talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-06--Atlanta Mayor Recounts Her ‘Startling’ Reaction To Testing Positive For COVID-19

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced on Monday that she tested positive for COVID-19 despite experiencing no symptoms .
During an interview on MSNBC shortly after tweeting her COVID-19 diagnosis , Bottoms recalled how she reacted upon testing positive despite taking “ serious precautions.
” After saying that she ’ s “ processing all of this , ” Bottoms said that she was prompted to get tested for the coronavirus due to how her husband has “ been sleeping since Thursday , ” which is highly unusual for him .
Bottoms pointed out that she and her husband tested negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ shock ” to now test positive because what she has seen with him is “ not out of the ordinary for seasonal allergies.
” “ It leaves me for a loss of words because I think it really speaks to how contagious this virus is , and we have taken all of the precautions that you can possibly take , ” Bottoms said .
“ We wear masks , we ’ re very thoughtful about washing our hands .
I have no idea when and where we were exposed.
” When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling , Bottoms reiterated the he ’ s been sleeping a lot and that she feels fine .
Bottoms noted that she suffers from allergies and that “ aside from just a mild cough and a headache , ” there has been a lot going on in Atlanta that is “ enough to give you a headache.
” Bottoms later outlined her plans in how she will continue leading her city , saying that she will work in her home office for the next two weeks and pray that the rest of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that her COVID-19 diagnosis is “ startling ” for her “ because we ’ ve been so very careful.
” “ But certainly we are not immune , and , again , this is just a lesson to everyone that you have to take every single symptom seriously , ” Bottoms said .
“ And as I see this growing list of symptoms , you can ’ t assume that it ’ s just seasonal allergies .
You can ’ t assume a mild cough are seasonal allergies .
We all need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tested regularly because this is probably my second test within a month .
I was tested right after the funeral for Rayshard Brooks , because I was in a large crowd , and then tested again and now I ’ ve tested positive.
” Bottoms went on to say that when it comes to COVID-19 testing in Atlanta , “ the challenge is the results ” due to a backlog .
Bottoms then argued that the key to managing and containing COVID-19 is contact tracing .
“ We have to do better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other side of COVID-19 .
We keep making the same mistakes over and over again , ” Bottoms said .
“ And this is why we keep getting the same results over and over again .
This is why the numbers are going up so high .
”

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced on Monday that she tested positive for COVID-19 despite experiencing no symptoms.
COVID-19 has literally hit home. I have had NO symptoms and have tested positive. — Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) July 6, 2020
During an interview on MSNBC shortly after tweeting her COVID-19 diagnosis, Bottoms recalled how she reacted upon testing positive despite taking “serious precautions.”
After saying that she’s “processing all of this,” Bottoms said that she was prompted to get tested for the coronavirus due to how her husband has “been sleeping since Thursday,” which is highly unusual for him. Bottoms pointed out that she and her husband tested negative two weeks ago and that it was a “shock” to now test positive because what she has seen with him is “not out of the ordinary for seasonal allergies.”
“It leaves me for a loss of words because I think it really speaks to how contagious this virus is, and we have taken all of the precautions that you can possibly take,” Bottoms said. “We wear masks, we’re very thoughtful about washing our hands. I have no idea when and where we were exposed.”
When asked how she and her husband are feeling, Bottoms reiterated the he’s been sleeping a lot and that she feels fine. Bottoms noted that she suffers from allergies and that “aside from just a mild cough and a headache,” there has been a lot going on in Atlanta that is “enough to give you a headache.”
Bottoms later outlined her plans in how she will continue leading her city, saying that she will work in her home office for the next two weeks and pray that the rest of her family is healthy.
Bottoms emphasized again that her COVID-19 diagnosis is “startling” for her “because we’ve been so very careful.”
“But certainly we are not immune, and, again, this is just a lesson to everyone that you have to take every single symptom seriously,” Bottoms said. “And as I see this growing list of symptoms, you can’t assume that it’s just seasonal allergies. You can’t assume a mild cough are seasonal allergies. We all need to be tested — and in my case, tested regularly because this is probably my second test within a month. I was tested right after the funeral for Rayshard Brooks, because I was in a large crowd, and then tested again and now I’ve tested positive.”
Bottoms went on to say that when it comes to COVID-19 testing in Atlanta, “the challenge is the results” due to a backlog. Bottoms then argued that the key to managing and containing COVID-19 is contact tracing.
“We have to do better if we are going to get to the other side of COVID-19. We keep making the same mistakes over and over again,” Bottoms said. “And this is why we keep getting the same results over and over again. This is why the numbers are going up so high.”
Watch Bottoms’ remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-06--Grassley Decides To Skip RNC Because Of ‘The Virus Situation’

Sen. Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) on Monday said that he has decided against attending this year ’ s Republican National Convention for the first time in 40 years because of “ the virus situation.
” Grassley , who has attended every RNC since taking office in 1980 , told reporters during a conference call on Monday morning that “ I ’ m not going to go ” to the convention in light of surging cases of the coronavirus across the country , according to the Des Moines Register .
This year ’ s RNC is set to be held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after being moved from Charlotte , North Carolina .
The Republican National Committee announced the move after both Gov .
Roy Cooper ( D ) and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles expressed concerns over holding the convention amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Last week , Jacksonville mandated that face masks be worn in public and indoor locations in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as Florida continues experiencing a record surge in cases .
On Monday , Grassley told reporters that moving the convention to Jacksonville is “ probably the right thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold the convention in a place “ where the governor feels that it ’ s safer , ” according to the Des Moines Register .
Grassley reportedly added that he thinks Republicans should have a convention but that it should be made “ as safe as possible ” with face masks and social distancing .
Grassley told reporters that he will wear masks at events across the state over the next two weeks , according to the Des Moines Register , but the paper reported that he doesn ’ t believe people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grassley said he will encourage attendees of his county visits to wear masks and social distance .
“ There ’ s generally a rule that if you ’ re six feet apart you don ’ t have to wear a mask , but I think doing both makes common sense and I ’ m going to encourage people to do both , ” Grassley said , according to the Des Moines Register .
Grassley ’ s office did not immediately respond to TPM ’ s request for comment .

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on Monday said that he has decided against attending this year’s Republican National Convention for the first time in 40 years because of “the virus situation.”
Grassley, who has attended every RNC since taking office in 1980, told reporters during a conference call on Monday morning that “I’m not going to go” to the convention in light of surging cases of the coronavirus across the country, according to the Des Moines Register.
This year’s RNC is set to be held in Jacksonville, Florida in late August after being moved from Charlotte, North Carolina. The Republican National Committee announced the move after both Gov. Roy Cooper (D) and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles expressed concerns over holding the convention amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week, Jacksonville mandated that face masks be worn in public and indoor locations in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as Florida continues experiencing a record surge in cases.
On Monday, Grassley told reporters that moving the convention to Jacksonville is “probably the right thing to do” since it makes sense to hold the convention in a place “where the governor feels that it’s safer,” according to the Des Moines Register.
Grassley reportedly added that he thinks Republicans should have a convention but that it should be made “as safe as possible” with face masks and social distancing.
Grassley told reporters that he will wear masks at events across the state over the next two weeks, according to the Des Moines Register, but the paper reported that he doesn’t believe people can be forced to wear masks.
Grassley said he will encourage attendees of his county visits to wear masks and social distance.
“There’s generally a rule that if you’re six feet apart you don’t have to wear a mask, but I think doing both makes common sense and I’m going to encourage people to do both,” Grassley said, according to the Des Moines Register.
Grassley’s office did not immediately respond to TPM’s request for comment.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-06--Int’l Students Taking Online Classes Because Of COVID Can’t Stay In U.S., ICE Says

International students could be forced out of the country if they take too many online only courses this fall — even though many universities are planning on using remote education to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
The requirement could pressure international students to transfer to schools that are still planning on holding classes in-person despite the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Nonimmigrant F-1 and M-1 students attending schools operating entirely online may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States , ” Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced in a press release Monday , referring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students .
“ Active students currently in the United States enrolled in such programs must depart the country or take other measures , such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status , ” ICE ’ s announcement added .
Some students will be allowed to take a mix of in-person and online classes , ICE said , but their schools must certify that they ’ re not taking classes entirely online , and that “ the student is taking the minimum number of online classes required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Reaction was swift from professors , lawyers and analysts who said the move prioritized in-person classes over safety .
“ This is a financial incentive to spread a deadly pandemic , ” said the Georgetown public policy professor Donald Moynihan .
Miriam Abaya , a policy analyst at the Young Center for Immigrant Children ’ s Rights , noted that students forced back home may have to contend with spotty internet connections and awkward time zone differences with their classmates stateside .
“ This makes it so difficult for these students to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for , ” she wrote .
The announcement adds to the chaos already plaguing college campuses .
Harvard University on Monday joined several other universities in announcing that it would hold all classes online .
But , as Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council observed , “ if the choice is stay at Harvard or leave the U.S. … many will choose to transfer.
” And there ’ s another COVID-related problem , he pointed out : “ [ M ] any countries have blocked travel from the United States right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotspot .
”

International students could be forced out of the country if they take too many online only courses this fall — even though many universities are planning on using remote education to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The requirement could pressure international students to transfer to schools that are still planning on holding classes in-person despite the coronavirus pandemic.
“Nonimmigrant F-1 and M-1 students attending schools operating entirely online may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced in a press release Monday, referring to the visa classifications for academic and vocational students.
“Active students currently in the United States enrolled in such programs must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status,” ICE’s announcement added.
Some students will be allowed to take a mix of in-person and online classes, ICE said, but their schools must certify that they’re not taking classes entirely online, and that “the student is taking the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program.”
Reaction was swift from professors, lawyers and analysts who said the move prioritized in-person classes over safety.
“This is a financial incentive to spread a deadly pandemic,” said the Georgetown public policy professor Donald Moynihan.
Miriam Abaya, a policy analyst at the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, noted that students forced back home may have to contend with spotty internet connections and awkward time zone differences with their classmates stateside.
“This makes it so difficult for these students to continue to get the education they paid for,” she wrote.
The announcement adds to the chaos already plaguing college campuses. Harvard University on Monday joined several other universities in announcing that it would hold all classes online.
But, as Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council observed, “if the choice is stay at Harvard or leave the U.S. … many will choose to transfer.”
And there’s another COVID-related problem, he pointed out: “[M]any countries have blocked travel from the United States right now — because we’re a COVID hotspot.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-06--Stone Shares A ‘300’ Meme To Again Attack Judge, Prove His Loyalty

Roger Stone equated his nearly-finished legal fight with the epic Battle of Thermopylae in his latest Instagram post , a legend that has taken hold in the imaginations and self-styling of the young and right-wing .
The meme , a badly photoshopped image from the movie “ 300 , ” features Judge Amy Berman Jackson as the Persian King Xerxes saying : “ All we require is that you bear false witness.
” Stone ’ s head , pasted atop Spartan King Leonidas ’ sword-wielding body , retorts : “ See , that ’ s going to be a problem… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post are familiar .
He has favored the “ bearing false witness ” line all throughout his trial proceedings to brandish his loyalty to President Donald Trump , who has retweeted speculation about a pardon for his friend and former adviser .
“ I flatly refused to bear false witness against the president who I have known and respected for over 40 years , ” Stone wrote .
The caption was trailed by a flock of hashtags reading “ # rogerstonedidnothingwrong ” and “ # saverogerstone.
” The publicity-loving Stone has used his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before , once posting a picture of her with crosshairs shortly after she imposed a partial gag order on him .
Stone apologized , but that post led the judge to ban Stone from speaking publicly about the case .
She eventually barred him from using his Instagram , Twitter and Facebook accounts due to his vigorous posting .
Many of his posts featured articles from right-wing media sites that included conspiracy theories denigrating the wide spectrum of Stone ’ s political enemies .
Jackson found that the posts were a violation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am wrestling with behavior that has more to do with middle school than a court of law , ” Jackson said in court then .
“ The goal has been to draw maximum attention.
” As campy as Stone ’ s latest meme is , the legend of the Battle of Thermopylae — with the badly outnumbered Spartans making a last , heroic stand against the sprawling forces of the Persian army — is a favorite among gun rights activists , Tea Partiers and white nationalists alike .
The phrase “ Molon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , ” Leonidas ’ supposed defiant response when Xerxes demanded that the Spartans surrender their weapons , has been appropriated by gun enthusiasts who believe their political foes want to take their firearms .
It has also become a catchall for Tea Party types who oppose intervention from the federal government .
A video posted on YouTube by user Aryan Wisdom in 2016 — and since viewed over 5 million times — has clips of “ 300 ” edited over with audio of President Donald Trump ’ s speeches , with images @ @ @ @ @ @ @ characters in the movie .
In this rendition , Trump , obviously , is the brave Leonidas .
Playing the evil Xerxes is George Soros , the billionaire philanthropist and constant rightwing boogeyman .
The Stone saga , which has spanned years , most recently saw Jackson okaying a delay in Stone ’ s surrender date until July 14 .
She had ordered him to stay under home confinement until then .
“ This will address the defendant ’ s stated medical concerns during the current increase of reported cases in Florida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will respect and protect the health of other inmates who share defendant ’ s anxiety over the potential introduction and spread of the virus at this now-unaffected facility , ” Jackson said .
She sentenced Stone to 40 months in prison back in February , after a jury convicted him of making false statements , witness tampering and obstructing Congress ’ Russia probe .

Roger Stone equated his nearly-finished legal fight with the epic Battle of Thermopylae in his latest Instagram post, a legend that has taken hold in the imaginations and self-styling of the young and right-wing.
The meme, a badly photoshopped image from the movie “300,” features Judge Amy Berman Jackson as the Persian King Xerxes saying: “All we require is that you bear false witness.”
Stone’s head, pasted atop Spartan King Leonidas’ sword-wielding body, retorts: “See, that’s going to be a problem…”
Stone’s flourishes on the post are familiar. He has favored the “bearing false witness” line all throughout his trial proceedings to brandish his loyalty to President Donald Trump, who has retweeted speculation about a pardon for his friend and former adviser.
“I flatly refused to bear false witness against the president who I have known and respected for over 40 years,” Stone wrote. The caption was trailed by a flock of hashtags reading “#rogerstonedidnothingwrong” and “#saverogerstone.”
The publicity-loving Stone has used his Instagram to paint Jackson as his enemy before, once posting a picture of her with crosshairs shortly after she imposed a partial gag order on him.
Stone apologized, but that post led the judge to ban Stone from speaking publicly about the case. She eventually barred him from using his Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts due to his vigorous posting. Many of his posts featured articles from right-wing media sites that included conspiracy theories denigrating the wide spectrum of Stone’s political enemies. Jackson found that the posts were a violation of his gag order.
“Once again I am wrestling with behavior that has more to do with middle school than a court of law,” Jackson said in court then. “The goal has been to draw maximum attention.”
As campy as Stone’s latest meme is, the legend of the Battle of Thermopylae — with the badly outnumbered Spartans making a last, heroic stand against the sprawling forces of the Persian army — is a favorite among gun rights activists, Tea Partiers and white nationalists alike.
The phrase “Molon Labe” or “come and get them,” Leonidas’ supposed defiant response when Xerxes demanded that the Spartans surrender their weapons, has been appropriated by gun enthusiasts who believe their political foes want to take their firearms. It has also become a catchall for Tea Party types who oppose intervention from the federal government.
A video posted on YouTube by user Aryan Wisdom in 2016 — and since viewed over 5 million times — has clips of “300” edited over with audio of President Donald Trump’s speeches, with images of various political figures overlaid onto the characters in the movie. In this rendition, Trump, obviously, is the brave Leonidas. Playing the evil Xerxes is George Soros, the billionaire philanthropist and constant rightwing boogeyman.
The Stone saga, which has spanned years, most recently saw Jackson okaying a delay in Stone’s surrender date until July 14. She had ordered him to stay under home confinement until then.
“This will address the defendant’s stated medical concerns during the current increase of reported cases in Florida, and Broward County in particular, and it will respect and protect the health of other inmates who share defendant’s anxiety over the potential introduction and spread of the virus at this now-unaffected facility,” Jackson said.
She sentenced Stone to 40 months in prison back in February, after a jury convicted him of making false statements, witness tampering and obstructing Congress’ Russia probe.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-06--White Woman Charged With Filing False Police Report After Calling 911 On Black Bird-Watcher

NEW YORK ( AP ) — A white woman who called the police during a videotaped dispute with a Black man over walking her dog without a leash in Central Park was charged Monday with filing a false police report .
In May , Amy Cooper drew widespread condemnation for frantically calling 911 to claim she was being threatened by “ an African-American man , ” bird watcher Christian Cooper .
On the video he recorded of the woman , he sounds calm and appears to keep a safe distance from her .
District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had charged Amy Cooper with falsely reporting the confrontation , a misdemeanor .
She was ordered to appear in court on Oct. 14 .
After the backlash , Amy Cooper was fired from her job and released an apology through a public relations service , saying she “ reacted emotionally and made false assumptions about his intentions.
” “ He had every right to request that I leash my dog in an area where it was required , ” she said in the written statement .
“ I am well aware of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race cause and would never have imagined that I would be involved in the type of incident that occurred with Chris.
” Amy Cooper ’ s 911 call inspired New York state lawmakers in June to pass a law that makes it easier under civil rights law to sue an individual who calls a police officer on someone “ without reason ” because of their background , including race and national origin .
The new law , which the governor also signed last month , holds an individual who makes such 911 calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or any other appropriate relief ” in a civil lawsuit .
Amy Cooper was charged under an existing false-report law that ’ s been long on the books and doesn ’ t reference race .
There was no immediate answer to a message seeking comment on Monday from her lawyer .
The confrontation began early one morning when Christian Cooper said he noticed Amy Cooper had let her cocker spaniel off its leash against the rules in the Ramble , a secluded section of Central Park popular with birdwatchers .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed the dog was “ tearing through the plantings ” and told her she should go to another part of the park .
When she refused , he pulled out dog treats , causing her to scream at him to not come near her dog .
Amy Cooper also warned him she would summon police unless he stopped recording .
“ I ’ m going to tell them there ’ s an African American man threatening my life , ” Amy Cooper is heard saying in the video as she pulls down her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dog .
“ There ’ s an African American man , I ’ m in Central Park , he is recording me and threatening myself and my dog .
… Please send the cops immediately !
” she says during the call before he stops recording .
Police say by the time they responded , they were both gone .

NEW YORK (AP) — A white woman who called the police during a videotaped dispute with a Black man over walking her dog without a leash in Central Park was charged Monday with filing a false police report.
In May, Amy Cooper drew widespread condemnation for frantically calling 911 to claim she was being threatened by “an African-American man,” bird watcher Christian Cooper. On the video he recorded of the woman, he sounds calm and appears to keep a safe distance from her.
District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said in a statement on Monday that his office had charged Amy Cooper with falsely reporting the confrontation, a misdemeanor. She was ordered to appear in court on Oct. 14.
After the backlash, Amy Cooper was fired from her job and released an apology through a public relations service, saying she “reacted emotionally and made false assumptions about his intentions.”
“He had every right to request that I leash my dog in an area where it was required,” she said in the written statement. “I am well aware of the pain that misassumptions and insensitive statements about race cause and would never have imagined that I would be involved in the type of incident that occurred with Chris.”
Amy Cooper’s 911 call inspired New York state lawmakers in June to pass a law that makes it easier under civil rights law to sue an individual who calls a police officer on someone “without reason” because of their background, including race and national origin.
The new law, which the governor also signed last month, holds an individual who makes such 911 calls liable “for injunctive relief, damages, or any other appropriate relief” in a civil lawsuit.
Amy Cooper was charged under an existing false-report law that’s been long on the books and doesn’t reference race. There was no immediate answer to a message seeking comment on Monday from her lawyer.
The confrontation began early one morning when Christian Cooper said he noticed Amy Cooper had let her cocker spaniel off its leash against the rules in the Ramble, a secluded section of Central Park popular with birdwatchers.
In the video posted on social media, he claimed the dog was “tearing through the plantings” and told her she should go to another part of the park. When she refused, he pulled out dog treats, causing her to scream at him to not come near her dog.
Amy Cooper also warned him she would summon police unless he stopped recording.
“I’m going to tell them there’s an African American man threatening my life,” Amy Cooper is heard saying in the video as she pulls down her face mask and struggles to control her dog.
“Please call the cops,” Christian Cooper says.
“There’s an African American man, I’m in Central Park, he is recording me and threatening myself and my dog. … Please send the cops immediately!” she says during the call before he stops recording.
Police say by the time they responded, they were both gone.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-06--Michael Flynn Celebrated July 4 By Taking An ‘Oath’ Referencing Bonkers QAnon Theory

The former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn celebrated Independence Day by taking an oath — one that ended with a reference to the bonkers conspiracy theory QAnon .
“ Where we go one , we go all !
” Flynn declared Saturday night , surrounded by a huddle others repeating after him .
“ God bless America !
” That first phrase is so emblematic of the QAnon movement that it ’ s frequently shortened to a hashtag : “ # WWG1WGA.
” The conspiracy theory , which is based on a series of anonymous message board posts by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump is at war with the “ deep state ” and an underground ring of pedophiles that includes prominent Democrats and Hollywood stars .
Flynn , the theory goes , is one of a number of good guys railroaded by deep state operatives .
Flynn ’ s oath represents another , more recent facet of the conspiracy : Accompanied by the hashtag “ # taketheoath , ” QAnon supporters repeat the same oath of office recited by newly elected lawmakers as a way to declare themselves “ digital soldiers.
” Flynn has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , an appeals court panel sided with Flynn and ruled that the Justice Department had a right to dismiss its case against him .
Flynn pleaded guilty in December of 2017 to lying to the FBI about his contact with the Russian government , but after a change in legal representation , he took an aggressive new tack and sought to drop his plea .
The DOJ subsequently dropped its case against Flynn in May , a move Attorney General Bill Barr his defended .
Travis View , host of the QAnon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ oath ” the previous night was “ part of a years long pattern of signaling to the QAnon community.
” Two years ago , View noted , Flynn was inscribing books with the “ Where We Go 1 We Go All ” slogan .
It ’ s also a family affair : Flynn ’ s brother Joseph did his own oath late last month : And Flynn ’ s lawyer , Sidney Powell , took an oath as well — though she recited the pledge of allegiance , not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t include a QAnon tagline at the end .
She told the Washington Examiner that the phrase “ Where We Go One We Go All ” was a reference to the engraving on a bell on President John F. Kennedy ’ s sailboat .
Flynn , Powell said , “ wanted to encourage people to think about being a citizen .
Don ’ t read anything else into it.
” But the attorney retweeted other oath-takers who made their QAnon allegiances explicit .
The wacko conspiracy theory has proven a potent political force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a QAnon meme before one of his dad ’ s rallies last month , and several congressional candidates — some of them serious competitors — have expressed their support for the movement as well .
Theresa Raborn , the Republican congressional nominee attempting to unseat Rep. Robin Kelly ( D-IL ) this November , responded to Flynn ’ s “ oath ” video with an “ AMEN and CONGRATS !
!
!
!
” and a hashtag : “ # WWG1WGA .
”

The former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn celebrated Independence Day by taking an oath — one that ended with a reference to the bonkers conspiracy theory QAnon.
“Where we go one, we go all!” Flynn declared Saturday night, surrounded by a huddle others repeating after him. “God bless America!”
That first phrase is so emblematic of the QAnon movement that it’s frequently shortened to a hashtag: “#WWG1WGA.”
The conspiracy theory, which is based on a series of anonymous message board posts by a supposed government insider, posits that President Donald Trump is at war with the “deep state” and an underground ring of pedophiles that includes prominent Democrats and Hollywood stars. Flynn, the theory goes, is one of a number of good guys railroaded by deep state operatives.
Flynn’s oath represents another, more recent facet of the conspiracy: Accompanied by the hashtag “#taketheoath,” QAnon supporters repeat the same oath of office recited by newly elected lawmakers as a way to declare themselves “digital soldiers.”
Flynn has had a good few weeks. Last month, an appeals court panel sided with Flynn and ruled that the Justice Department had a right to dismiss its case against him.
Flynn pleaded guilty in December of 2017 to lying to the FBI about his contact with the Russian government, but after a change in legal representation, he took an aggressive new tack and sought to drop his plea. The DOJ subsequently dropped its case against Flynn in May, a move Attorney General Bill Barr his defended.
Travis View, host of the QAnon Anonymous podcast, said Sunday that Flynn’s “oath” the previous night was “part of a years long pattern of signaling to the QAnon community.” Two years ago, View noted, Flynn was inscribing books with the “Where We Go 1 We Go All” slogan.
It’s also a family affair: Flynn’s brother Joseph did his own oath late last month:
And Flynn’s lawyer, Sidney Powell, took an oath as well — though she recited the pledge of allegiance, not the oath of office, and didn’t include a QAnon tagline at the end.
She told the Washington Examiner that the phrase “Where We Go One We Go All” was a reference to the engraving on a bell on President John F. Kennedy’s sailboat. Flynn, Powell said, “wanted to encourage people to think about being a citizen. Don’t read anything else into it.”
Powell subsequently told TPM in an email that “Neither of us knows Q or Qanon or follows anyone because of that, but we appreciate our Constitution, American Exceptionalism, Americans’ can-do spirit, American culture, the importance of our freedoms, liberty, and the Rule of Law.”
But the attorney retweeted other oath-takers who made their QAnon allegiances explicit.
The wacko conspiracy theory has proven a potent political force on the right: Eric Trump posted a QAnon meme before one of his dad’s rallies last month, and several congressional candidates — some of them serious competitors — have expressed their support for the movement as well.
Theresa Raborn, the Republican congressional nominee attempting to unseat Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) this November, responded to Flynn’s “oath” video with an “AMEN and CONGRATS!!!!” and a hashtag: “#WWG1WGA.”
This post has been updated.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-06--WH Struggles To Explain Trump’s Tweet Seemingly Defending Confederate Flag

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Monday attempted to defend President Trump ’ s tweet that baselessly accused NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace of creating a “ hoax ” following the controversy that ensued over a noose found in his garage stall last month .
In a Monday morning tweet , the President demanded that Wallace , the only Black competitor in the top-level Cup Series , apologize to NASCAR drivers and officials after an FBI investigation found that the noose had been in his garage stall months before it was assigned to him .
Trump added that the scandal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the noose in his garage stall along with NASCAR ’ s “ flag decision ” — referring to its move to ban the Confederate flag from its events late last month — caused the auto racing company ’ s ratings to tank .
Hours after Trump ’ s tweet , McEnany was pressed repeatedly on it during a White House press briefing .
When asked why the President appears to support the flying the Confederate flag , McEnany accused the reporter who posed the question of “ mischaracterizing ” the tweet and explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI ’ s investigation on the matter .
Asked again later in the briefing about the President ’ s tweet and whether he thinks NASCAR made a mistake by banning the Confederate flag , McEnany claimed that she spoke to Trump this morning and he told her he “ was not making a judgment one way or the other.
” McEnany then slammed the media for its coverage of the NASCAR scandal .
“ The intent of the tweet was to stand up for the men and women of NASCAR and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” McEnany said .
“ This rush of judgment of the media to call something a hate crime when , in fact , the FBI report concluded this was not an intentional racist act .
And it very much mirrors other times when there ’ s been a rush to judgment — let ’ s say with the Covington Boys and Jussie Smollett.
” When asked again whether Trump thinks it was a mistake for NASCAR to ban the Confederate flag , McEnany responded by accusing the reporter of “ focusing on one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President ’ s tweet .
“ The President said he wasn ’ t making a judgment one way or the other .
You are focusing on one word at the very bottom of the tweet , ” McEnany said .
“ That is completely taking it out of context and neglecting the complete rush to judgment.
” McEnany went on to repeat similar talking points throughout the rest of the briefing , arguing that the President ’ s tweet was intended to defend NASCAR men and women who are being accused of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI did not find a hate crime against Wallace and that it did “ not indicate approval or disapproval of that particular policy at NASCAR.
” NASCAR responded to Trump ’ s tweet shortly after the White House briefing ended by defending Wallace in a Monday afternoon statement .
“ We are proud to have Bubba Wallace in the NASCAR family and we commend his courage and leadership , ” NASCAR wrote in its statement .
“ NASCAR continues to stand tall with Bubba , our competitors and everyone who makes our sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Monday attempted to defend President Trump’s tweet that baselessly accused NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace of creating a “hoax” following the controversy that ensued over a noose found in his garage stall last month.
In a Monday morning tweet, the President demanded that Wallace, the only Black competitor in the top-level Cup Series, apologize to NASCAR drivers and officials after an FBI investigation found that the noose had been in his garage stall months before it was assigned to him. Trump added that the scandal prompted by Wallace’s finding of the noose in his garage stall along with NASCAR’s “flag decision” — referring to its move to ban the Confederate flag from its events late last month — caused the auto racing company’s ratings to tank.
Has @BubbaWallace apologized to all of those great NASCAR drivers & officials who came to his aid, stood by his side, & were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX? That & Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 6, 2020
Hours after Trump’s tweet, McEnany was pressed repeatedly on it during a White House press briefing.
When asked why the President appears to support the flying the Confederate flag, McEnany accused the reporter who posed the question of “mischaracterizing” the tweet and explained that it was aimed at pointing out the FBI’s investigation on the matter.
Asked again later in the briefing about the President’s tweet and whether he thinks NASCAR made a mistake by banning the Confederate flag, McEnany claimed that she spoke to Trump this morning and he told her he “was not making a judgment one way or the other.”
McEnany then slammed the media for its coverage of the NASCAR scandal.
“The intent of the tweet was to stand up for the men and women of NASCAR and the fans and those who have gone,” McEnany said. “This rush of judgment of the media to call something a hate crime when, in fact, the FBI report concluded this was not an intentional racist act. And it very much mirrors other times when there’s been a rush to judgment — let’s say with the Covington Boys and Jussie Smollett.”
When asked again whether Trump thinks it was a mistake for NASCAR to ban the Confederate flag, McEnany responded by accusing the reporter of “focusing on one word” at the bottom of the President’s tweet.
“The President said he wasn’t making a judgment one way or the other. You are focusing on one word at the very bottom of the tweet,” McEnany said. “That is completely taking it out of context and neglecting the complete rush to judgment.”
McEnany went on to repeat similar talking points throughout the rest of the briefing, arguing that the President’s tweet was intended to defend NASCAR men and women who are being accused of being racist, to point out that the FBI did not find a hate crime against Wallace and that it did “not indicate approval or disapproval of that particular policy at NASCAR.”
NASCAR responded to Trump’s tweet shortly after the White House briefing ended by defending Wallace in a Monday afternoon statement.
“We are proud to have Bubba Wallace in the NASCAR family and we commend his courage and leadership,” NASCAR wrote in its statement. “NASCAR continues to stand tall with Bubba, our competitors and everyone who makes our sport welcoming and inclusive for all racing fans.”
Watch McEnany’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-06--Simon & Schuster Moves Up Release Of Mary Trump’s Bombshell Memoir

Simon & Schuster , the publisher of Mary Trump ’ s tell-all book about her uncle President Donald Trump and the rest of the family , has scheduled the memoir to be released next Tuesday , two weeks earlier than originally scheduled .
“ Due to high demand and extraordinary interest in this book , ‘ Too Much and Never Enough ’ by Mary L. Trump will now be published on July 14 , 2020 , ” Simon & Schuster said in a statement .
Mary ’ s memoir , titled “ Too Much and Never Enough : How My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dangerous Man , ” was initially slated to be published on July 28 .
It promises to reveal her family ’ s “ dark history ” to explain how her uncle “ became the man who now threatens the world ’ s health , economic security , and social fabric , ” per the book ’ s page on Amazon .
Simon & Schuster also released the back cover of the book in which Mary Trump , who is a clinical psychologist , lays out how her uncle “ suffered deprivations ” as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for life.
” “ Today , Donald is much as he was at three years old : incapable of growing , learning , or evolving , unable to regulate his emotions , moderate his responses , or take in and synthesize information , ” she writes .
The book also reveals how Mary Trump became the primary source of the New York Times ’ explosive 2018 investigation into the Trump family ’ s tax evasion schemes .
Robert Trump , who is the President ’ s brother and Mary ’ s other uncle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simon & Schuster from releasing the book , claiming that his niece ’ s memoir was in violation of the NDA she had signed in an ugly court battle over Fred Trump Sr. ’ s will in 2001 .
However , the court order was reversed last week , giving Simon & Schuster the green light to proceed with the book ’ s publication .
Prior to the ruling , Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp stated that “ thousands ” of copies had already been shipped out by the time Robert Trump @ @ @ @

Simon & Schuster, the publisher of Mary Trump’s tell-all book about her uncle President Donald Trump and the rest of the family, has scheduled the memoir to be released next Tuesday, two weeks earlier than originally scheduled.
“Due to high demand and extraordinary interest in this book, ‘Too Much and Never Enough’ by Mary L. Trump will now be published on July 14, 2020,” Simon & Schuster said in a statement.
Mary’s memoir, titled “Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man,” was initially slated to be published on July 28. It promises to reveal her family’s “dark history” to explain how her uncle “became the man who now threatens the world’s health, economic security, and social fabric,” per the book’s page on Amazon.
Simon & Schuster also released the back cover of the book in which Mary Trump, who is a clinical psychologist, lays out how her uncle “suffered deprivations” as a child that would “scar him for life.”
“Today, Donald is much as he was at three years old: incapable of growing, learning, or evolving, unable to regulate his emotions, moderate his responses, or take in and synthesize information,” she writes.
The book also reveals how Mary Trump became the primary source of the New York Times’ explosive 2018 investigation into the Trump family’s tax evasion schemes.
Robert Trump, who is the President’s brother and Mary’s other uncle, got the courts to temporarily bar Simon & Schuster from releasing the book, claiming that his niece’s memoir was in violation of the NDA she had signed in an ugly court battle over Fred Trump Sr.’s will in 2001.
However, the court order was reversed last week, giving Simon & Schuster the green light to proceed with the book’s publication.
Prior to the ruling, Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp stated that “thousands” of copies had already been shipped out by the time Robert Trump filed his lawsuit.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-06--Trump Camp Pledges To Protect Iconic Rio Statue From ‘Radical Left’

President Donald Trump is standing up for America ’ s beloved statues — South America ’ s , that is .
Over the weekend , Trump ’ s reelection campaign ran Facebook advertisements pledging to “ protect ” the Christ the Redeemer statue — which is famously located in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil .
The Daily Beast first reported the ads Monday .
In all , the outlet tallied , the spots on Facebook and Instagram cost between $ 14,000 and $ 22,000 .
According to Facebook ’ s ad library , they were posted on Friday and made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a campaign issue of the “ far-left fascism ” behind activists ’ push to remove statues of Confederate generals and others from public view .
“ In our schools , our newsrooms , even our corporate boardrooms , there is a new far-left fascism that demands absolute allegiance , ” Trump said in a speech at Mount Rushmore Friday night .
“ If you do not speak its language , perform its rituals , recite its mantras , and follow its commandments , then you will be censored , banished , blacklisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not going to happen to us.
” The Facebook ads , which were posted on Trump ’ s political account as well as Vice President Mike Pence ’ s , were paid for by the Trump Make America Great Again Committee , a joint fundraising committee comprised of Trump ’ s reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee .

President Donald Trump is standing up for America’s beloved statues — South America’s, that is.
Over the weekend, Trump’s reelection campaign ran Facebook advertisements pledging to “protect” the Christ the Redeemer statue — which is famously located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Daily Beast first reported the ads Monday. In all, the outlet tallied, the spots on Facebook and Instagram cost between $14,000 and $22,000. According to Facebook’s ad library, they were posted on Friday and made inactive sometime after that.
Trump has made a campaign issue of the “far-left fascism” behind activists’ push to remove statues of Confederate generals and others from public view.
“In our schools, our newsrooms, even our corporate boardrooms, there is a new far-left fascism that demands absolute allegiance,” Trump said in a speech at Mount Rushmore Friday night. “If you do not speak its language, perform its rituals, recite its mantras, and follow its commandments, then you will be censored, banished, blacklisted, persecuted, and punished. It’s not going to happen to us.”
The Facebook ads, which were posted on Trump’s political account as well as Vice President Mike Pence’s, were paid for by the Trump Make America Great Again Committee, a joint fundraising committee comprised of Trump’s reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-06--WH Hoping Americans Will Just Grow Numb To Rising COVID-19 Death Toll

As President Donald Trump ’ s approval ratings continue to plummet , largely due to his failed response to COVID-19 , White House officials are reportedly now banking on America just getting used to the waves of deaths caused by pandemic still ravaging the nation .
The White House hopes Americans will “ grow numb to the escalating death toll ” ahead of the looming November elections , according to an alarming report by the Washington Post .
A senior official told the Post that the administration expects Americans will “ live with the virus being a threat , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes if it stops highlighting the virus , “ the base will move on and the public will learn to accept 50,000 to 100,000 new cases a day.
” NBC News put out a similar report late last week detailing the White House ’ s new strategy of desensitizing the nation to the casualties of the pandemic .
The bone-chilling revelations further expose President Donald Trump ’ s political motivations for repeatedly minimizing COVID-19 by not only falsely claiming that the virus is “ going away ” but also that 99 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Additionally , Trump has refused to wear a mask in public , and his campaign has not required supporters to wear masks at his recent rallies .
On Monday , the Trump campaign said it “ strongly encouraged ” rally attendees to wear facial coverings at an upcoming event .
Multiple states are seeing record-breaking numbers of COVID-19 cases lately , while the nation as a whole continually surpasses its seven-day average caseloads in the wake of several governors opting to lift stay-at-home restrictions even though the virus has yet to be contained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders are reversing course .
More than 15 states , including Arizona and Florida , are now halting or reversing rules allowing the businesses to reopen in response to the case surge .
There are now nearly 3 million COVID-19 cases and more than 130,000 deaths in the U.S. , per John Hopkin University ’ s tracker .
Vice President Mike Pence , who leads the White House ’ s coronavirus task force , has held only one press briefing with the team over the past two months .
He is scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House Situation Room on Monday afternoon , according to his official schedule .

As President Donald Trump’s approval ratings continue to plummet, largely due to his failed response to COVID-19, White House officials are reportedly now banking on America just getting used to the waves of deaths caused by pandemic still ravaging the nation.
The White House hopes Americans will “grow numb to the escalating death toll” ahead of the looming November elections, according to an alarming report by the Washington Post.
A senior official told the Post that the administration expects Americans will “live with the virus being a threat,” and an ex-official said the White House believes if it stops highlighting the virus, “the base will move on and the public will learn to accept 50,000 to 100,000 new cases a day.”
NBC News put out a similar report late last week detailing the White House’s new strategy of desensitizing the nation to the casualties of the pandemic.
The bone-chilling revelations further expose President Donald Trump’s political motivations for repeatedly minimizing COVID-19 by not only falsely claiming that the virus is “going away” but also that 99 percent of the cases are “totally harmless.”
Additionally, Trump has refused to wear a mask in public, and his campaign has not required supporters to wear masks at his recent rallies. On Monday, the Trump campaign said it “strongly encouraged” rally attendees to wear facial coverings at an upcoming event.
Multiple states are seeing record-breaking numbers of COVID-19 cases lately, while the nation as a whole continually surpasses its seven-day average caseloads in the wake of several governors opting to lift stay-at-home restrictions even though the virus has yet to be contained. Now, some of those state leaders are reversing course.
More than 15 states, including Arizona and Florida, are now halting or reversing rules allowing the businesses to reopen in response to the case surge.
There are now nearly 3 million COVID-19 cases and more than 130,000 deaths in the U.S., per John Hopkin University’s tracker.
Vice President Mike Pence, who leads the White House’s coronavirus task force, has held only one press briefing with the team over the past two months. He is scheduled to privately meet with the task force in the White House Situation Room on Monday afternoon, according to his official schedule.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-07--Florida Orders Schools To Reopen For In-Person Instruction In Spite Of Climbing COVID-19 Infections

Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran ( R ) issued an executive order on Monday requiring all schools in the state to reopen for in-person instruction in the upcoming academic year , even as coronavirus cases in the state climb unabated .
The order states that “ school districts and charter school governing boards must provide the full array of services that are required by law so that families who wish to educate their children in a brick and mortar school full time have the opportunity to do so.
” Barring advice or orders from the Florida Department of Health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order requires schools to offer full-time instruction “ at least ” five days a week for children of families who seek full-time in-person instruction even as many districts , including the Miami-Dade school system put forward alternative options for schooling , including models that would blend online and in-person learning .
The county ’ s Superintendent Alberto Carvalho praised the order in a tweet on Monday calling it “ fair and balanced.
” President Trump made calls on Twitter to reopen schools in the fall , accusing “ Corrupt Joe Biden and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools to reconvene for in-person instruction for “ political reasons , not for health reasons , ” that would somehow help Democrats gain the upper hand in upcoming elections .
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in keeping with the president ’ s messaging also tweeted that American education must be “ fully open and fully operational this fall ” – but failed to offer any kind of organized strategy for how to do so safely , leaving state and local officials once again to fend for themselves and make calls of their own .

Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran (R) issued an executive order on Monday requiring all schools in the state to reopen for in-person instruction in the upcoming academic year, even as coronavirus cases in the state climb unabated.
The order states that “school districts and charter school governing boards must provide the full array of services that are required by law so that families who wish to educate their children in a brick and mortar school full time have the opportunity to do so.”
Barring advice or orders from the Florida Department of Health and local health departments, Corcoran’s order requires schools to offer full-time instruction “at least” five days a week for children of families who seek full-time in-person instruction even as many districts, including the Miami-Dade school system put forward alternative options for schooling, including models that would blend online and in-person learning.
The county’s Superintendent Alberto Carvalho praised the order in a tweet on Monday calling it “fair and balanced.”
President Trump made calls on Twitter to reopen schools in the fall, accusing
“Corrupt Joe Biden and the Democrats” on Monday of not wanting schools to reconvene for in-person instruction for “political reasons, not for health reasons,” that would somehow help Democrats gain the upper hand in upcoming elections.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in keeping with the president’s messaging also tweeted that American education must be “fully open and fully operational this fall” – but failed to offer any kind of organized strategy for how to do so safely, leaving state and local officials once again to fend for themselves and make calls of their own.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-07--Duckworth Fires Back At Tucker Carlson, Invites Him To ‘Walk A Mile In My Legs’

After Fox News host Tucker Carlson accused Purple Heart recipient Sen. Tammy Duckworth ( D-IL ) of hating America , the senator reminded him on Monday night that between the two of them , only one lost both legs while serving in the U.S. military .
“ Does @ TuckerCarlson want to walk a mile in my legs and then tell me whether or not I love America ?
” Duckworth tweeted .
During his program earlier in the evening , Carlson had attacked Duckworth , who is reportedly a top candidate to be Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ deeply silly and unimpressive person ” after she asserted on Sunday that there ought to be a “ national dialogue ” in the debate over taking down statues of George Washington .
After playing a short clip of Duckworth ’ s remark , Carlson declared that Democrats “ actually hate America.
” “ We can not let them run this nation because they hate it , ” the Fox News host said .
“ Imagine what they would do to it.
” Duckworth , who is the first female double amputee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Purple Heart after she lost her legs in 2004 while serving in the Iraq War .

After Fox News host Tucker Carlson accused Purple Heart recipient Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) of hating America, the senator reminded him on Monday night that between the two of them, only one lost both legs while serving in the U.S. military.
“Does @TuckerCarlson want to walk a mile in my legs and then tell me whether or not I love America?” Duckworth tweeted.
During his program earlier in the evening, Carlson had attacked Duckworth, who is reportedly a top candidate to be Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s running mate, calling the senator a “deeply silly and unimpressive person” after she asserted on Sunday that there ought to be a “national dialogue” in the debate over taking down statues of George Washington.
After playing a short clip of Duckworth’s remark, Carlson declared that Democrats “actually hate America.”
“We cannot let them run this nation because they hate it,” the Fox News host said. “Imagine what they would do to it.”
Duckworth, who is the first female double amputee to be elected senator, was awarded a Purple Heart after she lost her legs in 2004 while serving in the Iraq War.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-07--The List Keeps Growing: Three More GOP Senators Will Skip RNC Next Month

Dominoes within the GOP keep falling as more senators are reportedly choosing to forgo the Republican National Convention set to take place in Jacksonville , Florida next month .
According to the Washington Post , Sens .
Susan Collins ( R-ME ) , Lisa Murkowski ( R-AK ) and Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) have now joined Sens .
Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) and Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) in opting out of their party ’ s convention as coronavirus cases continue surging across the country .
An aide for Collins told the Post that she will not travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but denied that this is a change in plans due to how the Maine senator has never attended national conventions during years when she will appear on the ballot .
Collins is up for re-election in November .
The offices of Collins , Murkowski and Romney did not immediately respond to TPM ’ s request for comment .
The Post ’ s report comes hours after a spokesperson for Alexander told TPM in a statement earlier Tuesday that he won ’ t attend the Republican National Convention “ because he believes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have not had that privilege before as he has had.
” Alexander ’ s announcement came a week after he doubled down on his call for everyone , including President Trump , to wear a mask to reduce the spread of COVID-19 , during a Senate coronavirus hearing .
Alexander became the second Republican planning to skip the event after Grassley told reporters a day before during a conference call that he wouldn ’ t attend the convention due to “ the virus situation , ” referring to spikes in coronavirus nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public to wear face masks in indoor and outdoor locations to slow the spread of COVID-19 as Florida continues experiencing a record spike in cases .
On Tuesday , Florida reported more than 7,000 more cases of coronavirus , bringing the total number of cases statewide to 213,794 .
The RNC was moved to Jacksonville after Gov .
Roy Cooper ( D ) and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles expressed health and safety concerns over holding the convention at its originally planned location of Charlotte , North Carolina amid the COVID-19 pandemic .

Dominoes within the GOP keep falling as more senators are reportedly choosing to forgo the Republican National Convention set to take place in Jacksonville, Florida next month.
According to the Washington Post, Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) have now joined Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in opting out of their party’s convention as coronavirus cases continue surging across the country.
An aide for Collins told the Post that she will not travel to Jacksonville for the RNC next month, but denied that this is a change in plans due to how the Maine senator has never attended national conventions during years when she will appear on the ballot. Collins is up for re-election in November.
The offices of Collins, Murkowski and Romney did not immediately respond to TPM’s request for comment.
The Post’s report comes hours after a spokesperson for Alexander told TPM in a statement earlier Tuesday that he won’t attend the Republican National Convention “because he believes the delegate spots should be reserved for those who have not had that privilege before as he has had.”
Alexander’s announcement came a week after he doubled down on his call for everyone, including President Trump, to wear a mask to reduce the spread of COVID-19, during a Senate coronavirus hearing.
Alexander became the second Republican planning to skip the event after Grassley told reporters a day before during a conference call that he wouldn’t attend the convention due to “the virus situation,” referring to spikes in coronavirus nationwide.
Last week, Jacksonville ordered the public to wear face masks in indoor and outdoor locations to slow the spread of COVID-19 as Florida continues experiencing a record spike in cases.
On Tuesday, Florida reported more than 7,000 more cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases statewide to 213,794.
The RNC was moved to Jacksonville after Gov. Roy Cooper (D) and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles expressed health and safety concerns over holding the convention at its originally planned location of Charlotte, North Carolina amid the COVID-19 pandemic.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-07--Despite Facing A Slew Of Charges, McCrae Dowless Files To Run For District Seat

McCrae Dowless , the infamous political operative behind an alleged absentee ballot scheme that got a North Carolina congressional election tossed in 2018 , filed for reelection Monday for his district supervisor position .
Currently , Dowless serves as vice chairman to the Bladen Soil & Water Conservation District .
The nonpartisan board is made up of three members who are elected and two who are appointed by the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission .
Each commissioner serves a four-year term .
The election will take place this fall , and Dowless will face two competitors as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taint from Dowless ’ alleged absentee ballot scheme in 2018 actually forced the re-do of some down-ballot races , alongside the congressional one — including the contest for one of the Soil & Water Conservation District slots .
But Dowless has bigger worries than an election coming down the pike .
He is still facing state and federal charges .
He was indicted last year on state charges , including two counts of felony obstruction of justice and perjury related to the absentee ballot fraud scheme , which he allegedly orchestrated to bolster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris in North Carolina ’ s 9th District .
The charges stemmed from his alleged absentee ballot harvesting in the 2016 general election , 2018 primary and the 2018 midterm election .
Dowless allegedly used tricks like changing up the ink and signatures to make them look legitimate and “ batching ” them , or submitting small groups at a time , to fly under the radar , according to a State Board of Elections report .
And this April , he was indicted on a new set of federal charges for allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was working on 2018 midterms , including Harris ’ campaign , he was also pocketing $ 14,203 in disability checks and retirement insurance benefits , according the indictment .
Meanwhile , unbeknownst to the Social Security Administration , Dowless allegedly raked in $ 132,365.57 from his work as a political operative .
If convicted , Dowless could be sentenced to years in prison .
Per North Carolina state election law , the outcome of those cases could affect Dowless ’ eligibility .
“ The notice of candidacy includes questions about any previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will require a further report on those convictions if there are any , ” said the State Board of Elections .
“ Active felons who have not had their citizenship rights fully restored ( full completion of any felony sentence , including probation , restitution , etc . )
are not eligible to be registered to vote or to run for elected office .
”

McCrae Dowless, the infamous political operative behind an alleged absentee ballot scheme that got a North Carolina congressional election tossed in 2018, filed for reelection Monday for his district supervisor position.
Currently, Dowless serves as vice chairman to the Bladen Soil & Water Conservation District. The nonpartisan board is made up of three members who are elected and two who are appointed by the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Each commissioner serves a four-year term. The election will take place this fall, and Dowless will face two competitors as of Monday’s filing deadline.
The taint from Dowless’ alleged absentee ballot scheme in 2018 actually forced the re-do of some down-ballot races, alongside the congressional one — including the contest for one of the Soil & Water Conservation District slots.
But Dowless has bigger worries than an election coming down the pike. He is still facing state and federal charges.
He was indicted last year on state charges, including two counts of felony obstruction of justice and perjury related to the absentee ballot fraud scheme, which he allegedly orchestrated to bolster the candidacy of Republican congressional candidate Mark Harris in North Carolina’s 9th District. The charges stemmed from his alleged absentee ballot harvesting in the 2016 general election, 2018 primary and the 2018 midterm election.
Dowless allegedly used tricks like changing up the ink and signatures to make them look legitimate and “batching” them, or submitting small groups at a time, to fly under the radar, according to a State Board of Elections report.
And this April, he was indicted on a new set of federal charges for allegedly defrauding the Social Security Administration.
While he was working on 2018 midterms, including Harris’ campaign, he was also pocketing $14,203 in disability checks and retirement insurance benefits, according the indictment. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the Social Security Administration, Dowless allegedly raked in $132,365.57 from his work as a political operative. If convicted, Dowless could be sentenced to years in prison.
Per North Carolina state election law, the outcome of those cases could affect Dowless’ eligibility.
“The notice of candidacy includes questions about any previous felony convictions of
the candidate, and will require a further report on those convictions if there are any,” said the State Board of Elections. “Active felons who have not had their citizenship rights fully restored (full completion of any felony sentence, including probation, restitution, etc.) are not eligible to be registered to vote or to run for elected office.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-07--Trump Says White House Will Pressure Governors To Reopen Schools In The Fall

President Trump expressed his desire to reopen schools in the fall during a White House event on Tuesday afternoon amid surging cases of the coronavirus across the country .
Trump first praised Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( R ) for doing a “ terrific job ” by ordering schools to reopen in the fall .
The President then added that his administration hopes that most schools in the country will open back up and that he hopes local officials won ’ t keep schools shuttered for “ political reasons.
” On Monday , Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools must reopen to students in-person when the academic year begins next month .
Corcoran ’ s emergency order came as Florida became the state with the third-highest number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. On Tuesday , Florida reported more than 7,000 more cases of coronavirus , bringing the total number of cases statewide to 213,794 .
Corcoran wrote in the emergency order that schools not only provide sites for academic learning , but also serve as places for students to attain “ nutrition , socialization , counseling and extra-curricular activities.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reopening schools is critical to the state ’ s economic success .
The President seemingly agreed with Corcoran ’ s sentiments during the White House event , arguing that the reopening of schools is “ going to be good for them politically ” and the White House plans to pressure governors into reopening schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ So they keep the schools closed — no way , ” Trump said .
“ So we are very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it ’ s very important.
” Trump reiterated that “ it ’ s very important for our country ” for schools to be open .
“ So we are going to be a lot of putting a lot of pressure on opening schools in the fall , ” Trump said .

President Trump expressed his desire to reopen schools in the fall during a White House event on Tuesday afternoon amid surging cases of the coronavirus across the country.
Trump first praised Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for doing a “terrific job” by ordering schools to reopen in the fall. The President then added that his administration hopes that most schools in the country will open back up and that he hopes local officials won’t keep schools shuttered for “political reasons.”
On Monday, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran issued an emergency order declaring that all public schools must reopen to students in-person when the academic year begins next month.
Corcoran’s emergency order came as Florida became the state with the third-highest number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. On Tuesday, Florida reported more than 7,000 more cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases statewide to 213,794.
Corcoran wrote in the emergency order that schools not only provide sites for academic learning, but also serve as places for students to attain “nutrition, socialization, counseling and extra-curricular activities.” Florida’s education commissioner also argued that reopening schools is critical to the state’s economic success.
The President seemingly agreed with Corcoran’s sentiments during the White House event, arguing that the reopening of schools is “going to be good for them politically” and the White House plans to pressure governors into reopening schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So they keep the schools closed — no way,” Trump said. “So we are very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools, to get them open, and it’s very important.”
Trump reiterated that “it’s very important for our country” for schools to be open.
“So we are going to be a lot of putting a lot of pressure on opening schools in the fall,” Trump said.
Watch Trump’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-07--Fauci: Taking Comfort In Lower COVID Death Rate Is A ‘False Narrative’

The nation ’ s top infectious disease expert warned Tuesday against taking comfort in the declining death rate of COVID-19 — just as the President did a few hours earlier .
During an event with Sen. Doug Jones ( D-AL ) , Anthony Fauci — director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — called celebrations of the declining death rate a “ false narrative.
” “ It ’ s a false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death , ” Fauci said .
“ There ’ s so many other things that are very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t get yourself into false complacency.
” Axios first flagged Fauci ’ s comments Tuesday .
The remarks contrasted directly with what President Donald Trump has said about the virus : Trump falsely claimed Tuesday that the United States ’ COVID-19 mortality rate was the lowest in the world .
The percentage of confirmed COVID-19 cases that end in death is higher in the United States than plenty of other countries .
Still , the mortality rate has decreased over time in the United States .
Fauci agreed with a reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ function of younger people being infected , and of treatment strategies becoming more effective .
“ We definitely are better now at treating individuals , ” Fauci said .
( Responding to the reporter ’ s third point , Fauci said it has not been established that the virus has weakened over time . )
The doctor also said Tuesday that , unlike other nations , the United States never returned to a “ baseline ” because of the regional nature of the virus .
“ We have peaked at a high level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 20,000 new cases confirmed daily for months .
That is , until states began attempting to “ reopen ” their economies , Fauci added .
Confirmed new cases have now hovered around 50,000 nationwide for several days in a row .
“ We now have a resurgence , ” Fauci said .

The nation’s top infectious disease expert warned Tuesday against taking comfort in the declining death rate of COVID-19 — just as the President did a few hours earlier.
During an event with Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL), Anthony Fauci — director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — called celebrations of the declining death rate a “false narrative.”
“It’s a false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death,” Fauci said. “There’s so many other things that are very dangerous and bad about this virus, don’t get yourself into false complacency.” Axios first flagged Fauci’s comments Tuesday.
The remarks contrasted directly with what President Donald Trump has said about the virus: Trump falsely claimed Tuesday that the United States’ COVID-19 mortality rate was the lowest in the world.
The percentage of confirmed COVID-19 cases that end in death is higher in the United States than plenty of other countries.
Still, the mortality rate has decreased over time in the United States. Fauci agreed with a reporter who asked Tuesday whether that was a function of younger people being infected, and of treatment strategies becoming more effective.
“We definitely are better now at treating individuals,” Fauci said. (Responding to the reporter’s third point, Fauci said it has not been established that the virus has weakened over time.)
The doctor also said Tuesday that, unlike other nations, the United States never returned to a “baseline” because of the regional nature of the virus.
“We have peaked at a high level,” he said, staying at around 20,000 new cases confirmed daily for months. That is, until states began attempting to “reopen” their economies, Fauci added. Confirmed new cases have now hovered around 50,000 nationwide for several days in a row.
“We now have a resurgence,” Fauci said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-07--Karl Rove Says Trump’s Confederate Flag Apologia Is A Bad Idea

GOP strategist Karl Rove , whom President Donald Trump has reportedly consulted for advice on his reelection campaign , asserted on Tuesday that the President tweeting in defense of the Confederate flag isn ’ t doing him any favors .
“ Did what the President tweeted on Monday advance the cause that he laid out on Saturday ?
” Rove said during a Fox News interview , referring to Trump ’ s bombastic speech at Mount Rushmore this weekend .
“ I think the answer is an unambiguous no , it did not.
” “ The President has a limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
When he tweets , it ’ s a powerful message , ” he continued .
“ And the question is does that message continue to advance the narrative that he and those around him decided that he would lay out on Saturday at Mount Rushmore ?
And the answer is no , it didn ’ t. ” Rove met with Trump , several Trump campaign aides , and GOP chair Ronna McDaniel at the White House in May to discuss strategy ahead of the November elections , according to Politico .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s 2020 game plan should be taken with a grain of salt .
Rove told Politico that while he occasionally connects with Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale , he isn ’ t involved in the campaign itself .

GOP strategist Karl Rove, whom President Donald Trump has reportedly consulted for advice on his reelection campaign, asserted on Tuesday that the President tweeting in defense of the Confederate flag isn’t doing him any favors.
“Did what the President tweeted on Monday advance the cause that he laid out on Saturday?” Rove said during a Fox News interview, referring to Trump’s bombastic speech at Mount Rushmore this weekend. “I think the answer is an unambiguous no, it did not.”
“The President has a limited number of days between now and the election. When he tweets, it’s a powerful message,” he continued. “And the question is does that message continue to advance the narrative that he and those around him decided that he would lay out on Saturday at Mount Rushmore? And the answer is no, it didn’t.”
Rove met with Trump, several Trump campaign aides, and GOP chair Ronna McDaniel at the White House in May to discuss strategy ahead of the November elections, according to Politico.
However, Rove’s influence over Trump’s 2020 game plan should be taken with a grain of salt. Rove told Politico that while he occasionally connects with Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale, he isn’t involved in the campaign itself.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-07--Trump’s Bogus Claim About Our ‘Lowest Mortality Rate’ Is Part Of A Pattern

The United States is still the overall COVID-19 champion of the world , and hundreds of people continue to die daily from the virus .
But listen to victory cries of President Donald Trump and conservative media and you might not realize it .
“ We have the lowest Mortality Rate in the World , ” Trump proclaimed on Twitter Tuesday , falsely .
That was a more extreme claim than just a day earlier , when the President tweeted that the U.S. COVID-19 mortality rate was “ just about ” the lowest in the world .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the United States isn ’ t close to the lowest in the world : Even accounting for our large population , we ’ ve done poorly .
According to Johns Hopkins University , nearly 40 Americans have died of COVID-19 per 100,000 people , second worst in the world behind only the United Kingdom .
And of all confirmed COVID-19 cases , the United States ’ case fatality ratio is 4.4 % , ranking seventh worst out of the 20 countries most affected by the virus , the university ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just talking about recent COVID-19-related deaths — which would paint a much better picture than overall deaths .
Out of those known to have the virus , a smaller proportion have died in recent weeks than overall .
But still , even by that metric , he ’ s wrong .
As the Washington Post ’ s Philip Bump noted Tuesday morning , at least 29 countries recorded fewer deaths as a percentage of total cases over the prior two weeks than the United States did .
Bump noted a bitter irony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity been better at the start of the pandemic , our overall case fatality ratio would likely be lower — though still , nothing to celebrate .
The White House didn ’ t respond to TPM ’ s request to provide some clarity regarding what mortality figure Trump was citing .
But he ’ s wrong pretty much however you cut it .
Daily Deaths Have Declined — But We ’ re Not Out Of The Woods It ’ s certainly true that the case fatality ratio has gotten better with time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For one thing , increased testing capacity means we ’ re now including many more people in our count of people sick with COVID-19 , including so-called “ asymptomatic ” people and otherwise mild cases who have a very low risk of death .
Also , as states have “ reopened ” their economies , younger people who are less likely to die of the virus have made up a larger share of newly confirmed cases .
Treatment has also advanced with time , as has the capacity of emergency rooms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data from late March through June shows the case fatality ratio in the United States as a gently downward-sloping hill : That ’ s good news !
Still , the White House and conservative pundits are spinning an overly optimistic version of this story — especially as the virus spikes in several states .
Take the article Trump appeared to cite in his tweet about the false mortality statistic on Tuesday , “ Coronavirus death rate keeps dropping even as alarm grows over summer surge , ” by the Washington Times ’ Valerie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have about the death toll : According to a recent CDC update , “ Mortality attributed to COVID-19 decreased compared to last week and is currently at the epidemic threshold but will likely increase as additional death certificates are processed.
” Both parts of the sentence are important : COVID-19 mortality has decreased , likely for the reasons discussed above .
But also , we don ’ t yet have a full picture .
Public health officials have cautioned that this lag in death statistics could spell trouble .
“ We know deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lag even more , ” Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Friday .
“ Deaths always lag , considerably , behind cases , ” Anthony Fauci , the administration ’ s top infectious disease effort testified last month .
But conservative voices — echoing the President — have looked on the brighter side of things .
The Washington Times reported that the good news about dropping mortality “ has been all but lost amid the alarm over the summer surge of COVID-19 cases and talk about a second shutdown.
” In an op-ed last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) accused the media and the left of aiming to create “ hysteria ” and cited the virus ’ falling mortality rate .
And the Daily Wire , Ben Shapiro ’ s hugely influential website , trumpeted that the CDC now “ Admits ” that COVID was “ On Verge Of Non-Epidemic Status.
” ( The CDC wasn ’ t “ admitting ” anything , it was just reporting statistics . )
The optimism over the mortality rate also misses the bigger picture : According to public data compiled by Woldometer , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India , Brazil , Iran and Russia — have surpassed or are close to surpassing the United States ’ daily death toll from the virus .
And even as the daily toll declines in the United States , hundreds of Americans are still dying daily from the disease .
As more data becomes available after-the-fact about causes of death , that number will rise retroactively .

The United States is still the overall COVID-19 champion of the world, and hundreds of people continue to die daily from the virus.
But listen to victory cries of President Donald Trump and conservative media and you might not realize it.
“We have the lowest Mortality Rate in the World,” Trump proclaimed on Twitter Tuesday, falsely.
“COVID-19 (China Virus) Death Rate PLUNGES From Peak In U.S.” A Tenfold Decrease In Mortality. The Washington Times @WashTimes Valerie Richardson. We have the lowest Mortality Rate in the World. The Fake News should be reporting these most important of facts, but they don’t! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 7, 2020
That was a more extreme claim than just a day earlier, when the President tweeted that the U.S. COVID-19 mortality rate was “just about” the lowest in the world.
It’s pretty straightforward to compare COVID-19 mortality rates, and the United States isn’t close to the lowest in the world: Even accounting for our large population, we’ve done poorly.
According to Johns Hopkins University, nearly 40 Americans have died of COVID-19 per 100,000 people, second worst in the world behind only the United Kingdom. And of all confirmed COVID-19 cases, the United States’ case fatality ratio is 4.4%, ranking seventh worst out of the 20 countries most affected by the virus, the university’s analysis found.
Well, maybe Trump was just talking about recent COVID-19-related deaths — which would paint a much better picture than overall deaths. Out of those known to have the virus, a smaller proportion have died in recent weeks than overall.
But still, even by that metric, he’s wrong.
As the Washington Post’s Philip Bump noted Tuesday morning, at least 29 countries recorded fewer deaths as a percentage of total cases over the prior two weeks than the United States did.
Bump noted a bitter irony: Had the United States’ testing capacity been better at the start of the pandemic, our overall case fatality ratio would likely be lower — though still, nothing to celebrate.
The White House didn’t respond to TPM’s request to provide some clarity regarding what mortality figure Trump was citing. But he’s wrong pretty much however you cut it.
Daily Deaths Have Declined — But We’re Not Out Of The Woods
It’s certainly true that the case fatality ratio has gotten better with time, likely due to a combination of factors.
For one thing, increased testing capacity means we’re now including many more people in our count of people sick with COVID-19, including so-called “asymptomatic” people and otherwise mild cases who have a very low risk of death. Also, as states have “reopened” their economies, younger people who are less likely to die of the virus have made up a larger share of newly confirmed cases.
Treatment has also advanced with time, as has the capacity of emergency rooms and available PPE supplies.
New York Times data from late March through June shows the case fatality ratio in the United States as a gently downward-sloping hill: That’s good news!
Still, the White House and conservative pundits are spinning an overly optimistic version of this story — especially as the virus spikes in several states.
Take the article Trump appeared to cite in his tweet about the false mortality statistic on Tuesday, “Coronavirus death rate keeps dropping even as alarm grows over summer surge,” by the Washington Times’ Valerie Richardson.
Richardson noted what several others have about the death toll: According to a recent CDC update, “Mortality attributed to COVID-19 decreased compared to last week and is currently at the epidemic threshold but will likely increase as additional death certificates are processed.”
Both parts of the sentence are important: COVID-19 mortality has decreased, likely for the reasons discussed above. But also, we don’t yet have a full picture.
Public health officials have cautioned that this lag in death statistics could spell trouble. “We know deaths lag at least two weeks and can lag even more,” Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Friday. “Deaths always lag, considerably, behind cases,” Anthony Fauci, the administration’s top infectious disease effort testified last month.
But conservative voices — echoing the President — have looked on the brighter side of things.
The Washington Times reported that the good news about dropping mortality “has been all but lost amid the alarm over the summer surge of COVID-19 cases and talk about a second shutdown.”
In an op-ed last week, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) accused the media and the left of aiming to create “hysteria” and cited the virus’ falling mortality rate.
And the Daily Wire, Ben Shapiro’s hugely influential website, trumpeted that the CDC now “Admits” that COVID was “On Verge Of Non-Epidemic Status.” (The CDC wasn’t “admitting” anything, it was just reporting statistics.)
The optimism over the mortality rate also misses the bigger picture: According to public data compiled by Woldometer, just a handful of countries — Mexico, India, Brazil, Iran and Russia — have surpassed or are close to surpassing the United States’ daily death toll from the virus.
And even as the daily toll declines in the United States, hundreds of Americans are still dying daily from the disease. As more data becomes available after-the-fact about causes of death, that number will rise retroactively.