talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-18--Trump Finally Breaks Silence On Passing Of John Lewis In Belated Tweet

President Donald Trump finally commented on the death of Representative John Lewis ( D-GA ) , hours after an announcement about the the passing of the lionized civil rights hero , who was among the President ’ s prominent critics .
In the midst of a wave of bipartisan tributes that streamed late Friday evening and early Saturday remembering the Black Democratic congressman from Georgia who served 17 terms following his election in 1986 , Trump fired off a series of vicious tweets on other matters .
The President slammed “ Corrupt Joe Biden , ” and criticized “ lowlife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account as former national security adviser .
He even tweeted angrily about the recent book of his niece , Mary Trump – but did not utter a word of condolence or praise for Lewis .
Vice President Mike Pence issued his own statement Saturday , saying that in spite of their differences “ John Lewis will be rightly remembered as an icon of the civil rights movement , for me he was also a colleague and a friend.
” He added that he would remember Lewis as a man who was “ unfailingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the privilege of crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge at his side on the 45th anniversary of Bloody Sunday , ” Pence said .
The White House also announced late Saturday morning that flags would be lowered to half-staff .
An honor of the late Georgia that amounted to just about “ half a day , ” Washington Post White House Bureau Chief Philip Rucker said in a tweet , since the order was issued after 11 a.m. Lewis boycotted the President ’ s inauguration in January 2017 , citing concerns of the legitimacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of foreign meddling .
Trump responded at that time by criticizing Lewis , tweeting that instead of announcing his absence from the President ’ s inauguration Lewis “ should spend more time on fixing and helping his district , which is in horrible shape and falling apart ( not to mention crime infested ) rather than falsely complaining about the election results .
All talk , talk , talk – no action or results .
Sad !
” The President finally managed to muster his condolences Saturday afternoon , saying in a tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ saddened ” and sends “ prayers.
” “ He absorbed the force of human nature ’ s cruelty during the course of his life , ” Biden wrote , “ and the only thing that could finally stop him was cancer.
” In a nod to recent protests , Biden added that “ peaceful marchers for racial and economic justice around the world who are asking where we go from here ” should follow Lewis ’ lead .
A veteran of nonviolent protest , Lewis was the only remaining survivor of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1963 March on Washington .
Lewis had endorsed Biden ’ s 2020 bid for president in April .

President Donald Trump finally commented on the death of Representative John Lewis (D-GA), hours after an announcement about the passing of the lionized civil rights hero, who was among the President’s prominent critics.
In the midst of a wave of bipartisan tributes that streamed late Friday evening and early Saturday remembering the Black Democratic congressman from Georgia who served 17 terms following his election in 1986, Trump fired off a series of vicious tweets on other matters.
The President slammed “Corrupt Joe Biden,” and criticized “lowlife dummy John Bolton” for his tell-all account as former national security adviser. He even tweeted angrily about the recent book of his niece, Mary Trump – but did not utter a word of condolence or praise for Lewis.
Vice President Mike Pence issued his own statement Saturday, saying that in spite of their differences “John Lewis will be rightly remembered as an icon of the civil rights movement, for me he was also a colleague and a friend.”
He added that he would remember Lewis as a man who was “unfailingly kind.”
“I will never forget the privilege of crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge at his side on the 45th anniversary of Bloody Sunday,” Pence said.
The White House also announced late Saturday morning that its flags would be lowered to half-staff — a move to honor the late Georgia lawmaker that amounted to just about “half a day,” Washington Post White House Bureau Chief Philip Rucker said in a tweet, since the order was issued after 11 a.m.
Just in: Trump has ordered the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff at the Whtie House and all federal buildings in honor of John Lewis…. for one day. Really, for half a day, since the order came out just past 11 a.m. The president’s proclamation expires tonight. — Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) July 18, 2020
Lewis boycotted the President’s inauguration in January 2017, citing concerns of the legitimacy of Trump’s election amid questions of foreign meddling.
Trump responded at that time by criticizing Lewis, tweeting that instead of announcing his absence from the President’s inauguration Lewis “should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk – no action or results. Sad!”
The President finally managed to muster his condolences Saturday afternoon, saying in a tweet after 2 p.m., that he was “saddened” and sends “prayers.”
Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, lauded Lewis as a “moral compass,” in a statement issued Saturday morning.
“He absorbed the force of human nature’s cruelty during the course of his life,” Biden wrote, “and the only thing that could finally stop him was cancer.”
In a nod to recent protests, Biden added that “peaceful marchers for racial and economic justice around the world who are asking where we go from here” should follow Lewis’ lead. A veteran of nonviolent protest, Lewis was the only remaining survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists who organized the 1963 March on Washington.
Lewis had endorsed Biden’s 2020 bid for president in April.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-18--US Attorney Calls For Investigation Of DHS Amid Video Evidence Of Camouflaged Portland Arrests

U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams on Friday called for an investigation into reports that unidentified federal agents donning camouflage fatigues and masks have been arresting protesters in Portland .
“ Based on news accounts circulating that allege federal law enforcement detained two protestors without probable cause , I have requested the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General to open a separate investigation directed specifically at the actions of DHS personnel , ” Williams wrote in a statement obtained by the ABC-affiliated television station , KATU News .
While requesting the investigation , the U.S. attorney for Oregon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he said have “ rebuffed ” efforts to enter a U.S .
Courthouse by force .
He said that some law enforcement “ have been met with an onslaught of commercial fireworks , laser strikes , glass , mortars , paint , and anything else near at hand.
” He added that officers have made efforts to locate perpetrators of violence in recent protests and “ arrest them in a manner that is safe for both the officers and nearby non-violent protesters.
” The DHS personnel mentioned by Williams for investigation have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arresting protesters and detaining them in unmarked vehicles .
KATU News said it had confirmed a report that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents took at least one protester into custody , claiming that the detained person was suspected of assaulting federal officers or damaging federal property .
According to the local news station , CBP agents said they took the suspect to another location for “ further questioning ” citing safety issues amid the protests which have intensified as federal agents clash with demonstrators who have carried a torch for racial justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hands of Minneapolis police in late May .
Oregon Governor Kate Brown ( D ) and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler ( D ) have both demanded that federal agents be removed from Portland ’ s streets .
On Thursday , Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley ( D ) had tweeted a video that appeared to capture two camouflaged people in masks with generic “ police ” patches detaining a person in an unmarked van before driving away , saying that “ authoritarian governments , not democratic republics , send unmarked authorities after protesters.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to Attorney General William Barr and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf together with a group of Oregon state and local officials .
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden ( D ) and Reps. Earl Blumenauer ( D ) and Suzanne Bonamici ( D ) joined Merkley in calling the actions of federal agents in the Portland protests “ out of control ” and “ an abuse of power.
” The lawmakers rebuked the deployment of federal agents without identifying insignia which they called an effort to “ evade transparency and accountability.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people off the street with no apparent reason ” and the use of “ potentially deadly munitions to harm peaceful protesters .
”

U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams on Friday called for an investigation into reports that unidentified federal agents donning camouflage fatigues and masks have been arresting protesters in Portland.
“Based on news accounts circulating that allege federal law enforcement detained two protestors without probable cause, I have requested the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General to open a separate investigation directed specifically at the actions of DHS personnel,” Williams wrote in a statement obtained by the ABC-affiliated television station, KATU News.
While requesting the investigation, the U.S. attorney for Oregon also appeared to defend law enforcement officers that he said have “rebuffed” efforts to enter a U.S. Courthouse by force. He said that some law enforcement “have been met with an onslaught of commercial fireworks, laser strikes, glass, mortars, paint, and anything else near at hand.” He added that officers have made efforts to locate perpetrators of violence in recent protests and “arrest them in a manner that is safe for both the officers and nearby non-violent protesters.”
The DHS personnel mentioned by Williams for investigation have been captured in video footage grabbing and arresting protesters and detaining them in unmarked vehicles.
KATU News said it had confirmed a report that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents took at least one protester into custody, claiming that the detained person was suspected of assaulting federal officers or damaging federal property. According to the local news station, CBP agents said they took the suspect to another location for “further questioning” citing safety issues amid the protests which have intensified as federal agents clash with demonstrators who have carried a torch for racial justice since the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police in late May.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown (D) and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (D) have both demanded that federal agents be removed from Portland’s streets.
On Thursday, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley (D) had tweeted a video that appeared to capture two camouflaged people in masks with generic “police” patches detaining a person in an unmarked van before driving away, saying that “authoritarian governments, not democratic republics, send unmarked authorities after protesters.”
On Friday, Merkley issued a letter to Attorney General William Barr and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf together with a group of Oregon state and local officials. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden (D) and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D) and Suzanne Bonamici (D) joined Merkley in calling the actions of federal agents in the Portland protests “out of control” and “an abuse of power.”
The lawmakers rebuked the deployment of federal agents without identifying insignia which they called an effort to “evade transparency and accountability.” The letter also condemned tactics of “snatching people off the street with no apparent reason” and the use of “potentially deadly munitions to harm peaceful protesters.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-18--ACLU Files Lawsuit To Block Attacks By Federal Agents In Portland Protests

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Oregon on Friday filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) and U.S .
Marshals Service after they deployed agents to quell racial justice protests that have continued unabated since the police killing of George Floyd in May .
The lawsuit seeks to block federal law enforcement from dispersing , arresting , threatening to arrest , or using physical force against journalists or legal observers .
It is one of many lawsuits that the ACLU said it will be filing against federal authorities in Portland for “ unconstitutional attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued Friday , interim legal director for the ACLU of Oregon Kelly Simon , called for the removal of federal agents from the Oregon city .
“ Under the direction of the Trump administration , federal agents are terrorizing the community , risking lives , and brutally attacking protesters demonstrating against police brutality , ” Simon said , adding , “ We will continue to bring the full fire power of the ACLU to bear until this lawless policing ends.
” The suit comes after reports surfaced in The Oregonian Friday that unidentified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around in unmarked vehicles and detaining demonstrators .
Named plaintiffs in the case include The Portland Mercury and individual journalists and legal observers who say they were attacked by law enforcement , among them Matthew Lewis-Rolland , a freelance photographer who federal agents allegedly shot 10 times in the back on Sunday .
Others , including freelance journalist Justin Yau , who described accounts of alleged attacks with tear gas by federal agents .
Both Lewis-Rolland and Yau were wearing high-visibility shirts that said “ PRESS ” at the time of their alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit adds federal agencies to an existing complaint filed last month against local law enforcement in which a federal judge issued an order blocking local law enforcement from dispersing , arresting , threatening to arrest , or using physical force against journalists or legal observers at protests until October 30 .
Oregon Governor Kate Brown ( D ) tweeted that the DHS descending on Portland was “ political theater ” that she says was instigated by President Donald Trump who she believes is “ on a mission to provoke confrontation for political purposes.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of federal agents who she says are endangering Oregonians and local law enforcement .
The law and order mantra trumpeted by the President is one that ACLU staff attorney Vera Eidelman calls into question , adding that the violence of federal agents in Portland amounted to “ lawlessness.
” Trump ’ s flexing of the brawn of federal agents appears to be apart of a campaign strategy intended to bump up his chance for re-election in November .
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf issued a statement Thursday citing examples of “ violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fireworks , spraying graffiti on public buildings , failing to follow dispersal orders and assaulting officers .
On Friday , he tweeted his support Friday of “ valiant ” federal officers who he said “ have defended our institutions of justice against violent anarchists.
” His comments follow a night marred with violent dispersal tactics that included the use of chemical irritants , smoke and impact munitions .
“ We will prevail , ” he said .
Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli told NPR on Friday that the DHS intends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more broadly .
“ With as much lawbreaking is going on , we ’ re seeking to prosecute as many people as are breaking the law as it relates to federal jurisdiction , ” he said , adding , that “ this is a posture we intend to continue not just in Portland but in any of the facilities that we ’ re responsible for around the country .
”

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Oregon on Friday filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Marshals Service after they deployed agents to quell racial justice protests that have continued unabated since the police killing of George Floyd in May.
The lawsuit seeks to block federal law enforcement from dispersing, arresting, threatening to arrest, or using physical force against journalists or legal observers. It is one of many lawsuits that the ACLU said it will be filing against federal authorities in Portland for “unconstitutional attacks” on demonstrators.
In a statement issued Friday, interim legal director for the ACLU of Oregon Kelly Simon, called for the removal of federal agents from the Oregon city.
“Under the direction of the Trump administration, federal agents are terrorizing the community, risking lives, and brutally attacking protesters demonstrating against police brutality,” Simon said, adding, “We will continue to bring the full fire power of the ACLU to bear until this lawless policing ends.”
The suit comes after reports surfaced in The Oregonian Friday that unidentified officers in unmarked military fatigues were driving around in unmarked vehicles and detaining demonstrators.
Named plaintiffs in the case include The Portland Mercury and individual journalists and legal observers who say they were attacked by law enforcement, among them Matthew Lewis-Rolland, a freelance photographer who federal agents allegedly shot 10 times in the back on Sunday. Others, including freelance journalist Justin Yau, who described accounts of alleged attacks with tear gas by federal agents. Both Lewis-Rolland and Yau were wearing high-visibility shirts that said “PRESS” at the time of their alleged attacks, the ACLU said.
The lawsuit adds federal agencies to an existing complaint filed last month against local law enforcement in which a federal judge issued an order blocking local law enforcement from dispersing, arresting, threatening to arrest, or using physical force against journalists or legal observers at protests until October 30.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown (D) tweeted that the DHS descending on Portland was “political theater” that she says was instigated by President Donald Trump who she believes is “on a mission to provoke confrontation for political purposes.” The governor called for the removal of federal agents who she says are endangering Oregonians and local law enforcement.
The law and order mantra trumpeted by the President is one that ACLU staff attorney Vera Eidelman calls into question, adding that the violence of federal agents in Portland amounted to “lawlessness.”
Trump’s flexing of the brawn of federal agents appears to be apart of a campaign strategy intended to bump up his chance for re-election in November.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf issued a statement Thursday citing examples of “violent anarchists” defacing property, setting off fireworks, spraying graffiti on public buildings, failing to follow dispersal orders and assaulting officers.
On Friday, he tweeted his support Friday of “valiant” federal officers who he said “have defended our institutions of justice against violent anarchists.” His comments follow a night marred with violent dispersal tactics that included the use of chemical irritants, smoke and impact munitions.
“We will prevail,” he said.
Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli told NPR on Friday that the DHS intends to use the tactics seen in Portland more broadly.
“With as much lawbreaking is going on, we’re seeking to prosecute as many people as are breaking the law as it relates to federal jurisdiction,” he said, adding, that “this is a posture we intend to continue not just in Portland but in any of the facilities that we’re responsible for around the country.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-18--Lawmakers Past And Present Remember John Lewis: ‘The Conscience of Congress’

The passing of Representative John Lewis ( D-GA ) on Friday has been met with a vivid stream of remembrances for the icon of civil rights whose unyielding pursuit of racial justice and equality left an indelible mark on the Congress — and the nation — that he leaves behind .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) remembered the congressman in a statement issued Friday as “ a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness , faith and bravery transformed our nation.
” Lewis survived a brutal beating by Alabama state troopers in 1965 which ultimately helped mobilize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and celebrated career in Congress which spanned 17 terms following his election in 1986 stemmed from those early acts of courage .
Lewis was the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists who organized the 1963 March on Washington .
He shared emarks before his friend , the group ’ s leader , Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. , delivered the landmark “ I Have a Dream ” speech .
“ I will never forget joining hands with John as members of Congress sand We Shall Overcome at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin Luther King , Jr. , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) wrote of Lewis in a tweeted statement .
“ It could not have been more humbling to consider what he had suffered and sacrificed so those would could be sung in that place.
” McConnell described Lewis as a man who “ risked everything ” and “ endured hatred and violence ” for his dream of equality .
For his years of arrests and confrontations in pursuit of equality , as well as his unyielding demands for justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2011 from then President Barack Obama – the nation ’ s first Black President .
At that time Obama referred to Lewis as “ the conscience of the United States Congress.
” Within hours of his passing , Obama shared in a remembrance of the Lewis saying that it it was thanks to this prominent Black lawmaker that “ we now all have our marching orders— to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise.
” Obama reflected on meeting Lewis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in law school .
“ I told him then that he was one of my heroes , ” Obama said in a statement Friday .
“ When I was elected President of the United States , I hugged him on the inauguration stand before I was sworn in and told him I was only there because of the sacrifices he made.
” Among his final battles and joys was witnessing the global uprising for racial justice that followed the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lewis told CBS in June that it was “ very moving , very moving to see hundreds of thousands of people from all over America and around the world take to the streets — to speak up , to speak out , to get into what I call ‘ good trouble . '
”

The passing of Representative John Lewis (D-GA) on Friday has been met with a vivid stream of remembrances for the icon of civil rights whose unyielding pursuit of racial justice and equality left an indelible mark on Congress — and the nation — that he leaves behind.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) remembered the congressman in a statement issued Friday as “a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation.”
Lewis survived a brutal beating by Alabama state troopers in 1965 which ultimately helped mobilize opposition to racial segregation. His long and celebrated career in Congress which spanned 17 terms following his election in 1986 stemmed from those early acts of courage.
Lewis was the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists who organized the 1963 March on Washington. He shared emarks before his friend, the group’s leader, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., delivered the landmark “I Have a Dream” speech.
“I will never forget joining hands with John as members of Congress sand We Shall Overcome at a 2008 ceremony honoring his friend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) wrote of Lewis in a tweeted statement. “It could not have been more humbling to consider what he had suffered and sacrificed so those would could be sung in that place.”
McConnell described Lewis as a man who “risked everything” and “endured hatred and violence” for his dream of equality.
For his years of arrests and confrontations in pursuit of equality, as well as his unyielding demands for justice, Lewis received the highest civilian honor in 2011 from then President Barack Obama – the nation’s first Black President. At that time Obama referred to Lewis as “the conscience of the United States Congress.”
Within hours of his passing, Obama shared in a remembrance of the Lewis saying that it it was thanks to this prominent Black lawmaker that “we now all have our marching orders— to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise.”
Obama reflected on meeting Lewis for the first time when he was in law school. “I told him then that he was one of my heroes,” Obama said in a statement Friday. “When I was elected President of the United States, I hugged him on the inauguration stand before I was sworn in and told him I was only there because of the sacrifices he made.”
Among his final battles and joys was witnessing the global uprising for racial justice that followed the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25.
Just a month before his passing, Lewis told CBS in June that it was “very moving, very moving to see hundreds of thousands of people from all over America and around the world take to the streets — to speak up, to speak out, to get into what I call ‘good trouble.'”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-18--Trump Administration Seeking To Block Funding For Testing, Contact Tracing And CDC In COVID Relief B

Trump Administration Seeking To Block Funding For Testing, Contact Tracing And CDC In COVID Relief Bill

The Trump administration is seeking to block billions of dollars for states to conduct testing and contact tracing in the upcoming coronavirus relief bill , The Washington Post reported Saturday .
The administration is also trying to block billions of dollars that GOP senators want to provide for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and billions more for the Pentagon and State Department to address the pandemic at home and abroad , sources told The Post .
The report also comes as the United States broke its record of daily new cases for the 11th time in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke to The Post on condition of anonymity to reveal confidential discussions , cautioned that talks were still underway and that numbers had not yet been finalized .
The negotiations focus on a bill Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) is expected to bring before Congress next week as part of negotiations with Democrats on what will likely be the last major coronavirus relief bill before the November election .
Congressional negotiations are expected to unfold with added urgency due to the surge of cases and climbing death toll in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , between Trump administration officials and Senate Republicans who are at odds about money for testing and other priorities is creating a major bottleneck before those talks get started .
One person involved in the talks told The Post that Senate Republicans were seeking to allocate $ 25 billion for states to conduct testing and contact tracing , but that certain administration officials want to zero out the testing and tracing money entirely .
According to the report , many White House officials argue that some of that money remains unspent since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved in April which included $ 25 billion to increase testing .
Meanwhile testing challenges still abound in some hotspots where wait times for test results vary greatly , with people in some places having to wait more than a week to find out if they have tested positive .
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ( R ) announced Wednesday that he would send less business to some labs where testing results have been delayed for long periods .
The report comes as the Trump administration has deepened its attacks of health experts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at times warnings — about the future of the nation should its leaders fail to take critical action to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
The news follows a White House announcement Wednesday that directed hospitals to change how they report data to the federal government and how that data will be made available .
Effective Wednesday , hospitals were told to report coronavirus case data to the Health and Human Services Department bypassing the CDC – a move that has be criticized by many as an attempt to potentially obscure the @ @ @ @ @ @

The Trump administration is seeking to block billions of dollars for states to conduct testing and contact tracing in the upcoming coronavirus relief bill, The Washington Post reported Saturday.
The administration is also trying to block billions of dollars that GOP senators want to provide for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and billions more for the Pentagon and State Department to address the pandemic at home and abroad, sources told The Post.
The report also comes as the United States broke its record of daily new cases for the 11th time in July on Thursday.
The officials, who spoke to The Post on condition of anonymity to reveal confidential discussions, cautioned that talks were still underway and that numbers had not yet been finalized.
The negotiations focus on a bill Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is expected to bring before Congress next week as part of negotiations with Democrats on what will likely be the last major coronavirus relief bill before the November election.
Congressional negotiations are expected to unfold with added urgency due to the surge of cases and climbing death toll in the United State. The disagreement, however, between Trump administration officials and Senate Republicans who are at odds about money for testing and other priorities is creating a major bottleneck before those talks get started.
One person involved in the talks told The Post that Senate Republicans were seeking to allocate $25 billion for states to conduct testing and contact tracing, but that certain administration officials want to zero out the testing and tracing money entirely. According to the report, many White House officials argue that some of that money remains unspent since the last major coronavirus spending bill Congress was approved in April which included $25 billion to increase testing.
Meanwhile testing challenges still abound in some hotspots where wait times for test results vary greatly, with people in some places having to wait more than a week to find out if they have tested positive. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced Wednesday that he would send less business to some labs where testing results have been delayed for long periods.
The report comes as the Trump administration has deepened its attacks of health experts and scientists who have provided guidance — and at times warnings — about the future of the nation should its leaders fail to take critical action to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The news follows a White House announcement Wednesday that directed hospitals to change how they report data to the federal government and how that data will be made available. Effective Wednesday, hospitals were told to report coronavirus case data to the Health and Human Services Department bypassing the CDC – a move that has be criticized by many as an attempt to potentially obscure the true picture of testing results.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-19--Govs Explain How They Finally Came Around To Issuing Statewide Mask Mandates

Arkansas Gov .
Asa Hutchinson ( R ) and Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis ( D ) on Sunday explained why they issued statewide mask mandates in the past week after their initial reluctance to do so .
As President Trump continues to resist the notion of issuing a nationwide mask mandate amid spikes in coronavirus cases throughout the country , Hutchinson ’ s and Polis ’ explanations of their change of heart regarding mask-wearing requirements comes the same day that NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins expressed that how “ bizarre ” it is to turn mask mandates into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be that something as basic as a public health action that we have very strong evidence can help seems to attach to people ’ s political party ?
” Collins said on MSNBC Sunday morning .
Hutchinson and Polis appeared to echo Collins ’ sentiment during Sunday morning interviews on ABC News as well by expressing their dismay over the political debate that has ensued over mask-wearing requirements .
Here ’ s what Hutchinson and Polis had to say : After saying that he does not support a national mask mandate , Hutchinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raddatz on his thoughts regarding how partisan the issue of mask-wearing has become .
Hutchinson , who initially resisted a issuing a statewide mask mandate and a stay-at-home order earlier in the pandemic , said that the mask-wearing requirements “ shouldn ’ t be about politics ” before adding that governors ordered mask mandates “ based upon the circumstances of our state.
” “ It ’ s not popular .
It ’ s not something we want to do .
It ’ s not the first lever we pull , ” Hutchinson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when the data says it ’ s necessary , we do it.
” Hutchinson then argued that a statewide mask mandate is the “ right approach ” because it will help Arkansas reopen schools and to “ keep our economy moving.
” Polis similarly told Raddatz that Colorado ’ s statewide mask mandate is “ not partisan ” and masks are “ a ticket to more freedom.
” “ It makes it less likely that businesses will be shuttered .
It makes it less likely that people will die .
It makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Polis said .
“ If we care about those things , you ’ re going to take that as a matter of personal responsibility to protect yourself , protect others , protect our economy.
” Polis went on to explain his earlier reluctance to issuing a statewide mask mandate , which he said centered around not wanting to tell people “ what to do in their lives.
” However , Polis said that “ we simply found that they work ” after reviewing data from cities and counties in Colorado that issued @ @ @ @

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) on Sunday explained why they issued statewide mask mandates in the past week after their initial reluctance to do so.
As President Trump continues to resist the notion of issuing a nationwide mask mandate amid spikes in coronavirus cases throughout the country, Hutchinson’s and Polis’ explanations of their change of heart regarding mask-wearing requirements comes the same day that NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins expressed that how “bizarre” it is to turn mask mandates into a political debate.
“How could it be that something as basic as a public health action that we have very strong evidence can help seems to attach to people’s political party?” Collins said on MSNBC Sunday morning.
Hutchinson and Polis appeared to echo Collins’ sentiment during Sunday morning interviews on ABC News as well by expressing their dismay over the political debate that has ensued over mask-wearing requirements.
Here’s what Hutchinson and Polis had to say:
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R)
After saying that he does not support a national mask mandate, Hutchinson was pressed by ABC News’ Martha Raddatz on his thoughts regarding how partisan the issue of mask-wearing has become.
Hutchinson, who initially resisted a issuing a statewide mask mandate and a stay-at-home order earlier in the pandemic, said that the mask-wearing requirements “shouldn’t be about politics” before adding that governors ordered mask mandates “based upon the circumstances of our state.”
“It’s not popular. It’s not something we want to do. It’s not the first lever we pull,” Hutchinson said. “But it is one that, when the data says it’s necessary, we do it.”
Hutchinson then argued that a statewide mask mandate is the “right approach” because it will help Arkansas reopen schools and to “keep our economy moving.”
“We need to wear a mask, that example needs to be set by our national leadership,” Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says when pressed about Trump’s mixed messaging on masks. “It shouldn’t be about politics,” he adds when asked about partisan divide on masks. https://t.co/BS2kWvi5e7 pic.twitter.com/wiuSJQ8mBm — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 19, 2020
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D)
Polis similarly told Raddatz that Colorado’s statewide mask mandate is “not partisan” and masks are “a ticket to more freedom.”
“It makes it less likely that businesses will be shuttered. It makes it less likely that people will die. It makes it more likely school will return,” Polis said. “If we care about those things, you’re going to take that as a matter of personal responsibility to protect yourself, protect others, protect our economy.”
Polis went on to explain his earlier reluctance to issuing a statewide mask mandate, which he said centered around not wanting to tell people “what to do in their lives.” However, Polis said that “we simply found that they work” after reviewing data from cities and counties in Colorado that issued local mask mandates.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on his decision to issue a statewide mask mandate after initially expressing hesitation: “We simply found that they work … the mask mandate was really an easy decision after I saw that data.” https://t.co/BS2kWvi5e7 pic.twitter.com/UwK9zPY9lN — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 19, 2020


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-19--Stone Denies Uttering Racial Slur On Black Radio Host’s Show Amid Heated Exchange

Roger Stone denied using a racial slur during a live airing of a radio show hosted by a Black man on Saturday while he was pressed on President Trump ’ s decision to commute his prison sentence .
During an interview on the Mo ’ Kelly Show , hosted by Morris O ’ Kelly , Stone was grilled over President Trump ’ s move earlier this month to commute his 40-month prison sentence for lying to Congress and witness tampering in the Russia probe .
When O ’ Kelly asked Stone about how his “ number just happened to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ there are thousands of people treated unfairly daily , ” Trump ’ s longtime adviser paused .
Stone is then heard mumbling indecipherable words before being heard saying “ arguing with this Negro.
” O ’ Kelly shot back by asking Stone to clarify his remark .
“ I ’ m sorry what was that ?
” O ’ Kelly asked Stone .
“ Roger ?
I ’ m sorry , what did you say ?
” Stone quieted down as O ’ Kelly expressed his confusion over what he thought was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Kelly then mentioned that Stone ’ s line was still open .
The longtime Trump adviser replied by insinuating that there were issues regarding phone signal .
Stone quickly denied that he uttered a racial slur during the show by telling O ’ Kelly that “ you ’ re out of your mind.
” After the interview , Stone doubled down on his denial by telling the Associated Press in a statement that anyone who knows him “ knows I despise racism !
” Stone told the AP that O ’ Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wax in his ears ” and “ to spend a little more time studying black history and institutions ” while denying that he called him a racial slur .
Stone added that “ the word negro is far from a slur.
” According to the AP , Stone also claimed in his statement that the radio show ’ s audio was garbled , he heard cross-talk from another radio show and that the audio of his remarks was cut off .
However , Stone told the New York Daily News that O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the racial slur on air .
“ His studio engineer can very clearly be heard using the epithet after he cut my sound feed three times , ” Stone told the Daily News in an email .
“ Why is it that everyone on the left must label anyone who disagrees with them as ‘ a racist ?
’ … I despise racism !
”

Roger Stone denied using a racial slur during a live airing of a radio show hosted by a Black man on Saturday while he was pressed on President Trump’s decision to commute his prison sentence.
During an interview on the Mo’Kelly Show, hosted by Morris O’Kelly, Stone was grilled over President Trump’s move earlier this month to commute his 40-month prison sentence for lying to Congress and witness tampering in the Russia probe.
When O’Kelly asked Stone about how his “number just happened to come up in the lottery” given how “there are thousands of people treated unfairly daily,” Trump’s longtime adviser paused.
Stone is then heard mumbling indecipherable words before being heard saying “arguing with this Negro.”
O’Kelly shot back by asking Stone to clarify his remark.
“I’m sorry what was that?” O’Kelly asked Stone. “Roger? I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Stone quieted down as O’Kelly expressed his confusion over what he thought was “a very spirited conversation.”
O’Kelly then mentioned that Stone’s line was still open. The longtime Trump adviser replied by insinuating that there were issues regarding phone signal.
Stone quickly denied that he uttered a racial slur during the show by telling O’Kelly that “you’re out of your mind.”
After the interview, Stone doubled down on his denial by telling the Associated Press in a statement that anyone who knows him “knows I despise racism!”
Stone told the AP that O’Kelly “needs a good peroxide cleaning of the wax in his ears” and “to spend a little more time studying black history and institutions” while denying that he called him a racial slur. Stone added that “the word negro is far from a slur.”
According to the AP, Stone also claimed in his statement that the radio show’s audio was garbled, he heard cross-talk from another radio show and that the audio of his remarks was cut off.
However, Stone told the New York Daily News that O’Kelly’s studio engineer uttered the racial slur on air.
“His studio engineer can very clearly be heard using the epithet after he cut my sound feed three times,” Stone told the Daily News in an email. “Why is it that everyone on the left must label anyone who disagrees with them as ‘a racist?’ … I despise racism!”
Listen to Stone’s interview below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-19--MS Governor Struggles To Defend Lack Of Statewide Mask Mandate: ‘It’s Complicated’

Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves ( R ) defended his refusal to issue a statewide mask mandate during an interview on CNN Sunday .
Earlier this month , Reeves signed an order requiring face masks in 13 counties , but has not issued a statewide mask mandate even as governors in red states such as Texas , Alabama , Louisiana and Arkansas have done so .
After arguing that his daily press conferences urging residents to wear masks has spurred increased mask wearing compliance , Reeves was pressed on why he has not imposed a statewide mandatory mask order if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that ’ s the point , Jake , in fact there ’ s a statewide mask mandate in Texas , Louisiana , Arkansas and Alabama , they ’ re all around me .
If I believe that was the best way to save lives in my state I would ’ ve done it a long time ago , ” Reeves said .
Reeves added that he believes that wearing masks and practicing social distancing is “ a strategy that is worth implementing ” before blaming health experts , such as the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages ” on masks .
After CNN ’ s Jake Tapper pointed out that the discrepancy among health experts on masks was from a “ long time ago , ” Reeves explained why he finds the issue of ordering a statewide mask mandate involves a “ complicated process.
” “ Of course it was a while ago , but people were paying attention then , ” Reeves said .
“ There are lot of people in my state who said , ‘ well these central planners , these people who want to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six months ago that this is what we should do and now they ’ ve completely changed their mind.
’ And so it ’ s a complicated process .
”

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) defended his refusal to issue a statewide mask mandate during an interview on CNN Sunday.
Earlier this month, Reeves signed an order requiring face masks in 13 counties, but has not issued a statewide mask mandate even as governors in red states such as Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas have done so.
After arguing that his daily press conferences urging residents to wear masks has spurred increased mask wearing compliance, Reeves was pressed on why he has not imposed a statewide mandatory mask order if it saves lives.
“Well look and that’s the point, Jake, in fact there’s a statewide mask mandate in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Alabama, they’re all around me. If I believe that was the best way to save lives in my state I would’ve done it a long time ago,” Reeves said.
Reeves added that he believes that wearing masks and practicing social distancing is “a strategy that is worth implementing” before blaming health experts, such as the World Health Organization, for issuing “mixed messages” on masks.
After CNN’s Jake Tapper pointed out that the discrepancy among health experts on masks was from a “long time ago,” Reeves explained why he finds the issue of ordering a statewide mask mandate involves a “complicated process.”
“Of course it was a while ago, but people were paying attention then,” Reeves said. “There are lot of people in my state who said, ‘well these central planners, these people who want to tell us what to do, they said six months ago that this is what we should do and now they’ve completely changed their mind.’ And so it’s a complicated process.”
Watch Reeves’ remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-19--Portland Mayor Rips Trump For ‘Abhorrent’ Use Of Federal Police To Quell Unrest

Portland mayor Ted Wheeler hit back at President Trump ’ s assertion that his administration is “ trying to help ” the city by deploying federal law enforcement officials in light of ongoing protests , during an interview on CNN Sunday morning .
Wheeler ’ s criticism of the Trump administration comes amid demonstrations in Portland against racial inequality and police brutality .
Videos from recent protests show the Department of Homeland Security personnel arresting protesters and placing them in unmarked SUVs .
On Friday , Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum ( D ) and the American Civil Liberties Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protesters .
On Sunday morning , President Trump — who touted last month that he is the president of “ law and order ” as he pushed for an aggressive federal response to protests nationwide in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death — tweeted that his administration is “ trying to help Portland , not hurt it.
” During an interview on CNN , Wheeler directly responded to Trump ’ s tweet earlier Sunday by arguing that the President “ has a complete misunderstanding of cause and effect.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have dozens , if not hundreds of federal troops descending upon our city .
And what they ’ re doing is , they are sharply escalating the situation , ” Wheeler said .
“ Their presence here is actually leading to more violence and more vandalism .
And it ’ s not helping the situation at all .
They ’ re not wanted here .
We haven ’ t asked them here .
In fact , we want them to leave.
” Wheeler then characterized the Trump ’ s administration ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ People are being literally scooped off the street into unmarked vans , rental cars , apparently .
They are being denied probable cause .
And they are denied due process , ” Wheeler said .
“ They don ’ t even know who ’ s pulling them into the vans .
The people aren ’ t identifying themselves .
And , as far as I can see , this is completely unconstitutional.
” Later Sunday , three House committee chairs — Reps. Jerry Nadler ( D-NY ) , Bennie Thompson ( D-MS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — called for an internal investigation of the Trump administration ’ s security crackdown in Portland in a letter to the inspectors general at the Justice Department and Homeland Security .

Portland mayor Ted Wheeler hit back at President Trump’s assertion that his administration is “trying to help” the city by deploying federal law enforcement officials in light of ongoing protests, during an interview on CNN Sunday morning.
Wheeler’s criticism of the Trump administration comes amid demonstrations in Portland against racial inequality and police brutality. Videos from recent protests show the Department of Homeland Security personnel arresting protesters and placing them in unmarked SUVs. On Friday, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum (D) and the American Civil Liberties Union sued federal agencies over DHS’ detention of protesters.
On Sunday morning, President Trump — who touted last month that he is the president of “law and order” as he pushed for an aggressive federal response to protests nationwide in the wake of George Floyd’s death — tweeted that his administration is “trying to help Portland, not hurt it.”
We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2020
During an interview on CNN, Wheeler directly responded to Trump’s tweet earlier Sunday by arguing that the President “has a complete misunderstanding of cause and effect.”
“What’s happening here is, we have dozens, if not hundreds of federal troops descending upon our city. And what they’re doing is, they are sharply escalating the situation,” Wheeler said. “Their presence here is actually leading to more violence and more vandalism. And it’s not helping the situation at all. They’re not wanted here. We haven’t asked them here. In fact, we want them to leave.”
Wheeler then characterized the Trump’s administration’s tactics in Portland as “abhorrent.”
“People are being literally scooped off the street into unmarked vans, rental cars, apparently. They are being denied probable cause. And they are denied due process,” Wheeler said. “They don’t even know who’s pulling them into the vans. The people aren’t identifying themselves. And, as far as I can see, this is completely unconstitutional.”
Watch Wheeler’s remarks below:
Portland mayor Ted Wheeler: "The tactics that the Trump administration are using on the streets of Portland are abhorrent." pic.twitter.com/GTClsUXBTi — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) July 19, 2020
Later Sunday, three House committee chairs — Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) — called for an internal investigation of the Trump administration’s security crackdown in Portland in a letter to the inspectors general at the Justice Department and Homeland Security.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-19--5 Key Takeaways From Trump’s Lengthy Off-The-Rails Interview On Fox News

President Trump aired numerous grievances when pressed by Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace during a lengthy interview that aired Sunday morning .
From standing by his previous claim that the coronavirus will “ disappear ” someday to refusing to commit to accepting the results of the November election , the President ’ s brain was picked on a wide range of topics during his interview on Fox News Sunday .
Here are the key takeaways from Trump ’ s interview on Fox News Sunday : Doubling down on his claim of the coronavirus “ disappearing ” someday When Wallace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus “ disappearing ” someday , Trump replied that he ’ ll be “ right eventually.
” When asked about his administration ’ s recent efforts to discredit Dr. Anthony Fauci — which include an unnamed White House official sending a memo to news outlets last week criticizing Fauci ’ s past comments on the coronavirus that later turned out to be inaccurate — Trump first replied that “ we ’ re not ” before repeating his line that although the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert has “ made some mistakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good relationship ” with Fauci .
After Trump went on to call Fauci “ a little bit of an alarmist , ” the President argued that he will be “ right eventually ” about his previous claim that the coronavirus will “ disappear ” despite surging cases of the coronavirus throughout the country .
On Saturday , the Washington Post reported that the Trump administration is seeking to block billions of dollars for states to conduct testing and contact tracing in the upcoming coronavirus relief bill .
Pressed on whether the Confederate flag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it depends.
” “ It depends on who you ’ re talking about , when you ’ re talking about , ” Trump said .
“ When people proudly have their Confederate flags , they ’ re not talking about racism .
They love their flag , it represents the South , they like the South .
People right now like the South .
I ’ d say it ’ s freedom of , of , of many things , but it ’ s freedom of speech.
” Wallace then asked if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Well , I ’ m not offended either by Black Lives Matter , ” Trump said .
“ That ’ s freedom of speech.
” Piling on more attacks against Biden Upon being shown a Fox News poll that indicates Biden leading him by eight points , Trump denied that he ’ s losing because “ those are fake polls.
” “ They were fake in 2016 and now they ’ re even more fake , ” Trump said .
“ The polls were much worse in 2016.
” The President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has “ other polls ” showing that he ’ s leading , before going on to slamming Biden because he “ can ’ t put two sentences together.
” ‘ They wheeled him out , he goes up , he repeats , they ask him questions , he reads the teleprompter and then he goes back into his basement , ” Trump said .
“ You tell me the American people want to have that in an age where we are in trouble with other nations that are looking to do numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold rallies amid the COVID-19 pandemic After railing against Democrats for “ purposely keeping their schools closed , ” Trump displayed his dissatisfaction over being unable to hold rallies in states led by Democratic governors .
“ I called Michigan .
I want to have a big rally in Michigan .
You know we are not allowed to have a rally in Michigan ?
” Trump said .
“ Do you know we are not allowed to have a rally in Minnesota ?
Do you know we ’ re not allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not allowed to have rallies in these Democrat-run states.
” Refusing to guarantee he will accept the results of the November election After Trump doubled down on his baseless claim that mail-in voting will “ rig the election , ” Wallace asked if he ’ s suggesting that he might not accept the election in November .
“ I have to see , ” Trump said , before repeating his assertion when pressed on the question again .

President Trump aired numerous grievances when pressed by Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace during a lengthy interview that aired Sunday morning.
From standing by his previous claim that the coronavirus will “disappear” someday to refusing to commit to accepting the results of the November election, the President’s brain was picked on a wide range of topics during his interview on Fox News Sunday.
Here are the key takeaways from Trump’s interview on Fox News Sunday:
Doubling down on his claim of the coronavirus “disappearing” someday
When Wallace confronted Trump regarding his predictions about the coronavirus “disappearing” someday, Trump replied that he’ll be “right eventually.”
When asked about his administration’s recent efforts to discredit Dr. Anthony Fauci — which include an unnamed White House official sending a memo to news outlets last week criticizing Fauci’s past comments on the coronavirus that later turned out to be inaccurate — Trump first replied that “we’re not” before repeating his line that although the nation’s top infectious disease expert has “made some mistakes,” he has a “very good relationship” with Fauci.
After Trump went on to call Fauci “a little bit of an alarmist,” the President argued that he will be “right eventually” about his previous claim that the coronavirus will “disappear” despite surging cases of the coronavirus throughout the country.
On Saturday, the Washington Post reported that the Trump administration is seeking to block billions of dollars for states to conduct testing and contact tracing in the upcoming coronavirus relief bill.
Trump claims that he'll be "right eventually" about the coronavirus "disappearing" pic.twitter.com/uiFqCEbBMR — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) July 19, 2020
Defending the Confederate flag
Pressed on whether the Confederate flag is offensive,” Trump said “it depends.”
“It depends on who you’re talking about, when you’re talking about,” Trump said. “When people proudly have their Confederate flags, they’re not talking about racism. They love their flag, it represents the South, they like the South. People right now like the South. I’d say it’s freedom of, of, of many things, but it’s freedom of speech.”
Wallace then asked if he’s offended by the Confederate flag.
“Well, I’m not offended either by Black Lives Matter,” Trump said. “That’s freedom of speech.”
Trump defends the Confederate flag pic.twitter.com/b2q5sn8XMO — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) July 19, 2020
Piling on more attacks against Biden
Upon being shown a Fox News poll that indicates Biden leading him by eight points, Trump denied that he’s losing because “those are fake polls.”
“They were fake in 2016 and now they’re even more fake,” Trump said. “The polls were much worse in 2016.”
The President then claimed, without evidence, that he has “other polls” showing that he’s leading, before going on to slamming Biden because he “can’t put two sentences together.”
‘They wheeled him out, he goes up, he repeats, they ask him questions, he reads the teleprompter and then he goes back into his basement,” Trump said. “You tell me the American people want to have that in an age where we are in trouble with other nations that are looking to do numbers on us.”
Trump attacks Biden after being shown a Fox News poll that shows he's losing to the former VP pic.twitter.com/XkEaQI7eXP — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) July 19, 2020
Griping about his inability to hold rallies amid the COVID-19 pandemic
After railing against Democrats for “purposely keeping their schools closed,” Trump displayed his dissatisfaction over being unable to hold rallies in states led by Democratic governors.
“I called Michigan. I want to have a big rally in Michigan. You know we are not allowed to have a rally in Michigan?” Trump said. “Do you know we are not allowed to have a rally in Minnesota? Do you know we’re not allowed to have a rally in Nevada? We’re not allowed to have rallies in these Democrat-run states.”
Trump gripes about Democratic-run states not allowing him to hold rallies pic.twitter.com/M0SSvigndD — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) July 19, 2020
Refusing to guarantee he will accept the results of the November election
After Trump doubled down on his baseless claim that mail-in voting will “rig the election,” Wallace asked if he’s suggesting that he might not accept the election in November.
“I have to see,” Trump said, before repeating his assertion when pressed on the question again.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-19--Two GOP Sens Apologize For Using Photos Of Cummings In John Lewis Tribute Posts

Sens .
Dan Sullivan ( R-AK ) and Marco Rubio ( R-FL ) on Saturday issued apologies after erroneously posting photos of the late Rep. Elijah Cummings in social media posts that paid tribute to Rep. John Lewis ( D-GA ) following his recent death .
On Friday night , Lewis died at the age of 80 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last December .
Shortly after Lewis ’ death was announced , politicians paid tribute to the late congressman , who had a reputation for his involvement in the civil rights movement and serving 17 terms in Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now-deleted Facebook post paying tribute to Lewis that featured a photo of the Alaska senator with Cummings — the Maryland congressman who died last year — in front of the National Museum of African American History and Culture .
The photo was previously used in a post last year paying tribute to Cummings .
“ Senator Sullivan ’ s staff made a mistake trying to honor an American legend , ” a spokesperson for Sullivan told CNN .
Sullivan shared a new post on Facebook that refers to a Washington Post article on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rubio tweeted an image that mistook Cummings for Lewis , and acknowledged the error after deleting his initial post and replacing it with a new message paying tribute to Lewis .

Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) on Saturday issued apologies after erroneously posting photos of the late Rep. Elijah Cummings in social media posts that paid tribute to Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) following his recent death.
On Friday night, Lewis died at the age of 80 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last December. Shortly after Lewis’ death was announced, politicians paid tribute to the late congressman, who had a reputation for his involvement in the civil rights movement and serving 17 terms in Congress.
Sullivan issued an apology for a now-deleted Facebook post paying tribute to Lewis that featured a photo of the Alaska senator with Cummings — the Maryland congressman who died last year — in front of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The photo was previously used in a post last year paying tribute to Cummings.
“Senator Sullivan’s staff made a mistake trying to honor an American legend,” a spokesperson for Sullivan told CNN.
Sullivan shared a new post on Facebook that refers to a Washington Post article on Lewis’ death.
Earlier Saturday, Rubio tweeted an image that mistook Cummings for Lewis, and acknowledged the error after deleting his initial post and replacing it with a new message paying tribute to Lewis.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-20--Federal Judge’s Home Attacked By Gunman, Son Of Judge Killed In Shooting

A gunman shot the son and husband of U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas in their home in New Brunswick , New Jersey on Sunday night , leaving her son dead and her husband in critical condition .
The suspect , who is still at large , entered the judge ’ s home dressed as a FedEx delivery worker , according to the New Jersey Globe .
Salas ’ son , 20-year-old Daniel Anderl , was fatally shot , while criminal defense attorney Mark Anderl , her husband , is currently hospitalized under critical but stable condition .
Salas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first Latina on the District Court of New Jersey , was not hurt .
The New Jersey Globe reported that the judge had been receiving threats .
The FBI announced late Sunday night that the agency had opened an investigation into the shooting and are looking for “ one subject.
” “ Judge Salas and her family are in our thoughts at this time as they cope with this senseless act , ” New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy ( D ) said in a statement .
“ This tragedy is our latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our country and that our work to make every community safer isn ’ t done .
”

Authorities believe the man suspected of shooting the son and husband of U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas in their home Sunday in North Brunswick, New Jersey was an attorney who harbored deeply misogynistic beliefs, according to reports.
Law enforcement has identified the suspect as Roy Den Hollander, the Daily Beast first reported Monday. The New York Times and New Jersey Globe confirmed the suspect’s identity.
The suspect entered the judge’s home dressed as a FedEx delivery worker, according to the New Jersey Globe. Salas’ son, 20-year-old Daniel Anderl, was fatally shot, while her husband, criminal defense attorney Mark Anderl, is currently hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Salas, an Obama-appointed judge who is also the first Latina on the District Court of New Jersey, was not hurt. The New Jersey Globe reported that the judge had been receiving threats.
The FBI announced late Sunday night that the agency had opened an investigation into the shooting. The FBI did not respond to TPM’s requests for comment.
“On behalf of the entire Justice Department, I send my deepest condolences to Judge Salas and her family on the death of their son and wish her husband a swift and complete recovery,” Attorney General Bill Barr said in a statement on Monday. “This kind of lawless, evil action carried out against a member of the federal judiciary will not be tolerated, and I have ordered the full resources of the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service to investigate the matter.”
Den Hollander had a case pending before Salas that sought to challenge the male-only Army draft, according to the New York Times.
In 2008, Fox News host Neil Cavuto interviewed Den Hollander regarding his lawsuit against Columbia University for offering a women’s studies program “but not a men’s studies program.”
During his interview with Cavuto, Den Hollander called for the elimination of what he called “feminazi, feminist women’s studies programs and bring back varsity sports” and argued that universities would “do a lot better” if they did so. Hollander also claimed that if men take a women’s studies course, “the girls in the class are basically going to walk all over them in their stiletto heels” and that he “begins to suspect something” every time women speak up.
Earlier in 2008, Den Hollander sued the federal government over the Violence Against Women Act, which he claimed that some aspects of are unconstitutional, according to the Times. But that’s not all.
Den Hollander also filed a class-action lawsuit against prominent Manhattan nightclubs the year before, arguing that they discriminate against men by hosting ladies’ nights offering women free or reduced admission. The lawsuit said that ladies’ nights at nightclubs violate the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection under the law, according to the Times.
According to an archive of his now-defunct website, Den Hollander’s resume includes a stint as a political producer at WABC TV News; spending time in Russia as a lawyer providing counsel on legal and business issues and managing a law firm there that delivered “intelligence and security in the former Soviet Union; and taking “hip-hop classes and martial arts for those who give me a hard time about hip-hop.”
“Judge Salas and her family are in our thoughts at this time as they cope with this senseless act,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said in a statement on Sunday. “This tragedy is our latest reminder that gun violence remains a crisis in our country and that our work to make every community safer isn’t done.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-20--Struggling Poll Numbers Pushed Trump To Call Mask-Wearing ‘Patriotic’

Struggling poll numbers spurred President Trump to pivot away from his previous reluctance to wearing a mask in public , according to a CNN report on Monday .
On Monday afternoon , the President tweeted a picture of himself during his visit to Walter Reed Medical Center earlier this month , which marked his first and only time thus far when he ’ s worn a mask in public .
Trump ’ s tweet included an indirect suggestion that mask-wearing is “ patriotic.
” According to CNN , a source familiar with the President ’ s thinking said that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting with campaign aides at the White House last week .
Campaign aides warned Trump that even internal poll numbers showed that Americans didn ’ t approve of his reluctance to wearing masks amid surging cases of the coronavirus throughout the country .
An official who attended the meeting told CNN that Trump relented after the meeting , which followed months of aides trying to convince him to comply with mask-wearing requirements .
Aides reportedly suggested to the President previously that his mask could have “ MAGA ” , “ Trump-Pence 2020 ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but that the suggestions weren ’ t enough to stop his vehement opposition to wearing one in public .
A presidential adviser told CNN that Trump ’ s move to wear a mask publicly for the first time during his visit to Walter Reed followed heavy “ pleading ” by aides .
According to CNN , the presidential adviser urged Trump to encourage his supporters to comply with mask-wearing requirements during his visit , but that he was reluctant partly due to not wanting to give in to pressure from the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisers view the President wearing a mask in public as key to his political success in light of his low poll numbers and the coronavirus continuing to be a primary concern amongst voters .
Prior to Trump ’ s visit to Walter Reed earlier this month , Trump claimed that he wore a mask during parts of a tour at a Ford plant in Michigan in May .
The President said that he “ didn ’ t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.
” Trump ’ s shift to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up calls for the public to adopt the practice .
However , both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence continue to push back on the notion of issuing a nationwide mask mandate even as the list of statewide mask mandates continues to grow .

Struggling poll numbers spurred President Trump to pivot away from his previous reluctance to wearing a mask in public, according to a CNN report on Monday.
On Monday afternoon, the President tweeted a picture of himself during his visit to Walter Reed Medical Center earlier this month, which marked his first and only time thus far when he’s worn a mask in public. Trump’s tweet included an indirect suggestion that mask-wearing is “patriotic.”
We are United in our effort to defeat the Invisible China Virus, and many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can’t socially distance. There is nobody more Patriotic than me, your favorite President! pic.twitter.com/iQOd1whktN — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2020
According to CNN, a source familiar with the President’s thinking said that his shift to encouraging mask-wearing came after a meeting with campaign aides at the White House last week. Campaign aides warned Trump that even internal poll numbers showed that Americans didn’t approve of his reluctance to wearing masks amid surging cases of the coronavirus throughout the country.
An official who attended the meeting told CNN that Trump relented after the meeting, which followed months of aides trying to convince him to comply with mask-wearing requirements. Aides reportedly suggested to the President previously that his mask could have “MAGA”, “Trump-Pence 2020” or an American flag printed on them, but that the suggestions weren’t enough to stop his vehement opposition to wearing one in public.
A presidential adviser told CNN that Trump’s move to wear a mask publicly for the first time during his visit to Walter Reed followed heavy “pleading” by aides. According to CNN, the presidential adviser urged Trump to encourage his supporters to comply with mask-wearing requirements during his visit, but that he was reluctant partly due to not wanting to give in to pressure from the media.
CNN reported that Trump’s advisers view the President wearing a mask in public as key to his political success in light of his low poll numbers and the coronavirus continuing to be a primary concern amongst voters.
Prior to Trump’s visit to Walter Reed earlier this month, Trump claimed that he wore a mask during parts of a tour at a Ford plant in Michigan in May. The President said that he “didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.”
Trump’s shift to encouraging mask-wearing came after Republican lawmakers ramped up calls for the public to adopt the practice. However, both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence continue to push back on the notion of issuing a nationwide mask mandate even as the list of statewide mask mandates continues to grow.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-20--St Louis Gun Couple Charged For Aiming Guns At Black Lives Matter Protesters

St. Louis ’ top prosecutor on Monday charged Mark and Patricia McCloskey , the St. Louis couple that aimed their guns at Black Lives Matter protesters in their neighborhood last month , with felony unlawful use of a weapon .
According to the Associated Press , St. Louis circuit attorney Kim Gardner ’ s announcement of the charges against the St. Louis couple , who are both personal injury attorneys , included a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree assault .
Gardner told the AP before her official announcement of the charges against the St. Louis couple that their actions during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risked creating a violent situation .
“ It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner — that is unlawful in the city of St. Louis , ” Gardner told the AP .
Gardner is recommending a diversion program instead of jail time for the St. Louis couple if convicted , according to the AP .
The attorney for the McCloskeys , Joel Schwartz , told the AP in a statement that he finds the charges “ disheartening as I unequivocally believe no crime was committed.
” The filing of charges against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson suggested that he would pardon them if convicted during an interview with local radio host Marc Cox .
President Trump previously attacked Gardner ’ s probe of the St. Louis couple , which he characterized as a “ disgrace.
” After Parson claimed that Trump would be getting involved in the case , Al Watkins , one of the McCloskey ’ s lawyers , told TPM last week that he has been in talks with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows .

St. Louis’ top prosecutor on Monday charged Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis couple that aimed their guns at Black Lives Matter protesters in their neighborhood last month, with felony unlawful use of a weapon.
According to the Associated Press, St. Louis circuit attorney Kim Gardner’s announcement of the charges against the St. Louis couple, who are both personal injury attorneys, included a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree assault.
Gardner told the AP before her official announcement of the charges against the St. Louis couple that their actions during the peaceful protest that occurred outside their home risked creating a violent situation.
“It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner — that is unlawful in the city of St. Louis,” Gardner told the AP.
Gardner is recommending a diversion program instead of jail time for the St. Louis couple if convicted, according to the AP.
The attorney for the McCloskeys, Joel Schwartz, told the AP in a statement that he finds the charges “disheartening as I unequivocally believe no crime was committed.”
The filing of charges against the St. Louis couple comes a few days after Missouri Gov. Mike Parson suggested that he would pardon them if convicted during an interview with local radio host Marc Cox.
President Trump previously attacked Gardner’s probe of the St. Louis couple, which he characterized as a “disgrace.” After Parson claimed that Trump would be getting involved in the case, Al Watkins, one of the McCloskey’s lawyers, told TPM last week that he has been in talks with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-20--DOJ Pushes Back Against Judge’s Efforts To Bring Full DC Appeals Court Into Flynn Mess

The Justice Department said Monday that it would suffer “ irreparable injury ” if the judge in the Michael Flynn case was allowed to probe the circumstances of its request that the case be dropped .
The Department made the claim in a filing with the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C .
Circuit , which is currently considering whether it should rehear a dispute over whether Flynn ’ s judge must immediately dismiss Flynn ’ s case .
Flynn ’ s judge , U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan , asked last week for the full appeals court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after an appellate panel sided with Flynn and ordered that Sullivan drop the case .
The Department said Monday that the panel ’ s decision was “ correct and does not warrant review by the full Court.
” When the Justice Department announced in May that it was seeking to drop its Flynn case , after defending the prosecution for more than two years , Sullivan held off on granting the request and instead set up a process for outside parties to brief him on what to do next .
Flynn then asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Justice Department supported him in his bid , which resulted in the appeals court panel decision in Flynn ’ s favor .
In its latest filing , the Justice Department pushed back on Sullivan ’ s arguments that he should be allowed to move forward with the briefing .
“ The parties and now a panel of this Court agree that this case should come to an end , ” the DOJ said .
“ Yet the district judge , first through his contemplation of extended and intrusive proceedings on the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through his petition for rehearing en banc , insists on keeping the litigation going.
” As for Sullivan ’ s argument that the appellate panel ’ s order is premature , since he hadn ’ t denied the dismissal request yet , the Department said that “ That objection misses the point.
” “ [ A ] t stake is not mere consideration of a pending motion , but a full-scale adversarial procedure spearheaded by a court-appointed amicus hostile to the government ’ s position raising factual questions , relying on extra-record materials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliberations , and second-guessing core prosecutorial judgments , ” the Department said .
The filing repeated the Department ’ s recent claims that “ newly available materials ” led it to decide that the case should be dropped .
The reversal is the latest example of efforts by Attorney General Bill Barr to undo or weaken some of the key prosecutions of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation .
Flynn had pleaded guilty in Dec. 2017 to lying to the FBI , and twice in court affirmed that guilty plea .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several months later , sought to walk away from the plea deal .
The Department at first opposed Flynn ’ s efforts to get his case dismissed until the shocking reversal in May .
In his own filing with the D.C .
Circuit , Flynn claimed Monday that Sullivan had “ hijacked ” the case and suggested the court proceedings where he had affirmed the guilty plea were not legitimate .
While the appellate panel that sided with Flynn was made up of a majority of GOP appointees , Democratic appointees make up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So far , it seems like those judges are skeptical about the panel ’ s order against Sullivan , as they have already put it on hold for the time being .

The Justice Department said Monday that it would suffer “irreparable injury” if the judge in the Michael Flynn case was allowed to probe the circumstances of its request that the case be dropped.
The Department made the claim in a filing with the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which is currently considering whether it should rehear a dispute over whether Flynn’s judge must immediately dismiss Flynn’s case.
Flynn’s judge, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, asked last week for the full appeals court to weigh in on the dispute, after an appellate panel sided with Flynn and ordered that Sullivan drop the case.
The Department said Monday that the panel’s decision was “correct and does not warrant review by the full Court.”
When the Justice Department announced in May that it was seeking to drop its Flynn case, after defending the prosecution for more than two years, Sullivan held off on granting the request and instead set up a process for outside parties to brief him on what to do next.
Flynn then asked the appeals court to intervene, and the Justice Department supported him in his bid, which resulted in the appeals court panel decision in Flynn’s favor.
In its latest filing, the Justice Department pushed back on Sullivan’s arguments that he should be allowed to move forward with the briefing.
“The parties and now a panel of this Court agree that this case should come to an end,” the DOJ said. “Yet the district judge, first through his contemplation of extended and intrusive proceedings on the government’s motion to dismiss and now through his petition for rehearing en banc, insists on keeping the litigation going.”
As for Sullivan’s argument that the appellate panel’s order is premature, since he hadn’t denied the dismissal request yet, the Department said that “That objection misses the point.”
“[A]t stake is not mere consideration of a pending motion, but a full-scale adversarial procedure spearheaded by a court-appointed amicus hostile to the government’s position raising factual questions, relying on extra-record materials, probing the government’s internal deliberations, and second-guessing core prosecutorial judgments,” the Department said.
The filing repeated the Department’s recent claims that “newly available materials” led it to decide that the case should be dropped. The reversal is the latest example of efforts by Attorney General Bill Barr to undo or weaken some of the key prosecutions of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.
Flynn had pleaded guilty in Dec. 2017 to lying to the FBI, and twice in court affirmed that guilty plea. He hired new attorneys in 2019 and, several months later, sought to walk away from the plea deal. The Department at first opposed Flynn’s efforts to get his case dismissed until the shocking reversal in May.
In his own filing with the D.C. Circuit, Flynn claimed Monday that Sullivan had “hijacked” the case and suggested the court proceedings where he had affirmed the guilty plea were not legitimate.
While the appellate panel that sided with Flynn was made up of a majority of GOP appointees, Democratic appointees make up the majority of the full appeals court.
So far, it seems like those judges are skeptical about the panel’s order against Sullivan, as they have already put it on hold for the time being.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-20--Trump Admin Now Reportedly Deploying Federal Agents In Chicago

As concerns flare over federal law enforcement agents ’ actions in Portland in recent days , the feds are reportedly planning to deploy new federal force — this time in Chicago .
The Chicago Tribune broke the news Monday that 150 ICE agents were expected to “ assist other federal law enforcement and Chicago police in crime-fighting efforts , ” in the newspaper ’ s words .
The agents will come from Homeland Security Investigations , ICE ’ s investigations arm , the paper said .
Other HSI agents are currently policing protesters in Portland alongside the Federal Protective Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and others .
CBS News and The New York Times subsequently confirmed the Tribune ’ s scoop later on Monday .
The reports don ’ t offer much detail on the nature of the HSI agents ’ movement , and ICE did not respond to TPM ’ s request for comment .
Chicago has experienced a spike in gun violence over the past month , and demonstrators and police officers clashed at protest Friday against a statue of Christopher Columbus in the city .
But Trump long ago made Chicago — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — a political focus of his .
Just a few months into his presidency , he tweeted about sending federal “ help ” to the city .
And at a White House event last week , the President mused , “ Can you imagine if the country was run like Chicago and like New York and like some of these other Democrat super radical left cities are run ?
You wouldn ’ t have a country for very long.
” During a press conference Thursday , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ derelict mayor ” who should ask for federal assistance .
McEnany described a letter from Trump to Lightfoot ordering the mayor to “ secure your city.
” Lightfoot later called the letter “ a litany of nonsense written by some political flak.
” And in a press conference Monday , the mayor added , “ We don ’ t need federal agents without any insignia taking people off the streets and holding them , I think , unlawfully.
” The reports Monday follow a request from Chicago ’ s top police union official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared on Facebook , local Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara “ formally ” asked for the federal government ’ s help .
“ Mayor Lightfoot has proved to be a complete failure who is either unwilling or unable to maintain law and order here , ” Catanzara wrote .
Also on Monday , Trump said he was considering expanding the federal law enforcement footprint to cities beyond Portland .
“ We ’ re not going to let New York , and Chicago , and Philadelphia and Detroit and Baltimore — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We ’ re not going to let this happen in our country .
All run by liberal Democrats.
” “ More federal law enforcement to some of these cities ?
” a reporter asked .
“ We ’ re going to have more federal law enforcement , that I can tell you , ” Trump responded .
“ In Portland , they ’ ve done a fantastic job.
” Elected officials across Oregon and much of the rest of the country have slammed the administration for the actions of federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and questioned their legality .
Under the supposed authority of a presidential executive order last month aimed at “ Protecting American Monuments , Memorials , and Statues and Combating Recent Criminal Violence , ” federal law enforcement officers from several agencies have descended on the city , filling the streets with tear gas and at times detaining protesters in unmarked vehicles .

As concerns flare over federal law enforcement agents’ actions in Portland in recent days, the feds are reportedly planning to deploy new federal force — this time in Chicago.
The Chicago Tribune broke the news Monday that 150 ICE agents were expected to “assist other federal law enforcement and Chicago police in crime-fighting efforts,” in the newspaper’s words.
The agents will come from Homeland Security Investigations, ICE’s investigations arm, the paper said. Other HSI agents are currently policing protesters in Portland alongside the Federal Protective Service, tactical Customs and Border Protection agents, and others.
CBS News and The New York Times subsequently confirmed the Tribune’s scoop later on Monday.
The reports don’t offer much detail on the nature of the HSI agents’ movement, and ICE did not respond to TPM’s request for comment. Chicago has experienced a spike in gun violence over the past month, and demonstrators and police officers clashed at protest Friday against a statue of Christopher Columbus in the city.
But Trump long ago made Chicago — and particularly, street crime in the city — a political focus of his. Just a few months into his presidency, he tweeted about sending federal “help” to the city.
Crime and killings in Chicago have reached such epidemic proportions that I am sending in Federal help. 1714 shootings in Chicago this year! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 30, 2017
And at a White House event last week, the President mused, “Can you imagine if the country was run like Chicago and like New York and like some of these other Democrat super radical left cities are run? You wouldn’t have a country for very long.”
During a press conference Thursday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was a “derelict mayor” who should ask for federal assistance. McEnany described a letter from Trump to Lightfoot ordering the mayor to “secure your city.”
Lightfoot later called the letter “a litany of nonsense written by some political flak.” And in a press conference Monday, the mayor added, “We don’t need federal agents without any insignia taking people off the streets and holding them, I think, unlawfully.”
The reports Monday follow a request from Chicago’s top police union official to Trump. In a letter he shared on Facebook, local Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara “formally” asked for the federal government’s help.
“Mayor Lightfoot has proved to be a complete failure who is either unwilling or unable to maintain law and order here,” Catanzara wrote.
Also on Monday, Trump said he was considering expanding the federal law enforcement footprint to cities beyond Portland.
“We’re not going to let New York, and Chicago, and Philadelphia and Detroit and Baltimore — and Oakland is a mess,” he said. “We’re not going to let this happen in our country. All run by liberal Democrats.”
“More federal law enforcement to some of these cities?” a reporter asked.
“We’re going to have more federal law enforcement, that I can tell you,” Trump responded. “In Portland, they’ve done a fantastic job.”
#BREAKING: President Trump says he may send "more federal law enforcement" to New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Baltimore, Oakland, and other cities to deal with unrest: "In Portland they’ve done a fantastic job." pic.twitter.com/Pe6aDv6AVt — The Hill (@thehill) July 20, 2020
Elected officials across Oregon and much of the rest of the country have slammed the administration for the actions of federal law enforcement in Portland in recent days, and questioned their legality.
Under the supposed authority of a presidential executive order last month aimed at “Protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues and Combating Recent Criminal Violence,” federal law enforcement officers from several agencies have descended on the city, filling the streets with tear gas and at times detaining protesters in unmarked vehicles.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-20--Missouri Guv Hints At Pardoning St Louis Gun Couple If They Get Convicted

Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson suggested on Friday that he would pardon Mark and Patricia McCloskey , the St. Louis couple that aimed their guns at Black Lives Matter protesters in their neighborhood , if they were to be convicted for the incident .
No charges have been filed .
“ By all means , I would , and I think that ’ s exactly what would happen .
Right now that ’ s what I feel , ” Parson replied when local radio host Marc Cox asked the governor if he was weighing a pardon .
“ You don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the facts and all that , ” Parson added .
“ But right now , if this is all about going after them because they did a lawful act , then , yeah , if that scenario happened , I don ’ t think they ’ re going to spend any time in jail.
” St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner is currently investigating the McCloskeys , who both pointed firearms at nonviolent protesters walking past their home on June 28 .
The demonstrators were not on the McCloskey ’ s personal property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department , confirmed to TPM that law enforcement had seized the couple ’ s guns with a search warrant a little over a week ago .
In the aftermath of the incident , Mark McCloskey argued that the entire neighborhood is technically his private property given it is a gated community , and that he and his wife therefore had a right to defend themselves against what he described as a “ frightening crowd.
” Parson has rallied around the McCloskeys , asserting that they “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and accusing Gardner ’ s investigation of being a politically motivated “ attack law-abiding citizens.
” President Donald Trump has also attacked the prosecutor ’ s probe , which he called a “ disgrace.
” After Parson stated that Trump would be getting involved in the case , Al Watkins , one of the McCloskey ’ s lawyers , told TPM last week that he has been in talks with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows .
TPM has reached out to Watkins and Gardner ’ s spokesperson regarding Parson ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson suggested on Friday that he would pardon Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis couple that aimed their guns at Black Lives Matter protesters in their neighborhood, if they were to be convicted for the incident.
No charges have been filed.
“By all means, I would, and I think that’s exactly what would happen. Right now that’s what I feel,” Parson replied when local radio host Marc Cox asked the governor if he was weighing a pardon.
“You don’t know until you hear all the facts and all that,” Parson added. “But right now, if this is all about going after them because they did a lawful act, then, yeah, if that scenario happened, I don’t think they’re going to spend any time in jail.”
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner is currently investigating the McCloskeys, who both pointed firearms at nonviolent protesters walking past their home on June 28. The demonstrators were not on the McCloskey’s personal property.
Evita Caldwell, the public information officer at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, confirmed to TPM that law enforcement had seized the couple’s guns with a search warrant a little over a week ago.
In the aftermath of the incident, Mark McCloskey argued that the entire neighborhood is technically his private property given it is a gated community, and that he and his wife therefore had a right to defend themselves against what he described as a “frightening crowd.”
Parson has rallied around the McCloskeys, asserting that they “had every right to protect their property” and accusing Gardner’s investigation of being a politically motivated “attack law-abiding citizens.”
President Donald Trump has also attacked the prosecutor’s probe, which he called a “disgrace.” After Parson stated that Trump would be getting involved in the case, Al Watkins, one of the McCloskey’s lawyers, told TPM last week that he has been in talks with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.
TPM has reached out to Watkins and Gardner’s spokesperson regarding Parson’s comments on a potential pardon.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-20--He’s Baaack: Trump Announces Reboot Of ‘Very Successful’ WH Coronavirus Briefings

President Trump is rebooting his reality tv-style coronavirus briefings , months after backing away from them and as COVID-19 cases spike across the country .
Trump announced on Monday morning that he is bringing back the White House briefings , which came to a halt after he suggested during one in April that people infected with COVID-19 should take an “ injection ” of disinfectant to recover from the virus .
Since then , Trump has repeatedly downplayed the coronavirus and complained that increased testing is to blame for spiking cases ( it ’ s not ) .
Speaking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House Monday , Trump spoke of the briefings like a seasoned television producer .
Trump claimed the briefings , which were held nearly every day for weeks at the beginning of the pandemic , were “ very successful ” and garnered record ratings .
“ There ’ s never been anything like it , ” Trump said .
“ And we were doing very well and I thought it would be sort of automatic and a lot of positive things were happening.
” The President went on to outline his plan for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we ’ re going to do is I ’ ll get involved and we ’ ll start doing briefings whether it ’ s this afternoon or tomorrow — probably tomorrow , ” Trump said .
“ And I ’ ll do briefings .
And I think part of the briefing much more so than last time because last time we were nowhere with vaccines and therapeutics .
And let ’ s say that ended six weeks ago and we ’ ll start them again.
” During the first season of Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on bizarre and unrelated tangents .
He also often used the briefings to attack the assembled journalists in the room .
At one briefing , Trump almost completely ignored the coronavirus threat and instead detailed his administration ’ s operations to go after MS-13 .
Cable news networks often cut away from the briefings altogether , in search of actual news on the pandemic .
Trump added Monday that the new briefings will be “ a great way to get information out to the public ” when it comes to the status of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where we are ” on the COVID-19 outbreak .
The President reiterated the briefing will start “ probably tomorrow ” during the “ good slot ” of 5 p.m. and predicted that a lot of people will tune in .
Trump said that White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany will continue her briefings separately , but that his briefings will discuss the coronavirus and “ perhaps some other things .
”

President Trump is rebooting his reality tv-style coronavirus briefings, months after backing away from them and as COVID-19 cases spike across the country.
Trump announced on Monday morning that he is bringing back the White House briefings, which came to a halt after he suggested during one in April that people infected with COVID-19 should take an “injection” of disinfectant to recover from the virus. Since then, Trump has repeatedly downplayed the coronavirus and complained that increased testing is to blame for spiking cases (it’s not).
Speaking to reporters during a pool spray at the White House Monday, Trump spoke of the briefings like a seasoned television producer. Trump claimed the briefings, which were held nearly every day for weeks at the beginning of the pandemic, were “very successful” and garnered record ratings.
“There’s never been anything like it,” Trump said. “And we were doing very well and I thought it would be sort of automatic and a lot of positive things were happening.”
The President went on to outline his plan for the briefings.
“So I think what we’re going to do is I’ll get involved and we’ll start doing briefings whether it’s this afternoon or tomorrow — probably tomorrow,” Trump said. “And I’ll do briefings. And I think part of the briefing much more so than last time because last time we were nowhere with vaccines and therapeutics. And let’s say that ended six weeks ago and we’ll start them again.”
During the first season of Trump’s briefings, the President often went on bizarre and unrelated tangents. He also often used the briefings to attack the assembled journalists in the room. At one briefing, Trump almost completely ignored the coronavirus threat and instead detailed his administration’s operations to go after MS-13. Cable news networks often cut away from the briefings altogether, in search of actual news on the pandemic.
Trump added Monday that the new briefings will be “a great way to get information out to the public” when it comes to the status of vaccines, therapeutics and “generally speaking where we are” on the COVID-19 outbreak.
The President reiterated the briefing will start “probably tomorrow” during the “good slot” of 5 p.m. and predicted that a lot of people will tune in. Trump said that White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany will continue her briefings separately, but that his briefings will discuss the coronavirus and “perhaps some other things.”
Watch Trump’s remarks below: