talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-02--The CDC Mandates That Trump Should’ve ‘Separated Himself’ — But He Went Campaigning Instead

The CDC mandates that anyone who even just might have been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19 should “ stay home ” and “ separate themselves from others.
” President Donald Trump , though , kept up a rigorous and largely mask-less campaign schedule even after members of his inner orbit tested positive .
While it was Hope Hicks ’ positive test , reported Thursday , that sent the political world into an uproar , new reporting Friday revealed that Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel tested positive on Wednesday .
According to the New York Times , she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump himself announced his positive diagnosis early Friday morning .
That means that as early as Wednesday , the Trump camp had a solid , official diagnosis and knowledge that the President could have been infected .
While the White House claims that Trump is tested daily , and presumably would have tested negative all the days leading up to his positive test , it is widely known that an infected person in the early stages of the virus may still test negative .
The CDC is explicit and cautious : A person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more.
” That quarantine should begin after the contact with the infected , or suspected-to-be-infected , person and last for 14 days .
Trump should have entered quarantine as soon as McDaniel tested positive , and stayed that way for two weeks .
Instead , he and his entourage loaded onto Air Force One .
On Wednesday , Trump flew with a whole host of allies and aides : per CNN , the group included the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-MN ) , Pete Stauber ( R-MN ) , Jim Hagedorn ( R-MN ) , White House aides Stephen Miller , Jared Kushner , Dan Scavino and Mark Meadows .
Upon landing in Minnesota , Trump also had an unmasked conversation with Republican state lawmakers and a U.S. Senate candidate , per the Duluth News Tribune .
Here ’ s Trump with the Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives : He then attended a private , closed-door fundraiser in Shorewood , Minnesota before heading to a rally in Duluth attended by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire department .
Trump and much of the crowd was unmasked .
On the flight back , Hicks reportedly felt ill and flew in an isolated cabin .
Hicks tested positive at some point , and the news broke on Thursday .
According to Bloomberg , some White House aides knew about the diagnosis but intended to keep it secret .
Thursday afternoon , Trump attended a fundraiser in Bedminster , New Jersey .
According to the Washington Post , he was in close contact with “ dozens ” of campaign supporters during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a pharmaceutical executive and major Republican donor who was in attendance , told the Lakewood Scoop that about 19 people met with Trump for 45 minutes to an hour .
The Republican National Committee said Friday that everyone at the event had tested negative , passed a temperature check and was kept six feet away from Trump .
Trump reportedly wore a mask neither at the event nor on the flight .
He was tested when he returned to the White House .
That evening , in prerecorded remarks , Trump addressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just want to say that the end of the pandemic is in sight , and next year will be one of the greatest years in the history of our country , ” he said .

The CDC mandates that anyone who even just might have been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19 should “stay home” and “separate themselves from others.”
President Donald Trump, though, kept up a rigorous and largely mask-less campaign schedule even after members of his inner orbit tested positive.
While it was Hope Hicks’ positive test, reported Thursday, that sent the political world into an uproar, new reporting Friday revealed that Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel tested positive on Wednesday. According to the New York Times, she was with Trump in Michigan last Friday. Trump himself announced his positive diagnosis early Friday morning.
That means that as early as Wednesday, the Trump camp had a solid, official diagnosis and knowledge that the President could have been infected. While the White House claims that Trump is tested daily, and presumably would have tested negative all the days leading up to his positive test, it is widely known that an infected person in the early stages of the virus may still test negative.
The CDC is explicit and cautious: A person should start quarantining if he or she was “within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more.” That quarantine should begin after the contact with the infected, or suspected-to-be-infected, person and last for 14 days. Trump should have entered quarantine as soon as McDaniel tested positive, and stayed that way for two weeks. Instead, he and his entourage loaded onto Air Force One.
On Wednesday, Trump flew with a whole host of allies and aides: per CNN, the group included the not-yet-diagnosed Hicks, Reps. Tom Emmer (R-MN), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Jim Hagedorn (R-MN), White House aides Stephen Miller, Jared Kushner, Dan Scavino and Mark Meadows.
Upon landing in Minnesota, Trump also had an unmasked conversation with Republican state lawmakers and a U.S. Senate candidate, per the Duluth News Tribune.
Here’s Trump with the Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives:
It was an honor to greet President @realDonaldTrump as he arrived in Minnesota for his latest campaign visit. The Trump campaign and @mngop have built an unprecedented ground game and Republicans are fired up to win in November! #mnleg #mngop pic.twitter.com/EXQZ6RkAgv — Kurt Daudt (@kdaudt) September 30, 2020
He then attended a private, closed-door fundraiser in Shorewood, Minnesota before heading to a rally in Duluth attended by 3,000 people, according to the local fire department. Trump and much of the crowd was unmasked.
On the flight back, Hicks reportedly felt ill and flew in an isolated cabin.
Hicks tested positive at some point, and the news broke on Thursday. According to Bloomberg, some White House aides knew about the diagnosis but intended to keep it secret.
Thursday afternoon, Trump attended a fundraiser in Bedminster, New Jersey. According to the Washington Post, he was in close contact with “dozens” of campaign supporters during a round table event. Rich Roberts, a pharmaceutical executive and major Republican donor who was in attendance, told the Lakewood Scoop that about 19 people met with Trump for 45 minutes to an hour. The Republican National Committee said Friday that everyone at the event had tested negative, passed a temperature check and was kept six feet away from Trump.
Trump reportedly wore a mask neither at the event nor on the flight.
He was tested when he returned to the White House.
That evening, in prerecorded remarks, Trump addressed the Al Smith Dinner remotely.
“I just want to say that the end of the pandemic is in sight, and next year will be one of the greatest years in the history of our country,” he said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-02--EXCLUSIVE: House Opens Probe Of ‘Dangerous’ HHS Rapid Test Deployment After TPM Report

The House Oversight Committee is opening an investigation into the Trump administration ’ s deployment of rapid COVID-19 tests to nursing homes around the country after TPM revealed in August that the tests had been sent without warning or guidance on their operation .
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi ( D-IL ) , the chairman of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy , said in a letter Friday that he is probing allegations that the Department of Health and Human Services distributed thousands of testing kits in a reckless manner , failing to provide guidance to recipients .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The result , TPM reported originally , was mass confusion , the potential for underreporting of test results , and conflict with state authorities that had banned the use of the rapid antigen tests in nursing homes because of their lower accuracy .
The subcommittee announced the probe in an Oct. 2 letter to HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brett Giroir , who oversaw the ambitious program in which HHS and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services would supply every nursing home in the country with a rapid testing kit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HHS is not providing clear guidance on how to use these antigen tests , resulting in widespread confusion , ” Rep. Krishnamoorthi wrote in the letter .
“ When used improperly , tests can create dangerous situations .
Epidemiologists have shared a concern with me that if tests with insufficient sensitivity are used to ‘ screen ’ visitors to nursing homes , false negatives risk allowing entry to contagious persons who could seed a deadly outbreak.
” The antigen tests make a limited trade between speed and accuracy , providing less reliable results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TPM in August that the tests were best used and most accurate when testing people who were already showing symptoms that could be consistent with COVID-19 or other illnesses .
But when HHS announced the initiative on July 14 , the agency stated that it would give nursing homes the ability to “ screen and test ” residents and visitors .
That , Krishnamoorthi wrote in the letter , appears to conflict with the devices ’ instructions , which say that the antigen tests “ should not be used for screening of asymptomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kits spread this summer , multiple officials with local nursing homes and national organizations representing long-term care facilities and state epidemiologists told TPM about the problem .
Some of these organizations drafted their own guidance to help nursing homes figure out in what situations to use the tests and how to report the results .
Federal law has mandated since March that all COVID-19 test results must be reported to public health authorities .
Dr. Jeffrey Engel , a senior advisor on COVID-19 and an executive at the Council of State and Territorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had petitioned Giroir directly about the problem .
“ We ’ ve been asking for federal guidance all along , these nursing homes have very limited capacity , and to expect them to ramp up and do this — something that they ’ ve never done before — is not realistic and could be potentially harmful , ” Engel said .
Engel also said at the time that Giroir had failed to provide a list of nursing homes that received the rapid testing kits .
An HHS spokeswoman told TPM in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how to use the tests lay with the manufacturers .
“ Training documentation will be made widely available for all nursing homes that are receiving supplies , ” the spokeswoman said .
The administration eventually expanded the program to distribute the rapid testing devices to schools and other areas where COVID-19 infection is likely , signing a $ 750 million deal with Abbott Laboratories .
The terms of the devices ’ procurement are also under investigation .
Rep. Krishnamoorthi demanded in his letter — sent to HHS Friday morning — that HHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the nursing homes that received the testing kits .
He is also seeking all published and draft guidance that HHS provided to recipients of the tests , information about how recipients were prioritized , internal communications about the program , and documents surrounding the procurement of the testing devices .
The lawmaker added in the letter that the lack of guidance had made it harder for nursing homes and schools to design testing plans “ to effectively control the spread of coronavirus.
” “ The Subcommittee seeks your commitment that , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a massive scale with the procurement of 150 million more antigen tests , it will provide clear and effective guidance to nursing homes , schools , states , and communities on how to use them appropriately , ” the message reads .

The House Oversight Committee is opening an investigation into the Trump administration’s deployment of rapid COVID-19 tests to nursing homes around the country after TPM revealed in August that the tests had been sent without warning or guidance on their operation.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), the chairman of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, said in a letter Friday that he is probing allegations that the Department of Health and Human Services distributed thousands of testing kits in a reckless manner, failing to provide guidance to recipients.
The Krishnamoorthi letter has not previously been reported.
The result, TPM reported originally, was mass confusion, the potential for underreporting of test results, and conflict with state authorities that had banned the use of the rapid antigen tests in nursing homes because of their lower accuracy.
The subcommittee announced the probe in an Oct. 2 letter to HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brett Giroir, who oversaw the ambitious program in which HHS and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services would supply every nursing home in the country with a rapid testing kit.
“The Subcommittee is concerned that HHS is not providing clear guidance on how to use these antigen tests, resulting in widespread confusion,” Rep. Krishnamoorthi wrote in the letter. “When used improperly, tests can create dangerous situations. Epidemiologists have shared a concern with me that if tests with insufficient sensitivity are used to ‘screen’ visitors to nursing homes, false negatives risk allowing entry to contagious persons who could seed a deadly outbreak.”
The antigen tests make a limited trade between speed and accuracy, providing less reliable results within a 15-minute timeframe. Scientists told TPM in August that the tests were best used and most accurate when testing people who were already showing symptoms that could be consistent with COVID-19 or other illnesses.
But when HHS announced the initiative on July 14, the agency stated that it would give nursing homes the ability to “screen and test” residents and visitors. That, Krishnamoorthi wrote in the letter, appears to conflict with the devices’ instructions, which say that the antigen tests “should not be used for screening of
asymptomatic individuals.”
As confusion over the testing kits spread this summer, multiple officials with local nursing homes and national organizations representing long-term care facilities and state epidemiologists told TPM about the problem.
Some of these organizations drafted their own guidance to help nursing homes figure out in what situations to use the tests and how to report the results. Federal law has mandated since March that all COVID-19 test results must be reported to public health authorities.
Dr. Jeffrey Engel, a senior advisor on COVID-19 and an executive at the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, told TPM in August that he had petitioned Giroir directly about the problem.
“We’ve been asking for federal guidance all along, these nursing homes have very limited capacity, and to expect them to ramp up and do this — something that they’ve never done before — is not realistic and could be potentially harmful,” Engel said.
Engel also said at the time that Giroir had failed to provide a list of nursing homes that received the rapid testing kits.
An HHS spokeswoman told TPM in August that the responsibility to instruct nursing homes on how to use the tests lay with the manufacturers. “Training documentation will be made widely available for all nursing homes that are receiving supplies,” the spokeswoman said.
The administration eventually expanded the program to distribute the rapid testing devices to schools and other areas where COVID-19 infection is likely, signing a $750 million deal with Abbott Laboratories. The terms of the devices’ procurement are also under investigation.
Rep. Krishnamoorthi demanded in his letter — sent to HHS Friday morning — that HHS provide by Oct. 16 a list of all the nursing homes that received the testing kits. He is also seeking all published and draft guidance that HHS provided to recipients of the tests, information about how recipients were prioritized, internal communications about the program, and documents surrounding the procurement of the testing devices.
The lawmaker added in the letter that the lack of guidance had made it harder for nursing homes and schools to design testing plans “to effectively control the spread of coronavirus.”
“The Subcommittee seeks your commitment that, as HHS ramps up its antigen test deployment to a massive scale with the procurement of 150 million more antigen tests, it will provide clear and effective guidance to nursing homes, schools, states, and communities on how to use them appropriately,” the message reads.
Read the letter here:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-03--McCabe Will Not Appear At Senate Hearing Amid Reports Of Senators Testing Positive For COVID

Andrew McCabe ’ s attorney said that the former FBI deputy director would not appear at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing next week after two of its members tested positive for COVID-19 , The Hill reported on Saturday .
McCabe was scheduled to testify on Tuesday as part of an investigation into the FBI ’ s Russia probe but will no longer appear according to his attorney , Michael Bromwich who noted health concerns amid recent reports that top Republican leaders had been diagnosed with the virus .
Per The Hill , McCabe ’ s attorney told Senate Judiciary Chair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an in-person hearing carries grave safety risks ” to all of those in attendance after two members of the committee — Sens .
Mike Lee ( R-UT ) and Thom Tillis ( R-NC ) tested positive .
“ It may well be that other members of the Committee and staff who plan to attend the hearing will test positive between now and then , or may have been exposed to the virus and may be a carrier , ” Bromwich wrote in the email .
McCabe ’ s attorney said that the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testimony “ in the future when it is safe to do so .
But he is not willing to put his family ’ s health at risk to do so.
” The email declining to appear , comes as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Saturday issued a statement saying that he intended to seek a consent agreement to postpone much of the Senate ’ s floor activity which is scheduled to convene beginning on Monday .
McCabe ’ s lawyer said that the ex-FBI official as a matter of fairness would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A fair and appropriate hearing of this kind — which is complex and contentious — simply can not be conducted other than in person , ” McCabe ’ s attorney wrote , per The Hill .
Graham has led the committee ’ s investigation into the FBI ’ s Russia probe and former special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s inquiry .
Democrats have pushed back on Graham ’ s investigation , calling it a partisan move to boost Trump ahead of the election which is now just one month away .
While Mueller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , former FBI Director James Comey appeared before the panel last week defending the FBI ’ s investigation .

Andrew McCabe’s attorney said that the former FBI deputy director would not appear at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing next week after two of its members tested positive for COVID-19, The Hill reported on Saturday.
McCabe was scheduled to testify on Tuesday as part of an investigation into the FBI’s Russia probe but will no longer appear according to his attorney, Michael Bromwich who noted health concerns amid recent reports that top Republican leaders had been diagnosed with the virus.
Per The Hill, McCabe’s attorney told Senate Judiciary Chair Lindsey Graham in an email that “an in-person hearing carries grave safety risks” to all of those in attendance after two members of the committee — Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) tested positive.
“It may well be that other members of the Committee and staff who plan to attend the hearing will test positive between now and then, or may have been exposed to the virus and may be a carrier,” Bromwich wrote in the email.
McCabe’s attorney said that the former FBI official would be willing to offer testimony “in the future when it is safe to do so. But he is not willing to put his family’s health at risk to do so.”
The email declining to appear, comes as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Saturday issued a statement saying that he intended to seek a consent agreement to postpone much of the Senate’s floor activity which is scheduled to convene beginning on Monday.
McCabe’s lawyer said that the ex-FBI official as a matter of fairness would not be willing to testify remotely.
“A fair and appropriate hearing of this kind — which is complex and contentious — simply cannot be conducted other than in person,” McCabe’s attorney wrote, per The Hill.
Graham has led the committee’s investigation into the FBI’s Russia probe and former special counsel Robert Mueller’s inquiry.
Democrats have pushed back on Graham’s investigation, calling it a partisan move to boost Trump ahead of the election which is now just one month away.
While Mueller has declined to testify in the hearing, former FBI Director James Comey appeared before the panel last week defending the FBI’s investigation.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-03--McConnell Plows Ahead With Barrett Hearing Even After 3 GOP Senators Test Positive For COVID

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( KY ) on Saturday said that he will seek to obtain a consent agreement only to delay the return of Senate ’ s floor proceedings scheduled to begin on Monday , meanwhile pushing ahead with the Senate Judiciary Committee ’ s original timeline set for the confirmation hearing of a conservative judge to the Supreme Court .
“ The Senate Judiciary Committee will convene on October 12th as Chairman Graham has scheduled to begin confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett ’ s nomination to the Supreme Court , ” McConnell said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s floor schedule will not interrupt the thorough , fair , and historically supported confirmation process previously laid out by Chairman Graham.
” The proposed delay that only extends to the Senate ’ s floor activity but keeps the confirmation hearing schedule intact , follows reports that three GOP senators have tested positive for coronavirus in recent days .
Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) reported a positive test for COVID-19 on Saturday , joining a growing list of Republican lawmakers including Sens .
Thom Tillis ( R-NC ) and Mike Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus after President Donald Trump announced he had contracted the virus early Friday .
It is unclear whether Democrats will agree to a delayed return to the Senate .
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested that it would be “ too dangerous for committee hearings to continue ” amid the reported COVID-19 infections of three of his Senate colleagues .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) on Saturday said that he will seek to obtain a consent agreement only to delay the return of Senate floor proceedings scheduled to begin on Monday, meanwhile pushing ahead with the Senate Judiciary Committee’s original timeline set for the confirmation hearing of a conservative judge to the Supreme Court.
“The Senate Judiciary Committee will convene on October 12th as Chairman Graham has scheduled to begin confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court,” McConnell said in a statement issued Saturday. “The Senate’s floor schedule will not interrupt the thorough, fair, and historically supported confirmation process previously laid out by Chairman Graham.”
Senate floor proceedings will be postponed until October 19th. The @SenJudiciary confirmation hearings for Judge Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court will convene on October 12th as scheduled by Chairman Graham. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/7ThKZPJBZG — Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) October 3, 2020
The proposed delay that only extends to the Senate’s floor activity but keeps the confirmation hearing schedule intact, follows reports that three GOP senators have tested positive for coronavirus in recent days.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) reported a positive test for COVID-19 on Saturday, joining a growing list of Republican lawmakers including Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Mike Lee (R-UT) who reported diagnoses for coronavirus after President Donald Trump announced he had contracted the virus early Friday.
It is unclear whether Democrats will agree to a delayed return to the Senate. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested that it would be “too dangerous for committee hearings to continue” amid the reported COVID-19 infections of three of his Senate colleagues.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-03--WH Doctor Shifts Story On Trump’s COVID Diagnosis During Evasive Briefing

White House physician Sean Conley delivered a vague and evasive update on President Trump ’ s treatment for coronavirus on Saturday , contradicting earlier information about the President ’ s diagnosis and leaving many unanswered questions .
Standing in front of a team of doctors involved in Trump ’ s treatment at Walter Reed Military Medical Center , Conley insisted the President is doing “ very well.
” But the White House doctor offered a baffling new timeline on when the President received an initial positive diagnosis for coronavirus .
Conley revealed that as of Saturday ’ s press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 , a date that directly contradicts the President ’ s own announcement early Friday .
Trump told Sean Hannity on Thursday night , after the revelation of Hope Hicks ’ COVID-19 diagnosis , that he and the first lady had just been tested and were awaiting results .
Conley ’ s timeline would place Trump ’ s positive diagnosis at Wednesday morning .
Trump tweeted about his positive diagnosis at roughly 1 a.m .
ET Friday , roughly 36 hours ahead of the doctors ’ briefing .
After this article was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memo seeking to clean up the messy timeline that appeared to place Trump ’ s diagnosis days earlier than it was reported .
In a memo titled “ Timeline Clarification , ” Conley said that he had misspoken when he “ incorrectly used the term ” 72 hours to refer to “ day three ” of the President ’ s diagnosis during the Saturday briefing .
“ The President was first diagnosed with COVID-19 on the evening of Thursday , October 1st , ” the memo says .
Amid the timeline first proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss when Trump last received a negative test for coronavirus .
His evasiveness adds to the lack of transparency offered by the White House on the President ’ s situation .
The President has claimed he gets tested for coronavirus daily , but when he arrived at the presidential debate Tuesday in Ohio he was too late to receive a test on location , and moderator Chris Wallace said Trump was allowed to proceed based on an “ honor system.
” Conley ’ s lack of clarity on testing raises further questions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the White House to protect against the virus ’ spread with regular testing , as a growing list of officials in close contact with the president in recent days continue to test positive for COVID-19 .
While Conley said that Trump is not currently on oxygen , he refused to say whether the President had received supplemental oxygen earlier in his treatment .
The Associated Press reported after the news conference that Trump had received oxygen at the White House before beginning treatment at Walter Reed , citing a source .
Conley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when pressed multiple times by reporters , raises concern about how the President is faring with the virus .
Conley said Trump that been fever-free for 24 hours , adding “ we remain cautiously optimistic , but he ’ s doing great.
” But he refused to give reporters specific information on what the President ’ s temperature was .
“ I ’ d rather not give any specific numbers , but he did have a fever Thursday into Friday , ” he said .
Asked about screenings to detect lung damage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultrasounds on the President and “ following all of that.
” He would not say whether Trump showed evidence of lung damage .
The entire briefing sought to paint a rosy picture of Trump ’ s health .
However , moments after it ended a source familiar with the President ’ s health issued an alarming and contradictory statement to the White House press pool .
“ The president ’ s vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clear path to a full recovery , ” the source said .
A day after telling reporters that the President was doing well and “ continues to be very energetic , ” White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows was caught on camera Saturday asking to go off record before the anonymous statement was sent out in a White House pool report .
A number of reporters attributed the statement to Meadows .
CNN ’ s Dr. Sanjay Gupta strongly criticized the lack of credible information doctors provided Saturday .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t answer versus what he did , ” Gupta said , adding that Conley ’ s avoidance of questions raised red flags about whether the doctor was being forthright in giving a full picture of the President ’ s condition .
The President , who is 74 , is at higher risk of complications from coronavirus due to his older age and underlying obesity .
He received remdesivir treatment at the military hospital on Friday .
The White House said he is expected to stay at Water Reed for the next few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published , Conley sent out a memo seeking to clean up the messy timeline that appeared to place Trump ’ s diagnosis days earlier than it was reported .
In a memo titled “ Timeline Clarification , ” Conley said that he had misspoken when he “ incorrectly used the term ” 72 hours to refer to “ day three ” of the President ’ s diagnosis during the Saturday briefing .
“ The President was first diagnosed with COVID-19 on the evening of Thursday , October 1st , ” the memo says @

White House physician Sean Conley delivered a vague and evasive update on President Trump’s treatment for coronavirus on Saturday, contradicting earlier information about the President’s diagnosis and leaving many unanswered questions.
Standing in front of a team of doctors involved in Trump’s treatment at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, Conley insisted the President is doing “very well.” But the White House doctor offered a baffling new timeline on when the President received an initial positive diagnosis for coronavirus.
Conley revealed that as of Saturday’s press conference Trump was 72 hours into his diagnosis of COVID-19, a date that directly contradicts the President’s own announcement early Friday. Trump told Sean Hannity on Thursday night, after the revelation of Hope Hicks’ COVID-19 diagnosis, that he and the first lady had just been tested and were awaiting results.
Conley’s timeline would place Trump’s positive diagnosis at Wednesday morning. Trump tweeted about his positive diagnosis at roughly 1 a.m. ET Friday, roughly 36 hours ahead of the doctors’ briefing.
After this article was first published, Conley sent out a memo seeking to clean up the messy timeline that appeared to place Trump’s diagnosis days earlier than it was reported. In a memo titled “Timeline Clarification,” Conley said that he had misspoken when he “incorrectly used the term” 72 hours to refer to “day three” of the President’s diagnosis during the Saturday briefing.
“The President was first diagnosed with COVID-19 on the evening of Thursday, October 1st,” the memo says.
Amid the timeline first proposed by Conley was also a refusal to discuss when Trump last received a negative test for coronavirus. His evasiveness adds to the lack of transparency offered by the White House on the President’s situation. The President has claimed he gets tested for coronavirus daily, but when he arrived at the presidential debate Tuesday in Ohio he was too late to receive a test on location, and moderator Chris Wallace said Trump was allowed to proceed based on an “honor system.”
Conley’s lack of clarity on testing raises further questions about whether protocol and precautions were being followed in the White House to protect against the virus’ spread with regular testing, as a growing list of officials in close contact with the president in recent days continue to test positive for COVID-19.
While Conley said that Trump is not currently on oxygen, he refused to say whether the President had received supplemental oxygen earlier in his treatment. The Associated Press reported after the news conference that Trump had received oxygen at the White House before beginning treatment at Walter Reed, citing a source. Conley’s evasion of the question, when pressed multiple times by reporters, raises concern about how the President is faring with the virus.
Conley said Trump that been fever-free for 24 hours, adding “we remain cautiously optimistic, but he’s doing great.” But he refused to give reporters specific information on what the President’s temperature was.
“I’d rather not give any specific numbers, but he did have a fever Thursday into Friday,” he said.
Asked about screenings to detect lung damage, Conley said his team was performing daily ultrasounds on the President and “following all of that.” He would not say whether Trump showed evidence of lung damage.
The entire briefing sought to paint a rosy picture of Trump’s health. However, moments after it ended a source familiar with the President’s health issued an alarming and contradictory statement to the White House press pool.
“The president’s vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care. We’re still not on a clear path to a full recovery,” the source said.
A day after telling reporters that the President was doing well and “continues to be very energetic,” White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows was caught on camera Saturday asking to go off record before the anonymous statement was sent out in a White House pool report. A number of reporters attributed the statement to Meadows.
UPDATE: Immediately after the press conference ended and before the anonymous statement was sent out, Mark Meadows briefed reporters without cameras—but he was caught on a feed asking to be off the record. pic.twitter.com/JyrhSmu1Y0 — Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) October 3, 2020
CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta strongly criticized the lack of credible information doctors provided Saturday.
“It was almost more about what he wouldn’t answer versus what he did,” Gupta said, adding that Conley’s avoidance of questions raised red flags about whether the doctor was being forthright in giving a full picture of the President’s condition.
CNN's Sanjay Gupta criticizes vague and evasive briefing from White House doctor on President Trump's condition pic.twitter.com/SVssSRCW7Y — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) October 3, 2020
The President, who is 74, is at higher risk of complications from coronavirus due to his older age and underlying obesity. He received remdesivir treatment at the military hospital on Friday. The White House said he is expected to stay at Water Reed for the next few days.
After this article was first published, Conley sent out a memo seeking to clean up the messy timeline that appeared to place Trump’s diagnosis days earlier than it was reported. In a memo titled “Timeline Clarification,” Conley said that he had misspoken when he “incorrectly used the term” 72 hours to refer to “day three” of the President’s diagnosis during the Saturday briefing.
“The President was first diagnosed with COVID-19 on the evening of Thursday, October 1st,” the memo says.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-03--Dems Stick By Cunningham In Senate Race Amid Revelation Of Sexually-Suggestive Texting

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said Saturday that it will continue to back Democrat Cal Cunningham for a critical Senate seat in the North Carolina race after the candidate admitted to exchanging sexually-suggestive texts with a strategist .
According to Politico , Lauren Passalacqua a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee issued a statement Saturday affirming that the committee would stand by Cunningham who has said he will not drop out of the race after the texts were revealed on Friday .
“ We are confident that he will bring the same courage and determination to the Senate as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uniform , ” Passalacqua said .
The news comes after screenshots of sexually-suggestive text messages Cunningham had exchanged with a woman who is not his wife were published on Friday .
“ Would make my day to roll over and kiss you right now , ” Cunningham wrote in one of the messages .
“ I want to kiss you , ” the woman wrote in separate message , later adding : “ I want a night with you , ” according to screenshots of the messages originally posted by right-wing website NationalFile.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cunningham ’ s campaign , confirmed the authenticity of the text messages to Associated Press .
“ I have hurt my family , disappointed my friends , and am deeply sorry , ” Cunningham said in the statement .
“ I remain grateful and humbled by the ongoing support that North Carolinians have extended in this campaign , and in the remaining weeks before this election I will continue to work to earn the opportunity to fight for the people of our state.
” The drama that now plagues Cunningham follows a reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the third quarter of this year .
The news follows an announcement by Cunningham ’ s opponent , Sen. Thom Tillis , who announced earlier on Friday that he had tested positive for coronavirus — a blow that will impact his ability to campaign with a month remaining until the election in a race that is widely seen as seen a crucial win for Senate control .
Democrats need to net at least three seats and win back the White House or pick up four seats to win Senate majority and appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Polls ahead of the recent news for both candidates show Cunningham leading by a slim margin .

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said Saturday that it will continue to back Democrat Cal Cunningham for a critical Senate seat in the North Carolina race after the candidate admitted to exchanging sexually-suggestive texts with a strategist.
According to Politico, Lauren Passalacqua a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee issued a statement Saturday affirming that the committee would stand by Cunningham who has said he will not drop out of the race after the texts were revealed on Friday.
“We are confident that he will bring the same courage and determination to the Senate as he has while serving our country in uniform,” Passalacqua said.
The news comes after screenshots of sexually-suggestive text messages Cunningham had exchanged with a woman who is not his wife were published on Friday.
“Would make my day to roll over and kiss you right now,” Cunningham wrote in one of the messages. “I want to kiss you,” the woman wrote in separate message, later adding: “I want a night with you,” according to screenshots of the messages originally posted by right-wing website NationalFile.com.
Rachel Petri, a spokeswoman for Cunningham’s campaign, confirmed the authenticity of the text messages to Associated Press.
“I have hurt my family, disappointed my friends, and am deeply sorry,” Cunningham said in the statement. “I remain grateful and humbled by the ongoing support that North Carolinians have extended in this campaign, and in the remaining weeks before this election I will continue to work to earn the opportunity to fight for the people of our state.”
The drama that now plagues Cunningham follows a reported state record $28.3 million in fundraising in the third quarter of this year.
The news follows an announcement by Cunningham’s opponent, Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced earlier on Friday that he had tested positive for coronavirus — a blow that will impact his ability to campaign with a month remaining until the election in a race that is widely seen as seen a crucial win for Senate control.
Democrats need to net at least three seats and win back the White House or pick up four seats to win Senate majority and appear to have eyes fixed on North Carolina. Polls ahead of the recent news for both candidates show Cunningham leading by a slim margin.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-03--WH National Security Council Finally Orders Staff To Wear Masks

The White House National Security Council on Friday directed all staff to start wearing masks in White House common areas and to “ avoid unnecessary visits ” to the West Wing , according to an internal email obtained by CNN .
The order was issued after President Donald Trump after being diagnosed with coronavirus on Friday was sent to a military hospital for treatment .
Since his diagnosis , at least three other GOP senators have reported positive tests for coronavirus .
Masks have not previously been strongly pushed on White House grounds .
Their usage has often been questioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly mocking those who don masks — and seldom appearing in public wearing a face covering to protect against the virus .
“ Effective October 2 , 2020 , all National Security Council ( NSC ) staff reporting to the Executive Office of the President campus are required to wear a mask in all common areas , including security screening facilities , elevators , hallways and restrooms , ” according to the email .
“ ” In addition , masks are required where social distancing guidelines can not be consistently observed which may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the email says .
“ ” Unless your duties require in-person business in the West Wing we respectfully ask you to avoid unnecessary visits.
” Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien on Friday had sent out a similar memo urging staffers to wear masks which he claimed was among “ practices the campaign has long encouraged.
” Stepien , who was not seen wearing a mask himself en route to the first presidential debate in Cleveland on Tuesday , has since reported a positive test for coronavirus — adding to a growing list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections of the virus .

The White House National Security Council on Friday directed all staff to start wearing masks in White House common areas and to “avoid unnecessary visits” to the West Wing, according to an internal email obtained by CNN.
The order was issued after President Donald Trump after being diagnosed with coronavirus on Friday was sent to a military hospital for treatment. Since his diagnosis, at least three other GOP senators have reported positive tests for coronavirus.
Masks have not previously been strongly pushed on White House grounds. Their usage has often been questioned from the top — with the President repeatedly mocking those who don masks — and seldom appearing in public wearing a face covering to protect against the virus.
“Effective October 2, 2020, all National Security Council (NSC) staff reporting to the Executive Office of the President campus are required to wear a mask in all common areas, including security screening facilities, elevators, hallways and restrooms,” according to the email.
“”In addition, masks are required where social distancing guidelines cannot be consistently observed which may include personal workspaces and conference rooms,” the email says. “”Unless your duties require in-person business in the West Wing we respectfully ask you to avoid unnecessary visits.”
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien on Friday had sent out a similar memo urging staffers to wear masks which he claimed was among “practices the campaign has long encouraged.” Stepien, who was not seen wearing a mask himself en route to the first presidential debate in Cleveland on Tuesday, has since reported a positive test for coronavirus — adding to a growing list of Trump’s inner circle reporting infections of the virus.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-04--Doctors And Media Torch Second Evasive Briefing On Trump’s COVID Condition

Doctors and members of the press were quick to express their dissatisfaction with White House physician Dr. Sean Conley as they reacted to a briefing outside of Walter Reed on Sunday morning , which left many questions unanswered after an evasive briefing the day before .
During the briefing on Sunday , Dr. Brian Garibaldi of Johns Hopkins University said that the President could be discharged from the hospital as early as Monday , despite how Trump experienced at least two concerning drops in oxygen levels over the weekend .
“ If he continues to look and feel as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that we can plan for a discharge as early as tomorrow to the White House where he can continue his treatment course , ” Garibaldi said .
Adding to the Trump administration ’ s ongoing mixed messaging on the President ’ s health , Conley said that he had omitted revealing Trump ’ s significant drops in oxygen levels during a briefing the day before because he wanted to “ reflect the upbeat attitude ” of Trump ’ s medical team and the President himself .
Conley added that he tried not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steer the course of illness in another direction.
” Although Conley acknowledged that his evasive answers “ came off that we were trying to hide something , ” he quickly argued that “ wasn ’ t necessarily true ” and that the President is “ doing really well.
” Conley also declined to go into detail about whether X-rays or CT scans have shown that the President is suffering from lung damage as a result of contracting COVID-19 .
“ There ’ s some expected findings , but nothing of any major clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clarifying what the so-called “ expected findings ” entail .
Here ’ s how doctors and members of the press weighed in on Sunday ’ s befuddling briefing by Trump ’ s medical team :

Doctors and members of the press were quick to express their dissatisfaction with White House physician Dr. Sean Conley as they reacted to a briefing outside of Walter Reed on Sunday morning, which left many questions unanswered after an evasive briefing the day before.
During the briefing on Sunday, Dr. Brian Garibaldi of Johns Hopkins University said that the President could be discharged from the hospital as early as Monday, despite how Trump experienced at least two concerning drops in oxygen levels over the weekend.
“If he continues to look and feel as well as he does today, our hope is that we can plan for a discharge as early as tomorrow to the White House where he can continue his treatment course,” Garibaldi said.
Adding to the Trump administration’s ongoing mixed messaging on the President’s health, Conley said that he had omitted revealing Trump’s significant drops in oxygen levels during a briefing the day before because he wanted to “reflect the upbeat attitude” of Trump’s medical team and the President himself. Conley added that he tried not “to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction.”
Although Conley acknowledged that his evasive answers “came off that we were trying to hide something,” he quickly argued that “wasn’t necessarily true” and that the President is “doing really well.”
Conley also declined to go into detail about whether X-rays or CT scans have shown that the President is suffering from lung damage as a result of contracting COVID-19.
“There’s some expected findings, but nothing of any major clinical concern,” Conley said, without clarifying what the so-called “expected findings” entail.
Here’s how doctors and members of the press weighed in on Sunday’s befuddling briefing by Trump’s medical team:
The President's doctor says he wasn't fully forthcoming to the public yesterday because he wanted to project an upbeat attitude. @jaketapper: "Is that what a physician is supposed to do?"@drsanjaygupta: "No. You've got to be honest. You've got to be transparent." pic.twitter.com/uP4KQVTodv — Josh Campbell (@joshscampbell) October 4, 2020
“As a physician, as someone who has given these briefings in the past and as an American, I was really offended by it.” – @JReinerMD “We’re having to play detective here and trying to figure out what pieces are missing and trying to figure out pieces are missing.” –@DrLeanaWen pic.twitter.com/7KbR4s1AmU — Ana Cabrera (@AnaCabrera) October 4, 2020
So Dr. Conley outright lied yesterday when he was asked if the president had received oxygen. — Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) October 4, 2020
The lying from the White House on Friday and from Conley yesterday about the president's condition is staggering. — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) October 4, 2020
Information doesn’t steer the course of an illness one way or another unless he means how the patient absorbs it. https://t.co/MJMLPnMWEz — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) October 4, 2020
Four critical pieces of information that illustrate why transparency and credibility are needed at this time. https://t.co/1w52MNiKSf — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 4, 2020
Again, what is going on? Seriously. — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 4, 2020
It's jarring that President Trump's doctors are saying both that they have started giving him dexamethasone (typically used in severe disease) and that they may release him tomorrow. It's another K-shaped recovery! — Michelle Fay Cortez (@FayCortez) October 4, 2020
There’s a long history of White Houses lying about the president’s health — JFK, FDR, etc. The distinction here is the incompetence. — Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) October 4, 2020
Because accurate information would convince the virus to be worse? https://t.co/J43VNyz3jd — Paul Farhi (@farhip) October 4, 2020
When asked if the president’s oxygen saturation dipped below 90, Dr. Conley danced briefly and then said it had never reached the “low 80s.” Which does not answer the question — Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) October 4, 2020
This photo tells at least 1,000 words about this weekend https://t.co/pXYqMVonnJ — Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) October 4, 2020
How can the President’s doctor not answer this basic question?! https://t.co/dq0Hd8OBZK — Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) October 4, 2020
And when asked if the President received oxygen yesterday, Dr. Conley said, “I'd have to check w/ the nursing staff…If he did it was very, very limited.” One would assume the doctor is fully aware of what his patient receives. https://t.co/PIU75soFjT — Weijia Jiang (@weijia) October 4, 2020
I’m no doctor but how does relaying accurate information affect the course of an illness exactly? https://t.co/559UhnrzzP — Meridith McGraw (@meridithmcgraw) October 4, 2020


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-04--Trump Fumes Over Meadows Contradicting WH Doctor On COVID-19 Diagnosis

President Trump is reportedly furious with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows for offering a dire assessment on his condition following his COVID-19 diagnosis on Saturday , which contradicted White House physician Sean Connelly ’ s efforts to paint a rosy picture of Trump ’ s health earlier that day .
On Saturday , the Associated Press and the New York Times identified Meadows as the unnamed source who spoke to a pool of reporters after a medical briefing earlier that day .
“ The President ’ s vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of his care .
We are still not on a clear path to a full recovery , ” Meadows told reporters , amid mixed messages from the Trump administration regarding the President ’ s health condition .
According to a CNN report on Sunday , citing two sources with knowledge of the situation , Trump did not receive Meadows ’ remarks well .
One White House official told CNN that Trump is unhappy with Meadows , who is now viewed by Trump advisers as having damaged the credibility of recent medical briefings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CNN reported that a White House official said that Conley spoke with Trump before he appeared at a press briefing on Saturday , and noted that Conley is unlikely to say more than the President wants said .
CNN ’ s report was published shortly after Conley seemed to point fingers at the media when pressed during a briefing in front of Walter Reed on Sunday about the discrepancy between his and Meadows ’ remarks regarding the status of Trump ’ s health , saying that the White House chief of staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ The chief and I work side by side , and I think his statement was misconstrued , ” Conley said .
“ What he meant was that 24 hours ago when he and I were checking on the President , that there was that momentary episode of a high fever and that temporary drop in the saturation , which prompted us to act expediently to move him up here.
” Conley then added that Meadows issued his remarks during a “ very transient limited episode.
” “ Fortunately , that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple hours later he was back up .
Mild again , ” Conley said .
“ You know , we , I ’ m not going to speculate what that limited episode was about so early in the course but he ’ s doing well .
”

President Trump is reportedly furious with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows for offering a dire assessment on his condition following his COVID-19 diagnosis on Saturday, which contradicted White House physician Sean Conley’s efforts to paint a rosy picture of Trump’s health earlier that day.
On Saturday, the Associated Press and the New York Times identified Meadows as the unnamed source who spoke to a pool of reporters after a medical briefing earlier that day.
“The President’s vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care. We are still not on a clear path to a full recovery,” Meadows told reporters, amid mixed messages from the Trump administration regarding the President’s health condition.
According to a CNN report on Sunday, citing two sources with knowledge of the situation, Trump did not receive Meadows’ remarks well.
One White House official told CNN that Trump is unhappy with Meadows, who is now viewed by Trump advisers as having damaged the credibility of recent medical briefings following the President testing positive for COVID-19.
CNN reported that a White House official said that Conley spoke with Trump before he appeared at a press briefing on Saturday, and noted that Conley is unlikely to say more than the President wants said.
CNN’s report was published shortly after Conley seemed to point fingers at the media when pressed during a briefing in front of Walter Reed on Sunday about the discrepancy between his and Meadows’ remarks regarding the status of Trump’s health, saying that the White House chief of staff’s remarks had been “misconstrued.”
“The chief and I work side by side, and I think his statement was misconstrued,” Conley said. “What he meant was that 24 hours ago when he and I were checking on the President, that there was that momentary episode of a high fever and that temporary drop in the saturation, which prompted us to act expediently to move him up here.”
Conley then added that Meadows issued his remarks during a “very transient limited episode.”
“Fortunately, that was really a very transient limited episode, a couple hours later he was back up. Mild again,” Conley said. “You know, we, I’m not going to speculate what that limited episode was about so early in the course but he’s doing well.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-04--Doctors Say Trump Could Return To WH On Monday, But Leave Many Questions Unanswered

President Trump ’ s medical team said on Sunday morning that he could possibly be discharged from Walter Reed as soon as Monday , but left many questions unanswered even while acknowledging that they painted a rosy picture on the Trump ’ s COVID-19 condition the day before .
During a briefing outside of Walter Reed on Sunday , Dr. Brian Garibaldi of Johns Hopkins University said that the President could be discharged from the hospital as early as Monday .
“ If he continues to look and feel as well as he does today , our hope is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early as tomorrow to the White House where he can continue his treatment course , ” Garibaldi said .
White House physician Dr. Sean Conley said that Trump ’ s discharge plans will begin if “ everything continues to go well.
” Unlike his remarks during an evasive briefing the day before , Conley publicly acknowledged for the first time that the President was given supplemental oxygen on Friday at the White House and had a “ high ” fever prior to his hospitalization at Walter Reed .
However , Conley appeared evasive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was given supplemental oxygen a second time , after adding that the President ’ s oxygen level dropped Saturday as well .
“ I ’ d have to check with the nursing staff , ” Conley said .
“ I don ’ t think that — if he did , it was very , very limited .
And the only oxygen that I ordered , or that we provided , was that Friday morning , initially.
” In response light of Trump ’ s two episodes of drops in his oxygen saturation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated with dexamethasone , a steroid used as treatment for patients in need of oxygen .
Although doctors said that the President was receiving X-rays and CT scans , Conley declined to go into detail about Trump ’ s lungs .
When asked whether Trump has pneumonia or any lung damage , Conley offered a vague reply , saying that there were some “ expected findings , but nothing of any clinical concern.
” Conley was also pressed on his insistence on Saturday that Trump was doing well , despite White House chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump ’ s vitals were “ concerning.
” Conley replied that Meadows was referring to a “ very transient limited episode ” and that his statement was “ misconstrued.
” “ What he meant was that 24 hours ago , when he and I were checking on the president , that there was that momentary episode of the high fever and that temporary drop in the saturation , which prompted us to act expediently to move him up here , ” Conley said .
When pressed on his initial reluctance to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oxygen prior to his hospitalization on Friday , Conley claimed that he strived to reflect Trump ’ s “ upbeat attitude.
” “ I was trying to reflect the upbeat attitude that the team , the President , over his course of illness , has had , ” Conley said .
“ I didn ’ t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction .
And in doing so , you know , it came off that we were trying to hide something , which wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s briefing by Trump ’ s medical team came shortly after White House national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien told CBS that after speaking with chief of staff Mark Meadows this morning , he thinks that the President will stay at Walter Reed “ for at least another period of time .
”

President Trump’s medical team said on Sunday morning that he could possibly be discharged from Walter Reed as soon as Monday, but left many questions unanswered even while acknowledging that they painted a rosy picture on the Trump’s COVID-19 condition the day before.
During a briefing outside of Walter Reed on Sunday, Dr. Brian Garibaldi of Johns Hopkins University said that the President could be discharged from the hospital as early as Monday.
“If he continues to look and feel as well as he does today, our hope is that we can plan for a discharge as early as tomorrow to the White House where he can continue his treatment course,” Garibaldi said.
White House physician Dr. Sean Conley said that Trump’s discharge plans will begin if “everything continues to go well.”
Unlike his remarks during an evasive briefing the day before, Conley publicly acknowledged for the first time that the President was given supplemental oxygen on Friday at the White House and had a “high” fever prior to his hospitalization at Walter Reed.
However, Conley appeared evasive when he expressed uncertainty on whether Trump was given supplemental oxygen a second time, after adding that the President’s oxygen level dropped Saturday as well.
“I’d have to check with the nursing staff,” Conley said. “I don’t think that — if he did, it was very, very limited. And the only oxygen that I ordered, or that we provided, was that Friday morning, initially.”
In response light of Trump’s two episodes of drops in his oxygen saturation, Conley said that the President is being treated with dexamethasone, a steroid used as treatment for patients in need of oxygen.
Although doctors said that the President was receiving X-rays and CT scans, Conley declined to go into detail about Trump’s lungs.
When asked whether Trump has pneumonia or any lung damage, Conley offered a vague reply, saying that there were some “expected findings, but nothing of any clinical concern.”
Conley was also pressed on his insistence on Saturday that Trump was doing well, despite White House chief of staff Mark Meadows’ dire assessment that Trump’s vitals were “concerning.”
Conley replied that Meadows was referring to a “very transient limited episode” and that his statement was “misconstrued.”
“What he meant was that 24 hours ago, when he and I were checking on the president, that there was that momentary episode of the high fever and that temporary drop in the saturation, which prompted us to act expediently to move him up here,” Conley said.
When pressed on his initial reluctance to be transparent about the President being provided supplemental oxygen prior to his hospitalization on Friday, Conley claimed that he strived to reflect Trump’s “upbeat attitude.”
“I was trying to reflect the upbeat attitude that the team, the President, over his course of illness, has had,” Conley said. “I didn’t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction. And in doing so, you know, it came off that we were trying to hide something, which wasn’t necessarily true.”
Sunday’s briefing by Trump’s medical team came shortly after White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien told CBS that after speaking with chief of staff Mark Meadows this morning, he thinks that the President will stay at Walter Reed “for at least another period of time.”
Watch the press conference below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-04--Meadows: Trump’s Blood Oxygen Levels ‘Dropped Rapidly’ Before Friday Hospitalization

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Saturday night revealed that President Trump ’ s blood oxygen level “ dropped rapidly ” prior to his hospitalization at Walter Reed the day before .
During an interview with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday night , Meadows recalled that both he and White House physician Dr. Sean Conley were “ real concerned ” upon Trump being diagnosed with COVID-19 diagnosis on Friday morning .
After stating that the President has made “ unbelievable improvement ” compared to how he felt Friday morning , Meadows added that Trump has “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ doing really well with his oxygen saturation levels.
” “ ( On Friday ) morning , we were real concerned about that , ” Meadows said .
“ He had a fever , and his blood oxygen level had dropped rapidly.
” Meadows then jovially said that the President “ was up and walking around , ” but that after medical experts at both Walter Reed and Johns Hopkins looked at his situation , Trump was recommended that he go to Walter Reed “ out of an abundance of caution.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House sending conflicting messages regarding the status of Trump ’ s COVID-19 diagnosis .
On Friday , Meadows told reporters that the President was doing well and “ continues to be very energetic.
” The next day , White House physician Sean Conley delivered a vague and evasive update during a news conference on Trump ’ s condition following his COVID-19 diagnosis .
Conley said that Trump is not currently on oxygen , but refused to say whether the President had received supplemental oxygen earlier in his treatment .
Later Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference that Trump had received oxygen at the White House before beginning treatment at Walter Reed , citing a source .
Additionally , a source familiar with the President ’ s health issued an alarming and contradictory statement to the White House press pool moments after press conference concluded on Saturday .
“ The president ’ s vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care .
We ’ re still not on a clear path to a full recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of reporters attributed the anonymous statement sent via a White House pool report on Saturday to Meadows , he was caught on camera asking to go off record with his “ very concerning ” remark .

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Saturday night revealed that President Trump’s blood oxygen level “dropped rapidly” prior to his hospitalization at Walter Reed the day before.
During an interview with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday night, Meadows recalled that both he and White House physician Dr. Sean Conley were “real concerned” upon Trump being diagnosed with COVID-19 diagnosis on Friday morning.
After stating that the President has made “unbelievable improvement” compared to how he felt Friday morning, Meadows added that Trump has “no fever now” and that he is “doing really well with his oxygen saturation levels.”
“(On Friday) morning, we were real concerned about that,” Meadows said. “He had a fever, and his blood oxygen level had dropped rapidly.”
Meadows then jovially said that the President “was up and walking around,” but that after medical experts at both Walter Reed and Johns Hopkins looked at his situation, Trump was recommended that he go to Walter Reed “out of an abundance of caution.”
Meadows’ latest remarks comes amid the White House sending conflicting messages regarding the status of Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
On Friday, Meadows told reporters that the President was doing well and “continues to be very energetic.”
The next day, White House physician Sean Conley delivered a vague and evasive update during a news conference on Trump’s condition following his COVID-19 diagnosis. Conley said that Trump is not currently on oxygen, but refused to say whether the President had received supplemental oxygen earlier in his treatment.
Later Saturday, The Associated Press reported after the news conference that Trump had received oxygen at the White House before beginning treatment at Walter Reed, citing a source.
Additionally, a source familiar with the President’s health issued an alarming and contradictory statement to the White House press pool moments after press conference concluded on Saturday.
“The president’s vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care. We’re still not on a clear path to a full recovery,” the source said.
After a number of reporters attributed the anonymous statement sent via a White House pool report on Saturday to Meadows, he was caught on camera asking to go off record with his “very concerning” remark.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-05--Biden Tests Negative For COVID For Third Time Since Debate, According To Biden Campaign

The Biden campaign announced on Sunday evening that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden had tested negative for COVID-19 for the third time that day since the debate on Tuesday with President Donald Trump , who is currently being treated for the virus at Walter Reed Military Medical Center .
“ Vice President Biden underwent PCR testing for COVID-19 today and COVID-19 was not detected , ” the campaign said in a statement .
The candidate ’ s test on Sunday marks his third exam for the virus since the presidential debate with Trump , who is currently being treated for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after announcing in the early hours of Friday morning that he had tested positive for the virus .
Biden during a stump speech in Grand Rapids , Michigan later on Friday that he had taken two tests that day , which both came out negative .
“ We wanted to make sure that we ’ re doing everything by the numbers , ” the candidate said in his remarks .
On Saturday , the Biden campaign pledged to release the results of every one of Biden ’ s COVID-19 tests , which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump tweeted at nearly 1 AM on Friday that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the virus .
However , the White House has given a jumbled timeline as to when exactly the President was diagnosed .
During a press conference at Walter Reed on Saturday morning , White House physician Sean Conley stated Trump had been diagnosed 72 hours prior to that day , which would put his diagnosis at Wednesday morning , raising concerns that the President may have put Biden at risk during the debate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conley walked back his remarks a memo stating he had “ incorrectly used the term ‘ seventy-two hours ' ” and that he ’ d meant to say “ day three ” instead .
Trump had first tested positive “ on evening of Thursday , October 1st , ” Conley said in the memo .

The Biden campaign announced on Sunday evening that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden had tested negative for COVID-19 for the third time that day since the debate on Tuesday with President Donald Trump, who is currently being treated for the virus at Walter Reed Military Medical Center.
“Vice President Biden underwent PCR testing for COVID-19 today and COVID-19 was not detected,” the campaign said in a statement.
The candidate’s test on Sunday marks his third exam for the virus since the presidential debate with Trump, who is currently being treated for COVID-19 at Walter Reed Military Medical Center after announcing in the early hours of Friday morning that he had tested positive for the virus.
Biden stated during a stump speech in Grand Rapids, Michigan later on Friday that he had taken two tests that day, which both came out negative.
“We wanted to make sure that we’re doing everything by the numbers,” the candidate said in his remarks.
On Saturday, the Biden campaign pledged to release the results of every one of Biden’s COVID-19 tests, which the campaign says he takes “regularly.”
Trump tweeted at nearly 1 AM on Friday that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the virus. However, the White House has given a jumbled timeline as to when exactly the President was diagnosed.
During a press conference at Walter Reed on Saturday morning, White House physician Sean Conley stated Trump had been diagnosed 72 hours prior to that day, which would put his diagnosis at Wednesday morning, raising concerns that the President may have put Biden at risk during the debate the night before.
Several hours later, Conley walked back his remarks a memo stating he had “incorrectly used the term ‘seventy-two hours'” and that he’d meant to say “day three” instead.
Trump had first tested positive “on evening of Thursday, October 1st,” Conley said in the memo.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-05--What To Do If You Encounter Armed Militias At Your Polling Place

Oathkeeper militia members are confronted by demonstrators protesting the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky on September 24 , 2020 .
- More than 1,000 pe ... Oathkeeper militia @ @ @ @ @ protesting the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor , in @ @ @ @ @ September 24 , 2020 .
- More than 1,000 people defied a second night of @ @ @ @ @ of Louisville to protest over the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of @ @ @ @ @ seeking refuge in a church .
Two officers were shot during clashes in Louisville a @ @ @ @ @ announced a grand jury had decided not to charge anyone in connection with the death @ @ @ @ @ black woman shot dead in her apartment by police earlier this year .
( Photo @ @ @ @ @ ) ( Photo by JEFF DEAN/AFP via Getty Images )

Oathkeeper militia members are confronted by demonstrators protesting the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor, in downtown Louisville, Kentucky on September 24, 2020. - More than 1,000 pe...
Oathkeeper militia members are confronted by demonstrators protesting the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor, in downtown Louisville, Kentucky on September 24, 2020. - More than 1,000 people defied a second night of curfew in the US city of Louisville to protest over the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor, with some seeking refuge in a church. Two officers were shot during clashes in Louisville a day earlier, after authorities announced a grand jury had decided not to charge anyone in connection with the death of Taylor -- a 26-year-old black woman shot dead in her apartment by police earlier this year. (Photo by Jeff Dean / AFP) (Photo by JEFF DEAN/AFP via Getty Images)
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talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-05--QAnoners Think Trump’s COVID, Like Everything Else, Is Warning Sign For Satanic Pedophiles

As they ’ ve done numerous times during his Presidency , believers of the QAnon conspiracy theory have taken President Donald Trump ’ s hospitalization for COVID-19 as yet another sign that he will imminently announce the mass arrests of scores of elite “ deep state ” pedophiles .
Rather than assuming that Trump had actually been struck by the virus , which has infected more than 7 million people in the United States , QAnon believers have asserted online — yet again — that Trump has really been busy carrying out a key element of the conspiracy : mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Or , as Q adherents call it , “ the storm.
” “ Deep down [ they ] know this is their biggest nightmare come true , ” wrote one QAnon-oriented Twitter account on Friday .
“ He isn ’ t sick , he is about to unleash the greatest military operation in the history of mankind.
” The post was retweeted nearly five thousand times .
On Sunday , the same account speculated that “ if he is already returning to the White House soon then the operations went very smoothly.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ QAnon believers asserted that Trump was really on Air Force One , rather than Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
Some speculated that Trump ’ s recently deceased brother , Robert , had in fact faked his own death and was now acting as Trump ’ s body double .
NBC News ’ Ben Collins and Brandy Zadrozny , close observers of the QAnon movement , reported that “ elated ” QAnon followers reacted to the President ’ s hospitalization with “ near-universal celebration.
” The expansive conspiracy , which holds that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a satanic , pedophilic cabal that runs Washington , has exploded in popularity in recent weeks .
That comes with political power : Recently , 17 Republicans and 1 independent in the House of Representatives voted against a resolution condemning QAnon .
The “ Q ” in the conspiracy ’ s name refers to an anonymous internet author who uses the letter as a moniker , and who purports to share internal intelligence via absurdly cryptic message board posts .
Over the years , Q ’ s predictions have turned out to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the conspiracy theory researcher and writer Mike Rothschild observed , this is hardly the first time news about Trump has been interpreted as yet another major development : “ To Q believers , Trump being forced to isolate himself wasn ’ t proof that he had come down with the potentially deadly illness , but that he was going into deep protection for the moment when the great ‘ Storm ’ of mass arrests long-predicted by Q finally came to pass , and the enemies of America are brought to justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” hasn ’ t actually posted anything since Trump ’ s hospitalization .
“ The bizarre conspiracy theories spun by the QAnon community about Trump ’ s COVID diagnosis despite Q ’ s silence illustrates how QAnon can persist even if Q never posts again , ” wrote Travis View , host of the QAnon Anonymous podcast , which tracks the conspiracy theory .

As they’ve done numerous times during his Presidency, believers of the QAnon conspiracy theory have taken President Donald Trump’s hospitalization for COVID-19 as yet another sign that he will imminently announce the mass arrests of scores of elite “deep state” pedophiles.
Rather than assuming that Trump had actually been struck by the virus, which has infected more than 7 million people in the United States, QAnon believers have asserted online — yet again — that Trump has really been busy carrying out a key element of the conspiracy theory: mass arrests of Trump’s political enemies. Or, as Q adherents call it, “the storm.”
“Deep down [they] know this is their biggest nightmare come true,” wrote one QAnon-oriented Twitter account on Friday. “He isn’t sick, he is about to unleash the greatest military operation in the history of mankind.”
The post was retweeted nearly five thousand times. On Sunday, the same account speculated that “if he is already returning to the White House soon then the operations went very smoothly.”
As PolitiFact detailed separately, several QAnon believers asserted that Trump was really on Air Force One, rather than Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Some speculated that Trump’s recently deceased brother, Robert, had in fact faked his own death and was now acting as Trump’s body double.
NBC News’ Ben Collins and Brandy Zadrozny, close observers of the QAnon movement, reported that “elated” QAnon followers reacted to the President’s hospitalization with “near-universal celebration.”
The expansive conspiracy theory, which holds that Trump is battling behind the scenes against a satanic, pedophilic cabal that runs Washington, has exploded in popularity in recent weeks. That comes with political power: Recently, 17 Republicans and 1 independent in the House of Representatives voted against a resolution condemning QAnon.
The “Q” in the conspiracy theory’s name refers to an anonymous internet author who uses the letter as a moniker, and who purports to share internal intelligence via absurdly cryptic message board posts.
Over the years, Q’s predictions have turned out to be wrong again and again. And yet, as the conspiracy theory researcher and writer Mike Rothschild observed, this is hardly the first time news about Trump has been interpreted as yet another major development:
QAnon believers think the president is pretending to go into quarantine because The Storm Is Upon Us For Real This Time Just Like All The Other Times. pic.twitter.com/OopWJG7D3o — Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd) October 2, 2020
“To Q believers, Trump being forced to isolate himself wasn’t proof that he had come down with the potentially deadly illness, but that he was going into deep protection for the moment when the great ‘Storm’ of mass arrests long-predicted by Q finally came to pass, and the enemies of America are brought to justice,” Rothschild wrote.
“Q” hasn’t actually posted anything since Trump’s hospitalization.
“The bizarre conspiracy theories spun by the QAnon community about Trump’s COVID diagnosis despite Q’s silence illustrates how QAnon can persist even if Q never posts again,” wrote Travis View, host of the QAnon Anonymous podcast, which tracks the conspiracy theory.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-05--WSJ: IRS Opens Criminal Probe Into NRA Honcho Wayne LaPierre

The Internal Revenue Service is conducting an investigation around allegations of criminal tax fraud in longtime NRA leader Wayne LaPierre ’ s personal tax returns , the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday .
The scope of the investigation is unclear .
It comes after New York Attorney General Letitia James sued the gun group in August , seeking its dissolution over allegations of massive self-dealing .
James at the time said she had referred the question of whether LaPierre evaded taxes to the IRS .
In that lawsuit , James singled out LaPierre and other top NRA executives for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piggy bank .
LaPierre , for example , allegedly billed the NRA for lavish expenses including taxidermy services for animals killed on big game hunting trips , while his wife would allegedly run expenses for her personal private jet travel through the gun group .
The question for James and other investigators would likely be whether indulgences that LaPierre received from the NRA qualified as some sort of taxable income , and whether the personal tax returns that are the reported subject of the IRS ’ s investigation were accurate .
The NRA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the non-profit ’ s regulatory filings show .

The Internal Revenue Service is conducting an investigation around allegations of criminal tax fraud in longtime NRA leader Wayne LaPierre’s personal tax returns, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
The scope of the investigation is unclear. It comes after New York Attorney General Letitia James sued the gun group in August, seeking its dissolution over allegations of massive self-dealing. James at the time said she had referred the question of whether LaPierre evaded taxes to the IRS.
In that lawsuit, James singled out LaPierre and other top NRA executives for allegedly using the non-profit as their personal piggy bank. LaPierre, for example, allegedly billed the NRA for lavish expenses including taxidermy services for animals killed on big game hunting trips, while his wife would allegedly run expenses for her personal private jet travel through the gun group.
The question for James and other investigators would likely be whether indulgences that LaPierre received from the NRA qualified as some sort of taxable income, and whether the personal tax returns that are the reported subject of the IRS’s investigation were accurate.
The NRA paid LaPierre $2.2 million in 2018, the non-profit’s regulatory filings show.
Read the story here.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-05--CDC Acknowledges That COVID-19 Spreads Via Air, After Removing Earlier Statement

The Centers for Disease Control restored to its website on Monday guidance saying that COVID-19 can spread via the air , weeks after similar guidance abruptly disappeared from the agency ’ s web page hours after first appearing .
“ Some infections can be spread by exposure to virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours , ” the new guidance , posted to the CDC website , reads .
“ These viruses may be able to infect people who are further than 6 feet away from the person who is infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space.
” The guidance is a significant admission , because it communicates what research has long suggested — that a far wider range of activities are dangerous than the Trump administration has indicated .
Its release also follows a humiliating about-face that took place last month .
The CDC had posted similar guidance onto its website , before removing the same information and saying that it was a draft that had been posted online in error .
But that episode came amid mounting evidence that the CDC was not only being sidelined in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned into a political tool .
GOP consultant Michael Caputo , who left his communications position at HHS last month , reportedly tried to strong-arm the agency into giving him editorial control over weekly reports it releases on the spread of the virus .
As of today ’ s update , the CDC now recommends that people avoid indoor spaces that are not well-ventilated .
The guidance , which has been supported by evidence for months , has real implications for real-world practice , discouraging people from resuming activities like indoor dining , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could be potential superspreader events .
And today ’ s guidance appears to not go as far as that which was accidentally released last month .
Then , the CDC named choir practices , restaurants , and fitness classes as venues for potential spread , before the guidance was removed .
Now , the CDC names no specific examples of venues in which airborne transmission could be a threat , instead saying that indoor spaces without ventilation pose a higher risk .
The entire saga reveals how President Trump ’ s attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his re-election campaign has hobbled the nation ’ s dedicated pandemic-fighting agency .
Scientists have been saying for months that the virus can spread through the air .
And President Trump himself , in Walter Reed hospital for his own COVID-19 infection as of this writing , explained to journalist Bob Woodward in February that the virus was dangerous because it could spread via the air .
The World Health Organization faced a torrent of criticism in July for not acknowledging sooner that airborne transmission was a key means of infection .

The Centers for Disease Control restored to its website on Monday guidance saying that COVID-19 can spread via the air, weeks after similar guidance abruptly disappeared from the agency’s web page hours after first appearing.
“Some infections can be spread by exposure to virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours,” the new guidance, posted to the CDC website, reads. “These viruses may be able to infect people who are further than 6 feet away from the person who is infected or after that person has left the space.”
The guidance is a significant admission, because it communicates what research has long suggested — that a far wider range of activities are dangerous than the Trump administration has indicated.
Its release also follows a humiliating about-face that took place last month. The CDC had posted similar guidance onto its website, before removing the same information and saying that it was a draft that had been posted online in error.
But that episode came amid mounting evidence that the CDC was not only being sidelined in the fight against COVID-19, but being turned into a political tool. GOP consultant Michael Caputo, who left his communications position at HHS last month, reportedly tried to strong-arm the agency into giving him editorial control over weekly reports it releases on the spread of the virus.
As of today’s update, the CDC now recommends that people avoid indoor spaces that are not well-ventilated. The guidance, which has been supported by evidence for months, has real implications for real-world practice, discouraging people from resuming activities like indoor dining, concert-going, or Supreme Court nominee celebrations that could be potential superspreader events.
And today’s guidance appears to not go as far as that which was accidentally released last month. Then, the CDC named choir practices, restaurants, and fitness classes as venues for potential spread, before the guidance was removed.
Now, the CDC names no specific examples of venues in which airborne transmission could be a threat, instead saying that indoor spaces without ventilation pose a higher risk.
The entire saga reveals how President Trump’s attempt to use the CDC as a tool in his re-election campaign has hobbled the nation’s dedicated pandemic-fighting agency.
Scientists have been saying for months that the virus can spread through the air. And President Trump himself, in Walter Reed hospital for his own COVID-19 infection as of this writing, explained to journalist Bob Woodward in February that the virus was dangerous because it could spread via the air.
The World Health Organization faced a torrent of criticism in July for not acknowledging sooner that airborne transmission was a key means of infection.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-05--Amid Legal Fight, OH Lets Counties Set Up Multiple Drop Boxes … At The Same Location

After a state appeals court said Friday that Ohio ’ s top elections official has the discretion to limit the number of ballot drop boxes per county , Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced that he was still prohibiting counties from setting up drop boxes at sites other than their county election offices .
He is , however , letting them set up multiple boxes on their office grounds .
The half-measure is unlikely to placate LaRose ’ s critics , who say he is arbitrarily limiting the use of drop boxes .
According to the new policy announced Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be set up at a county board ’ s location and a county board “ may station bipartisan election officials outside of county boards to accept absentee ballots.
” In his statement announcing the loosened policy , LaRose said he intended to work with the legislature next year to clarify the law around drop box use .
The fight over Ohio ’ s ballot drop box use began this summer , after LaRose announced in August that local election officials were prohibited from setting up drop boxes at locations other than the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , LaRose said that as a matter of policy , he had no issue with the idea of drop boxes , but that he believed state law constrained him from letting county boards expand their use .
The posture quickly got LaRose sued in state and federal court .
The state Democratic Party had success in its state court case when a judge blocked LaRose ’ s August directive limiting drop box use .
A state appeals court however scaled that victory back in its ruling Friday that left it up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boxes could be used , while making clear he was free to loosen those restrictions .
In the federal litigation , the judge was holding off on weighing in on the merits of LaRose ’ s August directive while the state case could unfold .
But he did order LaRose to work with Cuyahoga County — home to Cleveland — on a solution that addresses its particularly cramped and inaccessible county drop box location .

After a state appeals court said Friday that Ohio’s top elections official has the discretion to limit the number of ballot drop boxes per county, Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced that he was still prohibiting counties from setting up drop boxes at sites other than their county election offices. He is, however, letting them set up multiple boxes on their office grounds.
The half-measure is unlikely to placate LaRose’s critics, who say he is arbitrarily limiting the use of drop boxes.
According to the new policy announced Monday, more than one drop box can be set up at a county board’s location and a county board “may station bipartisan election officials outside of county boards to accept absentee ballots.”
In his statement announcing the loosened policy, LaRose said he intended to work with the legislature next year to clarify the law around drop box use.
The fight over Ohio’s ballot drop box use began this summer, after LaRose announced in August that local election officials were prohibited from setting up drop boxes at locations other than the one at their county board offices.
At the time, LaRose said that as a matter of policy, he had no issue with the idea of drop boxes, but that he believed state law constrained him from letting county boards expand their use.
The posture quickly got LaRose sued in state and federal court. The state Democratic Party had success in its state court case when a judge blocked LaRose’s August directive limiting drop box use. A state appeals court however scaled that victory back in its ruling Friday that left it up to LaRose to decide how widely drop boxes could be used, while making clear he was free to loosen those restrictions.
In the federal litigation, the judge was holding off on weighing in on the merits of LaRose’s August directive while the state case could unfold. But he did order LaRose to work with Cuyahoga County — home to Cleveland — on a solution that addresses its particularly cramped and inaccessible county drop box location.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-05--Gay Men Take Over #ProudBoys Hashtag From Violent Right-Wing Street Gang

After President Donald Trump pumped up the violent right-wing Proud Boys in the first presidential debate , gay men have @ @ @ @ @ s name and taken it in a very different direction .
The Proud Boys dominated @ @ @ @ @ refused to condemn them and white supremacist groups during Tuesday night ’ s presidential debate @ @ @ @ @ the Proud Boys to “ stand back and stand by.
” But late last week @ @ @ @ @ an effort to seize the # ProudBoys hashtag back from the group .
Even the @ @ @ @ @ with a post from the account for the Canadian Armed Forces working in the United @ @ @ @ @ tried to downplay the reversal , writing on the website Parler , “ I wonder @ @ @ @ @ finding out about the # ProudBoys this week and are applying for membership in our @ @ @

After President Donald Trump pumped up the violent right-wing Proud Boys in the first presidential debate, gay men have hijacked the street gang’s name and taken it in a very different direction.
The Proud Boys dominated headlines last week after Trump refused to condemn them and white supremacist groups during Tuesday night’s presidential debate. Instead, Trump told the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.”
But late last week, actor George Takei supercharged an effort to seize the #ProudBoys hashtag back from the group.
I wonder if the BTS and TikTok kids can help LGBTs with this. What if gay guys took pictures of themselves making out with each other or doing very gay things, then tagged themselves with #ProudBoys. I bet it would mess them up real bad. #ReclaimingMyShine — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 1, 2020
Twitter, subsequently, did its thing.
Excited for our wedding! 6 years of growth and love. Wouldn’t have it any other way. #ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/O4SOPXPSoD — Christopher Ubiadas (@TheRealUbiadas) October 5, 2020
#proudboys My husband and me on vacation this year. Git cha some a that! pic.twitter.com/gDr2XcYMfM — JCMaps (@jc_maps) October 5, 2020
Look at these cute lil #ProudBoys (#retweet and make this hashtag about love, not hate) pic.twitter.com/AddflCUMpi — Bobby Berk (@bobbyberk) October 4, 2020
Even the Canadian government joined in, with a post from the account for the Canadian Armed Forces working in the United States:
Brad and I are #ProudBoys, legally married for 12 years now. And we’re proud of all of the gay folks who have stepped up to reclaim our pride in this campaign. Our community and allies answered hate with love, and what could be better than that. pic.twitter.com/GRtSH1ijQ8 — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 4, 2020
The Proud Boys tried to downplay the reversal, writing on the website Parler, “I wonder how many gay Patriots are finding out about the #ProudBoys this week and are applying for membership in our chapters.”