Florida's Primary Pre-Election Rundown
The Republican knives are out for U.S. Rep. Ross Spano (R), as host of individuals, including Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) are coming out in support of his opponent, Lakeland City Commissioner Scott Franklin.
Spano’s isn’t done, but his reelection to the office will be tougher than expected. The Club for Growth is backing Spano, as are quite a few members of Congress.
BUSTED! Finally.
Over in Clay County, Sheriff Darryl Daniels has finally been arrested for tampering with evidence, knowingly giving false information to law enforcement, and on a misdemeanor charge of giving bad information to law enforcement.
The first three charges are felonies. Daniels, who says he is still running for reelection, said the following:
“I was the subject of an investigation. And that took nearly a year and a half, nearly a year and a half. And over the course of time, I’ve continued to fight for the Sheriff’s Office and the folks who live in this community,”
“But one thing that’s very suspicious to me is the fact that within days of a primary election, the powers that be, specifically the State Attorney’s Office has decided that today is the day that they will execute their plan and interfere with what’s going on with the sheriff. With me. Today is the day that they chose to essentially charge me with things that are such that -- it’s baffling to me because it takes a stretching of the imagination to, to understand personally knowing that I’m innocent.” (News4Jax)
Broward County’s state attorney’s race is tight, but in the end, Attorney Sarahnell Murphy may squeak out a victory over the rest of the field. Word on the street is that the race could come down between Murphy and Joshua Rydell, as both candidates appear to have widespread support throughout the county.
All bets are off in Broward’s Sheriff’s race
Embattled former Sheriff Scott Israel still enjoys significant name recognition, but current Sheriff Gregory Tony still has the upper hand. Even though Tony has been dinged with some personal missteps, the fact that Israel oversaw the department during the Parkland school shooting will be the deciding factor in this race.
President Trump Scores Major Foreign Policy Win
Democrats didn't see this coming. Trumps' brokering of a peace deal between Israel and the U.A.E was groundbreaking. The move will surely bolster his chances for reelection. READ MORE
Arroz Con Pollo
Miami-Dade County’s mayoral race has turned into nothing less than a spicy paella full of all kinds of questionable characters and allegations.
The top three contenders – Esteban Bovo, Daniella Levine Cava, and Alex Penelas – Are all claiming that they are garnering enough support to get them to the November election.
Bovo could have the advantage here considering that Cava and Penelas are splitting the Democrat vote while Bovo will surely get the entirety of the GOP vote.
Sen. Marco Rubio, one of Bovo’s close friends, will be highlighting a press conference in Miami today in support of his friend’s mayoral candidacy.
Oh, let’s not forget that the mysterious David Rivera is playing a big role in this race.
LOOMERED
Conservative journalist Laura Loomer is expected to win her congressional primary race in FL CD 22, but if and when she does, it won’t be without controversy and shenanigans.
All of her opponents have said that they would not support her if she won the nomination. More on this race to come. Stay tuned…
The Doctor is In
Dr. William Figlesthaler is saying that he is winning his congressional race in FL CD 19. The race to replace Rep. Francis Rooney (R) has turned downright nasty.
Businessman Casey Askar has turned his guns on all of his opponents while Dr. Fig has refrained from going negative.
Word on the street is that this race is coming down to a foot race between Reps. Byron Donalds, Dane Eagle, and Dr. Fig.
When the dust settles after primary night, the focus will be on the presidential race and several key congressional races. All eyes will be on races in FL CD 26, 13, 18, and possibly 7.
***Your morning JUICE is also sponsored by Fran Flynn. Fran Flynn is a Republican running for Congress in Florida's 22nd congressional district. She's Pro-Trump, Pro-Gun, Pro-Life.***
Marco Rubio @marcorubio -Since March I warned #COVID19 was serious,helped save millions of #smallbusiness jobs & told everyone to use a mask But @Cbrennansports is too lazy to learn that. And so biased she calls retweeting athletes who say #WeWantToPlay “political posturing”
Debbie Wasserman Schultz @DWStweets -Now more than ever, we must protect Floridians’ rights to work safely, secure a retirement and earn a living wage. I’m proud to be endorsed by @SEIUFL and to join them and the entire labor movement in fighting for workers and their families.
Congressman Greg Steube @RepGregSteube -With the election coming up in November, DC Democrats have hyper-politicized future CARES Act negotiations.Rather than putting politics aside and drafting legislation that would pass Congress, they choose to load the bills with leftist poison pills.
US Rep Kathy Castor @USRepKCastor -Specialized health care is coordinated in one place. Drs & nurses develop relationships with the families to the benefit of all. The pandemic hasn’t slowed the ‘round-the-clock care provided by St. Joe’s & our other children’s hospitals. I’m proud to continue to #SpeakNowForKids.
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz -Big Tech has bought off Congress. Our democracy should be powered by the people of our country, not by a few Silicon Valley monopolies.
Rep. Donna E. Shalala @RepShalala-This week we will celebrate the 85th anniversary of Social Security, a program that changed what it means to grow old in America.Thank you to everyone who worked to pass and implement this extraordinary legislation.
Rep. Val Demings @RepValDemings-We have heard from caregivers that they lack adequate PPE and testing supplies. This is dangerous and not acceptable. I've joined a new letter led by @RepCharlieCrist to @AHCA_FL asking for a complete and public inventory of PPE at all long term care facilities in Florida.
Congressman Charlie Crist @RepCharlieCrist -Long-term care workers are putting their lives and the lives of those in their care at risk every day they go without adequate PPE. After hearing from staff, we're calling on the State of Florida to get workers the protection they need NOW.
“Wasserman Schultz’s attacks on Trump are not enough for Progressives” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) is without question one of President Donald Trump’s most unapologetic and loudest detractors in the U.S. Congress, and if you follow her Twitter feed, you will see how much she dislikes him. But even though Rep. Wasserman Schultz’s disdain for Trump is without reproach, it’s not enough for her Democratic primary opponent Jen Perelman, who will find a way to swipe at the veteran congresswoman, even when she is criticizing the president. In a recent tweet, Wasserman Schultz excoriated Trump, stating,” Trump drags down our democracy, small businesses and healthcare system with his attacks” against the United States Postal Service, and questions when Republicans were going to “stop” his “dictatorial power grab.” Perelman responded to Wasserman Schultz calling her an enabler of Trump, questioning her support for the existing Obamacare healthcare system and not the proposed “Medicare for All” plan put forth by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D). Perelman is putting up a spirited fight this primary season but it’s going to take that and a lot more to defeat Wasserman Schultz, who is beloved by old-timer or legacy Democrats in South Florida, has the advantage on election night.
“Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch praises Trump-brokered Israel-U.A.E peace deal” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Rep. Ted Deutch (D) has done what no other Democratic member of Congress has yet to do after it was announced that Israel and the United Arab Emirates have struck a historic peace deal – give credit to President Donald Trump. Without specifically mentioning the president by name, Deutch put out a statement that welcomed “today’s historic announcement,” calling it an “incredibly significant development for regional stability.” “I welcome today’s historic announc ement that the United Arab Emirates and Israel will move toward normalization of relations. I appreciate the joint statement in which the United States, Israel, and the UAE commit to normalization and a suspension of annexation. Normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab world has been a longstanding bipartisan goal, and today’s announcement reflects the importance of many years of bipartisan diplomacy….” One of Deutch’s potential Republican congressional opponents in November, businesswoman Fran Flynn, told The Floridian that she was “glad to see Rep. Deutch acknowledge that the president’s winning foreign policy made this deal happen.” Flynn also reminded Americans that “Deutch still has a lot to account for, including his refusal to denounced Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar’s anti-Israel rhetoric and her support for the BDS movement.”
“Trump Announces ‘Historic Peace Deal’ Between United Arab Emirates And Israel” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – President Trump on Thursday announced a “Historic Peace Agreement” between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, saying with the helped of the United States, the two Middle East nations have agreed to “full normalization of relations.” “This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region,” according to the joint statement released after the three leaders — Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed spoke Thursday morning. As a result of the “diplomatic breakthrough” and at the request of President Trump, “Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty” over areas outlined in the Trump administration’s Mideast peace plan, and will “focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.” The announcement marks the UAE the first Arab Gulf state and the third Arab country after Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994 to have active diplomatic ties to Israel. “The historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region,” the statement read. “All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today’s historic achievement.”
“Wasserman Schultz facing strong grassroots primary challenge” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – It’s not like the 2016 Democratic primary race she faced against college Professor Tim Canova, but Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) is facing a tough 2020 challenge from Jen Perelman, a Progressive attorney who makes the congresswoman look and sound more like a moderate Democrat. Hard to believe, right? Perelman, whose supports ‘Medicare for All’ (Wasserman Schultz does not), is running a gorilla warfare type of congressional race for the heart and soul of the Democratic Party and she is using every opportunity she gets to contrast her vision for America to that of Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “We have ALL of it ( motivation enthusiasm) & Wasserman Schultz has NONE of it. She’s relying on TV ads, mailers, PAC funded slate cards & name recognition,” tweeted Perelman. Perelman posted a video in early March calling out Wasserman Schultz as being career politician that is beholden to her “corporate donors just to stay in office.” “Congressional representation was supposed to be a term of public service,” stated Perelman Today, it’s become an elite career full of professional politicians who have never held another job in their lives. Every year they take millions of dollars from their corporate donors just to stay in office.”
“New Florida coronavirus cases stabilize after testing dump causes spike” by Click Orlando’s Emilee Speck – A day after Florida reported a large increase of coronavirus cases due to a laboratory testing dump, the state reported 6,236 new cases, putting Florida on track for reporting under 7,000 cases per day this week, outside of Wednesday’s blip. With the new cases reported by the Florida Department of Health Thursday, Florida’s total number of confirmed cases is now 557,137 since the pandemic first arrived more than five months ago. The positivity rate, which represents the number of people who tested positive for the first time compared to the overall number of tests reported by the DOH for the day prior, was 9.52% out of more than 78,200 people tested. The positivity rate has increased this week, however, with Wednesday’s increase was due to a backlog of testing data being submitted to the state, according to the DOH. Health officials agree the rate should be under 10% to show cases are declining. Florida Department of Health officials said about half of the new cases were from a backlog of testing data from Niznik Lab Corp in Miami. Some of those tests date back to June 23 but had not been reported to the state until Wednesday.
“Trump requests mail-in ballot for Florida primary” by Politico’s Evan Semones – The day before publicly opposing funding to accommodate an expected surge in Americans voting by mail in this year’s presidential election, President Donald Trump requested a mail-in ballot to vote in Florida’s upcoming primary. The elections website for Palm Beach County, Fla., where Trump is registered to vote, shows that mail-in ballots were requested for the president and first lady Melania Trump on Wednesday. The news was first reported by USA Today. The ballots, according to the county’s supervisor of elections, would have to be picked up in person as the deadline has already passed for them to be mailed. Unlike some states where ballots can be post-marked by election day in order to be counted, the Trumps must return theirs by next Tuesday's primary date. Trump railed against voting-by-mail on Thursday, saying he opposes crucial funding for the U.S. Postal Service as part of an effort to discourage Americans from voting by mail in November. The president has repeatedly demonized mail-in voting as governors across the country have sought to expand it amid the coronavirus pandemic, but has previously stated that some instances, including his, are permissible. "If you're president of the United States and if you vote in Florida, and you can't be there, you should be able to send in a ballot,” Trump said in May. The Sun Sentinel reported last week that Floridians were on track to break records for mail-in voting during the state's Democratic and Republican primaries. As of Aug 5., more than 1.2 million of the state's residents had voted by mail, a number that is expected to surpass the 1.35 million who voted by mail in 2018.
“Florida Attorney General Urges Congress Provide Federal Penalties on Individuals Targeting Law Enforcement” by Space Coast Daily – Attorney General Ashley Moody is urging Congress to provide for federal penalties against individuals who deliberately target local, state, federal or tribal law enforcement officers with violence. Moody sent a letter to congressional leaders to take up and pass the Protect and Serve Act of 2019. The Act provides for a federal prison term of up to 10 years for anyone who knowingly assaults a law enforcement officer, causing serious bodily injury under circumstances where the crime affects interstate or foreign commerce. The call to action follows a disturbing increase in line-of-duty deaths nationwide—there are more officer deaths so far this year than all of 2019. “Legislation identical to the Protect and Serve Act of 2019 received overwhelming, bipartisan support in passing the U.S. House just a few years ago, then somehow stalled,” said Moody. “But this Act is needed now more than ever, as law enforcement officer deaths are rising at an alarming pace. I am calling on our congressional leaders to demonstrate courage and stand up for our officers who risk their lives daily to protect American communities we all love. PASS THE ACT.” The Act is co-sponsored by two Florida lawmakers, Congresswoman Val Demings and Congressman John Rutherford, along with 35 other members of the U.S. House.
“Florida sheriff arrested following sex scandal investigation” by Associated Press – Florida sheriff facing a primary contest within days was arrested Thursday following a sex scandal investigation at his previous job, authorities said. Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels turned himself in to the jail in nearby Jacksonville on a felony charge of tampering with evidence and three misdemeanor counts of giving false information to law enforcement, the Florida Times-Union reported. He was expected to be released without bond after being processed. Daniels previously worked as the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office jails director. He was elected sheriff of Clay County, just southwest of Jacksonville, in 2016. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed an internal investigation last year into a corrections officer who had been Daniels' mistress while he was her supervisor. Officials said Daniels had tried to get the woman arrested in May 2019 on stalking allegations, and investigators told prosecutors there wasn't enough evidence. The woman resigned while under investigation for misconduct claims. Daniels’ attorney Matt Kachergus told the Times-Union that the timing of the arrest seems suspicious in light of a primary election scheduled for Tuesday. Daniels remains on the Tuesday ballot, where he faces six Republican challengers.
“Feds: Florida man had more than two dozen pipe bombs” by Associated Press – Federal agents are taking over the investigation of a Florida man who was arrested after police found more than two dozen pipe bombs, including some that contained nails, screws, and metal pellets. Boynton Beach police said Thursday that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is now the lead agency investigating Gregory Haasze. Haasze faces state felony counts of bomb-making after his arrest Wednesday night in Palm Beach County. Police had been called after an explosion and found several bombs near a street and others in a trash bin. The 34-year-old surrendered, telling investigators he made the bombs, but never intended to hurt anyone.
“Florida felons voting clarification comes too late for the primary” by WEAR TV’s Mike Vasilinda – The Florida Secretary of State quietly published guidance for people with felon convictions to determine whether they are eligible to register to vote. There was no press release. The Felon Voting Rights guidance just appeared on the Division of Elections website. It even caught Desmond Meade by surprise. He led the charge for the 2018 felons voting rights amendment. “They didn't give notice to any of the organizations that they know are working to help returning citizens participate in our democracy,” said Meade, who serves as Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. The new guidance clarifies as long as a felon has paid the total of what the originally owed they can register. Additional fees or interest added to their original debt can’t count against them. Felons can also ask the Secretary of State to determine if they’re eligible, but Meade said even with the new guidance that the process hasn’t been fleshed out. “They're not telling a person exactly what to do and in addition, they're not even giving the timeline for a person to get a response,” said Meade. Meade called the guidance too little too late. “We have hundreds of thousands of returning citizens in the State of Florida who wish they could have been participating in the primary elections that's going on right now in their community,” said Meade.
“Florida congressman wants Lake O releases stopped completely on East Coast” by Wink News’ Stephanie Byrne – One look at Lake Okeechobee, and you immediately can see its vastness and beauty. But it’s what’s lurking in the water that has people on both coasts of Florida concerned. Neither side wants the government to release water in its direction because of algal blooms. U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (Fla-R), who represents District 18 on the East Coast, is pushing legislation that in part, asks the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study the impact of stopping discharges from Lake O to the east. “That provision in the Water Resources Development Act that talks about a complete end to discharges to the St. Lucie is asking that the Corps of Engineers do a study and come back with, ‘This would be the result of a total end to all discharges to the St. Lucie,’” Mast said. In short, it’s to weigh the possibilities. “To be fair, we don’t know everything that it looks like for the West Coast, or for the Everglades, or for the St. Lucie or the Lake Worth Lagoon or anywhere else,” Mast said. “But that’s why we’re asking the Corps of Engineers to go out there and actually look at that.” Now retired and living in Florida, Doug Akins of North Fort Myers spends his mornings fishing. “I get up every morning … get ready, get my gear ready and walk down to the pier,” Akins said. Akins pays attention to what comes down the river and doesn’t want harmful discharges from the lake.
“Trump hits back at Biden after call for national mask mandate: ‘Stop playing politics with the virus’” by Fox News’ Thomas Barrabi – President Trump accused presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden of attempting “to politicize a pandemic” following his call Thursday for a nationwide mask mandate to slow the spread of coronavirus. During an evening press briefing, Trump told Biden to "stop playing politics with the virus." Trump argued that Biden’s approach was “regressive, unscientific and bad for our country.” He accused the former vice president of opposing Trump administration policies that proved effective, such as travel bans, even as he pushes for a mask mandate that fails to take into account how the pandemic was impacting specific communities. “At every turn, Biden has been wrong about the virus, ignoring the scientific evidence and putting left-wing politics before facts,” Trump said at the briefing. “Sleepy Joe opposed both the China and Europe travel bans. He opposed the China travel ban that I instituted very early and the Europe ban I instituted quite early.” Trump’s remarks came hours after Biden appeared alongside Democratic presidential running mate Kamala Harris ahead of a virtual fundraiser in Wilmington, Del. At the event, Biden called for a nationwide mask mandate, pushing governors to require masks in all states for at least the next three months. Biden cited estimates saying a mask mandate would save at least 40,000 lives over the three-month period. Biden and Harris did not take questions at the event.
“Andrew Yang says he will speak at Democratic convention after expressing surprise at not being asked” by CNN’s Veronica Stracqualursi – Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang said Thursday he was added to the Democratic National Convention's list of speakers, after he expressed disappointment earlier this week at not being invited to address the event. "And it's official - we have been added to the DNC Convention speaker lineup!" Yang wrote on Twitter, thanking his devoted followers known as the "Yang Gang." He confirmed in a separate tweet that his speech is slated for around 9 p.m. ET next Thursday — the fourth and final night of the DNC. On Tuesday, after the DNC's committee unveiled its speaker line-up filled with leaders and the party's rising stars, Yang tweeted, "I've got to be honest I kind of expected to speak." Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California said on Twitter that "it's absurd" to exclude Yang from the list of speakers "given the campaign he ran." Fellow California Democrat, Ted Lieu, also responded to the news, saying that the lack of Asian American speakers at the DNC is "a slap in the face." "Dear @DNC : Asian Americans are the fastest increasing group in America, including in multiple swing states. The gross underrepresentation of Asian American speakers in the four days of the DNC Convention is tone deaf and a slap in the face," Lieu tweeted. A businessman, Yang rose from obscurity to become a highly visible candidate, rallying a coalition of liberal Democrats, libertarians and some disaffected Republicans. He championed unique policy positions like a universal basic income and his campaign slogan was "Make America Think Harder," with the acronym MATH.
“Trump Administration Criticizes New Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Mortgage Fee” by WSJ’s Andrew Ackerman – The Trump administration criticized a move by mortgage-finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to charge a new fee on certain mortgages, saying it would harm consumers. “The White House has serious concerns with this action, and is reviewing it,” a senior White House official said in a written statement late Thursday. “It appears only to help Fannie and Freddie and not the American consumer.” At issue is a 0.5% surcharge that the government-controlled mortgage giants said they would begin to impose on most mortgages that are refinanced at lower interest rates. The decision by the companies, which said the fee was meant to address heightened credit risks in the mortgage market, was met with quick opposition from the industry, which said it would raise costs for borrowers and run counter to efforts by the Federal Reserve to support lower interest rates. Earlier on Thursday, a coalition of 20 consumer and industry groups, including the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Association of Realtors, urged the companies and their regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to rescind the fee. A senior FHFA official said late Thursday that the agency has no immediate plans to rescind the fee. The FHFA operates independently of the White House, and technically the administration can’t force the agency to require Fannie and Freddie to rescind the fee.
“Justice Department says Yale illegally discriminates against Asian and White students in admissions” by Fox News’ Jake Gibson – Yale University illegally discriminates against Asian American and White applicants during the admissions process, the Department of Justice said Thursday following an investigation. The DOJ informed Yale in a letter from Civil Rights Division official Eric Drieband that it reached the conclusion after a two-year investigation triggered by a complaint from Asian American groups. "Yale grants substantial, and often determinative, preferences based on race to certain racially-favored applicants and relatively and significantly disfavors other applicants because of their race," said Drieband in the letter. "Yale’s race discrimination imposes undue and unlawful penalties on racially-disfavored applicants, including in particular Asian American and White applicants." As a condition of "receiving millions of dollars in taxpayer funding," the letter said the Ivy League university must agree to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs and activities receiving financial assistance from the federal government. The university responded that it "cooperated fully with the DOJ’s investigation" and produced "substantial" information for it, but that it has not finished compiling all the data. "We are dismayed that the DOJ has made its determination before allowing Yale to provide all the information the Department has requested thus far. Had the Department fully received and fairly weighed this information, it would have concluded that Yale’s practices absolutely comply with decades of Supreme Court precedent," said Karen N. Peart, a spokeswoman for Yale, in a statement.
“Trump says he opposes funding USPS because of mail-in voting” by CNN’s Ellie Kaufman, Marshall Cohen, Jason Hoffman and Nicky Robertson – President Donald Trump said Thursday that he opposes much-needed funding for the United States Postal Service because he doesn't want to see it used for mail-in voting this November. By directly linking USPS funding to mail-in voting, Trump is fueling allegations that he is trying to manipulate the postal system for political gain. The pandemic has led to record-shattering levels of voting-by-mail, but Trump has tried to restrict the voting method because he says it will hurt his re-election and Republicans across the board. During an interview on Fox News, Trump said that if USPS does not receive the additional $25 billion funding request that Democrats included in the ongoing stimulus negotiations, then he believes the Post Office won't be able to handle the influx of mail-in ballots in the upcoming election. "They want three and a half billion dollars for something that'll turn out to be fraudulent, that's election money basically. They want three and a half billion dollars for the mail-in votes. Universal mail-in ballots. They want $25 billion, billion, for the Post Office. Now they need that money in order to make the Post Office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," Trump said, repeating his false claims that mail-in voting would be "fraudulent." "But if they don't get those two items that means you can't have universal mail-in voting because you they're not equipped to have it," Trump added.
Trump has criticized mail-in voting for months, baselessly asserting that it will lead to voter fraud.
“Israel, U.A.E. Agree to Establish Formal Diplomatic Ties” by WSJ’s Felicia Schwartz, Stephen Kalin, and Warren P. Strobel – Israel and the United Arab Emirates moved Thursday to establish formal diplomatic ties after Israel agreed to suspend a plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, in a dramatic U.S.-backed shift that signaled Israel’s warming ties with Gulf Arab states. “The historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region,” said a joint statement from Israel, the U.S. and the U.A.E. that praised “the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region.” Israel has relations with Egypt and Jordan, but the U.A.E. is the first Gulf Arab state to announce a formal bond with Israel. The Gulf Arab states have historically held off doing so amid Israel’s long-running conflict with the Palestinians. In recent years, shared enmity with Iran has brought the sides closer together. The U.A.E move is expected to increase pressure on Saudi Arabia and others in the Gulf region to follow suit, but such a shift would be particularly sensitive for the Saudi monarchy, which has vied with Iran to be seen as the defender of the Palestinian cause. The diplomatic breakthrough came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to suspend his drive to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. That campaign had drawn criticism from Arab states and Europe. They say any move to unilaterally claim areas Palestinians claim for a future state would permanently dash hopes for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
“National security adviser O'Brien says Trump deserves Nobel Peace Prize after Israel, UAE announce deal” by Fox News’ Angelica Stabile – President Trump should be eligible for the Nobel Peace Prize after the "historic" agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien told “Hannity” Thursday. “He brought forth the ... vision for Middle East peace to get an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan back in play and he’s brought peace to Afghanistan, at least between the U.S. and the Taliban,” O'Brien told host Sean Hannity. “We haven't lost a soldier in Afghanistan since February 29 in combat and we're going to be down to 5,000 troops in Afghanistan. And now he's brought peace to Israel and the UAE. "I mean, it's a pretty remarkable record of achievement. I don't know who else would be in the running for a Nobel Prize if it's not President Trump.” O’Brien described the Middle East deal as a “huge accomplishment” for the president, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Zyad and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “What courage it took for those men to come together and what skill it took for the president to bring them together to bring peace to the Middle East,” he said. “The first time in 25 years that Israel and an Arab country have signed a peace accord.” O'Brien echnoed White House senior adviser Jared Kushner in saying that the Israel-UAE agreement, known as the Abraham Accord, may be the first of many fruitful negotiations in the near future.
“GOP congressional candidate Madison Cawthorn on the defensive over social media post of visit to Hitler retreat” by CNN’s Sunlen Serfaty and Clare Foran – Twenty five-year-old North Carolina GOP congressional candidate Madison Cawthorn is on the defensive over photos on his Instagram page that show him in 2017 visiting Adolf Hitler's vacation house in Germany known as the "Eagle's Nest." The caption refers to Hitler as "the Fuhrer" and says that a visit to the site -- a popular tourist destination documenting the horrors of the Nazi regime -- had been on his "bucket list for awhile" and "did not disappoint." "Strange to hear so many laughs and share such a good time with my brother where only 79 years ago a supreme evil shared laughs and good times with his compatriots," the caption states. Cawthorn captured national attention in June when he scored a stunning political upset, winning a Republican primary runoff for an open House seat as a political newcomer at the age of 24. He defeated the candidate backed by President Donald Trump and his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, to secure the GOP nod for the western North Carolina seat Meadows vacated. When Cawthorn won his primary, he said that the President called him shortly after his victory to congratulate him. A staunch conservative who supports Trump, Cawthorn was partially paralyzed in a 2014 car accident. He is a motivational speaker and filed to start a real estate investment company last year. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the 11th District as Solid Republican. If elected in November, Cawthorn would become the youngest member of Congress -- a title currently held by Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, the progressive upstart who took office when she was 29. Cawthorn has even been referred to by some as "The AOC of the right."
“U.S. Seizes Iranian Fuel Cargo for First Time” by WSJ’s Benoit Faucon and Aruna Viswanatha – The Trump administration has for the first time confiscated cargo in vessels allegedly loaded with Iran fuel in violation of sanctions, U.S. officials said, as it steps up its campaign of maximum pressure against Tehran. Last month U.S. federal prosecutors filed suit to seize the four tankers of gasoline that Iran was sending to Venezuela, the latest move in the administration’s effort to stifle flows of goods and money helping to keep two of its top foes in power. At the time, it was unclear if U.S. authorities would successfully be able to take control of the tankers, after a similar effort to seize Iranian fuel through a U.S. forfeiture case was unsuccessful last year. One official said the vessels had been taken over without the use of military force but didn’t provide any details. Last year the U.S. tried unsuccessfully to use judicial cooperation agreements to take control of an Iranian oil vessel that had been detained in the British territory of Gibraltar. The administration expects the seizures will deter shipping companies from dealing with the Iranians and Venezuelans as tanker owners, brokers, insurers and other businesses see the risk as too costly, senior U.S. officials said. Iran and Venezuela must increasingly rely on the private sector—or illegal markets—to carry the oil and energy products vital to both nations’ ailing economies as Washington’s pressure campaigns have crippled the ability of state-owned fleets to ship supplies.
President Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump-96% Approval Rating in the Republican Party. Thank you! Also, leading in most swing states!
Rep. Nadler @RepJerryNadler -The Trump Admin has exploited COVID19 to dismantle our nation's asylum system. Even for the most anti-immigration White House in history, this is low. This blatant xenophobia cannot stand: I led 40 Members in opposing these immoral restrictions.
