newsweek--2020-11-22--15 Members of Texas Family Contract COVID Linked to Birthday Party: 'Please Protect Yourself'

About 15 family members in Texas contracted the coronavirus , traced to a recent gathering for a birthday party .
Alexa Aragonez , a 26-year-old from Arlington , said that her family felt it would be safe to celebrate her cousin 's wife 's birthday since collectively they had been sticking to strict COVID-19 guidelines , wearing masks and social distancing , according to a report by the Forth Worth Star-Telegram .
Alexa said she did n't attend the November 1 party , but she did drop off her 57-year-old mother , Enriqueta Aragonez .
There were 11 other people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexa 's pregnant cousin and four children all under the age of 12 .
All 12 people who attended the party contracted COVID-19 .
Soon after , another three family members also received positive test results , for a total of 15 .
Alexa , however , tested negative .
Although the majority of the family faced mild cases of the virus , Enriqueta was hospitalized .
`` It 's scary to think that what if my entire family would have had the severe case and every single one of the 15 folks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Alexa told the Star-Telegram .
`` One , I would feel guilty for taking resources from people that really do need it , and two , I would be at risk of losing my entire family . ''
In response , the family decided to share their experience with the City of Arlington with the goal of helping other families avoid the same outcome ahead of the holidays by recording a video , which was shared on social media on Thursday with the hashtag # ProtectArlington .
Each member of the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Arlington residents to stay home and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) guidelines .
`` I went to my nephew 's house and loved seeing my family , but now I 'm fighting against COVID-19 , '' Enriqueta , who was still in the hospital attached to oxygen tubes , said in the video .
`` Please protect yourself .
It 's real . ''
`` All this pain that my family is feeling this loneliness the sickness , this longing to be healthy , could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Please do n't be like my family by avoiding the CDC guidelines .
By staying apart , we can fight this virus together . ''
Along with many other states across the U.S. , Texas has seen a steady surge in cases ahead of the holiday season .
Over 10,915 new coronavirus cases and 132 deaths were reported in Texas on Saturday , according to data by The New York Times .
There has been an average of 11,593 new daily cases— a 44 percent increase compared to two weeks prior .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Newsweek 's request for comment in time for publication .

About 15 family members in Texas contracted the coronavirus, traced to a recent gathering for a birthday party.
Alexa Aragonez, a 26-year-old from Arlington, said that her family felt it would be safe to celebrate her cousin's wife's birthday since collectively they had been sticking to strict COVID-19 guidelines, wearing masks and social distancing, according to a report by the Forth Worth Star-Telegram.
Alexa said she didn't attend the November 1 party, but she did drop off her 57-year-old mother, Enriqueta Aragonez. There were 11 other people in attendance, all younger than Enriqueta—including Alexa's pregnant cousin and four children all under the age of 12.
All 12 people who attended the party contracted COVID-19. Soon after, another three family members also received positive test results, for a total of 15. Alexa, however, tested negative.
El Paso Striken With Serious Surge Of Coronavirus Cases EL PASO, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 16: A 'Stay Home' sign is taped to a vehicle participating in a car caravan of nurses calling for people to stay inside amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in El Paso on November 16, 2020 in El Paso, Texas. 15 family members in Arlington contracted the coronavirus after gathering for a birthday party. Now, they urge others to not do the same. Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images/Getty
Although the majority of the family faced mild cases of the virus, Enriqueta was hospitalized.
"It's scary to think that what if my entire family would have had the severe case and every single one of the 15 folks had to go to the hospital," Alexa told the Star-Telegram. "One, I would feel guilty for taking resources from people that really do need it, and two, I would be at risk of losing my entire family."
In response, the family decided to share their experience with the City of Arlington with the goal of helping other families avoid the same outcome ahead of the holidays by recording a video, which was shared on social media on Thursday with the hashtag #ProtectArlington.
An #ArlingtonTX family recently experienced an outbreak of #COVID19 after attending a large family gathering. Please watch this video message and do your part to reduce the spread of the virus this holiday season. #ProtectArlington ➡ https://t.co/QQdkWS1zxH pic.twitter.com/ycdog3wXci — City of Arlington (@CityOfArlington) November 20, 2020
Each member of the family spoke directly to the camera and pleaded with Arlington residents to stay home and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
"I went to my nephew's house and loved seeing my family, but now I'm fighting against COVID-19," Enriqueta, who was still in the hospital attached to oxygen tubes, said in the video. "Please protect yourself. It's real."
Alexa also shared her mother's sentiments.
"All this pain that my family is feeling this loneliness the sickness, this longing to be healthy, could have been prevented," Alexa said. "Please don't be like my family by avoiding the CDC guidelines. By staying apart, we can fight this virus together."
Along with many other states across the U.S., Texas has seen a steady surge in cases ahead of the holiday season.
Over 10,915 new coronavirus cases and 132 deaths were reported in Texas on Saturday, according to data by The New York Times. There has been an average of 11,593 new daily cases— a 44 percent increase compared to two weeks prior.
The City of Arlington didn't respond to Newsweek's request for comment in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-11-22--Trump Campaign Appeals Pennsylvania Mail-In Ballots Case as State on Verge of Certifying Election Re

Trump Campaign Appeals Pennsylvania Mail-In Ballots Case as State on Verge of Certifying Election Results

Donald Trump 's presidential election campaign is appealing a Pennsylvania judge 's decision to dismiss its lawsuit challenging the state 's ballot counting procedures , with intent to halt its upcoming certification of results .
The appeal , filed Sunday , came about 24 hours after District Court Judge Matthew Brann issued a ruling that tossed out allegations included in the Trump campaign 's legal complaint .
In his decision , Brann noted that attorneys failed to provide sufficient evidence supporting their insistent claims that misconduct on the part of elections officials gave Joe Biden his projected presidential win .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a startling outcome , a plaintiff would come formidably armed with compelling legal arguments and factual proof of rampant corruption , '' Brann wrote .
`` That has not happened .
Instead , this Court has been presented with strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations , unpled in the operative complaint and unsupported by evidence . ''
Among numerous lawsuits filed by the Trump campaign after November 3 , each of which aimed to discredit election results in areas where Biden secured a projected win , this particular legal proceeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar .
It alleged Republicans were disadvantaged by certain local statutes that allow individuals to amend errors on mail ballots prior to Election Day , saying the laws favored Democratic voters .
The suit sought an injunction from the court prohibiting counties listed from certifying election results , which would , in turn , prevent Pennsylvania from doing the same .
Pennsylvania 's county elections boards are due to certify results with Boockvar 's office on Monday .
Although a different suit filed in Pennsylvania , which asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received without proper identification , proved successful in court , the absence of those votes would not sway the overall results of the state 's election .
Ballot tallies reported by the Associated Press show Biden earned nearly 80,000 more votes than Trump in the critical swing state , giving him an anticipated 20 additional votes from the Electoral College .
Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani shared the campaign 's intentions to seek an appeal from the U.S. appellate court in Philadelphia , and suggested it would carry the case as far as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement issued after Brann released his Saturday decision .
Trump 's legal team could appeal an unfavorable decision from the Third Circuit with a petition to the Supreme Court .
`` Although we fully disagree with this opinion , we 're thankful to the Obama-appointed judge for making this anticipated decision quickly , rather than simply trying to run out the clock , '' Giuliani said in the statement , reiterating previous claims that `` so much evidence '' exists to bolster the campaign 's legal efforts , but attorneys did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani , the Republican former New York City mayor and longstanding Trump attorney , joined the sitting president 's legal team hours prior to its first hearing in Pennsylvania federal court last Tuesday .
His emphatic remarks about voter fraud and a Democratic coup to manipulate ballots to Biden 's advantage during a subsequent press conference gave rise to widespread speculation , as well as calls for proof to back the ambitious accusations .
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for further comment but did not receive a reply in time for @ @

Donald Trump's presidential election campaign is appealing a Pennsylvania judge's decision to dismiss its lawsuit challenging the state's ballot counting procedures, with intent to halt its upcoming certification of results.
The appeal, filed Sunday, came about 24 hours after District Court Judge Matthew Brann issued a ruling that tossed out allegations included in the Trump campaign's legal complaint. In his decision, Brann noted that attorneys failed to provide sufficient evidence supporting their insistent claims that misconduct on the part of elections officials gave Joe Biden his projected presidential win.
"One might expect that when seeking such a startling outcome, a plaintiff would come formidably armed with compelling legal arguments and factual proof of rampant corruption," Brann wrote. "That has not happened. Instead, this Court has been presented with strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations, unpled in the operative complaint and unsupported by evidence."
Among numerous lawsuits filed by the Trump campaign after November 3, each of which aimed to discredit election results in areas where Biden secured a projected win, this particular legal proceeding targeted a handful of Pennsylvania counties and Democratic Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar. It alleged Republicans were disadvantaged by certain local statutes that allow individuals to amend errors on mail ballots prior to Election Day, saying the laws favored Democratic voters.
The suit sought an injunction from the court prohibiting counties listed from certifying election results, which would, in turn, prevent Pennsylvania from doing the same. Pennsylvania's county elections boards are due to certify results with Boockvar's office on Monday.
Although a different suit filed in Pennsylvania, which asked the state to disqualify certain mail ballots received without proper identification, proved successful in court, the absence of those votes would not sway the overall results of the state's election. Ballot tallies reported by the Associated Press show Biden earned nearly 80,000 more votes than Trump in the critical swing state, giving him an anticipated 20 additional votes from the Electoral College.
Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani shared the campaign's intentions to seek an appeal from the U.S. appellate court in Philadelphia, and suggested it would carry the case as far as the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary, in a statement issued after Brann released his Saturday decision. Trump's legal team could appeal an unfavorable decision from the Third Circuit with a petition to the Supreme Court.
President Donald Trump addresses reporters during a news briefing at the White House on November 20. On Sunday, Trump's campaign appealed a Pennsylvania District Court judge's decision to dismiss its lawsuit alleging that misconduct affected the state's election results. Tasos Katopodis/Getty
"Although we fully disagree with this opinion, we're thankful to the Obama-appointed judge for making this anticipated decision quickly, rather than simply trying to run out the clock," Giuliani said in the statement, reiterating previous claims that "so much evidence" exists to bolster the campaign's legal efforts, but attorneys did not have ample opportunity to present it.
Giuliani, the Republican former New York City mayor and longstanding Trump attorney, joined the sitting president's legal team hours prior to its first hearing in Pennsylvania federal court last Tuesday. His emphatic remarks about voter fraud and a Democratic coup to manipulate ballots to Biden's advantage during a subsequent press conference gave rise to widespread speculation, as well as calls for proof to back the ambitious accusations.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for further comment but did not receive a reply in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-11-22--Progressives Outraged by Rahm Emanuel Reports as Biden Prepares Cabinet Picks

Progressive Democrats and civil rights leaders are ridiculing reports that former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is being considered for a Biden administration Cabinet position , and critics are honing in on Emanuel 's role in the cover-up of a 2014 police shooting as evidence he can not help combat systemic racism .
Democratic Party members who are wary of President-elect Joe Biden simply becoming a `` not-Trump '' administration have organized petitions and blasted speculation that Emanuel is being considered to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation .
Black and Hispanic lawmakers ranging from local Chicago alderwomen to members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' pick that would foreshadow a Biden presidency that panders to moderates too afraid to fight racial issues from the White House .
Backlash to Emanuel 's unconfirmed Cabinet consideration comes from progressive leaders , including New York congressman-elect Mondaire Jones , congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Chicago alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez .
They highlight Emanuel 's role in the cover-up of the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Chicago police in 2014 .
In 2019 , the inspector general investigation recommended punishment for 16 police officers tied to the incident , and one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the second-degree killing and sentenced to seven years in prison .
Newsweek reached out Sunday to the Biden transition team , which has not confirmed Emanuel is being considered for the transportation Cabinet position .
Emanuel , who was formerly President Barack Obama 's chief of staff , is now a frequent ABC News contributor .
As the Chicago Tribune reported at the time , Emanuel was complicit , and allegedly proactive , in assisting Chicago Police Department efforts to hide dashboard camera video of the deadly incident—characterized by many as murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from officers before he was shot 16 times in the back while `` posing no clear threat . ''
Chicago alderwoman Rodriguez-Sanchez created a Change.org petition on November 10 which implores Windy City residents to `` make sure Joe Biden knows Rahm is on our DO NOT HIRE list . ''
The petition cover photo shows a Black woman declining to shake hands with Emanuel on the city 's elevated train platform .
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund director-counsel Sherrilyn Ifill expressed shock at Emanuel 's apparent consideration for the Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sorry , what ? ''
Friday , in response to a CNN report .
This prompted hundreds of responses , including one labeling the prospective move as utterly `` tone deaf . ''
`` Someone like Rahm Emanuel would be a pretty divisive pick , '' Ocasio-Cortez told The New York Times earlier this month .
`` And it would signal , I think , a hostile approach to the grass-roots and the progressive wing . ''
The Chicago Tribune editorial board took on a more resigned approach to Emanuel potentially landing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday op-ed piece they `` could see it '' happening .
`` 'Divisive ' works too , but not for the reasons Ocasio-Cortez would cite .
Emanuel 's record is easy to cherry-pick to seem better or worse , '' the Tribune board wrote , highlighting his ups and downs as the city 's mayor from 2011 to 2019 .
`` Does the Laquan McDonald case disqualify Emanuel from going back to Washington ?
That will be for Biden administration officials to decide—to weigh against Emanuel 's governing and political experience , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a role as transportation secretary . ''
In a tweet shared by Ocasio-Cortez Saturday , New York congressman-elect Mondaire Jones said Emanuel `` covered up the murder of a Black teenager , Laquan McDonald ... That he 's being considered for a Cabinet position is completely outrageous , and , honestly , very hurtful . ''
Jones set up a petition entitled `` Tell the Biden Transition : Do NOT Give Rahm Emanuel a Cabinet Position . ''
Jones wrote that if Biden is `` sincerely committed to dismantling systemic racism , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enacted policies that `` disproportionately harmed people of color . ''
But many progressive factions of the Democratic Party say Emanuel 's selection , if true , is a larger cautionary sign that Biden and his Cabinet will embrace the status quo of Washington politics .
`` It would knock the air out of any hope Biden as president will be anything more than just not-Trump ... and betray the people who keep showing up for a democracy that so often does not show up for them , wrote Ishena Robinson , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to reveal his Cabinet picks Tuesday .
Newsweek reached out to representatives for Emanuel , the family of Laquan McDonald and Biden 's transition team .

Progressive Democrats and civil rights leaders are ridiculing reports that former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is being considered for a Biden administration Cabinet position, and critics are honing in on Emanuel's role in the cover-up of a 2014 police shooting as evidence he cannot help combat systemic racism.
Democratic Party members who are wary of President-elect Joe Biden simply becoming a "not-Trump" administration have organized petitions and blasted speculation that Emanuel is being considered to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation. Black and Hispanic lawmakers ranging from local Chicago alderwomen to members of Congress say Emanuel is a "divisive" pick that would foreshadow a Biden presidency that panders to moderates too afraid to fight racial issues from the White House.
Backlash to Emanuel's unconfirmed Cabinet consideration comes from progressive leaders, including New York congressman-elect Mondaire Jones, congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Chicago alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez. They highlight Emanuel's role in the cover-up of the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Chicago police in 2014. In 2019, the inspector general investigation recommended punishment for 16 police officers tied to the incident, and one, Jason Van Dyke, was convicted for the second-degree killing and sentenced to seven years in prison.
Newsweek reached out Sunday to the Biden transition team, which has not confirmed Emanuel is being considered for the transportation Cabinet position. Emanuel, who was formerly President Barack Obama's chief of staff, is now a frequent ABC News contributor.
As the Chicago Tribune reported at the time, Emanuel was complicit, and allegedly proactive, in assisting Chicago Police Department efforts to hide dashboard camera video of the deadly incident—characterized by many as murder. The long-suppressed video showed McDonald walking away from officers before he was shot 16 times in the back while "posing no clear threat."
Chicago alderwoman Rodriguez-Sanchez created a Change.org petition on November 10 which implores Windy City residents to "make sure Joe Biden knows Rahm is on our DO NOT HIRE list." The petition cover photo shows a Black woman declining to shake hands with Emanuel on the city's elevated train platform.
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund director-counsel Sherrilyn Ifill expressed shock at Emanuel's apparent consideration for the Biden Cabinet role, tweeting "I'm sorry, what?" Friday, in response to a CNN report. This prompted hundreds of responses, including one labeling the prospective move as utterly "tone deaf."
"Someone like Rahm Emanuel would be a pretty divisive pick," Ocasio-Cortez told The New York Times earlier this month. "And it would signal, I think, a hostile approach to the grass-roots and the progressive wing."
The Chicago Tribune editorial board took on a more resigned approach to Emanuel potentially landing a Biden administration job, noting in a Friday op-ed piece they "could see it" happening.
"'Divisive' works too, but not for the reasons Ocasio-Cortez would cite. Emanuel's record is easy to cherry-pick to seem better or worse," the Tribune board wrote, highlighting his ups and downs as the city's mayor from 2011 to 2019. "Does the Laquan McDonald case disqualify Emanuel from going back to Washington? That will be for Biden administration officials to decide—to weigh against Emanuel's governing and political experience, his high-octane metabolism and his negotiating skills for a role as transportation secretary."
In a tweet shared by Ocasio-Cortez Saturday, New York congressman-elect Mondaire Jones said Emanuel "covered up the murder of a Black teenager, Laquan McDonald...That he's being considered for a Cabinet position is completely outrageous, and, honestly, very hurtful."
Jones set up a petition entitled "Tell the Biden Transition: Do NOT Give Rahm Emanuel a Cabinet Position." Jones wrote that if Biden is "sincerely committed to dismantling systemic racism," he cannot bring on someone who enacted policies that "disproportionately harmed people of color."
But many progressive factions of the Democratic Party say Emanuel's selection, if true, is a larger cautionary sign that Biden and his Cabinet will embrace the status quo of Washington politics.
"It would knock the air out of any hope Biden as president will be anything more than just not-Trump...and betray the people who keep showing up for a democracy that so often does not show up for them, wrote Ishena Robinson, a Chicago writer for The Root.
Biden is expected to reveal his Cabinet picks Tuesday.
Newsweek reached out to representatives for Emanuel, the family of Laquan McDonald and Biden's transition team.


newsweek--2020-11-22--'Stop Golfing and Concede': Maryland GOP Governor Larry Hogan Spars With Trump

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan , a Republican , called out President Donald Trump on Twitter , urging him to concede the election instead of golfing .
Just over two weeks ago , Fox News , the Associated Press and the other major television networks called the election in favor of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris .
But Trump has refused to concede , pushing unfounded claims that widespread voter fraud was behind Biden 's win .
The president and his legal team have not provided evidence to support these allegations .
Trump on Sunday shared a tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Maryland governor had paid millions for COVID-19 tests from South Korea that did not work properly .
`` This RINO will never make the grade .
Hogan is just as bad as the flawed tests he paid big money for ! ''
Trump wrote .
( RINO is an acronym that stands for `` Republican in name only , '' and Hogan has been publicly critical of the president 's response to the ongoing pandemic as well as his refusal to concede ) .
`` If you had done your job , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to fend for themselves to find tests in the middle of a pandemic , as we successfully did in Maryland , '' Hogan tweeted in response , defending himself and shifting the blame to the president .
The president chose to forego participating in a `` Pandemic Preparedness '' event held by the G-20 Summit this weekend .
Although Trump reportedly joined the opening remarks of the virtual event , he left by 10 a.m. on Saturday and headed out to golf , CNN reported .
In remarks to CNN on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders have not challenged the president 's false claims about the election results .
`` We 're beginning to look like a banana republic , '' the GOP governor said .
`` Frankly I 'm embarrassed more people are n't speaking up . ''
Hogan wrote in his book Still Standing , which was published in July , that he had considered launching a primary challenge against Trump but inevitably ruled out the idea .
The Republican lawmaker , who some analysts have floated as potential 2024 presidential hopeful , wrote that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suicide mission '' to run against the current president in 2020 .
`` But a short , energetic campaign might be right up my alley . '
I 'm pretty good at retail politics , ' I said , '' he wrote .
`` I assumed he would go with 'Fat Larry , ' an obvious choice as I had admittedly put on some weight since my cancer battle .
Or maybe 'Cancer Boy , ' '' Hogan added , speculating about nicknames Trump might have given him if he had chosen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good one .
But it did n't happen . ''
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment , but it did not immediately respond .

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, called out President Donald Trump on Twitter, urging him to concede the election instead of golfing.
Just over two weeks ago, Fox News, the Associated Press and the other major television networks called the election in favor of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. But Trump has refused to concede, pushing unfounded claims that widespread voter fraud was behind Biden's win. The president and his legal team have not provided evidence to support these allegations.
Trump on Sunday shared a tweet criticizing Hogan after it was reported that the Maryland governor had paid millions for COVID-19 tests from South Korea that did not work properly.
"This RINO will never make the grade. Hogan is just as bad as the flawed tests he paid big money for!" Trump wrote. (RINO is an acronym that stands for "Republican in name only," and Hogan has been publicly critical of the president's response to the ongoing pandemic as well as his refusal to concede).
If you had done your job, America's governors wouldn't have been forced to fend for themselves to find tests in the middle of a pandemic, as we successfully did in Maryland.
Stop golfing and concede. https://t.co/tCXO8etxge — Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) November 22, 2020
"If you had done your job, America's governors wouldn't have been forced to fend for themselves to find tests in the middle of a pandemic, as we successfully did in Maryland," Hogan tweeted in response, defending himself and shifting the blame to the president.
"Stop golfing and concede," the Republican governor added.
The president chose to forego participating in a "Pandemic Preparedness" event held by the G-20 Summit this weekend. Although Trump reportedly joined the opening remarks of the virtual event, he left by 10 a.m. on Saturday and headed out to golf, CNN reported.
In remarks to CNN on Sunday, Hogan raised concerns that more Republican leaders have not challenged the president's false claims about the election results.
"We're beginning to look like a banana republic," the GOP governor said. "Frankly I'm embarrassed more people aren't speaking up."
Hogan wrote in his book Still Standing, which was published in July, that he had considered launching a primary challenge against Trump but inevitably ruled out the idea.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, speaks after touring Coastal Sunbelt Produce in Laurel, Maryland on May 15 SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty
The Republican lawmaker, who some analysts have floated as potential 2024 presidential hopeful, wrote that he told people it would be a "suicide mission" to run against the current president in 2020. "But a short, energetic campaign might be right up my alley. 'I'm pretty good at retail politics,' I said," he wrote.
"I assumed he would go with 'Fat Larry,' an obvious choice as I had admittedly put on some weight since my cancer battle. Or maybe 'Cancer Boy,'" Hogan added, speculating about nicknames Trump might have given him if he had chosen to run. "That would be a good one. But it didn't happen."
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment, but it did not immediately respond.


newsweek--2020-11-22--Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell 'Enabling Each Other' With Claims 'From the Far Side of the Moon': G

Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell 'Enabling Each Other' With Claims 'From the Far Side of the Moon': Geraldo Rivera

Fox News correspondent-at-large Geraldo Rivera criticized President Donald Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell , saying the pair of attorneys are `` enabling each other '' and are making claims `` from the far side of the moon . ''
Rivera , who describes Trump as an old friend , told Fox News on November 13 that he 'd spoken with the president and expected him to eventually concede that President-elect Joe Biden had in fact won the election .
But in a Sunday interview with Fox News ' Media Buzz , he suggested that Trump had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his supporters .
`` I want him to show grace and good manners and honor the traditions .
The election of 2020 is lost , '' Rivera told Media Buzz host Howard Kurtz .
`` I felt very embarrassed watching , another old friend , Rudy Giuliani and his team , Sidney Powell and the others , in what seemed a bizarre and disconnected press conference raising allegations that were from the far side of the moon as far as I was concerned , '' he said .
`` This is silly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their claims that Venezuela , billionaire George Soros and the Clinton Foundation somehow conspired to rig the election in Biden 's favor .
He described the press conference by Trump 's legal team as `` a circus , '' saying it harmed the president 's image .
`` Sidney Powell in that press conference was as disconnected from reality as Rudy Giuliani was , '' Rivera said .
`` In a way , they were enabling each other . ''
Despite the election being called for Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to concede .
The president and his legal team have pushed baseless claims of widespread voter fraud , failing to provide any evidence to support those allegations .
Rivera was describing a Thursday press conference , in which Powell and Giuliani pushed completely unsubstantiated claims that Venezuela , Big Tech , Antifa , Soros , China , Cuba , multiple major U.S. cities , and others had conspired to prevent Trump from being re-elected .
They provided no evidence to back these claims .
Fox News host Tucker Carlson , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims of voter fraud , pointed out during his Thursday evening program that the president 's legal team had not provided evidence .
Carlson explained that his show had reached out repeatedly to Powell to ask for some of her evidence , but she declined to provide it and eventually told his staff to leave her alone .
`` She never sent us any evidence , despite a lot of requests , polite requests—not a page , '' the Fox News host said .
`` When we kept pressing , she got angry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Carlson quickly received backlash from Trump supporters for daring to question the allegations .
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie , a Republican who helped Trump prep for his September debate with Biden , criticized the president 's legal team during a Sunday interview with ABC News This Week .
`` Quite frankly , the content of the president 's legal team has been a national embarrassment , '' Christie said .
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign and the White House for comment , but they did not immediately @ @

Fox News correspondent-at-large Geraldo Rivera criticized President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, saying the pair of attorneys are "enabling each other" and are making claims "from the far side of the moon."
Rivera, who describes Trump as an old friend, told Fox News on November 13 that he'd spoken with the president and expected him to eventually concede that President-elect Joe Biden had in fact won the election.
But in a Sunday interview with Fox News' Media Buzz, he suggested that Trump had changed his mind after seeing the response from his supporters.
"I want him to show grace and good manners and honor the traditions. The election of 2020 is lost," Rivera told Media Buzz host Howard Kurtz. "I felt very embarrassed watching, another old friend, Rudy Giuliani and his team, Sidney Powell and the others, in what seemed a bizarre and disconnected press conference raising allegations that were from the far side of the moon as far as I was concerned," he said.
.@GeraldoRivera, having talked to Trump, says he "will come around" and concede. Says Rudy team's claims are from "the far side of the moon," and that he was "half in jest" in suggesting vaccine be named for Trump #Mediabuzz https://t.co/afGttIGzJe — #MediaBuzz (@MediaBuzzFNC) November 22, 2020
"This is silly stuff," Rivera said, mocking their claims that Venezuela, billionaire George Soros and the Clinton Foundation somehow conspired to rig the election in Biden's favor. He described the press conference by Trump's legal team as "a circus," saying it harmed the president's image.
"Sidney Powell in that press conference was as disconnected from reality as Rudy Giuliani was," Rivera said. "In a way, they were enabling each other."
Despite the election being called for Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris just over two weeks ago, Trump has refused to concede. The president and his legal team have pushed baseless claims of widespread voter fraud, failing to provide any evidence to support those allegations.
Rivera was describing a Thursday press conference, in which Powell and Giuliani pushed completely unsubstantiated claims that Venezuela, Big Tech, Antifa, Soros, China, Cuba, multiple major U.S. cities, and others had conspired to prevent Trump from being re-elected. They provided no evidence to back these claims.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who has often defended Trump and even pushed unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, pointed out during his Thursday evening program that the president's legal team had not provided evidence. Carlson explained that his show had reached out repeatedly to Powell to ask for some of her evidence, but she declined to provide it and eventually told his staff to leave her alone.
President Donald Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani points to a map as he speaks to the press about various lawsuits related to the 2020 election, as fellow attorney Sidney Powell watches, on November 19 in Washington, D.C. Drew Angerer/HollywoodTake
"She never sent us any evidence, despite a lot of requests, polite requests—not a page," the Fox News host said. "When we kept pressing, she got angry and told us to stop contacting her." Carlson quickly received backlash from Trump supporters for daring to question the allegations.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican who helped Trump prep for his September debate with Biden, criticized the president's legal team during a Sunday interview with ABC News This Week.
"Quite frankly, the content of the president's legal team has been a national embarrassment," Christie said.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign and the White House for comment, but they did not immediately respond.


newsweek--2020-11-22--'Difficult Thing to Get Over': Fauci Says He's Stunned That Some People Call COVID Outbreak 'Fake Ne

'Difficult Thing to Get Over': Fauci Says He's Stunned That Some People Call COVID Outbreak 'Fake News'

Even as health officials across the country work to abate the growing resurgence of coronavirus cases , hospitalizations and deaths recorded over the past month , there are still Americans who show unwillingness to comply with mitigation orders .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , a top U.S. disease expert , remarked on the public opposition health mandates that persists in November , more than eight months after the onset of the national COVID-19 outbreak , during a recent interview with Kaiser Health News .
`` I was stunned by the fact that in certain areas of the country , even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some people are still saying it 's fake news , '' Fauci said .
`` That is a very difficult thing to get over : why people still insist that something that 's staring you right in the face is not real . ''
Fauci has served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ( NIAID ) at the National Institutes of Health for more than three decades , and was appointed to Donald Trump 's White House Coronavirus Task Force earlier this year .
Despite the sitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reluctant support for face coverings ; unsubstantiated claims about medical treatments ; an unrealistic vaccine timeline ; and general prioritization of economic reopening over risk reduction—Fauci has repeatedly warned against waning mitigation practices and spoken frankly of their likely consequences .
His cautionary messages materialized as legitimate statistics with the onset of fall , when COVID-19 cases began to climb again in areas that previously lowered their transmission rates , and suddenly spiked in more rural places that had experienced less severe outbreaks originally .
In late November , the U.S. is confirming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and diagnosing them at record-breaking rates .
At least 12.1 million people have tested positive for the respiratory illness nationwide since the pandemic began , according to Johns Hopkins University 's Sunday figures .
Roughly 3 million of those cases were confirmed over the past three weeks .
Confronting a surge in hospitalizations and rising fatalities linked to COVID-19 , various state leaders have implemented new restrictions or renewed previous ones meant to slow further spread in recent weeks .
With them , pockets of public resistance seen in response to stay-at-home orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak have also resurfaced .
In Utah , protesters reportedly gathered to oppose the state 's face covering order earlier this month .
On Sunday , a video shared to Twitter showed multiple people waiting to board a flight , reportedly departing from Salt Lake City International Airport , without face masks .
Fauci 's discussion of confusing public resistance to mitigation measures , such as face masks , came amid wider conversation about a COVID-19 vaccine candidate , when one will become available to the general public , and how many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an appearance on CBS News ' Face the Nation Sunday morning , he underscored the importance of large-scale immunization in order to manage the virus ' spread .
`` If you have a highly efficacious vaccine , and only a relatively small 40 or 50 percent of the people get vaccinated , you 're not going to get the herd immunity you need , '' Fauci said .
`` What we do need is , we need to get as many people as possible vaccinated . ''
Seeming to acknowledge hesitance on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not get a COVID-19 vaccine if one became available , the health expert also noted that people should feel `` assured '' that an immunization candidate is safe and effective to use once it receives approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
Newsweek reached out to NIAID for further comment , but did not receive a reply in time for publication .

Even as health officials across the country work to abate the growing resurgence of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths recorded over the past month, there are still Americans who show unwillingness to comply with mitigation orders.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, a top U.S. disease expert, remarked on the public opposition health mandates that persists in November, more than eight months after the onset of the national COVID-19 outbreak, during a recent interview with Kaiser Health News.
"I was stunned by the fact that in certain areas of the country, even though the devastation of the outbreak is clear, some people are still saying it's fake news," Fauci said. "That is a very difficult thing to get over: why people still insist that something that's staring you right in the face is not real."
Fauci has served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health for more than three decades, and was appointed to Donald Trump's White House Coronavirus Task Force earlier this year. Despite the sitting president's attitude about COVID-19—which came with reluctant support for face coverings; unsubstantiated claims about medical treatments; an unrealistic vaccine timeline; and general prioritization of economic reopening over risk reduction—Fauci has repeatedly warned against waning mitigation practices and spoken frankly of their likely consequences.
His cautionary messages materialized as legitimate statistics with the onset of fall, when COVID-19 cases began to climb again in areas that previously lowered their transmission rates, and suddenly spiked in more rural places that had experienced less severe outbreaks originally. In late November, the U.S. is confirming new COVID-19 infections in staggering numbers, and diagnosing them at record-breaking rates.
At least 12.1 million people have tested positive for the respiratory illness nationwide since the pandemic began, according to Johns Hopkins University's Sunday figures. Roughly 3 million of those cases were confirmed over the past three weeks. Confronting a surge in hospitalizations and rising fatalities linked to COVID-19, various state leaders have implemented new restrictions or renewed previous ones meant to slow further spread in recent weeks.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks at a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing on November 19 in Washington, D.C. Fauci lamented the fact that some Americans still regard the COVID-19 pandemic as "fake news" during a recent interview. Tasos Katopodis/Getty
With them, pockets of public resistance seen in response to stay-at-home orders during the first few months of the outbreak have also resurfaced. In Utah, protesters reportedly gathered to oppose the state's face covering order earlier this month. On Sunday, a video shared to Twitter showed multiple people waiting to board a flight, reportedly departing from Salt Lake City International Airport, without face masks.
Fauci's discussion of confusing public resistance to mitigation measures, such as face masks, came amid wider conversation about a COVID-19 vaccine candidate, when one will become available to the general public, and how many people will opt to use it.
During an appearance on CBS News' Face the Nation Sunday morning, he underscored the importance of large-scale immunization in order to manage the virus' spread.
Could life return to normal in May? @NIAIDNews' Anthony #Fauci says: “I don’t think so,” and notes that herd immunity can only happen IF greater than 40-50% of Americans get vaccinated pic.twitter.com/LIwyFSsuAd — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) November 22, 2020
"If you have a highly efficacious vaccine, and only a relatively small 40 or 50 percent of the people get vaccinated, you're not going to get the herd immunity you need," Fauci said. "What we do need is, we need to get as many people as possible vaccinated."
Seeming to acknowledge hesitance on the part of some Americans who say they would not get a COVID-19 vaccine if one became available, the health expert also noted that people should feel "assured" that an immunization candidate is safe and effective to use once it receives approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Newsweek reached out to NIAID for further comment, but did not receive a reply in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-11-22--Fox Host Presses Biden Adviser on When President-Elect Will Meet With McConnell: 'You Can't Pass COV

Fox Host Presses Biden Adviser on When President-Elect Will Meet With McConnell: 'You Can't Pass COVID Relief' Without Him

Following President-elect Joe Biden 's call to expedite a COVID-19 stimulus package , Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace pressed Biden 's adviser during a televised interview on when he would meet with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
`` You ca n't pass COVID relief without the Senate Majority Leader , '' said Wallace .
`` Is the President-elect ready to meet with him ? ''
Kate Bedingfield , senior adviser to Biden 's transition team , said he is ready to negotiate with Republicans , including McConnell , over another relief bill .
`` He 's looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is right , '' said Bedingfield .
`` Obviously , you know he and Senator McConnell has had a productive working relationship in the past and he looks forward to meeting with Senator McConnell when that moment arrives . ''
Biden has previously met with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer regarding the bill .
Wallace then pressed further and asked if Biden would be ready to meet with the Senate Majority Leader now .
Bedingfield then said : `` Yes , absolutely .
We 're very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see progress soon on this bill , because people all across the country desperately need it . ''
The adviser continued to note that Biden `` believes that we need to get a relief bill done in the lame-duck , '' session of Congress .
After a months-long standoff between House Democrats and Senate Republicans , Biden pressed Congress to fast-track another coronavirus stimulus package last week .
`` Right now , Congress should come together and pass the COVID relief package , '' Biden told reporters Monday .
`` There 's so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only way we do any of this is we work together . ''
The Democrat-controlled House passed a $ 3.4 trillion next-phase stimulus called the HEROES Act in May , but the Senate has n't taken it up for a vote .
GOP leaders in the upper chamber said the Democratic plan is too expensive and instead preferred a smaller , more targeted package .
Biden has since said that he will support HEROES or something that resembles it to help the economy as coronavirus cases continue to surge throughout the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the host and the interviewee also addressed the numerous legal challenges filed by President Donald Trump 's campaign , to which Wallace asked if they pose a threat to Biden 's projected victory .
`` No , he does not have any concern , '' Bedingfield said , noting that the Trump campaign 's cases `` have been laughed out of court after court all across the country '' and `` are getting absolutely no traction . ''
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were declared the projected winners of the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news outlets .
However , Trump has refused to concede and filed many lawsuits , baselessly claiming that the election was decided through widespread voter fraud .
McConnell did n't respond to Newsweek 's request for comment in time for publication .

Following President-elect Joe Biden's call to expedite a COVID-19 stimulus package, Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace pressed Biden's adviser during a televised interview on when he would meet with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
"You can't pass COVID relief without the Senate Majority Leader," said Wallace. "Is the President-elect ready to meet with him?"
Kate Bedingfield, senior adviser to Biden's transition team, said he is ready to negotiate with Republicans, including McConnell, over another relief bill.
"He's looking forward to doing that when the time is right," said Bedingfield. "Obviously, you know he and Senator McConnell has had a productive working relationship in the past and he looks forward to meeting with Senator McConnell when that moment arrives."
Biden has previously met with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer regarding the bill.
President-Elect Biden And VP-Elect Harris Deliver Remarks In Wilmington, DE WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - NOVEMBER 19: U.S. President-elect Joe Biden listens as Vice President-elect Kamala Harris speaks during a press conference after a virtual meeting with the National Governors Association's executive committee at the Queen Theater on November 19, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. Mr. Biden and his advisors continue the process of transitioning to the White House. Kate Bedingfield, senior adviser to Biden’s transition team said he is ready to negotiate with Republicans, including McConnell, over another COVID-19 relief bill. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images/Getty
Wallace then pressed further and asked if Biden would be ready to meet with the Senate Majority Leader now.
Bedingfield then said: "Yes, absolutely. We're very hopeful that we'll be able to see progress soon on this bill, because people all across the country desperately need it."
The adviser continued to note that Biden "believes that we need to get a relief bill done in the lame-duck," session of Congress.
After a months-long standoff between House Democrats and Senate Republicans, Biden pressed Congress to fast-track another coronavirus stimulus package last week.
"Right now, Congress should come together and pass the COVID relief package," Biden told reporters Monday. "There's so much we can do, but the only way we do any of this is we work together."
The Democrat-controlled House passed a $3.4 trillion next-phase stimulus called the HEROES Act in May, but the Senate hasn't taken it up for a vote.
GOP leaders in the upper chamber said the Democratic plan is too expensive and instead preferred a smaller, more targeted package.
Biden has since said that he will support HEROES or something that resembles it to help the economy as coronavirus cases continue to surge throughout the country.
During Wallace's Sunday interview with Bedingfield, the host and the interviewee also addressed the numerous legal challenges filed by President Donald Trump's campaign, to which Wallace asked if they pose a threat to Biden's projected victory.
"No, he does not have any concern," Bedingfield said, noting that the Trump campaign's cases "have been laughed out of court after court all across the country" and "are getting absolutely no traction."
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were declared the projected winners of the presidential election on November 7 by multiple national news outlets. However, Trump has refused to concede and filed many lawsuits, baselessly claiming that the election was decided through widespread voter fraud.
McConnell didn't respond to Newsweek's request for comment in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-11-22--GOP Senator Has Instructed Staff to Cooperate With Biden Transition, Says It's 'Past Time' for Trump

GOP Senator Has Instructed Staff to Cooperate With Biden Transition, Says It's 'Past Time' for Trump to Do Same

Senator Kevin Kramer , a North Dakota Republican , said that he has instructed his staff to cooperate with any outreach from President-elect Joe Biden 's transition team while asserting that it was `` past time '' for President Donald Trump to do the same .
Although Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were declared the winners of the election just over two weeks ago , Trump has refused to concede .
The president and his supporters have pushed unfounded claims—without providing evidence—that Biden won through widespread voter fraud .
The Trump appointee leading the General Services Administration ( GSA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the election results , blocking Biden 's transition team from accessing federal funds , office space and cooperation with Trump administration agencies .
`` I , frankly , do think it 's time to—well , it was past time to start a transition , to at least cooperate with the transition .
I 'd rather have a president that has more than one day to prepare , should Joe Biden , you know , end up winning this , '' Kramer told NBC News ' Meet the Press on Sunday .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pursue court challenges in various states , he said that the GSA should `` ascertain '' the results so the transition can go forward on Monday .
`` It should happen tomorrow morning because it did n't happen last Monday morning .
I just think you have to begin that process , give the incoming administration all the time they need , '' the Republican lawmaker said .
He noted that he `` informed '' his staff `` well over a week ago that they ought to cooperate with any transition outreach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` We have to , you know , we have a government to run regardless of who the president is , '' the GOP senator said .
Democrats and some Republicans have raised significant concerns that a lack of a smooth transition could threaten national security , as well as the successful rollout of COVID-19 vaccines .
`` We have n't been able to get into Operation Warp Speed , but we will take what we learned today and build it into our plan , '' Biden said Thursday after a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warp Speed is the name the Trump administration has given to its effort to rapidly develop COVID-19 vaccines and distribute them across the country .
A growing number of prominent Republicans have called on Trump to recognize the results of the election .
Several have criticized his legal team for making baseless accusations , while pointing out that they have not made the same claims in court when they are under oath .
`` Quite frankly , the content of the president 's legal team has been a national embarrassment , '' former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who helped Trump prepare for his September debate against Biden—told ABC News ' This Week on Sunday .
Speaking to CNN on Sunday , Maryland 's Governor Larry Hogan , a Republican , raised concerns that more Republicans have not challenged the president publicly .
`` We 're beginning to look like a banana republic , '' Hogan said .
`` Frankly I 'm embarrassed more people are n't speaking up . ''
Senator Mitt Romney of Utah , a Republican who has often clashed with Trump , strongly criticized the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Twitter .
`` Having failed to make even a plausible case of widespread fraud or conspiracy before any court of law , the President has now resorted to overt pressure on state and local officials to subvert the will of the people and overturn the election , '' Romney said .
`` It is difficult to imagine a worse , more undemocratic action by a sitting American President . ''
Newsweek reached out to the White House but it did not immediately respond .

Senator Kevin Kramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that he has instructed his staff to cooperate with any outreach from President-elect Joe Biden's transition team while asserting that it was "past time" for President Donald Trump to do the same.
Although Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were declared the winners of the election just over two weeks ago, Trump has refused to concede. The president and his supporters have pushed unfounded claims—without providing evidence—that Biden won through widespread voter fraud. The Trump appointee leading the General Services Administration (GSA) has declined to officially "ascertain" the election results, blocking Biden's transition team from accessing federal funds, office space and cooperation with Trump administration agencies.
"I, frankly, do think it's time to—well, it was past time to start a transition, to at least cooperate with the transition. I'd rather have a president that has more than one day to prepare, should Joe Biden, you know, end up winning this," Kramer told NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday.
Senator Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) speaks to reporters on August 4 in Washington. On Sunday he said it's "past time" for the Trump administration to cooperate with the Biden transition team. Alex Wong/Getty
Although Kramer said Trump has a legal right to pursue court challenges in various states, he said that the GSA should "ascertain" the results so the transition can go forward on Monday.
"It should happen tomorrow morning because it didn't happen last Monday morning. I just think you have to begin that process, give the incoming administration all the time they need," the Republican lawmaker said. He noted that he "informed" his staff "well over a week ago that they ought to cooperate with any transition outreach because we want to be prepared."
"We have to, you know, we have a government to run regardless of who the president is," the GOP senator said.
Democrats and some Republicans have raised significant concerns that a lack of a smooth transition could threaten national security, as well as the successful rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.
"We haven't been able to get into Operation Warp Speed, but we will take what we learned today and build it into our plan," Biden said Thursday after a meeting that included several GOP governors. Operation Warp Speed is the name the Trump administration has given to its effort to rapidly develop COVID-19 vaccines and distribute them across the country.
A growing number of prominent Republicans have called on Trump to recognize the results of the election. Several have criticized his legal team for making baseless accusations, while pointing out that they have not made the same claims in court when they are under oath.
"Quite frankly, the content of the president's legal team has been a national embarrassment," former Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey—a Republican who helped Trump prepare for his September debate against Biden—told ABC News' This Week on Sunday.
Speaking to CNN on Sunday, Maryland's Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, raised concerns that more Republicans have not challenged the president publicly.
"We're beginning to look like a banana republic," Hogan said. "Frankly I'm embarrassed more people aren't speaking up."
Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, a Republican who has often clashed with Trump, strongly criticized the president's unfounded claims in a Thursday statement posted to Twitter.
"Having failed to make even a plausible case of widespread fraud or conspiracy before any court of law, the President has now resorted to overt pressure on state and local officials to subvert the will of the people and overturn the election," Romney said. "It is difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action by a sitting American President."
Newsweek reached out to the White House but it did not immediately respond.


newsweek--2020-11-22--Michigan Could Face 'Constitutional Crisis' Over Election: State House Speaker

Michigan lawmaker Lee Chatfield , a Republican who serves as speaker of the state 's House of Representatives , discussed accusations of misconduct and procedural irregularities that some conservatives say impacted election results in Wayne County , which encompasses Detroit .
During a Fox News appearance on Sunday morning , Chatfield said allegations could prompt `` a constitutional crisis '' in Michigan if elections officials and jurists decide against a prompt certification of the state 's election results next week .
Michigan 's bipartisan canvassing board , which is composed of two Republicans and two Democrats , will hold a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves to certify results immediately or delays the process .
Chatfield said he does not intend to `` interfere '' with the board 's upcoming vote , and noted that a deadlock would then extend the decision to jurists seated on the Michigan Supreme Court .
`` If they did n't have an order that [ the election results ] be certified , well , now we have a constitutional crisis in the state of Michigan that 's never occurred before , '' he continued .
Later , the state representative added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't want to be in . ''
The state representative referenced sweeping criticisms from politicians and members of the public who are denouncing efforts by sitting president Donald Trump to challenge results of the general election .
In doing so , his re-election campaign launched numerous lawsuits aiming to invalidate mail-in ballots and , ultimately , delay certification procedures across the U.S .
The legal proceedings target jurisdictions where ballot tallies showed a majority of voters supported President-elect Joe Biden .
Biden is projected to have won Michigan , a key battleground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure ahead of Election Day .
Ballot tallies showed the Democratic former vice president led Trump by roughly 154,000 votes statewide , and all 83 counties had certified their results individually as of Sunday .
Wayne County , a predominantly Democratic area whose large population of voters contributed to Biden 's overall Michigan triumph , became subject to legal attacks from the Trump campaign in the weeks after polls closed November 3 .
Two Republican members of the county 's board of canvassers initially voted to halt its certification , which would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statewide , but eventually backtracked last week .
The Trump campaign withdrew its Wayne County lawsuit shortly after .
In announcement , the campaign said its decision came `` as a direct result of achieving the relief we sought : to stop the election in Wayne County from being prematurely certified before residents can be assured that every legal vote has been counted and every illegal vote has not been counted . ''
The campaign 's broad allegations of voter fraud and corruption skewing election results for Biden are unsubstantiated and widely discredited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been dismissed in court .
Following Wayne County canvassers ' decision to certify local election results , Trump held a meeting at the White House with Chatfield and Michigan 's Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey .
Although the state legislators said they had `` not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan '' in a subsequent statement , Trump insisted that `` massive voter fraud will be shown '' in a tweet that referenced their comments .
Twitter flagged the post to notify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading Republicans—including Michigan GOP Chair Laura Cox and Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel—urged the state 's board of canvassers to delay Monday 's scheduled vote in the aftermath of Trump 's meeting with the pair of lawmakers .
The Detroit Free Press countered their push with an editorial piece published on Saturday , which called for the canvassing board to proceed with their vote as planned .
`` Enough , already .
The fanciful conspiracy theories have been debunked , '' the article read .
Numerous government officials , from both parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During a CNN interview on Sunday morning , Republican Fred Upton , a Michigan representative in the U.S. House , noted plainly that `` no one has come up with any evidence of fraud or abuse '' as it concerns the state 's election process .
Experts have explained that bookkeeping issues identified in Wayne County , which seem to be the root of Trump 's mounting allegations of misconduct , only involve a small number ballots and would not impact Michigan 's election results .
Others point out that `` irregularities '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Newsweek reached out to the Michigan Bureau of Elections for comment , but did not receive a reply in time for publication .

Michigan lawmaker Lee Chatfield, a Republican who serves as speaker of the state's House of Representatives, discussed accusations of misconduct and procedural irregularities that some conservatives say impacted election results in Wayne County, which encompasses Detroit.
During a Fox News appearance on Sunday morning, Chatfield said allegations could prompt "a constitutional crisis" in Michigan if elections officials and jurists decide against a prompt certification of the state's election results next week.
Michigan's bipartisan canvassing board, which is composed of two Republicans and two Democrats, will hold a vote on Monday to determine whether it moves to certify results immediately or delays the process.
Chatfield said he does not intend to "interfere" with the board's upcoming vote, and noted that a deadlock would then extend the decision to jurists seated on the Michigan Supreme Court.
"If they didn't have an order that [the election results] be certified, well, now we have a constitutional crisis in the state of Michigan that's never occurred before," he continued. Later, the state representative added: "It's a place I really don't want to be in."
The state representative referenced sweeping criticisms from politicians and members of the public who are denouncing efforts by sitting president Donald Trump to challenge results of the general election. In doing so, his re-election campaign launched numerous lawsuits aiming to invalidate mail-in ballots and, ultimately, delay certification procedures across the U.S. The legal proceedings target jurisdictions where ballot tallies showed a majority of voters supported President-elect Joe Biden.
Biden is projected to have won Michigan, a key battleground state that both presidential candidates were pushing to secure ahead of Election Day. Ballot tallies showed the Democratic former vice president led Trump by roughly 154,000 votes statewide, and all 83 counties had certified their results individually as of Sunday.
Wayne County, a predominantly Democratic area whose large population of voters contributed to Biden's overall Michigan triumph, became subject to legal attacks from the Trump campaign in the weeks after polls closed November 3. Two Republican members of the county's board of canvassers initially voted to halt its certification, which would effectively delay Michigan from doing the same statewide, but eventually backtracked last week.
Detroit Department of Elections workers count absentee ballots at the city's TCF Center on November 4. The state Board of Canvassers is expected to hold a vote Monday that will determine whether Michigan will certify election results for Joe Biden according to its scheduled deadline. Elaine Cromie/Getty
The Trump campaign withdrew its Wayne County lawsuit shortly after. In announcement, the campaign said its decision came "as a direct result of achieving the relief we sought: to stop the election in Wayne County from being prematurely certified before residents can be assured that every legal vote has been counted and every illegal vote has not been counted."
The campaign's broad allegations of voter fraud and corruption skewing election results for Biden are unsubstantiated and widely discredited. Most of its lawsuits have already been dismissed in court.
Following Wayne County canvassers' decision to certify local election results, Trump held a meeting at the White House with Chatfield and Michigan's Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey. Although the state legislators said they had "not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan" in a subsequent statement, Trump insisted that "massive voter fraud will be shown" in a tweet that referenced their comments. Twitter flagged the post to notify users of its unproven claims.
Massive voter fraud will be shown! https://t.co/F0iGNXtXZP — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 21, 2020
Several leading Republicans—including Michigan GOP Chair Laura Cox and Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel—urged the state's board of canvassers to delay Monday's scheduled vote in the aftermath of Trump's meeting with the pair of lawmakers. The Detroit Free Press countered their push with an editorial piece published on Saturday, which called for the canvassing board to proceed with their vote as planned.
"Enough, already. The fanciful conspiracy theories have been debunked," the article read.
Numerous government officials, from both parties, share the newspaper's perspective. During a CNN interview on Sunday morning, Republican Fred Upton, a Michigan representative in the U.S. House, noted plainly that "no one has come up with any evidence of fraud or abuse" as it concerns the state's election process.
Experts have explained that bookkeeping issues identified in Wayne County, which seem to be the root of Trump's mounting allegations of misconduct, only involve a small number ballots and would not impact Michigan's election results. Others point out that "irregularities" such as these happen often during elections.
Newsweek reached out to the Michigan Bureau of Elections for comment, but did not receive a reply in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-11-22--Lara Trump Says 74 Million People 'Don't Feel' Election Accurate, Cites Campaign Rally 'Enthusiasm'

Senior 2020 campaign adviser Lara Trump said the feelings and passion of President Donald Trump 's nearly 74 million voters is evidence enough to continue bringing voter fraud allegations against states her father-in-law lost .
Trump said Sunday that President-elect Joe Biden 's nearly 80 million votes , 6 million more than the president , is too hard to `` rationalize '' and the Trump campaign is obliged to pursue any and all legal challenges against the election results .
Trump defended ongoing legal disputes to Fox News by describing how the president 's nearly 74 million supporters across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outcome is even plausible .
Trump justified the legal claims by highlighting Biden 's comparatively smaller campaign rally attendance numbers prior to Election Day , saying those events were dwarfed by the `` enthusiasm '' seen at Trump rallies .
Trump rejected the claims by her husband ( Eric Trump ) and brother-in-law ( Donald Trump Jr. ) that `` feelings '' should not cloud Americans ' decisions .
She said the intense passion of her father-in-law 's supporters should make anyone skeptical of the election results , which show Biden won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Last time I checked the people were still in charge of the United States of America and there are about 74 million people out there who do not feel like the result of this election that 's been presented is accurate , '' Trump told Fox News on Sunday morning .
`` And I think it 's very hard for people to rationalize that a guy like Joe Biden who could barely scrape together 12 people to go to a campaign event for him , even a couple of weeks ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Donald Trump gained 10 million votes from 2016 , we all were out working across the country hard , you saw that tens of thousands of people would come to Trump events and then like 12 to 20 people showing up to a Joe Biden event , '' she continued .
Trump rejected some Democrats ' claims to a mandate after Biden 's wide popular vote win and compared the `` egregious '' election results to a `` guy on the street trying to sell you a Gucci wallet '' for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim that `` fraud , dead people voting '' were rampant even though state after state has rejected the Trump campaign 's numerous legal challenges .
`` The people out there have been very clear something is wrong .
We have been trying to get to the bottom of it from the Trump campaign , and we just want the right thing to happen , all the legitimate votes to be counted , '' Trump continued .
She reiterated Biden could `` barely get a dozen rally attendees '' just weeks ago and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` enthusiasm , number of people , passion out there '' from supporters of the president are evidence enough that something was askew in the election results .
Despite state supreme courts continuing to reject and dismiss Trump voter fraud lawsuits , the 2020 senior campaign adviser insisted the legal challenges will continue .
`` We 're open to anything , '' Trump continued .
`` So far , you 've seen the fraud that has been uncovered , you 've seen that dead people have been voting .
People have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached out to the Trump campaign for additional remarks Sunday afternoon .

Senior 2020 campaign adviser Lara Trump said the feelings and passion of President Donald Trump's nearly 74 million voters is evidence enough to continue bringing voter fraud allegations against states her father-in-law lost.
Trump said Sunday that President-elect Joe Biden's nearly 80 million votes, 6 million more than the president, is too hard to "rationalize" and the Trump campaign is obliged to pursue any and all legal challenges against the election results. Trump defended ongoing legal disputes to Fox News by describing how the president's nearly 74 million supporters across the U.S. "do not feel" like the outcome is even plausible. Trump justified the legal claims by highlighting Biden's comparatively smaller campaign rally attendance numbers prior to Election Day, saying those events were dwarfed by the "enthusiasm" seen at Trump rallies.
"We just want the right thing to happen, all the legitimate votes to be counted," says @LaraLeaTrump pic.twitter.com/Lrkb5zo2LN — Trump War Room - Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) November 22, 2020
Trump rejected the claims by her husband (Eric Trump) and brother-in-law (Donald Trump Jr.) that "feelings" should not cloud Americans' decisions. She said the intense passion of her father-in-law's supporters should make anyone skeptical of the election results, which show Biden won with a record-high number of votes.
"Last time I checked the people were still in charge of the United States of America and there are about 74 million people out there who do not feel like the result of this election that's been presented is accurate," Trump told Fox News on Sunday morning.
"And I think it's very hard for people to rationalize that a guy like Joe Biden who could barely scrape together 12 people to go to a campaign event for him, even a couple of weeks ago, suddenly somehow got around 80 million votes. Donald Trump gained 10 million votes from 2016, we all were out working across the country hard, you saw that tens of thousands of people would come to Trump events and then like 12 to 20 people showing up to a Joe Biden event," she continued.
Trump rejected some Democrats' claims to a mandate after Biden's wide popular vote win and compared the "egregious" election results to a "guy on the street trying to sell you a Gucci wallet" for a cheap price. She made the unfounded claim that "fraud, dead people voting" were rampant even though state after state has rejected the Trump campaign's numerous legal challenges.
"The people out there have been very clear something is wrong. We have been trying to get to the bottom of it from the Trump campaign, and we just want the right thing to happen, all the legitimate votes to be counted," Trump continued.
Senior 2020 campaign adviser Lara Trump said the feelings and passion of President Donald Trump's nearly 74 million voters is evidence enough to continue bringing voter fraud allegations against states her father-in-law lost. Screenshot: Fox News | YouTube
She reiterated Biden could "barely get a dozen rally attendees" just weeks ago and agreed with the Fox News host that the "enthusiasm, number of people, passion out there" from supporters of the president are evidence enough that something was askew in the election results.
Despite state supreme courts continuing to reject and dismiss Trump voter fraud lawsuits, the 2020 senior campaign adviser insisted the legal challenges will continue. "We're open to anything," Trump continued. "So far, you've seen the fraud that has been uncovered, you've seen that dead people have been voting. People have been voting in multiple states."
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for additional remarks Sunday afternoon.