Trump didn’t know he was giving Bannon so much power until after adding him to security council: report
"While Bannon was stealing the spotlight, it turns out that Trump didn’t know the action was being taken. A report from the New York Times revealed that Trump complained that no one told him what his executive order entailed and had no idea it would grant such significant power to Bannon. Only later did Trump learn about the significance. The order was unprecedented to add a non-military, political advisor to a board of military experts that advise the president on the nation’s security. White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus expressed concern about the lack of checks on both Bannon and senior advisor Stephen Miller. He even drafted a 10-part checklist of steps and approvals for executive orders to be reviewed before they’re signed. This order didn’t go through that list."
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
5 Hilarious and Terrifying New Revelations About the Inner Workings of the Trump White House @alternet
5 Hilarious and Terrifying New Revelations About the Inner Workings of the Trump White House @alternet:
"2. In the evening, the President flees to his residence, his bathrobe, and his private security While ambassadors, senators, and anyone unlucky enough to be playing the presidential version of "Escape the Room" are fleeing to safety, Trump retreats to the residence reportedly at about 6:30 p.m.. With Melania and Barron back in New York, he changes into his bathrobe for a relaxing night of shouting at CNN, tweeting, and wandering around his new surroundings in his bathrobe. Instead of actually engaging with the outside world, the Times reports, he retreats to the bosom of cable news: "For a sense of what is happening outside, he watches cable, both at night and during the day — too much in the eyes of some aides — often offering a bitter play-by-play of critics like CNN’s Don Lemon." The SNL sketches write themselves, but take on a more sinister air when the article mentions that in the absence of his wife, Trump accompanied by his terrifying aide and former (or maybe current, who knows) chief of security, Keith Schiller. Like all the best dictators, our president keeps a private security force."
"2. In the evening, the President flees to his residence, his bathrobe, and his private security While ambassadors, senators, and anyone unlucky enough to be playing the presidential version of "Escape the Room" are fleeing to safety, Trump retreats to the residence reportedly at about 6:30 p.m.. With Melania and Barron back in New York, he changes into his bathrobe for a relaxing night of shouting at CNN, tweeting, and wandering around his new surroundings in his bathrobe. Instead of actually engaging with the outside world, the Times reports, he retreats to the bosom of cable news: "For a sense of what is happening outside, he watches cable, both at night and during the day — too much in the eyes of some aides — often offering a bitter play-by-play of critics like CNN’s Don Lemon." The SNL sketches write themselves, but take on a more sinister air when the article mentions that in the absence of his wife, Trump accompanied by his terrifying aide and former (or maybe current, who knows) chief of security, Keith Schiller. Like all the best dictators, our president keeps a private security force."
Paul Ryan Plans To Use Trump’s Chaos To Destroy Medicare, Medicaid And Social Security @alternet
Paul Ryan Plans To Use Trump’s Chaos To Destroy Medicare, Medicaid And Social Security @alternet:
"Paul Ryan always gets more credit than he deserves. During Ryan’s time as House Budget Committee chair, DC pundits lavished praise and attention on him, portraying him as a sensible budget wonk pushing “serious” policy ideas. In fact, he has always been a far-right, highly ideological politician with one goal: Slash taxes for the super-rich and corporations, and pay for it by destroying Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Now that Ryan is Speaker of the House and Donald Trump is president, DC conventional wisdom is settling on a new image of Ryan: A spineless coward unwilling to condemn Trump’s outrageous actions. That’s a much less flattering image than his very serious budget wonk persona, but it’s still far more than Ryan deserves. It takes for granted that deep in his heart, Ryan opposes Trump’s behavior and that if only the Speaker could find the courage, he would disavow the president. The truth is far more sinister. Ryan is just fine with Trump’s Muslim ban, and his nomination of a racist for attorney general, and all the rest of the horror show. In fact, all of that is extremely useful to him. While the nation is focused on the Bannon White House’s disgusting policies and actions, Ryan can slip his own agenda, which is equally deplorable but more mundane, under the radar. Ryan himself is not the agent of chaos, but he’s happy to thrive on it."
"Paul Ryan always gets more credit than he deserves. During Ryan’s time as House Budget Committee chair, DC pundits lavished praise and attention on him, portraying him as a sensible budget wonk pushing “serious” policy ideas. In fact, he has always been a far-right, highly ideological politician with one goal: Slash taxes for the super-rich and corporations, and pay for it by destroying Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Now that Ryan is Speaker of the House and Donald Trump is president, DC conventional wisdom is settling on a new image of Ryan: A spineless coward unwilling to condemn Trump’s outrageous actions. That’s a much less flattering image than his very serious budget wonk persona, but it’s still far more than Ryan deserves. It takes for granted that deep in his heart, Ryan opposes Trump’s behavior and that if only the Speaker could find the courage, he would disavow the president. The truth is far more sinister. Ryan is just fine with Trump’s Muslim ban, and his nomination of a racist for attorney general, and all the rest of the horror show. In fact, all of that is extremely useful to him. While the nation is focused on the Bannon White House’s disgusting policies and actions, Ryan can slip his own agenda, which is equally deplorable but more mundane, under the radar. Ryan himself is not the agent of chaos, but he’s happy to thrive on it."
Another Right-Wing Power Player Emerges From the Shadows
Another Right-Wing Power Player Emerges From the Shadows:
"Stephen Miller is a 31-year-old who appears to have fit seamlessly into the inner circle at President Donald Trump's White House. If you look closely during Trump's executive order signing ceremonies, you'll likely find the pre-maturely balding Miller lurking in the background, sometimes standing next to Steve Bannon or Reince Priebus. He's one of a cadre of previously unknown ultra-conservative nativist provocateurs whose history includes mentoring by the alt-right's Richard Spencer, connections to the Breitbart media operation, being communications director for Senator Jeff Sessions, and who, during the presidential campaign was a consistent rev-up-the-crowd guy at Trump rallies. Now, he is the senior adviser to the president for policy, a high-powered position, as evidenced by his significant contribution – along with Steve Bannon -- to the executive order on immigration that resulted in a firestorm of criticism and huge demonstrations at airports across the country."
"Stephen Miller is a 31-year-old who appears to have fit seamlessly into the inner circle at President Donald Trump's White House. If you look closely during Trump's executive order signing ceremonies, you'll likely find the pre-maturely balding Miller lurking in the background, sometimes standing next to Steve Bannon or Reince Priebus. He's one of a cadre of previously unknown ultra-conservative nativist provocateurs whose history includes mentoring by the alt-right's Richard Spencer, connections to the Breitbart media operation, being communications director for Senator Jeff Sessions, and who, during the presidential campaign was a consistent rev-up-the-crowd guy at Trump rallies. Now, he is the senior adviser to the president for policy, a high-powered position, as evidenced by his significant contribution – along with Steve Bannon -- to the executive order on immigration that resulted in a firestorm of criticism and huge demonstrations at airports across the country."
Confronted with talking to constituents about health care, these GOP lawmakers chose to hide
https://thinkprogress.org/these-gop-lawmakers-really-dont-want-to-talk-to-their-constituents-about-obamacare-c5092a772b39#.lf1k8akoh
"Some members of Congress are even hiding from constituents trying to ask them questions about the future of their health care coverage."
"Some members of Congress are even hiding from constituents trying to ask them questions about the future of their health care coverage."
Rep. Jason Chaffetz: 'President Is Exempt' From Most 'Conflict Of Interest Laws' | Crooks and Liars
Rep. Jason Chaffetz: 'President Is Exempt' From Most 'Conflict Of Interest Laws' | Crooks and Liars
"Rep. Jason Chaffetz, leader of the House Oversight Committee and Government Reform Committee told CNN this morning he was not interested in investigating if Trump is in violation of the Emoluments Clause. The Utah Congressman just opened up the Oval Office so Trump can run his businesses through it. Camerota asked, "Will you be looking into any of Donald Trump's possible conflicts of interest?" Chaffetz replied, "The items that we listed are broad strokes. this is the Trump administration so by definition all of those 43 items are going to be about what's going on in the Trump administration." That is a flat out falsehood. The Salt Lake Journal writes, "Of the 43 items listed to investigate, none of them are planned inquiries into the Trump organization's global entanglements and the potential for conflicts of interest"."
"Rep. Jason Chaffetz, leader of the House Oversight Committee and Government Reform Committee told CNN this morning he was not interested in investigating if Trump is in violation of the Emoluments Clause. The Utah Congressman just opened up the Oval Office so Trump can run his businesses through it. Camerota asked, "Will you be looking into any of Donald Trump's possible conflicts of interest?" Chaffetz replied, "The items that we listed are broad strokes. this is the Trump administration so by definition all of those 43 items are going to be about what's going on in the Trump administration." That is a flat out falsehood. The Salt Lake Journal writes, "Of the 43 items listed to investigate, none of them are planned inquiries into the Trump organization's global entanglements and the potential for conflicts of interest"."
‘He’s mentally ill’: Internet aghast after Trump brags about ‘Apprentice’ ratings at Prayer Breakfast
‘He’s mentally ill’: Internet aghast after Trump brags about ‘Apprentice’ ratings at Prayer Breakfast
"President Donald Trump gave a talk at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning, where he bragged about the ratings he used to get on The Apprentice, while also mocking current Apprentice host Arnold Schwarzenegger for getting lower ratings than he did."
"President Donald Trump gave a talk at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning, where he bragged about the ratings he used to get on The Apprentice, while also mocking current Apprentice host Arnold Schwarzenegger for getting lower ratings than he did."
Deregulation Nation: Congress Wants to Let Corporations Take Charge
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/democracy/news/2017/01/27/297417/deregulation-nation-congress-wants-to-let-corporations-take-charge/
"In combination with President Trump’s freeze on new regulations, the REINS Act, Midnight Rules Relief Act, and RAA would ensure Americans will have fewer protections from big business than ever—even as the Trump administration doubles down on its commitment to advancing corporate interests, fills its ranks with CEOs, and pushes huge corporate tax cuts. Such political brinksmanship in Congress is unacceptable when Americans’ health and wellbeing are on the line."
"In combination with President Trump’s freeze on new regulations, the REINS Act, Midnight Rules Relief Act, and RAA would ensure Americans will have fewer protections from big business than ever—even as the Trump administration doubles down on its commitment to advancing corporate interests, fills its ranks with CEOs, and pushes huge corporate tax cuts. Such political brinksmanship in Congress is unacceptable when Americans’ health and wellbeing are on the line."
Neil Gorsuch Would Be a Dream Justice for Corporations Suing the Government
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/courts/news/2017/02/01/297885/neil-gorsuch-would-be-a-dream-justice-for-corporations-suing-the-government/
"The approach outlined in Judge Gorsuch’s August 2016 opinion would benefit wealthy corporations challenging laws that protect workers, consumers, and the environment. This approach would tie the government’s hands in keeping Americans safe and healthy and let judges strike down common-sense regulations that ensure the nation’s air and water are clean. If he becomes a justice, the Supreme Court would very likely continue its trend of ruling in favor of big business."
"The approach outlined in Judge Gorsuch’s August 2016 opinion would benefit wealthy corporations challenging laws that protect workers, consumers, and the environment. This approach would tie the government’s hands in keeping Americans safe and healthy and let judges strike down common-sense regulations that ensure the nation’s air and water are clean. If he becomes a justice, the Supreme Court would very likely continue its trend of ruling in favor of big business."
Trump's Choice of Gorsuch Endangers Civil, Human and Environmental Rights
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/39310-trump-s-choice-of-gorsuch-endangers-civil-human-and-environmental-rights
"Moreover, in light of the advanced ages of Justices Ginsburg, Kennedy and Breyer, Trump may well have another opportunity to nominate a justice to the Court. If and when that occurs, the Court will make a sharp turn to the right for decades to come."
"Moreover, in light of the advanced ages of Justices Ginsburg, Kennedy and Breyer, Trump may well have another opportunity to nominate a justice to the Court. If and when that occurs, the Court will make a sharp turn to the right for decades to come."
11 Important Numbers to Remember About How the GOP Stole Obama’s Supreme Court Appointment @alternet
11 Important Numbers to Remember About How the GOP Stole Obama’s Supreme Court Appointment @alternet:
"Let’s get down to some numbers that put Senate Republicans’ judicial coup in context. 293: Number of days Republicans stonewalled President Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court before the Senate term expired. 103: Number of Supreme Court vacancies filled by elected presidents. That’s right, 103 in a row. 8: Vacancies filled during election year. Eight times in our history, Supreme Court vacancies occurred during an election year and the elected presidents’ nominees were approved. 6: Number of unelected presidential Supreme Court vacancy nominations denied. Supreme Court vacancies were denied when the sitting president was not elected: Vice President John Tyler’s nominations after death of President William Henry Harrison; VP Millard Fillmore’s nominations after the death of President Zachary Taylor; and VP Andrew Johnson’s nominations after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. President Obama was elected by the people, twice. 3: Lame-duck nominations denied. There were also three nominations made by sitting presidents post-election day, after the new president had been elected. John Quincy Adams tried after Andrew Jackson was elected; James Buchanan tried after Lincoln was elected; and President Hayes tried after James Garfield was elected. All were denied. President Obama made his nomination of Garland long before the election of Donald Trump. 84: Years since last election-year nomination. The last time there was a Supreme Court vacancy during an election year, President Hoover’s nomination was approved. 9,498: Average days in the tenure of recent Supreme Court justices (since 1970). That’s right, since 1970, Supreme Court justices who have retired, had tenures averaging 26.1 years. So, this is a quarter-century: a big time decision. 1,461: The number of days Democrats should be willing to wait for the Senate to approve President Obama’s rightful nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court."
"Let’s get down to some numbers that put Senate Republicans’ judicial coup in context. 293: Number of days Republicans stonewalled President Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court before the Senate term expired. 103: Number of Supreme Court vacancies filled by elected presidents. That’s right, 103 in a row. 8: Vacancies filled during election year. Eight times in our history, Supreme Court vacancies occurred during an election year and the elected presidents’ nominees were approved. 6: Number of unelected presidential Supreme Court vacancy nominations denied. Supreme Court vacancies were denied when the sitting president was not elected: Vice President John Tyler’s nominations after death of President William Henry Harrison; VP Millard Fillmore’s nominations after the death of President Zachary Taylor; and VP Andrew Johnson’s nominations after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. President Obama was elected by the people, twice. 3: Lame-duck nominations denied. There were also three nominations made by sitting presidents post-election day, after the new president had been elected. John Quincy Adams tried after Andrew Jackson was elected; James Buchanan tried after Lincoln was elected; and President Hayes tried after James Garfield was elected. All were denied. President Obama made his nomination of Garland long before the election of Donald Trump. 84: Years since last election-year nomination. The last time there was a Supreme Court vacancy during an election year, President Hoover’s nomination was approved. 9,498: Average days in the tenure of recent Supreme Court justices (since 1970). That’s right, since 1970, Supreme Court justices who have retired, had tenures averaging 26.1 years. So, this is a quarter-century: a big time decision. 1,461: The number of days Democrats should be willing to wait for the Senate to approve President Obama’s rightful nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court."
Trump Is Building a Wall Against Reality, and We're All Going to Pay for It
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/39302-trump-is-building-a-wall-against-reality-and-we-re-all-going-to-pay-for-it
"Trump jumps off the cliff virtually every time he speaks, expecting us to follow after him. Trump's strategy is clearly an attempt to delegitimize any source of information that has the temerity to challenge or tarnish him."
"Trump jumps off the cliff virtually every time he speaks, expecting us to follow after him. Trump's strategy is clearly an attempt to delegitimize any source of information that has the temerity to challenge or tarnish him."
13 Facts that Set the Record Straight on DeVos
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/education/news/2017/01/31/297687/13-facts-that-set-the-record-straight-on-devos/
"Fact 2: DeVos has dedicated her life to defunding and devaluing public education In her opening statement during her confirmation hearing, DeVos said, “If confirmed, I will be a strong advocate for great public schools.” Through her family fortune and political influence, however, DeVos has spent her career promoting voucher programs and for-profit charter schools, which steer taxpayer dollars away from public schools and into the pockets of private entities. Later in the hearing, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) asked, “Can you commit that you will not work to privatize public schools or cut a single penny for public education?” DeVos eventually replied, “I guess I would not characterize it in that way"."
"Fact 2: DeVos has dedicated her life to defunding and devaluing public education In her opening statement during her confirmation hearing, DeVos said, “If confirmed, I will be a strong advocate for great public schools.” Through her family fortune and political influence, however, DeVos has spent her career promoting voucher programs and for-profit charter schools, which steer taxpayer dollars away from public schools and into the pockets of private entities. Later in the hearing, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) asked, “Can you commit that you will not work to privatize public schools or cut a single penny for public education?” DeVos eventually replied, “I guess I would not characterize it in that way"."
How would repealing the Affordable Care Act affect health care and jobs in your state?
http://www.epi.org/aca-obamacare-repeal-impact/
"Across the country, 29.8 million people would lose their health insurance if the Affordable Care Act were repealed—more than doubling the number of people without health insurance. And 1.2 million jobs would be lost—not just in health care but across the board."
"Across the country, 29.8 million people would lose their health insurance if the Affordable Care Act were repealed—more than doubling the number of people without health insurance. And 1.2 million jobs would be lost—not just in health care but across the board."
Donald Trump Hasn't the Faintest Idea Who Frederick Douglass Is @alternet
Donald Trump Hasn't the Faintest Idea Who Frederick Douglass Is @alternet:
"Trump, who clearly had never heard of Douglass, offered the following take on the revered abolitionist's work: “Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who has done an amazing job that is being recognized more and more, I noticed," Trump said. Douglass is not an up-and-comer in the civil rights movement. He has been dead since 1895. His legacy as a former slave turned outspoken abolitionist voice, and counselor to Abraham Lincoln, has made him a central figure of Black History Month celebrations for decades. Trump, who probably had to be explicitly told not to state that “All Histories Matter,” was clearly unaware. The rest of Trump’s speech was filled with now-boilerplate complaints about his mistreatment by the media and anyone else who lodges even the mildest of criticisms. Trump criticized the “hostile CNN community” and dismissed it as “fake news.” He added, “Fox has treated me very nice"."
"Trump, who clearly had never heard of Douglass, offered the following take on the revered abolitionist's work: “Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who has done an amazing job that is being recognized more and more, I noticed," Trump said. Douglass is not an up-and-comer in the civil rights movement. He has been dead since 1895. His legacy as a former slave turned outspoken abolitionist voice, and counselor to Abraham Lincoln, has made him a central figure of Black History Month celebrations for decades. Trump, who probably had to be explicitly told not to state that “All Histories Matter,” was clearly unaware. The rest of Trump’s speech was filled with now-boilerplate complaints about his mistreatment by the media and anyone else who lodges even the mildest of criticisms. Trump criticized the “hostile CNN community” and dismissed it as “fake news.” He added, “Fox has treated me very nice"."
Trump Takes Two Steps Backward in Public Protection Regulations
Trump Takes Two Steps Backward in Public Protection Regulations:
"Furthermore, in a Trump administration new regulations are more likely to favor industry, finance and the Chamber of Commerce, in general. Thus, Trump-appointed department and agency administrators would be more likely to adopt a regulation with a potentially adverse public impact -- and offer to junk two beneficial regulations to people in the US in return. In such a case, the executive branch's regulatory process would be taking three steps backward."
"Furthermore, in a Trump administration new regulations are more likely to favor industry, finance and the Chamber of Commerce, in general. Thus, Trump-appointed department and agency administrators would be more likely to adopt a regulation with a potentially adverse public impact -- and offer to junk two beneficial regulations to people in the US in return. In such a case, the executive branch's regulatory process would be taking three steps backward."
Man Who Shut Down The Government Over Obamacare Now Whining About Democratic Obstruction
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/01/31/man-shut-government-obamacare-complaining-democratic-obstruction.html
"There are two major reasons this is laughable: 1. Republicans, including Cruz, spent nearly the entirety of 2016 blocking President Obama’s middle-of-the-road Supreme Court appointee, Merrick Garland. Did the Texas senator just suddenly start to believe that Supreme Court nominees should rise above partisan politics? Too late for that, Ted. 2. Sen. Cruz – the guy who just slammed Democrats for “unprecedented partisan obstruction” – is the same fella who shut down the government in 2013 in an effort to defund and derail the Affordable Care Act. Cruz spent 21 hours rambling on the Senate floor and treating us all to a creepy reading of “Green Eggs and Ham,” all so he could take health insurance away from millions of Americans."
"There are two major reasons this is laughable: 1. Republicans, including Cruz, spent nearly the entirety of 2016 blocking President Obama’s middle-of-the-road Supreme Court appointee, Merrick Garland. Did the Texas senator just suddenly start to believe that Supreme Court nominees should rise above partisan politics? Too late for that, Ted. 2. Sen. Cruz – the guy who just slammed Democrats for “unprecedented partisan obstruction” – is the same fella who shut down the government in 2013 in an effort to defund and derail the Affordable Care Act. Cruz spent 21 hours rambling on the Senate floor and treating us all to a creepy reading of “Green Eggs and Ham,” all so he could take health insurance away from millions of Americans."
Remember when Republicans weren't going to let Hillary Clinton have a SCOTUS appointment? Ever?
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/1/1628480/-Remember-when-Republicans-weren-t-going-to-let-Hillary-Clinton-have-a-SCOTUS-appointment-Ever
"Dear Democrats, let's go on this short walk down memory lane. We don't have to go far, just to October 2016. Arizona Sen. John McCain, "patriot," promises that if the Republicans keep their Senate majority, there won't be any Supreme Court confirmations for President Hillary Clinton. The exact quote: "I promise you that we will be united against any Supreme Court nominee that Hillary Clinton, if she were president, would put up. […] I promise you"."
"Dear Democrats, let's go on this short walk down memory lane. We don't have to go far, just to October 2016. Arizona Sen. John McCain, "patriot," promises that if the Republicans keep their Senate majority, there won't be any Supreme Court confirmations for President Hillary Clinton. The exact quote: "I promise you that we will be united against any Supreme Court nominee that Hillary Clinton, if she were president, would put up. […] I promise you"."
Neil Gorsuch: President Trump’s anti-choice pick for the Supreme Court
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/01/neil-gorsuch-president-trumps-anti-choice-pick-for-the-supreme-court_partner/
"After Scalia died in early 2016, the court was left with a four-four conservative-liberal split on most contentious social and economic issues. The GOP, led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, refused even to hold hearings for Obama’s nominee, a federal appeals court chief judge who sailed through nomination hearings for that post several years before."
"After Scalia died in early 2016, the court was left with a four-four conservative-liberal split on most contentious social and economic issues. The GOP, led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, refused even to hold hearings for Obama’s nominee, a federal appeals court chief judge who sailed through nomination hearings for that post several years before."
Why Democrats Should Oppose Neil Gorsuch
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/31/opinion/neil-gorsuch-how-democrats-should-respond.html?_r=0
"It’s important to remember just how radical — and, yes, unprecedented — the Senate’s approach to the previous Supreme Court nominee was. Republican leaders announced last March that they would not consider any nominee. They did so even though Barack Obama still had 10 months left in his term and even though other justices (including Anthony Kennedy) had been confirmed in a president’s final year. The refusal was a raw power grab. Coupled with Republican hints that no Hillary Clinton nominee would be confirmed either, it was a fundamental changing of the rules: Only a party that controlled both the White House and the Senate would now be able to assume it could fill a Supreme Court vacancy."
"It’s important to remember just how radical — and, yes, unprecedented — the Senate’s approach to the previous Supreme Court nominee was. Republican leaders announced last March that they would not consider any nominee. They did so even though Barack Obama still had 10 months left in his term and even though other justices (including Anthony Kennedy) had been confirmed in a president’s final year. The refusal was a raw power grab. Coupled with Republican hints that no Hillary Clinton nominee would be confirmed either, it was a fundamental changing of the rules: Only a party that controlled both the White House and the Senate would now be able to assume it could fill a Supreme Court vacancy."
The Trump Administration's War On The Press
http://mediamatters.org/trumps-war-on-the-press
"President Donald Trump and his administration are engaged in an unprecedented war on the press, which began during his presidential campaign and continued into the transition period. Trump and his administration’s continued attacks on the press pose a distinct threat to our First Amendment freedoms"
"President Donald Trump and his administration are engaged in an unprecedented war on the press, which began during his presidential campaign and continued into the transition period. Trump and his administration’s continued attacks on the press pose a distinct threat to our First Amendment freedoms"
Let’s Be Honest: The Trump Administration is a Joke and Republicans Don’t Give a Damn
https://forwardprogressives.com/trump-administration-joke-republicans/
"This whole thing is nothing but an embarrassing dumpster fire. It’s as if the comments section of a right-wing blog puked forth a candidate who was then elected president. Now we’re all forced to live under the rule of a bunch of morons who believe in asinine conspiracy theories like Barack Obama faked his birth certificate, Jade Helm was a government plot to confiscate guns, or everything that doesn’t bow down and say Trump’s the greatest is “fake news.” We’re not being ruled by a presidential administration, we’re being ruled by the alt-right, racists, bigots, sexists, conspiracy theorists, individuals who deny science, and people who don’t seem to think reality is actually real. As others have said, this is essentially the Breitbart Administration: A fringe, right-wing conspiracy group full of propagandists, fearmongers, white nationalists, and unhinged sociopaths who want to see the world burn."
"This whole thing is nothing but an embarrassing dumpster fire. It’s as if the comments section of a right-wing blog puked forth a candidate who was then elected president. Now we’re all forced to live under the rule of a bunch of morons who believe in asinine conspiracy theories like Barack Obama faked his birth certificate, Jade Helm was a government plot to confiscate guns, or everything that doesn’t bow down and say Trump’s the greatest is “fake news.” We’re not being ruled by a presidential administration, we’re being ruled by the alt-right, racists, bigots, sexists, conspiracy theorists, individuals who deny science, and people who don’t seem to think reality is actually real. As others have said, this is essentially the Breitbart Administration: A fringe, right-wing conspiracy group full of propagandists, fearmongers, white nationalists, and unhinged sociopaths who want to see the world burn."
Ex-Obama staffer sounds alarm on ‘racist’ Steve Bannon: ‘Time to break glass because of emergency’
Ex-Obama staffer sounds alarm on ‘racist’ Steve Bannon: ‘Time to break glass because of emergency’
"President Donald Trump’s chief strategist, Steve Bannon, appears to be consolidating power within the White House — and his machinations are alarming former officials who have worked there."
"President Donald Trump’s chief strategist, Steve Bannon, appears to be consolidating power within the White House — and his machinations are alarming former officials who have worked there."
Tracking the Trump Team’s Conflicting or False Statements on Russia (Chart)
Tracking the Trump Team’s Conflicting or False Statements on Russia (Chart):
"This is an effort to catalog instances when the Trump team’s assertions about their connections to Russia contradict what they’ve said in the past and the facts as they’ve been reported by multiple news organizations and the US intelligence community. "
"This is an effort to catalog instances when the Trump team’s assertions about their connections to Russia contradict what they’ve said in the past and the facts as they’ve been reported by multiple news organizations and the US intelligence community. "
Steve Bannon wedges his anti-Muslim ideology into a seat on the National Security Council
https://thinkprogress.org/bannons-ethno-nationalist-ideology-now-has-a-seat-at-the-national-security-council-928e58a29726#.blv9kgw6v
"Authoritarianism experts and national security analysts are seriously disturbed by top White House adviser Steve Bannon’s newfound position on the National Security Council (NSC) principals committee, which further deepened the influence of his ethno-nationalist ideology on the Trump administration."
"Authoritarianism experts and national security analysts are seriously disturbed by top White House adviser Steve Bannon’s newfound position on the National Security Council (NSC) principals committee, which further deepened the influence of his ethno-nationalist ideology on the Trump administration."
Mainstream Press Notices Right-Wing Media Disinformation, Twenty Years Too Late | Crooks and Liars
Mainstream Press Notices Right-Wing Media Disinformation, Twenty Years Too Late | Crooks and Liars
"And now it's worse: We have a president who's not a cynical beneficiary of right-wing disinformation, he's an eager consumer. The president of the United States gets his ideas from this garbage."
"And now it's worse: We have a president who's not a cynical beneficiary of right-wing disinformation, he's an eager consumer. The president of the United States gets his ideas from this garbage."
Holocaust Museum poster on 'warning signs of fascism' goes viral
http://www.dailydot.com/irl/early-signs-of-fascism-holocaust-museum/
"a viral photo from the Holocaust Museum makes those echoes between Nazi Germany and the present-day U.S. sound louder than ever."
"a viral photo from the Holocaust Museum makes those echoes between Nazi Germany and the present-day U.S. sound louder than ever."
Steve Bannon now gets to help decide war and peace
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/1/31/14447394/steve-bannon-nsc-trump-white-house-flynn-terrorism-iran-islam-yemen
"The current onslaught of revenge and destruction produced by this updated version of authoritarianism is glaringly visible and deeply brutal, and points to a dark future in the most immediate sense."
"The current onslaught of revenge and destruction produced by this updated version of authoritarianism is glaringly visible and deeply brutal, and points to a dark future in the most immediate sense."
Revisiting Orwell’s ‘1984’ in Trump’s America
http://billmoyers.com/story/revisiting-orwells-1984-trumps-america/
"The current onslaught of revenge and destruction produced by this updated version of authoritarianism is glaringly visible and deeply brutal, and points to a dark future in the most immediate sense."
"The current onslaught of revenge and destruction produced by this updated version of authoritarianism is glaringly visible and deeply brutal, and points to a dark future in the most immediate sense."
Bannon's last job was peddling racism, conspiracies—but Trump gives him a top national security seat
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/1/31/1627681/-Bannon-s-last-job-was-peddling-racism-conspiracies-but-Trump-gives-him-a-top-national-security-seat
"It's not likely Steve Bannon could have obtained so much as a security clearance in any past administration—his ties to extremist figures would have probably nixed such thoughts, and Donald Trump and staff had to invent a new title in order to give Bannon a place in the White House that would not be subject to Senate approval. Now he's on the National Security Committee, where he will be helping to guide national security policy from the very top levels. It's impossible to overstate just how radical—or insane—this move is."
"It's not likely Steve Bannon could have obtained so much as a security clearance in any past administration—his ties to extremist figures would have probably nixed such thoughts, and Donald Trump and staff had to invent a new title in order to give Bannon a place in the White House that would not be subject to Senate approval. Now he's on the National Security Committee, where he will be helping to guide national security policy from the very top levels. It's impossible to overstate just how radical—or insane—this move is."
Here's What Jeff Sessions Really Means to the Trump White House
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a52687/jeff-sessions-steve-bannon-white-nationalism/
"the Republican Party is attaching itself to contemporary white nationalism the world over."
"the Republican Party is attaching itself to contemporary white nationalism the world over."
Robert Reich: Trump and Bannon Are Putting the World at Real Risk of Nuclear War @alternet
Robert Reich: Trump and Bannon Are Putting the World at Real Risk of Nuclear War @alternet:
"Trump is unhinged and ignorant. Bannon is nuts and malicious. If not supervised by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, their decisions could endanger the world."
"Trump is unhinged and ignorant. Bannon is nuts and malicious. If not supervised by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, their decisions could endanger the world."
Why Trump's Week of Chaos May Suit Steve Bannon's Bigger Plans @alternet
Why Trump's Week of Chaos May Suit Steve Bannon's Bigger Plans @alternet:
"As Bannon said last summer, Trump is just a “blunt instrument” and at this point it doesn’t matter if he “gets it” or not. In his new role as Trump’s Rasputin, Bannon is now in a position to literally make his dreams of destruction come true."
"As Bannon said last summer, Trump is just a “blunt instrument” and at this point it doesn’t matter if he “gets it” or not. In his new role as Trump’s Rasputin, Bannon is now in a position to literally make his dreams of destruction come true."
Experts on authoritarianism say Trump’s presidency is getting even worse
https://thinkprogress.org/experts-on-authoritarianism-say-trumps-presidency-is-getting-even-worse-c9c2ac76610f#.fq2qdgh4t
"One scholar described Steve Bannon’s role in the administration as “pretty terrifying"."
"One scholar described Steve Bannon’s role in the administration as “pretty terrifying"."
Mnuchin Again Denies Robo-Signing, Despite Yet More Evidence He Is Lying
https://theintercept.com/2017/01/30/mnuchin-again-denies-robo-signing-despite-yet-more-evidence-he-is-lying/
"DONALD TRUMP’S TREASURY SECRETARY NOMINEE Steve Mnuchin on Monday doubled down on his lie to the Senate Finance Committee, again claiming in amended answers for the record that OneWest Bank never robo-signed foreclosure documents, despite copious evidence that they did."
"DONALD TRUMP’S TREASURY SECRETARY NOMINEE Steve Mnuchin on Monday doubled down on his lie to the Senate Finance Committee, again claiming in amended answers for the record that OneWest Bank never robo-signed foreclosure documents, despite copious evidence that they did."
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