to the Biden campaign, for saying after Sunday night's debate that it would be safe to vote on Tuesday according to CDC guidelines.
.@SymoneDSanders just said on @CNN with @ChrisCuomo that the CDC said it's safe to vote on Tuesday. That's wrong. The only guidance we have so far is that we should not gather in groups of 50 people or more. I'm sure it's an honest mistake, but this is a public health crisis. — Briahna "Curly Fries" Gray (@briebriejoy) March 16, 2020
Sen. Sanders himself refrained from urging people to vote in a tweet on Tuesday, saying that it was a "personal decision" and he would "respect whichever choice voters make."
While Arizona, Florida and Illinois are still voting today, going to the polls amid the coronavirus outbreak is a personal decision and we respect whichever choice voters make. If you do go to the polls, please see CDC guidance on keeping yourself safe: https://t.co/dS8dW76GwH — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 17, 2020
Biden, however, encouraged people to get out and vote as long as they followed guidelines to reduce the chance of spreading illness.
Elections are happening today in Arizona, Florida, and Illinois. I encourage folks to vote by mail or curbside vote if you can. If you vote in person, please wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and stay 6’ from others in line. Learn more: https://t.co/yzZZp4uKFk — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) March 17, 2020
Some supporters of the Sanders campaign also argued on Tuesday that refusing to postpone the primary amounted to voter suppression. Sanders backers such as Dream Defenders co-director Rachel Gilmer argued that younger voters, Sanders's key voting bloc, having their lives upended by school cancellations tilted the elections in favor of Biden.


freebeacon--2020-03-18--Hickenlooper Ethics Hearing Postponed Due to Coronavirus

Democratic Senate hopeful John Hickenlooper 's ethics hearing has been pushed back more than a month due to coronavirus fears .
The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission announced Monday that the start of Hickenlooper 's hearing has been postponed from March 24 to April 28 , according to Colorado Politics .
The former presidential candidate is accused of accepting free private jet rides during his time as governor in violation of the state 's constitution .
The postponement could serve to hurt Hickenlooper , the favorite of national Democratic leadership , as the hearing was pushed closer to the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strong primary challenge from progressive Andrew Romanoff .
In early March , Romanoff polled 25 points higher than Hickenlooper among voters in a primary preference vote taken during the state 's Democratic caucuses .
Hickenlooper 's troubles stem from complaints filed by the Public Trust Institute , a group created by Colorado 's former speaker of the house Frank McNulty .
The group alleged that Hickenlooper `` traveled on private jets owned by for-profit corporations both domestically and internationally and illegally accepted luxury hotel accommodations and expensive travel expenses from corporations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepted a number of private jet trips , including a chartered flight to Connecticut covered by Hickenlooper 's billionaire friend .
Another flight at issue was a 2018 charter to Italy for a Bilderberg meeting .
In November , the state 's ethics commission released a report that included interview segments , checks , and itineraries that would be used for the investigation .
Hickenlooper 's attorney sought to get the investigation dropped .
The commission unanimously voted against that request .
McNulty called the commission 's report a `` wake-up call '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago-style politics . ''
Public Trust said Hickenlooper 's chartered flights violated Amendment 41 of the Colorado Constitution , which bars public officials from accepting gifts valued above $ 53 per year .
A spokesman for the Colorado Republican Party told the Washington Free Beacon that voters will hold Hickenlooper accountable regardless of when the hearing occurs .
`` It does n't matter when this hearing takes place , '' said Joseph Jackson , communications director for the Colorado Republican Party .
`` Coloradans already know that John Hickenlooper abused his office and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unethical behavior at the ballot box . ''
Hickenlooper has denied the allegations .
His spokeswoman , Melissa Miller , has pinned his ethics troubles on Republican dark money groups .
The delay now pushes a decision on Hickenlooper 's actions closer to the state 's June 30 primary , as Romanoff 's campaign garners new attention .
`` The appetite on the part of the national establishment was to crush our little grassroots army here , and that didn ’ t turn out too well for them , '' Romanoff said at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Voters want somebody who is going to go and fight for them and not just do the bidding of some party boss or the bidding of a power broker in Washington . ''
Local reports out of the state indicate the hearing could be pushed back again at a later time .

Democratic Senate hopeful John Hickenlooper's ethics hearing has been pushed back more than a month due to coronavirus fears.
The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission announced Monday that the start of Hickenlooper's hearing has been postponed from March 24 to April 28, according to Colorado Politics. The former presidential candidate is accused of accepting free private jet rides during his time as governor in violation of the state's constitution.
The postponement could serve to hurt Hickenlooper, the favorite of national Democratic leadership, as the hearing was pushed closer to the state's June 30 Senate primary. Hickenlooper faces a strong primary challenge from progressive Andrew Romanoff. In early March, Romanoff polled 25 points higher than Hickenlooper among voters in a primary preference vote taken during the state's Democratic caucuses.
Hickenlooper's troubles stem from complaints filed by the Public Trust Institute, a group created by Colorado's former speaker of the house Frank McNulty. The group alleged that Hickenlooper "traveled on private jets owned by for-profit corporations both domestically and internationally and illegally accepted luxury hotel accommodations and expensive travel expenses from corporations."
The complaints allege that Hickenlooper improperly accepted a number of private jet trips, including a chartered flight to Connecticut covered by Hickenlooper's billionaire friend. Another flight at issue was a 2018 charter to Italy for a Bilderberg meeting.
In November, the state's ethics commission released a report that included interview segments, checks, and itineraries that would be used for the investigation. Hickenlooper's attorney sought to get the investigation dropped. The commission unanimously voted against that request.
McNulty called the commission's report a "wake-up call" and accused the former governor of "Chicago-style politics." Public Trust said Hickenlooper's chartered flights violated Amendment 41 of the Colorado Constitution, which bars public officials from accepting gifts valued above $53 per year.
A spokesman for the Colorado Republican Party told the Washington Free Beacon that voters will hold Hickenlooper accountable regardless of when the hearing occurs.
"It doesn't matter when this hearing takes place," said Joseph Jackson, communications director for the Colorado Republican Party. "Coloradans already know that John Hickenlooper abused his office and they will hold him accountable for his unethical behavior at the ballot box."
Hickenlooper has denied the allegations. His spokeswoman, Melissa Miller, has pinned his ethics troubles on Republican dark money groups.
The delay now pushes a decision on Hickenlooper's actions closer to the state's June 30 primary, as Romanoff's campaign garners new attention.
"The appetite on the part of the national establishment was to crush our little grassroots army here, and that didn’t turn out too well for them," Romanoff said at the time of the preference poll. "Voters want somebody who is going to go and fight for them and not just do the bidding of some party boss or the bidding of a power broker in Washington."
Local reports out of the state indicate the hearing could be pushed back again at a later time.


freebeacon--2020-03-18--Media Decide Labeling Coronavirus ‘Chinese’ Is Racist

The mainstream media are criticizing the Trump White House for referring to the coronavirus pandemic as `` Chinese , '' suggesting the designation is racist and xenophobic .
White House reporters grilled President Donald Trump about calling it a `` Chinese virus '' on Wednesday , with ABC 's Cecilia Vega telling him `` a lot of people say it 's racist . ''
Trump replied it was n't racist and he uses those words because the virus came from China .
MSNBC 's John Heilemann called Trump 's phrasing Wednesday `` blatantly racist , '' and NBC News reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` speak Chinese '' and was more accurately a `` bat virus . ''
`` We need to stop calling it or labeling it like it 's ‘ they did it to us , ' '' The View ‘ s Whoopi Goldberg said Wednesday .
Last week , after Trump referred to the virus as `` foreign '' during his March 11 Oval Office address , CNN 's Jim Acosta said it could come off as `` smacking of xenophobia . ''
CNN 's Chris Cuomo said the shift in phrasing was out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` blame . ''
`` Viruses do n't have a nationality , '' CNN 's Alisyn Camerota said following Trump 's speech last week .
However , members of the same news outlets referred to the virus 's `` Chinese '' and `` Wuhan '' origins themselves , as recently as last month .
Trump 's use of the term `` Chinese virus '' on Wednesday was the subject of critical print stories from , among others , the New York Times , Vox , the Hill , the Atlantic , BuzzFeed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes as the Chinese government seeks to obfuscate its corrupt and bungled handling of the virus 's outbreak within its own borders and to spread misinformation about its origins .
Despite experts agreeing the coronavirus outbreak began last year in Wuhan , China , state propagandists have sought to shift blame to the United States .
One Foreign Ministry spokesman even falsely claimed American soldiers were responsible for bringing it to Wuhan .
`` I didn ’ t appreciate the fact that China was saying that our military gave it to them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think saying that our military gave it to them creates a stigma . ''

The mainstream media are criticizing the Trump White House for referring to the coronavirus pandemic as "Chinese," suggesting the designation is racist and xenophobic.
White House reporters grilled President Donald Trump about calling it a "Chinese virus" on Wednesday, with ABC's Cecilia Vega telling him "a lot of people say it's racist." Trump replied it wasn't racist and he uses those words because the virus came from China.
MSNBC's John Heilemann called Trump's phrasing Wednesday "blatantly racist," and NBC News reporter Richard Engel said the virus did not "speak Chinese" and was more accurately a "bat virus."
"We need to stop calling it or labeling it like it's 'they did it to us,'" The View's Whoopi Goldberg said Wednesday.
Last week, after Trump referred to the virus as "foreign" during his March 11 Oval Office address, CNN's Jim Acosta said it could come off as "smacking of xenophobia." CNN's Chris Cuomo said the shift in phrasing was out of a desire to find someone to "blame."
"Viruses don't have a nationality," CNN's Alisyn Camerota said following Trump's speech last week.
However, members of the same news outlets referred to the virus's "Chinese" and "Wuhan" origins themselves, as recently as last month.
Trump's use of the term "Chinese virus" on Wednesday was the subject of critical print stories from, among others, the New York Times, Vox, the Hill, the Atlantic, BuzzFeed, CNN, and ABC News.
This comes as the Chinese government seeks to obfuscate its corrupt and bungled handling of the virus's outbreak within its own borders and to spread misinformation about its origins. Despite experts agreeing the coronavirus outbreak began last year in Wuhan, China, state propagandists have sought to shift blame to the United States. One Foreign Ministry spokesman even falsely claimed American soldiers were responsible for bringing it to Wuhan.
"I didn’t appreciate the fact that China was saying that our military gave it to them," Trump said on Wednesday. "I think saying that our military gave it to them creates a stigma."


freebeacon--2020-03-18--Rich Socialist Restaurateur Lays Off Hundreds Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

A socialism-themed restaurant chain in Washington , D.C. , run by a multimillionaire former mayoral candidate laid off hundreds of staffers this week due to the city 's coronavirus restrictions , according to reports .
Andy Shallal , a restaurateur who unsuccessfully ran for D.C. mayor in 2014 , said he was forced to let go hundreds of waiters and other employees at Busboys and Poets , his chain of six restaurants and bookstores across the city , according to DCist .
Shallal , a longtime advocate for mandatory paid sick leave and minimum wage hikes , has hosted events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Underground terrorist Bill Ayers , former U.S. Communist Party leader Angela Davis , and a Venezuelan government reception honoring the legacy of Hugo Chavez .
`` This is dramatic .
This is not a joke , '' Shallal told DCist , adding that he is applying for loans from the D.C. government to keep the business afloat .
`` How 's that going to play out ? ''
he asked the outlet .
`` It 's going to break the bank , but someone needs to come through . ''
Shallal told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government programs that can help his former employees and said they are welcome to get free lunches at any of his open locations .
On Saturday , Busboys and Poets addressed the coronavirus concerns on its Twitter feed , writing that it enacted `` enhanced cleaning protocols . ''
The chain also said that it provides `` paid sick leave for all employees . ''
`` We are proud to have been at the forefront of this movement in Washington , D.C. , '' said the restaurant group .
The message drew praise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with one writing : `` I knew I could count on @ busboysandpoets to respond appropriately .
All restaurants should do these things . ''
DCist reported that the layoffs took place on Monday , two days after the post .
Shallal addressed the layoffs on his own Twitter profile on Tuesday .
`` S—t 's getting real .
Doing carry out and on line only at this point @ busboysandpoets , '' he wrote .
`` Had to do layoffs .
Trying to stay buoyant and hoping this won ’ t last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on-site service at bars and restaurants in D.C. on Monday due to fears of coronavirus transmission .
The new restrictions are having a devastating impact on the city 's hospitality industry , and many restaurants are being forced to shut their doors and lay off staff .
Bowser dismissed Shallal as a `` rich socialist '' when the two were running against each other for mayor in 2014 .
At the time , Shallal estimated that his net worth was between $ 12 million and $ 15 million .
He said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't believe the city was doing enough to force companies like Walmart to raise their minimum wage for employees .
Although he won the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America , he garnered just 3.3 percent in the Democratic primary .
Shallal has hosted controversial speakers and events at his venues , including a group called DC 9/11 Truth .
The organization describes the Sept. 11 attacks as a `` false flag operation '' and said it works `` to disseminate the evidence proving involvement of U.S. government officials and U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The restaurant also hosted a commemoration for the `` Freedom Flotilla , '' a group of boats carrying anti-Israel activists that initiated a violent altercation with the Israeli military in 2010 .
In 2015 , Angela Davis spoke at Busboys and Poets in defense of convicted cop killers Leonard Peltier and Mumia Abu-Jamal , and Palestinian terrorist Rasmea Odeh .
In 1969 , Odeh was convicted of a supermarket bombing that killed two Israelis .
Shallal is a vocal critic of Israel .
He has accused the country of `` terrorizing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ ing ] '' Palestinians .
He also claimed that the U.S. government receives its `` marching orders from Tel Aviv . ''

A socialism-themed restaurant chain in Washington, D.C., run by a multimillionaire former mayoral candidate laid off hundreds of staffers this week due to the city's coronavirus restrictions, according to reports.
Andy Shallal, a restaurateur who unsuccessfully ran for D.C. mayor in 2014, said he was forced to let go hundreds of waiters and other employees at Busboys and Poets, his chain of six restaurants and bookstores across the city, according to DCist. Shallal, a longtime advocate for mandatory paid sick leave and minimum wage hikes, has hosted events at his restaurants for former convicted Weather Underground terrorist Bill Ayers, former U.S. Communist Party leader Angela Davis, and a Venezuelan government reception honoring the legacy of Hugo Chavez.
"This is dramatic. This is not a joke," Shallal told DCist, adding that he is applying for loans from the D.C. government to keep the business afloat. "How's that going to play out?" he asked the outlet. "It's going to break the bank, but someone needs to come through."
Shallal told the outlet that he is also looking at government programs that can help his former employees and said they are welcome to get free lunches at any of his open locations.
On Saturday, Busboys and Poets addressed the coronavirus concerns on its Twitter feed, writing that it enacted "enhanced cleaning protocols." The chain also said that it provides "paid sick leave for all employees." "We are proud to have been at the forefront of this movement in Washington, D.C.," said the restaurant group.
The message drew praise from social justice advocates on Twitter, with one writing: "I knew I could count on @busboysandpoets to respond appropriately. All restaurants should do these things."
DCist reported that the layoffs took place on Monday, two days after the post. Shallal addressed the layoffs on his own Twitter profile on Tuesday.
"S—t's getting real. Doing carry out and on line only at this point @busboysandpoets," he wrote. "Had to do layoffs. Trying to stay buoyant and hoping this won’t last."
Mayor Muriel Bowser shut down on-site service at bars and restaurants in D.C. on Monday due to fears of coronavirus transmission. The new restrictions are having a devastating impact on the city's hospitality industry, and many restaurants are being forced to shut their doors and lay off staff.
Bowser dismissed Shallal as a "rich socialist" when the two were running against each other for mayor in 2014.
At the time, Shallal estimated that his net worth was between $12 million and $15 million. He said he was inspired to run for office because he didn't believe the city was doing enough to force companies like Walmart to raise their minimum wage for employees. Although he won the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America, he garnered just 3.3 percent in the Democratic primary.
Shallal has hosted controversial speakers and events at his venues, including a group called DC 9/11 Truth. The organization describes the Sept. 11 attacks as a "false flag operation" and said it works "to disseminate the evidence proving involvement of U.S. government officials and U.S. allies in the attacks of 9/11." The restaurant also hosted a commemoration for the "Freedom Flotilla," a group of boats carrying anti-Israel activists that initiated a violent altercation with the Israeli military in 2010.
In 2015, Angela Davis spoke at Busboys and Poets in defense of convicted cop killers Leonard Peltier and Mumia Abu-Jamal, and Palestinian terrorist Rasmea Odeh. In 1969, Odeh was convicted of a supermarket bombing that killed two Israelis.
Shallal is a vocal critic of Israel. He has accused the country of "terrorizing the Middle East" by "ethnically cleans[ing]" Palestinians. He also claimed that the U.S. government receives its "marching orders from Tel Aviv."


freebeacon--2020-03-18--CA Dem Failed to Pay $175,000 in Taxes Despite Loaning Campaign More Than $250,000

Embattled California Democrat Rep. T.J. Cox loaned his campaign more than $ 250,000 even as he failed to pay $ 175,000 in back taxes .
Weeks after the IRS filed liens against Cox in January showing $ 145,000 in unpaid federal income taxes for 2016 and 2017 , the state of California hit the Democrat with a new lien listing an additional $ 30,000 in unpaid 2017 personal income tax .
Even as he failed to pay his taxes in full , Cox loaned his campaign more than $ 250,000 from July 2017 to March 2018 while mounting his bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Valadao .
Cox will again face Valadao in 2020 after defeating the then-incumbent by less than 1 point .
Republicans are hopeful they can win the district back in November , pointing to Valadao 's success in California 's open primary , which advances the two candidates with the most votes to the general election regardless of party .
Valadao received 53 percent of the vote to Cox 's 36 percent in early March .
The Cox campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
In addition to the January and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat in 2017 paid $ 48,000 in unpaid income taxes dating back to 2015 .
Cox blamed the previous lien on the IRS .
`` I have lived through basically bureaucratic incompetence , '' he said .
`` My check was stuck on the back of somebody else 's payment . ''
Cox has also faced multiple liens against his businesses and was subject to a December lawsuit alleging fraud and failure to pay back $ 150,000 in loans .
He dismissed the suit as `` politically motivated . ''
Cox voted last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tax Liability and Garnishment Accountability Act of 2020 , which would require members of Congress to report back taxes in their financial disclosures , garnish their wages to repay the debt , and hold their pay in escrow until liens are fulfilled .
Following Cox ’ s vote , the Valadao campaign accused the Democrat of `` using his vote in Congress to protect himself . ''

Embattled California Democrat Rep. T.J. Cox loaned his campaign more than $250,000 even as he failed to pay $175,000 in back taxes.
Weeks after the IRS filed liens against Cox in January showing $145,000 in unpaid federal income taxes for 2016 and 2017, the state of California hit the Democrat with a new lien listing an additional $30,000 in unpaid 2017 personal income tax. Even as he failed to pay his taxes in full, Cox loaned his campaign more than $250,000 from July 2017 to March 2018 while mounting his bid to oust former California Republican representative David Valadao.
Cox will again face Valadao in 2020 after defeating the then-incumbent by less than 1 point. Republicans are hopeful they can win the district back in November, pointing to Valadao's success in California's open primary, which advances the two candidates with the most votes to the general election regardless of party. Valadao received 53 percent of the vote to Cox's 36 percent in early March.
The Cox campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
In addition to the January and March liens filed against Cox, the Democrat in 2017 paid $48,000 in unpaid income taxes dating back to 2015. Cox blamed the previous lien on the IRS.
"I have lived through basically bureaucratic incompetence," he said. "My check was stuck on the back of somebody else's payment."
Cox has also faced multiple liens against his businesses and was subject to a December lawsuit alleging fraud and failure to pay back $150,000 in loans. He dismissed the suit as "politically motivated."
Cox voted last week to block the Members of Congress Tax Liability and Garnishment Accountability Act of 2020, which would require members of Congress to report back taxes in their financial disclosures, garnish their wages to repay the debt, and hold their pay in escrow until liens are fulfilled. Following Cox’s vote, the Valadao campaign accused the Democrat of "using his vote in Congress to protect himself."


freebeacon--2020-03-18--CNN Report on Test Kits Refutes Biden Statement—and Its Own Fact-Check

A new CNN report refutes its own correspondent 's approving fact check of Joe Biden 's claim the Trump administration `` refused '' the World Health Organization 's offer of coronavirus testing kits .
CNN fact-checker Holmes Lybrand rated Biden 's statement at Sunday 's Democratic primary debate to be correct at the time .
But CNN reported Wednesday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO never discussed the latter providing tests to the United States , and WHO did not offer it tests .
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told CNN this was not unusual , since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its own diagnostics .
The CDC developed its own version of the coronavirus test on Jan. 17 , the same day WHO published a German protocol for countries to use in manufacturing their own tests .
While the United States has struggled to test for the virus on a mass scale , that still contradicts Biden 's comment on Sunday , when he told debate moderator Jake Tapper , `` Look , the World Health Organization offered the testing kits that they have available and to give it to us now .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to buy them .
We did not want to get them from them .
We wanted to make sure we had our own . ''
Lybrand wrote in CNN 's live fact-checking blog of the debate , `` Biden is correct .
The U.S. , along with other countries , chose not to take test kits from WHO — and instead decided to make their own . ''
Lybrand 's fact check has thus far not been updated .
PolitiFact rated the same statement by Biden `` Mostly False '' in a report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between WHO and CDC about WHO providing COVID-19 tests to the United States , '' WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told PolitiFact .
`` This is consistent with experience since the United States does not ordinarily rely on WHO for reagents or diagnostic tests because of sufficient domestic capacity . ''
It added it is normal for countries like the United States with `` advanced research capabilities '' to develop measures they trust .
The Biden campaign pointed to a March 6 Politico article about WHO shipping the German tests to nearly 60 countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the article of the United States `` refusing '' the test .
CNN did not respond to a request for comment on whether it would amend its fact check .

A new CNN report refutes its own correspondent's approving fact check of Joe Biden's claim the Trump administration "refused" the World Health Organization's offer of coronavirus testing kits.
CNN fact-checker Holmes Lybrand rated Biden's statement at Sunday's Democratic primary debate to be correct at the time. But CNN reported Wednesday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO never discussed the latter providing tests to the United States, and WHO did not offer it tests.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told CNN this was not unusual, since the United States has the capacity to manufacture its own diagnostics. The CDC developed its own version of the coronavirus test on Jan. 17, the same day WHO published a German protocol for countries to use in manufacturing their own tests.
While the United States has struggled to test for the virus on a mass scale, that still contradicts Biden's comment on Sunday, when he told debate moderator Jake Tapper, "Look, the World Health Organization offered the testing kits that they have available and to give it to us now. We refused them. We did not want to buy them. We did not want to get them from them. We wanted to make sure we had our own."
Lybrand wrote in CNN's live fact-checking blog of the debate, "Biden is correct. The U.S., along with other countries, chose not to take test kits from WHO -- and instead decided to make their own."
Lybrand has since updated the fact check to show Biden was wrong, although it is unclear when.
"The Facts First finding on Biden's claim about the US and WHO testing kits was corrected after additional reporting that showed the WHO did not offer coronavirus tests to the CDC," he wrote.
PolitiFact rated the same statement by Biden "Mostly False" in a report on Monday.
"No discussions occurred between WHO and CDC about WHO providing COVID-19 tests to the United States," WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told PolitiFact. "This is consistent with experience since the United States does not ordinarily rely on WHO for reagents or diagnostic tests because of sufficient domestic capacity."
It added it is normal for countries like the United States with "advanced research capabilities" to develop measures they trust.
The Biden campaign pointed to a March 6 Politico article about WHO shipping the German tests to nearly 60 countries, but there is no mention in the article of the United States "refusing" the test.
UPDATED: Thursday, 2:28 P.M.: This article was updated to show CNN amended its fact check to show Biden was incorrect.


freebeacon--2020-03-18--McGrath Hits McConnell With False Attack From Washington Post Op-Ed

Amy McGrath , who is running to unseat Sen. Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) , criticized McConnell Tuesday using a false attack from a Washington Post opinion writer .
McGrath 's campaign message on Twitter included Post columnist Jennifer Rubin 's claim that the `` failure to take an immediate vote '' on a coronavirus relief package `` was emblematic of the sloth and irresponsibility of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell . ''
McGrath argued that this shows McConnell `` does n't care '' about Kentucky or America , but the Post had to remove Rubin 's claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article , titled `` Trump 's damage is already done . ''
`` An earlier version of this article incorrectly said that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) delayed a vote on the House ’ s coronavirus relief package , '' the Post ‘ s correction reads .
`` In fact , McConnell vowed to move at ‘ warp speed ' on the bill and it was only delayed due to a demand from Sen. Rand Paul ( R-Ky. ) for an amendment on the bill . ''
McGrath has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial claim , which she sent before Rubin 's story was officially corrected by the Post .
`` Mitch McConnell does n't care about our commonwealth or our country .
He showed that last weekend to the country , and he 's shown that to Kentucky for the past 35 years , '' McGrath tweeted with a picture of Rubin 's now-corrected claim .
McGrath 's campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the correction .
The Post also did not respond to a request for comment concerning the timing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeting the attack on McConnell , McGrath tweeted `` Welcome back to work '' when Sen. McConnell stated his intention to keep the Senate in session until the coronavirus crisis is addressed .
Last month , McGrath aired an advertisement featuring two miners suffering from black lung .
The miners blasted McGrath for using `` miners suffering from black lung disease as political pawns without their permission '' and argued the underlying claim that McConnell ignored them is false .
McGrath is running against several other Democrats for the party 's nomination to @ @ @ @ @ @

Amy McGrath, who is running to unseat Sen. Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), criticized McConnell Tuesday using a false attack from a Washington Post opinion writer.
McGrath's campaign message on Twitter included Post columnist Jennifer Rubin's claim that the "failure to take an immediate vote" on a coronavirus relief package "was emblematic of the sloth and irresponsibility of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell." McGrath argued that this shows McConnell "doesn't care" about Kentucky or America, but the Post had to remove Rubin's claim and add a lengthy correction to the article, titled "Trump's damage is already done."
"An earlier version of this article incorrectly said that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) delayed a vote on the House’s coronavirus relief package," the Post's correction reads. "In fact, McConnell vowed to move at 'warp speed' on the bill and it was only delayed due to a demand from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) for an amendment on the bill."
McGrath has not deleted the tweet that trumpets Rubin's initial claim, which she sent before Rubin's story was officially corrected by the Post.
"Mitch McConnell doesn't care about our commonwealth or our country. He showed that last weekend to the country, and he's shown that to Kentucky for the past 35 years," McGrath tweeted with a picture of Rubin's now-corrected claim.
Mitch McConnell doesn’t care about our commonwealth or our country. He showed that last weekend to the country, and he’s shown that to Kentucky for the past 35 years. pic.twitter.com/RL4HhTWBdq — Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) March 18, 2020
McGrath's campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the correction. The Post also did not respond to a request for comment concerning the timing of the correction.
Two hours before tweeting the attack on McConnell, McGrath tweeted "Welcome back to work" when Sen. McConnell stated his intention to keep the Senate in session until the coronavirus crisis is addressed.
Last month, McGrath aired an advertisement featuring two miners suffering from black lung. The miners blasted McGrath for using "miners suffering from black lung disease as political pawns without their permission" and argued the underlying claim that McConnell ignored them is false.
McGrath is running against several other Democrats for the party's nomination to challenge McConnell later this year.


freebeacon--2020-03-18--‘It Comes From China’: Trump Hits Chinese for Blaming Coronavirus on American Soldiers

President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended calling the coronavirus the `` Chinese virus , '' arguing that he 's countering Chinese propaganda that it originated in the United States .
ABC News reporter Cecilia Vega asked Trump during a press conference why he continues to call the coronavirus the `` Chinese virus , '' saying many people allege the term is `` racist '' against Chinese Americans .
`` I have great love for all of the people from our country , but as you know China tried to say at one point—maybe they stopped now—that it was caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` That ca n't happen .
It 's not gon na happen , not as long as I 'm president .
It comes from China . ''
He said it 's geographically accurate to call it Chinese , and that 's not a comment on race .
`` It is not racist at all , '' Trump said .
`` It comes from China .
I want to be accurate . ''
Democrats and members of the mainstream media have also expressed outrage over Trump calling the coronavirus a `` foreign '' virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China .
Referring to the coronavirus as the `` Wuhan virus '' has also received scrutiny from the media , but CNN and MSNBC used `` Wuhan '' in their labeling of the coronavirus several times on their networks .

President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended calling the coronavirus the "Chinese virus," arguing that he's countering Chinese propaganda that it originated in the United States.
ABC News reporter Cecilia Vega asked Trump during a press conference why he continues to call the coronavirus the "Chinese virus," saying many people allege the term is "racist" against Chinese Americans.
"I have great love for all of the people from our country, but as you know China tried to say at one point—maybe they stopped now—that it was caused by American soldiers," Trump said. "That can't happen. It's not gonna happen, not as long as I'm president. It comes from China."
He said it's geographically accurate to call it Chinese, and that's not a comment on race.
"It is not racist at all," Trump said. "It comes from China. I want to be accurate."
Democrats and members of the mainstream media have also expressed outrage over Trump calling the coronavirus a "foreign" virus, despite it originating in Wuhan, China. Referring to the coronavirus as the "Wuhan virus" has also received scrutiny from the media, but CNN and MSNBC used "Wuhan" in their labeling of the coronavirus several times on their networks.


freebeacon--2020-03-18--Trump Invokes Defense Production Act to Produce Emergency Medical Equipment

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – U.S. President Donald Trump moved on Wednesday to accelerate production of desperately needed medical equipment to battle the coronavirus pandemic and said an estimate that U.S. unemployment could conceivably reach 20 percent was a worst case scenario .
Scrambling to address the virus after initially down playing it , Trump said he is invoking the Defense Production Act , putting in place a law that will allow the U.S. government to speed production of masks , respirators , ventilators and other equipment needs .
`` We ’ re going to defeat the invisible enemy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfolding crisis had basically made him a `` war-time president . ''
Trump said he would invoke another law that would allow U.S. authorities to turn back migrants seeking to cross the southern border of the United States illegally .
The border will not be closed , he said .
Trump said a hospital ship will be sent to hard-hit New York to help people affected by the contagion , and that a second hospital ship will be deployed to the West Coast .
He defended his description of the coronavirus as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some Americans that he was making an ethnic slur .
`` It ’ s not racist , not at all .
It comes from China , '' he said of the illness whose origin has been traced back to Wuhan , China .
Trump , appearing in the White House briefing room for what has now become a daily news conference with his coronavirus task force , said he would sign the Defense Production Act later on Wednesday .
The law , which dates back to the Korean War of the 1950s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expedite and expand the supply of resources from the U.S. industrial base to support military , energy , space , and homeland security programs , '' according to a summary on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website .
`` We will be invoking the Defense Production Act just in case we need it , '' said Trump .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin fanned fears of economic collapse on Wednesday by telling lawmakers on Capitol Hill that 20 percent unemployment was an extreme possibility should the virus have devastating effects on American businesses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That ’ s an absolute total worst case scenario , '' said Trump .
`` We ’ re nowhere near it . ''
Vice President Mike Pence , head of the coronavirus task force , urged all Americans to put off elective surgery to allow hospitals to concentrate on the rising influx of patients with the COVID-19 respiratory illness caused by the new virus .
Deborah Birx , a member of the task force , urged young people to adhere to government guidelines , calling for a 15-day effort to slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are considered key transmitters of the virus , which can be passed along even with mild or no symptoms .
There are now more than 7,000 U.S. cases of the illness and over 100 deaths .
Reporting By Jeff Masonm , Steve Holland , Alexandra Alper , Doina Chiacu , Susan Heavey , Lisa Lambert ; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Alistair Bell

By Jeff Mason, Steve Holland
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump moved on Wednesday to accelerate production of desperately needed medical equipment to battle the coronavirus pandemic and said an estimate that U.S. unemployment could conceivably reach 20 percent was a worst case scenario.
Scrambling to address the virus after initially down playing it, Trump said he is invoking the Defense Production Act, putting in place a law that will allow the U.S. government to speed production of masks, respirators, ventilators and other equipment needs.
"We’re going to defeat the invisible enemy," said Trump, who said the unfolding crisis had basically made him a "war-time president."
Trump said he would invoke another law that would allow U.S. authorities to turn back migrants seeking to cross the southern border of the United States illegally. The border will not be closed, he said.
Trump said a hospital ship will be sent to hard-hit New York to help people affected by the contagion, and that a second hospital ship will be deployed to the West Coast.
He defended his description of the coronavirus as "the Chinese virus" despite concerns among some Americans that he was making an ethnic slur.
"It’s not racist, not at all. It comes from China," he said of the illness whose origin has been traced back to Wuhan, China.
Trump, appearing in the White House briefing room for what has now become a daily news conference with his coronavirus task force, said he would sign the Defense Production Act later on Wednesday.
The law, which dates back to the Korean War of the 1950s, grants the president broad authority to "expedite and expand the supply of resources from the U.S. industrial base to support military, energy, space, and homeland security programs," according to a summary on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.
"We will be invoking the Defense Production Act just in case we need it," said Trump.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin fanned fears of economic collapse on Wednesday by telling lawmakers on Capitol Hill that 20 percent unemployment was an extreme possibility should the virus have devastating effects on American businesses, many of which are already under duress.
"That’s an absolute total worst case scenario," said Trump. "We’re nowhere near it."
Vice President Mike Pence, head of the coronavirus task force, urged all Americans to put off elective surgery to allow hospitals to concentrate on the rising influx of patients with the COVID-19 respiratory illness caused by the new virus.
Deborah Birx, a member of the task force, urged young people to adhere to government guidelines, calling for a 15-day effort to slow the spread of the virus. Young people are considered key transmitters of the virus, which can be passed along even with mild or no symptoms.
There are now more than 7,000 U.S. cases of the illness and over 100 deaths.
Reporting By Jeff Masonm, Steve Holland, Alexandra Alper, Doina Chiacu, Susan Heavey, Lisa Lambert; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Alistair Bell


freebeacon--2020-03-18--Soros Helps Save Prosecutor Who Dropped Jussie Smollett Charges After Hate Crime Hoax

The controversial prosecutor whose office dropped charges against actor Jussie Smollett following his staged hate crime won reelection Tuesday , boosted by a flood of outside money from liberal billionaire George Soros .
Kim Foxx , state 's attorney for Cook County , Ill. , was declared the winner of her primary after receiving 50.2 percent of the vote .
Foxx fended off three Democratic challengers , including well-funded opponent Bill Conway , a Navy veteran , who finished with 31.3 percent of the vote .
Former federal prosecutor Donna Moore garnered 13.4 percent .
Former Chicago alderman Bob Fioretti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was propelled by money from deep-pocketed liberal donors and groups who zeroed in on her reelection efforts .
The largest was Soros , who poured $ 2 million into a state-level PAC created for the sole purpose of keeping Foxx in office .
The PAC poured more than $ 1 million into advertisements attacking Conway .
Foxx faced national criticism last March when prosecutors from her office dropped the felony charges against former Empire actor Smollett .
Smollett claimed that a pair of masked men attacked him on the streets of Chicago and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` MAGA country '' and hurled racist and homophobic slurs .
A police investigation found that Smollett hired two men to fake the attack , leading to 16 felony charges for disorderly conduct .
Foxx ’ s office dropped the charges , but only after Foxx spoke to a relative of Smollett at the request of Michelle Obama ’ s former chief of staff .
Foxx did not notify Chicago police of the agreement , which did not call for Smollett to admit guilt , reportedly leaving police `` furious . ''
Opponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's handling of the Smollett case , accusing the prosecutor of favoring the politically well-connected .
`` With Jussie Smollett , the State 's Attorney showed that the politically connected get better deals than other people , '' Conway said in February .
`` The State 's Attorney is supposed to be a beacon of public trust so people do not lose faith in the criminal justice system and clearly that trust was violated . ''
Fioretti followed suit , saying Foxx `` treated Smollett differently than others because of his celebrity '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Cook County . ''
Though Foxx claimed she recused herself from the case after speaking to Smollett 's family , she later said she only recused herself `` in a colloquial sense . ''
The prosecutor said she handed the case to an `` acting state ’ s attorney , '' but a county judge later ruled that such an attorney does not exist under state law .
A special prosecutor was assigned to the case in August , and a grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging the actor with making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the indictment `` political . ''
Despite Foxx 's handling of the Smollett case , Soros was not alone in his attempt to save Foxx .
She was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , musician John Legend , and failed presidential candidates Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) , and Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) .
Foxx also received six-figure donations from billionaire hedge fund manager Donald Sussman , NewsWeb corporation chairman Fred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Sacks .
Each gave between $ 100,000 and $ 600,000 to her campaign .
Many of the donors entered a prosecutor race for the first time to prop up Foxx .
A number of progressive groups joined the wealthy donors .
EMILY 's List , the SEIU , and the Real Justice PAC all pushed hefty donations to Foxx .
Soros has funded numerous far-left prosecutor and district attorney candidates across the country .
His money often goes to individuals who oppose the death penalty , campaign against prosecuting marijuana crimes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing lower-level charges for more serious crimes .
Soros 's preferred candidates have racked up wins thanks to the major money advantage the billionaire gives them .
He has backed Kim Gardner , St. Louis 's circuit attorney ; Aramis Ayala , state attorney for Orange and Osceola counties in Florida ; Stephanie Morales , the Portsmouth , Va. , commonwealth 's attorney ; and Larry Krasner , Philadelphia 's district attorney , among others .
Foxx 's race was the first time a Soros-backed candidate did not have the financial high ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spent millions backing his son 's candidacy .
The funds at Conway 's disposal could explain why the other liberal megadonors jumped into the race to support Foxx .
Whitney Tymas , the treasurer for Soros 's criminal justice PACs , did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the campaign funding .
Foxx will face Republican Patrick O'Brien , a former assistant state 's attorney , in the solidly Democratic county in the November elections .

The controversial prosecutor whose office dropped charges against actor Jussie Smollett following his staged hate crime won reelection Tuesday, boosted by a flood of outside money from liberal billionaire George Soros.
Kim Foxx, state's attorney for Cook County, Ill., was declared the winner of her primary after receiving 50.2 percent of the vote. Foxx fended off three Democratic challengers, including well-funded opponent Bill Conway, a Navy veteran, who finished with 31.3 percent of the vote. Former federal prosecutor Donna Moore garnered 13.4 percent. Former Chicago alderman Bob Fioretti received 5 percent.
Foxx's victory was propelled by money from deep-pocketed liberal donors and groups who zeroed in on her reelection efforts. The largest was Soros, who poured $2 million into a state-level PAC created for the sole purpose of keeping Foxx in office. The PAC poured more than $1 million into advertisements attacking Conway.
Foxx faced national criticism last March when prosecutors from her office dropped the felony charges against former Empire actor Smollett.
Smollett claimed that a pair of masked men attacked him on the streets of Chicago and alleged the assailants called the deep-blue city "MAGA country" and hurled racist and homophobic slurs. A police investigation found that Smollett hired two men to fake the attack, leading to 16 felony charges for disorderly conduct. Foxx’s office dropped the charges, but only after Foxx spoke to a relative of Smollett at the request of Michelle Obama’s former chief of staff. Foxx did not notify Chicago police of the agreement, which did not call for Smollett to admit guilt, reportedly leaving police "furious."
Opponents tried to focus the race on Foxx's handling of the Smollett case, accusing the prosecutor of favoring the politically well-connected.
"With Jussie Smollett, the State's Attorney showed that the politically connected get better deals than other people," Conway said in February. "The State's Attorney is supposed to be a beacon of public trust so people do not lose faith in the criminal justice system and clearly that trust was violated."
Fioretti followed suit, saying Foxx "treated Smollett differently than others because of his celebrity" and "brazenly lied to the people of Cook County."
Though Foxx claimed she recused herself from the case after speaking to Smollett's family, she later said she only recused herself "in a colloquial sense." The prosecutor said she handed the case to an "acting state’s attorney," but a county judge later ruled that such an attorney does not exist under state law. A special prosecutor was assigned to the case in August, and a grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging the actor with making false police reports in February. Foxx called the indictment "political."
Despite Foxx's handling of the Smollett case, Soros was not alone in his attempt to save Foxx. She was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), musician John Legend, and failed presidential candidates Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), and Kamala Harris (D., Calif.). Foxx also received six-figure donations from billionaire hedge fund manager Donald Sussman, NewsWeb corporation chairman Fred Eychaner, and Grosvenor Capital chief executive Michael Sacks. Each gave between $100,000 and $600,000 to her campaign. Many of the donors entered a prosecutor race for the first time to prop up Foxx.
A number of progressive groups joined the wealthy donors. EMILY's List, the SEIU, and the Real Justice PAC all pushed hefty donations to Foxx.
Soros has funded numerous far-left prosecutor and district attorney candidates across the country. His money often goes to individuals who oppose the death penalty, campaign against prosecuting marijuana crimes, and seek to reduce incarceration rates by bringing lower-level charges for more serious crimes.
Soros's preferred candidates have racked up wins thanks to the major money advantage the billionaire gives them. He has backed Kim Gardner, St. Louis's circuit attorney; Aramis Ayala, state attorney for Orange and Osceola counties in Florida; Stephanie Morales, the Portsmouth, Va., commonwealth's attorney; and Larry Krasner, Philadelphia's district attorney, among others.
Foxx's race was the first time a Soros-backed candidate did not have the financial high ground. Conway's father, a billionaire, spent millions backing his son's candidacy. The funds at Conway's disposal could explain why the other liberal megadonors jumped into the race to support Foxx.
Whitney Tymas, the treasurer for Soros's criminal justice PACs, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the campaign funding.
Foxx will face Republican Patrick O'Brien, a former assistant state's attorney, in the solidly Democratic county in the November elections.


freebeacon--2020-03-18--Latest Sanders Campaign Emails Leave Supporters No Way to Contribute Cash

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders suspended digital ads on multiple social media platforms hours after announcing he is reassessing his campaign .
Facebook 's ad library , which also discloses spending on Facebook-owned Instagram , indicates that the Vermont senator has zero active ad campaigns as of Wednesday morning .
The complete shutdown comes after Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir released a statement indicating that Sanders `` is going to be having conversations with supporters to assess his campaign . ''
The Sanders campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
The campaign reassessment and ad shutdown come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeats for the self-described democratic socialist , as former vice president Joe Biden won primaries in Illinois , Florida , and Arizona by commanding margins .
While Sanders is not mathematically eliminated from the Democratic nomination , FiveThirtyEight gives Sanders less than a 1 percent chance of winning the nomination .
Biden is running about 400 active ads on Facebook and Instagram , President Donald Trump is running more than 2,000 , and even long-shot candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ( D. , Hawaii ) has 2 active ads .
The ad shutdown is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given how heavily the candidate has relied on small donations and digital advertising for fundraising and messaging .
Sanders has spent $ 13 million on Facebook and Instagram ads since May 2018 , almost doubling Biden 's $ 7.4 million .
NBC News 's Alex Seitz-Wald also noted that an email from Shakir to supporters announcing the campaign 's reassessment lacked the usual donation button , possibly indicating that Sanders does not want to solicit funds for a campaign that could soon shutter .

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders suspended digital ads on multiple social media platforms hours after announcing he is reassessing his campaign.
Facebook's ad library, which also discloses spending on Facebook-owned Instagram, indicates that the Vermont senator has zero active ad campaigns as of Wednesday morning. The complete shutdown comes after Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir released a statement indicating that Sanders "is going to be having conversations with supporters to assess his campaign." The Sanders campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
The campaign reassessment and ad shutdown come the day after another round of humiliating defeats for the self-described democratic socialist, as former vice president Joe Biden won primaries in Illinois, Florida, and Arizona by commanding margins. While Sanders is not mathematically eliminated from the Democratic nomination, FiveThirtyEight gives Sanders less than a 1 percent chance of winning the nomination.
Biden is running about 400 active ads on Facebook and Instagram, President Donald Trump is running more than 2,000, and even long-shot candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D., Hawaii) has 2 active ads.
The ad shutdown is particularly meaningful in Sanders's case, given how heavily the candidate has relied on small donations and digital advertising for fundraising and messaging. Sanders has spent $13 million on Facebook and Instagram ads since May 2018, almost doubling Biden's $7.4 million.
NBC News's Alex Seitz-Wald also noted that an email from Shakir to supporters announcing the campaign's reassessment lacked the usual donation button, possibly indicating that Sanders does not want to solicit funds for a campaign that could soon shutter.