talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-26--Breonna Taylor’s Family Demands Release Of Evidence In Her Case

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( AP ) — Breonna Taylor ’ s family demanded Friday that Kentucky authorities release all body camera footage , police files and the transcripts of the grand jury proceedings that led to no charges being brought against police officers who killed the Black woman during a raid at her apartment .
The decision disappointed and angered those who have been calling for justice for Taylor for six months , and protesters vowed to stay in the streets until all the officers involved are fired or someone is charged with her killing .
A diverse group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Louisville on Friday evening .
The protests were peaceful , though at one point , police in riot gear fired flash bang devices to turn back a crowd on a street .
Two were arrested , authorities said .
About a dozen people who were out past the city ’ s 9 p.m. curfew were arrested later .
Earlier , Taylor ’ s lawyers and family expressed dismay that no one has been held accountable for her death .
“ I am an angry Black woman .
I am not angry for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be .
But angry because our Black women keep dying at the hands of police officers — and Black men , ” Taylor ’ s mother , Tamika Palmer , wrote in a statement read by a relative .
She stood close by wearing a shirt that said , “ I ( heart ) Louisville Police ” with bullet holes in the heart emoji .
Palmer ’ s statement said the criminal justice system had failed her , and state Attorney General Daniel Cameron was the final person in the chain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrant as part of a drug investigation , the judge who signed it and police who burst into Taylor ’ s apartment .
The warrant was connected to a suspect who did not live there , and no drugs were found inside .
Taylor was shot multiple times by white officers after her boyfriend fired at them , authorities said .
He said he didn ’ t know who was coming in and fired in self-defense , wounding one officer .
Cameron , Kentucky ’ s first Black attorney general , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s killing because they acted to protect themselves .
The grand jury indicted one officer on endangerment charges , saying he fired gunshots into a neighboring home that didn ’ t strike anyone .
He has been fired .
“ I hope you never know the pain of your child being murdered 191 days in a row , ” said Bianca Austin , wearing her niece ’ s emergency medical technician jacket as she read Palmer ’ s statement .
Family attorney Sam Aguiar said all the videos should be released because Cameron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he ’ s seen dozens of them , most of which are not public .
Cameron “ got so much wrong .
We ’ ve seen so much piecemeal stuff come out throughout the case , ” he said without giving specifics .
Gov .
Andy Beshear , a Democrat , also has called on the Republican attorney general to release what evidence he can .
Cameron said through a spokeswoman that he understood the family ’ s pain .
“ Everyone is entitled to their opinion , but prosecutors and Grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and by the law , ” spokeswoman Elizabeth Kuhn said in a statement .
As Taylor ’ s family decried how the case was handled , a man accused of shooting and wounding two officers during protests Wednesday appeared in court .
They ’ re expected to recover .
A not-guilty plea was entered for Larynzo D. Johnson , 26 , and bond was set at $ 1 million .
Attorney Zac Meihaus called the streets “ a war zone ” when the shooting happened and said it ’ s difficult to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in question .
A prosecutor replied that a gun was recovered from Johnson , and there are video and witness accounts of the shooting .
Taylor ’ s case has become a rallying cry as protesters nationwide call out racism and demand police reforms .
Protesters marched through Louisville on Friday with a purple banner bearing Taylor ’ s name .
They danced and chanted , “ Bow for Breonna.
” Some handed out pizza or water , while others tried to register voters .
One protester , Victoria Gunther , was so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 965 kilometers ) from Reading , Pennsylvania , to Louisville .
“ I ’ m a Black woman — that could have been me , that would have been my family , ” she said .
“ We are disrespected and disregarded .
They think we don ’ t matter .
That ’ s why I ’ m here , to say we do matter.
” The police presence was light until protesters neared the city ’ s East Market section , a few blocks from the banks of the Ohio River @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parked under a highway overpass , and officers with clubs and face shields formed a semi-circle blocking protesters ’ path .
Police told people to move to the sidewalk .
Officers deployed two flash bang rounds into the air , and the crowd moved away , authorities said in a statement .
Past a nighttime curfew , people gathered in a park that protesters are now calling “ Injustice Square ” and then at a church , where there was no major police presence — a change from the previous night .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cap that says “ Desert Storm Veteran ” because he wanted to send a message : he fought for America , but when he takes his hat off , he ’ s a Black man treated like any other in a country built on racism .
“ When I put that hat on , I ’ m a good person , when I don ’ t , I ’ m a bad person in their eyes , ” Ward said , and to him that means Black people must constantly prove their worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday night — including Democratic state Rep. Attica Scott — during protests that authorities said resulted in vandalism .
The curfew in Louisville will last through the weekend , and the governor has called up the National Guard for “ limited missions .
”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Breonna Taylor’s family demanded Friday that Kentucky authorities release all body camera footage, police files and the transcripts of the grand jury proceedings that led to no charges being brought against police officers who killed the Black woman during a raid at her apartment.
The decision disappointed and angered those who have been calling for justice for Taylor for six months, and protesters vowed to stay in the streets until all the officers involved are fired or someone is charged with her killing.
A diverse group, including Taylor’s mother, marched through Louisville on Friday evening. The protests were peaceful, though at one point, police in riot gear fired flash bang devices to turn back a crowd on a street. Two were arrested, authorities said.
About a dozen people who were out past the city’s 9 p.m. curfew were arrested later.
Earlier, Taylor’s lawyers and family expressed dismay that no one has been held accountable for her death.
“I am an angry Black woman. I am not angry for the reasons that you would like me to be. But angry because our Black women keep dying at the hands of police officers — and Black men,” Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, wrote in a statement read by a relative. She stood close by wearing a shirt that said, “I (heart) Louisville Police” with bullet holes in the heart emoji.
Palmer’s statement said the criminal justice system had failed her, and state Attorney General Daniel Cameron was the final person in the chain, following the officer who sought a no-knock warrant as part of a drug investigation, the judge who signed it and police who burst into Taylor’s apartment. The warrant was connected to a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside.
Taylor was shot multiple times by white officers after her boyfriend fired at them, authorities said. He said he didn’t know who was coming in and fired in self-defense, wounding one officer. Cameron, Kentucky’s first Black attorney general, said the officers were not charged with Taylor’s killing because they acted to protect themselves.
The grand jury indicted one officer on endangerment charges, saying he fired gunshots into a neighboring home that didn’t strike anyone. He has been fired.
“I hope you never know the pain of your child being murdered 191 days in a row,” said Bianca Austin, wearing her niece’s emergency medical technician jacket as she read Palmer’s statement.
Family attorney Sam Aguiar said all the videos should be released because Cameron’s investigation is over, noting that he’s seen dozens of them, most of which are not public.
Cameron “got so much wrong. We’ve seen so much piecemeal stuff come out throughout the case,” he said without giving specifics.
Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, also has called on the Republican attorney general to release what evidence he can.
Cameron said through a spokeswoman that he understood the family’s pain.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but prosecutors and Grand Jury members are bound by the facts and by the law,” spokeswoman Elizabeth Kuhn said in a statement.
As Taylor’s family decried how the case was handled, a man accused of shooting and wounding two officers during protests Wednesday appeared in court. They’re expected to recover.
A not-guilty plea was entered for Larynzo D. Johnson, 26, and bond was set at $1 million. Attorney Zac Meihaus called the streets “a war zone” when the shooting happened and said it’s difficult to “pinpoint” if Johnson fired the shots in question. A prosecutor replied that a gun was recovered from Johnson, and there are video and witness accounts of the shooting.
Taylor’s case has become a rallying cry as protesters nationwide call out racism and demand police reforms.
Protesters marched through Louisville on Friday with a purple banner bearing Taylor’s name. They danced and chanted, “Bow for Breonna.” Some handed out pizza or water, while others tried to register voters.
One protester, Victoria Gunther, was so outraged she traveled more than 600 miles (965 kilometers) from Reading, Pennsylvania, to Louisville.
“I’m a Black woman — that could have been me, that would have been my family,” she said. “We are disrespected and disregarded. They think we don’t matter. That’s why I’m here, to say we do matter.”
The police presence was light until protesters neared the city’s East Market section, a few blocks from the banks of the Ohio River. About a dozen police cruisers were parked under a highway overpass, and officers with clubs and face shields formed a semi-circle blocking protesters’ path.
Police told people to move to the sidewalk. Officers deployed two flash bang rounds into the air, and the crowd moved away, authorities said in a statement. Past a nighttime curfew, people gathered in a park that protesters are now calling “Injustice Square” and then at a church, where there was no major police presence — a change from the previous night.
As he marched, David Ward wore his cap that says “Desert Storm Veteran” because he wanted to send a message: he fought for America, but when he takes his hat off, he’s a Black man treated like any other in a country built on racism.
“When I put that hat on, I’m a good person, when I don’t, I’m a bad person in their eyes,” Ward said, and to him that means Black people must constantly prove their worth.
At least 24 people were arrested Thursday night — including Democratic state Rep. Attica Scott — during protests that authorities said resulted in vandalism.
The curfew in Louisville will last through the weekend, and the governor has called up the National Guard for “limited missions.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-27--GOPers Vs. Dems: Senate Judiciary Members Preview Battle Over Barrett’s Confirmation

Republicans and Democrats on Sunday offered their own previews of the confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett , a day after President Trump controversially nominated the conservative to fill the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s seat .
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham told Fox News on Sunday that the committee plans on starting confirmation hearings for Barrett beginning Oct. 12 and will approve her nomination on Oct. 22 , which sets up a full Senate vote to send the conservative judge to the Supreme Court by the end of the month .
Barrett ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Supreme Court .
Additionally , it would come in time for the court ’ s scheduled hearing regarding a case on the Affordable Care Act just days after the November presidential election .
While prominent Democrats — which include Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) — warn that Barrett ’ s confirmation to the Supreme Court poses threats to the Affordable Care Act ’ s longevity , citing her past remarks that were critical of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Senate Judiciary Committee have been quick to dismiss Democrats ’ fears .
Here ’ s how Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee weighed in ahead of Barrett ’ s confirmation hearings : Republican senators appeared to take a cue from Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia , the son of late Justice Antonin Scalia , who said during an interview on Fox News Sunday that Democrats will use the ACA as a “ red herring ” to attack Barrett .
Referring to Barrett ’ s vehement disagreement with Chief Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upheld the ACA , Scalia downplayed Democrats ’ fears of Barrett ’ s Supreme Court appointment would lead to the overturning of the ACA by noting that she made her comments critical of the law prior to becoming a federal appeals court judge .
“ It was a comment that a number of people made at the time , ” Scalia said .
“ It ’ s not a question that will be before the court in the case that ’ s coming up and there ’ s absolutely zero reason to believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have the views about the importance of health care.
” When asked on “ Meet the Press ” whether it was his hope the ACA will be ruled unconstitutional if Barrett is confirmed , Blunt replied that is not his hope , but that he does hope “ she looks at the facts of the case , applies it to the Constitution and the law and then makes a decision.
” After saying he ’ s unsure “ how you can predict any of that in advance , ” Blunt was asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled unconstitutional and thrown out .
“ Well if it is thrown out , it will be months from the time the court hears it , ” Blunt said .
‘ We ’ ll have time to think about that argument and to do something about it .
I think a lot of the Affordable Care Act is now baked into the system.
” Lee argued during an interview on ABC News that Barrett ’ s potential appointment to the Supreme Court shouldn ’ t revolve around how she may rule on “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ v. Wade .
“ You know , only time can tell what will happen to any one precedent .
Anytime someone is looking at overruling a precedent , it ’ s a lot more complicated than people might think , ” Lee said .
“ In any event , you can ’ t look at the confirmation of a Supreme Court justice and and boil down that jurist ’ s contribution to the law , past and future , to what they might do with a single case , ” he continued .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Barrett ’ s appointment to the Supreme Court will lead to the overturning of the ACA , during an interview on Fox News Sunday .
Appearing right after Sen. Debbie Stabenow ( D-MI ) made that assertion on the program , Kennedy replied that although Stabenow is a “ colleague ” and “ friend , ” he ripped into her fears of Barrett ’ s appointment leading to the demise of the ACA .
“ I say this gently : Sell crazy somewhere else ; we ’ re all stocked up here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Debbie ’ s clairvoyant , I don ’ t think she knows how the nominee ’ s going to vote or any other member of the United States Supreme Court.
” Kennedy went on to say that his “ Democratic friends ” think that the Supreme Court “ ought to be a mini-Congress.
” “ They don ’ t even need to hear cases ; they already know how they ’ re going to vote .
And that ’ s part of the problem , ” Kennedy said .
“ That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Supreme Court .
And I don ’ t think that ’ s how it operates.
” When asked about calls for Democrats to boycott Barrett ’ s committee proceedings and how several of his colleagues on the committee refuse to meet with Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee , Durbin told ABC News that he will “ extend that courtesy , if she requests it , for at least a socially distanced , safe meeting , perhaps over the phone.
” Durbin said he wants to be “ respectful ” although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Illinois senator then said that he wants to grill Barrett “ point-blank ” on whether her position is to eliminate the ACA that provides health insurance for 20 million Americans .
“ These are fundamental questions , ” Durbin said .
“ No more important now and any time in the past , important at this moment because of the pandemic that we face .
There are many other questions but let ’ s start with that.
” During an interview on CBS , Coons said that he will meet Barrett in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testimony before the committee , when he plans to “ press her on her previous statements ” regarding the ACA .
Coons then criticized Trump for continuing his efforts to overturn the ACA , before pointing to Barrett ’ s past remarks that are critical of rulings that upheld it .
“ It ’ s amazing to me that Judge Barrett has publicly criticized the decision by Chief Justice Roberts that upheld the constitutionality of the ACA and that President Trump is making it clear a vote for Judge Barrett to be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeal the ACA and take away health care protection from a majority of Americans during a pandemic , ” Coon said .
Later in the interview , Coons said that it ’ s “ appropriate ” for the committee to question Barrett ’ s past remarks on ACA in light of the Supreme Court ’ s scheduled hearing on it just days after the November election .
“ It is appropriate for us to question her statements , her opinions , her actions as a professor and judge , but not to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Coons said , referring to Barrett ’ s Catholic faith .
“ That ’ s where I ’ ll be focusing my questions on the Affordable Care Act and on what she has said publicly about her views on its constitutionality.
” Booker told MSNBC that he ’ s open to meeting Barrett and would ask her whether she was willing to recuse herself from 2020 election-related cases .
“ I think you know my spirit , which is to sit down and meet with people and talk to them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m going to make it very clear .
One of the things I want to ask her is will she recuse herself in terms of any election issues that come before us because if she does not recuse herself , I fear that the court will be further delegitimized.
” Booker also joined his Democratic colleagues in voicing concerns that Barrett would help overturn the ACA if confirmed to the Supreme Court because of her past remarks signaling that she “ will tear down ” the law .

Republicans and Democrats on Sunday offered their own previews of the confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a day after President Trump controversially nominated the conservative to fill the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham told Fox News on Sunday that the committee plans on starting confirmation hearings for Barrett beginning Oct. 12 and will approve her nomination on Oct. 22, which sets up a full Senate vote to send the conservative judge to the Supreme Court by the end of the month.
Barrett’s confirmation would solidify a 6-3 conservative majority at the Supreme Court. Additionally, it would come in time for the court’s scheduled hearing regarding a case on the Affordable Care Act just days after the November presidential election.
While prominent Democrats — which include Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) — warn that Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court poses threats to the Affordable Care Act’s longevity, citing her past remarks that were critical of rulings that upheld the ACA, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee have been quick to dismiss Democrats’ fears.
Here’s how Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee weighed in ahead of Barrett’s confirmation hearings:
Republicans on Senate Judiciary Committee
Republican senators appeared to take a cue from Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia, the son of late Justice Antonin Scalia, who said during an interview on Fox News Sunday that Democrats will use the ACA as a “red herring” to attack Barrett.
Referring to Barrett’s vehement disagreement with Chief Justice John Roberts’ ruling in 2012 that upheld the ACA, Scalia downplayed Democrats’ fears of Barrett’s Supreme Court appointment would lead to the overturning of the ACA by noting that she made her comments critical of the law prior to becoming a federal appeals court judge.
“It was a comment that a number of people made at the time,” Scalia said. “It’s not a question that will be before the court in the case that’s coming up and there’s absolutely zero reason to believe that judge Barrett is somebody who does not have the views about the importance of health care.”
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
When asked on “Meet the Press” whether it was his hope the ACA will be ruled unconstitutional if Barrett is confirmed, Blunt replied that is not his hope, but that he does hope “she looks at the facts of the case, applies it to the Constitution and the law and then makes a decision.”
After saying he’s unsure “how you can predict any of that in advance,” Blunt was asked if he wants to see the ACA ruled unconstitutional and thrown out.
“Well if it is thrown out, it will be months from the time the court hears it,” Blunt said. ‘We’ll have time to think about that argument and to do something about it. I think a lot of the Affordable Care Act is now baked into the system.”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
Lee argued during an interview on ABC News that Barrett’s potential appointment to the Supreme Court shouldn’t revolve around how she may rule on “a single case” such as Roe v. Wade.
“You know, only time can tell what will happen to any one precedent. Anytime someone is looking at overruling a precedent, it’s a lot more complicated than people might think,” Lee said. “In any event, you can’t look at the confirmation of a Supreme Court justice and and boil down that jurist’s contribution to the law, past and future, to what they might do with a single case,” he continued.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA)
Kennedy took aim at Democrats who claim that Barrett’s appointment to the Supreme Court will lead to the overturning of the ACA, during an interview on Fox News Sunday.
Appearing right after Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) made that assertion on the program, Kennedy replied that although Stabenow is a “colleague” and “friend,” he ripped into her fears of Barrett’s appointment leading to the demise of the ACA.
“I say this gently: Sell crazy somewhere else; we’re all stocked up here,” Kennedy said. “Unless Debbie’s clairvoyant, I don’t think she knows how the nominee’s going to vote or any other member of the United States Supreme Court.”
Kennedy went on to say that his “Democratic friends” think that the Supreme Court
“ought to be a mini-Congress.”
“They don’t even need to hear cases; they already know how they’re going to vote. And that’s part of the problem,” Kennedy said. “That’s not how I view the appropriate role of the Supreme Court. And I don’t think that’s how it operates.”
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
Democrats on Senate Judiciary Committee
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)
When asked about calls for Democrats to boycott Barrett’s committee proceedings and how several of his colleagues on the committee refuse to meet with Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Durbin told ABC News that he will “extend that courtesy, if she requests it, for at least a socially distanced, safe meeting, perhaps over the phone.”
Durbin said he wants to be “respectful” although “we disagree on some things.”
The Illinois senator then said that he wants to grill Barrett “point-blank” on whether her position is to eliminate the ACA that provides health insurance for 20 million Americans.
“These are fundamental questions,” Durbin said. “No more important now and any time in the past, important at this moment because of the pandemic that we face. There are many other questions but let’s start with that.”
Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE)
During an interview on CBS, Coons said that he will meet Barrett in person or by phone prior to her testimony before the committee, when he plans to “press her on her previous statements” regarding the ACA.
Coons then criticized Trump for continuing his efforts to overturn the ACA, before pointing to Barrett’s past remarks that are critical of rulings that upheld it.
“It’s amazing to me that Judge Barrett has publicly criticized the decision by Chief Justice Roberts that upheld the constitutionality of the ACA and that President Trump is making it clear a vote for Judge Barrett to be on the Supreme Court is a vote to repeal the ACA and take away health care protection from a majority of Americans during a pandemic,” Coon said.
Later in the interview, Coons said that it’s “appropriate” for the committee to question Barrett’s past remarks on ACA in light of the Supreme Court’s scheduled hearing on it just days after the November election.
“It is appropriate for us to question her statements, her opinions, her actions as a professor and judge, but not to go into questions of doctrine or faith personally,” Coons said, referring to Barrett’s Catholic faith. “That’s where I’ll be focusing my questions on the Affordable Care Act and on what she has said publicly about her views on its constitutionality.”
.@ChrisCoons says he plans to talk with #SCOTUS nominee #AmyConeyBarrett. What will he ask about? “I’ll press her on her previous statements about the Affordable Care Act,” he tells @margbrennan. pic.twitter.com/rfHS540h2C — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) September 27, 2020
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Booker told MSNBC that he’s open to meeting Barrett and would ask her whether she was willing to recuse herself from 2020 election-related cases.
“I think you know my spirit, which is to sit down and meet with people and talk to them,” Booker said. “And I’m going to make it very clear. One of the things I want to ask her is will she recuse herself in terms of any election issues that come before us because if she does not recuse herself, I fear that the court will be further delegitimized.”
Booker also joined his Democratic colleagues in voicing concerns that Barrett would help overturn the ACA if confirmed to the Supreme Court because of her past remarks signaling that she “will tear down” the law.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-27--Biden Rips Trump ‘Trying To Throw Out’ ACA By Nominating Barrett For SCOTUS

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden echoed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) in criticizing President Trump by accusing him of “ trying to throw out the Affordable Care Act ” with his rushed nomination of conservative Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court , during a campaign event on Sunday .
Earlier Sunday , a day after officially nominating Barrett , Trump boasted in a tweet that the Affordable Care Act “ will be replaced with a MUCH better , and FAR cheaper alternative , if it is terminated in the Supreme Court.
” Pelosi told CNN on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ hurry ” to confirm his Barrett — a favorite among the right-wing and religious conservatives for her views on abortion and health care — in order to invalidate the Affordable Care Act , given how the court is set to hear a case on the ACA just days after the November presidential election .
Both Pelosi and Senate Minority Speaker Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) warned that Barrett ’ s nomination could threaten access to health care as well as other consequential policy issues .
During his campaign event speech in Wilmington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi ’ s and Schumer ’ s sentiments in warning about the threat that the ACA faces in light of Trump nominating Barrett to fill the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s seat .
“ It ’ s no mystery about what ’ s happening here , ” Biden said .
“ President Trump is trying to throw out the Affordable Care Act .
He ’ s been trying to do it for the last four years .
The Republican Party has been trying to eliminate it for a decade.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that “ it doesn ’ t matter what the American people want ” to the President .
“ President Trump sees a chance to fulfill his explicit mission : Steal away the vital protections of the ACA from countless families who have come to rely on them for their health , their financial security and the lives of those they love , Biden said.
” Biden also said that there ’ s “ no surprise ” that Trump nominated Barrett , citing the President ’ s tweet earlier Sunday that “ lays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to terminate Obamacare.
” The former VP then pointed to Barrett ’ s “ written track record of disagreeing adamantly ” with the Supreme Court ’ s rulings that have upheld the Affordable Care Act .
“ The American people understand the urgency of this moment , ” Biden said .
“ They ’ re already voting in droves because they know their health care hangs in the balance .
”

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden echoed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in criticizing President Trump by accusing him of “trying to throw out the Affordable Care Act” with his rushed nomination of conservative Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, during a campaign event on Sunday.
Earlier Sunday, a day after officially nominating Barrett, Trump boasted in a tweet that the Affordable Care Act “will be replaced with a MUCH better, and FAR cheaper alternative, if it is terminated in the Supreme Court.”
Pelosi told CNN on Sunday that the President is in a “hurry” to confirm his Barrett — a favorite among the right-wing and religious conservatives for her views on abortion and health care — in order to invalidate the Affordable Care Act, given how the court is set to hear a case on the ACA just days after the November presidential election. Both Pelosi and Senate Minority Speaker Chuck Schumer (D-NY) warned that Barrett’s nomination could threaten access to health care as well as other consequential policy issues.
During his campaign event speech in Wilmington, Delaware on Sunday, Biden echoed Pelosi’s and Schumer’s sentiments in warning about the threat that the ACA faces in light of Trump nominating Barrett to fill the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat.
“It’s no mystery about what’s happening here,” Biden said. “President Trump is trying to throw out the Affordable Care Act. He’s been trying to do it for the last four years. The Republican Party has been trying to eliminate it for a decade.”
Biden then tore into Trump by saying that “it doesn’t matter what the American people want” to the President.
“President Trump sees a chance to fulfill his explicit mission: Steal away the vital protections of the ACA from countless families who have come to rely on them for their health, their financial security and the lives of those they love, Biden said.”
Biden also said that there’s “no surprise” that Trump nominated Barrett, citing the President’s tweet earlier Sunday that “lays out clearly what his objective is: to terminate Obamacare.”
The former VP then pointed to Barrett’s “written track record of disagreeing adamantly” with the Supreme Court’s rulings that have upheld the Affordable Care Act.
“The American people understand the urgency of this moment,” Biden said. “They’re already voting in droves because they know their health care hangs in the balance.”
Watch Biden’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-27--Manchin Opposes Dems’ Call To Expand SCOTUS Even If Party Wins Back WH, Senate

Sen. Joe Manchin ( D-WV ) on Sunday voiced his opposition against calls by several top Democrats to expand the Supreme Court even if Democrats take back the White House and the Senate in the November election .
Democrats , including House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler ( D-NY ) , have urged Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to add two justices to the Supreme Court if he wins in November .
The call to expand the Supreme Court comes in in light of Trump rushing the nomination and confirmation process for conservative Judge Amy Coney Barrett , who would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court .
During an interview on CNN , Manchin reasoned that he opposes expanding the Supreme Court because it would hinder the Senate from working “ in a bipartisan way.
” “ The whole premise of this Senate and this democracy experiment of ours is certain decency and social order that basically has been expected from us and especially from the Senate from the beginning of our government , ” Manchin , who represents a state that Trump won in 2016 , said .
“ Now all of the sudden they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you don ’ t have to talk anymore , you just have to have 51 votes and forget about the minority , ’ well the minority has always played an important part in the Senate ’ s proceedings.
” However , Manchin — the sole Democrat who voted to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 — agreed with his fellow Senate Democrats in opposing the vote on Trump ’ s nominee Barrett to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ahead of the November election .
“ This is fanning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s already divided , ” Manchin said , regarding Barrett ’ s confirmation process .

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) on Sunday voiced his opposition against calls by several top Democrats to expand the Supreme Court even if Democrats take back the White House and the Senate in the November election.
Democrats, including House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY), have urged Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to add two justices to the Supreme Court if he wins in November. The call to expand the Supreme Court comes in in light of Trump rushing the nomination and confirmation process for conservative Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who would solidify a 6-3 Republican-appointed majority on the Supreme Court.
During an interview on CNN, Manchin reasoned that he opposes expanding the Supreme Court because it would hinder the Senate from working “in a bipartisan way.”
“The whole premise of this Senate and this democracy experiment of ours is certain decency and social order that basically has been expected from us and especially from the Senate from the beginning of our government,” Manchin, who represents a state that Trump won in 2016, said. “Now all of the sudden they’re going to say, ‘Oh you don’t have to talk anymore, you just have to have 51 votes and forget about the minority,’ well the minority has always played an important part in the Senate’s proceedings.”
However, Manchin — the sole Democrat who voted to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 — agreed with his fellow Senate Democrats in opposing the vote on Trump’s nominee Barrett to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ahead of the November election.
“This is fanning the flames of division in a country that’s already divided,” Manchin said, regarding Barrett’s confirmation process.
Watch Manchin’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-27--Pelosi Jabs Trump For His ‘Hurry’ To Confirm SCOTUS Pick To Undo ACA

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) on Sunday went after President Trump for being in a “ hurry ” to confirm his conservative Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in order to invalidate the Affordable Care Act , given how the court is set to hear a case on the ACA just days after the November presidential election .
On Saturday , Trump ’ s official nomination of Barrett to fill the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg drew backlash from top Democrats , which included Pelosi and Senate Minority Speaker Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s nomination could threaten access to health care as well as other consequential policy issues .
Barrett , a favorite among right-wing activists and religious conservatives for her views on abortion and health care , would solidify a 6-3 conservative majority at the Supreme Court if confirmed .
The Senate Judiciary Committee is reportedly likely to begin a confirmation hearing on Oct. 12 for Barrett .
A day after nominating Barrett to the Supreme Court , Trump gloated in a tweet that it would be a “ big win ” if the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview on CNN Sunday morning , Pelosi said that she is primarily concerned that Trump nominated Barrett to undo the Affordable Care Act , and reasoned that ’ s why the President is in a “ hurry.
” “ That is why he was in such a hurry , so he could have someone in place for the oral arguments , which begin November 10 , ” Pelosi said .
“ And it doesn ’ t matter what the process is here — what matters is what it means personally to the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several reasons for why the ACA would be at stake if struck down by the Supreme Court , before being pressed on her remark in 2016 when she argued that Merrick Garland , then-President Barack Obama ’ s Supreme Court pick , was “ owed a vote ” in the Senate .
“ If Judge Garland was owed a vote , then isn ’ t Judge Barrett owed one as well ?
” CNN ’ s Jake Tapper asked Pelosi .
After Tapper responded that the late Justice Antonin Scalia passed away in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential election — when Pelosi asked , the House speaker said , “ this is now September , so the time frame is quite different that this court would go that long a time without a justice.
” Pelosi told Tapper that she does not “ see any equivalence in what you are presenting .
”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Sunday went after President Trump for being in a “hurry” to confirm his conservative Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in order to invalidate the Affordable Care Act, given how the court is set to hear a case on the ACA just days after the November presidential election.
On Saturday, Trump’s official nomination of Barrett to fill the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg drew backlash from top Democrats, which included Pelosi and Senate Minority Speaker Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Both Pelosi and Schumer warned that Barrett’s nomination could threaten access to health care as well as other consequential policy issues.
Barrett, a favorite among right-wing activists and religious conservatives for her views on abortion and health care, would solidify a 6-3 conservative majority at the Supreme Court if confirmed. The Senate Judiciary Committee is reportedly likely to begin a confirmation hearing on Oct. 12 for Barrett.
A day after nominating Barrett to the Supreme Court, Trump gloated in a tweet that it would be a “big win” if the court struck down the ACA.
Obamacare will be replaced with a MUCH better, and FAR cheaper, alternative if it is terminated in the Supreme Court. Would be a big WIN for the USA! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 27, 2020
During an interview on CNN Sunday morning, Pelosi said that she is primarily concerned that Trump nominated Barrett to undo the Affordable Care Act, and reasoned that’s why the President is in a “hurry.”
“That is why he was in such a hurry, so he could have someone in place for the oral arguments, which begin November 10,” Pelosi said. “And it doesn’t matter what the process is here — what matters is what it means personally to the American people.”
Pelosi went on to list several reasons for why the ACA would be at stake if struck down by the Supreme Court, before being pressed on her remark in 2016 when she argued that Merrick Garland, then-President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court pick, was “owed a vote” in the Senate.
“If Judge Garland was owed a vote, then isn’t Judge Barrett owed one as well?” CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Pelosi.
After Tapper responded that the late Justice Antonin Scalia passed away in February 2016 — almost nine months before the presidential election — when Pelosi asked, the House speaker said, “this is now September, so the time frame is quite different that this court would go that long a time without a justice.”
Pelosi told Tapper that she does not “see any equivalence in what you are presenting.”
Watch Pelosi’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-27--Tom Cotton Predicts There Will Be A Peaceful Transfer Of Power … In 2025

Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) on Sunday appeared undisturbed by President Trump ’ s refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the November presidential election to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , because he ’ s confident that Trump will win re-election .
During a press conference at the White House on Wednesday , Trump offered a noncommittal reply when asked whether he can guarantee a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the November presidential election .
“ Well , we ’ re going to have to see what happens , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ongoing crusade against states expanding access to mail-in voting amid the COVID-19 pandemic , which he baselessly claims will lead to voter fraud .
“ Get rid of the ballots and you ’ ll have a very peaceful — there won ’ t be a transfer , frankly .
There will be a continuation , ” Trump said on Wednesday .
“ The ballots are out of control .
You know it.
” When pressed during an interview on CNN regarding Trump ’ s incendiary remarks — which drew criticism even from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney ( R-WY ) who called the peaceful transfer of power “ fundamental to the survivor of our Republicans ” — Cotton said that he agrees with Cheney before predicting that a peaceful transfer of power will “ happen again in 2025 ” after the President ’ s supposed second term .
“ We ’ ve been transferring the office of the presidency from one person to the next since 1796 , ” Cotton said .
“ I ’ m confident it ’ s going to happen again in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term.
” Asked whether he ’ s at all disturbed by Trump ’ s refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power , Cotton argued that the President was saying that “ he is not going to concede in advance ” as many states expand access to mail-in voting “ at the very last minute.
” “ He ’ s since said that if there ’ s a clear winner , if the courts settle a contested election then of course he will , ” Cotton said .
Cotton — who faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops ” op-ed published in the New York Times in June as protests in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death roiled the country — then appeared to take issue with CNN ’ s Jake Tapper for posing a question that he views as suggesting that Trump will lose in the November presidential election .
“ I don ’ t think the President is going to lose .
The President is going to win , ” Cotton said .
“ This is just another case where the Democrats are projecting some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cotton then went off on a tangent railing against Biden , former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton , before arguing that “ Democrats are the ones who should be pressed on whether or not they will accept a loss in November ” because he believes “ it doesn ’ t sound to me like they will.
” Tapper concluded the interview by telling Cotton “ there ’ s a lot to fact-check in what you just said .
”

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) on Sunday appeared undisturbed by President Trump’s refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the November presidential election to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, because he’s confident that Trump will win re-election.
During a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, Trump offered a noncommittal reply when asked whether he can guarantee a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the November presidential election.
“Well, we’re going to have to see what happens,” Trump said, before going on to wage his ongoing crusade against states expanding access to mail-in voting amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which he baselessly claims will lead to voter fraud.
“Get rid of the ballots and you’ll have a very peaceful — there won’t be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation,” Trump said on Wednesday. “The ballots are out of control. You know it.”
When pressed during an interview on CNN regarding Trump’s incendiary remarks — which drew criticism even from quite a few Republicans, including House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-WY) who called the peaceful transfer of power “fundamental to the survivor of our Republicans” — Cotton said that he agrees with Cheney before predicting that a peaceful transfer of power will “happen again in 2025” after the President’s supposed second term.
“We’ve been transferring the office of the presidency from one person to the next since 1796,” Cotton said. “I’m confident it’s going to happen again in 2025 after President Trump finishes his second term.”
Asked whether he’s at all disturbed by Trump’s refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, Cotton argued that the President was saying that “he is not going to concede in advance” as many states expand access to mail-in voting “at the very last minute.”
“He’s since said that if there’s a clear winner, if the courts settle a contested election then of course he will,” Cotton said.
Cotton — who faced backlash for his “Send in the troops” op-ed published in the New York Times in June as protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death roiled the country — then appeared to take issue with CNN’s Jake Tapper for posing a question that he views as suggesting that Trump will lose in the November presidential election.
“I don’t think the President is going to lose. The President is going to win,” Cotton said. “This is just another case where the Democrats are projecting some of their own intentions onto Donald Trump.”
Cotton then went off on a tangent railing against Biden, former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, before arguing that “Democrats are the ones who should be pressed on whether or not they will accept a loss in November” because he believes “it doesn’t sound to me like they will.”
Tapper concluded the interview by telling Cotton “there’s a lot to fact-check in what you just said.”
Watch Cotton’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-28--Ex-Trump Camp Manager Brad Parscale Hospitalized After Threatening Suicide In His Home

Brad Parscale , the former manager of President Donald Trump ’ s reelection campaign , was hospitalized on Sunday afternoon after threatening suicide in his home in Fort Lauderdale , Florida .
The Sun Sentinel reported that officers from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department ( FLPD ) were dispatched to Parscale ’ s home after his wife called to report that he was armed and threatening suicide .
FLPD Chief Karen Dietrich told the Sun Sentinel that the incident was “ very short ” and that Parscale had not threatened the officers .
“ We went and got him help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale .
Trump campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh expressed condolences for Parscale and his family in a statement while blaming Democrats and “ RINOs ” ( Republicans In Name Only ) for the incident .
“ Brad Parscale is a member of our family and we all love him .
We are ready to support him and his family in any way possible , ” campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh said .
“ The disgusting , personal attacks from Democrats and disgruntled RINOs have gone too far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves for what they ’ ve done to this man and his family.
” The incident occurred several months after Parscale was demoted from campaign manager to senior adviser in mid-July .
He was replaced by Bill Stepien , Trump ’ s deputy campaign manager .

Brad Parscale, the former manager of President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, was hospitalized on Sunday afternoon after threatening suicide in his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Sun Sentinel reported that officers from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) were dispatched to Parscale’s home after his wife called to report that he was armed and threatening suicide.
FLPD Media Relations Unit Sergeant Seargent DeAnna Greenlaw confirmed in a statement to TPM that the police had arrived at Parscale’s home to respond to call regarding an “armed male attempting suicide.” Per the FLPD’s report, Parscale’s wife told officers that he “had access to multiple firearms inside the residence and was threatening to harm himself.”
FLPD Chief Karen Dietrich told the Sun Sentinel that the incident was “very short” and that Parscale had not threatened the officers.
“We went and got him help,” she said.
Parscale was taken to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.
The FLPD released bodycam footage of the incident in which Parscale is seen emerging from his residence and walking calmly toward the officer before his arrest:
Trump campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh expressed condolences for Parscale and his family in a statement while blaming Democrats and “RINOs” (Republicans In Name Only) for the incident.
“Brad Parscale is a member of our family and we all love him. We are ready to support him and his family in any way possible,” campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh said. “The disgusting, personal attacks from Democrats and disgruntled RINOs have gone too far, and they should be ashamed of themselves for what they’ve done to this man and his family.”
The incident occurred several months after Parscale was demoted from campaign manager to senior adviser in mid-July. He was replaced by Bill Stepien, Trump’s deputy campaign manager.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-28--Biden Campaign Pounces On NYT Bombshell Report On Trump’s Tax Returns

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden ’ s campaign zeroed in on the New York Times ’ blockbuster report on President Donald Trump ’ s elusive federal tax returns on Sunday night .
Biden campaign spokesperson Kate Bedingfield asserted during a CNN interview on Sunday night that the report , which revealed Trump had paid a mere $ 750 in income taxes in 2016 and 2017 and that he had paid no taxes in several of the preceding years , “ contributes to this larger sense that we have from Donald Trump that he looks down on working people.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminder how clear the choice is here between , in this race , between Park Avenue and Scranton , ” Bedingfield told CNN anchor Anderson Cooper .
“ You have in Donald Trump a president who spends his time thinking about how he can work his way out of paying taxes , of meeting the obligation that every other working person in this country meets every year .
With Joe Biden you have somebody who has a completely different perspective on what it means to be a working family in this country.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ad on Twitter listing the “ typical income tax ” of elementary school teachers , firefighters , construction managers , and registered nurse , and compared the figures to the meager federal income taxes Trump had reportedly paid in 2016 and 2017 .
Earlier on Sunday , the Times published a bombshell report on Trump ’ s tax returns dating from 2000 through 2017 .
Along with the paltry $ 750 in the year Trump was elected and the year after , the report also exposed that in 10 of the 15 previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero income taxes , and that he had reported to the IRS that his losses far outweighed the gains in his businesses .
Following the report ’ s release , Trump attacked the revelations as “ totally fake news , made-up , fake ” during a press briefing .
He also complained that the IRS “ does not treat me well .
”

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s campaign zeroed in on the New York Times’ blockbuster report on President Donald Trump’s elusive federal tax returns on Sunday night.
Biden campaign spokesperson Kate Bedingfield asserted during a CNN interview on Sunday night that the report, which revealed Trump had paid a mere $750 in income taxes in 2016 and 2017 and that he had paid no taxes in several of the preceding years, “contributes to this larger sense that we have from Donald Trump that he looks down on working people.”
“Look, it’s the latest reminder how clear the choice is here between, in this race, between Park Avenue and Scranton,” Bedingfield told CNN anchor Anderson Cooper. “You have in Donald Trump a president who spends his time thinking about how he can work his way out of paying taxes, of meeting the obligation that every other working person in this country meets every year. With Joe Biden you have somebody who has a completely different perspective on what it means to be a working family in this country.”
Biden campaign spokesperson says revelation of Trump's tax returns "contributes to this larger sense that we have from Donald Trump that he looks down on working people." pic.twitter.com/vQg6cLTdnz — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) September 28, 2020
The Biden campaign also posted a 30-second ad on Twitter listing the “typical income tax” of elementary school teachers, firefighters, construction managers, and registered nurse, and compared the figures to the meager federal income taxes Trump had reportedly paid in 2016 and 2017.
Teachers paid $7,239
Firefighters paid $5,283
Nurses paid $10,216 Donald Trump paid $750 pic.twitter.com/5YE1cbYsBN — Team Joe (Text JOE to 30330) (@TeamJoe) September 28, 2020
Earlier on Sunday, the Times published a bombshell report on Trump’s tax returns dating from 2000 through 2017. Along with the paltry $750 in the year Trump was elected and the year after, the report also exposed that in 10 of the 15 previous 15 years, the President had paid zero income taxes, and that he had reported to the IRS that his losses far outweighed the gains in his businesses.
Following the report’s release, Trump attacked the revelations as “totally fake news, made-up, fake” during a press briefing. He also complained that the IRS “does not treat me well.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-28--Fauci Suggests Trump’s COVID Adviser Is ‘Outlier’ On WH Coronavirus Task Force

Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday joined fellow White House coronavirus task members Dr. Deborah Birx and Centers for Disease Control Director Dr. Robert Redfield in expressing his concerns that President Trump ’ s new favorite COVID-19 adviser , Dr. Scott Atlas , is feeding the President misinformation amid the pandemic .
On Monday , NBC News reported that while on a flight from Atlanta to Washington D.C. , Redfield was overheard criticizing Atlas — a neurologist who hasn ’ t practiced medicine since 2012 — by proclaiming that “ everything he says is false ” on COVID-19 .
Redfield ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s favorite COVID-19 adviser comes a week after CNN reported that Birx , another prominent task force member who has managed to stay in the President ’ s good graces , has become “ distressed ” over Trump ’ s admiration of Atlas .
According to CNN , Birx views Atlas as “ somebody who matches what ( Trump ) wants to believe ” as the President continues offering a rosy picture of his administration ’ s COVID-19 response amid the country topping more than 200,000 fatalities from the novel coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fauci was asked whether he shares Redfield ’ s concerns regarding Atlas sharing misleading information with the President .
Fauci replied that he agrees with Redfield because he is concerned that “ sometimes things are said that are really taken either out of context or are actually incorrect.
” Fauci added that he ’ s not one to publicly criticize people and that if he has an issue with someone , he prefers sitting down with them and explain why his views differs from theirs in order to “ come to some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his differences with Atlas , who has faced widespread criticism for advocating a contrarian approach to managing the novel coronavirus while lacking epidemiological expertise .
One example includes Atlas pushing for the reopening of schools amid outbreaks related to in-person instruction .
“ So , I mean , my differences with Dr. Atlas — I ’ m always willing to sit down and talk with him and see if we can resolve those differences , ” Fauci said .
When asked about whether Redfield and Atlas are working together or working against each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” members of the White House coronavirus are before appearing to suggest that Atlas is an “ outlier.
” “ Well , most are working together , ” Fauci said .
“ I think , you know who the outlier is.
” Shortly before Fauci ’ s remarks aired , Trump said during a coronavirus testing event at the White House that the country is “ rounding the corner ” — an assertion that Fauci directly refuted earlier this month in an interview on MSNBC — despite the country ’ s death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both Fauci and Birx were notably absent from Trump ’ s COVID-19 testing event at the White House , which Atlas attended .

Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday joined fellow White House coronavirus task members Dr. Deborah Birx and Centers for Disease Control Director Dr. Robert Redfield in expressing his concerns that President Trump’s new favorite COVID-19 adviser, Dr. Scott Atlas, is feeding the President misinformation amid the pandemic.
On Monday, NBC News reported that while on a flight from Atlanta to Washington D.C., Redfield was overheard criticizing Atlas — a neurologist who hasn’t practiced medicine since 2012 — by proclaiming that “everything he says is false” on COVID-19.
Redfield’s reportedly dim view of the President’s favorite COVID-19 adviser comes a week after CNN reported that Birx, another prominent task force member who has managed to stay in the President’s good graces, has become “distressed” over Trump’s admiration of Atlas.
According to CNN, Birx views Atlas as “somebody who matches what (Trump) wants to believe” as the President continues offering a rosy picture of his administration’s COVID-19 response amid the country topping more than 200,000 fatalities from the novel coronavirus.
During an interview on CNN later Monday, Fauci was asked whether he shares Redfield’s concerns regarding Atlas sharing misleading information with the President.
Fauci replied that he agrees with Redfield because he is concerned that “sometimes things are said that are really taken either out of context or are actually incorrect.”
Fauci added that he’s not one to publicly criticize people and that if he has an issue with someone, he prefers sitting down with them and explain why his views differs from theirs in order to “come to some sort of resolution.”
Fauci then acknowledged his differences with Atlas, who has faced widespread criticism for advocating a contrarian approach to managing the novel coronavirus while lacking epidemiological expertise. One example includes Atlas pushing for the reopening of schools amid outbreaks related to in-person instruction.
“So, I mean, my differences with Dr. Atlas — I’m always willing to sit down and talk with him and see if we can resolve those differences,” Fauci said.
When asked about whether Redfield and Atlas are working together or working against each other, Fauci replied that “most” members of the White House coronavirus are before appearing to suggest that Atlas is an “outlier.”
“Well, most are working together,” Fauci said. “I think, you know who the outlier is.”
Shortly before Fauci’s remarks aired, Trump said during a coronavirus testing event at the White House that the country is “rounding the corner” — an assertion that Fauci directly refuted earlier this month in an interview on MSNBC — despite the country’s death toll from COVID-19 surpassing 200,000 last week.
Both Fauci and Birx were notably absent from Trump’s COVID-19 testing event at the White House, which Atlas attended.
Watch Fauci’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-28--Ross Sets ‘Target Date’ For Ending Census That Seems To Flout Judge’s Order

The Census Bureau said Monday that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross had set Oct. 5 as a “ target date ” for finishing data collection for 2020 ’ s count — an announcement that seems to fly in the face of a federal judge ’ s order that those operations continue through the end of October .
The Census Bureau ’ s press shop could not provide TPM with any more information beyond a link to a statement matching the initial tweet with the announcement .
House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney meanwhile bashed the “ cryptic announcement ” and called on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicize and jeopardize the 2020 Census.
” The tweet capped off what had already been an odd day in the litigation over when and how the census should be allowed to wind down .
U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh — who late last week had halted the administration ’ s plans to finish data collection on Sept. 31 — ordered that the parties respond to multiple emails the court received from people claiming to have evidence that Bureau enumerators were being told to disregard her orders in the case .
The Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order extending the timeline for the count .
The administration is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to immediately put that order on hold while the appeal is litigated .
When the pandemic took hold this spring , Ross announced that the Census Bureau needed four additional months to complete the count , and asked for Congress to extend the statutory deadlines the Bureau faces , including a Dec. 31 deadline for delivering the apportionment data .
Part of that reworked timeline extended data collection until Oct. 31 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration backed down from that request and Ross ordered the Bureau in late July to come up with a truncated timeline that ended data collection at the end of this month .
Koh ’ s order halted the administration from implementing that truncated deadline .
The tweet was posted just before a hearing dealing with other matters in the case was set to began in front of Koh .
At the hearing , the judge ordered that the administration produce by Tuesday documents related to the decision to set the “ target date @ @

The Census Bureau said Monday that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross had set Oct. 5 as a “target date” for finishing data collection for 2020’s count — an announcement that seems to fly in the face of a federal judge’s order that those operations continue through the end of October.
The Census Bureau’s press shop could not provide TPM with any more information beyond a link to a statement matching the initial tweet with the announcement. House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney meanwhile bashed the “cryptic announcement” and called on the administration to stop”working to politicize and jeopardize the 2020 Census.”
The Secretary of Commerce has announced a target date of October 5, 2020 to conclude 2020 Census self-response and field data collection operations. — U.S. Census Bureau (@uscensusbureau) September 28, 2020
The tweet capped off what had already been an odd day in the litigation over when and how the census should be allowed to wind down.
U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh — who late last week had halted the administration’s plans to finish data collection on Sept. 31 — ordered that the parties respond to multiple emails the court received from people claiming to have evidence that Bureau enumerators were being told to disregard her orders in the case.
The Trump administration has already appealed Koh’s Friday order extending the timeline for the count. The administration is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to immediately put that order on hold while the appeal is litigated.
When the pandemic took hold this spring, Ross announced that the Census Bureau needed four additional months to complete the count, and asked for Congress to extend the statutory deadlines the Bureau faces, including a Dec. 31 deadline for delivering the apportionment data. Part of that reworked timeline extended data collection until Oct. 31.
Over the summer, however, the administration backed down from that request and Ross ordered the Bureau in late July to come up with a truncated timeline that ended data collection at the end of this month. Koh’s order halted the administration from implementing that truncated deadline.
The tweet was posted just before a hearing dealing with other matters in the case was set to began in front of Koh. At the hearing, the judge ordered that the administration produce by Tuesday documents related to the decision to set the “target date.”