The Serious Side - part 3
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by Donnamarie Tue 25 Jul 2017, 04:23
BTW I was just reading an old interview David Gergen did with George back in 2011 just before 'Ides of March' was released. A quote from George- "I think there's great honor in loyalty. But in politics it can cause a lot of trouble." Now we have a President who demands loyalty from those who work for him. It's getting him in a boatload of trouble.
Donnamarie- Possibly more Clooney than George himself
- Posts : 5881
Join date : 2014-08-26
Location : Washington, DC
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Tue 25 Jul 2017, 13:32
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4727354/Boy-Scouts-America-facing-backlash-Trump-speech.html
[size=34]Scout's dishonor! Boy Scouts of America faces backlash from leaders and parents after President Trump turns their Jamboree into a political rally that may even have broken the group's rules[/size]
By JESSICA FINN and NIKKI SCHWAB, U.S. POLITICAL REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 02:30 EDT, 25 July 2017 | UPDATED: 03:56 EDT, 25 July 2017
The Boy Scouts of America have come under fire for allowing President Donald Trump to turn their biggest event of the year into a political rally.
Trump was speaking to a sea of Boy Scouts during their annual National Scout Jamboree event in Glen Jean.
He said at the beginning of the speech that he would not get political to the audience of mostly 12- to 18-year-old boys, but his talk quickly turned.
The event may have even broken the organization's own rules on Boy Scouts' participation in political events.
During his speech, Trump threatened to fire his Health and Human Services secretary, Dr Tom Price.
He attacked former President Barack Obama, who served as a Boy Scout in his youth, for not physically attending a Jamboree in the past. Trump also touted his win over Hillary Clinton and he spent time calling the media 'fake'.
Scroll down for video
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President Trump threatened to fire his Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price (right) while speaking at the annual Boy Scout Jamboree
One man claiming to be an Eagle Scout and former scoutmaster called the event 'nauseating' adding the organization was 'never partisan'
A parent tweeted 'that was a disgusting display tonight. I am withdrawing my son from your organization next year. You should all be ashamed'
+17
Parents were quick to point out the politically charged event was in violation of scout law
+17
President Trump traveled to West Virginia Monday night to speak before the 2017 National Scout Jamboree in a speech he billed as being not political
+17
The backlash was aimed mostly at the Boy Scouts of America for allowing the event to go on
One parent asks if the Boy Scouts are indoctrinating kids into Trump youth organizations
+17
Some of the reaction was aimed at Trump for using the event for politics, including NBC's Chuck Todd
Parents, Boy Scout members, and scoutmasters were equally livid about the event.
One man claiming to be an Eagle Scout and former scoutmaster called the event 'nauseating' adding the organization was 'never partisan.'
A parent tweeted 'that was a disgusting display tonight. I am withdrawing my son from your organization next year. You should all be ashamed.'
New York Times correspondent Binyamin Appelbaum tweeted what he says is the Boy Scouts official Policy on Scout Participation in Political Events clause, and that the event and Boy Scouts participation in the event is directly against the rules of the organization.
The policy reads: 'Uniformed unit members and leaders may participate in flag ceremonies at political events and may lead the Pledge of Allegiance; however, they should retire after the ceremony and not remain on the speaker’s platform or in a conspicuous location where attendees or views could construe their presence as an endorsement or symbol of support.
'In addition, photos of candidates or Scouts in uniform or with BSA marks and logos are not allowed in political campaign materials of any kind.'
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Filmmaker Michael Moore, who is an Eagle Scout, expressed his disapproval of Trump's speech.
'Trump using the 30,000 BoyScouts as his props tonight was a scene out of Triumph of the Will,' he wrote. 'Shocking abuse of children.'
Writer Clint Smith, who was a Boy Scout, mentioned that the rally reminded him of 'how we would often feel when we went to camp'.
'Boy Scouts wonder why they arent able to recruit more boys of color but its bc the larger culture of scouting is often similar to tht rally,' he wrote.
Writer Ten Genoways wrote of the scounting tradition of his family and of a moment earlier this year where he and his son looked through old Jamboree patches that he and his father had collected.
'Thankfully, we were not among those in today's crowd. But there must be others there with stories like ours,' he wrote. 'Trump trampled that tradition.
'Worst of all, he did it for no reason. He made the national gathering of Boy Scouts about himself only b/c he makes everything abt himself.
+17
Two of President Trump's cabinet secretaries, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke (left) and Energy Secretary Rick Perry (right) pose for a picture Monday at the annual Boy Scout Jamboree
+17
President Trump marveled at the crowd size Monday night, when speaking before the Boy Scouts of America's annual Jamboree
+17
President Trump is photographed as he speaks to the Boy Scouts annual Jamboree, a speech that got political after just a few minutes
'As Scouts, we were taught never to make our service about politics. Scouts are not supposed to appear in uniform at political events.
'And yet, Trump saw fit to turn the largest gathering of Boy Scouts into a political gathering, as if they had come together only to see him.'
During his speech, Trump attacked Obama for not attending the gathering in years past. 'By the way, just a question, did President Obama ever come to a jamboree?,' he said. Obama instead recorded a message for the gathering.
Trump pulled Price onstage, saying that he 'lives the Scout oath' by keeping 'millions of Americans strong and healthy' in his role, before bringing up an important Senate Obamacare repeal vote tomorrow, and suggesting it would be the cabinet member's head that would roll if Congressional Republicans came up short.
'By the way, are you going to get the votes?' Trump asked Price. 'He better get them,' Trump told the crowd. 'He better get them. Otherwise, I'll say "Tom, you're fired."'
After initially coming on and promising not to talk politics, he quickly couldn't help himself.
[size=28]Video playing bottom right...
[/size]
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On Monday, Trump said: 'We are going to talk about success, about how all of you amazing young Scouts can achieve your dreams. Who the hell wants to speak about politics when I'm in front of the Boy Scouts?'
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But the president did quickly turn to politics, including bashing his predecessor, former President Obama for never attending the annual Jamboree
+17
Trump also mentioned that 10 members of his cabinet had ties to the Scouts, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who was the Boy Scouts' national president from 2010 to 2012
'The Scouts believe in putting America First,' Trump said, suggested the Boy Scouts abided by one of his campaign slogans.
Trump also slammed the Washington 'swamp.'
'It's not a good place,' he warned. 'In fact today I said we ought to change it from the word swamp to the word cesspool or perhaps to the word sewer, but it's not good. Not good.'
[size=34]Scout's dishonor! Boy Scouts of America faces backlash from leaders and parents after President Trump turns their Jamboree into a political rally that may even have broken the group's rules[/size]
- Trump spoke before a giant crowd of Boy Scouts of America on Monday night
- The thousands of scouts was celebrating their Jamboree in West Virginia
- Eagle Scouts, scoutmasters and parents threatened to leave the organization
- The speech may have violated the organization's own stance on political events
- Trump first promised not to make his speech political, but quickly attacked Obamacare, the swamp, the media and Hillary Clinton
By JESSICA FINN and NIKKI SCHWAB, U.S. POLITICAL REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 02:30 EDT, 25 July 2017 | UPDATED: 03:56 EDT, 25 July 2017
The Boy Scouts of America have come under fire for allowing President Donald Trump to turn their biggest event of the year into a political rally.
Trump was speaking to a sea of Boy Scouts during their annual National Scout Jamboree event in Glen Jean.
He said at the beginning of the speech that he would not get political to the audience of mostly 12- to 18-year-old boys, but his talk quickly turned.
The event may have even broken the organization's own rules on Boy Scouts' participation in political events.
During his speech, Trump threatened to fire his Health and Human Services secretary, Dr Tom Price.
He attacked former President Barack Obama, who served as a Boy Scout in his youth, for not physically attending a Jamboree in the past. Trump also touted his win over Hillary Clinton and he spent time calling the media 'fake'.
Scroll down for video
+17
President Trump threatened to fire his Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price (right) while speaking at the annual Boy Scout Jamboree
One man claiming to be an Eagle Scout and former scoutmaster called the event 'nauseating' adding the organization was 'never partisan'
A parent tweeted 'that was a disgusting display tonight. I am withdrawing my son from your organization next year. You should all be ashamed'
+17
Parents were quick to point out the politically charged event was in violation of scout law
+17
President Trump traveled to West Virginia Monday night to speak before the 2017 National Scout Jamboree in a speech he billed as being not political
+17
The backlash was aimed mostly at the Boy Scouts of America for allowing the event to go on
One parent asks if the Boy Scouts are indoctrinating kids into Trump youth organizations
+17
Some of the reaction was aimed at Trump for using the event for politics, including NBC's Chuck Todd
Parents, Boy Scout members, and scoutmasters were equally livid about the event.
One man claiming to be an Eagle Scout and former scoutmaster called the event 'nauseating' adding the organization was 'never partisan.'
A parent tweeted 'that was a disgusting display tonight. I am withdrawing my son from your organization next year. You should all be ashamed.'
New York Times correspondent Binyamin Appelbaum tweeted what he says is the Boy Scouts official Policy on Scout Participation in Political Events clause, and that the event and Boy Scouts participation in the event is directly against the rules of the organization.
The policy reads: 'Uniformed unit members and leaders may participate in flag ceremonies at political events and may lead the Pledge of Allegiance; however, they should retire after the ceremony and not remain on the speaker’s platform or in a conspicuous location where attendees or views could construe their presence as an endorsement or symbol of support.
'In addition, photos of candidates or Scouts in uniform or with BSA marks and logos are not allowed in political campaign materials of any kind.'
+17
+17
Filmmaker Michael Moore, who is an Eagle Scout, expressed his disapproval of Trump's speech.
'Trump using the 30,000 BoyScouts as his props tonight was a scene out of Triumph of the Will,' he wrote. 'Shocking abuse of children.'
Writer Clint Smith, who was a Boy Scout, mentioned that the rally reminded him of 'how we would often feel when we went to camp'.
'Boy Scouts wonder why they arent able to recruit more boys of color but its bc the larger culture of scouting is often similar to tht rally,' he wrote.
Writer Ten Genoways wrote of the scounting tradition of his family and of a moment earlier this year where he and his son looked through old Jamboree patches that he and his father had collected.
'Thankfully, we were not among those in today's crowd. But there must be others there with stories like ours,' he wrote. 'Trump trampled that tradition.
'Worst of all, he did it for no reason. He made the national gathering of Boy Scouts about himself only b/c he makes everything abt himself.
+17
Two of President Trump's cabinet secretaries, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke (left) and Energy Secretary Rick Perry (right) pose for a picture Monday at the annual Boy Scout Jamboree
+17
President Trump marveled at the crowd size Monday night, when speaking before the Boy Scouts of America's annual Jamboree
+17
President Trump is photographed as he speaks to the Boy Scouts annual Jamboree, a speech that got political after just a few minutes
'As Scouts, we were taught never to make our service about politics. Scouts are not supposed to appear in uniform at political events.
'And yet, Trump saw fit to turn the largest gathering of Boy Scouts into a political gathering, as if they had come together only to see him.'
During his speech, Trump attacked Obama for not attending the gathering in years past. 'By the way, just a question, did President Obama ever come to a jamboree?,' he said. Obama instead recorded a message for the gathering.
Trump pulled Price onstage, saying that he 'lives the Scout oath' by keeping 'millions of Americans strong and healthy' in his role, before bringing up an important Senate Obamacare repeal vote tomorrow, and suggesting it would be the cabinet member's head that would roll if Congressional Republicans came up short.
'By the way, are you going to get the votes?' Trump asked Price. 'He better get them,' Trump told the crowd. 'He better get them. Otherwise, I'll say "Tom, you're fired."'
After initially coming on and promising not to talk politics, he quickly couldn't help himself.
[size=28]Video playing bottom right...
[/size]
+17
On Monday, Trump said: 'We are going to talk about success, about how all of you amazing young Scouts can achieve your dreams. Who the hell wants to speak about politics when I'm in front of the Boy Scouts?'
+17
But the president did quickly turn to politics, including bashing his predecessor, former President Obama for never attending the annual Jamboree
+17
Trump also mentioned that 10 members of his cabinet had ties to the Scouts, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who was the Boy Scouts' national president from 2010 to 2012
'The Scouts believe in putting America First,' Trump said, suggested the Boy Scouts abided by one of his campaign slogans.
Trump also slammed the Washington 'swamp.'
'It's not a good place,' he warned. 'In fact today I said we ought to change it from the word swamp to the word cesspool or perhaps to the word sewer, but it's not good. Not good.'
annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Wed 26 Jul 2017, 17:02
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4732226/Trump-rules-transgender-people-military.html
[size=34]Trump BANS transgender people from joining the military after 'consulting with generals and experts' - and Tweets that they are a 'burden' and 'disruption' – as unsuspecting Pentagon refers all inquiries to the White House
[/size]
By GEOFF EARLE, DEPUTY U.S. POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 09:29 EDT, 26 July 2017 | UPDATED: 11:47 EDT, 26 July 2017
President Donald Trump sent out a series of tweets Wednesday morning saying that transgender people wouldn't be allowed to serve in the U.S. military 'in any capacity.'
Trump fired off the tweets without warning, injecting a contentious social issue into the debate on a day after the Senate GOP's health care bill suffered a bad defeat and when a Senate panel was set to hold a public hearing that would touch on Russian foreign nationals' influence efforts.
'After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow.. transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming ... victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail,' Trump wrote.
'Thank you,' he concluded.
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President Donald Trump points to his supporters as first lady Melania Trump watches after speaking at the Covelli Centre, Tuesday, July 25, 2017, in Youngstown, Ohio. He wrote on Twitter Wednesday that transgender people would not be allowed to serve in the military.
During the last year of the Obama administration, then Defense Secretary Ash Carter instituted a policy allowing transgender people to serve openly in the military, ending a prior ban. But he also gave the military a year to come up with a way to implement the policy.
A statement from the Pentagon indicated that the agency known to plan for all military contingencies didn't see the sudden turnaround from the president coming.
'Call the White House, said Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman.
We refer all questions about the President's statements to the White House' - Pentagon statement
'We refer all questions about the President's statements to the White House,' Davis said in a statement.
'We will continue to work closely with the White House to address the new guidance provided by the Commander-in-Chief on transgender individuals serving the military. We will provide revised guidance to the Department in the near future,' Davis added in the statement.
Share
[size=35]5k shares[/size]
Since October, transgender troops have been able to get medical care to begin changing their gender identity, Military Times wrote.
There was a July deadline for branches to set up policies for transgender people trying to join.
Defense Secretary James Mattis at the end of June gave the chiefs of staff of the military branches an additional six months to determine how the policy affected the 'readiness or lethality' of U.S. forces.
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Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis ordered a six month delay in a policy review on the military's transgender policy at the end of June
President Donald Trump tweeted about a new U.S. military policy on transgender individuals Wednesday morning
President Donald Trump tweeted about a new U.S. military policy on transgender individuals Wednesday morning
President Donald Trump tweeted about a new U.S. military policy on transgender individuals Wednesday morning
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Donald Trump appeared with Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 2000 during a video comedy sketch for the Inner Circle dinner in New York
Mattis wrote in his memo that the delay 'does not presuppose the outcome of the review' and that extra time would allow for 'the benefit of the views of the military leadership and of the senior civilian officials who are now arriving in the department.'
Trump, in his tweets, focused on what he said were tremendous disruption and costs.
But a White House official, in an early comment to Axios, said of the new policy: 'This forces Democrats in rust belt states like Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin to take complete ownership of this issues. How will blue collar voters in these states respond when senators up for reelection in 2018 like [Michigan Democrat] Debbie Stabenow are forced to make their opposition to this a key plank of their campaigns?'
Trump's tweets left many questions unanswered, including whether they amounted to an immediate policy change, or whether the military command structure must implement in a drawn out fashion through official government channels and officially publish it before it takes effect.
It was not immediately clear how many transgender people came forward following the Obama administration's change of policy.
[size=18]Trump holds up rainbow flag during 2016 rally in Colorado
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump holds a rainbow flag given to him by supporter Max Nowak during a campaign rally at the Bank of Colorado Arena on the campus of University of Northern Colorado October 30, 2016 in Greeley, Colorado
+11
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump returns a rainbow flag given to him by supporter Max Nowak to an aide during a campaign rally at the Bank of Colorado Arena on the campus of University of Northern Colorado October 30, 2016 in Greeley, Colorado. With less than nine days until Americans go to the polls, Trump is campaigning in Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado
+11
Former Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced that the military will lift its ban on transgender troops during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, June 30, 2016 after conducting a policy review. 'This is the right thing to do for our people and for the force,' Carter said
The policy reversal drew immediate condemnation from transgender activists and others on-line.
'Donald: With your ban on trans people from the military, you are on notice that you just pissed off the wrong community. You will regret it,' tweeted Star Trek actor George Takei.
Transgender military leaker and former prisoner Chelsea Manning tweeted: 'so, biggest baddest most $ military on earth cries about a few trans people but funds the F-35? [aircraft] sounds like cowardice,' wrote Manning, ending with the hashtag #WeGotThis.'
Twitter user Marcus Anthony wrote: 'This transgender statement from POTUS is confusing. I LITERALLY just finished briefing troops on transgender inclusion last month.'
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Trump's tweet about transgender military service drew immediate responses online
Trump's tweet about transgender military service drew immediate responses online
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Trump's tweet about transgender military service drew immediate responses online
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Trump's tweet about transgender military service drew immediate responses online
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Trump's tweet about transgender military service drew immediate responses online
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Trump's tweet about transgender military service drew immediate responses online
The Log Cabin Republicans responded: 'This smacks of politics, pure and simple. The United States military already includes transgender individuals who protect our freedom day in and day out. Excommunicating transgender soldiers only weakens our readiness; it doesn't strengthen it.'
The gay Republican group added: 'The president's statement this morning does a disservice to transgender military personnel and reintroduces the same hurtful stereotypes conjured when openly gay men and women were barred from service during the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' era.'
Carter said when he announced the new Obama administration policy last year: 'Although relatively few in number, we're talking about talented and trained Americans who are serving their country with honor and distinction. We invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to train and develop each individual, and we want to take the opportunity to retain people whose talent we've invested in and who have proven themselves.'
'This is an outrageous and desperate action' - ACLU
'Donald: With your ban on trans people from the military, you are on notice that you just pissed off the wrong community. You will regret it' - actor George Takei.
'so, biggest baddest most $ military on earth cries about a few trans people but funds the F-35? [aircraft] sounds like cowardice,' - Chelsea Manning
'This transgender statement from POTUS is confusing. I LITERALLY just finished briefing troops on transgender inclusion last month' -Twitter user Marcus Anthony
'Are you TRYING to be an asshole?' - Bravo host Andy Cohen
'This smacks of politics, pure and simple' - Log Cabin Republicans
'Call the White House' - Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis
'Every patriotic American who is qualified to serve in our military should be able to serve. Full stop. ' - Joe Biden
He called it a 'matter of principle,' adding: 'Americans who want to serve and can meet our standards should be afforded the opportunity to compete to do so. After all, our all-volunteer force is built upon having the most qualified Americans. And the profession of arms is based on honor and trust.'
Trump also reversed an Obama administration Education Department policy allowing transgender people to use the bathroom that corresponded with their gender identity.
The ACLU blasted the policy change in a statement.
'This is an outrageous and desperate action. The thousands of transgender service members serving on the front lines for this country deserve better than a commander-in-chief who rejects their basic humanity,' said Joshua Block, a senior ACLU staff attorney.
'Let us be clear. This has been studied extensively, and the consensus is clear: There are no cost or military readiness drawbacks associated with allowing trans people to fight for their country. The president is trying to score cheap political points on the backs of military personnel who have put their lives on the line for their country,' he said.
Trump raised the hopes of some transgender people when he specifically invoked the community during his GOP convention speech while discussing the Pulse nightclub murders.
'Only weeks ago, in Orlando, Fla., 49 wonderful Americans were savagely murdered by an Islamic terrorist. This time, the terrorist targeted our LGBTQ community,' Trump said.
'As your president, I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBTQ citizens from the violence and oppression of a hateful foreign ideology,' he said.
Read more:
[size=34]Trump BANS transgender people from joining the military after 'consulting with generals and experts' - and Tweets that they are a 'burden' and 'disruption' – as unsuspecting Pentagon refers all inquiries to the White House
[/size]
- President Donald Trump tweeted that transgender people won't be able to serve 'in any capacity' in the U.S. military
- He tweeted the military 'must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail'
- No mention of whether the military would search out transgender people who have concealed their status
- Defense Secretary Ash Carter ended a ban on transgender service during the Obama administration
- Trump's generals began a review after he took office
- It was not immediately clear how his tweet was connected to an ongoing Pentagon policy review
By GEOFF EARLE, DEPUTY U.S. POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 09:29 EDT, 26 July 2017 | UPDATED: 11:47 EDT, 26 July 2017
President Donald Trump sent out a series of tweets Wednesday morning saying that transgender people wouldn't be allowed to serve in the U.S. military 'in any capacity.'
Trump fired off the tweets without warning, injecting a contentious social issue into the debate on a day after the Senate GOP's health care bill suffered a bad defeat and when a Senate panel was set to hold a public hearing that would touch on Russian foreign nationals' influence efforts.
'After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow.. transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming ... victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail,' Trump wrote.
'Thank you,' he concluded.
+11
President Donald Trump points to his supporters as first lady Melania Trump watches after speaking at the Covelli Centre, Tuesday, July 25, 2017, in Youngstown, Ohio. He wrote on Twitter Wednesday that transgender people would not be allowed to serve in the military.
During the last year of the Obama administration, then Defense Secretary Ash Carter instituted a policy allowing transgender people to serve openly in the military, ending a prior ban. But he also gave the military a year to come up with a way to implement the policy.
A statement from the Pentagon indicated that the agency known to plan for all military contingencies didn't see the sudden turnaround from the president coming.
'Call the White House, said Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman.
We refer all questions about the President's statements to the White House' - Pentagon statement
'We refer all questions about the President's statements to the White House,' Davis said in a statement.
'We will continue to work closely with the White House to address the new guidance provided by the Commander-in-Chief on transgender individuals serving the military. We will provide revised guidance to the Department in the near future,' Davis added in the statement.
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Share
[size=35]5k shares[/size]
Since October, transgender troops have been able to get medical care to begin changing their gender identity, Military Times wrote.
There was a July deadline for branches to set up policies for transgender people trying to join.
Defense Secretary James Mattis at the end of June gave the chiefs of staff of the military branches an additional six months to determine how the policy affected the 'readiness or lethality' of U.S. forces.
+11
Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis ordered a six month delay in a policy review on the military's transgender policy at the end of June
President Donald Trump tweeted about a new U.S. military policy on transgender individuals Wednesday morning
President Donald Trump tweeted about a new U.S. military policy on transgender individuals Wednesday morning
President Donald Trump tweeted about a new U.S. military policy on transgender individuals Wednesday morning
+11
Donald Trump appeared with Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 2000 during a video comedy sketch for the Inner Circle dinner in New York
Mattis wrote in his memo that the delay 'does not presuppose the outcome of the review' and that extra time would allow for 'the benefit of the views of the military leadership and of the senior civilian officials who are now arriving in the department.'
Trump, in his tweets, focused on what he said were tremendous disruption and costs.
But a White House official, in an early comment to Axios, said of the new policy: 'This forces Democrats in rust belt states like Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin to take complete ownership of this issues. How will blue collar voters in these states respond when senators up for reelection in 2018 like [Michigan Democrat] Debbie Stabenow are forced to make their opposition to this a key plank of their campaigns?'
Trump's tweets left many questions unanswered, including whether they amounted to an immediate policy change, or whether the military command structure must implement in a drawn out fashion through official government channels and officially publish it before it takes effect.
It was not immediately clear how many transgender people came forward following the Obama administration's change of policy.
[size=18]Trump holds up rainbow flag during 2016 rally in Colorado
Loaded: [/size]
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+11
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump holds a rainbow flag given to him by supporter Max Nowak during a campaign rally at the Bank of Colorado Arena on the campus of University of Northern Colorado October 30, 2016 in Greeley, Colorado
+11
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump returns a rainbow flag given to him by supporter Max Nowak to an aide during a campaign rally at the Bank of Colorado Arena on the campus of University of Northern Colorado October 30, 2016 in Greeley, Colorado. With less than nine days until Americans go to the polls, Trump is campaigning in Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado
+11
Former Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced that the military will lift its ban on transgender troops during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, June 30, 2016 after conducting a policy review. 'This is the right thing to do for our people and for the force,' Carter said
The policy reversal drew immediate condemnation from transgender activists and others on-line.
'Donald: With your ban on trans people from the military, you are on notice that you just pissed off the wrong community. You will regret it,' tweeted Star Trek actor George Takei.
Transgender military leaker and former prisoner Chelsea Manning tweeted: 'so, biggest baddest most $ military on earth cries about a few trans people but funds the F-35? [aircraft] sounds like cowardice,' wrote Manning, ending with the hashtag #WeGotThis.'
Twitter user Marcus Anthony wrote: 'This transgender statement from POTUS is confusing. I LITERALLY just finished briefing troops on transgender inclusion last month.'
+11
Trump's tweet about transgender military service drew immediate responses online
Trump's tweet about transgender military service drew immediate responses online
+11
Trump's tweet about transgender military service drew immediate responses online
+11
Trump's tweet about transgender military service drew immediate responses online
+11
Trump's tweet about transgender military service drew immediate responses online
+11
Trump's tweet about transgender military service drew immediate responses online
The Log Cabin Republicans responded: 'This smacks of politics, pure and simple. The United States military already includes transgender individuals who protect our freedom day in and day out. Excommunicating transgender soldiers only weakens our readiness; it doesn't strengthen it.'
The gay Republican group added: 'The president's statement this morning does a disservice to transgender military personnel and reintroduces the same hurtful stereotypes conjured when openly gay men and women were barred from service during the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' era.'
Carter said when he announced the new Obama administration policy last year: 'Although relatively few in number, we're talking about talented and trained Americans who are serving their country with honor and distinction. We invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to train and develop each individual, and we want to take the opportunity to retain people whose talent we've invested in and who have proven themselves.'
REACTIONT TO TRUMP'S TRANSGENDER TWEET:
'This is an outrageous and desperate action' - ACLU
'Donald: With your ban on trans people from the military, you are on notice that you just pissed off the wrong community. You will regret it' - actor George Takei.
'so, biggest baddest most $ military on earth cries about a few trans people but funds the F-35? [aircraft] sounds like cowardice,' - Chelsea Manning
'This transgender statement from POTUS is confusing. I LITERALLY just finished briefing troops on transgender inclusion last month' -Twitter user Marcus Anthony
'Are you TRYING to be an asshole?' - Bravo host Andy Cohen
'This smacks of politics, pure and simple' - Log Cabin Republicans
'Call the White House' - Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis
'Every patriotic American who is qualified to serve in our military should be able to serve. Full stop. ' - Joe Biden
He called it a 'matter of principle,' adding: 'Americans who want to serve and can meet our standards should be afforded the opportunity to compete to do so. After all, our all-volunteer force is built upon having the most qualified Americans. And the profession of arms is based on honor and trust.'
Trump also reversed an Obama administration Education Department policy allowing transgender people to use the bathroom that corresponded with their gender identity.
The ACLU blasted the policy change in a statement.
'This is an outrageous and desperate action. The thousands of transgender service members serving on the front lines for this country deserve better than a commander-in-chief who rejects their basic humanity,' said Joshua Block, a senior ACLU staff attorney.
'Let us be clear. This has been studied extensively, and the consensus is clear: There are no cost or military readiness drawbacks associated with allowing trans people to fight for their country. The president is trying to score cheap political points on the backs of military personnel who have put their lives on the line for their country,' he said.
Trump raised the hopes of some transgender people when he specifically invoked the community during his GOP convention speech while discussing the Pulse nightclub murders.
'Only weeks ago, in Orlando, Fla., 49 wonderful Americans were savagely murdered by an Islamic terrorist. This time, the terrorist targeted our LGBTQ community,' Trump said.
'As your president, I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBTQ citizens from the violence and oppression of a hateful foreign ideology,' he said.
Read more:
- Mattis delays new transgender policy for US military
annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by Donnamarie Wed 26 Jul 2017, 18:17
Thanks annemarie. This latest move by Trump is like piling on. It just never lets up. We haven't really talked about Trump too much in the last week. It's hard to say anything more than what we've already said about him. Every day there is some new crazy thing he says and it makes a negative impact. Its so detrimental to our country. I try to imagine where this country will be in another year with this mad man in the White House. I just don't know what to think
Donnamarie- Possibly more Clooney than George himself
- Posts : 5881
Join date : 2014-08-26
Location : Washington, DC
melbert- George Clooney fan forever!
- Posts : 19324
Join date : 2010-12-06
Location : George's House
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Fri 28 Jul 2017, 03:07
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4736890/Interior-chief-warns-Alaska-senators-health-care.html
[size=34]Toe the line on repealing Obamacare or your state will lose federal cash: Trump White House's threat to wavering Alaska senators revealed[/size]
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
PUBLISHED: 13:29 EDT, 27 July 2017 | UPDATED: 21:03 EDT, 27 July 2017
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called Alaska's two Republican senators to warn them of repercussions for the nation's largest state if they failed to toe the Trump administration line on health care, according to a published report.
The Alaska Dispatch News reported Thursday that Zinke called Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and complained that Murkowski's vote against proceeding on legislation to repeal 'Obamacare' had put Alaska's future with the administration in jeopardy. Vice President Mike Pence broke a 50-50 tie to advance the measure earlier this week.
Sullivan told the newspaper that the call from Zinke heralded a 'troubling message.' Questioned by reporters on Thursday, Sullivan declined to discuss his conversations with administration officials.
Murkowski confirmed that she received a call from Zinke, but said she did not perceive the call as a threat against her or Alaska.
+4
Revelation: Ryan Zinke called Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and complained that Murkowski's vote against proceeding on legislation to repeal 'Obamacare' had put Alaska's future with the administration in jeopardy
+4
Scout's dishonor: Ryan Zinke was last seen in public dressed as a scout at the National Boy Scout Jamboree on Monday night. Now he is revealed to have threatened Alaskan senators over Obamacare
[size=10][size=18]Trump tells Tom Price he better get votes for Obamacare
[/size][/size]
MORE VIDEOS
+4
Telling what happened: Dan Sullivan disclosed the call from Ryan Zinke
'He was just sharing the concern that the president expressed to him to pass on to me,' Murkowski said Thursday. She and Zinke, a former Montana congressman, have a 'cordial, respectful and friendly relationship,' Murkowski added. 'I don't think that will change one bit.'
The Interior Department and the White House had no comment on the report.
The notion of a Cabinet official warning senators of retribution over health care is highly unusual, even as Trump has lashed out at GOP members of Congress for balking at his policies.
On Wednesday, Trump tweeted at Murkowski: 'Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad!'
Murkowski, who was re-elected to a new six-year term last year, chairs the powerful Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which has say over Interior business and nominations.
She also leads an Appropriations subcommittee with authority over the Interior Department budget.
On Thursday, an energy committee hearing on nominations was postponed, with a spokeswoman citing 'scheduling uncertainties.'
Alaska has a range of issues affected by the federal government, including proposals to build a road through a remote wildlife refuge and drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Several Alaskans also have been nominated for key posts at Interior, and Murkowski and Sullivan have pushed to expand drilling on federal land in Alaska's North Slope near the Arctic Ocean.
Sullivan told the newspaper: 'I'm not going to go into the details, but I fear that the strong economic growth, pro-energy, pro-mining, pro-jobs and personnel from Alaska who are part of those policies are going to stop.'
Share
[size=35]28 shares[/size]
+4
Made a call: Murkowski said the president had been on the phone and suggested his tone was not positive. 'He was very direct, in terms of encouraging me to vote to proceed,' she said.
[size=18]Senate rejects repeal and replace Obamacare proposal
[/size]
'I tried to push back on behalf of all Alaskans. We're facing some difficult times and there's a lot of enthusiasm for the policies that Secretary Zinke and the president have been talking about with regard to our economy. But the message was pretty clear,' Sullivan said.
Sullivan told reporters on Thursday that resource development is critical for his state, which he said is in recession.
'From my perspective, the sooner we can get back to cooperation between the administration and the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the better,' he said, referring to Murkowski.
Murkowski, who talked to Trump before her vote on Tuesday, said she has no problem with the administration's efforts to persuade her on the health care bill.
'The president wants to get a health care bill. He's going to make calls. That's understood. ... That's kind of his job. I don't have a hardship with that.
'I don't have heartburn with that at all,' she said, adding that she made her position clear to Trump when they talked before the initial vote on Tuesday.
'He was very direct, in terms of encouraging me to vote to proceed,' Murkowski said of Trump. 'It was a difficult conversation.'
In the end, she decided to vote against moving forward, saying the bill was not ready and would make unacceptable cuts to Medicaid.
Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said any threat against Murkowski was a mistake.
'Always. Tomorrow's another day,' Shelby said. 'We vote thousands of times ... I'd never threaten anybody because they didn't vote with me on some issue because tomorrow, we might have another issue.'
[size=34]Toe the line on repealing Obamacare or your state will lose federal cash: Trump White House's threat to wavering Alaska senators revealed[/size]
- Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called Alaska's two Republican senators to warn them of repercussions if they didn't vote for last remaining chance at repeal
- He told Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan that Murkowski's earlier vote against repeal 'Obamacare' had put Alaska's future with the administration in jeopardy
- Sullivan called the move a 'troubling message' and added: 'The message was pretty clear'
- Republicans are still trying for 'skinny Obamacare' repeal but fear they can't even manage that
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
PUBLISHED: 13:29 EDT, 27 July 2017 | UPDATED: 21:03 EDT, 27 July 2017
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called Alaska's two Republican senators to warn them of repercussions for the nation's largest state if they failed to toe the Trump administration line on health care, according to a published report.
The Alaska Dispatch News reported Thursday that Zinke called Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and complained that Murkowski's vote against proceeding on legislation to repeal 'Obamacare' had put Alaska's future with the administration in jeopardy. Vice President Mike Pence broke a 50-50 tie to advance the measure earlier this week.
Sullivan told the newspaper that the call from Zinke heralded a 'troubling message.' Questioned by reporters on Thursday, Sullivan declined to discuss his conversations with administration officials.
Murkowski confirmed that she received a call from Zinke, but said she did not perceive the call as a threat against her or Alaska.
+4
Revelation: Ryan Zinke called Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and complained that Murkowski's vote against proceeding on legislation to repeal 'Obamacare' had put Alaska's future with the administration in jeopardy
+4
Scout's dishonor: Ryan Zinke was last seen in public dressed as a scout at the National Boy Scout Jamboree on Monday night. Now he is revealed to have threatened Alaskan senators over Obamacare
[size=10][size=18]Trump tells Tom Price he better get votes for Obamacare
[/size][/size]
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+4
Telling what happened: Dan Sullivan disclosed the call from Ryan Zinke
'He was just sharing the concern that the president expressed to him to pass on to me,' Murkowski said Thursday. She and Zinke, a former Montana congressman, have a 'cordial, respectful and friendly relationship,' Murkowski added. 'I don't think that will change one bit.'
The Interior Department and the White House had no comment on the report.
The notion of a Cabinet official warning senators of retribution over health care is highly unusual, even as Trump has lashed out at GOP members of Congress for balking at his policies.
On Wednesday, Trump tweeted at Murkowski: 'Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad!'
Murkowski, who was re-elected to a new six-year term last year, chairs the powerful Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which has say over Interior business and nominations.
She also leads an Appropriations subcommittee with authority over the Interior Department budget.
On Thursday, an energy committee hearing on nominations was postponed, with a spokeswoman citing 'scheduling uncertainties.'
Alaska has a range of issues affected by the federal government, including proposals to build a road through a remote wildlife refuge and drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Several Alaskans also have been nominated for key posts at Interior, and Murkowski and Sullivan have pushed to expand drilling on federal land in Alaska's North Slope near the Arctic Ocean.
Sullivan told the newspaper: 'I'm not going to go into the details, but I fear that the strong economic growth, pro-energy, pro-mining, pro-jobs and personnel from Alaska who are part of those policies are going to stop.'
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Share
[size=35]28 shares[/size]
+4
Made a call: Murkowski said the president had been on the phone and suggested his tone was not positive. 'He was very direct, in terms of encouraging me to vote to proceed,' she said.
[size=18]Senate rejects repeal and replace Obamacare proposal
[/size]
'I tried to push back on behalf of all Alaskans. We're facing some difficult times and there's a lot of enthusiasm for the policies that Secretary Zinke and the president have been talking about with regard to our economy. But the message was pretty clear,' Sullivan said.
Sullivan told reporters on Thursday that resource development is critical for his state, which he said is in recession.
'From my perspective, the sooner we can get back to cooperation between the administration and the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the better,' he said, referring to Murkowski.
Murkowski, who talked to Trump before her vote on Tuesday, said she has no problem with the administration's efforts to persuade her on the health care bill.
'The president wants to get a health care bill. He's going to make calls. That's understood. ... That's kind of his job. I don't have a hardship with that.
'I don't have heartburn with that at all,' she said, adding that she made her position clear to Trump when they talked before the initial vote on Tuesday.
'He was very direct, in terms of encouraging me to vote to proceed,' Murkowski said of Trump. 'It was a difficult conversation.'
In the end, she decided to vote against moving forward, saying the bill was not ready and would make unacceptable cuts to Medicaid.
Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said any threat against Murkowski was a mistake.
'Always. Tomorrow's another day,' Shelby said. 'We vote thousands of times ... I'd never threaten anybody because they didn't vote with me on some issue because tomorrow, we might have another issue.'
annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by Donnamarie Fri 28 Jul 2017, 03:54
Rachel Maddow brought up an interesting coincidence tonight on her show. Bill Stepien, the former top aide to Gov. Christie of New Jersey, was never charged in the Bridgegate scandal. He was fired from his position by Christie. He was hired by Trump and works in the White House as a political director. It's just really curious that similar tactics used in the Bridgegate scandal are being used by this White House to intimidate these Senators from Alaska.
Donnamarie- Possibly more Clooney than George himself
- Posts : 5881
Join date : 2014-08-26
Location : Washington, DC
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Fri 28 Jul 2017, 11:38
This is nothing but blackmail, it has to be against the rules . People are supposed to just do what he wants with no regard to the people they represent. I hope they stand their ground and do what is right. He is simply trying to undo everything former President Obama did and it is so obvious.
annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by LizzyNY Fri 28 Jul 2017, 12:37
Trump has been getting away with so much that is "against the rules", let alone common decency and ethical behavior, that he thinks he ca do whatever he wants with no consequences. So far he's right.
The only up-side to this disgusting act of extortion is that maybe Alaska's wildlife refuges won't be destroyed in the hunt for more oil.
The only up-side to this disgusting act of extortion is that maybe Alaska's wildlife refuges won't be destroyed in the hunt for more oil.
LizzyNY- Casamigos with Mr Clooney
- Posts : 8167
Join date : 2013-08-28
Location : NY, USA
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Fri 28 Jul 2017, 12:39
Nope, he doesn't care about human life or wild life. If he gets what he wants he will still find a way to destroy Alaska's wild life.
annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Mon 31 Jul 2017, 01:04
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4744216/Russian-official-threatens-retaliation-U-S-sanctions.html
[size=34]Putin orders 755 US diplomats to leave Russia as he keeps his promise to retaliate against Trump's 'weird and unacceptable' sanctions bill
[/size]
By KEITH GRIFFITH FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and REUTERS
PUBLISHED: 11:36 EDT, 30 July 2017 | UPDATED: 19:51 EDT, 30 July 2017
The order from Moscow, reported by AFP, comes in response to a sanctions bill that passed the US Congress on Thursday, which US President Donald Trump has said he will sign into law.
The Kremlin had on Friday seized two diplomatic properties and ordered the US to cut its mission to 445, the same size as Russia's in the US, but the new order from Putin is the first revelation of a headcount of expulsions.
Earlier on Sunday, a top Russian diplomat lambasted the United States Congress for voting to sanction Russia, and warned of further retaliation by Moscow.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told ABC's 'This Week' that the US sanctions bill was 'weird and unacceptable'.
Scroll down for video
+7
Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen at a naval parade on Sunday. Putin has announced the ejection of 775 US diplomats in retaliation for a new US sanctions bill
+7
President Donald Trump departs the White House on Sunday to travel to Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. Putin's response to a US sanctions bill cuts the US diplomatic mission by half
+7
Trump and Putin met for the first time at a G20 summit in Germany this month. Russia's hopes for warmer relations with the US under Trump appear to be souring with the massive expulsion
+7
Putin's move reduced the US diplomatic mission to Russia by over half. Pictured: US and Russian flags fly ahead of a May visit to Moscow by the US Secretary of State
Share
He said if Donald Trump signed it when it reaches his desk, it will be 'the last straw.'
'If the US side decides to move further towards further deterioration, we will answer. We will respond in kind. We will mirror this. We will retaliate,' Ryabkov said.
The diplomat added that his 'whole point is don't do this. It's to the detriment of the interests of the US.'
Ryabkov's comments came after Moscow ordered the United States on Friday to cut hundreds of diplomatic staff and said it would seize two US diplomatic properties.
Those moves were a response to the new sanctions that were approved nearly unanimously by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
+7
Speaking on ABC's 'This Week' , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov referred to a bill passed by Congress on Thursday to sanction his country as 'weird and unacceptable'
Ryabkov confirmed that the seizing of the properties was in response to the bill, but declined to say what other measures Russia is willing to take if the United States continues to apply pressure.
'We have a very rich toolbox at our disposal,' he said.
'It would be ridiculous on my part to start speculating on what may or may not happen. We are not gamblers. We are people who consider things very seriously and very responsibly,' said Ryabkov.
'But I can assure you that different options are on the table and consideration is being given to all sorts of things.'
+7
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the ejection of 775 US diplomats in retaliation for a new US sanctions bill
+7
President Donald Trump waves to well wishers after dining at Trump International Hotel on Saturday night. Trump has said he will sign the sanctions legislation against Russia
The United States-Russia relationship has become increasingly strained in the wake of the US presidential election.
Several US intelligence agencies believe that the Kremlin interfered in the US election to discredit Hillary Clinton and help President Donald Trump win the election.
Russia has denied meddling in the US election.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller, the former director of the FBI, is investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race.
He is said to also be looking at whether or not Trump's campaign may have colluded with Russia - an allegation that Trump and his associates have staunchly denied.
[size=34]Putin orders 755 US diplomats to leave Russia as he keeps his promise to retaliate against Trump's 'weird and unacceptable' sanctions bill
[/size]
- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that 775 US diplomats must leave
- Massive ejection of diplomatic personnel retaliation for US sanctions bill
- Bill passed Congress on Thursday and President Trump says he will sign into law
- Moscow responded by seizing two diplomatic properties and booting US staffers
- Move will reduce US diplomat mission to Russia by over half in one fell swoop
- Russian deputy foreign minister calls sanctions bill 'weird and unacceptable'
By KEITH GRIFFITH FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and REUTERS
PUBLISHED: 11:36 EDT, 30 July 2017 | UPDATED: 19:51 EDT, 30 July 2017
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the ejection of 775 US diplomats in retaliation for a new US sanctions bill.
Putin announced the move on Sunday, effectively cutting the US diplomatic mission of roughly 1,200 in Russia by more than half.The order from Moscow, reported by AFP, comes in response to a sanctions bill that passed the US Congress on Thursday, which US President Donald Trump has said he will sign into law.
The Kremlin had on Friday seized two diplomatic properties and ordered the US to cut its mission to 445, the same size as Russia's in the US, but the new order from Putin is the first revelation of a headcount of expulsions.
Earlier on Sunday, a top Russian diplomat lambasted the United States Congress for voting to sanction Russia, and warned of further retaliation by Moscow.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told ABC's 'This Week' that the US sanctions bill was 'weird and unacceptable'.
Scroll down for video
+7
Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen at a naval parade on Sunday. Putin has announced the ejection of 775 US diplomats in retaliation for a new US sanctions bill
+7
President Donald Trump departs the White House on Sunday to travel to Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. Putin's response to a US sanctions bill cuts the US diplomatic mission by half
+7
Trump and Putin met for the first time at a G20 summit in Germany this month. Russia's hopes for warmer relations with the US under Trump appear to be souring with the massive expulsion
+7
Putin's move reduced the US diplomatic mission to Russia by over half. Pictured: US and Russian flags fly ahead of a May visit to Moscow by the US Secretary of State
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He said if Donald Trump signed it when it reaches his desk, it will be 'the last straw.'
'If the US side decides to move further towards further deterioration, we will answer. We will respond in kind. We will mirror this. We will retaliate,' Ryabkov said.
The diplomat added that his 'whole point is don't do this. It's to the detriment of the interests of the US.'
Ryabkov's comments came after Moscow ordered the United States on Friday to cut hundreds of diplomatic staff and said it would seize two US diplomatic properties.
Those moves were a response to the new sanctions that were approved nearly unanimously by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
+7
Speaking on ABC's 'This Week' , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov referred to a bill passed by Congress on Thursday to sanction his country as 'weird and unacceptable'
Ryabkov confirmed that the seizing of the properties was in response to the bill, but declined to say what other measures Russia is willing to take if the United States continues to apply pressure.
'We have a very rich toolbox at our disposal,' he said.
'It would be ridiculous on my part to start speculating on what may or may not happen. We are not gamblers. We are people who consider things very seriously and very responsibly,' said Ryabkov.
'But I can assure you that different options are on the table and consideration is being given to all sorts of things.'
+7
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the ejection of 775 US diplomats in retaliation for a new US sanctions bill
+7
President Donald Trump waves to well wishers after dining at Trump International Hotel on Saturday night. Trump has said he will sign the sanctions legislation against Russia
The United States-Russia relationship has become increasingly strained in the wake of the US presidential election.
Several US intelligence agencies believe that the Kremlin interfered in the US election to discredit Hillary Clinton and help President Donald Trump win the election.
Russia has denied meddling in the US election.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller, the former director of the FBI, is investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race.
He is said to also be looking at whether or not Trump's campaign may have colluded with Russia - an allegation that Trump and his associates have staunchly denied.
annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Mon 31 Jul 2017, 16:31
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4746464/Trump-threatens-axe-Congressional-health-care-payments.html
[size=34]Trump threatens to axe Congress members' sweetheart health care deal and threatens insurance companies with pain following Obamacare repeal disaster[/size]
By DAVID MARTOSKO, US POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and WIRES
PUBLISHED: 08:45 EDT, 31 July 2017 | UPDATED: 11:01 EDT, 31 July 2017
President Trump hinted on Monday that he's prepared to end federal government subsidy payments to medical insurers this week, hastening the implosion of the Obamacare system and forcing congressional action.
And he suggested that members of Congress and their staffs should no longer have a sweetheart deal that gives them taxpayer dollars to offset the cost of enrolling in insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
'If ObamaCare is hurting people, & it is, why shouldn't it hurt the insurance companies & why should Congress not be paying what public pays?' the president tweeted.
Trump warned over the weekend that he would end the federal subsidies for medical insurance for Congress and the rest of the country if the Senate didn't act soon.
+1
President Donald Trump threatened Monday to yank cost-sharing payments that are part of Obamacare
The payments to insurance companies are intended to offset costs for low-income people
The payments are aimed at trimming out-of-pocket costs for lower income Americans who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford Obamacare's spiraling insurance premiums.
But some Republicans say the Obamacare law never authorized Congress to appropriate money for them.
In addition, there is a monthly federal contribution for lawmakers and their staffs, who were moved onto Obamacare insurance exchanges as part of the 2010 law.
'If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon!' Trump tweeted.
The subsidies, totaling about $7 billion a year, help reduce deductibles and copayments for consumers with modest incomes. The Obama administration used its rule-making authority to set direct payments to insurers to help offset these costs. Trump inherited the payment structure, but he also has the power to end them.
The payments are the subject of a lawsuit brought by House Republicans over whether the health law specifically included a congressional appropriation for the money, as required under the Constitution. Trump has only guaranteed the payments through July, which ends Monday.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of the three Republican senators who voted against the GOP health bill on Friday, said Sunday that she's troubled by Trump's claims that the insurance payments are a 'bailout.'
Trump threatened over the weekend to end the 'bailouts' soon
Share
She said Trump's threat to cut off payments would not change her opposition to the GOP health bill and stressed the cost-sharing reduction payments were critical to make insurance more affordable for low-income people.
'The uncertainty about whether that subsidy is going to continue from month to month is clearly contributing to the destabilization of the insurance markets, and that's one thing that Congress needs to end,' said Collins, who wants lawmakers to appropriate money for the payments.
'I certainly hope the administration does not do anything in the meantime to hasten that collapse,' she added.
Trump previously said the law that he and others call 'Obamacare' would collapse immediately whenever those payments stop. He has indicated a desire to halt the subsidies but so far has allowed them to continue on a month-to-month basis.
His chief counselor Kellyanne Conway said on 'Fox News Sunday' that he was still deciding whether to act on his threat to end Obamacare's cost-sharing reduction payments.
'He's going to make that decision this week, and that's a decision that only he can make,' Conway said.
[size=34]Trump threatens to axe Congress members' sweetheart health care deal and threatens insurance companies with pain following Obamacare repeal disaster[/size]
- President says he might kill off government payments to insurers that are aimed at trimming premium costs for low-income Americans
- Payments also subsidize Obamacare costs for members of Congress and aides
- 'If ObamaCare is hurting people, & it is, why shouldn't it hurt the insurance companies & why should Congress not be paying what public pays?' Trump tweeted
By DAVID MARTOSKO, US POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and WIRES
PUBLISHED: 08:45 EDT, 31 July 2017 | UPDATED: 11:01 EDT, 31 July 2017
President Trump hinted on Monday that he's prepared to end federal government subsidy payments to medical insurers this week, hastening the implosion of the Obamacare system and forcing congressional action.
And he suggested that members of Congress and their staffs should no longer have a sweetheart deal that gives them taxpayer dollars to offset the cost of enrolling in insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
'If ObamaCare is hurting people, & it is, why shouldn't it hurt the insurance companies & why should Congress not be paying what public pays?' the president tweeted.
Trump warned over the weekend that he would end the federal subsidies for medical insurance for Congress and the rest of the country if the Senate didn't act soon.
+1
President Donald Trump threatened Monday to yank cost-sharing payments that are part of Obamacare
The payments to insurance companies are intended to offset costs for low-income people
The payments are aimed at trimming out-of-pocket costs for lower income Americans who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford Obamacare's spiraling insurance premiums.
But some Republicans say the Obamacare law never authorized Congress to appropriate money for them.
In addition, there is a monthly federal contribution for lawmakers and their staffs, who were moved onto Obamacare insurance exchanges as part of the 2010 law.
'If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon!' Trump tweeted.
The subsidies, totaling about $7 billion a year, help reduce deductibles and copayments for consumers with modest incomes. The Obama administration used its rule-making authority to set direct payments to insurers to help offset these costs. Trump inherited the payment structure, but he also has the power to end them.
The payments are the subject of a lawsuit brought by House Republicans over whether the health law specifically included a congressional appropriation for the money, as required under the Constitution. Trump has only guaranteed the payments through July, which ends Monday.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of the three Republican senators who voted against the GOP health bill on Friday, said Sunday that she's troubled by Trump's claims that the insurance payments are a 'bailout.'
Trump threatened over the weekend to end the 'bailouts' soon
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She said Trump's threat to cut off payments would not change her opposition to the GOP health bill and stressed the cost-sharing reduction payments were critical to make insurance more affordable for low-income people.
'The uncertainty about whether that subsidy is going to continue from month to month is clearly contributing to the destabilization of the insurance markets, and that's one thing that Congress needs to end,' said Collins, who wants lawmakers to appropriate money for the payments.
'I certainly hope the administration does not do anything in the meantime to hasten that collapse,' she added.
Trump previously said the law that he and others call 'Obamacare' would collapse immediately whenever those payments stop. He has indicated a desire to halt the subsidies but so far has allowed them to continue on a month-to-month basis.
His chief counselor Kellyanne Conway said on 'Fox News Sunday' that he was still deciding whether to act on his threat to end Obamacare's cost-sharing reduction payments.
'He's going to make that decision this week, and that's a decision that only he can make,' Conway said.
annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by party animal - not! Mon 31 Jul 2017, 19:46
.............looks like Scaramucci has gone.................hahaha.......
party animal - not!- George Clooney fan forever!
- Posts : 12388
Join date : 2012-02-16
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by Donnamarie Mon 31 Jul 2017, 19:52
Just saw that PAN. Yea, he lasted all of 20 seconds ....
That was Kelly's doing. Geez wish he could pull some weight and get rid of Trump that easily!
That was Kelly's doing. Geez wish he could pull some weight and get rid of Trump that easily!
Donnamarie- Possibly more Clooney than George himself
- Posts : 5881
Join date : 2014-08-26
Location : Washington, DC
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by LizzyNY Mon 31 Jul 2017, 20:19
The Times said there's a chance he might still have a position at the White House, but I doubt it. He was seen being escorted off the premises! LOL! Too bad Trump didn't go with him.
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by carolhathaway Mon 31 Jul 2017, 21:26
Wow, that was a short career!
Trump might get problems to find new staff members when he changes his mind every five minutes, stabs them in the back and fires them whenever they dare to critisize them...
Trump might get problems to find new staff members when he changes his mind every five minutes, stabs them in the back and fires them whenever they dare to critisize them...
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by LizzyNY Tue 01 Aug 2017, 11:53
Carolhthaway - There will always be people who will do anything for power and fame - even if it means going against all their principles and beliefs. Until he got the job of Communications Director, Scaramucci was a vocal critic of Trump - then all of a sudden he loved him.
There are still plenty of people who would jump at the chance to work in the White House. They're just not the people we want to have working there.
There are still plenty of people who would jump at the chance to work in the White House. They're just not the people we want to have working there.
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by carolhathaway Tue 01 Aug 2017, 13:33
Lizzy,
I remember - just very vaguely - that there's a word called 'integrity'. Maybe I'm naive, but I somehow wished that people remembered this...
At least I couldn't do a job which is completely against my principles.
I remember - just very vaguely - that there's a word called 'integrity'. Maybe I'm naive, but I somehow wished that people remembered this...
At least I couldn't do a job which is completely against my principles.
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by Donnamarie Tue 01 Aug 2017, 14:18
Yes carol, integrity is fully lacking in this presidency and this White House. I'm sorry that Gen. Kelly has taken the position of Chief of Staff. The commentary in the news is that maybe Kelly can bring some order and stability. I don't think that for a minute. And at what point does Kelly say I can't do this any longer. He may think he is helping to keep the White House from imploding but my view is let it implode. Trump's enablers are the people keeping him afloat. We need to let this administration crash and burn. Then action can be taken.
I think the National Security Advisor, McMaster has sacrificed some of his integrity by enabling Trump, and Mattis to some extent too. Examples - the transgender debacle, the fact that McMaster was not present at the Putin meeting with Trump and Tillerson and McMaster enabling Trump after his meeting in the Oval Office with the Russian officials when Trump let loose on confidential info. No real consequences from these Trump blunders.
There are a number of important mid level staff positions in the different agencies (like the State Dept.) that are vital to running the government that have gone unfilled at this point. To a large extent no one wants to work for this administration. It's chaos.
I think the National Security Advisor, McMaster has sacrificed some of his integrity by enabling Trump, and Mattis to some extent too. Examples - the transgender debacle, the fact that McMaster was not present at the Putin meeting with Trump and Tillerson and McMaster enabling Trump after his meeting in the Oval Office with the Russian officials when Trump let loose on confidential info. No real consequences from these Trump blunders.
There are a number of important mid level staff positions in the different agencies (like the State Dept.) that are vital to running the government that have gone unfilled at this point. To a large extent no one wants to work for this administration. It's chaos.
Last edited by Donnamarie on Tue 01 Aug 2017, 14:21; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : correct text)
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Tue 01 Aug 2017, 15:54
These days it's money and fame over principles. Why else would you work for someone like Trump .
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Tue 01 Aug 2017, 15:57
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/ushome/index.html
[size=34]BREAKING NEWS: President Trump pressured Fox News to release fake story about death of DNC staffer Seth Rich and Wikileaks to divert attention from Russia, claims explosive lawsuit[/size]
By CHRIS SPARGO FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 09:00 EDT, 1 August 2017 | UPDATED: 10:54 EDT, 1 August 2017
President Donald Trump is being accused of knowingly and actively trying to spread false news about the murder of DNC employee Seth Rich in a new lawsuit.
Rod Wheeler filed a complaint on Tuesday in the Southern District of New York against Fox News, Malia Zimmerman and Ed Butowsky claiming that they worked together to create a false narrative surrounding the death of Rich.
Also contributing to the creation of that fake news story was President Trump according to court documents, which claim that the Commander-in-Chief wanted the story to include multiple fake quotes which were attributed to Wheeler.
Wheeler is a former Washington DC homicide detective who investigated Rich;'s murder and frequently appeared as a guest on Fox News to discuss the case.
The filing also includes a text message from Butowsky, a Texas wealth manager and Trump supporter, to Wheeler, in which he discusses the President's eagerness to see the story published.
'Not to add any more pressure but the president just read the article. He wants the article out immediately. It's now all up to you. But don't feel the pressure,' Butowsky texted Wheeler according to the filing.
'The motivation behind the article: establish that Seth Rich provided WikiLeaks with the DNC emails to shift the blame from Russia and help put to bed speculation that President Trump colluded with Russia in an attempt to influence the outcome of the Presidential election,' states the lawsuit.
+3
Fake news: Rod Wheeler filed a complaint on Tuesday in the Southern District of New York against Fox News, Malia Zimmerman and Ed Butowsky for allegedly releasing false information about the death of Seth Rich (above)
+3
Big fan: A text from Butowsky to Wheeler (above) included in the filing shows that President Trump saw the story before it was published and wanted it out 'immediately'
+3
Shocking claims: Butowsky and Zimmerman worked together to attribute to false quotes to Wheeler (above) in the story because 'that is the way the President wanted the article'
The lawsuit, in which Wheeler requests a jury trial, also clams that just before Butowsky texted Wheeler he left the former detective a voice message.
'A couple minutes ago I got a note that we have the full, uh, attention of the White House, on this. And, tomorrow, let's close this deal, whatever we've got to do. But you can feel free to say that the White House is onto this now,' says Butowsky in that message according to the filing.
That is when Zimmerman made the decision to add in two quotes which she attributed to Wheeler despite his claim that he never made the comments according to court documents.
'My investigation up to this point shows there was some degree of email exchange between Seth Rich and Wikileaks,' reads one of those quotes.
Share
The second quote that Wheeler said was falsely attributed to him reads: 'My investigation shows someone within the DC government, Democratic National Committee or Clinton team is blocking the murder investigation from going forward. That is unfortunate. Seth Rich's murder is unsolved as a result of that.'
Wheeler said that as a result of those quotes, he has 'has suffered irreparable damage to his reputation and his career will likely never recover' and lost all credibility with the public.
'According to Butowsky, the statements were falsely attributed to Mr. Wheeler because that is the way the President wanted the article,' reads the lawsuit.
'Zimmerman, Butowsky and Fox had created fake news to advance President Trump's agenda.'
Wheeler states in the lawsuit that he was hired by Butowksy and Zimmerman, an investigative journalist with Fox News, to look into the murder back in February.
The private investigator claims that Zimmerman and Butowsky had already carved out the narrative of the story they hoped to write, which would reveal that Rich handed over the DNC emails to Wikileaks and that a member of the DNC murdered him in retaliation.
'Butowsky and Zimmerman hoped that, if Mr. Wheeler could confirm that Seth Rich leaked the DNC emails to WikiLeaks, that would debunk reports the Russians were responsible for the DNC hacks,' claims the complaint.
'In turn, Butowsky and Zimmerman hoped that, if Mr. Wheeler could shift the blame for the DNC hacks from the Russians to Seth Rich, this would undermine reports of collusion between Russia and the Trump Administration.'
Wheeler says he was first contacted by Butowsky via text on February 23, with the money man paying him a number of compliments before writing: Of all the people you have met in your line of work you have put me right next to those you view as the most confidential. I am extremely discreet. Is there a time I can give you a call this morning?'
The men then spoke for 20 minutes, with Butowsky saying that the Rich family wanted to hire an investigator into the case, and Wheeler appositely accepting that position.
Wheeler then met Zimmerman alter that months according to the lawsuit, but was cautioned by Butowsky to not let the Rich family know he was speaking to the journalist.
At the same time that he was looking into these claims he was also keeping in close contact with members of President Trump's staff, including Sean Spicer, Stephen Bannon and Director of Public Affairs at the Department of Justice, Sarah Flores.
Butwosky texted Wheeler in April and said: 'Are you in Washington DC area on Thursday afternoon? I am meeting Sean Spicer and want you with me.'
The next day Butowsky texted again, asking: 'Do you have summary done yet?[ ] Just bulletpointed. Just want to make sure we get point to Sean easily.'
Two days later the men met with Spicer and Wheeler handed over some of his notes claims the complaint.
Once the article was published, Wheeler claims that Butowsky sent him a flurry of texts informing him how best to frame the story when appearing on-air to discuss the matter.
'If you can, try to highlight this puts the Russian hacking story to rest,' reads one text.
'Just reflecting: we need to emphasize the FBI has a report that has been suppressed that shows that Seth rich did this. With Comey recently being fired this will gain a lot of attention and it's true,' said another text.
Zimmerman published the story less than 24 hours after Butowsky's text message in which he voiced President Trump's eagerness to see the story put online claims that lawsuit.
One day later however, Spicer denied having any knowledge of the story during the White House Daily Briefing when asked what President trump's reaction was to the report that Rich had been in communication with Wikileaks.
'Generally, I don’t get updates on former DNC staffers. I’m not aware of that,' said Spicer.
Fox News retracted the story on May 23, stating:'The May 16 story was not initially subjected to the high degree of editorial scrutiny we require for all our reporting. Upon appropriate review, the article was found not to meet those standards and has since been removed.'
That statement did not say anything about the quotes which were falsely attributed to Wheeler, and so he requested and was granted a meeting with Dianne Brandi, Fox News's Executive Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs, and Jay Wallace, Fox News's Executive Vice President of News and Editorial.
Wheeler told the two that Zimmerman had made up the quotes about him in the article according to the court filing, and still nothing was hanged and no addition statement was released by Fox News.
Rich, 27, was gunned down in the affluent Bloomingdale neighborhood of DC in the early hours of July 10 while he was on the phone to his girlfriend after a night out at Lou's City Bar.
Rich worked as a data analyst at the DNC and had built a voter turnout database in the months before his death.
But despite speculation from the public, fueled by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's own comments, Rich's father, Joel, insists that his son did not provide emails to WikiLeaks prior to the 2016 presidential election.
Joel believes that his son's death was robbery gone wrong, while a police report seen by DailyMail.com states the circumstances surrounding Rich's homicide are 'unknown'.
Security footage from a nearby store shows two men following Rich from a crosswalk in the moments before he was shot.
The camera only captured images of the assailants' legs and of Rich when he fell to the ground after being shot.
Following Rich's death, Assange offered a $20,000 reward leading to an arrest of the killers. Republican lobbyist Jack Burkman offered an additional $100,000 while the DC Police also offer $25,000.
Police have said there had been numerous robberies in the area in the lead up to Rich's murder and suspect he may have engaged in a fight with his attackers.
[size=34]BREAKING NEWS: President Trump pressured Fox News to release fake story about death of DNC staffer Seth Rich and Wikileaks to divert attention from Russia, claims explosive lawsuit[/size]
- Rod Wheeler filed a complaint on Tuesday in the Southern District of New York against Fox News, Malia Zimmerman and Ed Butowsky
- He claims that the cable news network and Zimmerman worked with Butowsky and President Trump to release false information about the death of Seth Rich
- 'The motivation behind the article: establish that Seth Rich provided WikiLeaks with the DNC emails to shift the blame from Russia,' claims the lawsuit
- A text from Butowsky to Wheeler included in the filing shows that President Trump saw the story before it was published and wanted it out 'immediately'
- Butowsky and Zimmerman worked together to attribute to false quotes to Wheeler in the story because 'that is the way the President wanted the article'
- Those quotes claims that the DNC or Hillary Clinton was blocking the investigation into Rich's murder and that he did have contact with Wikileaks
By CHRIS SPARGO FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 09:00 EDT, 1 August 2017 | UPDATED: 10:54 EDT, 1 August 2017
President Donald Trump is being accused of knowingly and actively trying to spread false news about the murder of DNC employee Seth Rich in a new lawsuit.
Rod Wheeler filed a complaint on Tuesday in the Southern District of New York against Fox News, Malia Zimmerman and Ed Butowsky claiming that they worked together to create a false narrative surrounding the death of Rich.
Also contributing to the creation of that fake news story was President Trump according to court documents, which claim that the Commander-in-Chief wanted the story to include multiple fake quotes which were attributed to Wheeler.
Wheeler is a former Washington DC homicide detective who investigated Rich;'s murder and frequently appeared as a guest on Fox News to discuss the case.
The filing also includes a text message from Butowsky, a Texas wealth manager and Trump supporter, to Wheeler, in which he discusses the President's eagerness to see the story published.
'Not to add any more pressure but the president just read the article. He wants the article out immediately. It's now all up to you. But don't feel the pressure,' Butowsky texted Wheeler according to the filing.
'The motivation behind the article: establish that Seth Rich provided WikiLeaks with the DNC emails to shift the blame from Russia and help put to bed speculation that President Trump colluded with Russia in an attempt to influence the outcome of the Presidential election,' states the lawsuit.
+3
Fake news: Rod Wheeler filed a complaint on Tuesday in the Southern District of New York against Fox News, Malia Zimmerman and Ed Butowsky for allegedly releasing false information about the death of Seth Rich (above)
+3
Big fan: A text from Butowsky to Wheeler (above) included in the filing shows that President Trump saw the story before it was published and wanted it out 'immediately'
+3
Shocking claims: Butowsky and Zimmerman worked together to attribute to false quotes to Wheeler (above) in the story because 'that is the way the President wanted the article'
The lawsuit, in which Wheeler requests a jury trial, also clams that just before Butowsky texted Wheeler he left the former detective a voice message.
'A couple minutes ago I got a note that we have the full, uh, attention of the White House, on this. And, tomorrow, let's close this deal, whatever we've got to do. But you can feel free to say that the White House is onto this now,' says Butowsky in that message according to the filing.
That is when Zimmerman made the decision to add in two quotes which she attributed to Wheeler despite his claim that he never made the comments according to court documents.
'My investigation up to this point shows there was some degree of email exchange between Seth Rich and Wikileaks,' reads one of those quotes.
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The second quote that Wheeler said was falsely attributed to him reads: 'My investigation shows someone within the DC government, Democratic National Committee or Clinton team is blocking the murder investigation from going forward. That is unfortunate. Seth Rich's murder is unsolved as a result of that.'
Wheeler said that as a result of those quotes, he has 'has suffered irreparable damage to his reputation and his career will likely never recover' and lost all credibility with the public.
'According to Butowsky, the statements were falsely attributed to Mr. Wheeler because that is the way the President wanted the article,' reads the lawsuit.
'Zimmerman, Butowsky and Fox had created fake news to advance President Trump's agenda.'
Wheeler states in the lawsuit that he was hired by Butowksy and Zimmerman, an investigative journalist with Fox News, to look into the murder back in February.
The private investigator claims that Zimmerman and Butowsky had already carved out the narrative of the story they hoped to write, which would reveal that Rich handed over the DNC emails to Wikileaks and that a member of the DNC murdered him in retaliation.
'Butowsky and Zimmerman hoped that, if Mr. Wheeler could confirm that Seth Rich leaked the DNC emails to WikiLeaks, that would debunk reports the Russians were responsible for the DNC hacks,' claims the complaint.
'In turn, Butowsky and Zimmerman hoped that, if Mr. Wheeler could shift the blame for the DNC hacks from the Russians to Seth Rich, this would undermine reports of collusion between Russia and the Trump Administration.'
Wheeler says he was first contacted by Butowsky via text on February 23, with the money man paying him a number of compliments before writing: Of all the people you have met in your line of work you have put me right next to those you view as the most confidential. I am extremely discreet. Is there a time I can give you a call this morning?'
The men then spoke for 20 minutes, with Butowsky saying that the Rich family wanted to hire an investigator into the case, and Wheeler appositely accepting that position.
Wheeler then met Zimmerman alter that months according to the lawsuit, but was cautioned by Butowsky to not let the Rich family know he was speaking to the journalist.
At the same time that he was looking into these claims he was also keeping in close contact with members of President Trump's staff, including Sean Spicer, Stephen Bannon and Director of Public Affairs at the Department of Justice, Sarah Flores.
Butwosky texted Wheeler in April and said: 'Are you in Washington DC area on Thursday afternoon? I am meeting Sean Spicer and want you with me.'
The next day Butowsky texted again, asking: 'Do you have summary done yet?[ ] Just bulletpointed. Just want to make sure we get point to Sean easily.'
Two days later the men met with Spicer and Wheeler handed over some of his notes claims the complaint.
Once the article was published, Wheeler claims that Butowsky sent him a flurry of texts informing him how best to frame the story when appearing on-air to discuss the matter.
'If you can, try to highlight this puts the Russian hacking story to rest,' reads one text.
'Just reflecting: we need to emphasize the FBI has a report that has been suppressed that shows that Seth rich did this. With Comey recently being fired this will gain a lot of attention and it's true,' said another text.
Zimmerman published the story less than 24 hours after Butowsky's text message in which he voiced President Trump's eagerness to see the story put online claims that lawsuit.
One day later however, Spicer denied having any knowledge of the story during the White House Daily Briefing when asked what President trump's reaction was to the report that Rich had been in communication with Wikileaks.
'Generally, I don’t get updates on former DNC staffers. I’m not aware of that,' said Spicer.
Fox News retracted the story on May 23, stating:'The May 16 story was not initially subjected to the high degree of editorial scrutiny we require for all our reporting. Upon appropriate review, the article was found not to meet those standards and has since been removed.'
That statement did not say anything about the quotes which were falsely attributed to Wheeler, and so he requested and was granted a meeting with Dianne Brandi, Fox News's Executive Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs, and Jay Wallace, Fox News's Executive Vice President of News and Editorial.
Wheeler told the two that Zimmerman had made up the quotes about him in the article according to the court filing, and still nothing was hanged and no addition statement was released by Fox News.
Rich, 27, was gunned down in the affluent Bloomingdale neighborhood of DC in the early hours of July 10 while he was on the phone to his girlfriend after a night out at Lou's City Bar.
Rich worked as a data analyst at the DNC and had built a voter turnout database in the months before his death.
But despite speculation from the public, fueled by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's own comments, Rich's father, Joel, insists that his son did not provide emails to WikiLeaks prior to the 2016 presidential election.
Joel believes that his son's death was robbery gone wrong, while a police report seen by DailyMail.com states the circumstances surrounding Rich's homicide are 'unknown'.
Security footage from a nearby store shows two men following Rich from a crosswalk in the moments before he was shot.
The camera only captured images of the assailants' legs and of Rich when he fell to the ground after being shot.
Following Rich's death, Assange offered a $20,000 reward leading to an arrest of the killers. Republican lobbyist Jack Burkman offered an additional $100,000 while the DC Police also offer $25,000.
Police have said there had been numerous robberies in the area in the lead up to Rich's murder and suspect he may have engaged in a fight with his attackers.
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by LizzyNY Tue 01 Aug 2017, 18:17
So Fox News manipulated the truth?! Big surprise - NOT! To any lawyers out there: Is there any way Fox's knowingly attributing false quotes to Wheeler could be construed as impeding a police investigation? After all, what they published could have led the police down the wrong road. Or maybe Trump and these clowns could be charged with interfering in a police investigation by creating false evidence? or a Federal investigation ?( since we don't know what effect, if any this story had on the Congressional investigation.)
Sadly, there are too many people in this country as ethically challenged as Trump who will see this as business as usual and think it's no big deal.
Sadly, there are too many people in this country as ethically challenged as Trump who will see this as business as usual and think it's no big deal.
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by Donnamarie Tue 01 Aug 2017, 21:16
Lizzy I don't know what the legal ramifications are in this case. At the very least it's despicable if this story is true.
The Seth Rich murder last July was a big story here in Washington when it happened. The case has not been solved although the D.C. police say the evidence points to a botched robbery.
What adds salt to the wound is the effect on this young man's family. After having to deal with the death of their son they have had to contend with this bizarre story. They contacted Fox News and insisted that they retract this conspiracy theory of Rich somehow involved in emails being supplied to Wikileaks. In fact for months now conspiracy theories have run rampant on right wing media about this case.
Im inclined to believe that Wheeler is telling the truth and that Trump was on board to drive this story in the headlines. It's horrible if it's true but it certainly fits Trump's desperate behavior when it comes to the Russian investigation.
The Seth Rich murder last July was a big story here in Washington when it happened. The case has not been solved although the D.C. police say the evidence points to a botched robbery.
What adds salt to the wound is the effect on this young man's family. After having to deal with the death of their son they have had to contend with this bizarre story. They contacted Fox News and insisted that they retract this conspiracy theory of Rich somehow involved in emails being supplied to Wikileaks. In fact for months now conspiracy theories have run rampant on right wing media about this case.
Im inclined to believe that Wheeler is telling the truth and that Trump was on board to drive this story in the headlines. It's horrible if it's true but it certainly fits Trump's desperate behavior when it comes to the Russian investigation.
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by party animal - not! Tue 01 Aug 2017, 21:25
Completely agree Donnamarie.
Gosh, so much is murky, or gives the impression of that.........
https://twitter.com/thehill/status/889542223204896769
Gosh, so much is murky, or gives the impression of that.........
https://twitter.com/thehill/status/889542223204896769
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by LizzyNY Tue 01 Aug 2017, 23:06
I was reading some of the comments on The Hill's Instagram post. It's really disheartening how gleeful some people are at the misery of these people who have been betrayed by a man they pledged to serve. They signed on to serve their country and were treated horribly. It must be hugely embarrassing and disappointing.
I'm not even close to being a Republican, even less a conservative, but I am still a human being. I take no joy in the humiliation and pain of anyone - even if they brought it on themselves. If this country is ever going to get back on track we have to get back to treating each other with civility and respect. Even Trump is smart enough to understand the Golden Rule,
I'm not even close to being a Republican, even less a conservative, but I am still a human being. I take no joy in the humiliation and pain of anyone - even if they brought it on themselves. If this country is ever going to get back on track we have to get back to treating each other with civility and respect. Even Trump is smart enough to understand the Golden Rule,
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by Katiedot Wed 02 Aug 2017, 04:27
My theory is that many of the people flocking to him believe him to be a fool who's easily led. They think they can lead him by the nose and achieve their aims. Some of these people may be louses, but I'd bet there's a fair few who do want to do the right thing and think under Trump they can.annemarie wrote:These days it's money and fame over principles. Why else would you work for someone like Trump .
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by LizzyNY Wed 02 Aug 2017, 12:28
Katie - That might have been true a year ago, or six months ago but it isn't true now. Everyone - from politicians (of both parties) to ordinary citizens - are increasingly voicing concern over Trump's actions and mental state. He bad-mouths any of his staffers who displease him and fires anyone who doesn't put his interests first. Anyone who thinks they can influence Trump is either as stupid as mud or delusional. There is no reaching or controlling him because he is incapable of rational thought.
People are saying that Gen. Kelly, newly hired Chief of Staff, will get Trump under control. He won't. He may get the staff to calm down, but Trump will do whatever he feels like doing. If Kelly tries to stop hm, Kelly will be gone just like every other rational adult Trump brought into his administration.
I will give Trump credit for one thing: He said he would cut government spending, and he did. Since so many government positions are going unfilled (no one wants to work for him) we're saving all the money that would have been spent on the salaries of the people who actually keep the government running.
People are saying that Gen. Kelly, newly hired Chief of Staff, will get Trump under control. He won't. He may get the staff to calm down, but Trump will do whatever he feels like doing. If Kelly tries to stop hm, Kelly will be gone just like every other rational adult Trump brought into his administration.
I will give Trump credit for one thing: He said he would cut government spending, and he did. Since so many government positions are going unfilled (no one wants to work for him) we're saving all the money that would have been spent on the salaries of the people who actually keep the government running.
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by carolhathaway Wed 02 Aug 2017, 14:13
That's exactly my thought, Lizzy!
Maybe somebody who started his job in the White House with Trump on Jan 20th, might have thought so. Now - no way! IMO Trumo is resistent to all suggestions, immune to any advice and kicks every diplomat in the a..
Maybe somebody who started his job in the White House with Trump on Jan 20th, might have thought so. Now - no way! IMO Trumo is resistent to all suggestions, immune to any advice and kicks every diplomat in the a..
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by Donnamarie Wed 02 Aug 2017, 14:29
Trump doesn't bow to anyone. Yep, the Republicans "thought" that they could manipulate Trump once he was in office. They put all their efforts into getting him elected with this mentality. They thought it would be easy getting their agenda passed in Congress since they hold the majority. Nope. This is where life comes back to bite you in the a** Republicans.
Above all else Trump expects loyalty to him and he expects them to support him .... Not the other way around.
Above all else Trump expects loyalty to him and he expects them to support him .... Not the other way around.
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by party animal - not! Wed 02 Aug 2017, 14:32
Here's a fun piece about Jared Kushner - from today's Celebitchy! And it's all about leaks - or not.
http://www.celebitchy.com/544792/jared_kushner_doesnt_need_books_or_a_history_lesson_on_the_middle_east/
http://www.celebitchy.com/544792/jared_kushner_doesnt_need_books_or_a_history_lesson_on_the_middle_east/
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by Donnamarie Wed 02 Aug 2017, 17:58
party animal - not! wrote:Here's a fun piece about Jared Kushner - from today's Celebitchy! And it's all about leaks - or not.
http://www.celebitchy.com/544792/jared_kushner_doesnt_need_books_or_a_history_lesson_on_the_middle_east/
Thank you for that PAN. I had to laugh. Better than crying I guess. This guy sounds about
as articulate and knowledgeable as his father-in-law.
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by party animal - not! Wed 02 Aug 2017, 18:01
.................and a couple of minutes ago, Trump decided to go for privileged immigrants only. But the final paragraph is the most interesting one. Why am I not surprised? Timing apparently is everything..........
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-immigration-policy-english-speakers-financial-stable-raise-act-tom-cotton-david-perdue-a7873711.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-immigration-policy-english-speakers-financial-stable-raise-act-tom-cotton-david-perdue-a7873711.html
party animal - not!- George Clooney fan forever!
- Posts : 12388
Join date : 2012-02-16
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by carolhathaway Wed 02 Aug 2017, 19:00
PAN,
I'm pretty sure I would accept any other employer rather than working for one of his companies...
I'm pretty sure I would accept any other employer rather than working for one of his companies...
carolhathaway- Achieving total Clooney-dom
- Posts : 2919
Join date : 2015-03-24
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Wed 02 Aug 2017, 20:00
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4754014/President-Donald-Trump-signs-Russia-sanctions-bill.html
[size=34]Furious Trump signs Russian sanctions into law - then issues tirade against 'unconstitutional' bill and boasts his billions show why Congress shouldn't stop him making deals with Putin[/size]
By GEOFF EARLE, DEPUTY U.S. POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 11:02 EDT, 2 August 2017 | UPDATED: 13:55 EDT, 2 August 2017
President Donald Trump signed legislation Wednesday that slaps sanctions on Russia and limits his own ability to create waivers - but at the same time issued a furious statement calling it 'flawed'.
He signed the bill, which Secretary of State Rex Tillerson publicly said he wasn't happy about, in private.
Then the White House sent out statement by the president revealing the depths of his unhappiness and boasting that his billions showed he was far better at deal-making than Congress.
Trump said despite some changes, 'the bill remains seriously flawed – particularly because it encroaches on the executive branch's authority to negotiate.'
He called parts of it 'unconstitutional' and signaled fresh tensions with Republicans by criticizing their failure to repeal and replace Obamacare.
+5
President Donald Trump has signed legislation that slaps sanctions on Russia and limits his own ability to create waivers
'Congress could not even negotiate a healthcare bill after seven years of talking. By limiting the Executive's flexibility, this bill makes it harder for the United States to strike good deals for the American people, and will drive China, Russia, and North Korea much closer together.
'The Framers of our Constitution put foreign affairs in the hands of the President. This bill will prove the wisdom of that choice,' Trump said in a statement.
'Yet despite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity. It represents the will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States. We hope there will be cooperation between our two countries on major global issues so that these sanctions will no longer be necessary.'
In a message to Congress in response to the bill, Trump singled out provisions his lawyers considers in conflict with Supreme Court case law – and asserts his own latitude to carry out the law as he sees fit.
+5
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Trump wasn't happy with the bill
'My Administration will give careful and respectful consideration to the preferences expressed by the Congress in these various provisions,' the president said in one point – in language certain to irk lawmakers who consider the law much more than a preference.
'My administration ... expects the Congress to refrain from using this flawed bill to hinder our important work with European allies to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, and from using it to hinder our efforts to address any unintended consequences it may have for American businesses, our friends, or our allies,' he said.
The president also complained about what he said were 'clearly unconstitutional provisions' in the legislation relating to presidential powers to shape foreign policy.
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway confirmed the signing on Fox News.
The bill passed Congress by overwhelming margins sufficient to override a presidential veto. The White House lobbied to water down restrictions in the bill.
The bill contains language meant to prevent the president from lifting them without approval from Congress – provisions that got drafted amid concerns Trump would lift or limit sanctions amid his frequent praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin and desire to improve ties between the two powers.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters he shared misgivings with the president, as they try to improve relations with Russia.
'Neither the president nor I are very happy about that,' Tillerson said. 'We were clear that we didn't think that was going to be helpful to our efforts, but that's the decision they made.'
The FBI and congressional intelligence panels are probing Trump campaign connections to Russians during the election.
Share
[size=35]134 shares[/size]
+5
SIGN OF THE TIMES: Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a news conference after the G20 summit in Hamburg, northern Germany, July 8, 2017
+5
Then-candidate Donald Trump holds up a signed pledge during a press availability at Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York September 3, 2015
+5
Justice Department lawyers and security officials were reviewing Russia sanctions legislation Tuesday
Trump during the campaign repeatedly called for better relations with Russia. The U.S. intelligence community concluded that the Russian government backed a campaign to interfere in the presidential election.
Despite communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin capped off by two one-on-one meetings in Europe, Trump has struggled to meet his goal.
Putin said last weekend that Russia would expel more than 700 U.S. diplomats from Russia in retaliation for the sanctions legislation.
Video playing bottom right...
[size=3]Loaded: 0%[/size]
Today, I signed into law the 'Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act,' which enacts new sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia. I favor tough measures to punish and deter bad behavior by the rogue regimes in Tehran and Pyongyang. I also support making clear that America will not tolerate interference in our democratic process, and that we will side with our allies and friends against Russian subversion and destabilization.
That is why, since taking office, I have enacted tough new sanctions on Iran and North Korea, and shored up existing sanctions on Russia.
Since this bill was first introduced, I have expressed my concerns to Congress about the many ways it improperly encroaches on Executive power, disadvantages American companies, and hurts the interests of our European allies.
My Administration has attempted to work with Congress to make this bill better. We have made progress and improved the language to give the Treasury Department greater flexibility in granting routine licenses to American businesses, people, and companies. The improved language also reflects feedback from our European allies – who have been steadfast partners on Russia sanctions – regarding the energy sanctions provided for in the legislation. The new language also ensures our agencies can delay sanctions on the intelligence and defense sectors, because those sanctions could negatively affect American companies and those of our allies.
Still, the bill remains seriously flawed – particularly because it encroaches on the executive branch's authority to negotiate. Congress could not even negotiate a healthcare bill after seven years of talking. By limiting the Executive's flexibility, this bill makes it harder for the United States to strike good deals for the American people, and will drive China, Russia, and North Korea much closer together. The Framers of our Constitution put foreign affairs in the hands of the President. This bill will prove the wisdom of that choice.
Yet despite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity. It represents the will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States. We hope there will be cooperation between our two countries on major global issues so that these sanctions will no longer be necessary.
Further, the bill sends a clear message to Iran and North Korea that the American people will not tolerate their dangerous and destabilizing behavior. America will continue to work closely with our friends and allies to check those countries' malignant activities.
I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected. As President, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress.
In his statement about the bill, Trump highlighted a series of concerns about the legislation. Had he vetoed it, Congress could have easily overridden him.
'Since this bill was first introduced, I have expressed my concerns to Congress about the many ways it improperly encroaches on Executive power, disadvantages American companies, and hurts the interests of our European allies,' Trump complained.
'My Administration has attempted to work with Congress to make this bill better. We have made progress and improved the language to give the Treasury Department greater flexibility in granting routine licenses to American businesses, people, and companies. The improved language also reflects feedback from our European allies – who have been steadfast partners on Russia sanctions – regarding the energy sanctions provided for in the legislation. The new language also ensures our agencies can delay sanctions on the intelligence and defense sectors, because those sanctions could negatively affect American companies and those of our allies.'
Russia hawk Sen. John McCain of Arizona responded in a statement: 'I welcome President Trump’s decision to sign legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The enactment of this legislation, which enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses of Congress, sends a strong message to friend and foe alike that the United States will hold nations accountable for aggressive and destabilizing behavior that threatens our national interests and those of our allies and partners.'
McCain also called out Trump's signing statement. 'The concerns expressed in the President’s signing statement are hardly surprising, though misplaced. The Framers of our Constitution made the Congress and the President coequal branches of government. This bill has already proven the wisdom of that choice,' he wrote.
“While the American people surely hope for better relations with Russia, what this legislation truly represents is their insistence that Vladimir Putin and his regime must pay a real price for attacking our democracy, violating human rights, occupying Crimea, and destabilizing Ukraine.'
[size=34]Furious Trump signs Russian sanctions into law - then issues tirade against 'unconstitutional' bill and boasts his billions show why Congress shouldn't stop him making deals with Putin[/size]
- President Donald Trump signed legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia, North Korea, and Iran
- The White House did not organize a ceremony of any kind for it
- Trump said in a statement he signed the bill for the sake of 'national unity'
- The White House lobbied to water down restrictions in the bill
- It passed Congress overwhelmingly with veto-proof majorities
- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he and the president were not 'very happy' about the sanctions bill
By GEOFF EARLE, DEPUTY U.S. POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 11:02 EDT, 2 August 2017 | UPDATED: 13:55 EDT, 2 August 2017
President Donald Trump signed legislation Wednesday that slaps sanctions on Russia and limits his own ability to create waivers - but at the same time issued a furious statement calling it 'flawed'.
He signed the bill, which Secretary of State Rex Tillerson publicly said he wasn't happy about, in private.
Then the White House sent out statement by the president revealing the depths of his unhappiness and boasting that his billions showed he was far better at deal-making than Congress.
Trump said despite some changes, 'the bill remains seriously flawed – particularly because it encroaches on the executive branch's authority to negotiate.'
He called parts of it 'unconstitutional' and signaled fresh tensions with Republicans by criticizing their failure to repeal and replace Obamacare.
+5
President Donald Trump has signed legislation that slaps sanctions on Russia and limits his own ability to create waivers
'Congress could not even negotiate a healthcare bill after seven years of talking. By limiting the Executive's flexibility, this bill makes it harder for the United States to strike good deals for the American people, and will drive China, Russia, and North Korea much closer together.
'The Framers of our Constitution put foreign affairs in the hands of the President. This bill will prove the wisdom of that choice,' Trump said in a statement.
'Yet despite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity. It represents the will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States. We hope there will be cooperation between our two countries on major global issues so that these sanctions will no longer be necessary.'
In a message to Congress in response to the bill, Trump singled out provisions his lawyers considers in conflict with Supreme Court case law – and asserts his own latitude to carry out the law as he sees fit.
+5
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Trump wasn't happy with the bill
'My Administration will give careful and respectful consideration to the preferences expressed by the Congress in these various provisions,' the president said in one point – in language certain to irk lawmakers who consider the law much more than a preference.
'My administration ... expects the Congress to refrain from using this flawed bill to hinder our important work with European allies to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, and from using it to hinder our efforts to address any unintended consequences it may have for American businesses, our friends, or our allies,' he said.
The president also complained about what he said were 'clearly unconstitutional provisions' in the legislation relating to presidential powers to shape foreign policy.
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway confirmed the signing on Fox News.
The bill passed Congress by overwhelming margins sufficient to override a presidential veto. The White House lobbied to water down restrictions in the bill.
The bill contains language meant to prevent the president from lifting them without approval from Congress – provisions that got drafted amid concerns Trump would lift or limit sanctions amid his frequent praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin and desire to improve ties between the two powers.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters he shared misgivings with the president, as they try to improve relations with Russia.
'Neither the president nor I are very happy about that,' Tillerson said. 'We were clear that we didn't think that was going to be helpful to our efforts, but that's the decision they made.'
The FBI and congressional intelligence panels are probing Trump campaign connections to Russians during the election.
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SIGN OF THE TIMES: Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a news conference after the G20 summit in Hamburg, northern Germany, July 8, 2017
+5
Then-candidate Donald Trump holds up a signed pledge during a press availability at Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York September 3, 2015
+5
Justice Department lawyers and security officials were reviewing Russia sanctions legislation Tuesday
Trump during the campaign repeatedly called for better relations with Russia. The U.S. intelligence community concluded that the Russian government backed a campaign to interfere in the presidential election.
Despite communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin capped off by two one-on-one meetings in Europe, Trump has struggled to meet his goal.
Putin said last weekend that Russia would expel more than 700 U.S. diplomats from Russia in retaliation for the sanctions legislation.
Video playing bottom right...
[size=3]Loaded: 0%[/size]
[size=34]I'M WORTH BILLIONS - I CAN MAKE BETTER DEALS THAN CONGRESS[/size]
Today, I signed into law the 'Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act,' which enacts new sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia. I favor tough measures to punish and deter bad behavior by the rogue regimes in Tehran and Pyongyang. I also support making clear that America will not tolerate interference in our democratic process, and that we will side with our allies and friends against Russian subversion and destabilization.
That is why, since taking office, I have enacted tough new sanctions on Iran and North Korea, and shored up existing sanctions on Russia.
Since this bill was first introduced, I have expressed my concerns to Congress about the many ways it improperly encroaches on Executive power, disadvantages American companies, and hurts the interests of our European allies.
My Administration has attempted to work with Congress to make this bill better. We have made progress and improved the language to give the Treasury Department greater flexibility in granting routine licenses to American businesses, people, and companies. The improved language also reflects feedback from our European allies – who have been steadfast partners on Russia sanctions – regarding the energy sanctions provided for in the legislation. The new language also ensures our agencies can delay sanctions on the intelligence and defense sectors, because those sanctions could negatively affect American companies and those of our allies.
Still, the bill remains seriously flawed – particularly because it encroaches on the executive branch's authority to negotiate. Congress could not even negotiate a healthcare bill after seven years of talking. By limiting the Executive's flexibility, this bill makes it harder for the United States to strike good deals for the American people, and will drive China, Russia, and North Korea much closer together. The Framers of our Constitution put foreign affairs in the hands of the President. This bill will prove the wisdom of that choice.
Yet despite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity. It represents the will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States. We hope there will be cooperation between our two countries on major global issues so that these sanctions will no longer be necessary.
Further, the bill sends a clear message to Iran and North Korea that the American people will not tolerate their dangerous and destabilizing behavior. America will continue to work closely with our friends and allies to check those countries' malignant activities.
I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected. As President, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress.
In his statement about the bill, Trump highlighted a series of concerns about the legislation. Had he vetoed it, Congress could have easily overridden him.
'Since this bill was first introduced, I have expressed my concerns to Congress about the many ways it improperly encroaches on Executive power, disadvantages American companies, and hurts the interests of our European allies,' Trump complained.
'My Administration has attempted to work with Congress to make this bill better. We have made progress and improved the language to give the Treasury Department greater flexibility in granting routine licenses to American businesses, people, and companies. The improved language also reflects feedback from our European allies – who have been steadfast partners on Russia sanctions – regarding the energy sanctions provided for in the legislation. The new language also ensures our agencies can delay sanctions on the intelligence and defense sectors, because those sanctions could negatively affect American companies and those of our allies.'
Russia hawk Sen. John McCain of Arizona responded in a statement: 'I welcome President Trump’s decision to sign legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The enactment of this legislation, which enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses of Congress, sends a strong message to friend and foe alike that the United States will hold nations accountable for aggressive and destabilizing behavior that threatens our national interests and those of our allies and partners.'
McCain also called out Trump's signing statement. 'The concerns expressed in the President’s signing statement are hardly surprising, though misplaced. The Framers of our Constitution made the Congress and the President coequal branches of government. This bill has already proven the wisdom of that choice,' he wrote.
“While the American people surely hope for better relations with Russia, what this legislation truly represents is their insistence that Vladimir Putin and his regime must pay a real price for attacking our democracy, violating human rights, occupying Crimea, and destabilizing Ukraine.'
annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Thu 03 Aug 2017, 02:08
http://people.com/politics/trump-calls-boy-scouts-mexico-lie-white-house/
[url=https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-calls-boy-scouts-mexico-lie-white-house%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fpeopledotcom.files.wordpress.com%2F2017%2F07%2Ftrump-health-bill.jpg%3Fw%3D1024&description=White House: President Trump Didn%E2%80%99t Get Calls from Boy Scouts or Mexico, But It Wasn%E2%80%99t a Lie When He Claimed He%C2%A0Did][/url]
UNITED STATES PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP MAKES A STATEMENT ON HEALTH CARE AT THE WHITE HOUSE IN WASHINGTON, DC, JULY 24, 2017. CREDIT: CHRIS KLEPONIS / CNP - NO WIRE SERVICE ' PHOTO BY: CHRIS KLEPONIS/PICTURE-ALLIANCE/DPA/AP IMAGES
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday was forced to admit that the complimentary phone calls President Trump boasted about receiving from the head of the Boy Scouts and from Mexico’s president never actually happened.
Both the Boy Scouts of America and Mexico had previously denied making such calls. Sanders stopped short, however, of saying the president had fabricated the conversations, claiming instead that they took place in person at last month’s G-20 summit in Germany and with individual Boy Scout leaders.
“They were actually direct — they were direct conversations, not actual phone calls,” Sanders said at the White House press briefing.
Asked if the president lied about the calls, Sanders replied: “I wouldn’t say he lied. That’s a pretty bold accusation.”
In a transcript of a Wall Street Journal interview published by Politico Tuesday, Trump clearly stated that he “got a call from the head of the Boy Scouts” saying the president’s politically charged — and widely panned — address at last month’s Boy Scouts’ Jamboree was “the greatest speech that was ever made to them.”
The claim came in response to the reporter’s suggestion that the reaction to the speech was “mixed.”
“They loved it. It wasn’t — it was no mix,” the president insisted. “That was a standing ovation from the time I walked out to the time I left, and for five minutes after I had already gone. There was no mix.”
Sanders said Wednesday that the president was referring to “multiple members of the Boy Scout leadership” who “congratulated him, praised him, and offered quite powerful compliments” immediately following his speech in West Virginia. (Michael Surbaugh, the Chief Scout Executive for the Boy Scouts of America, later issued an apology for the political nature of the speech.)
RELATED VIDEO: Exclusive: Natasha Stoynoff Speaks Out: ‘I Don’t Want Women to Feel Afraid’
[size=14]Exclusive: Natasha Stoynoff Speaks Out: ‘I Don’t Want Women to Feel Afraid’
Stoynoff Speaks to Jess Cagle in an Exclusive Video Interview on People/Entertainment Weekly Network
[/size]
Trump also told the Journal that Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto called him about the United States’ border policies, a claim the Mexican Foreign Ministry promptly rejected.
The ministry’s statement did acknowledge that Peña Nieto told Trump at the G-20 summit that “repatriations of Mexican nationals from the United States had fallen 31 per cent between January and June 2017 in comparison to the same timeframe in 2016,” according to CBS.
[size=37]White House: President Trump Didn’t Get Calls from Boy Scouts or Mexico, But It Wasn’t a Lie When He Claimed He Did[/size]
BY TIERNEY MCAFEE•@TIERNEYMCAFEE
POSTED ON AUGUST 2, 2017 AT 6:10PM EDT
- SHARE
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[url=https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-calls-boy-scouts-mexico-lie-white-house%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fpeopledotcom.files.wordpress.com%2F2017%2F07%2Ftrump-health-bill.jpg%3Fw%3D1024&description=White House: President Trump Didn%E2%80%99t Get Calls from Boy Scouts or Mexico, But It Wasn%E2%80%99t a Lie When He Claimed He%C2%A0Did][/url]UNITED STATES PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP MAKES A STATEMENT ON HEALTH CARE AT THE WHITE HOUSE IN WASHINGTON, DC, JULY 24, 2017. CREDIT: CHRIS KLEPONIS / CNP - NO WIRE SERVICE ' PHOTO BY: CHRIS KLEPONIS/PICTURE-ALLIANCE/DPA/AP IMAGES
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday was forced to admit that the complimentary phone calls President Trump boasted about receiving from the head of the Boy Scouts and from Mexico’s president never actually happened.
Both the Boy Scouts of America and Mexico had previously denied making such calls. Sanders stopped short, however, of saying the president had fabricated the conversations, claiming instead that they took place in person at last month’s G-20 summit in Germany and with individual Boy Scout leaders.
“They were actually direct — they were direct conversations, not actual phone calls,” Sanders said at the White House press briefing.
Asked if the president lied about the calls, Sanders replied: “I wouldn’t say he lied. That’s a pretty bold accusation.”
In a transcript of a Wall Street Journal interview published by Politico Tuesday, Trump clearly stated that he “got a call from the head of the Boy Scouts” saying the president’s politically charged — and widely panned — address at last month’s Boy Scouts’ Jamboree was “the greatest speech that was ever made to them.”
The claim came in response to the reporter’s suggestion that the reaction to the speech was “mixed.”
“They loved it. It wasn’t — it was no mix,” the president insisted. “That was a standing ovation from the time I walked out to the time I left, and for five minutes after I had already gone. There was no mix.”
Sanders said Wednesday that the president was referring to “multiple members of the Boy Scout leadership” who “congratulated him, praised him, and offered quite powerful compliments” immediately following his speech in West Virginia. (Michael Surbaugh, the Chief Scout Executive for the Boy Scouts of America, later issued an apology for the political nature of the speech.)
RELATED VIDEO: Exclusive: Natasha Stoynoff Speaks Out: ‘I Don’t Want Women to Feel Afraid’
[size=14]Exclusive: Natasha Stoynoff Speaks Out: ‘I Don’t Want Women to Feel Afraid’
Stoynoff Speaks to Jess Cagle in an Exclusive Video Interview on People/Entertainment Weekly Network
[/size]
[size=49][size=49]Play Video[/size][/size]
Trump also told the Journal that Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto called him about the United States’ border policies, a claim the Mexican Foreign Ministry promptly rejected.
The ministry’s statement did acknowledge that Peña Nieto told Trump at the G-20 summit that “repatriations of Mexican nationals from the United States had fallen 31 per cent between January and June 2017 in comparison to the same timeframe in 2016,” according to CBS.
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annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by carolhathaway Thu 03 Aug 2017, 06:45
One year ago, evedybody would have been shocked if the actual POTUS had told such lies. Now I'm kinda 'Well, anything new?' I get used to it, so it doesn't surprise me anymore.
Trump told his son which statement to give concerning the meeting with the Russian lawyer ahead of the election? Well, every father would do this for his son. But this son is supposed to run his billion $ businesses for him while he's 'playing president'? So he should be able to write his own statements - or a lawyer should help him .
And - the most important thing - he never lied! He changes his opinions every five minutes, disrages leaders of other countries by that which might lead to wars, but he doesn't lie!
Trump told his son which statement to give concerning the meeting with the Russian lawyer ahead of the election? Well, every father would do this for his son. But this son is supposed to run his billion $ businesses for him while he's 'playing president'? So he should be able to write his own statements - or a lawyer should help him .
And - the most important thing - he never lied! He changes his opinions every five minutes, disrages leaders of other countries by that which might lead to wars, but he doesn't lie!
carolhathaway- Achieving total Clooney-dom
- Posts : 2919
Join date : 2015-03-24
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by party animal - not! Thu 03 Aug 2017, 09:49
Could be worse than that, Carol, because if he wrote his son's statement, or as altered by his surrogates 'weighed in' on it, he could be charged with obstruction of justice with regards to the Russian investigation.......
It's all piling up quite nicely............
party animal - not!- George Clooney fan forever!
- Posts : 12388
Join date : 2012-02-16
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Thu 03 Aug 2017, 10:44
He didn't lie , it never happened yet he didn't lie . Every one who works for him is paid to lie there is no truth in the White House.
annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by LizzyNY Thu 03 Aug 2017, 13:03
PAN - We can only hope! Sooner or later he's going to come up with an enormous whopper that can't be ignored - even by his base. Maybe then Congress will man up and get rid of him. Meanwhile, we can only hope that the Congressional resistance can keep him in check.party animal - not! wrote:
Could be worse than that, Carol, because if he wrote his son's statement, or as altered by his surrogates 'weighed in' on it, he could be charged with obstruction of justice with regards to the Russian investigation.......
LizzyNY- Casamigos with Mr Clooney
- Posts : 8167
Join date : 2013-08-28
Location : NY, USA
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by carolhathaway Thu 03 Aug 2017, 17:58
Yep, Lizzy! I somehow have the feeling that Democrats in Congress and Senate seem to collaborate with some Republicans which gives me some hope that a few of them haven't lost their mind...
carolhathaway- Achieving total Clooney-dom
- Posts : 2919
Join date : 2015-03-24
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Thu 03 Aug 2017, 18:28
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4757684/Feds-subpoena-Kushner-Companies-visa-program.html
[size=34]Feds subpoena Kushner Companies over controversial visa program after Jared's sister urged Chinese investors to back their $1billion NJ development in exchange for a green card[/size]
By JESSICA CHIA FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and WIRES
PUBLISHED: 12:00 EDT, 3 August 2017 | UPDATED: 12:21 EDT, 3 August 2017
Kushner Companies, a property development business owned by White House adviser Jared Kushner's family, has been subpoenaed over a 'golden visa' program.
Federal prosecutors issued a subpoena, which includes a request for emails to be turned over, regarding the company's development One Journal Square in Jersey City, New Jersey, according to a source who spoke to the Wall Street Journal.
Kushner's sister Nicole Kushner Meyer visited Beijing and Shanghai this year, soliciting $150million in financing for One Journal Square with the lure of green cards for investors who put down $500,000 through the EB-5 government program.
+7
Kushner's sister Nicole Kushner Meyer (right with her brother) visited Beijing and Shanghai this year, soliciting $150million in financing for One Journal Square
+7
The EB-5 program provides foreign investors permanent residency in exchange for investments of at least $500,000 in U.S. development projects (pictured, One Journal Square)
+7
The tagline on a Beijing event brochure read: 'Invest $500,000 and immigrate to the United States.' Others bristled at Meyers' mention of her brother's position during the event
It remains unclear what potential violations are being investigated, and the company's general counsel Emily Wolf said the company had complied with the rules of the program.
In a statement to the WSJ, Wolf wrote: 'Kushner Companies utilized the program, fully complied with its rules and regulations and did nothing improper. We are cooperating with legal requests for information.
The subpoena was issued in May, the same month Nicole Kushner Meyer visited the Four Seasons Hotel and the Ritz Carlton in China seeking investments for One Journal Square, a 66-floor $976.4million project that's currently underway.
Kushner Companies' general counsel Emily Wolf (pictured) said it complied with the rules of the government program
The tagline on a brochure read: 'Invest $500,000 and immigrate to the United States.'
The money would be provided though EB-5, a program that provides foreign investors permanent residency in exchange for investments of at least $500,000 in U.S. development projects that generate at least 10 jobs per investor.
Some lawmakers claim the program sells citizenship to high-income foreigners.
Meyer spoke to the crowd at one event in Beijing, which was organized by Chinese immigration agency Qiaowai, about how her grandfather immigrated to the U.S. to build a business from scratch.
She discussed her brother's new position at the White house, but did not overtly mention the president.
Richard Painter, an ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, bristled at mention of Jared Kushner's position, saying: 'They clearly imply that the Kushners are going to make sure you get your visa.'
Share
The company then apologized, and a spokesperson said Jared Kushner 'has nothing to do with this project'.
Reuters previously revealed Qiaowai's promotional materials online and on social media, including for the One Journal Square project, sometimes referred to a green card guarantee or 'safeguard' and the safety of capital invested in EB-5 projects.
After Reuters contacted Qiaowai for comment, the phrases were deleted. Qiaowai has also dropped the phrase 'government-supported' from its online promotion of the One Journal Square project.
+7
Richard Painter, an ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said: 'They clearly imply that the Kushners are going to make sure you get your visa' (pictured, Jared Kushner)
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Jared stepped down as CEO of Kushner Companies, but retains assets in developments. He received capital gains between $1million and $5million from One Journal Square
'It is a fundamental rule of the EB-5 program that an applicant's investment must remain "at risk" up to the end of the alien's conditional permanent resident status, and a "guaranteed" investment fails this basic EB-5 test,' according to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who has long advocated for reform of the EB-5 program.
'If Qiaowai is in fact guaranteeing the safety of the investment principal, all related EB-5 petitions should be rejected by USCIS,' he added in a May 24 letter.
Qiaowai's assurances to investors that their green cards were guaranteed and their funds were safe appeared to violate U.S. securities laws, Grassley's letter said.
Kushner Companies also used the EB-5 program for another development Trump Bay Street, although its unclear if the subpoena relates to that property as well.
While Jared Kushner stepped down as CEO of Kushner Companies in January before he joined the Trump administration, he retains assets between $1million to $5million in Trump Bay Street.
He also received capital gains between $1million and $5million from One Journal Square, according to the personal financial disclosure form he filed in July.
+7
Reuters previously revealed Qiaowai's promotional materials online and on social media, including for the One Journal Square project, sometimes referred to a green card guarantee
+7
Qiaowai's assurances to investors that their green cards were guaranteed and their funds were safe appeared to violate U.S. securities laws, according to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
Read more:
[size=34]Feds subpoena Kushner Companies over controversial visa program after Jared's sister urged Chinese investors to back their $1billion NJ development in exchange for a green card[/size]
- Subpoena involves the company's One Journal Square property in Jersey City
- In May, Nicole Kushner Meyer visited China and mentioned her brother Jared Kushner while soliciting $150m in financing under the EB-5 program
- Foreign investors who drop at least $500k are eligible to receive US green cards
- Jared Kushner stepped down as company's CEO before joining the White House
- But he received $1million -$5million in capital gains from One Journal Square
- Former ethics lawyer under George W. Bush said Meyer's mention of her brother implied his position in the White House would guarantee a green card
- It remains unclear what potential wrongdoing is being investigated; Kushner Companies general counsel said it complied with the rules
By JESSICA CHIA FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and WIRES
PUBLISHED: 12:00 EDT, 3 August 2017 | UPDATED: 12:21 EDT, 3 August 2017
Kushner Companies, a property development business owned by White House adviser Jared Kushner's family, has been subpoenaed over a 'golden visa' program.
Federal prosecutors issued a subpoena, which includes a request for emails to be turned over, regarding the company's development One Journal Square in Jersey City, New Jersey, according to a source who spoke to the Wall Street Journal.
Kushner's sister Nicole Kushner Meyer visited Beijing and Shanghai this year, soliciting $150million in financing for One Journal Square with the lure of green cards for investors who put down $500,000 through the EB-5 government program.
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Kushner's sister Nicole Kushner Meyer (right with her brother) visited Beijing and Shanghai this year, soliciting $150million in financing for One Journal Square
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The EB-5 program provides foreign investors permanent residency in exchange for investments of at least $500,000 in U.S. development projects (pictured, One Journal Square)
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The tagline on a Beijing event brochure read: 'Invest $500,000 and immigrate to the United States.' Others bristled at Meyers' mention of her brother's position during the event
It remains unclear what potential violations are being investigated, and the company's general counsel Emily Wolf said the company had complied with the rules of the program.
In a statement to the WSJ, Wolf wrote: 'Kushner Companies utilized the program, fully complied with its rules and regulations and did nothing improper. We are cooperating with legal requests for information.
The subpoena was issued in May, the same month Nicole Kushner Meyer visited the Four Seasons Hotel and the Ritz Carlton in China seeking investments for One Journal Square, a 66-floor $976.4million project that's currently underway.
Kushner Companies' general counsel Emily Wolf (pictured) said it complied with the rules of the government program
The tagline on a brochure read: 'Invest $500,000 and immigrate to the United States.'
The money would be provided though EB-5, a program that provides foreign investors permanent residency in exchange for investments of at least $500,000 in U.S. development projects that generate at least 10 jobs per investor.
Some lawmakers claim the program sells citizenship to high-income foreigners.
Meyer spoke to the crowd at one event in Beijing, which was organized by Chinese immigration agency Qiaowai, about how her grandfather immigrated to the U.S. to build a business from scratch.
She discussed her brother's new position at the White house, but did not overtly mention the president.
Richard Painter, an ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, bristled at mention of Jared Kushner's position, saying: 'They clearly imply that the Kushners are going to make sure you get your visa.'
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The company then apologized, and a spokesperson said Jared Kushner 'has nothing to do with this project'.
Reuters previously revealed Qiaowai's promotional materials online and on social media, including for the One Journal Square project, sometimes referred to a green card guarantee or 'safeguard' and the safety of capital invested in EB-5 projects.
After Reuters contacted Qiaowai for comment, the phrases were deleted. Qiaowai has also dropped the phrase 'government-supported' from its online promotion of the One Journal Square project.
+7
Richard Painter, an ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said: 'They clearly imply that the Kushners are going to make sure you get your visa' (pictured, Jared Kushner)
+7
Jared stepped down as CEO of Kushner Companies, but retains assets in developments. He received capital gains between $1million and $5million from One Journal Square
'It is a fundamental rule of the EB-5 program that an applicant's investment must remain "at risk" up to the end of the alien's conditional permanent resident status, and a "guaranteed" investment fails this basic EB-5 test,' according to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who has long advocated for reform of the EB-5 program.
'If Qiaowai is in fact guaranteeing the safety of the investment principal, all related EB-5 petitions should be rejected by USCIS,' he added in a May 24 letter.
Qiaowai's assurances to investors that their green cards were guaranteed and their funds were safe appeared to violate U.S. securities laws, Grassley's letter said.
Kushner Companies also used the EB-5 program for another development Trump Bay Street, although its unclear if the subpoena relates to that property as well.
While Jared Kushner stepped down as CEO of Kushner Companies in January before he joined the Trump administration, he retains assets between $1million to $5million in Trump Bay Street.
He also received capital gains between $1million and $5million from One Journal Square, according to the personal financial disclosure form he filed in July.
+7
Reuters previously revealed Qiaowai's promotional materials online and on social media, including for the One Journal Square project, sometimes referred to a green card guarantee
+7
Qiaowai's assurances to investors that their green cards were guaranteed and their funds were safe appeared to violate U.S. securities laws, according to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
Read more:
- U.S. Attorney Subpoenas Kushner Cos. Over Investment-For-Visa Program - WSJ
annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by Donnamarie Thu 03 Aug 2017, 20:45
I think the Democrats have to win back about 24 seats in the House in the 2018 elections if they want to take back the majority. If they do and, at that point, there is even more evidence brought out to support an obstruction of justice charge the Democrats can call for impeachment and will. The Republicans never will ... unless Trump fires Robert Mueller. Then possibly. I have to believe by this time next year there will be evidence pointing to more than just obstruction of justice committed by Trump.
Donnamarie- Possibly more Clooney than George himself
- Posts : 5881
Join date : 2014-08-26
Location : Washington, DC
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by LizzyNY Thu 03 Aug 2017, 20:52
annemarie wrote:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4754014/President-Donald-Trump-signs-Russia-sanctions-bill.ht
IMO, this is Trump's real reason for wanting to water down the sanctions Congress imposed on Russia. It's hurting his business interests and his plans to expand into the Russian market. It's probably going to hurt his business at home, too because the Russian oligarchs may consider it too risky to launder their money through his properties.
"I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected. As President, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress. "
Lord help us, the man is so delusional! Apparently he's only able to make deals when he can bully and coerce his opponent. If that doesn't work he whines like a spoiled child (which he is!) and looks for a scapegoat and a way to "get even".
His stance on immigration infuriates me! If the "standards" he wants to apply to new immigrants had been applied to his family, he probably wouldn't be here, Hell, he might never even have been born, Would he have allowed his draft-dodging, German-speaking grandfather entry into the US? Would he have allowed him to stay after he opened a "bordello"? (Read: whorehouse, which implies human trafficking). Freakin' hypocrite! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. In Trump's case, the apple didn't fall at all!
LizzyNY- Casamigos with Mr Clooney
- Posts : 8167
Join date : 2013-08-28
Location : NY, USA
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Thu 03 Aug 2017, 21:33
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4758764/Robert-Mueller-launches-grand-jury-Russia-probe.html
[size=34]BREAKING NEWS: Special counsel Robert Mueller has launched federal grand jury to hear evidence of Russia election meddling and Trump campaign's involvement[/size]
By DAVID MARTOSKO, US POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 15:51 EDT, 3 August 2017 | UPDATED: 16:27 EDT, 3 August 2017
Going that route signals that the probe is entering a new phase, and that Mueller believes he will need to demand documents and sworn testimony from a number of people.
The Wall Street Journal reported the existence of the grand jury, which has been in session for weeks under the guidance of Mueller, himself a former director of the FBI.
+3
Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating so-far unsubstantiated charges that Donald Trump's presidential campaign colluded with Russia to tilt the 2016 election, has impaneled a grand jury to hear testimony and examine evidence
+3
President Donald Trump has denied repeatedly that he or anyone in his presidential campaign colluded with Russia to undermine or otherwise impact the election
The president has forcefully denied that he and his campaign were involved with the Kremlin's alleged efforts, calling the investigation a 'witch hunt.'
But three U.S. intelligence agencies concluded late last year that Russia was indeed behind an effort to undermine America's presidential election.
Ty Cobb, special counsel to the president, told the Journal that he didn't know if a grand jury had been impaneled.
'Grand jury matters are typically secret,' he said.
But Cobb suggested that the administration isn't spooked by the new development.
'The White House favors anything that accelerates the conclusion of his work fairly,' he said, adding that 'the White House is committed to fully cooperating with Mr. Mueller.'
[size=28]Video playing bottom right...
[/size]
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Mueller (left) has a close relationship with ousted FBI director James Comey (right), a fact that Trump has used to try to delegitimize the probe as biased and a 'witch hunt'
Thomas Zeno, a 29-year federal prosecutor before he entered private legal practice, told the Journal that Mueller's move 'doesn't mean he is going to bring charges' against anyone.
'But it shows he is very serious. He wouldn't do this if [the investigation] were winding down.'
Special counsel investigations can proceed for years, and there has been no indication from Mueller or his team about how long the Russia probe could take to unfold.
Federal grand juries typically sit for 18 months, and can hear evidence on more than one case. Judges can extend that period after the 18-month period ends.
Federal grand jurors are expected to be available every weekday during their term of service, although the grand jury may not be called on to convene every day.
Share
Its role is to hear evidence from witnesses and examine documents with guidance from prosecutors, in order to decide whether 'probable cause' exists to charge someone with a crime.
Mueller's grand jury, unlike most, will be tasked with examining classified information – a feature that will add complexities to the situation.
Trump has sought to publicly undermine the credibility of Mueller's legal team, telling a Fox news Channel interviewer last month that they are largely Democratic partisans engaged in a fishing expedition to harm his presidency.
'I can say that the people that have been hired are all Hillary Clinton supporters, some of them worked for Hillary Clinton,' he said.
In addition, Trump has pointed out repeatedly that Mueller has a close relationship with James Comey, a former FBI director whom the president fired this year.
[size=34]BREAKING NEWS: Special counsel Robert Mueller has launched federal grand jury to hear evidence of Russia election meddling and Trump campaign's involvement[/size]
- Federal grand jury has been impaneled to determine whether anyone will be charged with a crime in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe
- Grand juries in the federal justice system typically sit for up to 18 months but there is no indication of how long the Mueller probe could last
- President Trump has called the investigation a 'witch hunt'
- Grand jurors can authorize prosecutors to subpoena documents, demand testimony under oath, and even indict people if evidence exists to support it
By DAVID MARTOSKO, US POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 15:51 EDT, 3 August 2017 | UPDATED: 16:27 EDT, 3 August 2017
The Justice Department's special counsel Robert Mueller has impaneled a grand jury in the nation's capital to hear evidence that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. elections, and to investigate whether President Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow to tilt the White House race in his direction.
Grand juries can allow prosecutors to subpoena documents, interview witnesses under oath, and obtain criminal indictments where the evidence warrants it.Going that route signals that the probe is entering a new phase, and that Mueller believes he will need to demand documents and sworn testimony from a number of people.
The Wall Street Journal reported the existence of the grand jury, which has been in session for weeks under the guidance of Mueller, himself a former director of the FBI.
+3
Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating so-far unsubstantiated charges that Donald Trump's presidential campaign colluded with Russia to tilt the 2016 election, has impaneled a grand jury to hear testimony and examine evidence
+3
President Donald Trump has denied repeatedly that he or anyone in his presidential campaign colluded with Russia to undermine or otherwise impact the election
The president has forcefully denied that he and his campaign were involved with the Kremlin's alleged efforts, calling the investigation a 'witch hunt.'
But three U.S. intelligence agencies concluded late last year that Russia was indeed behind an effort to undermine America's presidential election.
Ty Cobb, special counsel to the president, told the Journal that he didn't know if a grand jury had been impaneled.
'Grand jury matters are typically secret,' he said.
But Cobb suggested that the administration isn't spooked by the new development.
'The White House favors anything that accelerates the conclusion of his work fairly,' he said, adding that 'the White House is committed to fully cooperating with Mr. Mueller.'
[size=28]Video playing bottom right...
[/size]
+3
Mueller (left) has a close relationship with ousted FBI director James Comey (right), a fact that Trump has used to try to delegitimize the probe as biased and a 'witch hunt'
Thomas Zeno, a 29-year federal prosecutor before he entered private legal practice, told the Journal that Mueller's move 'doesn't mean he is going to bring charges' against anyone.
'But it shows he is very serious. He wouldn't do this if [the investigation] were winding down.'
Special counsel investigations can proceed for years, and there has been no indication from Mueller or his team about how long the Russia probe could take to unfold.
Federal grand juries typically sit for 18 months, and can hear evidence on more than one case. Judges can extend that period after the 18-month period ends.
Federal grand jurors are expected to be available every weekday during their term of service, although the grand jury may not be called on to convene every day.
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Its role is to hear evidence from witnesses and examine documents with guidance from prosecutors, in order to decide whether 'probable cause' exists to charge someone with a crime.
Mueller's grand jury, unlike most, will be tasked with examining classified information – a feature that will add complexities to the situation.
Trump has sought to publicly undermine the credibility of Mueller's legal team, telling a Fox news Channel interviewer last month that they are largely Democratic partisans engaged in a fishing expedition to harm his presidency.
'I can say that the people that have been hired are all Hillary Clinton supporters, some of them worked for Hillary Clinton,' he said.
In addition, Trump has pointed out repeatedly that Mueller has a close relationship with James Comey, a former FBI director whom the president fired this year.
annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by carolhathaway Thu 03 Aug 2017, 22:19
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/you-cannot-say-that-to-the-press-trump-urged-mexican-president-to-end-his-public-defiance-on-border-wall-transcript-reveals/2017/08/03/0c2c0a4e-7610-11e7-8f39-eeb7d3a2d304_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_no-name%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.b954a9a5c0e0
National Security
Trump urged Mexican president to end his public defiance on border wall, transcript reveals
Four big takeaways from Trump's calls to Mexican and Australian counterparts
The Post has obtained transcripts of President Trump’s January phone conversations with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. (The Washington Post)
By Greg Miller August 3 at 4:28 PM
President Trump made building a wall along the southern U.S. border and forcing Mexico to pay for it core pledges of his campaign.
But in his first White House call with Mexico’s president, Trump described his vow to charge Mexico as a growing political problem, pressuring the Mexican leader to stop saying publicly that his government would never pay.
“You cannot say that to the press,” Trump said repeatedly, according to a transcript of the Jan. 27 call obtained by The Washington Post. Trump made clear that he realized the funding would have to come from other sources but threatened to cut off contact if Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto continued to make defiant statements.
The funding “will work out in the formula somehow,” Trump said, adding later that “it will come out in the wash, and that is okay.” But “if you are going to say that Mexico is not going to pay for the wall, then I do not want to meet with you guys anymore because I cannot live with that.”
[Trump admits he punked his supporters on Mexico paying for the wall]
Read transcripts of Trump's calls with Mexico and Australia. VIEW GRAPHIC
He described the wall as “the least important thing we are talking about, but politically this might be the most important.”
The heated exchange came during back-to-back days of calls that Trump held with foreign leaders a week after taking office. The Post has obtained transcripts of Trump’s talks with Peña Nieto and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Produced by White House staff, the documents provide an unfiltered glimpse of Trump’s approach to the diplomatic aspect of his job, subjecting even a close neighbor and long-standing ally to streams of threats and invective as ifaimed at U.S. adversaries.
The Jan. 28 call with Turnbull became particularly acrimonious. “I have had it,” Trump erupted after the two argued about an agreement on refugees. “I have been making these calls all day, and this is the most unpleasant call all day.”
Before ending the call, Trump noted that at least one of his conversations that day had gone far more smoothly. “Putin was a pleasant call,” Trump said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “This is ridiculous.”
The White House declined to comment. An official familiar with both conversations, who refused to speak on the record because the president’s calls have not been declassified, said, “The president is a tough negotiator who is always looking to make the best possible deals for the American people. The United States has many vital interests at stake with Mexico, including stopping the flow of illegal immigration, ending drug cartels’ reach into our communities, increasing border security, renegotiating NAFTA and reducing a massive trade deficit. In every conversation the president has with foreign leaders, he is direct and forceful in his determination to put America and Americans first.”
The official noted that Trump has since met both the Australian and Mexican leaders in person and had productive conversations with them.
What the White House said about Trump's calls with Peña Nieto, Turnbull
The Washington Post released the full transcripts of President Trump's calls with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull from January. Here's what the White House said about the conversations at the time. (Elyse Samuels/The Washington Post)
The transcripts were based on records kept by White House note-takers who monitored Trump’s calls. Known as a “memorandum of conversation,” such documents are commonly circulated to White House staff and senior policymakers.
Both documents obtained by The Post contain notes indicating they were reviewed and classified by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg Jr., who serves as chief of staff on the National Security Council.
Portions of Trump’s strained conversations with Turnbulland Peña Nieto were reported earlier this year. But the transcripts trace the entire course of those calls from greeting to confrontation to — in the case of Turnbull — abrupt conclusion.
Both calls centered on immigration-related issues with high political stakes for Trump, who built his campaign around vows to erect new barriers — physical and legal — to entry to the United States.
But there was little discussion of the substance of those plans or their implications for U.S. relations with Australia and Mexico. Instead, Trump’s overriding concern seemed to center on how any approach would reflect on him.
“This is going to kill me,” he said to Turnbull. “I am the world’s greatest person that does not want to let people into the country. And now I am agreeing to take 2,000 people.”
The agreement reached by the Obama administration actually called for the United States to admit 1,250 refugees, subject to security screening. A White House readout of the Trump call, issued at the time, said only that the two leaders had “emphasized the enduring strength and closeness of the U.S.-Australia relationship.”
Trump spent much of his call with Peña Nieto seeking to enlist the Mexican president in a deal to stop talking about how the wall would be paid for. Two days earlier, Trump had signed an executive order mandating construction of the wall, but funding for it remains unclear.
“On the wall, you and I both have a political problem,” Trump said. “My people stand up and say, ‘Mexico will pay for the wall,’ and your people probably say something in a similar but slightly different language.”
Trump seemed to acknowledge that his threats to make Mexico pay had left him cornered politically. “I have to have Mexico pay for the wall — I have to,” he said. “I have been talking about it for a two-year period.”
To solve that problem, Trump pressured Peña Nieto to suppress the issue. When pressed on who would pay for the wall, “We should both say, ‘We will work it out.’ It will work out in the formula somehow,” Trump said. “As opposed to you saying, ‘We will not pay,’ and me saying, ‘We will not pay.’ ”
Peña Nieto resisted, saying that Trump’s repeated threats had placed “a very big mark on our back, Mr. President.” He warned that “my position has been and will continue to be very firm, saying that Mexico cannot pay for the wall.”
Trump objected: “But you cannot say that to the press. The press is going to go with that, and I cannot live with that.”
Searching for an exit, Peña Nieto reiterated that the border plan “is an issue related to the dignity of Mexico and goes to the national pride of my country” but agreed to “stop talking about the wall.”
The exchange suggests that even at the outset of his presidency, Trump regarded the prospect of extracting money from Mexico as problematic but sought to avoid acknowledging that reality publicly.
Trump reiterated that vow as recently as last month, when he said during a summit of foreign leaders in Germany that he “absolutely” remained committed to forcing Mexico to pay for the wall. Weeks later, however,the House approved a spending bill setting aside $1.6 billion for a structure that is projected to cost as much as $21 billion.
Trump told Peña Nieto that he knew “how to build very inexpensively . . . and it will be a better wall and it will look nice.” He has suggested the money could come from border taxes and even threatened to block remittance payments that flow from workers in the United States to relatives in Mexico, but has yet to provide complete plans or funding details.
Trump also lashed out at Peña Nieto over the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico and the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.
“We have a massive drug problem, where kids are becoming addicted to drugs because the drugs are being sold for less money than candy,” Trump said. “I won New Hampshire because New Hampshire is a drug-infested den.”
Trump won the Republican primary in New Hampshire, but Hillary Clinton carried the state in the general election.
He described Mexican drug cartel leaders as “pretty tough hombres” and promised U.S. military support, saying that “maybe your military is afraid of them, but our military is not.”
Peña Nieto responded by saying that drug trafficking in Mexico is “largely supported by the illegal amounts of money and weapons coming from the United States.”
Trump also threatened to impose tariffs of up to 35 percent on imports from Mexico, saying that as president he had been given “tremendous taxation powers for trade,” even though tariffs are mainly the province of Congress.
Despite the friction, Trump at other moments sought to sweet-talk Peña Nieto, telling him that “you and I will always be friends,” and that if they could resolve their disputes over the border and trade, “We will almost become the fathers of our country — almost, not quite, okay?”
Although Australia is one of the United States’ closest allies, Trump’s call with Turnbull was even more contentious. The prime minister opened by noting that he and Trump have similar backgrounds as businessmen turned politicians. Trump also inquired about a mutual acquaintance, the golfer Greg Norman.
But the conversation devolved into a blistering exchangeover a U.S. agreement to accept refugees from Australian detention centers on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island and the island nation of Nauru. The Obama administration had agreed to accept some of those being detained on humanitarian grounds after intervention by the United Nations.
At one point, Trump expressed admiration for Australia’s refusal to allow refugees arriving on boats to reach its shores, saying it “is a good idea. We should do that too.” In a remark apparently meant as a compliment, Trump told Turnbull, “You are worse than I am.”
But the conversation rapidly deteriorated.
“I hate taking these people,” Trump said. “I guarantee you they are bad. That is why they are in prison right now. They are not going to be wonderful people who go on to work for the local milk people” — an apparent reference to U.S. dairy farms.
Turnbull tried to salvage the deal, noting that the detainees were economic refugees who had not been accused of crimes. He explained that they were being denied entry into Australia because of a policy aimed at discouraging human smuggling.
“There is nothing more important in business or politics than a deal is a deal,” Turnbull said. “You can certainly say that it was not a deal that you would have done, but you are going to stick with it.”
Trump only became angrier, saying the refugees could “become the Boston bomber in five years.”
“I think it is a horrible deal, a disgusting deal that I would have never made,” Trump said. “As far as I am concerned, that is enough, Malcolm. I have had it.”
Turnbull tried to turn to Syria and other subjects. But Trump refused. The call, which began at 5:05 p.m., ended 24 minutes later with Turnbull thanking the still-fuming Trump for his commitment.
“You can count on me,” Turnbull said. “I will be there again and again.”
“I hope so,” Trump said before saying thank you and hanging up.
Julie Tate contributed to this report.
National Security
Trump urged Mexican president to end his public defiance on border wall, transcript reveals
Four big takeaways from Trump's calls to Mexican and Australian counterparts
The Post has obtained transcripts of President Trump’s January phone conversations with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. (The Washington Post)
By Greg Miller August 3 at 4:28 PM
President Trump made building a wall along the southern U.S. border and forcing Mexico to pay for it core pledges of his campaign.
But in his first White House call with Mexico’s president, Trump described his vow to charge Mexico as a growing political problem, pressuring the Mexican leader to stop saying publicly that his government would never pay.
“You cannot say that to the press,” Trump said repeatedly, according to a transcript of the Jan. 27 call obtained by The Washington Post. Trump made clear that he realized the funding would have to come from other sources but threatened to cut off contact if Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto continued to make defiant statements.
The funding “will work out in the formula somehow,” Trump said, adding later that “it will come out in the wash, and that is okay.” But “if you are going to say that Mexico is not going to pay for the wall, then I do not want to meet with you guys anymore because I cannot live with that.”
[Trump admits he punked his supporters on Mexico paying for the wall]
Read transcripts of Trump's calls with Mexico and Australia. VIEW GRAPHIC
He described the wall as “the least important thing we are talking about, but politically this might be the most important.”
The heated exchange came during back-to-back days of calls that Trump held with foreign leaders a week after taking office. The Post has obtained transcripts of Trump’s talks with Peña Nieto and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Produced by White House staff, the documents provide an unfiltered glimpse of Trump’s approach to the diplomatic aspect of his job, subjecting even a close neighbor and long-standing ally to streams of threats and invective as ifaimed at U.S. adversaries.
The Jan. 28 call with Turnbull became particularly acrimonious. “I have had it,” Trump erupted after the two argued about an agreement on refugees. “I have been making these calls all day, and this is the most unpleasant call all day.”
Before ending the call, Trump noted that at least one of his conversations that day had gone far more smoothly. “Putin was a pleasant call,” Trump said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “This is ridiculous.”
The White House declined to comment. An official familiar with both conversations, who refused to speak on the record because the president’s calls have not been declassified, said, “The president is a tough negotiator who is always looking to make the best possible deals for the American people. The United States has many vital interests at stake with Mexico, including stopping the flow of illegal immigration, ending drug cartels’ reach into our communities, increasing border security, renegotiating NAFTA and reducing a massive trade deficit. In every conversation the president has with foreign leaders, he is direct and forceful in his determination to put America and Americans first.”
The official noted that Trump has since met both the Australian and Mexican leaders in person and had productive conversations with them.
What the White House said about Trump's calls with Peña Nieto, Turnbull
The Washington Post released the full transcripts of President Trump's calls with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull from January. Here's what the White House said about the conversations at the time. (Elyse Samuels/The Washington Post)
The transcripts were based on records kept by White House note-takers who monitored Trump’s calls. Known as a “memorandum of conversation,” such documents are commonly circulated to White House staff and senior policymakers.
Both documents obtained by The Post contain notes indicating they were reviewed and classified by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg Jr., who serves as chief of staff on the National Security Council.
Portions of Trump’s strained conversations with Turnbulland Peña Nieto were reported earlier this year. But the transcripts trace the entire course of those calls from greeting to confrontation to — in the case of Turnbull — abrupt conclusion.
Both calls centered on immigration-related issues with high political stakes for Trump, who built his campaign around vows to erect new barriers — physical and legal — to entry to the United States.
But there was little discussion of the substance of those plans or their implications for U.S. relations with Australia and Mexico. Instead, Trump’s overriding concern seemed to center on how any approach would reflect on him.
“This is going to kill me,” he said to Turnbull. “I am the world’s greatest person that does not want to let people into the country. And now I am agreeing to take 2,000 people.”
The agreement reached by the Obama administration actually called for the United States to admit 1,250 refugees, subject to security screening. A White House readout of the Trump call, issued at the time, said only that the two leaders had “emphasized the enduring strength and closeness of the U.S.-Australia relationship.”
Trump spent much of his call with Peña Nieto seeking to enlist the Mexican president in a deal to stop talking about how the wall would be paid for. Two days earlier, Trump had signed an executive order mandating construction of the wall, but funding for it remains unclear.
“On the wall, you and I both have a political problem,” Trump said. “My people stand up and say, ‘Mexico will pay for the wall,’ and your people probably say something in a similar but slightly different language.”
Trump seemed to acknowledge that his threats to make Mexico pay had left him cornered politically. “I have to have Mexico pay for the wall — I have to,” he said. “I have been talking about it for a two-year period.”
To solve that problem, Trump pressured Peña Nieto to suppress the issue. When pressed on who would pay for the wall, “We should both say, ‘We will work it out.’ It will work out in the formula somehow,” Trump said. “As opposed to you saying, ‘We will not pay,’ and me saying, ‘We will not pay.’ ”
Peña Nieto resisted, saying that Trump’s repeated threats had placed “a very big mark on our back, Mr. President.” He warned that “my position has been and will continue to be very firm, saying that Mexico cannot pay for the wall.”
Trump objected: “But you cannot say that to the press. The press is going to go with that, and I cannot live with that.”
Searching for an exit, Peña Nieto reiterated that the border plan “is an issue related to the dignity of Mexico and goes to the national pride of my country” but agreed to “stop talking about the wall.”
The exchange suggests that even at the outset of his presidency, Trump regarded the prospect of extracting money from Mexico as problematic but sought to avoid acknowledging that reality publicly.
Trump reiterated that vow as recently as last month, when he said during a summit of foreign leaders in Germany that he “absolutely” remained committed to forcing Mexico to pay for the wall. Weeks later, however,the House approved a spending bill setting aside $1.6 billion for a structure that is projected to cost as much as $21 billion.
Trump told Peña Nieto that he knew “how to build very inexpensively . . . and it will be a better wall and it will look nice.” He has suggested the money could come from border taxes and even threatened to block remittance payments that flow from workers in the United States to relatives in Mexico, but has yet to provide complete plans or funding details.
Trump also lashed out at Peña Nieto over the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico and the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.
“We have a massive drug problem, where kids are becoming addicted to drugs because the drugs are being sold for less money than candy,” Trump said. “I won New Hampshire because New Hampshire is a drug-infested den.”
Trump won the Republican primary in New Hampshire, but Hillary Clinton carried the state in the general election.
He described Mexican drug cartel leaders as “pretty tough hombres” and promised U.S. military support, saying that “maybe your military is afraid of them, but our military is not.”
Peña Nieto responded by saying that drug trafficking in Mexico is “largely supported by the illegal amounts of money and weapons coming from the United States.”
Trump also threatened to impose tariffs of up to 35 percent on imports from Mexico, saying that as president he had been given “tremendous taxation powers for trade,” even though tariffs are mainly the province of Congress.
Despite the friction, Trump at other moments sought to sweet-talk Peña Nieto, telling him that “you and I will always be friends,” and that if they could resolve their disputes over the border and trade, “We will almost become the fathers of our country — almost, not quite, okay?”
Although Australia is one of the United States’ closest allies, Trump’s call with Turnbull was even more contentious. The prime minister opened by noting that he and Trump have similar backgrounds as businessmen turned politicians. Trump also inquired about a mutual acquaintance, the golfer Greg Norman.
But the conversation devolved into a blistering exchangeover a U.S. agreement to accept refugees from Australian detention centers on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island and the island nation of Nauru. The Obama administration had agreed to accept some of those being detained on humanitarian grounds after intervention by the United Nations.
At one point, Trump expressed admiration for Australia’s refusal to allow refugees arriving on boats to reach its shores, saying it “is a good idea. We should do that too.” In a remark apparently meant as a compliment, Trump told Turnbull, “You are worse than I am.”
But the conversation rapidly deteriorated.
“I hate taking these people,” Trump said. “I guarantee you they are bad. That is why they are in prison right now. They are not going to be wonderful people who go on to work for the local milk people” — an apparent reference to U.S. dairy farms.
Turnbull tried to salvage the deal, noting that the detainees were economic refugees who had not been accused of crimes. He explained that they were being denied entry into Australia because of a policy aimed at discouraging human smuggling.
“There is nothing more important in business or politics than a deal is a deal,” Turnbull said. “You can certainly say that it was not a deal that you would have done, but you are going to stick with it.”
Trump only became angrier, saying the refugees could “become the Boston bomber in five years.”
“I think it is a horrible deal, a disgusting deal that I would have never made,” Trump said. “As far as I am concerned, that is enough, Malcolm. I have had it.”
Turnbull tried to turn to Syria and other subjects. But Trump refused. The call, which began at 5:05 p.m., ended 24 minutes later with Turnbull thanking the still-fuming Trump for his commitment.
“You can count on me,” Turnbull said. “I will be there again and again.”
“I hope so,” Trump said before saying thank you and hanging up.
Julie Tate contributed to this report.
carolhathaway- Achieving total Clooney-dom
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by party animal - not! Thu 03 Aug 2017, 22:45
Senate introduce bill to stop Mueller being fired
http://time.com/4885770/robert-mueller-investigation-senate-legislation/
http://time.com/4885770/robert-mueller-investigation-senate-legislation/
party animal - not!- George Clooney fan forever!
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by LizzyNY Thu 03 Aug 2017, 23:52
As much as he might want to, Trump won't force Rosenstein to fire Mueller. Even he isn't that stupid.
By introducing these bills Congress is letting Trump know that they don't trust him. If he fires Mueller they'll want to know why. Was he getting too close to something Trump doesn't want known? What was it? They'll be like a dog with a bone and they won't let go until they get answers - and they WILL get answers!
If he's 1/10 as smart as he thinks he is, Trump will listen to his lawyers and cooperate fully with the investigation.
By introducing these bills Congress is letting Trump know that they don't trust him. If he fires Mueller they'll want to know why. Was he getting too close to something Trump doesn't want known? What was it? They'll be like a dog with a bone and they won't let go until they get answers - and they WILL get answers!
If he's 1/10 as smart as he thinks he is, Trump will listen to his lawyers and cooperate fully with the investigation.
LizzyNY- Casamigos with Mr Clooney
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Fri 04 Aug 2017, 01:40
He is the world's greatest person , really. If his ego gets any bigger he won't fit
into the White House.
into the White House.
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Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by carolhathaway Fri 04 Aug 2017, 06:35
I also see this bill as a warning to Trump. 'Don't get too far, you're not above the law!'
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Join date : 2015-03-24
Re: The Serious Side - part 3
by annemarie Fri 04 Aug 2017, 19:11
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4761720/Sessions-threatens-SUBPOENA-reporters-publish-leaks.html
[size=34]Sessions threatens to SUBPOENA reporters who publish leaked classified material to find out who their sources are as he hints at First Amendment showdown[/size]
By DAVID MARTOSKO, US POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 12:39 EDT, 4 August 2017 | UPDATED: 12:50 EDT, 4 August 2017
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Attorney General Jeff Sessions raised the possibility on Friday that the Justice Department could seek to subpoena reporters who publish classified information leaked by Trump administration insiders.
Subpoenaing journalists would create a showdown between federal law enforcement and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press.
Career investigators and prosecutors, Sessions said, have advised him to 'review' the department's policies that affect how such cases are handled.
'We respect the important role that the press plays and will give them respect, but it is not unlimited,' he told a room full of reporters.
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Attorney General Jeff Sessions raised the possibility on Friday that the Justice Department could seek to subpoena reporters who publish leaked classified information
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'They cannot place lives at risk with impunity. We must balance their role with protecting our national security and the lives of those who serve in the intelligence community, in the armed forces, and all law-abiding Americans.'
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment I, U.S. Constitution
Sessions said that the DOJ has tripled the number of 'criminal referrals' in leak cases in 2017, compared to previous years.
'This nation must end the culture of leaks. We will investigate and seek to bring criminals to justice,' he said.
'We will not allow rogue anonymous sources with security clearances to sell out our country any longer.'
The Trump administration has become overrun with leaks, including classified transcripts of a pair of phone calls President Donald Trump made in January to the leaders of Mexico and Australia.
The Washington Post published them this week.
Faced with a federal subpoena for records that might indicate the identity of confidential sources, news organizations can choose to comply or instead resist.
But flouting a judge's order would open them up to contempt of court charges that can result in indefinite jail time until they provide what prosecutors demand.
+2
President Donald Trump has been frustrated by a torrent of leaks, including classified transcripts of a pair of phone calls with world leaders that the Washington Post published
[size]
[size=35]11 shares[/size]
In other countries like France and the United Kingdom, journalists can be subject to the whims of prosecutors and courts – and don't have so-called 'shield' laws to protect them.
Sessions didn't say on Friday what steps he would take to reevaluate the DOJ's positions on subpoenaing journalists.
He ignored a shouted question as he left the press conference about whether he intended to prosecute reporters.
But it's likely that law enforcement's reach would be limited to investigating leaks of classified or other material that jeopardizes national security.
Most 'leaks' during the Trump administration have focused on West Wing palace intrigue, especially related to power struggles behind the scenes.
[/size]
[size=34]Sessions threatens to SUBPOENA reporters who publish leaked classified material to find out who their sources are as he hints at First Amendment showdown[/size]
- Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Friday that he's reviewing the Department of Justice's policy about issuing subpoenas to reporters in leak investigations
- First Amendment to the US Constitution forbids government from infringing on freedom of the press
- But Sessions hinted that he might force the issue as his department cracks down on government employees who leak classified information to the media
- 'We respect the important role that the press plays and will give them respect, but it is not unlimited,' he told a room full of reporters
By DAVID MARTOSKO, US POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 12:39 EDT, 4 August 2017 | UPDATED: 12:50 EDT, 4 August 2017
- [email=?subject=Read%20this:%20Sessions%20threatens%20to%20SUBPOENA%20reporters%20who%20publish%20leaked%20classified%20material%20to%20find%20out%20who%20their%20sources%20are%20as%20he%20hints%20at%20First%20Amendment%20showdown&body=Sessions%20threatens%20to%20SUBPOENA%20reporters%20who%20publish%20leaked%20classified%20material%20to%20find%20out%20who%20their%20sources%20are%20as%20he%20hints%20at%20First%20Amendment%20showdown%0A%0ASubpoenaing%20journalists%20would%20create%20a%20showdown%20between%20federal%20law%20enforcement%20and%20the%20First%20Amendment%20to%20the%20U.S.%20Constitution%2C%20which%20guarantees%20freedom%20of%20the%20press.%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-4761720%2FSessions-threatens-SUBPOENA-reporters-publish-leaks.html%3Fito%3Demail_share_article-top%0A%0A%0AMost%20Read%20Articles%3A%0A%0AEXCLUSIVE%3A%20Luann%20de%20Lesseps%20caught%20Tom%20D%27Agostino%20cheating%20TWICE%20and%20announced%20divorce%20days%20after%20her%20husband%20of%20seven%20months%20ditched%20her%20to%20meet%20up%20with%20his%20ex%20in%20the%20Hamptons%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-4758526%2FLuann-Lesseps-divorcing-husband-Tom-D-Agostino.html%3Fito%3Demail_share_article-top_most-read-articles%0A%0AThe%20fire%20that%20exposes%20shame%20of%20the%20Grenfell%20disaster%3A%20Wealthy%20residents%20of%20Dubai%20Torch%20Tower%20were%20texted%2C%20phoned%20AND%20emailed%20when%20huge%20blaze%20broke%20out...%20giving%20them%20all%20time%20to%20pack%20and%20evacuate%20in%20just%20TEN%20minutes%C2%A0%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-4759064%2FHigh-rise-residential-block-Dubai-bursts-flames.html%3Fito%3Demail_share_article-top_most-read-articles%0A%0AMohamed%20Hadid%2C%2068%2C%20relaxes%20on%20yacht%20in%20St%20Tropez%20with%20his%20fiancee%2C%2035%2C%20after%20being%20given%20%27slap%20on%20the%20wrist%27%20for%20violating%20building%20regulations%20for%20his%20mega-mansion%C2%A0%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-4759334%2FMohamed-Hadid-relaxes-yacht-St-Tropez.html%3Fito%3Demail_share_article-top_most-read-articles%0A%0A]e-mail[/email]
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Attorney General Jeff Sessions raised the possibility on Friday that the Justice Department could seek to subpoena reporters who publish classified information leaked by Trump administration insiders.
Subpoenaing journalists would create a showdown between federal law enforcement and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press.
Career investigators and prosecutors, Sessions said, have advised him to 'review' the department's policies that affect how such cases are handled.
'We respect the important role that the press plays and will give them respect, but it is not unlimited,' he told a room full of reporters.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
+2
Attorney General Jeff Sessions raised the possibility on Friday that the Justice Department could seek to subpoena reporters who publish leaked classified information
[size=28]Video playing bottom right...
[size=3]Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
0:29
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[size]'They cannot place lives at risk with impunity. We must balance their role with protecting our national security and the lives of those who serve in the intelligence community, in the armed forces, and all law-abiding Americans.'
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment I, U.S. Constitution
Sessions said that the DOJ has tripled the number of 'criminal referrals' in leak cases in 2017, compared to previous years.
'This nation must end the culture of leaks. We will investigate and seek to bring criminals to justice,' he said.
'We will not allow rogue anonymous sources with security clearances to sell out our country any longer.'
The Trump administration has become overrun with leaks, including classified transcripts of a pair of phone calls President Donald Trump made in January to the leaders of Mexico and Australia.
The Washington Post published them this week.
Faced with a federal subpoena for records that might indicate the identity of confidential sources, news organizations can choose to comply or instead resist.
But flouting a judge's order would open them up to contempt of court charges that can result in indefinite jail time until they provide what prosecutors demand.
+2
President Donald Trump has been frustrated by a torrent of leaks, including classified transcripts of a pair of phone calls with world leaders that the Washington Post published
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In other countries like France and the United Kingdom, journalists can be subject to the whims of prosecutors and courts – and don't have so-called 'shield' laws to protect them.
Sessions didn't say on Friday what steps he would take to reevaluate the DOJ's positions on subpoenaing journalists.
He ignored a shouted question as he left the press conference about whether he intended to prosecute reporters.
But it's likely that law enforcement's reach would be limited to investigating leaks of classified or other material that jeopardizes national security.
Most 'leaks' during the Trump administration have focused on West Wing palace intrigue, especially related to power struggles behind the scenes.
[/size]
annemarie- Over the Clooney moon
- Posts : 10309
Join date : 2011-09-11
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» The Serious Side - part 8
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