politicususa--2020-02-12--Trump Brags About Traitor Barr Betraying the Country for Him

Add Bob Mueller and Bill Barr to the Republican bodies thrown under the Trump bus. President Trump spent Wednesday morning making sure everyone knows that he knows that Attorney General Bill Barr is not only actively interfering on Trump ’ s behalf in cases the Justice Department is handling , but that Bill Barr took control of the Mueller case against the Republican President .
Oh , and he accused Republican Bob Mueller , who hid behind a memo as an excuse not to charge this president with conspiracy against the United States with a hostile foreign country even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lying to Congress .
“ Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought .
Evidence now clearly shows that the Mueller Scam was improperly brought & tainted .
Even Bob Mueller lied to Congress !
” Just in case the rule of law ever matters again , Trump wants everyone to know that Bill Barr did it .
 And if the rule of law doesn ’ t matter ever again , Bob Mueller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring him up on phony charges of lying to Congress for not killing evidence against this President .
The lesson here is that it ’ s not enough to kill your integrity by looking the other way and making bland excuses for this president as he breaks the law .
No .
Trump requires active obedience and brutal loyalty in the form of going violently after anyone who ever tried to hold him to the law .
Trump ’ s friend Roger Stone lied to Congress , but that ’ s okay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you are paying .
It ’ s not okay if they accuse someone else of lying to Congress .
They will decide what is legal and what is not , according to how loyal that person has been to Trump and the Trump family bank accounts .
Without an independent Department of Justice , we are a banana republic .
Without fair elections , we are not a free country .
Republicans have brought the United States to her knees , attacking the very foundations of freedom for which this country stands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who betrays a friend , country , principle , etc.
” Donald Trump , Bill Barr , and all of their Republican accomplices in the executive branch , House , and Senate are traitors in the truest sense of the word .
Trump is bragging about their betrayal of this country on his behalf .
If only one Republican who had been in charge had had the courage of Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) , we would not be in this position .
If Bob Mueller had acted on the evidence he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be here .
If Republicans in the Senate had objected when Trump fired Republican Attorney General Jeff Sessions , himself involved in Trump ’ s Russia betrayal of this country , for not doing enough to kill the investigation against Trump , we would not be here .
Had just a few other Republicans joined Senator Mitt Romney in voting yes to convict Trump of abusing his power by trying to cheat in yet another election with another foreign power , we would not be in this position .
The only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their country is to show up in massive numbers to vote Republicans out of every office they can in 2020 , from county treasurer on up to the White House .

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Add Bob Mueller and Bill Barr to the Republican bodies thrown under the Trump bus.
President Trump spent Wednesday morning making sure everyone knows that he knows that Attorney General Bill Barr is not only actively interfering on Trump’s behalf in cases the Justice Department is handling, but that Bill Barr took control of the Mueller case against the Republican President.
Oh, and he accused Republican Bob Mueller, who hid behind a memo as an excuse not to charge this president with conspiracy against the United States with a hostile foreign country even though he admitted they found the evidence, of lying to Congress.
“Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought. Evidence now clearly shows that the Mueller Scam was improperly brought & tainted. Even Bob Mueller lied to Congress!”
Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought. Evidence now clearly shows that the Mueller Scam was improperly brought & tainted. Even Bob Mueller lied to Congress! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020
Just in case the rule of law ever matters again, Trump wants everyone to know that Bill Barr did it.
And if the rule of law doesn’t matter ever again, Bob Mueller’s lack of spine is going to bring him up on phony charges of lying to Congress for not killing evidence against this President.
The lesson here is that it’s not enough to kill your integrity by looking the other way and making bland excuses for this president as he breaks the law. No. Trump requires active obedience and brutal loyalty in the form of going violently after anyone who ever tried to hold him to the law.
Trump’s friend Roger Stone lied to Congress, but that’s okay according to Trump and his personal lawyer that you are paying. It’s not okay if they accuse someone else of lying to Congress. They will decide what is legal and what is not, according to how loyal that person has been to Trump and the Trump family bank accounts.
Without an independent Department of Justice, we are a banana republic. Without fair elections, we are not a free country. Republicans have brought the United States to her knees, attacking the very foundations of freedom for which this country stands.
A traitor is “a person who betrays a friend, country, principle, etc.” Donald Trump, Bill Barr, and all of their Republican accomplices in the executive branch, House, and Senate are traitors in the truest sense of the word. Trump is bragging about their betrayal of this country on his behalf.
If only one Republican who had been in charge had had the courage of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), we would not be in this position. If Bob Mueller had acted on the evidence he admitted he had against Trump, we would not be here.
If Republicans in the Senate had objected when Trump fired Republican Attorney General Jeff Sessions, himself involved in Trump’s Russia betrayal of this country, for not doing enough to kill the investigation against Trump, we would not be here.
Had just a few other Republicans joined Senator Mitt Romney in voting yes to convict Trump of abusing his power by trying to cheat in yet another election with another foreign power, we would not be in this position.
The only weapon the people have left to fight for their country is to show up in massive numbers to vote Republicans out of every office they can in 2020, from county treasurer on up to the White House.


politicususa--2020-02-13--Rachel Maddow Tells America It Is Time To Fight Trump

Rachel Maddow said that Trump ’ s attack on the DOJ means that the situation has moved beyond words , and it is time to fight .
Because there ’ s no line that this president will not cross .
Tell me if you can imagine one .
Tell me the thing that would be bad for America but good for him , but he wouldn ’ t do it because it ’ d be bad for the country .
What ’ s beyond the pale for him ?
Seriously .
There ’ s nothing he might conceive of as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not do to this country to get it .
Right , we get that now .
Alarm sounded .
We ’ re awake .
We ’ re at the point , though , where just pointing this out isn ’ t enough .
We have to recognize that pointing out where we ’ re at doesn ’ t stop our country from sliding further into a non-rule of law situation , pointing it out , sounding the alarm knowing we ’ re there isn ’ t enough .
We ’ re there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to survive it and how to fight it .
Maddow was correct .
Trump is systemically destroying the nation ’ s institutions , and we are past the point of discussing why he is doing it .
It doesn ’ t matter if this is happening because he wants to be a king , make money off of the presidency , or protect his own backside from prosecution .
The time for debating motives is over .
As Adam Schiff said during the impeachment trial , Trump can ’ t be trusted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of the country .
It is time to fight .
Waiting until November isn ’ t the best strategy .
House Democrats can fight back , and so can the American people .
Protest , make your voices heard and fight as if your country ’ s future is resting in the balance because it is .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Rachel Maddow said that Trump’s attack on the DOJ means that the situation has moved beyond words, and it is time to fight.
Maddow said:
Because there’s no line that this president will not cross. Tell me if you can imagine one. Tell me the thing that would be bad for America but good for him, but he wouldn’t do it because it’d be bad for the country. What’s beyond the pale for him? Seriously. There’s nothing he might conceive of as being to his advantage that he would not do to this country to get it.
Right, we get that now. Alarm sounded. We’re awake. We’re at the point, though, where just pointing this out isn’t enough. We have to recognize that pointing out where we’re at doesn’t stop our country from sliding further into a non-rule of law situation, pointing it out, sounding the alarm knowing we’re there isn’t enough. We’re there. We now have to plan specifically for how to survive it and how to fight it.
Video:
Rachel Maddow said that Trump's attack on the DOJ means that the situation has moved beyond words and it is time to fight. https://t.co/xt35mQ2PUc pic.twitter.com/NwQ7BCKXXk — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 13, 2020
Maddow was correct. Trump is systemically destroying the nation’s institutions, and we are past the point of discussing why he is doing it. It doesn’t matter if this is happening because he wants to be a king, make money off of the presidency, or protect his own backside from prosecution.
The time for debating motives is over. As Adam Schiff said during the impeachment trial, Trump can’t be trusted, because he will always put himself ahead of the country.
It is time to fight. Waiting until November isn’t the best strategy. House Democrats can fight back, and so can the American people. Protest, make your voices heard and fight as if your country’s future is resting in the balance because it is.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-02-13--Elizabeth Warren Calls For William Barr To Resign Or Be Impeached

Democratic presidential candidate , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) called for Attorney General William Barr to resign or be impeached .
Warren said on MSNBC ’ s All In with Chris Hayes , “ We can ’ t let this moment go unremarked .
What the attorney general has done , we should all be calling for the resignation of the attorney general .
If he won ’ t resign , remember the attorney general can be impeached .
And also , we should be using the other tools of congress and that is we can put budget constraints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have any funding to be able to interfere with actions that affect Trump , the Trump family , Trump buddies , Trump campaign workers .
We can ’ t just sit on our hands.
” The pressure is growing on Trump and Barr .
The impeachment of William Barr is quickly working its way toward becoming a necessity .
Sen. Warren was correct .
The worst thing that Democrats could do would be to sit on their hands and do nothing while the crisis expands .
Democrats do have options .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities .
The House doesn ’ t need Senate approval to pass a budgetary amendment to cut off funds .
It would start a standoff with the Senate , which would only serve to highlight Trump and Barr ’ s actions .
It has been surprising that more lawmakers haven ’ t called for Barr to go .
The drumbeat for Barr ’ s resignation or removal should be loud and unanimous from Democrats .
Sen. Warren is leading the charge , and more Democrats should take her advice .
For more discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and MSNBC group .

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Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called for Attorney General William Barr to resign or be impeached.
Warren said on MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes, “We can’t let this moment go unremarked. What the attorney general has done, we should all be calling for the resignation of the attorney general. If he won’t resign, remember the attorney general can be impeached. And also, we should be using the other tools of congress and that is we can put budget constraints so that Donald Trump is not able to have any funding to be able to interfere with actions that affect Trump, the Trump family, Trump buddies, Trump campaign workers. We can’t just sit on our hands.”
Video:
Elizabeth Warren calls on William Barr to resign or be impeached. Sen. Warren also suggested that Congress should block funding for Trump's DOJ interference. pic.twitter.com/p2hp0iiOgA — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 13, 2020
The pressure is growing on Trump and Barr. The impeachment of William Barr is quickly working its way toward becoming a necessity. Sen. Warren was correct. The worst thing that Democrats could do would be to sit on their hands and do nothing while the crisis expands.
Democrats do have options. They could block funding for Trump’s activities. The House doesn’t need Senate approval to pass a budgetary amendment to cut off funds. It would start a standoff with the Senate, which would only serve to highlight Trump and Barr’s actions.
It has been surprising that more lawmakers haven’t called for Barr to go. The drumbeat for Barr’s resignation or removal should be loud and unanimous from Democrats. Sen. Warren is leading the charge, and more Democrats should take her advice.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-02-13--Stone Prosecutor Who Resigned Could Testify And Spill The Beans On Barr And Trump

Rep. Val Demmings ( D-FL ) said that the Stone prosecutor who resigned could testify before the House and explain what ’ s happening at DOJ .
MSNBC ’ s Chris Hayes asked Demmings , “ Just as a factual matter , a hypothetical , Jonathan Kravitz , who has an excellent reputation with the department of justice who rever this , career lawyer there , presumably he could be called to testify before the house judiciary committee to tell us what went down , right ?
” Rep. Demmings answered , “ He absolutely could .
And that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American is paying attention to .
We have career prosecutors .
These are people who have not spent their lives in the spotlight or the limelight .
They ’ ve just been there reviewing the case , looking for elements of crimes , making appropriate charges and seeing those cases through .
For these career people to either step away from a case because of the unjust interference or to actually resign , what a loss that is to America .
I think it really sounds the alarm and sends a strong message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening in the Department Of Justice.
” The House Judiciary Committee should launch an investigation into what Trump and Barr are doing to the Department of Justice .
Rage and criticism have come from virtually every non-Trump circle of the political and legal worlds .
The outrage is so intense that even a Stone trial juror is speaking out .
The American people need to hear from Kravitz .
Trump is already cracking due to the blowback and a full investigation will keep this issue on the minds of voters and in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Rep. Val Demmings (D-FL) said that the Stone prosecutor who resigned could testify before the House and explain what’s happening at DOJ.
MSNBC’s Chris Hayes asked Demmings, “Just as a factual matter, a hypothetical, Jonathan Kravitz, who has an excellent reputation with the department of justice who rever this, career lawyer there, presumably he could be called to testify before the house judiciary committee to tell us what went down, right?”
Rep. Demmings answered, “He absolutely could. And that’s another part that I hope every American is paying attention to. We have career prosecutors. These are people who have not spent their lives in the spotlight or the limelight. They’ve just been there reviewing the case, looking for elements of crimes, making appropriate charges and seeing those cases through. For these career people to either step away from a case because of the unjust interference or to actually resign, what a loss that is to America. I think it really sounds the alarm and sends a strong message to the American people about what is happening in the Department Of Justice.”
Video:
Rep. Val Demmings (D-FL) says Stone prosecutor who resigned could be called to testify before the House Judiciary Committee. pic.twitter.com/LCDDXDBHL6 — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 13, 2020
The House Judiciary Committee should launch an investigation into what Trump and Barr are doing to the Department of Justice. Rage and criticism have come from virtually every non-Trump circle of the political and legal worlds. The outrage is so intense that even a Stone trial juror is speaking out.
The American people need to hear from Kravitz. Trump is already cracking due to the blowback and a full investigation will keep this issue on the minds of voters and in the president’s head.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-02-13--Juror In Roger Stone Trial Takes A Stand Against Trump and Barr

A juror in Roger Stone ’ s trial is standing up for the prosecutors who stepped down and speaking out against Trump and Barr .
CNN reported : Tomeka Hart said she had remained silent about the case for months out of concern for her safety and “ politicizing the matter.
” But the events this week led to her to post on her Facebook account that she “ can ’ t keep quiet any longer.
” A copy of the posting was shared with CNN .
Hart confirmed to CNN that she wrote the post but did not want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to stand up for Aaron Zelinsky , Adam Jed , Michael Marando , and Jonathan Kravis — the prosecutors on the Roger Stone trial , ” she wrote in the post that was shared with CNN .
“ It pains me to see the DOJ now interfere with the hard work of the prosecutors .
They acted with the utmost intelligence , integrity , and respect for our system of justice.
” The behavior of Barr , who is operating at the direction of Donald Trump , is an attack on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the integrity of the Department of Justice .
The prosecutors did their job , but Trump decided to abuse his power to get his felon buddy off the hook .
Trump melted down at the White House when talking about Roger Stone .
The White House appears to have been totally unprepared for the backlash that continues to mount against the actions of the president and his administration .
The American people are outraged , and the aftershocks are so intense that they can ’ t be ignored by Trump .
For more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maddow and MSNBC group .

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A juror in Roger Stone’s trial is standing up for the prosecutors who stepped down and speaking out against Trump and Barr.
CNN reported:
Tomeka Hart said she had remained silent about the case for months out of concern for her safety and “politicizing the matter.”
But the events this week led to her to post on her Facebook account that she “can’t keep quiet any longer.” A copy of the posting was shared with CNN. Hart confirmed to CNN that she wrote the post but did not want to discuss it further.
“I want to stand up for Aaron Zelinsky, Adam Jed, Michael Marando, and Jonathan Kravis — the prosecutors on the Roger Stone trial,” she wrote in the post that was shared with CNN. “It pains me to see the DOJ now interfere with the hard work of the prosecutors. They acted with the utmost intelligence, integrity, and respect for our system of justice.”
The behavior of Barr, who is operating at the direction of Donald Trump, is an attack on the concept of rule of law, and the integrity of the Department of Justice. The prosecutors did their job, but Trump decided to abuse his power to get his felon buddy off the hook.
Trump melted down at the White House when talking about Roger Stone. The White House appears to have been totally unprepared for the backlash that continues to mount against the actions of the president and his administration.
The American people are outraged, and the aftershocks are so intense that they can’t be ignored by Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-02-13--NY Attorney General Ripped Trump A New One After He Threatened Her State

New York Attorney General Letitia James unloaded on Trump after he threatened to withhold federal aid unless they dropped lawsuits @ @ @ @ @ to pull the Ukraine plot on the state of New York as he was attempting @ @ @ @ @ the state drops several lawsuits against him , his family , and his business .
@ @ @ @ @ having it .
The governor couldn ’ t do anything to stop the lawsuits , @ @ @ @ @ , and Gov .
Cuomo does not .
Trump has no idea how government works @ @ @ @ @ “ acquitted ” by the Senate , he is under the false belief that he @ @ @ @ @ around him in a frantic quest to make everything that could hurt him in the @ @ @ @ @

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New York Attorney General Letitia James unloaded on Trump after he threatened to withhold federal aid unless they dropped lawsuits against Trump.
The AG tweeted:
When you stop violating the rights and liberties of all New Yorkers, we will stand down. Until then, we have a duty and responsibility to defend the Constitution and the rule of law. BTW, I file the lawsuits, not the Governor. https://t.co/tsOLeEgiQp — NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) February 13, 2020
Trump tried to pull the Ukraine plot on the state of New York as he was attempting to withhold federal programs unless the state drops several lawsuits against him, his family, and his business.
New York isn’t having it. The governor couldn’t do anything to stop the lawsuits, even if he wanted to, and Gov. Cuomo does not. Trump has no idea how government works, but since he was “acquitted” by the Senate, he is under the false belief that he can bully everyone and everything around him in a frantic quest to make everything that could hurt him in the 2020 election go away.


politicususa--2020-02-13--Barr Tries To Fool America With Fake Criticism Of Trump

Barr issued some fake criticism of Trump ’ s tweets , which was designed to deceive the American people while he engages in corrupt activities .
Barr told ABC News , “ Public statements and tweets made about the department , about people in the department , our men and women here , about cases pending in the department , and about judges before whom we have cases make it impossible for me to do my job and to assure the courts and the prosecutors in the department that we are doing our work with integrity.
” The White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fine with Barr ’ s comments : Donald Trump is the most thin-skinned president in history .
Trump is never okay with criticism .
The White House ’ s statement is a signal that Barr ’ s criticism was fake .
This is a common tactic in the Trump administration .
Say one thing publicly , and do the opposite privately .
Trump and Barr are trying to throw the American people off of the scent .
If Barr were serious about doing his job with integrity he would not have taken over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has an interest in , and he would not have intervened in the Stone sentencing recommendation .
Barr wasn ’ t criticizing Trump .
He was collaborating with the president to cover their tracks .

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Barr issued some fake criticism of Trump’s tweets, which was designed to deceive the American people while he engages in corrupt activities.
Barr told ABC News, “Public statements and tweets made about the department, about people in the department, our men and women here, about cases pending in the department, and about judges before whom we have cases make it impossible for me to do my job and to assure the courts and the prosecutors in the department that we are doing our work with integrity.”
Video:
Barr's criticism of Trump was a public sham designed to hide his corrupt hand in hand working with Trump. pic.twitter.com/VIuYSeOtHZ — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 13, 2020
The White House issued a statement saying that Trump was fine with Barr’s comments:
White House responds to the AG Barr interview from @PressSec Grisham. pic.twitter.com/ic5oe7herO — Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) February 13, 2020
Donald Trump is the most thin-skinned president in history. Trump is never okay with criticism. The White House’s statement is a signal that Barr’s criticism was fake. This is a common tactic in the Trump administration. Say one thing publicly, and do the opposite privately.
Trump and Barr are trying to throw the American people off of the scent. If Barr were serious about doing his job with integrity he would not have taken over personal supervision of all DOJ cases that Trump has an interest in, and he would not have intervened in the Stone sentencing recommendation.
Barr wasn’t criticizing Trump. He was collaborating with the president to cover their tracks.


politicususa--2020-02-13--Trump Threatens New York Unless They Drop Lawsuits Against Him

The President Of The United States threatened the state of New York and demanded that they drop several lawsuits against him and his business .
That ’ s the President threatening a state and demanding that they drop lawsuits against him and his businesses .
Trump wasn ’ t concerned about anything involving the national interest .
He ’ s is trying to use his position to get out of legal trouble in New York .
Trump is pulling the Ukraine shakedown on New York .
Noah Bookbinder noted that Trump is conditioning federal aid to a state on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed any proof that Trump was guilty of trying to blackmail Ukraine , the President pulled the exact same plot on New York .
Trump is engaging in rampant abuses of power that are happening because Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans decided that they would let a criminal president walk for their own political gain instead of upholding the Constitution and the rule of law .
Trump ’ s abuses of power have gone domestic and are growing by the day .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and @ @ @

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The President Of The United States threatened the state of New York and demanded that they drop several lawsuits against him and his business.
Trump tweeted:
I’m seeing Governor Cuomo today at The White House. He must understand that National Security far exceeds politics. New York must stop all of its unnecessary lawsuits & harrassment, start cleaning itself up, and lowering taxes. Build relationships, but don’t bring Fredo! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2020
That’s the President threatening a state and demanding that they drop lawsuits against him and his businesses. Trump wasn’t concerned about anything involving the national interest. He’s is trying to use his position to get out of legal trouble in New York.
Trump is pulling the Ukraine shakedown on New York.
Noah Bookbinder noted that Trump is conditioning federal aid to a state on the dropping of lawsuits:
Conditioning availability of federal programs to residents of one of the 50 states apparently on the dropping of lawsuits that affect him personally is just one more abuse of the presidency for personal gain. https://t.co/a4zA9C3f26 — Noah Bookbinder (@NoahBookbinder) February 13, 2020
In case anyone needed any proof that Trump was guilty of trying to blackmail Ukraine, the President pulled the exact same plot on New York. Trump is engaging in rampant abuses of power that are happening because Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans decided that they would let a criminal president walk for their own political gain instead of upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.
Trump’s abuses of power have gone domestic and are growing by the day.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-02-13--Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution To Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers

The Senate has passed a War Powers Resolution that would limit Trump ’ s ability to launch a war with Iran without congressional approval .
The New York Times reported : The Senate voted on Thursday to require President Trump seek congressional authorization before taking further military action against Iran , as Democrats joined forces with several Republicans to try to rein in the president ’ s war-making powers weeks after he escalated hostilities with Tehran .
The bipartisan vote , 55 to 45 , amounted to a rare attempt by the Senate to restrain Mr. Trump ’ s authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to acquit him of impeachment charges , and nearly six weeks after the president moved without authorization from Congress to kill a top Iranian security commander .
The resolution fell short of the 67 votes that will be needed to override a Trump veto that is certain to happen , but the message being sent was clear .
If Trump tries to start a war with Iran , he is going to meet with bipartisan congressional disapproval .
Trump has moved on to getting revenge for his impeachment and wrecking the DOJ but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election , he will be tempted to try to turn himself into a wartime president .
This vote by the Senate is a warning shot that is telling him not to even think about it .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The Senate has passed a War Powers Resolution that would limit Trump’s ability to launch a war with Iran without congressional approval.
The New York Times reported:
The Senate voted on Thursday to require President Trump seek congressional authorization before taking further military action against Iran, as Democrats joined forces with several Republicans to try to rein in the president’s war-making powers weeks after he escalated hostilities with Tehran.
The bipartisan vote, 55 to 45, amounted to a rare attempt by the Senate to restrain Mr. Trump’s authority just over a week after it voted to acquit him of impeachment charges, and nearly six weeks after the president moved without authorization from Congress to kill a top Iranian security commander.
The resolution fell short of the 67 votes that will be needed to override a Trump veto that is certain to happen, but the message being sent was clear. If Trump tries to start a war with Iran, he is going to meet with bipartisan congressional disapproval.
Trump has moved on to getting revenge for his impeachment and wrecking the DOJ but if he finds himself in trouble during the election, he will be tempted to try to turn himself into a wartime president. This vote by the Senate is a warning shot that is telling him not to even think about it.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-02-13--Trump Is Stealing $3.8 Billion From The Military To Pay For His Wall

Trump can ’ t get Mexico to pay for his wall , so he is stealing billions of dollars from the military that was supposed to pay for equipment to keep America safe .
The money will be drawn from a host of procurement accounts , many of which are popular on Capitol Hill .
The move includes a cut of two Marine Corps F-35B fighter jets at a cost of $ 223 million ; $ 100 million from the Army National Guard ’ s Humvee modernization program ; $ 650 million cut from the Navy ’ s amphibious assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Expeditionary Fast Transport ship .
The reprogramming also trimmed two Air Force C-130J transport aircraft for a cut of $ 196 million and $ 180 million from the service ’ s light attack aircraft program .
The Pentagon also sapped an extra $ 1.3 billion from National Guard and Reserve equipment accounts , for which Congress has typically sought to allocate increased funding .
The military that Trump ’ s claims to have “ rebuilt ” will be denied billions of dollars in new equipment and resources .
There is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where military equipment is made .
Less money for equipment from Uncle Sam means fewer jobs in these districts .
Mexico isn ’ t paying for the wall .
US taxpayers are footing the bill through Trump ’ s theft from the troops to pay for a border wall that has so far been sawed through and fallen down .
Trump is harming the troops to pay for his wall .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump can’t get Mexico to pay for his wall, so he is stealing billions of dollars from the military that was supposed to pay for equipment to keep America safe.
According to Armed Forces Press:
#BREAKING Pentagon shifts $3.8 bn to Mexico border wall construction pic.twitter.com/xP8sIIhsnp — AFP news agency (@AFP) February 13, 2020
Politico has the details:
The money will be drawn from a host of procurement accounts, many of which are popular on Capitol Hill. The move includes a cut of two Marine Corps F-35B fighter jets at a cost of $223 million; $100 million from the Army National Guard’s Humvee modernization program; $650 million cut from the Navy’s amphibious assault ship replacement; and $261 million from the Expeditionary Fast Transport ship. The reprogramming also trimmed two Air Force C-130J transport aircraft for a cut of $196 million and $180 million from the service’s light attack aircraft program.
The Pentagon also sapped an extra $1.3 billion from National Guard and Reserve equipment accounts, for which Congress has typically sought to allocate increased funding.
The military that Trump’s claims to have “rebuilt” will be denied billions of dollars in new equipment and resources. There is also an economic impact in states and districts where military equipment is made. Less money for equipment from Uncle Sam means fewer jobs in these districts.
Mexico isn’t paying for the wall. US taxpayers are footing the bill through Trump’s theft from the troops to pay for a border wall that has so far been sawed through and fallen down.
Trump is harming the troops to pay for his wall.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-02-13--Trump Threatens John Kelly After He Blasts the Failings of Trumpism

Trump is trying to silence yet another witness to his incompetence and danger to the freedoms that define the old America before Trump .
Trump threatened John Kelly that he had an obligation to “ keep his mouth shut ” after Kelly , one of the people he hired and said was one of the best people , eviscerated Trump and his policies and the harm he is causing America .
After Republican former White House Chief of Staff and ex-Department of Homeland Secretary John Kelly went on a tear against Trumpism Wednesday evening – a year after his removal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the President claimed Thursday morning that he had to fire John Kelly because he was incompetent .
Trump called firing people for not going along with his lies and abuses of power and betrayal of this country “ draining the swamp ” : When I terminated John Kelly , which I couldn ’ t do fast enough , he knew full well that he was way over his head .
Being Chief of Staff just wasn ’ t for him .
He came in with a bang , went out with a whimper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s , he misses the action & just can ’ t keep his mouth shut , .
….which he actually has a military and legal obligation to do .
His incredible wife , Karen , who I have a lot of respect for , once pulled me aside & said strongly that “ John respects you greatly .
When we are no longer here , he will only speak well of you.
” Wrong !
DRAIN THE SWAMP !
We want bad people out of our government !
It seems to have escaped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he created this swamp and claimed these were all of the best people .
Notice that Trump , the five time draft dodger , is trying to tell a retired U.S. Marine Corps General what his military obligation is .
No , Kelly is not obligated to keep his mouth shut .
Mr. Trump can not stand it when he can ’ t control what people are allowed to say in public .
Let that sink in because it is a very dangerous emotional state for the president of an allegedly free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uses the levers of government to attack those who speak out against him .
Kelly ’ s tear covered a lot of ground , from defending the press , saying Fox News viewers are not informed , defending the character of immigrants crossing our borders and sneering at Trump ’ s North Korea fail to Trump ’ s attempt to bribe Ukraine to help him cheat in another election .
The Atlantic ’ s Peter Nichols reported on Kelly ’ s tear into Trump , saying Kelly blasted Trump ’ s “ perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirming what all of America other than Fox News viewers and Senate Republicans pretend to not know , which is that Trump did in fact condition the Ukraine aid on their helping him cheat in 2020 .
In the age of Trumpism , the truth is punishable by firing and worse .
And so Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was fired for telling the truth .
The worst thing Kelly did to Trump was warn that Fox News , Trump ’ s propaganda outlet , is not real news .
“ The media , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very strongly about this — is not the enemy of the people , ” Kelly told the audience .
“ We need a free media .
That said , you have to be careful about what you are watching and reading , because the media has taken sides .
So if you only watch Fox News , because it ’ s reinforcing what you believe , you are not an informed citizen.
” With his attacks on our institutions , free press , free speech , and the very rule of law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside out so rapidly it appears to be the only thing at which he has ever excelled .

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Trump is trying to silence yet another witness to his incompetence and danger to the freedoms that define the old America before Trump.
Trump threatened John Kelly that he had an obligation to “keep his mouth shut” after Kelly, one of the people he hired and said was one of the best people, eviscerated Trump and his policies and the harm he is causing America.
After Republican former White House Chief of Staff and ex-Department of Homeland Secretary John Kelly went on a tear against Trumpism Wednesday evening – a year after his removal from Trump’s White House – the President claimed Thursday morning that he had to fire John Kelly because he was incompetent.
Trump called firing people for not going along with his lies and abuses of power and betrayal of this country “draining the swamp”:
When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldn’t do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head. Being Chief of Staff just wasn’t for him. He came in with a bang, went out with a whimper, but like so many X’s, he misses the action & just can’t keep his mouth shut,. ….which he actually has a military and legal obligation to do. His incredible wife, Karen, who I have a lot of respect for, once pulled me aside & said strongly that “John respects you greatly. When we are no longer here, he will only speak well of you.” Wrong! DRAIN THE SWAMP! We want bad people out of our government!
It seems to have escaped Trump’s less than nimble mind that he created this swamp and claimed these were all of the best people.
Notice that Trump, the five time draft dodger, is trying to tell a retired U.S. Marine Corps General what his military obligation is. No, Kelly is not obligated to keep his mouth shut.
Mr. Trump cannot stand it when he can’t control what people are allowed to say in public. Let that sink in because it is a very dangerous emotional state for the president of an allegedly free country, and it is why he uses the levers of government to attack those who speak out against him.
Kelly’s tear covered a lot of ground, from defending the press, saying Fox News viewers are not informed, defending the character of immigrants crossing our borders and sneering at Trump’s North Korea fail to Trump’s attempt to bribe Ukraine to help him cheat in another election.
The Atlantic’s Peter Nichols reported on Kelly’s tear into Trump, saying Kelly blasted Trump’s “perfect phone call” as not perfect, confirming what all of America other than Fox News viewers and Senate Republicans pretend to not know, which is that Trump did in fact condition the Ukraine aid on their helping him cheat in 2020.
Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, said that Vindman is blameless and was simply following the training he’d received as a soldier; migrants are “overwhelmingly good people” and “not all rapists”; and Trump’s decision to condition military aid to Ukraine on an investigation into his political rival Joe Biden upended long-standing U.S. policy.
In the age of Trumpism, the truth is punishable by firing and worse. And so Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was fired for telling the truth.
The worst thing Kelly did to Trump was warn that Fox News, Trump’s propaganda outlet, is not real news.
“The media, in my view — and I feel very strongly about this — is not the enemy of the people,” Kelly told the audience. “We need a free media. That said, you have to be careful about what you are watching and reading, because the media has taken sides. So if you only watch Fox News, because it’s reinforcing what you believe, you are not an informed citizen.”
With his attacks on our institutions, free press, free speech, and the very rule of law, Trump is destroying this country from the inside out so rapidly it appears to be the only thing at which he has ever excelled.


politicususa--2020-02-13--US Attorney Who Oversaw Roger Stone’s Prosecution Resigns

Jessie Liu , the US attorney who oversaw the Stone prosecution , resigned after Donald Trump withdrew her nomination for a top Treasury Department position .
CNN reported : The US attorney whose nomination for a top Treasury Department job was yanked because she ran the office that oversaw Roger Stone ’ s prosecution has resigned , an administration official tells CNN .
Jessie Liu , who previously headed the US attorney ’ s office in Washington , submitted her resignation to the Treasury Department , effective Wednesday evening .
She went to the Treasury Department with the intention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer available after her nomination was withdrawn earlier Wednesday , the official said .
The White House said that her nomination was withdrawn because she didn ’ t do more to interfere in Stone ’ s case for Trump .
Former Rep. David Jolly pointed out on MSNBC that Liu is now free to speak out and testify before Congress , “ The interesting thing about miss Liu ’ s withdrawal is she is now free to speak .
If she knows that direct communication that Barr perhaps had with staff at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can now testify it all of that and the White House would have a hard time block it.
” The Stone sentencing interference is another self-inflicted wound by a president who can ’ t stop abusing his power in the name of revenge against those who uphold the law .
There is going to be a major investigation of this matter by the House Judiciary Committee .
The witnesses are resigning by the minute and will be free to talk .
The most likely reason why Trump will end up being a one-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out of his own way and stop reminding voters that he is corrupt and unfit for the White House .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Jessie Liu, the US attorney who oversaw the Stone prosecution, resigned after Donald Trump withdrew her nomination for a top Treasury Department position.
CNN reported:
The US attorney whose nomination for a top Treasury Department job was yanked because she ran the office that oversaw Roger Stone’s prosecution has resigned, an administration official tells CNN.
Jessie Liu, who previously headed the US attorney’s office in Washington, submitted her resignation to the Treasury Department, effective Wednesday evening. She went to the Treasury Department with the intention of filling a Senate-confirmed position, which is no longer available after her nomination was withdrawn earlier Wednesday, the official said.
The White House said that her nomination was withdrawn because she didn’t do more to interfere in Stone’s case for Trump.
Former Rep. David Jolly pointed out on MSNBC that Liu is now free to speak out and testify before Congress, “The interesting thing about miss Liu’s withdrawal is she is now free to speak. If she knows that direct communication that Barr perhaps had with staff at D.O.J. Or with her, she can now testify it all of that and the White House would have a hard time block it.”
Video of Jolly:
.@DavidJollyFL says Jessie Liu is now free to speak and Trump can't block her from testifying after her resignation. pic.twitter.com/wNOl6Jppfn — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 13, 2020
The Stone sentencing interference is another self-inflicted wound by a president who can’t stop abusing his power in the name of revenge against those who uphold the law. There is going to be a major investigation of this matter by the House Judiciary Committee. The witnesses are resigning by the minute and will be free to talk.
The most likely reason why Trump will end up being a one-term president is that he can’t get out of his own way and stop reminding voters that he is corrupt and unfit for the White House.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-14--Trump Admits He’s Guilty Of The Impeachment Charges Now That He’s Been Fake Acquitted

Now that Donald Trump has been fake acquitted following a sham trial orchestrated by Senate Republicans , the president is admitting that , yeah , he ’ s guilty .
During a podcast interview with Geraldo Rivera , of all people , Trump said that he did , in fact , personally send Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to dig up dirt on his political opponents .
As CNN put it on Thursday , “ President Donald Trump now openly admits to sending his attorney Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to find damaging information about his political opponents , even though he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” When asked by Rivera whether it was “ strange ” to send Giuliani to Ukraine , or whether he was sorry for it , Trump responded , “ No , not at all.
” “ Here ’ s my choice : I deal with the Comeys of the world , or I deal with Rudy , ” the president added .
“ So when you tell me , why did I use Rudy , and one of the things about Rudy , number one , he was the best prosecutor , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the best mayor.
” The full interview with Rivera on his appropriately named podcast , ‘ Roadkill ’ : Listen to “ Geraldo Speaks To President Donald Trump ” on Spreaker .
The Susan Collinses of the world should be ashamed of themselves Prior to his impeachment , Trump was already abusing his power on a daily basis .
Following his sham acquittal , his behavior has become more lawless and unhinged .
We saw it quickly in Trump ’ s firing of those who testified during the impeachment hearings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother .
We ’ ve seen it this week as the Justice Department under William Barr demonstrates that going forward , the DOJ will be used solely to attack Trump ’ s enemies and protect his criminal friends .
And now , even though the American people didn ’ t need such confirmation , Donald Trump is admitting that , yeah , he sent Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to orchestrate a plot meant to sink his political opponents .
People like Susan Collins , who let Donald Trump skate based on the false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be ashamed of themselves .

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Now that Donald Trump has been fake acquitted following a sham trial orchestrated by Senate Republicans, the president is admitting that, yeah, he’s guilty.
During a podcast interview with Geraldo Rivera, of all people, Trump said that he did, in fact, personally send Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to dig up dirt on his political opponents.
As CNN put it on Thursday, “President Donald Trump now openly admits to sending his attorney Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to find damaging information about his political opponents, even though he strongly denied it during the impeachment inquiry.”
When asked by Rivera whether it was “strange” to send Giuliani to Ukraine, or whether he was sorry for it, Trump responded, “No, not at all.”
“Here’s my choice: I deal with the Comeys of the world, or I deal with Rudy,” the president added. “So when you tell me, why did I use Rudy, and one of the things about Rudy, number one, he was the best prosecutor, you know, one of the best prosecutors, and the best mayor.”
The full interview with Rivera on his appropriately named podcast, ‘Roadkill’:
Listen to “Geraldo Speaks To President Donald Trump” on Spreaker.
The Susan Collinses of the world should be ashamed of themselves
Prior to his impeachment, Trump was already abusing his power on a daily basis. Following his sham acquittal, his behavior has become more lawless and unhinged.
We saw it quickly in Trump’s firing of those who testified during the impeachment hearings, including Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and his brother.
We’ve seen it this week as the Justice Department under William Barr demonstrates that going forward, the DOJ will be used solely to attack Trump’s enemies and protect his criminal friends.
And now, even though the American people didn’t need such confirmation, Donald Trump is admitting that, yeah, he sent Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to orchestrate a plot meant to sink his political opponents.
People like Susan Collins, who let Donald Trump skate based on the false belief that he learned a lesson, should be ashamed of themselves.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-02-14--Former GOP Chair Calls Out Susan Collins: ‘The President Hasn’t Learned Jack’

Former chair of the Republican National Committee Michael Steele had a hard time containing his laugher on Thursday after MSNBC ’ s Ari Melber replayed the clip of Sen. Susan Collins ( R-ME ) saying Donald Trump would learn a lesson from impeachment .
Steele said that it ’ s increasingly clear that Trump is incapable of learning anything from anybody else .
“ The president hasn ’ t learned jack , ” he said .
“ Donald Trump has never exhibited any behavior that would indicate that he would learn from anything anyone else had to say or do.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ jack .
I don ’ t know where these people get this stuff .
Donald Trump has never exhibited any behavior that would indicate that he would learn from anything anyone else had to say or do .
He is his own enterprise .
And he knew from the beginning how he wanted this to play out , Ari .
He ’ s played it out that way with the help of a very malleable Republican Senate .
And with Democrats who made missteps along the way .
And so the lesson that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us is not about teaching Donald Trump anything .
It is what do we learn from this as we get ready for the next seven months of this campaign ?
Hopefully the American people have learned a lesson As Michael Steele said on Thursday , the question isn ’ t whether Trump has learned a lesson – we all knew better than that – but it ’ s whether the American people did .
If there is anything the country should take away from the impeachment saga , it is that Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains in office for another four years , he will abuse his office again and again .
In November , Republican members of Congress like Susan Collins who let Trump trample on the rule of law for the past three years should be sent packing .

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Former chair of the Republican National Committee Michael Steele had a hard time containing his laugher on Thursday after MSNBC’s Ari Melber replayed the clip of Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) saying Donald Trump would learn a lesson from impeachment.
Steele said that it’s increasingly clear that Trump is incapable of learning anything from anybody else.
“The president hasn’t learned jack,” he said. “Donald Trump has never exhibited any behavior that would indicate that he would learn from anything anyone else had to say or do.”
Video:
Former RNC chair Michael Steele says the question isn’t whether Trump learned a lesson from impeachment, but whether the American have learned that Trump will continue to abuse his power as long as he’s president. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/S8SzByIy61 — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) February 14, 2020
Steele said:
The president hasn’t learned jack. I don’t know where these people get this stuff. Donald Trump has never exhibited any behavior that would indicate that he would learn from anything anyone else had to say or do. He is his own enterprise. And he knew from the beginning how he wanted this to play out, Ari. He’s played it out that way with the help of a very malleable Republican Senate. And with Democrats who made missteps along the way. And so the lesson that has to be learned for the rest us is not about teaching Donald Trump anything. It is what do we learn from this as we get ready for the next seven months of this campaign?
Hopefully the American people have learned a lesson
As Michael Steele said on Thursday, the question isn’t whether Trump has learned a lesson – we all knew better than that – but it’s whether the American people did.
If there is anything the country should take away from the impeachment saga, it is that Donald Trump has no shame and, if he remains in office for another four years, he will abuse his office again and again.
In November, Republican members of Congress like Susan Collins who let Trump trample on the rule of law for the past three years should be sent packing.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-02-14--Former Bush Deputy Attorney General Calls Bill Barr Unfit To Hold His Office

Donald Ayer , former deputy attorney general under George H. W. Bush , blasted William Barr on Thursday and said it ’ s become clear that he is not fit to lead the Department of Justice .
During a Thursday interview with MSNBC ’ s Ari Melber , Ayer said Barr has unraveled decades of Justice Department reforms meant to bolster the DOJ ’ s independence and credibility following Watergate .
“ I don ’ t think [ Barr ] is fit for the office , ” the former deputy AG said .
“ I think what he has done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermine the Department of Justice as it was reformed and as we ’ ve all lived with for the last 45 years.
” “ The problem is that we ’ re losing an ability to have confidence that the department is not going to be influenced by improper forces , ” he added .
I don ’ t think [ Barr ] is fit for the office .
Because I think what he has done is to undertake a campaign essentially to undermine the Department of Justice as it was reformed and as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last 45 years , reform following Watergate .
And at that time , Edward Levi , the attorney general , essentially kind of gave instructions and thought through the process by which the Justice Department , given the power that it has , needs to bend over backwards to establish public trust in what it ’ s doing .
So you have the processes that involve complete separation of political forces from the decisions made in the department , certainly in the criminal area .
You have processes of review where I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommendations , they went up through a process in the department .
They went forward .
They followed guidelines .
Whatever one thinks of them , heavy or not heavy , they were the product of a process that relied upon the guidelines , which were put in place in order to try to make sentencing fair and uniform .
And all of that got reviewed and all of a sudden , at the time the president speaks up , Mr. Barr steps in .
The problem is that we ’ re losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department is not going to be influenced by improper forces .
When you think about someone goes easy on someone because they ’ re the president ’ s friend .
Well what about the problem of going hard on someone because they ’ re his enemy ?
And then we really see the problem .
Don ’ t be fooled by Bill Barr ’ s fake criticism of Trump The backlash against the Trump-Barr plot to use the DOJ to protect one of the president ’ s former campaign advisers , Roger Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a result , Barr went on a media tour on Thursday – likely with Trump ’ s blessing – to offer some fake criticism of the president ’ s tweeting as it relates to Justice Department matters .
In other words , the attorney general is fine with his department being used to protect the president ’ s friends and go after his enemies ; he just doesn ’ t want Trump to tweet about it .
For all intents and purposes , the DOJ no longer exists .
In its place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unfit attorney general – with the sole purpose of protecting an unfit president .

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Donald Ayer, former deputy attorney general under George H. W. Bush, blasted William Barr on Thursday and said it’s become clear that he is not fit to lead the Department of Justice.
During a Thursday interview with MSNBC’s Ari Melber, Ayer said Barr has unraveled decades of Justice Department reforms meant to bolster the DOJ’s independence and credibility following Watergate.
“I don’t think [Barr] is fit for the office,” the former deputy AG said. “I think what he has done is to undertake a campaign essentially to undermine the Department of Justice as it was reformed and as we’ve all lived with for the last 45 years.”
“The problem is that we’re losing an ability to have confidence that the department is not going to be influenced by improper forces,” he added.
Video:
Former deputy AG under George H. W. Bush says Bill Barr isn’t fit to be attorney general. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/4Db0F5YYpi — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) February 14, 2020
Ayer said:
I don’t think [Barr] is fit for the office. Because I think what he has done is to undertake a campaign essentially to undermine the Department of Justice as it was reformed and as we’ve all lived with for the last 45 years, reform following Watergate. And at that time, Edward Levi, the attorney general, essentially kind of gave instructions and thought through the process by which the Justice Department, given the power that it has, needs to bend over backwards to establish public trust in what it’s doing. So you have the processes that involve complete separation of political forces from the decisions made in the department, certainly in the criminal area. You have processes of review where I think as was true with these sentencing recommendations, they went up through a process in the department. They went forward. They followed guidelines. Whatever one thinks of them, heavy or not heavy, they were the product of a process that relied upon the guidelines, which were put in place in order to try to make sentencing fair and uniform. And all of that got reviewed and all of a sudden, at the time the president speaks up, Mr. Barr steps in. The problem is that we’re losing an ability to have confidence that the department is not going to be influenced by improper forces. When you think about someone goes easy on someone because they’re the president’s friend. Well what about the problem of going hard on someone because they’re his enemy? And then we really see the problem.
Don’t be fooled by Bill Barr’s fake criticism of Trump
The backlash against the Trump-Barr plot to use the DOJ to protect one of the president’s former campaign advisers, Roger Stone, has been swift and hard.
As a result, Barr went on a media tour on Thursday – likely with Trump’s blessing – to offer some fake criticism of the president’s tweeting as it relates to Justice Department matters.
In other words, the attorney general is fine with his department being used to protect the president’s friends and go after his enemies; he just doesn’t want Trump to tweet about it.
For all intents and purposes, the DOJ no longer exists. In its place is a government department – led by an unfit attorney general – with the sole purpose of protecting an unfit president.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-02-14--Trump Blows A Gasket After DOJ Drops Case Against McCabe

Trump is said to be furious and upset after the Department of Justice dropped the case and refused to charge Andrew McCabe with a crime .
The department revealed the decision to McCabe ’ s team Friday .
The move was said to infuriate Trump , who has raged publicly and privately in recent months that McCabe and others he considers political enemies should be charged with crimes .
A White House official said that Trump was not given a heads-up and was upset , and that White House lawyers moved to calm the president .
The official , speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internal discussions , said Trump “ believes very strongly that action should be taken.
” Trump wanted McCabe charged , not because he committed a crime , but as part of his plan to discredit the Russia investigation before the election .
Sen. Lindsey Graham launched a Judiciary Committee investigation into the 2016 Russia probe as there is a coordinated effort among Trump ’ s allies to discredit the source of the Russia investigation .
Trump has convinced himself that the Russia investigation was a hoax and a conspiracy to get him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCabe is another setback to the president ’ s hopes that he can make his crimes vanish with paranoid fantasies .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump is said to be furious and upset after the Department of Justice dropped the case and refused to charge Andrew McCabe with a crime.
The Washington Post reported:
The department revealed the decision to McCabe’s team Friday. The move was said to infuriate Trump, who has raged publicly and privately in recent months that McCabe and others he considers political enemies should be charged with crimes.
….
A White House official said that Trump was not given a heads-up and was upset, and that White House lawyers moved to calm the president. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to reveal internal discussions, said Trump “believes very strongly that action should be taken.”
Trump wanted McCabe charged, not because he committed a crime, but as part of his plan to discredit the Russia investigation before the election. Sen. Lindsey Graham launched a Judiciary Committee investigation into the 2016 Russia probe as there is a coordinated effort among Trump’s allies to discredit the source of the Russia investigation.
Trump has convinced himself that the Russia investigation was a hoax and a conspiracy to get him. However, the lack of charges against McCabe is another setback to the president’s hopes that he can make his crimes vanish with paranoid fantasies.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-02-14--Lindsey Graham Launches Investigation Of Obama For DOJ Corruption

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) is ignoring what Trump and Barr are doing at the Department of Justice and is instead investigating the 2016 Russia investigation .
According to a press release from Graham ’ s Senate Judiciary Committee : Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham ( R-South Carolina ) today requested transcribed interviews from a number of individuals involved in the Justice Department and FBI ’ s handling of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation , including the applications and renewals of a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) warrant on Carter Page .
Graham requested the following Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviews as soon as possible : Supervisory Special Agent 1 , Case Agent 1 , Case Agent 2 , Case Agent 3 , Staff Operations Specialist , Supervisory Intelligence Analyst , Supervisory Special Agent 2 , Supervisory Special Agent 3 , OGC Unit Chief , Intel Section Chief , Stephen Laycock , Kieran Ramsey , Jennifer Boone , Bruce Ohr , Dana Boente , Deputy Section Chief , NSD and Gabriel Sanz-Rexach .
Here is the letter that Graham sent to Barr : On the same day that Barr announced that he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Flynn case , Lindsey Graham is in the Senate investigating Obama and the 2016 Russia investigation .
There is a common thread running through each of these stories , and that is the desire of Donald Trump to invalidate the Russia investigation before the 2020 election .
Trump and his allies Graham and Barr are attempting to clear the way for more Russian election interference .
Trump wants to blame Obama for the Russia investigation , and Lindsey Graham is trying to make that happen before voters go the polls in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive Republican effort to wipe out the Russia scandal .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is ignoring what Trump and Barr are doing at the Department of Justice and is instead investigating the 2016 Russia investigation.
According to a press release from Graham’s Senate Judiciary Committee:
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today requested transcribed interviews from a number of individuals involved in the Justice Department and FBI’s handling of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, including the applications and renewals of a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant on Carter Page.
Graham requested the following Justice Department employees be made available for transcribed interviews as soon as possible: Supervisory Special Agent 1, Case Agent 1, Case Agent 2, Case Agent 3, Staff Operations Specialist, Supervisory Intelligence Analyst, Supervisory Special Agent 2, Supervisory Special Agent 3, OGC Unit Chief, Intel Section Chief, Stephen Laycock, Kieran Ramsey, Jennifer Boone, Bruce Ohr, Dana Boente, Deputy Section Chief, NSD and Gabriel Sanz-Rexach.
Here is the letter that Graham sent to Barr:
[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.politicususa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/021420-LOG-to-AG-Barr-re-Crossfire-Hurricane-Transcribed-Interviews.pdf” title=”021420 LOG to AG Barr re Crossfire Hurricane Transcribed Interviews”]
On the same day that Barr announced that he was bringing an outside prosecutor to investigate the Mike Flynn case, Lindsey Graham is in the Senate investigating Obama and the 2016 Russia investigation.
There is a common thread running through each of these stories, and that is the desire of Donald Trump to invalidate the Russia investigation before the 2020 election. Trump and his allies Graham and Barr are attempting to clear the way for more Russian election interference.
Trump wants to blame Obama for the Russia investigation, and Lindsey Graham is trying to make that happen before voters go the polls in November. What we are witnessing is a massive Republican effort to wipe out the Russia scandal.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-02-14--Elizabeth Warren Leads Bill To Block Funding For Trump DOJ Meddling

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) and a group of Senate Democrats have introduced a bill that would block funding for Trump ’ s meddling at the DOJ .
Sen. Warren suggested blocking the funding as an option during a recent interview on MSNBC , “ We can ’ t let this moment go unremarked .
What the attorney general has done , we should all be calling for the resignation of the attorney general .
If he won ’ t resign , remember the attorney general can be impeached .
And also , we should be using the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can put budget constraints so that Donald Trump is not able to have any funding to be able to interfere with actions that affect Trump , the Trump family , Trump buddies , Trump campaign workers .
We can ’ t just sit on our hands.
” Warren and her fellow Democratic Senators aren ’ t sitting around and waiting for the presidential election to fix things .
With the Senate in the middle of a budget fight , Warren ’ s bill stands a better chance of being included in the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislative process .
Republicans will still try to shoot it down , but Democrats are trying to act to end Trump ’ s corruption of the DOJ .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and a group of Senate Democrats have introduced a bill that would block funding for Trump’s meddling at the DOJ.
Warren tweeted:
I'm leading a bill with @ChrisVanHollen, @maziehirono, & @SenMarkey to deny funding for Trump's DOJ appointees to interfere in matters related to Trump, his family, or his campaign associates. No money for corrupt appointees to meddle on behalf of the President or his buddies. pic.twitter.com/SEhXeWU1K0 — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 14, 2020
Sen. Warren suggested blocking the funding as an option during a recent interview on MSNBC, “We can’t let this moment go unremarked. What the attorney general has done, we should all be calling for the resignation of the attorney general. If he won’t resign, remember the attorney general can be impeached. And also, we should be using the other tools of congress and that is we can put budget constraints so that Donald Trump is not able to have any funding to be able to interfere with actions that affect Trump, the Trump family, Trump buddies, Trump campaign workers. We can’t just sit on our hands.”
Warren and her fellow Democratic Senators aren’t sitting around and waiting for the presidential election to fix things. With the Senate in the middle of a budget fight, Warren’s bill stands a better chance of being included in the final DOJ budget package than through the usual legislative process.
Republicans will still try to shoot it down, but Democrats are trying to act to end Trump’s corruption of the DOJ.
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politicususa--2020-02-14--Trump Just Lost A Big Case On Taking Away Medicaid Coverage

One of the most conservative judges in the country ruled against a Trump administration effort to allow the states to throw millions off Medicaid .
One of the most conservative judges in the country just handed down an opinion saying that the Trump administration acted illegally when it permitted the state of Arkansas to strip health coverage from thousands of Medicaid beneficiaries .
Judge David Sentelle ’ s opinion in Gresham v. Azar , on behalf of himself and two of his colleagues on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit , is significant in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also significant because it suggests that the Trump administration will have a tough time defending its conduct if this case is heard by the Supreme Court .
The heart of the ruling is that Trump can ’ t toss out the objectives of Congress and replace them with his own .
In other words , Congress makes the laws and Trump implements them .
The President does not have the power to changes the legislative objectives that are passed by Congress .
Eighteen thousand people would have lost their Medicaid coverage in Arkansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red states would have followed Arkansas .
The result would have been millions of Americans without health insurance coverage .
Trump has made it his goal to publicly proclaim to be saving healthcare while privately attempting to take away insurance from millions of people .
The President is already worried that Democrats are going to kill him on healthcare , and court rulings that he broke the law while trying to make more Americans uninsured will only boost the Democratic case in November .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel @ @ @ @ @

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One of the most conservative judges in the country ruled against a Trump administration effort to allow the states to throw millions off Medicaid.
Vox reported:
One of the most conservative judges in the country just handed down an opinion saying that the Trump administration acted illegally when it permitted the state of Arkansas to strip health coverage from thousands of Medicaid beneficiaries.
Judge David Sentelle’s opinion in Gresham v. Azar, on behalf of himself and two of his colleagues on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, is significant in its own right. But it is also significant because it suggests that the Trump administration will have a tough time defending its conduct if this case is heard by the Supreme Court.
The heart of the ruling is that Trump can’t toss out the objectives of Congress and replace them with his own. In other words, Congress makes the laws and Trump implements them. The President does not have the power to changes the legislative objectives that are passed by Congress.
Eighteen thousand people would have lost their Medicaid coverage in Arkansas, and without this ruling other larger red states would have followed Arkansas. The result would have been millions of Americans without health insurance coverage.
Trump has made it his goal to publicly proclaim to be saving healthcare while privately attempting to take away insurance from millions of people.
The President is already worried that Democrats are going to kill him on healthcare, and court rulings that he broke the law while trying to make more Americans uninsured will only boost the Democratic case in November.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-14--Barr Brings In Outside Prosecutor To Whitewash Mike Flynn Crimes

The cover-up ahead of the 2020 election expanded as Attorney General Barr brought in an outside prosecutor to review Mike Flynn ’ s case .
The New York Times reported : Attorney General William P. Barr has assigned an outside prosecutor to scrutinize the criminal case against President Trump ’ s former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn , according to people familiar with the matter .
The review is highly unusual and could trigger more accusations of political interference by top Justice Department officials into the work of career prosecutors .
Attorney General Barr is engaging in political interference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undo the previous work and convictions of Trump ’ s allies and friends .
Trump is using the DOJ to discredit the Russia investigation and the convictions that came from it ahead of the 2020 election .
Trump and Barr are going to sell the 2016 Russia scandal as a “ hoax ” while actively soliciting and not prosecuting foreign election interference by the Russians and others in the 2020 election .
Barr can issue fake criticism of Trump , but the truth is revealed in his actions .
Barr is working hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laying the groundwork for presidential cheating in the November election .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The cover-up ahead of the 2020 election expanded as Attorney General Barr brought in an outside prosecutor to review Mike Flynn’s case.
The New York Times reported:
Attorney General William P. Barr has assigned an outside prosecutor to scrutinize the criminal case against President Trump’s former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn, according to people familiar with the matter.
The review is highly unusual and could trigger more accusations of political interference by top Justice Department officials into the work of career prosecutors.
Attorney General Barr is engaging in political interference with career prosecutors in a bid to undo the previous work and convictions of Trump’s allies and friends. Trump is using the DOJ to discredit the Russia investigation and the convictions that came from it ahead of the 2020 election.
Trump and Barr are going to sell the 2016 Russia scandal as a “hoax” while actively soliciting and not prosecuting foreign election interference by the Russians and others in the 2020 election.
Barr can issue fake criticism of Trump, but the truth is revealed in his actions. Barr is working hand in hand with Trump, and his laying the groundwork for presidential cheating in the November election.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-17--Bad News For Trump As Roger Stone Judge Orders On The Record Meeting

Judge Amy Berman Jackson has called an on the record telephone conference with all parties in the Roger Stone case @ @ @ @ @ .
Here is the order from Judge Berman Jackson : One doesn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ or Matlock to figure out why this meeting is taking place .
The judge is @ @ @ @ @ the four prosecutors in the Stone case quit .
Judge Berman Jackson isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ to be hijacked by Trump and Barr .
It is not a good sign for @ @ @ @ @ likely very angry and wanting answers .
The odds are getting better by the minute @ @ @ @ @ matter what Trump and Barr recommend in the reduced sentencing recommendation .
The judge should @ @ @ @ @ , and if she does , the pressure will be on Trump to pardon him @ @ @ @ @ and Barr ’ s scheme to get Roger Stone off easy appears to be backfiring @ @ @ @ @ this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Judge Amy Berman Jackson has called an on the record telephone conference with all parties in the Roger Stone case just two days before sentencing.
Here is the order from Judge Berman Jackson:
BREAKING: judge on the Roger Stone case has called an on the record phone conference from her courtroom two days out from the sentencing this week. @CourthouseNews pic.twitter.com/K1JFaDrWli — Megan Mineiro (@MMineiro_CNS) February 16, 2020
One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist or Matlock to figure out why this meeting is taking place. The judge is going to want to investigate the four prosecutors in the Stone case quit.
Judge Berman Jackson isn’t going to allow the case to be hijacked by Trump and Barr. It is not a good sign for Trump that the judge is likely very angry and wanting answers.
The odds are getting better by the minute that it won’t matter what Trump and Barr recommend in the reduced sentencing recommendation. The judge should throw the book at Stone, and if she does, the pressure will be on Trump to pardon him before the election.
Trump and Barr’s scheme to get Roger Stone off easy appears to be backfiring.
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politicususa--2020-02-17--Trump Swears Revenge On House Democrats For Impeaching Him

Impeachment is the wound that won ’ t heal for Trump , so he is personally trying to get revenge against Pelosi by winning back the House .
Axios reported : – Trump has indicated to aides that he is committed to winning back the House this year , a senior administration official tells Axios — largely because McCarthy has told him it ’ s possible .
– A second administration official said Trump wants revenge on Democrats for putting him through “ months of hell ” with impeachment and a flurry of investigations .
Even prominent Republicans privately concede @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority are slim .
Also , Trump has an aversion to small arenas and likes to leave the retail politics to Vice President Mike Pence and other surrogates , like Kellyanne Conway and Donald Trump Jr .
If Trump is counting on Kevin McCarthy to give him accurate information , he is in for a major disappointment .
The reality of the situation is that Republicans have been hit by a wave of incumbent mass retirements , poor candidate recruiting , and terrible fundraising .
The redrawn district map in North Carolina should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone .
Republicans would be lucky to pick up a few House seats in 2020 .
The situation is so dire that many Republican donors have already written off the House , and are putting their money into saving the Senate .
Republicans on the ground have been trying to warn Trump that a 2020 disaster is coming , but instead , he is wasting his time on a silly revenge fantasy that has little chance of happening .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Impeachment is the wound that won’t heal for Trump, so he is personally trying to get revenge against Pelosi by winning back the House.
Axios reported:
– Trump has indicated to aides that he is committed to winning back the House this year, a senior administration official tells Axios — largely because McCarthy has told him it’s possible.
– A second administration official said Trump wants revenge on Democrats for putting him through “months of hell” with impeachment and a flurry of investigations.
….
Even prominent Republicans privately concede that their chances of actually regaining the majority are slim. Also, Trump has an aversion to small arenas and likes to leave the retail politics to Vice President Mike Pence and other surrogates, like Kellyanne Conway and Donald Trump Jr.
If Trump is counting on Kevin McCarthy to give him accurate information, he is in for a major disappointment. The reality of the situation is that Republicans have been hit by a wave of incumbent mass retirements, poor candidate recruiting, and terrible fundraising. The redrawn district map in North Carolina should net Democrats an additional three House seats alone.
Republicans would be lucky to pick up a few House seats in 2020. The situation is so dire that many Republican donors have already written off the House, and are putting their money into saving the Senate.
Republicans on the ground have been trying to warn Trump that a 2020 disaster is coming, but instead, he is wasting his time on a silly revenge fantasy that has little chance of happening.
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politicususa--2020-02-16--Trump Breaks The Law With Campaign Stunt At Daytona 500

Donald Trump used the taxpayer-owned and funded presidential limousine to take a lap at the Daytona 500 in a presidential @ @ @ @ @ Trump riding around the track : As Maggie Haberman pointed out Trump is using taxpayers @ @ @ @ @ : It is illegal for elected officials to use taxpayer resources for personal political events @ @ @ @ @ not owned by Trump .
It is owned by the taxpayers .
Trump went to @ @ @ @ @ of his presidential election campaign .
It wasn ’ t an official presidential event .
@ @ @ @ @ listed on the presidential schedule for Sunday .
The reason why no other president has @ @ @ @ @ presidential limo at Daytona before is that it is illegal .
For more discussion about @ @ @ @ @ Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Donald Trump used the taxpayer-owned and funded presidential limousine to take a lap at the Daytona 500 in a presidential campaign stunt.
Here is Trump riding around the track:
The presidential limo known as “The Beast” making its debut at Daytona 500 today. The president looking for NASCAR fans support in his re-election bid. pic.twitter.com/A17i8wF03C — Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) February 16, 2020
As Maggie Haberman pointed out Trump is using taxpayers resources for his reelection campaign:
Using the official apparatus of government for what appears to be a political event https://t.co/GWNm8io8O1 — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) February 16, 2020
Video clip:
It is illegal for elected officials to use taxpayer resources for personal political events. The presidential limo is not owned by Trump. It is owned by the taxpayers. Trump went to the Daytona 500 as part of his presidential election campaign. It wasn’t an official presidential event.
Trump had no public events listed on the presidential schedule for Sunday.
The reason why no other president has taken a lap in the presidential limo at Daytona before is that it is illegal.
Donald Trump didn’t make history on Sunday.
He broke another law.
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politicususa--2020-02-16--Even Fox News Won’t Put Up With Kellyanne Conway’s McCabe Nonsense

Fox News Sunday ’ s Chris Wallace repeatedly pressed Kellyanne Conway as refused to answer questions and spewed nonsense about Andrew McCabe .
Wallace tried to get answers out of Conway several times : Q : Does he think that McCabe should be prosecuted ?
Conway : The president recognizes as many do that there is a two-tiered criminal justice system .
Q : Does the president think that the Mccabe case should be reopened ?
Conway : The president appreciates the fact that this department of justice works on any number of issues that doesn ’ t get any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is small potatoes .
Conway : He will also be seen as a liar and leaker .
The president thinks that Andy Mccabe should have been punished because he lied to the investigators and many people feel the same way .
No one is buying for a second the White House ’ s claims that McCabe is small potatoes .
Trump is outraged by the DOJ not charging Andrew McCabe because a key part of his reelection strategy is discrediting the foundation of the Russia investigation .
Kellyanne Conway tried to dance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even minimize the importance of Andrew McCabe , but this exchange between Conway and Wallace was a reminder that it doesn ’ t matter what anyone else in the White House says , Trump is never in control and will always reveal himself through emotional outbursts .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Fox News Sunday’s Chris Wallace repeatedly pressed Kellyanne Conway as refused to answer questions and spewed nonsense about Andrew McCabe.
Wallace tried to get answers out of Conway several times:
Q: Does he think that McCabe should be prosecuted?
Conway: The president recognizes as many do that there is a two-tiered criminal justice system.
….
Q: Does the president think that the Mccabe case should be reopened?
Conway: The president appreciates the fact that this department of justice works on any number of issues that doesn’t get any kind of coverage. Sanctuary cities — this is small potatoes.
….
Q: The Mccabe case is small potatoes?
Conway: He will also be seen as a liar and leaker. The president thinks that Andy Mccabe should have been punished because he lied to the investigators and many people feel the same way.
Video:
Fox News's Chris Wallace presses Kellyanne Conway to actually answer questions about McCabe. pic.twitter.com/mbc6c9E3u4 — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 16, 2020
No one is buying for a second the White House’s claims that McCabe is small potatoes. Trump is outraged by the DOJ not charging Andrew McCabe because a key part of his reelection strategy is discrediting the foundation of the Russia investigation.
Kellyanne Conway tried to dance around Trump’s unhappiness, and even minimize the importance of Andrew McCabe, but this exchange between Conway and Wallace was a reminder that it doesn’t matter what anyone else in the White House says, Trump is never in control and will always reveal himself through emotional outbursts.
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politicususa--2020-02-16--Tom Cotton Spreads Brain Melting Coronavirus Conspiracy Theory On Fox

The World Health Organization is warning against spreading coronavirus conspiracy , but that didn ’ t stop Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) on Fox News .
Cotton said on Fox News ’ s Sunday Morning Futures , “ We also know that just a few miles away from that food market is China ’ s only biosafety level four super laboratory that researches human infectious diseases .
Now , we don ’ t have evidence that this disease originated there , but because of China ’ s duplicity and dishonesty from the beginning , we need to at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence is , and China right now is not giving any evidence on that question at all.
” When asked what they do at the superlab , Cotton said it is unclear .
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said , “ I would also like to speak briefly about the importance of facts , not fear .
People must have access to accurate information to protect themselves and others…At the WHO we ’ re not just battling the virus , we ’ re also battling the trolls and conspiracy theories that undermine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News are part of the conspiracy theorists and trolls that the WHO has to battle against .
Cotton is suggesting that the virus started in a Chinese military lab with zero evidence to back up his “ questions.
” The theory itself is ridiculous , and it is brain-melting that both a sitting US Senator and a US television network could be so irresponsible .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The World Health Organization is warning against spreading coronavirus conspiracy, but that didn’t stop Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) on Fox News.
Cotton said on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures, “We also know that just a few miles away from that food market is China’s only biosafety level four super laboratory that researches human infectious diseases. Now, we don’t have evidence that this disease originated there, but because of China’s duplicity and dishonesty from the beginning, we need to at least ask the question to see where the evidence is, and China right now is not giving any evidence on that question at all.”
When asked what they do at the superlab, Cotton said it is unclear.
Video:
This is incredibly dangerous — a conspiracy theory, costumed as a question; and an interviewer unprepared or unwilling to push back with facts. pic.twitter.com/8XqCoVmnl7 — David Gura (@davidgura) February 16, 2020
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “I would also like to speak briefly about the importance of facts, not fear. People must have access to accurate information to protect themselves and others…At the WHO we’re not just battling the virus, we’re also battling the trolls and conspiracy theories that undermine our response.”
Tom Cotton and Fox News are part of the conspiracy theorists and trolls that the WHO has to battle against. Cotton is suggesting that the virus started in a Chinese military lab with zero evidence to back up his “questions.”
The theory itself is ridiculous, and it is brain-melting that both a sitting US Senator and a US television network could be so irresponsible.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-16--White House Laughably Claims That Barr Decided On His Own To Reduce Stone’s Sentence

Vice President Mike Pence ’ s Chief of Staff claimed on Sunday that Barr decided on his own to reduce Stone ’ s sentence , and Trump was not involved .
Pence ’ s Chief of Staff Marc Short said on CNN ’ s State of the Union , “ There has been a bias inside the Department of Justice that Attorney General Barr is trying to correct .
I think he has said that the president has not called him directly to say , please do these things .
He has acted independently to initiate these reviews , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fantastic job with it.
” Short ’ s version of events contains a lie of omission .
Trump didn ’ t necessarily have to contact Barr directly .
He tweeted his wishes , and then , like magic , the next morrning Barr announced that he was reducing Stone ’ s sentencing recommendation .
The Vice President ’ s chief of staff claims bias in the Justice Department when an IG report found no bias in the FBI .
It is all conspiracy theories and contrived nonsense intended to hide Trump and Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice .
There is a reason why 1,100 former DOJ officials and prosecutors are calling on Barr to resign .
The Attorney General is doing the president ’ s bidding and in the process corrupting federal law enforcement in the United States .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Vice President Mike Pence’s Chief of Staff claimed on Sunday that Barr decided on his own to reduce Stone’s sentence, and Trump was not involved.
Pence’s Chief of Staff Marc Short said on CNN’s State of the Union, “There has been a bias inside the Department of Justice that Attorney General Barr is trying to correct. I think he has said that the president has not called him directly to say, please do these things. He has acted independently to initiate these reviews, and I think that e has doing a fantastic job with it.”
Video:
On CNN, Marc Short, chief of staff for Pence, insists AG Barr's move to reduce Roger Stone's sentencing recommendation was a decision he made independently of Trump's Twitter tantrum on the same topic because "he said the president has not called him directly to do these things." pic.twitter.com/AASijd7AeG — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 16, 2020
Short’s version of events contains a lie of omission. Trump didn’t necessarily have to contact Barr directly. He tweeted his wishes, and then, like magic, the next morrning Barr announced that he was reducing Stone’s sentencing recommendation.
The Vice President’s chief of staff claims bias in the Justice Department when an IG report found no bias in the FBI. It is all conspiracy theories and contrived nonsense intended to hide Trump and Barr’s politicization of the Department of Justice.
There is a reason why 1,100 former DOJ officials and prosecutors are calling on Barr to resign. The Attorney General is doing the president’s bidding and in the process corrupting federal law enforcement in the United States.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-16--1,100 Former Prosecutors and DOJ Officials Call On Barr To Resign

One thousand one hundred former federal prosecutors and DOJ officials , both Republicans and Democrats , have come together to call on Attorney General William Barr to resign .
Via The New York Times : More than 1,100 former federal prosecutors and Justice Department officials called on Attorney General William P. Barr on Sunday to step down after he intervened last week to lower the Justice Department ’ s sentencing recommendation for President Trump ’ s longtime friend Roger J .
Stone Jr. “ Each of us strongly condemns President Trump ’ s and Attorney General Barr ’ s interference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the former Justice Department lawyers , who came from across the political spectrum , wrote in an open letter on Sunday .
Those actions , they said , “ require Mr. Barr to resign.
” Two points are clear .
William Barr is corrupt and should not be the Attorney General .
Secondly , William Barr will never resign .
Donald Trump is delighted that he has an attorney general who is willing to act as his own personal lawyer .
Barr is happy to ignore the law and politicize the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great tool and should be used to expose Barr and this administration at every opportunity , but the only way to get rid of William Barr is to defeat Donald Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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One thousand one hundred former federal prosecutors and DOJ officials, both Republicans and Democrats, have come together to call on Attorney General William Barr to resign.
Via The New York Times:
More than 1,100 former federal prosecutors and Justice Department officials called on Attorney General William P. Barr on Sunday to step down after he intervened last week to lower the Justice Department’s sentencing recommendation for President Trump’s longtime friend Roger J. Stone Jr.
….
“Each of us strongly condemns President Trump’s and Attorney General Barr’s interference in the fair administration of justice,” the former Justice Department lawyers, who came from across the political spectrum, wrote in an open letter on Sunday. Those actions, they said, “require Mr. Barr to resign.”
Two points are clear. William Barr is corrupt and should not be the Attorney General. Secondly, William Barr will never resign.
Donald Trump is delighted that he has an attorney general who is willing to act as his own personal lawyer. Barr is happy to ignore the law and politicize the Department of Justice.
Public pressure is a great tool and should be used to expose Barr and this administration at every opportunity, but the only way to get rid of William Barr is to defeat Donald Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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