msnbc--2020-10-16--Trump's wild promises are a national security threat. Here's why.

When President Donald Trump said `` people can decide for themselves '' whether Navy SEALs really killed Osama Bin Laden during his town hall Thursday , moderator Savannah Guthrie was right to suggest that such a statement would be alarming even if it came from a crazy uncle — let alone the commander-in-chief .
Keep that in mind as Trump floats the possibility of a `` sweeping '' foreign policy speech before the election about withdrawing troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year .
Conflicting comments from Trump and his advisers over recent days once again reveal the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And this is no time for major foreign policy decisions .
On Oct. 7 Trump tweeted : `` We should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas . ''
This sudden promise came as U.S. diplomats and military commanders were about to meet with Taliban leaders to press for follow-through on commitments to reduce violence and break with Al Qaeda .
The reported response of one U.S. official when informed of the tweet was `` Oh my God ! ''
In what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own policy .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to Doha , Qatar , in September to open talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government .
The stance he was there to promote was clear when he said , referring to the Taliban , `` Our commitment to reduce forces to zero is conditioned on them executing their obligations under the agreement . ''
Hours before Trump 's tweet , White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien confirmed in a public forum that U.S. force levels would be maintained at around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , Army Gen. Mark Milley , later contradicted both O'Brien and Trump , saying any discussion of further reduction in forces was pure speculation .
Never before has a president so wantonly and consistently undermined his diplomats and military commanders engaged in difficult assignments on behalf of our country .
Bringing the Taliban and the Afghan government to the table in the first place had required a delicate balance .
The Taliban had to be assured that U.S. force levels would be reduced , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that U.S. force levels would n't go to zero without an intra-Afghan peace deal .
No matter what one thinks of this process , and I have been highly skeptical , diplomacy can work here only if both parties recognize that the United States is n't heading for the exits regardless of what happens .
I experienced this policymaking chaos firsthand over two years working in the Trump administration , helping lead the global campaign against the Islamic State terrorist group .
The veneer of a process below the president allowed for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a military campaign across Iraq and Syria .
In December 2018 , together with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis , I met with the military contributors to our coalition to secure their commitments to stay the course , particularly in Syria .
Our allies signed up because they trusted the U.S. and valued American leadership .
Across two administrations , we had built a global coalition to coordinate and protect our citizens from a common threat with small deployments of U.S. forces .
Less than two weeks after that meeting , however , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirely .
Our allies were baffled .
Our adversaries were gleeful .
Today in Syria , Russian flags fly over what had been U.S. positions .
Russian forces regularly harass U.S. troops — while Trump says nothing in their defense .
Diplomacy and national security decision-making demand thought , prudence and rigorous process , a formula that no administration gets entirely right .
The world is too complex , our adversaries are too adaptive and information is too limited to make the right decisions in every instance .
That 's why most presidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job with the utmost seriousness , consulting regularly with advisers and intelligence professionals .
Donald Trump does none of this .
He reportedly does n't read — let alone absorb — intelligence reporting .
He 's consistently blown astray by something seen on television or said by a foreign leader on the phone , reversing policy wholesale with no thought as to consequences .
Syria and Afghanistan are high-profile cases , but this chaos and incoherence have corroded American authority and influence across the globe .
Our diplomats in foreign capitals ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no policy .
On any given issue , our allies , adversaries and competitors know everything can change with a spasmodic tweet .
Under Trump 's leadership , the currency of an American handshake is in free fall .
Consider the American military facilities in Germany that have served as a cornerstone to peace for over 70 years .
They remain vital to readiness across Europe , Africa and the Middle East .
Trump , with no process or planning , ordered one-third of our forces there , about 12,000 troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When his defense secretary , Mark Esper , held a news conference to suggest that the move had some strategic rationale , Trump undercut him moments later , saying he had ordered the move solely because `` Germany is delinquent '' and not paying its bills — a charge he 's levied at NATO allies for years , never pausing to understand how NATO 's defense spending pledge actually works .
Nobody consulted Berlin , where senior officials expressed astonishment , saying Trump 's behavior was `` completely unacceptable . ''
The process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glamorous .
It requires constant and ongoing consultation and a president who is informed , knowledgeable and interested .
Those doing the work must have some confidence that they wo n't be undercut on a whim .
Counterparts across the table — whether friendly or adversarial — must know the same .
I 've sat across from Russian officials across two administrations .
In one , I knew the president had my back .
In another , I knew a call from Putin might undermine everything we were working to achieve .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Trump administration cedes advantage entirely to more disciplined and patient adversaries .
Returning to first principles — discipline , prudence and process — will be essential as we work as a country to restore our respect in the world and rebuild the confidence of our friends .

When President Donald Trump said "people can decide for themselves" whether Navy SEALs really killed Osama Bin Laden during his town hall Thursday, moderator Savannah Guthrie was right to suggest that such a statement would be alarming even if it came from a crazy uncle — let alone the commander-in-chief.
Keep that in mind as Trump floats the possibility of a "sweeping" foreign policy speech before the election about withdrawing troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year. Conflicting comments from Trump and his advisers over recent days once again reveal the total chaos inside our national security system. And this is no time for major foreign policy decisions.
On Oct. 7 Trump tweeted: "We should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas."
We should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2020
This sudden promise came as U.S. diplomats and military commanders were about to meet with Taliban leaders to press for follow-through on commitments to reduce violence and break with Al Qaeda. The reported response of one U.S. official when informed of the tweet was "Oh my God!"
In what's become a pattern, Trump sabotaged his own policy. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to Doha, Qatar, in September to open talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. The stance he was there to promote was clear when he said, referring to the Taliban, "Our commitment to reduce forces to zero is conditioned on them executing their obligations under the agreement."
Under Trump's leadership, the currency of an American handshake is in free fall.
Hours before Trump's tweet, White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien confirmed in a public forum that U.S. force levels would be maintained at around "2,500 by early next year." The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, later contradicted both O'Brien and Trump, saying any discussion of further reduction in forces was pure speculation. Never before has a president so wantonly and consistently undermined his diplomats and military commanders engaged in difficult assignments on behalf of our country.
Bringing the Taliban and the Afghan government to the table in the first place had required a delicate balance. The Taliban had to be assured that U.S. force levels would be reduced, while the government had to be assured that U.S. force levels wouldn't go to zero without an intra-Afghan peace deal. No matter what one thinks of this process, and I have been highly skeptical, diplomacy can work here only if both parties recognize that the United States isn't heading for the exits regardless of what happens.
The withdrawal provisions in this Afghanistan agreement seem far more comprehensive than advertised. It’s a TOTAL withdrawal of ALL American and NATO forces within 14 months. That would likely produce a gradual collapse of the state, civil war, and the Taliban back in Kabul. pic.twitter.com/VRHRk2dXsC — Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) February 29, 2020
I experienced this policymaking chaos firsthand over two years working in the Trump administration, helping lead the global campaign against the Islamic State terrorist group. The veneer of a process below the president allowed for some success in coordinating with allies and prosecuting a military campaign across Iraq and Syria. In December 2018, together with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, I met with the military contributors to our coalition to secure their commitments to stay the course, particularly in Syria.
Our allies signed up because they trusted the U.S. and valued American leadership. Across two administrations, we had built a global coalition to coordinate and protect our citizens from a common threat with small deployments of U.S. forces. Less than two weeks after that meeting, however, Trump tweeted that he was withdrawing from Syria entirely.
....almost 3 years, but it is time for us to get out of these ridiculous Endless Wars, many of them tribal, and bring our soldiers home. WE WILL FIGHT WHERE IT IS TO OUR BENEFIT, AND ONLY FIGHT TO WIN. Turkey, Europe, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Russia and the Kurds will now have to..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2019
Our allies were baffled. Our adversaries were gleeful. Today in Syria, Russian flags fly over what had been U.S. positions. Russian forces regularly harass U.S. troops — while Trump says nothing in their defense.
Diplomacy and national security decision-making demand thought, prudence and rigorous process, a formula that no administration gets entirely right. The world is too complex, our adversaries are too adaptive and information is too limited to make the right decisions in every instance. That's why most presidents take the national security aspect of their job with the utmost seriousness, consulting regularly with advisers and intelligence professionals.
Donald Trump does none of this. He reportedly doesn't read — let alone absorb — intelligence reporting. He's consistently blown astray by something seen on television or said by a foreign leader on the phone, reversing policy wholesale with no thought as to consequences.
Syria and Afghanistan are high-profile cases, but this chaos and incoherence have corroded American authority and influence across the globe. Our diplomats in foreign capitals can't articulate American policy to foreign counterparts because there is no policy. On any given issue, our allies, adversaries and competitors know everything can change with a spasmodic tweet. Under Trump's leadership, the currency of an American handshake is in free fall.
Consider the American military facilities in Germany that have served as a cornerstone to peace for over 70 years. They remain vital to readiness across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Trump, with no process or planning, ordered one-third of our forces there, about 12,000 troops, to pack up and leave. When his defense secretary, Mark Esper, held a news conference to suggest that the move had some strategic rationale, Trump undercut him moments later, saying he had ordered the move solely because "Germany is delinquent" and not paying its bills — a charge he's levied at NATO allies for years, never pausing to understand how NATO's defense spending pledge actually works. Nobody consulted Berlin, where senior officials expressed astonishment, saying Trump's behavior was "completely unacceptable."
Germany pays Russia billions of dollars a year for Energy, and we are supposed to protect Germany from Russia. What’s that all about? Also, Germany is very delinquent in their 2% fee to NATO. We are therefore moving some troops out of Germany! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2020
The process of foreign policymaking and diplomacy isn't glamorous. It requires constant and ongoing consultation and a president who is informed, knowledgeable and interested. Those doing the work must have some confidence that they won't be undercut on a whim. Counterparts across the table — whether friendly or adversarial — must know the same. I've sat across from Russian officials across two administrations. In one, I knew the president had my back. In another, I knew a call from Putin might undermine everything we were working to achieve.
The reckless and chaotic nature of foreign policy in the Trump administration cedes advantage entirely to more disciplined and patient adversaries. Returning to first principles — discipline, prudence and process — will be essential as we work as a country to restore our respect in the world and rebuild the confidence of our friends.


msnbc--2020-10-16--Trump loves white men. These 'recovering Republicans' no longer love him back.

Purely based on voting behavior , it appears many white men love President Donald Trump .
In fact , love might be an understatement given that white men without college degrees voted for Trump at a rate higher than for any other candidate in the last 36 years .
In 2016 , when I reported from one of his rallies in Marshalltown , Iowa , men told me they would vote for him even if he shot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue .
Today , they 're risking their own lives on his behalf , braving potentially super-spreader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see him .
Maybe that 's why , at his first rally since he tested positive for the coronavirus , the president offered to show his male fans affection first .
`` I feel so powerful , '' the president shouted .
`` I 'll kiss everyone in that audience .
I 'll kiss the guys ... and the beautiful women . ''
I guess `` big fat kisses '' from a potentially contagious president work in the reverse order of lifeboats — it 's the men who go first .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some white men are starting to feel a little less loyal to the man who has promised them the moon and the stars .
An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll showed that Trump 's lead among white male voters without college degrees has dropped from an enormous 35 points to a significant but narrowing 19 points .
Every election cycle , we hear that white men ca n't be swayed , but what about the ones who can no longer justify staying in Trump 's Republican Party ?
`` Unfortunately , I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stevens , 30 , a Texas small-business owner , told me resolutely after he responded to a call-out I made on social media looking for conservative men having second thoughts about Trump .
When we talked on the phone , Stevens said he was n't leaving the party because he 's particularly energized by Biden , but rather because he just ca n't bring himself to support a man like Trump .
Stevens , who voted for Mitt Romney in 2012 , said Trump 's performance of manhood has pushed him away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a particular view of masculinity that bullies people , '' Stevens said .
Other men described being embarrassed by Trump 's interpretation of strength .
`` He 's made this party untenable , '' Nick Jesteadt , 30 , a former conservative evangelist , told me over the phone .
`` There is just no compassion .
And these softer skills and personality traits that should n't be gender-based '' are now once again being tied to gender .
Jesteadt described Trump 's brash style of leadership , his repeated verbal abuse and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classic masculinity '' and `` stuff you see from '60s dad sitcoms . ''
Patrick Carr , who introduced himself as a `` recovering Republican , '' voiced a similar sentiment .
`` Trump 's version of masculinity would have everyone believe that his opinion is the only one that matters because he is president , '' he said .
As it did for most of the men I spoke to , the president 's treatment of women specifically touched a nerve .
`` He openly lusted after his daughter and throws women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Carr said .
While he 's always voted Republican , this year he 's voting for Biden and Kamala Harris .
A secondary theme also emerged in many of these conversations .
While the men often described themselves as recovering Republicans , many spoke like recovering toxic masculinity addicts .
What they despised about Trump was a machismo they once emulated .
John Chapman , 36 , a former Republican who interned for the Republican National Committee and spent a summer working for the Bush administration , told me Trump felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masculinity we all grew up idolizing . ''
He also said this model of masculinity has long been central to the Republican Party , dating to the days of Ronald Reagan .
`` I was drinking the Kool-Aid so much that I named my dog Reagan , '' Chapman told me .
But now that he has seen this model fail for him personally , he sees through it politically .
`` My reaction to Trump 's version of masculinity is just realizing how fragile he must be , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid right now , to a T , describes me two years ago , '' he said .
`` I had an issue for six years that I refused to go the doctor for , and it was almost fatal , because ' I was too tough for that . '
'' And there 's another element at play here : the men who identify with being bullied like Biden .
Witnessing Biden be mocked as `` weak '' and humiliated for having a speech disability is just one more reason not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , Biden 's own expression of masculinity — he 's not afraid to wear a mask or to campaign alongside an equally smart and successful wife — represents a more evolved gender identity that Stevens admires .
At this point , I know what you 're probably thinking : Another piece trying to get inside the heads of white men ?
But while it 's true that white men are still the most privileged class in our society , their progress has been relatively stagnant compared to that of other groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than doubled ( as they should and must continue to do ! )
, while the salaries of your average white men have n't .
But this stagnation is a relevant point when it comes to their mindsets and , notably , voting patterns .
In 2016 , white men responded overwhelmingly to Trump 's populist message .
He said he would take care of them .
He said he would make them feel like the providers and breadwinners society tells them to be .
But while Trump said he would take care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken care of only some white men : the ultra-rich ones .
As many have lost jobs and housing , Jeff Bezos has more than doubled his wealth since the beginning of the pandemic — a jump helped along by Trump 's tax cuts .
Your average white male voter is n't struggling because a woman or a person of color took his job ; he is struggling because a select group of white men are hogging resources and paying taxes at a lower rate than the vast majority of Americans .
Blaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel is a convenient distraction from the fact that it has been enabled by people like Trump himself .
Maybe that 's why the president is so committed to the `` Macho Man '' bit , consistently playing the song at his rallies even as thousands of people continue to die .
The president , who claims to be the ultimate man 's man , has abysmally failed to both provide for and protect the American public .
He 's probably never going to stop playing the role of the male champion on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are starting to see through the lie .

Purely based on voting behavior, it appears many white men love President Donald Trump.
In fact, love might be an understatement given that white men without college degrees voted for Trump at a rate higher than for any other candidate in the last 36 years. In 2016, when I reported from one of his rallies in Marshalltown, Iowa, men told me they would vote for him even if he shot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue. Today, they're risking their own lives on his behalf, braving potentially super-spreader events to line up for the chance to see him.
Maybe that's why, at his first rally since he tested positive for the coronavirus, the president offered to show his male fans affection first. "I feel so powerful," the president shouted. "I'll kiss everyone in that audience. I'll kiss the guys ... and the beautiful women." I guess "big fat kisses" from a potentially contagious president work in the reverse order of lifeboats — it's the men who go first.
But with the election around the corner, some white men are starting to feel a little less loyal to the man who has promised them the moon and the stars. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll showed that Trump's lead among white male voters without college degrees has dropped from an enormous 35 points to a significant but narrowing 19 points. Every election cycle, we hear that white men can't be swayed, but what about the ones who can no longer justify staying in Trump's Republican Party?
Every election cycle, we hear that white men can't be swayed, but what about the ones who can no longer justify staying in Trump's Republican Party?
"Unfortunately, I'm voting for Joe Biden," Nick Stevens, 30, a Texas small-business owner, told me resolutely after he responded to a call-out I made on social media looking for conservative men having second thoughts about Trump. When we talked on the phone, Stevens said he wasn't leaving the party because he's particularly energized by Biden, but rather because he just can't bring himself to support a man like Trump. Stevens, who voted for Mitt Romney in 2012, said Trump's performance of manhood has pushed him away from the GOP. "He feeds off a particular view of masculinity that bullies people," Stevens said.
Other men described being embarrassed by Trump's interpretation of strength. "He's made this party untenable," Nick Jesteadt, 30, a former conservative evangelist, told me over the phone. "There is just no compassion. And these softer skills and personality traits that shouldn't be gender-based" are now once again being tied to gender. Jesteadt described Trump's brash style of leadership, his repeated verbal abuse and his inability to listen as "old classic masculinity" and "stuff you see from '60s dad sitcoms."
Patrick Carr, who introduced himself as a "recovering Republican," voiced a similar sentiment. "Trump's version of masculinity would have everyone believe that his opinion is the only one that matters because he is president," he said. As it did for most of the men I spoke to, the president's treatment of women specifically touched a nerve. "He openly lusted after his daughter and throws women away when they no longer please him," Carr said. While he's always voted Republican, this year he's voting for Biden and Kamala Harris.
A secondary theme also emerged in many of these conversations. While the men often described themselves as recovering Republicans, many spoke like recovering toxic masculinity addicts. What they despised about Trump was a machismo they once emulated. John Chapman, 36, a former Republican who interned for the Republican National Committee and spent a summer working for the Bush administration, told me Trump felt like a "symptom of the toxic masculinity we all grew up idolizing." He also said this model of masculinity has long been central to the Republican Party, dating to the days of Ronald Reagan.
"I was drinking the Kool-Aid so much that I named my dog Reagan," Chapman told me. But now that he has seen this model fail for him personally, he sees through it politically. "My reaction to Trump's version of masculinity is just realizing how fragile he must be," he said. Stevens agrees. Trump's "handling of Covid right now, to a T, describes me two years ago," he said. "I had an issue for six years that I refused to go the doctor for, and it was almost fatal, because 'I was too tough for that.'"
And there's another element at play here: the men who identify with being bullied like Biden. Witnessing Biden be mocked as "weak" and humiliated for having a speech disability is just one more reason not to vote for Trump, Stevens said. Meanwhile, Biden's own expression of masculinity — he's not afraid to wear a mask or to campaign alongside an equally smart and successful wife — represents a more evolved gender identity that Stevens admires.
At this point, I know what you're probably thinking: Another piece trying to get inside the heads of white men? But while it's true that white men are still the most privileged class in our society, their progress has been relatively stagnant compared to that of other groups. Black women's incomes have more than doubled (as they should and must continue to do!), while the salaries of your average white men haven't. But this stagnation is a relevant point when it comes to their mindsets and, notably, voting patterns. In 2016, white men responded overwhelmingly to Trump's populist message. He said he would take care of them. He said he would make them feel like the providers and breadwinners society tells them to be.
But while Trump said he would take care of all white men, he has taken care of only some white men: the ultra-rich ones. As many have lost jobs and housing, Jeff Bezos has more than doubled his wealth since the beginning of the pandemic — a jump helped along by Trump's tax cuts. Your average white male voter isn't struggling because a woman or a person of color took his job; he is struggling because a select group of white men are hogging resources and paying taxes at a lower rate than the vast majority of Americans. Blaming immigrants for the stagnation many white men feel is a convenient distraction from the fact that it has been enabled by people like Trump himself.
Maybe that's why the president is so committed to the "Macho Man" bit.
Maybe that's why the president is so committed to the "Macho Man" bit, consistently playing the song at his rallies even as thousands of people continue to die. The president, who claims to be the ultimate man's man, has abysmally failed to both provide for and protect the American public. He's probably never going to stop playing the role of the male champion on TV. But at least some men are starting to see through the lie.


msnbc--2020-10-15--As elections near, Pompeo plays the role of political operative

Last week , Donald Trump lashed out wildly in a variety of directions , and even Secretary of State Mike Pompeo could n't escape the president 's tantrum .
The president specifically targeted the Kansas Republican for , of all things , failing to produce emails sent by Hillary Clinton several years ago .
`` They 're in the State Department , but Mike Pompeo has been unable to get them out , which is very sad actually .
I 'm not happy about him for that reason , '' Trump said .
`` He was unable to get that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You 're running the State Department ; you 're able to get them out . ''
It was n't at all clear which emails the president thinks are still lurking in State Department servers .
Nevertheless , just one day later , the nation 's chief diplomat assured Fox News that he and his team intend to produce anti-Clinton materials `` before the election . ''
As Bloomberg News reported yesterday , Pompeo 's still at it .
The point of the endeavor remains elusive .
If old Clinton emails exist , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if Pompeo were to uncover voluminous emails in which the former presidential candidate spoke in great detail about orchestrating a series of felonies , I 'm hard pressed to imagine how this would alter the trajectory of the 2020 race -- because the last time I checked , Hillary Clinton is n't running for anything .
But for Pompeo , that does n't appear to much matter : Trump expects officials to use levers of federal power to help his re-election campaign , and so the secretary of State is eager to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo appears a little too eager .
Just today , he did media appearances with outlets from several states , including 2020 battlegrounds such as Florida , Georgia , and Michigan .
`` Yes , the secretary should talk to the American people , '' Philip J. Crowley , former U.S. assistant secretary of State wrote today , `` but in those states three weeks before the election ?
He 's not even pretending to keep his distance from domestic politics . ''
Pompeo keeps proving this criticism true .
The cabinet secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month , which roughly coincided with Pompeo 's swing-state tour .
The Associated Press noted that the secretary was `` shattering diplomatic norms '' with his `` overtly political '' excursions .
A month earlier , of course , Pompeo became the first modern secretary of State to deliver remarks at a national political convention , despite federal ethics laws and election-year guidelines issued by his own office .
About a year ago , Pompeo expressed interest in engaging in some limited political efforts , but he backed off when advised on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , he 's apparently decided to stop caring and start embracing a role as election-season political operative .

Last week, Donald Trump lashed out wildly in a variety of directions, and even Secretary of State Mike Pompeo couldn't escape the president's tantrum. The president specifically targeted the Kansas Republican for, of all things, failing to produce emails sent by Hillary Clinton several years ago.
"They're in the State Department, but Mike Pompeo has been unable to get them out, which is very sad actually. I'm not happy about him for that reason," Trump said. "He was unable to get that. I don't know why. You're running the State Department; you're able to get them out."
It wasn't at all clear which emails the president thinks are still lurking in State Department servers. Nevertheless, just one day later, the nation's chief diplomat assured Fox News that he and his team intend to produce anti-Clinton materials "before the election."
As Bloomberg News reported yesterday, Pompeo's still at it.
The State Department is doing "everything we can" to release additional emails from Hillary Clinton's tenure as the top U.S. diplomat, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said, reaffirming a vow he made after President Donald Trump criticized him for not doing more. "We'll continue to do the right thing, we'll make sure that all these emails get to the right place," Pompeo told reporters Wednesday. "We will do everything we can to make sure that the American people get a chance to see as much as we can equitably produce."
The point of the endeavor remains elusive. If old Clinton emails exist, they're unlikely to be significant. But even if Pompeo were to uncover voluminous emails in which the former presidential candidate spoke in great detail about orchestrating a series of felonies, I'm hard pressed to imagine how this would alter the trajectory of the 2020 race -- because the last time I checked, Hillary Clinton isn't running for anything.
But for Pompeo, that doesn't appear to much matter: Trump expects officials to use levers of federal power to help his re-election campaign, and so the secretary of State is eager to do his part.
In fact, Pompeo appears a little too eager. Just today, he did media appearances with outlets from several states, including 2020 battlegrounds such as Florida, Georgia, and Michigan.
"Yes, the secretary should talk to the American people," Philip J. Crowley, former U.S. assistant secretary of State wrote today, "but in those states three weeks before the election? He's not even pretending to keep his distance from domestic politics."
Pompeo keeps proving this criticism true. The cabinet secretary headlined a political event in Florida late last month, which roughly coincided with Pompeo's swing-state tour. The Associated Press noted that the secretary was "shattering diplomatic norms" with his "overtly political" excursions.
A month earlier, of course, Pompeo became the first modern secretary of State to deliver remarks at a national political convention, despite federal ethics laws and election-year guidelines issued by his own office.
About a year ago, Pompeo expressed interest in engaging in some limited political efforts, but he backed off when advised on State Department ethics rules. A year later, he's apparently decided to stop caring and start embracing a role as election-season political operative.


msnbc--2020-10-14--Rick Gates: Trump should pardon 'everybody' convicted in Russia probe — and himself

Trump ca n't say if he tested negative on day of debate

Trump’s ‘unmasking’ probe commissioned by AG Bill Barr against the Obama administration concluded without any charges. Another investigation into the Russia probe investigators will not be concluded until after the 2020 election. MSNBC’s Ari Melber interviews former Trump deputy campaign manager Rick Gates about his decision to flip on Trump’s campaign chief, Trump’s pardon power and why so many Trump insiders have been indicted.Oct. 14, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-17--We’re in a third Covid spike. Chris Hayes says, ‘There are no more excuses.’

Sioux Falls Mayor : The politics of Covid-19 'is difficult for us at the local level '

We’re in a third Covid spike. Chris Hayes says, ‘There are no more excuses.’
“Now we are in the third spike, and there is nothing left to say—other than the President and the Republican Party are willfully getting people killed,” says Chris Hayes.Oct. 17, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-16--Chuck Rosenberg on Rudy Giuliani: ‘Vladimir Putin has pulled the pin on that grenade’

Chuck Rosenberg on Rudy Giuliani: ‘Vladimir Putin has pulled the pin on that grenade’
Former senior FBI official Chuck Rosenberg on new reporting that the White House was warned that Rudy Giuliani was the target of a Russian intelligence operation to feed the president misinformationOct. 16, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-16--Pete Souza reflects on being a 'professional chameleon' in WH

Pete Souza served as the Chief Official White House Photographer for the Obama presidency, and his work is the subject of the new documentary 'The Way I See It,' which premieres Friday night on MSNBC. Souza joins Morning Joe to discuss.Oct. 16, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-16--Sen. David Perdue mocks Kamala Harris’ name at Trump rally

Sen. David Perdue mocked Sen. Kamala Harris’ name at a Trump rally in Georgia. He dramatically said to the delight of the crowd, “Kamala? Kamala? Kamala-mala-mala? I don’t know. Whatever.”Oct. 16, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-16--Michigan voter: If Republicans won't criticize Trump, 'I am not going to vote for them'

Michigan voter: If Republicans won't criticize Trump, 'I am not going to vote for them'
Dasha Burns talks to voters in Kent County, Michigan where some are “voting blue all the way up and down the ballot for the first time in their lives.”Oct. 16, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-16--Sen. Sasse criticizes Trump during call with constituents

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msnbc--2020-10-16--Dr. Osterholm says from a scientific standpoint, herd immunity ‘has the value of pixie dust’

Dr. Osterholm says from a scientific standpoint, herd immunity ‘has the value of pixie dust’
In light of the White House embracing the strategy of letting the virus run rampant over enacting more shutdowns, Dr. Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota, explains what the results of herd immunity would look likeOct. 16, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-16--David Wasserman explains why one county could be an early indicator of Trump's election night fortun

David Wasserman explains why one county could be an early indicator of Trump's election night fortunes

David Wasserman joins Andrea Mitchell to sort through the latest numbers on early voting, voter registrations, and explain why Sumter County, Florida, could let us know early on if President Trump's re-election bid is in trouble on election night, as it could serve as ground zero for the "gray revolt" that has Joe Biden leading in polls among senior voters - a group Hillary Clinton lost in 2016.Oct. 16, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-16--Beto O’Rourke: Texas voting surge ‘a good sign for Texas Democrats’

Texas cast more than a million votes this week. While traditionally deep red, the Democratic party there says that turnout is only one of several promising signs the state could go blue for the first time since Jimmy Carter in 1976. Former Texas Congressman and former 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidate, Beto O'Rourke joins Katy Tur to discuss.Oct. 16, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-16--Chris Christie speaks out about not wearing a mask

Former NJ Gov. and one of the president's debate coaches, Chris Christie, is publicly discussing his battle with the coronavirus and is also regretting his decision to not wear a mask at the White House.Oct. 16, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-16--Trump pretends racism isn't real. That can't stop us from trying to end it.

President Donald Trump , in his town hall on Thursday , claimed that he has “ denounced white supremacy for years , ” despite his history and the fact that he has rallied behind far-right groups and white supremacists while in office , from Charlottesville , Virginia , to Portland , Oregon , to Kenosha , Wisconsin .
When I first began leading marches against police brutality and racial injustice decades ago , I was mocked , vilified in the press , attacked and stabbed , all for pushing to change the harsh reality of racism embedded in every facet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has changed since then , we ’ re still fighting for equality .
But when it comes to Trump and his administration , the challenge isn ’ t just figuring out a more effective way to fight racism ; it ’ s figuring out how to get him to admit that it even exists in the first place .
Today , our country is at a crossroads : On the one hand , the protests against police violence and calls for racial equality have grown larger , stronger and more diverse than before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a president and an administration doing everything in their power to deny the problem of racism altogether and instead trying to rewrite history to fit their agenda .
In the year 2020 , we should not have to convince Trump that systemic racism is real ; but what else can we do when the highest offices in this country refuse to acknowledge reality ?
Going back to the first presidential debate between Trump and former vice president Joe Biden , the president refused to condemn white supremacy and instead told radical groups to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was an alarming escalation of the normalization of these hate groups , even more so as it came on a presidential debate stage set to decide the highest office in the country .
And the fact that Trump failed to do so when asked point-blank exposed this troubling behavior at another level .
This is the person we have to convince to take measures to tackle systemic racism ?
Actions like these reinforce the openly flippant and dangerous rhetoric from this White House and its surrogates .
Trump knows that if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's easier to claim there isn ’ t a problem that needs solving in the first place .
In September , Trump directed officials to stop or revise racial sensitivity training programs and referred to them as “ un-American propaganda.
” This attack on critical race theory and sensitivity training is just one of the latest attempts to whitewash history and reality while trying to gloss over our current problems and reverse any small progress that has been achieved .
Trump ’ s alleged plans to indoctrinate children with “ patriotic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to brainwash future generations into believing that the United States has done nothing wrong and that the systemic racism Black Americans have endured since we were brought to these shores never existed .
In other words , he ’ s calling for revisionist history .
Trump may deny that racial inequality is an issue of importance , but people ’ s actions indicate otherwise : For months , people from different racial , ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds , both young and old , have been demanding police reform , accountability and justice as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even as the cameras have disappeared and headlines have started to wane , people are out there advocating for equality as they chant the names of Breonna Taylor , George Floyd , Jacob Blake , Ahmaud Arbery and so many others killed by police .
In August , my colleagues and I at the National Action Network led a march in Washington with many of the family members of these victims , along with civil rights leaders and tens of thousands of people who joined us at the nation ’ s capital .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of addressing the inherent bias that permeates so much of law enforcement practices , Trump has demonized and ridiculed protesters , threatened the use of federal troops against them , and refused to take any action to address the problem .
He has stood alongside police unions accused by the public of inherently biased behavior and doubled down on his hateful rhetoric against activists and those marching for justice .
During the vice presidential debate between Sen. Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence , Pence blatantly shrugged off the idea that systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he deflected and denied that law enforcement have any problem in this area , and instead insisted that calls for police reform are an insult to officers .
Though he may not have open racist outbursts or tweeted vile things on a regular basis , Pence is just as much of a denier of systemic racism as Trump is , and just as dangerous in his thinking and policies .
They will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo and hinder any measure of reform .
Despite what this administration would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exists in every area and layer of our society .
Whether we ’ re discussing housing , education , jobs , law enforcement , voting , elected office , health care or opportunities in general , racism is a systemic problem , ingrained in the very systems that run our nation .
The disparity we see across the board can not be rectified if we have people in power who fail to even recognize its existence .
As they continue to block steps that could lead to progress , we must remind everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ugly legacy of slavery that still plagues us .
We must continue to educate people , demonstrate for change , and push for equality everywhere and for everyone .
The fact that the highest levels of government refuse to right these grave wrongs is an insult to all those who have been fighting for equality before us and to all those demonstrating nightly for justice today .
Our goal — our collective goal — is to live in a nation where we can reform systems that are inherently racist so that future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and anguish of their reverberations that we do , and instead will thrive with an equal shot to chase after that highly coveted American dream .

President Donald Trump, in his town hall on Thursday, claimed that he has “denounced white supremacy for years,” despite his history and the fact that he has rallied behind far-right groups and white supremacists while in office, from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Portland, Oregon, to Kenosha, Wisconsin.
When I first began leading marches against police brutality and racial injustice decades ago, I was mocked, vilified in the press, attacked and stabbed, all for pushing to change the harsh reality of racism embedded in every facet of society. And while a lot has changed since then, we’re still fighting for equality. But when it comes to Trump and his administration, the challenge isn’t just figuring out a more effective way to fight racism; it’s figuring out how to get him to admit that it even exists in the first place.
Trump knows that if he doesn’t acknowledge that something exists, it's easier to claim there isn’t a problem that needs solving in the first place.
Today, our country is at a crossroads: On the one hand, the protests against police violence and calls for racial equality have grown larger, stronger and more diverse than before. On the other, we have a president and an administration doing everything in their power to deny the problem of racism altogether and instead trying to rewrite history to fit their agenda. In the year 2020, we should not have to convince Trump that systemic racism is real; but what else can we do when the highest offices in this country refuse to acknowledge reality?
Going back to the first presidential debate between Trump and former vice president Joe Biden, the president refused to condemn white supremacy and instead told radical groups to “stand back and stand by.” It was an alarming escalation of the normalization of these hate groups, even more so as it came on a presidential debate stage set to decide the highest office in the country. And the fact that Trump failed to do so when asked point-blank exposed this troubling behavior at another level. This is the person we have to convince to take measures to tackle systemic racism?
Trump may deny that racial inequality is an issue of importance, but people’s actions indicate otherwise.
Actions like these reinforce the openly flippant and dangerous rhetoric from this White House and its surrogates. Trump knows that if he doesn’t acknowledge that something exists, it's easier to claim there isn’t a problem that needs solving in the first place. In September, Trump directed officials to stop or revise racial sensitivity training programs and referred to them as “un-American propaganda.” This attack on critical race theory and sensitivity training is just one of the latest attempts to whitewash history and reality while trying to gloss over our current problems and reverse any small progress that has been achieved. Trump’s alleged plans to indoctrinate children with “patriotic education” is just more coded language to brainwash future generations into believing that the United States has done nothing wrong and that the systemic racism Black Americans have endured since we were brought to these shores never existed. In other words, he’s calling for revisionist history.
Trump may deny that racial inequality is an issue of importance, but people’s actions indicate otherwise: For months, people from different racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, both young and old, have been demanding police reform, accountability and justice as they demonstrate daily across the country. Even as the cameras have disappeared and headlines have started to wane, people are out there advocating for equality as they chant the names of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Jacob Blake, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others killed by police. In August, my colleagues and I at the National Action Network led a march in Washington with many of the family members of these victims, along with civil rights leaders and tens of thousands of people who joined us at the nation’s capital.
Even with all this evidence, instead of addressing the inherent bias that permeates so much of law enforcement practices, Trump has demonized and ridiculed protesters, threatened the use of federal troops against them, and refused to take any action to address the problem. He has stood alongside police unions accused by the public of inherently biased behavior and doubled down on his hateful rhetoric against activists and those marching for justice.
Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2020
During the vice presidential debate between Sen. Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence, Pence blatantly shrugged off the idea that systemic racism exists. Just like his boss, he deflected and denied that law enforcement have any problem in this area, and instead insisted that calls for police reform are an insult to officers. Though he may not have open racist outbursts or tweeted vile things on a regular basis, Pence is just as much of a denier of systemic racism as Trump is, and just as dangerous in his thinking and policies. They will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo and hinder any measure of reform.
Despite what this administration would have you believe, racial bias unfortunately exists in every area and layer of our society. Whether we’re discussing housing, education, jobs, law enforcement, voting, elected office, health care or opportunities in general, racism is a systemic problem, ingrained in the very systems that run our nation. The disparity we see across the board cannot be rectified if we have people in power who fail to even recognize its existence.
As they continue to block steps that could lead to progress, we must remind everyone that systemic racism is a part of the ugly legacy of slavery that still plagues us. We must continue to educate people, demonstrate for change, and push for equality everywhere and for everyone.
The fact that the highest levels of government refuse to right these grave wrongs is an insult to all those who have been fighting for equality before us and to all those demonstrating nightly for justice today. Our goal — our collective goal — is to live in a nation where we can reform systems that are inherently racist so that future generations won’t feel the pain and anguish of their reverberations that we do, and instead will thrive with an equal shot to chase after that highly coveted American dream.


msnbc--2020-10-16--These conservative white men are voting for Biden. Here's why, in their own words.


msnbc--2020-10-16--I was Obama's White House photographer. Here's what I knew the moment I met Trump.

The previous day at the White House — the day after the election — the shock was palpable throughout the building .
Obama often used the phrase “ zig zag ” to describe the ups and downs of our country ’ s existence .
In my head , I heard the lyrics of a Bruce Springsteen song , “ one step up and two steps back , ” as I walked into the West Wing that morning .
Watch `` The Way I See It , '' a new documentary co-presented by Focus Features and MSNBC Films , on MSNBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Being one of the older members of the staff , I had watched the country go through many challenging times .
The assassination of John Kennedy in 1963 , the civil rights riots in the 1960s , the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy in 1968 , the resignation of Richard Nixon in 1974 and the 9/11 attacks , to name a few .
As difficult as those times were , our country did eventually recover from all of them .
I told myself that the Trump election was another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps back or maybe a few more .
Yet there was an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach as I sat in my cubby hole office early that morning after the election .
I noticed an open door and light across the hall — chief speechwriter Cody Keenan ’ s office .
I poked my head in .
Cody wasn ’ t there but his young assistant — a writer in her own right — was seated at her desk .
She looked up at me and , while nodding yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to give her a hug , and the tears flowed onto my suit jacket .
Later , I noticed mascara stains on my lapel .
That scene repeated itself throughout the day .
I tried my best to buck people up .
“ It ’ ll be OK , ” I repeated .
Yet I wondered myself how much damage a Trump presidency could do , and how long it would eventually take for the country to recover .
Trump eventually arrived at the White House and met with the Obamas in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Melania , Jared Kushner , Hope Hicks and a handful of others .
President Obama escorted Trump along the colonnade to the Oval Office .
Michelle Obama escorted Melania upstairs to the residence .
In the Oval Office , Obama showed Trump the private study and private dining room that are part of the Oval suite .
As they were about to sit down for their private meeting , Obama said to Trump , “ this is my White House photographer Pete Souza.
” I reached out to shake his hand and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was following the president ’ s lead to be respectful .
“ You ’ re famous , ” Trump said back to me .
Which puzzled me so much that I just let his reply hang in the air .
Thinking about that comment almost four years later , I still think it was such an odd thing for him to say .
First , I wasn ’ t really that well known outside the building ( yes , that ’ s changed a bit in the past few years ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was ?
But more telling , why would the next president of the United States choose those words , and only those words , upon me congratulating him ?
But watching the reality show nature of his presidency the last four years , maybe it makes perfect sense .
I guess he thought I had good ratings .
Want more articles like this ?
Follow THINK on Instagram to get updates on the week 's most important political analysis Many people are aware that I began throwing shade at Trump and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inauguration .
What began as subtle and humorous jabs has morphed into much more direct commentary , bolstered mostly by my Obama photographs as a comparison .
There are some who believe that I , as a former photojournalist and a former official White House photographer , should keep my mouth shut and not criticize the current president .
I worked for arguably the most iconic Republican president of my generation ( yes , I worked as an official photographer for Reagan ) and for arguably the most iconic Democratic president of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a unique vantage point , having observed two presidents from two different political parties as an insider .
The presidency deserves someone who is competent and honest .
Someone who has empathy and compassion .
Someone who upholds the dignity , and shows respect to , the office .
Someone who has character and knows ultimately the presidency isn ’ t about him ( or someday her ) , but about us .

The previous day at the White House — the day after the election — the shock was palpable throughout the building. Obama often used the phrase “zig zag” to describe the ups and downs of our country’s existence. In my head, I heard the lyrics of a Bruce Springsteen song, “one step up and two steps back,” as I walked into the West Wing that morning.
Watch "The Way I See It," a new documentary co-presented by Focus Features and MSNBC Films, on MSNBC tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Being one of the older members of the staff, I had watched the country go through many challenging times. The assassination of John Kennedy in 1963, the civil rights riots in the 1960s, the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy in 1968, the resignation of Richard Nixon in 1974 and the 9/11 attacks, to name a few. As difficult as those times were, our country did eventually recover from all of them.
President Reagan and Nancy Reagan at Memorial Service for servicemen killed and wounded in Lebanon and Grenada at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, N.C., on Nov. 4, 1983. Pete Souza / The White House
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room on May 1, 2011. Pete Souza / The White House
I told myself that the Trump election was another such episode — a zag, two steps back or maybe a few more. Yet there was an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach as I sat in my cubby hole office early that morning after the election. I noticed an open door and light across the hall — chief speechwriter Cody Keenan’s office. I poked my head in.
Cody wasn’t there but his young assistant — a writer in her own right — was seated at her desk.
“You doing OK?” I asked.
She looked up at me and, while nodding yes, began to cry. I reached out to give her a hug, and the tears flowed onto my suit jacket. Later, I noticed mascara stains on my lapel.
That scene repeated itself throughout the day. I tried my best to buck people up. “It’ll be OK,” I repeated. Yet I wondered myself how much damage a Trump presidency could do, and how long it would eventually take for the country to recover.
Trump eventually arrived at the White House and met with the Obamas in the Diplomatic Reception Room. With him was Melania, Jared Kushner, Hope Hicks and a handful of others. President Obama escorted Trump along the colonnade to the Oval Office. Michelle Obama escorted Melania upstairs to the residence.
In the Oval Office, Obama showed Trump the private study and private dining room that are part of the Oval suite. As they were about to sit down for their private meeting, Obama said to Trump, “this is my White House photographer Pete Souza.”
I reached out to shake his hand and said, “Congratulations, sir.” I was following the president’s lead to be respectful.
“You’re famous,” Trump said back to me. Which puzzled me so much that I just let his reply hang in the air.
President Reagan working in Oval Office on Oct. 26, 1988. Pete Souza / The White House
President Barack Obama reflects during a budget meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Jan. 29, 2009. Pete Souza / White House Photo
Thinking about that comment almost four years later, I still think it was such an odd thing for him to say. First, I wasn’t really that well known outside the building (yes, that’s changed a bit in the past few years). So how could he possibly know who I was? But more telling, why would the next president of the United States choose those words, and only those words, upon me congratulating him?
But watching the reality show nature of his presidency the last four years, maybe it makes perfect sense. I guess he thought I had good ratings.
Many people are aware that I began throwing shade at Trump and his administration in the early days after his inauguration. What began as subtle and humorous jabs has morphed into much more direct commentary, bolstered mostly by my Obama photographs as a comparison.
There are some who believe that I, as a former photojournalist and a former official White House photographer, should keep my mouth shut and not criticize the current president.
I disagree.
I worked for arguably the most iconic Republican president of my generation (yes, I worked as an official photographer for Reagan) and for arguably the most iconic Democratic president of my generation. So I feel I have a unique vantage point, having observed two presidents from two different political parties as an insider.
The presidency deserves someone who is competent and honest. Someone who has empathy and compassion. Someone who upholds the dignity, and shows respect to, the office. Someone who has character and knows ultimately the presidency isn’t about him (or someday her), but about us.


msnbc--2020-10-16--Trump is eyeing another corporate tax cut (for the wrong reason)

During his townhall event on ABC News last night , Joe Biden made the case that Republicans made a mistake slashing the corporate tax rate .
Describing the current landscape , the former vice president explained , `` You have 91 out of the Fortune 500 companies not paying a single solitary penny '' in corporate taxes .
This , incidentally , had the benefit of being true .
Around the same time , during his townhall event on NBC News , Donald Trump was reminded that many Americans `` think that corporations do n't pay their share of taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase . ''
Offered a chance to defend his policy , the president insisted that job growth has soared during his term `` because of the tax rate . ''
Part of the problem with the response is that job growth under Trump really has n't soared at all .
As we discussed yesterday , even removing the coronavirus pandemic from the equation , the fact remains that fewer jobs were created during Trump 's first three years than during Obama 's last three years .
But let 's also not overlook a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last night 's event : he 's actually inclined to give corporations another tax cut .
Indeed , as Marketwatch noted , the Republican said as much earlier in the day .
This is notable for a few reasons .
First , given how little the 2020 presidential race focuses on policy , it was a treat to see a meaningful , substantive difference between Trump and Biden come to the fore : the Republican incumbent believes corporations should get yet another tax break ; his Democratic challenger believes they should pay more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a much tougher sell .
As regular readers may recall , the New York Times took a closer look late last year at the effects of the Republican tax breaks and found that the GOP plan delivered a `` windfall for the world 's largest corporations , '' which ended up with tax bills `` even smaller than what was anticipated when the president signed the bill . ''
And as Biden noted , many corporations are n't even paying taxes at the current rate .
The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found of the Fortune 500 companies , about 400 paid an average tax rate of about 11 % -- roughly half of the current rate of 21 % -- thanks to a series of loopholes and giveaways Republicans made no effort to address , and plenty of corporate giants are n't paying any federal taxes at all .
But let 's not brush past how the president framed his policy preference : Trump believes lowering the corporate tax rate from 21 % to 20 % would leave businesses with an `` even number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is why it would matter whether the rate was an odd or even number .
If this sounds at all familiar , I noted in my book ( see chapter 2 ) that during the 2017 fight over tax policy , the president preferred tax rates that were multiples of five -- 10 % , 15 % , etc .
-- not for any substantive reason , but because Trump simply thought those numbers sounded nicer .
As the Washington Post reported a few years ago , the president specifically told GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax rate , `` Twenty is a pretty number . ''
Nearly three years later , Trump appears to be thinking along these same lines .

During his townhall event on ABC News last night, Joe Biden made the case that Republicans made a mistake slashing the corporate tax rate. Describing the current landscape, the former vice president explained, "You have 91 out of the Fortune 500 companies not paying a single solitary penny" in corporate taxes.
This, incidentally, had the benefit of being true.
Around the same time, during his townhall event on NBC News, Donald Trump was reminded that many Americans "think that corporations don't pay their share of taxes and want to see those tax rates increase." Offered a chance to defend his policy, the president insisted that job growth has soared during his term "because of the tax rate."
Part of the problem with the response is that job growth under Trump really hasn't soared at all. As we discussed yesterday, even removing the coronavirus pandemic from the equation, the fact remains that fewer jobs were created during Trump's first three years than during Obama's last three years.
But let's also not overlook a detail the president neglected to mention during last night's event: he's actually inclined to give corporations another tax cut. Indeed, as Marketwatch noted, the Republican said as much earlier in the day.
Trump while on Fox Business touched on the potential for tax cuts if he wins a second term, saying he may aim to lower the U.S. corporate tax rate to the "even number" of 20%, down from the current 21%.
This is notable for a few reasons.
First, given how little the 2020 presidential race focuses on policy, it was a treat to see a meaningful, substantive difference between Trump and Biden come to the fore: the Republican incumbent believes corporations should get yet another tax break; his Democratic challenger believes they should pay more.
Second, Trump's case is a much tougher sell. As regular readers may recall, the New York Times took a closer look late last year at the effects of the Republican tax breaks and found that the GOP plan delivered a "windfall for the world's largest corporations," which ended up with tax bills "even smaller than what was anticipated when the president signed the bill."
And as Biden noted, many corporations aren't even paying taxes at the current rate. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy released a detailed study in 2018 that found of the Fortune 500 companies, about 400 paid an average tax rate of about 11% -- roughly half of the current rate of 21% -- thanks to a series of loopholes and giveaways Republicans made no effort to address, and plenty of corporate giants aren't paying any federal taxes at all.
But let's not brush past how the president framed his policy preference: Trump believes lowering the corporate tax rate from 21% to 20% would leave businesses with an "even number."
The question, of course, is why it would matter whether the rate was an odd or even number.
If this sounds at all familiar, I noted in my book (see chapter 2) that during the 2017 fight over tax policy, the president preferred tax rates that were multiples of five -- 10%, 15%, etc. -- not for any substantive reason, but because Trump simply thought those numbers sounded nicer.
As the Washington Post reported a few years ago, the president specifically told GOP negotiators, in reference to the corporate tax rate, "Twenty is a pretty number."
Nearly three years later, Trump appears to be thinking along these same lines.


msnbc--2020-10-17--Nation's headlines show widespread surge in coronavirus cases

MeToo founder Tarana Burke : ‘ Voting is one of the last things we have control of in this country @

'Have your ducks in a row': What to know about the judge in the Trump 2020 case 05:04


msnbc--2020-10-17--Politics experts on Ice Cube plan, Black male voters, and Trump

The Donald Trump campaign’s controversial outreach to Black male voters and its reported link to Ice Cube are questioned, as the iconic African-American rapper comes under fire for discussing his ‘Contract With Black America’ plan with the Trump campaign. Tiffany Cross and her panel discuss black male Trump supporters, and the apparent rift between some black voters and the Biden campaign.Oct. 17, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-17--Georgia's Perdue mocks name of his own Senate colleague, Kamala Harris

Rachel Maddow shares video of Georgia Republican Senator David Perdue pretending to struggle with the pronunciation of Senator Kamala Harris' name while warming up the audience at a Donald Trump rally, even though Perdue has served in the Senate with Harris for years.Oct. 17, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-17--MeToo founder Tarana Burke: ‘Voting is one of the last things we have control of in this country’

Meacham: Pence probably saved the republic, but I don't always want to count on one person to do it 08:18


msnbc--2020-10-17--NY Post Hunter Biden story has holes, missing proof journo says

The Hunter Biden New York Post stories causing controversy are linked to Rudy Giuliani, co-reported on by an ex-Hannity staffer, have many holes, and provide little proof for key allegations, NPR reporter David Folkenflik says to Tiffany Cross.Oct. 17, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-17--Mehdi Hasan on COVID relief: ‘Americans have been abandoned by their government’

Mehdi Hasan on COVID relief: ‘Americans have been abandoned by their government’
With 8 million Americans plunged into poverty by the loss of federal aid, Mehdi Hasan, host of Peacock’s ‘The Mehdi Hasan Show,’ and Sheelah Kolhatkar, New Yorker staff writer, describe the failure to pass another relief package as a “betrayal.”Oct. 17, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-17--Doctors debunk herd immunity reportedly favored by White House

Donald Trump’s White House reportedly backs herd immunity as a way to battle the Covid-19 pandemic. Herd immunity as a response to the U.S. coronavirus outbreak--and the Great Barrington Project which promotes it--are decried by doctors in conversation with Tiffany Cross.Oct. 17, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-17--Sen. Ernst, who sits on Agriculture Cmte., can’t name price of soybeans

Sen. Joni Ernst and her opponent Theresa Greenfield were both asked one of those questions you've just got to know in an Iowa debate. Greenfield nailed it. Ernst’s answer led to one of the most “ouch” debate moments of 2020.Oct. 17, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-16--Pete Souza says that every emotion Obama felt, ‘I experienced it with him’

Pete Souza says that every emotion Obama felt, ‘I experienced it with him’
Former White House photographer Pete Souza reflects on his eight years working for President Obama and expresses what he misses seeing from the office of the presidentOct. 16, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-17--Americans can't wait to forget about the president again

Americans are flagging with election fatigue .
We don ’ t want to fight anymore ; President Donald Trump has exhausted us , Covid-19 is killing us , and the lockdowns are sapping our resolve and testing the limits of our compassion .
We ’ re looking for leadership that will engage our vagus nerve , not produce endless pulses of cortisol .
That may be why , despite not leaving his voters dripping with enthusiasm , Democrats are smashing early voting records , turning out for former vice president Joe Biden in states like Texas several weeks before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump voters — the ones who since 2016 have wished he ’ d shut up and work instead of tweet — have shifted sides .
This makes intuitive sense to a degree : Trump has not met the most basic needs of Americans during the pandemic ; he has turned women off with his misogyny and entire populations with his racism .
He now has to squeeze more voters out of an increasingly smaller share of the his nonmetropolitan electorate .
And Biden is the right balm , at least in Ezra Klein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fills an empty space in our hierarchy of social needs : People want their president to be decent , and not cruel .
But the answer may be even more basic than that .
Even people who invested heavily in the idea that Trump could creatively destroy Washington and rebuild it to fit the needs of the forgotten are simply and utterly tired of feeling like every moment is Sept. 12 , 2001 — with no idea whether there ’ s going to be something new to be terrified of or outraged about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combined with his instinct not to fight at every moment , could help recondition us about the amount of brain space our president should take up in our daily lives .
Where everything Trump touches seems to die , everything Biden says seems to be designed to tell us that we are simply not going to be placed into the middle of his personal drama .
Although human beings are conditioned to avoid thoughts of mortality , and effective authoritarians understand how to harness existential frustration to their political benefit , Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terror once he ’ s instigated it .
What really flipped the switch was a pandemic that made all of us actually consider death .
It 's a shared historical space that hardened resistance to Trump ’ s chaotic pugilism .
Does Biden 's turning away from mortal combat have ramifications for his agenda ?
Absolutely .
Biden himself doesn ’ t care what people say about him online .
He does not organize his brain that way , and his campaign wears this indifference as a badge of honor .
If he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge and could be a circuit breaker for activism momentum , so much of which is galvanized online .
Although the major problems we face won ’ t disappear after a Biden election , and in fact might get worse because of their own motive forces , many people will want to simply take a break .
Some may find comfort in acting like they ’ ve solved the problem — or cede the responsibility to Biden .
The progressive left will want to hold Biden ’ s feet to the fire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All '' ; hewing to the framework of the Green New Deal ; statehood for Washington , D.C. ; meaningful police reform ; and most especially , fealty to the pace of change .
Biden may have beaten the socialist , as he likes to brag , but the left is incredibly powerful at setting expectations .
They have already begun to pressure Biden ( through Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ) to call to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein , D-Calif. , as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee because she gave Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in validating him with her remarks , potentially a re-election gift .
But that ’ s not how Biden works .
He will listen to the base , but like Trump , he is constitutionally incapable of becoming someone he isn ’ t .
Loyalty , for example , is extremely important to him .
Biden ’ s inability to command outrage — and then to cynically reinforce that outrage online — may make it harder for his critics to use social media to hold him accountable for his promises to them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ base , but he has adopted them ; the Democratic Party , as he says , is his now .
So , he will need to find some way to make sure Democrats remain engaged on his behalf .
He does not need them to try and find a challenger to run against him in 2024 .
There are two realistic options : One is to cede the progressive portfolio to his vice presidential running mate , Kamala Harris , and let her run with it .
The other is to populate his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ younger leaders , people who have more generational overlap with the parts of the party he will always be distanced from .
If he becomes president , I think progressives will give Biden a few months to operate more or less freely , as he tries to untangle the knots Republicans have left for him .
When the lockdowns lift , the vaccines arrive and the economy begins to recover more equitably , our political fatigue may dissipate .
That ’ s when he ’ ll face his long-delayed reckoning with his party @ @ @ @ @

Americans are flagging with election fatigue. We don’t want to fight anymore; President Donald Trump has exhausted us, Covid-19 is killing us, and the lockdowns are sapping our resolve and testing the limits of our compassion. We’re looking for leadership that will engage our vagus nerve, not produce endless pulses of cortisol.
We’re looking for leadership that will engage our vagus nerve, not produce endless pulses of cortisol.
That may be why, despite not leaving his voters dripping with enthusiasm, Democrats are smashing early voting records, turning out for former vice president Joe Biden in states like Texas several weeks before the election. It may be why reluctant Trump voters — the ones who since 2016 have wished he’d shut up and work instead of tweet — have shifted sides.
This makes intuitive sense to a degree: Trump has not met the most basic needs of Americans during the pandemic; he has turned women off with his misogyny and entire populations with his racism. He now has to squeeze more voters out of an increasingly smaller share of the his nonmetropolitan electorate. And Biden is the right balm, at least in Ezra Klein’s telling, because his campaign fills an empty space in our hierarchy of social needs: People want their president to be decent, and not cruel.
But the answer may be even more basic than that. Even people who invested heavily in the idea that Trump could creatively destroy Washington and rebuild it to fit the needs of the forgotten are simply and utterly tired of feeling like every moment is Sept. 12, 2001 — with no idea whether there’s going to be something new to be terrified of or outraged about. Biden’s workman-like progressivism, combined with his instinct not to fight at every moment, could help recondition us about the amount of brain space our president should take up in our daily lives.
Where everything Trump touches seems to die, everything Biden says seems to be designed to tell us that we are simply not going to be placed into the middle of his personal drama. Although human beings are conditioned to avoid thoughts of mortality, and effective authoritarians understand how to harness existential frustration to their political benefit, Trump has not shown us how to manage our terror once he’s instigated it. What really flipped the switch was a pandemic that made all of us actually consider death. It's a shared historical space that hardened resistance to Trump’s chaotic pugilism.
Where everything Trump touched seemed to die, everything Biden says seems to be designed to tell us that we are simply not going to be placed into the middle of his personal drama.
Does Biden's turning away from mortal combat have ramifications for his agenda? Absolutely. Biden himself doesn’t care what people say about him online. He does not organize his brain that way, and his campaign wears this indifference as a badge of honor. If he becomes president, this might pose a challenge and could be a circuit breaker for activism momentum, so much of which is galvanized online. Although the major problems we face won’t disappear after a Biden election, and in fact might get worse because of their own motive forces, many people will want to simply take a break. Some may find comfort in acting like they’ve solved the problem — or cede the responsibility to Biden.
The progressive left will want to hold Biden’s feet to the fire, and rightly so: "Medicare for All"; hewing to the framework of the Green New Deal; statehood for Washington, D.C.; meaningful police reform; and most especially, fealty to the pace of change. Biden may have beaten the socialist, as he likes to brag, but the left is incredibly powerful at setting expectations. They have already begun to pressure Biden (through Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer) to call to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee because she gave Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham a hug and, in validating him with her remarks, potentially a re-election gift.
But that’s not how Biden works. He will listen to the base, but like Trump, he is constitutionally incapable of becoming someone he isn’t. Loyalty, for example, is extremely important to him. Biden’s inability to command outrage — and then to cynically reinforce that outrage online — may make it harder for his critics to use social media to hold him accountable for his promises to them.
Although the major problems we face won’t disappear after a Biden election, and in fact might get worse because of their own motive forces, many people will want to simply take a break.
Progressives are not Biden’s natural base, but he has adopted them; the Democratic Party, as he says, is his now. So, he will need to find some way to make sure Democrats remain engaged on his behalf. He does not need them to try and find a challenger to run against him in 2024. There are two realistic options: One is to cede the progressive portfolio to his vice presidential running mate, Kamala Harris, and let her run with it. The other is to populate his White House and his Cabinet with much younger leaders, people who have more generational overlap with the parts of the party he will always be distanced from.
If he becomes president, I think progressives will give Biden a few months to operate more or less freely, as he tries to untangle the knots Republicans have left for him. When the lockdowns lift, the vaccines arrive and the economy begins to recover more equitably, our political fatigue may dissipate. That’s when he’ll face his long-delayed reckoning with his party’s energetic progressivism.


msnbc--2020-10-17--Trump rally calls to ‘lock up’ MI Gov. after plot foiled against her

The President didn’t defend MI Gov. Gretchen Whitmer tonight when a crowd of his supporters chanted “Lock Her Up”, instead, he laughed. It’s the latest example of him choosing to look the other way when it comes to extremist groups that are on the rise in the U.S. MSNBC's "American Voices" host Alicia Menendez is joined by reporter Brandy Zadrozny and Naveed Jamali, Newsweek Editor-at-Large and author of 'How to Catch a Russian Spy'.Oct. 17, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-18--Staying politically engaged - even when you don’t want to be

Staying politically engaged - even when you don’t want to be
President Trump has made it unduly difficult to have reasonable discussions about issues that matter. During these emotional and exhausting times, NBC’s Joshua Johnson discusses taking time to tune out while also finding the resolve to tune back in.Oct. 18, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-18--Arizona voters react to Trump’s immigration policy: ‘The wall is a representation of hate’

Tucson mayor ahead of Trump ’ s visit : We 're not going to forget he called us ‘ rapists @ @ @ @ @


msnbc--2020-10-18--Midwestern states become new Covid-19 hotspot as cases spike

Midwestern states in the U.S. have seen a rise in coronavirus cases, becoming the newest hotspot. NBC News medical contributor Dr. Kavita Patel explains how to get the public to comply with Covid-19 mandates and restrictions.Oct. 18, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-18--Former FBI official speaks about Giuliani’s dealings with Russians

Former FBI Assistant Director of Counterintelligence, Frank Figliuzzi, speaks about Rudy Giuliani’s alleged dealings with Russian agents. According to sources who spoke with NBC News, the White House was warned about Giuliani’s dealings. “It is sad what happened to Rudy, from being America’s Mayor to being America’s betrayer,” Figliuzzi said.Oct. 18, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-18--The Do’s and Don’ts when filling out a mail-in ballot

The Do’s and Don’ts when filling out a mail-in ballot
NBC’s Joshua Johnson demonstrates how to properly fill out and verify a mail-in ballot from both Hillsborough County Florida and Georgia. For more information on your state’s mail-in ballot instructions visit www.NBCNews.com/PlanYourVote.Oct. 18, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-18--Dem US Senate candidates Warnock, Ossoff say Georgia is changing

Democrats can win the Georgia U.S. Senate races candidates Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff say, as both describe a climate in their state and America as one that increasingly embraces diversity.Oct. 18, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-18--Tucson mayor ahead of Trump’s visit: We're not going to forget he called us ‘rapists’ and ‘murderers

Tucson mayor ahead of Trump’s visit: We're not going to forget he called us ‘rapists’ and ‘murderers’
Tucson, Arizona mayor Regina Romero says Trump owes the city $80,000 from a previous campaign event and that Latinos in the state haven’t forgiven him for his insults to immigrants and pardon of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio.Oct. 18, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-18--Rep. Deb Haaland: ‘Native American voters will not be intimidated'

Democratic Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico, one of the first two Indigenous women in Congress, and Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona discuss nationwide suppression of the Native American and Hispanic vote.Oct. 18, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-18--Kamala Harris’ Political Director shares update after two involved in campaign test positive for COV

Kamala Harris’ Political Director shares update after two involved in campaign test positive for COVID-19

Kamala Harris cancels all campaign events through the weekend after two people involved with the campaign test positive for COVID-19. Her Political Director Vincent Evans says the campaign is taking every precaution, “we’ve done something that you haven’t seen out of Donald Trump and the White House. We have shown transparency.”Oct. 18, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-18--After “West Wing” reunion episode, actor Bradley Whitford talks about the state of politics in 2020

After “West Wing” reunion episode, actor Bradley Whitford talks about the state of politics in 2020
Emmy Award-winning actor Bradley Whitford talks with Joshua Johnson about the West Wing Special Reunion, the 2020 election, and why he believes Joe Biden is the “perfect candidate for right now.”Oct. 18, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-19--Trump mocks Joe Biden for 'listening to the scientists'

Are the president 's old attacks failing to land on Biden ?

Dr. Anthony Fauci in a new interview spoke about the anti-authority, anti-science sentiment in the U.S., and during a Sunday rally, the president seemed to mock calls to listen to science. The panel discusses.Oct. 19, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-19--Is the Biden campaign feeling a sense of 2016 deja vu?

Meacham: Pence probably saved the republic, but I don't always want to count on one person to do it 08:18


msnbc--2020-10-19--Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar responds to Trump attacks

President Trump continuously attacked Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) while on the campaign trail this weekend. Rep. Omar dismissed the President’s comments calling it ”similar to the words of falling dictators. He knows the end is near.”Oct. 19, 2020


msnbc--2020-10-18--NBC’s Kate Snow on how QAnon is taking hold of the suburbs

NBC’s Kate Snow on how QAnon is taking hold of the suburbs
NBC’s Kate Snow talks with QAnon supporters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, about their support of the unsubstantiated conspiracy theory. QAnon has been gaining support in America’s suburbs, despite a strict crackdown from social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. “These are mainstream American voters in Pennsylvania," Snow says.Oct. 18, 2020