newsweek--2020-12-13--Fox News Host Confronts GOP Lawmaker for Backing Texas AG's Election Lawsuit

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace confronted Representative Steve Scalise , a Louisiana Republican who serves as the House Minority Whip , over his support for a long-shot lawsuit brought to the Supreme Court last week in an attempt to overturn President-elect Joe Biden 's victory in the Electoral College .
Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the brief with the Supreme Court last week , asking the nation 's top court to overturn the results in Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
The court rejected the lawsuit and several prominent Republican lawmakers—including Texas Senator John Cornyn—criticized Paxton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 120 Republicans in the House of Representatives signing onto an amicus brief supporting the lawsuit before it was thrown out .
`` There have been dozens of lawsuits and they 've been rejected by state courts , by federal courts , by federal courts by judges appointed by Donald Trump and on Friday night , the Supreme Court threw out a lawsuit that was brought by the attorney general of Texas ... 126 Republicans in the House—including you sir—signed onto that lawsuit , '' Wallace explained during an interview with Scalise on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court threw it out without even listening to it .
This was this lawsuit that was gon na throw out the votes in four swing states ...
I mean , you were talking about disenfranchising the 10 million Biden voters who supported the president-elect in those four states , '' Wallace continued .
`` Do you feel comfortable throwing out millions of votes of your fellow Americans ? ''
Scalise insisted `` nobody wants any votes thrown out . ''
The top House Republican said the Texas lawsuit was arguing that the four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws .
`` The Constitution is very clear that it 's state legislatures that set the process for having electors .
Some secretaries of states changed those rules . ''
`` The Supreme Court threw that out , '' Wallace reiterated in response .
`` They did n't even think it merited a hearing . ''
Scalise responded by saying the top court had just determined that the lawsuit `` did n't have standing '' and had not ruled on the merits .
He said the Supreme Court does n't like `` getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ branches of government . ''
Prior to the Supreme Court rejecting the case , Cornyn called into question the legal theory being pushed by Paxton 's brief .
`` Number one , why would a state , even such a great state as Texas , have a say-so on how other states administer their elections ? ''
the Republican senator from Texas told CNN last week .
`` We have a diffused and dispersed system , and even though we might not like it , they may think it 's unfair , those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state and local level and not at the national level . ''
GOP Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska criticized the lawsuit as well , suggesting that Paxton—who is under investigation by the FBI for alleged corruption—was seeking a pardon from Trump .
`` I 'm no lawyer , but I suspect the Supreme Court swats this away .
From the brief , it looks like a fella begging for a pardon filed a PR stunt rather than a lawsuit—as all of the assertions have already been rejected by federal courts and Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , '' Sasse told The Washington Examiner on Thursday .
Speaking to the Detroit Free Press on Saturday after the Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit , Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel accused Republicans who backed the Texas brief—like Scalise—of violating their oaths of office .
`` These are individuals who , in my opinion , have violated their oaths of office .
And have sought to , in order to appease a demagogue , they 've chosen Donald Trump over democracy and over their constituents , '' Nessel said .
Newsweek reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but did not immediately receive a response .

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace confronted Representative Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican who serves as the House Minority Whip, over his support for a long-shot lawsuit brought to the Supreme Court last week in an attempt to overturn President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the Electoral College.
Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the brief with the Supreme Court last week, asking the nation's top court to overturn the results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The court rejected the lawsuit and several prominent Republican lawmakers—including Texas Senator John Cornyn—criticized Paxton's brief. But Scalise joined more than 120 Republicans in the House of Representatives signing onto an amicus brief supporting the lawsuit before it was thrown out.
"There have been dozens of lawsuits and they've been rejected by state courts, by federal courts, by federal courts by judges appointed by Donald Trump and on Friday night, the Supreme Court threw out a lawsuit that was brought by the attorney general of Texas ... 126 Republicans in the House—including you sir—signed onto that lawsuit," Wallace explained during an interview with Scalise on Fox News Sunday.
"The Supreme Court threw it out without even listening to it. This was this lawsuit that was gonna throw out the votes in four swing states ... I mean, you were talking about disenfranchising the 10 million Biden voters who supported the president-elect in those four states," Wallace continued. "Do you feel comfortable throwing out millions of votes of your fellow Americans?"
In this screenshot, Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace interviews Representative Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) on December 13 Fox News Sunday/screenshot
Scalise insisted "nobody wants any votes thrown out." The top House Republican said the Texas lawsuit was arguing that the four states had failed to follow their election laws. "The Constitution is very clear that it's state legislatures that set the process for having electors. Some secretaries of states changed those rules."
"The Supreme Court threw that out," Wallace reiterated in response. "They didn't even think it merited a hearing."
Scalise responded by saying the top court had just determined that the lawsuit "didn't have standing" and had not ruled on the merits. He said the Supreme Court doesn't like "getting in the middle of disputes between other branches of government."
Prior to the Supreme Court rejecting the case, Cornyn called into question the legal theory being pushed by Paxton's brief.
"Number one, why would a state, even such a great state as Texas, have a say-so on how other states administer their elections?" the Republican senator from Texas told CNN last week. "We have a diffused and dispersed system, and even though we might not like it, they may think it's unfair, those (election policies) are decided at the state and local level and not at the national level."
GOP Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska criticized the lawsuit as well, suggesting that Paxton—who is under investigation by the FBI for alleged corruption—was seeking a pardon from Trump.
"I'm no lawyer, but I suspect the Supreme Court swats this away. From the brief, it looks like a fella begging for a pardon filed a PR stunt rather than a lawsuit—as all of the assertions have already been rejected by federal courts and Texas' own solicitor general isn't signing on," Sasse told The Washington Examiner on Thursday.
Speaking to the Detroit Free Press on Saturday after the Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel accused Republicans who backed the Texas brief—like Scalise—of violating their oaths of office.
"These are individuals who, in my opinion, have violated their oaths of office. And have sought to, in order to appease a demagogue, they've chosen Donald Trump over democracy and over their constituents," Nessel said.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.


newsweek--2020-12-13--Charley Pride's CMA Awards Appearance Before His Death Prompts Concerns About COVID Protocols

Following the announcement of country music icon Charley Pride 's death Saturday due to complications from COVID , some people have raised concerns and speculated about the Country Music Association 's ( CMA ) coronavirus protocols after the singer 's recent appearance at its 2020 awards show .
The CMA Awards were hosted in front of a live , socially distanced audience at the Music City Center in Nashville on November 11 , unlike other music awards shows produced during the pandemic that opted to forgo a live audience .
Although the association required rapid testing for all those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city 's COVID-19 guidelines , face masks were reportedly not enforced for audience members .
Pride , 86 , died on Saturday from COVID-19 complications .
The public relations firm 2911 Media , which represented Pride , confirmed the country singer 's death in a statement .
His passing came a month after receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the CMA .
Pride was the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame .
Some artists were concerned about the event 's coronavirus protocols following the star 's passing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to conclusions because no family statement has been made , but if this was a result of the CMAs being indoors , we should all be outraged , '' Singer-songwriter Maren Morris wrote in a since-deleted tweet .
`` Rest in power , Charley . ''
`` Honestly you 're right to acknowledge what everyone is wondering and as usual YOU have a lot to lose for asking the question , '' Carlile tweeted on Saturday .
`` Thank you for being human .
Whether that was the place he got it or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easily could have been .
`` It 's quietly bothered me for weeks , '' Carlile continued .
Country singer Mickey Guyton also remarked on Twitter following Pride 's death : The CMAs and representatives of Pride issued a statement on Saturday in response detailing the COVID protocols the association enacted for the award show .
`` Everyone affiliated with the CMA Awards followed strict testing protocols outlined by the city health department and unions , '' the statement said .
`` Charley was tested prior to traveling to Nashville .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again on show day , with all tests coming back negative .
After returning to Texas following the CMA Awards , Charley again tested negative multiple times , '' the statement continued .
`` All of us in the Country Music community are heartbroken by Charley 's passing . ''
Dolly Parton was among the many celebrities and fans mourning the loss of Pride .
`` I 'm so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends , Charley Pride , has passed away , '' Parton tweeted Saturday .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed away from COVID-19 .
What a horrible , horrible virus .
Charley , we will always love you . ''
Pride 's management did n't respond to Newsweek 's request for comment in time for publication .

Following the news of country music star Charley Pride's death Saturday due to complications from COVID-19, some have raised concerns and speculated about the Country Music Association's (CMA) coronavirus protocols after the singer's recent appearance at its 2020 awards show.
The CMA Awards were hosted in front of a live, socially distanced audience at the Music City Center in Nashville on November 11, unlike other music awards shows that have chosen to forgo a live audience because of the pandemic.
Although the CMA required rapid testing for all those in attendance and tables were spaced to follow the city's coronavirus guidelines, mask wearing was reportedly not enforced for audience members.
Read more Country Music Star Charley Pride Still Shining Bright
On Saturday, the public relations firm 2911 Media, which represented Pride, confirmed the singer's death, which came a month after he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the CMA. Pride, 86, was the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Some artists were concerned about the event's coronavirus protocols following Pride's death.
Charley Pride speaks during the Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour on February 1, 2019, in Pasadena, California. Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images/Getty
"I don't want to jump to conclusions because no family statement has been made, but if this was a result of the CMAs being indoors, we should all be outraged," Singer-songwriter Maren Morris wrote in a since-deleted tweet. "Rest in power, Charley."
Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile shared Morris's concerns.
"Honestly you're right to acknowledge what everyone is wondering and as usual YOU have a lot to lose for asking the question," Carlile tweeted on Saturday. "Thank you for being human. Whether that was the place he got it or not, they endangered him and it easily could have been.
"It's quietly bothered me for weeks," Carlile added.
Honestly you’re right to acknowledge what everyone is wondering & as usual YOU have a lot to lose for asking the question. Thank you for being human. Whether that was the place he got it or not- they endangered him & it easily could have been. It’s quietly bothered me for weeks — Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile) December 13, 2020
Country singer Mickey Guyton also commented on Twitter following Pride's death:
We need answers as to how Charley Pride got covid. — Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) December 12, 2020
In response, the CMAs and Pride's representatives issued a statement on Saturday detailing the coronavirus protocols the association enacted for the awards show.
"Everyone affiliated with the CMA Awards followed strict testing protocols outlined by the city health department and unions," the statement said.
"Charley was tested prior to traveling to Nashville. He was tested upon landing in Nashville and again on show day, with all tests coming back negative. After returning to Texas following the CMA Awards, Charley again tested negative multiple times," the statement continued. "All of us in the country music community are heartbroken by Charley's passing."
Dolly Parton was among the many celebrities and fans mourning the loss of Pride.
"I'm so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away," Parton tweeted Saturday. "It's even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you."
I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you. (1/2) — Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) December 12, 2020
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio warned on Monday that America's largest metropolis could be headed for a total lockdown in the coming weeks because of the spike in coronavirus infections and decreasing hospital capacity.
Last week, New York's leaders announced that the city would once again halt indoor dining on Monday—which was operating at 25 percent capacity—as the pandemic has once again surged locally. Speaking to CNN on Monday morning, De Blasio discussed that decision and said further restrictions will likely be implemented.
"You're talking about the potential, and again I'm quoting from Governor [Andrew] Cuomo and I think he's right, there's a 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," de Blasio said. The mayor pointed out that New York City was initially the "epicenter" of the outbreak in the U.S.
After halting indoor dining due to a surge in Covid-19 cases, Mayor @BilldeBlasio said New York City could see a “full shutdown in the coming weeks.”
“This kind of momentum that the disease has right now, we’ve got to stop it before it causes too much damage, too much pain.” pic.twitter.com/n6osyqZ97M — New Day (@NewDay) December 14, 2020
"We fought back. We became one of the safest places in the country. We opened our schools when most intercities didn't. We've kept our schools safe. But now we're seeing the kind of level of infection that we haven't seen since May, and we have got to stop that momentum or else our hospital system will be threatened," the mayor explained.
Newsweek reached out to Cuomo's and de Blasio's press offices for further comment, but they did not respond in time for publication. Last Monday, Cuomo issued a similar warning, as de Blasio pointed out to CNN.
"If our hospital capacity becomes critical, we're going to close down that region, period," Cuomo said, outlining "New York Pause" metrics. These "pause" restrictions would require all nonessential business to shutter and all nonessential gatherings to be canceled.
"It's a little complicated, but if your seven-day average says that, if it were to continue for three weeks, you're going to hit 90 percent of your hospital capacity, close down," the New York governor explained.
"If you are at a rate that is going to overwhelm your hospitals, you must shut down. Not just indoor dining. Shut down. Only essential businesses," Cuomo said.
New York state, and in particular New York City, were initially the hardest hit part of the country in the spring. The state continues to have the highest number of deaths—nearly 35,200 as of Monday morning—of any state, although daily infections and deaths dropped to some of the lowest levels in the nation during the summer and early fall.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks at the opening of the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park on November 5 in New York City. On Monday, de Blasio warned of the possibility of another "full shutdown" of the city as coronavirus infections surge. Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty
But the virus has surged in New York City over the past several weeks. During the past seven days, the city saw an average of more than 3,500 new infections per day. New daily deaths have ticked upward, although they remain relatively low compared with other states. The seven-day average of deaths in the city stands at 24 per day.
Meanwhile, on Monday morning New York City began vaccinating health care workers with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which received emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration over the weekend. Sandra Lindsay, an intensive care nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens, became the first person in the city to be vaccinated, at around 9:20 a.m.


newsweek--2020-12-13--FDA Chief Contradicts Trump on Vaccine Approval Timeline, Hopes 1st Shot Administered on Monday

Stephen Hahn , commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) , contradicted President Donald Trump 's claim that Pfizer 's COVID-19 vaccine could have received an emergency use authorization earlier than it did .
Speaking to ABC News correspondent Martha Raddatz during the network 's This Week program on Sunday morning , Hahn reiterated the health administration 's commitment to conducting a comprehensive review prior to giving approval .
`` From the beginning , Martha , [ we ] said the only thing that 's going to matter in this is the science and data , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And of course , of course , we 've been asked to speed this process as much as possible . ''
`` We do not feel that this could have been out a week earlier , '' Hahn continued .
`` We went through our process .
We promised ... the American people that we would do a thorough review of the application , and that 's what we did . ''
The FDA formally authorized the country 's first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday , giving federal officials the green light to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use .
The vaccine , developed by U.S.-based pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer in coordination with German biotechnology company BioNTech , applied for emergency use authorization from the FDA last month .
FDA officials could approve another COVID-19 immunization candidate , developed by biotechnology company Moderna in partnership with the National Institutes of Health , for emergency use next week .
Trump , who pressured Hahn to `` get the dam [ sic ] vaccines out NOW '' in a message shared to Twitter on Friday , later credited himself with the immunization 's current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorization from the FDA could have come sooner .
`` Now you have it rolling out , '' Trump told Fox News ' Brian Kilmeade during an interview that aired Sunday , in reference to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine .
`` And frankly , they could have done it last week , '' he said of the FDA .
`` They could have even done it a week sooner .
They heard from me . ''
Earlier , the sitting president described the federal bureau as a `` big , old , slow turtle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hastier vaccine approval process .
`` Stop playing games and start saving lives !
!
! ''
he wrote , after tagging Hahn directly .
The first COVID-19 immunization shipments were dispensed out to states on Sunday .
In accordance with recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , the vast majority will administer vaccines to at-risk health care workers as well as residents of long-term care facilities after receiving preliminary doses this week .
Hahn said vaccines would be administered to the earliest recipients , ideally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , again , is that this happens very expeditiously , hopefully tomorrow , '' the FDA commissioner told Jake Tapper during an appearance on CNN 's State of the Union Sunday .
`` We 've seen the vaccines go out , we 've seen the press reports of hospitals waiting to vaccinate health care workers and those most vulnerable ... so it would be my greatest hope and desire that that occur tomorrow . ''
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment , but did not receive a reply in time @ @ @

Stephen Hahn, commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), contradicted President Donald Trump's claim that Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine could have received an emergency use authorization earlier than it did.
Speaking to ABC News correspondent Martha Raddatz during the network's This Week program on Sunday morning, Hahn reiterated the health administration's commitment to conducting a comprehensive review prior to giving approval.
"From the beginning, Martha, [we] said the only thing that's going to matter in this is the science and data," the commissioner told Raddatz. "And of course, of course, we've been asked to speed this process as much as possible."
NEW: "We do not feel that this could have been out a week earlier," FDA chief Stephen Hahn tells @MarthaRaddatz when asked about President Trump's claim that the COVID-19 vaccine could have been approved earlier. https://t.co/P6iz1jjwYE pic.twitter.com/GwTjw0XuRJ — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) December 13, 2020
"We do not feel that this could have been out a week earlier," Hahn continued. "We went through our process. We promised...the American people that we would do a thorough review of the application, and that's what we did."
The FDA formally authorized the country's first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, giving federal officials the green light to begin distributing initial shipments to states for emergency use. The vaccine, developed by U.S.-based pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer in coordination with German biotechnology company BioNTech, applied for emergency use authorization from the FDA last month.
FDA officials could approve another COVID-19 immunization candidate, developed by biotechnology company Moderna in partnership with the National Institutes of Health, for emergency use next week.
Trump, who pressured Hahn to "get the dam [sic] vaccines out NOW" in a message shared to Twitter on Friday, later credited himself with the immunization's current distribution status and suggested an emergency use authorization from the FDA could have come sooner.
"Now you have it rolling out," Trump told Fox News' Brian Kilmeade during an interview that aired Sunday, in reference to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. "And frankly, they could have done it last week," he said of the FDA. "They could have even done it a week sooner. They heard from me."
Earlier, the sitting president described the federal bureau as a "big, old, slow turtle" in a tweet calling for a hastier vaccine approval process.
"Stop playing games and start saving lives!!!" he wrote, after tagging Hahn directly.
While my pushing the money drenched but heavily bureaucratic @US_FDA saved five years in the approval of NUMEROUS great new vaccines, it is still a big, old, slow turtle. Get the dam vaccines out NOW, Dr. Hahn @SteveFDA. Stop playing games and start saving lives!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2020
The first COVID-19 immunization shipments were dispensed out to states on Sunday. In accordance with recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the vast majority will administer vaccines to at-risk health care workers as well as residents of long-term care facilities after receiving preliminary doses this week.
Stephen Hahn, commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said he is hopeful the first COVID-19 vaccines will be administered as early as Monday. Boxes containing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are prepared to be shipped at the Pfizer Global Supply Kalamazoo manufacturing plant on December 13, 2020 in Portage, Michigan. Morry Gash/Pool/Getty Images
Hahn said vaccines would be administered to the earliest recipients, ideally, on Monday.
"My hope, again, is that this happens very expeditiously, hopefully tomorrow," the FDA commissioner told Jake Tapper during an appearance on CNN's State of the Union Sunday. "We've seen the vaccines go out, we've seen the press reports of hospitals waiting to vaccinate health care workers and those most vulnerable...so it would be my greatest hope and desire that that occur tomorrow."
FDA chief Dr. Stephen Hahn on when he expects the first shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine will be administered: “It would be my greatest hope and desire that, that occur tomorrow” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/JnT8AagFx0 — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) December 13, 2020
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment, but did not receive a reply in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-13--GOP Sen. Alexander: Trump Has No Right to Bring 'Specious Lawsuits With No Evidence' to Court

Senator Lamar Alexander , a Tennessee Republican , said that President Donald Trump 's lawyers do not have a right to bring `` specious lawsuits with no evidence '' to court , criticizing the losing presidential candidate 's legal strategy to overturn President-elect Joe Biden 's victory .
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a long-shot lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton , a Republican , to overturn the election results in Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—which all went blue for Biden .
Multiple prominent Republican lawmakers—including Texas Senator John Cornyn—criticized Paxton 's effort .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Representatives , as well as the GOP attorneys general of 18 states , backed Paxton 's failed Supreme Court brief .
`` I think the most important thing for our country , as George Washington said when it was founded , is not the first election , but the second election , the orderly transfer of power .
I think anything that detracts from that is not good for our democracy , '' Alexander , who is retiring , told NBC News ' Meet the Press in an interview broadcast Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ president has a legal right to file challenges in court , he suggested any case needed to be backed by evidence .
`` I do n't think his lawyers have a right to go to court with specious lawsuits with no evidence .
And I think the processes say it 's over on Monday if the electors vote for Joe Biden , which I expect that they will , '' Alexander said .
The Electoral College is set to cast its ballots on Monday , with 306 votes going to Biden and 232 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his supporters have brought more than 50 lawsuits to court , nearly all of them have been dismissed or rejected by judges—some of whom were appointed by Trump or other Republicans .
Numerous judges have asserted in their rulings that lawyers representing the president and his allies have not provided evidence to back their unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud .
Trump has alleged—without providing evidence—that Biden was only successful in the election due to widespread election fraud .
These claims have been debunked repeatedly , and Attorney General William Barr has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud that would change the election results .
Barr was nominated by Trump in December 2018 and has been widely viewed as one of the president 's most loyal and effective cabinet members .
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie , a Republican who helped Trump prepare for a September debate against Biden , strongly criticized the president 's legal strategy on Sunday as well .
`` Listen , the legal theory put forward by his legal team and by the president is an absurdity , '' Christie told ABC News ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why the Supreme Court did n't take it is because it 's an absurd idea to think that any state , or any number of states , no matter how good they are , can challenge another state 's right to run the election as they see fit .
And also there 's no evidence . ''
Christie had previously slammed Trump 's lawyers as a `` national embarrassment , '' urging the president to accept the reality of his election loss .
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The president continues to falsely insist that he won the election .

Senator Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican, said that President Donald Trump's lawyers do not have a right to bring "specious lawsuits with no evidence" to court, criticizing the losing presidential candidate's legal strategy to overturn President-elect Joe Biden's victory.
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a long-shot lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, to overturn the election results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—which all went blue for Biden. Multiple prominent Republican lawmakers—including Texas Senator John Cornyn—criticized Paxton's effort. But more than 120 Republicans in the House of Representatives, as well as the GOP attorneys general of 18 states, backed Paxton's failed Supreme Court brief.
"I think the most important thing for our country, as George Washington said when it was founded, is not the first election, but the second election, the orderly transfer of power. I think anything that detracts from that is not good for our democracy," Alexander, who is retiring, told NBC News' Meet the Press in an interview broadcast Sunday.
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee), delivers his opening statement during a Senate Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Hearing to examine COVID-19, focusing on an update on the federal response at a hearing in Washington, D.C. on September 23. Alexander said in an interview broadcast Sunday that Trump's lawyers do not have a right to bring 'specious lawsuits with no evidence" to overturn President-elect Joe Biden's win. ALEX EDELMAN/POOL/AFP/Getty
Although the Republican senator asserted that the president has a legal right to file challenges in court, he suggested any case needed to be backed by evidence.
"I don't think his lawyers have a right to go to court with specious lawsuits with no evidence. And I think the processes say it's over on Monday if the electors vote for Joe Biden, which I expect that they will," Alexander said.
The Electoral College is set to cast its ballots on Monday, with 306 votes going to Biden and 232 going to Trump.
Although the president and his supporters have brought more than 50 lawsuits to court, nearly all of them have been dismissed or rejected by judges—some of whom were appointed by Trump or other Republicans. Numerous judges have asserted in their rulings that lawyers representing the president and his allies have not provided evidence to back their unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud.
Trump has alleged—without providing evidence—that Biden was only successful in the election due to widespread election fraud. These claims have been debunked repeatedly, and Attorney General William Barr has said that there is no evidence of voter fraud that would change the election results. Barr was nominated by Trump in December 2018 and has been widely viewed as one of the president's most loyal and effective cabinet members.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican who helped Trump prepare for a September debate against Biden, strongly criticized the president's legal strategy on Sunday as well.
"Listen, the legal theory put forward by his legal team and by the president is an absurdity," Christie told ABC News' This Week. "And the reason why the Supreme Court didn't take it is because it's an absurd idea to think that any state, or any number of states, no matter how good they are, can challenge another state's right to run the election as they see fit. And also there's no evidence."
Christie had previously slammed Trump's lawyers as a "national embarrassment," urging the president to accept the reality of his election loss.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. The president continues to falsely insist that he won the election.


newsweek--2020-12-13--'Shameless' Season 11: Show Boss Gives Update on Emmy Rossum Return

Shameless has less than a dozen episodes left before it comes to an end , with Season 11 set to be the show 's last ever .
This means that time is running out for Emmy Rossum to make one last appearance as Fiona Gallagher after she exited the Showtime show in March 2019 .
So far , her appearance has not been confirmed , and Shameless creator John Wells has repeatedly been asked in interviews whether she would manage to return .
Most recently , he was asked by TVLine and Rossum 's return .
He said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Peacock , and they have n't yet gone back into production .
So until we know what her schedule is , we ca n't really know if she would be able to do it or not .
I 've certainly asked her , and she knows we 'd love to have her do it .
It really just depends on her schedule . ''
Asked what the show will do if Rossum can not come back , Wells said , `` I really do n't want to think about the possibility that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back yet , so I may be in my own bit of denial about it . ''
That Peacock series is Angelyne , a biographical series about the pink Lamborghini-driving Los Angeles personality who became famous from her appearance on a series of billboards in the city in the '80s .
The series was filming throughout February and March , but has not returned post-coronavirus shutdown .
Filming on Shameless Season 11 has been running since September , meaning that time could be running out for Rossum to come back .
For Season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrapped in November , which might mean that Season 11 is close to wrapping—though coronavirus safety measures have slowed down production on other shows , which might mean that Rossum can film her cameo as Fiona early in 2021 .
The show creators have been trying to work around the production of Angelyne since earlier this year .
Wells previously told Entertainment Weekly , for example , `` we 're so far from knowing what that would be and when that would be , and she 's just started on her new project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm going to leave her to that for quite some time ... until I start bugging her . ''
Rossum , however , has previously expressed a willingness to return .
Paying tribute the cast after she exited on social media , for example , she said , `` I know you will continue on without me , for now . ''
Shameless Season 11 airs Sundays at 9 p.m .
ET / 8 p.m. CT on Showtime .
The season will come to Netflix in summer 2021 .

Shameless has less than a dozen episodes left before it comes to an end, with Season 11 set to be the show's last ever. This means that time is running out for Emmy Rossum to make one last appearance as Fiona Gallagher after she exited the Showtime show in March 2019.
So far, her appearance has not been confirmed, and Shameless creator John Wells has repeatedly been asked in interviews whether she would manage to return.
Most recently, he was asked by TVLine and Rossum's return. He said: "She's shooting this big limited series for Peacock, and they haven't yet gone back into production. So until we know what her schedule is, we can't really know if she would be able to do it or not. I've certainly asked her, and she knows we'd love to have her do it. It really just depends on her schedule."
Asked what the show will do if Rossum cannot come back, Wells said, "I really don't want to think about the possibility that she won't be able to come back yet, so I may be in my own bit of denial about it."
Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher in 'Shameless'. Paul Sarkis/SHOWTIME
That Peacock series is Angelyne, a biographical series about the pink Lamborghini-driving Los Angeles personality who became famous from her appearance on a series of billboards in the city in the '80s. The series was filming throughout February and March, but has not returned post-coronavirus shutdown.
Filming on Shameless Season 11 has been running since September, meaning that time could be running out for Rossum to come back. For Season 10, filming started in August and wrapped in November, which might mean that Season 11 is close to wrapping—though coronavirus safety measures have slowed down production on other shows, which might mean that Rossum can film her cameo as Fiona early in 2021.
The show creators have been trying to work around the production of Angelyne since earlier this year. Wells previously told Entertainment Weekly, for example, "we're so far from knowing what that would be and when that would be, and she's just started on her new project for the Peacock, Angelyne, so I'm going to leave her to that for quite some time...until I start bugging her."
Rossum, however, has previously expressed a willingness to return. Paying tribute the cast after she exited on social media, for example, she said, "I know you will continue on without me, for now."
Shameless Season 11 airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on Showtime. The season will come to Netflix in summer 2021.


newsweek--2020-12-13--Newsweek College Football Rankings, Heisman and CFP Predictions—Week 16

Only three teams from last week 's top 10 played over the weekend , and two of them lost , which caused a small shake up in this week 's Newsweek Top 20 .
Only one team from the top five was in action on Saturday .
No .
1 Alabama got past a slow start but steamrolled Arkansas on the road , and the Crimson Tide held onto the top spot .
Florida , which was No .
6 , lost at home to LSU after missing a last-second field goal that would have sent the game to overtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late LSU drive alive that allowed the Tigers to take their 37-34 game-winning lead .
Miami got throttled at home , 62-26 , by North Carolina , which moved the Hurricanes out ot the top 10 as well .
Georgia , which was No .
9 in the College Football Playoff ranking , overcame a slow start to beat Missouri on the road , Coastal Carolina stayed perfect with a touchdown in the last minute to get past Troy , and USC overcame an 18-point deficit on the road to beat cross-town rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bowl .
The Trojans remain perfect on the season , and they 're now in the Newsweek Top 10 .
The new rankings will get a jolt next weekend as there will be eight conference championship games .
The biggest ones on tap will be Friday night 's Pac-12 title game , followed by the Big Ten , ACC , Big 12 , ACC , AAC and SEC championships on Saturday .
That said , here is the Newsweek Top 20 for Week 16 Mac Jones had no touchdown passes and Trask lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a losing record and a depleted secondary .
Trask did pass for 474 yards and a pair of touchdowns , though , but had costly interceptions against the Tigers .
Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith did not have a receiving touchdown , but he returned a punt for a score to break open a 3-3 tie and energize his Crimson Tide team that looked otherwise lethargic until then .
Florida 's Kyle Pitts did not play , for undisclosed reasons .
Alabama 's Najee Harris scored a couple of short touchdowns before getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot this week , and next week 's Alabama-Florida game in the SEC Championship could actually determine this year 's Heisman winner , especially if voters are waiting until this one game to determine their top three .
Here are the Newsweek Heisman rankings after Week 15 of the season .
Championship Games to Watch This Week ( Times ET ) All games subject to cancel or postpone , and games could change during the week

Only three teams from last week's top 10 played over the weekend, and two of them lost, which caused a small shake up in this week's Newsweek Top 20. Only one team from the top five was in action on Saturday.
No. 1 Alabama got past a slow start but steamrolled Arkansas on the road, and the Crimson Tide held onto the top spot. Florida, which was No. 6, lost at home to LSU after missing a last-second field goal that would have sent the game to overtime. A bizarre shoe-throwing penalty kept a late LSU drive alive that allowed the Tigers to take their 37-34 game-winning lead. Miami got throttled at home, 62-26, by North Carolina, which moved the Hurricanes out ot the top 10 as well.
Georgia, which was No. 9 in the College Football Playoff ranking, overcame a slow start to beat Missouri on the road,
Coastal Carolina stayed perfect with a touchdown in the last minute to get past Troy, and USC overcame an 18-point deficit on the road to beat cross-town rival UCLA on Saturday night in the Rose Bowl. The Trojans remain perfect on the season, and they're now in the Newsweek Top 10.
The new rankings will get a jolt next weekend as there will be eight conference championship games. The biggest ones on tap will be Friday night's Pac-12 title game, followed by the Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, ACC, AAC and SEC championships on Saturday.
Greg Dulcich #85 and Chase Cota #23 of the UCLA Bruins are unable to catch a last second pass as Chris Steele #8, Olaijah Griffin #2, Chase Williams #7 and Isaiah Pola-Mao #21 of the USC Trojans defend during the second half of a game at the Rose Bowl on December 12, 2020 in Pasadena, California. Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
That said, here is the Newsweek Top 20 for Week 16
1 Alabama 10-0 Sat. vs #13 Florida — SEC Championship 2 Notre Dame 10-0 Sat. vs #4 Clemson — ACC Championship 3 Ohio State 5-0 Sat. vs #16 Northwestern — Big Ten Championship 4 Clemson 9-1 Sat. vs #2 Notre Dame — ACC Championship 5 Texas A&M 7-1 Sat. at Tennessee 6 Cincinnati 8-0 Sat. vs #19 Tulsa — AAC Championship 7 Iowa State 8-2 Sat. vs #10 Oklahoma — Big 12 Championship 8 USC 5-0 Sat. vs Washington — Pac 12 Championship 9 Indiana 6-1 Big Ten Champions Week 10 Oklahoma 7-2 Sat. vs #7 Iowa State — Big 12 Championship 11 Coastal Carolina 11-0 Sat. vs #18 Louisiana — Sun Belt Championship 12 North Carolina 8-3 Regular season complete 13 Florida 8-2 Sat. vs #1 Alabama — SEC Championship 14 Georgia 7-2 Sat. vs Vanderbilt 15 BYU 9-1 Regular season complete 16 Northwestern 6-1 Sat. vs #3 Ohio State — Big Ten hampionship 17 Miami (Fla.) 8-2 Regular season complete 18 Louisiana 9-1 Sat. at #11 Coastal Carolina — Sun Belt Championship 19 Tulsa 6-1 Sat. at #6 Cincinnati — AAC Championship 20 Texas 6-3 Regular season complete
Heisman Trophy Frontrunners
Mac Jones had no touchdown passes and Trask lost a home game to an LSU team with a losing record and a depleted secondary. Trask did pass for 474 yards and a pair of touchdowns, though, but had costly interceptions against the Tigers.
Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith did not have a receiving touchdown, but he returned a punt for a score to break open a 3-3 tie and energize his Crimson Tide team that looked otherwise lethargic until then.
Florida's Kyle Pitts did not play, for undisclosed reasons. Alabama's Najee Harris scored a couple of short touchdowns before getting pulled.
Smith leaped into the second spot this week, and next week's Alabama-Florida game in the SEC Championship could actually determine this year's Heisman winner, especially if voters are waiting until this one game to determine their top three.
Here are the Newsweek Heisman rankings after Week 15 of the season.
Kyle Trask, QB, Florida DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama Mac Jones, QB, Alabama Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida Najee Harris, RB, Alabama Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
College Football Playoff Prediction
Alabama Notre Dame Ohio State Clemson
Championship Games to Watch This Week (Times ET)
All games subject to cancel or postpone, and games could change during the week
Friday, December 18
Pac-12 Championship
USC vs Washington
Los Angeles, California
8:00 p.m., FOX
MAC Championship
Ball State vs Buffalo
Detroit, Michigan
7:30 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, December 19
American Athletic Championship
Tulsa at Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
8:00 p.m., ABC
ACC Championship
Clemson vs Notre Dame
Charlotte, North Carolina
4:00 p.m., ABC
Big 12 Championship
Iowa State vs Oklahoma
Arlington, Texas
12:00 p.m., ABC
Big Ten Championship
Ohio State vs Northwestern
Indianapolis, Indiana
12:00 p.m., FOX
SEC Championship
Alabama vs Florida
Atlanta, Georgia
8:00 p.m., CBS
Sun Belt Championship
Louisiana at Coastal Carolina
Conway, South Carolina
12:00 p.m., ESPN


newsweek--2020-12-14--'Tenet': How to Watch Online as Movie Starts Streaming

Tenet was one of the most hotly anticipated movies of 2020 , but its director 's decision to insist that it came to theaters rather than streaming meant that a lot of viewers missed it .
However , the movie is available to watch online this December , allowing viewers to try and understand the movie 's complicated time-travel plot in their own homes .
In the U.K. , Tenet is available to rent and buy online on digital entertainment stores right now , but U.S. viewers have just a little longer before they can stream the Robert Pattinson movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date for Tenet is December 15 , On that date , the Christoper Nolan-directed mindbender will be available on what are called PVoD ( premium video on demand ) services—stores where movies are available to rent and buy , in other words .
Among the stores where viewers will be able to watch Tenet online are Amazon , Google Play , Apple TV , Fandango Now and Vudu .
Amazon , for example , is currently allowing viewers to pre-order Tenet , so they can watch it as soon as it is released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pacific Time .
The movie currently costs $ 19.99 to buy on most platforms .
On December 15 , Tenet will also be available on DVD and Blu-Ray .
In the lead-up to the digital release of Tenet , WB released the six-minute prologue of the movie onto their YouTube page , allowing viewers to get a taste of the thrilling opera house heist that opens the movie .
Viewers hoping that Tenet would be among the Warner Bros. movies coming to HBO Max in the coming weeks and months , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced that it will release WB movies on the same day they come to cinemas , beginning with Wonder Woman 1984 on December 25 .
However , this is not the case with Tenet .
Speaking to The Associated Press , Nolan has spoken of being pleased that his film , `` is n't caught up in the mess that they 've [ Warner Bros. ] made . ''
The Inception and Dark Knight director added : `` We will be accessible through Roku and Amazon Prime and iTunes and be everywhere all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The movie seems to be following the usual release date windows for major Hollywood movies , in which a film is exclusive to cinemas for around three months before coming to DVD and PVoD .
This means that the film is expected to come to streaming services in about four months , or spring 2021 .
Though there is currently acrimony between Nolan and HBO Max , as Tenet is a Warner Bros. movie the streaming service is still likely to be the one that eventually gets Tenet next year .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release date yet .
Tenet is released onto PVoD services on December 15 .

Tenet was one of the most hotly anticipated movies of 2020, but its director's decision to insist that it came to theaters rather than streaming meant that a lot of viewers missed it. However, the movie is available to watch online this December, allowing viewers to try and understand the movie's complicated time-travel plot in their own homes.
How to watch Tenet online
Robert Pattinson and John David Washington in 'Tenet' Warner Bros
In the U.K., Tenet is available to rent and buy online on digital entertainment stores right now, but U.S. viewers have just a little longer before they can stream the Robert Pattinson movie. In America, the digital release date for Tenet is December 15,
On that date, the Christoper Nolan-directed mindbender will be available on what are called PVoD (premium video on demand) services—stores where movies are available to rent and buy, in other words. Among the stores where viewers will be able to watch Tenet online are Amazon, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango Now and Vudu.
Amazon, for example, is currently allowing viewers to pre-order Tenet, so they can watch it as soon as it is released at what is expected to be midnight Pacific Time. The movie currently costs $19.99 to buy on most platforms.
On December 15, Tenet will also be available on DVD and Blu-Ray.
In the lead-up to the digital release of Tenet, WB released the six-minute prologue of the movie onto their YouTube page, allowing viewers to get a taste of the thrilling opera house heist that opens the movie.
Viewers hoping that Tenet would be among the Warner Bros. movies coming to HBO Max in the coming weeks and months, however, will be disappointed. The streamer has announced that it will release WB movies on the same day they come to cinemas, beginning with Wonder Woman 1984 on December 25.
However, this is not the case with Tenet. Speaking to The Associated Press, Nolan has spoken of being pleased that his film, "isn't caught up in the mess that they've [Warner Bros.] made."
The Inception and Dark Knight director added: "We will be accessible through Roku and Amazon Prime and iTunes and be everywhere all at once for people to enjoy."
The movie seems to be following the usual release date windows for major Hollywood movies, in which a film is exclusive to cinemas for around three months before coming to DVD and PVoD. This means that the film is expected to come to streaming services in about four months, or spring 2021.
Though there is currently acrimony between Nolan and HBO Max, as Tenet is a Warner Bros. movie the streaming service is still likely to be the one that eventually gets Tenet next year. However, the streamer has not revealed a release date yet.
Tenet is released onto PVoD services on December 15.


newsweek--2020-12-14--2020 NFL Playoffs Bracket: Updated AFC, NFC Standings and Picture After Week 14

Two more teams secured a playoff spot and the No .
1 seed changed hands in both conferences in Week 14 of the NFL season .
The Kansas City Chiefs now top the AFC standings after a win in Miami , coupled with the Pittsburgh Steelers ' loss against the Buffalo Bills .
Despite their second consecutive loss , however , the Steelers have clinched a playoff spot .
In the NFC , meanwhile , the Green Bay Packers have overtaken the New Orleans Saints in the race for the No .
1 spot and clinched a second consecutive NFC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playoff bracket looks like after 14 weeks of the season .
The Chiefs clinched a fifth consecutive AFC West title with a 33-27 win in Miami against the Dolphins on Sunday .
Coupled with Pittsburgh 's defeat on Sunday Night Football , the win put Kansas City in the box seat in the race for the No .
1 seed in the AFC , home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and the conference 's solitary bye .
Next week 's road trip against New Orleans is by far the hardest challenge remaining on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home games against the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Chargers .
Having gone undefeated through the first 10 weeks of the season , the Steelers have now lost two consecutive games and relinquished the No .
1 spot in the AFC .
Reclaiming top spot wo n't be easy , as Pittsburgh still faces a trip to Indianapolis and home games against AFC North rivals Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals—the only remaining matchup that looks like a guaranteed win .
The silver lining for Mike Tomlin 's team is that despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has clinched a playoff spot courtesy of the Dolphins losing at home to the Chiefs .
Back-to-back primetime wins against the San Francisco 49ers and the Steelers have catapulted the Bills within touching distance of a first AFC East title since 1995 .
Buffalo has an easier remaining schedule than Pittsburgh—back-to-back road games against the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots followed by a home matchup against the Dolphins in Week 17—and with the Steelers wobbling , it could enter the playoffs as the No .
2 seed in the AFC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a playoff spot with a 31-10 win over the beleaguered Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday .
While Tennessee is almost guaranteed a playoff spot—ESPN and FiveThirtyEight give the Titans a 94 percent and 95 percent to make the postseason respectively—it remains to be seen whether it will do so as division winner or as one of the wildcard teams .
The Titans lead the AFC South division over the Indianapolis Colts only by virtue of a better record against divisional opponents and have a harder remaining schedule than Indianapolis .
The Browns hold the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AFC and could move within striking distance of the Steelers with a win against the Baltimore Ravens in what looms to be a monumental Monday Night Football .
The Colts ' dominant 44-27 win in Las Vegas over the Raiders was a potentially season-defining moment .
Indianapolis climbed up to sixth in the playoff race and currently holds the second wildcard spot , with a two-game margin over the Dolphins .
The Colts only trail the Titans in the AFC South by virtue of having a worse record against divisional opponents , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Titans only have one division—and conference—game left , while all of Indianapolis ' three remaining games are against conference opponents , including two against divisional rivals Houston and Jacksonville .
The Dolphins more than held their own against the Chiefs but eventually fell short and slipped to 8-5 , which currently gives them the last wildcard spot in the AFC .
They could be overtaken by the Ravens if Baltimore defeats Cleveland on Monday Night Football .
Miami has the sixth-hardest remaining schedule in the league with games against the Bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Week 14 could have hardly gone any better for Green Bay .
The Packers secured a second consecutive NFC North title by defeating the Detroit Lions 31-24 and drew level with the New Orleans Saints at the top of the NFC with a 10-3 record .
Crucially , however , the Packers hold the tiebreaker because of their head-to-head win in Week 3 and have an easier remaining schedule than New Orleans , with back-to-back home games against Carolina and Tennessee followed by a trip to Chicago in Week 17 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unexpected loss , as Jalen Hurts breathed life into the Philadelphia Eagles offense and led them to a 24-21 win in his first NFL start .
The loss could significantly complicate the Saints ' quest to be the No .
1 seed in the NFC , which they have now relinquished to the Packers .
With Drew Brees still out , New Orleans hosts the Chiefs next week , the hardest remaining game on a schedule that includes a matchup against the Minnesota Vikings and a road trip to Carolina in Week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Patriots on Thursday Night Football consolidated their playoff chances .
Los Angeles holds the tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West , but still has to face the Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in Weeks 16 and 17 after a matchup against the winless New York Jets next week .
The NFC East was widely ridiculed for most of the season , but Washington deserves credit for its recent form , with four consecutive wins that included back-to-back road victories against the Steelers and 49ers .
Coupled with the New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 23-15 road win against San Francisco put the Football Team significantly closer to a first playoff appearance since 2015 .
With back-to-back home games against Seattle and Carolina followed by a trip to Philadelphia , the Football Team could even finish with a record of .500 or above for the first team in five years .
Reeling from a two-game losing streak , the Seahawks got back to winning ways and routed the Jets 40-3 to keep pace with the Rams , who hold the tiebreaker over Seattle and travel to Lumen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will in all likelihood decide the winner of the NFC West , with both the Rams and the Seahawks all but guaranteed a playoff berth at this stage .
The Bucs snapped a two-game losing streak with a 26-14 win over the Vikings in their return from a bye and took a significant step towards clinching one of the NFC wildcard spots .
Tampa Bay holds a two-game margin over Minnesota and Chicago , the two teams currently on the bubble in the NFC playoff race , and has the easiest remaining schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Falcons and a road trip to Detroit .
The Cardinals forced their way back into the playoffs picture , with a 26-7 win in New Jersey over the Giants , snapping Big Blue 's four-game winning streak .
Arizona hosts the Eagles and 49ers over the next two weeks , ahead of a potentially pivotal matchup in Los Angeles against the Rams in Week 17 .

Two more teams secured a playoff spot and the No. 1 seed changed hands in both conferences in Week 14 of the NFL season.
The Kansas City Chiefs now top the AFC standings after a win in Miami, coupled with the Pittsburgh Steelers' loss against the Buffalo Bills. Despite their second consecutive loss, however, the Steelers have clinched a playoff spot.
In the NFC, meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers have overtaken the New Orleans Saints in the race for the No. 1 spot and clinched a second consecutive NFC North title.
Here's what the playoff bracket looks like after 14 weeks of the season.
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs (12-1)
The Chiefs clinched a fifth consecutive AFC West title with a 33-27 win in Miami against the Dolphins on Sunday. Coupled with Pittsburgh's defeat on Sunday Night Football, the win put Kansas City in the box seat in the race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and the conference's solitary bye. Next week's road trip against New Orleans is by far the hardest challenge remaining on the Chiefs' schedule, ahead of back-to-back home games against the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Chargers.
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2)
Having gone undefeated through the first 10 weeks of the season, the Steelers have now lost two consecutive games and relinquished the No. 1 spot in the AFC. Reclaiming top spot won't be easy, as Pittsburgh still faces a trip to Indianapolis and home games against AFC North rivals Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals—the only remaining matchup that looks like a guaranteed win. The silver lining for Mike Tomlin's team is that despite the loss in Buffalo on Sunday night, it has clinched a playoff spot courtesy of the Dolphins losing at home to the Chiefs.
Buffalo Bills (10-3)
Back-to-back primetime wins against the San Francisco 49ers and the Steelers have catapulted the Bills within touching distance of a first AFC East title since 1995. Buffalo has an easier remaining schedule than Pittsburgh—back-to-back road games against the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots followed by a home matchup against the Dolphins in Week 17—and with the Steelers wobbling, it could enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
Gabriel Davis #13 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates his touchdown with Cole Beasley #11 during the third quarter of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bills Stadium on December 13, in Orchard Park, New York. Timothy T Ludwig/Getty
Tennessee Titans (9-4)
The Titans tightened their grasp on a playoff spot with a 31-10 win over the beleaguered Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. While Tennessee is almost guaranteed a playoff spot—ESPN and FiveThirtyEight give the Titans a 94 percent and 95 percent to make the postseason respectively—it remains to be seen whether it will do so as division winner or as one of the wildcard teams. The Titans lead the AFC South division over the Indianapolis Colts only by virtue of a better record against divisional opponents and have a harder remaining schedule than Indianapolis.
Cleveland Browns (9-3)
The Browns hold the first of three wildcard spots in the AFC and could move within striking distance of the Steelers with a win against the Baltimore Ravens in what looms to be a monumental Monday Night Football.
Indianapolis Colts (9-4)
The Colts' dominant 44-27 win in Las Vegas over the Raiders was a potentially season-defining moment. Indianapolis climbed up to sixth in the playoff race and currently holds the second wildcard spot, with a two-game margin over the Dolphins.
The Colts only trail the Titans in the AFC South by virtue of having a worse record against divisional opponents, but it will be hard to overcome Tennessee. The Titans only have one division—and conference—game left, while all of Indianapolis' three remaining games are against conference opponents, including two against divisional rivals Houston and Jacksonville.
Miami Dolphins (8-5)
The Dolphins more than held their own against the Chiefs but eventually fell short and slipped to 8-5, which currently gives them the last wildcard spot in the AFC. They could be overtaken by the Ravens if Baltimore defeats Cleveland on Monday Night Football.
Miami has the sixth-hardest remaining schedule in the league with games against the Bills, Raiders and Patriots yet to come.
NFC
Green Bay Packers (10-3)
Week 14 could have hardly gone any better for Green Bay. The Packers secured a second consecutive NFC North title by defeating the Detroit Lions 31-24 and drew level with the New Orleans Saints at the top of the NFC with a 10-3 record. Crucially, however, the Packers hold the tiebreaker because of their head-to-head win in Week 3 and have an easier remaining schedule than New Orleans, with back-to-back home games against Carolina and Tennessee followed by a trip to Chicago in Week 17.
New Orleans Saints (10-3)
The Saints' three-game road trip ended with an unexpected loss, as Jalen Hurts breathed life into the Philadelphia Eagles offense and led them to a 24-21 win in his first NFL start. The loss could significantly complicate the Saints' quest to be the No. 1 seed in the NFC, which they have now relinquished to the Packers. With Drew Brees still out, New Orleans hosts the Chiefs next week, the hardest remaining game on a schedule that includes a matchup against the Minnesota Vikings and a road trip to Carolina in Week 17.
Los Angeles Rams (9-4)
The Rams' demolition of the Patriots on Thursday Night Football consolidated their playoff chances. Los Angeles holds the tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West, but still has to face the Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in Weeks 16 and 17 after a matchup against the winless New York Jets next week.
Washington Football Team (6-7)
The NFC East was widely ridiculed for most of the season, but Washington deserves credit for its recent form, with four consecutive wins that included back-to-back road victories against the Steelers and 49ers.
Coupled with the New York Giants loss against the Cardinals, Washington's 23-15 road win against San Francisco put the Football Team significantly closer to a first playoff appearance since 2015. With back-to-back home games against Seattle and Carolina followed by a trip to Philadelphia, the Football Team could even finish with a record of .500 or above for the first team in five years.
Defensive end Chase Young #99 of the Washington Football Team celebrates with Jimmy Moreland #20, Montez Sweat #90 and Ronald Darby #23 after recovering a fumble for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on December 13 in Glendale, Arizona. The Washington Football Team defeated the 49ers 23-15. Christian Petersen/Getty
Seattle Seahawks (9-4)
Reeling from a two-game losing streak, the Seahawks got back to winning ways and routed the Jets 40-3 to keep pace with the Rams, who hold the tiebreaker over Seattle and travel to Lumen Field in Week 16. That matchup will in all likelihood decide the winner of the NFC West, with both the Rams and the Seahawks all but guaranteed a playoff berth at this stage.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)
The Bucs snapped a two-game losing streak with a 26-14 win over the Vikings in their return from a bye and took a significant step towards clinching one of the NFC wildcard spots. Tampa Bay holds a two-game margin over Minnesota and Chicago, the two teams currently on the bubble in the NFC playoff race, and has the easiest remaining schedule in the NFL with two games against the Falcons and a road trip to Detroit.
Arizona Cardinals (7-6)
The Cardinals forced their way back into the playoffs picture, with a 26-7 win in New Jersey over the Giants, snapping Big Blue's four-game winning streak. Arizona hosts the Eagles and 49ers over the next two weeks, ahead of a potentially pivotal matchup in Los Angeles against the Rams in Week 17.


newsweek--2020-12-14--What Is Green Monday? How to Take Advantage of This Year's Cyber Deals

Did you miss Black Friday deals ?
Were you too swamped to peruse online for Cyber Monday ?
Are you worried about the items you 're buying this holiday season getting shipped in time ?
Well , Green Monday is another chance to take advantage of great online deals .
Green Monday , according to Investopedia , is `` one of the retail industry 's most profitable days , occurring on the second Monday in December . ''
It 's also referred to as `` Cyber Monday 2 . ''
This year , Green Monday is on December 14 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come from either the color of money , or the eco-friendly method of shopping online , as opposed to in person .
( However , after seeing all of the piles of cardboard shipping boxes in my lobby this holiday season , I 'm a bit skeptical about the eco-friendly aspect . )
When it comes to the name 's origins , eBay claims to have coined the phrase in 2007 , when the company discovered that it was one of the site 's most profitable sales days .
Shopping.com also takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staple on the holiday shopping calendar .
Big-box stores like Kohl 's , Best Buy , Amazon , Target , Walmart and eBay typically participate in Green Monday with competitive prices .
Although the day may not always be explicitly promoted as `` Green Monday '' ( it could also be labeled as a `` Friends & Family '' or `` 12 Days of Deals '' sale ) , it 's worth looking at your preferred retailers to see what discounts they might be offering .
As per LifeWire , the deals should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday 's were , as far as retailers go .
The deals are also likely to follow similar trends as the other big shopping days this year .
TechRadar posited that this year , deals on Amazon devices such as Kindles , Echos and Fire TVs are likely , along with deals on other pieces of technology , like computers , laptops , toys and video games .
Green Monday also marks 10 days for `` pre-Christmas '' shipping and delivery .
There will likely be deals for inexpensive , fast shipping .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be as good as those on Black Friday or Cyber Monday , they do come pretty darn close .
TechRadar points out that any retailer `` looking to shift remaining stock that was n't lifted '' during Black Friday and Cyber Monday , will likely take advantage of this third round of holiday season sales .
So , do you want to make sure you 're getting the best deal amid competitive prices for highly coveted items ?
Use pricegrabber.com and bizrate.com to compare deals .
( Price matching is usually restricted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so you 're welcome ! )
Make a wish list , check it twice , and act fast on any Green Monday deals you see .

Did you miss Black Friday deals? Were you too swamped to peruse online for Cyber Monday? Are you worried about the items you're buying this holiday season getting shipped in time? Well, Green Monday is another chance to take advantage of great online deals.
Green Monday, according to Investopedia, is "one of the retail industry's most profitable days, occurring on the second Monday in December." It's also referred to as "Cyber Monday 2."
This year, Green Monday is on December 14. The term "green" is thought to come from either the color of money, or the eco-friendly method of shopping online, as opposed to in person. (However, after seeing all of the piles of cardboard shipping boxes in my lobby this holiday season, I'm a bit skeptical about the eco-friendly aspect.)
Holiday ornaments with gifts inside the ebay claw machine inside the 'Did You Check eBay?' Holiday Airstream at Christkindl Market on December 4, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Tom Cooper/Getty Images for eBay
When it comes to the name's origins, eBay claims to have coined the phrase in 2007, when the company discovered that it was one of the site's most profitable sales days. Shopping.com also takes credit for making Green Monday an annual staple on the holiday shopping calendar.
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Big-box stores like Kohl's, Best Buy, Amazon, Target, Walmart and eBay typically participate in Green Monday with competitive prices.
Although the day may not always be explicitly promoted as "Green Monday" (it could also be labeled as a "Friends & Family" or "12 Days of Deals" sale), it's worth looking at your preferred retailers to see what discounts they might be offering. As per LifeWire, the deals should be in the same places as Cyber Monday's were, as far as retailers go.
The deals are also likely to follow similar trends as the other big shopping days this year. TechRadar posited that this year, deals on Amazon devices such as Kindles, Echos and Fire TVs are likely, along with deals on other pieces of technology, like computers, laptops, toys and video games.
Green Monday also marks 10 days for "pre-Christmas" shipping and delivery. There will likely be deals for inexpensive, fast shipping. LifeWire notes that though the deals may not be as good as those on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, they do come pretty darn close.
TechRadar points out that any retailer "looking to shift remaining stock that wasn't lifted" during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, will likely take advantage of this third round of holiday season sales.
So, do you want to make sure you're getting the best deal amid competitive prices for highly coveted items? Use pricegrabber.com and bizrate.com to compare deals. (Price matching is usually restricted during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so you're welcome!)
Make a wish list, check it twice, and act fast on any Green Monday deals you see.


newsweek--2020-12-14--Customer Spits at Popeyes Security Guard, Returns to Shoot at Restaurant

A Popeyes security guard was spat at during an argument with a person , who returned moments later to shoot at the establishment , authorities said .
Officers were dispatched to a fast food restaurant in the 3400 block of Pulaski Highway in Baltimore , Maryland at around 9.15 p.m. on Sunday .
On arrival , officers found a 35-year-old man suffering from a graze wound due to gunfire , the Baltimore Police Department said in a news release .
Police did n't identify the restaurant , but WJZ reported it was a branch of Popeyes .
Southeast District detectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the investigation , Baltimore police said .
Police said investigators learned the victim is a security guard at the restaurant .
Witnesses said the victim and the suspect in the shooting had earlier got into a verbal dispute .
The suspect had spat in the security guard 's face before leaving the restaurant .
It was not clear what prompted the argument .
`` Moments later the suspect returned in a vehicle circling the parking lot and discharged a firearm into the business , '' police said in the release .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was wounded and the business sustained a shattered window . ''
The Baltimore Police Department and Popeyes have been contacted for additional comment .
The police department also issued appeals for information for three other shootings on Sunday .
Police said officers responded to the 1200 block of North Decker Street after a shooting was reported just before 4 p.m .
There , officers found a 60-year-old suffering from gunshot wounds .
Police also responded to the 1800 block of Mount Street to a reported shooting shortly after 4 p.m .
There , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16-year-old with gunshot wounds .
The injuries , which police said were in the victims ' lower extremities , were not thought to be life-threatening .
Officers also responded to a local hospital on Sunday morning after a 24-year-old victim of a shooting walked in seeking treatment .
Police learned the man has been shot in the 3100 block of Gwynns Falls Parkway at around 6.30 a.m. and had been transported to hospital by family members .
Anyone with information about the shooting at the Popeyes restaurant is urged to contact Southeast District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish to remain anonymous can utilize the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line , at 1-866-7LOCKUP .
You can also submit an online text tip to Metro Crime Stoppers .

A Popeyes security guard was spat at during an argument with a person, who returned moments later to shoot at the establishment, authorities said.
Officers were dispatched to the fast food restaurant in the 3400 block of Pulaski Highway in Baltimore, Maryland at around 9:15 p.m. on Sunday.
On arrival, officers found a 35-year-old man suffering from a graze wound due to gunfire, the Baltimore Police Department said in a news release.
Southeast District detectives responded to the scene and assumed control over the investigation, Baltimore police said.
Police said investigators learned the victim is a security guard at the restaurant. Witnesses said the victim and the suspect in the shooting had earlier got into a verbal dispute.
The suspect had spat in the security guard's face before leaving the restaurant. It was not clear what prompted the argument.
"Moments later the suspect returned in a vehicle circling the parking lot and discharged a firearm into the business," police said in the release. "As a result, the security guard was wounded and the business sustained a shattered window."
A Popeyes spokesperson told Newsweek: "The safety and wellbeing of our team members and guests is always our top priority. Our franchisee is cooperating fully with local authorities, who were quick to respond, and are currently investigating this case while the restaurant remains closed. I can confirm the security guard who was unfortunately injured is doing OK given the circumstances."
The Baltimore Police Department has been contacted for additional comment.
A Popeyes restaurant is seen on February 21, 2017 in Miami, Florida Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The police department also issued appeals for information for three other shootings on Sunday.
Police said officers responded to the 1200 block of North Decker Street after a shooting was reported just before 4 p.m. There, officers found a 60-year-old suffering from gunshot wounds.
Police also responded to the 1800 block of Mount Street to a reported shooting shortly after 4 p.m. There, officers found a 29-year-old woman and a 16-year-old with gunshot wounds. The injuries, which police said were in the victims' lower extremities, were not thought to be life-threatening.
Officers also responded to a local hospital on Sunday morning after a 24-year-old victim of a shooting walked in seeking treatment.
Police learned the man has been shot in the 3100 block of Gwynns Falls Parkway at around 6:30 a.m. and had been transported to hospital by family members.
Anyone with information about the shooting at the Popeyes restaurant is urged to contact Southeast District Shooting detectives at 410-396-2422.
Those who wish to remain anonymous can utilize the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line, at 1-866-7LOCKUP. You can also submit an online text tip to Metro Crime Stoppers.
This article has been updated with a statement from a Popeyes spokesperson.


newsweek--2020-12-14--Fakhrizadeh and Soleimani Were Even More Justified Killings Than bin Laden | Opinion

Former CIA Director John Brennan recently condemned the targeted assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh , calling it `` a criminal act '' and a flagrant violation of international law .
Senator Bernie Sanders rushed to join in the condemnation , decrying the killing as `` murder . ''
At the same time , Brennan defended the assassination of Osama bin Laden , which occurred during his tenure and was ordered by his former boss , President Barack Obama .
Sanders went even further at the time , `` applaud [ ing ] '' the killing of bin Laden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our fight against terrorism . ''
Yet , by any standards of law , morality and common sense , the assassination of Fakhrizadeh , as well as the earlier assassination of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani—both done during President Donald Trump 's presidential tenure—were far more justified than even the assassination of Osama bin Laden himself .
Both Fakhrizadeh and Soleimani posed ongoing threats to innocent civilians .
At the time of his death , Soleimani was actively planning terrorist attacks against the United States and its allies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nuclear arsenal for Iran , whose leaders threatened ( and still threaten ) to use it to murder millions of innocent Israelis and other civilians .
The targeted assassinations of these two threats to humanity were fundamentally preventative , in nature .
Osama bin Laden , on the other hand , was a had-been fugitive hiding in a remote location with no contact to the outside world , and no realistic threat of future terrorism .
His killing was pure revenge for what he had done in the past .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his ordering the murder of thousands of Americans in the 9/11 attacks .
He deserved to be brought to justice—to be placed on trial , if possible .
However , the order to the Navy SEALs was apparently not to capture him alive , but to kill him and bury his body at sea .
Brennan presumably approved those orders , despite the reality that bin Laden at the time posed no discernible future danger .
I have little moral concern about how Osama bin Laden was handled , but it follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was justified , then the preventative killings of Fakhrizadeh and Soleimani were even more justified .
The fact that Fakhrizadeh and Soleimani worked for Iran—a nation and thus distinguishable from al-Qaeda , a jihadist outfit—should make no legal or moral difference .
They , like bin Laden , were illegal combatants , engaged in crimes against humanity .
They , like bin Laden , were leaders of a U.S.-designated terrorist group , the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps .
Their potential victims—including those in Israel and the United States—had the right to stop them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilians .
In all cases , it would be better to capture such war criminals alive , but if that is not possible , it is entirely lawful and moral to neutralize them and the threats they pose , while limiting the collateral damage to others .
Every law-abiding nation in history has done that in extreme cases like those .
The killing of Osama bin Laden was far more questionable , both legally and morally , especially if there was an order not to take him alive .
I can understand such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capture might well have stimulated hostage-taking—but there is no legal justification for an advance `` shoot to kill '' order , assuming one did indeed exist .
And morally , it is difficult to justify cold-blooded revenge killings , if that is what was indeed ordered .
Again , I am not writing this to condemn the killing of Osama bin Laden , but rather to demonstrate that the killings of Fakhrizadeh and Soleimani were far more justified .
I am also writing this to expose the double standard of Brennan , Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Obama while rushing to condemn analogous actions taken by President Trump ( and perhaps Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ) that were , in actuality , far more justified .
Targeted killings of terrorists and other massive threats are inherently controversial .
The concept should be studied , debated and discussed .
I wrote an entire book about it , entitled Preemption : A Knife that Cuts Both Ways .
In the book , I set out criteria for the deployment of extrajudicial killings ( of which targeted assassination is one genre—others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war ) .
One conclusion should be clear : The justification for extrajudicial killings should not depend on who the president—or the CIA head—happens to be at a given moment in time .
The prevention of terrorism is too important to become yet another object of partisan bickering .
Alan M. Dershowitz is the Felix Frankfurter professor of law , emeritus at Harvard Law School .
His new podcast , The Dershow , is accessible on Spotify , YouTube and iTunes .
Twitter : @ AlanDersh .
Dershowitz is now representing clients seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career .
The views expressed in this article are the writer 's own .

Former CIA Director John Brennan recently condemned the targeted assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, calling it "a criminal act" and a flagrant violation of international law. Senator Bernie Sanders rushed to join in the condemnation, decrying the killing as "murder."
At the same time, Brennan defended the assassination of Osama bin Laden, which occurred during his tenure and was ordered by his former boss, President Barack Obama. Sanders went even further at the time, "applaud[ing]" the killing of bin Laden and calling it "a historic moment in our fight against terrorism."
Yet, by any standards of law, morality and common sense, the assassination of Fakhrizadeh, as well as the earlier assassination of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani—both done during President Donald Trump's presidential tenure—were far more justified than even the assassination of Osama bin Laden himself.
Both Fakhrizadeh and Soleimani posed ongoing threats to innocent civilians. At the time of his death, Soleimani was actively planning terrorist attacks against the United States and its allies. Fakhrizadeh was working on the development of a nuclear arsenal for Iran, whose leaders threatened (and still threaten) to use it to murder millions of innocent Israelis and other civilians. The targeted assassinations of these two threats to humanity were fundamentally preventative, in nature.
Osama bin Laden, on the other hand, was a had-been fugitive hiding in a remote location with no contact to the outside world, and no realistic threat of future terrorism. His killing was pure revenge for what he had done in the past. It was, to be sure, justifiable revenge for his ordering the murder of thousands of Americans in the 9/11 attacks. He deserved to be brought to justice—to be placed on trial, if possible. However, the order to the Navy SEALs was apparently not to capture him alive, but to kill him and bury his body at sea. Brennan presumably approved those orders, despite the reality that bin Laden at the time posed no discernible future danger.
I have little moral concern about how Osama bin Laden was handled, but it follows a fortiori that if his revenge killing was justified, then the preventative killings of Fakhrizadeh and Soleimani were even more justified.
Billboard glorifying Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in Tehran ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images
The fact that Fakhrizadeh and Soleimani worked for Iran—a nation and thus distinguishable from al-Qaeda, a jihadist outfit—should make no legal or moral difference. They, like bin Laden, were illegal combatants, engaged in crimes against humanity. They, like bin Laden, were leaders of a U.S.-designated terrorist group, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Their potential victims—including those in Israel and the United States—had the right to stop them from carrying out their planned carnage against civilians. In all cases, it would be better to capture such war criminals alive, but if that is not possible, it is entirely lawful and moral to neutralize them and the threats they pose, while limiting the collateral damage to others. Every law-abiding nation in history has done that in extreme cases like those.
The killing of Osama bin Laden was far more questionable, both legally and morally, especially if there was an order not to take him alive. I can understand such an order, from a pragmatic perspective—his capture might well have stimulated hostage-taking—but there is no legal justification for an advance "shoot to kill" order, assuming one did indeed exist. And morally, it is difficult to justify cold-blooded revenge killings, if that is what was indeed ordered.
Again, I am not writing this to condemn the killing of Osama bin Laden, but rather to demonstrate that the killings of Fakhrizadeh and Soleimani were far more justified. I am also writing this to expose the double standard of Brennan, Sanders and others who justify everything done by President Obama while rushing to condemn analogous actions taken by President Trump (and perhaps Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) that were, in actuality, far more justified.
Targeted killings of terrorists and other massive threats are inherently controversial. The concept should be studied, debated and discussed. I wrote an entire book about it, entitled Preemption: A Knife that Cuts Both Ways. In the book, I set out criteria for the deployment of extrajudicial killings (of which targeted assassination is one genre—others include self-defense, defense of others and war). One conclusion should be clear: The justification for extrajudicial killings should not depend on who the president—or the CIA head—happens to be at a given moment in time. The prevention of terrorism is too important to become yet another object of partisan bickering.
Alan M. Dershowitz is the Felix Frankfurter professor of law, emeritus at Harvard Law School. His new podcast, The Dershow, is accessible on Spotify, YouTube and iTunes. Twitter: @AlanDersh. Dershowitz is now representing clients seeking executive clemency, as has through his career.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.


newsweek--2020-12-14--Calls for Alex Jones to be Arrested after Speech about Removing Biden

There have been calls for conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to be arrested after calling for President-elect Joe Biden to be removed from office `` one way or another '' during a rally in Washington .
The Infowars host is accused of inciting violence while on stage at a protest attended by Donald Trump supporters and far-right extremists in the capital on Saturday .
The rally was held to show support for Trump 's disputed and unproven claims that he lost the election because of widespread voter fraud .
During the rally , Jones—who infamously claimed that the 2012 Sandy Hook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes the COVID-19 pandemic has been simulated to `` track and trace and control people '' —told supporters how he will never accept Biden as president while pushing anti-Semitic and QAnon-based conspiracy theories .
In August , the FBI listed QAnon , which believes Trump is waging a secret war against high-profile Satanic pedophiles , as a domestic terrorist threat .
`` We will never back down to the Satanic pedophile , globalist New World Order and their walking-dead reanimated corpse Joe Biden , and we will never recognize him , '' Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connection to Russians .
No proof .
Four years of investigation .
With the Bidens , it 's open and shut , '' he added in reference to the Mueller investigation and the recently-disclosed Department of Justice probe into Hunter Biden 's taxes .
`` So I do n't know who 's going to the White House in 38 days but I sure know this—Joe Biden is a globalist and Joe Biden will be removed one way or another . ''
Author and activist Tim Wise is one of those to call for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This was a threat against the president-elect .
It is not protected speech .
Arrest him , '' he tweeted .
Lincoln Project Florida Steering Committee member David Weissman added : `` This anti-Semitic trope should also be considered a threat and Alex Jones should be arrested for incitement . ''
Fred Wellman , also of the Lincoln Project , tweeted : `` Hi @ SecretService just you know ... saying hello . ''
Veteran talk show host Chip Franklin wrote on Twitter : `` Alex Jones needs to be arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a SINGLE Republican calling him out for his insane , racist , anti-American rants ?
One Republican . ''
The Metropolitan Police Department has been contacted for comment .
While the rallies themselves were largely peaceful , violence broke out later that evening as Trump supporters and far-right extremists including Proud Boys clashed with antifa and other counter protesters on the streets of Washington .

There have been calls for conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to be arrested after calling for President-elect Joe Biden to be removed from office "one way or another" during a rally in Washington.
The Infowars host is accused of inciting violence while on stage at a protest attended by Donald Trump supporters and far-right extremists in the capital on Saturday.
The rally was held to show support for Trump's disputed and unproven claims that he lost the election because of widespread voter fraud.
During the rally, Jones—who infamously claimed that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre was a hoax and believes the COVID-19 pandemic has been simulated to "track and trace and control people"—told supporters how he will never accept Biden as president while pushing anti-Semitic and QAnon-based conspiracy theories.
In August, the FBI listed QAnon, which believes Trump is waging a secret war against high-profile Satanic pedophiles, as a domestic terrorist threat.
"We will never back down to the Satanic pedophile, globalist New World Order and their walking-dead reanimated corpse Joe Biden, and we will never recognize him," Jones said.
"President Trump had zero connection to Russians. No proof. Four years of investigation. With the Bidens, it's open and shut," he added in reference to the Mueller investigation and the recently-disclosed Department of Justice probe into Hunter Biden's taxes.
"So I don't know who's going to the White House in 38 days but I sure know this—Joe Biden is a globalist and Joe Biden will be removed one way or another."
Author and activist Tim Wise is one of those to call for Jones to be arrested for his comments.
"This was a threat against the president-elect. It is not protected speech. Arrest him," he tweeted.
Lincoln Project Florida Steering Committee member David Weissman added: "This anti-Semitic trope should also be considered a threat and Alex Jones should be arrested for incitement."
Fred Wellman, also of the Lincoln Project, tweeted: "Hi @SecretService just you know...saying hello."
Veteran talk show host Chip Franklin wrote on Twitter: "Alex Jones needs to be arrested. But how bout we start with a SINGLE Republican calling him out for his insane, racist, anti-American rants? One Republican."
Why hasn’t Alex Jones been arrested yet — MeidasTouch.com (@MeidasTouch) December 13, 2020
Wtf does that mean? Amd how come Alex Jones is not actually in prison?!? https://t.co/Z6XYb6B255 — Martina Navratilova (@Martina) December 13, 2020
The Metropolitan Police Department has been contacted for comment.
While the rallies themselves were largely peaceful, violence broke out later that evening as Trump supporters and far-right extremists including Proud Boys clashed with antifa and other counter protesters on the streets of Washington.