JUICE - Florida Politics' Juicy Read -10.9.20 - Despots for Biden? -Holocaust Denier Gets School Job Back - Harris Lied,, A Whole Lot

Backing Biden

Regardless of whether you are a Republican or Democrat, it is obvious that the U.S. media, butthurt 2016 Republicans, and the world’s dictators, are rooting for Vice President Joe Biden to defeat President Donald Trump next month.

As long as Trump is in power, he will continue to be a threat to their power, but most importantly, he will be that proverbial hole in the pocket that keeps them from making a buck.

Senator Marco Rubio, who is the thorn in the side of despot Nicolas Maduro down in Venezuela, believes this to be true.

Rubio told The Floridian that “As pressure increases on Maduro’s illegitimate regime in Caracas, the dictator is hoping that Joe Biden will win in November,” adding that “A Biden victory will give Maduro a chance to wiggle free of financial sanctions, crackdown brutally on the legitimate government, and fracture the international consensus that he has to go.”

Iran and its Ayatollahs, Kim Jung Un, Vlad Putin, and the other members of the Star Wars bar scene’s Axis of Evil, are sitting up in their peanut crossing their fingers that Biden is able to pull off the win. READ MORE

Rick Scott @SenRickScott-I applaud the Administration for recognizing the threat Iran poses and taking swift action.Iran's responsible for much of the destruction in the Middle East & supports terrorism around the world. It is about time all of Iran’s financial sector be cut off.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz @DWStweets-US House candidate, FL-23 In sharp contrast to Pence’s lies and deflections, @KamalaHarris spoke directly to everyone struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic and recession. We will be so lucky to have her as our Vice President. >>> Wasn't it Harris who go caught in about 4 iies?

Rep. Ted Deutch @RepTedDeutch-Prioritizing public health during a crisis shouldn't be a partisan issue.Fulfilling her duty to protect her residents shouldn't put her life at risk. Stand tall and defiant @GovWhitmer We’re grateful for your leadership.

US Rep Kathy Castor @USRepKCastor-Thank you to our frontline heroes at @TGHCares who are working tirelessly to care for our neighbors during the #COVID19 crisis. I’ve done my best to speed resources & $ to local hospitals & clinics, and press for a comprehensive plan to crush the virus.

AG Ashley Moody @AGAshleyMoody-My Office secured relief for more than 430,000 Floridians impacted by the Community Health Systems data breach. I’m glad we were able to provide relief to those impacted by the negligent actions of this health care company.

Commissioner Nikki Fried @NikkiFriedFL-Malnutrition is a growing crisis in our nation, which continues to face economic disparities, food insecurity, and #COVID19 I’'m proud to proclaim this week Malnutrition Awareness Week in Florida, to raise awareness on its impact on children, adults, and especially the elderly.

Speaking of butthurt >>> Rep. Carlos G Smith @CarlosGSmith-I had to work with moderate GOP Senators to defeat @jasonbrodeur's extremist bill in the Florida Senate. Now he wants to rewrite history, and even has the nerve to attack @equalityfl. People are tired of the same old lies. That's why they're supporting Patricia @SigmanForSenate

!Shevrin Jones @ShevrinJones-The only “MONSTER” I know is you, @realDonaldTrump. @KamalaHarris is the leader you wish you could be. November 3rd can’t get here fast enough.

Still grifting >>> Rick Wilson @TheRickWilson-The tiny, tiny gloves.

Patricia Mazzei @PatriciaMazzei -Florida has surpassed 15,000 coronavirus deaths.

“Loomer disgusted over Holocaust-denying Florida principal getting rehired” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – A Florida principal who told a parent he “can’t say the Holocaust is a factual, historical event” will be rehired after a vote Wednesday night by the school board that fired him. Latson sued, saying he had been wrongfully terminated, and in August, a judge concluded that he should have been reprimanded but not fired. Latson, who sued over his firing will get his job back after a judge found in his favor, said that Latson should have been reprimanded and not fired. Republican congressional candidate Laura Loomer, who is challenging Rep. Lois Frankel (D) in Florida’s 21st District, calls the move to rehire Latson “a scandal” and his urging Palm Beach residents to join her “in expressing their disgusts.” “Palm Beach County parents were relieved to see this purveyor of poisonous anti-Semitic conspiracy theories removed from influence over impressionable young children,” stated Loomer. “But now, local school superintendent Donald Fennoy is recommending that Latson be reinstated, and we learn from news reports that he may indeed return to his role, as soon as this week. This is a scandal. I urge local residents to join me in expressing their disgust.” Loomer wants the Palm Beach County School Board to “reject” Latson’s reinstatement, equating his anti-Semitic Holocaust remark to language that is customary to the Nation of Islam’s Louis Farrakhan.

“Wasserman Schultz critical of Trump’s ‘Warped’ COVID Priorities” by The Floridian’s Daniel Molina – After last night’s Vice Presidential debate between Senator Kamala Harris (D) and Vice President Mike Pence (R), Americans are still discussing the COVID-19 pandemic and how both sides of the aisle have responded regarding aid to Americans during this time. Both lawmakers were hard-pressed on the issue, and now lawmakers are sharing their thoughts on the performance of both Harris and Pence. One such lawmaker is Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), who took to Twitter to voice her concerns, arguing that “unemployment is again rising in FL as Trump’s recession continues to hit home.” She praised House Democrats because they “passed TWO bills to bring back the $600 in unemployment assistance,” but she also slammed the President, adding that he and Republicans “won’t even return to negotiations until after the election.” The criticism comes as a response to President Trump (R) who, earlier this week, announced that he had asked Republicans to cut negotiations for a second stimulus check. However, the President took to Twitter to specify that lawmakers can vote on a “Stand Alone Bill”. On Twitter, the President commented that if he is “sent a Stand Alone Bill for Stimulus Checks ($1,200), they will go out to our great people IMMEDIATELY.” “Are you listening Nancy?” the President then asked, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) has not responded to the call from the President.

“Hispanics rally behind President Trump and his efforts against Maduro’s criminal regime” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – As the 2020 presidential election nears, all eyes, including those of Venezuela’s Dictator Nicolas Maduro, will be fixed on the TV to see if President Donald Trump can win reelection. Like all of the Progressive and Socialist Democrats around the world, Maduro wants Trump to lose and hopes that a Biden presidency will mimic that of President Barack Obama’s, where the Maduro regime was allowed to operate its criminal enterprises, including his very lucrative narcotrafficking venture with impunity. Maduro has had no choice but to become the Pablo Escobar of South America after Venezuela’s oil business plunged as a result of his and of his former boss Hugo Chavez’s “corruption” and years of “mismanagement” of their country’s once profitable petroleum industry. The downturn and ongoing unrest in Venezuela appears to be pushing Venezuelan-Americans, Cuban Americans, and Hispanics as a whole, in support of President Trump over former Vice president Biden. The most recent Florida polls show that Hispanics will come out in support of Trump, especially those voters within the Venezuelan and Cuban-American communities. Why is this? As we all know, Trump and his administration have done what the Obama/Biden White House was not able to or refused to do, and that is levy sanctions against Chavez and his cronies. The Trump administration has stifled Maduro’s criminal enterprise with strategic actions aimed at thwarting his and other Latin American leaders’ illegal drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal mining, and arms trafficking.

“Kamala Harris caught in lies during vice presidential debate” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – After the conclusion of the first and only vice presidential debate Wednesday night, it was clear to most, including Democrats, that Vice President Mike Pence won the debate over Sen. Kamala Harris. Sen. Kamala Harris comported herself in a smug and condescending manner with her obnoxious smirks and with her apparent pre-planned “I am talking” remark. Pence was well-mannered and thoughtful, let alone respectful to Kamala. The only issue we saw was that he ran over his time on just about every single answer. He didn’t answer several questions asked of him but would pivot back to respond to Harris’ previous answer or to defend and clarify the record to dispel a false assertion. To be clear, Harris did well in sticking to the script and expressing her points. One of the three most important takeaways of the evening we believe were Harris’ refusal to answer Pence when he asked her if she and Vice President Biden were going to pack the U.S. Supreme Court if elected. “Are you and Joe Biden, if somehow you win this election, going to pack the Supreme Court to get your way?” Pence asked. Harris refused to answer on numerous occasions. The second instance was when Harris blatantly lied when she said that she and Biden would not end fracking. “There is no question that I am in favor of banning fracking,” said Harris during a September 2020 CNN townhall.

“Trump: ‘I’m Not Gonna Waste My Time On A Virtual Debate’” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – President Trump told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo Thursday morning that he not going to “waste his time” in participating in the upcoming second presidential debate now that it is set to become a virtual event. “I’m not gonna waste my time on a virtual debate that’s not what debating is all about,” Trump said in a nearly one-hour phone interview. “You sit behind a computer and do it debates ridiculous. And then they cut you off whenever they want.” Trump said he wasn’t informed by the Commission on Presidential Debates that they decided to change the debate format. “They didn’t even tell us about the debate Maria,” Trump said. “We learned it the same way you learned it. They called up two minutes ago and it was announced and they’re trying to protect Biden.” Prior to Trump interview, the commission released a statement that the second presidential debate in Miami between the president and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will “take the form of a town meeting, with the candidates participating from separate, remote locations.” The change in format was made “in order to protect the health and safety of all involved with the second presidential debate,” following the president positive diagnosis. However, the second showdown was set to occur on October 15, making it more than 14 days since Trump first revealed his diagnosis on October 1. “The town meeting participants and the moderator, Steve Scully, Senior Executive Producer & Political Editor, C-SPAN Networks, will be located at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami, Florida. The White House Pool will provide coverage of the second presidential debate,” the commission said.

“Decision to extend the Florida voter registration deadline hangs in judge’s hands” by Action News Jax’ Lorena Inclan – There was a hearing Thursday on a lawsuit that if granted would give eligible Floridians at least two more days to register to vote. The Florida Immigrant Coalition’s Senior Field Manager, Joel Bravo, said a decision can come at any moment. “We are waiting anxiously to hear back from the lawsuit as to whether we get granted an extension,” said Bravo. The Florida Immigrant Coalition is one of five plaintiffs listed on a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis and Secretary of State Laurel Lee. “We asked on the night of, we got together we asked for the extension of two days,” said Bravo. The voter registration deadline was 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 5. But some would-be voters received an error message following a surge of heavy traffic online. In a tweet, Lee said the site was down for about 15 minutes but Bravo said it was much longer. “Internally we clocked the site being down for about 4 hours and on that day, we were registering about 239 people per hour,” said Bravo. Florida is one of several states with some of the earliest online voter registration deadlines for the general election. Deadlines in Georgia, Indiana and Kentucky were also 29 days before Election Day, and it’s 30 days before in Alaska, Hawaii, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee, according to vote.org. Because of the delays, Lee extended Florida’s deadline to 7 p.m. on Oct. 6, but Bravo said not every would-be voter had enough of a heads-up. “The next day as we were chasing down voters and people who are attempting to register to vote we were able to register 1,400 people just on that extension from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.,” said Bravo.

“Citing abuse, Florida prosecutor stops pursuing most resisting arrest charges, sparking police concerns” by CNN’s Eliott C. McLaughlin – Weeks after Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed a crackdown on civil disobedience and protesters who target police, a Florida prosecutor has instructed her staff to stop pursuing resisting arrest charges in many cases. Police have used resisting arrest charges to stifle protests and free speech, said State Attorney Aramis Ayala, whose jurisdiction covers almost 1.8 million people in Orange and Osceola counties.

She's tangled with DeSantis and his predecessor before over her refusal to seek the death penalty. The state Supreme Court backed former Gov. Rick Scott's decision to re-assign such trials. DeSantis may challenge her again, she suspects. "I would not be surprised if there was an attempt for some type of political gratification, but I'm just defining alternative methods of prosecution," she told CNN. Officers undermine public safety when they bring "the force of our criminal justice system to bear against nonviolent citizens who are simply promoting the change our society so desperately needs," her policy, announced Tuesday, says. Abuse of power is another factor, she said. Especially when dealing with African Americans, police too often charge people with resisting arrest as a retaliatory measure or to cover up their own misdeeds, she said. Under the policy, most people charged with nonviolently resisting will be ordered to watch a 30-minute video on the importance of obeying police. Offenders who have been arrested in the previous six months for resisting arrest will be prosecuted normally, the policy says.

“Federal judge weighs Florida’s voter registration deadline” by AP’s Bobby Caina Calvan – A federal judge pointedly asked why the state of Florida on Thursday could not further extend its voter registration period after a computer meltdown earlier in the week might have prevented thousands of potential voters from taking part in November’s presidential election. But U.S. District Court Judge Mark E. Walker also wondered whether extending the deadline would be an undue burden on election officials across Florida, who are already under pressure to hold voting amid the coronavirus pandemic and the intense scrutiny that comes with the states' status as a national battleground. Walker said he would issue a ruling quickly, perhaps just hours after hearing arguments from lawyers representing Florida's Secretary of State and voter advocacy groups who say thousands of Floridians could be disenfranchised when state elections servers failed after being overwhelmed by unprecedented traffic on Monday, the last day to register to vote. After consulting with Gov. Ron DeSantis, Secretary of State Laurel Lee allowed additional registrations for seven hours on Tuesday. Data filed by the state indicates that 50,000 people registered during the extended time period. Based on previous trends, the judge noted, perhaps more than 20,000 additional people might have also registered to vote, if they had been able to access the system.

“Florida teacher goes viral with tearful video about pressures of online teaching: 'I am at my breaking point'” by Fox News – A Florida teacher has gone viral after she shared her concerns about teaching online in an open letter, along with a teary video to her school district last month. Terry Kinder, a seventh grade civics teacher in Bellview, explained how she, and many other teachers are breaking under the pressures of teaching online while also having to give standardized tests to her students, despite technology limitations. “I am tired. I am at my breaking point. All of us feel like we are drowning under the weight of the expectations for online learning,” Kinder wrote in the letter. Kinder, who has been teaching for six years, Good Morning America reported, was initially hopeful about the teaching format when schools were forced to close in March because of the pandemic. However, the online teaching is “not working like you thought it would,” she writes. Though many of the technology issues were with using Microsoft Teams, instead of Zoom, Kinder writes, the district has since switched over to Zoom, GMA reported. That has not changed the pressures the teachers are facing with this online format, however. “Each day seems to get worse and more complex. With another level of insane expectations placed upon me each day. I will eventually crack under this pressure. I will eventually say I cannot take it and quit. I am not alone. Hundreds of other teachers within this district feel the same way. We can't endure this for long,” she said at the time in her post.

“Pro-Trump group puts $10M behind new ads in Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin” by The Hill’s Jonathan Easley – The largest outside group supporting President Trump’s reelection is putting $10 million behind three new ads set to run in Florida, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania attacking Democratic nominee Joe Biden for pledging to raise taxes and rejoin the Iran nuclear deal if he’s elected. The America First Action PAC is reserving $5.5 million in Pennsylvania, with the ads going up in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia markets, as well as a $350,000 direct-mail piece targeting Catholics and anti-abortion voters. The Wisconsin reservation includes $3 million for Milwaukee, Green Bay and La Crosse. And in Florida, America First will put $1 million behind the ads in the West Palm Beach market, where it has already spent millions to date. The first ad, called “After Work,” will run in Philadelphia and features working-class people drinking at a sports bar and talking about how Biden will raise their taxes. “As a small business owner, that will crush us,” one man says. “This guy has lost it,” says another man after the TV in the bar plays video of Biden saying, “If you elect me your taxes are going to be raised, not cut.” The second ad running in all three states is called “Pandemic Tax” and attacks Biden for “supporting bad trade deals” and “opposing tax cuts for American families.” “Now in the middle of a pandemic, Joe Biden supports higher taxes on all of us,” the narrator states. “On every income group. On middle-class retirement plans. A $4 trillion tax increase that will hurt America’s recovery. The Biden plan — bad trade deals, higher taxes.”

“Abortion and immigration driving Florida Latino voters to the polls” by Fox News – As the 2020 presidential election approaches, Latino and evangelical voters in Florida are finding themselves pulled to the polls by issues related to the regulation of abortion and illegal immigration. Residents have reportedly been torn between backing certain immigration policies that embrace identity politics and social justice versus elements of the pro-life movement, religious freedom and Christianity that are being championed by President Trump, according.to The Tampa Bay Times. “It is our duty and job to defend the ethical and moral values that guide us,” Puerto Rican evangelical Pastor Angel Marcial said. "And that must be done by voting." Marcial, 30, leads a congregation of parishioners at the evangelical Vertical Church in Largo. He also serves as the youth director for the Southeastern Hispanic Region of the Tennessee-based Church of God and said he's been working with Latinos who believe a wedge is being driven between them and traditional evangelicals. He explained how important it is for both sides to see each other's issues and recognize them, even if it may break from traditional norms. “That does not mean we do not think about our immigrant brothers who are suffering," the pastor added. Given Trump's Supreme Court pick, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, and her strong faith in Catholicism and the pro-life movement, Christian Latino voters have found abortion has become central to their decision.

“Democrats lead in Florida and North Carolina ballot returns” by CNN’s Adam Levy, Ethan Cohen, and Liz Stark – Democrats are leading pre-election voting in Florida and North Carolina -- a stark reversal of 2016 trends in two key battleground states. In both states, Democrats make up 52% of the votes returned so far, up more than 10 points each compared to the same time four years ago. In 2016, Republicans led by much smaller margins among pre-election votes, accounting for roughly 40% of returns each at this point in the election cycle. Early voting has skyrocketed this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but polling shows Republicans strongly prefer to vote in person on Election Day this year, which could account for the drop in the share of GOP pre-election votes compared to 2016 levels in Florida from 43% to 28% and North Carolina from 38% to 17%. This detailed look at pre-election voting comes from Catalist, which provides data, analytics and other services to Democrats, academics and non-profit issue advocacy organizations. Catalist analyzed more than 5.2 million ballots cast in 29 states so far in 2020. While the returns represent a small fraction of the expected number of ballots to be cast in 2020 -- President Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton received about 130 million votes combined four years ago -- some states have reported the number of ballot returns have already set records. The data does not predict the ultimate outcome of any race but offers insights and details about who is voting ahead of November 3.

“More sentencings in ‘massive’ Georgia, Florida meth ring” by WALB’s Julie Montanaro – Two Moultrie men are now on their way to federal prison for their part in what the feds call a “massive, multi-state” meth ring. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Willie Clayton, who goes by the nicknames “Pimp” and “Pootsie,” was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in federal prison and Kurt Jones was sentenced to 13 years in prison. They are just two of the 35 people arrested in this case and the latest of dozens to be sentenced in an investigation that dates back to 2016. Federal drug agents say the group distributed nearly four pounds of meth a week to customers in Georgia, Florida and other southern states. “I can’t underscore enough the impressive coordination demonstrated by numerous law enforcement partners engaged in investigating and ultimately bringing down a major methamphetamine distribution ring which was trafficking massive amounts of this deadly drug across Georgia and the southeast,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler of the Middle District of Georgia. The U.S Attorney’s Office said previously that some of the transactions occurred in Atlanta, Georgia, and parts of Florida, including at the Georgia-Florida line.

“Leaders for the Republican and Democratic parties in Florida believe their candidates won at Wednesday’s debate” by WCJB’s Dylan Lyons – Leaders of both parties here in Florida believe Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris took strong stances on climate change, COVID-19, and the Supreme Court. Chris King, a former Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor here in Florida, said the Coronavirus was an important discussion topic. “Last night [Wednesday] was a great night for the Biden campaign. Senator Harris demonstrated on a global stage that to a lot of folks who were hearing from her for the first time that she was ready to lead. That she and Vice President Biden had a plan to defeat the Coronavirus.” Helen Aguirre Ferre, the executive director of the Republican Party of Florida, believes that Vice President Pence clearly explained the Trump administration’s firm stance on this lethal virus, including banning travel. “This virus came from China. Do you trust the Chinese communist party with our pharmaceuticals and with telling us the truth with what they are doing when they steal corporate and military intellectual property? The president has been very successful and the vice president last night in defending what the president has done.” Ferre said another positive for Vice President Pence and the Trump campaign was that Senator Harris failed to deny claims that a Biden led administration would try to pack the Supreme Court. “He also showed why it’s is important that we continue to maintain our American ideals and preserve the constitution. It’s important that we don’t allow Democrats to pack the Supreme Court, a question and issue that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have refused to answer. You can assume from that yes that they will try to pack the Supreme Court.” King believes Senator Harris was strong on the topic of the Supreme Court.

“Trump can return to 'public engagements' this weekend, White House physician says” by Fox News’ Morgan Phillips – White House physician Dr. Sean Conley sent out a memorandum on Thursday stating that President Trump will be able to return to public engagements this weekend. Noting that it will be ten days since Trump was first diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, Conley anticipates that Trump can return to his usual schedule by Saturday. Conely said that Trump has responded "extremely well to treatment" and said there is no sign of "adverse therapeutic effects." "Today the President has completed his course of therapy for COVID-19 as prescribed by his team of physicans," Conley said in his memo. "Saturday will be day 10 since Thursday's diagnosis, and based on the trajectory of advanced diagnostics the team has been conducting, I fully anticipate the President's safe return to public engagements at that time," he added. Hours earlier, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., teased a constitutional measure to potentially remove Trump from office, following questions regarding Trump's health as he recovers from coronavirus. "Tomorrow, by the way, tomorrow, come here tomorrow," Pelosi said. "We're going to be talking about the 25th Amendment." The president and first lady Melania Trump announced they tested positive for COVID-19 early Friday, just before 1:00 a.m. -- althuogh the actual timeline of his diagnosis has been disputed. The Centers for Disease Control says people “with mild to moderate COVID-19 remain infectious no longer than 10 days after symptom onset. People with more severe symptoms can remain infectious for longer, it says.

“Amy Coney Barrett's potential role in abortion battle surfaces in debates” by CNN’s Caroline Kelly – While Wednesday's vice presidential debate differed in many ways from last week's presidential debate, both saw a key issue come up, outside the bounds of the slated topics: the future of abortion rights, as linked to nominee Amy Coney Barrett's potential role on the Supreme Court. When asked whether he would want his home state of Indiana to ban all abortions should Barrett's presence help overturn Roe vs. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling affirming the legality of a woman's right to have an abortion, Vice President Mike Pence praised Barrett but did not directly address the question. "For our part, I would never presume how Judge Amy Coney Barrett would rule on the Supreme Court of the United States," Pence later said. "But we'll continue to stand strong for the right to life." When asked whether she would want her home state of California to enact no abortion restrictions in such a scenario, Sen. Kamala Harris similarly demurred. "I will always fight for a woman's right to make a decision about her own body," she ultimately said. "It should be her decision, and not that of Donald Trump and Vice President Michael Pence." The week prior, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden also had referred to Roe in a debate that soon devolved into chaos. "The President also is opposed to Roe v. Wade," Biden said. "That's on the ballot as well (as) in the court. ... So that's also at stake right now." Trump pushed back. "Why is it on the ballot? It's not on the ballot," he said, later adding, "There's nothing happening there. And you don't know her view on Roe v. Wade. You don't know her view," of Barrett.

“Facebook Takes Down Network Tied to Conservative Group, Citing Fake Accounts” by WSJ’s Dustin Voltz – Facebook Inc. FB 2.19% said it removed a network of accounts with links to a U.S. conservative political youth group for posing as fake users to praise President Trump and criticize his Democratic rival, Joe Biden. The social-media giant’s move is among a number of steps it has taken in recent weeks to curb misinformation on the platform and one of its most high-profile actions against a domestic political operator. It reflects growing concern, with Americans already casting ballots in the coming election, about the potential reach of political disinformation that emanates from domestic sources, rather than foreign ones. The company said Thursday it had removed 200 Facebook accounts, 55 Facebook pages and 76 Instagram accounts that were run by Rally Forge, a U.S. marketing firm, for violating rules against “coordinated inauthentic behavior.” Rally Forge, which Facebook said is now banned permanently, was working on behalf of two clients, including Turning Point USA, a Phoenix-based conservative youth organization. Turning Point USA was founded by Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and staunch Trump supporter who spoke at the Republican National Convention in August. The social-media campaign, which dated back to 2018 and saw resurgent activity in June of this year, included using fake accounts that posed as politically conservative people in the U.S. to comment on content shared by others, Facebook said. In 2018 the operation also included posing as left-leaning individuals, the company said.

“Republicans baffled by Pelosi's 25th Amendment suggestion, say she wants to 'stage a coup'” by Fox News’ Morgan Phillips – Republicans were baffled by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Thursday suggestion that she might introduce a bill allowing a body appointed by Congress to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office as he recovers from the novel coronavirus. The 25th Amendment allows for the vice president to become acting president if it is determined that the president "is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office." Currently, the vice president and cabinet can invoke that amendment. "Tomorrow, by the way, tomorrow, come here tomorrow," Pelosi said. "We're going to be talking about the 25th Amendment." Pelosi was referring to a bill she will unveil Friday with Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., that would allow Congress to establish a permanent body to determine whether the president is fit for office: an Oversight Commission on Presidential Capacity. The bill is expected to reflect legislation that Raskin introduced in 2017. Still, Pelosi would have to convince Senate Republicans to go along with it. Plus, Vice President Mike Pence would also have to sign the declaration as well, which would be highly unlikely. Trump fired back at “Crazy Nancy” on Twitter. “Crazy Nancy is the one who should be under observation,” he said. “They don’t call her Crazy for nothing!” Trump said during a FOX Business interview Thursday morning that he is "feeling good," and does not believe he is "contagious at all." Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., noted previous attempts by Pelosi to remove Trump from office. “@SpeakerPelosi will stop at NOTHING to take down @realDonaldTrump,” he wrote on Twitter. “First it was the Russia hoax, then sham impeachment. Now she’s trying to invoke the 25th amendment because he... fully recovered from the coronavirus? We won’t let her get away with it.”

“Right-wing political operatives arraigned on felony voter intimidation charges for robocalls” by CNN’s Gregory Lemos and Chandelis Duster – Two right-wing political operatives accused of orchestrating robocalls aimed at deterring voters in Detroit and other major cities from casting their ballots by mail were arraigned Wednesday on voter intimidation charges, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl were each charged last week with one count of intimidating voters, one count of conspiracy to commit an election law violation, one count of using a computer to commit the crime of intimidating voters and using a computer to commit the crime of conspiracy. The first two charges each carry a maximum of five years in prison and the latter two charges carry a maximum of seven years in prison.

Both men turned themselves in to Detroit law enforcement early Thursday morning, according to a news release and appeared for their court appearance virtually from the Detroit Detention Center. "The Attorney General's office alleges that Burkman and Wohl attempted to deter electors from participating in the November election by creating and funding a robocall targeted at certain area codes, including Detroit and other major U.S. cities with significant minority populations," Nessel said in a release ahead of the court proceeding. "It's believed around 85,000 robocalls were made nationally, though an exact breakdown of the numbers of calls made to each city or state is not available."

“Stimulus Talks Resume, but a Deal Remains Elusive” by WSJ’s Kristinia Peterson and Alison Sider – Democratic and White House negotiators resumed discussions over a sweeping coronavirus relief deal Thursday, but gave no indication they were closer to a breakthrough in resolving deep-seated disputes that led President Trump to end the negotiations earlier this week. Few on Capitol Hill were optimistic that Congress and the White House would reach an agreement before the Nov. 3 election. Still, negotiations that had been frozen showed signs of life after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) on Thursday morning ruled out moving forward with special support for the battered airline industry without a broader agreement. In a call Thursday afternoon, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin made clear that Mr. Trump was interested in reaching an agreement on a broader bill, according to Mrs. Pelosi’s spokesman, Drew Hammill, and an administration official. The White House has gone back and forth on how broad a deal to pursue. After ruling out more talks Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Trump said Tuesday evening and reiterated in recent days that he would support individual relief bills, including aid for airlines and another round of direct checks. “I shut down talks two days ago because they weren’t working out. Now they‘re starting to work out,” Mr. Trump said Thursday on Fox Business Network. “We’re talking about airlines and we’re talking about a bigger deal than airlines,” he said, mentioning $1,200 stimulus checks as well as unspecified other items. The two sides have been at odds both over how much money to spend, as well as how to allocate it. Democrats last week passed a $2.2 trillion bill, down from a $3.5 trillion bill passed in May, while Mr. Mnuchin had last week proposed a $1.6 trillion offer. White House spokeswoman Alyssa Farah said Thursday that Mr. Trump was interested in legislation that included checks, as well as assistance for small businesses and airlines, but not a larger package. Later, she said the White House was “open to going with something bigger” but not the $2.2 trillion package Democrats proposed. She said that Mr. Trump had made calls from the Oval Office to Republicans on Capitol Hill.

“Progressives, including 'Squad,' release agenda to push Biden to the left” by Fox News – A group of progressives, including the freshman "Squad," unveiled their new vision for America on Thursday that will serve as a rallying cry for the election and a roadmap on how to push Joe Biden leftward. The Working Families Party "People's Charter" calls for free public healthcare, universal childcare, creating millions of green jobs, canceling student debt, a $15 minimum wage and shifting money away from police departments and toward investments in schools and communities. One of the plan's backers, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said the agenda will be the legislative blueprint for what progressives in the House will push during a Biden-Harris Administration. "The aim is a clear agenda that progressives in the House will advance focuses on these big items," Khanna told Fox News. "We will push for Medicare-for-all during the pandemic. We will push for the creation of millions of good jobs in communities left behind. And we will advance a bold vision to tackle climate change and have a liveable planet, which is the aspiration of the Green New Deal. I expect at least 80 to 100 House Democrats will support the basic principles and agenda." The release of the ambitious liberal policy agenda comes in the shadow of the vice presidential debate where Sen. Kamala Harris, seen by the left as a lifeline into a Biden Administration, distanced herself from progressive priorities -- including the Green New Deal, which she once co-sponsored. Progressives had accepted the fact that neither of their preferred candidates won the election -- Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. -- and Biden was a more moderate choice. But some saw the choice of Harris, who represents the future of the party, as an olive branch to the left.

“McConnell says he hasn't been to White House since August, citing Covid-19 protocols” by CNN’s Dominic Torres and Clare Foran – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Thursday that he hasn't been to the White House since early August, citing a difference in coronavirus protocols at the White House and in the Senate. "I haven't actually been to the White House since August the 6th because my impression was their approach to how to handle this is different from mine and what I insisted that we do in the Senate, which is to wear a mask and practice social distancing," McConnell said at a Kentucky event in response to a question about whether he believes President Donald Trump should be disclosing more information about his recent coronavirus diagnosis. The comments, which he more or less repeated at a second event shortly after, underscore the sharp differences in how the Kentucky Republican has approached the pandemic compared to Trump's White House. For months, McConnell hasn't just worn a mask, but regularly taken opportunities while on camera to urge others to do the same. And while there are a small number of senators who forgo masks on occasion, the vast majority in the chamber wear them in Washington. The White House, McConnell said at the second event, wasn't "approaching the protection from this illness in the same way that I thought was appropriate in the Senate." The Kentucky Republican is married to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who is tested regularly and has tested negative, a department spokesman told CNN last week. CNN has reached out to the department to ask when Chao was last at the White House. McConnell on Thursday made clear that he speaks frequently with the President by phone, however, and added, "I think he's perfectly fine. He seems normal and we've been discussing the very issues that you all are discussing with me right now. Of course, the biggest thing we're doing at the moment is the Supreme Court."

“U.S. Budget Gap Tripled in Fiscal 2020 as Government Battled Pandemic” by WSJ’s Kate Davidson – The U.S. budget deficit tripled in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, the Congressional Budget Office estimated Thursday, as the government battled a global pandemic that plunged the country into a recession. The budget gap in the fiscal year 2020 widened to $3.1 trillion from $984 billion a year earlier, the nonpartisan CBO said. As a share of economic output, the annual deficit reached 15.2%, the largest since 1945, when the country was financing massive military operations to help end World War II. A surge of federal spending to combat the coronavirus and cushion the U.S. economy, coupled with a drop-off in federal revenues amid widespread shutdowns and layoffs, contributed to the widening deficit this year, which in turn might have helped drive the national debt to more than 100% of gross domestic product. Receipts totaled $3.4 trillion, a 1% decline from the previous year, with much of the drop occurring since March, when the virus began spreading across the country. Outlays hit $6.5 trillion, a 47% increase, as the government ramped up spending on emergency loans for small businesses, enhanced jobless benefits and stimulus payments for American households. Since March, Congress has approved roughly $4 trillion in new spending, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget—including money for vaccine research and virus testing, extra weekly jobless benefits, one-time $1,200 stimulus payments to households, aid to states and cities, and payroll grants for small businesses. The unprecedented government stimulus has helped keep households and businesses afloat during the initial months of the recession that began in February, boosting incomes and supporting consumer spending.