newsweek--2020-12-31--Satanic Temple Challenges 18 States' Abortion Laws With Religious Exemption Claim

The Satanic Temple , a national religious rights organization with chapters in 21 states , has recently erected two billboards in Texas and Florida encouraging followers to challenge state restrictions on abortions conducted during the first trimester by claiming that the restrictions violate their religious beliefs as Satanists .
Over 18 states have such restrictions .
The group , which claims not to believe `` in the existence of Satan or the supernatural '' and regularly advocates for all beliefs and non-beliefs to be treated equally under the law , has also released a `` religious abortion ritual video .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion rights and religious beliefs .
It also instructs viewers on how to conduct a home abortion ceremony that `` provides spiritual comfort and affirms bodily autonomy and self-worth . ''
`` Abortions Save Lives ! ''
The group 's billboard outside of Houston , Texas reads .
`` Pregnancy complications are the sixth most common cause of death among women between the ages of 20 and 34 .
Our Religious Abortion Ritual Averts Many State Restrictions . ''
The billboard then lists the group 's web address .
The U.S. Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnancy complications '' as the ninth leading cause of death for women between the ages of 20 and 44 .
Another billboard from the group outside of Miami features a vintage black-and-white image of two smiling young women from the 1950s drinking bottled sodas and wearing button-down shirts and skirts .
A word bubble over one of the women says , `` Susan , you 're telling me , I do not have to endure a waiting period when I have an abortion ? ''
The other woman replies , `` That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The words , `` Our Religious Abortion Ritual Averts Many State Restrictions '' is printed on the right side of the billboard below the group 's logo bearing a horned goat skull over a pentagram .
In the religious abortion ritual video , Jane Essex , a spokesperson for the Satanic Temple 's religious reproductive rights campaign , states that the Supreme Court 's 2014 Hobby Lobby decision affirms an individual 's right to object to laws that violate their religious beliefs , a right enshrined in the 1993 federal Religious Freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this case , the Satanic Temple 's beliefs include that a person 's body is `` inviolable and subject to [ their ] will alone '' and that abortion restrictions interfere with follower 's religious practices affirming their right to `` make decisions about fetal or embryonic tissue [ that they ] carry , provided that the tissue is unable to survive outside [ their ] body as an independent human being . ''
As such the following violate the Temple 's beliefs : Mandatory waiting periods , requirements that practitioners withhold certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an abortion , required reading materials , medically unnecessary sonograms , mandatory listening to the fetal heartbeat and mandatory burial or cremation of fetal remains .
Although the Supreme Court 's 2014 decision was limited to closely held corporations , the RFRA states that the government can not pressure individuals to give up a religious practice under penalty of punishment unless the law furthers a compelling government interest and is found to be the least burdensome way to further that interest on a person of faith .
Nevertheless , Essex said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any follower denied access to an abortion without the aforementioned restrictions .
The organization has also provided a form letter that abortion-seekers can give to medical providers explaining their legal reasoning .
`` We understand the clinics are going to be hesitant to grant these exceptions , '' Essex said in the video .
`` The clinic staff will probably be concerned because there are regulations , even though the law and the judiciary , have made it clear that religious rights prevail in these situations .
So they would be violating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with that request . ''
Currently , Alabama , Arkansas , Idaho , Indiana , Kansas , Kentucky , Louisiana , Michigan , Mississippi , Nebraska , North Dakota , Ohio , Pennsylvania , South Carolina , South Dakota , Utah , Virginia and Wisconsin all have various restrictions on abortion access .
Other states also have mandatory-delay laws which vary in their enforcement .
Newsweek contacted the Satanic Temple and the Center for Reproductive Rights for comment .

The Satanic Temple, a national religious rights organization with chapters in 21 states, has recently erected two billboards in Texas and Florida encouraging followers to challenge state restrictions on abortions conducted during the first trimester by claiming that the restrictions violate their religious beliefs as Satanists. Over 18 states have such restrictions.
The group, which claims not to believe "in the existence of Satan or the supernatural" and regularly advocates for all beliefs and non-beliefs to be treated equally under the law, has also released a "religious abortion ritual video." The video explains the laws behind abortion rights and religious beliefs. It also instructs viewers on how to conduct a home abortion ceremony that "provides spiritual comfort and affirms bodily autonomy and self-worth."
"Abortions Save Lives!" The group's billboard outside of Houston, Texas reads. "Pregnancy complications are the sixth most common cause of death among women between the ages of 20 and 34. Our Religious Abortion Ritual Averts Many State Restrictions." The billboard then lists the group's web address.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently lists "pregnancy complications" as the ninth leading cause of death for women between the ages of 20 and 44.
The Satanic Temple, a religious freedom and rights organization, is encouraging people seeking abortions in states with abortion access restrictions to claim that the restrictions violate their religious beliefs as Satanists. In this May 31, 2019 photo, an anti-abortion protestor demonstrates outside the Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Services Center in St. Louis, Missouri, the last location in the state performing abortions. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty
Another billboard from the group outside of Miami features a vintage black-and-white image of two smiling young women from the 1950s drinking bottled sodas and wearing button-down shirts and skirts.
A word bubble over one of the women says, "Susan, you're telling me, I do not have to endure a waiting period when I have an abortion?" The other woman replies, "That's true if you're a SATANIST!" The words, "Our Religious Abortion Ritual Averts Many State Restrictions" is printed on the right side of the billboard below the group's logo bearing a horned goat skull over a pentagram.
In the religious abortion ritual video, Jane Essex, a spokesperson for the Satanic Temple's religious reproductive rights campaign, states that the Supreme Court's 2014 Hobby Lobby decision affirms an individual's right to object to laws that violate their religious beliefs, a right enshrined in the 1993 federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).
In this case, the Satanic Temple's beliefs include that a person's body is "inviolable and subject to [their] will alone" and that abortion restrictions interfere with follower's religious practices affirming their right to "make decisions about fetal or embryonic tissue [that they] carry, provided that the tissue is unable to survive outside [their] body as an independent human being."
As such the following violate the Temple's beliefs: Mandatory waiting periods, requirements that practitioners withhold certain medical information, compulsory counseling prior to an abortion, required reading materials, medically unnecessary sonograms, mandatory listening to the fetal heartbeat and mandatory burial or cremation of fetal remains.
Although the Supreme Court's 2014 decision was limited to closely held corporations, the RFRA states that the government cannot pressure individuals to give up a religious practice under penalty of punishment unless the law furthers a compelling government interest and is found to be the least burdensome way to further that interest on a person of faith.
Nevertheless, Essex said that the Temple would help provide legal support to any follower denied access to an abortion without the aforementioned restrictions. The organization has also provided a form letter that abortion-seekers can give to medical providers explaining their legal reasoning.
"We understand the clinics are going to be hesitant to grant these exceptions," Essex said in the video. "The clinic staff will probably be concerned because there are regulations, even though the law and the judiciary, have made it clear that religious rights prevail in these situations. So they would be violating the law, if they don't comply with that request."
Currently, Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin all have various restrictions on abortion access. Other states also have mandatory-delay laws which vary in their enforcement.
Newsweek contacted the Satanic Temple and the Center for Reproductive Rights for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-31--Gavin Newsom Under Renewed Fire Over French Laundry Lobbyist as Recall Bid Gains Steam

California Governor Gavin Newsom came under fire again on Thursday after a new report from The Los Angeles Times delved into the details of his friendship with lobbyist Jason Kinney .
Kinney , a partner with the firm Axiom Advisors , was at the dinner party Newsom went to last month at The French Laundry in Napa Valley , an event the Democratic governor received criticism for attending .
According to the Times report , the dinner was held in celebration of Kinney 's 50th birthday .
The Times report walks through Newsom 's history with Kinney since the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected governor in 2018 , the report said nonpartisan public interest research organizations have raised questions about the roles Kinney has played as an advisor to Newsom 's administration .
A spokesperson for Newsom told The Los Angeles Times that Newsom has `` never hesitated '' to decline recommendations from organizations or individuals when he does not believe those recommendations run parallel with the `` public good . ''
`` The Governor has been successful throughout a twenty year career in public service because he makes decisions in the interest of the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the paper .
`` His decisions are rooted in good public policy , and he 's never hesitated to say no to organizations and individuals he has long relationships with when their priorities run counter to the public good . ''
Newsweek reached out to Newsom 's office for further comment but did not receive a response in time for publication .
The renewed criticism comes as an effort to recall Newsom continues gaining strength .
Recall Gavin Newsom launched more than five months ago and amassed more than 911,000 signatures by Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to recall a state official must receive support from a number of Californians equivalent to 12 percent of the voting population that participated in the official 's last election .
Recall Gavin Newsom must gather 1,495,709 signatures in order to trigger a recall .
Randy Economy , a senior advisor with the official recall campaign , told Newsweek the French Laundry incident was like a `` tidal wave '' for the current recall effort , which he said has gained more traction with Californians than similar efforts in the past due in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That was a tidal wave that started to crest over the horizon , '' Economy said .
He praised the `` courageous woman '' who took pictures of Newsom at The French Laundry in November .
Critics have called Newsom 's attendance at the dinner party hypocritical due to his public recommendations for Californians to avoid gatherings as part of the state 's efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 .
Newsom later apologized for attending the dinner , which he said was a `` bad mistake . ''
`` You can live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but you ca n't hide from the people , '' Economy told Newsweek .
He mentioned the appearances Newsom has made on California television stations throughout the pandemic , which he described as `` free advertising '' for the governor .
`` That has been his Achilles heel , '' Economy said .
`` It has n't helped him .
It 's gotten people enraged because of the French Laundry incident . ''
Economy told Newsweek he read the Los Angeles Times report shortly after it was published Thursday morning , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Welcome to Gavin Newsom 's world , '' Economy said .
`` Every one of his closely guarded secrets and people who have done his bidding ever since he got into politics are now being flushed out .
This is emblematic of who he is—not only as a governor , but as a failed leader . ''
As the Times report pointed out , former governors ' administrations have collaborated with lobbyists in the past , a practice that is not strictly against the law .
Economy described the lobbying arm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ branch of government '' and said the support for the recall was a sign that Californians are getting frustrated with the status quo .
`` Everybody has been affected by how this one man has ruled and dictated over their livelihoods , whether it be restaurant owners , bar owners , hotel maids , domestic workers , the blue collar people whose lives have been destroyed for months because of this one man 's actions , '' Economy said .
`` It 's a little complex , but it 's real simple : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
He 's the one who put everybody through this . ''
Economy said that while past efforts to recall Newsom have faded away , he believes this latest campaign will be successful .
`` Sometimes in politics and in life , you have that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the average resident to make a difference .
This is that moment in California history .
We 've made it so simple for everybody to get involved and take this campaign in their own hands , '' Economy said .
`` I think this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're going to be successful . ''

California Governor Gavin Newsom came under fire again on Thursday after a new report from The Los Angeles Times delved into the details of his friendship with lobbyist Jason Kinney.
Kinney, a partner with the firm Axiom Advisors, was at the dinner party Newsom went to last month at The French Laundry in Napa Valley, an event the Democratic governor received criticism for attending. According to the Times report, the dinner was held in celebration of Kinney's 50th birthday.
The Times report walks through Newsom's history with Kinney since the two met in 2002. After Newsom was elected governor in 2018, the report said nonpartisan public interest research organizations have raised questions about the roles Kinney has played as an advisor to Newsom's administration.
A spokesperson for Newsom told The Los Angeles Times that Newsom has "never hesitated" to decline recommendations from organizations or individuals when he does not believe those recommendations run parallel with the "public good."
"The Governor has been successful throughout a twenty year career in public service because he makes decisions in the interest of the public good," spokesperson Sahar Robertson told the paper. "His decisions are rooted in good public policy, and he's never hesitated to say no to organizations and individuals he has long relationships with when their priorities run counter to the public good."
An individual behind the campaign to recall California Governor Gavin Newsom said a recent report by The Los Angeles Times detailing the governor's friendship with a lobbyist is "emblematic of who he is." In the photo above, Newsom is interviewed while visiting the Hot and Cool Cafe in Los Angeles on June 3, 2020. GENARO MOLINA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Newsweek reached out to Newsom's office for further comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
The renewed criticism comes as an effort to recall Newsom continues gaining strength. Recall Gavin Newsom launched more than five months ago and amassed more than 911,000 signatures by Tuesday. According to California law, any attempt to recall a state official must receive support from a number of Californians equivalent to 12 percent of the voting population that participated in the official's last election. Recall Gavin Newsom must gather 1,495,709 signatures in order to trigger a recall.
Randy Economy, a senior advisor with the official recall campaign, told Newsweek the French Laundry incident was like a "tidal wave" for the current recall effort, which he said has gained more traction with Californians than similar efforts in the past due in part to the coronavirus pandemic.
"That was a tidal wave that started to crest over the horizon," Economy said. He praised the "courageous woman" who took pictures of Newsom at The French Laundry in November. Critics have called Newsom's attendance at the dinner party hypocritical due to his public recommendations for Californians to avoid gatherings as part of the state's efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Newsom later apologized for attending the dinner, which he said was a "bad mistake."
"You can live a sheltered life as a politician, but you can't hide from the people," Economy told Newsweek. He mentioned the appearances Newsom has made on California television stations throughout the pandemic, which he described as "free advertising" for the governor.
"That has been his Achilles heel," Economy said. "It hasn't helped him. It's gotten people enraged because of the French Laundry incident."
Economy told Newsweek he read the Los Angeles Times report shortly after it was published Thursday morning, which he said reinforced his opinions of the governor.
"Welcome to Gavin Newsom's world," Economy said. "Every one of his closely guarded secrets and people who have done his bidding ever since he got into politics are now being flushed out. This is emblematic of who he is—not only as a governor, but as a failed leader."
As the Times report pointed out, former governors' administrations have collaborated with lobbyists in the past, a practice that is not strictly against the law. Economy described the lobbying arm of politics as California's "third branch of government" and said the support for the recall was a sign that Californians are getting frustrated with the status quo.
"Everybody has been affected by how this one man has ruled and dictated over their livelihoods, whether it be restaurant owners, bar owners, hotel maids, domestic workers, the blue collar people whose lives have been destroyed for months because of this one man's actions," Economy said. "It's a little complex, but it's real simple: He's to blame for all of this. He's the one who put everybody through this."
Economy said that while past efforts to recall Newsom have faded away, he believes this latest campaign will be successful.
"Sometimes in politics and in life, you have that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the average resident to make a difference. This is that moment in California history. We've made it so simple for everybody to get involved and take this campaign in their own hands," Economy said.
"I think this is different this time, and we're going to be successful."


newsweek--2020-12-31--Mike Pence Says Gohmert Lawsuit To Overturn Election Directed Toward 'Wrong Defendant'

Vice President Mike Pence responded Friday to a lawsuit filed against him by Texas Republican Representative Louie Gohmert and 12 Arizona Republicans by asking that Gohmert 's litigation be rejected by the court .
Gohmert filed the lawsuit against Pence on Monday , which sought to prevent Pence from declaring President-elect Joe Biden the winner of the Electoral College .
Congress is expected to meet on Wednesday to certify Biden 's victory .
In his lawsuit , Gohmert alleged that Pence has `` exclusive authority and sole discretion to open and permit the counting of the electoral votes for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has claimed that voter fraud in some states tipped the election in Biden 's favor , Gohmert alleged that Pence 's expected certification of Biden 's win would be `` unconstitutional . ''
In the Friday response to Gohmert 's litigation , Deputy Assistant Attorney General John V. Coghlan wrote that Gohmert 's lawsuit is `` not a proper vehicle '' for addressing the counting of the electoral votes `` because plaintiffs have sued the wrong defendant . ''
`` The Vice President—the only defendant in this case—is ironically the very person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the court documents continued .
`` The Senate and the House , not the Vice President , have legal interests that are sufficiently adverse to plaintiffs to ground a case or controversy under Article III .
Defendant respectfully request denial of plaintiffs ' emergency motion because the relief that plaintiffs request does not lie properly against the Vice President . ''
Newsweek reached out to Gohmert 's office for comment .
Pence , as part of his duties as president of the Senate , is expected to preside over the Congressional count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 states have officially certified their election results , the electoral votes are set .
Pence 's role in the proceedings is expected to be minimal .
Gohmert said Wednesday that his lawsuit was geared to making Pence take a more active role in the event and reject some electoral votes .
`` Five states are sending two sets of electors and [ Pence ] has to be able to determine which ones are based on fraud and which ones were not based on fraud , '' Gohmert said in an interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're seeking , a declaration that he can do just that . ''
No date for a hearing on the case , which was filed with the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Texas , has been announced .
Gohmert 's attempts to alter the Electoral College results were not the only ones planned by the GOP .
Some Republicans have come forward and said they would formally object to electoral votes from states where alleged voting fraud has occurred .
Official challenges to the votes must be submitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a member of the Senate .
Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley said Wednesday that he would challenge the vote certification as have a number of GOP House members .
The precise number of Republican representatives that plan to issue objections is as yet unknown .
The efforts by Republicans to reverse the election results are expected to fail .
Trump won 232 electoral votes in the November election while Biden obtained 306 electoral votes , more than the 270 votes required to be declared the victor in the Electoral College .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Senator Ben Sasse criticized the movement to sabotage the electoral vote certification .
`` We have a bunch of ambitious politicians who think there 's a quick way to tap into the president 's populist base without doing any real , long-term damage , '' Sasse wrote .
`` But they 're wrong—and this issue is bigger than anyone 's personal ambitions .
Adults do n't point a loaded gun at the heart of legitimate self-government . ''

Vice President Mike Pence responded Friday to a lawsuit filed against him by Texas Republican Representative Louie Gohmert and 12 Arizona Republicans by asking that Gohmert's litigation be rejected by the court.
Gohmert filed the lawsuit against Pence on Monday, which sought to prevent Pence from declaring President-elect Joe Biden the winner of the Electoral College. Congress is expected to meet on Wednesday to certify Biden's victory. In his lawsuit, Gohmert alleged that Pence has "exclusive authority and sole discretion to open and permit the counting of the electoral votes for a given state." Since President Donald Trump has claimed that voter fraud in some states tipped the election in Biden's favor, Gohmert alleged that Pence's expected certification of Biden's win would be "unconstitutional."
In the Friday response to Gohmert's litigation, Deputy Assistant Attorney General John V. Coghlan wrote that Gohmert's lawsuit is "not a proper vehicle" for addressing the counting of the electoral votes "because plaintiffs have sued the wrong defendant."
"The Vice President—the only defendant in this case—is ironically the very person whose power they seek to promote," the court documents continued. "The Senate and the House, not the Vice President, have legal interests that are sufficiently adverse to plaintiffs to ground a case or controversy under Article III. Defendant respectfully request denial of plaintiffs' emergency motion because the relief that plaintiffs request does not lie properly against the Vice President."
Newsweek reached out to Gohmert's office for comment.
Texas Republican Representative Louie Gohmert's lawsuit against Vice President Mike Pence may have been directed towards the wrong person, according to a response filed Friday by Pence's attorney. Matt McClain--Pool/Getty
Pence, as part of his duties as president of the Senate, is expected to preside over the Congressional count of the electoral votes. Since all 50 states have officially certified their election results, the electoral votes are set. Pence's role in the proceedings is expected to be minimal. Gohmert said Wednesday that his lawsuit was geared to making Pence take a more active role in the event and reject some electoral votes.
"Five states are sending two sets of electors and [Pence] has to be able to determine which ones are based on fraud and which ones were not based on fraud," Gohmert said in an interview with KLTV. "So that's what we're seeking, a declaration that he can do just that."
No date for a hearing on the case, which was filed with the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Texas, has been announced.
Gohmert's attempts to alter the Electoral College results were not the only ones planned by the GOP. Some Republicans have come forward and said they would formally object to electoral votes from states where alleged voting fraud has occurred. Official challenges to the votes must be submitted by both a member of the House and a member of the Senate. Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley said Wednesday that he would challenge the vote certification as have a number of GOP House members. The precise number of Republican representatives that plan to issue objections is as yet unknown.
The efforts by Republicans to reverse the election results are expected to fail. Trump won 232 electoral votes in the November election while Biden obtained 306 electoral votes, more than the 270 votes required to be declared the victor in the Electoral College.
In a Wednesday social media post, Nebraska Republican Senator Ben Sasse criticized the movement to sabotage the electoral vote certification.
"We have a bunch of ambitious politicians who think there's a quick way to tap into the president's populist base without doing any real, long-term damage," Sasse wrote. "But they're wrong—and this issue is bigger than anyone's personal ambitions. Adults don't point a loaded gun at the heart of legitimate self-government."


newsweek--2020-12-31--Minneapolis Police Department Releases Body Camera Footage After Fatal Officer Involved Shooting

The Minneapolis Police Department released some body camera footage recorded during a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred Wednesday night .
The department shared a graphic , 27-second clip to its website Thursday afternoon , following Police Chief Medaria Arradondo 's public pledge to do so the previous evening .
Footage taken from officers ' body cameras depicts the moment a man , whose identity has not been formally confirmed , was shot and killed by police at a gas station several blocks from the site of George Floyd 's death .
The brief video clip shows officers shooting into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after shouting at the driver to raise his hands .
Police were conducting a traffic stop that involved a `` felony suspect , '' Arradondo said Wednesday , when the deadly shooting took place .
Body camera footage indicates the deceased man attempted to flee the area , as a group of police cars surrounded his vehicle .
In the video , officers step out of their cars with guns drawn before the man appears to fire one shot from inside his vehicle .
Police immediately fire their own guns into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappears from view .
Arradondo provided preliminary details about the shooting during a Wednesday night press conference , when he confirmed the department 's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension ( BCA ) had begun to investigate the circumstances that preceded it .
The bureau handles investigations that concern officer-involved shootings .
At the time , Arradondo acknowledged that demonstrations had already begun and told local residents that body camera footage would be released publicly on Thursday .
`` I want the community to be able to see what occurred , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of , again , us moving forward ... and wanting to make sure that we get the facts out there . ''
Citing statements from witnesses to the police department , Arradondo said officers fired their weapons in response to an initial shot fired by the civilian who was killed .
Bayle Gelle , a resident of Eden Prairie , a Minneapolis suburb , identified the deceased man as his son , 23-year-old Dolal Idd , on Thursday morning .
Gelle told reporters that he `` [ wants ] to get justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his home following Idd 's death .
Police had obtained a warrant to conduct the search , according to Gelle .
In a press release sent to Newsweek on Thursday , the Minneapolis Police Department stated that officers involved in the shooting were `` engaged in a weapons investigation '' when they initiated the traffic stop .
noted its decision to release video footage taken during the shooting came as part of a push to `` increase trust '' between officers and community members .
`` In continued efforts to increase trust with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unprecedented decision to release officer body-worn camera video within 24 hours of this incident , '' it stated .
`` This was done to further aid efforts in understanding and fostering transparency . ''
Bystander videos published online in the aftermath of Floyd 's passing in May showed former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressing his knee into the 46-year-old man 's neck for almost nine minutes .
Their release sparked global outrage and galvanized an ongoing movement demanding accountability for officers across the U.S. , whose conduct leads to a disproportionate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wednesday night 's shooting marked the first civilian death in Minneapolis involving city police since Floyd 's death .
Protestors quickly gathered near the scene of the shooting when news surfaced late Wednesday .
Newsweek reached out to Gelle and the Minneapolis Police Department for further comments but did not receive replies in time for publication .

The Minneapolis Police Department released some body camera footage recorded during a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred Wednesday night.
The department shared a graphic, 27-second clip to its website Thursday afternoon, following Police Chief Medaria Arradondo's public pledge to do so the previous evening.
Footage taken from officers' body cameras depicts the moment a man, whose identity has not been formally confirmed, was shot and killed by police at a gas station several blocks from the site of George Floyd's death. The brief video clip shows officers shooting into the driver's seat window of a vehicle, after shouting at the driver to raise his hands.
Police were conducting a traffic stop that involved a "felony suspect," Arradondo said Wednesday, when the deadly shooting took place. Body camera footage indicates the deceased man attempted to flee the area, as a group of police cars surrounded his vehicle. In the video, officers step out of their cars with guns drawn before the man appears to fire one shot from inside his vehicle. Police immediately fire their own guns into the vehicle's window, and the man disappears from view.
Arradondo provided preliminary details about the shooting during a Wednesday night press conference, when he confirmed the department's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) had begun to investigate the circumstances that preceded it. The bureau handles investigations that concern officer-involved shootings.
At the time, Arradondo acknowledged that demonstrations had already begun and told local residents that body camera footage would be released publicly on Thursday.
"I want the community to be able to see what occurred," he said. "And I think that that is part of, again, us moving forward...and wanting to make sure that we get the facts out there."
Citing statements from witnesses to the police department, Arradondo said officers fired their weapons in response to an initial shot fired by the civilian who was killed.
Bayle Gelle, a resident of Eden Prairie, a Minneapolis suburb, identified the deceased man as his son, 23-year-old Dolal Idd, on Thursday morning. Gelle told reporters that he "[wants] to get justice" and said Minneapolis police officers searched his home following Idd's death. Police had obtained a warrant to conduct the search, according to Gelle.
In a press release sent to Newsweek on Thursday, the Minneapolis Police Department stated that officers involved in the shooting were "engaged in a weapons investigation" when they initiated the traffic stop. noted its decision to release video footage taken during the shooting came as part of a push to "increase trust" between officers and community members.
"In continued efforts to increase trust with our community, Chief Arradondo has made the unprecedented decision to release officer body-worn camera video within 24 hours of this incident," it stated. "This was done to further aid efforts in understanding and fostering transparency."
The Minneapolis Police Department released body camera footage recorded during a fatal officer-involved shooting that took place in the city Wednesday night. Area residents gather at the site where police officers shot and killed a man in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on December 30, 2020. KEREM YUCEL/AFP via Getty Images
Bystander videos published online in the aftermath of Floyd's passing in May showed former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressing his knee into the 46-year-old man's neck for almost nine minutes. Their release sparked global outrage and galvanized an ongoing movement demanding accountability for officers across the U.S., whose conduct leads to a disproportionate number of Black Americans' deaths nationwide.
Wednesday night's shooting marked the first civilian death in Minneapolis involving city police since Floyd's death. Protestors quickly gathered near the scene of the shooting when news surfaced late Wednesday.
Newsweek reached out to Gelle and the Minneapolis Police Department for further comments but did not receive replies in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-31--Photo of Ben Affleck Juggling Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffees Inspires Wave of 2020 Memes

Social media users are making memes and jokes about the end of a stressful year after seeing recent paparazzi photos of actor Ben Affleck struggling to carry an armload of coffee and food from Dunkin Donuts .
In the photos , the 48-year-old actor steps onto the front porch of a California Pacific Palisades residence and seems to struggle as he tries to retrieve a mailing tube while also carrying at least 3 large iced coffees and a takeout container of donut holes .
Numerous Twitter users have joked about how the image of Affleck struggling to do too many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illustration of how overwhelmed most Americans have felt during a tumultuous year marked by a pandemic and stay-at-home orders .
@ LlamaCrooked wrote , `` We got excited about Ben Affleck trending on Twitter .
More Batman ?
Nope !
Just a photo that is everyone in 2020 - the look of frustration , confusion , and lack of control !
# benaffleck # dunkin '' @ pineapplebreads posted the donuts photo and three other images of Affleck looking tired over the past year and wrote , `` Ben Affleck as 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and another image of Affleck smoking a cigarette with his face mask pulled above his mouth , and wrote , `` Ben Affleck has been me all of 2020 and I love it . ''
@ jangstar97 empathized with the previous comment , posting another image of Affleck smoking and looking exhausted outdoors , and commenting , `` my year summed up in two ben affleck photos . ''
@ DoncoEnterprise wrote , `` Those pictures of Ben Affleck dropping his Dunkin ' Donuts made me laugh harder than anything in recent memory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the nightmare that is human life . ''
Appreciating the photo 's humor , @ masterwayne___ commented , `` Ben Affleck saving the last day of 2020 by simply ordering Dunkin Donuts , '' and included a short video of a professional-looking woman with an accent in a moving car , closing her laptop , removing her glasses and telling viewers , `` You guys are in a crisis .
I 'm on my way . ''
@ princessbozo wrote , `` ben affleck is twitter 's sisyphus , '' a reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punished by the Zeus , king of the Gods , for twice cheating death by being trapped in the underworld and made to endlessly roll a large boulder up a hill , only to have the boulder roll back down the hill for all eternity .
Sisyphus has since become a symbol of someone who toils endlessly as a meaningless task .
@ alexpardee commented , `` I FINALLY have something in common with Ben Affleck . ''
@ dunevillenuve wrote , `` cant believe i relate to this picture or ben affleck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KerithBurke humorously noted , `` Not only can Ben Affleck balance a large Dunkin ' order , he can make the lower half of his body invisible '' , a reference to the fact that Affleck 's legs in black sweatpants seem to vanish into the black door behind him .
@ AdamBlickstein joked , `` Ben Affleck orders Dunkin ' like he 's a contestant on Super Sloppy Double Dare , '' a reference to the currently non-running Nickelodeon game show involving sloppy `` physical challenges '' involving food products and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slime .
@ Larakate commented , `` I was really sad about NYE being cancelled but the Ben Affleck Dunkin ' Donuts memes are nursing my spirit back to health . ''
@ coursxr provided an optimistic wish for the future , stating , `` My hope for 2021 is that I experience the joy of loving something as much as Ben Affleck loves Dunkin ' Donuts . ''
The Twitter user 's image was a collage of numerous times that Affleck has been photographed carrying the company 's coffee .
@ Hadyn_Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had to make a prediction on how 2021 will look like I 'd have to pick this picture of Ben Affleck dropping his Dunkin ' Donuts '' , the Twitter user wrote .
@ IanFortey took issue with the public 's obsession over a relatively mundane celebrity photo amid an ongoing pandemic .
`` Lem me see here .
83 million infected in a global pandemic , 1.81 million dead in a year ... what perfectly sums this up ?
What image encapsulates this and OH MY GOD IS THAT BEN AFFLECK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' @ Miridunn seemed to split the difference , writing , `` Ben Affleck is trending bc he dropped some Dunkin Donuts .
HE DROPPED SOME DUNKIN DONUTS !
That is either the dumbest thing ever that speaks volumes about our pathetic existence & how we deserve everything we get OR it is THE thing we need to see right now .
I ca n't decide . ''

Social media users are making memes and jokes about the end of a stressful year after seeing recent paparazzi photos of actor Ben Affleck struggling to carry an armload of coffee and food from Dunkin Donuts.
In the photos, the 48-year-old actor steps onto the front porch of a California Pacific Palisades residence and seems to struggle as he tries to retrieve a mailing tube while also carrying at least 3 large iced coffees and a takeout container of donut holes.
Numerous Twitter users have joked about how the image of Affleck struggling to do too many things by himself at home is an illustration of how overwhelmed most Americans have felt during a tumultuous year marked by a pandemic and stay-at-home orders.
@LlamaCrooked wrote, "We got excited about Ben Affleck trending on Twitter. More Batman? Nope! Just a photo that is everyone in 2020 - the look of frustration, confusion, and lack of control! #benaffleck #dunkin"
We got excited about Ben Affleck trending on Twitter. More Batman? Nope! Just a photo that is everyone in 2020 - the look of frustration, confusion, and lack of control! #benaffleck #dunkin pic.twitter.com/F0ZT3gBr5H — Crooked Llama (@LlamaCrooked) December 31, 2020
@pineapplebreads posted the donuts photo and three other images of Affleck looking tired over the past year and wrote, "Ben Affleck as 2020."
Ben Affleck as 2020 pic.twitter.com/F30XexviRy — jay ✦⁺ (@pineapplebreads) December 31, 2020
@OpenInqueery posted the donuts image and another image of Affleck smoking a cigarette with his face mask pulled above his mouth, and wrote, "Ben Affleck has been me all of 2020 and I love it."
Ben Affleck has been me all of 2020 and I love it. pic.twitter.com/IVzOGGItwM — Queer and full of fear. (@OpenInqueery) December 31, 2020
@jangstar97 empathized with the previous comment, posting another image of Affleck smoking and looking exhausted outdoors, and commenting, "my year summed up in two ben affleck photos."
my year summed up in two ben affleck photos pic.twitter.com/PKeHplewtv — song kang only (@jangstar97) December 31, 2020
@DoncoEnterprise wrote, "Those pictures of Ben Affleck dropping his Dunkin' Donuts made me laugh harder than anything in recent memory. It's just a perfect depiction of the nightmare that is human life."
Those pictures of Ben Affleck dropping his Dunkin' Donuts made me laugh harder than anything in recent memory. It's just a perfect depiction of the nightmare that is human life. — Donald Neuhaus (@DoncoEnterprise) December 31, 2020
Appreciating the photo's humor, @masterwayne___ commented, "Ben Affleck saving the last day of 2020 by simply ordering Dunkin Donuts," and included a short video of a professional-looking woman with an accent in a moving car, closing her laptop, removing her glasses and telling viewers, "You guys are in a crisis. I'm on my way."
Ben Affleck saving the last day of 2020 by simply ordering Dunkin Donuts pic.twitter.com/YtwqFn4fi1 — Master Wayne (@masterwayne___) December 31, 2020
@princessbozo wrote, "ben affleck is twitter's sisyphus," a reference to the Greek mythological figure who was punished by the Zeus, king of the Gods, for twice cheating death by being trapped in the underworld and made to endlessly roll a large boulder up a hill, only to have the boulder roll back down the hill for all eternity. Sisyphus has since become a symbol of someone who toils endlessly as a meaningless task.
ben affleck is twitter’s sisyphus — nat (@princessbozo) December 31, 2020
@alexpardee commented, "I FINALLY have something in common with Ben Affleck."
I FINALLY have something in common with Ben Affleck pic.twitter.com/duAQiIW0ZY — Alex Pardee (@alexpardee) December 31, 2020
@dunevillenuve wrote, "cant believe i relate to this picture or ben affleck more than my own family."
cant believe i relate to this picture or ben affleck more than my own family pic.twitter.com/eXd9ngR3nH — yalitza apariciosus (@dunevillenuve) December 31, 2020
@KerithBurke humorously noted, "Not only can Ben Affleck balance a large Dunkin' order, he can make the lower half of his body invisible", a reference to the fact that Affleck's legs in black sweatpants seem to vanish into the black door behind him.
Not only can Ben Affleck balance a large Dunkin’ order, he can make the lower half of his body invisible pic.twitter.com/EXWScl6KDS — Kerith Burke (@KerithBurke) December 31, 2020
@AdamBlickstein joked, "Ben Affleck orders Dunkin' like he's a contestant on Super Sloppy Double Dare," a reference to the currently non-running Nickelodeon game show involving sloppy "physical challenges" involving food products and messy liquids like water, foam and slime.
Ben Affleck orders Dunkin' like he's a contestant on Super Sloppy Double Dare pic.twitter.com/Oph9Yr2MVi — Adam Blickstein (@AdamBlickstein) December 31, 2020
@Larakate commented, "I was really sad about NYE being cancelled but the Ben Affleck Dunkin' Donuts memes are nursing my spirit back to health."
I was really sad about NYE being cancelled but the Ben Affleck Dunkin’ Donuts memes are nursing my spirit back to health. — Lara Cohen 💅🏼 (@Larakate) December 31, 2020
@coursxr provided an optimistic wish for the future, stating, "My hope for 2021 is that I experience the joy of loving something as much as Ben Affleck loves Dunkin' Donuts." The Twitter user's image was a collage of numerous times that Affleck has been photographed carrying the company's coffee.
My hope for 2021 is that I experience the joy of loving something as much as Ben Affleck loves Dunkin’ Donuts pic.twitter.com/gWI5umTaGt — Courser (@coursxr) December 31, 2020
@Hadyn_Smith wasn't as optimistic. "If I had to make a prediction on how 2021 will look like I'd have to pick this picture of Ben Affleck dropping his Dunkin' Donuts", the Twitter user wrote.
If I had to make a prediction on how 2021 will look like I’d have to pick this picture of Ben Affleck dropping his Dunkin’ Donuts pic.twitter.com/IR9Tn9mBDB — Hadyn Smith (@Hadyn_Smith) December 31, 2020
@IanFortey took issue with the public's obsession over a relatively mundane celebrity photo amid an ongoing pandemic. "Lemme see here. 83 million infected in a global pandemic, 1.81 million dead in a year...what perfectly sums this up? What image encapsulates this and OH MY GOD IS THAT BEN AFFLECK WITH DUNKIN DONUTS?!?!"
Lemme see here. 83 million infected in a global pandemic, 1.81 million dead in a year...what perfectly sums this up? What image encapsulates this and OH MY GOD IS THAT BEN AFFLECK WITH DUNKIN DONUTS?!?! pic.twitter.com/sXcA7xqkbu — Ian Fortey on a Shelf...watching (@IanFortey) December 31, 2020
@Miridunn seemed to split the difference, writing, "Ben Affleck is trending bc he dropped some Dunkin Donuts. HE DROPPED SOME DUNKIN DONUTS! That is either the dumbest thing ever that speaks volumes about our pathetic existence & how we deserve everything we get OR it is THE thing we need to see right now. I can't decide."
Ben Affleck is trending bc he dropped some Dunkin Donuts. HE DROPPED SOME DUNKIN DONUTS! That is either the dumbest thing ever that speaks volumes about our pathetic existence & how we deserve everything we get OR it is THE thing we need to see right now. I can't decide. — Miriam Dunn (@Miridunn) December 31, 2020
Newsweek contacted Affleck's agent for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-31--Fact Check: Did Raphael Warnock Receive Donations From Pastor Who Hosted Fidel Castro?

Reverend Raphael Warnock , one of the two Democrats in the Senate runoff election in Georgia , has been confronted about his history with the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York , specifically regarding an event in 1995 when the church hosted Cuban dictator Fidel Castro .
As Newsweek previously reported , Warnock repeatedly has said that he was a youth pastor at the time and did not have any involvement with the event .
Now , Fox News is reporting that Warnock 's campaign received donations from the reverend who hosted and praised Castro in the '90s—Reverend Dr. Calvin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abyssinian Baptist Church and president emeritus of the State University of New York ( SUNY ) Old Westbury .
The event , which took place on October 23 , 1995 , was recorded on video by C-SPAN .
There is no evidence that Warnock was involved in it .
On December 30 , Fox News published a story claiming that Butts donated thousands of dollars to Warnock 's campaign , citing filings with the Federal Election Commission ( FEC ) .
According to Forbes , more than 2.5 million people already have voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 .
Warnock , along with Jon Ossoff , are looking to unseat Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue , respectively .
Though Politifact found that there was no proof that Warnock `` welcomed '' Castro in 1995 , Loeffler has used the claim to challenge his credibility on several occasions but has not mentioned the possibility of donations from Butts .
According to The Washington Post , Warnock has raised $ 103 million in the past two months leading up to the Georgia runoffs .
Data from the FEC shows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warnock for Georgia , '' totaling $ 1,750 .
On July 25 , Butts donated $ 1,000 , while on April 17 , he donated $ 250 , and on March 31 , he donated $ 500 .
Butts has donated to other politicians over the years , including former President Barack Obama when he was running for Senate in 2004 .
Other donations were made to former U.S. representatives Sandford D. Bishop Jr. in 1996 and 2000 , Steve Israel in 2009 , Tim Bishop in 2009 , Scott Murphy in 2009 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2011 .
Warnock and Butts did not respond in time for publication .
Butts did donate to Warnock 's U.S. Senate campaign .
Records from the FEC confirm three separate donations made throughout 2020 totaling $ 1,750 , but not thousands .

Reverend Raphael Warnock, one of the two Democrats in the Senate runoff election in Georgia, has been confronted about his history with the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, specifically regarding an event in 1995 when the church hosted Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
As Newsweek previously reported, Warnock repeatedly has said that he was a youth pastor at the time and did not have any involvement with the event.
Now, Fox News is reporting that Warnock's campaign received donations from the reverend who hosted and praised Castro in the '90s—Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, senior pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church and president emeritus of the State University of New York (SUNY) Old Westbury.
The event, which took place on October 23, 1995, was recorded on video by C-SPAN. There is no evidence that Warnock was involved in it.
The Claim
On December 30, Fox News published a story claiming that Butts donated thousands of dollars to Warnock's campaign, citing filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The Facts
According to Forbes, more than 2.5 million people already have voted in the Georgia runoffs slated for January 5. Warnock, along with Jon Ossoff, are looking to unseat Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, respectively.
❗ @ReverendWarnock refused to say if he was at his church’s event celebrating Castro — AGAIN.
It’s a simple question — but Warnock refuses to answer it because he was there and he doesn’t want Georgians to know it. #gapol #gasen pic.twitter.com/tBppt5UkWG — Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) December 18, 2020
Though Politifact found that there was no proof that Warnock "welcomed" Castro in 1995, Loeffler has used the claim to challenge his credibility on several occasions but has not mentioned the possibility of donations from Butts.
According to The Washington Post, Warnock has raised $103 million in the past two months leading up to the Georgia runoffs.
Data from the FEC shows that Butts made three individual donations to "Warnock for Georgia," totaling $1,750.
On July 25, Butts donated $1,000, while on April 17, he donated $250, and on March 31, he donated $500.
Butts has donated to other politicians over the years, including former President Barack Obama when he was running for Senate in 2004.
Other donations were made to former U.S. representatives Sandford D. Bishop Jr. in 1996 and 2000, Steve Israel in 2009, Tim Bishop in 2009, Scott Murphy in 2009 and Charles Rangel in 2004, 2010 and 2011.
Warnock and Butts did not respond in time for publication.
The Ruling
True.
Butts did donate to Warnock's U.S. Senate campaign. Records from the FEC confirm three separate donations made throughout 2020 totaling $1,750, but not thousands.


newsweek--2020-12-31--Pharmacist Arrested For Destroying 570 Doses of COVID Vaccine

A former hospital pharmacist has been arrested for allegedly `` tampering and causing the destruction of '' 57 vials of Moderna 's COVID-19 vaccine , rendering 570 doses unusable by intentionally removing them from a pharmacy refrigerator .
Grafton , Wisconsin police announced the arrest on Thursday .
Police were called to Advocate Aurora Health Hospital after the former pharmacist admitted that the vials had been left out overnight with the knowledge that the 10 doses in each vial would effectively be destroyed .
The unnamed suspect was handed felony charges of First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety , Adulterating a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Patients were given doses from the spoiled vials , which health officials said should pose no health concerns beyond being `` useless '' inoculations .
`` The value of the spoiled doses was estimated to be between $ 8,000 and $ 11,000 , '' a Grafton Police Department news release obtained by Newsweek states .
`` Grafton detectives indicate that the individual knew the spoiled vaccinations would be useless and that people who received the vaccinations would think they had been vaccinated against the virus when in fact they were not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident , which happened on December 25 , to unintentional human error .
A deeper look into the matter resulted in the pharmacist admitting that the doses had been intentionally destroyed in a written statement to Aurora Health Public Safety Officials , according to police .
`` We immediately launched an internal review and were led to believe this was caused by inadvertent human error .
The individual in question today acknowledged that they intentionally removed the vaccine from refrigeration , '' Advocate Aurora Health said in a statement on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is our way out of the pandemic , '' the statement continued .
`` We are more than disappointed that this individual 's actions will result in a delay of more than 500 people receiving their vaccine .
This was a violation of our core values , and the individual is no longer employed by us . ''
Distribution of the two vaccines approved for emergency use in the U.S. , developed by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech , has been slower than initially promised .
Although President Donald Trump said that 100 million doses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , only 12.4 million had been distributed on the last day of the year , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Just under 2.8 million people have received their first vaccine dose nationally .
Both of the approved vaccines require two doses per patient , given approximately one month apart .
There have been 159,800 doses of the vaccine distributed in Wisconsin , with 37,446 state residents having already received the first dose .

A former hospital pharmacist has been arrested for allegedly "tampering and causing the destruction of" 57 vials of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, rendering 570 doses unusable by intentionally removing them from a pharmacy refrigerator.
Grafton, Wisconsin police announced the arrest on Thursday. Police were called to Advocate Aurora Health Hospital after the former pharmacist admitted that the vials had been left out overnight with the knowledge that the 10 doses in each vial would effectively be destroyed.
The unnamed suspect was handed felony charges of First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Adulterating a Prescription Drug and Criminal Damage to Property. Patients were given doses from the spoiled vials, which health officials said should pose no health concerns beyond being "useless" inoculations.
"The value of the spoiled doses was estimated to be between $8,000 and $11,000," a Grafton Police Department news release obtained by Newsweek states. "Grafton detectives indicate that the individual knew the spoiled vaccinations would be useless and that people who received the vaccinations would think they had been vaccinated against the virus when in fact they were not."
Refrigerated boxes of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine are removed from packaging at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center in Boston, Massachusetts on December 24, 2020. JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP/Getty
The hospital had at first attributed the incident, which happened on December 25, to unintentional human error. A deeper look into the matter resulted in the pharmacist admitting that the doses had been intentionally destroyed in a written statement to Aurora Health Public Safety Officials, according to police.
"We immediately launched an internal review and were led to believe this was caused by inadvertent human error. The individual in question today acknowledged that they intentionally removed the vaccine from refrigeration," Advocate Aurora Health said in a statement on Wednesday.
"We continue to believe that vaccination is our way out of the pandemic," the statement continued. "We are more than disappointed that this individual's actions will result in a delay of more than 500 people receiving their vaccine. This was a violation of our core values, and the individual is no longer employed by us."
Distribution of the two vaccines approved for emergency use in the U.S., developed by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, has been slower than initially promised. Although President Donald Trump said that 100 million doses would be available by the end of 2020, only 12.4 million had been distributed on the last day of the year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Just under 2.8 million people have received their first vaccine dose nationally. Both of the approved vaccines require two doses per patient, given approximately one month apart. There have been 159,800 doses of the vaccine distributed in Wisconsin, with 37,446 state residents having already received the first dose.


newsweek--2020-12-31--Trump Touts COVID Victories in Year-End Video, 'Everybody's Calling to Thank Me' for Vaccines

President Donald Trump celebrated the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in a nearly five-minute video posted on Twitter Thursday .
In the video , which served as an end-of-year message to Americans on New Year 's Eve , the president listed victories at home and abroad that he credited to his administration— from approving a vaccine less than a year after health officials confirmed the existence of the virus in the U.S. , to Middle East peace treaties signed in recent months .
Focusing specifically on the virus , Trump said he has received words of thanks regarding early vaccine distributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be available to all Americans shortly .
`` Thanks to Operation Warp Speed , we developed a vaccine in just nine months .
We 've already begun a nationwide vaccination program , and we 're sending the vaccine all over the world .
The world will benefit .
We 'll benefit .
And everybody 's calling to thank me , '' Trump said .
`` Our most vulnerable citizens are already receiving the vaccine , and millions of doses are quickly being shipped all across our country .
By early next year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American , and shortly thereafter , it will be delivered worldwide .
We will end the pandemic once and for all , '' he continued .
The president reiterated the success of quickly developing COVID-19 vaccines , two of which the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) approved for emergency use earlier this month .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) recommended health officials offer the vaccine to health care workers and long-term care facility residents first , but additional groups are expected to begin receiving the vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the most extraordinary scientific industrial and medical feats in history , '' Trump said .
`` We can never let people forget where it came from and how it came . ''
Though Trump celebrated the vaccines in his video , President-elect Joe Biden struck a different tone when addressing vaccine distribution earlier this week .
On Tuesday , Biden said that the distribution of doses was `` falling behind , far behind , '' and a member of his coronavirus task force described the current distribution speed as a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN 's New Day .
According to an analysis published by NBC News earlier this week , it would take almost a decade to provide the number of vaccines needed to bring the pandemic under control in the U.S. based on the current speed of distribution .
While Operation Warp Speed officials suggested earlier this month that it might be possible to distribute 20 million doses by the end of December , the NBC News report said only about 2 million Americans had received the vaccine by Tuesday .
Spikes in new infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and caused some morgues to run out of space in states like California , where more than 2 million cases have been reported this year .
According to a Johns Hopkins University data tracker , health officials in the U.S. had reported more than 19.9 million cases and more than 344,000 virus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic .
Newsweek reached out to Biden 's transition team for comment , but did not receive a response in time for publication .

President Donald Trump celebrated the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in a nearly five-minute video posted on Twitter Thursday.
In the video, which served as an end-of-year message to Americans on New Year's Eve, the president listed victories at home and abroad that he credited to his administration— from approving a vaccine less than a year after health officials confirmed the existence of the virus in the U.S., to Middle East peace treaties signed in recent months.
Focusing specifically on the virus, Trump said he has received words of thanks regarding early vaccine distributions and said doses of the vaccine will be available to all Americans shortly.
"Thanks to Operation Warp Speed, we developed a vaccine in just nine months. We've already begun a nationwide vaccination program, and we're sending the vaccine all over the world. The world will benefit. We'll benefit. And everybody's calling to thank me," Trump said.
"Our most vulnerable citizens are already receiving the vaccine, and millions of doses are quickly being shipped all across our country. By early next year, the vaccine will be available to every American, and shortly thereafter, it will be delivered worldwide. We will end the pandemic once and for all," he continued.
The president reiterated the success of quickly developing COVID-19 vaccines, two of which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for emergency use earlier this month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended health officials offer the vaccine to health care workers and long-term care facility residents first, but additional groups are expected to begin receiving the vaccine early next year.
In an end-of-year video posted online Thursday, President Donald Trump celebrated the development of COVID-19 vaccines, which he said "will be available to every American" by early 2021. In the photo above, Trump walks to the Oval Office while arriving back at the White House on December 31, 2020 in Washington, D.C. Tasos Katopodis/Getty
"This is one of the most extraordinary scientific industrial and medical feats in history," Trump said. "We can never let people forget where it came from and how it came."
Though Trump celebrated the vaccines in his video, President-elect Joe Biden struck a different tone when addressing vaccine distribution earlier this week. On Tuesday, Biden said that the distribution of doses was "falling behind, far behind," and a member of his coronavirus task force described the current distribution speed as a "failure" during a Wednesday appearance on CNN's New Day.
According to an analysis published by NBC News earlier this week, it would take almost a decade to provide the number of vaccines needed to bring the pandemic under control in the U.S. based on the current speed of distribution. While Operation Warp Speed officials suggested earlier this month that it might be possible to distribute 20 million doses by the end of December, the NBC News report said only about 2 million Americans had received the vaccine by Tuesday.
Spikes in new infections across the country pushed hospitals into overdrive and caused some morgues to run out of space in states like California, where more than 2 million cases have been reported this year. According to a Johns Hopkins University data tracker, health officials in the U.S. had reported more than 19.9 million cases and more than 344,000 virus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Newsweek reached out to Biden's transition team for comment, but did not receive a response in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-31--Can Donald Trump Pass $2,000 Stimulus Checks by Executive Order?

President Donald Trump has used the power of the executive order for multiple reasons .
In 2020 alone , Trump signed executive orders to invoke the Defense Production Act to expedite the manufacture of medical equipment during the coronavirus outbreak , increase protections of historical monuments during demonstrations and dictate a specific style of architecture for federal buildings .
However , Trump has not used an executive order to mandate $ 2,000 direct payments to Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Democrats have called for the latest economic stimulus bill to include $ 2,000 direct payments instead of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle support the idea .
Trump has publicly endorsed the concept and challenged lawmakers to approve the higher amount .
The reasoning for Trump 's inaction on signing an executive order to provide the extra money to Americans is simple : he does not wield the authority .
Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution , commonly known as the Spending Clause , grants Congress the authority `` lay and collect Taxes , Duties , Imposts , and Excises , to pay the Debts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general welfare of the United States . ''
In other words , Congress holds the `` Power of the Purse . ''
Another round of stimulus checks would have to be approved by Congress and signed into law before being sent .
Under the Constitution , Trump can not sign an executive order that would send more stimulus payments to Americans .
Newsweek reached out to the House Committee on the Budget for comment .
Although a measure to increase the direct payments to $ 2,000 passed the House on Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Majority Leader Mitch McConnell objected to a standalone bill that would have authorized the larger checks , choosing to introduce a new proposal on Tuesday which tied the $ 2,000 direct payments to other issues that Democrats have disagreed with .
Along with the $ 2,000 stimulus checks , McConnell 's proposal also includes a repeal of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , which would take away legal protections from social media platforms that host material from third parties that could be deemed controversial .
McConnell 's proposed legislation also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's baseless claims of voter fraud .
Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized McConnell 's decision to block the standalone vote on the $ 2,000 stimulus checks in a Wednesday press conference .
`` These Republicans in the Senate seem to have an endless tolerance for other people 's sadness , '' Pelosi said .
`` We urge Mitch McConnell to stop his obstruction and to bring that legislation to the Floor of the Senate .
And we urge Republicans in the Senate to encourage him to do so . ''
McConnell has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Democrats , saying during Floor remarks that the bill had `` no realistic path '' to pass the Senate .
`` The Senate is not going to be bullied into rushing out more borrowed money into the hands of Democrats ' rich friends who do n't need the help , '' McConnell said .

President Donald Trump has used the power of the executive order for multiple reasons. In 2020 alone, Trump signed executive orders to invoke the Defense Production Act to expedite the manufacture of medical equipment during the coronavirus outbreak, increase protections of historical monuments during demonstrations and dictate a specific style of architecture for federal buildings. However, Trump has not used an executive order to mandate $2,000 direct payments to Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Democrats have called for the latest economic stimulus bill to include $2,000 direct payments instead of the currently approved $600 stimulus checks. Many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle support the idea. Trump has publicly endorsed the concept and challenged lawmakers to approve the higher amount.
"$2000 ASAP!" Trump tweeted on Wednesday.
$2000 ASAP! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2020
The reasoning for Trump's inaction on signing an executive order to provide the extra money to Americans is simple: he does not wield the authority.
Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, commonly known as the Spending Clause, grants Congress the authority "lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and the general welfare of the United States."
In other words, Congress holds the "Power of the Purse." Another round of stimulus checks would have to be approved by Congress and signed into law before being sent. Under the Constitution, Trump cannot sign an executive order that would send more stimulus payments to Americans.
Newsweek reached out to the House Committee on the Budget for comment.
President Donald Trump has voiced strong support for $2,000 stimulus checks to be sent to eligible Americans, despite resistance from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Tasos Katopodis/Getty
Although a measure to increase the direct payments to $2,000 passed the House on Monday, the measure may never pass the Senate. House Majority Leader Mitch McConnell objected to a standalone bill that would have authorized the larger checks, choosing to introduce a new proposal on Tuesday which tied the $2,000 direct payments to other issues that Democrats have disagreed with.
Along with the $2,000 stimulus checks, McConnell's proposal also includes a repeal of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which would take away legal protections from social media platforms that host material from third parties that could be deemed controversial. McConnell's proposed legislation also would create a commission to investigate Trump's baseless claims of voter fraud.
Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized McConnell's decision to block the standalone vote on the $2,000 stimulus checks in a Wednesday press conference.
"These Republicans in the Senate seem to have an endless tolerance for other people's sadness," Pelosi said. "We urge Mitch McConnell to stop his obstruction and to bring that legislation to the Floor of the Senate. And we urge Republicans in the Senate to encourage him to do so."
McConnell has stood his ground against the legislation proposed by the Democrats, saying during Floor remarks that the bill had "no realistic path" to pass the Senate.
"The Senate is not going to be bullied into rushing out more borrowed money into the hands of Democrats' rich friends who don't need the help," McConnell said.


newsweek--2020-12-31--Rep. Clay Higgins Joins Sen. Josh Hawley in Objecting Certification of Election Results

GOP Congressman Clay Higgins announced Thursday that he would join Senator Josh Hawley in objecting the results of the presidential election when Congress meets to tally the Electoral College votes on January 6 .
`` I will object to the certification of electoral votes on January 6th .
Reports of voter fraud and actions by some states to alter election processes in an unlawful manner have not been properly reviewed , '' the Louisiana Representative said in a statement .
`` Our Constitutional requirement to inaugurate a President on January 20th does not abrogate our Constitutional requirement to investigate reasonable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election laws within several of the sovereign states , '' the statement continued .
`` There is sufficient evidence , at a minimum , to investigate criminal acts , which may have compromised the integrity of our election .
This effort and action to safeguard our election systems must continue , even beyond January 20th , 2021 . ''
Higgins ' announcement comes just one day after Hawley , a Senator from Missouri , stated his intention to object during the election certification process next week .
`` I can not vote to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 without raising the fact that some states , particularly Pennsylvania , failed to follow their own state election laws , '' Hawley said in the statement posted to his Twitter page on Wednesday morning .
Since members from both chambers of Congress have now said they intend to protest the election results , the House and Senate will be forced to go into separate sessions to consider the objection on January 6 .
For the process to move forward , both chambers must agree to it by a simple majority vote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and will therefore not change the results of the election .
Several Republican leaders , including Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell have warned lawmakers that objecting the results would be politically damaging and futile .
Last week , Senate Republican Whip John Thune said GOP leadership wants to `` encourage all of our members—new members included—that we got a lot of work ahead of us and that rehashing this takes a lot of time and energy and political capital that could best be used working on an agenda for next year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be particularly significant for Republicans up for re-election in 2022 , who could have their loyalty to President Donald Trump questioned if they refuse to challenge the election results .
Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama , who is leading the effort on the House side , told reporters that `` dozens of Congressman '' were rallying behind the last-ditch effort to contest the presidential election .
`` We now in the House side are up to dozens of congressmen who are willing to object or co-sponsor objections to various states ' submittals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have states to object to , '' he said earlier this month , according to The Hill .
Higgins won his bid for re-election this year by a landslide margin of 67.8 percent of the votes against his Democratic challengers .
On Tuesday , Higgins announced his support for Trump 's proposal to boost stimulus checks to $ 2,000 —a move that was blocked by McConnell the same day .
`` Senator McConnell , with all due respect ... for God 's sake , do something kind for We , the People , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forever be remembered in solemn reflection .
Bring $ 2K to the Senate floor .
Americans plead for relief from government oppression .
It 's their money , '' he wrote .
Newsweek reached out to Higgins for additional comment but did not hear back in time for publication .

GOP Congressman Clay Higgins announced Thursday that he would join Senator Josh Hawley in objecting the results of the presidential election when Congress meets to tally the Electoral College votes on January 6.
"I will object to the certification of electoral votes on January 6th. Reports of voter fraud and actions by some states to alter election processes in an unlawful manner have not been properly reviewed," the Louisiana Representative said in a statement.
I will object to the certification of electoral votes on January 6th.
See my full statement below. pic.twitter.com/zTSPqXnPGf — Rep. Clay Higgins (@RepClayHiggins) December 31, 2020
"Our Constitutional requirement to inaugurate a President on January 20th does not abrogate our Constitutional requirement to investigate reasonable suspicion of election fraud and violation of election laws within several of the sovereign states," the statement continued.
"There is sufficient evidence, at a minimum, to investigate criminal acts, which may have compromised the integrity of our election. This effort and action to safeguard our election systems must continue, even beyond January 20th, 2021."
Higgins' announcement comes just one day after Hawley, a Senator from Missouri, stated his intention to object during the election certification process next week.
"I cannot vote to certify the electoral college results on January 6 without raising the fact that some states, particularly Pennsylvania, failed to follow their own state election laws," Hawley said in the statement posted to his Twitter page on Wednesday morning.
Since members from both chambers of Congress have now said they intend to protest the election results, the House and Senate will be forced to go into separate sessions to consider the objection on January 6. For the process to move forward, both chambers must agree to it by a simple majority vote.
The objection is highly unlikely to succeed, and will therefore not change the results of the election.
Several Republican leaders, including Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell have warned lawmakers that objecting the results would be politically damaging and futile.
Last week, Senate Republican Whip John Thune said GOP leadership wants to "encourage all of our members—new members included—that we got a lot of work ahead of us and that rehashing this takes a lot of time and energy and political capital that could best be used working on an agenda for next year."
Rep. Clay Higgins said Thursday that he would contest the results of the 2020 election on January 6, in a last-ditch effort to support President Donald Trump. Here, Trump speaks during a news conference in the James Brady Briefing Room of the White House July 30, 2020 in Washington, DC. Alex Wong/Getty
But the January 6 vote could be particularly significant for Republicans up for re-election in 2022, who could have their loyalty to President Donald Trump questioned if they refuse to challenge the election results.
Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama, who is leading the effort on the House side, told reporters that "dozens of Congressman" were rallying behind the last-ditch effort to contest the presidential election.
"We now in the House side are up to dozens of congressmen who are willing to object or co-sponsor objections to various states' submittals, so we have more congressmen than we have states to object to," he said earlier this month, according to The Hill.
Higgins won his bid for re-election this year by a landslide margin of 67.8 percent of the votes against his Democratic challengers.
On Tuesday, Higgins announced his support for Trump's proposal to boost stimulus checks to $2,000 —a move that was blocked by McConnell the same day.
"Senator McConnell, with all due respect... for God's sake, do something kind for We, the People, at this end of a year to forever be remembered in solemn reflection. Bring $2K to the Senate floor. Americans plead for relief from government oppression. It's their money," he wrote.
Newsweek reached out to Higgins for additional comment but did not hear back in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-31--Email Shows Chicago Mayor Knew of Naked Social Worker Arrest Longer Than Claimed

A recently resurfaced email from November 2019 has contradicted Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot 's claim that she had only recently heard of the February 2019 arrest of 50-year-old Black social worker Anjanette Young .
Video of Young 's arrest has gone viral for showing her handcuffed , naked and pleading for clothes as an all-male group of police officers searched her home for a felon who lived next door .
Young was innocent of any crimes and was repeatedly told to relax as police raided her home while she stood there naked and sobbing .
`` Today , I became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Young from February 2019 , before I became Mayor , and I saw a video today for the first time .
I had no knowledge of either until today , '' Lightfoot claimed in a December 19 statement .
`` I had a very emotional reaction to what was depicted on the video as I imagine that many people did . ''
However , a November 11 , 2019 email exchange shows Lightfoot asking to arrange an information call about the incident after her top aide , Susan Lee , called it a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The email contained a detailed description of the raid which had occurred three months before Lightfoot official became mayor .
Later in the email exchange , Lightfoot asks about reforms on the city 's search warrants policies and for an update on requiring training for officers who had applied for search warrants twice or more within the past 18 months , The Chicago Tribune reported .
Lightfoot has since said that she did n't recall the email .
`` While it 's clear that I focused my response to this information on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have paused to ask more questions about Ms. Young 's well-being and the video itself .
I am sorry that I did n't do that then , and I 'm committed to doing all that I can now to righting the wrongs Ms. Young experienced , '' Lightfoot said in a statement released Wednesday .
`` Now is the time for meaningful change , '' Lightfoot 's statement continued , `` and I wo n't rest until we can be sure that what happened to Ms. Young never happens again . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ footage of Young 's arrest , Chicago city attorneys filed an injunction in federal court to stop the network 's broadcast , claiming it would impede an internal investigation into the botched raid .
Lightfoot has said she was unaware of the attorney 's actions to bar the video 's broadcast .
While searching for a suspected 23-year-old felon believed to have guns and ammo on the premises , a dozen police officers busted open Young 's front door with a battering ram and crowbar .
They then entered her home with guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as officers shouted at the naked woman to put her hands up .
Police then handcuffed Young while searching her apartment .
While officers eventually wrapped a short coat and blanket around her shoulders , her breasts and genitals remained fully exposed while they searched for the non-present individual .
As she began crying and stating that she had lived alone for the last four years , asking what was happening , the chief overseeing the raid repeatedly told her , `` Relax , '' and , `` You do n't have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had the wrong house 43 times .
Officers told her that they did n't .
The officers were wrong .
The police informant had given them the wrong address .
The suspect was wearing a police tracking monitor and staying under house arrest in the apartment next door to Young 's .
`` I 'm just standing there , terrified , humiliated , not even understanding why in that moment that this is happening to me , '' Young told CBS .
`` It was one of those moments where I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
If I had made one wrong move , I feel like they would have shot me . ''
An officer looking over the warrant paperwork in a police vehicle was caught on body camera stating that the raid `` was n't initially approved or some crap '' and adding , `` I have no idea ...
I guess that person messed up . ''
Police officials have declined to explain what the comment means , CBS Chicago stated .
While the sergeant apologized before leaving , the raid damaged her front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left .
Because it took nearly two years for the video to be released , civil rights activists have criticized the city 's inconsistently applying its policies on releasing police bodycam footage , stating that the city will release such footage during investigations when it fits police narratives and withholding it otherwise .

A recently resurfaced email from November 2019 has contradicted Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's claim that she had only recently heard of the February 2019 arrest of 50-year-old Black social worker Anjanette Young.
Video of Young's arrest has gone viral for showing her handcuffed, naked and pleading for clothes as an all-male group of police officers searched her home for a felon who lived next door. Young was innocent of any crimes and was repeatedly told to relax as police raided her home while she stood there naked and sobbing.
"Today, I became aware of an incident involving Ms. Anjanette Young from February 2019, before I became Mayor, and I saw a video today for the first time. I had no knowledge of either until today," Lightfoot claimed in a December 19 statement. "I had a very emotional reaction to what was depicted on the video as I imagine that many people did."
However, a November 11, 2019 email exchange shows Lightfoot asking to arrange an information call about the incident after her top aide, Susan Lee, called it a "pretty bad wrongful raid." The email contained a detailed description of the raid which had occurred three months before Lightfoot official became mayor.
Later in the email exchange, Lightfoot asks about reforms on the city's search warrants policies and for an update on requiring training for officers who had applied for search warrants twice or more within the past 18 months, The Chicago Tribune reported.
Lightfoot has since said that she didn't recall the email.
"While it's clear that I focused my response to this information on the policy change we unquestionably needed, I should have paused to ask more questions about Ms. Young's well-being and the video itself. I am sorry that I didn't do that then, and I'm committed to doing all that I can now to righting the wrongs Ms. Young experienced," Lightfoot said in a statement released Wednesday.
"Now is the time for meaningful change," Lightfoot's statement continued, "and I won't rest until we can be sure that what happened to Ms. Young never happens again."
Despite Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot claiming not to have heard of the shocking February 2019 arrest of 50-year-old Black social worker Anjanette Young until a couple weeks ago, a recently resurfaced email shows Lightfoot was informed in detail of the arrest in November 2019. In this April 26, 2019 photo, Lightfoot speaks at an exhibition on founding father Alexander Hamilton at Northerly Island in Chicago, Illinois. Timothy Hiatt/Getty
When CBS Chicago planned to air video footage of Young's arrest, Chicago city attorneys filed an injunction in federal court to stop the network's broadcast, claiming it would impede an internal investigation into the botched raid. Lightfoot has said she was unaware of the attorney's actions to bar the video's broadcast.
CBS broadcast the footage on December 17.
While searching for a suspected 23-year-old felon believed to have guns and ammo on the premises, a dozen police officers busted open Young's front door with a battering ram and crowbar. They then entered her home with guns drawn, flashlights shining in her face as officers shouted at the naked woman to put her hands up.
Police then handcuffed Young while searching her apartment. While officers eventually wrapped a short coat and blanket around her shoulders, her breasts and genitals remained fully exposed while they searched for the non-present individual.
As she began crying and stating that she had lived alone for the last four years, asking what was happening, the chief overseeing the raid repeatedly told her, "Relax," and, "You don't have to shout." She told officers that they had the wrong house 43 times. Officers told her that they didn't.
The officers were wrong. The police informant had given them the wrong address. The suspect was wearing a police tracking monitor and staying under house arrest in the apartment next door to Young's.
"I'm just standing there, terrified, humiliated, not even understanding why in that moment that this is happening to me," Young told CBS. "It was one of those moments where I just felt like I could have died that night. If I had made one wrong move, I feel like they would have shot me."
An officer looking over the warrant paperwork in a police vehicle was caught on body camera stating that the raid "wasn't initially approved or some crap" and adding, "I have no idea... I guess that person messed up." Police officials have declined to explain what the comment means, CBS Chicago stated.
While the sergeant apologized before leaving, the raid damaged her front door, leaving it unlockable after they left.
Because it took nearly two years for the video to be released, civil rights activists have criticized the city's inconsistently applying its policies on releasing police bodycam footage, stating that the city will release such footage during investigations when it fits police narratives and withholding it otherwise.
Newsweek has contacted Lightfoot's office for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-31--White House Rejects Biden's Claims of Obstruction Transition as 'False Statements'

President Donald Trump 's administration has accused President-elect Joe Biden 's team of lying about how cooperative it has been with transition efforts , less than a month before Biden 's set to be sworn into office .
In a letter Thursday addressed to the head of Biden 's transition team , Trump 's Office of Management and Budget ( OMB ) director Russ Voight wrote he wanted to `` correct several false statements '' from the Biden camp , which has said repeatedly this week that OMB has been putting up `` roadblocks '' to the transition .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing materials on its operations , and has provided factual information about ongoing programs to the [ Biden transition team ] upon request , '' he wrote .
`` We have taken more than 45 meetings with your staff to discuss specific issues , operational questions , and more . ''
But Voight did acknowledge some tension over what his office has been willing to do to work with the Biden team—suggesting he thinks that Biden 's expecting too much from the outgoing administration .
`` What we have not done and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to write ( the Biden administration 's ) legislative policy proposals to dismantle this Administration 's work .
OMB staff are working on this Administration 's policies and will do so until this Administration 's final day in office , '' Voight wrote .
Biden 's team received $ 9.9 million from the federal government to ensure a smooth transition , Voight noted .
`` Any work to develop Biden Administration policies should be done by that team , '' he wrote .
The letter comes just three days after Biden , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of `` obstruction . ''
`` Right now , we just are n't getting all the information that we need from the outgoing administration in key national security areas , '' Biden said , specifically calling out the budget office and the Department of Defense .
`` It 's nothing short , in my view , of irresponsibility . ''
`` OMB leadership 's refusal to fully cooperate impairs our ability to identify opportunities to maximize the relief going out to Americans during the pandemic , and it leaves us in the dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical gaps , '' he told reporters .
Biden 's transition team did n't immediately respond to Newsweek 's request for comment on Voight 's letter .
It 's not the first public spat between the two sides as Biden prepares to take the reins at the White House .
The Biden camp traded barbs with the Department of Defense on December 18 over the rescheduling of several meetings and a perceived lack of cooperation .
Defense Secretary Chris Miller released a statement claiming both sides had agree to a holiday pause—a claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear : there was no mutually agreed upon holiday break , '' he said in a virtual briefing with reporters after Miller 's statement was released .

President Donald Trump's administration has accused President-elect Joe Biden's team of lying about how cooperative it has been with transition efforts, less than a month before Biden's set to be sworn into office.
In a letter Thursday addressed to the head of Biden's transition team, Trump's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director Russ Voight wrote he wanted to "correct several false statements" from the Biden camp, which has said repeatedly this week that OMB has been putting up "roadblocks" to the transition.
"Since ascertainment, OMB has provided significant briefing materials on its operations, and has provided factual information about ongoing programs to the [Biden transition team] upon request," he wrote. "We have taken more than 45 meetings with your staff to discuss specific issues, operational questions, and more."
But Voight did acknowledge some tension over what his office has been willing to do to work with the Biden team—suggesting he thinks that Biden's expecting too much from the outgoing administration.
"What we have not done and will not do is use current OMB staff to write (the Biden administration's) legislative policy proposals to dismantle this Administration's work. OMB staff are working on this Administration's policies and will do so until this Administration's final day in office," Voight wrote.
Biden's team received $9.9 million from the federal government to ensure a smooth transition, Voight noted.
"Any work to develop Biden Administration policies should be done by that team," he wrote.
The letter comes just three days after Biden, in a public address, accused Trump officials of "obstruction."
"Right now, we just aren't getting all the information that we need from the outgoing administration in key national security areas," Biden said, specifically calling out the budget office and the Department of Defense. "It's nothing short, in my view, of irresponsibility."
Biden transition's executive director, Johannes Abraham, repeated those concerns about obstruction.
"OMB leadership's refusal to fully cooperate impairs our ability to identify opportunities to maximize the relief going out to Americans during the pandemic, and it leaves us in the dark as it relates to COVID-related expenditures and critical gaps," he told reporters.
Biden's transition team didn't immediately respond to Newsweek's request for comment on Voight's letter.
It's not the first public spat between the two sides as Biden prepares to take the reins at the White House.
The Biden camp traded barbs with the Department of Defense on December 18 over the rescheduling of several meetings and a perceived lack of cooperation.
Defense Secretary Chris Miller released a statement claiming both sides had agree to a holiday pause—a claim Abraham denied.
"Let me be clear: there was no mutually agreed upon holiday break," he said in a virtual briefing with reporters after Miller's statement was released.