talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-16--NC GOP Rep Calls BLM Protesters ‘Vermin,’ Urges Police To Shoot Those Who Resist Arrest

Rep. Larry Pittman , a Republican representative in North Carolina , called protesters in Seattle “ thugs ” and “ vermin , ” and encouraged police there to shoot those who resist arrest .
He said that if he was in charge , he ’ d encourage police to “ take back our city , ” calling the protesters “ domestic terrorists.
” “ If they resist and attack you , shoot them , ” he wrote .
“ Innocent citizens have a right to expect elected officials and law enforcement officers to protect them and their property , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a right to defend themselves with deadly force if they are able .
This is war.
” He rounded off the tirade with the supposition that a frequent boogeyman for the far right , liberal billionaire George Soros , is funding the protesters .
He added that none of the demonstrators actually care about George Floyd , the Minneapolis man whose death at police ’ s hands sparked the nationwide protests .
“ They are bent on destroying our country and our way of life , and they will use any tragedy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clueless people that their radical injustice is justice , ” he wrote .
He did not immediately respond to TPM ’ s questions , and told the Raleigh News & Observer that he doesn ’ t do interviews .
Pittman is also a pastor .
The lawmaker , who is currently running for his fifth term , has a rich history of making incendiary comments .
In 2017 , he compared Adolf Hitler to Abraham Lincoln in a Facebook post responding to someone criticizing a bill he introduced to make gay marriage illegal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same sort of tyrant , and personally responsible for the deaths of over 800,000 Americans in a war that was unnecessary and unconstitutional , ” he wrote .
He later issued a very dubious walk-back .
“ While both Lincoln and Hitler were obviously bad guys , what Hitler did was worse and I apologize if people thought I was putting them in the same league.
” And in 2011 , he urged his fellow assembly members to herald in a return to public hangings , specifically for doctors who perform abortions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the fall and is running against Democrat Gail Young , a leadership consultant who previously worked in local government , per her website .
Young challenged him in 2018 too , falling short with 47 percent to his 53 .
“ This is just the latest in a long series of incendiary and divisive comments from Rep. Pittman , and I ’ m deeply disappointed that he would choose to incite violence in these already difficult times for so many families , ” Young told TPM .
“ I ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together and I ’ ll work to make sure people in Cabarrus County feel safe and healthy .
”

Rep. Larry Pittman, a Republican representative in North Carolina, called protesters in Seattle “thugs” and “vermin,” and encouraged police there to shoot those who resist arrest.
He said that if he was in charge, he’d encourage police to “take back our city,” calling the protesters “domestic terrorists.”
“If they resist and attack you, shoot them,” he wrote.
“Innocent citizens have a right to expect elected officials and law enforcement officers to protect them and their property,” he said. “They also have a right to defend themselves with deadly force if they are able. This is war.”
He rounded off the tirade with the supposition that a frequent boogeyman for the far right, liberal billionaire George Soros, is funding the protesters. He added that none of the demonstrators actually care about George Floyd, the Minneapolis man whose death at police’s hands sparked the nationwide protests.
“They are bent on destroying our country and our way of life, and they will use any tragedy, any slogan, any excuse to convince clueless people that their radical injustice is justice,” he wrote.
He did not immediately respond to TPM’s questions, and told the Raleigh News & Observer that he doesn’t do interviews. Pittman is also a pastor.
The lawmaker, who is currently running for his fifth term, has a rich history of making incendiary comments.
In 2017, he compared Adolf Hitler to Abraham Lincoln in a Facebook post responding to someone criticizing a bill he introduced to make gay marriage illegal in North Carolina.
“Lincoln was the same sort of tyrant, and personally responsible for the deaths of over 800,000 Americans in a war that was unnecessary and unconstitutional,” he wrote.
He later issued a very dubious walk-back. “While both Lincoln and Hitler were obviously bad guys, what Hitler did was worse and I apologize if people thought I was putting them in the same league.”
And in 2011, he urged his fellow assembly members to herald in a return to public hangings, specifically for doctors who perform abortions.
He’s up for reelection in the fall and is running against Democrat Gail Young, a leadership consultant who previously worked in local government, per her website. Young challenged him in 2018 too, falling short with 47 percent to his 53.
“This is just the latest in a long series of incendiary and divisive comments from Rep. Pittman, and I’m deeply disappointed that he would choose to incite violence in these already difficult times for so many families,” Young told TPM. “I’ll be a leader who seeks to bring us together and I’ll work to make sure people in Cabarrus County feel safe and healthy.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-16--NE Dems Renounce Senate Pick After Joke About Group Sex Scene With Female Staffer

OMAHA , Neb .
( AP ) — The Nebraska Democratic Party called on its U.S. Senate nominee to drop out of the race Tuesday after he made sexually repugnant comments about a campaign staffer in a group text with her and other staffers .
The party said its state executive committee voted unanimously on Monday evening to withdraw all of its resources from Chris Janicek ’ s campaign .
Janicek , the owner of an Omaha cupcake bakery , is challenging Republican Sen. Ben Sasse , who is seeking a second term .
Janicek accepted the Democratic nomination a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning a seven-candidate primary race , but the odds of winning in November were against him in Republican-dominated Nebraska even before his party withdrew its support .
“ Our Democratic Party has no tolerance for sexual harassment , ” state Democratic Party Chairwoman Jane Kleeb said in a statement .
“ Our party will not extend resources or any type of support to any candidate that violates our code of conduct and doesn ’ t treat men and women with the dignity and respect they deserve.
” The text messages , which were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a group chat involving Janicek and five other people , including the female staffer .
At one point , he wrote that he had argued with her and then asked whether the campaign should spend money on “ getting her laid.
” “ It will probably take three guys , ” he wrote , before describing in graphic detail an imagined group sex scene involving the female staffer .
He then tried walk back those comments as “ a joke , ” and texted an apology to the group .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bunch of exuberant excitement and I think I was out of line , ” he wrote .
The female staffer texted back that she was appalled by his comments and could no longer support his campaign .
“ You are my boss and a candidate running for Senate , ( an ) office held by just 100 Americans representing approximately 330 million of her people , ” she wrote .
“ There is zero tolerance for what you said.
” Party officials said they demanded that Janicek withdraw as the party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
The campaign staffer , who has since quit , filed a formal complaint with the party alleging that Janicek violated its code of conduct that prohibits sexual harassment .
In a brief phone interview , Janicek said he doesn ’ t plan to drop out of the race .
He alleged that the party was targeting him because he disagreed with its more liberal activists on issues such as abortion rights and gun control .
“ They ’ re using this as a crutch , ” he said .
Janicek didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments , but he said he apologized for them and assumed the matter would be kept private .
Vince Powers , a Lincoln attorney and former state party chairman who is representing the female staffer , said Janicek also apologized to his client in person , but that she still wants him out of the race .
“ People go to work for Democratic candidates in an underdog race because they ’ re idealists , ” Powers said .
“ So when you get a text like this , it ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Janicek on the November general election ballot if he files a request with the Nebraska secretary of state ’ s office to have his name removed .
If Janicek does withdraw , the party would have a few months to field a replacement .
The last day for the secretary of state ’ s office to certify candidates this year is Sept. 11 , which is 50 days before the general election .

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Democratic Party called on its U.S. Senate nominee to drop out of the race Tuesday after he made sexually repugnant comments about a campaign staffer in a group text with her and other staffers.
The party said its state executive committee voted unanimously on Monday evening to withdraw all of its resources from Chris Janicek’s campaign.
Janicek, the owner of an Omaha cupcake bakery, is challenging Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, who is seeking a second term. Janicek accepted the Democratic nomination a little more than a month ago after winning a seven-candidate primary race, but the odds of winning in November were against him in Republican-dominated Nebraska even before his party withdrew its support.
“Our Democratic Party has no tolerance for sexual harassment,” state Democratic Party Chairwoman Jane Kleeb said in a statement. “Our party will not extend resources or any type of support to any candidate that violates our code of conduct and doesn’t treat men and women with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
The text messages, which were obtained by The Associated Press, were from a group chat involving Janicek and five other people, including the female staffer. At one point, he wrote that he had argued with her and then asked whether the campaign should spend money on “getting her laid.”
“It will probably take three guys,” he wrote, before describing in graphic detail an imagined group sex scene involving the female staffer.
He then tried walk back those comments as “a joke,” and texted an apology to the group.
“I’m going on no sleep and a bunch of exuberant excitement and I think I was out of line,” he wrote.
The female staffer texted back that she was appalled by his comments and could no longer support his campaign.
“You are my boss and a candidate running for Senate, (an) office held by just 100 Americans representing approximately 330 million of her people,” she wrote. “There is zero tolerance for what you said.”
Party officials said they demanded that Janicek withdraw as the party’s nominee, which he refused to do.
The campaign staffer, who has since quit, filed a formal complaint with the party alleging that Janicek violated its code of conduct that prohibits sexual harassment.
In a brief phone interview, Janicek said he doesn’t plan to drop out of the race. He alleged that the party was targeting him because he disagreed with its more liberal activists on issues such as abortion rights and gun control.
“They’re using this as a crutch,” he said.
Janicek didn’t deny that he made offensive comments, but he said he apologized for them and assumed the matter would be kept private.
Vince Powers, a Lincoln attorney and former state party chairman who is representing the female staffer, said Janicek also apologized to his client in person, but that she still wants him out of the race.
“People go to work for Democratic candidates in an underdog race because they’re idealists,” Powers said. “So when you get a text like this, it’s just devastating.”
Party officials can only replace Janicek on the November general election ballot if he files a request with the Nebraska secretary of state’s office to have his name removed. If Janicek does withdraw, the party would have a few months to field a replacement. The last day for the secretary of state’s office to certify candidates this year is Sept. 11, which is 50 days before the general election.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-16--Feds Charge Man Tied To ‘Boogaloo’ Movement With Second Killing, Arrest Alleged Accomplice

The man charged with killing a police officer in Cailfornia in June — and accused of scrawling the word “ BOOG ” in blood on the hood of a car during his arrest — is now also formally accused of another murder a week earlier in May Authorities alleged Tuesday that the man , Air Force Sgt .
Steven Carrillo , killed one Federal Protective Service officer and seriously wounded another in a drive-by shooting .
The alleged driver in the May shooting — Robert Justus — has also now been arrested , U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson announced Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he and Justus discussed a movement known as “ boogaloo ” — a reference to taking up arms against the government — before carrying out the attack .
Carrillo and Justus chose the day of their attack to coincide with protests in Oakland over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis — because there would be ample law enforcement targets , authorities alleged Tuesday .
“ There is no evidence that these men had any intention to join the demonstration in Oakland , ” said John Bennet , the agent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco division , adding : “ They came to Oakland to kill cops.
” Carrillo was charged in a federal complaint with murder and attempted murder for the killing of the federal officer , Dave Patrick Underwood .
Justus was charged separately with aiding and abetting the murder and attempted murder .
Carillo would allegedly later go on to kill Sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Damon Gutzwiller on June 6 .
According to the complaint against Carrillo , authorities believe he and Justus aligned themselves with the “ boogaloo ” movement , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ armed conflict with the government , and that anticipates a second Civil War .
According to the complaint released Tuesday , Justus said he ’ d met Carrillo online and initially agreed to meet him in person to drive him to protests in Oakland .
In an interview with an FBI agent , Justus allegedly said that that he ’ d driven Carrillo in May , during the first alleged murder .
But said he felt he had to participate because “ he was trapped in the van with Carrillo , ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said he wanted to try and talk Carrillo out of his plan .
In the complaint against Carrillo , however , authorities quote an alleged Facebook exchange between Carrillo and Justus : “ It ’ s on our coast now , this needs to be nationwide , ” Carrillo allegedly wrote above a video of a crowd attacking California two Highway Patrol vehicles .
“ It ’ s a great opportunity to target the specialty soup bois , ” he allegedly added , using a shorthand for officers of various federal agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the complaint noted , appeared to refer to the fact that federal law enforcement agencies are sometimes referred to as “ alphabet soup ” agencies .
A week after that alleged killing , Carrillo would allegedly kill Gutzwiller , a Santa Cruz Sheriff ’ s deputy , during an ambush attack .
Carrillo faces 19 felony counts for the attack and could face the death penalty .
The rampage , in a mountainous area outside Santa Cruz , left a grim trail of evidence .
Carrillo wrote “ BOOG ” and other phrases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle at the scene , a reference to “ Boogaloo.
” “ Boogaloo , ” a sarcastic derivation of the title of an ’ 80s breakdancing movie , refers to a second Civil War and has become popular with violent extremists and their supporters online .
According to the complaint against Carrillo , a ballistic vest found in his vehicle bore another reference to the Boogaloo movement — an American flag patch featuring a picture of an igloo and a a stripe of Hawaiian-style print running down the middle .
These are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Big Igloo ” and “ Big Luau.
” According to the complaint against him , Carillo used what ’ s known as a “ ghost ” machine gun in the second alleged killing — that is , a homemade weapon without a serial number .
At least one handgun ’ s shell casings were found at both crime scenes , according to the complaint against Carrillo .
It was not clear Tuesday whether Justus had legal representation .
Carrillo ’ s lawyer , Jeffrey Stotter , told ABC7 on Friday that Carrillo had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an apparent suicide in 2018 — and a traumatic brain injury in the past .
“ I ’ m not aware what impact these things may have on the case , I ’ m simply pointing out that there are more colors to Mr. Carrillo and what his possible motivation and what his involvement is , ” he said .
Read the complaints against Carrillo and Justus below :

The man charged with killing a police officer in Cailfornia in June — and accused of scrawling the word “BOOG” in blood on the hood of a car during his arrest — is now also formally accused of another murder a week earlier in May
Authorities alleged Tuesday that the man, Air Force Sgt. Steven Carrillo, killed one Federal Protective Service officer and seriously wounded another in a drive-by shooting.
The alleged driver in the May shooting — Robert Justus — has also now been arrested, U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson announced Tuesday.
According to the complaint against Carrillo, he and Justus discussed a movement known as “boogaloo” — a reference to taking up arms against the government — before carrying out the attack.
Carrillo and Justus chose the day of their attack to coincide with protests in Oakland over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis — because there would be ample law enforcement targets, authorities alleged Tuesday.
“There is no evidence that these men had any intention to join the demonstration in Oakland,” said John Bennet, the agent in charge of the FBI’s San Francisco division, adding: “They came to Oakland to kill cops.”
Carrillo was charged in a federal complaint with murder and attempted murder for the killing of the federal officer, Dave Patrick Underwood. Justus was charged separately with aiding and abetting the murder and attempted murder.
Carillo would allegedly later go on to kill Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller on June 6.
According to the complaint against Carrillo, authorities believe he and Justus aligned themselves with the “boogaloo” movement, a loose ideology that is oriented generally toward armed conflict with the government, and that anticipates a second Civil War. According to the complaint released Tuesday, Justus said he’d met Carrillo online and initially agreed to meet him in person to drive him to protests in Oakland.
In an interview with an FBI agent, Justus allegedly said that that he’d driven Carrillo in May, during the first alleged murder. But said he felt he had to participate because “he was trapped in the van with Carrillo,” in the complaint’s words. He also said he wanted to try and talk Carrillo out of his plan.
In the complaint against Carrillo, however, authorities quote an alleged Facebook exchange between Carrillo and Justus: “It’s on our coast now, this needs to be nationwide,” Carrillo allegedly wrote above a video of a crowd attacking California two Highway Patrol vehicles.
“It’s a great opportunity to target the specialty soup bois,” he allegedly added, using a shorthand for officers of various federal agencies.
“Specialty soup bois,” the complaint noted, appeared to refer to the fact that federal law enforcement agencies are sometimes referred to as “alphabet soup” agencies.
Justus allegedly responded: “Lets boogie.”
A week after that alleged killing, Carrillo would allegedly kill Gutzwiller, a Santa Cruz Sheriff’s deputy, during an ambush attack. Carrillo faces 19 felony counts for the attack and could face the death penalty.
The rampage, in a mountainous area outside Santa Cruz, left a grim trail of evidence. Carrillo wrote “BOOG” and other phrases in blood on the hood of a vehicle at the scene, a reference to “Boogaloo.”
“Boogaloo,” a sarcastic derivation of the title of an ’80s breakdancing movie, refers to a second Civil War and has become popular with violent extremists and their supporters online.
According to the complaint against Carrillo, a ballistic vest found in his vehicle bore another reference to the Boogaloo movement — an American flag patch featuring a picture of an igloo and a a stripe of Hawaiian-style print running down the middle. These are also derivations of “Boogaloo” — “Big Igloo” and “Big Luau.”
According to the complaint against him, Carillo used what’s known as a “ghost” machine gun in the second alleged killing — that is, a homemade weapon without a serial number. At least one handgun’s shell casings were found at both crime scenes, according to the complaint against Carrillo.
It was not clear Tuesday whether Justus had legal representation. Carrillo’s lawyer, Jeffrey Stotter, told ABC7 on Friday that Carrillo had suffered personal loss — his wife died of an apparent suicide in 2018 — and a traumatic brain injury in the past.
“I’m not aware what impact these things may have on the case, I’m simply pointing out that there are more colors to Mr. Carrillo and what his possible motivation and what his involvement is,” he said.
Read the complaints against Carrillo and Justus below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-16--Arizona Sets COVID Records As Outbreak Blazes

Arizona set statewide records on Monday for the number of new COVID-19 cases , hospitalizations , ventilators in use , and ICU beds in use , a range of markers that point to the severity of the ongoing outbreak .
In all , the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services recorded 2,392 new COVID-19 cases on Monday , according to data released today .
More worrisome from an epidemiological standpoint , however , is the state ’ s steady increase in hospitalizations and ICU and ventilator usage .
The state logged 1,506 COVID-19 patients in hospitals on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilators in use and 502 ICU beds taken up by COVID-19 patients .
Dr. Murtaza Akhter , an assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix and a supervisory emergency physician at the Maricopa Integrated Health System , told TPM that the recent surge came as a surprise .
“ COVID was here a couple of weeks ago , but nothing like at this level , ” he said .
Akhter described to TPM an emergency department brimming with COVID-19 patients , the vast majority of whom had already tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what was going on .
“ It felt like all hands on deck , ” Akhter said , adding that he was “ constantly ” getting calls for incoming COVID-19 patients .
He added that “ a couple of months ago , we were getting all of these stories about New York City — we had been prepped for a surge , but volumes went down.
” “ I worked yesterday in the ER , and I was taken aback , ” he said , recalling one patient who arrived and said her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumably also from COVID-19 .
“ The patients kept coming in , kept coming in , ” he said .
“ There were people being diagnosed in the ER , and people who had already tested COVID-positive and were struggling to breathe.
” As a state , Arizona has begun to veer towards hitting capacity on its ICU and hospital beds .
Governor Doug Ducey ( R ) issued an executive order in March mandating that hospitals create additional capacity for up to 50 percent more beds , and has said in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rely on surge capacity to provide care for patients during the outbreak .
Local reports suggest the situation could be deteriorating far faster in hotspot areas .
In Tuscon , Dr. Steven Oscherwitz tweeted on Monday that his hospital had only one ICU bed remaining .
Maricopa County , where the city of Phoenix is located , is in the hardest-hit portion of the state .
The county reported huge case and hospitalization growth in a report released Monday , recording a total of 463 ICU admissions due to COVID-19 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 15 .
Epidemiologists and public health officials have noted that Arizona ’ s case count began to increase sharply on May 25 — a long enough time after the stay at home order was lifted to suggest the virus has begun spreading widely again .
Akhter added that more cases were likely to come , in part because of the time it takes between infection and a patient falling into a serious enough state to require hospitalization .
“ One thing we know about this disease is that there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decompensation , ” he said .

Arizona set statewide records on Monday for the number of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, ventilators in use, and ICU beds in use, a range of markers that point to the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
In all, the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services recorded 2,392 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, according to data released today.
More worrisome from an epidemiological standpoint, however, is the state’s steady increase in hospitalizations and ICU and ventilator usage.
The state logged 1,506 COVID-19 patients in hospitals on Monday, setting another record, along with 340 ventilators in use and 502 ICU beds taken up by COVID-19 patients.
Dr. Murtaza Akhter, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix and a supervisory emergency physician at the Maricopa Integrated Health System, told TPM that the recent surge came as a surprise.
“COVID was here a couple of weeks ago, but nothing like at this level,” he said.
Akhter described to TPM an emergency department brimming with COVID-19 patients, the vast majority of whom had already tested positive and who arrived at the ER knowing what was going on.
“It felt like all hands on deck,” Akhter said, adding that he was “constantly” getting calls for incoming COVID-19 patients.
He added that “a couple of months ago, we were getting all of these stories about New York City — we had been prepped for a surge, but volumes went down.”
“I worked yesterday in the ER, and I was taken aback,” he said, recalling one patient who arrived and said her husband lay dead at their home, presumably also from COVID-19.
“The patients kept coming in, kept coming in,” he said. “There were people being diagnosed in the ER, and people who had already tested COVID-positive and were struggling to breathe.”
As a state, Arizona has begun to veer towards hitting capacity on its ICU and hospital beds. Governor Doug Ducey (R) issued an executive order in March mandating that hospitals create additional capacity for up to 50 percent more beds, and has said in recent days that the state would be able to rely on surge capacity to provide care for patients during the outbreak.
Local reports suggest the situation could be deteriorating far faster in hotspot areas.
In Tuscon, Dr. Steven Oscherwitz tweeted on Monday that his hospital had only one ICU bed remaining.
Just a #single #ICU #bed available this AM at Tucson Medical Center.
Better contact your #governor (quickly!) — Steven Oscherwitz MD (@drdetectve) June 15, 2020
Maricopa County, where the city of Phoenix is located, is in the hardest-hit portion of the state. The county reported huge case and hospitalization growth in a report released Monday, recording a total of 463 ICU admissions due to COVID-19.
The state’s stay-at-home order was lifted on May 15.
Epidemiologists and public health officials have noted that Arizona’s case count began to increase sharply on May 25 — a long enough time after the stay at home order was lifted to suggest the virus has begun spreading widely again.
Akhter added that more cases were likely to come, in part because of the time it takes between infection and a patient falling into a serious enough state to require hospitalization.
“One thing we know about this disease is that there’s a lot of time from testing positive to decompensation,” he said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-16--Tulsa Mayor Shares Anxiety About Upcoming Trump Rally In His City

Tulsa Mayor G.T .
Bynum announced that local officials would not block the Trump campaign from holding its rally at the BOK Center on Saturday , despite his own anxieties and increasing criticism and fear that the rally could exacerbate the city ’ s already mounting roster of confirmed COVID-19 cases .
“ I also will not attempt to block the state government or the President of the United States by invoking the local civil emergency authority in our city ordinance , ” Bynum wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday .
“ That authority was used earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapse of our local health care system.
” Although he said that hospitals are better equipped to handle cases than they were when the first strokes of the virus were felt in March , Bynum also admitted that he wasn ’ t initially aware that an invitation had even been extended to the Trump campaign to hold the event .
He only realized that the BOK Center would be hosting the rally when the center ’ s management reached out about securing police support for the event .
“ Do I share anxiety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BOK Center ?
” Bynum wrote .
“ Of course .
As someone who is cautious by nature , I don ’ t like to be the first to try anything .
I would have loved some other city to have proven the safety of such an event already.
” Bynum said that he will continue to keep a close watch on hospital capacity and the county ’ s positive test rates for the virus .
Bynum comes from a family of politicians — his uncle , grandfather and great-great-grandfather all served as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffer for GOP Sens .
Don Nickles and Tom Coburn and later as a city councilor , before beating another Republican in the Tulsa mayoral race in 2016 .
The mayor ’ s comments come after an urgent request to postpone the event from Tulsa Health Department ’ s director , Bruce Dart , who has advised Bynum on health concerns during the pandemic .
Dart cited concerns about potentially increased transmission risks for an indoor event and a rise in COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County .
The number of new cases across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second week of June , according to a Reuters analysis .
During an interview on “ Fox & Friends ” interview on Tuesday , Vice President Mike Pence suggested that an additional venue to accommodate the high demand for tickets could take at least some of the event outdoors .
“ I can tell you is it ’ s all a work in progress and we ’ ve had such an overwhelming response that we ’ re also looking at another venue .
We ’ re also looking at outside activities and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed as that goes forward , ” Pence said .

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum announced that local officials would not block the Trump campaign from holding its rally at the BOK Center on Saturday, despite his own anxieties and increasing criticism and fear that the rally could exacerbate the city’s already mounting roster of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
“I also will not attempt to block the state government or the President of the United States by invoking the local civil emergency authority in our city ordinance,” Bynum wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday. “That authority was used earlier this year under extraordinary circumstances to prevent the catastrophic collapse of our local health care system.”
Although he said that hospitals are better equipped to handle cases than they were when the first strokes of the virus were felt in March, Bynum also admitted that he wasn’t initially aware that an invitation had even been extended to the Trump campaign to hold the event. He only realized that the BOK Center would be hosting the rally when the center’s management reached out about securing police support for the event.
“Do I share anxiety about having a full house at the BOK Center?” Bynum wrote. “Of course. As someone who is cautious by nature, I don’t like to be the first to try anything. I would have loved some other city to have proven the safety of such an event already.”
Bynum said that he will continue to keep a close watch on hospital capacity and the county’s positive test rates for the virus. Bynum comes from a family of politicians — his uncle, grandfather and great-great-grandfather all served as mayor. He also served as a staffer for GOP Sens. Don Nickles and Tom Coburn and later as a city councilor, before beating another Republican in the Tulsa mayoral race in 2016.
The mayor’s comments come after an urgent request to postpone the event from Tulsa Health Department’s director, Bruce Dart, who has advised Bynum on health concerns during the pandemic. Dart cited concerns about potentially increased transmission risks for an indoor event and a rise in COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County. The number of new cases across the state rose 68% in the second week of June, according to a Reuters analysis.
During an interview on “Fox & Friends” interview on Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence suggested that an additional venue to accommodate the high demand for tickets could take at least some of the event outdoors.
“I can tell you is it’s all a work in progress and we’ve had such an overwhelming response that we’re also looking at another venue. We’re also looking at outside activities and I know the campaign team will keep people informed as that goes forward,” Pence said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-16--Pence Accuses Media Of Trying To Scare America, Argues Trump Admin Should Be Celebrated

Vice President Mike Pence accused the media of “ fear mongering ” with COVID-19 in a Wall Street Journal op-ed published on Tuesday , while wondering why President Donald Trump and the rest of the administration ’ s response to the outbreak wasn ’ t receiving glowing reviews .
Rattling off Trump ’ s usual laundry list of what he claims to be the administration ’ s “ great progress ” with the virus , Pence claimed that the media “ has tried to scare the American people every step of the way.
” “ The truth is , whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a success , ” the vice president wrote .
“ We ’ ve slowed the spread , we ’ ve cared for the most vulnerable , we ’ ve saved lives , and we ’ ve created a solid foundation for whatever challenges we may face in the future .
That ’ s a cause for celebration , not the media ’ s fear mongering.
” Pence ’ s self-congratulatory remarks echo that of White House senior adviser and son-in-law to Trump Jared Kushner , who described his father-in-law ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great success story ” at the end of April .
However , there have been jumps in COVID-19 cases in several states in recent days as parts of the country begin rolling back stay at home measures , and the death toll has climbed past 116,000 , according to John Hopkins University ’ s outbreak tracker .

Vice President Mike Pence accused the media of “fear mongering” with COVID-19 in a Wall Street Journal op-ed published on Tuesday, while wondering why President Donald Trump and the rest of the administration’s response to the outbreak wasn’t receiving glowing reviews.
Rattling off Trump’s usual laundry list of what he claims to be the administration’s “great progress” with the virus, Pence claimed that the media “has tried to scare the American people every step of the way.”
“The truth is, whatever the media says, our whole-of-America approach has been a success,” the vice president wrote. “We’ve slowed the spread, we’ve cared for the most vulnerable, we’ve saved lives, and we’ve created a solid foundation for whatever challenges we may face in the future. That’s a cause for celebration, not the media’s fear mongering.”
Pence’s self-congratulatory remarks echo that of White House senior adviser and son-in-law to Trump Jared Kushner, who described his father-in-law’s handling of the pandemic as a “great success story” at the end of April.
However, there have been jumps in COVID-19 cases in several states in recent days as parts of the country begin rolling back stay at home measures, and the death toll has climbed past 116,000, according to John Hopkins University’s outbreak tracker.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-16--A Definitive Rundown Of Unrelated Tangents Trump Raised During His Police Reform Event

President Trump ’ s signing of an executive order on police reform at the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday quickly veered into an event where he aired his grievances on a number of non-related topics .
Shortly after announcing his police reform executive order — which he said includes banning chokeholds “ unless an officer ’ s life is at risk ” — the President went off script to jab Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and tout the stock market ’ s performance amid an economy hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Reminder : I ’ m the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soon after his remarks about being “ one nation ” united in grief amid protests against police brutality in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death , Trump argued that “ law and order must be restored.
” “ Americans want law and order , they demand law and order .
They may not say it , they may not be talking about it , but that ’ s what they want , ” Trump said .
“ Some of them don ’ t know that that ’ s what they want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want .
They understand that when you remove the police , you hurt those that have the least , the most.
” Not long after suggesting now is not the time for the “ stoking of fear and division , ” Trump threw a punch at former President Barack Obama and his then-VP Biden , accusing them of “ never ” trying to reform policing tactics .
“ We will have reform without undermining our many great and extremely talented law enforcement officers , ” Trump said .
“ President Obama and Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this during their eight-year period .
The reason they didn ’ t try is because they had no idea how to do it and it is a complex situation.
” Calling school choice the “ civil rights of all time ” After hyping his belief that his administration is “ focused on creating opportunity , fighting for equal justice and truly delivering results , ” Trump insisted his team is fighting for school choice , which “ really is the civil rights of all time in this country.
” “ Frankly , school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year , of the decade and probably beyond because all children have to have access to quality education , ” Trump said .
“ A child ’ s zip code in America should never determine their future .
That ’ s what was happening.
” Trump went on to reiterate that all children deserve equal opportunity “ because we are all made equal by God ” before arguing that “ a great jobs market and thriving economy is probably the best thing ” that his administration can do to help black , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he ’ s “ building up ” the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic ruined what were once “ the best unemployment and employment numbers , ” Trump touted strong performances in retail sales .
“ Jobs are rapidly coming back and retail sales that were just announced two hours ago , just a little while ago , they ’ re up a staggering 17.7 % , ” Trump said , receiving applause from attendees before adding how “ amazing ” it is that projections exceeded expectations .
“ What does that mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roof .
These good numbers , they drove it up to a level that were almost at the same level , hard to believe.
” Trump added that the country ’ s economy is “ getting close to the level ” it was before the pandemic and “ before all of the things that you ’ ve seen happen happened.
” Trump predicted that there will be a “ very successful ” vaccine for COVID-19 before the end of the year before claiming that “ incredible ” scientists and doctors developed an AIDS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The President quickly corrected himself in a deadpan manner by saying that there is a therapeutic way to treat AIDS .
“ AIDS was a death sentence , ” Trump said .
“ Now people will live a life with a pill — it ’ s an incredible thing .
”

President Trump’s signing of an executive order on police reform at the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday quickly veered into an event where he aired his grievances on a number of non-related topics.
Shortly after announcing his police reform executive order — which he said includes banning chokeholds “unless an officer’s life is at risk” — the President went off script to jab Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and tout the stock market’s performance amid an economy hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s how Trump’s executive order performance played out:
Reminder: I’m the President of “law and order”
Soon after his remarks about being “one nation” united in grief amid protests against police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Trump argued that “law and order must be restored.”
“Americans want law and order, they demand law and order. They may not say it, they may not be talking about it, but that’s what they want,” Trump said. “Some of them don’t know that that’s what they want, but that’s what they want. They understand that when you remove the police, you hurt those that have the least, the most.”
Trump: "Americans want law and order and demand law and order … Some of them don't know that that's what they want but that's what they want." pic.twitter.com/JmFJbyipvR — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) June 16, 2020
Jabs at his presidential rival Joe Biden
Not long after suggesting now is not the time for the “stoking of fear and division,” Trump threw a punch at former President Barack Obama and his then-VP Biden, accusing them of “never” trying to reform policing tactics.
“We will have reform without undermining our many great and extremely talented law enforcement officers,” Trump said. “President Obama and Vice President Biden never even tried to fix this during their eight-year period. The reason they didn’t try is because they had no idea how to do it and it is a complex situation.”
Trump: "President Obama and vice president Biden never even tried to fix this during their eight-year period. The reason they didn't try is because they had no idea how to do it." pic.twitter.com/VnCwEo7imZ — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) June 16, 2020
Calling school choice the “civil rights of all time”
After hyping his belief that his administration is “focused on creating opportunity, fighting for equal justice and truly delivering results,” Trump insisted his team is fighting for school choice, which “really is the civil rights of all time in this country.”
“Frankly, school choice is the civil rights statement of the year, of the decade and probably beyond because all children have to have access to quality education,” Trump said. “A child’s zip code in America should never determine their future. That’s what was happening.”
Trump went on to reiterate that all children deserve equal opportunity “because we are all made equal by God” before arguing that “a great jobs market and thriving economy is probably the best thing” that his administration can do to help black, hispanic and Asian communities.
Trump: School choice is "really is the civil rights of all time in this country." pic.twitter.com/uAgR7Z9qwF — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) June 16, 2020
Brags about retail sale increases amid the COVID-19 pandemic
After claiming that he’s “building up” the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic ruined what were once “the best unemployment and employment numbers,” Trump touted strong performances in retail sales.
“Jobs are rapidly coming back and retail sales that were just announced two hours ago, just a little while ago, they’re up a staggering 17.7%,” Trump said, receiving applause from attendees before adding how “amazing” it is that projections exceeded expectations. “What does that mean? The stock market went through the roof. These good numbers, they drove it up to a level that were almost at the same level, hard to believe.”
Trump added that the country’s economy is “getting close to the level” it was before the pandemic and “before all of the things that you’ve seen happen happened.”
Getting nostalgic: "Every group. Everybody was thrilled. Everybody had just about high-paying jobs. Our country was never in a better position and we were planning on massive growth. It was happening. It was already there." pic.twitter.com/j8Rzl2JMmP — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) June 16, 2020
Falsely claiming that an AIDS vaccine exists
Trump predicted that there will be a “very successful” vaccine for COVID-19 before the end of the year before claiming that “incredible” scientists and doctors developed an AIDS vaccine. There is no such vaccine.
The President quickly corrected himself in a deadpan manner by saying that there is a therapeutic way to treat AIDS.
“AIDS was a death sentence,” Trump said. “Now people will live a life with a pill — it’s an incredible thing.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-16--Texas Dems Turn To SCOTUS In Push To Expand Absentee Voting

The ugly fight over Texas ’ refusal to expand absentee voting in the pandemic is now at the U.S. Supreme Court ’ s door step .
Texas ’ Democratic Party on Tuesday asked for the Supreme Court to intervene in the federal case it has brought against Texas ’ restrictions on absentee voting .
Democrats argue that Texas ’ current regime — which allows any voter 65 or older to vote absentee , but restricts the practice for voters younger than that unless they meet certain requirements — is a violation on the Constitution ’ s 26th Amendment , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district court judge agreed with the Dems ’ arguments , but that decision was formally put on hold earlier this month by the conservative U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit .
Texas Democrats are now asking for the Supreme Court to either immediately reinstate the trial judge ’ s decision expanding absentee voting or to hear the case on the merits as soon as possible , even before the appeals court hands down its final judgement .
The requests give the Supreme Court a second bite at the apple on voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously intervened in the court battle in Wisconsin over moves to expand absentee voting there .
In that dispute , the Supreme Court said that the deadline could not be extended past the Election Day for voters to send in absentee ballots , a move that a federal judge ordered due to delays voters faced in receiving the ballots .
All four liberal justices dissented from the order , with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg writing for them that she feared it would “ result in massive disenfranchisement.
” It will require the support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold on the district court ’ s ruling in Texas , but only four votes are necessary for the court to take up the case on the merits .
The process for doing so would mean , practically speaking , that there would not be a decision on the merits in time for Texas ’ July primary .
The court would likely have to fast track the case — a move that requires five votes — if it were to be decided in time for the November election .
On a call with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dunn pointed to a Texas redistricting case and the campaign finance case Citizens United as examples of when the Supreme Court took similar actions to speed up its consideration of cases because of the election schedule .
Dunn also said that the posture of this case differed from what the Supreme Court ’ s was dealing with in the Wisconsin dispute because Texas Democrats were giving the courts plenty of time to adjust the rules around the elections .
“ We filed this federal case that very next day , ” Dunn said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court ’ s Wisconsin order came down , “ to be sure that , when and if necessary , the U.S. Supreme Court had to review this case , it would do so with ample time before the November election .
We could not be blamed for having gotten to the court too late.
” In addition to the federal lawsuit , Texas Dems sued Texas in state court over how it was handling voting in the pandemic .
The state court lawsuit argued that lack of immunity to COVID-19 should qualify voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” circumstance allowed by state election law .
The Texas Supreme Court ultimately sided with the state in concluding that it did not .
Throughout the litigation , Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued threats of criminal prosecution to anyone who encouraged voters to apply to vote absentee if they feared contracting coronavirus while voting in person .
Paxton ’ s issued another one of those threats last week .
Paxton ’ s office ’ s issued a statement Tuesday calling the Democrats ’ request for Supreme Court intervention was “ clearly a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further confuse Texas voters.
” “ This office will continue to defend the integrity of our electoral process , ” Alejandro Garcia , the deputy director of communications in Paxton ’ s office , said .
Around eight states have age-based absentee restrictions similar to Texas ’ on their books , according to Dunn , but many of them have expanded absentee voting due to the pandemic .
Louisiana and Mississippi have similar age restrictions on absentee voting , and have not yet said how they will handle pandemic voting in November .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court below :

The ugly fight over Texas’ refusal to expand absentee voting in the pandemic is now at the U.S. Supreme Court’s door step.
Texas’ Democratic Party on Tuesday asked for the Supreme Court to intervene in the federal case it has brought against Texas’ restrictions on absentee voting. Democrats argue that Texas’ current regime — which allows any voter 65 or older to vote absentee, but restricts the practice for voters younger than that unless they meet certain requirements — is a violation on the Constitution’s 26th Amendment, which bars age-based voter discrimination.
A federal district court judge agreed with the Dems’ arguments, but that decision was formally put on hold earlier this month by the conservative U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.
Texas Democrats are now asking for the Supreme Court to either immediately reinstate the trial judge’s decision expanding absentee voting or to hear the case on the merits as soon as possible, even before the appeals court hands down its final judgement.
The requests give the Supreme Court a second bite at the apple on voting issues prompted by the pandemic. It previously intervened in the court battle in Wisconsin over moves to expand absentee voting there. In that dispute, the Supreme Court said that the deadline could not be extended past the Election Day for voters to send in absentee ballots, a move that a federal judge ordered due to delays voters faced in receiving the ballots.
All four liberal justices dissented from the order, with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg writing for them that she feared it would “result in massive disenfranchisement.”
It will require the support of five justices to immediately lift the hold on the district court’s ruling in Texas, but only four votes are necessary for the court to take up the case on the merits. The process for doing so would mean, practically speaking, that there would not be a decision on the merits in time for Texas’ July primary.
The court would likely have to fast track the case — a move that requires five votes — if it were to be decided in time for the November election.
On a call with reporters, the Democrats’ attorney Chad Dunn pointed to a Texas redistricting case and the campaign finance case Citizens United as examples of when the Supreme Court took similar actions to speed up its consideration of cases because of the election schedule.
Dunn also said that the posture of this case differed from what the Supreme Court’s was dealing with in the Wisconsin dispute because Texas Democrats were giving the courts plenty of time to adjust the rules around the elections.
“We filed this federal case that very next day,” Dunn said, referring to the day the Supreme Court’s Wisconsin order came down, “to be sure that, when and if necessary, the U.S. Supreme Court had to review this case, it would do so with ample time before the November election. We could not be blamed for having gotten to the court too late.”
In addition to the federal lawsuit, Texas Dems sued Texas in state court over how it was handling voting in the pandemic. The state court lawsuit argued that lack of immunity to COVID-19 should qualify voters to vote absentee under the “disability” circumstance allowed by state election law. The Texas Supreme Court ultimately sided with the state in concluding that it did not. Throughout the litigation, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued threats of criminal prosecution to anyone who encouraged voters to apply to vote absentee if they feared contracting coronavirus while voting in person. Paxton’s issued another one of those threats last week.
Paxton’s office’s issued a statement Tuesday calling the Democrats’ request for Supreme Court intervention was “clearly a ploy by the Texas Democratic Party to further confuse Texas voters.”
“This office will continue to defend the integrity of our electoral process,” Alejandro Garcia, the deputy director of communications in Paxton’s office, said.
Around eight states have age-based absentee restrictions similar to Texas’ on their books, according to Dunn, but many of them have expanded absentee voting due to the pandemic. Louisiana and Mississippi have similar age restrictions on absentee voting, and have not yet said how they will handle pandemic voting in November.
Read the Democrats’ filings with the Supreme Court below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-17--Trump Wants Whoever Leaked News About His Bunker Visit To Face Prosecution

President Trump is reportedly seething over reports that he took cover in the White House ’ s underground bunker amid protests earlier this month that turned violent at nearby Lafayette Park .
According to the New York Times on Wednesday , Trump has griped to advisers about being unable get “ good ” stories from the press since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Citing advisers who have recently spoken to the President , the Times reported that Trump has become consumed with leaks from the White House .
The President is reportedly urging officials to track down and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his trip down to the building ’ s bunker .
Earlier this month , the Times and the Associated Press reported that the Secret Service were concerned with Trump ’ s safety after several protesters near the White House threw bricks at police officers guarding the building in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
The Secret Service reportedly whisked Trump away to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center for an hour as a precaution .
The President denied the reports a few days later , telling Fox News radio host Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bunker for a mere “ inspection ” during the day before the protests turned violent that night .
“ I went down during the day and I was there for a tiny little short period of time , and it was much more for an inspection , ” Trump told Kilmeade , before insisting that “ we never had a problem , nobody ever came close to giving us a problem ” during the protests .
However , Attorney General Bill Barr undercut the President ’ s claim a week later during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baier , where he defended the aggressive tactics that federal police used against peaceful protesters near the White House ahead of Trump ’ s infamous church photo-op .
Barr told Baier that the administration was “ reacting to three days of extremely violent demonstrations right across from the White House ” before saying that “ things were so bad that the Secret Service recommended the President go down to the bunker ( on Sunday ) .
”

President Trump is reportedly seething over reports that he took cover in the White House’s underground bunker amid protests earlier this month that turned violent at nearby Lafayette Park.
According to the New York Times on Wednesday, Trump has griped to advisers about being unable get “good” stories from the press since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Citing advisers who have recently spoken to the President, the Times reported that Trump has become consumed with leaks from the White House. The President is reportedly urging officials to track down and prosecute those responsible for leaking information about his trip down to the building’s bunker.
Earlier this month, the Times and the Associated Press reported that the Secret Service were concerned with Trump’s safety after several protesters near the White House threw bricks at police officers guarding the building in the wake of George Floyd’s death. The Secret Service reportedly whisked Trump away to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center for an hour as a precaution.
The President denied the reports a few days later, telling Fox News radio host Brian Kilmeade that he had gone down to the bunker for a mere “inspection” during the day before the protests turned violent that night.
“I went down during the day and I was there for a tiny little short period of time, and it was much more for an inspection,” Trump told Kilmeade, before insisting that “we never had a problem, nobody ever came close to giving us a problem” during the protests.
However, Attorney General Bill Barr undercut the President’s claim a week later during an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, where he defended the aggressive tactics that federal police used against peaceful protesters near the White House ahead of Trump’s infamous church photo-op.
Barr told Baier that the administration was “reacting to three days of extremely violent demonstrations right across from the White House” before saying that “things were so bad that the Secret Service recommended the President go down to the bunker (on Sunday).”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-17--Feds May Try To Block Publication Of Bolton Tell-All And Bring Criminal Charges

The Justice Department is considering filing criminal charges against former National Security Adviser John Bolton over his soon-to-be-released White House tell-all , the LA Times reported on Wednesday .
The newspaper also reported that the Justice Department was expected to file for a temporary restraining order on Wednesday against Bolton and his publisher , Simon & Schuster .
The report suggests the Justice Department may be willing to go to the mat in support of the idea that the government has broad discretion to prevent damaging or embarrassing information from going to press .
Prosecutors are reportedly deciding whether to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the Trump administration scrambles to contain politically damaging – and already released – revelations from the book .
Multiple newspapers published lengthy accounts of material in the book on Wednesday , one day after the Justice Department sued Bolton for breach of contract in a bid to stop the book from being published .
But filing criminal charges against the notoriously hawkish former National Security Adviser would mark an incredibly damaging and vindictive step for the Justice Department , which has already spent the past few months pushing the scales to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s .
It ’ s not clear how far that would go , given that the book has already been partly published in excerpted newspaper stories and book reviews , and that the galleys for the memoir have already been shipped .

The Justice Department is considering filing criminal charges against former National Security Adviser John Bolton over his soon-to-be-released White House tell-all, the LA Times reported on Wednesday. The newspaper also reported that the Justice Department was expected to file for a temporary restraining order on Wednesday against Bolton and his publisher, Simon & Schuster.
The report suggests the Justice Department may be willing to go to the mat in support of the idea that the government has broad discretion to prevent damaging or embarrassing information from going to press.
Prosecutors are reportedly deciding whether to charge Bolton with illegally disclosing classified information, as the Trump administration scrambles to contain politically damaging – and already released – revelations from the book.
Multiple newspapers published lengthy accounts of material in the book on Wednesday, one day after the Justice Department sued Bolton for breach of contract in a bid to stop the book from being published.
But filing criminal charges against the notoriously hawkish former National Security Adviser would mark an incredibly damaging and vindictive step for the Justice Department, which has already spent the past few months pushing the scales to benefit political allies of President Trump’s.
It’s not clear how far that would go, given that the book has already been partly published in excerpted newspaper stories and book reviews, and that the galleys for the memoir have already been shipped.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-17--Biden Slams Trump For Being ‘So Eager’ To Hold Campaign Rally During Pandemic

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Wednesday tore into President Trump ’ s “ bungled ” response to the COVID-19 pandemic during a campaign event in Pennsylvania .
The former VP first listed off numerous criticisms against Trump — which include pushing “ dangerous disproven drugs , ” standing in the way of the CDC ’ s reopening guidelines , refusing to wear a mask and scaling back meetings of the White House coronavirus task force — before accusing him of wanting to “ style himself as a war-time president ” against the novel coronavirus .
“ Unlike any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he takes no responsibility , he exercises no leadership , now he ’ s just flat surrendering the fight , ” Biden said .
“ Instead of leading the charge to defeat the virus , he just basically waved a white flag and has retreated.
” Biden then proceeded to slam the President for being “ so eager to get back to his campaign rallies ” despite CDC guidelines warning against large gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
“ He ’ s willing to do it as long as , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the people who show up sign a waiver promising they ’ ll not hold the campaign liable , ” Biden said .
“ Oh , man .
Donald Trump ’ s failure to fight the coronavirus with the same energy and focus that he uses to troll his enemies on Twitter has cost us lives .
And it ’ s putting hope for an economic recovery at risk.
” Earlier Wednesday , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany dismissed the risk of people contracting the novel coronavirus during Trump ’ s Tulsa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a baseball fan getting struck by a foul ball .
“ When you go to a baseball game , you assume a risk , ” McEnany said .
“ That ’ s part of life.
” On Sunday , several Republicans downplayed COVID-19-related concerns ahead of Trump ’ s Tulsa rally , which included Sen. James Lankford ( R-OK ) arguing that he ’ s opposed to the President postponing his first rally in three months due to declining numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in Oklahoma .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Wednesday tore into President Trump’s “bungled” response to the COVID-19 pandemic during a campaign event in Pennsylvania.
The former VP first listed off numerous criticisms against Trump — which include pushing “dangerous disproven drugs,” standing in the way of the CDC’s reopening guidelines, refusing to wear a mask and scaling back meetings of the White House coronavirus task force — before accusing him of wanting to “style himself as a war-time president” against the novel coronavirus.
“Unlike any other war, any other war time leader, he takes no responsibility, he exercises no leadership, now he’s just flat surrendering the fight,” Biden said. “Instead of leading the charge to defeat the virus, he just basically waved a white flag and has retreated.”
Biden then proceeded to slam the President for being “so eager to get back to his campaign rallies” despite CDC guidelines warning against large gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“He’s willing to do it as long as, not withstanding CDC guidelines, as long as the people who show up sign a waiver promising they’ll not hold the campaign liable,” Biden said. “Oh, man. Donald Trump’s failure to fight the coronavirus with the same energy and focus that he uses to troll his enemies on Twitter has cost us lives. And it’s putting hope for an economic recovery at risk.”
Earlier Wednesday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany dismissed the risk of people contracting the novel coronavirus during Trump’s Tulsa rally this weekend, drawing comparisons to a baseball fan getting struck by a foul ball.
“When you go to a baseball game, you assume a risk,” McEnany said. “That’s part of life.”
On Sunday, several Republicans downplayed COVID-19-related concerns ahead of Trump’s Tulsa rally, which included Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) arguing that he’s opposed to the President postponing his first rally in three months due to declining numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in Oklahoma.
Watch Biden’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-17--OK Officials Ask Trump Not To Visit Historic Black District In Tulsa

Gov .
Kevin Stitt ( R-OK ) said on Wednesday that he and Republican Sen. James Lankford ( OK ) are now recommending that President Donald Trump not visit the Greenwood District during a reelection rally on Saturday in Tulsa .
“ Ultimately , the president doesn ’ t ask for permission before he comes to different places , ” Stitt said during a news conference .
“ But whether he goes to the Greenwood District , that ’ s something that Sen. Lankford and I have now recommended that he not make that visit over there.
” The governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invited to tour the predominantly black district known at one time as “ Black Wall Street , ” where the Tulsa Massacre took place , the impending visit raised concerns about disruptions to the annual Juneteenth celebrations intended to commemorate the end of slavery .
“ I don ’ t know if the president is going to go to the Greenwood District now , ” Stitt said , adding that the presence of the Secret Service to accommodate a presidential visit would require certain parts of Greenwood to be shutdown and disrupt the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommend .
Trump was also originally scheduled to hold his rally on Juneteenth , but delayed it by one day to recognize the holiday .
Despite advising the president against visiting Greenwood , Stitt said the final call is up to Trump .
“ That is something that will ultimately be the president ’ s decision , ” Stitt said .

Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK) said on Wednesday that he and Republican Sen. James Lankford (OK) are now recommending that President Donald Trump not visit the Greenwood District during a reelection rally on Saturday in Tulsa.
“Ultimately, the president doesn’t ask for permission before he comes to different places,” Stitt said during a news conference. “But whether he goes to the Greenwood District, that’s something that Sen. Lankford and I have now recommended that he not make that visit over there.”
The governor said that although Trump had originally been invited to tour the predominantly black district known at one time as “Black Wall Street,” where the Tulsa Massacre took place, the impending visit raised concerns about disruptions to the annual Juneteenth celebrations intended to commemorate the end of slavery.
“I don’t know if the president is going to go to the Greenwood District now,” Stitt said, adding that the presence of the Secret Service to accommodate a presidential visit would require certain parts of Greenwood to be shutdown and disrupt the Juneteenth celebration, which he did not recommend.
Trump was also originally scheduled to hold his rally on Juneteenth, but delayed it by one day to recognize the holiday.
Despite advising the president against visiting Greenwood, Stitt said the final call is up to Trump.
“That is something that will ultimately be the president’s decision,” Stitt said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-17--When The Inmates Run The Asylum: Bolton Book Reportedly Details Trump Quids Pro Quo

Major newspapers got ahold of John Bolton ’ s forthcoming memoir of his time in the White House , publishing details from the book nearly simultaneously on Wednesday afternoon .
The Wall Street Journal published a full chapter of the book concerning President Trump ’ s dealings with China , while the Washington Post and New York Times have separate write-ups based off of copies of the book they obtained .
The releases come one day after the White House sued Bolton for breach of contract , seeking to block publication of the book , and months after Bolton declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment inquiry of President Trump .
Bolton described in detail several episodes in which Trump purportedly abused his office for an edge in the 2020 election .
With regard to China , for example , Bolton accused Trump of trying to enlist China ’ s President Xi Jinping in his reelection campaign at a June 2019 summit in Japan .
At the meeting , Bolton wrote , Xi told Trump that certain American politicians were wrong in calling for a “ new cold war with China.
” Trump , Bolton said , assumed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before stressing “ the importance of farmers and increased Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome.
” “ I would print Trump ’ s exact words , but the government ’ s prepublication review process has decided otherwise , ” Bolton wrote in the excerpt published by the Wall Street Journal .
Trump later offered to shut down the prosecution of Chinese tech giant and alleged intelligence front Huawei in exchange for help with the trade deal , Bolton wrote .
President Trump ’ s fixation on his opponents in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vulnerability to be exploited for foreign leaders .
Russian President Vladimir Putin , for example , purportedly compared Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó to Hillary Clinton in a May 2019 phone call with Trump in a bid to convince Trump to support Nicolás Maduro , the sitting President in Caracas .
A similar dynamic , Bolton wrote , played out with Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , who has waged a high-profile lobbying campaign to end a Manhattan federal criminal investigation of a Turkish lender for violating sanctions against Iran .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bolton wrote that Trump committed to Erdogan that he would end the prosecution , “ explaining that the Southern District prosecutors were not his people , but were Obama people , a problem that would be fixed when they were replaced by his people.
” Bolton wrote that he took these promises to interfere in criminal investigations to Attorney General William Barr , who purportedly expressed concern “ about the appearances created by the president ’ s behavior.
” Amid all of Bolton ’ s claims about the damage Trump has dealt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomatic institutions , he took time in the book to heap criticism on the one option he had to air all of this in an American political institution : President Trump ’ s impeachment .
Bolton refused to testify in the proceedings , under oath publicly or in private interviews .
“ These and innumerable other similar conversations with Trump formed a pattern of fundamentally unacceptable behavior that eroded the very legitimacy of the presidency , ” Bolton wrote of the abuses .
But of the inquiry that focused on holding the presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic impeachment advocates not been so obsessed with their Ukraine blitzkrieg in 2019 , had they taken the time to inquire more systematically about Trump ’ s behavior across his entire foreign policy , the impeachment outcome might well have been different.
” On Ukraine itself , Bolton quoted Trump as saying in May 2019 that “ Ukraine tried to take me down .
I ’ m not f—ing interested in helping them , ” in reference to military aid .
Later in the same meeting , Bolton wrote , Trump conditioned a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zelensky on him being “ informed [ of ] how Mr. Trump felt about the matter.
” The account does veer into the comical at times .
The Washington Post recounted a months-long diplomatic effort to get a signed copy of Elton John ’ s Rocket Man CD to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un , as Trump furiously sought to convince the Pyongyang despot that the phrase was a compliment , and not an insult .
After Secretary of State Mike Pompeo returned from a trip to North Korea , Trump purportedly grilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CD .
“ Pompeo had not , ” Bolton wrote .
“ Getting this CD to Kim remained a high priority for several months .
”

Major newspapers got ahold of John Bolton’s forthcoming memoir of his time in the White House, publishing details from the book nearly simultaneously on Wednesday afternoon.
The Wall Street Journal published a full chapter of the book concerning President Trump’s dealings with China, while the Washington Post and New York Times have separate write-ups based off of copies of the book they obtained.
The releases come one day after the White House sued Bolton for breach of contract, seeking to block publication of the book, and months after Bolton declined to testify in the House’s impeachment inquiry of President Trump.
Bolton described in detail several episodes in which Trump purportedly abused his office for an edge in the 2020 election.
With regard to China, for example, Bolton accused Trump of trying to enlist China’s President Xi Jinping in his reelection campaign at a June 2019 summit in Japan.
At the meeting, Bolton wrote, Xi told Trump that certain American politicians were wrong in calling for a “new cold war with China.”
Trump, Bolton said, assumed that Xi was criticizing the Democrats, before stressing “the importance of farmers and increased Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome.”
“I would print Trump’s exact words, but the government’s prepublication review process has decided otherwise,” Bolton wrote in the excerpt published by the Wall Street Journal.
Trump later offered to shut down the prosecution of Chinese tech giant and alleged intelligence front Huawei in exchange for help with the trade deal, Bolton wrote.
President Trump’s fixation on his opponents in the Democratic Party pop up elsewhere as a vulnerability to be exploited for foreign leaders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, for example, purportedly compared Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó to Hillary Clinton in a May 2019 phone call with Trump in a bid to convince Trump to support Nicolás Maduro, the sitting President in Caracas.
A similar dynamic, Bolton wrote, played out with Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has waged a high-profile lobbying campaign to end a Manhattan federal criminal investigation of a Turkish lender for violating sanctions against Iran.
According to the Washington Post’s summary, Bolton wrote that Trump committed to Erdogan that he would end the prosecution, “explaining that the Southern District prosecutors were not his people, but were Obama people, a problem that would be fixed when they were replaced by his people.”
Bolton wrote that he took these promises to interfere in criminal investigations to Attorney General William Barr, who purportedly expressed concern “about the appearances created by the president’s behavior.”
Amid all of Bolton’s claims about the damage Trump has dealt to American alliances and foreign policy and diplomatic institutions, he took time in the book to heap criticism on the one option he had to air all of this in an American political institution: President Trump’s impeachment.
Bolton refused to testify in the proceedings, under oath publicly or in private interviews.
“These and innumerable other similar conversations with Trump formed a pattern of fundamentally unacceptable behavior that eroded the very legitimacy of the presidency,” Bolton wrote of the abuses. But of the inquiry that focused on holding the presidency accountable, Bolton wrote that “had Democratic impeachment advocates not been so obsessed with their Ukraine blitzkrieg in 2019, had they taken the time to inquire more systematically about Trump’s behavior across his entire foreign policy, the impeachment outcome might well have been different.”
On Ukraine itself, Bolton quoted Trump as saying in May 2019 that “Ukraine tried to take me down. I’m not f—ing interested in helping them,” in reference to military aid.
Later in the same meeting, Bolton wrote, Trump conditioned a White House visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on him being “informed [of] how Mr. Trump felt about the matter.”
The account does veer into the comical at times.
The Washington Post recounted a months-long diplomatic effort to get a signed copy of Elton John’s Rocket Man CD to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, as Trump furiously sought to convince the Pyongyang despot that the phrase was a compliment, and not an insult.
After Secretary of State Mike Pompeo returned from a trip to North Korea, Trump purportedly grilled Pompeo about whether he gave Kim the CD.
“Pompeo had not,” Bolton wrote. “Getting this CD to Kim remained a high priority for several months.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-17--Prosecutor Announces Charges Against Atlanta Cop In Rayshard Brooks Killing

ATLANTA ( AP ) — The Atlanta officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in the back after the fleeing man pointed a stun gun in his direction will be charged , a prosecutor said Wednesday .
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard made the announcement about officer Garrett Rolfe during a news conference .
Rolfe had already been fired after he fatally shot Brooks , 27 , on Friday night .
Brooks ’ widow , Tomika Miller , attended the news conference along with her lawyers , Justin Miller and L. Chris Stewart .
The news came as Republicans on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform measures and the movement to get rid of Confederate movements and other racially offensive symbols reached America ’ s breakfast table , with the maker of Aunt Jemima syrup and pancake mix dropping the 131-year-old brand .
The shooting sparked new demonstrations in Georgia ’ s capital against police brutality , after occasionally turbulent protests in response to George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis had largely simmered down .
Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned less than 24 hours after Brooks died .
Police were called to a Wendy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car blocking the drive-thru lane .
An officer found Brooks asleep behind the wheel of the car and called for another officer to do field sobriety testing .
Police body camera video shows Brooks and officers having a relatively calm and respectful conversation for more than 40 minutes before things rapidly turned violent .
Brooks wrestled with officers , snatched one of their stun guns and turned and pointed it at one of them as he ran through the parking lot .
An autopsy found that Brooks was shot twice in the back @

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in the back after the fleeing man pointed a stun gun in his direction will be charged, a prosecutor said Wednesday.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard made the announcement about officer Garrett Rolfe during a news conference. Rolfe had already been fired after he fatally shot Brooks, 27, on Friday night.
Brooks’ widow, Tomika Miller, attended the news conference along with her lawyers, Justin Miller and L. Chris Stewart.
The news came as Republicans on Capitol Hill unveiled a package of police reform measures and the movement to get rid of Confederate movements and other racially offensive symbols reached America’s breakfast table, with the maker of Aunt Jemima syrup and pancake mix dropping the 131-year-old brand.
The shooting sparked new demonstrations in Georgia’s capital against police brutality, after occasionally turbulent protests in response to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis had largely simmered down. Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned less than 24 hours after Brooks died.
Police were called to a Wendy’s fast food restaurant over complaints of a car blocking the drive-thru lane. An officer found Brooks asleep behind the wheel of the car and called for another officer to do field sobriety testing.
Police body camera video shows Brooks and officers having a relatively calm and respectful conversation for more than 40 minutes before things rapidly turned violent. Brooks wrestled with officers, snatched one of their stun guns and turned and pointed it at one of them as he ran through the parking lot.
An autopsy found that Brooks was shot twice in the back.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-17--Top House Republicans Run For The Hills As More Videos From QAnon Candidate Unearthed

Top House Republicans are tripping over themselves in their haste to disavow Marjorie Greene , the QAnon-supporting congressional candidate in Georgia who , per recently unearthed videos , has also posted racist and Islamophobic diatribes online .
Greene came in a decisive first place in the Republican primary for a congressional seat in Georgia ’ s 14th district .
Though she didn ’ t get over 50 percent and will head to a runoff in August , her next closest competitor , neurosurgeon John Cowan , was around 20 points behind her .
The district is heavily Republican , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal circumstances , would beat her in November .
Politico obtained Facebook videos in which she calls black people “ slaves to the Democratic party , ” called the diverse freshman class of congressmen voted in during the 2018 midterms “ an Islamic invasion of our government ” and compared Black Lives Matter protesters to the neo-Nazis who marched at Charlottesville .
In one of the videos , per Politico , Greene both says that black people struggle with high rates of unemployment because they are “ lazy , ” and that black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action .
She also accused George Soros , a Holocaust survivor , of being a Nazi .
“ These comments are appalling , and Leader McCarthy has no tolerance for them , ” a spokesperson for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA ) told Politico .
“ The comments made by Ms. Greene are disgusting and don ’ t reflect the values of equality and decency that make our country great , ” he said in a statement .
“ I will be supporting Dr. Cowan.
” In response to TPM ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement that she would not let the “ Fake News Media ” “ whip her into submission.
” “ Every Republican , every Christian Conservative is going to be called a racist and a bigot by the Fake News Media , as have Steve Scalise and Liz Cheney , ” she continued .
“ I ’ m sorry my future colleagues are unable to stand up to the pressure and fight back.
” “ I ’ m sick-and-tired of watching establishment Republicans play defense while the Fake News Media cheers on Antifa terrorists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancel culture , as they burn our cities , loot our businesses , vandalize our memorials , and divide our nation , ” she added .
Greene has already made headlines this election cycle with her social media posts supporting the bizarre conspiracy theory QAnon .
In a characteristic straight-to-camera address , she expresses excitement that some of the tenets of the theory — that President Donald Trump ’ s enemies could be pedophiles and may be “ taken out ” — could be true .
There has been an effort by some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismal first-round finish .
Reps .
Buddy Carter ( R-GA ) , Drew Ferguson ( R-GA ) and Austin Scott ( R-GA ) all endorsed him .
Cowan has been trying to paint “ Metro-Atlanta Marjorie ” as a carpetbagger after she initially began her run in an Atlanta suburb and later switched to the redder 14th district .

Top House Republicans are tripping over themselves in their haste to disavow Marjorie Greene, the QAnon-supporting congressional candidate in Georgia who, per recently unearthed videos, has also posted racist and Islamophobic diatribes online.
Greene came in a decisive first place in the Republican primary for a congressional seat in Georgia’s 14th district. Though she didn’t get over 50 percent and will head to a runoff in August, her next closest competitor, neurosurgeon John Cowan, was around 20 points behind her. The district is heavily Republican, making it unlikely that a Democrat, in normal circumstances, would beat her in November.
Politico obtained Facebook videos in which she calls black people “slaves to the Democratic party,” called the diverse freshman class of congressmen voted in during the 2018 midterms “an Islamic invasion of our government” and compared Black Lives Matter protesters to the neo-Nazis who marched at Charlottesville.
In one of the videos, per Politico, Greene both says that black people struggle with high rates of unemployment because they are “lazy,” and that black women have it easy due to affirmative action.
She also accused George Soros, a Holocaust survivor, of being a Nazi.
“These comments are appalling, and Leader McCarthy has no tolerance for them,” a spokesperson for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told Politico.
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) endorsed Greene’s primary opponent.
“The comments made by Ms. Greene are disgusting and don’t reflect the values of equality and decency that make our country great,” he said in a statement. “I will be supporting Dr. Cowan.”
In response to TPM’s questions, Greene said in a statement that she would not let the “Fake News Media” “whip her into submission.”
“Every Republican, every Christian Conservative is going to be called a racist and a
bigot by the Fake News Media, as have Steve Scalise and Liz Cheney,” she continued. “I’m sorry my future colleagues are unable to stand up to the pressure and fight back.”
“I’m sick-and-tired of watching establishment Republicans play defense while the Fake News Media cheers on Antifa terrorists, BLM rioters, and the woke cancel culture, as they burn our cities, loot our businesses, vandalize our memorials, and divide our nation,” she added.
Greene has already made headlines this election cycle with her social media posts supporting the bizarre conspiracy theory QAnon. In a characteristic straight-to-camera address, she expresses excitement that some of the tenets of the theory — that President Donald Trump’s enemies could be pedophiles and may be “taken out” — could be true.
There has been an effort by some to rally around Cowan, despite his dismal first-round finish. Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Drew Ferguson (R-GA) and Austin Scott (R-GA) all endorsed him. Cowan has been trying to paint “Metro-Atlanta Marjorie” as a carpetbagger after she initially began her run in an Atlanta suburb and later switched to the redder 14th district.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-17--Police Found Tactical Manual For ‘Minutemen’ Group After Arresting Armed Men At Protest

Following the apprehension of armed men at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Troy , New York last week , authorities say they found weapons , fireworks , ammunition and a tactical manual from a regional “ Minuteman ” group in vehicles belonging to the armed crew .
Initially , the entire eight-person crew was detained at the protest .
Two were subsequently charged and the investigation is ongoing , according to the Rensselaer County district attorney ’ s office .
At the protest that Sunday , police tracked the men as they walked through the protest crowd , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Law enforcement found “ a tactical manual tying the group to the New England Minutemen militia group ” in the vehicles the men brought to the protest , according to a statement from Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly ’ s office .
The manual “ was eye opening to read , ” Troy ’ s Deputy Police Chief Dan DeWolf told the Times Union .
One of the men charged , a soldier at Fort Drum , faces one count of criminal possession of a firearm in the second degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loaded “ ghost ” hand gun at the protest — that is , a gun without a serial number , increasingly favored by pro-gun absolutists as a way of skirting regulation .
An arrest report for Latham obtained by TPM describes his occupation as “ Army UAV operator , ” likely meaning that he pilots “ unmanned aerial vehicles , ” or drones .
Another man in the group , Nathaniel Shepard , was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree , 16 counts of criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degree , and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree .
Police found two assault rifles and scores of ammunition in his vehicle , according to the complaint against Shepard .
He also allegedly carried a billy club openly during the protest , a misdemeanor .
The Times-Union noted that a group by the same name as the one cited by prosecutors — New England Minute-Men , or NEMM — is featured in a YouTube video showing purported members of the group doing various military-style drills .
Elsewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purporting to belong to a member of the group features several references to the “ Boogaloo , ” a term meaning armed conflict with the government that has become popular among extremists on the internet .
But it hasn ’ t stayed on the web : “ Boogaloo ” supporters have flaunted their beliefs publicly at protests recently .
And some have resorted to violence : Two men allegedly involved in the Boogaloo movement were charged federally Tuesday with the murder of a Federal Protective Services officer in Oakland ; one of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sheriff ’ s deputy a week after the Oakland killing .
Three men in Nevada face charges over alleged plans they had to use the Black Lives Matter protests there as cover for violence .
Three of the men in the Troy protest group were from out-of-state , according to Donnelly ’ s office .
During the protest , the men wore body armor and bullet proof vests and some carried loaded guns , two-way radios , and batons , according to the statement .
And though it ’ s not clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the “ Minuteman ” group — their lawyer didn ’ t return TPM ’ s request for comment — it would be just the latest in a pattern of armed groups showing up to Black Lives Matter protests .
Upon his arrest at the protest , Latham reportedly told police he was there to “ keep the peace.
” But prosecutors say the group ’ s intentions still aren ’ t clear .
“ The decision of these individuals to attend the rally with loaded firearms , protective gear , fireworks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their intentions , ” Donnelly , the district attorney , said in a statement .
Local station 7News reported that it spoke to Latham for a February story about a proposal to make Jefferson County a “ sanctuary ” for the Second Amendment .
“ We want to restore the Constitution and Second Amendment status as best we can because a lot of us feel that it has really been infringed upon by the SAFE Act and a lot of the new proposed laws , ” he told the station at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act .
The station noted Facebook posts from Latham that were critical of the police .
“ [ S ] o you ’ re just gon na use police brutality on protesters against police brutality at the police brutality protest , ” he wrote recently .
Latham also called for police jobs to require a four-year criminal justice degree , the station noted .

Following the apprehension of armed men at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Troy, New York last week, authorities say they found weapons, fireworks, ammunition and a tactical manual from a regional “Minuteman” group in vehicles belonging to the armed crew.
Initially, the entire eight-person crew was detained at the protest. Two were subsequently charged and the investigation is ongoing, according to the Rensselaer County district attorney’s office.
At the protest that Sunday, police tracked the men as they walked through the protest crowd, then followed them back to a parking lot.
Law enforcement found “a tactical manual tying the group to the New England Minutemen militia group” in the vehicles the men brought to the protest, according to a statement from Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly’s office.
The manual “was eye opening to read,” Troy’s Deputy Police Chief Dan DeWolf told the Times Union.
One of the men charged, a soldier at Fort Drum, faces one count of criminal possession of a firearm in the second degree. Noah Latham was allegedly carrying a loaded “ghost” hand gun at the protest — that is, a gun without a serial number, increasingly favored by pro-gun absolutists as a way of skirting regulation.
An arrest report for Latham obtained by TPM describes his occupation as “Army UAV operator,” likely meaning that he pilots “unmanned aerial vehicles,” or drones.
Another man in the group, Nathaniel Shepard, was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, 16 counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
Police found two assault rifles and scores of ammunition in his vehicle, according to the complaint against Shepard. He also allegedly carried a billy club openly during the protest, a misdemeanor.
The Times-Union noted that a group by the same name as the one cited by prosecutors — New England Minute-Men, or NEMM — is featured in a YouTube video showing purported members of the group doing various military-style drills. Elsewhere on the web, an Instagram account purporting to belong to a member of the group features several references to the “Boogaloo,” a term meaning armed conflict with the government that has become popular among extremists on the internet.
But it hasn’t stayed on the web: “Boogaloo” supporters have flaunted their beliefs publicly at protests recently. And some have resorted to violence: Two men allegedly involved in the Boogaloo movement were charged federally Tuesday with the murder of a Federal Protective Services officer in Oakland; one of them was also charged with the murder of a sheriff’s deputy a week after the Oakland killing. Three men in Nevada face charges over alleged plans they had to use the Black Lives Matter protests there as cover for violence.
Three of the men in the Troy protest group were from out-of-state, according to Donnelly’s office. During the protest, the men wore body armor and bullet proof vests and some carried loaded guns, two-way radios, and batons, according to the statement.
And though it’s not clear how or if Shepard and Latham are members of the “Minuteman” group — their lawyer didn’t return TPM’s request for comment — it would be just the latest in a pattern of armed groups showing up to Black Lives Matter protests.
Upon his arrest at the protest, Latham reportedly told police he was there to “keep the peace.”
But prosecutors say the group’s intentions still aren’t clear.
“The decision of these individuals to attend the rally with loaded firearms, protective gear, fireworks and two-way radios leaves open questions as to their intentions,” Donnelly, the district attorney, said in a statement.
Local station 7News reported that it spoke to Latham for a February story about a proposal to make Jefferson County a “sanctuary” for the Second Amendment.
“We want to restore the Constitution and Second Amendment status as best we can because a lot of us feel that it has really been infringed upon by the SAFE Act and a lot of the new proposed laws,” he told the station at the time, referring to New York’s Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act.
The station noted Facebook posts from Latham that were critical of the police. “[S]o you’re just gonna use police brutality on protesters against police brutality at the police brutality protest,” he wrote recently. Latham also called for police jobs to require a four-year criminal justice degree, the station noted.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-17--White House Dismisses COVID-19 Risk At Trump Rally: ‘That’s Part Of Life’

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday brushed aside the risk of people attending President Donald Trump ’ s Tulsa rally this weekend becoming infected with COVID-19 , arguing that it ’ s their “ personal decision ” to go in the first place .
McEnany told reporters during a White House press briefing that the Trump campaign will provide temperature checks , hand sanitizers and masks at the event .
However , attendees will not be required to wear the masks .
“ When you come to the rally , as with any event , you assume a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ That is just what you do.
” She compared a rally-goer falling ill to COVID-19 to a baseball fan getting struck by a foul ball .
“ When you go to a baseball game , you assume a risk , ” McEnany said .
“ That ’ s part of life.
” The Trump campaign has said as much ; before registering for tickets , attendees must agree to not hold the campaign liable if they become infected with the virus .
“ By clicking register below , you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present , ” a notice on the registration page warns .

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday brushed aside the risk of people attending President Donald Trump’s Tulsa rally this weekend becoming infected with COVID-19, arguing that it’s their “personal decision” to go in the first place.
McEnany told reporters during a White House press briefing that the Trump campaign will provide temperature checks, hand sanitizers and masks at the event. However, attendees will not be required to wear the masks.
“When you come to the rally, as with any event, you assume a personal risk,” the press secretary said. “That is just what you do.”
She compared a rally-goer falling ill to COVID-19 to a baseball fan getting struck by a foul ball.
“When you go to a baseball game, you assume a risk,” McEnany said. “That’s part of life.”
The Trump campaign has said as much; before registering for tickets, attendees must agree to not hold the campaign liable if they become infected with the virus.
“By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present,” a notice on the registration page warns.