newsweek--2020-12-14--Bill Barr Praises Trump for Delivering COVID-19 Vaccine in Resignation Letter

Attorney General William Barr praised the accomplishments of President Donald Trump in his Monday resignation letter , including the Trump administration 's quick actions in providing a COVID-19 vaccine .
The distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine began in the U.S. on Monday .
According to data from Johns Hopkins University , the U.S. has reported 16,420,309 positive cases of the coronavirus .
Trump had expressed displeasure with some of Barr 's actions and statements which appeared to run in opposition to Trump 's state policies .
In his resignation letter , Barr said that Trump 's actions on quickly creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` With Operation Warp Speed , '' Barr wrote , `` you delivered a vaccine for coronavirus on a schedule no one thought conceivable—a feat that will undoubtedly save millions of lives . ''
Barr wrote that he was `` greatly honored '' to serve as Trump 's Attorney General , saying Trump 's record `` is all the more historic because you accomplished it in the face of relentless , implacable resistance . ''
Barr is expected to be replaced by Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen .
Newsweek reached out to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr was potentially exposed to COVID-19 in September after attending a White House event in celebration of the nomination of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett .
Some attendees , including former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway , tested positive for the virus after the event .
Barr declined to self-quarantine after receiving a negative COVID-19 test .
Trump has refused to concede the 2020 presidential election to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden .
Instead , the president has baselessly alleged that his defeat was caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press in December that DOJ investigators had not uncovered `` fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election . ''
After Barr 's comments , Trump declined to tell reporters in December if he still had confidence in Barr as his Attorney General .
`` Ask me that in a number of weeks from now , '' Trump said .
`` They should be looking at all of this fraud . ''
On Monday , Biden obtained more than the required number of votes to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become president in January .
While he has announced some members of his incoming administration , he has yet to announce who he will nominate to be the next Attorney General .

Attorney General William Barr praised the accomplishments of President Donald Trump in his Monday resignation letter, including the Trump administration's quick actions in providing a COVID-19 vaccine.
The distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine began in the U.S. on Monday. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. has reported 16,420,309 positive cases of the coronavirus. Trump had expressed displeasure with some of Barr's actions and statements which appeared to run in opposition to Trump's state policies. In his resignation letter, Barr said that Trump's actions on quickly creating a vaccine for COVID-19 were admirable.
"With Operation Warp Speed," Barr wrote, "you delivered a vaccine for coronavirus on a schedule no one thought conceivable—a feat that will undoubtedly save millions of lives."
Barr wrote that he was "greatly honored" to serve as Trump's Attorney General, saying Trump's record "is all the more historic because you accomplished it in the face of relentless, implacable resistance."
Barr is expected to be replaced by Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Department of Justice for comment.
Attorney General William Barr is expected to leave office on December 23. Oliver Contreras- Pool/Getty
Barr was potentially exposed to COVID-19 in September after attending a White House event in celebration of the nomination of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Some attendees, including former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, tested positive for the virus after the event. Barr declined to self-quarantine after receiving a negative COVID-19 test.
Trump has refused to concede the 2020 presidential election to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden. Instead, the president has baselessly alleged that his defeat was caused by widespread election fraud. Barr told the Associated Press in December that DOJ investigators had not uncovered "fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election."
After Barr's comments, Trump declined to tell reporters in December if he still had confidence in Barr as his Attorney General. "Ask me that in a number of weeks from now," Trump said. "They should be looking at all of this fraud."
On Monday, Biden obtained more than the required number of votes to win the electoral college. Biden is expected to become president in January. While he has announced some members of his incoming administration, he has yet to announce who he will nominate to be the next Attorney General.


newsweek--2020-12-14--Pro-Trump Lawyer Lin Wood Urges Supporters to Stock Up on '2nd Amendment Supplies'

Lin Wood , a supporter of President Donald Trump who has also been filing lawsuits on Trump 's behalf to overturn the election 's results , tweeted on Monday that Trump supporters should stock up on `` 2nd Amendment supplies , '' a reference to firearms and ammunition .
Wood 's tweet seemed to predict coming social unrest over the Electoral College casting its ballots to seat President-elect Joe Biden in the White House .
`` Better to be safe than sorry , '' Woods wrote in his tweet .
`` Make sure you have PLENTY of water , food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radio , 2nd Amendment supplies , & a plan to meet with leaders of your communities .
Remember we only have 1 President at a time .
Our leader is @ realDonaldTrump , not Biden . ''
The supplies Woods listed are commonly associated with preparing for civil unrest or disasters in which people 's utilities , electricity and access to survival essentials are disrupted .
Linn 's tweets came after a weekend of Trump supporters on social media calling for civil war violent uprisings in response to the Supreme Court 's decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Ken Paxton 's bid to invalidate election results in Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
Wood has long repeated Trump 's claims that Biden won the last election due to widespread voter fraud .
Thus far , Trump and Republicans have had over 50 legal challenges claiming voter fraud dismissed or withdrawn from courts for lack of evidence .
None of the challenges have significantly changed the number of votes in Trump 's favor .
Nevertheless , Wood joined former Trump campaign attorney Sidney Powell in alleging that rigged voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Biden 's favor .
A Trump-appointed judge in Georgia , a state that voted for Biden , denied a legal filing that Powell and Wood asking to examine voting machines .
At a December 2 Georgia rally , Wood discouraged Republicans from voting in the state 's January 5 runoff election that will determine party control of the U.S. Senate .
`` They have not earned your vote , '' he said .
`` Do n't you give it to them .
Why would you go back and vote in another rigged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it !
You got ta fix it ! ''
In response to Wood 's comment , Gabriel Sterling , an election official in Georgia , called Wood 's statement `` Looney Tunes , '' `` crazy '' and `` insanity . ''
Wood is also representing Kyle Rittenhouse—the 17-year-old militia member charged with killing two men and injuring a third during a late August uprising in Kenosha , Wisconsin—in court .
Wood alleges that Rittenhouse killed the two men in self-defense .
Wood is also a believer in QAnon , a conspiracy theory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ring of Satan-worshipping Democrats , Hollywood elites and lizard-humanoids are sexually abusing and torturing children in order to extract an allegedly psychedelic , youth-rejuvenating chemical called adrenochrome from their victims ' pituitary glands .

Lin Wood, a supporter of President Donald Trump who has also been filing lawsuits on Trump's behalf to overturn the election's results, tweeted on Monday that Trump supporters should stock up on "2nd Amendment supplies," a reference to firearms and ammunition. Wood's tweet seemed to predict coming social unrest over the Electoral College casting its ballots to seat President-elect Joe Biden in the White House.
"Better to be safe than sorry," Woods wrote in his tweet. "Make sure you have PLENTY of water, food, flashlights & batteries, candles, radio, 2nd Amendment supplies, & a plan to meet with leaders of your communities. Remember we only have 1 President at a time. Our leader is @realDonaldTrump, not Biden."
The supplies Woods listed are commonly associated with preparing for civil unrest or disasters in which people's utilities, electricity and access to survival essentials are disrupted.
Linn's tweets came after a weekend of Trump supporters on social media calling for civil war violent uprisings in response to the Supreme Court's decision on Friday to not hear Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's bid to invalidate election results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
As the Electoral College cast its votes for President-elect Joe Biden on Monday, Lin Wood, a lawyer who supports President Donald Trump, suggested that Trump supporters stock up on "2nd Amendment supplies", a reference to firearms and ammunition. In this November 7, 2020 photo, a Trump supporter holds a up a flag during a protest outside the Clark County Election Department on in North Las Vegas. Ethan Miller/Getty
Wood has long repeated Trump's claims that Biden won the last election due to widespread voter fraud. Thus far, Trump and Republicans have had over 50 legal challenges claiming voter fraud dismissed or withdrawn from courts for lack of evidence. None of the challenges have significantly changed the number of votes in Trump's favor.
Nevertheless, Wood joined former Trump campaign attorney Sidney Powell in alleging that rigged voting machines to swung the election's outcome in Biden's favor. A Trump-appointed judge in Georgia, a state that voted for Biden, denied a legal filing that Powell and Wood asking to examine voting machines.
At a December 2 Georgia rally, Wood discouraged Republicans from voting in the state's January 5 runoff election that will determine party control of the U.S. Senate.
"They have not earned your vote," he said. "Don't you give it to them. Why would you go back and vote in another rigged election for god's sake! Fix it! You gotta fix it!"
In response to Wood's comment, Gabriel Sterling, an election official in Georgia, called Wood's statement "Looney Tunes," "crazy" and "insanity."
Wood is also representing Kyle Rittenhouse—the 17-year-old militia member charged with killing two men and injuring a third during a late August uprising in Kenosha, Wisconsin—in court. Wood alleges that Rittenhouse killed the two men in self-defense.
Wood is also a believer in QAnon, a conspiracy theory that believes a shadowy international child trafficking ring of Satan-worshipping Democrats, Hollywood elites and lizard-humanoids are sexually abusing and torturing children in order to extract an allegedly psychedelic, youth-rejuvenating chemical called adrenochrome from their victims' pituitary glands.
Newsweek contacted Wood for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-14--Congressman Leaving GOP Over Trump's 'Narcissistic' Attempts to Overturn Election

Representative Paul Mitchell of Michigan announced on Monday that he is leaving the GOP after several `` traumatic '' weeks following the 2020 presidential election .
Mitchell , a Republican who has criticized President Donald Trump 's attempts to undermine confidence in the outcome of the election , said he is fearful that Republican support of Trump 's actions could lead to `` long-term harm to our democracy . ''
Mitchell asked the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives to officially change his party affiliation from `` Republican '' to `` Independent '' for the remainder of his time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completing his final term in Congress after announcing last year that he did not intend to seek re-election .
In a letter addressed to Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , Mitchell explained the reasons behind his decision to stop supporting the GOP at the state and national levels .
Copies of the letter were also provided to the Michigan GOP chair and the House of Representatives clerk , Mitchell said .
`` If Republican leaders collectively sit back and tolerate unfounded conspiracy theories and 'stop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our electoral process , which the Department of Homeland Security said was 'the most secure in American history , ' our nation will be damaged , '' Mitchell 's letter said .
`` I have spoken out clearly and forcefully in opposition to these messages .
However , with the leadership of the Republican Party and our Republican Conference in the House actively participating in at least some of these efforts , I fear long-term harm to our democracy . ''
Following an election that saw expanded vote-by-mail participation as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , media outlets called the race for President-elect Joe Biden on November 7 .
Trump has not yet conceded the election .
Instead , he 's spread debunked election-related theories on social media while his campaign lawyers filed legal challenges contesting the results in several battleground states .
One of the conspiracy theories that Trump has referenced multiple times is known as `` stop the steal . ''
The theory alleges that Democrats are trying to `` steal '' the election and block Trump from another four years in office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in late November amended the spreading `` # stopthestupid '' hashtag in a post on Twitter so that it instead read , `` # stopthestupid . ''
`` Oh my God .
.
@ realDonaldTrump Please for the sake of our Nation please drop these arguments without evidence or factual basis .
# stopthestupid , '' Mitchell said in a November 29 tweet .
In his Monday letter , Mitchell noted his voting history supporting Trump administration policies and his support for the GOP throughout his time in Congress .
While Mitchell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP who cast a ballot for Trump this election cycle , he said Trump 's legal team had not proven its allegations of widespread voter fraud and raised concerns about other party leaders who continue to stand by Trump despite the lack of evidence for the president 's allegations .
`` I believe that raw political considerations , not constitutional or voting integrity concerns , motivate many in party leadership to support the 'stop the steal ' efforts , which is extremely disappointing to me , '' Mitchell wrote .
The former Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` admittedly symbolic '' given the approaching end to his final term in office .
`` While admittedly symbolic , we all know that symbols matter , '' he wrote .
On Sunday , Mitchell shared a link on Twitter to an article about Trump 's ongoing election-related legal challenges .
`` Courts have heard the 'evidence ' provided of 'fraud ' and found it unsubstantiated numerous times , '' Mitchell wrote .
`` Continuing this circus is just ... so damaging ... so unproductive ... so narcissistic ... what about our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stand up for democracy first , for our Constitution first , and not political considerations , not to protect a candidate , not simply for raw political power , '' Mitchell said during a Monday interview with CNN .
`` And that 's what I feel is going on .
And I 've had enough . ''
Newsweek reached out to the RNC , the Michigan Republican Party and McCarthy 's office for comment but did not receive responses in time for publication .

Representative Paul Mitchell of Michigan announced on Monday that he is leaving the GOP after several "traumatic" weeks following the 2020 presidential election.
Mitchell, a Republican who has criticized President Donald Trump's attempts to undermine confidence in the outcome of the election, said he is fearful that Republican support of Trump's actions could lead to "long-term harm to our democracy."
Mitchell asked the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives to officially change his party affiliation from "Republican" to "Independent" for the remainder of his time in office. The former Republican is completing his final term in Congress after announcing last year that he did not intend to seek re-election.
In a letter addressed to Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Mitchell explained the reasons behind his decision to stop supporting the GOP at the state and national levels. Copies of the letter were also provided to the Michigan GOP chair and the House of Representatives clerk, Mitchell said.
Today I am disaffiliating from the Republican Party.
See my letter below: pic.twitter.com/76IxC4FMvJ — Rep. Paul Mitchell (@RepPaulMitchell) December 14, 2020
"If Republican leaders collectively sit back and tolerate unfounded conspiracy theories and 'stop the steal' rallies without speaking out for our electoral process, which the Department of Homeland Security said was 'the most secure in American history,' our nation will be damaged," Mitchell's letter said.
"I have spoken out clearly and forcefully in opposition to these messages. However, with the leadership of the Republican Party and our Republican Conference in the House actively participating in at least some of these efforts, I fear long-term harm to our democracy."
Rep. Paul Mitchell of Michigan announced on Monday he is leaving the GOP and will serve as an Independent for the remainder of his time in Congress. In the photo above, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel speaks during the Trump Victory press conference on November 6, 2020 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Elaine Cromie/Getty
Following an election that saw expanded vote-by-mail participation as a result of restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, media outlets called the race for President-elect Joe Biden on November 7. Trump has not yet conceded the election. Instead, he's spread debunked election-related theories on social media while his campaign lawyers filed legal challenges contesting the results in several battleground states.
One of the conspiracy theories that Trump has referenced multiple times is known as "stop the steal." The theory alleges that Democrats are trying to "steal" the election and block Trump from another four years in office.
Mitchell previously spoke out against this theory and in late November amended the spreading "#stopthestupid" hashtag in a post on Twitter so that it instead read, "#stopthestupid."
"Oh my God. .@realDonaldTrump Please for the sake of our Nation please drop these arguments without evidence or factual basis. #stopthestupid," Mitchell said in a November 29 tweet.
In his Monday letter, Mitchell noted his voting history supporting Trump administration policies and his support for the GOP throughout his time in Congress. While Mitchell said he was among those in the GOP who cast a ballot for Trump this election cycle, he said Trump's legal team had not proven its allegations of widespread voter fraud and raised concerns about other party leaders who continue to stand by Trump despite the lack of evidence for the president's allegations.
"I believe that raw political considerations, not constitutional or voting integrity concerns, motivate many in party leadership to support the 'stop the steal' efforts, which is extremely disappointing to me," Mitchell wrote.
The former Republican acknowledged that the timing of his announcement was "admittedly symbolic" given the approaching end to his final term in office. "While admittedly symbolic, we all know that symbols matter," he wrote.
On Sunday, Mitchell shared a link on Twitter to an article about Trump's ongoing election-related legal challenges. "Courts have heard the 'evidence' provided of 'fraud' and found it unsubstantiated numerous times," Mitchell wrote. "Continuing this circus is just ...so damaging ... so unproductive ... so narcissistic...what about our country?"
"This party has to stand up for democracy first, for our Constitution first, and not political considerations, not to protect a candidate, not simply for raw political power," Mitchell said during a Monday interview with CNN. "And that's what I feel is going on. And I've had enough."
Newsweek reached out to the RNC, the Michigan Republican Party and McCarthy's office for comment but did not receive responses in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-14--'Pokémon Go' Holiday 2020 Event Announced: Vanillite, Shiny Jynx to Make Debuts

The first details of this year 's Pokémon Go Holiday event have been announced .
Niantic announced Monday what Pokémon Go trainers can expect from its annual Holiday event when it debuts later this month .
According to the official Pokémon Go blog , the 2020 Holiday event will begin Tuesday , December 22 , and will end Thursday , December 31 .
Pokémon Go trainers will have more than a week to enjoy all of the in-game goodies that come with this year 's Holiday event , including an abundance of Ice-type Pokémon and the debut of a Shiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more frequently , they wo n't be the only ones popping up .
Holiday-themed Pikachu , Delibird and Cubchoo will make their debuts in Pokémon Go during the event .
Spheal , Snover and other Ice-type Pokémon will appear more frequently , and trainers will get the chance to catch Vanillite for the first time .
Seel , Swinub , Smoochum , Snorunt , Snover and the aforementioned Vanillite will also start hatching from 5km Eggs during the event .
Raids will also be filled with Ice types , such as Alolan Sandshrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swinub , Walrein , Cubchoo and Cryogonal .
Jynx will also have its Shiny form make its debut during the Pokémon Go Holiday event .
Trainers will have event-exclusive Field Research that will give Pokémon Go trainers the chance to catch Vanillite and the rare Cryogonal .
Players can also purchase holiday-themed items for their avatars , including new boots , coats and earmuffs .
Be sure to check out the clothing shop in Pokémon Go when the event goes live .
Along with the increased encounters and Shiny Pokémon debuts , trainers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be limit increased to 45—and players can carry more Gifts than normal ( up to 40 ) through the duration of the event .
Other in-game bonuses will activate during certain times during the event .
From Tuesday , December 22 , at 12 a.m. to December 23 at 11:59 p.m. local time , trainers can earn double the experience for completing raids .
Trainers can earn double candy for catching Pokémon from Thursday , December 24 , at 12 a.m. to Friday , December 25 , at 11:59 p.m. local time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pieces double in duration with Lucky Eggs doubling the duration the day after that .
On December 30 to the end of December 31 , the amount of Stardust earned for catching Pokémon will also be doubled .
And finally , the final weekend of the Pokémon Go Holiday event ( December 26-27 ) will feature Regice returning to raids and Ice-type Pokémon being attracted to Incense more frequently when it 's used .
What do you think of the upcoming Holiday event in Pokémon Go ?
Let us know in the comments @ @

The first details of this year's Pokémon Go Holiday event have been announced.
Niantic announced Monday what Pokémon Go trainers can expect from its annual Holiday event when it debuts later this month. According to the official Pokémon Go blog, the 2020 Holiday event will begin Tuesday, December 22, and will end Thursday, December 31.
Pokémon Go trainers will have more than a week to enjoy all of the in-game goodies that come with this year's Holiday event, including an abundance of Ice-type Pokémon and the debut of a Shiny Pokémon.
While Ice-type Pokémon will appear more frequently, they won't be the only ones popping up. Holiday-themed Pikachu, Delibird and Cubchoo will make their debuts in Pokémon Go during the event.
Niantic
Spheal, Snover and other Ice-type Pokémon will appear more frequently, and trainers will get the chance to catch Vanillite for the first time.
Seel, Swinub, Smoochum, Snorunt, Snover and the aforementioned Vanillite will also start hatching from 5km Eggs during the event. Raids will also be filled with Ice types, such as Alolan Sandshrew, Dewgong, Jynx, Sneasel, Swinub, Walrein, Cubchoo and Cryogonal.
Jynx will also have its Shiny form make its debut during the Pokémon Go Holiday event.
Trainers will have event-exclusive Field Research that will give Pokémon Go trainers the chance to catch Vanillite and the rare Cryogonal. Players can also purchase holiday-themed items for their avatars, including new boots, coats and earmuffs. Be sure to check out the clothing shop in Pokémon Go when the event goes live.
Along with the increased encounters and Shiny Pokémon debuts, trainers can open more Gifts than usual—the limit will be limit increased to 45—and players can carry more Gifts than normal (up to 40) through the duration of the event.
Other in-game bonuses will activate during certain times during the event. From Tuesday, December 22, at 12 a.m. to December 23 at 11:59 p.m. local time, trainers can earn double the experience for completing raids.
Trainers can earn double candy for catching Pokémon from Thursday, December 24, at 12 a.m. to Friday, December 25, at 11:59 p.m. local time. The next day will have Star Pieces double in duration with Lucky Eggs doubling the duration the day after that. On December 30 to the end of December 31, the amount of Stardust earned for catching Pokémon will also be doubled.
And finally, the final weekend of the Pokémon Go Holiday event (December 26-27) will feature Regice returning to raids and Ice-type Pokémon being attracted to Incense more frequently when it's used.
What do you think of the upcoming Holiday event in Pokémon Go? Let us know in the comments section.


newsweek--2020-12-14--William Barr Steps Down as Attorney General

Attorney General William Barr has stepped down from the Department of Justice after clashing with President Donald Trump over the 2020 election .
On Monday afternoon , Trump tweeted Barr 's resignation letter , announcing that his last day would be December 23 .
`` I am greatly honored that you called on me to serve your Administration and the American people once again as Attorney General .
I am proud to have played a role in the many successes and unprecedented achievements you have delivered for the American people .
Your record is all the more historic because you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , implacable resistance , '' Barr wrote .
In Trump 's tweet , he said that Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen would become the acting attorney general .
Richard Donoghue would be replacing Rosen as the deputy .
Barr declared on November 30 that the U.S. Justice Department uncovered no evidence of widespread fraud that could change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election .
`` There 's been one assertion that would be systemic fraud , and that would be the claim that machines were programmed essentially to skew the election results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked into that , and so far , we have n't seen anything to substantiate that , Barr said , referring to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice .
The statement was a blow to Trump , who has refused to concede the 2020 contest to President-elect Joe Biden .
The president has repeatedly alleged , without evidence , that the race was `` rigged '' and `` stolen . ''
Trump 's campaign and Republican allies have filed dozens of lawsuits challenging results in key battleground states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the courts .
The declaration of zero election fraud was also notable coming from Barr as the attorney general was one of the president 's most loyal Cabinet members .
He assailed the 2016 probe into Russian election interference—which Trump has continuously called a `` witch hunt '' —and slammed the FBI for launching what he called an `` intrusive investigation '' into a presidential campaign based on the `` thinnest of suspicions . ''
Barr then tapped U.S. Attorney John Durham to conduct a review of the origins of the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
Before he was left the administration , he appointed Durham to special counsel so he could continue his probe under the Biden administration .
His Justice Department also intervened in the criminal cases of Trump allies Michael Flynn and Roger Stone .
The deference Barr displayed for the president was often met with significant backlash by current and former members of the intelligence community .
Almost 2,000 former FBI agents and Department of Justice officials wrote an open letter in May calling for Barr to resign over his handling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump to serve as attorney general in December 2018 .
He was later confirmed by the Senate by a 54-to-45 vote in February 2019 .
He 's only the second person in history to serve twice as attorney general , having also held the position during George H.W .
Bush 's administration .
Barr was the third man to occupy the post in Trump 's four years as president .
He replaced acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker , who temporarily replaced Attorney General Jeff Sessions after he too was ousted by Trump .

Attorney General William Barr has stepped down from the Department of Justice after clashing with President Donald Trump over the 2020 election.
On Monday afternoon, Trump tweeted Barr's resignation letter, announcing that his last day would be December 23.
"I am greatly honored that you called on me to serve your Administration and the American people once again as Attorney General. I am proud to have played a role in the many successes and unprecedented achievements you have delivered for the American people. Your record is all the more historic because you accomplished it in the face of relentless, implacable resistance," Barr wrote.
In Trump's tweet, he said that Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen would become the acting attorney general. Richard Donoghue would be replacing Rosen as the deputy.
Barr declared on November 30 that the U.S. Justice Department uncovered no evidence of widespread fraud that could change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
Attorney General William Barr meets with members of the St. Louis Police Department during a round table discussion on Operation Legend on October 15, 2020, in St Louis, Missouri. Jeff Roberson/Pool/Getty Images
"There's been one assertion that would be systemic fraud, and that would be the claim that machines were programmed essentially to skew the election results. And the DHS and DOJ have looked into that, and so far, we haven't seen anything to substantiate that, Barr said, referring to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice.
The statement was a blow to Trump, who has refused to concede the 2020 contest to President-elect Joe Biden. The president has repeatedly alleged, without evidence, that the race was "rigged" and "stolen." Trump's campaign and Republican allies have filed dozens of lawsuits challenging results in key battleground states. Nearly all of them have been dismissed by the courts.
The declaration of zero election fraud was also notable coming from Barr as the attorney general was one of the president's most loyal Cabinet members. He assailed the 2016 probe into Russian election interference—which Trump has continuously called a "witch hunt"—and slammed the FBI for launching what he called an "intrusive investigation" into a presidential campaign based on the "thinnest of suspicions."
Barr then tapped U.S. Attorney John Durham to conduct a review of the origins of the 2016 Russia investigation, a move celebrated by Trump. Before he was left the administration, he appointed Durham to special counsel so he could continue his probe under the Biden administration.
His Justice Department also intervened in the criminal cases of Trump allies Michael Flynn and Roger Stone.
The deference Barr displayed for the president was often met with significant backlash by current and former members of the intelligence community. Almost 2,000 former FBI agents and Department of Justice officials wrote an open letter in May calling for Barr to resign over his handling of the Flynn case.
Barr was nominated by Trump to serve as attorney general in December 2018. He was later confirmed by the Senate by a 54-to-45 vote in February 2019. He's only the second person in history to serve twice as attorney general, having also held the position during George H.W. Bush's administration.
Barr was the third man to occupy the post in Trump's four years as president. He replaced acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, who temporarily replaced Attorney General Jeff Sessions after he too was ousted by Trump.


newsweek--2020-12-14--Wisconsin SC Ends Trump's Legal Challenges in State Court as Biden Secures Electoral Votes

President Donald Trump 's attempts to legally overturn the election results in Wisconsin were denied Monday by a decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court .
According to the Associated Press , the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision effectively `` ends Trump 's legal challenges in state court . ''
Trump 's Wisconsin lawsuit attempted to invalidate approximately 221,000 ballots in Milwaukee and Dane counties .
He sought to overturn all ballots cast by individuals who claimed to be indefinitely confined .
The lawsuit also alleged that some absentee ballots were obtained without proper paperwork being filled out .
Election officials were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the certification of absentee ballots .
Another aspect of the lawsuit alleged that ballots collected during a public event at a park in Madison , Wisconsin were cast illegally .
In a 4-3 ruling , the Wisconsin Supreme Court said the lawsuit had been filed too late .
`` The Campaign 's delay in raising these issues was unreasonable in the extreme , and the resulting prejudice to the election officials , other candidates , voters of the affected counties , and to voters statewide , is obvious and immense , '' wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The Campaign is not entitled to relief , '' the ruling concluded , `` and therefore does not succeed in its effort to strike votes and alter the certified winner of the 2020 presidential election . ''
Trump has claimed baselessly that fraud on a nationwide scale caused his loss to President-elect Joe Biden .
Attorneys for Trump have brought over 50 lawsuits to bear in battleground states in an effort to overturn the election results .
Almost all of those suits have been dismissed by judges .
The Wisconsin Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electoral votes for president .
According to the Associated Press , Biden was the winner in Wisconsin .
The Democrat received 49.6 percent of the popular vote while Trump obtained 48.9 percent of the popular vote .
Wisconsin cast its 10 electoral votes for Biden on Monday .
`` Now more than ever , our country deserves leaders who will put people first and return kindness , empathy , and compassion back to the White House , '' said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers in a statement sent to Newsweek after the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today we were proud [ to ] vote unanimously to assign Wisconsin 's 10 electoral college votes to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris . ''
A candidate must receive 270 votes in the electoral college to be considered the winner of the election .
In January , the electoral votes are expected to be counted in Congress where an official declaration of the election winner will be made .
Trump has yet to officially concede the election to Biden , but he indicated in November that he would exit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College vote .
`` But I think that there will be a lot of things happening between now and the 20th of January , '' the president told reporters , referencing the date Biden is expected to be sworn in as president .
`` A lot of things .
Massive fraud has been found .
We 're like a third world country . ''
Newsweek reached out to the Trump re-election campaign for comment .

President Donald Trump's attempts to legally overturn the election results in Wisconsin were denied Monday by a decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
According to the Associated Press, the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision effectively "ends Trump's legal challenges in state court." Trump's Wisconsin lawsuit attempted to invalidate approximately 221,000 ballots in Milwaukee and Dane counties. He sought to overturn all ballots cast by individuals who claimed to be indefinitely confined. The lawsuit also alleged that some absentee ballots were obtained without proper paperwork being filled out.
Election officials were also accused of adding witness information to the certification of absentee ballots. Another aspect of the lawsuit alleged that ballots collected during a public event at a park in Madison, Wisconsin were cast illegally. In a 4-3 ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court said the lawsuit had been filed too late.
"The Campaign's delay in raising these issues was unreasonable in the extreme, and the resulting prejudice to the election officials, other candidates, voters of the affected counties, and to voters statewide, is obvious and immense," wrote Justice Brian Hagedorn in the ruling.
"The Campaign is not entitled to relief," the ruling concluded, "and therefore does not succeed in its effort to strike votes and alter the certified winner of the 2020 presidential election."
Trump has claimed baselessly that fraud on a nationwide scale caused his loss to President-elect Joe Biden. Attorneys for Trump have brought over 50 lawsuits to bear in battleground states in an effort to overturn the election results. Almost all of those suits have been dismissed by judges.
President Donald Trump's lawsuit to change election results in Wisconsin was denied by that state's Supreme Court on Monday, reportedly ending the campaign's legal attempts on a state court level. Al Drago/Getty
The Wisconsin Supreme Court decision came as state electors cast their electoral votes for president. According to the Associated Press, Biden was the winner in Wisconsin. The Democrat received 49.6 percent of the popular vote while Trump obtained 48.9 percent of the popular vote. Wisconsin cast its 10 electoral votes for Biden on Monday.
"Now more than ever, our country deserves leaders who will put people first and return kindness, empathy, and compassion back to the White House," said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers in a statement sent to Newsweek after the state's electoral vote. "That's why today we were proud [to] vote unanimously to assign Wisconsin's 10 electoral college votes to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris."
A candidate must receive 270 votes in the electoral college to be considered the winner of the election. In January, the electoral votes are expected to be counted in Congress where an official declaration of the election winner will be made.
Trump has yet to officially concede the election to Biden, but he indicated in November that he would exit the White House if Biden won the Electoral College vote. "But I think that there will be a lot of things happening between now and the 20th of January," the president told reporters, referencing the date Biden is expected to be sworn in as president. "A lot of things. Massive fraud has been found. We're like a third world country."
Newsweek reached out to the Trump re-election campaign for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-14--Tayshia Adams' 'Bachelorette' Finale Spoilers Just Changed Dramatically

Tayshia Adams may or may not be engaged after The Bachelorette , and there 's truly no telling who she 'll end up with .
Spoiler blogger Reality Steve recanted his previous spoilers for Adams ' season on Monday , when his sources changed the narrative .
Throughout the season , Reality Steve has been preaching that Adams would end up with Zac C. , but that the pair would n't get engaged .
This reportedly happened after Brendan Morais ' family refused to show up for the `` Hometown '' dates , and Morais eventually left the show on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are major questions about the validity of that theory , given that Morais apparently did n't leave when Reality Steve expected .
Here 's the full rundown of what has changed .
Reality Steve first claimed that Ben and Zac C. were Adams ' final two men .
Now , though , he 's certain Ben will be the first of the Final Four to be eliminated .
Adams will supposedly meet Ben 's family , but it does n't seem that he 'll make it to the fantasy suites this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday night 's `` Hometown '' dates .
Reality Steve first reported that his family did n't show up ; it turns out , though , that only Brendan 's parents will be missing from `` Hometown '' week .
Earlier spoilers also stated that Brendan would leave the show on his own .
This is also in question now , and it appears that Brendan may have a chance at winning Adams ' final rose after all .
Originally , Reality Steve reported that Zac C. and Tayshia ended the show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It appears that he 's now skeptical of that information .
His blog post on Monday explained the switch .
`` As for Brendan self eliminating , I do n't know .
Maybe it happens .
I just do n't know with any confidence at this point if it does , '' he wrote .
`` There 's a lot to go over in terms of where we go from here but give me tonight to get everything together , gather the info that I do have , and I will tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But as for the end result this season , at this point , it 's anybody 's guess .
I do not know for sure what happens as of now . ''
It seems that Reality Steve will have more finale updates soon , but as viewers enter the final episodes , the season seems more exciting than ever now that the outcome is truly anyone 's guess—even that of our widely renowned Bachelor Nation expert .
The Bachelorette will air both Monday and Tuesday this week and next to end the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Bachelor will begin January 4 on ABC .

Tayshia Adams may or may not be engaged after The Bachelorette, and there's truly no telling who she'll end up with. Spoiler blogger Reality Steve recanted his previous spoilers for Adams' season on Monday, when his sources changed the narrative.
Throughout the season, Reality Steve has been preaching that Adams would end up with Zac C., but that the pair wouldn't get engaged. This reportedly happened after Brendan Morais' family refused to show up for the "Hometown" dates, and Morais eventually left the show on his own.
Now, though, there are major questions about the validity of that theory, given that Morais apparently didn't leave when Reality Steve expected. Here's the full rundown of what has changed.
Zac C (L) and Tayshia Adams (R) could end up together after "The Bachelorette" but for now, things seem uncertian. Craig Sjodin/ABC
Ben Will Go Home
Reality Steve first claimed that Ben and Zac C. were Adams' final two men. Now, though, he's certain Ben will be the first of the Final Four to be eliminated. Adams will supposedly meet Ben's family, but it doesn't seem that he'll make it to the fantasy suites this season.
Brendan's Sibling Show Up
Brendan won't be completely alone on Tuesday night's "Hometown" dates. Reality Steve first reported that his family didn't show up; it turns out, though, that only Brendan's parents will be missing from "Hometown" week. Earlier spoilers also stated that Brendan would leave the show on his own. This is also in question now, and it appears that Brendan may have a chance at winning Adams' final rose after all.
The Final Rose
Originally, Reality Steve reported that Zac C. and Tayshia ended the show in a relationship, but not engaged. It appears that he's now skeptical of that information. His blog post on Monday explained the switch. "As for Brendan self eliminating, I don't know. Maybe it happens. I just don't know with any confidence at this point if it does," he wrote.
"There's a lot to go over in terms of where we go from here but give me tonight to get everything together, gather the info that I do have, and I will tell you tomorrow what I have going forward. But as for the end result this season, at this point, it's anybody's guess. I do not know for sure what happens as of now."
It seems that Reality Steve will have more finale updates soon, but as viewers enter the final episodes, the season seems more exciting than ever now that the outcome is truly anyone's guess—even that of our widely renowned Bachelor Nation expert.
The Bachelorette will air both Monday and Tuesday this week and next to end the season. Matt James' season of The Bachelor will begin January 4 on ABC.


newsweek--2020-12-14--Should the US Pay People to Take COVID-19 Vaccine to Reach Herd Immunity?

As trucks delivering the COVID-19 vaccine begin rolling across the nation , a researcher has an intriguing idea : Increase the likelihood of achieving herd immunity by paying people to get the shots .
Robert Litan , a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington , suggested paying individuals $ 1,000 each .
The cost of paying 275 million Americans , or about 80 % of the population , to take the vaccine would be $ 275 billion – a bargain compared with the economic damage the coronavirus pandemic has done to the economy and federal spending intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do if we do not vaccinate enough people , he said in a research paper .
`` All the discussions about how to prioritize who will be eligible for the vaccine pale next to the importance of getting enough people to take it to get to herd immunity , '' Litan wrote .
`` If we do n't get there , we could face a future of continued economic malaise , at best , or far worse if the pandemic recession/depression drags on until the virus does n't , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo again halted indoor dining at restaurants as the number of new COVID-19 infections increased in the cold weather .
The order is likely to increase unemployment .
Last April , the unemployment rate peaked at 14.7 % – the highest since the federal government began compiling statistics in 1948 .
Last week , first-time jobless claims rose to 853,000 , higher than Wall Street 's consensus estimate of 730,000 and above the 716,000 filed a week ago .
It was the highest number since September 19 , the U.S. Labor Department reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by people out of work for a week or more , rose by 230,000 to 5.76 million – the first time the number has increased since late August .
Many thrown out of work hold public-facing jobs in restaurants , retail , hospitality or travel .
Continued job losses in these sectors increase the economic gap between the unemployed and those who can work from home and continue to receive a paycheck during the pandemic .
New York City also may impose another shutdown .
`` There 's the potential of having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shutdown , in the coming weeks , because we ca n't let this kind of momentum go , '' New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told CNN after Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said last week that another shutdown could be imposed this winter .
`` We 're seeing the kind of level of infection with the coronavirus we have n't seen since May , and we have got to stop that momentum — or else , our hospital system will be threatened , '' de Blasio said .
In California , Governor Gavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections continue to increase .
Some employers may require workers to get vaccinated as a condition of employment .
Litan said it 's irrelevant that many people who already planned to get the shot will be compensated , because the key is reaching herd immunity by getting large numbers of people vaccinated .
He suggested a large portion of the proposed payment – perhaps as much as $ 800 – could be withheld until 80 % of the population receives the two vaccinations required to build immunity to COVID-19 .
This tactic would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shots to encourage others to get vaccinated , boosting the overall number of people immunized and increasing the likelihood of achieving herd immunity and breaking the pandemic , he said .
Michael Osterholm , an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota , said at least 60 % of the population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity .
Other experts set the target number even higher .
`` For COVID-19 , the percentage of the population that needs to be infected to achieve herd immunity is estimated to be between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is assuming lasting immunity is possible , '' The American Lung Association states on its website .
The higher vaccination rate sought by the proposed cash incentive program provides leeway if the 80 % rate is n't reached .
As of December 14 , the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reported 16.25 million Covid-19 cases in the U.S. and 299,191 deaths .
Worldwide , Johns Hopkins said there were 72,362,285 confirmed cases and 1,614,510 coronavirus-related deaths .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) recommended that front-line medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine first because they are at the greatest risk for infection .
There are an estimated 21 million healthcare workers and 3 million mostly elderly people receiving long-term care , according to government estimates .
The vaccine is expected to become widely available to the general public by Spring .
If so , the economy may begin to return to normal by next summer .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) last week issued an emergency use authorization for the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( the ) emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine holds the promise to alter the course of this pandemic in the United States , '' Peter Marks , director of the agency 's center for biologics evaluation and research , said in a statement .
In clinical trials , Pfizer 's vaccine was 95 % effective .
It requires storage at sub-zero temperatures , and will be distributed first to hospitals and clinics with needed storage facilities .
Moderna 's vaccine is expected to be approved for emergency use later this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ v-safe , a smartphone-based tool , to speed the reporting of adverse reactions to the vaccine .
Economists at the University of Chicago 's Becker Friedman Institute for Economics said lottery-based incentives could be used to get large numbers of people tested for COVID-19 , dubbing the proposal `` Pandemillions . ''
`` The question , then , is how to encourage healthy people to stand in line with , possibly , sick people , to undergo an uncomfortable test , and then return in two weeks to do it again , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Levitt , Paul Romer and Jeff Severts wrote .
Each Sunday , states would notify individuals selected to undergo testing and those people would have until the end of the week to get tested .
A completed test would be converted to a ticket in the COVID-19 lottery and winners would be announced each Saturday , the economists wrote .
But if a recent poll is accurate , incentives may not be necessary .
An ABC News/Ipsos poll released Monday found that 80 % of Americans said they would get the shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd be vaccinated as soon as possible and 44 % saying they 'd wait .
That 's a significant improvement from last month when a Gallup Poll released November 17 found that 58 % of Americans said they 'd receive the vaccine .
That figure was up from 50 % in September .
The growing number of people planning to get the shots appears to reflect growing confidence in the effectiveness of the vaccine and fewer concerns about possible side effects .
The Center for Combating Digital Hate , a London-based organization , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it views as anti-vaccination misinformation to be posted and widely distributed .

As trucks delivering the COVID-19 vaccine begin rolling across the nation, a researcher has an intriguing idea: Increase the likelihood of achieving herd immunity by paying people to get the shots.
Robert Litan, a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, suggested paying individuals $1,000 each.
The cost of paying 275 million Americans, or about 80% of the population, to take the vaccine would be $275 billion – a bargain compared with the economic damage the coronavirus pandemic has done to the economy and federal spending intended to offset it, and will continue to do if we do not vaccinate enough people, he said in a research paper.
"All the discussions about how to prioritize who will be eligible for the vaccine pale next to the importance of getting enough people to take it to get to herd immunity," Litan wrote.
"If we don't get there, we could face a future of continued economic malaise, at best, or far worse if the pandemic recession/depression drags on until the virus doesn't," he said.
In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo again halted indoor dining at restaurants as the number of new COVID-19 infections increased in the cold weather. The order is likely to increase unemployment. Last April, the unemployment rate peaked at 14.7% – the highest since the federal government began compiling statistics in 1948.
Last week, first-time jobless claims rose to 853,000, higher than Wall Street's consensus estimate of 730,000 and above the 716,000 filed a week ago. It was the highest number since September 19, the U.S. Labor Department reported. Continuing claims, or those filed by people out of work for a week or more, rose by 230,000 to 5.76 million – the first time the number has increased since late August.
Many thrown out of work hold public-facing jobs in restaurants, retail, hospitality or travel. Continued job losses in these sectors increase the economic gap between the unemployed and those who can work from home and continue to receive a paycheck during the pandemic.
New York City also may impose another shutdown.
Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio speaks at the opening of the Bank of America 'Winter Village' at Bryant Park on November 5 in New York City. De Blasio on Monday warned of the possibility of another "full lockdown" in his city as COVID-19 infections have once again surged in recent weeks. Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty
"There's the potential of having to do a full pause, a full shutdown, in the coming weeks, because we can't let this kind of momentum go," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told CNN after Gov. Andrew Cuomo said last week that another shutdown could be imposed this winter.
"We're seeing the kind of level of infection with the coronavirus we haven't seen since May, and we have got to stop that momentum — or else, our hospital system will be threatened," de Blasio said.
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom warned of another shutdown if new infections continue to increase.
Some employers may require workers to get vaccinated as a condition of employment.
Litan said it's irrelevant that many people who already planned to get the shot will be compensated, because the key is reaching herd immunity by getting large numbers of people vaccinated. He suggested a large portion of the proposed payment – perhaps as much as $800 – could be withheld until 80% of the population receives the two vaccinations required to build immunity to COVID-19.
This tactic would create a financial incentive for those receiving the shots to encourage others to get vaccinated, boosting the overall number of people immunized and increasing the likelihood of achieving herd immunity and breaking the pandemic, he said.
Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, said at least 60% of the population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. Other experts set the target number even higher.
"For COVID-19, the percentage of the population that needs to be infected to achieve herd immunity is estimated to be between 70% and 90%, and this is assuming lasting immunity is possible," The American Lung Association states on its website.
People wear protective face masks in New York City on September 6, 2020. In order to reach herd immunity for COVID-19, the United States might need to reach vaccinate 80% of the population, the American Lung Association said. Noam Galai/Getty Images
The higher vaccination rate sought by the proposed cash incentive program provides leeway if the 80% rate isn't reached.
As of December 14, the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reported 16.25 million Covid-19 cases in the U.S. and 299,191 deaths. Worldwide, Johns Hopkins said there were 72,362,285 confirmed cases and 1,614,510 coronavirus-related deaths.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that front-line medical personnel and long-term nursing home residents receive the vaccine first because they are at the greatest risk for infection. There are an estimated 21 million healthcare workers and 3 million mostly elderly people receiving long-term care, according to government estimates.
The vaccine is expected to become widely available to the general public by Spring. If so, the economy may begin to return to normal by next summer.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week issued an emergency use authorization for the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech.
"While not an FDA approval, (the) emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine holds the promise to alter the course of this pandemic in the United States," Peter Marks, director of the agency's center for biologics evaluation and research, said in a statement.
In clinical trials, Pfizer's vaccine was 95% effective. It requires storage at sub-zero temperatures, and will be distributed first to hospitals and clinics with needed storage facilities. Moderna's vaccine is expected to be approved for emergency use later this week. The CDC has set up v-safe, a smartphone-based tool, to speed the reporting of adverse reactions to the vaccine.
Economists at the University of Chicago's Becker Friedman Institute for Economics said lottery-based incentives could be used to get large numbers of people tested for COVID-19, dubbing the proposal "Pandemillions."
"The question, then, is how to encourage healthy people to stand in line with, possibly, sick people, to undergo an uncomfortable test, and then return in two weeks to do it again, and for many weeks after that," Steve Levitt, Paul Romer and Jeff Severts wrote.
Each Sunday, states would notify individuals selected to undergo testing and those people would have until the end of the week to get tested. A completed test would be converted to a ticket in the COVID-19 lottery and winners would be announced each Saturday, the economists wrote.
But if a recent poll is accurate, incentives may not be necessary.
An ABC News/Ipsos poll released Monday found that 80% of Americans said they would get the shots, including 40% who said they'd be vaccinated as soon as possible and 44% saying they'd wait.
That's a significant improvement from last month when a Gallup Poll released November 17 found that 58% of Americans said they'd receive the vaccine. That figure was up from 50% in September. The growing number of people planning to get the shots appears to reflect growing confidence in the effectiveness of the vaccine and fewer concerns about possible side effects.
The Center for Combating Digital Hate, a London-based organization, has criticized social media platforms for allowing what it views as anti-vaccination misinformation to be posted and widely distributed.


newsweek--2020-12-14--When Is the Last Day to Mail Gifts to Arrive Before Christmas 2020?

Although COVID-19 may limit the time you can spend with loved ones this year , you can still celebrate the holidays by sending gifts and cards .
With the strain on delivery services amid the pandemic , it 's best to kick the procrastination habit and send your gifts a little earlier this year .
`` This has been an extraordinary year of unprecedented challenges given the COVID-19 pandemic—and the Postal Service is expecting significant increases in the volume of mail and packages , '' the United States Postal Service ( USPS ) wrote in a Monday release .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved ones by December 25 , the USPS advises you to have all your gifts ready to ship by December 23 at the latest .
That 's the final date the box can be shipped with priority mail express services and arrive by the end of Christmas day .
Prices for the speedy priority mail express service start at $ 26.35 but vary based on the package 's weight and destination , and could cost you upwards of $ 500 .
At that rate , the cost of shipping could exceed the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on shipping costs if you have your gifts ready to ship a few days earlier .
If you 're ready to ship by December 18 , you can opt for USPS first class mail service .
This option is available for packages weighing up to 13 ounces and comes with a starting cost of $ 3.80 .
USPS also offers a third option to send a package with priority mail by December 19 with a maximum cost of $ 21.10 if the shipper uses a large flat-rate box .
If your gifts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USPS needs a little more time to get the packages to their destination .
The last day to ship Christmas gifts to Alaska is December 18 for first class mail service and December 19 for priority mail .
For your gift to reach Hawaii before Christmas , it must be shipped by December 15 sending either first class or priority mail .
If you need some extra guidance , the USPS has a series of `` how-to '' videos on its YouTube channel that walk you through everything from packing a box to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you 're planning to ship with UPS instead of the postal service , these are the last days to ship to ensure your gifts arrive by Christmas day : • December 15 : Last day to ship via UPS Ground • December 21 : Last day to ship via UPS 3 Day Select • December 22 : Last day to ship via UPS 2nd Day Air • December 23 : Last day to ship via UPS Next Day Air UPS pricing varies depending on the package 's size , weight and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer flat-rate options .
Starting prices for UPS 's flat-rate packages range from $ 8.25 to $ 21.75 depending on the size of the box .
Similar to the postal service , UPS also has a section of its website to help with your holiday shipping .
If you find yourself procrastinating until Christmas day , FedEx may be the way to go .
The company offers the option to ship a gift on Christmas and have it delivered later that day through SameDay .
The service , however , is limited to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available between certain ZIP codes .
Since FedEx determines its shipping cost by taking the package 's size , weight and needed delivery speed into account , a more cost-effective way to ship your package would be with FedEx Ground and FedEx Express Saver , which have cutoff dates of December 15 and December 21 , respectively .
After December 21 , the options start slimming down to FedEx 2Day with a deadline of December 22 , and then FedEx 1Day , Extra Hours , Standard Overnight , Priority Overnight and First Overnight @ @ @ @

Although COVID-19 may limit the time you can spend with loved ones this year, you can still celebrate the holidays by sending gifts and cards.
With the strain on delivery services amid the pandemic, it's best to kick the procrastination habit and send your gifts a little earlier this year.
"This has been an extraordinary year of unprecedented challenges given the COVID-19 pandemic—and the Postal Service is expecting significant increases in the volume of mail and packages," the United States Postal Service (USPS) wrote in a Monday release.
In order to get your packages to your loved ones by December 25, the USPS advises you to have all your gifts ready to ship by December 23 at the latest. That's the final date the box can be shipped with priority mail express services and arrive by the end of Christmas day.
Prices for the speedy priority mail express service start at $26.35 but vary based on the package's weight and destination, and could cost you upwards of $500. At that rate, the cost of shipping could exceed the price of the gift.
You can save on shipping costs if you have your gifts ready to ship a few days earlier.
If you're ready to ship by December 18, you can opt for USPS first class mail service. This option is available for packages weighing up to 13 ounces and comes with a starting cost of $3.80.
USPS also offers a third option to send a package with priority mail by December 19 with a maximum cost of $21.10 if the shipper uses a large flat-rate box.
If your gifts are heading to Hawaii or Alaska, the USPS needs a little more time to get the packages to their destination. The last day to ship Christmas gifts to Alaska is December 18 for first class mail service and December 19 for priority mail. For your gift to reach Hawaii before Christmas, it must be shipped by December 15 sending either first class or priority mail.
If you need some extra guidance, the USPS has a series of "how-to" videos on its YouTube channel that walk you through everything from packing a box to changing your address ahead of the holiday.
The USPS offers multiple options to send your Christmas packages, which this year should be sent earlier than usual due to strains from the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
If you're planning to ship with UPS instead of the postal service, these are the last days to ship to ensure your gifts arrive by Christmas day:
December 15: Last day to ship via UPS Ground
December 21: Last day to ship via UPS 3 Day Select
December 22: Last day to ship via UPS 2nd Day Air
December 23: Last day to ship via UPS Next Day Air
UPS pricing varies depending on the package's size, weight and destination. However, the company does offer flat-rate options. Starting prices for UPS's flat-rate packages range from $8.25 to $21.75 depending on the size of the box.
Similar to the postal service, UPS also has a section of its website to help with your holiday shipping.
If you find yourself procrastinating until Christmas day, FedEx may be the way to go. The company offers the option to ship a gift on Christmas and have it delivered later that day through SameDay. The service, however, is limited to select metro areas and delivery is only available between certain ZIP codes.
Since FedEx determines its shipping cost by taking the package's size, weight and needed delivery speed into account, a more cost-effective way to ship your package would be with FedEx Ground and FedEx Express Saver, which have cutoff dates of December 15 and December 21, respectively.
After December 21, the options start slimming down to FedEx 2Day with a deadline of December 22, and then FedEx 1Day, Extra Hours, Standard Overnight, Priority Overnight and First Overnight on December 23.


newsweek--2020-12-14--Is Trump Pardoning Julian Assange? Pastor Mark Burns' Tweet Sends Rumors Flying

President Donald Trump still has time to pardon Julian Assange , but a rumor swirling around on social media that he had plans to pardon the founder of Wikileaks turned out to be based on faulty information .
It 's customary for outgoing presidents to issue pardons and with President Donald Trump heading into the final weeks of his presidency , there 's been a push by some for the president to pardon Assange .
On Monday , Pastor Mark Burns , an early supporter of Trump , posted on Twitter that the president was going to pardon Assange .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be true , according to Burns , who posted a subsequent tweet about an hour and a half later asking people to `` disregard '' his comment about Assange 's pardon .
Burns said he had a `` faulty source . ''
The White House has n't issued an on the record statement regarding Burns ' tweet but the initial comment garnered more than 88,000 likes and 27,000 retweets .
Some used it as an opportunity to support the possibility of a pardon , others said it played into a pattern of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person hoped it was a sign her family would be reunited .
Stella Moris , Assange 's partner , reposted Burns ' tweet on her own feed with the caption , `` Please ... let this be true . ''
A subsequent tweet said she had n't told Assange 's kids , Max and Gabriel , but that she was `` trembling with anticipation that they might have their father home for Christmas . ''
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response in time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has plans to pardon Assange at any point before the end of his presidency .
It 's been 10 years since Wikileaks published a video from an American military helicopter that showed the killing of 18 civilians in Iraq and leaked documents from Army intelligence Analyst Chelsea Manning .
At the time , the government hoped to prosecute Assange , who took refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London .
He remained there until 2019 when he was arrested and put in a London prison to await a judge 's decision on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Edward Snowden , a former NSA contractor , and George Christensen , an Australian member of Parliament , called for Trump to pardon Assange .
Christensen set up a website with an electronic petition for people to sign and told Sky News that a pardon for Assange is one way Trump can `` stand up for free speech . ''
Representative Justin Amash also advocated for a pardon for Assange on Monday , writing that his prosecution would `` endanger journalists everywhere and threaten the freedom of the press . ''
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has pushed for a pardon for Assange for more than a year , used a bikini photo to lobby the president .
She posted a photo of herself in a bikini with a sign that said `` bring Julian Assange home Australia , '' and tagged Trump in the caption that used the hashtag `` PardonJulianAssange . ''
In September and October Assange had a four-week extradition hearing at London 's Central Criminal Court and the judge overseeing the case is expected to deliver her decision on January 4 .
Assange faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one charge of computer misuse .
If found guilty , he faces 175 years in prison .

President Donald Trump still has time to pardon Julian Assange, but a rumor swirling around on social media that he had plans to pardon the founder of Wikileaks turned out to be based on faulty information.
It's customary for outgoing presidents to issue pardons and with President Donald Trump heading into the final weeks of his presidency, there's been a push by some for the president to pardon Assange. On Monday, Pastor Mark Burns, an early supporter of Trump, posted on Twitter that the president was going to pardon Assange.
However, it turned out not to be true, according to Burns, who posted a subsequent tweet about an hour and a half later asking people to "disregard" his comment about Assange's pardon. Burns said he had a "faulty source."
The White House hasn't issued an on the record statement regarding Burns' tweet but the initial comment garnered more than 88,000 likes and 27,000 retweets. Some used it as an opportunity to support the possibility of a pardon, others said it played into a pattern of Trump disrespecting the rule of law and one person hoped it was a sign her family would be reunited.
Stella Moris, Assange's partner, reposted Burns' tweet on her own feed with the caption, "Please ... let this be true." A subsequent tweet said she hadn't told Assange's kids, Max and Gabriel, but that she was "trembling with anticipation that they might have their father home for Christmas."
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication. It's unclear whether Trump has plans to pardon Assange at any point before the end of his presidency.
President Donald Trump pardoned Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks. Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange hold placards calling for his freedom outside Woolwich Crown Court in southeast London on February 24, on the day of the opening of the full hearing into a U.S. request for Assange's extradition. Daniel leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty
It's been 10 years since Wikileaks published a video from an American military helicopter that showed the killing of 18 civilians in Iraq and leaked documents from Army intelligence Analyst Chelsea Manning. At the time, the government hoped to prosecute Assange, who took refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. He remained there until 2019 when he was arrested and put in a London prison to await a judge's decision on his extradition to America.
Along with Morris, Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor, and George Christensen, an Australian member of Parliament, called for Trump to pardon Assange. Christensen set up a website with an electronic petition for people to sign and told Sky News that a pardon for Assange is one way Trump can "stand up for free speech."
Representative Justin Amash also advocated for a pardon for Assange on Monday, writing that his prosecution would "endanger journalists everywhere and threaten the freedom of the press."
On December 7, actor Pamela Anderson, who has pushed for a pardon for Assange for more than a year, used a bikini photo to lobby the president. She posted a photo of herself in a bikini with a sign that said "bring Julian Assange home Australia," and tagged Trump in the caption that used the hashtag "PardonJulianAssange."
In September and October Assange had a four-week extradition hearing at London's Central Criminal Court and the judge overseeing the case is expected to deliver her decision on January 4. Assange faces 17 charges of espionage in the U.S. and one charge of computer misuse. If found guilty, he faces 175 years in prison.


newsweek--2020-12-14--PS5 Games in 2021: Every Title Scheduled to Come Out Next Year

Now that Sony has released the PlayStation 5 , it 's time to start looking at what games you 'll be able to play on your next-gen console in the new year .
With the release of both the PS5 and Microsoft 's Xbox Series X/S , 2020 was one of the biggest years in gaming .
Both companies will look to capitalize on this momentum moving forward—especially Sony , since it was recently reported that the PS5 had the most successful launch month of any video game console in U.S. history .
As gamers continue to scour the internet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games will be what keeps players hunting for a console , and then coming back to boot up their system over and over again .
As we near the end of 2020 , Sony has begun letting gamers know what they should expect in 2021 , including some of its highly anticipated first-party titles .
Whether it 's the new Ratchet & Clank , or a return to the Far Cry series , here 's every PS5 game that is scheduled to come out in 2021 .
Note : This list is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 's any change to release dates .
• Prince of Persia : The Sands of Time Remake ( March 18 ) • The Lord of the Rings : Gollum What do you think of the PS5 slate for 2021 ?
Which 2021 game are you most looking forward to ?
Let us know in the comments section .

Now that Sony has released the PlayStation 5, it's time to start looking at what games you'll be able to play on your next-gen console in the new year.
With the release of both the PS5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S, 2020 was one of the biggest years in gaming. Both companies will look to capitalize on this momentum moving forward—especially Sony, since it was recently reported that the PS5 had the most successful launch month of any video game console in U.S. history.
As gamers continue to scour the internet for the next PS5 restock, upcoming games will be what keeps players hunting for a console, and then coming back to boot up their system over and over again.
As we near the end of 2020, Sony has begun letting gamers know what they should expect in 2021, including some of its highly anticipated first-party titles. Whether it's the new Ratchet & Clank, or a return to the Far Cry series, here's every PS5 game that is scheduled to come out in 2021.
Note: This list is still being compiled and will be updated if there's any change to release dates.
Insomniac Games/PlayStation
JANUARY
MXGP 2020 (January 14)
Hitman 3 (January 20)
Ride 4 (January 21)
FEBRUARY
Outriders (February 2)
Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood (February 4)
Nioh Remastered - The Complete Edition (February 5)
Nioh 2 Remastered - The Complete Edition (February 5)
The Nioh Collection (February 5)
Little Nightmares 2 (February 11)
Riders Republic (February 25)
MARCH
Yakuza: Like a Dragon (March 2)
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake (March 18)
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (March 2021 release window)
Tennis World Tour 2 (March 2021 release window)
Marvel's Avengers
APRIL
Oddworld: Soulstorm (April 6)
Returnal (April 30)
MAY
Resident Evil Village (May 7)
JUNE
Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade (June 10)
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (June 11)
Back 4 Blood (June 22)
Scarlet Nexus (June 25)
JULY
N/A
AUGUST
Kena: Bridge of Spirits (August 24)
SEPTEMBER
Deathloop (September 14)
OCTOBER
GhostWire: Tokyo
NOVEMBER
N/A
DECEMBER
N/A
2021 PS5 VIDEO GAME RELEASES, DATES TBD
Aragami 2
Blood Bowl 3
Braid Anniversary Edition
Control Ultimate Edition
Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires
In Sound Mind
Tribes of Midgard
Black Legend
DARQ: Complete Edition
King Arthur: Knight's Tale
Mystiqa
Praey for the Gods
Hunting Simulator 2
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
The Stone of Madness
Foreclosed
GTA 5
GTA Online
Destiny 2: The Witch Queen
Sunshine Manor
Animal Rescue
The Amazing American Circus
Battlefield 6
Black Legend
Chernobylite
Chorus
Cris Tales
Cyberpunk 2077
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
Dustborn
Evil Dead: The Game
Far Cry 6
Ghostrunner
God of War 2
Goodbye Volcano High
Heavenly Bodies
Hood: Outlaws and Legends
Horizon Forbidden West
Jett: The Far Shore
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Martha is Death
Metal: Hellsinger
Sherlock Holmes Chapter One
Solar Ash
Stray
Sword of the Necromancer
Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong
The Witcher 3
What do you think of the PS5 slate for 2021? Which 2021 game are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments section.


newsweek--2020-12-14--Georgia Announces Limited Signature Match Audit After Pressure From Trump

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Monday announced a limited signature match audit of absentee ballot envelopes in Cobb County after weeks of pressure from President Donald Trump and his supporters—although the audit will not change the outcome of the state 's election .
The limited signature check audit—which is unprecedented—will determine whether voter signatures on envelopes match those on file for registered voters in Georgia 's third most populous county .
Georgia 's leaders decided to carry out the audit in a bid to build confidence in the process , even though there is no evidence to suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot signature verifications when votes were initially counted .
`` I feel we need to take steps to restore confidence in our elections , '' Raffensperger , a Republican , said during a press conference on Monday , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported .
`` Starting immediately , we are pulling all of our resources together with [ the Georgia Bureau of Investigation ] to conduct a signature match audit in Cobb County . ''
Trump previously described Raffensperger as an `` enemy of the people '' in regard to his resistance to pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overturn his state 's election results .
Raffensperger has said that he voted for Trump and donated to his campaign , noting that the president `` threw '' him `` under the bus anyway . ''
The Georgia GOP official previously pushed back against accusations that there was a failure to match signatures properly .
In an early Monday morning tweet , Trump again attacked Georgia and urged the state to look into signature verifications .
He took aim at Governor Brian Kemp , a Republican whom Trump endorsed in 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the president has said he regrets endorsing Kemp .
`` What a fool Governor @ BrianKempGA of Georgia is .
Could have been so easy , but now we have to do it the hard way .
Demand this clown call a Special Session and open up signature verification , NOW , '' Trump tweeted .
The president has repeatedly tweeted similar messages about Georgia 's leaders over the past few weeks .
Kemp expressed his support for the signature match audit on Monday .
`` People want to have confidence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt like it would be good to do a signature audit just to bring people peace of mind , '' the governor said , according to the Journal-Constitution .
Raffensperger said that the entire state may be audited but said he wanted to start with Cobb County .
Notably , the audit will only verify whether signatures on envelopes match those on record .
Ballots will not be checked , as voters have a constitutional right to a secret ballot under Georgia 's state constitution .
The announcement of the audit came as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electoral votes for Biden on Monday .
The former vice president won the state by a narrow margin of nearly 12,000 votes .
This automatically triggered a hand recount , as required by Georgia 's state election law .
The state also carried out a machine recount—with neither subsequent tally altering Biden 's lead significantly .
But Trump has insisted , without evidence , that he lost in Georgia—and in multiple battleground states—because of widespread voter fraud .
The president and his supporters have mounted legal challenges in courts across the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judges—including some appointed by Trump or other Republicans—pointing out that the allegations are not backed by evidence .
Attorney General William Barr , who was appointed by Trump and has been widely seen as one of his most loyal Cabinet members , asserted at the beginning of December that there is no evidence of voter fraud that would change the election 's outcome .
Newsweek reached out to the White House and the Trump campaign for comment but did not hear back before publication .

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Monday announced a limited signature match audit of absentee ballot envelopes in Cobb County after weeks of pressure from President Donald Trump and his supporters—although the audit will not change the outcome of the state's election.
The limited signature check audit—which is unprecedented—will determine whether voter signatures on envelopes match those on file for registered voters in Georgia's third most populous county. Georgia's leaders decided to carry out the audit in a bid to build confidence in the process, even though there is no evidence to suggest there was any widespread problem with absentee ballot signature verifications when votes were initially counted.
"I feel we need to take steps to restore confidence in our elections," Raffensperger, a Republican, said during a press conference on Monday, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. "Starting immediately, we are pulling all of our resources together with [the Georgia Bureau of Investigation] to conduct a signature match audit in Cobb County."
Trump previously described Raffensperger as an "enemy of the people" in regard to his resistance to pressure from the president and other GOP officials to overturn his state's election results. Raffensperger has said that he voted for Trump and donated to his campaign, noting that the president "threw" him "under the bus anyway." The Georgia GOP official previously pushed back against accusations that there was a failure to match signatures properly.
Brad Raffensperger, Georgia's secretary of state, speaks during a Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative service on January 20 in Atlanta. Raffensperger announced Monday that a limited signature match audit of absentee ballot envelopes would be conducted in the state's Cobb County. Paras Griffin/Getty
In an early Monday morning tweet, Trump again attacked Georgia and urged the state to look into signature verifications. He took aim at Governor Brian Kemp, a Republican whom Trump endorsed in 2018. After Georgia went for President-elect Joe Biden, the president has said he regrets endorsing Kemp.
"What a fool Governor @BrianKempGA of Georgia is. Could have been so easy, but now we have to do it the hard way. Demand this clown call a Special Session and open up signature verification, NOW," Trump tweeted. The president has repeatedly tweeted similar messages about Georgia's leaders over the past few weeks.
Kemp expressed his support for the signature match audit on Monday. "People want to have confidence in the election. That's why I felt like it would be good to do a signature audit just to bring people peace of mind," the governor said, according to the Journal-Constitution.
Raffensperger said that the entire state may be audited but said he wanted to start with Cobb County. Notably, the audit will only verify whether signatures on envelopes match those on record. Ballots will not be checked, as voters have a constitutional right to a secret ballot under Georgia's state constitution.
The announcement of the audit came as Georgia's state electors cast their 16 electoral votes for Biden on Monday. The former vice president won the state by a narrow margin of nearly 12,000 votes. This automatically triggered a hand recount, as required by Georgia's state election law. The state also carried out a machine recount—with neither subsequent tally altering Biden's lead significantly.
But Trump has insisted, without evidence, that he lost in Georgia—and in multiple battleground states—because of widespread voter fraud. The president and his supporters have mounted legal challenges in courts across the country, but nearly all have failed, with judges—including some appointed by Trump or other Republicans—pointing out that the allegations are not backed by evidence.
Attorney General William Barr, who was appointed by Trump and has been widely seen as one of his most loyal Cabinet members, asserted at the beginning of December that there is no evidence of voter fraud that would change the election's outcome.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and the Trump campaign for comment but did not hear back before publication.


newsweek--2020-12-15--FBI Agent Involved In Shooting Near Walter Reed Medical Center

An FBI agent was reportedly involved in a shooting aboard a train at a station near Walter Reed National Military @ @ @ @ @ Maryland .
One person has been transported to hospital after the incident at the Medical @ @ @ @ @ hospital and the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) , NBC Washington reporter Tom @ @ @ @ @ .
`` # BREAKING : FBI Agent involved in a shooting aboard a Red Line @ @ @ @ @ Metro Station near Walter Reed and NIH .
1 person has been transported , '' @ @ @ @ @ details about the shooting were immediately available .
This is a breaking news story and @ @ @ @ @ information is available .

An FBI agent was involved in a shooting aboard a train at a station near Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Both the Metro Transit Police Department and the FBI are investigating the shooting on board a Red Line train near the Medical Center station just before 7 a.m on Tuesday.
One person was injured and transported to hospital for treatment, officials said.
No details about the person's identity or their condition were immediately released.
#BREAKING: FBI Agent involved in a shooting aboard a Red Line train at the Medical Center Metro Station near Walter Reed and NIH. 1 person has been transported. @Chopper4Brad overhead @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/5DvdDWRA6F — Tom Lynch (@TomLynch_) December 15, 2020
"The FBI is reviewing an Agent-Involved-Shooting which occurred earlier this morning aboard a Red Line train near Medical Center, Montgomery County, Maryland," the FBI said in a statement to Newsweek.
"One individual was wounded and since transported to a local area hospital for medical assistance.
"The FBI takes all shooting incidents involving our agents seriously. In accordance with FBI policy, the shooting incident is under investigation by the FBI's Inspection Division.
"The review process is thorough and objective and is conducted as expeditiously as possible under the circumstances. As this remains an ongoing matter, the FBI has no further comment."


newsweek--2020-12-15--Tucker Carlson Mocks Dr. Jill Biden, Compares Her Degree to Dr. Pepper

Tucker Carlson has mocked Dr. Jill Biden 's title , likening the incoming first lady 's title to Dr. Pepper and accused her of using 'Dr . '
because she has `` status anxiety . ''
The reactionary Fox News host has waded into the discourse surrounding Joe Biden 's wife 's honorific which has been heavily debated in recent days .
`` Jill Biden is not a doctor , no .
Maybe in the same sense Dr. Pepper is , '' Carlson said on Monday night 's installment of Tucker Carlson Tonight .
`` In 2007 , at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctorate in education , so she 's got the same degree as Dr. Bill Cosby . ''
The Republican and staunch Donald Trump supporter then went on to accuse Dr. Biden of having what he called `` status anxiety , '' saying she `` decided to cure that , as so many do in our country , with another pointless title . ''
Carlson 's attack stems from a piece published in the Wall Street Journal by Joseph Epstein who said that Dr. Biden should not use her doctor title because she has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a medical one .
`` Jill Biden should think about dropping the honorific , which feels fraudulent , even comic , '' Epstein wrote of the incoming first lady 's use of the title .
He also referred to her as `` kiddo '' in the piece .
Dr. Biden earned her title upon receiving a doctoral degree in education leadership from the University of Delaware .
The op-ed has sparked intense backlash and claims of misogyny with vice president-elect Kamala Harris ' husband , Doug Emhoff pointing to the sexism behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some of his other op-eds—in 1970 , he penned a racist and homophobic essay in Harper 's Magazine that used the N-word repeatedly and described non-heterosexual people as `` cursed . ''
Dr. Biden has since hit back at Epstein .
The future first lady took to Twitter Sunday night to tweet : `` Together , we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated , rather than diminished . ''
The first lady-elect 's spokesperson Michael LaRosa described the op-ed as `` pretty gross '' while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` What patronizing , sexist , elitist drivel .
Dr. B earned a doctorate in education , so we call her Doctor .
The title Mr. Epstein has earned here is perhaps not fit for mixed company . ''
Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also weighed in on the conversation and stood up for Dr. Biden , tweeting : `` Her name is Dr. Jill Biden .
Get used to it . ''

Tucker Carlson has mocked Dr. Jill Biden's title, likening the incoming first lady's title to Dr. Pepper and accused her of using 'Dr.' because she has "status anxiety."
The reactionary Fox News host has waded into the discourse surrounding Joe Biden's wife's honorific which has been heavily debated in recent days.
"Jill Biden is not a doctor, no. Maybe in the same sense Dr. Pepper is," Carlson said on Monday night's installment of Tucker Carlson Tonight.
"In 2007, at the age of 55, she got a doctorate in education, so she's got the same degree as Dr. Bill Cosby."
The Republican and staunch Donald Trump supporter then went on to accuse Dr. Biden of having what he called "status anxiety," saying she "decided to cure that, as so many do in our country, with another pointless title."
Fox News host Tucker Carlson speaks during the National Review Institute's Ideas Summit in Washington, D.C. on March 29, 2019. Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Carlson's attack stems from a piece published in the Wall Street Journal by Joseph Epstein who said that Dr. Biden should not use her doctor title because she has a doctorate in education, and not a medical one.
"Jill Biden should think about dropping the honorific, which feels fraudulent, even comic," Epstein wrote of the incoming first lady's use of the title. He also referred to her as "kiddo" in the piece.
Dr. Biden earned her title upon receiving a doctoral degree in education leadership from the University of Delaware.
The op-ed has sparked intense backlash and claims of misogyny with vice president-elect Kamala Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff pointing to the sexism behind the piece.
Epstein is also being criticized for some of his other op-eds—in 1970, he penned a racist and homophobic essay in Harper's Magazine that used the N-word repeatedly and described non-heterosexual people as "cursed."
Dr. Biden has since hit back at Epstein. The future first lady took to Twitter Sunday night to tweet: "Together, we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated, rather than diminished."
Together, we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated, rather than diminished. — Dr. Jill Biden (@DrBiden) December 14, 2020
The first lady-elect's spokesperson Michael LaRosa described the op-ed as "pretty gross" while Joe Biden's communications director Kate Bedingfield said: "What patronizing, sexist, elitist drivel. Dr. B earned a doctorate in education, so we call her Doctor. The title Mr. Epstein has earned here is perhaps not fit for mixed company."
Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also weighed in on the conversation and stood up for Dr. Biden, tweeting: "Her name is Dr. Jill Biden. Get used to it."