talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-02--Whistleblower Docs Warn Of Risk Of ‘Serious Errors’ With Rushed 2020 Census

Internal Census Bureau documents a whistleblower provided to the House Oversight Committee warn that the Trump administration ’ s plan to rush the 2020 count will “ reduce accuracy , ” “ negatively ” impact the redistricting data the count produces , and creates “ risk for serious errors not being discovered in the data.
” The documents , released Wednesday , provide new details on how the Census Bureau is planning to speed through not just the process of collecting the decennial census data , but the post-collection quality checks that happen afterwards .
Earlier this year the bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give it four extra months to release apportionment data and redistricting data from the 2020 count , because of the delays caused by the pandemic .
It reversed course in recent weeks , however , in a move widely believed to be related to President Trump ’ s legally dubious request that the apportionment numbers — which determine the number of House seats each state gets — exclude undocumented immigrants .
If Congress granted the four-month extensions the bureau initially had been seeking , then a Joe Biden administration could reverse the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenged in court .
The new documents — which are an internal slide show and excerpts of committee interviews of career bureau officials — suggest the administration is putting a priority on rushing the apportionment numbers out while Trump is guaranteed to still be in office , to the risk of the accuracy of all the other data the decennial count is supposed to produce .
The slideshow stated that the processing work that will begin in October , after the counting operations end , is being limited to what is required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of redistricting data products will be negatively impacted under this revised plan and we are determining full impacts , ” the slideshow said .
The House Oversight Committee released the documents along with an urgent plea that Congress give the bureau more time to finish the count — an idea that has bipartisan support in the Senate and has already been approved the House .
The slideshow was from a presentation that was given Aug. 3 to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross , who oversees the census .
Bureau officials told the committee that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ross ’ top aides on July 29 requesting that they create the plan for expediting the count so that the apportionment numbers could be delivered at the end of the year .
Neither the Census Bureau nor the Commerce Department immediately responded to TPM ’ s request for comment .
But outside redistricting experts and demographers were alarmed by what was described in the new documents .
“ This really is a political attack on the accuracy of the census , ” Andrew Beveridge , a sociologist and demographics expert at CUNY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the fears are coming true , ” Kimball Brace , a redistricting expert , said in an email responding to the documents .
The recent announcement that the Census Bureau will stop its data collection activities — including both self response and the operations aimed at counting those who don ’ t respond to the survey on their own — a month early , at the end of the September , was already causing deep anxiety among the researchers , businesses , map drawers and other entities that rely on the data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal funding is allocated based on census data , as is certain state and local government funding — in addition to the role the data play in determining political representation .
After it finishes collecting the data , bureau usually spends four to five months on post-collection quality checks .
Under the new plan , it will now have just two and half months .
This “ highly compressed ” schedule , in cutting back or eliminating certain operations , “ will reduce accuracy , ” the presentation warned .
“ A compressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not being discovered in the data—thereby significantly decreasing data quality , ” the presentation said .
Among the activities being cut back , according to the presentation , are so-called re-interviews , which is how the Census Bureau goes back to check the accuracy of the responses it received .
The House committee was briefed by Census Deputy Director Ron Jarmin , Associate Director for Decennial Programs Al Fontenot , and Associate Director for Field Operations Tim Olson last week .
According to the summary released Wednesday , Commerce Department officials intervened repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answers when asked about the risks of the expedited schedule .
Even as the Census officials “ expressed optimism , ” according to the committee summary , about their ability to comply with the new schedule , they “ made clear that they were forced to dramatically truncate their plans because the statutory deadlines have not yet been extended.
” Olson told the committee that “ it was too early to cry undercount , ” according to the new documents , but acknowledged that “ if Congress were to give a legislative relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ They haven ’ t done that .
So I have a mandate to get an accurate count by September 30th , and we ’ re going to do everything under the sun to get there , ” he said .
The House passed a COVID-19 bill earlier this year that did grant those extensions .
But when the Senate GOP released its latest coronavirus proposal , the extensions were notably absent .
The White House asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) to instead appropriate an extra $ 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation , according to the New York Times .
Olson recounted to the committee how the Commerce Department and the White House Office of Management Budget had been on board with the original request for the four-month extensions .
Noting that the House approved the extensions , Olson said that “ through the grapevine , I was told that there was support in the Senate for that , ” according to the summary .
Read the slide show and the committee ’ s summary below :

Internal Census Bureau documents a whistleblower provided to the House Oversight Committee warn that the Trump administration’s plan to rush the 2020 count will “reduce accuracy,” “negatively” impact the redistricting data the count produces, and creates “risk for serious errors not being discovered in the data.”
The documents, released Wednesday, provide new details on how the Census Bureau is planning to speed through not just the process of collecting the decennial census data, but the post-collection quality checks that happen afterwards.
Earlier this year the bureau had said that it needed Congress to give it four extra months to release apportionment data and redistricting data from the 2020 count, because of the delays caused by the pandemic.
It reversed course in recent weeks, however, in a move widely believed to be related to President Trump’s legally dubious request that the apportionment numbers — which determine the number of House seats each state gets — exclude undocumented immigrants.
If Congress granted the four-month extensions the bureau initially had been seeking, then a Joe Biden administration could reverse the new apportionment policy, which is also being challenged in court.
The new documents — which are an internal slide show and excerpts of committee interviews of career bureau officials — suggest the administration is putting a priority on rushing the apportionment numbers out while Trump is guaranteed to still be in office, to the risk of the accuracy of all the other data the decennial count is supposed to produce.
The slideshow stated that the processing work that will begin in October, after the counting operations end, is being limited to what is required to produce the apportionment numbers.
“Delivery of redistricting data products will be negatively impacted under this
revised plan and we are determining full impacts,” the slideshow said.
The House Oversight Committee released the documents along with an urgent plea that Congress give the bureau more time to finish the count — an idea that has bipartisan support in the Senate and has already been approved the House.
The slideshow was from a presentation that was given Aug. 3 to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who oversees the census. Bureau officials told the committee that they received a phone call from one of Ross’ top aides on July 29 requesting that they create the plan for expediting the count so that the apportionment numbers could be delivered at the end of the year.
Neither the Census Bureau nor the Commerce Department immediately responded to TPM’s request for comment. But outside redistricting experts and demographers were alarmed by what was described in the new documents.
“This really is a political attack on the accuracy of the census,” Andrew Beveridge, a sociologist and demographics expert at CUNY, told TPM.
“Wow, all the fears are coming true,” Kimball Brace, a redistricting expert, said in an email responding to the documents.
The recent announcement that the Census Bureau will stop its data collection activities — including both self response and the operations aimed at counting those who don’t respond to the survey on their own — a month early, at the end of the September, was already causing deep anxiety among the researchers, businesses, map drawers and other entities that rely on the data. More than $1 trillion in federal funding is allocated based on census data, as is certain state and local government funding — in addition to the role the data play in determining political representation.
After it finishes collecting the data, bureau usually spends four to five months on post-collection quality checks. Under the new plan, it will now have just two and half months. This “highly compressed” schedule, in cutting back or eliminating certain operations, “will reduce accuracy,” the presentation warned.
“A compressed review period creates risk for serious errors not being discovered in the data—thereby significantly decreasing data quality,” the presentation said.
Among the activities being cut back, according to the presentation, are so-called re-interviews, which is how the Census Bureau goes back to check the accuracy of the responses it received.
The House committee was briefed by Census Deputy Director Ron Jarmin, Associate Director for Decennial Programs Al Fontenot, and Associate Director for Field Operations Tim Olson last week. According to the summary released Wednesday, Commerce Department officials intervened repeatedly to prevent those officials from giving full answers when asked about the risks of the expedited schedule.
Even as the Census officials “expressed optimism,” according to the committee summary, about their ability to comply with the new schedule, they “made clear that they were forced to dramatically truncate their plans because the statutory deadlines have not yet been extended.”
Olson told the committee that “it was too early to cry undercount,” according to the new documents, but acknowledged that “if Congress were to give a legislative relief, that’s a different conversation.”
“They haven’t done that. So I have a mandate to get an accurate count by September 30th, and we’re going to do everything under the sun to get there,” he said.
The House passed a COVID-19 bill earlier this year that did grant those extensions. But when the Senate GOP released its latest coronavirus proposal, the extensions were notably absent. The White House asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to instead appropriate an extra $1 billion for the bureau’s counting operation, according to the New York Times.
Olson recounted to the committee how the Commerce Department and the White House Office of Management Budget had been on board with the original request for the four-month extensions. Noting that the House approved the extensions, Olson said that “through the grapevine, I was told that there was support in the Senate for that,” according to the summary.
Read the slide show and the committee’s summary below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-02--Trump Camp Refuses To Condemn Rittenhouse: ‘People Have To Defend Themselves Some Way’

Trump campaign press secretary Hogan Gidley on Wednesday seemed to defend Kyle Rittenhouse , the 17-year-old vigilante allegedly who traveled out of state and fatally shot two protesters in Kenosha , Wisconsin , before vaguely walking it back .
When CNN anchor John Berman asked if President Donald Trump supported out-of-state vigilantes coming in to act as law enforcement , Gidley said Trump “ doesn ’ t ” support them , but also Democratic state leaders have “ let these looters continue to criminalize our communities ” and Trump “ doesn ’ t want that.
” “ It does make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t allow police to do their job , then the American people have to defend themselves some way , ” the Trump campaign spokesperson said .
When a visibly shocked Berman pointed out that Gidley had just defended vigilantism , the campaign aide retorted that he “ did no such thing.
” Gidley dodged when Berman pressed him to say definitively that both he and Trump oppose vigilantism .
“ We have a Second Amendment in this country , ” said Gidley , then accused Democrats of trying to “ get rid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights and the police .
“ That leaves American families in grave danger and the President is against that , ” Gidley told Berman .
“ He is for safety and security in the communities and for our families.
” The CNN anchor gave up , telling Gidley that he ’ ll give him a chance to at least say that cops ought to be able to do their jobs and that it ’ s a bad idea for people to come in out of state to act as law enforcement untrained .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ yes , and we ’ ve said many times that the men and women of law enforcement ( need ) to be able to do their job , not be hamstrung by local officials , ” Gidley replied .
For his part , Trump has decidedly not condemned Rittenhouse and has in fact suggested that the teen was justified in allegedly killing the protesters .
“ That was an interesting situation , ” Trump said on Monday , saying that Rittenhouse “ probably would have been killed ” at the protest .

Trump campaign press secretary Hogan Gidley on Wednesday seemed to defend Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old vigilante allegedly who traveled out of state and fatally shot two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, before vaguely walking it back.
When CNN anchor John Berman asked if President Donald Trump supported out-of-state vigilantes coming in to act as law enforcement, Gidley said Trump “doesn’t” support them, but also Democratic state leaders have “let these looters continue to criminalize our communities” and Trump “doesn’t want that.”
“It does make sense just logically, if you don’t allow police to do their job, then the American people have to defend themselves some way,” the Trump campaign spokesperson said.
When a visibly shocked Berman pointed out that Gidley had just defended vigilantism, the campaign aide retorted that he “did no such thing.”
Gidley dodged when Berman pressed him to say definitively that both he and Trump oppose vigilantism.
“We have a Second Amendment in this country,” said Gidley, then accused Democrats of trying to “get rid of” people’s Second Amendment rights and the police.
“That leaves American families in grave danger and the President is against that,” Gidley told Berman. “He is for safety and security in the communities and for our families.”
The CNN anchor gave up, telling Gidley that he’ll give him a chance to at least say that cops ought to be able to do their jobs and that it’s a bad idea for people to come in out of state to act as law enforcement untrained.
“It is a bad idea, yes, and we’ve said many times that the men and women of law enforcement (need) to be able to do their job, not be hamstrung by local officials,” Gidley replied.
For his part, Trump has decidedly not condemned Rittenhouse and has in fact suggested that the teen was justified in allegedly killing the protesters.
“That was an interesting situation,” Trump said on Monday, saying that Rittenhouse “probably would have been killed” at the protest.
Watch Gidley below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-02--Biden Has Best Month In History Of Presidential Campaign Fundraising

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Wednesday set a new record for presidential fundraising with his campaign and joint fundraising committees raking in $ 364.5 million last month alone .
Biden ’ s announcement of Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) as his running mate as well as his official acceptance of the party ’ s nomination during the all-virtual Democratic National Convention appeared to boost his campaign ’ s fundraising to a record-setting level .
According to the Biden campaign , $ 205 million came from online donations , which they said represents “ the best month of online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden campaign added that more than 4 million people have made contributions thus far , with 1.5 million new donors in August .
“ In August , together , we raised $ 364.5 million .
That figure blows me away , ” Biden said in a message to supporters .
“ And we raised it the right way , from people across the country stepping up to own a piece of this campaign , investing in the future we want to see for our kids and grandkids.
” Although the Trump campaign has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month , it reported that along with the Republican National Committee and joint fundraising entities , it raised $ 76 million within the four days during the RNC last month .
The Trump campaign had previously out-raised Biden ’ s campaign in July by about $ 25 million — raising $ 165 million while Biden campaign ’ s raked in more than $ 140 million .
In comparison , Biden ’ s new fundraising record doubles what his campaign and joint fundraising entities raised in July .
The massive cash haul also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama ’ s presidential campaigns .
In 2012 , Obama ’ s re-election campaign and the DNC raked in $ 114 million that August and $ 181 million in September .
In September 2008 , Obama and the DNC together raised $ 193 million , which set a new record at the time for fundraising in a single month .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Wednesday set a new record for presidential fundraising with his campaign and joint fundraising committees raking in $364.5 million last month alone.
Biden’s announcement of Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) as his running mate as well as his official acceptance of the party’s nomination during the all-virtual Democratic National Convention appeared to boost his campaign’s fundraising to a record-setting level.
According to the Biden campaign, $205 million came from online donations, which they said represents “the best month of online fundraising in American political history.” The Biden campaign added that more than 4 million people have made contributions thus far, with 1.5 million new donors in August.
“In August, together, we raised $364.5 million. That figure blows me away,” Biden said in a message to supporters. “And we raised it the right way, from people across the country stepping up to own a piece of this campaign, investing in the future we want to see for our kids and grandkids.”
Although the Trump campaign has yet to announce its fundraising figures raised last month, it reported that along with the Republican National Committee and joint fundraising entities, it raised $76 million within the four days during the RNC last month. The Trump campaign had previously out-raised Biden’s campaign in July by about $25 million — raising $165 million while Biden campaign’s raked in more than $140 million.
In comparison, Biden’s new fundraising record doubles what his campaign and joint fundraising entities raised in July. The massive cash haul also tops the funds raised during then-President Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns.
In 2012, Obama’s re-election campaign and the DNC raked in $114 million that August and $181 million in September. In September 2008, Obama and the DNC together raised $193 million, which set a new record at the time for fundraising in a single month.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-02--Trump Bashes Pelosi Over Salon Appointment That Flouted COVID-19 Rules

President Trump on Wednesday morning found yet another reason to continue bashing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) : a hair salon appointment in San Francisco that apparently flouted the city ’ s COVID-19 restrictions .
On Tuesday night , Fox News first reported on security footage of Pelosi visiting eSalon in San Francisco that shows the House speaker not wearing a mask while walking through the salon with wet hair .
The owner of the salon , Erica Kious , told Fox News that she felt that it was “ a slap in the face ” seeing Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in San Francisco had been shuttered since March and were allowed to reopen on Sept. 1 for outdoor hairstyling services only .
Kious told Fox News that stylists independently rent chairs at her salon and that one of them alerted her that Pelosi was scheduled to come in for a hair appointment on Monday .
“ I was like , are you kidding me right now ?
Do I let this happen ?
What do I do ?
” Kious told Fox News , adding that she “ can ’ t control ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairs from her .
In a statement shared with TPM on Wednesday , Pelosi ’ s deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill maintained that the House speaker always wears a mask and complies with local COVID-19 requirements .
Hammill then acknowledged that Pelosi had complied with a salon employee ’ s interpretation of the city ’ s new COVID-19 regulations , which turned out to be incorrect .
Hammill said that the salon told Pelosi that they were permitted by the city “ to have one customer at a time in the business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rules as presented to her by this establishment.
” It didn ’ t take long for Trump to catch onto Fox News ’ report on Pelosi ’ s hair salon appointment with retweets responding to it on Tuesday night .
Trump then went on his own tear against Pelosi ’ s hair salon debacle in Wednesday morning tweets .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows weighed in on Pelosi ’ s salon controversy as well during an interview on “ Fox and Friends ” Wednesday morning .
“ This is typical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They get on national TV .
They preach to the American people that it should be one way and , yet , in private , when the cameras are not rolling and in this case , I guess the cameras were rolling , it shows a very different story.
” Meadows also appeared to jab Pelosi over stalled COVID-19 relief talks .
“ It ’ s the same thing whether it ’ s in San Francisco with her going into a salon or in the privacy of a negotiating room — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious about helping the American people , ” Meadows said .
“ We invite her back to the table to hopefully help the American people.
” In a statement issued on Tuesday , Pelosi wrote that a 36-minute called she had with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on a COVID-19 relief package “ sadly ” showed that “ Democrats and the White House continue to have serious differences understanding the gravity of the situation that America ’ s working families are facing .
”

President Trump on Wednesday morning found yet another reason to continue bashing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): a hair salon appointment in San Francisco that apparently flouted the city’s COVID-19 restrictions.
On Tuesday night, Fox News first reported on security footage of Pelosi visiting eSalon in San Francisco that shows the House speaker not wearing a mask while walking through the salon with wet hair. The owner of the salon, Erica Kious, told Fox News that she felt that it was “a slap in the face” seeing Pelosi flout COVID-19 rules, given how salons in San Francisco had been shuttered since March and were allowed to reopen on Sept. 1 for outdoor hairstyling services only.
Kious told Fox News that stylists independently rent chairs at her salon and that one of them alerted her that Pelosi was scheduled to come in for a hair appointment on Monday.
“I was like, are you kidding me right now? Do I let this happen? What do I do?” Kious told Fox News, adding that she “can’t control” what her stylists do if they rent chairs from her.
In a statement shared with TPM on Wednesday, Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill maintained that the House speaker always wears a mask and complies with local COVID-19 requirements.
Hammill then acknowledged that Pelosi had complied with a salon employee’s interpretation of the city’s new COVID-19 regulations, which turned out to be incorrect. Hammill said that the salon told Pelosi that they were permitted by the city “to have one customer at a time in the business” and that she “complied with the rules as presented to her by this establishment.”
It didn’t take long for Trump to catch onto Fox News’ report on Pelosi’s hair salon appointment with retweets responding to it on Tuesday night.
If Nancy Pelosi can get her hair done in person – you can vote in person. Pass it on. — Catturd ™ (@catturd2) September 2, 2020
On the left: Nancy Pelosi today shaming Americans, saying "you must wear your mask." On the right: Nancy Pelosi yesterday violating covid rules for salons and not wearing a mask. https://t.co/vUfa9fsCsT pic.twitter.com/aUveM3Fn9m — Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) September 1, 2020
Trump then went on his own tear against Pelosi’s hair salon debacle in Wednesday morning tweets.
Crazy Nancy Pelosi is being decimated for having a beauty parlor opened, when all others are closed, and for not wearing a Mask – despite constantly lecturing everyone else. We will almost certainly take back the House, and send Nancy packing! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 2, 2020
The Beauty Parlor owner must really dislike Crazy Nancy Pelosi. Turning her in, on tape, is a really big deal. She probably treats him like she treats everyone else…And she strongly supported a Kennedy who just lost in, of all places, Massachusetts! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 2, 2020
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows weighed in on Pelosi’s salon controversy as well during an interview on “Fox and Friends” Wednesday morning.
“This is typical Washington, D.C.,” Meadows said. “They get on national TV. They preach to the American people that it should be one way and, yet, in private, when the cameras are not rolling and in this case, I guess the cameras were rolling, it shows a very different story.”
Meadows also appeared to jab Pelosi over stalled COVID-19 relief talks.
“It’s the same thing whether it’s in San Francisco with her going into a salon or in the privacy of a negotiating room — it’s time that she get serious about helping the American people,” Meadows said. “We invite her back to the table to hopefully help the American people.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Pelosi wrote that a 36-minute called she had with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on a COVID-19 relief package “sadly” showed that “Democrats and the White House continue to have serious differences understanding the gravity of the situation that America’s working families are facing.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-02--Biden Calls For Officers To Be Charged In Jacob Blake Shooting, Breonna Taylor Death

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said Wednesday that the officers involved in the shootings of Jacob Blake and Breonna Taylor should be charged .
“ I do think there ’ s a minimum need to be charged , ” Biden said of the officers involved in the shooting of both Jacob Blake in Kenosha and the police killing Breonna Taylor in Louisville earlier this year .
He also said that the death of a man in Portland who supported the right-wing group Patriot Prayer should be investigated — and whoever was found responsible in that case should meet “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The former vice president made the remarks ahead of a scheduled to visit Kenosha , Wisconsin , on Thursday following an outbreak of protests that have ensued in recent day after Blake was shot seven times in the back by police .
Biden allies had revealed over the weekend that the former vice president would resume in-person campaign events after months of conducting most of his events and fundraisers virtually as a precaution amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Allies told the Washington Post at the time that Wisconsin along with Arizona , Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s trip to Kenosha comes as President Donald Trump pressed on with a tour of the Wisconsin city ’ s damage even after state and local officials pleaded with him to “ reconsider ” the visit which they feared would “ hinder ” healing .
During his visit , Biden together with his wife , Jill Biden , is expected to hold a community meeting “ to bring together Americans to heal and address the challenges we face , ” a Biden campaign statement said .
When asked by a reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit during such a sensitive juncture in the city ’ s history , Biden said that there had been “ overwhelming requests ” for him to go to Kenosha .
“ We ’ ve got to heal , we ’ ve got to put things together , bring people together , ” Biden said during an event in Wilmington , Delaware .
“ My purpose in going will be to do just that , to be a positive influence on what ’ s going on , talk about what needs to be done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a beginning of a mechanism to bring the folks together.
” Biden also said that he had “ gotten advice ” from members of Congress that he should visit Kenosha , adding that he hopes to bring people in the community and police officers together and unite business leaders and civic leaders .
The White House had previously criticized Biden for delivering remarks in Pittsburgh on Monday , instead of rushing to the aching city .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told Fox News in an interview Monday that Democrats were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that began during the 2016 presidential elections .
“ Here we go again , Democrats ignoring the state of Wisconsin , ” McEnany said .
She padded the President ’ s often criticized record on paying visits to cities in crises by saying that the President has “ showed up ” recently in response to devastation from Hurricane Laura in Texas and Louisiana .
McEnany said at the time that Trump ’ s visit to Kenosha on Tuesday demonstrated “ his respect for the American people by actually going to places where Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump earlier this year suggesting that his failure to rush to Minneapolis to promote unity immediately following the death of George Floyd in May was a grave misstep in the social unrest that has unwound in recent months .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said Wednesday that the officers involved in the shootings of Jacob Blake and Breonna Taylor should be charged.
“I do think there’s a minimum need to be charged,” Biden said of the officers involved in the shooting of both Jacob Blake in Kenosha and the police killing Breonna Taylor in Louisville earlier this year.
He also said that the death of a man in Portland who supported the right-wing group Patriot Prayer should be investigated — and whoever was found responsible in that case should meet “the legal requirements” for their actions.
“Let’s make sure justice is done,” Biden added.
The former vice president made the remarks ahead of a scheduled to visit Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Thursday following an outbreak of protests that have ensued in recent day after Blake was shot seven times in the back by police.
Biden allies had revealed over the weekend that the former vice president would resume in-person campaign events after months of conducting most of his events and fundraisers virtually as a precaution amid the coronavirus pandemic. Allies told the Washington Post at the time that Wisconsin along with Arizona, Pennsylvania and Minnesota were due for visits.
Biden’s trip to Kenosha comes as President Donald Trump pressed on with a tour of the Wisconsin city’s damage even after state and local officials pleaded with him to “reconsider” the visit which they feared would “hinder” healing.
During his visit, Biden together with his wife, Jill Biden, is expected to hold a community meeting “to bring together Americans to heal and address the challenges we face,” a Biden campaign statement said.
When asked by a reporter on Wednesday about the timing of his visit during such a sensitive juncture in the city’s history, Biden said that there had been “overwhelming requests” for him to go to Kenosha.
“We’ve got to heal, we’ve got to put things together, bring people together,” Biden said during an event in Wilmington, Delaware. “My purpose in going will be to do just that, to be a positive influence on what’s going on, talk about what needs to be done and try to see if there’s a beginning of a mechanism to bring the folks together.”
Biden also said that he had “gotten advice” from members of Congress that he should visit Kenosha, adding that he hopes to bring people in the community and police officers together and unite business leaders and civic leaders.
The White House had previously criticized Biden for delivering remarks in Pittsburgh on Monday, instead of rushing to the aching city. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told Fox News in an interview Monday that Democrats were repeating a pattern of “ignoring” that began during the 2016 presidential elections.
“Here we go again, Democrats ignoring the state of Wisconsin,” McEnany said. She padded the President’s often criticized record on paying visits to cities in crises by saying that the President has “showed up” recently in response to devastation from Hurricane Laura in Texas and Louisiana.
McEnany said at the time that Trump’s visit to Kenosha on Tuesday demonstrated
“his respect for the American people by actually going to places where Americans are hurting.”
Democratic lawmakers tore into Trump earlier this year suggesting that his failure to rush to Minneapolis to promote unity immediately following the death of George Floyd in May was a grave misstep in the social unrest that has unwound in recent months.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-02--Report: DHS Kept Intel About Russian Scheme To Smear Biden’s Health Under Wraps

The Department of Homeland Security intervened to stop the release of an intelligence bulletin that detailed a Russian scheme to attack Democratic nominee Joe Biden by alleging his poor mental health .
Those allegations track with an attack President Donald Trump has been lobbing at his rival for more than a year .
According to ABC News , the bulletin called “ Russia Likely to Denigrate Health of US Candidates to Influence 2020 Election ” was submitted for review on July 7 , with the intention that it would be dispersed to federal and local law enforcement partners .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Please hold on sending this one out until you have a chance to speak to [ acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf ] , ” wrote DHS Chief of Staff John Gountanis in an email obtained by ABC News .
After that , the bulletin was never circulated .
Though DHS told ABC that the information failed to meet the agency ’ s standards , analysts had reportedly written that they had “ high confidence ” that Russian actors were going to use the attacks to try to sway the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the intelligence community from sharing with federal and state law enforcement a crucial finding : that Russia is disseminating false and scurrilous attacks on the health of Joe Biden — one that aligns with Trump ’ s own constantly-backfiring attacks , ” Biden campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates told TPM .
“ And why would he do this ?
” he added .
“ Because Russia and the Trump campaign are speaking from the same script of smears and lies , and Trump does not want to expose the degree to which his political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message for his benefit.
” Indeed , Trump and his campaign have been frequently going back to the “ Joe Biden is senile ” well , an attack of a piece with the attempt to paint Biden as a puppet for supposed radical leftist Kamala Harris ’ “ socialist ” policies .
This week , though , the Trump campaign lacked some message discipline on the mental health attack front .
Trump seized on a comment made by CNN analyst Joe Lockhart hypothesizing that the President had a secret stroke , blowing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlets previously ignoring the rumor reported on Trump ’ s reaction to it .
Trump even had his doctor send around a press release stating that he never had such an illness .
But the new report also reveals a disturbing trend within the administration , of political interference with intelligence around the election .
Earlier this week , Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe told Congress he would stop providing in-person briefings on election security and foreign interference , citing a concern over leaks .
The decision sparked immediate outrage from Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abdication of its lawful responsibility to keep the Congress currently informed , and a betrayal of the public ’ s right to know how foreign powers are trying to subvert our democracy , ” wrote House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) in a joint statement .
“ This intelligence belongs to the American people , not the agencies which are its custodian , ” the continued .
“ And the American people have both the right and the need to know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help decide who their president should be .
”

The Department of Homeland Security intervened to stop the release of an intelligence bulletin that detailed a Russian scheme to attack Democratic nominee Joe Biden by alleging his poor mental health. Those allegations track with an attack President Donald Trump has been lobbing at his rival for more than a year.
According to ABC News, the bulletin called “Russia Likely to Denigrate Health of US Candidates to Influence 2020 Election” was submitted for review on July 7, with the intention that it would be dispersed to federal and local law enforcement partners.
At that point, the department heads intervened.
“Please hold on sending this one out until you have a chance to speak to [acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf],” wrote DHS Chief of Staff John Gountanis in an email obtained by ABC News.
After that, the bulletin was never circulated.
Though DHS told ABC that the information failed to meet the agency’s standards, analysts had reportedly written that they had “high confidence” that Russian actors were going to use the attacks to try to sway the 2020 election.
“He is blocking the intelligence community from sharing with federal and state law enforcement a crucial finding: that Russia is disseminating false and scurrilous attacks on the health of Joe Biden — one that aligns with Trump’s own constantly-backfiring attacks,” Biden campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates told TPM.
“And why would he do this?” he added. “Because Russia and the Trump campaign are speaking from the same script of smears and lies, and Trump does not want to expose the degree to which his political partners in the Kremlin are propagating this message for his benefit.”
Indeed, Trump and his campaign have been frequently going back to the “Joe Biden is senile” well, an attack of a piece with the attempt to paint Biden as a puppet for supposed radical leftist Kamala Harris’ “socialist” policies.
This week, though, the Trump campaign lacked some message discipline on the mental health attack front. Trump seized on a comment made by CNN analyst Joe Lockhart hypothesizing that the President had a secret stroke, blowing it up into a story big enough that outlets previously ignoring the rumor reported on Trump’s reaction to it. Trump even had his doctor send around a press release stating that he never had such an illness.
But the new report also reveals a disturbing trend within the administration, of political interference with intelligence around the election.
Earlier this week, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe told Congress he would stop providing in-person briefings on election security and foreign interference, citing a concern over leaks.
The decision sparked immediate outrage from Democratic members.
“This is a shocking abdication of its lawful responsibility to keep the Congress currently informed, and a betrayal of the public’s right to know how foreign powers are trying to subvert our democracy,” wrote House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) in a joint statement.
“This intelligence belongs to the American people, not the agencies which are its custodian,” the continued. “And the American people have both the right and the need to know that another nation, Russia, is trying to help decide who their president should be.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-02--New Engineering Report Claims Bannon’s Privately Built Border Wall Will Fail

This story first appeared at ProPublica .
ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom .
Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox .
It ’ s not a matter of if a privately built border fence along the shores of the Rio Grande will fail , it ’ s a matter of when , according to a new engineering report on the troubled project .
The report is one of two new studies set to be filed in federal court this week that found numerous deficiencies in the 3-mile border fence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fisher Sand and Gravel .
The reports confirm earlier reporting from ProPublica and The Texas Tribune , which found that segments of the structure were in danger of overturning due to extensive erosion if not fixed and properly maintained .
Fisher dismissed the concerns as normal post-construction issues .
Donations that paid for part of the border fence are at the heart of an indictment against members of the We Build the Wall nonprofit , which raised more than $ 25 million to help President Donald Trump build a border wall .
Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Build the Wall founder Brian Kolfage and two others connected to the organization are accused of siphoning donor money to pay off personal debt and fund lavish lifestyles .
All four , who face up to 20 years in prison on each of the two counts they face , have pleaded not guilty , and Bannon has called the charges a plot to stop border wall construction .
We Build the Wall , whose executive board is made up of influential immigration hard-liners like Bannon , Kris Kobach and Tom Tancredo , contributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 42 million private border fence project south of Mission , Texas .
Last year , the nonprofit also hired Fisher to build a half-mile fence segment in Sunland Park , New Mexico , outside El Paso .
Company president Tommy Fisher , a frequent guest on Fox News , had called the Rio Grande fence the “ Lamborghini ” of border walls and bragged that his company ’ s methods could help Trump reach his Election Day goal of about 500 new miles of barriers along the southern border .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports on behalf of ProPublica and The Texas Tribune likened Fisher ’ s fence to a used Toyota Yaris .
“ It seems like they are cutting corners everywhere , ” said Alex Mayer , a professor of civil engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso .
“ It ’ s not a Lamborghini , it ’ s a $ 500 used car.
” Since Fisher ’ s companies embarked on construction of the Rio Grande fence , the Trump administration has awarded about $ 2 billion in federal contracts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border wall in other locations .
Fisher agreed to the inspection as part of ongoing lawsuits against Fisher Sand and Gravel filed last year by the National Butterfly Center and the International Boundary and Water Commission .
They unsuccessfully sought to convince a federal judge to stop the construction of the project until the potential impacts of the wall on the Rio Grande could be determined .
Mark Tompkins , an environmental engineer hired by the wildlife refuge , noted in his report that widespread erosion and scouring occurred after heavy rain events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but that the fence has yet to experience a flood of the Rio Grande .
“ Fisher Industries ’ private bollard fence will fail during extreme high flow events , ” concluded Tompkins , who specializes in river management .
“ When extreme flow events , laden with sediment and debris , completely undermine the foundation of the fence and create a flow path under the fence or cause a segment of the fence to topple into the river , unpredictable and damaging hydraulics will occur , ” he added in an affidavit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said the fence will face a never-ending battle with erosion given its proximity to the water and the sandy , silty material of the banks .
In the Rio Grande Valley , the federal government usually builds sections of the wall miles inland on top of existing levees , partly due to erosion concerns .
A second report , based on a geotechnical and structural inspection by the Millennium Engineers Group of Pharr , Texas , also hired by the National Butterfly Center , found that the fence was stable for now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of issues .
They include soil erosion on the river side — in some areas gaps up to three feet wide and waist deep , concrete cracking , construction flaws and what the firm concluded was likely substandard construction material below the fence ’ s foundation .
The Millennium engineers called for a clay covering to protect the embankment from erosion , as well as closely monitoring the project .
Its conclusion : “ The geography at the wall ’ s construction location in comparison to the river bend is not at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a copy of an operation and maintenance plan , Fisher Sand and Gravel plans quarterly inspections of the fence as well as extra checkups after large storms .
The company had also said it would plant grasses that better hold in place the sandy riverbank and add a layer of rocks to lessen erosion .
New soil will also be “ treated and seeded ” to help fill ground cover .
Tompkins called the maintenance plan “ completely inadequate ” and a “ haphazard and unprofessional approach to long-term maintenance.
” Tommy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t comment on the reports because he hadn ’ t reviewed them .
But he added that his company has fixed all of the erosion , in part by adding a 10-foot-wide road made out of rocks for the Border Patrol to drive over that his crew considered big enough so it wouldn ’ t be as easily displaced .
He estimates it will cost up to $ 150,000 .
“ Bottom line , if you want border security on the border you have to think outside the box , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we ’ ve done.
” In July , Fisher appeared on a podcast hosted by Bannon , who called Fisher “ kind of a mentor ” who “ taught me really about how you actually have to build a wall.
” Asked about the engineering concerns , which Bannon said were part of a “ hit piece , ” Fisher called them “ absolutely nonsense.
” “ I would invite any of these engineers that so-called said this was gon na fall over , I ’ ll meet ‘ em there next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know what you ’ re talking about , you probably shouldn ’ t start talking , ” he said .
“ It ’ s working unbelievably well .
There ’ s a little erosion maintenance we have to maintain.
” But to experts , Fisher ’ s planned fixes are inadequate .
“ To me , it ’ s almost like putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound , ” said Adriana E. Martinez , a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville professor and geomorphologist who reviewed the reports on behalf of ProPublica and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Boundary Commission have said that they too have found “ significant erosion , ” but spokeswoman Sally Spener said she couldn ’ t elaborate on that or on mitigation plans due to pending litigation .
The binational body regulates building in the floodplain between the U.S. and Mexico because structures can worsen flooding and alter the course of the river , potentially violating international water treaties .
The Mexican section of the commission has said it worries the wall could obstruct the river ’ s flow or be knocked down by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spener .
Trump tried to distance himself from the private fence after the ProPublica/Tribune stories , saying that he had never agreed with it and that it had been done to make him look bad .
He again distanced himself from the project and We Build the Wall after the charges against Bannon and the others .
“ When I read about it , I didn ’ t like it , ” he said .
“ It was showboating and maybe looking for funds .
But you ’ ll have to see what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Wall representatives met with Customs and Border Protection officials about donating the group ’ s first border wall project — a half-mile fence in Sunland Park , New Mexico , just outside El Paso .
According to a memo obtained by The Nation , CBP called it an “ overall positive meet and greet.
” But the federal agency identified several areas of concern with the Sunland Park project , including the possibility that it would require an environmental assessment , but also the fact that Fisher Industries had inflated the speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Their performance on this small project shows that some claims may have been inflated due to lack of experience with this type of work , ” the memo states .
Fisher has said he wants to donate the Rio Grande fence to the federal government as well , although it ’ s unclear whether the government will take it .
The fence likely will come with a hefty tax bill if not donated , after Hidalgo County recently appraised the land ’ s value at more than $ 20 million , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The next court hearing regarding the pending federal lawsuits is scheduled for Sept. 10 .

This story first appeared at ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.
It’s not a matter of if a privately built border fence along the shores of the Rio Grande will fail, it’s a matter of when, according to a new engineering report on the troubled project.
The report is one of two new studies set to be filed in federal court this week that found numerous deficiencies in the 3-mile border fence, built this year by North Dakota-based Fisher Sand and Gravel. The reports confirm earlier reporting from ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, which found that segments of the structure were in danger of overturning due to extensive erosion if not fixed and properly maintained. Fisher dismissed the concerns as normal post-construction issues.
Donations that paid for part of the border fence are at the heart of an indictment against members of the We Build the Wall nonprofit, which raised more than $25 million to help President Donald Trump build a border wall.
Former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon, We Build the Wall founder Brian Kolfage and two others connected to the organization are accused of siphoning donor money to pay off personal debt and fund lavish lifestyles. All four, who face up to 20 years in prison on each of the two counts they face, have pleaded not guilty, and Bannon has called the charges a plot to stop border wall construction.
We Build the Wall, whose executive board is made up of influential immigration hard-liners like Bannon, Kris Kobach and Tom Tancredo, contributed $1.5 million of the cost of the $42 million private border fence project south of Mission, Texas.
Last year, the nonprofit also hired Fisher to build a half-mile fence segment in Sunland Park, New Mexico, outside El Paso.
Company president Tommy Fisher, a frequent guest on Fox News, had called the Rio Grande fence the “Lamborghini” of border walls and bragged that his company’s methods could help Trump reach his Election Day goal of about 500 new miles of barriers along the southern border.
Instead, one engineer who reviewed the two reports on behalf of ProPublica and The Texas Tribune likened Fisher’s fence to a used Toyota Yaris.
“It seems like they are cutting corners everywhere,” said Alex Mayer, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso. “It’s not a Lamborghini, it’s a $500 used car.”
Since Fisher’s companies embarked on construction of the Rio Grande fence, the Trump administration has awarded about $2 billion in federal contracts to the firms to build segments of the border wall in other locations.
Fisher agreed to the inspection as part of ongoing lawsuits against Fisher Sand and Gravel filed last year by the National Butterfly Center and the International Boundary and Water Commission. They unsuccessfully sought to convince a federal judge to stop the construction of the project until the potential impacts of the wall on the Rio Grande could be determined.
Mark Tompkins, an environmental engineer hired by the wildlife refuge, noted in his report that widespread erosion and scouring occurred after heavy rain events such as Hurricane Hanna in July, but that the fence has yet to experience a flood of the Rio Grande.
“Fisher Industries’ private bollard fence will fail during extreme high flow events,” concluded Tompkins, who specializes in river management.
“When extreme flow events, laden with sediment and debris, completely undermine the foundation of the fence and create a flow path under the fence or cause a segment of the fence to topple into the river, unpredictable and damaging hydraulics will occur,” he added in an affidavit to be filed in court.
Experts have said the fence will face a never-ending battle with erosion given its proximity to the water and the sandy, silty material of the banks. In the Rio Grande Valley, the federal government usually builds sections of the wall miles inland on top of existing levees, partly due to erosion concerns.
A second report, based on a geotechnical and structural inspection by the Millennium Engineers Group of Pharr, Texas, also hired by the National Butterfly Center, found that the fence was stable for now, but that it faces a host of issues. They include soil erosion on the river side — in some areas gaps up to three feet wide and waist deep, concrete cracking, construction flaws and what the firm concluded was likely substandard construction material below the fence’s foundation.
The Millennium engineers called for a clay covering to protect the embankment from erosion, as well as closely monitoring the project.
Its conclusion: “The geography at the wall’s construction location in comparison to the river bend is not at a favorable location for long-term performance.”
According to a copy of an operation and maintenance plan, Fisher Sand and Gravel plans quarterly inspections of the fence as well as extra checkups after large storms. The company had also said it would plant grasses that better hold in place the sandy riverbank and add a layer of rocks to lessen erosion. New soil will also be “treated and seeded” to help fill ground cover.
Tompkins called the maintenance plan “completely inadequate” and a “haphazard and unprofessional approach to long-term maintenance.”
Tommy Fisher said Tuesday that he couldn’t comment on the reports because he hadn’t reviewed them. But he added that his company has fixed all of the erosion, in part by adding a 10-foot-wide road made out of rocks for the Border Patrol to drive over that his crew considered big enough so it wouldn’t be as easily displaced. He estimates it will cost up to $150,000.
“Bottom line, if you want border security on the border you have to think outside the box,” he said. “I feel very comfortable with what we’ve done.”
In July, Fisher appeared on a podcast hosted by Bannon, who called Fisher “kind of a mentor” who “taught me really about how you actually have to build a wall.”
Asked about the engineering concerns, which Bannon said were part of a “hit piece,” Fisher called them “absolutely nonsense.”
“I would invite any of these engineers that so-called said this was gonna fall over, I’ll meet ‘em there next week. … If you don’t know what you’re talking about, you probably shouldn’t start talking,” he said. “It’s working unbelievably well. There’s a little erosion maintenance we have to maintain.”
But to experts, Fisher’s planned fixes are inadequate.
“To me, it’s almost like putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound,” said Adriana E. Martinez, a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville professor and geomorphologist who reviewed the reports on behalf of ProPublica and The Texas Tribune.
Officials with the International Boundary Commission have said that they too have found “significant erosion,” but spokeswoman Sally Spener said she couldn’t elaborate on that or on mitigation plans due to pending litigation. The binational body regulates building in the floodplain between the U.S. and Mexico because structures can worsen flooding and alter the course of the river, potentially violating international water treaties.
The Mexican section of the commission has said it worries the wall could obstruct the river’s flow or be knocked down by the force of the water, according to Spener.
Trump tried to distance himself from the private fence after the ProPublica/Tribune stories, saying that he had never agreed with it and that it had been done to make him look bad. He again distanced himself from the project and We Build the Wall after the charges against Bannon and the others.
“When I read about it, I didn’t like it,” he said. “It was showboating and maybe looking for funds. But you’ll have to see what happens.”
Last November, We Build the Wall representatives met with Customs and Border Protection officials about donating the group’s first border wall project — a half-mile fence in Sunland Park, New Mexico, just outside El Paso. According to a memo obtained by The Nation, CBP called it an “overall positive meet and greet.”
But the federal agency identified several areas of concern with the Sunland Park project, including the possibility that it would require an environmental assessment, but also the fact that Fisher Industries had inflated the speed with which it could complete the project.
“Their performance on this small project shows that some claims may have been inflated due to lack of experience with this type of work,” the memo states.
Fisher has said he wants to donate the Rio Grande fence to the federal government as well, although it’s unclear whether the government will take it. The fence likely will come with a hefty tax bill if not donated, after Hidalgo County recently appraised the land’s value at more than $20 million, which Fisher said his company will fight.
The next court hearing regarding the pending federal lawsuits is scheduled for Sept. 10.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-03--Trump Encourages Supporters To Try Illegally To Vote Twice

President Donald Trump urged voters on Wednesday to attempt to vote twice , casting a ballot by mail and another in person in an illegal move that further mobilizes his widespread attack on the legitimacy of voting in the upcoming elections .
“ Let them send it in and let them go vote , and if their system ’ s as good as they say it is , then obviously they won ’ t be able to vote .
If it isn ’ t tabulated , they ’ ll be able to vote , ” Trump told a local reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked about mail-in ballots .
The remarks add fuel to the President ’ s ongoing false narrative that the November elections will be rigged and that voting by mail contributes to overwhelming fraud .
By suggesting a double vote , the President has essentially urged voters to commit an illegal act that in many states — including battleground North Carolina — is a felony .
The President echoed the directive to vote more than once while greeting supporters in Wilmington , North Carolina .
He told them to send in their ballot “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ So send it in early and then go and vote , ” Trump said .
“ You can ’ t let them take your vote away ; these people are playing dirty politics.
” Trump urged the voters to send in their absentee ballot and then to “ check it , follow it and go vote.
” Trump has used his attack on mail-in voting as a tactical move to try to dissuade voters from casting their ballot and sow doubt about the legitimacy of an election that will use vote-by-mail to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus by avoiding the polls on Election Day .
Hours later , Attorney General William Barr when asked about Trump ’ s comments appeared to reinforce them claiming that the practice of voting by mail “ is very open to fraud and coercion , is reckless and dangerous , and people are playing with fire.
” The remarks sharply contrast the sentiments of many Democratic and Republican lawmakers who have endorsed voting by mail as safe and secure .
Last month , Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) a lawmaker in a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touted the practice as likely “ more secure ” than voting in-person .
In an analysis of three states with universal mail-in voting from the 2016 and 2018 general elections , the Washington Post found that officials had reported a mere 372 possible cases of double voting or voting on behalf of deceased people out of about 14.6 million votes cast –a figure that represents 0.0025 percent .

President Donald Trump urged voters on Wednesday to attempt to vote twice, casting a ballot by mail and another in person in an illegal move that further mobilizes his widespread attack on the legitimacy of voting in the upcoming elections.
“Let them send it in and let them go vote, and if their system’s as good as they say it is, then obviously they won’t be able to vote. If it isn’t tabulated, they’ll be able to vote,” Trump told a local reporter in North Carolina during an interview when asked about mail-in ballots.
The remarks add fuel to the President’s ongoing false narrative that the November elections will be rigged and that voting by mail contributes to overwhelming fraud.
By suggesting a double vote, the President has essentially urged voters to commit an illegal act that in many states — including battleground North Carolina — is a felony.
The President echoed the directive to vote more than once while greeting supporters in Wilmington, North Carolina. He told them to send in their ballot “and then go in and vote.”
“So send it in early and then go and vote,” Trump said. “You can’t let them take your vote away; these people are playing dirty politics.”
Trump urged the voters to send in their absentee ballot and then to “check it, follow it and go vote.”
Trump has used his attack on mail-in voting as a tactical move to try to dissuade voters from casting their ballot and sow doubt about the legitimacy of an election that will use vote-by-mail to enable voters to mitigate concerns about the coronavirus by avoiding the polls on Election Day.
Hours later, Attorney General William Barr when asked about Trump’s comments appeared to reinforce them claiming that the practice of voting by mail “is very open to fraud and coercion, is reckless and dangerous, and people are playing with fire.”
The remarks sharply contrast the sentiments of many Democratic and Republican lawmakers who have endorsed voting by mail as safe and secure.
Last month, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) a lawmaker in a state where voting by mail is universal, touted the practice as likely “more secure” than voting in-person.
In an analysis of three states with universal mail-in voting from the 2016 and 2018 general elections, the Washington Post found that officials had reported a mere 372 possible cases of double voting or voting on behalf of deceased people out of about 14.6 million votes cast –a figure that represents 0.0025 percent.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-03--Trump Moves To Slash Funding From Dem-Led Cities In Escalation Of Partisan Attacks On Mayors

President Donald Trump ramped up his sustained attacks against Democratic mayors on Wednesday night by moving to cut federal funding from their cities , stating that he “ will not allow federal tax dollars to fund cities that allow themselves to deteriorate into lawless zones.
” In his official White House memo on “ Reviewing Funding to State and Local Government Recipients That Are Permitting Anarchy , Violence , and Destruction in American Cities , ” Trump laid out a laundry list of grievances against Seattle , Portland , New York City , and D.C. that largely echoed the accusations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayors of those cities .
“ My Administration will do everything in its power to prevent weak mayors and lawless cities from taking Federal dollars while they let anarchists harm people , burn buildings , and ruin lives and businesses .
We ’ re putting them on notice today , ” Trump tweeted on Wednesday night , tagging the Office of Management and Budget ( OMB ) Director Russ Vought in the tweet .
For weeks , the President has been attacking “ Democrat-run ” cities , accusing their mayors of allowing rampant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have turned violent as police clash with demonstrators .
Trump has thrown his support behind the police and attempted to paint Black Lives Matter protesters as violent anarchists .
However , it ’ s unclear whether a blatantly partisan effort to yank federal funding from those cities would pass legal muster .

President Donald Trump ramped up his sustained attacks against Democratic mayors on Wednesday night by moving to cut federal funding from their cities, stating that he “will not allow federal tax dollars to fund cities that allow themselves to deteriorate into lawless zones.”
In his official White House memo on “Reviewing Funding to State and Local Government Recipients That Are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities,” Trump laid out a laundry list of grievances against Seattle, Portland, New York City, and D.C. that largely echoed the accusations he’s constantly levied against the mayors of those cities.
“My Administration will do everything in its power to prevent weak mayors and lawless cities from taking Federal dollars while they let anarchists harm people, burn buildings, and ruin lives and businesses. We’re putting them on notice today,” Trump tweeted on Wednesday night, tagging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought in the tweet.
For weeks, the President has been attacking “Democrat-run” cities, accusing their mayors of allowing rampant crime amid peaceful anti-police brutality protests that have turned violent as police clash with demonstrators. Trump has thrown his support behind the police and attempted to paint Black Lives Matter protesters as violent anarchists.
However, it’s unclear whether a blatantly partisan effort to yank federal funding from those cities would pass legal muster.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-03--EXCLUSIVE: Some States Won’t Distribute A Trumpian Half-Baked COVID Vaccine

Officials from at least three states have suggested that they would refuse to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine if they believe it has not received adequate vetting by the federal government , or that it had been approved for political reasons .
The statements come as the Trump administration ’ s behavior has stoked fears that it will greenlight a vaccine before the November election in a bid to juice the President ’ s re-election chances .
California would “ need evidence that the vaccine candidates are safe and effective before distributing them , ” a spokesperson for the state Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) suggested at a Thursday briefing that the state may make any federally approved vaccine subject to additional approval from the New York state Department of Health .
“ It ’ s going to be an Election Day miracle drug , ” Cuomo told reporters on Thursday .
“ So , we will , before we recommend New Yorkers take any vaccine , we will have the state Department of Health review it.
” A Cuomo spokesman declined to clarify whether the state would distribute a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Washington , state Secretary of Health John Wiesman slammed the politicization of the COVID-19 vaccine , saying that “ we want to make sure that the federal government takes all the steps they need to ensure that any release of the vaccine is not driven by politics.
” States refusing to distribute a vaccine raises the prospect of an unprecedented clash between a federal government acting to aid Trump politically and states with public health concerns about the vaccine approval process .
It ’ s not clear how such a situation would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have the power to move a vaccine beyond state roadblocks .
An HHS spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment .
HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Michael Caputo told TPM last week that the agency expects to deliver 300 million doses by January 2021 , and that “ doctors and data are driving the development of all COVID-19 countermeasures.
” The statements of caution from state health officials come after Centers for Disease Control Director Robert Redfield sent a letter last week to governors demanding that they ensure vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Nov. 1 .
That followed weeks of evidence that the Trump administration is tailoring its COVID-19 response to the President ’ s re-election hopes .
The CDC last week issued guidance that would diminish the number of positive COVID-19 tests in the country , while the Food and Drug Administration has issued provisional , emergency approvals for drugs and treatments like hydroxychloroquine and blood plasma in what experts later said was the absence of adequate underlying evidence .
FDA chief Stephen Hahn has said that he would support an emergency approval of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete .
President Trump , for his part , has antagonized Hahn and his agency , accusing the “ deep state ” at the FDA of slowing down vaccine trials .
All of that has suggested that politics will play some role in whichever of the three vaccines currently in phase III trials is approved first .
Moving a vaccine beyond phase III trials too quickly could cut short data collection on key aspects of the vaccine , including its efficacy , experts told TPM .
Though potential side-effects will continue to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in a vaccine approved without longer-term safety data and without a full review of whether the product works , what level of protection it provides , and for how long .
“ It is incumbent upon the federal government to make sure that we wait until phase III trials are done and an independent board has verified the safety of the vaccine , ” Wiesman , Washington state ’ s secretary of health , said Wednesday .
Lisa Stromme , a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health , did not reply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
“ In order for a vaccine to be safely distributed , it certainly is our belief that the vaccine needs to fully pass through the phase III trials — larger trials for larger numbers of folks — for a period of time to assure both the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine , and we expect those trials to be completed before a vaccine is distributed , unless an independent board of scientists says otherwise — that the data coming out of those trials say for whatever reason it should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We need to ensure the quality , safety and effectiveness of these vaccines , and we want to distribute them when it ’ s safe to do so.
” The concern partly reflects a lack of clarity from within Operation Warp Speed itself .
Though the CDC has sent out information suggesting that a vaccine could be distributed as early as late October and President Trump has expressed his desire for the same , Operation Warp Speed director Moncef Slaoui said on Thursday that he doubts a vaccine will be ready by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Operation Warp Speed — a joint HHS-DOD effort to accelerate vaccine development — have promised to “ overwhelm ” the airwaves with vaccine-related messaging by early November .
The final measure of whether any COVID-19 vaccine can be trusted boils down to whether the FDA ’ s vaccine advisory committee is consulted on its approval at the federal level , experts in public health and vaccines have told TPM .
Dr. Paul Offit , a member of the committee and director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children ’ s Hospital Philadelphia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned that the administration would pick a vaccine “ out of the bucket , ” bypassing both necessary trials and the FDA panel .

Officials from at least three states have suggested that they would refuse to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine if they believe it has not received adequate vetting by the federal government, or that it had been approved for political reasons.
The statements come as the Trump administration’s behavior has stoked fears that it will greenlight a vaccine before the November election in a bid to juice the President’s re-election chances.
California would “need evidence that the vaccine candidates are safe and effective before distributing them,” a spokesperson for the state Department of Public health told TPM.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) suggested at a Thursday briefing that the state may make any federally approved vaccine subject to additional approval from the New York state Department of Health.
“It’s going to be an Election Day miracle drug,” Cuomo told reporters on Thursday. “So, we will, before we recommend New Yorkers take any vaccine, we will have the state Department of Health review it.”
A Cuomo spokesman declined to clarify whether the state would distribute a vaccine that it did not recommend.
In Washington, state Secretary of Health John Wiesman slammed the politicization of the COVID-19 vaccine, saying that “we want to make sure that the federal government takes all the steps they need to ensure that any release of the vaccine is not driven by politics.”
States refusing to distribute a vaccine raises the prospect of an unprecedented clash between a federal government acting to aid Trump politically and states with public health concerns about the vaccine approval process. It’s not clear how such a situation would develop, or whether the federal government would have the power to move a vaccine beyond state roadblocks.
HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Michael Caputo told TPM after publication that “any suggestion that the FDA would prematurely authorize a COVID-19 vaccine is irresponsible and undermines confidence in our public health system.”
“Data is driving the development of all COVID-19 vaccines and countermeasures, and the Administration has made it abundantly clear that any vaccine distributed to the American people will be held to the FDA’s gold standard,” he added.
The statements of caution from state health officials come after Centers for Disease Control Director Robert Redfield sent a letter last week to governors demanding that they ensure vaccine distribution sites be “fully operational” by Nov. 1.
That followed weeks of evidence that the Trump administration is tailoring its COVID-19 response to the President’s re-election hopes. The CDC last week issued guidance that would diminish the number of positive COVID-19 tests in the country, while the Food and Drug Administration has issued provisional, emergency approvals for drugs and treatments like hydroxychloroquine and blood plasma in what experts later said was the absence of adequate underlying evidence.
FDA chief Stephen Hahn has said that he would support an emergency approval of a vaccine before phase III trials are complete. President Trump, for his part, has antagonized Hahn and his agency, accusing the “deep state” at the FDA of slowing down vaccine trials.
The deep state, or whoever, over at the FDA is making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines and therapeutics. Obviously, they are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd. Must focus on speed, and saving lives! @SteveFDA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2020
All of that has suggested that politics will play some role in whichever of the three vaccines currently in phase III trials is approved first.
Moving a vaccine beyond phase III trials too quickly could cut short data collection on key aspects of the vaccine, including its efficacy, experts told TPM. Though potential side-effects will continue to be monitored, ending the trial early could result in a vaccine approved without longer-term safety data and without a full review of whether the product works, what level of protection it provides, and for how long.
“It is incumbent upon the federal government to make sure that we wait until phase III trials are done and an independent board has verified the safety of the vaccine,” Wiesman, Washington state’s secretary of health, said Wednesday. Lisa Stromme, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health, did not reply to follow-up questions about Wiesman’s statement.
“In order for a vaccine to be safely distributed, it certainly is our belief that the vaccine needs to fully pass through the phase III trials — larger trials for larger numbers of folks — for a period of time to assure both the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, and we expect those trials to be completed before a vaccine is distributed, unless an independent board of scientists says otherwise — that the data coming out of those trials say for whatever reason it should be stopped sooner,” Wiesman continued. “We need to ensure the quality, safety and effectiveness of these vaccines, and we want to distribute them when it’s safe to do so.”
The concern partly reflects a lack of clarity from within Operation Warp Speed itself. Though the CDC has sent out information suggesting that a vaccine could be distributed as early as late October and President Trump has expressed his desire for the same, Operation Warp Speed director Moncef Slaoui said on Thursday that he doubts a vaccine will be ready by that time.
Meanwhile, officials with Operation Warp Speed — a joint HHS-DOD effort to accelerate vaccine development — have promised to “overwhelm” the airwaves with vaccine-related messaging by early November.
The final measure of whether any COVID-19 vaccine can be trusted boils down to whether the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee is consulted on its approval at the federal level, experts in public health and vaccines have told TPM.
Dr. Paul Offit, a member of the committee and director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital Philadelphia, told TPM last month that he was concerned that the administration would pick a vaccine “out of the bucket,” bypassing both necessary trials and the FDA panel.
This story has been updated.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-03--Trump Canceled Trip To Cemetery Honoring Slain Soldiers Who He Called ‘Losers’

President Trump reportedly skipped his scheduled visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018 after dismissing the U.S. soldiers who died during the Battle of Bellaeu Wood as “ losers.
” According to a report in The Atlantic published Thursday , Trump ’ s excuses of “ the helicopter couldn ’ t fly ” and that the Secret Service wouldn ’ t drive him to the cemetery in France due to the rain were false claims .
Citing four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day , The Atlantic reported that the President was reluctant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France honoring slain American soldiers because of concerns that his hair would become disheveled in the rain .
Additionally , Trump reportedly mocked the soldiers who died during the Battle of Bellaeu Wood during a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit .
“ Why should I go to that cemetery ?
It ’ s filled with losers , ” Trump said , according to The Atlantic .
The Atlantic also reported that Trump characterized the more than 1,800 marines who died in the Battle of Belleau Wood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation on the same trip .
Trump also asked aides , “ who were the good guys in this war ?
” and expressed that he didn ’ t understand why the U.S. would intervene on the side of the Allies .
The Battle of Belleau Wood in the spring of 1918 proved to be consequential in that it was the first large-scale battle fought by American soldiers in World War I .
The U.S. Marines and Allied forces had stopped the German advance toward Paris in the forested area .
After weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevailed , but at the cost of nearly 10,000 dead , wounded , or missing in action .
Trump ’ s reported mockery of the slain soldiers in the Battle of Belleau Woods wouldn ’ t be the first time he ’ s dismissed the notion of honoring military veterans .
While running his presidential campaign in 2015 , Trump said that the late Sen. John McCain ( R-AZ ) — who was known as one of the few prominent Republicans vehemently critical of Trump and spent more than five years as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ not a war hero ” and that he “ likes people who weren ’ t captured.
” Upon McCain ’ s death in 2018 , Trump told his senior staff that “ we ’ re not going to support that loser ’ s funeral ” and he reportedly fumed when he saw flags lowered to half-staff after the late senator ’ s death , according to three sources who spoke to The Atlantic .
“ What the fuck are we doing that for ?
Guy was a fucking loser , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCain ’ s funeral , told aides , according to The Atlantic .

President Trump reportedly skipped his scheduled visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018 after dismissing the U.S. soldiers who died during the Battle of Bellaeu Wood as “losers.”
According to a report in The Atlantic published Thursday, Trump’s excuses of “the helicopter couldn’t fly” and that the Secret Service wouldn’t drive him to the cemetery in France due to the rain were false claims.
Citing four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day, The Atlantic reported that the President was reluctant to pay a visit to the cemetery in France honoring slain American soldiers because of concerns that his hair would become disheveled in the rain.
Additionally, Trump reportedly mocked the soldiers who died during the Battle of Bellaeu Wood during a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit.
“Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers,” Trump said, according to The Atlantic.
The Atlantic also reported that Trump characterized the more than 1,800 marines who died in the Battle of Belleau Wood as “suckers” during a separate conversation on the same trip. Trump also asked aides, “who were the good guys in this war?” and expressed that he didn’t understand why the U.S. would intervene on the side of the Allies.
The Battle of Belleau Wood in the spring of 1918 proved to be consequential in that it was the first large-scale battle fought by American soldiers in World War I. The U.S. Marines and Allied forces had stopped the German advance toward Paris in the forested area. After weeks of the Marines launching attacks, Americans prevailed, but at the cost of nearly 10,000 dead, wounded, or missing in action.
Trump’s reported mockery of the slain soldiers in the Battle of Belleau Woods wouldn’t be the first time he’s dismissed the notion of honoring military veterans.
While running his presidential campaign in 2015, Trump said that the late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) — who was known as one of the few prominent Republicans vehemently critical of Trump and spent more than five years as a prisoner of the North Vietnamese — is “not a war hero” and that he “likes people who weren’t captured.”
Upon McCain’s death in 2018, Trump told his senior staff that “we’re not going to support that loser’s funeral” and he reportedly fumed when he saw flags lowered to half-staff after the late senator’s death, according to three sources who spoke to The Atlantic.
“What the fuck are we doing that for? Guy was a fucking loser,” Trump, who wasn’t invited to McCain’s funeral, told aides, according to The Atlantic.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-03--Biden: Trump’s ‘Both Sides’ Reaction To C’Ville Shows He ‘Legitimizes’ Racism

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden tore into President Trump ’ s “ both sides ” reaction to the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville during a community meeting at Grace Lutheran Church in Kenosha , Wisconsin on Thursday .
Biden held the community meeting shortly after a meeting at the Milwaukee airport with the family of Jacob Blake , a Black man whose shooting by police last month left him paralyzed and sparked protests soon after .
Following remarks by several speakers during the community meeting — which included a firefighter , a lawyer and a woman whose business was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience as a young attorney when he made the “ mistake ” of thinking “ you could defeat hate.
” “ Hate only hides .
It only hides , ” Biden said .
“ And when someone in authority breathes oxygen under that rock , it legitimizes those folks to come on out .
Come out from under the rocks.
” Biden then recalled how he didn ’ t plan to run for office again after his late son Beau had died , but that his plans changed upon seeing white supremacists carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” rally in Charlottesville in 2017 .
The Democratic presidential nominee then took aim at Trump ’ s reaction to the Charlottesville rally , when he said “ there are very fine people on both sides.
” “ No president has ever said anything like that , ” Biden said , before adding that the President ’ s reaction to the 2017 white supremacist rally demonstrates that Trump “ legitimizes the dark side of human nature.
” Biden went on to argue that Trump ’ s remarks exposed the “ underlying racism that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has existed for 400 years , which he said is what led up to circumstances of police brutality like Blake and the city of Kenosha are facing .
Although the President paid a visit to Kenosha a day before Biden held his community meeting , he has not spoken with Blake ’ s relatives .
During a press conference on Monday , Trump said he would not meet with Blake ’ s family in Wisconsin because he “ thought it would be better not to do anything where there were lawyers involved.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a “ great talk ” with the Blake family ’ s pastor , which Blake ’ s father denied during an interview with CNN .
White House senior communications adviser Ben Williamson later tweeted that Trump talked about speaking to the pastor of the younger Blake ’ s mother .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden tore into President Trump’s “both sides” reaction to the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville during a community meeting at Grace Lutheran Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Thursday.
Biden held the community meeting shortly after a meeting at the Milwaukee airport with the family of Jacob Blake, a Black man whose shooting by police last month left him paralyzed and sparked protests soon after.
Following remarks by several speakers during the community meeting — which included a firefighter, a lawyer and a woman whose business was looted — the former VP recounted his experience as a young attorney when he made the “mistake” of thinking “you could defeat hate.”
“Hate only hides. It only hides,” Biden said. “And when someone in authority breathes oxygen under that rock, it legitimizes those folks to come on out. Come out from under the rocks.”
Biden then recalled how he didn’t plan to run for office again after his late son Beau had died, but that his plans changed upon seeing white supremacists carrying torches during the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville in 2017.
The Democratic presidential nominee then took aim at Trump’s reaction to the Charlottesville rally, when he said “there are very fine people on both sides.”
“No president has ever said anything like that,” Biden said, before adding that the President’s reaction to the 2017 white supremacist rally demonstrates that Trump “legitimizes the dark side of human nature.”
Biden went on to argue that Trump’s remarks exposed the “underlying racism that is institutionalized” in the United States and has existed for 400 years, which he said is what led up to circumstances of police brutality like Blake and the city of Kenosha are facing.
Although the President paid a visit to Kenosha a day before Biden held his community meeting, he has not spoken with Blake’s relatives. During a press conference on Monday, Trump said he would not meet with Blake’s family in Wisconsin because he “thought it would be better not to do anything where there were lawyers involved.”
The President also claimed that he had a “great talk” with the Blake family’s pastor, which Blake’s father denied during an interview with CNN. White House senior communications adviser Ben Williamson later tweeted that Trump talked about speaking to the pastor of the younger Blake’s mother.
Watch Biden’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-03--Another DHS Bulletin Reportedly Shows Russia Boosting Same Disinformation As Trump

In a newly reported Department of Homeland Security intelligence bulletin , analysts describe a Russian disinformation effort to amplify claims that voting by mail is unreliable and vulnerable to fraud .
“ Since at least March 2020 , Russian malign influence actors have been amplifying allegations of election integrity issues in new voting processes and vote-by-mail programs , ” says the bulletin , obtained by ABC News .
“ These outlets also claimed that state election officials and policymakers leveraged the COVID-19 pandemic to justify politically-expedient decisions made on holding primary elections and implementing new voting processes and vote-by-mail programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence election outcomes , ” it continues , adding that Russian actors were specifically stressing that an influx of mailed ballots would overtax the postal service and local election boards .
The analysts who wrote the memo , which was not intended for public release , said that they had “ high confidence ” in the assessment .
Another section of the bulletin details how Russian actors tried to sow the seeds of discord around the Democratic primary earlier this year to undermine Joe Biden ’ s candidacy .
“ In the Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and proxy websites claimed that the contest was fixed in favor of establishment candidates and that technical difficulties with the caucusing mobile voting application led to ballot manipulation , ” it says .
“ These outlets continued this narrative into March 2020 , claiming that the Democratic Party made a corrupt back-room deal to orchestrate the exit of establishment candidates to consolidate the vote behind former Vice President Biden in advance of the Super Tuesday primary elections.
” Trump has been a consistent and vocal opponent of voting by mail , making frequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with fraud and will lead to a “ rigged ” election .
On Wednesday , he encouraged an audience in North Carolina to vote in person and by mail ( a felony in the state ) — a gambit , he said , that would make sure the mail system actually works .
His posture has been echoed by Republicans nationwide , some of whom have employed the specious fraud arguments as they push to bar voting accessibility measures like drop boxes .
For the second time in two days , intelligence leaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign have been employing the same tactics as malicious Russian actors trying to undermine the fall election .
The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
On Wednesday , ABC News obtained another bulletin detailing a Russian attack plan to target Biden ’ s mental health and fitness .
Trump has been painting Biden as senile and incompetent all campaign long , from labeling him “ sleepy Joe ” to splicing together clips of the former Vice President stumbling over his words for campaign ads .
In that case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then-acting Secretary Chad Wolf — intervened before the bulletin could be circulated to the agency ’ s federal , state and local law enforcement partners , effectively suppressing it .
It is not clear if the vote-by-mail bulletin was also stymied ; DHS did not respond to TPM ’ s questions .
Read the bulletin , published by ABC News , here :

In a newly reported Department of Homeland Security intelligence bulletin, analysts describe a Russian disinformation effort to amplify claims that voting by mail is unreliable and vulnerable to fraud.
“Since at least March 2020, Russian malign influence actors have been amplifying allegations of election integrity issues in new voting processes and vote-by-mail programs,” says the bulletin, obtained by ABC News.
“These outlets also claimed that state election officials and policymakers leveraged the COVID-19 pandemic to justify politically-expedient decisions made on holding primary elections and implementing new voting processes and vote-by-mail programs allegedly designed to benefit specific candidates and influence election outcomes,” it continues, adding that Russian actors were specifically stressing that an influx of mailed ballots would overtax the postal service and local election boards.
The analysts who wrote the memo, which was not intended for public release, said that they had “high confidence” in the assessment.
A new @DHSgov intelligence bulletin warns of Russian disinformation on mail-in voting: “We assess that Russia is likely to continue amplifying criticisms of vote-by-mail and shifting voting processes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to undermine public trust in the electoral process” pic.twitter.com/mZAUzEKbud — jonkarl (@jonkarl) September 3, 2020
Another section of the bulletin details how Russian actors tried to sow the seeds of discord around the Democratic primary earlier this year to undermine Joe Biden’s candidacy.
“In the Iowa Caucuses in February, Russian state media and proxy websites claimed that the contest was fixed in favor of establishment candidates and that technical difficulties with the caucusing mobile voting application led to ballot manipulation,” it says. “These outlets continued this narrative into March 2020, claiming that the Democratic Party made a corrupt back-room deal to orchestrate the exit of establishment candidates to consolidate the vote behind former Vice President Biden in advance of the Super Tuesday primary elections.”
Trump has been a consistent and vocal opponent of voting by mail, making frequent evidence-free assertions that the system is rife with fraud and will lead to a “rigged” election. On Wednesday, he encouraged an audience in North Carolina to vote in person and by mail (a felony in the state) — a gambit, he said, that would make sure the mail system actually works. His posture has been echoed by Republicans nationwide, some of whom have employed the specious fraud arguments as they push to bar voting accessibility measures like drop boxes.
For the second time in two days, intelligence leaked from DHS shows that Trump and his campaign have been employing the same tactics as malicious Russian actors trying to undermine the fall election. The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
On Wednesday, ABC News obtained another bulletin detailing a Russian attack plan to target Biden’s mental health and fitness. Trump has been painting Biden as senile and incompetent all campaign long, from labeling him “sleepy Joe” to splicing together clips of the former Vice President stumbling over his words for campaign ads.
In that case, higher-ups in DHS — seemingly including then-acting Secretary Chad Wolf — intervened before the bulletin could be circulated to the agency’s federal, state and local law enforcement partners, effectively suppressing it. It is not clear if the vote-by-mail bulletin was also stymied; DHS did not respond to TPM’s questions.
Read the bulletin, published by ABC News, here: