The Sioux City Journal endorsed Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE’s Democratic presidential bid roughly a week before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses. 

Biden “possesses a greater breadth and depth of knowledge on issues domestic and foreign – experience forged over more than 40 years of elected office in Washington, D.C. – than his rivals,” the newspaper’s endorsement, published late Saturday, reads.

“He articulates moderate positions on issues more in line with the nation as a whole. Unlike some candidates in this race, he doesn’t guarantee a world he can’t deliver and most Americans don’t want,” the editorial adds, citing the former vice president’s support for the addition of a public option to the Affordable Care Act rather than universal health care.

ADVERTISEMENT

“President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE talks often, unflatteringly and almost obsessively, about former President Barack ObamaBarack Hussein ObamaHarris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Five ways America would take a hard left under Joe Biden Valerie Jarrett: ‘Democracy depends upon having law enforcement’ MORE and about Biden, Obama’s vice president of two terms,” the Journal’s editorial concludes. “We believe the nation would be well-served by a spirited contest between principles and ideas from the Obama-Biden years and the strikingly different ones of the Trump-Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PencePence posts, deletes photo of Trump campaign staff without face masks, not social distancing Pence threatens to deploy military if Pennsylvania governor doesn’t quell looting Pence on Floyd: ‘No tolerance for racism’ in US MORE years.”

The newspaper’s endorsement came on the same day that the Des Moines Register backed Biden’s 2020 competitor, Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.), calling her the “best leader for these times.”

Warren and Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Democrats demand Republican leaders examine election challenges after Georgia voting chaos Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-Minn.) split another high-profile endorsement from The New York Times last week. 

Click Here: cheap INTERNATIONAL jersey

Biden leads the RealClearPolitics average of Iowa polling by less than 1 percentage point, although Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) has opened a lead in several recent surveys. Biden leads the 2020 Democratic field by 7 points nationally, according to another RealClearPolitics average of surveys.

The American Postal Workers Union (APWU), which represents more than 200,000 U.S. Postal Service employees, on Thursday said it is backing Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE’s (I-Vt.) presidential campaign.

They also backed the senator in his 2016 bid for the Democratic nomination.

“As with 2016, once again the Sanders campaign is boldly uplifting the goals and aspirations of workers,” APWU President Mark Dimondstein said in a statement. “Simply put, we believe it is in the best interests of all postal workers, our job security and our union to support and elect Bernie Sanders for president.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“Senator Sanders was a champion of workers’ rights long before he became a candidate for president,” Liz Powell, the APWU’s secretary-treasurer, added. “Like those who make up the core of the APWU, he is a firm believer in social and economic justice for all. It’s no wonder that he is ranked as the most popular member of the U.S. Senate.”

The influential union said its support for the Vermont senator was in part because he “has released a series of proposals that would end the universal service requirement and also would make significant changes in the pricing structure of mail products.” Dimondstein also cites the immediacy of the election, as the Trump administration has proposed “selling the entire public Postal Service to private corporate interests.”

Following the endorsement, the union said it will encourage its members to attend Sanders rallies, make individual campaign contributions and volunteer on the campaign.

The endorsement is Sanders’s fourth notable backing from a national union, following National Nurses United, the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, and the National Union of Healthcare Workers, with the latter also endorsing Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.).

Click Here: Bape Kid 1st Camo Ape Head rompers

The caucus chairman of a precinct in Iowa’s Story County was hung up on by someone at the Iowa Democratic Party as he attempted to report his precinct’s caucus results to party officials in a moment captured live on CNN.

During an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Story County precinct captain Shawn Sebastian revealed that he had been on hold with the Iowa state party for more than an hour before the call was answered.

“Well, Wolf, I have been on hold for more than an hour with the Iowa Democratic Party,” Sebastian says in the clip before a woman’s voice is heard on the line.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Hi? Hello?” Sebastian is heard saying after explaining to Blitzer that he has to take the call.

“They hung up on me. They hung up on me,” Sebastian adds after a beat of silence, chuckling. “I’ve got to get back in line.”

Oh my god@shawnsebastian, a Story County precinct captain, had been on hold with the Iowa Democratic Party for over an hour trying to report results.

CNN had him on to talk about the process. While on air, he got off hold.

Before he could get back to the call, IA Dems hung up pic.twitter.com/oIs7dC5buq

— jordan (@JordanUhl) February 4, 2020

The moment occurred as chaos appeared to reign at Monday’s caucuses across Iowa amid reports of problems with an app used by the state party to record caucus results, which reportedly was not functioning correctly as the caucuses began.

Click Here: cheap Cowboys jersey

— Updates story to clarify the call was with the Iowa Democratic Party

Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE’s (I-Vt.) support for his signature “Medicare for All” proposal has created an unexpected divide between the White House hopeful and his usually reliable labor union base.

Sanders faces scrutiny from the powerful Nevada Culinary Workers Union, which is warning that his goal of overhauling the nation’s health care system would put an end to private plans for union members.

But the labor group stopped short of endorsing one of Sanders’s Democratic rivals. On Thursday, the union declined to back a candidate, leaving the field wide open for the remaining contenders heading into the state’s Feb. 22 caucuses.

ADVERTISEMENT

Union Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Argüello-Kline did not directly attack Sanders when pressed repeatedly at a press conference, saying only that the union believes people have the right to make their own health care choices.

The union is a key force in elections in the state and is a highly sought-after endorsement on the road to the White House. The labor group for hospitality workers has a reputation for funding a massive turnout effort and can be a game changer, especially for a candidate seeking support from Latino voters.

On the flip side, any negative messaging from the group could pose a setback for a campaign.

The union endorsed then-Sen. Barack ObamaBarack Hussein ObamaHarris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Five ways America would take a hard left under Joe Biden Valerie Jarrett: ‘Democracy depends upon having law enforcement’ MORE (D-Ill.) ahead of the state’s 2008 caucuses, but did not endorse a candidate in 2016. Former Secretary of State Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE won the caucuses in 2016, with Sanders a close second at 47 percent.

While the union has once again decided against endorsing a candidate, Sanders nonetheless took a hit.

Earlier this week, the Culinary Union distributed a flyer to its 60,000 members that said his health care plan would “End Culinary Healthcare.” Under Medicare for All, private health insurance would be replaced across the board with a government-run plan.

The Culinary Union drew swift backlash online from Sanders supporters, so much so that the group issued a statement on Wednesday denouncing the candidate’s backers for “viciously” attacking the union.

ADVERTISEMENT

That, in turn, prompted many of Sanders’s opponents to seize momentum on the public feud.

“I stand with the working men and women of @Culinary226 because supporting labor means supporting our unions,” tweeted former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE, an opponent of Medicare for All.

Fellow moderates Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Democrats demand Republican leaders examine election challenges after Georgia voting chaos Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-Minn.) and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE, fresh off strong showings in the New Hampshire primary, also jumped to the union’s defense.

“I stand with @Culinary226 and let’s be clear: attacks on the union are unacceptable. I come from a family of proud union members and I know when unions are strong, America is strong,” Klobuchar tweeted.

Buttigieg, meanwhile, took the opportunity to appeal to unions and promote his own health plan.

“There are 14 million union workers in America who have fought hard for strong, employer-provided health benefits,” Buttigieg tweeted. “Medicare for All Who Want It protects their plans and union members’ freedom to choose the coverage that’s best for them.”

Even Tom SteyerTom SteyerBloomberg wages war on COVID-19, but will he abandon his war on coal? Overnight Energy: 600K clean energy jobs lost during pandemic, report finds | Democrats target diseases spread by wildlife | Energy Dept. to buy 1M barrels of oil Ocasio-Cortez, Schiff team up to boost youth voter turnout MORE joined the fray on Thursday, releasing a statement calling on Sanders to disclose the price tag of Medicare for All. Steyer said his own proposal would “protect the the health plans that unions have fought hard to secure for their members, especially here in Nevada.”

Sanders has been trying to smooth over some of the tensions between the union and his supporters ever since news of the union’s flyer was first reported by the Nevada Independent.

Sanders’s campaign initially responded to the flyer by saying it was incorrect and that Medicare for All coverage would be as good or better than what unions currency receive.

Sanders has noted his Medicare for All bill includes a provision that would enable companies to push savings they obtain from Medicare for All to workers in the form of either higher wages or other benefits. But some unions have been skeptical.

In an interview with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes on Wednesday, Sanders touted his labor bona fides.

“I have a lot more union support than Pete Buttigieg has or I think ever will have,” Sanders said, adding that “many, many unions in this county … absolutely understand that we have to move to Medicare for All.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Sanders said in a statement the following day that he agreed with the Nevada union’s key goals. 

“As someone who has the strongest lifetime pro-labor record of anyone in Congress, I would never do anything to diminish the health care that unions and workers have fought for,” he said.

Sander also addressed the online harassment from some of his supporters. 

“Harassment of all forms is unacceptable to me, and we urge supporters of all campaigns not to engage in bullying or ugly personal attacks,” he said. “We can certainly disagree on issues, but we must do it in a respectful manner.”

Sanders enjoys the most labor support of all the 2020 Democratic candidates, with more than 15 endorsements, including National Nurses United and Postal Workers Union, as well as a handful of local chapters of Unite Here, the national organization of Nevada’s Culinary Union.

National Nurses Union cited the Medicare for All plan as one of the reasons for its endorsement.

ADVERTISEMENT

Yet while some unions have supported the ambitious health care overhaul, others are not on board. 

Click Here: New Zealand rugby store

The Culinary Union plays a unique role in its members’ health care, and there are concerns about the role it would play under a Medicare for All system.

Union members receive insurance through a nonprofit trust, funded mainly by the employers under contract with Unite Here unions — like casinos and hotels. It offers coverage for more than 130,000 members and their dependents.

At Thursday’s press conference, Argüello-Kline held back on further criticisms of Sanders and instead referred back to the flier describing the candidates’ positions.

“We will endorse our goals, we’re not going to endorse a political candidate,” Argüello-Kline said. “We respect every single political candidate right now.”

Prominent Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny appears to have been poisoned last week, according to findings released on Monday by doctors at Berlin’s Charité Hospital. 

In a statement, the hospital said that Navalny’s health condition remains serious and that he is currently in an artificial coma. However, doctors say there is “no acute danger to his life.”

“The clinical findings indicate intoxication by a substance from the group of active substances called cholinesterase inhibitors,” the Charité Hospital said, noting the exact substance is still unknown. The hospital said that the effect of the toxin has been proven by tests conducted at independent laboratories. 

ADVERTISEMENT

“The outcome of the disease remains uncertain and long-term effects, especially in the area of ​​the nervous system, cannot be ruled out,” the statement added. 

Navalny, an anti-corruption activist and outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinIs Putin getting away with poisoning another political opponent? Putin critic begins treatment in Germany after suspected poisoning Oliver Stone, Bill Maher tangle on reliability of US intelligence on Russia: ‘You think they’re lying?’ MORE, was hospitalized last week after falling ill on a flight returning to Moscow from Siberia. Navalny’s spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, said in a series of tweets last Thursday that his aides assumed he “was poisoned with something mixed into the tea” he drank before his flight. 

“It was the only thing that he drank in the morning. Doctors say the toxin was absorbed faster through the hot liquid. Alexei is now unconscious,” she said, alleging that the poisoning was intentional.

Navalny, who has been in a coma since Thursday, was later transported to a hospital in Germany for treatment after authorities initially prevented him from leaving Russia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel played a role in getting Navalny to Berlin, a spokesperson said. 

Doctors found no traces of poison in his system, but have said that it is the likely cause of his worsened health condition, The Washington Post reported. 

Navalny has been jailed several times for organizing protests against the Kremlin, according to Reuters. He was arrested last year after organizing an unauthorized protest opposing a decision to bar some local candidates from running in Moscow’s city council elections. 

Russian authorities have been suspected of targeting a number of politicians and dissidents. In 2018, Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military officer who acted as a double agent in the United Kingdom, was poisoned in England. 

Click Here: cheap Cowboys jersey

A bipartisan group of 20 House lawmakers are calling on congressional leaders to improve the diversity of a coronavirus relief oversight panel to address the recession’s unique toll on minorities and women.

In a letter to Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiMcConnell: Senate unlikely to pass stand-alone Postal Service bill On The Money: S&P closes at new record high | Democrats press for vote on unemployment boost | IRS will send interest payments to 14 million taxpayers Overnight Defense: Trump rejects major cut to military health care | Senate report says Trump campaign’s Russia contacts posed ‘grave’ threat MORE (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell: Senate unlikely to pass stand-alone Postal Service bill S&P closes at new record high amid stimulus stalemate Unintended consequences of killing the filibuster MORE (R-Ky.), the group urged Congress to take up measures to expand and refocus the Congressional Oversight Commission created through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women and racially diverse communities,” the lawmakers wrote, urging Pelosi and McConnell to foster “a greater focus on the disparate impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in diverse communities.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The CARES Act created a five-person bipartisan commission to oversee how the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department used $500 billion allocated by the bill for emergency lending and grant programs for businesses and municipalities.

But the bipartisan group of 19 House Democrats and one Republican is urging Pelosi and McConnell to advance a bill to add more members to the panel and broaden its focus.

The coronavirus-driven recession forced thousands of businesses across the U.S to close and layoff millions of workers in the quickest, steepest economic downturn since the Great Recession. The pandemic has taken an even greater toll on people of color and businesses owned by women and minorities, which typically hold smaller financial cushions and lack reliable access to credit.

“These small businesses tend to be operated by those who live in the communities they serve, located in areas that are traditionally overlooked by larger outside corporations, and their closure is a severe blow,” the lawmakers wrote.

The House lawmakers asked Pelosi and McConnell to take steps to increase the racial and gender diversity of the oversight commission with new members, appoint a chairman, boost its funding, and “clarify the need” to focus on how to ensure aid reaches vulnerable communities and businesses.

ADVERTISEMENT

Click Here: cheap all stars rugby jersey

Doing so would likely require expanding the purview of the commission to include the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Small Business Administration’s emergency loan effort for small businesses created through the CARES Act. The commission does not currently have oversight of the PPP, but rather a variety of Fed facilities that target businesses much larger than the 500-person cap placed on PPP loans.

The oversight panel currently has four members, each one appointed by one of the House and Senate’s Republican and Democratic leaders: Sen. Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyDunford withdraws from consideration to chair coronavirus oversight panel GOP senators push for quick, partial reopening of economy NSA improperly collected US phone records in October, new documents show MORE (R-Pa.), Rep. Donna ShalalaDonna Edna ShalalaShalala to face Salazar in Florida rematch Exclusive: Democrats seek to increase racial diversity of pandemic relief oversight board The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Rep. Fred Upton says it is ‘tragic’ to see Americans reject masks, social distancing; Russia claims it will approve COVID-19 vaccine by mid-August MORE (D-Fla.), Rep. French HillJames (French) French HillExclusive: Democrats seek to increase racial diversity of pandemic relief oversight board Dunford withdraws from consideration to chair coronavirus oversight panel PPP application deadline should be extended and fixes made to program to keep recovery going MORE (R-Ark.) and attorney Bharat Ramamurti. All but one of the members are male and none are Black, Latinx, Native American or of Pacific Islander descent.

The House letter comes two weeks after a trio of Democratic senators proposed a bill to add four new members to the commission and require half of them to be from communities hardest hit by the pandemic.

Sen. Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerSunday shows preview: Republicans gear up for national convention, USPS debate continues in Washington Health misinformation has been viewed nearly 4 billion times on Facebook over past year: study Overnight Defense: Trump rejects major cut to military health care | Senate report says Trump campaign’s Russia contacts posed ‘grave’ threat MORE (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Sunday he is worried that Americans may “unwittingly” be promoting a Russian disinformation campaign designed to interfere with the 2020 presidential election.

The committee vice chairman told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that he wants the U.S. intelligence community to release more information about how Russia is trying to intrude in the election so the American people can be more aware. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Warner cited a U.S. counterintelligence report released last week that determined Russia was attempting to interfere with the election to promote President TrumpDonald John TrumpTwo ‘The Apprentice’ producers helping with Republican National Convention About 70,000 lives could be saved in near future if people wear masks: researchers Trump issues disaster declaration for California as wildfires rage MORE and criticize Democratic nominee Joe BidenJoe BidenHouse passes B bill to boost Postal Service Trump seeks to overcome eroding support among women Here are the states where Kanye West is on the ballot MORE.

“It’s incumbent on the intelligence community to lay out more of the facts of what we know about that disinformation campaign,” he said. “My fear is there may be Americans that are unwittingly promoting that Russian disinformation campaign, and I think they need to be briefed so they don’t become, frankly, agents in effect of this disinformation campaign.”

The intelligence report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence also indicated that China and Iran were also attempting to meddle in the election – but in favor of Biden to prevent Trump’s reelection. 

U.S. intelligence had already concluded that Russia was involved in the 2016 elections in an effort to help Trump, which the Senate Intelligence Committee confirmed in last week’s report.

During his interview, Warner said his committee’s report demonstrated “unprecedented contacts between Russians and folks on the Trump campaign.” 

Click Here: cheap all stars rugby jersey

Happy Monday and welcome to Overnight Defense. I’m Ellen Mitchell, and here’s your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the newsletter.

THE TOPLINE: Multiple midshipmen returning to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., have tested positive for COVID-19, the Navy confirmed on Monday.

Naval Academy spokesperson Cdr. Alana Garas told The Hill that of the fewer than 4,000 midshipmen residing in Bancroft Hall, the school’s main dormitory, “less than 2 percent” are currently COVID-19 positive.

ADVERTISEMENT

ABC News first reported the positive test results.

The Defense Department does not release the exact number of infected individuals in military units or facilities due to operational security concerns.

Returning to campus: Garas added that the school began a staggered return in mid-July and expects to have about 90 percent of students back in Annapolis by mid-September.

Click Here: Fjallraven Kanken Art Spring Landscape Backpacks

Naval Academy leadership earlier this month announced that midshipmen would be brought back for the fall semester, starting Wednesday, for a combination of in-person and online classes, though in-person classes will be at half capacity.

The academy also decided to limit Bancroft Hall’s occupancy to roughly 90 percent, with about 4,100 of the 4,600 midshipmen to live in the dorm “to maintain adequate quarantine and isolation space, as well as to decrease the population density within the building.”

For the remaining roughly 500 midshipmen, “several alternatives are being explored for appropriate accommodations,” according to the school.

Meanwhile, at other military academies: The Naval Academy joins the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in having its students return to campus for the fall semester. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The Air Force Academy, which began its academic year last week, had the entire class of roughly 4,400 cadets return to lessons split between online and in-person, with smaller in-person class sizes.

The school also said that it would house 400 students in off-campus hotels for at least the fall semester.

At West Point, meanwhile, about 1.5 percent of students tested positive when its 4,400 cadets returned for summer training in July. 

TOP HOUSE ARMED SERVICES LAWMAKERS WARN AGAINST SNOWDEN PARDON: The House Armed Services Committee’s top Democrat and Republican on Monday warned President Trump against pardoning Edward Snowden, saying the former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor and whistleblower “did enormous harm” to U.S. national security.

“Edward Snowden did enormous harm to our national security and he must stand trial for his actions,” committee Chairman Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), and ranking member Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) said in a joint statement. 

“President TrumpDonald John TrumpThe Memo — Michelle Obama shines, scorching Trump Trump lashes out at Cuomo after his Democratic convention speech Biden seeks to win over progressives and Republicans on night one MORE and [Defense Secretary Mark Esper] have both decried harmful leaks from the Department of Defense and elsewhere in the federal government. To pardon Snowden now would completely undermine this Administration’s position and mock our national security workforce who take immense caution in their work to keep us safe,” they wrote.

Background: Trump at a Saturday press conference at his golf club in New Jersey said that he was looking at pardoning the former NSA contractor, who was charged with espionage in 2013 after he released a trove of classified documents on U.S. surveillance programs.

“I’m not that aware of the Snowden situation, but I’m going to start looking at it,” Trump said.

Trump also last week told the New York Post that he’s been thinking of allowing Snowden — who fled the U.S. and gained asylum in Russia — to return to the U.S. without facing jail time.

The recent remarks are an about-face from comments he made more than seven years ago, when he said in a 2013 interview that he thought Snowden was “a terrible threat” and “traitor.”

The other side of the argument: Pardoning Snowden has also gained increasing support in the years since the leak. A number of lawmakers and civil liberties advocates voiced approval of Trump’s recent comments, arguing that Snowden exposed unconstitutional surveillance practices.

FROM THIS WEEKEND, BIDEN FACES HURDLES IN BID TO MEND TIES WITH US ALLIES: U.S. allies shaken after years of President Trump denigrating them and pulling out of international accords will be closely watching the Democratic convention for signals on Joe Biden’s plans to restore relationships.

Biden, his campaign advisers and the 2020 draft Democratic platform have pledged to rebuild relationships and reverse or review Trump moves such as withdrawing U.S. troops from Germany and leaving the Iran nuclear deal that U.S. allies continue to support.

Unlike Trump four years ago, Biden is a known quantity to U.S. allies, having served as vice president and, before that, on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, itself a reassuring fact for those countries.

ADVERTISEMENT

But experts caution that after four years of Trump, Biden will not simply be able to revert to the pre-2016 status quo.

“Campaigns are always watched very closely by U.S. allies, partners and adversaries for any hints in how an administration will potentially broach a certain issue set,” said Mark Simakovsky, a former Pentagon official during the Obama administration who is now a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Past comments: The Biden campaign did not respond to requests for comment for this story. But Biden and campaign advisers have previously talked about restoring relationships with the U.S.’s traditional allies.

“One of the, to me at least, most profound tragedies of the last few years has been the dissing of our allies and closest partners and the embrace of autocrats around the world,” Antony Blinken, a foreign policy adviser for Biden’s campaign and former State Department official, said this month in a virtual appearance at the Aspen Security Forum.

Blinken said Biden would work with allies to “strengthen and lengthen” the Iran nuclear deal, arguing the Trump administration could have accomplished its goal of extending a conventional weapons ban on Iran by staying in the deal and presenting a “unified front with our allies.”

Read the rest here.

ON TAP FOR TOMORROW

ADVERTISEMENT

The Atlantic Council will host a webinar on “The Status of the Fight Against ISIS,” with Christopher Maier, director of the Pentagon’s Defeat ISIS Task Force; and Robert Rohde, ambassador for the negotiations on Syria and head of the German Federal Foreign Office’s Division for Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Anti-ISIS Strategy, at 12 p.m.

The Heritage Foundation will hold a virtual discussion on “Homeland Missile Defense: Plotting a Clear Path Forward,” with Vice Adm. Jon Hill, director of the Missile Defense Agency, at 1 p.m. 

Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention will include former Acting U.S. Attorney General Sally YatesSally Caroline YatesOVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Midshipmen have COVID-19 | Worries about reopenings | Snowden pardon gets bad reviews from key lawmakers | Eyes turn to Democratic convention Ocasio-Cortez’s 2nd grade teacher tells her ‘you’ve got this’ ahead of DNC speech Trump: Yates either lying or grossly incompetent MORE, Minority Leader Sen. Chuck SchumerChuck SchumerOVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Midshipmen have COVID-19 | Worries about reopenings | Snowden pardon gets bad reviews from key lawmakers | Eyes turn to Democratic convention Democrats plan Saturday vote to prop up Postal Service House Oversight Committee calls for ‘urgent’ hearing with postmaster general MORE (D-N.Y.), former Secretary of State John KerryJohn Forbes KerryOVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Midshipmen have COVID-19 | Worries about reopenings | Snowden pardon gets bad reviews from key lawmakers | Eyes turn to Democratic convention Harris looks to complete Biden path to presidency Will Kamala Harris follow Al Gore’s lead on climate change commitment? MORE, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezBiden seeks to win over progressives and Republicans on night one Republican Kasich pitches Biden as candidate to unify country in Democratic convention speech Trump bashes ‘major loser’ Kasich ahead of DNC speech MORE (D-N.Y.), Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, former President Bill ClintonWilliam (Bill) Jefferson ClintonOVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Midshipmen have COVID-19 | Worries about reopenings | Snowden pardon gets bad reviews from key lawmakers | Eyes turn to Democratic convention Kamala Harris understands how to fight systemic racism through environmental justice Five things to watch at the Democratic National Convention MORE, and former Second Lady Jill Biden, beginning at 9 p.m.  

ICYMI

— The Hill: Iran paid bounties for targeting US troops, intelligence reportedly suggests

— The Hill: DHS rejects government watchdog finding that top officials were improperly appointed

— The Hill: Iranian military commander: ‘Tehran’s approach to the UAE will change’

ADVERTISEMENT

— The Hill: Scaled-back US-South Korea drills to begin amid tensions with Pyongyang

— The Hill: Trump on Esper: ‘I consider firing everybody’

— The Hill: Pompeo signs defense pact in Poland

— The Hill: Taiwan signs deal to get F-16 jets amid US-China tensions

— The Hill: Pentagon launches task force to study UFO sightings

 

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamGraham tweets support for Navalny: ‘The Russian people will reach a tipping point where they tire of Putin’ The nine biggest Democratic National Convention moments that got everyone talking The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Delegates stage state-centric videos for the roll call MORE (R-S.C.), a prominent foreign policy hawk and Russia critic, tweeted support for a Russian opposition figure who is believed to have been poisoned by government agents. 

Graham took to Twitter to voice support for Alexei Navalny, considered the unofficial leader of the Russian opposition and a top critic of President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinOvernight Defense: Army seeks help in search for missing soldier | Biden vows to restore allies’ respect Graham tweets support for Navalny: ‘The Russian people will reach a tipping point where they tire of Putin’ Russia allows Putin critic to fly to Germany for treatment MORE, after his apparent poisoning, saying the situation was “very sad.” 

“It goes without saying that you oppose Putin at your own peril and people like Mr. Navalny are on the right side of history. As always, the price for standing up for freedom comes at a heavy cost,” Graham tweeted, adding that opposition figures in Russia “have my admiration and total support.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Graham predicted that Putin’s efforts to silence opposition voices in the country will come back to haunt him, warning, “The old adage ‘Live by the sword, die by the sword’ will eventually come into play for Putin.”

“The Russian people will reach a tipping point where they tire of Putin and his cronies plundering the nation and sowing discord throughout the world — all at the expense of the average Russian,” he said. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Graham is just the latest lawmaker to express support for Navalny after he fell ill in Siberia. While the exact circumstances are not clear, he is reportedly in a coma after drinking tea laced with poison, a tool used in the past by Putin’s government against vocal critics. It is the second time Navalny is believed to have been poisoned, though the first incident was officially ruled as an allergic reaction.

Bipartisan members of Congress panned Putin over the apparent attack. Sen. Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioGraham tweets support for Navalny: ‘The Russian people will reach a tipping point where they tire of Putin’ Poisoning of Putin opponent could test US-Moscow relationship Rep. Ross Spano loses Florida GOP primary amid campaign finance scrutiny MORE (R-Fla.), the acting chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the suspected poisoning was “at least the 31st assassination attempt against a Putin opponent/defector,” and Sen. Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyGraham tweets support for Navalny: ‘The Russian people will reach a tipping point where they tire of Putin’ Poisoning of Putin opponent could test US-Moscow relationship When America’s schools reopen, police don’t belong there MORE (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called the incident “awful news.”

Navalny’s apparent poisoning adds a new wrinkle to the relationship between Washington and Moscow, which President TrumpDonald John TrumpCEO of National Enquirer parent company steps down Biden says he would shut US down amid pandemic if scientists said it was needed Warren calls for Postal Service board members to fire DeJoy or resign MORE has actively tried to improve. He told Axios last month that he did not discuss reports that Russia offered bounties to the Taliban to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan in a phone call with Putin, has expressed openness to bringing Russia back into the Group of Seven and is reportedly seeking a meeting with Putin before of the November election to discuss a nuclear arms control agreement.

The government also recently put out a report saying Russia was looking to interfere in the 2020 election to help boost Trump, though the White House has downplayed those efforts. 

Trump closed the Russian Consulate in Seattle and expelled 48 Russian diplomats in the U.S. and 12 Russian intelligence officials based at the United Nations after the 2018 poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in 2018 in the United Kingdom, though Navalny’s poisoning may be harder to punish given that it happened in Russia.

Click Here: Fjallraven Kanken Art Spring Landscape Backpacks

Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) declared a “very strong victory” in the Iowa caucuses on Thursday, even as the Democratic National Committee called for a recanvass of votes in the state amid concerns about inconsistencies in the tally.

Speaking at a press conference in New Hampshire, Sanders pointed to the initial “alignment” of caucusgoers that showed him leading in the raw count by about 6,000 votes.

“What I want to do today, three days late, is to thank the people of Iowa for the very strong victory they gave us at the Iowa caucuses on Monday night,” Sanders said.

“Even though the vote tabulations have been extremely slow, we are now at a point with some 97 percent of the precincts reporting where our campaign is winning the popular initial vote by some 6,000 votes,” he added. “And when 6,000 more people come out for you in an election than your nearest opponent, we here in northern New England call that a victory.”

The Iowa caucuses, a quadrennial tradition that kicks off presidential nominating contests, was marred this week by technical difficulties and inconsistencies that have delayed the full results for days and thrown the final outcome of vote into chaos.

With 97 percent of precincts now reporting, the results show South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE leading Sanders by a scant tenth of a percentage point among State Delegate Equivalents (SDEs) in Iowa.

But it’s unclear when the rest of the results will be released and reports of inconsistencies and errors in the tallies have raised questions about the accuracy of the results.

DNC Chair Tom PerezThomas Edward PerezClinton’s top five vice presidential picks Government social programs: Triumph of hope over evidence Labor’s ‘wasteful spending and mismanagement” at Workers’ Comp MORE called on Thursday for a recanvass of worksheets from each caucus site “in order to ensure public confidence in the results.”

Buttigieg has also declared victory for his campaign in Iowa. But Sanders downplayed the importance of Buttigieg’s slight lead in State Delegate Equivalents in Iowa, noting that they are not the same as the delegates that will ultimately choose the Democratic nominee at the party’s convention this summer.

“Because of changes to Democratic Party rules that were widely supported during the Democratic Unity Reform Commission, these State Delegate Equivalents have greatly diminished in importance from past caucuses – and they should,” Sanders said.

“Given the remaining precincts outstanding and mathematical errors that we are discovering in the data, we could end up with more SDEs,” He added. “But whoever inches ahead in the end is meaningless.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Iowa Democrats this year issued a series of reforms to its vote process under pressure from Sanders supporters and the DNC after previous caucuses were marred by controversy.

In 2016, eventual Democratic nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE held off a stronger-than-expected challenge from Sanders to win the Iowa caucuses by just two-tenths of a percentage point in a process marked by slow counts and several precincts that awarded her delegates after ties were broken by coin flip.

The reforms unveiled for this year included measures to create a paper trail that would record voter preferences for the first time, releasing results from voters’ initial preferences, their second preferences after unviable candidates dropped away and the delegate equivalents that will eventually lead to a winner being declared.

Click Here: racing club camiseta

The Associated Press and other media organizations will declare the winner in Iowa based on the number of State Delegate Equivalents received by each candidate.

Sanders acknowledged on Thursday that he and the former Indiana mayor would likely win the same number of delegates from the Iowa nominating contest. However, when asked why voters should believe his claims of victory over those of Buttigieg, Sanders responded: “Because I got 6,000 more votes and where I’m from, when you get 6,000 more votes that’s generally regarded as being the winner.”

In his remarks, Sanders tore into the caucus process, saying that the Iowa Democratic Party was “unprepared” for the vote and “put forth such a complicated process” that “relied on untested technology.” Asked whether Iowa should hold onto its status as the first-in-the-nation caucus state, Sanders said it should be conditioned on how the state handles the vote going forward.

“I think it depends on how you do it, but the Iowa caucus is just much, much, much too complicated,” he said.

Sanders remarks came days before New Hampshire holds its Democratic presidential primary. Recent polls show him leading the pack in the Granite State and, by declaring victory in Iowa, he may be looking to cement his frontrunner status ahead of the primary.

“I’m confident that we’re going to do really well here in New Hampshire having won Iowa,” Sanders said.

Sanders and Buttigieg are among the seven candidates who will take the stage on Friday night for a debate in New Hampshire. The Vermont senator’s claim of a win in Iowa may set the stage for a clash with Buttigieg.

— Updated at 2:22 p.m.