freebeacon--2020-02-27--Israel Emerges as Issue in California Primary

Former Republican congressman Darrell Issa is being attacked for a litany of anti-Israel comments he made early in his political career , statements his current campaign says do n't represent his record as a friend and ally of the Jewish state .
`` Darrell Issa claims he 's a conservative , but every time he talks about Israel he sounds more like Ilhan Omar than President Trump , '' the new ad from American Unity PAC states , pointing to comments Issa made during his first terms in Congress .
Among them is a 2001 statement to the Jewish Telegraphic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartheid state '' if it failed to achieve peace with the Palestinians .
It also points to Issa 's 2006 proposal for the United Nations to redraw Israel 's borders , in which he argued that Israel was drawn with `` artificial lines '' in the first place .
`` We 've drawn artificial lines before , not the least of which is the very creation of the state of Israel , so let 's finish drawing that part of the map , '' Issa told the Washington Post .
The new line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary in California 's 50th Congressional District , where Issa is attempting a return to the House after retiring his seat in the neighboring 49th District in 2018 .
The group behind the ad is American Unity PAC , a Republican group that supports pro-gay rights candidates and is supporting Carl DeMaio to be the party 's candidate in November .
The ad also takes issue with a July 2006 accusation by Issa that Israel was bombing Hezbollah targets in Lebanon `` just so they can have a July Fourth fireworks event .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the quotes pinpointed in the ad do not adequately portray his record of support for Israel , which is `` unassailable . ''
`` Darrell Issa ’ s record as a friend and ally of Israel is unassailable : he cosponsored the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act , voted to fund the Iron Dome and David ’ s Sling , and supported the updated long-term Memorandum of Understanding on military assistance to Israel , '' Issa spokesman Greg Blair said in a statement .
The campaign questioned why a super PAC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Israel .
`` This entire issue is a farce , with partial quotes from 20 years ago , launched by a group that describes itself as a ‘ super PAC dedicated to protecting and promoting Republicans who support LGBT freedom , ' and is suddenly interested in the issue of Israel , '' Blair said .
A senior adviser for American Unity PAC defended the group 's interest in Israel and said the remarks highlighted in the ad make clear that Issa does n't support Israel 's interests in the region .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican super PAC now in our fifth election cycle , '' Tyler Deaton said .
`` Like all true conservatives in America , we support Israel . ''
`` From his long-standing anti-Israeli remarks , it is obvious that Issa is not a conservative , he does n't support Israel , and he does not support President Trump 's policies to promote peace in the Middle East , '' Deaton said .
Reached for comment on the ad , Issa 's Republican opponent said his remarks on Israel were `` atrocious . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacking our ally Israel is atrocious—and typical of a swampy politician who lies to cover up his own history on the issue , '' DeMaio told the Free Beacon .
Issa 's critical comments of Israel extend beyond the ones spotlighted in the ad .
In 2001 , he argued during a dinner hosted by the Orange County Arab American Republican Club that Israel was operating `` the only form of apartheid in the world , '' according to the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs .
`` Apartheid is the Achilles ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the dinner .
`` It is easy for Americans to understand , if the word gets out , that Israel is holding millions of people captive without the right to vote . ''
Issa also argued critically at the time that the United States `` has been an unconditional , almost blind supporter of Israel . ''
Issa has , however , taken Israel 's side on a number of issues of great importance to the Jewish state .
He slammed the Obama administration for snubbing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calling Netanyahu a `` staunch ally . ''
He also aligned himself with Israel against the Obama administration 's Iran nuclear deal and praised President Trump for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem .
Dan Schwimmer , a former chairman of San Diego 's AIPAC Council , vouched for Issa as a longtime ally to the pro-Israel community .
`` I ’ ve been talking to and working with Darrell for over 18 years on pro-Israel issues and he is one of the staunchest supporters of Israel I have ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement supplied by Issa 's campaign .
`` The pro-Israel community has always been able to rely on Darrell ’ s support and his voting record reflects that . ''
DeMaio 's campaign touts him as a strong supporter of Israel .
On his campaign website , DeMaio declares Israel `` a critical partner of the United States , '' labels Iran the most serious threat to peace in the Middle East , and pledges to support continued military assistance to Israel .
The primary between Issa and DeMaio has devolved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other as NeverTrumpers .
`` [ American Unity PAC is ] desperate to prop up Carl DeMaio in the final days of the campaign because they know he ’ s a pro-abortion Never Trumper whose message is failing with the voters of the 50th District , '' Blair , the Issa spokesman , said of the new ads .
DeMaio has questioned Issa 's support for President Trump and pledged to be a staunch ally of the president if he 's elected .
Polling shows a close race between Issa and DeMaio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The seat has been vacant since January of this year , when Republican Duncan Hunter resigned after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges .
Both will appear on the ballot alongside Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar , with the top two vote getters advancing to the general election in November .
The winner of the primary is expected to easily prevail over Campa-Najjar , whose grandfather Muhammad Yusuf al-Najjar was the terrorist behind the deadly attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics .
Campa-Najjar has rejected his grandfather 's actions as a member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying , `` I will never be able to understand or condone the actions and motivations of my grandfather . ''
Campa-Najjar was the Democratic nominee last cycle and narrowly fell to Hunter , who had already been indicted for dozens of criminal charges .

Former Republican congressman Darrell Issa is being attacked for a litany of anti-Israel comments he made early in his political career, statements his current campaign says don't represent his record as a friend and ally of the Jewish state.
"Darrell Issa claims he's a conservative, but every time he talks about Israel he sounds more like Ilhan Omar than President Trump," the new ad from American Unity PAC states, pointing to comments Issa made during his first terms in Congress. Among them is a 2001 statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that Israel would be "an apartheid state" if it failed to achieve peace with the Palestinians. It also points to Issa's 2006 proposal for the United Nations to redraw Israel's borders, in which he argued that Israel was drawn with "artificial lines" in the first place.
"We've drawn artificial lines before, not the least of which is the very creation of the state of Israel, so let's finish drawing that part of the map," Issa told the Washington Post.
The new line of attack comes a week before the primary in California's 50th Congressional District, where Issa is attempting a return to the House after retiring his seat in the neighboring 49th District in 2018. The group behind the ad is American Unity PAC, a Republican group that supports pro-gay rights candidates and is supporting Carl DeMaio to be the party's candidate in November.
The ad also takes issue with a July 2006 accusation by Issa that Israel was bombing Hezbollah targets in Lebanon "just so they can have a July Fourth fireworks event."
A spokesman for Issa's campaign says the quotes pinpointed in the ad do not adequately portray his record of support for Israel, which is "unassailable."
"Darrell Issa’s record as a friend and ally of Israel is unassailable: he cosponsored the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, voted to fund the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, and supported the updated long-term Memorandum of Understanding on military assistance to Israel," Issa spokesman Greg Blair said in a statement.
The campaign questioned why a super PAC focused on gay rights is running ads on Israel.
"This entire issue is a farce, with partial quotes from 20 years ago, launched by a group that describes itself as a 'super PAC dedicated to protecting and promoting Republicans who support LGBT freedom,' and is suddenly interested in the issue of Israel," Blair said.
A senior adviser for American Unity PAC defended the group's interest in Israel and said the remarks highlighted in the ad make clear that Issa doesn't support Israel's interests in the region.
"American Unity PAC is a conservative Republican super PAC now in our fifth election cycle," Tyler Deaton said. "Like all true conservatives in America, we support Israel."
"From his long-standing anti-Israeli remarks, it is obvious that Issa is not a conservative, he doesn't support Israel, and he does not support President Trump's policies to promote peace in the Middle East," Deaton said.
Reached for comment on the ad, Issa's Republican opponent said his remarks on Israel were "atrocious."
"Darrell Issa’s pattern of attacking our ally Israel is atrocious—and typical of a swampy politician who lies to cover up his own history on the issue," DeMaio told the Free Beacon.
Issa's critical comments of Israel extend beyond the ones spotlighted in the ad. In 2001, he argued during a dinner hosted by the Orange County Arab American Republican Club that Israel was operating "the only form of apartheid in the world," according to the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs.
"Apartheid is the Achilles’ heel of Israel," Issa said at the dinner. "It is easy for Americans to understand, if the word gets out, that Israel is holding millions of people captive without the right to vote."
Issa also argued critically at the time that the United States "has been an unconditional, almost blind supporter of Israel."
Issa has, however, taken Israel's side on a number of issues of great importance to the Jewish state. He slammed the Obama administration for snubbing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his 2015 visit to the United States, calling Netanyahu a "staunch ally." He also aligned himself with Israel against the Obama administration's Iran nuclear deal and praised President Trump for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Dan Schwimmer, a former chairman of San Diego's AIPAC Council, vouched for Issa as a longtime ally to the pro-Israel community.
"I’ve been talking to and working with Darrell for over 18 years on pro-Israel issues and he is one of the staunchest supporters of Israel I have ever met," said Schwimmer in a statement supplied by Issa's campaign. "The pro-Israel community has always been able to rely on Darrell’s support and his voting record reflects that."
DeMaio's campaign touts him as a strong supporter of Israel. On his campaign website, DeMaio declares Israel "a critical partner of the United States," labels Iran the most serious threat to peace in the Middle East, and pledges to support continued military assistance to Israel.
The primary between Issa and DeMaio has devolved in the final weeks, with both sides attacking the other as NeverTrumpers.
"[American Unity PAC is] desperate to prop up Carl DeMaio in the final days of the campaign because they know he’s a pro-abortion Never Trumper whose message is failing with the voters of the 50th District," Blair, the Issa spokesman, said of the new ads.
DeMaio has questioned Issa's support for President Trump and pledged to be a staunch ally of the president if he's elected.
Polling shows a close race between Issa and DeMaio ahead of the March 3 primary. The seat has been vacant since January of this year, when Republican Duncan Hunter resigned after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges.
Both will appear on the ballot alongside Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, with the top two vote getters advancing to the general election in November. The winner of the primary is expected to easily prevail over Campa-Najjar, whose grandfather Muhammad Yusuf al-Najjar was the terrorist behind the deadly attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Campa-Najjar has rejected his grandfather's actions as a member of Palestianian terrorist organization Black September, saying, "I will never be able to understand or condone the actions and motivations of my grandfather."
Campa-Najjar was the Democratic nominee last cycle and narrowly fell to Hunter, who had already been indicted for dozens of criminal charges.


freebeacon--2020-02-27--Congressional Republicans Warn Trump Against Inking Peace Deal With Taliban

A group of more than 20 leading Republican lawmakers are warning the Trump administration against signing a landmark peace accord with the Taliban in Afghanistan , saying it would jeopardize America 's national security interests .
In a letter sent Wednesday to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper , members of Congress led by Rep. Liz Cheney ( R. , Wyo . )
expressed their `` serious concerns '' about rumors the Trump administration is on the cusp of inking a peace accord with the Taliban , which the lawmakers maintain can not be trusted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all of whom are typically aligned with the administration on national security issues , are demanding they receive assurances the administration `` will not place the security of the American people into the hands of the Taliban , '' according to a copy of the letter obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
The lawmakers are also demanding the release of so-called secret annexes in the draft agreement that they claim establish a set of unknown side deals with the Taliban , a move reminiscent of the Obama administration 's secret agreements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being negotiated .
The Trump administration has been working for months to lay the groundwork for a landmark peace deal with the Taliban that would see American forces finally leave the country after nearly two decades of war .
Afghanistan is currently in the middle of a reduction in violence agreement that has seen the Taliban and U.S. coalition forces lay down arms in the lead-up to a peace deal .
While President Donald Trump has vowed to bring American forces home from Afghanistan , those efforts have been complicated by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP critics say it is foolish to trust a group that harbored the 9/11 terrorist attackers and murdered scores of American military personnel .
`` We have serious concerns about reports that the United States is preparing to sign a deal with the Taliban , the terrorists who harbored al-Qaeda before and after the attacks of 9/11 , '' wrote the lawmakers , including Reps. Cheney , Dan Crenshaw ( R. , Texas ) , Jim Banks ( R. , Ind . )
, Elise Stefanik ( R. , N.Y. ) , Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Adam Kinzinger ( R. , Ill. ) , among others .
`` Trump has a proven track record of putting America 's security first and ensuring our country stays out of bad deals that aid our adversaries , '' the lawmakers wrote .
`` In keeping with this policy , we are seeking assurances that you will not place the security of the American people into the hands of the Taliban , and undermine our ally , the current Government of Afghanistan . ''
The United States `` can not rely on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the lawmakers wrote in a direct rebuke of senior U.S. officials who have been working with the Taliban to cement a deal that legitimizes its role in the Afghan government .
If America signs a deal to massively drawdown its troop presence in Afghanistan , the Taliban could use this vacuum to foment terrorism and wrench control of the country , the lawmakers maintain .
`` The Taliban also has a history of extracting concessions in exchange for false assurances , '' the letter stated .
`` They will accept nothing less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they seek to establish their totalitarian ‘ Islamic Emirate . '
Our withdrawal would then allow terrorist groups in Afghanistan to grow stronger and establish safe havens from which to plot attacks against us .
Any promises the Taliban may have made to the U.S. related to counterterrorism can not be trusted , not least because the group is a long-time ally of al-Qaeda . ''
The lawmakers are demanding the administration publicly release any secret side deals it may have reached with the Taliban .
`` It is critical that any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contained in the State Department-led agreement with the Taliban be made public , '' they wrote .
`` During the Obama administration , Secretary Pompeo rightfully fought for the disclosure of secret side deals with Iran .
Now some reports claim that key parts of the accord with the Taliban may be hidden in secret annexes .
The safety of the American people is inextricably linked to this deal .
They deserve to know its details . ''
The lawmakers are also demanding a set of assurances that the United States does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , share intelligence with the terror group , or make unilateral decisions about the number of troops to keep in the country , and requires that the Taliban hand over any al-Qaeda terror members it may still be harboring .

A group of more than 20 leading Republican lawmakers are warning the Trump administration against signing a landmark peace accord with the Taliban in Afghanistan, saying it would jeopardize America's national security interests.
In a letter sent Wednesday to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, members of Congress led by Rep. Liz Cheney (R., Wyo.) expressed their "serious concerns" about rumors the Trump administration is on the cusp of inking a peace accord with the Taliban, which the lawmakers maintain cannot be trusted to uphold the accord.
The lawmakers, all of whom are typically aligned with the administration on national security issues, are demanding they receive assurances the administration "will not place the security of the American people into the hands of the Taliban," according to a copy of the letter obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
The lawmakers are also demanding the release of so-called secret annexes in the draft agreement that they claim establish a set of unknown side deals with the Taliban, a move reminiscent of the Obama administration's secret agreements with Iran when the Iran nuclear deal was being negotiated.
The Trump administration has been working for months to lay the groundwork for a landmark peace deal with the Taliban that would see American forces finally leave the country after nearly two decades of war. Afghanistan is currently in the middle of a reduction in violence agreement that has seen the Taliban and U.S. coalition forces lay down arms in the lead-up to a peace deal.
While President Donald Trump has vowed to bring American forces home from Afghanistan, those efforts have been complicated by the Taliban's continued support for terrorism. GOP critics say it is foolish to trust a group that harbored the 9/11 terrorist attackers and murdered scores of American military personnel.
"We have serious concerns about reports that the United States is preparing to sign a deal with the Taliban, the terrorists who harbored al-Qaeda before and after the attacks of 9/11," wrote the lawmakers, including Reps. Cheney, Dan Crenshaw (R., Texas), Jim Banks (R., Ind.), Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.), Mike Rogers (R., Ala.), and Adam Kinzinger (R., Ill.), among others.
"Trump has a proven track record of putting America's security first and ensuring our country stays out of bad deals that aid our adversaries," the lawmakers wrote. "In keeping with this policy, we are seeking assurances that you will not place the security of the American people into the hands of the Taliban, and undermine our ally, the current Government of Afghanistan."
The United States "cannot rely on these terrorists to safeguard their security," the lawmakers wrote in a direct rebuke of senior U.S. officials who have been working with the Taliban to cement a deal that legitimizes its role in the Afghan government.
If America signs a deal to massively drawdown its troop presence in Afghanistan, the Taliban could use this vacuum to foment terrorism and wrench control of the country, the lawmakers maintain.
"The Taliban also has a history of extracting concessions in exchange for false assurances," the letter stated. "They will accept nothing less than a full-scale U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan as they seek to establish their totalitarian 'Islamic Emirate.' Our withdrawal would then allow terrorist groups in Afghanistan to grow stronger and establish safe havens from which to plot attacks against us. Any promises the Taliban may have made to the U.S. related to counterterrorism cannot be trusted, not least because the group is a long-time ally of al-Qaeda."
The lawmakers are demanding the administration publicly release any secret side deals it may have reached with the Taliban.
"It is critical that any supposed counterterrorism assurances and potential verification mechanisms contained in the State Department-led agreement with the Taliban be made public," they wrote. "During the Obama administration, Secretary Pompeo rightfully fought for the disclosure of secret side deals with Iran. Now some reports claim that key parts of the accord with the Taliban may be hidden in secret annexes. The safety of the American people is inextricably linked to this deal. They deserve to know its details."
The lawmakers are also demanding a set of assurances that the United States does not partner with the Taliban on counterterrorism efforts, share intelligence with the terror group, or make unilateral decisions about the number of troops to keep in the country, and requires that the Taliban hand over any al-Qaeda terror members it may still be harboring.


freebeacon--2020-02-27--Sasse Criticizes CNN for Referring to a Baby as a ‘Fetus That Was Born’

Sen. Ben Sasse ( R. , Neb . )
fired back at CNN on Thursday for the network 's delay in correcting a Tuesday report that referred to a baby as a `` fetus that was born . ''
`` Just read the bill .
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is about babies who have already been born , '' Sasse said to the Washington Free Beacon .
`` I ’ m glad CNN finally made the correction , but there ’ s no reason this needed to take two days .
Planned Parenthood desperately wants to misrepresent this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too many reporters have bought their spin hook , line , and sinker . ''
On Tuesday , CNN reported that Sasse 's bill , which would mandate doctors to treat babies who survive abortions , and Sen. Lindsay Graham 's ( R. , S.C. ) bill , which would ban abortion after 20 weeks , were both `` abortion restriction '' bills .
Describing Sasse 's bill , CNN 's report referred to a child that survives an abortion as a `` fetus that was born '' and differentiated it from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrected its piece to more accurately reflect the language in Sasse 's bill .
The Nebraska senator clashed with Sen. Dick Durbin ( D. , Ill. ) on the Senate floor Tuesday , arguing that Durbin and his Democratic colleagues were mischaracterizing his bill .
`` There 's nothing in the bill that 's about abortion .
Nothing .
It 's about infanticide .
That 's the actual legislation , '' Sasse said .
`` And you got 44 people over there who want to hide from it and talk in euphemisms about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend the indefensible .
Because you ca n't defend the indefensible .
We 're talking about killing babies that are born . ''
Sasse also said on the floor that CNN had misrepresented his legislation on TV that morning .
`` CNN said this morning on TV , they made up this insane phrase : They said , ‘ a fetus that has been born . '
What the heck is that ?
It 's another way of saying they do n't want to debate the actual debate we 're having on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abortion Survivors Protection Act and Graham 's Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act failed to pass on the Senate floor Tuesday evening .

Sen. Ben Sasse (R., Neb.) fired back at CNN on Thursday for the network's delay in correcting a Tuesday report that referred to a baby as a "fetus that was born."
"Just read the bill. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is about babies who have already been born," Sasse said to the Washington Free Beacon. "I’m glad CNN finally made the correction, but there’s no reason this needed to take two days. Planned Parenthood desperately wants to misrepresent this bipartisan, pro-babies bill, and unfortunately too many reporters have bought their spin hook, line, and sinker."
On Tuesday, CNN reported that Sasse's bill, which would mandate doctors to treat babies who survive abortions, and Sen. Lindsay Graham's (R., S.C.) bill, which would ban abortion after 20 weeks, were both "abortion restriction" bills. Describing Sasse's bill, CNN's report referred to a child that survives an abortion as a "fetus that was born" and differentiated it from a "newborn baby." CNN later corrected its piece to more accurately reflect the language in Sasse's bill.
The Nebraska senator clashed with Sen. Dick Durbin (D., Ill.) on the Senate floor Tuesday, arguing that Durbin and his Democratic colleagues were mischaracterizing his bill.
"There's nothing in the bill that's about abortion. Nothing. It's about infanticide. That's the actual legislation," Sasse said. "And you got 44 people over there who want to hide from it and talk in euphemisms about abortion because they don't want to defend the indefensible. Because you can't defend the indefensible. We're talking about killing babies that are born."
Sasse also said on the floor that CNN had misrepresented his legislation on TV that morning.
"CNN said this morning on TV, they made up this insane phrase: They said, 'a fetus that has been born.' What the heck is that? It's another way of saying they don't want to debate the actual debate we're having on the floor today."
Sasse's Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and Graham's Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act failed to pass on the Senate floor Tuesday evening.


freebeacon--2020-02-27--Bloomberg: Xi Isn’t a Dictator Because the Chinese ‘Don’t Seem to Want’ Elections

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg on Wednesday echoed claims he made about Xi Jinping in Tuesday night ’ s debate , refusing to say he 's a dictator and arguing the Chinese people do n't want democracy .
`` If your definition is a democracy where people vote and pick their leaders , that is not what China ’ s about .
And they don ’ t seem to want it .
They like their system , and I think they ’ re wrong , '' the former New York City mayor said during a CNN town hall .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dictator , '' he said .
`` They do n't have a democracy in the sense that they have general elections .
That is true .
They do have a system where a small group of people appoint the head , and they turn over periodically . ''
Bloomberg granted that China `` would be better off opening things up , '' since that is `` the great strength of America . ''
During Tuesday night ’ s debate , Bloomberg did not call Xi a dictator , choosing instead to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behest of the Politburo , '' the executive committee of the Chinese Communist Party .
The 25-person Politburo has sworn fealty to Xi , however , effectively making him dictator for life and bestowing on him the title `` people ’ s leader '' last year , which `` directly echoes an accolade most closely associated with Communist China ’ s founder Mao Zedong , '' according to the Wall Street Journal .
Bloomberg , who has important business dealings in China , has long maintained Xi is not a dictator because `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or he 's not going to survive , '' as he told journalist Margaret Hoover .
Xi 's government has forced more than 1 million Uyghur Muslims into what the state calls `` reeducation '' camps .
The United States , along with 30 other countries , condemned China 's treatment of its Uyghur minority as a `` horrific campaign of repression . ''

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg on Wednesday echoed claims he made about Xi Jinping in Tuesday night’s debate, refusing to say he's a dictator and arguing the Chinese people don't want democracy.
"If your definition is a democracy where people vote and pick their leaders, that is not what China’s about. And they don’t seem to want it. They like their system, and I think they’re wrong," the former New York City mayor said during a CNN town hall.
"It's a question of what is a dictator," he said. "They don't have a democracy in the sense that they have general elections. That is true. They do have a system where a small group of people appoint the head, and they turn over periodically."
Bloomberg granted that China "would be better off opening things up," since that is "the great strength of America."
During Tuesday night’s debate, Bloomberg did not call Xi a dictator, choosing instead to say the Chinese leader "serves at the behest of the Politburo," the executive committee of the Chinese Communist Party. The 25-person Politburo has sworn fealty to Xi, however, effectively making him dictator for life and bestowing on him the title "people’s leader" last year, which "directly echoes an accolade most closely associated with Communist China’s founder Mao Zedong," according to the Wall Street Journal.
Bloomberg, who has important business dealings in China, has long maintained Xi is not a dictator because "he has to satisfy his constituents, or he's not going to survive," as he told journalist Margaret Hoover.
Xi's government has forced more than 1 million Uyghur Muslims into what the state calls "reeducation" camps. The United States, along with 30 other countries, condemned China's treatment of its Uyghur minority as a "horrific campaign of repression."


freebeacon--2020-02-27--Green on Blue Attack: Quincy Institute Trashes Keynote Speaker David Petraeus

After inviting retired four-star General David Petraeus to keynote their forum in Washington , D.C. , the Koch and Soros-funded Quincy Institute trashed the retired military official on social media during and after his appearance for his `` lack of vision for a new direction in U.S. foreign policy . ''
The group 's executive vice president Trita Parsi accused Petraeus and his fellow commanders of deceiving the country as Petraeus sat on the stage .
`` True that a majority of Afghan vets want to end the war , '' Parsi wrote .
`` But is that true for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if so , why 18 years of deception about how the war was going ? ''
Sarah Leah Whitson , the institute 's managing director for research and policy , derided Petraeus for delivering `` stale outdated talking points '' on the war in Iraq , where the general commanded U.S. armed forces , and killing 500,000 people .
Whitson on Tuesday night argued that former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein deserved credit for advances in education and literacy during his rein .
Another Quincy Institute employee , Eli Clifton , used Petraeus 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call out the funding of the Harvard University institution that formerly employed him .
`` Perhaps a good time to remember that David Petraeus ’ s work at Harvard ’ s Belfer Center is underwritten by Thomas Kaplan , who promotes his mining investments as retaining or appreciating in value if there is unrest in the Middle East , '' Clifton wrote .
The group 's official Twitter account retweeted numerous attacks on Petraeus , and then directly attacked Petraeus for his `` lack of vision for a new direction in U.S. foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were members of Winning Without War , a radical antiwar group that has partnered with the Quincy Institute on events since it was founded last December .
The group 's executive director complained that Petraeus was able to deliver his remarks at the forum .
`` Excited to be here at the # FPQIForum , '' wrote Stephen Miles .
`` Less excited to hear this absurd defense of the status quo and ‘ bold ' vision of doing the same failed things forever by David Petraeus . ''
Petraeus says he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Policy , which cohosted the forum with the Quincy Institute .
Petraeus 's remarks at the forum were moderated by the magazine 's editor in chief , Jonathan Tepperman .
The retired general said prior to the event that he expected his remarks to contrast with those of the Quincy Institute ’ s own scholars , who have advocated for a U.S. foreign policy based on military retrenchment and restraint and for breaking the stranglehold of the so-called Jewish lobby on U.S. foreign policy .

After inviting retired four-star General David Petraeus to keynote their forum in Washington, D.C., the Koch and Soros-funded Quincy Institute trashed the retired military official on social media during and after his appearance for his "lack of vision for a new direction in U.S. foreign policy."
The group's executive vice president Trita Parsi accused Petraeus and his fellow commanders of deceiving the country as Petraeus sat on the stage. "True that a majority of Afghan vets want to end the war," Parsi wrote. "But is that true for the leaders of the military? And if so, why 18 years of deception about how the war was going?"
David Petraeus says at #fpqiforum that those fighting wars want to end endless wars more than anyone else. True that a majority of Afghan vets want to end the war. But is that true for the leaders of the military? And if so, why 18 years of deception about how the war was going? pic.twitter.com/8RrCgHSvdH — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) February 26, 2020
Sarah Leah Whitson, the institute's managing director for research and policy, derided Petraeus for delivering "stale outdated talking points" on the war in Iraq, where the general commanded U.S. armed forces, and killing 500,000 people.
Stale outdated talking points from #Petraeus re why US occupation failed in #Iraq eg debaathification. It failed because invading and occupying a country, killing 500k people, based on lies, always bad and always a failure. #FPQIFORUM @QuincyInst pic.twitter.com/11lHFabDYX — Sarah Leah Whitson (@sarahleah1) February 26, 2020
Odd statements from #Petraeus apparently advocating a sustainable permanent military presence, 'generational battle" supported by Americans so long as costs in 'blood and treasure are kept down" #FPQIFORUM pic.twitter.com/xqusUeqk7W — Sarah Leah Whitson (@sarahleah1) February 26, 2020
Whitson on Tuesday night argued that former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein deserved credit for advances in education and literacy during his rein.
Another Quincy Institute employee, Eli Clifton, used Petraeus's appearance at the forum as occasion to call out the funding of the Harvard University institution that formerly employed him.
"Perhaps a good time to remember that David Petraeus’s work at Harvard’s Belfer Center is underwritten by Thomas Kaplan, who promotes his mining investments as retaining or appreciating in value if there is unrest in the Middle East," Clifton wrote.
Perhaps a good time to remember that David Petraeus’s work at Harvard’s Belfer Center is underwritten by Thomas Kaplan, who promotes his mining investments as retaining or appreciating in value if there is unrest in the Middle East. #FPQIForum https://t.co/AJGz9L0Kko — Eli Clifton (@EliClifton) February 26, 2020
The group's official Twitter account retweeted numerous attacks on Petraeus, and then directly attacked Petraeus for his "lack of vision for a new direction in U.S. foreign policy."
@RepRoKhanna responds to Gen David Petraeus' lack of vision for a new direction in US foreign policy: "Al Qaeda was in 3 countries in 2001. Now it's in over 20." In discussion with @willruger of @CKinstitute #FPQIForum pic.twitter.com/ikfNf0uAH2 — Quincy Institute (@QuincyInst) February 26, 2020
Also laying into Petraeus were members of Winning Without War, a radical antiwar group that has partnered with the Quincy Institute on events since it was founded last December. The group's executive director complained that Petraeus was able to deliver his remarks at the forum.
"Excited to be here at the #FPQIForum," wrote Stephen Miles. "Less excited to hear this absurd defense of the status quo and 'bold' vision of doing the same failed things forever by David Petraeus."
Excited to be here at the #FPQIForum. Less excited to hear this absurd defense of the status quo and "bold" vision of doing the same failed things forever by David Petraeus. Very much looking forward to @RoKhanna presenting a better way forward! — Stephen Miles (@SPMiles42) February 26, 2020
Petraeus says he was invited to speak at the forum by Foreign Policy, which cohosted the forum with the Quincy Institute. Petraeus's remarks at the forum were moderated by the magazine's editor in chief, Jonathan Tepperman.
The retired general said prior to the event that he expected his remarks to contrast with those of the Quincy Institute’s own scholars, who have advocated for a U.S. foreign policy based on military retrenchment and restraint and for breaking the stranglehold of the so-called Jewish lobby on U.S. foreign policy.


Beacon Extra 2/26/20

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon ’ s morning newsletter , your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom .
To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning , sign up here .
`` Bernie ’ s Iron Curtain Holds as Rival Attacks Fall Flat in South Carolina , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : While Sanders 's rivals did launch a barrage of attacks , the senator deflected them with ease .
He was never overwhelmed the way [ Michael ] Bloomberg appeared during his first debate appearance … Because South Carolina has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasionally sparred on the issue of who had the most black friends .
SOCIALIST NOT GUN-GRABBY ENOUGH … `` Sanders Takes Heat for Past Opposition to Gun Control , '' by WFB ’ s Stephen Gutowski : Bernie Sanders came under fire on Tuesday evening for his mixed record on gun control , with his opponents seizing on a rare issue where Sanders has in the past staked out a moderate position in the past and hammering him from the left … Democrats spent more time pummeling Sanders on gun control than they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong for the country .
CRACK LEGAL STRATEGY … `` Hunter Biden Seeks to Delay Paternity Deposition Until After Key Primary Votes , '' by WFB ’ s Alana Goodman : Hunter Biden is asking a judge to delay his child support deposition scheduled for next week in Arkansas until April 1—a date when the key early primaries for his father Joe Biden 's presidential campaign will be finished—according to a court motion filed by his attorney on Tuesday … Lawyers for Lunden Alexis Roberts , who is the mother of Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for child support , had offered Biden the option of doing the court-ordered deposition on March 3—which is Super Tuesday—or on March 5 .
NOBODY TOLD OL ’ JOE … `` Biden says he worked on 2016 climate accord with leader who died in 1997 , '' via NY POST : `` I ’ m the guy who came back after meeting with Deng Xiaoping and making the case that I believe China will join if we put pressure on them .
We got almost 200 nations to join , '' [ Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop in South Carolina ] .
Only problem is Deng Xiaoping , China ’ s former paramount leader , died in 1997 .
CHASER … `` Joe Biden Claims He Was Arrested In South Africa Trying To See Nelson Mandela , '' via RCP : Former VP Joe Biden has claimed three times this week that he was `` arrested with our U.N. ambassador '' in South Africa in the 1970s protesting Nelson Mandela ’ s imprisonment .
The former U.N. ambassador in the story told the New York Times that it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poll Shows Near-Unanimous Support for Anti-Crime Bills Spiked by Maryland Democrats , '' by WFB ’ s Collin Anderson : Democratic lawmakers in Maryland effectively killed a package of crime prevention bills proposed by Republican governor Larry Hogan despite support by wide majorities across the state and inside Baltimore , which has become America 's deadliest large city … The Witness Intimidation Prevention Act , which strengthened penalties for harming or threatening alleged witnesses , was supported by 97 percent of Baltimore residents and 90 percent of African Americans statewide , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office ] .
SOUNDING THE ALARM … `` Health Officials Warn of Coronavirus Outbreaks in the U.S. , '' via NYT : Officials at the CDC said they did not know whether spread of the disease to the United States would be mild or severe .
But Americans should be ready for a significant disruption to their daily lives , Dr. [ Nancy ] Messonnier said .
OFF THE BATTLEFIELD … `` U.S. military says it killed terrorist leader who planned attack that killed Americans in Kenya , '' via CNN : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Shabaab leader who had a role in `` planning and directing terrorist operations , '' including a January attack on Manda Bay , Kenya , that killed three Americans , the U.S. military said Tuesday .
SIX CENTURIES OF DECLINE AND COUNTING … `` Spanish carnival 's Holocaust-themed parade of dancing ‘ Nazis ' sparks outrage , '' via GUARDIAN : The Israeli government and the Auschwitz museum have accused a Spanish carnival of `` trivializing '' the Holocaust after a troupe danced through the streets of a small town dressed as Nazi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a float bearing a menorah and two gas chamber chimneys .
MEDIA TOSS CHE T-SHIRTS … by WFB ’ s Alex Griswold : After [ Bernie ] Sanders … hyped [ Fidel ] Castro 's `` literacy program '' in a 60 Minutes interview , the Washington Post wrote sarcastically that `` finding something positive to say about an authoritarian leader '' was one of Sanders 's `` greatest hits , '' giving a rundown of all the times the socialist Vermont senator has praised dictatorial Communist governments … But the Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` among Mr. Castro ’ s more successful efforts were universal health care and the near-eradication of illiteracy throughout Cuba . ''
NEWSPEAK … `` CNN Report Describes A Baby Who Survives An Abortion As A ‘ Fetus That Was Born ' , '' via DAILY CALLER : Senators vote [ d ] Tuesday on legislation that aims to protect babies who survive botched abortions and are born alive … the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act .
CNN covered the legislation in the Tuesday report : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restriction bills , '' an article in which CNN ’ s Caroline Kelly described a baby who survived an abortion as a `` fetus that was born . ''
OUR BOYCOTT OF MEN ’ S VOLLEYBALL WILL CONTINUE … `` Brooklyn College Athletes Draw Ire For Kneeling During Israel ’ s National Anthem , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : At a men 's volleyball competition that took place during the weekend , two players from Brooklyn College can be seen on video taking a knee as Hatikvah plays .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Omar Rezika and Hunnan Butt in social media posts on the event … While some alleged that Rezika and Butt refused to shake hands with the Jewish athletes , officials with both Brooklyn College and Yeshiva disputed that claim .
`` COUNTERPOINT : Maybe Journalists Aren ’ t the Real Heroes of the Harvey Weinstein Case , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : Media types … [ are ] celebrating the rape conviction of Democratic megadonor Harvey Weinstein as a testament to the importance of professional journalism … After [ Ronan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 2017 , journalist Rebecca Traister wrote that she had been `` having conversations about Harvey Weinstein 's history of sexual harassment for more than 17 years . ''
The allegations took so long to surface , she argued , because `` Harvey could spin—or suppress—anything ; there were so many journalists on his payroll . ''
Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com .

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon’s morning newsletter, your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom. To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning, sign up here.
"Bernie’s Iron Curtain Holds as Rival Attacks Fall Flat in South Carolina," by WFB’s Andrew Stiles: While Sanders's rivals did launch a barrage of attacks, the senator deflected them with ease. He was never overwhelmed the way [Michael] Bloomberg appeared during his first debate appearance …
Because South Carolina has a significant African-American population, the white candidates occasionally sparred on the issue of who had the most black friends.
SOCIALIST NOT GUN-GRABBY ENOUGH … "Sanders Takes Heat for Past Opposition to Gun Control," by WFB’s Stephen Gutowski: Bernie Sanders came under fire on Tuesday evening for his mixed record on gun control, with his opponents seizing on a rare issue where Sanders has in the past staked out a moderate position in the past and hammering him from the left …
Democrats spent more time pummeling Sanders on gun control than they did arguing why his socialist views are wrong for the country.
CRACK LEGAL STRATEGY … "Hunter Biden Seeks to Delay Paternity Deposition Until After Key Primary Votes," by WFB’s Alana Goodman: Hunter Biden is asking a judge to delay his child support deposition scheduled for next week in Arkansas until April 1—a date when the key early primaries for his father Joe Biden's presidential campaign will be finished—according to a court motion filed by his attorney on Tuesday …
Lawyers for Lunden Alexis Roberts, who is the mother of Biden's 18-month-old baby and who is fighting him for child support, had offered Biden the option of doing the court-ordered deposition on March 3—which is Super Tuesday—or on March 5.
NOBODY TOLD OL’ JOE … "Biden says he worked on 2016 climate accord with leader who died in 1997," via NY POST: "I’m the guy who came back after meeting with Deng Xiaoping and making the case that I believe China will join if we put pressure on them. We got almost 200 nations to join," [Joe Biden] said [during a campaign stop in South Carolina].
Only problem is Deng Xiaoping, China’s former paramount leader, died in 1997.
CHASER … "Joe Biden Claims He Was Arrested In South Africa Trying To See Nelson Mandela," via RCP: Former VP Joe Biden has claimed three times this week that he was "arrested with our U.N. ambassador" in South Africa in the 1970s protesting Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment. The former U.N. ambassador in the story told the New York Times that it is not true.
HARM CITY … "Poll Shows Near-Unanimous Support for Anti-Crime Bills Spiked by Maryland Democrats," by WFB’s Collin Anderson: Democratic lawmakers in Maryland effectively killed a package of crime prevention bills proposed by Republican governor Larry Hogan despite support by wide majorities across the state and inside Baltimore, which has become America's deadliest large city …
The Witness Intimidation Prevention Act, which strengthened penalties for harming or threatening alleged witnesses, was supported by 97 percent of Baltimore residents and 90 percent of African Americans statewide, according to the results [shared by Hogan’s office].
SOUNDING THE ALARM … "Health Officials Warn of Coronavirus Outbreaks in the U.S.," via NYT: Officials at the CDC said they did not know whether spread of the disease to the United States would be mild or severe. But Americans should be ready for a significant disruption to their daily lives, Dr. [Nancy] Messonnier said.
OFF THE BATTLEFIELD … "U.S. military says it killed terrorist leader who planned attack that killed Americans in Kenya," via CNN: A U.S. airstrike in Somalia killed an al-Shabaab leader who had a role in "planning and directing terrorist operations," including a January attack on Manda Bay, Kenya, that killed three Americans, the U.S. military said Tuesday.
SIX CENTURIES OF DECLINE AND COUNTING … "Spanish carnival's Holocaust-themed parade of dancing 'Nazis' sparks outrage," via GUARDIAN: The Israeli government and the Auschwitz museum have accused a Spanish carnival of "trivializing" the Holocaust after a troupe danced through the streets of a small town dressed as Nazi officers and concentration camp prisoners, accompanied by a float bearing a menorah and two gas chamber chimneys.
MEDIA TOSS CHE T-SHIRTS ... by WFB’s Alex Griswold: After [Bernie] Sanders … hyped [Fidel] Castro's "literacy program" in a 60 Minutes interview, the Washington Post wrote sarcastically that "finding something positive to say about an authoritarian leader" was one of Sanders's "greatest hits," giving a rundown of all the times the socialist Vermont senator has praised dictatorial Communist governments …
But the Post‘s obituary for Castro claimed that "among Mr. Castro’s more successful efforts were universal health care and the near-eradication of illiteracy throughout Cuba."
NEWSPEAK … "CNN Report Describes A Baby Who Survives An Abortion As A 'Fetus That Was Born'," via DAILY CALLER: Senators vote[d] Tuesday on legislation that aims to protect babies who survive botched abortions and are born alive … the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
CNN covered the legislation in the Tuesday report: "Senate to vote on two abortion restriction bills," an article in which CNN’s Caroline Kelly described a baby who survived an abortion as a "fetus that was born."
OUR BOYCOTT OF MEN’S VOLLEYBALL WILL CONTINUE … "Brooklyn College Athletes Draw Ire For Kneeling During Israel’s National Anthem," by WFB’s Adam Kredo: At a men's volleyball competition that took place during the weekend, two players from Brooklyn College can be seen on video taking a knee as Hatikvah plays. The kneeling Brooklyn players were subsequently identified as Omar Rezika and Hunnan Butt in social media posts on the event …
While some alleged that Rezika and Butt refused to shake hands with the Jewish athletes, officials with both Brooklyn College and Yeshiva disputed that claim.
"COUNTERPOINT: Maybe Journalists Aren’t the Real Heroes of the Harvey Weinstein Case," by WFB’s Andrew Stiles: Media types … [are] celebrating the rape conviction of Democratic megadonor Harvey Weinstein as a testament to the importance of professional journalism …
After [Ronan] Farrow's story was published in October 2017, journalist Rebecca Traister wrote that she had been "having conversations about Harvey Weinstein's history of sexual harassment for more than 17 years." The allegations took so long to surface, she argued, because "Harvey could spin—or suppress—anything; there were so many journalists on his payroll."
Thanks for reading! Send tips to rutz@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-02-26--In Victory For Trump, Appeals Court Says Feds Can Withhold Grants From Sanctuary Cities

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration can withhold federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions for refusing to cooperate with immigration authorities in a decision that will likely trigger a Supreme Court review .
A number of cities have challenged the Justice Department policy that would withhold federal law enforcement grants from cities that refuse to cooperate with illegal immigration enforcement .
The Second Circuit ruled against New York City 's challenge to the policy , but three other appeals courts have upheld injunctions that required the Trump administration to disperse the contested funds .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likelihood that the issue will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court , as justices generally take cases featuring questions over which multiple courts disagree .
`` Today 's decision rightfully recognizes the lawful authority of the attorney general to ensure that Department of Justice grant recipients are not at the same time thwarting federal law enforcement priorities , '' a Justice Department spokesman said in a statement .
`` The grant conditions here require states and cities that receive DOJ grants to share information about criminals in custody , '' the spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this information to enforce national immigration laws—policies supported by successive Democrat and Republican administrations . ''
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program distributes $ 250 million annually to support local law enforcement .
The Justice Department in 2017 imposed three immigration-enforcement conditions on recipients of those funds .
Beneficiaries were required to comply with a federal law that says government entities may not `` prohibit , or in any way restrict '' information-sharing with immigration authorities .
The policy also required local authorities to give notice of an incarcerated alien 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as ensure that federal immigration agents have access to jails and other facilities to question migrants or suspected aliens .
Sanctuary cities and states challenged those conditions in federal courts around the country .
In Wednesday 's decision , the Second Circuit said `` the plain language of the relevant statutes authorizes the attorney general to impose the challenged conditions . ''
Those statutes require program recipients to maintain records that the attorney general `` may reasonably require '' and comply with `` all other applicable federal laws . ''
As a general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the federal government has broad and preeminent power over immigration .
That 's important because the states can not impede or interfere with laws enacted by Congress , the court said .
`` The Supreme Court recently made the same point in the immigration context , '' the decision reads , referring to a 2012 decision of the High Court .
`` While acknowledging a state 's ‘ understandable frustrations with the problems caused by illegal immigration , ' the Court held that the ‘ state may not pursue policies that undermine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raggi wrote the decision for a unanimous panel , joined by Judges Ralph Winter and Jose Cabranes .
The case is No .
19-267 New York v. U.S. Department of Justice .

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration can withhold federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions for refusing to cooperate with immigration authorities in a decision that will likely trigger a Supreme Court review.
A number of cities have challenged the Justice Department policy that would withhold federal law enforcement grants from cities that refuse to cooperate with illegal immigration enforcement. The Second Circuit ruled against New York City's challenge to the policy, but three other appeals courts have upheld injunctions that required the Trump administration to disperse the contested funds. The split between the circuit courts increases the likelihood that the issue will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court, as justices generally take cases featuring questions over which multiple courts disagree.
"Today's decision rightfully recognizes the lawful authority of the attorney general to ensure that Department of Justice grant recipients are not at the same time thwarting federal law enforcement priorities," a Justice Department spokesman said in a statement.
"The grant conditions here require states and cities that receive DOJ grants to share information about criminals in custody," the spokesman said. "The federal government uses this information to enforce national immigration laws—policies supported by successive Democrat and Republican administrations."
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program distributes $250 million annually to support local law enforcement. The Justice Department in 2017 imposed three immigration-enforcement conditions on recipients of those funds. Beneficiaries were required to comply with a federal law that says government entities may not "prohibit, or in any way restrict" information-sharing with immigration authorities. The policy also required local authorities to give notice of an incarcerated alien's release date on request, as well as ensure that federal immigration agents have access to jails and other facilities to question migrants or suspected aliens.
Sanctuary cities and states challenged those conditions in federal courts around the country. In Wednesday's decision, the Second Circuit said "the plain language of the relevant statutes authorizes the attorney general to impose the challenged conditions." Those statutes require program recipients to maintain records that the attorney general "may reasonably require" and comply with "all other applicable federal laws."
As a general matter, the Second Circuit also said that the federal government has broad and preeminent power over immigration. That's important because the states cannot impede or interfere with laws enacted by Congress, the court said.
"The Supreme Court recently made the same point in the immigration context," the decision reads, referring to a 2012 decision of the High Court. "While acknowledging a state's 'understandable frustrations with the problems caused by illegal immigration,' the Court held that the 'state may not pursue policies that undermine federal law.'"
Judge Reena Raggi wrote the decision for a unanimous panel, joined by Judges Ralph Winter and Jose Cabranes. The case is No. 19-267 New York v. U.S. Department of Justice.


freebeacon--2020-02-26--Axios Running Bloomberg Ads

Axios Running Bloomberg Ads

Axios is running ads from Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg disguised as reported news stories , part of a controversial practice known as `` native advertising . ''
The Bloomberg campaign has spent hundreds of millions on ads , including primetime slots at the Super Bowl and Democratic debates .
It is now incorporating native advertising—ads designed to look like a site 's normal content—into its campaign strategy .
Axios has plastered Bloomberg ads on its home page , individual stories , and the Axios AM newsletter .
While labeled `` a message from Mike Bloomberg , '' the ads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories and appear in the same scroll .
Clicking on the ads directs the reader to Bloomberg 's campaign website .
Axios published the sponsored content after the former New York City mayor paid Instagram `` influencers '' and hundreds of Californians on Facebook to post pro-Bloomberg memes and messages .
Axios itself broke the news that Facebook would allow Bloomberg-paid content to remain up so long as posters make an effort to disclose their ties to the campaign .
`` Like most media , we allow ads from companies , groups and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines , '' an Axios spokeswoman said in an email .
The ethics of native advertising are particularly fraught in the media world , where ads are sometimes crafted with the goal of being mistaken for journalism .
The Atlantic was widely criticized in 2013 for running sponsored content from the Church of Scientology .
The Washington Free Beacon reported in 2019 that newspapers , including the New York Times and Washington Post , collected millions from a Chinese government mouthpiece by running full-page ads designed to resemble newspaper stories .
`` Native @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Journalists know this , '' the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism 's Tow Center noted last year .
`` Ultimately , the trust they work hard to secure may be jeopardized by the creation and dissemination of native advertisements . ''
Axios has long been notable for relying more on sponsored content and native advertising than other outlets .
A 2018 Buzzfeed profile noted that Axios offers `` truncated custom ads on its stream of stories and within its newsletters for advertisers like Boeing and Koch Industries .
These short ads look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posts . ''
Bloomberg 's Axios ads are part of a half-billion dollar ad blitz that has led other 2020 candidates to accuse the billionaire of attempting to buy the election .
The campaign , which did not respond to request for comment at press time , made a noticeable push during Tuesday night 's debate , angering some liberal activists .

Axios is running ads from Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg disguised as reported news stories, part of a controversial practice known as "native advertising."
The Bloomberg campaign has spent hundreds of millions on ads, including primetime slots at the Super Bowl and Democratic debates. It is now incorporating native advertising—ads designed to look like a site's normal content—into its campaign strategy. Axios has plastered Bloomberg ads on its home page, individual stories, and the Axios AM newsletter. While labeled "a message from Mike Bloomberg," the ads are mocked up to resemble actual Axios stories and appear in the same scroll. Clicking on the ads directs the reader to Bloomberg's campaign website.
Axios published the sponsored content after the former New York City mayor paid Instagram "influencers" and hundreds of Californians on Facebook to post pro-Bloomberg memes and messages. Axios itself broke the news that Facebook would allow Bloomberg-paid content to remain up so long as posters make an effort to disclose their ties to the campaign.
"Like most media, we allow ads from companies, groups and politicians, provided they adhere to our guidelines," an Axios spokeswoman said in an email.
The ethics of native advertising are particularly fraught in the media world, where ads are sometimes crafted with the goal of being mistaken for journalism. The Atlantic was widely criticized in 2013 for running sponsored content from the Church of Scientology. The Washington Free Beacon reported in 2019 that newspapers, including the New York Times and Washington Post, collected millions from a Chinese government mouthpiece by running full-page ads designed to resemble newspaper stories.
"Native advertising has been found to deceive readers. Journalists know this," the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism's Tow Center noted last year. "Ultimately, the trust they work hard to secure may be jeopardized by the creation and dissemination of native advertisements."
Axios has long been notable for relying more on sponsored content and native advertising than other outlets. A 2018 Buzzfeed profile noted that Axios offers "truncated custom ads on its stream of stories and within its newsletters for advertisers like Boeing and Koch Industries. These short ads look and feel … kind of like Axios posts."
Bloomberg's Axios ads are part of a half-billion dollar ad blitz that has led other 2020 candidates to accuse the billionaire of attempting to buy the election. The campaign, which did not respond to request for comment at press time, made a noticeable push during Tuesday night's debate, angering some liberal activists.


freebeacon--2020-02-26--Bloomberg TV Segment Rips Entire Dem Presidential Field, Including Michael Bloomberg

Larry Sabato , director of the University of Virginia 's Center for Politics , said during an interview with Bloomberg News that Tuesday night 's Democratic presidential debate was `` a disaster of a debate for the Democratic Party and for the candidates . ''
`` I did n't see anybody who had a good debate performance last night .
How could you see anybody ? ''
Sabato told Bloomberg News anchor David Westin on Wednesday .
`` It was messy , nasty , unruly , out of control , use whatever term you want . ''
Sabato singled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Bloomberg News 's parent company , for two consecutive `` mediocre to bad '' performances that have n't built upon the billionaire 's historic ad buys .
`` Bloomberg has been everywhere all the time , '' Sabato said about Bloomberg 's ad blitz .
`` His performance in the first debate and last night 's debate , in my view , was mediocre to bad , but you see , all I saw were Bloomberg ads leading up to the debate… .
During the debate he had ads , after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBS poll of Democrats after Tuesday 's debate revealed that the candidates left more respondents nervous than inspired .
Sabato predicted strife in the party if democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) receives only a plurality of delegates , leaving open the door for a brokered convention later this year .
`` Either you give the nomination to Bernie Sanders and accept whatever is coming in November , or you take it away from him , '' Sabato said , `` and face a walk out by the Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg has reportedly been working behind the scenes to convince Democratic Party officials to support him in a brokered convention .
Westin reminded viewers of Michael Bloomberg 's ownership stake in the network during the segment .
Bloomberg News instituted a policy in November not to use its campaign coverage to investigate its owner or any of his Democratic rivals .

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, said during an interview with Bloomberg News that Tuesday night's Democratic presidential debate was "a disaster of a debate for the Democratic Party and for the candidates."
"I didn't see anybody who had a good debate performance last night. How could you see anybody?" Sabato told Bloomberg News anchor David Westin on Wednesday. "It was messy, nasty, unruly, out of control, use whatever term you want."
Sabato singled out Michael Bloomberg, founder and majority owner of Bloomberg News's parent company, for two consecutive "mediocre to bad" performances that haven't built upon the billionaire's historic ad buys.
"Bloomberg has been everywhere all the time," Sabato said about Bloomberg's ad blitz. "His performance in the first debate and last night's debate, in my view, was mediocre to bad, but you see, all I saw were Bloomberg ads leading up to the debate.... During the debate he had ads, after the debate he had ads."
A CBS poll of Democrats after Tuesday's debate revealed that the candidates left more respondents nervous than inspired.
Sabato predicted strife in the party if democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) receives only a plurality of delegates, leaving open the door for a brokered convention later this year. "Either you give the nomination to Bernie Sanders and accept whatever is coming in November, or you take it away from him," Sabato said, "and face a walk out by the Sanders delegates and voters come November."
Bloomberg has reportedly been working behind the scenes to convince Democratic Party officials to support him in a brokered convention.
Westin reminded viewers of Michael Bloomberg's ownership stake in the network during the segment. Bloomberg News instituted a policy in November not to use its campaign coverage to investigate its owner or any of his Democratic rivals.


freebeacon--2020-02-26--In Reversal, Hillary Clinton (Sort of) Pledges to Support Bitter Rival Bernie Sanders Against Trump

Hillary Clinton does n't like Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) .
She still blames him for her humiliating defeat to Donald Trump in 2016 's general election .
`` Nobody likes him , nobody wants to work with him , he got nothing done , '' she said of Sanders in a Hulu documentary series about her life .
`` It 's all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it . ''
In interviews promoting the documentary , Clinton stopped short of pledging to endorse Sanders if he wins the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely after the socialist insurgent 's victories in Iowa , New Hampshire , and Nevada .
`` I 'm not going to go there yet , '' Clinton told the Hollywood Reporter in January .
`` It 's his online Bernie Bros and their relentless attacks on lots of his competitors , particularly the women .
And I really hope people are paying attention to that because it should be worrisome that he has permitted this culture—not only permitted , [ he ] seems to really be very much supporting it . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ her tune in light of Sanders 's strong showing in the early primary states .
During an interview at the Berlin International Film Festival , the twice-failed presidential candidate suggested she would support any Democratic nominee in an effort to remove President Trump from office .
`` I 'll wait and see who we nominate , and I will support the nominee , '' said Clinton .
`` And I think it is imperative that we retire the incumbent . ''
It 's not exactly a ringing endorsement of Sanders , though subtle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary 's underwhelming career in politics .
It looks as though she will have to prepare herself to vote for Bernie .
Unless , of course , she still does n't think Sanders will win the nomination—perhaps because she intends to challenge and defeat him at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee .
Because hell hath no fury like a Clinton scorned .

Hillary Clinton doesn't like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.). She still blames him for her humiliating defeat to Donald Trump in 2016's general election. "Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done," she said of Sanders in a Hulu documentary series about her life. "It's all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it."
In interviews promoting the documentary, Clinton stopped short of pledging to endorse Sanders if he wins the Democratic nomination, an outcome that seems increasingly likely after the socialist insurgent's victories in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada.
"I'm not going to go there yet," Clinton told the Hollywood Reporter in January. "It's his online Bernie Bros and their relentless attacks on lots of his competitors, particularly the women. And I really hope people are paying attention to that because it should be worrisome that he has permitted this culture—not only permitted, [he] seems to really be very much supporting it."
However, Clinton appears to have changed her tune in light of Sanders's strong showing in the early primary states. During an interview at the Berlin International Film Festival, the twice-failed presidential candidate suggested she would support any Democratic nominee in an effort to remove President Trump from office. "I'll wait and see who we nominate, and I will support the nominee," said Clinton. "And I think it is imperative that we retire the incumbent."
It's not exactly a ringing endorsement of Sanders, though subtle position-shifting has always been a staple of Hillary's underwhelming career in politics. It looks as though she will have to prepare herself to vote for Bernie. Unless, of course, she still doesn't think Sanders will win the nomination—perhaps because she intends to challenge and defeat him at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee.
Because hell hath no fury like a Clinton scorned.


freebeacon--2020-02-29--Appeals Court Won’t Force Ex-Trump Aide McGahn To Testify Before Congress

In a serious blow to the oversight efforts of House Democrats , the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C .
Circuit ruled Friday that former White House counsel Don McGahn can defy a subpoena to testify before Congress .
Judge Thomas Griffith wrote the opinion for a three-judge panel that divided two to one .
Griffith said the case presented a political conflict between two branches of government that the judiciary has no power to resolve .
`` If we throw ourselves into ‘ a power contest nearly at the height of its political tension , ’ we risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like pawns on politicians ’ chess boards , '' the decision reads .
`` In this case , the dangers of judicial involvement are particularly stark .
Few cases could so concretely present a direct clash between the political branches . ''
The House Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena for McGahn ’ s testimony in April 2019 .
The panel sought his testimony in connection with former special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s report , saying McGahn was a critical witness to alleged instances of obstruction of justice on Trump ’ s part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cooperate with the subpoena , precipitating the legal battle with House Democrats .
U.S. District Judge Kentaji Brown Jackson ordered McGahn to comply with the subpoena in November 2019 , rejecting administration arguments that the president ’ s senior aides are absolutely immune from congressionally compelled testimony .
In Friday ’ s decision , Griffith said the lower court ruling would force judges to supervise co-equal branches of government and set rules governing congressional investigations , thereby turning the courts into an `` ombudsman for interbranch information disputes . ''
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settle a dispute that we have no authority to resolve , '' the decision reads .
`` The Constitution does not vest federal courts with some ‘ amorphous general supervision of the operations of government.
’ '' The Department of Justice applauded the D.C .
Circuit for dismissing the House ’ s `` unprecedented '' lawsuit .
`` We are extremely pleased with today ’ s historic ruling from the D.C .
Circuit recognizing that the House of Representatives can not invoke the power of the courts in its political disputes with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Suits like this one are without precedent in our nation ’ s history and are inconsistent with the Constitution ’ s design .
The D.C.
Circuit ’ s cogent opinion affirms this fundamental principle . ''
Elsewhere in the decision , Griffith said House Democrats repeatedly undermined their own legal arguments .
For example , Griffith noted that House Democrats cited the administration ’ s litigating position in the McGahn case in support of the second article of impeachment , obstruction of Congress .
That ’ s more evidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bitter political showdown '' unfit for the courts , Griffith wrote .
Griffith also observed that the House issued subpoenas to Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross just one day after Jackson found the House could compel McGahn ’ s testimony .
Griffith said those actions showed that a decision for the House could ensnare the courts in future disputes between the president and Congress over enforcement of subpoenas .
`` The walk from the Capitol to our courthouse is a short one , and if we resolve this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s lawyers to make the trip often , '' the decision reads .
The court distinguished Friday ’ s decision from related cases involving subpoenas and the separation of powers .
Griffith said the decision does not disturb a 2019 decision finding Congress can enforce a subpoena for Trump ’ s financial records , since those records are held by a private third party .
Nor does the ruling dispute that courts can weigh subpoenas against the president arising out of criminal prosecutions , as occurred during the Watergate era .
In dissent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McGahn subpoena was relevant to Congress ’ s since-concluded impeachment inquiry .
Rogers said Friday ’ s decision `` assures future presidential stonewalling of Congress . ''
`` In the context of impeachment , when the accuracy and thoroughness of the investigation may well determine whether the president remains in office , the House ’ s need for information is at its zenith , '' Rogers wrote .
Friday ’ s decision comes one month before the Supreme Court will decide whether Congress can enforce subpoenas for President Donald Trump ’ s financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the full D.C .
Circuit or to the Supreme Court .
The case is No .
19-5331 House Committee on the Judiciary v. Donald McGahn .

In a serious blow to the oversight efforts of House Democrats, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled Friday that former White House counsel Don McGahn can defy a subpoena to testify before Congress.
Judge Thomas Griffith wrote the opinion for a three-judge panel that divided two to one. Griffith said the case presented a political conflict between two branches of government that the judiciary has no power to resolve.
"If we throw ourselves into ‘a power contest nearly at the height of its political tension,’ we risk seeming less like neutral magistrates and more like pawns on politicians’ chess boards," the decision reads. "In this case, the dangers of judicial involvement are particularly stark. Few cases could so concretely present a direct clash between the political branches."
The House Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena for McGahn’s testimony in April 2019. The panel sought his testimony in connection with former special counsel Robert Mueller’s report, saying McGahn was a critical witness to alleged instances of obstruction of justice on Trump’s part. The White House instructed McGahn not to cooperate with the subpoena, precipitating the legal battle with House Democrats.
U.S. District Judge Kentaji Brown Jackson ordered McGahn to comply with the subpoena in November 2019, rejecting administration arguments that the president’s senior aides are absolutely immune from congressionally compelled testimony.
In Friday’s decision, Griffith said the lower court ruling would force judges to supervise co-equal branches of government and set rules governing congressional investigations, thereby turning the courts into an "ombudsman for interbranch information disputes."
"The committee’s suit asks us to settle a dispute that we have no authority to resolve," the decision reads. "The Constitution does not vest federal courts with some ‘amorphous general supervision of the operations of government.’"
The Department of Justice applauded the D.C. Circuit for dismissing the House’s "unprecedented" lawsuit.
"We are extremely pleased with today’s historic ruling from the D.C. Circuit recognizing that the House of Representatives cannot invoke the power of the courts in its political disputes with the executive branch," a DOJ spokeswoman said. "Suits like this one are without precedent in our nation’s history and are inconsistent with the Constitution’s design. The D.C. Circuit’s cogent opinion affirms this fundamental principle."
Elsewhere in the decision, Griffith said House Democrats repeatedly undermined their own legal arguments.
For example, Griffith noted that House Democrats cited the administration’s litigating position in the McGahn case in support of the second article of impeachment, obstruction of Congress. That’s more evidence that Friday’s dispute is "a bitter political showdown" unfit for the courts, Griffith wrote.
Griffith also observed that the House issued subpoenas to Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross just one day after Jackson found the House could compel McGahn’s testimony. Griffith said those actions showed that a decision for the House could ensnare the courts in future disputes between the president and Congress over enforcement of subpoenas.
"The walk from the Capitol to our courthouse is a short one, and if we resolve this case today, we can expect Congress’s lawyers to make the trip often," the decision reads.
The court distinguished Friday’s decision from related cases involving subpoenas and the separation of powers. Griffith said the decision does not disturb a 2019 decision finding Congress can enforce a subpoena for Trump’s financial records, since those records are held by a private third party. Nor does the ruling dispute that courts can weigh subpoenas against the president arising out of criminal prosecutions, as occurred during the Watergate era.
In dissent, Judge Judith Rogers stressed that the McGahn subpoena was relevant to Congress’s since-concluded impeachment inquiry. Rogers said Friday’s decision "assures future presidential stonewalling of Congress."
"In the context of impeachment, when the accuracy and thoroughness of the investigation may well determine whether the president remains in office, the House’s need for information is at its zenith," Rogers wrote.
Friday’s decision comes one month before the Supreme Court will decide whether Congress can enforce subpoenas for President Donald Trump’s financial records.
The decision can be appealed to the full D.C. Circuit or to the Supreme Court. The case is No. 19-5331 House Judiciary Committee v. Donald McGahn.


freebeacon--2020-02-28--Trump Rips Politicized Coverage of Coronavirus Crisis, Defends Administration’s Response

President Donald Trump said members of the media are doing everything they can to `` instill fear '' in people over the coronavirus and defended his administration 's response to the viral outbreak .
`` I think that CNN is a very disreputable network , '' Trump told reporters on the White House lawn Friday .
`` I think they 're doing everything they can to instill fear in people , and I think it 's ridiculous . ''
`` Some of the Democrats are doing it the way it should be , but some of them are trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of untruths , '' Trump added .
The stock market experienced its worst week since the financial crisis in 2008 over fears of the virus 's impact on the international economy .
Democratic presidential contenders made false claims about Trump cutting the budgets of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
An Associated Press fact check also found that the leadership of these agencies has remained stable despite Michael Bloomberg 's claim that there was `` nobody here '' to deal with the virus .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrict travel to and from China , where the coronavirus was first discovered .
`` The fact is I made one decision that was a very important decision and that was to close our country to a certain area of the world that was relatively heavily infected , '' Trump said .
`` Had that decision not been made , it could be a much different story .
Some people are giving us credit for that .
And some people are n't .
The only ones who are n't , they do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's politics , '' he added .
CNN criticized the Trump administration 's task force for its lack of diversity , saying the group was constituted by `` mostly white men who are mirror images of the President himself . ''
The Washington Post also criticized the appointment of Vice President Mike Pence to lead the government 's response , due to Pence 's handling of an HIV outbreak as governor of Indiana in 2015 .
House Republicans walked out of a closed-door meeting after Rep. Rosa DeLauro ( D. , Conn. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration 's response .
Another Democratic congresswoman , Rep. Donna Shalala ( D. , Fla. ) , expressed frustration with her colleague for the criticism , telling Politico , `` No one wanted to hear that , either the Democrats or Republican .
We just wanted to hear the substance . ''

President Donald Trump said members of the media are doing everything they can to "instill fear" in people over the coronavirus and defended his administration's response to the viral outbreak.
"I think that CNN is a very disreputable network," Trump told reporters on the White House lawn Friday. "I think they're doing everything they can to instill fear in people, and I think it's ridiculous."
"Some of the Democrats are doing it the way it should be, but some of them are trying to gain political favor by saying a lot of untruths," Trump added.
The stock market experienced its worst week since the financial crisis in 2008 over fears of the virus's impact on the international economy.
Democratic presidential contenders made false claims about Trump cutting the budgets of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An Associated Press fact check also found that the leadership of these agencies has remained stable despite Michael Bloomberg's claim that there was "nobody here" to deal with the virus.
Trump also defended the administration's decision to restrict travel to and from China, where the coronavirus was first discovered.
"The fact is I made one decision that was a very important decision and that was to close our country to a certain area of the world that was relatively heavily infected," Trump said.
"Had that decision not been made, it could be a much different story. Some people are giving us credit for that. And some people aren't. The only ones who aren't, they don't mean it. It's political, it's politics," he added.
CNN criticized the Trump administration's task force for its lack of diversity, saying the group was constituted by "mostly white men who are mirror images of the President himself."
The Washington Post also criticized the appointment of Vice President Mike Pence to lead the government's response, due to Pence's handling of an HIV outbreak as governor of Indiana in 2015.
House Republicans walked out of a closed-door meeting after Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D., Conn.) started the meeting by criticizing the administration's response. Another Democratic congresswoman, Rep. Donna Shalala (D., Fla.), expressed frustration with her colleague for the criticism, telling Politico, "No one wanted to hear that, either the Democrats or Republican. We just wanted to hear the substance."


freebeacon--2020-02-28--House Dems Pass Menthol Cigarette Ban That Liberal Groups Blasted as Racist

House Democrats on Friday passed new regulations on tobacco which , just days before , major liberal policy groups said would `` further engrain systemic criminalization and racism . ''
H.R .
2339 , the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 , passed the House on a nearly party-line vote of 213 to 195 .
Just 17 Democrats voted against and 5 Republicans in support .
The bill is meant as a comprehensive response to the spike in teen nicotine consumption .
It prohibits the sale of cigarettes , vapes , or other tobacco products that are flavored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , among other reforms .
That menthol ban drew the ire of seven liberal policy organizations , including the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Action Network .
In a letter sent Monday to H.R .
2339 's author Rep. Frank Pallone ( D. , N.J. ) and obtained by the Washington Free Beacon , the groups wrote that they were concerned `` a blanket prohibition on menthol and other flavored tobacco products , which will apply to adults , will ( 1 ) disproportionately impact people and communities of color ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prioritizing criminalization over public health and harm reduction ; and ( 3 ) instigate unconstitutional policing and other negative interactions with local law enforcement . ''
The groups ' objection comes down to differences in consumer preferences .
Eighty-five percent of black smokers report using mentholated cigarettes in the past month , compared to less than 30 percent of white smokers .
Hispanic smokers are in the middle , at about 50 percent .
Similarly , the letter notes that black people make up 60 percent of the market for flavored cigarillos and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bill .
Notably , H.R .
2339 exempts certain `` traditional , expensive '' cigars from a ban on online tobacco sales , but not those more frequently used by people of color .
`` There is no justification for differentiating a La Palina from a Black and Mild , '' the letter argued .
Far from being a minor concern , the liberal groups argue that the ban could lead to federal prison sentences for individuals who sell or traffic in mentholated cigarettes .
`` Any prohibition on menthol and flavored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incarceration of people of color , '' they wrote .
The bill now goes to the Senate , where it may find an ally in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) , who pushed to raise the minimum purchase for cigarettes to 21 .
At the same time , the bill 's poor performance among House Republicans suggests that it is likely to have few friends in the GOP-controlled Senate .

House Democrats on Friday passed new regulations on tobacco which, just days before, major liberal policy groups said would "further engrain systemic criminalization and racism."
H.R. 2339, the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019, passed the House on a nearly party-line vote of 213 to 195. Just 17 Democrats voted against and 5 Republicans in support. The bill is meant as a comprehensive response to the spike in teen nicotine consumption. It prohibits the sale of cigarettes, vapes, or other tobacco products that are flavored in any way, including with menthol, among other reforms.
That menthol ban drew the ire of seven liberal policy organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Action Network. In a letter sent Monday to H.R. 2339's author Rep. Frank Pallone (D., N.J.) and obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, the groups wrote that they were concerned "a blanket prohibition on menthol and other flavored tobacco products, which will apply to adults, will (1) disproportionately impact people and communities of color; (2) trigger criminal penalties, prioritizing criminalization over public health and harm reduction; and (3) instigate unconstitutional policing and other negative interactions with local law enforcement."
The groups' objection comes down to differences in consumer preferences. Eighty-five percent of black smokers report using mentholated cigarettes in the past month, compared to less than 30 percent of white smokers. Hispanic smokers are in the middle, at about 50 percent.
Similarly, the letter notes that black people make up 60 percent of the market for flavored cigarillos and "non-premium" cigars also prohibited under the bill. Notably, H.R. 2339 exempts certain "traditional, expensive" cigars from a ban on online tobacco sales, but not those more frequently used by people of color. "There is no justification for differentiating a La Palina from a Black and Mild," the letter argued.
Far from being a minor concern, the liberal groups argue that the ban could lead to federal prison sentences for individuals who sell or traffic in mentholated cigarettes.
"Any prohibition on menthol and flavored tobacco products promises continued over-criminalization and mass incarceration of people of color," they wrote.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where it may find an ally in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), who pushed to raise the minimum purchase for cigarettes to 21. At the same time, the bill's poor performance among House Republicans suggests that it is likely to have few friends in the GOP-controlled Senate.


freebeacon--2020-02-28--Biden Admits He Was Never Arrested in South Africa

Presidential candidate Joe Biden was awarded a `` Four Pinocchio '' rating by the Washington Post for telling voters he was arrested trying to see Nelson Mandela while Mandela was imprisoned in South Africa .
After weeks of making the claim , Biden said Friday he was not arrested .
On the campaign trail , Biden repeatedly told his audiences that he was arrested trying to see Mandela during Biden 's visit to South Africa in 1977 .
On Friday , he admitted he was separated from his group while in the airport .
He traveled with the Congressional Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a racially segregated doorway labeled `` white . ''
`` I wasn ’ t arrested , I was stopped , '' Biden told CNN .
`` I was not able to move where I wanted to go . ''
According to the Post ’ s report , Biden ’ s original claim was unlikely because there was no evidence Biden had been arrested .
His claim was tied to factual events he spoke about in the past ; however , the parts about being arrested appear to have been inserted recently .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no mention of the arrest either .
`` This day 30 years ago Nelson Mandela walked out of prison and entered into discussions about apartheid , '' Biden said during a campaign event in Columbia , S.C. on Feb. 11 .
`` I had the great honor of meeting him .
I had the great honor of being arrested with our U.N. ambassador on the streets of Soweto trying to get to see him on Robben Island . ''
The U.N. ambassador at the time , Andrew Young , said he was never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mandela thanked him for getting arrested trying to see him .
`` After [ Mandela ] got free and became president [ of South Africa ] , he came to Washington and came to my office , '' Biden said in Las Vegas on Feb. 16 .
`` He threw his arms around me and said , ‘ I want to say thank you.
’ I said , ‘ What are you thanking me for , Mr. President ?
’ He said , ‘ You tried to see me , you got arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communications director Kate Bedingfield on Wednesday attempted to explain the claims by pointing to Biden 's separation from the group at the airport .
`` It was a separation , '' Bedingfield said .
`` He was not allowed to go through the same door as the rest of the party he was with .
Obviously , this was apartheid South Africa .
There was a white door .
There was a black door .
He did not want to go through the white door and have the rest of the party go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separated . ''

Presidential candidate Joe Biden was awarded a "Four Pinocchio" rating by the Washington Post for telling voters he was arrested trying to see Nelson Mandela while Mandela was imprisoned in South Africa. After weeks of making the claim, Biden said Friday he was not arrested.
On the campaign trail, Biden repeatedly told his audiences that he was arrested trying to see Mandela during Biden's visit to South Africa in 1977. On Friday, he admitted he was separated from his group while in the airport. He traveled with the Congressional Black Caucus and was forced to enter through a racially segregated doorway labeled "white."
"I wasn’t arrested, I was stopped," Biden told CNN. "I was not able to move where I wanted to go."
According to the Post’s report, Biden’s original claim was unlikely because there was no evidence Biden had been arrested. His claim was tied to factual events he spoke about in the past; however, the parts about being arrested appear to have been inserted recently. Biden’s account in his memoir made no mention of the arrest either.
"This day 30 years ago Nelson Mandela walked out of prison and entered into discussions about apartheid," Biden said during a campaign event in Columbia, S.C. on Feb. 11. "I had the great honor of meeting him. I had the great honor of being arrested with our U.N. ambassador on the streets of Soweto trying to get to see him on Robben Island."
The U.N. ambassador at the time, Andrew Young, said he was never arrested with Biden.
Biden also claimed Mandela thanked him for getting arrested trying to see him.
"After [Mandela] got free and became president [of South Africa], he came to Washington and came to my office," Biden said in Las Vegas on Feb. 16. "He threw his arms around me and said, ‘I want to say thank you.’ I said, ‘What are you thanking me for, Mr. President?’ He said, ‘You tried to see me, you got arrested trying to see me.’"
Biden communications director Kate Bedingfield on Wednesday attempted to explain the claims by pointing to Biden's separation from the group at the airport.
"It was a separation," Bedingfield said. "He was not allowed to go through the same door as the rest of the party he was with. Obviously, this was apartheid South Africa. There was a white door. There was a black door. He did not want to go through the white door and have the rest of the party go to the black door. He was separated."