talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-23--FL GOP AG Demands Investigation Into Bloomberg Bid To Help Ex-Felons Regain Franchise

Florida ’ s GOP officials will stop at nothing to prevent ex-felons from regaining the right to vote .
Florida ’ s Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a letter Wednesday that she was requesting an investigation into the efforts by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and others to pay off the court fees that were preventing , under a controversial GOP law , ex-felons from regaining their franchise .
The letter , which was reported by WRLN reporter Danny Rivero , was sent to federal and state law enforcement officials .
Moody said in it that she had initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the request of Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( R ) .
In a statement via her spokesperson , Moody confirmed the request and said that she had “ instructed the Statewide Prosecutor to work with law enforcement and any Statewide Grand Jury that the Governor may call.
” DeSantis ’ office did not respond to TPM ’ s inquiry .
The move is the latest example of the ruthlessness Florida ’ s Republican leaders have employed in trying to undermine a constitutional amendment , approved overwhelmingly by Florida voters in 2018 , restoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval , Florida GOP lawmakers rushed to pass legislation requiring that ex-felons pay off all fines and fees , a particularly daunting requirement given that the state has no centralized way of tracking felons ’ outstanding legal debts .
A federal judge partially blocked the law last year and in May , after a trial this spring , deemed the law unconstitutional .
Using an uncommon procedural move , the state fast-tracked the case to the full 11th U.S. Court of Appeals — skipping the three judge panel that had largely backed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
The full 11th Circuit , by a majority made up almost entirely of Trump appointees , formally reversed the trial judge ’ s ruling , prompting the push by Bloomberg and others to raise money for the fund set up to pay off the fines .
“ Florida created an unconstitutional system that prohibits people from voting until their debts are paid , ” said Julie Ebenstein , an ACLU attorney involved in the case against the law .
“ Now the state is objecting to those debts being paid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rather than collecting payment .
”

Florida’s GOP officials will stop at nothing to prevent ex-felons from regaining the right to vote.
Florida’s Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a letter Wednesday that she was requesting an investigation into the efforts by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and others to pay off the court fees that were preventing, under a controversial GOP law, ex-felons from regaining their franchise.
The letter, which was reported by WRLN reporter Danny Rivero, was sent to federal and state law enforcement officials. Moody said in it that she had initially looked into Bloomberg’s efforts at the request of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
In a statement via her spokesperson, Moody confirmed the request and said that she had “instructed the Statewide Prosecutor to work with law enforcement and any Statewide Grand Jury that the Governor may call.”
DeSantis’ office did not respond to TPM’s inquiry.
The move is the latest example of the ruthlessness Florida’s Republican leaders have employed in trying to undermine a constitutional amendment, approved overwhelmingly by Florida voters in 2018, restoring voting rights to ex-felons.
After its approval, Florida GOP lawmakers rushed to pass legislation requiring that ex-felons pay off all fines and fees, a particularly daunting requirement given that the state has no centralized way of tracking felons’ outstanding legal debts.
A federal judge partially blocked the law last year and in May, after a trial this spring, deemed the law unconstitutional. Using an uncommon procedural move, the state fast-tracked the case to the full 11th U.S. Court of Appeals — skipping the three judge panel that had largely backed the trial judge’s handling of the case. The full 11th Circuit, by a majority made up almost entirely of Trump appointees, formally reversed the trial judge’s ruling, prompting the push by Bloomberg and others to raise money for the fund set up to pay off the fines.
“Florida created an unconstitutional system that prohibits people from voting until their debts are paid,” said Julie Ebenstein, an ACLU attorney involved in the case against the law. “Now the state is objecting to those debts being paid. The state seems intent on preventing voting, rather than collecting payment.”
Read Moody’s letter below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-23--California Moves To Outlaw Gas-Powered Vehicles By 2035

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) — California will outlaw sales of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks by 2035 , Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday , a move he says will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35 % in the nation ’ s most populous state .
His plan would not ban people from owning gas-powered cars or selling them on the used car market .
But it would end the sales of all new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks in the state of nearly 40 million people .
“ Pull away from the gas pumps , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to state regulators to draw up guidelines .
“ Let us no longer be victims of geopolitical dictators that manipulate global supply chains and global markets.
” White House spokesman Judd Deere said Newsom ’ s order will hurt the economy and is “ yet another example of how extreme the left has become .
They want the government to dictate every aspect of every Americans ’ life.
” California is the world ’ s fifth-largest economy and Californians account for more than one out of every 10 new vehicles sold in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s order could have a huge impact on the country ’ s auto industry and the global effort to reduce pollution and combat climate change .
California already has rules mandating a certain percentage of new car sales must be electric or zero-emission vehicles .
This rule would make California the first U.S. state with a plan to phase them out completely .
At least 15 other countries have already made similar commitments , including Germany , France and Norway .
Tailpipe exhaust from cars , pickups , tractor-trailer rigs and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air pollution .
Jessica Caldwell , executive director of insights at the Edmunds.com auto pricing site , said Newsom ’ s announcement “ does seem like this is a significant shot fired against ” the internal combustion engine .
She expects the California announcement to trigger high-level meetings at all the auto companies which were moving toward electric vehicles but didn ’ t expect a zero-emissions mandate in 15 years .
Automakers may have to rethink manufacturing and capital spending plans because of the mandate , she said .
The Alliance for Automotive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ford , which Newsom lauded for its anti-pollution efforts , said that although the industry is committed to more electric vehicles and will work with California , markets can ’ t be built with mandates and bans .
CEO John Bozzella called for combined efforts involving local , state and federal governments as well as the auto industry and other businesses .
“ It will require increased infrastructure , incentives , fleet requirements , building codes , and much more , ” Bozzella said in a statement .
Roughly a dozen states follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards that are more restrictive than federal rules .
If those states follow suit on zero-emission vehicles , it could have a huge impact on the U.S. automobile industry .
Meantime , President Donald Trump wants to roll back tougher Obama-era auto emissions standards and is battling California to force it to comply .
Newsom ’ s order directs the California Air Resources Board to develop and approve regulations to meet the 2035 deadline .
He also ordered them to make a rule requiring all medium and heavy-duty trucks be 100 % zero-emission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phasing out gas and diesel-powered vehicles would mean less pollution threatening the health of Californians , said Fred Krupp , head of the Environmental Defense Fund .
It would be good for the state ’ s economy as well , Krupp said in a statement .
“ This plan positions California to win a new generation of jobs building affordable zero-emission vehicles — jobs that Europe and China are also hoping to capture , ” he said .
Newsom also directed state agencies to speed up development of charging stations across the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new fracking licenses by 2024 .
Fracking is a technique that allows energy companies to extract huge volumes of oil and gas from shale rock deep underground .
It involves injecting high-pressure mixtures of water , sand or gravel and chemicals into rock .
Fracking opponents say the chemicals involved threaten water supplies and public health .
Kassie Siegel , director of the Center for Biological Diversity ’ s Climate Law Institute , called Newsom ’ s order “ a big step ” but said it “ provided rhetoric rather than real action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate problem — California ’ s dirty oil production.
” “ Newsom can ’ t claim climate leadership while handing out permits to oil companies to drill and frack , ” she said .
“ He has the power to protect Californians from oil industry pollution , and he needs to use it , not pass the buck.
” California has a goal of relying 100 % on clean , renewable energy by 2045 .
Gasoline and diesel-powered cars and trucks are the biggest impediment to reaching that goal as they account for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s carbon pollution .
The order comes as massive wildfires have burned a record 5,600 square miles ( 14,500 square kilometers ) in California this year .
Experts say the size and intensity of the fires are aided by warmer temperatures and years of drought brought on by climate change .
Associated Press writers Tom Krisher in Detroit and Ellen Knickmeyer in Oklahoma City contributed to this report .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California will outlaw sales of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks by 2035, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday, a move he says will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35% in the nation’s most populous state.
His plan would not ban people from owning gas-powered cars or selling them on the used car market. But it would end the sales of all new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks in the state of nearly 40 million people.
“Pull away from the gas pumps,” Newsom said in announcing his executive order to state regulators to draw up guidelines. “Let us no longer be victims of geopolitical dictators that manipulate global supply chains and global markets.”
White House spokesman Judd Deere said Newsom’s order will hurt the economy and is “yet another example of how extreme the left has become. They want the government to dictate every aspect of every Americans’ life.”
California is the world’s fifth-largest economy and Californians account for more than one out of every 10 new vehicles sold in the U.S. — market clout that means Newsom’s order could have a huge impact on the country’s auto industry and the global effort to reduce pollution and combat climate change.
California already has rules mandating a certain percentage of new car sales must be electric or zero-emission vehicles. This rule would make California the first U.S. state with a plan to phase them out completely.
At least 15 other countries have already made similar commitments, including Germany, France and Norway.
Tailpipe exhaust from cars, pickups, tractor-trailer rigs and other transportation are the single largest source of air pollution. Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights at the Edmunds.com auto pricing site, said Newsom’s announcement “does seem like this is a significant shot fired against” the internal combustion engine.
She expects the California announcement to trigger high-level meetings at all the auto companies which were moving toward electric vehicles but didn’t expect a zero-emissions mandate in 15 years. Automakers may have to rethink manufacturing and capital spending plans because of the mandate, she said.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents most automakers including Ford, which Newsom lauded for its anti-pollution efforts, said that although the industry is committed to more electric vehicles and will work with California, markets can’t be built with mandates and bans.
CEO John Bozzella called for combined efforts involving local, state and federal governments as well as the auto industry and other businesses. “It will require increased infrastructure, incentives, fleet requirements, building codes, and much more,” Bozzella said in a statement.
Roughly a dozen states follow California’s lead on auto emissions standards that are more restrictive than federal rules. If those states follow suit on zero-emission vehicles, it could have a huge impact on the U.S. automobile industry.
Meantime, President Donald Trump wants to roll back tougher Obama-era auto emissions standards and is battling California to force it to comply.
Newsom’s order directs the California Air Resources Board to develop and approve regulations to meet the 2035 deadline. He also ordered them to make a rule requiring all medium and heavy-duty trucks be 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2045 “where feasible.”
Phasing out gas and diesel-powered vehicles would mean less pollution threatening the health of Californians, said Fred Krupp, head of the Environmental Defense Fund.
It would be good for the state’s economy as well, Krupp said in a statement. “This plan positions California to win a new generation of jobs building affordable zero-emission vehicles — jobs that Europe and China are also hoping to capture,” he said.
Newsom also directed state agencies to speed up development of charging stations across the state and called on the Legislature to eliminate new fracking licenses by 2024.
Fracking is a technique that allows energy companies to extract huge volumes of oil and gas from shale rock deep underground. It involves injecting high-pressure mixtures of water, sand or gravel and chemicals into rock. Fracking opponents say the chemicals involved threaten water supplies and public health.
Kassie Siegel, director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute, called Newsom’s order “a big step” but said it “provided rhetoric rather than real action on the other critical half of the climate problem — California’s dirty oil production.”
“Newsom can’t claim climate leadership while handing out permits to oil companies to drill and frack,” she said. “He has the power to protect Californians from oil industry pollution, and he needs to use it, not pass the buck.”
California has a goal of relying 100% on clean, renewable energy by 2045. Gasoline and diesel-powered cars and trucks are the biggest impediment to reaching that goal as they account for more than half of the state’s carbon pollution.
The order comes as massive wildfires have burned a record 5,600 square miles (14,500 square kilometers) in California this year. Experts say the size and intensity of the fires are aided by warmer temperatures and years of drought brought on by climate change.
___
Associated Press writers Tom Krisher in Detroit and Ellen Knickmeyer in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-23--Republicans Sue TX After GOP Guv Greenlights Expanding In-Person Early Voting For Pandemic

Texas , which refused to open up absentee voting during the COVID-19 outbreak , is now facing a GOP lawsuit challenging its move to expand early in-person voting for the pandemic instead .
The Texas Republican Party , along with some GOP members of its legislature and other Republican officials , have asked the Texas Supreme Court to block the state from beginning early in-person voting a week sooner than usual .
The lawsuit bashes Gov .
Greg Abbott ( R ) for signing an emergency COVID-19 measure that increased by a week the time offered for early in-person voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the order , Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughes is violating the state ’ s election code .
The lawsuit also challenges the state ’ s move to expand the period during which absentee voters — who must still have an excuse to qualify for a mail ballot — can submit their ballots in person at their local clerk ’ s office .
One of the plaintiffs , Houston conservative activist Steve Hotze , has been on a legal spree , filing lawsuits challenging emergency moves taken by Abbott because of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , the willingness of other prominent Texas Republicans , including state GOP chair Allen West and Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller , to join the latest lawsuit is notable .
Another plaintiff on the lawsuit , however , state Senator Donna Campbell ( R ) , has said she didn ’ t agree to joining the suit and asked that her name be removed from it , the Texas Tribune reported .
The challengers have used a procedural move to put the matter directly in front of the very conservative state Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state in keeping absentee voting limited during the pandemic .

Texas, which refused to open up absentee voting during the COVID-19 outbreak, is now facing a GOP lawsuit challenging its move to expand early in-person voting for the pandemic instead.
The Texas Republican Party, along with some GOP members of its legislature and other Republican officials, have asked the Texas Supreme Court to block the state from beginning early in-person voting a week sooner than usual.
The lawsuit bashes Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for signing an emergency COVID-19 measure that increased by a week the time offered for early in-person voting. It alleges that, by implementing the order, Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughes is violating the state’s election code.
The lawsuit also challenges the state’s move to expand the period during which absentee voters — who must still have an excuse to qualify for a mail ballot — can submit their ballots in person at their local clerk’s office.
One of the plaintiffs, Houston conservative activist Steve Hotze, has been on a legal spree, filing lawsuits challenging emergency moves taken by Abbott because of the pandemic, according to the Texas Tribune.
However, the willingness of other prominent Texas Republicans, including state GOP chair Allen West and Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller, to join the latest lawsuit is notable.
Another plaintiff on the lawsuit, however, state Senator Donna Campbell (R), has said she didn’t agree to joining the suit and asked that her name be removed from it, the Texas Tribune reported.
The challengers have used a procedural move to put the matter directly in front of the very conservative state Supreme Court, which previously sided with the state in keeping absentee voting limited during the pandemic.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-23--Wyden: RonJohn Stumbled Upon Evidence Of Trump Corruption In Ukraine Probe

Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) accidentally revealed more evidence of corruption in the Trump administration ’ s dealings with Ukraine in the course of his investigation into Hunter Biden , according to a letter from Sen. Ron Wyden ( D-OR ) .
In an unbelievable twist of irony , the corruption allegation has to do with a cabinet-level Trump official pressuring the Ukrainian government to alter the composition of the board of a Ukrainian energy company .
Lawmakers came across the evidence last week during the testimony of Amos Hochstein , who serves on the supervisory board of state-owned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hochstein told the investigation that former Energy Secretary Rick Perry “ inappropriately pressured the Ukrainian government ” to place a Houston-based businessman named Robert Bensch on the board of Naftogaz , while other DOE officials pressed Kyiv to sign an agreement with a “ private business entity connected to Mr. Bensh , ” the letter reads .
Wyden addressed the letter to the Department of Energy Inspector General .
He noted that the Senate Homeland Security and Finance Committees “ are concluding an investigation into potential conflicts of interest related to executive branch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States Government ’ s foreign policy in Ukraine.
” “ Witness testimony in this investigation has directly implicated former Secretary Rick Perry in alleged wrongdoing and the Department more broadly in a scheme to undermine anti-corruption efforts that were implemented by Ukraine in partnership with the international community , ” Wyden added .
ProPublica reported on the allegations surrounding Perry and Naftogaz earlier this month .
Sens .
Johnson and Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) had used the probe to further unsubstantiated smears that Biden had improperly pressured the Ukrainian government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burisma in order to protect his son , Hunter Biden , who sat on the firm ’ s board .
Senate Republicans released the resulting report Wednesday morning , noting that “ the extent to which Hunter Biden ’ s role on Burisma ’ s board affected U.S. policy toward Ukraine is not clear.
” A spokesman for Johnson did not return a request for comment .
A Democratic Senate Finance aide told TPM that uncovering new evidence of administration corruption “ was certainly not Republicans ’ goal.
” “ While Republicans ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing wrong , it succeeded in implicating former Secretary Perry in a corrupt scheme to pressure the Ukrainian government to change the board of Naftogaz , ” the aide said .

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) accidentally revealed more evidence of corruption in the Trump administration’s dealings with Ukraine in the course of his investigation into Hunter Biden, according to a letter from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR).
In an unbelievable twist of irony, the corruption allegation has to do with a cabinet-level Trump official pressuring the Ukrainian government to alter the composition of the board of a Ukrainian energy company.
Lawmakers came across the evidence last week during the testimony of Amos Hochstein, who serves on the supervisory board of state-owned Ukrainian oil and gas holding Naftogaz.
Hochstein told the investigation that former Energy Secretary Rick Perry “inappropriately pressured the Ukrainian government” to place a Houston-based businessman named Robert Bensch on the board of Naftogaz, while other DOE officials pressed Kyiv to sign an agreement with a “private business entity connected to Mr. Bensh,” the letter reads.
Wyden addressed the letter to the Department of Energy Inspector General. He noted that the Senate Homeland Security and Finance Committees “are concluding an investigation into potential conflicts of interest related to executive branch officials who are responsible for carrying out the United States Government’s foreign policy in Ukraine.”
“Witness testimony in this investigation has directly implicated former Secretary Rick Perry in alleged wrongdoing and the Department more broadly in a scheme to undermine anti-corruption efforts that were implemented by Ukraine in partnership with the international community,” Wyden added.
ProPublica reported on the allegations surrounding Perry and Naftogaz earlier this month.
Sens. Johnson and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) had used the probe to further unsubstantiated smears that Biden had improperly pressured the Ukrainian government to end an investigation of gas company Burisma in order to protect his son, Hunter Biden, who sat on the firm’s board.
Senate Republicans released the resulting report Wednesday morning, noting that “the extent to which Hunter Biden’s role on Burisma’s board affected U.S. policy toward Ukraine is not clear.”
A spokesman for Johnson did not return a request for comment.
A Democratic Senate Finance aide told TPM that uncovering new evidence of administration corruption “was certainly not Republicans’ goal.”
“While Republicans’ Ukraine investigation showed Vice President Biden did nothing wrong, it succeeded in implicating former Secretary Perry in a corrupt scheme to pressure the Ukrainian government to change the board of Naftogaz,” the aide said.
Read the letter here:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-23--‘Department Of Trump’: Biden Says DOJ Has Become Trump’s ‘Private Law Firm’

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Wednesday accused Attorney General Bill Barr of running the Justice Department as the “ Department of Trump.
” “ This has been the most corrupt administration in modern American history , ” Biden said .
“ The Justice Department has turned into the president ’ s private law firm.
” “ It ’ s become the Department of Trump , ” Biden said at a summit for Black business owners and educators in Charlotte , North Carolina , a key swing state in the 2020 election .
Biden said that if elected , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of him as president .
“ I will not direct them who to prosecute , how to prosecute , what to prosecute , ” Biden said .
“ I will not enter their decisions based upon the judgments they make about what cases they bring.
” The remarks come after a New York Times report last week revealed that the attorney general had asked the Justice Department ’ s civil rights division to investigate the possibility of criminal charges against Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan for allowing residents to establish a police-free protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report , Barr also told federal prosecutors to consider sedition charges for rioters and people who had committed violent crimes at protests in recent months .
Days after the death of Georg Floyd , Barr ordered the violent dispersal of demonstrators during the now-infamous presidential photo-op that led to the tear-gassing of peaceful anti-racism protesters in Lafayette Square .
Barr added fuel to a Trump conspiracy about the safety of the ballot box amid the expansion of mail-in voting and recently told a Chicago Tribune columnist that if President Trump is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ irrevocably committed to the socialist path.
” While Biden suggested on Wednesday that the politicization of the Justice Department was “ the most dangerous ” move made by the Trump administration , Barr went so far as to make the brazen claim that politics tempers prosecutorial power .
“ The most basic check on prosecutorial power is politics , ” Barr said at an event at Hillsday College last week , as if to defend his place as Trump ’ s de facto personal attorney .
“ It is counter-intuitive to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintain an apolitical system of criminal justice , ” he added .
Barr lodged himself deeper into Trump ’ s corner by calling strict measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus “ the greatest intrusion on civil liberties other than slavery.
” Earlier this month , Barr also appeared to side with Trump ’ s dismissal of issues regarding racial justice , suggesting that systemic racism , particularly in criminal justice , was not “ an epidemic.
” “ I don ’ t think there are two justice systems , ” Barr told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden put himself in direct opposition to both Trump and Barr on Wednesday , telling the summit group in Charlotte that “ we have a gigantic opportunity to fundamentally change the systemic racism and the systemic problems that exists.
” Among other plans , Biden reissued a commitment to spend $ 70 billion on historically Black colleges and universities , address student debt and dramatically increase the federal minimum wage to $ 15 an hour .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Wednesday accused Attorney General Bill Barr of running the Justice Department as the “Department of Trump.”
“This has been the most corrupt administration in modern American history,” Biden said. “The Justice Department has turned into the president’s private law firm.”
“It’s become the Department of Trump,” Biden said at a summit for Black business owners and educators in Charlotte, North Carolina, a key swing state in the 2020 election.
Biden said that if elected, the Justice Department will be “totally independent” of him as president.
“I will not direct them who to prosecute, how to prosecute, what to prosecute,” Biden said. “I will not enter their decisions based upon the judgments they make about what cases they bring.”
The remarks come after a New York Times report last week revealed that the attorney general had asked the Justice Department’s civil rights division to investigate the possibility of criminal charges against Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan for allowing residents to establish a police-free protest zone this past summer.
According to the report, Barr also told federal prosecutors to consider sedition charges for rioters and people who had committed violent crimes at protests in recent months.
Days after the death of Georg Floyd, Barr ordered the violent dispersal of demonstrators during the now-infamous presidential photo-op that led to the tear-gassing of peaceful anti-racism protesters in Lafayette Square.
Barr added fuel to a Trump conspiracy about the safety of the ballot box amid the expansion of mail-in voting and recently told a Chicago Tribune columnist that if President Trump is not reelected, then the nation would be “irrevocably committed to the socialist path.”
While Biden suggested on Wednesday that the politicization of the Justice Department was “the most dangerous” move made by the Trump administration, Barr went so far as to make the brazen claim that politics tempers prosecutorial power.
“The most basic check on prosecutorial power is politics,” Barr said at an event at Hillsdale College last week, as if to defend his place as Trump’s de facto personal attorney. “It is counter-intuitive to say that, as we rightly strive to maintain an apolitical system of criminal justice,” he added.
Barr lodged himself deeper into Trump’s corner by calling strict measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus “the greatest intrusion on civil liberties other than slavery.”
Earlier this month, Barr also appeared to side with Trump’s dismissal of issues regarding racial justice, suggesting that systemic racism, particularly in criminal justice, was not “an epidemic.”
“I don’t think there are two justice systems,” Barr told CNN in an interview earlier this month
Biden put himself in direct opposition to both Trump and Barr on Wednesday, telling the summit group in Charlotte that “we have a gigantic opportunity to fundamentally change the systemic racism and the systemic problems that exists.” Among other plans, Biden reissued a commitment to spend $70 billion on historically Black colleges and universities, address student debt and dramatically increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-23--Judge Orders Eric Trump To Testify Before Election Day In Trump Org Probe

A New York state judge on Wednesday ordered Eric Trump to sit for a deposition with the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James for a fraud investigation into his family ’ s real estate business prior to the November presidential election .
On Wednesday , Arthur F. Engoron , a state judge in Manhattan , ruled that Trump must answer questions under oath no later than Oct. 7 .
Eric Trump is an executive vice president for the Trump Organization .
Engoron ’ s order comes a week after Trump ’ s lawyers said he was willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happens after the November presidential election , arguing that he did not want his deposition to be used “ for political purposes.
” However , Engoron said he found Trump ’ s request for a delay was “ unpersuasive.
” James , who has been conducting a civil investigation into whether the President and the Trump Organization committed fraud by overstating assets to get loans and tax benefits , reacted to the ruling by saying that “ justice and the rule of law prevailed ” in a statement on Wednesday .
In her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ will immediately move to ensure that Donald Trump and the Trump Organization comply with the court ’ s order and submit financial records related to our investigation.
” James particularly praised the ruling for prohibiting Trump from delaying his interview and ordering his sit down with investigators to be conducted in her office no later than Oct. 7 .
“ To be clear , no entity or individual is allowed to dictate how or when our investigation will proceed or set the parameters of a lawful investigation , ” James wrote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order today makes clear that no one is above the law , not even an organization or an individual with the name Trump.
” Last month , James filed a lawsuit against the Trump Organization after accusing the President ’ s business of “ shield ( ing ) evidence from a lawful investigation into its financial dealings.
” “ They have stalled , withheld documents , and instructed witnesses , including Eric Trump , to refuse to answer questions under oath , ” James said in a statement last month .
James claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a subpoenaed interview on July 22 and canceled his scheduled testimony only two days before .
“ That ’ s why we ’ ve filed a motion to compel the Trump Organization to comply with our office ’ s lawful subpoenas for documents and testimony , ” James said last month .
“ These questions will be answered , and the truth will be uncovered , because no one is above the law .
”

A New York state judge on Wednesday ordered Eric Trump to sit for a deposition with the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James for a fraud investigation into his family’s real estate business prior to the November presidential election.
On Wednesday, Arthur F. Engoron, a state judge in Manhattan, ruled that Trump must answer questions under oath no later than Oct. 7. Eric Trump is an executive vice president for the Trump Organization.
Engoron’s order comes a week after Trump’s lawyers said he was willing to be interviewed under the condition that it happens after the November presidential election, arguing that he did not want his deposition to be used “for political purposes.”
However, Engoron said he found Trump’s request for a delay was “unpersuasive.”
James, who has been conducting a civil investigation into whether the President and the Trump Organization committed fraud by overstating assets to get loans and tax benefits, reacted to the ruling by saying that “justice and the rule of law prevailed” in a statement on Wednesday.
In her statement, James wrote that her office “will immediately move to ensure that Donald Trump and the Trump Organization comply with the court’s order and submit financial records related to our investigation.”
James particularly praised the ruling for prohibiting Trump from delaying his interview and ordering his sit down with investigators to be conducted in her office no later than Oct. 7.
“To be clear, no entity or individual is allowed to dictate how or when our investigation will proceed or set the parameters of a lawful investigation,” James wrote on Wednesday. “The court’s order today makes clear that no one is above the law, not even an organization or an individual with the name Trump.”
Last month, James filed a lawsuit against the Trump Organization after accusing the President’s business of “shield(ing) evidence from a lawful investigation into its financial dealings.”
“They have stalled, withheld documents, and instructed witnesses, including Eric Trump, to refuse to answer questions under oath,” James said in a statement last month.
James claimed that Trump refused to show up for a subpoenaed interview on July 22 and canceled his scheduled testimony only two days before.
“That’s why we’ve filed a motion to compel the Trump Organization to comply with our office’s lawful subpoenas for documents and testimony,” James said last month. “These questions will be answered, and the truth will be uncovered, because no one is above the law.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-23--Trump Privately Complains Jews Are ‘Only In It For Themselves,’ Blames Black People For Inequality

President Donald Trump has reportedly aired a host of anti-Semitic and racist complaints behind closed doors throughout his presidency .
According to a Washington Post report Wednesday , Trump has complained several times that Jewish people are “ only in it for themselves ” and “ stick together ” after getting off the phone with Jewish lawmakers .
The President has also said Black Americans don ’ t have initiative and are primarily at fault for racial inequality .
A former Trump official told the Post that while Trump isn ’ t a white supremacist , the President has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his base includes factions that trend in that direction , ” leading him to repeatedly defend Confederate symbols , for example .
White House spokesperson Sarah Matthews claimed in a statement that Trump ’ s “ record as a private citizen and as President has been one of fighting for inclusion and advocating for the equal treatment of all.
” “ Anyone who suggests otherwise is only seeking to sow division , ” said Matthews .
The Post ’ s report emerges as Trump targets what he calls “ anti-American ” workplace trainings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privilege and the ways in which systemic racism still plagues the country .
Trump ’ s private comments about Black people also echo moments during his interviews with journalist Bob Woodward that saw the President scoff at the idea that privileged white men like himself have a responsibility to understand the pain of Black Americans .
“ You really drank the Kool-Aid , didn ’ t you ?
Just listen to you , ” Trump said with a laugh when Woodward asked him about the issue .
“ Wow .
No , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

President Donald Trump has reportedly aired a host of anti-Semitic and racist complaints behind closed doors throughout his presidency.
According to a Washington Post report Wednesday, Trump has complained several times that Jewish people are “only in it for themselves” and “stick together” after getting off the phone with Jewish lawmakers.
The President has also said Black Americans don’t have initiative and are primarily at fault for racial inequality.
A former Trump official told the Post that while Trump isn’t a white supremacist, the President has a “general awareness that one component of his base includes factions that trend in that direction,” leading him to repeatedly defend Confederate symbols, for example.
White House spokesperson Sarah Matthews claimed in a statement that Trump’s “record as a private citizen and as President has been one of fighting for inclusion and advocating for the equal treatment of all.”
“Anyone who suggests otherwise is only seeking to sow division,” said Matthews.
The Post’s report emerges as Trump targets what he calls “anti-American” workplace trainings and school lessons that teach about white privilege and the ways in which systemic racism still plagues the country.
Trump’s private comments about Black people also echo moments during his interviews with journalist Bob Woodward that saw the President scoff at the idea that privileged white men like himself have a responsibility to understand the pain of Black Americans.
“You really drank the Kool-Aid, didn’t you? Just listen to you,” Trump said with a laugh when Woodward asked him about the issue. “Wow. No, I don’t feel that at all.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-23--Birx Privately Unsure How Much Longer She’ll Remain On WH COVID Task Force

Dr. Deborah Birx , one of the White House ’ s leading COVID-19 experts , has reportedly grown disillusioned with her diminished role on the task force .
CNN reported on Wednesday that Birx ’ s distress is rooted in the addition of Dr. Scott Atlas , who peddles misleading but Trump-friendly talking points about the pandemic , to the response team .
Meanwhile , Birx has been largely relegated to the sidelines in stark contrast to her previous role as the White House ’ s top COVID-19 expert who regularly stood by Trump ’ s side during his press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somebody who matches what he wants to believe , ” a source told CNN .
“ There is no doubt that she feels that her role has been diminished.
” Birx is reportedly unsure whether she ’ ll remain on the task force .
She is currently traveling across the country to inform communities of protective measures they can take against the virus , such as wearing masks .
Atlas , who is not an epidemiologist , has propped up President Donald Trump ’ s push for schools to reopen and floated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat the virus .
Atlas ’ comments spurred 78 doctors and researchers at Stanford Medical School to issue a joint letter condemning his “ falsehoods and misrepresentations of science.
” In response , Atlas sicced Trump ’ s lawyer on the school ’ s faculty .

Dr. Deborah Birx, one of the White House’s leading COVID-19 experts, has reportedly grown disillusioned with her diminished role on the task force.
CNN reported on Wednesday that Birx’s distress is rooted in the addition of Dr. Scott Atlas, who peddles misleading but Trump-friendly talking points about the pandemic, to the response team. Meanwhile, Birx has been largely relegated to the sidelines in stark contrast to her previous role as the White House’s top COVID-19 expert who regularly stood by Trump’s side during his press briefings.
“The President has found somebody who matches what he wants to believe,” a source told CNN. “There is no doubt that she feels that her role has been diminished.”
Birx is reportedly unsure whether she’ll remain on the task force. She is currently traveling across the country to inform communities of protective measures they can take against the virus, such as wearing masks.
Atlas, who is not an epidemiologist, has propped up President Donald Trump’s push for schools to reopen and floated the controversial “herd immunity” strategy to combat the virus.
Atlas’ comments spurred 78 doctors and researchers at Stanford Medical School to issue a joint letter condemning his “falsehoods and misrepresentations of science.” In response, Atlas sicced Trump’s lawyer on the school’s faculty.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-23--Grand Jury Indicts One Officer In Breonna Taylor Death

A grand jury in the case of Breonna Taylor ’ s fatal shooting by Louisville police on Wednesday indicted one officer on three counts of wanton endangerment .
Although former Louisville Metro Police Department Detective Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment by the grand jury , the two other officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor — Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove — were not indicted .
In explaining the charges , Judge Annie O ’ Connell said that Hankison “ wantonly shot a gun ” into adjoining Apartment 3 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were identified by initials , did not include “ BT ” for Taylor .
The bond for Hankinson was set at $ 15,000 .
The indictment comes six months after Taylor ’ s death , which has become a rallying cry for protesters demanding justice in the case .
In a press conference shortly after the grand jury ’ s indictment announcement , Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron began by expressing his condolences to Taylor ’ s family .
“ Every day this family wakes up to the realization that someone they loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cameron said .
“ There ’ s nothing I can offer today to take away the grief and heartache this family is experiencing as a result of losing a child.
” Cameron said the other two officers who weren ’ t indicted by the grand jury were “ justified in their use of force.
” Cameron said Cosgrove ’ s and Mattingly ’ s actions on the night of Taylor death were justified because Kenneth Walker , Taylor ’ s boyfriend , fired first .
“ Our investigation found that Mattingly and Cosgrove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after having been fired upon by Kenneth Walker , ” Cameron said .
After announcing that the grand jury voted to return an indictment for three felony counts of wanton endangerment against Hankison , Cameron said that if convicted , he “ can serve up to five years for each count.
” “ My office is prepared to prove these charges at trial , ” Cameron said .
“ However , it ’ s important to note he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
” Cameron went on to vow that his office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges against Hankison and that he was creating “ a task force to review the process for securing securing and executing search warrants in Kentucky.
” Cameron said that the task force will include members of the public , law enforcement , elected officials , defense attorneys and representatives from the judiciary .
Last week , Louisville reached a settlement with Taylor ’ s mother , Tamika Palmer , in a lawsuit against the three officers in the case by agreeing to pay her $ 12 million and enact police reforms .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cameron ’ s office , which has been investigating Taylor ’ s fatal shooting since May , presented its findings to the jury earlier this week .
Ahead of the charging decision , Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer implemented a 72-hour curfew , effective Wednesday night , from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m in anticipation of heightened unrest .
LMPD interim Chief Robert Schroeder said that Kentucky National Guard members would be in the city following Cameron ’ s press conference , but did not specify how many guardsmembers would be deployed .

A grand jury in the case of Breonna Taylor’s fatal shooting by Louisville police on Wednesday indicted one officer on three counts of wanton endangerment.
Although former Louisville Metro Police Department Detective Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment by the grand jury, the two other officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor — Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove — were not indicted.
In explaining the charges, Judge Annie O’Connell said that Hankison “wantonly shot a gun” into adjoining Apartment 3. The occupants of that apartment, which were identified by initials, did not include “BT” for Taylor.
The bond for Hankinson was set at $15,000.
The indictment comes six months after Taylor’s death, which has become a rallying cry for protesters demanding justice in the case.
Ben Crump, a lawyer representing Taylor’s family, called Hankison’s indictment as “outrageous and offensive.”
Jefferson County Grand Jury indicts former ofc. Brett Hankison with 3 counts of Wanton Endangerment in 1st Degree for bullets that went into other apartments but NOTHING for the murder of Breonna Taylor. This is outrageous and offensive! pic.twitter.com/EarmBAhhuf — Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) September 23, 2020
In a press conference shortly after the grand jury’s indictment announcement, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron began by expressing his condolences to Taylor’s family.
“Every day this family wakes up to the realization that someone they loved is no longer with them,” Cameron said. “There’s nothing I can offer today to take away the grief and heartache this family is experiencing as a result of losing a child.”
Cameron said the other two officers who weren’t indicted by the grand jury were “justified in their use of force.”
Cameron said Cosgrove’s and Mattingly’s actions on the night of Taylor death were justified because Kenneth Walker, Taylor’s boyfriend, fired first.
“Our investigation found that Mattingly and Cosgrove were justified in their use of force after having been fired upon by Kenneth Walker,” Cameron said.
After announcing that the grand jury voted to return an indictment for three felony counts of wanton endangerment against Hankison, Cameron said that if convicted, he “can serve up to five years for each count.”
“My office is prepared to prove these charges at trial,” Cameron said. “However, it’s important to note he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
Cameron went on to vow that his office will “vigorously prosecute” the criminal charges against Hankison and that he was creating “a task force to review the process for securing securing and executing search warrants in Kentucky.” Cameron said that the task force will include members of the public, law enforcement, elected officials, defense attorneys and representatives from the judiciary.
Last week, Louisville reached a settlement with Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, in a lawsuit against the three officers in the case by agreeing to pay her $12 million and enact police reforms.
The grand jury’s decision comes after Cameron’s office, which has been investigating Taylor’s fatal shooting since May, presented its findings to the jury earlier this week.
Ahead of the charging decision, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer implemented a 72-hour curfew, effective Wednesday night, from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m in anticipation of heightened unrest. LMPD interim Chief Robert Schroeder said that Kentucky National Guard members would be in the city following Cameron’s press conference, but did not specify how many guardsmembers would be deployed.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-24--Trump ‘Prepared’ To Send Feds To KY After Shooting Of Two Cops Amid Unrest Over Breonna Taylor Case

President Donald Trump stated he was “ prepared ” to send federal law enforcement to crack down on protests in Louisville , Kentucky on Wednesday night after two police officers were shot during the unrest over a grand jury ’ s decision not to indict the officers involved in the Breonna Taylor shooting for her death .
“ Praying for the two police officers that were shot tonight in Louisville , Kentucky , ” Trump tweeted .
“ The Federal Government stands behind you and is ready to help .
Spoke to @ GovAndyBeshear and we are prepared to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ LAW & ORDER !
” he tweeted several hours later shortly after midnight .
Protests erupted in the streets of Louisville on Wednesday after a grand jury declined to charge any of the police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor for homicide .
Two police officers were shot during demonstrations and have been hospitalized for non-threatening injuries .
Authorities reported that the suspect is in custody .
During a press briefing earlier on Wednesday , Trump praised Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron ’ s ( R ) “ really brilliant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The President ’ s tweets on Wednesday night are yet another instance of his hostile response to protests against police brutality and shootings of unarmed Black people .
Trump and his administration , particularly Attorney General Bill Barr , have used the unrest to demonize what the President calls “ Democrat-run ” cities and to justify militaristic crackdowns with rubber bullets and tear gas on the demonstrations , including non-violent ones .

President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday night that he was “prepared” to send federal assistance to Louisville, Kentucky after two police officers were shot during the unrest over a grand jury’s decision not to indict the officers involved in the Breonna Taylor shooting for her death.
“Praying for the two police officers that were shot tonight in Louisville, Kentucky,” Trump tweeted. “The Federal Government stands behind you and is ready to help. Spoke to @GovAndyBeshear and we are prepared to work together, immediately upon request!”
“LAW & ORDER!” he tweeted several hours later shortly after midnight.
Protests erupted in the streets of Louisville on Wednesday after a grand jury declined to charge any of the police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor for homicide. Two police officers were shot during demonstrations and have been hospitalized for non-threatening injuries. Authorities reported that the suspect is in custody.
During a press briefing earlier on Wednesday, Trump praised Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s (R) “really brilliant” handling of the Taylor case.
The President’s tweets on Wednesday night are yet another instance of his hostile response to protests against police brutality and shootings of unarmed Black people. Trump and his administration, particularly Attorney General Bill Barr, have used the unrest to demonize what the President calls “Democrat-run” cities and to justify militaristic crackdowns with rubber bullets and tear gas on the demonstrations, including non-violent ones.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-24--New Poll Finds Only One-Third Of Voters Very Confident That Mail-In Ballots Will Be Counted

A low number of likely voters are confident that people who vote by mail will actually have their ballot counted , a new poll has found .
The poll — conducted by The Commonwealth Fund , a health policy think tank , and SSRS — found that 38 percent of Democrats and 27 percent of Republicans are “ very confident that votes cast by mail would be counted.
” The state with the lowest confidence level may also turn out to be among the most important .
In North Carolina , pollsters found , only 23 percent of voters were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by mail would be counted .
The results come amid an unprecedented effort by both President Trump and the Republican Party to delegitimize mail-in voting .
It also comes after a federal judge held last week that the Postal Service had been hijacked as “ a tool in partisan politics.
” The Commonwealth Fund ’ s polling data suggests that GOP efforts to sow doubt may have been successful thus far .
SSRS surveyed a random sample of 7,442 adults , with interviews taking place over the phone between August 25 to September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,213 respondents who said that they would definitely vote in this year ’ s election .
The results are likely to intensify concerns that President Trump ’ s attempts to attack the validity of vote-by-mail could ultimately deter voters .
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , an unprecedented number of Americans are expected to cast their votes via absentee ballots .
Early and absentee voting has already begun in several states .
Pollsters focused heavily on likely voters ’ view of health care , finding that 40 percent of those likely to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care issue for their vote for President this fall .
But the poll also found that those who expressed the most fear over voting in-person were also the most likely to be members of constituencies that typically vote Democratic .
The poll found that while 74 percent of Republicans said that they would feel “ very safe ” in going to a polling precinct and voting in person , only 28 percent of Democrats said the same .
Election results will likely be delayed in many key states by long counting times amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity that President Trump and has allies have indicated they will use to cast doubt on the result .
Election watchers predict that predominantly left-leaning voters casting their ballots for Biden will lead to a so-called “ blue shift , ” with vote totals trending away from President Trump after election night as mail-in ballots are counted .

A low number of likely voters are confident that people who vote by mail will actually have their ballot counted, a new poll has found.
The poll — conducted by The Commonwealth Fund, a health policy think tank, and SSRS — found that 38 percent of Democrats and 27 percent of Republicans are “very confident that votes cast by mail would be counted.”
The state with the lowest confidence level may also turn out to be among the most important. In North Carolina, pollsters found, only 23 percent of voters were very confident that ballots which were sent by mail would be counted.
The results come amid an unprecedented effort by both President Trump and the Republican Party to delegitimize mail-in voting. It also comes after a federal judge held last week that the Postal Service had been hijacked as “a tool in partisan politics.”
The Commonwealth Fund’s polling data suggests that GOP efforts to sow doubt may have been successful thus far.
SSRS surveyed a random sample of 7,442 adults, with interviews taking place over the phone between August 25 to September 20. Data analysis focused on the 5,213 respondents who said that they would definitely vote in this year’s election.
The results are likely to intensify concerns that President Trump’s attempts to attack the validity of vote-by-mail could ultimately deter voters. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented number of Americans are expected to cast their votes via absentee ballots. Early and absentee voting has already begun in several states.
Pollsters focused heavily on likely voters’ view of health care, finding that 40 percent of those likely to vote listed COVID-19 as the most important health care issue for their vote for President this fall.
But the poll also found that those who expressed the most fear over voting in-person were also the most likely to be members of constituencies that typically vote Democratic.
The poll found that while 74 percent of Republicans said that they would feel “very safe” in going to a polling precinct and voting in person, only 28 percent of Democrats said the same.
Election results will likely be delayed in many key states by long counting times amid a backlog of absentee ballots, an opportunity that President Trump and has allies have indicated they will use to cast doubt on the result.
Election watchers predict that predominantly left-leaning voters casting their ballots for Biden will lead to a so-called “blue shift,” with vote totals trending away from President Trump after election night as mail-in ballots are counted.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-24--Tim Scott Is ‘Disappointed’ By Lone Indictment Unrelated To Breonna Taylor’s Death

Sen. Tim Scott ( R-SC ) wrote in a statement on Thursday that the grand jury ’ s decision to indict only one officer involved in Breonna Taylor ’ s fatal shooting by Louisville police leaves him “ angry , sad , and frustrated.
” On Wednesday , a grand jury in Taylor ’ s case indicted former Louisville Metro Police Department Detective Brett Hankison with three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment .
The two other officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor — Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove — were not indicted .
In explaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Connell said that Hankison “ wantonly shot a gun ” into adjoining Apartment 3 .
The occupants of that apartment , which were identified by initials , did not include “ BT ” for Taylor .
In his statement issued the day after , Scott — who is the lone African-American Republican senator and the leader of the GOP ’ s effort on police reform — wrote that Taylor ’ s life “ must mean more than this ” as he expressed his condolences to her family .
“ After months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what her family is feeling today , but my prayers are with them , ” Scott wrote .
Scott said that he is “ disappointed ” that the lone charge in Taylor ’ s case , which was brought against Hankison , “ was completely unrelated ” to Taylor ’ s death , given how initial police reports were falsified .
Scott wrote that the JUSTICE Act — an ultimately unsuccessful Senate Republican proposal spearheaded by Scott in response to protests against police brutality in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given prosecutors additional tools useful in this case.
” Scott wrote that the act would have helped by increasing penalties for falsifying a police report and new penalties for not using body cameras .
Scott vowed to “ continue to seek reforms to no knock warrants , ” but urged states to understand that “ federal role is limited.
” “ States and localities can ban no knock warrants in a way that would have prevented Breonna Taylor ’ s death , while the Constitution stops the federal government from doing so , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reforms must start from the ground up.
” Additionally , Scott wrote that he is praying for the two officers who were shot on Wednesday night during unrest that erupted in Louisville , Kentucky following the grand jury ’ s lone indictment in Taylor ’ s case .
“ There is no doubt that the events of 2020 have left our nation on edge , but we can not push ourselves over the cliff , ” Scott said .
“ Make your voices heard , but do not equate violence with more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after President Trump tweeted on Wednesday night that he is “ prepared ” to send federal assistance to Louisville after the shooting of two police officers amid unrest .
Shortly after midnight on Thursday , Trump tweeted “ LAW & ORDER !
” While speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon , the President reiterated that he is “ prepared to work together ” with Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear ( D ) following the shooting of two Louisville police officers , and that he thinks a “ sad thing ” is happening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sad thing , and I give my regards to the family of Breonna , ” Trump said on Thursday .
“ I also think it ’ s so sad what ’ s happening with everything about that case , including law enforcement .
So many people suffering , so many people needlessly suffering.
” Last month , Scott invoked the deaths of Taylor and Floyd during his Republican National Convention speech .
“ This isn ’ t how I pictured tonight , but our country is experiencing something none of us envisioned , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ From a global pandemic to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor , 2020 has tested our nation in ways we haven ’ t seen for decades .
”

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) wrote in a statement on Thursday that the grand jury’s decision to indict only one officer involved in Breonna Taylor’s fatal shooting by Louisville police leaves him “angry, sad, and frustrated.”
On Wednesday, a grand jury in Taylor’s case indicted former Louisville Metro Police Department Detective Brett Hankison with three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. The two other officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor — Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove — were not indicted.
In explaining the charges on Wednesday, Judge Annie O’Connell said that Hankison “wantonly shot a gun” into adjoining Apartment 3. The occupants of that apartment, which were identified by initials, did not include “BT” for Taylor.
In his statement issued the day after, Scott — who is the lone African-American Republican senator and the leader of the GOP’s effort on police reform — wrote that Taylor’s life “must mean more than this” as he expressed his condolences to her family.
“After months of heartache, I cannot imagine what her family is feeling today, but my prayers are with them,” Scott wrote.
Scott said that he is “disappointed” that the lone charge in Taylor’s case, which was brought against Hankison, “was completely unrelated” to Taylor’s death, given how initial police reports were falsified.
Scott wrote that the JUSTICE Act — an ultimately unsuccessful Senate Republican proposal spearheaded by Scott in response to protests against police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’s death earlier this year — “would have given prosecutors additional tools useful in this case.” Scott wrote that the act would have helped by increasing penalties for falsifying a police report and new penalties for not using body cameras.
Scott vowed to “continue to seek reforms to no knock warrants,” but urged states to understand that “federal role is limited.”
“States and localities can ban no knock warrants in a way that would have prevented Breonna Taylor’s death, while the Constitution stops the federal government from doing so,” Scott wrote. “These sorts of reforms must start from the ground up.”
Additionally, Scott wrote that he is praying for the two officers who were shot on Wednesday night during unrest that erupted in Louisville, Kentucky following the grand jury’s lone indictment in Taylor’s case.
“There is no doubt that the events of 2020 have left our nation on edge, but we cannot push ourselves over the cliff,” Scott said. “Make your voices heard, but do not equate violence with more violence.”
Scott’s statement comes after President Trump tweeted on Wednesday night that he is “prepared” to send federal assistance to Louisville after the shooting of two police officers amid unrest. Shortly after midnight on Thursday, Trump tweeted “LAW & ORDER!”
While speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, the President reiterated that he is “prepared to work together” with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) following the shooting of two Louisville police officers, and that he thinks a “sad thing” is happening.
“I think it’s a sad thing, and I give my regards to the family of Breonna,” Trump said on Thursday. “I also think it’s so sad what’s happening with everything about that case, including law enforcement. So many people suffering, so many people needlessly suffering.”
Last month, Scott invoked the deaths of Taylor and Floyd during his Republican National Convention speech.
“This isn’t how I pictured tonight, but our country is experiencing something none of us envisioned,” Scott said during his RNC speech. “From a global pandemic to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, 2020 has tested our nation in ways we haven’t seen for decades.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-24--FDA Bid For Tougher Vaccine Standard Hits Snag At The White House

The Food and Drug Administration is attempting to tighten the standards for a COVID-19 vaccine , but the plan appears to have run into a political blockade at the White House .
Experts and former regulatory officials told TPM that any move by the FDA to issue guidelines toughening standards for an emergency vaccine approval were likely running up against two recent Trump administration policies designed to gum up the works in an administration that ’ s willing to contort everything to its short-term political advantage .
FDA officials reportedly began to draft guidance this month that would heighten the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine , potentially extending the timeline for such an approval by months .
Notably , that would put approval after the 2020 election — a date the President has frequently touted for a vaccine .
The tightened guidelines could serve to prevent the FDA from sacrificing its credibility on a pre-election vaccine that Trump has pressured the agency to approve .
New guidelines would also provide a useful way of gauging how regulators are weighing the balance between the urgency of approving a vaccine to combat the spread of COVID-19 and the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely .
The guidelines were already reportedly under review by the White House ’ s Office of Management and Budget this week .
But on Wednesday , President Trump threw more gasoline on the already-raging fire of vaccine politicization by suggesting that he wouldn ’ t approve the guidelines .
“ That has to be approved by the White House , ” Trump said of the FDA standards .
“ That sounds like a political move.
” But as with many things in Trumpworld , it ’ s far from clear what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m not really interested in what the White House ’ s opinion is , and it should not have an opinion about this — this should be an entirely professional decision made within the FDA , ” said Dr. William Schaffner , professor of preventive medicine and infectious disease at Vanderbilt University Medical School .
Last year , the Trump administration required the FDA to submit all proposed guidance changes to the OMB ’ s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to determine whether it ’ s a “ major ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On top of that , HHS Secretary Alex Azar issued a memo , reported last week by the New York Times , which arrogates decision-making power over new FDA regulations into his own hands .
The result is that top political officials have a much deeper reach into the regulatory process than they did previously , with the OMB having a much larger role .
Secretary Azar said on Thursday morning that “ what the FDA is looking at now is additional guidelines for the manufacturers , who might come in for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask vaccine manufacturers who are seeking an emergency authorization to “ follow participants in late-stage clinical trials for a median of at least two months , starting after they receive a second vaccine shot ” and would mandate that there be at least five severe cases of COVID-19 in the vaccine trial ’ s placebo group , as well as some COVID-19 cases in older people , before the FDA issues emergency approval .
Schaffner told TPM that though the guidelines would not “ raise the bar substantially higher , ” they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision would be impetuous.
” The guidance ’ s review by OMB , and Trump ’ s remarks about blocking it , come after multiple instances during the Trump administration in which the office has served explicitly political ends .
Most famously , OMB played a key role in withholding $ 250 million in military aid to the Ukrainian government last year .
The office refusing to approve the tighter COVID-19 vaccine regulations would , in light of President Trump ’ s comments Wednesday , come as further evidence of Trump seeking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was available to show whether and how the shot works .
“ The medical community is as nervous as the general population is about the precipitous decision-making here , ” Schaffner remarked .

The Food and Drug Administration is attempting to tighten the standards for a COVID-19 vaccine, but the plan appears to have run into a political blockade at the White House.
Experts and former regulatory officials told TPM that any move by the FDA to issue guidelines toughening standards for an emergency vaccine approval were likely running up against two recent Trump administration policies designed to gum up the works in an administration that’s willing to contort everything to its short-term political advantage.
FDA officials reportedly began to draft guidance this month that would heighten the requirements for emergency approval of a COVID-19 vaccine, potentially extending the timeline for such an approval by months. Notably, that would put approval after the 2020 election — a date the President has frequently touted for a vaccine.
The tightened guidelines could serve to prevent the FDA from sacrificing its credibility on a pre-election vaccine that Trump has pressured the agency to approve. New guidelines would also provide a useful way of gauging how regulators are weighing the balance between the urgency of approving a vaccine to combat the spread of COVID-19 and the need to determine that any new shot works safely.
The guidelines were already reportedly under review by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget this week. But on Wednesday, President Trump threw more gasoline on the already-raging fire of vaccine politicization by suggesting that he wouldn’t approve the guidelines.
“That has to be approved by the White House,” Trump said of the FDA standards. “That sounds like a political move.”
But as with many things in Trumpworld, it’s far from clear what is bluster and what is reality.
“I’m not really interested in what the White House’s opinion is, and it should not have an opinion about this — this should be an entirely professional decision made within the FDA,” said Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine and infectious disease at Vanderbilt University Medical School.
Last year, the Trump administration required the FDA to submit all proposed guidance changes to the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to determine whether it’s a “major” change that would then require congressional review.
On top of that, HHS Secretary Alex Azar issued a memo, reported last week by the New York Times, which arrogates decision-making power over new FDA regulations into his own hands.
The result is that top political officials have a much deeper reach into the regulatory process than they did previously, with the OMB having a much larger role.
Secretary Azar said on Thursday morning that “what the FDA is looking at now is additional guidelines for the manufacturers, who might come in for emergency approval.”
Watch @SavannahGuthire’s full interview with @SecAzar on growing coronavirus concerns and the timeline for a vaccine. pic.twitter.com/jnzXaEPNvg — TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 24, 2020
The guidance would reportedly ask vaccine manufacturers who are seeking an emergency authorization to “follow participants in late-stage clinical trials for a median of at least two months, starting after they receive a second vaccine shot” and would mandate that there be at least five severe cases of COVID-19 in the vaccine trial’s placebo group, as well as some COVID-19 cases in older people, before the FDA issues emergency approval.
Schaffner told TPM that though the guidelines would not “raise the bar substantially higher,” they would “make it less likely that any decision would be impetuous.”
The guidance’s review by OMB, and Trump’s remarks about blocking it, come after multiple instances during the Trump administration in which the office has served explicitly political ends.
Most famously, OMB played a key role in withholding $250 million in military aid to the Ukrainian government last year.
The office refusing to approve the tighter COVID-19 vaccine regulations would, in light of President Trump’s comments Wednesday, come as further evidence of Trump seeking a pre-election vaccine before safety and efficacy data was available to show whether and how the shot works.
“The medical community is as nervous as the general population is about the precipitous decision-making here,” Schaffner remarked.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-24--Bizarre Press Release About PA Military Ballot Issue Raises Eyebrows Among DOJ Alum

The U.S. Attorney ’ s office of the Middle District of Pennsylvania issued a bizarre press release Thursday announcing that it was in the midst of an inquiry into “ potential issues ” with military ballots cast in Luzerne County , Pennsylvania .
The fact that feds were looking into the issue — which was described by the DOJ as a “ small number of military ballots ” that “ were discarded ” — wasn ’ t necessarily surprising , former Justice Department officials told TPM .
But publicizing the pending inquiry while selectively releasing details of what it found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the U.S. Attorney ’ s office running afoul of DOJ policy regarding the announcements of such investigations ?
Gerry Hebert , a former DOJ official who for several years worked in its voting section , said in an email that Thursday ’ s press release was “ inconsistent with DOJ handbook for prosecuting election cases , which generally discourage public statements by DOJ re : ongoing investigations.
” A spokesperson for U.S. Attorney David Freed ’ s office told TPM the office had no further comment outside of the statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation , ” Barbara McQuade , a former U.S. attorney under President Obama , told TPM in an email .
“ There is an exception where necessary to assure the public .
The question here is whether the prosecutor is seeking to assure or alarm the public.
” The weirdest detail of all was that , in its initial press release , the DOJ said it had identified only some of the voters who had cast the ballots in question , but “ [ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidate Donald Trump.
” Within a few hours the press release was taken down and a revised press release issued to clarify that of “ the nine ballots that were discarded and then recovered , 7 were cast for presidential candidate Donald Trump.
” “ Two of the discarded ballots had been resealed inside their appropriate envelopes by Luzerne elections staff prior to recovery by the FBI and the contents of those 2 ballots are unknown , ” the revised press release said .
But the clarification came after a prominent Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of ” the ballots “ were cast for President Trump ” and that “ Democrats are trying to steal the election.
” Justin Levitt , a Loyola Marymount law professor who served in Obama ’ s DOJ , told TPM that it was “ improper to announce the fact of an inquiry ” and that it was “ very improper to announce partial facts.
” “ And it ’ s grotesquely improper to announce whom the ballots were cast for , as if that mattered in the investigation , ” he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also : was Donald Trump the only candidate identified on those ballots ?
No other federal or state offices ? )
” According to the press release , the U.S. Attorney and FBI began its inquiry on Monday at the request of Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis , who also issued a statement generally acknowledging the review .
Salavantis ’ statement did not go into the details of who the ballots were cast for .
The DOJ statement noted that county election officials had been cooperative in the review .

The U.S. Attorney’s office of the Middle District of Pennsylvania issued a bizarre press release Thursday announcing that it was in the midst of an inquiry into “potential issues” with military ballots cast in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
The fact that feds were looking into the issue — which was described by the DOJ as a “small number of military ballots” that “were discarded” — wasn’t necessarily surprising, former Justice Department officials told TPM.
But publicizing the pending inquiry while selectively releasing details of what it found so far raised the question: Why was the U.S. Attorney’s office running afoul of DOJ policy regarding the announcements of such investigations?
Gerry Hebert, a former DOJ official who for several years worked in its voting section, said in an email that Thursday’s press release was “inconsistent with DOJ handbook for prosecuting election cases, which generally discourage public statements by DOJ re: ongoing investigations.”
A spokesperson for U.S. Attorney David Freed’s office told TPM the office had no further comment outside of the statement.
“DOJ policy provides that the government should not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation,” Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney under President Obama, told TPM in an email. “There is an exception where necessary to assure the public. The question here is whether the prosecutor is seeking to assure or alarm the public.”
The weirdest detail of all was that, in its initial press release, the DOJ said it had identified only some of the voters who had cast the ballots in question, but “[a]ll nine ballots were cast for presidential candidate Donald Trump.”
Within a few hours the press release was taken down and a revised press release issued to clarify that of “the nine ballots that were discarded and then recovered, 7 were cast for presidential candidate Donald Trump.”
“Two of the discarded ballots had been resealed inside their appropriate envelopes by Luzerne elections staff prior to recovery by the FBI and the contents of those 2 ballots are unknown,” the revised press release said.
But the clarification came after a prominent Trump campaign official tweeted sensationally that “100% of” the ballots “were cast for President Trump” and that “Democrats are trying to steal the election.”
Justin Levitt, a Loyola Marymount law professor who served in Obama’s DOJ, told TPM that it was “improper to announce the fact of an inquiry” and that it was “very improper to announce partial facts.”
“And it’s grotesquely improper to announce whom the ballots were cast for, as if that mattered in the investigation,” he told TPM in an email. “(Also: was Donald Trump the only candidate identified on those ballots? No other federal or state offices?)”
According to the press release, the U.S. Attorney and FBI began its inquiry on Monday at the request of Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis, who also issued a statement generally acknowledging the review. Salavantis’ statement did not go into the details of who the ballots were cast for.
The DOJ statement noted that county election officials had been cooperative in the review.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-24--Report: Caputo Receives Metastatic Cancer Diagnosis

Michael Caputo , the former Health and Human Services communications official who took a leave of absence after accusing government scientists of sedition , has been diagnosed with cancer , according to The Buffalo News .
The former Trump campaign official has “ squamous cell carcinoma , a metastatic head and neck cancer which originated in his throat , ” New York state assemblyman David DiPietro told the paper in a statement on Caputo ’ s behalf .
“ He is now home in Western New York , resting in the loving arms of his family , under the watchful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Republican who represents Caputo ’ s hometown , said in the statement .
The Buffalo News reported that , per DiPietro , Caputo was given the diagnosis following surgery last week at the National Cancer Institute in Maryland to remove a lump on his neck .
According to DiPietro , the former HHS assistant secretary of public affairs has not yet made a determination about where he will seek further treatment .
Caputo had checked into the cancer institute at the urging of a doctor from the White House Coronavirus Taskforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , adding that President Donald Trump had arranged for his admission .
“ The Caputo family wants to thank President Donald Trump and Secretary Alex Azar for their friendship and support , ” DiPietro said Thursday .
Caputo began a 60-day medical leave earlier this month after claiming on Facebook that some of the doctors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who report findings about COVID-19 were part of an anti-Trump conspiracy plot .
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis had begun investigating his office following a Politico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Paul Alexander , had altered the CDC ’ s weekly reporting on COVID-19 .
In a Facebook Live event , Caputo complained baselessly of a conspiracy that scientists , “ deep in the bowels of the CDC , have given up science and become political animals ” who want to damage Trump .
He also said that his physical health was questionable , and his “ mental health has definitely failed.
” Caputo later apologized for the remarks to HHS staff , before announcing his two month leave which would keep him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He maintained to The Buffalo News last week that his physical wellbeing was the sole reason for his temporary departure .
Caputo indicated last week he intends to return to duty after the leave , but those plans could change depending on his ongoing cancer treatment .

Michael Caputo, the former Health and Human Services communications official who took a leave of absence after accusing government scientists of sedition, has been diagnosed with cancer, according to The Buffalo News.
The former Trump campaign official has “squamous cell carcinoma, a metastatic head and neck cancer which originated in his throat,” New York state assemblyman David DiPietro told the paper in a statement on Caputo’s behalf.
“He is now home in Western New York, resting in the loving arms of his family, under the watchful eye of Jesus Christ,” DiPietro, a Republican who represents Caputo’s hometown, said in the statement.
The Buffalo News reported that, per DiPietro, Caputo was given the diagnosis following surgery last week at the National Cancer Institute in Maryland to remove a lump on his neck. According to DiPietro, the former HHS assistant secretary of public affairs has not yet made a determination about where he will seek further treatment.
Caputo had checked into the cancer institute at the urging of a doctor from the White House Coronavirus Taskforce, Caputo told the Buffalo News last week, adding that President Donald Trump had arranged for his admission.
“The Caputo family wants to thank President Donald Trump and Secretary Alex Azar for their friendship and support,” DiPietro said Thursday.
Caputo began a 60-day medical leave earlier this month after claiming on Facebook that some of the doctors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who report findings about COVID-19 were part of an anti-Trump conspiracy plot.
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis had begun investigating his office following a Politico report that Caputo’s hand-picked adviser, Paul Alexander, had altered the CDC’s weekly reporting on COVID-19.
In a Facebook Live event, Caputo complained baselessly of a conspiracy that scientists, “deep in the bowels of the CDC, have given up science and become political animals” who want to damage Trump. He also said that his physical health was questionable, and his “mental health has definitely failed.”
Caputo later apologized for the remarks to HHS staff, before announcing his two month leave which would keep him away until after the November election. He maintained to The Buffalo News last week that his physical wellbeing was the sole reason for his temporary departure.
Caputo indicated last week he intends to return to duty after the leave, but those plans could change depending on his ongoing cancer treatment.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-24--Ukraine Was A Dud. Now The GOP Signals China May Be Next Big Anti-Biden Play

Fears that President Trump may use misleading allegations about China as a bludgeon against Joe Biden are coming to a head .
For much of 2020 , the President and his allies have pushed disinformation around the former vice president focused on Ukraine , in part because of the country ’ s role in President Trump ’ s impeachment and in part because of its byzantine relation to Russia ’ s 2016 election interference .
But there have long been signs that Trumpworld would also seek to peddle misleading attacks around China .
Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) devoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released Wednesday , to supposed ties between Hunter Biden and China , while pro-Trump Super PAC America First Action has started running ads in Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin showing the Democratic candidate making positive statements about China .
Meanwhile , Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe has been pushing the narrative that Beijing is covertly supporting Biden , telling Fox News in August that China wants Trump to lose in November .
Trump himself has made similar claims .
Andrew Bates , a spokesman for Biden , told TPM that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ As the most devastating public health crisis in 100 years rapidly spread , he echoed Chinese government propaganda to downplay the threat and justify inaction — disregarding warnings from the intelligence community and Joe Biden not to take their word , ” Bates said .
In his report on tired and long-debunked allegations surrounding Biden and Ukraine , Sen. Johnson also focused in on supposed ties between the Biden family and the Chinese government .
The report rehashed allegations about ties between the younger Biden ’ s company and government-linked Chinese officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties based on documents from the U.S. Treasury .
The investigation did not describe what those documents were or corroborate them with other sources , but did use them to claim that they showed “ consistent , significant and extensive financial connections ” with the Chinese Communist Party and the People ’ s Liberation Army .
Specifically , Johnson alleged that Hunter Biden developed those connections via a Chinese businessman who , the report said , had close ties to the Communist Party .
“ These connections and the vast amount of money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t just raise conflicts of interest concerns , they raise criminal financial , counterintelligence and extortion concerns , ” lawmakers alleged .
“ The Committees will continue to evaluate the evidence in their possession.
” In this way , the report , which provided little new on Ukraine , seemed aimed at bolstering an attack on Biden already lodged by the President ’ s allies .
The theme of Chinese control over Biden featured prominently at the Republican National Convention in August , where Trump suggested he had secret intelligence on his rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports Joe Biden and desperately wants him to win — I can tell you that upon very good information , ” Trump told a laughing Rose Garden audience .
Trump has frequently manipulated intelligence for political engs , and DNI Ratcliffe , who was confirmed in May , has aided Trump in that effort through public comments saying that Beijing wants China to win .
The Trump campaign subsequently boosted those remarks .
Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AK ) wrote in an opinion column published by Fox News in August that “ our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden ’ s candidacy to the reelection of President Trump.
” House Democrats have demanded briefings about election interference , only to have Ratcliffe refuse to stop briefing lawmakers after making those remarks .
Ratcliffe reversed that on Thursday , giving House lawmakers their first briefing on election interference in a month .
Biden has separately described Ratcliffe ’ s behavior as being part of a plot to hurt his candidacy .
“ But now President Trump , through his hand-picked DNI — chosen for loyalty , not experience — is attempting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to do their part , ” the former vice president said .

Fears that President Trump may use misleading allegations about China as a bludgeon against Joe Biden are coming to a head.
For much of 2020, the President and his allies have pushed disinformation around the former vice president focused on Ukraine, in part because of the country’s role in President Trump’s impeachment and in part because of its byzantine relation to Russia’s 2016 election interference. But there have long been signs that Trumpworld would also seek to peddle misleading attacks around China.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) devoted part of his bogus Ukraine report, released Wednesday, to supposed ties between Hunter Biden and China, while pro-Trump Super PAC America First Action has started running ads in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin showing the Democratic candidate making positive statements about China.
Meanwhile, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe has been pushing the narrative that Beijing is covertly supporting Biden, telling Fox News in August that China wants Trump to lose in November. Trump himself has made similar claims.
Just In: Chinese State Media and Leaders of CHINA want Biden to win “the U.S. Election”. If this happened (which it won’t), China would own our Country, and our Record Setting Stock Markets would literally CRASH! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2020
Andrew Bates, a spokesman for Biden, told TPM that Trump had his own problems with China.
“As the most devastating public health crisis in 100 years rapidly spread, he echoed Chinese government propaganda to downplay the threat and justify inaction — disregarding warnings from the intelligence community and Joe Biden not to take their word,” Bates said.
In his report on tired and long-debunked allegations surrounding Biden and Ukraine, Sen. Johnson also focused in on supposed ties between the Biden family and the Chinese government.
The report rehashed allegations about ties between the younger Biden’s company and government-linked Chinese officials, but made new allegations of financial ties based on documents from the U.S. Treasury.
The investigation did not describe what those documents were or corroborate them with other sources, but did use them to claim that they showed “consistent, significant and extensive financial connections” with the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army.
Specifically, Johnson alleged that Hunter Biden developed those connections via a Chinese businessman who, the report said, had close ties to the Communist Party.
“These connections and the vast amount of money transferred among and between them don’t just raise conflicts of interest concerns, they raise criminal financial, counterintelligence and extortion concerns,” lawmakers alleged. “The Committees will continue to evaluate the evidence in their possession.”
In this way, the report, which provided little new on Ukraine, seemed aimed at bolstering an attack on Biden already lodged by the President’s allies. The theme of Chinese control over Biden featured prominently at the Republican National Convention in August, where Trump suggested he had secret intelligence on his rival.
“That’s why China supports Joe Biden and desperately wants him to win — I can tell you that upon very good information,” Trump told a laughing Rose Garden audience.
Trump has frequently manipulated intelligence for political engs, and DNI Ratcliffe, who was confirmed in May, has aided Trump in that effort through public comments saying that Beijing wants China to win. The Trump campaign subsequently boosted those remarks.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) wrote in an opinion column published by Fox News in August that “our intelligence community has concluded that China prefers Joe Biden’s candidacy to the reelection of President Trump.”
House Democrats have demanded briefings about election interference, only to have Ratcliffe refuse to stop briefing lawmakers after making those remarks. Ratcliffe reversed that on Thursday, giving House lawmakers their first briefing on election interference in a month.
Biden has separately described Ratcliffe’s behavior as being part of a plot to hurt his candidacy.
“But now President Trump, through his hand-picked DNI — chosen for loyalty, not experience — is attempting to deprive Congress of the information they need to do their part,” the former vice president said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-24--Wray Contradicts Trump’s Baseless Claims That Mail-In Voting Leads To Fraud

FBI Director Christopher Wray said Thursday that his agency had not seen evidence of widespread voter fraud through mail-in voting — a stark contrast from President Trump ’ s ongoing crusade against vote-by-mail ahead of the November election .
“ We have not seen , historically , any kind of coordinated national voter fraud effort in a major election , whether it ’ s by mail or otherwise , ” Wray testified before a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Thursday .
Wray acknowledged that the FBI had seen voter fraud at the local level “ from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his comment “ should in no way be construed as minimizing how seriously we take our responsibility to investigate such incidence or the potential impact those things could have at the local level.
” Wray then doubted the possibility of fraud at the national level .
“ To change a federal election outcome by mounting that kind of fraud at scale would be a major challenge for an adversary , ” Wray said , before maintaining that the FBI will continue to monitor election-related threats as the country finds itself in “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testimony comes a day after the President maintained his baseless argument that mail-in voting leads to voter fraud — which he floated while refusing to commit to a peaceful transferral of power if he were to lose the November election — during a press conference at the White House .
“ Get rid of the ballots and you ’ ll have a very peaceful — there won ’ t be a transfer , frankly .
There will be a continuation .
The ballots are out of control .
You know it , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who knows it better than anybody else ?
Democrats know it better than anybody else.
” Last week , Wray warned the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee that Russians are deploying “ very active ” efforts to exert influence on the November presidential election , with a meddling campaign focused on denigrating Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .

FBI Director Christopher Wray said Thursday that his agency had not seen evidence of widespread voter fraud through mail-in voting — a stark contrast from President Trump’s ongoing crusade against vote-by-mail ahead of the November election.
“We have not seen, historically, any kind of coordinated national voter fraud effort in a major election, whether it’s by mail or otherwise,” Wray testified before a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Thursday.
Wray acknowledged that the FBI had seen voter fraud at the local level “from time to time,” but said that his comment “should in no way be construed as minimizing how seriously we take our responsibility to investigate such incidence or the potential impact those things could have at the local level.”
Wray then doubted the possibility of fraud at the national level.
“To change a federal election outcome by mounting that kind of fraud at scale would be a major challenge for an adversary,” Wray said, before maintaining that the FBI will continue to monitor election-related threats as the country finds itself in “uncharted new territory.”
Wray’s testimony comes a day after the President maintained his baseless argument that mail-in voting leads to voter fraud — which he floated while refusing to commit to a peaceful transferral of power if he were to lose the November election — during a press conference at the White House.
“Get rid of the ballots and you’ll have a very peaceful — there won’t be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation. The ballots are out of control. You know it,” Trump said. “And you know who knows it better than anybody else? Democrats know it better than anybody else.”
Last week, Wray warned the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee that Russians are deploying “very active” efforts to exert influence on the November presidential election, with a meddling campaign focused on denigrating Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Watch Wray’s remarks below: