RINGSIDE POLITICS – MAY 3, 2021

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Welcome to another edition of Ringside Politics with Jeff Crouere

Today’s Hot Topics:

1)  Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani denied allegations that he violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act, telling Fox News on Monday that federal investigators are “trying to frame” him.

Federal investigators seized electronic devices from Giuliani’s New York City apartment last week after executing a search warrant as part of a federal probe into whether he violated the law by lobbying the Trump administration on behalf of Ukrainian officials in 2019.

Giuliani has served as former President Trump’s personal attorney on a number of high-profile matters.

2) Republicans on the House Oversight and Budget committees are questioning a reported plan by the Biden administration to send cash payments to Central America as part of a strategy to combat the root causes of the migrant crisis — accusing the Biden administration of trying to buy its way out of a crisis.

Reps. James Comer and Jason Smith, the ranking members on the House Oversight and Budget committees, wrote to Acting Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young expressing concern about a plan for a “conditional cash transfer program” to address the “root causes” in Central America leading to the border crisis.

3) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced that the state is preparing for a “major reopening” on May 19, with most coronavirus-induced capacity restrictions to be lifted at that time.

“Beginning Wednesday, May 19 most capacity restrictions will end across the tri-state area,” Cuomo said. “That includes retail stores, food service, gyms, fitness centers, amusement parks, and family entertainment centers, hair salons, barbershops, offices, museums, theaters, etc. No capacity restrictions on all of those activities.”

This is the first time in more than a year that New York has seen an end to capacity restrictions, with the governor noting the state’s vaccination rate is largely behind the ability to reopen.

4) In a city where dancing is forbidden, not even a teenager with a rebellious spirit can save D.C. couples reeling from the capital’s latest COVID guidelines.

Seemingly ripped straight from the plot of “Footloose,” Washington, D.C.’s, new social distancing rules ban standing and dancing at weddings. The sudden announcement, made just as wedding season kicks off, has blindsided couples getting ready to tie the knot.

According to the latest D.C. order, indoor and outdoor weddings are capped at 25% capacity. A waiver is required for more than 250 people.

In a statement to local affiliate Fox 5 DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office said it has the dancing ban in place as an extra layer of safety to reduce the spread of COVID-19 because when people stand and dance their behavior changes. For example, people are more likely to get close and touch each other.

“It’s very confusing why Washington, D.C., is singling that out,” says Sadowski.

Today’s Guests:

1) Dr. Bryan Ardis, CEO of Ardis Labs – joins the show in the first hour to discuss the latest in the declining COVID pandemic.

2) Chad Rogers, Publisher of TheDeadPelican.com; Ringside All-Star – joins the show to take callers and share his unique, pessimistic outlook on the future.