courthousenews--2020-09-18--Portland Defense Attorneys Doubtful of Sedition Charges for Protesters

PORTLAND , Ore. ( CN ) — The Justice Department wants prosecutors to step up punishment for protesters using charges like sedition — which carries a 20-year sentence .
Legal experts say it ’ s an attempt to quell protests that will likely fizzle .
In Portland , federal prosecutors have already ramped up charges against protesters fighting police brutality , charging 32 people with felonies like arson , assaulting federal officers and damaging federal property .
Forty-three people have been charged with federal misdemeanors like the newly applied “ civil disorder ” — a charge never used in federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 11 have received citations .
Now , a memo released by the U.S. Department of Justice confirms that U.S. Attorney Bill Barr has asked every federal prosecutor in the country to aggressively pursue federal charges against protesters , up to and including the charge of sedition .
In a memo issued Thursday , Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen says he wants to “ re-emphasize ” the message he and Barr conveyed in a previous phone call , where they advised federal prosecutors of “ the need to consider the use of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was previously pointed out , Section 2384 does not require proof of a plot to overthrow the U.S. Government , despite what the name might suggest , ” Rosen wrote in the memo .
He noted that the charge is punishable by 20 years in prison , and said it applies to ongoing protests across the country .
“ In appropriate cases — for instance , where a group has conspired to take a federal courthouse or other federal property by force — you should consider a charge under Section 2384 , among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
A surge of federal agents sent to Portland by the Department of Homeland Security , the U.S .
Marshals Service and the Federal Protective Service faced off with protesters nightly for weeks outside the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse , and at buildings occupied by Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
They doused crowds of thousands with tear gas and shot rubber bullets , paint balls and pepper spray at protesters , journalists and legal observers .
Court documents in a proposed class action lawsuit where journalists and legal observers accuse federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest reveal that federal agents have not left Portland , despite a publicly announced “ deal ” brokered by Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown and Vice President Mike Pence to have Oregon State Police take over the job of protecting the federal courthouse .
Brian Levin , professor of criminal justice at California State University and director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism , says the government is fighting the wrong battle .
Instead of pressing prosecutors to use arcane and inflammatory charges against leftist protesters demanding justice in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government should be fighting the major domestic danger facing the United States : rising white supremacy .
“ The biggest threat that our center has been highlighting for years is that white supremacist extremists represent the most prominent threat to the United States , ” Levin said .
“ Federal intelligence agencies admit that white supremacy is the largest problem we face , but we have people like Chad Wolf and Bill Barr making public statements saying the total opposite.
” He said encouragement to use a charge like sedition is part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually protecting Americans from violence .
“ What we have seen is the politicization of fear and the only explanation I can think of is that this is another part of a pattern of exaggeration and the use of fiery imagery to create a sociopolitical construction of a threat that is far more elevated than the reality , ” Levin said .
Lisa Hay , the federal public defender for Oregon , said she doesn ’ t know the specifics of cases the government is now reviewing for possible charges , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stemming so far from Portland ’ s protests .
“ I don ’ t know of any facts from cases I ’ ve seen that would support a charge like this , ” Hay told Courthouse News .
She added that the charges federal prosecutors are already using appear to be enough .
“ Our U.S. Attorney ’ s office is aggressively prosecuting crimes that they think were committed in these protests and I doubt they need any additional legal authority to what they are already using , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ludwig said .
“ And I think it ’ s just posturing .
They use arrests as a way to suppress the protests.
” Ludwig said she expects to see many arrests , but not a lot of follow through on charges .
“ When your objective is suppression , doing lots and lots of arrests and no prosecutions is more efficient than doing limited and specific arrests for actual crime and then following through with those prosecutions , ” Ludwig said .
“ The whole point is the arrest .
The arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the intent was probably related to “ grandstanding ” ahead of the election .
“ There are myriad statutes to punish people who commit violence , ” Levin said .
“ Rioting , arson , reckless endangerment , felony murder statutes .
So it seems to me that this is a bit of grandstanding .
They ’ re swinging a baseball bat that they are probably , if they are wise , not going to use much except as a messaging tactic.
” “ But I don ’ t think we can dismiss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I do think it does indeed have a chilling effect.
” Rosen notes in the memo that under normal circumstances , state and local prosecutors usually take the lead in such matters .
“ But the Department of Justice and our federal partners must continue to assist in that response , ” Rosen wrote .
State and local authorities in Oregon have repeatedly declined such assistance .
“ This is the criminal law being used as a messaging campaign and that is not the appropriate use of our statutory tools , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applying an applicable law to a real threat but looking for a cobbled threat and trying to apply tools to it that aren ’ t realistic .
”

The Justice Department wants prosecutors to step up punishment for protesters using charges like sedition — which carries a 20-year sentence. Legal experts say it’s an attempt to quell protests that will likely fizzle.
PORTLAND, Ore. (CN) — The Justice Department wants prosecutors to step up punishment for protesters using charges like sedition — which carries a 20-year sentence. Legal experts say it’s an attempt to quell protests that will likely fizzle.
In Portland, federal prosecutors have already ramped up charges against protesters fighting police brutality, charging 32 people with felonies like arson, assaulting federal officers and damaging federal property.
Forty-three people have been charged with federal misdemeanors like the newly applied “civil disorder” — a charge never used in federal court in Oregon before Aug. 25 — and 11 have received citations.
Now, a memo released by the U.S. Department of Justice confirms that U.S. Attorney Bill Barr has asked every federal prosecutor in the country to aggressively pursue federal charges against protesters, up to and including the charge of sedition.
In a memo issued Thursday, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen says he wants to “re-emphasize” the message he and Barr conveyed in a previous phone call, where they advised federal prosecutors of “the need to consider the use of a variety of federal charges.”
“As was previously pointed out, Section 2384 does not require proof of a plot to overthrow the U.S. Government, despite what the name might suggest,” Rosen wrote in the memo.
He noted that the charge is punishable by 20 years in prison, and said it applies to ongoing protests across the country.
“In appropriate cases — for instance, where a group has conspired to take a federal courthouse or other federal property by force — you should consider a charge under Section 2384, among other potentially available charges,” Rosen wrote.
A surge of federal agents sent to Portland by the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Federal Protective Service faced off with protesters nightly for weeks outside the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse, and at buildings occupied by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
They doused crowds of thousands with tear gas and shot rubber bullets, paint balls and pepper spray at protesters, journalists and legal observers.
Court documents in a proposed class action lawsuit where journalists and legal observers accuse federal agents of targeting them for assault and arrest reveal that federal agents have not left Portland, despite a publicly announced “deal” brokered by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Vice President Mike Pence to have Oregon State Police take over the job of protecting the federal courthouse.
Brian Levin, professor of criminal justice at California State University and director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism, says the government is fighting the wrong battle.
Instead of pressing prosecutors to use arcane and inflammatory charges against leftist protesters demanding justice in the movement for black lives, the government should be fighting the major domestic danger facing the United States: rising white supremacy.
“The biggest threat that our center has been highlighting for years is that white supremacist extremists represent the most prominent threat to the United States,” Levin said. “Federal intelligence agencies admit that white supremacy is the largest problem we face, but we have people like Chad Wolf and Bill Barr making public statements saying the total opposite.”
He said encouragement to use a charge like sedition is part of hyping a made-up threat, rather than actually protecting Americans from violence.
“What we have seen is the politicization of fear and the only explanation I can think of is that this is another part of a pattern of exaggeration and the use of fiery imagery to create a sociopolitical construction of a threat that is far more elevated than the reality,” Levin said.
Lisa Hay, the federal public defender for Oregon, said she doesn’t know the specifics of cases the government is now reviewing for possible charges, but that sedition wouldn’t fit the cases stemming so far from Portland’s protests.
“I don’t know of any facts from cases I’ve seen that would support a charge like this,” Hay told Courthouse News.
She added that the charges federal prosecutors are already using appear to be enough.
“Our U.S. Attorney’s office is aggressively prosecuting crimes that they think were committed in these protests and I doubt they need any additional legal authority to what they are already using,” she said.
Portland criminal defense lawyer Lisa Ludwig said the charges represent a major departure.
“None of this is normal,” Ludwig said. “And I think it’s just posturing. They use arrests as a way to suppress the protests.”
Ludwig said she expects to see many arrests, but not a lot of follow through on charges.
“When your objective is suppression, doing lots and lots of arrests and no prosecutions is more efficient than doing limited and specific arrests for actual crime and then following through with those prosecutions,” Ludwig said. “The whole point is the arrest. The arrest is the punishment.”
Levin agreed that the intent was probably related to “grandstanding” ahead of the election.
“There are myriad statutes to punish people who commit violence,” Levin said. “Rioting, arson, reckless endangerment, felony murder statutes. So it seems to me that this is a bit of grandstanding. They’re swinging a baseball bat that they are probably, if they are wise, not going to use much except as a messaging tactic.”
“But I don’t think we can dismiss it,” he added, “because I do think it does indeed have a chilling effect.”
Rosen notes in the memo that under normal circumstances, state and local prosecutors usually take the lead in such matters.
“But the Department of Justice and our federal partners must continue to assist in that response,” Rosen wrote.
State and local authorities in Oregon have repeatedly declined such assistance.
“This is the criminal law being used as a messaging campaign and that is not the appropriate use of our statutory tools,” Levin said. “They are not applying an applicable law to a real threat but looking for a cobbled threat and trying to apply tools to it that aren’t realistic.”


courthousenews--2020-09-18--Seven Cigarettes a Day: Panel Reveals Health Toll of Wildfire Smoke

( CN ) — As wildfires rage up and down the West Coast , a panel of experts from Stanford University said Friday that exposure to high levels of pollution from wildfire smoke is the equivalent of smoking seven cigarettes a day .
Add to that increased risk of stroke and heart attack as well as pushing the lungs to the limit if a person is exposed to wildfire smoke and then contracts Covid-19 , said pediatrics professor Kari Nadeau with Stanford University School of Medicine .
“ With any type of wildfire smoke , tobacco smoke , vaping — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it is toxic — it ’ s going to strip the lungs of its already functioning immune system .
The lung and the immune system is already trying to fight against the wildfire smoke , ” said Nadeau .
“ Then on top of that you get infected , that ’ s going to really wreak havoc on your body and your body is going to try to respond more fervently.
” Prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can also damage the heart and increase the risk for stroke and heart attack for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can cause premature birth and even stillbirths .
Record-breaking poor air quality readings for the West Coast have stacked in the last several weeks .
Much of the smoke seen in the San Francisco Bay Area and northern San Joaquin Valley is from the largest wildfire in recorded California history , the August Complex , which was sparked by numerous lightning strikes in mid-August .
The fire has burned over 839,000 acres and stretches across multiple counties including Glenn , Lake , Mendocino , Tehama and Trinity .
Nadeau said it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what their local Air Quality Index ( AQI ) is on any given day .
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ’ s reporting metric ranges from zero to 301 — though monitoring stations can and do measure levels much , much higher — and is color-coded .
Readings zero to 50 qualify as “ good ” air quality , marked green .
“ We know that an AQI measurement of about 20 is equivalent to smoking one cigarette a day , ” said Nadeau .
In the last week , Northern California residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — “ unhealthy ” — and higher .
“ That ’ s equivalent to seven cigarettes a day , ” said Nadeau .
Associate earth system science professor Marshall Burke said the high levels and duration of poor air quality on the West Coast are unprecedented and are going to be an issue for other parts of the world .
“ If folks have seen the nice animations of this or the terrible animations of the plumes blowing across the rest of the U.S. , ” said Burke .
“ So , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue but a U.S.-wide issue.
” Burke said compared to other parts of the world , San Francisco Bay Area residents breathe relatively clean air and there ’ s a huge global disparity compared to developing nations .
“ In the last few weeks , we ’ ve experienced what it ’ s like to live in many parts of the rest of the world .
San Francisco , Portland , Seattle for a few days had some of the worst air quality in the world , ” said Burke .
Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest levels of ozone pollution it ’ s seen in 26 years .
Civil and environmental engineering professor Lynn Hildemann said the size of smoke particles that come off a wildfire are unique and can penetrate deeply into the lungs .
Then there ’ s the concern about breathing smoke that ’ s a couple days old versus breathing fresh wildfire smoke , said Hildemann .
“ Breathing in a certain AQI level of wildfire smoke particles is having more of a health effect than breathing in a normal mix of particles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ After they ’ re emitted into the atmosphere , they undergo further chemical reactions .
The type of reactions may change their toxicity , it certainly makes it easier for your body to take in the organic particles of the smoke particles.
” The panel discussion was led by professor Chris Field .
The panel on the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment webinar agreed wearing an N-95 mask can help reduce exposure to certain particles and people should avoid outdoor activities .

As wildfires rage up and down the West Coast, a panel of experts from Stanford University said Friday that exposure to high levels of pollution from wildfire smoke is the equivalent of smoking seven cigarettes a day.
(CN) — As wildfires rage up and down the West Coast, a panel of experts from Stanford University said Friday that exposure to high levels of pollution from wildfire smoke is the equivalent of smoking seven cigarettes a day.
Add to that increased risk of stroke and heart attack as well as pushing the lungs to the limit if a person is exposed to wildfire smoke and then contracts Covid-19, said pediatrics professor Kari Nadeau with Stanford University School of Medicine.
“With any type of wildfire smoke, tobacco smoke, vaping — but especially wildfire smoke because a lot of it is toxic — it’s going to strip the lungs of its already functioning immune system. The lung and the immune system is already trying to fight against the wildfire smoke,” said Nadeau. “Then on top of that you get infected, that’s going to really wreak havoc on your body and your body is going to try to respond more fervently.”
Prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can also damage the heart and increase the risk for stroke and heart attack for the elderly. For pregnant women, it can cause premature birth and even stillbirths.
Record-breaking poor air quality readings for the West Coast have stacked in the last several weeks. Much of the smoke seen in the San Francisco Bay Area and northern San Joaquin Valley is from the largest wildfire in recorded California history, the August Complex, which was sparked by numerous lightning strikes in mid-August. The fire has burned over 839,000 acres and stretches across multiple counties including Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Tehama and Trinity.
Nadeau said it’s important that people stay informed on what their local Air Quality Index (AQI) is on any given day. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s reporting metric ranges from zero to 301 — though monitoring stations can and do measure levels much, much higher — and is color-coded. Readings zero to 50 qualify as “good” air quality, marked green.
“We know that an AQI measurement of about 20 is equivalent to smoking one cigarette a day,” said Nadeau. In the last week, Northern California residents have been exposed to readings of 150 — “unhealthy” — and higher.
“That’s equivalent to seven cigarettes a day,” said Nadeau.
Associate earth system science professor Marshall Burke said the high levels and duration of poor air quality on the West Coast are unprecedented and are going to be an issue for other parts of the world.
“If folks have seen the nice animations of this or the terrible animations of the plumes blowing across the rest of the U.S.,” said Burke. “So, this is not just a U.S. West Coast issue but a U.S.-wide issue.”
Burke said compared to other parts of the world, San Francisco Bay Area residents breathe relatively clean air and there’s a huge global disparity compared to developing nations.
“In the last few weeks, we’ve experienced what it’s like to live in many parts of the rest of the world. San Francisco, Portland, Seattle for a few days had some of the worst air quality in the world,” said Burke.
Earlier this month, Los Angeles reported some of the highest levels of ozone pollution it’s seen in 26 years.
Civil and environmental engineering professor Lynn Hildemann said the size of smoke particles that come off a wildfire are unique and can penetrate deeply into the lungs. Then there’s the concern about breathing smoke that’s a couple days old versus breathing fresh wildfire smoke, said Hildemann.
“Breathing in a certain AQI level of wildfire smoke particles is having more of a health effect than breathing in a normal mix of particles from outdoors,” said Hildemann. “After they’re emitted into the atmosphere, they undergo further chemical reactions. The type of reactions may change their toxicity, it certainly makes it easier for your body to take in the organic particles of the smoke particles.”
The panel discussion was led by professor Chris Field. The panel on the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment webinar agreed wearing an N-95 mask can help reduce exposure to certain particles and people should avoid outdoor activities.


courthousenews--2020-09-18--Recommendation Whiplash: CDC Back in Favor of Proactive Testing

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — Shelving the conflicting guidance it released last month , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Friday that individuals who have come into contact with someone who has Covid-19 should get tested .
The new guidance is a complete reversal from what the CDC said in August , that it was unnecessary to test people without symptoms of Covid-19 even if they interacted with someone who was infected .
After the last announcement prompted international consternation , the New York Times reported this week on internal CDC documents that the basis for the revisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The records indicated that the August CDC guidance was by officials at the Department of Health and Human Services instead of agency scientists .
The recommendation was also slipped into the CDC website without the final consideration of Director Robert Redfield , the Times reported .
Admiral Brett Giroir said Thursday that an “ original draft ” came from the CDC , but that he “ coordinated the editing and input from the scientific and medical members of the [ White House coronavirus ] task force.
” In the new testing guidance Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals who have been within six feet of a person with a documented SARS-CoV-2 infection for at least 15 minutes should get tested .
Even if a person was the picture of health following a brief interaction with the infected , the agency recommends testing due to the potential for asymptomatic spread .
The guidance also calles for those who have encountered the sick should self-quarantine at home for 14 days .
“ A single negative test does not mean you will remain negative at any time point after that test , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have a negative test , you should still self-isolate for 14 days.
” President Donald Trump began openly calling since at least June for a slowdown in Covid-19 testing , asserting the country ’ s infection rate only appears high because of testing .
“ So I said to my people , ‘ slow the testing down please , ’ ” Trump said on June 20 at rally where roughly 6,000 people gathered inside the BOK Center in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
Among those attendees who tested positive for the virus after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , two Trump campaign staffers , a journalist and Herman Cain , the onetime presidential candidate , CEO of the National Restaurant Association and Trump stalwart .
Cain , a cancer survivor , was seen not wearing a mask at the event .
He died on July 30 .
CDC Director Redfield had said he expected to issue revised guidelines when he testified before the Senate on Wednesday .
During the same hearing he underlined the importance of largescale mask wearing .
He also said Americans could expect to see a vaccine for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , Trump undercut Redfield at a White House press conference , saying the director was “ confused ” and that a vaccine could be ready for distribution as soon as October , just three weeks away .
Trump also contradicted Redfield ’ s assertion that , for now , a mask is better than a vaccine .
Appeared to respond in a tweet that evening , Redfield wrote : “ I 100 % believe in the importance of vaccines and the importance in particular of a # COVID19 vaccine .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get Americans back to normal everyday life .
The best defense we currently have against this virus are the important mitigation efforts of wearing a mask , washing your hands , social distancing and being careful about crowds.
” The World Health Organization , most vaccine and public health experts , and pharmaceutical companies tasked with creating the vaccine have disagreed with Trump ’ s fast-track assessment .
Pfizer CEO Albert Boula said this week the company may have results from its late-stage vaccine trials as early as October , but even in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produces it first , the initial doses will be limited supply .
Distribution is expected to unfold in four phases , with the first doses going to health care workers , the elderly and infirm , and people with underlying conditions .
Essential workers are expected next followed by children and young adults .
According to CDC estimates , there are roughly 20 million health care workers in the U.S. alone .
Also complicating matters for distribution is that the vaccine will require two doses .
This means manufacturers will be tasked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and supplies and arranging for vaccines in intervals .
Accusing Democrats of waging a “ war to try and discredit the vaccine , ” President Trump said during a press conference on Friday that the U.S. “ essentially ” has the vaccine .
“ We ’ ll be announcing it very soon .
Distribution will begin with 24 hours after notice .
Massive amounts will be delivered through our great military , ” Trump said .
Trump vowed to have at least 100 million doses available before the end of the year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Scott Atlas , a White House adviser and former chief of neuroradiology at the Stanford University Medical Center , told reporters gathered Friday that “ hundreds of millions of doses ” will be delivered in the first quarter of 2021 .
“ By April , every single American who wants a vaccination can get one , ” Atlas said .
Trump made the same vow of tests for Covid-19 in March as the pandemic first gripped the U.S. A lack of testing supplies and a slow federal response paralyzed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not until June that the U.S. finally began making headway , testing up to 15 million people in a single month , a threefold increase that took over eight weeks to achieve .

Shelving the conflicting guidance it released last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Friday that individuals who have come into contact with someone who has Covid-19 should get tested.
WASHINGTON (CN) — Shelving the conflicting guidance it released last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Friday that individuals who have come into contact with someone who has Covid-19 should get tested.
The new guidance is a complete reversal from what the CDC said in August, that it was unnecessary to test people without symptoms of Covid-19 even if they interacted with someone who was infected.
After the last announcement prompted international consternation, the New York Times reported this week on internal CDC documents that the basis for the revisions had been politically rather than scientific. The records indicated that the August CDC guidance was by officials at the Department of Health and Human Services instead of agency scientists. The recommendation was also slipped into the CDC website without the final consideration of Director Robert Redfield, the Times reported.
Admiral Brett Giroir said Thursday that an “original draft” came from the CDC, but that he “coordinated the editing and input from the scientific and medical members of the [White House coronavirus] task force.”
In the new testing guidance Friday meanwhile, the CDC now states that individuals who have been within six feet of a person with a documented SARS-CoV-2 infection for at least 15 minutes should get tested. Even if a person was the picture of health following a brief interaction with the infected, the agency recommends testing due to the potential for asymptomatic spread.
The guidance also calles for those who have encountered the sick should self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
“A single negative test does not mean you will remain negative at any time point after that test,” the guidance continues. “Even if you have a negative test, you should still self-isolate for 14 days.”
President Donald Trump began openly calling since at least June for a slowdown in Covid-19 testing, asserting the country’s infection rate only appears high because of testing.
“So I said to my people, ‘slow the testing down please,’” Trump said on June 20 at rally where roughly 6,000 people gathered inside the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Among those attendees who tested positive for the virus after the rally were two secret service agents, two Trump campaign staffers, a journalist and Herman Cain, the onetime presidential candidate, CEO of the National Restaurant Association and Trump stalwart. Cain, a cancer survivor, was seen not wearing a mask at the event. He died on July 30.
CDC Director Redfield had said he expected to issue revised guidelines when he testified before the Senate on Wednesday. During the same hearing he underlined the importance of largescale mask wearing. He also said Americans could expect to see a vaccine for Covid-19 distributed by mid-2021.
Hours later, however, Trump undercut Redfield at a White House press conference, saying the director was “confused” and that a vaccine could be ready for distribution as soon as October, just three weeks away.
Trump also contradicted Redfield’s assertion that, for now, a mask is better than a vaccine.
Appeared to respond in a tweet that evening, Redfield wrote: "I 100% believe in the importance of vaccines and the importance in particular of a #COVID19 vaccine. A COVID-19 vaccine is the thing that will get Americans back to normal everyday life. The best defense we currently have against this virus are the important mitigation efforts of wearing a mask, washing your hands, social distancing and being careful about crowds."
The World Health Organization, most vaccine and public health experts, and pharmaceutical companies tasked with creating the vaccine have disagreed with Trump’s fast-track assessment.
Pfizer CEO Albert Boula said this week the company may have results from its late-stage vaccine trials as early as October, but even in the best-case scenario, no matter who produces it first, the initial doses will be limited supply.
Distribution is expected to unfold in four phases, with the first doses going to health care workers, the elderly and infirm, and people with underlying conditions. Essential workers are expected next followed by children and young adults. According to CDC estimates, there are roughly 20 million health care workers in the U.S. alone.
Also complicating matters for distribution is that the vaccine will require two doses. This means manufacturers will be tasked with acquiring twice the amount of test kits and supplies and arranging for vaccines in intervals.
Accusing Democrats of waging a “war to try and discredit the vaccine,” President Trump said during a press conference on Friday that the U.S. “essentially” has the vaccine.
“We’ll be announcing it very soon. Distribution will begin with 24 hours after notice. Massive amounts will be delivered through our great military,” Trump said.
Trump vowed to have at least 100 million doses available before the end of the year.
“Likely much more than that,” he said.
Scott Atlas, a White House adviser and former chief of neuroradiology at the Stanford University Medical Center, told reporters gathered Friday that “hundreds of millions of doses” will be delivered in the first quarter of 2021.
“By April, every single American who wants a vaccination can get one,” Atlas said.
Trump made the same vow of tests for Covid-19 in March as the pandemic first gripped the U.S. A lack of testing supplies and a slow federal response paralyzed testing coast to coast however and it was not until June that the U.S. finally began making headway, testing up to 15 million people in a single month, a threefold increase that took over eight weeks to achieve.


courthousenews--2020-09-18--Ninth Circuit Upholds Planned Pentagon Buildup on Guam

( CN ) — A Ninth Circuit panel on Friday affirmed a federal judge ’ s finding that the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense properly assessed the environmental impact of a plan to move thousands of troops from Okinawa , Japan to the U.S. territory of Guam .
As part of U.S. military treaty obligations under the U.S.-Japan Alliance Agreement , 8,000 U.S. Marines and their families are slated to be relocated north from Okinawa and train on the Northern Mariana Islands , of which Guam is a part .
The plan — backed by a $ 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ naval bombardment , artillery shelling , amphibious assault drills and maneuvering by attack helicopters and warplanes on Tinian and Pagan islands in connection with the military buildup on Guam .
Northern Mariana Islands conservation groups sued in federal court in 2016 , claiming Pentagon officials violated the National Environmental Policy Act ( NEPA ) by skirting mandated environmental reviews and touting national security interests to justify rushed implementation of the plan .
Tinian Island Women Association , Guardians of Gani , Paganwatch and the Center for Biological Diversity accused the U.S. military failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Marianas .
Plaintiffs claimed military leaders neglected to issue a single environmental review statement that examined the “ connected actions ” of the full plan , including the impact of constructing new training areas for troops .
The Navy acknowledged in its 2010 and 2015 environmental impact statements ( EIS ) construction and operation of training facilities on Tinian and Pagan would kill or seriously damage native wildlife including endangered Mariana fruit bats as well as coral reefs .
The military branch also promised to assess the cumulative impacts of constructing training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deferring to a future impact statement .
U.S. District Judge Ramona V. Manglona granted summary judgment in favor of the Navy on plaintiffs ’ procedural claim under NEPA and said the claim that the Navy failed to consider alternatives was a political question the court has no authority to resolve .
A three-judge Ninth Circuit panel on Friday affirmed Manglona ’ s ruling , finding the Navy ’ s troop relocation and training area construction are not “ connected ” actions for the purposes of an environmental impact statement .
“ NEPA does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as connected if they have independent utility and purpose , ” U.S .
Circuit Judge M. Margaret McKeown , a Bill Clinton appointee , wrote for the panel .
“ Although the two actions have overlapping goals — Marines on Guam will certainly take advantage of the training ranges and facilities in the CNMI — they also have independent utility.
” Earthjustice attorney David Henkin , who represents plaintiffs , did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The panel rejected the plaintiffs ’ assertion that allowing the Navy to defer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ error .
“ We have consistently held that agencies can consider the cumulative impacts of actions in a subsequent EIS when the agency has made clear it intends to comply with those requirements and the court can ensure such compliance , ” McKeown wrote .
Judge Manglona ’ s dismissal of the complaint for lack of jurisdiction on plaintiffs ’ alternative location claims was also affirmed by the panel on the basis of standing .
The panel declined to review the claim under the political question doctrine , writing that although NEPA requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it won ’ t order the Navy to modify or cancel its treaty with Japan .
“ Regardless of the Navy ’ s analysis of alternate stationing locations for the Marines , it can not upend that agreement , ” McKeown wrote for the panel .
Attorneys for the Navy and the Department of Defense did not respond to emailed requests for comment by press time .
U.S .
Circuit Judges Andrew D. Hurwitz , a Barack Obama appointee , and Bridget S. Bade , a Donald Trump appointee , rounded out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mariana Islands in 1944 and fought Japanese forces in Saipan and Guam .
The Enola Gay took off from Tinian in 1945 with the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima .
The Northern Mariana Islands were administered by the United States after World War II following a United Nations Security Council resolution .
They became a commonwealth of the United States in 1975 .
Guam , the southernmost island in the archipelago , is a separate U.S. territory .

A Ninth Circuit panel on Friday affirmed a federal judge’s finding that the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense properly assessed the environmental impact of a plan to move thousands of troops from Okinawa, Japan to the U.S. territory of Guam.
(CN) — A Ninth Circuit panel on Friday affirmed a federal judge’s finding that the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense properly assessed the environmental impact of a plan to move thousands of troops from Okinawa, Japan to the U.S. territory of Guam.
As part of U.S. military treaty obligations under the U.S.-Japan Alliance Agreement, 8,000 U.S. Marines and their families are slated to be relocated north from Okinawa and train on the Northern Mariana Islands, of which Guam is a part.
The plan — backed by a $6 billion pledge from Japan — brings ship-to-shore naval bombardment, artillery shelling, amphibious assault drills and maneuvering by attack helicopters and warplanes on Tinian and Pagan islands in connection with the military buildup on Guam.
Northern Mariana Islands conservation groups sued in federal court in 2016, claiming Pentagon officials violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by skirting mandated environmental reviews and touting national security interests to justify rushed implementation of the plan.
Tinian Island Women Association, Guardians of Gani, Paganwatch and the Center for Biological Diversity accused the U.S. military failed to consider other locations beyond Guam and the Marianas.
Plaintiffs claimed military leaders neglected to issue a single environmental review statement that examined the “connected actions” of the full plan, including the impact of constructing new training areas for troops.
The Navy acknowledged in its 2010 and 2015 environmental impact statements (EIS) construction and operation of training facilities on Tinian and Pagan would kill or seriously damage native wildlife including endangered Mariana fruit bats as well as coral reefs.
The military branch also promised to assess the cumulative impacts of constructing training areas and ranges on the islands by deferring to a future impact statement.
U.S. District Judge Ramona V. Manglona granted summary judgment in favor of the Navy on plaintiffs’ procedural claim under NEPA and said the claim that the Navy failed to consider alternatives was a political question the court has no authority to resolve.
A three-judge Ninth Circuit panel on Friday affirmed Manglona’s ruling, finding the Navy’s troop relocation and training area construction are not “connected” actions for the purposes of an environmental impact statement.
“NEPA does not require an agency to treat actions as connected if they have independent utility and purpose,” U.S. Circuit Judge M. Margaret McKeown, a Bill Clinton appointee, wrote for the panel. “Although the two actions have overlapping goals — Marines on Guam will certainly take advantage of the training ranges and facilities in the CNMI — they also have independent utility.”
Earthjustice attorney David Henkin, who represents plaintiffs, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The panel rejected the plaintiffs’ assertion that allowing the Navy to defer to a future impact statement was an error.
“We have consistently held that agencies can consider the cumulative impacts of actions in a subsequent EIS when the agency has made clear it intends to comply with those requirements and the court can ensure such compliance,” McKeown wrote.
Judge Manglona’s dismissal of the complaint for lack of jurisdiction on plaintiffs’ alternative location claims was also affirmed by the panel on the basis of standing.
The panel declined to review the claim under the political question doctrine, writing that although NEPA requires a comprehensive review of alternative locations, it won’t order the Navy to modify or cancel its treaty with Japan.
“Regardless of the Navy’s analysis of alternate stationing locations for the Marines, it cannot upend that agreement,” McKeown wrote for the panel.
Attorneys for the Navy and the Department of Defense did not respond to emailed requests for comment by press time.
U.S. Circuit Judges Andrew D. Hurwitz, a Barack Obama appointee, and Bridget S. Bade, a Donald Trump appointee, rounded out the panel.
The United States invaded the Mariana Islands in 1944 and fought Japanese forces in Saipan and Guam. The Enola Gay took off from Tinian in 1945 with the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima.
The Northern Mariana Islands were administered by the United States after World War II following a United Nations Security Council resolution. They became a commonwealth of the United States in 1975.
Guam, the southernmost island in the archipelago, is a separate U.S. territory.


courthousenews--2020-09-19--Trump Campaign Plays Defense With Ad Spending During Cash Crunch

( CN ) — With less than seven weeks until Election Day , the Trump campaign has tightened its advertising spending , revealing a short-term defense strategy the cash-strapped campaign believes is worth prioritizing as funds begin to dwindle .
Although Republicans and President Donald Trump took in $ 210 million in fundraising efforts in August , they were outshadowed by Joe Biden and Democrats , who raised a record $ 364.5 million for the month .
Trump ’ s campaign manager Bill Stepien took over the job from Brad Parscale in July after reports of excessive spending .
Hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already spent more than $ 1 billion since 2017 , according to spending records .
“ We are now carefully managing the budget .
I consider it to be among the , if not the most , important tasks for any campaign manager , ” Stepien said in a news conference last week .
“ Creating or recreating the budget was the first thing that I did upon becoming the campaign manager , and it ’ s something that we as a team manage every single day.
” In managing that budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV and radio ads .
The campaign spent only $ 44 million from the last week of July to Sept. 11 compared to $ 130 million spent by the Biden campaign , according to Advertising Analytics , a firm that tracks campaign spending .
Facing a deficit in most national polls , the Trump campaign in recent weeks has either reduced ad spending or pulled out completely in the crucial swing states of Iowa , New Hampshire , Nevada , Minnesota , Michigan , Ohio , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.8 million , were instead sent to boost advertising in Arizona , Florida , Maine , and North Carolina .
Stepien ’ s strategy seems to be one of defense in the short term .
Trump won all of those states except Maine in the 2016 election , but picked up one electoral vote from the state ’ s 2nd Congressional District .
The president has largely dismissed concerns that his campaign doesn ’ t have the funding needed to carry out the race .
“ We have much more money than we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trump tweeted on Tuesday .
“ Also spending on other , and different , elements of the campaign.
” Earlier this month , Trump told a group of reporters he would use his own money to help fund the campaign if money ran out .
“ If I have to , I would , ” Trump said .
“ But we ’ re doing very well .
We needed to spend more money up front because of the pandemic and the statements being made by Democrats , which were , again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel expressed concerns to the president that more TV ads were needed , something Trump reportedly agreed with .
Stepien has reportedly cut spending on expenses deemed unnecessary , such as travel for staffers to events , trips aboard Air Force One and a proposed NASCAR car sponsorship .
The spending cuts also affected the advertising budget , just as Biden is polling ahead of the president in key battleground states .
The majority of spending from both campaigns has gone into Florida , with $ 63 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and $ 57 million by Trump ’ s campaign , according to Advertising Analytics .
Crucial to both campaigns are the efforts of outside groups spending money on ads where they ’ re needed the most .
Last weekend , billionaire Michael Bloomberg pledged $ 100 million in new ad spending for Biden in Florida .
Trump is counting on mega donors to assist him in providing more TV ads .
The recently formed super PAC Preserve America plans to spend $ 25 million in battleground states , in addition to the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September .
Chris LaCivita , who helped create Swift Boat Veterans for Truth attack ads in 2004 against John Kerry , is leading the super PAC .
Additionally , the Trump campaign is spending more on Spanish language ads in Florida in a bid to improve his chances with the state ’ s increasing Latino population .
The campaign has already spent $ 3.6 million since August , according to Advertising Analytics .
That may come as a struggle though , as a Monmouth poll this week found Florida Latino voters favored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 32 % .
According to Stepien , the campaign wanted to pull back on early September advertising in order to ensure they could fund ads closer to Election Day .
For example , the reelection campaign has reserved almost $ 1 million in ad time in Phoenix starting Sept. 22. , according to filings with the FCC .
The new ad strategy sharply contrasts with the plan Stepien spoke of in August , claiming the campaign would focus on expansion into blue states and put money into states expected to have a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The data tells us which messages and which advertising puts lead on the target best and we ’ re guided by that data and importantly we ’ re guided by the election calendar , ” Stepien said last month .
It ’ s too early to tell if the new strategy will be an effective one .
Of the states the campaign has moved its advertising funding to , Trump is , on average , behind Biden in the polls in every one except for Florida , which is currently a toss-up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on digital ads on Facebook and Google than Biden and campaign officials have also repeatedly pointed to their over 2 million volunteer workers as a show of their strength .
According to ad-tracking firm Kantar , the Trump campaign has $ 125 million in TV and radio ads booked through Election Day compared to the Biden campaign ’ s $ 115 million .

With less than seven weeks until Election Day, the Trump campaign has tightened its advertising spending, revealing a short-term defense strategy the cash-strapped campaign believes is worth prioritizing as funds begin to dwindle.
(CN) — With less than seven weeks until Election Day, the Trump campaign has tightened its advertising spending, revealing a short-term defense strategy the cash-strapped campaign believes is worth prioritizing as funds begin to dwindle.
Although Republicans and President Donald Trump took in $210 million in fundraising efforts in August, they were outshadowed by Joe Biden and Democrats, who raised a record $364.5 million for the month.
Trump’s campaign manager Bill Stepien took over the job from Brad Parscale in July after reports of excessive spending. Hit with a cash crunch, the campaign had already spent more than $1 billion since 2017, according to spending records.
“We are now carefully managing the budget. I consider it to be among the, if not the most, important tasks for any campaign manager,” Stepien said in a news conference last week. “Creating or recreating the budget was the first thing that I did upon becoming the campaign manager, and it’s something that we as a team manage every single day.”
In managing that budget, Stepien and the campaign have pulled TV and radio ads. The campaign spent only $44 million from the last week of July to Sept. 11 compared to $130 million spent by the Biden campaign, according to Advertising Analytics, a firm that tracks campaign spending.
Facing a deficit in most national polls, the Trump campaign in recent weeks has either reduced ad spending or pulled out completely in the crucial swing states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, according to the firm.
Those funds, about $1.8 million, were instead sent to boost advertising in Arizona, Florida, Maine, and North Carolina. Stepien’s strategy seems to be one of defense in the short term. Trump won all of those states except Maine in the 2016 election, but picked up one electoral vote from the state’s 2nd Congressional District.
The president has largely dismissed concerns that his campaign doesn’t have the funding needed to carry out the race.
“We have much more money than we had at the same time in 2016,” Trump tweeted on Tuesday. “Also spending on other, and different, elements of the campaign.”
Earlier this month, Trump told a group of reporters he would use his own money to help fund the campaign if money ran out.
“If I have to, I would,” Trump said. “But we’re doing very well. We needed to spend more money up front because of the pandemic and the statements being made by Democrats, which were, again, disinformation.”
The Washington Post reported that Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel expressed concerns to the president that more TV ads were needed, something Trump reportedly agreed with.
Stepien has reportedly cut spending on expenses deemed unnecessary, such as travel for staffers to events, trips aboard Air Force One and a proposed NASCAR car sponsorship. The spending cuts also affected the advertising budget, just as Biden is polling ahead of the president in key battleground states.
The majority of spending from both campaigns has gone into Florida, with $63 million already spent by the Biden campaign and $57 million by Trump’s campaign, according to Advertising Analytics.
Crucial to both campaigns are the efforts of outside groups spending money on ads where they’re needed the most. Last weekend, billionaire Michael Bloomberg pledged $100 million in new ad spending for Biden in Florida.
Trump is counting on mega donors to assist him in providing more TV ads. The recently formed super PAC Preserve America plans to spend $25 million in battleground states, in addition to the $55 million it’s already spent in September. Chris LaCivita, who helped create Swift Boat Veterans for Truth attack ads in 2004 against John Kerry, is leading the super PAC.
Additionally, the Trump campaign is spending more on Spanish language ads in Florida in a bid to improve his chances with the state’s increasing Latino population. The campaign has already spent $3.6 million since August, according to Advertising Analytics. That may come as a struggle though, as a Monmouth poll this week found Florida Latino voters favored Biden over Trump, 58% to 32%.
According to Stepien, the campaign wanted to pull back on early September advertising in order to ensure they could fund ads closer to Election Day. For example, the reelection campaign has reserved almost $1 million in ad time in Phoenix starting Sept. 22., according to filings with the FCC.
The new ad strategy sharply contrasts with the plan Stepien spoke of in August, claiming the campaign would focus on expansion into blue states and put money into states expected to have a large amount of absentee and early voters.
"The data tells us which messages and which advertising puts lead on the target best and we’re guided by that data and importantly we’re guided by the election calendar,” Stepien said last month.
It’s too early to tell if the new strategy will be an effective one. Of the states the campaign has moved its advertising funding to, Trump is, on average, behind Biden in the polls in every one except for Florida, which is currently a toss-up.
The Trump campaign is still spending more on digital ads on Facebook and Google than Biden and campaign officials have also repeatedly pointed to their over 2 million volunteer workers as a show of their strength.
According to ad-tracking firm Kantar, the Trump campaign has $125 million in TV and radio ads booked through Election Day compared to the Biden campaign's $115 million.


Statute of Limitations

AUSTIN , Texas — Civil procedure for “ deeming certain pleadings timely filed is not invoked ” when a party @ @ @ @ @ courier , like UPS , rather than first-class U.S. mail , an appeals court in @ @ @ @ @ injury case that was filed one day after the two-year limitations period had expired .

The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.


courthousenews--2020-09-19--‘Spinal Tap’ Creators Reach Settlement With Distributors

LOS ANGELES ( CN ) — The creators of popular mockumentary “ This Is Spinal Tap ” reached a settlement with French companies and film studios they claimed robbed them of $ 400 million in commercial profits after the studios acquired rights to the 1984 cult classic , according to court documents filed Friday .
Co-creators Harry Shearer , Christopher Guest , Rob Reiner and Michael McKean said in their 2016 federal lawsuit French company Vivendi S.A. and its subsidiary StudioCanal withheld profits from the film , its music and merchandise .
Vivendi estimated artists ’ share of “ Spinal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from merchandise sales between 1984 and 2016 , and $ 98 from record sales between 1989 and 2016 , according to court documents .
The film creators claimed Vivendi violated a 1982 production agreement that called for the artists to receive 40 % of all net profits from the film .
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Los Angeles after the artists said they found the companies engaged in “ willful misconduct ” by intentionally concealing details in accounting statements .
Artists later sent copyright termination notices to co-defendants Universal Music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee allowed the bulk of the artists ’ claims to proceed after denying a bid by defendants — including StudioCanal exec Ron Halpern — to dismiss fraud claims relating to the film ’ s royalties .
But Gee also granted leave to amend Universal ’ s motion to dismiss contract claims relating to music royalties .
The artists eventually settled with Universal Music Group .
But StudioCanal followed up with counterclaims against plaintiffs in 2019 in an effort to retain its copyright of the film , a move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ litigation phase .
More recently , the parties were engaged in months-long mediation proceedings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Louise LaMothe , a process they say was hampered by the novel coronavirus pandemic .
But in a joint status report filed Friday , attorneys with the firm Russ August & Kabat , who represent plaintiffs , said the parties reached an agreement a day prior on the basic outline for a settlement .
Details of the settlement were not immediately made available to the court .
“ Because the settlement involves , among other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details and logistics of settlement , including restructuring the parties ’ relationship and modifying contracts pertaining to the picture ’ s distribution , the parties anticipate that it may require some additional time to complete the settlement documentation and file a request for dismissal , ” the status report said .
Attorneys for both parties did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the settlement Friday .
A further joint status report is scheduled to be filed in October .
Shearer filed the initial $ 125 million lawsuit against Vivendi in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawsuit in 2017 and bumped the claims to $ 400 million .
The film , a satire about a British rock band on the decline , has been featured on numerous top movie lists of all time since its 1984 release .
It was made for $ 2.25 million and earned $ 4.5 million in North American theaters alone when it was released , according to figures from box office analysis firm comScore .

The creators of popular mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap” reached a settlement with French companies and film studios they claimed robbed them of $400 million in commercial profits after the studios acquired rights to the 1984 cult classic, according to court documents filed Friday.
LOS ANGELES (CN) — The creators of popular mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap” reached a settlement with French companies and film studios they claimed robbed them of $400 million in commercial profits after the studios acquired rights to the 1984 cult classic, according to court documents filed Friday.
Co-creators Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Rob Reiner and Michael McKean said in their 2016 federal lawsuit French company Vivendi S.A. and its subsidiary StudioCanal withheld profits from the film, its music and merchandise.
Vivendi estimated artists’ share of “Spinal Tap” income to be $81 from merchandise sales between 1984 and 2016, and $98 from record sales between 1989 and 2016, according to court documents.
The film creators claimed Vivendi violated a 1982 production agreement that called for the artists to receive 40% of all net profits from the film.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Los Angeles after the artists said they found the companies engaged in “willful misconduct” by intentionally concealing details in accounting statements. Artists later sent copyright termination notices to co-defendants Universal Music Group and UMG Recordings.
In 2018, U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee allowed the bulk of the artists’ claims to proceed after denying a bid by defendants — including StudioCanal exec Ron Halpern — to dismiss fraud claims relating to the film’s royalties.
But Gee also granted leave to amend Universal’s motion to dismiss contract claims relating to music royalties.
The artists eventually settled with Universal Music Group. But StudioCanal followed up with counterclaims against plaintiffs in 2019 in an effort to retain its copyright of the film, a move that sent the matter into a complex litigation phase.
More recently, the parties were engaged in months-long mediation proceedings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Louise LaMothe, a process they say was hampered by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
But in a joint status report filed Friday, attorneys with the firm Russ August & Kabat, who represent plaintiffs, said the parties reached an agreement a day prior on the basic outline for a settlement.
Details of the settlement were not immediately made available to the court.
“Because the settlement involves, among other things, somewhat complicated issues concerning the details and logistics of settlement, including restructuring the parties' relationship and modifying contracts pertaining to the picture’s distribution, the parties anticipate that it may require some additional time to complete the settlement documentation and file a request for dismissal,” the status report said.
Attorneys for both parties did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the settlement Friday.
A further joint status report is scheduled to be filed in October.
Shearer filed the initial $125 million lawsuit against Vivendi in October 2016. The other artists joined the lawsuit in 2017 and bumped the claims to $400 million.
The film, a satire about a British rock band on the decline, has been featured on numerous top movie lists of all time since its 1984 release. It was made for $2.25 million and earned $4.5 million in North American theaters alone when it was released, according to figures from box office analysis firm comScore.


Vessels

NEW YORK — Federal law only required waterborne vessels — and not aircraft — to publicly disclose their manifests , @ @ @ @ @ the vessel has traveled and what it had on board , the Second Circuit ruled @


Medical Cannabis

BALTIMORE — Maryland courts , and not federal courts , have an interest in ensuing the state ’ s medical @ @ @ @ @ accordance with state law , a federal court in the state ruled , dismissing a @ @ @ @ @ discrimination in the state ’ s medical cannabis grower application process .


courthousenews--2020-09-19--Feds to Halt Shipping Immigrant Minors Out of State in Proposed Settlement Deal

SAN FRANCISCO ( CN ) — The U.S. government will no longer use uncorroborated claims of gang involvement to ship immigrant minors to far-off detention centers or deny them special immigration benefits under the terms of a proposed settlement filed Thursday .
“ We think it ’ s a really important settlement because it protects immigrant children from being picked up off the street based on unsubstantiated allegations of gang affiliation and placed in detention without hearings , ” said plaintiffs ’ attorney William Freeman of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California .
The proposed deal follows three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed in 2017 by three immigrant teenagers .
The youngsters came to the U.S. as unaccompanied minors , were detained and released to sponsors in the U.S. and then re-arrested on suspicion of “ gang affiliation.
” All three teenagers were sent to one of the nation ’ s two high-security detention centers for immigrant minors in Virginia and California .
One of the lead plaintiffs , who goes by the initials A.H. , came to the U.S. from Honduras at age 15 in 2015 fleeing an abusive father .
He was detained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Resettlement facility in New York before being released to his mother who lived in Long Island , New York .
In June 2017 , two plainclothes ICE officers arrested him on the street and shipped him across the country to Yolo County Detention Center near Sacramento without ever notifying his mother or attorneys .
“ It wasn ’ t until he had been locked up there that anyone who cared about him knew where he was , ” Freeman said in a phone interview Friday .
In November 2017 , U.S. District Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending immigrant minors to far-away detention centers without holding a hearing first , finding the practice violated their due process rights .
Since that ruling took effect , Freeman said the government lost over 90 % of about 35 hearings on its requests to re-arrest sponsored unaccompanied minors because the government ’ s allegations of gang involvement were “ flimsy or nonexistent , ” often based on uncorroborated testimony of law enforcement officers and second or third-hand hearsay .
Since losing most of those hearings , Freeman said the government has virtually halted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purported gang affiliations .
Under the terms of the proposed settlement filed Thursday , Immigration and Customs Enforcement must provide 48 hours notice before re-arresting a sponsored unaccompanied minor for suspected gang affiliation .
The government must also hold hearings within 10 days to determine if there is probable cause to detain the minor .
The deal further requires that hearings be held at an immigration court closest to where the minor was arrested unless the minor chooses otherwise .
Minors can decide within five days if hearings should be held at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are being detained or where they reside .
During hearings , ICE will bear the burden of showing that circumstances have changed since the minor was released and that the minor now poses a flight risk or danger to the community .
The settlement will apply to all unaccompanied immigrant minors who were previously detained , released to a sponsor in the U.S. and will be re-arrested based on whole or in part for purported gang affiliation .
The agreement also prevents the government from using unsubstantiated claims of gang affiliation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , special immigrant juvenile status , nonimmigrant status as a victim of crime or human trafficking , a waiver of inadmissibility or adjustment of status .
While litigating the case , Freeman said attorneys discovered the government was using “ flimsy gang allegations ” to override the decisions of state court judges who found minors eligible for special immigrant juvenile status , which allows children to seek legal permanent residency in the U.S. “ We found the government was hijacking that process and directing its immigration authorities to disregard the state court findings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hadn ’ t considered these flimsy gang allegations , ” Freeman said .
That practice will come to an end under the terms of the proposed settlement , which requires the government to provide evidence of any alleged gang involvement and to give immigrant minors an opportunity to contest those allegations through a fair process .
A hearing on the motion for preliminary approval of the settlement has not yet been scheduled , but Freeman said he expects the hearing will be held sometime in October .
The U.S. Department of Justice and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not immediately return emails seeking comment Friday .

The U.S. government will no longer use uncorroborated claims of gang involvement to ship immigrant minors to far-off detention centers or deny them special immigration benefits under the terms of a proposed settlement filed Thursday.
SAN FRANCISCO (CN) — The U.S. government will no longer use uncorroborated claims of gang involvement to ship immigrant minors to far-off detention centers or deny them special immigration benefits under the terms of a proposed settlement filed Thursday.
“We think it’s a really important settlement because it protects immigrant children from being picked up off the street based on unsubstantiated allegations of gang affiliation and placed in detention without hearings,” said plaintiffs’ attorney William Freeman of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California.
The proposed deal follows three years of litigation in a class action filed in 2017 by three immigrant teenagers. The youngsters came to the U.S. as unaccompanied minors, were detained and released to sponsors in the U.S. and then re-arrested on suspicion of “gang affiliation.” All three teenagers were sent to one of the nation’s two high-security detention centers for immigrant minors in Virginia and California.
One of the lead plaintiffs, who goes by the initials A.H., came to the U.S. from Honduras at age 15 in 2015 fleeing an abusive father. He was detained and placed in an Office of Refugee Resettlement facility in New York before being released to his mother who lived in Long Island, New York.
In June 2017, two plainclothes ICE officers arrested him on the street and shipped him across the country to Yolo County Detention Center near Sacramento without ever notifying his mother or attorneys.
“It wasn’t until he had been locked up there that anyone who cared about him knew where he was,” Freeman said in a phone interview Friday.
In November 2017, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria ordered the government to stop sending immigrant minors to far-away detention centers without holding a hearing first, finding the practice violated their due process rights.
Since that ruling took effect, Freeman said the government lost over 90% of about 35 hearings on its requests to re-arrest sponsored unaccompanied minors because the government’s allegations of gang involvement were “flimsy or nonexistent,” often based on uncorroborated testimony of law enforcement officers and second or third-hand hearsay.
Since losing most of those hearings, Freeman said the government has virtually halted the practice of re-arresting minors based on purported gang affiliations.
Under the terms of the proposed settlement filed Thursday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement must provide 48 hours notice before re-arresting a sponsored unaccompanied minor for suspected gang affiliation. The government must also hold hearings within 10 days to determine if there is probable cause to detain the minor.
The deal further requires that hearings be held at an immigration court closest to where the minor was arrested unless the minor chooses otherwise. Minors can decide within five days if hearings should be held at the court closest to where they were arrested, are being detained or where they reside.
During hearings, ICE will bear the burden of showing that circumstances have changed since the minor was released and that the minor now poses a flight risk or danger to the community.
The settlement will apply to all unaccompanied immigrant minors who were previously detained, released to a sponsor in the U.S. and will be re-arrested based on whole or in part for purported gang affiliation.
The agreement also prevents the government from using unsubstantiated claims of gang affiliation to deny minors immigration benefits, including asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, nonimmigrant status as a victim of crime or human trafficking, a waiver of inadmissibility or adjustment of status.
While litigating the case, Freeman said attorneys discovered the government was using “flimsy gang allegations” to override the decisions of state court judges who found minors eligible for special immigrant juvenile status, which allows children to seek legal permanent residency in the U.S.
“We found the government was hijacking that process and directing its immigration authorities to disregard the state court findings on the basis that the state court hadn’t considered these flimsy gang allegations,” Freeman said.
That practice will come to an end under the terms of the proposed settlement, which requires the government to provide evidence of any alleged gang involvement and to give immigrant minors an opportunity to contest those allegations through a fair process.
A hearing on the motion for preliminary approval of the settlement has not yet been scheduled, but Freeman said he expects the hearing will be held sometime in October.
The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services did not immediately return emails seeking comment Friday.


Postal Service

DENVER — Colorado settled its lawsuit against the United States Postal Service over flyers the service sent out that contained @ @ @ @ @ the state .
Under the terms of the agreement , the Postal Service will remove @ @ @ @ @ yet been delivered from its system and will seek input from the state to change @ @ @ @ @ .


courthousenews--2020-09-19--US Troops in Guam Continue to Train Amid Second Lockdown

( CN ) — The U.S. military moved 11,000 troops to Guam for training this week , as Governor Lou Leon Guerrero extended the island ’ s second Covid-19 stay-at-home order .
“ The single best tool we have against Covid-19 spread is the limitation of personal interactions between individuals , ” Leon Guerrero wrote in her Thursday order extending quarantine through Sept. 25 .
To date , 2,074 people have tested positive for Covid-19 on the U.S. territory of Guam , more than 1 % of the Pacific island ’ s population .
According to the health department , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the island ’ s cases .
While essential businesses continue to operate , islanders are ordered to stay home unless engaging in approved activities like obtaining food , commuting for work , or obtaining medical care .
Meanwhile the 11,000 service members participating in Valiant Shield exercises between the Army , Air Force , Navy and Marine Corps temporarily increases the island ’ s population by 6 % and doubles the military presence .
In a release , Navy Rear Adm. Michael Boyle explained , “ exercises such as Valiant Shield allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concepts such as all-domain strike group operations in a joint high end warfare training environment to continuously improve joint lethality.
” Prior to entering the island , service members quarantined for 14 days or were required to present a negative test if traveling by commercial airplane .
While the military declined to confirm how many service members are staying off base , the Guam Visitors Bureau anticipated housing up to 1,000 in local hotels .
Some locals believe quarantine protocols are unevenly applied between military and civilians .
“ What we see happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community have different sets of rules for what to do in the pandemic , ” observed Michael Lujan Bevacqua , a Chamorro scholar and activist .
“ As the civilian population hunkered down , if you were driving around to go get groceries , you would see military groups that came off the base at the beaches .
They were hiking .
They were hanging out around the island because they didn ’ t have the same restrictions.
” “ In some ways , it absolutely reminds us about why we need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouldn ’ t stay a territory , ” said Bevacqua , a longtime advocate for allowing the indigenous Chamorros to determine the island ’ s political relationship with the United States .
Others worry that inevitable interactions between military and locals contributes to Covid-19 spread .
“ Many military members do stay off base and they interact in the community , ” said Kalani Reyes , a local college student .
“ In my opinion , I would say that the military does play a role in stopping the spread , they play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else and we want to make sure that everyone is doing their part.
” Five-hundred ninety-three patients remain in active quarantine .
Twenty-two of the island ’ s 31 deaths occurred in September .
On average , 36 people tested positive for the disease each day over the last week .
Additionally , reports of military Covid-19 outbreaks continue to reach Guam ’ s shores .
In April , 1,100 sailors aboard the U.S.S .
Theodore Roosevelt tested positive for the disease while docked in Guam .
Between May and June , 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for Covid-19 after dining at 30 restaurants .
On Sept. 16 , a news release disclosed that a Naval Base Visitor Control Center worker tested positive for the disease .
Still , the military contends that the governor of Guam ’ s orders apply to everyone on the island , with additional precautions in place for the 11,000 participants of Valiant Shield .
“ In coordination with military medical personnel and public health personnel , every aspect of Valiant Shield 2020 has been analyzed to ensure the appropriate mitigation measures are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson for the Valiant Shield 2020 Joint Information Bureau .
“ Our focus is to protect our service members and their families , prevent the spread of the virus to U.S. forces , local residents , allies , or partners , and ensure our warfighting readiness to accomplish assigned missions.
” The majority of service members are at sea or restricted to base , the agency added , reducing the risks of contact .
“ Given our experiences with the U.S.S .
Theodore Roosevelt , we are confident that if the agreed upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense and the Government of Guam can partner to do this safely , ” said Krystal Paco-San Agustin , press secretary for the governor of Guam .
On Sept. 12 , the Pacific Vanguard exercise brought 1,500 additional service members from the U.S. , Japan , Korea , and Australia to the waters off Guam for training following the Rim of the Pacific exercise in Hawaii .
“ It is truly invaluable that the navies of four countries get together again in Guam to participate in Pacific Vanguard under the difficult time we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan Maritime Self Defense Force vice admiral Yuasa Hideki , in a statement .
“ I strongly believe that our enhanced cooperation will certainly contribute to peace and stability in the Western Pacific.
” Guam Memorial Hospital received 22 intensive care nurses , respiratory technicians and physicians from the Department of Defense to help the treat Covid-19 .
Nevertheless , the governor said with 44 Covid-19 patients , including 19 in intensive care , the island ’ s hospitals are operating beyond capacity .
If needed , the Valiant Shield 2020 Joint Information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assemble a Navy Expeditionary Medical Facility , as well as an Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support System on Guam , with an estimated 75-hospital beds between them .

The U.S. military moved 11,000 troops to Guam for training this week, as Governor Lou Leon Guerrero extended the island’s second Covid-19 stay-at-home order.
(CN) — The U.S. military moved 11,000 troops to Guam for training this week, as Governor Lou Leon Guerrero extended the island’s second Covid-19 stay-at-home order.
"The single best tool we have against Covid-19 spread is the limitation of personal interactions between individuals," Leon Guerrero wrote in her Thursday order extending quarantine through Sept. 25.
To date, 2,074 people have tested positive for Covid-19 on the U.S. territory of Guam, more than 1% of the Pacific island’s population. According to the health department, military personnel made up about 12% of the island’s cases.
While essential businesses continue to operate, islanders are ordered to stay home unless engaging in approved activities like obtaining food, commuting for work, or obtaining medical care.
Meanwhile the 11,000 service members participating in Valiant Shield exercises between the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps temporarily increases the island’s population by 6% and doubles the military presence.
In a release, Navy Rear Adm. Michael Boyle explained, “exercises such as Valiant Shield allow U.S. forces the opportunity to integrate warfighting concepts such as all-domain strike group operations in a joint high end warfare training environment to continuously improve joint lethality.”
Prior to entering the island, service members quarantined for 14 days or were required to present a negative test if traveling by commercial airplane. While the military declined to confirm how many service members are staying off base, the Guam Visitors Bureau anticipated housing up to 1,000 in local hotels.
Some locals believe quarantine protocols are unevenly applied between military and civilians.
“What we see happening is that the military and the civilian community have different sets of rules for what to do in the pandemic,” observed Michael Lujan Bevacqua, a Chamorro scholar and activist. “As the civilian population hunkered down, if you were driving around to go get groceries, you would see military groups that came off the base at the beaches. They were hiking. They were hanging out around the island because they didn't have the same restrictions.”
“In some ways, it absolutely reminds us about why we need to change our political status, why we shouldn't stay a territory,” said Bevacqua, a longtime advocate for allowing the indigenous Chamorros to determine the island’s political relationship with the United States.
Others worry that inevitable interactions between military and locals contributes to Covid-19 spread.
“Many military members do stay off base and they interact in the community,” said Kalani Reyes, a local college student. “In my opinion, I would say that the military does play a role in stopping the spread, they play as much of a role as everyone else and we want to make sure that everyone is doing their part.”
Five-hundred ninety-three patients remain in active quarantine. Twenty-two of the island’s 31 deaths occurred in September. On average, 36 people tested positive for the disease each day over the last week.
Additionally, reports of military Covid-19 outbreaks continue to reach Guam’s shores. In April, 1,100 sailors aboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt tested positive for the disease while docked in Guam.
Between May and June, 35 service members quarantined in a Tumon hotel tested positive for Covid-19 after dining at 30 restaurants. On Sept. 16, a news release disclosed that a Naval Base Visitor Control Center worker tested positive for the disease.
Still, the military contends that the governor of Guam’s orders apply to everyone on the island, with additional precautions in place for the 11,000 participants of Valiant Shield.
"In coordination with military medical personnel and public health personnel, every aspect of Valiant Shield 2020 has been analyzed to ensure the appropriate mitigation measures are taken against Covid-19,” said a spokesperson for the Valiant Shield 2020 Joint Information Bureau.
“Our focus is to protect our service members and their families, prevent the spread of the virus to U.S. forces, local residents, allies, or partners, and ensure our warfighting readiness to accomplish assigned missions."
The majority of service members are at sea or restricted to base, the agency added, reducing the risks of contact.
“Given our experiences with the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt, we are confident that if the agreed upon protocols are followed, the Department of Defense and the Government of Guam can partner to do this safely,” said Krystal Paco-San Agustin, press secretary for the governor of Guam.
On Sept. 12, the Pacific Vanguard exercise brought 1,500 additional service members from the U.S., Japan, Korea, and Australia to the waters off Guam for training following the Rim of the Pacific exercise in Hawaii.
“It is truly invaluable that the navies of four countries get together again in Guam to participate in Pacific Vanguard under the difficult time we all face with Covid-19,” said Japan Maritime Self Defense Force vice admiral Yuasa Hideki, in a statement. “I strongly believe that our enhanced cooperation will certainly contribute to peace and stability in the Western Pacific.”
Guam Memorial Hospital received 22 intensive care nurses, respiratory technicians and physicians from the Department of Defense to help the treat Covid-19. Nevertheless, the governor said with 44 Covid-19 patients, including 19 in intensive care, the island’s hospitals are operating beyond capacity.
If needed, the Valiant Shield 2020 Joint Information Bureau said the military is ready to assemble a Navy Expeditionary Medical Facility, as well as an Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support System on Guam, with an estimated 75-hospital beds between them.


courthousenews--2020-09-22--Trump Makes Campaign Swing Through Battleground Ohio

VANDALIA , OHIO ( CN ) — With only 43 days until Election Day , President Donald Trump made his way to Ohio ’ s Miami Valley on Monday and reminding supporters of his promise to fight for American workers .
The president stopped in Vandalia , a suburb of Dayton , at Wright Bros Aero , an aircraft and aviation services company near the airport .
Trump ’ s stage was set up just outside Wright Bros Aero ’ s hangar while the crowd assembled inside .
Although the event was not open to the general public , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aero employees sat behind the podium .
Originally slated to speak at 4:30 p.m. , Trump did not take the stage until nearly 6 .
Because of the location of the venue , Air Force One was able to pull up in front of the hangar , allowing the president to go directly from the plane to the stage , along with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine .
Taking the stage quickly , Trump began by telling the crowd the event was not a rally , but a chance to talk to friends about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the event .
Earlier in the day , Lt .
Governor Jon Husted was booed when he suggested the crowd should put on masks .
Governor DeWine told reporters last week that he would not enforce his mask mandate at any political event in order to ensure that everyone ’ s First Amendment rights are protected , although he did encourage masks and social distancing .
Calling Covid-19 “ the plague , ” Trump told the crowd that Biden shipped jobs overseas , but he had returned them to Ohio .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd , would move the country away from prosperity and jobs .
“ If we win , Ohio wins , and more importantly , America wins , ” Trump told the crowd .
When introducing Ohio Republicans , the crowd booed DeWine , who is unpopular with some in his own party due to his hard stance on the virus .
Trump talked about his past victory in Ohio , and then went on to talk about his Supreme Court pick to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died Sept. 18 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it will be a woman , and we ’ re looking forward to it .
We will announce it on Saturday , maybe Friday , ” he told the crowd .
Jumping from topic to topic , the president to a moment took remind the crowd about Biden ’ s son Hunter and his time in Ukraine .
“ The whole thing is crazy , and the fake news does not want to cover it , ” he told the crowd , who booed the media in the back of the hangar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he abused you , and that ’ s why it ’ s time to retire him , ” the president then said about Biden .
Trump turned to manufacturing , discussing the Democrat ’ s record on manufacturing jobs .
“ The workers of America will remember Biden ’ s treachery.
” Trump made the tariff fight personal , discussing Ohio manufacturer Maytag .
He explained how China and other nations flooded the market with cheaper washing machines , making it tough to sell Maytag ’ s products , most of which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tariffs he put on washing machines , making it easier for Maytag to compete .
He riled up the crowd by claiming that Biden would end the tariffs .
“ He ’ s being pulled left , ” Trump told the crowd , which booed .
“ Do you think he ’ s going to be tough on China ?
Biden said the other day that he would remove the tariffs .
He gave China free rein to go continue ransacking the American heartland .
“ Joe Biden is weak .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the radical left of his own party .
If Biden is elected , China will own America .
If Biden is elected , you will have a depression the likes of which you have never seen before , ” Trump told the cheering crowd .
He then spent time discussing trade agreements and deals he made , telling the crowd how he renegotiated and saved American jobs .
“ They don ’ t like my personality .
Who cares about my personality ?
” he said .
“ I get along with President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , telling the crowd how many deals he made with Xi ’ s government .
“ But it means less now , ” since the pandemic , the president said .
Knowing his crowd , Trump shifted to the military .
The Dayton area is home to Wright Patterson Air Force Base .
Last week , DeWine sent Trump a letter suggesting Wright Patterson and Dayton as the headquarters for the new military branch , the U.S. Space Force .
The move would bring about 1,400 jobs to the area .
A decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Air Force ’ s Strategic Basing Office in early 2021 .
“ No one ’ s done what I ’ ve done for the military , ” Trump claimed .
“ We have weapons , the likes of which no one has seen before .
We have the greatest weapons in the world .
I call them the super duper weapons .
Hydrosonic , but I call them super duper , because no one understands hydrosonic.
” In fact , there is no such weapon as “ hydrosonic ” and the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump also took a few moments to discuss his response to Covid-19 , claiming that we would see a vaccine by the end of the year .
“ It ’ s very sad when the Democrats try to make that a political issue , ” he said .
Tying the pandemic to the economy , Trump said , “ Under my leadership we built the strongest economy in the history of the world , and now we ’ re doing it again .
If Sleepy Joe Biden wins , the economy will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we win the election , you ’ re going to see things roar.
” He continued : “ It ’ s not that he wants to crush America , but he will just out of gross incompetence .
He will surrender to the virus , just like he surrendered to China and just like he surrendered to the radical left.
” Trump then reminded the crowd to vote .
“ Get out and vote on Nov. 3rd , and before , depending on if you have one of those fake ballots .
Be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a mess .
And the Democrats want it to be a mess , ” he told the crowd .
“ They want to have a mess at the end of the evening on Nov. 3rd , so we have to fight it out.
” Early voting begins Oct. 6 in Ohio .
Starting earlier this month , voters could request absentee ballots , and drop-off boxes are available at all Board of Election offices .
Trump ended the event with , “ God bless you , God bless Ohio , and God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same spot in 2016 came with drama , when a man rushed the stage and was quickly surrounded by Secret Service agents .
Trump next travels north to Swanton , Ohio , for a larger , more public rally .
On Tuesday he heads to Pennsylvania for an event in Moon Township .

With only 43 days until Election Day, President Donald Trump made his way to Ohio’s Miami Valley on Monday and reminded supporters of his promise to fight for American workers.
VANDALIA, OHIO (CN) — With only 43 days until Election Day, President Donald Trump made his way to Ohio’s Miami Valley on Monday and reminded supporters of his promise to fight for American workers.
The president stopped in Vandalia, a suburb of Dayton, at Wright Bros Aero, an aircraft and aviation services company near the airport. Trump’s stage was set up just outside Wright Bros Aero’s hangar while the crowd assembled inside. Although the event was not open to the general public, the smaller space was packed. Wright Bros Aero employees sat behind the podium.
Originally slated to speak at 4:30 p.m., Trump did not take the stage until nearly 6. Because of the location of the venue, Air Force One was able to pull up in front of the hangar, allowing the president to go directly from the plane to the stage, along with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
Taking the stage quickly, Trump began by telling the crowd the event was not a rally, but a chance to talk to friends about jobs. Very few attendees wore masks at the event. Earlier in the day, Lt. Governor Jon Husted was booed when he suggested the crowd should put on masks. Governor DeWine told reporters last week that he would not enforce his mask mandate at any political event in order to ensure that everyone’s First Amendment rights are protected, although he did encourage masks and social distancing.
Calling Covid-19 “the plague,” Trump told the crowd that Biden shipped jobs overseas, but he had returned them to Ohio. “Sleepy Joe,” he told the crowd, would move the country away from prosperity and jobs.
“If we win, Ohio wins, and more importantly, America wins,” Trump told the crowd.
When introducing Ohio Republicans, the crowd booed DeWine, who is unpopular with some in his own party due to his hard stance on the virus.
Trump talked about his past victory in Ohio, and then went on to talk about his Supreme Court pick to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18. “It will be a brilliant person, it will be a woman, and we’re looking forward to it. We will announce it on Saturday, maybe Friday,” he told the crowd.
Jumping from topic to topic, the president to a moment took remind the crowd about Biden’s son Hunter and his time in Ukraine. “The whole thing is crazy, and the fake news does not want to cover it,” he told the crowd, who booed the media in the back of the hangar.
“He lied to you, he abused you, and that’s why it’s time to retire him,” the president then said about Biden.
Trump turned to manufacturing, discussing the Democrat’s record on manufacturing jobs. “The workers of America will remember Biden’s treachery.”
Trump made the tariff fight personal, discussing Ohio manufacturer Maytag. He explained how China and other nations flooded the market with cheaper washing machines, making it tough to sell Maytag’s products, most of which are manufactured in Ohio. He touted the tariffs he put on washing machines, making it easier for Maytag to compete. He riled up the crowd by claiming that Biden would end the tariffs.
“He’s being pulled left,” Trump told the crowd, which booed. “Do you think he’s going to be tough on China? Biden said the other day that he would remove the tariffs. He gave China free rein to go continue ransacking the American heartland.
“Joe Biden is weak. He’s too scared to stand up to the radical left of his own party. If Biden is elected, China will own America. If Biden is elected, you will have a depression the likes of which you have never seen before,” Trump told the cheering crowd.
He then spent time discussing trade agreements and deals he made, telling the crowd how he renegotiated and saved American jobs. “They don’t like my personality. Who cares about my personality?” he said.
“I get along with President Xi of China,” Trump said, telling the crowd how many deals he made with Xi’s government. “But it means less now,” since the pandemic, the president said.
Knowing his crowd, Trump shifted to the military. The Dayton area is home to Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Last week, DeWine sent Trump a letter suggesting Wright Patterson and Dayton as the headquarters for the new military branch, the U.S. Space Force. The move would bring about 1,400 jobs to the area. A decision on the headquarters will be made by the Air Force’s Strategic Basing Office in early 2021.
“No one’s done what I’ve done for the military,” Trump claimed. “We have weapons, the likes of which no one has seen before. We have the greatest weapons in the world. I call them the super duper weapons. Hydrosonic, but I call them super duper, because no one understands hydrosonic.”
In fact, there is no such weapon as “hydrosonic” and the president appears to be referring to hypersonic missiles.
Trump also took a few moments to discuss his response to Covid-19, claiming that we would see a vaccine by the end of the year. “It’s very sad when the Democrats try to make that a political issue,” he said.
Tying the pandemic to the economy, Trump said, “Under my leadership we built the strongest economy in the history of the world, and now we’re doing it again. If Sleepy Joe Biden wins, the economy will collapse. If we win and when we win the election, you’re going to see things roar.”
He continued: “It’s not that he wants to crush America, but he will just out of gross incompetence. He will surrender to the virus, just like he surrendered to China and just like he surrendered to the radical left.”
Trump then reminded the crowd to vote.
“Get out and vote on Nov. 3rd, and before, depending on if you have one of those fake ballots. Be careful, that thing is going to be a mess. And the Democrats want it to be a mess,” he told the crowd. “They want to have a mess at the end of the evening on Nov. 3rd, so we have to fight it out.”
Early voting begins Oct. 6 in Ohio. Starting earlier this month, voters could request absentee ballots, and drop-off boxes are available at all Board of Election offices.
Trump ended the event with, “God bless you, God bless Ohio, and God bless America.”
His campaign stop at the same spot in 2016 came with drama, when a man rushed the stage and was quickly surrounded by Secret Service agents.
Trump next travels north to Swanton, Ohio, for a larger, more public rally. On Tuesday he heads to Pennsylvania for an event in Moon Township.