talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-13--A Look At Judge Barrett’s Notable Opinions And Votes On Race, Abortion, Voting

Judge Amy Coney Barrett , President Donald Trump ’ s nominee for the Supreme Court , has written roughly 100 opinions in more than three years on the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
Her opinions include cases on guns , sexual assault on campus , immigration and employment discrimination .
She also has signed onto several opinions , including two dealing with abortion , that are sure to be questioned in this week ’ s confirmation hearing .
Summaries of some of her notable opinions : Barrett has twice joined dissenting opinions asking for decisions blocking laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and reheard by the full appeals court .
Last year , after a three-judge panel blocked an Indiana law that would make it harder for a minor to have an abortion without her parents being notified , Barrett voted to have the case reheard by the full court .
In July , the Supreme Court threw out the panel ’ s ruling and ordered a new look at the case .
In 2018 , a three-judge panel ruled that Indiana laws requiring that funerals be held for fetal remains after an abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sex , race or developmental disability of a fetus were unconstitutional .
Barrett was among four judges who wanted the full court to weigh in and suggested that the laws , signed by then-Gov .
Mike Pence , might be constitutional .
Supreme Court abortion decisions “ hold that , until a fetus is viable , a woman is entitled to decide whether to bear a child .
But there is a difference between ‘ I don ’ t want a child ’ and ‘ I want a child , but only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only children whose genes predict success in life , ’ ” Judge Frank Easterbrook wrote for the dissenting judges .
Barrett also joined the part of the opinion on the fetal remains law .
“ Many states have laws that prescribe how animals ’ remains must be handled , ” Judge Frank Easterbrook wrote for the dissenters .
“ The panel has held invalid a statute that would be sustained had it concerned the remains of cats or gerbils.
” Last year , the Supreme Court reinstated the fetal remains law , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sex and developmental disabilities .
In a dissent in the 2019 gun-rights case of Kanter v. Barr , Barrett argued that a conviction for a nonviolent felony — in this case , mail fraud — shouldn ’ t automatically disqualify someone from owning a gun .
The two judges in the majority agreed with Trump administration arguments that the defendant , Rickey Kanter , could not own a gun under federal or Wisconsin law because of his criminal conviction .
Barrett used most of her 37-page dissent to lay out the history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 18th and 19th centuries , consistent with her embrace of interpreting laws and the Constitution according to the meaning they had when they were adopted .
Barrett wrote that “ while both Wisconsin and the United States have an unquestionably strong interest in protecting the public from gun violence , they have failed to show , by either logic or data that disarming Kanter substantially advances that interest.
” She said that her colleagues were treating the Second Amendment as a “ second-class right , subject to an entirely different body of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantees.
” Barrett quoted from a 2010 opinion by Justice Samuel Alito that extended gun rights , but the phrase also has been used more recently by Justice Clarence Thomas and other conservatives to complain that the Supreme Court has shied away from recognizing gun rights .
In the same opinion on gun rights , Barrett dipped into constitutional history to note that states did more to protect the rights of people to own guns than their right to vote .
In some states , people who were convicted of crimes lost the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to legally have a gun , she wrote .
“ And as a right that was exercised for the benefit of the community ( like voting and jury service ) , rather than for the benefit of the individual ( like free speech or free exercise ) , it belonged only to virtuous citizens , ” Barrett wrote .
The right to keep and bear arms conveyed by the Second Amendment , by contrast , protects “ an individual ’ s right to protect himself — not in his right to serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote , citing Justice Antonin Scalia ’ s 2008 opinion for the court in a major gun rights case .
Barrett wrote for a unanimous three-judge panel in 2019 that upheld the dismissal of a workplace discrimination lawsuit by Terry Smith , a Black Illinois transportation employee who sued after he was fired .
Smith ’ s claims included that he was called a racial slur by supervisor Lloyd Colbert .
“ The n-word is an egregious racial epithet , ” Barrett wrote in Smith v. Illinois Department of Transportation .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply by proving that the word was uttered .
He must also demonstrate that Colbert ’ s use of this word altered the conditions of his employment and created a hostile or abusive working environment.
” Barrett went on to say that Smith “ introduced no evidence that Colbert ’ s use of the n-word changed his subjective experience of the workplace .
To be sure , Smith testified that his time at the Department caused him psychological distress .
But that was for reasons that predated his run-in with Colbert and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His tenure at the Department was rocky from the outset because of his poor track record.
” A possible colleague of Barrett ’ s took a different view on racial slurs in 2013 .
Justice Brett Kavanaugh , then serving as a federal appeals court judge in Washington , D.C , said one utterance was enough .
“ But , in my view , being called the n-word by a supervisor … suffices by itself to establish a racially hostile work environment .
That epithet has been labeled , variously , a term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the bitter years of insult and struggle in America , ’ ‘ pure anathema to African-Americans , ’ and ‘ probably the most offensive word in English , ” Kavanaugh wrote .
“ No other word in the English language so powerfully or instantly calls to mind our country ’ s long and brutal struggle to overcome racism and discrimination against African-Americans .
In short , the case law demonstrates that a single , sufficiently severe incident may create a hostile work environment actionable ” under federal anti-discrimination laws .
Barrett wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making it easier for men alleged to have committed sexual assaults on campus to challenge the proceedings against them .
The case involved allegations by a female student at Purdue University that her boyfriend had sexually assaulted her .
The students were identified in court documents as John and Jane Doe .
John Doe sued in federal court claiming sex discrimination after Purdue suspended him for a year and took away his Navy ROTC scholarship .
Barrett concluded Purdue ’ s process was unfair and allowed his lawsuit to continue .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ he said/she said ’ — Purdue had to decide whether to believe John or Jane , ” Barrett wrote .
The judge criticized the university official who ended up siding with the female student .
“ Her basis for believing Jane is perplexing , given that she never talked to Jane .
Indeed , Jane did not even submit a statement in her own words , ” Barrett wrote .
Barrett was in dissent in June when her two colleagues on a 7th Circuit panel put on hold , just in Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jeopardize permanent resident status for immigrants who use food stamps , Medicaid and housing vouchers .
Under the new policy , immigration officials can deny green cards to legal immigrants over their use of public benefits .
She wrote that existing immigration law and a Clinton-era welfare overhaul had already limited public assistance to noncitizens .
The administration was just using leeway those laws had given it , Barrett wrote .
The objections of immigrants and their advocates “ reflect disagreement with this policy choice and even the statutory exclusion itself .
Litigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputes , ” she wrote .
Barrett dissented in the case of a Wisconsin man who admitted that he fatally shot his wife seven times but argued that he had been provoked , making his crime second-degree homicide instead of first-degree homicide , which carries a higher penalty .
A federal judge reviewed the provoking claim in a pretrial hearing without prosecutors present and without allowing the lawyer of defendant Scott Schmidt to speak .
The judge rejected Schmidt ’ s claim of provocation , and he was convicted of first-degree homicide and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 7th Circuit panel overturned that decision , saying that Schmidt had been denied his Sixth Amendment right to counsel .
Barrett , in her dissent , disagreed that the pretrial hearing where the judge questioned Schmidt about his provocation claim was a situation that required Schmidt ’ s lawyer and said the Supreme Court has never extended the right to counsel outside an adversarial proceeding .
The Supreme Court ’ s “ ’ critical stage ’ precedent deals exclusively with adversarial confrontations between the defendant and an agent of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Perhaps the right to counsel should extend to a hearing like the one the judge conducted in Schmidt ’ s case .
But ( federal law ) precludes us from disturbing a state court ’ s judgment on the ground that a state court decided an open question differently than we would — or , for that matter , differently than we think the ( Supreme ) Court would .
”

Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, has written roughly 100 opinions in more than three years on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Her opinions include cases on guns, sexual assault on campus, immigration and employment discrimination. She also has signed onto several opinions, including two dealing with abortion, that are sure to be questioned in this week’s confirmation hearing.
Summaries of some of her notable opinions:
___
ABORTION
Barrett has twice joined dissenting opinions asking for decisions blocking laws enacted by abortion opponents to be thrown out and reheard by the full appeals court.
Last year, after a three-judge panel blocked an Indiana law that would make it harder for a minor to have an abortion without her parents being notified, Barrett voted to have the case reheard by the full court.
In July, the Supreme Court threw out the panel’s ruling and ordered a new look at the case.
In 2018, a three-judge panel ruled that Indiana laws requiring that funerals be held for fetal remains after an abortion or miscarriage and banning abortions because of the sex, race or developmental disability of a fetus were unconstitutional.
Barrett was among four judges who wanted the full court to weigh in and suggested that the laws, signed by then-Gov. Mike Pence, might be constitutional.
Supreme Court abortion decisions “hold that, until a fetus is viable, a woman is entitled to decide whether to bear a child. But there is a difference between ‘I don’t want a child’ and ‘I want a child, but only a male’ or ‘I want only children whose genes predict success in life,’” Judge Frank Easterbrook wrote for the dissenting judges.
Barrett also joined the part of the opinion on the fetal remains law. “Many states have laws that prescribe how animals’ remains must be handled,” Judge Frank Easterbrook wrote for the dissenters. “The panel has held invalid a statute that would be sustained had it concerned the remains of cats or gerbils.”
Last year, the Supreme Court reinstated the fetal remains law, but not the ban on abortions for race, sex and developmental disabilities.
___
GUNS
In a dissent in the 2019 gun-rights case of Kanter v. Barr, Barrett argued that a conviction for a nonviolent felony — in this case, mail fraud — shouldn’t automatically disqualify someone from owning a gun.
The two judges in the majority agreed with Trump administration arguments that the defendant, Rickey Kanter, could not own a gun under federal or Wisconsin law because of his criminal conviction.
Barrett used most of her 37-page dissent to lay out the history of gun rules for convicted criminals in the 18th and 19th centuries, consistent with her embrace of interpreting laws and the Constitution according to the meaning they had when they were adopted.
Barrett wrote that “while both Wisconsin and the United States have an unquestionably strong interest in protecting the public from gun violence, they have failed to show, by either logic or data that disarming Kanter substantially advances that interest.”
She said that her colleagues were treating the Second Amendment as a “second-class right, subject to an entirely different body of rules than the other Bill of Rights guarantees.” Barrett quoted from a 2010 opinion by Justice Samuel Alito that extended gun rights, but the phrase also has been used more recently by Justice Clarence Thomas and other conservatives to complain that the Supreme Court has shied away from recognizing gun rights.
___
VOTING RIGHTS
In the same opinion on gun rights, Barrett dipped into constitutional history to note that states did more to protect the rights of people to own guns than their right to vote. In some states, people who were convicted of crimes lost the right to vote, but not the right to legally have a gun, she wrote.
“And as a right that was exercised for the benefit of the community (like voting and jury service), rather than for the benefit of the individual (like free speech or free exercise), it belonged only to virtuous citizens,” Barrett wrote.
The right to keep and bear arms conveyed by the Second Amendment, by contrast, protects “an individual’s right to protect himself — not in his right to serve in a well-regulated militia,” Barrett wrote, citing Justice Antonin Scalia’s 2008 opinion for the court in a major gun rights case.
___
RACE DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE
Barrett wrote for a unanimous three-judge panel in 2019 that upheld the dismissal of a workplace discrimination lawsuit by Terry Smith, a Black Illinois transportation employee who sued after he was fired. Smith’s claims included that he was called a racial slur by supervisor Lloyd Colbert.
“The n-word is an egregious racial epithet,” Barrett wrote in Smith v. Illinois Department of Transportation. “That said, Smith can’t win simply by proving that the word was uttered. He must also demonstrate that Colbert’s use of this word altered the conditions of his employment and created a hostile or abusive working environment.”
Barrett went on to say that Smith “introduced no evidence that Colbert’s use of the n-word changed his subjective experience of the workplace. To be sure, Smith testified that his time at the Department caused him psychological distress. But that was for reasons that predated his run-in with Colbert and had nothing to do with his race. His tenure at the Department was rocky from the outset because of his poor track record.”
A possible colleague of Barrett’s took a different view on racial slurs in 2013. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, then serving as a federal appeals court judge in Washington, D.C, said one utterance was enough. “But, in my view, being called the n-word by a supervisor … suffices by itself to establish a racially hostile work environment. That epithet has been labeled, variously, a term that ‘sums up . . . all the bitter years of insult and struggle in America,’ ‘pure anathema to African-Americans,’ and ‘probably the most offensive word in English,” Kavanaugh wrote. “No other word in the English language so powerfully or instantly calls to mind our country’s long and brutal struggle to overcome racism and discrimination against African-Americans. In short, the case law demonstrates that a single, sufficiently severe incident may create a hostile work environment actionable” under federal anti-discrimination laws.
___
CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT
Barrett wrote a unanimous three-judge panel decision in 2019 making it easier for men alleged to have committed sexual assaults on campus to challenge the proceedings against them.
The case involved allegations by a female student at Purdue University that her boyfriend had sexually assaulted her. The students were identified in court documents as John and Jane Doe.
John Doe sued in federal court claiming sex discrimination after Purdue suspended him for a year and took away his Navy ROTC scholarship. Barrett concluded Purdue’s process was unfair and allowed his lawsuit to continue.
“The case against him boiled down to a ‘he said/she said’ — Purdue had to decide whether to believe John or Jane,” Barrett wrote.
The judge criticized the university official who ended up siding with the female student. “Her basis for believing Jane is perplexing, given that she never talked to Jane. Indeed, Jane did not even submit a statement in her own words,” Barrett wrote.
___
IMMIGRATION
Barrett was in dissent in June when her two colleagues on a 7th Circuit panel put on hold, just in Chicago, the Trump administration policy that could jeopardize permanent resident status for immigrants who use food stamps, Medicaid and housing vouchers.
Under the new policy, immigration officials can deny green cards to legal immigrants over their use of public benefits.
She wrote that existing immigration law and a Clinton-era welfare overhaul had already limited public assistance to noncitizens. The administration was just using leeway those laws had given it, Barrett wrote. The objections of immigrants and their advocates “reflect disagreement with this policy choice and even the statutory exclusion itself. Litigation is not the vehicle for resolving policy disputes,” she wrote.
___
ACCESS TO A LAWYER
Barrett dissented in the case of a Wisconsin man who admitted that he fatally shot his wife seven times but argued that he had been provoked, making his crime second-degree homicide instead of first-degree homicide, which carries a higher penalty.
A federal judge reviewed the provoking claim in a pretrial hearing without prosecutors present and without allowing the lawyer of defendant Scott Schmidt to speak. The judge rejected Schmidt’s claim of provocation, and he was convicted of first-degree homicide and sentenced to life in prison. However, a 7th Circuit panel overturned that decision, saying that Schmidt had been denied his Sixth Amendment right to counsel.
Barrett, in her dissent, disagreed that the pretrial hearing where the judge questioned Schmidt about his provocation claim was a situation that required Schmidt’s lawyer and said the Supreme Court has never extended the right to counsel outside an adversarial proceeding.
The Supreme Court’s “’critical stage’ precedent deals exclusively with adversarial confrontations between the defendant and an agent of the state,” she said.
She added: “Perhaps the right to counsel should extend to a hearing like the one the judge conducted in Schmidt’s case. But (federal law) precludes us from disturbing a state court’s judgment on the ground that a state court decided an open question differently than we would — or, for that matter, differently than we think the (Supreme) Court would.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-13--EXPOSED: The Long Con That Culminated With The Amy Coney Barrett Nomination

Refusing to play along with Republicans ’ rushed confirmation hearings , Senator Sheldon Whitehouse ( D-RI ) spent his half hour Tuesday largely ignoring Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in favor of ripping down the curtain on the influences behind her nomination .
“ I guess the reason I want to do this is because people who are watching this need to understand that this small hearing room and the little TV box you are looking at are a little bit like the frame of a puppet theater , ” he opened .
And if you only look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ you are certainly not going to understand forces outside of this room who are pulling strings and pushing sticks and causing the puppet theater to react.
” With that , he pulled out markers and a stack of visual aides .
He spent the next 30 minutes showing how conservative groups including the Federalist Society and Judicial Crisis Network interact and influence behind the scenes , with a hand in every stage of the judicial nominee process from selection to confirmation to decisions on the bench .
He shone a light on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican Party , even calling out by name some of his fellow committee members who are a part of it .
He started by pointing out the enthusiasm of Republicans to support the new nominee , even before Barrett had been named , even when it meant for some making dramatically hypocritical pirouettes from the positions they took during the 2016 Merrick Garland fight .
He added that the “ political ram job ” was so important to the Republicans that they proceeded with hearings amid a pandemic even while the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests of some members .
“ My experience around politics is that when you find hypocrisy in the daylight , look for power in the shadows , ” he said .
He ticked off three reasons why viewers should care about the strings being pulled : the Affordable Care Act , Obergefell v. Hodges and Roe v. Wade .
Quickly dismissing Republican insistence that no one can possibly know how Barrett will rule on those issues , he pointed to ad campaigns , donations to groups and the party platform — all which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest in overturning those cases at the hands of a majority-conservative Court .
He then broke down the various streams of money and influence .
The first he identified as the Federalist Society , helmed by Leonard Leo , and the Judicial Crisis Network , led by Carrie Severino , that are funded , often anonymously , by donors with an interest and millions of dollars to spend on a group that will select and run PR for judicial nominees .
Then he switched to another lane : groups funded by dark money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They do not wind their way to the Court , they get shoved to the Court by these legal groups , many of which ask to lose below so they can get quickly to the Court to get their business done there , ” he said .
“ And then they turn up in an orchestrated chorus of amici.
” He said that those groups and flocks of briefs are funded by “ identity scrubbers ” like Donors Trust and the Bradley Foundation , which allow people to funnel millions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he argued , is the connection .
“ The Federalist Society , remember this group that is acting as a conduit and that Donald Trump has said is doing his judicial selection ?
” he asked .
“ They ’ re getting money from the same foundations.
” “ This more and more looks like it ’ s not three schemes but it ’ s one scheme with the same funders selecting judges , funding campaigns for the judges and showing up in court in these orchestrated amicus flotilla was to tell the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added , pointing to a poster board separated into columns of the Federalist Society , Judicial Crisis Network and the groups that file briefs .
As an example for the interlocking webs , he used the lawsuit currently at the Supreme Court that is challenging the Affordable Care Act — the well Democrats have been drawing from all hearing long .
He showed that Severino has signed anti-ACA briefs on behalf of Republican senators , who he called out by name , and that the Judicial Crisis Network has funded the Republican Attorneys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ACA lawsuit currently before the high court .
He rounded out his presentation by highlighting the track record of wins in cases with such characteristic conservative donor interest : 80 to 0 , with a bare five-to-four partisan majority .
“ Something is not right around the court , ” he intoned .
“ And dark money has a lot to do with it .
Special interests have a lot to do with it.
” His presentation today , Whitehouse concluded , turning back to Barrett , lays out the basis “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interesting conversation tomorrow .
”

Refusing to play along with Republicans’ rushed confirmation hearings, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) spent his half hour Tuesday largely ignoring Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in favor of ripping down the curtain on the influences behind her nomination.
“I guess the reason I want to do this is because people who are watching this need to understand that this small hearing room and the little TV box you are looking at are a little bit like the frame of a puppet theater,” he opened. And if you only look at the puppet theater, he said, “you are certainly not going to understand forces outside of this room who are pulling strings and pushing sticks and causing the puppet theater to react.”
With that, he pulled out markers and a stack of visual aides. He spent the next 30 minutes showing how conservative groups including the Federalist Society and Judicial Crisis Network interact and influence behind the scenes, with a hand in every stage of the judicial nominee process from selection to confirmation to decisions on the bench. He shone a light on the deep ties between this system and the Republican Party, even calling out by name some of his fellow committee members who are a part of it.
He started by pointing out the enthusiasm of Republicans to support the new nominee, even before Barrett had been named, even when it meant for some making dramatically hypocritical pirouettes from the positions they took during the 2016 Merrick Garland fight.
He added that the “political ram job” was so important to the Republicans that they proceeded with hearings amid a pandemic even while the Senate is closed due to the positive COVID-19 tests of some members.
“My experience around politics is that when you find hypocrisy in the daylight, look for power in the shadows,” he said.
He ticked off three reasons why viewers should care about the strings being pulled: the Affordable Care Act, Obergefell v. Hodges and Roe v. Wade. Quickly dismissing Republican insistence that no one can possibly know how Barrett will rule on those issues, he pointed to ad campaigns, donations to groups and the party platform — all which show an enormous amount of money and interest in overturning those cases at the hands of a majority-conservative Court.
He then broke down the various streams of money and influence.
The first he identified as the Federalist Society, helmed by Leonard Leo, and the Judicial Crisis Network, led by Carrie Severino, that are funded, often anonymously, by donors with an interest and millions of dollars to spend on a group that will select and run PR for judicial nominees.
Then he switched to another lane: groups funded by dark money to bring cases before the Supreme Court.
“They do not wind their way to the Court, they get shoved to the Court by these legal groups, many of which ask to lose below so they can get quickly to the Court to get their business done there,” he said. “And then they turn up in an orchestrated chorus of amici.”
He said that those groups and flocks of briefs are funded by “identity scrubbers” like Donors Trust and the Bradley Foundation, which allow people to funnel millions to these efforts anonymously.
The money, he argued, is the connection.
“The Federalist Society, remember this group that is acting as a conduit and that Donald Trump has said is doing his judicial selection?” he asked. “They’re getting money from the same foundations.”
“This more and more looks like it’s not three schemes but it’s one scheme with the same funders selecting judges, funding campaigns for the judges and showing up in court in these orchestrated amicus flotilla was to tell the judges what to do,” he added, pointing to a poster board separated into columns of the Federalist Society, Judicial Crisis Network and the groups that file briefs.
As an example for the interlocking webs, he used the lawsuit currently at the Supreme Court that is challenging the Affordable Care Act — the well Democrats have been drawing from all hearing long.
He showed that Severino has signed anti-ACA briefs on behalf of Republican senators, who he called out by name, and that the Judicial Crisis Network has funded the Republican Attorneys General Association, members of which brought the ACA lawsuit currently before the high court.
He rounded out his presentation by highlighting the track record of wins in cases with such characteristic conservative donor interest: 80 to 0, with a bare five-to-four partisan majority.
“Something is not right around the court,” he intoned. “And dark money has a lot to do with it. Special interests have a lot to do with it.”
His presentation today, Whitehouse concluded, turning back to Barrett, lays out the basis “for you and I to tee up an interesting conversation tomorrow.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-13--New Revelations Show Whitmer Plotters Are Guilty Of First Degree Buffoonery

A lengthy court hearing Tuesday morning revealed the larger ambitions — and , frankly , undeniable buffoonery — of the alleged plotters behind a plan to kidnap the governor of Michigan .
The alleged scheme was interrupted by federal and state law enforcement last week , and 13 people now faces charges in connection to it , six in federal court and seven on state terrorism charges .
The detention hearing for three the federal defendants began at 9:30 a.m .
ET Tuesday .
The new information we have Tuesday comes from FBI special agent Richard Trask , who authored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of the federal charges that came out last week .
That affidavit detailed some of the group ’ s attempts to allegedly hide their planning .
For example , alleged ringleader Adam Fox ( pictured above ) is quoted as using the words “ baker ” and “ cupcakes ” to refer to an explosives manufacturer and explosives .
But it went deeper , and dumber , than that .
For example , Trask listed the code names of the five defendants present Tuesday .
They ’ re something else .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , had a name that had to be abbreviated in court : “ Fuck Around And Find Out.
” After the first mention , the assistant U.S. attorney questioning Trask said he would refer to the chat as FAFO to avoid swearing in court , the Detroit News ’ Robert Snell noted .
The code names match the affidavit ’ s description of a group worried about being found out .
But they still failed to keep things under wraps : The men were recorded constantly by confidential human sources and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trask said Tuesday that authorities had upwards of 100 hours of audio tape , including from an informant ’ s wrist-worn recorder .
That ’ s not to say the alleged plotters didn ’ t try to keep a secret : At one point early in the plotting , in June , Fox had the group meet in a basement below a trap door , then took everyone ’ s phones in an attempt to prevent eavesdropping .
That didn ’ t work : A confidential source in attendance was wearing a recording @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( The owner of the vacuum store where the basement meeting occurred , who ’ s known Fox for years and let him sleep there , was reportedly shocked by the news . )
In court Tuesday , a prosecutor noted that the group talked about trying to use a device that would detect such recording devices .
“ Obviously , it didn ’ t work , ” the prosecutor said .
Trask ’ s affidavit details the defendants ’ alleged intent to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home and bring her to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ trial.
” But in court Tuesday , Trask revealed that the group discussed another option : Simply leaving the governor in the middle of Lake Michigan .
“ His idea was to take [ Whitmer ] out in a boat and leave her out in the middle of Lake Michigan and disable the engine and just leave the boat , ” Task said of Fox Tuesday , per the Detroit Free Press .
Another juicy detail discussed at the hearing : Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam ( D ) was also the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Trask .
In June , during an Ohio meeting with people from multiple states — including two men later accused in the Whitmer kidnapping plot — “ several members talked about state governments they believed were violating the U.S. Constitution , ” according to Trask ’ s affidavit .
Testifying Tuesday , the FBI agent revealed that the group discussed Northam specifically .
“ They discussed possible targets , taking a sitting governor , specifically issues with the governor of Michigan and Virginia based on the lockdown orders , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Tuesday that his security team had been kept informed by the FBI , and that “ at no time was the Governor or his family in imminent danger.
” The spokesperson , Alena Yarmosky , then referenced the President .
“ Here ’ s the reality : President Trump called upon his supporters to ‘ LIBERATE VIRGINIA ’ in April — just like Michigan , ” Yarmosky said .
“ In fact , the President regularly encourages violence against those who disagree with him .
The rhetoric coming out of this White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It must stop .
”

A lengthy court hearing Tuesday morning revealed the larger ambitions — and, frankly, undeniable buffoonery — of the alleged plotters behind a plan to kidnap the governor of Michigan.
The alleged scheme was interrupted by federal and state law enforcement last week, and 13 people now faces charges in connection to it, six in federal court and seven on state terrorism charges. The detention hearing for three the federal defendants began at 9:30 a.m. ET Tuesday.
Code Name Stupidity
The new information we have Tuesday comes from FBI special agent Richard Trask, who authored the affidavit detailing the alleged plot in support of the federal charges that came out last week.
That affidavit detailed some of the group’s attempts to allegedly hide their planning. For example, alleged ringleader Adam Fox (pictured above) is quoted as using the words “baker” and “cupcakes” to refer to an explosives manufacturer and explosives.
But it went deeper, and dumber, than that. For example, Trask listed the code names of the five defendants present Tuesday. They’re something else.
Here are all the code names used in encrypted chats by members of the alleged conspiracy to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, according to testimony Adam Fox = “Alpha Fuck You”
Ty Garbin = “Gunney”
Kaleb Franks = “Red Hot”
Daniel Harris = “Beaker”
Brandon Caserta = “Debased Tyrant” — Robert Snell (@robertsnellnews) October 13, 2020
An encrypted chat the group used, Trask said, had a name that had to be abbreviated in court: “Fuck Around And Find Out.” After the first mention, the assistant U.S. attorney questioning Trask said he would refer to the chat as FAFO to avoid swearing in court, the Detroit News’ Robert Snell noted.
Paranoia Fail
The code names match the affidavit’s description of a group worried about being found out. But they still failed to keep things under wraps: The men were recorded constantly by confidential human sources and, later, undercover law enforcement officers. Trask said Tuesday that authorities had upwards of 100 hours of audio tape, including from an informant’s wrist-worn recorder.
14: During cross-examination, Trask is asked about the informants involved in the case. Trask said informants recorded more than 100 hours of audio tapes. Trask said one of the informants used a recording device on the wrist.@wwmtnews — Mike Krafcik (@Mkrafcik) October 13, 2020
That’s not to say the alleged plotters didn’t try to keep a secret: At one point early in the plotting, in June, Fox had the group meet in a basement below a trap door, then took everyone’s phones in an attempt to prevent eavesdropping.
That didn’t work: A confidential source in attendance was wearing a recording device, according to the affidavit. (The owner of the vacuum store where the basement meeting occurred, who’s known Fox for years and let him sleep there, was reportedly shocked by the news.)
In court Tuesday, a prosecutor noted that the group talked about trying to use a device that would detect such recording devices.
“Obviously, it didn’t work,” the prosecutor said.
Members of the alleged conspiracy to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer talked about using a device to detect if anyone was wearing a recording device. By September, the feds had an informant and an undercover agent inside the group. “Obviously, it didn’t work,” the AUSA said — Robert Snell (@robertsnellnews) October 13, 2020
Stranding The Governor On Lake Michigan
Trask’s affidavit details the defendants’ alleged intent to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home and bring her to Wisconsin to stand for a bogus treason “trial.”
But in court Tuesday, Trask revealed that the group discussed another option: Simply leaving the governor in the middle of Lake Michigan.
“His idea was to take [Whitmer] out in a boat and leave her out in the middle of Lake Michigan and disable the engine and just leave the boat,” Task said of Fox Tuesday, per the Detroit Free Press.
12: Trasker testified that the group planned to secure a boat and planned to take the @GovWhitmer across Lake Michigan. Trasker testified Adam Fox wanted to disable the boat and leave the Governor in the middle of the lake.@wwmtnews — Mike Krafcik (@Mkrafcik) October 13, 2020
Mulling Another Kidnapping: VA’s Northam
Another juicy detail discussed at the hearing: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) was also the subject of talks about a potential kidnapping, according to Trask.
In June, during an Ohio meeting with people from multiple states — including two men later accused in the Whitmer kidnapping plot — “several members talked about state governments they believed were violating the U.S. Constitution,” according to Trask’s affidavit.
Testifying Tuesday, the FBI agent revealed that the group discussed Northam specifically.
“They discussed possible targets, taking a sitting governor, specifically issues with the governor of Michigan and Virginia based on the lockdown orders,” Trask said.
A spokesperson for Northam said Tuesday that his security team had been kept informed by the FBI, and that “at no time was the Governor or his family in imminent danger.”
The spokesperson, Alena Yarmosky, then referenced the President.
“Here’s the reality: President Trump called upon his supporters to ‘LIBERATE VIRGINIA’ in April — just like Michigan,” Yarmosky said. “In fact, the President regularly encourages violence against those who disagree with him. The rhetoric coming out of this White House has serious and potentially deadly consequences. It must stop.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-13--Appeals Court Won’t Let AL Election Chief Impose De Facto Curbside Voting Ban

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit refused to reinstate a de facto ban on curbside voting that Alabama ’ s Secretary of State John Merrill ( R ) has tried to impose in the state .
The appeals court did , however , revive restrictions on absentee voting that had been loosened for the pandemic by a federal judge .
In a statement , Merrill said he intended to go to the Supreme Court so that he could continue to prohibit curbside voting .
Through Alabama is letting voters cite COVID-19 as an excuse to vote absentee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to make voting safe and accessible during the coronavirus outbreak .
A federal judge has twice blocked the state ’ s full enforcement of its photo ID requirement for absentee voting and its mandate that absentee voters get the signatures of either two witnesses or a notary .
The first time U.S. District Judge Abdul Kallon relaxed those restrictions , ahead of Alabama ’ s July primary , the state also had to go to the Supreme Court to reinstate the absentee voting rules and Merrill ’ s ban on curbside in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes after Kallon held a nine-day trial on the merits of the restrictions .
His ruling after the trial ordered a carveout for the absentee voting rules for voters particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 .
One of the judges on the appellate panel , Obama-appointee Jill Pryor , would have also upheld that carveout , while Trump-appointee Circuit Judge Barbara Lagoa dissented from the move to allow counties to offer curbside voting .
The third judge on the panel , Obama-appointee Adalberto Jordan , cast the deciding vote to restore the absentee voting restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although we are pleased that counties will be allowed to offer curbside voting on Election Day , we are deeply disappointed with the Eleventh Circuit ’ s reinstatement of the witness and photo ID requirements , ” NAACP LDF senior counsel Deuel Ross , who represented the challengers , said in a statement .
Merrill meanwhile called the reinstatement of the absentee rules “ a win for the people of Alabama , ” while claiming that the “ requirements are necessary deterrents for those looking to commit voter fraud.
” Kallon , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that the state had not put forward adequate evidence that the requirements prevented voter fraud .
The 11th Circuit ’ s order did not come with an opinion laying out why the panel had voted the way it had .
Unlike the absentee voting rules , there is no state law explicitly prohibiting curbside voting .
Merrill instead has argued that , because state law doesn ’ t expressly allow the option , curbside voting is illegal .
On multiple occasions before the pandemic , he or his deputies have intervened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The option has gained more attention with the COVID-19 outbreak , and the CDC has recommended that election administrators consider it as an opportunity for voters limit their COVID-19 risks while casting ballots in-person .
It ’ s unclear if , assuming the 11th Circuit order stands , any counties in Alabama will offer the service for this year ’ s election .
“ While our office is currently unaware of any county planning to provide curbside voting for the November 3 , 2020 General Election , we intend to appeal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraudulent practice is banned in Alabama , as it is not currently allowed by state law , ” Merrill said in his statement .
Update : This story has been updated to include a statement from Secretary of State Merrill .

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit refused to reinstate a de facto ban on curbside voting that Alabama’s Secretary of State John Merrill (R) has tried to impose in the state. The appeals court did, however, revive restrictions on absentee voting that had been loosened for the pandemic by a federal judge.
In a statement, Merrill said he intended to go to the Supreme Court so that he could continue to prohibit curbside voting.
Through Alabama is letting voters cite COVID-19 as an excuse to vote absentee, state officials have aggressively fought other efforts to make voting safe and accessible during the coronavirus outbreak.
A federal judge has twice blocked the state’s full enforcement of its photo ID requirement for absentee voting and its mandate that absentee voters get the signatures of either two witnesses or a notary. The first time U.S. District Judge Abdul Kallon relaxed those restrictions, ahead of Alabama’s July primary, the state also had to go to the Supreme Court to reinstate the absentee voting rules and Merrill’s ban on curbside in-person voting.
The most recent legal back-and-forth comes after Kallon held a nine-day trial on the merits of the restrictions. His ruling after the trial ordered a carveout for the absentee voting rules for voters particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.
One of the judges on the appellate panel, Obama-appointee Jill Pryor, would have also upheld that carveout, while Trump-appointee Circuit Judge Barbara Lagoa dissented from the move to allow counties to offer curbside voting. The third judge on the panel, Obama-appointee Adalberto Jordan, cast the deciding vote to restore the absentee voting restrictions but to allow curbside voting.
“Although we are pleased that counties will be allowed to offer curbside voting on Election Day, we are deeply disappointed with the Eleventh Circuit’s reinstatement of the witness and photo ID requirements,” NAACP LDF senior counsel Deuel Ross, who represented the challengers, said in a statement.
Merrill meanwhile called the reinstatement of the absentee rules “a win for the people of Alabama,” while claiming that the “requirements are necessary deterrents for those looking to commit voter fraud.”
Kallon, in his opinion opinion relaxing the restrictions, said that the state had not put forward adequate evidence that the requirements prevented voter fraud. The 11th Circuit’s order did not come with an opinion laying out why the panel had voted the way it had.
Unlike the absentee voting rules, there is no state law explicitly prohibiting curbside voting. Merrill instead has argued that, because state law doesn’t expressly allow the option, curbside voting is illegal.
On multiple occasions before the pandemic, he or his deputies have intervened to stop counties that were offering curbside voting.
The option has gained more attention with the COVID-19 outbreak, and the CDC has recommended that election administrators consider it as an opportunity for voters limit their COVID-19 risks while casting ballots in-person.
It’s unclear if, assuming the 11th Circuit order stands, any counties in Alabama will offer the service for this year’s election.
“While our office is currently unaware of any county planning to provide curbside voting for the November 3, 2020 General Election, we intend to appeal to the Supreme Court to see that this fraudulent practice is banned in Alabama, as it is not currently allowed by state law,” Merrill said in his statement.
Update: This story has been updated to include a statement from Secretary of State Merrill.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-13--Trump Back At SCOTUS In Bid To Keep Tax Returns Away From Manhattan DA

It ’ s déjà vu for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance , as President Trump asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to stay a subpoena for the President ’ s tax returns .
President Trump is taking his second pass at the Supreme Court in his long-running legal battle to block a state investigation into his finances .
The filing Tuesday repeated long-held arguments that a subpoena issued in August 2019 by a Manhattan state grand jury to his accounting firm Mazars USA LLP for years of his financial records is both overbroad an an example of “ presidential harassment.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but do depart from the line of thinking that landed the same case before the Supreme Court earlier this year .
Then , Trump had argued that his position as President made him immune from state-level criminal processes .
That led to an infamous interaction last year in which Trump attorney William Consovoy told the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that the NYPD , a state-level entity , could not investigate his client for shooting someone on Fifth Avenue while in office .
In the current round of filings , Trump cites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocking the subpoena .
But in oral arguments before the Second Circuit last month , Consovoy said that there was no circumstance in which President Trump would accept a grand jury subpoena , and that there was no tailoring or adjustment that could be done to make the legal demand acceptable .
Trump asked in Tuesday ’ s filing that the Supreme Court stay enforcement of the subpoena until he files for writ of certiorari .
Absent that , Trump asked the court to “ treat the stay application as a petition for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ petition , and summarily reverse the judgment below .
”

It’s déjà vu for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, as President Trump asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to stay a subpoena for the President’s tax returns.
President Trump is taking his second pass at the Supreme Court in his long-running legal battle to block a state investigation into his finances. The filing Tuesday repeated long-held arguments that a subpoena issued in August 2019 by a Manhattan state grand jury to his accounting firm Mazars USA LLP for years of his financial records is both overbroad an an example of “presidential harassment.”
The arguments aren’t new, but do depart from the line of thinking that landed the same case before the Supreme Court earlier this year. Then, Trump had argued that his position as President made him immune from state-level criminal processes. That led to an infamous interaction last year in which Trump attorney William Consovoy told the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that the NYPD, a state-level entity, could not investigate his client for shooting someone on Fifth Avenue while in office.
In the current round of filings, Trump cites overbreadth and bad intent as reasons for blocking the subpoena. But in oral arguments before the Second Circuit last month, Consovoy said that there was no circumstance in which President Trump would accept a grand jury subpoena, and that there was no tailoring or adjustment that could be done to make the legal demand acceptable.
Trump asked in Tuesday’s filing that the Supreme Court stay enforcement of the subpoena until he files for writ of certiorari. Absent that, Trump asked the court to “treat the stay application as a petition for a writ of certiorari, grant the petition, and summarily reverse the judgment below.”
Read the filing here:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-14--Trump Mocks The Elderly Days After Calling Seniors ‘My Favorite People In The World’

President Donald Trump on Tuesday night mocked the elderly and disabled when he shared a meme that appeared to show his Democratic opponent Joe Biden Photoshopped in a wheelchair inside at what looks like a nursing home .
Trump ’ s portrayal of Biden as old and disabled comes as the two candidates fight to secure support from elderly voters , especially in battleground Florida where both candidates have campaigned this week .
Trump carried the demographic in 2016 , but recent polling shows Biden has narrowed that margin and might have a slight edge , per the Washington Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior voters has likely softened at least in part due to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic which has killed older Americans at a higher rate than any other age group .
But the President has also offered conflicting messages on whether or not he will use a second term to advocate for seniors .
Last week , Trump tweeted out a video where he makes a shout out to seniors calling them “ my favorite people in the world !
” The Post pointed out that video clip was a sharp contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light of Biden ’ s age which has been a central narrative in the President ’ s attack of Biden , 77 , who is three years his senior .
Trump , who was recently cleared by the White House physician to resume public engagements after he was hospitalized for coronavirus has repeatedly sought to paint himself as invincible amid his diagnosis , even though he is 74 and overweight , two factors that have likely complicated his recovery .
Seeking to expand his appeal among older voters , Biden addressed residents at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arguing that Trump has failed the nation ’ s senior citizens .
“ You ’ re expendable .
You ’ re forgettable .
You ’ re virtually nobody .
That ’ s how he sees seniors , ” Biden told a crowd of senior voters on Tuesday .
“ The only senior that Donald Trump cares about — the only senior — is the senior Donald Trump .
”

President Donald Trump on Tuesday night mocked the elderly and disabled when he shared a meme that appeared to show his Democratic opponent Joe Biden Photoshopped in a wheelchair inside at what looks like a nursing home.
Trump’s portrayal of Biden as old and disabled comes as the two candidates fight to secure support from elderly voters, especially in battleground Florida where both candidates have campaigned this week. Trump carried the demographic in 2016, but recent polling shows Biden has narrowed that margin and might have a slight edge, per the Washington Post.
Trump’s support among the senior voters has likely softened at least in part due to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic which has killed older Americans at a higher rate than any other age group. But the President has also offered conflicting messages on whether or not he will use a second term to advocate for seniors.
Last week, Trump tweeted out a video where he makes a shout out to seniors calling them “my favorite people in the world!”
The Post pointed out that video clip was a sharp contrast from Tuesday night’s meme making light of Biden’s age which has been a central narrative in the President’s attack of Biden, 77, who is three years his senior.
Trump, who was recently cleared by the White House physician to resume public engagements after he was hospitalized for coronavirus has repeatedly sought to paint himself as invincible amid his diagnosis, even though he is 74 and overweight, two factors that have likely complicated his recovery.
Seeking to expand his appeal among older voters, Biden addressed residents at a senior center in Florida on Tuesday, arguing that Trump has failed the nation’s senior citizens.
“You’re expendable. You’re forgettable. You’re virtually nobody. That’s how he sees seniors,” Biden told a crowd of senior voters on Tuesday. “The only senior that Donald Trump cares about — the only senior — is the senior Donald Trump.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-14--‘Hilariously Embarrassing’: Women Mock Trump’s Desperate Plea For Them To ‘Like’ Him

President Donald Trump , trailing in the polls and whose support among women continues to erode , once again tried @ @ @ @ @ appeal to “ suburban ” women during a rally in Johnstown , Pennsylvania on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ you to do me a favor .
Suburban women : will you please like me @ @ @ @ @ begged .
“ Please .
I saved your damn neighborhood , OK ?
” It @ @ @ @ @ time he ’ s attempted to fearmonger suburban women into voting for him , nor @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s openly expressed bafflement over the fact that the strategy isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ , much to the mockery of women online :

President Donald Trump, trailing in the polls and whose support among women continues to erode, once again tried to invoke a glaringly racist appeal to “suburban” women during a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on Tuesday night.
“I ask you to do me a favor. Suburban women: will you please like me? Please,” he begged. “Please. I saved your damn neighborhood, OK?”
It’s not the first time he’s attempted to fearmonger suburban women into voting for him, nor is it the first time he’s openly expressed bafflement over the fact that the strategy isn’t working.
Yet he persisted, much to the mockery of women online:
maybe "suburban women" don't like him because their kids are out of food, out of school, and increasingly off of health insurance? https://t.co/YywxCZs50u the kids in cages thing probably didn't help either https://t.co/XG2lo4SBly — Catherine Rampell (@crampell) October 14, 2020
This is hilariously embarrassing. Also I really wish both parties would end their obsession with white suburban women and I say this as a white suburban (kind of. DEFINITELY no Whole Foods in my town) woman. https://t.co/t9d6Hpz0m9 — Krystal Ball (@krystalball) October 14, 2020
Who'd have thought being being a racist misogynist who's creating hate and division and rolling back women's rights wouldn't be a huge hit with the ladies? He really sounds desperate and pathetic here. — Khashoggi’s Ghost (@UROCKlive1) October 14, 2020
This educated working mom who happens to live in the suburbs rn hopes she lives to see him in prison. — rubyinparadise (@rubyinparadise) October 14, 2020
Women in suburbs want what all women want. We want leaders who are trustworthy, knowledgeable, honorable. People we can introduce our children to and say we want you to be like this. We don't want a bully, name calling man child telling us what we need. We know what we need. — Danielle Candela (@DanielleCandela) October 14, 2020
"Suburban women: will you please like me? I saved your damn neighborhood, okay?" Between this begging and Lindsey Graham begging for money on Fox every night, I'm almost starting to fee sorry for them. Almost. pic.twitter.com/7x19OLFoQI — Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) October 14, 2020
1950s, please come take your guy. And for the record, no, they don't and they won't. The hate is real. https://t.co/OiDtZrvs2e — HawaiiDelilah™ (@HawaiiDelilah) October 14, 2020
Trump just said at Pennsylvania rally "Suburban women, will you please like me?"???? — Leona Lioness (@LeonaLioness6) October 14, 2020
“Suburban women, please like me.” is the most pathetic thing I have heard a man say in a really long time. — Deb’s a Monster ❤ (@debimuch) October 14, 2020


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-14--Fauci Warns Against Letting Guard Down On COVID Just Because Trump Resumed Campaigning

Dr. Anthony Fauci on Wednesday warned the public against letting their guard down on COVID-19 , despite President Trump ’ s return to the campaign trail as the country records more than 215,000 fatalities from the pandemic thus far .
During an interview with CBS on Wednesday , Fauci was asked about his response to people saying that they ’ re no longer worried about COVID-19 now that Trump — who is 74 and clinically obese , which is a demographic placed at higher risk of suffering serious consequences from contracting the novel coronavirus — has returned to the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House last week following his four-day hospitalization at Walter Reed the weekend before , Trump urged his supporters to not to be afraid of the coronavirus or let it “ dominate ” their lives .
Although Fauci was not directly asked about the President ’ s rosy takeaway from his COVID-19 diagnosis , he appeared to disagree with Trump ’ s call to his supporters .
“ That ’ s sort of like saying someone was speeding in a car at 95 miles an hour and didn ’ t get in an accident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speed and not get in an accident , ” Fauci said .
After saying that “ there ’ s a great deal of variability ” and that he ’ s “ very , very pleased that the President did so well ” when he contracted the coronavirus , Fauci pointed out that “ there are also a lot of people who are his age and his weight which did not do as well as the President did.
” “ The President was fortunate .
He obviously has a good constitution , he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe he will continue to do very well , but you can ’ t take an ‘ N equals 1 , ’ and say : OK , then everybody who is in that category is going to do well , ” Fauci said .
“ That ’ s not so.
” Later in the interview , Fauci said that he signed off on the President ’ s participation in an NBC town hall Thursday night , citing his review of the “ totality ” of the COVID-related tests that Trump has taken .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleagues who ’ s very experienced in this , Dr. Cliff Lane , came to the conclusion — I think certainly correctly — that he is of no threat to transmit the virus to anybody else , ” Fauci said .
When asked whether the President is putting the people who he travels with in danger at this point , Fauci replied : “ The answer to that is no , he is not.
” Fauci ’ s interview with CBS comes a few days after he denied consenting to being featured in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touting the President ’ s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Fauci did not address the Trump campaign ad that he ’ s featured in during the interview .
The CBS interview also comes on the heels of his absence in recent White House briefings , which include those held by Trump ’ s medical team outside of Walter Reed following the President ’ s COVID-19 diagnosis .
Fauci told CBS that he spoke to the President last week , but declined to go into detail about what they discussed .

Dr. Anthony Fauci on Wednesday warned the public against letting their guard down on COVID-19, despite President Trump’s return to the campaign trail as the country records more than 215,000 fatalities from the pandemic thus far.
During an interview with CBS on Wednesday, Fauci was asked about his response to people saying that they’re no longer worried about COVID-19 now that Trump — who is 74 and clinically obese, which is a demographic placed at higher risk of suffering serious consequences from contracting the novel coronavirus — has returned to the campaign trail.
Upon returning to the White House last week following his four-day hospitalization at Walter Reed the weekend before, Trump urged his supporters to not to be afraid of the coronavirus or let it “dominate” their lives.
Although Fauci was not directly asked about the President’s rosy takeaway from his COVID-19 diagnosis, he appeared to disagree with Trump’s call to his supporters.
“That’s sort of like saying someone was speeding in a car at 95 miles an hour and didn’t get in an accident, so I can go ahead and speed and not get in an accident,” Fauci said.
After saying that “there’s a great deal of variability” and that he’s “very, very pleased that the President did so well” when he contracted the coronavirus, Fauci pointed out that “there are also a lot of people who are his age and his weight which did not do as well as the President did.”
“The President was fortunate. He obviously has a good constitution, he did quite well and I hope and I believe he will continue to do very well, but you can’t take an ‘N equals 1,’ and say: OK, then everybody who is in that category is going to do well,” Fauci said. “That’s not so.”
Later in the interview, Fauci said that he signed off on the President’s participation in an NBC town hall Thursday night, citing his review of the “totality” of the COVID-related tests that Trump has taken.
“I, and one of my colleagues who’s very experienced in this, Dr. Cliff Lane, came to the conclusion — I think certainly correctly — that he is of no threat to transmit the virus to anybody else,” Fauci said.
When asked whether the President is putting the people who he travels with in danger at this point, Fauci replied: “The answer to that is no, he is not.”
Fauci’s interview with CBS comes a few days after he denied consenting to being featured in a new advertisement from the Trump campaign touting the President’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci did not address the Trump campaign ad that he’s featured in during the interview.
The CBS interview also comes on the heels of his absence in recent White House briefings, which include those held by Trump’s medical team outside of Walter Reed following the President’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
Fauci told CBS that he spoke to the President last week, but declined to go into detail about what they discussed.
Watch Fauci’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-14--GOP Governor Makes Clear He Won’t Back Trump Weeks Before Election Day

Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker ( R ) announced on Wednesday that he will not vote for President Trump in next month ’ s presidential election .
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon , Lizzy Guyton , Baker ’ s communications director , said that the Massachusetts governor “ can not support ” the President ’ s re-election campaign and is “ focused on seeing ” the state through the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ He ’ ll leave the election analysis to the pundits , ” Guyton said in the statement , which did not indicate that Baker will vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The statement came shortly after the Massachusetts governor was pressed during a news conference on who he plans to vote for in next month ’ s presidential election .
Baker dodged the question , saying that he “ may take a pass on that one , ” adding “ we ’ ll see ” when asked if that means he won ’ t vote at all .
This isn ’ t the first time that the Massachusetts governor has come out against Trump .
Last March , the Republican governor threw cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of having Americans back at work by Easter ( which was April 12 ) just weeks after COVID-19 restrictions were implemented .
A few months later , Baker got choked up over Trump ’ s call for governors to “ dominate ” protesters amid nationwide protests in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
“ I heard what the President said today about dominating and fighting , ” Baker said in June .
“ I know I should be surprised when I hear incendiary words like this from him , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President eventually got around to attacking Baker last month after the Republican governor rebuked Trump ’ s refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the November presidential election .

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) announced on Wednesday that he will not vote for President Trump in next month’s presidential election.
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Lizzy Guyton, Baker’s communications director, said that the Massachusetts governor “cannot support” the President’s re-election campaign and is “focused on seeing” the state through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He’ll leave the election analysis to the pundits,” Guyton said in the statement, which did not indicate that Baker will vote for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden instead.
The statement came shortly after the Massachusetts governor was pressed during a news conference on who he plans to vote for in next month’s presidential election.
Baker dodged the question, saying that he “may take a pass on that one,” adding “we’ll see” when asked if that means he won’t vote at all.
I asked @MassGovernor how he was voting and “who are you supporting for President?” He responds “you know I think I may take a pass on that one as well.” Adds “We’ll see.” Also he did not vote in 2016. #wcvb pic.twitter.com/nM8IwiMtXG — Sharman Sacchetti (@SharmanTV) October 14, 2020
This isn’t the first time that the Massachusetts governor has come out against Trump.
Last March, the Republican governor threw cold water on the President’s hopes of having Americans back at work by Easter (which was April 12) just weeks after COVID-19 restrictions were implemented.
A few months later, Baker got choked up over Trump’s call for governors to “dominate” protesters amid nationwide protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
“I heard what the President said today about dominating and fighting,” Baker said in June. “I know I should be surprised when I hear incendiary words like this from him, but I’m not.’”
The President eventually got around to attacking Baker last month after the Republican governor rebuked Trump’s refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the November presidential election.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-14--Lingering Secret From Mueller Probe Finally Revealed

Federal prosecutors spent years investigating whether money flowed through an Egyptian state bank into the coffers of Trump ’ s 2016 campaign for president , CNN reports .
The report solves the long-running mystery over a grand jury subpoena that special counsel Robert Mueller litigated up to the Supreme Court in 2019 , revealing that it had to do with compelling records from an Egyptian state-owned bank .
In the final days of the 2016 campaign , President Trump gave a $ 10 million burst of self-funding to his campaign .
Prosecutors were scrutinizing whether Trump himself financed that self-funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Trump via a state-owned bank in Egypt .
Whether the Egyptian government was itself the source of the funds , or whether the bank was another cut-out , remains unclear from the article .
But CNN reports that the Egypt investigation predated Mueller , and continued for a significant period afterwards .
The network reports that after the end of the Mueller probe , prosecutors attempted to subpoena President Trump ’ s banking records to solve the mystery .
But then-U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jessie Liu denied the request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current acting U.S. Attorney for D.C. Michael Sherwin began a review of the case this past summer , and ordered it closed .
Egypt has flown under the radar as a potentially conflicting foreign tie of President Trump ’ s .
Some noted in 2017 that Egypt was among the Muslim-majority countries exempted from the President ’ s travel ban .

Federal prosecutors spent years investigating whether money flowed through an Egyptian state bank into the coffers of Trump’s 2016 campaign for president, CNN reports.
The report solves the long-running mystery over a grand jury subpoena that special counsel Robert Mueller litigated up to the Supreme Court in 2019, revealing that it had to do with compelling records from an Egyptian state-owned bank.
In the final days of the 2016 campaign, President Trump gave a $10 million burst of self-funding to his campaign.
Prosecutors were scrutinizing whether Trump himself financed that self-funding, or whether the money actually flowed to Trump via a state-owned bank in Egypt.
Whether the Egyptian government was itself the source of the funds, or whether the bank was another cut-out, remains unclear from the article.
But CNN reports that the Egypt investigation predated Mueller, and continued for a significant period afterwards.
The network reports that after the end of the Mueller probe, prosecutors attempted to subpoena President Trump’s banking records to solve the mystery. But then-U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jessie Liu denied the request.
The probe reportedly remained open until current acting U.S. Attorney for D.C. Michael Sherwin began a review of the case this past summer, and ordered it closed.
Egypt has flown under the radar as a potentially conflicting foreign tie of President Trump’s. Some noted in 2017 that Egypt was among the Muslim-majority countries exempted from the President’s travel ban.
Read the CNN report here.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-14--First Lady Announces That Son Barron Had Tested Positive For COVID-19

First lady Melania Trump announced in a statement on Wednesday that in addition to her and President Trump ’ s COVID-19 diagnosis , their son Barron contracted the novel coronavirus as well .
The first lady recounted how she “ immediately ” thought about their son upon her and the President testing positive for COVID-19 , but that Barron initially tested negative .
The first lady then recalled how her “ fear came true ” when Barron was tested again for COVID-19 and received a positive result .
She said that her son “ exhibited no symptoms ” at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was glad the three of us went through this at the same time so we could take care of one another and spend time together , ” the first lady wrote .
“ He has since tested negative.
” The first lady wrote that she was “ very fortunate ” that her diagnosis came with “ minimal symptoms , ” but that she had experienced “ a roller coaster of symptoms in the days after ” that “ hit me all at once.
” “ I experienced body aches , a cough and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the time , ” the first lady wrote , before mentioning that she chose “ a more natural route ” for treatment such as “ opting more for vitamins and healthy food.
” The first lady thanked her “ wonderful caretakers ” and expressed gratitude for White House physician Dr. Sean Conley and his medical team .
The first lady went on to add that her recovery from COVID-19 gave her a lot of time to reflect on her family , especially during the President ’ s four-day hospitalization at Walter Reed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of thousands of people across our country who have been impacted by this illness that infects people with no discrimination.
” The first lady concluded that she has now tested negative for COVID-19 and will resume her duties “ as soon as I can.
” Shortly after the first lady released her statement , the President told reporters that his son Barron is doing “ fine .
”

First lady Melania Trump announced in a statement on Wednesday that in addition to her and President Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis, their son Barron contracted the novel coronavirus as well.
The first lady recounted how she “immediately” thought about their son upon her and the President testing positive for COVID-19, but that Barron initially tested negative.
The first lady then recalled how her “fear came true” when Barron was tested again for COVID-19 and received a positive result. She said that her son “exhibited no symptoms” at the time.
“In one way I was glad the three of us went through this at the same time so we could take care of one another and spend time together,” the first lady wrote. “He has since tested negative.”
The first lady wrote that she was “very fortunate” that her diagnosis came with “minimal symptoms,” but that she had experienced “a roller coaster of symptoms in the days after” that “hit me all at once.”
“I experienced body aches, a cough and headaches, and felt extremely tired most of the time,” the first lady wrote, before mentioning that she chose “a more natural route” for treatment such as “opting more for vitamins and healthy food.”
The first lady thanked her “wonderful caretakers” and expressed gratitude for White House physician Dr. Sean Conley and his medical team.
The first lady went on to add that her recovery from COVID-19 gave her a lot of time to reflect on her family, especially during the President’s four-day hospitalization at Walter Reed.
“I also thought about the hundreds of thousands of people across our country who have been impacted by this illness that infects people with no discrimination.”
The first lady concluded that she has now tested negative for COVID-19 and will resume her duties “as soon as I can.”
Shortly after the first lady released her statement, the President told reporters that his son Barron is doing “fine.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-14--Owner Of Vacuum Store Shocked That Kidnapping Plotters Used His Shop

Briant Titus wasn ’ t around when a group of men met in his vacuum repair shop ’ s basement this summer , allegedly to discuss attacking the Michigan state capitol and using Molotov cocktails to destroy police vehicles .
Nor was he present around a month later when the alleged ringleader of the plot to also kidnap the governor of Michigan , Adam Fox , told an FBI informant in the shop that their best chance would be a “ snatch and grab ” at the governor ’ s vacation house .
But now , it ’ s all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s calling here , ” he told TPM Wednesday .
“ I ’ m getting a lot of hate calls , too.
” The Grand Rapids shop , Vac Shack , has turned into an unexpected focal point of a foiled criminal conspiracy , for which six people face federal charges and seven more face terrorism counts in state court .
“ I ’ m in shock , I just wish it would go away , but it ’ s not , ” he said .
“ I just hope it don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s all.
” Titus has known Fox for years , he told TPM .
He let Fox sleep in the store ’ s basement off and on for months and employed him part-time .
Titus , who denies any involvement with the plot , is little more than a bystander in the case .
He doesn ’ t appear anywhere in the charging documents , and he has not been charged .
But the Vac Shack basement figures prominently in the criminal charges .
During the June meeting , according to the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vac Shack and then collected attendees ’ phones in an effort to prevent audio recording .
But he didn ’ t check thoroughly enough : The whole thing was recorded by the informant .
Titus said the 37-year-old Fox often complained about the state ’ s COVID-19 restrictions and warned that Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) , the Democratic vice presidential nominee , would attempt to seize guns if Democrats won the White House .
But Titus couldn ’ t fathom the kidnapping plot allegations .
“ What ’ s going on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , ” he said of Fox .
“ It don ’ t make no sense.
” “ I told his mom , he ’ s got ta be insane if he did all this , ” the shop owner added .
“ She got mad at me .
But obviously somebody in their right mind wouldn ’ t do something like this.
” Titus said he ’ d been instructed not to discuss what the FBI had seized from his shop because “ everything ’ s still up in the air , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge him with.
” In court Tuesday , the FBI agent handling the kidnapping plot case , Richard Trask , alleged that men involved in the Michigan plot also discussed potentially kidnapping the governor of Virginia .
“ I was like , ‘ What ?
’ ” Titus said .
“ They were going to kidnap the Virginia governor , too ?
” It was no secret that Fox was in a militia , Titus said .
But allegedly plotting to kidnap governors ?
“ When you cross that line , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox did , he kept it hidden from the Vac Shack owner — “ because he knew he ’ d be homeless ” otherwise , Titus speculated .
But Titus did witness one thing : Some of Fox ’ s last words as a free man .
On the day of Fox ’ s arrest , Titus recalled , “ some guy walked in ” at the store and Fox started making his way out the door .
Titus asked where they were going .
“ I ’ m going to a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Titus recalled Fox responding .
According to the FBI ’ s version of events , it wasn ’ t just any meeting : Fox and others allegedly met with an undercover law enforcement officer with the intent to “ make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear , ” an agent ’ s affidavit said .
Soon , Fox was in federal custody .

Briant Titus wasn’t around when a group of men met in his vacuum repair shop’s basement this summer, allegedly to discuss attacking the Michigan state capitol and using Molotov cocktails to destroy police vehicles.
Nor was he present around a month later when the alleged ringleader of the plot to also kidnap the governor of Michigan, Adam Fox, told an FBI informant in the shop that their best chance would be a “snatch and grab” at the governor’s vacation house.
But now, it’s all Titus hears about.
“Everybody’s calling here,” he told TPM Wednesday. “I’m getting a lot of hate calls, too.”
The Grand Rapids shop, Vac Shack, has turned into an unexpected focal point of a foiled criminal conspiracy, for which six people face federal charges and seven more face terrorism counts in state court.
“I’m in shock, I just wish it would go away, but it’s not,” he said. “I just hope it don’t affect my business, that’s all.”
Titus has known Fox for years, he told TPM. He let Fox sleep in the store’s basement off and on for months and employed him part-time.
Titus, who denies any involvement with the plot, is little more than a bystander in the case. He doesn’t appear anywhere in the charging documents, and he has not been charged. But the Vac Shack basement figures prominently in the criminal charges.
During the June meeting, according to the FBI, Fox led everyone downstairs at the Vac Shack and then collected attendees’ phones in an effort to prevent audio recording. But he didn’t check thoroughly enough: The whole thing was recorded by the informant.
Titus said the 37-year-old Fox often complained about the state’s COVID-19 restrictions and warned that Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), the Democratic vice presidential nominee, would attempt to seize guns if Democrats won the White House. But Titus couldn’t fathom the kidnapping plot allegations.
“What’s going on right now, that’s not him,” he said of Fox. “It don’t make no sense.”
“I told his mom, he’s gotta be insane if he did all this,” the shop owner added. “She got mad at me. But obviously somebody in their right mind wouldn’t do something like this.”
Titus said he’d been instructed not to discuss what the FBI had seized from his shop because “everything’s still up in the air, with what they’re going to charge him with.”
In court Tuesday, the FBI agent handling the kidnapping plot case, Richard Trask, alleged that men involved in the Michigan plot also discussed potentially kidnapping the governor of Virginia.
“I was like, ‘What?’” Titus said. “They were going to kidnap the Virginia governor, too?”
It was no secret that Fox was in a militia, Titus said. But allegedly plotting to kidnap governors? “When you cross that line, there’s no looking back.”
Whatever planning Fox did, he kept it hidden from the Vac Shack owner — “because he knew he’d be homeless” otherwise, Titus speculated.
But Titus did witness one thing: Some of Fox’s last words as a free man.
On the day of Fox’s arrest, Titus recalled, “some guy walked in” at the store and Fox started making his way out the door. Titus asked where they were going.
“I’m going to a meeting on the east side of the state,” Titus recalled Fox responding.
According to the FBI’s version of events, it wasn’t just any meeting: Fox and others allegedly met with an undercover law enforcement officer with the intent to “make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear,” an agent’s affidavit said. Soon, Fox was in federal custody.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-14--Ouch! Trump Won’t Say If He’ll Keep Barr If He Gets Reelected: ‘I’m Not Happy’

Attorney General Bill Barr is doing his very best to morph the Justice Department into President Donald Trump ’ s personal law firm — but he still hasn ’ t managed to validate Trump ’ s conspiracy theories on “ Obama-gate ” / ” Spy-gate ” / ” Unmask-gate ” or any other “ gate ” and the President is Not Happy About It .
During an interview with Newsmax TV , Trump wouldn ’ t say if Barr would get to stick around if he wins reelection in November .
“ Can ’ t comment on that .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President said .
“ I ’ m not happy with all of the evidence I have , I can tell you that , ” he added .
“ I ’ m not happy.
” Trump ’ s comments came after Barr informed Republican lawmakers last week that the results of U.S. Attorney John Durham ’ s investigation into the FBI ’ s 2016 Russia-Trump probe would not come out before Election Day , a major blow to Trump and his allies ’ desperate attempts to gain political advantage .
Additionally , the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to Trump ’ s conspiracy theories about Michael Flynn also ended up being a total bust , having been quietly concluded on Tuesday night without a single charge or arrest .
Trump complained to Newsmax that the lack of arrests from the probe were “ ridiculous ” and a “ disgrace.
” “ I think it ’ s really a horrible thing that they ’ re allowed to get away — when they say no indictments , they actually said no indictments before the election , ” he said .
Barr isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall out of favor with the President .
Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions ’ dignity took several hits during his tenure as America ’ s top law enforcement official .

Attorney General Bill Barr is doing his very best to morph the Justice Department into President Donald Trump’s personal law firm — but he still hasn’t managed to validate Trump’s conspiracy theories on “Obama-gate”/”Spy-gate”/”Unmask-gate” or any other “gate” and the President is Not Happy About It.
During an interview with Newsmax TV, Trump wouldn’t say if Barr would get to stick around if he wins reelection in November.
“Can’t comment on that. It’s too early,” the President said.
“I’m not happy with all of the evidence I have, I can tell you that,” he added. “I’m not happy.”
Trump’s comments came after Barr informed Republican lawmakers last week that the results of U.S. Attorney John Durham’s investigation into the FBI’s 2016 Russia-Trump probe would not come out before Election Day, a major blow to Trump and his allies’ desperate attempts to gain political advantage.
Additionally, the “unmasking” probe Barr had commissioned in response to Trump’s conspiracy theories about Michael Flynn also ended up being a total bust, having been quietly concluded on Tuesday night without a single charge or arrest.
Trump complained to Newsmax that the lack of arrests from the probe were “ridiculous” and a “disgrace.”
“I think it’s really a horrible thing that they’re allowed to get away — when they say no indictments, they actually said no indictments before the election,” he said.
Barr isn’t the only attorney general to fall out of favor with the President. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ dignity took several hits during his tenure as America’s top law enforcement official.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-14--WH Tries To Rewrite Debate History Ahead Of Dueling Town Halls

White House communications director Alyssa Farah on Wednesday griped about the Commission on Presidential Debates ’ cancelation of the second presidential debate , despite the fact that President Trump himself pulled the plug after the CPD announced that it would be virtual due to concerns over his condition following his COVID-19 diagnosis .
Following Trump ’ s refusal last week to participate in a virtual second presidential debate , a town hall on ABC News with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was announced and scheduled for Thursday night .
Earlier Wednesday , NBC News announced it will host a town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day and time that the former VP will hold his .
During an interview on “ Fox and Friends ” Wednesday morning , Farah reacted to Trump ’ s upcoming NBC News town hall by pointing fingers at the CPD for making the “ huge mistake ” of canceling the second presidential debate .
“ This was a huge mistake by the debate commission and I mean I think it raises some real questions about if they ’ re trying to weigh the scales one way or the other in this race , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by the time that the President does the town hall tomorrow , he ’ ll have already done three rallies.
” Trump ’ s issues with the debate were entirely his own making .
He flouted COVID-19 mitigation protocols , tested positive for the virus and then refused to participate in a safer debate format .
Farah isn ’ t the only person in Trump ’ s orbit who is casting blame on the CPD instead of acknowledging that it was the President who abruptly announced that he wouldn ’ t participate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midst of a White House COVID-19 outbreak .
On Sunday , Eric Trump launched into a rant about how his father didn ’ t want to do “ a glorified conference call for a presidential debate ” and falsely blamed Biden for refusing to “ show up , ” during an interview on ABC News .
Anchor Jon Karl jumped in to clarify that it was President Trump himself who pulled out of the debate after the CPD said it would be virtual , but Trump ’ s adult son continued his rant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel echoed Trump ’ s sentiment during an interview with CBS on Sunday as well .
“ I think voters are very frustrated by the corrupt debate commission that they would cancel a second debate .
I think it feeds into the belief that this 47 years that Joe Biden has in D.C. is again protecting him from facing the voters , ” McDaniel said .
“ And Americans are frustrated that this election commission interfered with our ability to see these two candidates debate.
” After McDaniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonpartisan CPD as “ not non-partisan , ” the RNC chair nonsensically argued that the cancelation of the second presidential debate “ was done unilaterally without talking to the candidates ” and that the commission “ interfered in the election.
” “ It is corrupt .
It is what D.C. is .
They are in the pocket of Joe Biden , and they prevented the American public from seeing these candidates debate , ” McDaniel said .
“ And it ’ s wrong for the country .
”

White House communications director Alyssa Farah on Wednesday griped about the Commission on Presidential Debates’ cancelation of the second presidential debate, despite the fact that President Trump himself pulled the plug after the CPD announced that it would be virtual due to concerns over his condition following his COVID-19 diagnosis.
Following Trump’s refusal last week to participate in a virtual second presidential debate, a town hall on ABC News with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was announced and scheduled for Thursday night. Earlier Wednesday, NBC News announced it will host a town hall with the President on the same day and time that the former VP will hold his.
During an interview on “Fox and Friends” Wednesday morning, Farah reacted to Trump’s upcoming NBC News town hall by pointing fingers at the CPD for making the “huge mistake” of canceling the second presidential debate.
“This was a huge mistake by the debate commission and I mean I think it raises some real questions about if they’re trying to weigh the scales one way or the other in this race,” Farah said. “But listen, by the time that the President does the town hall tomorrow, he’ll have already done three rallies.”
Trump’s issues with the debate were entirely his own making. He flouted COVID-19 mitigation protocols, tested positive for the virus and then refused to participate in a safer debate format.
Farah isn’t the only person in Trump’s orbit who is casting blame on the CPD instead of acknowledging that it was the President who abruptly announced that he wouldn’t participate in a virtual debate even in the midst of a White House COVID-19 outbreak.
On Sunday, Eric Trump launched into a rant about how his father didn’t want to do “a glorified conference call for a presidential debate” and falsely blamed Biden for refusing to “show up,” during an interview on ABC News.
Anchor Jon Karl jumped in to clarify that it was President Trump himself who pulled out of the debate after the CPD said it would be virtual, but Trump’s adult son continued his rant opposing “a glorified conference call.”
Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel echoed Trump’s sentiment during an interview with CBS on Sunday as well.
“I think voters are very frustrated by the corrupt debate commission that they would cancel a second debate. I think it feeds into the belief that this 47 years that Joe Biden has in D.C. is again protecting him from facing the voters,” McDaniel said. “And Americans are frustrated that this election commission interfered with our ability to see these two candidates debate.”
After McDaniel went on to accuse Republicans in the nonpartisan CPD as “not non-partisan,” the RNC chair nonsensically argued that the cancelation of the second presidential debate “was done unilaterally without talking to the candidates” and that the commission “interfered in the election.”
“It is corrupt. It is what D.C. is. They are in the pocket of Joe Biden, and they prevented the American public from seeing these candidates debate,” McDaniel said. “And it’s wrong for the country.”
Watch Farah’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-14--Northam Says White Supremacists Are Taking ‘Marching Orders’ From Trump

Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam ( D ) said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump ’ s repeated refusal to condemn white supremacy has emboldened domestic hate groups to target Democratic leaders .
Northam told CNN ’ s John Berman during an interview that he would not “ govern under a cloud of intimidation ” after learning that the FBI had revealed on Tuesday that the Democratic governor had also been discussed as a possible target by members of an anti-government group charged last week with allegedly plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ( D ) .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not about the governor of Michigan .
This is about this country .
And it ’ s about a president that is emboldening these individuals , these white supremacists , ” Northam said .
During a hearing in federal district court in Grand Rapids , Michigan , Special Agent Richard J. Trask II of the F.B.I .
said that the Virginia governor and other officials had been selected as targets due to their lockdown orders to curb the spread of coronavirus .
Northam is the second Democratic governor whose name has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 13 men who have been charged with various state and federal crimes , including terrorism , conspiracy and weapons possession for a scheme to kidnap Whitmer .
Authorities said that the group had also discussed possibly storming the Michigan State Capitol and starting a civil war .
Northam cited a failure by President Trump to condemn white supremacy during his first year in office , when in the aftermath of a torch-bearing white supremacist rally in Charlottesville in 2017 he refused to disavow white supremacists .
“ Our president said that these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing fine about them , ” Northam said on Wednesday .
The incident is often cited by Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , who has said Trump ’ s stoking of racial division and battlecry to incite white supremacists was the reason for his 2020 presidential bid .
Trump appeared to promote a kind of call-to-arms in both states directly when he tweeted in April that Michigan should be liberated , and made a similar call just days later in a tweet about Virginia , saying : “ LIBERATE VIRGINIA , and save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under siege !
” Weeks before the alleged scheme to kidnap Whitmer made headlines , the President had declined to condemn white supremacy and even went a step further when he appeared to signal to a far-right hate group called the Proud Boys , when he asked them from the debate stage in Cleveland , Ohio to “ stand back and stand by.
” The Proud Boys responded gleefully to the President ’ s remarks and the group ’ s social media channels revealed a wave of new recruits .
“ Words matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these people take their marching orders from individuals like the President and it ’ s unfortunate and it needs to stop .
”

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s repeated refusal to condemn white supremacy has emboldened domestic hate groups to target Democratic leaders.
Northam told CNN’s John Berman during an interview that he would not “govern under a cloud of intimidation” after learning that the FBI had revealed on Tuesday that the Democratic governor had also been discussed as a possible target by members of an anti-government group charged last week with allegedly plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D).
“This is not about me. It’s not about the governor of Michigan. This is about this country. And it’s about a president that is emboldening… these white supremacists,” @GovernorVA Ralph Northam says about an alleged kidnapping plot targeting him along with Michigan Gov. Whitmer pic.twitter.com/s01PKDw1pR — New Day (@NewDay) October 14, 2020
“This is not about me. It’s not about the governor of Michigan. This is about this country. And it’s about a president that is emboldening these individuals, these white supremacists,” Northam said.
During a hearing in federal district court in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Special Agent Richard J. Trask II of the F.B.I. said that the Virginia governor and other officials had been selected as targets due to their lockdown orders to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Northam is the second Democratic governor whose name has come up amid a foiled alleged plot by 13 men who have been charged with various state and federal crimes, including terrorism, conspiracy and weapons possession for a scheme to kidnap Whitmer. Authorities said that the group had also discussed possibly storming the Michigan State Capitol and starting a civil war.
Northam cited a failure by President Trump to condemn white supremacy during his first year in office, when in the aftermath of a torch-bearing white supremacist rally in Charlottesville in 2017 he refused to disavow white supremacists.
“Our president said that these were fine individuals. There’s nothing fine about them,” Northam said on Wednesday.
The incident is often cited by Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who has said Trump’s stoking of racial division and battlecry to incite white supremacists was the reason for his 2020 presidential bid.
Trump appeared to promote a kind of call-to-arms in both states directly when he tweeted in April that Michigan should be liberated, and made a similar call just days later in a tweet about Virginia, saying: “LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!”
Weeks before the alleged scheme to kidnap Whitmer made headlines, the President had declined to condemn white supremacy and even went a step further when he appeared to signal to a far-right hate group called the Proud Boys, when he asked them from the debate stage in Cleveland, Ohio to “stand back and stand by.” The Proud Boys responded gleefully to the President’s remarks and the group’s social media channels revealed a wave of new recruits.
“Words matter,” Northam said. “And these people take their marching orders from individuals like the President and it’s unfortunate and it needs to stop.”