talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-27--TX Dem Says Campaign Manager Was Assaulted By Counterprotesters At Rally

A demonstration organized by a Democratic congressional candidate in Texas ended in violence Sunday when the candidate ’ s campaign manager and others were attacked .
No arrests were made at the scene of the demonstration , where counterprotesters , many of them armed , vastly outnumbered the candidate and his supporters .
Democrat Hank Gilbert faces an uphill battle against eight-term incumbent Rep. Louie Gohmert ( R-TX ) in Texas ’ deep-red First District .
But the candidate has made protesting the ongoing federal police presence in Portland , Oregon a rallying cry for his campaign .
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in solidarity with Portland at the Tyler , Texas city square .
That was met with dozens of counterprotesters attending a “ Back the Blue ” event scheduled in response to Gilbert ’ s demonstration , some sporting rifles and camouflage and many wearing pro-Trump attire , according to local reports .
The counterprotesters used air horns to drown out Gilbert ’ s attempt at making a speech .
Then came the violence .
“ My campaign guy got the hell beat out of him , ” Gilbert told TPM over the phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s campaign manager , told TPM that as tensions flared at the demonstration , he ’ d attempted to use his iPhone to film what was happening .
But someone snatched his phone , Miller said , and then several others surrounded him .
“ I made eye contact with one of my friends and I said , ‘ I need help , ' ” Miller recalled .
“ As soon as I said that got punched in the back of the head , and then the rest of the punches landed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller said another man threw a punch at his mother , who attended the event as well , but that it didn ’ t land .
The Gilbert campaign has faulted the Tyler Police Department for not stepping in earlier to prevent the violence .
Miller said he was interviewed by police Monday , but that “ they just don ’ t feel like they care.
” Local station KETK and others caught several scuffles on camera : One man who said on Facebook that he was pushed into a stone war memorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote afterward that he was fine except for a bruised arm .
“ This was clearly organized by someone to disrupt a planned peaceful protest of the misuse of Federal agents in Portland and other cities , ” Benson said .
Nancy Nichols , a local Democratic Party committeewoman , told the Tyler Morning Telegraph , “ I ’ m 65 and I get punched.
” Nichols told the Telegraph that she ’ d attended the event to register voters .
As the counterprotesters came closer to the speakers at Gilbert ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike began rolling up audio cables .
“ Three guys crowded Mike against the Memorial wall .
He felt the wall start to fall over backwards , ” Nichols told the Morning Telegraph .
“ By that time , I had picked up Mike ’ s voter registration materials and was standing next to him.
” “ The Trump people were forcing us against the Memorial wall .
I said to Mike , ‘ Now .
Let ’ s go , ’ several times .
The man in overalls moved into Mike ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between them just as the man in the overalls threw a punch that hit me in my left breast .
Mike dropped the cable and we moved quickly against and along the memorial wall and away from the crowd.
” Neither local nor state law enforcement responded to TPM ’ s request for comment , but a spokesperson for the Tyler Police Department told KLTV that officers responded to a call about a fight at the scene of the demonstration and subsequently took multiple reports .
Gilbert pointed out that at least one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a confederate flag .
Another had “ White Pride ” tattooed on his arms .
Miller told TPM he went looking for his phone in the Tyler city square Sunday night “ and I just didn ’ t feel safe.
” “ Everyone ’ s seen my picture and knows who I am , ” he said .
“ It just feels kind of weird .
It feels unsafe to walk through Smith County , my home , and have a target on my back , basically .
”

A demonstration organized by a Democratic congressional candidate in Texas ended in violence Sunday when the candidate’s campaign manager and others were attacked.
No arrests were made at the scene of the demonstration, where counterprotesters, many of them armed, vastly outnumbered the candidate and his supporters.
Democrat Hank Gilbert faces an uphill battle against eight-term incumbent Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) in Texas’ deep-red First District. But the candidate has made protesting the ongoing federal police presence in Portland, Oregon a rallying cry for his campaign. On Sunday, he’d scheduled a demonstration in solidarity with Portland at the Tyler, Texas city square.
That was met with dozens of counterprotesters attending a “Back the Blue” event scheduled in response to Gilbert’s demonstration, some sporting rifles and camouflage and many wearing pro-Trump attire, according to local reports.
The counterprotesters used air horns to drown out Gilbert’s attempt at making a speech. Then came the violence.
“My campaign guy got the hell beat out of him,” Gilbert told TPM over the phone Monday.
Ryan Miller, Gilbert’s campaign manager, told TPM that as tensions flared at the demonstration, he’d attempted to use his iPhone to film what was happening.
But someone snatched his phone, Miller said, and then several others surrounded him.
“I made eye contact with one of my friends and I said, ‘I need help,'” Miller recalled. “As soon as I said that got punched in the back of the head, and then the rest of the punches landed on my face and on my chest.”
Miller said another man threw a punch at his mother, who attended the event as well, but that it didn’t land.
The Gilbert campaign has faulted the Tyler Police Department for not stepping in earlier to prevent the violence. Miller said he was interviewed by police Monday, but that “they just don’t feel like they care.”
Local station KETK and others caught several scuffles on camera:
My campaign manager, Ryan Miller, was assaulted, beaten, and had his iPhone stolen at our protest on the square in Tyler… Posted by Hank Gilbert on Sunday, July 26, 2020
One man who said on Facebook that he was pushed into a stone war memorial during a scuffle, Paul Benson, wrote afterward that he was fine except for a bruised arm.
“This was clearly organized by someone to disrupt a planned peaceful protest of the misuse of Federal agents in Portland and other cities,” Benson said.
Nancy Nichols, a local Democratic Party committeewoman, told the Tyler Morning Telegraph, “I’m 65 and I get punched.”
Nichols told the Telegraph that she’d attended the event to register voters. As the counterprotesters came closer to the speakers at Gilbert’s demonstration, she said, her husband Mike began rolling up audio cables.
“Three guys crowded Mike against the Memorial wall. He felt the wall start to fall over backwards,” Nichols told the Morning Telegraph. “By that time, I had picked up Mike’s voter registration materials and was standing next to him.”
“The Trump people were forcing us against the Memorial wall. I said to Mike, ‘Now. Let’s go,’ several times. The man in overalls moved into Mike’s space yelling continually. I stepped between them just as the man in the overalls threw a punch that hit me in my left breast. Mike dropped the cable and we moved quickly against and along the memorial wall and away from the crowd.”
Neither local nor state law enforcement responded to TPM’s request for comment, but a spokesperson for the Tyler Police Department told KLTV that officers responded to a call about a fight at the scene of the demonstration and subsequently took multiple reports.
Gilbert pointed out that at least one person in the crowd Sunday was carrying a confederate flag. Another had “White Pride” tattooed on his arms.
The white supremacists were out in full force in Tyler today. Check out this guy's "White Pride" tattoos. At least they are spelled correctly, I guess? Posted by Hank Gilbert on Sunday, July 26, 2020
Miller told TPM he went looking for his phone in the Tyler city square Sunday night “and I just didn’t feel safe.”
“Everyone’s seen my picture and knows who I am,” he said. “It just feels kind of weird. It feels unsafe to walk through Smith County, my home, and have a target on my back, basically.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-28--Barr To Smear Russiagate As ‘Bogus’ During House Judiciary Hearing

Get ready to hear some Trump-esque language from Attorney General Bill Barr during his testimony in front of the House Judiciary Committee today .
A copy of Barr ’ s opening remarks to the committee shows the attorney general invoking the same partisan talking points seen on President Donald Trump ’ s Twitter feed with regards to the scandal over the 2016 Trump campaign ’ s contacts with the Russian government .
“ Ever since I made it clear that I was going to do everything I could to get to the bottom of the grave abuses involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Democrats on this Committee have attempted to discredit me by conjuring up a narrative that I am simply the President ’ s factotum who disposes of criminal cases according to his instructions , ” Barr writes in his statement .
“ Judging from the letter inviting me to this hearing , that appears to be your agenda today.
” The attorney general , who has been attempting to delegitimize Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia probe over the past several years , insists in his remarks that his decisions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been left to my independent judgment , based on the law and fact , without any direction or interference from the White House or anyone outside the Department.
” Under Barr ’ s leadership , the Justice Department has made several shocking moves to chip away at the results of the Russia investigation that have led to the criminal prosecution of Trump ’ s allies , particularly Michael Flynn and Roger Stone .
Earlier this year , the department suddenly dropped its case against Flynn , whose case Trump had repeatedly bashed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the department also watered down the sentencing recommendation of Stone , which Trump had also repeatedly complained about .

Get ready to hear some Trump-esque language from Attorney General Bill Barr during his testimony in front of the House Judiciary Committee today.
A copy of Barr’s opening remarks to the committee shows the attorney general invoking the same partisan talking points seen on President Donald Trump’s Twitter feed with regards to the scandal over the 2016 Trump campaign’s contacts with the Russian government.
“Ever since I made it clear that I was going to do everything I could to get to the bottom of the grave abuses involved in the bogus ‘Russiagate’ scandal, many of the Democrats on this Committee have attempted to discredit me by conjuring up a narrative that I am simply the President’s factotum who disposes of criminal cases according to his instructions,” Barr writes in his statement. “Judging from the letter inviting me to this hearing, that appears to be your agenda today.”
The attorney general, who has been attempting to delegitimize Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe over the past several years, insists in his remarks that his decisions in the aftermath of the probe “have been left to my independent judgment, based on the law and fact, without any direction or interference from the White House or anyone outside the Department.”
Under Barr’s leadership, the Justice Department has made several shocking moves to chip away at the results of the Russia investigation that have led to the criminal prosecution of Trump’s allies, particularly Michael Flynn and Roger Stone. Earlier this year, the department suddenly dropped its case against Flynn, whose case Trump had repeatedly bashed as “unfair” to his former adviser, and the department also watered down the sentencing recommendation of Stone, which Trump had also repeatedly complained about.
Read Barr’s statement below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-28--Biden Unveils Economic Plan To Tackle Racial Inequality

WILMINGTON , Del .
( AP ) — Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden promised Tuesday that his economic agenda would combat long-standing racial inequalities in U.S. society as he sought to draw another sharp contrast with President Donald Trump .
Biden said the Republican president is exacerbating social discord across the country , including by sending federal authorities into major cities under the pretense of addressing crime , and has little interest in addressing the racism that Biden said has been laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic and an election-year reckoning with police violence against Black men .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t beat the pandemic and keep you safe , ” Biden said , speaking in a community center gymnasium in his hometown of Wilmington , Delaware .
“ He can ’ t turn the economy around .
He ’ s determined to stoke division and chaos .
It ’ s not good for the country , but Donald Trump doesn ’ t care .
His campaign is failing and he ’ s looking for a lifeline.
” Biden countered with a litany of proposals to steer more federal money and tax credits to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for minority-owned firms and disadvantaged neighborhoods .
Biden also said he ’ d encourage home ownership to help close wealth gaps among minority communities .
Many of his proposals — and the billions in federal spending needed to pay for it — had already been promised as part of previous , larger Biden plans to jump-start the economy when the coronavirus outbreak begins to recede .
But as protests against institutional racism and police brutality have swept the country in recent months , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is attempting to show voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific remedies that can promote racial and economic equality should he win the White House in November .
It ’ s also another way for Biden to lambaste Trump , who has spent weeks vowing to restore “ law and order ” and ordering federal authorities to intervene against ongoing protests in places like Portland , Oregon , and Chicago , while small businesses around the country continue to struggle or shut down under economic struggles from the coronavirus .
Biden accused Trump of distracting the country and trying to scare voters by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former vice president said most demonstrators are “ peaceful protesters ” who aren ’ t a threat to be met by federal power .
“ Arsonists and anarchists should be prosecuted , ” Biden said , but added that “ local law enforcement can do that.
” Still , Biden said “ this election is not just about voting against Donald Trump .
It ’ s about rising to this moment of crisis , understanding people ’ s struggle and building a future worthy of their courage and ambition to overcome.
” And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy debate in terms of structural inequalities .
The former vice president wants to take $ 30 billion , or 10 % of federal investment he ’ s already promised as part of larger economic plans , and funnel it into a “ Small Business Opportunity Fund ” designed to leverage $ 5 of private investment for minority owned enterprises for each $ 1 in public funds allocated .
He also plans to spend $ 50 billion to provide startup capital that can help entrepreneurs of color start businesses in disadvantaged areas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would create a $ 15,000 federal tax credit to help low-and middle-income families cover down payments on their first homes .
It also pledges to build 1.5 million new homes and public housing units in hopes of addressing the affordable housing crisis that has hit many of the nation ’ s marquee cities and disproportionately hurt people of color .
Biden also said the Federal Reserve ’ s mission should be revised to specifically charge the central bank with addressing “ persistent racial gaps ” in economic opportunities and wealth , rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stable pricing .
Biden similarly vowed to undo Trump administration regulatory changes that the Democratic presidential nominee says “ gutted ” Obama administration rules preventing housing discrimination and unfair lending practices .
Asked about the possibility of a congressional study on the feasibility of federal reparations to descendants of enslaved Black people in the United States , senior Biden officials said their candidate wouldn ’ t oppose such a study .
But they defended Tuesday ’ s proposal as doing more to benefit Black Americans in the short term , saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a study to create change.
” Biden ’ s plan also doesn ’ t endorse legalizing marijuana , though it seeks to clear logistical court hurdles so that states can better identify nonviolent offenders whose records they might opt to expunge .
Black and Hispanic Americans often face far harsher penalties for crimes involving marijuana possession than their white counterparts .
The Democratic National Committee ’ s convention platform committee voted by a wide margin on Monday to keep language calling for legalization of marijuana nationwide out of the party ’ s @ @

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden promised Tuesday that his economic agenda would combat long-standing racial inequalities in U.S. society as he sought to draw another sharp contrast with President Donald Trump.
Biden said the Republican president is exacerbating social discord across the country, including by sending federal authorities into major cities under the pretense of addressing crime, and has little interest in addressing the racism that Biden said has been laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic and an election-year reckoning with police violence against Black men.
“He’s shown that he can’t beat the pandemic and keep you safe,” Biden said, speaking in a community center gymnasium in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. “He can’t turn the economy around. He’s determined to stoke division and chaos. It’s not good for the country, but Donald Trump doesn’t care. His campaign is failing and he’s looking for a lifeline.”
Biden countered with a litany of proposals to steer more federal money and tax credits to various small business and economic development programs for minority-owned firms and disadvantaged neighborhoods. Biden also said he’d encourage home ownership to help close wealth gaps among minority communities.
Many of his proposals — and the billions in federal spending needed to pay for it — had already been promised as part of previous, larger Biden plans to jump-start the economy when the coronavirus outbreak begins to recede. But as protests against institutional racism and police brutality have swept the country in recent months, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is attempting to show voters that he’s committed to implementing specific remedies that can promote racial and economic equality should he win the White House in November.
It’s also another way for Biden to lambaste Trump, who has spent weeks vowing to restore “law and order” and ordering federal authorities to intervene against ongoing protests in places like Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, while small businesses around the country continue to struggle or shut down under economic struggles from the coronavirus.
Biden accused Trump of distracting the country and trying to scare voters by dispatching federal authorities to cities. The former vice president said most demonstrators are “peaceful protesters” who aren’t a threat to be met by federal power. “Arsonists and anarchists should be prosecuted,” Biden said, but added that “local law enforcement can do that.”
Still, Biden said “this election is not just about voting against Donald Trump. It’s about rising to this moment of crisis, understanding people’s struggle and building a future worthy of their courage and ambition to overcome.”
And he said that means thinking about every policy debate in terms of structural inequalities.
The former vice president wants to take $30 billion, or 10% of federal investment he’s already promised as part of larger economic plans, and funnel it into a “Small Business Opportunity Fund” designed to leverage $5 of private investment for minority owned enterprises for each $1 in public funds allocated. He also plans to spend $50 billion to provide startup capital that can help entrepreneurs of color start businesses in disadvantaged areas.
To encourage home ownership, the plan would create a $15,000 federal tax credit to help low-and middle-income families cover down payments on their first homes. It also pledges to build 1.5 million new homes and public housing units in hopes of addressing the affordable housing crisis that has hit many of the nation’s marquee cities and disproportionately hurt people of color.
Biden also said the Federal Reserve’s mission should be revised to specifically charge the central bank with addressing “persistent racial gaps” in economic opportunities and wealth, rather than a more general focus on maximum employment and stable pricing.
Biden similarly vowed to undo Trump administration regulatory changes that the Democratic presidential nominee says “gutted” Obama administration rules preventing housing discrimination and unfair lending practices.
Asked about the possibility of a congressional study on the feasibility of federal reparations to descendants of enslaved Black people in the United States, senior Biden officials said their candidate wouldn’t oppose such a study. But they defended Tuesday’s proposal as doing more to benefit Black Americans in the short term, saying, “He is not going to wait on a study to create change.”
Biden’s plan also doesn’t endorse legalizing marijuana, though it seeks to clear logistical court hurdles so that states can better identify nonviolent offenders whose records they might opt to expunge. Black and Hispanic Americans often face far harsher penalties for crimes involving marijuana possession than their white counterparts.
The Democratic National Committee’s convention platform committee voted by a wide margin on Monday to keep language calling for legalization of marijuana nationwide out of the party’s platform.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-28--‘Obvious Anti-Semitic Attack’: Ossoff Slams Perdue’s Ad Showing Him With Fake Enlarged Nose

Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff is putting incumbent Sen. David Perdue ( R-GA ) on blast over the Republican ’ s Facebook campaign ad featuring a manipulated image of Ossoff , who is Jewish , that had been edited to enlarge his nose .
“ So now Perdue refuses to take responsibility for his extremely obvious anti-Semitic attack , seen by thousands , ” Ossoff tweeted on Tuesday afternoon after the Perdue campaign removed the ad and claimed that the alteration was an accident .
The Democratic candidate called on Perdue to “ donate the money he raised using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nonpartisan group that promotes tolerance , peace , and reconciliation.
” On Monday , Ossoff slammed the ad , which was first reported by the Forward earlier that day , via Twitter for using “ the oldest , most obvious , least original anti-Semitic trope in history.
” “ Senator , literally no one believes your excuses , ” he tweeted .
The ad used a Reuters photo of Ossoff with a nose that had been artificially magnified .
He appears next to an unedited image of Sen. Chuck Schumer , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned “ Democrats are trying to buy Georgia !
” John Burke , the Perdue campaign ’ s communications director , told TPM via email that the senator was unaware of the ad ’ s content .
“ I want to make it abundantly clear that Senator Perdue did not see this ad before it was put out , ” Burke said .
The campaign added in a statement that the photo of Ossoff had been “ resized and a filter was applied , which appears to have caused an unintentional error that @ @ @ @ @

Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff is putting incumbent Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) on blast over the Republican’s Facebook campaign ad featuring a manipulated image of Ossoff, who is Jewish, that had been edited to enlarge his nose.
“So now Perdue refuses to take responsibility for his extremely obvious anti-Semitic attack, seen by thousands,” Ossoff tweeted on Tuesday afternoon after the Perdue campaign removed the ad and claimed that the alteration was an accident.
The Democratic candidate called on Perdue to “donate the money he raised using a doctored image of my face to a nonpartisan group that promotes tolerance, peace, and reconciliation.”
On Monday, Ossoff slammed the ad, which was first reported by the Forward earlier that day, via Twitter for using “the oldest, most obvious, least original anti-Semitic trope in history.”
“Senator, literally no one believes your excuses,” he tweeted.
The ad used a Reuters photo of Ossoff with a nose that had been artificially magnified. He appears next to an unedited image of Sen. Chuck Schumer, who is also Jewish, with text that warned “Democrats are trying to buy Georgia!”
John Burke, the Perdue campaign’s communications director, told TPM via email that the senator was unaware of the ad’s content.
“I want to make it abundantly clear that Senator Perdue did not see this ad before it was put out,” Burke said.
The campaign added in a statement that the photo of Ossoff had been “resized and a filter was applied, which appears to have caused an unintentional error that distorted the image.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-28--Schumer Condemns Provision For FBI Headquarters In Already ‘Stingy’ Relief Bill

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) said Tuesday that the most recent coronavirus relief package put forward by Senate Republicans on Monday reinforced “ corporate benefits ” — including those that could benefit President Donald Trump ’ s hotel business .
Schumer told CBS ’ Anthony Mason in an interview Tuesday that the bill was “ stingy ” in that it provided “ no money for food stamps but a deduction for a three martini lunch for a big businessman.
” Schumer also slammed the proposal as “ woefully inadequate ” in meeting needs to help schools reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment benefits .
While many of the GOP ’ s efforts to skimp on benefits to unemployed workers were anticipated far before the proposal was unveiled , Schumer expressed his surprise Monday at finding a provision for a new D.C. FBI headquarters buried in the GOP proposal .
In calling for a new facility in downtown Washington , D.C. , the White House is pushing to sidestep a plan to construct the FBI headquarters in the suburbs that was proposed before Trump took office , The Washington Post reported .
Last Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing whether a report from The Post that a line item for a new FBI building was one of the things holding up the bill .
The President responded to the question by insisting that a new building was needed , adding that he wants the FBI to remain where it is , saying that despite the consideration of other locations “ the site they have now is better.
” The President described a brand new building with a running track on the roof “ because FBI people like to work out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ there ’ s nothing better ” than where the facility is currently located .
Schumer , together with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) , said on Monday that the request for $ 1.75 billion to rebuilt the FBI headquarters was a self-serving maneuver on the part of Trump .
The FBI headquarters , which currently sits on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington , is just a stone ’ s throw away from Trump ’ s hotel .
Schumer and Pelosi have echoed the concerns of those who say that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep it there is a move that puts money in Trump ’ s pockets , since any consideration of its relocation would leave open a prime piece of real estate that could be occupied by a new hotel — creating competition to the nearby Trump International Hotel .
Schumer hammered down on that point Tuesday , condemning the move to CBS by saying the budget for the FBI building was really about ensuring that “ no new competing hotel can come in.
” In 2018 , the Wall Street Journal uncovered documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House “ was aware ” that building a new facility on the same plot “ would cost more than a competing proposal to relocate to the suburbs.
” Some Senate Republicans have also suggested that earmarking money for a new FBI building is a distraction from actual pandemic relief .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) , who had already taken some heat for the delayed relief bill , told reporters during a press conference Monday that he was not aware the money for the FBI headquarters was included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a staunch ally of the President ’ s , even said Tuesday he would support removing the provision , adding that didn ’ t know why it was in the package in the first place .
“ That makes no sense to me , ” Graham said .

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Tuesday that the most recent coronavirus relief package put forward by Senate Republicans on Monday reinforced “corporate benefits” — including those that could benefit President Donald Trump’s hotel business.
Schumer told CBS’ Anthony Mason in an interview Tuesday that the bill was “stingy” in that it provided “no money for food stamps but a deduction for a three martini lunch for a big businessman.”
Schumer also slammed the proposal as “woefully inadequate” in meeting needs to help schools reopen, and criticized cuts to the enhanced unemployment benefits.
While many of the GOP’s efforts to skimp on benefits to unemployed workers were anticipated far before the proposal was unveiled, Schumer expressed his surprise Monday at finding a provision for a new D.C. FBI headquarters buried in the GOP proposal.
In calling for a new facility in downtown Washington, D.C., the White House is pushing to sidestep a plan to construct the FBI headquarters in the suburbs that was proposed before Trump took office, The Washington Post reported.
Last Thursday, a reporter asked Trump during a press briefing whether a report from The Post that a line item for a new FBI building was one of the things holding up the bill.
The President responded to the question by insisting that a new building was needed, adding that he wants the FBI to remain where it is, saying that despite the consideration of other locations “the site they have now is better.” The President described a brand new building with a running track on the roof “because FBI people like to work out a lot,” all along maintaining that “there’s nothing better” than where the facility is currently located.
Schumer, together with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), said on Monday that the request for $1.75 billion to rebuilt the FBI headquarters was a self-serving maneuver on the part of Trump.
The FBI headquarters, which currently sits on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington, is just a stone’s throw away from Trump’s hotel. Schumer and Pelosi have echoed the concerns of those who say that the White House’s insistence on plan to keep it there is a move that puts money in Trump’s pockets, since any consideration of its relocation would leave open a prime piece of real estate that could be occupied by a new hotel — creating competition to the nearby Trump International Hotel.
Schumer hammered down on that point Tuesday, condemning the move to CBS by saying the budget for the FBI building was really about ensuring that “no new competing hotel can come in.”
In 2018, the Wall Street Journal uncovered documents in the controversy that even demonstrated that the White House “was aware” that building a new facility on the same plot “would cost more than a competing proposal to relocate to the suburbs.”
Some Senate Republicans have also suggested that earmarking money for a new FBI building is a distraction from actual pandemic relief.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who had already taken some heat for the delayed relief bill, told reporters during a press conference Monday that he was not aware the money for the FBI headquarters was included.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a staunch ally of the President’s, even said Tuesday he would support removing the provision, adding that didn’t know why it was in the package in the first place. “That makes no sense to me,” Graham said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-28--Mayors Want Federal Agents Blocked From Portland And Five Other Major Cities

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) — The mayors of Portland , Oregon , and five other major U.S. cities appealed Monday to Congress to make it illegal for the federal government to deploy militarized agents to cities that don ’ t want their presence .
“ This administration ’ s egregious use of federal force on cities over the objections of local authorities should never happen , ” the mayors of Portland ; Seattle ; Chicago ; Kansas City ; Albuquerque , New Mexico ; and Washington wrote to leaders of the U.S. House and Senate .
Video from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portland filling a street with tear gas to disperse protesters and several loud booms were heard .
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty late Monday called for a meeting with Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to discuss a cease-fire and removal of heightened federal forces from Portland .
Earlier Monday , a U.S. official said militarized officers will stay in Portland until attacks on the federal courthouse cease — and that more officers may soon head to the city .
“ It is not a solution to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be attacks on federal property and personnel , ” U.S. Attorney Billy Williams said .
” We are not leaving the building unprotected to be destroyed by people intent on doing so.
” Local and state officials said the federal officers are unwelcome .
The city has had nightly protests for two months since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May .
President Donald Trump said he sent the federal agents to Portland to halt the unrest , but state and local officials said they are making the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal officers over the July 4 weekend stoked the Black Lives Matter movement .
The number of nightly protesters had dwindled to perhaps less than 100 right before the deployment but has now has swelled to the thousands .
In protests and violence that happened Sunday night into early Monday morning , the federal agents repeatedly fired tear gas , flash bangs and pepper balls at protesters outside the federal courthouse in downtown Portland .
Some protesters had climbed over the fence surrounding the courthouse , while others shot fireworks , banged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building .
Trump said on Twitter that federal properties in Portland “ wouldn ’ t last a day ” without the presence of the federal agents .
Most people participating in the daily demonstrations have been peaceful .
But some attempt to pelt officers with objects and repeatedly try to tear down fencing around the courthouse .
Williams , whose office is inside the courthouse , called on peaceful protesters , community and business leaders and people of faith to prevent violence while they are there and to leave the downtown area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents have made 83 arrests .
Demonstrations in support of racial justice and police reform in other cities around the U.S. were also marred by violence over the weekend .
Protesters set fire to an Oakland , California , courthouse ; vehicles were set ablaze in Richmond , Virginia ; an armed protester was shot and killed in Austin , Texas ; and two people were shot and wounded in Aurora , Colorado , after a car drove through a protest .
The U.S .
Marshals Service has lined up about 100 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strengthen forces or relieve officers who have been working for weeks , agency spokesperson Drew Wade said .
Kris Cline , principal deputy director of Federal Protective Service , said an incident commander in Portland and teams from the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice discuss what force is needed every night .
Cline declined to discuss the number of officers currently present or if more would be arriving .
Some protesters have accused Wheeler , Portland ’ s mayor , of hypocrisy for speaking out against the federal presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used tear gas and other riot-control weapons on protesters , including peaceful ones .
Cline said Portland police should take over the job of dispersing protesters from the courthouse area from the federal officers .
“ If the Portland Police Bureau were able to do what they typically do , they would be able to clear this out for this disturbance and we would leave our officers inside the building and not be visible , ” Cline said .
He said relations between the federal officers , some of whom live in Portland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portland police responded Sunday evening to a shooting at a park close to the site of the protests .
Two people were detained and later released , police said .
The person who was shot went to the hospital in a private vehicle and was treated for a non-life-threatening wound .
Also late Sunday , police said someone pointed out a bag in the same park , where officers found loaded rifle magazines and Molotov cocktails .
The shooting was not related to the items , police said .
Associated Press writer Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Selsky reported from Salem , Oregon .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The mayors of Portland, Oregon, and five other major U.S. cities appealed Monday to Congress to make it illegal for the federal government to deploy militarized agents to cities that don’t want their presence.
“This administration’s egregious use of federal force on cities over the objections of local authorities should never happen,” the mayors of Portland; Seattle; Chicago; Kansas City; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Washington wrote to leaders of the U.S. House and Senate.
Video from early Tuesday showed law enforcement officers in Portland filling a street with tear gas to disperse protesters and several loud booms were heard.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty late Monday called for a meeting with Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to discuss a cease-fire and removal of heightened federal forces from Portland.
Earlier Monday, a U.S. official said militarized officers will stay in Portland until attacks on the federal courthouse cease — and that more officers may soon head to the city.
“It is not a solution to tell federal officers to leave when there continues to be attacks on federal property and personnel,” U.S. Attorney Billy Williams said. ”We are not leaving the building unprotected to be destroyed by people intent on doing so.”
Local and state officials said the federal officers are unwelcome.
The city has had nightly protests for two months since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May. President Donald Trump said he sent the federal agents to Portland to halt the unrest, but state and local officials said they are making the situation worse.
Trump’s deployment of the federal officers over the July 4 weekend stoked the Black Lives Matter movement. The number of nightly protesters had dwindled to perhaps less than 100 right before the deployment but has now has swelled to the thousands.
In protests and violence that happened Sunday night into early Monday morning, the federal agents repeatedly fired tear gas, flash bangs and pepper balls at protesters outside the federal courthouse in downtown Portland. Some protesters had climbed over the fence surrounding the courthouse, while others shot fireworks, banged on the fence and projected lights on the building.
Trump said on Twitter that federal properties in Portland “wouldn’t last a day” without the presence of the federal agents.
Most people participating in the daily demonstrations have been peaceful. But some attempt to pelt officers with objects and repeatedly try to tear down fencing around the courthouse.
Williams, whose office is inside the courthouse, called on peaceful protesters, community and business leaders and people of faith to prevent violence while they are there and to leave the downtown area before violence starts. He said federal agents have made 83 arrests.
Demonstrations in support of racial justice and police reform in other cities around the U.S. were also marred by violence over the weekend. Protesters set fire to an Oakland, California, courthouse; vehicles were set ablaze in Richmond, Virginia; an armed protester was shot and killed in Austin, Texas; and two people were shot and wounded in Aurora, Colorado, after a car drove through a protest.
The U.S. Marshals Service has lined up about 100 people they could send to hotspots, either to strengthen forces or relieve officers who have been working for weeks, agency spokesperson Drew Wade said.
Kris Cline, principal deputy director of Federal Protective Service, said an incident commander in Portland and teams from the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice discuss what force is needed every night.
Cline declined to discuss the number of officers currently present or if more would be arriving.
Some protesters have accused Wheeler, Portland’s mayor, of hypocrisy for speaking out against the federal presence because Portland police under his watch have used tear gas and other riot-control weapons on protesters, including peaceful ones.
Cline said Portland police should take over the job of dispersing protesters from the courthouse area from the federal officers.
“If the Portland Police Bureau were able to do what they typically do, they would be able to clear this out for this disturbance and we would leave our officers inside the building and not be visible,” Cline said.
He said relations between the federal officers, some of whom live in Portland, and city police were good.
Portland police responded Sunday evening to a shooting at a park close to the site of the protests. Two people were detained and later released, police said. The person who was shot went to the hospital in a private vehicle and was treated for a non-life-threatening wound.
Also late Sunday, police said someone pointed out a bag in the same park, where officers found loaded rifle magazines and Molotov cocktails. The shooting was not related to the items, police said.
___
Associated Press writer Mike Balsamo contributed to this report from Washington. Selsky reported from Salem, Oregon.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-28--Trump Says ‘Not Sure I Could Have Done Any More’ As COVID Rages Across The Country

President Donald Trump on Monday night said he doesn ’ t think there ’ s any more he could have done to improve his performance since he took office more than three years ago .
“ I ’ m not sure I could have done any more , ” Trump told WRAL , a local news station in North Carolina — the state where he is expected to accept the Republican bid for a second term in August .
The President has said he will formally confirm those details by early next week .
“ We ’ ve done more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trump told the NBC-affiliated station when asked to reflect on his term as President , adding that “ nobody even challenges that.
” But the President has been widely criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike for his mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic , which has quickly spun out of control in the United States .
More than 4.2 million cases have been reported across the country and the virus has killed more than 146,000 people nationwide according to the CDC .
On Friday , White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California , Florida and Texas to “ three New Yorks , ” as the virus spread like wildfire in those states .
The President on Monday countered those statements , claiming that the situation in those hotspots is beginning to improve and they ’ re doing “ very well.
” Without commenting directly about any kind of federal response to the crisis — Trump had suspended even his own daily briefings until recently — the President touted a decision he made months ago to ban travel from China to the United States .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest achievements amid the pandemic — that apparently no other decision since has been able to outshine .
The President has meanwhile renewed praise for an unproven claim that an anti-malaria drug can be used to effectively treat COVID-19 , even though the nation ’ s top infectious diseases expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci and others have warned of the danger of encouraging its use as treatment .
The President lamented that “ things were really starting to come together ” before what he called “ the plague from China ” made landfall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that since that time “ we shut it down ” — even as cases continue to climb and the President ’ s team of experts warn that thousands more people will die if adequate action to curb the virus is not established quickly .
“ We ’ re going to have a tremendous next year , ” Trump said , adding that this year , “ we ’ re going to have a great third quarter.
” But new data from the Census Bureau last week showed that the number of employed people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week — marking the fourth consecutive week of decline .

President Donald Trump on Monday night said he doesn’t think there’s any more he could have done to improve his performance since he took office more than three years ago.
“I’m not sure I could have done any more,” Trump told WRAL, a local news station in North Carolina — the state where he is expected to accept the Republican bid for a second term in August. The President has said he will formally confirm those details by early next week.
“We’ve done more than I think any administration has done,” Trump told the NBC-affiliated station when asked to reflect on his term as President, adding that “nobody even challenges that.”
But the President has been widely criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike for his mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has quickly spun out of control in the United States. More than 4.2 million cases have been reported across the country and the virus has killed more than 146,000 people nationwide according to the CDC. On Friday, White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx compared the dire situation in California, Florida and Texas to “three New Yorks,” as the virus spread like wildfire in those states. The President on Monday countered those statements, claiming that the situation in those hotspots is beginning to improve and they’re doing “very well.”
Without commenting directly about any kind of federal response to the crisis — Trump had suspended even his own daily briefings until recently — the President touted a decision he made months ago to ban travel from China to the United States. That ban he said is among his biggest achievements amid the pandemic — that apparently no other decision since has been able to outshine.
The President has meanwhile renewed praise for an unproven claim that an anti-malaria drug can be used to effectively treat COVID-19, even though the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci and others have warned of the danger of encouraging its use as treatment.
The President lamented that “things were really starting to come together” before what he called “the plague from China” made landfall in the United States, but argued that since that time “we shut it down” — even as cases continue to climb and the President’s team of experts warn that thousands more people will die if adequate action to curb the virus is not established quickly.
“We’re going to have a tremendous next year,” Trump said, adding that this year, “we’re going to have a great third quarter.”
But new data from the Census Bureau last week showed that the number of employed people fell by more than 4 million last week — marking the fourth consecutive week of decline.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-28--Don Jr. Temporarily Muzzled On Twitter For Peddling Bogus Trump-Friendly COVID-19 Claims

Twitter has slapped temporary restrictions on Donald Trump Jr. , the son of President Donald Trump , for posting a video published by far-right media outlet Breitbart News that peddled false information about COVID-19 .
Trump ’ s spokesperson , Andrew Surabian , flagged Twitter ’ s notification to the President ’ s eldest son informing him that he had violated its policy on “ spreading misleading and potentially harmful information related to COVID-19.
” Trump will be restricted from tweeting , retweeting , following new accounts and liking posts for 12 hours .
“ Big Tech is the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they ’ re continuing to engage in open election interference – full stop , ” Surabian tweeted .
The move is part of Twitter ’ s crackdown on the Breitbart video , which pushes bogus claims from self-identified “ doctors ” asserting that people “ don ’ t need masks ” because hydroxychloroquine , the President ’ s purported miracle drug , will “ cure ” COVID-19 .
The President himself retweeted the video on Monday night before Twitter deleted it .
Health experts have emphasized the importance of wearing masks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numerous studies have found no evidence that hydroxychloroquine is an effective remedy , shattering two of the President ’ s attempts to play down the pandemic by refusing to wear facial coverings in public and touting hydroxychloroquine as a cure for the virus .
Trump has only recently come around to wearing masks .
“ Tweets with the video are in violation of our COVID-19 misinformation policy , ” a Twitter spokesperson told TPM in an emailed statement .
As part of the policy , Twitter pledges to “ prioritize removing content when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could directly pose a risk to people ’ s health or well-being.
” Facebook and YouTube also took down the video on their platforms .

Twitter has slapped temporary restrictions on Donald Trump Jr., the son of President Donald Trump, for posting a video published by far-right media outlet Breitbart News that peddled false information about COVID-19.
Trump’s spokesperson, Andrew Surabian, flagged Twitter’s notification to the President’s eldest son informing him that he had violated its policy on “spreading misleading and potentially harmful information related to COVID-19.”
Trump will be restricted from tweeting, retweeting, following new accounts and liking posts for 12 hours.
“Big Tech is the biggest threat to free expression in America today and they’re continuing to engage in open election interference – full stop,” Surabian tweeted.
The move is part of Twitter’s crackdown on the Breitbart video, which pushes bogus claims from self-identified “doctors” asserting that people “don’t need masks” because hydroxychloroquine, the President’s purported miracle drug, will “cure” COVID-19. The President himself retweeted the video on Monday night before Twitter deleted it.
Health experts have emphasized the importance of wearing masks to curb transmission of the coronavirus, and numerous studies have found no evidence that hydroxychloroquine is an effective remedy, shattering two of the President’s attempts to play down the pandemic by refusing to wear facial coverings in public and touting hydroxychloroquine as a cure for the virus. Trump has only recently come around to wearing masks.
“Tweets with the video are in violation of our COVID-19 misinformation policy,” a Twitter spokesperson told TPM in an emailed statement. As part of the policy, Twitter pledges to “prioritize removing content when it has a clear call to action that could directly pose a risk to people’s health or well-being.”
Facebook and YouTube also took down the video on their platforms.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-28--Peter Strzok Publishing Book Titled ‘Compromised’ About Trump, Russia

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Former FBI counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok , who played a key role in the Russia investigation but whose pejorative text messages about Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign made him a target of the president ’ s wrath , is releasing a book on his concerns the president could be compromised .
“ Compromised : Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump ” is due out Sept. 8 , publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media said in a statement to The Associated Press .
The book will offer an insider ’ s view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politically freighted investigations in modern American history , including into whether the 2016 Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to sway the presidential election .
Due out two months before the November election , the book adds to the list of first-person accounts from other senior FBI and Justice Department officials during the Trump era .
“ Russia has long regarded the United States as its ‘ Main Enemy , ’ and I spent decades trying to protect our country from their efforts to weaken and undermine us , ” Strzok said Tuesday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In this book , ” he added , “ I use that background to explain how the elevation by President Trump and his collaborators of Trump ’ s own personal interests over the interests of the country allowed Putin to succeed beyond Stalin ’ s wildest dreams , and how the national security implications of Putin ’ s triumph will persist through our next election and beyond.
” As a senior counterintelligence agent with more than 20 years at the FBI , Strzok helped lead the investigation into whether Democratic presidential candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private email server she relied on as secretary of state .
The FBI ultimately recommended against criminal charges .
He also played a pivotal role in the Russia investigation , including by interviewing former national security adviser Michael Flynn about his contacts with the Russian ambassador during the presidential transition period .
Strzok briefly served on special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s team but was removed from his role after the Justice Department inspector general flagged derogatory and pejorative text messages about Trump that Strzok sent and received during the 2016 campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strzok became a regular Twitter target of the Republican president ’ s attacks , with Trump alleging that Strzok and others in the FBI had plotted against his campaign and had even committed treason — an accusation that Strzok ’ s lawyer rejected as “ beyond reckless.
” The text messages were exchanged with an FBI lawyer , Lisa Page , and Trump routinely refers to the two of them together as “ the lovers.
” At a fiery , daylong congressional hearing in July 2018 , Strzok insisted that he never allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though he did acknowledge being dismayed by Trump ’ s behavior during the campaign .
The text messages featured prominently in the inspector general investigations into the Clinton and Russia probes , but the watchdog office said it did not find evidence in either case that the actions that Strzok and other FBI officials took were motivated by political bias .
Strzok was fired from the FBI in August 2018 , though he has since sued over the termination .
He remains a frequent target of Trump ’ s scornful tweets .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publishing company said “ the Trump administration used his private expression of political opinions to force him out.
” “ But by that time , ” the statement added , “ Strzok had seen more than enough to convince him that the commander in chief had fallen under the sway of America ’ s adversary in the Kremlin.
” Though Mueller did not allege a criminal conspiracy between Moscow and the Trump campaign , the publisher said that in the book , Strzok “ grapples with a question that should concern every U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor personal and Russian interests over those of our nation , has he become a national security threat ?
” Former FBI Director James Comey and former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe have each released books that describe aspects of the Trump investigation .
Andrew Weissmann , a former Justice Department prosecutor who served on Mueller ’ s team , is due out with a book in September .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former FBI counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok, who played a key role in the Russia investigation but whose pejorative text messages about Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign made him a target of the president’s wrath, is releasing a book on his concerns the president could be compromised.
“Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump” is due out Sept. 8, publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media said in a statement to The Associated Press.
The book will offer an insider’s view on some of the most sensational and politically freighted investigations in modern American history, including into whether the 2016 Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to sway the presidential election. Due out two months before the November election, the book adds to the list of first-person accounts from other senior FBI and Justice Department officials during the Trump era.
“Russia has long regarded the United States as its ‘Main Enemy,’ and I spent decades trying to protect our country from their efforts to weaken and undermine us,” Strzok said Tuesday in a statement accompanying the book announcement.
“In this book,” he added, “I use that background to explain how the elevation by President Trump and his collaborators of Trump’s own personal interests over the interests of the country allowed Putin to succeed beyond Stalin’s wildest dreams, and how the national security implications of Putin’s triumph will persist through our next election and beyond.”
As a senior counterintelligence agent with more than 20 years at the FBI, Strzok helped lead the investigation into whether Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton mishandled classified information on the private email server she relied on as secretary of state. The FBI ultimately recommended against criminal charges.
He also played a pivotal role in the Russia investigation, including by interviewing former national security adviser Michael Flynn about his contacts with the Russian ambassador during the presidential transition period.
Strzok briefly served on special counsel Robert Mueller’s team but was removed from his role after the Justice Department inspector general flagged derogatory and pejorative text messages about Trump that Strzok sent and received during the 2016 campaign.
Once the texts were made public, Strzok became a regular Twitter target of the Republican president’s attacks, with Trump alleging that Strzok and others in the FBI had plotted against his campaign and had even committed treason — an accusation that Strzok’s lawyer rejected as “beyond reckless.” The text messages were exchanged with an FBI lawyer, Lisa Page, and Trump routinely refers to the two of them together as “the lovers.”
At a fiery, daylong congressional hearing in July 2018, Strzok insisted that he never allowed personal viewpoints to influence his work, though he did acknowledge being dismayed by Trump’s behavior during the campaign.
The text messages featured prominently in the inspector general investigations into the Clinton and Russia probes, but the watchdog office said it did not find evidence in either case that the actions that Strzok and other FBI officials took were motivated by political bias.
Strzok was fired from the FBI in August 2018, though he has since sued over the termination. He remains a frequent target of Trump’s scornful tweets. In a statement announcing the book, the publishing company said “the Trump administration used his private expression of political opinions to force him out.”
“But by that time,” the statement added, “Strzok had seen more than enough to convince him that the commander in chief had fallen under the sway of America’s adversary in the Kremlin.”
Though Mueller did not allege a criminal conspiracy between Moscow and the Trump campaign, the publisher said that in the book, Strzok “grapples with a question that should concern every U.S. citizen: When a president appears to favor personal and Russian interests over those of our nation, has he become a national security threat?”
Former FBI Director James Comey and former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe have each released books that describe aspects of the Trump investigation.
Andrew Weissmann, a former Justice Department prosecutor who served on Mueller’s team, is due out with a book in September.
___
Follow Eric Tucker at https://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-28--Fauci Is Unfazed By Trump’s Unproven Twitter Claims About COVID: ‘I Don’t Even Read Them’

The nation ’ s top infectious diseases expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci on Tuesday said that he doesn ’ t have much to say for President Donald Trump ’ s habit of tweeting nonsense about the coronavirus and undermining his expertise .
“ I don ’ t tweet .
I don ’ t even read them so I don ’ t really want to go there , ” Fauci told Good Morning America ’ s George Stephanopoulos on Tuesday .
“ I just will continue to do my job no matter what comes out because I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump has returned to pushing unproven claims about an anti-malaria drug as an effective treatment to COVID-19 — a move that challenges the credibility of the nation ’ s leading infectious disease expert .
On Monday , he retweeted a post that suggested Fauci had “ misled the American public ” about the legitimacy of the drug as treatment .
“ We ’ re in the middle of a crisis with regard to an epidemic , a pandemic , this is what I do , this is what I ’ ve been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I ’ ll continue to do it , ” Fauci said .
Late Monday , the President also retweeted a post that falsely claimed that there was a cure for the coronavirus .
“ Covid has cure .
America wake up , ” the tweet read — it has since been deleted by Twitter .
Monday ’ s tweet as well as Trump ’ s recent renewed praise of hydroxychloroquine , follows a remark made by the President on Friday that he “ often ” regrets what he posts to Twitter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he ever lamented his tweets .
Although President Trump and Dr. Fauci maintain in public that they have a “ very good ” relationship , White House staff have smeared the infectious diseases expert in recent weeks , even sending out a memo earlier this month in which they purported to list off Fauci ’ s failures in handling the coronavirus pandemic .
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro earlier this month also attacked Fauci in an op-ed that was published by USA Today .
The White House addressed the op-ed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The nation’s top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci on Tuesday said that he doesn’t have much to say for President Donald Trump’s habit of tweeting nonsense about the coronavirus and undermining his expertise.
“I don’t tweet. I don’t even read them so I don’t really want to go there,” Fauci told Good Morning America’s George Stephanopoulos on Tuesday. “I just will continue to do my job no matter what comes out because I think it’s very important.”
The comments come as President Trump has returned to pushing unproven claims about an anti-malaria drug as an effective treatment to COVID-19 — a move that challenges the credibility of the nation’s leading infectious disease expert. On Monday, he retweeted a post that suggested Fauci had “misled the American public” about the legitimacy of the drug as treatment.
“We’re in the middle of a crisis with regard to an epidemic, a pandemic, this is what I do, this is what I’ve been trained for my entire professional life, and I’ll continue to do it,” Fauci said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci to @GStephanopoulos: “I don't tweet. I don't even read them so I don't really want to go there. I just will continue to do my job no matter what comes out because I think it's very important.” https://t.co/JgCvhTifYS pic.twitter.com/BJGIqwSjuT — Good Morning America (@GMA) July 28, 2020
Late Monday, the President also retweeted a post that falsely claimed that there was a cure for the coronavirus.
“Covid has cure. America wake up,” the tweet read — it has since been deleted by Twitter.
Monday’s tweet as well as Trump’s recent renewed praise of hydroxychloroquine, follows a remark made by the President on Friday that he “often” regrets what he posts to Twitter, when Bartstool Sports executive David Portnoy asked if he ever lamented his tweets.
Although President Trump and Dr. Fauci maintain in public that they have a “very good” relationship, White House staff have smeared the infectious diseases expert in recent weeks, even sending out a memo earlier this month in which they purported to list off Fauci’s failures in handling the coronavirus pandemic.
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro earlier this month also attacked Fauci in an op-ed that was published by USA Today. The White House addressed the op-ed by saying that Navarro had acted without authorization.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-28--Trump Made Up Invitation To Throw Out First Pitch At Yankees Game To Outshine Fauci

President Donald Trump claimed last week that he was invited to throw out the opening pitch at a Yankees baseball game , which was reportedly news to the Yankees .
Calling Yankees team president Randy Levine “ a great friend , ” Trump bragged during a White House briefing last Thursday that Levine had “ asked me to throw out the first pitch ” at Yankee Stadium on August 15 in the match against the Washington Nationals .
The President ’ s announcement happened to came right before Dr. Anthony Fauci , a prominent health expert on the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the first pitch at a Yankees game that day .
But according to the New York Times , both the White House and Yankees officials had no idea about any supposed invitation to the game .
Though Levine had offered to let Trump throw out the first pitch at some point , the President had reportedly not been invited to do so on that particular date .
Trump ’ s abrupt announcement was reportedly prompted by his irritation that Fauci , who has clashed with the President ’ s rosy framing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been invited to throw out the opening pitch .
The President walked back his announcement on Sunday , tweeting that plans to throw the first pitch were cancelled due to his “ strong focus ” on COVID-19 .

President Donald Trump claimed last week that he was invited to throw out the opening pitch at a Yankees baseball game, which was reportedly news to the Yankees.
Calling Yankees team president Randy Levine “a great friend,” Trump bragged during a White House briefing last Thursday that Levine had “asked me to throw out the first pitch” at Yankee Stadium on August 15 in the match against the Washington Nationals. The President’s announcement happened to came right before Dr. Anthony Fauci, a prominent health expert on the White House’s COVID-19 task force, threw out the first pitch at a Yankees game that day.
But according to the New York Times, both the White House and Yankees officials had no idea about any supposed invitation to the game. Though Levine had offered to let Trump throw out the first pitch at some point, the President had reportedly not been invited to do so on that particular date.
Trump’s abrupt announcement was reportedly prompted by his irritation that Fauci, who has clashed with the President’s rosy framing of the COVID-19 crisis in the U.S., had been invited to throw out the opening pitch.
The President walked back his announcement on Sunday, tweeting that plans to throw the first pitch were cancelled due to his “strong focus” on COVID-19.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-28--Barr Expected To Condemn Protests As ‘Assault’ On American Government At House Hearing

Attorney General William Barr is expected to defend the aggressive response of federal law enforcement to civil unrest in American cities , saying “ violent rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests ” in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
“ What unfolds nightly around the courthouse can not reasonably be called a protest ; it is , by any objective measure , an assault on the Government of the United States , ” Barr is expected to tell members of the House Judiciary Committee at a hearing on Tuesday .
In prepared remarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , Barr decries the violence taking place in Portland and other cities , claiming that they are disconnected from the death of Floyd , which he described as a “ horrible ” event .
He then simultaneously undermines the message of racial justice demanded by protesters in written remarks by saying that although Floyd ’ s death was “ a shocking event , ” the police killing of as he puts it “ unarmed ” black men is “ fortunately quite rare.
” According to written remarks , Barr will go on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and will suggest that crime rates increase when communities “ turn on ” their police because that makes police more “ risk averse and crime rates soar.
” The testimony indicates a line of argument from the attorney general that seeks to uncouple protests from the death of Floyd , and to paint protesters as a largely violent mob .
“ Largely absent from these scenes of destruction are even superficial attempts by the rioters to connect their actions to George Floyd ’ s death or any legitimate call for reform , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Portland protests .
Civil unrest escalated in Portland after reports surfaced that masked and unidentified federal agents in camouflage fatigues were grabbing protesters off the streets in Portland in unmarked cars without probable cause .
Mark Pettibone , earlier this month described that he was detained in such a manner for questioning while on his way home from a protest and later released without charges .
Barr ’ s prepared remarks come as Congress and the public pay respects to the late civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis , who once praised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good trouble ” following Floyd ’ s killing .
The attorney general has defended as necessary the dispatch of federal agents , including in Washington , D.C. when on June 1 Barr accompanied President Donald Trump to a photo op in front of a church after federal officers were ordered to aggressively disperse peaceful protesters from a park using projectiles and chemical irritants .
The Justice Department ’ s internal watchdog has since opened investigations into use of force and other aggressive tactics by agents in both cities .
The hearing on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House Judiciary Committee , a panel that voted last year to hold him in contempt .
It comes as many have accused Barr of making decisions that favor Trump .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday on MSNBC that Democrats want to question Barr about how Trump “ is undermining the Constitution of the United States.
” In his prepared remarks Barr speaks to his tense relationship with Democrats by accusing them of trying to “ discredit me by conjuring up a narrative that I am simply the President ’ s factotum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his instructions.
” Barr has previously rebuffed the House committee and Pelosi told MSNBC Monday that “ we hope that he will show up .
”

Attorney General William Barr is expected to defend the aggressive response of federal law enforcement to civil unrest in American cities during a House hearing Tuesday, saying “violent rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests” in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“What unfolds nightly around the courthouse cannot reasonably be called a protest; it is, by any objective measure, an assault on the Government of the United States,” Barr is expected to tell members of the House Judiciary Committee in his testimony on Tuesday.
In prepared remarks, released by the Justice Department on Monday, Barr decries the violence taking place in Portland and other cities, claiming that they are disconnected from the death of Floyd, which he described as a “horrible” event. He then simultaneously undermines the message of racial justice demanded by protesters in written remarks by saying that although Floyd’s death was “ a shocking event,” the police killing of as he puts it “unarmed” black men is “fortunately quite rare.”
According to written remarks, Barr will go on to rebuke the “demonization of police” and will suggest that crime rates increase when communities “turn on” their police because that makes police more “risk averse and crime rates soar.”
The testimony indicates a line of argument from the attorney general that seeks to uncouple protests from the death of Floyd, and to paint protesters as a largely violent mob.
“Largely absent from these scenes of destruction are even superficial attempts by the rioters to connect their actions to George Floyd’s death or any legitimate call for reform,” Barr is expected to say of the Portland protests.
Civil unrest escalated in Portland after reports surfaced that masked and unidentified federal agents in camouflage fatigues were grabbing protesters off the streets in Portland in unmarked cars without probable cause. Mark Pettibone, earlier this month described that he was detained in such a manner for questioning while on his way home from a protest and later released without charges.
Barr’s prepared remarks come as Congress and the public pay respects to the late civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, who once praised racial justice protesters for getting into “good trouble” following Floyd’s killing.
The attorney general has defended as necessary the dispatch of federal agents, including in Washington, D.C. when on June 1 Barr accompanied President Donald Trump to a photo op in front of a church after federal officers were ordered to aggressively disperse peaceful protesters from a park using projectiles and chemical irritants.
The Justice Department’s internal watchdog has since opened investigations into use of force and other aggressive tactics by agents in both cities.
The hearing on Tuesday marks Barr’s first appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, a panel that voted last year to hold him in contempt. It comes as many have accused Barr of making decisions that favor Trump.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday on MSNBC that Democrats want to question Barr about how Trump “is undermining the Constitution of the United States.”
In his prepared remarks Barr speaks to his tense relationship with Democrats by accusing them of trying to “discredit me by conjuring up a narrative that I am simply the President’s factotum who disposes of criminal cases according to his instructions.”
Barr has previously rebuffed the House committee and Pelosi told MSNBC Monday that “we hope that he will show up.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-29--Trump Says He ‘Never’ Discussed Russian Bounty Plot With Putin

President Donald Trump said that he has “ never ” addressed an intelligence finding that Russian operatives bribed Taliban-linked militias to kill American and coalition troops in Afghanistan during his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin .
“ I have never discussed it with him , ” Trump said in an interview with “ Axios on HBO ” Tuesday of his conversation with Putin last week .
The full interview is scheduled to air on August 3 .
The comments mark a shift from a murkier tone taken by the President on Monday , when Trump appeared to avoid clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the alleged scheme with the Russian leader .
“ We don ’ t talk about what we discussed , but we had plenty of discussion , ” Trump said at that time .
Trump has previously denied being briefed on the matter and also questioned the veracity of the intelligence , tweeting last month that the Times report resembled “ possibly another fabricated Russia Hoax.
” Trump ’ s apparent unwillingness to discuss the alleged bounties reinforces concerns voiced by Democrats after news of the scheme broke last month .
Many top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address a matter that put the lives of American troops at stake .
In June , House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) said that Trump ’ s sworn ignorance about the bounties was inexcusable , adding that Trump ’ s “ affinity ” for the Russian president poses a national security threat .
“ There may be a reluctance to brief the President on things he doesn ’ t want to hear and that may be more true with respect to Putin and Putin ’ s Russia than with respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schiff said in a press conference after a White House briefing on the issue .
“ Many of us do not understand his affinity for that autocratic ruler who means our nation ill. ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) also decried the President ’ s inaction on the bribery scheme last month , saying , “ I don ’ t know what the Russians have on the president , politically , personally , or financially .
”

President Donald Trump said that he has “never” addressed an intelligence finding that Russian operatives bribed Taliban-linked militias to kill American and coalition troops in Afghanistan during his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I have never discussed it with him,” Trump said in an interview with “Axios on HBO” Tuesday of his conversation with Putin last week. The full interview is scheduled to air on August 3.
The comments mark a shift from a murkier tone taken by the President on Monday, when Trump appeared to avoid clearly stating whether he had broached the topic of the alleged scheme with the Russian leader.
“We don’t talk about what we discussed, but we had plenty of discussion,” Trump said at that time.
Trump has previously denied being briefed on the matter and also questioned the veracity of the intelligence, tweeting last month that the Times report resembled “possibly another fabricated Russia Hoax.”
Trump’s apparent unwillingness to discuss the alleged bounties reinforces concerns voiced by Democrats after news of the scheme broke last month. Many top Democrats rebuked the President for failing to address a matter that put the lives of American troops at stake. In June, House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) said that Trump’s sworn ignorance about the bounties was inexcusable, adding that Trump’s “affinity” for the Russian president poses a national security threat.
“There may be a reluctance to brief the President on things he doesn’t want to hear and that may be more true with respect to Putin and Putin’s Russia than with respect to any other subject matter,” Schiff said in a press conference after a White House briefing on the issue. “Many of us do not understand his affinity for that autocratic ruler who means our nation ill.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) also decried the President’s inaction on the bribery scheme last month, saying, “I don’t know what the Russians have on the president, politically, personally, or financially.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-29--Video Shows NYPD Officers Forcing Protester Into Unmarked Van

A viral video that emerged Tuesday shows several New York Police Department officers wearing T-shirts and shorts grabbing a protester and dragging her toward an unmarked vehicle , according to video footage filmed and posted to social media by bystanders .
The NYPD responded to widespread criticism of the aggressive detainment of the woman by saying in tweets that the woman was wanted for “ ” damaging police cameras ” and that “ the arresting officers were assaulted with rocks & bottles.
” In another tweeted statement Tuesday night the police confirmed that the arrest was conducted using an unmarked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warrant Squad ” uses unmarked vehicles to “ effectively locate wanted suspects.
” The police statements following the event were disputed by bystanders who told Gothamist that they had not engaged in physical confrontation with the officers before Stone was suddenly grabbed .
“ None of that happened whatsoever , ” Clara Kraebber told Gothamist .
“ We literally turned the corner and were met with a line of police who attacked us without warning.
” Kraebber said officers pepper sprayed the group in what seemed like an effort to “ make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resembled scenes similar to those described in Portland , where unidentified federal officers reportedly whisked people off the streets into unmarked vehicles during the nighttime hours often after they had departed protests .
Protesters who witnessed the incident in New York on Tuesday night described it as a “ kidnapping , ” to Gothamist , while several New York elected officials , including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) , condemned the officers ’ actions .
“ Our civil liberties are on brink .
This is not a drill , ” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snatching women off the street and throwing them into unmarked vans.
” City comptroller Scott Stringer ( D ) who previously criticized New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for not acting to prevent police violence during protests , demanded in a tweet Tuesday night , “ We need answers immediately.
” Authorities told The Washington Post in an email that the protester was 18-year-old Nikki Stone .
Police told the Post that Stone faces charges with criminal mischief related to five incidents around City Hall Park .
The actions of the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of a show of force championed by President Donald Trump , have stoked fear in cities like New York and Chicago where protests have continued since the police killing of George Floyd in May .
Oregon ’ s attorney general Ellen Rosenblum , who had failed to secure a restraining order in Portland against federal agents who were pulling protesters into unmarked vans , warned in an interview with The New York Times Friday that clashes seen in Portland between protesters and federal agents who were dispatched to quell them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next.
” President Trump has been widely criticized for using federal agents as part of a campaign strategy for re-election , dispatching federal muscle in places that have made it clear that they do not want to repeat the violent scenes witnessed in Portland .
In interviews , Trump has stood by the dispatch of federal law enforcement in Portland , even seeming to mock elected officials who have pushed back on the move .
In a phone interview with Fox News ’ Sean Hannity Thursday Trump called Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mayor who was tear-gassed during a demonstration outside of a federal courthouse “ made a fool out of himself ” by deciding joining in a night if protest .
“ At some point we ’ re going to have to do something much stronger than being invited in , ” Trump told Hannity , after announcing his plans to dispatch up to 75,000 federal agents to American cities to address crime and protect federal buildings .

A viral video that emerged Tuesday shows several New York Police Department officers wearing T-shirts and shorts grabbing a protester and dragging her toward an unmarked vehicle, according to video footage filmed and posted to social media by bystanders.
NYC is taking after Portland – a trans femme protestor was pulled into an unmarked van at the Abolition Park protest – this was at 2nd Ave and 25th Street pic.twitter.com/1PDhSYuK9h — michelle lh࿊࿊q (@MichelleLhooq) July 28, 2020
nypd is out here KIDNAPPING protesters off of the street pic.twitter.com/LCCBj0Ipp8 — Natalie (@Naddleez) July 28, 2020
The NYPD responded to widespread criticism of the aggressive detainment of the woman by saying in tweets that the woman was wanted for “”damaging police cameras” and that “the arresting officers were assaulted with rocks & bottles.” In another tweeted statement Tuesday night the police confirmed that the arrest was conducted using an unmarked gray minivan, saying that the “Warrant Squad” uses unmarked vehicles to “effectively locate wanted suspects.”
The police statements following the event were disputed by bystanders who told Gothamist that they had not engaged in physical confrontation with the officers before Stone was suddenly grabbed.
“None of that happened whatsoever,” Clara Kraebber told Gothamist. “We literally turned the corner and were met with a line of police who attacked us without warning.”
Kraebber said officers pepper sprayed the group in what seemed like an effort to “make it painful to be there.”
The videos resembled scenes similar to those described in Portland, where unidentified federal officers reportedly whisked people off the streets into unmarked vehicles during the nighttime hours often after they had departed protests.
Protesters who witnessed the incident in New York on Tuesday night described it as a “kidnapping,” to Gothamist, while several New York elected officials, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), condemned the officers’ actions.
“Our civil liberties are on brink. This is not a drill,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. “There is no excuse for snatching women off the street and throwing them into unmarked vans.”
City comptroller Scott Stringer (D) who previously criticized New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for not acting to prevent police violence during protests, demanded in a tweet Tuesday night, “We need answers immediately.”
Authorities told The Washington Post in an email that the protester was 18-year-old Nikki Stone. Police told the Post that Stone faces charges with criminal mischief related to five incidents around City Hall Park.
The actions of the federal agents in Portland, who were deployed as part of a show of force championed by President Donald Trump, have stoked fear in cities like New York and Chicago where protests have continued since the police killing of George Floyd in May.
Oregon’s attorney general Ellen Rosenblum, who had failed to secure a restraining order in Portland against federal agents who were pulling protesters into unmarked vans, warned in an interview with The New York Times Friday that clashes seen in Portland between protesters and federal agents who were dispatched to quell them, “could be happening in your city next.”
President Trump has been widely criticized for using federal agents as part of a campaign strategy for re-election, dispatching federal muscle in places that have made it clear that they do not want to repeat the violent scenes witnessed in Portland.
In interviews, Trump has stood by the dispatch of federal law enforcement in Portland, even seeming to mock elected officials who have pushed back on the move. In a phone interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity Thursday Trump called Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (D) “pathetic” and saying the mayor who was tear-gassed during a demonstration outside of a federal courthouse “made a fool out of himself” by deciding joining in a night if protest.
“At some point we’re going to have to do something much stronger than being invited in,” Trump told Hannity, after announcing his plans to dispatch up to 75,000 federal agents to American cities to address crime and protect federal buildings.