thedailycaller--2020-01-16--Democrats ‘Somberly’ Celebrate Impeachment

On today ’ s podcast we get into how Democrats handled the actual naming of impeachment managers and how it was all a made-for-TV event .
The only thing missing from the whole ceremony was any allegation of a crime .
We also cover how pulling Democratic Senators running for president off the campaign trail during the trial will impact the race and who will benefit .
In a convoluted , garbled speech , Nancy Pelosi announce who her impeachment managers will be for a Senate trial .
Unsurprisingly , it ’ s dominated by left-wingers who supported impeachment long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report about Ukraine .
weird , right ?
Of course , Pelosi couldn ’ t help but be less than truthful during the event .
We get into all of it .
The Senate trial will force all Senators running for president to leave the campaign trail , which will be a huge advantage for Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg , who will essentially have Iowa and New Hampshire to themselves in the last days leading up to the votes .
Was this the reason for the delate in transmitting the articles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We explore the possibilities .
Creepy porn lawyer Michael Avenatti has been arrested again , charged with even more crimes .
It ’ s an amazing fall from grace for the one time hero of the media , which curiously now pretends they didn ’ t build him up to be a superstar .
But we have the audio to refresh their memories .
Today ’ s podcast is sponsored by Life Change Tea , check out their website to gain more energy and improve your life !
And don ’ t forget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at check out to receive 10 % off your order .

On today’s podcast we get into how Democrats handled the actual naming of impeachment managers and how it was all a made-for-TV event. The only thing missing from the whole ceremony was any allegation of a crime. We also cover how pulling Democratic Senators running for president off the campaign trail during the trial will impact the race and who will benefit.
Listen to the show:
In a convoluted, garbled speech, Nancy Pelosi announce who her impeachment managers will be for a Senate trial. Unsurprisingly, it’s dominated by left-wingers who supported impeachment long before the so-called whistleblower filed the third-hand report about Ukraine. Weird, right? Of course, Pelosi couldn’t help but be less than truthful during the event. We get into all of it.
The Senate trial will force all Senators running for president to leave the campaign trail, which will be a huge advantage for Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, who will essentially have Iowa and New Hampshire to themselves in the last days leading up to the votes. Was this the reason for the delay in transmitting the articles, the establishment helping establishment candidate Biden? We explore the possibilities.
Creepy porn lawyer Michael Avenatti has been arrested again and charged with even more crimes. It’s an amazing fall from grace for the one time hero of the media, which curiously now pretends they didn’t build him up to be a superstar. But we have the audio to refresh their memories.
Today’s podcast is sponsored by Life Change Tea, check out their website to gain more energy and improve your life! And don’t forget to enter promo code “Derek” at check out to receive 10% off your order.


thedailycaller--2020-01-16--GOP Rep Greg Steube Tells Tucker: ‘Not A Single Democrat’ Voted To Protect Women’s Sports

Florida Republican Rep. Greg Steube discussed the lack of Democratic support for his House bill that would have protected women ’ s college athletics .
Appearing on Wednesday night ’ s “ Tucker Carlson Tonight , ” Steube discussed the arguments for and against his bill with Fox News host Tucker Carlson , who introduced the segment by explaining that it would have banned “ schools from using Title IX federal funds to support women sports if biological men are allowed to compete with them.
” Giving Steube an honorary “ common sense award for sponsoring legislation that you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Carlson asked him for the arguments against the bill .
“ The argument against this is you are discriminating against people who identify as a woman that day and want the ability to compete , ” said the Florida lawmaker .
“ It ’ s just fascinating that we are in a place in our country where you have to file bills to make it clear that women are actually going to be competing with women and women ’ s sports.
” Carlson noted the “ striking ” phenomenon of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ people Title IX was passed to protect.
” ( RELATED : ‘ Safer Than Your Typical American ’ : Tucker Carlson Exposes The Transgender Murder ‘ Epidemic ’ ) “ We are completely eroding what women sports are if we are going to allow biological men to compete with women in women ’ s collegiate activities , ” said Steube after the two discussed support for his efforts to amend the Democratic-passed Equality Act from some on the left , including legendary tennis star Martina Navratilova .
“ I filed pretty much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ERA legislation that went through the Judiciary committee and not a single Democrat voted for it , ” he said .
“ We did it as a motion to recommit on the floor of the house on similar legislation and I believe there was only one or two Democrats that voted for it .
That ’ s the sad state of affairs that we are in for today .
You are destroying women sports and Democrats aren ’ t willing to stand for women in women sports.
” “ So after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redefining gender out of existence , ” said Carlson .
“ That can ’ t have bad consequences .
We will be judged for this because this is too nuts , I think .
”

Florida Republican Rep. Greg Steube discussed the lack of Democratic support for his House bill that would have protected women’s college athletics.
Appearing on Wednesday night’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” Steube discussed the arguments for and against his bill with Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who introduced the segment by explaining that it would have banned “schools from using Title IX federal funds to support women sports if biological men are allowed to compete with them.”
Giving Steube an honorary “common sense award for sponsoring legislation that you’d think we wouldn’t need,” Carlson asked him for the arguments against the bill.
“The argument against this is you are discriminating against people who identify as a woman that day and want the ability to compete,” said the Florida lawmaker. “It’s just fascinating that we are in a place in our country where you have to file bills to make it clear that women are actually going to be competing with women and women’s sports.”
Carlson noted the “striking” phenomenon of the victims of current practices being the very “people Title IX was passed to protect.” (RELATED: ‘Safer Than Your Typical American’: Tucker Carlson Exposes The Transgender Murder ‘Epidemic’)
“We are completely eroding what women sports are if we are going to allow biological men to compete with women in women’s collegiate activities,” said Steube after the two discussed support for his efforts to amend the Democratic-passed Equality Act from some on the left, including legendary tennis star Martina Navratilova.
“I filed pretty much what my bill is as an amendment on the ERA legislation that went through the Judiciary committee and not a single Democrat voted for it,” he said. “We did it as a motion to recommit on the floor of the house on similar legislation and I believe there was only one or two Democrats that voted for it. That’s the sad state of affairs that we are in for today. You are destroying women sports and Democrats aren’t willing to stand for women in women sports.”
“So after like a million years, we are redefining gender out of existence,” said Carlson. “That can’t have bad consequences. We will be judged for this because this is too nuts, I think.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-16--Kamala Harris, Advocacy Groups Push To Suspend Judicial Confirmations During Impeachment Trial

Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California and a coalition of left-wing advocacy groups are pressing Senate Republicans to suspend consideration of judicial nominations during President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
Harris , who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee , said it would be “ wholly inappropriate ” to confirm judges while the Senate considers whether Trump should be removed from office .
“ The president is charged with high crimes and misdemeanors , and the Senate must take seriously its constitutional role in this process , ” Harris said in a statement Wednesday .
“ During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate , it would be wholly inappropriate to advance the president ’ s nominees to the federal judiciary.
” A coalition of 29 advocacy organizations sounded a similar note in a Jan. 7 letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina , who chairs the Judiciary Committee .
The letter warned a president facing removal for “ assaulting the legitimacy of our elections ” should not appoint the judges who safeguard the political process .
“ Federal judges are appointed to positions that are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law and the preservation of our constitutional democracy , ” the letter reads .
“ Federal judges have a unique role in protecting our most fundamental rights , including the right to vote Signatories include such advocacy groups as the NAACP , Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Sierra Club .
( RELATED : Supreme Court Turns To Internet Meme For Help In Age Bias Case ) Historical practice indicates that judicial confirmations continued unabated when a sitting president was impeached or otherwise under investigation .
Between delivery of the Starr report and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton , the Senate confirmed four appeals court judges and 22 trial court nominees .
The Senate even confirmed one of former President Richard Nixon ’ s judicial nominees the day he announced his resignation in 1974 .
Harris counters that no Clinton judicial nominee was confirmed between delivery of the impeachment articles and issuance of the Senate ’ s verdict .
Clinton ’ s trial ran from Jan. 7 , 1999 to Feb. 12 , 1999 .
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to advance six more nominations to the Senate floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including nominees for the 11th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , the Court of International Trade and federal trial courts in Arizona , Alaska and Missouri .
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 .

Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California and a coalition of left-wing advocacy groups are pressing Senate Republicans to suspend consideration of judicial nominations during President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
Harris, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said it would be “wholly inappropriate” to confirm judges while the Senate considers whether Trump should be removed from office.
“The president is charged with high crimes and misdemeanors, and the Senate must take seriously its constitutional role in this process,” Harris said in a statement Wednesday. “During the time when articles of impeachment are before the Senate, it would be wholly inappropriate to advance the president’s nominees to the federal judiciary.”
A coalition of 29 advocacy organizations sounded a similar note in a Jan. 7 letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who chairs the Judiciary Committee. The letter warned a president facing removal for “assaulting the legitimacy of our elections” should not appoint the judges who safeguard the political process.
“Federal judges are appointed to positions that are the most central to maintaining the rule of law and the preservation of our constitutional democracy,” the letter reads. “Federal judges have a unique role in protecting our most fundamental rights, including the right to vote
Signatories include such advocacy groups as the NAACP, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Sierra Club. (RELATED: Supreme Court Turns To Internet Meme For Help In Age Bias Case)
Historical practice indicates that judicial confirmations continued unabated when a sitting president was impeached or otherwise under investigation. Between delivery of the Starr report and the impeachment proceedings of former President Bill Clinton, the Senate confirmed four appeals court judges and 22 trial court nominees. The Senate even confirmed one of former President Richard Nixon’s judicial nominees the day he announced his resignation in 1974.
Harris counters that no Clinton judicial nominee was confirmed between delivery of the impeachment articles and issuance of the Senate’s verdict. Clinton’s trial ran from Jan. 7, 1999 to Feb. 12, 1999.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to advance six more nominations to the Senate floor for final confirmation votes Thursday morning, including nominees for the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Court of International Trade and federal trial courts in Arizona, Alaska and Missouri.
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--2020-01-16--Kylie Jenner Drops Hint About Possible Kylie Con Event With Latest Trademarks

Kylie Jenner appears to be dropping a huge hint about a possible fan convention centered around her products given her latest trademarks filings .
The 22-year-old reality TV star filed trademarks for the the phrases , “ Kylie Con , ” “ Kylie Kon , ” and “ Kylie Museum , ” according to E !
News in a piece published on Wednesday .
( RELATED : Kylie Jenner Pleads With Khloé And Kim Kardashian To Not ‘ Bully ’ Jordyn Woods Following Cheating Scandal ) According to the outlet , the “ Keeping Up With The Kardashians ” star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on clothing and accessories for adults and children.
” The paperwork also mentioned using the phrases on beauty-related consultation services , including workshops , exhibitions , and interactive experiences .
( RELATED : Report : Khloe Kardashian Wants To Marry Tristan Thompson Following Cheating Accusations ) It all comes after Washington D.C. trademark lawyer Josh Gerben , first noted the trademark filings on Twitter .
As of the publication of this piece , the popular reality star has yet to make any comments about the reports .
However , given the information that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ younger Jenner has some plans for a convention centered around her highly successful cosmetics line .
Sounds like we are just going to have to wait and see .
But it is clear Kylie might have the biggest plans yet of the Kardashian-Jenner clan .

Kylie Jenner appears to be dropping a huge hint about a possible fan convention centered around her products given her latest trademarks filings.
The 22-year-old reality TV star filed trademarks for the the phrases, “Kylie Con,” “Kylie Kon,” and “Kylie Museum,” according to E! News in a piece published on Wednesday. (RELATED: Kylie Jenner Pleads With Khloé And Kim Kardashian To Not ‘Bully’ Jordyn Woods Following Cheating Scandal)
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Jan 15, 2020 at 2:23pm PST
According to the outlet, the “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” star is planning to use the names “on clothing and accessories for adults and children.” The paperwork also mentioned using the phrases on beauty-related consultation services, including workshops, exhibitions, and interactive experiences. (RELATED: Report: Khloe Kardashian Wants To Marry Tristan Thompson Following Cheating Accusations)
It all comes after Washington, D.C. trademark lawyer Josh Gerben, first noted the trademark filings on Twitter.
Kylie Jenner has filed new trademarks for: 1. KYLIE CON 2. KYLIE KON 3. KYLIE MUSEUM The filings were made on January 9th and indicate a new event, called KLYIE CON (or KON), is in the works. Here is my full rundown of the filings #KylieJenner #Kardashian pic.twitter.com/uR9iDhEPtR — Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) January 15, 2020
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Dec 31, 2019 at 12:25pm PST
As of the publication of this piece, the popular reality star has yet to make any comments about the reports. However, given the information that has come out it definitely seems the younger Jenner has some plans for a convention centered around her highly successful cosmetics line.
Sounds like we are just going to have to wait and see. But it is clear Kylie might have the biggest plans yet of the Kardashian-Jenner clan.


thedailycaller--2020-01-16--Here’s What Senator Kennedy Said To Get Tucker Carlson ‘Excited’ About Impeachment Trial

Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy appeared on Wednesday night ’ s edition of “ Tucker Carlson Tonight ” to discuss the upcoming Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
By the end of the segment , he had Fox News host Tucker Carlson “ excited ” about the prospect of “ fair ” witness testimony that could include former Vice President Joe Biden and his son , Hunter .
The House on Wednesday voted to officially send its articles of impeachment over to the Senate .
“ Well , I think the Senate will have something to say about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You don ’ t have to be Mensa material , Tucker , to see that Speaker Pelosi is swollen with partisan rage.
” Calling the House process “ rigged , ” Kennedy insisted things would be done “ differently in the Senate , ” meaning a fair process for both sides .
After a discussion about what would take place in the Senate trial , the Louisiana senator promised to be “ fair ” about the witnesses .
( RELATED : ‘ Four Horsewomen Of The Apocalypse ’ — Sen. John Kennedy Rips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We talk about Chuck Schumer ’ s witnesses or speaker Pelosi ’ s witnesses , ” he said .
“ I think the speaker and Senator Schumer are together on it .
I want to treat the defense fairly .
Everybody gets a level playing field .
And we could end up in a very odd circumstance where Senator Schumer , he caught the car .
He asked for his witnesses .
In fairness , the president gets his witnesses and we end up hearing from Hunter Biden and Joe Biden , whoever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Any of the chairmen that were involved , and the prosecution doesn ’ t get to hear its witnesses because of executive privilege.
” “ That sounds fair to me , ” said Carlson .
“ Thank you so much .
Now you got me excited about that .
”

Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy appeared on Wednesday night’s edition of “Tucker Carlson Tonight” to discuss the upcoming Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
By the end of the segment, he had Fox News host Tucker Carlson “excited” about the prospect of “fair” witness testimony that could include former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. The House on Wednesday voted to officially send its articles of impeachment over to the Senate.
“Well, I think the Senate will have something to say about this,” Kennedy said. “You don’t have to be Mensa material, Tucker, to see that Speaker Pelosi is swollen with partisan rage.”
Calling the House process “rigged,” Kennedy insisted things would be done “differently in the Senate,” meaning a fair process for both sides. After a discussion about what would take place in the Senate trial, the Louisiana senator promised to be “fair” about the witnesses. (RELATED: ‘Four Horsewomen Of The Apocalypse’ — Sen. John Kennedy Rips Squad ‘Whack Jobs’)
“We talk about Chuck Schumer’s witnesses or speaker Pelosi’s witnesses,” he said. “I think the speaker and Senator Schumer are together on it. I want to treat the defense fairly. Everybody gets a level playing field. And we could end up in a very odd circumstance where Senator Schumer, he caught the car. He asked for his witnesses. In fairness, the president gets his witnesses and we end up hearing from Hunter Biden and Joe Biden, whoever else is on the witness list. Any of the chairmen that were involved, and the prosecution doesn’t get to hear its witnesses because of executive privilege.”
“That sounds fair to me,” said Carlson. “Thank you so much. Now you got me excited about that.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-16--Adam Schiff Was An Answer On Jeopardy — And Despite Impeachment, No One Recognized Him

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff was an answer on Wednesday night ’ s “ Jeopardy , ” and no @ @ @ @ @ .
In spite of the fact that Schiff has been at the helm of public @ @ @ @ @ quickly stretching into months — none of the contestants on the popular game show were @ @ @ @ @ Host Alex Trebek showed Schiff ’ s photo and gave the clue — “ 1/53rd @ @ @ @ @ delegation is this Intelligence Committee chairman ” — and the time expired before any of @ @ @ @ @ to come up with his name .
( RELATED : Michael Avenatti Was A ‘ @ @ @ @ @ And No One Knew The Answer ) Embattled former Stormy Daniels attorney Michael Avenatti suffered @ @ @ @ @ was an answer on the same game show last November — and none of the @ @ @ @ @ him either .

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff was an answer on Wednesday night’s “Jeopardy,” and no one knew who he was.
In spite of the fact that Schiff has been at the helm of public impeachment proceedings for weeks — quickly stretching into months — none of the contestants on the popular game show were able to name him.
Adam Schiff was an answer on Jeopardy today. Not a single person knew who he was. pic.twitter.com/SQObAMzxw7 — David Hookstead (@dhookstead) January 16, 2020
Host Alex Trebek showed Schiff’s photo and gave the clue — “1/53rd of California’s House delegation is this Intelligence Committee chairman” — and the time expired before any of the three contestants were able to come up with his name. (RELATED: Michael Avenatti Was A ‘Jeopardy!’ Question — And No One Knew The Answer)
After countless TV interviews, Sunday show appearances, and leading the impeachment inquiry on cable news networks for hours upon hours, nobody knew who Adam Schiff was on Jeopardy tonight. Think the American people are focused on impeachment? Think again. #StopTheMadness pic.twitter.com/2Ejm6wRuK9 — Mike Joyce (@mjoyce317) January 16, 2020
Embattled former Stormy Daniels attorney Michael Avenatti suffered a similar fate when he was an answer on the same game show last November — and none of the contestants were able to name him either.


thedailycaller--2020-01-16--‘Unusual’ And ‘Jarring’: CNN Panel Questions Pelosi’s Souvenir Impeachment Pens

CNN ’ s Dana Bash and several others noted the “ unusual ” and “ jarring ” appearance of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi smiling as she handed out souvenir impeachment signing pens .
Bash , who appeared alongside political reporter Nia-Malika Henderson and Wolf Blitzer during Wednesday ’ s coverage of the ongoing impeachment proceedings , did not appear to believe the moment fit the occasion .
( RELATED : ‘ Untied ’ : Souvenir Pens From Clinton ’ s Impeachment Had To Be Reprinted After Spelling Error ) “ We are used to seeing signing ceremonies , ” Bash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handed out when a momentous piece of legislation was passed .
“ At moments of celebration , when a president is signing legislation , when even sometimes , on a rare occasion , but it has happened when the House sends over a landmark piece of legislation .
It was unusual to see that kind of ceremony and handing out the pens and smiling for a picture in this kind of situation where the House Speaker has bent over backwards to say publicly and privately that this is somber and no time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and people want to mark the moment , ” Bash added , “ But I did not expect to see it.
” Henderson agreed , calling the moment “ jarring and certainly off message ” specifically for Pelosi , who has done her best from the beginning to set a serious tone for impeachment proceedings .
Bash and Henderson were not alone in their assessment .
Even the White House mocked Pelosi ’ s souvenir pens .
Press secretary Stephanie Grisham tweeted , “ Nancy Pelosi ’ s souvenir pens served up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of impeachment…She was so somber as she gave them away to people like prizes .
”

CNN’s Dana Bash and several others noted the “unusual” and “jarring” appearance of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi smiling as she handed out souvenir impeachment signing pens.
Bash, who appeared alongside political reporter Nia-Malika Henderson and Wolf Blitzer during Wednesday’s coverage of the ongoing impeachment proceedings, did not appear to believe the moment fit the occasion. (RELATED: ‘Untied’: Souvenir Pens From Clinton’s Impeachment Had To Be Reprinted After Spelling Error)
WATCH:
“We are used to seeing signing ceremonies,” Bash began, noting that pens were often handed out when a momentous piece of legislation was passed. “At moments of celebration, when a president is signing legislation, when even sometimes, on a rare occasion, but it has happened when the House sends over a landmark piece of legislation. It was unusual to see that kind of ceremony and handing out the pens and smiling for a picture in this kind of situation where the House Speaker has bent over backwards to say publicly and privately that this is somber and no time for celebration.”
“Understandably it is history and people want to mark the moment,” Bash added, “But I did not expect to see it.”
Henderson agreed, calling the moment “jarring and certainly off message” specifically for Pelosi, who has done her best from the beginning to set a serious tone for impeachment proceedings.
Bash and Henderson were not alone in their assessment.
Pelosi sharing pens to sign the articles of impeachment and smiling and posing for pictures seemed a little off for the moment. — Meridith McGraw (@meridithmcgraw) January 15, 2020
No surprise…Speaker Pelosi just held a celebratory signing ceremony handing out souvenir impeachment pens. The truth comes out. This isn’t “somber” or “serious” for @HouseDemocrats. This has been partisan since day one. pic.twitter.com/E07UFIXNgr — House Republicans (@HouseGOP) January 15, 2020
For months Nancy Pelosi said impeachment was serious, sad, and somber. After signing the articles of impeachment Pelosi laughed about the number of pens she used to sign the articles. pic.twitter.com/yganN96i9u — Francis Brennan (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@FrancisBrennan) January 15, 2020
Even the White House mocked Pelosi’s souvenir pens. Press secretary Stephanie Grisham tweeted, “Nancy Pelosi’s souvenir pens served up on silver platters to sign the sham articles of impeachment…She was so somber as she gave them away to people like prizes.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-16--Nearly Half Of Flint’s Emergency $390 Million Water Funds Did Not Go To Clean Water

• Flint , Michigan , received $ 390 million in state funding for its water crisis , but as much has gone to economic and social development as has gone to safe drinking water , state spending data show .
• The funds have paid for free daycare for kids too young to have been impacted by the main crisis , according to state records , and for basketball , according to a book ; residents are even being paid $ 50 to sign up for other government benefits .
• Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha , a Flint activist , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressives dream about , ” and a state budget spokesman said local officials are lobbying to keep services even as the water problem fades .
Four years ago this month , then-Michigan Gov .
Rick Snyder declared an emergency in Flint , and $ 390 million in state aid began pouring in .
Much of the money , however , was spent on activities only peripherally related to lead in water , state spending data show .
About $ 129 million was spent on economic development and “ social development , ” nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent on safe drinking water , according to the state budget tally .
Money from a state water grant was used to bring “ a youth basketball league back to the city after a fifteen-year absence , ” according to the book “ The Poisoned City.
” State water-crisis money has been providing free daycare for children ages 3 and under in the city , even though none of them were alive or in utero during the primary water crisis , a state spokesman acknowledged .
The city switched from the problematic water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spokesman for Michigan ’ s budget office , told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the original justification for daycare was that staff could monitor kids who had been exposed to lead for signs of developmental delays .
“ At some point you have to evaluate , at what point does the state say none of those kids were exposed to lead so you shouldn ’ t be running that daycare anymore ?
But the citizens of Flint still feel suspicious of government , as they should , so to pull funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starts to become a difficult conversation , ” he said .
Of $ 66 million that went toward economic development , $ 20 million went to Uptown Reinvestment Corp. , a firm associated with four investors , two of whom are donors to Snyder , according to campaign finance records .
Seven million dollars went to renovate an old building into new apartments , and $ 5.5 million to renovate the Capitol Theatre .
Under social development , the government also spent nearly $ 4 million providing extra money on the food stamp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show .
Some money under the “ clean water ” category itself was used to prop up general city activities , such as plowing snow and maintaining traffic lights , with the justification that it “ support [ ed ] water distribution.
” The Flint Registry , which a federal grant supports , is paying residents $ 50 to fill out a form enrolling them , which in turn connects them to further services such as health screenings and education .
“ The Flint Registry gives anyone exposed to Flint water from April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150,000 people — access to services and programs , ” the Flint Journal reported in 2019 .
“ The Registry is funded in part by a $ 14.4-million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
” The registry increased the “ thank you check ” amount from $ 25 to $ 50 in December .
The registry is the brainchild of Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha , director of the Pediatric Public Health Initiative at Flint ’ s Hurley Children ’ s Hospital .
In her book “ What the Eyes Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the funds enabled “ the stuff progressives dream about but never get.
” “ Almost everything I asked for , my entire list of demands — all the wrap-around services for the kids that I had recommended — were , in some shape or form , in the budget , ” she wrote of the funds allocated under Snyder .
Hanna-Attish wrote of her Flint advocacy as part of a lifelong struggle for social justice and quest to use government to right historic wrongs , referring to Flint ’ s past as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans had starved the government and made the decisions that resulted in the water switch , ” she wrote , adding : “ If I had to locate an exact cause of the crisis , above all others , it would be the ideology of extreme austerity and ‘ all government is bad government . '
” ( RELATED : Flint Candidate For State Senate Choked A Man And Beat Him With A Bible ) Even with funds available to enable what she called “ awesomeness , ” the vast majority of Flint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the registry to connect them with services .
“ Over 12,500 have begun the enrollment process and 2,500 have fully enrolled in the Flint Registry .
Of those who have fully enrolled , over 3,650 referrals have already been made to critical health and development services , ” the registry said Dec. 2 .
The Flint Registry did not return a request for comment .
Weiss said the economic and social funding is “ the holistic part of the recovery.
” “ When the Snyder administration was here and they sat down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the problem , one thing they focused on is the water crisis has really hurt the economy , businesses won ’ t be attracted to Flint , so how do we help that part of the crisis , ” Weiss told the DCNF .
“ Legislators from the Flint area continue to push for these resources .
… Of course other cities around the state have their own infrastructure problems , so those cities start to say why does Flint get all the money , ” he said .
“ And those conversations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the budget process in the legislature.
” Ironically , the water crisis was precipitated in part by officials improperly tapping into a pool of money that was supposed to be for urgent environmental issues and using it for unrelated purposes .
In early 2014 , local officials from Flint and nearby jurisdictions had wanted to build a new pipeline to get water from the Great Lakes because Detroit , which provided their water , was charging too much money .
They tried to pay for the project by manufacturing a “ sham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed emergency money for cleanup of a sludge lagoon , when in fact the vast majority was to pay for the new pipeline , prosecutors probing the origins of the water crisis later alleged .
Flint and Detroit cut ties before the new pipeline was completed .
In April 2014 , a hastily deployed stopgap — taking water from the nearby Flint River — resulted in lead leaching into the water because the city failed to add anti-corrosives .
A variety of local officials were involved in seeking the special environmental money , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” including city officials as well as emergency managers appointed by the state .
The criminal charges were later dropped .
Water expert Marc Edwards — who flagged the toxic water and helped gain national attention early on — has said that Flint ’ s water has been back to normal for years , but that “ there ’ s people with agendas who want to make a perception that the crisis is ongoing.
” ( RELATED : Flint Mayor Gets Raise To 7 Times Average Salary ) City council finance chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ ve taken in over $ 647 million .
This is where the money is at , ” adding that Flint “ broke records for giving black folks money.
” Six million dollars went to resolving the immediate water problem by moving from the Flint River back to the Detroit source , and $ 25 million went to replacing lead water lines .
When replacing water lines , the city ignored maps that showed where lead pipes were , instead digging up the pipes in front of every house .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million to supervise the digging of 12,000 sites , only 15 % of which had lead pipes .
Meanwhile , those who maps showed did have problematic pipes had to wait .
City officials also rescinded a contract from a company that was quickly making repairs and banned the use of “ hydrovac ” equipment , which digs up pipes cheaply and unobtrusively .
That steered more work to a politically favored but inexperienced construction firm owned by an NBA player , which dug up yards using backhoes .
Content created by The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Flint, Michigan, received $390 million in state funding for its water crisis, but as much has gone to economic and social development as has gone to safe drinking water, state spending data show.
The funds have paid for free daycare for kids too young to have been impacted by the main crisis, according to state records, and for basketball, according to a book; residents are even being paid $50 to sign up for other government benefits.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a Flint activist, said the money has enabled “the stuff progressives dream about,” and a state budget spokesman said local officials are lobbying to keep services even as the water problem fades.
Four years ago this month, then-Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder declared an emergency in Flint, and $390 million in state aid began pouring in. Much of the money, however, was spent on activities only peripherally related to lead in water, state spending data show.
About $129 million was spent on economic development and “social development,” nearly as much as the $144 million spent on safe drinking water, according to the state budget tally.
Money from a state water grant was used to bring “a youth basketball league back to the city after a fifteen-year absence,” according to the book “The Poisoned City.”
State water-crisis money has been providing free daycare for children ages 3 and under in the city, even though none of them were alive or in utero during the primary water crisis, a state spokesman acknowledged. The city switched from the problematic water supply in October 2015.
Kurt Weiss, spokesman for Michigan’s budget office, told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the original justification for daycare was that staff could monitor kids who had been exposed to lead for signs of developmental delays.
“At some point you have to evaluate, at what point does the state say none of those kids were exposed to lead so you shouldn’t be running that daycare anymore? But the citizens of Flint still feel suspicious of government, as they should, so to pull funding for things that were put in place starts to become a difficult conversation,” he said.
Of $66 million that went toward economic development, $20 million went to Uptown Reinvestment Corp., a firm associated with four investors, two of whom are donors to Snyder, according to campaign finance records. Seven million dollars went to renovate an old building into new apartments, and $5.5 million to renovate the Capitol Theatre.
Under social development, the government also spent nearly $4 million providing extra money on the food stamp cards of residents, the state data show.
Some money under the “clean water” category itself was used to prop up general city activities, such as plowing snow and maintaining traffic lights, with the justification that it “support[ed] water distribution.”
The Flint Registry, which a federal grant supports, is paying residents $50 to fill out a form enrolling them, which in turn connects them to further services such as health screenings and education.
“The Flint Registry gives anyone exposed to Flint water from April 2014 until October 2015 — an estimated 150,000 people — access to services and programs,” the Flint Journal reported in 2019. “The Registry is funded in part by a $14.4-million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”
The registry increased the “thank you check” amount from $25 to $50 in December.
The registry is the brainchild of Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, director of the Pediatric Public Health Initiative at Flint’s Hurley Children’s Hospital. In her book “What the Eyes Don’t See,” she said the funds enabled “the stuff progressives dream about but never get.”
“Almost everything I asked for, my entire list of demands — all the wrap-around services for the kids that I had recommended — were, in some shape or form, in the budget,” she wrote of the funds allocated under Snyder.
Hanna-Attish wrote of her Flint advocacy as part of a lifelong struggle for social justice and quest to use government to right historic wrongs, referring to Flint’s past as “historic crimes and ethnic cleansing.”
“Republicans had starved the government and made the decisions that resulted in the water switch,” she wrote, adding: “If I had to locate an exact cause of the crisis, above all others, it would be the ideology of extreme austerity and ‘all government is bad government.'” (RELATED: Flint Candidate For State Senate Choked A Man And Beat Him With A Bible)
Even with funds available to enable what she called “awesomeness,” the vast majority of Flint residents have not completed the steps necessary for the registry to connect them with services.
“Over 12,500 have begun the enrollment process and 2,500 have fully enrolled in the Flint Registry. Of those who have fully enrolled, over 3,650 referrals have already been made to critical health and development services,” the registry said Dec. 2.
The Flint Registry did not return a request for comment.
Weiss said the economic and social funding is “the holistic part of the recovery.”
“When the Snyder administration was here and they sat down to formulate how do you go after the problem, one thing they focused on is the water crisis has really hurt the economy, businesses won’t be attracted to Flint, so how do we help that part of the crisis,” Weiss told the DCNF.
“Legislators from the Flint area continue to push for these resources. … Of course other cities around the state have their own infrastructure problems, so those cities start to say why does Flint get all the money,” he said. “And those conversations are going to have to play out during the budget process in the legislature.”
Ironically, the water crisis was precipitated in part by officials improperly tapping into a pool of money that was supposed to be for urgent environmental issues and using it for unrelated purposes.
In early 2014, local officials from Flint and nearby jurisdictions had wanted to build a new pipeline to get water from the Great Lakes because Detroit, which provided their water, was charging too much money.
They tried to pay for the project by manufacturing a “sham” environmental calamity: They said they needed emergency money for cleanup of a sludge lagoon, when in fact the vast majority was to pay for the new pipeline, prosecutors probing the origins of the water crisis later alleged.
Flint and Detroit cut ties before the new pipeline was completed. In April 2014, a hastily deployed stopgap — taking water from the nearby Flint River — resulted in lead leaching into the water because the city failed to add anti-corrosives.
A variety of local officials were involved in seeking the special environmental money, known as an “administrative consent order,” including city officials as well as emergency managers appointed by the state. The criminal charges were later dropped.
Water expert Marc Edwards — who flagged the toxic water and helped gain national attention early on — has said that Flint’s water has been back to normal for years, but that “there’s people with agendas who want to make a perception that the crisis is ongoing.” (RELATED: Flint Mayor Gets Raise To 7 Times Average Salary)
City council finance chairman Eric Mays said on April 27, “We’ve taken in over $647 million. This is where the money is at,” adding that Flint “broke records for giving black folks money.”
WATCH:
Six million dollars went to resolving the immediate water problem by moving from the Flint River back to the Detroit source, and $25 million went to replacing lead water lines.
When replacing water lines, the city ignored maps that showed where lead pipes were, instead digging up the pipes in front of every house. The city paid engineering firm AECOM $6.1 million to supervise the digging of 12,000 sites, only 15% of which had lead pipes. Meanwhile, those who maps showed did have problematic pipes had to wait.
City officials also rescinded a contract from a company that was quickly making repairs and banned the use of “hydrovac” equipment, which digs up pipes cheaply and unobtrusively. That steered more work to a politically favored but inexperienced construction firm owned by an NBA player, which dug up yards using backhoes.
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--2020-01-16--CNN Airs Audio Of Tense Exchange Between Elizabeth Warren And Bernie Sanders

CNN aired audio Wednesday of a tense exchange between Sens .
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders that took place at the end of a Democratic presidential debate in Des Moines , Iowa , Tuesday .
“ I think you called me a liar on national TV ?
” Warren said as she approached Sanders .
“ I think you called me a liar on national TV ?
” Warren repeated .
“ Let ’ s not do it right now .
You want to have that discussion , we ’ ll have that discussion , ” Sanders said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , alright let ’ s not do it right now.
” The exchange unfolded after Warren approached Sanders as the debate ended .
Warren was seen refusing to shake Sanders ’ s hand before the pair engaged in what appeared to be a contentious exchange .
( RELATED : Warren Seemingly Refuses To Shake Bernie ’ s Hand After Debate ) Sanders , from Vermont , had denied during the debate that he told Warren , from Massachusetts , during a 2018 meeting that a woman could not be elected president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday that cited four anonymous sources who claimed to be familiar with the exchange .
“ CNN reported yesterday and senator warren confirmed in a statement that in 2018 you told her that you did not believe a woman could win the presidential election .
Why did you say that ?
” CNN moderator Abby Phillip asked Sanders during the debate .
“ Well , as a matter of fact , I didn ’ t say that , ” Sanders said .
“ So Sen. Sanders , I do want to be clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you never told Sen. Warren that a woman could not win the election ?
” Phillip asked .
Phillip turned to Warren to ask about the report but posed the question in a way that made it seem like the story had been verified as accurate .
“ Sen .
Warren , what did you think when Sen. Sanders told you that a woman could not win the election ?
” Phillip asked .
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 .

CNN aired audio Wednesday of a tense exchange between Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders that took place at the end of a Democratic presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday.
“I think you called me a liar on national TV?” Warren said as she approached Sanders.
“What?” Sanders replied.
“I think you called me a liar on national TV?” Warren repeated.
“Let’s not do it right now. You want to have that discussion, we’ll have that discussion,” Sanders said. “You called me a … you told me, alright let’s not do it right now.”
The exchange unfolded after Warren approached Sanders as the debate ended. Warren was seen refusing to shake Sanders’s hand before the pair engaged in what appeared to be a contentious exchange. (RELATED: Warren Seemingly Refuses To Shake Bernie’s Hand After Debate)
WATCH:
Sanders, from Vermont, had denied during the debate that he told Warren, from Massachusetts, during a 2018 meeting that a woman could not be elected president. CNN reported the allegation in a story Monday that cited four anonymous sources who claimed to be familiar with the exchange.
“CNN reported yesterday and senator warren confirmed in a statement that in 2018 you told her that you did not believe a woman could win the presidential election. Why did you say that?” CNN moderator Abby Phillip asked Sanders during the debate.
“Well, as a matter of fact, I didn’t say that,” Sanders said.
“So Sen. Sanders, I do want to be clear here, you’re saying that you never told Sen. Warren that a woman could not win the election?” Phillip asked.
“That is correct,” Sanders replied.
Phillip turned to Warren to ask about the report but posed the question in a way that made it seem like the story had been verified as accurate.
“Sen. Warren, what did you think when Sen. Sanders told you that a woman could not win the election?” Phillip asked.
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--2020-01-16--Souvenir Pens From Clinton’s Impeachment Had To Be Reprinted After Spelling Error

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took criticism for handing out souvenir impeachment signing pens — but similar pens , with a slight error in spelling , made an appearance two decades earlier .
Former Democratic Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold , on hand Wednesday for MSNBC ’ s coverage of the transmission of the articles of impeachment , said that the commemorative pens handed out during former President Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment contained a spelling error .
The word “ united ” was incorrectly printed “ untied.
” Feingold , who was in Congress during the Clinton impeachment in 1998 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding the day ’ s events .
“ It creates a solemnity that I can tell you matters and with the Clinton impeachment I think many of us felt that this was by comparison to other situations to be sort of a trivial series of accusations , not offenses against the United States and yet it was taken seriously.
” “ All of these trappings aren ’ t just ancient traditions .
They matter and they remind people that they have taken this oath so I think it ’ s a package that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be funny moments , ” Feingold added .
“ For example , the pens that they gave us as commemorative pens were actually misprinted .
The word ‘ united ’ was misspelled and they had to do it over.
” ( RELATED : ‘ The Senate Is On Trial ’ : Nadler Says The Impeachment Is No Longer Just About The President ) While there have been no reports of spelling errors on the pens Speaker Pelosi handed out to her impeachment managers , Pelosi was criticized by some who felt the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solemn occasion .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took criticism for handing out souvenir impeachment signing pens — but similar pens, with a slight error in spelling, made an appearance two decades earlier.
Former Democratic Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold, on hand Wednesday for MSNBC’s coverage of the transmission of the articles of impeachment, said that the commemorative pens handed out during former President Bill Clinton’s impeachment contained a spelling error. The word “united” was incorrectly printed “untied.”
WATCH:
Feingold, who was in Congress during the Clinton impeachment in 1998, explained the point of all the rituals surrounding the day’s events. “It creates a solemnity that I can tell you matters and with the Clinton impeachment I think many of us felt that this was by comparison to other situations to be sort of a trivial series of accusations, not offenses against the United States and yet it was taken seriously.”
“All of these trappings aren’t just ancient traditions. They matter and they remind people that they have taken this oath so I think it’s a package that does matter and the only — there can be funny moments,” Feingold added. “For example, the pens that they gave us as commemorative pens were actually misprinted. The word ‘united’ was misspelled and they had to do it over.” (RELATED: ‘The Senate Is On Trial’: Nadler Says The Impeachment Is No Longer Just About The President)
While there have been no reports of spelling errors on the pens Speaker Pelosi handed out to her impeachment managers, Pelosi was criticized by some who felt the optics suggested a celebration rather than a solemn occasion.
CNN panel bashes Nancy Pelosi for handing out impeachment pens. It was a “jarring” “celebration” pic.twitter.com/oQlI8tgIW0 — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) January 15, 2020
For months Nancy Pelosi said impeachment was serious, sad, and somber. After signing the articles of impeachment Pelosi laughed about the number of pens she used to sign the articles. pic.twitter.com/yganN96i9u — Francis Brennan (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@FrancisBrennan) January 15, 2020


thedailycaller--2020-01-16--Jeffrey Epstein Accused Of Sex Trafficking Hundreds Of Girls As Young As 11 In New Lawsuit

Dead financier Jeffrey Epstein allegedly sexually abused and trafficked hundreds of young girls on his private island in the Caribbeans until 2018 , according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday .
Epstein brought girls as young as 11 years old to Little Saint James , his private island , where he kept a computerized database aimed at tracking the girl ’ s availability and movements , according to the lawsuit .
It accuses the multimillionaire of sex trafficking young women from 2001 until 2018 .
The lawsuit , filed by Attorney General of the Virgin Islands Denise N. George , adds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who died after an apparent suicide in August 2019 .
He was in jail awaiting trial after being charged in July 2019 of sexually abusing girls in New York and Florida .
Wednesday ’ s lawsuit accuses Epstein of running a sex trafficking scheme out of his private island for decades .
It is filed against his estate and asks for the forfeiture of Little Saint James and Great Saint James , Epstein ’ s second private island .
If the lawsuit is successful , the Virgin Islands ’ government could take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those who were abused , according to George .
( RELATED : Jeffrey Epstein Autopsy Photos Revealed On ’ 60 Minutes ’ ) “ Epstein clearly used the Virgin Islands and his residence in the U.S. Virgin Islands at Little Saint James as a way to be able to conceal and to be able to expand his activity here , ” George said according to the New York Times .
Epstein had assets valued at around $ 500 million .
His victims even spanned outside of the U.S. , according to court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South America .
The young girls were smuggled around America and the world using fake modeling visas , according to the lawsuit .
Air traffic controllers in the Virgin Islands saw Epstein leaving his private plane as recently as 2018 with young-looking girls , the suit also read according to the NYT .
Epstein ’ s database was used to track when the children were available , and how close they were .
One allegation in the suit details the moment a 15-year-old tried to swim to freedom after being forced to engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
The escape was not successful and the girl was held as a captive on Epstein ’ s island with her passport confiscated , the NYT reported , citing the lawsuit .
This lawsuit could expose rich and powerful people who often visited Epstein ’ s private island , George said .
“ We will not remain complacent , and we will enforce our laws whatever way we can , ” George added according to the NYT .
“ It doesn ’ t matter the social status of the person .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Dead financier Jeffrey Epstein allegedly sexually abused and trafficked hundreds of young girls on his private island in the Caribbeans until 2018, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday.
Epstein brought girls as young as 11 years old to Little Saint James, his private island, where he kept a computerized database aimed at tracking the girl’s availability and movements, according to the lawsuit. It accuses the multimillionaire of sex trafficking young women from 2001 until 2018.
The lawsuit, filed by Attorney General of the Virgin Islands Denise N. George, adds to the list of accusations against Epstein, who died after an apparent suicide in August 2019. He was in jail awaiting trial after being charged in July 2019 of sexually abusing girls in New York and Florida.
Wednesday’s lawsuit accuses Epstein of running a sex trafficking scheme out of his private island for decades. It is filed against his estate and asks for the forfeiture of Little Saint James and Great Saint James, Epstein’s second private island.
If the lawsuit is successful, the Virgin Islands’ government could take assets from the estate and give them to those who were abused, according to George. (RELATED: Jeffrey Epstein Autopsy Photos Revealed On ’60 Minutes’)
“Epstein clearly used the Virgin Islands and his residence in the U.S. Virgin Islands at Little Saint James as a way to be able to conceal and to be able to expand his activity here,” George said according to the New York Times.
Epstein had assets valued at around $500 million. His victims even spanned outside of the U.S., according to court documents, which note aspiring models from South America. The young girls were smuggled around America and the world using fake modeling visas, according to the lawsuit.
Air traffic controllers in the Virgin Islands saw Epstein leaving his private plane as recently as 2018 with young-looking girls, the suit also read according to the NYT. Epstein’s database was used to track when the children were available, and how close they were.
One allegation in the suit details the moment a 15-year-old tried to swim to freedom after being forced to engage in sex acts with Epstein and other people. The escape was not successful and the girl was held as a captive on Epstein’s island with her passport confiscated, the NYT reported, citing the lawsuit.
This lawsuit could expose rich and powerful people who often visited Epstein’s private island, George said.
“We will not remain complacent, and we will enforce our laws whatever way we can,” George added according to the NYT. “It doesn’t matter the social status of the person. It’s that the laws apply equally.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-16--Iraq Veteran Shares ‘Heroic’ Story About Vince Vaughn Following Uproar Over Trump Handshake

Iraq veteran Colby Smith revealed a “ heroic ” story about Vince Vaughn following the uproar on social media over the actor ’ s handshake with President Donald Trump .
Smith , who served as a combat medic for the scout platoon of 108th Armor , 48th Combat Brigade , 3rd Infantry Division after being deployed in May of 2005 to Mahmudiyah , Iraq , just south of Baghdad , didn ’ t hold back as he spoke to the Daily Caller on Wednesday about the day he met the 49-year-old actor in the “ violent area ” known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vaughn stopped by the FOB ( Forward Operating Base ) St. Michael .
RELATED : Watch The Trailer For The Elton John Movie ‘ Rocketman ’ ) “ When we got there the marines had just pulled out , ” Smith shared , as he took us back to that day .
“ We had lost a lot of guys .
I want to say 11 guys within a few weeks before he [ Vaughn ] arrived .
It was a very tough time.
” ( RELATED : Alec Baldwin Says Anger Management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not That Angry ’ ) “ Like we heard about the Denver Broncos coming to Baghdad and no one ever stopped where we were at , ” he added .
“ We were getting shot at .
I got hit by four IED ’ s myself .
So Vince Vaughn came , we got mortared.
” ( RELATED : Alec Baldwin Blames ‘ Trump Supporters ’ For ‘ The Near Moral Collapse Of This Country ’ ) The veteran continued , “ He [ Vaughn ] had been fully prepped that this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this [ visit ] because he heard that there was no one else coming to see these guys .
And he did.
” Smith at one point notes that Sergeant First Class Bince Vattaglia responded to his original post on FB that , “ all other celebrities decline to come to our area because its hazardous .
Vince Vaughn and his manager ( she ) were the first and only who [ accepted ] the challenge to come visit soldiers that had so little entertainment.
” “ He was perfect , ” Colby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he lifted them all at a time they so desperately needed it .
“ He smiled , he was happy .
One of the guys in the unit made a sign that read , ‘ if you can dodge an IED , you can dodge a ball.
’ He [ Vaughn ] thought it was great , so he was running around with the sign.
” “ He figured out where the medic station was , ” he added “ [ Vaughn ] said , ‘ I wanted to come see you guys.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ He didn ’ t ask questions.
” Smith continued , while recalling how this “ A-list actor ” just sat there and played an X-box NCAA football video game with him .
“ The way I felt , he was more in awe of all of us then we were of him , ” Colby said .
“ And that was really cool.
” “ I don ’ t care who it is .
It would be amazing [ to shake the president ’ s hand ] , ” he added , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story .
“ And it made me really mad because this was a man [ Vaughn ] who supported me in my endeavors and to me it was a very heroic and amazing thing to do.
” Smith concluded , “ This guy they were bashing was not just a good guy , but a hero .
It was not safe .
He was not going to the Green Zone .
He really went into a war zone to entertain some guys who desperately needed it .
”

Iraq veteran Colby Smith revealed a “heroic” story about Vince Vaughn following the uproar on social media over the actor’s handshake with President Donald Trump.
Smith, who served as a combat medic for the scout platoon of 108th Armor, 48th Combat Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division after being deployed in May of 2005 to Mahmudiyah, Iraq, just south of Baghdad, didn’t hold back as he spoke to the Daily Caller on Wednesday about the day he met the 49-year-old actor in the “violent area” known as the “triangle of death” when Vaughn stopped by the FOB (Forward Operating Base) St. Michael. RELATED: Watch The Trailer For The Elton John Movie ‘Rocketman’)
“When we got there the marines had just pulled out,” Smith shared, as he took us back to that day. “We had lost a lot of guys. I want to say 11 guys within a few weeks before he [Vaughn] arrived. It was a very tough time.” (RELATED: Alec Baldwin Says Anger Management Made Him Realize He’s ‘Not That Angry’)
“Like we heard about the Denver Broncos coming to Baghdad and no one ever stopped where we were at,” he added. “We were getting shot at. I got hit by four IED’s myself. So Vince Vaughn came, we got mortared.” (RELATED: Alec Baldwin Blames ‘Trump Supporters’ For ‘The Near Moral Collapse Of This Country’)
The veteran continued, “He [Vaughn] had been fully prepped that this was not a safe place. He did this [visit] because he heard that there was no one else coming to see these guys. And he did.”
Smith at one point notes that Sergeant First Class Bince Vattaglia responded to his original post on FB that, “all other celebrities decline to come to our area because its hazardous. Vince Vaughn and his manager(she) were the first and only who [accepted] the challenge to come visit soldiers that had so little entertainment.”
“He was perfect,” Colby went on to explain, noting how he lifted them all at a time they so desperately needed it. “He smiled, he was happy. One of the guys in the unit made a sign that read, ‘if you can dodge an IED, you can dodge a ball.’ He [Vaughn] thought it was great, so he was running around with the sign.”
“He figured out where the medic station was,” he added “[Vaughn] said, ‘I wanted to come see you guys.’ And he just hung out. He didn’t ask questions.”
Smith continued, while recalling how this “A-list actor” just sat there and played an X-box NCAA football video game with him.
“The way I felt, he was more in awe of all of us then we were of him,” Colby said. “And that was really cool.”
“I don’t care who it is. It would be amazing [to shake the president’s hand],” he added, while explaining why he decided to share the story. “And it made me really mad because this was a man [Vaughn] who supported me in my endeavors and to me it was a very heroic and amazing thing to do.”
Smith concluded, “This guy they were bashing was not just a good guy, but a hero. It was not safe. He was not going to the Green Zone. He really went into a war zone to entertain some guys who desperately needed it.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-16--‘What The Heck Happened?’: Mika Brzezinski ‘Confused’ By CNN Question That Blows Past Bernie Sanders

Mika Brzezinski was “ completely confused ” Wednesday by a CNN follow-up question that blew past a definitive answer from independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
Brzezinski was recapping Tuesday evening ’ s Democratic primary debate on “ Morning Joe , ” and responded to a clip that showed a question directed first to Sanders and then to Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
( RELATED : Mika Brzezinski Pushes The Idea That Trump Isn ’ t Barron ’ s Father ) Moderator Abby Phillip began by asking Sanders about a report that he had , during a private meeting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ couldn ’ t win ” the presidency .
Sanders , who has vehemently denied that claim , denied it again on the debate stage .
Phillip then turned to Warren , asking , “ Senator Warren , what did you think when Senator Sanders told you a woman could not win the election ?
” Brzezinski appeared puzzled and said so , responding , “ I am completely confused as to why it turned from Bernie Sanders saying ‘ I didn ’ t say it ’ to Elizabeth Warren being asked ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ?
’ He says he didn ’ t say it .
So you turn to Elizabeth Warren and say ‘ did he say it ?
’ That ’ s the issue.
” “ I mean , it ’ s bizarre .
What the heck happened there ?
Are they listening ?
” Brzezinski continued .
“ Because you have to listen when you do a debate and then take the question to the next candidate.
” Brzezinski went on to point out the fact that they were talking about a conversation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that she herself had been the target of such conversations that were manipulated for a particular person ’ s benefit and arguing that she did not believe that Sanders was the type to say something so politically damaging .
“ We have to remember the Democratic base doesn ’ t want to see this , ” Jean-Pierre added .
“ They want to know how are you going to beat Donald Trump ?
That ’ s what they want to see .
”

Mika Brzezinski was “completely confused” Wednesday by a CNN follow-up question that blew past a definitive answer from independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Brzezinski was recapping Tuesday evening’s Democratic primary debate on “Morning Joe,” and responded to a clip that showed a question directed first to Sanders and then to Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. (RELATED: Mika Brzezinski Pushes The Idea That Trump Isn’t Barron’s Father)
WATCH:
Moderator Abby Phillip began by asking Sanders about a report that he had, during a private meeting in 2018, told Warren that a woman “couldn’t win” the presidency.
Sanders, who has vehemently denied that claim, denied it again on the debate stage.
Phillip then turned to Warren, asking, “Senator Warren, what did you think when Senator Sanders told you a woman could not win the election?”
Brzezinski appeared puzzled and said so, responding, “I am completely confused as to why it turned from Bernie Sanders saying ‘I didn’t say it’ to Elizabeth Warren being asked ‘what did you think when he said it?’ He says he didn’t say it. So you turn to Elizabeth Warren and say ‘did he say it?’ That’s the issue.”
“That was bizarre,” political analyst Karine Jean-Pierre agreed.
“I mean, it’s bizarre. What the heck happened there? Are they listening?” Brzezinski continued. “Because you have to listen when you do a debate and then take the question to the next candidate.”
Brzezinski went on to point out the fact that they were talking about a conversation that reportedly happened at a private event, noting that she herself had been the target of such conversations that were manipulated for a particular person’s benefit and arguing that she did not believe that Sanders was the type to say something so politically damaging.
“We have to remember the Democratic base doesn’t want to see this,” Jean-Pierre added. “They want to know how are you going to beat Donald Trump? That’s what they want to see.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-17--Lindsay Lohan Reveals Another Album Release Date

Musician Lindsay Lohan revealed another potential release date for her newest album .
The announcement came as an Instagram comment , according to a report published Thursday by Page Six .
Fan account , worldoflindsaylohan , shared a photo of Lohan performing .
“ Hope we get LL3 this year , ” the fan account captioned the post .
Lohan reportedly commented on the photo and said , “ End of Feb !
” The comment is the first public hint at the release of the album since she originally announced its release would happen in August .
That clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting anxious .
She did preview a sample of her new song “ Xanax ” back in August on Virgin Radio Dubai ’ s “ The Kris Fade Show.
” I ’ m really pumped for more music from Lohan .
( RELATED : Lindsay Lohan Set To Be A Judge On ‘ The Masked Singer ’ ) She released her first album “ Speak ” in December of 2004 .
“ Rumors ” earned her a nomination for Best Pop Video at the 2005 MTV awards .
We were given another album @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raw ) , ” just a year later .
I just remember watching movies like “ Freaky Friday ” and “ Mean Girls ” and being blessed with Lohan ’ s music through the soundtracks .
“ Xanax ” will be her first song released in 12 years and it is long overdue .
Fans won ’ t have to wait much longer .

Musician Lindsay Lohan revealed another potential release date for her newest album.
The announcement came as an Instagram comment, according to a report published Thursday by Page Six. Fan account, worldoflindsaylohan, shared a photo of Lohan performing.
“Hope we get LL3 this year,” the fan account captioned the post.
Lohan reportedly commented on the photo and said, “End of Feb!”
The comment is the first public hint at the release of the album since she originally announced its release would happen in August. That clearly didn’t happen and fans are getting anxious. She did preview a sample of her new song “Xanax” back in August on Virgin Radio Dubai’s “The Kris Fade Show.”
I’m really pumped for more music from Lohan. (RELATED: Lindsay Lohan Set To Be A Judge On ‘The Masked Singer’)
She released her first album “Speak” in December of 2004. “Rumors” earned her a nomination for Best Pop Video at the 2005 MTV awards. We were given another album, “A Little More Personal (Raw),” just a year later.
I just remember watching movies like “Freaky Friday” and “Mean Girls” and being blessed with Lohan’s music through the soundtracks.
“Xanax” will be her first song released in 12 years and it is long overdue. Fans won’t have to wait much longer.


thedailycaller--2020-01-17--The Democratic Candidates Are Totally Down With The People, Yo!

The 2020 Democratic presidential primary is kicking into high-gear weeks out from the Iowa caucus , but the candidates ’ @ @ @ @ @ fall short .
Throughout the campaign , candidates such as Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , @ @ @ @ @ and former Vice President Joe Biden have tried to show they are in touch with @ @ @ @ @ , but is anyone laughing ?
Chime in with your thoughts in the comment section @ @ @ @ @ The Daily Caller ’ s most popular shows : Jim Jordan Wants To Hold The @ @ @ @ @ Tells Harrowing Story Of Being Attacked By ANTIFA Farage Warns World Leaders : 2016 Was @ @ @ @ @ Wants EL CHAPO to Pay for the Border Wall Roger Stone Explains How to Dress @ @

The 2020 Democratic presidential primary is kicking into high-gear weeks out from the Iowa caucus, but the candidates’ comedic talent still continues to fall short.
Throughout the campaign, candidates such as Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and former Vice President Joe Biden have tried to show they are in touch with the common man through jokes, but is anyone laughing?
Chime in with your thoughts in the comment section below:
NOW CHECK OUT The Daily Caller’s most popular shows:
Jim Jordan Wants To Hold The Russian Collusion Investigators Accountable
Dan Crenshaw Slams Social Security
Journalist Tells Harrowing Story Of Being Attacked By ANTIFA
Farage Warns World Leaders: 2016 Was Just The Beginning
Sidelined By Transgender Athlete | High School Track Star Speaks Out
Ted Cruz Wants EL CHAPO to Pay for the Border Wall
Dan Crenshaw Reveals His Eye Patch Collection
Hero or War Criminal? SEAL Who Killed Terrorists Faces Lifetime Trial
Rudy Giuliani: The Mueller Report Was A “Political Hit”
Roger Stone Explains How to Dress for Court


thedailycaller--2020-01-17--Trump Expected To Add Alan Dershowitz, Kenneth Starr And Robert Ray To Impeachment Legal Defense Tea

Trump Expected To Add Alan Dershowitz, Kenneth Starr And Robert Ray To Impeachment Legal Defense Team

“ While Professor Dershowitz is non-partisan when it comes to the Constitution — he opposed the impeachment of President Bill @ @ @ @ @ Clinton — he believes the issues at stake go to the heart of our enduring @ @ @ @ @ team said in a statement according to CNN .
“ He is participating in this @ @ @ @ @ integrity of the Constitution and to prevent the creation of a dangerous constitutional precedent.
” @ @ @ @ @ is leading the team of lawyers as the impeachment trial begins in the Senate .
@ @ @ @ @ Dershowitz for advice throughout impeachment and during the Mueller investigation , according to CNN .
@ @ @ @ @ new hires comes after the team tried to hire former Republican South Carolina Rep. and @ @ @ @ @ The hire was unsuccessful because of federal lobbying rules , according to Trump .

“While Professor Dershowitz is non-partisan when it comes to the Constitution — he opposed the impeachment of President Bill Clinton and voted for Hillary Clinton — he believes the issues at stake go to the heart of our enduring Constitution,” the legal team said in a statement according to CNN. “He is participating in this impeachment trial to defend the integrity of the Constitution and to prevent the creation of a dangerous constitutional precedent.”
White House counsel Pat Cipollone is leading the team of lawyers as the impeachment trial begins in the Senate. Trump has often spoken to Dershowitz for advice throughout impeachment and during the Mueller investigation, according to CNN.
The news of the three new hires comes after the team tried to hire former Republican South Carolina Rep. and former prosecutor Trey Gowdy. The hire was unsuccessful because of federal lobbying rules, according to Trump.


thedailycaller--2020-01-17--Sen. McSally Fundraises Off Of T-Shirts Just Minutes After Calling CNN Reporter Manu Raju A ‘Liberal

Sen. McSally Fundraises Off Of T-Shirts Just Minutes After Calling CNN Reporter Manu Raju A ‘Liberal Hack’

Republican Arizona Sen. Martha McSally called CNN ’ s Manu Raju a “ liberal hack ” and when the network demanded an apology , she decided to fundraise off of the insult instead .
Within one hour of the confrontation between media and politician , McSally reportedly bought the domain name “ liberalhack.com , ” which automatically redirected to her campaign website .
( RELATED : Republican Sen. Martha McSally Calls CNN Reporter Manu Raju ‘ A Liberal Hack ’ ) In addition , posted for sale on McSally ’ s campaign website , just hours after the exchange , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ you ’ re a liberal hack , buddy.
” The t-shirt was available for a minimum donation of $ 35 .
The spat began when McSally , approached by Raju at the Capitol , refused to answer questions and told him that he was “ a liberal hack.
” McSally responded to Raju ’ s tweet with video of the exchange .
Raju ’ s CNN colleague Anderson Cooper lashed out at McSally on his own broadcast , adding her to the “ ridicu-list.
” McSally responded to criticism during a Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ingraham , accusing CNN reporters across the board of being biased .
“ I ’ m a fighter pilot , I called it like it is , ” she laughed .
McSally also responded to Wolf Blitzer ’ s call for an apology , saying , “ CNN should probably file FEC reports for their DNC contributions .
”

Republican Arizona Sen. Martha McSally called CNN’s Manu Raju a “liberal hack” and when the network demanded an apology, she decided to fundraise off of the insult instead.
Within one hour of the confrontation between media and politician, McSally reportedly bought the domain name “liberalhack.com,” which automatically redirected to her campaign website. (RELATED: Republican Sen. Martha McSally Calls CNN Reporter Manu Raju ‘A Liberal Hack’)
A little insight into how calculated this was. McSally attacked Manu in the 10am hour. She had registered the domain name “https://t.co/YQW3ySFPna” by the 11am hour. (16:24 UTC = 11:24 EST) pic.twitter.com/TkBHt8S2BZ — Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) January 17, 2020
In addition, posted for sale on McSally’s campaign website, just hours after the exchange, was a new t-shirt that read, “you’re a liberal hack, buddy.” The t-shirt was available for a minimum donation of $35.
NEW SHIRT!! ???? I’m in the Senate to fight for all Arizonans, not play politics and games with the liberal hacks of the left-wing media! https://t.co/tNbKJa49JN — McSally For Senate (@MarthaMcSally) January 17, 2020
The spat began when McSally, approached by Raju at the Capitol, refused to answer questions and told him that he was “a liberal hack.”
Sen. Martha McSally, a Republican facing a difficult election race, lashed out when I asked if she would consider new evidence as part of the Senate trial. “You’re a liberal hack – I’m not talking to you. You’re a liberal hack.” She then walked into a hearing room. — Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 16, 2020
McSally responded to Raju’s tweet with video of the exchange.
Raju’s CNN colleague Anderson Cooper lashed out at McSally on his own broadcast, adding her to the “ridicu-list.”
Sen. Martha McSally called CNN’s Manu Raju a “liberal hack” when he asked her about considering new evidence for President Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate. So @AndersonCooper is placing her on the #RidicuList https://t.co/Rnazk3swlJ pic.twitter.com/FgCW3L0CF5 — Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) January 17, 2020
McSally responded to criticism during a Thursday evening appearance with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, accusing CNN reporters across the board of being biased.
“I’m a fighter pilot, I called it like it is,” she laughed.
“I’m a fighter pilot! I called it like it is!” Sen. Martha McSally scorches CNN — in a fun interview with Laura Ingraham — for their hypocrisy, doubling down on her criticism of Manu Raju, while them for working on cahoots with the DNC. pic.twitter.com/GD452PXpYk — (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) January 17, 2020
McSally also responded to Wolf Blitzer’s call for an apology, saying, “CNN should probably file FEC reports for their DNC contributions.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-17--Karlie Kloss Opens Up About Disagreeing With Joshua Kushner’s Family Politically

Supermodel Karlie Kloss opened up about being married to Joshua Kushner and disagreeing with family on political beliefs .
Kloss appeared Thursday on “ Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen , ” where she was asked about her husband ’ s family .
Kloss married Joshua in 2018 .
Joshua is the brother of Jared Kushner , who is married to Ivanka Trump and works in President Donald Trump ’ s administration .
“ I ’ m sure I ’ m not the only person in this country who does not necessarily agree with their family on politics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted as a Democrat in 2016 and I plan to do the same in 2020.
” “ I ’ m very passionate about different issues , women ’ s reproductive health and I ’ m very involved with Planned Parenthood , ” she added .
Her relationship with her family has been brought back into the spotlight after a moment between Kloss and a contestant on “ Project Runway ” went viral at the beginning of January .
( RELATED : Supermodel Karlie Kloss On Being Connected To Trump White House Through Marriage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ) A judge on the show told the contestant he couldn ’ t see Kloss wearing this dress to anything .
“ Not even to dinner with the Kushners ?
” he replied .
Kloss noted that she ’ s been a part of the Kushner family long before Trump was elected as president in 2016 .
“ I met my man in 2012 .
I was 19 years old , ” Kloss said .
“ It was 2012 , it was a different world .
My man and I have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m so proud that he ’ s my partner .
It ’ s not been easy but it ’ s worth it .
I would make that same decision a million times again .
”

Supermodel Karlie Kloss opened up about being married to Joshua Kushner and disagreeing with family on political beliefs.
Kloss appeared Thursday on “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,” where she was asked about her husband’s family. Kloss married Joshua in 2018. Joshua is the brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump and works in President Donald Trump’s administration.
“I’m sure I’m not the only person in this country who does not necessarily agree with their family on politics,” Kloss told Cohen. “I voted as a Democrat in 2016 and I plan to do the same in 2020.”
“I’m very passionate about different issues, women’s reproductive health and I’m very involved with Planned Parenthood,” she added.
Her relationship with her family has been brought back into the spotlight after a moment between Kloss and a contestant on “Project Runway” went viral at the beginning of January. (RELATED: Supermodel Karlie Kloss On Being Connected To Trump White House Through Marriage: ‘It’s Been Hard’)
A judge on the show told the contestant he couldn’t see Kloss wearing this dress to anything.
“Not even to dinner with the Kushners?” he replied.
Kloss noted that she’s been a part of the Kushner family long before Trump was elected as president in 2016.
“I met my man in 2012. I was 19 years old,” Kloss said. “It was 2012, it was a different world. My man and I have been through a lot together. I’m so proud that he’s my partner. It’s not been easy but it’s worth it. I would make that same decision a million times again.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-17--CNN And MSNBC Let Lev Parnas Off The Hook

To hear Lev Parnas tell it , as he did in interviews this week with Rachel Maddow and Anderson Cooper , his laser-like focus on getting rid of the American ambassador to Ukraine was purely in service of President Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani .
In his interviews , which aired Wednesday and Thursday , Parnas apologized for his role in forcing Marie Yovanovitch ’ s removal from Kyiv .
He said he no longer believes some of the allegations he spread about the diplomat , who Trump recalled from her post on April 24 , 2019 .
But Parnas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yavanovitch out of his interviews , which were the first he had conducted since being indicted on campaign finance charges in New York .
According to an indictment unsealed on Oct. 10 , the Soviet-born Parnas made illegal campaign contributions , known as “ straw ” donations , to several lawmakers and political committees .
Prosecutors allege that Parnas acted at the behest of at least one Ukrainian government official — not Trump or Giuliani — to force Yovanovitch from office .
“ PARNAS ’ s efforts to remove the Ambassador were conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the request of one or more Ukrainian government officials , ” the government alleges .
One recipient of Parnas ’ s contributions was then-Texas Republican Rep. Pete Sessions .
Parnas allegedly made straw donations in June 2018 to Sessions ’ campaign .
( RELATED : Lev Parnas ’ s Comments To NYT Conflict With CNN Report ) Sessions wrote a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on May 9 , 2018 requesting a review of Yovanovitch .
“ I kindly ask you to consider terminating her ambassadorship and find a replacement as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Pompeo .
Yovanovitch was on Parnas ’ s mind a week before his meeting with Sessions .
Parnas told both Maddow and Cooper that he told Trump at a private fundraising event on April 30 , 2018 that Yovanovitch had made derogatory statements about him .
“ I don ’ t know how the conversation came up , but I do remember me telling the president that the ambassador was bad-mouthing him , and saying he would be impeached .
Something to that effect , ” Parnas told Maddow .
The information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Parnas ’ s telling .
He said that Trump turned to an aide and instructed him to fire Yovanovitch .
Yovanovitch was not fired at the time .
She remained ambassador for nearly a year longer .
Trump ultimately recalled her following a series of reports in conservative media portraying Yovanovitch as being corrupt and anti-Trump .
Parnas and Giuliani worked closely with John Solomon , a reporter then with The Hill , to set up interviews and gather documents used in the anti-Yovanovitch campaign .
In his interview with Cooper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a sort of peer pressure from the “ Trump crowd , ” never mentioning that the indictment against him said that he was working in benefit of an unnamed Ukrainian official .
Neither Maddow nor Cooper pressed Parnas on what motivated him to bring up Yovanovitch , or which Ukrainian official he was allegedly helping .
“ Me personally ?
I didn ’ t have no personal motives , ” he said .
“ You didn ’ t have an opinion at all ?
” Cooper asked .
“ My opinion came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Parnas , referring to Team Trump .
“ Over the time it grew more and more and more and more and more and eventually I felt like I hated her because you know everybody hated her.
” 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 .

To hear Lev Parnas tell it, as he did in interviews this week with Rachel Maddow and Anderson Cooper, his laser-like focus on getting rid of the American ambassador to Ukraine was purely in service of President Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani.
In his interviews, which aired Wednesday and Thursday, Parnas apologized for his role in forcing Marie Yovanovitch’s removal from Kyiv. He said he no longer believes some of the allegations he spread about the diplomat, who Trump recalled from her post on April 24, 2019.
But Parnas left key details about his interest in Yavanovitch out of his interviews, which were the first he had conducted since being indicted on campaign finance charges in New York.
According to an indictment unsealed on Oct. 10, the Soviet-born Parnas made illegal campaign contributions, known as “straw” donations, to several lawmakers and political committees. Prosecutors allege that Parnas acted at the behest of at least one Ukrainian government official — not Trump or Giuliani — to force Yovanovitch from office.
“PARNAS’s efforts to remove the Ambassador were conducted, at least in part, at the request of one or more Ukrainian government officials,” the government alleges.
One recipient of Parnas’s contributions was then-Texas Republican Rep. Pete Sessions. Parnas allegedly made straw donations in June 2018 to Sessions’ campaign. (RELATED: Lev Parnas’s Comments To NYT Conflict With CNN Report)
Sessions wrote a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on May 9, 2018 requesting a review of Yovanovitch.
“I kindly ask you to consider terminating her ambassadorship and find a replacement as soon as possible,” Sessions wrote to Pompeo.
Yovanovitch was on Parnas’s mind a week before his meeting with Sessions.
Parnas told both Maddow and Cooper that he told Trump at a private fundraising event on April 30, 2018 that Yovanovitch had made derogatory statements about him.
“I don’t know how the conversation came up, but I do remember me telling the president that the ambassador was bad-mouthing him, and saying he would be impeached. Something to that effect,” Parnas told Maddow.
WATCH:
The information appeared to be news to Trump, according to Parnas’s telling. He said that Trump turned to an aide and instructed him to fire Yovanovitch.
Yovanovitch was not fired at the time. She remained ambassador for nearly a year longer. Trump ultimately recalled her following a series of reports in conservative media portraying Yovanovitch as being corrupt and anti-Trump.
Parnas and Giuliani worked closely with John Solomon, a reporter then with The Hill, to set up interviews and gather documents used in the anti-Yovanovitch campaign.
In his interview with Cooper, Parnas attributed his interest in Yovanovitch to a sort of peer pressure from the “Trump crowd,” never mentioning that the indictment against him said that he was working in benefit of an unnamed Ukrainian official.
Neither Maddow nor Cooper pressed Parnas on what motivated him to bring up Yovanovitch, or which Ukrainian official he was allegedly helping.
“Did you want Yovanovitch removed?” Cooper asked Parnas.
“Me personally? I didn’t have no personal motives,” he said.
“You didn’t have an opinion at all?” Cooper asked.
“My opinion came from the crowd I was in,” said Parnas, referring to Team Trump. “Over the time it grew more and more and more and more and more and eventually I felt like I hated her because you know everybody hated her.”
WATCH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-zUUJ-hZ-o&feature=youtu.be
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--2020-01-17--FACT CHECK: Viral Meme Claims Ilhan Omar ‘Threatened’ To Send Shawarma To Republican Members Of Cong

FACT CHECK: Viral Meme Claims Ilhan Omar ‘Threatened’ To Send Shawarma To Republican Members Of Congress

An image shared on Facebook alleges that Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar “ threatened ” to send shawarma to Republican members of Congress to “ give them a taste of her culture.
” “ Share to say arrest her now !
” reads part of the caption .
The Daily Caller found no evidence Omar ever made such a threat to her Republican colleagues .
Social media websites are replete with misinformation about politicians .
In this case , the meme makes a dubious claim about Omar , one of three Muslims now serving in Congress .
An iteration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook more than 146,000 times .
“ Musslamic ( sic ) Democrat , Ilhan Omar , has threatened members of Congress , ” claims the post .
“ She ’ s told several Republicans that she ’ ll send them ‘ shawarma ’ to ‘ give them a taste of her culture . '
” ( RELATED : Did Ilhan Omar Vote Against Making Female Genital Mutilation A Felony ? )
However , the Caller didn ’ t find any media reports of Omar threatening to send her Republican colleagues shawarma , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off a vertical rotisserie .
Neither her social media accounts nor ProPublica ’ s archive of her deleted tweets have any mentions of the dish either .
The claim likely originated as a piece of satire .
America ’ s Last Line of Defense , a widely known satirical content producer , and other parody news pages have shared the meme on Facebook in recent months .
Bustatroll.org has also previously included shawarma in satirical articles about Omar .
Omar ’ s office did not respond to a request for comment .

An image shared on Facebook alleges that Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar “threatened” to send shawarma to Republican members of Congress to “give them a taste of her culture.”
“Share to say arrest her now!” reads part of the caption.
Verdict: False
The Daily Caller found no evidence Omar ever made such a threat to her Republican colleagues.
Fact Check:
Social media websites are replete with misinformation about politicians. In this case, the meme makes a dubious claim about Omar, one of three Muslims now serving in Congress. An iteration of this particular claim has been shared on Facebook more than 146,000 times.
“Musslamic (sic) Democrat, Ilhan Omar, has threatened members of Congress,” claims the post. “She’s told several Republicans that she’ll send them ‘shawarma’ to ‘give them a taste of her culture.'” (RELATED: Did Ilhan Omar Vote Against Making Female Genital Mutilation A Felony?)
However, the Caller didn’t find any media reports of Omar threatening to send her Republican colleagues shawarma, a popular Middle Eastern dish containing meat shaved off a vertical rotisserie. Neither her social media accounts nor ProPublica’s archive of her deleted tweets have any mentions of the dish either.
The claim likely originated as a piece of satire. America’s Last Line of Defense, a widely known satirical content producer, and other parody news pages have shared the meme on Facebook in recent months. Bustatroll.org has also previously included shawarma in satirical articles about Omar.
Omar’s office did not respond to a request for comment.


thedailycaller--2020-01-17--NYT’s Maggie Haberman Admits Media Gives ‘Instant Credibility’ To Anti-Trump Voices

New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman warned Friday that there was a tendency in media to give “ instant credibility ” to anyone who came out as anti-Trump .
Haberman appeared on CNN ’ s “ New Day ” to discuss the ongoing impeachment of President Donald Trump and the recent interview with indicted Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas , and she noted the importance of evaluating the facts independent of those voices .
( RELATED : Maggie Haberman , Ana Navarro And Shaun King Among A Massive List Of Activist Journalists Named On Covington ’ s Lawsuit ) Host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parnas , who recently gave a lengthy interview to MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow , has argued that he would be a great witness for Senate Republicans because he could tell them what former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter had done wrong with regard to Ukraine .
“ It was really interesting because what Parnas was saying , he was actually saying he should be a Republican witness .
‘ Republicans should want to talk to me , ' ” Berman said .
“ They do but not for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There are some Republicans talking privately about the idea that maybe he wouldn ’ t be the worst witness for us to call because we could try to hit into his credibility and again for the reasons we just said , there are concerns that he would not be able to hold up.
” Echoing the concerns of CNN anchor Jake Tapper , who warned Thursday that Parnas had a “ serious credibility problem , ” Haberman continued .
“ One of the hallmarks of the Trump era is anybody who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ We ’ ve seen it over and over again .
Michael Avenatti , Cohen even at points , even when he was admitting he was lying to Congress at some point after he pleaded guilty to other charges .
It ’ s important to just assess these facts on their own.
” Haberman also warned , as even White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway suggested , that Parnas was simply putting himself out there as a potential witness in the hopes that it might help with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he ’ s doing .
He knows it ’ s compelling to go on TV saying , ‘ I ’ m here , come take me , ' ” Haberman explained .
“ He ’ s clearly hoping that ’ s going to help him in his criminal case .
I don ’ t know that it will .
If he got called as a witness , it might not go the way he ’ s describing it .
That ’ s all .
”

New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman warned Friday that there was a tendency in media to give “instant credibility” to anyone who came out as anti-Trump.
Haberman appeared on CNN’s “New Day” to discuss the ongoing impeachment of President Donald Trump and the recent interview with indicted Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas, and she noted the importance of evaluating the facts independent of those voices. (RELATED: Maggie Haberman, Ana Navarro And Shaun King Among A Massive List Of Activist Journalists Named On Covington’s Lawsuit)
WATCH:
Host John Berman brought up the fact that Parnas, who recently gave a lengthy interview to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, has argued that he would be a great witness for Senate Republicans because he could tell them what former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter had done wrong with regard to Ukraine.
“It was really interesting because what Parnas was saying, he was actually saying he should be a Republican witness. ‘Republicans should want to talk to me,'” Berman said.
“They do but not for the reasons he thinks,” Haberman replied. “There are some Republicans talking privately about the idea that maybe he wouldn’t be the worst witness for us to call because we could try to hit into his credibility and again for the reasons we just said, there are concerns that he would not be able to hold up.”
Echoing the concerns of CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who warned Thursday that Parnas had a “serious credibility problem,” Haberman continued.
“One of the hallmarks of the Trump era is anybody who is oppositional to Trump gets instant credibility,” she said. “We’ve seen it over and over again. Michael Avenatti, Cohen even at points, even when he was admitting he was lying to Congress at some point after he pleaded guilty to other charges. It’s important to just assess these facts on their own.”
Haberman also warned, as even White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway suggested, that Parnas was simply putting himself out there as a potential witness in the hopes that it might help with his own legal troubles. “Parnas knows what he’s doing. He knows it’s compelling to go on TV saying, ‘I’m here, come take me,'” Haberman explained. “He’s clearly hoping that’s going to help him in his criminal case. I don’t know that it will. If he got called as a witness, it might not go the way he’s describing it. That’s all.”