politicususa--2020-02-16--Opinion: Trump Believes Making America Competitive Depends on Slashing Americans’ Wages

I know facts have a hard time surviving and garnering any credibility in Trump ’ s truth-free political swamp , but let ’ s give asserting a few facts at the outset here the old college try .
FACT : Homelessness in the U.S. has increased for the third year in a row under Trump ’ s rule .
FACT : Despite low unemployment rates , poverty is increasing .
West Virginia is a telling case study of how the jobs being created , particularly in retail and service industries , do not pay a living wage .
As Sean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy , told CBS News , “ It ’ s cashiers , retail sales people , service employees — those are our fastest growing jobs , but those jobs don ’ t pay very well.
” Tara Martinez , executive director of a soup kitchen in West Virginia , elaborated , “ ” The jobs that are available are minimum wage and part time — they don ’ t have benefits.
” Poverty , homelessness , and despair continue , even for those who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thriving economy .
FACT : An astounding percentage of those working in the wealthiest nation on earth live on the edge .
One third of all workers make less than $ 12 per hour and 42 % make less than $ 15 per hour .
A third of the population has no savings , and another third has less than a $ 1,000 in savings , leaving little to no wiggle room for any unexpected expense , such as medical expense or routine car repair .
Fourteen percent of Americans live in poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publication far from being a liberal rag .
These are stressful conditions .
Now , you may wonder how the conditions detailed in these factoids can be consistent with the news of a supposedly thriving economy boasting historically low unemployment rates and record stock market levels .
It ’ s not really that hard to figure out , though , when we exercise our collective memory a bit and recall how Donald Trump forecast his plan for enhancing America ’ s competitiveness in the global economy and for , as the red hat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great again .
Let ’ s jump in our DeLorean , charge up the flux capacitor , and return to the Republican primary debate on the Fox Business Network in November 2015 .
Trump claimed then that American wages were “ too high.
” And he echoed and underscored this position the next day in an interview on MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe.
” When Mika Brzezinski asserted that “ nobody can live ” on the federal minimum wage of $ 7.50 an hour , Trump responded : “ We have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes are too high , our wages are too high .
Everything is too high .
We have to compete with other countries.
” “ We have got to do something to compete with the rest of the world .
Our country is not competitive anymore .
That ’ s why we ’ re losing all of the manufacturers.
” We should not be surprised that so many Americans are suffering , that misery is on the rise , in this “ thriving ” economy , precisely because Trump sees the path to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worsening of many American ’ s individual economic well-being .
As the great writer and poet Maya Angelou tells us , “ When someone shows you who they are , believe them the first time.
” Any economist worth their salt will tell you that the goal of an economy should be to produce and distribute goods and services in the most efficient way possible to meet the needs of the people living within that economy .
Trump has shown no desire to meet the needs of the American people , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Consider healthcare .
Last year a federal judge in Texas threatened millions of Americans ’ health care , declaring the entirety of the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional .
The Trump administration effectively supported the suit , doing nothing to support or defend the federal law .
As of yet , despite promises , Texas legislators have done nothing to develop a replacement should the Affordable Care Act disappear in Texas .
Supporting efforts to make healthcare less accessible is not creating an economy designed to facilitate Americans ’ lives and help them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t forget , Trump cut food stamps to some 700,000 people .
Is this policy consistent with cultivating an economy that affirms and supports human life ?
Not at all .
Trump ’ s economy is designed to transfer wealth to the top , not serve the needs of the American majority .
As I ’ ve written about elsewhere for PoliticusUsa , Trump ’ s tax cuts , for example , did not benefit most Americans .
60 percent of the total savings of the legislation went to the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top 1 percent were gifted 17 percent of all the tax cut dollars .
And companies that promised to re-invest the windfall they received when Trump slashed the corporate tax rate from 35 to 21 percent still engaged in massive layoffs .
What are we competing for ?
And with whom ?
Why don ’ t we compete with all the other industrialized nations in terms of seeking to provide universal healthcare to Americans ?
Why don ’ t we compete with Finland in seeking to provide a world-class public education ?
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in terms of having a government-led charged to convert to largely green renewable energy sources ?
If making America economically competitive means making American lives worse , let me suggest we are competing in the wrong arena for the very wrong prize .
Let ’ s start with the identifying the prize to be making sure Americans have a high quality of life characterized by access to adequate housing and healthcare , to quality public education , to clean water and air , to nutritious diets , to a healthy and vibrant public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a foreseeable future on this planet .
And let ’ s keep our eyes on that prize .

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I know facts have a hard time surviving and garnering any credibility in Trump’s truth-free political swamp, but let’s give asserting a few facts at the outset here the old college try.
FACT: Homelessness in the U.S. has increased for the third year in a row under Trump’s rule.
FACT: Despite low unemployment rates, poverty is increasing. West Virginia is a telling case study of how the jobs being created, particularly in retail and service industries, do not pay a living wage.
As Sean O’Leary, senior budget analyst for the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, told CBS News, “It’s cashiers, retail sales people, service employees — those are our fastest growing jobs, but those jobs don’t pay very well.”
Tara Martinez, executive director of a soup kitchen in West Virginia, elaborated, “”The jobs that are available are minimum wage and part time — they don’t have benefits.”
Poverty, homelessness, and despair continue, even for those who are working and seek work in this supposedly thriving economy.
FACT: An astounding percentage of those working in the wealthiest nation on earth live on the edge. One third of all workers make less than $12 per hour and 42% make less than $15 per hour. A third of the population has no savings, and another third has less than a $1,000 in savings, leaving little to no wiggle room for any unexpected expense, such as medical expense or routine car repair. Fourteen percent of Americans live in poverty, as reported by Forbes, a publication far from being a liberal rag. These are stressful conditions.
Now, you may wonder how the conditions detailed in these factoids can be consistent with the news of a supposedly thriving economy boasting historically low unemployment rates and record stock market levels.
It’s not really that hard to figure out, though, when we exercise our collective memory a bit and recall how Donald Trump forecast his plan for enhancing America’s competitiveness in the global economy and for, as the red hat too often reminds us, making America great again.
Let’s jump in our DeLorean, charge up the flux capacitor, and return to the Republican primary debate on the Fox Business Network in November 2015.
Trump claimed then that American wages were “too high.” And he echoed and underscored this position the next day in an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
When Mika Brzezinski asserted that “nobody can live” on the federal minimum wage of $7.50 an hour, Trump responded:
“We have to become competitive with the world. Our taxes are too high, our wages are too high. Everything is too high. We have to compete with other countries.”
“We have got to do something to compete with the rest of the world. Our country is not competitive anymore. That’s why we’re losing all of the manufacturers.”
We should not be surprised that so many Americans are suffering, that misery is on the rise, in this “thriving” economy, precisely because Trump sees the path to making the American economy great as entailing the worsening of many American’s individual economic well-being.
As the great writer and poet Maya Angelou tells us, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Any economist worth their salt will tell you that the goal of an economy should be to produce and distribute goods and services in the most efficient way possible to meet the needs of the people living within that economy.
Trump has shown no desire to meet the needs of the American people, and that is not in his economic plan.
Consider healthcare. Last year a federal judge in Texas threatened millions of Americans’ health care, declaring the entirety of the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. The Trump administration effectively supported the suit, doing nothing to support or defend the federal law. As of yet, despite promises, Texas legislators have done nothing to develop a replacement should the Affordable Care Act disappear in Texas.
Supporting efforts to make healthcare less accessible is not creating an economy designed to facilitate Americans’ lives and help them meet their most basic needs.
And don’t forget, Trump cut food stamps to some 700,000 people. Is this policy consistent with cultivating an economy that affirms and supports human life? Not at all.
Trump’s economy is designed to transfer wealth to the top, not serve the needs of the American majority.
As I’ve written about elsewhere for PoliticusUsa, Trump’s tax cuts, for example, did not benefit most Americans. 60 percent of the total savings of the legislation went to the top 20 percent of earners, while the top 1 percent were gifted 17 percent of all the tax cut dollars. And companies that promised to re-invest the windfall they received when Trump slashed the corporate tax rate from 35 to 21 percent still engaged in massive layoffs.
What are we competing for? And with whom?
Why don’t we compete with all the other industrialized nations in terms of seeking to provide universal healthcare to Americans?
Why don’t we compete with Finland in seeking to provide a world-class public education?
Why don’t we compete with Denmark in terms of having a government-led charged to convert to largely green renewable energy sources?
If making America economically competitive means making American lives worse, let me suggest we are competing in the wrong arena for the very wrong prize.
Let’s start with the identifying the prize to be making sure Americans have a high quality of life characterized by access to adequate housing and healthcare, to quality public education, to clean water and air, to nutritious diets, to a healthy and vibrant public sphere and cultural life, and to a foreseeable future on this planet.
And let’s keep our eyes on that prize.


politicususa--2020-02-15--Bloomberg Trolls Trump By Floating Hillary Clinton As A Potential Running Mate

Somebody near Mike Bloomberg told Drudge that he is considering Hillary Clinton as a potential running mate .
According to The Drudge Report : Sources close to Bloomberg campaign tell DRUDGE REPORT that candidate is considering Hillary Clinton as running mate , after their polling found the Bloomberg-Clinton combination would be formidable force… MORE DRUDGE has learned that Bloomberg himself would go as far as to change his official residence from New York to homes he owns in Colorado or Florida , since the electoral college makes it hard for a POTUS and VPOTUS from the same state .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s running mate was given to a conservative website that everyone knows Trump reads , which lends credibility to the theory that the Mike Bloomberg campaign is a giant troll job of Donald Trump .
The odds of Hillary Clinton being anyone ’ s running mate are close to zero , but Bloomberg might not get anywhere near the nomination after The Washington Post reported on decades of allegations of misogyny , sexual harassment , and hostile work environment that have been made against the Democratic candidate .
Bloomberg has gotten under Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hillary Clinton returning in any form should be enough to push Trump over the edge .

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Somebody near Mike Bloomberg told Drudge that he is considering Hillary Clinton as a potential running mate.
According to The Drudge Report:
Sources close to Bloomberg campaign tell DRUDGE REPORT that candidate is considering Hillary Clinton as running mate, after their polling found the Bloomberg-Clinton combination would be formidable force… MORE
DRUDGE has learned that Bloomberg himself would go as far as to change his official residence from New York to homes he owns in Colorado or Florida, since the electoral college makes it hard for a POTUS and VPOTUS from the same state.
The rumor of Hillary Clinton being Bloomberg’s running mate was given to a conservative website that everyone knows Trump reads, which lends credibility to the theory that the Mike Bloomberg campaign is a giant troll job of Donald Trump.
The odds of Hillary Clinton being anyone’s running mate are close to zero, but Bloomberg might not get anywhere near the nomination after The Washington Post reported on decades of allegations of misogyny, sexual harassment, and hostile work environment that have been made against the Democratic candidate.
Bloomberg has gotten under Trump’s skin and the very idea of Hillary Clinton returning in any form should be enough to push Trump over the edge.


politicususa--2020-02-15--Trump Throws A Tantrum After DOJ Drops McCabe Case

Trump is making his unhappiness with the DOJ not charging Andrew McCabe very well known with a Saturday fit .
@ @ @ @ @ reporting on Friday that he was infuriated over the DOJ dropping the case against Andrew @ @ @ @ @ the DOJ dropped the case has been known since September when the grand jury appeared @ @ @ @ @ FBI official .
Contrary to what the president claimed in his Twitter rant , there @ @ @ @ @ McCabe broke the law , but Trump ’ s goal isn ’ t justice .
@ @ @ @ @ as part of his effort to discredit the Russia investigation .
Trump knows that he @ @ @ @ @ meddling in 2016 in order for the Russians to be able to repeat their performance @ @ @ @ @ criminal charges against McCabe , which is why he is ranting on Twitter as the @ @ @ @ @ him .

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Trump is making his unhappiness with the DOJ not charging Andrew McCabe very well known with a Saturday fit.
Trump tweeted:
IG report on Andrew McCabe: Misled Investigators over roll in news media disclosure…Lacked Candor (Lied) on four separate occasions…Authotized Media Leaks to advance personal interests…IG RECOMMENDED MCCABE’S FIRING. @FoxNews @IngrahamAngle — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2020
Trump’s tweet confirms reporting on Friday that he was infuriated over the DOJ dropping the case against Andrew McCabe. The reason why the DOJ dropped the case has been known since September when the grand jury appeared not to indict the former FBI official.
Contrary to what the president claimed in his Twitter rant, there is no evidence that Andrew McCabe broke the law, but Trump’s goal isn’t justice.
Donald Trump wanted McCabe prosecuted as part of his effort to discredit the Russia investigation. Trump knows that he has to discredit Russian election meddling in 2016 in order for the Russians to be able to repeat their performance in 2020.
Trump needed criminal charges against McCabe, which is why he is ranting on Twitter as the Russia scandal continues to haunt him.


politicususa--2020-02-15--Former OSU Wrestling Captain Says He Has Proof That Jim Jordan Covered Up Sex Abuse Scandal

A former wrestling captain for Ohio State University testified last week that GOP Rep. Jim Jordan – one of Donald Trump ’ s top defenders in Congress – cried and urged him to lie about an OSU sexual abuse scandal .
As PoliticusUSA ’ s Jason Easley noted , “ Adam DiSabato told the Ohio House that Rep. Jim Jordan knew about the OSU wrestling sexual abuse and begged him to lie about it.
” During an appearance on MSNBC on Saturday , DiSabato said he has “ specific evidence ” that Jordan was part of the cover up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future .
He points to a series of calls from Jordan as exhibit A that the Ohio Republican knew about the abuse and was trying to cover it up to protect his political career .
“ He repeatedly called me that week , ” DiSabato said of Jim Jordan .
“ So , you know , it wasn ’ t like he just called me once .
He called me several times.
” REID : Is there specific evidence that you have or that you or others that were victims or connected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan himself knew about the abuse that was taking place ?
DISABATO : Yes .
I mean , the fact that he called me on the Fourth of July .
I haven ’ t talked to this guy in , you know — the last time I saw him was at my teammate Kevin Randleman ’ s funeral .
And Kevin Randleman was a captain as well .
And if he was alive , he ’ d be sitting here next to me , you know , with the same story , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So , you know , to keep denying it is just digging himself a bigger hole .
If he would have just came out at the beginning and said , ‘ Hey , you know , our superiors did nothing , ’ then I wouldn ’ t be here right now .
You think I want to be here ?
REID : What is it that he wanted you to do ?
Do you get the sense the reason congressman Jordan called you is that he was worried about the OSU scandal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
DISABATO : Of course .
Who calls somebody on the Fourth of July , I ’ m in Las Vegas , Las Vegas time it ’ s 8:00 in the morning , so he ’ s — he knows that , and he ’ s calling me first thing in the morning .
I just got there on a flight .
I just — I didn ’ t even know about the story really because I was flying to Las Vegas .
… And we ’ re sitting at breakfast and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I look down and I ’ m like , I pick it up and it ’ s Jim Jordan .
So I excuse myself from the table .
There ’ s people there that , you know , will account for that as well .
So all this stuff and then he repeatedly called me that week .
So , you know , it wasn ’ t like he just called me once .
He called me several times .
Jim Jordan has no business being a member of Congress The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a sexual abuse scandal at Ohio State University is appalling , but it ’ s not surprising .
After all , for the past three years , Jordan has been a key figure in the Republican Party ’ s efforts to cover up for another sexual predator , Donald Trump , as he repeatedly abuses his office for personal gain .
It ’ s the reason why one of the largest newspapers in Ohio called Jordan the “ second most contemptible human being in the entire U.S. government ” in a blistering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan shouldn ’ t just be held accountable for covering up sexual abuse at OSU , but voters should send him packing in November .
He has no business being a member of Congress .

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A former wrestling captain for Ohio State University testified last week that GOP Rep. Jim Jordan – one of Donald Trump’s top defenders in Congress – cried and urged him to lie about an OSU sexual abuse scandal.
As PoliticusUSA’s Jason Easley noted, “Adam DiSabato told the Ohio House that Rep. Jim Jordan knew about the OSU wrestling sexual abuse and begged him to lie about it.”
During an appearance on MSNBC on Saturday, DiSabato said he has “specific evidence” that Jordan was part of the cover up and more is likely to come out in the future.
He points to a series of calls from Jordan as exhibit A that the Ohio Republican knew about the abuse and was trying to cover it up to protect his political career.
“He repeatedly called me that week,” DiSabato said of Jim Jordan. “So, you know, it wasn’t like he just called me once. He called me several times.”
Video:
Former OSU wrestling captain says more evidence will come out that Jim Jordan was part of a cover-up of a sexual abuse scandal. #ctl #p2 #amjoy pic.twitter.com/7DrfpBng3l — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) February 15, 2020
The exchange:
REID: Is there specific evidence that you have or that you or others that were victims or connected to victims at Ohio State have that Jordan himself knew about the abuse that was taking place? DISABATO: Yes. I mean, the fact that he called me on the Fourth of July. I haven’t talked to this guy in, you know — the last time I saw him was at my teammate Kevin Randleman’s funeral. And Kevin Randleman was a captain as well. And if he was alive, he’d be sitting here next to me, you know, with the same story, because he was adamant against it as well. So, you know, to keep denying it is just digging himself a bigger hole. If he would have just came out at the beginning and said, ‘Hey, you know, our superiors did nothing,’ then I wouldn’t be here right now. You think I want to be here? REID: What is it that he wanted you to do? Do you get the sense the reason congressman Jordan called you is that he was worried about the OSU scandal affecting his re-election? Affecting his campaigns? DISABATO: Of course. Who calls somebody on the Fourth of July, I’m in Las Vegas, Las Vegas time it’s 8:00 in the morning, so he’s — he knows that, and he’s calling me first thing in the morning. I just got there on a flight. I just — I didn’t even know about the story really because I was flying to Las Vegas. … And we’re sitting at breakfast and I get a call from a Dayton number. And I look down and I’m like, I pick it up and it’s Jim Jordan. So I excuse myself from the table. There’s people there that, you know, will account for that as well. So all this stuff and then he repeatedly called me that week. So, you know, it wasn’t like he just called me once. He called me several times.
Jim Jordan has no business being a member of Congress
The fact that Jim Jordan sought to cover up a sexual abuse scandal at Ohio State University is appalling, but it’s not surprising.
After all, for the past three years, Jordan has been a key figure in the Republican Party’s efforts to cover up for another sexual predator, Donald Trump, as he repeatedly abuses his office for personal gain.
It’s the reason why one of the largest newspapers in Ohio called Jordan the “second most contemptible human being in the entire U.S. government” in a blistering op-ed published late last year.
Jim Jordan shouldn’t just be held accountable for covering up sexual abuse at OSU, but voters should send him packing in November. He has no business being a member of Congress.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-02-15--Trump Boasts That Republican Lawmakers Have Turned Him Into A King

During his usual flurry of Saturday morning Twitter activity , Donald Trump essentially bragged that following his fake acquittal by the GOP-led Senate , he is a king , not a president who can be held accountable .
In a pair of tweets , the president quoted a recent New York Times article which suggested that the results of the impeachment trial – partisan acquittal by complicit Republican lawmakers – have emboldened Trump .
The Times article Trump was happy to quote on Saturday read more like a warning about the unshackled and emboldened president that Republicans have now created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
The full passage via The New York Times : Ralph Waldo Emerson seemed to foresee the lesson of the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump .
“ When you strike at a king , ” Emerson famously said , “ you must kill him.
” Mr. Trump ’ s foes struck at him but did not take him down .
With the end of the impeachment trial now in sight and acquittal assured , a triumphant Mr. Trump emerges from the biggest test of his presidency emboldened , ready to claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , persecution and resentment to the campaign trail .
MSNBC ’ s Joy Reid blasted Republican lawmakers on her program on Saturday after Trump boasted about his new king status .
The Republican Party has created this monster Everything Donald Trump has said and done since he was “ acquitted ” in the Senate impeachment trial has made Republican lawmakers look like fools .
Many of the GOP senators who voted to acquit did so on the basis of the completely ludicrous idea that Trump had learned a lesson and would conduct government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we ’ ve seen is a president who knows he has the Republican Party by the neck and he can conduct himself as a lawless king instead of an accountable president .

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During his usual flurry of Saturday morning Twitter activity, Donald Trump essentially bragged that following his fake acquittal by the GOP-led Senate, he is a king, not a president who can be held accountable.
In a pair of tweets, the president quoted a recent New York Times article which suggested that the results of the impeachment trial – partisan acquittal by complicit Republican lawmakers – have emboldened Trump.
“Ralph Waldo Emerson seemed to foresee the lesson of the Senate Impeachment Trial of President Trump. ‘When you strike at the King, Emerson famously said, “you must kill him.’ Mr. Trump’s foes struck at him but did not take him down. A triumphant Mr.Trump emerges from the….. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2020
…..biggest test of his presidency emboldened, ready to claim exoneration, and take his case of grievance, persecution and resentment to the campaign trail.” Peter Baker @nytimes The Greatest Witch Hunt In American History! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2020
The Times article Trump was happy to quote on Saturday read more like a warning about the unshackled and emboldened president that Republicans have now created, but Trump appeared to bask in it.
The full passage via The New York Times:
Ralph Waldo Emerson seemed to foresee the lesson of the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump. “When you strike at a king,” Emerson famously said, “you must kill him.” Mr. Trump’s foes struck at him but did not take him down. With the end of the impeachment trial now in sight and acquittal assured, a triumphant Mr. Trump emerges from the biggest test of his presidency emboldened, ready to claim exoneration and take his case of grievance, persecution and resentment to the campaign trail.
MSNBC’s Joy Reid blasted Republican lawmakers on her program on Saturday after Trump boasted about his new king status.
‘Well done, GOP’: Joy Reid blasts Republican lawmakers after Trump boasts that his acquittal has essentially turned him into a king. #ctl #p2 #amjoy pic.twitter.com/dSnQ9IzS1C — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) February 15, 2020
The Republican Party has created this monster
Everything Donald Trump has said and done since he was “acquitted” in the Senate impeachment trial has made Republican lawmakers look like fools.
Many of the GOP senators who voted to acquit did so on the basis of the completely ludicrous idea that Trump had learned a lesson and would conduct government business differently going forward.
Instead, what we’ve seen is a president who knows he has the Republican Party by the neck and he can conduct himself as a lawless king instead of an accountable president.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-02-15--Trump Has Now Spent 334 Years Of Presidential Salary On Taxpayer Funded Golf Trips

Donald Trump and his supporters like to boast about what a great guy he is for donating his presidential salary each quarter , but what they don ’ t talk about is just how much taxpayer money goes toward his non-stop golf trips .
According to a new report from Huffington Post , the president ’ s trip to Mar-a-Lago on Friday – his 29th to his Florida resort since taking office – brings the total taxpayer golf bill to $ 133.8 million .
“ That figure translates to 334 years of the presidential salary that Trump and his supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the report noted .
Not only are Trump ’ s golf trips breaking the bank , but they show just what a hypocrite this man is – as if we needed more evidence .
After Trump rode down his tacky escalator in 2015 to announce his candidacy for president , one of his favorite attack lines on the campaign trail was about how Barack Obama golfed too much .
If he was elected , Trump promised he would “ stay in the White House and work my ass off , ” instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in office , ” HuffPo reported , “ Trump has spent two-and-a-half times as many days on a golf course as Obama had done at the same point in his first term .
If Trump plays golf both Saturday and Sunday , he will have played 248 times .
Obama by his 1,123rd day in office had played 92 times.
” The number of years of presidential salary that Trump has spent on his golf trips has skyrocketed by 56 years since August of last year , when the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people 278 years of presidential salary .
The American people pay the bill while Trump profits Not only are the American people paying the bill for Trump ’ s many trips to his clubs , but the president is profiting from those trips .
As The Washington Post noted earlier this month , Trump is charging the Secret Service $ 650 per night to stay at his properties , which shows the president is – again – lying when he says he ’ s barely charging the agency anything when they stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s company says it charges only minimal fees , ” the report notes .
“ But Secret Service records do not show that.
” It ’ s simple : Donald Trump repeatedly uses the presidency to enrich himself at the expense of taxpayers .
His head fake about donating his salary might work on his base , but the broader American electorate should be mad as hell .

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Donald Trump and his supporters like to boast about what a great guy he is for donating his presidential salary each quarter, but what they don’t talk about is just how much taxpayer money goes toward his non-stop golf trips.
According to a new report from Huffington Post, the president’s trip to Mar-a-Lago on Friday – his 29th to his Florida resort since taking office – brings the total taxpayer golf bill to $133.8 million.
“That figure translates to 334 years of the presidential salary that Trump and his supporters frequently boast he is not taking,” the report noted.
Not only are Trump’s golf trips breaking the bank, but they show just what a hypocrite this man is – as if we needed more evidence.
After Trump rode down his tacky escalator in 2015 to announce his candidacy for president, one of his favorite attack lines on the campaign trail was about how Barack Obama golfed too much.
If he was elected, Trump promised he would “stay in the White House and work my ass off,” instead of golf.
“Yet after three years in office,” HuffPo reported, “Trump has spent two-and-a-half times as many days on a golf course as Obama had done at the same point in his first term. If Trump plays golf both Saturday and Sunday, he will have played 248 times. Obama by his 1,123rd day in office had played 92 times.”
The number of years of presidential salary that Trump has spent on his golf trips has skyrocketed by 56 years since August of last year, when the president’s taxpayer funded golf outings *only* cost the American people 278 years of presidential salary.
The American people pay the bill while Trump profits
Not only are the American people paying the bill for Trump’s many trips to his clubs, but the president is profiting from those trips.
As The Washington Post noted earlier this month, Trump is charging the Secret Service $650 per night to stay at his properties, which shows the president is – again – lying when he says he’s barely charging the agency anything when they stay at his clubs.
“Trump’s company says it charges only minimal fees,” the report notes. “But Secret Service records do not show that.”
It’s simple: Donald Trump repeatedly uses the presidency to enrich himself at the expense of taxpayers. His head fake about donating his salary might work on his base, but the broader American electorate should be mad as hell.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-02-15--Trump Keeps Losing As The Army Refuses To Investigate Vindman

Trump has been trying to use the government to strike back at his political “ enemies ” but the Army refused to investigate Lt. Col. Vindman .
The Army will not investigate Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , the former National Security Council staffer who testified in the president ’ s impeachment investigation , the service ’ s top civilian said Friday .
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy made the announcement at an event just days after President Donald Trump said he imagined the military would “ take a look at ” whether Vindman should face disciplinary action for the “ horrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last July .
The DOJ dropped the case against Andrew McCabe , and the Army is refusing to investigate American hero Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman .
Trump ’ s campaign for revenge against those who either launched investigations or testified against him is not off to a great start .
There was never anything to investigate with Vindman .
His account was backed up by numerous other witnesses , but Trump ’ s gameplan is the same whether the topic is Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use the government to punish anyone who he believes has crossed him .
Lt. Col. Vindman isn ’ t going to be investigated or charged , as Donald Trump just can ’ t stop losing during his revenge campaign .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump has been trying to use the government to strike back at his political “enemies” but the Army refused to investigate Lt. Col. Vindman.
Politico reported:
The Army will not investigate Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the former National Security Council staffer who testified in the president’s impeachment investigation, the service’s top civilian said Friday.
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy made the announcement at an event just days after President Donald Trump said he imagined the military would “take a look at” whether Vindman should face disciplinary action for the “horrible things” he told House investigators about the president’s phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last July.
The DOJ dropped the case against Andrew McCabe, and the Army is refusing to investigate American hero Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman. Trump’s campaign for revenge against those who either launched investigations or testified against him is not off to a great start.
There was never anything to investigate with Vindman. His account was backed up by numerous other witnesses, but Trump’s gameplan is the same whether the topic is Ukraine or Russia.
The President is attempting to use the government to punish anyone who he believes has crossed him.
Lt. Col. Vindman isn’t going to be investigated or charged, as Donald Trump just can’t stop losing during his revenge campaign.
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politicususa--2020-02-17--Over 2,000 Former DOJ Officials Call On William Barr To Resign

The number of former DOJ prosecutors and officials who are calling on Attorney General Barr to resign has nearly doubled to over 2,000 .
The former DOJ officials wrote : Governments that use the enormous power of law enforcement to punish their enemies and reward their allies are not constitutional republics ; they are autocracies .
We welcome Attorney General Barr ’ s belated acknowledgment that the DOJ ’ s law enforcement decisions must be independent of politics ; that it is wrong for the President to interfere in specific enforcement matters , either to punish his opponents or to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President ’ s public comments on DOJ matters have gravely damaged the Department ’ s credibility .
But Mr. Barr ’ s actions in doing the President ’ s personal bidding unfortunately speak louder than his words .
Those actions , and the damage they have done to the Department of Justice ’ s reputation for integrity and the rule of law , require Mr. Barr to resign .
But because we have little expectation he will do so , it falls to the Department ’ s career officials to take appropriate action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend nonpartisan , apolitical justice .
The number of former officials who signed the letter has gone from 1,100 on Sunday to over 2,000 by Monday afternoon .
There has been nearly universal condemnation of Barr ’ s actions from former Democrats and Republicans .
Trump ’ s goal is to weaken the DOJ so that he is never investigated again .
The President and his attorney general have no concern for the damage that they are doing to the Department of Justice , so those who have worked there are sounding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The number of former DOJ prosecutors and officials who are calling on Attorney General Barr to resign has nearly doubled to over 2,000.
According to Protect Democracy:
UPDATE: 2,000+ DOJ Alumni have now signed a statement condemning President Trump’s and Attorney General Barr’s political interference at @TheJusticeDept. Read their full statement defending the rule of law: https://t.co/falycphOf2 — Protect Democracy (@protctdemocracy) February 17, 2020
The former DOJ officials wrote:
Governments that use the enormous power of law enforcement to punish their enemies and reward their allies are not constitutional republics; they are autocracies.
We welcome Attorney General Barr’s belated acknowledgment that the DOJ’s law enforcement decisions must be independent of politics; that it is wrong for the President to interfere in specific enforcement matters, either to punish his opponents or to help his friends; and that the President’s public comments on DOJ matters have gravely damaged the Department’s credibility. But Mr. Barr’s actions in doing the President’s personal bidding unfortunately speak louder than his words.
Those actions, and the damage they have done to the Department of Justice’s reputation for integrity and the rule of law, require Mr. Barr to resign. But because we have little expectation he will do so, it falls to the Department’s career officials to take appropriate action to uphold their oaths of office and defend nonpartisan, apolitical justice.
The number of former officials who signed the letter has gone from 1,100 on Sunday to over 2,000 by Monday afternoon.
There has been nearly universal condemnation of Barr’s actions from former Democrats and Republicans. Trump’s goal is to weaken the DOJ so that he is never investigated again.
The President and his attorney general have no concern for the damage that they are doing to the Department of Justice, so those who have worked there are sounding the alarm and fighting back.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-02-17--Bloomberg Accuses Trump And Sanders Of Working Together To Stop Him

The Mike Bloomberg campaign is accusing Trump and Bernie Sanders of working together to spread disinformation about Bloomberg .
According to the Bloomberg campaign : The latest example comes today , with the Sanders campaign circulating a video of Mike ’ s comments — also shared by Donald Trump Jr. — that is taken completely out of context ; the video cuts off Mike ’ s first sentence where he is referring to agrarian society that lasted 3,000 years , not farmers today .
In just the past three months , Mike has traveled to 26 states .
During that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and heard directly about the struggles they face .
The Bernie Sanders campaign is choosing to push out falsehoods and sow divisions within the Democratic party .
In just the past week , Bernie Sanders ’ National Press Secretary Briahna Joy Gray , Senior Advisor David Sirota , and National Campaign Co-Chair Nina Turner have referred to Mike as a “ racist ” and an “ oligarch , ” implied Donald Trump is better than a fellow Democratic candidate for president , and called Bloomberg supporters “ enablers.
” Mike Bloomberg 2020 Campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided to PoliticusUSA , “ It ’ s a shameful turn of events to see Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump deploy the very same attacks and tactics against Mike , but the reason is clear .
At this point , the primary is Bernie ’ s to lose , and ours to win .
Bernie knows this .
Trump knows this .
That ’ s why they are united in the campaign against Mike.
” Linking Sanders and Trump is a fascinating line of attack , one questions how effective it might actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in walking back his promise to release his full medical records .
Both Sanders and Trump appear to be concerned about Bloomberg .
The real test for Mike Bloomberg will come on the debate stage later this week .
Bloomberg ’ s saturation ad spending has vaulted him up the polls , and the claim that Trump and Sanders are working together against him is a novel approach to put Bloomberg in the middle of the right and left political extreme .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and @ @ @

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The Mike Bloomberg campaign is accusing Trump and Bernie Sanders of working together to spread disinformation about Bloomberg.
According to the Bloomberg campaign:
The latest example comes today, with the Sanders campaign circulating a video of Mike’s comments — also shared by Donald Trump Jr. — that is taken completely out of context; the video cuts off Mike’s first sentence where he is referring to agrarian society that lasted 3,000 years, not farmers today. In just the past three months, Mike has traveled to 26 states. During that time, he has met with farmers and heard directly about the struggles they face. The Bernie Sanders campaign is choosing to push out falsehoods and sow divisions within the Democratic party.
In just the past week, Bernie Sanders’ National Press Secretary Briahna Joy Gray, Senior Advisor David Sirota, and National Campaign Co-Chair Nina Turner have referred to Mike as a “racist” and an “oligarch,” implied Donald Trump is better than a fellow Democratic candidate for president, and called Bloomberg supporters “enablers.”
Mike Bloomberg 2020 Campaign Manager Kevin Sheekey said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, “It’s a shameful turn of events to see Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump deploy the very same attacks and tactics against Mike, but the reason is clear. At this point, the primary is Bernie’s to lose, and ours to win. Bernie knows this. Trump knows this. That’s why they are united in the campaign against Mike.”
Linking Sanders and Trump is a fascinating line of attack, one questions how effective it might actually be, but Sanders has emulated Trump in walking back his promise to release his full medical records.
Both Sanders and Trump appear to be concerned about Bloomberg. The real test for Mike Bloomberg will come on the debate stage later this week. Bloomberg’s saturation ad spending has vaulted him up the polls, and the claim that Trump and Sanders are working together against him is a novel approach to put Bloomberg in the middle of the right and left political extreme.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-17--Pete Buttigieg Has The Perfect Answer For What He’ll Do If Trump Loses And Refuses To Leave

Pete Buttigieg had the perfect answer for what he will do if Trump calls the election a hoax and refuses to leave the White House after he loses .
Here was Buttigieg ’ s answer for what he would do if Trump loses and refuses to leave : Trump can ’ t stay president if he loses .
There is a fear among some on the left that Trump could lose and refuse to leave , but Trump doesn ’ t have that option .
At noon on inauguration day , the new president constitutionally assumes the duties of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave the White House , but whoever defeated him would assume the powers of the presidency , and would have the authority to have the Secret Service remove the former president .
It doesn ’ t matter if Trump would shut himself in his bedroom and throw a tantrum , he wouldn ’ t be the president anymore .
His power would be gone .
Trump will definitely try to discredit the election if he loses , but he has no options for staying in power once the Electoral College votes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Pete Buttigieg had the perfect answer for what he will do if Trump calls the election a hoax and refuses to leave the White House after he loses.
Here was Buttigieg’s answer for what he would do if Trump loses and refuses to leave:
.@PeteButtigieg is asked what he'd do if Trump calls election a hoax and refuses to leave the White House if Buttigieg wins. "I guess if he’s willing to do chores we can work something out,'' he says. — Trip Gabriel (@tripgabriel) February 17, 2020
Trump can’t stay president if he loses. There is a fear among some on the left that Trump could lose and refuse to leave, but Trump doesn’t have that option. At noon on inauguration day, the new president constitutionally assumes the duties of the presidency.
Sure, Trump could refuse to leave the White House, but whoever defeated him would assume the powers of the presidency, and would have the authority to have the Secret Service remove the former president.
It doesn’t matter if Trump would shut himself in his bedroom and throw a tantrum, he wouldn’t be the president anymore. His power would be gone.
Trump will definitely try to discredit the election if he loses, but he has no options for staying in power once the Electoral College votes and the new president is sworn in.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-17--Trump’s Economy Is Only 6th Out Of The Last 10 Presidential Terms

Donald Trump claims to have created the “ greatest economy ever , ” but the truth is that his economy is only sixth out of the last ten presidential terms .
Axios compiled the data for annual GDP growth for the last ten presidential terms and found : Unlike other presidents , Trump inherited a steady economy that ’ s since entered the longest stretch of growth in history .
Interest rates remain low .
Growth picked up in the wake of the 2017 tax cuts , but now the pace has moderated .
Some aspects of the Trump economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pale in comparison to other periods .
While solid , “ this is not a gangbusters economy , ” Nathan Sheets , who ’ s held roles at the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve , tells Axios .
Here is the graph : Trump ’ s first term ranks sixths out of the last ten presidential terms .
Reagan and Bill Clinton both had economies that annually ranged 3 % -4 % in GDP growth .
George W. Bush ’ s second term is the low mark with 0.5 % growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 2 % -3 % middle .
Trump ’ s Obama coattails economy is not as good as the one that George W. Bush inherited from Bill Clinton in his first term .
Out of the last ten presidential terms , Trump is below average .
The history of the George W. Bush presidency is an instructive lesson for where the Trump economy is likely to go if he wins a second term .
Bush has signed a massive top-heavy tax cut for the wealthy , which along with a bubble economy set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed .
Trump ’ s claim that he created the greatest economy in history is false .
Trump is living off of Obama ’ s scraps , and his claim of economy greatness is completely false .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Donald Trump claims to have created the “greatest economy ever,” but the truth is that his economy is only sixth out of the last ten presidential terms.
Axios compiled the data for annual GDP growth for the last ten presidential terms and found:
Unlike other presidents, Trump inherited a steady economy that’s since entered the longest stretch of growth in history. Interest rates remain low. Growth picked up in the wake of the 2017 tax cuts, but now the pace has moderated.
….
Some aspects of the Trump economy, like wage growth and business investment, pale in comparison to other periods. While solid, “this is not a gangbusters economy,” Nathan Sheets, who’s held roles at the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve, tells Axios.
Here is the graph:
Best economy ever? Not really. Judged by growth at least, Trump's economy ranks 6th out of the last 10 presidential terms, per @axios https://t.co/CVIb46qKjp — Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) February 17, 2020
Trump’s first term ranks sixths out of the last ten presidential terms. Reagan and Bill Clinton both had economies that annually ranged 3%-4% in GDP growth. George W. Bush’s second term is the low mark with 0.5% growth. The other presidencies fall somewhere in a 2%-3% middle.
Trump’s Obama coattails economy is not as good as the one that George W. Bush inherited from Bill Clinton in his first term. Out of the last ten presidential terms, Trump is below average.
The history of the George W. Bush presidency is an instructive lesson for where the Trump economy is likely to go if he wins a second term. Bush has signed a massive top-heavy tax cut for the wealthy, which along with a bubble economy set the stage for the great recession that followed.
Trump’s claim that he created the greatest economy in history is false. Trump is living off of Obama’s scraps, and his claim of economy greatness is completely false.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-17--With One Tweet, Obama Takes Credit For The Economy Back From Trump

Former President Barack Obama reminded everyone who is really responsible for the current economy with a single tweet marking the anniversary of the Recovery Act .
Trump ’ s biggest contribution to economic policy was a massive tax cut for the wealthy and corporations that he promised would generate 6 % growth , jobs , and pay for itself .
None of these things have happened .
Growth has slowed , the tax cut has blown a trillion-dollar hole in the deficit , and the wave of good-paying jobs never came .
The Trump tax cut had no positive impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years of job growth are worse than Obama ’ s , as the economy is slowing under the current president .
The credit for the growth that has been achieved belongs to Barack Obama .
Trump hasn ’ t created the greatest economy in history .
He has ridden Obama ’ s coattails and sabotaged growth with a massive tax cut for the wealthy and corporations that are so toxic that even Republicans won ’ t campaign on it .
The economy was primed for takeoff when Obama left office , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor are being left behind as prosperity is a gated community for the rich only .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Former President Barack Obama reminded everyone who is really responsible for the current economy with a single tweet marking the anniversary of the Recovery Act.
Obama tweeted:
Eleven years ago today, near the bottom of the worst recession in generations, I signed the Recovery Act, paving the way for more than a decade of economic growth and the longest streak of job creation in American history. pic.twitter.com/BmdXrxUAUf — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 17, 2020
Trump’s biggest contribution to economic policy was a massive tax cut for the wealthy and corporations that he promised would generate 6% growth, jobs, and pay for itself. None of these things have happened. Growth has slowed, the tax cut has blown a trillion-dollar hole in the deficit, and the wave of good-paying jobs never came. The Trump tax cut had no positive impact on jobs.
Trump’s first three years of job growth are worse than Obama’s, as the economy is slowing under the current president.
The credit for the growth that has been achieved belongs to Barack Obama. Trump hasn’t created the greatest economy in history. He has ridden Obama’s coattails and sabotaged growth with a massive tax cut for the wealthy and corporations that are so toxic that even Republicans won’t campaign on it.
The economy was primed for takeoff when Obama left office, but under Trump, the middle class and poor are being left behind as prosperity is a gated community for the rich only.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-17--Opinion: Pence Admits to Trump’s Failing and Fraudulent Economic Policies

In his State of the Union address earlier this month , President Trump celebrated the putative success of the economy he claims to have built , doing so in historic terms : “ I am thrilled to report to you tonight that our economy is the best it has ever been , ” he boasted .
And yet , at the same time , budget deficits and the national debt continue to surge , revealing that Trump ’ s policies are not designed to fuel an economy for the long haul but rather that currently the U.S. economy is running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential to crash at any moment .
While the stock market is performing at record levels , the national debt has also surged to record levels , surpassing $ 23 trillion for the first time in history and promising only to bloat more .
Over the first four months of 2020 fiscal year , the deficit is outpacing last ’ s year deficit expansion by 25 % in the same time frame .
Over the past 12 months , the deficit has expanded $ 1.1 trillion .
Bess Levin , writing for Vanity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump ’ s sugar-high economy when she writes , “ Incredibly , this is all happening against the backdrop of the longest economic expansion on record and the lowest jobless rate in 50 years , conditions that typically cause the budget deficit to shrink.
” Trump promised , of course , that the enormously generous tax cuts he bestowed on corporate America and the wealthiest Americans would spur a growth that would cover the cost of tax cuts and more , spreading prosperity to all Americans .
( Of course , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the promise he would , in fact , eliminate the debt entirely , which at the time stood at approximately $ 19 trillion . )
Yet while the GDP grew 2.9 % in 2018 , growth slowed to 2.3 % in 2019 as the debt and deficit swelled to historic proportions .
Days after Trump ’ s State of the Union peacocking , Vice President Mike Pence defended Trump ’ s deficit expansion in an interview with CNBC .
Here are a few of his responses which not only recycle the stale—because failed—narratives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying for themselves , but also grossly distort history , falsely claimly Trump inherited an economy in decay , as opposed to one of the most steadily expanding economies in history the Obama administration engineered .
Pence prevaricated as follows : “ The president came into office and he said , ‘ First and foremost , we have to restore growth.
’ ” “ Deficits and debt are right in line , but it is first about getting this economy moving again and we really do believe the trajectory of this economy.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ re going to work real hard , not just to get President Donald Trump four more years in the White House , but we ’ re going to make sure we have a Republican Senate and a Republican House to keep America growing and to deal with those long-term fiscal challenges.
” The big lie here , of course , is Pence ’ s insistence that Obama did not have the economy rolling , that Trump needed to get it moving again .
Politifact reported , for example , having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that “ the trend lines continued almost seamlessly from the second half of Obama ’ s presidency into the first three years of Trump ’ s tenure .
Trump ’ s claim that he turned around a failing economy is wrong.
” Obama ran deficits and increased the debt doing the arduous work of pulling the nation ’ s economy out of a deep recession .
Trump has been over-stimulating an economy that was already healthy , throwing money at the wealthiest while failing to invest in real growth for America , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , the World Bank rejected the efficacy of trickle-down economics back in 2015 , debunking it as a myth .
The International Monetary Fund actually lambasted it as a joke .
Pence ’ s insistence on recycling this failed myth is basically an admission of Trump ’ s fraudulent mismanagement of the U.S. economy to the detriment of American lives .
Pence asserted that Trump sees “ the real long-term solution to the fiscal challenges in Washington , D.C. , is making sure the budget of every American is growing.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact what is growing in America , while Trump seeks to make healthcare less accessible and affordable for the American majority .
And let ’ s not forget how growing deficits impact Americans ’ economic well-being .
The ballooning deficit resulting from the Trump tax-cuts , for example , cultivated a fertile context for Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell to loudly renew their insistence that cuts to Medicare and Social Security are necessary to address the out-of-control deficit their own policies immediately exacerbated .
Far from benefiting Americans , these tax cuts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just keep cutting Americans and increasing economic precarity , not prosperity .
Trump himself recently confirmed while attending the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland that he intended to cut Social Security , Medicare , and Medicaid .
And while we need to support farmers for our national and individual well-being , the reason taxpayers are contributing $ 28 billion to bail them out is precisely because of Trump ’ s failing trade war with China and the tariffs he has levied .
Again , this is $ 28 billion dollars effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which they receive nothing in the return .
In fact , they will lose more , as these payouts lead to cuts elsewhere as well as rising deficits .
And keep in mind that , as economist Larry Summers has pointed out , the real investments that would spur economic growth would be to re-build and update the nation ’ s infrastructure .
But this infrastructure is largely public domain .
Corporations won ’ t rebuild our bridges and roads , update our power grids , lay new rail for faster trains .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that with taxpayer money .
But , oops , corporations just aren ’ t expected to pay a fair share in taxes ; and our tax money is being thrown at them while they engage in massive layoffs , doing little in return to invest in American lives .
Pence knows this , of course .
He is admitting the failure of Trump ’ s economy .

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In his State of the Union address earlier this month, President Trump celebrated the putative success of the economy he claims to have built, doing so in historic terms: “I am thrilled to report to you tonight that our economy is the best it has ever been,” he boasted.
And yet, at the same time, budget deficits and the national debt continue to surge, revealing that Trump’s policies are not designed to fuel an economy for the long haul but rather that currently the U.S. economy is running on a sugar high, showing the potential to crash at any moment.
While the stock market is performing at record levels, the national debt has also surged to record levels, surpassing $23 trillion for the first time in history and promising only to bloat more. Over the first four months of 2020 fiscal year, the deficit is outpacing last’s year deficit expansion by 25% in the same time frame. Over the past 12 months, the deficit has expanded $1.1 trillion.
Bess Levin, writing for Vanity Fair, gives perspective to the horror of Trump’s sugar-high economy when she writes, “Incredibly, this is all happening against the backdrop of the longest economic expansion on record and the lowest jobless rate in 50 years, conditions that typically cause the budget deficit to shrink.”
Trump promised, of course, that the enormously generous tax cuts he bestowed on corporate America and the wealthiest Americans would spur a growth that would cover the cost of tax cuts and more, spreading prosperity to all Americans. (Of course, let’s not forget he campaigned on the promise he would, in fact, eliminate the debt entirely, which at the time stood at approximately $19 trillion.)
Yet while the GDP grew 2.9% in 2018, growth slowed to 2.3% in 2019 as the debt and deficit swelled to historic proportions.
Days after Trump’s State of the Union peacocking, Vice President Mike Pence defended Trump’s deficit expansion in an interview with CNBC.
Here are a few of his responses which not only recycle the stale—because failed—narratives of trickle-down economics and of tax cuts paying for themselves, but also grossly distort history, falsely claimly Trump inherited an economy in decay, as opposed to one of the most steadily expanding economies in history the Obama administration engineered. Pence prevaricated as follows:
“The president came into office and he said, ‘First and foremost, we have to restore growth.’” “Deficits and debt are right in line, but it is first about getting this economy moving again and we really do believe the trajectory of this economy.” “Once we get this economy rolling, we’re going to work real hard, not just to get President Donald Trump four more years in the White House, but we’re going to make sure we have a Republican Senate and a Republican House to keep America growing and to deal with those long-term fiscal challenges.”
The big lie here, of course, is Pence’s insistence that Obama did not have the economy rolling, that Trump needed to get it moving again.
Politifact reported, for example, having looked at the economic measures Trump invokes, that “the trend lines continued almost seamlessly from the second half of Obama’s presidency into the first three years of Trump’s tenure. Trump’s claim that he turned around a failing economy is wrong.”
Obama ran deficits and increased the debt doing the arduous work of pulling the nation’s economy out of a deep recession. Trump has been over-stimulating an economy that was already healthy, throwing money at the wealthiest while failing to invest in real growth for America, deceiving Americans it will trickle down.
Of course, the World Bank rejected the efficacy of trickle-down economics back in 2015, debunking it as a myth. The International Monetary Fund actually lambasted it as a joke.
Pence’s insistence on recycling this failed myth is basically an admission of Trump’s fraudulent mismanagement of the U.S. economy to the detriment of American lives.
Pence asserted that Trump sees “the real long-term solution to the fiscal challenges in Washington, D.C., is making sure the budget of every American is growing.”
And yet poverty and homelessness are in fact what is growing in America, while Trump seeks to make healthcare less accessible and affordable for the American majority.
And let’s not forget how growing deficits impact Americans’ economic well-being.
The ballooning deficit resulting from the Trump tax-cuts, for example, cultivated a fertile context for Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell to loudly renew their insistence that cuts to Medicare and Social Security are necessary to address the out-of-control deficit their own policies immediately exacerbated. Far from benefiting Americans, these tax cuts, which were supposedly to trickle down, just keep cutting Americans and increasing economic precarity, not prosperity.
Trump himself recently confirmed while attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland that he intended to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
And while we need to support farmers for our national and individual well-being, the reason taxpayers are contributing $28 billion to bail them out is precisely because of Trump’s failing trade war with China and the tariffs he has levied.
Again, this is $28 billion dollars effectively taken out of Americans’ pockets for which they receive nothing in the return. In fact, they will lose more, as these payouts lead to cuts elsewhere as well as rising deficits.
And keep in mind that, as economist Larry Summers has pointed out, the real investments that would spur economic growth would be to re-build and update the nation’s infrastructure.
But this infrastructure is largely public domain. Corporations won’t rebuild our bridges and roads, update our power grids, lay new rail for faster trains. etc. They expect the government to do that with taxpayer money.
But, oops, corporations just aren’t expected to pay a fair share in taxes; and our tax money is being thrown at them while they engage in massive layoffs, doing little in return to invest in American lives.
Pence knows this, of course. He is admitting the failure of Trump’s economy.


politicususa--2020-02-18--Rachel Maddow Warns That Trump And Barr Will Use The DOJ To Take Away The Supreme Court’s Power

On her program on Monday night , Rachel Maddow warned that though it ’ s already a dark time for the rule of law in the United States , it ’ s only going to get worse as Donald Trump becomes more desperate .
The MSNBC host pointed to the battle over the president ’ s tax returns , which is set to hit the Supreme Court next month in the form of oral arguments .
While it ’ s not yet known whether the Supreme Court will rule that Trump ’ s financial records should be released , Maddow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use the weight of the Justice Department to prevent the release of the president ’ s tax returns – even if the court rules that they should be disclosed .
“ If this attorney general is still in place , the president at that point could promise a politically motivated persecution , courtesy of Bill Barr , ” the MSNBC host said .
“ ‘ I ’ ll roll in the FBI on you unless you defy the Supreme Court here . '
” It ’ s a scenario that would only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created .
Next month is when the Supreme Court is going to hear oral arguments on that matter .
We don ’ t know how those arguments will go , we don ’ t know how the Supreme Court will rule .
But we do know about President Trump ’ s hyperdesperation to avoid the exposure of records like this .
There is nothing that he has fought harder or on more fronts or at more personal expense than his various legal battles to stop his taxes from becoming public and to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from being handed over to investigators .
So if the Supreme Court does rule that those kinds of records ought to be released , it is not at all hard to imagine that the president would flip the proverbial bird to the Supreme Court and just say no .
Now that said , the way most of those cases are structured , it actually wouldn ’ t be easy for him to do that .
Because it wouldn ’ t be the president himself who would be in the position of deciding whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The subpoenas , remember , are directed to third parties .
They ’ re directed to an accounting firm and to a bank called Deutsche Bank .
And it is those institutions that would ultimately have to decide whether they are going to obey a court order and hand the material over .
At which point there ’ s always the possibility that the president would lean on the accounting firm and lean on the bank and tell them not to , tell them to defy the Supreme Court or else .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney general is still in place , the president at that point could promise a politically motivated persecution , right , courtesy of Bill Barr .
I ’ ll roll in the FBI on you unless you defy the Supreme Court here .
That ’ s how banana republics work , right ?
I mean we are in a bad place now when it comes to the rule of law and the rule of law being perverted to serve the president instead of to serve impartial justice .
I mean it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judges are having an emergency meeting together tomorrow .
That ’ s how bad this is .
The constitutional crisis is already here The threat of a constitutional crisis has been real since the day Donald Trump set foot in the Oval Office .
But after Republicans in Congress signaled loud and clear that he is essentially a king , the president has wasted no time in shredding what ’ s left of the rule of law in America .
The reason that federal judges are calling an emergency meeting this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned that a constitutional crisis could be on the horizon .
It ’ s because that crisis is already happening .

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On her program on Monday night, Rachel Maddow warned that though it’s already a dark time for the rule of law in the United States, it’s only going to get worse as Donald Trump becomes more desperate.
The MSNBC host pointed to the battle over the president’s tax returns, which is set to hit the Supreme Court next month in the form of oral arguments.
While it’s not yet known whether the Supreme Court will rule that Trump’s financial records should be released, Maddow warned that Trump and Barr could attempt to use the weight of the Justice Department to prevent the release of the president’s tax returns – even if the court rules that they should be disclosed.
“If this attorney general is still in place, the president at that point could promise a politically motivated persecution, courtesy of Bill Barr,” the MSNBC host said. “‘I’ll roll in the FBI on you unless you defy the Supreme Court here.'”
It’s a scenario that would only worsen the constitutional crisis that Trump has created.
Video:
Rachel Maddow said Donald Trump and Bill Barr’s next move could be to defy the Supreme Court on the release of the president’s tax returns. #ctl #p2 #maddow pic.twitter.com/5zs9V8HY1u — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) February 18, 2020
Maddow said:
Next month is when the Supreme Court is going to hear oral arguments on that matter. We don’t know how those arguments will go, we don’t know how the Supreme Court will rule. But we do know about President Trump’s hyperdesperation to avoid the exposure of records like this. There is nothing that he has fought harder or on more fronts or at more personal expense than his various legal battles to stop his taxes from becoming public and to stop his financial records from becoming public or from being handed over to investigators. So if the Supreme Court does rule that those kinds of records ought to be released, it is not at all hard to imagine that the president would flip the proverbial bird to the Supreme Court and just say no. Now that said, the way most of those cases are structured, it actually wouldn’t be easy for him to do that. Because it wouldn’t be the president himself who would be in the position of deciding whether or not to hand over the records. The subpoenas, remember, are directed to third parties. They’re directed to an accounting firm and to a bank called Deutsche Bank. And it is those institutions that would ultimately have to decide whether they are going to obey a court order and hand the material over. At which point there’s always the possibility that the president would lean on the accounting firm and lean on the bank and tell them not to, tell them to defy the Supreme Court or else. I mean, heck, if this attorney general is still in place, the president at that point could promise a politically motivated persecution, right, courtesy of Bill Barr. I’ll roll in the FBI on you unless you defy the Supreme Court here. That’s how banana republics work, right? I mean we are in a bad place now when it comes to the rule of law and the rule of law being perverted to serve the president instead of to serve impartial justice. I mean it’s bad enough that, you guys, the judges are having an emergency meeting together tomorrow. That’s how bad this is.
The constitutional crisis is already here
The threat of a constitutional crisis has been real since the day Donald Trump set foot in the Oval Office.
But after Republicans in Congress signaled loud and clear that he is essentially a king, the president has wasted no time in shredding what’s left of the rule of law in America.
The reason that federal judges are calling an emergency meeting this week isn’t because they’re concerned that a constitutional crisis could be on the horizon.
It’s because that crisis is already happening.
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politicususa--2020-02-18--Trump Goes Ballistic After Obama Reminds Him Who Built This Economy

Donald Trump blew a gasket on Monday in what was an apparent response to former President Barack Obama ’ s tweet about how the Recovery Act he signed into law in 2009 prevented an economic depression .
In a pair of tweets , Trump called Obama ’ s factual economic reminder a “ con job ” and claims he is responsible for the “ best jobs numbers ever.
” Trump ’ s latest tantrum comes hours after Obama marked the 11th anniversary of his signing of the Recovery Act , tweeting , “ Eleven years ago today , near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I signed the Recovery Act , paving the way for more than a decade of economic growth and the longest streak of job creation in American history.
” It should be noted that on Monday , # ObamaWasBetterAtEverything was one of the trending topics on Trump ’ s favorite social media website , Twitter .
Nothing bothers Trump more than being reminded of that fact .
Donald Trump has spent the past three years as president coasting on the economic successes of his predecessor , Barack Obama .
But even if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : don ’ t ) and give him credit for his three years in the White House , Obama ’ s economic numbers are still better .
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , Trump has created 1.5 million fewer jobs during his first three years than Obama did in his final three years .
In other words , job growth has slowed since Trump took office in 2017 .
Not to mention , as MSNBC ’ s Steve Benen pointed out earlier this month , “ [ W ] hile Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job market was the strongest it ’ s ever been , 2019 saw job growth slow to an eight-year low.
” PoliticusUSA ’ s Jason Easley also noted earlier on Monday that Trump ’ s economy only ranks number six out of the past 10 presidencies .
Donald Trump ’ s whining about Barack Obama won ’ t change the cold , hard data showing that the economy he inherited is still good , but it was better under the previous president .

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Donald Trump blew a gasket on Monday in what was an apparent response to former President Barack Obama’s tweet about how the Recovery Act he signed into law in 2009 prevented an economic depression.
In a pair of tweets, Trump called Obama’s factual economic reminder a “con job” and claims he is responsible for the “best jobs numbers ever.”
Did you hear the latest con job? President Obama is now trying to take credit for the Economic Boom taking place under the Trump Administration. He had the WEAKEST recovery since the Great Depression, despite Zero Fed Rate & MASSIVE quantitative easing. NOW, best jobs numbers…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2020
….ever. Had to rebuild our military, which was totally depleted. Fed Rate UP, taxes and regulations WAY DOWN. If Dems won in 2016, the USA would be in big economic (Depression?) & military trouble right now. THE BEST IS YET TO COME. KEEP AMERICA GREAT! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2020
Trump’s latest tantrum comes hours after Obama marked the 11th anniversary of his signing of the Recovery Act, tweeting, “Eleven years ago today, near the bottom of the worst recession in generations, I signed the Recovery Act, paving the way for more than a decade of economic growth and the longest streak of job creation in American history.”
Eleven years ago today, near the bottom of the worst recession in generations, I signed the Recovery Act, paving the way for more than a decade of economic growth and the longest streak of job creation in American history. pic.twitter.com/BmdXrxUAUf — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 17, 2020
It should be noted that on Monday, #ObamaWasBetterAtEverything was one of the trending topics on Trump’s favorite social media website, Twitter. Nothing bothers Trump more than being reminded of that fact.
Trump’s economy isn’t the “best ever”
Donald Trump has spent the past three years as president coasting on the economic successes of his predecessor, Barack Obama.
But even if we take Trump at his word (hint: don’t) and give him credit for his three years in the White House, Obama’s economic numbers are still better.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Trump has created 1.5 million fewer jobs during his first three years than Obama did in his final three years. In other words, job growth has slowed since Trump took office in 2017.
Not to mention, as MSNBC’s Steve Benen pointed out earlier this month, “[W]hile Trump spent the year boasting that the U.S. job market was the strongest it’s ever been, 2019 saw job growth slow to an eight-year low.”
PoliticusUSA’s Jason Easley also noted earlier on Monday that Trump’s economy only ranks number six out of the past 10 presidencies.
Donald Trump’s whining about Barack Obama won’t change the cold, hard data showing that the economy he inherited is still good, but it was better under the previous president.
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politicususa--2020-02-18--Federal Judges Call Emergency Meeting Over Trump’s Hijacking Of The Justice Department

A group of federal judges are calling an emergency meeting over Donald Trump ’ s meddling in Justice Department cases that involve his political buddies .
According to USA TODAY , “ A national association of federal judges has called an emergency meeting Tuesday to address growing concerns about the intervention of Justice Department officials and President Donald Trump in politically sensitive cases , the group ’ s president said Monday.
” The head of the association is Philadelphia U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe , who was nominated to the bench by George W. Bush .
Philadelphia U.S. District Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal Judges Association , said the group “ could not wait ” until its spring conference to weigh in on a deepening crisis that has enveloped the Justice Department and Attorney General William Barr .
“ There are plenty of issues that we are concerned about , ” Rufe told USA TODAY .
“ We ’ ll talk all of this through.
” Rufe , nominated to the bench by President George W. Bush , said the group of more than 1,000 federal jurists called for the meeting last week after Trump criticized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend Roger Stone and the Department of Justice overruled them .
The unusual concern voiced by the judges ’ group comes in the wake of an equally unusual protest .
More than 2,000 former Justice Department officials called on Barr to resign Sunday , claiming his handling of the Stone case “ openly and repeatedly flouted ” the principle of equal justice .
Donald Trump is banking on the fact that the American people will look at the top-line economic numbers and vote to give him four more years in the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his supporters will say in an attempt to deflect from the president ’ s constant abuse of power .
The problem , of course , is that it shouldn ’ t matter how strong Trump ’ s inherited economy is .
When the president of the United States is actively trying to cheat his way to a second term while destroying the very fabric of our institutions , he must be removed from office – regardless of how much he cut taxes for the wealthy or how many judges he ’ s appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do its job in the impeachment trial , it ’ s up to the American people to save the republic from a man who increasingly believes he ’ s a king .

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A group of federal judges are calling an emergency meeting over Donald Trump’s meddling in Justice Department cases that involve his political buddies.
According to USA TODAY, “A national association of federal judges has called an emergency meeting Tuesday to address growing concerns about the intervention of Justice Department officials and President Donald Trump in politically sensitive cases, the group’s president said Monday.”
The head of the association is Philadelphia U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe, who was nominated to the bench by George W. Bush.
More via USA TODAY:
Philadelphia U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe, who heads the independent Federal Judges Association, said the group “could not wait” until its spring conference to weigh in on a deepening crisis that has enveloped the Justice Department and Attorney General William Barr. “There are plenty of issues that we are concerned about,” Rufe told USA TODAY. “We’ll talk all of this through.” Rufe, nominated to the bench by President George W. Bush, said the group of more than 1,000 federal jurists called for the meeting last week after Trump criticized prosecutors’ initial sentencing recommendation for his friend Roger Stone and the Department of Justice overruled them. … The unusual concern voiced by the judges’ group comes in the wake of an equally unusual protest. More than 2,000 former Justice Department officials called on Barr to resign Sunday, claiming his handling of the Stone case “openly and repeatedly flouted” the principle of equal justice.
“But the economy…”
Donald Trump is banking on the fact that the American people will look at the top-line economic numbers and vote to give him four more years in the White House.
“But the economy,” his supporters will say in an attempt to deflect from the president’s constant abuse of power.
The problem, of course, is that it shouldn’t matter how strong Trump’s inherited economy is. When the president of the United States is actively trying to cheat his way to a second term while destroying the very fabric of our institutions, he must be removed from office – regardless of how much he cut taxes for the wealthy or how many judges he’s appointed.
Since the spineless Republican Party refused to do its job in the impeachment trial, it’s up to the American people to save the republic from a man who increasingly believes he’s a king.
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politicususa--2020-02-18--Support For Susan Collins Plummets With Women After Trump Acquittal

A new poll shows Sen. Susan Collins in a statistical tie with Democratic challenger Sara Gideon thanks to declining support with women .
The survey was conducted between Feb. 10-13 — days after Collins voted to acquit President Trump during the Senate ’ s impeachment trial — and asked voters whom they would choose between Collins and Gideon .
Gideon led narrowly with 43 support , compared to 42 percent for Collins , with 14 percent undecided .
“ One of the most surprising findings is how poorly Senator Collins is doing with women , ” said Dan Shea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead researcher on the poll .
“ She had a 42-percent approval rating overall but that drops to 36 percent for women .
Further yet , it drops to 25 percent for women under 50 .
Shea also said he was surprised to see support for Collins among independents at just 38 percent .
That block of voters , which is the largest in Maine , has been crucial to her previous four electoral wins .
Susan Collins as gone all in with Donald Trump after she voted for the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in to support Collins , but her fundamental numbers have fallen to being the worst of her career .
Sen. Collins will not be easy to beat , but by aligning herself with Brett Kavanaugh and then acquitting Trump she has set up a narrative that virtually writes itself .
Collins has exposed herself as a fake moderate .
She is not an independent voice for the people of Maine , but a follower who will express “ concern , ” then do whatever Donald Trump wants .
Trump humiliates Collins and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and if Democrats don ’ t do it this year , they never will .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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A new poll shows Sen. Susan Collins in a statistical tie with Democratic challenger Sara Gideon thanks to declining support with women.
The Portland Press Herald reported:
The survey was conducted between Feb. 10-13 — days after Collins voted to acquit President Trump during the Senate’s impeachment trial — and asked voters whom they would choose between Collins and Gideon. Gideon led narrowly with 43 support, compared to 42 percent for Collins, with 14 percent undecided.
“One of the most surprising findings is how poorly Senator Collins is doing with women,” said Dan Shea, Colby College professor of government and the lead researcher on the poll. “She had a 42-percent approval rating overall but that drops to 36 percent for women. Further yet, it drops to 25 percent for women under 50.
….
Shea also said he was surprised to see support for Collins among independents at just 38 percent. That block of voters, which is the largest in Maine, has been crucial to her previous four electoral wins.
Susan Collins as gone all in with Donald Trump after she voted for the president’s acquittal. Dark money has been funneling in to support Collins, but her fundamental numbers have fallen to being the worst of her career.
Sen. Collins will not be easy to beat, but by aligning herself with Brett Kavanaugh and then acquitting Trump she has set up a narrative that virtually writes itself. Collins has exposed herself as a fake moderate. She is not an independent voice for the people of Maine, but a follower who will express “concern,” then do whatever Donald Trump wants.
Trump humiliates Collins and she does nothing.
Susan Collins is beatable, and if Democrats don’t do it this year, they never will.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-18--Illinois House Republicans Blast Trump For Commuting Blagojevich’s Sentence

Illinois House Republicans are not happy after Trump commuted the sentence of Blagojevich , who they called the face of public corruption .
Here is the statement from the Illinois House Republican delegation : It is rare to see Republicans criticize any move that Trump has made , but The New York Times reported that Trump ignored warnings from Republicans not to commute the sentence of Blagojevich : Mr. Trump commuted the former governor ’ s sentence on Tuesday after saying for years that he was considering intervening in Mr. Blagojevich ’ s case .
By commuting the sentence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison without wiping out the conviction .
Republicans have advised the president against it , arguing that Mr. Blagojevich ’ s crime epitomizes the corruption that Mr. Trump had said he wanted to tackle as president .
Republicans see what Trump doesn ’ t .
The commutation of Blagojevich ’ s sentence puts a big neon on sign on Donald Trump ’ s corruption .
Trump ran on draining the swamp , but he is restocking it with some of its most criminal elements .
Rod Blagojevich tried to sell a US Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of prison .
The ads write themselves , as this move will come back to haunt Trump in November .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Illinois House Republicans are not happy after Trump commuted the sentence of Blagojevich, who they called the face of public corruption.
Here is the statement from the Illinois House Republican delegation:
The Illinois Republican delegation is not happy. "Blagojevich is the face of public corruption in Illinois, and not once has he shown any remorse for his clear and documented record of egregious crimes that undermined the trust placed in him by voters." pic.twitter.com/nyn3Av0wQ6 — Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) February 18, 2020
It is rare to see Republicans criticize any move that Trump has made, but The New York Times reported that Trump ignored warnings from Republicans not to commute the sentence of Blagojevich:
Mr. Trump commuted the former governor’s sentence on Tuesday after saying for years that he was considering intervening in Mr. Blagojevich’s case. By commuting the sentence, the president would free Mr. Blagojevich from prison without wiping out the conviction. Republicans have advised the president against it, arguing that Mr. Blagojevich’s crime epitomizes the corruption that Mr. Trump had said he wanted to tackle as president.
Republicans see what Trump doesn’t. The commutation of Blagojevich’s sentence puts a big neon on sign on Donald Trump’s corruption. Trump ran on draining the swamp, but he is restocking it with some of its most criminal elements.
Rod Blagojevich tried to sell a US Senate seat, and Donald Trump let him out of prison. The ads write themselves, as this move will come back to haunt Trump in November.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-18--Trump Falsely Proclaims Himself The Top Law Enforcement Officer In America

While speaking to reporters , Trump proclaimed that he , not Attorney General William Barr , is the top law @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump said , “ I ’ m actually , I guess , the chief @ @ @ @ @ country , but I ’ ve chosen not to be involved , but he is @ @ @ @ @ , but I could be involved if I wanted to be.
” Constitutionally speaking , @ @ @ @ @ power .
The Attorney General is the top law enforcement officer in the country .
@ @ @ @ @ power is unlimited .
The President is not the top law enforcement officer in the @ @ @ @ @ the job of the President to implement the laws , not enforce them .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ power of the Department of Justice for himself .
The President ’ s comments show @ @ @ @ @ nothing more than his lapdog , as Trump thinks that he is running the Department @ @ @ @ @ discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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While speaking to reporters, Trump proclaimed that he, not Attorney General William Barr, is the top law enforcement officer in the country.
Trump said, “I’m actually, I guess, the chief law enforcement officer of the country, but I’ve chosen not to be involved, but he is a man of great integrity, but I could be involved if I wanted to be.”
Video:
TRUMP: "I'm actually, I guess, the chief law enforcement officer of the country." (The attorney general is the top law enforcement officer of the country.) pic.twitter.com/5ajK5CkTxB — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 18, 2020
Constitutionally speaking, presidents have no law enforcement power. The Attorney General is the top law enforcement officer in the country. Trump truly believes that his power is unlimited.
The President is not the top law enforcement officer in the United States. It is the job of the President to implement the laws, not enforce them.
Trump is attempting to assume the power of the Department of Justice for himself. The President’s comments show that the Attorney General is nothing more than his lapdog, as Trump thinks that he is running the Department of Justice.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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