palmerreport--2020-01-06--What a nightmare this guy has created for himself

Donald J. Trump continues to talk big while being small and pathetic .
Tonight , after he tweeted over the weekend about targeting cultural locations of Iran and gave “ notice ” via Twitter , he spoke with the White House press pool .
We all wish that the reality was just a bad nightmare we are all collectively having .
But alas , we have him in the White House and his cult applauding his every move .
He warned Iraq that if we leave , they will pay and that he will impose sanctions .
He literally justified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pool : They ’ re allowed to kill our people .
They ’ re allowed to torture and maim our people .
They ’ re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people .
And we ’ re not allowed to touch their cultural site ?
It doesn ’ t work that way .
We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base that ’ s there .
It cost billions of dollars to build .
Long before my time .
We ’ re not leaving unless they pay us back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to leave , if we don ’ t do it in a very friendly basis .
We will charge them sanctions like they ’ ve never seen before ever .
It ’ ll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame .
Yet what does Trump butt kisser and boot licker Lindsey Graham focus on instead ?
He is going to change the Senate rules to eliminate Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House from the impeachment process .
That ’ s not something he can even do , but there it is .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatens Iran , and we have no idea what it was that he spoke with Putin about last week , we know nothing about the American contractor that was killed , and reports are emerging that Pompeo has been trying to get Trump to go after Soleimani for months .
All this comes amid reports that an attack against the U.S. was never imminent .
We have a nightmare in the Middle East with an impossibly corrupt and incompetent commander in chief here for the United States .
We wish that it was @ @ @ @

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Donald J. Trump continues to talk big while being small and pathetic. Tonight, after he tweeted over the weekend about targeting cultural locations of Iran and gave “notice” via Twitter, he spoke with the White House press pool. We all wish that the reality was just a bad nightmare we are all collectively having. But alas, we have him in the White House and his cult applauding his every move.
He warned Iraq that if we leave, they will pay and that he will impose sanctions. He literally justified war crimes against Iran. He told the pool:
They’re allowed to kill our people. They’re allowed to torture and maim our people. They’re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people. And we’re not allowed to touch their cultural site? It doesn’t work that way. We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base that’s there. It cost billions of dollars to build. Long before my time. We’re not leaving unless they pay us back for it. If they do ask us to leave, if we don’t do it in a very friendly basis. We will charge them sanctions like they’ve never seen before ever. It’ll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame.
Yet what does Trump butt kisser and boot licker Lindsey Graham focus on instead? He is going to change the Senate rules to eliminate Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House from the impeachment process. That’s not something he can even do, but there it is.
In the meantime, Trump threatens Iraq and threatens Iran, and we have no idea what it was that he spoke with Putin about last week, we know nothing about the American contractor that was killed, and reports are emerging that Pompeo has been trying to get Trump to go after Soleimani for months. All this comes amid reports that an attack against the U.S. was never imminent. We have a nightmare in the Middle East with an impossibly corrupt and incompetent commander in chief here for the United States. We wish that it was but a nightmare.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-06--Donald Trump has a whole new Paul Manafort problem

It ’ s been a long time since we ’ ve heard anything from Paul Manafort , because he ’ s been busy rotting away in solitary confinement .
Donald Trump has been quite fortunate that Manafort has decided to spend the rest of his life in a cage instead of ratting Trump out in exchange for leniency .
But now Manafort , despite his lack of cooperation – in fact because of his lack of cooperation – is about to become a major problem for Trump within days .
Paul Manafort actually did cut a cooperating plea deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing turned out to be a ruse , as he spent his cooperation period lying to prosecutors about what was going on , while secretly conspiring with Donald Trump the entire time .
This blew up in Manafort ’ s face , as he eventually got caught , and it resulted in harsher criminal charges .
For whatever reason , prosecutors have finally decided that now is the time to publicly release the details of the various things that they caught Paul Manafort lying about .
It ’ s a given that at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involve Donald Trump , or the plot between the Trump campaign and Russia to rig the 2016 election , or other similar topics .
So just as Donald Trump is trying to get everyone to focus on his terrible foreign policy decisions instead of his election crimes , the public is about to get a heaping helping of new information about Trump ’ s criminal election antics with Kremlin asset Paul Manafort .
This is the last thing Trump needs .

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It’s been a long time since we’ve heard anything from Paul Manafort, because he’s been busy rotting away in solitary confinement. Donald Trump has been quite fortunate that Manafort has decided to spend the rest of his life in a cage instead of ratting Trump out in exchange for leniency. But now Manafort, despite his lack of cooperation – in fact because of his lack of cooperation – is about to become a major problem for Trump within days.
Paul Manafort actually did cut a cooperating plea deal with prosecutors awhile back. But the whole thing turned out to be a ruse, as he spent his cooperation period lying to prosecutors about what was going on, while secretly conspiring with Donald Trump the entire time. This blew up in Manafort’s face, as he eventually got caught, and it resulted in harsher criminal charges.
For whatever reason, prosecutors have finally decided that now is the time to publicly release the details of the various things that they caught Paul Manafort lying about. It’s a given that at least some of these exposed lies will involve Donald Trump, or the plot between the Trump campaign and Russia to rig the 2016 election, or other similar topics.
So just as Donald Trump is trying to get everyone to focus on his terrible foreign policy decisions instead of his election crimes, the public is about to get a heaping helping of new information about Trump’s criminal election antics with Kremlin asset Paul Manafort. This is the last thing Trump needs.
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palmerreport--2020-01-06--This is just beyond bizarre

This is just beyond bizarre

Donald J. Trump , IMPOTUS the Third , ordered the assassination of Qassem Soleimani , a horrible man who was responsible for the death of many innocent people .
In doing so , Trump did not consult with the Gang of Eight , Republicans or Democrats .
He continues to not provide much information to Congress , despite his obligations to fully apprise them of the situation and obtain authority for any major action .
According to Speaker Nancy Pelosi , the information he did provide to Congress was so heavily redacted , it left many unanswered questions .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IMPOTUS believes he answers to no one and can do whatever the hell he pleases , tweeted : “ These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target , the United States will quickly & fully strike back , & perhaps in a disproportionate manner .
Such legal notice is not required , but is given nevertheless !
” As a reminder to this most dangerous man , the Constitution is clear that when it comes to war , Congress alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States Constitution , Article I , Section 8 , Clause 11 , provides , “ The Congress shall have power to declare war.
” While the president has in the last several decades had more and more power , the executive does not have this kind of power described by Trump .
In addition , tweeting a notice to the United States Congress is not an appropriate means or approach to this somber issue .
Not consulting with the Republicans or Democrats in the Gang of Eight , tweeting potential war crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Lindsey Graham talking about oil refineries , and now casually and cavalierly tweeting a notice to Congress about his potential plans to go to war , all demonstrate that IMPOTUS is not competent to be leading our nation .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald J. Trump, IMPOTUS the Third, ordered the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, a horrible man who was responsible for the death of many innocent people. In doing so, Trump did not consult with the Gang of Eight, Republicans or Democrats. He continues to not provide much information to Congress, despite his obligations to fully apprise them of the situation and obtain authority for any major action.
According to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the information he did provide to Congress was so heavily redacted, it left many unanswered questions. But on Sunday, should anyone doubt that IMPOTUS believes he answers to no one and can do whatever the hell he pleases, tweeted: “These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!”
As a reminder to this most dangerous man, the Constitution is clear that when it comes to war, Congress alone has power to declare war. The United States Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 11, provides, “The Congress shall have power to declare war.” While the president has in the last several decades had more and more power, the executive does not have this kind of power described by Trump.
In addition, tweeting a notice to the United States Congress is not an appropriate means or approach to this somber issue. Not consulting with the Republicans or Democrats in the Gang of Eight, tweeting potential war crimes about targeting civilian cultural centers, he and Lindsey Graham talking about oil refineries, and now casually and cavalierly tweeting a notice to Congress about his potential plans to go to war, all demonstrate that IMPOTUS is not competent to be leading our nation.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-06--Donald Trump is maniacally out of control

The pundits who spent the past week insisting that the Iran thing was somehow going to magically help Donald Trump ’ s 2020 odds ?
Here ’ s hoping they ’ re a little quieter next week , because they ’ ve – predictably – turned out to have been entirely wrong .
The Iran thing isn ’ t just blowing up in Trump ’ s face , it ’ s escalating against him in real time , to the point that he ’ s now threatening two countries in the region .
On Sunday , the Parliament of Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its country .
This means Donald Trump has blown this so badly , Iraq has decided to firmly side with its traditional enemy Iran over the United States .
This also means that Iran now has even more leverage over Trump .
So on Sunday evening , Trump announced that if Iraq doesn ’ t relent , he ’ ll hit the country with massive economic sanctions .
That ’ s right , Trump is now threatening to cripple a key U.S. ally with sanctions .
This is deranged beyond words .
Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s gone from committing one of the dumbest mistakes in the modern history of the presidency by taking out Soleimani to begin with , to then threatening to commit war crimes against civilians in Iran , to then losing Iraq as an ally , to now making idiotic threats against Iraq .
This is also further proof that Trump has already lost his Iran gambit .
This isn ’ t something that was ever going to magically gain him a single vote .
But it ’ s quickly dissolved into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embarrassing , it could end up driving his poll numbers even lower .
For that matter , there ’ s the very real scenario in which he ends up getting impeached again , for refusing to notify the Gang of Eight , and for threatening war crimes .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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The pundits who spent the past week insisting that the Iran thing was somehow going to magically help Donald Trump’s 2020 odds? Here’s hoping they’re a little quieter next week, because they’ve – predictably – turned out to have been entirely wrong. The Iran thing isn’t just blowing up in Trump’s face, it’s escalating against him in real time, to the point that he’s now threatening two countries in the region.
On Sunday, the Parliament of Iraq voted to expel the U.S. military from its country. This means Donald Trump has blown this so badly, Iraq has decided to firmly side with its traditional enemy Iran over the United States. This also means that Iran now has even more leverage over Trump. So on Sunday evening, Trump announced that if Iraq doesn’t relent, he’ll hit the country with massive economic sanctions. That’s right, Trump is now threatening to cripple a key U.S. ally with sanctions.
This is deranged beyond words. Donald Trump is maniacally out of control. He’s gone from committing one of the dumbest mistakes in the modern history of the presidency by taking out Soleimani to begin with, to then threatening to commit war crimes against civilians in Iran, to then losing Iraq as an ally, to now making idiotic threats against Iraq.
This is also further proof that Trump has already lost his Iran gambit. This isn’t something that was ever going to magically gain him a single vote. But it’s quickly dissolved into the kind of debacle that’s so embarrassing, it could end up driving his poll numbers even lower. For that matter, there’s the very real scenario in which he ends up getting impeached again, for refusing to notify the Gang of Eight, and for threatening war crimes.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-06--Putin’s puppet lays an egg

Putin’s puppet lays an egg

While the Iraqi airstrikes may have helped Donald Trump with at least one of his goals – taking impeachment out of the national conversation as they watch the Middle Eastern region with uncertainty about what ’ s yet to come – they ’ ve hurt him just about everywhere else .
At best , he ’ s only looking at a temporary distraction , since he has no control over when his trial begins and this reckless move is already costing him the allies his presidency needs to survive – with Tucker Carlson , usually one of his most ardent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at him on Fox News .
Now it ’ s not just Americans who are concerned about Trump inciting another costly and pointless war in the region , it ’ s also someone he has no control over .
Among the many people unhappy with the way Trump conducted the air raid , Vladimir Putin is probably the last person Trump needs to have against him right now .
While American media outlets may be quick to point out that the world is better off without Soleimani in it , it turns out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay alive .
He ’ s gone so far as to voice his displeasure through Russia ’ s foreign ministry , with a stern warning that Soleimani ’ s death could seriously destabilize the region .
They even used language that Trump can understand , saying “ Washington ’ s step could have grave consequences ” – the type of mob-style threats we ’ ve come to expect from Trump and his goons .
The statement by Sergei Lavrov even went so far as to urge American citizens to vote against him – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count on the Kremlin this year .
We know that Soleimani was heavily involved in Syria , even playing a key role in Putin ’ s intervention .
While Syria in chaos plays to Putin ’ s advantage – the Kremlin knows that a war erupting in Iran is detrimental to their own plans to dominate the Middle East – and it may not be worth propping up Donald Trump for much longer .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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While the Iraqi airstrikes may have helped Donald Trump with at least one of his goals – taking impeachment out of the national conversation as they watch the Middle Eastern region with uncertainty about what’s yet to come – they’ve hurt him just about everywhere else. At best, he’s only looking at a temporary distraction, since he has no control over when his trial begins and this reckless move is already costing him the allies his presidency needs to survive – with Tucker Carlson, usually one of his most ardent defenders in media, now lashing out at him on Fox News.
Now it’s not just Americans who are concerned about Trump inciting another costly and pointless war in the region, it’s also someone he has no control over. Among the many people unhappy with the way Trump conducted the air raid, Vladimir Putin is probably the last person Trump needs to have against him right now.
While American media outlets may be quick to point out that the world is better off without Soleimani in it, it turns out that Putin wanted the Iranian general to stay alive. He’s gone so far as to voice his displeasure through Russia’s foreign ministry, with a stern warning that Soleimani’s death could seriously destabilize the region. They even used language that Trump can understand, saying “Washington’s step could have grave consequences” – the type of mob-style threats we’ve come to expect from Trump and his goons. The statement by Sergei Lavrov even went so far as to urge American citizens to vote against him – meaning he may not be able to count on the Kremlin this year.
We know that Soleimani was heavily involved in Syria, even playing a key role in Putin’s intervention. While Syria in chaos plays to Putin’s advantage – the Kremlin knows that a war erupting in Iran is detrimental to their own plans to dominate the Middle East – and it may not be worth propping up Donald Trump for much longer.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-06--“You’re a complete idiot” – Donald Trump’s latest Twitter debacle goes completely off the rails

Of the many reasons Donald Trump ’ s assassination of Iranian leader Qasem Soleimani has blown up in his face , one of the biggest was that he failed to warn the “ Gang of Eight ” in Congress about his act of war .
This handed the Democrats an easy talking point , and even left the Republicans unsure of what to initially say about the whole thing .
So Trump decided to “ fix ” that today , in the weirdest way possible , by posting this tweet : These Media Posts will serve as notification to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any U.S. person or target , the United States will quickly & fully strike back , & perhaps in a disproportionate manner .
Such legal notice is not required , but is given nevertheless !
That ’ s all fine and dandy , but it ’ s gibberish .
Trump can ’ t just generically say “ I ’ m going to bomb Iran if it does anything I don ’ t like ” and have it count as notifying Congress .
He would instead need to notify them of any specific military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – such as when he failed to notify them that he was going to take out Soleimani .
What ’ s remarkable is that someone in Donald Trump ’ s inner circle clearly took the time to try writing this tweet in legalese , yet whoever wrote it just as clearly has no understanding of the law .
George Conway replied to Trump ’ s tweet appropriately : “ You really need to talk to a lawyer , although even the best lawyers can ’ t undo the fact that you ’ re @ @ @ @ @

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Of the many reasons Donald Trump’s assassination of Iranian leader Qasem Soleimani has blown up in his face, one of the biggest was that he failed to warn the “Gang of Eight” in Congress about his act of war. This handed the Democrats an easy talking point, and even left the Republicans unsure of what to initially say about the whole thing. So Trump decided to “fix” that today, in the weirdest way possible, by posting this tweet:
These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!
That’s all fine and dandy, but it’s gibberish. Trump can’t just generically say “I’m going to bomb Iran if it does anything I don’t like” and have it count as notifying Congress. He would instead need to notify them of any specific military action he’s planning to take – such as when he failed to notify them that he was going to take out Soleimani.
What’s remarkable is that someone in Donald Trump’s inner circle clearly took the time to try writing this tweet in legalese, yet whoever wrote it just as clearly has no understanding of the law. George Conway replied to Trump’s tweet appropriately: “You really need to talk to a lawyer, although even the best lawyers can’t undo the fact that you’re a complete idiot.”
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-05--How can this guy be this much of a loser?

Imagine that your life depended on Donald Trump passing up an opportunity to brag .
Never mind insurance , it would be far too late for that , start writing your will .
And make it fast .
Apparently Donald Trump ’ s pathological need for incessant braggadocio has , yet again , jeopardized America ’ s national security .
Three guests at Mar-a-Lago now report that , prior to the drone strike on Iranian general Qassem Soleimani , Trump bragged to his guests that “ big ” action would be coming “ soon ” in “ Iran ” [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said , “ you ’ ll see.
” At least he didn ’ t give away that it would be happening in Iraq .
It had , of course , significant repercussions for Iran .
Trump also , apparently , told idiot son number 2 , Eric Trump .
Never mind that Trump tweets and makes phone calls from an unsecured phone all the time .
Trump ’ s cavalier largesse with state secrets not infrequently puts lives in danger and potentially compromises America ’ s intelligence operations worldwide .
These breaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mere indiscretions , but serious violations of federal law .
The statute specifies : “ 10 years [ imprisonment ] for disclosure of national defence information , with particular provisions for public servants .
Offence requires the disclosure to be prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United States or to the benefit of any foreign government , and to the detriment of the United States.
” Trump has violated this statute at least six times .
Included with the brag to his Mar-a-Lago guests was the Oval Office meeting on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classified information provided by a U.S. ally regarding a planned Islamic State operation with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak .
Then there was the time when in an April 29 , 2017 , phone call , Trump told Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte that the U.S. had positioned two nuclear submarines off the coast of North Korea .
Then there ’ s the time recently when Trump tweeted a reportedly classified image of recent damage to an Iranian missile site that supposedly occurred as the result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s starting to look like maybe Republicans weren ’ t really quite as worried about Hillary Clinton ’ s use of an unsecured email server from home , from which she occasionally sent unclassified emails , as they so often and vociferously claimed .
Is it possible that their outrage was a little insincere ?
Trump is driven to give away top secret national security information because it demonstrates just how important he is and that he knows things others don ’ t .
You ’ d think that , I dunno , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be enough , or something .
I guess not .
It almost makes me feel sorry for those conspiracy theorists who insist that the key to their theory is known only to the president and a few others , like what “ really ” goes on at Area 51 , and the like .
Notice I say “ almost .
”

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Imagine that your life depended on Donald Trump passing up an opportunity to brag. Never mind insurance, it would be far too late for that, start writing your will. And make it fast.
Apparently Donald Trump’s pathological need for incessant braggadocio has, yet again, jeopardized America’s national security. Three guests at Mar-a-Lago now report that, prior to the drone strike on Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, Trump bragged to his guests that “big” action would be coming “soon” in “Iran” [sic]. When pressed for details Trump said, “you’ll see.” At least he didn’t give away that it would be happening in Iraq. It had, of course, significant repercussions for Iran. Trump also, apparently, told idiot son number 2, Eric Trump.
Never mind that Trump tweets and makes phone calls from an unsecured phone all the time. Trump’s cavalier largesse with state secrets not infrequently puts lives in danger and potentially compromises America’s intelligence operations worldwide. These breaches of national security aren’t just mere indiscretions, but serious violations of federal law. The statute specifies: “10 years [imprisonment] for disclosure of national defence information, with particular provisions for public servants. Offence requires the disclosure to be prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United States or to the benefit of any foreign government, and to the detriment of the United States.”
Trump has violated this statute at least six times. Included with the brag to his Mar-a-Lago guests was the Oval Office meeting on May 10, 2017, where he discussed classified information provided by a U.S. ally regarding a planned Islamic State operation with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Then there was the time when in an April 29, 2017, phone call, Trump told Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte that the U.S. had positioned two nuclear submarines off the coast of North Korea. Then there’s the time recently when Trump tweeted a reportedly classified image of recent damage to an Iranian missile site that supposedly occurred as the result of an explosion during testing.
It’s starting to look like maybe Republicans weren’t really quite as worried about Hillary Clinton’s use of an unsecured email server from home, from which she occasionally sent unclassified emails, as they so often and vociferously claimed. Is it possible that their outrage was a little insincere?
Trump is driven to give away top secret national security information because it demonstrates just how important he is and that he knows things others don’t. You’d think that, I dunno, being president of the United States would be enough, or something. I guess not. It almost makes me feel sorry for those conspiracy theorists who insist that the key to their theory is known only to the president and a few others, like what “really” goes on at Area 51, and the like. Notice I say “almost.”
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-05--Donald Trump goes berserk after his Iran stunt completely blows up in his face

This morning Palmer Report explained just how badly Donald Trump was losing with his Iran gambit .
He thought taking out Qasem Soleimani would make him more popular in the U.S. , and that it would cause Iran to lose leverage .
But Trump doesn ’ t understand how politics or leverage works , and so the stunt has created even more problems for him at home , even as Iran gains the upper hand .
Now it ’ s gotten even worse for Trump .
The Iraqi Parliament has now voted to expel the U.S. military .
This means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , which is stunning considering how closely the Iraq regime has been allied with the U.S , and how much Iraq and Iran have traditionally hated each other .
This is a major blow to Donald Trump , because it ’ ll make it that much harder for him to convince voters that he has any idea what he ’ s doing in the region .
It all serves to hand even more leverage to Iran , which has clearly demonstrated over the past several years that it doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , and instead merely wants Trump gone from power .
Now Iran is in a position where it can needle Trump and further weaken him ahead of 2020 – and as long as Iran doesn ’ t do anything egregious enough to push a majority of Americans into wanting a war , Trump won ’ t be able to respond to Iran in any meaningful way .
Trump ’ s worsening mess prompted him to post this strange tweet this afternoon : “ These Media Posts will serve as notification to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any U.S. person or target , the United States will quickly & fully strike back , & perhaps in a disproportionate manner .
Such legal notice is not required , but is given nevertheless !
” To be clear , Donald Trump ’ s tweet isn ’ t anything ; it ’ s total gibberish .
He knows it too .
He ’ s just hoping that by posting this silly tweet , the government of Iran will somehow decide that maybe Trump really does mean it .
The trouble for Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life identifying suckers and then defrauding them out of their money and property , and so he thinks world leaders are suckers too .
In reality they ’ re all laughing at him .
They have been from the start .
He ’ s the worst negotiator of all time .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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This morning Palmer Report explained just how badly Donald Trump was losing with his Iran gambit. He thought taking out Qasem Soleimani would make him more popular in the U.S., and that it would cause Iran to lose leverage. But Trump doesn’t understand how politics or leverage works, and so the stunt has created even more problems for him at home, even as Iran gains the upper hand. Now it’s gotten even worse for Trump.
The Iraqi Parliament has now voted to expel the U.S. military. This means Iraq is essentially siding with Iran over the United States, which is stunning considering how closely the Iraq regime has been allied with the U.S, and how much Iraq and Iran have traditionally hated each other. This is a major blow to Donald Trump, because it’ll make it that much harder for him to convince voters that he has any idea what he’s doing in the region.
It all serves to hand even more leverage to Iran, which has clearly demonstrated over the past several years that it doesn’t want a war with the United States, and instead merely wants Trump gone from power. Now Iran is in a position where it can needle Trump and further weaken him ahead of 2020 – and as long as Iran doesn’t do anything egregious enough to push a majority of Americans into wanting a war, Trump won’t be able to respond to Iran in any meaningful way.
Trump’s worsening mess prompted him to post this strange tweet this afternoon: “These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!”
To be clear, Donald Trump’s tweet isn’t anything; it’s total gibberish. He knows it too. He’s just hoping that by posting this silly tweet, the government of Iran will somehow decide that maybe Trump really does mean it. The trouble for Trump is that he’s spent his entire life identifying suckers and then defrauding them out of their money and property, and so he thinks world leaders are suckers too. In reality they’re all laughing at him. They have been from the start. He’s the worst negotiator of all time.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-05--GOP Senate is trying to finish the job while it still can

A new decade has barely begun , yet Donald Trump and his Republican cohorts are already hard at work trying to send America back several decades by unwinding the steady progress of women ’ s rights .
For the first time since Trump picks Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh joined , the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to a state abortion law .
Their ruling , which is expected in June , will prove to be pivotal in determining whether women have the right to make informed and important decisions about their own bodies .
At issue is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion more difficult to access by requiring doctors to have admitting privileges in a hospital located close to an abortion facility .
In 2017 , a federal district court judge struck down the law , noting that it would mean there would be only one doctor who can legally perform abortions in a state where about 10,000 women seek them each year .
An appeals court reversed this decision and upheld the law , but the Supreme Court blocked it pending their upcoming ruling .
On Friday , Trump ’ s Solicitor General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend of the court ” ) brief to argue that the law should be allowed to take effect because it supposedly does not create an unconstitutional burden on abortion seekers .
He absurdly claims that Roe v. Wade allows for this restrictive law because Louisiana has a “ legitimate interest ” in ensuring that abortions are offered with “ maximum safety for the patient.
” Not to be outdone , 39 Republican senators and 168 House members ( including , unfortunately , two Democrats ) filed their own amicus brief on Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rather than argue , as the Trump administration is doing , that the Louisiana law passes muster under Roe , these off-the-rails lawmakers are calling for the Supreme Court to overrule Roe , dismissing the landmark ruling as “ radically unsettled precedent.
” Even if the Supreme Court upholds the Louisiana law but lets Roe stand , such a development would open the floodgates to new challenges that could lead to essentially the same unconscionable result .
No matter how the Supreme Court decides this issue , the ruling will come in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve as a stark reminder that elections have consequences .
When a reporter asked Trump this week what his New Year ’ s resolution was for 2020 , he refused to answer out of fear he would “ jinx it.
” However , we already know that Trump and his party are resolved to pull America backwards as quickly and as cruelly as they can .
We , on the other hand , must resolve to show up on Election Day and encourage others to do so .
A massive blue wave is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws don ’ t get written and adjudicated by people who are perversely obsessed with controlling our nation ’ s women .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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A new decade has barely begun, yet Donald Trump and his Republican cohorts are already hard at work trying to send America back several decades by unwinding the steady progress of women’s rights. For the first time since Trump picks Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh joined, the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to a state abortion law. Their ruling, which is expected in June, will prove to be pivotal in determining whether women have the right to make informed and important decisions about their own bodies.
At issue is a 2014 Louisiana law that aims to make abortion more difficult to access by requiring doctors to have admitting privileges in a hospital located close to an abortion facility. In 2017, a federal district court judge struck down the law, noting that it would mean there would be only one doctor who can legally perform abortions in a state where about 10,000 women seek them each year. An appeals court reversed this decision and upheld the law, but the Supreme Court blocked it pending their upcoming ruling.
On Friday, Trump’s Solicitor General Noel Francisco filed an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief to argue that the law should be allowed to take effect because it supposedly does not create an unconstitutional burden on abortion seekers. He absurdly claims that Roe v. Wade allows for this restrictive law because Louisiana has a “legitimate interest” in ensuring that abortions are offered with “maximum safety for the patient.”
Not to be outdone, 39 Republican senators and 168 House members (including, unfortunately, two Democrats) filed their own amicus brief on Thursday that takes things a disturbing step further. Rather than argue, as the Trump administration is doing, that the Louisiana law passes muster under Roe, these off-the-rails lawmakers are calling for the Supreme Court to overrule Roe, dismissing the landmark ruling as “radically unsettled precedent.” Even if the Supreme Court upholds the Louisiana law but lets Roe stand, such a development would open the floodgates to new challenges that could lead to essentially the same unconscionable result.
No matter how the Supreme Court decides this issue, the ruling will come in an election year, which means it will serve as a stark reminder that elections have consequences. When a reporter asked Trump this week what his New Year’s resolution was for 2020, he refused to answer out of fear he would “jinx it.” However, we already know that Trump and his party are resolved to pull America backwards as quickly and as cruelly as they can. We, on the other hand, must resolve to show up on Election Day and encourage others to do so. A massive blue wave is needed to ensure that America’s laws don’t get written and adjudicated by people who are perversely obsessed with controlling our nation’s women.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-05--Mike Pence has a whole new problem

Mike Pence has a whole new problem

In the days following Donald Trump ’ s ordered assassination of an Iranian general , we knew that we ’ d probably hear a whole lot of bragging about the attack which should ’ ve been authorized by Congress and will inevitably escalate tensions even further in the region .
On Friday , he was far from the only one bragging about it – aside from a delighted Fox News , Mike Pence decided to also jump at the opportunity with a tweet , where he decided to overplay his hand with outright lying .
While Gen. Qassem Soleimani was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iraq and Israel , Pence decided his statement had to be a bit more personal – so he thought it would be a good idea to lump Soleimani in with the 9/11 terrorist attacks – perhaps thinking it would justify his administration ’ s lack of leadership in Afghanistan as well .
“ Assisted in the clandestine travel to Afghanistan of 10 of the 12 terrorists who carried out the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States , ” Pence tweeted , implicating the Quds Force led by Soleimani .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misleading , it ’ s not even wrong .
The 9/11 commission report openly states that Pence ’ s tweet is at odds with the official findings of the 9/11 Commission Report , which openly states that there is no evidence that either Iran or Hezbollah was aware of the al Qaeda terrorist plot – adding that the al Qaeda operatives themselves were also likely unaware of the specific details of their mission when they traveled to the states .
Pence also managed to get the number of hijackers wrong in his allusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – and the majority of them were from Saudi Arabia – not a single one was from Iran .
Clearly , Pence isn ’ t interested in the truth – but he alluded to 9/11 for a specific purpose : arguing that the death of Soleimani was a preemptive strike , preventing the organization from carrying out a future terrorist attack .
There is currently no proof that Quds Force is planning such an attack , but Pence is hoping he can solidify support for the Trump administration wherever it may lead .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Dick Cheney .
What we must be cautious of – is keeping this lie from sticking in subsequent media reporting .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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In the days following Donald Trump’s ordered assassination of an Iranian general, we knew that we’d probably hear a whole lot of bragging about the attack which should’ve been authorized by Congress and will inevitably escalate tensions even further in the region. On Friday, he was far from the only one bragging about it – aside from a delighted Fox News, Mike Pence decided to also jump at the opportunity with a tweet, where he decided to overplay his hand with outright lying.
While Gen. Qassem Soleimani was guilty of a number of terrorist attacks in Iraq and Israel, Pence decided his statement had to be a bit more personal – so he thought it would be a good idea to lump Soleimani in with the 9/11 terrorist attacks – perhaps thinking it would justify his administration’s lack of leadership in Afghanistan as well.
“Assisted in the clandestine travel to Afghanistan of 10 of the 12 terrorists who carried out the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States,” Pence tweeted, implicating the Quds Force led by Soleimani. The problem is that this statement is so misleading, it’s not even wrong. The 9/11 commission report openly states that Pence’s tweet is at odds with the official findings of the 9/11 Commission Report, which openly states that there is no evidence that either Iran or Hezbollah was aware of the al Qaeda terrorist plot – adding that the al Qaeda operatives themselves were also likely unaware of the specific details of their mission when they traveled to the states. Pence also managed to get the number of hijackers wrong in his allusion – there were 19, not 12 – and the majority of them were from Saudi Arabia – not a single one was from Iran.
Clearly, Pence isn’t interested in the truth – but he alluded to 9/11 for a specific purpose: arguing that the death of Soleimani was a preemptive strike, preventing the organization from carrying out a future terrorist attack. There is currently no proof that Quds Force is planning such an attack, but Pence is hoping he can solidify support for the Trump administration wherever it may lead. After all, his favorite vice president is Dick Cheney. What we must be cautious of – is keeping this lie from sticking in subsequent media reporting.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-05--For Donald Trump, this is what losing looks like

For a minute there , the fatalists almost had everyone else convinced that Donald Trump ’ s bizarre decision to assassinate an Iranian leader somehow meant that Trump was now magically winning .
The fatalists always look for an excuse to assure us that Trump will indeed win unless we all cower in fear and yell “ Trump is going to win no matter what.
” Perhaps these types aren ’ t familiar with the concept of a self fulfilling prophecy .
In any case , it ’ s already becoming clear that Donald Trump is very much not winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d be praised by all sides for taking out Qasem Soleimani , and Iran would be too afraid to retaliate , and Trump would finally see the boost in his non-competitive reelection numbers that he ’ s been trying and failing to score for three years .
Instead most folks are condemning the reckless and unilateral manner in which he handled this , and they ’ re making clear that they ’ ll blame Trump if this ends up in a war .
Even Trump understands by now that he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s in danger of losing even bigger .
It ’ s why he ’ s now resorting to writing checks he knows he can ’ t cash , by making absurdly specific threats about the military attack he ’ ll launch on Iran if this keeps escalating ( hint : you can ’ t launch a clandestine attack if you tell your enemy how many sites you ’ re going to hit , the timing of how you ’ ll hit them , and the nature of the sites you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now taking serious heat for threatening to bomb Iranian cultural sites , which would be a war crime and essentially mass murder .
So now he ’ s going to have even less leverage .
All that Donald Trump had to do was to respond to the attack on the U.S. Embassy with a proportional response , and move on .
Instead he tried to get cute by taking out Soleimani and then hoping it would all just work out for him .
Now the Iranian government – which clearly wants Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace deal with the United States – can use this debacle to try to further weaken his dying presidency .
Trump , having already lost his Iran gambit , is now reduced to hoping the negative impact to his 2020 chances ends up being minimal .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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For a minute there, the fatalists almost had everyone else convinced that Donald Trump’s bizarre decision to assassinate an Iranian leader somehow meant that Trump was now magically winning. The fatalists always look for an excuse to assure us that Trump will indeed win unless we all cower in fear and yell “Trump is going to win no matter what.” Perhaps these types aren’t familiar with the concept of a self fulfilling prophecy.
In any case, it’s already becoming clear that Donald Trump is very much not winning this Iran mess. He thought he’d be praised by all sides for taking out Qasem Soleimani, and Iran would be too afraid to retaliate, and Trump would finally see the boost in his non-competitive reelection numbers that he’s been trying and failing to score for three years. Instead most folks are condemning the reckless and unilateral manner in which he handled this, and they’re making clear that they’ll blame Trump if this ends up in a war.
Even Trump understands by now that he’s losing his Iran gambit, and that he’s in danger of losing even bigger. It’s why he’s now resorting to writing checks he knows he can’t cash, by making absurdly specific threats about the military attack he’ll launch on Iran if this keeps escalating (hint: you can’t launch a clandestine attack if you tell your enemy how many sites you’re going to hit, the timing of how you’ll hit them, and the nature of the sites you’re targeting). Also, Trump is now taking serious heat for threatening to bomb Iranian cultural sites, which would be a war crime and essentially mass murder. So now he’s going to have even less leverage.
All that Donald Trump had to do was to respond to the attack on the U.S. Embassy with a proportional response, and move on. Instead he tried to get cute by taking out Soleimani and then hoping it would all just work out for him. Now the Iranian government – which clearly wants Trump gone so it can reestablish its prior peace deal with the United States – can use this debacle to try to further weaken his dying presidency. Trump, having already lost his Iran gambit, is now reduced to hoping the negative impact to his 2020 chances ends up being minimal.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


Shrunken. Withered.

Just before the 2016 presidential election , Kathleen Parker wrote a column in the Washington Post , entitled “ Calm down .
We ’ ll be fine no matter who wins.
” Among other optimistic assurances , she declared , “ If Trump wins , he ’ ll be held more or less in check by the House and Senate because that ’ s the way our system of government is set up .
Not even Republicans are eager to follow Trump ’ s lead.
” Parker was far from alone in assuming that Congressional Republicans would resist Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new year begins , an old question lingers : when will the GOP start standing up to Trump ?
In a Washington Post op-ed this week , former FBI Director James Comey warns that America is “ headed into the storm our founders feared ” and suggests that to reach safety , Republicans who know better must “ resist complacency and cynicism.
” Comey ’ s call to action is unlikely to prompt John Bolton or Mick Mulvaney to take the witness stand or convince the average GOP senator to demand a legitimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reason why standing up to Trump might come easier in 2020 .
Trump is not quite the same person he was when he took the oath of office three years ago with his fingers crossed behind his back .
Trump is still dangerous because he remains “ an impetuous and amoral leader , ” but he has now become what Comey describes as a “ shrunken , withered figure.
” Foreign leaders openly mock Trump and throw his letters in the garbage , where they belong .
Civil servants have defied Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even Trump ’ s “ secret weapon , ” his Twitter account , has lost some of its mojo with declining engagement .
This new reality means that people who are in a position to make a difference must think hard about what scares them the most .
If the idea of losing our American democracy to a shrunken , withered figure frightens them , then they must act decisively before it is too late .
However , if Republicans are more petrified by the shrunken , withered figure himself , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to figure out how to spin their poor judgment and failed career to their grandkids .
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said , “ The time is always right to do what is right.
” His words still ring true in 2020 , but we are running out of time .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Just before the 2016 presidential election, Kathleen Parker wrote a column in the Washington Post, entitled “Calm down. We’ll be fine no matter who wins.” Among other optimistic assurances, she declared, “If Trump wins, he’ll be held more or less in check by the House and Senate because that’s the way our system of government is set up. Not even Republicans are eager to follow Trump’s lead.” Parker was far from alone in assuming that Congressional Republicans would resist Donald Trump when needed.
Now, as a new year begins, an old question lingers: when will the GOP start standing up to Trump? In a Washington Post op-ed this week, former FBI Director James Comey warns that America is “headed into the storm our founders feared” and suggests that to reach safety, Republicans who know better must “resist complacency and cynicism.” Comey’s call to action is unlikely to prompt John Bolton or Mick Mulvaney to take the witness stand or convince the average GOP senator to demand a legitimate impeachment trial. However, Comey offers a reason why standing up to Trump might come easier in 2020.
Trump is not quite the same person he was when he took the oath of office three years ago with his fingers crossed behind his back. Trump is still dangerous because he remains “an impetuous and amoral leader,” but he has now become what Comey describes as a “shrunken, withered figure.” Foreign leaders openly mock Trump and throw his letters in the garbage, where they belong. Civil servants have defied Trump by offering damning testimony supporting his impeachment. Even Trump’s “secret weapon,” his Twitter account, has lost some of its mojo with declining engagement.
This new reality means that people who are in a position to make a difference must think hard about what scares them the most. If the idea of losing our American democracy to a shrunken, withered figure frightens them, then they must act decisively before it is too late. However, if Republicans are more petrified by the shrunken, withered figure himself, then they can keep cringing as they try to figure out how to spin their poor judgment and failed career to their grandkids. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” His words still ring true in 2020, but we are running out of time.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-05--Donald Trump has complete meltdown after Iran debacle doesn’t go the way he was hoping

This morning Palmer Report spelled out why Donald Trump ’ s attack on Iran was his last ditch “ Plan D ” at best , as he continues to cycle through increasingly bad ideas aimed at getting him reelected , with no success .
Trump is far too unpopular to somehow gain votes in 2020 by dragging America into a war when the nation is already sick of his crap .
Sure enough , none of this is playing out how Trump might have hoped .
If Donald Trump was hoping that taking out a rogue Iranian leader like Qasem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – or even deference – from those who disapprove of Trump ’ s presidency , he guessed wrong .
The Democrats in Congress , and even some Republicans , are criticizing Trump for having made such a reckless move without even having warned them .
America ’ s allies are up in arms over the boneheaded nature of Trump ’ s escalation .
Large chunks of the media – even Trump ’ s sidekick Tucker Carlson – are focusing on how badly Trump screwed this up .
This all serves to give the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to have to respond in some way , in order to save face with its own people .
But Trump has blown this so badly and has backed himself into such a corner , he ’ s increasingly not going to be in a position to be able to respond back .
Trump seems to know that he ’ s blown this play , too , as he ’ s now trying to shake up the chess board by making what anyone can see are hollow threats : Iran is talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American , & badly wounded many others , not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime , including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters .
He was already attacking our Embassy , and preparing for additional hits in other locations .
Iran has been nothing but problems for many years .
Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans , or American assets , we have targeted 52 Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken by Iran many years ago ) , some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture , and those targets , and Iran itself , WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD .
The USA wants no more threats !
Here ’ s the thing .
Just by announcing something this specific ( the breadth and nature of targets , the plan to hit them simultaneously , etc ) , Donald Trump has made it almost impossible for the U.S. military to carry out this supposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succeed based on secrecy , as you can ’ t defend yourself if you don ’ t know where or how you ’ re going to be hit .
So Trump isn ’ t tweeting this because he ’ s actually going to do it ; he ’ s tweeting it because he ’ s not going to do it .
He ’ s just hoping that you don ’ t catch on .
Donald Trump has a consistent history .
When he does his most egregious stuff ( locking kids in cages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani ) , he almost never announces it , and he instead tries to do it in secret .
When Trump announces his biggest threats , they nearly always turn out to have been hollow threats or distractions .
This isn ’ t to say that Trump won ’ t end up getting us into a war with Iran ; he ’ s incompetent enough , he might make it happen by accident .
But even Trump understands that a war would drop his already-fleeting chances of reelection to zero .
And we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do with Iran , it ’ s not contained in his latest tweet .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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This morning Palmer Report spelled out why Donald Trump’s attack on Iran was his last ditch “Plan D” at best, as he continues to cycle through increasingly bad ideas aimed at getting him reelected, with no success. Trump is far too unpopular to somehow gain votes in 2020 by dragging America into a war when the nation is already sick of his crap. Sure enough, none of this is playing out how Trump might have hoped.
If Donald Trump was hoping that taking out a rogue Iranian leader like Qasem Soleimani was going to earn him praise – or even deference – from those who disapprove of Trump’s presidency, he guessed wrong. The Democrats in Congress, and even some Republicans, are criticizing Trump for having made such a reckless move without even having warned them. America’s allies are up in arms over the boneheaded nature of Trump’s escalation. Large chunks of the media – even Trump’s sidekick Tucker Carlson – are focusing on how badly Trump screwed this up.
This all serves to give the Iranian government more leverage. It’s going to have to respond in some way, in order to save face with its own people. But Trump has blown this so badly and has backed himself into such a corner, he’s increasingly not going to be in a position to be able to respond back. Trump seems to know that he’s blown this play, too, as he’s now trying to shake up the chess board by making what anyone can see are hollow threats:
Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats!
Here’s the thing. Just by announcing something this specific (the breadth and nature of targets, the plan to hit them simultaneously, etc), Donald Trump has made it almost impossible for the U.S. military to carry out this supposed mission. Attacks like this tend to succeed based on secrecy, as you can’t defend yourself if you don’t know where or how you’re going to be hit. So Trump isn’t tweeting this because he’s actually going to do it; he’s tweeting it because he’s not going to do it. He’s just hoping that you don’t catch on.
Donald Trump has a consistent history. When he does his most egregious stuff (locking kids in cages, extorting Ukraine, even taking out Soleimani), he almost never announces it, and he instead tries to do it in secret. When Trump announces his biggest threats, they nearly always turn out to have been hollow threats or distractions. This isn’t to say that Trump won’t end up getting us into a war with Iran; he’s incompetent enough, he might make it happen by accident. But even Trump understands that a war would drop his already-fleeting chances of reelection to zero. And we know that whatever he’s looking to do with Iran, it’s not contained in his latest tweet.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-05--Lindsey Graham is spiraling completely out of control

Donald J. Trump , IMPOTUS the Third , ordered the assassination of Qassem Soleimani , a horrible man who is responsible for the killings of many Americans .
In doing so , Trump did not consult with the Gang of Eight , Republicans or Democrats .
But apparently , he did discuss it with his buddy and major comrade in kompromat , Lindsey Graham .
Turns out , Graham may have revealed some things about Trump ’ s plans with Iran .
According to the Washington Post , Lindsey Graham golfed with Trump at Mar-A-Lago and knew about potential action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mind , ” said Sen. Lindsey O. Graham ( R-S.C. ) in an interview , explaining the response this week .
Graham was at Mar-a-Lago on Monday and said the president told him he was concerned they “ were going to hit us again ” and that he was considering hitting the Iranians .
No specific plan was ready to kill Soleimani , but it was on Trump ’ s mind , Graham said .
“ He was more thinking out loud , but he was determined to do something to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the equation , ” Graham said .
“ He was saying , ‘ This guy is a bad guy , he ’ s up to no good , we have to do something , ’ ” Graham said .
As noted , the Gang of Eight did not know .
Matt Schlapp blamed it on impeachment by Democrats , but it does not explain why no Republicans ( other than Graham , not a member of the Gang ) were informed : “ Dear Speaker Pelosi and Adam Schiff : if you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be removed from office don ’ t be surprised if you find yourself cut out on military decisions .
It ’ s why impeachment without crimes is so dangerous for our national security.
” In the meantime , Lindsey Graham may have some trouble on his hands .
He tweeted about Iranian aggression and potential hits on oil refineries , warning those workers , “ If Iranian aggression continues and I worked at an Iranian oil refinery , I would think about a new career.
” Graham is now threatening civilians .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Graham was a “ never-Trumper ” and promised a check on IMPOTUS , we should be worried about his behaviors and closeness to Trump .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald J. Trump, IMPOTUS the Third, ordered the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, a horrible man who is responsible for the killings of many Americans. In doing so, Trump did not consult with the Gang of Eight, Republicans or Democrats. But apparently, he did discuss it with his buddy and major comrade in kompromat, Lindsey Graham. Turns out, Graham may have revealed some things about Trump’s plans with Iran.
According to the Washington Post, Lindsey Graham golfed with Trump at Mar-A-Lago and knew about potential action: “Benghazi has loomed large in his mind,” said Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) in an interview, explaining the response this week. Graham was at Mar-a-Lago on Monday and said the president told him he was concerned they “were going to hit us again” and that he was considering hitting the Iranians.
No specific plan was ready to kill Soleimani, but it was on Trump’s mind, Graham said. “He was more thinking out loud, but he was determined to do something to protect Americans. Killing the contractor really changed the equation,” Graham said. “He was saying, ‘This guy is a bad guy, he’s up to no good, we have to do something,’ ” Graham said.
As noted, the Gang of Eight did not know. Matt Schlapp blamed it on impeachment by Democrats, but it does not explain why no Republicans (other than Graham, not a member of the Gang) were informed: “Dear Speaker Pelosi and Adam Schiff: if you think President Trump is a traitor and should be removed from office don’t be surprised if you find yourself cut out on military decisions. It’s why impeachment without crimes is so dangerous for our national security.”
In the meantime, Lindsey Graham may have some trouble on his hands. He tweeted about Iranian aggression and potential hits on oil refineries, warning those workers, “If Iranian aggression continues and I worked at an Iranian oil refinery, I would think about a new career.” Graham is now threatening civilians. For those of us old enough to remember when Graham was a “never-Trumper” and promised a check on IMPOTUS, we should be worried about his behaviors and closeness to Trump.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-05--Donald Trump has completely psychotic meltdown about the “REAL USA”

Donald Trump has never even pretended to represent anyone in this country beyond his own deranged bottom-feeding base .
But now that he ’ s been impeached , and polls say that most Americans want him immediately ousted from office , he ’ s becoming more resentful than ever toward those who see right through him .
That came to a head this evening when Trump had an utterly psychotic meltdown about the “ REAL USA ” – whatever that ’ s supposed to be .
Trump posted this lie-filled and completely asinine tweet , making up the word “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting in all caps the part he clearly wanted to emphasize most : “ As hard as I work , & as successful as our Country has become with our Economy , our Military & everything else , it is ashame that the Democrats make us spend so much time & money on this ridiculous Impeachment Lite Hoax .
I should be able to devote all of my time to the REAL USA !
” That ’ s right , Donald Trump thinks there ’ s a “ REAL USA ” somewhere within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ south and rural areas are the “ real ” America .
But there are plenty of good people in those regions who hate Trump too .
Maybe Trump thinks only Republicans are “ real ” Americans .
But plenty of Republicans hate Trump too .
So maybe Trump really is simply saying that only the people in his base are “ real ” Americans .
Responses were anything but kind .
“ REAL USA ” began trending on Twitter , as everyone piled on about how profoundly inappropriate it is for the President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country like this – and that ’ s before getting to his lies about his accomplishments , his work ethic , and his impeachment , along with his made-up words .
This guy is crashing and burning fast .
His presidency is toast , and his worsening frustration level shows that he knows it .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald Trump has never even pretended to represent anyone in this country beyond his own deranged bottom-feeding base. But now that he’s been impeached, and polls say that most Americans want him immediately ousted from office, he’s becoming more resentful than ever toward those who see right through him. That came to a head this evening when Trump had an utterly psychotic meltdown about the “REAL USA” – whatever that’s supposed to be.
Trump posted this lie-filled and completely asinine tweet, making up the word “ashame” along the way, and putting in all caps the part he clearly wanted to emphasize most: “As hard as I work, & as successful as our Country has become with our Economy, our Military & everything else, it is ashame that the Democrats make us spend so much time & money on this ridiculous Impeachment Lite Hoax. I should be able to devote all of my time to the REAL USA!”
That’s right, Donald Trump thinks there’s a “REAL USA” somewhere within this country. Maybe he thinks the south and rural areas are the “real” America. But there are plenty of good people in those regions who hate Trump too. Maybe Trump thinks only Republicans are “real” Americans. But plenty of Republicans hate Trump too. So maybe Trump really is simply saying that only the people in his base are “real” Americans.
Responses were anything but kind. “REAL USA” began trending on Twitter, as everyone piled on about how profoundly inappropriate it is for the President of the United States to talking about the country like this – and that’s before getting to his lies about his accomplishments, his work ethic, and his impeachment, along with his made-up words. This guy is crashing and burning fast. His presidency is toast, and his worsening frustration level shows that he knows it.
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SMOKING GUN

One salient difference between the wheels of justice and the machinations of public distractions are those wheels keep on rolling straight ahead .
Justice remains the ineluctable underpinning of what remains of America ’ s free democracy .
In its pure form it can not be charmed , shouted down , seduced or disconnected .
Justice is the dog that does not wag .
Whatever you may say about the death of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani , he was a monster , and now at least anyone who replaces him is going to think twice about imitating him .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the obvious fact that Trump ’ s motivations for taking him out were inherently selfish .
Trump hoped and continues to hope that this executive action in Iraq will turn the tide on his impeachment and imbue him with a new luster .
( Even Fox News has jumped on board , with their creation of an ad hoc Constitutional amendment that “ you can ’ t impeach a president at war.
” ) But justice will take no notice .
While the fireworks may all be in Iraq on page one , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s legal case continues undeterred .
And Fox News to the contrary , Trump has already been impeached .
Meanwhile , thanks to the intrepid work of the Center for Public Integrity , Trump administration emails have been seen and demonstrate beyond question that people close to the matter knew Trump was trying to blackmail the president of Ukraine into investigating Joe and Hunter Biden .
What is more – and this is the most significant part – previous redacted versions of these emails now reveal that they were redacted precisely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In other words , those redactions were made as part of a coverup and not to protect national security .
Redactions exist exclusively to preserve and protect state secrets , not to hide the corrupt intent of a criminal president .
That these revelations come in the form of emails provide the poetic part of justice .
They reveal a scramble to make sense of Trump ’ s conditional hold on Congressionally approved Ukrainian aid and provide stunning confirmation of all that we have learned from witnesses testifying before the House of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reveal Department of Defense , Office of Management and Budget and Pentagon personnel questioning the rationale and legality of the move .
There is a palpable tone of hand wringing in the staid and formal language of bureaucracy .
The reason for the hold is summarized in an August 30th , 2019 email from OMB associate director Michael Duffy to acting Pentagon comptroller Elaine McCusker , where he says the hold on Ukrainian aid comes from a “ Clear direction from POTUS to continue to hold.
” These are the emails the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public , despite congressional oversight efforts and court orders in Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA ) litigation to get them officially released .
They have been seen in their unredacted form by personnel of the Center for Public Integrity , so we know what ’ s in them .
And now that we know what ’ s in them , there is not a quibble nor a spin nor any rationale on earth that can disguise them for anything but what they are : clear and unequivocal blackmail of the president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s personal gain at the expense of America ’ s national security .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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One salient difference between the wheels of justice and the machinations of public distractions are those wheels keep on rolling straight ahead. Justice remains the ineluctable underpinning of what remains of America’s free democracy. In its pure form it cannot be charmed, shouted down, seduced or disconnected. Justice is the dog that does not wag.
Whatever you may say about the death of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, he was a monster, and now at least anyone who replaces him is going to think twice about imitating him. But that does not change in any way the obvious fact that Trump’s motivations for taking him out were inherently selfish. Trump hoped and continues to hope that this executive action in Iraq will turn the tide on his impeachment and imbue him with a new luster. (Even Fox News has jumped on board, with their creation of an ad hoc Constitutional amendment that “you can’t impeach a president at war.”) But justice will take no notice. While the fireworks may all be in Iraq on page one, the quiet page 2 erosion of Trump’s legal case continues undeterred. And Fox News to the contrary, Trump has already been impeached.
Meanwhile, thanks to the intrepid work of the Center for Public Integrity, Trump administration emails have been seen and demonstrate beyond question that people close to the matter knew Trump was trying to blackmail the president of Ukraine into investigating Joe and Hunter Biden. What is more – and this is the most significant part – previous redacted versions of these emails now reveal that they were redacted precisely to cover up Trump’s criminal intent. In other words, those redactions were made as part of a coverup and not to protect national security. Redactions exist exclusively to preserve and protect state secrets, not to hide the corrupt intent of a criminal president.
That these revelations come in the form of emails provide the poetic part of justice. They reveal a scramble to make sense of Trump’s conditional hold on Congressionally approved Ukrainian aid and provide stunning confirmation of all that we have learned from witnesses testifying before the House of Representatives. These 300 or so emails reveal Department of Defense, Office of Management and Budget and Pentagon personnel questioning the rationale and legality of the move. There is a palpable tone of hand wringing in the staid and formal language of bureaucracy. The reason for the hold is summarized in an August 30th, 2019 email from OMB associate director Michael Duffy to acting Pentagon comptroller Elaine McCusker, where he says the hold on Ukrainian aid comes from a “Clear direction from POTUS to continue to hold.”
These are the emails the Trump administration is trying to keep from the public, despite congressional oversight efforts and court orders in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation to get them officially released. They have been seen in their unredacted form by personnel of the Center for Public Integrity, so we know what’s in them. And now that we know what’s in them, there is not a quibble nor a spin nor any rationale on earth that can disguise them for anything but what they are: clear and unequivocal blackmail of the president of Ukraine by Donald Trump, for Trump’s personal gain at the expense of America’s national security.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-04--What did Mike Pence just do?

What did Mike Pence just do?

Mike Pence is many things : a liar , an extremist , a sexist , a criminal , and a weirdo who ’ s creepily obsessed with what goes on in other people ’ s bedrooms .
He ’ s also bad at campaigning , he has no personality , and he ’ s about as unpopular as Donald Trump is .
But here ’ s one thing Pence usually isn ’ t : erratically inept .
In fact it ’ s often Pence ’ s job to try to go and justify Trump ’ s most erratic moves to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why it ’ s so odd that Mike Pence has laid such an egg while trying to explain away Trump ’ s spurious decision to assassinate Iranian leader Soleimani .
Pence posted a lengthy Twitter thread trying to justify the whole thing , and it included this bizarre accusation against Soleimani : “ Assisted in the clandestine travel to Afghanistan of 10 of the 12 terrorists who carried out the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
” To be clear , Mike Pence is lying .
Soleimani did a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well established that he had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11 .
It ’ s not at all surprising that Pence is lying about this while trying to justify Trump ’ s antics ; that ’ s par for the course .
But since when were there only twelve 9/11 terrorists ?
Everyone who lived through 9/11 has it burned into their brains that nineteen terrorists attacked us that day .
If Mike Pence wants to convince people that Soleimani was somehow involved in 9/11 , he ’ d have had a far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ d managed to get the number of hijackers right .
These aren ’ t the kinds of screw-ups that Pence usually makes .
Did he not show the thread to anyone on his staff before posting it ?
He ’ s more careful about his villainy than Trump is , which is part of why Pence is so dangerous in his own way .
Did Trump ’ s Iran antics catch Pence that much off guard , or is there something going on with Pence ?

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Mike Pence is many things: a liar, an extremist, a sexist, a criminal, and a weirdo who’s creepily obsessed with what goes on in other people’s bedrooms. He’s also bad at campaigning, he has no personality, and he’s about as unpopular as Donald Trump is. But here’s one thing Pence usually isn’t: erratically inept. In fact it’s often Pence’s job to try to go and justify Trump’s most erratic moves to the conservative establishment.
That’s why it’s so odd that Mike Pence has laid such an egg while trying to explain away Trump’s spurious decision to assassinate Iranian leader Soleimani. Pence posted a lengthy Twitter thread trying to justify the whole thing, and it included this bizarre accusation against Soleimani: “Assisted in the clandestine travel to Afghanistan of 10 of the 12 terrorists who carried out the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.”
To be clear, Mike Pence is lying. Soleimani did a lot of terrible things – but it’s well established that he had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11. It’s not at all surprising that Pence is lying about this while trying to justify Trump’s antics; that’s par for the course. But since when were there only twelve 9/11 terrorists?
Everyone who lived through 9/11 has it burned into their brains that nineteen terrorists attacked us that day. If Mike Pence wants to convince people that Soleimani was somehow involved in 9/11, he’d have had a far better chance of selling that lie if he’d managed to get the number of hijackers right. These aren’t the kinds of screw-ups that Pence usually makes. Did he not show the thread to anyone on his staff before posting it? He’s more careful about his villainy than Trump is, which is part of why Pence is so dangerous in his own way. Did Trump’s Iran antics catch Pence that much off guard, or is there something going on with Pence?
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-04--Mitch McConnell’s got nothing

Mitch McConnell’s got nothing

A number of Republicans are reveling in the latest Iraqi airstrikes – and not necessarily just because a dangerous adversary of the United States was brought down – but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell isn ’ t exactly among them .
Instead , he gave a speech on the Senate floor on Friday to admonish his Democratic colleagues in Congress for questioning the nature of the offensive .
Generally , if the country is at the brink of war , particularly one that a leader starts out of desperation – as many people are accusing Donald Trump of doing – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell ’ s position would use the Senate floor to unite both political parties , persuading them into believing the airstrikes were necessary and then debating the necessary moves that should follow .
Instead , McConnell just revealed that he ’ s working with nothing .
He desperately wants to do damage control for Trump and his fellow Republicans and doesn ’ t have a whole lot to rationalize the attacks with .
In his speech , he rather absurdly suggested that his colleagues not rush to judgment until they hear from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may happen .
Of course , he decided to leave out the fact that neither Nancy Pelosi nor Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were given advance notice of the attacks – a decision that Trump has decided to flaunt on Twitter by retweeting the words of conspiracy theorist Dinesh D ’ Souza who said Democrats were not briefed for the same reason the Iranians weren ’ t .
By refusing to even have the debate and quietly condoning behavior like this , McConnell looks like he ’ s still holding a grudge over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , he ’ s making it that much harder to believe that there isn ’ t a direct correlation between Trump ’ s actions and impeachment .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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A number of Republicans are reveling in the latest Iraqi airstrikes – and not necessarily just because a dangerous adversary of the United States was brought down – but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell isn’t exactly among them. Instead, he gave a speech on the Senate floor on Friday to admonish his Democratic colleagues in Congress for questioning the nature of the offensive.
Generally, if the country is at the brink of war, particularly one that a leader starts out of desperation – as many people are accusing Donald Trump of doing – then you would assume that someone in McConnell’s position would use the Senate floor to unite both political parties, persuading them into believing the airstrikes were necessary and then debating the necessary moves that should follow.
Instead, McConnell just revealed that he’s working with nothing. He desperately wants to do damage control for Trump and his fellow Republicans and doesn’t have a whole lot to rationalize the attacks with. In his speech, he rather absurdly suggested that his colleagues not rush to judgment until they hear from the administration regarding the attacks – whenever that may happen.
Of course, he decided to leave out the fact that neither Nancy Pelosi nor Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were given advance notice of the attacks – a decision that Trump has decided to flaunt on Twitter by retweeting the words of conspiracy theorist Dinesh D’Souza who said Democrats were not briefed for the same reason the Iranians weren’t. By refusing to even have the debate and quietly condoning behavior like this, McConnell looks like he’s still holding a grudge over the impeachment trial – and in doing so, he’s making it that much harder to believe that there isn’t a direct correlation between Trump’s actions and impeachment.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


BLOWBACK

Eight years ago , Donald Trump accused President Barack Obama of trying to start a war with Iran to get reelected .
No , only Republicans do that .
Had President Obama wanted to start a war , he would have at least had the decency to consult with Congress .
The wanna-be dictator Trump can ’ t be bothered with such protocol .
He does whatever he pleases whenever he pleases , with no thought about us , let alone Congress .
He has no idea what is going to happen as a result of his missile strike , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump did this to distract from the release of unredacted emails clearly outlining the criminality of his withholding of military aid to Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into Joe Biden .
According to Politico , Trump “ vehemently defended ” his missile strike , but no one is missing the fact that this has occurred less than a year prior to the 2020 election .
He is so transparent .
Politico laid out dozens of tweets from Trump accusing President Obama of trying to coordinate an attack on Iran for purposes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history shows , Obama didn ’ t need the attack ; Trump does .
He further accused President Obama of an inability to negotiate , which is almost a joke , as no one has been a worse negotiator than Mr. “ Art of the Deal ” himself .
Even after President Obama was reelected , Trump continued his barrage of attacks .
Trump is one sick puppy , and everyone knows it .
According to Business Insider , our allies have been vocal that they don ’ t support Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been blunt : “ conflict with Iran is in none of our interests , ” and BI believes that the attack will risk relations between our countries .
Tom Tugendhat told the BBC that “ the purpose of having allies is that we can surprise our enemies and not each other.
” Please .
Trump couldn ’ t even be bothered to confer with Congress , let alone advise allies of his “ shoot from the hip ” plan .
Tugendhat went on to say that “ it ’ s been a pattern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit of a shame , that the US administration of late has not shared with us and that is a matter of concern.
” At the rate Trump is going , the U.S. will have no allies .
If he thinks Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un are good allies , he ’ s even dumber than we think .
France and other European countries are also dismayed by Trump ’ s unilateral actions .
All of these countries invested efforts in the Iranian nuclear deal , from which Trump withdrew the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amélie de Montchalin , speaking with French radio , stated “ What is happening is what we feared : Tensions between the United States and Iran are increasing.
” While Germany believes that Iran is to blame , its spokesperson asked that we “ step away ” from any “ dangerous escalation.
” Of course , Israel is the only country backing Trump .
Given its crook-in-chief Netanyahu , that is no surprise .
Now , we wait .
Iran has promised “ forceful revenge ” against the U.S .
According to BI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cyber warfare , and experts warn that any such attacks could be “ devastating ” to the U.S. Now is the time to pray if you ’ re a praying person .
Trump has started something that promises not to end here .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Eight years ago, Donald Trump accused President Barack Obama of trying to start a war with Iran to get reelected. No, only Republicans do that. Had President Obama wanted to start a war, he would have at least had the decency to consult with Congress. The wanna-be dictator Trump can’t be bothered with such protocol. He does whatever he pleases whenever he pleases, with no thought about us, let alone Congress. He has no idea what is going to happen as a result of his missile strike, nor does he care.
If anything, Trump did this to distract from the release of unredacted emails clearly outlining the criminality of his withholding of military aid to Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into Joe Biden. According to Politico, Trump “vehemently defended” his missile strike, but no one is missing the fact that this has occurred less than a year prior to the 2020 election. He is so transparent. Politico laid out dozens of tweets from Trump accusing President Obama of trying to coordinate an attack on Iran for purposes of winning his second term. As history shows, Obama didn’t need the attack; Trump does.
He further accused President Obama of an inability to negotiate, which is almost a joke, as no one has been a worse negotiator than Mr. “Art of the Deal” himself. Even after President Obama was reelected, Trump continued his barrage of attacks. Trump is one sick puppy, and everyone knows it. According to Business Insider, our allies have been vocal that they don’t support Trump’s strike on Iran.
The UK has been blunt: “conflict with Iran is in none of our interests,” and BI believes that the attack will risk relations between our countries. Tom Tugendhat told the BBC that “the purpose of having allies is that we can surprise our enemies and not each other.” Please. Trump couldn’t even be bothered to confer with Congress, let alone advise allies of his “shoot from the hip” plan. Tugendhat went on to say that “it’s been a pattern, sadly, which has been a bit of a shame, that the US administration of late has not shared with us and that is a matter of concern.” At the rate Trump is going, the U.S. will have no allies. If he thinks Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un are good allies, he’s even dumber than we think.
France and other European countries are also dismayed by Trump’s unilateral actions. All of these countries invested efforts in the Iranian nuclear deal, from which Trump withdrew the U.S. in 2018 as reported by BI. Amélie de Montchalin, speaking with French radio, stated “What is happening is what we feared: Tensions between the United States and Iran are increasing.” While Germany believes that Iran is to blame, its spokesperson asked that we “step away” from any “dangerous escalation.” Of course, Israel is the only country backing Trump. Given its crook-in-chief Netanyahu, that is no surprise. Now, we wait.
Iran has promised “forceful revenge” against the U.S. According to BI, this could take the form of cyber warfare, and experts warn that any such attacks could be “devastating” to the U.S. Now is the time to pray if you’re a praying person. Trump has started something that promises not to end here.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.