talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-12--Trump Flies Over Stop The Steal Rally Where Supporters Chant ‘Destroy The GOP!’

“ Stop the Steal ” supporters cried “ Destroy the GOP !
” on Saturday in a demonstration that appeared to antagonize even the Republican Party amid President Donald Trump ’ s loss in last month ’ s election .
Nick Fuentes , far-right host of the podcast “ America First , ” lead the refrain , saying , “ we are done making promises.
” “ It has to happen now , we are going to destroy the GOP , ” Fuentes trumpeted into a megaphone .
Trump seemed to praise his various supporters tweeting early Saturday that ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s capital to support “ Stop the Steal.
” “ Didn ’ t know about this , but I ’ ll be seeing them !
# MAGA , ” Trump wrote on Saturday , amid of flurry of tweets that unleashed fury on those who have been unwilling to play along with his effort to overturn the will of the American people by tossing him an election win .
The demonstration was part of a number of efforts that dotted D.C. on Saturday stemming from rage over President Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing the presidential election last month .
Trump and a vast array of GOP allies , were dealt an additional blow on Friday night after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Texas lawsuit that ultimately sought to toss out millions of ballots in battleground states .
The farfetched Trump-friendly lawsuit aimed to stop Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — all states Biden won — from casting their electoral votes for Biden and instead to shift the selection of electors to the states ’ GOP-controlled legislatures .
A group of roughly 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ famously told to “ stand back and stand by ” during the first presidential debate in September , made attempts to march through an area outside the White House that ’ s been called “ Black Lives Matter Plaza , ” but were blocked by police , according to an account by the Daily Beast .
As the day wore on , a group of Proud Boys and pro-Trump demonstrators clashed with counter-protesters near the Plaza the Washington Post said .
At least six people were arrested amid the demonstrations , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrests over a brawl on Friday night .
Former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn — a Trump ally who the President just weeks ago announced would be pardoned— also appeared at rallies across the city asserting from a kind of warped reality that the election wasn ’ t over .
“ The truth will prevail !
” Flynn told a crowd on the National Mall .
Another longtime Trump supporter and televangelist Mark Burns , railed against “ Marxists ” at the Jericho March on Saturday aimed at valorizing Trump and demonizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stuart Rhodes , founder an anti-government militia group known as the Oath Keepers , took a darker and more violent tone in on-stage remarks , asserting that Trump should invoke the Insurrection Act as if to suggest he claim a second-term by force .
Aboard Marine One , Trump ’ s helicopter flew over the demonstrations that made the wild claims , en route to an Army-Navy football game on Saturday afternoon at West Point .

“Stop the Steal” supporters cried “Destroy the GOP!” on Saturday in a demonstration that appeared to antagonize even the Republican Party amid President Donald Trump’s loss in last month’s election.
Nick Fuentes, far-right host of the podcast “America First,” lead the refrain, saying, “we are done making promises.”
“It has to happen now, we are going to destroy the GOP,” Fuentes trumpeted into a megaphone.
And the new MAGA chant is… “Destroy the GOP!” https://t.co/aYmtyQTAeV — Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) December 12, 2020
Trump seemed to praise his various supporters tweeting early Saturday that “thousands of people” were congregating in the nation’s capital to support “Stop the Steal.”
“Didn’t know about this, but I’ll be seeing them! #MAGA,” Trump wrote on Saturday, amid a flurry of tweets that unleashed fury on those who have been unwilling to play along with his effort to overturn the will of the American people by tossing him an election win.
The demonstration was part of a number of efforts that dotted D.C. on Saturday stemming from rage over President Trump’s failure to swindle a victory after losing the presidential election last month.
Trump and a vast array of GOP allies, were dealt an additional blow on Friday night after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Texas lawsuit that ultimately sought to toss out millions of ballots in battleground states.
The farfetched, Trump-friendly lawsuit, aimed to stop Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — all states that Democrat Joe Biden won — from casting their electoral votes for Biden and instead to shift the selection of electors to the states’ GOP-controlled legislatures.
A group of roughly 100 Proud Boys and their supporters who Trump famously told to “stand back and stand by” during the first presidential debate in September, made attempts to march through an area outside the White House that’s been called “Black Lives Matter Plaza,” but were blocked by police, according to an account by the Daily Beast.
As the day wore on, a group of Proud Boys and pro-Trump demonstrators clashed with counter-protesters near the Plaza the Washington Post said.
At least six people were arrested amid the demonstrations, according to the Post, in addition to five arrests over a brawl on Friday night.
Former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn — a Trump ally who the President just weeks ago announced would be pardoned— also appeared at rallies across the city asserting from a kind of warped reality that the election wasn’t over.
“The truth will prevail!” Flynn told a crowd on the National Mall.
Another longtime Trump supporter and televangelist, Mark Burns, railed against “Marxists” at the Jericho March — an event on Saturday that valorized Trump and appeared to demonize anyone who stands in his way.
Stuart Rhodes, founder an anti-government militia group known as the Oath Keepers, took a darker and more violent tone in on-stage remarks at the same event, asserting that Trump should invoke the Insurrection Act as if to suggest he claim a second-term by force.
Aboard Marine One, Trump’s helicopter flew over the demonstrations that made the wild claims, en route to an Army-Navy football game on Saturday afternoon at West Point.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-12--Trump Is Defeated In Wisconsin Case While Arguing Another One In Streak Of Court Losses

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) — President Donald Trump lost a federal lawsuit Saturday while his attorney was arguing his case before a skeptical Wisconsin Supreme Court in another lawsuit that liberal justices said “ smacks of racism ” and would disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters only in the state ’ s most diverse counties .
U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig , a Trump appointee , dismissed Trump ’ s federal lawsuit asking the court to order the Republican-controlled Legislature to name Trump the winner over Democrat Joe Biden .
The judge said Trump ’ s arguments “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact.
” The ruling came as Trump attorney Jim Troupis faced a barrage of questions about his claims from both liberal and conservative justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court .
Troupis asked the court to toss more than 221,000 absentee ballots , including his own , saying they were cast fraudulently based on incorrect interpretations of the law by elections officials .
“ What you want is for us to overturn this election so that your king can stay in power , ” said liberal Justice Jill Karofsky .
“ That is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sympathetic to some issues raised by Trump , but also questioned how they could fairly disqualify ballots only in the two counties where Trump sought a recount and not other counties where the same procedures were followed .
Biden attorney John Devaney said tossing any ballots in just those two counties would be a violation of the Constitution ’ s equal protection clause .
Trump is challenging ballots only in Milwaukee and Dane counties , the state ’ s most liberal counties with the largest non-white populations .
He is not challenging any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won .
“ This lawsuit , Mr. Troupis , smacks of racism , ” Karofsky said .
“ I do not know how you can come before this court and possibly ask for a remedy that is unheard of in U.S. history .
… It is not normal.
” Justice Rebecca Dallet , another liberal justice , questioned why Trump didn ’ t raise his same concerns about the absentee ballot process in the 2016 election that he won in Wisconsin .
Troupis said Trump was not an aggrieved party that year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , voiced concerns with ballots that the city of Madison collected over two weekends at parks , saying that appeared to be the same as early voting , which had not started yet .
Conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley also implied that the court must not allow for ballots to be counted if they were cast contrary to the law .
But she questioned how the court could fairly disqualify more than 28,000 ballots cast by people who said they were indefinitely confined , given that some were .
The court in March said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine whether they were “ indefinitely confined , ” a designation allowed voters to cast absentee ballots without showing a valid photo ID .
During Saturday ’ s arguments , other conservative justices raised concerns with allowing election officials to fill in missing information on envelopes that contain absentee ballots .
And Troupis , who voted that way , said that he believes his vote was cast illegally and should be discounted .
Biden won Wisconsin by about 20,600 votes , a margin of 0.6 % that withstood a Trump-requested recount in Milwaukee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney asked the court to rule before Monday , when Wisconsin ’ s 10 Electoral College votes are scheduled to be cast for Biden .
Trump asked for a ruling before Jan. 6 , the day Congress counts the Electoral College votes .
Trump and his allies have suffered dozens of defeats in Wisconsin and across the country in lawsuits that rely on unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud and election abuse .
On Friday evening , the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Texas lawsuit that sought to invalidate Biden ’ s win by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleground states , including Wisconsin .
Also Saturday , former Trump campaign attorney Sidney Powell asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a federal case she lost in Wisconsin seeking to order the GOP-controlled Legislature to declare Trump the winner .
Powell has lost similar cases in Georgia and Arizona .

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Donald Trump lost a federal lawsuit Saturday while his attorney was arguing his case before a skeptical Wisconsin Supreme Court in another lawsuit that liberal justices said “smacks of racism” and would disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters only in the state’s most diverse counties.
U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig, a Trump appointee, dismissed Trump’s federal lawsuit asking the court to order the Republican-controlled Legislature to name Trump the winner over Democrat Joe Biden. The judge said Trump’s arguments “fail as a matter of law and fact.”
The ruling came as Trump attorney Jim Troupis faced a barrage of questions about his claims from both liberal and conservative justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Troupis asked the court to toss more than 221,000 absentee ballots, including his own, saying they were cast fraudulently based on incorrect interpretations of the law by elections officials.
“What you want is for us to overturn this election so that your king can stay in power,” said liberal Justice Jill Karofsky. “That is so un-American.”
Conservative justices appeared to be sympathetic to some issues raised by Trump, but also questioned how they could fairly disqualify ballots only in the two counties where Trump sought a recount and not other counties where the same procedures were followed.
Biden attorney John Devaney said tossing any ballots in just those two counties would be a violation of the Constitution’s equal protection clause.
Trump is challenging ballots only in Milwaukee and Dane counties, the state’s most liberal counties with the largest non-white populations. He is not challenging any votes in more conservative counties where he won.
“This lawsuit, Mr. Troupis, smacks of racism,” Karofsky said. “I do not know how you can come before this court and possibly ask for a remedy that is unheard of in U.S. history. … It is not normal.”
Justice Rebecca Dallet, another liberal justice, questioned why Trump didn’t raise his same concerns about the absentee ballot process in the 2016 election that he won in Wisconsin. Troupis said Trump was not an aggrieved party that year.
Chief Justice Patience Roggensack, a conservative, voiced concerns with ballots that the city of Madison collected over two weekends at parks, saying that appeared to be the same as early voting, which had not started yet.
Conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley also implied that the court must not allow for ballots to be counted if they were cast contrary to the law. But she questioned how the court could fairly disqualify more than 28,000 ballots cast by people who said they were indefinitely confined, given that some were.
The court in March said it was up to individual voters to determine whether they were “indefinitely confined,” a designation allowed voters to cast absentee ballots without showing a valid photo ID.
During Saturday’s arguments, other conservative justices raised concerns with allowing election officials to fill in missing information on envelopes that contain absentee ballots. And Troupis, who voted that way, said that he believes his vote was cast illegally and should be discounted.
Biden won Wisconsin by about 20,600 votes, a margin of 0.6% that withstood a Trump-requested recount in Milwaukee and Dane counties.
Biden’s attorney asked the court to rule before Monday, when Wisconsin’s 10 Electoral College votes are scheduled to be cast for Biden. Trump asked for a ruling before Jan. 6, the day Congress counts the Electoral College votes.
Trump and his allies have suffered dozens of defeats in Wisconsin and across the country in lawsuits that rely on unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud and election abuse. On Friday evening, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Texas lawsuit that sought to invalidate Biden’s win by throwing out millions of votes in four battleground states, including Wisconsin.
Also Saturday, former Trump campaign attorney Sidney Powell asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a federal case she lost in Wisconsin seeking to order the GOP-controlled Legislature to declare Trump the winner. Powell has lost similar cases in Georgia and Arizona.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-12--‘A Big Disappointment’: Trump Is Still Flirting With The Idea Of Firing Barr

President Donald Trump on Saturday continued to lash out at Attorney General Bill Barr who appears to have been on thin ice lately after a report landed earlier this week and suggested the attorney general has been working to keep quiet a federal probe involving Hunter Biden , the son of Trump ’ s Democratic rival Joe Biden who became President-elect after winning last month ’ s election .
Trump shared a tweet from a sympathizing conservative columnist and radio host Todd Starnes who recently backed the President ’ s false election fraud claims .
Starnes ’ tweet suggested on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of business today , ” if a Wall Street Journal report that said the attorney general had known and kept quiet since the spring about an investigation that involved the younger Biden proved to be true .
The probe which was launched in 2018 , predates Barr ’ s tenure at attorney general — but led to a meltdown from Trump on Friday .
Rumors began swirling last week that Trump was considering firing his attorney general after Barr told the Associated Press in an interview that he had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overturn the results of the Nov. 3 election , which Trump decisively lost to Biden .
When asked about his confidence in the attorney general , Trump told reporters in the Oval Office last week that he would need to be asked the question again “ a number of weeks from now , ” in order to arrive at a decision about his traditionally loyal ally .
His complaint at that time was that Barr “ hasn ’ t done anything , ” and that the Justice Department hadn ’ t “ looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s false declarations of election fraud in battleground states he had lost .
Trump ’ s rage now extends to being kept in the dark about a probe involving Biden ’ s financial and business dealings in two investigations in Delaware and Manhattan .
Hours after a firing off the first tweet suggesting a Barr dismissal could be afoot , Trump followed up with a fresh attack on his attorney general , raking Barr through the mud over why the attorney general hadn ’ t revealed “ the truth to the public ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost Republicans at the polls .
The accusations , clumsily lurch miles ahead of an investigation that has not drawn conclusions about the younger Biden , and appears to implicate the President-elect who is not involved in either of the investigations .
Trump ’ s suggestion that news of the probe would have benefited him in the polls are somewhat predictable arguments .
Such an effort was central to his impeachment , when in July 2019 , during a now famous call , Trump attempted to extort the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son and announce an investigation .
Trump and his Republican allies in Congress further intensified pressure to smear Biden and his son in October , urging Barr to appoint a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden as his father rose in the polls .
When asked at the time whether he supported the call for a special prosecutor , Trump told Fox News that he wanted action from Barr before the election saying “ he ’ s got to act fast , ” and adding , “ this has to be known about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , maintains guidelines urging officials to avoid making obvious steps that would bring an investigation into public view that could impact or give the appearance of attempting to sway the outcome of an election .
Before the Wall Street Journal reported of Barr ’ s efforts to keep the probe quiet , Barr is reportedly had no intentions of vacating his post early — although those plans are likely now up in the air as Trump has taken pains to exact revenge on those he had seen as disloyal in his dwindling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Esper and DHS cybersecurity official Chris Krebs just last month .

President Donald Trump on Saturday continued to lash out at Attorney General Bill Barr who appears to have been on thin ice lately after a report landed earlier this week and suggested the attorney general has been working to keep quiet a federal probe involving Hunter Biden, the son of Trump’s Democratic rival Joe Biden who became President-elect after winning last month’s election.
Trump shared a tweet from a sympathizing conservative columnist and radio host Todd Starnes who recently backed the President’s false election fraud claims. Starnes’ tweet suggested on Friday that Barr should be “fired by the end of business today,” if a Wall Street Journal report that said the attorney general had known and kept quiet since the spring about an investigation that involved the younger Biden proved to be true.
The probe which was launched in 2018, predates Barr’s tenure at attorney general — but led to a meltdown from Trump on Friday.
Rumors began swirling last week that Trump was considering firing his attorney general after Barr told the Associated Press in an interview that he had not seen evidence of widespread fraud that would overturn the results of the Nov. 3 election, which Trump decisively lost to Biden.
When asked about his confidence in the attorney general, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office last week that he would need to be asked the question again “a number of weeks from now,” in order to arrive at a decision about his traditionally loyal ally.
His complaint at that time was that Barr “hasn’t done anything,” and that the Justice Department hadn’t “looked very hard” to corroborate Trump’s false declarations of election fraud in battleground states he had lost.
Trump’s rage now extends to being kept in the dark about a probe involving Biden’s financial and business dealings in two investigations in Delaware and Manhattan.
Hours after a firing off the first tweet suggesting a Barr dismissal could be afoot, Trump followed up with a fresh attack on his attorney general, raking Barr through the mud over why the attorney general hadn’t revealed “the truth to the public” in an effort that he said had cost Republicans at the polls.
Why didn’t Bill Barr reveal the truth to the public, before the Election, about Hunter Biden. Joe was lying on the debate stage that nothing was wrong, or going on – Press confirmed. Big disadvantage for Republicans at the polls! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2020
The accusations, clumsily lurch miles ahead of an investigation that has not drawn conclusions about the younger Biden, and appears to implicate the President-elect who is not involved in either of the investigations.
Trump’s suggestion that news of the probe would have benefited him in the polls are somewhat predictable arguments. Such an effort was central to his impeachment, when in July 2019, during a now famous call, Trump attempted to extort the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to dig up dirt on Biden’s son and announce an investigation.
Trump and his Republican allies in Congress further intensified pressure to smear Biden and his son in October, urging Barr to appoint a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden as his father rose in the polls.
When asked at the time whether he supported the call for a special prosecutor, Trump told Fox News that he wanted action from Barr before the election saying “he’s got to act fast,” and adding, “this has to be known about before the election.”
The Justice Department however, maintains guidelines urging officials to avoid making obvious steps that would bring an investigation into public view that could impact or give the appearance of attempting to sway the outcome of an election.
Before the Wall Street Journal reported of Barr’s efforts to keep the probe quiet, Barr is reportedly had no intentions of vacating his post early — although those plans are likely now up in the air as Trump has taken pains to exact revenge on those he had seen as disloyal in his dwindling days in office — firing Defense Secretary Mark Esper and DHS cybersecurity official Chris Krebs just last month.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-12--Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Will Start Arriving In States On Monday

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The nation ’ s first COVID-19 vaccine will begin arriving in states Monday morning , U.S. officials said Saturday , after the government gave the final go-ahead to the shots needed to end an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans .
Trucks will roll out Sunday morning as shipping companies UPS and FedEx begin delivering Pfizer ’ s vaccine to nearly 150 distribution centers across the states , said Army Gen. Gustave Perna of Operation Warp Speed , the Trump administration ’ s vaccine development program .
An additional 450 or so facilities will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Initially , about 3 million shots are expected to be shipped nationwide .
It was unclear exactly who would receive the first doses of the vaccine , though health workers and nursing home residents were the priority .
Perna said health authorities would decide .
A similar number of shots will be held back for those recipients ’ second dose , which is needed for full protection from COVID-19 .
The announcement Saturday kicks off a massive logistical operation involving the federal and state governments , private companies and health care workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Perna compared the effort to D-Day , the U.S.-led military offensive that turned the tide in World War II .
“ D-Day was the beginning of the end and that ’ s where we are today , ” Perna said a news conference .
But he added that it would take months of work and “ diligence , courage and strength to eventually achieve victory.
” The first shipments are expected to leave Pfizer ’ s manufacturing plant in Kalamazoo , Michigan , via truck and then be flown to regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McKesson and pharmacy chains including CVS and Rite-Aid also are involved in local rollout .
In a key distribution challenge , the vaccine , co-developed with BioNTech , must be stored and shipped at ultra-low temperatures of about 94 degrees below zero .
Pfizer has developed shipping containers that use dry ice , and GPS-enabled sensors will allow the company to track each shipment and ensure it stays cold .
Distribution locations include hospitals and other sites able to meet those ultra-cold storage requirements .
Within three weeks , vaccines should be delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments , such as local pharmacies , Perna said .
The vaccine was timed to arrive Monday morning so that health workers would be available to receive the shots and begin giving them , Perna said .
It comes after the Food and Drug Administration late Friday authorized emergency use of the vaccine .
The signoff capped an unprecedented global race to speed vaccines through testing and review , chopping years off the normal development process .
The FDA found the vaccine highly protective with no major safety issues .
U.S. regulators worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independence of their review , but the Trump administration pressured the agency up until the final announcement .
A top White House official even threatened to remove FDA chief Stephen Hahn if a ruling did not come before Saturday .
Concerns that a shot was rushed out could undermine vaccination efforts in a country with deeply ingrained skepticism about vaccines .
Hahn again emphasized his agency ’ s independence to reporters Saturday .
“ Science and data guided the FDA ’ s decision , ” Hahn said .
“ We worked quickly because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not because of any other external pressure.
” While determined to be safe , regulators in the U.K. are investigating several severe allergic reactions .
The FDA ’ s instructions tell providers not give it to those with a known history of severe allergic reactions to any of its ingredients .
The FDA ’ s vaccine director , Dr. Peter Marks , said the agency will carefully track any reports of allergic reactions in the U.S. “ I think we still need to learn more , and that ’ s why we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The FDA next week will review a second vaccine from Moderna and the National Institutes of Health that appears about as protective as Pfizer ’ s shot .
On Friday , the Trump administration announced it had purchased 100 million more doses of that vaccine on top of 100 million it previously ordered .
The announcement came after revelations last week that the White House opted not to lock in an additional 100 million doses of Pfizer ’ s vaccine for delivery in the second quarter of 2021 .
The Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the pipeline will be enough to accommodate any American who wants to be vaccinated by the end of the second quarter of 2021 .
Associated Press Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard in Alexandria , Virginia and writer Candice Choi in New York contributed to this story .

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine will begin arriving in states Monday morning, U.S. officials said Saturday, after the government gave the final go-ahead to the shots needed to end an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans.
Trucks will roll out Sunday morning as shipping companies UPS and FedEx begin delivering Pfizer’s vaccine to nearly 150 distribution centers across the states, said Army Gen. Gustave Perna of Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s vaccine development program. An additional 450 or so facilities will get the vaccine between Tuesday and Wednesday.
Initially, about 3 million shots are expected to be shipped nationwide. It was unclear exactly who would receive the first doses of the vaccine, though health workers and nursing home residents were the priority. Perna said health authorities would decide.
A similar number of shots will be held back for those recipients’ second dose, which is needed for full protection from COVID-19.
The announcement Saturday kicks off a massive logistical operation involving the federal and state governments, private companies and health care workers to quickly distribute limited vaccine supplies throughout the U.S.
Perna compared the effort to D-Day, the U.S.-led military offensive that turned the tide in World War II.
“D-Day was the beginning of the end and that’s where we are today,” Perna said a news conference. But he added that it would take months of work and “diligence, courage and strength to eventually achieve victory.”
The first shipments are expected to leave Pfizer’s manufacturing plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, via truck and then be flown to regional hubs around the country. Medical distributor McKesson and pharmacy chains including CVS and Rite-Aid also are involved in local rollout.
In a key distribution challenge, the vaccine, co-developed with BioNTech, must be stored and shipped at ultra-low temperatures of about 94 degrees below zero. Pfizer has developed shipping containers that use dry ice, and GPS-enabled sensors will allow the company to track each shipment and ensure it stays cold.
Distribution locations include hospitals and other sites able to meet those ultra-cold storage requirements. Within three weeks, vaccines should be delivered to all vaccination sites identified by state governments, such as local pharmacies, Perna said.
The vaccine was timed to arrive Monday morning so that health workers would be available to receive the shots and begin giving them, Perna said.
It comes after the Food and Drug Administration late Friday authorized emergency use of the vaccine. The signoff capped an unprecedented global race to speed vaccines through testing and review, chopping years off the normal development process.
The FDA found the vaccine highly protective with no major safety issues. U.S. regulators worked for months to emphasize the rigor and independence of their review, but the Trump administration pressured the agency up until the final announcement. A top White House official even threatened to remove FDA chief Stephen Hahn if a ruling did not come before Saturday.
Concerns that a shot was rushed out could undermine vaccination efforts in a country with deeply ingrained skepticism about vaccines. Hahn again emphasized his agency’s independence to reporters Saturday.
“Science and data guided the FDA’s decision,” Hahn said. “We worked quickly because of the urgency of this pandemic, not because of any other external pressure.”
While determined to be safe, regulators in the U.K. are investigating several severe allergic reactions. The FDA’s instructions tell providers not give it to those with a known history of severe allergic reactions to any of its ingredients.
The FDA’s vaccine director, Dr. Peter Marks, said the agency will carefully track any reports of allergic reactions in the U.S.
“I think we still need to learn more, and that’s why we’ll be taking precautions,” Marks said.
The FDA next week will review a second vaccine from Moderna and the National Institutes of Health that appears about as protective as Pfizer’s shot. On Friday, the Trump administration announced it had purchased 100 million more doses of that vaccine on top of 100 million it previously ordered.
The announcement came after revelations last week that the White House opted not to lock in an additional 100 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for delivery in the second quarter of 2021. The Trump administration contends the current orders plus those in the pipeline will be enough to accommodate any American who wants to be vaccinated by the end of the second quarter of 2021.
___
Associated Press Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard in Alexandria, Virginia and writer Candice Choi in New York contributed to this story.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-12--Attorneys General In Battleground States Laud SCOTUS Dumping ‘Junk Lawsuit’ In Texas

Attorneys general in three of the battleground states that were targeted amid a brazen and increasingly desperate lawsuit out of Texas to wage war on American democracy by challenging election results in their states , expressed elation on Friday when the U.S. Supreme Court shot down the effort .
“ We have a court of law that has seen through what this President is trying to do in this country and instead of siding with him , the court sided with the rule of law , ” Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro ( D ) told CNN ’ s Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court ’ s rejection of the farfetched lawsuit aimed at tossing out millions of votes in Pennsylvania , Michigan , Wisconsin and Georgia .
The comments come after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday said that Texas did not meet the procedural thresholds that would warrant the court ’ s review of a Trump-friendly lawsuit that sought to challenge election results in the four key swing states won by President-elect Joe Biden .
Officials in each of the four battleground states targeted by the lawsuit issued scathing briefs at the Supreme Court on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort a “ seditious abuse of the judicial process.
” The high court said in unsigned order on Friday that Texas lacked standing and had “ not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections , ” after Texas sought to stop those states from casting their electoral votes for Biden and instead to shift the selection of electors to the states ’ GOP-controlled legislatures .
Shapiro said on Friday that while he was “ pleased ” at the decision , he was also troubled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Trump campaign , 18 attorneys general and more than 100 GOP members of Congress — and was baffled by how many had “ jumped so quickly on a junk law suit.
” Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul ( D ) was pointed in his criticism as he celebrated the court ’ s rejection of the suit on Friday .
The Wisconsin official appeared to take jabs at GOP leaders who had targeted elections in his state when he tweeted that a “ troublingly large number ” of Republicans had sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Dana Nessel ( D ) on Friday who recently compared Trump ’ s post-election effort to swindle votes to a “ ‘ Friday the 13th ’ movie , ” implied that the decision was obvious after claims in dozens of court cases preceding the Texas lawsuit that had alleged elections in her state and others had not followed federal laws had been repeatedly ruled as “ without merit.
” “ Whether it ’ s state or federal court , whether they were judges that were appointed by Democrats or judges that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these lawsuits were without merit , ” Nessel told MSNBC ’ s Ali Velshi during an interview on Friday night , lauding the Supreme Court ’ s decision .
Nessel ’ s comments come after she issued a statement on Friday saying the Supreme Court ’ s order was a reminder that “ though some may bend to the desire of a single individual , the courts will not.
” In the statement she urged Americans to “ move forward ” as united states rather than divisive political factions in spite of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump and his GOP allies .
The White House , angered by the majority ruling , immediately began flooding conservative news networks with a counter narrative .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany accused the high court of missing an opportunity to defend the Constitution .
“ They dodged .
They hid behind procedure and they refused to use their authority to enforce the Constitution , ” McEnany told Fox News ’ Sean Hannity on Friday .
Although Trump expressed disappointment with the majority ruling on a case he once called “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early Saturday that he had “ JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT !
” Trump ’ s lawyer , Rudy Giuliani voiced a similar sentiment , telling Newsmax in an interview on Friday that the gambit was not over .
“ We ’ re not finished , believe me , ” Giuliani said .

Attorneys general in three of the battleground states that were targeted amid a brazen and increasingly desperate lawsuit out of Texas to wage war on American democracy by challenging election results in their states, expressed elation on Friday when the U.S. Supreme Court shot down the effort.
“We have a court of law that has seen through what this President is trying to do in this country and instead of siding with him, the court sided with the rule of law,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D) told CNN’s Chris Cuomo on Friday, hailing the Supreme Court’s rejection of the farfetched lawsuit aimed at tossing out millions of votes in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia.
The comments come after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday said that Texas did not meet the procedural thresholds that would warrant the court’s review of a Trump-friendly lawsuit that sought to challenge election results in the four key swing states won by President-elect Joe Biden.
Officials in each of the four battleground states targeted by the lawsuit issued scathing briefs at the Supreme Court on Thursday, with Pennsylvania officials calling the effort a “seditious abuse of the judicial process.”
The high court said in unsigned order on Friday that Texas lacked standing and had “not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections,” after Texas sought to stop those states from casting their electoral votes for Biden and instead to shift the selection of electors to the states’ GOP-controlled legislatures.
Shapiro said on Friday that while he was “pleased” at the decision, he was also troubled by the premise of the effort — backed by the Trump campaign, 18 attorneys general and more than 100 GOP members of Congress — and was baffled by how many had “jumped so quickly on a junk law suit.”
“We have a court of law that has seen through what this President is trying to do in this country and instead of siding with him, the court sided with the rule of law.” – Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro on the Supreme Court rejecting GOP bid to overturn the election. pic.twitter.com/VwHT2qS7N9 — Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) December 12, 2020
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul (D) was pointed in his criticism as he celebrated the court’s rejection of the suit on Friday. The Wisconsin official appeared to take jabs at GOP leaders who had targeted elections in his state when he tweeted that a “troublingly large number” of Republicans had sought to seize power from voters.
I’m very happy that the U.S. Supreme Court swiftly rejected the request of Texas’s AG, the President, and a troublingly large number of Republican AGs and members of Congress to take power away from millions of voters and give it to politicians. — Attorney General Josh Kaul (@WisDOJ) December 12, 2020
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) on Friday who recently compared Trump’s post-election effort to swindle votes to a “‘Friday the 13th’ movie,” implied that the decision was obvious after claims in dozens of court cases preceding the Texas lawsuit that had alleged elections in her state and others had not followed federal laws had been repeatedly ruled as “without merit.”
“Whether it’s state or federal court, whether they were judges that were appointed by Democrats or judges that were appointed by Republicans, they all found these lawsuits were without merit,” Nessel told MSNBC’s Ali Velshi during an interview on Friday night, lauding the Supreme Court’s decision.
Nessel’s comments come after she issued a statement on Friday saying the Supreme Court’s order was a reminder that “though some may bend to the desire of a single individual, the courts will not.” In the statement she urged Americans to “move forward” as united states rather than divisive political factions in spite of the ongoing and baseless attacks on democracy by President Trump and his GOP allies.
The White House, angered by the majority ruling, immediately began flooding conservative news networks with a counter narrative.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany accused the high court of missing an opportunity to defend the Constitution.
“They dodged. They hid behind procedure and they refused to use their authority to enforce the Constitution,” McEnany told Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Friday.
Although Trump expressed disappointment with the majority ruling on a case he once called “the big one,” he tweeted early Saturday that he had “JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT!”
Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani voiced a similar sentiment, telling Newsmax in an interview on Friday that the gambit was not over.
“We’re not finished, believe me,” Giuliani said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-12--Report: Cuomo Is Being Considered For Attorney General In Biden Administration

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo is being considered for attorney general in the incoming Biden administration , the Associated Press reported late Friday .
A person familiar with the search said that President-elect Joe Biden was considering the Democrat who has governed New York since 2011 , and who mobilized the state ’ s response to a devastating blow by coronavirus which caused a surge of cases and staggering death toll in the Empire State earlier this year .
Three other contenders for the role include outgoing Alabama Sen. Doug Jones ( D ) , federal appeals court judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sally Yates , who was dismissed by Trump within days of his inauguration after she refused to support his travel ban on visitors from Muslim majority countries .
Jones , Yates and Cuomo each vouched for Biden at the Democratic National Convention in August .
The AP source said that no decision has been reached and an announcement was not immediately expected .
Jones , a former U.S. attorney who lost his Senate seat last month and Garland , a former Supreme Court pick by President Barack Obama in 2016 , have also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among Biden ’ s considerations for the job .
The news of Cuomo ’ s potential vetting for the job , comes after two ongoing federal investigations involving Hunter Biden came into public view earlier this week .
It ’ s unclear what impact , if any , the revelation of the probe involving the President-elect ’ s son which has continued quietly since 2018 will impact the search if it remains active next month .
When asked about his interest in the attorney general spot , Cuomo said in a public radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no intention to run for president or vice president , or go to the administration.
” A former state attorney general and HUD secretary in the Clinton administration , Cuomo added that the top DOJ role in Biden ’ s administration “ is really critical , especially now .
”

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is being considered for attorney general in the incoming Biden administration, the Associated Press reported late Friday.
A person familiar with the search said that President-elect Joe Biden was considering the Democrat who has governed New York since 2011, and who mobilized the state’s response to a devastating blow by coronavirus which caused a surge of cases and staggering death toll in the Empire State earlier this year.
Three other contenders for the role include outgoing Alabama Sen. Doug Jones (D), federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, who was dismissed by Trump within days of his inauguration after she refused to support his travel ban on visitors from Muslim majority countries. Jones, Yates and Cuomo each vouched for Biden at the Democratic National Convention in August.
The AP source said that no decision has been reached and an announcement was not immediately expected.
Jones, a former U.S. attorney who lost his Senate seat last month and Garland, a former Supreme Court pick by President Barack Obama in 2016, have also risen to the top of the pack among Biden’s considerations for the job.
The news of Cuomo’s potential vetting for the job, comes after two ongoing federal investigations involving Hunter Biden came into public view earlier this week. It’s unclear what impact, if any, the revelation of the probe involving the President-elect’s son which has continued quietly since 2018 will impact the search if it remains active next month.
When asked about his interest in the attorney general spot, Cuomo said in a public radio interview in New York, “I have no intention to run for president or vice president, or go to the administration.” A former state attorney general and HUD secretary in the Clinton administration, Cuomo added that the top DOJ role in Biden’s administration “is really critical, especially now.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-12--US Allows Pfizer’s Emergency COVID-19 Vaccine

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The U.S. gave the final go-ahead Friday to the nation ’ s first COVID-19 vaccine , marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans .
Shots for health workers and nursing home residents are expected to begin in the coming days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of what promises to be a strongly protective vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech .
Initial doses are scarce and rationed as the U.S. joins Britain and several other countries in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible ahead of a long , grim winter .
It will take months of work to tamp down the coronavirus that has surged to catastrophic levels in recent weeks and already claimed 1.5 million lives globally .
While the FDA decision came only after public review of data from a huge ongoing study , it has also been dogged by intense political pressure from the Trump administration , which has accused the agency of being too slow and even threatened to remove FDA chief Stephen Hahn if a ruling did not come Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history — but it also has global ramifications because it ’ s a role model to many other countries facing the same decision .
It offers the ability “ in this situation where the pandemic is out of control , to bring hope to the people , ” Dr. Ugur Sahin , CEO of BioNTech , told The Associated Press .
The world desperately needs multiple vaccines for enough to go around , and the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is the first based on rigorous scientific testing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record-setting scientific achievement that shaved years off the usual process .
“ I don ’ t think you would have found a scientist on this planet that would have predicted this 11 months ago , ” said Dr. Paul Offit , a vaccine expert at Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia who advises the FDA .
The U.S. is considering a second vaccine , made by Moderna Inc. , that could roll out in another week .
In early January , Johnson & Johnson expects to learn if its vaccine is working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make its own decision on the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots later this month , an important step as some other candidates that multiple countries were anxiously awaiting have hit roadblocks .
Friday , Sanofi and GSK announced a months-long delay after early tests showed their vaccine didn ’ t work well enough in older adults .
And China and Russia didn ’ t wait for final-stage tests before beginning vaccinations with some homegrown shots .
President Donald Trump said late Friday that Pfizer had “ passed the gold standard of safety , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ one of the greatest scientific accomplishments in history.
” About 3 million doses of the vaccine are expected in the first shipments around the country , according to officials with Operation Warp Speed , the Trump administration ’ s vaccine development program .
A similar amount is to be held in reserve for those recipients ’ second dose .
The government still is hammering out final recommendations , but expected to follow health workers and nursing homes are other essential workers , older adults and people at high risk because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t expect enough for the general population before spring , and that ’ s assuming there are no manufacturing glitches .
“ We would need at least until March , April , to have an impact on the pandemic , ” Sahin said .
But he predicted that protecting the most vulnerable could start putting a dent in hospitals and deaths sooner .
In a still unfinished study of nearly 44,000 people , the FDA found the vaccine was safe and more than 90 % effective across recipients of different ages , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with health problems that put them at high risk from the coronavirus .
It ’ s authorized for people age 16 and up .
Emergency use means the vaccine still is experimental .
Most important for would-be recipients to know : –Some protection begins after the first dose , but it takes a second dose three weeks later for full protection .
It ’ s unclear how long protection lasts .
—The vaccine protects against COVID-19 illness , but no one yet knows if it can stop the silent , symptomless spread that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ongoing study will attempt to answer that but for now , the vaccinated still will need to wear a mask and keep their distance .
—Expect a sore arm and some flu-like symptoms such as fever , fatigue , headache and chills after the second dose .
While uncomfortable , those reactions only last about a day .
“ That ’ s just your immune system working .
It ’ s a good thing , ” Offit said .
—Authorities are investigating several allergic reactions reported in Britain by health workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The FDA said people must have treatments for allergic reactions on hand before they are administered the COVID-19 vaccine , and not give it to those with a known history of severe allergic reactions to any of its ingredients .
—Every vaccine recipient must be given an FDA-written fact sheet about the vaccine and its known risks and benefits .
—FDA didn ’ t forbid the vaccine ’ s use in pregnant women but noted there isn ’ t enough evidence to determine its safety in that group .
If emergency use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the U.S. expects to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of December .
They hope to have enough for another 30 million people in January and 50 million in February .
Globally , Sahin said production should scale up considerably in February , with the companies projecting 120 million to 130 million doses a month to reach 1.3 billion doses in 2021 .
Getting shots into arms is the big challenge , especially as a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found only half of Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their turn .
About a quarter say they won ’ t get it and the rest aren ’ t sure .
Political interference has complicated health authorities ’ message that the testing was rigorous and cut no corners .
Trump bashed the FDA , again , Friday for taking too long , complaining that the agency “ is still a big , old slow turtle.
” One of his deputies even pressed Hahn to clear the shots by the end of the day or face possible firing , two administration officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ raw data , a process that takes longer than many other countries ’ regulatory reviews .
In addition , the FDA insisted that large COVID-19 vaccine studies track at least half the participants for two months to look for side effects , a time period when historically any vaccine problems appear .

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. gave the final go-ahead Friday to the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine, marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans.
Shots for health workers and nursing home residents are expected to begin in the coming days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of what promises to be a strongly protective vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech.
Initial doses are scarce and rationed as the U.S. joins Britain and several other countries in scrambling to vaccinate as many people as possible ahead of a long, grim winter. It will take months of work to tamp down the coronavirus that has surged to catastrophic levels in recent weeks and already claimed 1.5 million lives globally.
While the FDA decision came only after public review of data from a huge ongoing study, it has also been dogged by intense political pressure from the Trump administration, which has accused the agency of being too slow and even threatened to remove FDA chief Stephen Hahn if a ruling did not come Friday.
The move sets off what will be the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history — but it also has global ramifications because it’s a role model to many other countries facing the same decision.
It offers the ability “in this situation where the pandemic is out of control, to bring hope to the people,” Dr. Ugur Sahin, CEO of BioNTech, told The Associated Press.
The world desperately needs multiple vaccines for enough to go around, and the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is the first based on rigorous scientific testing to emerge from that worldwide race — a record-setting scientific achievement that shaved years off the usual process.
“I don’t think you would have found a scientist on this planet that would have predicted this 11 months ago,” said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia who advises the FDA.
The U.S. is considering a second vaccine, made by Moderna Inc., that could roll out in another week. In early January, Johnson & Johnson expects to learn if its vaccine is working in final testing.
Europe is set to make its own decision on the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots later this month, an important step as some other candidates that multiple countries were anxiously awaiting have hit roadblocks. Friday, Sanofi and GSK announced a months-long delay after early tests showed their vaccine didn’t work well enough in older adults.
And China and Russia didn’t wait for final-stage tests before beginning vaccinations with some homegrown shots.
President Donald Trump said late Friday that Pfizer had “passed the gold standard of safety,” in a video statement hailing the vaccine as “one of the greatest scientific accomplishments in history.”
About 3 million doses of the vaccine are expected in the first shipments around the country, according to officials with Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s vaccine development program. A similar amount is to be held in reserve for those recipients’ second dose.
The government still is hammering out final recommendations, but expected to follow health workers and nursing homes are other essential workers, older adults and people at high risk because of other health problems. U.S. authorities don’t expect enough for the general population before spring, and that’s assuming there are no manufacturing glitches.
“We would need at least until March, April, to have an impact on the pandemic,” Sahin said. But he predicted that protecting the most vulnerable could start putting a dent in hospitals and deaths sooner.
In a still unfinished study of nearly 44,000 people, the FDA found the vaccine was safe and more than 90% effective across recipients of different ages, including older adults, races and those with health problems that put them at high risk from the coronavirus. It’s authorized for people age 16 and up.
Emergency use means the vaccine still is experimental. Most important for would-be recipients to know:
–Some protection begins after the first dose, but it takes a second dose three weeks later for full protection. It’s unclear how long protection lasts.
—The vaccine protects against COVID-19 illness, but no one yet knows if it can stop the silent, symptomless spread that accounts for roughly half of all cases. The ongoing study will attempt to answer that but for now, the vaccinated still will need to wear a mask and keep their distance.
—Expect a sore arm and some flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache and chills after the second dose. While uncomfortable, those reactions only last about a day. “That’s just your immune system working. It’s a good thing,” Offit said.
—Authorities are investigating several allergic reactions reported in Britain by health workers with a history of severe allergies. The FDA said people must have treatments for allergic reactions on hand before they are administered the COVID-19 vaccine, and not give it to those with a known history of severe allergic reactions to any of its ingredients.
—Every vaccine recipient must be given an FDA-written fact sheet about the vaccine and its known risks and benefits.
—FDA didn’t forbid the vaccine’s use in pregnant women but noted there isn’t enough evidence to determine its safety in that group.
If emergency use of Moderna’s vaccine also is authorized, the U.S. expects to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of December. They hope to have enough for another 30 million people in January and 50 million in February.
Globally, Sahin said production should scale up considerably in February, with the companies projecting 120 million to 130 million doses a month to reach 1.3 billion doses in 2021.
Getting shots into arms is the big challenge, especially as a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found only half of Americans want the vaccine when it’s their turn. About a quarter say they won’t get it and the rest aren’t sure.
Political interference has complicated health authorities’ message that the testing was rigorous and cut no corners.
Trump bashed the FDA, again, Friday for taking too long, complaining that the agency “is still a big, old slow turtle.” One of his deputies even pressed Hahn to clear the shots by the end of the day or face possible firing, two administration officials said.
The FDA is unique in analyzing drugmakers’ raw data, a process that takes longer than many other countries’ regulatory reviews. In addition, the FDA insisted that large COVID-19 vaccine studies track at least half the participants for two months to look for side effects, a time period when historically any vaccine problems appear.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-13--GOPers Won’t Tell Trump To Halt Fizzled Lawsuits Even On Eve Of Electors Sealing Biden’s Win

Some Republicans on Sunday still refused to discourage President Trump from waging more of his fruitless lawsuits challenging election results , despite the Supreme Court ’ s rejection of Texas attorney general Ken Paxton ’ s ( R ) lawsuit suing four swing states that President-elect Joe Biden won and the Electoral College scheduled to make Biden ’ s victory official on Monday .
During an interview that aired Sunday morning on “ Fox & Friends Weekend , ” Trump said he doesn ’ t plan to stop pursuing his long-shot bid for a second term , despite the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s lawsuit on Friday .
“ No , it ’ s not over .
We keep going .
And we ’ re going to continue to go forward , ” Trump told “ Fox and Friends ” in a taped interview on Saturday ahead of an Army-Navy football game at West Point , New York .
On Sunday morning , Republicans appeared unwilling to decry Trump ’ s legal battles contesting the legitimacy of Biden ’ s win even on the eve of the Electoral College voting to seal the President-elect ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anchor Chris Wallace that he plans to continue backing efforts to challenge the election results even after the Electoral College cements Biden ’ s win on Monday .
When Wallace confronted him about his and other congressional Republicans ’ support of the Texas attorney general ’ s lawsuit that would have thrown out the results of the presidential election in four key swing states , Scalise insisted that “ nobody wants any votes thrown out.
” Scalise argued that the Supreme Court “ said Texas didn ’ t have standing ” and added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were going to address the merits , ” suggesting that the court wasn ’ t willing to get embroiled in a such politically charged issue .
Pressed on why he ’ s not willing to recognize Biden as President-elect nor willing to decry challenges against the election results , despite how the Electoral College will seal Biden ’ s victory on Monday , Scalise deflected by saying that Biden “ has been going through a transition with President Trump supporting him.
” Trump has still refused to concede even after General Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s formal transition weeks after the President-elect was projected to return to the White House .
“ Let ’ s let this legal process play itself out … if you want to restore trust by millions of people who are still very frustrated and angry about what happened , that ’ s why you got to have this whole system play out , ” Scalise said .
Although Alexander told MSNBC that he hopes President Trump “ puts the country first ” now that “ courts have resolved the disputes ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electors will vote for Joe Biden , ” the Tennessee Republican stopped short of suggesting that Trump stop waging his legal battles that have failed to gain steam .
Alexander deflected by saying that on Monday , when the Electoral College votes to cement Biden ’ s win , ” it should stop.
” “ I mean , remember , it ’ s not unprecedented to contest an election .
Al Gore took 37 days , I believe , to contest before he finally conceded , ” Alexander said .
“ And then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life respecting the result , which is what I hope the president will do if the electors vote for Joe Biden on Monday , which it is apparent they will.
” After “ Meet the Press ” anchor Chuck Todd pointed out that Trump has shown no indication he will stop waging his fruitless legal battles , Alexander replied “ let ’ s wait and see.
” “ I mean , the President did say that if the electors voted for Joe Biden , he ’ d leave on January the 20th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ But what I would hope he would remember is that people remember the last thing you do .
And I hope that the last thing he does if Joe Biden , as is expected , is elected on Monday , is to take pride in his accomplishments.
” Alexander later added that “ everything up to Monday is a projection.
” “ So I think it ’ s appropriate to allow the President to challenge , if he has evidence , the cases , ” Alexander said .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s over .
And it should be over Monday.
” During an interview on CNN , Cassidy dodged when asked if it ’ s time for Republicans to accept the reality that Biden will be the next president .
Cassidy pointed to GSA chief Emily Murphy finally green lighting Biden ’ s formal transition last month after weeks of refusing to do so .
Cassidy bragged that Trump “ instructed ” the GSA chief to begin Biden ’ s transition process — despite Murphy denying that she had been pressured by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s formal transition .
Trump , however , contradicted Murphy by claiming that he “ recommended ” to the GSA chief that she issue an ascertainment .
Cassidy said that Biden is the President-elect , but that the GOP is a “ law and order party ” and the country is “ a nation of a Constitution ” with “ laws and courts that interpret those laws.
” Cassidy added that he has “ more confidence in the courts than ever ” because of the slew of federal judges appointed by Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re a nation of laws , and this is the Constitution , and this is the law , and this is how it breaks out , and the courts have ruled , then President Biden ’ s going to be our next president , ” Cassidy said .

Some Republicans on Sunday still refused to discourage President Trump from waging more of his fruitless lawsuits challenging election results, despite the Supreme Court’s rejection of Texas attorney general Ken Paxton’s (R) lawsuit suing four swing states that President-elect Joe Biden won and the Electoral College scheduled to make Biden’s victory official on Monday.
During an interview that aired Sunday morning on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” Trump said he doesn’t plan to stop pursuing his long-shot bid for a second term, despite the Supreme Court’s rejection of Paxton’s lawsuit on Friday.
“No, it’s not over. We keep going. And we’re going to continue to go forward,” Trump told “Fox and Friends” in a taped interview on Saturday ahead of an Army-Navy football game at West Point, New York.
On Sunday morning, Republicans appeared unwilling to decry Trump’s legal battles contesting the legitimacy of Biden’s win even on the eve of the Electoral College voting to seal the President-elect’s victory:
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA)
Scalise told Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace that he plans to continue backing efforts to challenge the election results even after the Electoral College cements Biden’s win on Monday.
When Wallace confronted him about his and other congressional Republicans’ support of the Texas attorney general’s lawsuit that would have thrown out the results of the presidential election in four key swing states, Scalise insisted that “nobody wants any votes thrown out.”
Scalise argued that the Supreme Court “said Texas didn’t have standing” and added that “they didn’t say they were going to address the merits,” suggesting that the court wasn’t willing to get embroiled in a such politically charged issue.
Pressed on why he’s not willing to recognize Biden as President-elect nor willing to decry challenges against the election results, despite how the Electoral College will seal Biden’s victory on Monday, Scalise deflected by saying that Biden “has been going through a transition with President Trump supporting him.”
Trump has still refused to concede even after General Services Administrator Emily Murphy finally green lighted Biden’s formal transition weeks after the President-elect was projected to return to the White House.
“Let’s let this legal process play itself out … if you want to restore trust by millions of people who are still very frustrated and angry about what happened, that’s why you got to have this whole system play out,” Scalise said.
Steve Scalise, who supported Trump's effort to disenfranchise millions of Biden voters for no good reason, won't commit to recognizing Joe Biden as President-elect even after the Electoral College votes pic.twitter.com/rlrIqw8OcS — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 13, 2020
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Although Alexander told MSNBC that he hopes President Trump “puts the country first” now that “courts have resolved the disputes” and “it looks very much like the electors will vote for Joe Biden,” the Tennessee Republican stopped short of suggesting that Trump stop waging his legal battles that have failed to gain steam.
Alexander deflected by saying that on Monday, when the Electoral College votes to cement Biden’s win,” it should stop.”
“I mean, remember, it’s not unprecedented to contest an election. Al Gore took 37 days, I believe, to contest before he finally conceded,” Alexander said. “And then he made the best speech of his life respecting the result, which is what I hope the president will do if the electors vote for Joe Biden on Monday, which it is apparent they will.”
After “Meet the Press” anchor Chuck Todd pointed out that Trump has shown no indication he will stop waging his fruitless legal battles, Alexander replied “let’s wait and see.”
“I mean, the President did say that if the electors voted for Joe Biden, he’d leave on January the 20th, which he should do,” Alexander said. “But what I would hope he would remember is that people remember the last thing you do. And I hope that the last thing he does if Joe Biden, as is expected, is elected on Monday, is to take pride in his accomplishments.”
Alexander later added that “everything up to Monday is a projection.”
“So I think it’s appropriate to allow the President to challenge, if he has evidence, the cases,” Alexander said. “But then when it’s over, it’s over. And it should be over Monday.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
During an interview on CNN, Cassidy dodged when asked if it’s time for Republicans to accept the reality that Biden will be the next president.
Cassidy pointed to GSA chief Emily Murphy finally green lighting Biden’s formal transition last month after weeks of refusing to do so.
Cassidy bragged that Trump “instructed” the GSA chief to begin Biden’s transition process — despite Murphy denying that she had been pressured by the White House to stonewall the President-elect’s formal transition. Trump, however, contradicted Murphy by claiming that he “recommended” to the GSA chief that she issue an ascertainment.
Cassidy said that Biden is the President-elect, but that the GOP is a “law and order party” and the country is “a nation of a Constitution” with “laws and courts that interpret those laws.”
Cassidy added that he has “more confidence in the courts than ever” because of the slew of federal judges appointed by Trump.
“And so, as we’re a nation of laws, and this is the Constitution, and this is the law, and this is how it breaks out, and the courts have ruled, then President Biden’s going to be our next president,” Cassidy said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-13--‘Untrue Representation’: FDA Chief Denies WH Pressured Him Into Approving Vaccine

FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn on Sunday reiterated his denial that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows reportedly pressured him into granting an emergency use authorization for Pfizer/BioNTech ’ s COVID-19 vaccine by the end of Friday , or else he would have to resign .
The Washington Post , which was first to report on Meadows ’ ultimatum to Hahn in a phone call , also reported that President Trump has fumed about the FDA chief since the vaccine began being distributed in the UK last week .
Hours after Meadows and Hahn had a call Friday morning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s COVID-19 vaccine late Friday night .
In a statement issued Friday afternoon , Hahn said that the Post ’ s report on his call with Meadows was an “ untrue representation.
” ‘ The FDA was encouraged to continue working expeditiously on Pfizer-BioNTech ’ s ( emergency use authorization ) request , ” Hahn said on Friday .
“ FDA is committed to issuing this authorization quickly , as we noted in our statement this morning.
” Hahn issued a similar denial on Saturday , during a joint news conference with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FDA ’ s vaccine and biologicals branch .
“ The representations in the press that I was threatened to be fired if we didn ’ t get it done by a certain date is inaccurate , ” Hahn said on Saturday .
On Sunday , Hahn hammered into his denial further by saying that reports of Meadows threatening to fire the FDA chief in his attempt to strong arm the FDA into authorizing the Pfizer vaccine is “ an inaccurate representation of the conversation.
” Asked if he can give insight into his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What I can say is , we have heard from a number of sources , including the White House , that there was a desire for us to move as quickly as possible , ” Hahn said .
Hahn asserted that the FDA has an “ absolute obligation ” to the public to ensure a thorough scientific review of COVID-19 vaccines .
“ We needed to ensure that our gold standard of assessing the safety and the efficacy of vaccine was done and was done properly , ” Hahn said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I believe we did.
” COVID-19 vaccine czar Moncef Slaoui was pressed on reports of the call between Meadows and Hahn during an interview on “ Fox News Sunday.
” Slaoui first replied that “ those are rumors ” and that he “ can ’ t know if they are right , true or not.
” However , Slaoui said that if reports of what happened during the phone call between Meadows and Hahn are true , then “ it was useless and unfortunate .
”

FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn on Sunday reiterated his denial that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows reportedly pressured him into granting an emergency use authorization for Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine by the end of Friday, or else he would have to resign.
The Washington Post, which was first to report on Meadows’ ultimatum to Hahn in a phone call, also reported that President Trump has fumed about the FDA chief since the vaccine began being distributed in the UK last week.
Hours after Meadows and Hahn had a call Friday morning, the FDA announced the authorization of Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine late Friday night.
In a statement issued Friday afternoon, Hahn said that the Post’s report on his call with Meadows was an “untrue representation.”
‘The FDA was encouraged to continue working expeditiously on Pfizer-BioNTech’s (emergency use authorization) request,” Hahn said on Friday. “FDA is committed to issuing this authorization quickly, as we noted in our statement this morning.”
Hahn issued a similar denial on Saturday, during a joint news conference with Dr. Peter Marks, who heads the FDA’s vaccine and biologicals branch.
“The representations in the press that I was threatened to be fired if we didn’t get it done by a certain date is inaccurate,” Hahn said on Saturday.
On Sunday, Hahn hammered into his denial further by saying that reports of Meadows threatening to fire the FDA chief in his attempt to strong arm the FDA into authorizing the Pfizer vaccine is “an inaccurate representation of the conversation.”
Asked if he can give insight into his conversation with Meadows, Hahn declined.
“What I can say is, we have heard from a number of sources, including the White House, that there was a desire for us to move as quickly as possible,” Hahn said.
Hahn asserted that the FDA has an “absolute obligation” to the public to ensure a thorough scientific review of COVID-19 vaccines.
“We needed to ensure that our gold standard of assessing the safety and the efficacy of vaccine was done and was done properly,” Hahn said. “We had to get this right. And I believe we did.”
"That is an inaccurate representation of the conversation,” FDA chief Dr. Stephen Hahn says on reports that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told Hahn he needed authorize the Pfizer/BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine by last Friday or resign https://t.co/iAJw7jxJif #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/jjE0U5fsj3 — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) December 13, 2020
COVID-19 vaccine czar Moncef Slaoui was pressed on reports of the call between Meadows and Hahn during an interview on “Fox News Sunday.”
Slaoui first replied that “those are rumors” and that he “can’t know if they
are right, true or not.”
However, Slaoui said that if reports of what happened during the phone call between Meadows and Hahn are true, then “it was useless and unfortunate.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-13--Azar Dismisses Bipartisan Report On Govs Urging More Fed Funding On COVID As ‘Partisan Sniping’

HHS secretary Alex Azar on Sunday dismissed a bipartisan report by the National Governors Association last week , which found that governors requested at least $ 8.4 billion in federal funds to conduct COVID-19 vaccination program activities , as “ partisan sniping ” during an interview on CBS .
When asked about why states have received $ 200 million from the federal government that is specifically allocated for COVID-19 vaccination efforts , falling short of governors ’ request , Azar insisted “ we are getting them the money.
” Azar pointed to New York state and New York City as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haven ’ t drawn down a penny of the money ” that the federal government made available for vaccine distribution efforts .
“ I think we ’ ve had one percent of the moneys available , drawn down , ” Azar said .
Azar argued that “ there ’ s a bit of partisanship going on ” before going to dismiss the NGA ’ s report by ranting about how “ states need to operate as air traffic controllers.
” After CBS anchor Margaret Brennan interjected by pointing out that the NGA is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asserted that funding for COVID-19 vaccine operations have “ been worked out ” and that anyone who doesn ’ t agree with his assessment is guilty of “ partisan sniping.
” “ There ’ s just a lot of partisan sniping going on right now when we ought to be celebrating the fact that we ’ ve got millions and millions of doses of FDA safe and effective vaccine going out , ” Azar said .
“ Our governors have this.
” Azar added that the federal government has “ worked out comprehensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdictions in the country by providing “ feedback back and forth.
” “ At the actual technical level this is working .
It will work .
It ’ s under control , ” Azar said .
“ We ’ re leveraging the private distribution system that works every year for flu vaccines and other vaccines .
”

HHS secretary Alex Azar on Sunday dismissed a bipartisan report by the National Governors Association last week, which found that governors requested at least $8.4 billion in federal funds to conduct COVID-19 vaccination program activities, as “partisan sniping” during an interview on CBS.
When asked about why states have received $200 million from the federal government that is specifically allocated for COVID-19 vaccination efforts, falling short of governors’ request, Azar insisted “we are getting them the money.”
Azar pointed to New York state and New York City as an example by saying that they “haven’t drawn down a penny of the money” that the federal government made available for vaccine distribution efforts.
“I think we’ve had one percent of the moneys available, drawn down,” Azar said.
Azar argued that “there’s a bit of partisanship going on” before going to dismiss the NGA’s report by ranting about how “states need to operate as air traffic controllers.”
After CBS anchor Margaret Brennan interjected by pointing out that the NGA is a bipartisan group, Azar once again asserted that funding for COVID-19 vaccine operations have “been worked out” and that anyone who doesn’t agree with his assessment is guilty of “partisan sniping.”
“There’s just a lot of partisan sniping going on right now when we ought to be celebrating the fact that we’ve got millions and millions of doses of FDA safe and effective vaccine going out,” Azar said. “Our governors have this.”
Azar added that the federal government has “worked out comprehensive plans” with all 64 public health jurisdictions in the country by providing “feedback back and forth.”
“At the actual technical level this is working. It will work. It’s under control,” Azar said. “We’re leveraging the private distribution system that works every year for flu vaccines and other vaccines.”
Watch Azar’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-13--NIH Chief Pleads For Public To Ditch ‘Conspiracy Theories’ On Approved Vaccines

Dr. Francis Collins , the director of the National Institutes of Health , on Sunday urged the public to put skepticism surrounding approved COVID-19 vaccines aside as polls have shown that a significant amount of Americans are hesitant about getting vaccinated , even as the country nears 300,000 deaths from the pandemic .
The first shipments of Pfizer ’ s COVID-19 vaccine shipped out of its plant in Michigan on Sunday morning , just two days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized it for emergency use in the country .
Pfizer ’ s vaccine has also received authorization in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bahrain .
Pfizer ’ s Phase 3 trials reported that its vaccine has an efficacy of 95 % when given in two doses that are three weeks apart .
During an interview on “ Meet the Press ” on Sunday , Collins urged the public to “ hit the reset button ” on doubts surrounding approved COVID-19 vaccines as he emphasized the safety measures that were taken into approving the vaccines .
“ I would like to plead to people who are listening to this this morning to really hit the reset button @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this vaccine that might cause them to be so skeptical , ” Collins said .
“ The data is out there now.
” Collins emphasize the “ very powerful outcome of this incredibly intense , yearlong experience ” to develop COVID-19 vaccines while issuing his plea .
“ I think all reasonable people — if they had the chance to put the noise aside and disregard all those terrible conspiracy theories — would look at this and say : I want this for my family , I want it for myself , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now ; how could you possibly say let ’ s wait and see if that might mean some terrible tragedy is going to befall.
” When asked whether rhetoric by President Trump — who has put pressure on public health officials such as FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn to approve the vaccine prior to Hahn ’ s announcement of the FDA ’ s approval on Friday — plays into public skepticism of receiving COVID-19 vaccines , Collins believes that it does .
“ I think that is part of the skepticism , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflect the terrible polarization we have in this country about absolutely everything , ” Collins said .
“ There have been few if any vaccines that have ever been subjected to this level of scrutiny .
If you want to look at the facts , I think you should be very reassured .
”

Dr. Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health, on Sunday urged the public to put skepticism surrounding approved COVID-19 vaccines aside as polls have shown that a significant amount of Americans are hesitant about getting vaccinated, even as the country nears 300,000 deaths from the pandemic.
The first shipments of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine shipped out of its plant in Michigan on Sunday morning, just two days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized it for emergency use in the country. Pfizer’s vaccine has also received authorization in in the United Kingdom, Canada and Bahrain.
Pfizer’s Phase 3 trials reported that its vaccine has an efficacy of 95% when given in two doses that are three weeks apart.
During an interview on “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Collins urged the public to “hit the reset button” on doubts surrounding approved COVID-19 vaccines as he emphasized the safety measures that were taken into approving the vaccines.
“I would like to plead to people who are listening to this this morning to really hit the reset button on whatever they think they knew about this vaccine that might cause them to be so skeptical,” Collins said. “The data is out there now.”
Collins emphasize the “very powerful outcome of this incredibly intense, yearlong experience” to develop COVID-19 vaccines while issuing his plea.
“I think all reasonable people — if they had the chance to put the noise aside and disregard all those terrible conspiracy theories — would look at this and say: I want this for my family, I want it for myself,” Collins said. “People are dying right now; how could you possibly say let’s wait and see if that might mean some terrible tragedy is going to befall.”
When asked whether rhetoric by President Trump — who has put pressure on public health officials such as FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn to approve the vaccine prior to Hahn’s announcement of the FDA’s approval on Friday — plays into public skepticism of receiving COVID-19 vaccines, Collins believes that it does.
“I think that is part of the skepticism, along with a lot of other things that reflect the terrible polarization we have in this country about absolutely everything,” Collins said. “There have been few if any vaccines that have ever been subjected to this level of scrutiny. If you want to look at the facts, I think you should be very reassured.”
Watch Collins’ remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-13--Christie Rips Trump And His Lawyers For Their ‘Absurdity’ In Contesting Election Results

Former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie ( R ) on Sunday issued a blistering rebuke of President Trump and his legal team by calling out their flailing attempts to contest the election results even after the Supreme Court rejected Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ’ s ( R ) lawsuit suing four swing states that President-elect Joe Biden won .
Christie , who excoriated Trump ’ s legal team last month for being “ a national embarrassment ” as its lawsuits baselessly alleging widespread voter fraud fizzled out , doubled down on his rebuke by calling efforts by Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results an “ absurdity ” while appearing on ABC News Sunday morning .
“ Listen , the legal theory put forward by his legal team and by the President is an absurdity , ” Christie said .
Christie then referred to the Supreme Court rejecting Paxton ’ s lawsuit on Friday .
“ And the reason why the Supreme Court didn ’ t take it is because it ’ s an absurd idea to think that any state , or any number of states , no matter how good they are , can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run the election as they see fit , ” Christie said .
“ And also there ’ s no evidence.
” When asked about his predictions for the Republican Party as a result , Christie urged his GOP colleagues to “ stand up and start to say these things.
” “ I mean , you know , the fact is in Georgia , and people should know this , that signature verification , which the president continues to tweet about , has been done twice in this election , ” Christie said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court ’ s rejection of Paxton ’ s lawsuit is “ not because of a lack of courage.
” “ It ’ s for the same reason that every court has thrown this out , ” Christie said .
“ It ’ s a lack of evidence and a lack of any type of legal theory that makes any sense .
”

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Sunday issued a blistering rebuke of President Trump and his legal team by calling out their flailing attempts to contest the election results even after the Supreme Court rejected Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s (R) lawsuit suing four swing states that President-elect Joe Biden won.
Christie, who excoriated Trump’s legal team last month for being “a national embarrassment” as its lawsuits baselessly alleging widespread voter fraud fizzled out, doubled down on his rebuke by calling efforts by Trump’s orbit to challenge the election results an “absurdity” while appearing on ABC News Sunday morning.
“Listen, the legal theory put forward by his legal team and by the President is an absurdity,” Christie said.
Christie then referred to the Supreme Court rejecting Paxton’s lawsuit on Friday.
“And the reason why the Supreme Court didn’t take it is because it’s an absurd idea to think that any state, or any number of states, no matter how good they are, can challenge another state’s right to run the election as they see fit,” Christie said. “And also there’s no evidence.”
When asked about his predictions for the Republican Party as a result, Christie urged his GOP colleagues to “stand up and start to say these things.”
“I mean, you know, the fact is in Georgia, and people should know this, that signature verification, which the president continues to tweet about, has been done twice in this election,” Christie said.
Christie went on to argue that the Supreme Court’s rejection of Paxton’s lawsuit is “not because of a lack of courage.”
“It’s for the same reason that every court has thrown this out,” Christie said. “It’s a lack of evidence and a lack of any type of legal theory that makes any sense.”
Watch Christie’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-13--Trump Revives Grudge Against Barr For Being Tight-Lipped On Hunter Biden Probes

Adding to his crusade of spouting falsehoods about the election , President Trump continued having a meltdown over Attorney General Bill Barr keeping him in the dark about ongoing federal probes involving Hunter Biden that pre-date last month ’ s general election , during an interview that aired on “ Fox and Friends ” Sunday morning .
In the past week , Trump has continuously lashed out at Barr , who appears to have been on thin ice lately , following the Wall Street Journal ’ s report that suggested the attorney general has been working to keep quiet a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaigns leading up to last month ’ s election .
The probe was launched in 2018 , predating Barr ’ s tenure as attorney general .
Trump and his Republican allies have nagged Barr to investigate the younger Biden .
The sitting president ’ s obsession with digging up dirt on the President-elect ’ s son leading up to the 2020 campaign , which includes a July 2019 call to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into doing his bidding , ultimately led to Trump ’ s impeachment .
Trump continued taking aim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kilmeade before an Army-Navy football game in West Point , New York on Saturday .
Trump griped to Kilmeade that Barr “ should have stepped up ” as he ranted about then-Special Counsel Robert Mueller denying Buzzfeed ’ s report last year that the president had instructed his lawyer , Michael Cohen , to lie in his testimony to Congress .
Trump went on to double down on his assertion that Barr should ’ ve told him about the investigation on the younger Biden .
The sitting president insisted he doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ” Hunter Biden .
“ Whatever it is the facts .
I don ’ t want to see anything bad happen to Hunter Biden , ” Trump , who urged Barr in October to appoint a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden , said .
“ I purposely stay out of it.
” Trump complained that Barr “ frankly did the wrong thing ” and that he “ had an obligation to set the record straight ” just like Mueller supposedly did , again referring to the then-Special Counsel ’ s denial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Robert Mueller stood up and said that is a false statement , ” Trump said .
“ And that was a great thing .
”

Adding to his crusade of spouting falsehoods about the election, President Trump continued having a meltdown over Attorney General Bill Barr keeping him in the dark about ongoing federal probes involving Hunter Biden that pre-date last month’s general election, during an interview that aired on “Fox and Friends” Sunday morning.
In the past week, Trump has continuously lashed out at Barr, who appears to have been on thin ice lately, following the Wall Street Journal’s report that suggested the attorney general has been working to keep quiet a federal probe involving the younger Biden during the campaigns leading up to last month’s election. The probe was launched in 2018, predating Barr’s tenure as attorney general.
Trump and his Republican allies have nagged Barr to investigate the younger Biden. The sitting president’s obsession with digging up dirt on the President-elect’s son leading up to the 2020 campaign, which includes a July 2019 call to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into doing his bidding, ultimately led to Trump’s impeachment.
Trump continued taking aim at Barr while speaking with co-host Brian Kilmeade before an Army-Navy football game in West Point, New York on Saturday.
Trump griped to Kilmeade that Barr “should have stepped up” as he ranted about then-Special Counsel Robert Mueller denying Buzzfeed’s report last year that the president had instructed his lawyer, Michael Cohen, to lie in his testimony to Congress.
Trump went on to double down on his assertion that Barr should’ve told him about the investigation on the younger Biden. The sitting president insisted he doesn’t “want to see anything bad happen to” Hunter Biden.
“Whatever it is the facts. I don’t want to see anything bad happen to Hunter Biden,” Trump, who urged Barr in October to appoint a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden, said. “I purposely stay out of it.”
Trump complained that Barr “frankly did the wrong thing” and that he “had an obligation to set the record straight” just like Mueller supposedly did, again referring to the then-Special Counsel’s denial of Buzzfeed’s report last year.
“Robert Mueller stood up and said that is a false statement,” Trump said. “And that was a great thing.”
Watch Trump’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-13--First Shipments Of COVID-19 Vaccine Depart Pfizer Plant In Michigan

KALAMAZOO , Michigan ( AP ) — The first trucks carrying a COVID-19 vaccine for widespread use in the United States pulled out of a Michigan manufacturing facility Sunday , with the shots that are critical to stopping the nation ’ s coronavirus outbreak beginning in earnest a day later .
Shipments of the Pfizer vaccine will set in motion the biggest vaccination effort in American history at a critical juncture of the pandemic that has killed 1.6 million and sickened 71 million worldwide .
Initially , about 3 million doses were expected to be sent out , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home residents as infections , hospitalizations and deaths soar in the U.S. With numbers likely to get worse over the holidays , the vaccine is offering a bright spot in the fight against the pandemic that ’ s killed nearly 300,000 Americans .
Federal officials say the first shipments of Pfizer ’ s vaccine will be staggered , arriving in 145 distribution centers Monday , with an additional 425 sites getting shipments Tuesday , and the remaining 66 on Wednesday .
The vaccine , co-developed by German partner BioNTech , is being doled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adult population .
Pennsylvania health care giant UPMC has chosen staff who are critical to operating its facilities as among those getting the first round of vaccinations , said Dr. Graham Snyder , who led the center ’ s vaccine task force .
“ It ’ s very exciting .
I will be thrilled , that moment when we administer our first dose , ” Snyder said Saturday .
“ That will clearly be a watershed moment for us.
” Snyder said the UPMC system estimates that half its employees are willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s offered to them .
The vaccine is heading to hospitals and other sites that can store it at extremely low temperatures — about 94 degrees below zero .
Pfizer is using containers with dry ice and GPS-enabled sensors to ensure each shipment stays colder than the weather in Antarctica .
Doses should be delivered to all vaccination sites identified by states , such as local pharmacies , within three weeks , federal officials said .
The 40-hospital Oschner Health System in Louisiana and Mississippi expects to receive more than 9,000 doses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sandra Kemmerly , medical director of hospital quality .
Employees approved for the first round are getting texts and emails directing them to schedule their initial injection , she said .
“ I would say there ’ s enthusiasm , ” Kemmerly said Saturday .
“ There ’ s that thought that maybe they don ’ t have to be so afraid to come to work if they can be vaccinated and be immune.
” The rollout will ensure there is enough vaccine to give people the two doses needed for full protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is holding back 3 million doses to give those vaccinated in the first round a second shot a few weeks later .
The Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of the vaccine Friday , saying it is highly protective and presents no major safety issues .
While U.S. regulators worked for months to emphasize the rigor and independence of their review , they faced political pressure until the final stages .
Concerns that a shot was rushed out could undermine vaccination efforts in a country with deeply ingrained skepticism about vaccines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency ’ s decision was based on science , not politics , despite a White House threat to fire him if the vaccine wasn ’ t approved before Saturday .
While the vaccine was determined to be safe , regulators in the U.K. are investigating several severe allergic reactions .
The FDA ’ s instructions tell providers not give it to those with a known history of severe allergic reactions to any of its ingredients .
Another vaccine by Moderna will be reviewed by an expert panel next week and soon afterward could @ @ @ @ @ @

KALAMAZOO, Michigan (AP) — The first trucks carrying a COVID-19 vaccine for widespread use in the United States pulled out of a Michigan manufacturing facility Sunday, with the shots that are critical to stopping the nation’s coronavirus outbreak beginning in earnest a day later.
Shipments of the Pfizer vaccine will set in motion the biggest vaccination effort in American history at a critical juncture of the pandemic that has killed 1.6 million and sickened 71 million worldwide.
Initially, about 3 million doses were expected to be sent out, and the priority is health care workers and nursing home residents as infections, hospitalizations and deaths soar in the U.S. With numbers likely to get worse over the holidays, the vaccine is offering a bright spot in the fight against the pandemic that’s killed nearly 300,000 Americans.
Federal officials say the first shipments of Pfizer’s vaccine will be staggered, arriving in 145 distribution centers Monday, with an additional 425 sites getting shipments Tuesday, and the remaining 66 on Wednesday. The vaccine, co-developed by German partner BioNTech, is being doled out based on each state’s adult population.
Pennsylvania health care giant UPMC has chosen staff who are critical to operating its facilities as among those getting the first round of vaccinations, said Dr. Graham Snyder, who led the center’s vaccine task force.
“It’s very exciting. I will be thrilled, that moment when we administer our first dose,” Snyder said Saturday. “That will clearly be a watershed moment for us.”
Snyder said the UPMC system estimates that half its employees are willing to get the vaccine as soon as it’s offered to them.
The vaccine is heading to hospitals and other sites that can store it at extremely low temperatures — about 94 degrees below zero. Pfizer is using containers with dry ice and GPS-enabled sensors to ensure each shipment stays colder than the weather in Antarctica.
Doses should be delivered to all vaccination sites identified by states, such as local pharmacies, within three weeks, federal officials said.
The 40-hospital Oschner Health System in Louisiana and Mississippi expects to receive more than 9,000 doses in the coming days, said Dr. Sandra Kemmerly, medical director of hospital quality.
Employees approved for the first round are getting texts and emails directing them to schedule their initial injection, she said.
“I would say there’s enthusiasm,” Kemmerly said Saturday. “There’s that thought that maybe they don’t have to be so afraid to come to work if they can be vaccinated and be immune.”
The rollout will ensure there is enough vaccine to give people the two doses needed for full protection against COVID-19. That means the government is holding back 3 million doses to give those vaccinated in the first round a second shot a few weeks later.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of the vaccine Friday, saying it is highly protective and presents no major safety issues. While U.S. regulators worked for months to emphasize the rigor and independence of their review, they faced political pressure until the final stages.
Concerns that a shot was rushed out could undermine vaccination efforts in a country with deeply ingrained skepticism about vaccines. The head of the FDA said the agency’s decision was based on science, not politics, despite a White House threat to fire him if the vaccine wasn’t approved before Saturday.
While the vaccine was determined to be safe, regulators in the U.K. are investigating several severe allergic reactions. The FDA’s instructions tell providers not give it to those with a known history of severe allergic reactions to any of its ingredients.
Another vaccine by Moderna will be reviewed by an expert panel next week and soon afterward could be allowed for public use.