talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-16--Conway: Bloomberg’s Alleged Sexist Remarks ‘Far Worse’ Than Trump’s

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway argued that President Trump ’ s infamous Access Hollywood tape shouldn ’ t be compared to Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg ’ s alleged sexist remarks towards his female employees .
During a Sunday morning interview with Fox News ’ Chris Wallace , Conway was asked if in the event Trump and Bloomberg face off in the general presidential election , could he make an issue of Bloomberg ’ s sexist remark allegations given how he has his “ own long history of sexist comments.
” “ It should be an issue here and now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You don ’ t have to wait for an election to be offended by the fact that Michael Bloomberg.
” Wallace then asked if it ’ s “ fair game for President Trump when he ’ s made sexist comments too.
” Conway quickly replied “ oh , please ” before touting how she ’ s been working for Trump for four years and “ he ’ s the best boss I ’ ve ever had.
” Wallace went on to point out that “ there are plenty women who would say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before asking Conway if the allegations against the former New York City mayor are “ any worse than the Access Hollywood tapes ” that features Trump saying “ grab ’ em by the pussy.
” “ It ’ s far worse — oh my goodness it ’ s far worse , ” Conway said .
“ By the way , that was fully litigated .
That happened in October 7 — he won a month later.
” After Wallace said “ that doesn ’ t mean it ’ s not an issue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to do that , you know what , I ’ ll take that on anytime.
” “ I ’ ll take a leave of absence from the White House and talk all day long about that stuff , ” Conway said .
“ The way Michael Bloomberg treated female employees who were under his wing , who were relying on him for their livelihood , for their health benefits , for their 401ks , to have created that kind of culture , that unsafe workplace , to feel like you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gender , that is problematic .
”

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway argued that President Trump’s infamous Access Hollywood tape shouldn’t be compared to Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg’s alleged sexist remarks towards his female employees.
During a Sunday morning interview with Fox News’ Chris Wallace, Conway was asked if in the event Trump and Bloomberg face off in the general presidential election, could he make an issue of Bloomberg’s sexist remark allegations given how he has his “own long history of sexist comments.”
“It should be an issue here and now today,” Conway said. “You don’t have to wait for an election to be offended by the fact that Michael Bloomberg.”
Wallace then asked if it’s “fair game for President Trump when he’s made sexist comments too.”
Conway quickly replied “oh, please” before touting how she’s been working for Trump for four years and “he’s the best boss I’ve ever had.”
Wallace went on to point out that “there are plenty women who would say the same thing about Michael Bloomberg,” before asking Conway if the allegations against the former New York City mayor are “any worse than the Access Hollywood tapes” that features Trump saying “grab ’em by the pussy.”
“It’s far worse — oh my goodness it’s far worse,” Conway said. “By the way, that was fully litigated. That happened in October 7 — he won a month later.”
After Wallace said “that doesn’t mean it’s not an issue,” Conway sarcastically replied “if you’re going to do that, you know what, I’ll take that on anytime.”
“I’ll take a leave of absence from the White House and talk all day long about that stuff,” Conway said. “The way Michael Bloomberg treated female employees who were under his wing, who were relying on him for their livelihood, for their health benefits, for their 401ks, to have created that kind of culture, that unsafe workplace, to feel like you’re being harassed because of your gender, that is problematic.”
Watch Conway’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-16--Kennedy Revises Impeachable Offense Stance: ‘It Depends On Why He Asked For It’

Sen. John Kennedy ( R-LA ) has revised his stance on what constitutes an impeachable offense for the President during an appearance on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation ” Sunday morning .
When asked by CBS ’ Margaret Brennan whether he stood by his statement on the show last November that it would be an impeachable offense if the President asked for an investigation of a political rival , Kennedy responded that “ it depends on why he asked for it.
” “ I think what I said at the time was that if a president asked for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a political rival , that would be wrong , ” Kennedy said .
Brennan then pointed out President Trump ’ s recent appearance on Geraldo Rivera ’ s program this week where he confirmed that he directed Rudy Giuliani to go to Ukraine , and how Giuliani himself has said that he went to Ukraine to investigate the Bidens .
“ Well , but you have to ask why , ” Kennedy said .
When asked by Brennan if that description from the President meets his standard , Kennedy reiterated that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president asked for investigation of Joe Biden and his son and Burisma .
He didn ’ t get Joe Biden ’ s name out of the phone book .
He didn ’ t ask for an investigation of Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren , ” Kennedy said .
“ Four words why the president asked for an investigation : Hunter Biden and Burisma.
” Kennedy then continued railing against the Bidens before Brennan pressed him again about his impeachable offense standard .
“ There ’ s nothing wrong with a president asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy said .

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) has revised his stance on what constitutes an impeachable offense for the President during an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday morning.
When asked by CBS’ Margaret Brennan whether he stood by his statement on the show last November that it would be an impeachable offense if the President asked for an investigation of a political rival, Kennedy responded that “it depends on why he asked for it.”
“I think what I said at the time was that if a president asked for an investigation of a political rival because he is a political rival, that would be wrong,” Kennedy said.
Brennan then pointed out President Trump’s recent appearance on Geraldo Rivera’s program this week where he confirmed that he directed Rudy Giuliani to go to Ukraine, and how Giuliani himself has said that he went to Ukraine to investigate the Bidens.
“Well, but you have to ask why,” Kennedy said.
When asked by Brennan if that description from the President meets his standard, Kennedy reiterated that “you have to ask why.”
“The president asked for investigation of Joe Biden and his son and Burisma. He didn’t get Joe Biden’s name out of the phone book. He didn’t ask for an investigation of Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren,” Kennedy said. “Four words why the president asked for an investigation: Hunter Biden and Burisma.”
Kennedy then continued railing against the Bidens before Brennan pressed him again about his impeachable offense standard.
“There’s nothing wrong with a president asking for an investigation of corruption,” Kennedy said.
Watch Kennedy’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-16--Conway Won’t Say Trump Will Respect Barr’s Request To Stop Commenting On Cases

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway wouldn ’ t give a straightforward answer when asked by Fox News ’ Chris Wallace in a Sunday morning interview whether President Trump will respect Attorney General Bill Barr ’ s request for him to stop commenting on current cases .
During an interview with ABC News Thursday , Barr said Trump ’ s tweets make it “ impossible ” for him to do his job and called it “ preposterous ” to suggest that he “ intervened ” in Roger Stone ’ s sentencing matter .
Conway told Wallace that “ it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ask your attorney general to do something in a criminal case.
” “ The President hasn ’ t done that , ” Conway said .
“ He said he hasn ’ t done it , Barr says he hasn ’ t done it — he hasn ’ t done it .
That ’ s incredibly important.
” Conway then argued that “ it ’ s not correct to say that presidents have not interfered ” and added that “ Bill Clinton pardoned a relative.
” After Wallace pointed out that pardoning is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process has been completed , Conway continued plowing through her critique of former presidents , citing Barack Obama speaking up in the Freddie Gray case in Baltimore and George H.W .
Bush commenting on the Rodney King case in Los Angeles .
“ It ’ s disingenuous to say that presidents don ’ t comment on criminal matters , ” Conway said .
“ What is most important here , two things : one is the president of the United states has not asked or directed his attorney general privately to do thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Number two , he works hand in glove with the attorney general , as we are all a privileged to do on a number of matters that affect this country.
” When Wallace told Conway that “ policy is different than criminal cases , ” Conway quickly cut in to say that the “ attorney general and the Department of Justice cover a lot of territory in this country , Chris , and we work very well with them .
”

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway wouldn’t give a straightforward answer when asked by Fox News’ Chris Wallace in a Sunday morning interview whether President Trump will respect Attorney General Bill Barr’s request for him to stop commenting on current cases.
During an interview with ABC News Thursday, Barr said Trump’s tweets make it “impossible” for him to do his job and called it “preposterous” to suggest that he “intervened” in Roger Stone’s sentencing matter.
Conway told Wallace that “it’s very different to pick up the phone and ask your attorney general to do something in a criminal case.”
“The President hasn’t done that,” Conway said. “He said he hasn’t done it, Barr says he hasn’t done it — he hasn’t done it. That’s incredibly important.”
Conway then argued that “it’s not correct to say that presidents have not interfered” and added that “Bill Clinton pardoned a relative.”
After Wallace pointed out that pardoning is different since it happens after the criminal process has been completed, Conway continued plowing through her critique of former presidents, citing Barack Obama speaking up in the Freddie Gray case in Baltimore and George H.W. Bush commenting on the Rodney King case in Los Angeles.
“It’s disingenuous to say that presidents don’t comment on criminal matters,” Conway said. “What is most important here, two things: one is the president of the United states has not asked or directed his attorney general privately to do thing in any criminal matter including Roger Stone. Number two, he works hand in glove with the attorney general, as we are all a privileged to do on a number of matters that affect this country.”
When Wallace told Conway that “policy is different than criminal cases,” Conway quickly cut in to say that the “attorney general and the Department of Justice cover a lot of territory in this country, Chris, and we work very well with them.”
Watch Conway’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-16--Biden Says He’s ‘Disappointed’ Over How Friendship With Graham Changed

Former Vice President Joe Biden lamented that his friendship with Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) has changed during the Trump administration during an interview on “ Meet The Press ” Sunday morning .
When asked by MSNBC ’ s Chuck Todd about his friendship with Graham , Biden said that despite how he “ went out of my way for Lindsey , ” he was stunned over how he failed to respond to President Trump ’ s attacks against John McCain .
“ We were friends .
He was honorable .
He was decent .
And it just stunned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attacks on John that were made by this President so viciously , ” Biden said .
“ He — and the way he , well I shouldn ’ t — hurt the family.
” Biden then added that he ’ s “ not surprised ” by Graham not acting on Trump ’ s attacks against McCain , but that he ’ s “ disappointed ” given how he was friends with his wife Jill and sons Beau and Hunter .
When Todd asked Biden if he ’ d be willing to talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he won the presidency , the former Vice President said that he ’ d be “ willing ” and that he “ wants to know.
” “ You want to know why he did it ?
So you ’ ll take that phone call , if he ’ ll ever , if he ’ ll ever give you that phone call ?
” Todd asked .

Former Vice President Joe Biden lamented that his friendship with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has changed during the Trump administration during an interview on “Meet The Press” Sunday morning.
When asked by MSNBC’s Chuck Todd about his friendship with Graham, Biden said that despite how he “went out of my way for Lindsey,” he was stunned over how he failed to respond to President Trump’s attacks against John McCain.
“We were friends. He was honorable. He was decent. And it just stunned me that he did not respond to the attacks on John that were made by this President so viciously,” Biden said. “He — and the way he, well I shouldn’t — hurt the family.”
Biden then added that he’s “not surprised” by Graham not acting on Trump’s attacks against McCain, but that he’s “disappointed” given how he was friends with his wife Jill and sons Beau and Hunter.
When Todd asked Biden if he’d be willing to talk to Graham about repairing their friendship if he won the presidency, the former Vice President said that he’d be “willing” and that he “wants to know.”
“You want to know why he did it? So you’ll take that phone call, if he’ll ever, if he’ll ever give you that phone call?” Todd asked.
“Yes, I would,” Biden said.
Watch Biden’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-16--Pence Aide: Barr Has ‘A Lot Of Confidence’ Inside WH After Criticizing Trump’s Tweets

Marc Short , chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence , insists that the White House still has confidence in Attorney General Bill Barr even after he told ABC News Thursday that President Trump ’ s tweets make it “ impossible ” for him to do his job .
Barr said during his interview with ABC News Thursday that he thinks “ it ’ s time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases , ” which includes Trump ’ s tweet congratulating Barr for “ taking charge ” of Roger Stone ’ s case after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its prosecutors ’ original sentencing recommendation of seven to nine years in prison .
Barr then denied that he was compelled to reduce Stone ’ s sentencing recommendation from the President ’ s social media statements .
When asked why Barr felt the need to criticize Trump ’ s tweets , Short responded that he doesn ’ t think the tweets make it impossible for Barr to do his job and that he maintains confidence within the White House .
“ In fact I think that the Attorney General Barr is doing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He has a lot of confidence inside the White House.
” Short went on to argue that “ the President ’ s frustration is one that a lot of the Americans have which feels like the scales of justice are not balanced anymore , ” citing Stone ’ s initial nine-year prison sentence and the “ lucrative ” contract of Andrew McCabe , whose leak case was dropped by the Justice Department Friday , at CNN .
When asked whether he thinks it ’ s unusual for the attorney general in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back off , Short reiterated that Barr has Trump ’ s support .
“ I ’ m not going to tell you it ’ s not unusual , but I think that he does enjoy the support of the President , and I think that again , the concern that we have is the sense is that we feel that the scales of justice are not the same , ” Short said .
“ What we have been seeing again and again is that the Department of Justice has been politicized and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that.
” Asked about his response to Trump not listening to Barr by tweeting about the Justice Department ’ s decision to not prosecute McCabe , Short said that the President ’ s ability to “ communicate directly to the American people through the social media outlet ” is “ one of the things that the people love about him .
”

Marc Short, chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence, insists that the White House still has confidence in Attorney General Bill Barr even after he told ABC News Thursday that President Trump’s tweets make it “impossible” for him to do his job.
Barr said during his interview with ABC News Thursday that he thinks “it’s time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases,” which includes Trump’s tweet congratulating Barr for “taking charge” of Roger Stone’s case after the Justice Department announced that it would lessen its prosecutors’ original sentencing recommendation of seven to nine years in prison. Barr then denied that he was compelled to reduce Stone’s sentencing recommendation from the President’s social media statements.
When asked why Barr felt the need to criticize Trump’s tweets, Short responded that he doesn’t think the tweets make it impossible for Barr to do his job and that he maintains confidence within the White House.
“In fact I think that the Attorney General Barr is doing a great job,” Short said. “He has a lot of confidence inside the White House.”
Short went on to argue that “the President’s frustration is one that a lot of the Americans have which feels like the scales of justice are not balanced anymore,” citing Stone’s initial nine-year prison sentence and the “lucrative” contract of Andrew McCabe, whose leak case was dropped by the Justice Department Friday, at CNN.
When asked whether he thinks it’s unusual for the attorney general in any administration to essentially tell the President to back off, Short reiterated that Barr has Trump’s support.
“I’m not going to tell you it’s not unusual, but I think that he does enjoy the support of the President, and I think that again, the concern that we have is the sense is that we feel that the scales of justice are not the same,” Short said. “What we have been seeing again and again is that the Department of Justice has been politicized and the Attorney General Barr is trying to correct that.”
Asked about his response to Trump not listening to Barr by tweeting about the Justice Department’s decision to not prosecute McCabe, Short said that the President’s ability to “communicate directly to the American people through the social media outlet” is “one of the things that the people love about him.”
Watch Short’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-16--Allegations Of Stunningly Misogynistic Remarks Come Back To Haunt Bloomberg

2020 candidate Michael Bloomberg seems to have more in common with President Donald Trump than he ’ d like to admit .
On Saturday , the Washington Post published a 1997 lawsuit against Bloomberg and his company filed by Sekiko Sakai Garrison , a former salesperson , that revealed that the billionaire had made shockingly misogynistic comments to Garrison and other female employees .
In her lawsuit , Garrison alleged that when she told Bloomberg she was pregnant , he responded , “ Kill it !
” and said it again when she asked him to repeat himself .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly said , a complaint about how many employees had gotten pregnant .
A former employee for Bloomberg , David Zielenziger , confirmed Garrison ’ s account to the Post .
“ He talked kind of crudely about women all the time , ” Zielenziger said of his former boss .
Indeed , the lawsuit alleged that Bloomberg would say “ I ’ d fuck that in a second ” upon seeing certain women .
He allegedly told several female employees that “ all of you girls ” should “ line up ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was getting married “ as a wedding present.
” Garrison ’ s suit also alleged that Bloomberg had made a racist comment while chewing out a female employee who was struggling to find someone to help take care of her child .
“ It ’ s a fucking baby !
” he said , according to the lawsuit .
“ All you need is some black who doesn ’ t have to speak English to rescue it from a burning building.
” Bloomberg , who denied the accusations under oath , ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount .
The Post cited another lawsuit by former Bloomberg employee Mary Ann Olszewski , who sued Bloomberg LLP after a supervisor allegedly raped her .
According to her suit , there was a culture of “ sexual degradation of women ” at the company .
She alleged that Bloomberg would say “ I ’ d like to do that piece of meat ” about his employees .
After the Post published its report , Bloomberg claimed via Twitter that he has “ demonstrated ” throughout his career that he “ will always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workplace.
” Bloomberg ’ s campaign told the Post that the billionaire “ never tolerated any kind of discrimination or harassment ” at his company .

2020 candidate Michael Bloomberg seems to have more in common with President Donald Trump than he’d like to admit.
On Saturday, the Washington Post published a 1997 lawsuit against Bloomberg and his company filed by Sekiko Sakai Garrison, a former salesperson, that revealed that the billionaire had made shockingly misogynistic comments to Garrison and other female employees.
In her lawsuit, Garrison alleged that when she told Bloomberg she was pregnant, he responded, “Kill it!” and said it again when she asked him to repeat himself.
“Great! Number 16!” he allegedly said, a complaint about how many employees had gotten pregnant.
A former employee for Bloomberg, David Zielenziger, confirmed Garrison’s account to the Post.
“He talked kind of crudely about women all the time,” Zielenziger said of his former boss. Indeed, the lawsuit alleged that Bloomberg would say “I’d fuck that in a second” upon seeing certain women.
He allegedly told several female employees that “all of you girls” should “line up” to give oral sex to male coworker who was getting married “as a wedding present.”
Garrison’s suit also alleged that Bloomberg had made a racist comment while chewing out a female employee who was struggling to find someone to help take care of her child.
“It’s a fucking baby!” he said, according to the lawsuit. “All you need is some black who doesn’t have to speak English to rescue it from a burning building.”
Bloomberg, who denied the accusations under oath, ended up settling with Garrison for an undisclosed amount.
The Post cited another lawsuit by former Bloomberg employee Mary Ann Olszewski, who sued Bloomberg LLP after a supervisor allegedly raped her. According to her suit, there was a culture of “sexual degradation of women” at the company. She alleged that Bloomberg would say “I’d like to do that piece of meat” about his employees.
After the Post published its report, Bloomberg claimed via Twitter that he has “demonstrated” throughout his career that he “will always be a champion for women in the workplace.”
Bloomberg’s campaign told the Post that the billionaire “never tolerated any kind of discrimination or harassment” at his company.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-15--Ukrainian President To Trump: Please Stop Saying My Country Is Corrupt

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky would like President Donald Trump to lay off the trash talk , please .
During an interview with CNN correspondent Christine Amanpour on Saturday , Zelensky expressed dismay over Trump ’ s repeated claims that Ukraine is “ corrupt ” ; a claim that Trump invokes when defending his withholding of U.S. military aid to the Eastern European country .
“ That ’ s not true .
That ’ s not true , ” the Ukrainian president responded when Amanpour brought up Trump ’ s comments .
Zelensky said that he was “ very open ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met at the U.N. in September .
“ I told him that we fight this corruption , ” said Zelensky .
“ We fight with this , fight each day.
” “ But please , please stop saying Ukraine is corrupted country , because from now [ sic ] , it ’ s not true , ” he added .
“ We want to change this image.
” Nevertheless , Zelensky told Amanpour that he “ ready ” for another call with Trump .
Through Trump has cited “ corruption ” as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet with Zelensky in the White House , the impeachment investigation revealed that Trump cared little about cracking down on corruption and that he just wanted Ukraine to announce an investigation into 2020 candidate Joe Biden in exchange for the aid and White House meeting .
Though the aid was eventually released under the House ’ s scrutiny , Trump has still not invited Zelensky to a meeting .

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky would like President Donald Trump to lay off the trash talk, please.
During an interview with CNN correspondent Christine Amanpour on Saturday, Zelensky expressed dismay over Trump’s repeated claims that Ukraine is “corrupt”; a claim that Trump invokes when defending his withholding of U.S. military aid to the Eastern European country.
“That’s not true. That’s not true,” the Ukrainian president responded when Amanpour brought up Trump’s comments.
Zelensky said that he was “very open” with Trump about the issue when they met at the U.N. in September.
“I told him that we fight this corruption,” said Zelensky. “We fight with this, fight each day.”
“But please, please stop saying Ukraine is corrupted country, because from now [sic], it’s not true,” he added. “We want to change this image.”
Nevertheless, Zelensky told Amanpour that he “ready” for another call with Trump.
Through Trump has cited “corruption” as the reason for the aid freeze and refusal to meet with Zelensky in the White House, the impeachment investigation revealed that Trump cared little about cracking down on corruption and that he just wanted Ukraine to announce an investigation into 2020 candidate Joe Biden in exchange for the aid and White House meeting.
Though the aid was eventually released under the House’s scrutiny, Trump has still not invited Zelensky to a meeting.
Watch Zelensky below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-15--De Blasio Endorses Sanders In 2020 Primary: ‘He Stands With Working Families’

New York City mayor and former 2020 candidate Bill de Blasio endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) in the Democratic primary on Friday .
“ I am standing with Bernie because he stands with working families , and always has , ” de Blasio said in his endorsement .
“ New Yorkers know all too well the damage caused by Donald Trump ’ s xenophobia , bigotry and recklessness , and Bernie is the candidate to take him on and take him down.
” Sanders , who was born and raised in Brooklyn , said he was “ so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City Mayor fighting every day to improve the lives of New Yorkers.
” “ Bill is a leading example of what bringing the Democratic Party together around so-called ‘ radical ideas ’ like universal pre-K , paid family and sick leave , and defending our immigrant neighbors can do for our country , ” the senator said .
De Blasio was one of the many Democrats who joined the 2020 race .
He ended his campaign in September and declined to issue an endorsement at the time , saying only that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda that will energize that vote .
”

New York City mayor and former 2020 candidate Bill de Blasio endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in the Democratic primary on Friday.
“I am standing with Bernie because he stands with working families, and always has,” de Blasio said in his endorsement. “New Yorkers know all too well the damage caused by Donald Trump’s xenophobia, bigotry and recklessness, and Bernie is the candidate to take him on and take him down.”
Sanders, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, said he was “so proud to have the support of a New York City Mayor fighting every day to improve the lives of New Yorkers.”
“Bill is a leading example of what bringing the Democratic Party together around so-called ‘radical ideas’ like universal pre-K, paid family and sick leave, and defending our immigrant neighbors can do for our country,” the senator said.
De Blasio was one of the many Democrats who joined the 2020 race. He ended his campaign in September and declined to issue an endorsement at the time, saying only that Joe Biden was “not presenting that agenda that will energize that vote.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-15--Pompeo Had Undisclosed Meeting With Russian Diplomat At Munich Conference

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a security conference in Munich on Friday that the State Department did not publicly disclose before nor after the fact .
Politico reported that the two diplomats met in Lavrov ’ s meeting room at the hotel in which the conference took place .
Maria Zakharova , Lavrov ’ s spokesperson , posted about the meeting on Facebook and included a photo of Pompeo in the hotel hallway with Lavrov and others .
Zakharova wrote in the post that Pompeo had wished the people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Politico ’ s translation .
“ There are few to whom Americans now wish something good , ” she reportedly wrote .
The State Department did not list the meeting in its official schedule of Pompeo ’ s travels from February 13-22 and did not provide a readout for it .
A spokesperson at the State Department told Politico that it did not publish a readout because Pompeo merely had a “ pull-aside ” with the Kremlin official .
The department did not respond to TPM ’ s request for comment @ @ @ @ @ @

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a security conference in Munich on Friday that the State Department did not publicly disclose before nor after the fact.
Politico reported that the two diplomats met in Lavrov’s meeting room at the hotel in which the conference took place.
Maria Zakharova, Lavrov’s spokesperson, posted about the meeting on Facebook and included a photo of Pompeo in the hotel hallway with Lavrov and others.
Zakharova wrote in the post that Pompeo had wished the people in the hallway “good luck,” according to Politico’s translation.
“There are few to whom Americans now wish something good,” she reportedly wrote.
The State Department did not list the meeting in its official schedule of Pompeo’s travels from February 13-22 and did not provide a readout for it.
A department spokesperson described the meeting as a mere “pull-aside” in an emailed statement to TPM on Sunday.
“We can confirm that Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Lavrov met briefly on the margins of the Munich Security Conference on February 14,” the spokesperson said. “Consistent with State Department practice regarding pull-asides, there will be no readout.”
This story has been updated to include a comment from the State Department.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-17--Ex-Deputy AG Calls On Barr To Resign: Bill Barr’s America Is A ‘Banana Republic’

The former deputy attorney general under former President George H.W .
Bush ’ s administration is calling on Attorney General Bill Barr to resign , citing the events of the last week surrounding Roger Stone ’ s sentencing reversal as the “ worst ” conduct thus far .
In a new op-ed in The Atlantic , Donald Ayer outlines the ways in which Barr has torn down reforms that were put in place in the Justice Department after the Watergate scandal , including how Barr has handled the Stone and Michael Flynn cases which Ayer — like many Trump critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Mueller ’ s Russia probe .
“ Bad as they are , these examples are more symptoms than causes of Barr ’ s unfitness for office , ” he wrote .
“ The fundamental problem is that he does not believe in the central tenet of our system of government—that no person is above the law .
In chilling terms , Barr ’ s own words make clear his long-held belief in the need for a virtually autocratic executive who is not constrained by countervailing powers within our government under the constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Barr ’ s America is not a place that anyone , including Trump voters , should want to go , ” he continued .
“ It is a banana republic where all are subject to the whims of a dictatorial president and his henchmen .
To prevent that , we need a public uprising demanding that Bill Barr resign immediately , or failing that , be impeached.
” Barr ’ s maintained that he was not directed to issue the stunning reversal on Stone ’ s sentencing recommendation this week , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Stone case , and one to leave the department entirely .
The recommendation change came just hours after President Trump tweeted complaining about the initial seven to nine year prison sentence recommendation the DOJ had initially proposed .
Barr has pushed back slightly since , suggesting in an interview with ABC News that Trump ’ s tweets make it “ impossible ” for him to do his job .

The former deputy attorney general under former President George H.W. Bush’s administration is calling on Attorney General Bill Barr to resign, citing the events of the last week surrounding Roger Stone’s sentencing reversal as the “worst” conduct thus far.
In a new op-ed in The Atlantic, Donald Ayer outlines the ways in which Barr has torn down reforms that were put in place in the Justice Department after the Watergate scandal, including how Barr has handled the Stone and Michael Flynn cases which Ayer — like many Trump critics — believes are attacks on special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe.
“Bad as they are, these examples are more symptoms than causes of Barr’s unfitness for office,” he wrote. “The fundamental problem is that he does not believe in the central tenet of our system of government—that no person is above the law. In chilling terms, Barr’s own words make clear his long-held belief in the need for a virtually autocratic executive who is not constrained by countervailing powers within our government under the constitutional system of checks and balances.”
“Bill Barr’s America is not a place that anyone, including Trump voters, should want to go,” he continued. “It is a banana republic where all are subject to the whims of a dictatorial president and his henchmen. To prevent that, we need a public uprising demanding that Bill Barr resign immediately, or failing that, be impeached.”
Barr’s maintained that he was not directed to issue the stunning reversal on Stone’s sentencing recommendation this week, a move that pushed four prosecutors to leave the Stone case, and one to leave the department entirely. The recommendation change came just hours after President Trump tweeted complaining about the initial seven to nine year prison sentence recommendation the DOJ had initially proposed. Barr has pushed back slightly since, suggesting in an interview with ABC News that Trump’s tweets make it “impossible” for him to do his job.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-17--Ted Cruz Can’t Believe A Lawmaker Is Trying To Legislate Away A Man’s Reproductive Rights

A law requiring vasectomies ?
Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) will not stand for this blatant violation of a ( male ) person ’ s bodily autonomy !
On Sunday , Cruz tweeted an article from a conservative news site about Alabama state Rep. Rolanda Hollis ’ ( D ) bill requiring men to undergo vasectomies at the age of 50 or after the birth of their third child .
“ Yikes .
A government big enough to give you everything is big enough to take everything…literally !
” Cruz , a staunch opponent of abortion rights , wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full ban on abortion with no exceptions , stripping funding for Planned Parenthood , and allowing companies to deny birth control coverage .
Under HB238 , introduced by Hollis on Thursday , men would be legally required to undergo a vasectomy procedure “ at his own expense ” once he turns 50 or has a third child , “ whichever comes first.
” “ Under existing law , there are no restrictions on the reproductive rights of men , ” Hollis wrote in the bill ’ s synopsis .
In May , Alabama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedure entirely illegal unless the mother ’ s health is in danger , with zero exceptions for rape and/or incest .
Doctors who violate the law face a prison sentence of to 99 years .
As is the case with other red states that passed heavy abortion restrictions , Alabama conservatives hope the court battles over the law will eventually end up in front of the conservative-leaving Supreme Court .
Hollis did not respond to TPM ’ s request for comment at the time of writing .

A law requiring vasectomies? Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) will not stand for this blatant violation of a (male) person’s bodily autonomy!
On Sunday, Cruz tweeted an article from a conservative news site about Alabama state Rep. Rolanda Hollis’ (D) bill requiring men to undergo vasectomies at the age of 50 or after the birth of their third child.
“Yikes. A government big enough to give you everything is big enough to take everything…literally!” Cruz, a staunch opponent of abortion rights, wrote.
The Republican has advocated for a full ban on abortion with no exceptions, stripping funding for Planned Parenthood, and allowing companies to deny birth control coverage.
Under HB238, introduced by Hollis on Thursday, men would be legally required to undergo a vasectomy procedure “at his own expense” once he turns 50 or has a third child, “whichever comes first.”
The measure is unlikely to pass. Rather, Hollis’ objective seems to be highlighting a sexist double standard held by anti-abortion lawmakers.
“Under existing law, there are no restrictions on the reproductive rights of men,” Hollis wrote in the bill’s synopsis.
The day after he posted the tweet, Cruz insisted he hadn’t fallen into Hollis’ trap and that it was, in fact, the left who was upset, not him.
“It’s been a sight to behold the last 24 hours of Lefties triggering over this tweet,” the GOP senator tweeted on Monday night. “‘Ah ha! You’re pro choice,’ they exclaim. No, I believe in BOTH life and individual liberty.”
Cruz compared Hollis’ measure to forced abortions and sterilization, adding, “And yes, every adult—man or woman—has a right to do whatever you want with your body…but that doesn’t mean you have a right to do something harmful to ANOTHER person’s body.”
In May, Alabama passed a severe anti-abortion law making the procedure entirely illegal unless the mother’s health is in danger, with zero exceptions for rape and/or incest. Doctors who violate the law face a prison sentence of to 99 years. As is the case with other red states that passed heavy abortion restrictions, Alabama conservatives hope the court battles over the law will eventually end up in front of the conservative-leaving Supreme Court.
Hollis did not respond to TPM’s request for comment.
This story has been updated to include Cruz’s follow-up tweets.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-17--Oops: Trump Camp Posts Pic Of Giant Crowd Near Air Force 1 From Bush Era

On Sunday , Trump reelection campaign manager Brad Parscale posted , then deleted , a post with a photo purporting @ @ @ @ @ near President Donald Trump ’ s Air Force One at the Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ realDonaldTrump won the # Daytona500 before the race even started , ” Parscale tweeted @ @ @ @ @ plane taking off at Daytona International Speedway ( seen above ) .
He deleted the @ @ @ @ @ replaced it with a new photo with the same caption after Twitter commentators pointed out @ @ @ @ @ taken on February 15 , 2004 during President George W. Bush ’ s visit to @ @ @ @ @ I am unfortunately not there today , but apparently I won the Daytona 500 photography @ @ @ @ @ , ” Jonathan Ferrey , the photographer who took the 2004 photo , told CNN @

On Sunday, Trump reelection campaign manager Brad Parscale posted, then deleted, a post with a photo purporting to show a giant crowd near President Donald Trump’s Air Force One at the Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup Series race.
“.@realDonaldTrump won the #Daytona500 before the race even started,” Parscale tweeted with the photo of the plane taking off at Daytona International Speedway (seen above).
He deleted the post several hours later and replaced it with a new photo with the same caption after Twitter commentators pointed out that the photo was actually taken on February 15, 2004 during President George W. Bush’s visit to the Daytona 500.
“I am unfortunately not there today, but apparently I won the Daytona 500 photography before the race even started,” Jonathan Ferrey, the photographer who took the 2004 photo, told CNN.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-17--SDNY Mulls New Charges Against Parnas  That Could Pull Giuliani Deeper Into Scheme

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are considering filing new charges against Lev Parnas , the business associate of Rudy Giuliani , CNN reported .
According to people familiar with the investigation , the charges are tied to Parnas ’ company Fraud Guarantee , which paid Giuliani $ 500,000 .
The possible new charges are related to Parnas and his business associate and whether the pair intentionally misled investors in the Florida-based company designed to give other companies insured protection against fraud .
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York are examining whether Parnas and his associate David Correia hoodwinked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or how they planned to spend the investments , people familiar with the investigation told CNN .
The possible additional charges furthers suspicions about what role Giuliani may have played in the marketing of Fraud Guarantee .
A Giuliani lawyer told CNN that the President ’ s lawyer never discussed investments or marketing with Parnas and Correia .
A person familiar with the investigation told CNN that federal investigators have obtained copies of text messages and other documents relevant to Parnas ’ marketing scheme .
According to this person , the business partners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parnas , Correia and another man Igor Fruman have all already been charged for campaign finance violations .
All have pleaded not guilty .

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are considering filing new charges against Lev Parnas, the business associate of Rudy Giuliani, CNN reported.
According to people familiar with the investigation, the charges are tied to Parnas’ company Fraud Guarantee, which paid Giuliani $500,000. The possible new charges are related to Parnas and his business associate and whether the pair intentionally misled investors in the Florida-based company designed to give other companies insured protection against fraud.
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York are examining whether Parnas and his associate David Correia hoodwinked investors on the value of Fraud Guarantee or how they planned to spend the investments, people familiar with the investigation told CNN. The possible additional charges furthers suspicions about what role Giuliani may have played in the marketing of Fraud Guarantee. A Giuliani lawyer told CNN that the President’s lawyer never discussed investments or marketing with Parnas and Correia.
A person familiar with the investigation told CNN that federal investigators have obtained copies of text messages and other documents relevant to Parnas’ marketing scheme. According to this person, the business partners spent investment dollars on personal expenses.
Parnas, Correia and another man Igor Fruman have all already been charged for campaign finance violations. All have pleaded not guilty.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-18--Video Of Bloomberg Suggesting Trans Rights Hurts Dem Campaigns Surfaces

Another controversy has unfolded ahead of former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg ’ s first Democratic presidential debate appearance Wednesday night .
In a 2019 video first reported by Buzzfeed News Tuesday , Bloomberg is shown describing transgender people as “ he , she , or it ” and “ some guy in a dress ” who enters women ’ s locker rooms during a forum hosted by the Bermuda Business Development Agency in Manhattan last year .
Bloomberg particularly took aim at Democratic presidential candidates advocating for transgender protections .
“ If your conversation during a presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and whether he , she , or it can go to the locker room with their daughter , that ’ s not a winning formula for most people , ” Bloomberg said .
The resurfacing of Bloomberg ’ s remarks in 2019 comes just hours after the campaign released a video Tuesday featuring fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi that pledges his commitment to “ inclusivity ” for “ LGBT+ youth.
” In response to the resurfacing of the 2019 video , a Bloomberg campaign spokesperson told Buzzfeed News Tuesday that Bloomberg “ understands that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for decades and the advance of rights has not been equal.
” “ In April 2002 , during his first year as mayor , Mike signed a sweeping transgender civil rights bill into law .
His company provides comprehensive healthcare coverage for his transgender employees , ” the Bloomberg campaign spokesperson said in a statement to Buzzfeed News .
“ As president , he has a comprehensive plan to secure rights for transgender Americans , including passing the Equality Act , ensuring transgender people have access to affirming healthcare and working to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mike is running to defeat Donald Trump and reverse the many policies he has implemented that attack the rights of the transgender community.
” TPM has reached out to Bloomberg ’ s campaign and will update this post if we hear back .
It ’ s not the first time Bloomberg has come under fire for his remarks regarding transgender rights .
Earlier this month , Bloomberg faced backlash after a 2016 video showed him using the term “ man wearing a dress ” to describe a hypothetical transgender woman .

Another controversy has unfolded ahead of former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg’s first Democratic presidential debate appearance Wednesday night.
In a 2019 video first reported by Buzzfeed News Tuesday, Bloomberg is shown describing transgender people as “he, she, or it” and “some guy in a dress” who enters women’s locker rooms during a forum hosted by the Bermuda Business Development Agency in Manhattan last year.
Bloomberg particularly took aim at Democratic presidential candidates advocating for transgender protections.
“If your conversation during a presidential election is about some guy wearing a dress and whether he, she, or it can go to the locker room with their daughter, that’s not a winning formula for most people,” Bloomberg said.
The resurfacing of Bloomberg’s remarks in 2019 comes just hours after the campaign released a video Tuesday featuring fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi that pledges his commitment to “inclusivity” for “LGBT+ youth.”
Thank you, @IsaacMizrahi. It was an honor to be your mayor, and it will be an even greater honor to be your president. I will always stand with the LGBTQ+ community. https://t.co/zGtRkl5t0W — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) February 18, 2020
In response to the resurfacing of the 2019 video, a Bloomberg campaign spokesperson told Buzzfeed News Tuesday that Bloomberg “understands that the transgender community has been under attack for decades and the advance of rights has not been equal.”
“In April 2002, during his first year as mayor, Mike signed a sweeping transgender civil rights bill into law. His company provides comprehensive healthcare coverage for his transgender employees,” the Bloomberg campaign spokesperson said in a statement to Buzzfeed News. “As president, he has a comprehensive plan to secure rights for transgender Americans, including passing the Equality Act, ensuring transgender people have access to affirming healthcare and working to end the crisis of violence against transgender women. Mike is running to defeat Donald Trump and reverse the many policies he has implemented that attack the rights of the transgender community.”
TPM has reached out to Bloomberg’s campaign and will update this post if we hear back.
It’s not the first time Bloomberg has come under fire for his remarks regarding transgender rights. Earlier this month, Bloomberg faced backlash after a 2016 video showed him using the term “man wearing a dress” to describe a hypothetical transgender woman.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-18--From ‘Junk Bond King’ To Abramoff Pal, Trump’s Pardon List Dredges Swamp

Blago ’ s not the only one off the hook Tuesday .
In addition to former Illinois Gov .
Rod Blagojevich ’ s commutation , President Donald Trump used his pardon power on several less-than-savory characters , including an infamous ‘ 80s investor known as the “ junk bond king.
” The king , Michael Milken , was convicted decades ago of securities fraud , and his allies have tried ever since to secure a presidential pardon .
Milken was fined $ 600 million and spent 22 months in prison for what Bloomberg News called “ arguably the highest-profile insider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House put it in a press release Tuesday , “ at the height of his finance career , Mr. Milken was charged in an indictment alleging that some of his innovative financing mechanisms were in fact criminal schemes.
” Bloomberg News reported in 2018 that Milken had several prominent Trump allies and officials in his corner , including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner .
The White House ’ s list of prominent Milken allies ran several lines long and included the GOP megadonors Sheldon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tom Barrack , Patriots Owner Robert Kraft , News Corp. founder Rupert Murdoch and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao .
The most striking name on the list has been a Milken ally for decades — the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York who prosecuted Milken ’ s case , Rudy Giuliani .
The two later became friends .
David Safavian , another pardon recipient Tuesday , is quite a throwback .
The former General Services Administration chief of staff was convicted in 2008 of obstructing justice and making false statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abramoff .
He spent nearly a year in prison .
A former lobbying colleague of Abramoff ’ s , Safavian was working in George W. Bush ’ s budget office at the time of his arrest .
Abramoff took Safavian on a golf trip to Scotland and London at the same time Safavian was helping Abramoff with business he had with the GSA .
Safavian lied to a GSA ethics officer , internal investigators , and an FBI agent investigating Abramoff .
The White House ’ s statement on Safavian made no mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ was convicted of making false statements and of obstructing an investigation into a trip he took while he was a senior government official.
” Mercedes Schlapp , former White House director of strategic communications and current Trump 2020 reelection spokesperson , is listed as supporting Safavian ’ s pardon , in addition to her husband Matt Schlapp , chair of the American Conservative Union .
Safavian is general counsel at the Trumpy group .
The corrupt former New York police commissioner , Bernard Kerik , added the most prominent law enforcement name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2009 , Kerik confessed to several counts related to a $ 255,000 home renovation , about which he subsequently lied to White House officials and New York City regulators .
The renovation was performed by Interstate Industrial Corporation , a firm suspected of organized crime ties , The New York Times noted at the time .
The company hoped Kerik would help it obtain a city license .
Aside from the corruption charges , Kerik is best known for having led the NYPD on Sept. 11 , 2001 .
Preet Bharara , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Attorney for New York ’ s Southern District , prosecuted the case against former police chief .
Kerik ’ s range of wrongdoing is tough to fit in a cut-and-dry guilty plea .
The Obama administration official Eric Columbus pointed to a 2005 comment from New York ’ s former parks commissioner , Henry Stern , who wrote of the police chief , “ Officials have gotten into trouble for sexual misconduct , abusing their authority , personal bankruptcy , failure to file documents , waste of public funds , receiving substantial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime figures .
It is rare for anyone to be under fire on all seven of the above issues.
” Rudy is , again , listed as a supporter of Kerik ’ s pardon in the White House press release .
Kerik worked under the former Mayor , whose name appears alongside the Fox News personalities Geraldo Rivera ( who supported Kerik 10 years ago at his sentencing ) and Andrew Napolitano , the outgoing Long Island Rep. Peter King , Newsmax CEO and Trump confidante Christopher Ruddy , and , notably , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump pardoned last year , Eddie Gallagher .
The White House also trumpeted Kerik ’ s support from former national security adviser Michael Flynn ’ s lawyer Sidney Powell .
Trump has not ruled out a pardon in Flynn ’ s case , where Powell has waged a scorched earth campaign accusing the feds of misconduct .

Blago’s not the only one off the hook Tuesday.
In addition to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commutation, President Donald Trump used his pardon power on several less-than-savory characters, including an infamous ‘80s investor known as the “junk bond king.”
The king, Michael Milken, was convicted decades ago of securities fraud, and his allies have tried ever since to secure a presidential pardon.
Milken was fined $600 million and spent 22 months in prison for what Bloomberg News called “arguably the highest-profile insider trading case ever.”
Or, as the White House put it in a press release Tuesday, “at the height of his finance career, Mr. Milken was charged in an indictment alleging that some of his innovative financing mechanisms were in fact criminal schemes.”
Bloomberg News reported in 2018 that Milken had several prominent Trump allies and officials in his corner, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner. The White House’s list of prominent Milken allies ran several lines long and included the GOP megadonors Sheldon and Miriam Adelson, Trump inaugural committee chair Tom Barrack, Patriots Owner Robert Kraft, News Corp. founder Rupert Murdoch and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
The most striking name on the list has been a Milken ally for decades — the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York who prosecuted Milken’s case, Rudy Giuliani. The two later became friends.
David Safavian, another pardon recipient Tuesday, is quite a throwback. The former General Services Administration chief of staff was convicted in 2008 of obstructing justice and making false statements related to the disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He spent nearly a year in prison.
A former lobbying colleague of Abramoff’s, Safavian was working in George W. Bush’s budget office at the time of his arrest.
Abramoff took Safavian on a golf trip to Scotland and London at the same time Safavian was helping Abramoff with business he had with the GSA. Safavian lied to a GSA ethics officer, internal investigators, and an FBI agent investigating Abramoff.
The White House’s statement on Safavian made no mention of Abramoff, saying only that Safavian “was convicted of making false statements and of obstructing an investigation into a trip he took while he was a senior government official.” Mercedes Schlapp, former White House director of strategic communications and current Trump 2020 reelection spokesperson, is listed as supporting Safavian’s pardon, in addition to her husband Matt Schlapp, chair of the American Conservative Union. Safavian is general counsel at the Trumpy group.
The corrupt former New York police commissioner, Bernard Kerik, added the most prominent law enforcement name to Trump’s pardon list. In 2009, Kerik confessed to several counts related to a $255,000 home renovation, about which he subsequently lied to White House officials and New York City regulators. The renovation was performed by Interstate Industrial Corporation, a firm suspected of organized crime ties, The New York Times noted at the time. The company hoped Kerik would help it obtain a city license. Aside from the corruption charges, Kerik is best known for having led the NYPD on Sept. 11, 2001.
Preet Bharara, now an outspoken Trump critic and former U.S. Attorney for New York’s Southern District, prosecuted the case against former police chief.
Kerik’s range of wrongdoing is tough to fit in a cut-and-dry guilty plea. The Obama administration official Eric Columbus pointed to a 2005 comment from New York’s former parks commissioner, Henry Stern, who wrote of the police chief, “Officials have gotten into trouble for sexual misconduct, abusing their authority, personal bankruptcy, failure to file documents, waste of public funds, receiving substantial unrecorded gifts, and association with organized crime figures. It is rare for anyone to be under fire on all seven of the above issues.”
Rudy is, again, listed as a supporter of Kerik’s pardon in the White House press release. Kerik worked under the former Mayor, whose name appears alongside the Fox News personalities Geraldo Rivera (who supported Kerik 10 years ago at his sentencing) and Andrew Napolitano, the outgoing Long Island Rep. Peter King, Newsmax CEO and Trump confidante Christopher Ruddy, and, notably, the former Navy SEAL accused war criminal Trump pardoned last year, Eddie Gallagher.
The White House also trumpeted Kerik’s support from former national security adviser Michael Flynn’s lawyer Sidney Powell. Trump has not ruled out a pardon in Flynn’s case, where Powell has waged a scorched earth campaign accusing the feds of misconduct.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-18--GOP Leaders Contort Themselves To Support Barr Without Offending Trump

A trio of Republican leaders expressed excessive support for Attorney General Bill Barr Tuesday , but took pains to lavish praise on President Donald Trump as well to avoid the appearance of cosigning Barr ’ s recent criticism of the President .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA ) and Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) trumpeted Barr ’ s “ highest character and unquestionable integrity ” in a statement , vilifying “ outside groups ” who have critiqued Barr ’ s leadership of the Justice Department .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his participation in the decision to recommend a shorter sentence for Roger Stone , an action carried out shortly after Trump tweeted his discontent with the length of the seven-to-nine year stint originally proposed by DOJ prosecutors .
In a face-saving interview with ABC News , Barr claimed that he decided the original sentence was too hefty before Trump tweeted , but that such social media statements make it “ impossible ” to do his job .
Trump , surprisingly , has not snapped at Barr for the comments , even telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s assessment .
“ I do make his job harder , yes , I do agree with that .
I think that ’ s true , ” Trump told reporters .
“ He ’ s a very straight shooter .
We have a great attorney general and he ’ s working very hard.
” The Republican leaders , eager to maintain Trump ’ s placidity and the us-versus-them mentality , credited him with having the political instincts to pick Barr in the first place .
“ The nation is fortunate that President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public servant to lead the Department of Justice , ” they wrote .

A trio of Republican leaders expressed excessive support for Attorney General Bill Barr Tuesday, but took pains to lavish praise on President Donald Trump as well to avoid the appearance of cosigning Barr’s recent criticism of the President.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) trumpeted Barr’s “highest character and unquestionable integrity” in a statement, vilifying “outside groups” who have critiqued Barr’s leadership of the Justice Department.
Barr has come under intense fire recently for his participation in the decision to recommend a shorter sentence for Roger Stone, an action carried out shortly after Trump tweeted his discontent with the length of the seven-to-nine year stint originally proposed by DOJ prosecutors.
In a face-saving interview with ABC News, Barr claimed that he decided the original sentence was too hefty before Trump tweeted, but that such social media statements make it “impossible” to do his job.
Trump, surprisingly, has not snapped at Barr for the comments, even telling reporters Tuesday that he agrees with Barr’s assessment.
“I do make his job harder, yes, I do agree with that. I think that’s true,” Trump told reporters. “He’s a very straight shooter. We have a great attorney general and he’s working very hard.”
The Republican leaders, eager to maintain Trump’s placidity and the us-versus-them mentality, credited him with having the political instincts to pick Barr in the first place.
“The nation is fortunate that President Trump chose such a strong and selfless public servant to lead the Department of Justice,” they wrote.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-18--Trump Admits That He Makes Barr’s Job Harder

President Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews Tuesday that he agrees with Attorney General Bill Barr ’ s assessment that the President ’ s tweets make it impossible for him to do his job .
During an interview with ABC News Thursday , Barr said that Trump should stop tweeting about the Justice Department because his tweets “ make it impossible for me to do my job.
” Barr also denied that he was compelled to reduce Roger Stone ’ s sentencing recommendation after Trump congratulated him in a tweet for “ taking charge ” of Stone ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when asked by a reporter Tuesday about whether his tweets make it difficult for Barr to do his job in a way that appears impartial .
“ I do make his job harder , yes , I do agree with that .
I think that ’ s true , ” Trump said .
“ He ’ s a very straight shooter .
We have a great attorney general and he ’ s working very hard .
He ’ s working against a lot of people that don ’ t want to see good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s my opinion , not his opinion .
You ’ ll have to ask what his opinion is.
” Trump then added that social media has been “ very important ” to him because “ it gives me a voice ” that he doesn ’ t get in the media .
When asked if he makes it hard for Barr to do his job with integrity , Trump said “ oh yeah ” given how Barr is “ a man with incredible integrity.
” “ Just so you understand , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said .
“ I ’ m allowed to be totally involved .
I ’ m actually , I guess , the chief law enforcement officer of the country .
But I ’ ve chosen not to be involved .
But he is a man of great integrity .
But I could be involved if I wanted to be.
” After confirming that he pardoned Bernie Carrick and Mike Milken , Trump went on to claim that he hasn ’ t thought about pardoning Stone .
“ I haven ’ t given it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In the meantime he ’ s going through a process , but I think he ’ s been treated very unfairly .
”

President Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews Tuesday that he agrees with Attorney General Bill Barr’s assessment that the President’s tweets make it impossible for him to do his job.
During an interview with ABC News Thursday, Barr said that Trump should stop tweeting about the Justice Department because his tweets “make it impossible for me to do my job.” Barr also denied that he was compelled to reduce Roger Stone’s sentencing recommendation after Trump congratulated him in a tweet for “taking charge” of Stone’s case.
Trump was quick to agree when asked by a reporter Tuesday about whether his tweets make it difficult for Barr to do his job in a way that appears impartial.
“I do make his job harder, yes, I do agree with that. I think that’s true,” Trump said. “He’s a very straight shooter. We have a great attorney general and he’s working very hard. He’s working against a lot of people that don’t want to see good things happen, in my opinion. That’s my opinion, not his opinion. You’ll have to ask what his opinion is.”
Trump then added that social media has been “very important” to him because “it gives me a voice” that he doesn’t get in the media.
When asked if he makes it hard for Barr to do his job with integrity, Trump said “oh yeah” given how Barr is “a man with incredible integrity.”
“Just so you understand, I chose not to be involved,” Trump said. “I’m allowed to be totally involved. I’m actually, I guess, the chief law enforcement officer of the country. But I’ve chosen not to be involved. But he is a man of great integrity. But I could be involved if I wanted to be.”
After confirming that he pardoned Bernie Carrick and Mike Milken, Trump went on to claim that he hasn’t thought about pardoning Stone.
“I haven’t given it any thought,” Trump said. “In the meantime he’s going through a process, but I think he’s been treated very unfairly.”
Watch Trump’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-18--Limbaugh Says Trump Told Him To ‘Never Apologize’ For Homophobic Smears On Buttigieg

Hard-right radio host Rush Limbaugh claimed on Monday that President Donald Trump , who had honored him with the Medal of Freedom earlier this month , personally told him to stand by the homophobic attacks he ’ d made against 2020 candidate Pete Buttigieg .
Limbaugh , who is currently undergoing treatment for advanced lung cancer , said during his radio program that Trump called him after a medical procedure .
“ Rush , I just got ta tell you something : Never apologize .
Don ’ t ever apologize , ” Trump said , according to the radio host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what Trump was talking about until his wife told him about the backlash over him repeatedly mocking Buttigieg as “ a gay guy ” who “ loves kissing his husband on the debate stage ” last week .
Buttigieg had fired back a few days later , saying he was “ not going to take lectures on family values from the likes of Rush Limbaugh , ” who has been married four times .
“ I simply was engaging in political analysis that is politically incorrect as far as the left is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House did not respond to TPM ’ s request for confirmation of the call on the record .

Hard-right radio host Rush Limbaugh claimed on Monday that President Donald Trump, who had honored him with the Medal of Freedom earlier this month, personally told him to stand by the homophobic attacks he’d made against 2020 candidate Pete Buttigieg.
Limbaugh, who is currently undergoing treatment for advanced lung cancer, said during his radio program that Trump called him after a medical procedure.
“Rush, I just gotta tell you something: Never apologize. Don’t ever apologize,” Trump said, according to the radio host.
Limbaugh said he didn’t know what Trump was talking about until his wife told him about the backlash over him repeatedly mocking Buttigieg as “a gay guy” who “loves kissing his husband on the debate stage” last week. Buttigieg had fired back a few days later, saying he was “not going to take lectures on family values from the likes of Rush Limbaugh,” who has been married four times.
On Monday, Limbaugh insisted his comments weren’t homophobic.
“I simply was engaging in political analysis that is politically incorrect as far as the left is concerned,” he said.
The White House did not respond to TPM’s request for confirmation of the call on the record.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-18--In ‘Disappointment’ To Governor, Assault Weapons Ban Stalls In Blue VA Senate

Four Democrats on the Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee joined with Republicans Monday to kill an assault weapons sale ban that had already passed in the House of Delegates and was championed by Gov .
Ralph Northam ( D ) .
“ While the Governor is disappointed in yesterday ’ s vote , he fully expects the Crime Commission to give this measure the detailed review that Senators called for , ” Northam press secretary Alena Yarmosky told TPM .
“ We will be back next year.
” The bill would have prohibited the sale and transport of assault firearms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activators .
Six months after implementation , it also would have outlawed possession of the magazines .
Instead , the Senate Judiciary Committee sent the bill to the Crime Commission for further study .
Democratic Sens .
R. Creigh Deeds , John Edwards , Chap Petersen and Scott Surovell voted the bill down alongside their Republican peers .
In a statement obtained by TPM , Petersen said he had concerns that the legislation was “ overbroad ” and feared that it would “ criminalize law-abiding citizens ” for owning guns and paraphernalia they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Facebook post that he “ fully supports ” the idea behind the legislation , but wants to “ continue the conversation ” with the Crime Commission .
Democrats flipped both the House and Senate in 2019 , solidifying Virginia as a blue trifecta for the first time since 1993 .
Northam , a former Army doctor , has made gun control legislation a priority and advocated for eight measures in the wake of a Virginia Beach shooting in May 2019 .
Republicans dismissed the bills out of hand , lighting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While the House has passed all of Northam ’ s choice bills , the Senate has quashed three of them : mandatory reporting of a lost or stolen firearm within 24 hours , making it a felony to leave a firearm within reach of a child 18 years or younger and , now , the assault weapons ban .
The vote even reached the ears of a 2020 presidential candidate , with former Vice President Joe Biden releasing a statement expressing his disappointment with the Senate Judiciary Committee result .
House Speaker Eileen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press to keep wavering Senate Democrats in line , expressed her chagrin on Monday .
“ The Democratic platform last fall was very clear .
Limiting access to weapons of war used in mass murder was a key part of that platform .
The House of Delegates delivered on our promise to take action to keep those weapons off our streets , ” she said .
“ To call today ’ s vote on HB 961 by the Senate Judiciary Committee a disappointment would be an understatement .
”

Four Democrats on the Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee joined with Republicans Monday to kill an assault weapons sale ban that had already passed in the House of Delegates and was championed by Gov. Ralph Northam (D).
“While the Governor is disappointed in yesterday’s vote, he fully expects the Crime Commission to give this measure the detailed review that Senators called for,” Northam press secretary Alena Yarmosky told TPM. “We will be back next year.”
The bill would have prohibited the sale and transport of assault firearms, certain firearm magazines, silencers and trigger activators. Six months after implementation, it also would have outlawed possession of the magazines. Instead, the Senate Judiciary Committee sent the bill to the Crime Commission for further study.
Democratic Sens. R. Creigh Deeds, John Edwards, Chap Petersen and Scott Surovell voted the bill down alongside their Republican peers.
In a statement obtained by TPM, Petersen said he had concerns that the legislation was “overbroad” and feared that it would “criminalize law-abiding citizens” for owning guns and paraphernalia they’d already purchased.
Scovell said in a Facebook post that he “fully supports” the idea behind the legislation, but wants to “continue the conversation” with the Crime Commission.
Democrats flipped both the House and Senate in 2019, solidifying Virginia as a blue trifecta for the first time since 1993.
Northam, a former Army doctor, has made gun control legislation a priority and advocated for eight measures in the wake of a Virginia Beach shooting in May 2019.
Republicans dismissed the bills out of hand, lighting a fire under Democrats before the election.
While the House has passed all of Northam’s choice bills, the Senate has quashed three of them: mandatory reporting of a lost or stolen firearm within 24 hours, making it a felony to leave a firearm within reach of a child 18 years or younger and, now, the assault weapons ban.
The vote even reached the ears of a 2020 presidential candidate, with former Vice President Joe Biden releasing a statement expressing his disappointment with the Senate Judiciary Committee result.
Joe Biden Blasts Virginia State Senate Committee Decision to Punt Assault Weapons Sales Ban https://t.co/yJrWsWHaVu pic.twitter.com/JFdpc5JMEp — Blue Virginia (@bluevirginia) February 18, 2020
House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, who had led a full-court press to keep wavering Senate Democrats in line, expressed her chagrin on Monday.
“The Democratic platform last fall was very clear. Limiting access to weapons of war used in mass murder was a key part of that platform. The House of Delegates delivered on our promise to take action to keep those weapons off our streets,” she said. “To call today’s vote on HB 961 by the Senate Judiciary Committee a disappointment would be an understatement.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-18--Federal Prosecutor In NY Is DOJ’s New Point Man For Ukraine Matters

The top federal cop in the Eastern District of New York is the Justice Department ’ s new point man on all things Ukraine — a twist following the President ’ s recent effort to press Ukraine for political dirt .
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York , Richard Donoghue , will assist in coordinating “ several open matters ” being handled by U.S .
Attorneys and other DOJ officials “ that in some way potentially relate to Ukraine , ” Assistant Attorney General Stephen E. Boyd wrote to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Any and all new matters relating to Ukraine shall be directed exclusively to EDNY for investigation and appropriate handling , ” read an internal DOJ memo on the matter dated Monday , also reported by Politico .
Attorney General Bill Barr and Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen in recent weeks have assigned several U.S. attorneys to handle politically sensitive matters .
But it ’ s not clear what exact role Donoghue will play , nor why specifically he ’ s needed for the job .
Boyd said in his letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place “ to avoid duplication of effort across Department Office and components , to facilitate information sharing , to ensure there are no conflicts among potentially overlapping matters , and to efficiently marshal the resources of the Department.
” Barr had already assigned one U.S. attorney , Scott Brady of Pittsburgh , to Ukraine-related matters , the Washington Post reported earlier this month .
Boyd confirmed Brady ’ s involvement in his letter to Nadler .
“ To protect the integrity of ongoing matters , particularly with respect to unsolicited information offered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also assigned Scott Brady , the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania , to assist in the receipt , processing , and preliminary analysis of new information provided by the public that may be relevant to matters relating to Ukraine.
” The internal memo Monday to all U.S. attorneys , DOJ component heads and law enforcement agency heads described Donoghue as “ currently handling certain Ukraine-related matters.
” The department , the memo said , had assigned Donoghue to “ coordinate existing matters ” and to “ assess , investigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters — including potentially expanding existing investigations or opening new ones .
Politico ’ s Natasha Bertrand published the memo .
The memo instructed its recipients to consult with Donoghue “ regarding issues that reasonably could related to your current investigations.
” It ’ s not clear why Barr chose Brady to look through Ukraine materials , nor why he chose other U.S. attorneys to handle an ever-growing list of sensitive matters .
On Friday , several reports indicated that beginning in late January , outside prosecutors including the U.S. Attorney in St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the circumstances surrounding the FBI ’ s January 2017 interview of Michael Flynn , in which the then-incoming national security adviser lied about his conversations with Russians .
Flynn ’ s supporters assert he was “ ambushed ” in the interview .
He ’ s sought to withdraw his guilty plea for lying in the interview .
Another U.S. attorney , John Durham of Connecticut , is currently investigating the intelligence community ’ s early handling and investigation of Russia ’ s meddling in the 2016 election and related matters .
President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in time for him to use the findings as reelection campaign fodder .
The President was reportedly furious that yet another U.S. Attorney ’ s review of several Clinton-related matters ended with a whimper , as the Washington Post reported in January .

The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York is the Justice Department’s new point man on all things Ukraine — a twist following the President’s recent effort to press Ukraine for political dirt.
U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue, will assist in coordinating “several open matters” being handled by U.S. Attorneys and other DOJ officials “that in some way potentially relate to Ukraine,” Assistant Attorney General Stephen E. Boyd wrote to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler on Tuesday. Politico first reported the letter.
“Any and all new matters relating to Ukraine shall be directed exclusively to EDNY for investigation and appropriate handling,” read an internal DOJ memo on the matter dated Monday, also reported by Politico.
Attorney General Bill Barr and Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen in recent weeks have assigned several U.S. attorneys to handle politically sensitive matters. But it’s not clear what exact role Donoghue will play, nor why specifically he’s needed for the job.
Boyd said in his letter to Nadler that the arrangement was put in place “to avoid duplication of effort across Department Office and components, to facilitate information sharing, to ensure there are no conflicts among potentially overlapping matters, and to efficiently marshal the resources of the Department.”
Barr had already assigned one U.S. attorney, Scott Brady of Pittsburgh, to Ukraine-related matters, the Washington Post reported earlier this month. Boyd confirmed Brady’s involvement in his letter to Nadler.
“To protect the integrity of ongoing matters, particularly with respect to unsolicited information offered to the Department, the Deputy Attorney General has also assigned Scott Brady, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, to assist in the receipt, processing, and preliminary analysis of new information provided by the public that may be relevant to matters relating to Ukraine.”
The internal memo Monday to all U.S. attorneys, DOJ component heads and law enforcement agency heads described Donoghue as “currently handling certain Ukraine-related matters.” The department, the memo said, had assigned Donoghue to “coordinate existing matters” and to “assess, investigate, and address” any other Ukraine matters — including potentially expanding existing investigations or opening new ones. Politico’s Natasha Bertrand published the memo.
The memo instructed its recipients to consult with Donoghue “regarding issues that reasonably could related to your current investigations.”
It’s not clear why Barr chose Brady to look through Ukraine materials, nor why he chose other U.S. attorneys to handle an ever-growing list of sensitive matters.
On Friday, several reports indicated that beginning in late January, outside prosecutors including the U.S. Attorney in St. Louis, Jeff Jensen, began reviewing the circumstances surrounding the FBI’s January 2017 interview of Michael Flynn, in which the then-incoming national security adviser lied about his conversations with Russians. Flynn’s supporters assert he was “ambushed” in the interview. He’s sought to withdraw his guilty plea for lying in the interview.
Another U.S. attorney, John Durham of Connecticut, is currently investigating the intelligence community’s early handling and investigation of Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election and related matters. President Trump reportedly wants Durham to conclude his review in time for him to use the findings as reelection campaign fodder.
The President was reportedly furious that yet another U.S. Attorney’s review of several Clinton-related matters ended with a whimper, as the Washington Post reported in January.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-18--Trump Will Commute Blagojevich’s Prison Sentence

While speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews Tuesday , Trump confirmed Blagojevich ’ s commutation and called his prison sentence “ tremendously powerful ” and “ ridiculous.
” Trump also claimed that he doesn ’ t know Blagojevich well despite his appearance on the Celebrity Apprentice years ago .
“ He has served eight years in jail .
He has a long time to go .
Many people disagree with the sentence .
He ’ s a Democrat , he ’ s not a Republican , ” Trump said .
“ It was a prosecution by the same people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Blagojevich being “ very far from his children ” factored in his decision to commute the former Illinois governor ’ s sentence .
“ They ’ re growing older , they ’ re going to high school now , and they rarely get to see their father outside of an orange uniform , ” Trump said .
“ I saw that and I did commute his sentence .
So he ’ ll be able to go back home with his family after serving eight years in jail.
” Blagojevich , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to former President Barack Obama ’ s vacated Senate seat for campaign funds , has served more than seven years at the Federal Correctional Institution outside of Littleton , Colorado .
His expected release date is 2024 .
Last August , Trump teased in a tweet that White House staff was reviewing the possibility of commuting Blagojevich ’ s sentence .
However , the potential commutation was put on hold after a Trump official expressed concern , which stoked new uncertainty over Blagojevich ’ s release .
TPM noted in a report last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Blagojevich ’ s possible pardon or commutation in the same way he did during his four-episode run on Celebrity Apprentice in 2010 .
Blagojevich appeared on the reality TV show as he awaited trial on federal criminal charges .
Trump fired him on the show .
Illinois House Republican lawmakers said they are “ disappointed ” in response to Trump ’ s commutation of Blagojevich ’ s sentence in a statement Tuesday .
“ We believe he received an appropriate and fair sentence , which was the low-end of the federal sentencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corruption convictions , ” Reps. Mike Bost , Darin LaHood , John Shimkus , Adam Kinzinger and Rodney Davis wrote in the statement .
“ Blagojevich is the face of public corruption in Illinois , and not once has he shown any remorse for his clear and documented record of egregious crimes that undermines the trust placed in him by voters .
As our state continues to grapple with political corruption , we shouldn ’ t let those who breached the public trust off the hook .
History will not judge Rod Blagojevich @ @ @

President Trump will commute former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s 14-year prison sentence.
While speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews Tuesday, Trump confirmed Blagojevich’s commutation and called his prison sentence “tremendously powerful” and “ridiculous.” Trump also claimed that he doesn’t know Blagojevich well despite his appearance on the Celebrity Apprentice years ago.
“He has served eight years in jail. He has a long time to go. Many people disagree with the sentence. He’s a Democrat, he’s not a Republican,” Trump said. “It was a prosecution by the same people, the same group.”
Trump added that Blagojevich being “very far from his children” factored in his decision to commute the former Illinois governor’s sentence.
“They’re growing older, they’re going to high school now, and they rarely get to see their father outside of an orange uniform,” Trump said. “I saw that and I did commute his sentence. So he’ll be able to go back home with his family after serving eight years in jail.”
Trump says he's commuting Blagojevich's sentence pic.twitter.com/LZzrarDC5U — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 18, 2020
ABC News first reported the news Tuesday.
Blagojevich, who was charged with seeking to exchange an appointment to former President Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat for campaign funds, has served more than seven years at the Federal Correctional Institution outside of Littleton, Colorado. His expected release date is 2024.
Last August, Trump teased in a tweet that White House staff was reviewing the possibility of commuting Blagojevich’s sentence. However, the potential commutation was put on hold after a Trump official expressed concern, which stoked new uncertainty over Blagojevich’s release.
TPM noted in a report last year that Trump may have been toying with Blagojevich’s possible pardon or commutation in the same way he did during his four-episode run on Celebrity Apprentice in 2010. Blagojevich appeared on the reality TV show as he awaited trial on federal criminal charges. Trump fired him on the show.
Illinois House Republican lawmakers said they are “disappointed” in response to Trump’s commutation of Blagojevich’s sentence in a statement Tuesday.
“We believe he received an appropriate and fair sentence, which was the low-end of the federal sentencing guidelines for the gravity of his public corruption convictions,” Reps. Mike Bost, Darin LaHood, John Shimkus, Adam Kinzinger and Rodney Davis wrote in the statement. “Blagojevich is the face of public corruption in Illinois, and not once has he shown any remorse for his clear and documented record of egregious crimes that undermines the trust placed in him by voters. As our state continues to grapple with political corruption, we shouldn’t let those who breached the public trust off the hook. History will not judge Rod Blagojevich well.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-18--National Intelligence Lawyer Central To Beginnings Of Impeachment Probe Will Resign

The intelligence community lawyer who played an integral role in the start of the impeachment probe of President Donald Trump is resigning next month .
Jason Klitenic , general counsel at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence ( ODNI ) , will serve his last day in that role on March 2 , an ODNI spokesperson confirmed to TPM Tuesday .
Asked if Klitenic was asked to resign or if he was doing so on his own accord , the spokesperson said , “ He wanted to return to the private sector.
” Politico first reported Klitenic ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national headlines last year for his letters justifying his boss ’ s decision not to share the now well-known whistleblower ’ s complaint about President Donald Trump with Congress .
The complaint , which was written anonymously and concerned President Donald Trump ’ s infamous July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , among other things , was first submitted to the inspector general of the intelligence community , Michael Atkinson .
Atkinson had judged the complaint to be a matter of “ urgent concern ” — the legal standard for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire .
When several days passed and time had run out for Maguire to share the complaint with Congress as required by law , Atkinson alerted House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff to the complaint .
Schiff subpoenaed the complaint but Maguire refused to hand it over .
Klitenic wrote two letters to Congress at the time explaining that Maguire did not view the whistleblower ’ s complaint as an urgent concern — and , notably , that ODNI had conferred with the Justice Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote that , because the law says the “ urgent concern ” standard only applies to “ intelligence activity within the responsibility and authority of the DNI , ” the whistleblower ’ s complaint did not need to be transmitted to Congress .
The President , the reasoning went , is not a member of the intelligence community subject to the responsibility and authority of the DNI .
Eventually , Maguire shared the complaint with Congress when Trump released the White House memorandum of the phone call in question , thereby erasing any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s resignation could affect the chain of command at ODNI : According to federal vacancies law , Maguire , the current acting director of the office , can only stay in that temporary place-filler role until March 11 .
At that point , he must either resign or be nominated in the Senate to hold the directorship permanently — which also requires him to step down from the “ acting ” role during his confirmation process .
As another Senate-confirmed official at ODNI , Klitenic could have filled the directorship in Maguire ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if that was in the cards Tuesday , the ODNI spokesperson told TPM , “ I don ’ t have anything on that.
” Before being confirmed as general counsel at ODNI , Klitenic was a partner at Holland & Knight LLP and prior to that served in various public and private positions , including at the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security , according to a résumé he provided to the Senate for his confirmation hearing in January 2018 .

The intelligence community lawyer who played an integral role in the start of the impeachment probe of President Donald Trump is resigning next month.
Jason Klitenic, general counsel at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), will serve his last day in that role on March 2, an ODNI spokesperson confirmed to TPM Tuesday.
Asked if Klitenic was asked to resign or if he was doing so on his own accord, the spokesperson said, “He wanted to return to the private sector.” Politico first reported Klitenic’s resignation Tuesday.
The attorney made national headlines last year for his letters justifying his boss’s decision not to share the now well-known whistleblower’s complaint about President Donald Trump with Congress.
The complaint, which was written anonymously and concerned President Donald Trump’s infamous July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, among other things, was first submitted to the inspector general of the intelligence community, Michael Atkinson.
Atkinson had judged the complaint to be a matter of “urgent concern” — the legal standard for sharing it with Congress — and forwarded it to Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire. When several days passed and time had run out for Maguire to share the complaint with Congress as required by law, Atkinson alerted House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff to the complaint. Schiff subpoenaed the complaint but Maguire refused to hand it over.
Klitenic wrote two letters to Congress at the time explaining that Maguire did not view the whistleblower’s complaint as an urgent concern — and, notably, that ODNI had conferred with the Justice Department to come to that conclusion.
Klitenic wrote that, because the law says the “urgent concern” standard only applies to “intelligence activity within the responsibility and authority of the DNI,” the whistleblower’s complaint did not need to be transmitted to Congress. The President, the reasoning went, is not a member of the intelligence community subject to the responsibility and authority of the DNI.
Eventually, Maguire shared the complaint with Congress when Trump released the White House memorandum of the phone call in question, thereby erasing any concerns about executive privilege.
Klitenic’s resignation could affect the chain of command at ODNI: According to federal vacancies law, Maguire, the current acting director of the office, can only stay in that temporary place-filler role until March 11. At that point, he must either resign or be nominated in the Senate to hold the directorship permanently — which also requires him to step down from the “acting” role during his confirmation process.
As another Senate-confirmed official at ODNI, Klitenic could have filled the directorship in Maguire’s wake, Politico noted. Asked if that was in the cards Tuesday, the ODNI spokesperson told TPM, “I don’t have anything on that.”
Before being confirmed as general counsel at ODNI, Klitenic was a partner at Holland & Knight LLP and prior to that served in various public and private positions, including at the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security, according to a résumé he provided to the Senate for his confirmation hearing in January 2018.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-18--Nevada Dem Party Promises Its Caucuses Won’t Be Another Iowa

The Nevada Democratic Party is bound and determined to make sure its caucuses on Saturday won ’ t be a disaster , according to party communications director Molly Forgey .
Forgey told CNN anchor Kate Bolduan on Tuesday that Nevada precinct captains have been undergoing robust training every day until Saturday , and that the party is certain the caucuses will go off without a hitch .
“ We ’ ve had our heads down , working around the clock the last three weeks and we feel very good , very confident , ” the spokesperson said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most accessible , most expansive and transparent caucus in Nevada history.
” When asked if the party will have the caucus results available by the end of Saturday night , Forgey said the “ number one priority ” was ensuring that the process and vote counts go smoothly .
“ And we know , we understand everyone wants to know the outcome of the Nevada caucus because we play such a crucial role in this primary as the first diverse state to make its voice heard , ” she added .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now.
” Nevada Democrats are scrambling to avoid any potential snafus after a faulty vote-tallying app threw the Iowa caucuses into chaos .
Though those caucuses were held over two weeks ago , the Associated Press is still unable to declare a winner due to “ irregularities ” in the result counting process , which showed a razor-thin margin between former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) .
Both candidates have called for a partial recanvass , which the Iowa Democratic Party began on Sunday .

The Nevada Democratic Party is bound and determined to make sure its caucuses on Saturday won’t be a disaster, according to party communications director Molly Forgey.
Forgey told CNN anchor Kate Bolduan on Tuesday that Nevada precinct captains have been undergoing robust training every day until Saturday, and that the party is certain the caucuses will go off without a hitch.
“We’ve had our heads down, working around the clock the last three weeks and we feel very good, very confident,” the spokesperson said. “We know we’re going to have the most accessible, most expansive and transparent caucus in Nevada history.”
When asked if the party will have the caucus results available by the end of Saturday night, Forgey said the “number one priority” was ensuring that the process and vote counts go smoothly.
“And we know, we understand everyone wants to know the outcome of the Nevada caucus because we play such a crucial role in this primary as the first diverse state to make its voice heard,” she added. “So that’s our priority right now.”
Nevada Democrats are scrambling to avoid any potential snafus after a faulty vote-tallying app threw the Iowa caucuses into chaos. Though those caucuses were held over two weeks ago, the Associated Press is still unable to declare a winner due to “irregularities” in the result counting process, which showed a razor-thin margin between former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Both candidates have called for a partial recanvass, which the Iowa Democratic Party began on Sunday.
Watch Forgey below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-18--Video Surfaces Of Bloomberg Suggesting Trans Rights Hurts Dem Campaigns


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-20--Mulvaney Admits GOP Doesn’t Care About Bloated Deficit Under Millionaire-Friendly Trump

Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said the quiet part out loud on Wednesday night .
Mulvaney reportedly admitted during a speech at an Oxford Union event in Britain that today ’ s Republican Party doesn ’ t honestly care about curtailing the now-staggering deficit when it comes to their preferred policies , according to an audio tape obtained by the Washington Post .
“ My party is very interested in deficits when there is a Democrat in the White House , ” the acting chief of staff said .
“ The worst thing in the whole world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President.
” “ Then Donald Trump became president , and we ’ re a lot less interested as a party , ” he continued .
President Donald Trump ’ s GOP-approved tax cuts in 2017 , which primarily benefited the wealthy , caused the deficit to skyrocket to over 1 trillion dollars by 2020 .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other administration officials insisted back then ( and still insist now ) that the cuts will “ pay for themselves , ” but even one of the GOP congresspeople who crafted the tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , admitted in July last year that they might not .
Mulvaney said on Wednesday night that while the deficit is “ extraordinarily disturbing , ” the GOP is “ evolving ” on the issue thanks to Trump .
Even still , Republicans have stridently attacked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ’ s ( D-NY ) Green New Deal , universal health care , and other progressive legislation , claiming that such proposals will “ bankrupt ” the country .
And if Republicans wants to tackle the deficit they inflated , they won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would help combat climate change , according to Mulvaney .
“ We take the position in my party that asking people to change their lifestyle dramatically , including by paying more taxes , is simply not something we are interested in doing , ” he said .

Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said the quiet part out loud on Wednesday night.
Mulvaney reportedly admitted during a speech at an Oxford Union event in Britain that today’s Republican Party doesn’t honestly care about curtailing the now-staggering deficit when it comes to their preferred policies, according to an audio tape obtained by the Washington Post.
“My party is very interested in deficits when there is a Democrat in the White House,” the acting chief of staff said. “The worst thing in the whole world is deficits when Barack Obama was the President.”
“Then Donald Trump became president, and we’re a lot less interested as a party,” he continued.
President Donald Trump’s GOP-approved tax cuts in 2017, which primarily benefited the wealthy, caused the deficit to skyrocket to over 1 trillion dollars by 2020. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other administration officials insisted back then (and still insist now) that the cuts will “pay for themselves,” but even one of the GOP congresspeople who crafted the tax bill, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), admitted in July last year that they might not.
Mulvaney said on Wednesday night that while the deficit is “extraordinarily disturbing,” the GOP is “evolving” on the issue thanks to Trump.
Even still, Republicans have stridently attacked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-NY) Green New Deal, universal health care, and other progressive legislation, claiming that such proposals will “bankrupt” the country.
And if Republicans want to tackle the deficit they inflated, they won’t do it with a pollution tax that would help combat climate change, according to Mulvaney.
“We take the position in my party that asking people to change their lifestyle dramatically, including by paying more taxes, is simply not something we are interested in doing,” he said.