talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-11--Top Writer For Tucker Carlson’s Show Resigns After Secretly Posting Racist And Sexist Comments Onlin

Top Writer For Tucker Carlson’s Show Resigns After Secretly Posting Racist And Sexist Comments Online

The top writer for Tucker Carlson ’ s Fox News show resigned after a CNN media reporter uncovered that the lead writer had penned racist , sexist , and homophobic comments in an online forum using a pseudonym .
CNN ’ s Oliver Darcy said that Carlson ’ s former top writer Blake Neff , posted a series of derogatory comments about women , Black , Asian , and LGBTQ people .
Some of the racist remarks authored by Neff had been posted as recently as two weeks ago .
Darcy said he was tipped anonymously in what gave way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Neff on the message board AutoAdmit .
According to the report , on June 5 , Neff wrote , “ Black doods staying inside playing Call of Duty is probably one of the biggest factors keeping crime down.
” On June 24 , Neff commented , “ Honestly given how tired black people always claim to be , maybe the real crisis is their lack of sleep.
” Carlson ’ s show has been repeatedly criticized for stoking racism and xenophobia , while also making claims amid racial justice protests that white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been working as the lead writer for the Fox show since 2016 after leaving the The Daily Caller , a conservative news website co-founded by Carlson and where Neff published more than 2,000 posts .
Darcy also reported that Neff is quoted by the Darmouth Alumni Magazine as saying , “ Anything [ Carlson is ] reading off the teleprompter , the first draft was written by me , ” adding that the show ’ s writers did their best to use the show ’ s power in swaying the political conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ed Henry the former co-host of “ America ’ s Newsroom ” — another Fox News show — was fired from the network for allegations of sexual misconduct announced just over two weeks before Neff ’ s departure .

The top writer for Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show resigned after a CNN media reporter uncovered that the lead writer had penned racist, sexist, and homophobic comments in an online forum using a pseudonym.
CNN’s Oliver Darcy said that Carlson’s former top writer Blake Neff, posted a series of derogatory comments about women, Black, Asian, and LGBTQ people. Some of the racist remarks authored by Neff had been posted as recently as two weeks ago.
Darcy said he was tipped anonymously in what gave way to the investigation of years of posts by Neff on the message board AutoAdmit.
According to the report, on June 5, Neff wrote, “Black doods staying inside playing Call of Duty is probably one of the biggest factors keeping crime down.” On June 24, Neff commented, “Honestly given how tired black people always claim to be, maybe the real crisis is their lack of sleep.”
Carlson’s show has been repeatedly criticized for stoking racism and xenophobia, while also making claims amid racial justice protests that white supremacy is a “hoax.”
Neff had been working as the lead writer for the Fox show since 2016 after leaving the The Daily Caller, a conservative news website co-founded by Carlson and where Neff published more than 2,000 posts.
Darcy also reported that Neff is quoted by the Darmouth Alumni Magazine as saying, “Anything [Carlson is] reading off the teleprompter, the first draft was written by me,” adding that the show’s writers did their best to use the show’s power in swaying the political conversation “responsibly.”
The resignation comes after Ed Henry the former co-host of “America’s Newsroom” — another Fox News show — was fired from the network for allegations of sexual misconduct announced just over two weeks before Neff’s departure.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-11--Trump Boosts Michael Flynn In Fresh Attack On Russia Probe

Just hours after commuting his longtime friend and former political adviser , Roger Stone , President Donald Trump on Saturday tweeted support for his former national security adviser , Michael Flynn .
The president claimed that “ new documents ” boosting Flynn who admitted to lying to the FBI amid the Russia probe had surfaced according to the conservative news network One America News .
While Trump has hinted at a pardon for Flynn in the past , some in the Trump camp are also calling to have the general join the president ’ s re-election campaign trail , nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been embroiled in a long legal battle after admitting that he lied to the FBI during an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election .
The tweet comes just a day after the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C .
Circuit on Friday put on hold an order that the judge immediately dismiss Flynn ’ s case , reigniting a fight over whether a federal judge can question the Justice Department ’ s reasons for wanting to dismiss the case .
While it was not evident which “ new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a report from One America News on Thursday pointed at a detailed a new lawsuit by Judicial Network , a conservative group that claims to have documents that reveal how former U.N .
Ambassador Samantha Power made multiple requests to unmask Flynn ’ s identity .
“ Documents show Power made at least seven requests to obtain Michael Flynn ’ s redacted identity in meetings with top Russian officials , ” OAN said .
Trump forced Flynn out of his position as national security adviser in February 2017 – after just about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Following Flynn ’ s guilty plea for lying , Trump tweeted that he “ had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI.
” But in May this year , after the Justice Department called for the dismissal of Flynn ’ s case which it said was “ conducted without any legitimate investigative basis , ” Trump lauded his former adviser , telling reporters that Flynn was “ an even greater warrior ” and calling those who pursued him “ human scum.
” In another tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move to commute his friend , Trump further articulated his own warped ideas about “ law and order ” that involved the jailing of his opponents .
Perhaps further seeking his own vindication , Trump called for the jailing and extradition of Christopher Steele , the writer of the “ Steele Dossier , ” calling him a “ sick liar [ sic ] ” for alleging illegal conduct by Trump and his allies before and during his first campaign for president .

Just hours after commuting his longtime friend and former political adviser, Roger Stone, President Donald Trump on Saturday tweeted support for his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.
The president claimed that “new documents” boosting Flynn who admitted to lying to the FBI amid the Russia probe had surfaced according to the conservative news network One America News.
New documents just released reveal General Flynn was telling the truth, and the FBI knew it! @OANN — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 11, 2020
While Trump has hinted at a pardon for Flynn in the past, some in the Trump camp are also calling to have the general join the president’s re-election campaign trail, nine sources confirmed to POLITICO.
Flynn has been embroiled in a long legal battle after admitting that he lied to the FBI during an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
The tweet comes just a day after the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Friday put on hold an order that the judge immediately dismiss Flynn’s case, reigniting a fight over whether a federal judge can question the Justice Department’s reasons for wanting to dismiss the case.
While it was not evident which “new documents” the president was referring to, a report from One America News on Thursday pointed at a detailed a new lawsuit by Judicial Network, a conservative group that claims to have documents that reveal how former U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power made multiple requests to unmask Flynn’s identity. “Documents show Power made at least seven requests to obtain Michael Flynn’s redacted identity in meetings with top Russian officials,” OAN said.
Trump forced Flynn out of his position as national security adviser in February 2017 – after just about a month of service in that job. Following Flynn’s guilty plea for lying, Trump tweeted that he “had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI.”
But in May this year, after the Justice Department called for the dismissal of Flynn’s case which it said was “conducted without any legitimate investigative basis,” Trump lauded his former adviser, telling reporters that Flynn was “an even greater warrior” and calling those who pursued him “human scum.”
In another tweet on Saturday, emboldened by his own move to commute his friend, Trump further articulated his own warped ideas about “law and order” that involved the jailing of his opponents. Perhaps further seeking his own vindication, Trump called for the jailing and extradition of Christopher Steele, the writer of the “Steele Dossier,” calling him a “sick liar[sic]” for alleging illegal conduct by Trump and his allies before and during his first campaign for president.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-11--Pelosi Calls Stone Commutation ‘An Act Of Staggering Corruption’

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) on Saturday , condemned President Donald Trump ’ s decision to commute the sentence of his former adviser and longtime friend , Roger Stone , calling it , “ an act of staggering corruption.
” Pelosi vowed in a statement that Congress would take action to prevent any further unabashed attempts by the president to free convicted friends from serving out sentences .
“ Legislation is needed to ensure that no President can pardon or commute the sentence of an individual who is engaged in a cover-up campaign to shield that President from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone is the latest Trump ally to reap a reward for standing by the president and committing his loyalty by blocking Trump from blame for what Pelosi called Trump ’ s own “ criminal misconduct.
” Stone had been investigated during the Russia probe for his involvement in a Russian interference scheme in the 2016 presidential election .
In addition to five counts of lying to Congress , Stone was charged with witness tampering and obstruction of an official proceeding .
He was due to report to prison on Tuesday before Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Senator Mitt Romney ( UT ) on Saturday also became one of the first Republicans in Congress to formally chastise the president following his decision calling it and act “ historic corruption.
” Ahead of the decision on Friday , Republican Senator Lindsey Graham ( SC ) weighed in about Trump ’ s consideration of clemency for Stone , tweeting his support for commutation , saying “ it would be justified ” for Trump to intervene , adding that Stone ’ s offenses were “ non-violent ” and “ the first time.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding fuel to a White House narrative on Stone ’ s alleged victimization .
In a morning tweet , he said that his friend was “ targeted by an illegal Witch Hunt.
” The comments are the latest in Trump ’ s warping of the justice system – making an institution of the rule of law , into a political issue of right and left , and baselessly claiming that it was Democrats – “ the other side ” – that are “ criminals .
”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Saturday, condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to commute the sentence of his former adviser and longtime friend, Roger Stone, calling it, “an act of staggering corruption.”
Pelosi vowed in a statement that Congress would take action to prevent any further unabashed attempts by the president to free convicted friends from serving out sentences.
“Legislation is needed to ensure that no President can pardon or commute the sentence of an individual who is engaged in a cover-up campaign to shield that President from criminal prosecution,” Pelosi wrote.
Stone is the latest Trump ally to reap a reward for standing by the president and committing his loyalty by blocking Trump from blame for what Pelosi called Trump’s own “criminal misconduct.”
Stone had been investigated during the Russia probe for his involvement in a Russian interference scheme in the 2016 presidential election.
In addition to five counts of lying to Congress, Stone was charged with witness tampering and obstruction of an official proceeding. He was due to report to prison on Tuesday before Trump’s brazen reprieve of his sentence.
Republican Senator Mitt Romney (UT) on Saturday also became one of the first Republicans in Congress to formally chastise the president following his decision calling it and act “historic corruption.”
Unprecedented, historic corruption: an American president commutes the sentence of a person convicted by a jury of lying to shield that very president. — Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) July 11, 2020
Ahead of the decision on Friday, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (SC) weighed in about Trump’s consideration of clemency for Stone, tweeting his support for commutation, saying “it would be justified” for Trump to intervene, adding that Stone’s offenses were “non-violent” and “the first time.”
Trump defended his decision on Saturday, adding fuel to a White House narrative on Stone’s alleged victimization. In a morning tweet, he said that his friend was “targeted by an illegal Witch Hunt.” The comments are the latest in Trump’s warping of the justice system – making an institution of the rule of law, into a political issue of right and left, and baselessly claiming that it was Democrats – “the other side” – that are “criminals.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-11--Roger Stone Celebrates Brazen Move By Trump To Commute His Sentence

Former political adviser and longtime friend to President Donald Trump , Roger Stone , celebrated the news of his commutation Friday night to the cheers of his supporters , saying that the president “ saved my life , ” and gave him “ an opportunity to fight for vindication.
” “ Just a few minutes ago I had a very gracious call from the president of the United States , who told me that he had decided to use his extraordinary powers of clemency to commute my sentence — what he called a ‘ full commutation of my sentence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Florida home late Friday , according to ABC News .
He added that although he had not seen the papers yet , he believed that under the terms of a commutation he would be able to pursue two appeals he had filed regarding his conviction .
The longtime ally of the president welcomed the occasion with a black and white “ Free Roger Stone !
” face mask and a “ Roger Stone Still Did Nothing Wrong !
” T-shirt .
Stone , who was recently denied a request to delay serving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk of coronavirus infection in the close quarters of prison , expressed relief and his confidence in winning on appeal .
“ I believe I will expose an enormous amount of corruption in my trial on appeal , but I have to live long enough to get to the appeal , ” Stone said .
“ And at 67 years old with a history of respiratory problems and other underlying health issues , the danger was very real.
” On Friday , the White House condemned the “ unjust sentence of Roger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s decision to grant his friend clemency .
The statement painted Stone as “ a victim of the Russia Hoax ” that Democrats and the media “ perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump Presidency.
” Stone ’ s lawyer Grant Smith told ABC News in a statement that Stone was “ incredibly honored ” that Trump used “ his awesome and unique power under the Constitution of the United States for this act of mercy.
” The commutation was the latest move by the Trump administration to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the president ’ s convicted allies – and more specifically those who remain loyal to the very end .
Ahead of the news on Friday NBC ’ s Howard Fineman said that in a talk with Stone a commutation was preferable to a pardon – and that he anticipated Trump would deliver since Stone had not caved under “ enormous pressure to turn on [ Trump ] .
” Stone came under scrutiny during Robert Mueller ’ s Russia probe into foreign meddling in the 2016 presidential election .
Stone was convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central to the investigation , including communications he had with Trump campaign to discuss WikiLeaks ’ documents that could damage Trump ’ s Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton .
In February , Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison after he was found guilty of obstructing justice , witness tampering and lying to Congress .
Stone ’ s 40-month sentence was already far shorter than an original sentence of up to nine years that was recommended by federal prosecutors before Attorney General William Barr stepped in to undercut the recommendation after the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone was expected to report to prison on July 14 .
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) rebuked Trump ’ s use of executive power to rescue ” criminal friends ” from prison time , suggesting that the move undermined the rule of law .
“ With this commutation , Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America : one for his criminal friends , and one for everyone else , ” Schiff said in a statement obtained by The New York Times .
Schiff added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all those who enable them pose the gravest of threats to the rule of law .
”

Former political adviser and longtime friend to President Donald Trump, Roger Stone, celebrated the news of his commutation Friday night to the cheers of his supporters, saying that the president “saved my life,” and gave him “an opportunity to fight for vindication.”
“Just a few minutes ago I had a very gracious call from the president of the United States, who told me that he had decided to use his extraordinary powers of clemency to commute my sentence — what he called a ‘full commutation of my sentence,'” Stone told reporters outside of his Florida home late Friday, according to ABC News. He added that although he had not seen the papers yet, he believed that under the terms of a commutation he would be able to pursue two appeals he had filed regarding his conviction.
The longtime ally of the president welcomed the occasion with a black and white “Free Roger Stone!” face mask and a “Roger Stone Still Did Nothing Wrong!” T-shirt.
Stone, who was recently denied a request to delay serving his sentence citing health concerns due to the risk of coronavirus infection in the close quarters of prison, expressed relief and his confidence in winning on appeal.
“I believe I will expose an enormous amount of corruption in my trial on appeal, but I have to live long enough to get to the appeal,” Stone said. “And at 67 years old with a history of respiratory problems and other underlying health issues, the danger was very real.”
On Friday, the White House condemned the “unjust sentence of Roger Stone” in a statement announcing the president’s decision to grant his friend clemency. The statement painted Stone as “a victim of the Russia Hoax” that Democrats and the media “perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump Presidency.”
Stone’s lawyer Grant Smith told ABC News in a statement that Stone was “incredibly honored” that Trump used “his awesome and unique power under the Constitution of the United States for this act of mercy.”
The commutation was the latest move by the Trump administration to twist the justice system and provide favors to the president’s convicted allies – and more specifically those who remain loyal to the very end. Ahead of the news on Friday NBC’s Howard Fineman said that in a talk with Stone a commutation was preferable to a pardon – and that he anticipated Trump would deliver since Stone had not caved under
“enormous pressure to turn on [Trump].”
Just had a long talk with #RogerStone. He says he doesn’t want a pardon (which implies guilt) but a commutation, and says he thinks #Trump will give it to him. “He knows I was under enormous pressure to turn on him. It would have eased my situation considerably. But I didn’t.” — howardfineman (@howardfineman) July 10, 2020
Stone came under scrutiny during Robert Mueller’s Russia probe into foreign meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Stone was convicted of lying to Congress on several issues central to the investigation, including communications he had with Trump campaign to discuss WikiLeaks’ documents that could damage Trump’s Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.
In February, Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison after he was found guilty of obstructing justice, witness tampering and lying to Congress. Stone’s 40-month sentence was already far shorter than an original sentence of up to nine years that was recommended by federal prosecutors before Attorney General William Barr stepped in to undercut the recommendation after the president criticized the sentence as too harsh. Stone was expected to report to prison on July 14.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) rebuked Trump’s use of executive power to rescue”criminal friends” from prison time, suggesting that the move undermined the rule of law.
“With this commutation, Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America: one for his criminal friends, and one for everyone else,” Schiff said in a statement obtained by The New York Times. Schiff added that Trump, Barr, and “all those who enable them pose the gravest of threats to the rule of law.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-12--Local Officials Aren’t Itching To Reopen Schools Even After Trump’s Threat To Do So

Local officials on Sunday expressed that they have hesitations regarding the reopening of schools as coronavirus cases continue surging throughout the country .
Last week , President Trump warned that the White House is “ very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools.
” Vice President Mike Pence also seemed to endorse Trump ’ s threat during a press briefing by floating the idea of using federal funds to give states a “ strong incentive ” to reopen schools .
Although she failed to answer questions on what authority the President has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kayleigh McEnany repeatedly insisted that Trump “ wants them to reopen altogether.
” On Sunday morning , Education Secretary Betsy DeVos bolstered Trump ’ s demand for schools to reopen during an interview on CNN even as she repeatedly dodged questions on whether schools should follow CDC guidance as they reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
However , local officials such as Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan ( R ) , Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego and Miami-Dade mayor Carlos Gimenez didn ’ t appear to be on board with the Trump administration ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed on the issue on Sunday morning .
Here ’ s how they weighed in : When asked during an interview on MSNBC ’ s “ Meet the Press ” about whether he would open schools up five days a week in person if he wanted to , Hogan said that although “ everybody would like to get our kids back to school ” as quickly as possible , Maryland is “ not going to be rushed into this.
” Hogan went on to say that the state will come up with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involves how to “ provide the best education we can for our kids and do it in a safe way.
” In light of Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey ( R ) pushing back school reopenings in the Phoenix area , Gallego was asked during an interview on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation ” about whether there is any way schools can reopen given the surge of coronavirus cases in the state .
Gallego responded that elected school leaders say we that districts can not open until at least October due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pronounced in our community.
” “ They just don ’ t feel like it ’ s a safe environment for teachers to go in , and they ’ re concerned about our students , as well as spread of the virus , ” Gallego said .
“ I hope they ’ ll be full financial support for those school districts , including digital programming.
” Later Sunday , reports broke that a teacher in Arizona died from COVID-19 after she contracted the coronavirus last month .
The teacher had shared a classroom with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with coronavirus-related symptoms .
When asked during an interview on CNN about whether the Miami-Dade school district should heed to Trump and DeVos ’ call to fully reopen schools , Gimenez pointed out that “ we ’ re a hot spot ” and that there ’ s no way of knowing “ what this virus is going to look like six weeks from now ” when the school system typically begins .
“ It really all depends on the positivity rate and the state of the virus in six weeks .
Whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting or it ’ s some other kind of learning , it ’ s all going to be guided by our science , ” Gimenez said .
“ And it ’ s all going to be guided by our number one priority is keeping our kids safe.
” Florida reported later Sunday that it had shattered the country ’ s daily record for coronavirus cases by hitting over 15,000 cases in a single day .

Local officials on Sunday expressed that they have hesitations regarding the reopening of schools as coronavirus cases continue surging throughout the country.
Last week, President Trump warned that the White House is “very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools.” Vice President Mike Pence also seemed to endorse Trump’s threat during a press briefing by floating the idea of using federal funds to give states a “strong incentive” to reopen schools. Although she failed to answer questions on what authority the President has to reopen schools, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany repeatedly insisted that Trump “wants them to reopen altogether.”
On Sunday morning, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos bolstered Trump’s demand for schools to reopen during an interview on CNN even as she repeatedly dodged questions on whether schools should follow CDC guidance as they reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, local officials such as Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego and Miami-Dade mayor Carlos Gimenez didn’t appear to be on board with the Trump administration’s demand for schools to reopen when pressed on the issue on Sunday morning.
Here’s how they weighed in:
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R)
When asked during an interview on MSNBC’s “Meet the Press” about whether he would open schools up five days a week in person if he wanted to, Hogan said that although “everybody would like to get our kids back to school” as quickly as possible, Maryland is “not going to be rushed into this.”
Hogan went on to say that the state will come up with a “hybrid” plan for school that involves how to “provide the best education we can for our kids and do it in a safe way.”
Watch Hogan’s remarks below:
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on reopening schools: "We’re not going to be rushed in to this." pic.twitter.com/YuCcbhN54O — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) July 12, 2020
Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego
In light of Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) pushing back school reopenings in the Phoenix area, Gallego was asked during an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation” about whether there is any way schools can reopen given the surge of coronavirus cases in the state.
Gallego responded that elected school leaders say we that districts cannot open until at least October due to “the levels of the virus so pronounced in our community.”
“They just don’t feel like it’s a safe environment for teachers to go in, and they’re concerned about our students, as well as spread of the virus,” Gallego said. “I hope they’ll be full financial support for those school districts, including digital programming.”
Later Sunday, reports broke that a teacher in Arizona died from COVID-19 after she contracted the coronavirus last month. The teacher had shared a classroom with two other teachers who continue to struggle with coronavirus-related symptoms.
Watch Gallego’s remarks below:
Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego says elected school leaders feel that it's not a safe environment for teachers health-wise as Arizona experiences spike in coronavirus cases pic.twitter.com/J6DyYpNQT5 — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) July 12, 2020
Miami-Dade mayor Carlos Gimenez
When asked during an interview on CNN about whether the Miami-Dade school district should heed to Trump and DeVos’ call to fully reopen schools, Gimenez pointed out that “we’re a hot spot” and that there’s no way of knowing “what this virus is going to look like six weeks from now” when the school system typically begins.
“It really all depends on the positivity rate and the state of the virus in six weeks. Whether it’s in room or in classroom setting or it’s some other kind of learning, it’s all going to be guided by our science,” Gimenez said. “And it’s all going to be guided by our number one priority is keeping our kids safe.”
Florida reported later Sunday that it had shattered the country’s daily record for coronavirus cases by hitting over 15,000 cases in a single day.
Watch Gimenez’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-12--Giroir Won’t Rule Out More Restrictions As COVID-19 Cases Surge: ‘Everything Should Be On Table’

Assistant Secretary of Health Adm. Brett Giroir on Sunday couldn ’ t deny the possibility of states issuing stricter coronavirus-related restrictions in light of spikes in cases across the country .
When asked during an interview on ABC News Sunday morning about whether it ’ s time to consider more stringent lockdowns in states experiencing surges in coronavirus cases — which include Florida , South Carolina , Arizona , Texas and Georgia — Giroir replied that “ everything should be on the table.
” “ Closing bars is an important thing , limiting the capacity of restaurants is an important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These are two measures that need to be done .
They really do need to be done.
” Giroir added that in order to “ reverse this problem , ” about 90 % of people in coronavirus hotspot areas must wear masks in public spaces .
Giroir concluded that the country is “ not out of this at all , ” and that “ we ’ re all very concerned ” despite “ the leveling of what we call the percent positive ” in the past week .
“ That ’ s our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels , we ’ re going to start seeing emergency rooms drop , hospitalizations drop , ” Giroir said .
“ I ’ m not saying that ’ s going to happen , but I ’ m saying the measures that we have right now indicate that we ’ re in —we have a lot of cases right now , but the measures we ’ re doing may be putting the lid on that.
” Giroir shared similar remarks during his appearance on MSNBC ’ s “ Meet the Press ” on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another shutdown to slow the spread of COVID-19 , Giroir first said “ I don ’ t think we need to shut down , at least in most places around the country ” but would go on to concede that it may be necessary in areas that have emerged as coronavirus hot spots recently .
“ Our models really show that if you close down bars , where there ’ s a lot of transmission , if you decrease restaurant capacity to about 50 percent , that you really strictly physically distance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re out in public , we have to have about 95 % mask-wearing or face coverings , ” Giroir said .
“ If we do just those simple things , we can bring that our R-value , that transmissibility value down to below one , which means it goes away.
” Giroir added that “ we need to be very selective ” regarding coronavirus-related restrictions but agreed that “ if we shut everything down again , that would do it .
”

Assistant Secretary of Health Adm. Brett Giroir on Sunday couldn’t deny the possibility of states issuing stricter coronavirus-related restrictions in light of spikes in cases across the country.
When asked during an interview on ABC News Sunday morning about whether it’s time to consider more stringent lockdowns in states experiencing surges in coronavirus cases — which include Florida, South Carolina, Arizona, Texas and Georgia — Giroir replied that “everything should be on the table.”
“Closing bars is an important thing, limiting the capacity of restaurants is an important thing,” Giroir said. “These are two measures that need to be done. They really do need to be done.”
Giroir added that in order to “reverse this problem,” about 90% of people in coronavirus hotspot areas must wear masks in public spaces.
Giroir concluded that the country is “not out of this at all,” and that “we’re all very concerned” despite “the leveling of what we call the percent positive” in the past week.
“That’s our sort of first indicator that if that levels, we’re going to start seeing emergency rooms drop, hospitalizations drop,” Giroir said. “I’m not saying that’s going to happen, but I’m saying the measures that we have right now indicate that we’re in —we have a lot of cases right now, but the measures we’re doing may be putting the lid on that.”
Watch Giroir’s remarks on ABC News below:
NEW: “Everything should be on the table,” White House coronavirus testing czar Adm. Brett Giroir tells @GStephanopoulos asked if it’s time “to consider more stringent lockdowns” in states where cases are surging. https://t.co/i5tuANHRb5 pic.twitter.com/f3eI0b4rKL — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 12, 2020
Giroir shared similar remarks during his appearance on MSNBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning.
When pressed on calls for another shutdown to slow the spread of COVID-19, Giroir first said “I don’t think we need to shut down, at least in most places around the country” but would go on to concede that it may be necessary in areas that have emerged as coronavirus hot spots recently.
“Our models really show that if you close down bars, where there’s a lot of transmission, if you decrease restaurant capacity to about 50 percent, that you really strictly physically distance, and really, everybody, if you’re out in public, we have to have about 95% mask-wearing or face coverings,” Giroir said. “If we do just those simple things, we can bring that our R-value, that transmissibility value down to below one, which means it goes away.”
Giroir added that “we need to be very selective” regarding coronavirus-related restrictions but agreed that “if we shut everything down again, that would do it.”
Watch Giroir’s remarks on MSNBC below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-12--Surgeon General: Trump Admin Is ‘Trying To Correct’ Mixed Mask Messaging But It’s ‘Very Hard’

Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Sunday said that the Trump administration is now attempting to “ correct ” its previous guidance on wearing masks as coronavirus cases continue to surge across the country .
Last March , Adams said during an interview on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation ” that “ masks do not work for the general public and preventing them from getting coronavirus.
” However , Adams said that the Trump administration is “ trying to correct ” its mixed messaging on masks during his Sunday morning appearance on the program .
The surgeon general ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sported a mask publicly for the first time during a visit to Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda , Maryland .
“ We ’ re trying to correct that messaging , ” Adams said .
“ But it ’ s very hard to do.
” Adams said the administration ’ s shift to encouraging the public to comply with mask wearing requirements is due to more knowledge on how the novel coronavirus spreads .
“ Everything we knew about coronaviruses before that point told us that people were not likely to spread when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ So the science at the time suggested that there was not a high degree of asymptomatic spread .
We learned more.
” Adams added there was also a “ very real concern about hoarding PPE ” and “ people dressing up in trash bags as health care workers ” in light of shortages in hospitals and other medical facilities .
“ That was a part of it , but the primary reason was because that ’ s what the science said , ” Adams said .
“ And I want the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the science and when we learn more , our recommendations change .
But it ’ s hard when people are continuing to talk about things from three , four months ago.
” Adams then claimed that he has “ consistently ” urged the public to wear a face covering to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the past three months .
“ It will help slow asymptomatic spread , ” Adams said .
“ It will help with us reopen churches and schools and have prom next year and have football in the @ @ @

Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Sunday said that the Trump administration is now attempting to “correct” its previous guidance on wearing masks as coronavirus cases continue to surge across the country.
Last March, Adams said during an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that “masks do not work for the general public and preventing them from getting coronavirus.”
However, Adams said that the Trump administration is “trying to correct” its mixed messaging on masks during his Sunday morning appearance on the program. The surgeon general’s remarks came a day after President Trump sported a mask publicly for the first time during a visit to Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
“We’re trying to correct that messaging,” Adams said. “But it’s very hard to do.”
Adams said the administration’s shift to encouraging the public to comply with mask wearing requirements is due to more knowledge on how the novel coronavirus spreads.
“Everything we knew about coronaviruses before that point told us that people were not likely to spread when they were asymptomatic,” Adams said. “So the science at the time suggested that there was not a high degree of asymptomatic spread. We learned more.”
Adams added there was also a “very real concern about hoarding PPE” and “people dressing up in trash bags as health care workers” in light of shortages in hospitals and other medical facilities.
“That was a part of it, but the primary reason was because that’s what the science said,” Adams said. “And I want the American people to understand: we follow the science and when we learn more, our recommendations change. But it’s hard when people are continuing to talk about things from three, four months ago.”
Adams then claimed that he has “consistently” urged the public to wear a face covering to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the past three months.
“It will help slow asymptomatic spread,” Adams said. “It will help with us reopen churches and schools and have prom next year and have football in the fall.”
Watch Adams’ remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-12--Pelosi Slams DeVos’ Push To Reopen Schools: ‘This Is Appalling’

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) on Sunday wasted no time in criticizing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos ’ push to reopen schools amid surging cases of the coronavirus nationwide .
Earlier Sunday , DeVos repeatedly dodged questions on whether schools should follow CDC guidance as they reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Last week , President Trump said that the White House is “ very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools , to get them open , and it ’ s very important.
” When asked to respond to DeVos ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s demand for schools to reopen , Pelosi responded that the education secretary ’ s interview was a “ malfeasance dereliction of duty.
” “ This is appalling , ” Pelosi said .
“ The President and his administration are messing with the health of our children .
We all want our children to go back to school .
Teachers do .
Parents do .
And children do .
But they must go back safely.
” Pelosi then took aim at the Trump administration for having “ no appreciation for the failure ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Going back to school presents the biggest risk for the spread of the coronavirus , ” Pelosi said .
“ They ignore science and they ignore governance to make this happen.
” Pelosi added that she thinks that CDC guidelines “ should be requirements.
” On Thursday , CDC Director Robert Redfield denied that the agency ’ s guidelines regarding schools reopening in the fall would not change despite the President saying that they are “ very tough , expensive and impractical .
”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Sunday wasted no time in criticizing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ push to reopen schools amid surging cases of the coronavirus nationwide.
Earlier Sunday, DeVos repeatedly dodged questions on whether schools should follow CDC guidance as they reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, President Trump said that the White House is “very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools, to get them open, and it’s very important.”
When asked to respond to DeVos’ remarks on CNN that bolstered Trump’s demand for schools to reopen, Pelosi responded that the education secretary’s interview was a “malfeasance dereliction of duty.”
“This is appalling,” Pelosi said. “The President and his administration are messing with the health of our children. We all want our children to go back to school. Teachers do. Parents do. And children do. But they must go back safely.”
Pelosi then took aim at the Trump administration for having “no appreciation for the failure” of their response to the coronavirus crisis.
“Going back to school presents the biggest risk for the spread of the coronavirus,” Pelosi said. “They ignore science and they ignore governance to make this happen.”
Pelosi added that she thinks that CDC guidelines “should be requirements.” On Thursday, CDC Director Robert Redfield denied that the agency’s guidelines regarding schools reopening in the fall would not change despite the President saying that they are “very tough, expensive and impractical.”
Watch Pelosi’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-12--Graham Signals That He Will Grant Dems’ Mueller Testimony Request

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) on Sunday said that he plans to grant Democrats ’ request for former special counsel Robert Mueller to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee after he blasted President Trump for commuting Roger Stone ’ s prison sentence in a Washington Post op-ed .
On Saturday night , Mueller issued a rare public rebuke in his op-ed that argued that Stone “ remains a convicted felon , and rightly so.
” Trump ’ s move to commute Stone ’ s sentence came after Mueller ’ s two-year investigation found evidence of correspondence between Stone and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party emails during the 2016 presidential election cycle .
In a statement on Sunday , Graham directly responded to Mueller ’ s op-ed by saying that it shows how the former special counsel is “ willing — and also capable — of defending ” the Russia probe he conducted .
Graham then acknowledged Democrats ’ renewed calls for Mueller to testify after Republicans on the Judiciary Committee voted last month to give the South Carolina senator broad subpoena authority as part of his investigation into the Russia probe that he ’ s expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Judiciary Committee have previously requested Mr. Mueller appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about his investigation , ” Graham said in a statement .
“ That request will be granted.
” Shortly before Graham signaled that he will give the green light to Democrats ’ request for Mueller to testify , Rep. Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) railed against Republicans for refusing to “ stand up for the rule of law ” in response to Trump ’ s move to commute Stone ’ s prison sentence during an interview on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It shouldn ’ t matter , but this was a Republican-led investigation that Roger Stone lied to , the committee was then chaired by a Republican , ” Schiff said on ABC News .
“ And here you have no more than a couple of Republicans willing to say a single word about someone who came before Congress and lied to them , intimidated witnesses and obstructed them .
And why ?
Because he did it to cover for a president of their party .
”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Sunday said that he plans to grant Democrats’ request for former special counsel Robert Mueller to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee after he blasted President Trump for commuting Roger Stone’s prison sentence in a Washington Post op-ed.
On Saturday night, Mueller issued a rare public rebuke in his op-ed that argued that Stone “remains a convicted felon, and rightly so.” Trump’s move to commute Stone’s sentence came after Mueller’s two-year investigation found evidence of correspondence between Stone and WikiLeaks regarding the release of hacked Democratic party emails during the 2016 presidential election cycle.
In a statement on Sunday, Graham directly responded to Mueller’s op-ed by saying that it shows how the former special counsel is “willing — and also capable — of defending” the Russia probe he conducted.
Graham then acknowledged Democrats’ renewed calls for Mueller to testify after Republicans on the Judiciary Committee voted last month to give the South Carolina senator broad subpoena authority as part of his investigation into the Russia probe that he’s expressed skepticism of.
“Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have previously requested Mr. Mueller appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about his investigation,” Graham said in a statement. “That request will be granted.”
Shortly before Graham signaled that he will give the green light to Democrats’ request for Mueller to testify, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) railed against Republicans for refusing to “stand up for the rule of law” in response to Trump’s move to commute Stone’s prison sentence during an interview on ABC News on Sunday morning.
“It shouldn’t matter, but this was a Republican-led investigation that Roger Stone lied to, the committee was then chaired by a Republican,” Schiff said on ABC News. “And here you have no more than a couple of Republicans willing to say a single word about someone who came before Congress and lied to them, intimidated witnesses and obstructed them. And why? Because he did it to cover for a president of their party.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-12--Biden Camp Rips Into Trump After He Finally Wears Mask In Public: ‘He Wasted Four Months’

The Biden campaign was quick to call out President Trump after he finally wore a mask publicly after months of refusing to do so on Saturday night .
During a visit to wounded service members at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Saturday night , Trump visibly wore a mask for the first time following months of expressing his reluctance to comply with mask wearing requirements amid surging coronavirus cases throughout the country .
The move came after several prominent Republicans , including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) , urged the public to wear masks despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to commit to issuing a nationwide mask mandate even after encouraging the public to adopt the practice .
The President told reporters on Saturday ahead of his visit to the medical center that he ’ ll “ probably have a mask.
” “ I think when you ’ re in a hospital especially in that particular setting , where you are talking to a lot of soldiers , people that in some cases just got off the operating table .
I think it ’ s a great thing to wear a mask , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place.
” Shortly after news broke of Trump wearing a mask during his hospital visit , staffers for his re-election campaign roundly praised him for it .
The Biden campaign called out the President not long after , however .
Biden campaign director for rapid response Andrew Bates issued a scathing statement against Trump in reaction to finally wearing a mask in public in a statement shared with TPM on Sunday .
“ Trump spent months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicizing wearing a mask , one of the most important things we can do to prevent the spread of the virus , ” Bates said .
“ Rather than taking responsibility and leading , he wasted four months that Americans have been making sacrifices by stoking divisions and actively discouraging people from taking a very basic step to protect each other.
” Bates added that the former VP “ has led by example from the start ” and if elected as President he “ will make decisions informed by science to protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several other Biden campaign staffers criticized the President as well in a series of tweets .

The Biden campaign was quick to call out President Trump after he finally wore a mask publicly after months of refusing to do so on Saturday night.
During a visit to wounded service members at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Saturday night, Trump visibly wore a mask for the first time following months of expressing his reluctance to comply with mask wearing requirements amid surging coronavirus cases throughout the country.
The move came after several prominent Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), urged the public to wear masks despite Trump and Vice President Mike Pence refusing to commit to issuing a nationwide mask mandate even after encouraging the public to adopt the practice.
The President told reporters on Saturday ahead of his visit to the medical center that he’ll “probably have a mask.”
“I think when you’re in a hospital especially in that particular setting, where you are talking to a lot of soldiers, people that in some cases just got off the operating table. I think it’s a great thing to wear a mask,” Trump said on Saturday. “I’ve never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place.”
Shortly after news broke of Trump wearing a mask during his hospital visit, staffers for his re-election campaign roundly praised him for it.
Joe Biden is finished. pic.twitter.com/cYjerzBBay — Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) July 11, 2020
The Biden campaign called out the President not long after, however.
Biden campaign director for rapid response Andrew Bates issued a scathing statement against Trump in reaction to finally wearing a mask in public in a statement shared with TPM on Sunday.
“Trump spent months ignoring the advice of medical experts and politicizing wearing a mask, one of the most important things we can do to prevent the spread of the virus,” Bates said. “Rather than taking responsibility and leading, he wasted four months that Americans have been making sacrifices by stoking divisions and actively discouraging people from taking a very basic step to protect each other.”
Bates added that the former VP “has led by example from the start” and if elected as President he “will make decisions informed by science to protect the American people and defeat the virus.”
Several other Biden campaign staffers criticized the President as well in a series of tweets.
When the child finally does that thing you’ve been asking him to do?? https://t.co/4UvczSX70s — Symone D. Sanders (@SymoneDSanders) July 11, 2020


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-12--DeVos Repeatedly Dodges When Grilled On CDC Guidelines For Reopening Schools

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos declined to say whether schools should adhere to CDC guidelines as President Trump demands that they reopen amid surging cases of the coronavirus across the country .
Last week , the President said that the White House is “ very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools , to get them open , and it ’ s very important.
” Vice President Mike Pence also seemed to endorse Trump ’ s threat during a press briefing by hinting at using the federal budget to give states a “ strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed repeatedly on what authority the President has to reopen schools , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany dodged the question during a briefing by saying that Trump “ wants them to reopen altogether.
” However , CDC Director Robert Redfield denied that the agency ’ s guidelines regarding schools reopening in the fall would not be altered despite the President ’ s complaints against them , which include being “ very tough , expensive and impractical.
” When asked during an interview on CNN Sunday morning about whether schools should follow CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency has internally warned that the full reopening of K-12 schools would be the “ highest risk ” for COVID-19 spread — DeVos repeated the Trump administration ’ s argument that Redfield “ has clearly said these are recommendations.
” “ Every situation is going to look slightly different , ” DeVos said .
DeVos then added that education leaders are “ smart people who can figure things out.
” “ They can figure out what is going to be right for their specific situation , ” DeVos said .
DeVos went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer on whether schools should follow CDC guidance as they reopen , before insisting that schools need to heed to Trump ’ s demand .
“ Well , I know for a fact that there are many schools that have been working hard to put together their plans for moving ahead , ” DeVos said .
We want to see every school district , every state doing the same thing to say not what we can ’ t do , but what we ’ re going to do and what we can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action , we ’ re a country of doers .
”

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos declined to say whether schools should adhere to CDC guidelines as President Trump demands that they reopen amid surging cases of the coronavirus across the country.
Last week, the President said that the White House is “very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools, to get them open, and it’s very important.” Vice President Mike Pence also seemed to endorse Trump’s threat during a press briefing by hinting at using the federal budget to give states a “strong incentive” to reopen schools. When pressed repeatedly on what authority the President has to reopen schools, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany dodged the question during a briefing by saying that Trump “wants them to reopen altogether.”
However, CDC Director Robert Redfield denied that the agency’s guidelines regarding schools reopening in the fall would not be altered despite the President’s complaints against them, which include being “very tough, expensive and impractical.”
When asked during an interview on CNN Sunday morning about whether schools should follow CDC guidelines as they reopen — given how the agency has internally warned that the full reopening of K-12 schools would be the “highest risk” for COVID-19 spread — DeVos repeated the Trump administration’s argument that Redfield “has clearly said these are recommendations.”
“Every situation is going to look slightly different,” DeVos said.
DeVos then added that education leaders are “smart people who can figure things out.”
“They can figure out what is going to be right for their specific situation,” DeVos said.
DeVos went on to repeatedly decline providing a straightforward answer on whether schools should follow CDC guidance as they reopen, before insisting that schools need to heed to Trump’s demand.
“Well, I know for a fact that there are many schools that have been working hard to put together their plans for moving ahead,” DeVos said. We want to see every school district, every state doing the same thing to say not what we can’t do, but what we’re going to do and what we can do. We’re a country of action, we’re a country of doers.”
Watch DeVos’ remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-12--Mueller Blasts Trump For Commuting Stone’s Sentence: ‘He Remains A Convicted Felon’

Former special counsel Robert Mueller issued a rare public rebuke in a Washington Post op-ed a day after President Trump moved to commute Roger Stone ’ s prison sentence .
On Friday night , Trump commuted the sentence of Stone , who previously worked as a former campaign adviser to the President .
Last November , Stone was convicted of seven crimes including obstruction of justice , lying to Congress and witness tampering .
Stone ’ s conviction came after Mueller ’ s two-year investigation into accusations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of correspondence between Stone and WikiLeaks regarding the release of hacked Democratic party emails during the election cycle , but he concluded that he did not have the authority to charge Trump even if there are grounds to do so .
In a Washington Post op-ed titled “ Roger Stone remains a convicted felon , and rightly so , ” Mueller argued that the work of the special counsel ’ s office during his tenure “ should speak for itself.
” “ Stone was prosecuted and convicted because he committed federal crimes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a convicted felon , and rightly so.
” Mueller hit back at the President ’ s claims that prosecutors acted in bad faith towards Stone and other Trump associates .
“ We made every decision in Stone ’ s case , as in all our cases , based solely on the facts and the law and in accordance with the rule of law , ” Mueller wrote .
“ The women and men who conducted these investigations and prosecutions acted with the highest integrity .
Claims to the contrary are false.
” Shortly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday night , Trump told reporters that Stone and other associates who were convicted of crimes in the Russia probe found themselves in a “ witch-hunt ” .
“ They ’ ve all been treated unfairly , and what I did , I will tell you this : people are extremely happy , because in this country , they want justice , ” Trump said on Friday night .
Stone celebrated his commutation on Friday night as well , telling onlookers outside of his Fort Lauderdale , Florida home that the President “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him “ an opportunity to fight for vindication .
”

Former special counsel Robert Mueller issued a rare public rebuke in a Washington Post op-ed a day after President Trump moved to commute Roger Stone’s prison sentence.
On Friday night, Trump commuted the sentence of Stone, who previously worked as a former campaign adviser to the President. Last November, Stone was convicted of seven crimes including obstruction of justice, lying to Congress and witness tampering.
Stone’s conviction came after Mueller’s two-year investigation into accusations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential election. Mueller’s probe found evidence of correspondence between Stone and WikiLeaks regarding the release of hacked Democratic party emails during the election cycle, but he concluded that he did not have the authority to charge Trump even if there are grounds to do so.
In a Washington Post op-ed titled “Roger Stone remains a convicted felon, and rightly so,” Mueller argued that the work of the special counsel’s office during his tenure “should speak for itself.”
“Stone was prosecuted and convicted because he committed federal crimes,” Mueller wrote. “He remains a convicted felon, and rightly so.”
Mueller hit back at the President’s claims that prosecutors acted in bad faith towards Stone and other Trump associates.
“We made every decision in Stone’s case, as in all our cases, based solely on the facts and the law and in accordance with the rule of law,” Mueller wrote. “The women and men who conducted these investigations and prosecutions acted with the highest integrity. Claims to the contrary are false.”
Shortly after commuting Stone’s sentence on Friday night, Trump told reporters that Stone and other associates who were convicted of crimes in the Russia probe found themselves in a “witch-hunt”.
“They’ve all been treated unfairly, and what I did, I will tell you this: people are extremely happy, because in this country, they want justice,” Trump said on Friday night.
Stone celebrated his commutation on Friday night as well, telling onlookers outside of his Fort Lauderdale, Florida home that the President “saved my life,” and gave him “an opportunity to fight for vindication.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-13--Anonymous White House Officials Leak Meadows’ Scheme To Catch Leakers

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows , like his predecessors , is attempting to plug the numerous leaks to the media coming from anonymous White House aides and Trump administration officials , but his efforts seem to be taking an ironic turn .
According to Axios , Meadows has been going around telling several fellow White House aides about how he ’ s trying to trace the perpetrators by feeding certain staffers information that might later end up in the news .
“ Multiple officials ” told Axios that the chief of staff has been “ unusually vocal about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words .
“ Meadows told me he was doing that , ” a former White House staffer told the news outlet .
“ I don ’ t know if it ever worked.
” It reportedly hasn ’ t , at least not against bombshell leakers such as those who revealed President Donald Trump ’ s refusal to respond to the intelligence community ’ s report that Russia was paying the Taliban to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan .
According to Axios , Meadows ’ trap has only managed to ensnare one suspect for @ @ @ @ @ @

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, like his predecessors, is attempting to plug the numerous leaks to the media coming from anonymous White House aides and Trump administration officials, but his efforts seem to be taking an ironic turn.
According to Axios, Meadows has been going around telling several fellow White House aides about how he’s trying to trace the perpetrators by feeding certain staffers information that might later end up in the news.
“Multiple officials” told Axios that the chief of staff has been “unusually vocal about his tactics,” in Axios’ words.
“Meadows told me he was doing that,” a former White House staffer told the news outlet. “I don’t know if it ever worked.”
It reportedly hasn’t, at least not against bombshell leakers such as those who revealed President Donald Trump’s refusal to respond to the intelligence community’s report that Russia was paying the Taliban to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
According to Axios, Meadows’ trap has only managed to ensnare one suspect for a “minor leak.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-13--WH Launches Oppo Campaign Against Fauci As Trump Continues To Downplay COVID

The White House publicly took aim at one of its own leading health experts on the White House ’ s COVID-19 task force , Dr. Anthony Fauci , by sending a list of talking points to various news outlets on Sunday that disparaged the doctor over past comments he ’ d made about the virus that later turned out to be incorrect .
In the statement , which was first reported by the Washington Post , then NBC News and CNN , an unnamed White House aide said that “ several ” White House officials are “ concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong on things.
” The aide seemingly refused to be identified .
The White House ’ s salvo reportedly includes a compilation of Fauci ’ s COVID-19 predictions and health recommendations in the early stages of the pandemic , before the novel coronavirus had yet to be fully understood by health professionals .
NBC News , and CNN described the statement as resembling a series of talking points against a political enemy .
One of the White House ’ s examples reportedly included Fauci ’ s assertion in January that COVID-19 was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying in late February that there was “ no need to change anything that you ’ re doing on a day-by-day basis.
” The White House ’ s effort to discredit Fauci comes as the doctor ’ s stark warnings about COVID-19 continue to undermine President Donald Trump ’ s blatantly political attempts to downplay the severity of the outbreak ahead of the November elections .
As Trump repeatedly peddles the false claim that the virus is “ going away , ” Fauci warns that though the COVID-19 death rate ( not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ it ’ s a false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death.
” “ There ’ s so many other things that are very dangerous and bad about this virus , don ’ t get yourself into false complacency , ” he said last Tuesday .

The White House publicly took aim at one of its own leading health experts on the COVID-19 task force, Dr. Anthony Fauci, by sending a list of talking points to news outlets on Sunday that disparaged the doctor over past comments he’d made about the virus that later turned out to be incorrect.
In the statement, which was first reported by the Washington Post, then NBC News and CNN, an unnamed White House aide said that “several” White House officials are “concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci has been wrong on things.”
The aide seemingly refused to be identified.
The White House’s salvo reportedly includes a compilation of Fauci’s COVID-19 predictions and health recommendations in the early stages of the pandemic, before the novel coronavirus had yet to be fully understood by health professionals.
NBC News, and CNN described the statement as resembling a series of talking points against a political enemy.
One of the White House’s examples reportedly included Fauci’s assertion in January that COVID-19 was “not a major threat” and him saying in late February that there was “no need to change anything that you’re doing on a day-by-day basis.”
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) defended Fauci on Monday in response to the reports, saying the organization was “extremely concerned and alarmed” by the White House using Fauci’s early remarks about the virus to undermine his credibility.
“Science is, and must be, a dynamic and evolving process,” AAMC said in a statement. “Taking quotes from Dr. Fauci out of context to discredit his scientific knowledge and judgment will do tremendous harm to our nation’s efforts to get the virus under control, restore our economy, and return us to a more normal way of life.”
The White House’s effort to discredit Fauci comes as the doctor’s stark warnings about COVID-19 continue to undermine President Donald Trump’s blatantly political attempts to downplay the severity of the outbreak ahead of the November elections.
As Trump repeatedly peddles the false claim that the virus is “going away,” Fauci warns that though the COVID-19 death rate (not the number of cases) is declining, “it’s a false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death.”
“There’s so many other things that are very dangerous and bad about this virus, don’t get yourself into false complacency,” he said last Tuesday.
Several days later, Trump tried to cast doubt on Fauci’s grim analysis by telling Fox News host Sean Hannity that the doctor is “a nice man” but “he’s made a lot of mistakes.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-13--Biden Campaign Goes After White House For ‘Disgusting’ Memo Criticizing Fauci

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s campaign on Monday ripped into the White House after an unnamed official sent news outlets a list of Fauci ’ s past comments regarding the coronavirus that later turned out to be inaccurate .
On Sunday , an unnamed White House official told news outlets in a statement that “ several ” White House officials are “ concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci has been wrong on things , ” according to reports in the Washington Post , NBC News and CNN .
In a statement shared with TPM , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ripped into President Trump for “ disastrously mismanaging ” the coronavirus crisis by “ failing to heed the warnings and guidance of medical experts ” such as White House Coronavirus Task Force member Dr. Anthony Fauci .
“ Infections in the United States have skyrocketed , surpassing every other country in the world by far , specifically because of Trump ’ s refusal to listen to science , ” Bates said .
Bates then railed against the Trump administration ’ s “ disgusting ” efforts to blame Fauci amid surging cases of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President ’ s disgusting attempt to pass the buck by blaming the top infectious disease expert in the country — whose advice he repeatedly ignored and Joe Biden consistently implored him to take — is yet another horrible and revealing failure of leadership as the tragic death toll continues to needlessly grow , ” Bates said .
Shortly before the Biden campaign issued its criticism against the White House ’ s memo , Trump told reporters on Monday afternoon that he has a “ very good relationship ” with Fauci .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci .
I ’ ve had for a long time , right from the beginning , ” Trump said .
“ I find him to be a very nice person .
I don ’ t always agree with him.
” The President ’ s latest comments came on the heels of White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany denying that its memo criticizing Dr. Anthony Fauci ’ s past comments was the result of opposition research against the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert .
When pressed on why the White House tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memos to reporters citing an unnamed official , McEnany flat out denied that there is any opposition research “ being dumped to reporters ” and insisted that “ we provided a direct answer to what was a direct question .
”

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign on Monday ripped into the White House after an unnamed official sent news outlets a list of Fauci’s past comments regarding the coronavirus that later turned out to be inaccurate.
On Sunday, an unnamed White House official told news outlets in a statement that “several” White House officials are “concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci has been wrong on things,” according to reports in the Washington Post, NBC News and CNN.
In a statement shared with TPM, Biden campaign director of rapid response Andrew Bates ripped into President Trump for “disastrously mismanaging” the coronavirus crisis by “failing to heed the warnings and guidance of medical experts” such as White House Coronavirus Task Force member Dr. Anthony Fauci.
“Infections in the United States have skyrocketed, surpassing every other country in the world by far, specifically because of Trump’s refusal to listen to science,” Bates said.
Bates then railed against the Trump administration’s “disgusting” efforts to blame Fauci amid surging cases of the coronavirus throughout the country.
“The President’s disgusting attempt to pass the buck by blaming the top infectious disease expert in the country — whose advice he repeatedly ignored and Joe Biden consistently implored him to take — is yet another horrible and revealing failure of leadership as the tragic death toll continues to needlessly grow,” Bates said.
Shortly before the Biden campaign issued its criticism against the White House’s memo, Trump told reporters on Monday afternoon that he has a “very good relationship” with Fauci.
“I have a very good relationship with Dr. Fauci. I’ve had for a long time, right from the beginning,” Trump said. “I find him to be a very nice person. I don’t always agree with him.”
The President’s latest comments came on the heels of White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany denying that its memo criticizing Dr. Anthony Fauci’s past comments was the result of opposition research against the nation’s top infectious disease expert.
When pressed on why the White House tried to discredit Fauci by sending opposition research-like memos to reporters citing an unnamed official, McEnany flat out denied that there is any opposition research “being dumped to reporters” and insisted that “we provided a direct answer to what was a direct question.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-13--READ: House Interview With Manhattan U.S. Attorney Ousted By Barr

The House Judiciary Committee on Monday released the transcript of its interview with former U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman , who was ousted from his role leading the powerful Manhattan-based prosecutorial office last month .
Attorney General Bill Barr had tried to fire Berman and , rather than let Berman ’ s deputy lead the office while his permanent replacement was confirmed , Barr had said that the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey would lead the office instead .
Berman refused to leave the post until Barr partially backed down and let Berman ’ s deputy , Audrey Strauss , maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House that Barr ’ s original plan was “ extraordinary and unprecedented.
” Berman would not go into detail about the cases he feared would be “ impeded ” if Strauss had not been able to take over his role .
But he repeatedly said that the scheme , had it been successful , would have caused “ delay and disruption ” in his office ’ s ongoing investigations .
“ I don ’ t know what the Attorney General ’ s motives were , but the irregular and unexplained actions by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Berman said .
“ In addition , the imposition of an acting United States attorney from outside of the office , as I explained , would necessarily delay and disrupt the ongoing investigations.
” He said that tasking the New Jersey prosecutor to take over SDNY role while he was still in charge in New Jersey would cause delays because “ Carpenito could not devote 100 percent of his attention to the Southern District.
” “ Also , if Carpenito had come in as acting U.S. attorney after my firing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would ’ ve been a huge blow to the office ’ s morale and may have resulted in AUSAs resigning , which also would have impacted our investigations , ” he said .

The House Judiciary Committee on Monday released the transcript of its interview with former U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman, who was ousted from his role leading the powerful Manhattan-based prosecutorial office last month.
Attorney General Bill Barr had tried to fire Berman and, rather than let Berman’s deputy lead the office while his permanent replacement was confirmed, Barr had said that the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey would lead the office instead.
Berman refused to leave the post until Barr partially backed down and let Berman’s deputy, Audrey Strauss, maintain control of it.
Berman told the House that Barr’s original plan was “extraordinary and unprecedented.”
Berman would not go into detail about the cases he feared would be “impeded” if Strauss had not been able to take over his role. But he repeatedly said that the scheme, had it been successful, would have caused “delay and disruption” in his office’s ongoing investigations.
“I don’t know what the Attorney General’s motives were, but the irregular and unexplained actions by the Attorney General raised serious concerns for me,” Berman said. “In addition, the imposition of an acting United States attorney from outside of the office, as I explained, would necessarily delay and disrupt the ongoing investigations.”
He said that tasking the New Jersey prosecutor to take over SDNY role while he was still in charge in New Jersey would cause delays because “Carpenito could not devote 100 percent of his attention to the Southern District.”
“Also, if Carpenito had come in as acting U.S. attorney after my firing and the unprecedented bypassing of the deputy, it would’ve been a huge blow to the office’s morale and may have resulted in AUSAs resigning, which also would have impacted our investigations,” he said.
Read the transcript below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-13--Cuomo Pays Tribute To NY’s Handling Of Coronavirus With A Bizarre, Old-Timey Poster

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) unveiled an odd , old-timey poster during a press conference on Monday that appears to pay tribute to his state ’ s handling of the coronavirus crisis .
The COVID-19-themed poster features several references to New York state ’ s time as the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak , which includes a mountain with a yellow line representing the curve of cases in the state .
“ I did a new one for what we went through with COVID and I think the general shape is familiar to you , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press conference on Monday .
The poster also depicts President Trump sitting on a crescent moon next to the phrase “ It ’ s Just the Flu , ” referencing his efforts to downplay the coronavirus crisis earlier this year .
“ The sun is on the other side of the mountain .
We just have to make it to the other side of the mountain .
There ’ s the man in the moon – ‘ It ’ s just a flu , ’ ” Cuomo said on Monday .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public to express its head-scratching amusement over Cuomo ’ s poster , which he claimed he designed himself .
Cuomo appears to be aware of the puzzlement that the public has expressed upon the unveiling of the poster .
The New York governor candidly replied to model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen ’ s tweet that pokes fun at the illustration of the “ Boyfriend Cliff ” — a reference to Cuomo ’ s ongoing mentions of his daughter ’ s boyfriend .
This isn ’ t the first time Cuomo ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyebrows .
In January , Cuomo released a nautically-themed poster referencing his first three terms in office titled “ Sea of Division .
”

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) unveiled an odd, old-timey poster during a press conference on Monday that appears to pay tribute to his state’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
The COVID-19-themed poster features several references to New York state’s time as the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, which includes a mountain with a yellow line representing the curve of cases in the state.
“I did a new one for what we went through with COVID and I think the general shape is familiar to you,” Cuomo said while unveiling the poster during a press conference on Monday.
The poster also depicts President Trump sitting on a crescent moon next to the phrase “It’s Just the Flu,” referencing his efforts to downplay the coronavirus crisis earlier this year.
“The sun is on the other side of the mountain. We just have to make it to the other side of the mountain. There’s the man in the moon – ‘It’s just a flu,’” Cuomo said on Monday.
It didn’t take long for the public to express its head-scratching amusement over Cuomo’s poster, which he claimed he designed himself.
Cuomo appears to be aware of the puzzlement that the public has expressed upon the unveiling of the poster. The New York governor candidly replied to model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen’s tweet that pokes fun at the illustration of the “Boyfriend Cliff” — a reference to Cuomo’s ongoing mentions of his daughter’s boyfriend.
We do like the boyfriend. All boyfriends face a steep climb. https://t.co/y7HBhnxcrx — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 13, 2020
This isn’t the first time Cuomo’s penchant for old-style political campaign posters raised eyebrows.
In January, Cuomo released a nautically-themed poster referencing his first three terms in office titled “Sea of Division.”
Watch Cuomo’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-13--House Dems Ramp Up Objections To Two ‘Questionable’ Political Appointees At Census

The House Oversight Committee called on Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to withdraw the installation of two controversial political appointees at the Census Bureau .
“ In the alternative , ” the House committee said in a letter to Ross on Monday , the committee is requesting that the Commerce Department turn over various documents related to their appointment and why “ these responsibilities should be carried out by political appointees rather than civil servants.
” The Trump administration ’ s announcement last month that Nathaniel Cogley and Adam Korzeniewski were joining the Census Bureau has prompted widespread scrutiny of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointee roles at the Bureau , and the titles that the two new-hires have been given — for Cogley , deputy director for policy ; and for Korzeniewski , Cogley ’ s senior advisor — put them within the Bureau ’ s upper echelons .
Korzeniewski ’ s and Cogley ’ s resumes contain little of the experience typical for working at the wonky and technocratic agency .
Cogley , the House committee letter notes , was previously a political science professor who wrote op-eds bashing the House Dems ’ impeachment process and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as a paid consultant to the congressional campaign of Joseph Saladino , who was also known by his YouTube personality , Joey Salads .
Saladino ’ s unsuccessful run was fueled by the reputation he had earned as a YouTube prankster , where he often times employed racial stereotypes in his bits .
Before they were installed at the Census Bureau , Korzeniewski and Cogley were working as aides to Commerce Department deputy secretary Karen Dunn Kelley .
Their appointment to the Bureau blindsided even its Trump-appointed Director Steve Dillingham , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move was pushed by the White House .
What responsibilities they ’ ll be taking on is still unclear , and the timing of the appointments was also met with suspicion , because it came so late in the operational timeline for the 2020 census count .
“ A successful Census depends on the Bureau ’ s ability to conduct its activities in a professional , impartial , and non-partisan manner , ” the House committee letter said .
“ For these reasons , past Administrations historically have limited the number of political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this precedent and installing more political appointees—particularly those with such starkly partisan backgrounds as Mr. Cogley and Mr. Korzeniewski—threatens the Bureau ’ s responsibility to successfully execute a full , fair , and accurate 2020 Census .
” The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to TPM ’ s inquiry about Monday ’ s letter .
The Bureau has said it will participate in a Commerce Department inspector general examination of the appointments .
Inspector General Peggy E. Gustafson has sought information about why their positions were created , how the appointees were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tenure will be , according to the AP .
The controversy comes as the Bureau faces serious challenges in conducting the constitutionally mandated decennial census during the coronavirus pandemic .
House Democrats have also been critical of the citizenship data project President Trump tasked to the Bureau after he lost the legal fight to put a citizenship question on the 2020 census .
The Bureau is currently trying to assemble that data using existing government records and plans on releasing it in a form that will allow states to exclude non-citizens in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter on the Korzeniewski and Cogley appointments below :

The House Oversight Committee called on Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to withdraw the installation of two controversial political appointees at the Census Bureau.
“In the alternative,” the House committee said in a letter to Ross on Monday, the committee is requesting that the Commerce Department turn over various documents related to their appointment and why “these responsibilities should be carried out by political appointees rather than civil servants.”
The Trump administration’s announcement last month that Nathaniel Cogley and Adam Korzeniewski were joining the Census Bureau has prompted widespread scrutiny of the move.
There are very few political appointee roles at the Bureau, and the titles that the two new-hires have been given — for Cogley, deputy director for policy; and for Korzeniewski, Cogley’s senior advisor — put them within the Bureau’s upper echelons.
Korzeniewski’s and Cogley’s resumes contain little of the experience typical for working at the wonky and technocratic agency.
Cogley, the House committee letter notes, was previously a political science professor who wrote op-eds bashing the House Dems’ impeachment process and who tweeted about Democratic primaries. Korzeniewski served as a paid consultant to the congressional campaign of Joseph Saladino, who was also known by his YouTube personality, Joey Salads. Saladino’s unsuccessful run was fueled by the reputation he had earned as a YouTube prankster, where he often times employed racial stereotypes in his bits.
Before they were installed at the Census Bureau, Korzeniewski and Cogley were working as aides to Commerce Department deputy secretary Karen Dunn Kelley. Their appointment to the Bureau blindsided even its Trump-appointed Director Steve Dillingham, according to a Politico report, and the move was pushed by the White House.
What responsibilities they’ll be taking on is still unclear, and the timing of the appointments was also met with suspicion, because it came so late in the operational timeline for the 2020 census count.
“A successful Census depends on the Bureau’s ability to conduct its activities in a professional, impartial, and non-partisan manner,” the House committee letter said. “For these reasons, past Administrations historically have limited the number of political appointees within the Bureau. Breaking with this precedent and installing more political appointees—particularly those with such starkly partisan backgrounds as Mr. Cogley and Mr. Korzeniewski—threatens the Bureau’s responsibility to successfully execute a full, fair, and accurate 2020 Census. ”
The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to TPM’s inquiry about Monday’s letter.
The Bureau has said it will participate in a Commerce Department inspector general examination of the appointments. Inspector General Peggy E. Gustafson has sought information about why their positions were created, how the appointees were recruited and what the goals of their tenure will be, according to the AP.
The controversy comes as the Bureau faces serious challenges in conducting the constitutionally mandated decennial census during the coronavirus pandemic. House Democrats have also been critical of the citizenship data project President Trump tasked to the Bureau after he lost the legal fight to put a citizenship question on the 2020 census. The Bureau is currently trying to assemble that data using existing government records and plans on releasing it in a form that will allow states to exclude non-citizens in their redistricting counts.
Read the House Oversight letter on the Korzeniewski and Cogley appointments below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-13--RNC Spokesperson Deletes Bizarre Tweet Attacking Biden Family Photo

The Republican National Committee ’ s “ rapid response ” director on Monday deleted a bizarre attack against Joe Biden that featured a picture of the former vice president and one of his children .
The GOP official , Steve Guest , captioned the photo — in which a younger Biden wears a Washington “ Redskins ” hat — with the text , “ Hey Joe Biden , are you still a Redskins fan ?
” ( The Washington football team announced Monday that , after years of criticism , they would pick a new name . )
Guest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dug himself deeper in the mud with another .
“ To the libs in my mentions , odds are this is a photo of Hunter Biden , Joe Biden ’ s crack smoking son who was administratively discharged from the Navy for testing positive for cocaine and who has abused his dad ’ s elected position to get rich off the Chinese Communist Party , ” he wrote .
Both tweets are now gone .
Guest didn ’ t respond to TPM ’ s emails asking how he confirmed the identity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the family moment was an odd choice for an attack : Just last month , Biden posted the photo and others on his Facebook page under a note about Father ’ s Day .
Biden has notably faced significant tragedy in his family life : His son Beau died in 2015 , at age 46 , of brain cancer .
And Biden ’ s first wife and daughter were killed in a car accident in 1972 , just weeks after he won the Senate seat he ’ d go on to hold @ @ @

The Republican National Committee’s “rapid response” director on Monday deleted a bizarre attack against Joe Biden that featured a picture of the former vice president and one of his children.
The GOP official, Steve Guest, captioned the photo — in which a younger Biden wears a Washington “Redskins” hat — with the text, “Hey Joe Biden, are you still a Redskins fan?” (The Washington football team announced Monday that, after years of criticism, they would pick a new name.)
Guest, responding rapidly to criticism of his tweet, dug himself deeper in the mud with another.
“To the libs in my mentions, odds are this is a photo of Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s crack smoking son who was administratively discharged from the Navy for testing positive for cocaine and who has abused his dad’s elected position to get rich off the Chinese Communist Party,” he wrote.
Both tweets are now gone. Guest didn’t respond to TPM’s emails asking how he confirmed the identity of the Biden child in the photo.
But the family moment was an odd choice for an attack: Just last month, Biden posted the photo and others on his Facebook page under a note about Father’s Day.
My dad instilled a lot in me, but perhaps most important is the belief that there’s no higher calling than to be a good… Posted by Joe Biden on Sunday, June 21, 2020
Biden has notably faced significant tragedy in his family life: His son Beau died in 2015, at age 46, of brain cancer. And Biden’s first wife and daughter were killed in a car accident in 1972, just weeks after he won the Senate seat he’d go on to hold for decades.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-13--DOJ Releases Trump Order Commuting All Of Roger Stone’s Sentence, Not Just Prison Time

President Trump ’ s commutation of Roger Stone ’ s 40-month prison sentence also includes clearing Stone of his two @ @ @ @ @ his $ 20,00 fine , according to a clemency grant document released by the Justice @ @ @ @ @ grant document answers some of the questions lingering over Trump ’ s move to shield @ @ @ @ @ a move that was announced Friday evening , after Stone had lost court battles to @ @ @ @ @ to prison this Tuesday delayed .
The Trump order was released hours after Stone ’ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Amy Berman Jackson , of the District of Columbia , requested that the Justice @ @ @ @ @ documentation .
She specifically wanted the Justice Department to clarify whether it was just Stone @ @ @ @ @ was being commuted or if Stone ’ s supervised release was being wiped away as @ @ @ @ @ Stone in November of making false statement ’ s in the House ’ s Russia @ @ @ @ @ one of the House ’ s potential witnesses .

President Trump’s commutation of Roger Stone’s 40-month prison sentence also includes clearing Stone of his two years of supervised release and his $20,00 fine, according to a clemency grant document released by the Justice Department Monday.
The clemency grant document answers some of the questions lingering over Trump’s move to shield Stone from prison time — a move that was announced Friday evening, after Stone had lost court battles to get plans for his surrender to prison this Tuesday delayed.
The Trump order was released hours after Stone’s judge, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, of the District of Columbia, requested that the Justice Department turn over the clemency documentation. She specifically wanted the Justice Department to clarify whether it was just Stone’s prison sentence that was being commuted or if Stone’s supervised release was being wiped away as well.
A jury convicted Stone in November of making false statement’s in the House’s Russia probe and of tampering with one of the House’s potential witnesses.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-13--CA Governor Puts Kibosh On Bars, Indoor Dining Amid ‘Alarming’ COVID-19 Spread

Newsom also announced that in dozens of hard-hit counties — which together account for 80 % of the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ , gyms , places of worship and other facilities would be closed .
The rules @ @ @ @ @ and other forms of indoor gathering in recent days , as state officials have tried @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
In Los Angeles County alone , 3,200 new cases were confirmed Thursday @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Los Angeles County , by far the most populous county in the state @ @ @ @ @ half of the COVID-19 deaths in the state .
Citing “ skyrocketing infection rates , @ @ @ @ @ largest school districts — serving the Los Angeles and San Diego areas — announced Monday @ @ @ @ @ online learning in the fall , rather than opening schools for in-person education .

Newsom also announced that in dozens of hard-hit counties — which together account for 80% of the state’s population — hair salons, gyms, places of worship and other facilities would be closed.
The rules follow localized restrictions on dining and other forms of indoor gathering in recent days, as state officials have tried to get a handle on the virus.
In Los Angeles County alone, 3,200 new cases were confirmed Thursday, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Los Angeles County, by far the most populous county in the state, accounts for more than half of the COVID-19 deaths in the state.
Citing “skyrocketing infection rates,” California’s two largest school districts — serving the Los Angeles and San Diego areas — announced Monday that they would continue with online learning in the fall, rather than opening schools for in-person education.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-13--WH Denies Oppo Research On Fauci: ‘We Responded With A Direct Response To A Direct Question’

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Monday denied that its memo shared with news outlets criticizing Dr. Anthony Fauci ’ s past comments was the result of opposition research against the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert .
On Sunday , the White House sent news outlets a list of Fauci ’ s past comments regarding the coronavirus that later turned out to be inaccurate .
An unnamed White House aide said in a statement that “ several ” White House officials are “ concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci has been wrong on things , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post , NBC News and CNN .
When pressed by CNN ’ s Jim Acosta during a briefing on why the White House decided to discredit Fauci by sending out opposition research-like memos to reporters citing an unnamed official , McEnany flat out denied that there is any opposition research “ being dumped to reporters.
” McEnany said that the Post , which first broke the news , asked a “ very specific ” question about Trump noting that Fauci “ had made some mistakes.
” The White House press secretary then argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what was a direct question.
” Asked again why the White House sent a memo to reporters citing an unnamed official — given the President has previously said that he doesn ’ t trust anonymous sources and has also made mistakes , such as suggesting that the public inject themselves with disinfectants to treat COVID-19 — McEnany said that Trump “ stands by the actions and the steps he has taken in this historic response.
” McEnany added that Fauci has said “ that the record of this president is impressive ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagine that under any circumstance that anybody could be doing more.
” McEnany reiterated that the White House “ provided a direct response to a direct question ” and that the notion of it launching opposition research against Fauci “ couldn ’ t be further from the truth.
” “ Dr .
Fauci and the President have always had a good working relationship , ” McEnany said .

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Monday denied that its memo shared with news outlets criticizing Dr. Anthony Fauci’s past comments was the result of opposition research against the nation’s top infectious disease expert.
On Sunday, the White House sent news outlets a list of Fauci’s past comments regarding the coronavirus that later turned out to be inaccurate. An unnamed White House aide said in a statement that “several” White House officials are “concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci has been wrong on things,” according to reports in the Washington Post, NBC News and CNN.
When pressed by CNN’s Jim Acosta during a briefing on why the White House decided to discredit Fauci by sending out opposition research-like memos to reporters citing an unnamed official, McEnany flat out denied that there is any opposition research “being dumped to reporters.”
McEnany said that the Post, which first broke the news, asked a “very specific” question about Trump noting that Fauci “had made some mistakes.” The White House press secretary then argued that “we provided a direct answer to what was a direct question.”
Asked again why the White House sent a memo to reporters citing an unnamed official — given the President has previously said that he doesn’t trust anonymous sources and has also made mistakes, such as suggesting that the public inject themselves with disinfectants to treat COVID-19 — McEnany said that Trump “stands by the actions and the steps he has taken in this historic response.”
McEnany added that Fauci has said “that the record of this president is impressive” and that he “can’t imagine that under any circumstance that anybody could be doing more.”
McEnany reiterated that the White House “provided a direct response to a direct question” and that the notion of it launching opposition research against Fauci “couldn’t be further from the truth.”
“Dr. Fauci and the President have always had a good working relationship,” McEnany said.
Watch McEnany’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-07-13--Trump Is Considering Extra Funding To Help Schools Reopen, Says WH Adviser

White House trade adviser Larry Kudlow said on Monday that President Donald Trump is mulling setting aside funds to assist with school reopenings in the fall , as part of the federal government ’ s next round of COVID-19 relief aid .
“ The President has said that he ’ s willing to consider additional aid , talking about the next care package , in order to help reopen the schools , ” Kudlow said during an interview on Fox Business .
The adviser argued that keeping the schools closed would be a “ setback to a true economic recovery.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ go there .
Let ’ s use some American ingenuity and common sense to get the schools open , ” he said .
Trump and his administration have made a heavy push for the reopening of schools in recent days , with the President going as far as threatening last week to yank funding from schools that remain closed , though he would not have the authority to do so .
Vice President Mike Pence told reporters on Wednesday that the White House would look into “ building incentives ” for schools to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes forward about additional resources.
” Educators and officials across the U.S. have criticized the Trump administration for pushing school reopenings , primarily because there is not funding in place to do so safely and because it will put children and minority families at a greater health risk .

White House trade adviser Larry Kudlow said on Monday that President Donald Trump is mulling setting aside funds to assist with school reopenings in the fall, as part of the federal government’s next round of COVID-19 relief aid.
“The President has said that he’s willing to consider additional aid, talking about the next care package, in order to help reopen the schools,” Kudlow said during an interview on Fox Business.
The adviser argued that keeping the schools closed would be a “setback to a true economic recovery.”
“So let’s not go there. Let’s use some American ingenuity and common sense to get the schools open,” he said.
Trump and his administration have made a heavy push for the reopening of schools in recent days, with the President going as far as threatening last week to yank funding from schools that remain closed, though he would not have the authority to do so. Vice President Mike Pence told reporters on Wednesday that the White House would look into “building incentives” for schools to reopen “as the debate in Congress goes forward about additional resources.”
Educators and officials across the U.S. have criticized the Trump administration for pushing school reopenings, primarily because there is not funding in place to do so safely and because it will put children and minority families at a greater health risk.
Watch Kudlow below: