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The HEROES Act passed by the House last week would do more than provide direct assistance to Americans struggling during the coronavirus pandemic; it would allocate funding to states as they prepare for a November election that will look a lot different than usual. Every state must have a plan that ensures voters may vote safely, orderly, and securely amid coronavirus concerns. Crowded polling stations can pose a mortal danger, particularly for seniors, and a fear of contracting COVID-19 could effectively disenfranchise those who choose to stay home. That means a heavy reliance on expanded absentee voting and online registration is imperative. For states that don’t already have the infrastructure in place, it’s a tall order, particularly when budgets are stretched to the breaking point. Contact your senator and ask them to support safe elections by supporting the HEROES Act. —Mindy Finn
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3. Barr: No criminal probe of Obama, Biden
Attorney General Bill Barr dismissed President Trump's attempts to rebrand the Russia investigation as a criminal plot engineered by former President Barack Obama, saying yesterday that he expects no charges against either Obama or former Vice President Joe Biden. Barr added that John Durham, the federal prosecutor investigating how law enforcement and intelligence officials confronted Russia's operations to interfere in the 2016 election, is focused on others.
- — That came as a surprise to Trump, who has been actively pushing his "Obamagate" conspiracy theory. "I have no doubt they were involved," Trump said of Obama and Biden, but added that he relies on Barr, whom he called an "honorable man." —NPR
— Over in the Senate, Sen. Lindsey Graham is preparing to ask his colleagues on the Judiciary Committee for blanket permission to subpoena dozens of Obama and Trump Administration officials connected to the investigation. That could include former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former National Intelligence Director James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, and former FBI Director James Comey. —Politico-
- — Meanwhile, in a case at the center of the Russia investigation, former federal judge John Gleeson—who was appointed by U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan to fight the Justice Department's move to drop Gen. Michael Flynn's prosecution—has requested a June 10 deadline to file his first brief. Gleeson said the department's effort "reeks of improper political influence." Stay tuned. —The Daily Beast
More: Prosecutor under fire for court filings benefiting Trump allies Roger Stone and Michael Flynn will become DEA chief, report says (CNBC)
4. The Pompeo plot thickens
After House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Eliot Engel raised the possibility yesterday that State Department Inspector General Steve Linick was fired because he was investigating an expedited 2019 arms sale to Saudi Arabia, President Trump was questioned about it by reporters. He played dumb. "I don't know him at all. I never even heard of him, but I was asked to by the State Department, by Mike," Trump said, referring to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "I have the absolute right as president to terminate. I said, 'Who appointed him?' They said, 'President Obama.' I said, 'I'll terminate him.'"
- — Pompeo confirmed yesterday that he recommended Linick's firing, but denied that he was aware beforehand that the IG was investigating whether he had an aide run personal errands, which was the initial suggested reasoning behind the firing. —The Kansas City Star
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- — "He's a very brilliant guy," Trump said of Pompeo. "And now I have you telling me about dog-walking, washing dishes, and, you know what, I'd rather have him on the phone with some world leader than have him wash dishes because maybe his wife isn't there or his kids aren't there," he added, as if that's an appropriate way for federal employees to spend their time. —CNN
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- — Trump's Republican allies are concerned. "We deserve an explanation," said Senate Majority Whip John Thune of Linick's dismissal. "These are important positions. They are watchdogs for these agencies, and they have an important role to play, and I think it's important for us to be a part of the oversight process." —Politico
With Justin Amash's recent decision to forego a presidential run in 2020, I think the opportunity is ripe for presidential candidate Joe Biden to recruit him to join his team. I think that Mr. Biden should also reach out to Mitt Romney to take advantage of his recent acts of courage to stand up and say "no" to the current corrupt administration. Mitt Romney is a role model for demonstrating what other Republicans should be doing at this pivotal moment in time.
Here is my proposed roster for some of the positions within a hypothetical Biden Administration:
1. Amy Klobuchar for Vice President
2. Mitt Romney for Secretary of State
3. Pete Buttigieg for Secretary of Defense
4. Andrew Yang for Secretary of the Treasury
5. Justin Amash for Attorney General
I think that having one Republican and one Independent on Biden's team would send a strong message of unity in the face of adversity. I think that Amy Klobuchar's moderate stance and even temperament would positively contribute to a more centrist mentality to help carry us away from extreme viewpoints currently infecting both parties. —Steven R., California
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