usatoday--2020-02-19--Top Pentagon official who had role in Ukraine aid deal resigns after Trump requested he step down

WASHINGTON – A top Pentagon official involved in the controversial aid deal to Ukraine that resulted in President Donald Trump 's impeachment announced his resignation at Trump 's request on Wednesday .
In his resignation letter , Rood noted that Defense Secretary Mark Esper had asked for his resignation on behalf of Trump .
John Rood , the Pentagon ’ s under secretary for policy , will leave his post at the end of the month , said Pentagon press secretary Alyssa Farah .
Rood 's is the latest in a series of departures of officials who had at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration .
Announcements have been made in the weeks since the Republican Senate acquitted Trump of impeachment charges .
Trump and Esper thanked Rood for his service following the announcement .
Rood had also worked on issues such as nuclear deterrence , NATO and the National Defense Strategy , which sets threats from China and Russia as the Pentagon 's top priorities .
`` I wish him all the best in his future endeavors , '' Esper said in a statement .
Who got pardoned Tuesday ?
: Who got pardoned , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clemency spree ?
Rood had been involved in the Pentagon ’ s effort to send $ 250 million in military aid to Ukraine , the issue that resulted in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment .
Rood had certified that Ukraine had met anti-corruption requirements , deeming it eligible to receive the assistance .
That certification came before Trump ’ s July 25 phone call with Ukraine 's president , Volodymyr Zelensky , during which he mentioned a `` favor . ''
The House impeached Trump for conditioning military aid to Ukraine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchange for Ukraine opening an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden .
Two U.S. officials , who were not authorized to speak publicly , said Rood 's decision to resign was not related to the Ukrainian aid .
Sander 's 'Medicare for All':2020 rivals hope Bernie Sanders ' ‘ Medicare for All ’ slows him down in Nevada caucuses .
What workers had to say In the highest profile departures , Trump dismissed two officials who testified during the House impeachment inquiry : Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , a Ukraine expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gordon Sondland , his ambassador to the European Union , from his post in Brussels .
In addition , Jessie Liu resigned after the Trump administration pulled her nomination to a top Treasury Department post .
Liu served as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia when her office prosecuted Roger Stone and Paul Manafort .
Both are former advisers to Trump , who has criticized the handling of both cases .
Rood ’ s resignation was first reported by CNN .
Nevada Democratic debate : Who made the stage , how to @ @ @ @ @ @

Tom Vanden Brook and David Jackson, USA TODAY

Top Pentagon official who had role in Ukraine aid deal resigns after Trump requested he step down
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump's Ukraine phone call: U.S. and Ukraine relationship, explained U.S. and Ukraine relations go further back than the now infamous phone call between Trump and Zelensky. We explain their relationship. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – A top Pentagon official involved in the controversial aid deal to Ukraine that resulted in President Donald Trump's impeachment announced his resignation at Trump's request on Wednesday.
In his resignation letter, Rood noted that Defense Secretary Mark Esper had asked for his resignation on behalf of Trump.
John Rood, the Pentagon’s under secretary for policy, will leave his post at the end of the month, said Pentagon press secretary Alyssa Farah. Rood's is the latest in a series of departures of officials who had at least some involvement in investigations involving the Trump administration. Announcements have been made in the weeks since the Republican Senate acquitted Trump of impeachment charges.
Trump and Esper thanked Rood for his service following the announcement. Rood had also worked on issues such as nuclear deterrence, NATO and the National Defense Strategy, which sets threats from China and Russia as the Pentagon's top priorities.
"I wish him all the best in his future endeavors," Esper said in a statement.
White House officials declined to comment.
Who got pardoned Tuesday?: Who got pardoned, who got shorter prison sentences under Trump's clemency spree?
Rood had been involved in the Pentagon’s effort to send $250 million in military aid to Ukraine, the issue that resulted in President Donald Trump’s impeachment. Rood had certified that Ukraine had met anti-corruption requirements, deeming it eligible to receive the assistance. That certification came before Trump’s July 25 phone call with Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, during which he mentioned a "favor."
The House impeached Trump for conditioning military aid to Ukraine and a White House visit for Zelensky in exchange for Ukraine opening an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden.
Two U.S. officials, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said Rood's decision to resign was not related to the Ukrainian aid.
Sander's 'Medicare for All': 2020 rivals hope Bernie Sanders' ‘Medicare for All’ slows him down in Nevada caucuses. What workers had to say
In the highest profile departures, Trump dismissed two officials who testified during the House impeachment inquiry: Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a Ukraine expert with the National Security Council, and Gordon Sondland, his ambassador to the European Union, from his post in Brussels.
In addition, Jessie Liu resigned after the Trump administration pulled her nomination to a top Treasury Department post.
Liu served as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia when her office prosecuted Roger Stone and Paul Manafort. Both are former advisers to Trump, who has criticized the handling of both cases.
Rood’s resignation was first reported by CNN.
Nevada Democratic debate: Who made the stage, how to watch, and what to expect


usatoday--2020-02-19--Mike Bloomberg will sell his company if he's elected president, top campaign adviser says

A top adviser to presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg said the former mayor of New York City would sell the company bearing his name if he was elected president .
In an interview on CNN Tuesday , Tim O'Brien , a senior adviser to the campaign and former Bloomberg Opinion editor , said Bloomberg , the financial data and media company , would be sold , and Bloomberg the candidate would release his tax returns .
`` There will be no confusion about any of his financial holdings , blurring the line between public service and personal profiteering , '' O'Brien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the business entanglements of President Donald Trump , who O'Brien called a `` walking financial conflict of interest . ''
`` I do n't think it 's unusual or untoward for someone of resources and substance to go into public service , just as Franklin Roosevelt did , '' O'Brien said when asked about criticism of Bloomberg 's wealth .
Democratic duels : Warren rips Bloomberg as 'egomaniac billionaire ' as Dems prepare for new rival on debate stage New voice at debates : Mike Bloomberg qualifies for next two debates , trails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview with The Associated Press , O'Brien said Bloomberg would place the company in a blind trust , an arrangement by which a person gives up control but not ownership of assets to an independent trustee .
The blind trust 's trustee would sell the company and use the proceeds for Bloomberg Philanthropies , a charitable organization , O'Brien told the AP .
Trump , who entered office with significant business holdings , placed his assets in a trust managed by his sons Eric and Donald Jr. and Trump Organization trustee Allen Weisselberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involvement Trump has with the organization .
Bloomberg , who Forbes estimates is worth about $ 64 billion , is the majority shareholder of the Bloomberg company .
He entirely self-funds his campaign , rejecting campaign donations , and he spent more than $ 200 million in the past three months of 2019 , according to filings with the Federal Election Commission .
Andrew Bates , the rapid response director for former Vice President Joe Biden 's campaign , said on Twitter that Bloomberg broke a campaign promise to divest himself of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not if he won .
`` Why is he breaking his word ? ''
Bates said .

Mike Bloomberg will sell his company if he's elected president, top campaign adviser says
Show Caption Hide Caption Michael Bloomberg surges in national poll, qualifies for debate stage Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has qualified to participate in his first Democratic presidential debate, after an NPR/PBS/NewsHour/Marist poll. USA TODAY
A top adviser to presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg said the former mayor of New York City would sell the company bearing his name if he was elected president.
In an interview on CNN Tuesday, Tim O'Brien, a senior adviser to the campaign and former Bloomberg Opinion editor, said Bloomberg, the financial data and media company, would be sold, and Bloomberg the candidate would release his tax returns.
"There will be no confusion about any of his financial holdings, blurring the line between public service and personal profiteering," O'Brien said.
He drew a contrast to the business entanglements of President Donald Trump, who O'Brien called a "walking financial conflict of interest."
"I don't think it's unusual or untoward for someone of resources and substance to go into public service, just as Franklin Roosevelt did," O'Brien said when asked about criticism of Bloomberg's wealth.
Democratic duels: Warren rips Bloomberg as 'egomaniac billionaire' as Dems prepare for new rival on debate stage
New voice at debates: Mike Bloomberg qualifies for next two debates, trails only Sanders in recent poll
In an interview with The Associated Press, O'Brien said Bloomberg would place the company in a blind trust, an arrangement by which a person gives up control but not ownership of assets to an independent trustee. The blind trust's trustee would sell the company and use the proceeds for Bloomberg Philanthropies, a charitable organization, O'Brien told the AP.
Trump, who entered office with significant business holdings, placed his assets in a trust managed by his sons Eric and Donald Jr. and Trump Organization trustee Allen Weisselberg. It is unknown what degree of involvement Trump has with the organization.
Bloomberg, who Forbes estimates is worth about $64 billion, is the majority shareholder of the Bloomberg company. He entirely self-funds his campaign, rejecting campaign donations, and he spent more than $200 million in the past three months of 2019, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission.
Andrew Bates, the rapid response director for former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign, said on Twitter that Bloomberg broke a campaign promise to divest himself of his company if he ran for president, not if he won.
"Why is he breaking his word?" Bates said.


usatoday--2020-02-20--OnPolitics: Are you looking for politics news? Same.

A pardon could be a Stone 's throw away First , did you get the joke ?
`` Stone 's throw away , '' because Roger Stone is a Trump ally and Trump might pardon ... nevermind .
Stone , a longtime friend and ally of President Donald Trump , was sentenced Thursday to 40 months in prison .
But the attention immediately turned to the possibility of Trump issuing a pardon .
Trump said he will not immediately pardon Stone but will instead “ let the process play out ” in the courts .
Did you know about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren started Wednesday night 's debate by going straight at former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the accusations that have followed his campaign .
Going after Bloomberg soon became the debate 's primary storyline , as we predicted in this very newsletter yesterday .
FYI .
So , what are the accusations and what might they mean for the election ?
We have that sorted out for you .
But wait , there 's more We know you have newsletter options so we do like to thank you all by giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose from .
Read at your leisure .
• Chasten Buttigieg : ' I 've been dealing with the likes of Rush Limbaugh my entire life' • Trump defeats all 2020 Democrats in Wisconsin but loses in Pennsylvania and Michigan , poll finds • What the Mike Bloomberg pile-on says about Bernie Sanders ' frontrunner status in Nevada

OnPolitics: Are you looking for politics news? Same.
Show Caption Hide Caption Roger Stone sentenced to 40 months in prison for obstructing Congress Roger Stone's sentence marks a downfall for the longtime political consultant who worked on political campaigns and reelection committees stretching back to Richard Nixon. USA TODAY
A pardon could be a Stone's throw away
First, did you get the joke? "Stone's throw away," because Roger Stone is a Trump ally and Trump might pardon... nevermind.
Anywho.
Stone, a longtime friend and ally of President Donald Trump, was sentenced Thursday to 40 months in prison. But the attention immediately turned to the possibility of Trump issuing a pardon.
Trump said he will not immediately pardon Stone but will instead “let the process play out” in the courts.
Did you know about the accusations against Bloomberg?
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren started Wednesday night's debate by going straight at former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the accusations that have followed his campaign. Going after Bloomberg soon became the debate's primary storyline, as we predicted in this very newsletter yesterday. FYI.
So, what are the accusations and what might they mean for the election? We have that sorted out for you.
But wait, there's more
We know you have newsletter options so we do like to thank you all by giving you a flurry of political news to choose from. Read at your leisure.


usatoday--2020-02-20--No, you step aside: Democratic competitors 'shocked' by Bloomberg suggesting they leave the race

WASHINGTON – Before former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined his fellow presidential hopefuls on the debate stage for the first time Wednesday , his campaign had a not-so-subtle message for the other center-left candidates .
They should stop acting like spoilers and let Bloomberg take on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders before it ’ s too late to stop him from winning the Democratic nomination .
The argument , laid out in a memo by Bloomberg ’ s campaign aides , didn ’ t go over well .
Former Vice President Joe Biden pointed to a recent NBC News/Wall Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best in a matchup against President Donald Trump .
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said voters don ’ t “ look at Donald Trump and say , 'We need someone richer in the White House.
’ ” Pete Buttigieg agreed with Bloomberg that there should be one alternative to Sanders , but said he – and not Bloomberg – is the obvious choice “ Maybe he should step aside for the person who ’ s got the most delegates , ” Buttigieg , in a Fox News interview , said of the small lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Poll : Trump defeats all 2020 Democrats in Wisconsin but loses in Pennsylvania and Michigan Matt Grossmann , director of Michigan State University ’ s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research , said there ’ s a lot of merit to Bloomberg ’ s argument that Sanders is the most likely nominee , in part because Democrats who want a different candidate haven ’ t coalesced around an alternative .
But that ’ s also because no alternative candidate has a clear case for why it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting forward their best argument , ” Grossmann said .
“ None of them sound particularly good to me as to why the other candidates should get out.
” Bloomberg ’ s case , laid out in a memo that was first reported by Axios , is that Sanders could come out of Super Tuesday with an insurmountable lead .
Bloomberg , who is skipping competing in the first four contests but has been spending heavily elsewhere , is best positioned after Sanders to pick up delegates in those states , his aides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented himself as the leading alternative to Bernie Sanders , ” campaign manager Kevin Sheekey said in a statement after Wednesday ’ s debate , despite a shaky performance by Bloomberg .
“ It took Mike just three months to build a stronger campaign than the rest of the field had built in more than a year ...
He was just warming up tonight.
” Josh Putnam , a political scientist who writes the blog FrontloadingHQ , which tracks the details of the primary process , said Bloomberg ’ s memo is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it doesn ’ t take into account how things could change after Nevada ’ s caucuses Saturday or South Carolina ’ s primary at the end of the month .
“ Those events are potentially likely to change the dynamics of the race and change that rosy scenario that the Bloomberg folks painted , ” Putnam said .
“ That ’ s not even counting how things are affected by last night ’ s debate performance.
” Debate fallout : What the Mike Bloomberg pile-on says about Bernie Sanders ' frontrunner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memo at the beginning of the debate , showed how galling it was to the candidates who have been campaigning for the past year .
“ I don ’ t think that ’ s really the way to make friends and influence people , ” she told Fox News after the debate .
“ I was just shocked ... We ’ ve worked hard .
We ’ ve got strong campaigns.
” Buttigieg countered Bloomberg with his own warning about what could happen if the dynamics of the race don ’ t change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wake up as a party , ” he said at the debate .
“ We could wake up two weeks from today , the day after Super Tuesday , and the only candidates left standing will be Bernie Sanders and Mike Bloomberg , the two most polarizing figures on this stage.
” A memo countering Bloomberg 's that Buttigieg ’ s campaign put out Thursday argues Buttigieg is the only candidate who has shown – through his delegate lead from Iowa – that he can beat Sanders .
In the debate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best general election candidate because he ’ s a New Yorker .
“ I know how to take on an arrogant conman like Donald Trump that comes from New York , ” Bloomberg said .
Bloomberg entered the race in November after Biden ’ s campaign showed signs of the struggles that became more apparent when he came in fourth in Iowa and fifth in New Hampshire .
Biden had started with the strongest potential coalition – African Americans , white moderates and older voters – to defeat Sanders .
But as Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , it ’ s unclear whether another candidate can reconstitute that coalition .
And even if all but one center-left candidate left the race , Sanders could still win .
He may be more popular with the most liberal voters but he ’ s not unpopular with moderates , Grossmann said .
“ It ’ s not the case that you just add up the moderates and you get to a potential majority , ” he said .
In fact , a Monmouth University poll released Thursday shows Sanders not only leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when pitted solely against Biden , Bloomberg , Buttigieg or Klobuchar .
“ Sanders may get a decent delegate haul in the currently crowded field , ” said Patrick Murray , director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute .
“ But if it comes down to a two-person contest in California , Sanders could rack up two-thirds of available delegates and be well on his way to the nomination.
” The longer the race remains crowded , the more likely it is that no one will amass a majority of delegates before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that happens , the party officials known as superdelegates would get to vote .
While the superdelegates wouldn ’ t have to back the leading candidate , not doing so could cause an uproar within the party , especially among Sanders ’ supporters .
When the candidates were asked at the debate about the possibility of a contested convention , only one emphasized that the nomination should go to the candidate who showed up with the most votes .
“ I think , ” Sanders said , “ the will of the people @ @ @ @

No, you step aside: Democratic competitors 'shocked' by Bloomberg suggesting they leave the race
Show Caption Hide Caption Michael Bloomberg takes debate stage and brunt of attacks The Democratic Primary Debate in Las Vegas, Nevada featured former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg, who took the majority of attacks for the evening. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Before former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined his fellow presidential hopefuls on the debate stage for the first time Wednesday, his campaign had a not-so-subtle message for the other center-left candidates.
They should stop acting like spoilers and let Bloomberg take on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders before it’s too late to stop him from winning the Democratic nomination.
The argument, laid out in a memo by Bloomberg’s campaign aides, didn’t go over well.
Former Vice President Joe Biden pointed to a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll showing he’d do best in a matchup against President Donald Trump.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said voters don’t “look at Donald Trump and say, 'We need someone richer in the White House.’”
Pete Buttigieg agreed with Bloomberg that there should be one alternative to Sanders, but said he – and not Bloomberg – is the obvious choice
“Maybe he should step aside for the person who’s got the most delegates,” Buttigieg, in a Fox News interview, said of the small lead he has over Sanders from the voting in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Poll: Trump defeats all 2020 Democrats in Wisconsin but loses in Pennsylvania and Michigan
Matt Grossmann, director of Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, said there’s a lot of merit to Bloomberg’s argument that Sanders is the most likely nominee, in part because Democrats who want a different candidate haven’t coalesced around an alternative. But that’s also because no alternative candidate has a clear case for why it should be them.
“Everyone is putting forward their best argument,” Grossmann said. “None of them sound particularly good to me as to why the other candidates should get out.”
Bloomberg’s case, laid out in a memo that was first reported by Axios, is that Sanders could come out of Super Tuesday with an insurmountable lead. Bloomberg, who is skipping competing in the first four contests but has been spending heavily elsewhere, is best positioned after Sanders to pick up delegates in those states, his aides argue.
“Today, Mike Bloomberg presented himself as the leading alternative to Bernie Sanders,” campaign manager Kevin Sheekey said in a statement after Wednesday’s debate, despite a shaky performance by Bloomberg. “It took Mike just three months to build a stronger campaign than the rest of the field had built in more than a year...He was just warming up tonight.”
Josh Putnam, a political scientist who writes the blog FrontloadingHQ, which tracks the details of the primary process, said Bloomberg’s memo is a “somewhat convincing” snapshot in time. But it doesn’t take into account how things could change after Nevada’s caucuses Saturday or South Carolina’s primary at the end of the month.
“Those events are potentially likely to change the dynamics of the race and change that rosy scenario that the Bloomberg folks painted,” Putnam said. “That’s not even counting how things are affected by last night’s debate performance.”
Debate fallout: What the Mike Bloomberg pile-on says about Bernie Sanders' frontrunner status
Difference between caucus and primary, explained The 2020 election is nearing and with that, comes the caucuses and primary elections. But what’s the difference? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Klobuchar, who brought up the memo at the beginning of the debate, showed how galling it was to the candidates who have been campaigning for the past year.
“I don’t think that’s really the way to make friends and influence people,” she told Fox News after the debate. “I was just shocked ... We’ve worked hard. We’ve got strong campaigns.”
Buttigieg countered Bloomberg with his own warning about what could happen if the dynamics of the race don’t change soon.
“We’ve got to wake up as a party,” he said at the debate. “We could wake up two weeks from today, the day after Super Tuesday, and the only candidates left standing will be Bernie Sanders and Mike Bloomberg, the two most polarizing figures on this stage.”
A memo countering Bloomberg's that Buttigieg’s campaign put out Thursday argues Buttigieg is the only candidate who has shown – through his delegate lead from Iowa – that he can beat Sanders.
In the debate, Bloomberg pitched that he’s the best general election candidate because he’s a New Yorker.
“I know how to take on an arrogant conman like Donald Trump that comes from New York,” Bloomberg said.
Bloomberg entered the race in November after Biden’s campaign showed signs of the struggles that became more apparent when he came in fourth in Iowa and fifth in New Hampshire.
Biden had started with the strongest potential coalition – African Americans, white moderates and older voters – to defeat Sanders. But as Biden’s support has dropped, Grossmann said, it’s unclear whether another candidate can reconstitute that coalition.
And even if all but one center-left candidate left the race, Sanders could still win. He may be more popular with the most liberal voters but he’s not unpopular with moderates, Grossmann said.
“It’s not the case that you just add up the moderates and you get to a potential majority,” he said.
In fact, a Monmouth University poll released Thursday shows Sanders not only leading in California, but growing his support when pitted solely against Biden, Bloomberg, Buttigieg or Klobuchar.
“Sanders may get a decent delegate haul in the currently crowded field,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. “But if it comes down to a two-person contest in California, Sanders could rack up two-thirds of available delegates and be well on his way to the nomination.”
The longer the race remains crowded, the more likely it is that no one will amass a majority of delegates before the party’s July convention. If that happens, the party officials known as superdelegates would get to vote.
While the superdelegates wouldn’t have to back the leading candidate, not doing so could cause an uproar within the party, especially among Sanders’ supporters.
When the candidates were asked at the debate about the possibility of a contested convention, only one emphasized that the nomination should go to the candidate who showed up with the most votes.
“I think,” Sanders said, “the will of the people should prevail.”
California poll: Bernie Sanders surging ahead of the pack


usatoday--2020-02-20--Intelligence employee pleads guilty to leaking classified info to journalists

WASHINGTON – Henry Kyle Frese pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to illegally transmitting national defense information to journalists .
Frese , 31 , was employed as a counterterrorism analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency from February 2018 to October 2019 , and held a top-secret clearance .
“ Frese violated the trust placed in him by the American people when he disclosed sensitive national security information for personal gain , ” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers in a statement .
“ He alerted our country ’ s adversaries to sensitive national defense information , putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
More : Trump signals no imminent pardon for Roger Stone but questions whether trial was 'tainted' Federal prosecutors say he researched multiple classified intelligence reports – some of which were unrelated to his job duties – and leaked information about a foreign country 's weapons systems to two journalists .
Prosecutors said that Frese , who worked as both a contractor and a full-time employee for DIA , was in a relationship with one of the journalists and sought to advance the reporter 's career .
The journalist linked romantically to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classified information provided by the analyst , authorities say .
Prosecutors asserted that Frese compromised the contents of at least five intelligence reports .
The unauthorized disclosures happened in 2018 and 2019 .
Prior to that , from August 2017 to August 2018 , Frese and the reporter lived together , authorities say .
G. Zachary Terwilliger , U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia , said that Frese `` was entrusted with Top Secret information related to the national defense of our country '' and `` violated that trust , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaged in felonious conduct at the expense of our country . ''
' I sleep at night ' : Ex-Trump adviser John Bolton says his testimony would not have changed impeachment outcome Timothy R. Slater , Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI 's Washington Field Office , stated that `` By disseminating the same classified information he had pledged to protect , Henry Kyle Frese put the US and our national defense equities in danger . ''
Frese faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and will be sentenced on @ @ @

Intelligence employee pleads guilty to leaking classified info to journalists
Show Caption Hide Caption George H.W. Bush's Deputy AG: Barr needs to resign A former deputy attorney general under President George H. W. Bush is calling on Attorney General William Barr to step down from his post after what he sees as an erosion of the Justice Department’s historical independence. (Feb. 19) AP
WASHINGTON – Henry Kyle Frese pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to illegally transmitting national defense information to journalists.
Frese, 31, was employed as a counterterrorism analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency from February 2018 to October 2019, and held a top-secret clearance.
“Frese violated the trust placed in him by the American people when he disclosed sensitive national security information for personal gain,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers in a statement. “He alerted our country’s adversaries to sensitive national defense information, putting the nation’s security at risk."
More: Trump signals no imminent pardon for Roger Stone but questions whether trial was 'tainted'
Federal prosecutors say he researched multiple classified intelligence reports – some of which were unrelated to his job duties – and leaked information about a foreign country's weapons systems to two journalists.
Prosecutors said that Frese, who worked as both a contractor and a full-time employee for DIA, was in a relationship with one of the journalists and sought to advance the reporter's career.
The journalist linked romantically to Frese published at least eight articles containing classified information provided by the analyst, authorities say. Prosecutors asserted that Frese compromised the contents of at least five intelligence reports.
The unauthorized disclosures happened in 2018 and 2019. Prior to that, from August 2017 to August 2018, Frese and the reporter lived together, authorities say.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said that Frese "was entrusted with Top Secret information related to the national defense of our country" and "violated that trust, the oath he swore to uphold, and engaged in felonious conduct at the expense of our country."
'I sleep at night': Ex-Trump adviser John Bolton says his testimony would not have changed impeachment outcome
Timothy R. Slater, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office, stated that "By disseminating the same classified information he had pledged to protect, Henry Kyle Frese put the US and our national defense equities in danger."
Frese faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and will be sentenced on June 18.
Contributing: Kevin Johnson and Kristine Phillips


usatoday--2020-02-20--Chasten Buttigieg: 'I've been dealing with the likes of Rush Limbaugh my entire life'

WASHINGTON – Chasten Buttigieg , husband to 2020 Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg , said that he has `` been dealing with the likes of Rush Limbaugh my entire life '' The comments come after the longtime conservative radio host , who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom during President Donald Trump 's State of the Union speech , said that `` despite all the great wokeness , '' Democrats and America are `` not ready to elect a gay guy kissing his husband . ''
Chasten Buttigieg told ABC News that he had to deal with a `` multitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hallways of high school everyday , '' but that he is mostly worried about the `` young people in this country watching the likes of the historic nature of this campaign . ''
More : Bloomberg attacked , Warren fights back , Sanders holds steady : How each candidate fared in a rowdy debate '' Watching how they talk about it , watching how people react to it and treat it , '' he continued .
`` And they 're wondering if this country is actually a safe place for them to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination , he would be the first gay candidate to represent a major party in an election .
He and Chasten , a former middle school teacher , have been married since 2018 .
When discussing the issue during CNN 's town hall on Tuesday , Pete Buttigieg took his previous comments about Limbaugh 's statement one step further .
More : Donald Trump at Phoenix rally weighs in on Democratic debate , criticizes Michael Bloomberg '' The idea of the likes of Rush Limbaugh or Donald Trump lecturing anybody on family values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Sorry , but one thing about my marriage is , it 's never involved me having to send hush money to a porn star after cheating on my spouse with him or her . ''
Trump , as a then-Republican presidential candidate , and some of his top aides , work accused of trying to silence pornographic actress , Stormy Daniels , who claimed to have had an extramarital affair with him years earlier .
Limbaugh said on his Monday show following blow-back from his comments on Buttigieg that Trump advised him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Chasten Buttigieg: 'I've been dealing with the likes of Rush Limbaugh my entire life'
Show Caption Hide Caption George Zimmerman sues Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg for defamation George Zimmerman is suing Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg and seeks a damages award of $265 million. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Chasten Buttigieg, husband to 2020 Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg, said that he has "been dealing with the likes of Rush Limbaugh my entire life"
The comments come after the longtime conservative radio host, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom during President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech, said that "despite all the great wokeness," Democrats and America are "not ready to elect a gay guy kissing his husband."
Chasten Buttigieg told ABC News that he had to deal with a "multitude of Rush Limbaugh's walking through the hallways of high school everyday," but that he is mostly worried about the "young people in this country watching the likes of the historic nature of this campaign."
More: Bloomberg attacked, Warren fights back, Sanders holds steady: How each candidate fared in a rowdy debate
More: George Zimmerman sues Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg for defamation, seeks $265 million
"Watching how they talk about it, watching how people react to it and treat it," he continued. "And they're wondering if this country is actually a safe place for them to be."
If Buttigieg won the Democratic nomination, he would be the first gay candidate to represent a major party in an election. He and Chasten, a former middle school teacher, have been married since 2018.
When discussing the issue during CNN's town hall on Tuesday, Pete Buttigieg took his previous comments about Limbaugh's statement one step further.
More: Donald Trump at Phoenix rally weighs in on Democratic debate, criticizes Michael Bloomberg
"The idea of the likes of Rush Limbaugh or Donald Trump lecturing anybody on family values?" the former mayor said. "Sorry, but one thing about my marriage is, it's never involved me having to send hush money to a porn star after cheating on my spouse with him or her."
My marriage has never involved me sending hush money to a porn star. I’m ready to have a debate with Donald Trump on family values. #CNNTownHall pic.twitter.com/ZVjpPjVUcb — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 19, 2020
Trump, as a then-Republican presidential candidate, and some of his top aides, work accused of trying to silence pornographic actress, Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had an extramarital affair with him years earlier.
Limbaugh said on his Monday show following blow-back from his comments on Buttigieg that Trump advised him "never to apologize" about them.


usatoday--2020-02-20--Live coverage: Donald Trump to rally supporters in key battleground state of Colorado

President Donald Trump will rally his supporters for the second day in a row on Thursday when his re-election campaign charges into the tough electoral terrain of Colorado .
Follow for updates .
President Donald Trump hasn ’ t even taken the stage for his Colorado rally , but Space Force is already in the news .
Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis , who met with the president aboard Air Force One , said in a statement that he urged Trump to make Colorado the permanent home of U.S. Space Command headquarters .
Polis , a Democrat , said noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple space-related installations .
Colorado Springs is also home to the U.S. Air Force Academy .
“ Colorado is the perfect home for Space Command and I was excited to have the opportunity to remind President Trump why that ’ s true , ” Polis said in a statement .
Space Force , which Trump launched last year , generally wins large applause lines at Trump ’ s rallies .
“ I have achieved more than I promised , ” Trump told a rally crowd last month in New Jersey .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we got Space Force !
” Air Force One touched down at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs shortly 5 p.m. EST .
He had a meeting on board the plane with Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis before getting into his motorcade , the White House said .
The rally is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. EST Trump engaged in a little debate talk with supporters who greeted him at the airport .
The president asked one of the assembled supporters how he thought New York Michael Bloomberg did in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sir !
” another one shouted .
President Donald Trump ’ s campaign has added another rally to his schedule : A South Carolina event that will take place on the eve of that state ’ s primary election .
Underscoring the it ’ s-getting-real nature of the president ’ s election-year schedule , Trump scheduled three rallies this week : The Colorado event for tonight , a Phoenix rally that took place Wednesday and Las Vegas for Friday .
He now has booked a rally in North Charleston , South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ N.C. , on the night before Super Tuesday .
Trump was last in the Palmetto State for a criminal justice reform event in October -- and he last took a rally stage there in 2018 .
Before departing for Colorado , President Donald Trump spoke to a prisoner graduation ceremony in Las Vegas – and signaled he would not immediately pardon his friend and longtime ally Roger Stone .
“ I ’ m going to watch the process , I ’ m going to watch it very closely , ” Trump said hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison for lying to Congress and obstructing the Russia investigation .
“ And at some point I will make a determination , ” Trump said .
Trump said that “ everybody has to be treated fairly .
And this has not been a fair process . ''
The president ’ s past remarks on Stone – and his recent tweets – have added to speculation that a pardon is in the works .
Trump is on a campaign swing in western states this week .
Thousands of supporters , many in red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the near-freezing temperature for the Colorado Springs rally to begin .
A large screen played campaign advertisements and videos telling his supporters that only Trump can be trusted to make the right decisions for Americans .
Scattered chants of “ lock her up ” and “ four more years ” broke out periodically in the hours before the president arrived , and dozens of merchants sold flags , stickers and knit Trump hats as a “ voter registration strike force ” circulated , clipboards in hand .
Attendees said they came to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strengthening our economy and borders , and supporting the military , a popular cause in this city home to Fort Carson , the Cheyenne Mountain doomsday facility , and Peterson and Schriever Air Force bases .
“ The economy , for sure , and security and the border , too , ” said Kathy Hodge , 59 , a civilian security guard at one of the bases , of her support for the president .
“ But jobs , jobs and jobs.
” A video repeatedly reminded attendees that as a private event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that anyone who interrupts the president should be surrounded by supporters yelling “ Trump , Trump , Trump.
” Many attendees rejected the idea that Republicans and the president are racist , instead arguing that political correctness has just gone too far .
“ I don ’ t care about the rhetoric .
He ’ s doing what I put my confidence in , ” said Rick Bowhay , 61 .
“ I think it ’ s time for Americans to stand up and not take this pablum , puking political correctness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I am proud of my heritage and my country.
” Bowhay , who is unemployed and living in a nearby shelter , said he attended the rally to show support for the president ’ s actions .
He said thought it was important for conservatives like him to show their support for the president at a time when he believes Democrats are trying to buy votes from African-Americans by talking about offering reparations for the country ‘ s history of slavery .
“ I was all for equality until the Democrats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to pay them back .
It ’ s just all about the votes , ” he said .
” They ’ re trying to flip the script so that we become dependent on the government .
And this country was founded on freedom.
” WASHINGTON – President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will speak at a “ Keep America Great ” rally in Colorado Springs , the home turf of evangelical Christians who make up an important part of his political base .
The rally starts at 7 p.m .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado Springs may be friendly territory for Trump , but the state is expected to once again be an important battleground in this year ’ s presidential contest .
Trump lost Colorado to Democrat Hillary Clinton by 5 percentage points in 2016 .
Trump tales : From the Chicago cop to the crying businessman , Trump ’ s anecdotes often change with each telling Trump will be joined on stage by Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner , a Republican who is facing a difficult re-election .
Gardner voted to acquit Trump after his Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision that earned him kudos from Trump but one that Democrats will use to throttle him in his upcoming race .
The Colorado Springs rally comes on the third day of a four-day swing through western states in which Trump is mixing campaign stops with official White House events .
Trump tried to steal the spotlight Wednesday by staging a rally in Phoenix at the same time Democrats seeking their party ’ s presidential nomination were debating in Las Vegas .
He has scheduled another rally for Friday in Las Vegas on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What happens in Vegas ... : Bloomberg attacked , Warren fights back , Sanders holds steady : How each candidate fared in a rowdy debate

Trevor Hughes, David Jackson, John Fritze and Michael Collins, USA TODAY

Donald Trump bashes Brad Pitt, Joe Biden and polls during Colorado rally
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump blasts Academy Awards for awarding 'Parasite' best picture Trump criticized the Academy Awards for choosing a foreign language film as best picture during a speech in Colorado Springs. USA TODAY, Storyful
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump delivered a mostly standard stump speech during a rally in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Thursday night – though he deviated in a few key respects.
Speaking before a cheering crowd at Broadmoor World Arena, the president touted the robust U.S. economy, slammed the state for its immigration policies and touted the trade deals he has signed with Mexico, Canada and several other countries.
Trump is on a four-day swing of western states, scooping up campaign cash and holding a nightly rally.
Trump offered the crowd in Colorado a few new lines:
He went after the Oscars, questioning why the Academy gave its Best Picture award to "Parasite," a South Korean film. He also fired back at actor Brad Pitt, calling him a “little wise guy” for an acceptance speech in which he joked about the Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate.
Trump repeatedly suggested that Colorado, which Hillary Clinton won in 2016, was not only in play but that Republicans would win the state in a “landslide.” Colorado has gone Democratic in the last three presidential elections. Still, Trump campaign aides believe they have a decent shot there, depending on the Democratic nominee.
Finally, the president used his rally to expand on his criticism of the Democratic presidential debate that took place the night before. He trained most of his first on former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who he described as “mini Mike” asserted that he was ”not doing well.”
The rally weighed in at 98 minutes.
-- John Fritze
Trump: Easy to be presidential
President Donald Trump went off on his standard riff about being presidential – but added a new twist: His suit jacket.
“It’s easy to be presidential,” Trump said, drawing a comparison between his unconventional approach to the White House with his predecessors.
“Never open your jacket!”
Trump buttoned his suit jacket and walked stiffy around on the stage in Colorado as the crowd cheered. The president added, as he often does, that if he acted presidential no one would listen to him because they’d be bored.
“It’s great to be with the people of Colorado,” Trump said in a mock politician’s voice. “Thank you, everybody. Good night.”
-- John Fritze
Trump: 'It looks like Bernie, doesn't it?'
It sounded like President Donald Trump predicted Thursday he will face off against Bernie Sanders in the general election this fall.
"It looks like Bernie, doesn't it?" Trump said at one point during his rally in Colorado Springs, Colo. "Crazy Bernie."
This could be wishful thinking on the president's part. Trump and aides have said they would love to run against Sanders, believing his "socialist agenda" would be easy to defeat.
Sanders and his backers say Trump should be careful what he wishes for. They argue that Sanders' support among young people, combined with the Democratic desire to defeat Trump, will pave the way to victory.
– David Jackson
How polls work: The science behind gathering voter opinions The news cycle is jampacked with polls. But have you ever wondered how polls actually work and what they mean? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Trump touts Cory Gardner on stage
President Donald Trump brought several guests on stage during his rally, including incumbent Republican Sen. Cory Gardner. Gardner is facing a tough reelection campaign in the state this year, but the audience wouldn’t know it from his remarks.
“We are going to win. We are going to win because we believe in Colorado,” Gardner said.
Gardner used his stage time to take a swing at Sen. Bernie Sanders, the presumptive front runner for the Democratic presidential nomination. Though Trump often feigns sympathy for Sanders and the insider forces within the Democratic Party he claims are attempting to “steal” the nomination from the Vermont Senator.
Gardner took a different approach, telling the crowd that a “dangerous” shift in politics happened in 2016 when Sanders ushered in the “normalization of socialism.”
-- John Fritze
Protesters removed from rally
The crowd chanted “four more years” as Trump walked away from the podium while protesters were being removed from the stadium.
According to reporters in the stadium, seven protesters chanted “lock him up.”
“That was quick, that was quick,” Trump stated after they were removed, raising his eyebrows in their direction.
Seven protesters began chanting "lock him up" during Trump's rally here in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
They were quickly & peacefully escorted out by campaign security — Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) February 21, 2020
“She goes home to mom,” he joked. “Her mother’s a big supporter. She’ll ask, 'Was that you in that big stadium?'”
“She’ll have trouble at home with mom and dad,” he continued.
Earlier in the night, Trump alluded that it was unsafe for protestors at his rallies.
- Savannah Behrmann
Trump: 'Don't believe polls' (he's behind in many of them)
President Donald Trump is confident he will win re-election, though many polls show him even with – and in some cases losing to – most of his potential Democratic challengers.
Trump's solution to that is simple.
"Don't believe polls," he told supporters at his rally in Colorado Springs.
At least the ones that show him trailing.
Earlier in the evening, Trump recited poll after poll that showed him winning the Republican presidential debates back in 2016.
Current polls that show him trailing in states like Colorado are to be discounted, Trump said.
"We're leading," he said.
– David Jackson
Trump attacks news media - including Fox
As usual, President Donald Trump attacked the news media during his rally in Colorado Springs.
Less usual: He attacked Fox News.
"Fox doesn't treat us the way they used to," Trump told the crowd.
While Trump praised individual Fox hosts like Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson, he spent a lot of time at the Colorado Springs rally attacking a Fox News segment in which a commentator criticized his debate performances back in 2016.
"I won every one of them," Trump said in defending his debate performances.
While he used to describe Fox as his favorite news network, Trump has increasingly attacked the network in recent months - on Twitter.
It's rare to hear him attack Fox - at length - at a rally.
"Again," he said, "it's not the same."
Fox pushed back on Trump’s criticisms, particularly his criticism of business anchor Neil Cavuto.
Cavuto “is a fair person, a fair guy,” said Fox Business Network host Trish Regan.
- David Jackson
Trump slams Oscars, Brad Pitt
President Donald Trump, a former reality star who often talks about lackluster television ratings, took a jab at the big screen on Thursday in a new line of attack against the Oscars.
“How bad were the Academy Awards?!” Trump said to applause from supporters at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The president’s complaint: The fact that Parasite, a South Korean black comedy thriller, was selected for Best Picture. Trump said the Academy should have chosen an American film, instead.
“We’ve got enough problems with South Korea,” Trump said, citing trade disputes with Seoul. Trump signed a new trade agreement with South Korea in 2018, but has frequently said the country needs to do more to reimburse Washington for the huge presence of U.S. military along the border with North Korea.
Trump didn’t hold his tongue on individual actors, either. He went after Brad Pitt in particular, who won best supporting actor this year for his role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. During his acceptance speech, Pitt cracked a joke about the president’s impeachment trial.
"They told me I only have 45 seconds up here, which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week," said Pitt, referencing the former national security adviser who was not allowed to testify by the Senate during the proceedings that acquitted Trump.
Trump responded Thursday by describing Pitt as a “little wise guy.”
-- John Fritze
Trump slams performance of Democrats during debate
President Trump touched on Wednesday’s feisty Democratic debate during his rally Thursday.
He demeaned “Mini Mike” Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York, for “not doing well.”
“I was going to send him a note saying, ‘It’s not easy doing what I do, is it?’”
Bloomberg was pressed hard by his 2020 Democratic rivals over his fortune, past comments about women, and the stop-and-frisk policy in New York.
"I'd like to talk about who we’re running against," Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren quipped at one point Wednesday. "A billionaire who calls women 'fat broads' and 'horse-faced lesbians,' and no, I’m not talking about Donald Trump. I’m talking about Mayor Bloomberg."
Trump continued to rail against Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, declaring that she “choked” on the debate stage. The president continued to mimic her choking at the podium.
“She couldn’t breathe!” Trump acted out, continuing to rail against her for a tense moment with former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
The strained exchange between Buttigieg and Klobuchar was in response to a question about Klobuchar’s failure to recall the name of the president of Mexico in a previous interview. She demurred it as “momentary forgetfulness” during Wednesday’s debate.
Buttigieg pushed back that Klobuchar was “staking” her candidacy on “Washington experience” and it was wrong for her to forget the name when she is “literally in the part of the committee that’s overseeing these things.”
Klobuchar defended herself, asking Buttigieg if he had called her dumb.
“Who would say something like that?” Trump puzzled about the exchange, continuing that he thought that moment was “the end of her campaign, in my book.”
--Savannah Behrmann
Phoenix Trump rally attendees carry World War II veteran to his seat A 100-year-old World War II veteran was carried to his seat by two men at President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona. USA TODAY, Storyful
Landslide? Trump talks optimistically about Colorado, but it has been a Democratic state
President Donald Trump told supporters in Colorado Springs he will carry the Rocky Mountain state in November, but recent history says it will be an uphill battle.
Colorado has gone Democratic in the last three presidential elections, including Hillary Clinton's 5 point victory over Trump in 2016.
Still, Trump campaign aides believe they have a decent shot, depending on who the Democratic candidate is.
And Trump himself, of course, exuded nothing but confidence.
"We are going to win Colorado in a landslide," he told the cheering crowd.
- David Jackson
Trump honoring World War II vets at rally
For the second night in a row, President Donald Trump is using the opening moments of his rally to honor World War II veterans. Trump noted that this week marks the 75th anniversary of the battle for Iowa Jima.
“It was a rough one,” Trump said of the battle, before noting that three veterans of the fight were attending the rally.
During his rally in Arizona on Wednesday, Trump honored a 100-year-old Navy veteran of World War II who was carried to his seat ahead of the president’s remarks.
“I don’t know if he knows it but he’s, right now, the hottest celebrity in the world," Trump said. "He might even be hotter than Trump right now, I have to say."
On Feb. 19, 1945, U.S. Marines launched an amphibious invasion on Iwo Jima, Japan, kicking off one of the war's pivotal battles.
Trump took the stage at 7:25 p.m., a bit behind the scheduled start time. He started speaking two minutes later.
- John Fritze
Trump talks Space Force with Colorado governor
President Donald Trump hasn’t even taken the stage for his Colorado rally, but Space Force is already in the news.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who met with the president aboard Air Force One, said in a statement that he urged Trump to make Colorado the permanent home of U.S. Space Command headquarters.
Polis, a Democrat, said noted that the state is already home to multiple space-related installations. Colorado Springs is also home to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
“Colorado is the perfect home for Space Command and I was excited to have the opportunity to remind President Trump why that’s true,” Polis said in a statement.
Space Force, which Trump launched last year, generally wins large applause lines at Trump’s rallies.
“I have achieved more than I promised,” Trump told a rally crowd last month in New Jersey. “I never told you about Space Force; we got Space Force!”
-- John Fritze and Trevor Hughes
Trump touches down in Colorado
Air Force One touched down at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs shortly 5 p.m. EST. He had a meeting on board the plane with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis before getting into his motorcade, the White House said.
The rally is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. EST
Trump engaged in a little debate talk with supporters who greeted him at the airport.
The president asked one of the assembled supporters how he thought New York Michael Bloomberg did in the debate.
“It wasn’t pretty,” Trump said.
“You won that debate, sir!” another one shouted.
-- David Jackson and John Fritze
Trump adds South Carolina rally to packed schedule
President Donald Trump’s campaign has added another rally to his schedule: A South Carolina event that will take place on the eve of that state’s primary election.
Underscoring the it’s-getting-real nature of the president’s election-year schedule, Trump scheduled three rallies this week: The Colorado event for tonight, a Phoenix rally that took place Wednesday and Las Vegas for Friday.
He now has booked a rally in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Feb. 28 and Charlotte, N.C., on the night before Super Tuesday.
Trump was last in the Palmetto State for a criminal justice reform event in October -- and he last took a rally stage there in 2018.
- John Fritze
Trump talks Stone ahead of rally
Before departing for Colorado, President Donald Trump spoke to a prisoner graduation ceremony in Las Vegas – and signaled he would not immediately pardon his friend and longtime ally Roger Stone.
“I’m going to watch the process, I’m going to watch it very closely,” Trump said hours after Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison for lying to Congress and obstructing the Russia investigation.
“And at some point I will make a determination,” Trump said.
Trump said that “everybody has to be treated fairly. And this has not been a fair process."
The president’s past remarks on Stone – and his recent tweets – have added to speculation that a pardon is in the works. Trump is on a campaign swing in western states this week.
“I’d love to see Roger Stone exonerated,” Trump added.
- John Fritze and Michael Collins
Huge crowd lines up in near-freezing temps
Thousands of supporters, many in red Trump-branded shirts or hats, waited in the near-freezing temperature for the Colorado Springs rally to begin. A large screen played campaign advertisements and videos telling his supporters that only Trump can be trusted to make the right decisions for Americans.
Scattered chants of “lock her up” and “four more years” broke out periodically in the hours before the president arrived, and dozens of merchants sold flags, stickers and knit Trump hats as a “voter registration strike force” circulated, clipboards in hand.
Attendees said they came to pay respects to the president they credit with strengthening our economy and borders, and supporting the military, a popular cause in this city home to Fort Carson, the Cheyenne Mountain doomsday facility, and Peterson and Schriever Air Force bases.
“The economy, for sure, and security and the border, too,” said Kathy Hodge, 59, a civilian security guard at one of the bases, of her support for the president. “But jobs, jobs and jobs.”
A video repeatedly reminded attendees that as a private event, protesters are not allowed inside, and that anyone who interrupts the president should be surrounded by supporters yelling “Trump, Trump, Trump.”
Many attendees rejected the idea that Republicans and the president are racist, instead arguing that political correctness has just gone too far.
“I don’t care about the rhetoric. He’s doing what I put my confidence in,” said Rick Bowhay, 61. “I think it’s time for Americans to stand up and not take this pablum, puking political correctness they keep trying to slide us into. I am proud of my heritage and my country.”
Bowhay, who is unemployed and living in a nearby shelter, said he attended the rally to show support for the president’s actions. He said thought it was important for conservatives like him to show their support for the president at a time when he believes Democrats are trying to buy votes from African-Americans by talking about offering reparations for the country‘s history of slavery.
“I was all for equality until the Democrats and the socialists came to me and said we have to pay them back. It’s just all about the votes,” he said. ”They’re trying to flip the script so that we become dependent on the government. And this country was founded on freedom.”
- Trevor Hughes
Trump headed to Colorado
WASHINGTON – President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will speak at a “Keep America Great” rally in Colorado Springs, the home turf of evangelical Christians who make up an important part of his political base. The rally starts at 7 p.m. ET at the Broadmoor World Arena.
Colorado Springs may be friendly territory for Trump, but the state is expected to once again be an important battleground in this year’s presidential contest. Trump lost Colorado to Democrat Hillary Clinton by 5 percentage points in 2016.
Trump tales: From the Chicago cop to the crying businessman, Trump’s anecdotes often change with each telling
Trump will be joined on stage by Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, a Republican who is facing a difficult re-election. Gardner voted to acquit Trump after his Senate impeachment trial earlier this month, a decision that earned him kudos from Trump but one that Democrats will use to throttle him in his upcoming race.
The Colorado Springs rally comes on the third day of a four-day swing through western states in which Trump is mixing campaign stops with official White House events.
Trump tried to steal the spotlight Wednesday by staging a rally in Phoenix at the same time Democrats seeking their party’s presidential nomination were debating in Las Vegas. He has scheduled another rally for Friday in Las Vegas on the eve of Nevada’s presidential caucuses.
What happens in Vegas...: Bloomberg attacked, Warren fights back, Sanders holds steady: How each candidate fared in a rowdy debate


usatoday--2020-02-20--What the Mike Bloomberg pile-on says about Bernie Sanders' frontrunner status in Nevada – and beyond

From the outset of Wednesday 's boxing match of a debate in Las Vegas , Democrats piled on Mike Bloomberg and never relented , forcing the billionaire former New York mayor to clumsily explain his controversial stop-and-frisk policy , history of sexual harassment complaints from women and the exorbitant amount of his own fortune he has pumped into his campaign .
Bloomberg had n't debated before television cameras in more than a decade , and it showed , lacking at times clear and assertive answers to questions that everyone knew were coming .
But as the newcomer to the stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Democratic presidential primary – both nationally and in the Nevada caucuses Saturday – skated by without the same level of attention from his peers .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who has built a double-digit lead nationally , according to some polls , walked away Wednesday largely unscathed .
He had to defend his brand of democratic socialism , explain his decision not to release all medical records and fight off accusations from former mayor Pete Buttigieg that he wants to `` burn this party down . ''
But it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and any pushback got lost under the onslaught of Bloomberg – who is n't even competing in Nevada .
More : Everybody came for Mike Bloomberg , and other top moments from the Democratic debate in Las Vegas It might say something about the state of the race .
With time running out to make a splash before the Nevada caucuses and Super Tuesday on March 3 , candidates were at their most combative , led by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who had her strongest debate performance yet .
But by focusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they seemed to acknowledge the current landscape : Sanders , with his army of young progressives , is n't going anywhere soon , and it 's the surging Bloomberg , who is eroding each of their support with massive television-advertising buys , whom they must knock down to have a shot .
Led by delegate-rich California and Texas , 14 states representing about 30 % of the Democratic electorate goes to the polls on Super Tuesday , when Bloomberg makes his appearance on ballots for the first time .
Unless someone from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nevada or South Carolina next week , the senator from Vermont has a chance to build a big lead in delegates that could be hard to overtake .
`` The contenders on the stage were taking the long game , and ironically taking the long game only after two small early contests , '' said David Paleologos , director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center .
`` They were anticipating that Bloomberg 's move in the national polling was going to translate to an acceleration into the Super Tuesday contests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at someone in Sanders likely to finish either first or second in every Super Tuesday state who could also win , at worst , the popular votes of three of the first four contests .
`` So it 's a fool 's errand to engage Sanders and his supporters right now , '' Paleologos said .
`` It 's a better strategic play to let Sanders and his momentum play itself out , hope he does n't get enough to win a majority and to play the cards they 're going to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' Medicare for All slows him down in Nevada caucuses Can anyone stop Sanders in Nevada ?
In Nevada Saturday , Sanders appears well-positioned to tighten his grip as the favorite , and unlike Iowa and New Hampshire , he could have a chance to produce his first sizable win .
The most recent poll in the state had Sanders up 7 points over his nearest rival .
“ I think the surprise would be if he doesn ’ t win by 10 points or so , ” said David Damore , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada , Las Vegas .
`` The question is how the other ones group down below , and does this winnow the field a little bit ? ''
He pointed to former Vice President Joe Biden , who once led polling in Nevada , as someone who needs to “ show something moving forward , ” likely a second-place finish at minimum .
“ It seemed that ( Wednesday ) they were certainly playing more to the Super Tuesday crowd , ” Damore said of the debate , “ knowing Nevada is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win , but let ’ s start thinking about what happens in early March .
I think the real fear is they all run out of money and Bloomberg is the only one left.
” Saturday is a particularly important test for the candidates because of Nevada 's diversity , led by a large population of Latino voters .
It would give Sanders even more steam heading into South Carolina , which has a heavily African American Democratic electorate and where some polling has shown Sanders suddenly statistically tied with Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It would be more predictive in both the primaries and the national election of how they will fare in the rest of the U.S. , '' said Robert Lang , a professor of public policy at UNLV .
He pointed to the diversity of Clark County , home of Las Vegas , where 75 % of the population lives .
`` This is a nice test to see how you would do in Phoenix , Denver , Atlanta , Dallas .
It 's kind of a mini-version of L.A. As far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first contest of the election . ''
`` Take the other two states and just discount them , '' Lang said of Iowa and New Hampshire .
`` They 're historically in the path of a president .
But I do n't think they have any reflection on the rest of the United States .
They 're just outliers – too small , too old , too white , too slow-growing . ''
Warren has gotten the highest marks from the debate , producing its most memorable moments with her attacks against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had women sign regarding sexual harassment abuse in the workplace .
“ I hope you heard what his defense was : ‘ I ’ ve been nice to some women , ’ ” Warren said , right after Bloomberg went over his record of employing and promoting women in business and city hall .
“ The mayor needs to stand on his record.
” In a perfectly executed punch , Warren started the debate saying : `` I 'd like to talk who we 're running against : A billionaire who calls women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no , I 'm not talking about Donald Trump .
I 'm talking about Mayor Bloomberg . ''
' A plan to fight back ' : How Elizabeth Warren stumbled in New Hampshire and her plan for 'the long haul' It was the version of Warren that resembled the `` fighter '' she regularly casts herself on the campaign trail .
During the debate , the campaign announced Warren had the single-best hour of fundraising to date .
She now needs the debate performance to translate to a late surge in Nevada – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar got in New Hampshire after her strong debate there .
But could Warren 's moment be too late ?
Unlike New Hampshire , Nevadans have already cast ballots through early voting .
Warren desperately needs a top-tier finish in Nevada to demonstrate momentum .
Klobuchar , the senator from Minnesota , engaged in multiple heated exchanges with Buttigieg , former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , that seemed to reveal some built-up hostility .
The two candidates are competing for the same middle lane of Democrats , and the rise of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Hampshire .
Buttigieg and Klobuchar both face challenges in Nevada because of the state 's more diverse electorate .
Neither have polled well among minority voters .
But both need to show traction there – and perhaps finish ahead of the other – to show they can compete as the primary starts to nationalize .
Buttigieg attacked Klobuchar Wednesday for not remembering the name of the president of Mexico and later criticized her Senate votes to make English the official language of the U.S. and to confirm President Donald Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quipping : `` I wish everyone was as perfect as you , Pete , '' Klobuchar said .
Biden looks to get into the top 2 Biden , who has faded in polls since his disappointing fourth-place finish in Iowa and fifth-place in New Hampshire , was the subject of few jabs from his opponents , a break from past debates .
Like his opponents , he also went straight at Bloomberg , whose rising numbers in polls nationally came at Biden 's expense .
`` In terms of who can beat Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an electability argument made by Bloomberg , `` NBC did a poll yesterday that says Joe Biden is best equipped to beat Donald Trump .
It said I can beat him those toss-up states , too , the states we have to win .
I 'm ahead by 8 points across the board . ''
More : Trump says Bloomberg took 'pounding ' at Democratic debate For Biden , Nevada and South Carolina present a moment of truth .
For months , his campaign has circled his support among minority voters as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina , in particular , as something of an early firewall .
If he ca n't win there , questions will mount about where exactly he can win .
If Wednesday 's debate proved anything it 's that the search for a Democrat who can compete with Sanders is as wide open as ever – especially when considering Bloomberg 's poor night .
Perhaps the most telling moment about the 2020 Democratic primary came near the end when all the candidates were asked whether the nominee with the most delegates should automatically be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority .
Five of the candidates said no , hinting at the long-drawn-out primary process and the reality that – not only might they fall short of the 1,991 delegates needed to secure the nomination – they might not finish first .
Only Sanders answered yes .
`` I think that the will of the people should prevail , yes , ” Sanders said .

What the Mike Bloomberg pile-on says about Bernie Sanders' frontrunner status in Nevada – and beyond
Show Caption Hide Caption Michael Bloomberg takes debate stage and brunt of attacks The Democratic Primary Debate in Las Vegas, Nevada featured former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg, who took the majority of attacks for the evening. USA TODAY
From the outset of Wednesday's boxing match of a debate in Las Vegas, Democrats piled on Mike Bloomberg and never relented, forcing the billionaire former New York mayor to clumsily explain his controversial stop-and-frisk policy, history of sexual harassment complaints from women and the exorbitant amount of his own fortune he has pumped into his campaign.
Bloomberg hadn't debated before television cameras in more than a decade, and it showed, lacking at times clear and assertive answers to questions that everyone knew were coming.
But as the newcomer to the stage endured blow after blow, the front-runner in the Democratic presidential primary – both nationally and in the Nevada caucuses Saturday – skated by without the same level of attention from his peers.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has built a double-digit lead nationally, according to some polls, walked away Wednesday largely unscathed. He had to defend his brand of democratic socialism, explain his decision not to release all medical records and fight off accusations from former mayor Pete Buttigieg that he wants to "burn this party down." But it was mostly a debate on his terms, and any pushback got lost under the onslaught of Bloomberg – who isn't even competing in Nevada.
More: Everybody came for Mike Bloomberg, and other top moments from the Democratic debate in Las Vegas
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It might say something about the state of the race.
With time running out to make a splash before the Nevada caucuses and Super Tuesday on March 3, candidates were at their most combative, led by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who had her strongest debate performance yet.
But by focusing more energy on Bloomberg over Sanders, they seemed to acknowledge the current landscape: Sanders, with his army of young progressives, isn't fading from frontrunner status anytime soon, and it's the surging Bloomberg, who is eroding each of their support with massive television-advertising buys, whom they must knock down to have a shot.
Nevada Democratic Caucus Results: Follow live updates from Nevada's caucuses
Led by delegate-rich California and Texas, 14 states representing about 30% of the Democratic electorate goes to the polls on Super Tuesday, when Bloomberg makes his appearance on ballots for the first time. Unless someone from the muddled field of non-Sanders candidates breaks out in Nevada or South Carolina next week, the senator from Vermont has a chance to build a big lead in delegates that could be hard to overtake.
"The contenders on the stage were taking the long game, and ironically taking the long game only after two small early contests," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center. "They were anticipating that Bloomberg's move in the national polling was going to translate to an acceleration into the Super Tuesday contests."
He said the candidates are staring at someone in Sanders likely to finish either first or second in every Super Tuesday state who could also win, at worst, the popular votes of three of the first four contests.
"So it's a fool's errand to engage Sanders and his supporters right now," Paleologos said. "It's a better strategic play to let Sanders and his momentum play itself out, hope he doesn't get enough to win a majority and to play the cards they're going to have."
More: 2020 rivals hope Bernie Sanders' Medicare for All slows him down in Nevada caucuses
Can anyone stop Sanders in Nevada?
In Nevada Saturday, Sanders appears well-positioned to tighten his grip as the favorite, and unlike Iowa and New Hampshire, he could have a chance to produce his first sizable win. The most recent poll in the state had Sanders up 7 points over his nearest rival.
“I think the surprise would be if he doesn’t win by 10 points or so,” said David Damore, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "The question is how the other ones group down below, and does this winnow the field a little bit?"
He pointed to former Vice President Joe Biden, who once led polling in Nevada, as someone who needs to “show something moving forward,” likely a second-place finish at minimum.
“It seemed that (Wednesday) they were certainly playing more to the Super Tuesday crowd,” Damore said of the debate, “knowing Nevada is going to happen, Sanders is probably going to win, but let’s start thinking about what happens in early March. I think the real fear is they all run out of money and Bloomberg is the only one left.”
Saturday is a particularly important test for the candidates because of Nevada's diversity, led by a large population of Latino voters. It would give Sanders even more steam heading into South Carolina, which has a heavily African American Democratic electorate and where some polling has shown Sanders suddenly statistically tied with Biden, who long held a commanding lead there.
"It would be more predictive in both the primaries and the national election of how they will fare in the rest of the U.S.," said Robert Lang, a professor of public policy at UNLV. He pointed to the diversity of Clark County, home of Las Vegas, where 75% of the population lives. "This is a nice test to see how you would do in Phoenix, Denver, Atlanta, Dallas. It's kind of a mini-version of L.A. As far as I'm concerned, it's the first contest of the election."
"Take the other two states and just discount them," Lang said of Iowa and New Hampshire. "They're historically in the path of a president. But I don't think they have any reflection on the rest of the United States. They're just outliers – too small, too old, too white, too slow-growing."
Warren jumps back into the spotlight
Warren has gotten the highest marks from the debate, producing its most memorable moments with her attacks against Bloomberg on stop-and-frisk and nondisclosure agreements he had women sign regarding sexual harassment abuse in the workplace.
“I hope you heard what his defense was: ‘I’ve been nice to some women,’” Warren said, right after Bloomberg went over his record of employing and promoting women in business and city hall. “The mayor needs to stand on his record.”
In a perfectly executed punch, Warren started the debate saying: "I'd like to talk who we're running against: A billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. And no, I'm not talking about Donald Trump. I'm talking about Mayor Bloomberg."
'A plan to fight back': How Elizabeth Warren stumbled in New Hampshire and her plan for 'the long haul'
It was the version of Warren that resembled the "fighter" she regularly casts herself on the campaign trail. During the debate, the campaign announced Warren had the single-best hour of fundraising to date. She now needs the debate performance to translate to a late surge in Nevada – the sort of bounce that Sen. Amy Klobuchar got in New Hampshire after her strong debate there.
But could Warren's moment be too late? Unlike New Hampshire, Nevadans have already cast ballots through early voting. Warren desperately needs a top-tier finish in Nevada to demonstrate momentum.
Klobuchar, the senator from Minnesota, engaged in multiple heated exchanges with Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, that seemed to reveal some built-up hostility. The two candidates are competing for the same middle lane of Democrats, and the rise of Klobuchar might have cost Buttigieg a win in New Hampshire.
Buttigieg and Klobuchar both face challenges in Nevada because of the state's more diverse electorate. Neither have polled well among minority voters. But both need to show traction there – and perhaps finish ahead of the other – to show they can compete as the primary starts to nationalize.
Buttigieg attacked Klobuchar Wednesday for not remembering the name of the president of Mexico and later criticized her Senate votes to make English the official language of the U.S. and to confirm President Donald Trump's judicial nominees.
Klobuchar heard enough, quipping: "I wish everyone was as perfect as you, Pete," Klobuchar said.
Biden looks to get into the top 2
Biden, who has faded in polls since his disappointing fourth-place finish in Iowa and fifth-place in New Hampshire, was the subject of few jabs from his opponents, a break from past debates. Like his opponents, he also went straight at Bloomberg, whose rising numbers in polls nationally came at Biden's expense.
"In terms of who can beat Donald Trump," Biden said, responding to an electability argument made by Bloomberg, "NBC did a poll yesterday that says Joe Biden is best equipped to beat Donald Trump. It said I can beat him those toss-up states, too, the states we have to win. I'm ahead by 8 points across the board."
More: Trump says Bloomberg took 'pounding' at Democratic debate
For Biden, Nevada and South Carolina present a moment of truth. For months, his campaign has circled his support among minority voters as his greatest strength, setting up South Carolina, in particular, as something of an early firewall. If he can't win there, questions will mount about where exactly he can win.
If Wednesday's debate proved anything it's that the search for a Democrat who can compete with Sanders is as wide open as ever – especially when considering Bloomberg's poor night.
Perhaps the most telling moment about the 2020 Democratic primary came near the end when all the candidates were asked whether the nominee with the most delegates should automatically be the nominee if no one gets a majority.
Five of the candidates said no, hinting at the long-drawn-out primary process and the reality that – not only might they fall short of the 1,991 delegates needed to secure the nomination – they might not finish first. Only Sanders answered yes.
"I think that the will of the people should prevail, yes,” Sanders said.
Reach Joey Garrison and on Twitter @joeygarrison.


usatoday--2020-02-20--Trump signals no imminent pardon for Roger Stone but questions whether trial was 'tainted'

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Thursday he will not immediately pardon longtime friend and ally Roger Stone but will instead “ let the process play out ” in the courts .
“ I ’ m going to watch the process , I ’ m going to watch it very closely , ” Trump said at an event in Las Vegas .
“ And at some point I will make a determination.
” The president said “ everybody has to be treated fairly .
And this has not been a fair process . ''
`` Roger has a really good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump said .
Trump 's remarks came hours after Stone was sentenced by a federal court to 40 months in prison and two years of probation , a stunning downfall for the longtime political consultant .
Stone was found guilty in November of lying to Congress and obstructing the Russia investigation .
The 67-year-old GOP operative was one of several Trump associates to be convicted in cases stemming from former special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into Russia 's interference in the 2016 presidential election .
Roger Stone : 'Truth still matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 years in prison for obstructing Congress ' Russia investigation Trump 's remarks in Las Vegas follow a public dispute with Attorney General William Barr over his previous statements about criminal cases .
Trump railed against the Justice Department for recommending Stone serve up to nine years , describing the initial recommendation as a `` miscarriage of justice . ''
Justice officials backed away from that tougher sentence .
That reaction has prompted an outcry from critics of the Trump administration who say the president is making inappropriate forays into criminal cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly gotten involved in the Stone case , has told associates he could resign over the president ’ s use of Twitter to weigh in on cases handled by federal prosecutors .
“ I ’ d love to see Roger Stone exonerated , and I would love to see it happen because I personally think he was treated very unfairly , ” he said .
Trump suggested the jury that convicted Stone was tainted because the jury forewoman was “ an anti-Trump activist.
” “ She had a horrible social media account , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said on the account were unbelievable.
” “ How can you have a jury pool tainted so badly ?
” he asked .
“ It ’ s not fair.
” Tomeka Hart , a former school board member in Memphis who once ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for Tennessee ’ s 9th congressional district , had revealed on Facebook earlier that she had been the jury forewoman .
Hart defended the career prosecutors who recommended that Stone serve seven to nine years in prison .
“ I want to stand up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Marando , and Jonathan Kravis — the prosecutors on the Roger Stone trial , '' Hart wrote .
`` It pains me to see the DOJ now interfere with the hard work of the prosecutors .
They acted with the utmost intelligence , integrity , and respect for our system of justice .
”

Michael Collins and John Fritze, USA TODAY

Trump signals no imminent pardon for Roger Stone but questions whether trial was 'tainted'
Show Caption Hide Caption Roger Stone sentenced to 40 months in prison for obstructing Congress Roger Stone's sentence marks a downfall for the longtime political consultant who worked on political campaigns and reelection committees stretching back to Richard Nixon. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Thursday he will not immediately pardon longtime friend and ally Roger Stone but will instead “let the process play out” in the courts.
“I’m going to watch the process, I’m going to watch it very closely,” Trump said at an event in Las Vegas. “And at some point I will make a determination.”
The president said “everybody has to be treated fairly. And this has not been a fair process."
"Roger has a really good chance of exoneration in my opinion," Trump said.
Trump's remarks came hours after Stone was sentenced by a federal court to 40 months in prison and two years of probation, a stunning downfall for the longtime political consultant.
Stone was found guilty in November of lying to Congress and obstructing the Russia investigation. The 67-year-old GOP operative was one of several Trump associates to be convicted in cases stemming from former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Roger Stone: 'Truth still matters': Judge sentences Roger Stone to 3 years in prison for obstructing Congress' Russia investigation
Trump's remarks in Las Vegas follow a public dispute with Attorney General William Barr over his previous statements about criminal cases. Trump railed against the Justice Department for recommending Stone serve up to nine years, describing the initial recommendation as a "miscarriage of justice." Justice officials backed away from that tougher sentence.
That reaction has prompted an outcry from critics of the Trump administration who say the president is making inappropriate forays into criminal cases.
Barr, who said Trump had not directly gotten involved in the Stone case, has told associates he could resign over the president’s use of Twitter to weigh in on cases handled by federal prosecutors.
Trump called Stone “a smart guy” and “a good person.”
“I’d love to see Roger Stone exonerated, and I would love to see it happen because I personally think he was treated very unfairly,” he said.
Trump suggested the jury that convicted Stone was tainted because the jury forewoman was “an anti-Trump activist.”
“She had a horrible social media account,” he said. “The things she said on the account were unbelievable.”
“How can you have a jury pool tainted so badly?” he asked. “It’s not fair.”
Tomeka Hart, a former school board member in Memphis who once ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for Tennessee’s 9th congressional district, had revealed on Facebook earlier that she had been the jury forewoman.
Hart defended the career prosecutors who recommended that Stone serve seven to nine years in prison.
“I want to stand up for Aaron Zelinsky, Adam Jed, Michael Marando, and Jonathan Kravis — the prosecutors on the Roger Stone trial," Hart wrote. "It pains me to see the DOJ now interfere with the hard work of the prosecutors. They acted with the utmost intelligence, integrity, and respect for our system of justice.”
Contributing: Kristine Phillips
Uncertainty: 'Angst, anger and disappointment': Roger Stone intervention stokes uncertainty across federal justice system