The Trump Presidency – 2016

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by mckerney

So did he just admit to obstructing justice?

Yes that is what I wondered when I saw the tweet. Legal minds will have to weigh in on it.

[cartman]

There's always a tweet

Why do we keep broadcasting when we are going to attack Syria. Why can't we just be quiet and, if we attack at all, catch them by surprise?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Ryan not exactly getting praise for his career:

"Paul Ryan" - Twitter Search

Paul Ryan’s one real accomplishment as a politician was repeatedly conning gullible journalists https://t.co/IVWaAyhEuP

— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) April 11, 2018

Originally Posted by cartman

There's always a tweet

Why do we keep broadcasting when we are going to attack Syria. Why can't we just be quiet and, if we attack at all, catch them by surprise?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013

Expecting this one to be relevant this weekend.

Glad our arrogant Pres. is enjoying his taxpayer funded golf outing after announcing the US should take military action against Syria

— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) September 4, 2013

[BBT]

Inside the Decade-Long Russian Campaign to Infiltrate the NRA and Help Elect Trump
Femme fatales, lavish Moscow parties and dark money – how Russia worked the National Rifle Association
https://www.rollingstone.com/politic...-trump-w518587

As part of Putin's "active measures," Hall says, Russia has attempted to influence right-wing and populist factions abroad, preaching unity around social conservatism: "'We're both religious-based countries – we have the Orthodox Church that's a big deal for us.' " The Russians, Hall believes, "made a natural transition in the United States to the NRA"; over time Putin became determined to exploit the American gun lobby "and decided Mr. Torshin is going to be the guy to do it for him."

Right to Bear Arms' international outreach extended to John Bolton, the former U.N. ambassador and longtime NRA activist, who now serves as President Trump's national security adviser. In late 2013, a video appeared online of Bolton delivering an address to Right to Bear Arms, as the group was pursuing a gun-rights amendment to the Russian constitution. (That campaign – like much of Right to Bear Arms' political agenda – has foundered.) Through his bushy mustache, Bolton praised Putin's autocratic country as a "force for democracy in the world," and encouraged the Russian activists. "Good luck on your journey," he said, "into a new century of freedom."

The Russians also rubbed elbows with Scott Walker, then a viable candidate, and the beneficiary of more than $3.5 million from the NRA over his career. Walker charmed Butina when they first met, she blogged, greeting her in Russian. "We talked about Russia," she wrote. "I did not hear any aggression towards our country, the president or my compatriots." Two months later, Butina traveled to Waukesha, Wisconsin, to attend Walker's official presidential launch.

[Thomkal]

Trump warned about the missile attack on Syria-before a strategy had been decided:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/11/polit...ets/index.html

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Trump warned about the missile attack on Syria-before a strategy had been decided:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/11/polit...ets/index.html

Just announced that Iraq (U.S.) is preparing for battle to reclaim Mosul. Why do they have to announce this? Makes mission much harder!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2016

[cartman]

Don't see how he survives this politcally

Woman: Sexual encounter with Greitens was not consensual. Lawmakers find her credible | The Kansas City Star

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by cartman

Don't see how he survives this politcally

Woman: Sexual encounter with Greitens was not consensual. Lawmakers find her credible | The Kansas City Star

The article doesn't even do the testimony justice. That guy is a sick man.

[Thomkal]

yeah no way he survives this. But then Donald Trump survived the Access Hollywood tape, so who knows?

Makes you wonder if he was doing stuff like this to his wife too.

[Edward64]

I don't know why Mueller is interested in the Access Hollywood incident and don't see how this can hurt Trump?

Unless its to find more dirt on Cohen and have him flip? But if I was Cohen, I would think if there is one person that Trump would pardon if he kept his mouth shut, it would be Cohen.

[digamma]

Where has it been reported that Mueller is interested in those tapes? The SDNY issued the subpoena.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

yeah no way he survives this. But then Donald Trump survived the Access Hollywood tape, so who knows?

This, this 1000 times THIS!

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by digamma

Where has it been reported that Mueller is interested in those tapes? The SDNY issued the subpoena.

You are right, I assumed.

It is not clear how the F.B.I. entered Mr. Cohen’s office, but agents had a search warrant and typically would have presented it to office personnel to be let in. The documents identified in the warrant date back years, according to a person briefed on the search.

The prosecutors obtained the search warrant after receiving a referral from the special counsel in the Russia investigation, Robert S. Mueller III, according to Mr. Cohen’s lawyer, who called the search “completely inappropriate and unnecessary.” The search does not appear to be directly related to Mr. Mueller’s investigation, but most likely resulted from information that he had uncovered and gave to prosecutors in New York.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Unless its to find more dirt on Cohen and have him flip? But if I was Cohen, I would think if there is one person that Trump would pardon if he kept his mouth shut, it would be Cohen.

I strongly suspect you're right, but can you imagine what it would feel like to be literally wagering your freedom on Trump's loyalty?

Imagine sitting up at night thinking "I will go to jail for a long time and lose everything I have if this guy changes his mind, or gets distracted by something else, or decides to throw me under the bus, or is having a cranky day, or somebody on the TV tells him not to help me." Good luck to these guys who have to take that risk.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Edward64

I don't know why Mueller is interested in the Access Hollywood incident and don't see how this can hurt Trump?

Unless its to find more dirt on Cohen and have him flip? But if I was Cohen, I would think if there is one person that Trump would pardon if he kept his mouth shut, it would be Cohen.

Trump's name is mentioned in the warrants several times, so not just Cohen they were interested in:

Michael Cohen search warrant documents mentioned Trump by name - CBS News

[mckerney]

Exclusive: Inside the GOP plan to discredit Comey

President Donald Trump's allies are preparing an extensive campaign to fight back against James Comey's publicity tour, trying to undermine the credibility of the former FBI director by reviving the blistering Democratic criticism of him before he was fired nearly a year ago.

The battle plan against Comey, obtained by CNN, calls for branding the nation's former top law enforcement official as "Lyin' Comey" through a website, digital advertising and talking points to be sent to Republicans across the country before his memoir is released next week. The White House signed off on the plan, which is being overseen by the Republican National Committee.

When you're attacking FBI agents because you're under criminal investigation, you're losing https://t.co/SIoAxatCjp

— Sarah Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) November 3, 2016

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

yeah no way he survives this. But then Donald Trump survived the Access Hollywood tape, so who knows?

Makes you wonder if he was doing stuff like this to his wife too.

This is much worse than Trump's stuff.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by mckerney

Exclusive: Inside the GOP plan to discredit Comey

When you're attacking FBI agents because you're under criminal investigation, you're losing https://t.co/SIoAxatCjp

— Sarah Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) November 3, 2016

I know this whole thing is not really her fault, but i still wish a reporter would quote her that in one of her briefings ...

[Thomkal]

Former doorman at Trump Tower comes forward with a story about how the owners of the National Enquirer had a confidentiality agreement with him. It was leaked to the press and had this statement about it:

Sonia Moghe‏Verified account @soniamoghe 52m52 minutes ago




The former TT doorman stands by his story of Trump’s alleged affair.

[Thomkal]

sorry for the size of the text there

[Thomkal]

does sound a bit doubtful the story is true from what I read here:

http://thehill.com/homenews/administ...keeper-because

[tarcone]

Greitens (MO Gov.) is in some hot water. The legislative committee investigating this situation came out and hammered him. Its a 25 page document and it is brutal.
Everyone in the state is calling for him to resign. He refuses to go. ANd denies everything.

I cannot see him surviving this. But in politics, you never know.

[mckerney]

Comey: Trump asked me to investigate ‘pee tape’ to reassure Melania

President Trump wanted James Comey to investigate the infamous “pee tape” allegations — to reassure Melania that he hadn’t actually paid Russian hookers to urinate on a hotel bed, the former FBI chief claims in his upcoming book.

“He brought up what he called the ‘golden showers thing’ … adding that it bothered him if there was ‘even a one percent chance’ his wife, Melania, thought it was true,” Comey writes in “A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership,” a copy of which was obtained by The Post.

“He just rolled on, unprompted, explaining why it couldn’t possibly be true, ending by saying he was thinking of asking me to investigate the allegation to prove it was a lie. I said it was up to him.”

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Greitens (MO Gov.) is in some hot water. The legislative committee investigating this situation came out and hammered him. Its a 25 page document and it is brutal.
Everyone in the state is calling for him to resign. He refuses to go. ANd denies everything.

I cannot see him surviving this. But in politics, you never know.

I mentioned earlier that I thought this was bad and his undoing. But just saw a poll showing he still has over 60% approval among his own party.

Maybe it's just different times where everything is political. You have to take opposing sides on everything. And apparently being pro-rape is a stance a party will take in this country.

[Atocep]

This tweet has to be a new low for the U.S. Presidency.

Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS. Where is our “Thank you America?”

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2018

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by whomario

I know this whole thing is not really her fault, but i still wish a reporter would quote her that in one of her briefings ...

TBH, I kinda like what she has done in a tough situation, especially considering what she inherited from Spicer.

I hope she stays out a year, leave for more money and less headaches.

I do think if she stays for the duration, she'll be forever implicated with Trump. However, if she leaves after a year, I would see that as a smart move for career advancement.

[Edward64]

Good to see Kudlow may be having an effect. Don't think TPP was the perfect deal but it was going to strategically help the US and blunt China in our economic war so I'm all for doing something vs nothing.

Trump flirts with re-entering massive trade pact - POLITICO

President Donald Trump mollified some of his most ardent trade critics on Thursday, opening up the door to re-engaging in a massive trade deal he campaigned against and reassuring them that a NAFTA renegotiation is on track.

After alarming free-trade Republicans with threats to levy tariffs on up to $150 billion in Chinese imports, Trump has reached a temporary truce with them. He told a group of farm-state senators, governors and House members that he directed economic adviser Larry Kudlow and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to examine whether re-entering the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact makes sense, a strong signal that he’s heard their concerns.

“He got it really loudly and clearly today from a lot of us,” said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, a member of Republican leadership, after the meeting at the White House on Thursday. “If you want to send a message to China, the best way to do that is to start doing business with their competitors. So he was very open to it.”

[Thomkal]

So got this message today on Facebook on the heels of Zuckerberg's testimony this week:

Protecting Your Information

We understand the importance of keeping your data safe.
We have banned the app "This Is Your Digital Life," which one of your friends used Facebook to log into. We did this because the app may have misused some of your Facebook information by sharing it with a company called Cambridge Analytica. In most cases, the information was limited to public profile, Page likes, birthday, and current city.
You can learn more about what happened and how you can remove apps and websites anytime if you no longer want them to have access to your Facebook information.
There is more work to do, but we are committed to confronting abuse and to putting you in control of your privacy.

[Thomkal]

http://thehill.com/homenews/administ...-recordings-of

[jct32]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

So got this message today on Facebook on the heels of Zuckerberg's testimony this week:

Protecting Your Information

We understand the importance of keeping your data safe.
We have banned the app "This Is Your Digital Life," which one of your friends used Facebook to log into. We did this because the app may have misused some of your Facebook information by sharing it with a company called Cambridge Analytica. In most cases, the information was limited to public profile, Page likes, birthday, and current city.
You can learn more about what happened and how you can remove apps and websites anytime if you no longer want them to have access to your Facebook information.
There is more work to do, but we are committed to confronting abuse and to putting you in control of your privacy.

They were supposed to start rolling that out on Monday for everyone even if they weren't affected. Still haven't got my notification yet. However, I don't use Facebook much and I knew to stay away from apps and games on Facebook.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

http://thehill.com/homenews/administ...-recordings-of

Did Cohen learn nothing from Nixon? Even Stringer Bell knew you don't make records of a criminal fucking conspiracy.

[RainMaker]

Looks like Scooter Libby is getting a full pardon. Party of law and order LOL
President Trump poised to pardon Scooter Libby, Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, sources say - ABC News

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Looks like Scooter Libby is getting a full pardon. Party of law and order LOL
President Trump poised to pardon Scooter Libby, Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, sources say - ABC News

Ah his almost lawyers have been urging a pardon for Libby. Guess that was a thank you anyway gift to them.

[Thomkal]

He just cannot let his feud with Amazon slip away:

http://thehill.com/homenews/administ...postal-service

[Thomkal]

RNC shows their version of the Comey book cover:

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefi...ith-ego-attack

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

He just cannot let his feud with Amazon slip away:

http://thehill.com/homenews/administ...postal-service

Maybe he can bring back the pony express or smoke signals while he’s at it.

[RainMaker]

I'd say it would be funny if Amazon just said fuck it, we won't use the postal service anymore. But a bunch of people working for the postal service would be out of jobs.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

He just cannot let his feud with Amazon slip away:

http://thehill.com/homenews/administ...postal-service

The funny thing is that this sounds like something a Democrat would do. Explore issues relatedto monopolies, interfere with Capitalism tooithe extent that it benefits the greater good, etc. If Obama tried anything like this the right would have birthed a literal cow, and painted Obama with a hammer and sickle.

[RainMaker]

James Comey is a proven LEAKER & LIAR. Virtually everyone in Washington thought he should be fired for the terrible job he did-until he was, in fact, fired. He leaked CLASSIFIED information, for which he should be prosecuted. He lied to Congress under OATH. He is a weak and.....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2018

Have to admit this tweet is funny on a day that he pardons Scooter Libby for leaking and lying.

[BBT]

Or that Trump basically describes himself

[mckerney]

federal prosecutors object to Michael Cohen's assertion of attorney-client privilege by arguing that he's not really an "attorney" who has "clients" https://t.co/m0Uq1KfeN1 pic.twitter.com/bxHGQO3lsU

— Simon Maloy (@SimonMaloy) April 13, 2018

US attorney argues that any Michael Cohen communications about Stormy Daniels would not be protected by attorney-client privilege because Cohen's only known client — President Trump — stated on Air Force One that he knew nothing about payments to Stormy Daniels. pic.twitter.com/oGky47ACtq

— Matt Viser (@mviser) April 13, 2018

[mckerney]

Fox has learned that articles of impeachment have been drafted for Rosenstein..though not filed. It is not clear which lawmaker drafted the articles…or if they would go anywhere in cmte or on the flr

— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) April 13, 2018

In other words, it isn't clear to Fox which member of Congress is Devin Nunes.

[Thomkal]

So remember all those denials that Michael Cohen made about never going to Prague in his life, let alone to meet with a Russian Oligarch during the 2016 campaign. You know the ones made in the Steele Dossier...

http://thehill.com/homenews/news/383...lection-report

[JPhillips]

The pee tape is real!

[Thomkal]

Looks like its about to happen in Syria:

http://thehill.com/homenews/administ...ation-on-syria

[Ben E Lou]

I have to admit that Trump struck the right tone and I’m pleased that we’re doing it with allies.

[BBT]

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

I have to admit that Trump struck the right tone and I’m pleased that we’re doing it with allies.

There are moments that Trump can seem quite presidential. If he was like that 75% of the time, he'd probably be a relatively popular president. However, he's only like that about 10% of the time at best.

Agreed that it's better that we're doing this with allies. Reports on the ground are that the Russians are helping to provide air defense and attempting to shoot down missiles.

[cartman]

Always a tweet

The President must get Congressional approval before attacking Syria-big mistake if he does not!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2013

[JPhillips]

Missed the big news while watching the HBO Andre the Giant documentary.

[tarcone]

If Syria attacks Israeli, start praying. The end is coming.