Thread: President Joe Biden

On today’s docket,…….

• Marc E. Elias - With only two days until the presidential safe harbor deadline, I expect a number of lawsuits to be decided Monday and Tuesday.

Watch this space for updates as they happen.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...75147849097218

• Where’s Rudy and the constitutional attorney Jenna Ellis?

Someone is paying these two real money : Expose Disputes Jenna Ellis's 'Constitutional Law' Credentials | Law & Crime

• Biden transition team to begin getting Pentagon intelligence briefings Monday

Members of President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team will receive briefings from Pentagon intelligence agencies on Monday, defense officials told CNN.

“They are meeting with DoD intelligence agencies Monday and Tuesday of this week,” a senior defense official told the network.

Biden’s transition process had been stalled for a little over two weeks after he was projected to be the winner of the presidential election. On Nov. 23, the General Service Administration ascertained Biden as the winner, allowing his transition team access to federal funds and allowing team members to begin coordinating with federal agencies.: Biden transition team to begin getting Pentagon intelligence briefings Monday: report | TheHill

• Marc E. Elias - In a defeat for the Kraken conspiracy, Michigan federal court releases a scathing opinion DENYING motion to decertify election.

Trump and his allies are 1-47 in court. : https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...46679112114177

• Marc E. Elias - Georgia court DISMISSES election contest.

Trump and his allies are 1-48 in post-election litigation. : https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...49844176236546

• Biden announces health team

President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced the key members of his health team, tapping California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to be Health and Human Services secretary and Harvard infectious disease expert Rochelle Walensky to be director of the CDC.

Why it matters: The team will immediately be in charge of addressing what will likely still be an out-of-control pandemic, including the government's efforts to distribute coronavirus vaccines.

Other appointments:

• Anthony Fauci, the current director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, will remain in his post and also serve as Biden's chief medical adviser.
• Vivek Murthy has been nominated for surgeon general, the same role he served during the Obama administration between 2014 and 2017.
• Marcella Nunez-Smith will serve as the COVID-19 Equity Task Force chair — a new role in the White House. Smith is a professor at the Yale School of Medicine and the founding director of Yale’s Equity Research and Innovation Center.
• Jeff Zients will be coordinator of the COVID-19 response and counselor to the president. He previously provided leadership of the 2013 HealthCare.gov tech surge and oversight of the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ fuel-efficiency program.
• Natalie Quillian will serve as deputy coordinator of the COVID-19 response. She previously coordinated the Obama administration’s interagency response to the opioid epidemic.

What they're saying: “This trusted and accomplished team of leaders will bring the highest level of integrity, scientific rigor, and crisis-management experience to one of the toughest challenges America has ever faced — getting the pandemic under control so that the American people can get back to work, back to their lives, and back to their loved ones," Biden said in a statement.

Worth noting: If confirmed, Becerra would be the first Latino to lead the department. He's also been at the forefront of health care legal battles, most prominently over the future of the Affordable Care Act.

• Becerra has led the effort by a group of 20 states and the District of Columbia in defending the ACA against a GOP lawsuit aiming to strike down the law. The case was argued in front of the Supreme Court last month.

Between the lines: The virus has disproportionately affected people of color, and Becerra's selection follows increasing pressure on Biden from the Latino community and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to diversity his cabinet, per NYT.

• On the other hand, Becerra has little experience managing a large bureaucracy or in public health, per Politico.

The big picture: If a global pandemic and the future of the ACA weren't enough, the HHS secretary could end up in charge of executing most of Biden's health agenda, particularly if the Senate remains in Republican hands.

• Becerra's legal background could prove useful in enacting a lawsuit-proof regulatory agenda.

Biden announces health team - Axios

Top Biden administration appointments - To date…………

Biden Cabinet tracker: Which positions have and haven'''t been filled - Axios

Edit - Just for fun. But it’s still early…..

Biden's post-election stock bump tops Trump's

By the numbers:

Dow Jones: +9.96% in 2020 vs. 7.77% in 2016
Nasdaq: +11.68% in 2020 vs. 4.83% in 2016.
S&P 500: +9.79% in 2016 vs. 5.61% in 2016.

President Trump said during this year's first debate that "If [Biden] is elected, the stock market will crash."

Not only was he wrong, but the market has responded more strongly than it did after Trump's election.: https://www.axios.com/biden-trump-st...36e73f378.html

Marc E. Elias - US Supreme Court, without any noted dissent, REJECTS Republican effort to block Pennsylvania election results.

Trump and his allies remain 1-50 in post-election litigation.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...29227072217091

edit - 51 now

Marc E. Elias - Michigan Federal Court DENIES Republican motion to maintain and preserve election data and machines for inspection.

Trump and his allies are now 1-51 in post-election litigation. : https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...46671346077700

50 soon………

That was quick. Edit……..

Marc E. Elias - Georgia Court DISMISSES Republican election contest seeking to decertify the results of the presidential election.

Trump and his allies are now 1-50 in post-election litigation.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...19827267858435

Marc E. Elias - Right-wing plaintiffs in Arizona election contest DISMISS their lawsuit.

Trump and his allies are 1-49 in post-election lawsuits. It is almost certain they will hit 50 losses tomorrow (12/8/20).: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...42921054232576

Marc E. Elias - Pennsylvania Supreme Court DENIES Trump appeal of his loss in Bucks County.

Trump and his allies remain 1-49 in post election litigation.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...55880053436416

• Joe Biden - In the many hours we've spent together in the Situation Room and with our troops—I've witnessed General Austin's character.

He shares my belief that we are strongest when we lead not only by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.: https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1336413742792323077

Why I Chose Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense

We need a leader who is tested, and matched to the challenges we face in this moment.

Today, I ask Lloyd Austin to once more take on a mission for the United States of America—this time as the secretary-designate of the Department of Defense. I know he will do an outstanding job.: Joe Biden: Why I Chose Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense - The Atlantic

To date: Biden Cabinet tracker: Which positions have and haven'''t been filled - Axios

John Kerry: Paris Agreement 'Absolutely' Needs To Be Stronger (1:37)

NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt

WATCH: In an exclusive interview with John Kerry speaks out about the Paris Agreement after he was named special presidential envoy for climate by President-elect Biden.

"It has to be stronger," Kerry says: Facebook - https://twitter.com/NBCNightlyNews/s...39892806770688

• Marc E. Elias - Michigan Supreme Court DENIES right wing effort to segregate ballots and delay the Michigan’s certification of the Presidential election.

Trump and his allies are now 1-52 in post election litigation.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...51110334377986

• Marc E. Elias - Pennsylvania court DENIES Republican effort to decertify the 2020 general election results in Pennsylvania.

Trump and his allies are now 1-53 in post election litigation.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...52718178902017

• Marc E. Elias - Arizona Federal Court DISMISSES Kraken conspiracy lawsuit.

"Allegations that find favor in the public sphere of gossip and innuendo cannot be a substitute for earnest pleadings"

Trump and his allies are now 1-54 in post-election litigation.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...23023089946629

• Marc E. Elias - Wisconsin federal court DISMISSES last Kraken case. "Federal judges do not appoint the president in this county."

It began with 4 Kraken. It has ended with none

Trump and his allies are 1-55 in post-election litigation.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...87195056046081

• Marc E. Elias - Wisconsin Court REJECTS Trump appeal of that state's recount.

Trump and his allies are now 1-56.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...40006626021378

• Marc E. Elias - Supreme Court DENIES Texas effort to invalidate GA, MI, PA, WI election results.

7 justices deny for lack of standing.
2 Would grant motion for petition but deny relief.

No justice sides with TX/Trump.

Trump/allies are 1-57 in court.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...44289740599298

• Biden selects Susan Rice to lead domestic policy council, McDonough for Veterans Affairs

President-elect Joe Biden has selected Susan Rice, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, to lead the White House Domestic Policy Council, and is nominating Denis McDonough as secretary of Veterans Affairs, the transition announced on Thursday.

“The roles they will take on are where the rubber meets the road — where competent and crisis-tested governance can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, enhancing the dignity, equity, security, and prosperity of the day-to-day lives of Americans,” Biden said in the statement.: Biden selects Susan Rice to lead Domestic Policy Council, McDonough for Veterans Affairs | TheHill - https://twitter.com/Transition46/sta...62896837275653

• Meanwhile,……the loser trump and his inaction.

18,845,639 Americans out of work: Calculated Risk: Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims increased sharply to 853,000

New CDC coronavirus forecast: 362,000 dead Americans by Jan. 2: New CDC coronavirus forecast: 362,000 dead by Jan. 2 | TheHill - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-...rus-in-the-u-s

• Biden Will Disinfect the White House After Trump Moves Out

Prior to Joe Biden’s move into the White House, the presidential residence will receive a much-needed deep cleaning treatment, a spokesperson for the General Services Administration has revealed to Politico. There have been over 40 COVID-19-positive people in President Donald Trump’s circle, raising questions about the dangers that will be lurking when Biden’s team moves in. As recently as Wednesday, Trump appeared bare-faced during a Hanukkah party with hundreds of guests at the White House.: https://www.thedailybeast.com/joe-bi...rump-moves-out

#UnfollowThePres - Trump has lost 205,209 followers since I started this account on 11/24.: https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnfollowThePres

• Marc E. Elias - Wisconsin Federal Court DISMISSES Trump lawsuit WITH PREJUDICE.

"This Court has allowed plaintiff the chance to make his case and he has lost on the merits."

Trump and his allies are now 1-58 in post-election litigation.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...36012853211136

• Joe Biden - Five years ago today, the world gathered to adopt the Paris Agreement on climate change.

And in 39 days, the United States is going to rejoin it.

We’re going to rally the world to push our progress further and faster and tackle the climate crisis head-on.: https://mobile.twitter.com/JoeBiden/...10697481191426

• Dave Wasserman - All 50 states and D.C. have now certified their 2020 election results:

Biden 81,282,376 (51.3%)
Trump 74,222,576 (46.9%)

That's a 2.4 point margin swing against Trump vs. 2016 and a 15.9% increase in votes cast.: https://twitter.com/Redistrict/statu...84498418724869

In other words, Biden won the popular vote by 7 million – 59 thousand – 800 votes.

• Edit - Cabinet Tracker: Biden Cabinet tracker: Which positions have and haven'''t been filled - Axios

It is incredible the amount of misinformation in the US and around the world. A couple of hours ago I was talking with my sister in Italy. and the conversation turned to trump and Biden, and she said " this new guy is just as bad a trump, did you hear about his son? and he already got him a position in the new government," I said , where did you hear that? she said that's what the news here say. I tried to no avail to explain to her that Biden has not formed any government yet, and that it is just nominations subject to confirmation by congress, that he had not nominated, or offered his son for any position in the government, That Biden was not part of the investigation, and that his son had not been found guilty of anything.
She said "I don't know , that's what they are reporting here".

Recapping last week with a Sunday edit (1 - 59)

• Marc E. Elias - Supreme Court DENIES Texas effort to invalidate GA, MI, PA, WI election results.

7 justices deny for lack of standing.
2 Would grant motion for petition but deny relief.

No justice sides with TX/Trump.

Trump/allies are 1-57 in court.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...44289740599298

• Joe Biden - Five years ago today, the world gathered to adopt the Paris Agreement on climate change.

And in 39 days, the United States is going to rejoin it.

We’re going to rally the world to push our progress further and faster and tackle the climate crisis head-on.: https://mobile.twitter.com/JoeBiden/...10697481191426

• Dave Wasserman - All 50 states and D.C. have now certified their 2020 election results:

Biden 81,282,376 (51.3%)
Trump 74,222,576 (46.9%)

That's a 2.4 point margin swing against Trump vs. 2016 and a 15.9% increase in votes cast.: https://twitter.com/Redistrict/statu...84498418724869

In other words, Biden won the popular vote by 7 million – 59 thousand – 800 votes.

• Because of the loser trump’s inactions……..

18,845,639 Americans are out of work: Calculated Risk: Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims increased sharply to 853,000

New CDC coronavirus forecast: 362,000 dead Americans by Jan. 2 : New CDC coronavirus forecast: 362,000 dead by Jan. 2 | TheHill - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-...rus-in-the-u-s

Jan. 20^th can’t come soon enough…………38 days and counting.

• Edit: Marc E. Elias - Georgia Supreme Court DISMISSES Trump's cert petition in his contest of the election results.

Trump and his allies are now 1-59 in post-election litigation.: https://twitter.com/marceelias/statu...70103960117250