talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--Trump Faces Backlash For Tweeting Race-Baiting Vids Of Black Men Attacking White People

President Donald Trump has sparked outrage after he retweeted dog-whistling videos of random Black men attacking white people on Monday night .
“ So terrible !
” Trump tweeted with a now-deleted video of a Black man shoving a white woman against the side of a New York subway train .
Exactly one minute later , the President tweeted a video from conservative hardliner Matt Walsh showing a Black man hitting a white male Macy ’ s employee inside a store .
“ Looks what ’ s going on here .
Where are the protesters ?
Was this man arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet , referring to the demonstrators who are protesting systemic racism against Black people after George Floyd , an unarmed African-American man , was killed by a white police officer during an arrest .
The video of the Macy ’ s incident was filmed last week by the Black man ’ s brother , FT Quay , who told the New York Post this past Saturday that the white man had called them the N-word right before the video started .
Quay said he had not been contacted by the police .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Axios reporter Alexi McCammon described Trump ’ s tweets as “ another example of something that President Trump is doing , apparently to fan the flames and sort of exacerbate these racial tensions that we ’ re already seeing played out throughout the country.
” Others blasted Trump for the posts .

President Donald Trump has sparked outrage after he retweeted dog-whistling videos of random Black men attacking white people on Monday night.
“So terrible!” Trump tweeted with a now-deleted video of a Black man shoving a white woman against the side of a New York subway train.
Exactly one minute later, the President tweeted a video from conservative hardliner Matt Walsh showing a Black man hitting a white male Macy’s employee inside a store.
“Looks what’s going on here. Where are the protesters? Was this man arrested?” Trump wrote in the second tweet, referring to the demonstrators who are protesting systemic racism against Black people after George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man, was killed by a white police officer during an arrest.
The video of the Macy’s incident was filmed last week by the Black man’s brother, FT Quay, who told the New York Post this past Saturday that the white man had called them the N-word right before the video started. Quay said he had not been contacted by the police.
During a CNN appearance on Tuesday morning, Axios reporter Alexi McCammon described Trump’s tweets as “another example of something that President Trump is doing, apparently to fan the flames and sort of exacerbate these racial tensions that we’re already seeing played out throughout the country.”
Others blasted Trump for the posts.
Historically presidents have tried to calm tensions and not stoke them but elect a racist reality television host…. https://t.co/yIMXhea3n0 — Molly Jong-Fast? (@MollyJongFast) June 23, 2020
There's a not-terribly-subtle subculture of white nationalists and neo-Nazis who share video footage of black people assaulting white people, trying to make images they believe will incite race hatred go viral. Anyhow, the president of the US is a key member of that community. https://t.co/55sLcZeafz — Brian Beutler (@brianbeutler) June 23, 2020
when the dogwhistle becomes a foghorn — shauna (@goldengateblond) June 23, 2020
The President of the United States is sharing videos of crimes committed by black people to push back on the notion that racism is a problem in our society — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 23, 2020


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--New RNC Video On Mail-In Voting Push Is Littered With Falsehoods

Update : This story has been updated to include a response from the RNC .
The RNC unveiled a new video Tuesday that made several false or misleading claims about the current push to expand mail-in voting during the pandemic .
Though Republicans have been supportive of mail-in voting in the past — and some of the states that pioneered the option did so under Republican leadership — the national GOP is now fully embracing President Trump ’ s fear-mongering around it .
The latest video suggests that several of the security measures around mail-in voting simply don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes to elections that are necessary because of the outbreak are actually a scheme by Democrats to cheat .
The video has an an over-the-top , cartoonish style .
Yet the fears the video stirs about mail-in voting could sow very real doubts about the integrity of the coming election , when voters will use mail-in voting in record numbers to cast ballots in the midst of a pandemic , whether Republicans like it or not .
By asking questions like “ are you tired of driving all the way to a polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by implying that the scaling up of vote-by-mail happening across the country is being driven by laziness , rather than the necessity of coping with COVID-19 .
In actuality , election officials are grappling with the need to social distance and with the fact that the same people that they normally depend on to staff polling places — usually elderly people — are particularly susceptible to the virus .
With fewer people allowed in polling places and a drop in the number of voting sites that can be properly staffed , voters will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless many of them adopt vote-by-mail instead .
In a statement to TPM about the video , the RNC said that Democrats “ are using the coronavirus as an excuse to get wholesale election changes that fit their far-left agenda , but we are fighting back to protect the vote.
” “ While the RNC of course supports efforts to ensure that no voters are disenfranchised due to the coronavirus , we will not stand idly by while Democrats strip away important election safeguards and throw election integrity out the window .
Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it is critical we work to preserve the democratic process , ” the RNC said in its statement .
The RNC video then says the system has been “ rigged up ” to “ churn out ” ballots for “ every living thing in the country.
” Nowhere are election officials planning on sending out to ballots to everyone .
In places where mail-in ballots will be sent out proactively , they ’ re often sent only to active votes — meaning voters who have interacted with the election system in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of states are still requiring that voters apply for absentee ballots before they receive them .
In response to TPM ’ s inquiry about the claim , the RNC suggested that its qualms were with plans to send ballots to inactive voters and pointed to Democratic litigation in Nevada that resulted in ballots going to inactive registered voters in Clark County .
The RNC also pointed to allegations that jurisdictions like Los Angeles County have more people on their rolls than are eligible to vote .
( It ’ s worth noting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to only active registered voters . )
The formula used to produce those allegations has been critiqued by election wonks and in court .
A string of other claims in the video follow ( “ more ballots than people , ” “ we ’ re mailing so many ballots , we don ’ t even know who they ’ re going to ” ) misleadingly painting the picture that ballots are just being sent out willy nilly .
The video then claims that ballots don ’ t expire until 30 days after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mailed ballots that are received a few days after Election Day , they all require that those ballots are postmarked either by or before Election Day .
In a response to TPM ’ s inquiry , the RNC said that those policies nonetheless had the potential for fraud and , by delaying the outcome , could invite unnecessary litigation .
The video also claims that there will be no signature requirement to vote absentee — another claim unmoored from reality .
There has been some litigation around the ballot signature process , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remove the requirements .
Rather they ’ ve sought to give voters an opportunity to address issues that arise if the ballot signatures don ’ t match the signatures on state ’ s records .
In response to TPM ’ s inquiry about the claim , the RNC again pointed to the Democrats ’ Nevada lawsuit .
That lawsuit asked for the ballot rejection policies to be blocked because of lack of training and standards for matching the signatures , and because Dems alleged the policy did not give enough time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowness of the mail .
In an agreement reached with Dems ahead of the primary , Clark County didn ’ t eliminate the requirement but rather changed the process for reviewing and curing signature issues .
The RNC also pointed to a Democratic lawsuit Pennsylvania , which sought a more standardized process for signature matching and letting voters address issues with their signature .
Not surprisingly , much of the video also focuses on so-called “ ballot harvesting ” — the policy of letting third party groups or individuals collect and submit ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around ballot collection vary state to state and they have been aggressively litigated .
The most famous recent example of fraudulent ballot harvesting was allegedly carried out by an operative in North Carolina who was hired by a … .
Republican candidate .

Update: This story has been updated to include a response from the RNC.
The RNC unveiled a new video Tuesday that made several false or misleading claims about the current push to expand mail-in voting during the pandemic.
Though Republicans have been supportive of mail-in voting in the past — and some of the states that pioneered the option did so under Republican leadership — the national GOP is now fully embracing President Trump’s fear-mongering around it.
The latest video suggests that several of the security measures around mail-in voting simply don’t exist. And it alleges that the changes to elections that are necessary because of the outbreak are actually a scheme by Democrats to cheat.
The video has an an over-the-top, cartoonish style. Yet the fears the video stirs about mail-in voting could sow very real doubts about the integrity of the coming election, when voters will use mail-in voting in record numbers to cast ballots in the midst of a pandemic, whether Republicans like it or not.
By asking questions like “are you tired of driving all the way to a polling location,” the video starts off by implying that the scaling up of vote-by-mail happening across the country is being driven by laziness, rather than the necessity of coping with COVID-19.
In actuality, election officials are grappling with the need to social distance and with the fact that the same people that they normally depend on to staff polling places — usually elderly people — are particularly susceptible to the virus. With fewer people allowed in polling places and a drop in the number of voting sites that can be properly staffed, voters will face long waits to cast ballots in-person unless many of them adopt vote-by-mail instead.
In a statement to TPM about the video, the RNC said that Democrats “are using the coronavirus as an excuse to get wholesale election changes that fit their far-left agenda, but we are fighting back to protect the vote.”
“While the RNC of course supports efforts to ensure that no voters are disenfranchised due to the coronavirus, we will not stand idly by while Democrats strip away important election safeguards and throw election integrity out the window. Americans deserve to have confidence in their elections, and it is critical we work to preserve the democratic process,” the RNC said in its statement.
The RNC video then says the system has been “rigged up” to “churn out” ballots for “every living thing in the country.” Nowhere are election officials planning on sending out to ballots to everyone. In places where mail-in ballots will be sent out proactively, they’re often sent only to active votes — meaning voters who have interacted with the election system in recent years. But a vast majority of states are still requiring that voters apply for absentee ballots before they receive them.
In response to TPM’s inquiry about the claim, the RNC suggested that its qualms were with plans to send ballots to inactive voters and pointed to Democratic litigation in Nevada that resulted in ballots going to inactive registered voters in Clark County. The RNC also pointed to allegations that jurisdictions like Los Angeles County have more people on their rolls than are eligible to vote. (It’s worth noting that California will be proactively sending ballots out to only active registered voters.) The formula used to produce those allegations has been critiqued by election wonks and in court.
A string of other claims in the video follow (“more ballots than people,” “we’re mailing so many ballots, we don’t even know who they’re going to”) misleadingly painting the picture that ballots are just being sent out willy nilly.
The video then claims that ballots don’t expire until 30 days after the election. Though some jurisdictions will accept mailed ballots that are received a few days after Election Day, they all require that those ballots are postmarked either by or before Election Day.
In a response to TPM’s inquiry, the RNC said that those policies nonetheless had the potential for fraud and, by delaying the outcome, could invite unnecessary litigation.
The video also claims that there will be no signature requirement to vote absentee — another claim unmoored from reality. There has been some litigation around the ballot signature process, but typically those lawsuits haven’t aimed to remove the requirements. Rather they’ve sought to give voters an opportunity to address issues that arise if the ballot signatures don’t match the signatures on state’s records.
In response to TPM’s inquiry about the claim, the RNC again pointed to the Democrats’ Nevada lawsuit. That lawsuit asked for the ballot rejection policies to be blocked because of lack of training and standards for matching the signatures, and because Dems alleged the policy did not give enough time for voters to address issues, given the slowness of the mail. In an agreement reached with Dems ahead of the primary, Clark County didn’t eliminate the requirement but rather changed the process for reviewing and curing signature issues.
The RNC also pointed to a Democratic lawsuit Pennsylvania, which sought a more standardized process for signature matching and letting voters address issues with their signature.
Not surprisingly, much of the video also focuses on so-called “ballot harvesting” — the policy of letting third party groups or individuals collect and submit ballots on behalf of voters. The rules around ballot collection vary state to state and they have been aggressively litigated. The most famous recent example of fraudulent ballot harvesting was allegedly carried out by an operative in North Carolina who was hired by a …. Republican candidate.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--Trump Says He Wasn’t Joking About Slowing Down COVID-19 Testing: ‘I Don’t Kid’

President Trump on Tuesday insisted that he wasn ’ t kidding when he told attendees at his campaign rally over the weekend in Tulsa that he asked his administration to “ slow the testing down , please ” on the novel coronavirus .
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Tuesday morning , Trump was pressed on whether he was kidding when he made the claim at his poorly attended rally .
“ I don ’ t kid , let me make it clear , ” Trump said .
“ We have got the greatest testing program anywhere in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody in the world .
Our tests are the best in the world , and we have the most of them .
By having more tests , we find more cases .
We did 25 million tests.
” The President then argued that “ testing is a double-edged sword ” before reiterating that the country is “ doing a great job ” on it .
“ In one way , it tells you , you have cases .
In other way , you find out where the cases are and you do a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are doing a great job .
We have never been credited for it .
We ’ re doing the best testing job anywhere in the world.
” Trump ’ s latest remarks come a day after he refused to confirm whether he requested that his staff “ slow the testing down ” during an interview with “ Scripps.
” Trump ’ s newfound defense of his remarks at his Tulsa rally contradict White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany ’ s explanation the day before when she said that the President made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jest.
” “ Any suggestion that testing has been curtailed is not rooted in fact , ” McEnany said during a White House briefing on Monday .
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro shared a similar defense of Trump ’ s original remarks during an interview on CNN Sunday morning , saying that the President was being “ tongue in cheek .
”

President Trump on Tuesday insisted that he wasn’t kidding when he told attendees at his campaign rally over the weekend in Tulsa that he asked his administration to “slow the testing down, please” on the novel coronavirus.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Tuesday morning, Trump was pressed on whether he was kidding when he made the claim at his poorly attended rally.
“I don’t kid, let me make it clear,” Trump said. “We have got the greatest testing program anywhere in the world. We test better than anybody in the world. Our tests are the best in the world, and we have the most of them. By having more tests, we find more cases. We did 25 million tests.”
The President then argued that “testing is a double-edged sword” before reiterating that the country is “doing a great job” on it.
“In one way, it tells you, you have cases. In other way, you find out where the cases are and you do a good job,” Trump said. “We are doing a great job. We have never been credited for it. We’re doing the best testing job anywhere in the world.”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended the President’s “I don’t kid” remark aboard Air Force One later Tuesday. She argued that he “appreciates testing” and that he was “using sarcasm.”
“He was making a serious point, which is why he said, ‘I don’t kid.’ He was noting — he was making a serious point but he was using sarcasm to do that at the rally,” McEnany said. “The serious point he was making was when you test more people, you identify more cases. But the cases shouldn’t be indicative of the progress we’ve made. Per capita we have fewer fatalities than Europe.”
Trump’s latest remarks come a day after he refused to confirm whether he requested that his staff “slow the testing down” during an interview with “Scripps.”
Trump’s newfound defense of his remarks at his Tulsa rally contradict White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany’s explanation the day before when she said that the President made the comment at the rally “in jest.”
“Any suggestion that testing has been curtailed is not rooted in fact,” McEnany said during a White House briefing on Monday.
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro shared a similar defense of Trump’s original remarks during an interview on CNN Sunday morning, saying that the President was being “tongue in cheek.”
Watch Trump’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--Ammon Bundy & Co. Stage Bogus Special Session At ID Capitol To Reverse COVID Orders

A group of conservative legislators and gun-toting activists plans to take over Idaho ’ s Capitol on Tuesday — for a “ special session ” that , everyone else seems to agree , is illegal .
The crew , which includes the anti-government extremist Ammon Bundy , wants rescind the governor ’ s COVID-19 public health orders and , among other other things , amend the governor ’ s emergency authorities “ so that they may never be used as cover to violate the people ’ s Constitutional rights again.
” How ?
Well , the first part is showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many legislators as they can wrangle , declaring themselves a “ special session ” and proceeding however they like .
Several members of the Idaho House are apparently on board — including Rep. Heather Scott , an ally of the fringe right-wing Rep. Matt Shea in Washington — but no senators are planning on attending , according to the Idaho Press .
Will they have enough people for a quorum ?
Seems unlikely .
To reach quorum — likely needed in order to get anything done — the fringe group would need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House and 35-member Senate .
“ There is very strong language being used , especially from Senate leadership , to dissuade members from attending and conducting the people ’ s business , ” Sarah Clendenon , of the anti-vaccine group Health Freedom Idaho , said in a recent email quoted by Idaho Education News .
Bundy said his group would be providing “ crowd control.
” “ We ’ re going to make sure that legislators don ’ t have any trouble and everybody is good and peaceful , ” Bundy told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who will be present Tuesday , he added : “ What if they put their knee on someone ’ s neck ?
Who ’ s going to stop them ?
” Bundy in 2016 led a 41-day occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon .
Asked if his group might occupy the Capitol Building on Tuesday , he told the Press : “ I sure hope it doesn ’ t have to go to that level.
” According to the state ’ s attorney general and a law firm representing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call a special session , the Press reported .
An opinion earlier this month from the firm representing the legislature , Holland & Hart , found that a special session on the 23rd “ would be illegal.
” “ In Idaho , the Legislature is without any authority to call itself into a special session , ” the attorney general ’ s office ’ s opinion read .
But to the Bundy-aligned “ Freedom Man ” PAC and the libertarian group Idaho Freedom Foundation , the COVID-19 crisis means that different rules apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic constituted an “ enemy attack ” because of its ( unproven ) supposed origin as a Chinese bioweapon .
The state ’ s constitution provides for a legislative session on the 90th day after such an attack , according to their analysis , and June 23rd marks 90 days from the governor ’ s declaration that COVID-19 was an “ extreme emergency.
” But the group seems unconvinced that this reasoning will win the day : They want people power .
“ It is a flat-out battle , and that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying , you need to be at the Capitol Building on the 23rd , this Tuesday , to support those legislators that are willing to stand for liberty , ” Bundy said in a recent Facebook video .
He added separately : “ We ’ re going to try to get in the building and get the legislators in there so that they can hold their session in their building .
”

A group of conservative legislators and gun-toting activists plans to take over Idaho’s Capitol on Tuesday — for a “special session” that, everyone else seems to agree, is illegal.
The crew, which includes the anti-government extremist Ammon Bundy, wants rescind the governor’s COVID-19 public health orders and, among other other things, amend the governor’s emergency authorities “so that they may never be used as cover to violate the people’s Constitutional rights again.”
How? Well, the first part is showing up to the Idaho State Capitol with as many legislators as they can wrangle, declaring themselves a “special session” and proceeding however they like.
Several members of the Idaho House are apparently on board — including Rep. Heather Scott, an ally of the fringe right-wing Rep. Matt Shea in Washington — but no senators are planning on attending, according to the Idaho Press. Will they have enough people for a quorum? Seems unlikely.
To reach quorum — likely needed in order to get anything done — the fringe group would need to attract a majority of the 70-member House and 35-member Senate.
“There is very strong language being used, especially from Senate leadership, to dissuade members from attending and conducting the people’s business,” Sarah Clendenon, of the anti-vaccine group Health Freedom Idaho, said in a recent email quoted by Idaho Education News.
Bundy said his group would be providing “crowd control.”
“We’re going to make sure that legislators don’t have any trouble and everybody is good and peaceful,” Bundy told the Press.
Referring to the state police who will be present Tuesday, he added: “What if they put their knee on someone’s neck? Who’s going to stop them?”
Bundy in 2016 led a 41-day occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Asked if his group might occupy the Capitol Building on Tuesday, he told the Press: “I sure hope it doesn’t have to go to that level.”
According to the state’s attorney general and a law firm representing the legislature itself, only the governor can call a special session, the Press reported. An opinion earlier this month from the firm representing the legislature, Holland & Hart, found that a special session on the 23rd “would be illegal.”
“In Idaho, the Legislature is without any authority to call itself into a special session,” the attorney general’s office’s opinion read.
But to the Bundy-aligned “Freedom Man” PAC and the libertarian group Idaho Freedom Foundation, the COVID-19 crisis means that different rules apply.
According to their reasoning, the COVID-19 pandemic constituted an “enemy attack” because of its (unproven) supposed origin as a Chinese bioweapon. The state’s constitution provides for a legislative session on the 90th day after such an attack, according to their analysis, and June 23rd marks 90 days from the governor’s declaration that COVID-19 was an “extreme emergency.”
But the group seems unconvinced that this reasoning will win the day: They want people power.
“It is a flat-out battle, and that’s why we’re calling people, saying, you need to be at the Capitol Building on the 23rd, this Tuesday, to support those legislators that are willing to stand for liberty,” Bundy said in a recent Facebook video.
He added separately: “We’re going to try to get in the building and get the legislators in there so that they can hold their session in their building.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--Mulvaney Brushes Off Trump Criticism From Ex-Admin Officials: ‘Inside Beltway Kind Of Discussion’

Former acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney isn ’ t worried about President Trump ’ s re-election prospects in light of former National Security Adviser John Bolton ’ s damning tell-all book recalling his experiences in the Trump administration .
Mulvaney hopped on the Bolton bashing bandwagon during an interview on MSNBC Tuesday by criticizing the former national security adviser for being “ tough to work with ” and having an ego that is “ too big to follow the President down any road.
” Mulvaney went on to add that Bolton “ did whatever he wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprised when he was hired.
” MSNBC ’ s Chuck Todd then asked whether the President has a “ big hurdle ” heading into re-election due to criticisms from a former defense secretary , a former chief of staff , a former national security adviser and a former secretary of state .
Mulvaney replied that he thinks the criticisms from former administration officials is “ much more an inside the beltway kind of discussion.
” “ I don ’ t think most voters really care what ( former Secretary of State Rex ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite honestly , vice versa , ” Mulvaney said .
Mulvaney then argued that “ we pay a lot of attention to it because we ’ re from Washington , D.C. ” “ You ’ re from Washington , D.C. — I ’ m back home in South Carolina , thankfully , ” Mulvaney said .
“ But , you know , it makes for a good news story for a couple days and I don ’ t think it drives an election one way or the other nor should it.
” Mulvaney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t far-fetched from those he shared with CNN last Friday when he defended the President against criticism following reports of bombshell revelations in Bolton ’ s book .
“ If there was one criticism that I would level against the President it ’ s that he didn ’ t hire very well , ” Mulvaney told CNN anchor Jim Sciutto in an interview on Friday .
“ He did not have experience in running government and didn ’ t know how to put together a team that could work well with him @ @

Former acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney isn’t worried about President Trump’s re-election prospects in light of former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s damning tell-all book recalling his experiences in the Trump administration.
Mulvaney hopped on the Bolton bashing bandwagon during an interview on MSNBC Tuesday by criticizing the former national security adviser for being “tough to work with” and having an ego that is “too big to follow the President down any road.”
Mulvaney went on to add that Bolton “did whatever he wanted to do” and that he was “surprised when he was hired.” MSNBC’s Chuck Todd then asked whether the President has a “big hurdle” heading into re-election due to criticisms from a former defense secretary, a former chief of staff, a former national security adviser and a former secretary of state.
Mulvaney replied that he thinks the criticisms from former administration officials is “much more an inside the beltway kind of discussion.”
“I don’t think most voters really care what (former Secretary of State Rex) Tillerson thinks about the President or, quite honestly, vice versa,” Mulvaney said.
Mulvaney then argued that “we pay a lot of attention to it because we’re from Washington, D.C.”
“You’re from Washington, D.C. — I’m back home in South Carolina, thankfully,” Mulvaney said. “But, you know, it makes for a good news story for a couple days and I don’t think it drives an election one way or the other nor should it.”
Mulvaney’s latest remarks on Bolton aren’t far-fetched from those he shared with CNN last Friday when he defended the President against criticism following reports of bombshell revelations in Bolton’s book.
“If there was one criticism that I would level against the President it’s that he didn’t hire very well,” Mulvaney told CNN anchor Jim Sciutto in an interview on Friday. “He did not have experience in running government and didn’t know how to put together a team that could work well with him.”
Watch Mulvaney’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--Health Care Industry Frets That Trump Will End COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

Health care industry officials are reportedly worried about the Trump administration considering scaling back the national emergency declaration for COVID-19 .
According to an LA Times report on Tuesday , health care industry officials are worried about the spread of the novel coronavirus if the emergency declaration is scaled back .
The officials fret over the difficulty that state and local governments and health systems would experience in trying to control the outbreak without the emergency declaration in place .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany denied the move in a statement to TPM .
“ I just spoke with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not looking at lifting the national emergency declarations , ” McEnany said .
Several industry officials told the LA Times that the Trump administration signaled to them over the last week that lifting emergency declarations was under consideration .
The LA Times noted that the discussions took place amid hospitalizations and caseloads related to COVID-19 continue to rise rapidly in several large states that moved early to ease up on coronavirus restrictions .
“ It was very much under discussion , ” one industry official told the LA Times .
Health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re puzzled over the Trump administration ’ s reluctance toward extending the emergency declarations .
“ It ’ s the silence that worries us , ” Meg Murray , chief executive of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans , told the LA Times.
“ If they were seeing the world the way we are , we ’ d expect them to be more clear.
” Dr. Georges Benjamin , the longtime head of the American Public Health Association , shared a similar sentiment with the LA Times , saying that “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is over , but it ’ s clearly not.
” “ Many governors are still struggling to figure out what they need to do , particularly in those states where they are beginning to realize they have emergencies , ” Benjamin told the LA Times .
“ We need the flexibility that emergency declarations provide.
” The Trump administration has recently downplayed the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic .
On Tuesday morning , the President insisted that he wasn ’ t kidding when he told attendees at his campaign rally over the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ slow the testing down , please ” on the novel coronavirus .
Trump had initially contradicted McEnany ’ s insistence the day before to reporters that the President made the comment at the rally “ in jest.
” However , McEnany defended the President ’ s “ I don ’ t kid ” remark aboard Air Force One on Tuesday by arguing that he “ appreciates testing ” and that he was “ using sarcasm.
” Testifying before the House Energy & Commerce Committee on the government ’ s COVID-19 response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials such as Dr. Anthony Fauci said that they haven ’ t spoken to the President in weeks .

Health care industry officials are reportedly worried about the Trump administration considering scaling back the national emergency declaration for COVID-19.
According to an LA Times report on Tuesday, health care industry officials are worried about the spread of the novel coronavirus if the emergency declaration is scaled back. The officials fret over the difficulty that state and local governments and health systems would experience in trying to control the outbreak without the emergency declaration in place.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany denied the move in a statement to TPM.
“I just spoke with the President, and he said we are not looking at lifting the national emergency declarations,” McEnany said.
Several industry officials told the LA Times that the Trump administration signaled to them over the last week that lifting emergency declarations was under consideration. The LA Times noted that the discussions took place amid hospitalizations and caseloads related to COVID-19 continue to rise rapidly in several large states that moved early to ease up on coronavirus restrictions.
“It was very much under discussion,” one industry official told the LA Times.
Health care leaders told the LA Times that they’re puzzled over the Trump administration’s reluctance toward extending the emergency declarations.
“It’s the silence that worries us,” Meg Murray, chief executive of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans, told the LA Times.“If they were seeing the world the way we are, we’d expect them to be more clear.”
Dr. Georges Benjamin, the longtime head of the American Public Health Association, shared a similar sentiment with the LA Times, saying that “the administration is trying to pretend that this is over, but it’s clearly not.”
“Many governors are still struggling to figure out what they need to do, particularly in those states where they are beginning to realize they have emergencies,” Benjamin told the LA Times. “We need the flexibility that emergency declarations provide.”
The Trump administration has recently downplayed the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday morning, the President insisted that he wasn’t kidding when he told attendees at his campaign rally over the weekend in Tulsa that he asked his administration to “slow the testing down, please” on the novel coronavirus.
Trump had initially contradicted McEnany’s insistence the day before to reporters that the President made the comment at the rally “in jest.” However, McEnany defended the President’s “I don’t kid” remark aboard Air Force One on Tuesday by arguing that he “appreciates testing” and that he was “using sarcasm.”
Testifying before the House Energy & Commerce Committee on the government’s COVID-19 response on Tuesday, several prominent public health officials such as Dr. Anthony Fauci said that they haven’t spoken to the President in weeks.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--Feds: Noose Found In Bubba Wallace’s Garage Had Been There Since At Least October

The noose found hanging in Bubba Wallace ’ s garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway had been there since at least last October , federal authorities said Tuesday in announcing there will be no charges filed .
U.S. Attorney Jay Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. said its investigation determined “ although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in 2019 , nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week.
” A crew member for Richard Petty Motorsports discovered the noose Sunday at the Alabama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacted the FBI , which sent 15 agents to the track to investigate .
They determined no federal crime was committed .
The statement said the garage stall was assigned to Wallace last week in advance of the race scheduled for Sunday but held on Monday because of rain .
Through video confirmed by NASCAR it was discovered the noose had been “ was in that garage as early as October 2019.
” The agencies said the evidence did not support federal charges .
Wallace , the only Black driver at NASCAR ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stock car series to ban the Confederate flag at its venues less than two weeks ago .

The noose found hanging in Bubba Wallace’s garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway had been there since at least last October, federal authorities said Tuesday in announcing there will be no charges filed.
U.S. Attorney Jay Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. said its investigation determined “although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in 2019, nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week.”
A crew member for Richard Petty Motorsports discovered the noose Sunday at the Alabama race track. NASCAR was alerted and contacted the FBI, which sent 15 agents to the track to investigate. They determined no federal crime was committed.
The statement said the garage stall was assigned to Wallace last week in advance of the race scheduled for Sunday but held on Monday because of rain. Through video confirmed by NASCAR it was discovered the noose had been “was in that garage as early as October 2019.”
The agencies said the evidence did not support federal charges.
Wallace, the only Black driver at NASCAR’s top level, successfully pushed the stock car series to ban the Confederate flag at its venues less than two weeks ago.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--It’s Been Weeks Since Top Public Health Officials Have Spoken To Trump

Some of the most prominent public health officials in the federal government haven ’ t spoken to President Donald Trump in weeks .
That ’ s according to their testimony Tuesday to the House Energy & Commerce Committee , during a hearing on the government ’ s COVID-19 response .
It ’ s been “ about two-and-a-half weeks ” since Anthony Fauci , the government ’ s top infectious disease expert , spoke to Trump , the doctor told Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán ( D-CA ) .
Brett Giroir , the assistant health secretary who has served as the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the same thing : “ About two-and-a-half weeks ago , as well , maybe three weeks ago.
” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn told Barragán it had been “ some time ” since he ’ d spoken to Trump about the pandemic response — “ the last couple of weeks , ” he ball-parked .
It was less a a month ago , though , he said when Barragán asked .
One witness before the committee , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert R. Redfield , refused to even answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I continue to talk with the [ White House Coronavirus ] Task Force whenever the Task Force meets.
” “ I think the fact that you won ’ t tell this committee the last time you spoke to him , whether it ’ s day or months ago , is a real concern , ” Barragán responded .

Some of the most prominent public health officials in the federal government haven’t spoken to President Donald Trump in weeks.
That’s according to their testimony Tuesday to the House Energy & Commerce Committee, during a hearing on the government’s COVID-19 response.
It’s been “about two-and-a-half weeks” since Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, spoke to Trump, the doctor told Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA).
Brett Giroir, the assistant health secretary who has served as the government’s point person for COVID-testing, said the same thing: “About two-and-a-half weeks ago, as well, maybe three weeks ago.”
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn told Barragán it had been “some time” since he’d spoken to Trump about the pandemic response — “the last couple of weeks,” he ball-parked. It was less than a month ago, though, he said when Barragán asked.
One witness before the committee, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert R. Redfield, refused to answer the question, saying simply that “I continue to talk with the [White House Coronavirus] Task Force whenever the Task Force meets.”
“I think the fact that you won’t tell this committee the last time you spoke to him, whether it’s day or months ago, is a real concern,” Barragán responded.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--NYT: EU Prepares To Block Americans From Visiting Due To Trump’s COVID Bungling

European Union countries are prepared to block Americans from entering as they reopen their economies due to the United States ’ failure to contain the spread of the virus , according to draft lists of travelers deemed acceptable for entry to the EU obtained by The New York Times .
If the plan is implemented , Americans along with Russian and Brazilian travelers , would be prohibited from visiting countries in the EU — a clear rebuke of President Trump ’ s handling of the virus in the United States , which has had more than 2.3 million cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll of more than 120,000 .
The Times reported that European nations are currently considering two potential lists of welcome visitors — and both exclude Americans .
The lists have been drafted to only include countries that have fared well in their managing of the coronavirus pandemic .
China , as well as developing nations like Uganda , Cuba and Vietnam , appear on both lists , according to The Times .
American travelers and travelers from around the world have been barred from the EU with few exceptions since mid-March .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ let in as border restrictions are relaxed is expected early next week , before the group of countries formally reopens on July 1 .
The move by the EU is similar to one made by Trump in March , when the President enraged European leaders by banning citizens from most EU countries from traveling to the United States .
Trump justified the ban as essential to protecting the United States , which at the time had just about 1,100 coronavirus cases and 38 deaths .
Trump hinted that some restrictions would be loosened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , but has not lifted the ban since then .
Meanwhile Europe has largely calmed the outbreak , even as the United States see infections continue to spike in new hotspots around the country and Trump continues to refuse to wear a mask or send states the resources needed to further expand testing .
Stopping American travel to the European Union would greatly impact economic relations as business and summer vacation plans are cancelled .
While the EU can ’ t force its members to follow the restrictions , European officials have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against any EU nation that refuses to comply .
European officials said the list would be reconsidered on a biweekly basis to assess any changes in which visitors are allowed within EU territory as each country ’ s caseload for the virus changes , according to the Times .

European Union countries are prepared to block Americans from entering as they reopen their economies due to the United States’ failure to contain the spread of the virus, according to draft lists of travelers deemed acceptable for entry to the EU obtained by The New York Times.
If the plan is implemented, Americans along with Russian and Brazilian travelers, would be prohibited from visiting countries in the EU — a clear rebuke of President Trump’s handling of the virus in the United States, which has had more than 2.3 million cases and has exceeded all countries with a staggering death toll of more than 120,000.
The Times reported that European nations are currently considering two potential lists of welcome visitors — and both exclude Americans. The lists have been drafted to only include countries that have fared well in their managing of the coronavirus pandemic. China, as well as developing nations like Uganda, Cuba and Vietnam, appear on both lists, according to The Times.
American travelers and travelers from around the world have been barred from the EU with few exceptions since mid-March.
A final decision regarding who will be let in as border restrictions are relaxed is expected early next week, before the group of countries formally reopens on July 1.
The move by the EU is similar to one made by Trump in March, when the President enraged European leaders by banning citizens from most EU countries from traveling to the United States. Trump justified the ban as essential to protecting the United States, which at the time had just about 1,100 coronavirus cases and 38 deaths.
Trump hinted that some restrictions would be loosened in remarks in late May and early June, but has not lifted the ban since then. Meanwhile Europe has largely calmed the outbreak, even as the United States see infections continue to spike in new hotspots around the country and Trump continues to refuse to wear a mask or send states the resources needed to further expand testing.
Stopping American travel to the European Union would greatly impact economic relations as business and summer vacation plans are cancelled.
While the EU can’t force its members to follow the restrictions, European officials have warned that border control could be enforced against any EU nation that refuses to comply.
European officials said the list would be reconsidered on a biweekly basis to assess any changes in which visitors are allowed within EU territory as each country’s caseload for the virus changes, according to the Times.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--Birx Privately Urges Guvs To Ramp Up Testing As Trump Attempts To Muzzle It

White House COVID-19 task force member Dr. Deborah Birx urged governors to increase testing for COVID-19 during a private call on Monday , even as President Donald Trump moves to pull the plug on federally funded local testing sites .
“ Hopefully I have left you with the impression that increased testing is good , ” Birx told the governors , per the Daily Beast .
“ We would like to even see it even more.
” The doctor stressed the importance of identifying asymptomatic COVID-19 cases , saying that doing so “ will really help us protect the elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , Trump has openly disparaged testing due to how tests reveal more cases of the virus and reflect poorly on his response to the pandemic as a result .
After declaring during his campaign rally on Saturday that he had asked him administration to “ slow the testing down , ” Trump doubled down on Tuesday and told reporters he wasn ’ t joking .
“ I don ’ t kid , let me make it clear , ” he said .
Additionally , the federal government will yank federal funding for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the month , TPM exclusively reported Tuesday .
However , Dr. Anthony Fauci , Birx ’ s fellow member of the White House ’ s task force , told Congress on Tuesday that the Trump administration had not ordered him nor his colleagues to curb the tests .
“ To my knowledge , none of us have ever been told to slow down on testing , ” Fauci said .
Several hours after Trump stated he wasn ’ t kidding about telling officials to tamp down on testing , White House press secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using sarcasm ” when he made the comment at the rally .
“ What he was making was a serious point , and that ’ s why he said , ‘ I don ’ t kid.
’ He was noting he was making a serious point , but he was using sarcasm to do that at the rally , ” McEnany said in her head-spinning explanation of her boss ’ remarks .
“ And the serious point he was making is that when you test more people , you identify more cases .
@

White House COVID-19 task force member Dr. Deborah Birx urged governors to increase testing for COVID-19 during a private call on Monday, even as President Donald Trump moves to pull the plug on federally funded local testing sites.
“Hopefully I have left you with the impression that increased testing is good,” Birx told the governors, per the Daily Beast. “We would like to even see it even more.”
The doctor stressed the importance of identifying asymptomatic COVID-19 cases, saying that doing so “will really help us protect the elderly and the additional people with comorbidities.”
Meanwhile, Trump has openly disparaged testing due to how tests reveal more cases of the virus and reflect poorly on his response to the pandemic as a result. After declaring during his campaign rally on Saturday that he had asked him administration to “slow the testing down,” Trump doubled down on Tuesday and told reporters he wasn’t joking.
“I don’t kid, let me make it clear,” he said.
Additionally, the federal government will yank federal funding for local testing sites by the end of the month, TPM exclusively reported Tuesday.
However, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Birx’s fellow member of the White House’s task force, told Congress on Tuesday that the Trump administration had not ordered him nor his colleagues to curb the tests.
“To my knowledge, none of us have ever been told to slow down on testing,” Fauci said.
Several hours after Trump stated he wasn’t kidding about telling officials to tamp down on testing, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany still insisted he was “using sarcasm” when he made the comment at the rally.
“What he was making was a serious point, and that’s why he said, ‘I don’t kid.’ He was noting he was making a serious point, but he was using sarcasm to do that at the rally,” McEnany said in her head-spinning explanation of her boss’ remarks. “And the serious point he was making is that when you test more people, you identify more cases.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--Porn Star Ron Jeremy Charged With Rape And Sexual Assault In LA

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) — Adult film star Ron Jeremy was charged with raping three women and sexually assaulting a fourth , Los Angeles County prosecutors said Tuesday .
Jeremy , 67 , whose real name is Ron Jeremy Hyatt , was charged with three counts each of forcible rape and forcible penetration by a foreign object and one count each of forcible oral copulation and sexual battery .
If Jeremy is convicted , the charges could lead to a sentence of 90 years in prison .
He is scheduled to be arraigned later Tuesday .
Prosecutors say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
Emails seeking comment from Jeremy sent to several of his representatives were not immediately returned .
Prosecutors allege Jeremy raped a 25-year-old woman at a West Hollywood home in May 2014 , sexually assaulted a 33-year-old woman and a 46-year-old woman in separate incidents at a West Hollywood bar in 2017 , and raped a 30-year-old woman at the same bar in July of last year .
Another allegation from 2016 , was declined by prosecutors because of insufficient evidence .
Jeremy , nicknamed “ The Hedgehog , ” is among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the industry ’ s history , with thousands of credits to his name .
In recent years he has made a career of appearing in more mainstream entertainment , including music videos and reality television shows like “ The Surreal Life .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adult film star Ron Jeremy was charged with raping three women and sexually assaulting a fourth, Los Angeles County prosecutors said Tuesday.
Jeremy, 67, whose real name is Ron Jeremy Hyatt, was charged with three counts each of forcible rape and forcible penetration by a foreign object and one count each of forcible oral copulation and sexual battery.
If Jeremy is convicted, the charges could lead to a sentence of 90 years in prison.
He is scheduled to be arraigned later Tuesday. Prosecutors say they will ask for bail of $6.6 million. Emails seeking comment from Jeremy sent to several of his representatives were not immediately returned.
Prosecutors allege Jeremy raped a 25-year-old woman at a West Hollywood home in May 2014, sexually assaulted a 33-year-old woman and a 46-year-old woman in separate incidents at a West Hollywood bar in 2017, and raped a 30-year-old woman at the same bar in July of last year.
Another allegation from 2016, was declined by prosecutors because of insufficient evidence.
Jeremy, nicknamed “The Hedgehog,” is among the best known and most prolific actors in the industry’s history, with thousands of credits to his name.
In recent years he has made a career of appearing in more mainstream entertainment, including music videos and reality television shows like “The Surreal Life.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--Roger Stone Prosecutor Details ‘Political Influence’ Behind Sentencing Fiasco

A career Justice Department attorney who led the prosecution of Roger Stone says he was “ explicitly ” told that actions were being taken in Stone ’ s case out of fear of President Trump .
Aaron Zelinsky , an assistant U.S. attorney who also served on special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s team , made the claim in written testimony posted Tuesday , ahead of his appearance before the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday .
Zelinsky ’ s written testimony focuses on the DOJ ’ s move to water down the original sentencing recommendation that he and other career prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrew from the case “ over the political influence in the case.
” Zelinksy says that he was told that there was “ pressure from the highest levels of the Department of Justice to cut Stone a break , ” according to the written remarks .
“ I was explicitly told that the motivation for changing the sentencing memo was political , and because the U.S. Attorney was ‘ afraid of the President , ’ ” he writes .
Wednesday ’ s congressional testimony from Zelinsky — and another career DOJ official who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on antitrust actions — will be the highest-profile examination yet of recent controversial DOJ moves under Attorney General Bill Barr .
In addition to the Stone case , the Justice Department has also made drastic changes to its course in Michael Flynn ’ s case , which it is now pushing to get dismissed .
Zelinsky ’ s opening remarks claim that the intervention in the Stone case was unlike anything he ’ d ever seen before at the Department of Justice .
He and his career prosecutors submitted their sentencing memo on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed back on initial attempts from the Department to weaken the recommendation , according to the testimony .
At first , when the line prosecutors on Feb. 5 first sent their supervisors their initial draft of the sentencing memo — which recommended Stone serve seven to nine years — their supervisor praised it and said that Stone “ deserve [ d ] every day ” they were recommending , according to the testimony .
Two days later , according to Zelinsky , the prosecution team came under pressure from the leadership in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time was led by Timothy Shea , a Barr ally — to change the memo so that a lower sentencing guideline range would be presented to the judge .
Zelinsky ’ s team objected to these requests because they were “ inappropriate ” under DOJ policy and “ unwarranted ” in Stone ’ s case , Zelinsky says .
“ In response , we were told by a supervisor that the U.S. Attorney had political reasons for his instructions , which our supervisor agreed was unethical and wrong , ” Zelinksy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instructed that we should go along with the U.S. Attorney ’ s 10 instructions , because this case was ‘ not the hill worth dying on ’ and that we could ‘ lose our jobs ’ if we did not toe the line.
” Zelinsky ’ s team also received word that the office leadership wanted passages removed describing Stone ’ s conduct — another directive Zelinsky says was “ inconsistent ” with DOJ practice .
Zelinsky threatened to withdraw from the case “ rather than sign a memo that was the result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says , and ultimately his team got an okay to submit a version that included the original sentencing range calculations but removed the passages about Stone ’ s conduct .
Early the following morning , Trump tweeted angrily about the recommendation , and Zelinksy says he learned from media reports that Tuesday that the Justice Department was planning to claw back the recommendation .
At first the U.S. Attorney ’ s office told Zelinksy those reports were false , according to his testimony .
But later Tuesday his team was informed that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ substantially ” lower the recommended sentence for Stone .
Zelinksy ’ s request to see the new memo before it was filed was denied , he says .
“ We were not informed about the content or substance of the proposed filing , or even who was writing it .
We were told that one potential draft of the filing attacked us personally , ” he writes .
He and three of his colleagues withdrew from the case that Tuesday afternoon , and no line assistant U.S. attorneys were on the revised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says is “ something that is virtually unprecedented.
” Zelinsky is appearing at Wednesday ’ s hearing under subpoena , and in his written remarks , he previewed how he ’ d handle any instances where the DOJ invoked certain privileges in his testimony .
“ I intend to respect the invocation of these privileges in appropriate circumstances , but also recognize that , for example , the deliberative process privilege does not apply when testimony sheds light on government misconduct , or when the Government has disclosed deliberative information selectively and misleadingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department has cleared my submission of this written statement .
”

A career Justice Department attorney who led the prosecution of Roger Stone says he was “explicitly” told that actions were being taken in Stone’s case out of fear of President Trump.
Aaron Zelinsky, an assistant U.S. attorney who also served on special counsel Robert Mueller’s team, made the claim in written testimony posted Tuesday, ahead of his appearance before the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday.
Zelinsky’s written testimony focuses on the DOJ’s move to water down the original sentencing recommendation that he and other career prosecutors submitted in the case. Zelensky ultimately withdrew from the case “over the political influence in the case.”
Zelinksy says that he was told that there was “pressure from the highest levels of the Department of Justice to cut Stone a break,” according to the written remarks.
“I was explicitly told that the motivation for changing the sentencing memo was political, and because the U.S. Attorney was ‘afraid of the President,’” he writes.
Wednesday’s congressional testimony from Zelinsky — and another career DOJ official who is expected to testify about political influence on antitrust actions — will be the highest-profile examination yet of recent controversial DOJ moves under Attorney General Bill Barr.
In addition to the Stone case, the Justice Department has also made drastic changes to its course in Michael Flynn’s case, which it is now pushing to get dismissed.
Zelinsky’s opening remarks claim that the intervention in the Stone case was unlike anything he’d ever seen before at the Department of Justice.
He and his career prosecutors submitted their sentencing memo on Monday, Feb. 10, after they pushed back on initial attempts from the Department to weaken the recommendation, according to the testimony.
At first, when the line prosecutors on Feb. 5 first sent their supervisors their initial draft of the sentencing memo — which recommended Stone serve seven to nine years — their supervisor praised it and said that Stone “deserve[d] every day” they were recommending, according to the testimony.
Two days later, according to Zelinsky, the prosecution team came under pressure from the leadership in the U.S. Attorney’s office — which at the time was led by Timothy Shea, a Barr ally — to change the memo so that a lower sentencing guideline range would be presented to the judge.
Zelinsky’s team objected to these requests because they were “inappropriate” under DOJ policy and “unwarranted” in Stone’s case, Zelinsky says.
“In response, we were told by a supervisor that the U.S. Attorney had political reasons for his instructions, which our supervisor agreed was unethical and wrong,” Zelinksy says. “However, we were instructed that we should go along with the U.S. Attorney’s 10 instructions, because this case was ‘not the hill worth dying on’ and that we could ‘lose our jobs’ if we did not toe the line.”
Zelinsky’s team also received word that the office leadership wanted passages removed describing Stone’s conduct — another directive Zelinsky says was “inconsistent” with DOJ practice.
Zelinsky threatened to withdraw from the case “rather than sign a memo that was the result of wrongful political pressure,” he says, and ultimately his team got an okay to submit a version that included the original sentencing range calculations but removed the passages about Stone’s conduct.
Early the following morning, Trump tweeted angrily about the recommendation, and Zelinksy says he learned from media reports that Tuesday that the Justice Department was planning to claw back the recommendation.
At first the U.S. Attorney’s office told Zelinksy those reports were false, according to his testimony. But later Tuesday his team was informed that there would be a new memo seeking a “substantially” lower the recommended sentence for Stone.
Zelinksy’s request to see the new memo before it was filed was denied, he says.
“We were not informed about the content or substance of the proposed filing, or even who was writing it. We were told that one potential draft of the filing attacked us personally,” he writes.
He and three of his colleagues withdrew from the case that Tuesday afternoon, and no line assistant U.S. attorneys were on the revised memo the DOJ filed, which Zelinksy says is “something that is virtually unprecedented.”
Zelinsky is appearing at Wednesday’s hearing under subpoena, and in his written remarks, he previewed how he’d handle any instances where the DOJ invoked certain privileges in his testimony.
“I intend to respect the invocation of these privileges in appropriate circumstances, but also recognize that, for example, the deliberative process privilege does not apply when testimony sheds light on government misconduct, or when the Government has disclosed deliberative information selectively and misleadingly,” he writes.
“The Department has cleared my submission of this written statement.”
Read the written testimony below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-23--Idaho Reps’ Bogus ‘Special Session’ To Limit Guv’s COVID Authority Ends With A Whimper

A group of right-wing Republican legislators planned to take to the Idaho Capitol Building in an unprecedented special session , pass legislation ending the state ’ s COVID-19 public health orders , and triumph over a dictatorial governor who they say has exceeded his authority by attempting to steer the state away from a spike in pandemic-caused deaths .
Just a few hours later , though , things ended with a whimper : Without a quorum , the handful of legislators present simply read a proclamation , spoke their piece , and called it a day .
The state that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had transformed from “ a Republic to Monarchy or a Dictatorship , ” in the words of anti-government extremist Ammon Bundy , remained unchanged .
Activists seeking to thwart the state ’ s public health authorities were , justifiably , a bit disappointed in the outcome .
“ We could live under this tyranny for a full ‘ nother year , ” said Sarah Clendenon , a former Senate candidate and part of the anti-vaccine group Health Freedom Idaho , in a Facebook live video after the day ’ s festivities were over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to do that , then you better get busy taking action , ” Health Freedom Idaho ’ s Miste Karlfeldt added .
“ Taking action ” was supposed to be on the agenda Tuesday .
Legal analyses from the libertarian group Idaho Freedom Foundation the Bundy-affiliated Freedom Man PAC had asserted that the legislators didn ’ t need the governor ’ s permission to call a special legislative session if the state was under “ enemy attack.
” The groups urged legislators to view the COVID-19 pandemic as such under state law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a legislative session and limit the governor ’ s power .
But the attorney general ’ s office and a team of lawyers representing the legislature disagreed , and numerous legislators present Tuesday said they ’ d felt pressure from leadership not to attend .
So , from the start of Tuesday ’ s proceedings , passing any kind of legislation was off the menu .
“ This is not a session of the Legislature , ” said Rep. Judy Boyle .
“ We do not have a quorum.
” The right-wing representatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 70-person state house to show up to reach a quorum .
The number who did was far fewer .
So , instead of taking legislative action , the group of 15 Republicans sat in the well of the chamber and traded statements about the state of the state .
“ We are an equal branch , we shouldn ’ t have to beg the executive branch to do our business , ” said Rep. Judy Boyle .
“ We have become , um , almost non-essential in this particular thing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sported an American flag tie .
“ It ’ s scary when you feel non-essential.
” Contact tracing “ is the most unconstitutional thing I ’ ve ever seen or heard of in my life , ” asserted Rep. Christy Zito , speculating that the state would separate parents from their children if they ’ d been exposed to COVID-19 .
“ I truly believe a Civil War is coming if we do not put an end to what we ’ re seeing , ” said Rep. Heather Scott , known as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a few minutes later .
Toward the end of the event , Rep. Priscilla Giddings compared Idaho under the governor ’ s COVID-19 orders to Afghanistan , where she served as an Air Force fighter pilot .
“ The absence of freedom is fear , and that ’ s terrorism , ” she said .
“ We ’ re being terrorized in our own country.
” If the speechifying made the event feel like a typical day at the Capitol , Bundy ’ s crew — doing “ crowd control ” outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t On the building ’ s steps , Bundy said the state was risking violence if it continued with its emergency orders , reported Heath Druzin of Boise State Public Radio News .
The communications director for the state ’ s Democratic Party , Lindsey Johnson , told TPM that the intra-GOP divide was “ just a mess.
” “ It should make Idahoans really question their leadership , ” she added .
Reflecting on the day ’ s events , Karlfeldt , of Health Freedom Idaho , said she was thankful for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But she didn ’ t try to hide her disappointment .
“ Just like the rest of our state , and our nation , we ’ re divided on the most important issues .
”

The day started with high hopes.
A group of right-wing Republican legislators planned to take to the Idaho Capitol Building in an unprecedented special session, pass legislation ending the state’s COVID-19 public health orders, and triumph over a dictatorial governor who they say has exceeded his authority by attempting to steer the state away from a spike in pandemic-caused deaths.
Just a few hours later, though, things ended with a whimper: Without a quorum, the handful of legislators present simply read a proclamation, spoke their piece, and called it a day. The state that Gov. Brad Little (R) had transformed from “a Republic to Monarchy or a Dictatorship,” in the words of anti-government extremist Ammon Bundy, remained unchanged.
Activists seeking to thwart the state’s public health authorities were, justifiably, a bit disappointed in the outcome.
“We could live under this tyranny for a full ‘nother year,” said Sarah Clendenon, a former Senate candidate and part of the anti-vaccine group Health Freedom Idaho, in a Facebook live video after the day’s festivities were over.
“If you’re not willing to do that, then you better get busy taking action,” Health Freedom Idaho’s Miste Karlfeldt added.
“Taking action” was supposed to be on the agenda Tuesday.
Legal analyses from the libertarian group Idaho Freedom Foundation the Bundy-affiliated Freedom Man PAC had asserted that the legislators didn’t need the governor’s permission to call a special legislative session if the state was under “enemy attack.” The groups urged legislators to view the COVID-19 pandemic as such under state law, and exercise their authority to call a legislative session and limit the governor’s power.
But the attorney general’s office and a team of lawyers representing the legislature disagreed, and numerous legislators present Tuesday said they’d felt pressure from leadership not to attend.
So, from the start of Tuesday’s proceedings, passing any kind of legislation was off the menu. “This is not a session of the Legislature,” said Rep. Judy Boyle. “We do not have a quorum.”
The right-wing representatives would have needed half of the members of the 70-person state house to show up to reach a quorum. The number who did was far fewer.
So, instead of taking legislative action, the group of 15 Republicans sat in the well of the chamber and traded statements about the state of the state.
“We are an equal branch, we shouldn’t have to beg the executive branch to do our business,” said Rep. Judy Boyle.
“We have become, um, almost non-essential in this particular thing,” chuckled Rep. Tim Remington, who sported an American flag tie. “It’s scary when you feel non-essential.”
Eventually, the talk grew more heated.
Contact tracing “is the most unconstitutional thing I’ve ever seen or heard of in my life,” asserted Rep. Christy Zito, speculating that the state would separate parents from their children if they’d been exposed to COVID-19.
“I truly believe a Civil War is coming if we do not put an end to what we’re seeing,” said Rep. Heather Scott, known as a fringe character even in crimson red Idaho, a few minutes later.
Toward the end of the event, Rep. Priscilla Giddings compared Idaho under the governor’s COVID-19 orders to Afghanistan, where she served as an Air Force fighter pilot.
“The absence of freedom is fear, and that’s terrorism,” she said. “We’re being terrorized in our own country.”
If the speechifying made the event feel like a typical day at the Capitol, Bundy’s crew — doing “crowd control” outside — made clear that it wasn’t
On the building’s steps, Bundy said the state was risking violence if it continued with its emergency orders, reported Heath Druzin of Boise State Public Radio News.
The communications director for the state’s Democratic Party, Lindsey Johnson, told TPM that the intra-GOP divide was “just a mess.”
“It should make Idahoans really question their leadership,” she added.
Reflecting on the day’s events, Karlfeldt, of Health Freedom Idaho, said she was thankful for the legislators who took a stand. But she didn’t try to hide her disappointment.
“Just like the rest of our state, and our nation, we’re divided on the most important issues.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-24--Hardly Any Trump Supporters At AZ Campaign Rally Wore Masks

As COVID-19 cases reach record highs in Arizona , an estimated 3,000 people showed up at President Donald Trump ’ s “ Students for Trump ” rally at a megachurch in Phoenix on Tuesday night–and most of them went mask-free .
The rally , held at Dream City Church , saw Trump ’ s supporters largely eschewing Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego ’ s citywide mask requirement , similar to how the President himself has refused to publicly wear masks .
Gallego told CNN that though her mask policy would not be enforced at the rally , “ everyone attending tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official , should set an example to residents by wearing a mask.
” During the event , Trump downplayed the pandemic and falsely claimed once again that the virus is “ going away.
” Politico also reported that unlike Trump ’ s first rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma this past weekend , the campaign did not hold temperature checks for attendees .
Meanwhile , a record 3,591 coronavirus cases emerged in the Grand Canyon State on the same day as Trump ’ s rally .
And for the first time , daily hospitalizations @ @ @

As COVID-19 cases reach record highs in Arizona, an estimated 3,000 people showed up at President Donald Trump’s “Students for Trump” rally at a megachurch in Phoenix on Tuesday night–and most of them went mask-free.
The rally, held at Dream City Church, saw Trump’s supporters largely eschewing Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego’s citywide mask requirement, similar to how the President himself has refused to publicly wear masks.
Gallego told CNN that though her mask policy would not be enforced at the rally, “everyone attending tomorrow’s event, particularly any elected official, should set an example to residents by wearing a mask.”
“This includes the President,” she added.
During the event, Trump downplayed the pandemic and falsely claimed once again that the virus is “going away.”
Politico also reported that unlike Trump’s first rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma this past weekend, the campaign did not hold temperature checks for attendees.
Meanwhile, a record 3,591 coronavirus cases emerged in the Grand Canyon State on the same day as Trump’s rally. And for the first time, daily hospitalizations surpassed 2,000.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-24--Trump Says November Will Be ‘Most Corrupt Election’ In History

President Donald Trump renewed his attack on mail-in ballot voting during a rally in Phoenix on Tuesday , spewing false claims about widespread voter fraud and declaring to an audience composed mostly of young voters that the November election will be “ the most corrupt election in the history of our country.
” “ This will be , in my opinion , the most corrupt election in the history of our country , and we can not let this happen , ” Trump said to swaths of students at the Dream City Church in Phoenix on Tuesday night .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a youth initiative of the conservative organization , Turning Point for Action , Trump took aim in what has become a common refrain about Democrats trying to “ rig the election.
” He accused Democrats of “ sending tens of millions of ballots using the China virus as the excuse for allowing people not to go to the polls.
” Trump did not address the potential health concerns of spreading the virus at polling stations on Election Day .
He instead opted to draw a false parallel between how voters cast their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wars and how this , apparently , ought to still be the case in the age of a race to contain a wildly contagious virus that has claimed just about 120,000 lives in the United States .
“ People went to the polls and voted during WWI , They went to the polls and voted during WWII .
We can safely go to the polls and vote during COVID-19 , ” he said to a crow of young people who for the most part were not wearing face coverings .
Melissa DeRosa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Cuomo , aptly pointed out on Twitter , however , that neither WWI nor WWII was “ contagious , ” after “ Vox ” reporter Aaron Rupar suggested that the comment made a skewed and inaccurate comparison .
As Trump continues to deny the devastating impact of the coronavirus and the EU prepares to ban American travelers due to the president ’ s failure to properly get the outbreak under control , his attack on mail-in voting also contradicts bipartisan agreement among many officials across the country .
Many lawmakers have moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid the health risks of the coronavirus pandemic .
The practice has also been endorsed by the CDC .

President Donald Trump renewed his attack on mail-in ballot voting during a rally in Phoenix on Tuesday, spewing false claims about widespread voter fraud and declaring to an audience composed mostly of young voters that the November election will be “the most corrupt election in the history of our country.”
“This will be, in my opinion, the most corrupt election in the history of our country, and we cannot let this happen,” Trump said to swaths of students at the Dream City Church in Phoenix on Tuesday night.
In a speech to “Students for Trump” a youth initiative of the conservative organization, Turning Point for Action, Trump took aim in what has become a common refrain about Democrats trying to “rig the election.” He accused Democrats of “sending tens of millions of ballots using the China virus as the excuse for allowing people not to go to the polls.”
Trump did not address the potential health concerns of spreading the virus at polling stations on Election Day. He instead opted to draw a false parallel between how voters cast their ballots in person in the two World Wars and how this, apparently, ought to still be the case in the age of a race to contain a wildly contagious virus that has claimed just about 120,000 lives in the United States.
“People went to the polls and voted during WWI, They went to the polls and voted during WWII. We can safely go to the polls and vote during COVID-19,” he said to a crow of young people who for the most part were not wearing face coverings.
Melissa DeRosa, a top aide to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, aptly pointed out on Twitter, however, that neither WWI nor WWII was “contagious,” after “Vox” reporter Aaron Rupar suggested that the comment made a skewed and inaccurate comparison.
Who is going to tell him that neither of the world wars were contagious? https://t.co/Bk2yAUCppq — Melissa DeRosa (@melissadderosa) June 24, 2020
As Trump continues to deny the devastating impact of the coronavirus and the EU prepares to ban American travelers due to the president’s failure to properly get the outbreak under control, his attack on mail-in voting also contradicts bipartisan agreement among many officials across the country. Many lawmakers have moved to expand vote-by-mail as a safe option amid the health risks of the coronavirus pandemic. The practice has also been endorsed by the CDC.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-24--DNC Announces A Scaled Back, Mostly Virtual Convention In Milwaukee

The Democratic National Convention Committee on Wednesday announced that it ’ s scaling back its convention scheduled in late August as COVID-19 cases spike in several cities .
The Democratic National Convention was originally planned to be held at the Fiserve Forum , a professional basketball arena , in Milwaukee .
The DNC said that convention proceedings will be moved to the much smaller Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will still accept the nomination in Milwaukee , but the city will serve as the site for “ both live broadcasts and curated content ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This year ’ s Democratic National Convention will consist of four nights of programming from Aug. 17 to 20 .
“ Unlike this President , Joe Biden and Democrats are committed to protecting the health and safety of the American people , ” DNC Chairman Tom Perez said in a statement .
“ I couldn ’ t be prouder of the way our team has organized and mobilized to get out the vote and ensure a successful convention anchored in Wisconsin , and I ’ m grateful for the extraordinary leadership of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Donald Trump ’ s days in the Oval Office are numbered.
” Biden ’ s campaign manager , Jen O ’ Malley Dillon , said in a statement that the former VP “ intends to proudly accept ” his party ’ s nomination in Milwaukee .
“ The city of Milwaukee has been an incredible partner and we are committed to highlighting Wisconsin as a key battleground state at our convention this August , ” O ’ Malley Dillon said in the statement .

The Democratic National Convention Committee on Wednesday announced that it’s scaling back its convention scheduled in late August as COVID-19 cases spike in several cities.
The Democratic National Convention was originally planned to be held at the Fiserve Forum, a professional basketball arena, in Milwaukee. The DNC said that convention proceedings will be moved to the much smaller Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will still accept the nomination in Milwaukee, but the city will serve as the site for “both live broadcasts and curated content” from other satellite locations across the country. This year’s Democratic National Convention will consist of four nights of programming from Aug. 17 to 20.
“Unlike this President, Joe Biden and Democrats are committed to protecting the health and safety of the American people,” DNC Chairman Tom Perez said in a statement. “I couldn’t be prouder of the way our team has organized and mobilized to get out the vote and ensure a successful convention anchored in Wisconsin, and I’m grateful for the extraordinary leadership of our partners in the city of Milwaukee. Donald Trump’s days in the Oval Office are numbered.”
Biden’s campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon, said in a statement that the former VP “intends to proudly accept” his party’s nomination in Milwaukee.
“The city of Milwaukee has been an incredible partner and we are committed to highlighting Wisconsin as a key battleground state at our convention this August,” O’Malley Dillon said in the statement.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-24--Bolton: ‘Incomprehensible’ For Trump To Throw Rallies Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Former national security adviser John Bolton isn ’ t done throwing President Trump under the bus , especially when it comes to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Bolton — who has faced backlash from President Trump and former administration officials over his damning tell-all book — was asked whether there is a link between a claim in his book that Trump is driven by political calculations , and his recent insistence to slow down testing on the coronavirus .
“ I am afraid that is true .
I think the American people are chafing under the restrictions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afraid if they don ’ t follow the restrictions the pandemic will break out again , ” Bolton said .
Bolton argued that it is “ incomprehensible ” to him that the President would risk holding his rallies in Tulsa and Arizona amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ This is endangering people .
And there is no need for it , ” Bolton said .
“ I think you need strong , stable , persistent leadership at a time like this .
I don ’ t think that ’ s what we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the President would actually try to slow down testing on the coronavirus based on his experience as his national security adviser for about 17 months , Bolton replied that “ it doesn ’ t surprise me in the slightest.
” “ I think he is driven kind of day-to-day , almost hour-to-hour by his perception of how he is perceived and duplicative but he is worried about how the people see him , ” Bolton said .
“ He is not so worried about what he is actually doing.
” Bolton went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a focus on understanding the nature of this threat.
” “ He stopped the meetings of the coronavirus task force , ” Bolton said .
“ He is understandably concerned about getting the economy moving again , but you ’ ve got to try and ride both of these things at the same time .
”

Former national security adviser John Bolton isn’t done throwing President Trump under the bus, especially when it comes to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bolton — who has faced backlash from President Trump and former administration officials over his damning tell-all book — was asked whether there is a link between a claim in his book that Trump is driven by political calculations, and his recent insistence to slow down testing on the coronavirus.
“I am afraid that is true. I think the American people are chafing under the restrictions, but at the same time they are afraid if they don’t follow the restrictions the pandemic will break out again,” Bolton said.
Bolton argued that it is “incomprehensible” to him that the President would risk holding his rallies in Tulsa and Arizona amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is endangering people. And there is no need for it,” Bolton said. “I think you need strong, stable, persistent leadership at a time like this. I don’t think that’s what we’re seeing.”
Asked whether he believes that the President would actually try to slow down testing on the coronavirus based on his experience as his national security adviser for about 17 months, Bolton replied that “it doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.”
“I think he is driven kind of day-to-day, almost hour-to-hour by his perception of how he is perceived and duplicative but he is worried about how the people see him,” Bolton said. “He is not so worried about what he is actually doing.”
Bolton went on to argue that Trump “needs to get a focus on understanding the nature of this threat.”
“He stopped the meetings of the coronavirus task force,” Bolton said. “He is understandably concerned about getting the economy moving again, but you’ve got to try and ride both of these things at the same time.”
Watch Bolton’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-24--Feds Say ‘No Option’ For Testing Support In PA County As Cases Reach New National High

There ’ s “ no option ” for more support for COVID-19 testing after June 30 , the federal government told local officials in one Pennsylvania county , part of a pullback in support for testing sites around the country .
Montgomery County , Pennsylvania has received federal support for a testing site since March , allowing the Philadelphia suburb to provide access to tests for up to 250 people each day .
The county applied for an extension for the support , a spokeswoman told TPM , which allowed the site to continue operating through June 30 — but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the site to continue operating past that date .
“ We were specifically told when we got the May extension that it would end on June 30 with no option for an additional extension , ” Montgomery County spokeswoman Teresa Harris told TPM in a statement .
The move comes in a county which set off alarm bells in early April after local officials said that the Trump administration was cutting off funding for the site .
“ I am understandably disappointed that the supplies and federal contract for lab testing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surge here in southeastern Pennsylvania , ” county commissioner Valerie Arkoosh said at the at the time .
Before reversing the policy after public outcry , HHS argued in April much what it argues now : that the end of federal support is part of a “ transition ” to state control .
“ The transition will ensure each state has the flexibility and autonomy to manage and operate testing sites within the needs of their specific community and to prioritize resources where they are needed the most , ” an HHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government has supported community-based testing sites by providing testing kits and signing contracts with laboratories and call centers so patients can be notified of their test results .
TPM reported on Tuesday that the Trump administration is letting support for the testing sites lapse at the end of the month , including in Texas , a state that has emerged as a hotspot .
But to replace that testing capacity in the county of 830,000 , officials will be forced to dip into money granted under the CARES Act .
That will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the locality ’ s overall budget .
“ For now , we are paying with CARES funding and are awaiting the status of other funding , perhaps by the state , ” Harris said .
The county will instead create six new testing sites around the area to give residents access to testing .
HHS did not immediately return a request for comment .
The agency has downplayed the importance of federal support for the community-based testing sites , saying that a separate program involving public-private partnerships would counterbalance any decrease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal support .
According to Montgomery County Department of Public Safety Public Affairs Coordinator Todd Stieritz , “ everything starts local , and everything ends local , pretty much.
” “ And while you can request and hope for assistance from higher levels of government — whether it ’ s regional , or the county , or the federal government — you need to be somewhat self-sufficient , as well , ” he added .

There’s “no option” for more support for COVID-19 testing after June 30, the federal government told local officials in one Pennsylvania county, part of a pullback in support for testing sites around the country.
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania has received federal support for a testing site since March, allowing the Philadelphia suburb to provide access to tests for up to 250 people each day.
The county applied for an extension for the support, a spokeswoman told TPM, which allowed the site to continue operating through June 30 — but was told there would be no way for the site to continue operating past that date.
“We were specifically told when we got the May extension that it would end on June 30 with no option for an additional extension,” Montgomery County spokeswoman Teresa Harris told TPM in a statement.
The move comes in a county which set off alarm bells in early April after local officials said that the Trump administration was cutting off funding for the site.
“I am understandably disappointed that the supplies and federal contract for lab testing is ending just as we are heading into the surge here in southeastern Pennsylvania,” county commissioner Valerie Arkoosh said at the at the time.
Before reversing the policy after public outcry, HHS argued in April much what it argues now: that the end of federal support is part of a “transition” to state control.
“The transition will ensure each state has the flexibility and autonomy to manage and operate testing sites within the needs of their specific community and to prioritize resources where they are needed the most,” an HHS spokesperson said at the time.
The federal government has supported community-based testing sites by providing testing kits and signing contracts with laboratories and call centers so patients can be notified of their test results.
TPM reported on Tuesday that the Trump administration is letting support for the testing sites lapse at the end of the month, including in Texas, a state that has emerged as a hotspot.
But to replace that testing capacity in the county of 830,000, officials will be forced to dip into money granted under the CARES Act. That will cover costs, but ends up coming out of the locality’s overall budget.
“For now, we are paying with CARES funding and are awaiting the status of other funding, perhaps by the state,” Harris said. The county will instead create six new testing sites around the area to give residents access to testing.
HHS did not immediately return a request for comment. The agency has downplayed the importance of federal support for the community-based testing sites, saying that a separate program involving public-private partnerships would counterbalance any decrease in testing due to the loss of federal support.
According to Montgomery County Department of Public Safety Public Affairs Coordinator Todd Stieritz, “everything starts local, and everything ends local, pretty much.”
“And while you can request and hope for assistance from higher levels of government — whether it’s regional, or the county, or the federal government — you need to be somewhat self-sufficient, as well,” he added.
Matt Shuham contributed to this report.