Mornings on the Mall
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Hosts: Mary Walter and Vince Coglianese
Executive Producer: Heather Hunter
Guests: Cal Thomas, Newt Gingrich, and Susan Ferrechio
6:35 AM — INTERVIEW – CAL THOMAS – Syndicated columnist and author of new book “America’s Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires and Superpowers . . . and the Future of the United States”
TOPIC: The Chicago shootings, Seattle and failure of politicians to stop the anarchy/Possible comments on Fauci and Redmiond testimony
7:05 AM – INTERVIEW – NEWT GINGRICH – Former Speaker of the House, host of “Newt’s World” podcast and author of new book “Trump and the American Future”
TOPIC: News of the Day
8:05 AM – INTERVIEW – SUSAN FERRECHIO – chief congressional correspondent for the Washington Examiner
TOPIC: Preview the latest in Congress next week
5AM HOUR:
5A/B/C – BLACK LIVES MATTER NEWS:
- MAJORITY OF AMERICANS DISAGREE W/TEARING DOWN FOUNDING FATHERS’ STATUES Rasmussen noted that solid majorities of voters oppose taking down statues honoring the three late-U.S. presidents, while voters are evenly divided on the question of statues honoring confederate leaders and soldiers. He also pointed out that by a 40-to-31% margin, there is plurality support for taking down statues honoring Karl Marx, the 19 century thinker whose teaching are the foundation of communism. https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/polling/strong-majority-voters-oppose-tearing-down-statues-honoring-washington
- CONSERVATIVES CALL TO ‘CANCEL’ YALE Right-wing pundit Jesse Kelly kicked off the hashtag on Saturday by noting that Yale University is named after Elihu Yale, a British merchant and slave trader. https://www.rt.com/usa/492473-cancel-yale-twitter-hillary-clinton/
- RESIDENTS STUCK IN CHOP HIRE PRIVATE SECURITY Homeland Patrol Division Security owner Steve Pansini explained Tuesday that he and his team were hired to protect homes and businesses inside Seattle’s so-called “CHOP” zone because residents have felt vulnerable and left unprotected by their city’s leadership.
5D/E – DOJ NEWS:
- DOJ Turns Over Peter Strzok Notes To Michael Flynn’s Lawyers The Justice Department on Tuesday provided Michael Flynn’s lawyers with handwritten notes that former FBI official Peter Strzok took in early 2017 as part of the investigation into the former national security adviser. Michael R. Sherwin, the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, told Flynn’s lawyers that a federal prosecutor appointed to review the Flynn case discovered the documents. Sherwin said that Strzok, the former deputy chief of FBI counterintelligence, compiled the notes likely between Jan. 3 and Jan. 5, 2017, a key date range in the FBI’s investigation of Flynn. The Daily Caller News Foundation was unable to view the document because it was filed under seal. A source familiar with the document told the DCNF that the notes are “very significant” to Flynn’s case. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the document was filed under seal, said the notes are “totally exculpatory” for Flynn.
- EMAILS SHOW BERMAN NEVER FOLLOWED UP ON BIDEN-UKRAINE ALLEGATIONS IN 2018 The memos show that well before Ukrainian prosecutors reached out to Rudy Giuliani, President Trump’s lawyer, in 2019 to talk about the Bidens and alleged 2016 election interference they first approached Berman’s office in New York in October 2018 via another American lawyer. The memos show Little Rock, Ark., lawyer Bud Cummins, a former U.S. attorney himself, reached out at least five times in October 2018 to Berman seeking to arrange a meeting with then-Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko. https://justthenews.com/accountability/russia-and-ukraine-scandals/fired-prosecutor-was-given-biden-ukraine-allegations
- FORMER PROSECUTOR TO TESTIFY THAT STONE RECEIVED FAVORABLE TREATMENT Aaron Zelinsky, who is slated to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, will allege that Stone received more favorable treatment as a result of his relationship with the president. “What I heard — repeatedly — was that Roger Stone was being treated differently from any other defendant because of his relationship to the president,” Zelinsky wrote in an opening statement released by the panel in advance of the hearing.
6AM HOUR:
6A/B/C – COVID NEWS:
- SUMMER SUN CAN INACTIVATE CORONAVIRUS IN 34 MINS Study authors calculated the expected inactivation by UVC and solar UV radiation in cities around the world at different times of the year. They concluded SARS-CoV-2 should be inactivated “relatively fast” during summer in many populous cities worldwide, pointing to the role of sunlight in the occurrence, spread rate, and duration of coronavirus pandemics. https://www.foxnews.com/health/summer-rays-inactivate-coronavirus-in-34-minutes-study-says
- FAUCI TELLS CONGRESS THERE’S A ‘PROMISING VACCINE’ Dr. Fauci told the committee that there is a “promising” coronavirus vaccine that will enter phase three trials next month. He told lawmakers that he believes a vaccine could be ready by early 2021. “We feel cautiously optimistic,” said the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/coronavirus/watch-fauci-testifies-congress-capitol-hill
- MULTIPLE CA AUTHORITIES WON’T ENFORCE GOV’S MASK MANDATE The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that it recommends state residents wear masks out of an abundance of caution. But the department also wrote: “Due to the minor nature of the offense, the potential for negative outcomes during enforcement encounters, and anticipating the various ways in which the order may be violated, it would be inappropriate for deputies to criminally enforce the governor’s mandate.” https://justthenews.com/government/local/multiple-california-authorities-say-they-wont-enforce-newsoms-statewide-mask
- SC PROTESTS CANCELLED AFTER GROUP COMES DOWN WITH COVID A protest organizer in South Carolina said he will postpone future demonstrations after at least 13 people who took part in recent rallies tested positive for the coronavirus. https://www.foxnews.com/us/activist-cancels-protests-south-carolina-after-some-demonstrators-become-infected
- Trump hints at ‘generous’ second coronavirus stimulus check President Trump signaled Monday that he’s open to a second stimulus check for Americans still reeling financially from the coronavirus pandemic and the related economic lockdown. Asked during an interview by Scripps reporter Joe St. George whether he plans to give another cash payment to some Americans, Trump said: “Yeah we are. We are.” “We will be doing another stimulus package,” he added. “It’ll be very good, it’ll be very generous.”
- Oregon County Issues Face Mask Order That Exempts Non-White People Lincoln County health officials announced last week that all residents must wear face coverings when in public places in which they are likely to come within six feet of another person who is not from their own household. “But people of color do not have to follow the new rule if they have ‘heightened concerns about racial profiling and harassment’ over wearing the masks, officials said,” The New York Post reported. Those exempted from wearing face masks, Lincoln County’s June 16 directive states, are “persons with health or medical conditions that preclude or are exacerbated by wearing a face covering,” “children under the age of 12,” persons with certain disabilities that do no allow them to wear one, and “people of color who have heightened concerns about racial profiling and harassment due to wearing face coverings in public.”
6D – INTERVIEW – CAL THOMAS – Syndicated columnist and author of new book “America’s Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires and Superpowers . . . and the Future of the United States”
TOPIC: The Chicago shootings, Seattle and failure of politicians to stop the anarchy/Possible comments on Fauci and Redmiond testimony
6E – McSALLY WANTS TO PAY YOU TO TAKE A TRIP
The Arizona Republican introduced the American TRIP Act Monday that would give each American a $4,000 tax credit to take a trip. The vacation credit, retroactive to Jan. 1, would increase to $8,000 for joint tax filers plus an additional $500 for dependent children. “The tourism and hospitality industries were among the hardest-hit sectors across the country and their revival is critical to our economic recovery,” McSally said in a statement. “Arizona has lost billions in revenue this year alone due to the pandemic. My legislation will help boost domestic travel and jumpstart the comeback of our hotels, entertainment sectors, local tourism agencies, and the thousands of businesses that make Arizona one of the best places in the world to visit.”
Americans would be eligible for the tax credit as long as they travel within the United States and its territories after Dec. 31, 2019, and before Jan. 1, 2022, according to the bill. Travelers would just have to vacation at least 50 miles away from their home. Expenses eligible for the tax credit would include lodging, transportation costs and entertainment. Americans who already own a vacation home would be able to get some of the benefit, too. The tax credit could be applied to transportation and entertainment at their second home, but just not the mortgage.
6F – MLB sets 60-game schedule, opens July 23 or 24, in agreement with players’ union On Tuesday night, the league announced a 60-game schedule that will begin on July 23 or 24 in empty ballparks due to the coronavirus pandemic that has affected the entire sports world. It would be the MLB’s shortest season since 1878. The players’ union announced it agreed to the changes. Each team is set to play against each of its four divisional rivals 10 times, and four games against the other five clubs in the corresponding division in the other league. A team will make only one trip to each city it visits, according to the plan.
Other details included: games involving National League teams will include designated hitters; at the start of extra innings, there will be a runner on second base; the number of playoff teams will remain at 10, but that still could change; the trade deadline will be Aug. 31; and the deadline for postseason eligibility is Sept. 15. Also, active rosters will be 30 during the first two weeks of the season, 28 during the second two weeks and 26 following that. Teams will not expand to 28 roster spots on Sept. 1, as originally intended this year. Because no minor league games are being played this year, teams will be able to hold onto 60 players, including a taxi squad. Up to three players from the taxi squad can travel with a team to a game, and one of the three must be a catcher. MLB is also keeping the innovation of the three-batter minimum for pitchers, but decided to keep the injured list minimum for pitchers at 10 days rather than 15, as initially intended.
7AM HOUR:
7A – INTERVIEW – NEWT GINGRICH – Former Speaker of the House, host of “Newt’s World” podcast and author of new book “Trump and the American Future”
TOPIC: Plug his latest book and news of the day
7B/C – BUBBA WALLACE:
- FBI announces noose found in Bubba Wallace’s garage had been there since 2019; no federal crime committed “The FBI learned that garage number 4, where the noose was found, was assigned to Bubba Wallace last week. The investigation also revealed evidence, including authentic video confirmed by NASCAR, that the noose found in garage number 4 was in that garage as early as October 2019. Although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in 2019, nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week.The decision not to pursue federal charges is proper after reviewing all available facts and all applicable federal laws. We offer our thanks to NASCAR, Mr. Wallace, and everyone who cooperated with this investigation.” “The FBI has completed its investigation at Talladega Superspeedway and determined that Bubba Wallace was not the target of a hate crime. The FBI report concludes, and photographic evidence confirms, that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last fall. This was obviously well before the 43 team’s arrival and garage assignment. We appreciate the FBI’s quick and thorough investigation and are thankful to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing.”
- NASCAR STATEMENT… IT WAS ‘GARAGE DOOR PULL ROPE’… (STATEMENT)
- BUBBA WALLACE DOUBLES DOWN “I’ve been racing all of my life,” Wallace told CNN‘s Don Lemon. “We’ve raced out of hundreds of garages that never had garage pulls like that. So people that want to call it a garage pull and put out all the videos and photos of knots being as their evidence, go ahead, but from the evidence that we have – and I have – it’s a straight-up noose.”
7D – Recap Tuesday’s Virginia primary: Northern Virginia voters head to the polls June 23 in a handful of 2020 primary races. https://www.insidenova.com/news/election/primary-election-guide-2020-northern-virginia-votes-june-23/article_e2b49fd0-ada4-11ea-9c6c-4fed24939844.html
United States Senate election in Virginia, 2020 (June 23 Republican primary): https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_election_in_Virginia,_2020_(June_23_Republican_primary)
7E – N.Y. Planned Parenthood’s C.E.O. Is Ousted After Staff Complaints Facing mounting complaints about abusive behavior and unfair treatment of black staff members, the chief executive of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, Laura McQuade, has been ousted from her job. The organization’s board of directors had supported Ms. McQuade as recently as last week. On Tuesday, however, the group reversed course, sending an email to staff members saying the board had “parted ways” with her the previous day. The move came after hundreds of former and current employees signed a series of public letters over the past week faulting Ms. McQuade for what they said was an autocratic, abusive leadership style ill-suited to any organization, let alone one known for its progressive credentials. The letters accused Ms. McQuade of berating and humiliating employees; presiding over a system that paid black staff members unequally and kept them from advancing in their careers; and supporting layoffs and furloughs for nearly a third of the organization’s employees amid the
Covid-19 crisis without cutting her own pay or that of other top officials.
8AM HOUR:
8A – INTERVIEW – SUSAN FERRECHIO – chief congressional correspondent for the Washington Examiner
TOPIC: Preview the latest in Congress next week
- POLICE REFORM BILL
The Senate will hold a procedural vote next week on Sen. Tim Scott’s police reform bill https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/16/gop-police-reform-bill-force-chokehold-324702
Democrats reject GOP police reform bill as ‘inadequate’ https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/democrats-reject-gop-police-reform-bill-as-inadequate
- DC STATEHOOD VOTE
Hoyer sets June 26 date for historic House vote on D.C. statehood bill https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-statehood-vote-june-26/2020/06/15/6ff29e00-af22-11ea-8758-bfd1d045525a_story.html
House to vote on DC statehood, but Senate will block it https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/house-to-vote-on-dc-statehood-but-senate-will-block-it
- NURSING HOMES INVESTIGATION
Republicans and Democrats split on investigating COVID-19 nursing home deaths https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/republicans-and-democrats-split-on-investigating-covid-19-nursing-home-deaths
8B/C – Protesters vow to tear down Emancipation Statue in Lincoln Park Crowds gathered in Lincoln Park at the base of the Emancipation Statue Tuesday night for a protest organized by “The Freedom Neighborhood” calling for the removal of the statue. The protest comes on the heels of an incident in Lafayette Park Monday night over an Andrew Jackson statue. Organizers said they want the Emancipation Statue “gone” and openly said they will not be working with police. “To achieve true justice, we are not working with the police, nor will we seek any relationship with them,” the group wrote in an Instagram post advertising the protest. “In order to create change, we will do so by any means necessary. If you want a revolution, it won’t happen by being peaceful.” The bronze memorial statue was erected in 1876 to honor Abraham Lincoln for the Emancipation Proclamation and was put up 11 years to the day that he was assassinated at the Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth. But criticism does surround the memorial statue because of what it depicts, and that formerly enslaved Americans did not have any say in how it was built. “Although formerly enslaved Americans paid for this statue to be built in 1876, the design and sculpting process was done without their input, and it shows. The statue fails to note in any way how enslaved African Americans pushed for their own emancipation,” said Norton. “Understandably, they were only recently liberated from slavery and were grateful for any recognition of their freedom. However, in his keynote address at the unveiling of this statue, Frederick Douglass also expressed his displeasure with the statue.”
WIKIPEDIA PAGE: PAID FOR BY FREED SLAVES…
8D –Andrea Mitchell Nearly Attacked In D.C. Black House Autonomous Zone: “Where’s The Police?” NBC correspondent Andrea Mitchell was nearly attacked by a protestor in the “Black House Autonomous Zone” that exists between H Street and Vermont Avenue in Washington, D.C. while she standing next to Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.). As a person who was dressed only in a bra and panties ran toward Mitchell, a member of her security team swooped in to prevent any attack. Mitchell’s first reaction after the attack: “Where’s the police?”
8E – CONSERVATIVES CALL TO ‘CANCEL’ YALE
Right-wing pundit Jesse Kelly kicked off the hashtag on Saturday by noting that Yale University is named after Elihu Yale, a British merchant and slave trader.
https://www.rt.com/usa/492473-cancel-yale-twitter-hillary-clinton/
