thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-01--Melania Trump touts success of 'Be Best' campaign as US life expectancy rises

First lady Melania Trump touted the work of her `` Be Best '' campaign and commented on the news that drug overdose deaths have dropped while life expectancy has increased under the Trump administration .
“ For the first time in 29 years , drug overdose deaths have dropped by 4.1 % and life expectancy has increased by 4 years !
Proud of this administration for ensuring a safer and healthier future for our nations children .
# BeBest , ” she tweeted on Saturday .
Drug overdoses in the United States dipped in 2018 for the first time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which had been trending downward because of the opioid epidemic , rose slightly from 2017 to 2018 , according to new numbers from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention .
`` The drop in overdose deaths shows that the president ’ s new level of focus on the opioid crisis , and the administration ’ s science- and community-based efforts to combat it , are beginning to make a significant difference , ” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said about the data .
More Americans have been killed by the opioid epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed in the Vietnam War .
Trump has been actively using her voice in the White House to inspire and protect children through her `` Be Best '' campaign that was launched in May 2018 .
“ It remains our generation ’ s moral imperative to take responsibility and help our children manage the many issues they are facing today , including encouraging positive social , emotional , and physical habits , ” the campaign 's website reads .
“ The mission of BE BEST is to focus on some of the major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal of encouraging children to BE BEST in their individual paths , while also teaching them the importance of social , emotional , and physical health .
BE BEST will concentrate on three main pillars : well-being , online safety , and opioid abuse . ''
President Trump has been a vocal figure in combating the opioid epidemic as well .
He donated his second- and third-quarter 2019 salary to fighting the crisis .

First lady Melania Trump touted the work of her "Be Best" campaign and commented on the news that drug overdose deaths have dropped while life expectancy has increased under the Trump administration.
“For the first time in 29 years, drug overdose deaths have dropped by 4.1% and life expectancy has increased by 4 years! Proud of this administration for ensuring a safer and healthier future for our nations children. #BeBest,” she tweeted on Saturday.
For the first time in 29 years, drug overdose deaths have dropped by 4.1% and life expectancy has increased by 4 years! Proud of this administration for ensuring a safer and healthier future for our nations children. #BeBest https://t.co/UwwKaVl7Dx — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) February 1, 2020
Drug overdoses in the United States dipped in 2018 for the first time in almost 20 years, and life expectancy, which had been trending downward because of the opioid epidemic, rose slightly from 2017 to 2018, according to new numbers from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
"The drop in overdose deaths shows that the president’s new level of focus on the opioid crisis, and the administration’s science- and community-based efforts to combat it, are beginning to make a significant difference,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said about the data.
More Americans have been killed by the opioid epidemic in the last few years than were killed in the Vietnam War.
Trump has been actively using her voice in the White House to inspire and protect children through her "Be Best" campaign that was launched in May 2018.
“It remains our generation’s moral imperative to take responsibility and help our children manage the many issues they are facing today, including encouraging positive social, emotional, and physical habits,” the campaign's website reads. “The mission of BE BEST is to focus on some of the major issues facing children today, with the goal of encouraging children to BE BEST in their individual paths, while also teaching them the importance of social, emotional, and physical health. BE BEST will concentrate on three main pillars: well-being, online safety, and opioid abuse."
President Trump has been a vocal figure in combating the opioid epidemic as well. He donated his second- and third-quarter 2019 salary to fighting the crisis.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-01--Comey: America will survive Trump acquittal

Former FBI Director James Comey said America has weathered dark times in the past , which proves it can survive President Trump being acquitted by the Senate .
“ When I was a little kid , the United States seemed to be coming apart , ” Comey , 59 , wrote in an opinion piece for the Washington Post .
Comey cited the assassinations of John F. Kennedy , Malcolm X , Martin Luther King , Jr. , and Robert F. Kennedy , as well as the protests against the Vietnam War and desegregation .
“ War and death and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
“ There is a natural human tendency to think we live in the hardest times , that our challenges are uniquely difficult.
” He continued , “ When I was a kid , the United States didn ’ t come apart .
It won ’ t now.
” Comey , who has warned that the president is damaging the country , said he does not believe that democracy in the U.S. is dying , even if Trump remains in charge .
In September , the former FBI official advised against impeaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic-led House .
Comey , who was fired by Trump in May 2017 , said Trump ’ s potential removal from office would let voters “ off the hook ” in the upcoming presidential election .
“ We need an inflection point .
Impeachment would deprive us of that .
We need to show what we stand for , ” he said .
The Republican-led Senate is poised to acquit Trump next week .

Former FBI Director James Comey said America has weathered dark times in the past, which proves it can survive President Trump being acquitted by the Senate.
“When I was a little kid, the United States seemed to be coming apart,” Comey, 59, wrote in an opinion piece for the Washington Post.
Comey cited the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy, as well as the protests against the Vietnam War and desegregation.
“War and death and disorder dominated the news,” he wrote. “There is a natural human tendency to think we live in the hardest times, that our challenges are uniquely difficult.”
He continued, “When I was a kid, the United States didn’t come apart. It won’t now.”
Comey, who has warned that the president is damaging the country, said he does not believe that democracy in the U.S. is dying, even if Trump remains in charge.
In September, the former FBI official advised against impeaching Trump as support for it grew in the Democratic-led House. Comey, who was fired by Trump in May 2017, said Trump’s potential removal from office would let voters “off the hook” in the upcoming presidential election.
“We need an inflection point. Impeachment would deprive us of that. We need to show what we stand for,” he said.
The Republican-led Senate is poised to acquit Trump next week.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-01--Jared Kushner: Trump critics such as Bolton ‘didn't have what it took to be successful here’

White House adviser Jared Kushner said former administration officials who have been critical of his father-in-law since leaving their positions “ didn ’ t have what it took.
” Kushner , 39 , directed the criticism at former national security adviser John Bolton , and other top former officials , including former Defense Secretary James Mattis and former White House chief of staff John Kelly .
President Trump has `` cycled out a lot of the people who did n't have what it took to be successful here , and a lot of the people who have come in and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and writing books because they 're too busy working , ” Kushner told CNN .
Bolton , 71 , alleged in his forthcoming book that Trump withheld security aid to Ukraine to pressure the country into investigating 2020 Democratic candidate Joe Biden , undercutting Trump ’ s legal team ’ s claims that aid was not conditional on an investigation .
Kelly , a retired Marine Corps general , said he had warned Trump that hiring a “ yes man ” to succeed him as chief of staff would lead to his impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , criticized the Senate ’ s decision not to call additional witnesses in the impeachment trial , calling it “ a job only half-done.
” Mattis , 69 , mocked Trump ’ s war record after the president called him the “ the world ’ s most overrated general.
” “ I earned my spurs on the battlefield , '' the retired Marine Corps general said .
“ Donald Trump earned his spurs in a letter from a doctor . ''
Trump received five draft deferments during the Vietnam War , the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for heel spurs .
Mattis and Bolton have written books since leaving the administration and clashing with Trump .
Bolton ’ s book is set to be released in March , though the White House said it contains top secret information that can not be published .

White House adviser Jared Kushner said former administration officials who have been critical of his father-in-law since leaving their positions “didn’t have what it took.”
Kushner, 39, directed the criticism at former national security adviser John Bolton, and other top former officials, including former Defense Secretary James Mattis and former White House chief of staff John Kelly.
President Trump has "cycled out a lot of the people who didn't have what it took to be successful here, and a lot of the people who have come in and been excellent are not out there complaining and writing books because they're too busy working,” Kushner told CNN.
Bolton, 71, alleged in his forthcoming book that Trump withheld security aid to Ukraine to pressure the country into investigating 2020 Democratic candidate Joe Biden, undercutting Trump’s legal team’s claims that aid was not conditional on an investigation.
Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, said he had warned Trump that hiring a “yes man” to succeed him as chief of staff would lead to his impeachment. This week, Kelly, 69, criticized the Senate’s decision not to call additional witnesses in the impeachment trial, calling it “a job only half-done.”
Mattis, 69, mocked Trump’s war record after the president called him the “the world’s most overrated general.”
“I earned my spurs on the battlefield," the retired Marine Corps general said. “Donald Trump earned his spurs in a letter from a doctor."
Trump received five draft deferments during the Vietnam War, the first four being for college and the fifth for heel spurs.
Mattis and Bolton have written books since leaving the administration and clashing with Trump. Bolton’s book is set to be released in March, though the White House said it contains top secret information that cannot be published.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-01--White House spokesman deflects question about 'diary record' of meeting described in Bolton book

A White House spokesman refused to say whether there is documentation of an Oval Office meeting described in John Bolton 's book .
When asked about it , White House principal deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley instead accused President Trump 's former national security adviser of trying to gin up sales .
Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum posed the question in an interview on Friday , referring to a reported leak in which Bolton claimed Trump instructed him in May to get involved in pressuring Ukraine to obtain damaging information about his political rivals during an Oval Office meeting also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mick Mulvaney , White House counsel Pat Cipollone , and Trump 's lawyer Rudy Giuliani .
After Gidley noted that Trump has denied this meeting took place , MacCallum asked : `` Would that be a matter of White House diary record ?
I mean , would n't there be a record that would say whether or not they were all in the room or not in the room ? ''
Claiming that Bolton `` has a book to sell , '' Gidley turned the conversation to the first leak from Bolton 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was clearly coordinated , '' he said .
`` As it broke , the Amazon page for preorders of the book went up immediately .
A statement from his staff went up immediately .
So , this has all been very planned and very coordinated , '' Gidley said , `` and , when those statements did come out — which we do n't even know if they ’ re true .
These are allegations .
No one has seen this manuscript .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came out and said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the DOJ , 'Not true . '
Mick Mulvaney said the same thing , 'None of this is true . '
'' He concluded , `` So , this has become a pattern and a track record , and I hate to stay it , but it 's unfortunate , because Ambassador Bolton and I worked together in the White House .
He and the president had a good relationship , as well , but , so often , people try to make money off of this president 's name , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again . ''
The latest leak from Bolton 's book came just hours before the Senate voted on whether to call for witnesses and testimony in Trump 's impeachment trial .
Giuliani also denied the Oval Office conversation as described in Bolton 's manuscript took place .
“ It is absolutely , categorically untrue , ” the former New York City mayor said .
Democrats who levied two articles of impeachment against Trump used the leaks from Bolton 's book draft to push centrist Republican senators to vote in favor of summoning Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Senate trial .
Bolton , who left the White House in September , said he would testify if subpoenaed , but Trump threatened to block his testimony .
Two Republicans joined 47 Democrats in supporting the motion to call for additional witnesses and documents , but it failed to pass on Friday .

A White House spokesman refused to say whether there is documentation of an Oval Office meeting described in John Bolton's book.
When asked about it, White House principal deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley instead accused President Trump's former national security adviser of trying to gin up sales.
Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum posed the question in an interview on Friday, referring to a reported leak in which Bolton claimed Trump instructed him in May to get involved in pressuring Ukraine to obtain damaging information about his political rivals during an Oval Office meeting also attended by White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, White House counsel Pat Cipollone, and Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani.
After Gidley noted that Trump has denied this meeting took place, MacCallum asked: "Would that be a matter of White House diary record? I mean, wouldn't there be a record that would say whether or not they were all in the room or not in the room?"
Claiming that Bolton "has a book to sell," Gidley turned the conversation to the first leak from Bolton's unpublished book on Sunday.
"This was clearly coordinated," he said.
"As it broke, the Amazon page for preorders of the book went up immediately. A statement from his staff went up immediately. So, this has all been very planned and very coordinated," Gidley said, "and, when those statements did come out — which we don't even know if they’re true. These are allegations. No one has seen this manuscript. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came out and said, 'Not true.' Attorney General Barr at the DOJ, 'Not true.' Mick Mulvaney said the same thing, 'None of this is true.'"
He concluded, "So, this has become a pattern and a track record, and I hate to stay it, but it's unfortunate, because Ambassador Bolton and I worked together in the White House. He and the president had a good relationship, as well, but, so often, people try to make money off of this president's name, and it appears that's what's happening again."
The latest leak from Bolton's book came just hours before the Senate voted on whether to call for witnesses and testimony in Trump's impeachment trial. Giuliani also denied the Oval Office conversation as described in Bolton's manuscript took place. “It is absolutely, categorically untrue,” the former New York City mayor said.
Democrats who levied two articles of impeachment against Trump used the leaks from Bolton's book draft to push centrist Republican senators to vote in favor of summoning Bolton and other Trump administration officials to testify during the Senate trial. Bolton, who left the White House in September, said he would testify if subpoenaed, but Trump threatened to block his testimony.
Two Republicans joined 47 Democrats in supporting the motion to call for additional witnesses and documents, but it failed to pass on Friday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-31--Trump administration implements travel restrictions on six countries

The Trump administration announced immigration bans on six countries , including Nigeria , Africa 's most populous nation .
Citizens from Nigeria , Eritrea , Myanmar , and Kyrgyzstan are disallowed from applying for immigration visas into the United States under the new policy .
Sudan and Tanzania , two African countries , will be prohibited from the U.S. diversity lottery program , which selects 50,000 random immigrants from underrepresented countries and grants them green cards .
Many recipients of the program are from African countries .
The Wall Street Journal reports that the rollout is part of the administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that do not comply with U.S. security standards or with expectations to stop illegal immigration .
The six countries join a list of seven other countries , most of which are majority-Muslim .
Trump signed his first travel ban on Jan. 27 , 2017 , one week into his first term .
However , unlike the travel bans placed on five of those countries — Iran , Libya , Somalia , Syria , and Yemen — travelers who wish to travel from the newly added countries can do so for business or pleasure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any travel restrictions from citizens on previous lists , including North Korea and Venezuela .
Trump 's travel ban has gone through multiple iterations and faced many legal challenges during the president 's first term , but an amended version was upheld by the Supreme Court in June 2018 and again during the executive order 's third iteration .
The White House issued a proclamation on Friday confirming the new ban .
`` As President , I must continue to act to protect the security and interests of the United States and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing efforts to engage those countries willing to cooperate , to improve information-sharing and identity-management protocols and procedures , and to address both terrorism-related and public-safety risks , '' the announcement reads .

The Trump administration announced immigration bans on six countries, including Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation.
Citizens from Nigeria, Eritrea, Myanmar, and Kyrgyzstan are disallowed from applying for immigration visas into the United States under the new policy. Sudan and Tanzania, two African countries, will be prohibited from the U.S. diversity lottery program, which selects 50,000 random immigrants from underrepresented countries and grants them green cards. Many recipients of the program are from African countries.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the rollout is part of the administration's plan to strengthen security from countries that do not comply with U.S. security standards or with expectations to stop illegal immigration.
The six countries join a list of seven other countries, most of which are majority-Muslim. Trump signed his first travel ban on Jan. 27, 2017, one week into his first term. However, unlike the travel bans placed on five of those countries — Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen — travelers who wish to travel from the newly added countries can do so for business or pleasure.
The new policy does not eliminate any travel restrictions from citizens on previous lists, including North Korea and Venezuela.
Trump's travel ban has gone through multiple iterations and faced many legal challenges during the president's first term, but an amended version was upheld by the Supreme Court in June 2018 and again during the executive order's third iteration.
The White House issued a proclamation on Friday confirming the new ban. "As President, I must continue to act to protect the security and interests of the United States and its people. I remain committed to our ongoing efforts to engage those countries willing to cooperate, to improve information-sharing and identity-management protocols and procedures, and to address both terrorism-related and public-safety risks," the announcement reads.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-31--Trump has become the North Star of the GOP. Here's why

When Donald Trump won in 2016 , he stood further from his party 's platform and stated principles than any president in a generation .
Ironically , that ’ s why he commands more personal loyalty from the lawmakers of his party than any president in a generation .
Republican senators and congressmen are more afraid of crossing President Trump than they were of crossing George W. Bush — and more afraid than Democrats were of crossing Barack Obama .
That helps explain why almost no Republicans are willing to go against Trump , even on procedural matters , during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George W. Bush years , for instance , six Republicans voted against the Iraq War without incurring primary challenges for the offense .
Most of the Republicans who did get primary challenges funded by outside groups — think of Marge Roukema in 2002 or Wayne Gilchrist in 2008 — earned those challenges for ideological offenses , not for disloyalty to Bush .
But these days , Republicans ' loyalty to the president is almost absolute .
So why would congressmen and senators be more loyal to a president who is the furthest from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preached , whose economic philosophy furthest from the interests of the donor class , who has ushered in the worst first-term midterm backlash of a Republican in at least a generation , and who does not have great approval ratings ?
We 've seen Trump 's harshest critics , Lindsey Graham , Ted Cruz , Marco Rubio , and Rand Paul , become his fiercest defenders .
We ’ ve seen Jeff Flake and Mark Sanford get devoured for the sin of criticizing and disagreeing Trump in perfectly reasonable ways .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite Republican senator in conservative crowds — not for taking liberal stances , but for criticizing Trump .
So , the Republicans ’ fear of Trump is rational .
And the explanation lies in the difference between how Trump came into politics and how the average Republican senator or congressman did .
Trump and his base terrify GOP lawmakers because they don ’ t understand the phenomenon .
Republicans used to think of their party in simple terms : There was a party establishment that was close to an economically conservative donor class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; there was a base vote that was conservative and a swing vote that was more moderate .
Balance those properly , and you win .
But Trump broke all these rules and won the primary going away .
Then , he did what neither McCain nor Romney could do — he won the general election .
He did this all while waffling on social issues and tax rates for the wealthy .
He did it while being exposed as a morally depraved person .
He did it while showing no understanding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 learned that their party ’ s base was something very different than what they had assumed .
It was less fiscally conservative , less socially conservative , and more populist than they had believed .
And the centerpiece of the Trump party was simply Trump .
Trump commands more loyalty than Bush ever did .
In the Bush years , the party and the conservative movement stood for a lot of things , including principles and policies .
Nowadays , the party and much of the conservative movement stand for one thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ style matter here too .
He is so thin-skinned that he tolerates no criticism .
He punches back hard , and he punches back in ways that are totally irrelevant to the criticisms leveled against him .
His punches are aimed not at the criticisms , but at his critics ’ greatest vulnerabilities .
Throw into the mix that Trump is actually effective at bringing about the wins that Republicans value most ( judges , tax cuts , deregulation , and pro-life policy ) , and you can see why Republican senators would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direction : Trump .

When Donald Trump won in 2016, he stood further from his party's platform and stated principles than any president in a generation. Ironically, that’s why he commands more personal loyalty from the lawmakers of his party than any president in a generation.
Republican senators and congressmen are more afraid of crossing President Trump than they were of crossing George W. Bush — and more afraid than Democrats were of crossing Barack Obama. That helps explain why almost no Republicans are willing to go against Trump, even on procedural matters, during the impeachment debate.
Back in the George W. Bush years, for instance, six Republicans voted against the Iraq War without incurring primary challenges for the offense. Most of the Republicans who did get primary challenges funded by outside groups — think of Marge Roukema in 2002 or Wayne Gilchrist in 2008 — earned those challenges for ideological offenses, not for disloyalty to Bush.
But these days, Republicans' loyalty to the president is almost absolute.
So why would congressmen and senators be more loyal to a president who is the furthest from the conservatism that the GOP has long preached, whose economic philosophy furthest from the interests of the donor class, who has ushered in the worst first-term midterm backlash of a Republican in at least a generation, and who does not have great approval ratings?
We've seen Trump's harshest critics, Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul, become his fiercest defenders. We’ve seen Jeff Flake and Mark Sanford get devoured for the sin of criticizing and disagreeing Trump in perfectly reasonable ways. We’ve seen Mitt Romney become the least favorite Republican senator in conservative crowds — not for taking liberal stances, but for criticizing Trump.
So, the Republicans’ fear of Trump is rational. And the explanation lies in the difference between how Trump came into politics and how the average Republican senator or congressman did.
Trump and his base terrify GOP lawmakers because they don’t understand the phenomenon. Republicans used to think of their party in simple terms: There was a party establishment that was close to an economically conservative donor class and a more socially conservative activist movement; there was a base vote that was conservative and a swing vote that was more moderate. Balance those properly, and you win.
But Trump broke all these rules and won the primary going away. Then, he did what neither McCain nor Romney could do — he won the general election. He did this all while waffling on social issues and tax rates for the wealthy. He did it while being exposed as a morally depraved person. He did it while showing no understanding of policy or personal piety.
Republicans in 2016 learned that their party’s base was something very different than what they had assumed. It was less fiscally conservative, less socially conservative, and more populist than they had believed.
And the centerpiece of the Trump party was simply Trump.
Trump commands more loyalty than Bush ever did. In the Bush years, the party and the conservative movement stood for a lot of things, including principles and policies. Nowadays, the party and much of the conservative movement stand for one thing: Trump.
Trump's personality and style matter here too. He is so thin-skinned that he tolerates no criticism. He punches back hard, and he punches back in ways that are totally irrelevant to the criticisms leveled against him. His punches are aimed not at the criticisms, but at his critics’ greatest vulnerabilities.
Throw into the mix that Trump is actually effective at bringing about the wins that Republicans value most (judges, tax cuts, deregulation, and pro-life policy), and you can see why Republican senators would recalibrate their compasses to point in one direction: Trump.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-31--How blocking witnesses could cost Republicans the Senate and White House

The moment the House voted to impeach President Trump without waiting for the courts to enforce subpoenas , it was a foregone conclusion that the Senate would ultimately vote to acquit .
But Republicans may have chosen the worst possible path to get there , leaving their supremacy in the Senate and the White House as vulnerable as possible .
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska all but sealed the deal on the Senate 's decision to block witnesses in the impeachment trial , sparing Republicans the spectacle of John Bolton testifying against Trump under oath .
But the vote could prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 'll likely rue in the end .
The obvious obstacle created by the vote is the likelihood of an October surprise that could batter Trump in the same manner that the Comey letter kneecapped Hillary Clinton 's campaign .
Bolton already wrote his book , and even if the White House tries to stonewall it , there 's no doubt the master manipulator could get the media to time the leaking of its details to maximize its damage to Trump .
Although the overwhelming majority of the Democratic electorate wants to remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't incredibly keyed into impeachment at the moment .
Trump would be better off by ripping off the Bolton Band-Aid and spending the next 10 months letting the Ukraine fracas fade into the sunset .
By blocking Bolton from talking now , he only increases the odds of the former national security adviser dropping the most damaging details in October .
But the real risk to the fate of the party as a whole is in Mitch McConnell 's Senate .
Forcing purple-state senators to vote against calling witnesses could cost a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Senate .
Both Cory Gardner and Susan Collins face grueling reelections in states that Hillary Clinton won in 2016 , and Martha McSally , who already lost one Senate race , faces a popular rival who has lapped her in fundraising .
Thom Tillis is also up for reelection in North Carolina , a state that Trump and Mitt Romney carried by 12 points but which elected Dan Bishop to Congress late last year by just 2 points .
Republicans may reward their senators for voting to acquit Trump , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public overall want the Senate to allow witnesses , including half of all Republicans .
Much can happen between now and November , but there 's no question that Democrats will try to rile up their base and boost turnout by campaigning on the witness vote .
If Republicans lose Gardner 's , Collins 's , Tillis 's , and McSally 's seats , the Senate could come to a total deadlock , making Vice President Mike Pence the only buffer that keeps a rogue vote from passing the McConnell agenda and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judiciary .

The moment the House voted to impeach President Trump without waiting for the courts to enforce subpoenas, it was a foregone conclusion that the Senate would ultimately vote to acquit. But Republicans may have chosen the worst possible path to get there, leaving their supremacy in the Senate and the White House as vulnerable as possible.
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska all but sealed the deal on the Senate's decision to block witnesses in the impeachment trial, sparing Republicans the spectacle of John Bolton testifying against Trump under oath. But the vote could prove a Faustian bargain for Republicans, one they'll likely rue in the end.
The obvious obstacle created by the vote is the likelihood of an October surprise that could batter Trump in the same manner that the Comey letter kneecapped Hillary Clinton's campaign. Bolton already wrote his book, and even if the White House tries to stonewall it, there's no doubt the master manipulator could get the media to time the leaking of its details to maximize its damage to Trump. Although the overwhelming majority of the Democratic electorate wants to remove Trump from office, the public isn't incredibly keyed into impeachment at the moment. Trump would be better off by ripping off the Bolton Band-Aid and spending the next 10 months letting the Ukraine fracas fade into the sunset. By blocking Bolton from talking now, he only increases the odds of the former national security adviser dropping the most damaging details in October.
But the real risk to the fate of the party as a whole is in Mitch McConnell's Senate.
Forcing purple-state senators to vote against calling witnesses could cost a few of their seats and potentially their control of the Senate. Both Cory Gardner and Susan Collins face grueling reelections in states that Hillary Clinton won in 2016, and Martha McSally, who already lost one Senate race, faces a popular rival who has lapped her in fundraising. Thom Tillis is also up for reelection in North Carolina, a state that Trump and Mitt Romney carried by 12 points but which elected Dan Bishop to Congress late last year by just 2 points.
Republicans may reward their senators for voting to acquit Trump, but they overwhelmingly wanted witnesses. Three-quarters of the public overall want the Senate to allow witnesses, including half of all Republicans. Much can happen between now and November, but there's no question that Democrats will try to rile up their base and boost turnout by campaigning on the witness vote.
If Republicans lose Gardner's, Collins's, Tillis's, and McSally's seats, the Senate could come to a total deadlock, making Vice President Mike Pence the only buffer that keeps a rogue vote from passing the McConnell agenda and the Trump legacy of remaking the federal judiciary.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-31--White House scrambles to prepare for impeachment carrying into next week

The White House is preparing for President Trump ’ s impeachment trial to drag into next week amid fears that Senate rules and Democratic protractions will delay his acquittal .
Next week is already shaping up to be a momentous time in politics , with Monday ’ s Iowa caucuses and Tuesday ’ s State of the Union address , and any holdover would be a huge complication for Democrats battling for their party 's nomination and for the White House as it plans a speech it believes will shape the election battleground .
Officials say they still believe they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses and secure an acquittal but now fear they may not get through to a final vote to clear the president by Friday evening .
Democrats have suggested they want to hear directly from senators — a change to the rules that would require a motion and a vote , potentially delaying the end of the trial until next week .
“ We are prepared for any eventuality , ” said a senior administration official .
GOP leadership sources said the picture may become clearer at 6 p.m. on Friday evening after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate and a vote on whether to call witnesses .
On Thursday , Republicans became increasingly confident of a speedy end when key GOP Sens .
Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska announced that they did not want to hear from more witnesses .

The White House is preparing for President Trump’s impeachment trial to drag into next week amid fears that Senate rules and Democratic protractions will delay his acquittal.
Next week is already shaping up to be a momentous time in politics, with Monday’s Iowa caucuses and Tuesday’s State of the Union address, and any holdover would be a huge complication for Democrats battling for their party's nomination and for the White House as it plans a speech it believes will shape the election battleground.
Officials say they still believe they have the Republican votes to avoid calling witnesses and secure an acquittal but now fear they may not get through to a final vote to clear the president by Friday evening.
Democrats have suggested they want to hear directly from senators — a change to the rules that would require a motion and a vote, potentially delaying the end of the trial until next week.
“We are prepared for any eventuality,” said a senior administration official.
GOP leadership sources said the picture may become clearer at 6 p.m. on Friday evening after a scheduled four hours of closing arguments in the Senate and a vote on whether to call witnesses.
On Thursday, Republicans became increasingly confident of a speedy end when key GOP Sens. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska announced that they did not want to hear from more witnesses.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-31--Shots fired after driver attempts to ram through gate at Mar-a-Lago

A woman was arrested after she breached two security checkpoints at President Trump 's Palm Beach resort , forcing law enforcement to open fire on the vehicle she was driving .
A police officer first approached the suspect , a white female , late Friday morning when they noticed she was `` doing some kind of dance on her car , '' Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters during a news conference .
Police identified the woman as 30-year-old Hannah Roemhild , who has no discernible criminal history .
“ This is not a terrorist thing .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Bradshaw said .
When an officer approached the black SUV to get the woman 's attention , she tried to put the vehicle in reverse .
The officer then smashed the window to try and gain control of the vehicle , but she was able to flee the scene .
Police said Roemhild drove the rental vehicle toward Mar-a-Lago as she fled and crashed through two checkpoints on the perimeter of the resort .
Authorities said they did not know whether the woman , who was driving erratically at high speeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had a bomb in the vehicle or was targeting pedestrians .
Secret Service then opened fire on the SUV , but the woman was able to flee the scene .
Roemhild , who police said had a Connecticut driver 's license , was later found at a hotel room , where she was tackled and arrested by police .
A second woman was originally reported to be in the vehicle but police said they believe Roemhild picked up the second woman after she fled the perimeter of Mar-a-Lago .
No one was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Photographs of the vehicle driven by the suspects show the windshield riddled with bullet holes .
Trump and first lady Melania Trump were scheduled to be at the property later in the day Friday .
Authorities said no Secret Service protectees were in Palm Beach at the time of the incident .

A woman was arrested after she breached two security checkpoints at President Trump's Palm Beach resort, forcing law enforcement to open fire on the vehicle she was driving.
A police officer first approached the suspect, a white female, late Friday morning when they noticed she was "doing some kind of dance on her car," Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters during a news conference.
Police identified the woman as 30-year-old Hannah Roemhild, who has no discernible criminal history.
“This is not a terrorist thing. This is obviously someone who was impaired somehow," Bradshaw said.
When an officer approached the black SUV to get the woman's attention, she tried to put the vehicle in reverse. The officer then smashed the window to try and gain control of the vehicle, but she was able to flee the scene.
Police said Roemhild drove the rental vehicle toward Mar-a-Lago as she fled and crashed through two checkpoints on the perimeter of the resort. Authorities said they did not know whether the woman, who was driving erratically at high speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, had a bomb in the vehicle or was targeting pedestrians. Secret Service then opened fire on the SUV, but the woman was able to flee the scene.
Roemhild, who police said had a Connecticut driver's license, was later found at a hotel room, where she was tackled and arrested by police.
A second woman was originally reported to be in the vehicle but police said they believe Roemhild picked up the second woman after she fled the perimeter of Mar-a-Lago.
No one was injured in the incident, police said. Photographs of the vehicle driven by the suspects show the windshield riddled with bullet holes.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump were scheduled to be at the property later in the day Friday. Authorities said no Secret Service protectees were in Palm Beach at the time of the incident.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-02--Lindsey Graham: Senate Intelligence Committee will call Ukraine whistleblower

The Senate Intelligence Committee plans to call the whistleblower whose complaint was the impetus for impeachment proceedings against President Trump , according to a top Republican senator .
With impeachment headed to a likely acquittal next week , Sen. Lindsey Graham described on Sunday how Republicans in the chamber are gearing up for investigations on three fronts .
`` The Senate Intel Committee under Richard Burr has told us that they will call the whistleblower , '' the South Carolina Republican said on Fox News 's Sunday Morning Futures .
`` I want to understand how all this crap started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort began to take root with the emergence last year of a whistleblower complaint raising concerns about a July phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , in which the American leader pressed his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate the Bidens and other Democrats .
The complaint , which the intelligence community inspector general determined to be urgent and credible , was submitted by a CIA analyst whose identity has never been publicly confirmed .
Republicans have accused House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , who is now the lead impeachment manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whistleblower because the person met with a House Intelligence Committee aide seeking guidance before filing the complaint and because the California Democrat recruited two former National Security Council aides who worked alongside the CIA official some believe to be the whistleblower at the NSC in the Obama and Trump administrations .
`` If the whistleblower is a former employee of — associate of Joe Biden , I think that would be important .
If the whistleblower was working with people on Schiff ’ s staff that wanted to take Trump down a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be important .
If the Schiff staff people helped write the complaint , that would be important .
We ’ re going to get to the bottom of all of this to make sure this never happens again , '' Graham said .
Sen. Richard Burr , who hails from North Carolina , said last year he `` absolutely '' wanted to hear from the whistleblower , but Republican members of his panel were split on the matter as House impeachment proceedings were underway .
A spokesperson for Burr did not immediately return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel is now prepared to call the whistleblower .
Impeachment proceedings began last fall with Democrats accusing Trump of improperly leveraging a White House meeting and nearly $ 400 million in security aid to pressure Ukraine into helping investigate his political rivals , including former Vice President Joe Biden , who is running for president this year .
As Republican allies of the president called for the whistleblower to come forward , Democrats argued that witness testimony and documents moved the impeachment case beyond the whistleblower .
Lawyers for the whistleblower warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's life in danger .
The House charged Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , but the president 's legal team argued that the Democrats ' case fell far short of proving impeachable offenses .
Trump is now headed toward a likely acquittal on Wednesday after the Senate voted to reject a motion for additional witnesses and documents .
Graham , who is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and does not reside on the chamber 's Intelligence Committee , also described two other investigations that will be taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said the Foreign Relations Committee , of which he is also a member , will look into Biden 's alleged conflicts of interest , and the judiciary panel will `` deal with all things FISA . ''
`` Let me tell Republicans out there .
You should expect us to do this .
If we don ’ t do it , we ’ re letting you down .
I guarantee you : if it shoe were on the other foot , Democrats would be eating us alive if Republicans had done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

The Senate Intelligence Committee plans to call the whistleblower whose complaint was the impetus for impeachment proceedings against President Trump, according to a top Republican senator.
With impeachment headed to a likely acquittal next week, Sen. Lindsey Graham described on Sunday how Republicans in the chamber are gearing up for investigations on three fronts.
"The Senate Intel Committee under Richard Burr has told us that we will call the whistleblower," the South Carolina Republican said on Fox News's Sunday Morning Futures.
"I want to find out how all this crap started," he added.
The impeachment effort began to take root with the emergence last year of a whistleblower complaint raising concerns about a July phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which the American leader pressed his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate the Bidens and other Democrats. The complaint, which the intelligence community inspector general determined to be urgent and credible, was submitted by a CIA analyst whose identity has never been publicly confirmed.
Republicans have accused House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, who is now the lead impeachment manager, of being "complicit" with the whistleblower because the person met with a House Intelligence Committee aide seeking guidance before filing the complaint and because the California Democrat recruited two former National Security Council aides who worked alongside the CIA official some believe to be the whistleblower at the NSC in the Obama and Trump administrations.
"If the whistleblower is a former employee — associate of Joe Biden, I think that would be important. If the whistleblower was working with people on Schiff’s staff that wanted to take Trump down a year-and-a-half ago, I think that would be important. If the Schiff staff people helped write the complaint, that would be important. We’re going to get to the bottom of all of this to make sure this never happens again," Graham said.
[Read more: 'Bro-like': Schiff aide was White House friend of alleged whistleblower Eric Ciaramella]
Sen. Richard Burr, who hails from North Carolina, said last year he "absolutely" wanted to hear from the whistleblower, but Republican members of his panel were split on the matter as House impeachment proceedings were underway. When asked for comment, a representative for Burr pointed the Washington Examiner to past statements by the chairman, including him saying the whistleblower had not yet agreed to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee and stressing that the panel does everything it can to "protect" whistleblowers and witnesses.
Impeachment proceedings began last fall with Democrats accusing Trump of improperly leveraging a White House meeting and nearly $400 million in security aid to pressure Ukraine into helping to investigate his political rivals, including former Vice President Joe Biden, who is running for president this year. As Republican allies of the president called for the whistleblower to come forward, Democrats argued that witness testimony and documents moved the impeachment case beyond the whistleblower. Lawyers for the whistleblower warned that identifying their client would put that person's life in danger.
The House charged Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, but the president's legal team argued that the Democrats' case fell far short of proving impeachable offenses. Trump is now headed toward a likely acquittal on Wednesday after the Senate voted to reject a motion for additional witnesses and documents.
Graham, who is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and does not reside on the chamber's Intelligence Committee, also described two other investigations that will be taken up by GOP-led panels in the Senate. He said the Foreign Relations Committee, of which he is also a member, will look into Biden's alleged conflicts of interest, and the judiciary panel will "deal with all things FISA."
"Let me tell Republicans out there: You should expect us to do this. If we don’t do it, we’re letting you down. I guarantee you — if the shoe were on the other foot, Democrats would be eating us alive if Republicans had done any of these things," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-02--Small retailers face compliance headache from explosion of internet sales taxes

The growing patchwork of state internet sales taxes that has emerged since the landmark 2018 Supreme Court decision regarding out-of-state online sellers has hamstrung small businesses with costly compliance burdens .
Halstead Bead Inc. an online jewelry supply store in Prescott , Arizona , has found complying with the online sales tax vexing .
`` It ’ s been quite challenging , '' said Brad Scott , the company ’ s finance director .
`` So far , we have spent close to 4,000 hours [ since June 2018 ] that we have diverted away from regular operations towards this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and supplies to jewelry makers around the world .
It currently complies with roughly 30 state laws that either require it to disclose that it is doing business in the state or to collect and remit taxes .
Scott said that his company is complying with nearly “ 12,000 different tax jurisdictions ” between the states .
Online behemoth eBay noted during a shareholder call on Tuesday that it too has been negatively affected by the tax and that small businesses are struggling with the tax .
“ This rollout happened faster than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sellers , requiring Marketplaces to collect and remit on their behalf , ” said Scott Schenkel , interim CEO at eBay .
During a shareholder call last October , Schenkel said that online customers would shop , but then abandon their carts at the online checkout because of the price increase from the online sales tax .
“ For higher-dollar items is where we see buyers abandon the cart at checkout because they 're , like , ‘ Oh , wait a second , why is it more ?
, ’ depending on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Schenkel said .
Scott ’ s company has experienced carts abandoned at checkout and dubbed them “ dead carts.
” But complying with state-level tax law is the biggest issue since there is no consistency between the states on how to administer the law .
“ There ’ s been no uniformity whatsoever in how to manage those .
It is state-by-state in what their requirements are of us , in terms of the paperwork that we have to collect , ” Scott said .
Online shoppers have always been obliged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although compliance was low .
But the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair ruling required many businesses without a physical presence in South Dakota , but still making online sales in the state , to collect sales taxes .
The ruling got the attention from owners of online stores such as Scott ’ s .
“ This isn ’ t a new tax … but after the Supreme Court ’ s Wayfair decision , it is far easier for states to require remote sellers to collect and remit [ online ] sales taxes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state tax policy at the Tax Foundation , a think tank located in Washington , D.C .
Since the Wayfair ruling , 43 states have adopted online sales tax laws for remote sellers .
Before the decision , only two states had such laws on the books , according to the Tax Foundation .
During the Supreme Court hearing , one argument against taxing online remote sellers was that it would create burdensome compliance requirements for small businesses .
Walczak also notes that the purchaser pays the tax , but that does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the companies .
“ This is a tax on consumers , not on the business itself , ” he said .
“ It really comes down to a question of how difficult compliance is , and some companies are struggling with compliance.
” Since June 2018 , Halstead Bead has spent $ 175,000 to comply with the levy while collecting and remitting $ 75,000 in taxes .
Companies such as eBay and Halstead Bead have called on Congress to weigh in on this situation with an answer that would hopefully streamline compliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do this for us , ” Scott said .

The growing patchwork of state internet sales taxes that has emerged since the landmark 2018 Supreme Court decision regarding out-of-state online sellers has hamstrung small businesses with costly compliance burdens.
Halstead Bead Inc. an online jewelry supply store in Prescott, Arizona, has found complying with the online sales tax vexing.
"It’s been quite challenging," said Brad Scott, the company’s finance director. "So far, we have spent close to 4,000 hours [since June 2018] that we have diverted away from regular operations towards this."
The company sells jewelry components and supplies to jewelry makers around the world. It currently complies with roughly 30 state laws that either require it to disclose that it is doing business in the state or to collect and remit taxes. Scott said that his company is complying with nearly “12,000 different tax jurisdictions” between the states.
Online behemoth eBay noted during a shareholder call on Tuesday that it too has been negatively affected by the tax and that small businesses are struggling with the tax.
“This rollout happened faster than anticipated and affected small businesses and consumer sellers, requiring Marketplaces to collect and remit on their behalf,” said Scott Schenkel, interim CEO at eBay.
During a shareholder call last October, Schenkel said that online customers would shop, but then abandon their carts at the online checkout because of the price increase from the online sales tax.
“For higher-dollar items is where we see buyers abandon the cart at checkout because they're, like, ‘Oh, wait a second, why is it more?,’ depending on the sales tax that were being added,” Schenkel said.
Scott’s company has experienced carts abandoned at checkout and dubbed them “dead carts.”
But complying with state-level tax law is the biggest issue since there is no consistency between the states on how to administer the law.
“There’s been no uniformity whatsoever in how to manage those. It is state-by-state in what their requirements are of us, in terms of the paperwork that we have to collect,” Scott said.
Online shoppers have always been obliged to collect and remit sales tax, although compliance was low. But the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair ruling required many businesses without a physical presence in South Dakota, but still making online sales in the state, to collect sales taxes.
The ruling got the attention from owners of online stores such as Scott’s.
“This isn’t a new tax … but after the Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision, it is far easier for states to require remote sellers to collect and remit [online] sales taxes,” said Jared Walczak, director of state tax policy at the Tax Foundation, a think tank located in Washington, D.C. Since the Wayfair ruling, 43 states have adopted online sales tax laws for remote sellers. Before the decision, only two states had such laws on the books, according to the Tax Foundation.
During the Supreme Court hearing, one argument against taxing online remote sellers was that it would create burdensome compliance requirements for small businesses.
Walczak also notes that the purchaser pays the tax, but that does not include compliance costs, which are shouldered by the companies.
“This is a tax on consumers, not on the business itself,” he said. “It really comes down to a question of how difficult compliance is, and some companies are struggling with compliance.”
Since June 2018, Halstead Bead has spent $175,000 to comply with the levy while collecting and remitting $75,000 in taxes.
Companies such as eBay and Halstead Bead have called on Congress to weigh in on this situation with an answer that would hopefully streamline compliance.
“The federal government needs to do this for us,” Scott said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-02--Tlaib, in booing Hillary Clinton, speaks for Bernie Sanders's voters when Bernie can't

CEDAR RAPIDS , Iowa — Bernie Sanders ’ s supporters love him because they say he speaks for them on all sorts of issues .
When it comes to the issue of Hillary Clinton , though , Sanders is leaving it to Rashida Tlaib to speak for his voters .
Tlaib , a Democratic congresswoman from Michigan , booed Hillary Clinton 's name from the stage at a Sanders rally outside of Des Moines , Iowa , on Friday night .
Sanders has generally avoided locking horns with Clinton or Democratic leaders , but Sanders 's base wants someone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think it 's great to encourage animosity , but I understand , ” explained Samantha Krause , a Sanders supporter from Iowa City who caucused for Clinton in 2016 .
“ I would probably boo if I was there , ” referring to the incident Friday night where Tlaib , 43 , booed at the mention of Hillary Clinton .
At a campaign rally for the Vermont senator ’ s second White House bid in Cedar Falls , Iowa , thousands showed up to attend a free Vampire Weekend show to gin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's caucuses .
Every Sanders supporter who spoke with the Washington Examiner had choice words for Clinton and questioned what exactly she was trying to accomplish with her constant criticism of Sanders , 78 .
“ You got ta let sleeping dogs lie .
We need to come together as a party , that ’ s all we ever hear from the establishment , said Read Styles , 36 , a factory worker in Waterloo .
“ I mean , I think Tlaib ’ s comments are justified , but I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernie.
” Those who attended the Sanders event rejected the notion that Sanders and his base were not supportive enough of Clinton ’ s candidacy after she secured the nomination — a line of criticism Clinton and her aides have repeated since her 2016 loss .
“ That 's not true , ” said Marci Willey , who caucused for Sanders in 2016 .
“ He went around and did speeches for her.
” Those comments were echoed by Andy Schrantz , who said he feels “ betrayed ” by Clinton ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been trashing Bernie so much , saying , 'No one likes him ' ... And he did so many rallies for her , he backed her so hard , and then she ’ s not giving him anything , '' he said .
As Michael Moore spoke before Vampire Weekend took the stage , the very mention of the Democratic National Committee elicited a chorus of boos from the crowd .
“ I ’ m so disappointed , maybe they ’ ll change their minds after they hear from enough of us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd erupted in boos at the mention of the organization .

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Bernie Sanders’s supporters love him because they say he speaks for them on all sorts of issues. When it comes to the issue of Hillary Clinton, though, Sanders is leaving it to Rashida Tlaib to speak for his voters.
Tlaib, a Democratic congresswoman from Michigan, booed Hillary Clinton's name from the stage at a Sanders rally outside of Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday night. Sanders has generally avoided locking horns with Clinton or Democratic leaders, but Sanders's base wants someone to punch back.
“I don’t think it's great to encourage animosity, but I understand,” explained Samantha Krause, a Sanders supporter from Iowa City who caucused for Clinton in 2016. “I would probably boo if I was there,” referring to the incident Friday night where Tlaib, 43, booed at the mention of Hillary Clinton.
At a campaign rally for the Vermont senator’s second White House bid in Cedar Falls, Iowa, thousands showed up to attend a free Vampire Weekend show to gin up enthusiasm just two days before the state's caucuses. Every Sanders supporter who spoke with the Washington Examiner had choice words for Clinton and questioned what exactly she was trying to accomplish with her constant criticism of Sanders, 78.
“You gotta let sleeping dogs lie. We need to come together as a party, that’s all we ever hear from the establishment, said Read Styles, 36, a factory worker in Waterloo. “I mean, I think Tlaib’s comments are justified, but I’d rather have her making them than Bernie.”
Those who attended the Sanders event rejected the notion that Sanders and his base were not supportive enough of Clinton’s candidacy after she secured the nomination — a line of criticism Clinton and her aides have repeated since her 2016 loss.
“That's not true,” said Marci Willey, who caucused for Sanders in 2016. “He went around and did speeches for her.”
Those comments were echoed by Andy Schrantz, who said he feels “betrayed” by Clinton’s criticisms.
“I think she's been trashing Bernie so much, saying, 'No one likes him' ... And he did so many rallies for her, he backed her so hard, and then she’s not giving him anything," he said.
As Michael Moore spoke before Vampire Weekend took the stage, the very mention of the Democratic National Committee elicited a chorus of boos from the crowd.
“I’m so disappointed, maybe they’ll change their minds after they hear from enough of us,” the liberal filmmaker said as the crowd erupted in boos at the mention of the organization.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-01--Huckabee: Lindsey Graham should open separate investigation into Hunter Biden and whistleblower

Former Arkansas Gov .
Mike Huckabee said that Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham should open an investigation into Hunter Biden and the alleged whistleblower at the center of the Senate ’ s impeachment trial .
“ It ’ d be great to have Hunter and Joe Biden brought in to testify .
The Democrats are never going to allow that .
So what I think should happen , when this is all over , I hope Lindsey Graham will investigate how this started because he ’ s certainly capable as the chairman of the Judiciary Committee , ” Huckabee .
Huckabee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation to gather more information on the whistleblower that triggered the impeachment push in the first place .
“ We should find out about this ‘ whistleblower , ’ ” Huckabee said .
`` Where did he get his information ?
Was he biased ?
Did he do this with some political intent ?
Was it because of his own personal feelings , or was it because he truly believed that there was something of national security at stake ?
And that should be a separate investigation not tied whatsoever to the impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans believe that House impeachment manager Adam Schiff has not been truthful about his relationship with the whistleblower , and the Washington Post fact-checker with that belief .
“ Lindsey Graham has the power as the chairman of the Judiciary Committee to do it , ” Huckabee added .
“ The Republicans are in the majority.
” Huckabee also suggested that Democrats potentially could use the new investigation as an opportunity to hear from witnesses they weren ’ t able to question during the impeachment trial .
“ If they want to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring him in .
Let ’ s hear from him , ” the 2008 and 2016 presidential candidate said .
“ But he ’ s going to have to square what he may be saying in his book with what he said on television just after this phone call took place when he talked about the 'warm and cordial ' conversation the president had with the president of Ukraine , ” he added .
Bolton has received criticism from many Republicans over an interview he gave in August 2019 , when he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was “ warm and cordial ” and did not raise the objections that are now allegedly in his book .
President Trump tweeted out a clip from the interview with the caption : “ GAME OVER !
”

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said that Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham should open an investigation into Hunter Biden and the alleged whistleblower at the center of the Senate’s impeachment trial.
“It’d be great to have Hunter and Joe Biden brought in to testify. The Democrats are never going to allow that. So what I think should happen, when this is all over, I hope Lindsey Graham will investigate how this started because he’s certainly capable as the chairman of the Judiciary Committee,” Huckabee told Breitbart News .
Huckabee also wants Senate Republicans to open an investigation to gather more information on the whistleblower that triggered the impeachment push in the first place.
“We should find out about this ‘whistleblower,’” Huckabee said.
"Where did he get his information? Was he biased? Did he do this with some political intent? Was it because of his own personal feelings, or was it because he truly believed that there was something of national security at stake? And that should be a separate investigation not tied whatsoever to the impeachment sham," he said.
Many Republicans believe that House impeachment manager Adam Schiff has not been truthful about his relationship with the whistleblower, and the Washington Post fact-checker agreed with that belief.
“Lindsey Graham has the power as the chairman of the Judiciary Committee to do it,” Huckabee added. “The Republicans are in the majority.”
Huckabee also suggested that Democrats potentially could use the new investigation as an opportunity to hear from witnesses they weren’t able to question during the impeachment trial.
“If they want to bring John Bolton in for this one, bring him in. Let’s hear from him,” the 2008 and 2016 presidential candidate said.
“But he’s going to have to square what he may be saying in his book with what he said on television just after this phone call took place when he talked about the 'warm and cordial' conversation the president had with the president of Ukraine,” he added.
Bolton has received criticism from many Republicans over an interview he gave in August 2019, when he said that the controversial phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was “warm and cordial” and did not raise the objections that are now allegedly in his book.
President Trump tweeted out a clip from the interview with the caption: “GAME OVER!”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-01--Rand Paul calls on President Trump to remove John Bolton's security clearance

Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul urged President Trump to remove former national security adviser John Bolton ’ s security clearance in a Saturday morning tweet .
“ No one , especially not John Bolton , should be able to use their security clearance for profit !
I say revoke his clearance now  @ realDonaldTrump.
” Those words were accompanied by a detailing why Bolton ’ s security clearance could be in jeopardy once the impeachment trial has concluded .
The article states that the removal of Bolton ’ s clearance is an “ almost certainty , ” according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a staunch critic of Bolton 's foreign policy ideas , which the Kentucky senator has called `` naive , '' and he also criticized the former ambassador in a tweet a few days ago .
“ Why didn ’ t John Bolton testify to the US House ?
Apparently his book wasn ’ t quite finished yet for presales !
” Paul tweeted .
Bolton ’ s book , which contains damaging information about President Trump , is currently in the manuscript phase , and it was that Bolton received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has referred to the book as “ nasty ” and “ untrue .
”

Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul urged President Trump to remove former national security adviser John Bolton’s security clearance in a Saturday morning tweet.
“No one, especially not John Bolton, should be able to use their security clearance for profit! I say revoke his clearance now @realDonaldTrump.”
No one, especially not John Bolton, should be able to use their security clearance for profit! I say revoke his clearance now @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/nH0qyrwEYe — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 1, 2020
Those words were accompanied by a RealClearPolitics article detailing why Bolton’s security clearance could be in jeopardy once the impeachment trial has concluded. The article states that the removal of Bolton’s clearance is an “almost certainty,” according to two anonymous government officials.
The senator has been a staunch critic of Bolton's foreign policy ideas, which the Kentucky senator has called "naive," and he also criticized the former ambassador in a tweet a few days ago.
“Why didn’t John Bolton testify to the US House? Apparently his book wasn’t quite finished yet for presales!” Paul tweeted.
Why didn’t John Bolton testify to the US House? Apparently his book wasn’t quite finished yet for presales! — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 27, 2020
Bolton’s book, which many believe contains damaging information about President Trump, is currently in the manuscript phase, and it was reported that Bolton received a $2 million advance.
President Trump has referred to the book as “nasty” and “untrue.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-01--'They're all cowards': Maxine Waters slams 'insufferable and pathetic' Republican senators

Rep. Maxine Waters attacked GOP senators a day after they voted against hearing new witnesses in President Trump 's Senate impeachment trial .
`` I ’ ve never seen a more insufferable & pathetic group of Senators than those in the GOP , '' the California Democrat tweeted .
`` They ’ ve chosen to strap themselves to a corrupt con man they KNOW is guilty .
They ’ re all cowards .
None of them belong in the Senate .
They should go home and grow a backbone ! ''
Senate Republicans likely brought a close to Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional witnesses on Friday .
Republicans , who hold a majority in the Senate , are expected to acquit the president during a vote scheduled for next Wednesday .
In October , Waters , 81 , claimed Trump was `` setting up some of us to be killed '' after she received death threats for backing the investigation of the president .
She has called Trump `` Putin 's puppet '' and said the president needed to be removed from office before he invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP is willing to lie , cheat , & steal for power , '' added Waters .
`` They have no shame & no guts .
They can ’ t bring themselves to remove a lying criminal con man , impeached president , in an election year , but they can STEAL a Supreme Court seat in an election year !
B.S.
! ''
Earlier this month , Waters was pranked by a Russian who called her office and claimed to be Greta Thunberg .

Rep. Maxine Waters attacked GOP senators a day after they voted against hearing new witnesses in President Trump's Senate impeachment trial.
"I’ve never seen a more insufferable & pathetic group of Senators than those in the GOP," the California Democrat tweeted. "They’ve chosen to strap themselves to a corrupt con man they KNOW is guilty. They’re all cowards. None of them belong in the Senate. They should go home and grow a backbone!"
Senate Republicans likely brought a close to Trump's impeachment trial with their decision to block additional witnesses on Friday. Republicans, who hold a majority in the Senate, are expected to acquit the president during a vote scheduled for next Wednesday.
In October, Waters, 81, claimed Trump was "setting up some of us to be killed" after she received death threats for backing the investigation of the president. She has called Trump "Putin's puppet" and said the president needed to be removed from office before he invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the White House.
"America needs to wake up. GOP is willing to lie, cheat, & steal for power," added Waters. "They have no shame & no guts. They can’t bring themselves to remove a lying criminal con man, impeached president, in an election year, but they can STEAL a Supreme Court seat in an election year! B.S.!"
Earlier this month, Waters was pranked by a Russian who called her office and claimed to be Greta Thunberg.
America needs to wake up. GOP is willing to lie, cheat, & steal for power. They have no shame & no guts. They can’t bring themselves to remove a lying criminal con man, impeached president, in an election year, but they can STEAL a Supreme Court seat in an election year! B.S.! — Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) February 1, 2020


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-01--‘Don Lemon is not a journalist’: Matt Gaetz blasts CNN ‘hack’

Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz ripped CNN anchor Don Lemon 's `` utter contempt '' for people who voted for President Trump .
`` Don Lemon is not a journalist , '' said Gaetz .
`` He is a hack .
He is like CNN 's professional eye-roller who wants to gasp himself out of breath at everything he sees from the president . ''
Lemon has been criticized this week for a segment with guest Rick Wilson during which the CNN host teared up from laughter as Wilson mocked Trump voters .
Lemon addressed the exchange on Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belittling anyone for who they are , for what they believe , or where they 're from.
” Gaetz , 37 , has been one of Trump 's strongest allies during the president 's impeachment .
During a speech given on the floor of the House before votes were cast to impeach Trump on two articles of abuse and obstruction , Gaetz attacked Democrats for mocking Trump supporters as `` smelly Walmart shoppers and deplorables . ''
`` It is so indicative of the fact that they have contempt , not just for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies in the Congress , but they have utter contempt for the people who voted for this president , and ultimately they have contempt for their own viewers which is probably why viewers are leaving CNN in such a fast rate , '' said Gaetz .
Gaetz is the second GOP lawmaker to attack a CNN employee in the last few weeks .
Republican Arizona Sen. Martha McSally called CNN reporter Manu Raju a `` liberal hack '' during a testy exchange in the middle of Trump 's Senate .

Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz ripped CNN anchor Don Lemon's "utter contempt" for people who voted for President Trump.
"Don Lemon is not a journalist," said Gaetz. "He is a hack. He is like CNN's professional eye-roller who wants to gasp himself out of breath at everything he sees from the president."
Lemon has been criticized this week for a segment with guest Rick Wilson during which the CNN host teared up from laughter as Wilson mocked Trump voters. Lemon addressed the exchange on Thursday, claiming he doesn't believe in "belittling anyone for who they are, for what they believe, or where they're from.”
Gaetz, 37, has been one of Trump's strongest allies during the president's impeachment. During a speech given on the floor of the House before votes were cast to impeach Trump on two articles of abuse and obstruction, Gaetz attacked Democrats for mocking Trump supporters as "smelly Walmart shoppers and deplorables."
"It is so indicative of the fact that they have contempt, not just for this president, not just for his allies in the Congress, but they have utter contempt for the people who voted for this president, and ultimately they have contempt for their own viewers which is probably why viewers are leaving CNN in such a fast rate," said Gaetz.
Gaetz is the second GOP lawmaker to attack a CNN employee in the last few weeks. Republican Arizona Sen. Martha McSally called CNN reporter Manu Raju a "liberal hack" during a testy exchange in the middle of Trump's Senate.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-01--Ted Cruz: Warren helped cement Trump acquittal with impeachment question

Sen. Ted Cruz is crediting Sen. Elizabeth Warren with helping sway senators to vote to acquit President Trump in his impeachment trial .
During the trial on Thursday , the Massachusetts Democrat , who is running for president , submitted a question to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts which questioned his credibility .
The question was read aloud by Roberts .
`` At a time when large majorities of Americans have lost faith in government , does the fact that the chief justice is presiding over an impeachment trial in which Republican senators have thus far refused to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of legitimacy of the chief justice , the Supreme Court , and the Constitution ? ''
Warren , 70 , asked .
Cruz , 49 , said Warren tried to give her presidential campaign a boost ahead of the Iowa caucuses , but it backfired by driving Republicans to vote against calling additional witnesses to testify .
“ Elizabeth Warren helped defeat the impeachment of the president of the United States , ” the Texas Republican said on his podcast , The Verdict .
“ That stunt helped deliver the votes of Lisa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to Sen. Lisa Murkowski , an Alaska Republican , and Sen. Lamar Alexander , a Tennessee Republican .
Alexander , 79 , said Thursday he would not support extending the trial to subpoena new witnesses and additional documents related to articles of impeachment against Trump .
The next day , Murkowski , 62 , said she would join all but two of her Senate Republican colleagues in opposing witnesses , delivering a win to the White House .
In her statement , Murkowski said it had “ become clear some of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and drag the Supreme Court into the fray , while attacking the Chief Justice.
” “ I will not stand for nor support that effort .
We have already degraded this institution for partisan political benefit , and I will not enable those who wish to pull down another , ” she said .

Sen. Ted Cruz is crediting Sen. Elizabeth Warren with helping sway senators to vote to acquit President Trump in his impeachment trial.
During the trial on Thursday, the Massachusetts Democrat, who is running for president, submitted a question to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts which questioned his credibility. The question was read aloud by Roberts.
"At a time when large majorities of Americans have lost faith in government, does the fact that the chief justice is presiding over an impeachment trial in which Republican senators have thus far refused to allow witnesses or evidence contribute to the loss of legitimacy of the chief justice, the Supreme Court, and the Constitution?" Warren, 70, asked.
Cruz, 49, said Warren tried to give her presidential campaign a boost ahead of the Iowa caucuses, but it backfired by driving Republicans to vote against calling additional witnesses to testify.
“Elizabeth Warren helped defeat the impeachment of the president of the United States,” the Texas Republican said on his podcast, The Verdict.
“That stunt helped deliver the votes of Lisa and Lamar,” he added, referring to Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, and Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican.
Alexander, 79, said Thursday he would not support extending the trial to subpoena new witnesses and additional documents related to articles of impeachment against Trump.
The next day, Murkowski, 62, said she would join all but two of her Senate Republican colleagues in opposing witnesses, delivering a win to the White House.
In her statement, Murkowski said it had “become clear some of my colleagues intend to further politicize this process, and drag the Supreme Court into the fray, while attacking the Chief Justice.”
“I will not stand for nor support that effort. We have already degraded this institution for partisan political benefit, and I will not enable those who wish to pull down another,” she said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-01--Republican Jewish Coalition withdraws support from four House GOP members over Holocaust museum fund

Republican Jewish Coalition withdraws support from four House GOP members over Holocaust museum funding

A Trump-allied Jewish political coalition has withdrawn its support from four incumbent Republican House members after they voted against a bill to authorize $ 10 million in federal funding to expand Holocaust education programming and resource dissemination by the Holocaust Memorial Museum .
The bill , which funds spending by the Department or Education , would also expand professional development opportunities for teachers .
Reps. Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Jodey Arrington of Texas voted against the bill , the Never Again Education Act , on the grounds that the federal government should not mandate education policy within states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of South Carolina , and Thomas Massie of Kentucky also voted against the legislation .
Former Republican and now independent Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan was the only other House member to vote down the bill .
`` The bill authorizes $ 10 million in spending for the Department of Education , a department that I ’ ve introduced legislation to eliminate [ H.R .
899 ] , '' Massie told the Jewish News Syndicate .
`` Furthermore , the bill directs money to develop content for the website of the privately funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruin a private website is to let the federal government work on it . ''
The legislation , as proposed , distributes the funding to the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund , administered by the museum 's governing body .
The Department of Education would oversee the program .
The lawmakers cited the funding the museum already receives from the government and federal education funding devoted to history , and the Holocaust in particular .
`` The federal government funds the Holocaust Memorial Museum and Holocaust Memorial Council to the tune of over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rice said in a statement published by the Jewish News Syndicate .
`` Since its creation in 1993 , the Holocaust Memorial Museum has effectively educated people of all ages while also preserving millions of artifacts and providing teacher fellows in every U.S. state .
I could not support adding to our deficit to fund another duplicative federal program . ''
In a statement on Wednesday , Norman cited the `` federal government and its lack of fiscal restraint '' in his decision .
`` From our perspective , there comes a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go beyond process , ” Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks told Jewish Insider .
`` And , I think , especially now with this time of rising anti-Semitism in the U.S. and around the world , the symbolism of this and the importance of the government standing up and showing its support for Holocaust education outweighs any process concerns . ''
Brooks has been a strong supporter of the president .
He defended him against charges of racism after Trump attacked members of `` the Squad '' — Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota , Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts , and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan — in a series of tweets and public statements , one of which said the women should `` go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came . ''
All four lawmakers are U.S. citizens , while Omar is a naturalized American .
The Republican Jewish Coalition is foremost engaged in bringing Jewish voters , two-thirds of whom identify as Democrats , into the Republican fold .
Brooks said in the Jewish Insider interview published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely shared the dissenting lawmakers ' `` misgivings or concerns '' about the process , `` but they did the right thing '' and looked past their reservations to stand with the Jewish community .
While saying their opposition to the bill is not necessarily a reflection of their views on anti-Semitism , Brooks said , `` It makes it so that we will not be supporting any of those individuals going forward . ''

A Trump-allied Jewish political coalition has withdrawn its support from four incumbent Republican House members after they voted against a bill to authorize $10 million in federal funding to expand Holocaust education programming and resource dissemination by the Holocaust Memorial Museum.
The bill, which funds spending by the Department or Education, would also expand professional development opportunities for teachers.
Reps. Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Jodey Arrington of Texas voted against the bill, the Never Again Education Act, on the grounds that the federal government should not mandate education policy within states. Republican Reps. Tom Rice, also of South Carolina, and Thomas Massie of Kentucky also voted against the legislation. Former Republican and now independent Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan was the only other House member to vote down the bill.
"The bill authorizes $10 million in spending for the Department of Education, a department that I’ve introduced legislation to eliminate [H.R. 899]," Massie told the Jewish News Syndicate. "Furthermore, the bill directs money to develop content for the website of the privately funded Holocaust museum. The surest way to ruin a private website is to let the federal government work on it."
The legislation, as proposed, distributes the funding to the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund, administered by the museum's governing body. The Department of Education would oversee the program.
The lawmakers cited the funding the museum already receives from the government and federal education funding devoted to history, and the Holocaust in particular.
"The federal government funds the Holocaust Memorial Museum and Holocaust Memorial Council to the tune of over $50 million a year," Rice said in a statement published by the Jewish News Syndicate. "Since its creation in 1993, the Holocaust Memorial Museum has effectively educated people of all ages while also preserving millions of artifacts and providing teacher fellows in every U.S. state. I could not support adding to our deficit to fund another duplicative federal program."
In a statement on Wednesday, Norman cited the "federal government and its lack of fiscal restraint" in his decision.
"From our perspective, there comes a time when you have to take votes that go beyond process,” Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks told Jewish Insider. "And, I think, especially now with this time of rising anti-Semitism in the U.S. and around the world, the symbolism of this and the importance of the government standing up and showing its support for Holocaust education outweighs any process concerns."
Brooks has been a strong supporter of the president. He defended him against charges of racism after Trump attacked members of "the Squad" — Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan — in a series of tweets and public statements, one of which said the women should "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came." All four lawmakers are U.S. citizens, while Omar is a naturalized American.
The Republican Jewish Coalition is foremost engaged in bringing Jewish voters, two-thirds of whom identify as Democrats, into the Republican fold. Brooks said in the Jewish Insider interview published on Friday that others in the party likely shared the dissenting lawmakers' "misgivings or concerns" about the process, "but they did the right thing" and looked past their reservations to stand with the Jewish community.
While saying their opposition to the bill is not necessarily a reflection of their views on anti-Semitism, Brooks said, "It makes it so that we will not be supporting any of those individuals going forward."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-01--Weekly Trump Report Card: Democrats crushed on impeachment, solid 'A'

In our weekly White House Report Card , President Trump is set to finally crush the Democratic drive to impeach him , with his Senate acquittal set for Wednesday .
He ’ s then likely to crow a bit , and lay out his reelection policy agenda , at the State of the Union Address where he will stand in front of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who orchestrated his impeachment in December .
Our Democratic grader , pollster John Zogby , gave the president a rare “ A , ” and said , “ This was the week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ captured the Republican Party —so much so that leading senators of the GOP were afraid to defy him or the solid base he owns.
” Conservative grader Jed Babbin also gave Trump an “ A ” and is looking forward to next week ’ s State of the Union .
“ Trump will certainly be bashing the House impeachers and gloating about how much fun stuff he ’ ll be up to this year .
The speech will be pure Trump : a little substance mixed into a lot of entertainment , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade agreement with Mexico and Canada , which was achieved with bipartisan support .
The national economy grew at a rate of 2.3 % last year , and Trump wisely called the creeping coronavirus a national emergency .
But that is how this past week will be remembered .
This was the week that Trump once and for all captured the Republican Party —so much so that leading senators of the GOP were afraid to defy him or the solid base he owns .
Some admitted that his behavior regarding withholding approved military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dangerous or whatever , but not sufficient to vote to remove him from office .
The vote will take place next Wednesday , but there is no suspense here .
There never really was any suspense .
Trump won another week of The Apprentice .
Trump had one helluva week , with a big win at the Supreme Court , a new peace plan for the Middle East that corners the Palestinians , and his senate impeachment trial cut short by the vote to exclude new witnesses .
The Supreme Court handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government enables the denial of green cards to illegal aliens who are on welfare .
The green card , given to those who are permanent legal residents , is a major step toward citizenship now denied to illegal immigrants who are burdens on states ’ budgets .
In a separate action , the president also extended his immigration ban to several more nations from which many immigrants , both legal and illegal , are coming into the U.S. Trump ’ s Middle East peace plan , announced with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejectionist Palestinians on the spot .
Several Arab nations had their ambassadors attend the announcement , indicating their support .
The Palestinians — and Iran — both reject the deal , isolating them yet again .
Support from more than 23 nations in Europe , the Far East , and South America is an unusual result that Trump has cultivated for months .
That may mean the end of the Palestinians as a political force .
The Senate voted to reject the Democrat ’ s demands for witnesses in Trump ’ s impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most liberal Republicans — Maine ’ s Susan Collins and Utah ’ s Mitt Romney — voting with the Democrats .
At the latest , acquittal will take place on Wednesday .
Conveniently , Trump will give his annual State of the Union address on Tuesday night .
That enables him to boast about the coming acquittal while its principal author , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , has to sit there grimacing .
It will be very interesting to see how the House Democrats misbehave during the speech .
( Will people be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pens back at her ? )
Trump will certainly be bashing the House impeachers and gloating about how much fun stuff he ’ ll be up to this year .
The speech will be pure Trump : a little substance mixed into a lot of entertainment .
John Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies .
His weekly podcast with son and partner Jeremy Zogby can be heard here .
Follow him on Twitter @ TheJohnZogby Jed Babbin is a Washington Examiner contributor and former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of former President George H.W .
Bush .
Follow him on Twitter @ jedbabbin

In our weekly White House Report Card, President Trump is set to finally crush the Democratic drive to impeach him, with his Senate acquittal set for Wednesday. He’s then likely to crow a bit, and lay out his reelection policy agenda, at the State of the Union Address where he will stand in front of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who orchestrated his impeachment in December.
Our Democratic grader, pollster John Zogby, gave the president a rare “A,” and said, “This was the week that Donald J. Trump once and for all captured the Republican Party —so much so that leading senators of the GOP were afraid to defy him or the solid base he owns.”
Conservative grader Jed Babbin also gave Trump an “A” and is looking forward to next week’s State of the Union. “Trump will certainly be bashing the House impeachers and gloating about how much fun stuff he’ll be up to this year. The speech will be pure Trump: a little substance mixed into a lot of entertainment,” he said.
John Zogby
Grade A
Trump signed a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada, which was achieved with bipartisan support. The national economy grew at a rate of 2.3% last year, and Trump wisely called the creeping coronavirus a national emergency.
But that is how this past week will be remembered. This was the week that Trump once and for all captured the Republican Party —so much so that leading senators of the GOP were afraid to defy him or the solid base he owns. Some admitted that his behavior regarding withholding approved military aid to Ukraine was wrong, unbecoming, dangerous or whatever, but not sufficient to vote to remove him from office.
The vote will take place next Wednesday, but there is no suspense here. There never really was any suspense. Trump won another week of The Apprentice.
Jed Babbin
Grade A
Trump had one helluva week, with a big win at the Supreme Court, a new peace plan for the Middle East that corners the Palestinians, and his senate impeachment trial cut short by the vote to exclude new witnesses.
The Supreme Court handed down a far-reaching decision that said the government enables the denial of green cards to illegal aliens who are on welfare. The green card, given to those who are permanent legal residents, is a major step toward citizenship now denied to illegal immigrants who are burdens on states’ budgets. In a separate action, the president also extended his immigration ban to several more nations from which many immigrants, both legal and illegal, are coming into the U.S.
The decisions made today will reverberate throughout history.
No matter the vote on witnesses, the facts will come out in the end.
We will be asked: Why didn't we consider the evidence when we had the chance?
What answer shall we give, if we decide not to pursue the truth? pic.twitter.com/aI7Ycf5Psw — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 31, 2020
Trump’s Middle East peace plan, announced with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, clearly favors Israel and puts the rejectionist Palestinians on the spot. Several Arab nations had their ambassadors attend the announcement, indicating their support. The Palestinians — and Iran — both reject the deal, isolating them yet again. Support from more than 23 nations in Europe, the Far East, and South America is an unusual result that Trump has cultivated for months. That may mean the end of the Palestinians as a political force.
The Senate voted to reject the Democrat’s demands for witnesses in Trump’s impeachment trial with only the two squishiest, most liberal Republicans — Maine’s Susan Collins and Utah’s Mitt Romney — voting with the Democrats. At the latest, acquittal will take place on Wednesday. Conveniently, Trump will give his annual State of the Union address on Tuesday night. That enables him to boast about the coming acquittal while its principal author, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has to sit there grimacing. It will be very interesting to see how the House Democrats misbehave during the speech. (Will people be throwing Pelosi’s infamous impeachment signing pens back at her?) Trump will certainly be bashing the House impeachers and gloating about how much fun stuff he’ll be up to this year. The speech will be pure Trump: a little substance mixed into a lot of entertainment.
John Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies. His weekly podcast with son and partner Jeremy Zogby can be heard here. Follow him on Twitter @TheJohnZogby
Jed Babbin is a Washington Examiner contributor and former deputy undersecretary of defense in the administration of former President George H.W. Bush. Follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin