Analysis: 4 Key Moments From The Harris-Trump Debate

Harris at debate: "I am not Joe Biden, and I am certainly not Donald Trump"

Philadelphia: September 10, 2024

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Trump falls into Harris’s traps as he lies about abortion and ‘eating pets.’ Donald Trump appeared to fall apart in his first head-to-head debate with Kamala Harris in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening, providing rambling answers on illegal immigration, abortion, and the economy and taking the bait whenever his opponent goaded him.

Andrew Romano · Reporter | yahoo!news | Wed, September 11, 2024 at 12:40 AM EDT

The stakes couldn’t have been higher when Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump met Tuesday night for their only scheduled debate of the 2024 contest.

In the previous clash, President Biden — then the presumptive Democratic nominee — delivered such a wobbly performance that his own party soon forced him to withdraw. Now, after an initial burst of momentum for Harris, the polls show the race is (once again) too close to call.

With less than two months to go until Election Day — and no other debates on the calendar — Tuesday could have been the last best chance for Harris and Trump to shake things up before voters start casting their ballots. So who had a better night? Here are four takeaways from the face-off in Philadelphia.

Harris triggers Trump

The vice president spent most of her career as a prosecutor before heading to Washington. It showed Tuesday night.

To be sure, Harris used her time on stage to “prosecute the case” against Trump, as expected, criticizing his positions on taxes, abortion, the border, Jan. 6, Ukraine, Obamacare and so on.

But more important than what Harris told viewers about Trump — all of which they’ve heard before, and largely learned to tune out — was what she managed to show them: How easily he can be baited into losing control.

Skillful prosecutors know how to provoke self-incriminating behavior — and that was very much Harris’s strategy during the debate. Again and again, she set traps for Trump; again and again, he walked right into them.

Harris “invited” viewers to attend Trump’s rallies, for instance, where he “talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter” and “people start leaving … early out of exhaustion and boredom.” Moments later, after defensively claiming that “we have the biggest rallies, the most incredible rallies in the history of politics,” Trump suddenly started ranting about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, “eating the pets of the people that live there” — a claim that has no basis in reality.

READ Springfield, Ohio: A central Ohio city at a heated political conversation about immigration after political leaders make claims without evidence. Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck, through his office, released a statement saying there's no evidence of any cats or other pets being harmed or eaten by the Haitian immigrants.

Harris’s goal was to puncture Trump’s sense of pride. She attacked his business acumen (“he got $400 million on a silver platter” from his father, she said, “then filed for bankruptcy six times”); his military leadership (“world leaders are laughing at Donald Trump”); and his political success (“Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people … clearly he’s having a very difficult time processing that”) — and then stood aside as her opponent demonstrated, on live TV, that he can’t keep his cool in confrontational, high-pressure situations.

“These dictators and autocrats are rooting for you to be president again because they're so clear they can manipulate you with flattery and favors,” Harris said at one point. “That is why we understand that we have to have a president who is not consistently weak and wrong on national security.”

No, “she's the one … that's weak,” Trump sputtered in response. But that’s not how Harris made it seem on stage.

Trump avoids ‘her’ while Harris addresses ‘you’

Presidential debates aren’t collegiate point-scoring affairs; they’re usually won or lost on vibes and moments rather than wonkery. And what was striking about Tuesday’s debate between Trump and Harris, aside from the words they said, was how differently they acted toward each other — and to the audience.

The tone was set in the opening seconds. Trump ambled slowly in from the wings, heading for his podium; Harris went directly to Trump and initiated a handshake that he seemed to want to avoid. “Let’s have a good debate,” Harris said.

That pattern — Trump avoidant, Harris direct — repeated itself throughout the evening. Trump only referred to his rival as the “vice president” once: to call her the “worst vice president in the history of our country.” Otherwise, he seemed only able to address Harris in the third person, as “she” or “her” — as if she wasn’t there. He rarely made eye contact.

In contrast, Harris called Trump the “former president” more than a dozen times — and when she wasn’t referring to Trump by his title, she was looking right at him and addressing him as “you.”

Harris did the same thing to the camera, and by extension, the people watching at home. “You will not hear him talk about your needs, your dreams, and your needs and your desires,” she said. “And I'll tell you, I believe you deserve a president who actually puts you first. And I pledge to you that I will.”

Harris and Trump’s respective behavior and body language reinforced that message — that only one candidate on stage was comfortable confronting the other, and that only one was interested in connecting with undecided voters.

One issue to rule them all … at least for Trump

Forced to play defense for much of the debate, Trump instinctively retreated to his comfort zone: immigration. No matter what the question was about, the former president found a way to accuse Harris — whom he inaccurately called Biden’s “border czar” — of “destroying the country” by allowing “millions of criminals” to pour into the country via Mexico.

Never mind that the best available data suggests the crime rate has fallen significantly over the past few years, down near the lowest levels ever recorded, and that numerous studies have found that immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than U.S.-born citizens. Trump has been running on the border for years, and he’s not about to stop now.

But what about when the debate turned to other issues — like, say, abortion?

There, Trump claimed that overturning Roe v. Wade and allowing states to ban the procedure was “what everybody wanted — Democrats, Republicans, and everybody else” (despite polls showing otherwise).

Harris was ready to pounce.

“I have talked with women around our country,” she said. “This is what people wanted? Pregnant women who want to carry a pregnancy to term, suffering from a miscarriage, being denied care in an emergency room because the health care providers are afraid they might go to jail, and she's bleeding out in a car in the parking lot — she didn't want that. Her husband didn't want that. A 12- or 13-year-old survivor of incest being forced to carry a pregnancy to term? They don't want that. And I pledge to you when Congress passes a bill to put back in place the protections of Roe v. Wade — as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.”

In the run-up to the debate, much was made about the need for Harris to provide voters with more specifics. But while Trump accused Harris Tuesday of simply copying Biden’s agenda — “She IS Biden,” he snapped — he actually ceded the “policy” card to her by returning to the border so many times and saying so little of substance elsewhere.

“Clearly, I am not Joe Biden, and I am certainly not Donald Trump,” Harris said. “What I do offer is a new generation of leadership for our country — one who believes in what is possible, one who brings a sense of optimism about what we can do instead of always disparaging the American people.”

Harris then mentioned her “plan to give startup businesses a $50,000 tax deduction to pursue their ambitions, their innovation, their ideas, their hard work”; her plan to create a “$6,000 [tax credit] for young families, for the first year of your child's life;” her plan to offer “$25,000 [in] down payment assistance for first time home buyers.”

“That's the kind of conversation I believe... people really want tonight, as opposed to a conversation that is constantly about belittling and name-calling,” Harris concluded.

Trump has some plans too (or "concepts of a plan," as he put it when asked what he would replace Obamacare with). But the former president was too busy calling America “a failing nation” beset by foreign criminals to talk much about them.

The most consequential moment of this campaign?

That’s how ABC News billed the debate during its pre-show. But it remains to be seen whether Tuesday’s spectacle will move the needle.

Because Trump is such a familiar figure — and because views of him are so fixed — there’s little left for him to say or do to change how voters see him, one way or the other. Getting repeatedly fact-checked by ABC’s moderators won’t upend his campaign. So the former president is likely to hold onto the 45% or so of voters who tell pollsters they support him — the same 45% who voted for him in 2016 and 2020.

Yet 45% isn’t enough to win an election. What Trump really needed to do Tuesday night was change how voters see Harris — or let Harris do the job herself. Instead, Trump allowed his opponent to project precisely the kind of presidential, forward-looking positivity she wanted to project — without provoking any of the meandering, word-salad responses that have caused her problems in the past.

That probably means Harris won the debate. But two months can be an eternity in politics — and winning a debate isn’t the same thing as winning in November.

RELATED

“LIVE: ABC News Presidential Debate: Harris and Trump meet in Philadelphia”

— Moderated by “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir and “Prime” anchor Linsey Davis

Harris at debate: "I am not Joe Biden, and I am certainly not Donald Trump"

“And then he said, ‘They’re eating the dogs! They’re eating the pets!’ Video Excerpt from the Presidential debate on September 10, 2024.”

— Courtesy New York Post @nypost on TikTok

READ Springfield, Ohio: A central Ohio city at a heated political conversation about immigration after political leaders make claims without evidence. Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck, through his office, released a statement saying there's no evidence of any cats or other pets being harmed or eaten by the Haitian immigrants.

Apparently, their newfound relationship blossomed overnight. And by Wednesday, they shook hands for a second time, about 12 hours after their first handshake, at a ceremony in Manhattan to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. And the niceties didn’t end there.

“Trump’s Surprise Compliment to Harris About That Debate— ‘Good job.’”

— Mary Ann Akers | Wed, September 11, 2024 at 2:52 PM EDT

“Good job,” Trump told Harris as they shook hands when they both arrived to sit in the front row for the commemoration, according to a source at the event.

Donald Trump has had really bad—even vile—things to say about Kamala Harris, who he’d never met until their epic Tuesday night debate when she forced him to shake hands before igniting his implosion on stage.

READ Trump’s Surprise Compliment to Harris About That Debate | DAILY BEAST

What's Behind White-America Support for Donald J. Trump

Jared Taylor White-America

In Video: Excerpt

The 45th lost the 2020 election, trailing Biden by about 7 million votes. He made repeated and false claims of election fraud, in the process fueling the violence of Jan. 6, 2021. He continues to push those falsehoods.

He was impeached for his role in the Jan. 6 — becoming the only president in American history to be twice impeached. Throughout 2023 was indicted four times and faces 91 criminal charges. Separately, in a civil trial last May, he was found liable for the sexual abuse of writer E. Jean Carroll.

Despite all of this, the majority of white Americans still express their unflinching support for the Don. Why? You have to watch and listen to the recording. Just Listen!

In Video: What's Behind White-America Support for Donald J. Trump.

Jared Taylor White-America

So, who is Jared Taylor speaking for White-America?

You Can Feel Something Historic Building in The Air

Philadelphia: August 6, 2024

Kamala Harris delivers a show-stopping rally in front of a roaring crowd in Pennsylvania with her new running mate Tim Walz — and shares a moving anecdote.

"So America, for some folks, they're just getting to know Coach Walz's story," said Harris to the enthusiastic crowd. "And I'll tell you he is the proud product of a middle-class family in rural Nebraska. He is a veteran who served our nation in uniform for more than two decades as a member of the Army National Guard and he went to college on the G.I. Bill."

"He is someone who long before he entered politics worked as a teacher. When Coach Walz and his wife Gwen moved from his native Nebraska to Minnesota nearly thirty years ago they both took jobs at the local high school," Harris continued.

"Coach Walz taught social studies. Gwen taught English. After school, Tim was the linebackers' coach for the football team where I've heard the stories, he had a knack for using the game of football to teach life lessons," she went on. "He saw the potential in kids who sometimes didn't even see it in themselves."

"Under those Friday night lights, Coach Walz motivated his players to believe they could achieve anything, and together they defied the odds — hear this out — going from a winless record to the school's first-ever state championship," said Harris.

At that point, the crowd lost it, applauding and cheering at the top of their lungs.

"And I'll say and I'll add: Tim wasn't only a role model on the football field," continued Vice President Harris. "Around that time, Coach Walz was approached by a student in his social studies class. The young man was one of the first openly gay students at the school and was hoping to start a gay-straight alliance."

"At a time when acceptance was difficult to find for LGBTQ students, Tim knew the signal that it would send to have a football coach get involved," she continued. "So he signed up to be the group's faculty adviser. And as students have said, he made the school a safe place for everybody."

"In the high school yearbook, the students voted Coach Walz the most inspiring faculty member," said Harris. "And as I think everyone he can see, Tim Walz was the kind of teacher and mentor that every child in America dreams of having and that every kid deserves."

"The kind of coach — because he's the kind of person — who makes people feel like they belong and then inspires them to dream big and that's the kind of vice president he will be," said Harris, as the crowd once again roared.

"And that's the kind of vice president America deserves!" she added.

What a breath of fresh air!

The Harris-Walz campaign released its first video introducing Tim Walz to America. Please watch and share!

The Harris-Walz campaign just dropped their first Tim Walz video, introducing him to America.

Please watch and share widely!! pic.twitter.com/9j7hAyPuwh

— Nick Knudsen 🇺🇸 (@NickKnudsenUS) August 6, 2024

Occupy Democrats | @OccupyDemocrats

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“Who is Tim Walz? Meet Kamala Harris VP pick.”

— On 'X' formerly Twitter

When I called @Tim_Walz this morning to ask him to join our campaign, I shared my deep level of respect for him and the work we've done together.

We're going to unify this country and we're going to win.

Let's go get this done. pic.twitter.com/EcqZ497lyk

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 6, 2024

The moment Kamala Harris called Tim Walz to ask him to join her campaign as her VP pick.

Comment from Barrack Obama on Twitter

Like Vice President Harris, Governor @Tim_Walz believes that government works to serve us. Not just some of us, but all of us. That’s what makes him an outstanding governor, and that’s what will make him an even better vice president. Michelle and I couldn’t be happier for Tim and Gwen, their family, and our country.

https://x.com/BarackObama/status/1820838206037794848

China Reconciliation Talks Between Fatah, Hamas, and Palestinian Factions Sign Reconciliation Agreement

July 23, 2024

The factions have agreed on an ‘interim national reconciliation government’, says the Chinese Foreign Ministry

READ: Al Jazeera: Hamas and Fatah sign unity deal in Beijing aimed at Gaza governance

Mahmoud al-Aloul, vice chairman of the Central Committee of Fatah (L), China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C), and Mousa Abu Marzouk, senior Hamas member, attend an event at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, July 23 [Pedro Pardo/AFP]

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Firas | @FirasPalestine on ‘X,’ formally Twitter 

China reconciliation talks between Fatah, Hamas, Palestinian factions sign reconciliation agreement.

The national factions agreed during their meetings in China to achieve comprehensive Palestinian national unity, including all Palestinian forces and factions within the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). They committed to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with United Nations resolutions, and ensuring the right of return in accordance with Resolution 194.

The participants also agreed on the Palestinian people's right to resist occupation and end it according to international laws and the United Nations Charter. They decided to form a temporary national unity government with the consensus of the Palestinian factions by decree of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas based on the Palestinian Basic Law. This government will begin by unifying all Palestinian institutions in the territories of the Palestinian state, initiating the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, and preparing for general elections under the supervision of the Central Elections Commission as soon as possible, according to the approved election law.

The Palestinian factions meeting in Beijing are:

• Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah)

• Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)

• Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

• Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine

• Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement

• Palestinian People's Party

• Palestinian Popular Struggle Front

• Palestinian National Initiative Movement

• Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command

• Palestinian Democratic Union (FIDA)

• Palestinian Liberation Front

• Arab Liberation Front

• Arab Palestinian Front

• Vanguards of the Popular Liberation War (As-Sa'iqa Forces)

The attendees agreed on the following points:

1. Unifying national efforts to confront Zionist aggression and stop the genocide perpetrated by the occupying state and settler gangs supported by the United States of America. They also agreed to resist attempts to displace our people from their homeland, Palestine, and to force the Zionist entity to end its occupation of the Gaza Strip and all other occupied territories, while maintaining the unity of Palestinian lands, including the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.

2. The Palestinian factions welcomed the opinion of the International Court of Justice, which affirmed the illegitimacy of the Israeli presence, occupation, and settlements on the land of the State of Palestine and emphasized the need for their removal as soon as possible.

3. Based on the National Reconciliation Agreement signed in Cairo on 4/5/2011 and the Algiers Declaration signed on 12/10/2022, the factions agreed to continue following up on the implementation of agreements to end the division with the assistance of Egypt, Algeria, and friends in the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation as follows:

a) Commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, following relevant United Nations resolutions, particularly Resolutions 181 and 2334, and ensuring the right of return following Resolution 194.

b) The right of the Palestinian people to resist occupation and end it following international laws and the United Nations Charter, and the right of people to self-determination and their struggle to achieve it by all available means.

c) Formation of a temporary national unity government with the consensus of the Palestinian factions and by a decision from the President based on the applicable Palestinian Basic Law. This government will exercise its powers and authority over all Palestinian territories, emphasizing the unity of the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. It will begin by unifying all Palestinian institutions in the territories of the Palestinian state, initiating the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, and preparing for general elections under the supervision of the Central Elections Commission as soon as possible, according to the approved election law.

d) Until practical steps are taken to form the new National Council according to the approved election law, and to deepen political partnership in bearing national responsibility and developing the institutions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), it was confirmed to activate and regularize the unified temporary leadership framework for partnership in political decision-making as agreed upon in the Palestinian National Reconciliation Document signed on May 4, 2011.

4. Resisting and thwarting attempts to displace our people from their homeland, especially from the Gaza Strip or in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and affirming the illegitimacy of settlements and settlement expansion following the decisions of the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly and the opinion of the International Court of Justice.

READ: UN Top Court Says Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Territories is Illegal

5. Working to break the brutal siege on our people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and to deliver humanitarian and medical aid without restrictions or conditions.

6. Supporting and endorsing the heroic steadfastness of our struggling people and their valiant resistance in Palestine to overcome the wounds and destruction caused by the criminal aggression, and to rebuild what the occupation destroyed, supporting the families of martyrs and the wounded, and all those who lost their homes, properties, and sources of livelihood.

7. Confronting the occupation's conspiracies and its continuous violations against the Al-Aqsa Mosque and resisting any harm to it and the city of Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites.

8. Paying tribute to the martyrs of the Palestinian people and reaffirming full support for the brave prisoners in the occupation's prisons and camps, who are subjected to various forms of torture and repression, and prioritizing all efforts possible to liberate them from the occupation's captivity.

In light of this declaration, the attendees agreed on a collective mechanism to implement all aspects of the declaration and decided to consider the meeting of the general secretaries as a starting point for the urgent work of the joint national teams. It was also decided to set a timeline for implementing this declaration.

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Joe Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race Amid Growing Pressure From Top Democrats

Sunday, July 21, 2024

WASHINGTON − President Joe Biden said Sunday he is ending his bid for reelection amid intense pressure from Democratic leaders sounding the alarm that his path to beat former President Donald Trump in November had vanished.

JOEY GARRISON AND SWAPNA VENUGOPAL RAMASWAMY, USA TODAY | Updated July 21, 2024 at 2:07 PM

WASHINGTON − President Joe Biden said Sunday he is ending his bid for reelection amid intense pressure from Democratic leaders sounding the alarm that his path to beat former President Donald Trump in November had vanished.

The president's historic withdrawal throws the 2024 race − already roiled by a shocking attempt on Trump's life − into uncertain territory, with Vice President Kamala Harris widely seen as the Democrat most likely to take Biden's place atop the party's ticket.

Biden made the announcement from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., where he's self-isolated since testing positive for COVID-19 Thursday night.

"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a letter addressed to Americans. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term."

Biden quickly endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee in a separate statement on X. He said he would speak to the nation later this week to provide more details about his decision.

It marks an extraordinary turn for Biden, who for three weeks remained defiant in the face of growing calls from Democratic lawmakers that he withdraw after a disastrous June 27 debate with Trump raised scrutiny over the president's mental fitness.

In his statement, Biden reflected fondly on his four years in office, saying the U.S. has built the “strongest economy in the world” while touting efforts to lower prescription drug prices, expand health care, tackle climate change, and appointing the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

President Joe Biden speaks on economics during the Vote To Live Properity Summit at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 16, 2024.

The decision upends the 2024 election less than 110 days before Election Day, with Democratic National Committee members now tasked with choosing an alternative nominee to take on Trump, whose polling lead has swelled while Democrats have fought internally.

Biden's departure will soon mean the end of a five-decade career in Washington that began in 1972 with an upset victory for the U.S. Senate in Delaware. He served as a senator for 36 years, and then as Obama's vice president from 2009 to 2017. Biden returned to public life to run against Trump in the 2020 presidential election. He framed the race as a "battle for the soul of the nation" and defeated Trump 51%-47% in the popular vote.

Keep up with the USA TODAY Network's live updates. [Refresh HERE!]

Josh Shapiro calls Biden a 'patriot'

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro hailed Joe Biden as a “patriot” and commended his work as president in a social media post on Sunday shortly after the president announced he was dropping out of the 2024 race.“President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and protect real freedom,” Shapiro wrote on X, formerly Twitter.Shapiro has been floated as a potential Democratic presidential nominee to replace Biden, or as a vice presidential nominee if Kamala Harris takes over the top of the ticket. Shapiro did not mention Harris in his message Sunday.“I am proud to work by his side and am grateful for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to delivering for Pennsylvania — the Commonwealth that raised him,” Shapiro said about Biden in the post.

−Karissa Waddick

Schumer says Biden put 'his country, his party, and our future first'

Chuck Schumer shared in a post on X that "Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he's a truly amazing human being."

"His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American," he added.

−Marina Pitofsky

Biden exits race amid widespread pressure, mounting concerns about his age

Biden's exit came after he received bleak warnings from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., that his candidacy could lead to massive losses for Democrats in the Senate and House. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shared similar concerns to Biden.

More than 30 congressional Democrats had called for Biden to bow out. Former President Barack Obama reportedly also relayed fears privately to Democratic allies about Biden's prospects of beating Trump. Democratic donors from Hollywood to Wall Street also came out against Biden continuing his reelection bid.

Biden, 81, has battled Americans’ concerns over his age since he took office but it turned into panic for Democrats after last month's first debate with Trump, the Republican nominee. Biden's voice sounded faint, he struggled to complete sentences and finish thoughts, and he failed to rebut many of Trump's claims on the debate stage.

Biden's campaign was in a free fall over the past few weeks with his future in doubt. Instead of focusing solely on Trump, Democrats spent as much time and energy debating whether Biden could even defeat his predecessor.

Fundraising for the Biden campaign took a dramatic hit. And Biden not only fell behind in key battleground states that will decide the election, but his growing unpopularity seemed to put recent Democratic strongholds like Virginia in play for Trump.

−Joey Garrison and Swapna Venugopal

Biden becomes first incumbent not to seek reelection since LBJ

Biden becomes the first incumbent president not to seek reelection since Lyndon B. Johnson who, in 1968 amid national unrest and turmoil within the Democratic Party over the Vietnam War, stunned the nation with his decision not to seek a second full term.

− Joey Garrison

Who could replace Biden?

With Biden's endorsement, Harris is the clear frontrunner to replace Biden as the Democratic nominee, but the party's bench of Democratic governors could also be in the mix including Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Gavin Newsom of California.

− Joey Garrison

Trump knocks Biden after exit

Donald Trump, in a post on his social media web site Truth Social after Biden’s exit, wrote: "Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was!”

“We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly,” Trump added.

−Joey Garrison

Jill Biden reacts to Joe Biden dropping out of 2024 race

First lady Jill Biden reposted the president's message on Sunday with heart emojis. She also retweeted her husband's message endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

pic.twitter.com/RMIRvlSOYw

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024

− Marina Pitofsky

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden drops out: President leaves 2024 race amid party pressure

With Biden out of presidential race, Kamala Harris emerges as frontrunner with his endorsement

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RELATED

“Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded – again – that he’s a patriot of the highest order. ”

— Barak Obama | Sunday, July 21, 2024

Barak Obama

Full Statement on President Biden’s Announcement

Click Here

“More than that, President Biden pointed us away from the four years of chaos, falsehood, and division that had characterized Donald Trump’s administration. Through his policies and his example, Joe has reminded us of who we are at our best — a country committed to old-fashioned values like trust and honesty, kindness and hard work; a country that believes in democracy, rule of law, and accountability; a country that insists that everyone, no matter who they are, has a voice and deserves a chance at a better life” ~ Barak Obama.

UN Top Court Says Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Territories is Illegal

The result could have consequences for Israel over its occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza

It also says Israel should end all settlement activity there, in the landmark case.

By Raffi Berg, BBC News, London

The UN's top court has said Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is against international law, in a landmark opinion.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel should stop settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem and end its "illegal" occupation of those areas and the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.

The court's advisory opinion is not legally binding but still carries significant political weight. It marks the first time the ICJ has delivered a position on the legality of the 57-year occupation.

The ICJ, based at The Hague in the Netherlands, has been examining the issue since the beginning of last year, at the request of the UN General Assembly.

The court was specifically asked to give its view on Israel's policies and practices towards the Palestinians, and on the legal status of the occupation.

Delivering the court's findings, ICJ President Nawaf Salam said it had found that "Israel's... continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is illegal."

"The State of Israel is under the obligation to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible," he said.

The court also said Israel should evacuate all of its settlers and pay reparations to Palestinians for damages caused by the occupation.

Israel has built about 160 settlements housing some 700,000 Jews in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 1967. The court said the settlements were illegal. Israel has consistently disputed that they are against international law.

Israel also claims sovereignty over the whole of Jerusalem, which it considers its indivisible capital - something which is not accepted by the vast majority of the international community.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page [HERE] for the fullest version.

Change Begins Now, Starmer says

As Labour wins a historic landslide

July 5, 2024 (UK)

Sir Keir Starmer enters Downing Street as Labour's first prime minister in 14 years after a landslide victory at the general election.

Work to bring change to the country will begin "immediately" says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

He promises his party will "rebuild Britain" with "wealth created in every community".#GeneralElection2024 https://t.co/xItZsH7tea

📺 Sky 501 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/D7fu5OmGyH

— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 5, 2024

The Labour leader has become the UK's new prime minister - securing the 326 seats required for a majority in the House of Commons - putting an end to 14 years of Conservative rule.

He said "My government will serve you, politics can be a force for good", as he addressed the nation from Downing Street for the first time as prime minister.

"Our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal, and a return of politics to public service," he said.

"Our work is urgent and we begin it today."

Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat moments before Labour surpassed the target number of seats needed for victory, declaring at his election count: "The Labour Party has won this general election and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory."

Later, as he resigned as leader of the Conservative Party - signaling a Tory leadership race - Mr. Sunak said it had been an honor to serve as the country's prime minister and he had "given this job my all."

Earlier, a gleaming Sir Keir told a crowd of supporters: "We did it, you campaigned for it, you fought for it, you voted for it and now it has arrived, change begins now."

He added the UK is once again experiencing the "sunlight of hope".

"The sunlight of hope, pale at first but getting stronger through the day. Shining once again on a country with an opportunity after 14 years to get its future back."

With 648 seats out of 650 seats declared by Friday lunchtime, Labour will be forming the next government with a majority of at least 170.

Read more:
Uneasy voters hand Labour 'loveless landslide'

Labour have won - but what happens next?

The results have seen the nation firmly turn its back on the Tories.

Speaking after he held on to his seat, a solemn-looking Mr Sunak said his party had faced a "difficult night" and he took full responsibility for the results.

He said: "The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight... and I take responsibility for the loss.

"To the many good, hard-working Conservative candidates who lost tonight... I am sorry."

Other key moments from a dramatic night of results include:

• Several Tory cabinet ministers lost seats to Labour, including Liz Truss, Grant Shapps and Penny Mordaunt;

• Others fell victim to the Lib Dem plan to "smash" the Tory Blue Wall, like Alex Chalk and Gillian Keegan;

• Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn held on to his seat as an independent;

• Reform UK leader Nigel Farage won a Commons seat at his eighth attempt;

• Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer defeated shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire in Bristol Central;

• Labour's shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth lost his seat to an independent;

• Senior Conservative backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg lost his seat to Labour.

Read more:
Who is your local MP now?
Tory big beasts who lost their seats
Houdini Hunt's great escape

The results mean a Labour prime minister in Number 10 for the first time since 2010 and the Conservatives facing a fight over the future direction of the party.

Already senior figures have been weighing in on what went wrong.

Ms Mordaunt, who is likely to have been a leadership contender if she had survived, said the Conservatives had taken a "battering because it failed to honour the trust that people had placed in it".

Warning against a shift to the right she said the party's renewal would not be achieved "by us talking to an ever smaller slice of ourselves, but being guided by the people of our country".

"Our values must be the people's," she added.

Keir Starmer embraces Victoria at a watch party at Tate Modern. Pic: PA

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, seen as a leadership contender on the right, blamed the result on the Conservative's "not keeping our promises".

And Mr Shapps hit out at the Tory "soap opera" which had turned off voters, as he warned his party against going "off on some tangent, condemning ourselves to years of lacklustre opposition".

The Tories faced a battering not only from Labour, but from the Lib Dems and Reform UK too.

Nigel Farage. Pic: Nigel Farage/Reform/X

The success of Reform UK saw Nigel Farage win in Clacton - his eighth attempt at entering parliament - alongside former Tory Lee Anderson, who won his seat of Ashfield, Rupert Lowe, who took Great Yarmouth for the party, while former party leader Richard Tice won in Boston and Skegness.

It came after a swathe of Reform candidates took second place in Labour seats, pushing the Tories into third or even fourth place.

Mr. Farage said there is now a "massive gap on the center-right of British politics and my job is to fill it".

He added it is not just the Tories he would be taking on: "We're coming for Labour."

Read more:
Meet Victoria, Sir Keir Starmer's wife
Who won the popular vote?

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey hailed the results for his party as "exceptional".

The Lib Dems won their highest number of seats since the party was founded - securing at least 70.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey. Pic: PA

When polls closed on Thursday night, the exit poll by Ipsos UK for Sky News, the BBC and ITV News suggested the Lib Dems would win 61 seats - up from 11 - more than five times the number they secured at the last election in 2019.

They secured a number of gains from the Tories - including in Wells & Mendip Hills, Dorking & Horley, Wimbledon, Yeovil, Hampshire North East and Norfolk North.

They also took the constituencies of two of the four former Conservative prime ministers from the last 14 years - Lord Cameron in Witney and Lady May in Maidenhead.

In Wales, the Tories were wiped out, while in Scotland Labour were rampant.

It was a torrid night for the SNP, who were down to just nine MPs by Friday morning.

That is down from 48 at the last election, resulting in the Lib Dems overtaking them as the third-largest party.

In a sign that Sir Keir's landslide may not have been driven by overwhelming public enthusiasm, turnout at the election was on course to be the lowest for more than 20 years.

After all but two results had been declared, the turnout figure stood at 59.85%, the lowest turnout at a general election since 2001.

Faye Brown | Political reporter @fayebrownSky | Friday 5 July 2024 12:57, UK

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Related

Miatta Fahnbulleh, the 44-year-old British economist, born in Liberia with matrilineal ties to Sierra Leone, was elected as the new Member of Parliament for Peckham in the UK general election on July 4, 2024. She secured 22,813 votes in what is considered a safe Labour seat.

Miatta Fahnbulleh

Fahnbulleh takes over from former Labour MP Harriet Harman, who had represented the area for many years.

Education: BA from Lincoln College, Oxford; MA and Ph.D. in Economic Development from London School of Economics. Prospective Parliamentary Candidate: Labour Party's candidate for Camberwell and Peckham in the UK.

The election result was part of a broader Labour success in Southwark, where the party secured all five constituencies that overlap with the borough.

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UK general election 2024 results live: Starmer becomes PM after Labour win

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Keir Starmer to appoint cabinet as senior Labour MPs arrive in Downing Street

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JP Hitting The Nail. Interesting take on the Tories!

No surprise, the Labour landslide. The comment from a Conservative MP. ‘Frankly, I feel disgusted about how a Conservative Prime Minister can treat decent people who have sacrificed so much with such contempt.

Harvard Profs Argue Biden Admin Well-positioned to Give 'Reparations' to Black Americans

June 21, 2024

This article makes it clear that the norm, precedent, and federal expertise are in place to make reparatory compensation a reality for black Americans—now.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A Harvard paper has made the argument that the Biden administration has the "precedent" as well as the "expertise" to implement reparations for black Americans in the United States who are descendants of slaves.   

Academics Linda J. Bilmes and Cornell William Brooks, both professors at Harvard, wrote the paper on how models for reparations would be done in the US based on other programs and wrote about the implications of reparations. Bilmes and Brooks claim that the federal government, “already has the norm, precedent, expertise, and resources to provide reparations to black Americans.”  

Adding in the paper, the academics cited how President Joe Biden "pledged to cover all uninsured deposits, assuring Americans that 'no losses will be borne by the taxpayers'" when the Silicon Valley Bank collapsed in March 2023. The authors from Harvard wrote that this was a sign that the federal government already has "arrangements to help pay for the wide system of reparatory compensation."  

They also cited Native American reserve lands as a compensatory program that would be comparable to the process of reparations for black Americans who are descendants of slaves. Other programs listed included payments to Jews from the Holocaust and Japanese who were put into internment camps during World War II. "US laws and rules governing compensation programs show that Congress has long sought to provide some measure of restitution, compensation, and rehabilitation to those who have suffered harms that are largely beyond their control," the paper said.

The authors claimed that many of the problems today facing the black community can be traced back to slavery, and cited the year 1619 as the starting point, perhaps in reference to the 1619 Project from Nicole Hannah Jones.   

In the paper's conclusion, it was recommended to the Executive and Legislative branches of the US to "convene a national commission to study and propose a scheme of federal reparations, authorized by an Executive Order or federal legislation." This would "use the breadth, variety, and diversity of reparatory compensation programs to develop a reparations program that addresses the full range of racial harms, including specifically the racial wealth gap."

It concludes, "This article makes it clear that the norm, precedent, and federal expertise are in place to make reparatory compensation a reality for black Americans—now."

Footnote: Professors Linda J. Bilmes and Cornell William Brooks are both from Harvard University.

By Thomas Stevenson For AMERICAN NEWS Jun 21, 2024 / thepostmillennial.com

Drug Money Laundering, How it Works, According to a Former Undercover Agent

Robert Mazur

In a Video for Business Insider

A government agent investigating drug money laundering, Mazur went undercover for the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service intelligence division, and the Customs Service.

In a video for Business Insider, Robert Mazur tells the full story of his time as a government agent investigating drug money laundering. Mazur went undercover for the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service intelligence division, and the Customs Service.

In Operation C-Chase, Mazur successfully infiltrated the Medellín cartel by posing as a wealthy, mob-connected businessman named Robert Musella. He established connections with Pablo Escobar's lawyer Gonzalo Mora and Escobar's trafficker Roberto Alcaino. At the height of its power, the cartel is estimated to have supplied over 80% of all cocaine shipped to the US, around 15 tons a day. 

In Operation Promo, Mazur posed as an Italian American businessman named Robert Baldasare to expose money-laundering networks associated with the Cali cartel.

The Cali cartel is estimated to have produced 80% of the world's cocaine supply. It was controlled by Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela, Pacho Herrera, and José Santacruz Londoño.

Mazur is the author of ‘The Infiltrator,’ which became a New York Times bestseller and spawned a 2016 film of the same title, starring Bryan Cranston (as Mazur), John Leguizamo, and Diane Kruger.

Robert Mazur, the special agent behind ‘The Infiltrator.’ Today, Mazur speaks and consults on the issues of money laundering, drug trafficking, and corruption around the world through his company, KYC Solutions.

An Active U.S. Serviceman Dies After Setting Self on Fire Outside Israeli Embassy to Protest War in Gaza

Which he described as a 'genocide'

Updated: February 26,2024

In apparent protest of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

An active-duty U.S. Air Force member, later identified as Aaron Bushnell, who live-streamed himself protesting the Israel-Hamas war by setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC on Sunday, February 25, 2024, is dead, a U.S. official confirmed.

While streaming himself live on Twitch, he stated that he ‘will no longer be complicit in genocide’ before dousing himself in accelerant and setting himself ablaze around 1 PM on Sunday. As he became engulfed in flames, Bushnell repeatedly yelled 'Free Palestine' before falling to the ground.

Emergency response vehicles near the Embassy of Israel in Washington on Feb. 25, 2024. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) identified the deceased demonstrator in a statement to TIME on Monday as 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell, whose identity and death were first reported on social media by independent journalist Talia Jane.

Bushnell, who was wearing fatigues on Sunday in Washington, was a DevOps engineer based in San Antonio, Texas, according to his LinkedIn profile.

DC Fire and EMS initially said in a post on X on Sunday that it transported an adult male in critical condition to an area hospital after being dispatched at 12:58 p.m. to an incident outside the Israeli embassy, where it found the fire had already been extinguished by U.S. Secret Service members on the scene. Secret Service spokesperson Joe Routh told TIME in a statement that officers of its uniformed division responded to what appeared as “an individual that was experiencing a possible medical/mental health emergency.”

Embassy spokesperson Tal Naim told media outlets that no embassy personnel were injured. MPD told TIME that it is working with the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to investigate the incident. MPD said in an earlier post on X that it also investigated a suspicious vehicle near the scene but that no hazardous materials were found.

Spokespersons for the U.S. Air Force confirmed to CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post that the man who set himself on fire, prior to his public identification, was an active-duty airman. Defense Department policy states that service members on active duty should “not engage in partisan political activity.” Military regulations also prohibit wearing the uniform during “unofficial public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies or any public demonstration which may imply sanction or endorsement by [the Defense Department] or the Military Service.”

Bushnell reportedly sent a message to media outlets before his self-immolation. “​​Today, I am planning to engage in an extreme act of protest against the genocide of the Palestinian people,” he warned.

On Facebook Sunday morning, he also wrote: “Many of us like to ask ourselves, ‘What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide?’ The answer is, you’re doing it. Right now.” The post included a link to a live stream of his protest on the web-broadcasting platform Twitch, which took down the video for violations of its community guidelines and terms of service.

“I will no longer be complicit in genocide. I’m about to engage in an extreme act of protest,” the airman repeated, in footage reviewed by TIME, as he walked toward the driveway of the Israeli embassy. “But compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers, it’s not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal.”

After Bushnell doused himself with liquid and reached for his lighter, unidentified law enforcement or security officers could be heard asking him, “Can I help you?” After setting himself aflame, Bushnell repeatedly shouted “Free Palestine.”

Protests have grown worldwide against Israel’s military actions in Gaza as well as against U.S. support for Israel since war broke out after the Oct. 7 assault from Palestinian militant group Hamas that Israeli officials claim killed about 1,200 people. Gaza’s health ministry, overseen by Hamas, has said that Israel’s bombardment of the enclave has in turn killed some 30,000 people.

Israel’s diplomatic outposts have become sustained sites of demonstration against the war in the Middle East, and it is not the first time someone has set their body ablaze outside one.

Self-immolation has a long history as a form of protest, gaining particular prominence during the Vietnam War and in Tunisia during the Arab Spring.

In December, an unidentified person with a Palestinian flag was left in critical condition after they lit themself on fire outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta.

Credit Source: Reported by CHAD DE GUZMAN. Chad de Guzman is a reporter for TIME, based in Singapore. He covers the Asia-Pacific region and global overnight news.

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“RAW VIDEO! Viewer discretion is advised.”

— Aaron Bushnell immolation

An active-duty U.S. Air Force member, later identified as Aaron Bushnell, live-streamed himself protesting the Israel-Hamas war by setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC on Sunday, February 25, 2024.

Credit Source:

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“U.S. Veterans burn their uniforms at Aaron Bushnell’s vigil.”

— Source: @AlissaAzar /*UPDATED: February 29, 2024*/

US VETERANS BURN THEIR UNIFORMS

AT AARON BUSHNELL’S VIGIL

Source: @AlissaAzar pic.twitter.com/Mhf3iJEpUU

— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) February 29, 2024

Aaron Bushnell’s Vigil

The Cost of Applying for the U.S. Citizenship is About to Increase

The price of getting a 'green card' — the first step to citizenship — will jump, too

Department of Homeland Security — RIN 1615-AC68

This final rule is effective April 1, 2024

The changes are a fraction of the fee increases sought by the Trump administration before a federal judge scrapped them. Still, immigration attorneys say immigration costs almost always trend higher, so those who want to naturalize for less should consider applying before April 1, 2024.

On April 1, the cost of the application to naturalize will increase to about 19 percent. The price hike is significant. According to the Office of Homeland Security Statistics, more than 9 million legal permanent residents in the United States are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship but haven’t done so yet.

The price of getting a 'green card' — the first step to citizenship — will jump, too.

In summary, that 'green card' packet requires at least four different forms for most applicants, and certain fees are waived when submitted together under the current guidelines. After April 1, the price of pursuing legal permanent residency will jump from $1,760 to $3,005.

U.S. Citizenship Cost

The costs vary. The naturalization application form, called N-400, currently costs $640 when filing a paper application or $725, including the fingerprint fee, called 'biometrics.' On April 1, the cost of both jumps to $760.

See the Department of Homeland Security Services — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fee Schedule and Changes. And other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements.

Department of Homeland Security Services 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fee Schedule and Changes

Click Here

The cost increase may be less than USCIS' previous attempt to boost fees, but it can still be a burden for families when more than one family member wants to naturalize and each individual has to pay a separate application fee.

Monday, February 19, 2024, at 5:13 AM Est. EDT - Source: yahoo /news

Protests against Queen Elizabeth Day of Mourning demand abolishment of the monarchy

While Australia's parliament house held a memorial service, thousands across the country hit the streets to take a stand against colonisation.

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Aboriginal activist Wayne Wharton and WAR protesters burn an Australian flag in Brisbane. Source: AAP / Russell Freeman

Thousands of protesters have marched the streets of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra in opposition to the National Day of Mourning for Queen Elizabeth and "racist colonial imperialism."

The Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) organized a National Day of Protest in response to the government's swift action to declare the one-off public holiday.

While at Canberra's Parliament House, the likes of politicians and ambassadors gathered to commemorate Queen Elizabeth, others were hitting the pavement to stand against the day.

Brisbane's organized rally began at 11:00 am, the same time which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese encouraged Australians to take part in a minute's silence for Queen Elizabeth.

Protest organizer and Gomeroi/Kooma woman Ruby Wharton said the lead-up to the public holiday felt similar to Invasion Day, on January 26.

“We've been yelling for a day of mourning and demanding one for the last 200 years.”

"[Australians] need to ask themselves why our Head of State doesn't even come from this country. And how the head of state got to this country, that's through murder, through pillaging, through [the] dispossession of lands and First Nations people and that's a continuing, ongoing project," she told NITV News.

Published 22 September 2022 at 3:27 pm, updated 22 September 2022 at 5:01 pm. By Tanisha Stanton, Alexis Moran, Cameron Gooley, Ricky Kirby. Source: NITV

Tap or Click HERE! To Continue Reading This Article.

Supreme Court rules against immigrants with temporary status

WASHINGTON (AP)

MARK SHERMAN; Mon, Jun 07, 2021

Summary

WASHINGTON (AP) — A unanimous Supreme Court ruled Monday that thousands of people living in the U.S. for humanitarian reasons are ineligible to apply to become permanent residents.

Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court that federal immigration law prohibits people who entered the country illegally and now have Temporary Protected Status from seeking “green cards” to remain in the country permanently.

The designation applies to people who come from countries ravaged by war or disaster. It protects them from deportation and allows them to work legally. There are 400,000 people from 12 countries with TPS status.

The outcome in a case involving a couple from El Salvador who have been in the U.S. since the early 1990s turned on whether people who entered the country illegally and were given humanitarian protections were ever “admitted” into the United States under immigration law.

Kagan wrote that they were not. “The TPS program gives foreign nationals nonimmigrant status, but it does not admit them. So the conferral of TPS does not make an unlawful entrant...eligible” for a green card, she wrote.

The House of Representatives already has passed legislation that would make it possible for TPS recipients to become permanent residents, Kagan noted. The bill faces uncertain prospects in the Senate.

The case pitted the Biden administration against immigrant groups that argued many people who came to the U.S. for humanitarian reasons have lived in the country for many years, given birth to American citizens and put down roots in the U.S.

In 2001, the U.S. gave Salvadoran migrants legal protection to remain in the U.S. after a series of earthquakes in their home country.

People from 11 other countries are similarly protected. They are: Haiti, Honduras, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.

Monday’s decision does not affect immigrants with TPS who initially entered the U.S. legally and then, say, overstayed their visa, Kagan noted. Because those people were legally admitted to the country and later were given humanitarian protections, they can seek to become permanent residents.

View article source

How to vote early, safely and by mail in all 50 states

If you want to vote early because you’re worried about the health risks of standing in line on Election Day, but you’re also worried that the U.S. Postal Service won’t deliver a mail-in ballot in time to be counted, what should you do? 

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy attempted to reassure Americans Tuesday about the USPS, announcing that he is not going to make any changes before the election that might hamper or slow mail delivery. But he has come under intense scrutiny for his political donations to President Trump, his announced changes to mail delivery and Postal Service leadership, and his potential financial conflicts of interest inside the mail and package delivery industry. 

CREDIT SOURCE: This post is from Yahoo News • August 19, 2020. To read the rest of the article, click here.

Dear Friends

The truth is self-evident

Today, in America, it’s all gone to hell, and the agent provocateur of this ‘American carnage’ is Donald J. Trump.

The U.S Gross Domestic Product (GDP) showed in the extraordinary second quarter, April through June of 2020, skid to an annualized rate of 32.9%. A historically poor showing in at least 145 years. That 32.9% percent represents the loss of a third of the economy.

With 157,000 deaths (still counting), California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, and Michigan, intensifying outbreaks have forced authorities to dial back their reopening plans and restrict business activity once again.

It must be exhausting with millions of infected and the lack of cohesive national strategy, America has become a global laughing stock.

The United States of America is now one giant cage where none of us can leave because no other countries will allow us in.

While many countries have stemmed the tide and turned the corner on COVID-19, the United States, is a vortex of death and economic depression. The truth is self-evident.

The patchwork quilt of state, local, and federal directives has left the general public bemused and bewildered.

What is a public health issue has become heavily politicized, we cannot even agree on the life-preserving measures of wearing a simple cloth-mask.

Not only the CDC, bullied into compliance with the White House, water down guidelines.

As I watch the deadly havoc visited on states like Florida, Texas, and Arizona, my thoughts wander to my dislike of craven politicians sacrificed public health to curry presidential favor.

Each of us has the moral obligation to stand up, speak up, and speak out ~ John Lewis.

Faced with a national emergency our country and leadership have reacted with one accord and vision.

These politicians knew better. A measure of how far we fall as a nation, and a scathing indictment the damage Trump has done to America as a union. Trump despises expertise. Even gone as far as to attempt to smear public health officials …a government that traffics in conspiracy theories, untruth, and unproven wonder cures.

Dear friends abroad, you don’t even want us to visit you right now you bare no blame, after all, we’re number one for all the wrong reasons. Meanwhile, I hold out hope for a better tomorrow and until I will day-dream of Paris and exotic locales.

How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change

Barack Obama

Latest

Photo by Xena Goldman

Barack Obama: How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change.

A statement about the protests throughout the United States about police brutality and George Floyd's murder. The lack of police accountability. He offered valuable resources on how to use this moment.

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As millions of people across the country take to the streets and raise their voices in response to the killing of George Floyd and the ongoing problem of unequal justice, many people have reached out asking how we can sustain momentum to bring about real change.

Ultimately, it’s going to be up to a new generation of activists to shape strategies that best fit the times. But I believe there are some basic lessons to draw from past efforts that are worth remembering.

First, the waves of protests across the country represent a genuine and legitimate frustration over a decades-long failure to reform police practices and the broader criminal justice system in the United States. The overwhelming majority of participants have been peaceful, courageous, responsible, and inspiring. They deserve our respect and support, not condemnation — something that police in cities like Camden and Flint have commendably understood.

The article first published from Medium | Equality. To read the rest of the article, click here.

African Immigrants in the United States of America

The

Dilemmas of the New Public Charge Rule - Part IV

By J Reynold Weeks

A Four-Part Series – The Conclusion

Key Points

• People not affected not have to get off public benefits because the public charge will not apply to them.

• While the new rule about public charge, most immigrants are 'NOT' impacted; refugees, U and T visa applicants, and immigrants applying for VAWA, DACA, TPS, etc. as described in parts one through three.

• The new rule only affects those applying for a green card through a family member petition. If applying for asylum or asylee benefits, this will not apply to them, U visa adjustments, etc.

• The new rule does not change who is eligible for benefits.

• If you are worried that the public charge rule might apply to your situation, get legal help from a trusted attorney or accredited representative at a non-profit organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I Be Deported If I Use Public Benefits?

Public charge is a test applied when an immigrant applies for a green card or entry into the United States. In California, for example, the counties and state offices do not call ICE. They only use the information to enroll you or your family member in a benefit.

An Attorney Told Me That I Should Disenroll Myself Or My Children From Public Benefits, To Apply For A Green Card. Is This True?

Under current rules at immigration in the U.S., the only public benefits that would make a person a public charge are cash assistance and long term institutionalization care. People applying for other types of immigration status, including asylum, visas for a victim of a crime, domestic violence, and naturalization, are not affected by the public charge. People applying for other types of immigration status, including asylum, visas for a victim of a crime, domestic violence, and naturalization, are not affected by the public charge. However, if a person is applying at an American consulate for a visa, the rules are strict. The person should consult a trusted legal representative for advice.

Will, I Be Considered A Public Charge If I Use WIC?

No! Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is not a consideration.

Will, I Have Problems If My Children Use, Medi-Cal?

No! USCIS will not consider benefits received by family members when deciding if a person is a public charge, as long as it is not the sole source of income for the family. Children’s use of Medi-Cal is exempt.

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Will I Get Deported If I Go To The Emergency Room Or Use Emergency Medi-Cal?

No! This type of emergency service is not considered under public charge.

I’m Pregnant And Not A U.S. Citizen. Will I Have Problems With Immigration If I Use Medi-Cal?

The new rule will look at the use of Medicaid but does not include Medicaid for pregnant women or children under 21. In California, people who are not applying for a green card through a family member do not have to worry about being a public charge.

I Was Injured On The Job And Receiving Payments From My Employer because I Can’t Work. Will This Create Problems For Me If I Apply For A Green Card Or To Become A Citizen?

No! Benefits that a person earns through their jobs, such as worker’s compensation or unemployment benefits, don’t count against the person in a public charge test.

Will I Have Problems, If I Get Help From A Domestic Violence Shelter, A Food Pantry, Church, Mosque, or Synagogue?

No! Services available to the community as a whole or without an income requirement will not make someone a public charge.

Things To Remember

• If you and your family members already have green cards: Public Charge and any changes to it has NO impact on you.

• If you are applying for or have one of the following statuses – U.S. Citizenship or TPS, U or T Visa, Asylum or Refugee status, or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Public Charge test does NOT apply to some immigrants listed here. Benefits received while you are in this status will not be counted against you in the future, even if you apply for a green card on another basis.

• If your family plans to apply for a green card or visa outside the United States: U.S. consular offices abroad use different rules in making their decisions. Talk with an expert for advice in your case before making any decisions in dealing with the ever-changing U.S. immigration policies on Public Charge.

RELATED

African Immigrants in the United States of America

The Dilemmas of the New Public Charge Rule - Part III

By J Reynold Weeks

A Four-Part Series

Five Things To Know About Public charge

The Trump administration recently announced it will be harder for some people to receive certain visas or a green card through a family member if they use Medi-Cal, SNAP, and subsidized housing. The change to the ‘Public Charge’ is what we are discussing. Not everyone needs to worry about the new public charge rule.

If you are a Green Card holder (lawful permanent resident)

• Generally, people who already have a green card are not affected by 'public charge.'

• There is no public charge test to renew a green card.

• Green card holders cannot be deported simply for using public benefits. Very difficult for the government to deport a green card holder being a ‘public charge.’

• This public charge rule could apply if a permanent resident leaves the United States for more than 180 days during one trip. The government can ask questions to see if the person is a ‘public charge’ upon returning to the U.S. Green cardholders need to speak to a trusted immigration attorney or an accredited representative before they embark on a trip that will keep them out of the U.S. for more than 180 days.

• There is no public charge test to apply for citizenship. However, an immigration official might ask you questions about receiving public benefits to figure out if you received benefits when you were not eligible for it. Warning: You should review your public benefits history with a trusted legal representative before applying for citizenship.

IF YOU ARE UNDOCUMENTED

Each state has its rules. The State of California does not tell Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when you sign up for a public benefit.

If you are not eligible to apply for a green card now, there is no reason to give up the needed benefits.

The public charge test only affects some people who are applying for a green card through a family sponsor or petition or applying for certain temporary visas abroad. The new changes to public charge only affect applications filed in the U.S. on or after October 15, 2019.

Some immigrants do not have to worry about a public charge test. These people can use public benefits without problems because the public charge doesn’t apply to them. These people include:

• Refugees, asylees, and people applying for asylum

• People applying for a U visa (victims of crime), T visa (victims of trafficking), VAWA (certain victims of domestic violence), and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected)

• People applying for a green card based on already having a U visa, T visa, VAWA, asylum, or refugee status

• People renewing TPS or DACA

Anyone who wants to submit an immigration application should work with a trusted immigration attorney, an accredited representative, to prepare a strong application.

IF YOU WANT TO SPONSOR A FAMILY MEMBER TO COME TO THE U.S.

There is no public test to naturalize. You can become a U.S. citizen even if you have used benefits or need a fee waiver for your application. There is no public charge test to renew a green card.

You can sponsor a family member and still use public benefits.

If you are sponsoring your family member and do not have enough income to support your family member, you can add a second (“joint”) sponsor who has enough income to support the family member. Important: Review your family member’s financial documentation with a trusted immigration attorney, or accredited representative, to prepare a strong application, and decide whether joint sponsor needed.

If a family member is going to a visa interview inside the U.S., only your family member’s use of certain benefits can be counted against them.

On the other hand, if your family member is going to a visa interview outside the U.S. at a consulate, your use of benefits might show that you cannot financially support your family member. In this case, a joint sponsor might be needed. Talk with a trusted attorney or accredited representative to help prepare the case.

The final article 'Dilemmas of the New Public Charge Rule - Part IV' will be in the next publication.

RELATED

African Immigrants in the United States of America

The

Dilemmas of the New Public Charge Rule - Part II

By J Reynold Weeks

A Four-Part Series

What’s In The New Rule?

While the test for whether someone is likely at any time to become a public charge will still be prospective as required by the statute, the new rule redefines the definition of a public charge. Instead of assessing whether an applicant is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for income support, the new rule defines a public charge as a person who receives any number of public benefits for more than an aggregate of 12 months over 36 months period. Each benefit used, counts toward the 12-month calculation. If the applicant receives two different benefits in one month, it counts as two-months use of benefits.

The rule expands the list of publicly-funded programs that immigration officers may consider when deciding whether someone is likely to become a public charge. Under the new rule, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps), 'Section-8' housing assistance, and federally subsidized housing will be used as evidence that a green card or visa applicant, is inadmissible under the public charge ground.

The rule also considers that all use of cash aid, including not just Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and SSI but also any state or local cash assistance program, could make an individual inadmissible under the public charge ground.

Benefits received by family members of the immigrant will still not be considered in the public charge determination. Additionally, Medicaid received by applicants while under age 21 or while pregnant is not considered. Also, the rule does not change long-standing policies that allow immigrants to access emergency medical care and disaster relief without public charge repercussions.

It is very important to remember that prior receipt of benefits is only one factor in the public charge determination. The new rule sets out criteria for considering several factors in assessing the likelihood that a person will need more than 12 months of public assistance in aggregate over 36 months in the future. The rule also elaborates on criteria for considering financial status, family size, age, education, skills, and employment, among others.

The rule allows immigration officers to consider English proficiency (positive), or lack of English proficiency (negative), medical conditions and availability of private health insurance, and past use of immigration fee waivers. The rule requires immigrants to attach a Declaration of Self-Sufficiency when applying for a green card in addition to the many forms already required.

The rule creates “heavily weighted negative factors” and a couple of “heavily weighted positive factors.”

It is a heavily weighted negative factor to receive more than 12 months of public benefits in the aggregate over the 36 months before applying for adjustment or admission. Heavily weighted positive factors include having a household income of at least 250% of the federal poverty level ($64,375 for a family of 4) and having private health insurance. It is not clear to me how an officer should decide a case that has a heavily weighted factor or both heavily weighted negative and positive factors.

Bonds are possible where an immigration officer finds inadmissibility based on public charge. Bonds will be highly discretionary. The new rule says that heavily weighted negative factors in a case will generally make an applicant ineligible for a bond.

'Dilemmas of the New Public Charge Rule - Part III' will be in the next publication.

RELATED

African Immigrants in the United States of America

The Dilemmas of the New Public Charge Rule - Part I

By J Reynold Weeks

A Four-Part Series

About 2.1 million Africans migrated to the United States of America in 2018, according to official records. This number increases to 4.2 million when those from the Caribbean nations, included.

Top countries of origin for African immigrants were Nigeria 221,000 (14 percent); Ethiopia 164,000 (10 percent); Egypt 143,000 (9 percent); Ghana 121,000 (8 percent). Altogether constituting 41 percent. Four States have more than 100,000 African born immigrants: New York has 164,000; California 155,000; Texas 134,000 and Maryland 120,000.

Approximately 68,000 African born immigrants reside in the Greater Los Angeles area. For the past; 10 years, those who recently immigrated are predominantly refugees. About 27 percent. Those who escaped civil wars and ethnic conflicts in their various countries of origin.

What is Public Charge?

A public charge has historically been a person dependent on the government for financial and material support.

With the new rule, it now becomes a test to determine if someone applying for permanent residence through a relative or a visa to enter the United States is likely to depend on public benefits in the future.

On August 14, 2019, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule related to public charge in the Federal Register. The Public Charge rule which, was to take effect as of October 15, 2019, became enforced after the US Supreme Court on January 27, 2020, lifted a nationwide injunction barring implementation.

The new rule will mainly impact those seeking permanent residence (green card) status through family member petitions, or, for a visa to enter the United States. No other types of immigration cases impacted. It is advisable immigrants consult with immigration experts who understand the public charge rule, to learn whether the public charge applies to them or their families. Many categories of immigrants are exempt from public charge.

Public Charge Exemptions

• Refugees and Asylees

• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) a special way for minors currently in the US to adjust their status and become permanent residents.

• U Visa – Set aside for victims of crimes and their immediate family members.

• VAWA self-petitioners –Violence Against Women Act

• T Visa – These are visas for victims of human trafficking

• DACA applicants – Deferred action for childhood arrivals. However, if they later apply for a green card through a family member, they will have to go through a public charge test.

• TPS applicants – Temporary Protected Status: designated countries

• Most legal permanent residents - unless you travel outside of the US for more than 180 days.

• US citizens

• Others – Amerasians; Afghan and Iraqi military translators; certain Cuban and Haitian adjustment applicants; certain Nicaraguans; and Central Americans under NACARA- The Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act passed in 1997; Soviet and Southeast Asian Lautenberg parolees.

A Few Important Points Regarding the Public Charge

• The new rule interprets a provision of the immigration and Nationality Act (INA) about inadmissibility. The inadmissibility ground at issue... a person is inadmissible if they are likely to become a public charge. INA 212(a)(4) applies to individuals seeking admission into the United States or applying for adjustment of status. The provision of the law does not apply to all immigrants, as stated.

• Public Charge and this rule do not apply in the naturalization process, through which lawful permanent residents apply to become United States citizens.

What Is The Current Law?

Currently, immigration officers decide public charge by evaluating whether an applicant for a green card or an individual seeking to enter the United States on certain visas is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for support. Primary dependence refers to reliance on cash-aid for income support or long term care paid for by the government.

To decide whether an individual is a public charge, immigration officers rely on multiple factors specified in the INA. They must also rely on the “affidavit of support,” which is a contract signed by the immigrant’s sponsor, indicating that the sponsor will financially support the immigrant. This affidavit of support offers strong evidence that the immigrant will not become primarily dependent on the government.

Under existing policy, immigration officers also consider whether an immigrant applying for a green card or admission to the United States has used cash aid such as “Welfare” or “SSI” (Supplemental Security Income) or long-term institutionalized care in the past. Immigrants who have used this form of assistance will have to show that it is not likely they will need these resources for support in the future.

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The use of publicly-funded health care, nutrition, and housing programs are not currently considered negative factors for purposes of public charge. Beginning October 15th, 2019, according to the new rule, some of these benefits will be considered in the public charge determination. It must be noted that this is a drastic change from the longstanding policy.

Also, the new rule will apply only to adjustment of status applications postmarked on or after October 15th, 2019. It will not affect pending applications postmarked before that date.

Individuals seeking to enter the United States apply at consulates abroad. At these consulates, the officers use what is referred to as the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) as guidance on how to make decisions.

'Dilemmas of the New Public Charge Rule - Part II' will be in the next publication.