thedailycaller--2020-01-12--In Wake Of Soleimani Hit, One NYT Reporter Amplified Iranian Propaganda

• New York Times journalist Farnaz Fassihi has been amplifying Iranian propaganda into the media following Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani ’ s death .
• The Daily Caller spoke with retired retired army intelligence officer Tony Shaffer and former CIA chief of station Daniel Hoffman about some of her tweets , where she cited anonymous Iranian sources .
• Shaffer said he believes Fassihi could be getting information fed to her directly from the Iranian government in an effort to get Americans to sympathize with Soleimani ’ s death .
In the days following the Jan. 2 strike that killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times journalist in particular became the focus of criticism for consistently amplifying Iranian messaging .
The journalist was by no means an isolated case .
Iranian propaganda and propagandists managed to get air time on CNN , Yahoo , the NYT and Washington Post , among other outlets , and a fake American death toll that made headlines on MSNBC was actually sourced directly to Iranian media .
Above it all though was New York Times reporter Farnaz Fassihi .
( RELATED : Time Informs Parents How To Talk To Their Kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fassihi ’ s aggressive dissemination of Iranian messaging started almost immediately after the Jan. 2 strike that killed Soleimani .
She began Jan. 3 by peddling “ unconfirmed reports ” of “ ballistic missiles hitting ” Ain Al-Assad , the largest U.S. military base .
There was no attack at that time .
NY Post reporter Jonathan Levine called her out when she later followed up to say the initial reports were false .
Under pressure , Fassihi later deleted the tweet .
The same day , Fassihi posted a video showing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been accused of killing hundreds of Americans .
The video , attributed to a “ source in Iran , ” shows Soleimani reciting poetry .
The Daily Caller made several attempts to get a hold of Fassihi , and queries to the Times went unanswered .
“ I think the government of Iran gave that to her , ” Tony Shaffer , a retired army intelligence officer , told the Daily Caller .
“ How many on the ground folks do you have in Baghdad right now who are gon na be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video and you ’ re gon na believe it ?
They ’ re not .
It ’ s incredible , it ’ s just not believable.
” Levine also slammed the poetry video as “ Iranian propaganda ” and wrote that Fassihi ’ s post was meant to show “ the softer side of Soleimani.
” ( RELATED : Pictures From The Killing Of Iranian Terrorist Leader Soleimani Have Been Released ) “ Gen .
Sulaimani became a household name in # Iran after 2012 Syria war , ” another series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ His image as a cult figure leading regional ‘ resistance ’ army was carefully cultivated & promoted to boost Iran ’ s image as regional power & to counter ISIS ’ s PR machine.
” “ Photos & videos of him leading prayers in battlefield , sharing meals w/fighters , kissing orphans & reciting poetry were all collectively part of that image/brand making.
” Fassihi denied accusations that she was “ sympathizing with ” Soleimani in a Jan. 3 tweet , writing that it is “ pure nonsense.
” Meanwhile , much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was attributed to “ sources in Iran ” or directly to IRGC officers .
It is likely Fassihi was being fed Iranian propaganda directly from the government in an attempt to get Americans to sympathize with the terrorist general ’ s death , Shaffer said he believes .
He added that Iran is “ much more sophisticated than we give them credit for ” and that they understand the benefits of using “ global media to get their message out.
” “ It appears to me that there is a process of information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran by some source , ” Shaffer said .
“ This parallels , from my experience as an intelligence officer , my experience with the IRGC , is that they are masters of deception.
” “ The NYT has fundamentally become an outlet which is not only willing to put forth an alternate perspective , they ’ re willing to engage in , I will say aspirational reporting , ” he continued .
“ They will say things from foreign sources knowing it ’ s wrong but they ’ ll put it out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I see this as an example , this reporter.
” While former CIA chief of station Daniel Hoffman was less sure of Iran mounting an influence campaign on American journalists , he echoed Shafer ’ s assessment that the media was eager to amplify anything anti-Trump .
He suggested that certain journalists have “ predisposed views about the president ” that could influence what they report .
Another one of Fassihi ’ s tweets from Jan. 4 cites two unknown commanders .
She claimed they had information about the U.S. asking countries to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Hoffman both said it was unlikely that a commander would know this type of information .
“ If I were going to tell you , I ’ d say , I ’ d have probably a high degree of confidence that they could not know , ” Hoffman said .
“ Even then , where ’ s she getting this ?
There ’ s an influence as well as an informed element always.
” “ So I just … I think people have rushed to judgment on this wildly , going right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judgment.
” Shaffer and Hoffman also agreed about the trouble with citing anonymous sources .
Hoffman told the Daily Caller that journalists should “ be very clear on where those facts ” that they are writing are coming from .
He added that journalists should also “ provide some analysis about what it means and the possibility that that information is meant to influence.
” ( RELATED : New York Times Spread Fake News On Iraq ’ s Vote To Expel US Troops – Here ’ s What You Really Need To Know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Fassihi ] lists basically anonymous sources , is not willing to reveal her sources , you ’ ve got ta question the veracity , ” Shaffer said .
“ This , again , seems to me like propaganda rather than reporting.
” Fassihi ’ s numerous tweets amplifying Iranian state messaging were often signed off with the hashtag “ Soleimani assassination.
” After Trump announced that he would consider hitting Iran cultural sites , Fassihi began to tweet photos of various ancient historic sites in the country on Jan. 5 .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Soleimani for his funeral , noting that “ millions of Iranians ” attended .
Her article ignored reports that the regime had forced many Iranians into the streets .
Fassihi tweeted out a link encouraging her followers to watch the funeral live that day .
Following Iran ’ s attacks on two Iraq bases housing U.S. troops Jan. 7. , Fassihi tweeted out reports that “ war ” would begin if the U.S. retaliated .
This reporting was also attributed to “ sources in Iran.
” “ Sources in Iran say if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also de-escalate .
But if it does , then it ’ s war .
IRGC statements reflect same , ” Fassihi wrote .

New York Times journalist Farnaz Fassihi has been amplifying Iranian propaganda into the media following Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani’s death.
The Daily Caller spoke with retired retired army intelligence officer Tony Shaffer and former CIA chief of station Daniel Hoffman about some of her tweets, where she cited anonymous Iranian sources.
Shaffer said he believes Fassihi could be getting information fed to her directly from the Iranian government in an effort to get Americans to sympathize with Soleimani’s death.
In the days following the Jan. 2 strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, one New York Times journalist in particular became the focus of criticism for consistently amplifying Iranian messaging.
The journalist was by no means an isolated case. Iranian propaganda and propagandists managed to get air time on CNN, Yahoo, the NYT and Washington Post, among other outlets, and a fake American death toll that made headlines on MSNBC was actually sourced directly to Iranian media. Above it all though was New York Times reporter Farnaz Fassihi. (RELATED: Time Informs Parents How To Talk To Their Kids About Qasem Soleimani’s Death)
The New York Times is at it again. This time, Tehran stenographer Farnaz Fassihi tells us Hassan Rouhani is Iran’s “moderate president,” He is taunting the U.S. in this quote and taking credit for retaliating in the Lockerbie bombing, which killed 190 Americans. Very moderate. pic.twitter.com/MeQgANeuYl — Jordan Schachtel (@JordanSchachtel) January 7, 2020
Fassihi’s aggressive dissemination of Iranian messaging started almost immediately after the Jan. 2 strike that killed Soleimani. She began Jan. 3 by peddling “unconfirmed reports” of “ballistic missiles hitting” Ain Al-Assad, the largest U.S. military base. There was no attack at that time.
NY Post reporter Jonathan Levine called her out when she later followed up to say the initial reports were false. Under pressure, Fassihi later deleted the tweet.
Maybe let’s not use this website for unconfirmed reports about Iran stuff pic.twitter.com/o3M9lR7PKs — Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) January 3, 2020
The same day, Fassihi posted a video showing a lighter side of the terrorist who has been accused of killing hundreds of Americans. The video, attributed to a “source in Iran,” shows Soleimani reciting poetry. The Daily Caller made several attempts to get a hold of Fassihi, and queries to the Times went unanswered.
“I think the government of Iran gave that to her,” Tony Shaffer, a retired army intelligence officer, told the Daily Caller. “How many on the ground folks do you have in Baghdad right now who are gonna be able to call you up and give you a video and you’re gonna believe it? They’re not. It’s incredible, it’s just not believable.”
Levine also slammed the poetry video as “Iranian propaganda” and wrote that Fassihi’s post was meant to show “the softer side of Soleimani.” (RELATED: Pictures From The Killing Of Iranian Terrorist Leader Soleimani Have Been Released)
Same reporter also putting out Iranian propaganda provided to her by a “source”https://t.co/le80WNDULJ — Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) January 3, 2020
“Gen. Sulaimani became a household name in #Iran after 2012 Syria war,” another series of Jan. 3 tweets from Fassihi read. “His image as a cult figure leading regional ‘resistance’ army was carefully cultivated & promoted to boost Iran’s image as regional power & to counter ISIS’s PR machine.”
“Photos & videos of him leading prayers in battlefield, sharing meals w/fighters, kissing orphans & reciting poetry were all collectively part of that image/brand making.”
4/ The Islamic Republic has many commanders. But it only had one Qasem Sulaimani. The blow for the regime is more symbolic than strategic. By choice or design he had become THE face of Iran’s regional power plays. — Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) January 4, 2020
Fassihi denied accusations that she was “sympathizing with” Soleimani in a Jan. 3 tweet, writing that it is “pure nonsense.” Meanwhile, much of her reporting in the following days was attributed to “sources in Iran” or directly to IRGC officers.
It is likely Fassihi was being fed Iranian propaganda directly from the government in an attempt to get Americans to sympathize with the terrorist general’s death, Shaffer said he believes. He added that Iran is “much more sophisticated than we give them credit for” and that they understand the benefits of using “global media to get their message out.”
“It appears to me that there is a process of information being fed to [Fassihi] by Iran by some source,” Shaffer said. “This parallels, from my experience as an intelligence officer, my experience with the IRGC, is that they are masters of deception.”
“The NYT has fundamentally become an outlet which is not only willing to put forth an alternate perspective, they’re willing to engage in, I will say aspirational reporting,” he continued. “They will say things from foreign sources knowing it’s wrong but they’ll put it out anyway because they are sympathetic politically. I see this as an example, this reporter.”
While former CIA chief of station Daniel Hoffman was less sure of Iran mounting an influence campaign on American journalists, he echoed Shafer’s assessment that the media was eager to amplify anything anti-Trump. He suggested that certain journalists have “predisposed views about the president” that could influence what they report.
“They’re [journalists] not pawns,” Hoffman said.
Another one of Fassihi’s tweets from Jan. 4 cites two unknown commanders. She claimed they had information about the U.S. asking countries to convince Iran not to retaliate. Shaffer and Hoffman both said it was unlikely that a commander would know this type of information.
“If I were going to tell you, I’d say, I’d have probably a high degree of confidence that they could not know,” Hoffman said. “Even then, where’s she getting this? There’s an influence as well as an informed element always.”
“So I just … I think people have rushed to judgment on this wildly, going right from the beginning. Massive rush to judgment.”
#Iran update:
Two commanders (IRGC Naghdi & Army Pourdastan) say US has asked dozen countries to intervene & convince Iran not to retaliate.
In addition to sending a letter.#SoleimaniAssassination — Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) January 4, 2020
Shaffer and Hoffman also agreed about the trouble with citing anonymous sources. Hoffman told the Daily Caller that journalists should “be very clear on where those facts” that they are writing are coming from.
He added that journalists should also “provide some analysis about what it means and the possibility that that information is meant to influence.” (RELATED: New York Times Spread Fake News On Iraq’s Vote To Expel US Troops – Here’s What You Really Need To Know)
“The fact that this woman [Fassihi] lists basically anonymous sources, is not willing to reveal her sources, you’ve gotta question the veracity,” Shaffer said. “This, again, seems to me like propaganda rather than reporting.”
Fassihi’s numerous tweets amplifying Iranian state messaging were often signed off with the hashtag “Soleimani assassination.” After Trump announced that he would consider hitting Iran cultural sites, Fassihi began to tweet photos of various ancient historic sites in the country on Jan. 5.
She also wrote a Jan. 5 puff piece on Soleimani for his funeral, noting that “millions of Iranians” attended. Her article ignored reports that the regime had forced many Iranians into the streets. Fassihi tweeted out a link encouraging her followers to watch the funeral live that day.
#Iran State Funeral for Gen. Sulaimani begins in Tehran. Millions are out. Sea of endless people by 6 am. In 25 years covering Iran, have never seen anything like this. #SoleimaniFuneral #IranAttacks — Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) January 6, 2020
Following Iran’s attacks on two Iraq bases housing U.S. troops Jan. 7., Fassihi tweeted out reports that “war” would begin if the U.S. retaliated. This reporting was also attributed to “sources in Iran.”
“Sources in Iran say if US doesn’t retaliate then Iran will also de-escalate. But if it does, then it’s war. IRGC statements reflect same,” Fassihi wrote.


thedailycaller--2020-01-12--Kellyanne Conway Blasts Democratic ‘Apologists’ For Iran, Wonders If Buttigieg Would Have Invited So

Kellyanne Conway Blasts Democratic ‘Apologists’ For Iran, Wonders If Buttigieg Would Have Invited Soleimani ‘Into The Wine Cave’

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway had strong words for Democratic “ apologists ” for Iran — particularly former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg — during a Saturday night appearance on “ Watters World.
” Speaking with Fox News host Jesse Watters about Democratic criticism of President Donald Trump ’ s decision to order the drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani , Conway accused them of “ becoming apologists for the bad guys.
” “ I also think the 2020 crowd really didn ’ t know what to do with this because they ’ re stuck , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
Nobody pays attention to these town halls anymore .
They ’ re starting to feel the Bern again .
The guy who beat Hillary in 22 contests in the primary is raising all this money and is in it to stay , and if you ’ re a socialist on economic policies , we know what your foreign policy is .
They ’ re becoming apologists for the bad guys and that ’ s very disappointing.
” “ Buttigieg , what did he want the president to do ?
” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invite Soleimani into the wine cave ?
We think that we know where Soleimani is and belongs .
We think [ Abu Bakr ] al-Baghdadi is looking very lonely in hell and needed a roommate.
” “ Yeah I don ’ t think Mayor Pete would make it out of the wine cave alive if he was in there with Soleimani , ” Watters joked .
( RELATED : ‘ Why Not Use This Opportunity To Say We ’ re Done ?
’ — Laura Ingraham Presses Trump On Leaving Iraq For Good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human error ” was responsible for its downing of a plane headed to Ukraine on Wednesday , killing 176 , Buttigieg blamed it on an “ unnecessary and unwanted military tit for tat ” presumably started by Trump .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren criticized Buttigieg last month for holding a wealthy donor fundraiser “ in a wine cave full of crystals , and served $ 900 a bottle wine .
”

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway had strong words for Democratic “apologists” for Iran — particularly former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg — during a Saturday night appearance on “Watters World.”
Speaking with Fox News host Jesse Watters about Democratic criticism of President Donald Trump’s decision to order the drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, Conway accused them of “becoming apologists for the bad guys.”
“I also think the 2020 crowd really didn’t know what to do with this because they’re stuck,” she said. “Nobody cares what they say. Nobody pays attention to these town halls anymore. They’re starting to feel the Bern again. The guy who beat Hillary in 22 contests in the primary is raising all this money and is in it to stay, and if you’re a socialist on economic policies, we know what your foreign policy is. They’re becoming apologists for the bad guys and that’s very disappointing.”
“Buttigieg, what did he want the president to do?” she asked. “Is he going to invite Soleimani into the wine cave? We think that we know where Soleimani is and belongs. We think [Abu Bakr] al-Baghdadi is looking very lonely in hell and needed a roommate.”
“Yeah I don’t think Mayor Pete would make it out of the wine cave alive if he was in there with Soleimani,” Watters joked. (RELATED: ‘Why Not Use This Opportunity To Say We’re Done?’ — Laura Ingraham Presses Trump On Leaving Iraq For Good)
Though Iran eventually admitted that “human error” was responsible for its downing of a plane headed to Ukraine on Wednesday, killing 176, Buttigieg blamed it on an “unnecessary and unwanted military tit for tat” presumably started by Trump.
Innocent civilians are now dead because they were caught in the middle of an unnecessary and unwanted military tit for tat. My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of all 176 souls lost aboard this flight. https://t.co/zWaVgWxfdL — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 9, 2020
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren criticized Buttigieg last month for holding a wealthy donor fundraiser “in a wine cave full of crystals, and served $900 a bottle wine.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-12--Top House Democrat Dodges Repeatedly When Asked One Simple Question About Ocasio-Cortez

A top House Democrat repeatedly declined to say Sunday morning whether Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is good for the Democratic caucus .
Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos , who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ( DCCC ) , was asked four times on CNN whether Ocasio-Cortez was “ good for the Democratic caucus.
” She declined to give a “ yes ” or “ no ” answer each time .
Ocasio-Cortez is currently feuding with the DCCC over her refusal to pay $ 250,000 in fundraising dues to the committee , which aims to help Democrats in House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Ocasio-Cortez and Democratic leadership was evident in Bustos ’ s interview Sunday morning .
“ Is she good for the Democratic caucus in the House ?
” CNN host Victor Blackwell asked Bustos , who proceeded to dodge the question .
“ She has a lot of followers .
I have respect for her .
She brings a new voice to Congress , ” she said , before Blackwell repeated the question .
Once again , Bustos refused to give a straight answer .
“ Look , we ’ ve got members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her and she brings a new voice and I think that ’ s always welcome , ” Bustos said .
( RELATED : Ocasio-Cortez ’ s Chief Of Staff Admits What The Green New Deal Is Really About — And It ’ s Not The Climate ) “ It ’ s interesting , I have the chairwoman of the DCCC whose job it is to support incumbents and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez is one .
I ’ m asking you just a straightforward question : Is she good for the Democratic caucus in the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Look , she brings a voice .
We have members from all different spectrums of the Democratic Party .
Look , I come from a district that [ President ] Donald Trump won .
My politics are somewhat different than hers , but she brings a voice that ’ s welcome .
And I have great appreciation for that , ” Bustos said , yet again declining to answer .
“ She raised more money in the third quarter of 2019 than any other Democrat in the House , including the speaker of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as she counts , $ 300,000 to other incumbents , including some in swing districts , and I ’ m asking the chairwoman of the DCCC if this member , who is right now in the top 10 of House members raising money , if she ’ s good for the caucus .
You can ’ t give me a straight ‘ yes ’ or ‘ no ’ ?
” Blackwell pressed again .
“ Look , I have respect for all 235 of the Democrats in our caucus .
She is bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she has raised unbelievable amounts of money and the fact that she just announced that she ’ s willing to help our candidates who need — who could benefit with that financial help — that ’ s welcome .
And , look , you ’ re asking a ‘ yes ’ or ‘ no ’ question .
I ’ m a former reporter , Victor , so I understand what you ’ re trying to get at , ” Bustos said .
“ Yes , I ’ m trying to get to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I have respect for her , I welcome her into our delegation and I ’ m very happy that she ’ s willing to help our candidates , ” Bustos said , concluding the interview without giving a straight answer to the question .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

A top House Democrat repeatedly declined to say Sunday morning whether Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is good for the Democratic caucus.
A news anchor asked Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos, who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), four times on CNN whether Ocasio-Cortez was “good for the Democratic caucus.” She declined to give a “yes” or “no” answer each time.
Ocasio-Cortez is currently feuding with the DCCC over her refusal to pay $250,000 in fundraising dues to the committee, which aims to help Democrats in House races across the country.
The division between Ocasio-Cortez and Democratic leadership was evident in Bustos’s interview Sunday morning. “Is she good for the Democratic caucus in the House?” CNN host Victor Blackwell asked Bustos, who proceeded to dodge the question.
“She has a lot of followers. I have respect for her,” Bustos said.
“She brings a new voice to Congress,” she said, before Blackwell repeated the question. Once again, Bustos did not give a straight answer.
“Look, we’ve got members from all different spectrums. I respect her and she brings a new voice, and I think that’s always welcome,” Bustos said. (RELATED: Ocasio-Cortez’s Chief Of Staff Admits What The Green New Deal Is Really About — And It’s Not The Climate)
“It’s interesting, I have the chairwoman of the DCCC whose job it is to support incumbents and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez is one. I’m asking you just a straightforward question: Is she good for the Democratic caucus in the House?” Blackwell asked again.
“Look, she brings a voice. We have members from all different spectrums of the Democratic Party,” Bustos said.
“Look, I come from a district that [President] Donald Trump won. My politics are somewhat different than hers, but she brings a voice that’s welcome,” she added. “And I have great appreciation for that.”
Blackwell said: “She raised more money in the third quarter of 2019 than any other Democrat in the House, including the speaker of the House. She has given, as she counts, $300,000 to other incumbents, including some in swing districts, and I’m asking the chairwoman of the DCCC if this member, who is right now in the top 10 of House members raising money, if she’s good for the caucus.”
“You can’t give me a straight ‘yes’ or ‘no’?” Blackwell pressed.
WATCH:
“Look, I have respect for all 235 of the Democrats in our caucus. She is bringing a new voice,” Bustos said, adding:
“The fact that she has raised unbelievable amounts of money and the fact that she just announced that she’s willing to help our candidates who need — who could benefit with that financial help — that’s welcome. And, look, you’re asking a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question. I’m a former reporter, Victor, so I understand what you’re trying to get at.”
“Yes, I’m trying to get to a simple answer,” Blackwell said. (RELATED: CNN’s Chris Cillizza Perfectly Demonstrates Why Trust In Media Is So Low)
“I have respect for her, I welcome her into our delegation and I’m very happy that she’s willing to help our candidates,” Bustos said, concluding the interview without giving a straight answer to the question.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-01-12--WaPo Reporter: ‘A Lot Of Democrats Have Privately Said’ Pelosi’s Impeachment Strategy ‘Failed’

Washington Post congressional reporter Rachael Bade said on ABC ’ s “ This Week ” that Democrats “ have privately said ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s decision to delay sending impeachment articles to the Senate was a “ failed strategy.
” Although Pelosi herself has defended her decision to wait , host George Stephanopoulos told his panel , before turning to Bade , that there has been “ a lot of skepticism on Capitol Hill.
” “ Yeah , definitely , ” said Bade .
“ She was clearly putting a positive spin on what a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy.
” The Washington Post reporter explained how Pelosi ended up getting none of her original wishes from the delay : She and Chuck Schumer set out to , number one , try to get a commitment from McConnell on witnesses , firsthand witnesses to have them testify in a Senate trial .
She also said she wanted to see a resolution about , you know , how the whole proceedings would be governed .
She got neither of those .
As for revelations that have come about since the delay , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressing his willingness to testify , Bade argued that those things “ would have happened regardless.
” ( RELATED : MSNBC ’ s Katy Tur Explains Why ‘ Democrats Are No Closer To Defeating Mr. Trump Than They Were Three Years Ago ’ ) “ And in fact there might have even been more news focused on those things if everybody wasn ’ t asking ‘ what is Nancy Pelosi doing for the articles ? '
” Bade observed .
“ So I do the think there are a lot of Democrats who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and saying it , a lot of them had concern about this .
”

Washington Post congressional reporter Rachael Bade said on ABC’s “This Week” that Democrats “have privately said” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s decision to delay sending impeachment articles to the Senate was a “failed strategy.”
Although Pelosi herself has defended her decision to wait, host George Stephanopoulos told his panel, before turning to Bade, that there has been “a lot of skepticism on Capitol Hill.”
“Yeah, definitely,” said Bade. “She was clearly putting a positive spin on what a lot of Democrats have privately said was a failed strategy.”
The Washington Post reporter explained how Pelosi ended up getting none of her original wishes from the delay:
She and Chuck Schumer set out to, number one, try to get a commitment from McConnell on witnesses, firsthand witnesses to have them testify in a Senate trial. She also said she wanted to see a resolution about, you know, how the whole proceedings would be governed. She got neither of those.
As for revelations that have come about since the delay, such as former National Security Advisor John Bolton expressing his willingness to testify, Bade argued that those things “would have happened regardless.” (RELATED: MSNBC’s Katy Tur Explains Why ‘Democrats Are No Closer To Defeating Mr. Trump Than They Were Three Years Ago’)
“And in fact there might have even been more news focused on those things if everybody wasn’t asking ‘what is Nancy Pelosi doing for the articles?'” Bade observed. “So I do the think there are a lot of Democrats who, while not going on the record and saying it, a lot of them had concern about this.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-12--Pelosi On Impeachment Impasse: House Democrats ‘Accomplished’ Showing Public ‘The Need For Witnesses

Pelosi On Impeachment Impasse: House Democrats ‘Accomplished’ Showing Public ‘The Need For Witnesses’

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday that she achieved her objective by sitting on the articles of impeachment for a month but isn ’ t guaranteeing they will be delivered to the Senate this week .
Pelosi had indicated on Friday that she would be sending the documents the following week but her comments to ABC News ’ “ This Week with George Stephanopoulos ” were less than precise .
“ I did say I ’ ll be consulting with my members this week on Tuesday morning at our regular caucus meeting that we would vote to send them over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting when we send them over , ” the Democratic California congresswoman told ABC .
“ I ’ ve always said I would send them over .
There shouldn ’ t be any mystery to that , ” she said .
“ What we did want though , and what we think we accomplished in the past few weeks is that we wanted the public to see the need for witnesses , witnesses with firsthand knowledge of what happened .
Documentation which the president has prevented from coming out to the Congress as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ She Should Send Them Over ’ : Senate Democrats Want Pelosi To End Stalemate Of Impeachment Documents ) When reminded that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not agreed to Pelosi ’ s demand for witnesses , Pelosi responded , “ I think he ’ ll be accountable to the American people for that .
Over 70 % of the American people think that the president should have those witnesses testify .
So again … it ’ s about a fair trial .
They take an oath to take a fair trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses and documentation … now the ball is anywhere in their court .
Either do that or pay the price.
” Pelosi insisted that McConnell was now presiding over a “ cover-up ” if he dismisses the impeachment .
“ I ’ m telling you he signed on Thursday to a resolution to dismiss the case .
The dismissing is a cover-up … If they want to go that route , again the senators who are thinking now about voting for witnesses or not , they will have to be accountable for not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told ABC .
( RELATED : Ted Cruz : Sitting On Impeachment Is ‘ An Admission Of Failure ’ ) The House Speaker stood by her decision to impeach President Donald Trump , arguing “ there ’ s enough evidence to remove the president from office .
But we ’ ve done our job .
We ’ ve defended the Constitution of the United States .
We would hope that the Senate would do that as well … We ’ re proud of the courage of our members to vote to impeach the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate can do to erase that.
” For the last month Democrats have been sending mixed signals about the how long Pelosi should withhold the articles of impeachment .
House Majority Whip Democratic South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn suggested in December that the Speaker never deliver the documents if she couldn ’ t guarantee a “ fair ” trial .
Democratic Washington Rep. Adam Smith , the chairman of the Armed Services Committee , retracted comments that he made Thursday morning that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should deliver the articles of impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dianne Feinstein also flip-flopped on her call for Pelosi to move forward .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday that she achieved her objective by sitting on the articles of impeachment for a month but isn’t guaranteeing they will be delivered to the Senate this week.
Pelosi had indicated on Friday that she would be sending the documents the following week but her comments to ABC News’ “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” were less than precise.
“I did say I’ll be consulting with my members this week on Tuesday morning at our regular caucus meeting that we would vote to send them over and we’ll determine in our meeting when we send them over,” the Democratic California congresswoman told ABC.
“I’ve always said I would send them over. There shouldn’t be any mystery to that,” she said. “What we did want though, and what we think we accomplished in the past few weeks is that we wanted the public to see the need for witnesses, witnesses with firsthand knowledge of what happened. Documentation which the president has prevented from coming out to the Congress as we reviewed this.” (RELATED: ‘She Should Send Them Over’: Senate Democrats Want Pelosi To End Stalemate Of Impeachment Documents)
When reminded that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not agreed to Pelosi’s demand for witnesses, Pelosi responded, “I think he’ll be accountable to the American people for that. Over 70% of the American people think that the president should have those witnesses testify. So again … it’s about a fair trial. They take an oath to take a fair trial and we think that would be with witnesses and documentation … now the ball is anywhere in their court. Either do that or pay the price.”
Pelosi insisted that McConnell was now presiding over a “cover-up” if he dismisses the impeachment.
“I’m telling you he signed on Thursday to a resolution to dismiss the case. The dismissing is a cover-up … If they want to go that route, again the senators who are thinking now about voting for witnesses or not, they will have to be accountable for not having a fair trial,” Pelosi told ABC. (RELATED: Ted Cruz: Sitting On Impeachment Is ‘An Admission Of Failure’)
The House Speaker stood by her decision to impeach President Donald Trump, arguing “there’s enough evidence to remove the president from office. But we’ve done our job. We’ve defended the Constitution of the United States. We would hope that the Senate would do that as well … We’re proud of the courage of our members to vote to impeach the president. There’s nothing that the Senate can do to erase that.”
For the last month Democrats have been sending mixed signals about the how long Pelosi should withhold the articles of impeachment. House Majority Whip Democratic South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn suggested in December that the Speaker never deliver the documents if she couldn’t guarantee a “fair” trial.
Democratic Washington Rep. Adam Smith, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, retracted comments that he made Thursday morning that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should deliver the articles of impeachment to the Senate. Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein also flip-flopped on her call for Pelosi to move forward.


thedailycaller--2020-01-12--‘Repeatedly Betrayed Black Voters’: Sanders Co-Chair Rips Into Joe Biden

The national co-chair of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ s 2020 campaign tore into former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s record on race in an op-ed Sunday .
Biden has “ repeatedly betrayed black voters , ” Nina Turner argued in an op-ed published in South Carolina newspaper The State .
She hammered Biden ’ s opposition to forced desegregation busing and his work with segregationist senators and wrote : “ Biden didn ’ t just vote for bills designed to prevent black students from accessing white schools : in a series of personal letters he actively courted pro-segregation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders , by contrast , began his work in politics by organizing civil rights protests .
As a college student , he helped lead a local chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality in its push to desegregate housing .
Sanders participated in the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. ’ s March on Washington and was arrested for protesting rampant school segregation in Chicago , ” Turner wrote .
“ In addition , Sanders has been pushing an education plan that supports local efforts to combat racial segregation , ” she added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hurting Bernie Sanders Right Before Iowa ) “ Biden also fought alongside right-wing Republicans to pass so-called ‘ welfare reform ’ that reduced financial support for low-income families , ” Turner wrote , adding : “ Biden echoed former President Ronald Reagan ’ s dishonest ‘ welfare queen ’ language and wrote a column conjuring an ugly stereotype of ‘ welfare mothers driving luxury cars and leading lifestyles that mirror the rich and famous . '
” Voting for Biden would be tantamount to “ going backward for black voters , ” Turner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean “ we are going forward into a future of empowerment and equality for all.
” Biden ’ s campaign didn ’ t immediately return the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment on Turner ’ s op-ed .
Biden has been a consistent frontrunner in South Carolina , where black voters are a key constituency for Democrats .
Sanders , meanwhile , holds narrow leads in both Iowa and New Hampshire in the Democratic presidential field , according to RealClearPolitics ’ polling average for both states .
Content created by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

The national co-chair of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’s 2020 campaign tore into former Vice President Joe Biden’s record on race in an op-ed Sunday.
Biden has “repeatedly betrayed black voters,” Nina Turner argued in an op-ed published in South Carolina newspaper The State.
She hammered Biden’s opposition to forced desegregation busing and his work with segregationist senators and wrote: “Biden didn’t just vote for bills designed to prevent black students from accessing white schools: in a series of personal letters he actively courted pro-segregation senators to support the legislation.”
“Sanders, by contrast, began his work in politics by organizing civil rights protests. As a college student, he helped lead a local chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality in its push to desegregate housing. Sanders participated in the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington and was arrested for protesting rampant school segregation in Chicago,” Turner wrote.
“In addition, Sanders has been pushing an education plan that supports local efforts to combat racial segregation,” she added. (RELATED: Nancy Pelosi Is Hurting Bernie Sanders Right Before Iowa)
“Biden also fought alongside right-wing Republicans to pass so-called ‘welfare reform’ that reduced financial support for low-income families,” Turner wrote, adding:
“Biden echoed former President Ronald Reagan’s dishonest ‘welfare queen’ language and wrote a column conjuring an ugly stereotype of ‘welfare mothers driving luxury cars and leading lifestyles that mirror the rich and famous.'”
Voting for Biden would be tantamount to “going backward for black voters,” Turner concluded, while voting for Sanders would mean “we are going forward into a future of empowerment and equality for all.”
Biden’s campaign didn’t immediately return the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment on Turner’s op-ed.
Biden has been a consistent frontrunner in South Carolina, where black voters are a key constituency for Democrats. Sanders, meanwhile, holds narrow leads in both Iowa and New Hampshire in the Democratic presidential field, according to RealClearPolitics’ polling average for both states.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-01-12--Adam Schiff: ‘Humiliated’ Iran ‘More Dangerous’ Following US Actions

Democratic California Rep. Adam Schiff claimed Sunday that Iran is “ humiliated ” and “ the risk … is greater now ” because of the Trump administration ’ s actions .
He was speaking of the recent attack ordered by President Donald Trump that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani , commander of the Quds Force terrorism unit .
Speaking to CBS News ’ “ Face the Nation , ” Schiff , the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee , predicted that Iran will shift to covert actions against the United States .
“ Well , I think what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the near term is the end of Iran ’ s overt attacks like the missile attack on our bases … and the risk to American troops and American civilians is greater now because of this administration ’ s actions , ” he said .
“ Iran has been humiliated by this taking out of their top leadership , but also by their disastrous shoot down of this civilian aircraft .
That makes them , I think , more dangerous and provocative in the sense that we may very well see covert retaliation against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump Reluctant To Share Intelligence With Democrats Because of ‘ Crooked , Corrupt ’ Adam Schiff ) Schiff also disputed claims from Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Iran was plotting “ imminent ” actions against the United States , including the bombing of one or more embassies .
The congressman said a national security briefing his week was short on specifics .
“ I don ’ t recall frankly in that briefing there being a specific discussion about bombing the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad .
The briefing was much more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Secretary Pompeo admitted the other day when he said that we don ’ t know precisely where and we don ’ t know precisely when.
” “ They didn ’ t have specificity so when you hear the president out there on Fox [ News ] he is fudging the intelligence .
I mean when you hear the Secretary [ of State ] say , ‘ well , that wasn ’ t what the intelligence said but that ’ s my personal belief , ’ he is fudging.
” ( RELATED : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump Criticizes Adam Schiff At Toledo , Ohio Rally ) When asked if “ fudging ” constitutes lying , Schiff responded , “ Well , you know , you can certainly put it that way , but frankly I think what they are doing is they are overstating and exaggerating what the intelligence shows , and when you are talking about justifying acts that might write us into warfare with Iran , that ’ s a dangerous thing to do.
” During a Toledo , Ohio rally on Thursday Trump said Democrats can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before a major action because they “ call up the fake news ” and share the information .
Trump suggested again during a Friday interview that Democrats leak intelligence to friendly media .
“ They leak .
Anything we give will be leaked immediately , ” he told “ The Ingraham Angle .
”

Democratic California Rep. Adam Schiff claimed Sunday that Iran is “humiliated” and “the risk … is greater now” because of the Trump administration’s actions.
He was speaking of the recent attack ordered by President Donald Trump that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force terrorism unit.
Speaking to CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, predicted that Iran will shift to covert actions against the United States. “Well, I think what we are likely to see at least in the near term is the end of Iran’s overt attacks like the missile attack on our bases … and the risk to American troops and American civilians is greater now because of this administration’s actions,” he said.
“Iran has been humiliated by this taking out of their top leadership, but also by their disastrous shoot down of this civilian aircraft. That makes them, I think, more dangerous and provocative in the sense that we may very well see covert retaliation against the United States.” (RELATED: Trump Reluctant To Share Intelligence With Democrats Because of ‘Crooked, Corrupt’ Adam Schiff)
Schiff also disputed claims from Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Iran was plotting “imminent” actions against the United States, including the bombing of one or more embassies.
The congressman said a national security briefing his week was short on specifics. “I don’t recall frankly in that briefing there being a specific discussion about bombing the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The briefing was much more along the lines, frankly of something that Secretary Pompeo admitted the other day when he said that we don’t know precisely where and we don’t know precisely when.”
“They didn’t have specificity so when you hear the president out there on Fox [News] he is fudging the intelligence. I mean when you hear the Secretary [of State] say, ‘well, that wasn’t what the intelligence said but that’s my personal belief,’ he is fudging.” (RELATED: ‘You Little Pencil Neck,’ Trump Criticizes Adam Schiff At Toledo, Ohio Rally)
When asked if “fudging” constitutes lying, Schiff responded, “Well, you know, you can certainly put it that way, but frankly I think what they are doing is they are overstating and exaggerating what the intelligence shows, and when you are talking about justifying acts that might write us into warfare with Iran, that’s a dangerous thing to do.”
During a Toledo, Ohio rally on Thursday Trump said Democrats cannot be trusted to share intelligence with before a major action because they “call up the fake news” and share the information.
Trump suggested again during a Friday interview that Democrats leak intelligence to friendly media. “They leak. Anything we give will be leaked immediately,” he told “The Ingraham Angle.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-12--Cleveland Browns Hire Kevin Stefanski As Their New Head Coach

The Cleveland Browns have hired Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski has their new head coach .
Ian Rapoport reported the decision was made Sunday following the Vikings losing to the 49ers in the playoffs Saturday .
( RELATED : David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football ) Honestly , I don ’ t know much about Stefanski at all .
Not even a little bit .
I know Minnesota had a solid offense this past year and a strong season with Kirk Cousins playing quarterback .
Past that , I couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the man the Browns just made their new head coach .
What I can tell you for sure is that Stefanski is inheriting an absolute mess with the Browns .
They ’ re one of the most underwhelming franchises in all of sports .
On top of that , chaos and the Cleveland Browns go hand-in-hand .
I guess that ’ s what happens when you hand the keys over to Baker Mayfield .
He certainly has his work cut out for him , and I don ’ t envy the rebuild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with those personalities won ’ t be easy .

The Cleveland Browns have hired Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski has their new head coach.
Ian Rapoport reported the decision was made Sunday following the Vikings losing to the 49ers in the playoffs Saturday. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
Sources: The #Browns are planning to hire #Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. Runner-up last year, winner this year. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2020
With the #Browns filling their head coaching job by the coming hire of #Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski, they may look at Minnesota respected assistant GM George Paton as a possible GM. Andrew Berry and Ed Dodds already have requests. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2020
Fallout from #Browns hire of Kevin Stefanski:
— #49ers DC Robert Saleh, who nearly got it, has emerged as a top candidate for years to come.
— #Patriots OC Josh McDaniels will stay in New England, a win for Bill Belichick.
— Minnesota needs a new OC, but Gary Kubiak is there. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2020
Honestly, I don’t know much about Stefanski at all. Not even a little bit. I know Minnesota had a solid offense this past year and a strong season with Kirk Cousins playing quarterback.
Past that, I couldn’t tell you much at all about the man the Browns just made their new head coach.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cleveland Browns (@clevelandbrowns) on Dec 28, 2019 at 6:16pm PST
What I can tell you for sure is that Stefanski is inheriting an absolute mess with the Browns. They’re one of the most underwhelming franchises in all of sports.
On top of that, chaos and the Cleveland Browns go hand-in-hand. I guess that’s what happens when you hand the keys over to Baker Mayfield.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cleveland Browns (@clevelandbrowns) on Dec 22, 2019 at 8:59am PST
He certainly has his work cut out for him, and I don’t envy the rebuild ahead of him at all. Dealing with those personalities won’t be easy.


thedailycaller--2020-01-12--British Ambassador Detained And Let Go After Appearing At Tehran Protest

Britain ’ s ambassador to Iran was arrested and then let go after appearing at a protest in Tehran .
Hundreds of Iranian citizens took to the streets Saturday after learning that their government had lied about who was responsible for a plane crash that killed 176 civilians .
( RELATED : Iranian Military Apologizes For Shooting Down Ukraine-Bound Flight , Cites ‘ Human Error ’ : Report ) Rob Macaire explained in a tweet that he had gone to the protest to pay homage to those killed when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down a Ukrainian passenger airliner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an incoming missile .
“ I insist that I did not participate in any demonstration !
I am commemorating those who died in a plane crash # PS752 It is natural to pay tribute to those who were killed , some of whom were British .
After five minutes I left to chant , ” Macaire said .
Macaire then confirmed that he had been detained , noting that the arrest of any diplomat is a violation of international law .
( RELATED : Iran Adopts US Media ’ s Talking Point : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Error ’ That Brought Down Flight ) “ I was arrested half an hour after leaving the place .
It is illegal to arrest diplomats in any country .
Statements by the British Foreign Secretary @ DominicRaab , ” he added .
The arrest of our Ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law .
The Iranian government is at a cross-roads moment .
It can continue its march towards pariah status with all the political and economic isolation that entails , or take steps to deescalate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forwards .

Britain’s ambassador to Iran was arrested and then let go after appearing at a protest in Tehran.
Hundreds of Iranian citizens took to the streets Saturday after learning that their government had lied about who was responsible for a plane crash that killed 176 civilians. (RELATED: Iranian Military Apologizes For Shooting Down Ukraine-Bound Flight, Cites ‘Human Error’: Report)
Rob Macaire explained in a tweet that he had gone to the protest to pay homage to those killed when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down a Ukrainian passenger airliner — which they had reportedly mistaken for an incoming missile.
“I insist that I did not participate in any demonstration! I am commemorating those who died in a plane crash #PS752 It is natural to pay tribute to those who were killed, some of whom were British. After five minutes I left to chant,” Macaire said.
تاکیدمیکنم که من درهیچ تظاهراتی شرکت نکردم! من به مراسم یادبود افرادی که در سانحه ناگوار سقوط هواپیمای #PS752 بودند رفتم.طبیعیست که نسبت به کشته شدگان ادای احترام کنم،تعدادی ازآنها بریتانیایی بودند.پس از۵ دقیقه هنگامی که عده ای شروع به شعاردادن کردن محل را ترک کردم. — Rob Macaire (@HMATehran) January 12, 2020
Macaire then confirmed that he had been detained, noting that the arrest of any diplomat is a violation of international law. (RELATED: Iran Adopts US Media’s Talking Point: ‘US Adventurism’ Caused ‘Human Error’ That Brought Down Flight)
“I was arrested half an hour after leaving the place. It is illegal to arrest diplomats in any country. Statements by the British Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab,” he added.
2/2
من نیم ساعت بعد از ترک محل دستگیر شدم. دستگیر کردن دیپلمات ها در هر کشوری غیر قانونی است. اظهارات وزیر امور خارجه بریتانیا @DominicRaab را ملاحظه کنید. ممنون از پیام های شما که پر از حسن نیت بود — Rob Macaire (@HMATehran) January 12, 2020
Raab’s full statement read:
The arrest of our Ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law. The Iranian government is at a cross-roads moment. It can continue its march towards pariah status with all the political and economic isolation that entails, or take steps to deescalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards.


thedailycaller--2020-01-12--Trump Administration Tells Supreme Court Not To Fast-Track Obamacare Challenge

The Trump administration told the Supreme Court there is no reason to fast-track its consideration of two petitions seeking review of a lower court decision that struck down the Affordable Care Act ’ s individual mandate .
A coalition of blue states and congressional Democrats asked the high court in January to decide whether to hear their appeal as soon as possible .
The Department of Justice said the lower courts should finish their work before the justices get involved .
“ Petitioners ’ submission , at bottom , is that the vitality of the ACA ’ s myriad provisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the government ’ s Jan. 10 filing reads .
“ But definitive resolution of that issue will be facilitated , not frustrated , by allowing the lower courts to complete their own consideration of the question.
” The 5th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the individual mandate in December and said it could no longer be justified on tax grounds after the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set the financial penalty for failing to purchase health insurance at zero .
The 5th Circuit did not strike down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it returned the case to a federal trial judge in northern Texas to determine how much of the statute can survive without the mandate .
In legal parlance , that question is referred to as “ severability.
” The administration warned the justices that taking on such a question before the lower courts issue a judgment would be practically difficult .
What ’ s more , the Supreme Court usually does not analyze large factual records before a lower court has done so .
“ If the Court were to grant review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it would have to confront the severability of statutory provisions spanning 900 pages without the benefit of any decision from the court of appeals on that question , or of a decision from the district court applying the more granular analysis that the court of appeals prescribed , ” the government ’ s brief reads .
( RELATED : First Amendment Challenge To Mandatory Membership , Bar Fees Reaches Supreme Court ) Another round of proceedings could take years to litigate .
The trial court ’ s severability analysis will likely take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues , another appeal to the 5th Circuit will follow .
Democrats defending Obamacare say such prolonged uncertainty will wreak havoc for families and policymakers , making immediate resolution in the Supreme Court essential .
A second timing factor also cuts against Democrats .
As a general matter , the Supreme Court finalizes its docket for a given term in mid-January .
Cases granted after that deadline are usually deferred to the following term .
Democrats hope the high court will decide whether to hear their appeal before that deadline passes or break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispute for resolution this term if justices do not grant review before the end of January .
Despite the high-stakes and break-neck pace , there are no immediate consequences for the ACA .
The lower court decisions in the case are stayed , meaning Obamacare will continue to function as normal while litigation continues .
The cases are No .
19-840 California v. Texas and No .
19-841 House of Representatives v. Texas .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

The Trump administration told the Supreme Court there is no reason to fast-track its consideration of two petitions seeking review of a lower court decision that struck down the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate.
A coalition of blue states and congressional Democrats asked the high court in January to decide whether to hear their appeal as soon as possible. The Department of Justice said the lower courts should finish their work before the justices get involved.
“Petitioners’ submission, at bottom, is that the vitality of the ACA’s myriad provisions is too important to be left unresolved,” the government’s Jan. 10 filing reads. “But definitive resolution of that issue will be facilitated, not frustrated, by allowing the lower courts to complete their own consideration of the question.”
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the individual mandate in December and said it could no longer be justified on tax grounds after the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set the financial penalty for failing to purchase health insurance at zero. The 5th Circuit did not strike down Obamacare in full, however. Instead, it returned the case to a federal trial judge in northern Texas to determine how much of the statute can survive without the mandate. In legal parlance, that question is referred to as “severability.”
The administration warned the justices that taking on such a question before the lower courts issue a judgment would be practically difficult. What’s more, the Supreme Court usually does not analyze large factual records before a lower court has done so.
“If the Court were to grant review of the severability question at this juncture, it would have to confront the severability of statutory provisions spanning 900 pages without the benefit of any decision from the court of appeals on that question, or of a decision from the district court applying the more granular analysis that the court of appeals prescribed,” the government’s brief reads. (RELATED: First Amendment Challenge To Mandatory Membership, Bar Fees Reaches Supreme Court)
Another round of proceedings could take years to litigate. The trial court’s severability analysis will likely take months to complete. Once that decision issues, another appeal to the 5th Circuit will follow. Democrats defending Obamacare say such prolonged uncertainty will wreak havoc for families and policymakers, making immediate resolution in the Supreme Court essential.
A second timing factor also cuts against Democrats. As a general matter, the Supreme Court finalizes its docket for a given term in mid-January. Cases granted after that deadline are usually deferred to the following term. Democrats hope the high court will decide whether to hear their appeal before that deadline passes or break with its usual practice and schedule the dispute for resolution this term if justices do not grant review before the end of January.
Despite the high-stakes and break-neck pace, there are no immediate consequences for the ACA. The lower court decisions in the case are stayed, meaning Obamacare will continue to function as normal while litigation continues.
The cases are No. 19-840 California v. Texas and No. 19-841 House of Representatives v. Texas.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-01-12--Mark Esper Defends Strike On Soleimani, Says It’s Better Than Having ‘Flag-Draped Coffins Come Home’

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Sunday that he was fully behind President Donald Trump ’ s decision to authorize the strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani .
Esper spoke about that strike with CNN ’ s Jake Tapper on “ State of the Union , ” defending the president ’ s position and belief that a threat was imminent .
( RELATED : Trump-District Democrat Draws Red Line At Soleimani ) Esper prefaced the interview by saying that Americans were unquestionably safer following the death of Soleimani , and Tapper pressed him on the intelligence that had led up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s claim that he “ believed ” up to four embassies may have been imminent targets .
“ The important thing is that Soleimani orchestrated and resourced the attacks up to December 1 that killed an American and orchestrated the siege on the embassy in Baghdad and was planning a broader plot in multiple countries that is bigger in scale and likely to take us to open hostility with Iran , ” Esper said .
“ And in fact , a very , very senior intel community member said that the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of action .
That is compelling.
” “ And you say that there is evidence , but you could believe that Soleimani was going to attack the Eiffel Tower — ” Tapper pushed back .
Esper went on to note that he could not reveal specifics with regard to intelligence , but made it clear that he stood with the president ’ s assessment of the situation .
“ He believed that there was a threat to four embassies and were the four embassies alerted to the threat to them ?
” Tapper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alerted and that is why there were deployed additional troops , ” Esper confirmed , adding , “ And let me say this , Jake , I ’ m glad we ’ re having this discussion today because I ’ d rather be here discussing this topic with you than going up to Dover Air Force Base and standing there while flag-draped coffins come home , and I have to explain to husbands and wives , sons and daughters , why their service members died while I had information to prevent it from @ @ @

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Sunday that he was fully behind President Donald Trump’s decision to authorize the strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Esper spoke about that strike with CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union,” defending the president’s position and belief that a threat was imminent. (RELATED: Trump-District Democrat Draws Red Line At Soleimani)
WATCH:
Esper prefaced the interview by saying that Americans were unquestionably safer following the death of Soleimani, and Tapper pressed him on the intelligence that had led up to the strike — particularly President Trump’s claim that he “believed” up to four embassies may have been imminent targets.
“The important thing is that Soleimani orchestrated and resourced the attacks up to December 1 that killed an American and orchestrated the siege on the embassy in Baghdad and was planning a broader plot in multiple countries that is bigger in scale and likely to take us to open hostility with Iran,” Esper said. “And in fact, a very, very senior intel community member said that the risk of inaction is greater than the risk of action. That is compelling.”
“And you say that there is evidence, but you could believe that Soleimani was going to attack the Eiffel Tower —” Tapper pushed back.
Esper went on to note that he could not reveal specifics with regard to intelligence, but made it clear that he stood with the president’s assessment of the situation.
“He believed that there was a threat to four embassies and were the four embassies alerted to the threat to them?” Tapper asked.
“All of them were alerted and that is why there were deployed additional troops,” Esper confirmed, adding, “And let me say this, Jake, I’m glad we’re having this discussion today because I’d rather be here discussing this topic with you than going up to Dover Air Force Base and standing there while flag-draped coffins come home, and I have to explain to husbands and wives, sons and daughters, why their service members died while I had information to prevent it from happening.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-12--PREVIEW: The Seahawks Will Beat The Packers In The Playoffs

The Seattle Seahawks will play the Packers in the playoffs Sunday , and we all should be cheering for Russell Wilson ’ s squad .
Wilson is a hero in the state of Wisconsin after playing a season for the Wisconsin Badgers .
He ’ s universally loved and might be the most popular athlete to ever come out of Madison .
( RELATED : David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football ) That ’ s why it ’ s going to be so poetic when he returns to Wisconsin and defeats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheer for today .
It ’ s not a secret at all that I ’ m a huge fan of Russell Wilson .
He was a dominant quarterback for the Badgers , and he ’ s everything we want an athlete to be .
He ’ s a great leader , he ’ s a class act , he ’ s a winner and you can never bet against him .
His personality is pretty much the anti-Aaron Rodgers .
While I can ’ t stand Rodgers , I ’ ll support Wilson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an easy guy to cheer for , and I honestly believe he ’ ll end Green Bay ’ s season today .
He ’ s going to walk into Lambeau with the Seahawks , slice up the Packers and walk out with a win .
Take that to the bank .
Green Bay is going down today , and it ’ ll happen at the hands of the man who might be the most popular Badgers athlete in program history .
You just hate to see something like this happen !
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t wait to watch it unfold .
Go , Wilson , go !
You can watch the game at 6:40 EST on Fox !

The Seattle Seahawks will play the Packers in the playoffs Sunday, and we all should be cheering for Russell Wilson’s squad.
Wilson is a hero in the state of Wisconsin after playing a season for the Wisconsin Badgers. He’s universally loved and might be the most popular athlete to ever come out of Madison. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
That’s why it’s going to be so poetic when he returns to Wisconsin and defeats the NFL team all those same fans cheer for today.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Seattle Seahawks (@seahawks) on Jan 5, 2020 at 5:45pm PST
It’s not a secret at all that I’m a huge fan of Russell Wilson. He was a dominant quarterback for the Badgers, and he’s everything we want an athlete to be.
He’s a great leader, he’s a class act, he’s a winner and you can never bet against him. His personality is pretty much the anti-Aaron Rodgers.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Seattle Seahawks (@seahawks) on Dec 31, 2019 at 12:16pm PST
While I can’t stand Rodgers, I’ll support Wilson at every turn. He’s an easy guy to cheer for, and I honestly believe he’ll end Green Bay’s season today.
He’s going to walk into Lambeau with the Seahawks, slice up the Packers and walk out with a win. Take that to the bank.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Seattle Seahawks (@seahawks) on Dec 29, 2019 at 4:23pm PST
Green Bay is going down today, and it’ll happen at the hands of the man who might be the most popular Badgers athlete in program history.
You just hate to see something like this happen! It’s poetic, and I can’t wait to watch it unfold. Go, Wilson, go!
You can watch the game at 6:40 EST on Fox!


thedailycaller--2020-01-12--Here Are Previews For ‘The Outsider,’ Which Premieres Sunday Night On HBO

“ The Outsider ” premieres Sunday night on HBO , and I couldn ’ t be more excited .
As you all know , I ’ m been extremely pumped for this mystery thriller with Jason Bateman and Ben Mendelsohn .
( RELATED : Watch The Latest Trailer For ‘ The Outsider ’ On HBO With Jason Bateman ) It looks awesome , and I ’ ve been locked in ever since I first heard about the series .
The plot of the series , according to HBO ’ s YouTube description , is as follows : The 10-episode series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mendelsohn ) , as he sets out to investigate the mutilated body of 11-year-old Frankie Peterson found in the Georgia woods .
The mysterious circumstances surrounding this horrifying crime leads Ralph , still grieving the recent death of his own son , to bring in unorthodox private investigator Holly Gibney ( Cynthia Erivo ) , whose uncanny abilities he hopes will help explain the unexplainable .
Tonight is finally the night we ’ re going to see the first pair of episodes on HBO , and you better believe like hell I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with mysteries storylines .
Judging from what we ’ ve seen in the previews for “ The Outsider , ” the show is going to have that trait in spades .
It ’ s about a guy who has evidence supporting he murdered a kid , and at the same time has evidence supporting that he was nowhere near the crime scene .
Yeah , you don ’ t need to tell me much more .
I ’ m all in .
Tune in tonight on HBO at 9:00 EST to watch it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember the last time I was this pumped for a show .
We all know HBO brings us golden content , and I fully expect “ The Outsider ” to live up to expectations .

“The Outsider” premieres Sunday night on HBO, and I couldn’t be more excited.
As you all know, I’m been extremely pumped for this mystery thriller with Jason Bateman and Ben Mendelsohn. (RELATED: Watch The Latest Trailer For ‘The Outsider’ On HBO With Jason Bateman)
It looks awesome, and I’ve been locked in ever since I first heard about the series.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Outsider (@theoutsiderhbo) on Dec 11, 2019 at 8:39am PST
The plot of the series, according to HBO’s YouTube description, is as follows:
The 10-episode series follows police detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn), as he sets out to investigate the mutilated body of 11-year-old Frankie Peterson found in the Georgia woods. The mysterious circumstances surrounding this horrifying crime leads Ralph, still grieving the recent death of his own son, to bring in unorthodox private investigator Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo), whose uncanny abilities he hopes will help explain the unexplainable.
Tonight is finally the night we’re going to see the first pair of episodes on HBO, and you better believe like hell I’m excited.
I love dark shows with mysteries storylines. Judging from what we’ve seen in the previews for “The Outsider,” the show is going to have that trait in spades.
It’s about a guy who has evidence supporting he murdered a kid, and at the same time has evidence supporting that he was nowhere near the crime scene.
Yeah, you don’t need to tell me much more. I’m all in.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Outsider (@theoutsiderhbo) on Jan 4, 2020 at 3:00pm PST
Tune in tonight on HBO at 9:00 EST to watch it all begins. I can’t remember the last time I was this pumped for a show.
We all know HBO brings us golden content, and I fully expect “The Outsider” to live up to expectations.


thedailycaller--2020-01-13--Clarence Thomas Pans Joe Biden, ’91 Confirmation Hearing In Forthcoming Documentary

• Justice Clarence Thomas criticizes former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s stewardship of the Senate Judiciary Committee in a forthcoming documentary about his life called “ Created Equal : Clarence Thomas In His Own Words.
” • Biden , who chaired the Judiciary Committee during Thomas ’ s 1991 confirmation hearing , has since elicited almost universal condemnation for his treatment of Thomas and Anita Hill , a law professor who accused the justice of sexual misconduct .
• The documentary premiers in theaters on Jan. 31 .
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas criticizes former Vice President Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearings in a forthcoming documentary from Manifold Productions called “ Created Equal : Clarence Thomas In His Own Words.
” At one juncture of the film , Thomas was asked about a colloquy with Biden over natural law philosophy and the Constitution .
Though he did not cite Biden by name , Thomas lamented that lawmakers do not seem to have full command of the subject matter during judicial confirmation hearings .
“ One of the things you do in hearings is you have to sit there and look attentively at people you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re talking about , ” Thomas said of the hearings .
“ I have to be perfectly honest with you — you sit there , and you have no idea what they are talking about , ” Thomas said elsewhere .
Thomas said Biden ’ s questions about natural law jurisprudence were little more than a ruse to draw him into a debate about abortion .
The justice was famously circumspect about the subject during his confirmation hearings , at what one point claiming he had never even discussed the 1973 Roe v. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Daily Caller News Foundation viewed the documentary at an advanced screening .
Biden chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee when former President George H.W .
Bush nominated Thomas for the high court .
The Biden campaign did not respond to the DCNF ’ s requests for comment .
The film also recounts the racist attacks that accompanied Thomas ’ s nomination .
Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell , a Democrat , said Thomas ’ s nomination suggested Bush was “ against quotas for every position except the Supreme Court.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been looking at the wrong people as the people who would be problematic toward me , ” Thomas said of such statements .
“ We were told that ‘ Oh it ’ s going to be the bigot in the pickup truck .
It ’ s going be the Klansman .
It ’ s going to be the rural sheriff . '
” “ The biggest impediment was the modern day liberal , ” he added .
“ They were the ones who would discount all those things , because they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority , the power to caricature you.
” ( RELATED : Trump Administration Tells Supreme Court Not To Fast-Track Obamacare Challenge ) Though Thomas has given Biden a poor appraisal in the past , his criticisms have renewed salience as Biden seeks the Democratic nomination for president .
Anita Hill , a law professor who accused Thomas of sexual misconduct , similarly panned Biden ’ s leadership of the Judiciary Committee and said he did not do enough to protect her from detractors .
The former vice president ’ s overtures to Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill said Biden did not show actual contrition over two conversations preceding the launch of his presidential campaign .
The documentary , which premiers in theaters nationwide on Jan. 31 , is the result of some 30 hours of interviews with Thomas and his wife , Virginia Thomas .
It tracks his ascendance to the Supreme Court , from the impoverished lowlands of coastal Georgia through his 1991 confirmation .
The film also features discussion of Clarence Thomas ’ s most important writings as a justice , like his dissent in a 2003 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ life is a remarkable journey , the quintessential American success story , ” executive producer Gina Cappo Pack said in a statement .
“ He began life in Gullah-speaking Pin Point , Georgia , suffered poverty and privation in Savannah , dealt with the vicious iniquities of the segregation , and yet rose to serve on the highest court in the land.
” “ We offer viewers a chance to hear Thomas ’ story directly from the man himself , a unique opportunity , ” director Michael Pack added .
Content created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Justice Clarence Thomas criticizes former Vice President Joe Biden’s stewardship of the Senate Judiciary Committee in a forthcoming documentary about his life called “Created Equal: Clarence Thomas In His Own Words.”
Biden, who chaired the Judiciary Committee during Thomas’s 1991 confirmation hearing, has since elicited almost universal condemnation for his treatment of Thomas and Anita Hill, a law professor who accused the justice of sexual misconduct.
The documentary premiers in theaters on Jan. 31.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas criticizes former Vice President Joe Biden’s stewardship of his 1991 confirmation hearings in a forthcoming documentary from Manifold Productions called “Created Equal: Clarence Thomas In His Own Words.”
At one juncture of the film, Thomas was asked about a colloquy with Biden over natural law philosophy and the Constitution. Though he did not cite Biden by name, Thomas lamented that lawmakers do not seem to have full command of the subject matter during judicial confirmation hearings.
“One of the things you do in hearings is you have to sit there and look attentively at people you know have no idea what they’re talking about,” Thomas said of the hearings.
“I have to be perfectly honest with you — you sit there, and you have no idea what they are talking about,” Thomas said elsewhere.
WATCH:
Thomas said Biden’s questions about natural law jurisprudence were little more than a ruse to draw him into a debate about abortion. The justice was famously circumspect about the subject during his confirmation hearings, at what one point claiming he had never even discussed the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision as a law student.
The Daily Caller News Foundation viewed the documentary at an advanced screening. Biden chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee when former President George H.W. Bush nominated Thomas for the high court. The Biden campaign did not respond to the DCNF’s requests for comment.
The film also recounts the racist attacks that accompanied Thomas’s nomination. Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, a Democrat, said Thomas’s nomination suggested Bush was “against quotas for every position except the Supreme Court.”
“I felt as though in my life I had been looking at the wrong people as the people who would be problematic toward me,” Thomas said of such statements. “We were told that ‘Oh it’s going to be the bigot in the pickup truck. It’s going be the Klansman. It’s going to be the rural sheriff.'”
“The biggest impediment was the modern day liberal,” he added. “They were the ones who would discount all those things, because they have one issue or because they have the authority, the power to caricature you.” (RELATED: Trump Administration Tells Supreme Court Not To Fast-Track Obamacare Challenge)
Though Thomas has given Biden a poor appraisal in the past, his criticisms have renewed salience as Biden seeks the Democratic nomination for president. Anita Hill, a law professor who accused Thomas of sexual misconduct, similarly panned Biden’s leadership of the Judiciary Committee and said he did not do enough to protect her from detractors.
The former vice president’s overtures to Hill in recent years have proven unavailing. Hill said Biden did not show actual contrition over two conversations preceding the launch of his presidential campaign.
The documentary, which premiers in theaters nationwide on Jan. 31, is the result of some 30 hours of interviews with Thomas and his wife, Virginia Thomas. It tracks his ascendance to the Supreme Court, from the impoverished lowlands of coastal Georgia through his 1991 confirmation. The film also features discussion of Clarence Thomas’s most important writings as a justice, like his dissent in a 2003 affirmative action case.
“Justice Thomas’ life is a remarkable journey, the quintessential American success story,” executive producer Gina Cappo Pack said in a statement. “He began life in Gullah-speaking Pin Point, Georgia, suffered poverty and privation in Savannah, dealt with the vicious iniquities of the segregation, and yet rose to serve on the highest court in the land.”
“We offer viewers a chance to hear Thomas’ story directly from the man himself, a unique opportunity,” director Michael Pack added.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-01-13--Democrats Are Forming A Circular Firing Squad

On today ’ s podcast we get into the inner-squad fighting among Democrats over campaign money , as AOC refuses to share what she ’ s raised with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ( DCCC ) .
Also , Nancy Pelosi dodges questions about Iran but is reportedly preparing to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate .
Democrats still have no strategy for what comes next , but they ’ re getting some really bad advice .
And Elizabeth Warren says the “ fate of the planet ” hinges on the 2020 election .
DCCC Chairwoman Rep. Cheri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say whether or not Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is good for Democrats or not , which is telling .
AOC is refusing to share her massive campaign cash reserves with the DCCC , as is custom , preferring to choose which candidates she supports , possibly over incumbent Democrats .
We get into the implications of this potential circular firing squad .
Nancy Pelosi couldn ’ t bring herself to express support for anti-regime protesters in the streets of Iran , because if they succeed it would be a victory for President Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Speaker is reportedly getting ready to send the articles of impeachment over to the Senate .
It ’ s more proof that Democrats did not think this thing through at all and have no strategy for moving forward .
We discuss it .
Politicians always say whatever election is upcoming is the “ most important election of our lifetimes.
” Elizabeth Warren is upping the game now , declaring the fate of the planet is at stake in 2020 .
We have the audio and get into why they do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by CBD Oil from Ancient Life Oil , your source of the best organic CBD oil available .
Check out their website !
Use promo code “ Derek ” to receive 10 % off your entire order .

On today’s podcast we get into the inner-squad fighting among Democrats over campaign money as AOC refuses to share what she’s raised with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Also, Nancy Pelosi dodges questions about Iran but is reportedly preparing to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate. Democrats still have no strategy for what comes next, but they’re getting some really bad advice. And Elizabeth Warren says the “fate of the planet” hinges on the 2020 election.
Listen to the show:
DCCC Chairwoman Rep. Cheri Bustos can’t bring herself to say whether or not New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is good for Democrats or not, which is telling. AOC is refusing to share her massive campaign cash reserves with the DCCC, as is custom, preferring to choose which candidates she supports, possibly over incumbent Democrats. We get into the implications of this potential circular firing squad.
Nancy Pelosi couldn’t bring herself to express support for anti-regime protesters in the streets of Iran, because if they succeed it would be a victory for President Trump. We have the hilarious audio. Also, the Speaker is reportedly getting ready to send the articles of impeachment over to the Senate. It’s more proof that Democrats did not think this thing through at all and have no strategy for moving forward. We discuss it.
Politicians always say whatever election is upcoming is the “most important election of our lifetimes.” Elizabeth Warren is upping the game now, declaring the fate of the planet is at stake in 2020. We have the audio and get into why they do it.
Today’s podcast is sponsored by CBD Oil from Ancient Life Oil, your source of the best organic CBD oil available. Check out their website! Use promo code “Derek” to receive 10% off your entire order.


thedailycaller--2020-01-13--Exclusive: Former Rep. Mike Rogers Leads Group Calling On FCC To Move Quicker On 5G Tech

• Former Rep. Mike Rogers joins 5G Action Now , a new group created to help convince regulators to put aside their differences and quickly develop fifth generation mobile service .
• Rogers ’ decision to head the group comes as the Department of Defense asked the Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) to hold off on building out such technology .
• 5G Action Now is also hoping to convince Americans that if the U.S. government doesn ’ t put 5G architecture in place , then China will permanently take the lead .
Former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to poke and prod the Federal Communications Commission into moving quicker on approving fifth generation development .
Rogers will serve as chairman of 5G Action Now , a newly formed group fighting to goose the FCC on 5G technology and warn Americans that China is poised to take the lead on such technology .
Rogers wants the FCC and other agencies to put aside their differences aside and speed up development .
Huawei and ZTE are using Beijing as their personal piggy bank as the two telecommunications companies sprint to build out 5G @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily Caller News Foundation in an exclusive interview that the free market can help get the U.S. back in the game .
“ The Chinese were running around the world with suitcases of money , bribing their way into getting contracts , something we should not do in the U.S .
It would have been a disaster , ” said Rogers , a Republican who served as chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence .
China has reportedly spent $ 24 billion more on wireless communications infrastructure since 2015 than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more 5G towers in a three-month span in 2017 than the U.S. did in three years .
Efforts to put the U.S. government in charge of 5G development failed because “ the free market approach won the day , ” he said before noting that he doesn ’ t blame Republicans who pushed a quasi-nationalized spectrum .
Rogers was referring to reports suggesting that there was a tug-of-war taking place over the issue .
( RELATED : Here Are The Big Name Republicans Some Believe Are Pushing Congress To Nationalize 5G Buildup ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instance , tweeted in 2019 his support for a federal role in 5G development .
Republican adviser Karl Rove also pressed Congress that year to nix legislation that effectively prohibits nationalization of fifth generation development .
“ I think that was done – they were tapping into the frustration of … hey this thing looks so hard .
You have so many players , ” Rogers said about the thinking Parscale and others were using .
“ We are going to lose this fight .
Would it be better to do a nationalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market approach won the day , ” the former Michigan lawmaker said .
“ I don ’ t think it was malicious .
I don ’ t think there was any ill intent .
I think prevailing forces won the day.
” Rogers ’ comments come at a nerve-wracking time for FCC Chairman Ajit Pai .
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper urged the FCC in November to slow down on spectrum rollout , citing concerns related to “ national security , civil service , and the economic benefit of the nation.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ auction three slices of millimeter-wave airwaves .
Esper ’ s problems with the rollout stem from an internal-agency squabble , Thomas Struble , a tech policy analyst at R Street , told the DCNF .
“ Each agency has its own mission … so it ’ s not uncommon for the FCC and other federal agencies to clash in spectrum policy disputes as they each try to achieve their own policy goals , ” he said .
President Donald Trump , meanwhile , is gung-ho on canvassing the country in new wireless infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even 6G , technology in the United States as soon as possible .
It is far more powerful , faster , and smarter than the current standard , ” Trump said in a 2019 tweet .
The holdup is having a downstream impact on wireless companies .
Ligado Networks has waited a couple of years for permission to use a broad swath of wireless spectrum to build out fifth generation infrastructure .
The company “ can only wait so long , ” Ligado CEO Doug Smith said in a June statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Rogers said of Ligado and its struggles , adding that the company ’ s problems only illustrate the need to speed up the process .
“ If you wait for the end of 2020 for the auction to move forward , then we are in trouble , ” he concluded .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Former Rep. Mike Rogers joins 5G Action Now, a new group created to help convince regulators to put aside their differences and quickly develop fifth generation mobile service.
Rogers’ decision to head the group comes as the Department of Defense asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to hold off on building out such technology.
5G Action Now is also hoping to convince Americans that if the U.S. government doesn’t put 5G architecture in place, then China will permanently take the lead.
Former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers is heading up a group that is working to poke and prod the Federal Communications Commission into moving quicker on approving fifth generation development.
Rogers will serve as chairman of 5G Action Now, a newly formed group fighting to goose the FCC on 5G technology and warn Americans that China is poised to take the lead on such technology. Rogers wants the FCC and other agencies to put aside their differences aside and speed up development.
Huawei and ZTE are using Beijing as their personal piggy bank as the two telecommunications companies sprint to build out 5G, according to Rogers, who told the Daily Caller News Foundation in an exclusive interview that the free market can help get the U.S. back in the game.
“The Chinese were running around the world with suitcases of money, bribing their way into getting contracts, something we should not do in the U.S. It would have been a disaster,” said Rogers, a Republican who served as chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
China has reportedly spent $24 billion more on wireless communications infrastructure since 2015 than the U.S. The country also built more 5G towers in a three-month span in 2017 than the U.S. did in three years.
Efforts to put the U.S. government in charge of 5G development failed because “the free market approach won the day,” he said before noting that he doesn’t blame Republicans who pushed a quasi-nationalized spectrum.
Rogers was referring to reports suggesting that there was a tug-of-war taking place over the issue. (RELATED: Here Are The Big Name Republicans Some Believe Are Pushing Congress To Nationalize 5G Buildup)
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale, for instance, tweeted in 2019 his support for a federal role in 5G development. Republican adviser Karl Rove also pressed Congress that year to nix legislation that effectively prohibits nationalization of fifth generation development.
“I think that was done – they were tapping into the frustration of … hey this thing looks so hard. You have so many players,” Rogers said about the thinking Parscale and others were using. “We are going to lose this fight. Would it be better to do a nationalized version?”
“Thankfully the free market approach won the day,” the former Michigan lawmaker said. “I don’t think it was malicious. I don’t think there was any ill intent. I think prevailing forces won the day.”
Rogers’ comments come at a nerve-wracking time for FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper urged the FCC in November to slow down on spectrum rollout, citing concerns related to “national security, civil service, and the economic benefit of the nation.” The FCC announced in April that it will auction three slices of millimeter-wave airwaves.
Esper’s problems with the rollout stem from an internal-agency squabble, Thomas Struble, a tech policy analyst at R Street, told the DCNF. “Each agency has its own mission … so it’s not uncommon for the FCC and other federal agencies to clash in spectrum policy disputes as they each try to achieve their own policy goals,” he said.
President Donald Trump, meanwhile, is gung-ho on canvassing the country in new wireless infrastructure.
“I want 5G, and even 6G, technology in the United States as soon as possible. It is far more powerful, faster, and smarter than the current standard,” Trump said in a 2019 tweet.
The holdup is having a downstream impact on wireless companies. Ligado Networks has waited a couple of years for permission to use a broad swath of wireless spectrum to build out fifth generation infrastructure. The company “can only wait so long,” Ligado CEO Doug Smith said in a June statement.
“I am not familiar with them,” Rogers said of Ligado and its struggles, adding that the company’s problems only illustrate the need to speed up the process.
“If you wait for the end of 2020 for the auction to move forward, then we are in trouble,” he concluded.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.