politicususa--2020-05-16--Opinion: Trump is systematically ripping America to shreds

It is no small wonder that besides evangelical fundamentalists , Trump ’ s greatest electoral base is comprised of anti-government , racist conspiracy theorists dreaming of destroying America from within .
Although that nasty segment of the population is a minority and seemingly powerless to dismantle the government on its own , and although Trump sits in a place he should be banned from occupying , he wields a significant amount of unwarranted power .
In Trump ’ s case , his dictatorial power is granted by Republicans in Congress who allow Trump to do precisely what the GOP dreams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government with the sole purpose of tearing it apart .
There are plenty of Americans who believe in limited government , but it is likely that even those people comprehend that there are certain things only government can provide ; it is much , much more than funding a powerful military .
And , it is crucial to note that even selfish Libertarians comprehend that without “ government ” there would be no services all Americans use and depend on .
Those services , in particular , entail all manner of laws and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting the people from predators like Trump , power-hungry religious fundamentalists , and industries controlling the current government .
First , it is important to note that nearly everything Trump has done to dismantle the parts of government created for the general welfare of the American people are part and parcel of every Republicans ’ raison d ’ être over the past several decades .
It is not that Republicans necessarily detest every agency created to protect the people , it is simply that their fealty lies with the predators the various government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to intuit if there is any part of the Federal government , or America , that Trump is not willing to destroy to feed his malicious narcissism as well as satisfy his Republican Party base .
It is true that every new administration comes into power with specific agendas , but within days of Trump ’ s poorly-attended inauguration it was clear that no part of the federal government would be spared his malicious narcissism .
His goal was , and still is , tearing America to shreds and putting an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” States of America .
It was also clear there were no civil servants Trump would not punish for failing to worship him as god almighty .
There is clearly no agency or department making up the Federal government that Trump has not attempted to dismantle whether it is the Environmental Protection Agency , Department of Education , Consumer Protection Agency ( Federal Trade Commission ) , Centers for Disease Control , National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAH ) , Federal Reserve , FDA , United States Postal Service , Social Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , State Department , Department of Energy and many , many others .
Trump ’ s methodology for dismantling those critical agencies and departments was diabolically transparent – either install well-known industry lobbyists and Republicans openly calling for those agencies and departments ’ demise , or by drastically cutting funding to break them .
Breaking the government is not Trump ’ s only assault on America .
He has made no secret that pitting Americans against each other is paramount to his dictatorial goal .
The latest Trump abomination of glorifying racists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ call to action ” is bearing fruit across the nation and putting lawfully elected leaders in mortal jeopardy .
In particular , calling for Americans devoted to Trump as dictator to be “ warriors ” in “ America ’ s comeback ” has incited calls for Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer ’ s assassination .
Trump ’ s so-called “ very good people , ” his so-called “ warriors ” to reopen states , want Governor Whitmer either lynched in public , shot dead , beaten , or beheaded .
Some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards Democrats , particularly Democratic women , are more akin to third-world tyrants ruling banana republics than the leader of a representative democracy .
Some comments from Trump ’ s Michigan supporters reveal the danger of inciting opposition to lawful regulations .
“ We need a good old fashioned lynch mob to storm the Capitol , drag her tyrannical ass out onto the street and string her up as our forefathers would have .
Drag that tyrant governor out to the front lawn .
Fit her for a noose.
” ” Either Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be a midnight lynching in Lansing soon.
” ” Plain and simple she needs to eat lead and send a statement to the rest of the democrats that they are next .
Wonder how long till she ’ s hit with a shotgun blast .
Can we just take up a collection for an assassin to put that woman from Michigan down ?
” It is noteworthy that those death threats are a direct result of Trump ’ s “ call to action.
” Just a month ago Trump called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Michigan.
” ( author bold ) Trump has been so successful inciting hatred among Americans that with valuable assistance from “ Moscow Mitch ” McConnell , so-called “ red states ” are now directly appealing Congress to deny any stimulus assistance for neighboring states with Democratic leaders .
All the while , instead of calling for unity , Trump is ramping up the “ us versus them ” rhetoric that has already caused the death of innocent Americans .
Across America there are reports of Trump ’ s coronavirus warriors attacking other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as follow lawful state rules – including abusing law enforcement officers wearing masks .
Trump has even assaulted members of the military whether it is demanding the immediate firing of an aircraft carrier ’ s Captain , or calling top military brass “ babies and dopes.
” All the while he unilaterally reinstated a Navy Seal and pardoned two other officers even after Defense Secretary Esper reportedly met with Trump to dissuade him from intervening in military justice cases .
Prior to meeting with Trump , Mr. Esper told reporters that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military justice system.
” Trump disagreed with Esper and took action against the military justice system – simply to curry favor with his base .
Whether it was assaulting the federal judiciary , or the federal law enforcement community call them “ human scum , ” or referring to the State Department as “ deep State Department , ” undermining the public ’ s trust in every government entity has been his raison d ’ être since he took office .
It is no small coincidence that Trump ’ s three year attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perfectly with the intent of Vladimir Putin .
It is almost certain that throughout America ’ s history no White House occupant has ever attempted to divide the nation for any reason – much less for his own benefit .
There is no part of the Federal government Trump hasn ’ t assaulted , insulted , and demeaned , and no group of people he hasn ’ t incited opposition against from his anti-government , racist , and religious right base who lust for a reason to initiate a civil war .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unite the American people was on display in a very telling way when he attacked former President George W. Bush for doing the unthinkable in Trump ’ s kingdom – call for unity among Americans during a deadly crisis .
It is a sad commentary for America that its abomination in the Oval Office has spent the past three-and-a-half years working tirelessly , in concert with Republicans , to tear America apart and assault everything about this nation , including its founding document .
Trump ’ s nonstop acts of self-aggrandizing , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the country , reveals that hating America is his religion .
And yes , Trump hates everything about America or he would not make ripping it apart and pitting Americans against each other his sole purpose in life .
Donald J. Trump is not simply un-American , he is decidedly anti-America and the greatest threat to this nation ’ s survival – exactly according to Vladimir Putin ’ s plans .

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It is no small wonder that besides evangelical fundamentalists, Trump’s greatest electoral base is comprised of anti-government, racist conspiracy theorists dreaming of destroying America from within. Although that nasty segment of the population is a minority and seemingly powerless to dismantle the government on its own, and although Trump sits in a place he should be banned from occupying, he wields a significant amount of unwarranted power. In Trump’s case, his dictatorial power is granted by Republicans in Congress who allow Trump to do precisely what the GOP dreams about – assaulting every part of the government with the sole purpose of tearing it apart.
There are plenty of Americans who believe in limited government, but it is likely that even those people comprehend that there are certain things only government can provide; it is much, much more than funding a powerful military. And, it is crucial to note that even selfish Libertarians comprehend that without “government” there would be no services all Americans use and depend on. Those services, in particular, entail all manner of laws and regulations enacted for the sole purpose of protecting the people from predators like Trump, power-hungry religious fundamentalists, and industries controlling the current government.
First, it is important to note that nearly everything Trump has done to dismantle the parts of government created for the general welfare of the American people are part and parcel of every Republicans’ raison d’être over the past several decades. It is not that Republicans necessarily detest every agency created to protect the people, it is simply that their fealty lies with the predators the various government agencies exist to regulate.
It is difficult to intuit if there is any part of the Federal government, or America, that Trump is not willing to destroy to feed his malicious narcissism as well as satisfy his Republican Party base. It is true that every new administration comes into power with specific agendas, but within days of Trump’s poorly-attended inauguration it was clear that no part of the federal government would be spared his malicious narcissism. His goal was, and still is, tearing America to shreds and putting an end to the concept of a “United” States of America. It was also clear there were no civil servants Trump would not punish for failing to worship him as god almighty.
There is clearly no agency or department making up the Federal government that Trump has not attempted to dismantle whether it is the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Education, Consumer Protection Agency (Federal Trade Commission), Centers for Disease Control, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAH), Federal Reserve, FDA, United States Postal Service, Social Security Trust, Agriculture Department (USDA), State Department, Department of Energy and many, many others. Trump’s methodology for dismantling those critical agencies and departments was diabolically transparent – either install well-known industry lobbyists and Republicans openly calling for those agencies and departments’ demise, or by drastically cutting funding to break them.
Breaking the government is not Trump’s only assault on America. He has made no secret that pitting Americans against each other is paramount to his dictatorial goal. The latest Trump abomination of glorifying racists and gun-toting malcontents who are dutifully following his “call to action” is bearing fruit across the nation and putting lawfully elected leaders in mortal jeopardy. In particular, calling for Americans devoted to Trump as dictator to be “warriors” in “America’s comeback” has incited calls for Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s assassination.
Trump’s so-called “very good people,” his so-called “warriors” to reopen states, want Governor Whitmer either lynched in public, shot dead, beaten, or beheaded. Some of the comments echoing Trump’s not-so-subtle antipathy towards Democrats, particularly Democratic women, are more akin to third-world tyrants ruling banana republics than the leader of a representative democracy. Some comments from Trump’s Michigan supporters reveal the danger of inciting opposition to lawful regulations.
“We need a good old fashioned lynch mob to storm the Capitol, drag her tyrannical ass out onto the street and string her up as our forefathers would have. Drag that tyrant governor out to the front lawn. Fit her for a noose.”
”Either President Trump sends in the troops or there is going to be a midnight lynching in Lansing soon.”
”Plain and simple she needs to eat lead and send a statement to the rest of the democrats that they are next. Wonder how long till she’s hit with a shotgun blast. Can we just take up a collection for an assassin to put that woman from Michigan down?”
It is noteworthy that those death threats are a direct result of Trump’s “call to action.” Just a month ago Trump called the lawfully elected Michigan Governor “that woman from Michigan.” (author bold)
Trump has been so successful inciting hatred among Americans that with valuable assistance from “Moscow Mitch” McConnell, so-called “red states” are now directly appealing Congress to deny any stimulus assistance for neighboring states with Democratic leaders. All the while, instead of calling for unity, Trump is ramping up the “us versus them” rhetoric that has already caused the death of innocent Americans.
Across America there are reports of Trump’s coronavirus warriors attacking other Americans for attempting to save lives, as well as follow lawful state rules – including abusing law enforcement officers wearing masks.
Trump has even assaulted members of the military whether it is demanding the immediate firing of an aircraft carrier’s Captain, or calling top military brass “babies and dopes.” All the while he unilaterally reinstated a Navy Seal and pardoned two other officers even after Defense Secretary Esper reportedly met with Trump to dissuade him from intervening in military justice cases. Prior to meeting with Trump, Mr. Esper told reporters that he has “full confidence in the military justice system.” Trump disagreed with Esper and took action against the military justice system – simply to curry favor with his base.
Whether it was assaulting the federal judiciary, or the federal law enforcement community call them “human scum,” or referring to the State Department as “deep State Department,” undermining the public’s trust in every government entity has been his raison d’être since he took office. It is no small coincidence that Trump’s three year attempt to undermine pubic trust in government fits perfectly with the intent of Vladimir Putin.
It is almost certain that throughout America’s history no White House occupant has ever attempted to divide the nation for any reason – much less for his own benefit. There is no part of the Federal government Trump hasn’t assaulted, insulted, and demeaned, and no group of people he hasn’t incited opposition against from his anti-government, racist, and religious right base who lust for a reason to initiate a civil war.
Trump’s antipathy towards anyone attempting to unite the American people was on display in a very telling way when he attacked former President George W. Bush for doing the unthinkable in Trump’s kingdom – call for unity among Americans during a deadly crisis.
It is a sad commentary for America that its abomination in the Oval Office has spent the past three-and-a-half years working tirelessly, in concert with Republicans, to tear America apart and assault everything about this nation, including its founding document.
Trump’s nonstop acts of self-aggrandizing, no matter the amount of damage he wreaks on the country, reveals that hating America is his religion. And yes, Trump hates everything about America or he would not make ripping it apart and pitting Americans against each other his sole purpose in life. Donald J. Trump is not simply un-American, he is decidedly anti-America and the greatest threat to this nation’s survival – exactly according to Vladimir Putin’s plans.


politicususa--2020-05-16--‘Shame On You’: Gov. Cuomo Slams GOP Lawmakers For Dismissing Blue State Coronavirus Deaths

In his daily briefing on Saturday , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo blasted Republican lawmakers for treating blue state coronavirus deaths as less significant than those that happen in red states .
“ For senators to be talking about , I ’ m not going to bail out blue states because the blue states have more coronavirus cases , shame on you , ” the governor said .
He added , “ Shame on you to look at the death toll in this nation and say I want to count how many people passed away by their political party.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is incapable of showing , said now is the time to set politics aside and try to be “ great leaders.
” Let ’ s put the politics aside .
If there ’ s ever a moment in this government , in this country , where it ’ s not about politics , this is the moment .
I mean , for senators to be talking about , I ’ m not going to bail out blue states because the blue states have more coronavirus cases , shame on you .
Shame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll in this nation and say I want to count how many people passed away by their political party and I ’ m more interested in states where Republicans live than where Democrats live .
We ’ re not Democrats or Republicans .
We ’ re Americans .
That ’ s what comes first .
And in a time of crisis , we ’ ve always been Americans .
And the great leaders , Democrats and Republican , have always said that .
Go back and look at the great Republicans .
Go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and see how they operated .
And try to be great in this moment , senator and congressperson .
Trump has turned a global pandemic into another red vs. blue fight There are a lot of local and state leaders in both parties who have followed Gov .
Cuomo ’ s advice to set politics aside and do the right thing for the country in this moment of crisis .
Many of them have seen their approval ratings surge in recent months .
But the most powerful leader in the world , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propaganda machine on TV , have turned this pandemic into another red vs. blue political fight .
At the peak of the crisis , Trump showed that he was more willing to give aid to states who praised him as opposed to those who were critical of his response .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell echoed the president by calling the federal stimulus package a “ blue state bailout.
” Now , as America tries to reopen the economy safety , Trump has politicized the very idea of wearing a mask when going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force recommends .
This virus has done enough damage on its own , infecting about 1.5 million Americans and killing nearly 90,000 .
Donald Trump ’ s decision to politicize that carnage has only made the crisis worse .

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In his daily briefing on Saturday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo blasted Republican lawmakers for treating blue state coronavirus deaths as less significant than those that happen in red states.
“For senators to be talking about, I’m not going to bail out blue states because the blue states have more coronavirus cases, shame on you,” the governor said.
He added, “Shame on you to look at the death toll in this nation and say I want to count how many people passed away by their political party.”
Cuomo, showing the leadership that Trump is incapable of showing, said now is the time to set politics aside and try to be “great leaders.”
Video:
Gov. Andrew Cuomo goes off on Republicans: “For senators to be talking about, I’m not going to bail out blue states because the blue states have more coronavirus cases, shame on you.” #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/R76gRwFmJT — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) May 16, 2020
Cuomo said:
Let’s put the politics aside. If there’s ever a moment in this government, in this country, where it’s not about politics, this is the moment. I mean, for senators to be talking about, I’m not going to bail out blue states because the blue states have more coronavirus cases, shame on you. Shame on you to look at the death toll in this nation and say I want to count how many people passed away by their political party and I’m more interested in states where Republicans live than where Democrats live. We’re not Democrats or Republicans. We’re Americans. That’s what comes first. And in a time of crisis, we’ve always been Americans. And the great leaders, Democrats and Republican, have always said that. Go back and look at the great Republicans. Go back and look at the great Democrats and see how they operated. And try to be great in this moment, senator and congressperson.
Trump has turned a global pandemic into another red vs. blue fight
There are a lot of local and state leaders in both parties who have followed Gov. Cuomo’s advice to set politics aside and do the right thing for the country in this moment of crisis. Many of them have seen their approval ratings surge in recent months.
But the most powerful leader in the world, along with his supporters in Congress and right-wing propaganda machine on TV, have turned this pandemic into another red vs. blue political fight.
At the peak of the crisis, Trump showed that he was more willing to give aid to states who praised him as opposed to those who were critical of his response. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell echoed the president by calling the federal stimulus package a “blue state bailout.”
Now, as America tries to reopen the economy safety, Trump has politicized the very idea of wearing a mask when going out, which his own coronavirus task force recommends.
This virus has done enough damage on its own, infecting about 1.5 million Americans and killing nearly 90,000. Donald Trump’s decision to politicize that carnage has only made the crisis worse.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-16--Trump Spends Saturday Morning Fuming That Governors Have Better Approval Ratings Than Him

Donald Trump was fuming on Saturday morning not because a deadly virus has taken nearly 90,000 American lives , but because governors are getting better approval ratings than he is for their response to the pandemic .
In a tweet , the unhinged president said , “ We ’ ve done a GREAT job on Covid response , making all Governors look good , some fantastic ( and that ’ s OK ) , but the Lamestream Media doesn ’ t want to go with that narrative , and the Do Nothing Dems talking point is to say only bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added , “ I made everybody look good , but me !
” All 50 governors have higher coronavirus ratings than Trump As The Hill reported at the end of last month , “ A sweeping survey of more than 22,000 voters in all 50 states found that most say their governor is doing a better job than President Trump in handling the coronavirus outbreak.
” According to the survey : In every state in the union , residents approve of their own governor ’ s handling of the COVID crisis ( defined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approve ” ) more highly than they rate that of President Trump .
The average gap across the 50 states was 22 percentage points ( 66 for governors compared to 44 % for Trump ) .
That said , the gaps between the governor and the president vary widely , ranging from around 2 percentage points in Oklahoma to a cavernous gap approaching or exceeding 40 points in several solidly Democratic states , like Rhode Island and California .
Overall , public approval of the president ’ s coronavirus response stands at less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent disapprove , according to RealClearPolitics .
Perhaps if Trump , like most governors in both parties , spent his time getting a handle of this virus – something of which he still seems incapable – instead of shouting “ me me me me ” on Twitter , his ratings would be higher than they are .
But given what we know about Donald Trump , that seems unlikely to happen anytime soon .

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Donald Trump was fuming on Saturday morning not because a deadly virus has taken nearly 90,000 American lives, but because governors are getting better approval ratings than he is for their response to the pandemic.
In a tweet, the unhinged president said, “We’ve done a GREAT job on Covid response, making all Governors look good, some fantastic (and that’s OK), but the Lamestream Media doesn’t want to go with that narrative, and the Do Nothing Dems talking point is to say only bad about ‘Trump’.”
He added, “I made everybody look good, but me!”
We’ve done a GREAT job on Covid response, making all Governors look good, some fantastic (and that’s OK), but the Lamestream Media doesn’t want to go with that narrative, and the Do Nothing Dems talking point is to say only bad about “Trump”. I made everybody look good, but me! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 16, 2020
All 50 governors have higher coronavirus ratings than Trump
As The Hill reported at the end of last month, “A sweeping survey of more than 22,000 voters in all 50 states found that most say their governor is doing a better job than President Trump in handling the coronavirus outbreak.”
According to the survey:
In every state in the union, residents approve of their own governor’s handling of the COVID crisis (defined as “approve” or “strongly approve”) more highly than they rate that of President Trump. The average gap across the 50 states was 22 percentage points (66 for governors compared to 44% for Trump). That said, the gaps between the governor and the president vary widely, ranging from around 2 percentage points in Oklahoma to a cavernous gap approaching or exceeding 40 points in several solidly Democratic states, like Rhode Island and California.
Overall, public approval of the president’s coronavirus response stands at less than 43 percent, while over 53 percent disapprove, according to RealClearPolitics.
Perhaps if Trump, like most governors in both parties, spent his time getting a handle of this virus – something of which he still seems incapable – instead of shouting “me me me me” on Twitter, his ratings would be higher than they are.
But given what we know about Donald Trump, that seems unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-16--Trump Calls Maskless Mob Of His Supporters ‘Great People’ After They Chase And Attack A Reporter

In the middle of a pandemic that has killed nearly 90,000 Americans in just a few months , Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday morning to applaud a maskless mob of his supporters who chased and harassed a journalist during a conservative group ’ s rally in Long Island .
In a video shared online by News 12 ’ s Kevin Vesey and retweeted this morning by Trump , the reporter is seen berated , insulted and followed around by a group of the president ’ s supporters , most of whom weren ’ t wearing protective masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , ” one person said , with another adding , “ You are the virus.
” One man proudly showed the reporter his middle finger while saying , “ F–k you , you guys are f—king fake news .
Yeah , put me on TV , too.
” This isn ’ t even the first time Trump shared the disturbing video .
On Friday , he retweeted it with the caption , “ FAKE NEWS IS NOT ESSENTIAL !
” These Trump supporters weren ’ t just unhinged ; they put a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be clear , what the video showed wasn ’ t anything we haven ’ t seen before .
Trump supporters have always reacted this way to journalists because nothing angers them more than objective reporting about their bumbling president .
But in this particular case , the president ’ s mob of backers weren ’ t just behaving like an unhinged mob ; they were putting a reporter ’ s life at risk .
As News 12 reported , “ Vesey says the protesters confronted him at a rally in Commack to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came close to him without masks as he tried to file reports on Facebook Live and Twitter.
” On Twitter , Vesey added , “ I ’ ll probably never forget what happened today .
I was insulted .
I was berated .
I was practically chased by people who refused to wear masks in the middle of a pandemic .
All the while , I was there to tell THEIR story.
” Once again , Donald Trump is embracing life-endangering behavior simply because the people engaging in it happen to be his @ @

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In the middle of a pandemic that has killed nearly 90,000 Americans in just a few months, Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday morning to applaud a maskless mob of his supporters who chased and harassed a journalist during a conservative group’s rally in Long Island.
In a video shared online by News 12’s Kevin Vesey and retweeted this morning by Trump, the reporter is seen berated, insulted and followed around by a group of the president’s supporters, most of whom weren’t wearing protective masks.
People can’t get enough of this. Great people! https://t.co/b4HM0C298h — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 16, 2020
“You are the enemy of the people,” one person said, with another adding, “You are the virus.”
One man proudly showed the reporter his middle finger while saying, “F–k you, you guys are f—king fake news. Yeah, put me on TV, too.”
This isn’t even the first time Trump shared the disturbing video. On Friday, he retweeted it with the caption, “FAKE NEWS IS NOT ESSENTIAL!”
These Trump supporters weren’t just unhinged; they put a reporter’s life at risk
To be clear, what the video showed wasn’t anything we haven’t seen before. Trump supporters have always reacted this way to journalists because nothing angers them more than objective reporting about their bumbling president.
But in this particular case, the president’s mob of backers weren’t just behaving like an unhinged mob; they were putting a reporter’s life at risk.
As News 12 reported, “Vesey says the protesters confronted him at a rally in Commack to reopen Long Island. He says some people came close to him without masks as he tried to file reports on Facebook Live and Twitter.”
On Twitter, Vesey added, “I’ll probably never forget what happened today. I was insulted. I was berated. I was practically chased by people who refused to wear masks in the middle of a pandemic. All the while, I was there to tell THEIR story.”
Once again, Donald Trump is embracing life-endangering behavior simply because the people engaging in it happen to be his supporters.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-16--Trump Fires State Department IG For Investigating Mike Pompeo

Trump fired State Department Inspector General , Steve Linick , for investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ’ s misuse of State Department employees .
Linick had been on the job since 2013 and had recently issued reports criticizing some Trump appointees of retaliating against career public servants .
Democrats expressed outrage at his firing .
The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee , Eliot Engel , D-N.Y. , accused President Trump of taking the action to protect Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
“ I have learned that the Office of the Inspector General had opened an investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Mr .
Linick ’ s firing amid such a probe strongly suggests that this is an unlawful act of retaliation.
” A Democratic aide on Capitol Hill elaborated that “ the OIG was looking into the Secretary ’ s misuse of a political appointee at the Department to perform personal tasks for himself and Mrs. Pompeo.
” Pompeo and his wife are accused of using government employees as their personal servants , which is against the law .
The broader picture is that Donald Trump is trying to remove every Inspector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight of his administration .
Trump and his cronies want to be free to break the law with no on investigating them from within the Executive Branch .
In the middle of a pandemic and an economic collapse , Trump is consumed with carrying out his revenge campaign against oversight of his administration .
Trump and Pompeo ’ s actions are illegal , and the crime wave might not end until January 2021 .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump fired State Department Inspector General, Steve Linick, for investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s misuse of State Department employees.
NPR reported:
Linick had been on the job since 2013 and had recently issued reports criticizing some Trump appointees of retaliating against career public servants. Democrats expressed outrage at his firing. The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., accused President Trump of taking the action to protect Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
“I have learned that the Office of the Inspector General had opened an investigation into Secretary Pompeo,” Engel said. “Mr. Linick’s firing amid such a probe strongly suggests that this is an unlawful act of retaliation.”
….
A Democratic aide on Capitol Hill elaborated that “the OIG was looking into the Secretary’s misuse of a political appointee at the Department to perform personal tasks for himself and Mrs. Pompeo.”
Pompeo and his wife are accused of using government employees as their personal servants, which is against the law.
The broader picture is that Donald Trump is trying to remove every Inspector General because he wants to eliminate all oversight of his administration. Trump and his cronies want to be free to break the law with no on investigating them from within the Executive Branch.
In the middle of a pandemic and an economic collapse, Trump is consumed with carrying out his revenge campaign against oversight of his administration.
Trump and Pompeo’s actions are illegal, and the crime wave might not end until January 2021.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-19--Conservative Leader Matt Schlapp Blames Hillary Clinton’s Emails For Trump’s IG Firings

In a moment that was simultaneously stunning and predictable , American Conservative Union chairman Matt Schlapp blamed former secretary of state Hillary Clinton for Donald Trump ’ s IG firings .
Schlapp told MSNBC ’ s Ari Melber , “ When Hillary Clinton was the secretary of state , I don ’ t recall you doing very many shows over the years in which she had no appointed IG .
I think that was a big mistake.
” He added , “ In the Obama administration , because they didn ’ t have the proper IG oversight , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigations to find out about the email and the server problem.
” I like the idea of an IG in these executive agencies if both sides , right , both administrations get the scrutiny .
When Hillary Clinton was the secretary of state , I don ’ t recall you doing very many shows over the years in which she had no appointed IG .
I think that was a big mistake .
It led to having to have seven congressional investigations … What I am saying is is that in the Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have the proper IG oversight , which was a mistake , it took seven congressional investigations to find out about the email and the server problem which was in violation of the law .
So I agree with you .
We need good IGs that are not political and that will call balls and strikes to both parties .
… I think they should only be fired for cause but legally they can be fired for any reason .
It ’ s hard to find something on which Trump supporters aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her emails , but this is particularly laughable .
After all , what ’ s happening right now is pretty clear : In the middle of a pandemic , Donald Trump is seeking to fire anybody that will provide even basic oversight of his administration .
The latest firing of the State Department ’ s inspector general is the fourth such termination that has taken place during this health crisis .
As PoliticusUSA ’ s Jason Easley noted over the weekend , “ Trump and his cronies want to be free to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them from within the Executive Branch.
” This has nothing to do Hillary Clinton and her emails and everything to do with Donald Trump ’ s dream of having unchecked power .

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In a moment that was simultaneously stunning and predictable, American Conservative Union chairman Matt Schlapp blamed former secretary of state Hillary Clinton for Donald Trump’s IG firings.
Schlapp told MSNBC’s Ari Melber, “When Hillary Clinton was the secretary of state, I don’t recall you doing very many shows over the years in which she had no appointed IG. I think that was a big mistake.”
He added, “In the Obama administration, because they didn’t have the proper IG oversight, which was a mistake, it took seven congressional investigations to find out about the email and the server problem.”
Video:
In response to Trump’s IG firings, conservative leader Matt Schlapp brings up Hillary Clinton’s emails. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/RZKZ86ALuV — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) May 19, 2020
Schlapp said:
I like the idea of an IG in these executive agencies if both sides, right, both administrations get the scrutiny. When Hillary Clinton was the secretary of state, I don’t recall you doing very many shows over the years in which she had no appointed IG. I think that was a big mistake. It led to having to have seven congressional investigations … What I am saying is is that in the Obama administration it took, because they didn’t have the proper IG oversight, which was a mistake, it took seven congressional investigations to find out about the email and the server problem which was in violation of the law. So I agree with you. We need good IGs that are not political and that will call balls and strikes to both parties. … I think they should only be fired for cause but legally they can be fired for any reason.
But her emails!
It’s hard to find something on which Trump supporters aren’t willing to blame Hillary Clinton and her emails, but this is particularly laughable.
After all, what’s happening right now is pretty clear: In the middle of a pandemic, Donald Trump is seeking to fire anybody that will provide even basic oversight of his administration. The latest firing of the State Department’s inspector general is the fourth such termination that has taken place during this health crisis.
As PoliticusUSA’s Jason Easley noted over the weekend, “Trump and his cronies want to be free to break the law with no one investigating them from within the Executive Branch.”
This has nothing to do Hillary Clinton and her emails and everything to do with Donald Trump’s dream of having unchecked power.
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politicususa--2020-05-19--Ex-Bush Speechwriter: Trump Is Okay With Letting Coronavirus Spread In Blue Parts Of The U.S.

David Frum , former speechwriter for George W. Bush , said on Monday that Donald Trump is pushing to reopen the country quickly because he knows a potential coronavirus resurgence would disproportionately hit blue parts of the country .
During a discussion with MSNBC ’ s Ari Melber , Frum said , “ [ The virus ] takes casualties in places that Donald Trump cares less about , and it imposes economic costs on people he cares more about.
” In other words , the president wants restrictions lifted because he knows the negative health consequences will mostly hit people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the economic benefits of reopening will boost areas of the country where more of his supporters live .
It ’ s pretty apparent that the president ’ s strategy – and maybe it ’ s the only strategy that ’ s available after the mistakes of January and February – is to let this disease rip through the country and take the punch .
And that ’ s easier for him because we know more in May about the disease than we did in January and February .
And one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is very much not an equal opportunity killer .
It takes casualties in places that Donald Trump cares less about and it imposes economic costs on people he cares more about .
And so the tradeoff that Donald Trump is constantly making is he wants to reduce the economic cost to the people he cares about by increasing the health costs upon the people he does not care about .
Trump has never cared about his non-supporters Unlike presidents who came before him , Donald Trump has shown time and again that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the country – the minority – that voted for him in 2016 .
Through hateful and divisive rhetoric and policies , his entire presidency has been one giant wink and nod to his foaming-at-the-mouth base of supporters – not anyone else .
One might have thought – or at least hoped – that a global health crisis that has claimed nearly 92,000 American lives would change that for him , but it hasn ’ t .
In fact , he has become even more hateful and divisive throughout this pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump is simply incapable of viewing the country outside of his own political lens , which is why he ’ s more than happy to push the country toward a potentially dangerous and deadly reopening .

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David Frum, former speechwriter for George W. Bush, said on Monday that Donald Trump is pushing to reopen the country quickly because he knows a potential coronavirus resurgence would disproportionately hit blue parts of the country.
During a discussion with MSNBC’s Ari Melber, Frum said, “[The virus] takes casualties in places that Donald Trump cares less about, and it imposes economic costs on people he cares more about.”
In other words, the president wants restrictions lifted because he knows the negative health consequences will mostly hit people that don’t support him, while the economic benefits of reopening will boost areas of the country where more of his supporters live.
Video:
Former George W. Bush speechwriter David Frum said Donald Trump is fine with letting the coronavirus rip through the country since it will disproportionately hit people who don’t support him. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/9PWXbwCcxf — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) May 18, 2020
Frum said:
It’s pretty apparent that the president’s strategy – and maybe it’s the only strategy that’s available after the mistakes of January and February – is to let this disease rip through the country and take the punch. And that’s easier for him because we know more in May about the disease than we did in January and February. And one of the things that we know is that it is very much not an equal opportunity killer. It takes casualties in places that Donald Trump cares less about and it imposes economic costs on people he cares more about. And so the tradeoff that Donald Trump is constantly making is he wants to reduce the economic cost to the people he cares about by increasing the health costs upon the people he does not care about.
Trump has never cared about his non-supporters
Unlike presidents who came before him, Donald Trump has shown time and again that he only has an interest in leading the parts of the country – the minority – that voted for him in 2016.
Through hateful and divisive rhetoric and policies, his entire presidency has been one giant wink and nod to his foaming-at-the-mouth base of supporters – not anyone else.
One might have thought – or at least hoped – that a global health crisis that has claimed nearly 92,000 American lives would change that for him, but it hasn’t. In fact, he has become even more hateful and divisive throughout this pandemic.
At the end of the day, Donald Trump is simply incapable of viewing the country outside of his own political lens, which is why he’s more than happy to push the country toward a potentially dangerous and deadly reopening.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-18--Neil Cavuto Warns Fox Viewers That Trump Will Kill Them With Hydroxychloroquine

Fox News ’ s Neil Cavuto pleaded with viewers not to listen to Trump because if you are in a @ @ @ @ @ kill you .
Cavuto said , “ If you are in a risky population here @ @ @ @ @ this as a preventative treatment to ward off the virus , or in a worse @ @ @ @ @ dealing with the virus , and you are in this vulnerable population , it will @ @ @ @ @ not stress enough .
This will kill you.
” Fox News already has real concerns @ @ @ @ @ coverage of the coronavirus as a hoax .
Cavuto was right .
Hydroxychloroquine will kill @ @ @ @ @ health conditions .
Trump is claiming that he is taking the drug every day , @ @ @ @ @ really matter if he is or isn ’ t .
The important point is that @ @ @ @ @ miracle cures for the coronavirus .
The dangerous part is that his latest miracle cure @ @ @ @ @ of his supporters and Fox News viewers if they listen to his advice .

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Fox News’s Neil Cavuto pleaded with viewers not to listen to Trump because if you are in a vulnerable population, hydroxychloroquine will kill you.
Cavuto said, “If you are in a risky population here, and you are taking this as a preventative treatment to ward off the virus, or in a worse case scenario, you are dealing with the virus, and you are in this vulnerable population, it will kill you. I can not stress enough. This will kill you.”
Video:
Fox News's Neil Cavuto is stunned by Trump's announcement that he's taking hydroxychloroquine: "If you are in a risky population here, and you are taking this as a preventative treatment … it will kill you. I cannot stress enough. This will kill you." pic.twitter.com/e6D5alfAgc — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 18, 2020
Fox News already has real concerns about lawsuits stemming from their coverage of the coronavirus as a hoax. Cavuto was right. Hydroxychloroquine will kill you if one has underlying health conditions. Trump is claiming that he is taking the drug every day, and it doesn’t really matter if he is or isn’t.
The important point is that Trump is back to selling miracle cures for the coronavirus.
The dangerous part is that his latest miracle cure will kill quite a few of his supporters and Fox News viewers if they listen to his advice.


politicususa--2020-05-18--Trump Admits He’s Taking Dangerous Hydroxychloroquine For COVID-19

Trump went off the rails at a White House roundtable and admitted that he is taking the dangerous anti-malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19 .
Trump said , “ Yeah , the white house doctor .
No , he didn ’ t — I said I ’ d like to take it , a lot of people are taking it , frontline workers are taking hydroxychloroquine .
I don ’ t take it because — hey , people say maybe he owns the company .
I don ’ t own the company .
You know what ?
I want the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I don ’ t want them being sick and there ’ s a very good chance that this has an impact , especially early on , but you look at frontline workers , you look at doctors and nurses , a lot of them are taking it as a preventative .
And they ’ re taking totally unrelated — ” Trump : Yeah , I ’ ve taken it for about a week and a half now , and I ’ m still here .
I ’ m still here .
Q @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the evidence that it has a preventative effect ?
Trump : Hear you go .
You ready ?
Here ’ s my evidence .
I get a lot of positive calls about it .
The only negative E heard was the study where they give it , was the VA where people that aren ’ t big trump fans .
I get a lot of tremendously positive news on the hydroxy , and I say , hey , you know the expression I ’ ve used , John ?
What do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you have to lose ?
So I have been taking it for about a week and a half .
Trump : Every day .
I take a pill every day .
At some point I ’ ll stop .
What I ’ d like to do is have the cure and/or the vaccine .
Trump needs there to be a miracle cure for the coronavirus , so it doesn ’ t really matter if it works or not , Trump only needs to convince people that it works , so that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , win reelection in November .
Donald Trump has been engaging in magical thinking about the coronavirus since the outbreak started .
He would rather believe Rudy Giuliani than his own FDA , which is consistent behavior for Trump throughout his entire presidency .

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Trump went off the rails at a White House roundtable and admitted that he is taking the dangerous anti-malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19.
Video:
Trump admits that he is taking dangerous malaria drug hydroxychloroquine every day to prevent the coronavirus. Trump also trashed studies from his own administration showing the drug is not safe to take outside of a hospital setting. pic.twitter.com/4WbgNPK2Zm — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 18, 2020
Trump said, “Yeah, the white house doctor. No, he didn’t — I said I’d like to take it, a lot of people are taking it, frontline workers are taking hydroxychloroquine. I don’t take it because — hey, people say maybe he owns the company. I don’t own the company. You know what? I want the people of this nation to feel good. I don’t want them being sick and there’s a very good chance that this has an impact, especially early on, but you look at frontline workers, you look at doctors and nurses, a lot of them are taking it as a preventative. And they’re taking totally unrelated — ”
Trump’s exchange with reporters:
Trump: Yeah, I’ve taken it for about a week and a half now, and I’m still here. I’m still here.
Q: Can you explain, so what is the evidence that it has a preventative effect?
Trump: Hear you go. You ready? Here’s my evidence. I get a lot of positive calls about it. The only negative E heard was the study where they give it, was the VA where people that aren’t big trump fans. I get a lot of tremendously positive news on the hydroxy, and I say, hey, you know the expression I’ve used, John? What do you have to lose? Okay? What do you have to lose? So I have been taking it for about a week and a half.
Q: Every day?
Trump: Every day. I take a pill every day. At some point I’ll stop. What I’d like to do is have the cure and/or the vaccine.
Video of the exchange:
Trump admits that he is taking dangerous malaria drug hydroxychloroquine every day to prevent the coronavirus. Trump also trashed studies from his own administration showing the drug is not safe to take outside of a hospital setting. pic.twitter.com/4WbgNPK2Zm — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 18, 2020
Trump needs there to be a miracle cure for the coronavirus, so it doesn’t really matter if it works or not, Trump only needs to convince people that it works, so that he can, at least in his mind, win reelection in November.
Donald Trump has been engaging in magical thinking about the coronavirus since the outbreak started.
He would rather believe Rudy Giuliani than his own FDA, which is consistent behavior for Trump throughout his entire presidency.


politicususa--2020-05-18--Congress Demands To Know From Fired IG About Trump’s Illegal Saudi Arms Deal

Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-CT ) said that Congress needs to know now about any illegal activity in Trump ’ s Saudi arms deal from the fired State Department IG .
Sen. Murphy said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA : The Trump Administration ’ s justification for bypassing the congressional review process for Saudi arms sales was always extremely suspect , and if Inspector General Linick found out the real reason , then Congress needs to know now .
It would be an abuse of the law if Secretary Pompeo invoked the emergency authority as a pretext to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people deserve to understand why this administration is transferring record numbers of arms to the Saudis and refusing to use those sales as leverage to get them to change their behavior .
The State Department ’ s decision to circumvent Congress on the last arms sale was just another sign that something is not right , and before we proceed with any future arms sales , we need to understand if there was any wrongdoing connected to the last one .
The real story for why Steve Linick was fired late on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into focus .
Linick was fired because he was investigating , and possibly completed his investigation into the Trump multi-billion dollar arms deal with Saudi Arabia .
Congressional Democrats are already digging around , and there is now nothing stopping former IG Linnick from appearing in front of Congress and telling the country what he uncovered .
Even as he unleashes a pandemic and collapses the economy , Donald Trump has still found time for illegality and corruption .

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Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said that Congress needs to know now about any illegal activity in Trump’s Saudi arms deal from the fired State Department IG.
Sen. Murphy said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA:
The Trump Administration’s justification for bypassing the congressional review process for Saudi arms sales was always extremely suspect, and if Inspector General Linick found out the real reason, then Congress needs to know now. It would be an abuse of the law if Secretary Pompeo invoked the emergency authority as a pretext to avoid an embarrassing vote in Congress.
The American people deserve to understand why this administration is transferring record numbers of arms to the Saudis and refusing to use those sales as leverage to get them to change their behavior. The State Department’s decision to circumvent Congress on the last arms sale was just another sign that something is not right, and before we proceed with any future arms sales, we need to understand if there was any wrongdoing connected to the last one.
The real story for why Steve Linick was fired late on a Friday night is starting to come into focus. Linick was fired because he was investigating, and possibly completed his investigation into the Trump multi-billion dollar arms deal with Saudi Arabia.
Congressional Democrats are already digging around, and there is now nothing stopping former IG Linnick from appearing in front of Congress and telling the country what he uncovered.
Even as he unleashes a pandemic and collapses the economy, Donald Trump has still found time for illegality and corruption.


politicususa--2020-05-18--Trump Fired IG For Investigating Illegal Saudi Arms Deal

Rep. Eliot Engel , Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs , said that Trump fired the State Department IG because he was investigating arms sales to Saudi Arabia .
Trump fired IG Steve Linick late on Friday night amid reports that he was investigating Sec .
of State Mike Pompeo ’ s illegal use of government employees to run personal errands , which is illegal and bad , but if Linick was pushed out because he was investigating the Trump administration ’ s arms sales to Saudi Arabia that is a much bigger issue .
Congress blocked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Engel ( D-NY ) had asked the IG to investigate if the administration was trying to get around Congress and do the deal .
Linick was fired for doing his job , which has been the pattern involving anyone who has tried to conduct oversight or hold the Trump administration accountable .
It appears that the Trump administration was engaging in illegal arms sales , and they tried to hide their crime by firing the State Department IG .
Even in a pandemic , Trump ’ s corruption is a 24/7 operation @

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Rep. Eliot Engel, Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said that Trump fired the State Department IG because he was investigating arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
Engel said in a statement:
I've learned there may be another reason for IG Linick’s firing. His office was investigating—at my request—Trump’s phony emergency declaration so he could send Saudi Arabia weapons. We don’t have the full picture yet, but it’s troubling that Sec Pompeo wanted Linick pushed out. https://t.co/YBs9k45Tko — Eliot Engel (@RepEliotEngel) May 18, 2020
Trump fired IG Steve Linick late on Friday night amid reports that he was investigating Sec. of State Mike Pompeo’s illegal use of government employees to run personal errands, which is illegal and bad, but if Linick was pushed out because he was investigating the Trump administration’s arms sales to Saudi Arabia that is a much bigger issue.
Congress blocked the arms deal to Saudi Arabia, but Rep. Engel (D-NY) had asked the IG to investigate if the administration was trying to get around Congress and do the deal.
Linick was fired for doing his job, which has been the pattern involving anyone who has tried to conduct oversight or hold the Trump administration accountable.
It appears that the Trump administration was engaging in illegal arms sales, and they tried to hide their crime by firing the State Department IG.
Even in a pandemic, Trump’s corruption is a 24/7 operation.


politicususa--2020-05-18--Trump Loses It And Launches Website To Find Hidden Meanings In Biden’s Statements

The Trump campaign has launched a new website where they have declared war on facts and are looking for hidden meaning in Biden ’ s statements .
The press release from the Trump campaign : The campaign is unveiling a new website that they claim will investigate Joe Biden and use “ experts ” to find the hidden meaning behind the former vice president ’ s statements .
The website isn ’ t about finding the truth but twisting Joe Biden ’ s words to create propaganda and misinformation .
This is a desperate act by a campaign that knows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope of winning is to muddy up Joe Biden with endless misinformation , conspiracy theories , propaganda , and dirt .
It was always going to come down to this .
A president who has told around 20,000 lies while in office , refused to believe the intelligence community , and will not believe health and medical experts on the coronavirus has openly declared war on facts .
Trump has been battling reality his whole life , and now it will be a centerpiece of his reelection campaign .
For more discussion about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC group .

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The Trump campaign has launched a new website where they have declared war on facts and are looking for hidden meaning in Biden’s statements.
The press release from the Trump campaign:
Inbox: Trump Campaign Announces Launch of 'Truth Over Facts' Investigative Website So I guess the war on facts has a name now. pic.twitter.com/GQBMx7Q1O5 — Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) May 18, 2020
The campaign is unveiling a new website that they claim will investigate Joe Biden and use “experts” to find the hidden meaning behind the former vice president’s statements.
The website isn’t about finding the truth but twisting Joe Biden’s words to create propaganda and misinformation.
This is a desperate act by a campaign that knows they are losing, and their only hope of winning is to muddy up Joe Biden with endless misinformation, conspiracy theories, propaganda, and dirt.
It was always going to come down to this. A president who has told around 20,000 lies while in office, refused to believe the intelligence community, and will not believe health and medical experts on the coronavirus has openly declared war on facts.
Trump has been battling reality his whole life, and now it will be a centerpiece of his reelection campaign.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-18--Barr Defies Trump And Refuses To Investigate Obama And Biden

Trump has been trying to turn “ Obamagate ” into an investigation of Obama and Biden , but Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ has been using the criminal justice system and the DOJ for partisan political ends .
@ @ @ @ @ Mike Flynn even though Flynn confessed to the crime of lying to the FBI .
@ @ @ @ @ use the DOJ internationally to dig up dirt on Joe Biden .
William Barr ’ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into Obama and Biden is the Attorney General acting to save Trump from himself @ @ @ @ @ going to lock up Obama and Biden , because even he knows that such overt @ @ @ @ @ backfire on Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and @ @ @

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Trump has been trying to turn “Obamagate” into an investigation of Obama and Biden, but Attorney General Barr said no.
Barr said:
NEW: Attorney General Barr says that he does not expect the #Durham probe to lead to any "criminal investigations" of either @BarackObama and @JoeBiden, and said that "the concern of potential criminality" during the origins of Trump-#Russia probe "is focused on others.” — Brooke Singman (@BrookeSingman) May 18, 2020
NEW: AG Barr said that, so long as he is attorney general “the criminal justice system will not be used for partisan, political ends.” — Brooke Singman (@BrookeSingman) May 18, 2020
NEW: Barr says: “We cannot allow this process to be hijacked by efforts to drum up criminal investigations of either candidate.” Barr said that “any effort to pursue an investigation of either candidate has to be approved by me.” #Barr — Brooke Singman (@BrookeSingman) May 18, 2020
Barr has been using the criminal justice system and the DOJ for partisan political ends. Barr dropped the case against Mike Flynn even though Flynn confessed to the crime of lying to the FBI. Barr has been trying to use the DOJ internationally to dig up dirt on Joe Biden.
William Barr’s rejection of a criminal investigation into Obama and Biden is the Attorney General acting to save Trump from himself.
Barr isn’t going to lock up Obama and Biden, because even he knows that such overt abuse of the DOJ will backfire on Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-18--Republican Senator Ben Sasse Criticized for Suggesting High School Grads Are “Fat and Lazy”

Senator Ben Sasse should apologize to a high school graduating class after suggesting they were fat and lazy .
That ’ s the view of at least one member of the school board .
The Republican addressed the students from his former school , Fremont high in Nebraska , as part of their graduation .
Sasse used the virtual address to attack China and even the graduates themselves .
Sasse said they would all remember “ that time when China started a big global pandemic that created the worst public health crisis in over a century and brought the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay home and everybody was hoarding toilet paper.
” “ Nobody knows exactly how we ’ re going to beat this thing , but you know what , we ’ re Americans , we ’ re Nebraskans , we ’ ve got grit and we ’ re going to beat this thing.
” “ We will bring the economy back .
We are going to beat the virus , ” Sasse said .
“ We ’ re going to have to have a serious reckoning with the thugs in China who let this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it.
” Sasse then launched into a strange attack on psychologists , which he framed as a joke .
“ Ninety-five per cent of all gainfully employed psychologists – and I ’ m serious , there are dozens of them that are gainfully employed – their job is really just to help people forget high school , ” the senator said .
“ If you ’ re headed to college , do not do not major in psychology .
That part ’ s not a joke.
” The Republican joked about climbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students for being unfit .
“ Back in the day when we were a lot fitter than you people are , we used to have to climb ropes all the way up to the ceiling of the gym all the time , ” he said .
“ You deserved better than the graduation remarks from Senator Ben Sasse , ” school board member Michael Petersen wrote on Facebook .
“ The racism , implying that our graduates are fat and lazy , disparaging teachers , and attacking the mental health profession are despicable @ @ @ @ @

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Senator Ben Sasse should apologize to a high school graduating class after suggesting they were fat and lazy. That’s the view of at least one member of the school board.
The Republican addressed the students from his former school, Fremont high in Nebraska, as part of their graduation. Sasse used the virtual address to attack China and even the graduates themselves.
Sasse said they would all remember “that time when China started a big global pandemic that created the worst public health crisis in over a century and brought the economy to its knees and we had to stay home and everybody was hoarding toilet paper.”
“Nobody knows exactly how we’re going to beat this thing, but you know what, we’re Americans, we’re Nebraskans, we’ve got grit and we’re going to beat this thing.”
“We will bring the economy back. We are going to beat the virus,” Sasse said.
“We’re going to have to have a serious reckoning with the thugs in China who let this mess spiral out of control by lying about it.”
Sasse then launched into a strange attack on psychologists, which he framed as a joke.
“Ninety-five per cent of all gainfully employed psychologists – and I’m serious, there are dozens of them that are gainfully employed – their job is really just to help people forget high school,” the senator said.
“If you’re headed to college, do not do not major in psychology. That part’s not a joke.”
The Republican joked about climbing a rope and appeared to criticize the students for being unfit.
“Back in the day when we were a lot fitter than you people are, we used to have to climb ropes all the way up to the ceiling of the gym all the time,” he said.
“You deserved better than the graduation remarks from Senator Ben Sasse,” school board member Michael Petersen wrote on Facebook.
“The racism, implying that our graduates are fat and lazy, disparaging teachers, and attacking the mental health profession are despicable,” he said.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-18--Karl Rove Throws A Fit Over Obama’s Takedown Of Trump

Karl Rove has likened Barack Obama ’ s recent comments to a “ drive-by shooting ” during a Fox News appearance on Monday .
Obama had criticized the Trump administration .
Rove was senior advisor to former President George W. Bush and he ’ s now a Fox News contributor .
President Obama ’ s comments did not land well with him .
“ It is so unseemly for a former president to take the virtual commencement ceremony for a series of historically black colleges and universities and turn it into a political drive-by shooting , ” Rove said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ young graduates that could be inspired to a life of service , to recognize that life is going to bring challenges and how we handle the challenges it ’ s going to demonstrate our character , there are lots of positive messages that the former president could have delivered.
” “ But the news that we have out of this speech , out of this appearance is , he says , ‘ The pandemic has finally fully torn back the curtain that so many of the folks in charge don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them aren ’ t even pretending to be in charge . '
” “ I mean , think about that , ” Rove said .
“ He has slandered , you know , not just the President who ’ s his political target , and he made it clear a week ago he was going to go after him but he ’ s taking a slap at the Vice President who has been an extraordinarily effective job as the head of the Coronavirus task force.
” Rove claimed Obama had also effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Birx and everyone involved in fighting the Coronavirus .
He went on to falsely blame Obama for the lack of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .

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Karl Rove has likened Barack Obama’s recent comments to a “drive-by shooting” during a Fox News appearance on Monday. Obama had criticized the Trump administration.
Rove was senior advisor to former President George W. Bush and he’s now a Fox News contributor. President Obama’s comments did not land well with him.
“It is so unseemly for a former president to take the virtual commencement ceremony for a series of historically black colleges and universities and turn it into a political drive-by shooting,” Rove said.
“This is a moment where these young graduates that could be inspired to a life of service, to recognize that life is going to bring challenges and how we handle the challenges it’s going to demonstrate our character, there are lots of positive messages that the former president could have delivered.”
Watch the video:
"It is so unseemly for a former president to take the virtual commencement ceremony for a series of historically black colleges and universities and turn it into a political drive-by shooting" — Karl Rove on Obama's commencement speech in which he indirectly criticized Trump pic.twitter.com/stZamQFhgF — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 18, 2020
“But the news that we have out of this speech, out of this appearance is, he says, ‘The pandemic has finally fully torn back the curtain that so many of the folks in charge don’t know what they’re doing. Lots of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge.'”
“I mean, think about that,” Rove said.
“He has slandered, you know, not just the President who’s his political target, and he made it clear a week ago he was going to go after him but he’s taking a slap at the Vice President who has been an extraordinarily effective job as the head of the Coronavirus task force.”
Rove claimed Obama had also effectively attacked Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Deborah Birx and everyone involved in fighting the Coronavirus.
He went on to falsely blame Obama for the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-18--Ousted Inspector General Was Investigating If Mike Pompeo Made Staffer Walk His Dog

Mike Pompeo made a State Department staffer walk his dog , according to new reports .
The political appointee was also tasked with carrying out other personal errands .
State Department Inspector General Stephen Linick was reportedly investigating Pompeo before he was removed from his position .
The Secretary of State made a staffer walk his dog , pick up his dry cleaning and make dinner reservations for himself and his wife , according to two Congressional sources .
Linick was ousted as State Department IG and may have had other investigations underway into Pompeo and his wife .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last year , Democrats investigated similar allegations against Secretary Pompeo .
A whistleblower alleged that he diplomatic security agents were used to perform personal errands .
Pompeo also recommended Linick ’ s removal as IG , according to a White House source .
This will raise further questions about the Secretary of State ’ s conduct toward his staff .
Senator Bob Menendez of the Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Eliot Engel highlighted the issue in a statement .
“ Reports indicate that Secretary Pompeo personally made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democrats said .
“ And it is our understanding that he did so because the inspector general had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself.
” “ The president has the right to fire any federal employee , but the fact is if it looks like it ’ s in retaliation for something the IG is doing , that could be unlawful , ” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday .

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Mike Pompeo made a State Department staffer walk his dog, according to new reports. The political appointee was also tasked with carrying out other personal errands.
State Department Inspector General Stephen Linick was reportedly investigating Pompeo before he was removed from his position .
The Secretary of State made a staffer walk his dog, pick up his dry cleaning and make dinner reservations for himself and his wife, according to two Congressional sources.
Linick was ousted as State Department IG and may have had other investigations underway into Pompeo and his wife. Democrats will now attempt to find out.
Last year, Democrats investigated similar allegations against Secretary Pompeo. A whistleblower alleged that he diplomatic security agents were used to perform personal errands.
Pompeo also recommended Linick’s removal as IG, according to a White House source. This will raise further questions about the Secretary of State’s conduct toward his staff.
Senator Bob Menendez of the Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Eliot Engel highlighted the issue in a statement.
“Reports indicate that Secretary Pompeo personally made the recommendation to fire Mr. Linick,” the Democrats said.
“And it is our understanding that he did so because the inspector general had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself.”
“The president has the right to fire any federal employee, but the fact is if it looks like it’s in retaliation for something the IG is doing, that could be unlawful,” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-18--Study of Cellphone Data Shows How Anti-Lockdown Protesters Spread Coronavirus

A study conducted by the progressive campaign group the Committee to Protect Medicare suggests demonstrators at anti-lockdown protests have spread the novel coronavirus .
The information was gathered from anonymized location data from opt-in cellphone apps .
According to The Guardian , with whom the organization shared its data , “ data scientists at the firm VoteMap used it to determine the movements of devices present at protests in late April and early May in five states : Michigan , Wisconsin , Illinois , Colorado and Florida.
” “ They then created visualizations that tracked the movements of those devices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protests , ” the outlet continued .
“ The visualizations only show movements within states , due to the queries analysts made in creating them .
But the data scientist Jeremy Fair , executive-vice president of VoteMap , says that many of the devices that are seen to reach state borders are seen to continue across them in the underlying raw data.
” Dr .
Rob Davidson , executive director of the Committee to Protect Medicare , says “ it ’ s hard to draw a straight line between devices , individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the data does suggest a link .
“ The behavior we ’ re seeing at protests carries a high risk of infection .
We can see protesters are going from a highly concentrated event and then dispersing widely.
” President Donald Trump and his associates have continued to campaign more aggressively for states to reopen their respective economies .
“ The fact of the matter is , and what President Trump realized early on , is that if you lock people down , you may save lives directly from the China virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you ’ re going to kill a lot more people , ” White House economic adviser Peter Navarro claimed on NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press ” yesterday .
“ And why do I say that ?
We know statistically based on our experience with the China trade shock in the 2000s that unemployment creates more suicides , depression and drug abuse , ” he added .
“ But we also know this in this crisis , as we ’ ve basically locked down our hospitals for everything but COVID , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or cervical examinations for cancer .
We haven ’ t been able to do other procedures for the heart or the kidneys .
And that ’ s going to kill people as well .
”

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A study conducted by the progressive campaign group the Committee to Protect Medicare suggests demonstrators at anti-lockdown protests have spread the novel coronavirus. The information was gathered from anonymized location data from opt-in cellphone apps.
According to The Guardian, with whom the organization shared its data, “data scientists at the firm VoteMap used it to determine the movements of devices present at protests in late April and early May in five states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado and Florida.”
“They then created visualizations that tracked the movements of those devices up to 48 hours after the conclusion of protests,” the outlet continued. “The visualizations only show movements within states, due to the queries analysts made in creating them. But the data scientist Jeremy Fair, executive-vice president of VoteMap, says that many of the devices that are seen to reach state borders are seen to continue across them in the underlying raw data.”
Dr. Rob Davidson, executive director of the Committee to Protect Medicare, says “it’s hard to draw a straight line between devices, individuals at these protests, and cases” but the data does suggest a link. “The behavior we’re seeing at protests carries a high risk of infection. We can see protesters are going from a highly concentrated event and then dispersing widely.”
President Donald Trump and his associates have continued to campaign more aggressively for states to reopen their respective economies.
“The fact of the matter is, and what President Trump realized early on, is that if you lock people down, you may save lives directly from the China virus [coronavirus]. But you indirectly, you’re going to kill a lot more people,” White House economic adviser Peter Navarro claimed on NBC’s “Meet the Press” yesterday.
“And why do I say that? We know statistically based on our experience with the China trade shock in the 2000s that unemployment creates more suicides, depression and drug abuse,” he added. “But we also know this in this crisis, as we’ve basically locked down our hospitals for everything but COVID, women haven’t been getting mammograms or cervical examinations for cancer. We haven’t been able to do other procedures for the heart or the kidneys. And that’s going to kill people as well.”


politicususa--2020-05-18--Arnold Schwarzenegger Mocks Trump University in Commencement Speech

Actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger held up a mock Trump University degree as part of a virtual commencement @ @ @ @ @ of 2020 .
“ You are celebrating that journey today , not just a piece @ @ @ @ @ on the wall .
This is nothing , ” Schwarzenegger said as he held up @ @ @ @ @ speech , which was posted to Instagram .
“ Ask yourself , who do you @ @ @ @ @ what but who , ” he continued .
“ You see , a disaster can @ @ @ @ @ it can steal jobs and force you inside .
But it is who you are @ @ @ @ @ of adversity.
” Trump University was not an accredited university or college .
It ultimately @ @ @ @ @ to lawsuits alleging it defrauded its students .
President Donald Trump settled several class-action lawsuits @ @ @ @ @ total of $ 25 million after being elected .

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Actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger held up a mock Trump University degree as part of a virtual commencement address to the graduating class of 2020.
“You are celebrating that journey today, not just a piece of paper that you hang on the wall. This is nothing,” Schwarzenegger said as he held up the mock degree during his speech, which was posted to Instagram.
“Ask yourself, who do you want to be? Not what but who,” he continued. “You see, a disaster can change what you are. it can steal jobs and force you inside. But it is who you are that rises in the face of adversity.”
“The reason why I’m telling you all this is because no matter how successful you are, life will throw obstacles in your path, like it was with my heart surgery or like with your graduation now,” he added. “But if you have a very clear vision like I talked about earlier of exactly what you want to do and who you want to be, you can go and find a way around all of these obstacles.” You can watch his speech below.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CAS-4reHcQm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Trump University was not an accredited university or college. It ultimately shut down and was subjected to lawsuits alleging it defrauded its students. President Donald Trump settled several class-action lawsuits in November 2016 for a total of $25 million after being elected.


politicususa--2020-05-18--Trump Insists “We Have Done a Great Job on Ventilators, Testing, and Everything Else”

President Donald Trump attacked The Washington Post in an early morning tweet , disparaging its coverage of the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ We have done a great job on Ventilators , Testing , and everything else , @ @ @ @ @ “ Were left little by Obama .
Over 11 million tests , and going up @ @ @ @ @ countries in the world , combined.
” The Trump administration has continued to deflect blame @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus .
Last week , it emerged that Trump and members of the @ @ @ @ @ are pressuring officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) to @ @ @ @ @ works with states to count coronavirus-related deaths.
” Yesterday , the president , keeping in @ @ @ @ @ the Obama administration , insisted that former President Barack Obama was “ grossly incompetent .
@

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President Donald Trump attacked The Washington Post in an early morning tweet, disparaging its coverage of the government’s coronavirus response.
“We have done a great job on Ventilators, Testing, and everything else,” the president insisted. “Were left little by Obama. Over 11 million tests, and going up fast. More than all countries in the world, combined.”
Wow! The Front Page @washingtonpost Headline reads, “A BOOST IN TESTS, BUT LACK OF TAKERS.” We have done a great job on Ventilators, Testing, and everything else. Were left little by Obama. Over 11 million tests, and going up fast. More than all countries in the world, combined. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 18, 2020
The Trump administration has continued to deflect blame for the death toll attributed to the coronavirus. Last week, it emerged that Trump and members of the White House coronavirus task force are pressuring officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to change “how the agency works with states to count coronavirus-related deaths.”
Yesterday, the president, keeping in line with his criticisms for the Obama administration, insisted that former President Barack Obama was “grossly incompetent.”


politicususa--2020-05-17--Biden Hammers Eric Trump For Calling The Virus A Hoax

The Joe Biden campaign ripped Eric Trump for claiming that the coronavirus is a hoax that will disappear after election day .
Eric Trump said on Fox News , “ They think they are taking away Donald Trump ’ s greatest tool , which is being able to go into an arena and fill it with 50,000 people every single time .
You watch , they ’ ll milk it every single day between now and Nov. 3 .
And guess what , after Nov. 3 coronavirus will magically all of a sudden go away and disappear and everybody will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Deputy Campaign Manager and Communications Director Kate Bedingfield responded in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA , “ We ’ re in the middle of the biggest public health emergency in a century , with almost 90,000 Americans dead , 1.5 million infected , and 36 million workers newly jobless , so for Eric Trump to claim that the coronavirus is a political hoax that will ‘ magically ’ disappear is absolutely stunning and unbelievably reckless .
The simple fact is that President Trump ignored the threat of the coronavirus for months and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since — destroying the strong economy he inherited from the Obama-Biden administrations and leading to countless unnecessary deaths .
Trump ’ s campaign knows he can ’ t run on that dismal record so they ’ re desperate to do whatever they can to throw up a smokescreen to try to conceal his historic mismanagement of this crisis.
” Eric Trump attempted to use one of his family ’ s favorite tactics .
Trump was claiming that the coronavirus doesn ’ t exist , and he was trying to convince the American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his father has of winning a second term .
The problem for the Trump family is that millions of Americans are sick , and the death toll is getting closer to 100,000 every day .
People can see the impact of the virus because it is sickening and killing friends , family , and loved ones .
The Biden camp was correct .
Trump can ’ t run on his record , so he and his kids are trying to distract their way to reelection .
For more discussion about this story join @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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The Joe Biden campaign ripped Eric Trump for claiming that the coronavirus is a hoax that will disappear after election day.
Eric Trump said on Fox News, “They think they are taking away Donald Trump’s greatest tool, which is being able to go into an arena and fill it with 50,000 people every single time. You watch, they’ll milk it every single day between now and Nov. 3. And guess what, after Nov. 3 coronavirus will magically all of a sudden go away and disappear and everybody will be able to reopen.”
Biden for President Deputy Campaign Manager and Communications Director Kate Bedingfield responded in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, “We’re in the middle of the biggest public health emergency in a century, with almost 90,000 Americans dead, 1.5 million infected, and 36 million workers newly jobless, so for Eric Trump to claim that the coronavirus is a political hoax that will ‘magically’ disappear is absolutely stunning and unbelievably reckless.
The simple fact is that President Trump ignored the threat of the coronavirus for months and has mishandled the response at every step since — destroying the strong economy he inherited from the Obama-Biden administrations and leading to countless unnecessary deaths. Trump’s campaign knows he can’t run on that dismal record so they’re desperate to do whatever they can to throw up a smokescreen to try to conceal his historic mismanagement of this crisis.”
Eric Trump attempted to use one of his family’s favorite tactics. Trump was claiming that the coronavirus doesn’t exist, and he was trying to convince the American people because that is the only chance that his father has of winning a second term.
The problem for the Trump family is that millions of Americans are sick, and the death toll is getting closer to 100,000 every day. People can see the impact of the virus because it is sickening and killing friends, family, and loved ones.
The Biden camp was correct. Trump can’t run on his record, so he and his kids are trying to distract their way to reelection.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-17--Nancy Pelosi Nails Trump For Trying To Cut The CDC’s Budget

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) nailed Trump with his own budget that tried to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from the CDC before the pandemic .
MARGARET BRENNAN : Did the CDC let the American people down ?
REPRESENTATIVE NANCY PELOSI : Well , the CDC was grossly cut in the President ’ s budget , but setting aside how we got here , let ’ s talk about how we go forward .
It is important for us– the American people want the economy to open up .
We all do .
We want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We all do .
And in order to do that , we have testing , tracing , treatment , and isolation .
And that is the path .
It ’ s what the scientists advise .
That is what we do in the HEROES Act .
We talk about how we can get there with a plan .
This– we haven ’ t had a plan .
Let ’ s go forward in a bipartisan way to have a plan , a plan to test .
We have no idea the size of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not sufficiently tested .
Let ’ s test so that we can diagnose and then we can treat and then decrease the number of people who have died .
Imagine that ninety thousand Americans , almost ninety thousand Americans have lost this life– their lives , to this awful villain .
We , whatever our differences , have to join together to fight this enemy to the lives and the livelihood of the American people .
Ninety thousand people , we send our condolences and our prayers to their families .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Speaker Pelosi was correct .
The latest Trump budget proposed a $ 693 million cut to the CDC .
Presidents don ’ t set the national budget , but their budget submissions are statements of values and priorities .
Trump was trying to cut the CDC before the pandemic hit .
As the Trump administration is attempting to blame the CDC for the pandemic , the facts tell a different story .
Donald Trump didn ’ t treat pandemic preparation as a priority .
He was attempting to slash funding to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi saw through the White House spin , and blew it to bits with one important fact .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) nailed Trump with his own budget that tried to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from the CDC before the pandemic.
Transcript via Face The Nation:
MARGARET BRENNAN: Did the CDC let the American people down?
REPRESENTATIVE NANCY PELOSI: Well, the CDC was grossly cut in the President’s budget, but setting aside how we got here, let’s talk about how we go forward. It is important for us– the American people want the economy to open up. We all do. We want our societies to– to open up. We all do. And in order to do that, we have testing, tracing, treatment, and isolation. And that is the path. It’s what the scientists advise. That is what we do in the HEROES Act. We talk about how we can get there with a plan. This– we haven’t had a plan. Let’s go forward in a bipartisan way to have a plan, a plan to test.
We have no idea the size of this challenge to our country because we have not sufficiently tested. Let’s test so that we can diagnose and then we can treat and then decrease the number of people who have died. Imagine that ninety thousand Americans, almost ninety thousand Americans have lost this life– their lives, to this awful villain. We, whatever our differences, have to join together to fight this enemy to the lives and the livelihood of the American people. Ninety thousand people, we send our condolences and our prayers to their families. We will always carry them in our hearts.
Video:
WATCH: @SpeakerPelosi calls for a "strategic plan" forward in the fight against #COVID19. Says @cdcgov was "grossly cut in the president's budget" amid concerns the agency let the public down in the #coronavirus fighthttps://t.co/QxTGpRBSyf pic.twitter.com/8oIJmYENIc — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) May 17, 2020
Speaker Pelosi was correct. The latest Trump budget proposed a $693 million cut to the CDC. Presidents don’t set the national budget, but their budget submissions are statements of values and priorities.
Trump was trying to cut the CDC before the pandemic hit.
As the Trump administration is attempting to blame the CDC for the pandemic, the facts tell a different story. Donald Trump didn’t treat pandemic preparation as a priority. He was attempting to slash funding to the CDC before the pandemic hit.
Rep. Pelosi saw through the White House spin, and blew it to bits with one important fact.
Trump wanted to cut the CDC.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-17--Jake Tapper Destroys Hypocrite GOP Senator Over IG Firings

CNN ’ s Jake Tapper took apart Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) for standing behind firing IGs while he blew a gasket about Obama .
Transcript via CNN ’ s State Of The Union : TAPPER : Well , no one questions whether or not he has the authority to do so .
But I really have to say , I find it hard to believe that , if President Obama had gotten rid of four inspector generals — inspectors general in six weeks , that you would have the same attitude that you seem to have right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two of those inspector generals under President Obama resigned under the scrutiny of my oversight .
So , again , I ’ m not going to speak specifically to this case , with — quite honestly , with this inspector general , both Senator Grassley and I have had had a real problem with his responsiveness to in particularly one oversight request .
I spoke with senior officials both in the White House and the State Department .
I understand their reasoning .
I don ’ t know whether they ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why they do it .
But I understand it .
And I don ’ t disagree with it .
I don ’ t think anything that this administration could say is going to satisfy some people .
There will still be people huffing and puffing and stomping their feet .
But , again , it is the president ’ s decision whether or not to hire or terminate an inspector general .
TAPPER : Well , what was their reasoning ?
Because all the public knows is that this acting inspector general was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo was misusing a political appointee to do personal errands for him .
That ’ s according to Democratic aides on Capitol Hill .
And then a senior administration official has said Pompeo asked Trump to remove this inspector general investigating him , and President Trump did so .
What are they telling you that makes you feel like you understand their reasoning ?
JOHNSON : Again , I ’ m — I ’ m — I ’ m not going discuss my private conversations with senior administration officials .
It is telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the Trump administration told him to make him more comfortable , because the White House could have told him anything , and he would have gone along with it .
Journalists in the establishment media need to be more like Tapper and stop being so afraid of losing access .
Access journalism is a disservice to the American people .
It is important that lawmakers be put on the hot seat when they behave hypocritically in the name of partisan politics .

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CNN’s Jake Tapper took apart Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) for standing behind firing IGs while he blew a gasket about Obama.
Transcript via CNN’s State Of The Union:
TAPPER: Well, no one questions whether or not he has the authority to do so.
But I really have to say, I find it hard to believe that, if President Obama had gotten rid of four inspector generals — inspectors general in six weeks, that you would have the same attitude that you seem to have right now.
JOHNSON: Jake, again, two of those inspector generals under President Obama resigned under the scrutiny of my oversight.
So, again, I’m not going to speak specifically to this case, with — quite honestly, with this inspector general, both Senator Grassley and I have had had a real problem with his responsiveness to in particularly one oversight request.
I spoke with senior officials both in the White House and the State Department. I understand their reasoning. I don’t know whether they’re going to provide a more robust rationale for why they do it. But I understand it. And I don’t disagree with it.
I don’t think anything that this administration could say is going to satisfy some people. There will still be people huffing and puffing and stomping their feet. But, again, it is the president’s decision whether or not to hire or terminate an inspector general.
TAPPER: Well, what was their reasoning?
Because all the public knows is that this acting inspector general was investigating whether or not Secretary of State Pompeo was misusing a political appointee to do personal errands for him. That’s according to Democratic aides on Capitol Hill.
And then a senior administration official has said Pompeo asked Trump to remove this inspector general investigating him, and President Trump did so.
What are they telling you that makes you feel like you understand their reasoning?
JOHNSON: Again, I’m — I’m — I’m not going discuss my private conversations with senior administration officials.
Video:
Tapper to Senator Johnson: I find it hard to believe that if President Obama had gotten rid of four Inspectors General in six weeks that you would have the same attitude that you seem to have right now pic.twitter.com/7e9sBsVUT1 — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) May 17, 2020
Johnson’s reasoning is simple. Obama=bad and Trump=good.
It is telling that Sen. Johnson wouldn’t disclose what the Trump administration told him to make him more comfortable, because the White House could have told him anything, and he would have gone along with it.
Journalists in the establishment media need to be more like Tapper and stop being so afraid of losing access. Access journalism is a disservice to the American people. It is important that lawmakers be put on the hot seat when they behave hypocritically in the name of partisan politics.