inquisitr--2020-01-11--Michael Bloomberg Says He Would Support Bernie Sanders Or Elizabeth Warren In Election

Democratic presidential Bernie Sanders ‘ campaign previously suggested that fellow candidate and billionaire Michael Bloomberg was running in the primary to hurt the Vermont Senator ’ s chances at securing the nomination .
According to a recent report by The New York Times , Bloomberg is willing to support both Sanders and fellow progressive Elizabeth Warren , should either of them win the Democratic nomination .
According to Bloomberg , he would look past the policy differences in Sanders and Warren ’ s campaigns and consider spending his own money and using his political operation to support them against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t agree with them , but I ’ d still support them , yes , because compared to Donald Trump that ’ s easy , ” Bloomberg said .
If Bloomberg follows through , The Times reports that he could provide a “ shadow operation ” that includes hundreds of organizers and a “ robust digital operation ” to Trump ’ s Democratic opponent in 2020 .
The 77-year-old businessman has already spent over $ 200 million on advertising , and similar funding could provide a significant benefit to the nominee that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial financial advantage in the race .
“ It depends whether the candidate needs help ; if they ’ re doing very well , they need less .
If they ’ re not , they ’ ll need more , ” Bloomberg said in an interview in Texas on the campaign trail .
As of now , it ’ s unclear how the possible shadow operation will transition into the general election and in what manner .
Regardless , Bloomberg has many organizers in crucial battleground states and currently plans to open 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major ones ” throughout the general election .
Despite his vast wealth , Bloomberg is critical of Trump ’ s tax cuts , which primarily benefitted the richest , Business Insider reported .
“ Too much wealth is in too few hands , ” Bloomberg argued , noting that Trump ’ s tax cuts have contributed to wealth disparity by putting “ nearly all the money ” into the hands of people like him , who he says “ don ’ t need it.
” Bloomberg ’ s belief echoes fellow billionaire and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voiced his support for taxing the wealthy , noting the growing wealth gap .
Whether Bloomberg will be able to help the eventual Democratic nominee remains to be seen .
Per Breitbart , CNN political analyst Molly Ball recently noted that the president raised $ 46 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 and said the 2020 election would be “ a whole different ball game for Donald Trump and his opponents.
” She said the president would have “ essentially unlimited resources ” and claims that his recent fundraising haul should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Democratic presidential Bernie Sanders‘ campaign previously suggested that fellow candidate and billionaire Michael Bloomberg was running in the primary to hurt the Vermont Senator’s chances at securing the nomination. According to a recent report by The New York Times, Bloomberg is willing to support both Sanders and fellow progressive Elizabeth Warren, should either of them win the Democratic nomination.
According to Bloomberg, he would look past the policy differences in Sanders and Warren’s campaigns and consider spending his own money and using his political operation to support them against the incumbent president.
“I really don’t agree with them, but I’d still support them, yes, because compared to Donald Trump that’s easy,” Bloomberg said.
If Bloomberg follows through, The Times reports that he could provide a “shadow operation” that includes hundreds of organizers and a “robust digital operation” to Trump’s Democratic opponent in 2020. The 77-year-old businessman has already spent over $200 million on advertising, and similar funding could provide a significant benefit to the nominee that faces Trump, who currently has a substantial financial advantage in the race.
“It depends whether the candidate needs help; if they’re doing very well, they need less. If they’re not, they’ll need more,” Bloomberg said in an interview in Texas on the campaign trail.
As of now, it’s unclear how the possible shadow operation will transition into the general election and in what manner. Regardless, Bloomberg has many organizers in crucial battleground states and currently plans to open 17 offices in Texas and maintain the “major ones” throughout the general election.
The cost of housing, food, health care, and education are all increasing, but working class wages aren’t keeping pace. As president, I’ll raise the minimum wage to $15/hr and increase the child tax credit so that no American worker has to raise a family in poverty. pic.twitter.com/3CmwpigKPZ — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) January 8, 2020
Despite his vast wealth, Bloomberg is critical of Trump’s tax cuts, which primarily benefitted the richest, Business Insider reported.
“Too much wealth is in too few hands,” Bloomberg argued, noting that Trump’s tax cuts have contributed to wealth disparity by putting “nearly all the money” into the hands of people like him, who he says “don’t need it.”
Bloomberg’s belief echoes fellow billionaire and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who recently voiced his support for taxing the wealthy, noting the growing wealth gap.
Whether Bloomberg will be able to help the eventual Democratic nominee remains to be seen. Per Breitbart, CNN political analyst Molly Ball recently noted that the president raised $46 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 and said the 2020 election would be “a whole different ball game for Donald Trump and his opponents.” She said the president would have “essentially unlimited resources” and claims that his recent fundraising haul should be a “real warning sign for Democrats.”


inquisitr--2020-01-11--Mike Lee Supports Bernie Sanders’ Bill To Freeze Funding For Military Intervention In Iran

Not long after he blasted Donald Trump ‘ s administration for the briefing on Iranian general Qassem Soleimani ’ s assassination , Republican Sen. Mike Lee has agreed to support Demcratic Sen. and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders ‘ bill to freeze all funding for military action against Iran without congressional approval , CNN reports .
Sanders introduced the bill after the classified briefing that outlined the case for the drone strike that killed Soleimani .
Like Lee , Sanders was critical of the lack of intelligence provided to support the administration ’ s claim that the Iranian general was planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They are justifying the assassination of Qasem Soleimani by claiming that he was planning ‘ imminent attacks ’ on hundreds of Americans in the region and yet they produced no evidence that would justify this claim , not even in a classified setting , ” the 78-year-old politician said in a statement .
Lee ’ s decision to co-sponsor the bill makes him the first Republican to do so .
Although Lee and Sanders don ’ t have much overlap in their political beliefs , they have teamed up before .
Notably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution to end the United States ’ support of Saudi Arabia ’ s war in Yemen — a bill that passed both the House and Senate before Trump vetoed it .
The pair issued a joint statement to CNN that addressed their recent approach to Iran .
“ As United States Senators , we often disagree on many issues .
But standing up for the Constitution is not about partisanship .
The Founding Fathers were absolutely clear .
They wanted to ensure that our country avoided needless conflict and they understood that presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The news comes in the wake of the non-binding War Powers resolution passing the House of Representatives .
The bill received support from Independent Justin Amash as well as Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz , Thomas Massie , and Francis Rooney .
Along with Sen. Rand Paul , Lee said he would support the resolution in the Senate .
Amash echoed Lee ’ s recent frustration with the Trump administration .
The 39-year-old congressman expressed his belief that the Constitution provides Congress with authorization to declare war due give the American people a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Michigan Rep. claims that Trump ’ s decision to assassinate Soleimani without congressional approval is an abuse of power .
He pointed to the constitutional requirement that every non-defensive military action has congressional authorization .
Although Trump and his allies have suggested Soleimani was an imminent danger , they have yet to provide evidence to back such claims .

Not long after he blasted Donald Trump‘s administration for the briefing on Iranian general Qassem Soleimani’s assassination, Republican Sen. Mike Lee has agreed to support Democratic Sen. and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders‘ bill to freeze all funding for military action against Iran without congressional approval, CNN reports.
Sanders introduced the bill after the classified briefing that outlined the case for the drone strike that killed Soleimani. Like Lee, Sanders was critical of the lack of intelligence provided to support the administration’s claim that the Iranian general was planning an imminent attack on U.S. interests.
“They are justifying the assassination of Qasem Soleimani by claiming that he was planning ‘imminent attacks’ on hundreds of Americans in the region and yet they produced no evidence that would justify this claim, not even in a classified setting,” the 78-year-old politician said in a statement.
Lee’s decision to co-sponsor the bill makes him the first Republican to do so. Although Lee and Sanders don’t have much overlap in their political beliefs, they have teamed up before. Notably, they both supported a war powers resolution to end the United States’ support of Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen — a bill that passed both the House and Senate before Trump vetoed it.
The pair issued a joint statement to CNN that addressed their recent approach to Iran.
“As United States Senators, we often disagree on many issues. But standing up for the Constitution is not about partisanship. The Founding Fathers were absolutely clear. They wanted to ensure that our country avoided needless conflict and they understood that presidential war-making would be harmful to our democracy.”
.@SenMikeLee
: "It is not acceptable for officials within the executive branch of government…to come in and tell us that we can't debate and discuss the appropriateness of military intervention against Iran. It's un-American. It's unconstitutional and it's wrong." pic.twitter.com/fVSE6b3EM0 — CSPAN (@cspan) January 8, 2020
The news comes in the wake of the non-binding War Powers resolution passing the House of Representatives. The bill received support from Independent Justin Amash as well as Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz, Thomas Massie, and Francis Rooney. Along with Sen. Rand Paul, Lee said he would support the resolution in the Senate.
Amash echoed Lee’s recent frustration with the Trump administration. The 39-year-old congressman expressed his belief that the Constitution provides Congress with authorization to declare war due give the American people a voice through their Senators and Representatives.
The Michigan Rep. claims that Trump’s decision to assassinate Soleimani without congressional approval is an abuse of power. He pointed to the constitutional requirement that every non-defensive military action has congressional authorization. Although Trump and his allies have suggested Soleimani was an imminent danger, they have yet to provide evidence to back such claims.


inquisitr--2020-01-11--Andrew Yang Campaign Commissions Two Polls It Says Prove Candidate ‘Should Be On The Debate Stage’

Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang only gained 5 percent support in two out of the four DNC-approved qualifying polls needed to make the January debate next week , meaning he will not take the stage this month .
The news could be a blow amid recent polls that show him on the rise .
Following Friday ’ s deadline for the debate , the campaign released a statement addressing the news , pointing to the latest survey from CNN and The Des Moines Register — the hosts of the debate — that put Yang at 5 percent support .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign commissioned from Patinkin Research Strategies and Myers Research in the early states of New Hampshire and Nevada , respectively , both of which put Yang at 5 percent support .
The campaign noted that the Democratic Party has worked with both pollsters for years .
In addition , the pollsters have reportedly conducted surveys for party organizations like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee , Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee , Democratic Governors Association , Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee , and National Democratic County Officials .
“ Both pollsters would have been considered by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early state polls , ” the statement reads .
“ If the DNC had only done their due diligence and commissioned polls in the early states , Andrew Yang would certainly be on the debate stage next week , ” said campaign chief Nick Ryan .
“ We are not going to allow the DNC to dictate who they wish to see as the nominee and deny the will of the people.
” Ryan continued to claim that the defining issues of the current election , as well as the “ future of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignored in favor of “ staged political bickering.
” Yang previously called out the DNC for its lack of early state polls — a criticism that was supported by fellow candidates Cory Booker and Tom Steyer .
The 44-year-old serial entrepreneur noted that early states like Iowa , New Hampshire , Nevada , and South Carolina are where all of the candidates have invested much of their time , staff , and resources .
The Yang campaign ’ s senior adviser , Steve Marchand , also criticized the DNC , noting that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results of candidates ’ efforts to work early states .
He suggested that with no early state polls between the debates , the concept “ falls apart.
” RealClearPolitics puts Yang in sixth place in the primary with 3.5 percent support .
His position is notable as other candidates polling lower than him — Tom Steyer and Amy Klobuchar — qualified for the debate .

Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang only gained 5 percent support in two out of the four DNC-approved qualifying polls needed to make the January debate next week, meaning he will not take the stage this month. The news could be a blow amid recent polls that show him on the rise.
Following Friday’s deadline for the debate, the campaign released a statement addressing the news, pointing to the latest survey from CNN and The Des Moines Register — the hosts of the debate — that put Yang at 5 percent support. The statement included two internal polls that the campaign commissioned from Patinkin Research Strategies and Myers Research in the early states of New Hampshire and Nevada, respectively, both of which put Yang at 5 percent support.
The campaign noted that the Democratic Party has worked with both pollsters for years. In addition, the pollsters have reportedly conducted surveys for party organizations like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Democratic Governors Association, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, and National Democratic County Officials.
“Both pollsters would have been considered by the DNC if they had commissioned any early state polls,” the statement reads.
“If the DNC had only done their due diligence and commissioned polls in the early states, Andrew Yang would certainly be on the debate stage next week,” said campaign chief Nick Ryan. “We are not going to allow the DNC to dictate who they wish to see as the nominee and deny the will of the people.”
Ryan continued to claim that the defining issues of the current election, as well as the “future of our country,” cannot be ignored in favor of “staged political bickering.”
“The DNC tried to run this same play in 2016 and they paid for it with a loss in the general.”
Driving around New Hampshire and seeing these signs everywhere! Nice work #YangGang! 😀👍🎉 pic.twitter.com/KYrcn5ZyT7 — Andrew Yang🧢⬆🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) January 11, 2020
Yang previously called out the DNC for its lack of early state polls — a criticism that was supported by fellow candidates Cory Booker and Tom Steyer. The 44-year-old serial entrepreneur noted that early states like Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina are where all of the candidates have invested much of their time, staff, and resources.
The Yang campaign’s senior adviser, Steve Marchand, also criticized the DNC, noting that the polling criteria were meant to gauge to results of candidates’ efforts to work early states. He suggested that with no early state polls between the debates, the concept “falls apart.”
RealClearPolitics puts Yang in sixth place in the primary with 3.5 percent support. His position is notable as other candidates polling lower than him — Tom Steyer and Amy Klobuchar — qualified for the debate.


inquisitr--2020-01-11--‘Fox News’ Pushes Back At Donald Trump After He Threatened War Crimes On Air

During a Friday night interview with Laura Ingraham on The Ingraham Angle , Donald Trump suggested that he had engaged in or may engage in war crimes in the Middle East , forcing the Fox News host to push back against his shocking comments , according to Mediaite .
The president told Ingraham while discussing the situation in the Middle East that he had left troops in place in Syria in order to take the oil in the country , a move that would constitute a violation of international law .
“ You know what I did ?
I left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the oil .
The only troops I have are taking the oil .
They ’ re protecting the oil.
” Trump said .
Ingraham rushed in to push back against the president ’ s statements .
“ Not taking the oil , they ’ re not taking the oil , ” Ingraham attempted to clarify .
“ Well , maybe we will .
Maybe we won ’ t , ” Trump asserted .
“ I don ’ t know .
Maybe we should take it , but we have the oil .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the oil .
So they say he left troops in Syria .
No .
I got rid of all of them other than we ’ re protecting the oil .
We have the oil , ” Trump said .
It ’ s not the first time in recent days that Trump has threatened to commit war crimes .
As The Inquisitr previously reported , the president threatened to attack 52 Iranian cultural sites if the country retaliated for his order to strike Qassem Soleimani , a prominent military leader in Iran .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a violation of international law under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict , he insisted that the United States had the right to attack countries that torture Americans .
Essentially , he argued that if a country broke international law by torturing an American citizen , which is also a war crime , he had the right to commit a crime in return .
He later walked back his comments just before the country sent over a dozen missiles to strike at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying that he would obey the law .
However , he continued to insist that he didn ’ t think the law was fair , but that he would abide by it .
He continued on to say that though he wouldn ’ t hit cultural sites , he intended to retaliate if Iran did anything in response to Soleimani ’ s death .

During a Friday night interview with Laura Ingraham on The Ingraham Angle, Donald Trump suggested that he had engaged in or may engage in war crimes in the Middle East, forcing the Fox News host to push back against his shocking comments, according to Mediaite.
The president told Ingraham while discussing the situation in the Middle East that he had left troops in place in Syria in order to take the oil in the country, a move that would constitute a violation of international law.
“You know what I did? I left troops to take the oil. I took the oil. The only troops I have are taking the oil. They’re protecting the oil.” Trump said.
Ingraham rushed in to push back against the president’s statements.
“Not taking the oil, they’re not taking the oil,” Ingraham attempted to clarify.
“Well, maybe we will. Maybe we won’t,” Trump asserted.
“They’re protecting the facility,” Ingraham insisted.
“I don’t know. Maybe we should take it, but we have the oil. Right now, the United States has the oil. So they say he left troops in Syria. No. I got rid of all of them other than we’re protecting the oil. We have the oil,” Trump said.
Here’s a preposterously spray-tanned President of the United States bragging about war crimes on TV tonight. This is normal now. pic.twitter.com/jDYeNzYLeW — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 11, 2020
It’s not the first time in recent days that Trump has threatened to commit war crimes. As The Inquisitr previously reported, the president threatened to attack 52 Iranian cultural sites if the country retaliated for his order to strike Qassem Soleimani, a prominent military leader in Iran.
When he was told that striking cultural sites was a violation of international law under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, he insisted that the United States had the right to attack countries that torture Americans. Essentially, he argued that if a country broke international law by torturing an American citizen, which is also a war crime, he had the right to commit a crime in return.
He later walked back his comments just before the country sent over a dozen missiles to strike at U.S. military bases in the Middle East, saying that he would obey the law. However, he continued to insist that he didn’t think the law was fair, but that he would abide by it.
He continued on to say that though he wouldn’t hit cultural sites, he intended to retaliate if Iran did anything in response to Soleimani’s death.


inquisitr--2020-01-11--Donald Trump Could Be Ruled Mentally Incompetent To Stand For Impeachment Trial, According To Legal

Donald Trump Could Be Ruled Mentally Incompetent To Stand For Impeachment Trial, According To Legal Expert

The Senate could indefinitely postpone an impeachment trial against Donald Trump if he is determined to be mentally incompetent , according to a former White House ethics lawyer .
Minnesota Law School professor and former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter explained in a tweet that a statute requiring that an accused person be mentally competent to stand trial could be used to postpone the upcoming Senate trial , according to Law and Crime .
U.S. Code 4241 regarding determination of mental competency to stand trial says that any time after a trial begins but before sentencing , “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may file a motion for a hearing to determine the mental competency of the defendant.
” The court would be required to grant the motion “ if there is reasonable cause to believe that the defendant may presently be suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent to the extent that he is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense , ” it continues .
Painter argued that the House managers of the impeachment trial , which haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take advantage of the statute .
“ The statute says that the attorney for the government ( the attorney prosecuting the case ) can file a motion to determine the mental competency of the defendant , ” Painter said .
Trump ’ s mental status has been called into question frequently over the past few months by various people .
In October , one psychiatrist who hadn ’ t treated Trump said that it appears that the president is deteriorating mentally .
Last year , a group of mental health experts released a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental capacity could make him a threat to the safety of the nation .
White House counsel Kellyanne Conway ’ s husband , George Conway , has made similar assertions .
USA Today echoed these sentiments in an op-ed last October .
Most recently , as The Inquisitr previously reported , a mental health professional called for Nancy Pelosi to demand an “ involuntary ” psychiatric evaluation of Trump , arguing that Trump has behaved in a way that indicates he is mentally deteriorating .
The idea of halting the Senate trial against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate doesn ’ t intend to hold a fair trial after GOP members like Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell have indicated that they won ’ t interview witnesses and have already made a determination about Trump ’ s innocence .
Painter later jokingly added that anyone could find evidence of Trump ’ s mental incapacity by looking through the last three years of his Twitter account .

The Senate could indefinitely postpone an impeachment trial against Donald Trump if he is determined to be mentally incompetent, according to a former White House ethics lawyer.
Minnesota Law School professor and former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter explained in a tweet that a statute requiring that an accused person be mentally competent to stand trial could be used to postpone the upcoming Senate trial, according to Law and Crime.
U.S. Code 4241 regarding determination of mental competency to stand trial says that any time after a trial begins but before sentencing, “the defendant or the attorney for the Government may file a motion for a hearing to determine the mental competency of the defendant.”
The court would be required to grant the motion “if there is reasonable cause to believe that the defendant may presently be suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent to the extent that he is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense,” it continues.
Painter argued that the House managers of the impeachment trial, which haven’t been revealed yet, should take advantage of the statute.
“The statute says that the attorney for the government (the attorney prosecuting the case) can file a motion to determine the mental competency of the defendant,” Painter said.
Trump’s mental status has been called into question frequently over the past few months by various people. In October, one psychiatrist who hadn’t treated Trump said that it appears that the president is deteriorating mentally. Last year, a group of mental health experts released a joint statement saying that Trump’s mental capacity could make him a threat to the safety of the nation. White House counsel Kellyanne Conway’s husband, George Conway, has made similar assertions.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
— Matthew 7:15@ProjectLincoln pic.twitter.com/OvEzn7r6G4 — George Conway🌻 (@gtconway3d) January 9, 2020
USA Today echoed these sentiments in an op-ed last October. Most recently, as The Inquisitr previously reported, a mental health professional called for Nancy Pelosi to demand an “involuntary” psychiatric evaluation of Trump, arguing that Trump has behaved in a way that indicates he is mentally deteriorating.
The idea of halting the Senate trial against Trump stems from the idea that the Senate doesn’t intend to hold a fair trial after GOP members like Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell have indicated that they won’t interview witnesses and have already made a determination about Trump’s innocence.
Painter later jokingly added that anyone could find evidence of Trump’s mental incapacity by looking through the last three years of his Twitter account.


inquisitr--2020-01-11--Justin Amash Says Donald Trump Abused His Power With Qassem Soleimani Killing

Independent Justin Amash has made it clear he believes Donald Trump ‘ s decision to assassinate Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani was a violation of the Constitution .
During a Thursday appearance on CNN ’ s Erin Burnett OutFront , the Michigan representative doubled down on his comments and said he believes Trump ’ s decision was an abuse of power .
“ Every military action that is non-defensive has to have congressional authorization under our Constitution , ” he said .
“ So , we have a 2001 authorization , for example , to go after the 9/11 perpetrators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Saddam Hussein ’ s regime .
But there ’ s no authorization that is pertinent to this particular circumstance.
” Amash noted that the president could only act defensively , noting that there must be “ imminence.
” The Trump administration claims that Soleimani was planning attacks on U.S. interests , although they have yet to provide evidence of such plans , and recent reports of other influencing factors continue to shed doubt on the claim .
In response to Trump ’ s decision , Amash — along with Republican Reps. Matt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rooney — voted early Thursday to pass a non-binding War Powers resolution that would require Trump to gain congressional approval for any further military action against Iran .
In other signs of fracture within the GOP , Sens .
Rand Paul and Mike Lee said they would vote to support the resolution in the Senate following the intelligence briefing on Soleimani ’ s killing , The Hill reported .
According to Amash , the Constitution provides Congress the power to authorize a declaration of war in Article I , Section 8 , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States citizens .
Regardless , Amash admitted that many presidents before Trump have used Article II powers to bring America into armed conflict , echoing Paul ’ s recent claim that this pattern was created by many presidents , including Barack Obama , Harry S. Truman , and Lyndon B. Johnson .
Amash has been a vocal critic of the direction of the GOP under Trump , which ultimately led to his departure from the party back in July of 2019 .
He recently addressed congressman and Trump ally Gaetz ’ s support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reportedly led to the White House shutting him out , Raw Story reports .
“ Matt Gaetz hasn ’ t changed his position on war powers , ” Amash tweeted .
“ He had the same position when President Obama was in office .
It ’ s the constitutionally conservative position .
”

Independent Justin Amash has made it clear he believes Donald Trump‘s decision to assassinate Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani was a violation of the Constitution. During a Thursday appearance on CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront, the Michigan representative doubled down on his comments and said he believes Trump’s decision was an abuse of power.
“Every military action that is non-defensive has to have congressional authorization under our Constitution,” he said. “So, we have a 2001 authorization, for example, to go after the 9/11 perpetrators. We have a 2002 authorization to go after Saddam Hussein’s regime. But there’s no authorization that is pertinent to this particular circumstance.”
Amash noted that the president could only act defensively, noting that there must be “imminence.”
“If there’s no imminence, then it’s not authorized.”
The Trump administration claims that Soleimani was planning attacks on U.S. interests, although they have yet to provide evidence of such plans, and recent reports of other influencing factors continue to shed doubt on the claim.
In response to Trump’s decision, Amash — along with Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz, Thomas Massie, and Francis Rooney — voted early Thursday to pass a non-binding War Powers resolution that would require Trump to gain congressional approval for any further military action against Iran. In other signs of fracture within the GOP, Sens. Rand Paul and Mike Lee said they would vote to support the resolution in the Senate following the intelligence briefing on Soleimani’s killing, The Hill reported.
According to Amash, the Constitution provides Congress the power to authorize a declaration of war in Article I, Section 8, because it is something that impacts all United States citizens. Regardless, Amash admitted that many presidents before Trump have used Article II powers to bring America into armed conflict, echoing Paul’s recent claim that this pattern was created by many presidents, including Barack Obama, Harry S. Truman, and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Amash has been a vocal critic of the direction of the GOP under Trump, which ultimately led to his departure from the party back in July of 2019. He recently addressed congressman and Trump ally Gaetz’s support of the War Powers resolution, which has reportedly led to the White House shutting him out, Raw Story reports.
“Matt Gaetz hasn’t changed his position on war powers,” Amash tweeted. “He had the same position when President Obama was in office. It’s the constitutionally conservative position.”


inquisitr--2020-01-11--Donald Trump Suggests He’ll Block John Bolton From Testifying In Impeachment Trial

Former national security adviser John Bolton said that he would testify in the Senate ’ s impeachment trial against Donald Trump , but the president suggested on Friday that he would block Bolton from testifying “ for the sake of the office.
” While speaking with Laura Ingraham on Fox News , Trump claimed that he would like to have “ everybody ” in his administration testify , but that he couldn ’ t allow it because it could hurt future presidents , according to The Hill .
Ingraham asked Trump if he would use executive privilege to block Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to for the sake of the office , ” he said .
“ Especially a national security adviser .
You can ’ t have him explaining all of your statements about national security concerning Russia , China and North Korea — everything .
We just can ’ t do that.
” Trump went on to say that he ’ d like to see acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , along with former members of his administration like Rick Perry , testify , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of president now and in the future .
“ I would love everybody to testify , ” Trump said .
“ I ’ d like Mick to testify .
I ’ d like Mike Pompeo to testify .
I ’ d like Rick Perry to testify .
I want everybody — but there are things that you can ’ t do from the standpoint of executive privilege.
” “ So we have to protect presidential privilege — for me but for future presidents , ” he added .
Trump ’ s comments echo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocking the former national security adviser from testifying before the Senate .
Democrats have been eager to hear from Bolton because he had inside knowledge about Trump ’ s communication with Ukraine , having once described the interactions as a “ drug deal ” .
The president was impeached by the House after they determined that he may have pressured Ukraine to investigate his primary political opponent Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden .
Democrats claim that Trump obstructed Congress by attempting to prevent them from finding out details about the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his office .
Bolton ’ s attorneys say that he has information that is relevant to the trial regarding Trump ’ s and his staffers ’ communication and meetings with Ukraine .
While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that having Bolton testify isn ’ t necessary for the trial , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that he wants to force a vote on impeachment witnesses when the trial likely begins next week .

Former national security adviser John Bolton said that he would testify in the Senate’s impeachment trial against Donald Trump, but the president suggested on Friday that he would block Bolton from testifying “for the sake of the office.”
While speaking with Laura Ingraham on Fox News, Trump claimed that he would like to have “everybody” in his administration testify, but that he couldn’t allow it because it could hurt future presidents, according to The Hill.
Ingraham asked Trump if he would use executive privilege to block Bolton from testifying.
“I think you have to for the sake of the office,” he said. “Especially a national security adviser. You can’t have him explaining all of your statements about national security concerning Russia, China and North Korea — everything. We just can’t do that.”
Trump went on to say that he’d like to see acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, along with former members of his administration like Rick Perry, testify, but to do so could hurt the office of president now and in the future.
“I would love everybody to testify,” Trump said. “I’d like Mick to testify. I’d like Mike Pompeo to testify. I’d like Rick Perry to testify. I want everybody — but there are things that you can’t do from the standpoint of executive privilege.”
“So we have to protect presidential privilege — for me but for future presidents,” he added.
Trump’s comments echo the ones that he made previously about blocking the former national security adviser from testifying before the Senate.
Democrats have been eager to hear from Bolton because he had inside knowledge about Trump’s communication with Ukraine, having once described the interactions as a “drug deal”.
A new ad from Republicans for the Rule of Law.
"John Bolton is a witness with first-hand information…Senate Republicans: Americans deserve the truth. Let Bolton testify." pic.twitter.com/1omh7xukPN — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) January 11, 2020
The president was impeached by the House after they determined that he may have pressured Ukraine to investigate his primary political opponent Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. Democrats claim that Trump obstructed Congress by attempting to prevent them from finding out details about the situation, and by abusing the powers of his office.
Bolton’s attorneys say that he has information that is relevant to the trial regarding Trump’s and his staffers’ communication and meetings with Ukraine.
While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that having Bolton testify isn’t necessary for the trial, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that he wants to force a vote on impeachment witnesses when the trial likely begins next week.


inquisitr--2020-01-11--Michael Moore Says More Of Donald Trump’s Abuses Of Power May Be Hidden On ‘Secret Server’

Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore made an appearance on MSNBC ’ s The Last Word on Friday and spoke about Donald Trump ‘ s alleged abuses of power , Breitbart reports .
Moore pointed to the transcript and notes of Trump ’ s July 25 conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — which sparked the impeachment probe — and reports that they were stored on a highly classified server .
According to Moore , the forthcoming Senate trial will reveal more of Trump ’ s abuses of power .
“ Let me ask you this , ” Moore began .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House Donald Trump , the only time that he did something that was questionable where Jared and Stephen Miller and the lawyer said I think we better hide that Ukrainian phone call on a secret server ?
Was that the only time ?
I suspect there ’ s more on there.
” Former Barack Obama adviser Susan Rice previously said that the server in question was only accessible by a few members of the U.S. government and believed that Trump intended to hide his Ukraine call .
Rice claims that the Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure server in select cases where classified information was discussed in a call .
Moore suggested that such abuses of power could be connected to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi Arabia and wondered if the White House was aware of the assassination .
The 65-year-old left-wing activist asked if the Trump administration participated in the cover-up with the Desert Kingdom before continuing to speculate about Trump ’ s possible abuse of office to “ go after Hillary Clinton ” and Obama .
Moore noted that the judge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Supreme Court , John Roberts , who he says is “ no friend ” of Trump ’ s , pointing to Roberts ’ deciding votes to save Obamacare and kill the Alabama anti-abortion law .
After holding on to the articles of impeachment for weeks , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is planning to send them to the Senate next week .
Before they are sent , the House must name impeachment managers , one of whom may be Independent Justin Amash .
Pelosi ’ s political gambit was intended to pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Democrats ’ demands for the trial — including calling witnesses — although it ’ s unclear if such requirements will be met .

Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore made an appearance on MSNBC’s The Last Word on Friday and spoke about Donald Trump‘s alleged abuses of power, Breitbart reports. Moore pointed to the transcript and notes of Trump’s July 25 conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — which sparked the impeachment probe — and reports that they were stored on a highly classified server.
According to Moore, the forthcoming Senate trial will reveal more of Trump’s abuses of power.
“Let me ask you this,” Moore began. “Do you think three years in the White House Donald Trump, the only time that he did something that was questionable where Jared and Stephen Miller and the lawyer said I think we better hide that Ukrainian phone call on a secret server? Was that the only time? I suspect there’s more on there.”
Former Barack Obama adviser Susan Rice previously said that the server in question was only accessible by a few members of the U.S. government and believed that Trump intended to hide his Ukraine call. Rice claims that the Obama administration only kept files on a similar secure server in select cases where classified information was discussed in a call.
Moore suggested that such abuses of power could be connected to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi Arabia and wondered if the White House was aware of the assassination. The 65-year-old left-wing activist asked if the Trump administration participated in the cover-up with the Desert Kingdom before continuing to speculate about Trump’s possible abuse of office to “go after Hillary Clinton” and Obama.
“But what else is there? His obsession with Obama. Believing that Obama was a Muslim, believing Obama was born in Kenya. When he got into the White House, what other abuses of power did he use?”
Moore noted that the judge of the upcoming Senate trial is Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, who he says is “no friend” of Trump’s, pointing to Roberts’ deciding votes to save Obamacare and kill the Alabama anti-abortion law.
After holding on to the articles of impeachment for weeks, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is planning to send them to the Senate next week. Before they are sent, the House must name impeachment managers, one of whom may be Independent Justin Amash.
Pelosi’s political gambit was intended to pressure Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell into agreeing to Democrats’ demands for the trial — including calling witnesses — although it’s unclear if such requirements will be met.


inquisitr--2020-01-11--Donald Trump Wants To Delay Disclosing How Much His Trips Are Costing Tax Payers Until After The Ele

Donald Trump Wants To Delay Disclosing How Much His Trips Are Costing Tax Payers Until After The Election

Donald Trump and his administration are seeking to delay efforts by Democratic lawmakers to force him to reveal how much the Secret Service spends protecting him and his family while they travel .
According to a new report from The Washington Post , leaders in the Trump administration are pushing back against a bill that would force the president to detail how much the Secret Service is spending within 120 days of traveling .
Treasure Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been fighting to move the Secret Service under his umbrella , which is where it was housed from 1865 until 2003 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Homeland Security .
As part of negotiations over the move , Democrats have said that they ’ ll only support the bill if it includes the provision that the Secret Service reveals its costs on the president ’ s travel .
Senator Dianne Feinstein from California commented on the proposed move and their desire for more transparency from the agency .
“ Secretary Mnuchin came to me last year with a proposal to move the Secret Service to the Treasury Department , ” Feinstein said .
“ As part of that effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential travel be included for greater transparency , accountability and oversight associated with protection during travel of presidents and their families.
” Mnuchin is apparently on board with the decision , but only if it doesn ’ t begin until 2021 , the year after the upcoming presidential election , though the treasury department declined to comment .
“ Conversations about the return of the Secret Service to the Treasury Department are ongoing , and we decline to comment on individual aspects of those conversations , ” said a Treasury official .
Currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or has failed to provide reports on the costs of Trump ’ s travel , something that is being blamed on staffing challenges .
The agency didn ’ t file a report in 2016 or 2017 and has been delayed in filing other reports .
Trump has faced criticism after promising to “ rarely leave the White House ” in order to save the government money .
He once claimed that former President Barack Obama was wasting taxpayer money with his travel .
However , since he took office , he has traveled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has taken 50 visits outside Washington in his 3 years in office .
While Obama spent $ 96 million on travel during his two terms in office , it ’ s estimated that Trump exceeded that amount in just one .
Trump ’ s children Ivanka Trump , Donald Trump Jr. , and Eric Trump , have also made numerous business trips on the taxpayers ’ dime .

Donald Trump and his administration are seeking to delay efforts by Democratic lawmakers to force him to reveal how much the Secret Service spends protecting him and his family while they travel. According to a new report from The Washington Post, leaders in the Trump administration are pushing back against a bill that would force the president to detail how much the Secret Service is spending within 120 days of traveling.
Treasure Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been fighting to move the Secret Service under his umbrella, which is where it was housed from 1865 until 2003 when it was shifted to the Department of Homeland Security. As part of negotiations over the move, Democrats have said that they’ll only support the bill if it includes the provision that the Secret Service reveals its costs on the president’s travel.
Senator Dianne Feinstein from California commented on the proposed move and their desire for more transparency from the agency.
“Secretary Mnuchin came to me last year with a proposal to move the Secret Service to the Treasury Department,” Feinstein said. “As part of that effort, I proposed that the cost of presidential travel be included for greater transparency, accountability and oversight associated with protection during travel of presidents and their families.”
Mnuchin is apparently on board with the decision, but only if it doesn’t begin until 2021, the year after the upcoming presidential election, though the treasury department declined to comment.
“Conversations about the return of the Secret Service to the Treasury Department are ongoing, and we decline to comment on individual aspects of those conversations,” said a Treasury official.
Currently, the Secret Service has been late or has failed to provide reports on the costs of Trump’s travel, something that is being blamed on staffing challenges. The agency didn’t file a report in 2016 or 2017 and has been delayed in filing other reports.
President Trump speaks to the press with First Lady Melania, prior to entering this evenings New Year’s Celebration he is hosting in Palm Beach, Florida. #HNY2020 pic.twitter.com/BlYw77LT19 — Dan Scavino Jr. Archived (@Scavino45) January 1, 2020
Trump has faced criticism after promising to “rarely leave the White House” in order to save the government money. He once claimed that former President Barack Obama was wasting taxpayer money with his travel.
However, since he took office, he has traveled extensively. The Post reports that he has taken 50 visits outside Washington in his 3 years in office. While Obama spent $96 million on travel during his two terms in office, it’s estimated that Trump exceeded that amount in just one.
Trump’s children Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Eric Trump, have also made numerous business trips on the taxpayers’ dime.


inquisitr--2020-01-11--Donald Trump’s Soleimani Attack Was Biblically Justified, Says Family Research Council

Donald Trump ‘ s authorization of the assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani has been argued as both a necessary , decisive decision and a reckless move with no apparent benefit or intelligence to justify it .
During an episode of Washington Watch with Tony Perkins , Family Research Council ( FRC ) president Perkins interviewed the Christian organization ’ s director of Christian Ethics and Biblical Worldview , David Closson , about the attack and what the Bible says about it .
Closson claimed that the scriptures do not suggest that the “ default position of Christianity is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe .
“ The scripture talks a lot about war but the scripture also lets us see that all war itself is not intrinsically evil , ” Closson said .
“ As believers , we are at war with sin .
We are at war with evil.
” He claimed that the Old Testament “ sanctions war , ” adding that in the New Testament , governments are responsible for their citizens and “ answerable to God ” for this responsibility .
Closson and Perkins pointed to the “ just war ” theory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is morally justifiable .
Perkins explained that such moral principles are “ extracted from scripture ” and have been used to guide nations “ for centuries.
” Closson noted that one of the laws is that war is only permissible for protecting “ innocent life , ” “ maintaining or restoring justice , ” and “ self-defense.
” In the case of Soleimani ’ s killing , the Trump administration claimed he was planning an imminent attack on U.S. interests , which could be supported by the just war principles .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debated following reports that the U.S. conducted a second failed attack on Yemen-based financial backer Abdul Reza Shahlai the same night as the Soleimani attack .
In addition , Trump was allegedly motivated by impeachment and reportedly told GOP associates he felt pressured by GOP Senators , whom he believed would be crucial support in the upcoming Senate trial .
A previous report from The Intercept suggested that many cable news pundits supporting the assassination have undisclosed ties to the arms industry and are poised to gain from increased wartime activity .
Gin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Accountability Initiative , questioned the decision of media outlets to let anyone with a “ financial interest in war ” speak on their programs at such a “ critical time.
” Following Soleimani ’ s assassination , The Intercept reported stock prices for major defense contractors reportedly increased .

Donald Trump‘s authorization of the assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani has been argued as both a necessary, decisive decision and a reckless move with no apparent benefit or intelligence to justify it. During an episode of Washington Watch with Tony Perkins, Family Research Council (FRC) president Perkins interviewed the Christian organization’s director of Christian Ethics and Biblical Worldview, David Closson, about the attack and what the Bible says about it.
Closson claimed that the scriptures do not suggest that the “default position of Christianity is pacifism,” as many people purportedly believe.
“The scripture talks a lot about war but the scripture also lets us see that all war itself is not intrinsically evil,” Closson said. “As believers, we are at war with sin. We are at war with evil.”
He claimed that the Old Testament “sanctions war,” adding that in the New Testament, governments are responsible for their citizens and “answerable to God” for this responsibility.
“And so sometimes, there are compelling reasons for going to war. All killing is tragic but sometimes it’s necessary.”
Closson and Perkins pointed to the “just war” theory, a doctrine for ensuring that war is morally justifiable. Perkins explained that such moral principles are “extracted from scripture” and have been used to guide nations “for centuries.” Closson noted that one of the laws is that war is only permissible for protecting “innocent life,” “maintaining or restoring justice,” and “self-defense.”
"We were ready. You have no idea" — Trump suggests he was close to launching major military strikes on Iran two days ago but decided to stand down when he heard no Americans were wounded pic.twitter.com/3NsQmKZMWz — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 10, 2020
In the case of Soleimani’s killing, the Trump administration claimed he was planning an imminent attack on U.S. interests, which could be supported by the just war principles. However, the accuracy of this claim has been debated following reports that the U.S. conducted a second failed attack on Yemen-based financial backer Abdul Reza Shahlai the same night as the Soleimani attack. In addition, Trump was allegedly motivated by impeachment and reportedly told GOP associates he felt pressured by GOP Senators, whom he believed would be crucial support in the upcoming Senate trial.
A previous report from The Intercept suggested that many cable news pundits supporting the assassination have undisclosed ties to the arms industry and are poised to gain from increased wartime activity. Gin Armstrong, a senior researcher with the Public Accountability Initiative, questioned the decision of media outlets to let anyone with a “financial interest in war” speak on their programs at such a “critical time.”
Following Soleimani’s assassination, The Intercept reported stock prices for major defense contractors reportedly increased.


inquisitr--2020-01-11--Donald Trump Suggests He Deserved Nobel Prize For Ethiopia Peace Deal

At a campaign rally on Thursday night , Trump appeared to imply that the Nobel Peace Prize that went to Ethiopia 's prime minister should have been his .
Donald Trump puzzled Ethiopian officials on Thursday , when , at a campaign rally , he appeared to say that he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to that country ’ s prime minister , Abiy Ahmed Ali , in December .
Abiy was given the high honor for his achievement in negotiating a peace deal with neighboring East African country Eritrea , according to The Washington Post .
Eritrea seceded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two countries had been locked in a military standoff ever since — until the new peace agreement .
From 1998 to 2000 , the hostilities erupted into an all-out shooting war that killed an estimated 100,000 people , according to The Washington Post .
But Trump was reportedly not involved in the negotiations in any way , despite the claim he made at Thursday ’ s rally in Toledo , Ohio .
“ I made a deal , I saved a country , and I just heard that the head of that country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for saving the country , ” Trump told a crowd of about 8,000 of his supporters , according to the Post account .
“ I said , ‘ What , did I have something do with it ?
’ Yeah .
But that ’ s the way it is.
” Trump has frequently been open about his desire to receive a Nobel Peace Prize after former President Barack Obama received the prestigious honor in 2009 , less than one year into his first term .
At a United Nations meeting last September , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honor for “ many things , ” as quoted by USA Today .
But Trump said at the U.N. that he believed he would have already received the prize , “ if they gave it out fairly , which they don ’ t. ” He also complained that Obama , in his view , did not deserve the Nobel that he was awarded .
The previous May , the president also declared that “ everyone thinks ” he should receive a Nobel Peace Prize , adding that he himself “ would never say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2018 , a former CIA official said that North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un only needed to know that Trump feels “ desperation to match former President Barack Obama ’ s Nobel Peace Prize ” in order to take advantage of him in nuclear negotiations .
Since taking office in 2018 , Ethiopia ’ s Abiy has instituted sweeping democratic reforms in that country , according to a BBC report .
Those reforms may have also played a role in his receiving the Nobel Peace Prize .
However , Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiatives , or in Ethiopia ’ s domestic politics at all .
Though it ’ s been said that Trump had absolutely nothing to do with the Ethiopia-Eritrea peace deal , the United States has assisted in delicate negotiations between Ethiopia and Egypt over a dam that the Ethiopians plan to build on the Nile river .
In a tweet , quoted by The Washington Post , the House Foreign Affairs Committee said that the president was “ confused , ” and must have mistaken the dam negotiations with the peace deal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Donald Trump puzzled Ethiopian officials on Thursday, when, at a campaign rally, he appeared to say that he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to that country’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, in December. Abiy was given the high honor for his achievement in negotiating a peace deal with neighboring East African country Eritrea, according to The Washington Post.
Eritrea seceded from Ethiopia in 1993, and the two countries had been locked in a military standoff ever since — until the new peace agreement. From 1998 to 2000, the hostilities erupted into an all-out shooting war that killed an estimated 100,000 people, according to The Washington Post.
But Trump was reportedly not involved in the negotiations in any way, despite the claim he made at Thursday’s rally in Toledo, Ohio.
“I made a deal, I saved a country, and I just heard that the head of that country is now getting the Nobel Peace Prize for saving the country,” Trump told a crowd of about 8,000 of his supporters, according to the Post account. “I said, ‘What, did I have something do with it?’ Yeah. But that’s the way it is.”
Trump has frequently been open about his desire to receive a Nobel Peace Prize after former President Barack Obama received the prestigious honor in 2009, less than one year into his first term. At a United Nations meeting last September, the president declared that he deserved the honor for “many things,” as quoted by USA Today.
But Trump said at the U.N. that he believed he would have already received the prize, “if they gave it out fairly, which they don’t.” He also complained that Obama, in his view, did not deserve the Nobel that he was awarded.
The previous May, the president also declared that “everyone thinks” he should receive a Nobel Peace Prize, adding that he himself “would never say it,” according to USA Today.
In 2018, a former CIA official said that North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un only needed to know that Trump feels “desperation to match former President Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize” in order to take advantage of him in nuclear negotiations.
Since taking office in 2018, Ethiopia’s Abiy has instituted sweeping democratic reforms in that country, according to a BBC report. Those reforms may have also played a role in his receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. However, Trump was reportedly not involved in Abiy’s initiatives, or in Ethiopia’s domestic politics at all.
Though it’s been said that Trump had absolutely nothing to do with the Ethiopia-Eritrea peace deal, the United States has assisted in delicate negotiations between Ethiopia and Egypt over a dam that the Ethiopians plan to build on the Nile river. In a tweet, quoted by The Washington Post, the House Foreign Affairs Committee said that the president was “confused,” and must have mistaken the dam negotiations with the peace deal, despite how the two are not connected.


inquisitr--2020-01-12--Sean Hannity Urges Republicans To Get On With Impeachment Trial: ‘End This For The Sake Of Our Count

Sean Hannity Urges Republicans To Get On With Impeachment Trial: ‘End This For The Sake Of Our Country’

Fox News host Sean Hannity is apparently troubled by how the impeachment of President Donald Trump is playing out .
On Saturday , he urged Republicans in the United States Senate to get on with the trial and “ end this for the sake of our country , ” according to Mediaite .
Hannity opened his monologue by defending Trump ’ s actions toward Ukraine , arguing that the president has every right to block John Bolton , his former national security adviser , from testifying in the impeachment trial .
Bolton , who did not testify before the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be open to testifying before the Senate .
Trump is threatening to invoke executive privilege to stop Bolton from testifying , but some legal experts have suggested that he does not have the power to do so .
Trump can block Bolton from testifying , Hannity suggested , because the Democrats ’ allegations pertaining to his dealings with Ukraine are completely false .
Impeachment , the host said , “ is a desperate last-minute attempt to smear , slander , besmirch the president to try and get the political advantage.
” Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt the president politically.
” Hannity dedicated a key part of his monologue to Senate Republicans , urging them to speed through the trial , so that impeachment can come to an end as soon as possible .
“ In America it is we the people you ’ re supposed to be serving , ” the host added , seemingly demanding that Republicans carry out the trial without taking into account Democratic demands for a fair process with additional witnesses such as Bolton .
Hannity was echoing comments made earlier on his radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP senators take a hard-line approach to the trial , threatening to give out their phone numbers unless they do so .
“ They now get to present their case to all of you Republican senators , don ’ t make me start giving out the phone number , ” the host remarked .
In December , the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump , formally accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
According to the impeachment articles passed by the House , Trump withheld military aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pressure it to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden , one of the Democratic front-runners in the 2020 presidential election .
House Democrats , led by Nancy Pelosi , held on to the articles , demanding that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell commits to holding a fair and impartial trial .
McConnell , who announced that he plans on collaborating with White House lawyers during the process , has refused to accommodate their demands .
The stalemate is expected to end next week , according to The New York Times .

Fox News host Sean Hannity is apparently troubled by how the impeachment of President Donald Trump is playing out. On Saturday, he urged Republicans in the United States Senate to get on with the trial and “end this for the sake of our country,” according to Mediaite.
Hannity opened his monologue by defending Trump’s actions toward Ukraine, arguing that the president has every right to block John Bolton, his former national security adviser, from testifying in the impeachment trial.
Bolton, who did not testify before the House of Representatives, has said that he would be open to testifying before the Senate. Trump is threatening to invoke executive privilege to stop Bolton from testifying, but some legal experts have suggested that he does not have the power to do so.
Trump can block Bolton from testifying, Hannity suggested, because the Democrats’ allegations pertaining to his dealings with Ukraine are completely false.
Impeachment, the host said, “is a desperate last-minute attempt to smear, slander, besmirch the president to try and get the political advantage.” Democrats, he insisted, “want to hurt the president politically.”
Hannity dedicated a key part of his monologue to Senate Republicans, urging them to speed through the trial, so that impeachment can come to an end as soon as possible.
“Members of the U.S. Senate, especially Republicans, you need to end this for the sake of our country and our Constitution and frankly, for the sake of future presidents.”
“In America it is we the people you’re supposed to be serving,” the host added, seemingly demanding that Republicans carry out the trial without taking into account Democratic demands for a fair process with additional witnesses such as Bolton.
Hannity was echoing comments made earlier on his radio show, where he adamantly insisted that GOP senators take a hard-line approach to the trial, threatening to give out their phone numbers unless they do so.
“They now get to present their case to all of you Republican senators, don’t make me start giving out the phone number,” the host remarked.
In December, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump, formally accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. According to the impeachment articles passed by the House, Trump withheld military aid from the Ukrainian government in an effort to pressure it to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the Democratic front-runners in the 2020 presidential election.
House Democrats, led by Nancy Pelosi, held on to the articles, demanding that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell commits to holding a fair and impartial trial. McConnell, who announced that he plans on collaborating with White House lawyers during the process, has refused to accommodate their demands. The stalemate is expected to end next week, according to The New York Times.


inquisitr--2020-01-12--Bernie Sanders Campaign Hits Joe Biden Over Claims About Opposing Iraq War

Biden 'enthusiastically supported a disastrous war , refuses to admit mistakes , and then tries to rewrite history , ' says Sanders ' campaign .
The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is taking aim at former Vice President Joe Biden .
In a Saturday press release , Sanders ’ campaign blasted Biden for trying to “ rewrite history ” by claiming that he opposed the war in Iraq , CBS News correspondent Cara Korte reports via Twitter .
“ It is appalling that after 18 years Joe Biden still refuses to admit he was dead wrong on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding that Biden “ enthusiastically supported a disastrous war , refuses to admit mistakes , and then tries to rewrite history.
” Drawing a contrast between Sanders and Biden ’ s record — Sanders opposed the Iraq war and voted against it — the Vermont senator ’ s campaign concluded that the next commander-in-chief needs to be someone who had the “ judgment ” to oppose what is widely considered to be one of the most consequential foreign policy mistakes in United States history .
The Biden campaign has indeed made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from former President George W. Bush ’ s disastrous Middle East war , according to a CNN fact-check , which established that Biden keeps “ dishonestly ” suggesting that he opposed the Iraq war .
The former vice president , who voted to authorize the invasion of Iraq , was a vocal supporter of the war , according to CNN , which complied a list of Biden ’ s statements over the years , demonstrating that he unequivocally supported the effort , praising the Bush administration for trying to take down Saddam Hussein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden has claimed that he had opposed the war in Iraq “ from the very moment ” it began in 2003 .
According to the fact check , however , this is completely false , and Biden “ repeatedly spoke in favor of the war both before and after it began.
” Biden ’ s apparent misstatements about his support for the Iraq war appear to have created an opening for Sanders , who has been surging in the polls , and now seeks to further differentiate himself from the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviews and on the campaign trail , Sanders has taken shots at Biden ’ s record , suggesting that the former vice president would be a weak general election candidate .
In a recent interview , the Vermont senator blasted Biden for supporting the NAFTA trade agreement , criticized the former vice president for supporting a 2005 bankruptcy bill , and blasted him for proposing cuts to Social Security and Medicare .
Sanders has also suggested that a Biden nomination would not be able to generate the “ energy ” necessary to defeat @ @ @ @ @ @

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inquisitr--2020-01-12--Donald Trump Says He Is ‘Worried’ Democrats Cannot Be Trusted With Classified Information

Last week , missiles shot from American drones killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani , commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards ’ Quds force .
Ordered by President Donald Trump , the assassination was not authorized by Congress , and caught the world by surprise , with critics describing the move as reckless and warning that it could lead to widespread conflict in the region .
Top Trump administration officials have offered differing justifications for the maneuver .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described the assassination as a de-escalatory measure meant to bring Iran back to the negotiating table , and Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center .
According to a new report from Mediaite , Trump is now offering an explanation for why Congress was not briefed about the attack .
In an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham , the president touched upon a variety of issues related to Iran , dismissing critics , and suggesting that congressional Democrats can not be trusted with classified information .
Congress , Trump suggested , should not be notified about U.S. military plans because lawmakers tend to leak information to the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t be trusted with classified information ?
” Ingraham asked .
“ Certainly I am worried about it , ” Trump said , proceeding to mock the idea of coordinating with House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , a Democrat , on foreign policy decisions that require congressional approval .
“ Number two , they leak .
Anything we give will be leaked immediately , ” he added .
It is not only Democrats that are critical of Trump ’ s unorthodox approach to foreign policy .
Two Republican senators , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kentucky , have expressed their concerns with the president ’ s aggressive posture toward Iran , with Lee describing the briefing on the strike killing Soleimani as “ insulting ” and “ probably the worst briefing I ’ ve seen at least on a military issue in the nine years I ’ ve served in the United States Senate.
” “ What wasn ’ t said to mollify the concerns of some of your strongest supporters like Mike Lee ?
” Ingraham asked Trump .
The president responded stating that some members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was , in fact , the “ single best briefing they ’ ve ever had.
” “ One said 20 years the single best military briefing they have ever had , ” Trump said , suggesting that Lee — unlike Democrats — can be trusted with classified information .
“ We could probably say individually to him and he ’ s certainly a trustworthy person , ” Trump said .
Although Trump apparently finds Lee trustworthy , the congressman does not seem to believe a president should have complete authority when it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to support Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ bill to freeze all funding for military action against Iran without congressional approval .

Last week, missiles shot from American drones killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds force. Ordered by President Donald Trump, the assassination was not authorized by Congress, and caught the world by surprise, with critics describing the move as reckless and warning that it could lead to widespread conflict in the region.
Top Trump administration officials have offered differing justifications for the maneuver. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described the assassination as a de-escalatory measure meant to bring Iran back to the negotiating table, and Vice President Mike Pence falsely linked Soleimani to the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. According to a new report from Mediaite, Trump is now offering an explanation for why Congress was not briefed about the attack.
In an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, the president touched upon a variety of issues related to Iran, dismissing critics, and suggesting that congressional Democrats cannot be trusted with classified information. Congress, Trump suggested, should not be notified about U.S. military plans because lawmakers tend to leak information to the press.
“Are you worried the Democrats can’t be trusted with classified information?” Ingraham asked.
“Certainly I am worried about it,” Trump said, proceeding to mock the idea of coordinating with House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, a Democrat, on foreign policy decisions that require congressional approval.
“Number two, they leak. Anything we give will be leaked immediately,” he added.
INGRAHAM: Don't the American people have a right to know what specifically was targeted by Soleimani? TRUMP: "I don't think so." pic.twitter.com/Dsi3Ow8Nhs — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 11, 2020
It is not only Democrats that are critical of Trump’s unorthodox approach to foreign policy. Two Republican senators, Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky, have expressed their concerns with the president’s aggressive posture toward Iran, with Lee describing the briefing on the strike killing Soleimani as “insulting” and “probably the worst briefing I’ve seen at least on a military issue in the nine years I’ve served in the United States Senate.”
“What wasn’t said to mollify the concerns of some of your strongest supporters like Mike Lee?” Ingraham asked Trump. The president responded stating that some members of Congress told him that the briefing was, in fact, the “single best briefing they’ve ever had.”
“One said 20 years the single best military briefing they have ever had,” Trump said, suggesting that Lee — unlike Democrats — can be trusted with classified information. “We could probably say individually to him and he’s certainly a trustworthy person,” Trump said.
Although Trump apparently finds Lee trustworthy, the congressman does not seem to believe a president should have complete authority when it comes to war. The Utah Republican has agreed to support Sen. Bernie Sanders’ bill to freeze all funding for military action against Iran without congressional approval.


inquisitr--2020-01-12--Donald Trump Offers Support To Iranian Protesters By Posting Entire Tweet In Farsi

The president told the protesters that the U.S. government stands with them and said that he was inspired by their courage .
As protests in Iran continue to escalate in the wake of the country ’ s government admitting the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner on the night of the ballistic missile attack against Al Asad airbase , President Donald Trump offered a message of support to those angry over the situation with a tweet published entirely in Farsi .
According to The Hill , angry Iranians who mourned the lives of the 176 innocent people who died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend , shouting chants of “ death to liars.
” They even targeted Iran ’ s Supreme Leader , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , with chants of “ death to the dictator.
” Trump took to Twitter on Saturday evening with a message of support for the increasingly angry protesters , writing it in Farsi — the predominant language spoken in Iran .
“ To the brave and suffering Iranian people : I have stood with you since the beginning of my presidency and my government will continue to stand with you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Your courage is inspiring.
” the English translated version of Trump ’ s tweet read .
Roughly 20 minutes after the president posted the Farsi tweet , he followed up with a warning aimed at the Iranian government with regard to preventing the loss of life of protesters or the disconnection of internet communication , which has happened in the past .
“ The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people , ” Trump tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the developing situation earlier on Saturday , claiming that Iranian protesters were angry due to government corruption and the “ brutality of the IRGC , ” under Khamenei ’ s rule .
At the crux of the issue is the way Iran ’ s government handled the aftermath of the downing of Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752 .
Several of the country ’ s leaders strongly denied that the plane was shot down by surface-to-air missile systems , even though the plane ’ s crash mysteriously came just hours after Iran was presumably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked Al Asad airbase .
After evidence began to surface that the plane was , in fact , shot down as opposed to crashing due to mechanical error , Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif admitted publicly days later that the shooting-down of the Kyiv-bound airliner was due to “ human error ” and not intentional .
The admission prompted Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to offer an apology for the grave mistake , saying Iran “ deeply regrets ” the incident while offering support to the victims ’ families .

As protests in Iran continue to escalate in the wake of the country’s government admitting the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner on the night of the ballistic missile attack against Al Asad airbase, President Donald Trump offered a message of support to those angry over the situation with a tweet published entirely in Farsi.
According to The Hill, angry Iranians who mourned the lives of the 176 innocent people who died in the plane crash took to the streets over the weekend, shouting chants of “death to liars.” They even targeted Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with chants of “death to the dictator.”
Trump took to Twitter on Saturday evening with a message of support for the increasingly angry protesters, writing it in Farsi — the predominant language spoken in Iran.
“To the brave and suffering Iranian people: I have stood with you since the beginning of my presidency and my government will continue to stand with you. We are following your protests closely. Your courage is inspiring.” the English translated version of Trump’s tweet read.
Roughly 20 minutes after the president posted the Farsi tweet, he followed up with a warning aimed at the Iranian government with regard to preventing the loss of life of protesters or the disconnection of internet communication, which has happened in the past.
“The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people,” Trump tweeted.
“There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo opined on the developing situation earlier on Saturday, claiming that Iranian protesters were angry due to government corruption and the “brutality of the IRGC,” under Khamenei’s rule.
The Iranian people continue their protests against the lies, incompetence, and cruelty of the ayatollah’s regime. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/iF6aJFc0T3 — Department of State (@StateDept) January 12, 2020
At the crux of the issue is the way Iran’s government handled the aftermath of the downing of Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752. Several of the country’s leaders strongly denied that the plane was shot down by surface-to-air missile systems, even though the plane’s crash mysteriously came just hours after Iran was presumably under its highest alert level after having attacked Al Asad airbase.
After evidence began to surface that the plane was, in fact, shot down as opposed to crashing due to mechanical error, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif admitted publicly days later that the shooting-down of the Kyiv-bound airliner was due to “human error” and not intentional.
The admission prompted Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to offer an apology for the grave mistake, saying Iran “deeply regrets” the incident while offering support to the victims’ families.


inquisitr--2020-01-12--Former Federal Prosecutor Pokes Holes In Donald Trump Plan To Block John Bolton Testimony

In an interview broadcast on Saturday , President Donald Trump suggested that he would block his former national security adviser , John Bolton , from testifying in the Senate ’ s impeachment trial .
Trump , he told Fox News , would block Bolton from testifying “ for the sake of the office , ” invoking executive privilege .
Trump ’ s argument does not hold water , according to former federal prosecutor Cynthia Alksne , who poked holes in the president ’ s plan to block the testimony during an appearance on MSNBC , per Raw Story .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump ’ s vow to block Bolton not only suggests that the president is concerned about what his former adviser might tell Congress , but also reveals that the White House has a warped understanding of executive privilege .
The Trump White House , according to Alksne , “ has used this notion of executive privilege or some kind of absolute immunity to try to get people not to come at all , not to even sit in the chair and have to face the questions.
” “ The idea with executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussions between members of the executive about matters of policy so that a person would come , sit in the chair , be asked a question , ” the former federal prosecutor said , explaining that there are “ limits ” to executive privilege .
According to Alksne , a president can not use executive privilege to “ cover up a crime , ” which means that Trump can not use it to protect himself from Democratic accusations of extortion .
Furthermore , the legal expert said , executive privilege does not apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive branch , ” which means that individuals such as the president ’ s personal attorney , Rudy Giuliani , can not be protected by it .
It remains to be seen whether Bolton will testify or not , but the former high-ranking White House official has indicated that he would be willing to do so .
Earlier this week , Bolton said that he is “ prepared to testify ” in the Senate ’ s impeachment trial , stating that he wants to meet his “ obligations , ” both as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to reports , Bolton had a “ front-row seat ” to Trump ’ s dealings with the Ukrainian government , which are at the heart of House Democrats ’ impeachment articles .
The articles allege that Trump abused the power of his office to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate his political rivals .
Trump , Democrats claim , withdrew military aid from Ukraine in order to force its authorities to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden , one of the leading Democratic White House hopefuls .

In an interview broadcast on Saturday, President Donald Trump suggested that he would block his former national security adviser, John Bolton, from testifying in the Senate’s impeachment trial. Trump, he told Fox News, would block Bolton from testifying “for the sake of the office,” invoking executive privilege.
Trump’s argument does not hold water, according to former federal prosecutor Cynthia Alksne, who poked holes in the president’s plan to block the testimony during an appearance on MSNBC, per Raw Story.
Speaking with host Geoff Bennett, Alksne explained that Trump’s vow to block Bolton not only suggests that the president is concerned about what his former adviser might tell Congress, but also reveals that the White House has a warped understanding of executive privilege.
The Trump White House, according to Alksne, “has used this notion of executive privilege or some kind of absolute immunity to try to get people not to come at all, not to even sit in the chair and have to face the questions.”
“The idea with executive privilege is we want to protect important discussions between members of the executive about matters of policy so that a person would come, sit in the chair, be asked a question,” the former federal prosecutor said, explaining that there are “limits” to executive privilege.
According to Alksne, a president cannot use executive privilege to “cover up a crime,” which means that Trump cannot use it to protect himself from Democratic accusations of extortion. Furthermore, the legal expert said, executive privilege does not apply to “people who are outside the executive branch,” which means that individuals such as the president’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, cannot be protected by it.
It remains to be seen whether Bolton will testify or not, but the former high-ranking White House official has indicated that he would be willing to do so. Earlier this week, Bolton said that he is “prepared to testify” in the Senate’s impeachment trial, stating that he wants to meet his “obligations,” both as a citizen and as a former government official.
According to reports, Bolton had a “front-row seat” to Trump’s dealings with the Ukrainian government, which are at the heart of House Democrats’ impeachment articles. The articles allege that Trump abused the power of his office to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate his political rivals.
Trump, Democrats claim, withdrew military aid from Ukraine in order to force its authorities to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the leading Democratic White House hopefuls.


inquisitr--2020-01-12--Justin Amash Says Alleged U.S. Embassy Threats Appear To Be ‘Totally Made Up’

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper appeared on CBS Face the Nation on Sunday and admitted that Donald Trump did not provide him with any evidence of Qassem Soleimani ’ s alleged plans to attack four U.S. embassies .
Regardless , Esper agreed with the president that an attack was being planned .
In response to a clip of Esper ’ s appearance , Independent Justin Amash suggested that the lack of intelligence around the Soleimani attack is a sign that the Trump administration fabricated the reports of the threat the Iranian general allegedly posed to the United States .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Congress regarding even one embassy , ” the Michigan Rep. tweeted .
“ The four embassies claim seems to be totally made up .
And they have never presented evidence of imminence — a necessary condition to act without congressional approval — with respect to any of this.
” Amash also took aim at Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , who said on Fox News that Soleimani posed an “ imminent ” threat to U.S. interests while admitting he was unsure of when and where .
“ ‘ We don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was real , ' ” Amash described Pomeo ’ s comments .
“ This is about as much as they told Congress in a classified setting.
” The 39-year-old politician also blasted Trump for claiming on Fox that Soleimani was planning attacks on four embassies .
He claimed that when Trump “ lies or embellishes on a topic this sensitive ” and administration officials support and spread his claims to avoid punishment , U.S. citizens and soldiers are put in an “ extremely dangerous ” situation .
The Trump administration ’ s handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the lack of intelligence it has provided — has been unsettling to many .
Republican Sens .
Rand Paul and Mike Lee recently expressed their dismay at the intelligence briefing on the drone strike , which reportedly contained little detail .
In addition , administration officials allegedly told Senators to avoid publicly debating Trump ’ s decision .
As The Inquisitr reported , Lee appeared on CNN ’ s State of the Union on Sunday and expressed his worries over the integrity of the information the Trump administration has presented to justify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politician pointed to the United States government ’ s previous lies that drove the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan — the latter which continues to this day .
Although Lee admitted he doesn ’ t believe the government is an inherently evil institution that is always lying , he nevertheless noted the importance of maintaining a healthy degree of skepticism .
“ And so that ’ s important to ask these questions , to make sure that we know the details , ” he said .

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper appeared on CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday and admitted that Donald Trump did not provide him with any evidence of Qassem Soleimani’s alleged plans to attack four U.S. embassies. Regardless, Esper agreed with the president that an attack was being planned.
In response to a clip of Esper’s appearance, Independent Justin Amash suggested that the lack of intelligence around the Soleimani attack is a sign that the Trump administration fabricated the reports of the threat the Iranian general allegedly posed to the United States.
“The administration didn’t present evidence to Congress regarding even one embassy,” the Michigan Rep. tweeted.
“The four embassies claim seems to be totally made up. And they have never presented evidence of imminence — a necessary condition to act without congressional approval — with respect to any of this.”
Amash also took aim at Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said on Fox News that Soleimani posed an “imminent” threat to U.S. interests while admitting he was unsure of when and where.
“We don’t know when and where. But it was real,” Amash described Pompeo’s comments.
“This is about as much as they told Congress in a classified setting.”
The 39-year-old politician also blasted Trump for claiming on Fox that Soleimani was planning attacks on four embassies. He claimed that when Trump “lies or embellishes on a topic this sensitive” and administration officials support and spread his claims to avoid punishment, U.S. citizens and soldiers are put in an “extremely dangerous” situation.
He sells troops. “We have a very good relationship with Saudi Arabia—I said, listen, you’re a very rich country. You want more troops? I’m going to send them to you, but you’ve got to pay us. They’re paying us. They’ve already deposited $1B in the bank.” pic.twitter.com/rc1f7heyCP — Justin Amash (@justinamash) January 11, 2020
The Trump administration’s handling of the Soleimani attack — in particular, the lack of intelligence it has provided — has been unsettling to many. Republican Sens. Rand Paul and Mike Lee recently expressed their dismay at the intelligence briefing on the drone strike, which reportedly contained little detail. In addition, administration officials allegedly told Senators to avoid publicly debating Trump’s decision.
As The Inquisitr reported, Lee appeared on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday and expressed his worries over the integrity of the information the Trump administration has presented to justify its attack on Iran. The Utah politician pointed to the United States government’s previous lies that drove the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan — the latter which continues to this day. Although Lee admitted he doesn’t believe the government is an inherently evil institution that is always lying, he nevertheless noted the importance of maintaining a healthy degree of skepticism.
“And so that’s important to ask these questions, to make sure that we know the details,” he said.


inquisitr--2020-01-12--Steve Bannon Urges Donald Trump To Postpone State Of The Union

Former White House adviser Steve Bannon is urging President Donald Trump to postpone the State of the Union until after the impeachment trial in the United States Senate .
In an interview with Fox News broadcast on Sunday , Bannon argued that Trump should push back the annual address so that he delivers it as an acquitted president , according to The Hill .
“ He will be acquitted and exonerated .
That should happen .
And then he should do the State of the Union because the whole world will watch this , ” Bannon said , suggesting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Bannon , Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi is holding up articles of impeachment because she wants Trump to deliver the State of the Union address as an impeached — but not exonerated — president , which would stain his legacy .
Pelosi , Bannon said , wants Trump to “ have a State of the Union where there ’ s some uncertainty.
” “ After it ’ s all over , after he ’ s been exonerated , then he goes before the world at the State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State of the Union and the state of this world , ” the former White House adviser stressed .
Pelosi has indeed refused to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate .
The top Democrat wanted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to commit to holding a fair and impartial trial , and to allow additional witnesses , such as former National Security adviser John Bolton .
Trump has said that he would be open to using executive privilege to block Bolton from testifying , and his allies in conservative media — including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraged him to do so , urging Senate Republicans to speed through the trial .
McConnell has refused to accommodate Pelosi ’ s demands , however , openly stating that he will coordinate with White House lawyers during the entire process .
Pelosi appears to have caved .
The stalemate between the two chambers of Congress is expected to end next week , according to reports .
According to the impeachment articles passed by the House , Trump committed multiple offenses during his contacts with the Ukrainian government when he allegedly pressured the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into his political opponents .
Trump , Democrats claim , withheld military aid from the eastern European country in order to force it to launch investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden , who is one of the leading Democratic White House hopefuls .

Former White House adviser Steve Bannon is urging President Donald Trump to postpone the State of the Union address until after the impeachment trial in the Senate.
In an interview with Fox News broadcast on Sunday, Bannon argued that Trump should push back the annual address so that he delivers it as an acquitted president, according to The Hill.
“He will be acquitted and exonerated. That should happen. And then he should do the State of the Union because the whole world will watch this,” Bannon said, suggesting that Democrats are pursuing impeachment for partisan reasons.
“President Trump’s got a great saying, ‘No games.’ This is all game playing by the Democrats. That’s got to be brought to an end.”
According to Bannon, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is holding up articles of impeachment because she wants Trump to deliver the State of the Union address as an impeached — but not exonerated — president, which would stain his legacy.
Pelosi, Bannon said, wants Trump to “have a State of the Union where there’s some uncertainty.”
“After it’s all over, after he’s been exonerated, then he goes before the world at the State of the Union and lays out the State of the Union and the state of this world,” the former White House adviser stressed.
Pelosi has indeed refused to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate. The top Democrat wanted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to commit to holding a fair and impartial trial, and to allow additional witnesses, such as former National Security adviser John Bolton.
Trump has said that he would be open to using executive privilege to block Bolton from testifying, and his allies in conservative media — including Fox News anchor Sean Hannity — have encouraged him to do so, urging Senate Republicans to speed through the trial.
McConnell has refused to accommodate Pelosi’s demands, however, openly stating that he will coordinate with White House lawyers during the entire process.
Pelosi appears to have caved. The stalemate between the two chambers of Congress is expected to end next week, according to reports.
According to the impeachment articles passed by the House, Trump committed multiple offenses during his contacts with the Ukrainian government when he allegedly pressured the country’s authorities to launch investigations into his political opponents.
Trump, Democrats claim, withheld military aid from the eastern European country in order to force it to launch investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden, who is one of the leading Democratic White House hopefuls.