Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (r), in yet another flailing attempt at some type of political relevance:
Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt
[Why are you so obsessed with me?]
[Tony Messenger @tonymess
Your daily reminder that @Eric_Schmitt fake-sued St. Louis County because it took #COVID19 seriously….] 8:55 PM · Jul 8, 2021
Uh.
Tony Messenger @tonymess
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
[Good Government Matters.] 9:02 PM · Jul 8, 2021
For the Internets win! In seven minutes.
But wait, there’s more:
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
Interesting @tonymess that @AGEricSchmitt is surprised we are trying to figure out what his job is.
Support Trump?
Protect Missourians?
Work on @Eric_Schmitt political career?
All of the above?
@tonymess how much did that lawsuit cost us?
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
Yes. Why would he be concerned with an Attorney General misusing state funds to further his political career?
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
Why are you so obsessed with: fake lawsuits that cost tax payers money? Overturning votes from other states? Working on a promotion when you aren’t doing your current job adequately? Twitter disputes like the orange oaf?
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
If you hankered for amicus briefs (or else BBQ sent from the Chiefs), then this AG’s your guy, although folks wonder why a high office is used for pet beefs that the majority doesn’t share; seems that democracy’s ain’t Schmitt’s care.
[….]
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
Because you’re suppose to work for the people of this state… but you continue to waste our tax dollars with frivolous laws suits
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
Stopped developing at 15 yo
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
Because you are a damn public servant – we are supposed to pay attention to you. You are screwing the people of Missouri. Do your damn job and stop grandstanding for higher office.
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
If you are paying someone to write these tweets you should sue them to get that money back. Would be way more productive than most of your other dumbass lawsuits.
Heh. We see what you did there.
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
Obsessed? Why are you a public servant?
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
Doesn’t get much more pathetic than Eric here
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
Hilarious! You’re just the Attorney General of Missouri wasting tax payer money and time with frivolous, political lawsuits that you LOSE every time. But, keep up with the jokes.
Replying to @Eric_Schmitt
You kidding me man? You are a joke.
Yesterday, in a 7-2 opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act.
…For these reasons, we conclude that the plaintiffs in this suit failed to show a concrete, particularized injury fairly traceable to the defendants’ conduct in enforcing the specific statutory provision they attack as unconstitutional. They have failed to show that they have standing to attack as unconstitutional the Act’s minimum essential coverage provision. Therefore, we reverse the Fifth Circuit’s judgment in respect to standing, vacate the judgment, and remand the case with instructions to dismiss.
It is so ordered.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (r) whiffs yet again.
The Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land.
Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision is a major victory for all Americans benefitting from this groundbreaking and life-changing law. It is a victory for more than 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions and millions more who were in immediate danger of losing their health care in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic.
It is a victory for every American who, prior to the Affordable Care Act, stayed up at night staring at the ceiling, wondering whether they would lose everything if they or a loved one got sick. Because of this law, they don’t have to worry about being denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition like diabetes or watching their coverage being capped during a cancer treatment. Because of the law, they are able to get free preventive screenings that can save their lives and improve their health. Today’s victory is also for all the young people who can stay on their parents’ insurance plan until they turn 26 years old, and for the millions of low-income families and people with disabilities receiving health care because their states expanded Medicaid under this law.
After more than a decade of attacks on the Affordable Care Act through the Congress and the courts, today’s decision – the third major challenge to the law that the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected – it is time move forward and keep building on this landmark law.
That is what we are doing thanks to the American Rescue Plan, which has lowered health care costs and expanded coverage for millions of Americans through the Affordable Care Act. More than 1.2 million Americans signed up for coverage under the law through a special enrollment period I established during this pandemic, which people can still sign up for through August 15th. And I look forward to working with the Congress to build on this law so that the American people will continue to have access to quality and affordable health care.
Today’s decision affirms that the Affordable Care Act is stronger than ever, delivers for the American people, and gets us closer to fulfilling our moral obligation to ensure that, here in America, health care is a right and not a privilege.
Article VI
All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
It’s there in plain English.
Today from Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (r):
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Governor Mike Parson today sent a letter to President Biden’s Department of Justice fighting back against potential federal overreach and encroachment on Missourians’ Second Amendment rights.
[….]
“Missourians’ and Americans’ Second Amendment rights are enshrined in the Constitution – I will defend those rights at every turn,” said Attorney General Schmitt. “Our letter to Biden’s Department of Justice sends a clear message: we will fight any attempts from the federal government to encroach on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”
“The Second Amendment Preservation Act is about protecting law-abiding Missourians against government overreach and unconstitutional federal mandates,” Governor Parson said. “We will reject any attempt by the federal government to circumvent the fundamental right Missourians have to keep and bear arms to protect themselves and their property. Throughout my career, I have always stood for the Constitution and our Second Amendment rights, and that will not change today or any day.”
The letter, which is in response to the Department of Justice’s Wednesday letter to both the Attorney General and the Governor on the recently passed and signed Second Amendment Preservation Act, begins with, “Your letter purporting to ask for clarification of this important legislation, which was purposefully leaked to the news media, is riddled with a misunderstanding of the law and falsehoods. We will not stand by while the federal government tries to tell Missourians how to live our lives. Missouri is not attempting to nullify federal law. Instead, Missouri is defending its people from federal government overreach by prohibiting state and local law enforcement agencies from being used by the federal government to infringe Missourians’ right to keep and bear arms.”
The letter argues that, under the Second and Tenth Amendments, the right to keep and bear arms is inalienable, and that Missouri has the right to refuse to enforce unconstitutional infringements by the federal government. The letter states, “Likewise, the Tenth Amendment directly limits the Federal Government’s ability to shift the balance of power within the federal system away from the States… the State of Missouri has every right under our system of government and the Tenth Amendment to place limitations on what state and local officials may do.”
The letter also notes the Department of Justice’s June 16 letter conflicts with their own policy toward “sanctuary cities,” stating, “On his first day in office, President Biden rescinded President Trump’s executive order that prohibited federal grant awards to sanctuary jurisdictions that refused to cooperate with the federal government to enforcement immigration laws. In April, the Office of Justice Programs reportedly repealed the Department of Justice’s policy that required recipients of a law enforcement grant to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a condition of their funding… President Biden and the Department of Justice have decided to reward states and cities that refuse to cooperate with enforcing constitutional immigration laws that protect our citizens against foreign threats, but now they attack Missouri for refusing to cooperate with enforcing unconstitutional gun confiscation laws that put our citizens in danger and degrade their rights.”
The letter ends with, “We will fight tooth and nail to defend the right to keep and bear arms protected by the Second Amendment, Article I, § 23 of the Missouri Constitution, and the Second Amendment Preservation Act. And we will not tolerate any attempt by the federal government to deprive Missourians of this critical civil right.”
###
He also said the same on social media. Some of the responses:
Is Missouri seceding from the United States? Or by what authority would Missouri be able to reject federal law?
@AGEricSchmitt and @GovParsonMO are profoundly ignorant of constitutional law and this move will cost Missourians money as AG Schmidt defends this poorly written law against the inevitable challenges. @SLULAW you need to come take that JD back from Schmidtt.
Your agenda has nothing to do with Missourians or their rights.
Article VI, Paragraph 2 of the U.S. Constitution is commonly referred to as the Supremacy Clause. It establishes that the federal constitution, and federal law generally, take precedence over state laws, and even state constitutions.
Yeah.
Y’all keep getting your ignorant ass handed to you in court. Y’all keep doubling down on idiotic mistakes. Y’all gonna secede next?
#LostCause #WasteOfMoney
Governor Mike Parson (r) [2018 file photo].
And Mike Parson (r) did the same. Some of those responses:
Nice try. We fall under the federal umbrella like every other state.
Yeah, let me know how that goes consitutionally, pudding.
Has Eric Schmitt ever won one of the dumb fights he picks? You might want to get yerself a new lawyer, Hee Haw.
Article VI, Paragraph 2 of the U.S. Constitution is commonly referred to as the Supremacy Clause. It establishes that the federal constitution, and federal law generally, take precedence over state laws, and even state constitutions.
Sorry, Heehaw.
Cases of COVID are rising faster here than almost anywhere in the country. And you choose to waste your time on this stupid bullshit? C’mon, man, hike up your big boy pants and SAVE lives instead of making it easier to take them.
I am sure the Biden Department of Justice is just shaking in their boots after receiving a letter from a Traitor like Eric Schmitt. You are useless governor!
You both are just idiots. There’s Noo one trying to take away any weapons.
Hey Gov Nitwit, you are single-handedly making Missouri a laughing stock of America. You realize this, yes?
Why can’t you be an ACTUAL LEADER and convince folks to quit being big freaking babies and get their covid vax?? You are literally the WORST!!!!
“If your brains were condensed into gasoline it wouldn’t be enough to run a minibike around the inside of a [national name brand circular oat based breakfast cereal]” – a junior high school insult from way back in the day.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (r):
Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt
President Trump will never get enough credit for #OperationWarpSpeed. His leadership saved untold millions of lives! #COVID19 4:50 PM · Jun 3, 2021
Some of the responses:
This, of course, is bullshit. In February, he told Woodward how dangerous covid-19 and did not support the wearing of masks. He NEVER talked about getting the vaccine. He did not leave a plan to distributing the vaccine nor ramping up its manufacture.
His leadership on #COVID19 is why he lost the election.
ok
His leadership lost almost 600,000 Americans by claiming covid was a hoax. His leadership consisted of having MAGA rallies in the midst of the pandemic. His leadership made mask political. His leadership was to lead America with lies that killed Americans. His leadership 1-6-21!
Perhaps it’s because he is too busy getting credit for hundreds of thousands of lives lost due to his constant dismissal and down playing of the virus. And let’s not forget his potentially lethal suggestion of injecting bleach over getting a vaccine.
“It’s amazing that brain can generate enough power to keep those legs moving.”
Yes please tell me more about how he did a great job with Covid, Eric.
Eric, please stop.
Yet he claimed COVID would “disappear.” It’s a fact Eric Schmitt won’t make clear. Donald’s vast negligence makes just as little sense as the unfounded claims people hear the AG lob against 46; just a few of his usual tricks.
400,000 people couldn’t be reached for comment. Because they died from COVID on Trump’s watch. You should stick to feckless lawsuits. Health metrics ain’t your jam.
Give us one concrete example of how he didn’t ignore or dissuade or put up road blocks to reduce the massive unnecessary deaths caused. He admitted he lied to calm people down when he knew it was bad. How you are in office amazes me.
You sound so ridiculous
False.
How are you so delusional?
Tweeting for an audience of one, now? How many people have died now because of his incompetence and stupidity?
Speaking of incompetence and stupidity, have you won a case yet as AG?
His “leadership” cost us half a million lives, bub. Go sue somebody for some ridiculous reason.
Wait. What…?? You’re such a pathetic, ignorant moron. Just stop.
Guess you’re trying to distract us from pulling back your latest political stunt in STL County?
By the way, after you stop this nonsense, are you going to say ANYTHING about Trump’s claim he will be reinstated in August?
Will you file a lawsuit with the Supreme Court calling for that reinstatement?
Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…
It’s so odd that people who claim to hate the federal government always line up for positions in it. The last thing Washington DC needs is more would-be seditionists.
Only 20 weeks back, Eric won
a high office for which he had run.
Now we find out Herr Schmitt
to his post won’t commit; ladder-
climbing it seems is more fun. So
from Hawley Schmitt’s taken a page;
he hopes @ericgreitens to upstage.
[….]
More fighters? Like the terrorists who started an insurrection?
You were definitely all in when you wasted valuable Missouri taxpayers time and money on lawsuits and objections of votes in other states. We need a Senator who can find MO the map and serve Missourians. Not one who “fights” for special interest groups.
We had enough of the GOP’s brand of fighting on January 6th.
So, why not announce on a local TV station? You are from the St. Louis area and you announce on Fox and Friends? Yeah, sure, you aren’t going to fight for MISSOURIANS. At all. Shame on you.
At the end of the special session, reportedly signed on to by sixty-six republicans:
HR 2
Confirms the Missouri House’s lack of faith in the 2020 election results
Sponsor: Hill, Justin (108)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2020
LR Number: 1241H.03I
Last Action: 12/10/2020 – Referred: Special Committee on Government Oversight(H)
Bill String: HR 2
[….]
The resolution text:
SECOND EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
House Resolution No. 2
100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BYREPRESENTATIVE HILL.
1241H.03I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk
WHEREAS, the President of the United States has immense enumerated powers and serves as both the head of the executive branch of government of the United States and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, the election of the President of the United States should be free and fair in order to preserve the legitimacy of the government, avoid constitutional crisis, and promote the general welfare of the people of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the legislatures of the states are delegated primary responsibility to ensure that free and fair elections for the office of the Presidency of the United States are held under Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution of the United States which allows each state to appoint presidential Electors in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct; and
WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States is authorized under Amendment XII of the Constitution of the United States and the Electoral Count Act of 1887 to independently evaluate whether or not free and fair elections have occurred and to uphold the fundamental principle that the laws governing elections that are enacted by the legislatures of the states prior to the election are fully complied with during the election process; and
WHEREAS, historically low absentee ballot rejection rates occurred in the 2020 election despite the overwhelming new and unprecedented use of absentee ballots and mail in votes by many different persons and organizations; and
WHEREAS, a razor thin margin favoring Biden was reported in the days after election day in many swing states including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada and political analyst Robert Barnes observed that Trump would win the election if any historical absentee ballot analysis process and rejection rate was assumed;
WHEREAS, statistically abnormal vote counts were reported in numerous states late on election night and the Biden-to-Trump ratio in reporting was 90 percent or more for some batches of votes;
WHEREAS, the manifest lack of any absentee ballot and mail in ballot oversight by unelected election administrators shows that the laws passed prior to election day were likely ignored and violated in numerous ways and that this violation was of significant magnitude to change the results for the election of the President of the United States; and
WHEREAS, in Pennsylvania 23,000 absentee ballots have impossible return dates, 86,000 absentee ballots are questionable, 50,000 votes held on 47 USB cards are missing in Delaware County, and signature matching for mail in ballots has been rendered impossible by the destruction of ballot envelopes; and
WHEREAS, in Georgia, Matt Braynard’s Voter Integrity Project estimates that 20,312 nonresidents cast ballots, there is video evidence of the statistical anomalies that occurred when Biden overtook President Trump with 89 percent of the votes counted, and for 53 different individual batches of votes counted, Biden led by the same 50.05 to 49.95 percent margin in every single batch; and
WHEREAS, a full and fair investigation of the election results, including analysis of absentee and mail in ballot samples for compliance with state election law, is necessary to ensure a free and fair election and should be conducted by Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of Representatives of the one Hundredth General Assembly, Second Extraordinary Session, hereby have no faith in the validity of the results of the 2020 presidential election reported by the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if a full and fair investigation is not completed, that the United States Congress sitting in joint session refuse to accept electoral votes for the office of President of the United States from the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for each house of the United States Congress.
These people really are that stupid.
Uh, Robert Barnes (whatever non-entity he is) is not the arbiter of any election in this country.
Uh, Matt Braynard (whatever non-entity he is) is not the arbiter of any election in this country.
Mark Pedroli, Esq @MarkPedroli
Police cars revolving lightFormer Missouri Senator John Danforth filed a brief describing current Attorney General @Eric_Schmitt’s case to overturn the election as “jiggery-pokery,” which means deceitful or dishonest.
Jack Danforth (r) and his republican friends think the Texas suit against the election results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin is a really bad idea. From the Amicusbrief:
…the Constitution does not make this Court the multidistrict litigation panel for trials of presidential election disputes…
…Plaintiff’s Motions make a mockery of federalism and separation of powers. It would violate the most fundamental constitutional principles for this Court to serve as the trial court for presidential election disputes…
…Plaintiff raises the unprecedented assertion, contrary to 230 years of history, that a presidential election dispute is, under 28 U.S.C. §1251(a), a “controvers[y] between two or more States.” Brief in Support of Mot. For Leave to File Bill of Complaint, at 7-8. This jiggery-pokery is contradicted by the Electors Clause and 3 U.S.C. § 5…
Associate U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia [2008 file photo].
One former AG who can’t comprehend constitutional law patting another AG who can’t comprehend constitutional law on the back. Party first, right Josh? Missouri continues to be embarrassed.
Ladder buddies!
And there goes all that good will out the window w one stupid tweet undermining democracy by supporting these frivolous lawsuits. If the Dems were doing this Josh would be up in arms!
In summary, Republicans want to make it as hard and time consuming as possible to vote. If you do vote and they don’t like the result, they want to throw your vote out. And they are against judicial activism and federal control except when it benefits their political interests.
Why not go over all the states with a fine toothed comb? Perhaps some of the states that Trump won weren’t won with integrity. Let’s start with KY and then FL. Let’s go over some of these Senate elections. I’m all for it.
This would be a farce if it weren’t so damaging to our country. I’m disgusted but not surprised by you being on board. This is against everything our country is supposed to stand for
No, it’s not good work. He’s wasting Missouri tax dollars on a frivolous and symbolic effort. Everyone knows this is about the GOP not liking the outcome and has nothing to do with voter fraud. You’d be apoplectic if, for example, California sued over Missouri’s votes.
Is this the only way Republicans can stay in power? Making it harder for people to vote? How treasonous.
There is no quiet part. Trump is openly and proudly fighting to OVERTURN the will of the voters and democracy itself.
And the vast majority, aka GOP dinosaurs, of his party stand by him. Also include @RepHartzler @RoyBlunt, but you already knew this.
Roy Blunt (r) [2016 file photo].
Who the fuck is Roy blunt? Has he ever been to Missouri?
He’s wasting our taxpayers’ $$$!!!! That’s not good work, Senator.
You’re so thirsty, bro.
“The most dangerous place to stand in Washington D.C. is any place between Senator Josh Hawley and a live microphone” – Charles P. Pierce
Remember when Schmitt sued China? @HawleyMO was right behind him on that one too.
BREAKING: states’ rights champion Senator HeeHaw now says “f-ck states’ rights!”
Your footnote in history books will be short and ridiculous.
Narrator, in the future: “Who?”
What footnotes? No one will know his name in Missouri..
His next door neighbors in Virginia will.
This is pandering at best.
Here’s hoping for another one sentence rejection by SCOTUS
What a waste of taxpayer money.
One grifter congratulates another.
Spoken like a true Fascist.
The only credible evidence of fraud in the election is the vote of the junior Missouri senator who actually lives in Virginia and hasn’t actually maintained a residence in Missouri.
We see what you did there.
all theater. nothing will change. the republic is over.
Senator, you’re embarrassing yourself, hurting Missouri and our country with this, uh, manure.
No, rejecting the results of an election based on being a sore loser and calling for unconstitutional interference between states is the exact opposite of “Good work”.
You really do hate your country, don’t you?
Why don’t you believe in democracy? You’re not a conservative with this behavior, you’re an authoritarian wanting one party rule voters be damned.
Mr. Harvard Law Man, have you not learned anything?
What role is Missouri supposed to have in ensuring election integrity in Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania?
And would California’s AG have an equal role in ensuring Missouri’s election integrity if he thought there was fraud here?
Why? What benefit will Missourians see? Constitution give states power to run their own elections. Seems like this will waste Missourians tax dollars on ill fated political agenda. Why only states Biden won? If you truly care about integrity, wouldn’t you question red states too?
Why are other state issues a matter for Texas? You know the state that champions statehood rights. Really. It’s a serious question. Anybody have an answer?
I too love watching my hard-earned tax dollars being pissed away on frivolous nonsense that does nothing more than line the pockets of rich, sleazy lawyers.
Aren’t you too busy suing China? How’s that one going?
Just take the L, Eric.
It’s hard to do, but you’re embarrassing Missouri even more with your participation.
In terms that a right wingnut Missouri Attorney General might understand:
He’s not, sorry. There’s nothing unconstitutional about absentee voting. Several states vote exclusively by mail.
This new lawsuit is like calling the superintendent at a district you don’t live in and being mad about how they run their football program.
Pure crazy.
This is embarrassing.
I predict this is a folly you will definitely regret.
Really? This is silliness.
I hope California sues Texas for voter suppression!
Let’s have all the states sue each other for how they run their elections.
Always fun to watch someone embarrass themselves.
That assumes a lot.
When do we get to throw out the Missouri election results? Because the people who won are absolutely nuts and Missourians deserve better leadership than this.
Oh great. Another complete waste of tax dollars. Fantastic.
You’re wasting time and resources on this shit?
You sound so thirsty buddy. Just ask @HawleyMO to borrow one of his ladders
We see what you did there.
The TX ag is fishing for a much needed pardon. What are you after
There is that.
This is what it must it felt like to be alive in 1776 America.
We’re in the Fight, Patriots ALL THE WAY!
Actually, more like Gemany in the 1930s.
Lol Texas attorney general is being investigated he is desperate The press should do a deep dive on you dude.
There is that.
And how’s the China lawsuit going General Showboat?
So how’s that lawsuit against China going?
Please stop.
SCOTUS won’t hear it. The lawsuit is a joke.
Oh for pity’s sake.
[….]
…Ken Paxton, the TX AG that filed suit against GA, MI, PA, and WI has been indicted on felony securities fraud charges and is CURRENTLY under FBI investigation for abuse of political power.
This is not a lawsuit. This is a request for a pardon.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, along with 17 other state Attorneys General, sent a letter calling on Congress to investigate the Chinese government’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic. Led by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, the letter was sent on Friday to the leadership of the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and other House and Senate leaders asking for a Congressional investigation.
“Last month, we became the first state to file suit against China, alleging that their inaction and suppression of information during critical days early in 2020 led to the spread of COVID-19 across the globe. Here in Missouri, the impact of the virus is clear: thousands have been sickened and hundreds have died, staggering unemployment claims have been filed, companies have been forced to close their doors, and loved ones are separated from each other,” said Attorney General Schmitt. “Congress should investigate the role that China’s Communist Party and government played in this pandemic.”
In April, Missouri became the first in the nation to file a lawsuit against the Communist authorities in China, citing a “campaign of deceit” on the part of the Chinese authorities related to the outbreak of the pandemic. In addition, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced her decision also to file a lawsuit holding China’s government accountable.
The current U.S. death toll from this coronavirus is nearly 80,000 and the pandemic’s economic devastation has caused the unemployment rate to skyrocket from 3.5 percent in February to its current rate of 14.7 percent.
“One of our colleagues has already filed suit against China and many of us are considering similar legal actions,” South Carolina Attorney General Wilson said. “Congressional hearings are critical to our nation’s understanding of the origins of COVID-19 and efforts by the communist Chinese government to deceive the international community.”
In addition to South Carolina and Missouri, the following states’ attorneys general signed onto the letter: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.
[….]
###
“…the pandemic’s economic devastation has caused the unemployment rate to skyrocket from 3.5 percent in February to its current rate of 14.7 percent…” But, but, the stock market.
Now, only if he’d investigate Donald Trump’s (r) role.
Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…
Current Attorney General Eric Schmitt (r) and Senator and former-Attorney General Josh Hawley (r) are publicly whining about an audit released on Thursday about a portion of Hawley’s (r) short tenure as Missouri Attorney General.
…In a December 31, 2019, letter (Appendix I, page 435) in response to seeing a draft copy of this report, the AGO formally objected to the inclusion of interview transcripts in this report, and stated the inclusion of these transcripts would be a disclosure of audit working papers, and therefore, a felony violation of Chapter 29, RSMo. The SAO disagrees with this conclusion. Objections to the inclusion of interview transcripts and audit communications citing Chapter 29, RSMo, are without merit. The confidentiality provisions of Chapter 29 are intended to protect the SAO’s working papers from public disclosure. The interpretation that those confidentiality provisions are intended to keep the SAO from disclosing information obtained during the course of the audit is at odds with Chapter 29, RSMo, and Yellow Book requirements, which both require a report of information obtained during an audit be made public. In addition, the statement that the inclusion of working papers as appendices to a public report is unprecedented is not accurate. Including information obtained during an audit as appendices is very common and not unique to this administration. Appendices have been part of audit reports issued by the SAO for decades…
State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) [2019 file photo].
A statement, issued Thursday by the State Auditor’s Office in response to Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s (r) very public whining:
“Any criticism by Attorney General Schmitt regarding the laws that govern the State Auditor’s authority rings hollow. In 2013, then-Senator Schmitt voted in favor of expanding the authority of the Auditor’s Office to conduct investigations. Additionally, the Attorney General is currently prosecuting public corruption cases where we utilized this same authority to expose wrongdoing.
“Per Chapter 29, RSMo of Missouri Law, the State Auditor’s Office has the authority to disclose information in a public audit report, unless another provision of law specifically prohibits it. There is not any law that prohibits the disclosure of sworn testimony gathered in the course of an audit. ”
The 2013 legislation referenced above was House Bill 116.
