Sunday, April 29, 2018
A Key Trump-Russia Intermediary Has Been Missing for Months, as the Case for Collusion Grows Stronger
https://theintercept.com/2018/04/12/trump-russia-intermediary-joseph-mifsud-missing-case-for-collusion/
"The Papadopoulos-Mifsud connection is now Exhibit A in the argument that Trump or those close to him colluded with Moscow to gain the White House."
"The Papadopoulos-Mifsud connection is now Exhibit A in the argument that Trump or those close to him colluded with Moscow to gain the White House."
A Brief History of Michael Cohen's Criminal Ties
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/michael-cohens-ties-to-russia-crime-and-trump-w518941
"From the Russian mob to money launderers, Trump's personal attorney has long been a subject of interest to federal investigators"
"From the Russian mob to money launderers, Trump's personal attorney has long been a subject of interest to federal investigators"
Trump Accidentally Confesses To Obstruction Of Justice On Twitter
https://thedailybanter.com/2018/04/trump-accidentally-confesses-to-obstruction-of-justice/
"Trump appears to believe that by virtue of him saying or believing something, it makes it so. In his mind, firing James Comey to prevent him investigating him over his connections to Russia wasn't obstruction of justice, but merely 'fighting back'. The distinction may have no legal basis, but then Trump isn't bothered about inconvenient technicalities. Unfortunately for him, the law isn't applied subjectively -- just because you don't think you did something wrong, doesn't mean you didn't. And as the Mueller investigation gets ever closer to Trump and his inner circle, he will find this out the hard way."
"Trump appears to believe that by virtue of him saying or believing something, it makes it so. In his mind, firing James Comey to prevent him investigating him over his connections to Russia wasn't obstruction of justice, but merely 'fighting back'. The distinction may have no legal basis, but then Trump isn't bothered about inconvenient technicalities. Unfortunately for him, the law isn't applied subjectively -- just because you don't think you did something wrong, doesn't mean you didn't. And as the Mueller investigation gets ever closer to Trump and his inner circle, he will find this out the hard way."
10 Facts that Indicate Robert Mueller’s Investigation Isn’t a ‘Witch Hunt’ Against Trump
https://forwardprogressives.com/10-facts-that-indicate-robert-muellers-investigation-isnt-a-witch-hunt-against-trump/
"When it comes to Donald Trump and the people supporting him, facts and reality don’t really matter. These are folks who literally seem to think that pesky things like “reality” and “facts” are whatever they want to be real — actual reality and facts be damned. You don’t need to go any further than Trump’s rhetoric concerning Robert Mueller’s investigation into his campaign for a perfect example of what I mean. From the very beginning, Trump’s claimed that this is all some sort of a “witch hunt” against him. This “president” and his supporters have pushed conspiracies alleging some sort of “deep state” working against him, sometimes even saying that Democrats were using all of this as an excuse for losing an election. Unfortunately for Trump and his supporters, actual facts and reality don’t support their absurd nonsense."
"When it comes to Donald Trump and the people supporting him, facts and reality don’t really matter. These are folks who literally seem to think that pesky things like “reality” and “facts” are whatever they want to be real — actual reality and facts be damned. You don’t need to go any further than Trump’s rhetoric concerning Robert Mueller’s investigation into his campaign for a perfect example of what I mean. From the very beginning, Trump’s claimed that this is all some sort of a “witch hunt” against him. This “president” and his supporters have pushed conspiracies alleging some sort of “deep state” working against him, sometimes even saying that Democrats were using all of this as an excuse for losing an election. Unfortunately for Trump and his supporters, actual facts and reality don’t support their absurd nonsense."
Every criticism of the Republican tax plan is proving true
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/every-criticism-the-republican-tax-plan-proving-true
"During the abbreviated debate over the Republican tax plan, Democrats said the corporate beneficiaries of the tax breaks would use their windfalls on priorities such as stock buybacks. We now know, of course, that this prediction turned out to be true. Critics of the GOP plan also said it included all kinds of sloppy and consequential errors that would need fixes, which is also happening. Dems also warned that Republican leaders would use the impact of the tax cuts as a pretext to go after social-insurance programs – sometimes called “entitlements” – such as Social Security. That, too, is coming true. And, of course, progressive opponents of the GOP tax breaks said the proposal would do real harm to the nation’s finances, and wouldn’t come close to paying for themselves. We can now add this to the list of things Dems got right and Republicans got wrong."
"During the abbreviated debate over the Republican tax plan, Democrats said the corporate beneficiaries of the tax breaks would use their windfalls on priorities such as stock buybacks. We now know, of course, that this prediction turned out to be true. Critics of the GOP plan also said it included all kinds of sloppy and consequential errors that would need fixes, which is also happening. Dems also warned that Republican leaders would use the impact of the tax cuts as a pretext to go after social-insurance programs – sometimes called “entitlements” – such as Social Security. That, too, is coming true. And, of course, progressive opponents of the GOP tax breaks said the proposal would do real harm to the nation’s finances, and wouldn’t come close to paying for themselves. We can now add this to the list of things Dems got right and Republicans got wrong."
With 'Merger From Hell' Reportedly Approved by DOJ, Warnings of Agrichemical Chokehold on Food System
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/09/merger-hell-reportedly-approved-doj-warnings-agrichemical-chokehold-food-system
"Watchdog groups sounded alarms on Monday after the Wall Street Journal reported that the proposed mega-merger of Bayer and Monsanto has cleared its final regulatory hurdle in the United States."
"Watchdog groups sounded alarms on Monday after the Wall Street Journal reported that the proposed mega-merger of Bayer and Monsanto has cleared its final regulatory hurdle in the United States."
Scott Pruitt's lie about pay raises unravels, emails reveal he was behind scheme all along
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/9/1755690/-Scott-Pruitt-s-lie-about-pay-raises-unravels-emails-reveal-he-was-behind-scheme-all-along
"Pruitt sought massive raises for two of his favorite aides who came with him from Oklahoma. Those raises were large enough that they required approval from the White House. He was turned down. Undaunted, Pruitt determined that he could tap into money that was intended for consultants on the Clean Water Act and instead funnel it to his friends. He ordered it done. When he was caught, he took the standard Donald Trump method to handle it: bald-faced lies."
"Pruitt sought massive raises for two of his favorite aides who came with him from Oklahoma. Those raises were large enough that they required approval from the White House. He was turned down. Undaunted, Pruitt determined that he could tap into money that was intended for consultants on the Clean Water Act and instead funnel it to his friends. He ordered it done. When he was caught, he took the standard Donald Trump method to handle it: bald-faced lies."
Rick Scott wants to take his bad ideas to Washington
https://thinkprogress.org/what-did-rick-scott-accomplish-as-florida-governor-db01f503e098/
"Rick Scott is just plain shady Rick Scott has been making suspicious business deals even before he was a politician. In 1997, Scott oversaw one of the largest Medicare frauds in United States history. He resigned as the CEO of health care giant Columbia/HCA amid an FBI investigation into the company’s fraudulent billing practices which resulted in the company being charged with 14 felonies and paying $1.7 billion in criminal and civil fines for Medicare fraud. According to investigators, Scott and other company executives violated federal law by offering financial incentives to doctors in exchange for patient referrals. Some Columbia/HCA employees claimed they were fired, punished, or forced to delete records for raising their concerns about the company’s practices with supervisors. Scott claims he was never charged with a crime and never interviewed by the FBI. As governor, Rick Scott spent $700,000 in taxpayer funds to settle seven public records lawsuits alleging he and a number of his staff violated state laws by creating email accounts to shield communications from state public records laws. Scott met with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in the days leading up to the announcement that Florida would be “off the table” for offshore drilling after it was previously announced the state would be subject to offshore drilling. Records obtained by Politico reaffirm the perception at the time that “the Trump administration’s decision to reverse course and remove Florida from the list was carefully choreographed to give Scott a political win.” He continuously struggled with how to disclose his wealth and conflicts of interest while in office. In short, he’ll fit right in in Washington, D.C."
"Rick Scott is just plain shady Rick Scott has been making suspicious business deals even before he was a politician. In 1997, Scott oversaw one of the largest Medicare frauds in United States history. He resigned as the CEO of health care giant Columbia/HCA amid an FBI investigation into the company’s fraudulent billing practices which resulted in the company being charged with 14 felonies and paying $1.7 billion in criminal and civil fines for Medicare fraud. According to investigators, Scott and other company executives violated federal law by offering financial incentives to doctors in exchange for patient referrals. Some Columbia/HCA employees claimed they were fired, punished, or forced to delete records for raising their concerns about the company’s practices with supervisors. Scott claims he was never charged with a crime and never interviewed by the FBI. As governor, Rick Scott spent $700,000 in taxpayer funds to settle seven public records lawsuits alleging he and a number of his staff violated state laws by creating email accounts to shield communications from state public records laws. Scott met with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in the days leading up to the announcement that Florida would be “off the table” for offshore drilling after it was previously announced the state would be subject to offshore drilling. Records obtained by Politico reaffirm the perception at the time that “the Trump administration’s decision to reverse course and remove Florida from the list was carefully choreographed to give Scott a political win.” He continuously struggled with how to disclose his wealth and conflicts of interest while in office. In short, he’ll fit right in in Washington, D.C."
Turns out Trump associate's meeting with a Russian at a remote oceanic island *wasn't* coincidence
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/6/1754956/-Turns-out-a-Trump-associate-meeting-with-a-Russian-at-a-remote-oceanic-island-wasn-t-coincidence
"Remember when brother of Betsy Devos and Trump associate Erik Prince tried to sell his meeting with a Putin associate in the Seychelles as some kind of chance run in at the Safeway down the street? Yeah, well, ABC News has a different rendering of what Robert Mueller found out during seven different interviews with cooperating witness and UAE adviser George Nader, who helped broker Prince's meeting with Russian investment fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev."
"Remember when brother of Betsy Devos and Trump associate Erik Prince tried to sell his meeting with a Putin associate in the Seychelles as some kind of chance run in at the Safeway down the street? Yeah, well, ABC News has a different rendering of what Robert Mueller found out during seven different interviews with cooperating witness and UAE adviser George Nader, who helped broker Prince's meeting with Russian investment fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev."
Arizona Republicans fight to protect dark-money donors from voters
https://www.salon.com/2018/04/05/arizona-republicans-fight-to-protect-dark-money-donors-from-voters/
"Republicans legislators in state capitals have embraced pre-emption laws, preventing city governments from enacting all kinds of things: Protecting their residents from discrimination, for instance, or increasing the minimum wage. Now Republicans in the Arizona state legislature are using that power to protect the flow of dark money — cash spent on campaigns from secret donors — into state and local elections. It turns out some powerful national interests are involved in making sure that local communities don't know who is spending money to influence their elections."
"Republicans legislators in state capitals have embraced pre-emption laws, preventing city governments from enacting all kinds of things: Protecting their residents from discrimination, for instance, or increasing the minimum wage. Now Republicans in the Arizona state legislature are using that power to protect the flow of dark money — cash spent on campaigns from secret donors — into state and local elections. It turns out some powerful national interests are involved in making sure that local communities don't know who is spending money to influence their elections."
At a private luncheon, Senator Heller says low turnout is key to re-election, promised ACA repeal
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/5/1754685/-At-a-private-luncheon-Senator-Heller-says-low-turnout-is-key-to-re-election-promised-ACA-repeal
"Senator Dean Heller has been avoiding constituents and his staff tossed out a woman battling Stage 4 cancer when she dared to ask about his stance on the Affordable Care Act, but he sure had a lot to say on the subject at a mysteriously closed-to-the-press luncheon where he was collecting checks and making promises. The Las Vegas Review-Journal was able to get audio of Heller’s speech to the Nevada Republican Men’s Club and his comments were surprising, especially his strategy for winning in November: “We now have less than 60,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans. Let me be more clear. If we can get that number below 50,000, I can’t lose,” Heller said Tuesday in Las Vegas, according to audio obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I can’t lose. Because the ratio of voter turnout in a non-presidential year — we’re in a non-presidential year — the tendency of Republicans to vote is higher than the other party.” A sitting U.S. senator is hoping people don’t participate in democracy. How can you represent a state where you are trying to discourage the majority from turning out for an election? Based on current trends in special elections, Heller’s strategy is going to be a loser. Bigly. And what about the Affordable Care Act? Senator Heller hemmed and hawed over the last year, pretending he was giving it serious consideration, but when asked about it by his fellow Republicans, he said they absolutely will repeal it if Republicans hold the majority."
"Senator Dean Heller has been avoiding constituents and his staff tossed out a woman battling Stage 4 cancer when she dared to ask about his stance on the Affordable Care Act, but he sure had a lot to say on the subject at a mysteriously closed-to-the-press luncheon where he was collecting checks and making promises. The Las Vegas Review-Journal was able to get audio of Heller’s speech to the Nevada Republican Men’s Club and his comments were surprising, especially his strategy for winning in November: “We now have less than 60,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans. Let me be more clear. If we can get that number below 50,000, I can’t lose,” Heller said Tuesday in Las Vegas, according to audio obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I can’t lose. Because the ratio of voter turnout in a non-presidential year — we’re in a non-presidential year — the tendency of Republicans to vote is higher than the other party.” A sitting U.S. senator is hoping people don’t participate in democracy. How can you represent a state where you are trying to discourage the majority from turning out for an election? Based on current trends in special elections, Heller’s strategy is going to be a loser. Bigly. And what about the Affordable Care Act? Senator Heller hemmed and hawed over the last year, pretending he was giving it serious consideration, but when asked about it by his fellow Republicans, he said they absolutely will repeal it if Republicans hold the majority."
Trump Interior Department Issues 'Death Sentence to Nearly 300 Threatened Species'
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/04/trump-interior-department-issues-death-sentence-nearly-300-threatened-species
"In a "disgraceful" move that conservationists warn will amount to "a death sentence to nearly 300 threatened species," the Trump administration is attempting to kill a portion of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Interior Department on Monday submitted a proposal to rescind the section of the law that extends all protections afforded to endangered species to those that are classified as threatened. Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity, says the Trump administration's new proposal, in enacted, "could be the end for iconic wildlife like the northern spotted owl and southern sea otter." In addition to granting "crucial protections" to theatened species, the 1978 "blanket" 4(d) rule—which the administration is trying to rescind—and enables (pdf) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to increase or decrease certain protections based on the needs of individual species."
"In a "disgraceful" move that conservationists warn will amount to "a death sentence to nearly 300 threatened species," the Trump administration is attempting to kill a portion of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Interior Department on Monday submitted a proposal to rescind the section of the law that extends all protections afforded to endangered species to those that are classified as threatened. Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity, says the Trump administration's new proposal, in enacted, "could be the end for iconic wildlife like the northern spotted owl and southern sea otter." In addition to granting "crucial protections" to theatened species, the 1978 "blanket" 4(d) rule—which the administration is trying to rescind—and enables (pdf) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to increase or decrease certain protections based on the needs of individual species."
Trump claims his favorite conspiracy theory is ‘not a conspiracy theory
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-claims-millions-and-millions-of-people-vote-illegally-california-632b6c4e2c12/
"The conspiracy theory doesn’t withstand the least bit of scrutiny."
"The conspiracy theory doesn’t withstand the least bit of scrutiny."
Scott Pruitt’s ethics scandal hasn’t stopped him from rolling back environmental protections
https://thinkprogress.org/scott-pruitts-ethics-scandal-environmental-rollbacks-continue-51b720d36f2c/
"Despite news that Pruitt had gone around the White House to approve raises for two political appointees, using a little-known provision in the Safe Water Drinking Act that allows the EPA administrator to unilaterally hire up to 30 employees to the agency, Pruitt continued to push ahead with his deregulatory agenda this week. On Wednesday, The Hill reported that Pruitt released a memo delegating himself more authority over issues related to the Clean Water Act."
"Despite news that Pruitt had gone around the White House to approve raises for two political appointees, using a little-known provision in the Safe Water Drinking Act that allows the EPA administrator to unilaterally hire up to 30 employees to the agency, Pruitt continued to push ahead with his deregulatory agenda this week. On Wednesday, The Hill reported that Pruitt released a memo delegating himself more authority over issues related to the Clean Water Act."
Memo reveals that investigation into Manafort is a fraction of Mueller's additional authority
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/3/1754052/-Memo-reveals-that-investigation-into-Manfort-is-a-fraction-of-Mueller-s-additional-authority
"instructions that expand the investigation into Manafort to include his attempts to collude with the Russian government in the 2016 election, and his efforts to support pro-Russian forces in Ukraine."
"instructions that expand the investigation into Manafort to include his attempts to collude with the Russian government in the 2016 election, and his efforts to support pro-Russian forces in Ukraine."
FDR warned us about charlatans like Paul Ryan, and told us exactly how they'd attack Social Security
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/3/1754064/-FDR-warned-us-about-charlatans-like-Paul-Ryan-and-told-us-exactly-how-they-d-attack-Social-Security
"Republicans passed a tax-scam bill last year which creates a $1.3 Trillion deficit in order to give their mega-donors and favored special interests special benefits. As a reward for their most loyal employee, the Koch brothers deposited $500,000 into Paul Ryan’s JFC right after the bill passed. Weeks after taking $1.3 Trillion from ordinary Americans and handing it to his billionaire paymasters, Ryan was “concerned” about the national debt and deficit again. Naturally, he believes this will require “reforms” to Social Security and Medicare, programs that benefit ordinary Americans. And by ordinary, I mean those of us who cannot deposit $500k in his campaign account."
"Republicans passed a tax-scam bill last year which creates a $1.3 Trillion deficit in order to give their mega-donors and favored special interests special benefits. As a reward for their most loyal employee, the Koch brothers deposited $500,000 into Paul Ryan’s JFC right after the bill passed. Weeks after taking $1.3 Trillion from ordinary Americans and handing it to his billionaire paymasters, Ryan was “concerned” about the national debt and deficit again. Naturally, he believes this will require “reforms” to Social Security and Medicare, programs that benefit ordinary Americans. And by ordinary, I mean those of us who cannot deposit $500k in his campaign account."
Rosenstein specifically told Mueller to look into Manafort, gave investigation additional authority
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/3/1754042/-Rosenstein-specifically-told-Mueller-to-look-into-Manafort-gave-investigation-additional-authority
"Court filings have revealed that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has even broader authority than the already extensive power granted by Rod Rosenstein to investigate the Trump campaign “and any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.” In an August 2, 2017 memo, Rosenstein gave the special counsel authority to investigate Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort for his efforts in the Ukraine, and his ongoing outreach to Russia."
"Court filings have revealed that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has even broader authority than the already extensive power granted by Rod Rosenstein to investigate the Trump campaign “and any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.” In an August 2, 2017 memo, Rosenstein gave the special counsel authority to investigate Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort for his efforts in the Ukraine, and his ongoing outreach to Russia."
Sinclair's Propaganda Bomb Is What Media Critics Have Warned About Since Reagan
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a19660484/trump-sinclair-propaganda/
"As more than a few people have pointed out, this is a stunning example of what happens in a deregulated media market, something that media critics have been warning us about ever since the Reagan Administration went to town on the FCC. What some people seem to have forgotten is that Sinclair has been up to this monkey mischief for quite some time now, even before it commanded its local stations to carry the frothing nonsense of stubbly Trumper Boris Epshteyn."
"As more than a few people have pointed out, this is a stunning example of what happens in a deregulated media market, something that media critics have been warning us about ever since the Reagan Administration went to town on the FCC. What some people seem to have forgotten is that Sinclair has been up to this monkey mischief for quite some time now, even before it commanded its local stations to carry the frothing nonsense of stubbly Trumper Boris Epshteyn."
Trump complains there isn't money for fixing schools. Can you guess what the problem here is?
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/3/30/1753234/-Trump-complains-there-isn-t-money-for-fixing-schools-Can-you-guess-what-the-problem-here-is
"Trump’s budget cut education funding. Trump’s infrastructure plan doesn't include money for repairing or building schools."
"Trump’s budget cut education funding. Trump’s infrastructure plan doesn't include money for repairing or building schools."
Trump prepares to turn the US into a dumping ground for dirty, inefficient vehicles
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/3/30/1753246/-Trump-prepares-to-turn-the-US-into-a-dumping-ground-for-dirty-inefficient-vehicles
"It’s not difficult to guess the results of creating “relaxed” standards for emissions and fuel economy in the United States while the rest of the world, plus California, keeps moving ahead. We don’t really have to guess, because we’ve been there before. For decades, Republican lawmakers like Missouri’s Roy Blunt fought to keep fuel economy standards low and emission standards lax. That allowed US automakers to build vehicles more cheaply, without investing in either the research or retooling needed to generate more and cleaner miles. It also had a immediate result on vehicles in the US market — the US became a dumping ground for older engines. Even if consumers wanted something better, they found that European and Asian manufacturers often sold more efficient cars in other markets, and vehicles a generation or more behind in the US."
"It’s not difficult to guess the results of creating “relaxed” standards for emissions and fuel economy in the United States while the rest of the world, plus California, keeps moving ahead. We don’t really have to guess, because we’ve been there before. For decades, Republican lawmakers like Missouri’s Roy Blunt fought to keep fuel economy standards low and emission standards lax. That allowed US automakers to build vehicles more cheaply, without investing in either the research or retooling needed to generate more and cleaner miles. It also had a immediate result on vehicles in the US market — the US became a dumping ground for older engines. Even if consumers wanted something better, they found that European and Asian manufacturers often sold more efficient cars in other markets, and vehicles a generation or more behind in the US."
FBI isn't done nabbing Trump advisors at airports: Nigel Farage associate brought in at Logan
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/3/30/1753226/-FBI-isn-t-done-nabbing-Trump-advisors-at-airports-Nigel-Farage-associate-brought-in-at-Logan
"Malloch, who now lives in London and often appears in the UK press as a Trump surrogate, was visiting the US on Wednesday when the FBI intercepted him at Boston’s Logan Airport."
"Malloch, who now lives in London and often appears in the UK press as a Trump surrogate, was visiting the US on Wednesday when the FBI intercepted him at Boston’s Logan Airport."
Alleging 'Very Serious' Violations, Groups File Complaint Against John Bolton Super PAC Over Ties to Cambridge Analytica
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/03/30/alleging-very-serious-violations-groups-file-complaint-against-john-bolton-super-pac
"With John Bolton set to officially become President Donald Trump's national security adviser in just over a week, two government watchdog groups filed a criminal complaint late Thursday demanding an investigation into whether Bolton's super PAC wittingly conspired with the scandal-ridden British data firm Cambridge Analytica to commit "very serious" violations of U.S. election laws."
"With John Bolton set to officially become President Donald Trump's national security adviser in just over a week, two government watchdog groups filed a criminal complaint late Thursday demanding an investigation into whether Bolton's super PAC wittingly conspired with the scandal-ridden British data firm Cambridge Analytica to commit "very serious" violations of U.S. election laws."
Report: Mueller Investigating 2016 Republican Convention In Russia Probe
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mueller-russia-probe-investigating-2016-cleveland-republican-convention
"Sessions’ meetings with Kislyak have created problems for him before, after he initially failed to disclose them when asked by former Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) if he was aware of any contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the attorney general’s January 2017 confirmation hearing. The revelation of those meetings by the Washington Post a couple months later forced Sessions to recuse himself from the Russia probe, leading to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein taking over the investigation and appointing Mueller as special prosecutor."
"Sessions’ meetings with Kislyak have created problems for him before, after he initially failed to disclose them when asked by former Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) if he was aware of any contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the attorney general’s January 2017 confirmation hearing. The revelation of those meetings by the Washington Post a couple months later forced Sessions to recuse himself from the Russia probe, leading to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein taking over the investigation and appointing Mueller as special prosecutor."
Michael Cohen’s lawyer gets laughed at by studio audience during disastrous NBC interview
https://thinkprogress.org/studio-audience-erupts-in-laughter-at-michael-cohens-lawyer-during-disastrous-nbc-interview-0c785aabdc17/
"President Donald Trump’s legal problems are such that his longtime attorney, Michael Cohen, has had to hire an attorney, David Schwartz, to represent him. Over the last couple of days, Schwartz has made numerous media appearances to defend Cohen and, ultimately, Trump. It is not going well."
"President Donald Trump’s legal problems are such that his longtime attorney, Michael Cohen, has had to hire an attorney, David Schwartz, to represent him. Over the last couple of days, Schwartz has made numerous media appearances to defend Cohen and, ultimately, Trump. It is not going well."
After Public Outcry, White House Ethics Office Probes Suspicious Loans to Kushner Companies
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/03/27/after-public-outcry-white-house-ethics-office-probes-suspicious-loans-kushner
"The probe comes in response to ethics concerned raised by journalists, lawmakers, and watchdog groups, after the New York Times reported late last month that Kushner Companies received more than half a billion dollars in loans after Kushner met with two financial executives to discuss official White House business—and, a few days later, The Intercept reported that a month after the firm failed to secure an investment from the Qatari government, Kushner advised Trump to provide essential support for Saudi Arabia and the UAE's bockade of Qatar. The letter (pdf) was written by acting director of the Office of Government Ethics David Apol and addressed to Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), a member of the House Oversight Committee who started asking questions after the Times report about Kushner Companies receiving a $184 million loan from Apollo Global Management and a $325 million loan from Citigroup. Jared Kushner stepped down from managing the company to join his father-in-law's administration, but he remains a part owner. Apol's letter acknowledges that even the discussion of private business during Kushner's meetings with the financial executives could be cause for concern, but "more importantly, if there was a connection between the potential loan and an official act, it could raise an issue under 18 U.S.C. § 201 (bribery and illegal gratuities)." It also notes Krishnamoorthi's proposition that Kushner's actions could "constitute a breach of his ethical obligations to the American people"."
"The probe comes in response to ethics concerned raised by journalists, lawmakers, and watchdog groups, after the New York Times reported late last month that Kushner Companies received more than half a billion dollars in loans after Kushner met with two financial executives to discuss official White House business—and, a few days later, The Intercept reported that a month after the firm failed to secure an investment from the Qatari government, Kushner advised Trump to provide essential support for Saudi Arabia and the UAE's bockade of Qatar. The letter (pdf) was written by acting director of the Office of Government Ethics David Apol and addressed to Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), a member of the House Oversight Committee who started asking questions after the Times report about Kushner Companies receiving a $184 million loan from Apollo Global Management and a $325 million loan from Citigroup. Jared Kushner stepped down from managing the company to join his father-in-law's administration, but he remains a part owner. Apol's letter acknowledges that even the discussion of private business during Kushner's meetings with the financial executives could be cause for concern, but "more importantly, if there was a connection between the potential loan and an official act, it could raise an issue under 18 U.S.C. § 201 (bribery and illegal gratuities)." It also notes Krishnamoorthi's proposition that Kushner's actions could "constitute a breach of his ethical obligations to the American people"."
Photos from the March for Our Lives
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2018/03/photos-from-the-march-for-our-lives/556454/
"images from rallies overseas and across the United States."
"images from rallies overseas and across the United States."
McConnell Fast-Tracks Approval of Trump's Federal Judges
McConnell Fast-Tracks Approval of Trump's Federal Judges:
"Expect more such bigots on the federal bench. They are being placed there to represent the extreme right wing. Amid all the focus on Trump and Congress, be wary of the subversion of our judicial branch of government. It is happening at an accelerated pace and does not appear likely to stop in the near future."
"Expect more such bigots on the federal bench. They are being placed there to represent the extreme right wing. Amid all the focus on Trump and Congress, be wary of the subversion of our judicial branch of government. It is happening at an accelerated pace and does not appear likely to stop in the near future."
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