politicususa--2020-01-07--Pelosi Could Hold Articles Of Impeachment And Have Bolton Testify In The House

Speaker Pelosi has the power to get around Mitch McConnell ’ s witness blockade by holding on to the articles @ @ @ @ @ testify in the House .
Pelosi has options .
Mitch McConnell says he has the @ @ @ @ @ trial , but the one thing that he doesn ’ t have are the articles @ @ @ @ @ ’ t do anything until Pelosi turns them over .
It would be beneficial for @ @ @ @ @ John Bolton has to say .
Speaker Pelosi can have Bolton subpoenaed in the House @ @ @ @ @ be added to the evidence at the Senate trial .
McConnell tipped his hand too @ @ @ @ @ the power , and unless McConnell wants the articles of impeachment hanging over Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ , he is going to need to make a deal .
For more discussion about @ @ @ @ @ Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Speaker Pelosi has the power to get around Mitch McConnell’s witness blockade by holding on to the articles of impeachment and having Bolton testify in the House.
Benjamin Wittes explained on Twitter:
Here is a card she now has in her hand. She can announce that:
(1) She is not willing to hand over the articles so that McConnell can bury them without hearing from a witness who has suddenly made clear that he is, after all, available. — Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) January 7, 2020
(3) She will hold the articles pending the completion of that testimony—and whatever litigation may be necessary to obtain it. And critically, (4) the House reserves the right to pass superseding or amended articles of impeachment in response to new information it obtains. — Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) January 7, 2020
This would put McConnell in the position of paying a significant price for not reaching an accommodation—and put pressure on him to do so. The articles of impeachment will dangle over the president and the Senate for some period of time to come if Bolton resists the subpoena. — Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) January 7, 2020
Bolton may well end up testifying, either in the House or the Senate. And McConnell will be unable to play his 51-vote trump card until Bolton does so, because the articles will not be in his hand, and his power only kicks in when Pelosi sends them over. — Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) January 7, 2020
What's more, such a position would be wholly defensible. After all, as McConnell knows full well, there is no right and wrong here. There are only tactics and what works. — Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) January 7, 2020
Pelosi has options. Mitch McConnell says he has the votes for his sham impeachment trial, but the one thing that he doesn’t have are the articles of impeachment. McConnell can’t do anything until Pelosi turns them over. It would be beneficial for the country to hear what John Bolton has to say.
Speaker Pelosi can have Bolton subpoenaed in the House, and his testimony can be added to the evidence at the Senate trial. McConnell tipped his hand too soon. Nancy Pelosi has the power, and unless McConnell wants the articles of impeachment hanging over Trump’s head during the election, he is going to need to make a deal.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-07--Joe Biden Blasts Trump For Offering Lies And Tantrums On Iran

Speaking in New York City , former Vice President Joe Biden said that Trump has only offered lies and tantrums on Iran .
We have not heard a sober-minded explanation to reassure the American people that this decision and its consequences were thought through .
No level headed words meant to dial down the tensions , and take us off the path of conflict .
No press conference , or consultation with Congress .
No , what we ’ ve heard so far from this president are tweets , threats , and tantrums .
All we ’ ve heard from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answers , repeated assertions of an imminent threat without the necessary evidence to support that conclusion , and since this is a president with a history of lying about virtually everything , who has destroyed his own credibility , and that of the United States on the global stage , neither the American people , nor our allies , or indeed , no one around the world seems to be taking his word for it .
Somebody with authority finally said it .
Trump is lying about the evidence behind his Iran attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is lying , and it is being made obvious by the administration ’ s refusal to release the evidence that they don ’ t have any .
Trump is lying to save his dying reelection campaign , and Joe Biden called him out .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Speaking in New York City, former Vice President Joe Biden said that Trump has only offered lies and tantrums on Iran.
Biden said:
We have not heard a sober-minded explanation to reassure the American people that this decision and its consequences were thought through. No level headed words meant to dial down the tensions, and take us off the path of conflict. No press conference, or consultation with Congress. No, what we’ve heard so far from this president are tweets, threats, and tantrums.
All we’ve heard from this administration are shifting explanations, evasive answers, repeated assertions of an imminent threat without the necessary evidence to support that conclusion, and since this is a president with a history of lying about virtually everything, who has destroyed his own credibility, and that of the United States on the global stage, neither the American people, nor our allies, or indeed, no one around the world seems to be taking his word for it.
Video:
Joe Biden on fallout from strike that killed Iranian general: "What we've heard so far from this president are tweets, threats and tantrums." https://t.co/gE6q5FpGIk pic.twitter.com/PnB4T7EINQ — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 7, 2020
Somebody with authority finally said it. Trump is lying about the evidence behind his Iran attack. Defense officials told the press that Trump is lying, and it is being made obvious by the administration’s refusal to release the evidence that they don’t have any.
Trump is lying to save his dying reelection campaign, and Joe Biden called him out.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-01-07--Opinion: We’re On The Brink Of War With Iran Because Pompeo Was Sad

Trump escalated a conflict with Iran because the president needed something to brag about and the Secretary of State was feeling morose because he couldn ’ t get an assassination the last time he asked the president for one .
We are living in chilling times as we continue the descent into the dystopian hell that Trump promised his cult .
We should not be surprised .
Trump told us he had no clue and that he ’ s too arrogant to listen to anyone who does .
He does this every time he talks about committing war crimes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us too .
But too many of us cared more about her emails than about what a Trump presidency would do to America and the world .
Donald Trump started the New Year with a taste of blood when he ordered the assassination of Qassem Soleimani .
This screw-up is too big to fix .
Notwithstanding Secretary Pompeo ’ s multiple television appearances in which he sounded more like a Trump stooge than a graduate of West Point , one need only look at the international response to know that we are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are weaker and we are in more danger .
Certainly , Trump ’ s defenders will point to the fact that Israel is pleased , as are some factions in Iraq and Lebanon .
Yet even Russia admitted the assassination violated international law .
Also , our traditional allies in Canada and Europe are distancing themselves from Trump ’ s actions and will feel some of the fallout , such as a request to remove troops from Iraq .
Both urged restraint and tried in vain to keep the nuclear agreement intact .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from it .
Ostensibly to make us safe and great again , Trump managed to rekindle another country ’ s interest in developing nukes ( the first being North Korea ) .
We ’ ve become the skunk at the international picnic .
The one positive development is Speaker Pelosi ’ s Resolution to claw back war powers from an unwell and power-hungry president .
Under the Constitution , Congress is supposed to declare war , but in practice , the president ’ s war power increased in the time since 9/11 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential to claw that power back , as Speaker Nancy Pelosi explained in a letter to her colleagues .
This came after the assassination of Soleimani , and following reporting by the Daily Beast and others that Trump bragged about it to guests at Mar-a-Lago .
But , he didn ’ t consult the Gang of Eight or anyone on the appropriate Congressional committees .
Eddie Gallagher , the war criminal , was one of Trump ’ s guests .
Maybe Trump figured war crimes would make great conversation with the man he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be an effective shiny object for the campaign season .
What better topic than announcing plans to commit another war crime ?
Too bad for Trump that the Church Committee condemned killing foreign leaders https : //www.justsecurity.org/27407/assassination-ban-targeted-killings/ The rule against assassinations was reaffirmed in executive orders by Presidents Carter and Reagan , and later again in the Parks Memo .
So it isn ’ t like this is something the Democrats came up with to spoil Donald Trump ’ s fun .
And it isn ’ t even the worst thing about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump threatened to hit 52 Iranian cultural targets ( a war crime ) ….targeted 52 Iranian sites ( representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago ) , some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture , and those targets , and Iran itself , WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD .
The USA wants no more threats !
Iraq asked our troops to leave , which means it is siding with Iran over the US .
Trump responded with a threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights .
The latest tantrum is Trump ’ s Tweetleration that he will “ inform ” Congress about war actions via tweet .
The combination of a power hungry president and a Secretary of State who doesn ’ t understand that his job is to prevent war is too dangerous to ignore and just hope nothing happens until the general election .
According to several reports , VP Pence and Secretary of State Pompeo urged Trump to okay Soleimani ’ s assassination .
There ’ s a cumulative effect to all this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ II , we are vulnerable and alone and have an aspiring dictator with the emotional maturity of a toddler in the White House .
In short , we ’ re likely going to war with Iran and we ’ re going because the Secretary of State was morose and the President needed to brag to his pet war criminal on New Year ’ s Eve .

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Trump escalated a conflict with Iran because the president needed something to brag about and the Secretary of State was feeling morose because he couldn’t get an assassination the last time he asked the president for one.
We are living in chilling times as we continue the descent into the dystopian hell that Trump promised his cult. We should not be surprised. Trump told us he had no clue and that he’s too arrogant to listen to anyone who does. He does this every time he talks about committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Hillary Clinton warned us too. But too many of us cared more about her emails than about what a Trump presidency would do to America and the world.
Donald Trump started the New Year with a taste of blood when he ordered the assassination of Qassem Soleimani.
This screw-up is too big to fix. Notwithstanding Secretary Pompeo’s multiple television appearances in which he sounded more like a Trump stooge than a graduate of West Point, one need only look at the international response to know that we are not safer. We are isolated, we are weaker and we are in more danger. Certainly, Trump’s defenders will point to the fact that Israel is pleased, as are some factions in Iraq and Lebanon.
Yet even Russia admitted the assassination violated international law. Also, our traditional allies in Canada and Europe are distancing themselves from Trump’s actions and will feel some of the fallout, such as a request to remove troops from Iraq. Both urged restraint and tried in vain to keep the nuclear agreement intact.
Still, Iran took a step back from it. Ostensibly to make us safe and great again, Trump managed to rekindle another country’s interest in developing nukes (the first being North Korea).
We’ve become the skunk at the international picnic.
The one positive development is Speaker Pelosi’s Resolution to claw back war powers from an unwell and power-hungry president. Under the Constitution, Congress is supposed to declare war, but in practice, the president’s war power increased in the time since 9/11. Trump showed us why it’s essential to claw that power back, as Speaker Nancy Pelosi explained in a letter to her colleagues.
“This week, the House will introduce and vote on a War Powers Resolution to limit the President’s military actions regarding Iran. … It reasserts Congress’s long-established oversight responsibilities by mandating that if no further Congressional action is taken, the Administration’s military hostilities with regard to Iran cease within 30 days…”
This came after the assassination of Soleimani, and following reporting by the Daily Beast and others that Trump bragged about it to guests at Mar-a-Lago. But, he didn’t consult the Gang of Eight or anyone on the appropriate Congressional committees.
Eddie Gallagher, the war criminal, was one of Trump’s guests. Maybe Trump figured war crimes would make great conversation with the man he pardoned recently and whom he hopes will be an effective shiny object for the campaign season. What better topic than announcing plans to commit another war crime?
Too bad for Trump that the Church Committee condemned killing foreign leaders https://www.justsecurity.org/27407/assassination-ban-targeted-killings/ The rule against assassinations was reaffirmed in executive orders by Presidents Carter and Reagan, and later again in the Parks Memo.
So it isn’t like this is something the Democrats came up with to spoil Donald Trump’s fun. And it isn’t even the worst thing about the assassination.
Since Soleimani was killed, Trump threatened to hit 52 Iranian cultural targets (a war crime)
….targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020
Iraq asked our troops to leave, which means it is siding with Iran over the US. Trump responded with a threat to sanction Iraq for exercising its sovereign rights.
(As of this writing, the Secretary of Defense has no plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.)
The latest tantrum is Trump’s Tweetleration that he will “inform” Congress about war actions via tweet.
These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!
The combination of a power hungry president and a Secretary of State who doesn’t understand that his job is to prevent war is too dangerous to ignore and just hope nothing happens until the general election.
According to several reports, VP Pence and Secretary of State Pompeo urged Trump to okay Soleimani’s assassination.
“Pompeo had lost a similar high-stakes deliberation last summer when Trump declined to retaliate militarily against Iran after it downed a U.S. surveillance drone, an outcome that left Pompeo “morose,” according to one U.S. official. But recent changes to Trump’s national security team and the whims of a president anxious about being viewed as hesitant in the face of Iranian aggression created an opening for Pompeo to press for the kind of action he had been advocating.”
There’s a cumulative effect to all this. Unlike at any other time since WW II, we are vulnerable and alone and have an aspiring dictator with the emotional maturity of a toddler in the White House. In short, we’re likely going to war with Iran and we’re going because the Secretary of State was morose and the President needed to brag to his pet war criminal on New Year’s Eve.


politicususa--2020-01-08--War Hero Tammy Duckworth Tears Trump To Shreds For Incompetently Putting U.S. Troops In Danger

Decorated combat veteran and Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth tore Donald Trump to shreds on Tuesday night following Iran ’ s missile attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq .
During an interview with MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow , Duckworth said Trump ’ s reckless incompetence “ has actually achieved the end goal that Iran wants in the region.
” “ This president ’ s decision has made America ’ s national security less safe , has put our troops ’ lives in danger and has achieved the end goals of what Iran wants , ” she said .
My overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as commander-in-chief has actually achieved the end goal that Iran wants in the region .
You have to remember , Rachel , that we actually since October have had protests in Iraq against Iranian influence by Iraqi people , you know .
We had thousands of Iraqis protesting against Iranian influence for months and months and months .
It even was happening in Lebanon .
Hezbollah was being protested against .
And within the space of just a couple of days with this poor decision made by this president , we have now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraqi parliament has voted to kick us out of their country , and we have now turned the sentiment into one that is much more pro-Iranian in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East as well .
Essentially , with this one decision , this president has actually achieved the end goals of the Iranian regime .
Now , I don ’ t think they want their guy killed and frankly I don ’ t shed a tear for this man .
He was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the day , this president ’ s decision has made America ’ s national security less safe , has put our troops ’ lives in danger and has achieved the end goals of what Iran wants , which is greater influence in the region and the United States being not just requested , but ordered to leave .
This is what happens when you elect a madman What ’ s unfolding in the Middle East is troubling , but it ’ s also not a surprising turn of events given who occupies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a whole host of respected military officials spent an entire campaign warning the American people that Donald Trump is unfit to be commander-in-chief .
Since he was sworn in , Trump has – almost on a daily basis – proved them all right .
This is what happens when you give a madman the keys to the White House – and it ’ s only going to get worse .

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Decorated combat veteran and Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth tore Donald Trump to shreds on Tuesday night following Iran’s missile attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq.
During an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Duckworth said Trump’s reckless incompetence “has actually achieved the end goal that Iran wants in the region.”
“This president’s decision has made America’s national security less safe, has put our troops’ lives in danger and has achieved the end goals of what Iran wants,” she said.
Video:
Sen. Tammy Duckworth doesn’t hold back, says the unfolding crisis in the Middle East was caused by Donald Trump’s incompetence. #ctl #p2 #maddow pic.twitter.com/toilA8dF80 — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) January 8, 2020
Sen. Duckworth said:
My overall take is the incompetence of this president as commander-in-chief has actually achieved the end goal that Iran wants in the region. You have to remember, Rachel, that we actually since October have had protests in Iraq against Iranian influence by Iraqi people, you know. We had thousands of Iraqis protesting against Iranian influence for months and months and months. It even was happening in Lebanon. Hezbollah was being protested against. And within the space of just a couple of days with this poor decision made by this president, we have now turned that around so that now the Iraqi parliament has voted to kick us out of their country, and we have now turned the sentiment into one that is much more pro-Iranian in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East as well. Essentially, with this one decision, this president has actually achieved the end goals of the Iranian regime. Now, I don’t think they want their guy killed and frankly I don’t shed a tear for this man. He was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans over the decades. But at the end of the day, this president’s decision has made America’s national security less safe, has put our troops’ lives in danger and has achieved the end goals of what Iran wants, which is greater influence in the region and the United States being not just requested, but ordered to leave.
This is what happens when you elect a madman
What’s unfolding in the Middle East is troubling, but it’s also not a surprising turn of events given who occupies the Oval Office.
Hillary Clinton and a whole host of respected military officials spent an entire campaign warning the American people that Donald Trump is unfit to be commander-in-chief. Since he was sworn in, Trump has – almost on a daily basis – proved them all right.
This is what happens when you give a madman the keys to the White House – and it’s only going to get worse.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-01-08--Trump Backs Down From Making An Oval Office Address After Iran Attacks U.S. Troops

After Iran forcefully retaliated for the U.S. strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani last week , Donald Trump backed down from making an Oval Office address to the nation .
It was first reported by CNN that the president was planning a speech from the Oval Office after U.S. troops were targeted by Iranian missiles , but he appears to have had second thoughts .
White House aides were initially “ making urgent preparations ” for such a speech , but those plans quickly unraveled as events continued to deteriorate in the Middle East .
According to Kaitlan Collins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Miller arrived at the White House late Tuesday in what looked to be the beginning prep stages for an address to the nation .
But not long after , Collins reported that those three officials and Vice President Mike Pence left the White House , and the administration said Trump would not be addressing the nation as U.S. troops come under attack by Iran .
No matter what area of politics or policy that Donald Trump touches , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s done to American institutions will take a generation to fix .
So as U.S. troops come under fire by missiles in the Middle East , it may seem strange that the commander-in-chief isn ’ t putting himself in front of a camera to explain to the country what ’ s going on .
But on a night when America appears to be in the beginning stages of a war with Iran , the last thing the world needed was a speech from the unhinged and incompetent man who started this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Donald Trump doesn ’ t need anymore gasoline .

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After Iran forcefully retaliated for the U.S. strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani last week, Donald Trump backed down from making an Oval Office address to the nation.
It was first reported by CNN that the president was planning a speech from the Oval Office after U.S. troops were targeted by Iranian missiles, but he appears to have had second thoughts.
White House aides were initially “making urgent preparations” for such a speech, but those plans quickly unraveled as events continued to deteriorate in the Middle East.
According to Kaitlan Collins of CNN, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Miller arrived at the White House late Tuesday in what looked to be the beginning prep stages for an address to the nation.
Defense Secretary Esper just arrived at the White House carrying a large bag. Secretary Pompeo, seen reading in his car before he got out, also arrived. — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) January 8, 2020
But not long after, Collins reported that those three officials and Vice President Mike Pence left the White House, and the administration said Trump would not be addressing the nation as U.S. troops come under attack by Iran.
All three officials and Vice President Pence just left the White House. The White House now says Trump will NOT address the nation tonight. https://t.co/OEaGIpUzpc — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) January 8, 2020
Everything Trump touches gets worse
No matter what area of politics or policy that Donald Trump touches, it gets immeasurably worse. The damage he’s done to American institutions will take a generation to fix.
So as U.S. troops come under fire by missiles in the Middle East, it may seem strange that the commander-in-chief isn’t putting himself in front of a camera to explain to the country what’s going on.
But on a night when America appears to be in the beginning stages of a war with Iran, the last thing the world needed was a speech from the unhinged and incompetent man who started this mess.
This fire that was created by Donald Trump doesn’t need anymore gasoline.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-01-08--Senate Republican Blocks Measure To Call Out Trump’s Attempted War Crimes

The Republican Party continued to hitch its wagon to an out-of-control commander-in-chief on Tuesday by blocking a measure that would call out Donald Trump for attempting to commit war crimes in Iran .
As The Hill reported , “ Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe ( R-Okla. ) blocked passage of a resolution on Tuesday that classified attacks on cultural sites as “ war crimes . '
” The resolution was proposed by Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Ed Market days after Trump threatened to strike 52 cultural sites if the conflict escalates further , which it did on Tuesday after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house U.S. troops .
More from the report : Sen. Ed Markey ( D-Mass . )
tried to get unanimous consent to pass the resolution , arguing that the Senate should go on record amid Trump ’ s threats to target Iranian cultural sites .
“ The president would compound the mistake which he has made and turn it into something that could be catastrophic for that region , for our country , for the world , ” Markey said from the Senate floor .
He added that Trump ’ s threat to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of American values .
It is wrong .
It is a needless escalation which ignores international law.
” The page-long resolution states that “ attacks on cultural sites are war crimes.
” Republicans don ’ t even have the spine to publicly oppose war crimes As I wrote on Monday , even Donald Trump ’ s own Secretary of Defense , Mark Esper , was willing to admit that carrying out the president ’ s wish to bomb cultural sites in Iran would be consider a war crime .
“ We will follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Sadly , elected GOP officials don ’ t feel the same way and appear to be quibbling over the details of a pretty simple resolution to call Trump ’ s Iran proposal what it is : a violation of international law .
The Republican Party has gotten to a place in which there is nothing Donald Trump does or tries to do that they are willing to publicly oppose .

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The Republican Party continued to hitch its wagon to an out-of-control commander-in-chief on Tuesday by blocking a measure that would call out Donald Trump for attempting to commit war crimes in Iran.
As The Hill reported, “Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) blocked passage of a resolution on Tuesday that classified attacks on cultural sites as “war crimes.'”
The resolution was proposed by Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Ed Market days after Trump threatened to strike 52 cultural sites if the conflict escalates further, which it did on Tuesday after Iran hit two bases in Iraq that house U.S. troops.
More from the report:
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) tried to get unanimous consent to pass the resolution, arguing that the Senate should go on record amid Trump’s threats to target Iranian cultural sites. “The president would compound the mistake which he has made and turn it into something that could be catastrophic for that region, for our country, for the world,” Markey said from the Senate floor. He added that Trump’s threat to target cultural sites is a “betrayal of American values. It is wrong. It is a needless escalation which ignores international law.” The page-long resolution states that “attacks on cultural sites are war crimes.”
Republicans don’t even have the spine to publicly oppose war crimes
As I wrote on Monday, even Donald Trump’s own Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, was willing to admit that carrying out the president’s wish to bomb cultural sites in Iran would be consider a war crime.
“We will follow the laws of armed conflict,” he said.
Sadly, elected GOP officials don’t feel the same way and appear to be quibbling over the details of a pretty simple resolution to call Trump’s Iran proposal what it is: a violation of international law.
The Republican Party has gotten to a place in which there is nothing Donald Trump does or tries to do that they are willing to publicly oppose.
Not even war crimes.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-01-08--Rand Paul Calls Out Trump For Single-Handedly Causing A War With Iran

As Iran begins its coordinated response to Donald Trump ’ s decision to kill one of its top generals , Republican Sen. Rand Paul went on live TV and called the commander-in-chief ’ s strategy in the region a complete failure that led directly to the crisis unfolding in the region .
During an interview with MSNBC ’ s Chris Matthews , Sen. Paul said , “ This maximum pressure campaign where we give no off ramp and there ’ s no ability or attempt to engage , I think it ’ s been a failure.
” The Kentucky Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pull out of the Iran nuclear deal as the initial trigger that led to what looks to be the beginning of a another war in the Middle East .
I think this maximum pressure campaign where we give no off ramp and there ’ s no ability or attempt to engage , I think it ’ s been a failure .
Secretary Pompeo has been saying we will force them into accepting our will , but we got out of the Iran agreement which broke the trust that we had developed with them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them and now we ’ ve killed one of their leading generals .
So I think this is predictable .
I hate it and I hate the fact that we ’ re involved with a military escalation now .
There is no easy answer now .
I think that they will not have a full on war with us so I think this goes on intermittently .
This is the opening salvo , but I think it will go on for some time now .
I think they will try to avoid a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other nation and we would defeat them in the matter of weeks but it would be another catastrophe and another mess times ten of what happened during the Iraq war and I hope we don ’ t go that route .
And I hope saner minds will pull back and say , enough ’ s enough .
Let ’ s try to have some means of conversation or some means of engagement but it ’ s difficult right now because the Iranians are very , very upset with the killing of their general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being open to any type of engagement at this point .
None of this happens without a Trump presidency For anybody who still believes that elections don ’ t matter , the unfolding crisis in the Middle East should disabuse them of that notion .
After all , the real pivot point in the Iran-U.S. relationship came after Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear agreement that was crafted by the Obama-Biden administration and imposed sanctions on the Iranians .
As Sen. Paul noted on Tuesday , the move by Trump to undo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trust the U.S. built with Iran , and it set off a chain of events that has put America on the doorstep of another war .
Without a Donald Trump presidency , none of this would be happening .

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As Iran begins its coordinated response to Donald Trump’s decision to kill one of its top generals, Republican Sen. Rand Paul went on live TV and called the commander-in-chief’s strategy in the region a complete failure that led directly to the crisis unfolding in the region.
During an interview with MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, Sen. Paul said, “This maximum pressure campaign where we give no off ramp and there’s no ability or attempt to engage, I think it’s been a failure.”
The Kentucky Republican pointed to Trump’s decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal as the initial trigger that led to what looks to be the beginning of a another war in the Middle East.
Video:
After Iran targeted U.S. troops in Iraq with missiles, Republican Sen. Rand Paul calls Trump’s policy in the region a complete failure. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/a6xMjlW003 — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) January 8, 2020
Sen. Paul said:
I think this maximum pressure campaign where we give no off ramp and there’s no ability or attempt to engage, I think it’s been a failure. Secretary Pompeo has been saying we will force them into accepting our will, but we got out of the Iran agreement which broke the trust that we had developed with them. We then put an embargo on them and now we’ve killed one of their leading generals. So I think this is predictable. I hate it and I hate the fact that we’re involved with a military escalation now. There is no easy answer now. I think that they will not have a full on war with us so I think this goes on intermittently. This is the opening salvo, but I think it will go on for some time now. I think they will try to avoid a direct war because we can defeat any other nation and we would defeat them in the matter of weeks but it would be another catastrophe and another mess times ten of what happened during the Iraq war and I hope we don’t go that route. And I hope saner minds will pull back and say, enough’s enough. Let’s try to have some means of conversation or some means of engagement but it’s difficult right now because the Iranians are very, very upset with the killing of their general and I don’t see them being open to any type of engagement at this point.
None of this happens without a Trump presidency
For anybody who still believes that elections don’t matter, the unfolding crisis in the Middle East should disabuse them of that notion.
After all, the real pivot point in the Iran-U.S. relationship came after Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear agreement that was crafted by the Obama-Biden administration and imposed sanctions on the Iranians.
As Sen. Paul noted on Tuesday, the move by Trump to undo the Obama policy in the region broke the trust the U.S. built with Iran, and it set off a chain of events that has put America on the doorstep of another war.
Without a Donald Trump presidency, none of this would be happening.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-01-08--Iran Launches Missiles At U.S. Troops In Iraq As Trump’s Strategy In The Middle East Implodes

Iran has launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house U.S. troops , NBC News is reporting on Tuesday .
According to Courtney Kube of NBC News , “ Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. forces and coalition forces in Iraq.
” It remains to be seen whether the attacks on the military bases have resulted in any casualties .
The Pentagon , U.S. military is acknowledging that Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. forces and coalition forces in Iraq .
This is what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly what the nature of this attack in Iraq was against al-Asad airbase in western Iraq .
A dozen ballistic — more than a dozen ballistic missiles .
And they ’ re saying they were launched against — excuse me , from Iran targeting two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military , not just at al-Asad but also in Erbil .
… This is a much more serious attack in the fact that a missile versus a rocket does a lot more damage , so the fact that these were actually not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve seen against the U.S. and Iraqis inside of Iraq in recent days and weeks really ratchets this up a notch there .
Any attack on American troops is troubling , but what is unfolding in Iraq is likely just the beginning .
As Courtney Kube added on Tuesday , “ There ’ s Iranian state media who are saying that this is the beginning of a larger , coordinated attack.
” Trump ’ s strategy in the Middle East is unraveling For three years , Donald Trump has made one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama ’ s foreign policy .
As a result , the region has become more unstable , Iran has become more aggressive and the world is less safe .
This is only the beginning of what looks to be a growing crisis in the Middle East for which Donald Trump is singlehandedly responsible .

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Iran has launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house U.S. troops, NBC News is reporting on Tuesday.
According to Courtney Kube of NBC News, “Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. forces and coalition forces in Iraq.”
It remains to be seen whether the attacks on the military bases have resulted in any casualties.
Video:
Iran fired more than a dozen missiles at two bases in Iraq that house U.S. troops. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/NJp531vqCL — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) January 8, 2020
Kube reported:
The Pentagon, U.S. military is acknowledging that Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. forces and coalition forces in Iraq. This is what we’ve been waiting to here is exactly what the nature of this attack in Iraq was against al-Asad airbase in western Iraq. A dozen ballistic — more than a dozen ballistic missiles. And they’re saying they were launched against — excuse me, from Iran targeting two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military, not just at al-Asad but also in Erbil. … This is a much more serious attack in the fact that a missile versus a rocket does a lot more damage, so the fact that these were actually not the kind of more crude rocket attacks that we’ve seen against the U.S. and Iraqis inside of Iraq in recent days and weeks really ratchets this up a notch there.
Any attack on American troops is troubling, but what is unfolding in Iraq is likely just the beginning.
As Courtney Kube added on Tuesday, “There’s Iranian state media who are saying that this is the beginning of a larger, coordinated attack.”
Video:
Courtney Kube of NBC News reports that the rocket attack on a military base in Iraq could be just the beginning of Iran’s response to the U.S. killing of Qasem Soleimani. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/OZ4dLpGhsK — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) January 8, 2020
Trump’s strategy in the Middle East is unraveling
For three years, Donald Trump has made one reckless move after the next to undo Barack Obama’s foreign policy. As a result, the region has become more unstable, Iran has become more aggressive and the world is less safe.
This is only the beginning of what looks to be a growing crisis in the Middle East for which Donald Trump is singlehandedly responsible.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-01-08--Trump Isn’t Telling Congress What’s Really Going On With Iran

Sen. Jeff Merkley ( D-OR ) said that Trump and his administration are intentionally not telling Congress what ’ s really going on with Iran .
Sen. Merkley said on MSNBC ’ s The Beat with Ari Melber : Specifically , they are addressing the issue of bringing a resolution to the floor , one that discusses , for example , the war powers act or an authorization for use of military force , that this would be very divisive and show division when we shouldn ’ t be showing division .
In other words , there ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lays out that no president should be able to take us to war , only a collective decision by Congress because decisions of war involve so much blood and so much treasure that it can ’ t be entrusted to one person .
That was our founders ’ fear of the damage of war , and there ’ s no respect or understanding of that .
In fact , they proceeded to that in terms of future consultation just talking to us in this briefing was their consultation according to the secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consultation .
This was a — I don ’ t know , a kind of brush over all the facts because they ’ re not going to really tell us what ’ s going on .
Sen. Merkley also called the briefing patronizing and said that the senators were told that debating war powers or authorization to use force resolution would be disrespectful to the troops .
Sen. Mike Lee ( R-UT ) blew his stack after the briefing for a very good reason .
Trump is trying to hide the truth about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Congress .
Democrats in the House will pass a war powers resolution on Thursday , and if Trump keeps pushing , the Senate might join them in checking Trump ’ s power .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) said that Trump and his administration are intentionally not telling Congress what’s really going on with Iran.
Sen. Merkley said on MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber:
Specifically, they are addressing the issue of bringing a resolution to the floor, one that discusses, for example, the war powers act or an authorization for use of military force, that this would be very divisive and show division when we shouldn’t be showing division.
In other words, there’s no respect for the fact that the constitution lays out that no president should be able to take us to war, only a collective decision by Congress because decisions of war involve so much blood and so much treasure that it can’t be entrusted to one person. That was our founders’ fear of the damage of war, and there’s no respect or understanding of that. In fact, they proceeded to that in terms of future consultation just talking to us in this briefing was their consultation according to the secretary of state. This wasn’t a consultation. This was a — I don’t know, a kind of brush over all the facts because they’re not going to really tell us what’s going on.
Video:
Sen. Jeff Merkley said that Trump isn't telling Congress what's going on with Iran. pic.twitter.com/dF04QHdIYB — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 8, 2020
Sen. Merkley also called the briefing patronizing and said that the senators were told that debating war powers or authorization to use force resolution would be disrespectful to the troops. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) blew his stack after the briefing for a very good reason. Trump is trying to hide the truth about what’s going on with Iran from Congress.
Democrats in the House will pass a war powers resolution on Thursday, and if Trump keeps pushing, the Senate might join them in checking Trump’s power.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-08--Fox News Cuts Off Mike Lee As He Rips Trump’s Iran Briefing

Sen. Mike Lee ( R-UT ) called the Trump administration ’ s Iran briefing the worst he has ever had , and Fox News cut away from his remarks .
The briefing lasted only 75 minutes whereupon the briefers left .
This is not the biggest problem I have with the briefing which I would add was probably the worst briefing I have seen at least on a military issue in the nine years I have served in the quite senate .
What I found so distressing about that briefing was that one of the messages we received from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not discuss the issue of the appropriateness of further military intervention against and that if you do you ’ ll be emboldening Iran .
I find it insulting and not personally but to the office that each of the 100 senators in this building happens to hold .
It is not acceptable for officials within the executive branch of government , I don ’ t care whether with the CIA , with the Department of Defense or otherwise , to come in and tell us we can ’ t debate and discuss the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s wrong .
Every time they pull a stunt like this , I ’ m willing to consider and introduce any and every war powers act resolution .
There are a few different factors at play in Lee ’ s remarks .
Sen. Lee is expressing the frustration of many in the Legislative Branch over the constant disrespect being shown to them by the Trump administration .
Sen. Lee ’ s statements show the constitutional friction between Trump ’ s executive power grab and Congress .
Lee suggesting that he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution limiting Trump ’ s power was not accidental .
The House will be voting on such legislation on Thursday .
Fox News ’ s decision to cut Lee off shows that it is no longer just Republican or conservative propaganda .
The network has changed to being Trump propaganda , and anyone who criticizes Donald Trump , Democrat or Republican , is at risk of having the plug pulled on them .
Sen. Lee was correct to be angry .
Nothing less than war and peace are at stake in this conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell Congress what they can and can ’ t do , and when a Republican speaks out against the president , Fox News cuts away from their remarks .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) called the Trump administration’s Iran briefing the worst he has ever had, and Fox News cut away from his remarks.
Sen. Lee said:
The briefing lasted only 75 minutes whereupon the briefers left. This is not the biggest problem I have with the briefing which I would add was probably the worst briefing I have seen at least on a military issue in the nine years I have served in the quite senate. What I found so distressing about that briefing was that one of the messages we received from the briefers was do not debate, do not discuss the issue of the appropriateness of further military intervention against and that if you do you’ll be emboldening Iran. I find it insulting and not personally but to the office that each of the 100 senators in this building happens to hold.
….
It is not acceptable for officials within the executive branch of government, I don’t care whether with the CIA, with the Department of Defense or otherwise, to come in and tell us we can’t debate and discuss the appropriateness of military intervention against Iran. It’s wrong. Every time they pull a stunt like this, I’m willing to consider and introduce any and every war powers act resolution.
Video of Sen. Lee:
Fox News cut Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) as he was ripping Trump and his administration a new one for the worst briefing that he has ever had. Here is a longer clip. pic.twitter.com/PXKB60xDRj — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 8, 2020
Here’s Fox News cutting Lee off:
Fox News cut away from Republican Sen. Mike Lee as he excoriated the Trump admin’s Soleimani briefing as “probably the worst briefing at least on a military issue I’ve seen.” pic.twitter.com/736Qtd6bWZ — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 8, 2020
There are a few different factors at play in Lee’s remarks. Sen. Lee is expressing the frustration of many in the Legislative Branch over the constant disrespect being shown to them by the Trump administration. Sen. Lee’s statements show the constitutional friction between Trump’s executive power grab and Congress.
Lee suggesting that he is being pushed to introduce a war powers resolution limiting Trump’s power was not accidental. The House will be voting on such legislation on Thursday.
Fox News’s decision to cut Lee off shows that it is no longer just Republican or conservative propaganda. The network has changed to being Trump propaganda, and anyone who criticizes Donald Trump, Democrat or Republican, is at risk of having the plug pulled on them.
Sen. Lee was correct to be angry. Nothing less than war and peace are at stake in this conversation. Trump doesn’t get to tell Congress what they can and can’t do, and when a Republican speaks out against the president, Fox News cuts away from their remarks.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-08--Nancy Pelosi Moves To Block Trump’s Iran War Powers

Speaker Pelosi announced on Thursday that the House would vote to limit Trump ’ s war powers and his ability to start a war with Iran .
Pelosi said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA : Last week , the Trump Administration conducted a provocative and disproportionate military airstrike targeting high-level Iranian military officials .
The Administration took this action without consulting Congress .
This action endangered our servicemembers , diplomats and others by risking a serious escalation of tensions with Iran .
Since then , the President has made clear that he does not have a coherent strategy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de-escalation with Iran and ensure stability in the region .
Members of Congress have serious , urgent concerns about the Administration ’ s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and about its lack of strategy moving forward .
Our concerns were not addressed by the President ’ s insufficient War Powers Act notification and by the Administration ’ s briefing today .
Today , to honor our duty to keep the American people safe , the House will move forward with a War Powers Resolution to limit the President ’ s military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will be led by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin , will go to the Rules Committee this evening and will be brought to the Floor tomorrow .
The House may also soon consider additional legislation on the Floor to keep America safe .
This legislation includes Congresswoman Barbara Lee ’ s resolution to repeal the 2002 Iraq Authorization for Use of Military Force ( AUMF ) and Congressman Ro Khanna ’ s legislation to prohibit funding for military action against Iran not authorized by Congress .
The Administration must work with the Congress to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that prevents further violence .
America and the world can not afford war .
In his snorting and slurred remarks , the president seemed to believe that Iran is standing down , but this is likely not the case .
The Iranian government may stand down from direct military action against the US , but their wide network of proxies are likely to strike US targets in the Middle East .
The war powers legislation would require Senate passage to become law , but Speaker Pelosi did mention one option that McConnell can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power to deny Trump funding for any offensive action against Iran .
There will be no rubber-stamping of a new Middle East war .
Pelosi and House Democrats will hold Trump accountable for his reckless decisionmaking .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Speaker Pelosi announced on Thursday that the House would vote to limit Trump’s war powers and his ability to start a war with Iran.
Pelosi said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA:
Last week, the Trump Administration conducted a provocative and disproportionate military airstrike targeting high-level Iranian military officials. The Administration took this action without consulting Congress. This action endangered our servicemembers, diplomats and others by risking a serious escalation of tensions with Iran. Since then, the President has made clear that he does not have a coherent strategy to keep the American people safe, achieve de-escalation with Iran and ensure stability in the region.
Members of Congress have serious, urgent concerns about the Administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and about its lack of strategy moving forward. Our concerns were not addressed by the President’s insufficient War Powers Act notification and by the Administration’s briefing today.
Today, to honor our duty to keep the American people safe, the House will move forward with a War Powers Resolution to limit the President’s military actions regarding Iran. This resolution, which will be led by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, will go to the Rules Committee this evening and will be brought to the Floor tomorrow.
The House may also soon consider additional legislation on the Floor to keep America safe. This legislation includes Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s resolution to repeal the 2002 Iraq Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) and Congressman Ro Khanna’s legislation to prohibit funding for military action against Iran not authorized by Congress.
The Administration must work with the Congress to advance an immediate, effective de-escalatory strategy that prevents further violence. America and the world cannot afford war.
In his snorting and slurred remarks, the president seemed to believe that Iran is standing down, but this is likely not the case. The Iranian government may stand down from direct military action against the US, but their wide network of proxies are likely to strike US targets in the Middle East.
The war powers legislation would require Senate passage to become law, but Speaker Pelosi did mention one option that McConnell can’t kill. The House has the power to deny Trump funding for any offensive action against Iran.
There will be no rubber-stamping of a new Middle East war. Pelosi and House Democrats will hold Trump accountable for his reckless decisionmaking.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-08--Sen. Tammy Duckworth Rocks The Senate By Calling Out Toddler Trump

Combat vet Sen. Tammy Duckworth ( D-IL ) said that her 20-month-old has better impulse control than Donald Trump .
Sen. Duckworth said on the Senate floor , “ Once again he ’ s been manipulated by a hostile regime into decisions that further their goals while endangering the security of the nation Trump ’ s actually supposed to lead… All these dictators have realized the same thing : the President of the United States is as easy to control as a toddler .
Sweet talk him or thump your chest and issue a few schoolyard threats , and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll fall for it every time , doing your bidding as if it ’ s his own .
I wish this weren ’ t true , but my diaper-wearing 20-month-old has better impulse control than this president.
” Sen. Duckworth ’ s remarks are an example of why Trump ’ s approval rating has plunged with the military .
Trump ’ s behavior is the opposite of what our troops believe in .
The president is disrespectful , undisciplined , lacking in impulse control , disloyal , and reckless .
Sen. Duckworth was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impulse control than Trump .
Trump is soft and easy to manipulate .
He is easy for any authoritarian to control , and he puts the lives of US troops in jeopardy with each bad decision that he makes.
, For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Combat vet Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) said that her 20-month-old has better impulse control than Donald Trump.
Sen. Duckworth said on the Senate floor, “Once again he’s been manipulated by a hostile regime into decisions that further their goals while endangering the security of the nation Trump’s actually supposed to lead… All these dictators have realized the same thing: the President of the United States is as easy to control as a toddler. Sweet talk him or thump your chest and issue a few schoolyard threats, and you’ve got him. He’ll fall for it every time, doing your bidding as if it’s his own. I wish this weren’t true, but my diaper-wearing 20-month-old has better impulse control than this president.”
Video:
Sen. Duckworth’s remarks are an example of why Trump’s approval rating has plunged with the military. Trump’s behavior is the opposite of what our troops believe in. The president is disrespectful, undisciplined, lacking in impulse control, disloyal, and reckless.
Sen. Duckworth was right. There are children with better impulse control than Trump. Trump is soft and easy to manipulate. He is easy for any authoritarian to control, and he puts the lives of US troops in jeopardy with each bad decision that he makes.,
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-08--Trump Sounded Drugged As He Slurred, Snorted, and Breathed Heavily During Iran Statement

It is well known that Trump doesn ’ t drink or use drugs , but he was slurring , snorting , and breathing heavily through his statement on Iran .
The problems were evident from the beginning of his statement when Trump said : I ’ m pleased to inform you : The American people should be extremely grateful and happy no Americans were harmed in last night ’ s attack by the Iranian regime .
We suffered no casualties , all of our soldiers are safe , and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases .
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Iran appears to be standing down , which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world .
No American or Iraqi lives were lost because of the precautions taken , the dispersal of forces , and an early warning system that worked very well .
I salute the incredible skill and courage of America ’ s men and women in uniform .
For far too long — all the way back to 1979 , to be exact — nations have tolerated Iran ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East and beyond .
Those days are over .
Iran has been the leading sponsor of terrorism , and their pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens the civilized world .
We will never let that happen .
Trump made a surprise visit to Walter Reed hospital that the White House has never explained .
Lawrence Tribe noted that Trump sounded drugged during his remarks : Trump just came back from a two-week vacation , where he golfed daily , so he can ’ t be tired and overworked .
The American people deserve to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his performance today has done nothing to quiet the questions about Trump ’ s ability to handle four more years in the White House .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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It is well known that Trump doesn’t drink or use drugs, but he was slurring, snorting, and breathing heavily through his statement on Iran.
The problems were evident from the beginning of his statement when Trump said:
I’m pleased to inform you: The American people should be extremely grateful and happy no Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties, all of our soldiers are safe, and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases.
Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.
No American or Iraqi lives were lost because of the precautions taken, the dispersal of forces, and an early warning system that worked very well. I salute the incredible skill and courage of America’s men and women in uniform.
For far too long — all the way back to 1979, to be exact — nations have tolerated Iran’s destructive and destabilizing behavior in the Middle East and beyond. Those days are over. Iran has been the leading sponsor of terrorism, and their pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens the civilized world. We will never let that happen.
Video:
Here is Trump slurring, snorting, and clearly breathing heavily while delivering his statement on Iran. pic.twitter.com/eUndkenzL7 — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 8, 2020
Trump made a surprise visit to Walter Reed hospital that the White House has never explained.
Lawrence Tribe noted that Trump sounded drugged during his remarks:
So it wasn’t just me? I wondered whether I was imagining things, but it truly upset me to watch the man in the White House look and sound, well . . . tranquilized. The fact that lots of others sensed the same thing is creepy at best. We need to know more. https://t.co/0Mpq7z85Ua — Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) January 8, 2020
Trump just came back from a two-week vacation, where he golfed daily, so he can’t be tired and overworked.
The American people deserve to know if the president is healthy, and his performance today has done nothing to quiet the questions about Trump’s ability to handle four more years in the White House.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-08--Trump Blames Obama For Iranian Missile Strike On US Base

Trump blamed Obama for Iran ’ s missile strike on a US base in Iraq by falsely claiming that the missiles were paid for by the Iran nuclear deal .
Trump said , “ Iran ’ s hostility substantially increased after the foolish Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2013 , and they were given $ 150 billion not to mention $ 1.8 billion in cash .
Instead of saying thank you to the United States , they chanted death to America .
In fact , they chanted death to America the day the agreement was signed .
Then Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money from the deal and created hell in Yemen , Syria , Lebanon , Afghanistan and Iraq .
The missiles fired last night at us and our allies were paid for with the funds made available by the last administration.
” Trump is repeating some of his favorite lies about the Iran nuclear deal .
The president was lying when he claimed that Obama gave Iran $ 150 billion and that the money paid for the missiles used to attack an American base .
PolitiFact wrote , “ The 2015 Iran nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States under Obama , and did not involve the United States giving cash to Iran .
It ’ s also debatable whether Iran ultimately got access to $ 150 billion of what were its own assets — which had been frozen in retaliation for its pursuit of a nuclear weapon — or whether the amount was much less.
” Contrary to Trump ’ s historical fiction , Iran increased its activities after Trump pulled out of the nuclear deal .
The root cause of the current escalation is Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear deal .
Trump has to tell more lies to cover for his big lie on the Iran nuclear deal .
The heart of the problem isn ’ t Barack Obama .
It ’ s Donald Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump blamed Obama for Iran’s missile strike on a US base in Iraq by falsely claiming that the missiles were paid for by the Iran nuclear deal.
Trump said, “Iran’s hostility substantially increased after the foolish Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2013, and they were given $150 billion not to mention $1.8 billion in cash. Instead of saying thank you to the United States, they chanted death to America. In fact, they chanted death to America the day the agreement was signed. Then Iran went on a terror spree funded by the money from the deal and created hell in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Iraq. The missiles fired last night at us and our allies were paid for with the funds made available by the last administration.”
Video:
A snorting and lying Trump just blamed Obama for the Iranian missile strike on a US base pic.twitter.com/y080ApVz68 — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 8, 2020
Trump is repeating some of his favorite lies about the Iran nuclear deal. The president was lying when he claimed that Obama gave Iran $150 billion and that the money paid for the missiles used to attack an American base.
PolitiFact wrote, “The 2015 Iran nuclear deal involved multiple nations, not just the United States under Obama, and did not involve the United States giving cash to Iran. It’s also debatable whether Iran ultimately got access to $150 billion of what were its own assets — which had been frozen in retaliation for its pursuit of a nuclear weapon — or whether the amount was much less.”
Contrary to Trump’s historical fiction, Iran increased its activities after Trump pulled out of the nuclear deal. The root cause of the current escalation is Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal.
Trump has to tell more lies to cover for his big lie on the Iran nuclear deal.
The heart of the problem isn’t Barack Obama. It’s Donald Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-09--Senator Says Trump Has No Evidence For Iran War

Sen. Chris Van Hollen ( D-MD ) said that the evidence that Trump presented to the Senate does not support @ @ @ @ @ was imminent .
It is difficult to get the left and the right to agree @ @ @ @ @ point of agreement on both sides of the aisle is that the briefing to Congress @ @ @ @ @ an insulting joke .
Senators have accused the administration of being patronizing and called it @ @ @ @ @ have ever received .
The conclusion one draws based on the reactions of members of @ @ @ @ @ ’ t brief the Legislative Branch before his strike on Soleimani because they would have @ @ @ @ @ of evidence .
There is a growing movement in Congress to limit Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ to distract America from impeachment with a foreign policy crisis , Trump has turned Congress @ @ @ @ @ attack on Iran .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and @ @ @

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Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) said that the evidence that Trump presented to the Senate does not support his claim that an attack was imminent.
Sen. Van Hollen tweeted:
Here’s the unclassified version of what Trump sent Congress after the hit on Suleimani. From all we’ve seen, including the redacted parts here and the briefing, the facts do not show an imminent threat. We must pass a bill making clear Trump can’t start a war without a vote. pic.twitter.com/mUnkLwsph1 — Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) January 9, 2020
It is difficult to get the left and the right to agree on anything, but one point of agreement on both sides of the aisle is that the briefing to Congress from the Trump administration was an insulting joke.
Senators have accused the administration of being patronizing and called it the worst briefing that they have ever received.
The conclusion one draws based on the reactions of members of Congress is that Trump didn’t brief the Legislative Branch before his strike on Soleimani because they would have objected due to a lack of evidence.
There is a growing movement in Congress to limit Trump’s war powers. By trying to distract America from impeachment with a foreign policy crisis, Trump has turned Congress and the country against his attack on Iran.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-09--Trump Is Trying To Hide The Cost Of His Travel Until After The Election

Trump is trying to hide how much taxpayer money he is spending on travel and Secret Service protection at his private clubs until after the election .
The Trump administration is seeking to delay a Democratic effort to require the Secret Service to disclose how much it spends protecting President Trump and his family when they travel — until after the 2020 election , according to people familiar with the discussions .
Mnuchin has balked at Democratic demands that the bill require the Secret Service to disclose the costs related to the travel of the president and his adult children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to people with knowledge of the talks .
Mnuchin has agreed to Democrats ’ push for a requirement that the Secret Service report its travel expenses but wants such disclosures to begin after the election .
If Trump ’ s travel expenses were normal for a president , his administration would not be trying to hard to hide the cost .
It is estimated that Trump has spent 296 years worth of presidential salary on travel to his private golf clubs .
The taxpayers have been totally ripped off by Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he would have taken his salary and paid for his own travel to his private clubs .
Estimates of Trump ’ s travel do not include the cost of travel and security for his entire family .
For example , when Donald Trump Jr. , and Eric Trump travel , they also have Secret Service protection at the expense of taxpayers .
Trump ’ s travel could be an explosive election issue , which is why the White House is trying to keep taxpayers in the dark .
For more discussion about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC group .

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Trump is trying to hide how much taxpayer money he is spending on travel and Secret Service protection at his private clubs until after the election.
The Washington Post reported:
The Trump administration is seeking to delay a Democratic effort to require the Secret Service to disclose how much it spends protecting President Trump and his family when they travel — until after the 2020 election, according to people familiar with the discussions.
….
Mnuchin has balked at Democratic demands that the bill require the Secret Service to disclose the costs related to the travel of the president and his adult children within 120 days after it is passed, according to people with knowledge of the talks. Mnuchin has agreed to Democrats’ push for a requirement that the Secret Service report its travel expenses but wants such disclosures to begin after the election.
If Trump’s travel expenses were normal for a president, his administration would not be trying to hard to hide the cost. It is estimated that Trump has spent 296 years worth of presidential salary on travel to his private golf clubs.
The taxpayers have been totally ripped off by Trump. They would have been better off if he would have taken his salary and paid for his own travel to his private clubs. Estimates of Trump’s travel do not include the cost of travel and security for his entire family. For example, when Donald Trump Jr., and Eric Trump travel, they also have Secret Service protection at the expense of taxpayers.
Trump’s travel could be an explosive election issue, which is why the White House is trying to keep taxpayers in the dark.
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politicususa--2020-01-09--McConnell Says Trump Impeachment Articles Are Coming Soon

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Republican Senators to expect the Trump articles of impeachment to be delivered to the Senate next week .
Republican senators were told by McConnell at a lunch Thursday to keep their schedules flexible for the end of next week , when they are supposed to leave Washington for a weeklong break that includes the MLK Day holiday on January 20 .
According to an attendee , McConnell said that with the possibility that Speaker Nancy Pelosi could soon send over the impeachment articles , senators should be prepared to be at the Capitol for Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like wishful thinking from McConnell .
There is no evidence in Speaker Pelosi ’ s comments that she will be sending the articles of impeachment over before the end of the week .
McConnell ’ s comments to his caucus do provide some insight into how quickly he plans to speed through the impeachment trial .
Holding a Saturday session would be one way to keep the American people from watching the trial .
Mitch McConnell is hoping that impeachment articles are coming soon , but until Pelosi sends them , the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sham Trump trial .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Republican Senators to expect the Trump articles of impeachment to be delivered to the Senate next week.
Roll Call reported:
Republican senators were told by McConnell at a lunch Thursday to keep their schedules flexible for the end of next week, when they are supposed to leave Washington for a weeklong break that includes the MLK Day holiday on January 20.
According to an attendee, McConnell said that with the possibility that Speaker Nancy Pelosi could soon send over the impeachment articles, senators should be prepared to be at the Capitol for Saturday sessions starting Jan. 18.
This sounds like wishful thinking from McConnell. There is no evidence in Speaker Pelosi’s comments that she will be sending the articles of impeachment over before the end of the week.
McConnell’s comments to his caucus do provide some insight into how quickly he plans to speed through the impeachment trial. Holding a Saturday session would be one way to keep the American people from watching the trial.
Mitch McConnell is hoping that impeachment articles are coming soon, but until Pelosi sends them, the Senate Majority Leader can keep dreaming of a sham Trump trial.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-09--Unwell Trump Rants About The Song YMCA At The White House

Donald Trump went off on a rant and claimed nobody remembers the name NAFTA , which is why he named his trade deal after the Village People ’ s YMCA .
Trump said , “ I ’ m good at names .
USMCA .
Like the song “ YMCA.
” Now everybody says it .
They don ’ t remember the previous name of the bad deal .
Commonly known as NAFTA.
” Trump thinks that he is good at names in the same way that a toddler thinks that they are good at hide and seek when they put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a good name for a trade deal .
Trump hasn ’ t come up with a good name for either his programs or his political opponents since he was a candidate .
Trump is still trying to make “ Sleepy ” Joe a thing , even though Biden is more active in a day than Trump is in a month .
The president is clearly not well .
He sounded drugged as he slurred his words , snorted , and breathed heavily during his statement on Iran .
Trump has blown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and descended to not normal human behavior .
The White House won ’ t tell the American people , but there is overwhelming circumstantial evidence that something appears to be wrong with this president .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Donald Trump went off on a rant and claimed nobody remembers the name NAFTA, which is why he named his trade deal after the Village People’s YMCA.
Trump said, “I’m good at names. USMCA. Like the song “YMCA.” Now everybody says it. They don’t remember the previous name of the bad deal. Commonly known as NAFTA.”
Video:
Trump's rant about nobody remembering NAFTA and how he named his trade deal after a Villiage People song is a sign that he is not well., pic.twitter.com/6UYp6y51Fv — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 9, 2020
Trump thinks that he is good at names in the same way that a toddler thinks that they are good at hide and seek when they put their fingers over their eyes. USMCA is not a good name for a trade deal. Trump hasn’t come up with a good name for either his programs or his political opponents since he was a candidate. Trump is still trying to make “Sleepy” Joe a thing, even though Biden is more active in a day than Trump is in a month.
The president is clearly not well. He sounded drugged as he slurred his words, snorted, and breathed heavily during his statement on Iran.
Trump has blown past the standard of not presidential behavior and descended to not normal human behavior.
The White House won’t tell the American people, but there is overwhelming circumstantial evidence that something appears to be wrong with this president.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-09--Trump’s Soleimani Strike Cost 176 Ukrainian Plane Passengers Their Lives

Trump claimed that a Ukranian plane that was mistakenly shot down by Iran was flying in a “ bad neighborhood.
” Trump said , “ Somebody could have made a mistake on the other side , could have made a mistake .
It was flying in not our system , has nothing to do with us , it was flying in a pretty rough neighborhood and somebody could have made a mistake .
Some people say it was mechanical .
I personally don ’ t think that ’ s even a question personally .
So we ’ ll see what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something very terrible happened , very devastating.
” As Americans , we should feel lucky that Trump didn ’ t claim that the plane deserved it because of what it was wearing , or he didn ’ t find some other way to blame the deaths of 176 people on the victims .
Iran ’ s mistake is part of the chain reaction that Trump set off when he approved the strike that killed Soleimani .
If Trump doesn ’ t approve the strike on Soleimani , those airline passengers are probably still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make up foreign policy as they go along is that they never anticipate the unintended consequences .
Trump didn ’ t intend for 176 innocent people to die because of the events that he set into motion , but they did .
The Trump administration still hasn ’ t provided the evidence that was the basis for the Soleimani decision , and it looks like 176 people lost their lives because Trump needed a to politically change the subject .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group @

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Trump claimed that a Ukranian plane that was mistakenly shot down by Iran was flying in a “bad neighborhood.”
Trump said, “Somebody could have made a mistake on the other side, could have made a mistake. It was flying in not our system, has nothing to do with us, it was flying in a pretty rough neighborhood and somebody could have made a mistake. Some people say it was mechanical. I personally don’t think that’s even a question personally. So we’ll see what happens. Just some very terrible — something very terrible happened, very devastating.”
Video:
Trump says the Ukraine plane mistakenly shot down by Iran was flying in a "bad neighborhood." pic.twitter.com/rJvn0FXt6K — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 9, 2020
As Americans, we should feel lucky that Trump didn’t claim that the plane deserved it because of what it was wearing, or he didn’t find some other way to blame the deaths of 176 people on the victims.
Iran’s mistake is part of the chain reaction that Trump set off when he approved the strike that killed Soleimani. If Trump doesn’t approve the strike on Soleimani, those airline passengers are probably still alive.
The problem with presidents who make up foreign policy as they go along is that they never anticipate the unintended consequences. Trump didn’t intend for 176 innocent people to die because of the events that he set into motion, but they did.
The Trump administration still hasn’t provided the evidence that was the basis for the Soleimani decision, and it looks like 176 people lost their lives because Trump needed a to politically change the subject.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-09--Opinion: Trump Embarrassed Himself On Iran Because of His Obama Obsession

Thankfully , Trump ’ s foolhardiness with Iran did not result in loss of life among our troops .
When even Senator Mike Lee ( R ) Utah called the Trump administration ’ s intel briefing on the Soleimani assassination the worst he ’ d ever seen before Fox cut him off , you know that criticism of Trump ’ s conduct is about national security , not partisanship .
Lee and Democrat Jeff Merkley both described the briefing as insulting and demeaning .
This may be the first time since Trump took office that a Democrat and a Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when I say that Iran won this last round , I do it with sadness and with concern for our national security .
Aside from the fact that Trump ’ s conduct did not result in the deaths of American troops , nothing else that happened was in our favor .
Sure , Trump united previously divergent political factions .
The only problem is they were Iraqis and Iranians – not Americans .
That put Iraqis squarely on Iran ’ s side , score one for Iran .
Iran called Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to American bases to make it look like Iran was standing up to America and getting away with it .
Trump , for all his bluster , backed down from threats to commit the war crime of targeting cultural sites and ended up looking hollow over his threat of consequences if Iran retaliated .
His morning address was , without question , the sort of hot mess that we ’ ve been reduced to expecting from this president – but the fact , is no amount of spin could remove the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And Trump is so obsessed with erasing Barack Obama ’ s presidency that he can ’ t see it , even though it ’ s painfully obvious to everyone else .
That obsession is Trump ’ s Achilles heel , and could be ours as well unless someone not named Vladimir Putin reels him in .
Throughout his presidency , Trump obsessed over ways to show Obama up – be it in his pathetic campaign to be Time Magazine ’ s Person of the Year ( an accolade won by teenage environmental activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like debasing then erasing the Obama Administration ’ s foreign policy .
That Obama made a major international agreement with Iran was always a sore point for Republicans and it was always debased with lies suggesting that Obama paid Iran off .
Trump took that lie to a more obscene level by saying https : //www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/01/08/trump-claims-win-iran-he-accuses-obama-funding-its-attacks/ Obama funded Iran ’ s attacks .
He ’ s desperate , looking for an escape route from impeachment , obsessing over ways to erase the Obama presidency that will forever outshine Trump ’ s in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt good after Soleimani ’ s assassination , having people killed off just like would be done by the strong men he so admires .
But like so many of Trump ’ s power rushes , the high didn ’ t last .
Iran all but laughed at his post-kill bluster with the appearance of retaliation .
One can only imagine how many aides it will take to peel Trump off the walls when he finds out about the real retaliation , be it in the form of cyber warfare , or perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outing Trump ’ s tax returns .
The point is we came out of this chapter without our troops getting hurt but with less influence than before .
Trump can insult and yell at our traditional allies all he wants , but the odds of NATO intervening in the Middle East to save Trump ’ s backside are virtually nil .
In short , he has cost us influence around the globe with old allies and with foes .
All are laughing at the president ’ s “ best words ” that don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans anymore .
The America Barack Obama led understood why taking out Soleimani was a bad idea , and we understood that getting people talking is the first real step toward achieving foreign policy goals .
They understood that taking out Soleimani amounted to a declaration of war – as did everyone else .
Trump , being the narcissist he is , was certain that Iran would jump to his whims simply because he is Donald Trump .
Iran proved him wrong and presented itself as the rational actor by comparison .
Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawful manner .
Some will point to the fact that Trump did back down as an indication that he actually does know what he ’ s doing .
The thing is , he didn ’ t back down because he read the tea leaves and recognized that Iran ’ s symbolic retaliation was an attempt to turn the temperature down .
Trump saw that he was standing alone and that his support among Republicans in Congress is symbolically softer than usual .
Unfortunately , that is unlikely to result in Republican support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ //www.cnn.com/2020/01/08/politics/house-democrats-finalizing-details-iran-war-powers-resolution/index.html that ’ s scheduled for a vote on Thursday .
One reality is painfully clear : Congressional Republicans are as much a part of the problem as Trump is , because in their cowardice , they enable him .
Anytime anyone shows even the slightest amount of pushback , Trump backs down .
Speaker Pelosi proved this time and again over the past year and now , so has Iran .

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Thankfully, Trump’s foolhardiness with Iran did not result in loss of life among our troops. When even Senator Mike Lee (R) Utah called the Trump administration’s intel briefing on the Soleimani assassination the worst he’d ever seen before Fox cut him off, you know that criticism of Trump’s conduct is about national security, not partisanship.
GOP Sen. Mike Lee railing on the Iran briefing just now from senior administration officials, calling it “the worst briefing I’ve had on a military issue in my nine years” in the Senate — Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 8, 2020
Lee and Democrat Jeff Merkley both described the briefing as insulting and demeaning. This may be the first time since Trump took office that a Democrat and a Republican agreed on anything of substance.
So when I say that Iran won this last round, I do it with sadness and with concern for our national security. Aside from the fact that Trump’s conduct did not result in the deaths of American troops, nothing else that happened was in our favor.
Sure, Trump united previously divergent political factions. The only problem is they were Iraqis and Iranians – not Americans. That put Iraqis squarely on Iran’s side, score one for Iran. Iran called Trump’s bluff about retaliation by dropping missiles close enough to American bases to make it look like Iran was standing up to America and getting away with it. Trump, for all his bluster, backed down from threats to commit the war crime of targeting cultural sites and ended up looking hollow over his threat of consequences if Iran retaliated.
His morning address was, without question, the sort of hot mess that we’ve been reduced to expecting from this president – but the fact, is no amount of spin could remove the fact that Iran out-maneuvered Trump this time.
And Trump is so obsessed with erasing Barack Obama’s presidency that he can’t see it, even though it’s painfully obvious to everyone else.
This was supposed to be an address to the nation. Instead, it was another embarrassing reminder of @realDonaldTrump’s absurd fixation on vilifying @BarackObama. Making matters worse, it’s obvious this man cares more about appearing tough than keeping the American people safe. https://t.co/NnJVUA7nrQ — Rep. Jimmy Gomez (@RepJimmyGomez) January 8, 2020
That obsession is Trump’s Achilles heel, and could be ours as well unless someone not named Vladimir Putin reels him in.
Throughout his presidency, Trump obsessed over ways to show Obama up – be it in his pathetic campaign to be Time Magazine’s Person of the Year (an accolade won by teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg) or more substantive matters, like debasing then erasing the Obama Administration’s foreign policy.
That Obama made a major international agreement with Iran was always a sore point for Republicans and it was always debased with lies suggesting that Obama paid Iran off. Trump took that lie to a more obscene level by saying https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/01/08/trump-claims-win-iran-he-accuses-obama-funding-its-attacks/ Obama funded Iran’s attacks.
He’s desperate, looking for an escape route from impeachment, obsessing over ways to erase the Obama presidency that will forever outshine Trump’s in every area that matters.
He probably felt good after Soleimani’s assassination, having people killed off just like would be done by the strong men he so admires.
But like so many of Trump’s power rushes, the high didn’t last. Iran all but laughed at his post-kill bluster with the appearance of retaliation. One can only imagine how many aides it will take to peel Trump off the walls when he finds out about the real retaliation, be it in the form of cyber warfare, or perhaps Iran will have its Wikileaks moment by outing Trump’s tax returns.
The point is we came out of this chapter without our troops getting hurt but with less influence than before. Trump can insult and yell at our traditional allies all he wants, but the odds of NATO intervening in the Middle East to save Trump’s backside are virtually nil. In short, he has cost us influence around the globe with old allies and with foes. All are laughing at the president’s “best words” that don’t even fool or impress congressional Republicans anymore.
The America Barack Obama led understood why taking out Soleimani was a bad idea, and we understood that getting people talking is the first real step toward achieving foreign policy goals. They understood that taking out Soleimani amounted to a declaration of war – as did everyone else.
Trump, being the narcissist he is, was certain that Iran would jump to his whims simply because he is Donald Trump. Iran proved him wrong and presented itself as the rational actor by comparison. Iran talked about responding in a proportionate and lawful manner.
Some will point to the fact that Trump did back down as an indication that he actually does know what he’s doing. The thing is, he didn’t back down because he read the tea leaves and recognized that Iran’s symbolic retaliation was an attempt to turn the temperature down.
Trump saw that he was standing alone and that his support among Republicans in Congress is symbolically softer than usual. Unfortunately, that is unlikely to result in Republican support for the House war powers resolution https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/08/politics/house-democrats-finalizing-details-iran-war-powers-resolution/index.html that’s scheduled for a vote on Thursday.
One reality is painfully clear: Congressional Republicans are as much a part of the problem as Trump is, because in their cowardice, they enable him. Anytime anyone shows even the slightest amount of pushback, Trump backs down. Speaker Pelosi proved this time and again over the past year and now, so has Iran.


politicususa--2020-01-10--American Cancer Society Tears Trump To Shreds After He Takes Credit For Decline In Cancer Deaths

Donald Trump tried to take credit for new data showing a decline in cancer deaths , but the American Cancer Society ( ACS ) was quick to shoot down his victory lap .
According to a new ACS report , cancer deaths saw the largest single-year drop from 2016 to 2017 , falling overall for the 26th year in a row .
Trump , of course , took credit for the news , saying in a tweet , “ A lot of good news coming out of this Administration.
” Despite Trump ’ s fantasy that he swept into office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cancer Society was quick to tell Trump he had nothing to do with the decline in deaths .
According to CNN , chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Gary M. Reedy said nothing done by the Trump administration has contributed to the decline in cancer deaths .
“ Since taking office , the president has signed multiple spending bills that have included increases in funding for cancer research at the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute — though the impact of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contained in this report , ” he said , according to the reporting .
The American Cancer Society urges Trump to increase access to health care Not only did the American Cancer Society slam Trump for taking credit for a decline in cancer deaths , but the group also urged him to increase access to health care in America – the opposite of what he ’ s done over the past three years with his constant assault on the Affordable Care Act .
“ The administration has an opportunity to significantly impact future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by increasing access to comprehensive health care , supporting robust and sustained increases in federal funding for cancer research and passing and implementing evidence-based tobacco control policies , ” Reedy said .
After three years of waging war on health care in America , Donald Trump is the last person who should be taking credit for the ACS ’ s findings .

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Donald Trump tried to take credit for new data showing a decline in cancer deaths, but the American Cancer Society (ACS) was quick to shoot down his victory lap.
According to a new ACS report, cancer deaths saw the largest single-year drop from 2016 to 2017, falling overall for the 26th year in a row.
Trump, of course, took credit for the news, saying in a tweet, “A lot of good news coming out of this Administration.”
U.S. Cancer Death Rate Lowest In Recorded History! A lot of good news coming out of this Administration. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2020
Despite Trump’s fantasy that he swept into office and single-handedly cured cancer, the American Cancer Society was quick to tell Trump he had nothing to do with the decline in deaths.
According to CNN, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Gary M. Reedy said nothing done by the Trump administration has contributed to the decline in cancer deaths.
“Since taking office, the president has signed multiple spending bills that have included increases in funding for cancer research at the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute — though the impact of those increases are not reflected in the data contained in this report,” he said, according to the reporting.
The American Cancer Society urges Trump to increase access to health care
Not only did the American Cancer Society slam Trump for taking credit for a decline in cancer deaths, but the group also urged him to increase access to health care in America – the opposite of what he’s done over the past three years with his constant assault on the Affordable Care Act.
“The administration has an opportunity to significantly impact future declines in both cancer incidence and mortality by increasing access to comprehensive health care, supporting robust and sustained increases in federal funding for cancer research and passing and implementing evidence-based tobacco control policies,” Reedy said.
After three years of waging war on health care in America, Donald Trump is the last person who should be taking credit for the ACS’s findings.
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politicususa--2020-01-10--During Ohio Rally, Trump Spirals Into Iran Rant That Should Terrify Every American

Following Iran ’ s strikes on military bases in Iraq , Donald Trump tweeted that “ all is well !
” During a completely bonkers rally on Thursday night in Ohio , it was clear that all is not so well after all , at least not with the president ’ s mental health .
At one point during the president ’ s self-therapy rally , he spiraled into a meltdown over attempts by Congress to have oversight of his reckless military actions .
He attacked Rep. Adam Schiff ’ s neck size , claiming the Democratic lawmaker buys “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” and he went after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , saying she is “ not operating with a full deck.
” Only the video of Trump ’ s disturbing ramble can do it any justice : Of course , this was just one moment during a MAGA rally on Thursday night that was filled with absolute insanity .
At one point , Trump bragged about being more popular than Abraham Lincoln .
From behind the presidential seal , he said Hillary Clinton deserved to be locked up .
And he criticized Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golfing .
Ultimately , It ’ s hard to cherry pick a crazy moment from a Trump rally – especially Thursday night ’ s sh*tshow in Ohio – since each of the events are completely terrifying and bizarre from start to finish .
But his Iran meltdown and the schoolyard insults attached to it should be particularly troubling to every American .
Decisions of war and peace are the most serious that a president will have to make during his or her time in office .
The fact that this is the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s exactly the reason behind a poll showing that a wide margin of the American people believe he is a dangerous commander-in-chief , and it ’ s why he has no business being elected to a second term in the White House .

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Following Iran’s strikes on military bases in Iraq, Donald Trump tweeted that “all is well!”
During a completely bonkers rally on Thursday night in Ohio, it was clear that all is not so well after all, at least not with the president’s mental health.
At one point during the president’s self-therapy rally, he spiraled into a meltdown over attempts by Congress to have oversight of his reckless military actions.
He attacked Rep. Adam Schiff’s neck size, claiming the Democratic lawmaker buys “the smallest shirt collar you can get,” and he went after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying she is “not operating with a full deck.”
Only the video of Trump’s disturbing ramble can do it any justice:
“We’ve got him lined up Adam! You little pencil neck. He has the smallest shirt collar you can get, and it is loose.” — Trump heaps abuse on Adam Schiff while mocking him for demanding congressional oversight of military strikes pic.twitter.com/nXyrw13r2C — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 10, 2020
Of course, this was just one moment during a MAGA rally on Thursday night that was filled with absolute insanity.
At one point, Trump bragged about being more popular than Abraham Lincoln. From behind the presidential seal, he said Hillary Clinton deserved to be locked up. And he criticized Barack Obama for – wait for it – golfing.
Trump looks and sounds increasingly unwell
Ultimately, It’s hard to cherry pick a crazy moment from a Trump rally – especially Thursday night’s sh*tshow in Ohio – since each of the events are completely terrifying and bizarre from start to finish. But his Iran meltdown and the schoolyard insults attached to it should be particularly troubling to every American.
Decisions of war and peace are the most serious that a president will have to make during his or her time in office. The fact that this is the way Donald Trump approaches them is frightening.
It’s exactly the reason behind a poll showing that a wide margin of the American people believe he is a dangerous commander-in-chief, and it’s why he has no business being elected to a second term in the White House.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter