talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-25--Trumpworld Boosts Pence’s ‘Essential Worker’ Excuse Amid Aides Contracting COVID

Trumpworld echoed Vice President Mike Pence ’ s “ essential worker ” rationale on Sunday as justification for the VP staying on the campaign trail , despite a COVID-19 outbreak among his aides within weeks of figures in Trump ’ s orbit contracting the novel coronavirus .
In a statement issued on Saturday , Devin O ’ Malley , press secretary for Pence , confirmed that Pence chief of staff Marc Short recently tested positive for COVID-19 .
According to the New York Times , a person briefed on the diagnosis said Short tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in Pence ’ s inner circle have tested positive for COVID-19 , citing people briefed on the matter .
O ’ Malley added that Pence , who tested negative on Saturday and Sunday , will maintain his schedule as “ essential personnel.
” “ While Vice President Pence is considered a close contact with Mr. Short , in consultation with the White House Medical Unit , the vice president will maintain his schedule in accordance with the CDC guidelines for essential personnel , ” O ’ Malley wrote on Saturday .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D-NY ) took aim at Pence , who heads the White House coronavirus task force , for “ inexplicably ” maintaining his campaign schedule and intending to preside over the Senate chamber on Monday evening over Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ’ s confirmation vote amid a COVID-19 outbreak among the VP ’ s staff .
However , Trumpworld appeared unfazed by the COVID-19 outbreak among Pence ’ s aides on Sunday .
President Trump told reporters in Maine “ you ’ d have to ask Pence ” about whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trail , but insisted that he ’ s “ doing very well.
” Here ’ s how other Trumpworld figures repeated the VP office ’ s “ essential worker ” rationale on Sunday : After quipping that the Trump administration is “ not going to control ” the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed nearly 225,000 Americans , Meadows told CNN that Pence will continue with travel plans despite a COVID-19 outbreak among his staff because he is “ essential personnel.
” The White House chief of staff also said Pence will comply with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and delivering a speech .
“ I ’ m not saying he is not campaigning , I ’ m saying that is only part of what he is doing and as we look at that , ‘ essential personnel , ’ whether it ’ s the vice president of the United States or anyone else , has to continue on , ” Meadows said .
When asked during an interview on CBS about why Pence ’ s campaigning duties qualify as “ essential work ” after his aides contracted COVID-19 , O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foundation of our democracy ” while arguing that the VP ’ s campaign duties are “ essential.
” “ So I think campaigning and voting are about the most essential thing we can be doing , ” O ’ Brien said .
Asked whether Pence could do virtual campaign events to be safer , O ’ Brien insisted that the VP is “ taking all the precautions , ” has tested negative and that his chief of staff is only experiencing mild symptoms so far .
Pressed on Meadows ’ remarks on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get control ” of the COVID-19 pandemic and whether that reflects Trump administration policy , O ’ Brien deflected to the Trumpworld tactic of blaming China for the pandemic .
When asked during an interview on MSNBC on whether it ’ s appropriate for Pence to remain on the campaign trail in light of his aides contracting COVID-19 , Lewandowski deflected by saying that he would make sure that the VP is “ taking all the precautions necessary , as he always has done.
” “ I am sure he is tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care of the best physicians in the world at the White House , ” Lewandowski said .
“ So I ’ m sure he ’ ll do what is necessary and what is appropriate.
” Lewandowski then pointed to how Democratic VP pick Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) suspended her travel temporarily after Biden campaign staffers contracted COVID-19 earlier this month , before adding “ so let ’ s see where this goes .
”

Trumpworld echoed Vice President Mike Pence’s “essential worker” rationale on Sunday as justification for the VP staying on the campaign trail, despite a COVID-19 outbreak among his aides within weeks of figures in Trump’s orbit contracting the novel coronavirus.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Devin O’Malley, press secretary for Pence, confirmed that Pence chief of staff Marc Short recently tested positive for COVID-19. According to the New York Times, a person briefed on the diagnosis said Short tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday. The Times reported that at least five people in Pence’s inner circle have tested positive for COVID-19, citing people briefed on the matter.
O’Malley added that Pence, who tested negative on Saturday and Sunday, will maintain his schedule as “essential personnel.”
“While Vice President Pence is considered a close contact with Mr. Short, in consultation with the White House Medical Unit, the vice president will maintain his schedule in accordance with the CDC guidelines for essential personnel,” O’Malley wrote on Saturday.
On Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) took aim at Pence, who heads the White House coronavirus task force, for “inexplicably” maintaining his campaign schedule and intending to preside over the Senate chamber on Monday evening over Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation vote amid a COVID-19 outbreak among the VP’s staff.
However, Trumpworld appeared unfazed by the COVID-19 outbreak among Pence’s aides on Sunday. President Trump told reporters in Maine “you’d have to ask Pence” about whether the VP should stay off of the campaign trail, but insisted that he’s “doing very well.”
Here’s how other Trumpworld figures repeated the VP office’s “essential worker” rationale on Sunday:
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows
After quipping that the Trump administration is “not going to control” the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed nearly 225,000 Americans, Meadows told CNN that Pence will continue with travel plans despite a COVID-19 outbreak among his staff because he is “essential personnel.” The White House chief of staff also said Pence will comply with mask-wearing when he is not on stage and delivering a speech.
“I’m not saying he is not campaigning, I’m saying that is only part of what he is doing and as we look at that, ‘essential personnel,’ whether it’s the vice president of the United States or anyone else, has to continue on,” Meadows said.
After several aides, including his chief of staff, tested positive for Covid-19, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows says VP Pence will keep campaigning: "Essential personnel, whether it's the Vice President of the United States or anyone else, has to continue on" #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/2ZWMmwUHG3 — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) October 25, 2020
National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien
When asked during an interview on CBS about why Pence’s campaigning duties qualify as “essential work” after his aides contracted COVID-19, O’Brien replied that “free elections are the foundation of our democracy” while arguing that the VP’s campaign duties are “essential.”
“So I think campaigning and voting are about the most essential thing we can be doing,” O’Brien said.
Asked whether Pence could do virtual campaign events to be safer, O’Brien insisted that the VP is “taking all the precautions,” has tested negative and that his chief of staff is only experiencing mild symptoms so far.
Pressed on Meadows’ remarks on CNN that “we are not going to get control” of the COVID-19 pandemic and whether that reflects Trump administration policy, O’Brien deflected to the Trumpworld tactic of blaming China for the pandemic.
NEW: @RobertCOBrien says he’s talked with @VP Chief of Staff @marcshort45 – who tested positive for #Covid19 – and says he’s experiencing mild symptoms@CBSNews has confirmed that Short, along with 3 Pence staffers, and outside adviser Marty Obst, tested postive pic.twitter.com/0ZpVn9obGe — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) October 25, 2020
Trump campaign senior adviser Corey Lewandowski
When asked during an interview on MSNBC on whether it’s appropriate for Pence to remain on the campaign trail in light of his aides contracting COVID-19, Lewandowski deflected by saying that he would make sure that the VP is “taking all the precautions necessary, as he always has done.”
“I am sure he is tested regularly and he is in the best care of the best physicians in the world at the White House,” Lewandowski said. “So I’m sure he’ll do what is necessary and what is appropriate.”
Lewandowski then pointed to how Democratic VP pick Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) suspended her travel temporarily after Biden campaign staffers contracted COVID-19 earlier this month, before adding “so let’s see where this goes.”
TODAY: @chucktodd asks @CLewandowski_ if Vice President Pence should campaign so soon after his chief of staff tested positive for Covid-19. #MTP Lewandowski: “We have also seen Kamala Harris’ team come down with Covid and she took the necessary precautions.” pic.twitter.com/8pO3p6ZyvO — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 25, 2020


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-25--RNC Chair Denies GOP Will Lose Senate After Trump Tells Donors It’ll Be ‘Tough’

RNC chair Ronna McDaniel on Sunday denied that the GOP is in danger of losing the Senate , despite President Trump reportedly telling donors this week that it would be “ tough ” for Republicans to hold onto the Senate after next month ’ s election .
According to the Washington Post , Trump told Republican donors in Nashville , Tennessee on Thursday — before his final presidential debate against Democratic rival Joe Biden that night — that it would be “ tough ” for the GOP to hold on to the Senate because he can not support some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think the Senate is tough actually , ” Trump said , according to the Post , amid sinking poll numbers .
“ The Senate is very tough .
There are a couple senators I can ’ t really get involved in .
I just can ’ t do it .
You lose your soul if you do .
I can ’ t help some of them .
I don ’ t want to help some of them.
” When asked about Trump ’ s reported remarks and how seven incumbent GOP senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — which include Sens .
Martha McSally ( R-AZ ) , Joni Ernst ( R-IA ) , David Perdue ( R-GA ) , Susan Collins ( R-ME ) , Steve Daines ( R-MT ) , Thom Tillis ( R-NC ) and Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) — during an interview on Fox News Sunday , McDaniel insisted that the GOP will hold the Senate in a “ tight race.
” “ This is a tight race , we know this , but the trend lines are good in these states , ” McDaniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McSally gain momentum .
You also didn ’ t mention candidates like John James and Jason Lewis who are competitive races against Democrat incumbents.
” After saying that the GOP will keep the Senate , McDaniel was pressed on several Republican senators up for re-election distancing themselves from Trump this week .
Earlier this week , Sen. Ben Sasse ( R-NE ) said he is “ not apologetic for having fought for my values in places where I think ( Trump ’ s ) are deficient , not just for a Republican but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about whether she is proud of her support for the President , a question she dodged twice by replying that she is “ proud to be fighting for Arizona every single day ” and “ sending legislation on President Trump ’ s desk.
” McDaniel denied that GOP senators are distancing themselves from Trump , and that Sasse is “ an exception obviously.
” McDaniel was then pressed about McSally dodging twice on whether she is proud to support Trump .
The RNC chair said that the Arizona senator is “ going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all over the state with him , ” which she argued demonstrates that McSally supports the President .
Trump campaign senior adviser Corey Lewandowski made similar remarks during an interview on MSNBC on Sunday , in which he denied that President thinks that Republicans have a better chance at winning the House than they do at holding the Senate .
“ You know , I don ’ t think so , ” Lewandowski said .
“ Look , this president ’ s been out aggressively campaigning for members of the U.S. Senate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ including me , to go out and help.
” Lewandowski pointed to his visit to Arizona on Thursday to help raise money for McSally and argued that the President has “ been very forward in helping U.S. Senate candidates around the country be successful.
” “ He ’ s helped raise money .
He ’ s got a great partnership with Senate leader Mitch McConnell , ” Lewandowski said .
“ They ’ ve raised money together , and we feel very , very strongly that we ’ re going to retain our @ @ @ @ @ @ @

RNC chair Ronna McDaniel on Sunday denied that the GOP is in danger of losing the Senate, despite President Trump reportedly telling donors this week that it would be “tough” for Republicans to hold onto the Senate after next month’s election.
According to the Washington Post, Trump told Republican donors in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday — before his final presidential debate against Democratic rival Joe Biden that night — that it would be “tough” for the GOP to hold on to the Senate because he cannot support some of the party’s senators.
“I think the Senate is tough actually,” Trump said, according to the Post, amid sinking poll numbers. “The Senate is very tough. There are a couple senators I can’t really get involved in. I just can’t do it. You lose your soul if you do. I can’t help some of them. I don’t want to help some of them.”
When asked about Trump’s reported remarks and how seven incumbent GOP senators are in “toss up” races — which include Sens. Martha McSally (R-AZ), Joni Ernst (R-IA), David Perdue (R-GA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Steve Daines (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) — during an interview on Fox News Sunday, McDaniel insisted that the GOP will hold the Senate in a “tight race.”
“This is a tight race, we know this, but the trend lines are good in these states,” McDaniel said. “You’re seeing McSally gain momentum. You also didn’t mention candidates like John James and Jason Lewis who are competitive races against Democrat incumbents.”
After saying that the GOP will keep the Senate, McDaniel was pressed on several Republican senators up for re-election distancing themselves from Trump this week.
Earlier this week, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) said he is “not apologetic for having fought for my values in places where I think (Trump’s) are deficient, not just for a Republican but for an American.” McSally was asked about whether she is proud of her support for the President, a question she dodged twice by replying that she is “proud to be fighting for Arizona every single day” and “sending legislation on President Trump’s desk.”
McDaniel denied that GOP senators are distancing themselves from Trump, and that Sasse is “an exception obviously.”
McDaniel was then pressed about McSally dodging twice on whether she is proud to support Trump. The RNC chair said that the Arizona senator is “going to rallies with him and she’s all over the state with him,” which she argued demonstrates that McSally supports the President.
Watch McDaniel’s remarks below:
Trump campaign senior adviser Corey Lewandowski made similar remarks during an interview on MSNBC on Sunday, in which he denied that President thinks that Republicans have a better chance at winning the House than they do at holding the Senate.
“You know, I don’t think so,” Lewandowski said. “Look, this president’s been out aggressively campaigning for members of the U.S. Senate. He’s asked his surrogates, including me, to go out and help.”
Lewandowski pointed to his visit to Arizona on Thursday to help raise money for McSally and argued that the President has “been very forward in helping U.S. Senate candidates around the country be successful.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-25--Schumer Sounds Alarm Ahead Of Pence ‘Inexplicably’ Exposing Senate To COVID-19

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) sounded the alarm to his colleagues on Sunday , a day before Vice President Mike Pence will preside over Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ’ s confirmation vote .
Pence is set to appear on the Senate floor on Monday despite several of the VP ’ s aides testing positive for COVID-19 .
In a Dear Colleague letter issued Sunday before the Senate Republicans voted 51-48 to advance Barrett ’ s Supreme Court nomination , setting up a final confirmation vote for Monday , Schumer advised his colleagues against congregating in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence aides contracting COVID-19 .
Schumer took aim at Pence , who heads the White House coronavirus task force , for failing to comply with CDC guidelines for self-quarantining .
“ The Vice President is maintaining his campaign schedule and , inexplicably , intends to preside over the Senate chamber tomorrow evening , ” Schumer wrote .
“ Their carelessness with the health and safety of their colleagues and Capitol employees mirrors their carelessness with the health and safety of Americans during this crisis.
” Schumer then advised his caucus to cast “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Considering the Republicans ’ refusal ( to ) follow CDC guidelines regarding quarantining and contact tracing , I would recommend that you not congregate in the Senate chamber today and that you cast your votes quickly and from a safe distance , ” Schumer wrote .
While appearing on the Senate floor later Sunday following Republicans ’ vote to advance Barrett ’ s Supreme Court nomination , Schumer remarked that Pence is setting a “ terrible example ” by appearing on the floor on Monday evening to preside over the chamber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Vice President who ’ s been exposed to five people with COVID-19 will ignore CDC guidelines to be here tomorrow putting the health of everyone who works in this building at risk , ” Schumer said .
“ It sets a terrible , terrible example for the American people and nothing could be more a metaphor for what ’ s going on here.
” Schumer then tore into the Republican Party for being “ willing to ignore ” the pandemic , to rush Barrett ’ s Supreme Court nomination forward and allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate floor after being potentially exposed to COVID-19 .

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) sounded the alarm to his colleagues on Sunday, a day before Vice President Mike Pence will preside over Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation vote. Pence is set to appear on the Senate floor on Monday despite several of the VP’s aides testing positive for COVID-19.
In a Dear Colleague letter issued Sunday before the Senate Republicans voted 51-48 to advance Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination, setting up a final confirmation vote for Monday, Schumer advised his colleagues against congregating in the Senate chamber in light of several Pence aides contracting COVID-19.
Schumer took aim at Pence, who heads the White House coronavirus task force, for failing to comply with CDC guidelines for self-quarantining.
“The Vice President is maintaining his campaign schedule and, inexplicably, intends to preside over the Senate chamber tomorrow evening,” Schumer wrote. “Their carelessness with the health and safety of their colleagues and Capitol employees mirrors their carelessness with the health and safety of Americans during this crisis.”
Schumer then advised his caucus to cast “votes quickly and from a safe distance.”
“Considering the Republicans’ refusal (to) follow CDC guidelines regarding quarantining and contact tracing, I would recommend that you not congregate in the Senate chamber today and that you cast your votes quickly and from a safe distance,” Schumer wrote.
Dear Colleague letter from @SenSchumer to the Senate Democratic caucus following the news that a number of Senate Republican staffers and members of Pence's team have recently tested positive for COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/3Kpq4O9Re0 — Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) October 25, 2020
While appearing on the Senate floor later Sunday following Republicans’ vote to advance Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination, Schumer remarked that Pence is setting a “terrible example” by appearing on the floor on Monday evening to preside over the chamber after his aides contracted COVID-19.
“The Vice President who’s been exposed to five people with COVID-19 will ignore CDC guidelines to be here tomorrow putting the health of everyone who works in this building at risk,” Schumer said. “It sets a terrible, terrible example for the American people and nothing could be more a metaphor for what’s going on here.”
Schumer then tore into the Republican Party for being “willing to ignore” the pandemic, to rush Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination forward and allowing Pence’s upcoming appearance on the Senate floor after being potentially exposed to COVID-19.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-25--Senate GOPers Vote To Advance Trump SCOTUS Pick’s Final Confirmation

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Senate Republicans voted overwhelmingly Sunday to advance Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett toward final confirmation despite Democratic objections , just over a week before the presidential election .
The vote was 51-48 .
Barrett ’ s confirmation on Monday was hardly in doubt , with majority Republicans mostly united in support behind President Donald Trump ’ s pick .
But Democrats were poised to keep the Senate in session into the night in attempts to stall , arguing that the Nov. 3 election winner should choose the nominee to fill the vacancy left by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans are excited by the chance to install a third Trump justice on the court , locking in a conservative majority for years to come .
Barrett ’ s ascent opens up a potential new era of rulings on abortion , gay marriage and the Affordable Care Act .
A case against the Obama-era health law scheduled to be heard Nov. 10 .
Vice President Mike Pence would typically preside over the coming votes , but after a close aide tested positive for the COVID-19 , it was unclear whether he will fulfill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The conservative judge picked up the crucial backing Saturday from Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , one of the last GOP holdouts against filling the seat in the midst of a White House election and with more than 50 million people already having voted .
Murkowski said she disliked the rush toward confirmation , but supported Trump ’ s choice of Barrett for the high court .
“ While I oppose the process that has led us to this point , I do not hold it against her , ” Murkowski said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Barrett is Collins , who faces a tight reelection in Maine .
She has said she won ’ t vote for the nominee so close to the election .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , noted the political rancor , but defended his handling of the process .
“ Our recent debates have been heated , but curiously talk of Judge Barrett ’ s actual credentials or qualifications are hardly featured , ” McConnell said .
He said she was one of the most “ impressive ” nominees for public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it a “ sham , ” Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York warned Republicans the only way to remove the “ stain ” of their action would be to “ withdraw the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett until after the election.
” Barrett , 48 , presented herself in public testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee as a neutral arbiter and at one point suggested , “ It ’ s not the law of Amy.
” But Barrett ’ s past writings against abortion and a ruling on “ Obamacare ” show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a conservative woman who embraces her faith , she ’ s unabashedly pro-life but she ’ s not going to apply ‘ the law of Amy ’ to all of us , ” said the committee chairman , Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , said late Saturday on Fox .
At the start of Trump ’ s presidency , McConnell engineered a Senate rules change to allow confirmation by a majority of the 100 senators , rather than the 60-vote threshold traditionally needed to advance high court nominees over objections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s confirmation is almost certain .
By pushing for Barrett ’ s ascension so close to the Nov. 3 election , Trump and his Republican allies are counting on a campaign boost , in much the way they believe McConnell ’ s refusal to allow the Senate to consider President Barack Obama ’ s nominee in February 2016 created excitement for Trump among conservatives and evangelical Christians eager for the Republican president to make that nomination after Justice Antonin Scalia ’ s death .
Barrett was a professor at Notre Dame Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 for an appeals court opening .
Two Democrats joined at that time to confirm her , but none is expected to vote for her in the days ahead .
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington , Meg Kinnard in Columbia , South Carolina , and Becky Bohrer in Juneau , Alaska contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voted overwhelmingly Sunday to advance Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett toward final confirmation despite Democratic objections, just over a week before the presidential election. The vote was 51-48.
Barrett’s confirmation on Monday was hardly in doubt, with majority Republicans mostly united in support behind President Donald Trump’s pick. But Democrats were poised to keep the Senate in session into the night in attempts to stall, arguing that the Nov. 3 election winner should choose the nominee to fill the vacancy left by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Republicans are excited by the chance to install a third Trump justice on the court, locking in a conservative majority for years to come. Barrett’s ascent opens up a potential new era of rulings on abortion, gay marriage and the Affordable Care Act. A case against the Obama-era health law scheduled to be heard Nov. 10.
Vice President Mike Pence would typically preside over the coming votes, but after a close aide tested positive for the COVID-19, it was unclear whether he will fulfill his role for the landmark vote.
The conservative judge picked up the crucial backing Saturday from Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, one of the last GOP holdouts against filling the seat in the midst of a White House election and with more than 50 million people already having voted.
Murkowski said she disliked the rush toward confirmation, but supported Trump’s choice of Barrett for the high court. “While I oppose the process that has led us to this point, I do not hold it against her,” Murkowski said.
Now the only Republican expected to vote against Barrett is Collins, who faces a tight reelection in Maine. She has said she won’t vote for the nominee so close to the election.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., noted the political rancor, but defended his handling of the process.
“Our recent debates have been heated, but curiously talk of Judge Barrett’s actual credentials or qualifications are hardly featured,” McConnell said. He said she was one of the most “impressive” nominees for public office “in a generation.”
Calling it a “sham,” Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York warned Republicans the only way to remove the “stain” of their action would be to “withdraw the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett until after the election.”
Barrett, 48, presented herself in public testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee as a neutral arbiter and at one point suggested, “It’s not the law of Amy.” But Barrett’s past writings against abortion and a ruling on “Obamacare” show a deeply conservative thinker.
“She’s a conservative woman who embraces her faith, she’s unabashedly pro-life but she’s not going to apply ‘the law of Amy’ to all of us,” said the committee chairman, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said late Saturday on Fox.
At the start of Trump’s presidency, McConnell engineered a Senate rules change to allow confirmation by a majority of the 100 senators, rather than the 60-vote threshold traditionally needed to advance high court nominees over objections. With a 53-47 GOP majority, Barrett’s confirmation is almost certain.
By pushing for Barrett’s ascension so close to the Nov. 3 election, Trump and his Republican allies are counting on a campaign boost, in much the way they believe McConnell’s refusal to allow the Senate to consider President Barack Obama’s nominee in February 2016 created excitement for Trump among conservatives and evangelical Christians eager for the Republican president to make that nomination after Justice Antonin Scalia’s death.
Barrett was a professor at Notre Dame Law School when she was tapped by Trump in 2017 for an appeals court opening. Two Democrats joined at that time to confirm her, but none is expected to vote for her in the days ahead.
___
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington, Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, and Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska contributed to this report.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-25--Christie Is ‘Surprised’ Pence Is Still On Campaign Trail After Aides Contract COVID

Former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie ( R ) on Sunday said that he ’ s “ surprised ” that Vice President Mike Pence will continue campaigning despite several of his aides testing positive for COVID-19 .
Appearing ABC News on Sunday morning , Christie — who was hospitalized for COVID-19 earlier this month after working with President Trump on his debate preparations ahead of the first presidential debate — was asked about his thoughts on Pence staying on the campaign trail , which the VP ’ s office justified by arguing that he ’ s “ essential personnel.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting of COVID to begin with and the not wearing of masks has been a problem , ” Christie stressed the importance of putting “ the health of the people they ’ re going to be in touch with first.
” Christie then recalled that when he tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month , he “ immediately ” quarantined himself ” before being hospitalized .
“ But you got to keep yourself away from everybody and I ’ m a little bit surprised , ” Christie said , referring to Pence hitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Christie attended the White House event announcing Trump ’ s nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
Christie later expressed regret for not wear a mask at the event and that it was an error on his part to believe he was in a “ safe zone ” due to the testing requirements at the White House .

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Sunday said that he’s “surprised” that Vice President Mike Pence will continue campaigning despite several of his aides testing positive for COVID-19.
Appearing ABC News on Sunday morning, Christie — who was hospitalized for COVID-19 earlier this month after working with President Trump on his debate preparations ahead of the first presidential debate — was asked about his thoughts on Pence staying on the campaign trail, which the VP’s office justified by arguing that he’s “essential personnel.”
After saying that “the whole getting of COVID to begin with and the not wearing of masks has been a problem,” Christie stressed the importance of putting “the health of the people they’re going to be in touch with first.”
Christie then recalled that when he tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, he “immediately” quarantined himself” before being hospitalized.
“But you got to keep yourself away from everybody and I’m a little bit surprised,” Christie said, referring to Pence hitting the campaign trail.
Late last month, Christie attended the White House event announcing Trump’s nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Christie later expressed regret for not wear a mask at the event and that it was an error on his part to believe he was in a “safe zone” due to the testing requirements at the White House.
Watch Christie’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-25--WH Admits ‘We’re Not Going To Control The Pandemic’ As COVID Outbreak Hits VP Orbit

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows off-handedly told CNN on Sunday that the Trump administration is “ not going to control ” the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed nearly 225,000 Americans and has now reached Vice President Mike Pence ’ s orbit in what appears to be a new COVID-19 outbreak in the White House .
“ We are not going to control the pandemic .
We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines , therapeutics and other mitigation areas , ” Meadows said on CNN on Sunday morning .
CNN ’ s Jake Tapper then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get the COVID-19 pandemic under control .
Meadows replied that it ’ s “ because it is a contagious virus just like the flu ” and that the Trump administration is “ making efforts to contain it.
” “ What we need to do is make sure that we have the proper mitigation factors , whether it ’ s therapies or vaccines or treatments to make sure that people don ’ t die from this , ” Meadows said .
Crosstalk ensued as Meadows threw in a jab at Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former VP of saying that he wants to “ lock everybody down.
” Tapper replied that Biden never said that and that he was quoting a health official when remarking that a “ dark winter ” is ahead for the country as COVID-19 cases surge .
Earlier in the interview , Meadows was pressed on several aides to Pence contracting COVID-19 .
Asked about a detail in the New York Times ’ report on Pence aides testing positive for COVID-19 , which reported that Meadows sought to keep the news of the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of staff falsely asserted that it ’ s “ not a report , it ’ s a tweet.
” Meadows then said that “ sharing personal information is not something that we should do.
” “ Not something that we do actually do unless it ’ s the vice president or the President or someone that is very close to them where there is people in harm ’ s way , ” Meadows said .
Meadows was later asked about why Pence himself is not quarantining for 14 days like the CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts by holding rallies .
After insisting that Pence is campaigning while “ getting things done , ” Meadows argued that Pence would continue with travel plans because he is “ essential personnel ” and will comply with mask-wearing when he is not on stage delivering a speech .
“ I ’ m not saying he is not campaigning , I ’ m saying that is only part of what he is doing and as we look at that , ‘ essential personnel , ’ whether it ’ s the vice president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to continue on , ” Meadows said .
Biden issued a scathing statement on Meadows ’ remarks later Sunday , writing that the Trump administration has “ given up their basic duty to protect ” Americans .

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows off-handedly told CNN on Sunday that the Trump administration is “not going to control” the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed nearly 225,000 Americans and has now reached Vice President Mike Pence’s orbit in what appears to be a new COVID-19 outbreak in the White House.
“We are not going to control the pandemic. We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines, therapeutics and other mitigation areas,” Meadows said on CNN on Sunday morning.
CNN’s Jake Tapper then pressed Meadows on why the country won’t get the COVID-19 pandemic under control.
Meadows replied that it’s “because it is a contagious virus just like the flu” and that the Trump administration is “making efforts to contain it.”
“What we need to do is make sure that we have the proper mitigation factors, whether it’s therapies or vaccines or treatments to make sure that people don’t die from this,” Meadows said.
Crosstalk ensued as Meadows threw in a jab at Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden by falsely accusing the former VP of saying that he wants to “lock everybody down.” Tapper replied that Biden never said that and that he was quoting a health official when remarking that a “dark winter” is ahead for the country as COVID-19 cases surge.
Earlier in the interview, Meadows was pressed on several aides to Pence contracting COVID-19.
Asked about a detail in the New York Times’ report on Pence aides testing positive for COVID-19, which reported that Meadows sought to keep the news of the outbreak from being public, the White House chief of staff falsely asserted that it’s “not a report, it’s a tweet.”
Meadows then said that “sharing personal information is not something that we should do.”
“Not something that we do actually do unless it’s the vice president or the President or someone that is very close to them where there is people in harm’s way,” Meadows said.
Meadows was later asked about why Pence himself is not quarantining for 14 days like the CDC recommends, and is instead continuing campaign efforts by holding rallies.
After insisting that Pence is campaigning while “getting things done,” Meadows argued that Pence would continue with travel plans because he is “essential personnel” and will comply with mask-wearing when he is not on stage delivering a speech.
“I’m not saying he is not campaigning, I’m saying that is only part of what he is doing and as we look at that, ‘essential personnel,’ whether it’s the vice president of the United States or anyone else, has to continue on,” Meadows said.
Biden issued a scathing statement on Meadows’ remarks later Sunday, writing that the Trump administration has “given up their basic duty to protect” Americans.
Joe Biden responds to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows comments on @CNNSotu this morning, saying Meadows admitted that the administration has “given up on even trying to control this pandemic, that they've given up on their basic duty to protect the American people.” pic.twitter.com/b6IKIUHQQ3 — Sarah Mucha (@sarahmucha) October 25, 2020
Watch Meadows’ remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-25--‘Sue If You Must’: Lincoln Project Fires Back At Ivanka And Jared Over Billboards Threat

The Lincoln Project issued a scathing response to a threat from Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner ’ s lawyer to sue the anti-Trump Republican group for its billboards installed in Times Square featuring the two White House senior advisers smiling alongside body bags and figures that reflect the country ’ s alarming COVID-19 fatality rate .
On Friday , Marc Kasowitz , an attorney representing Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner demanded that the Lincoln Project take down the “ false , malicious and defamatory ” ads or “ we will sue you for what will doubtless be enormous compensatory and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lawyer for the Lincoln Project , a group of former Republican consultants who have broken from President Trump and support Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden instead ahead of next month ’ s election , wrote that the group “ will not be intimidated by empty bluster ” and to “ sue if you must ” over the Times Square billboards .
“ Please peddle your scare tactics elsewhere .
The Lincoln Project will not be intimidated by such empty bluster , ” attorney Matthew Sanderson wrote to Kasowitz in a legal response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are no longer Upper East Side socialites , able to sue at the slightest offense to their personal sensitivities.
” Sanderson hammered into his rebuke against Kasowitz ’ s threats further , writing that due to a “ gross act of nepotism ” the President ’ s daughter and his son-in law have become public officials whom Americans “ have the right to discuss and criticise freely.
” Sanderson wrote that the “ bruised self-image ” of Ivanka Trump “ does not change the fact that this billboard accurately depicts her support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent an unmitigated tragedy for the United States ” .
After writing that the Lincoln Project would “ welcome the opportunity to further establish the truthfulness of its Times Square billboards through litigation and discovery , ” Sanderson told Kasowitz to “ sue if you must.
” “ May I suggest that if Mr Kushner and Ms Trump are genuinely concerned about salvaging their reputations , they would do well to stop suppressing truthful criticism and instead turn their attention to the COVID-19 crisis that is still unfolding under their inept watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his scathing letter by writing “ this isn ’ t over ” and that there is more to come from the Lincoln Project soon .

The Lincoln Project issued a scathing response to a threat from Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s lawyer to sue the anti-Trump Republican group for its billboards installed in Times Square featuring the two White House senior advisers smiling alongside body bags and figures that reflect the country’s alarming COVID-19 fatality rate.
On Friday, Marc Kasowitz, an attorney representing Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner demanded that the Lincoln Project take down the “false, malicious and defamatory” ads or “we will sue you for what will doubtless be enormous compensatory and punitive damages.”
The next day, a lawyer for the Lincoln Project, a group of former Republican consultants who have broken from President Trump and support Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden instead ahead of next month’s election, wrote that the group “will not be intimidated by empty bluster” and to “sue if you must” over the Times Square billboards.
“Please peddle your scare tactics elsewhere. The Lincoln Project will not be intimidated by such empty bluster,” attorney Matthew Sanderson wrote to Kasowitz in a legal response issued Saturday night. “Your clients are no longer Upper East Side socialites, able to sue at the slightest offense to their personal sensitivities.”
Sanderson hammered into his rebuke against Kasowitz’s threats further, writing that due to a “gross act of nepotism” the President’s daughter and his son-in law have become public officials whom Americans “have the right to discuss and criticise freely.”
Sanderson wrote that the “bruised self-image” of Ivanka Trump “does not change the fact that this billboard accurately depicts her support of a federal response that has utterly failed to prevent an unmitigated tragedy for the United States”.
After writing that the Lincoln Project would “welcome the opportunity to further establish the truthfulness of its Times Square billboards through litigation and discovery,” Sanderson told Kasowitz to “sue if you must.”
“May I suggest that if Mr Kushner and Ms Trump are genuinely concerned about salvaging their reputations, they would do well to stop suppressing truthful criticism and instead turn their attention to the COVID-19 crisis that is still unfolding under their inept watch,” Sanderson wrote.
Sanderson concluded his scathing letter by writing “this isn’t over” and that there is more to come from the Lincoln Project soon.
Read Sanderson’s letter to Kasowitz below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-25--Several Pence Aides Contract COVID-19 Amid VP Hitting Campaign Trail

Several aides to Vice President Mike Pence , including his chief of staff Marc Short , have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past few days , according to the New York Times .
The Times reported that five people in Pence ’ s inner circle tested positive for COVID-19 , citing people briefed on the matter .
Devin O ’ Malley , press secretary for Pence , confirmed in a statement on Saturday that Short recently tested positive .
According to the Times , a person briefed on the diagnosis said Short tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Staff to the Vice President , tested positive for COVID-19 , began quarantine and assisting in the contact tracing process , ” O ’ Malley wrote in a statement issued Saturday .
O ’ Malley wrote that both the VP and second lady Karen Pence tested negative for COVID-19 on Saturday and “ remain in good health.
” O ’ Mally added that Pence will maintain his schedule .
“ While Vice President Pence is considered a close contact with Mr. Short , in consultation with the White House Medical Unit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in accordance with the C.D.C .
guidelines for essential personnel , ” O ’ Malley wrote .
According to the Times , Marty Obst , a Pence adviser , also recently tested positive and received his result earlier in the week , which was first reported by Bloomberg News .
An unnamed third person briefed on the developments told the Times that three additional Pence staffers tested positive for COVID-19 .
The Times reported that two people briefed on the matter said that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows sought to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s circle from becoming public .
On Sunday , the Washington Post reported that an additional Pence staffer , known informally as a “ body man ” who accompanies the Vice President throughout his day— also tested positive for COVID-19 , citing two officials .
The Post reported that Pence is regularly in close contact with the aide , who travels with him on Air Force Two and accompanies him for much of his day in the White House complex .
An official familiar told the Post that the aide tested positive while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday after having close contact with Obst .
Pence , who heads up the White House Coronavirus Task Force , has continued campaigning amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 220,000 Americans thus far .
The VP has made campaign event trips to Florida , Indiana , Ohio , Pennsylvania and New Hampshire in the last week .
On Saturday , Pence traveled to Florida for campaign rallies in Lakeland and Tallahassee .
Earlier this month , President Trump , first lady Melania Trump and several people in the President ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The President was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for four days and was treated with a cocktail of medicine that included an experimental antibody treatment in addition the steroid dexamethasone .
Trump soon returned to the campaign trail and held enormous rallies that were largely maskless .

Several aides to Vice President Mike Pence, including his chief of staff Marc Short, have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past few days, according to the New York Times.
The Times reported that five people in Pence’s inner circle tested positive for COVID-19, citing people briefed on the matter.
Devin O’Malley, press secretary for Pence, confirmed in a statement on Saturday that Short recently tested positive. According to the Times, a person briefed on the diagnosis said Short tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday.
“Today, Marc Short, Chief of Staff to the Vice President, tested positive for COVID-19, began quarantine and assisting in the contact tracing process,” O’Malley wrote in a statement issued Saturday.
O’Malley wrote that both the VP and second lady Karen Pence tested negative for COVID-19 on Saturday and “remain in good health.” O’Mally added that Pence will maintain his schedule.
“While Vice President Pence is considered a close contact with Mr. Short, in consultation with the White House Medical Unit, the vice president will maintain his schedule in accordance with the C.D.C. guidelines for essential personnel,” O’Malley wrote.
According to the Times, Marty Obst, a Pence adviser, also recently tested positive and received his result earlier in the week, which was first reported by Bloomberg News.
An unnamed third person briefed on the developments told the Times that three additional Pence staffers tested positive for COVID-19.
The Times reported that two people briefed on the matter said that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows sought to keep news of the outbreak among Pence’s circle from becoming public.
On Sunday, the Washington Post reported that an additional Pence staffer, known informally as a “body man” who accompanies the Vice President throughout his day— also tested positive for COVID-19, citing two officials. The Post reported that Pence is regularly in close contact with the aide, who travels with him on Air Force Two and accompanies him for much of his day in the White House complex. An official familiar told the Post that the aide tested positive while in quarantine, which he began on Tuesday after having close contact with Obst.
Pence, who heads up the White House Coronavirus Task Force, has continued campaigning amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 220,000 Americans thus far. The VP has made campaign event trips to Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire in the last week.
On Saturday, Pence traveled to Florida for campaign rallies in Lakeland and Tallahassee.
Earlier this month, President Trump, first lady Melania Trump and several people in the President’s circle tested positive for COVID-19. The President was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for four days and was treated with a cocktail of medicine that included an experimental antibody treatment in addition the steroid dexamethasone. Trump soon returned to the campaign trail and held enormous rallies that were largely maskless.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-26--Trump Wants COVID-19 Media Coverage To Be Illegal: ‘Should Be An Election Law Violation’

President Donald Trump argued on Monday morning that it ought to be against the law for the news media to cover the pandemic ahead of the elections as the COVID-19 death toll in the U.S. surpasses 225,000 .
“ We have made tremendous progress with the China Virus , but the Fake News refuses to talk about it this close to the Election , ” he tweeted .
“ COVID , COVID , COVID is being used by them , in total coordination , in order to change our great early election numbers .
Should be an election law violation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , Trump has publicly griped several times about the media reporting on COVID-19 , even going as far as calling CNN “ dumb bastards ” for doing so .
“ You turn on CNN , that ’ s all they cover , ” he ranted during a campaign rally in Arizona last week .
“ COVID , COVID , pandemic , COVID , COVID , COVID .
You know why ?
They ’ re trying to talk everybody out of voting .
People aren ’ t buying it , CNN , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a similar tirade at another rally several days later in North Carolina .
“ All you hear is COVID , COVID , COVID , COVID , COVID , COVID , COVID , COVID , COVID , COVID , COVID , ” he complained .
“ That ’ s all they put on , because they want to scare the hell out of everyone.
” Meanwhile , the White House has admitted that it ’ s given up on trying to contain the virus .
“ We are not going to control the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Staff Mark Meadows told CNN anchor Jake Tapper on Sunday .
“ We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines , therapeutics and other mitigation areas .
”

President Donald Trump argued on Monday morning that it ought to be against the law for the news media to cover the pandemic ahead of the elections as the COVID-19 death toll in the U.S. surpasses 225,000.
“We have made tremendous progress with the China Virus, but the Fake News refuses to talk about it this close to the Election,” he tweeted. “COVID, COVID, COVID is being used by them, in total coordination, in order to change our great early election numbers. Should be an election law violation!”
Amid his failure to address the pandemic, Trump has publicly griped several times about the media reporting on COVID-19, even going as far as calling CNN “dumb bastards” for doing so.
“You turn on CNN, that’s all they cover,” he ranted during a campaign rally in Arizona last week. “COVID, COVID, pandemic, COVID, COVID, COVID. You know why? They’re trying to talk everybody out of voting. People aren’t buying it, CNN, you dumb bastards.”
The President went on a similar tirade at another rally several days later in North Carolina.
“All you hear is COVID, COVID, COVID, COVID, COVID, COVID, COVID, COVID, COVID, COVID, COVID,” he complained. “That’s all they put on, because they want to scare the hell out of everyone.”
Meanwhile, the White House has admitted that it’s given up on trying to contain the virus.
“We are not going to control the pandemic,” White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told CNN anchor Jake Tapper on Sunday. “We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines, therapeutics and other mitigation areas.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-26--Fox News Prez And Top Hosts Told To Quarantine After COVID-19 Exposure

Fox News Media President Jay Wallace and several of the network ’ s top personalities have reportedly been told to @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 after they were all unknowingly exposed to an individual who had contracted the @ @ @ @ @ Times reported on Sunday that besides Wallace , four anchors are expected to quarantine : @ @ @ @ @ , Bret Baier , and Juan Williams .
They will reportedly broadcast their respective programs @ @ @ @ @ and the hosts were reportedly exposed to an individual who later tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ a private plane from the debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden @ @ @

Fox News Media President Jay Wallace and several of the network’s top personalities have reportedly been told to quarantine themselves and get tested for COVID-19 after they were all unknowingly exposed to an individual who had contracted the virus.
The New York Times reported on Sunday that besides Wallace, four anchors are expected to quarantine: Martha MacCallum, Dana Perino, Bret Baier, and Juan Williams. They will reportedly broadcast their respective programs from their homes.
Wallace and the hosts were reportedly exposed to an individual who later tested positive for COVID-19 when they flew together on a private plane from the debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden on Thursday.
A Fox News spokesperson, pointing to private health confidentiality, declined to confirm the Times’ report on how exactly Wallace and the anchors had gotten exposed.
Wallace and Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott informed network employees in a memo first obtained by Variety that Fox “will be further reducing some of the workforce in our buildings and operating virtually wherever possible throughout the week” in wake of the exposures.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-26--Trump To Fire Esper, FBI Director, And CIA Director If He Wins Reelection

President Donald Trump is reportedly expected to give Defense Secretary Mark Esper , FBI Director Christopher Wray , and CIA Director Gina Haspel the ax right after Election Day on November 3 if he defeats Democratic rival Joe Biden .
According to Axios , Wray is number one on Trump ’ s chopping block .
The Washington Post reported last week that the President had been discussing Wray ’ s potential ouster due to the fact the FBI director had failed to supply Trump ’ s campaign a boost by not pursuing an investigation into Biden .
Haspel is widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Axios reported .
And the President is reportedly angry that the CIA director has obstructed Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe ’ s efforts to declassify unverified Russian intelligence that aims to delegitimize the U.S. intel community ’ s findings that Russia had attempted to hack the 2016 election .
Trump has publicly attacked intelligence officials , particularly Wray , for revealing Russia ’ s efforts to boost the President .
And Esper reportedly drew Trump ’ s ire when he refused to send troops over to cities where anti-police brutality demonstrators were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no personnel announcements at this time nor would it be appropriate to speculate about changes after the election or in a 2nd term , ” Deere said in a statement .

President Donald Trump is reportedly expected to give Defense Secretary Mark Esper, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and CIA Director Gina Haspel the ax right after Election Day on November 3 if he defeats Democratic rival Joe Biden.
According to Axios, Wray is number one on Trump’s chopping block. The Washington Post reported last week that the President had been discussing Wray’s potential ouster due to the fact the FBI director had failed to supply Trump’s campaign a boost by not pursuing an investigation into Biden.
Haspel is widely distrusted by Trump’s allies, Axios reported. And the President is reportedly angry that the CIA director has obstructed Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe’s efforts to declassify unverified Russian intelligence that aims to delegitimize the U.S. intel community’s findings that Russia had attempted to hack the 2016 election. Trump has publicly attacked intelligence officials, particularly Wray, for revealing Russia’s efforts to boost the President.
And Esper reportedly drew Trump’s ire when he refused to send troops over to cities where anti-police brutality demonstrators were protesting during the summer.
White House spokesperson Judd Deere declined to confirm or deny Axios’ report.
“We have no personnel announcements at this time nor would it be appropriate to speculate about changes after the election or in a 2nd term,” Deere said in a statement.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-27--Senate Confirms Amy Coney Barrett, Locking In Conservative Control Of SCOTUS

The Senate confirmed Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Monday , making her the third Trump nominee to reach the high court .
Her confirmation is the culmination of the decades-long effort by the conservative legal movement to remake the federal judiciary in its image .
By putting her on the court just a week before the election , Senate Republicans have prioritized those long term goals over the short term political price their vulnerable members may pay at the ballot box next week .
“ A lot of what we ’ ve done over the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later by the next election , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R ) said Sunday during a procedural vote setting up Barrett ’ s confirmation .
“ They won ’ t be able to do much about this for a long time to come.
” The final vote was 52-48 , with no Senate Democrat voting in favor of her confirmation and only one Republican voting against it .
Barrett , who is 48 and is replacing the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , could serve on the court for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bench cements a 6-3 conservative majority that will jerk the court ’ s jurisprudence even further to the right .
The way that President Trump — with crucial help from McConnell — has been able to shape the U.S. Supreme Court will have generational impacts .
For two of the three vacancies he has been able to fill , Trump has put onto those seats justices well to the right of their predecessors .
Now , liberals will need to flip not just one , but two Republican-appointed justices to secure progressive victories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will likely see their legislative agenda stymied by the courts .
Barrett ’ s last minute confirmation — which happened less than two months after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of cancer — has fueled demands from the left that Democrats expand the Supreme Court if they take the White House and the Senate , particularly because Barrett ’ s confirmation required Republicans to flip flop on previous promises to not fill vacancies that occur once presidential elections are underway .
A former clerk to the late Justice Antonin Scalia , Barrett ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conservative legal movement was crystalized during her 2017 confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit .
Prior to that confirmation she was a law professor at Notre Dame University , where she burnished her social conservative credentials by joining University Faculty for Life , and speaking five times at a conference for law students aiming to promote a “ distinctly Christian worldview in every area of law.
” Once on the 7th Circuit , she established herself as one of the most conservative judges on the panel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s name has been circulated as a potential Trump Supreme Court nominee for several years .
She won right-wing acclaim during her appeals court confirmation hearing in 2017 , during which Sen. Dianne Feinstein ( D-CA ) , the top Judiciary Committee Democrat , remarked on her devout Catholic faith and told the future judge that the “ dogma lives loudly within you.
” Republicans pounced on the comment as some supposed sign of anti-Catholic sentiment against Barrett .
During her Supreme Court confirmation hearing , Republicans raised the specter of anti-Catholicism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mentioning her faith , focusing instead on policy issues she will likely weigh in on as a judge .
A Flashpoint for the 2020 Campaign The potential that Barrett will cast deciding votes on cases dealing with the Affordable Care Act and reproductive rights became a key focus of her confirmation process and a touchy subject for the GOP senators who are in tight fights for reelection .
With a record of public statements and judicial actions reflecting a hostitlity to abortion rights , Barrett is seen as dependable vote for gutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if not reversing outright Roe v. Wade , the landmark decision establishing a constitutional right to an abortion .
There are several cases traveling up the judicial pipeline that will give her and the other conservatives on the court the opportunity to do so .
The week after the election , the court will hear a legal challenge , supported by the Trump administration , to the Affordable Care Act , in which several red states are asking the court to fully dismantle the law .
Because Chief Justice John Roberts — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obamacare in the past — will no longer be the deciding vote in that case , Democrats have painted Republicans ’ vote to confirm Barrett has a vote to demolish the health care law .
Republicans , contradicting their longstanding promises to their conservative base , have played down the likelihood that Barrett will vote against Obamacare and to reverse Roe .
Sen. Susan Collins ( R-ME ) , who faces a tough re-election , and who in the past has criticized her party ’ s hard stances against Obamacare and abortion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the final vote to confirm Barrett .
Even before she faces any Obamacare or abortion cases , Barrett will face an early test in any election-related lawsuit that may end up before the Supreme Court .
Already , the court has before it two disputes – out of North Carolina and Pennsylvania — over whether the deadlines by which mail-in ballots must be received should be extended .
Trump and his allies in Congress have made explicit that part of their goal in putting Barrett on the court before the election is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in any election disputes — including in a Bush v. Gore-like scenario in which the court is effectively deciding the presidential race .
Democrats , meanwhile , have called on Barrett to recuse from such cases .
Barrett dodged those questions during her confirmation hearings , making the stretch argument that such anodyne questions as whether a president should unequivocally commit to a peaceful transfer of power were political , and thus inappropriate for a judge to answer .
When Democrats tried to pin her down on whether she ’ d recuse if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result and throws the case to the courts , she said only that she wouldn ’ t let herself be used as a “ pawn ” and would “ faithfully apply the law of recusal.
” Barrett also largely feigned ignorance of Trump ’ s candor that he wants her installed on the bench quickly , possibly to give him a last-minute election assist .
“ I think this will end up in the Supreme Court , and I think it ’ s very important that we have nine justices , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the election as a “ scam Democrats are pulling.
” A 4-4 split on the court , he added ominously , would not be a “ good situation .
”

The Senate confirmed Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Monday, making her the third Trump nominee to reach the high court.
Her confirmation is the culmination of the decades-long effort by the conservative legal movement to remake the federal judiciary in its image. By putting her on the court just a week before the election, Senate Republicans have prioritized those long term goals over the short term political price their vulnerable members may pay at the ballot box next week.
“A lot of what we’ve done over the last four years will be undone sooner or later by the next election,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) said Sunday during a procedural vote setting up Barrett’s confirmation. “They won’t be able to do much about this for a long time to come.”
The final vote was 52-48, with no Senate Democrat voting in favor of her confirmation and only one Republican voting against it.
Barrett, who is 48 and is replacing the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, could serve on the court for decades, and her addition to the bench cements a 6-3 conservative majority that will jerk the court’s jurisprudence even further to the right.
The way that President Trump — with crucial help from McConnell — has been able to shape the U.S. Supreme Court will have generational impacts. For two of the three vacancies he has been able to fill, Trump has put onto those seats justices well to the right of their predecessors.
Now, liberals will need to flip not just one, but two Republican-appointed justices to secure progressive victories. For years to come, Democrats will likely see their legislative agenda stymied by the courts.
Barrett’s last minute confirmation — which happened less than two months after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of cancer — has fueled demands from the left that Democrats expand the Supreme Court if they take the White House and the Senate, particularly because Barrett’s confirmation required Republicans to flip flop on previous promises to not fill vacancies that occur once presidential elections are underway.
A Favorite For Social Conservatives
A former clerk to the late Justice Antonin Scalia, Barrett’s status as a rising star in the conservative legal movement was crystalized during her 2017 confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.
Prior to that confirmation she was a law professor at Notre Dame University, where she burnished her social conservative credentials by joining University Faculty for Life, and speaking five times at a conference for law students aiming to promote a “distinctly Christian worldview in every area of law.” Once on the 7th Circuit, she established herself as one of the most conservative judges on the panel, particularly on civil rights cases.
Barrett’s name has been circulated as a potential Trump Supreme Court nominee for several years. She won right-wing acclaim during her appeals court confirmation hearing in 2017, during which Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), the top Judiciary Committee Democrat, remarked on her devout Catholic faith and told the future judge that the “dogma lives loudly within you.”
Republicans pounced on the comment as some supposed sign of anti-Catholic sentiment against Barrett. During her Supreme Court confirmation hearing, Republicans raised the specter of anti-Catholicism again, even though Democrats steered clear of mentioning her faith, focusing instead on policy issues she will likely weigh in on as a judge.
A Flashpoint for the 2020 Campaign
The potential that Barrett will cast deciding votes on cases dealing with the Affordable Care Act and reproductive rights became a key focus of her confirmation process and a touchy subject for the GOP senators who are in tight fights for reelection.
With a record of public statements and judicial actions reflecting a hostitlity to abortion rights, Barrett is seen as dependable vote for gutting legal projections for access to the procedure, if not reversing outright Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision establishing a constitutional right to an abortion. There are several cases traveling up the judicial pipeline that will give her and the other conservatives on the court the opportunity to do so.
The week after the election, the court will hear a legal challenge, supported by the Trump administration, to the Affordable Care Act, in which several red states are asking the court to fully dismantle the law. Because Chief Justice John Roberts — who voted with the liberals to uphold Obamacare in the past — will no longer be the deciding vote in that case, Democrats have painted Republicans’ vote to confirm Barrett has a vote to demolish the health care law.
Republicans, contradicting their longstanding promises to their conservative base, have played down the likelihood that Barrett will vote against Obamacare and to reverse Roe.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who faces a tough re-election, and who in the past has criticized her party’s hard stances against Obamacare and abortion, was the only Republican to vote no on the final vote to confirm Barrett.
A Coming Test On Election Disputes
Even before she faces any Obamacare or abortion cases, Barrett will face an early test in any election-related lawsuit that may end up before the Supreme Court. Already, the court has before it two disputes – out of North Carolina and Pennsylvania — over whether the deadlines by which mail-in ballots must be received should be extended.
Trump and his allies in Congress have made explicit that part of their goal in putting Barrett on the court before the election is to have her cast the deciding vote in any election disputes — including in a Bush v. Gore-like scenario in which the court is effectively deciding the presidential race.
Democrats, meanwhile, have called on Barrett to recuse from such cases.
Barrett dodged those questions during her confirmation hearings, making the stretch argument that such anodyne questions as whether a president should unequivocally commit to a peaceful transfer of power were political, and thus inappropriate for a judge to answer.
When Democrats tried to pin her down on whether she’d recuse if Trump refuses to accept an unfriendly election result and throws the case to the courts, she said only that she wouldn’t let herself be used as a “pawn” and would “faithfully apply the law of recusal.”
Barrett also largely feigned ignorance of Trump’s candor that he wants her installed on the bench quickly, possibly to give him a last-minute election assist.
“I think this will end up in the Supreme Court, and I think it’s very important that we have nine justices,” Trump told reporters late last month, referring to the election as a “scam Democrats are pulling.” A 4-4 split on the court, he added ominously, would not be a “good situation.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-26--Mark Meadows Is Already Having A Rough Week. And It’s Only Monday.

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows is at the center of mounting frustration among White House and Trump campaign staffers in light of his recent remarks that have further bungled the administration ’ s disastrous response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 225,000 Americans thus far .
White House staffers aired their grievances towards Meadows in a Washington Post report published Monday , saying that the chief of staff has sent mixed messages regarding COVID relief negotiations , muddling details of Trump ’ s hospitalization at Walter Reed for COVID-19 earlier this month and regularly failing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration .
According to the Post ’ s report — which cites interviews with 18 White House officials , Trump advisers , Capitol Hill aides and others who spoke on the condition of anonymity — Meadows has told others that he consults “ The Gatekeepers , ” a book on presidential chiefs of staff by Chris Whipple , who has been recently spotted in the West Wing for meetings recently .
Whipple told the Post , however , that “ it ’ s hard to count the ways Meadows has failed as chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the position “ has been an unmitigated disaster.
” The Post reported that frustrations in the West Wing hit a breaking point earlier this month during Trump ’ s hospitalization for COVID-19 at Walter Reed , when Meadows was the sole aide who flew with the President on Oct. 2 to the military hospital .
Four senior administration officials told the Post that Meadows did not communicate to staff regarding the President ’ s condition ; whether the West Wing would partially close and if it ’ s preferred that they work remotely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 outbreak in Trump ’ s orbit ; or the total number of staffers who contracted the coronavirus .
According to the Post , officials said that Meadows slept near Trump at Walter Reed in an ICU bed and largely limited his communication to the President instead of talking to other administration officials .
Minutes after White House physician Dr. Sean Conley held an evasive briefing outside of Walter Reed that painted a rosy picture of Trump ’ s condition a day after he was admitted , Meadows contradicted Conley by telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital signs had struggled and expressed uncertainty over a “ clear path to recovery.
” As other officials attempted to deny the comments that Meadows made as an unnamed official — and were unaware that it was Meadows who issued them in the first place — the White House chief of staff was soon outed for making the contradictory remarks after camera footage surfaced of him speaking to reporters .
Other examples that White House officials pointed the Post to include Meadows ’ involvement in orchestrating the still-infected President ’ s surprise motorcade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling other staffers — which explains why White House reporters weren ’ t given the heads up ahead of the PR stunt — and the White House chief of staff ’ s knowledge of Trump aide Hope Hicks testing positive for COVID-19 for more than eight hours before it was disclosed to the public on Oct. 1 , prior to the President ’ s fundraiser that day in New Jersey .
According to the Post , a person close to Meadows said the White House did not plan to reveal the condition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned to disclose the information if the President became infected .
Aides told the Post that unlike the three previous chiefs of staff , Meadows has an easy rapport with Trump .
The aides cited how Meadow often joins the President on his trips .
Additionally , Meadows has good relationships with Dan Scavino , who manages the President ’ s social media message , and as well as Trump ’ s son-in-law Jared Kushner compared to previous chiefs .
Trump campaign staffers also share similar frustrations with Meadows , according to CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told CNN there is widespread frustration with Meadows over his off-handed admission that the Trump administration is “ not going to control ” the COVID-19 pandemic .
On Monday , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden excoriated the White House chief of staff for his “ deadly admission ” during remarks in Chester , Pennsylvania .
“ Everyone was clear that Meadows sh** the bed again , ” the adviser told CNN .
According to CNN , Trump was and still is displeased over Meadows ’ contradictory remarks outside of Walter Reed earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied that he ’ s planning to boot Meadows in a potential second term .
“ Every time we build some momentum , Meadows f***s it up with an interview , ” the adviser told CNN .
A separate adviser told CNN that it ’ s probably best that Meadows not appear on TV between now and next week ’ s election , though Meadows has signaled he would appear on CBS and ABC on Tuesday .
Multiple officials told CNN that Meadows ’ inability to keep his messaging on track demonstrates his @ @ @ @ @ @

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows is at the center of mounting frustration among White House and Trump campaign staffers in light of his recent remarks that have further bungled the administration’s disastrous response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 225,000 Americans thus far.
White House staffers aired their grievances towards Meadows in a Washington Post report published Monday, saying that the chief of staff has sent mixed messages regarding COVID relief negotiations, muddling details of Trump’s hospitalization at Walter Reed for COVID-19 earlier this month and regularly failing to communicate with many parts of the administration.
According to the Post’s report — which cites interviews with 18 White House officials, Trump advisers, Capitol Hill aides and others who spoke on the condition of anonymity — Meadows has told others that he consults “The Gatekeepers,” a book on presidential chiefs of staff by Chris Whipple, who has been recently spotted in the West Wing for meetings recently.
Whipple told the Post, however, that “it’s hard to count the ways Meadows has failed as chief of staff” since his performance in the position “has been an unmitigated disaster.”
The Post reported that frustrations in the West Wing hit a breaking point earlier this month during Trump’s hospitalization for COVID-19 at Walter Reed, when Meadows was the sole aide who flew with the President on Oct. 2 to the military hospital.
Four senior administration officials told the Post that Meadows did not communicate to staff regarding the President’s condition; whether the West Wing would partially close and if it’s preferred that they work remotely; what precautions were in place after the COVID-19 outbreak in Trump’s orbit; or the total number of staffers who contracted the coronavirus.
According to the Post, officials said that Meadows slept near Trump at Walter Reed in an ICU bed and largely limited his communication to the President instead of talking to other administration officials.
Minutes after White House physician Dr. Sean Conley held an evasive briefing outside of Walter Reed that painted a rosy picture of Trump’s condition a day after he was admitted, Meadows contradicted Conley by telling reporters anonymously that the President’s vital signs had struggled and expressed uncertainty over a “clear path to recovery.”
As other officials attempted to deny the comments that Meadows made as an unnamed official — and were unaware that it was Meadows who issued them in the first place — the White House chief of staff was soon outed for making the contradictory remarks after camera footage surfaced of him speaking to reporters.
Other examples that White House officials pointed the Post to include Meadows’ involvement in orchestrating the still-infected President’s surprise motorcade publicity stunt outside of Water Reed without telling other staffers — which explains why White House reporters weren’t given the heads up ahead of the PR stunt — and the White House chief of staff’s knowledge of Trump aide Hope Hicks testing positive for COVID-19 for more than eight hours before it was disclosed to the public on Oct. 1, prior to the President’s fundraiser that day in New Jersey.
According to the Post, a person close to Meadows said the White House did not plan to reveal the condition of aides who contracted COVID-19, but always planned to disclose the information if the President became infected.
Aides told the Post that unlike the three previous chiefs of staff, Meadows has an easy rapport with Trump. The aides cited how Meadow often joins the President on his trips. Additionally, Meadows has good relationships with Dan Scavino, who manages the President’s social media message, and as well as Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner compared to previous chiefs.
Trump campaign staffers also share similar frustrations with Meadows, according to CNN on Monday.
A Trump campaign adviser told CNN there is widespread frustration with Meadows over his off-handed admission that the Trump administration is “not going to control” the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden excoriated the White House chief of staff for his “deadly admission” during remarks in Chester, Pennsylvania.
“Everyone was clear that Meadows sh** the bed again,” the adviser told CNN.
According to CNN, Trump was and still is displeased over Meadows’ contradictory remarks outside of Walter Reed earlier this month, despite how the President has denied that he’s planning to boot Meadows in a potential second term.
“Every time we build some momentum, Meadows f***s it up with an interview,” the adviser told CNN.
A separate adviser told CNN that it’s probably best that Meadows not appear on TV between now and next week’s election, though Meadows has signaled he would appear on CBS and ABC on Tuesday.
Multiple officials told CNN that Meadows’ inability to keep his messaging on track demonstrates his diminished standing inside the building.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-26--Right-Wing Activist Who Declared Herself Guv Of Ohio Denies She Planned To ‘Arrest’ DeWine

It ’ s been a rough few days for the self-declared governor of Ohio .
Renea Turner , a write-in candidate for the office in 2018 and a right-wing activist against COVID-19 public health restrictions , declared herself the state ’ s new executive in a ceremony Thursday only to discover the next morning that she was the subject of a state highway patrol investigation .
The probe appears to be the result of a police report submitted by an as yet-unidentified Miami County resident who claimed Turner was set on arresting the man she believes is her predecessor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R ) .
DeWine has faced harsh criticisms from the right for his public health restrictions meant to stem the spread of COVID-19 .
Turner did not respond to TPM ’ s request for comment — and no charges have been filed against her — but has denied that she ever had her sights set on kidnapping or otherwise performing a citizen ’ s arrest of DeWine .
At a press conference Monday , she said that she simply wanted to issue a declaration removing him from office while he was at his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyler Buchanan reported .
In an interview with cleveland.com Friday , Turner called the person that reported her “ a dingbat ” and said she ’ d received a visit from the state ’ s highway patrol that morning .
One trooper “ said he was just there to check out my temperament and what my plans are , ” she said .
The Capital Journal broke the news of the Miami County resident ’ s police report on Friday .
During his conversation with Turner , the unidentified person alleged in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people , we ’ re going to arrest [ DeWine ] .
” This person was sympathetic to the idea that DeWine ’ s COVID-19 restrictions were criminal , but thought Turner may take things a step too far , the Capital Journal reported .
“ Do I think [ DeWine ] needs to be arrested ?
Absolutely , ” the person told the Capital Journal .
“ But all that needs to happen within the confines of the law.
” Local police in Piqua , Ohio went to Ohio State Highway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson confirmed to TPM Monday that “ we were made aware of the information reported to the Piqua Police Department on the allegations and are currently investigating the incident.
” Turner is part of a small movement of Ohioans , including state Rep. John Becker ( R ) , who ’ ve sought out prosecutors and judges willing to entertain the idea of arresting the actual governor for his handling of the pandemic .
Becker said in a YouTube video on Oct. 19 that he ’ d heard about someone preparing to perform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor .
He called the idea “ incredibly stupid ” and in a separate video two days later applauded the unnamed person who alerted authorities to the alleged plot .
“ The plan was — and this is what gets scary — they were planning to arrest the governor at his home , put him on trial for tyranny , and with the potential penalty for that being either execution or exile , ” Becker said .
Becker subsequently acknowledged to the Capital Journal that he ’ d met with Turner just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recalled , spoke about trying to find a county sheriff willing to make the arrest .
Then she asked what the lawmaker called a “ strange question ” — whether the governor ’ s personal residence constituted public property .
Becker took the question to the state ’ s Legislative Service Commission , the Capital Journal reported , which confirmed that the governor ’ s home is a private residence .
He passed the information along to Turner , he said , but didn ’ t hear from her again .
For his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was unaware of Turner ’ s activities .
“ We have people in every state who believe that they can take the law into their own hands , ” the governor said Friday .
“ We have people who believe the government ’ s illegitimate and they have every right to go and basically overthrow the government in one form or the other .
I think it ’ s incumbent upon all of us to denounce that and say that ’ s wrong .
”

It’s been a rough few days for the self-declared governor of Ohio.
Renea Turner, a write-in candidate for the office in 2018 and a right-wing activist against COVID-19 public health restrictions, declared herself the state’s new executive in a ceremony Thursday only to discover the next morning that she was the subject of a state highway patrol investigation.
The probe appears to be the result of a police report submitted by an as yet-unidentified Miami County resident who claimed Turner was set on arresting the man she believes is her predecessor, actual Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R). DeWine has faced harsh criticisms from the right for his public health restrictions meant to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Turner did not respond to TPM’s request for comment — and no charges have been filed against her — but she has denied that she ever had her sights set on kidnapping or otherwise performing a citizen’s arrest of DeWine. At a press conference Monday, she said that she simply wanted to issue a declaration removing him from office while he was at his home, Ohio Capital Journal’s Tyler Buchanan reported.
In an interview with cleveland.com Friday, Turner called the person that reported her “a dingbat” and said she’d received a visit from the state’s highway patrol that morning. One trooper “said he was just there to check out my temperament and what my plans are,” she said.
The Capital Journal broke the news of the Miami County resident’s police report on Friday. During his conversation with Turner, the unidentified person alleged in the police report, she said “we the people, we’re going to arrest [DeWine].”
This person was sympathetic to the idea that DeWine’s COVID-19 restrictions were criminal, but thought Turner may take things a step too far, the Capital Journal reported.
“Do I think [DeWine] needs to be arrested? Absolutely,” the person told the Capital Journal. “But all that needs to happen within the confines of the law.”
Local police in Piqua, Ohio went to Ohio State Highway Patrol with the report. An OSHP spokesperson confirmed to TPM Monday that “we were made aware of the information reported to the Piqua Police Department on the allegations and are currently investigating the incident.”
Turner is part of a small movement of Ohioans, including state Rep. John Becker (R), who’ve sought out prosecutors and judges willing to entertain the idea of arresting the actual governor for his handling of the pandemic.
Becker said in a YouTube video on Oct. 19 that he’d heard about someone preparing to perform a citizen’s arrest of the governor. He called the idea “incredibly stupid” and in a separate video two days later applauded the unnamed person who alerted authorities to the alleged plot.
“The plan was — and this is what gets scary — they were planning to arrest the governor at his home, put him on trial for tyranny, and with the potential penalty for that being either execution or exile,” Becker said.
Becker subsequently acknowledged to the Capital Journal that he’d met with Turner just a few weeks ago.
Turner, Becker recalled, spoke about trying to find a county sheriff willing to make the arrest. Then she asked what the lawmaker called a “strange question” — whether the governor’s personal residence constituted public property.
Becker took the question to the state’s Legislative Service Commission, the Capital Journal reported, which confirmed that the governor’s home is a private residence. He passed the information along to Turner, he said, but didn’t hear from her again.
For his part, Gov. DeWine has said he was unaware of Turner’s activities.
“We have people in every state who believe that they can take the law into their own hands,” the governor said Friday.
“We have people who believe the government’s illegitimate and they have every right to go and basically overthrow the government in one form or the other. I think it’s incumbent upon all of us to denounce that and say that’s wrong.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-26--Biden Offers Timeline For COVID Response As Country Reels From Fall Wave

Vice President Joe Biden offered up a timeline for how he would respond the COVID-19 pandemic if elected , providing milestones for his proposals to offer a national agenda aimed at halting the virus .
The remarks — made in Wilmington , Delaware on Friday — come as the country grapples with a devastating third wave of the virus .
States from Wisconsin to Utah to Texas are seeing record numbers of cases with hospitals overflowing with COVID-19 patients , a repeat of a sequence that has become predictable and familiar since outbreaks of the virus first began in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if elected , he would set a task for the transition : speak with every state governor along with local officials to learn what each state needs from the federal government , and in what form .
“ I ’ ll reach out to every governor in every state , red and blue , as well as mayors and local officials , during the transition , to find out what support they need and how much of it they need , ” Biden said .
Next , the Democratic candidate added , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put a bill on my desk by the end of January with all the resources necessary.
” That way , Biden added , “ both our public health response and our economic response can be seen through to the end.
” The House of Representatives has passed a bill called the HEROES Act , which would provide economic stimulus , fiscal support , and an expansion of public health funding for the states .
That bill also includes billions of dollars in appropriations that would fund the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not clear how that bill might change in response to the needs of local officials , in part because the course of the virus has yet to be determined .
Biden also reiterated themes and points laid out in his COVID-19 plan , first formulated earlier in the year .
The former vice president emphasized five points in that plan which he sees as essential to stopping the spread of the virus , and which all map onto various failures of the Trump administration in responding to the pandemic .
He said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal buildings and at all interstate transportation , ” and would try to persuade governors and local officials to issue mask-wearing mandates in their areas .
A Biden administration would also aim to increase the number of COVID-19 tests performed in the U.S. each day sevenfold , up from the current average of around 1 million .
The Biden plan has also set a goal of hiring at least 100,000 contact tracers to track the spread of the virus in communities around the country .
The third point has to do with personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would invoke the Defense Production Act to order PPE production and bring shortages to an end , and would appoint a supply czar to coordinate between states and local governments .
A Biden administration would also issue standardized , apolitical guidelines on reopening the country , leaving decisions on how and when to reopen after viral outbreaks to the discretion of public health officials and experts in epidemiology .
Finally , Biden emphasized , his administration would commit to making a COVID-19 vaccine free , and that any vaccine would be approved on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timeline .
In the meantime , his White House would work to coordinate deliveries of drugs that have been shown to help people fight the virus .
Biden added that “ we don ’ t have to be held prisoner by this administration ’ s failure.
” Should Biden win next week , it ’ s not clear what effect his victory will have on the path of the virus during the transition period .
With cases increasing around the country and the federal response already in disarray , many observers predict rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus spreads unabated .

Vice President Joe Biden offered up a timeline for how he would respond the COVID-19 pandemic if elected, providing milestones for his proposals to offer a national agenda aimed at halting the virus.
The remarks — made in Wilmington, Delaware on Friday — come as the country grapples with a devastating third wave of the virus. States from Wisconsin to Utah to Texas are seeing record numbers of cases with hospitals overflowing with COVID-19 patients, a repeat of a sequence that has become predictable and familiar since outbreaks of the virus first began in the U.S. in March.
Biden said that, if elected, he would set a task for the transition: speak with every state governor along with local officials to learn what each state needs from the federal government, and in what form.
“I’ll reach out to every governor in every state, red and blue, as well as mayors and local officials, during the transition, to find out what support they need and how much of it they need,” Biden said.
Next, the Democratic candidate added, he would ask “the new Congress to put a bill on my desk by the end of January with all the resources necessary.”
That way, Biden added, “both our public health response and our economic response can be seen through to the end.”
The House of Representatives has passed a bill called the HEROES Act, which would provide economic stimulus, fiscal support, and an expansion of public health funding for the states. That bill also includes billions of dollars in appropriations that would fund the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine to all Americans.
It’s not clear how that bill might change in response to the needs of local officials, in part because the course of the virus has yet to be determined.
Biden also reiterated themes and points laid out in his COVID-19 plan, first formulated earlier in the year. The former vice president emphasized five points in that plan which he sees as essential to stopping the spread of the virus, and which all map onto various failures of the Trump administration in responding to the pandemic.
He said that he would “mandate mask-wearing at all federal buildings and at all interstate transportation,” and would try to persuade governors and local officials to issue mask-wearing mandates in their areas.
A Biden administration would also aim to increase the number of COVID-19 tests performed in the U.S. each day sevenfold, up from the current average of around 1 million. The Biden plan has also set a goal of hiring at least 100,000 contact tracers to track the spread of the virus in communities around the country.
The third point has to do with personal protective equipment procurement; Biden said he would invoke the Defense Production Act to order PPE production and bring shortages to an end, and would appoint a supply czar to coordinate between states and local governments.
A Biden administration would also issue standardized, apolitical guidelines on reopening the country, leaving decisions on how and when to reopen after viral outbreaks to the discretion of public health officials and experts in epidemiology.
Finally, Biden emphasized, his administration would commit to making a COVID-19 vaccine free, and that any vaccine would be approved on a science-driven, and not political, timeline. In the meantime, his White House would work to coordinate deliveries of drugs that have been shown to help people fight the virus.
Biden added that “we don’t have to be held prisoner by this administration’s failure.”
Should Biden win next week, it’s not clear what effect his victory will have on the path of the virus during the transition period. With cases increasing around the country and the federal response already in disarray, many observers predict rising death rates and overwhelmed hospitals as the virus spreads unabated.
“This is a dark winter ahead,” Biden said.