thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Trump uses State of the Union as part of strategy to break Democratic lock on black vote

President Trump made an unapologetic bid to break the Democratic Party lock on the black vote with a State of the Union address that featured black people and highlighted administration policies geared toward the black community .
Trump ’ s remarks Tuesday evening came on the heels of a campaign advertisement run during the Super Bowl that spotlighted the president ’ s commutation of the life sentence of nonviolent drug offender Alice Johnson , a black senior .
At least in part to boost support among black voters , a key Democratic constituency , as his reelection campaign accelerates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lauded the accomplishments of black people and proposed education reforms to improve access to quality public education for black children .
“ To expand equal opportunity , I am also proud that we achieved record and permanent funding for our nation ’ s historically black colleges and universities , ” Trump said , after introducing Stephanie Davis , a black woman from Philadelphia , and her daughter Janiyah , who were in the gallery with first lady Melania Trump .
“ Janiyah 's mom , Stephanie , is a single parent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter a better future .
But , last year , that future was put further out of reach when Pennsylvania 's governor vetoed legislation to expand school choice for 50,000 children , ” Trump said .
“ But there is more to their story .
Janiyah , I am pleased to inform you that your long wait is over .
I can proudly announce tonight that an Opportunity Scholarship has become available .
It is going to you . ''
Trump also paid tribute to one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fought in World War II .
With Charles McGee in full military dress looking on from the House gallery with his great-grandson , Trump announced that he had promoted the 100-year-old Ohioan to the rank of brigadier general .
“ Earlier today , I pinned the stars on his shoulders in the Oval Office .
Gen. McGee , our nation salutes you , ” Trump said .
Democratic activists have scoffed at some Republicans ’ claims that Trump might cut into the Democratic Party 's command of the black vote , an advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but some Democratic operatives are not dismissing that the black vote could have an effect in a presidential election that is expected to be another nail-biter .
Rodell Mollineau , a Democratic strategist , said that , “ overall , ” Democrats would win the vast majority of black votes in November .
But Mollineau cautioned his party not to ignore Trump ’ s play : “ It ’ s a reminder that Democrats shouldn ’ t take the African American vote for granted .
Our formula for winning includes driving up African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania .
These are going to be close races , and every vote will count.
” Trump opened a generally soaring and optimistic speech with a checklist of unemployment figures for key 2020 demographics , including blacks and Hispanics , whose votes the president also seemed to be courting .
In a tip of the hat to South Florida , where Republican-leaning Cuban Americans who fled communism are a critical part of Trump ’ s coalition , he touted his reversal of President Barack Obama ’ s policy of detente with Havana .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the State of the Union the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido .
It was an extraordinary moment for a president with noninterventionist tendencies but fits with a campaign strategy that , in part , revolves around stoking the support of sympathetic Hispanic blocs and includes as a key message the promise to defeat a Democratic Party that Republicans claim have embraced damaging socialist policies .
“ Mr .
President , ” Trump said , as Guaido nodded from the House gallery , “ please take this message back to your homeland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in their righteous struggle for freedom !
Socialism destroys nations .
But always remember , freedom unifies the soul .
”

President Trump made an unapologetic bid to break the Democratic Party lock on the black vote with a State of the Union address that featured African Americans and highlighted administration policies geared toward the black community.
Trump’s remarks Tuesday night came on the heels of a campaign advertisement run during the Super Bowl that spotlighted the president’s commutation of the life sentence of nonviolent drug offender Alice Johnson, a black senior. At least in part to boost support among black voters, a key Democratic constituency, as his reelection campaign accelerates, Trump, before a prime-time television audience, lauded the accomplishments of black people and proposed education reforms to improve access to quality public education for black children.
“To expand equal opportunity, I am also proud that we achieved record and permanent funding for our nation’s historically black colleges and universities,” Trump said after introducing Stephanie Davis, a black woman from Philadelphia, and her daughter Janiyah, who were in the gallery with first lady Melania Trump.
“Janiyah's mom, Stephanie, is a single parent. She would do anything to give her daughter a better future. But, last year, that future was put further out of reach when Pennsylvania's governor vetoed legislation to expand school choice for 50,000 children,” Trump said. “But there is more to their story. Janiyah, I am pleased to inform you that your long wait is over. I can proudly announce tonight that an Opportunity Scholarship has become available. It is going to you."
Trump also paid tribute to one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, a squadron of black fighter pilots who fought in World War II. With Charles McGee in full military dress looking on from the House gallery with his great-grandson, Trump announced that he had promoted the 100-year-old Ohioan to the rank of brigadier general.
“Earlier today, I pinned the stars on his shoulders in the Oval Office. Gen. McGee, our nation salutes you,” Trump said.
Democratic activists have scoffed at some Republicans’ claims that Trump might cut into the Democratic Party's command of the black vote, an advantage that liberals have enjoyed for decades, but some Democratic operatives are not dismissing that the black vote could have an effect in a presidential election that is expected to be another nail-biter.
Rodell Mollineau, a Democratic strategist, said that, “overall,” Democrats would win the vast majority of black votes in November.
But Mollineau cautioned his party not to ignore Trump’s play: “It’s a reminder that Democrats shouldn’t take the African American vote for granted. Our formula for winning includes driving up African American turnout in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania. These are going to be close races, and every vote will count.”
Trump opened a generally soaring and optimistic speech with a checklist of unemployment figures for key 2020 demographics, including blacks and Hispanics, whose votes the president also seemed to be courting.
In a tip of the hat to South Florida, where Republican-leaning Cuban Americans who fled communism are a critical part of Trump’s coalition, he touted his reversal of President Barack Obama’s policy of detente with Havana.
And the president had as his guest at the State of the Union the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido. It was an extraordinary moment for a president with noninterventionist tendencies but fits with a campaign strategy that, in part, revolves around stoking the support of sympathetic Hispanic blocs and includes as a key message the promise to defeat a Democratic Party that Republicans claim have embraced damaging socialist policies.
“Mr. President,” Trump said, as Guaido nodded from the House gallery, “please take this message back to your homeland. All Americans are united with the Venezuelan people in their righteous struggle for freedom! Socialism destroys nations. But always remember, freedom unifies the soul.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--‘Truly sad’: Sanders condemns Trump for omitting climate change in State of the Union speech

Bernie Sanders ripped into President Trump for skipping any mention of climate change in his State of the Union address Tuesday .
“ In the year 2020 , how can a president of the United States give a State of the Union speech and not mention climate change ?
” the Vermont senator said in remarks in New Hampshire directly following Trump ’ s speech .
“ It is truly sad that we have a president of the United States who lacks the courage to stand up to his billionaire friends in the fossil fuel industry , ” Sanders added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future generations to “ live in a planet increasingly unhealthy and uninhabitable.
” Trump , in his speech Tuesday night , didn ’ t mention climate change at all , but he did tout his recent announcement to join the Trillion Trees Initiative .
That effort , launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos , encourages countries around the world to plant 1 trillion trees to absorb carbon dioxide to address climate change .
The president called the initiative “ an ambitious effort to bring together government and the private sector to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world.
” Nonetheless , Trump also touted U.S. fossil fuel production during his speech , calling the U.S. the No .
1 oil and gas producer in the world .
“ With the tremendous progress we have made over the past three years , America is now energy independent , and energy jobs , like so many elements of our country , are at a record high , ” Trump said .
“ We are doing numbers that no one would have thought possible just three years ago.
” Energy analysts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rosy a picture .
“ We can not be lured into a false sense of energy independence by our resurgent oil production , ” said Robbie Diamond , president and CEO of Securing America ’ s Future Energy .
“ To reach true energy security , we must aggressively pursue fuel diversification so we are not hostage to only oil for transportation , deploy new vehicle technologies , and develop a domestic electric vehicle supply chain — from minerals to markets , ” Diamond added in a statement .

Bernie Sanders ripped into President Trump for skipping any mention of climate change in his State of the Union address Tuesday.
“In the year 2020, how can a president of the United States give a State of the Union speech and not mention climate change?” the Vermont senator said in remarks in New Hampshire directly following Trump’s speech.
“It is truly sad that we have a president of the United States who lacks the courage to stand up to his billionaire friends in the fossil fuel industry,” Sanders added, criticizing Trump for “dooming” future generations to “live in a planet increasingly unhealthy and uninhabitable.”
Trump, in his speech Tuesday night, didn’t mention climate change at all, but he did tout his recent announcement to join the Trillion Trees Initiative. That effort, launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos, encourages countries around the world to plant 1 trillion trees to absorb carbon dioxide to address climate change.
The president called the initiative “an ambitious effort to bring together government and the private sector to plant new trees in America and around the world.”
Nonetheless, Trump also touted U.S. fossil fuel production during his speech, calling the U.S. the No. 1 oil and gas producer in the world.
“With the tremendous progress we have made over the past three years, America is now energy independent, and energy jobs, like so many elements of our country, are at a record high,” Trump said. “We are doing numbers that no one would have thought possible just three years ago.”
Energy analysts, however, cautioned Trump was painting too rosy a picture.
“We cannot be lured into a false sense of energy independence by our resurgent oil production,” said Robbie Diamond, president and CEO of Securing America’s Future Energy.
“To reach true energy security, we must aggressively pursue fuel diversification so we are not hostage to only oil for transportation, deploy new vehicle technologies, and develop a domestic electric vehicle supply chain — from minerals to markets,” Diamond added in a statement.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Trump campaign head claims the president got 'heck of a lot better deal than Bloomberg' on Super Bow

Trump campaign head claims the president got 'heck of a lot better deal than Bloomberg' on Super Bowl ad

Brad Parscale , Trump 's campaign manager , said the president got a better rate than Michael Bloomberg for his @ @ @ @ @ comment came during an interview Parscale had with Eric Bolling , the host of America @ @ @ @ @ .
Bolling , 56 , mentioned that he did not see the second Trump ad @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It was at the very end , the very end ; it was @ @ @ @ @ '' Parscale said .
`` It was right before the award ceremony . ''
Bolling @ @ @ @ @ campaign had to pay the same amount .
`` No , no , no , @ @ @ @ @ a lot better deal than Bloomberg did , '' Parscale said .
Bolling told the @ @ @ @ @ Trump should boast about being a better deal-maker than Bloomberg , based on the ad @ @ @ @ @ , did not say how much the campaign paid or how he knew he paid @ @ @ @

Brad Parscale, Trump's campaign manager, said the president got a better rate than Michael Bloomberg for his Super Bowl commercial.
The comment came during an interview Parscale had with Eric Bolling, the host of America This Week on Sinclair TV. Bolling, 56, mentioned that he did not see the second Trump ad that aired during the broadcast.
"It was at the very end, the very end; it was after the game officially," Parscale said. "It was right before the award ceremony."
Bolling then asked if the Trump campaign had to pay the same amount. "No, no, no, we got a heck of a lot better deal than Bloomberg did," Parscale said.
Bolling told the president's campaign manager that Trump should boast about being a better deal-maker than Bloomberg, based on the ad rate. Parscale, 44, did not say how much the campaign paid or how he knew he paid less than Bloomberg.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--WATCH: Pelosi appears to preemptively tear Trump speech while Rush Limbaugh awarded Medal of Freedom

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared to tear her copy of President Trump ’ s State of the Union address in advance of ripping it in half at the end of his speech .
Video from the New York Post shows the California Democrat picking up the pages of Trump ’ s speech and making what seems to be a tearing motion , before placing them back on the podium while the president awarded conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom .
Photos sourced from the Associated Press show small tears on the sides of at least two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi intended to rip the papers in half at the conclusion of Trump ’ s address .
Vice President Mike Pence , who was seated to the right of Pelosi and behind Trump during the joint session of Congress , said Wednesday that he thought she planned the act because “ it felt like such an immediate moment.
” Pelosi explained her decision to rip the speech in half by saying , “ It was a courteous thing to do.
” The speaker later called the address a “ dirty speech . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to snub Pelosi 's offer of a handshake .
The president invited his friend Limbaugh to the State of the Union one day after Limbaugh announced his diagnosis with advanced lung cancer .
During the speech , first lady Melania Trump presented Limbaugh with the highest civilian honor at the behest of Trump .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared to tear her copy of President Trump’s State of the Union address in advance of ripping it in half at the end of his speech.
Video from the New York Post shows the California Democrat picking up the pages of Trump’s speech and making what seems to be a tearing motion, before placing them back on the podium while the president awarded conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Photos sourced from the Associated Press show small tears on the sides of at least two pages of the speech, indicating that Pelosi intended to rip the papers in half at the conclusion of Trump’s address.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the State of the Union address. (Doug Mills/AP)
Vice President Mike Pence, who was seated to the right of Pelosi and behind Trump during the joint session of Congress, said Wednesday that he thought she planned the act because “it felt like such an immediate moment.”
Pelosi explained her decision to rip the speech in half by saying, “It was a courteous thing to do.” The speaker later called the address a “dirty speech."
Prior to his speech, the president appeared to snub Pelosi's offer of a handshake.
The president invited his friend Limbaugh to the State of the Union one day after Limbaugh announced his diagnosis with advanced lung cancer. During the speech, first lady Melania Trump presented Limbaugh with the highest civilian honor at the behest of Trump.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--'Trump 4EVA': President trolls rivals after Senate acquittal vote

President Trump posted a video taunting his political rivals after the Senate voted to acquit him on two articles of @ @ @ @ @ shared on Twitter Wednesday , shows the cover of Time magazine , featuring a “ @ @ @ @ @ .
As Edvard Grieg ’ s In the Hall of the Mountain King plays , @ @ @ @ @ series of campaign signs .
The years on the signs increase by multiples of four @ @ @ @ @ The president first appears in the frame standing above a “ Trump 2048 ” sign @ @ @ @ @ four as he looks on .
The number keeps changing faster , later increasing to @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 , and finally 10,000 , before the numbers change to “ 4EVA , ” @ @ @ @ @ ” as Trump stares into the camera and the video ends .
The video was @ @ @ @ @ Senate voted 52-48 to acquit the president on the abuse of power charge and 53-47 @ @ @ @ @ the obstruction of Congress charge .

President Trump posted a video taunting his political rivals after the Senate voted to acquit him on two articles of impeachment.
The video, shared on Twitter Wednesday, shows the cover of Time magazine, featuring a “Trump 2024” campaign sign. As Edvard Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King plays, the video shows an ever-increasing series of campaign signs.
The years on the signs increase by multiples of four, signifying future elections. The president first appears in the frame standing above a “Trump 2048” sign, which then increases by four as he looks on. The number keeps changing faster, later increasing to multiples of 100, then 1,000, and finally 10,000, before the numbers change to “4EVA,” slang for “forever,” as Trump stares into the camera and the video ends.
The video was posted just minutes after the Senate voted 52-48 to acquit the president on the abuse of power charge and 53-47 to acquit the president on the obstruction of Congress charge.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--'Iyman Faris is a traitor': Citizenship stripped from convicted al Qaeda terrorist who plotted Brook

'Iyman Faris is a traitor': Citizenship stripped from convicted al Qaeda terrorist who plotted Brooklyn Bridge attack

A federal judge stripped U.S. citizenship from Iyman Faris , an al Qaeda terrorist linked to 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and who ’ d plotted to blow up the Brooklyn Bridge .
Faris , 50 , a Pakistani-born naturalized citizen , was sentenced in 2003 for supporting terrorism .
This included a post-9/11 plot to blow up the Brooklyn Bridge using gas cutters ; passing coded messages about the plot to al Qaeda ; meeting with Osama bin Laden pre-9/11 ; doing research on ultralight planes for al Qaeda ; and arranging for airline tickets for terrorists .
Faris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later recanted , and worked as a double agent for the bureau before being sentenced in October 2003 to 20 years in prison .
His sentence concludes in August .
The Trump Justice Department has worked for years to revoke his citizenship .
“ The United States of America has produced clear and unequivocal evidence that defendant Iyman Faris obtained his naturalization unlawfully , ” U.S. District Court Judge Staci M. Yandle ruled this week .
“ The December 16 , 1999 court order admitting Iyman Faris to citizenship is hereby revoked and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hereby cancelled.
” “ A top priority at the Department of Justice is protecting our national security , and one of the things we do in support of that goal is tirelessly pursue denaturalization of known and suspected terrorists , ” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt .
“ What Faris did is unconscionable — he pretended to support the United States and the Constitution to naturalize while he actively supported Osama bin Laden and senior al Qaeda leadership in their plans to attack the United States.
” “ Iyman Faris is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renouncing foreign allegiances and pledging to defend the Constitution and our American way of life , ” said U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft for the Southern District of Illinois .
Faris immigrated to the U.S. in 1994 , marrying a U.S. citizen in 1995 and obtaining U.S. citizenship in 1999 under false pretenses .
He was accused of fraudulently using another person ’ s passport to enter , lying under oath to naturalization examiners , and meeting with and providing information to senior al Qaeda leaders .
Faris worked in Columbus , Ohio , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested a couple of weeks after Mohammed was swept up in Pakistan in early March 2003 .
Since Faris no longer is a U.S. citizen , the DOJ said he “ may be subjected to removal proceedings ” from the U.S. after his sentence at an Illinois penitentiary concludes this summer .
“ We are disappointed that Mr. Faris will not be afforded his day in court in a full-blown trial where the government ’ s war on terror tactics and promises could be fully aired , ” Tom Durkin , a defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Examiner .
“ This is a dangerous precedent being set that could well have serious consequences for all U.S. citizens.
” Faris has found himself at the center of the debate over the CIA ’ s use of enhanced interrogation techniques , which critics call torture .
“ The CIA provided the ‘ identification , ’ ‘ arrest , ’ ‘ capture , ’ ‘ investigation , ’ and ‘ prosecution ’ of lyman Faris as evidence for the effectiveness of the CIA 's enhanced interrogation techniques , ” the Democratic committee ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were inaccurate .
Iyman Faris was identified , investigated , and linked directly to al Qaeda prior to any mention of Iyman Faris by KSM or any other CIA detainee.
” In response , the agency wrote in a memo to Congress : “ The CIA most often represented accurately that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed 's information enhanced the FBI 's understanding of the role of lyman Faris , a US-based extremist whom KSM tasked to support an attack against the Brooklyn Bridge .
In a few cases , we incorrectly stated or implied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation of Faris , but we should have stated that his reporting informed and focused the investigation.
” “ CIA , FBI , and Department of Justice documents show that information obtained from KSM after he was waterboarded led directly to Faris 's arrest and was key in his prosecution , ” the Republican-led Senate minority response stated .
The successful move to revoke Faris ’ s citizenship by the DOJ followed the controversy stemming from the early release of “ American Taliban ” John Walker Lindh , who was sentenced to 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorism but was released with conditions in 2019 after less than 18 years .
Lindh , then 20 , grew up in California and traveled to Afghanistan in early 2001 to fight alongside the Taliban and spent weeks at al Qaeda training camps , where he met Osama bin Laden .
He stayed with al Qaeda and the Taliban following 9/11 and was captured by Northern Alliance fighters in November 2001 .
Lindh was taken to the Qala-i-Jangi fortress , where an uprising by prisoners killed CIA officer Mike Spann .
A D.C.-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ISIS bride Hoda Muthana was not a U.S. citizen and could n't return to the U.S. from Syria .

A federal judge stripped U.S. citizenship from Iyman Faris, an al Qaeda terrorist linked to 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and who’d plotted to blow up the Brooklyn Bridge.
Faris, 50, a Pakistani-born naturalized citizen, was sentenced in 2003 for supporting terrorism. This included a post-9/11 plot to blow up the Brooklyn Bridge using gas cutters; passing coded messages about the plot to al Qaeda; meeting with Osama bin Laden pre-9/11; doing research on ultralight planes for al Qaeda; and arranging for airline tickets for terrorists.
Faris confessed to the FBI, though he later recanted, and worked as a double agent for the bureau before being sentenced in October 2003 to 20 years in prison. His sentence concludes in August. The Trump Justice Department has worked for years to revoke his citizenship.
“The United States of America has produced clear and unequivocal evidence that defendant Iyman Faris obtained his naturalization unlawfully,” U.S. District Court Judge Staci M. Yandle ruled this week. “The December 16, 1999 court order admitting Iyman Faris to citizenship is hereby revoked and the certificate of naturalization No. 23952581 is hereby cancelled.”
President Trump’s DOJ greeted the ruling as a big win.
“A top priority at the Department of Justice is protecting our national security, and one of the things we do in support of that goal is tirelessly pursue denaturalization of known and suspected terrorists,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt. “What Faris did is unconscionable — he pretended to support the United States and the Constitution to naturalize while he actively supported Osama bin Laden and senior al Qaeda leadership in their plans to attack the United States.”
“Iyman Faris is a traitor to the oath he took renouncing foreign allegiances and pledging to defend the Constitution and our American way of life,” said U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft for the Southern District of Illinois.
Faris immigrated to the U.S. in 1994, marrying a U.S. citizen in 1995 and obtaining U.S. citizenship in 1999 under false pretenses. He was accused of fraudulently using another person’s passport to enter, lying under oath to naturalization examiners, and meeting with and providing information to senior al Qaeda leaders. Faris worked in Columbus, Ohio, as a truck driver when he was arrested a couple of weeks after Mohammed was swept up in Pakistan in early March 2003.
Since Faris no longer is a U.S. citizen, the DOJ said he “may be subjected to removal proceedings” from the U.S. after his sentence at an Illinois penitentiary concludes this summer.
“We are disappointed that Mr. Faris will not be afforded his day in court in a full-blown trial where the government’s war on terror tactics and promises could be fully aired,” Tom Durkin, a defense lawyer for Faris, told the Washington Examiner. “This is a dangerous precedent being set that could well have serious consequences for all U.S. citizens.”
Faris has found himself at the center of the debate over the CIA’s use of enhanced interrogation techniques, which critics call torture.
“The CIA provided the ‘identification,’ ‘arrest,’ ‘capture,’ ‘investigation,’ and ‘prosecution’ of lyman Faris as evidence for the effectiveness of the CIA's enhanced interrogation techniques,” the Democratic committee’s report stated. “These representations were inaccurate. Iyman Faris was identified, investigated, and linked directly to al Qaeda prior to any mention of Iyman Faris by KSM or any other CIA detainee.”
In response, the agency wrote in a memo to Congress: “The CIA most often represented accurately that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's information enhanced the FBI's understanding of the role of lyman Faris, a US-based extremist whom KSM tasked to support an attack against the Brooklyn Bridge. In a few cases, we incorrectly stated or implied that KSM's information led to the investigation of Faris, but we should have stated that his reporting informed and focused the investigation.”
“CIA, FBI, and Department of Justice documents show that information obtained from KSM after he was waterboarded led directly to Faris's arrest and was key in his prosecution,” the Republican-led Senate minority response stated.
The successful move to revoke Faris’s citizenship by the DOJ followed the controversy stemming from the early release of “American Taliban” John Walker Lindh, who was sentenced to 20 years behind bars in 2002 for supporting terrorism but was released with conditions in 2019 after less than 18 years.
Lindh, then 20, grew up in California and traveled to Afghanistan in early 2001 to fight alongside the Taliban and spent weeks at al Qaeda training camps, where he met Osama bin Laden. He stayed with al Qaeda and the Taliban following 9/11 and was captured by Northern Alliance fighters in November 2001. Lindh was taken to the Qala-i-Jangi fortress, where an uprising by prisoners killed CIA officer Mike Spann.
A D.C.-based federal judge ruled last year that so-called ISIS bride Hoda Muthana was not a U.S. citizen and couldn't return to the U.S. from Syria.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Kellyanne Conway says Pelosi should be censured for ripping up Trump speech

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should be censured for tearing up a copy of President Trump ’ s State of the Union address .
“ America saw an incorrigible child ripping up the State of the Union , ” Conway , 53 , told reporters at the White House on Wednesday , according to a pool report .
The California Democrat ripped up her copy of the president ’ s speech after the nearly 90-minute address to Congress on Tuesday .
Earlier in the night , Trump , 73 , appeared to snub Pelosi , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shake his hand before the speech .
“ I think it shows you how petty and peevish and partisan the Democratic Party has become , ” Conway said , adding that it was another example of the top House Democrat having a “ temper tantrum.
” Vice President Mike Pence , 60 , also condemned Pelosi ’ s move , calling it “ a new low.
” “ I was n't sure if she was ripping up the speech or ripping up the Constitution , ” Pence said Wednesday .
Pelosi said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a dirty speech.
” “ It was a courteous thing to do , ” she said .
[ Also read : Pelosi speech shred gets standing ovation from House Democrats ]

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should be censured for tearing up a copy of President Trump’s State of the Union address.
“America saw an incorrigible child ripping up the State of the Union,” Conway, 53, told reporters at the White House on Wednesday, according to a pool report.
The California Democrat ripped up her copy of the president’s speech after the nearly 90-minute address to Congress on Tuesday. Earlier in the night, Trump, 73, appeared to snub Pelosi, 79, when she reached out to shake his hand before the speech.
“I think it shows you how petty and peevish and partisan the Democratic Party has become,” Conway said, adding that it was another example of the top House Democrat having a “temper tantrum.”
Vice President Mike Pence, 60, also condemned Pelosi’s move, calling it “a new low.”
“I wasn't sure if she was ripping up the speech or ripping up the Constitution,” Pence said Wednesday.
Pelosi said she ripped up the speech because it was “a dirty speech.”
“It was a courteous thing to do,” she said.
[Also read: Pelosi speech shred gets standing ovation from House Democrats]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--'I find God in suffering': Trump recognizes parents of ISIS victim Kayla Mueller during State of the

'I find God in suffering': Trump recognizes parents of ISIS victim Kayla Mueller during State of the Union

During his State of the Union address on Tuesday , President Trump acknowledged the parents of a young Christian woman who was personally abused by the late Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi .
`` We are joined this evening by Carl and Marsha Mueller , '' the president said .
`` After graduating from college , their beautiful daughter , Kayla , became a humanitarian aid worker .
She once wrote , 'Some people find God in church , some people find God in nature , some people find God in love .
I find God in suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what my life 's work is : using my hands as tools to relieve suffering . '
'' Kayla Mueller , a 26-year-old from Prescott , Arizona , “ was drawn to alleviate the suffering of Syrian refugees . ''
After helping with humanitarian aid groups in India , Israel , and the Palestinian territories , Mueller moved to southern Turkey during the Syrian civil war in 2012 .
She worked with Support to Life and the Danish Refugee Council to aid those fleeing the conflict .
Explaining how she was kidnapped from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aleppo in 2013 , the president said : `` While caring for suffering civilians in Syria , Kayla was kidnapped , tortured , and enslaved by ISIS and kept as a prisoner of al Baghdadi himself . ''
`` After more than 500 horrifying days of captivity , al Baghdadi murdered young , beautiful Kayla , '' Trump said .
[ Also read : 'He did the right thing ' : Father of Kayla Mueller defends Trump for hiding Baghdadi raid from Congress ] Trump explained how Gen. Mark Milley , the chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named the historic raid that killed al Baghdadi based on Kayla Mueller 's birthday .
`` Carl and Marsha , America 's warriors never forgot Kayla , and neither will we , '' Trump said .
Her parents rose to their feet and displayed a photo of their daughter to the applause of all in the chamber .
Carl Mueller told the Washington Examiner in the wake of al Baghdadi 's death that the president `` did the right thing '' to hide from Congress and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi the raid that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I stand with Mr. Trump on this , the president , '' Carl Mueller said .
`` I came up with a simple formula , and I ask people to honestly answer the question that I raise , given all the leaks that come out of D.C. constantly , especially in the Trump administration .
If you had the fate of 100 men on your shoulders — and if you made the wrong move , those men could lose their lives — if you had to make the call , how many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` If there happened to be a leak , they could all die , '' he said .
`` He did the right thing .
He was protecting those soldiers . ''
ISIS leader al Baghdadi was killed during a top-secret operation in northwest Syria in late October .
With the aid of at least eight military helicopters and a dog named Conan , the leader of ISIS met his end `` whimpering and crying and screaming '' as he detonated a suicide vest , killing himself and three children , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also expressed their disgust to the Daily Caller when the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation stripped from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo its “ American Hostage Freedom Award ” in April 2019 after alleged complaints from media figures .
After promising Pompeo the award , the foundation later rescinded it after pressure from media groups that paid up to $ 50,000 for a table , according to knowledgeable sources who spoke with the Washington Examiner .

During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Trump acknowledged the parents of a young Christian woman who was personally abused by the late Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.
"We are joined this evening by Carl and Marsha Mueller," the president said. "After graduating from college, their beautiful daughter, Kayla, became a humanitarian aid worker. She once wrote, 'Some people find God in church, some people find God in nature, some people find God in love. I find God in suffering. I've known for some time what my life's work is: using my hands as tools to relieve suffering.'"
Kayla Mueller, a 26-year-old from Prescott, Arizona, “was drawn to alleviate the suffering of Syrian refugees." After helping with humanitarian aid groups in India, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, Mueller moved to southern Turkey during the Syrian civil war in 2012. She worked with Support to Life and the Danish Refugee Council to aid those fleeing the conflict.
Explaining how she was kidnapped from a Doctors Without Borders hospital outside of Aleppo in 2013, the president said: "While caring for suffering civilians in Syria, Kayla was kidnapped, tortured, and enslaved by ISIS and kept as a prisoner of al Baghdadi himself."
"After more than 500 horrifying days of captivity, al Baghdadi murdered young, beautiful Kayla," Trump said.
[Also read: 'He did the right thing': Father of Kayla Mueller defends Trump for hiding Baghdadi raid from Congress]
Trump explained how Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, named the historic raid that killed al Baghdadi based on Kayla Mueller's birthday.
"Carl and Marsha, America's warriors never forgot Kayla, and neither will we," Trump said. Her parents rose to their feet and displayed a photo of their daughter to the applause of all in the chamber.
Carl Mueller told the Washington Examiner in the wake of al Baghdadi's death that the president "did the right thing" to hide from Congress and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi the raid that killed his daughter's tormentor.
"I stand with Mr. Trump on this, the president," Carl Mueller said. "I came up with a simple formula, and I ask people to honestly answer the question that I raise, given all the leaks that come out of D.C. constantly, especially in the Trump administration. If you had the fate of 100 men on your shoulders — and if you made the wrong move, those men could lose their lives — if you had to make the call, how many people would you tell about this raid?"
"If there happened to be a leak, they could all die," he said. "He did the right thing. He was protecting those soldiers."
ISIS leader al Baghdadi was killed during a top-secret operation in northwest Syria in late October. With the aid of at least eight military helicopters and a dog named Conan, the leader of ISIS met his end "whimpering and crying and screaming" as he detonated a suicide vest, killing himself and three children, the president said.
[Related: 'The ultimate fighter': Trump honors Conan, dog injured in Baghdadi raid]
Carl and Marsha Mueller also expressed their disgust to the Daily Caller when the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation stripped from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo its “American Hostage Freedom Award” in April 2019 after alleged complaints from media figures.
After promising Pompeo the award, the foundation later rescinded it after pressure from media groups that paid up to $50,000 for a table, according to knowledgeable sources who spoke with the Washington Examiner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--WATCH: Trump delivers third State of the Union address

President Trump addresses members of the House and the Senate in his State of the Union address on Tuesday at @ @ @ @ @ speech at the Capitol , which will be Trump 's third State of the Union @ @ @ @ @ president faces an impeachment trial .
He is expected to be acquitted of two Ukraine-related @ @ @ @ @ for Wednesday .

President Trump addresses members of the House and the Senate in his State of the Union address on Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST.
The speech at the Capitol, which will be Trump's third State of the Union address, comes as the president faces an impeachment trial. He is expected to be acquitted of two Ukraine-related charges in a vote scheduled for Wednesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--McConnell: Impeachment 'colossal political mistake' for Democrats

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the effort to impeach President Trump and remove him from office has backfired on Democrats , at least politically .
“ I 'm not sitting here predicting what will be the biggest issue in November , but I can tell you this , and tell you that right now : This is a political loser for them , ” McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , told reporters after the Senate voted to acquit Trump of two articles of impeachment .
McConnell said he was “ surprised and disappointed ” that Republican Mitt Romney voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ articles but said the Senate GOP “ still had great teamwork ” in the effort to clear Trump nearly unanimously .
McConnell said Romney would not be punished for his vote , despite calls by some outside of Congress that he should be kicked out of the Republican conference .
“ We do n't have any doghouses here , ” McConnell said .
“ The most important vote is the next vote.
” McConnell said he hopes the acquittal will send a message to the House to never again send over what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s approval ratings have soared , McConnell said , and his Senate Republicans up for reelection are faring well in the polls .
“ They thought this was a great idea , ” McConnell said of the House Democrats ’ impeachment effort , `` and , at least for the short term , it is a colossal political mistake .
”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the effort to impeach President Trump and remove him from office has backfired on Democrats, at least politically.
“I'm not sitting here predicting what will be the biggest issue in November, but I can tell you this, and tell you that right now: This is a political loser for them,” McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, told reporters after the Senate voted to acquit Trump of two articles of impeachment.
McConnell said he was “surprised and disappointed” that Republican Mitt Romney voted to convict Trump on one of the articles but said the Senate GOP “still had great teamwork” in the effort to clear Trump nearly unanimously.
McConnell said Romney would not be punished for his vote, despite calls by some outside of Congress that he should be kicked out of the Republican conference.
“We don't have any doghouses here,” McConnell said. “The most important vote is the next vote.”
McConnell said he hopes the acquittal will send a message to the House to never again send over what he called a partisan impeachment.
Trump’s approval ratings have soared, McConnell said, and his Senate Republicans up for reelection are faring well in the polls.
“They thought this was a great idea,” McConnell said of the House Democrats’ impeachment effort, "and, at least for the short term, it is a colossal political mistake.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--GOP senators request Hunter Biden travel records from Secret Service

A pair of Republican senators announced a new stage in their investigation into possible corruption by the Biden family an hour after President Trump was acquitted of two articles of impeachment .
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon , Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley and Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson said they `` requested Hunter Biden ’ s official travel records from the U.S. Secret Service as a part of their ongoing probe into potential conflicts of interest . ''
The letter by Grassley , who is the chairman of the Finance Committee , and Johnson , the head of the Homeland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest in a series of records requests by the pair scrutinizing Hunter Biden 's lucrative business ventures abroad .
Hunter Biden is the 50-year-old son of former Vice President Joe Biden , who is now running for the Democratic presidential nomination , and a constant target of Republicans .
Impeachment proceedings began last year with the emergence of a whistleblower complaint about a July 25 phone call in which Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate his political rivals , including possible corruption involving the Bidens .
Joe Biden has dubbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy theories . ''
Trump and his allies have alleged the elder Biden inappropriately used the White House to convince Ukraine to lay off investigating Burisma , a Ukrainian natural gas firm that employed Hunter Biden .
Republicans have also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest to boost Hunter Biden 's business ventures in China .
In their letter addressed to Secret Service Director James Murray , Grassley and Johnson requested information about whether Hunter Biden used government-sponsored travel to help conduct private business .
They asked for a description of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his father was vice president and `` a list of all dates and locations of travel , international and domestic , for Hunter Biden while he received a protective detail .
In your response , please note whether his travel was on Air Force One or Two , or other government aircraft , as applicable and whether additional family members were present for each trip . ''
Democrats accused Trump of improperly pressing Kyiv to announce investigations in to the Bidens and others while leveraging nearly $ 400 million in military aid and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeached Trump in December , but on Wednesday the Senate voted 52-48 to acquit the president of the abuse of power charge and 53-47 to acquit the president of the obstruction of Congress charge .

A pair of Republican senators announced a new stage in their investigation into possible corruption by the Biden family an hour after President Trump was acquitted of two articles of impeachment.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley and Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson said they "requested Hunter Biden’s official travel records from the U.S. Secret Service as a part of their ongoing probe into potential conflicts of interest."
The letter by Grassley, who is the chairman of the Finance Committee, and Johnson, the head of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is the latest in a series of records requests by the pair scrutinizing Hunter Biden's lucrative business ventures abroad.
Hunter Biden is the 50-year-old son of former Vice President Joe Biden, who is now running for the Democratic presidential nomination, and a constant target of Republicans.
Impeachment proceedings began last year with the emergence of a whistleblower complaint about a July 25 phone call in which Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate his political rivals, including possible corruption involving the Bidens. Joe Biden has dubbed the allegations as “false, debunked conspiracy theories."
Trump and his allies have alleged the elder Biden inappropriately used the White House to convince Ukraine to lay off investigating Burisma, a Ukrainian natural gas firm that employed Hunter Biden. Republicans have also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest to boost Hunter Biden's business ventures in China.
In their letter addressed to Secret Service Director James Murray, Grassley and Johnson requested information about whether Hunter Biden used government-sponsored travel to help conduct private business.
They asked for a description of the protective detail that Hunter Biden received while his father was vice president and "a list of all dates and locations of travel, international and domestic, for Hunter Biden while he received a protective detail. In your response, please note whether his travel was on Air Force One or Two, or other government aircraft, as applicable and whether additional family members were present for each trip."
Grassley and Johnson asked that the Secret Service provide the requested information by Feb. 19.
A representative for the Secret Service did not immediately return a request for comment for this report.
Democrats accused Trump of improperly pressing Kyiv to announce investigations into the Bidens and others while leveraging nearly $400 million in military aid and a White House meeting. The House impeached Trump in December, but on Wednesday, the Senate voted 52-48 to acquit the president of the abuse of power charge and 53-47 to acquit the president of the obstruction of Congress charge.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Trump’s State of the Union address reminds us that people matter

In the writing world , we have a saying : Show , do n't tell .
The idea is that conveying something through stories and action is more convincing than merely stating something .
President Trump 's State of the Union address is a great example of this principle put into practice .
It celebrated many of his administration ’ s signature accomplishments : economic prosperity , criminal justice reform , and renewed military strength .
And it did so by pointing to the people these policies have benefited .
Trump began by pointing out the economic growth that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned to stagnate local economies , and investors are slowly making their way into low-income communities .
Trump has the statistics to back these claims , but he did more than throw around numbers : He brought in Army veteran Tony Rankins , a former drug addict who has personally benefited from Trump ’ s tax cuts .
Trump then moved to foreign policy , touting the new NAFTA trade deal , his negotiations with China , and U.S. pro-democracy efforts in Central America .
This last subject earned bipartisan applause , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Juan Guaido , the Venezuelan leader who challenged Nicolas Maduro ’ s totalitarian grip on the country , to attend the State of the Union as a living and breathing reminder that the U.S. fight against tyranny is important and worthwhile .
In regard to the military , Trump ’ s signature accomplishment has been the Space Force .
So he brought in 13-year-old Iain Lanphier , who dreams of “ going to space.
” Next to Lanphier was his great-grandfather , Charles McGee , one of the first black fighter pilots .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice and the freedom and opportunity it provides its students .
To prove his point , Trump awarded a fourth-grade student an Opportunity Scholarship and encouraged Congress to do the same and pass the school choice legislation .
There were many other individuals recognized during Trump ’ s address , and each one served as a reminder that real people are affected by the policies our government passes .
The parents of Kayla Mueller , who was kidnapped and killed by the Islamic State , were applauded .
A mother with her two-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were celebrated .
And a young family was reunited with its father , who had been deployed for the past several months .
The humanity of Trump ’ s speech also pointed to a simple truth : government is not a platform on which to perform ; it is an institution that shapes the nation and the people who live in it , as Yuval Levin put it .
The petty partisanship plaguing Washington , D.C. , proves that our elected officials have forgotten this , and Trump , despite his many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty is to the people , not to itself : “ Members of Congress , ” he said , “ We must never forget that the only victories that matter in Washington are victories that deliver for the American people.
” Trump addressed the nation in the chamber where decisions are made , laws are passed , and governance takes place .
At least , that ’ s how it ’ s supposed to work .
Unfortunately , Congress hasn ’ t worked that way in quite a while .
But the individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminder that we have the power to hold our elected officials accountable .
And if they forget that we are real people with real stories , that ’ s exactly what we should do .

In the writing world, we have a saying: Show, don't tell. The idea is that conveying something through stories and action is more convincing than merely stating something. President Trump's State of the Union address is a great example of this principle put into practice. It celebrated many of his administration’s signature accomplishments: economic prosperity, criminal justice reform, and renewed military strength. And it did so by pointing to the people these policies have benefited.
Trump began by pointing out the economic growth that has occurred under his administration. Jobs have returned to stagnate local economies, and investors are slowly making their way into low-income communities. Trump has the statistics to back these claims, but he did more than throw around numbers: He brought in Army veteran Tony Rankins, a former drug addict who has personally benefited from Trump’s tax cuts.
Trump then moved to foreign policy, touting the new NAFTA trade deal, his negotiations with China, and U.S. pro-democracy efforts in Central America. This last subject earned bipartisan applause, and with good reason: Trump had invited Juan Guaido, the Venezuelan leader who challenged Nicolas Maduro’s totalitarian grip on the country, to attend the State of the Union as a living and breathing reminder that the U.S. fight against tyranny is important and worthwhile.
In regard to the military, Trump’s signature accomplishment has been the Space Force. So he brought in 13-year-old Iain Lanphier, who dreams of “going to space.” Next to Lanphier was his great-grandfather, Charles McGee, one of the first black fighter pilots.
On education, Trump pointed to school choice and the freedom and opportunity it provides its students. To prove his point, Trump awarded a fourth-grade student an Opportunity Scholarship and encouraged Congress to do the same and pass the school choice legislation.
There were many other individuals recognized during Trump’s address, and each one served as a reminder that real people are affected by the policies our government passes. The parents of Kayla Mueller, who was kidnapped and killed by the Islamic State, were applauded. A mother with her two-year-old daughter, who had been born prematurely, were celebrated. And a young family was reunited with its father, who had been deployed for the past several months.
The humanity of Trump’s speech also pointed to a simple truth: government is not a platform on which to perform; it is an institution that shapes the nation and the people who live in it, as Yuval Levin put it. The petty partisanship plaguing Washington, D.C., proves that our elected officials have forgotten this, and Trump, despite his many flaws, helped remind Congress that its duty is to the people, not to itself: “Members of Congress,” he said, “We must never forget that the only victories that matter in Washington are victories that deliver for the American people.”
Trump addressed the nation in the chamber where decisions are made, laws are passed, and governance takes place. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work. Unfortunately, Congress hasn’t worked that way in quite a while. But the individuals Trump recognized during his speech are a reminder that we have the power to hold our elected officials accountable. And if they forget that we are real people with real stories, that’s exactly what we should do.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Trump is just as petty as Pelosi

Trump is just as petty as Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi ’ s speech-ripping stunt was petty , but it ’ s nothing compared with the pettiness of President Trump himself .
The president spent the morning following his State of the Union speech retweeting those who had praised his performance as well as those condemning House Speaker Pelosi .
After Pelosi ripped up the president ’ s speech from the speaker 's dais , in a viral moment that has been widely condemned by Republicans , Trump retweeted more than 20 tweets criticizing Pelosi , most containing the hashtag # PelosiTantrum .
One of the tweets Trump retweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” While it ’ s easy to dunk on the speaker for her lack of decorum , let ’ s just remember who it was she was protesting .
The irony of his criticism is completely lost on Trump as he blithely rips on Pelosi for her unprofessional behavior .
This , coming from the man who routinely calls her nicknames such as “ ” and “ .
” The caustic president has even made cracks about his opponents going to hell .
He also refused to shake Pelosi 's hand before he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he saw her outstretched hand was unclear from the camera angle , but if it was n't a full snub , his brief turn toward Pelosi meant he certainly was n't going to give her the time of day .
Whether or not you think Trump ’ s habit of spitting venom is justified , it should be pretty clear that if he can dish it out , he should expect to take it .
Those who support Trump can criticize Pelosi for other reasons , but they don ’ t have much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That just means she fits in with the rest of Washington .

Nancy Pelosi’s speech-ripping stunt was petty, but it’s nothing compared with the pettiness of President Trump himself.
The president spent the morning following his State of the Union speech retweeting those who had praised his performance as well as those condemning House Speaker Pelosi.
After Pelosi ripped up the president’s speech from the speaker's dais, in a viral moment that has been widely condemned by Republicans, Trump retweeted more than 20 tweets criticizing Pelosi, most containing the hashtag #PelosiTantrum. One of the tweets Trump retweeted called Pelosi “classless” and “broken.”
While it’s easy to dunk on the speaker for her lack of decorum, let’s just remember who it was she was protesting.
The irony of his criticism is completely lost on Trump as he blithely rips on Pelosi for her unprofessional behavior. This, coming from the man who routinely calls her nicknames such as “ Nervous Nancy ” and “ Crazy Nancy .” The caustic president has even made cracks about his opponents going to hell.
He also refused to shake Pelosi's hand before he started his speech. Whether or not he saw her outstretched hand was unclear from the camera angle, but if it wasn't a full snub, his brief turn toward Pelosi meant he certainly wasn't going to give her the time of day.
Whether or not you think Trump’s habit of spitting venom is justified, it should be pretty clear that if he can dish it out, he should expect to take it. Those who support Trump can criticize Pelosi for other reasons, but they don’t have much ground to say she lacks class. That just means she fits in with the rest of Washington.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Democrats can't beat the reality television president at his own game

As the saying goes , you come at the king , you best not miss .
For all of his personal foibles , there 's no question that President Trump reigns supreme over the art of putting on a prime-time performance , and Democrats proved their grievous error in trying to beat him at his single best game with their pathetic display at Tuesday 's State of the Union .
The State of the Union has long deserved to be devoided of its staid veneer , and perhaps Democrats just instigated the inevitable .
But there 's little question that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity to stick it to Trump has thoroughly backfired .
When the Democratic women wore white last year and decided to chide Trump at every turn , they did so having just reclaimed the House from Republicans and successfully cajoling Trump into ending his government shutdown without a semblance of an immigration victory .
To the victor goes the spoils , and in the case of our televised and stupid times , that means bragging rights .
Last night was a different story .
On the eve of his inevitable acquittal from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But rather than relegate to his usual braggadocio , Trump trotted out statistics and a number of feel-good made-for-TV moments .
The first lady issued a Presidential Medal of Freedom during the address !
Trump reunited an Army wife with her husband serving in Afghanistan !
Trump gave out a scholarship to an underprivileged kid !
Trump honored one of the first black fighter pilots — and his great-grandson !
The monarchical schtick of the State of the Union is annoyingly saccharine as a tradition , but what option do you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for war heroes and declarations of real wage growth ?
If you 're a Democrat , you decide you have one .
You can spend the night on your phone , squirming in your seat like a second-grader , or you can straight-up walk out .
Wearing all white in 2019 when Trump just suffered defeat pulled Democrats into the world of reality television optics , and it worked in the short-term .
But Trump would always best them at the game of performance , and last night proved it did n't take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like brats .
And like that , Trump trolled his opponents into giving him the best possible edit of the night .
Democrats let the producer play them for fools , and Trump finally got to position himself as the adult in the room .

As the saying goes, you come at the king, you best not miss. For all of his personal foibles, there's no question that President Trump reigns supreme over the art of putting on a prime-time performance, and Democrats proved their grievous error in trying to beat him at his single best game with their pathetic display at Tuesday's State of the Union.
The State of the Union has long deserved to be devoided of its staid veneer, and perhaps Democrats just instigated the inevitable. But there's little question that their decision to use the address as an opportunity to stick it to Trump has thoroughly backfired.
When the Democratic women wore white last year and decided to chide Trump at every turn, they did so having just reclaimed the House from Republicans and successfully cajoling Trump into ending his government shutdown without a semblance of an immigration victory. To the victor goes the spoils, and in the case of our televised and stupid times, that means bragging rights.
Last night was a different story.
On the eve of his inevitable acquittal from his impeachment trial, Trump was triumphant. But rather than relegate to his usual braggadocio, Trump trotted out statistics and a number of feel-good made-for-TV moments. The first lady issued a Presidential Medal of Freedom during the address! Trump reunited an Army wife with her husband serving in Afghanistan! Trump gave out a scholarship to an underprivileged kid! Trump honored one of the first black fighter pilots — and his great-grandson!
The monarchical schtick of the State of the Union is annoyingly saccharine as a tradition, but what option do you have watching the event live than to clap for war heroes and declarations of real wage growth? If you're a Democrat, you decide you have one. You can spend the night on your phone, squirming in your seat like a second-grader, or you can straight-up walk out.
Wearing all white in 2019 when Trump just suffered defeat pulled Democrats into the world of reality television optics, and it worked in the short-term. But Trump would always best them at the game of performance, and last night proved it didn't take much time to bait them into looking like brats.
And like that, Trump trolled his opponents into giving him the best possible edit of the night. Democrats let the producer play them for fools, and Trump finally got to position himself as the adult in the room.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Ex-NAACP president set to represent Baltimore district Trump called 'very dangerous & filthy place'

Former Maryland Democratic Rep. Kweisi Mfume is set to return to Congress after 24 years , representing a Baltimore district President Trump derided as a `` disgusting , rat and rodent infested mess . ''
Mfume on Tuesday won the Democratic nomination in the 7th District , held for more than two decades by the late Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings , a frequent Trump political foil .
Winning the primary is tantamount to victory in the heavily Democratic district , which takes in a bit over half the city of Baltimore , plus most of suburban Howard County .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mfume , 71 , a former NAACP president , captured a strong plurality of the vote in a field of two dozen Democratic hopefuls .
He easily beat Cummings 's widow , Maya Rockeymoore Cummings , former head of the state Democratic Party , and state Sen. Jill P. Carter , among others .
But those candidates will face Mfume again on April 28 .
Mfume only won the Democratic nomination for the remainder of Cummings 's term , which ends in early January 2021 .
He 'll also have to win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term beginning in 2021 , and in that April 28 primary race will again face Rockeymoore Cummings , Carter , and several other Democrats .
The district was put in the national spotlight last summer when Trump lashed out at Cummings , who as chairman of the House Oversight Committee led investigations into the president 's finances and practices for granting White House practices .
Trump tweeted in July that conditions in Cummings 's district are `` FAR WORSE and more dangerous '' than those at the U.S.-Mexico border .
`` If he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could help clean up this very dangerous & filthy place , '' Trump wrote , arguing that Cummings 's `` district is considered the Worst in the USA '' and `` no human being would want to live there . ''
Cummings died on Oct. 17 from `` complications concerning longstanding health challenges , '' his spokeswoman said at the time .
Mfume was previously a House member from January 1987 to February 1996 .
He resigned at the time accept the NAACP presidency , a position he held until 2004 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2006 .
He 'll return to a House much changed since his departure .
He left during the first term of Republican House control after the 1994 GOP `` revolution , '' when the party claimed its first majority in 40 years .
Conservative ideas were ascendant nationally , and Mfume , with one of the chamber 's most liberal voting records , found himself an odd-man-out .
Now Democrats run the House , having captured the majority in the 2018 election .

Former Maryland Democratic Rep. Kweisi Mfume is set to return to Congress after 24 years, representing a Baltimore district President Trump derided as a "disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess."
Mfume on Tuesday won the Democratic nomination in the 7th District, held for more than two decades by the late Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings, a frequent Trump political foil. Winning the primary is tantamount to victory in the heavily Democratic district, which takes in a bit over half the city of Baltimore, plus most of suburban Howard County. The general election is on April 28.
Mfume, 71, a former NAACP president, captured a strong plurality of the vote in a field of two dozen Democratic hopefuls. He easily beat Cummings's widow, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, former head of the state Democratic Party, and state Sen. Jill P. Carter, among others.
But those candidates will face Mfume again on April 28. Mfume only won the Democratic nomination for the remainder of Cummings's term, which ends in early January 2021. He'll also have to win the Democratic nomination for the district's full term beginning in 2021, and in that April 28 primary race will again face Rockeymoore Cummings, Carter, and several other Democrats.
The district was put in the national spotlight last summer when Trump lashed out at Cummings, who as chairman of the House Oversight Committee led investigations into the president's finances and practices for granting White House practices.
Trump tweeted in July that conditions in Cummings's district are "FAR WORSE and more dangerous" than those at the U.S.-Mexico border.
"If he spent more time in Baltimore, maybe he could help clean up this very dangerous & filthy place," Trump wrote, arguing that Cummings's "district is considered the Worst in the USA" and "no human being would want to live there."
Cummings died on Oct. 17 from "complications concerning longstanding health challenges," his spokeswoman said at the time.
Mfume was previously a House member from January 1987 to February 1996. He resigned at the time accept the NAACP presidency, a position he held until 2004. Mfume lost a Democratic Senate primary bid in 2006.
He'll return to a House much changed since his departure. He left during the first term of Republican House control after the 1994 GOP "revolution," when the party claimed its first majority in 40 years. Conservative ideas were ascendant nationally, and Mfume, with one of the chamber's most liberal voting records, found himself an odd-man-out. Now Democrats run the House, having captured the majority in the 2018 election.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Trump more popular in Utah than Romney, as senator weighs impeachment

The politics of Utah Sen. Mitt Romney ’ s 11th-hour mystery on how he will vote on President Trump ’ s impeachment has become sticky now that a new survey finds that the president is more popular in Utah .
The Utah Policy survey showed that for the first time since his election , a majority of Utah voters approve of Trump ’ s job performance , echoing his surge in national surveys .
According to the poll analysis , “ The survey , conducted for UtahPolicy.com and 2 News by Y2 Analytics shows 52 % of likely voters approve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disapprove , giving the president a net-positive approval rating of +7.
” The same outfit in October found Romney ’ s job approval underwater , at 46 % -51 % .
“ That is not good , ” said the analysis .
The Republican , on Wednesday , is set to announce how he will vote on Trump ’ s impeachment .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has locked down the other GOP senators on Trump ’ s behalf .
But he hasn ’ t been exerting much pressure on Romney , deciding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own mind .
Romney joined Maine Sen. Susan Collins in voting to hear from witnesses during the Senate trial , a bid that failed .
She announced Tuesday that she would vote to acquit the president today .
Romney faced conservative criticism after his witness vote .
Significantly , Trump ’ s approval rating is high among Mormons , said the survey .
“ Trump does get strong job approval ratings among Mormon and other religious voters in Utah .
59 % of ‘ very active ’ LDS Church members , 64 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how he ’ s handling his duties in the White House while 52 % of inactive Mormons disapprove , ” it said .

The politics of Utah Sen. Mitt Romney’s 11th-hour mystery on how he will vote on President Trump’s impeachment has become sticky now that a new survey finds that the president is more popular in Utah.
The Utah Policy survey showed that for the first time since his election, a majority of Utah voters approve of Trump’s job performance, echoing his surge in national surveys.
According to the poll analysis, “The survey, conducted for UtahPolicy.com and 2 News by Y2 Analytics shows 52% of likely voters approve of President Trump, while 45% disapprove, giving the president a net-positive approval rating of +7.”
The same outfit in October found Romney’s job approval underwater, at 46%-51%.
“That is not good,” said the analysis.
At approximately 2:00 p.m. ET, I will be speaking on the Senate floor regarding the impeachment vote. You will be able to watch live on my Twitter feed, and also on the Senate’s official website: https://t.co/mlS6RtPeXb — Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) February 5, 2020
The Republican, on Wednesday, is set to announce how he will vote on Trump’s impeachment. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has locked down the other GOP senators on Trump’s behalf. But he hasn’t been exerting much pressure on Romney, deciding to let the Trump critic make up his own mind.
BREAKING: The "extreme conservative" and Junior Senator from the great state of Utah, @SenatorRomney is formally NOT invited to #CPAC2020. pic.twitter.com/f35tYy73V1 — Matt Schlapp (@mschlapp) January 31, 2020
Romney joined Maine Sen. Susan Collins in voting to hear from witnesses during the Senate trial, a bid that failed. She announced Tuesday that she would vote to acquit the president today. Romney faced conservative criticism after his witness vote.
Significantly, Trump’s approval rating is high among Mormons, said the survey.
“Trump does get strong job approval ratings among Mormon and other religious voters in Utah. 59% of ‘very active’ LDS Church members, 64% of somewhat active Mormons approve of how he’s handling his duties in the White House while 52% of inactive Mormons disapprove,” it said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Boom: Record January gun background checks, 2020 set to make history

The 2020 presidential race is already weighing on the minds of gun owners who flocked to gun stores to load up in January .
The FBI reported today that January saw a record of 2,702,702 background checks , which closely track gun sales and requests for concealed carry permits .
That broke the last January record of 2,545,802 , set in 2016 , when Democrat Hillary Clinton , who advocated a gun ban , was starting her march to White House , only to be foiled by NRA-endorsed Donald Trump .
As the 2020 race has neared , FBI checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ System have been surging , especially after Democrats in Virginia took control of the state legislature and began implementing gun control laws .
Experts said that 2020 is set to break all records for sales and background checks , topping last year ’ s FBI total of 28,369,750 .
The surge comes as gun ban advocate Michael Bloomberg is moving up in national presidential polls .
A recent Zogby Analytics survey showed only Bloomberg beating Trump in a head-to-head matchup .
“ If he becomes the front-runner it will make for a banner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Justin Anderson , director of marketing for Hyatt Guns of Charlotte , North Carolina .
It also follows an increase in Second Amendment rallies around the nation in opposition to liberal efforts to impose gun control .
Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting Chief Economist Jurgen Brauer said , “ The industry started the 2020 unit-sales year with a bang .
”

The 2020 presidential race is already weighing on the minds of gun owners who flocked to gun stores to load up in January.
The FBI reported today that January saw a record of 2,702,702 background checks, which closely track gun sales and requests for concealed carry permits.
That broke the last January record of 2,545,802, set in 2016, when Democrat Hillary Clinton, who advocated a gun ban, was starting her march to White House, only to be foiled by NRA-endorsed Donald Trump.
As the 2020 race has neared, FBI checks on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System have been surging, especially after Democrats in Virginia took control of the state legislature and began implementing gun control laws.
Experts said that 2020 is set to break all records for sales and background checks, topping last year’s FBI total of 28,369,750.
The surge comes as gun ban advocate Michael Bloomberg is moving up in national presidential polls. A recent Zogby Analytics survey showed only Bloomberg beating Trump in a head-to-head matchup.
“If he becomes the front-runner it will make for a banner year in the gun business,” said Justin Anderson, director of marketing for Hyatt Guns of Charlotte, North Carolina.
It also follows an increase in Second Amendment rallies around the nation in opposition to liberal efforts to impose gun control.
Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting Chief Economist Jurgen Brauer said, “The industry started the 2020 unit-sales year with a bang.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Illegal immigrants cost taxpayers $6.5K a year each: Report

Illegal immigrants in growing numbers are flooding into so-called sanctuary cities and states where they are consuming up to $ 6,500 in taxpayer-funded services , according to a new review of costs in 10 small states .
The surge is having an outsized effect on smaller states and is cutting funds for services to veterans , children , and disabled Americans , according to the report provided exclusively to Secrets from the Federation for American Immigration Reform .
The report said illegal immigration costs the 10 states $ 454 million .
“ To put that figure into context , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 times what the state of Montana budgets for its entire Veterans Affairs program , and it is 2.5 times the total sum that West Virginia invests in its state university , ” said the report .
And , it added , illegal immigrants cost between $ 4,000 and $ 6,500 annually above any tax benefit they provide .
“ In many ways , the influx of immigrants into less populous areas of the country has an even greater impact on long-time residents than it does in larger and more urban areas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FAIR .
“ These areas have neither the tax base , nor the economic and social infrastructure to accommodate the needs of the growing numbers of immigrants taking up residence.
” The 10 states analyzed in the study , Small Migrant Populations , Huge Impacts , were New Hampshire , Mississippi , Alaska , Maine , North Dakota , West Virginia , South Dakota , Vermont , Montana , and Wyoming .
“ Many local officials tout immigration , including illegal immigration , as a remedy to economic stagnation .
However , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precisely the opposite , ” said Stein .
He added , “ Illegal immigration , in particular , drives down wages and inhibits job opportunities for legal residents , while bringing more low-skilled , low-wage workers to these states .
In turn , this increases costs to state and local governments , and discourages investment by businesses seeking a skilled labor force and lower overhead.
” The report comes on the heels of a key U.S. Supreme Court decision to let the Trump administration block entry to immigrants who are likely to burden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed that sanctuary cities are a growing attraction for illegal immigrants , especially in smaller states where the costs of living can be lower .
The key findings from the report to Secrets : • In each of these states , each illegal immigrant resident carried a net tax deficit of between $ 4,000 and $ 6,500 annually .
• Some 415,000 foreign-born reside in these 10 states , of whom about 88,000 ( or 21 % ) are illegal immigrants .
Additionally , there are about 35,000 U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these illegal immigrants and their U.S.-born children cost taxpayers in the 10 states about $ 454 million each year for the provision of essential services such as education and healthcare .
• Local schools struggle to provide educators and cover the costs of instruction for 50,000 K-12 students classified as Limited English Proficient .
• A growing number of sanctuary jurisdictions ( 29 and counting , including the entire state of Vermont ) , and lower living costs are a magnet for illegal immigrants .
• The growing immigrant population competes with legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This report highlights the fact that the adverse effects of unchecked mass immigration , combined with an immigration selection process that does not choose people based on individual merit , job skills and education , are now being felt in all parts of the country .
Americans , in every part of the nation , are being affected by antiquated and unenforced immigration policies , which is why it is at the top of the list of voter concerns heading into the 2020 elections , ” said Stein .

Illegal immigrants in growing numbers are flooding into so-called sanctuary cities and states where they are consuming up to $6,500 in taxpayer-funded services, according to a new review of costs in 10 small states.
The surge is having an outsized effect on smaller states and is cutting funds for services to veterans, children, and disabled Americans, according to the report provided exclusively to Secrets from the Federation for American Immigration Reform.
The report said illegal immigration costs the 10 states $454 million. “To put that figure into context, that $454 million expenditure is more than 200 times what the state of Montana budgets for its entire Veterans Affairs program, and it is 2.5 times the total sum that West Virginia invests in its state university,” said the report.
And, it added, illegal immigrants cost between $4,000 and $6,500 annually above any tax benefit they provide.
“In many ways, the influx of immigrants into less populous areas of the country has an even greater impact on long-time residents than it does in larger and more urban areas,” said Dan Stein, president of FAIR. “These areas have neither the tax base, nor the economic and social infrastructure to accommodate the needs of the growing numbers of immigrants taking up residence.”
The 10 states analyzed in the study, Small Migrant Populations, Huge Impacts, were New Hampshire, Mississippi, Alaska, Maine, North Dakota, West Virginia, South Dakota, Vermont, Montana, and Wyoming.
“Many local officials tout immigration, including illegal immigration, as a remedy to economic stagnation. However, as this report reveals, the reality is precisely the opposite,” said Stein.
He added, “Illegal immigration, in particular, drives down wages and inhibits job opportunities for legal residents, while bringing more low-skilled, low-wage workers to these states. In turn, this increases costs to state and local governments, and discourages investment by businesses seeking a skilled labor force and lower overhead.”
The report comes on the heels of a key U.S. Supreme Court decision to let the Trump administration block entry to immigrants who are likely to burden taxpayers.
FAIR’s report also showed that sanctuary cities are a growing attraction for illegal immigrants, especially in smaller states where the costs of living can be lower.
The key findings from the report to Secrets:
In each of these states, each illegal immigrant resident carried a net tax deficit of between $4,000 and $6,500 annually.
Some 415,000 foreign-born reside in these 10 states, of whom about 88,000 (or 21%) are illegal immigrants. Additionally, there are about 35,000 U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants in these states.
Collectively, these illegal immigrants and their U.S.-born children cost taxpayers in the 10 states about $454 million each year for the provision of essential services such as education and healthcare.
Local schools struggle to provide educators and cover the costs of instruction for 50,000 K-12 students classified as Limited English Proficient.
A growing number of sanctuary jurisdictions (29 and counting, including the entire state of Vermont), and lower living costs are a magnet for illegal immigrants.
The growing immigrant population competes with legal residents for jobs in economically depressed areas.
“This report highlights the fact that the adverse effects of unchecked mass immigration, combined with an immigration selection process that does not choose people based on individual merit, job skills and education, are now being felt in all parts of the country. Americans, in every part of the nation, are being affected by antiquated and unenforced immigration policies, which is why it is at the top of the list of voter concerns heading into the 2020 elections,” said Stein.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Record economic optimism under Trump, better than Reagan, Clinton, and Obama

Economic optimism has reached a 44-year high and economic gloom a record low under President Trump in the latest survey that shows people are cheering their best personal economy in decades .
For the first time in its history , the Gallup “ Mood of the Nation ” economic survey found that 59 % of people believe that they are “ better off , ” a trend that has soared under Trump .
It is higher than when President Ronald Reagan made his economy a campaign rallying cry and better than the so-called dot-com bubble under President Bill Clinton .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are “ worse off ” are down to 20 % , the lowest ever .
The positive survey comes a day after Gallup reported that Trump had reached his highest job approval as president .
The survey follows several others that have showed public satisfaction with the economy .
Just yesterday , Gallup reported a 63 % satisfaction with the president ’ s handling of the economy , calling it , `` The highest economic approval rating not only for Trump , but for any president since George W. Bush enjoyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few months after the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks.
” What ’ s more , people are at “ peak optimism ” when asked about their future economic situation .
“ In addition to U.S. adults ' highly positive report on their current financial situation , Americans are also expressing peak optimism about their future personal financial situation .
About three in four U.S. adults ( 74 % ) predict they will be better off financially a year from now , the highest in Gallup 's trend since 1977 , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything , there is a partisan divide even over economic optimism , said Gallup , with 76 % of Republicans feeling good about their personal economic position versus 43 % of Democrats .
Americans ' levels of optimism about both their current financial situation and where it will be a year from now are at or near record highs .
These views align with President Donald Trump 's contention that Americans are doing better under his presidency , and with his use of the economy and job growth as key selling points for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their finances are something of a given for a GOP president , at least during good economic times .
The majority levels of optimism among political independents are more significant for Trump 's reelection prospects — and something Trump will want to maintain in 2020 to stay competitive .

Economic optimism has reached a 44-year high and economic gloom a record low under President Trump in the latest survey that shows people are cheering their best personal economy in decades.
For the first time in its history, the Gallup “Mood of the Nation” economic survey found that 59% of people believe that they are “better off,” a trend that has soared under Trump.
It is higher than when President Ronald Reagan made his economy a campaign rallying cry and better than the so-called dot-com bubble under President Bill Clinton.
And Gallup found that those who feel that they are “worse off” are down to 20%, the lowest ever.
The positive survey comes a day after Gallup reported that Trump had reached his highest job approval as president.
The survey follows several others that have showed public satisfaction with the economy. Just yesterday, Gallup reported a 63% satisfaction with the president’s handling of the economy, calling it, "The highest economic approval rating not only for Trump, but for any president since George W. Bush enjoyed stratospheric job approval ratings in the first few months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.”
What’s more, people are at “peak optimism” when asked about their future economic situation.
President @realDonaldTrump has the highest Gallup approval rating for economic management since 9/11.
Impeach-not: Trump job approval highest yet, half say he ‘deserves’ reelection https://t.co/epgxkivugy — Paul Bedard (@SecretsBedard) February 4, 2020
“In addition to U.S. adults' highly positive report on their current financial situation, Americans are also expressing peak optimism about their future personal financial situation. About three in four U.S. adults (74%) predict they will be better off financially a year from now, the highest in Gallup's trend since 1977,” said the survey.
But as with everything, there is a partisan divide even over economic optimism, said Gallup, with 76% of Republicans feeling good about their personal economic position versus 43% of Democrats.
Gallup’s “bottom line” analysis:


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--'Voted to betray': Clinton slams Senate Republicans after Trump acquittal

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ripped Senate Republicans after they voted to acquit President Trump on two impeachment charges @ @ @ @ @ abuse of power .
`` As the president 's impeachment trial began , Republican senators @ @ @ @ @ the Constitution , '' Clinton tweeted .
`` Today , 52 of them voted to @ @ @ @ @ us .
We ’ re entering dangerous territory for our democracy .
It ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ together to restore it . ''
Clinton , 72 , lost to Trump , 73 @ @ @ @ @ election and has spent much of the time since repeatedly claiming she actually won because @ @ @ @ @ Last week , she said attacks from Sen. Bernie Sanders 's supporters were part of @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 .
Clinton faces a $ 50 million defamation lawsuit that Democratic Rep. Tulsi @ @ @ @ @ against the former first lady after she called Gabbard a `` Russian agent '' in @ @

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ripped Senate Republicans after they voted to acquit President Trump on two impeachment charges of obstruction of Congress and abuse of power.
"As the president's impeachment trial began, Republican senators pledged an oath to defend the Constitution," Clinton tweeted. "Today, 52 of them voted to betray that oath—and all of us. We’re entering dangerous territory for our democracy. It’ll take all of us working together to restore it."
Clinton, 72, lost to Trump, 73, in the 2016 presidential election and has spent much of the time since repeatedly claiming she actually won because of the popular vote. Last week, she said attacks from Sen. Bernie Sanders's supporters were part of the reason she was unsuccessful in 2016.
Clinton faces a $50 million defamation lawsuit that Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is bringing against the former first lady after she called Gabbard a "Russian agent" in 2019.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Trump gives Republican establishment the political rally it always wanted

With his State of the Union address , President Trump headlined the campaign rally the Republican establishment has always wanted , sticking almost entirely to the script and elevating the booming economy over cultural grievance and party over personal amid jeers from Democrats .
Taking the stage in the House chamber Tuesday evening to chants of “ four more years ” from the Republicans , Trump proceeded over the course of 75 minutes to make the case for a “ great American comeback.
” He cited a litany of statistics , pointing to historically low unemployment figures for blacks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women , military veterans , the disabled , and Americans without a high school diploma .
Trump used the data as just one aspect of a comprehensive case for an economy that has thrived on his watch .
Congressional Republicans have implored that the president lean into this argument practically since he was inaugurated , believing it would expand his appeal with key voting blocs and shield their own political careers from a Trump rebuke .
Impressing Republicans even more , Trump did it by tempering his desire for self-promotion by featuring several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House gallery .
Meanwhile , he name-checked his GOP allies in Congress , Sens .
Tim Scott of South Carolina , Thom Tillis of North Carolina , John Barrasso of Wyoming , and others — sharing credit for an agenda that he said was responsible for the prosperity .
“ Jobs are booming , incomes are soaring , poverty is plummeting , crime is falling , confidence is surging , and our country is thriving , ” Trump said at one point as Democrats sat on their hands and Republicans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interrupted the speech with dozens of standing ovations .
“ This is unquestionably his strongest political week as president , and he cemented that last night , ” said Josh Holmes , a close adviser to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the Kentucky Republican ’ s former chief of staff .
Trump ’ s signature campaign rallies and polarizing routine are more ad-lib political commentary than standard stump speeches .
Chants from his crowds of “ lock her up , ” referring to Hillary Clinton , and “ send her back , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Minnesota Democrat born in Somalia , to say nothing of Trump 's voluble criticism of professional athletes who kneel during the National anthem and other culturally charged memes , often leave the Republican establishment cringing .
Afraid to criticize Trump publicly , they have privately , through intermediaries like Vice President Mike Pence , recommended that the president avoid the controversy his rallies spark .
But Trump ’ s style has been a hit with the Republican base since he launched his campaign nearly five years ago .
Some view his aggressiveness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fulfill his campaign promises .
The president fills arenas with loyalists wherever he goes , and even Republican voters uncomfortable with Trump ’ s crude tweets and sharp rhetoric have warmed to him because they approve of his policies and say they appreciate his work ethic .
But after solid economic growth and low unemployment failed to save the Republican majority in the House in the midterm elections — the GOP also lost two swing state Senate seats — the establishment remains skittish about Trump ’ s preference for base politics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's State of the Union too .
In the middle of the speech , he awarded Rush Limbaugh , the conservative talk radio host , with the presidential Medal of Freedom .
He also spent considerable time on illegal immigration .
`` Stand with me , and pass legislation to prohibit free government healthcare for illegal aliens , '' Trump said .
“ I just hope he can stay on message for nine more months , ” a Republican operative supportive of Trump told the Washington Examiner soon after the State of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ odds of that lasting past tomorrow ?
”

With his State of the Union address, President Trump headlined the campaign rally the Republican establishment has always wanted, sticking almost entirely to the script and elevating the booming economy over cultural grievance and party over personal amid jeers from Democrats.
Taking the stage in the House chamber Tuesday evening to chants of “four more years” from the Republicans, Trump proceeded over the course of 75 minutes to make the case for a “great American comeback.” He cited a litany of statistics, pointing to historically low unemployment figures for blacks, Hispanics, Asians, black youth, women, military veterans, the disabled, and Americans without a high school diploma.
Trump used the data as just one aspect of a comprehensive case for an economy that has thrived on his watch. Congressional Republicans have implored that the president lean into this argument practically since he was inaugurated, believing it would expand his appeal with key voting blocs and shield their own political careers from a Trump rebuke.
Impressing Republicans even more, Trump did it by tempering his desire for self-promotion by featuring several prominent and everyday people, his guests in the House gallery. Meanwhile, he name-checked his GOP allies in Congress, Sens. Tim Scott of South Carolina, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, John Barrasso of Wyoming, and others — sharing credit for an agenda that he said was responsible for the prosperity.
“Jobs are booming, incomes are soaring, poverty is plummeting, crime is falling, confidence is surging, and our country is thriving,” Trump said at one point as Democrats sat on their hands and Republicans, relieved that he avoided discussing impeachment, interrupted the speech with dozens of standing ovations.
“This is unquestionably his strongest political week as president, and he cemented that last night,” said Josh Holmes, a close adviser to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the Kentucky Republican’s former chief of staff.
Trump’s signature campaign rallies and polarizing routine are more ad-lib political commentary than standard stump speeches.
Chants from his crowds of “lock her up,” referring to Hillary Clinton, and “send her back,” referring to Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat born in Somalia, to say nothing of Trump's voluble criticism of professional athletes who kneel during the National anthem and other culturally charged memes, often leave the Republican establishment cringing. Afraid to criticize Trump publicly, they have privately, through intermediaries like Vice President Mike Pence, recommended that the president avoid the controversy his rallies spark.
But Trump’s style has been a hit with the Republican base since he launched his campaign nearly five years ago. Some view his aggressiveness as an integral part of his ability to fulfill his campaign promises. The president fills arenas with loyalists wherever he goes, and even Republican voters uncomfortable with Trump’s crude tweets and sharp rhetoric have warmed to him because they approve of his policies and say they appreciate his work ethic.
But after solid economic growth and low unemployment failed to save the Republican majority in the House in the midterm elections — the GOP also lost two swing state Senate seats — the establishment remains skittish about Trump’s preference for base politics. There were some of both during Tuesday's State of the Union too. In the middle of the speech, he awarded Rush Limbaugh, the conservative talk radio host, with the presidential Medal of Freedom. He also spent considerable time on illegal immigration.
"Stand with me, and pass legislation to prohibit free government healthcare for illegal aliens," Trump said.
“I just hope he can stay on message for nine more months,” a Republican operative supportive of Trump told the Washington Examiner soon after the State of the Union concluded. “What are the odds of that lasting past tomorrow?”