freebeacon--2020-03-18--Ousting Longtime Rep. Dan Lipinski, Democratic Party Leaves Little Room for Pro-Lifers

Rep. Dan Lipinski 's ( D. , Ill. ) narrow loss in Tuesday 's Democratic primary in a race that centered largely on his pro-life views was a mark of progressive success in stamping out dissent on abortion in the Democratic Party .
Lipinski , who has represented Illinois 's Third Congressional District for 15 years , lost to progressive challenger Marie Newman , who had the support of national abortion groups .
Lipinski is one of just four remaining pro-life Democrats in the House , and Newman vigorously attacked his views , saying he is not a `` Real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Action Fund , NARAL Pro-Choice America , and EMILY ’ s List spent more than $ 1.5 million to boost her campaign .
Lipinski 's loss comes as Democratic leaders act increasingly hostile toward the party 's pro-lifers .
Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) called support for abortion `` an absolutely essential part of being a Democrat '' in June , and the party 's presidential frontrunner Joe Biden reversed his position on federal funding for abortion under heavy pressure from the same groups that pushed Newman to victory .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ former president Bill Clinton 's `` safe , legal , and rare '' position to full-throated support of taxpayer-funded abortion on demand .
Democrats risk alienating millions of voters , according to Marjorie Dannenfelser , president of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List .
`` Extremist party leaders are determined to stamp out any pro-life voice within the party in pursuing an agenda of abortion on demand through birth , paid for by taxpayers , and even infanticide , '' Dannenfelser said in a statement .
`` This radical platform—to which Democrat candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American values and alienates millions of pro-life voters , even among rank-and-file Democrats . ''
Democrats ' leftward lurch on abortion could jeopardize their bid to take back the White House this year , American Principles Project executive director Terry Schilling said .
`` There is no room in the Democratic Party for anyone who believes that abortion should be rare , only room for those who support abortion on demand , without apology , before or after birth , and paid for with your tax dollars , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some time and it ’ s why Democrats are losing ground in swing states like Ohio and Pennsylvania and why they will lose the presidency in 2020 . ''
The result marks a much-needed win for Justice Democrats , the same group that fueled Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ’ s ( D. , N.Y. ) 2018 upset victory .
Just 7 of 79 candidates endorsed by Justice Democrats went on to win general elections in 2018 , and Jessica Cisneros , the group ’ s hand-picked candidate to challenge pro-life Democrat Rep. Henry Cuellar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points in the Texas primary two weeks ago .
In 2018 Newman narrowly lost to Lipinski .
On Tuesday , she benefited from intense national attention , landing the support of Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, Cory Booker ( D. , N.J. ) , and Sanders , as well as Reps. Pramila Jayapal ( D. , Wash. ) , Ayanna Pressley ( D. , Mass . )
, Ro Khanna ( D. , Calif. ) , and Ocasio-Cortez , in addition to Justice Democrats and major abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside Illinois helped Newman outraise Lipinski by more than $ 400,000 .
Illinois 's primary was marked by low turnout due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Democratic governor J.B. Pritzker announced Monday that the state ’ s primary would go forward as planned , calling it `` the right thing to do . ''
Though he promised polling places would be stocked with sanitation supplies , poll workers reported a lack of both sanitary products and voting materials .
State officials in Georgia , Kentucky , Louisiana , Ohio , and Maryland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .

Rep. Dan Lipinski's (D., Ill.) narrow loss in Tuesday's Democratic primary in a race that centered largely on his pro-life views was a mark of progressive success in stamping out dissent on abortion in the Democratic Party.
Lipinski, who has represented Illinois's Third Congressional District for 15 years, lost to progressive challenger Marie Newman, who had the support of national abortion groups. Lipinski is one of just four remaining pro-life Democrats in the House, and Newman vigorously attacked his views, saying he is not a "Real Democrat." Abortion giants Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and EMILY’s List spent more than $1.5 million to boost her campaign.
Lipinski's loss comes as Democratic leaders act increasingly hostile toward the party's pro-lifers. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) called support for abortion "an absolutely essential part of being a Democrat" in June, and the party's presidential frontrunner Joe Biden reversed his position on federal funding for abortion under heavy pressure from the same groups that pushed Newman to victory. The party platform has shifted away from former president Bill Clinton's "safe, legal, and rare" position to full-throated support of taxpayer-funded abortion on demand.
Democrats risk alienating millions of voters, according to Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List.
"Extremist party leaders are determined to stamp out any pro-life voice within the party in pursuing an agenda of abortion on demand through birth, paid for by taxpayers, and even infanticide," Dannenfelser said in a statement. "This radical platform—to which Democrat candidates are called to religiously adhere—deeply offends mainstream American values and alienates millions of pro-life voters, even among rank-and-file Democrats."
Democrats' leftward lurch on abortion could jeopardize their bid to take back the White House this year, American Principles Project executive director Terry Schilling said.
"There is no room in the Democratic Party for anyone who believes that abortion should be rare, only room for those who support abortion on demand, without apology, before or after birth, and paid for with your tax dollars," he said. "This radical shift has been happening for some time and it’s why Democrats are losing ground in swing states like Ohio and Pennsylvania and why they will lose the presidency in 2020."
The result marks a much-needed win for Justice Democrats, the same group that fueled Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D., N.Y.) 2018 upset victory. Just 7 of 79 candidates endorsed by Justice Democrats went on to win general elections in 2018, and Jessica Cisneros, the group’s hand-picked candidate to challenge pro-life Democrat Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas), lost by 4 points in the Texas primary two weeks ago.
In 2018 Newman narrowly lost to Lipinski. On Tuesday, she benefited from intense national attention, landing the support of Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Cory Booker (D., N.J.), and Sanders, as well as Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D., Wash.), Ayanna Pressley (D., Mass.), Ro Khanna (D., Calif.), and Ocasio-Cortez, in addition to Justice Democrats and major abortion groups. The onslaught of support from outside Illinois helped Newman outraise Lipinski by more than $400,000.
Illinois's primary was marked by low turnout due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Democratic governor J.B. Pritzker announced Monday that the state’s primary would go forward as planned, calling it "the right thing to do." Though he promised polling places would be stocked with sanitation supplies, poll workers reported a lack of both sanitary products and voting materials. State officials in Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, and Maryland recently postponed their primaries due to the virus.


freebeacon--2020-03-18--Jersey Gun Owner Pursuing Civil Suit as Prosecutor Drops All Charges

The New Jersey man who was arrested for illegally carrying a gun despite having a valid permit is exploring legal action against authorities after charges were dropped on Friday .
Roosevelt Twyne 's lawyer told the Washington Free Beacon he is researching legal avenues for recovering damages from the Roselle Park Police Department and the prosecutor 's office .
Attorney Evan Nappen said Twyne , who has been on unpaid suspension from his job as a licensed security guard since the February arrest , is `` extremely pleased '' the case was dropped .
He said , however , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Twyne is looking at the best way to seek damages over the ordeal .
`` We still need to get his gun back , '' Nappen told the Free Beacon .
`` We 're working on that .
Then , of course , you want to clear the record with expungement so he does n't have an arrest record .
We 're looking at and weighing the options on further civil action . ''
Nappen said the civil case faces significant legal hurdles , but it is a necessary step to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through similar circumstances by law enforcement officials .
Twyne 's situation has also prompted Republican lawmakers in the state to call for changes to gun laws in order to better protect owners .
`` New Jersey 's over-zealous gun laws have enabled scenarios where law-abiding citizens—in this case , a security guard nonetheless—are being prosecuted , '' Assemblyman John DiMaio ( R. ) said in a statement .
`` Unfortunately , those good intentions have bad consequences .
We want to fix that . ''
The Republican bill would clarify the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commonly used for self-defense in the rest of the country .
Twyne had initially been charged with illegally carrying restricted ammunition despite public guidance from New Jersey State Police that the polymer-tipped rounds he had were legal .
The Union County Prosecutor 's Office admitted as much in its statement dropping all charges against the security guard .
The prosecutor 's office still insists that Twyne violated New Jersey 's gun-carry law despite having a gun-carry permit .
`` Mr. Twyne , who is an employee of Brinks , produced a permit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to certain conditions , '' the office said in the statement .
`` In particular , the permit was expressly limited to the time he was on-duty with Brinks .
At the time of the stop , Mr. Twyne was not on duty with Brinks—and , accordingly , he was not legally permitted to carry a weapon at that time . ''
The office said Twyne was stopped 16 minutes after leaving work , was cooperative with law enforcement during the arrest , and there was no evidence he intended to break any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutorial discretion '' in dropping both the ammo and gun-carry charges against Twyne .
Roselle Park police chief Daniel J. McCaffery said the arrest was `` was lawful and warranted . ''
`` The UCPO is the oversight agency for our county who approved the charges in this matter , '' he told the Free Beacon .
`` Probable cause for this arrest was present and the defendant did not follow N.J. firearms transport laws .
I can not comment beyond what the extensive press release states . ''
Nappen disputed the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police and prosecutor in the case misinterpreted New Jersey 's complicated gun laws .
He said state law requires anyone who wants to transport a firearm to either obtain a valid gun-carry permit , as Twyne does , or rely on certain exceptions to the law which allow for transporting handguns but only while unloaded and locked away .
He claimed law enforcement in the case ignored Twyne 's license .
`` If you have a carry license , you do n't utilize the exemptions .
You 're not going anywhere with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way of the license , '' Nappen told the Free Beacon .
`` So , they 're saying they 're dropping the charges pursuant to an inapplicable exemption that 's inapplicable because he has a license and inapplicable because it does n't exist based on their misinterpretation of ‘ place of business . '
That is the legal argument why they 're utterly wrong on what is in their statement . ''
As he explores options for how best to pursue action against the authorities , Nappen credited the public outcry against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop the charges .
He said media attention was key to raising public awareness of Twyne 's situation , adding that the outpouring of support around the country helped prevent a drawn-out legal battle .
After news of the arrest made its way into the public eye , leading gun-rights groups , including the National Rifle Association , Second Amendment Foundation , and Firearms Policy Coalition came to Twyne 's support .
Grassroots supporters also emerged as 2,566 people donated $ 61,449 to a legal defense fund set up to support him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think they just realized , given all the pressure , that the smartest thing for them to do , which is absolutely correct , was to dismiss the case , '' Nappen said .
Nappen said he expects Twyne to return to work while he explores possible legal recourse for the arrest .

The New Jersey man who was arrested for illegally carrying a gun despite having a valid permit is exploring legal action against authorities after charges were dropped on Friday.
Roosevelt Twyne's lawyer told the Washington Free Beacon he is researching legal avenues for recovering damages from the Roselle Park Police Department and the prosecutor's office. Attorney Evan Nappen said Twyne, who has been on unpaid suspension from his job as a licensed security guard since the February arrest, is "extremely pleased" the case was dropped. He said, however, there are significant issues left to resolve, and Twyne is looking at the best way to seek damages over the ordeal.
"We still need to get his gun back," Nappen told the Free Beacon. "We're working on that. Then, of course, you want to clear the record with expungement so he doesn't have an arrest record. We're looking at and weighing the options on further civil action."
Nappen said the civil case faces significant legal hurdles, but it is a necessary step to prevent New Jersey gun owners from being put through similar circumstances by law enforcement officials. Twyne's situation has also prompted Republican lawmakers in the state to call for changes to gun laws in order to better protect owners.
"New Jersey's over-zealous gun laws have enabled scenarios where law-abiding citizens—in this case, a security guard nonetheless—are being prosecuted," Assemblyman John DiMaio (R.) said in a statement. "Unfortunately, those good intentions have bad consequences. We want to fix that."
The Republican bill would clarify the state's restrictions against hollow-point ammunition, which is commonly used for self-defense in the rest of the country. Twyne had initially been charged with illegally carrying restricted ammunition despite public guidance from New Jersey State Police that the polymer-tipped rounds he had were legal. The Union County Prosecutor's Office admitted as much in its statement dropping all charges against the security guard.
The prosecutor's office still insists that Twyne violated New Jersey's gun-carry law despite having a gun-carry permit.
"Mr. Twyne, who is an employee of Brinks, produced a permit to carry the weapon, which was subject to certain conditions," the office said in the statement. "In particular, the permit was expressly limited to the time he was on-duty with Brinks. At the time of the stop, Mr. Twyne was not on duty with Brinks—and, accordingly, he was not legally permitted to carry a weapon at that time."
The office said Twyne was stopped 16 minutes after leaving work, was cooperative with law enforcement during the arrest, and there was no evidence he intended to break any law. It decided to exercise "prosecutorial discretion" in dropping both the ammo and gun-carry charges against Twyne.
Roselle Park police chief Daniel J. McCaffery said the arrest was "was lawful and warranted."
"The UCPO is the oversight agency for our county who approved the charges in this matter," he told the Free Beacon. "Probable cause for this arrest was present and the defendant did not follow N.J. firearms transport laws. I cannot comment beyond what the extensive press release states."
Nappen disputed the idea that Twyne did anything wrong and said the police and prosecutor in the case misinterpreted New Jersey's complicated gun laws. He said state law requires anyone who wants to transport a firearm to either obtain a valid gun-carry permit, as Twyne does, or rely on certain exceptions to the law which allow for transporting handguns but only while unloaded and locked away. He claimed law enforcement in the case ignored Twyne's license.
"If you have a carry license, you don't utilize the exemptions. You're not going anywhere with an exemption, you're carrying by way of the license," Nappen told the Free Beacon. "So, they're saying they're dropping the charges pursuant to an inapplicable exemption that's inapplicable because he has a license and inapplicable because it doesn't exist based on their misinterpretation of 'place of business.' That is the legal argument why they're utterly wrong on what is in their statement."
As he explores options for how best to pursue action against the authorities, Nappen credited the public outcry against the case for forcing New Jersey officials to drop the charges. He said media attention was key to raising public awareness of Twyne's situation, adding that the outpouring of support around the country helped prevent a drawn-out legal battle.
After news of the arrest made its way into the public eye, leading gun-rights groups, including the National Rifle Association, Second Amendment Foundation, and Firearms Policy Coalition came to Twyne's support. Grassroots supporters also emerged as 2,566 people donated $61,449 to a legal defense fund set up to support him.
"It got to a point where I think they just realized, given all the pressure, that the smartest thing for them to do, which is absolutely correct, was to dismiss the case," Nappen said.
Nappen said he expects Twyne to return to work while he explores possible legal recourse for the arrest.


freebeacon--2020-03-18--Hunter Biden Founded a Now-Defunct Record Production Company in 2018

Hunter Biden , the son of former vice president Joe Biden , cofounded a record production company in 2018 that recently defaulted on its mortgage payments and went into foreclosure on its studio , state records show .
The company , Biden Enterprise LLC , which claims to work with rising hip hop and country artists , was registered in a Las Vegas suburb and listed Robert Hunter Biden and Michael Elisaldez as directors .
Elisaldez , a 42-year-old Californian who described Hunter Biden as a `` good friend '' in social media posts , boasted about working with singers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influencer Kristen Strout and former Family Matters star Darius McCrary .
Elisaldez also posted videos of himself riding on private jets , hanging out with bikini models , and ordering bottle service at Las Vegas nightclubs .
`` You have to live for your work .
Do n't know how to stop ca n't stop .
The world ca n't see us coming .
Hoody mobbing .
This ai n't a game we live for this music $ h !
t , '' wrote Elsaldez in one Instagram post , adding the hashtag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's financial activities have come under scrutiny during the 2020 primary race .
Biden held lucrative positions with the Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings and other foreign companies while his father , now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , was vice president .
Joe Biden has been dogged from the outset of campaign season with questions about whether his son used his proximity to power for personal benefit .
The younger Biden has taken pains to avoid disclosing his financial information in a paternity lawsuit filed against him by the mother of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he claimed he has been unemployed and without income since last May , even as he and his wife have been renting a $ 12,000-per-month home in Hollywood Hills .
Last week , he agreed to settle the child support case , avoiding a court-ordered deposition and discovery deadline that would have delved into his work status , income , and tax history .
Biden Enterprise LLC purchased a $ 365,000 home in Paradise , Nev. , in February 2019 to use as a recording studio , according to records from the Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Washington Free Beacon .
The company received a $ 255,500 loan from the Fidelity National Title Agency of Nevada .
The documents show that the company defaulted on the payments and went into foreclosure last month .
They also show that Biden Enterprise LLC owes multiple back payments to Republic Silver State Disposal Inc. , for unpaid liens related to garbage disposal .
Elisaldez ’ s Instagram profile , which uses the handle @ family1st_records , describes its owner as an `` executive music producer '' involved in `` artist management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ describes himself as the `` CEO '' of multiple production companies , including Biden Enterprise LLC , A-Lister Entertainment , and F1 Records , which are registered under his name .
He said in an Instagram post that the company he started with Biden was involved both in music production and sports gambling .
`` A-Lister Entertainment & Biden Enterprise LLC is going Frank Rostin on that a $ $ .
That 's rite not only are we tapping into the Casino game at the Rio hotel Las Vegas but also in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a post last summer .
Caesars Entertainment Corporation , which owns the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Vegas , was unable to confirm whether such a deal existed as of press time .
The Biden campaign did not respond to request for comment .
On Elisaldez 's page , he touted his work with songwriter BJ the Chicago Kid , Mexican musician Jay Rivas , and the 1500 or Nothin ' ensemble .
BJ the Chicago Kid told the Free Beacon that he worked with Elisaldez ’ s daughter on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Darius McCrary , now a singer and producer , previously had a small association with Elisaldez ’ s record company Family 1st Records , according to McCrary ’ s spokesperson LaShirl Smith .
`` I know Darius has previously had an association with them on a small scale in the past ( maybe studio session of some sort ) , but he does n't have any affiliation with them currently , '' said Smith .
Kristen Strout , a former member of the Lingerie Football League and Instagram model in Nashville , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Las Vegas in January .
She said Elisaldez reached out to her about recording music after she posted videos of herself singing on social media .
`` He paid for a couple of singing lessons for me here in Nashville , '' she told the Free Beacon .
`` He seemed normal when I went there , nothing seemed off , they did record in the studio… .
I mainly just went for the experience , to see what goes into recording a song . ''
Strout said they recorded at a studio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elisaldez and a sound engineer were present .
`` It was a legit awesome studio .
It was huge .
They were both professional , '' she said .
The director of the studio at the Palms , Zoe Thrall , said she was not familiar with Elisaldez or his record company , but added that the studio has clients coming and going frequently .
She said the space is available for rent for $ 175 an hour , plus additional costs for engineers or special equipment .
Elisaldez did not respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his business partnership with Hunter Biden .
His Instagram page mentions Hunter Biden in several posts .
`` For those close friends n family that know me and my good friend and business partner Hunter well hes off running his dads presedential campaign for the time being and well he always had this one Axe on him that he always carried around so there for an Axe so in good memory of him till he gets back , '' wrote Elisaldez in a post six months ago , showing off his necklace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In another missive , Elisaldez slammed President Trump for asking Ukraine to look into Hunter Biden ’ s business dealings in the country .
`` Just leave [ Hunter ] alone already leave the kids out of it we do n't talk about [ Trump ’ s ] son and the countries he visits , '' he wrote last fall .
`` So please just let my dearest friend be he was already victoroius winning his dad 's vice presidentcy campaign under one of our greatest presidents @ barackobama .
Now running his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up 31 % , a 5 percentage point gain from July let us just work . ''
The Nevada Secretary of State ’ s office said Biden was removed as an active manager prior to the end of 2019 but couldn ’ t provide the precise date of his removal .

Hunter Biden, the son of former vice president Joe Biden, cofounded a record production company in 2018 that recently defaulted on its mortgage payments and went into foreclosure on its studio, state records show.
The company, Biden Enterprise LLC, which claims to work with rising hip hop and country artists, was registered in a Las Vegas suburb and listed Robert Hunter Biden and Michael Elisaldez as directors.
Elisaldez, a 42-year-old Californian who described Hunter Biden as a "good friend" in social media posts, boasted about working with singers and songwriters, including Instagram model and influencer Kristen Strout and former Family Matters star Darius McCrary. Elisaldez also posted videos of himself riding on private jets, hanging out with bikini models, and ordering bottle service at Las Vegas nightclubs.
"You have to live for your work. Don't know how to stop can't stop. The world can't see us coming. Hoody mobbing. This ain't a game we live for this music $h!t," wrote Elsaldez in one Instagram post, adding the hashtag "#bidenenterprise."
Hunter Biden's financial activities have come under scrutiny during the 2020 primary race. Biden held lucrative positions with the Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings and other foreign companies while his father, now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, was vice president. Joe Biden has been dogged from the outset of campaign season with questions about whether his son used his proximity to power for personal benefit.
The younger Biden has taken pains to avoid disclosing his financial information in a paternity lawsuit filed against him by the mother of his 18-month-old child. In court filings, he claimed he has been unemployed and without income since last May, even as he and his wife have been renting a $12,000-per-month home in Hollywood Hills. Last week, he agreed to settle the child support case, avoiding a court-ordered deposition and discovery deadline that would have delved into his work status, income, and tax history.
Biden Enterprise LLC purchased a $365,000 home in Paradise, Nev., in February 2019 to use as a recording studio, according to records from the Office of the Clark County Recorder obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon. The company received a $255,500 loan from the Fidelity National Title Agency of Nevada.
The documents show that the company defaulted on the payments and went into foreclosure last month. They also show that Biden Enterprise LLC owes multiple back payments to Republic Silver State Disposal Inc., for unpaid liens related to garbage disposal.
Elisaldez’s Instagram profile, which uses the handle @family1st_records, describes its owner as an "executive music producer" involved in "artist management, artist development." He also describes himself as the "CEO" of multiple production companies, including Biden Enterprise LLC, A-Lister Entertainment, and F1 Records, which are registered under his name.
He said in an Instagram post that the company he started with Biden was involved both in music production and sports gambling.
"A-Lister Entertainment & Biden Enterprise LLC is going Frank Rostin on that a$$. That's rite not only are we tapping into the Casino game at the Rio hotel Las Vegas but also in the PC Gaming world," said Elisaldez in a post last summer.
Caesars Entertainment Corporation, which owns the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Vegas, was unable to confirm whether such a deal existed as of press time. The Biden campaign did not respond to request for comment.
On Elisaldez's page, he touted his work with songwriter BJ the Chicago Kid, Mexican musician Jay Rivas, and the 1500 or Nothin' ensemble.
BJ the Chicago Kid told the Free Beacon that he worked with Elisaldez’s daughter on vocal coaching.
Former Family Matters star Darius McCrary, now a singer and producer, previously had a small association with Elisaldez’s record company Family 1st Records, according to McCrary’s spokesperson LaShirl Smith. "I know Darius has previously had an association with them on a small scale in the past (maybe studio session of some sort), but he doesn't have any affiliation with them currently," said Smith.
Kristen Strout, a former member of the Lingerie Football League and Instagram model in Nashville, said she recorded a song with Elisaldez in Las Vegas in January. She said Elisaldez reached out to her about recording music after she posted videos of herself singing on social media.
"He paid for a couple of singing lessons for me here in Nashville," she told the Free Beacon. "He seemed normal when I went there, nothing seemed off, they did record in the studio.... I mainly just went for the experience, to see what goes into recording a song."
Strout said they recorded at a studio at the Palms Casino Resort and that Elisaldez and a sound engineer were present.
"It was a legit awesome studio. It was huge. They were both professional," she said.
The director of the studio at the Palms, Zoe Thrall, said she was not familiar with Elisaldez or his record company, but added that the studio has clients coming and going frequently. She said the space is available for rent for $175 an hour, plus additional costs for engineers or special equipment.
Elisaldez did not respond to multiple requests for comment about Biden Enterprise and his business partnership with Hunter Biden. His Instagram page mentions Hunter Biden in several posts.
"For those close friends n family that know me and my good friend and business partner Hunter well hes off running his dads presedential campaign for the time being and well he always had this one Axe on him that he always carried around so there for an Axe so in good memory of him till he gets back," wrote Elisaldez in a post six months ago, showing off his necklace with an ax charm on it.
In another missive, Elisaldez slammed President Trump for asking Ukraine to look into Hunter Biden’s business dealings in the country.
"Just leave [Hunter] alone already leave the kids out of it we don't talk about [Trump’s] son and the countries he visits," he wrote last fall. "So please just let my dearest friend be he was already victoroius winning his dad's vice presidentcy campaign under one of our greatest presidents @barackobama. Now running his father's winning 2020 Presidentail campaign and up 31% , a 5 percentage point gain from July let us just work."
The Nevada Secretary of State’s office said Biden was removed as an active manager prior to the end of 2019 but couldn’t provide the precise date of his removal.


freebeacon--2020-03-19--Chinese Propagandists Used ‘Wuhan Virus’ Before Condemning It as Racist

China has accused U.S. leaders of racism for referring to the new coronavirus as the `` Wuhan virus . ''
But an examination of Chinese state-media reporters shows the term was used frequently in their coverage during the initial stages of the outbreak .
A March 8 report from the government-backed Global Times , for example , condemned Secretary of State Mike Pompeo 's use of the term , arguing that it was a `` rude and vicious comment '' and `` a new low in his personal conduct . ''
But Chinese state-media outlets routinely referred to the pathogen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Wuhan pneumonia '' through mid-February .
`` Wuhan pneumonia a wakeup call for basic Chinese research , '' read the headline for a Jan. 22 piece published by Global Times , the same outlet that criticized Pompeo .
`` China , where both SARS and the Wuhan virus first emerged , failed to be the first in relevant diagnostic research and development ( R & D ) in both cases . ''
State-media outlets adopted new names for the pathogen just as China launched a global propaganda campaign to deflect responsibility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , involving both state media and ambassadors , argued that China 's successful response bought time for the rest of the world—a talking point regurgitated by the New York Times on March 12 .
The propaganda effort also seeks to minimize the botched response of the Wuhan and Chinese authorities , in part by blaming the U.S. military for the outbreak without any evidence .
Despite the triumphant claims of propagandists , Chinese authorities exacerbated the pandemic by attempting to keep it under wraps for weeks after the first coronavirus case emerged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precious time during the early days of the pandemic .
One study found that coronavirus cases could have been reduce by 95 percent if China started its response three weeks earlier .
On February 11 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses officially named the new pathogen SARS-CoV-2 , and the disease it causes as COVID-19 , which stands for Corona Virus Disease .
But before that date , media outlets across the world used a variety of different names to refer to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese city where the disease was first observed .
For example , a Jan. 9 article published by the Xinhua News Agency , a state-propaganda organ , labeled the new disease `` Wuhan 's viral pneumonia epidemic with unknown causes '' in a Chinese-language article .
People 's Daily , the official party paper of the Chinese Communist Party , reported that the `` fourth death [ was ] confirmed in Wuhan pneumonia cases '' on Jan. 21 .
Global Times also published an article on Jan. 25 in English , calling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None of those outlets returned requests for comment .
The propaganda outlets stopped including references to Wuhan in their Chinese-language publications around the end of January , with one Jan. 29 Xinhua editorial arguing that the term `` Wuhan pneumonia '' is `` prejudiced '' and disrespectful to the city 's residents .
By February , editors started applying the same standards for English-language articles : One Xinhua opinion column from Feb. 12 requested Western journalists to `` quit racist reporting '' and refrain from calling the virus the `` Chinese virus '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the new editorial standard took some time to permeate across all Chinese propaganda outlets , especially those that publish in English .
After Global Times condemned Western outlets for using the term `` Wuhan virus '' on Feb. 6 , it published a new article two weeks later featuring the prohibited term .
`` Chinese netizens fear Japan would repeat Wuhan virus mistake at early stage , '' read the headline for a Global Times piece published on Feb. 17 .
The naming conventions used by U.S. media outlets have also evolved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 , when the virus was mainly hammering mainland China , the Associated Press issued a guideline encouraging journalists to refer to the new pathogen as `` ‘ the new virus from China , ' ‘ the new virus , ' ‘ the coronavirus from China , ' etc . ''
on first reference .
After WHO granted the virus its official name and China condemned references linking the outbreak to China , AP revised its coronavirus guideline by dropping any mention of China .
Now , the wire service recommends that journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` the new virus , '' or `` COVID-19 . ''
As a result , many media outlets that previously referred to the virus as the Wuhan virus or the Chinese virus are condemning President Donald Trump for doing the same .
WHO has also asked people to refrain from using the term SARS-CoV-2 to talk about the pandemic because the term SARS might `` create unnecessary fear for some population , especially in Asia . ''
The new coronavirus is related to but not the same as the pathogen that caused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO has recognized several diseases that explicitly reference the disease 's origins or initial outbreak site .
For instance , contagion-caused diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ( MERS ) first started in Saudi Arabia , and the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever refers to the two locations where the disease was first found .

China has accused U.S. leaders of racism for referring to the new coronavirus as the "Wuhan virus." But an examination of Chinese state-media reporters shows the term was used frequently in their coverage during the initial stages of the outbreak.
A March 8 report from the government-backed Global Times, for example, condemned Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's use of the term, arguing that it was a "rude and vicious comment" and "a new low in his personal conduct." But Chinese state-media outlets routinely referred to the pathogen as the "Wuhan virus" or "Wuhan pneumonia" through mid-February.
"Wuhan pneumonia a wakeup call for basic Chinese research," read the headline for a Jan. 22 piece published by Global Times, the same outlet that criticized Pompeo. "China, where both SARS and the Wuhan virus first emerged, failed to be the first in relevant diagnostic research and development (R&D) in both cases."
State-media outlets adopted new names for the pathogen just as China launched a global propaganda campaign to deflect responsibility for the pandemic. The world-spanning media blitz, involving both state media and ambassadors, argued that China's successful response bought time for the rest of the world—a talking point regurgitated by the New York Times on March 12. The propaganda effort also seeks to minimize the botched response of the Wuhan and Chinese authorities, in part by blaming the U.S. military for the outbreak without any evidence.
Despite the triumphant claims of propagandists, Chinese authorities exacerbated the pandemic by attempting to keep it under wraps for weeks after the first coronavirus case emerged in December. China's failed cover-up wasted precious time during the early days of the pandemic. One study found that coronavirus cases could have been reduce by 95 percent if China started its response three weeks earlier.
On February 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses officially named the new pathogen SARS-CoV-2, and the disease it causes as COVID-19, which stands for Corona Virus Disease. But before that date, media outlets across the world used a variety of different names to refer to the new pathogen, including Wuhan, the Chinese city where the disease was first observed.
For example, a Jan. 9 article published by the Xinhua News Agency, a state-propaganda organ, labeled the new disease "Wuhan's viral pneumonia epidemic with unknown causes" in a Chinese-language article. People's Daily, the official party paper of the Chinese Communist Party, reported that the "fourth death [was] confirmed in Wuhan pneumonia cases" on Jan. 21. Global Times also published an article on Jan. 25 in English, calling the disease the "Wuhan pneumonia."
None of those outlets returned requests for comment.
The propaganda outlets stopped including references to Wuhan in their Chinese-language publications around the end of January, with one Jan. 29 Xinhua editorial arguing that the term "Wuhan pneumonia" is "prejudiced" and disrespectful to the city's residents. By February, editors started applying the same standards for English-language articles: One Xinhua opinion column from Feb. 12 requested Western journalists to "quit racist reporting" and refrain from calling the virus the "Chinese virus" or the "Wuhan virus."
But the new editorial standard took some time to permeate across all Chinese propaganda outlets, especially those that publish in English. After Global Times condemned Western outlets for using the term "Wuhan virus" on Feb. 6, it published a new article two weeks later featuring the prohibited term. "Chinese netizens fear Japan would repeat Wuhan virus mistake at early stage," read the headline for a Global Times piece published on Feb. 17.
The naming conventions used by U.S. media outlets have also evolved over time. As recently as Feb. 3, when the virus was mainly hammering mainland China, the Associated Press issued a guideline encouraging journalists to refer to the new pathogen as "'the new virus from China,' 'the new virus,' 'the coronavirus from China,' etc." on first reference.
After WHO granted the virus its official name and China condemned references linking the outbreak to China, AP revised its coronavirus guideline by dropping any mention of China. Now, the wire service recommends that journalists use "the new coronavirus," "the new virus," or "COVID-19." As a result, many media outlets that previously referred to the virus as the Wuhan virus or the Chinese virus are condemning President Donald Trump for doing the same.
WHO has also asked people to refrain from using the term SARS-CoV-2 to talk about the pandemic because the term SARS might "create unnecessary fear for some population, especially in Asia." The new coronavirus is related to but not the same as the pathogen that caused the 2003 outbreak.
In the past, WHO has recognized several diseases that explicitly reference the disease's origins or initial outbreak site. For instance, contagion-caused diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) first started in Saudi Arabia, and the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever refers to the two locations where the disease was first found.


freebeacon--2020-03-19--Tom Cotton Debuts Plan to Take Pharma Production Back From China

Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
introduced legislation Thursday to repatriate pharmaceutical manufacturing from China to America , aiming to reduce a dependency that could seriously limit the U.S. coronavirus response .
The bill , which Cotton introduced with Rep. Mike Gallagher ( R. , Wis. ) , aims to severely curtail the volume of Chinese active pharmaceutical ingredients ( APIs ) from the U.S. medical drug supply .
The PRC currently produces most of the world 's APIs—the `` active ingredients '' in commonly used drugs—leaving the United States and other nations critically dependent on it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest proposal to onshore pharmaceutical supply chains , including a similar one from Sen. Marco Rubio ( R. , Fla. ) and rumblings from the White House about a `` buy American '' executive order .
Prompted by the coronavirus pandemic , many are beginning to see the cost-savings from Chinese-made pharmaceuticals as not worth the risk of undersupply during another pandemic , or during a potential conflict with America 's main geostrategic rival .
`` China unleashed this plague on the world , and China has to be held accountable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview Wednesday evening .
`` It 's too grave a threat to let our health rest on Chinese drugs . ''
The Cotton bill would directly target Chinese API producers , requiring the FDA to track the point of origin for APIs and drugs made outside of the United States , as well as requiring drug companies to list the country of origin for APIs on their products .
It would also prohibit all federal entities—including the Departments of Health and Human Services , Veterans Affairs , and Defense—from purchasing drugs that use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also aims to bolster domestic pharmaceutical production capacity .
It would allow domestic manufacturers to immediately expense the costs of expanding production capacity , giving such businesses a major write-off on their taxes .
If successful , that provision could help U.S.-based manufacturers compete with lower-cost Chinese ones , keeping drug prices low even as production moves back to the United States .
Cotton 's plan , and those similar to it , are targeted at changing a major feature of the current system of international trade .
Pharmaceuticals are like electronics : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States , Europe , and Japan , but China does much of the assembly .
In particular , China makes much of the world 's API supply .
The United States produces about 28 percent of the APIs it uses , compared to importing 13 percent directly from China .
But , because China is ( along with India ) the global leading producer , making about 40 percent of the world 's total supply , many finished drugs imported from Europe , India , and other places likely also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ APIs to the United States has been major business for the Chinese , with the total number of factories producing them in China doubling between 2010 and 2019 .
Census Bureau data show that pharmaceutical imports have grown from $ 179 million in 2000 to $ 1.56 billion in 2019—a nearly 800 percent increase .
Perhaps , in part , because of these profits , discussion of repatriating pharmaceutical production appears to have spooked Chinese authorities .
In a Tuesday tweet , the country 's ministry of foreign affairs claimed that `` trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. from China is unrealistic and unhelpful , '' adding that it would be `` a wrong remedy for # COVID19 pandemic . ''

Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) introduced legislation Thursday to repatriate pharmaceutical manufacturing from China to America, aiming to reduce a dependency that could seriously limit the U.S. coronavirus response.
The bill, which Cotton introduced with Rep. Mike Gallagher (R., Wis.), aims to severely curtail the volume of Chinese active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from the U.S. medical drug supply. The PRC currently produces most of the world's APIs—the "active ingredients" in commonly used drugs—leaving the United States and other nations critically dependent on it for medicines.
Cotton's is just the latest proposal to onshore pharmaceutical supply chains, including a similar one from Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) and rumblings from the White House about a "buy American" executive order. Prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, many are beginning to see the cost-savings from Chinese-made pharmaceuticals as not worth the risk of undersupply during another pandemic, or during a potential conflict with America's main geostrategic rival.
"China unleashed this plague on the world, and China has to be held accountable," said Cotton during a Fox News interview Wednesday evening. "It's too grave a threat to let our health rest on Chinese drugs."
The Cotton bill would directly target Chinese API producers, requiring the FDA to track the point of origin for APIs and drugs made outside of the United States, as well as requiring drug companies to list the country of origin for APIs on their products. It would also prohibit all federal entities—including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, and Defense—from purchasing drugs that use APIs made in China.
The bill also aims to bolster domestic pharmaceutical production capacity. It would allow domestic manufacturers to immediately expense the costs of expanding production capacity, giving such businesses a major write-off on their taxes. If successful, that provision could help U.S.-based manufacturers compete with lower-cost Chinese ones, keeping drug prices low even as production moves back to the United States.
Cotton's plan, and those similar to it, are targeted at changing a major feature of the current system of international trade. Pharmaceuticals are like electronics: Most of the actual innovation is done in the United States, Europe, and Japan, but China does much of the assembly.
In particular, China makes much of the world's API supply. The United States produces about 28 percent of the APIs it uses, compared to importing 13 percent directly from China. But, because China is (along with India) the global leading producer, making about 40 percent of the world's total supply, many finished drugs imported from Europe, India, and other places likely also contain Chinese APIs.
The sale of APIs to the United States has been major business for the Chinese, with the total number of factories producing them in China doubling between 2010 and 2019. Census Bureau data show that pharmaceutical imports have grown from $179 million in 2000 to $1.56 billion in 2019—a nearly 800 percent increase.
Perhaps, in part, because of these profits, discussion of repatriating pharmaceutical production appears to have spooked Chinese authorities. In a Tuesday tweet, the country's ministry of foreign affairs claimed that "trying to move medical supply chains back to the U.S. from China is unrealistic and unhelpful," adding that it would be "a wrong remedy for #COVID19 pandemic."


freebeacon--2020-03-19--Dems Reject Gun Violence Bill as Shootings Surge in Baltimore

Maryland Democrats rejected a bill aimed at combating gun violence as Baltimore mayor Jack Young publicly begged residents to stop shooting each other so hospitals could be used to treat coronavirus patients .
Young , a Democrat , pleaded with residents on Wednesday not to `` clog up our hospitals and beds with people [ who ] are being shot senselessly . ''
But on the same day , his partymates in the state legislature voted down a bill pushed by Republican governor Larry Hogan that would strengthen penalties for violent criminals .
Hogan ’ s Violent Firearms Offenders Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a felony and increase penalties for those who repeatedly carry illegal guns or use a gun while drug dealing .
The bill passed the state Senate on March 10 following a contentious back-and-forth between lawmakers .
Democrats successfully removed the legislation 's mandatory minimum sentencing increase , arguing it would punish violent criminals too severely .
Following the removal of mandatory minimums and the bill 's subsequent passage , state Senate president and Baltimore Democrat Bill Ferguson lauded the legislation 's bipartisan nature , saying it included `` the legislature 's priorities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones did not respond to a request for comment on why the bill was rejected .
Following the Wednesday vote , the Maryland legislature adjourned due to the coronavirus crisis .
House Minority Leader Nic Kipke called the failure to pass Hogan 's bill `` one of the disappointments '' of the legislative session .
`` We still have n't addressed the issue of crime in the state , '' Kipke said .
`` It 's one of the disappointments for me this session . ''
Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led the charge to remove the bill 's mandatory minimums , also expressed discontent .
`` I do n't think anyone has walked out of here thinking that we 've done enough , '' he said .
GOP state senators accused Democrats of attempting to gut the legislation even further in the amendment process .
According to Republican senator Michael Hough , Democrats in the Judicial Proceedings Committee offered amendments that removed penalty enhancements for drug dealers who use a gun , criminals who steal guns , and those who use a so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fellow Republican senator Bob Cassilly told the Washington Free Beacon that Democrats undermined public safety .
`` The strategy that we pursued was , just to point out , ‘ Do you realize what you 're saying ? '
Democrats , on one hand , were pushing legislation to give jail time to people who did n't comply to the letter of law with a firearm transfer .
Meanwhile , they were giving a break to people who use firearms to sell drugs , '' Cassilly said .
Hogan 's Violent Firearms Offenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent indicated support for the bill , as did 84 percent of African Americans statewide , according to an internal poll shared with the Free Beacon by Hogan 's office .
Violent crime spiked in the nation 's deadliest large city in the last week , according to Baltimore police commissioner Michael Harrison .
After seven people were shot Tuesday night , Young urged the city 's residents to stop the violence , so health officials could focus on the pandemic .
`` I want to reiterate how completely unacceptable the level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We will not stand for mass shootings and an increase in crime , '' the mayor said .
`` We can not clog up our hospitals and their beds with people that are being shot senselessly because we 're going to need those beds for people infected with the coronavirus .
And it could be your mother , your grandmother , or one of your relatives .
So take that into consideration . ''

Dem senator: 'I don’t think anyone has walked out of here thinking that we've done enough'
Maryland Democrats rejected a bill aimed at combating gun violence as Baltimore mayor Jack Young publicly begged residents to stop shooting each other so hospitals could be used to treat coronavirus patients.
Young, a Democrat, pleaded with residents on Wednesday not to "clog up our hospitals and beds with people [who] are being shot senselessly." But on the same day, his partymates in the state legislature voted down a bill pushed by Republican governor Larry Hogan that would strengthen penalties for violent criminals.
Hogan’s Violent Firearms Offenders Act would make the theft of a firearm a felony and increase penalties for those who repeatedly carry illegal guns or use a gun while drug dealing. The bill passed the state Senate on March 10 following a contentious back-and-forth between lawmakers. Democrats successfully removed the legislation's mandatory minimum sentencing increase, arguing it would punish violent criminals too severely.
Following the removal of mandatory minimums and the bill's subsequent passage, state Senate president and Baltimore Democrat Bill Ferguson lauded the legislation's bipartisan nature, saying it included "the legislature's priorities and some of the governor's priorities." Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones did not respond to a request for comment on why the bill was rejected.
Following the Wednesday vote, the Maryland legislature adjourned due to the coronavirus crisis. House Minority Leader Nic Kipke called the failure to pass Hogan's bill "one of the disappointments" of the legislative session.
"We still haven't addressed the issue of crime in the state," Kipke said. "It's one of the disappointments for me this session."
Democrat state senator Will Smith Jr., who led the charge to remove the bill's mandatory minimums, also expressed discontent.
"I don't think anyone has walked out of here thinking that we've done enough," he said.
GOP state senators accused Democrats of attempting to gut the legislation even further in the amendment process. According to Republican senator Michael Hough, Democrats in the Judicial Proceedings Committee offered amendments that removed penalty enhancements for drug dealers who use a gun, criminals who steal guns, and those who use a so-called assault weapon to commit a crime. Fellow Republican senator Bob Cassilly told the Washington Free Beacon that Democrats undermined public safety.
"The strategy that we pursued was, just to point out, 'Do you realize what you're saying?' Democrats, on one hand, were pushing legislation to give jail time to people who didn't comply to the letter of law with a firearm transfer. Meanwhile, they were giving a break to people who use firearms to sell drugs," Cassilly said.
Hogan's Violent Firearms Offenders Act was overwhelmingly popular among Baltimore residents—85 percent indicated support for the bill, as did 84 percent of African Americans statewide, according to an internal poll shared with the Free Beacon by Hogan's office.
Violent crime spiked in the nation's deadliest large city in the last week, according to Baltimore police commissioner Michael Harrison. After seven people were shot Tuesday night, Young urged the city's residents to stop the violence, so health officials could focus on the pandemic.
"I want to reiterate how completely unacceptable the level of violence is that we've seen recently. We will not stand for mass shootings and an increase in crime," the mayor said. "We cannot clog up our hospitals and their beds with people that are being shot senselessly because we're going to need those beds for people infected with the coronavirus. And it could be your mother, your grandmother, or one of your relatives. So take that into consideration."


freebeacon--2020-03-19--Ayatollah’s American Allies Seize on Pandemic in Fresh Push for Sanctions Relief

The architects of the Obama administration 's self-described pro-Iran echo chamber have used the coronavirus outbreak to argue that U.S. sanctions are to blame for the virus 's aggressive spread across the Islamic Republic—a line the Iranian government is also peddling .
Former Obama officials and their allies have argued that the United States is depriving Iranian citizens of much-needed food and medical supplies by continuing to impose sanctions as the coronavirus has devastated the country .
Trump administration officials say , however , that humanitarian channels have remained open to Iran since before the virus erupted .
Ben Rhodes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and creator of what he described as an echo chamber—media and think-tank support for the Obama administration 's efforts to ink the landmark nuclear accord—argued that the United States is committing a `` moral abomination '' by refusing to lift sanctions .
`` It is a moral abomination that the United States is continuing to enforce sanctions on Iran while its people die because of a virus that threatens all humanity , '' Rhodes wrote on Twitter .
These arguments were soon echoed by MSNBC host Chris Hayes who called the U.S. sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I understand there is so so much pressing news and things we need to be doing right now , but refusing to relax sanctions against Iran right now is sociopathic madness , '' Hayes wrote on Wednesday .
The Trump administration is aggressively pushing back against these claims , citing current sanctions exceptions for critical medication and humanitarian supplies .
These channels have been open since before the coronavirus broke out and they continue to provide Tehran with the ability to counter the virus 's spread , these officials said .
Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disseminating similar arguments in an effort to ratchet up pressure on the United States to lift the punishing sanctions that have been a centerpiece of the Trump administration 's effort to squeeze Iran .
`` The United States has and continues to offer humanitarian assistance to the Iranian people for their response to the coronavirus outbreak , '' a State Department official told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` It is unfortunate for the Iranian people that their government has rejected this offer to date .
The media should know better than to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public into believing U.S. sanctions are to blame . ''
Still , echo chamber allies continue to use the crisis as an opportunity to build momentum for sanctions relief that could grant Iran access to billions of dollars in frozen funds—money the regime has historically used to fund terrorism rather than aid its ailing citizenry .
`` It 's hard to overstate what a disaster Trump 's Iran policy has been , '' wrote Bernie Sanders adviser Matt Duss , who also played an instrumental role in promoting the Obama administration 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from our closest allies , empowering adversaries , seen by the world as extraordinarily cruel and demonstrably counterproductive , and driven by Washington 's dumbest ideologues . ''
The echo chamber 's rhetoric closely mirrors that of Iranian leaders : Iran 's foreign ministry in Russia alleged this week , for example , that U.S. sanctions have prevented medication and supplies from reaching Iran .
`` By imposing its sanctions on Iran , the United States is preventing the delivery of the necessary medical equipment to patients infected with the coronavirus , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement carried by Tehran 's state-controlled press .
`` Such actions against Iran , in particular , by the U.S. government , are no longer a legal or economic issue , '' Iran said .
`` Any person who prevents another country with a population of more than 80 million people from being able to purchase humanitarian goods , such as medicines and medical equipment , in the international market to combat the coronavirus violates international law . ''
U.S. officials who spoke to the Free Beacon argued that Iran is using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for sanctions relief .
`` U.S. sanctions are not preventing aid from getting to Iran , '' a State Department official told the Free Beacon .
`` The United States maintains broad authorizations that allow for the sale of food , agricultural commodities , medicine , and medical devices by U.S. persons or from the United States to Iran . ''
Iran 's leadership has squandered the country 's resources for years and has spent billions on foreign interventionism as the country 's economy sputters , U.S. officials maintain .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Iranian people and stolen the money the Iranian people expected would go for their health care , '' the State Department official said .
`` In July 2019 , '' for instance , `` 1 billion euros intended for medical supplies ‘ disappeared ' and another $ 170 million allocated for medical goods were instead spent on tobacco , '' the official said .
`` Since 2012 , the regime has spent over $ 16 billion on terror abroad—the Iranian people know that any sanctions relief would go to sponsor terrorist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian leadership also failed to take precautionary measures as the coronavirus began to spread across the globe .
`` Instead of halting flights to China when the risk of contagion was clear , the regime threatened and imprisoned Iranians who told the truth about the outbreak , '' the official said .
`` The regime encouraged large public gatherings to try to bolster its legitimacy , with no regard for the health risk to Iranian citizens .
Now , regime officials make false claims that the U.S. engineered the virus—focusing their time and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking responsibility and providing for the health , prosperity , and rights of the Iranian people .
The Iranian people deserve far better . ''
Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei is sitting on a private fortune totaling billions of dollars that he could be using to combat the coronavirus , according to experts .
This includes a holding company with around $ 200 billion in assets , as well as a network of foundations estimated to hold $ 80 billion in funds , according to a recent accounting published by Mark Dubowitz and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation for Defense of Democracies .
Trump administration officials share this view , telling the Free Beacon that Khamenei is directly responsible for the vast number of citizens dying each day in Iran from the coronavirus .
`` If regime officials were sincerely looking for resources to help the Iranian people , they could start by giving back some of the tens of billions of dollars they have stolen from the Iranian people , '' a senior Trump administration official , speaking only on background about the matter , told the Free Beacon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hedge fund worth billions and billions of dollars '' and he should `` give back what he stole from Iranian people and help them during this health crisis , '' the official said .
Richard Goldberg , who served as a senior Iran adviser on Trump 's NSC , told the Free Beacon that now is not the time to lift sanctions on Iran .
`` There is zero reason to consider wholesale sanctions relief at a time the regime continues to kill Americans in Iraq and hold Americans hostage in Iran , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now is the time to go all in on maximum pressure to push this regime to act like a normal nation or leave the stage in favor of a government that truly represents the people . ''

The architects of the Obama administration's self-described pro-Iran echo chamber have used the coronavirus outbreak to argue that U.S. sanctions are to blame for the virus's aggressive spread across the Islamic Republic—a line the Iranian government is also peddling.
Former Obama officials and their allies have argued that the United States is depriving Iranian citizens of much-needed food and medical supplies by continuing to impose sanctions as the coronavirus has devastated the country. Trump administration officials say, however, that humanitarian channels have remained open to Iran since before the virus erupted.
Ben Rhodes, the Obama deputy national security adviser and creator of what he described as an echo chamber—media and think-tank support for the Obama administration's efforts to ink the landmark nuclear accord—argued that the United States is committing a "moral abomination" by refusing to lift sanctions.
"It is a moral abomination that the United States is continuing to enforce sanctions on Iran while its people die because of a virus that threatens all humanity," Rhodes wrote on Twitter.
These arguments were soon echoed by MSNBC host Chris Hayes who called the U.S. sanctions against Iran "sociopathic madness."
"I understand there is so so much pressing news and things we need to be doing right now, but refusing to relax sanctions against Iran right now is sociopathic madness," Hayes wrote on Wednesday.
The Trump administration is aggressively pushing back against these claims, citing current sanctions exceptions for critical medication and humanitarian supplies. These channels have been open since before the coronavirus broke out and they continue to provide Tehran with the ability to counter the virus's spread, these officials said.
Administration officials said that Iran and Russia are disseminating similar arguments in an effort to ratchet up pressure on the United States to lift the punishing sanctions that have been a centerpiece of the Trump administration's effort to squeeze Iran.
"The United States has and continues to offer humanitarian assistance to the Iranian people for their response to the coronavirus outbreak," a State Department official told the Washington Free Beacon. "It is unfortunate for the Iranian people that their government has rejected this offer to date. The media should know better than to believe Chinese and Russian propaganda that misleads the public into believing U.S. sanctions are to blame."
Still, echo chamber allies continue to use the crisis as an opportunity to build momentum for sanctions relief that could grant Iran access to billions of dollars in frozen funds—money the regime has historically used to fund terrorism rather than aid its ailing citizenry.
"It's hard to overstate what a disaster Trump's Iran policy has been," wrote Bernie Sanders adviser Matt Duss, who also played an instrumental role in promoting the Obama administration's diplomacy with Tehran. "Isolating us from our closest allies, empowering adversaries, seen by the world as extraordinarily cruel and demonstrably counterproductive, and driven by Washington's dumbest ideologues."
The echo chamber's rhetoric closely mirrors that of Iranian leaders: Iran's foreign ministry in Russia alleged this week, for example, that U.S. sanctions have prevented medication and supplies from reaching Iran.
"By imposing its sanctions on Iran, the United States is preventing the delivery of the necessary medical equipment to patients infected with the coronavirus," the Iranian mission in Russia said in a statement carried by Tehran's state-controlled press.
"Such actions against Iran, in particular, by the U.S. government, are no longer a legal or economic issue," Iran said. "Any person who prevents another country with a population of more than 80 million people from being able to purchase humanitarian goods, such as medicines and medical equipment, in the international market to combat the coronavirus violates international law."
U.S. officials who spoke to the Free Beacon argued that Iran is using the coronavirus as an excuse to build support for sanctions relief.
"U.S. sanctions are not preventing aid from getting to Iran," a State Department official told the Free Beacon. "The United States maintains broad authorizations that allow for the sale of food, agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices by U.S. persons or from the United States to Iran."
Iran's leadership has squandered the country's resources for years and has spent billions on foreign interventionism as the country's economy sputters, U.S. officials maintain.
"The Iranian regime has prioritized its proxies over the Iranian people and stolen the money the Iranian people expected would go for their health care," the State Department official said.
"In July 2019," for instance, "1 billion euros intended for medical supplies 'disappeared' and another $170 million allocated for medical goods were instead spent on tobacco," the official said. "Since 2012, the regime has spent over $16 billion on terror abroad—the Iranian people know that any sanctions relief would go to sponsor terrorist, not humanitarian, activities."
The Iranian leadership also failed to take precautionary measures as the coronavirus began to spread across the globe.
"Instead of halting flights to China when the risk of contagion was clear, the regime threatened and imprisoned Iranians who told the truth about the outbreak," the official said. "The regime encouraged large public gatherings to try to bolster its legitimacy, with no regard for the health risk to Iranian citizens. Now, regime officials make false claims that the U.S. engineered the virus—focusing their time and resources attempting to deflect blame instead of taking responsibility and providing for the health, prosperity, and rights of the Iranian people. The Iranian people deserve far better."
Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei is sitting on a private fortune totaling billions of dollars that he could be using to combat the coronavirus, according to experts. This includes a holding company with around $200 billion in assets, as well as a network of foundations estimated to hold $80 billion in funds, according to a recent accounting published by Mark Dubowitz and Saeed Ghasseminejad, Iran experts at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Trump administration officials share this view, telling the Free Beacon that Khamenei is directly responsible for the vast number of citizens dying each day in Iran from the coronavirus.
"If regime officials were sincerely looking for resources to help the Iranian people, they could start by giving back some of the tens of billions of dollars they have stolen from the Iranian people," a senior Trump administration official, speaking only on background about the matter, told the Free Beacon.
"Supreme Leader Khamenei runs a hedge fund worth billions and billions of dollars" and he should "give back what he stole from Iranian people and help them during this health crisis," the official said.
Richard Goldberg, who served as a senior Iran adviser on Trump's NSC, told the Free Beacon that now is not the time to lift sanctions on Iran.
"There is zero reason to consider wholesale sanctions relief at a time the regime continues to kill Americans in Iraq and hold Americans hostage in Iran," Goldberg said. "Actually, now is the time to go all in on maximum pressure to push this regime to act like a normal nation or leave the stage in favor of a government that truly represents the people."


freebeacon--2020-03-19--Conservative Group Highlights Biden’s Lurch Left in New Quiz

Republican efforts to highlight Joe Biden 's lurch left during the Democratic primary are beginning to take form now that he 's all but clinched the nomination .
America Rising , a conservative opposition research and communications firm , began rolling out new material focusing on the fact that Biden 's policy positions are indistinguishable on major issues from his last remaining primary opponent , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) .
A new 2020 Democratic Primary Quiz released by the group asks respondents to match candidates with far-left policy positions , and in a majority of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share the same policy .
Both candidates , for example , support providing illegal immigrants with taxpayer-funded health care , free college tuition , freezing the deportation of illegal immigrants , and a national gun-owner registry , the group shows in the quiz .
America Rising said its aim is to illustrate the fact that Biden , in his thus far successful effort to rally the Democratic presidential field together against Sanders , has adopted many of Sanders 's most radical views .
`` Joe Biden has lurched to the left , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtually indistinguishable from Bernie Sanders ’ s by the time Democrats crown him as their party ’ s nominee in Milwaukee , '' said Chris Martin , America Rising 's communications director .
Though Biden has been portrayed as a moderate , he 's moved to the left on a number of major policy issues , including most recently on college tuition .
Ahead of last Sunday 's debate against Sanders , Biden unveiled a new plan that would make public colleges and universities free for families earning less than $ 125,000 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ( D. , Hawaii ) ended her campaign , the primary field is officially down to just Biden and Sanders , who has resisted calls from inside the party for him to drop out of the race .

Republican efforts to highlight Joe Biden's lurch left during the Democratic primary are beginning to take form now that he's all but clinched the nomination.
America Rising, a conservative opposition research and communications firm, began rolling out new material focusing on the fact that Biden's policy positions are indistinguishable on major issues from his last remaining primary opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.). A new 2020 Democratic Primary Quiz released by the group asks respondents to match candidates with far-left policy positions, and in a majority of the 10 questions, both Biden and Sanders share the same policy.
Both candidates, for example, support providing illegal immigrants with taxpayer-funded health care, free college tuition, freezing the deportation of illegal immigrants, and a national gun-owner registry, the group shows in the quiz.
America Rising said its aim is to illustrate the fact that Biden, in his thus far successful effort to rally the Democratic presidential field together against Sanders, has adopted many of Sanders's most radical views.
"Joe Biden has lurched to the left, and at this rate his agenda will be virtually indistinguishable from Bernie Sanders’s by the time Democrats crown him as their party’s nominee in Milwaukee," said Chris Martin, America Rising's communications director.
Though Biden has been portrayed as a moderate, he's moved to the left on a number of major policy issues, including most recently on college tuition. Ahead of last Sunday's debate against Sanders, Biden unveiled a new plan that would make public colleges and universities free for families earning less than $125,000 a year.
After a Thursday morning announcement that Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D., Hawaii) ended her campaign, the primary field is officially down to just Biden and Sanders, who has resisted calls from inside the party for him to drop out of the race.


freebeacon--2020-03-19--Hawaii K-O: Gabbard Exits Primary a Lady Legend After Downing Officer Harris

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard 's ( D. , Hawaii ) decision to suspend her female presidential campaign on Thursday ensures America 's 232-year streak of having a male commander in chief will remain unbroken .
Gabbard exits the Democratic primary as its most successful female candidate , having outlasted numerous rivals , including Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) , Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) , and Kirsten Gillibrand ( D. , N.Y. ) .
The 38-year-old Iraq war veteran will be remembered as a lady legend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Democratic debate in July .
Gabbard bludgeoned Harris , sometimes referred to as a cop , with criticism of her authoritarian record as attorney general of California .
`` [ Harris ] put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana , '' said Gabbard , citing a Washington Free Beacon report .
Harris accused Gabbard ( and the Free Beacon ) of peddling a `` lie '' about her record .
Harris had a point .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were imprisoned for marijuana-related offenses during her time as attorney general , a spokesman for the California Department of Corrections revealed .
The Free Beacon apologized for the error .
Gabbard continued to pummel Harris throughout the debate .
`` She blocked evidence that would have freed an innocent man from death row until the courts forced her to do so , '' Gabbard said , formidably .
`` She kept people in prison beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor for the state of California and she fought to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacts poor people in the worst kind of way . ''
Even liberal New York Times columnists were awestruck by Gabbard 's epic debate smackdown of Harris , who had been a top-three candidate in polling around that time before dropping off a cliff in the fall of 2019 .
Michelle Goldberg praised the attacks on Harris as `` absolutely brutal , '' while Maureen Dowd commented on how `` rattled '' Harris seemed .
Harris dropped out of the race in early December , two months before the Iowa caucus .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
Nevertheless , she persisted in complaining about sexism before ultimately endorsing former vice president Joe Biden , a 77-year-old white man .
Gabbard 's extraordinary female success in the Democratic primary was the result of many factors , but her reliance on Free Beacon investigative reporting in her legendary shock-and-awe attack was certainly a crucial ingredient .
For taking down and outlasting her cop rival , Gabbard is heavily favored to take home a Free Beacon Man of the Year award in 2020 .

The tradition continues.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's (D., Hawaii) decision to suspend her female presidential campaign on Thursday ensures America's 232-year streak of having a male commander in chief will remain unbroken.
Gabbard exits the Democratic primary as its most successful female candidate, having outlasted numerous rivals, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.).
The 38-year-old Iraq war veteran will be remembered as a lady legend for the way she absolutely humiliated Harris during the Democratic debate in July. Gabbard bludgeoned Harris, sometimes referred to as a cop, with criticism of her authoritarian record as attorney general of California.
"[Harris] put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana," said Gabbard, citing a Washington Free Beacon report. Harris accused Gabbard (and the Free Beacon) of peddling a "lie" about her record.
Harris had a point. In fact, more than 1,900 people were imprisoned for marijuana-related offenses during her time as attorney general, a spokesman for the California Department of Corrections revealed. The Free Beacon apologized for the error.
Gabbard continued to pummel Harris throughout the debate. "She blocked evidence that would have freed an innocent man from death row until the courts forced her to do so," Gabbard said, formidably. "She kept people in prison beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor for the state of California and she fought to keep a cash bail system in place that impacts poor people in the worst kind of way."
Even liberal New York Times columnists were awestruck by Gabbard's epic debate smackdown of Harris, who had been a top-three candidate in polling around that time before dropping off a cliff in the fall of 2019. Michelle Goldberg praised the attacks on Harris as "absolutely brutal," while Maureen Dowd commented on how "rattled" Harris seemed.
Harris dropped out of the race in early December, two months before the Iowa caucus. She declined to endorse a female candidate at the time. Nevertheless, she persisted in complaining about sexism before ultimately endorsing former vice president Joe Biden, a 77-year-old white man.
Gabbard's extraordinary female success in the Democratic primary was the result of many factors, but her reliance on Free Beacon investigative reporting in her legendary shock-and-awe attack was certainly a crucial ingredient. For taking down and outlasting her cop rival, Gabbard is heavily favored to take home a Free Beacon Man of the Year award in 2020.
Congrats!


freebeacon--2020-03-19--Meet Democratic ‘Moderate’ Joe Biden

Meet Democratic ‘Moderate’ Joe Biden

While the media have portrayed Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden as occupying the party 's `` moderate '' space , he @ @ @ @ @ energy , illegal immigration , gun control , abortion , health care , and other @ @ @ @ @ senior writer at the Washington Free Beacon .
He was previously a sports reporter for @ @ @ @ @ has done freelance sports reporting for the Washington Post .
He graduated from Vanderbilt University @ @ @ @ @ Marietta , Ga. His Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz .
He can be reached at @ @ @ @

While the media have portrayed Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden as occupying the party's "moderate" space, he's embraced the left on energy, illegal immigration, gun control, abortion, health care, and other issues.


freebeacon--2020-03-19--Ilhan Omar Praises Trump’s Coronavirus Leadership

Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) unexpectedly praised President Donald Trump 's leadership and policy responses to the coronavirus pandemic Wednesday night .
Quoting the Intercept journalist Lee Fang 's tweet about the Trump administration 's response to the coronavirus pandemic , Omar said in her own tweet , `` Politics aside , this is incredible and the right response in this critical time . ''
Fang 's tweet said that the Trump administration is , among other actions , `` suspending mortgage foreclosures , demanding cash payments to Americans , '' and `` now invoking the Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce needed supplies . ''
Omar expressed admiration for the president and others leading the effort to combat the spread of coronavirus , saying that `` unprecedented times require unprecedented leadership . ''
She also expressed confidence in America 's ability to overcome the crisis , adding that `` politics [ should never ] get in the way of good policy . ''
Omar 's praise for Trump 's executive action comes after years of the two politicians publicly feuding , with Omar frequently going after Trump in personal terms .
She has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` racist '' and has frequently criticized his immigration policies .
She has also said Trump 's verbal attacks , particularly at rallies , have put her in danger .
Trump has criticized the freshman representative during her time as one of Congress 's most far-left members .
At rallies and on Twitter , he has called her an `` America-hating socialist , '' and in February 2019 , he called on her to resign from Congress after an anti-Semitic comment drew strong criticism .
Omar had said U.S. lawmakers ' support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benjamins , baby , '' spreading the anti-Semitic canard that Jewish money controls U.S. foreign policy .
She later said , `` I unequivocally apologize '' in a statement , even though she continued to blame pro-Israel lobbyists for the controversy , leading Trump to call her apology `` lame . ''
Trump signed the latest coronavirus response bill Wednesday night after the Senate passed it with a 90-8 vote .

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) unexpectedly praised President Donald Trump's leadership and policy responses to the coronavirus pandemic Wednesday night.
Quoting the Intercept journalist Lee Fang's tweet about the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic, Omar said in her own tweet, "Politics aside, this is incredible and the right response in this critical time."
https://twitter.com/IlhanMN/status/1240446820297342977
Fang's tweet said that the Trump administration is, among other actions, "suspending mortgage foreclosures, demanding cash payments to Americans," and "now invoking the Defense Production Act to force private firms to produce needed supplies."
Omar expressed admiration for the president and others leading the effort to combat the spread of coronavirus, saying that "unprecedented times require unprecedented leadership."
She also expressed confidence in America's ability to overcome the crisis, adding that "politics [should never] get in the way of good policy."
Omar's praise for Trump's executive action comes after years of the two politicians publicly feuding, with Omar frequently going after Trump in personal terms. She has called Trump a "fascist" and a "racist" and has frequently criticized his immigration policies. She has also said Trump's verbal attacks, particularly at rallies, have put her in danger.
Trump has criticized the freshman representative during her time as one of Congress's most far-left members. At rallies and on Twitter, he has called her an "America-hating socialist," and in February 2019, he called on her to resign from Congress after an anti-Semitic comment drew strong criticism. Omar had said U.S. lawmakers' support for Israel was "all about the Benjamins, baby," spreading the anti-Semitic canard that Jewish money controls U.S. foreign policy. She later said, "I unequivocally apologize" in a statement, even though she continued to blame pro-Israel lobbyists for the controversy, leading Trump to call her apology "lame."
Trump signed the latest coronavirus response bill Wednesday night after the Senate passed it with a 90-8 vote.