Justice’s top election crimes prosecutor quits in protest over Barr memo

William Barr DOJ election fraud Richard Pilger
U.S. Attorney General William Barr

By DANIEL VILLARREAL, Newsweek

Richard Pilger, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Director of the Election Crimes Branch, has resigned following Attorney General William Barr‘s authorization earlier today for federal prosecutors to investigate allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

Pilger, whose office oversees investigations into voter fraud, reportedly tendered his resignation within hours of Barr’s authorization, The New York Times reported.

“Having familiarized myself with the new policy and its ramifications… I must regretfully resign from my role as Director of the Election Crimes Branch,” Pilger wrote in his resignation. He will continue working in the DOJ as a line prosecutor in the Public Integrity section prosecuting corruption cases.

The re-election campaign of Republican President Donald Trump and various Republican political leaders on the federal and state level have alleged that fraudulent ballots swung the contentious presidential race into the favor of Trump’s opponent, Democratic President-elect Joe Biden. These allegations have yet to be substantiated.

Barr’s authorization ignored a decades-old DOJ policy to keep law enforcement separate from committing actions that could affect an election’s outcome, according to the Times. Barr sought to have investigators complete their work before each state certifies its final election results and ballot counts throughout November and December.

“Public knowledge of a criminal investigation could impact the adjudication of election litigation and contests in state courts. Accordingly, it is the general policy of the department not to conduct overt investigations,” says the Justice Department’s longstanding election guidelines for prosecutors.

Read the full story

Related news stories:
DOJ’s election crimes chief resigns after Barr directs prosecutors to probe voter fraud claims (NBC)
DOJ’s top election crimes prosecutor quits in protest after Barr tells federal attorneys to probe unsupported allegations of voting irregularities (CNN)

If you liked this post you’ll love our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

Justice’s top election crimes prosecutor quits in protest over Barr memo Read More »

U.S. surpasses 10 million coronavirus cases

Experts warn country is entering worst phase


By Washington Post reporters  Antonia Noori Farzan, Rick Noack, Adam Taylor, Kim Bellware, Lateshia Beachum, Ruby Mellen, Hamza Shaban, Meryl Kornfield and Meryl Kornfield and Darren Sands

The United States surpassed 10 million coronavirus cases Monday, just 10 days after hitting 9 million. The average number of daily new infections has exceeded 100,000, and public health experts warn that the country is entering the pandemic’s worst phase. At least 237,000 Americans have died of the coronavirus since February.

The milestone came as Pfizer announced its coronavirus vaccine candidate was more than 90 percent effective, compared with a placebo. Epidemiologists and health experts were optimistic about the results but also cautioned that more information is needed on the vaccine’s long-term efficacy and safety.

Here are some significant developments:

EnviroPolitics Blog is working to keep you informed about all aspects of the coronavirus — the status of confirmed cases, disease spread, death toll–and also how Americans are coping. Like this story, for instance. If you like what we are doing, Click to receive free EP Blog updates and please tell your friends.

U.S. surpasses 10 million coronavirus cases Read More »

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper Trump’s first post-election firing

Defense Secretary Mark Esper fired via Trump tweet

From The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper, a stunning and unprecedented move at a time of national uncertainty about the outcome of Trump’s bid for a second term. The move could be seen as unsettling for the Pentagon and a source of concern for international allies and partners.

It is the first time in the modern era that a president seeking reelection has removed his Pentagon chief after Election Day. Presidents who win reelection often replace Cabinet members, including the secretary of defense, but losing presidents have kept their Pentagon chiefs in place until Inauguration Day to preserve stability in the name of national security.

Esper’s strained relationship with Trump came close to collapse last summer during civil unrest that triggered a debate within the administration over the proper role of the military in combatting domestic unrest. Esper’s opposition to using active duty troops to help quell protests in Washington, D.C., infuriated Trump, and led to wide speculation that the defense chief was prepared to quit if faced with such an issue again.

Christopher Miller, who serves as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, will become acting secretary “effective immediately.”

Related news stories:

Trump fires Defense Secretary Mark Esper in a tweet (Washington Post)
Trump fires Secretary of Defense Mark Esper (CNN)


Secretary of Defense Mark Esper Trump’s first post-election firing Read More »

Is a bipartisan climate policy possible under Biden?

Biden’s 40 years of experience reaching across the Senate aisle may help him to craft a stable climate plan, though not the one that progressives hoped for.

By Marianne Lavelle, Inside Climate News

Joe Biden takes off his face mask to speak during a drive-in campaign rally at Bucks County Community College on Oct. 24, 2020 in Bristol, Pennsylvania. Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Many environmentalists hoped that Joe Biden would become the FDR of climate change.

But if, as seems likely, Biden emerges as the winner of a deeply divisive presidential election, in which the Republican Party retains control of the Senate, it is more likely he will need the skills of an LBJ. And climate policy, in a Biden era, could end up looking more like President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s hard-fought civil rights legislation than President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s sweeping New Deal, say veterans of Washington’s energy policy battles.

When Biden campaigned on a $2 trillion climate plan, the most ambitious ever proposed by a major party candidate, the Democrats were aiming to pick up the three Senate seats they needed for a majority that would support Biden’s plan. And although that is still a distant possibility, the results from Tuesday’s election so far show Republicans have held onto contested seats in Maine, Montana, Iowa and South Carolina, and remain ahead in Alaska and North Carolina.

Try our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics, FREE for a full month!

Our stories. Your inbox. Every weekend.I agree to InsideClimate News’ Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Now the Democrats’ best chance to gain full control of Congress is to win both of the two Senate runoff races set for January in Georgia, a state that has not elected a Democratic senator since 1997. If Republicans maintain Senate control, any Biden climate legislation would have to get past Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a skilled legislative blockader and a longtime Kentucky ally of the coal industry.

But industry and environmental advocates alike say that Biden, who spent more than 40 years in the Senate, is uniquely suited to the challenge of dealing with McConnell—and with former colleagues of both parties. They are anticipating that Biden will be able to do more in the face of a hostile Congress than did President Barack Obama, who relied on a series of executive actions on climate that President Donald Trump has spent the past four years overturning.

Read the full story

Is a bipartisan climate policy possible under Biden? Read More »

NJ casino regulators give green light to new Bally’s owner

By David Danzis, Atlantic City Press

The Casino Control Commission approved Twin River’s interim casino authorization — a preliminary step toward full casino licensure — but stipulated that $25 million of capital improvements should begin within the first year of ownership and at least $75 million over the first three years. Rhode Island-based Twin River committed to spending a minimum of $90 million over five years at Bally’s.

“It is clear that Twin River’s executive team has put a great deal of thought into the best path to improve Bally’s fading conditions,” said James Plousis, chairman of the Casino Control Commission. “Given the amount of improvements planned in the first year, we expect a considerable progress report at the plenary licensing hearing next year.”

Don’t miss valuable stories like this. Click to receive free EP Blog updates

Twin River agreed to purchase Bally’s for $25 million from Caesars Entertainment Inc. and VICI Properties. The sale is expected to close within the next two weeks.

“Twin River is going to be the new owner and operator of this property, and I feel, and I’m confident, with the testimony that was presented, that they possess the right vision, the right management and the experience, and that this once grand property will be restored, renovated and updated to become a vital and competitive part of the gaming industry in Atlantic City,” Commissioner Alisa Cooper said.

Those plans include a permanent FanDuel sportsbook in the space where the former Blue Martini lounge was, the renovation of more than 900 hotel rooms, the creation of 30 to 40 mini suites, a new restaurant and bar portfolio that will be open by summer and a revamped spa and fitness center.

Those plans include a permanent FanDuel sportsbook in the space where the former Blue Martini lounge was, the renovation of more than 900 hotel rooms, the creation of 30 to 40 mini suites, a new restaurant and bar portfolio that will be open by summer and a revamped spa and fitness center.

Read the full story

Care to share? Use icons at bottom to share this post on social media

NJ casino regulators give green light to new Bally’s owner Read More »

They’re dancing in the streets for Biden, Harris

By BILLYPENN

Philadelphia erupted yesterday in giant party as Biden won and Harris made history.

People were shouting, children were whistling, horns were honking and the days-long dance party that started earlier this week erupted across the city as people learned their state had been called for Joe Biden, and with it, the presidency.

Philadelphians were equally excited about Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who will make history as the nation’s first woman, first Black and first South Asian American VP.

“I feel amazing,” one South Philly resident told Billy Penn. “Such a relief, so much joy, so much hope where there wasn’t hope before.”

A Rollicking N.Y.C. Celebration for Biden’s Win, Well Into the Night

From the New York Times

People cheered, danced, broke out champagne and honked horns in New York City, which is President Trump’s hometown but had turned on him.

European and allied leaders didn’t wait for President Trump to concede.

From VOX

In the hours after the race was called by several news outlets, world leaders sent out tweets of support, with many allies promising to work closely with the next president.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for instance, called the US and Canada “close friends, partners, and allies” with a “relationship that’s unique on the world stage,” and said, “I’m really looking forward to working together and building on that with you both.”

One of President Trump’s closest European friends, United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson, also sent out congratulations to Biden and Harris, noting he hoped to collaborate on climate change — an area Trump has clashed with his European counterparts on — as well as trade, a pressing issue for a United Kingdom set to soon finalize its exit from the European Union.

If you liked this post you’ll love our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

They’re dancing in the streets for Biden, Harris Read More »