Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1
PRINTED FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY
©2017
WARNING CONCERNING COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS:
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code)
governs the making of photo copies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.
Under certain conditions specified by law, libraries and archives
are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction.
One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be
"used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research."
If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction
or purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.
F.R.E.D. Productions
June 2017
FIRST EDITION
0987654321
2
CONTENTS
3
MSNBC’s Elise Jordan
Compares President Trump To A Suicide Bomber
By Randy Hall
June 22, 2017 6:09 PM EDT
If you had any doubts whether the MSNBC cable “Earlier in the broadcast,” Melvin stated, “I
television channel is run by and for liberals and said the president was bluffing. I may have
Democrats, former Rand Paul official and MSNBC been, perhaps, too fair. It would seem as if
political analyst Elise Jordan erased them during her the president may have been lying all
appearance on Thursday morning's MSNBC Live when she along about the existence of these tapes.”
compared Donald Trump to a suicide bomber.
“No,” Jordan responded, “he’s just wasting
-- he wasted the country’s collective time
Jordan made the statement after host Craig Melvin speculating over whether these tapes
indicated he wanted to talk with her about tweets made by existed or not. It’s a sad day when you
the Republican president regarding whether any tapes exist cannot depend on the president’s word.”
of his conversations with former Federal Bureau of
Investigation Director James Comey. Of course, the president actually said that such recordings
might exist, and if they did, they could create problems for
Melvin began the discussion by noting: Comey.
With all of the recently reported electronic Unfortunately for Jordan, the decision to “waste time” on
surveillance, intercepts, unmasking and the matter was not made by the president, but came
illegal leaking of information, I have no idea instead from the “mainstream media” in a perpetual quest
whether there are “tapes” or recordings of to bring down Donald Trump over anything, ranging from
my conversations with James Comey, but I the president getting two scoops of ice cream or his
did not make, and do not have, any such decision to fire Comey.
recordings.
.
4
Mr. President, Meet Avner Shapiro,
Saboteur From the DOJ Swamp
By J. Christian Adams
June 22, 2017
From his perch at the Voting Section of the Department of Avner Shapiro -- who has been a prosecutor in the civil
Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Avner Shapiro has exerted rights division for more than 20 years -- left his name off
more will over DOJ’s approach to voter ID -- particularly the filings written by Gore. Shapiro was particularly
against Texas -- than has the president. involved in developing the DOJ’s argument that Texas had
intentionally discriminated against minorities in crafting its
That’s not how a democratic republic is designed to work. voter ID legislation.
A story built entirely on leaks and designed to attack
Trump priorities appeared in the Soros-funded Pro This means that Shapiro sabotaged the Trump
Publica. It was packed with confidential insider administration’s more sensible approach to voter ID.
information about the Trump Justice Department’s
litigation decisions about state voter ID laws and the Let’s take a closer look at this paragraph, and sift out the
internal views of lawyers at the Justice Department. confidential information.
5
towards the Texas voter ID law and similar laws in other
states.
Whether or not “Gore wrote the filing” is also confidential For years, Shapiro’s wife Julie Fernandes has worked for
information. Now we’re at two. the Soros Open Society Foundations as the advocacy
director for voting rights. Remember, the Open Society
Gore’s reported request to lawyers in the case to sign off to Foundations funds Pro Publica. Meanwhile, Shapiro’s
show continuity is likewise entirely confidential. So that’s federal lawyer salary is in excess of $155,000 per year.
three.
And finally, whether Shapiro was a key attorney in The Obama administration reflexively opposed voter ID
developing the abandoned arguments is also confidential laws despite the fact they are supported by the vast
information. So we have a total of five pieces of majority of Americans, including racial minorities. Trump
confidential information leaked by a lawyer on the Texas made voter ID an issue in the 2016 election, and Trump
voter ID case at the Justice Department. won.
That’s five pieces of confidential information that a Justice That’s what Justice Department lawyer Avner Shaprio
Department attorney revealed to Pro Publica, or to a third cannot stand.
party who revealed it to Pro Publica.
The Pro Publica article spins the golden-oldie from a
That’s five different reasons for that decade ago that the civil rights lawyers at DOJ making
attorney to be disbarred. $150,000 or more per year are uncomfortable and unsettled
about the future because a Republican is in the White
It’s also five different reasons for Trump administration House:
officials to take action against the leaker.
All of the internal changes at the DOJ have left attorneys
The DOJ ethics office must open an ethics investigation and staff with “ a great deal of fear and uncertainty,”
and put the possible leaker under oath, and then report the said [Bill] Yeomans. While he says the lawyers there
leaker for disbarment. would like to stay at the department, they fear Sessions’
priorities will have devastating impact on their work.
Remember, the State of Texas itself was also an intended
target of these leaks. The leaks were designed to Meow.
undermine the Trump administration's new approach
6
Memo to Bill Yeomans: Nobody cares except your close disruptor. Perhaps more importantly, Americans
pals. In fact, stories about left-wing federal employees supporting the president expect the swamp to be drained.
making 160 large living with "fear and uncertainty" delight People who put Trump in the White House expect
the people who elected the president. disruption, not caution. People working for the president in
federal agencies should let that soak in a bit.
It’s what they expected with their vote. They paid for the
ticket to the demolition derby, now the voters want to see When the swamp leaks and sabotages the president,
the carnage and steaming radiators. everyone working for the president has an obligation to
enforce the rules and follow the law.
Everybody knows that virtually no work is taking place
inside the Voting Section at DOJ, and hasn't for years. Thankfully, if nobody has the will to do what the president
Most of the lawyers in the country would trade places in a promised, the public can make their own complaints about
heartbeat with the woe-is-me $160,000-a-year lawyers these leaks to OPR.
leaking to Bill Yeomans and Pro Publica.
Let’s see if the head of OPR, Robin Ashton -- a well-
Some will bristle at the notion of hauling a lawyer known Democratic loyalist, incidentally -- takes seriously
suspected of leaking to Pro Publica before the Office of the fact that Voting Section lawyers are unethically leaking
Professional Responsibility (OPR), putting the to sabotage the president.
lawyer under oath, and asking about leaking to Bill
Yeomans, Jessica Huseman, or Annie Waldman. These Let’s also watch to see if immediate supervisors inside the
would be the the sorts of insiders who flinch from any Voting Section also take the leaks seriously and act.
controversy. Good luck, because the Civil Rights Division
is a cauldron of controversy. That won’t change. If not, we can add a few more names to the list of the
swamp creatures to drain out shortly.
Caution isn’t what got these officials a job, anyhow. This
president won the White House because he was a
.
7
Two New Polls Show Deepening
Distrust of Trump-Trashing Press Corps
By Tim Graham
June 22, 2017 2:36 PM EDT
8
It’s nearly impossible to watch the “mainstream” media information in the story isn’t true, or (B) he
report on President Trump and believe anyone is trying to just doesn’t like what is being reported, or
demonstrate a “track record” of objectivity. There is no (C) not sure?”
reward inside the media elite for neutrality in the wake of
what they see as Hurricane Donald. The Democrat tilt is 9-87-4 – he doesn’t like real news –
and the Republican tilt is 66-23-10 – he’s convinced the
Nguyen concluded: press is faking it. It would be more fun if (C) was
YouGov recently conducted a survey that “he’s tweaking/trolling the press because
revealed 44% of Americans believe when he knows they hate being called fake.”
someone refers to reporting as fake news,
it tends to be that s/he doesn’t like what’s The press gets upset at the “fake news” label because they
being reported more than the fact that it’s define it very narrowly, like the standard for libel –
untrue. Given that the general population reporters perpetuating a story they know is a lie. They miss
sides more closely with Republican the way Republican voters hear the phrase.
sentiment towards media bias in the above
polls, it seems that news organizations
Most importantly in Trump’s tones, “fake” is a
have a tough few months of ahead of them denunciation of the Dominant Media Spin, the one that
if they want more members of the public to routinely insists Republicans are falling off a cliff, or that
accept reporting at face value.
the Russia probe is incredibly dire, or implying that Trump
won’t last his four-year term. Or that winning all the
There’s a flaw in that survey: it requires mind-reading. The special elections is actually a bad sign. Facts are regularly
44-percent number is asking the public that when “people manipulated to sound a gloomy note.
say” something is Fake News, is it because they don’t like
the story? Survey respondents are more generous to the
In 2016, the Dominant Media Spin was that Trump was so
blob of “people.”
dangerously hateful and reckless that he would lose badly
and take a large chunk of Republicans down with him.
However, there’s a very dramatic partisan tilt when they None of that happened. All the polls insisting he was
make the question just about the president: losing badly ended up being wrong.
9
White House Statement Warns Of 'Unusual And
Extraordinary Threat' - What Do They
Know That We Don't Know?
Should This Ominous President Trump Tweet Indicate
To Us That 'Time Is Short'?
By Stefan Stanford - All News Pipeline - Live Free Or Die
June 22, 2017
In this recent story from Mac Slavo over at SHTFPlan he screenshot above), Vox was freaking out even more,
warns that a recent tweet from President Donald Trump reporting
could be looked at as a warning to Americans that war may
be coming soon. Thanking China and their President Xi for "Trump just sent a mystifying, disturbing
the efforts they've made for helping with North Korea, tweet about North Korea" and "maybe the
Trump warns of those efforts: president shouldn't tweet vaguely
threatening things about a nuclear power".
"it has not worked out".
Well the Post now gets an answer to their question as
With the US and China set to meet again as new activity is President Trump's White House has just released a
detected at a North Korean nuclear site, some experts warn statement called "Continuation of the National Emergency
that every day without a 'solution' to the North Korea with Respect to North Korea" within which the President
problem is another day moving closer to what could be an reiterates why all of these Executive Orders on North
absolutely devastating war with the complete destruction Korea have been signed in the first place dating back
of Seoul, South Korea one unimaginable but very real years:
possibility.
to deal with the unusual and
With Kim Jong Un so afraid of assassination by US Navy extraordinary threat to the national
SEALS that he only travels at night, the fact that a recent security, foreign policy, and economy of the
US Navy ballistic missile intercept failed off of the coast United States posed by the continued
of Hawaii might be causing nightmares for some actions and policies of the Government of
Hawaiians, especially considering Kim's recent threats that North Korea.
North Korea could nuke Hawaii. And with reports coming
out last week that North Korea was only 'one step away' From President Trump's new statement:
from launching a nuclear missile that could hit
America while even the Wall Street Journal recently The existence and risk of proliferation of
reported North Korea dreams of turning out the lights in weapons-usable fissile material on the
America, the options President Trump faces on how to Korean Peninsula and the actions and
deal with the 'North Korea problem' are paved with peril. policies of the Government of North
Korea continue to pose an unusual and
extraordinary threat to the national
security, foreign policy, and economy of
the United States. For this reason, the
national emergency declared in
Executive Order 13466, expanded in
scope in Executive Order 13551,
addressed further in Executive Order
13570, further expanded in scope in
Executive Order 13687, and under which
While the Washington Post asked in a recent story, "what additional steps were taken in Executive
did President Trump mean" by his recent tweet (seen via Order 13722 of March 15, 2016, and the
measures taken to deal with that
10
national emergency, must continue in
effect beyond June 26, 2017. Therefore,
in accordance with section 202(d) of the
National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C.
1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the
national emergency with respect to
North Korea declared in Executive
Order 13466. This notice shall be
published in the Federal Register and
transmitted to the Congress. DONALD J.
TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE, June 21,
2017.
As Dr. Peter Vincent Pry previously reported in this story Ahead of the four-hour hearing, Mattis
on ANP, should the US be attacked by EMP, up to or more also warned that North Korea poses the
than 90% of us could be dead within the following year to most urgent threat to international
18 months. And while North Korea's top envoy to India peace and security, calling the regime's
recently stated that North Korea is open to a moratorium weapons program a "clear and present
on new nuclear tests, and would like to begin talks with the danger" to all. In written testimony, he
US 'under the right conditions', this story also reports why said Pyongyang is increasing the pace
that's highly unlikely as 'the right conditions' begin with and scope of its nuclear weapons
the US ending all military drills with South Korea, drills program that leader Kim Jong-Un wants
that have been going on routinely now for many years. to be capable of delivering a bomb on
the United States.
11
"The regime's provocative actions, even high-profile national security people are talking about
manifestly illegal under international the potential of a deranged Kim sending the US back to the
law, have not abated despite United dark ages, wiping out 90% of us or more in the process.
Nations' censure and sanctions," Mattis
said. If you asked the average person about
what threat North Korea poses to the
Pyongyang has test-fired a string of United States, they’ll probably respond
missiles this year, building on launches with a blank stare. The few who happen
and nuclear tests that have ratcheted up to pay attention to the news, will likely
tensions over its quest to develop mention North Korea’s nuclear program,
weapons capable of hitting the United as well as their efforts to develop long
States -- something Trump has vowed range ballistic missiles that could one
"won't happen." day reach the United States. That’s
pretty much all most Americans know
But Mattis and his top military officer, about North Korea’s capabilities,
General Joe Dunford, said any military because that’s all they hear about from
action against North Korea would have the media.
disastrous consequences for the
peninsula. "It would be a war like The truth however is much more
nothing we have seen since 1953," frightening. There’s plenty of evidence
Mattis said about the end of the Korean to suggest that North Korea is either
War. capable of, or is working on the ability
to launch an EMP attack against the
United States. Unlike the threat posed
by a nuclear tipped missile, this
wouldn’t just destroy a city or wipe out
an overseas military base. It could
destroy every city, and kill millions of
people. Without a functional electrical
grid, there’s simply no way that our
society can feed and shelter the current
population.
13
Smoking Gun Proof
That Russia Hacked The Entire World
By Washingtonsblog
Posted On June 22, 2017
As shown below, the allegations that Russia has been (But the French government later said
hacking the entire world have been thoroughly vetted and there was no trace of Russian hacking.)
verified.
Qatar
Germany
CNN reported that U.S. officials suspected that Russia had
Germany’s intelligence agency accused Russia of hacked Qatar’s state news agency, causing a rift with
deploying cyberattacks to destabilize the government! Saudi Arabia.
(But German intelligence agencies later (But the Qatari government later said it
found no evidence of Russian wasn’t Russia.)
interference.)
America
And last December, German security officials said that
Russia hacked secret German communications and The Washington Post published a story claiming that
provided them to Wikileaks (English translation). Russian hackers penetrated the US power grid through a
utility in Vermont.
(But German officials later concluded that
the communications were likely leaked (The Post subsequently admitted that –
from an insider within the German according to officials close to the
parliament, the Bundestag (English investigation – “the incident is not linked to
translation)). any Russian government effort to target or
hack the utility”, that the incident only
France involved a laptop not connected to the
electrical grid, and there may not even
The Washington Post, New York Times (and here), have been malware at all on this laptop.)
Reuters, Politico, Register and many other mainstream
publications claimed that the Russians hacked the French When a treasure trove of secret NSA tools were revealed,
election, just like they hacked the U.S. election. Russian hackers were blamed.
The head of the NSA claimed that the NSA watched the (But it turns out that it was probably a leak
Russians hack the French elections: by an NSA insider.)
So you see? It’s been proven that Russia has hacked the
world …
.
14
Netflix Documentary Claims
Trump Destroying Freedom of the Press
By Kevin Baker
June 22, 2017 1:41 PM EDT
Thursday’s Morning Joe took the time to devote a whole KNAPPENBERGER: In the film we kind of look at the
segment to a new Netflix documentary entitled Nobody chronology of what we've seen. If you look at candidate
Speak: Trials of the Free Press. In discussion with the Trump and the way he treated the press, the press were
director, Brian Knappenberger, the panel lamented the scum, I think even this show got some heat at times from
supposed deplorable attacks by Donald Trump and his him, but the press were scum, you know, he blacklisted
supporters on the media and First Amendment. Time was them from attending their rallies and speeches, giving
taken to mourn the demise of the "critical" news site press credentials in the usual way, eventually of course
Gawker, dead at the hands of Hulk Hogan, and Trump called them the enemy of the people and then, you
supporter Peter Thiel. know, we saw the antics when he was president --
President-Elect Trump and even now, I think as late as
“This seems so important,” co-host Mika yesterday he was sort of still -- this is a part of his -- of
Brzezinski said reverently of the every speech that he makes and it has been a part of his
conversation, “I am beginning to feel like rise, this kind of anger of the press.
everything he [Trump] does...is far more
serious than we could ever imagine.” WILLIE GEIST: A lot of what you talk about in the film,
though, predates Donald Trump and focuses on big, rich
The segment started off with a clip from the documentary guys who can buy out media and then control the
in which it warned that, narrative their way. Shelly Adelson, Las Vegas, that
secret deal, and Peter Thiel, behind the Gawker versus
“Without a meaningful application of the the Hulk Hogan deal. What is the danger of that big
First Amendment you have a true risk of money being able to control the message a newspaper
living in a suppressive state.” It further or organization puts out?
cautioned, “There is enough chance that
the President will be upset enough, angry KNAPPENBERGER:Yeah. We should say that the film
enough, vengeful enough to try to take starts by looking at the Hulk Hogan versus Gawker case
whatever actions he thinks he can to which I thought was fascinating by itself. The first time a
punish those who have offended him.” sex tape case like this had ever gone to trial. And as
salacious and tabloidy as that sounded there was clearly
Much of the actual dialogue eventually came to revolve some big picture first amendment versus privacy issues
around the influence of powerful right-wing billionaires, at stake. It was complex, it was kind of on the fringes of
such as Sheldon Adelson and Peter Thiel, on the news and acceptability.
their increasing power. As an example of this, they cited
the lawsuit in which Hulk Hogan successfully sued But it was the verdict that was really kind of shocking but
Gawker Media for libel: $140 million verdict paired with a $50 million requirement
that Gawker had to put up the money right away. That was
a death sentence of Gawker. Then it was revealed that
Peter Thiel was actually funding Hulk Hogan's lawsuit. So
there was an element of almost theater actually in the trial
because you didn't understand what was really happening
here was that there was a very wealthy individual trying to
come silence this critical voice.
15
American people. The narrative simply became one of the big, rich guys who can buy out media and then control the
media being the victims of an unwarranted and narrative that way. Shelly Adelson, Las Vegas, that secret
unprovoked attack by Donald Trump and his supporters. deal, and Peter Thiel, behind the Gawker versus Hulk
Innocent victims, like Gawker, who never, ever, ever, did Hogan deal. What is the danger of that big money being
anything that warranted any sort of lawsuit or legal action, able to control the message a newspaper or organization
whatsoever. puts out?
Today's Morning Joe was brought to you by Lexus, KNAPPENBERGER:Yeah. We should say that the film
American Wind Action, and Xarelto. starts looking at the Hulk Hogan versus Gawker case
which I thought was jsut fascinating by itself. The first time
Here are the excerpts from the June 22 segment: a sex tape case like this had ever gone to trial. And as
salacious and tabloidy as that sounded there was clearly
some big picture first amendment versus privacy issues at
8:52 AM
stake. It was complex, it was kind of on the fringes of
acceptability.
NARRATOR: Without a meaningful application of the first
amendment you have a true risk of living in a suppressive
But it was the verdict that was really kind of shocking it was
state, of living in a country in which a president thinks he's
$140 million verdict paired with a $50 million requirement
doing the right things -- they always do -- who thinks that
that Gawker had to put up the money right away. That was
his critics are harming the country -- they always do -- can
a death sentence of Gawker and then it was revealed that
limit the ability of the press, the willingness of the press to
Peter Thiel was actually funding Hulk Hogan's lawsuit. So
expose, to criticize, and the like. There is enough chance
there was an element of almost theater, actually, in the trial
that the president will be upset enough, angry enough,
because you didn't understand what was really happening
vengeful enough to try to take whatever actions he thinks
here was that there was a very wealthy individual trying to
he can to punish those who have offended him.
come silence this critical voice.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: That was a clip from the new Netflix
BRZEZINSKI: You mentioned Peter Thiel. Here's another
original documentary, Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free
clip from Nobody Speak.
Press, which looks at the growing influence that both
billionaires and politicians are having on today's media.
Joining us now is the film's director Brian Knappenberger. TRUMP: I think the media is among the most dishonest
Brian, thank you for coming on the show. This seems so groups of people I've ever met.
important. It feels like Trump's -- President Trump's sort of
fight with the press often is sort of joked away. I am NARRATOR: Donald Trump, Peter Thiel and other
beginning to feel like everything that he does that people billionaires have been trying to undercut the press,
end up sort of joking about, because it's just him, is far undercut the First Amendment, undercut the freedom of
more serious than we could ever imagine. What do you feel speech.
about this fight with the press?
NARRATOR: I think the common thread among the Peter
KNAPPENBERGER: Yeah. I think it is serious. Thiel story, the Adelson story, and the Trump story is
billionaires who are proclaiming we are not vulnerable to
BRZEZINSKI: What does this show? truth. We are invulnerable to the facts. And it simply doesn't
matter what you say, what the press does, we are more
powerful than the truth.
KNAPPENBERGER: Very, very serious. In the film we kind
of look at the chronology of what we've seen. If you look at
candidate Trump and the way he treated the press, the MIKE BARNICLE: Okay, there you have sort of the nut, the
press were scum, I think even this show got some heat at core of the problem. You have resources married to intent.
times from him, but the press were scum, you know, he You have rich people with the specific intent of damaging
blacklisted them from attending their rallies and speeches, the free press. Now, it's not going to work with The Times
giving press credentials in the usual way, eventually of or The Washington Post or NBC, but there are a host of
course called them the enemy of the people and then, you medium-sized papers and websites around this country
know, we saw the antics when he was President -- that could be ended with this.
President-Elect Trump and even now, I think as late as
yesterday he was sort of still -- this is a part of his -- of KNAPPENBERGER: Yeah, and that's -- I was actually very
every speech that he makes and it has been a part of his concerned about that. Local communities across the United
rise, this kind of anger of the press. States used to have a very healthy kind of competitive
multiple newspapers. And so this Sheldon Adelson story
WILLIE GEIST: A lot of what you talk about in the film, where he buys the Las Vegas Journal, an important local
though, predates Donald Trump, actually, and focuses on newspaper in the west, he does that in secret so you don't
16
know what his intentions are, you don't know what his on with business as usual or do you try to do collective
motivation is. So, that was a big part oft hat. But, if you look action? No longer broadcast some of these executive
at the bigger picture, I do think we're facing a wave of signing statements, no longer attend these background
hostility towards the press. briefings that you can't even broadcast or show audio files
for? So is that the solution? Is the solution to all this
If you think about what we've seen just in the last couple of pressure and the tax and the money collective action?
months, you know, had a reporter arrested for asking Tom
Price a question, health and human services director. You KNAPPENBERGER: Yeah, actually, I think so. In history
had a reporter pinned, I guess, against the wall of the FCC there's been some great examples of that where
for asking a question of the director there. And of course somebody's been, you know, shut down a question and
you had this awful incident with Greg Gianforte, body someone else has just deferred their question to the
slamming a reporter for asking a question, doing what he person who was just shut down. Those are pretty moving
should be doing, asking a question about health care of the statements by themselves. And I think that can easily be
then congressional candidate, now a member of Congress. something important. You know, the small sort of ray of
hope that I have in this and the sort of early days of the
SAM STEIN: I'm curious how you would react to my theory, Trump administration is that the press is kind of getting
which is that part of the problem, actually, rests with the reminded about what they're there for in the first place. I do
press corps itself. The press has a collective action issue. think there's a lot of legitimate criticism of the press, that
As a member of an outlet that was barred from covering maybe it's gotten too cozy to power, that maybe its become
the Trump campaign, I experienced this first hand, which is too corporatized over time or traded softball stories for
when people, outlets are barred from covering the access --
campaign, the rest of the press corps could take two
tracks, one is just to sort of go on with their business and BRZEZINSKI: And Twitter hasn't helped. You have the
cover the campaign as they see fit, and the other is to whole concept of objectivity I think is in peril. And there's a
stand in solidarity with the other outlets that are being transformation taking place from objective reporters to
barred. transparent reporters. Which I think is a good thing, but I
think it runs into some potholes along the way, especially at
And this is happening now with the White House briefings times like this.
where they're increasingly off camera, no audio, no video,
and what challenge the White House Correspondents KNAPPENBERGER: Yeah.
Association now has is what do you do? Do you try to go
.
17
Left-Wing Media And Democrats Colluded To Create
Russia Hacking HOAX As An Act Of TREASON To
Overthrow The Elected President
By JD Heyes
Thursday, June 22, 2017
18
“[A]gain, this is not about truth or fairness, who tell it they tell it are beginning to
much less protecting this country from believe. That is the definition of mass
foreign threats,” he added. “It’s about hysteria. It is deeply hurting our country,
toppling – let’s not lie about it – a and yet otherwise smart people press
democratically elected government that the forward as if it is all entirely real despite
permanent class in Washington does not mounting evidence it is not real at all.”
like.
“Now again, collusion with a foreign And now that a special counsel, Robert Mueller, has been
government against the interest of the appointed, many long-time Beltway politicos believe that
United States is tantamount to treason,” he won’t get out of town without indicting, charging or
Carlson continued. “It is definitely a moral implicating somebody in wrong-doing.
crime, and we would never defend it. We
would attack it, of course. There is just no Most of those same people believe, once more, that the
evidence it actually happened. This ultimate goal is Trump removal.
whole story is a hoax. It’s a lie that those
.
19
Trump: Mueller’s Friendship
With Comey ‘Very Bothersome’
Relationship Poses Conflict Of Interest In Witch Hunt
NY Post
June 23, 2017
20
So, Just How Many Times
Did James Comey Leak To The Press?
Legal Experts Have Argued That Comey’s Memos Are FBI Property,
Hence Government Records
By Usafeaturesmedia
Posted On June 23, 2017
In a piece written May 18, only nine days after Comey was
fired, Wittes said that the former FBI director had shared
those conversations “over the previous few months.” He
noted:
(National Sentinel) FBI follies: Americans are having Comey never told me the details of the
serious trust issues with some of our [historically] most dinner meeting; I don’t think I even knew
revered institutions, but it’s not their fault: If the men and that there had been a meeting over dinner
women who have been appointed and/or elected to those until I learned it from the Times story. But
institutions had not been so abusive with their power, then he did tell me in general terms that early
trust wouldn’t be an issue. on, Trump had ‘asked for loyalty’ and that
Comey had promised him only honesty. He
also told me that Trump was perceptibly
Take fired FBI Director James Comey, for instance. The
uncomfortable with this answer.
man admitted during recent testimony before the Senate
Intelligence Committee that he leaked contents of a memo
of a conversation that allegedly took place between him In addition, Wittes also wrote that he had lunch with
and President Donald J. Trump – a leak that he knew Comey on March 27, and that they talked about a phone
would lead to the appointment of a special counsel to call that the president had made to him earlier in the
investigate anything and everything about the Trump day, Breitbart News reported.
administration.
Those conversations were leaks, however, Wittes claimed,
That admission alone should have resulted in formal
charges against Comey, since his actions were violations “just conversations between friends, the
both of federal statutes and FBI rules of conduct. contents of which one friend is now
disclosing.”
But now we learn that the memo Comey admitted to
leaking via a friend to The New York Times may have been Oh.
just one of many leaks, as Breitbart News reports:
That’s not what constitutional expert and law professor
James Comey may have misled senators Jonathan Turley, a frequent supplier of testimony to
on May 3, when he testified to the Senate various congressional committees, believes. He wrote that
Judiciary Committee that he had never what the two discussed constitutes an unauthorized leak by
been an anonymous source in news definition under the law.
reports related to the Russia investigation.
By that time, he had already leaked several More from Breitbart:
private conversations he had with
President Trump to his friend Benjamin
21
Wittes not only wrote about the “loyalty” The Associated Press reported that a day
conversation with Trump in his May 18 blog before the New York Times story broke,
post, titled: “What James Comey Told Me Comey friend Daniel Richman had
About Donald Trump,” he but he also wrote commented to the AP that the president
about contacting the New York Times as a had removed “somebody unwilling to
source to share what Comey had told pledge absolute loyalty to him.”
him. He also discussed contacting the New From those reports, it appears that Comey
York Times in a Buzzfeed interivew.
told both Wittes and Richman about the
The fact that Wittes did so only after conversations while he was FBI director,
Comey was fired does not change the fact potentially for the purpose of later leaking
that Comey shared his communications to the media.
with Trump while he was still FBI director.
In earlier testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee on
No question Wittes is arguably a member of the media; May 3, Comey told the panel he had “never” been an
hence, leaks. anonymous news source on “matters relating to” the
investigation on the Trump campaign.
But Comey’s leaking extends beyond Wittes:
By his own admission, that does not appear to be the case:
Comey told senators on June 8 that he
decided on May 12 to release his memos What Comey didn’t say was that he had by
of his conversations with Trump to friend then already discussed confidential
Daniel Richman so that he could leak them conversations with the president to
to the media to prompt a special counsel. “friends” — who would later write about
But that doesn’t explain who leaked to the those conversations or act as conduits to
New York Times the conversation about the media.
the “loyalty request” on May 11 — a day
before Comey said he gave Richman The Trump legal team is preparing to file complaints
memos of the conversation to leak to against Comey with the Department of Justice’s Office of
media outlets. the Inspector General and the Senate Judiciary Committee,
a source close to officials has said, Breitbart News
That Times story cited “associates,” or “two reported.
people who have heard” Comey’s account
of the dinner and agreed to keep it quiet
while Comey was director. Turley has argued that Comey’s memos are FBI property,
hence government records. Leaking them could put him in
some legal jeopardy.
.
22
Trump Explains Why He Bluffed On 'Comey Tapes';
Blasts Mueller's Hiring Of "Clinton Supporters"
By Tyler Durden
Jun 23, 2017 9:29 AM
After weeks without a live interview, President Trump, reporting to determine that, but I don't
much to the dismay of the left-leaning MSM, appeared on think it will be that hard."
Fox & Friends this morning with Melania. The interview
will undoubtedly be described throughout the day as a
'softball' piece but it did at least result in some new
insights, maybe.
23
presidential campaign PAC Hillary for
America.
In the end, not much new was learned but it all makes for
entertaining TV.
24
FEAR AND LOATHING
Johnny Depp Jokes About KILLING Donald Trump At
Glastonbury 2017, Asking ‘When Was The Last Time
An Actor Assassinated A President?’
Scruffy Star, 54, Makes Reference To Lincoln's Killer
During Rambling Introduction At Glasto Event
By Neal Baker
23rd June 2017, 8:00 Am
Updated: 23rd June 2017, 8:04 Am
JOHNNY Depp joked about assassinating President Crowds cheered as the dishevelled actor made a rambling
Donald Trump at Glastonbury Festival. speech
Crowds were filmed cheering as the Pirates Of The
Caribbean Star asked:
“When was the last time an actor
assassinated a President?”
— a nod to Abraham Lincoln’s killer John Wilkes Booth.
Depp was filmed joking about assassinating Trump at Scruffy Depp, 54, was given a rock star welcome during
Glastonbury Festival the event at Cineramageddon — a drive-in cinema on the
Somerset site.
25
Johnny Depp Latest Hollywood
Punk To ‘Joke’ About Killing Trump
By Usafeaturesmedia
Posted On June 23, 2017
26
CBS, NBC Rage Over Trump’s
‘Outrageous’ ‘Mortal Sin’ on Golf Course
By Scott Whitlock
June 23, 2017 1:00 PM EDT
The journalists at CBS and NBC have found a new Donald right across the green, that just breaks
Trump “outrage” to hyperventilate over: every rule of golf.”
The President drove his golf cart onto a CBS This Morning devoted 41 seconds to freaking out over
green at one of the courses he owns. This, Trump’s golf cart error. That was just four seconds less
according to CBS This Morning guest host than a movie star jokingly encouraging the assassination of
David Westin, is a “mortal sin.” Today's the President. Talk about misplaced priorities.
Matt Lauer insisted he was “gasping” over
video of Trump. Transcripts are below:
DYLAN DREYER: I'm right there with you, Matt. We all know
that President Trump loves the game of golf. He owns nearly
20 golf courses and has held countless tournaments so you
would think that he would know the game's etiquette pretty
well. Well, a newly surfaced video begs to differ. We have to
warn you, for golfers out there, this may disturb you.
WESTIN: Imagine what the green keepers are thinking.
So, take a look at this. Driving all over the green at Trump
O’DONNELL: They’re the ones that are really — National Golf Club in new Jersey. That is a major no-no for
anyone who knows the game and as you can imagine, the
reaction online to this video is a mash-up of sports etiquette
KING: They’re really clutching their pearls.
and politics. So let's dig right in. Chris writes, “This is
unacceptable, driving on the green. Sad.” While Aaron
Today tweets, “He owns the course, he can drive wherever he
6/23/17 wants on it.” Makes a good point there. Brian writing, “I don't
7am golf and even I know that's not acceptable” and even some
Trump supporters saying, “This is the first thing President
MATT LAUER: A golden rule of golf broken. You won’t Trump has done that I didn't like. I feel guilty even walking
believe who is behind the wheel today. on the green sometimes. How do you guys feel about this?
7:01 LAUER: Yeah, that's not good. That really isn't good. It's a
nice golf course, by the way, but to take a heavy golf cart
LAUER: As a golfer, I’m gasping over that last story. But I’ll and to ride right across the green, that just breaks every rule
save my outrage for later. of golf.
7:51
28
Trump Trolls Media
With Three Unanswered Questions About
The Democrats And Russia
By Aaron Klein
23 Jun 2017
29
active supporter of Hillary Clinton and is a longtime donor 3 – Why did the Obama administration wait until
to the Democratic Party. October before going public with claims that Russia
was attempting to interfere in the 2016
CrowdStrike is a California-based cybersecurity presidential election?
technology company co-founded by experts George Kurtz
and Dmitri Alperovitch. By the way, if Russia was working so hard
on the 2016 Election, it all took place
Alperovitch is a nonresident senior fellow of the Cyber during the Obama Admin. Why didn't they
Statecraft Initiative at the Atlantic Council. The Council stop them?
takes a hawkish approach toward Russia and has released — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
numerous reports and briefs about Russian aggression. June 22, 2017
The Council is funded by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, The Obama administration was reportedly confident that
Inc, the U.S. State Department, and NATO ACT. Russia was attempting to hack the election as early as
August. Yet the administration waited until October 7 to
Another Council funder is the Ploughshares Fund, which make an announcement, when the DHS released a
in turn has received financing from billionaire George statement claiming
Soros’ Open Society Foundations.
“the Russian Government directed the
2 – Why was the DNC uninterested in assistance from recent compromises of e-mails from US
the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to persons and institutions, including from US
secure DNC servers? political organizations.”
…Why did Democratic National Committee Newsweek raised further questions three months ago when
turn down the DHS offer to protect against the magazine cited “two sources with knowledge of the
hacks (long prior to election). It's all a big matter” reporting that Comey wanted to go public with the
Dem HOAX! Russia story in the summer of 2016, but he was rebuffed
by top Obama administration officials.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
June 22, 2017
Newsweek reported:
The DNC further did not immediately reply to a Breitbart
News request seeking clarity on this issue. Well before the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) and the Office of the
In his prepared remarks before the House Permanent Director of National Intelligence (DNI)
accused the Russian government of
Select Committee on Intelligence, former Homeland
tampering with the U.S. election in an
Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson revealed that the
October 7 statement, Comey pitched the
Democratic National Committee “did not feel it needed”
idea of writing an op-ed about the Russian
DHS assistance into hacks of the Committee’s systems.
campaign during a meeting in the White
House Situation Room in June or July.
This means that the DNC, faced with hacks later attributed
to Russia, turned down the possibility of assistance from at “He had a draft of it or an outline. He held
least two federal agencies – the DHS and the Federal up a piece of paper in a meeting and said,
Bureau of Investigation (FBI). ‘I want to go forward. What do people think
of this?’” says a source with knowledge of
the meeting, which included Secretary of
Johnson’s prepared remarks read:
State John Kerry, Attorney General Loretta
Lynch, Department of Homeland Security
Sometime in 2016 I became aware of a hack into systems Secretary Jeh Johnson and National
of the Democratic National Committee. Fresh from the Security Adviser Susan Rice.
experience with the Office of Personnel Management, I
pressed my staff to know whether DHS was sufficiently … “The White House shut it down,” that
proactive, and on the scene helping the DNC identify the source says. “They did their usual—
intruders and patch vulnerabilities. The answer, to the best nothing.” Both sources spoke to Newsweek
of my recollection, was not reassuring: the FBI and the on the condition of anonymity because they
DNC had been in contact with each other months before weren’t authorized to speak to the press.
about the intrusion, and the DNC did not feel it needed
DHS’s assistance at that time. Last December, NBC News reported the Obama
administration’s thinking about whether to go public with
30
the Russia story was influenced by the belief inside the Stated Johnson:
White House that Hillary Clinton would win.
First, as you know well, we have to
NBCNews.com reported: carefully consider whether declassifying the
information compromises sources and
The Obama administration didn’t respond methods.
more forcefully to Russian hacking before Second, there was an ongoing election,
the presidential election because they and many would criticize us for perhaps
didn’t want to appear to be interfering in the taking sides in the election. So that had to
election and they thought that Hillary be carefully considered. One of the
Clinton was going to win and a potential candidates, as you’ll recall, was predicting
cyber war with Russia wasn’t worth it, that the election was going to be rigged in
multiple high-level government officials told some way. And so we were concerned
NBC News. that, by making the statement, we might in
“They thought she was going to win, so and of itself be challenging the integrity of
they were willing to kick the can down the the — of the election process itself.
road,” said one U.S official familiar with the This was — this was a very difficult
level of Russian hacking. decision. But in my personal view, it’s
something we had to do. It got careful
The administration did take action in response to the hack consideration, a lot of discussion. My view
prior to the election. In September, President Obama is that we needed to do it, and we needed
privately confronted Vladimir Putin about the hacks at the to do it well before the election, to inform
G-20 summit in China. He warned the Russian President the American voters of what we knew and
of unspecified consequences if the hacks continued. what we saw, and that it would be
unforgivable if we did not, pre-election. And
In his testimony before the Senate this week, former DHS I’m glad we did it.
chief Johnson attempted to explain the Obama
administration’s decision to wait until October before
announcing the Russia charges.
.
31
Senate Panel To Probe Loretta Lynch’s Role
In Covering For Clintons During 2016 Campaign
By Usafeaturesmedia
Posted On June 23, 2017
The committee’s investigation could also eventually shed Ms. Lynch’s ability to make impartial
more light on the Obama White House’s operations decisions.
regarding the intentional spreading of sensitive intelligence
aimed at undermining Trump. Mr. Comey said that was one reason why
he took it upon himself to buck Justice
Department tradition and reveal his findings
about Mrs. Clinton last year.
[…]
(National Sentinel) Corruption: Many legal experts spoke At a Senate hearing earlier this month, Mr.
highly of Obama Attorney General Loretta Lynch during Comey told lawmakers that Ms. Lynch had
her days as s federal prosecutor in New York. But like so attempted to change the way the FBI
many other people, once she became associated with one described its probe of Mrs. Clinton’s use of
of the most corrupt, politically motivated regimes in a private email server. The change
American history, her reputation suffered mightily. appeared to dovetail with how Mrs.
Clinton’s supporters were characterizing
And now, she’s the subject of a new probe by the Senate the probe.
Judiciary Committee which is examining her role in
helping to cover up, smooth over, de-escalate or whatever “At one point, [Ms. Lynch] directed me not
else she may have done to soften the blow of the FBI’s to call it an ‘investigation’ but instead to call
investigation into then-Democratic presidential nominee it a ‘matter,’ which confused me and
Hillary Clinton’s criminal use of a private email server to concerned me,” Mr. Comey said during his
handle classified materials during last year’s election June 8 testimony before the Senate Select
cycle. Committee on Intelligence. “That was one
of the bricks in the load that led me to
As reported by The Washington Times: conclude I have to step away from the
department if we are to close this case
credibly.”
In a letter to Ms. Lynch, the committee asks
her to detail the depths of her involvement
It’s not certain at all that this probe will produce evidence
in the FBI’s investigation, including whether
of criminal behavior or even if there was evidence of it.
she ever assured Clinton confidantes that
But it will be interesting to know more of the details
the probe wouldn’t “push too deeply into
surrounding the Obama administration’s attempts to run
the matter.”
interference for the heir apparent, Clinton, because they
may have some political impact on the various
Fired FBI Director James B. Comey has
investigations now taking place into congressional (and
said publicly that Ms. Lynch tried to shape
independent) investigations into alleged “obstruction of
the way he talked about the investigation
justice” charges against President Donald J. Trump (which
into Mrs. Clinton’s emails, and he also
are bogus anyway, but…).
hinted at other behavior “which I cannot
talk about yet” that made him worried about
For all the world, Comey described Lynch’s actions as
interference, if not outright obstruction, though you’ll
32
notice the dishonest “mainstream media” isn’t about to But it is about time that the GOP Congress made serious
make that distinction because, well, Lynch and Obama and attempts to hold Obama and Democrats accountable
Clinton are Democrats, and the MSM is the propaganda for their actions, because you know if the majorities were
wing of the Democratic Party. reversed it would be non-stop political warfare against
Republicans and Trump.
The committee’s investigation could also eventually shed
more light on the Obama White House’s operations Some things that took place last year with Lynch – her
regarding the intentional spreading of sensitive intelligence instructions to Comey, her improper meeting on an
aimed at undermining Trump and his inner circle. We Arizona airport tarmac with former President Bill Clinton
won’t know until all is said and done. at the height of the FBI’s investigation, etc. – may have
been more than just suspicious.
.
33
Hillary Clinton Calls GOP ‘The Death Party’
Chuck Ross - Reporter
5:50 PM 06/23/2017
Hillary Clinton took the debate over the Senate health care Democrats oppose the bill, which would roll back some
bill to a new level on Friday, saying that if Republicans components of Obamacare.
vote to pass the law they will be known as
Some Republicans also oppose the Senate bill in its current
“the death party.” form.
“Forget death panels. If Republicans pass this
bill, they’re the death party,” the former So far, five Republicans have said that they plan to vote
Democratic presidential nominee tweeted Friday against the bill, which was crafted by a small group of
afternoon. GOP senators behind closed doors.
She was responding to an article citing Harvard research Three small government conservative Republicans, Texas
which found that the Senate bill, the Better Care Sen. Ted Cruz, Utah Sen. Mike Lee, and Kentucky Sen.
Reconciliation Act, “could result” in between 18,000 and Rand Paul, have all said they oppose the bill. Wisconsin
28,000 deaths in 2026. Sen. Ron Johnson and Nevada Sen. Dean Heller have also
come out against the measure.
34
Trump Shifts View
On Nonexistent Russian US Election Meddling
By Stephen Lendman - Stephenlendman.Org
6-23-2017
The Big Lie refuses to fade away. Even Trump now audacious objectives - defeat or at least damage
believes it’s likely true, tweeting: the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, and
help elect her opponent, Donald Trump.”
“Just out: The Obama Administration knew far in
advance of November 8th about election Fact:
meddling by Russia. Did nothing about it. WHY?”
The so-called CIA “intelligence bombshell” was
On Friday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said fabricated to bash Russia and denigrate Trump.
Trump believes Russia “probably” interfered in the 2016
election…Maybe some other countries did as well,” Fact:
adding:
No Russian US election hacking occurred - or
“(O)f course (he’s) concerned about any country any other Moscow interference in America’s
or any actor that wants to interfere in elections.” electoral process.
On Friday, the neocon/CIA-connected Washington Post Its so-called Friday “Exclusive: Hacking Democracy”
continued spreading the Big Lie about nonexistent Russian report was fiction, not factual - continuing deception,
US election hacking, saying: manipulating public opinion to believe Big Lies are bona
fide truths
“Early last August, an envelope with
extraordinary handling restrictions arrived at the Claiming “Putin was working to elect Trump” is utter
White House.” rubbish. Not a shred of evidence suggests it. Nothing
indicates Russian interference in the electoral processes of
“Sent by courier from the CIA, it carried ‘eyes any of the 50 states - or any other countries.
only’ instructions that its contents be shown to
just four people: President Barack Obama and Claims otherwise are bald-faced lies, including WaPo
three senior aides.” calling “Russia’s (nonexistent) interference…the
(political) crime of the century, an unprecedented and
“Inside was an intelligence bombshell (sic), a largely destabilizing attack on American democracy.”
report drawn from sourcing deep inside the
Russian government that detailed Russian So-called “American democracy” is pure fantasy. None
President Vladi mir Putin’s direct involvement in exists. Duopoly power with two right wings runs things.
a cyber campaign to disrupt and discredit the US Ordinary people have no say whatever.
presidential race.”
Russia’s electoral system shames America’s sham process.
“But it went further. The intelligence captured Putin’s overwhelming domestic popularity was earned by
Putin’s specific instructions on the operation’s responsible governance.
35
Disinformation, fake news and Big Lies
It’s polar opposite how rogue state America is run, its substitute for legitimate journalism. WaPo’s
major media, like WaPo, serving as propaganda arms. latest report on (nonexistent) Russian US
election interference was willful deception -
disgracefully and unjustifiably bashing the
country and Vladimir Putin.
.
36
Washpo Anon Source At CIA:
Putin Gave Direct Orders To Help Elect Donald Trump
Dr. Fly
Fri Jun 23, 2017 2:01pm EST
I do not mean to be flippant when dismissing the never- a report drawn from sourcing deep inside the
ending barrage of anonymous sources inside the CIA who Russian government that detailed Russian
leak to the Washington Post. I’m sure there are good President Vladimir Putin’s direct involvement
agents who are protecting Americans from foreign in a cyber campaign to disrupt and discredit
meddlers. But the optics of these leaks is terrible. Truth is, the U.S. presidential race.
I sometimes think they’re doing this to make the main
stream media look even worse — to lend an air of bias to But it went further.
the reporting rooms to dissuade Americans from trusting
them. After all, Washpo, MSNBC, CNN and the NY Times The intelligence captured Putin’s specific
are in the business of appealing to all people, not just the instructions on the operation’s audacious
one’s who agree with them. Do they realize the irreversible objectives — defeat or at least damage the
damage they’re inflicting upon their organizations by Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, and help
publishing suspicious anonymous leaks designed to take elect her opponent, Donald Trump.
down a democratically elected President?
At that point, the outlines of the Russian assault on the
If Russia truly wanted to hurt America, they could not do U.S. election were increasingly apparent. Hackers with ties
more than what the main stream media is doing now, to Russian intelligence services had been rummaging
peddling stories that are infuriating half the country. through Democratic Party computer networks, as well as
some Republican systems, for more than a year. In July,
the FBI had opened an investigation of contacts between
Russian officials and Trump associates. And on July 22,
nearly 20,000 emails stolen from the Democratic National
Committee were dumped online by WikiLeaks.
38
Very Fake News: After Breitbart Investigation, CNN
Retracts Conspiracy Theory Hit Piece Attacking Trump,
Associates Over Russian Fund
by Matthew Boyle
23 Jun 2017
CNN has admitted it printed what President Donald Trump bank, Vnesheconombank, or VEB, oversees the
calls “very fake news” and retracted a demonstrably fund, which has ties to several Trump advisers.
inaccurate hit piece on the President and his allies after a Both the bank and the fund have been covered
Breitbart News investigation uncovered significant since 2014 by sanctions restricting U.S. business
inaccuracies and flaws in CNN’s work. dealings.
“On June 22, 2017, CNN.com published a story The Senate Intelligence Committee declined to comment
connecting Anthony Scaramucci with on the matter when reached by Breitbart News, but a
investigations into the Russian Direct Investment source close to Senate GOP leadership confirmed to
Fund,” CNN said in a statement late Friday night. Breitbart News that the allegation was bogus and
“That story did not meet CNN’s editorial politically motivated by Democrats. The GOP source close
standards and has been retracted. Links to the to Senate GOP leadership said:
story have been disabled. CNN apologizes to Mr.
Scaramucci.” This is nothing besides Democrats trying to
frustrate the efforts of President Trump’s
The statement was sent out very late Friday evening on administration while Elizabeth Warren and those
CNN’s Twitter account. of her ilk spend their days collecting taxpayer
funded paychecks while they do nothing but
An editor's note from CNN stand in the way of the progress of the American
https://t.co/5bHxUVnHHt agenda and are responsible for this nonsense.
pic.twitter.com/W3IjT5FPN8 They should put their names on it if they want to
waste taxpayer money on it.
— CNN (@CNN) June 24, 2017
As Breitbart News noted in its original investigation into
The retraction is a complete cave by a network that is the demonstrably fake news CNN hit piece, this supposed
notorious for trying to pick fights with President Trump Senate investigation exists only among Democrats and not
and his allies. President Trump has identified CNN as a the actual Senate Intelligence Committee. Breitbart News
“very fake news” network. It comes on the heels of noted in the original investigation:
Breitbart News reporting on the inaccurate CNN hit piece,
citing senior administration officials and sources close to Such vehemently anti-Trump voices as Sens.
Senate GOP leadership. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR),
Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Dianne Feinstein (D-
The thrust of CNN’s inaccurate piece, which is no longer CA) are on the Senate committee. CNN did not
available online, was a demonstrably untrue allegation that specify if its sole source for its story was a
the Senate Intelligence Committee and Treasury Democrat or Republican staffer, but most with
Department were probing a Russian investment fund with familiarity on this matter assume that it was a
ties to senior Trump allies like Anthony Scaramucci. Senate Democrat staffer without knowledge of
the committee’s true intent or actions who made
Using a single anonymous source, CNN wrote: these inaccurate claims to CNN.
The source said the Senate intelligence But that was not all that was wrong with the fake news
committee is investigating the Russian fund in piece from CNN. The CNN report continued:
connection with its examination of discussions
between White House adviser Jared Kushner Separately, Steve Mnuchin, now Treasury
and the head of a prominent Russian bank. The Secretary, said in a January letter that he would
39
look into the Jan. 16 meeting between the fund’s “The matter has been reviewed and determined
chief executive and Anthony Scaramucci, a to be without merit,” a senior administration
member of the transition team’s executive official told Breitbart News.
committee and a fundraiser and adviser for
Trump’s presidential campaign. At the time, The inaccurate piece remained online for nearly an entire
Mnuchin had not yet been confirmed as Treasury day, despite Breitbart News’s earlier inquiries to CNN
Secretary. The Treasury Department did not about it. It was not until long after Breitbart News
respond to a request for an update. Two published its exposé on the fake news piece from CNN,
Democratic senators had asked Treasury to hours later, that CNN finally retracted the piece and issued
investigate whether Scaramucci promised to lift an “Editor’s Note” at 10:44 p.m. ET announcing the grave
sanctions — a policy shift that would help the error. CNN’s Tweet was not until 11:50 p.m. ET.
fund attract more international investment to
Russia. CNN spokeswoman Emily Kuhn has not answered
followup email questions as to whether reporter Thomas
It turns out, as Breitbart News noted in the original Frank, whose name appears on the byline, has faced any
investigation, that the two Democrats who pushed for the consequences for his actions—or whether he is still
probe of Scaramucci’s supposed “meeting” with the employed by the network. Kuhn has also not answered
investment fund executive—which was not really a whether there have been any consequences that have
meeting—were Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Elizabeth befallen others involved in the publication of the
Warren (D-MA). Scaramucci debunked the CNN fake demonstrably fake news piece, or exactly who at CNN was
news report in his original quote to the network, detailing involved in this grave mistake.
how there was no such meeting to begin with.
Kuhn also continues to refuse to answer whether anyone
CNN originally wrote, in the now retracted inaccurate hit from CNN, including media reporter Brian Stelter—the
piece: host of the network’s media program Reliable Sources—
are courageous enough to publicly defend the network’s
Scaramucci, the founder of SkyBridge Capital, actions in an appearance on Breitbart News radio on
minimized his January meeting with [Kirill] SiriusXM. Kuhn has refused to provide anyone from the
Dmitriev in the resort town of Davos, Switzerland, network on Breitbart radio since before President Trump
at the celebrated annual gathering of the World won the election last year and defeated Democrat Hillary
Economic Forum. Scaramucci had met Dmitriev Rodham Clinton in a landslide in the electoral college.
at previous Davos meetings, although at the
gathering in January, Scaramucci was expecting The fact remains, however, that CNN printed
to be named White House liaison to the business demonstrably fake news–and has now admitted it by
community. retracting this piece–and it did so at the behest of Elizabeth
Warren’s leftist agenda. But, as Breitbart News’s original
CNN also wrote that Scaramucci told the network in an source close to Senate GOP leadership said:
email that Dmitriev
“Mr. Scaramucci knows more about lawfully and
“came over to say hello in a restaurant, and I ethically conducting business in the finance world
was cordial. There is nothing there.” than Elizabeth Warren will ever know U.S.
finance — Native American or otherwise.”
The idea that the Treasury Department is investigating this
is also completely baseless, as Breitbart News reported.
.
40
Obama White House Laid 'Cunning Trap For Trump' With
Plan To Cyber Bomb Russia
© AFP 2017/ PAUL J. RICHARDS - US
21:55 23.06.2017(Updated 23:59 23.06.2017)
The measure was still in the planning stages when Obama "On the other hand, it's completely possible that
left office and it would be up to President Trump to decide they are preparing another cunning trap
whether to use the capability. for Trump here, in the hope that the power
games and intrigues that are currently going
41
on around him will force him to give that kind with Moscow irrevocably."
of permission. In that case, he will ruin relations
.
42
The World Is Going Down With Trump
Paul Craig Roberts
June 23, 2017
On June 21 the editorial board of the Washington Post, Washington Post, the newspaper would be urging that
long a propaganda instrument believed to be in cahoots President Trump immediately call President Putin with
with the CIA and the deep state, called for more sanctions reassurances and arrange the necessary meetings to defuse
and more pressure on Russia. the situation. Instead the utterly stupid editors urge actions
that can only raise the level of tension. It should be
One second’s thought is sufficient to realize how bad this obvious even to the Washington Post morons that Russia is
advice is. The orchestrated demonization of Russia and its not going to sit there, shaking in its boots, and wait for
president began in the late summer of 2013 when the Washington’s attack. Putin has issued many warnings
British Parliament and Russian diplomacy blocked the about the West’s rising threat to Russian security. He has
neoconned Obama regime’s planned invasion of Syria. An said that Russia “will never again fight a war on its own
example had to be made of Russia before other countries territory.” He has said that the lesson he has learned is that
began standing up to Washington. While the Russians “if a fight is unavoidable, strike first.” He has also said that
were focused on the Sochi Olympic Games, Washington the fact that no one hears his warnings makes the situation
staged a coup in Ukraine, replacing the elected democratic even more dangerous.
government with a gang of Banderite neo-nazi thugs
whose forebears fought for Hitler in World War II. What explains the deafness of the West? The answer is
Washington claimed it had brought democracy to Ukraine arrogance and hubris.
by putting neo-nazi thugs in control of the government.
As the presstitute media is incapable of reason, I
Washington’s thugs immediately began violent attacks on will do their job for them. I call for an immediate
the Russian population in Ukraine. Soviet war memorials face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin
were destroyed. The Russian language was declared at Reykjavik. Cold War II, begun by Clinton,
banned from official use. Instantly, separatist movements George W. Bush, and Obama, must be ended
began in the Russian parts of Ukraine that had been now.
administratively attached to Ukraine by Soviet leaders.
Crimea, a Russian province since the 1700s, voted So, where is President Trump? Why is the President of the
overwhelmingly to seperate from Ukraine and requested to United States unable to rise to the challenge? Why isn’t he
be reunited with Russia. The same occurred in the Luhansk the man Ronald Reagan was? Is it, as David Stockman
and Donetsk regions. says, that Trump is incapable of anything except tweeting?
44
Another Mika Meltdown: Trump Is Morphing
Into A "Dictator Or Someone Who Is Not Well"
by Tyler Durden
Jun 23, 2017 5:40 PM
It all started when Mika decided to, once again, share her
personal thoughts on the Trump administration...
“It does feel like a developing dictatorship.”
...which prompted a swift rebuke from Mika's Of course, this is hardly the first time Mika has melted
future husband, and co-host, Joe Scarborough. down on live television. Perhaps our recent favorite was
"You see, that's an inside voice thing....what when she shared her thoughts regarding one of President
you just said." Trump's weekend tweet storms about alleged wiretapping
of his Trump Tower.
Except, when Joe went 'low,' Mika went 'lower': Fighting back tears during her opening remarks,
Mika lamented that she had "lost hope
“I will say you can do some work reading history
completely" in President Trump's competency
and reading books about how dictatorships
and declared that "this presidency is fake and
happen. The development of very negative
failed."
forces taking over and what you are seeing is
either this happening right now, or someone "I had hope and an open mind and I have lost
who’s not well. Very few options. Very very hope completely and my mind is closed. This
imbalanced.” presidency is fake and failed."
45
Trump Vindication? New Study Shows MILLIONS Of
“Non-Citizens” Have Been Voting In U.S. Elections
By JD Heyes
Friday, June 23, 2017
Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, However, Agresti’s analysis concluded that the actual
that widespread voter fraud caused him to lose numbers are very likely much higher. He says data show
the popular vote to Hillary Clinton, even while he that about 7.9 million non-citizens were registered illegally
clinched the presidency with an electoral college that year, and that between 594,000 and 5.7 million of
victory. them voted.
‘There’s no proof! Where’s your evidence?’ his The Times noted further:
critics wailed.
These numbers are more in line with the
unverified estimates given by President Trump,
46
who said the number of ballots cast by people who have registered in multiple jurisdictions.
noncitizens was the reason he lost the popular (RELATED: Voter Fraud: Dead People Are Voting)
vote to Hillary Clinton.
“The details are technical,” says Agresti of his
We may soon get further verification that Trump was right. conclusions, “but the figure I calculated is based
The president signed an executive order in May on a more conservative margin of sampling error
establishing a commission tasked with attempting to find and a methodology that I consider to be more
on-the-ground facts regarding illegal voting. The accurate.”
commission is headed by Vice President Mike Pence and it
will principally examine outdated voter registration rolls J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and
around the country containing names of the deceased and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National
Sentinel.
.
47
Never Forget: Loretta Lynch Called For
“Blood In The Streets” Before The Mass Execution Attempt
On Republican Lawmakers…
Why Is SHE Not Being Investigated?
By Jayson Veley
Friday, June 23, 2017
48
To put it bluntly, most modern day leftists are nothing but meaningless to the vast majority of those on the left side of
political hacks. They claim that they care about the political spectrum. Without question, congressional
maintaining integrity within our governmental institution, republicans should be demanding an investigation into
yet all they really care about is taking down those who Loretta Lynch, because if there’s anyone that truly
oppose their radical agenda. Things like integrity, honesty deserves it, it’s her.
and doing what’s best for the country are virtually
.
49
Trump: The Birth Of The Hero
By Paul C. Bermanzohn
June 23, 2017
Liberals hope to remove Trump from office and believe Heroes are as American as violence and apple pie. Most
his base will abandon him. But it won’t be simple or quick. Americans have no real power under the capitalist
Trump’s followers revere him and won’t be easily plutocracy that runs our lives and commands our deaths.
dissuaded. During the campaign, Trump said he was so Yet official mythology says that all Americans have power
popular he could shoot people on 5 th Avenue and his because this is a democracy where all people have equal
supporters wouldn’t waver. That’s still true. As usual rights and the government is “of the people, by the people
Trump was way ahead of his detractors: he intuitively and for the people.”
recognized he was worshipped as a great American hero.
The yawning gap between the mythology and the reality
Won’t exposing his shady business practices erode creates a need and a market for heroes. Heroes are larger
Trump’s support? Not necessarily. His relentless drive for than life individuals who right the wrongs. Heroes make
riches is part of his appeal. His critics don’t grasp that for things come out as they should, with the common man’s
millions of supporters, Trump is a great American hero rights preserved for him.
precisely because he’s rich.
People should have their victories won for them, not by
Recall a few things about the US. them. A core principle of the system is to keep the people
passive, “to prevent insurrection,” as James Madison
The most insistently worshipped American heroes are the wrote.
Founding Fathers. But their chief work is poorly
understood. They founded not merely a republic. They The US has been saturated with heroes since its inception,
founded a commercial republic. but especially since the birth of the modern media. As
early as 1932, the Lone Ranger in his white hat and black
Capitalism reigns supreme. America’s values are capitalist mask, rode across the Plains on the radio, and on his white
values. The highest value is money. Money is prized above horse, to protect the ordinary (white) settler family from
life itself. Consider the oil companies’ contempt for life on evil-doers. In 1939, Superman joined him to fight for
Earth in their mad rush for profits. Like Trump who “Truth, Justice and the American Way.”
supports them, the oil profiteers are congruent with
America’s commercial traditions. Many superheroes have joined since then. Kids dress up
every Halloween as superheroes, proving the continued
The Founders created a Constitution to ensure democracy fascination with these icons of impotence. As politics
could not interfere with wealth. This is the legacy that we merges with entertainment, the political leader becomes a
confront today (and the basis of Trump’s popularity). superhero.
The US political system is arranged to assure that we Trump’s critics cannot understand how fervently Trump’s
remain passive – political spectators. And spectators need base remains attached to him. He is their hero, both by the
heroes. We the people are supposed to choose a savior example of his personal accumulation of riches (people
every four years who will rescue us from our miserable dream they will be rich one day) and as a hero who will
conditions. This is why they all run on “hope.” Call it the right the wrongs that beset them.
mendacity of hope.
Trump’s avarice is legendary and all-consuming. He has
Trump ran on the promise that he would return jobs to never prized integrity above wealth. Before the White
America and “make America great again.” He looked House, he routinely stiffed workers on his construction
straight into the camera and said, “Only I can do it for projects and in his hotels and casinos. Now, occupying the
you.“ He auditioned for the part of America’s great hero highest office in the land, concerns for integrity will not
and won the role according to the antidemocratic rules of interfere with his personal accumulation. His followers are
the game. impressed with this; they will not be swayed by liberal
arguments about Trump’s “lack of integrity.”
50
When the liberal point of view is rejected by the Trump What the liberal doesn’t see is that Trump’s cohorts stand
supporter, the liberal typically resorts to name-calling. S/he firmly on the ground of US mercantile values and the
accuses Trump’s people of stupidity, even of insanity for system of hero worship that has grown out of that.
not seeing the liberal’s superior logic. Let’s not forget
Hillary and her “basket of deplorables.” Powerless people hunger for heroes. Only changing the
conditions that require heroes will free us from the
American hero’s grip. Only discussing it in these terms
will allow communication between the two sides.
51
Senate Probes Loretta Lynch's
Alleged Interference In Clinton Email Investigation
By John Parkinson
Jun 23, 2017, 12:45 PM ET
A bipartisan group of Senate Judiciary Committee leaders The senators question Open Society Foundations' Leonard
is examining former Attorney General Loretta Lynch’s Benardo and its General Counsel Gail Scovell, as well as
alleged interference in the Hillary Clinton email Renteria and Lynch, about a May 24 story from the
investigation. Washington Post that reported Lynch assured Renteria that
she would not let the FBI investigation into Clinton go too
The group is seeking details about Lynch's communication far. Lynch declined to comment at the time.
with a Clinton campaign aide, Amanda Renteria, as well as
copies of documents and information about whether the An email reportedly recounting that alleged conversation
FBI investigated the alleged communication. and authored by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who
served at the time as DNC chair, was allegedly hacked by
Trump: Lynch action on Clinton inquiry 'totally illegal' Russia, though the FBI later discounted its reliability.
James Comey: Everything you need to know about the
former FBI director The inquiry comes as the Senate Judiciary Committee
examines the firing of former FBI Director James Comey,
The letters, sent Thursday, are signed by Senate Judiciary who President Trump says he dismissed due in part to his
Chairman Charles Grassley, Ranking Democrat Dianne handling of the Clinton email probe.
Feinstein, as well as Sens. Lindsey Graham and Sheldon
White House, the chair and ranker on the subcommittee on
Crime and Terrorism.
52
Peggy Noonan: Fierce Anti-Trump Media Bias Is
'Unalterable' -- and Financial
By Tim Graham
June 23, 2017 7:27 PM EDT
They live on ratings, which determine advertising rates. But I do think it’s part of what is going on. I add only that
Hillary Clinton got 2.9 million more votes than Mr. it’s not only cynical and destructive, as a business strategy
Trump, so the anti-Trump audience is larger. Moreover, it’s stupid. Bias is boring. It’s predictable, rote, is an
people who oppose Mr. Trump tend to be more affluent, audience-limiter. What has value at a time like this is
more educated, more urban. They’re more liberal, of playing it straight and presenting the facts. That’s what
they ought to do instead of taking a side.
.
53
Fmr. Clinton Campaign Chair
John Podesta Summoned To Secret House Session
John Podesta Set To Give Interview In Secret
Despite His Very Own Ties To Russia
By Shepard Ambellas -
June 24, 2017
54
CNN Deletes 'Fake News' Story
About Russian Investment Ties To Trump
By Tyler Durden
Jun 24, 2017 9:20 AM
Thursday afternoon, CNN posted a story, by none other organizations] where a number of prominent
than Pulitzer-Prize-winning reporter Thomas Frank, U.S. investors have been involved."
claiming that
"Congress was investigating a Russian A fund spokeswoman says there was no discussion about
investment fund with ties to Trump officials." lifting sanctions...
Scaramucci's comments alarmed Democratic
The story was perfect fodder for 'The Left' as it provided Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
yet more 'confirmation' that sources 'confirmed' Trump and and Ben Cardin of Maryland, who asked
his team were up to something nefarious with The Mnuchin investigate whether Scaramucci sought
Russians... to "facilitate prohibited transactions" or promised
to waive or lift sanctions against Russia.
Highlights included... Sounds great right? Well, despite the 'facts' they
Congress is investigating a little-known reported, 36 hours later (quietly late on a Friday
Russian investment fund... night), CNN decided to delete the story and
issue a retraction, apologizing to Mr.
Scaramucci (presumably for lying?)
The fund CEO met in January with a member of the
Trump transition team...
On June 22, 2017, CNN.com published a story connecting
"If you're going to get your nose under the Anthony Scaramucci with investigations into the Russian
tent, that's a good place to start," said Direct Investment Fund.
Ludema, a Georgetown University economics
professor. "I'm sure their objective is to get rid That story did not meet CNN's editorial
of all the sanctions against the financial standards and has been retracted. Links to
institutions. But RDIF is one [sanctioned the story have been disabled. CNN
apologizes to Mr. Scaramucci.
55
Is it any wonder that Americans are becoming 'Russia' narrative that is is constantly spewed with no mind
increasingly frustrated by the media's attention to the for factual reporting?
56
Trump Acknowledges
Russian Meddling In Tweet Criticizing Obama
By Stefan Becket Cbs News
June 24, 2017, 9:03 Am
Last Updated Jun 24, 2017 4:46 PM EDT White House press secretary Sean Spicer referred reporters
to a January press conference in which Mr. Trump said
President Trump appeared to acknowledge Russian
involvement in the 2016 campaign while criticizing the "I think it was Russia" when asked about
Obama administration's response to a Russian interference hacking.
campaign he has repeatedly denied took place.
Congressional investigators and special counsel Robert
In a tweet Friday night, Mr. Trump wrote that President Mueller are investigating possible collusion between
Obama "knew far in advance of November 8th about Russia and Trump campaign officials, inquiries the
election meddling by Russia" and "did nothing about it." president has called a "total scam," a "witch hunt" and a
"hoax."
Just out: The Obama Administration knew far in
advance of November 8th about election The Washington Post reported in early December that the
meddling by Russia. Did nothing about it. WHY? CIA had concluded that Russia's efforts were intended to
boost Mr. Trump.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June
24, 2017
On Friday, the Post reported the CIA arrived at that
Later in the day, after spending a few hours at his golf club conclusion in August 2016 and presented its findings to
in Sterling, Virginia, Mr. Trump reiterated that sentiment. Mr. Obama and a handful of senior aides. The agency
determined Russian President Vladimir Putin
had personally directed Russian intelligence to "defeat or
Since the Obama Administration was told way at least damage" Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, the
before the 2016 Election that the Russians were Post said. However, Mr. Obama was wary of publicly
meddling, why no action? Focus on them, not T! accusing Russia of aiding Mr. Trump, fearing such an
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June accusation would be seen as the White House trying to
24, 2017 bolster Clinton's chances.
Obama Administration official said they "choked"
when it came to acting on Russian meddling of The Post also revealed new details about the Obama
election. They didn't want to hurt Hillary? administration's response to the Russian interference
campaign prior to the election. Following the CIA's
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June August report,
24, 2017
The tweets came after Mr. Trump expressed similar Mr. Obama authorized "planting cyber weapons
criticism of his predecessor in an interview with Fox in Russia's infrastructure, the digital equivalent of
News. bombs that could be detonated if the United
States found itself in an escalating exchange with
"I just heard today for the first time that Obama Moscow," the Post reported.
knew about Russia a long time before the
election, and he did nothing about it," Mr. Trump Administration officials briefed top members of Congress
said in an excerpt of the interview, airing in full on of both parties about Russia's actions in the weeks leading
Sunday. "But nobody wants to talk about that." up to the election. Republican leaders, including Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, questioned the
The comments marked a rare admission by Mr. Trump, underlying intelligence and warned against accusing the
who has repeatedly declined to say definitively that Russia Russian government of aiding Mr. Trump in the weeks
interfered in the 2016 campaign. Asked on Friday whether leading up to Election Day.
Mr. Trump believes the Russians interfered in the election,
57
Top intelligence chiefs released a statement in October Before taking office in January, Mr. Trump received a
2016 publicly blaming Russia for an array of cyber attacks, classified briefing on the assessment from then-Director of
including the release of stolen emails from the Democratic National Intelligence James Clapper, CIA Director John
National Committee in July. The statement asserted the Brennan, FBI Director James Comey and National
U.S. intelligence community's assessment that the efforts Security Agency Director Adm. Mike Rogers. The briefing
were "intended to interfere with the U.S. election process," included classified details of Russian efforts to harm the
but stopped short of accusing the Russians of trying to help Clinton campaign and bolster Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump win the election.
Following that briefing, Mr. Trump said
The U.S. did not publicly accuse Russia of trying to aid Russia's efforts had "absolutely no effect on
Mr. Trump until January 2017, when U.S. intelligence the outcome of the election." Current and
agencies released a declassified assessment on the Russian former officials have repeatedly said the U.S.
interference campaign. has no evidence of voting machines being
compromised or tallies being altered.
.
58
Russia Hacking Allegations
Driven By A Serial Liar
By George Washington
Jun 24, 2017 2:24 PM
Today’s lengthy Washington Post’s story makes it clear condemning leaks of classified information
that former CIA boss John Brennan is largely responsible from others, he has often leaks classified
for driving the claim that Russia hacked the election. information himself to suit his own needs.
***
But Brennan is a proven, documented
liar. He was busted for lying to This is the type of spy … who lies because
Congress and the American public by he doesn’t like to tell the truth.
claiming that the CIA wasn’t spying on
the Congressional investigation into Indeed, Brennan’s CIA even created hacking techniques to
torture … when it was. frame other countries for hacking incidents.
Indeed, the Washington Post called on Brennan to be fired Why is the media taking Brennan’s claims at face value?
for lying. Especially when some of the other claims of Russian
hacking have officially been debunked?
And Brennan lied when – as Obama’s counter-terrorism
advisor – he said that in the past year there had not been a As Pulitzer-prize winning reporter Seymour Hersch said in
single collateral death from drone strikes. (He later January in a story questioning the whole Russian hacking
changed that slightly to say there was no “credible story:
evidence” of such deaths.) But there was abundant and
credible evidence of collateral deaths from drone strikes. [If I had been covering the story,] I would
As just one example among many, a March 2011 CIA have made [John] Brennan into a buffoon.
drone attack in Pakistan killed some 50 people, including A yapping buffoon in the last few days.
tribal elders who were gathered for a tribal conclave.) Instead, everything is reported seriously.
Internal intelligence documents leaked to The other intelligence official behind many
McClatchy later confirmed Brennan to have of the Russian hacking claims – James
lied at the time …. Clapper – is also a confirmed liar.
When Brennan was approved by the
Senate, many of his friends told the media And see:
he wanted to get the CIA out of the drone
business and hand operations over to the http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2017/06/67890.html
Pentagon, but of course once he assumed
his office, he seems to have reversed and
course and kept the drone program under
CIA control. http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2017/06/special-prosecutor-
Brennan also fed the public wildly mueller-political-hack.html
inaccurate details about the Osama bin
Laden raid in 2011, and despite .
59
New US House Oversight Panel Chairman Doesn't Plan to
Pursue Trump-Russia Probe
© REUTERS/ Dylan Martinez - US
00:20 24.06.2017(updated 07:22 24.06.2017)
of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee and
the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, the
report stated.
60
Senate Judiciary Committee
Opens Probe Into Loretta Lynch
By Tyler Durden
Jun 24, 2017 11:32 AM
As more Democrats have started to question why former suspicions about Lynch’s cozy relationship with the
Attorney General Loretta Lynch was never investigated for Clintons prompted him to unilaterally announce the close
obstruction following a suspicious meeting with former of the Clinton investigation last summer.
President Bill Clinton, it appears the Senate Judiciary
Committee has finally decided to act. According to Comey, Lynch leaned on him to
soften his language when discussing the
The Washington Times reported Friday that the committee investigation, asking him to refer to the probe
has launched a formal investigation into Lynch’s as a “matter,” mirror language used by the
attempts to shape the FBI’s probe into Hillary Clinton, campaign, instead of as “an investigation.”
and whether she mishandled classified information on
her private email server.
LANKFORD: You gave impression that the “What’s amazing to me about the Republican
campaign was somehow using the language as passivity here is that Senator Dianne
the FBI because you were handed the campaign Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the
language? intelligence committee, said last week after
Comey’s testimony ‘you know we really have
COMEY: I don't know whether it was intentional or to look into exactly what’s going on with
not but it gave the impression that the attorney Loretta lynch and with president Obama.' Now
general was looking to align the way we talked I was waiting for one of the intel chairmen in the
about our work with the way it was describing House and Senate to get up and say they’re
that. It was inaccurate. We had an investigation open opening a new investigation into exactly what
for the federal bureau of investigation, we had an Loretta lynch said to Comey.”
investigation open at the time. That gave me a queasy
feeling. Now we wait to see if the house and, more importantly, the
DOJ follow suit.
62
Sketchy Firm Behind
Trump Dossier Is Stalling Investigators
By Paul Sperry
June 24, 2017
A secretive Washington firm that commissioned the Property records show that in June 2016, as Clinton allies
dubious intelligence dossier on Donald Trump is bankrolled Fusion GPS, Fritsch bought a six-bedroom,
stonewalling congressional investigators trying to learn five-bathroom home in Bethesda, Md., for $2.3 million.
more about its connections to the Democratic Party.
Fritsch did not respond to requests for comment. A lawyer
The Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month for Fusion GPS said the firm’s work is confidential.
threatened to subpoena the firm, Fusion GPS, after it
refused to answer questions and provide records to the
Sources say Fusion GPS had its own interest, beyond those
panel identifying who financed the error-ridden dossier,
of its clients, in promulgating negative gossip about
which was circulated during the election and has sparked
Trump.
much of the Russia scandal now engulfing the White
House.
Fritsch, who served as the Journal’s bureau chief in
Mexico City and has lectured at the liberal Wilson
What is the company hiding? Fusion GPS describes itself
Center’s Mexico Institute, married into a family with
as a “research and strategic intelligence firm” founded by
Mexican business interests. His wife, Beatriz Garcia,
“three former Wall Street Journal investigative reporters.”
formerly worked as an executive at Grupo Dina, a
But congressional sources says it’s actually an opposition-
manufacturer of trucks and buses in Mexico City that
research group for Democrats, and the founders, who are
benefits from NAFTA, which Trump opposes.
more political activists than journalists, have a pro-Hillary,
anti-Trump agenda.
Fritsch’s Fusion GPS partner Thomas Catan, who grew up
in Britain, once edited a business magazine in Mexico,
“These weren’t mercenaries or hired guns,” a
moreover. A third founding partner, Glenn Simpson, is
congressional source familiar with the dossier
reported to have shared dark views of both Russian
probe said. “These guys had a vested personal
President Vladimir Putin and Trump. Before joining
and ideological interest in smearing Trump and
Fusion GPS, Simpson did opposition research for a former
boosting Hillary’s chances of winning the White
Clinton White House operative.
House.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee is also investigating
Fusion GPS was on the payroll of an unidentified
whether the FBI has wrongly relied on the anti-Trump
Democratic ally of Clinton when it hired a long-retired
dossier and its author, Christopher Steele — the old spy
British spy to dig up dirt on Trump. In 2012, Democrats
who was hired by Fusion GPS to build a Russia file on
hired Fusion GPS to uncover dirt on GOP presidential
63
Trump — to aid its ongoing espionage investigation into passport showed no stamps showing he left or entered the
the Trump campaign and its possible ties to Moscow. US at the time, witnesses accounted for his presence here,
and Czech authorities found no evidence Cohen went to
The FBI received a copy of the Democrat-funded dossier Prague.
in August, during the heat of the campaign, and is said to
have contracted in October to pay Steele $50,000 to help Steele hadn’t worked in Moscow since the 1990s and
corroborate the dirt on Trump — a relationship that “raises didn’t actually travel there to gather intelligence on Trump
substantial questions about the independence” of the firsthand. He relied on third-hand “friend of friend”
bureau in investigating Trump, warned Senate Judiciary sourcing. In fact, most of his claimed Russian sources
Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. spoke not directly to him but “in confidence to a trusted
compatriot” who, in turn, spoke to Steele — and always
Senate investigators are demanding to see records of anonymously.
communications between Fusion GPS and the FBI and the
Justice Department, including any contacts with former But his main source may have been Google. Most of the
Attorney General Loretta Lynch, now under congressional information branded as “intelligence” was merely rehashed
investigation for possibly obstructing the Hillary Clinton from news headlines or cut and pasted — replete with
email probe, and deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe, errors — from Wikipedia.
who is under investigation by the Senate and the Justice
inspector general for failing to recuse himself despite In fact, much of the seemingly cloak-and-dagger
financial and political connections to the Clinton campaign information connecting Trump and his campaign advisers
through his Democrat activist wife. Senate investigators to Russia had already been reported in the media at the
have singled out McCabe as the FBI official who time Steele wrote his monthly reports.
negotiated with Steele.
In the same August report, for example, Steele connected a
Like Fusion GPS, the FBI has failed to cooperate with Moscow trip taken by then-Trump campaign adviser
congressional investigators seeking documents. Michael Flynn to “the Russian operation” to hack the
election. But there was nothing secret about the trip, which
Steele contracted with Fusion GPS to investigate Trump’s had taken place months earlier and had been widely
ties to Russia starting in June 2016, whereupon he reported.
outlandishly claimed that Hillary campaign hackers were
“paid by both Trump’s team and the Kremlin” and that the And there was nothing untoward about it. It was a dinner
operation was run out of Putin’s office. He also fed Fusion celebrating the 10th birthday of Russian TV network RT,
GPS and its Hillary-allied clients incredulous gossip about and Flynn sat at the same table with Putin as US Green
Trump hating the Obamas so much that he hired hookers Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.
to urinate on a bed they slept in at the Moscow Ritz-
Carlton, and that Russian intelligence recorded the pee
The real question is why anyone would take anything in
party in case they needed to blackmail Trump.
the sketchy report seriously.
Never mind that none of the rumors were backed by But even the CIA gave it credence. The dossier ended up
evidence or even credible sourcing (don’t bother trying to
attached to a Top Secret intelligence briefing on Russia for
confirm his bed-wetting yarn, Steele advised, as “all direct
President Obama, even though his intelligence czar last
witnesses have been silenced”). Steele reinforced his
month testified “We couldn’t corroborate the sourcing.”
paying customers’ worst fears about Trump, and they
The FBI, moreover, has been using it for investigative
rewarded him for it with a whopping $250,000 in leads on Trump associates like Carter Page, even though
payments. former FBI Director James Comey this month described
the dossier as “salacious and unverified.”
But it’s now clear his “intelligence reports,” which
together run more than 35-pages long, were for the most
And of course, Democratic leaders in Congress keep
part worthless. And the clients who paid Fusion GPS referring to it to cook up more charges against Trump,
(which claims to go “beyond standard due diligence”) for
while liberal media continue to use it as a road map to find
them got taken to the cleaners.
“scoops” on Trump in the “Russiagate” conspiracy they’re
peddling — still hoping against hope that the central thrust
Steele’s most sensational allegations remain unconfirmed. of the report — that Trump entered into an unholy alliance
For instance, his claim that Trump lawyer Michael Cohen with the Russian government during the election — will
held a “clandestine meeting” on the alleged hacking one day prove true and bring about the downfall of his
scheme in Prague with “Kremlin officials” in August 2016 presidency.
unraveled when Cohen denied ever visiting Prague, his
.
64
65
Dems Push Leaders To Talk Less About Russia
By Mike Lillis
06/24/17 06:03 AM EDT
Frustrated Democrats hoping to elevate their election for governor in 2018. The Russia-Trump investigation, he
fortunes have a resounding message for party leaders: Stop said, isn’t on their radar.
talking so much about Russia.
“I did a 22-county tour. … Nobody’s focusing on
Democratic leaders have been beating the drum this year that,” Walz said. “That’s not to say that they don’t
over the ongoing probes into the Trump administration’s think Russia and those things are important, [but]
potential ties to Moscow, taking every opportunity to it’s certainly not top on their minds.”
highlight the saga and forcing floor votes designed to
uncover any business dealings the president might have Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) delivered a similar message,
with Russian figures. saying his constituents are most concerned with two
things: dysfunction in Washington and the Republicans’
But rank-and-file Democrats say the Russia-Trump plans to repeal ObamaCare. The controversies surrounding
narrative is simply a non-issue with district voters, who are Trump, he said, don’t tally.
much more worried about bread-and-butter economic
concerns like jobs, wages and the cost of education and "We should be focused relentlessly on economic
healthcare. improvement [and] we should stay away from
just piling on the criticism of Trump, whether it’s
In the wake of a string of special-election defeats, an about Russia, whether it’s about Comey.
increasing number of Democrats are calling for an Because that has its own independent dynamic,
adjustment in party messaging, one that swings the focus it’s going to happen on its own without us piling
from Russia to the economy. The outcome of the 2018 on,“ Welch said.
elections, they say, hinges on how well the Democrats "We’re much better off if we just do the hard work
manage that shift. of coming up with an agenda. Talking about
Trump and Russia doesn’t create an agenda.”
“We can't just talk about Russia because people
back in Ohio aren't really talking that much about The intrigue over Russian meddling in the 2016 elections
Russia, about Putin, about Michael Flynn,” Rep. and potential collusion with Trump’s campaign has
Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) told MSNBC Thursday. engulfed Capitol Hill since even before the president was
“They're trying to figure out how they're going to sworn in. Both the House and Senate Intelligence
make the mortgage payment, how they're going committees have launched investigations, and the Justice
to pay for their kids to go to college, what their Department has named a special counsel, former FBI
energy bill looks like. Director Robert Mueller, to lead a third probe.
“And if we don't talk more about their interest
than we do about how we're so angry with Democrats have gone out of their way to keep the spotlight
Donald Trump and everything that's going on,” on the evolving investigations. Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-
he added, “then we're never going to be able to Calif.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) are trumpeting
win elections.” legislation to create an independent panel, like the 9/11
Commission, to conduct a fourth investigation.
Ryan is among the small group of Democrats who are
sounding calls for a changing of the guard atop the party’s House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has
leadership hierarchy following Tuesday’s special election repeatedly used her press briefings and cable news
defeat in Georgia — the Democrats’ fourth loss since appearances to raise questions about Trump’s “political,
Trump took office. But Ryan is hardly alone in urging personal and financial” ties to Moscow.
party leaders to hone their 2018 message.
“What do the Russians have on Donald Trump?”
Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) has been paying particularly she asked earlier this month in a common
close attention to voters’ concerns because he’s running refrain.
66
And the Democrats, who have few opportunities to force “That’s what gets Democrats elected.”
votes on the House floor, have spent a lot of energy
pushing proposals that would require Trump to release his A recent Harvard-Harris poll reveals the risks inherent for
taxes, which many Democrats suspect will expose business the Democrats, who are hoping to make big gains — or
ties between Trump and Russia. The latest such vote even win back the House — in 2018. The survey found
was Wednesday, marking the 10th time this year that while 58 percent of voters said they’re concerned that
Democrats have forced the issue. Trump may have business dealings with Moscow, 73
percent said they’re worried that the ongoing
“It’s important for us to have the returns on tax investigations are preventing Congress from tackling
reform, it’s important to have it on the Russia issues more vital to them.
investigation,” Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), the
ranking member of the Ways and Means “While the voters have a keen interest in any
Committee’s tax subpanel, said on the floor. Russian election interference, they are
concerned that the investigations have become a
Democratic leaders have defended their focus on the distraction for the president and Congress that is
Trump-Russia affair, arguing that it’s not a distraction hurting rather than helping the country,” said
from the local economic issues that resonate in their Harvard-Harris co-director Mark Penn.
districts.
With that in mind, many Democrats said they’re going out
“We can walk and chew gum at the same time,” of their way to focus on the economy — and downplay the
Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), vice chairman of Russia saga — when they’re at home.
the Democratic Caucus, said Wednesday.
“If you see me treating Russia and criticisms of
But even some leaders are ready to acknowledge that the the president and things like that as a secondary
Russia investigation alone won’t lead to a Democratic matter, it’s because that’s how my constituents
comeback. feel about it,” said Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.).
“I don’t think anybody wants to give a pass to
“As much as I think people in Washington tend to illegal or unethical activity,” he added. “But in life
focus on the issues of Russia, and the president we all have priorities, and the first priority for my
and the Republicans’ inability to get much of constituents is to their families — as it should
anything accomplished, … we need to focus on be.”
the local issues,” said Rep. Joseph Crowley
(N.Y.), chairman of the caucus.
.
67
Washington Post: “Russia’s Interference
[In US Election] Was The Crime Of The Century”
By Jonas E. Alexis
June 25, 2017
Obviously lizards at the Washington American democracy. It was a case that took
Post think that everyone is stupid. Who almost no time to solve, traced to the Kremlin
are they fooling this time? The CIA, as through cyber-forensics and intelligence on
Douglas Valentine has recently Putin’s involvement.”[2]
documented, is “organized crime.”
Peter Dale Scott of the University of Obviously those lizards think that everyone is stupid. Who
California and Rebecca Gordon have are they fooling this time? The CIA, as Douglas Valentine
come to similar conclusions. David has recently documented, is “organized crime.”[3] Peter
Talbot has called the CIA, Allen Dulles Dale Scott of the University of California and Rebecca
and the rise of America’s secret Gordon have come to similar conclusions.[4] David Talbot
government “the devil’s chessboard.” has called the CIA, Allen Dulles and the rise of America’s
There is a plausible theory which even secret government “the devil’s chessboard.”[5] There is a
suggests that the CIA was behind the plausible theory which even suggests that the CIA was
JFK assassination. behind the JFK assassination.[6]
68
secret that Israel is helping the bad guys in Syria.[9] Why right now for them: even if there were unreliable proof that
doesn’t anyone call this diabolical enterprise one of the Russia did meddle in the US election, I would still say,
biggest crimes of the century? Why haven’t the
Washington Post and even the Wall Street Journal taken “Go Russia. Perhaps that would teach the CIA
the Israeli regime to task and asked them to stop? and the Deep State to stop screwing countries
around the world. Perhaps that would teach them
Moreover, why are Zionist puppets interested in Russia the basic and elementary lesson that you cannot
when they are not devoted the same amount of time to one do to others what you would not have them do to
of America’s allies, Saudi Arabia, which by the way was you.”
involved in the 9/11 attack? Saudi Arabia, as Stephen
Kinzer has recently written in the Boston Globe, is And if New World Order agents keep saying that Russia is
involved in destabilizing much of the Muslim world, most evil for allegedly meddling in US election, then they are
specifically Indonesia. Kinzer says: inexorably saying that they themselves are evil for
meddling in world affairs for more than sixty years.
“Saudi Arabia has been working for decades
to pull Indonesia away from moderate Islam
and toward the austere Wahhabi form that is
state religion in Saudi Arabia. The Saudis’
campaign has been patient, multi-faceted,
and lavishly financed. It mirrors others they
have waged in Muslim countries across Asia
and Africa.”[10]
[1] Daniel J. Flynn, Intellectual Morons: How Ideology Makes Smart People Fall for Stupid Ideas (New York: Crown Forum,
2004), 1.
[2] Greg Miller, Ellen Nakashima and Adam Entous, “Obama’s secret struggle to punish Russia for Putin’s election assault,”
Washington Post, June 23, 2017.
[3] Douglas Valentine, The CIA as Organized Crime: How Illegal Operations Corrupt America and the World (Atlanta: Clarity
Press, 2017).
[4] Peter Dale Scott, American War Machine: Deep Politics, the CIA Global Drug Connection, and the Road to Afghanistan
(Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2010 and 2014); Rebecca Gordon, Mainstreaming Torture: Ethical Approaches in
the Post-9/11 United States (New York: Oxford University Press, 2014).
[5] David Talbot, The Devil’s Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America’s Secret Government (New York:
Harper Perennial, 2015).
[6] Peter Janney, Mary’s Mosaic: The CIA Conspiracy to Murder John F. Kennedy, Mary Pinchot Meyer, and Their Vision for
World Peace (New York: Skyhorse Publishing, 2012).
[7] I am dealing with the popular definition of conspiracy here, which says that “conspiracy theories” have no proof for their
claims.
[8] Peter Dale Scott, Drugs, Oil, and War: The United States in Afghanistan, Colombia, and Indochina (Lanham: Rowman &
Littlefield Publishers, 2003).
[9] Rory Jones, Noam Raydan, and Suha Ma’ayeh, “Israel Gives Secret Aid to Syrian Rebels,” Wall Street Journal, June 18,
2017.
[10] Stephen Kinzer, “Saudi Arabia is destabilizing the world,” Boston Globe, June 11, 2017.
69
Assange Criticizes ‘Doomed’
Democratic Party For Stirring Russia-Trump ‘Hysteria’
Published Time: 25 Jun, 2017 14:43 Edited Time: 26 Jun, 2017 08:30
70
CNN Executive Editor Demands
To Review All Future Russia-Related Stories...
"No Exceptions"
By Tyler Durden
Jun 25, 2017 11:30 PM
71
Highlights included...
72
NBC’s Chuck Todd Asserts
Obama Not Swaying Election Akin to 9/11
By Nicholas Fondacaro
June 25, 2017 10:11 AM EDT
“This was a Washington Post story this week that said “Look, this could be, Willie, what the
Obama administration soft-pedaled its response to the infamous August 6th presidential
Russian meddling because it didn’t want to be seen as intelligence daily briefing: ‘Bin Laden
putting its thumb on the scale of this election,” prefaced determined to strike the U.S. before
host Willie Geist, before asking Todd the triggering 9/11,’” he announced, with a slight tinge of
question. “What’s the impact of that story and all this stew anger.
of Russia?”
“This may be the equivalent in history
on this Russian infiltration of the
Todd whined that Trump was making his “head spin” by American democracy. We may go back
creating the “atmosphere” that kept Obama from taking the and say: ‘This was equivalent of that,’”
Russian meddling intelligence public. He continued to rant. “The Obama
administration had the intelligence, had
“I mean, for the very reason: Here's the smoking gun, and decided to pull
President Trump criticizing former back for fear of politicizing the election.”
President Obama for not doing
anything,” he bemoaned. “Well at the What Todd failed to mention was that the warning
time they got this intelligence, candidate received by Bush was not a cut-and-dry fact, but a vague
Donald Trump was telling everybody prediction about what bin Laden wanted to do with no set
that this election was going to get date. In sharp contrast, Obama's intelligence was about
rigged in favor of Hillary Clinton.” what they knew to be happening at the time.
73
“And as you say, we’re hearing from a said Obama administration soft-pedaled its response to the
lot of Obama, who behind the scenes Russian meddling because it didn’t want to be seen as
saying we should have done more in putting its thumb on the scale of this election. What’s the
real time.” impact of that story and all this stew of Russia?
In a commercial for his show on MSNBC, MTP Daily, CHUCK TODD: Well look, talk about making your head spin.
Todd once claimed to be the “referee” who was out there I mean, for the very reason: Here's President Trump
to enforce the political “rules.” By misleadingly comparing criticizing former President Obama for not doing anything.
the Bush administration’s and the Obama administration’s Well at the time they got this intelligence, candidate Donald
inactions on intelligence, Todd is equating 9/11 with Trump was telling everybody that this election was going to
Trump’s presidency. That doesn’t sound like an unbiased get rigged in favor of Hillary Clinton. And that was the
referee. That sounds like one that has chosen a clear side to atmosphere that the Obama administration was dealing with
back and throws his own low blows. publicly when they got this intelligence, so we understand
the reason why they did this. In hindsight, though, there
Transcript below: clearly a bunch of Obama White House folks are hand-
wringing about this. That line, I’ll never get over, you know:
“We choked.”
NBC
Sunday Today
June 25, 2017 Look, this could be, Willie, what the infamous August 6th
8:06:24 AM Eastern presidential intelligence daily briefing: “Bin Laden
determined to strike the U.S. before 9/11.” This may be the
equivalent in history on this Russian infiltration of the
(…)
American democracy. We may go back and say: “This was
equivalent of that.” The Obama administration had the
WILLIE GEIST: Let me move on to Russia because when intelligence, had the smoking gun, and decided to pull back
President Trump wasn’t tweeting about health care this for fear of politicizing the election.
week he was tweeting about Russia. I’ll read you one of
them, Chuck. “Just out: The Obama administration knew far
GEIST: And as you say, we’re hearing from a lot of Obama,
in advance of November 8th about lection meddling by
who behind the scenes saying we should have done more in
Russia. Did nothing about it. Why?” Put to the side the fact
real time.
that he acknowledges Russian meddling in that tweet right
there, something he has not done previously. Just go to this
is a story—This was a Washington Post story this week that (…)
.
74
Seymour Hersh: US Knew
No Chemical Weapons Used By Syria
Published: June 25, 2017
Berlin (GPA) – Pulitzer prize winner Seymour Hersh – the secondary explosions of the aforementioned chemicals.
journalist who’s exposed US crimes from My Lai to Abu This is consistent with the preliminary explanation offered
Ghraib – says Trump carried out Tomahawk strike on by Russia that the toxic gas in the area was an unintended
Syria despite US intelligence saying Assad didn’t use consequence of the operation.
chemical weapons.
Claims that the videos coming out of Khan Sheikhoun
German newspaper Die Welt has published an explosive showed victims displaying symptoms of exposure to sarin
story today in which renowned journalist Seymour Hersh gas have yet to be verified by any unbiased body. As stated
claims US President Donald Trump ordered his highly above, the only evidence provided came from the White
praised retaliatory cruise missile strike on Syria’s Shayrat Helmets and a doctor in the area who had previously been
airbase despite US intelligence reporting that the Syrian detained on charges of terrorism.
military didn’t use chemical weapons in the Idlib town of
Khan Sheikhoun.
76
Flashback: Why The Claim That Russia Wanted To Help
Trump And Not Clinton NEVER Made Any Sense
By Usafeaturesmedia
Posted On June 25, 2017
This theory has more holes in it than Clinton has excuses favor one candidate over the other, to help
for losing in November Trump get elected,” said a senior U.S.
official briefed on an intelligence
presentation made to U.S. senators.
“That’s the consensus view.”
77
themselves aimed solely at undermining the incoming some of the “most classified, sensitive
Trump administration. secrets in the federal government, many of
them covert operations.”
Consider: “Our adversaries have this very sensitive
information, that not only jeopardizes her,
The reporters and editorial boards of both papers were and national security at home, but the men
in the tank for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary and women serving overseas,” said
Clinton, despite the fact that both papers did indeed McCaul. “In my opinion, quite frankly, it’s
report on much of the hacked information gleaned from treason.”
the DNC and her campaign. Both editorial boards “…[E]xposed vital American information to
endorsed her (the Post here; the Times here). our enemies…”
The Post ran with a story recently based on obviously
shoddy information from an anonymous group no one
had ever heard of, which claimed that Moscow used Secondly, as The Daily Caller noted, the Times’
hundreds of U.S.-based web sites to spread false declaration that the Republican National Committee’s
propaganda about Clinton, to the benefit of Trump. No servers were similarly hacked by Russian intermediaries—
one else would touch this story and for good reason: It but that the hackers chosenot to release any RNC
was garbage. The Post was even forced to print a sort- information, thus “proving” Moscow was helping
of retraction. Reliably Left-leaning online investigative Trump—is itself a fabrication. According to RNC
news site The Intercept, whose co-founder Glenn spokesman Sean Spicer, the organization is working with
Greenwald broke the Edward Snowden series with the U.S. intelligence agencies who have concluded that no, the
Post, was even highly critical. RNC’s servers were not hacked.
The mainstream media, which was also largely in
Clinton’s corner, has attempted to craft the “fake news” “The intelligence is wrong,” Spicer told
narrative out of whole cloth since her loss, without a CNN. “It didn’t happened. We offered the
shred of evidence or proof that the negative reports New York Times conclusive proof that it
circulating about Clinton, her foundation’s shady didn’t happen. They ignored it. They
foreign dealings and her husband’s past sexual refused to look at it because it didn’t fit the
dalliances prior to the election were fabricated. narrative.”
“The bottom line is the intelligence is
And here is the most important point of all to make: No wrong,” he continued. “They are writing that
one seems to be asking or providing an answer to this the conclusion they came to was based in
question, part on the fact the RNC was hacked. It
wasn’t hacked. We have intelligence
“Why would Putin help Trump and not agencies that we worked with that are
Clinton?” willing to sort this out.”
This is a crucially important question for a number of And there is this: Julian Assange of WikiLeaks has stated,
reasons. First, there is the matter of Clinton’s unauthorized publicly, that Russia was not behind the DNC/Clinton
use of a personal email server during her tenure as campaign hacks. Granted, Assange made his statement on
secretary of state. FBI Director James Comey said his RT (Russia Today), a media organ controlled by Moscow.
agents believe with 99 percent certainty that her server was But hang on; there’s more.
hacked by several foreign governments; Russia certainly
has the capability to do so, and as such any good It’s very fair to say that Russia was likely among the five
intelligence analyst worth his/her salt would have to or six countries the FBI believes hacked into Clinton’s
assume that Moscow is one of the countries the FBI personal email server while at State; so why shouldn’t we
believes hacked the Clinton servers. After all, we are also believe that Moscow hacked into the DNC and the
attempting to hack Russian (and Iranian, and Chinese, and Clinton campaign, but not the RNC?
a host of other countries) intelligence data bases all the
time. It’s quite possible that Russian President Vladimir Putin,
like much of the rest of the world, believed that Clinton
Why is that important? Because, as Breitbart News would defeat Trump Nov. 8, so he launched an intelligence
reported: operation to gather as much dirt on Clinton as he could—
stolen intelligence and other sensitive information he could
House Homeland Security Chairman use to his advantage when she took over the White House.
Michael McCaul declared on Thursday’s The Times reported it this way:
Fox & Friends that Clinton exposed vital
American information to our enemies —
78
The Russians were as surprised as By comparison, a Donald Trump presidency featuring
everyone else at Mr. Trump’s victory, billionaire businessman with zero political influence or
intelligence officials said. Had Mrs. Clinton experience, and no skeletons remaining in the closet after a
won, they believe, emails stolen from the bruising campaign cycle, does not offer strategic
Democratic committee and from senior advantages to Putin. A Trump administration, especially
members of her campaign could have been one whose Cabinet is permeated with hawks, offers a
used to undercut her legitimacy. much greater challenge to Putin on the world stage than
would a compromised Hillary Clinton.
That helps explain his hack of her State-related email
servers and, perhaps, even the hacks the DNC and the While we can only assume what the motivations are for the
Clinton campaign. But it doesn’t help explain the Post and the Times (and, possibly, some in the U.S.
resulting release of the hacked data because it was intelligence community) in pushing their narrative that
all clearly damaging to her and her political party. And Russia was somehow overly influential in the U.S.
the releases of hacked information seemed to be an presidential election, what is far easier to deduce, with
effort to keep her out of the White House. some thought, is that it just doesn’t add up. This narrative
also assumes two additional things: 1) Trump, by himself,
That doesn’t make sense. After all, if you’ve got the goods is incapable of convincing enough voters in enough key
on a U.S. president—and let’s not forget that the Clintons states to support him; and 2) the CIA is completely devoid
were also instrumental in helping Russia secure 20 percent of careerist officials who don’t themselves have a political
of all U.S. strategic uranium reserves—you would keep agenda.
those cards close to your vest because that would be a huge
diplomatic and foreign policy advantage for Russia. If Neither of these assumptions can be accurately made.
Putin has all this stuff on Clinton, he could essentially
dictate U.S. foreign policy as it pertained to Russian
interests.
79
CNN's 'Massive' Error On Russia?
No Time For It On 'Reliable Sources'
By Tim Graham
June 26, 2017 10:51 AM EDT
80
get TV airtime, but it was shared on the An embarrassing moment for CNN
web, where it was spotted and scrutinized
by Breitbart. The truth is, there's still a lot we don't know. On Saturday
and Sunday I asked CNN PR for details and comment. A
On Friday night the story was replaced by an editor’s note: network spokeswoman declined to comment as of Sunday
evening.
"That story did not meet CNN's editorial
standards and has been retracted. Links to -- My take: I sometimes complain to my
the story have been disabled." editors about the layers of editing and
oversight that exist at CNN. But these
The editor's note included an apology to Trump ally processes exist for good reasons.
Anthony Scaramucci, who was named in the story. The Determining what went wrong this time
next morning Scaramucci responded via Twitter: will help prevent future damage to the
news organization... [Emphasis in the
"CNN did the right thing. Classy move. original.]
Apology accepted. Everyone makes
mistakes. Moving on." Perhaps Stelter should try to be as upset at his poor access
to his own network's executives as he is to the media's
Some prominent conservative figures, like Donald Trump poor access to Trump.
Jr. and Sean Hannity, seized on the story as an example of
anti-Trump bias and anonymous source malfeasance...
.
81
Trump Blasts Obama On Russia:
"He Didn't 'Choke'...He Expected Clinton To Win
So He Colluded Or Obstructed"
By Tyler Durden
Jun 26, 2017 9:02 AM
82
Dowd: Trump's The 'One Person That Questions His
Legitimacy The Most'
By Kristine Marsh
June 26, 2017 10:36 AM EDT
83
Report: FBI Collaborated With
Dem Oppo Research Firm To Smear Trump
By Debra Heine
June 26, 2017
The D.C. firm that commissioned the Russia intelligence Property records show that in June 2016, as Clinton allies
dossier smearing President Donald Trump is refusing to bankrolled Fusion GPS, Fritsch bought a six-bedroom,
answer questions and provide records to the Senate panel five-bathroom home in Bethesda, Md., for $2.3 million.
investigating its connections to the Democratic Party,
according to the New York Post's Paul Sperry. The so-
Fritsch did not respond to requests for comment. A lawyer
called "dodgy dossier" helped spark the Russia scandal that
for Fusion GPS said the firm’s work is confidential.
has been bedeviling Trump since the election.
Astonishingly, the FBI became involved with the dossier
last summer, even though it knew the salacious report Sources say Fusion GPS had its own interest, beyond those
lacked credibility -- and now it is also stonewalling the of its clients, in promulgating negative gossip about
Senate Judiciary Committee. Trump.
Fusion GPS calls itself a “research and strategic Fritsch, who served as the Journal’s bureau chief in
intelligence firm” but is well known in Washington to be Mexico City and has lectured at the liberal Wilson
an opposition-research group for Democrats. According to Center’s Mexico Institute, married into a family with
Sperry, the firm's founders are "more political activists Mexican business interests. His wife, Beatriz Garcia,
than journalists" and have "a pro-Hillary, anti-Trump formerly worked as an executive at Grupo Dina, a
agenda." manufacturer of trucks and buses in Mexico City that
benefits from NAFTA, which Trump opposes.
Via the New York Post:
Fritsch’s Fusion GPS partner Thomas Catan, who grew up
in Britain, once edited a business magazine in Mexico,
“These weren’t mercenaries or hired guns,”
moreover. A third founding partner, Glenn Simpson, is
a congressional source familiar with the
reported to have shared dark views of both Russian
dossier probe said. “These guys had a
President Vladimir Putin and Trump. Before joining
vested personal and ideological interest in
Fusion GPS, Simpson did opposition research for a former
smearing Trump and boosting Hillary’s
Clinton White House operative.
chances of winning the White House.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee is also looking into the
Fusion GPS was on the payroll of an unidentified
FBI's involvement with the anti-Trump dossier and
Democratic ally of Clinton when it hired a long-retired
Christopher Steele, the former spy who was hired by
British spy to dig up dirt on Trump. In 2012, Democrats
Fusion GPS to create a Russia file on Trump.
hired Fusion GPS to uncover dirt on GOP presidential
nominee Mitt Romney. And in 2015, Democrat ally
84
The FBI received a copy of the Democrat-funded dossier while liberal media continue to use it as a road map to find
in August, during the heat of the campaign, and is said to “scoops” on Trump in the “Russiagate” conspiracy they’re
have contracted in October to pay Steele $50,000 to help peddling — still hoping against hope that the central thrust
corroborate the dirt on Trump — a relationship that “raises of the report — that Trump entered into an unholy alliance
substantial questions about the independence” of the with the Russian government during the election — will
bureau in investigating Trump, warned Senate Judiciary one day prove true and bring about the downfall of his
Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. presidency.
Senate investigators are demanding to see records of On Fox and Friends Sunday, Sperry said the new
communications between Fusion GPS and the FBI and the developments on the case "do not bode well for
Justice Department, including any contacts with former Democrats."
Attorney General Loretta Lynch, now under congressional
investigation for possibly obstructing the Hillary Clinton "Not only is the Senate now investigating
email probe, and deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe, officially the Obama administration [Loretta
who is under investigation by the Senate and the Justice Lynch] for obstruction of justice, but they're
inspector general for failing to recuse himself despite also investigating the origins of this
financial and political connections to the Clinton campaign discredited dossier that Democrats used to
through his Democrat activist wife. launch their witch hunt against Trump on
Russia," Sperry said. "And that witch hunt
According to Sperry, Senate investigators say McCabe is could backfire on them now if this really
the FBI official who negotiated with Steele. heats up...with subpoenas, hearings, and
also possibly a criminal investigation down
Steele contracted with Fusion GPS to investigate Trump’s the road."
ties to Russia starting in June 2016, whereupon he
outlandishly claimed that Hillary campaign hackers were Asked why he thinks the media has been ignoring these
“paid by both Trump’s team and the Kremlin” and that the latest developments, Sperry answered that
operation was run out of Putin’s office. He also fed Fusion
GPS and its Hillary-allied clients incredulous gossip about "they're part of the witch hunt" and "a lot of
Trump hating the Obamas so much that he hired hookers them are Democrat mouth pieces."
to urinate on a bed they slept in at the Moscow Ritz-
Carlton, and that Russian intelligence recorded the pee He said the Senate Judiciary Committee is eager to find
party in case they needed to blackmail Trump. out if the FBI collaborated with Fusion GPS on the dossier.
Never mind that none of the rumors were backed by The dossier is "riddled with errors in fact
evidence or even credible sourcing (don’t bother trying to and questionable sourcing" and "was a
confirm his bed-wetting yarn, Steele advised, as “all direct Democrat operation from top to bottom,"
witnesses have been silenced”). Steele reinforced his Sperry told the Fox and Friends hosts.
paying customers’ worst fears about Trump, and they
rewarded him for it with a whopping $250,000 in
payments. He said the committee's next move will likely be to start
issuing subpoenas.
But it’s now clear his “intelligence reports,” which
together run more than 35-pages long, were for the most "We've got to get to the bottom of this
part worthless. And the clients who paid Fusion GPS because when you combine Loretta Lynch
(which claims to go “beyond standard due diligence”) for and ... allegations against her of
them got taken to the cleaners. obstruction of justice in the Hillary
investigation, and this whole thing is really
starting to smell rotten," Sperry concluded.
Bizarrely, the CIA gave the shoddy, uncorroborated report
credence and it wound up in the White House, where then-
President Obama was briefed on it. The FBI also used the
dossier for investigative leads on Carter Page, who has
been eager to testify before Congress so he can clear his
name. Yet former FBI Director James Comey admitted
under oath earlier this month that the dossier is “salacious
and unverified.”
86
NYT Front-Page Shocker:
Trump’s Genuine Bond With Families
Of Victims Of Illegals
By Clay Waters
June 26, 2017 10:43 AM EDT
One son had been struck by a truck, another shot just Then came Mr. Trump. Whenever she saw him, he greeted
around the corner from home. Different causes of death, her with a “great big hug,” she recalled. “Dom’s mom,” he
but the driver, the gunman, all the perpetrators were the called her.
same, the parents said: people who never should have been
in the country in the first place.
“He would say, ‘You’ll never be alone
again. You’ll never have to fight this
…. alone,’” said Ms. Durden, who went on to
speak at three of his rallies.
Hailed for bravery, accused of racism,
scorned as puppets, these are some of Yee suggested the issue was truly a campaign turning point
Mr. Trump’s most potent surrogates, the for many voters who wouldn’t normally be considered in
people whose private anguish has the Trump tank.
formed the emotional cornerstone of his
crusade against illegal immigration and The Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, was out there
clouded the futures of America’s 11 talking about the need to create a pathway to citizenship
million unauthorized immigrants.
87
for undocumented immigrants. When Ms. Durden heard of the smiling dead. The commemorative buttons. The
that, she changed her voter registration to Republican the ashes held close in a locket.
same day.
….
In a series of recent interviews, the
families described a similar trajectory: [Trump] also mentioned the case that, at least on the right,
The death of a loved one. The spasm of had come to define the dangers of illegal immigration: that
realizing that the other driver, or the of Kathryn Steinle, a 32-year-old woman shot to death on a
gunman, was living in the country San Francisco pier in 2015. The suspect was an ex-felon
illegally. The political awakening -- for from Mexico who had been deported five times. A few
the Republicans, a hardening toward months before Ms. Steinle’s death, the local authorities
illegal immigrants; for the Democrats, a had released him from jail without notifying federal
quick, grim conversion. The relief, when immigration agents.
another “angel mom” or “angel dad”
saw them on the news and found them
….
online.
Still, those who appeared on the campaign’s behalf said
Yee’s article may qualify as one of the most flattering
they had never felt like props. Mr. Trump was no more
things about Trump to appear in the paper (Michael
using them, they said, than Mrs. Clinton was using
Kinsley’s odd experiment to “say something nice about
hardworking Hispanic families to humanize the issue.
Donald Trump” notwithstanding).
….
Here was the paradox of Donald Trump, unfiltered tycoon
who seemed as far away as Fifth Avenue and as close up
as the living room TV. Even as a legion of critics warned It looked very different to the other side, of course. People
he was pandering to his fans on the way to betraying them, on social media, and even some friends, did not hesitate to
the alliance he had made with the families felt, to many of let them know that they thought they were being used. Lots
them, like an unshakable bond. of people called them racist. They insisted that they were
not, emphasizing that they did not think all undocumented
immigrants were bad.
The thing was, he paid attention. And he
never stopped.
A large body of research, accumulated over many years,
has found that immigrants are less likely than native-born
….
citizens to commit serious crimes or to be imprisoned.
88
Obama Holdover:
Trump Style 'Quicker, More Decisive'
By Paul Bedard
Jun 26, 2017, 8:25 AM
Veterans Affairs Secretary David J. Shulkin is a rare bird is earning back that trust that it needs," he
in the Trump administration, having been a top Obama added.
pick when he was the department's undersecretary for
health through the 2016 election. Shulkin, who has won kudos for his management acumen,
said that the president is using a businessman's sense to fix
So, we asked him how things have changed under Trump, government.
and he said it is all for the good.
"The president very much looks at this
organization like running a business. And
he understands that you need to allow the
manager of the business to have the
freedom to go out and to challenge
assumptions and to make decisions," said
the secretary during a breakfast hosted by
the Christian Science Monitor.
89
90
Finally: Senate To Probe Illicit Behavior By Obama AG
Loretta Lynch In Covering Up For The Clintons
By JD Heyes
Monday, June 26, 2017
The Senate Judiciary Committee is launching an Grassley has said that the Lynch investigation is being
investigation into the actions of former Obama Attorney conducted in a bipartisan manner. The Lynch letter was
General Loretta Lynch during last year’s FBI criminal also signed by ranking Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein,
investigation into then-Democratic presidential nominee as well as Sens. Lindsey Graham and Sheldon Whitehouse,
Hillary Clinton’s improper use of a private email server to the chairman and ranking member of the key investigative
handle highly classified intelligence information. subcommittee that will handle much of the probe.
As reported by the Washington Times, the panel, led by In addition, the committee sent letters to Amanda Renteria,
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, its chairman, wants to a Clinton campaign staff member, as well as Leonard
know more about her efforts to shape or otherwise Benardo and Gail Scovell of the Open Society
influence the investigation. Foundations, which were founded by Left-wing billionaire
and global socialist meddler George Soros.
Critics have said Lynch’s actions were tantamount to
ensuring that Clinton — who then-FBI Director James Bernardo, the Times reported, may have been on an email
Comey said during a July 5, 2016, press conference had chain from the head of the Democratic National
committed numerous violations of the law governing the Committee at the time, reportedly offering assurances to
handling of classified material — was not held accountable Renteria that the Clinton investigation wouldn’t “go too
for her actions so she would still be free to pursue the far.”
White House.
Earlier this month at a highly-anticipated hearing before
The Times noted: the Senate Intelligence Committee, Comey told members
that Lynch tried at one point to get him to alter the manner
In a letter to Ms. Lynch, the committee asks her to detail in which his agency described the investigation into
the depths of her involvement in the FBI’s investigation, Clinton’s use of a private server. The requested change
including whether she ever assured Clinton confidantes appeared to fall right in line with the Clinton campaign’s
that the probe wouldn’t “push too deeply into the matter.” narrative. (Realted: COVER UP: Did Susan Rice’s records
get moved to the Obama prez library to avoid having them
In public testimony Comey, who was fired in May by released to public?)
President Donald J. Trump after receiving a memo from
Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein that the Justice Department “At one point, [Lynch] directed me not to call it an
had lost confidence in him over his own behavior in the ‘investigation’ but instead to call it a ‘matter,’ which
Clinton probe, said that Lynch attempted to instruct him on confused me and concerned me,” Comey said on June 8.
how to discuss the Democratic nominee’s investigation. At “That was one of the bricks in the load that led me to
one point he hinted that she had engaged in other behavior
91
conclude I have to step away from the department if we are prosecutor” would chose to prosecute Clinton, which was
to close this case credibly.” not an FBI director’s decision to make.
Many Americans don’t believe he did. After laying out the Critics have also questioned Lynch’s decision to take an
case against Clinton, Comey then incredibly claimed that impromptu meeting with former President Bill Clinton
the FBI couldn’t find any “intent” that she wanted to on an Arizona airport tarmac at the peak of the
commit a crime (which is NOT a requirement to charge investigation into his wife. Some believe that Lynch told
someone with violations of national security statutes, and the former president then that Hillary would not be
despite the fact that she went out of her way to purposely charged.
buy and set up her own private email server,
secretly). Comey also claimed that “no reasonable Comey made that official just a few days later.
.
92
SCOTUS "Mostly" Reinstates
Trump Travel Ban; Schedules October Hearing
By Tyler Durden
Jun 26, 2017 4:34 PM
the court said. But the court said people can’t avoid the
travel ban by entering into a relationship solely to enter the
U.S.
The policy will suspend entry into the U.S. by people from
Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for a
period of 90 days and it will take effect in 72 hours.
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
***
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Decisions are expected to be
wrap up its 2017 session today and will likely issue a revealed publicly at 10AM EST.
decision on Trump's controversial travel ban. As you may
recall, Trump's "travel ban" was designed to impose a 90- Of course, the case has ended up in the Supreme Court
day pause in travel from citizens of Iran, Libya, Somalia, because two federal appellate courts ruled against the
109
Trump travel policy on the basis of religious and
"nationality-based" discrimination. Per CBS:
The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. White House sources think Justice Anthony
Circuit Court of Appeals said the travel Kennedy, the Supreme Court's ideological
policy does not comply with federal fulcrum, may announce his retirement
immigration law, including a prohibition today, as the justices gather on the bench
on nationality-based discrimination. for the last time this term.
That court also put a hold on separate
aspects of the policy that would keep all
refugees out of the United States for 120 Trump's first Court appointment, of Justice Neil Gorsuch,
days and cut by more than half, from was a one-for-one ideological swap for the late Justice
110,000 to 50,000, the cap on refugees in Antonin Scalia.
the current government spending year that
ends Sept. 30. Replacing Kennedy would be even more
historic and consequential: a
Trump's first executive order on travel applied to travelers momentous chance to edge the Court
from the six countries as well as Iraq, and took effect right, since Kennedy is the center of the
immediately, causing chaos and panic at airports over the Court
last weekend in January as the Homeland Security
Department scrambled to figure out who the order covered — the one most willing to listen to both sides. On a
and how it was to be implemented. A federal judge controversial case, both sides pitch to him. It's been called
blocked it eight days later, an order that was upheld by a "Kennedy's Court."
9th circuit panel. Rather than pursue an appeal, the
administration said it would revise the policy. No one's predicting: Court watchers say no one knows, and
Kennedy has said nothing publicly. He could well wait one
In March, Trump issued a narrower order, but it too was more year:
promptly blocked.
The Court buzz is that it'll be this year or next.
Of course, back in June, during what became a fairly
public dispute with his own Attorney General, Lyle Denniston, who has covered the Supreme Court for
58 years, headlines a post on his website,
Trump blasted the "watered down,
politically correct" version of his travel "High drama: Supreme Court term is
ban that is currently before the Supreme ending": "[R]umors have continued to
Court. make the rounds that ... Kennedy, who
will be 81 in July, could reveal plans
Meanwhile, today's session could also draw buzz as [today] to end his career. ... The longest
rumors have surfaced of late that Justice Kennedy could serving of the Justices, Kennedy joined
announce his retirement. Moreover, it is expected that the court more than 29 years ago."
Kennedy's retirement would push SCOTUS even further to
the right as he was often considered the "center of the If true, of course, this would give the Trump
court." administration the opportunity to replace a second
Supreme Court justice within the first year of his
administration.
.
110
Trump Responds: "Unanimous Supreme
Court Decision A Clear Victory
For Our National Security"
By Tyler Durden
Jun 26, 2017 12:29 PM
Many have been waiting with bated breath all morning for countries and the refugee suspension to
Trump's response on the Supreme Court's decision become largely effective.
regarding his travel ban. While we expected that response
would come in the form of a snarky tweet, it has As President, I cannot allow people into our country who
unfortunately been revealed via a more carefully crafted want to do us harm. I want people who can love the United
official statement. States and all of its citizens, and who will be hardworking
and productive.
111
Senior CNN Producer: ‘
The Entire Trump-Russia Narrative Is Bullsh*T’
Producer Admits It's All For "Ratings"
By Shepard Ambellas
June 27, 2017
#deepstate
112
CNN Decides It Can No Longer Trust Its Own Reporting,
Retracts Story Linking Trump To Russia
Three Resign Over Scandal
By Shepard Ambellas
June 27, 2017
(INTELLIHUB) — Three CNN employees handed in their The agency, which employs CIA-connected Operation
resignations over a Trump-Russia story published on Mockingbird mouthpieces such as Anderson Cooper, has
Friday which the agency removed from its website after it stooped to an all-time low vindicating what Intellihub has
was decided that they could not stand by their own maintained all-along — that “CNN is nothing more than a
reporting, proving that CNN is the epitome of ‘fake news.’ shitshow.”
What is CNN?
.
113
‘There’s No Camera On, Jim!’ Showboating CNN’s Acosta
Yells at Spicer Over Press Access
By Curtis Houck
June 26, 2017 5:12 PM EDT
At Monday’s audio-only and photos-only White House ACOSTA: Can you just give you an answer
press briefing, CNN senior White House correspondent to that? Can you tell us why you turned the
Jim Acosta continued to make a fool out of himself, cameras off? Why are they off, Sean?
melting down and screaming at press secretary Sean Spicer
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: It's a
over the current set-up for briefings.
legitimate question.
Acosta first interrupted after a female reporter didn’t get ACOSTA: It’s a legitimate question. You
her question answered. When he yelled at Spicer to answer are a taxpayer-funded spokesman for the
her question, Spicer lobbed some A+ shade at Acosta: United States government. Can you at
least give us an explanation of why the
cameras are off?
“There's no camera on, Jim.”
Thankfully for Acosta, One America News Network’s
balanced White House reporter Trey Yingst bailed him out
by pressing Spicer to “get this out of the way” and
“address the cameras issue.”
The CNN liberal immediately took Spicer’s bait, Sean Spicer has refused to take questions
screaming as Spicer tried to move on: from CNN for weeks now. It has been
going on for some time. You know, he may
“Maybe we should turn the cameras on, have taken a question here or there over
Sean! Why don't we turn the cameras the last couple of weeks, but we've largely
on? Why don't we turn the cameras on? been just blackballed during these
Why not turn the cameras on, Sean? briefings. We're just not getting questions
They’re in the room, the lights are on.” to the press secretary. That would not have
happened in previous administrations. Fox
Roughly 10 minutes later, local Fox affiliate WTTG-5 News always got a question every day at
reporter Ronica Cleary asked about White House the briefing until President Obama, so let's
Correspondents Association president Jeff Mason’s just make sure that's perfectly clear to
meetings with the Trump press team and if the lack of on- everybody watching out there. Fox News
camera briefings represented “a new normal.” always got questions. MSNBC always got
questions during the previous
Instead of respectfully going back and forth with Spicer administrations. This is a new thing this
White House is doing to us here at CNN
like Cleary did, Acosta interjected to further badger Spicer,
and to a couple other news outlets as well.
convincing absolutely no one that he’s a sober journalist
(and the type Spicer referenced last week): “Let's make this clear. This is not a
Trump campaign event. This is the
ACOSTA: Why are the cameras off, Sean? United States government saying that
Why don’t you turn them on? we can't have cameras on inside the
White House briefing room for an event
SPICER: Trey, Trey, Trey. that is typically covered with
114
cameras...but, Ana, make no mistake, ACOSTA: Why not turn the cameras on, Sean? They’re in
this is the gradual erosion of the the room, the lights are on.
expectations of the traditions that have
been in this city for about a quarter of a (....)
century now, that these briefings be
held on camera,” he added.
RONICA CLEARY: Sean, thank you. Jeff Mason sent an
account of the meeting that he had to the members of the
He finished on his third point by stating his concern that White House Correspondents Association about the future
President Trump would be speaking this week with India’s of the press briefings, would you say his account of that
Prime Minister in the Rose Garden but not holding a meeting was accurate?
subsequent press conference.
SPICER: I was not provided with that. I had the conver —
“[H]e's getting the coverage without the
accountability and I think that we just CLEARY: Could you give us an account from your
need to recognize what's happening perspective of what happened in that meeting and what
here and that is what we are typically
we’ve —
accustomed to in this town in terms of
covering the White House, that is being
eroded away right in front of our eyes,” SPICER: We've had two since then, another one since then.
Acosta concluded. Jeff has stated the position of the board that he believes,
and I’ve shared with him where we are on that, that we have
been consistent since December and January when we
Here’s the relevant portions of the transcript from June
addressed this issue with them specifically and publicly and
26's CNN Newsroom:
that we'll continue to have a mix of opportunities to stay in
touch with the media.
CNN Newsroom
June 26, 2017 CLEARY: This seems to have been a drastic shift, starting
2:34 p.m. Eastern form maybe the week before the President took his first trip
abroad, but now we see you on camera once a week. Is that
a new normal that we would expect?
ACOSTA: Maybe we should turn the cameras on, Sean! SPICER: Trey, Trey, Trey.
Why don't we turn the cameras on?
ACOSTA: Can you just give you an answer to that? Can you
SPICER: Jen — tell us why you turned the cameras off? Why are they off,
Sean?
ACOSTA: Why don't we turn the cameras on?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: It's a legitimate
SPICER: — I'm sorry you have to deal with — Jen? Jen, go question.
ahead.
115
ACOSTA: It’s a legitimate question. You are a taxpayer- saying that we can't have cameras on inside the White
funded spokesman for the United States government. Can House briefing room for an event that is typically covered
you at least give us an explanation of why the cameras are with cameras and, you know, I'll let the viewers decide why
off? they're being kept off, but I tried a couple times during the
briefing today to get a question to Sean Spicer and to ask
TREY YINGST: So we can get this out of the way? Can we why these cameras are not being turned on. Now, Trey
address the cameras issue? Do you think this will — Yingst, over at OANN, which is a conservative outlet, to his
credit, when Sean Spicer was not answering my question
about why the cameras are being kept off, did ask the
SPICER: Yes. Some days we'll have them and some days
question and said, hey, let's get this out of the way, why are
we won't. The President’s going to speak today in the Rose
these cameras being kept off, and Spicer basically punted
Garden. I want the President's voice to carry the day — you
on that issue and said, well, there will be times they're off
know, and I think — so — look, this is nothing inconsistent
and times they're on, but Ana, make no mistake, this is the
from what we had since day one.
gradual erosion of the expectations of the traditions that
have been in this city for about a quarter of a century now,
(....) that these briefings be held on camera.
116
Democratic-Party-Aligned Firm Behind Debunked "Russia
Dossier" Stonewalls Senate Investigators
By Tyler Durden
Jun 26, 2017 11:30 PM
A Democratic Party-aligned opposition opposition research for a former Clinton White House
research firm is stonewalling operative.
Congressional investigators who are
trying to ascertain exactly who financed
the now-debunked “Russia dossier” –
remember? The one that claimed
germaphobe Trump enjoyed getting
urinated on by Russian hookers?
The New York Post’s Paul Sperry is out with another report
about Fusion GPS, a
118
Steele, pictured below, also played a role in maligning Flynn to “the Russian operation” to
former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn by hack the election. But there was nothing
suggesting there was something “untoward” about Flynn’s secret about the trip, which had taken
attending of a dinner to celebrate the 10th anniversary of place months earlier and had been
Russia Today – an event that was also attended by former widely reported.
Green Party candidate Jill Stein.
And there was nothing untoward about it. It
was a dinner celebrating the 10th birthday
of Russian TV network RT, and Flynn sat
at the same table with Putin as US Green
Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.”
119
McCabe's Revenge: Circa Suggests Flynn
Investigation Was Launched As Pure Retaliation
By Tyler Durden
Jun 26, 2017 9:00 PM
Andrew McCabe has long been a controversial figure at Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
the FBI. His position as Deputy Director of the FBI came case, memos obtained by Circa show. Two years later, the
under intense scrutiny during the Clinton email FBI opened its inquiry of Flynn.
investigation after it came to light that his wife, Jill
McCabe, took nearly $500,000 from Virginia Governor The EEOC case, which is still pending,
Terry McAuliffe to fund her Senate campaign. Of was serious enough to require McCabe
course, Terry McAuliffe is a long-time confidant of the to submit to a sworn statement to
Clinton family and was rumored as a potential running investigators, the documents show.
mate for Hillary. But sure, no reason to be wary the
McCabe was put in charge of supervising that particular According to anonymous sources within the FBI (and you
investigation. know how we feel about those...so take these comments
with a heaping mound of salt), Circa notes that several
But now, at least according to a new report from Circa, field agents had witnessed McCabe make disparaging
remarks about Flynn and one agent even became
McCabe may have other conflicts, uncomfortable enough to consult an attorney after the
including a personal vendetta against Flynn investigation ramped up.
former National Security Advisor
Michael Flynn, that have not yet been Three FBI employees told Circa they
disclosed. According to Circa, Flynn personally witnessed McCabe make
apparently enraged McCabe a few years disparaging remarks about Flynn before
back after he intervened on behalf of an and during the time the retired Army
FBI Special Agent, Robyn Gritz, who general emerged as a figure in the
had accused McCabe and other top FBI Russia case.
officials of sexual discrimination.
The bureau employees, who spoke only on
condition of anonymity for fear of
The FBI launched a criminal probe against former Trump
retribution, said they did not know the
National Security Adviser Michael Flynn two years after
reason for McCabe’s displeasure with
the retired Army general roiled the bureau’s leadership by
Flynn, but that it made them
intervening on behalf of a decorated counterterrorism
uncomfortable as the Russia probe
agent who accused now-Deputy FBI Director Andrew began to unfold and pressure built to
McCabe and other top officials of sexual discrimination, investigate Flynn.
according to documents and interviews.
One employee even consulted a private lawyer.
Flynn’s intervention on behalf of
Supervisory Special Agent Robyn Gritz
was highly unusual, and included a “As far as the troops in the field, the vast-
letter in 2014 on his official Pentagon majority were disgusted with the Russia
stationary, a public interview in 2015 decision, but that was McCabe driving the
supporting Gritz’s case and an offer to result that eventually led [former FBI
testify on her behalf. His offer put him as Director James] Comey to make the
a hostile witness in a case against decision,” said a senior federal law
McCabe, who was soaring through the enforcement official, with direct knowledge
bureau’s leadership ranks. of the investigation.
“The Flynn leaks were nothing short of
The FBI sought to block Flynn’s support for the agent, political,” one FBI employee said, noting
asking a federal administrative law judge in May 2014 to the specific contents of the conversation
keep Flynn and others from becoming a witness in her were known by only a handful of
government officials when they leaked.
120
“The leaks appeared to be targeted to complaint a few weeks later. The FBI ‘s official report of
take Flynn out.” investigation on Gritz’s EEO complaint, which absolved
the FBI of any discrimination, omitted any mention that
McCabe had been aware of the EEO complaint before the
bureau filed its OPR action against Gritz.
121
Proof CNN Is Fake News,
No Proof Of Russian Hacking Lie
Dawn Luger
June 27, 2017
It’s over for CNN. The media giant has been busted using
propaganda and false narratives to promote an “anti-
Trump” agenda. Even Alex Jones is calling on the White
House to revoke CNN’s press credentials.
For once, “conspiracy theorists” don’t sound like looney The mind control tactics have worked to an extent. The
birds. Alternative media outlets like The Daily Sheeple Russian hacking narrative was still dominating headlines
have been on the ball calling out CNN for their obviously regardless of the FACT that there is not a single shred
biased reporting, and if you haven’t noticed it until now, of proof or a smoking gun. And what the mainstream
you’re one of the ones successfully brainwashed during media and CNN conveniently left out for their simple
their intentional misinformation and propaganda minded lemmings, was the fact that Wikileaks released
campaign. Vault 7 documents titled “Marble” proving the US (more
specifically, the CIA) can hack anything they want and put
In a new undercover video, a CNN producer is caught on stamps from any other country on those hacks. This would
camera saying the infamous “Russian hacking” narrative shift the blame to any country they think they can get away
was a lie and pushed for ratings. Still don’t believe the with blaming. Now even if they ever manage to fabricate
media is using propaganda on the weakest leaks? Here’s some kind of proof, it’ll implicate their precious
the video by Project Veritas, and the “Russian hacking” lie government and the CIA.
is not the only admission John Bonifield, CNN’s
supervising producer speaks of. Even parody accounts poking fun at Antifa are more
credible than mainstream media at this point.
123
CNN Pure Garbage
Special Report On Russia
By Stephen Lendman - Stephenlendman.Org
6-27-2017
Like all other major Western media, CNN features press It was willful deception. CNN was forced to retract the
agent journalism for powerful interests, not the real thing. story.
Its programming is an embarrassment to truthful, full- Its latest outrage aired Tuesday night - a fake news
disclosure, uncensored reporting. It consistently violates “documentary” called “The Russian Connection: Inside
core journalistic ethics. the Attack on Democracy,” reported by CNN’s chief
national security correspondent Jim Sciutto.
Professional integrity is its cornerstone, deplorably absent
Ain its programming. From 2011 - 2013, he was chief of staff for US
ambassador Gary Locke in Beijing. Earlier he was a
The Radio-Television News Directors Association Code of London-based ABC News foreign correspondent, before
Ethics and Professional Conduct stresses public trust, that a PBS producer.
credibility, accuracy, truth-telling, avoiding bias, fairness,
integrity, independence, and accountability. His book titled “Against Us: The New Face of America’s
Enemies in the Muslim World” is pure Islamophobic
Western media bias is notorious, CNN the bottom of a rubbish.
sordid barrel among so-called television news channels.
It’s hard understanding why anyone believes they can be His so-called “Russian Connection” special report was
informed by following it. right out of the CIA playbook - beginning-to-end
unjustifiable bashing, willful deception instead of
Misinformation, disinformation, Big Lies and fake news responsible truth-telling.
are its specialities - news consumers carpet-bombed with it
daily, especially anything related to war and peace, Trump He rehashed old discredited accusations of nonexistent
bashing for the wrong reasons, and Russia bashing for fake Russian US election hacking, a CNN advance promo
ones. saying:
David Knight explains how Jeh Johnson has helped to push the lie that Russia hacked the American 2016
Presidential Election and physically altered votes although no physical proof exists to date.
125
Phony US Claim About
A Planned Syrian CW Attack
By Stephen Lendman - Stephenlendman.Org
6-27-2017
The June 26 White House press secretary Sean Spicer MS NAUERT: Well, I can confirm that Secretary Tillerson
claim about an impending Syrian CW attack was a bald- spoke yesterday with his counterpart, with Mr. Lavrov, the
faced lie. foreign minister there. As you know, they talk about things
regularly. They began their dialogue in Moscow and I
The Trump administration appears intending to blame a believe it was March.
likely planned false flag CW attack on Syria’s military as a
pretext to escalate US aggression in the country. They met here about a month ago or so. And then, of
course, they’ve had subsequent phone conversations, such
Russia slammed the scheme, Putin spokesman Dmitry as the one last evening.
Peskov, saying his government
Secretary Tillerson is not putting out a full play-by-play of
“consider(s) threats (against) the legitimate that conversation. We know that the Russians have put out
leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic what they consider to be their version, so I’m not going to
unacceptable.” get into a tit for tat about what we think they said or what
they claim they said - claim was said in that conversation.
No credible evidence showed Assad was responsible for But the Secretary has made his concerns clear in the past
any CW attacks throughout years of conflict. Indisputable and continues to do so with regard to Russia.
evidence proves US-supported terrorists targeted civilians
with CWs numerous times. QUESTION: In light of the statement that the White
House put out last night, it seems like a fair question to ask
Russian intelligence matches America’s in Syria and if -
elsewhere. It has no information about a planned Syrian
CW attack. The Trump administration’s claim was MS NAUERT: Oh, I’m not - you can ask me anything you
fabricated. want. I’m not saying it’s not -
On Tuesday, State Department spokeswoman Heather QUESTION: But you’re not going to say anything
Nauert stonewalled reporters repeatedly - refusing to specifically about chemical weapons?
comment on (nonexistent) evidence of an impending
Syrian CW attack. MS NAUERT: No.
The lengthy exchange went as follows: QUESTION: There’s a sparrow carrying a one-pound
coconut. Did you -
QUESTION: So the Russians put out a readout of a call
yesterday between Secretary Tillerson and Foreign MS NAUERT: What?
Minister Lavrov. In the Russian version of the call it says
that they discussed deterring the use of chemical weapons. QUESTION: Are you saying that you - are you saying that
Did the Secretary - you dispute the Russian characterization?
MS NAUERT: Their discuss - the what? MS NAUERT: No. I’m just - I’m not going to get into a tit
for tat. The Russians will often put out information, and
QUESTION: Deterring the use of chemical weapons - they tend to mischaracterize things sometimes, and so I’m
not going to get into going back and forth with them about
MS NAUERT: Okay. what was said in this conversation.
QUESTION: - in Syria. Did the Secretary share the Secretary Tillerson is always clear with the Russians about
information that was shared with us last night, that they how we feel about certain things, and the Secretary prefers
had - that the US. had detected preparations at the site? to conduct a lot of his diplomacy in private in those
And did the Secretary warn Foreign Minister Lavrov about conversations, because he believes that we can be most
that or ask them to press the Syrians not to do that? effective that way.
126
QUESTION: There were some reports that the White
House statement about the Syria chemical weapons attack QUESTION: On the discussion on Syria and the alleged
took some policy experts at the State Department by plans for chemical attack between Secretary Tillerson and
surprise. Is that true? Was the State Department fully read Minister Lavrov.
in on this?
MS NAUERT: You mean - are - do you mean that when
MS NAUERT: So the Secretary, as you know, was at the the statement was put out last evening, that the United
White House yesterday. He met with the President, also a States is concerned about Syria and preparations that we
group meeting with the President’s national security team, believe are underway for a chemical weapons attack? Your
and that’s when this conversation was all had about that question is will there be additional conversations about
statement. that?
So they were all informed and aware of that statement. In QUESTION: Yeah, something like that.
terms of who exactly that filtered down to at the State
Department, I’m not going to get into our internal MS NAUERT: I don’t have any additional calls or any
conversations. But the Secretary was aware of it. Folks information to read out. This is something that the United
here were aware of it, and that’s what’s important and States Government remains very concerned about. I’m just
that’s what matters. not aware of any subsequent conversations that are
scheduled just yet.
QUESTION: So the sequence of time, that the Tillerson-
Lavrov call came before the statement made by the White QUESTION: Do you guys have any evidence to share with
House, right? us about this potential preparation for the use of chemical
weapons? Because that wasn’t actually laid out.
MS NAUERT: I believe - that’s a good question. I believe
the Secretary’s call with Foreign Minister Lavrov was in MS NAUERT: Right, and nor would that be laid out,
the morning. I can double check on that and get back with because that would be considered an intelligence matter.
you, but yes - okay. Yeah, it was in the morning.
So as you all are aware, there are a lot of these things that
QUESTION: So the warning may not have come as a will pop up sometimes that we just can’t get into the
result of that conversation. details about this, but this has obviously gotten the
attention of the United States Government at the highest
MS NAUERT: Again, I just don’t know, but the call was - level.
I’m getting the nod over here - it was, in fact, in the
morning. QUESTION: So could the activity have perhaps been for
some other reason than a chemical weapons attack
QUESTION: There is clearly a difference of opinion or - I preparation?
don’t know - strong disagreement, whatever you might
want to call that, between Russia and the United States MS NAUERT: Such as?
over this matter.
QUESTION: Something that they do at the base or - I
The Syrians themselves claim that there is no preparation mean, is that a possibility?
underway for any chemical weapons attack. Russia seems
to be agreeing with them. MS NAUERT: I would say that that’s a hypothetical
question. We know from past experience that the Syrian
MS NAUERT: Wait. Hold on. Are we supposed to buy regime has used chemical weapons on its own people, so
what the Syrians are saying, that there are no chemical that obviously remains a very large concern for us in the
weapons preparations underway - future.
QUESTION: This is not my question. QUESTION: When you guys believe that it’s in your
interests, you do put out what you say is evidence or proof
MS NAUERT: - because in the past, we know that they of things that involve intelligence, and it happened from
have killed their own people, which include women and this podium not that long ago with the crematorium that
children. So if they say that they’re not making any you guys said was being built at the prison.
preparations, I’m not certain that we’re going to buy that.
But go ahead. MS NAUERT: Yeah.
QUESTION: I wanted to ask you if there is a follow - if QUESTION: So it’s not a blanket “we never discuss
there is an intent to follow up on that between Secretary - intelligence,” right?
QUESTION: The preparation, the preparation. Is it like MS NAUERT: Well, we’ve seen -all we have to do is look
24-hour preparation, maybe 48 hours, and then they stand to the past, right, and we have seen as the Syrian regime
back or something - back in 2015 was on the verge of collapsing - who came in
to help save the Syrian regime?
MS NAUERT: I don’t have the answer to that question.
The White House may be able to give you more on that, or Who came in? Russia came in. And that is exactly why we
perhaps the Department of Defense or another agency, but are today - we, meaning the world - in the place that Syria
- or department, rather - but I just can’t get into that and I is. Russia came in, helped bolster up Syrian forces, and we
don’t have the answer to that question. have seen the death, the devastation, the destruction that
has taken place ever since.
QUESTION: Just to clarify, Mr. Assad was also seen
photographed with the top Russian general in Syria within So when we say Russia would be held responsible, we
the last 24 hours or so. Do you know if the Russians - are believe that they play a role in this as well. They have a lot
we aware if the Russians were aware about these of influence with the Assad regime, and we have
preparations as well? consistently called upon them to use their influence with
the Assad regime to stop this kind of activity.
MS NAUERT: I’m not aware of that.
A Final Comment
QUESTION: We don’t have any intel saying one way or
another? The lengthy exchange went on a little longer, covering no
new ground. Nauert stonewalled throughout it.
MS NAUERT: I just can’t get into any of the intelligence,
but I’m not personally aware of that. She refused to back Trump administration accusations with
evidence - because none exists.
QUESTION: Yeah. So Ambassador Haley said today that
they would blame Iran, Russia, and Syria if chemical Despite some reporters pressing her hard for something
weapons were again - what does it mean to blame these substantive, she held firm offering nothing to support
countries? How would the US hold them accountable in specious administration claims.
the event of another strike?
Whether the embarrassing exchange and Russian concern
MS NAUERT: Okay. about possible planned escalated US aggression in Syria is
enough to give the Trump administration second thoughts
QUESTION: Does the US intends on militarily striking remains to be seen.
Iran or Russia in the event of a chemical weapons attack?
Based on endless US aggression in multiple theaters, it
MS NAUERT: Okay. Your third question I can’t answer. would be foolhardy to believe neocons infesting the Trump
That’s a Department of Defense matter, and then that’s administration intend turning a responsible new leaf.
.
128
The REAL Terrorists:
“Mainstream” Media Continues To Incite Violence
Against Trump With Its Hate-Filled Rhetoric
Encouraging Violence And Rewarding It With
Coverage Is The Same As Committing It.
By Usafeaturesmedia
Posted On June 27, 2017
129
Congress) became so obsessed with that tweet that the All of which is beginning to manifest itself in deadly,
“tapes” story took on a life of its own, which happens a dangerous ways, as evidenced earlier this month when a
LOT these days. crazed Left-wing hater and Bernie Sanders supporter
named James T. Hodgkinson brought a rifle to a ball field
More importantly, Melvin is correct; Jordan’s statement in northern Virginia where Republican lawmakers were
was too strong, because it’s feeding into a false media- practicing for an annual softball game and opened
driven, media-created narrative that violence against his fire…just because they were Republicans.
president is fine and dandy because, you know, ‘he’s a
terrorist himself.’ (Related: Dershowitz warns that left- No one killed, thankfully, but the House’s No. 3 leader,
wing media frenzy endangers civil liberties by promoting Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana, was critically
LIES about Trump and the presidency.) wounded.
This kind of talk, this kind of dangerous rhetoric against More and more Americans are beginning to understand
Trump, has gone on now for months, practically since he that the political violence sweeping our country is not
won the Nov. 8 election. In any number of ways, the Left being driven and encouraged by conservatives and the
— the “mainstream” media, Democrats in Congress, the Right.
entertainment industry — have all used hate-filled rhetoric,
violent imagery and actual calls to violence against the The real domestic terrorists are on the Left, and many of
president and his party. them are members of the media.
130
CBS Throws Hissy Fit Over Trump
Scolding CNN For Spreading Fake News
By Nicholas Fondacaro
June 27, 2017 10:22 PM EDT
This is why the public’s trust in the media is in the toilet. The New York Times has accused the President of saying
And this is how the White House will continue to have something false every day for the first 40 days of his
ammunition to fight off the liberal media obsessed with administration. "There is simply no precedent for an American
bringing it down. president to spend so much time telling untruths,” The Times
wrote last week. "He is trying to create an atmosphere in which
Transcript below: reality is irrelevant."
CBS Evening News Today, Brian Karem of Sentinel Newspapers vented his
June 27, 2017 frustration with the Trump press team.
6:33:45 PM Eastern
BRIAN KAREM: What you just did is inflammatory to people all
ANTHONY MASON: And now to the White House where over the country who look at it and say, "See, once again, the
tensions between the administration and the news media are President is right and everybody else out here is fake media."
growing. Major Garrett is there.
[Cuts back to live]
[Cuts to video]
GARRETT: The White House tried to use the CNN story to brand
DONALD TRUMP: So I'll ask the press to leave. I greatly all Russia-related news as phony. But, Anthony, here's what's not
appreciate you folks being here. phony: Two congressional investigations and a special counsel
probe into the matter.
132
Trump Involvement In
Syria Missile Strike Is A Red Herring:
It Was Always The Deep State
By Brandon Turbeville
June 27, 2017
134
place,” the senior adviser said. “A long-time pilot to the mission, with the best
facility that would have had security, wingman.” The advance intelligence on the
weapons, communications, files and a map target, as supplied by the Russians, was
center.” The Russians were intent on given the highest possible score inside the
confirming their intelligence and deployed a American community.
drone for days above the site to monitor
The Execute Order governing U.S. military
communications and develop what is operations in theater, which was issued by
known in the intelligence community as a
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
POL – a pattern of life. The goal was to
provide instructions that demarcate the
take note of those going in and out of the relationship between the American and
building, and to track weapons being
Russian forces operating in Syria. “It’s like
moved back and forth, including rockets
an ops order – ‘Here’s what you are
and ammunition.
authorized to do,’” the adviser said. “We do
One reason for the Russian message to not share operational control with the
Washington about the intended target was Russians. We don’t do combined
to ensure that any CIA asset or informant operations with them, or activities directly in
who had managed to work his way into the support of one of their operations. But
jihadist leadership was forewarned not to coordination is permitted. We keep each
attend the meeting. I was told that the other apprised of what’s happening and
Russians passed the warning directly to the within this package is the mutual exchange
CIA. “They were playing the game right,” of intelligence. If we get a hot tip that could
the senior adviser said. The Russian help the Russians do their mission, that’s
guidance noted that the jihadist meeting coordination; and the Russians do the
was coming at a time of acute pressure for same for us. When we get a hot tip about a
the insurgents: Presumably Jabhat al- command and control facility,” the adviser
Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham were desperately added, referring to the target in Khan
seeking a path forward in the new political Sheikhoun, “we do what we can to help
climate. In the last few days of March, them act on it.” “This was not a chemical
Trump and two of his key national security weapons strike,” the adviser said. “That’s a
aides – Secretary of State Rex Tillerson fairy tale. If so, everyone involved in
and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley – had transferring, loading and arming the
made statements acknowledging that, as weapon – you’ve got to make it appear like
the New York Times put it, the White a regular 500-pound conventional bomb –
House “has abandoned the goal” of would be wearing Hazmat protective
pressuring Assad “to leave power, marking clothing in case of a leak. There would be
a sharp departure from the Middle East very little chance of survival without such
policy that guided the Obama gear. Military grade sarin includes additives
administration for more than five years.” designed to increase toxicity and lethality.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer Every batch that comes out is maximized
told a press briefing on March 31 that for death. That is why it is made. It is
“there is a political reality that we have to odorless and invisible and death can come
accept,” implying that Assad was there to within a minute. No cloud. Why produce a
stay. weapon that people can run away from?”
Russian and Syrian intelligence officials, The target was struck at 6:55 a.m. on April
who coordinate operations closely with the 4, just before midnight in Washington. A
American command posts, made it clear Bomb Damage Assessment (BDA) by the
that the planned strike on Khan Sheikhoun U.S. military later determined that the heat
was special because of the high-value and force of the 500-pound Syrian bomb
target. “It was a red-hot change. The triggered a series of secondary explosions
mission was out of the ordinary – scrub the that could have generated a huge toxic
sked,” the senior adviser told me. “Every cloud that began to spread over the town,
operations officer in the region” – in the formed by the release of the fertilizers,
Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, CIA and disinfectants and other goods stored in the
NSA – “had to know there was something basement, its effect magnified by the dense
going on. The Russians gave the Syrian Air morning air, which trapped the fumes close
Force a guided bomb and that was a rarity. to the ground. According to intelligence
They’re skimpy with their guided bombs estimates, the senior adviser said, the
and rarely share them with the Syrian Air strike itself killed up to four jihadist leaders,
Force. And the Syrians assigned their best and an unknown number of drivers and
135
security aides. There is no confirmed count No. But the president did not say: ‘We have
of the number of civilians killed by the a problem and let’s look into it.’ He wanted
poisonous gases that were released by the to bomb the shit out of Syria.”
secondary explosions, although opposition
At the UN the next day, Ambassador Haley
activists reported that there were more than
created a media sensation when she
80 dead, and outlets such as CNN have
displayed photographs of the dead and
put the figure as high as 92. A team from accused Russia of being complicit. “How
Médecins Sans Frontières, treating victims
many more children have to die before
from Khan Sheikhoun at a clinic 60 miles to
Russia cares?” she asked. NBC News, in a
the north, reported that “eight patients typical report that day, quoted American
showed symptoms – including constricted
officials as confirming that nerve gas had
pupils, muscle spasms and involuntary
been used and Haley tied the attack
defecation – which are consistent with
directly to Syrian President Assad. “We
exposure to a neurotoxic agent such as
know that yesterday’s attack was a new
sarin gas or similar compounds.” MSF also low even for the barbaric Assad regime,”
visited other hospitals that had received
she said. There was irony in America’s
victims and found that patients there
rush to blame Syria and criticize Russia for
“smelled of bleach, suggesting that they its support of Syria’s denial of any use of
had been exposed to chlorine.” In other
gas in Khan Sheikhoun, as Ambassador
words, evidence suggested that there was Haley and others in Washington did. “What
more than one chemical responsible for the
doesn’t occur to most Americans” the
symptoms observed, which would not have
adviser said, “is if there had been a Syrian
been the case if the Syrian Air Force – as nerve gas attack authorized by Bashar, the
opposition activists insisted – had dropped
Russians would be 10 times as upset as
a sarin bomb, which has no percussive or
anyone in the West. Russia’s strategy
ignition power to trigger secondary against ISIS, which involves getting
explosions. The range of symptoms is,
American cooperation, would have been
however, consistent with the release of a destroyed and Bashar would be
mixture of chemicals, including chlorine
responsible for pissing off Russia, with
and the organophosphates used in many
unknown consequences for him. Bashar
fertilizers, which can cause neurotoxic would do that? When he’s on the verge of
effects similar to those of sarin.
winning the war? Are you kidding me?”
The internet swung into action within hours, Trump, a constant watcher of television
and gruesome photographs of the victims
news, said, while King Abdullah of Jordan
flooded television networks and YouTube. was sitting next to him in the Oval Office,
U.S. intelligence was tasked with
that what had happened was “horrible,
establishing what had happened. Among
horrible” and a “terrible affront to humanity.”
the pieces of information received was an Asked if his administration would change
intercept of Syrian communications
its policy toward the Assad government, he
collected before the attack by an allied
said: “You will see.” He gave a hint of the
nation. The intercept, which had a response to come at the subsequent news
particularly strong effect on some of
conference with King Abdullah: “When you
Trump’s aides, did not mention nerve gas kill innocent children, innocent babies –
or sarin, but it did quote a Syrian general
babies, little babies – with a chemical gas
discussing a “special” weapon and the
that is so lethal … that crosses many,
need for a highly skilled pilot to man the many lines, beyond a red line . … That
attack plane. The reference, as those in the
attack on children yesterday had a big
American intelligence community
impact on me. Big impact … It’s very, very
understood, and many of the inexperienced possible … that my attitude toward Syria
aides and family members close to Trump
and Assad has changed very much.”
may not have, was to a Russian-supplied
bomb with its built-in guidance system. “If Within hours of viewing the photos, the
you’ve already decided it was a gas attack, adviser said, Trump instructed the national
you will then inevitably read the talk about defense apparatus to plan for retaliation
a special weapon as involving a sarin against Syria. “He did this before he talked
bomb,” the adviser said. “Did the Syrians to anybody about it. The planners then
plan the attack on Khan Sheikhoun? asked the CIA and DIA if there was any
Absolutely. Do we have intercepts to prove evidence that Syria had sarin stored at a
it? Absolutely. Did they plan to use sarin? nearby airport or somewhere in the area.
136
Their military had to have it somewhere in in the business world; he will just lose
the area in order to bomb with it.” “The money. But in our world, lives will be lost
answer was, ‘We have no evidence that and there will be long-term damage to our
Syria had sarin or used it,’” the adviser national security if he guesses wrong. He
said. “The CIA also told them that there was told we did not have evidence of
was no residual delivery for sarin at Syrian involvement and yet Trump says:
Sheyrat [the airfield from which the Syrian ‘Do it.”’
SU-24 bombers had taken off on April 4]
On April 6, Trump convened a meeting of
and Assad had no motive to commit
national security officials at his Mar-a-Lago
political suicide.” Everyone involved, except resort in Florida. The meeting was not to
perhaps the president, also understood that
decide what to do, but how best to do it –
a highly skilled United Nations team had
or, as some wanted, how to do the least
spent more than a year in the aftermath of
and keep Trump happy. “The boss knew
an alleged sarin attack in 2013 by Syria,
before the meeting that they didn’t have the
removing what was said to be all chemical intelligence, but that was not the issue,” the
weapons from a dozen Syrian chemical
adviser said. “The meeting was about,
weapons depots.
‘Here’s what I’m going to do,’ and then he
At this point, the adviser said, the gets the options.”
president’s national security planners were
The available intelligence was not relevant.
more than a little rattled: “No one knew the
The most experienced man at the table
provenance of the photographs. We didn’t
was Secretary of Defense James Mattis, a
know who the children were or how they retired Marine Corps general who had the
got hurt. Sarin actually is very easy to
president’s respect and understood,
detect because it penetrates paint, and all
perhaps, how quickly that could evaporate.
one would have to do is get a paint sample. Mike Pompeo, the CIA director whose
We knew there was a cloud and we knew it
agency had consistently reported that it
hurt people. But you cannot jump from had no evidence of a Syrian chemical
there to certainty that Assad had hidden
bomb, was not present. Secretary of State
sarin from the UN because he wanted to
Tillerson was admired on the inside for his
use it in Khan Sheikhoun.” The intelligence willingness to work long hours and his avid
made clear that a Syrian Air Force SU-24
reading of diplomatic cables and reports,
fighter bomber had used a conventional
but he knew little about waging war and the
weapon to hit its target: There had been no management of a bombing raid. Those
chemical warhead. And yet it was
present were in a bind, the adviser said.
impossible for the experts to persuade the “The president was emotionally energized
president of this once he had made up his
by the disaster and he wanted options.” He
mind. “The president saw the photographs
got four of them, in order of extremity.
of poisoned little girls and said it was an Option one was to do nothing. All involved,
Assad atrocity,” the senior adviser said.
the adviser said, understood that was a
“It’s typical of human nature. You jump to
non-starter. Option two was a slap on the
the conclusion you want. Intelligence wrist: to bomb an airfield in Syria, but only
analysts do not argue with a president.
after alerting the Russians and, through
They’re not going to tell the president, ‘if them, the Syrians, to avoid too many
you interpret the data this way, I quit.’”
casualties. A few of the planners called this
The national security advisers understood the “gorilla option”: America would glower
their dilemma: Trump wanted to respond to and beat its chest to provoke fear and
the affront to humanity committed by Syria demonstrate resolve, but cause little
and he did not want to be dissuaded. They significant damage. The third option was to
were dealing with a man they considered to adopt the strike package that had been
be not unkind and not stupid, but his presented to Obama in 2013, and which he
limitations when it came to national security ultimately chose not to pursue. The plan
decisions were severe. “Everyone close to called for the massive bombing of the main
him knows his proclivity for acting Syrian airfields and command and control
precipitously when he does not know the centers using B1 and B52 aircraft launched
facts,” the adviser said. “He doesn’t read from their bases in the U.S. Option four
anything and has no real historical was “decapitation”: to remove Assad by
knowledge. He wants verbal briefings and bombing his palace in Damascus, as well
photographs. He’s a risk-taker. He can as his command and control network and
accept the consequences of a bad decision
137
all of the underground bunkers he could and parking places for aircraft, which had
possibly retreat to in a crisis. also been targeted, were repaired and back
in operation within eight hours or so. All in
“Trump ruled out option one off the bat,”
all, it was little more than an expensive
the senior adviser said, and the
fireworks display.
assassination of Assad was never
considered. “But he said, in essence:
‘You’re the military and I want military And now we come to the main gist of the article – that the
action.’” The president was also initially villain is Donald Trump. Hersh writes,
opposed to the idea of giving the Russians
advance warning before the strike, but “It was a totally Trump show from
reluctantly accepted it. “We gave him the beginning to end,” the senior adviser said.
Goldilocks option – not too hot, not too “A few of the president’s senior national
cold, but just right.” The discussion had its security advisers viewed the mission as a
bizarre moments. Tillerson wondered at the minimized bad presidential decision, and
Mar-a-Lago meeting why the president one that they had an obligation to carry out.
could not simply call in the B52 bombers But I don’t think our national security
and pulverize the air base. He was told that people are going to allow themselves to be
B52s were very vulnerable to surface-to-air hustled into a bad decision again. If Trump
missiles (SAMs) in the area and using such had gone for option three, there might have
planes would require suppression fire that been some immediate resignations.”
could kill some Russian defenders. “What
is that?” Tillerson asked. Well, sir, he was Here is where we come to some very important questions
told, that means we would have to destroy not only about the incident itself but about the information
the upgraded SAM sites along the B52 being presented by Seymour Hersh. First, no one truly
flight path, and those are manned by doubts that the U.S. military and intelligence community
Russians, and we possibly would be knew all along that the Syrian government did not use
confronted with a much more difficult chemical weapons at Khan Sheikhoun. (Please see my
situation. “The lesson here was: Thank article, “Chemical Weapons 2017: What Just Happened In
God for the military men at the meeting,” Syria?” for a critique of the official narrative surrounding
the adviser said. “They did the best they Khan Sheikhoun published less than 48 hours after the
could when confronted with a decision that incident.) The track record of Western power and their
had already been made.” proxy terrorists in Syria is enough to raise serious doubt as
Fifty-nine Tomahawk missiles were fired to who used the weapons and Assad, smart as he is, is not
from two U.S. Navy destroyers on duty in likely to use chemical weapons on a strategically
the Mediterranean, the Ross and the insignificant area in front of the world and cross one of
Porter, at Shayrat Air Base near the America’s many stupid “red lines.” Not only that, Hersh’s
government-controlled city of Homs. The article is confirmation that the Russians alerted the U.S.
strike was as successful as hoped, in terms military as to what was going to happen days in advance.
of doing minimal damage. The missiles
have a light payload – roughly 220 pounds So the questions that immediately crop up almost all
of HBX, the military’s modern version of surround Trump himself. How much did Trump actually
TNT. The airfield’s gasoline storage tanks, know? Was he told the attack never happened? Did he
a primary target, were pulverized, the actually make the decision to launch missiles himself?
senior adviser said, triggering a huge fire Was Trump really the only person who wanted to bomb
and clouds of smoke that interfered with Syria? Does Trump really have that much authority? Was
the guidance system of following missiles. Trump influenced to bomb Syria? Was he forced? And
As many as 24 missiles missed their what of the network that made the issue a “chemical attack
targets and only a few of the Tomahawks by the brutal dictator Assad?” Were they cowering in the
actually penetrated into hangars, corner afraid of Trump’s choices or were they actually
destroying nine Syrian aircraft, many fewer doing something?
than claimed by the Trump administration. I
was told that none of the nine was To reduce the incredibly reckless and immoral foreign
operational: such damaged aircraft are policy decision down to the ego of one man who,
what the Air Force calls hangar queens. interestingly enough, continued the same policy and stupid
“They were sacrificial lambs,” the senior decisions as his predecessor, is just too simplistic. After
adviser said. Most of the important all, Trump has publicly given carte blanche to his “military
personnel and operational fighter planes command,” a policy move that has given right wing
had been flown to nearby bases hours Republicans wet dreams for decades. Even Slate, always
before the raid began. The two runways
138
ready to criticize the CIC for crimes, real or imagined, ran individuals wonder to one another who was behind the
a story entitled “No Strategy In Syria” where it stated, decision; was it POTUS or someone else?
Earlier this month, President Trump What is interesting about Hersh’s presentation is that he
decided to let Secretary of Defense (and claims that Trump’s decision was going against the advice
retired four-star general) James Mattis set of the intelligence community and military advisers. So,
U.S. military policy in Afghanistan. Now he we are being asked to believe that the national security
seems to be handing the military the same apparatus which has been responsible for the organization,
carte blanche on the more fraught funding, and directing of terrorism not only in Syria but
battlefields in Syria. across the world and the U.S. military which has been
The U.S. shootdown of a Syrian jet fighter doing the same and who would put World War Three in
on Sunday was a move apparently decided the hands of “commanders in the field” were dismayed by
by commanders in the field—not the same Trump sending token Tomahawks to a Syrian airbase?
abdication of duty as Trump’s sloughing off This writer, for one, isn’t buying it.
Afghanistan.
After all, who is part of Trump’s national security and
The Military Times confirmed what Slate suspected. It military team? The entire cabinet is made up of
says, warmongers, intel corporations, banks, and rabid Zionists;
they are leftover neocons from the Bush era. These are not
the poster children of cooler heads and peaceniks by any
A U.S. Air Force general confirmed means, yet we are supposed to believe they are dismayed
American pilots made the call to shoot at the prospect of Trump’s decision. Remember, during the
down Syrian aircraft on three separate Obama years, as much of a willing puppet as he was, it
missions this month and defended their was Obama himself that was less willing to engage in
actions as self-defense. more and more warfare in Syria despite the urging of his
On June 18, an F/A-18E Super Hornet national security team and intelligence apparatus, an
conducted the U.S. military’s first air-to-air apparatus that contains both in policy and in physical
kill involving a manned aircraft in nearly two presence regardless of which president is in office.
decades when it downed a hostile Su-22 Nevertheless, the agenda marched ahead with Obama just
Fitter south of Taqbah. as it is marching ahead with Trump.
Meanwhile, on June 8 and again on June
20, F-15E Strike Eagles shot down Iranian- And how much authority and sway does Trump actually
made Shaheed drones over At Tanf as the have over his own policies? This is an important question
unmanned aerial vehicles approached or since a number of Trump’s promises on the campaign trail
dropped munitions near U.S.-backed forces did carry over into his election only to be scuttled by some
on the ground. unseen force behind closed doors. Remember, Trump’s
tough stance on Saudi Arabia, his desire for a closer
“We’re trying to de-escalate,” Air Force relationship with Putin, and his desire to back away from
Brig. Gen. Charles Corcoran, commander NATO all started taking shape early on in the Trump
of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, told administration but the President suddenly did an abrupt
Military.com. “We’re here to fight ISIS, but 180 turn. Suddenly, Trump was provoking WW3, praising
we’re going to protect our forces from NATO and Saudi Arabia. Presidents backing away from
Syrian pro-regime entities.” campaign promises is one thing. Presidents realizing they
have no power upon being elected is quite another. I would
While neither Slate, Military Times, nor Trump announced suggest that we are witnessing the latter with the requisite
publicly that Secretary of Defense James “Mad Dog” and expected dose of the former. Trump has likely found
Mattis has carte blanche in Syria, it appears that such is the himself in the same situation as JFK: allowed to assume
case and that Mattis has given field commanders the option the role of the presidency due to his own ignorance and
of starting World War Three. It is thus a scary prospect to willingness to play ball and self-incriminate in his personal
acknowledge that what stands between us and life only to realize that, upon becoming president, he is
thermonuclear world war is rabid warmonger relic surrounded by enemies on all sides sharpening their knives
nicknamed “Mad Dog” and the discretion of a possibly if he dares get out of line.
trigger-happy pilot.
And what of Hersh’s revelation that the Russians told the
While Trump’s temperament should not be discounted, United States about the Syrian military’s operation
isn’t it possible that Trump was not the ultimate authority beforehand? While not heavily discussed, this is incredibly
making the decision to attack Syria at the time? In the important. Giving the U.S. notice that the Syrian military
conversation between the security analyst and the would be dropping a bomb on this particular facility would
American soldier published by Welt, note that both then give the U.S. time to organize an impromptu White
139
Helmets propaganda production, possibly even loading the while looking like the level heads and the good guys of the
chemicals into the building shortly before the bomb. This situation. Trump, of course, comes off looking like the
would explain the White Helmets ability to immediately lone assassin, the lone madman so eaten up with
arrive on scene with cameras blazing in time to catch great narcissism that he is putting the country at risk. But while
video of all the “chemical weapons victims.” Trump is undeniably a narcissist and he is undeniably
putting the country at risk, it is the fact that he is listening
It is also important to note the role of the Western to and obeying the Deep State apparatus that is the danger,
corporate media here. Hersh is apt to point out the role that not that he is ignoring them.
they played in creating an environment of fear, panic, and
anger at the horrors in Syria now being shown to the While most of the above is speculation, it is also put into
American public and blamed on Assad. The corporate proper historical context, not only in the Trump
media blamed Assad from the very first moment the first administration but also in the history of other
report aired which created an environment of pressure on administrations over the past several decades, most notably
Trump to “do something.” Trump had to respond to the that of Kennedy and Nixon, neither of which point to a
incident somehow. Unfortunately, in warmonger America, promising end for Trump.
simply stating the facts that Assad didn’t do it isn’t good
enough, as right and left wingers are already frothing at the What is clear, however, is that the U.S. establishment
mouth demanding that someone be killed and Syria be knew that there was no chemical weapons attack and the
invaded regardless. Of course, Trump should have done corporate media, at best, knew there was no evidence of an
just that; i.e. stated Assad’s innocence. But Trump, being attack. Still, the narrative was peddled continually through
what he is, did not. every mainstream outlet in America and the West, the
strike was ordered and carried out. In this sense, the
What is most likely here is not the situation that Hersh personal involvement and responsibility of Donald Trump
presents. It is more likely that the U.S. military and is a red herring. It is and always was the Deep State that
intelligence apparatus colluded with their corporate media has been in control of foreign (and domestic) policy
department and capitalized on this incident and Trump’s initiatives. It is merely the carrying out of a plan set in
narcissism and perceived political necessity. It is more motion long ago, written about in the early ’80s and again
likely that “advisors” like Trump’s rabid Zionist son-in- in the ’90s and once again in the plans of the PNAC group.
law who has been given frightening levels of access to the It has been discussed at various corporate financier think
president and the government in an official capacity as tanks and openly at a number of globalist and Zionist
Trump’s senior advisor, simply told the president that confabs. The presidents of the United States have changed
launching missiles was what he was expected to do by the numerous times over the past few decades but this agenda
Deep State and Trump complied. Trump could also have has always moved forward without so much as a hiccup,
been told by advisors that the story was already out and the except perhaps for the damaged reputation of the
narrative already accepted and therefore he had to do individual president.
something to appease the pro-war leftists, Democrats, and
Republicans. It is fashionable and trendy in American media today to
take swipes at Donald Trump and even considered a
In this regard, Hersh’s article is possibly a limited hangout necessity in some areas of discourse before any other
operation, not on the part of Hersh, but on the part of the statements can be made. However, America has a much
intelligence community who wish to do more damage to bigger problem than Trump and it is becoming more and
the President’s public support and his ability to act more obvious by the day. If the Deep State apparatus is not
independently of the “Deep State.” It is their ability to exposed and neutered soon, we may very well find
announce the tragic massive fraud of Khan Sheikhoun ourselves in a third world war.
.
140
Trump Must Break Up The Google Media Monopoly
For The Good Of America
By Jayson Veley
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
142
Phony US Claim About
A Planned Syrian CW Attack
By Stephen Lendman - Stephenlendman.Org
6-27-2017
The June 26 White House press secretary Sean Spicer MS NAUERT: Well, I can confirm that Secretary Tillerson
claim about an impending Syrian CW attack was a bald- spoke yesterday with his counterpart, with Mr. Lavrov, the
faced lie. foreign minister there. As you know, they talk about things
regularly. They began their dialogue in Moscow and I
The Trump administration appears intending to blame a believe it was March.
likely planned false flag CW attack on Syria’s military as a
pretext to escalate US aggression in the country. They met here about a month ago or so. And then, of
course, they’ve had subsequent phone conversations, such
Russia slammed the scheme, Putin spokesman Dmitry as the one last evening.
Peskov, saying his government
Secretary Tillerson is not putting out a full play-by-play of
“consider(s) threats (against) the legitimate that conversation. We know that the Russians have put out
leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic what they consider to be their version, so I’m not going to
unacceptable.” get into a tit for tat about what we think they said or what
they claim they said - claim was said in that conversation.
No credible evidence showed Assad was responsible for But the Secretary has made his concerns clear in the past
any CW attacks throughout years of conflict. Indisputable and continues to do so with regard to Russia.
evidence proves US-supported terrorists targeted civilians
with CWs numerous times. QUESTION: In light of the statement that the White
House put out last night, it seems like a fair question to ask
Russian intelligence matches America’s in Syria and if -
elsewhere. It has no information about a planned Syrian
CW attack. The Trump administration’s claim was MS NAUERT: Oh, I’m not - you can ask me anything you
fabricated. want. I’m not saying it’s not -
On Tuesday, State Department spokeswoman Heather QUESTION: But you’re not going to say anything
Nauert stonewalled reporters repeatedly - refusing to specifically about chemical weapons?
comment on (nonexistent) evidence of an impending
Syrian CW attack. MS NAUERT: No.
The lengthy exchange went as follows: QUESTION: There’s a sparrow carrying a one-pound
coconut. Did you -
QUESTION: So the Russians put out a readout of a call
yesterday between Secretary Tillerson and Foreign MS NAUERT: What?
Minister Lavrov. In the Russian version of the call it says
that they discussed deterring the use of chemical weapons. QUESTION: Are you saying that you - are you saying that
Did the Secretary - you dispute the Russian characterization?
MS NAUERT: Their discuss - the what? MS NAUERT: No. I’m just - I’m not going to get into a tit
for tat. The Russians will often put out information, and
QUESTION: Deterring the use of chemical weapons - they tend to mischaracterize things sometimes, and so I’m
not going to get into going back and forth with them about
MS NAUERT: Okay. what was said in this conversation.
QUESTION: - in Syria. Did the Secretary share the Secretary Tillerson is always clear with the Russians about
information that was shared with us last night, that they how we feel about certain things, and the Secretary prefers
had - that the US. had detected preparations at the site? to conduct a lot of his diplomacy in private in those
And did the Secretary warn Foreign Minister Lavrov about conversations, because he believes that we can be most
that or ask them to press the Syrians not to do that? effective that way.
143
QUESTION: There were some reports that the White
House statement about the Syria chemical weapons attack QUESTION: On the discussion on Syria and the alleged
took some policy experts at the State Department by plans for chemical attack between Secretary Tillerson and
surprise. Is that true? Was the State Department fully read Minister Lavrov.
in on this?
MS NAUERT: You mean - are - do you mean that when
MS NAUERT: So the Secretary, as you know, was at the the statement was put out last evening, that the United
White House yesterday. He met with the President, also a States is concerned about Syria and preparations that we
group meeting with the President’s national security team, believe are underway for a chemical weapons attack? Your
and that’s when this conversation was all had about that question is will there be additional conversations about
statement. that?
So they were all informed and aware of that statement. In QUESTION: Yeah, something like that.
terms of who exactly that filtered down to at the State
Department, I’m not going to get into our internal MS NAUERT: I don’t have any additional calls or any
conversations. But the Secretary was aware of it. Folks information to read out. This is something that the United
here were aware of it, and that’s what’s important and States Government remains very concerned about. I’m just
that’s what matters. not aware of any subsequent conversations that are
scheduled just yet.
QUESTION: So the sequence of time, that the Tillerson-
Lavrov call came before the statement made by the White QUESTION: Do you guys have any evidence to share with
House, right? us about this potential preparation for the use of chemical
weapons? Because that wasn’t actually laid out.
MS NAUERT: I believe - that’s a good question. I believe
the Secretary’s call with Foreign Minister Lavrov was in MS NAUERT: Right, and nor would that be laid out,
the morning. I can double check on that and get back with because that would be considered an intelligence matter.
you, but yes - okay. Yeah, it was in the morning.
So as you all are aware, there are a lot of these things that
QUESTION: So the warning may not have come as a will pop up sometimes that we just can’t get into the
result of that conversation. details about this, but this has obviously gotten the
attention of the United States Government at the highest
MS NAUERT: Again, I just don’t know, but the call was - level.
I’m getting the nod over here - it was, in fact, in the
morning. QUESTION: So could the activity have perhaps been for
some other reason than a chemical weapons attack
QUESTION: There is clearly a difference of opinion or - I preparation?
don’t know - strong disagreement, whatever you might
want to call that, between Russia and the United States MS NAUERT: Such as?
over this matter.
QUESTION: Something that they do at the base or - I
The Syrians themselves claim that there is no preparation mean, is that a possibility?
underway for any chemical weapons attack. Russia seems
to be agreeing with them. MS NAUERT: I would say that that’s a hypothetical
question. We know from past experience that the Syrian
MS NAUERT: Wait. Hold on. Are we supposed to buy regime has used chemical weapons on its own people, so
what the Syrians are saying, that there are no chemical that obviously remains a very large concern for us in the
weapons preparations underway - future.
QUESTION: This is not my question. QUESTION: When you guys believe that it’s in your
interests, you do put out what you say is evidence or proof
MS NAUERT: - because in the past, we know that they of things that involve intelligence, and it happened from
have killed their own people, which include women and this podium not that long ago with the crematorium that
children. So if they say that they’re not making any you guys said was being built at the prison.
preparations, I’m not certain that we’re going to buy that.
But go ahead. MS NAUERT: Yeah.
QUESTION: I wanted to ask you if there is a follow - if QUESTION: So it’s not a blanket “we never discuss
there is an intent to follow up on that between Secretary - intelligence,” right?
MS NAUERT: I don’t have the answer to that question. Who came in? Russia came in. And that is exactly why we
The White House may be able to give you more on that, or are today - we, meaning the world - in the place that Syria
perhaps the Department of Defense or another agency, but is. Russia came in, helped bolster up Syrian forces, and we
- or department, rather - but I just can’t get into that and I have seen the death, the devastation, the destruction that
don’t have the answer to that question. has taken place ever since.
QUESTION: Just to clarify, Mr. Assad was also seen So when we say Russia would be held responsible, we
photographed with the top Russian general in Syria within believe that they play a role in this as well. They have a lot
the last 24 hours or so. Do you know if the Russians - are of influence with the Assad regime, and we have
we aware if the Russians were aware about these consistently called upon them to use their influence with
preparations as well? the Assad regime to stop this kind of activity.
QUESTION: We don’t have any intel saying one way or The lengthy exchange went on a little longer, covering no
another? new ground. Nauert stonewalled throughout it.
MS NAUERT: I just can’t get into any of the intelligence, She refused to back Trump administration accusations with
but I’m not personally aware of that. evidence - because none exists.
QUESTION: Yeah. So Ambassador Haley said today that Despite some reporters pressing her hard for something
they would blame Iran, Russia, and Syria if chemical substantive, she held firm offering nothing to support
weapons were again - what does it mean to blame these specious administration claims.
countries? How would the US hold them accountable in
the event of another strike? Whether the embarrassing exchange and Russian concern
about possible planned escalated US aggression in Syria is
MS NAUERT: Okay. enough to give the Trump administration second thoughts
remains to be seen.
QUESTION: Does the US intends on militarily striking
Iran or Russia in the event of a chemical weapons attack? Based on endless US aggression in multiple theaters, it
would be foolhardy to believe neocons infesting the Trump
MS NAUERT: Okay. Your third question I can’t answer. administration intend turning a responsible new leaf.
That’s a Department of Defense matter, and then that’s .
also a hypothetical. In terms of the first question, which is
145
Can Americans Believe
The President About Syrian Chemical Weapons?
Defense Officials Initially Were In The Dark About The White House’s
Claim The Assad Regime Was Planning Another Attack.
Carlos Barria / Reuters - Krishnadev Calamur
Jun 27, 2017
The New York Times, which called the statement “highly “all relevant agencies—including State,
unusual,” noted: DoD, CIA and ODNI—were involved in the
process” leading up to the statement “from
“Several military officials were caught off the beginning.”
guard by the statement from President
Trump’s press secretary, but it was unclear But as BuzzFeed News reported Tuesday, the manner in
how closely held the intelligence regarding which the White House released its statement—the
a potential chemical attack was.” Pentagon’s clarification notwithstanding—only raises
more questions about what the White House was referring
By Tuesday, the Defense Department appeared to have to.
gotten on the same page as the president. Captain Jeff
Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said the U.S. has seen Here’s more:
147
Pentagon “Clueless” On Trump’s
Surprise Warning To Syria Over Chemical Attack
Written By Jason Ditz
June 27, 2017 At 10:56 Pm
148
Donald Trump's Millionaire Supporters Are Deserting The
President Over Government Dysfunction
'Forbes' Estimates The President's Wealth To Total $3.5bn
Andrew Buncombe New York - @Andrewbuncombe
Tuesday 27 June 2017 17:33 BST
When asked about the biggest risk to the economy over the
next 12 months, government dysfunction ranked first, at 38
per cent. Millionaires also said government dysfunction
was the biggest threat to their own personal wealth.
149
Russia-gate Is No Watergate or Iran-Contra
By Robert Parry
June 28, 2017
Special Report: Many comparisons have been made so. By contrast, in the origins of Watergate and Iran-
between Russia-gate and the earlier scandals of Watergate Contra, it appears the Nixon and Reagan campaigns,
and Iran-Contra, but the similarities are at best superficial, respectively, were the instigators of schemes to enlist
explains Robert Parry. foreign governments in blocking a Vietnam peace deal in
1968 and negotiations to free 52 American hostages in Iran
Russia-gate, the sprawling investigation into whether in 1980.
Russia meddled in last year’s U.S. election, is often
compared to the two big political scandals of the latter half Though Watergate is associated directly with the 1972
of the Twentieth Century, Watergate and Iran-Contra. campaign – when Nixon’s team of burglars was caught
Sometimes you even hear that Russia-gate is “bigger than inside the Democratic National Committee offices in the
Watergate.” Watergate building – Nixon’s formation of that team,
known as the Plumbers, was driven by his fear that he
could be exposed for sabotaging President Lyndon
Johnson’s Vietnam peace talks in 1968 in order to secure
the White House that year.
The bugged phone from the Watergate office of Democratic Party So, in 1971, after the leaking of the Pentagon Papers,
official Spencer Oliver. Placed on the phone during a May 1972
break-in, the bug was the only device that worked. A second break-in which recounted the lies that had been used to justify the
on June 17. 1972, led to the capture of Richard Nixon’s Watergate Vietnam War through 1967, Nixon fretted that the missing
burglars. file about his peace-talk gambit in 1968 might surface, too,
and would destroy him politically. Thus, he organized the
Yet what is perhaps most remarkable about those two Plumbers to find the file, even contemplating fire-bombing
Twentieth Century scandals is how little Official the Brookings Institution to enable a search of its safe
Washington really understands them – and how these where some aides thought the missing file might be found.
earlier scandals significantly contrast, rather than compare,
with what is unfolding now. In other words, Watergate wasn’t simply a break-in at the
Democratic National Committee on June 17, 1972, in
Although the historical record is still incomplete on pursuit of useful political intelligence and Nixon’s ensuing
Watergate and Iran-Contra, the available evidence cover-up; the scandal had its origins in a far worse scandal,
indicates that both scandals originated in schemes by the derailing of peace talks that could have ended the
Republicans to draw foreign leaders into plots to Vietnam War years earlier and saved the lives of tens of
undermine sitting Democratic presidents and thus pave the thousands of U.S. soldiers and possibly more than 1
way for the elections of Richard Nixon in 1968 and Ronald million Vietnamese.
Reagan in 1980.
Iran-Contra Parallels
As for Russia-gate, even if you accept that the Russian
government hacked into Democratic emails and publicized Similarly, the Iran-Contra scandal exploded in 1986 with
them via WikiLeaks, there is still no evidence that Donald revelations that President Reagan had authorized secret
Trump or his campaign colluded with the Kremlin to do arms sales to Iran with some of the profits going to fund
150
the Nicaraguan Contra rebels, but the evidence now evidence regarding Nixon’s 1968 peace-talk gambit as
indicates that the connections between Reagan’s team and nothing more than a “rumor” until earlier this year when a
Iran’s revolutionary regime traced back to 1980 when scholar, John A. Farrell, uncovered cryptic notes taken by
emissaries from Reagan’s campaign worked to stymie Nixon’s aide H.R. Haldeman, which added another piece
President Jimmy Carter’s negotiations to free 52 American to the mosaic and left the Times little choice but to
hostages then held in Iran. pronounce the historical reality finally real.
Still, the Times and other major news outlets have failed to
factor this belated admission into the larger Watergate
narrative. If you understand that Nixon did sabotage
President Johnson’s Vietnam War peace talks and that
Nixon was aware that Johnson’s file on what LBJ called
Nixon’s “treason” had disappeared from the White House,
the early “Watergate tapes” from 1971 suddenly make
sense.
Some key players in the 1980 Reagan-Iran contacts President Richard Nixon with his then-National Security Advisor
reappeared four years later at the start of direct (again Henry Kissinger in 1972.
secret) U.S. arms shipments to Iran in 1985, which also
involved Israeli middlemen. These key players Nixon ordered White House chief of staff H.R. “Bob”
included Iranian CIA operative Cyrus Hashemi, former Haldeman and National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger
CIA clandestine services chief Theodore Shackley, to locate the missing file but their search came up empty.
Reagan’s campaign chief and then-CIA Director William Yet, some Nixon aides thought the file might be hidden at
Casey, and former CIA Director and then-Vice President the Brookings Institution, a liberal think tank in
George H.W. Bush. Washington. So, in his desperate pursuit of the file, Nixon
called for a break-in at Brookings, possibly even fire-
In other words, the Iran-Contra weapons shipments of bombing the building as a cover for his team of burglars to
1985-86 appear to have been an outgrowth of the earlier slip in amid the confusion and rifle the safe.
shipments dating back to 1980 and continuing under Israeli
auspices until the supply line was taken over more directly The old explanation that Nixon simply wanted to find
by the Reagan administration in 1985-86. some file related to Johnson’s 1968 pre-election Vietnam
bombing halt never made sense given the extreme steps
Thus, both the Watergate scandal in 1972 and the Iran- that Nixon was prepared to take.
Contra Affair in 1986 could be viewed as “sequels” to the
earlier machinations driven by Republican hunger to seize The relevant portions of Nixon’s White House tapes
the enormous powers of the U.S. presidency. However, for include an entry on June 17, 1971, coincidentally one year
decades, Official Washington has been hostile to these to the day before the Watergate burglars were caught.
underlying explanations of how Watergate and Iran-Contra Nixon summoned Haldeman and Kissinger to the Oval
began. Office and pleaded with them again to locate the file.
For instance, The New York Times, the so-called “Do we have it?” Nixon asked Haldeman. “I’ve asked
“newspaper of record,” treated the accumulation of for it. You said you didn’t have it.”
151
Haldeman: “We can’t find it.” bombing), but Nixon’s desperation to locate Johnson’s
peace-talk file was an important link in the chain of events
Kissinger: “We have nothing here, Mr. President.”
that led to the creation of Nixon’s burglary unit under
Nixon: “Well, damn-it, I asked for that because I need Hunt’s supervision. Hunt later oversaw the two Watergate
it.” break-ins in May and June of 1972.
Kissinger: “But Bob and I have been trying to put the
damn thing together.” While it’s possible that Nixon was still searching for the
file about his Vietnam-peace sabotage when the ill-fated
Haldeman: “We have a basic history in constructing
Watergate break-ins occurred a year later, it’s generally
our own, but there is a file on it.”
believed that the burglary was more broadly focused,
Nixon: “Where?” seeking any information that might have an impact on
Haldeman: “[Presidential aide Tom Charles] Huston Nixon’s re-election, either defensively or offensively.
swears to God that there’s a file on it and it’s at
Brookings.” However, if you think back on 1971 when the Vietnam
War was tearing the country apart and massive antiwar
Nixon: “Bob? Bob? Now do you remember Huston’s demonstrations were descending on Washington, Nixon’s
plan [for White House-sponsored break-ins as part of desperation to locate the missing file suddenly doesn’t
domestic counter-intelligence operations]? Implement seem quite so crazy. There would have been hell to pay if
it.” the public learned that Nixon had kept the war going to
Kissinger: “Now Brookings has no right to have gain a political advantage in 1968.
classified documents.”
Nixon: “I want it implemented. Goddamn-it, get in and
get those files. Blow the safe and get it.”
Haldeman: “They may very well have cleaned them by
now, but this thing, you need to “
Kissinger: “I wouldn’t be surprised if Brookings had the
files.”
Haldeman: “My point is Johnson knows that those files
are around. He doesn’t know for sure that we don’t
have them around.”
Walt Rostow’s “‘X’ Envelope”
But Johnson did know that the file was no longer at the
Through 1972 – and the early days of the Watergate
White House because he had ordered his national security
scandal – former President Johnson had stayed silent about
adviser, Walt Rostow, to remove it in the final days of
Nixon’s sabotage of the Paris peace talks. But the ex-
Johnson’s presidency.
President became livid when – after Nixon’s reelection in
1972 – Nixon’s men sought to pressure Johnson into
Forming the Burglars helping them shut down the Watergate investigation, in
part, by noting that Johnson, too, had deployed wiretaps
On June 30, 1971, Nixon again berated Haldeman about against Nixon’s 1968 campaign to obtain evidence about
the need to break into Brookings and “take it [the file] the peace-talk sabotage.
out.” Nixon suggested using former CIA officer E.
Howard Hunt to conduct the Brookings break-in. While it’s not clear whether Johnson would have finally
spoken out, that threat to Nixon ended two days after
“You talk to Hunt,” Nixon told Haldeman. “I Nixon’s second inaugural when on Jan. 22, 1973, Johnson
want the break-in. Hell, they do that. You’re died of a heart attack. However, unbeknownst to Nixon,
to break into the place, rifle the files, and Johnson had left the missing file, called “The X-
bring them in. Just go in and take it. Go in Envelope,” in the care of Rostow, who – after Johnson’s
around 8:00 or 9:00 o’clock.” death – gave the file to the LBJ presidential library in
Austin, Texas, with instructions that it be kept under wraps
Haldeman: “Make an inspection of the safe.” for at least 50 years. (Rostow’s instructions were
overturned in the 1990s, and I found the now largely
Nixon: “That’s right. You go in to inspect declassified file at the library in 2012.)
the safe. I mean, clean it up.”
So, with the “The X-Envelope” squirreled away for more
For reasons that remain unclear, it appears that than two decades at the LBJ library and with the big
the Brookings break-in never took place (nor did the fire- newspapers treating the early sketchy reports of Nixon’s
152
peace-talk sabotage as only “rumors,” Watergate remained And, moderate Democrats, such as Rep. Lee Hamilton of
a scandal limited to the 1972 campaign. Indiana who co-chaired the congressional investigation,
sought to tamp down the Iran-Contra fires and set up
Still, Nixon’s cover-up of his campaign’s role in the firebreaks to prevent the investigation from spreading to
Watergate break-in produced enough clear-cut evidence of related crimes such as the Reagan admin-
obstruction of justice and other offenses that Nixon was istration’s protection of Contra cocaine traffickers.
forced to resign on Aug. 9, 1974.
“Ask about the cocaine,” pleaded one
A Failed Investigation protester who was dragged from the Iran-
Contra hearing room, as the congressional
investigators averted their eyes from such
The 1979-81 hostage confrontation with Iran was not
unseemly matters, focusing instead on
nearly as devastating a crisis as the Vietnam War but
America’s humiliation during the 444-day-long ordeal stilted lectures about the Congress’s
constitutional prerogatives.
became a focus of the 1980 election, too, with the first
anniversary of Iran’s seizure of the U.S. Embassy in
Tehran coincidentally falling on Election Day 1980. It was not until 1990-91 that it became clear that secret
U.S.-approved arms shipments to Iran did not start in 1985
as the Iran-Contra narrative claimed but traced back to
1981 with Reagan’s approval of arms sales to Iran through
Israel.
153
When I re-interviewed Veliotes in 2012, he said he describing how deMarenches had confided that he had
couldn’t recall who the “people on high” were who had helped arrange the Republican-Iranian contacts.
described the informal clearance of the Israeli shipments of Andelman, an ex-New York Times and CBS News
U.S.-manufactured weapons, but he indicated that “the correspondent, said that while he was working on
new players” were the young neoconservatives who were deMarenches’s autobiography, the arch-conservative
working on the Reagan campaign, many of whom later spymaster admitted arranging meetings between
joined the administration as senior political appointees. Republicans and Iranians about the hostage issue in the
summer and fall of 1980, with one meeting held in Paris in
Documents that I discovered at the Reagan presidential October.
library revealed that Reagan’s neocons at the State
Department, particularly Robert McFarlane and Paul Andelman said deMarenches ordered that the secret
Wolfowitz, initiated a policy review in 1981 to allow Israel meetings be kept out of his memoirs because the story
to undertake secret military shipments to Iran. could otherwise damage the reputations of his friends,
William Casey and George H.W. Bush. Andelman’s
McFarlane and Wolfowitz also maneuvered to put testimony corroborated longstanding claims from a variety
McFarlane in charge of U.S. relations toward Iran and to of international intelligence operatives about a Paris
establish a clandestine U.S. back-channel to the Israeli meeting involving Casey and Bush. But the Task Force
government outside the knowledge of even senior U.S. report brushed this testimony aside, paradoxically terming
government officials. it “credible” but then claiming it was “insufficiently
probative.”
Another Failed Investigation
The Task Force’s report argued that
In 1991, faced with the accumulating evidence of a prequel Andelman could not “rule out the possibility
to the Iran-Contra scandal, Congress grudgingly agreed to that deMarenches had told him he was
take a look at these so-called “October Surprise” aware of and involved in the Casey
meetings because he, deMarenches, could
allegations. But Republicans, then led by President George
not risk telling his biographer he had no
H.W. Bush and his White House team, mounted an
knowledge of these allegations.”
aggressive cover-up to “spike” the story.
154
strategy session and explained the need to
contain the congressional investigation into the October
Surprise case. The explicit goal was to ensure the scandal
would not hurt President Bush’s reelection hopes in 1992.
Williamson said that among the State The later disclosures included a 1993 interview in Tel
Department “material potentially relevant to Aviv in which former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak
the October Surprise allegations [was] a Shamir said he had read the 1991 book, October Surprise,
cable from the Madrid embassy indicating by Carter’s former National Security Council aide Gary
that Bill Casey was in town, for purposes Sick, which made the case for believing that the
unknown,” Beach noted. Republicans had intervened in the 1980 hostage
negotiations to disrupt Carter’s reelection.
Two days later, on Nov. 6, 1991, Beach’s boss, White
House counsel C. Boyden Gray, arranged an inter-agency
155
With the topic raised, one interviewer asked, So how do Watergate and Iran-Contra compare and
contrast with Russia-gate? One key difference is that in
“What do you think? Was there an October Watergate in 1972-73 and Iran-Contra in 1985-86, you had
Surprise?” clear-cut crimes (even if you don’t want to believe the two
“prequels” from 1968 and 1980, respectively).
“Of course, it was,” Shamir responded
without hesitation. “It was.”
156
Clinton. The Podesta emails pulled back the curtain on Yates also concocted a bizarre argument that the
Clinton’s paid speeches to Wall Street banks and on pay- discrepancies between Flynn’s account of the call and the
to-play features of the Clinton Foundation. transcript left him open to Russian blackmail although how
that would work – since the Russians surely assumed that
Hacking into personal computers is a crime, but the U.S. Kislyak’s calls would be monitored by U.S. intelligence
government has yet to bring any formal charges against and thus offered them no leverage with Flynn – was never
specific individuals supposedly responsible for the hacking explained.
of the Democratic emails. There also has been no evidence
that Donald Trump’s campaign colluded with Russians in Still, Flynn’s failure to recount the phone call precisely
the hacking. and the controversy stirred up around it became the basis
for an obstruction of justice investigation of Flynn and led
Lacking any precise evidence of this cyber-crime or of a to President Trump’s firing Flynn on Feb. 13.
conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign,
Obama’s Justice Department holdovers and now special Trump may have thought that tossing Flynn overboard to
prosecutor Robert Mueller have sought to build “process the circling sharks would calm down the sharks but the
crimes,” around false statements to investigators and blood in the water only excited them more. According to
possible obstruction of justice. then-FBI Director James Comey, Trump talked to him
one-on-one the next day, Feb. 14, and said,
Railroading Flynn
“‘I hope you can see your way clear to
In the case of retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump’s first letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a
national security adviser, acting Attorney General Sally good guy. I hope you can let this go.”
Yates used the archaic Logan Act of 1799 to create a
predicate for the FBI to interrogate Flynn about a Dec. 29, Trump’s “hope” and the fact that he later fired Comey
2016 conversation with Russian Ambassador Sergey have reportedly led special prosecutor Mueller to look at a
Kislyak, i.e., after Trump’s election but before the possible obstruction of justice case against Trump. In other
Inauguration. words, Trump could be accused of obstructing what
appears to have been a trumped-up case against Flynn.
For several months, there was a flurry of attention to the If this political drama were playing out in some other
complex Iran-Contra scandal, but the big media still country, we would be talking about a “soft coup” in which
ignored evidence of a White House cover-up and soon lost the “oligarchy” or some other “deep state” force was using
interest in the difficult work of unraveling the convoluted semi-constitutional means to engineer a disfavored
networks for arms smuggling, money laundering and leader’s removal.
cocaine trafficking.
Of course, since the ongoing campaign to remove Trump
Congressional Democrats also shied away from a is happening in the United States, it must be presented as a
constitutional confrontation with the popular Reagan and principled pursuit of truth and a righteous application of
his well-connected Vice President George H.W. Bush. the rule of law. But the comparisons to Watergate and
Iran-Contra are a stretch.
158
CNN Is Dead: Network Loses All Credibility As Producer
Admits That The Entire Russia Narrative Is Fake News
Source: Michael Snyder, Guest Post
Published: June 28, 2017
On Tuesday, Project Veritas made headlines all over the President Trump has taken a lot of heat for referring to
world when it released undercover video of CNN Producer CNN as “fake news”, but after the events of the past
John Bonifield admitting that CNN’s Russia narrative is several days he has been completely vindicated.
fake news. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can view the
entire video right here. Now that this video has been made
And once news broke of three reporters being forced out of
public, I don’t see how CNN is ever going to recover from
the network for a false story about Russia, he took a bit of
this. When one of your top producers admits that the story
a victory lap with this tweet…
you have been pushing for months is basically a load of
cow manure, it is impossible to maintain the pretense that
you are a legitimate news organization any longer… Wow, CNN had to retract big story on
“Russia,” with 3 employees forced to
Project Veritas has released a video of CNN Producer resign. What about all the other phony
John Bonifield who was caught on hidden-camera stories they do? FAKE NEWS!
admitting that there is no proof to CNN’s Russia narrative.
This is such a shame, because I always liked CNN’s
“I mean, it’s mostly bullshit right election coverage compared to the other networks. John
now,” Bonifield says. “Like, we don’t King always did such a great job breaking things down
have any giant proof.” county by county, and Wolf Blitzer always made things
seem so dramatic.
He confirms that the driving factor at CNN is ratings:
But now it is exceedingly difficult to see any sort of a
future for the network after all of this.
159
And of course other major news outlets have been guilty of been saying too. And it turns out that Bonifield feels the
pushing fake news about Russia too. The following comes exact same way…
from the Intercept…
“I just feel like they don’t really have it
Over and over, major U.S. media outlets have published but they want to keep digging. And so I
claims about the Russia Threat that turned out to be think the President is probably right to
completely false — always in the direction of exaggerating say, like, look you are witch hunting me.
the threat and/or inventing incriminating links between You have no smoking gun, you have no
Moscow and the Trump circle. In virtually all cases, those real proof.”
stories involved evidence-free assertions from anonymous
sources that these media outlets uncritically treated as fact, If this doesn’t kill “the Russia story”, I don’t know what
only for it to be revealed that they were entirely false. will.
But with CNN it has always been on another level, and we This whole thing has been a massive charade from the very
now have a top insider on tape admitting that a connection beginning, and the big news networks have been endlessly
between Trump and Russia is being pushed even though pushing it for ratings.
there isn’t any evidence. In fact, Bonifield says that CNN
CEO Jeff Zucker has been personally pushing this angle In their zeal to destroy Trump, they have
himself… “jumped the shark” and have destroyed
their own credibility instead.
“Just to give you some context,
President Trump pulled out of the Once upon a time, most mainstream journalists at least
climate accords and for a day and a half attempted to pretend that they were being objective, but
we covered the climate accords. And those days are long gone.
the CEO of CNN (Jeff Zucker) said in our
internal meeting, he said good job
everybody covering the climate Today, it is absolutely imperative for all of us to
accords, but we’re done with that, let’s understand that everyone has an agenda. In other words,
get back to Russia.” every single person that you see on television is trying to
get a message across. So instead of taking in news and
entertainment passively, we need to have our filters up and
I can’t imagine that Zucker gets to keep his job now that
we need to be thinking for ourselves.
this has been revealed.
Fortunately, episodes such as this one tend to awaken a lot
It may not happen immediately, but look for him to be of people, and more Americans than ever are sick and tired
shown the door in the not too distant future.
of the lies and misinformation that they are constantly
being fed.
All along, Trump has insisted that this whole thing with
Russia has been a “witch hunt”, and that is what I have
.
160
Limbaugh Goes Nuclear on CNN, ‘Little Jim Acosta’;
‘The Trump White House Owns CNN Now’
By Curtis Houck
June 28, 2017 6:36 PM EDT
As only he could, conservative talk radio host Rush “There’s no other Republican White
Limbaugh spend large swaths of Wednesday’s program House that would ever deal with this like
trashing the liberal media and particularly CNN, this. This is earth-shattering, it’s
precedent setting. And the press of
referring to them as “fools” with “little Jim course, after she said that they started
Acosta” behaving like a cat “chasing the erupting and trying to ask the next
red laser pointer around and bumping question, but she held them off and
into walls and sofa.” continued,” Limbaugh explained.
Limbaugh took on CNN from almost the get-go, informing Needless to say, she had to have known how the media
listeners that he’s would react, as evidenced by Karem having
161
singular thing keeping our country together. LIMBAUGH: The media is now gobsmacked. They are in
But what’s happened is they all think that the process of humiliating themselves every day. They are
you can’t criticize them. They are so far embarrassing themselves. The latest example, and it’s
above and beyond that you can’t criticize glaring, is CNN and the three people that had to resign or
them. What they’re doing is too important. quit or whatever over the erroneous story filed about a
They’re simply trying to explain truth to Trump associate working with banks in Russia. This whole
power. They’re trying to hold truthful people Russia story has simply consumed the media, simply
accountable, and you can’t criticize them, consumed them.
you can’t, it’s unconstitutional, it’s
undermining their precious responsibility. There’s nothing to it. There isn’t anything there. And now
there are stories in the media about how it’s time we get rid
Later in the show, he put a finger on the media’s true goal, of journalism. Opinion journalism needs to be the order of
which is to “to destroy Republicans” (and, by extension, the day. Now, do you remember the Project Veritas tape
impeach Trump): that we played yesterday, which ostensibly was a recording
of a CNN producer who admitted that, “Yeah, we know
Let’s face it, there’s a lot of people out there’s nothing to this Russia thing, but it’s ratings, man, it’s
there that think the media’s job is to destroy ratings, and that means money. You know, we spend a day
Republicans. A lot of people think the on the climate accords, but they come to us, the execs,
media’s purpose is to destroy Republicans, Zucker, and they tell us to get back on the Russia story.
destroy conservatives, and destroy their We can’t drop it. We got stay on the Russia story.” Why?
ideas and discredit them, that that’s the job. Ratings, money.
Look at the sycophantic way they dealt with
Obama and they claim they’re just trying to (....)
do their jobs in there and ask the
questions. They’re not doing anything of LIMBAUGH: Now back to CNN and the Drive-By Media
the sort. It’s being exposed and they don’t and what happened in the pressroom yesterday. Sarah
know how to deal with it. Huckabee Sanders did the briefing. Sarah Huckabee
Sanders, like Trump, is fearless. She cannot be
Here’s the relevant portions of the transcript from June intimidated. And, boy, did they try yesterday. She opened
28's The Rush Limbaugh Show: up with a statement about the CNN story that had to be
declined, deleted, and canceled, and the three people were
The Rush Limbaugh Show fired and she used it as an example of the fake news that’s
June 28, 2017 out there. And she started listing other examples of fake
news, and a Playboy reporter lost his mind over this, over
the way the Trump administration is trying to portray the
RUSH LIMBAUGH: I mentioned on Monday starting the
media. And she stood her ground. Let’s get started. We’ll
program that I sensed a momentum shift, and I continue to
start with audio sound bite number two. She’s the deputy
see evidence of it. The White House press briefing
press secretary. She did the briefing yesterday. And during
yesterday, Sarah Huckabee Sanders and a reporter, a
the Q&A, she opens up with somebody from Breitbart,
White House reporter from Playboy got into it yesterday.
which also ticked off the media. Our old buddy little Jim
CNN is now making fools of themselves each and every
Acosta who’s chasing the red laser pointer around and
day, as is a large swath of the Drive-By Media. There’s one
bumping into walls and sofas, he tweeted later
reason this is happening. I was thinking about this while
(paraphrasing): “This is just unreal. They called on
consuming all of this data. For 25 years, 30 years,
conservatives. They call on conservatives and they won’t
whatever length of time I’ve been doing this, I have been
call on us. And they call us fake news. Is this America? Is
focusing attention here on the media, telling people how
this the Constitution?” Just losing his mind. The Trump
they operate, who they are, what they do, and what they
White House owns CNN now.
don’t do. And how they now have become the organizing
power of the American left, not the Democrat Party.
Anyway, the guy from Breitbart, his name is Charlie
Spiering, and he said, “Recently Breitbart News challenged
The media is now running the operations of the American
the accuracy of a CNN story. And afterwards the story was
left. I have spent all of these years attempting to get people
retracted, it was deleted, and the editors responsible were
to know what they’re watching and know what they’re
fired, as well the network apologized for the story. One of
reading when they consume media and how to spot the
the targets of the story accepted the apology,” that would
bias, the unfairness, the bigotry, all of the things that the
be Anthony Scaramucci. “The President went on Twitter
media is. It has been a never-ending quest. I’m not
this morning and repeated that CNN was fake news. Why
expressing frustration here. I’m leading up to something.
isn’t their response, why isn’t their apology, firing the three
reporters, deleting the story, why isn’t that good enough for
(....) the President?”
162
SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS: It’s the constant barrage LIMBAUGH: You know, they’ve gotten completely
of fake news directed at this President probably that has immersed in their supposed constitutionality. The press has
garnered a lot of his frustration. You point to that report, its freedom specifically mentioned in the First Amendment.
there are multiple other instances where that outlet that you I think it’s gone to their heads. And I’ve thought for the
referenced has been repeatedly wrong and had to point longest time these people really do think that they are the
that out or be corrected. singular thing keeping our country together. But what’s
happened is they all think that you can’t criticize them.
LIMBAUGH: There’s no other Republican White House that They are so far above and beyond that you can’t criticize
would ever deal with this like this. This is earth-shattering, them. What they’re doing is too important. They’re simply
it’s precedent setting. And the press of course, after she trying to explain truth to power. They’re trying to hold
said that they started erupting and trying to ask the next truthful people accountable, and you can’t criticize them,
question, but she held them off and continued. you can’t, it’s unconstitutional, it’s undermining their
precious responsibility. Well, the fact of the matter is Sarah
Huckabee Sanders nor Donald Trump’s driving a wedge
(....)
between the media and the people. The media have been
doing that themselves for decades. They have polled near
LIMBAUGH: And so here’s the guy from Playboy. You’ve the bottom of respectability professions for I don’t know
probably already seen it ’cause the Drive-Bys cannot stop how long, and they are still there.
playing this. This guy lost it. His name is Brian Karem, and
he is a Sentinel newspapers exec. Now, wait. I’ve seen that
(....)
he’s a Playboy reporter. This says Sentinel newspaper.
Whatever, doesn’t matter. I’ve not seen the guy before, by
the way. I mean, I don’t watch these things every day, but I LIMBAUGH: Let’s face it, there’s a lot of people out there
have never seen this guy in the press. That’s why when I that think the media’s job is to destroy Republicans. A lot of
saw this happening, there was no sound on, it happened people think the media’s purpose is to destroy
during the program yesterday, I said, “Who is this guy?” Republicans, destroy conservatives, and destroy their
Not that he shouldn’t be in there, I had just never seen him ideas and discredit them, that that’s the job. Look at the
before. Well, his name is Brian Karem, he’s either at sycophantic way they dealt with Obama and they claim
Playboy or a Sentinel Newspaper executive, and he they’re just trying to do their jobs in there and ask the
couldn’t take it anywhere. questions. They’re not doing anything of the sort. It’s being
exposed and they don’t know how to deal with it.
(....)
.
163
Irish Reporter Calls Out
Donald Trump For Calling Her ‘Beautiful’
The President Is Criticized After Singling Out A Female Irish Reporter
While On An Oval Office Diplomatic Phone Call,
Commenting On Her 'Nice Smile.'
Tom Sykes
06.28.17 6:46 AM ET
Trump continued:
Other commentators were less generous.
164
Panic! CBS, Washington Post
Freak Over ‘Right,’ ‘Far-Right’ Gorsuch
By Scott Whitlock
June 28, 2017 11:26 AM EDT
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch is “to the right,” the that Gorsuch is a Scalia 2.0, perhaps
“far right.” CBS and The Washington Post on Wednesday further to the right.”
conducted a collective freak out over the possibility that
the new judge really is in the mold of the late Antonin Later, the journalist continued his labeling, this time
Scalia. The two outlets collectively used the terms “right” describing the dreaded “far right.”
or “far right” eight times.
The Post used “right” or far right” five times. CBS and the
newspaper have not repeatedly fretted about the“far left”
Obama judges, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
In case anyone was unclear, King concluded,
On CNN, Tuesday, Chris Cuomo and Jeffrey Toobin
“He is also further to the right than almost fretted over the “very conservative” Gorsuch.
all his colleagues on gun rights.” For
those keeping score, that’s three A transcript of the CBS segment is below:
descriptions of Gorsuch being on the “right”
in just 24 seconds.
CBS This Morning
6/28/17
In a front page story for Wednesday’s Post, reporter 7:32:03 to 7:32:27
Robert Barnes warned,
GAYLE KING: The Washington Post
“On Day 78 of his lifetime appointment, the reports that Justice Neil Gorsuch appears
Supreme Court’s newest justice, Neil M. to be asserting himself as a force on the
Gorsuch, revealed himself Monday to be.... Supreme Court’s right. Gorsuch fills the
farther to the right than almost all of his seat of the late Antonin Scalia and some
colleagues on gun rights.” say he's perhaps further to the right.
Decisions announced on Monday reveal
The headline blared, “Gorsuch Asserts that he was skeptical about the reach of the
Himself Early As Force On Supreme Court’s decision two years ago granting
Court’s Right.” Barnes declared, “The same sex couples the right to marry. He is
bottom line, according to most accounts, is also further to the right than almost all his
colleagues on gun rights.
165
Senators Propose ‘Black Book’
On Foreign Meddling In Russian Politics
Published Time: 28 Jun, 2017 10:47
The Russian parliamentary task group established to Russian senators decided to launch a dedicated
prevent foreign interference in Russian politics has met for commission to monitor foreign nations’ attempts to
the first time, with members proposing that all foreign influence internal Russian politics and work on proposals
meddling be recoded in a ‘black book’ and that potential to counter such moves in early June this year. Russian
retaliatory measures be developed. media reported that the idea was proposed after President
Vladimir Putin’s recent meetings with the leaders of
The proposal to start collecting evidence of foreign Germany and France.
meddling in Russian internal politics was made by the
deputy head of the Federation Council’s Committee for Back then, upper house chair Valentina Matviyenko said
International Relations, Senator Andrey Klimov. He also that attempts to interfere with Russia’s internal affairs had
said that all those working to undermine Russian been ongoing for many years, adding that foreign
sovereignty should be included in a so-called ‘black book.’ governments and groups were sending US$70-100 billion
to Russia each year to sponsor various political activities.
“By launching such a document we will be
able to study the tools of our opponents “We know the consequences of such
and develop more reliable methods [of meddling and we hold our sovereignty
countering them]” Klimov said in comments dear, we will not allow anyone to threaten
with RBC news site. Russia’s sovereignty,” she said.
He also said that the task group planned to establish the In subsequent comments, Matviyenko said that in her
criteria for foreign interference in Russia’s domestic opinion it was wrong to describe the decision as
political affairs at one a future session. “tightening the screws” because all future protective
measures would be developed on the basis of foreign
Additionally, the senators agreed to form three more nations’ experience.
working groups – for the protection of Russian sovereignty
on Russian territory, for the monitoring of foreign
activities targeting Russia’s internal affairs, and for
legislative work.
166
CNN’s Acosta Goes Full Liberal Activist:
Trump Is Eroding Our Freedoms!
By Nicholas Fondacaro
June 28, 2017 10:23 PM EDT
You look at that Harvard study, Wolf, and it's hard for
The ranting CNN correspondent then targeted Schlapp
you to-- Put yourself in a conservative's shoes. When you
with an underhanded smear when he asked:
look at the coverage, the overwhelming majority of
coverage is anti-Trump. He deserves some of that
“When he tells half the country that coverage. They’ve made mistakes. I think they have to own
we're enemies of the people, how can up to those mistakes. But after a while the American
you stand by that?! Why have you, as a people want to go to a place on the dial were they can
Republican leader in this country, simply get the straight facts without all this coloring, without
shouted from the mountain tops that all this opinion, without this shading. I think the American
this is wrong?!” people deserve that.
But the confrontation was expertly defused by Schlapp WOLF BLITZER: Let me ask Jim Acosta to respond. Go
when he explained that ahead, Jim.
“I don’t. I don’t stand by it. Jim, I don’t. JIM ACOSTA: Well Wolf, I think that-- and I asked this
You’re not my enemy … I think you’re a question of the President when he was running to win the
good man. I think you’re trying to do White House: Can you withstand the scrutiny that comes
your job.” with being president of the United States? He didn't like
that question. He snapped at me during that news
Jim ‘Braveheart’ Acosta’s self-righteous indignation conference. It was May of last year. And, you know, I think
proves that he’s more interested in slinging inflammatory that there are moments when this President is just really
assertions and making a scene than actually being a sensitive to criticism and he lashes out in this fashion.
reporter.
I think Matt is right to some extent, that yes, the coverage
Transcript below: can get a little too negative sometimes, and that
happens during the Obama administration. That
CNN happens during other administrations. Coverage of the
The Situation Room president is tough, but that's the territory we're in right now.
June 28, 2017 But I think to paint everybody with a broad brush is just not
5:47:40 PM Eastern the right thing.
169
CNN’s Fake News Hall Of Shame:
The Many Times The Network Has Purposefully Lied
About The Trump Administration
By J. D. Heyes, Editor-In-Chief
Posted On June 28, 2017
170
Second Amendment. He said: “Hillary wants to said that ‘guns should be in schools to protect
abolish — essentially abolish the Second students from grizzly bears.’ What she really said:
Amendment. By the way, if she gets to pick, if she During her confirmation hearing was in response
gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. to a question about whether schools should have
Although the Second Amendment people, maybe guns on campus; responding to the question, she
there is, I don’t know.” It was misconstrued noted that the issue was “best left to locales and
(intentionally) to suggest Trump was calling for states to decide,” not Washington bureaucrats.
armed rebellion against Clinton if she won and She then noted that one school in Wyoming had a
began appointing Left-wing Supreme Court fence around it to protect students from roaming
justices. It didn’t happen. wildlife, adding, “I would imagine there’s probably
a gun in the school to protect from potential
September 29, 2016: The network reported that grizzlies,” some of which do in fact live in
talk radio shock jock Howard Stern said Trump Wyoming.
expressed support for the Iraq war on his show in
2002. Stern later denied the CNN report and said January 31, 2017: In the lead-up to Trump
he doesn’t know “how CNN came up with” it’s announcing his first Supreme Court pick, network
headline that Stern “confirmed” Trump’s support. White House correspondent Jeff Zeleny claimed
Trump denied it. via Twitter that the Trump administration was
“setting up [the] Supreme Court announcement as
October 2016: Network Leftie host Chris Cuomo, a prime-time contest,” setting up identical Twitter
in riffing on WikiLeaks’ steady release of damning pages for the two most likely nominees, Neil
emails about Trump’s rival, Hillary Clinton, told his Gorsuch and Thomas Hardiman. It was a sneering
audience it was illegal for ordinary folks to view tweet meant to make the White House look
those documents, so people would have to rely unflattering. But 30 minutes later he was forced to
only on the media to tell them what’s in them (or retract his earlier tweet, saying, “The Twitter
not tell them). A noted legal expert debunked accounts…were not set up by the White House,
Cuomo. I’ve been told.” The initial lying tweet was shared
October 30, 2016: The network accused Trump more than 1,100 times; the correction only about
of “encouraging” voters to cast more than one 150 times, leaving far too many people with the
ballot, because he voiced skepticism of mail-in impression that his first one was true.
ballots (check the URL of this website, which
syndicated the original CNN story, and you can Natural News founder/editor Mike Adams, the Health
see what the initial headline said). Not true, and Ranger, observed this week regarding CNN’s disgustingly
the network eventually rewrote the headline and frequent fake news regarding all things Trump, as well the
added an editor’s note at the bottom of the original other usual suspects:
story, claiming the change “more accurately”
reflected Trump’s real comments. Through revelations like these, the
November 22, 2016: During a daytime broadcast, credibility of CNN, NYT and the
CNN contributor Charles Kaiser claimed that Washington Post has utterly collapsed.
Trump “should never ask his supporters to give Only complete fools believe anything they
the Nazi salute, which he did at a rally in March. read in these fiction rags. Time after time,
That’s not a good idea…” When challenged, he these publications have been caught
added, “In March he asked his supporters to raise fabricating “anonymous sources” to spin
and pledge their support to his candidacy and the stories they want to publish, even when
pledge their support for him. There’s plenty of those stories are knowingly false.
video of that.” Except, that is not what Trump was Rarely do the stories get retracted, and for
doing, calling it ridiculous. every retraction that does take place, there
are a thousand other fake news stories
January 20, 2017: On Inauguration Day, the
published on their websites that never get
Trump transition team utilized an old Frank
removed or corrected. The mainstream
Sinatra hit, “My Way,” in some festivities. CNN
media has literally become the very
reported that his daughter, Nancy Sinatra, of
FAKE NEWS they accused the
“These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” fame, was
independent media of pushing.
not happy about it. She tweeted out later, “That’s
not true. I never said that. Why do you lie CNN?”
Later CNNupdated the piece without explanation. No truer words.
171
CNN Reporter Thinks Trump Admin
Is Endangering Media, Compares To ‘War Zone’
By Alex Xenos
June 28, 2017 1:38 PM EDT
Chris, at what point does this become dangerous and I'm Every public figure gets threats, Brian. I am old enough to
not just talking about dangerous as in tearing at the social remember way back, like a few weeks ago, when GOP
fabric, congressmen were targeted and shot at (not just
threatened) by a leftist nut job. The narrative is rich
I'm talking about dangerous in that a considering it is the media that is pushing false or
journalist gets hurt, because I can tell misleading stories and at times hateful narratives. Yet I
you working overseas in war zones, don’t recall the media being worried when journalists were
people are emboldened by the actions prosecuted by the Obama administration. As Andrew
of this administration, McCarthy points out in National Review:
emboldened by the all-out sort of declaration of war on the The administration’s targeting of journalists, including (a)
media, if I'm getting it in the neck, Chris I can only attorney general Eric Holder’s approval of the seizure of
imagine what someone like you is dealing with. At what personal and business phone records of Associated Press
point does this become reckless or irresponsible, Chris? reporters en masse (i.e., not a particularized search
targeting a specific journalist suspected of wrongdoing);
and (b) Holder’s approval of a warrant targeting the e-
The media’s new hero (Vox actually called his actions
mails of Fox News reporter James Rosen in a leak
"heroic"), Brian Karem, who yelled at Deputy Press
investigation — based on an application in which the
Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders during Tuesday's White
government represented to a federal court that the
House briefing, claimed: “We are past that point...We've
journalist could be guilty of a felony violation of the
had, we've had threats.” Karem claimed journalists are just
Espionage Act in connection with a leak of classified
doing their job. That job, of course, is to support the
information (in addition to purportedly being a “flight
agenda of the left.
risk”).
Unsurprisingly, co-host Chris Cuomo applauded Karem:
Nor did the media cry when that administration sought to
“You’ve got a home here, Brian. We always like people
ostracize Fox News, claiming it was illegitimate.
who want to speak truth to power on the show...”
172
Hennion & Walsh and the Laser Spine Institute ran ads CILLIZZA: I mean I don't want to say we're past that point.
following the segment.
BRIAN KAREM: We are past that point.
See the more complete transcript of the June 28
conversation below: CILLIZZA: I think it is already dangerous what the Trump
administration is doing, which is defiance points--
8:10 AM ET
KAREM: We've had, we've had threats
CLARISSA WARD: Chris, at what point does this become
dangerous and I'm not just talking about dangerous -- CILLIZZA: they are trying to take an honest mistake or not even a
mistake, and turn it into the norm as opposed -- the rule opposed
CHRIS CILLIZZA: Oh, we're past that point. to the exception, which is a very dangerous thing because that's
wilfully misleading, frankly...
WARD: -- As in tearing at the social fabric, I'm talking about
dangerous in that a journalist gets hurt, because I can tell you (...)
working overseas in war zones, people are emboldened by the
actions of this administration, emboldened by the all-out sort of CUOMO: You’ve got a home here, Brian. We always like people
declaration of war on the media, if I'm getting it in the neck, Chris who want to speak truth to power on the show...
I can only imagine what someone like you is dealing with. At what
point does this become reckless or irresponsible, Chris?
.
173
Deep State Cover
By The Conservative Depot
Posted On June 28, 2017
No, Susan Rice, you’re not being forced to testify because unmasked with the intention of destroying their
you’re black or a woman…you were duly summoned for livelihoods; or better yet, a newly elected Chief of State
lying, colluding and abusing the authority invested in your and his pledge of systemic reform.
office to serve this Constitutional Republic.
Despite the fact you knew the Trump-Russia conspiracies
If you’re going to play the “victim” wildcard, at least have were outright fabrications used to potentially topple or
the decency to apologize to those victims wrongfully undermine his presidency – debunked by the FBI,
railroaded by your bigoted and shameless partisan Homeland Security and now even CNN itself – you
schemes. As the former National Security Adviser to one consciously ignored documented security breaches into the
Barack Obama, you now hold the dubious distinction of DNC database because the Democratic Party was too busy
representing the first administration to wiretap a rigging the nomination against Bernie and hiding Hillary’s
Presidential candidate during an ongoing election and numerous indiscretions, inflammatory remarks and radical
subsequently spy on an incoming administration to unearth associates: including the Clintons’ vast ties to the Kremlin,
any crumb of usable intelligence for political gain. Surely, the Russian conglomerate Uranium One and Moscow’s
Mr. Comey shared that useful patriotic memo. While I Renaissance Capital.…none of which raised your
hesitate to use petty and egregious in the same rumination, convenient sense of ‘social justice’. Or perhaps “We the
your behavior was painfully juvenile and undeniably People” should just be thankful you helped secure a
treasonous. “nuclear” Iran to fight true misogyny and anti-White
supremacy.
How many leaks does it take to get to the epicenter of real
scandal and trigger a Congressional investigation over an Now I may not be a World Series Poker Champion but I
aspiring ‘Deep State’ coup d’etat? You tell me! know the difference between an obvious political bluff, a
smug opportunist, and a persecuted woman asked to sit at
No matter how much you deflect from the truth and blame the back of the bus because of the color of her skin. At
those who dare to hold you accountable, Mrs. Rice, you least Rosa Parks had the integrity and courage not to wilt
obtained FISA warrants under false pretenses and showed beneath the scorn of true injustice.
no regard for national security or those public officials you
.
174
Van Jones: Russia Is "Nothing Burger"
– American Pravda: CNN Part 2
White House: Everyone Should Watch This Video
CNN Responds: Bonifield Just A "Health Producer"
June 28, 2017
This follows the release of a video of CNN Producer John CNN is receiving heavy criticism from the President of the
Bonifield, who was caught touting the Russia narrative as United States, and the video was mentioned by the Deputy
"bullsh*t." Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
According to Brian Stelter on Twitter, CNN "There is a video circulating now. Whether
released a statement stating that Bonifield it is accurate or not, I don't know, but I
is just a "Health Producer" and "isn't would encourage everybody in this room,
involved in Russia or Trump coverage." and frankly, everybody across the country
to take a look at it. I think if it is accurate, I
Paul Fahri of the Washington Post also weighed in on the think it's a disgrace to all of media, to all of
Veritas video and Bonifield's position at CNN: journalism -- we've been going on this
Russia-Trump hoax for the better part of a
"[I]t never mentions that Bonifield is a
year now with no evidence of anything."
producer of health and medical stories,
raising questions about how relevant his "Last year, we had to circumvent the
views are, and how informed he is, about mainstream media," said James O'Keefe.
CNN's political coverage." "At a Trump inaugural event, I put the
mainstream media on notice. If you are in
the media and are using deception or
Jones is one of CNN's most prominent political
malfeasant tactics, you may want to sleep
commentators, and has appeared on CNN in the past
with one eye open."
attacking President Trump for his "Putin relationship."
175
CNN's Stelter: Right-Wing Critics Are
'Anti-Journalism,' Just Pushing 'Resentment And Hatred'
By Tim Graham
June 28, 2017 9:33 AM EDT
CNN Reliable Sources host Brian Stelter tore into critics of straight-up "anti-journalism." These
the liberal media in his email newsletter that came just activists and commenters don't promote
after midnight on Wednesday. In response to a terrible accountability, they promote resentment
week for CNN’s public relations, he claimed CNN’s critics and hatred.
were “anti-journalism.”
They claim that most, if not all, journalists have sinister
This makes about as much sense as saying that when CNN agendas... that newsrooms are occupied by "enemies of the
is critical of Trump, they are opposed to the presidency. people..." and that the evil "MSM" is propaganda. These
When Stelter rips into Fox News on a regular basis, and his anti-J people claim that reporters routinely cover up good
Media Unit tries to rip advertisers away from their shows, news and invent bad news.
he doesn’t think that is “anti-journalism.” But that’s where
Stelter was going in his midnight rant [emphasis his]: I've noticed a disturbing increase in terrorist
lingo, like "CNN is ISIS," a phrase
promoted by Alex Jones. This Tuesday
night Breitbart story also invokes CNN
and ISIS in the same sentence.
176
Stelter insists that unless you honor and respect the for example, CNN analysts offering questions to Hillary
intentions of liberal journalists – never questioning that Clinton in advance, or journalists sending e-mails offering
their motives might be partisan – then you are “anti- Clinton officials the chance to edit their stories before
journalism.” If you actually document that the media elites publication – that’s somehow “anti-journalism.”
“cover up good news and invent bad news,” then you’re
“anti-journalism.” If you document that journalists and What we’re doing at NewsBusters isn’t “anti-journalism.”
Democratic operatives are operating hand in glove – like, It’s journalism on journalism.
.
177
Trump Rips
'Amazonwashingtonpost'
As Fake News
By Jordan Fabian
06/28/17 09:32 AM EDT
The president is escalating his attacks on the news media In his Post tweet, Trump appeared to reference Amazon’s
as he struggles to advance his agenda in Congress and past efforts to keep online purchases tax free. But the
grapples with the wide-ranging probe into whether his retailer does collect sales tax on purchases across the U.S.
associates colluded with Russia in its efforts to
influence the 2016 presidential election. Breaking with practice of past presidential nominees,
Trump refused to release his tax returns during the 2016
campaign.
.
178
CNN: 'We're Not Complaining'
About Press Briefings, 'Just Pointing it Out'
By Nicholas Fondacaro
June 29, 2017 12:55 AM EDT
That assertion came after CNN had spent the first half of
the week shouting from the rooftops about how the White
House wasn’t allowing video coverage of the daily White
House press briefings.
179
The fact that Acosta claimed that the White House briefing not stack up exactly how he likes them. So, if he engages in
room belonged to the media proves that their antics were the campaign to discredit the news media, then his
more about them than it was for the public’s interest. supporters will trust much more in his Twitter feed than they
Acosta would most likely defend his comment by saying will in the facts of the matter being reported by the news.
“our briefing room” meant he was speaking for the The other piece of this is, of course, to stoke his supporters.
American people. But it came at the end of a list of things I mean, this is -- this is something that he has dipped in the
CNN’s financial department has receipts for. well on many, many times. To take on the press, take on the
mainstream media, in a way to get his supporters more
Lemon had, even more, insults to fling at the White House. wound up and excited to support him. This is a very
convenient foil for him.
“Yeah, it's, you 2017. I mean, should we
go back to dial-up as well? It's kind of LEMON: Yeah, but the interesting thing is his supporters
ridiculous. Why don't they just answer will believe it, but most -- most other Americans will not
the questions,” he spat. believe it.
"President Trump Making the Media the You know, those kinds of occasions do arise, as you
Enemy?" and "No Live On-Camera remember with Ferguson. Can you imagine if we did not
Briefing - Again." have live briefings at the White House during Ferguson, for
example? And so the question becomes, does the White
House control the switch? Do they get to make it live
Transcript below:
when they want it to be live? Do they get to switch it off
when they don't want it to be live? They’re our cameras,
CNN Tonight Don, as we talked about the other night, our cameras,
June 28, 2017 our lights, it's our briefing room. It's not their briefing
10:03:11 PM Eastern room.
DON LEMON: David, let's talk more about this whole thing LEMON: Yeah, it's, you 2017. I mean, should we go back
with the press. Yesterday's press briefing was on to dial-up as well? It's kind of ridiculous. Why don't they
camera. A good portion of it was to attack the press. just answer the questions? Then that way -- because
And unfairly do it. Is this about the president needing an reporters-- Listen, I've seen more combative interviews, by
enemy? the way, I haven't forgot about you, Kaitlyn, don't worry
about it. I've seen more combative interviews in the past
DAVID CHALIAN: Yeah, in part, Don, it is. I mean, it is an than you, Jim Acosta, during this. I mean, you know, if you
attempt to discredit the news media which at times when look back, if you go back and look at combative interviews in
reporting what is happening could be critical of the Trump White House briefings, I don't think that you're at the top of
administration, of the president, himself, and the facts may the list. This is all –
180
ACOSTA: I’m just a big teddy bear, Don. You know that. LEMON: Yeah. I want people to see the hypocrisy here.
Listen, reporters, we in media are used to taking the tough
LEMON: But it’s all a ruse and we know that. questions. Getting criticized. But this is just more about
pointing out the hypocrisy in all this. Listen, we're not
complaining here. We're just pointing it out to you,
(…)
everyone.
181
NYT Finally Retracts Russia-Gate Canard
By Robert Parry
June 29, 2017
Exclusive: A founding Russia-gate myth is that all 17 U.S. “assessment was made by four intelligence
intelligence agencies agreed that Russia hacked into and agencies — the Office of the Director of
distributed Democratic emails, a falsehood that The New National Intelligence, the Central
York Times has belatedly retracted, reports Robert Parry. Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and the National Security
The New York Times has finally admitted that one of the Agency. The assessment was not
favorite Russia-gate canards – that all 17 U.S. intelligence approved by all 17 organizations in the
agencies concurred on the assessment of Russian hacking American intelligence community.”
of Democratic emails – is false.
The Times’ grudging correction was vindication for some
Russia-gate skeptics who had questioned the claim of a
full-scale intelligence assessment, which would usually
take the form of a National Intelligence Estimate (or NIE),
a product that seeks out the views of the entire Intelligence
Community and includes dissents.
In the Times’ White House Memo of June 25, Clapper further acknowledged that the analysts who
correspondent Maggie Haberman mocked Trump for produced the Jan. 6 assessment on alleged Russian hacking
were “hand-picked” from the CIA, FBI and NSA.
“still refus[ing] to acknowledge a basic fact
agreed upon by 17 American intelligence Yet, as any intelligence expert will tell you, if you “hand-
agencies that he now oversees: Russia pick” the analysts, you are really hand-picking the
orchestrated the attacks, and did it to help conclusion. For instance, if the analysts were known to be
get him elected.” hard-liners on Russia or supporters of Hillary Clinton, they
could be expected to deliver the one-sided report that they
However, on Thursday, the Times – while leaving most of did.
Haberman’s ridicule of Trump in place – noted in a
correction that the relevant intelligence
Politicized Intelligence
182
In the history of U.S. intelligence, we have seen how this intelligence-agencies canard by simply referring to a
selective approach has worked, such as the phony judgment by “the intelligence community.”
determination of the Reagan administration pinning the
attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II and other acts That finessing of their earlier errors has allowed Hillary
of terror on the Soviet Union. Clinton and other senior Democrats to continue
referencing this fictional consensus without challenge, at
least in the mainstream media.
183
H. R. McMaster Manipulating
Intelligence Reports To Trump
National Security Adviser Wants 150,000 Ground Troops In Syria
By Mike Cernovich
June 29, 2017
184
Unease in Brussels over Trump's Poland visit
By Justyna Pawlak | WARSAW
Thu Jun 29, 2017 | 1:24am EDT
185
But Western diplomats are wary that Trump could use his "We encourage Mr Trump to get out and travel as much as
trip to Warsaw to repeat criticism of Europe's low defense he can. He needs to understand Europe and he can do that
spending, which has irritated many Western leaders. by getting out and speaking to people, to European
leaders," said one European official, who declined to be
Trump denounced some NATO members' failure to meet a named.
joint target of two percent of economic output, at a
meeting of alliance leaders in Brussels last month. Poland, "(But) he can't do deals with individual countries over the
alongside the United States, is one of the few members head of the European Union," he said. "In Hamburg, he
who meet the goal. will hear different arguments, we can clear up anything
that has been misconstrued."
"We are not sure what Trump's message is going to be ... If
he is here to reinforce Washington's commitment to Poland has expressed hopes Trump can persuade U.S.
(NATO's mutual defense principle)? Great!," one EU business to invest in a network of north-south rail and road
diplomat said. links central to the regional initiative, something U.S.
diplomats and many economists dismiss as unrealistic.
"What if he makes it conditional, to be based on meeting
the ... spending goal? This would cause a lot of damage." Much commerce in eastern Europe is done along east-west
trade routes rather than between north and south, to a large
Diplomatic observers who watch Washington say Trump degree a reflection of German economic dominance.
may want to use the trip to deliver a message that he is
serious about countering threats from Russia. Some governments in the east may also view Poland's
ambitions of regional leadership with suspicion, cautious
"Most of the countries (at the Warsaw summit) see Russia not to damage relations with trade partners in Berlin.
as their main security threat and most strongly support
NATO and would like a stronger U.S. force presence in "We are monitoring it," said a Czech government source.
their countries," said Heather Conley, who was a State "But we don't put much weight on it at the moment."
Department official in the George W. Bush administration.
(Additional reporting by Pawel Sobczak in Warsaw,
"GET OUT AND TRAVEL" Alastair Macdonald and Robin Emmott in Brussels,
Michel Rose in Paris, and Roberta Rampton in
Some western European officials view Trump's nod to the Washington, editing by Peter Millership)
Warsaw government as counter-productive at a time when
European unity is wavering.
186
Trump Slams Morning "Psycho" Joe,
Says Mika "Bleeding Badly From A Face-Lift"
By Tyler Durden
Jun 29, 2017 11:07 AM
Yes, the president of the United States just said that. And
cue the CNN meltdown over this outburst...
187
Sarah Huckabee Sanders Cites MRC Study
On Networks Obsessing Over Russia
By Curtis Houck
June 29, 2017 3:53 PM EDT
At Thursday’s combative White House press briefing, [Y]ou guys get to help set that table and
deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited the 353 minutes of attacks against the
latest blockbuster study by the Media Research Center’s President and driving a false narrative and
Rich Noyes, which found that the evening newscasts of one minute on tax reform. That's over the
ABC, CBS, and NBC spent May and June obsessing over course of a month. That's crazy. The
possible Trump-Russia collusion to the detriment of actual numbers — guys, the numbers don't lie.
policy topics. The media's focus on priorities, they don't
line up with the rest of America. Right now,
The liberal media spent much of the briefing questioning we've got our economies growing, the
Huckabee Sanders about President Trump’s lewd tweets stock market’s up, unemployment is down,
about Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski’s face when jobs are back, and ISIS is on the run.
the deputy press secretary fought back with Noyes’s study. America is winning and that's what we'd
like to talk about. But you guys constantly
ignore that narrative.
She began by noting that Trump “would love for us all to Look, I think he's put out a number of
focus on the legislative agenda a whole lot more,” but tweets on health care, on the immigration
ABC, CBS, and NBC don’t seem interested in doing that: bills that’ll be in the House today, we that's
not being talked about. That's not being
asked about. But the discrepancy, again,
[Y]ou look at the coverage over the last
353 minutes, you can't say that you want to
month of the extended period between May
talk about policy and then you look at the
and June, all of the major networks, if you
numbers and they just don't lie. You can't
look at their coverage and what they're
expect for that amount of attack and
talking about, they spent one minute in the
intensity to come on a President and him to
evening newscasts talking about tax
never respond.
reform, three minutes on infrastructure, five
minutes on the economy and jobs, 17
minutes on health care, and 353 minutes Here’s the relevant portion of the transcript from June 29's
— 353 minutes, attacking the President White House Press Briefing:
and pushing a false narrative on Russia.
White House Press Briefing
Imploring the media snowflakes to “look at that in June 29, 2017
comparison” and reconsider this promise of theirs that 2:43 p.m. Eastern
they would love to focus on policy.
SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS: I think the President would love
To the groans and gripes coming from reporters, she for us all to focus on the legislative agenda a whole lot more over
continued: — you look at the coverage over the last month of the extended
188
period between May and June, all of the major networks, if you JIM ACOSTA: Sarah, doesn't he create these distractions on his
look at their coverage and what they're talking about, they spent own?
one minute in the evening newscasts talking about tax reform,
three minutes on infrastructure, five minutes on the economy and HUCKABEE SANDERS: But you guys constantly ignore that
jobs, 17 minutes on health care, and 353 minutes — 353 narrative.
minutes, attacking the President and pushing a false narrative on
Russia. I mean, look at that in comparison. If you guys want to
ACOSTA: Sarah, doesn't he create these distractions on his
talk about legislative agenda and focus on policy and priorities,
own?
you guys get to help set that table and 353 minutes of attacks
against the President and driving a false narrative and one
minute on tax reform. That's over the course of a month. That's HUCKABEE SANDERS: Go ahead, John.
crazy. [BRIEFING ROOM GROANS, SCREAMS] The numbers
— guys, the numbers don't lie. The media's focus on priorities, JOHN DECKER [Fox News Radio]: All of those points about the
they don't line up with the rest of America. Right now, we've got positive developments of what the President's agenda are
our economies growing, the stock market’s up, unemployment is certainly true, all of those things are true, but the President today
down, jobs are back, and ISIS is on the run. America is winning put out this tweet which takes away from all of that and you
and that's what we'd like to talk about. But you guys constantly expect us here in this room to simply ignore that. I think that's the
ignore that narrative. valid question that should be asked of you right now. Should we
just ignore this entirely?
189
Obama Accidentally Exposes Russia HOAX:
“No Serious Person” Believes The Russians Could
“Rig America’s Elections”
By Mike Adams
Thursday, June 29, 2017
191
Fake Story Scandal:
How Russia Obsession Led CNN Into A Trap
Alex GORKA
29.06.2017
193
New York Times Retracts Rumor On Russia-Gate
Following Ridicule
SPUTNIK
6/30/2017
194
Third Undercover O’Keefe
Video Exposes CNN’s Internal Culture Of Hate
Zeropointnow
Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:26am EST
Carr then echoed what another CNN producer admitted to While O’Keefe saved the best for last, undercover footage
a Project Veritas operative – it’s all about Ratings. released earlier in the week dealt devastating blows to the
beleaguered network whose President, Jeff Zucker, may be
“It’s decisions made by people higher than on the chopping block if a merger between AT&T and
me and if they go wow, your ratings are CNN parent company Time Warner is approved.
195
“whether it’s accurate or not, I don’t know
– I think if it is accurate, it is a disgrace to
all of media, to all of journalism.” –Sarah H.
Sanders
But all the nice cutesy little ethics that used to get talked
about in journalism school, you’re just like, that’s
adorable. That’s adorable. This is a business.
Death knell?
196
CNN Caught Editing Out
Eyewitness Testimony Of Election Vote Fraud
California Refuses To Comply With Trump
Investigation Into Illegal Voting
Paul Joseph Watson Infowars.Com
June 30, 2017
197
Ever since then, Trump’s assertion that millions of illegals
voted has been called a “fake news” conspiracy theory.
198
CNN's Carl Bernstein Rails Against
Trump's Malfunctioning, 'Malignant Presidency'
By Brad Wilmouth
June 30, 2017 2:32 PM EDT
Appearing as a guest on Friday's New Day, CNN political I think something much greater is
commentator Carl Bernstein repeatedly attacked the happening -- and that is that we are in the
Trump administration as a "malignant presidency" and midst of a malignant presidency. And that
asserted that it is "not functioning." Bernstein: malignancy is known to the military leaders
of the country -- it's known to the
"We are in the midst of a malignant Republican leadership in Congress who
presidency. And that malignancy is known recognize it -- and it's known to the
to the military leaders of the country -- it's intelligence community.
known to the Republican leadership in
Congress who recognize it -- and it's known He then added:
to the intelligence community."
And the presidency of Donald Trump is not
He went on to intone: functioning. It's not functioning partially
because of his character -- it's not
"We're in foreign territory. We have never functioning partially because of his attacks
been in a malignant presidency like this on the press which is totally moving the
before. It calls on our leaders -- it calls on needle that the American people are
our journalists to do a different kind of watching to a side show. But it's really not
reporting, a different kind of dealing with functioning because of character and
this presidency and the President of the capabilities of this President are called into
United States." grave question in a way that those who
know him best are raising serious concerns
about. And this is the greatest journalistic
challenge of the modern era to report on a
malignant presidency and what it means
and where it's going.
199
We're in foreign territory. We have never And the presidency of Donald Trump is not functioning. It's
been in a malignant presidency like this not functioning partially because of his character -- it's not
before. It calls on our leaders -- it calls on functioning partially because of his attacks on the press
our journalists to do a different kind of which is totally moving the needle that the American people
reporting, a different kind of dealing with are watching to a side show. But it's really not functioning
this presidency and the President of the because of character and capabilities of this President are
United States. We have to in the press be called into grave question in a way that those who know him
kind of medical reporters right now. I don't best are raising serious concerns about. And this is the
mean about the President's psyche, but greatest journalistic challenge of the modern era to report on
rather about every aspect of his presidency a malignant presidency and what it means and where it's
and how and whether it is functioning going.
because many aspects are not functioning.
CLARISSA WARD: I mean, Carl, some people have said
After Cuomo brought up the point of view of Trump this is an issue of impulse control, that the President is not
supporters who argue that the President has indeed made able to control his impulses, to attack back, to fight fire with
accomplishments, Bernstein dismissively responded: fire. Other people are saying, "Hold on, this is a genius
obfuscation tactic: divert attention from a health care bill
He's done a lot in terms of the perception of his base, but which has been in trouble." What's your take?
not in terms of the larger population of this country, and
not in terms of what Republicans in the House and Senate BERNSTEIN: That both could be true. But I keep going back
are now saying to each other, and especially in light of this to the greater problem that this President is not in control of
latest tweet which confirms for so many of them what the presidency in a way that it is functioning. And that has
they've been worried about all along -- and that is whether got our leaders worried. They are worried about his
or not this President of the United States is capable of character -- they are worried about his capabilities -- they
being President. are worried about his temperament and state of his
temperament, to use kind words here. We're in foreign
Below is a complete transcript of the segment from the territory. We have never been in a malignant presidency like
Friday, June 30, New Day on CNN: this before.
200
They have -- many of the Republicans in Congress and our spoken to, and I know other reporters have spoken to,
reporters need to go out and talk to them either off the understand and are beginning to comprehend that the
record, on background, about the question of their underlying story here is a lack of confidence in the abilities
confidence in this President and whether or not he is and character of the President of the United States of
capable of being the President of the United States in a way America.
that defends us, our country, and the Constitution of the
United States. Many members of Congress, many of our WARD: All right, Carl Bernstein, thank you for giving us the
military leaders, many in our intelligence community who I've bottom line.
.
201
Maria Bartiromo DESTROYS John Podesta
And His Lies About Russia And Trump Collusion
John Podesta Tries To Lie About Not Having Stock
In Any Russian Company
Alex Christoforou
June 30, 2017
202
203
New Undercover Video:
CNN Producer Slashes 'Stupid' Voters,
'Clown' Trump, Ugly Kellyanne
By Tim Graham
June 30, 2017 2:08 PM EDT
Project Veritas has released another undercover video of a “Oh no. They’re stupid as s–t.”
CNN producer saying embarrassing things underlining the
network’s liberal, anti-Trump atmosphere. Jimmy Carr, a Carr referred to the White House counselor as
producer for CNN’s morning show New Day, with co-
anchors Alisyn Camerota and Chris Cuomo -- the son of
“that awful woman Kellyanne Conway.
one New York Democrat governor and the brother of the
current New York Democrat governor.
You know, the blonde.” When the Project Veritas
videographer asked what Conway looked like, Carr
Carr was caught on camera proclaiming,
replied,
“On the inside, we all recognize that he “She looks like she got hit with a
is a clown, that he is hilariously shovel.”
unqualified for this, he’s really bad at
this and that he does not have “What’s that?” the man recording asked
America’s best interests. We recognize Carr, who repeated the insult. “She looks
he’s just f—ing crazy.” like she got hit with a shovel.”
204
CNN Associate Producer:
90% Of CNN Staffers “On Board”
With Belief That Trump Is ‘Batsh*T Crazy’
Says: 'American Voters Are Stupid'
By Shepard Ambellas
June 30, 2017
In the video, Associate Producer of the show New Day, Additionally, the narcissistic producer also proclaims that
Jimmy Carr, gives some insight into how the agencies the American voter is “stupid as shit.”
staffers generally feel about President Trump and
American voters. #boycottCNN
205
NYT Quietly Corrects Major Falsehood
They Helped Spread On Russia Investigation
By Kristine Marsh
June 30, 2017 10:40 AM EDT
206
Lionel Likens CNN To Professional
Wrestling Or Magic: ‘We All Knew It Was Fake’
'Newly Released Project Veritas Video Is CNN's Zapruder Film, Loved It'
By Shepard Ambellas -
June 30, 2017
207
Van Jones Performs Trump-Russia
'Nothing Burger' Spin Control On Anderson Cooper
By P.J. Gladnick
June 30, 2017 11:01 AM EDT
Everyone who watched the recent Project Veritas video of UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Really? You don't think that's --
Van Jones clearly heard him say that "the Russia thing is
just a big nothing burger." However, Van Jones appeared (END VIDEO CLIP)
on the June 29 Anderson Cooper 360 show to declare that
we misinterpreted what he was saying. Jones spun it that
COOPER: And Van Jones joins us now. So just explain what
what he meant was that the hope for impeachment of
happened here. Who were you talking to? Where were you?
President Donald Trump based on the proofless charge of
What was the context?
collusion with Russia in the 2016 election was the real
"nothing burger."
You've had a few days to craft a good spin so go at it, Van.
Here is Van Jones as he spin, spin, spins:
JONES: Okay. I was standing outside the bureau in Los Angeles,
you know, and I'll talk to anybody. I don't care you're a janitor,
homeless person, police officer, pop star, I talk anybody. A guy
comes up and he starts engage me in conversation. I'll talk to
anybody and he starts asking these questions around what's
going on in American politics.
VAN JONES: Hey good to see you man, you good? I guess Van Jones missed the part of former FBI Director
James Comey's testimony in which he admitted that
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. How you been? President Trump was NOT under investigation.
JONES: I'm good. COOPER: So when on the tape you say that the Russia
investigation was a big nothing burger what did you mean?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What are you doing? What do you think
is going to happen this week with the whole Russia thing? JONES: I meant for Progressives to keep jumping up and down
about this doesn't make a lot of sense because you've got a
bunch of us acting as if this guy is going to be impeached
JONES: The Russia thing is just a big nothing burger.
208
tomorrow. That Trump is going to be impeached and he's going talking about the real pain at the bottom here in our country,
to be gone. you've got a lot of people just going in loops and cycles. I'm
not talking about news people. We got to cover this news.
Listen, from a political point of view, if you're looking I'm talking about Progressive activists who talk about
honestly, you do not have the ability to both impeach and Russia all day and don't talk about jobs any day. That has
remove this guy. got to stop. And if you think that just talking about Russia,
Russia, Russia, Russia is going to be a way to get this guy
impeached or remove or win an election. I think you are wrong
And from political point of view, it's a
and I think we need to get back to substantive stuff for ordinary
nothing burger. You've got to be
people, not only the stuff that the news media are excited about.
focused on real stuff, like jobs, health
care, addiction, and stay focus on the
substantive issues. COOPER: Van, thank you very much. You can read Van's full
editorial in the tape and the nothing burger comment at cnn.com.
In the June 26 Project Veritas video, a CNN producer
admits that CNN President Jeffrey Zucker is one of those JONES: Much ado about nothing burger.
focused mainly on Trump-Russia collusion. So in a way,
Van Jones is slamming his own boss for being overly Actually you are talking about news people, Mr. Jones,
obsessed about Trump-Russia collusion. especially your boss, Jeff Zucker, acting as a real life
Captain Ahab obsessed with chasing down his White
COOPER: Which you say we're not talking enough about. Whale in the form of non-existent Trump-Russia
collusion even if it means sinking his CNN ship.
JONES: No. You're not -- you're talking about stuff that is not
going to register for ordinary people, it's not for ordinary people. Apparently James O'Keefe of Project Veritas watched Van
Real people are going to be worried about jobs, health care, Jones' spin on Anderson Cooper and tweeted this
addiction, that kind of stuff. We've got to stay focused on that. intriguing reply:
And that's whereas about to go, but I don't know this guy and
then my guys come up from CNN whom I love at the bureau and
we start talking. So he took that little clip and he puts it out there.
But here's the reality. You would have -- the worst thing isn't that
the guy did the little hoaxster thing. This guy is a hoaxster, he's a
fraudster. The worst thing is that the Trump White House then
elevated it. So you've got the Trump White House elevating a
guy who is a known fraudster.
JONES: That's not good. Let me -- today. You always have fraud
out there putting out selectively edit, look, if you're still falling for
selectively edited videotape in 2017, you haven't been paying
attention. But for the White House to fall for it and promote it,
that's what really is terrible.
COOPER: You said that too many Democrats see the Russian
controversies is a kind of a magical get out of jail free card,
meaning that they think the president is somehow going to be
impeached.
209
More Media Heroism!
Wapo Op-Ed Writer Finds ‘Brave’ Way
To Stick It To Trump
By Sarah D.
Posted At 4:52 Pm On June 30, 2017
210
In the wake of the president’s Thursday morning
tweetstorm, The Post’s editorial board weighed in:
211
Trump Wants All Your
Voter Data. What Could Go Wrong?
Issie Lapowsky
June 30, 2017
“There’s a never-ending amount of mischief The level of detail Kobach’s request asks for is, itself,
that can be done with this data in the wrong misleading. One kind of potential voter fraud the president
hands,” says Myrna Perez, director of has worried about is people stealing the identities of dead
voting rights and elections at Brennan people in order to vote. But if the committee wants to
Center for Justice. “I think there’s going to know that, it doesn’t need to know what party those people
be a lot of false positives about people belong to. Kobach also requested the last four digits of
voting when they’re ineligible.” people’s social security numbers, which could, ironically,
have the inadvertent effect of exposing voters to identity
This committee was founded in response to the President’s fraud.
wholly unfounded claims that millions of people voted
illegally in 2016. It’s a charge that even the author of a “Researchers have shown that the first five
study President Trump has cited on the subject rejects as digits can very often be guessed just based
an exaggeration. Recent Russian attempts to hack voting on someone’s place and date of birth,”
software proves there’s ample room for improvement as says Julian Sanchez, a senior fellow at the
far as election security goes, but the committee’s approach libertarian leaning Cato Institute, referring
not only misses the mark, it could make the electoral to a 2009 Carnegie Mellon study. “This
system more vulnerable than it already is. Which is, seems like all risk and no reward.”
perhaps, why more than 20 states and counting have
already said they don’t plan to comply with the ask. All of it would be utterly puzzling, if it weren’t for the fact
that Kobach has been pursuing changes to the national
“Aggregating the voter rolls from many voter rolls since before President Trump even took office.
states creates a bigger privacy risk than the During the transition, he was photographed during a
patchwork of state data we have today, meeting with the president-elect with an agenda that
because it creates a one-stop shop for included references to voter rolls.
people who want to use the data
maliciously, from identity thieves to “The commission was founded to put a fig
stalkers,” says Jacob Hoffman-Andrews, leaf on what are already precooked policy
senior staff technologist at the Electronic ideas,” says Justin Levitt, law professor at
Frontier Foundation. Loyola Law School and former deputy
assistant attorney general in the
212
Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Of course, the John Smiths may have an easier time than,
Division. “That was on the to do list before say, the Jose Garcias. Rolling Stone investigated one tool
the committee was established.” that aims to find fraudulent voters, called Crosscheck,
which is used by more than two dozen states. It found that
For anyone looking to build a case that voter fraud exists, the system disproportionately flags Hispanic, black, and
the country’s messily maintained and inconsistent voter Asian-American voters. States can use this list to purge
databases would sure seem to provide ample proof. And people from voter rolls, whether or not the system
yet, anyone in the business of standardizing voter rolls—or accurately pegged them as fraudsters. It’s not out of the
engaging in list-matching exercises of any kind—knows question that Kobach is looking to do something similar
that these lists need to be cleaned up, at a minimum, to nationwide. Kobach, in fact, is the person who started
avoid duplications, errors, and typos. Crosscheck.
That kind of thing takes time. The Committee has asked "There will be allegations of people voting
for the voter rolls by July 14. more than once. There will be allegations
of people voting when they're dead,
“You’re going to have a list of hundreds of allegations of people voting in different
states," says Perez. "When you have big
millions of records, including many, many,
numbers like that, you're going to get
many, many John Smiths, their addresses,
people who look the same."
and sometimes the year they were born,”
Levitt says. He argues that trying to match
that information up with, say, a list of The good news here is Kobach’s note is merely a request,
people who immigration has flagged as not a mandate. Secretaries of state in both red and blue
being undocumented, would be "beyond states are taking a stand against it. In this polarized
sloppy and guaranteed to be riddled with political environment, that should tell you something.
errors."
“There’s a lot of worry to be had about
garbage in-garbage out,” Levitt says.
213
Trump...Body Slams CNN - Twitter...
#FraudNewsCNN And #FNN
214
.
215
Amazing! California Sells
The Same Voter Data They Won’t Give Trump
Jim Hoft
Jul 1st, 2017 9:27 Pm
President Trup’s voting commission asked all 50 states for Now this…
voter names, addresses, party affiliation and voting
records, part of an investigation into voter fraud by a
commission he launched last month. California won’t give the requested information to the
Trump administration but sells it to organizations in
the state.
Officials in 10 states already announced they would not
comply at all with the request. Those states are California,
Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Via Reddit:
Mexico, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee and
Virginia. From a NBC 7 San Diego News article back in June 2013:
President Trump tweeted about this earlier on Saturday: But it can be purchased for purposes such as scholarly and
“What are they trying to hide?” journalistic research, and for use in “elections” and
“politics”.
216
Trump Attacks Media As 'Fake' And 'Fraudulent,'
Pushes Back About His Use Of Twitter
Fox News
Published July 01, 2017
President Trump late Saturday widened his attack on The president has had a long-running feud with CNN
mainstream media, deriding it as "fake" and "fraudulent" White House correspondent Jim Acosta and with MSNBC
in a series of tweets. “Morning Joe” co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe
Scarborough, who have been critical of Trump’s
"The FAKE & FRAUDULENT NEWS presidency.
MEDIA is working hard to convince
Republicans and others I should not use However, Trump on Saturday appeared to also criticize
social media - but remember, I won the executives at NBC and parent company Comcast.
2016 election with interviews, speeches
and social media. I had to beat “Word is that @Greta Van Susteren was let
#FakeNews, and did. We will continue to go by her out of control bosses at @NBC &
WIN!" he tweeted. @Comcast because she refused to go
along w/ 'Trump hate!’ ” the president
He then tweeted that he's thinking about changing his usual tweeted.
"fake news" moniker for CNN to Van Susteren worked for the Fox News Channel for about
"#FraudNewsCNN." 15 years, before being hired by MSNBC in early 2017.
He previously went after CNN and MSNBC, going after Trump, a Republican, was a Comcast/ NBC star as host of
company executives instead of his usual criticism of the the popular primetime TV show “The Apprentice,” until
cable networks’ on-camera stars while still deriding “fake summer 2015 when he decided to run for president.
news.”
NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke has in past years backed
“I am extremely pleased to see that @CNN Republican candidates. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts has
has finally been exposed as #FakeNews given to Democratic and Republican candidates.
and garbage journalism. It's about time!”
Trump said in one tweet.
.
217
29 States Refuse To Give Data To Voter Fraud Panel,
"What Are They Trying To Hide" Trump Asks
By Tyler Durden
Jul 1, 2017 12:08 PM
saying they are unnecessary and violated privacy, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, took a similar
according to statements from election officials and media line, calling the Trump investigation an attempt to suppress
reports. the vote.
218
Election officials from both sides of the aisle expressed Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea (D) took her
skepticism about Trump’s claim of voter fraud: criticism further, saying Kobach was unfit to lead the
commission, given his record of strict voting laws and a
“In Ohio, we pride ourselves on being a recent court fine for failing to produce documents related
state where it is easy to vote and hard to to a lawsuit over voting laws.
cheat,” said Jon Husted, Ohio’s Republican
secretary of state. “Voter fraud happens, ***
it's rare and when it happens we hold
people accountable. I believe that as the Trump has made such allegations of voter fraud before,
Commission does its work, it will find the including claiming that that millions of people voted
same about our state." illegally in the 2016 election.
Several states, among them California and New York, said Kobach says he does not know if such claims are true but
participating in the attempt to compile voter data would the commission is investigating them. He is an advocate of
only serve to legitimize the false and already debunked strict voter identification laws, which he says are necessary
claims of massive voter fraud,” according to Democratic to combat fraud. Opponents say those laws hinder access
Secretary of State Alex Padilla. On the other hand, by to the polls primarily for elderly and minority voters.
refusing to participate in the first place, they force Trump
himself to question what it is they are hiding.
Meanwhile, the Hill reported that officials have raised
questions about the commission’s discretion obtaining the
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Virginia Gov. Terry confidential documents.
McAuliffe, both Democrats, said their states would not
provide confidential information.
“State statutes permit the [Wisconsin
commission] to share confidential
“New York refuses to perpetuate the myth information in limited circumstances with
voter fraud played a role in our election,” law enforcement agencies or agencies of
Cuomo said in a statement. “We will not be other states,” Haas said. “The presidential
complying with this request.” commission does not appear to qualify
under either of these categories.”
Even Kansas, where Kobach is secretary of state, will not
share voters' Social Security information with the Trump appointed another voter identification supporter,
commission. Heritage Foundation fellow Hans von Spakovsky, to the
commission Thursday. Von Spakovsky, one of Kobach’s
“In Kansas, the Social Security number is mentors, has long advocated for stricter voter access rules.
not publicly available," Kobach told the
Kansas City Star. "Every state receives the As of noon on Saturday, the states who have refused the
same letter, but we’re not asking for it if it’s Commission's demands are: Arizona, California,
not publicly available." Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New
Officials in Connecticut, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Utah Mexico, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, North
and Washington also expressed skepticism and said their Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode
states would withhold nonpublic information. North Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont,
Carolina will provide all but the last four digits of Social Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Security numbers, dates of birth and driver's license
numbers.
.
219
Inside Trump’s Disastrous
‘Secret’ Drug War Plans For Central America
At Closed-Door Meetings In Miami, Trump And His Generals Plotted A
Muscular Military Response To Violence In Central America.
Been There. Done That. It’s A Disaster.
Jeremy Kryt
07.01.17 12:01 AM ET
The crowds had come in their thousands and their tens of Scores were killed or wounded during what Hondurans
thousands to protest the army’s kidnapping of old Mel, still call El Golpe de Estado (the phrase means “coup
who was as famous for his cheesy sombrero-and-mustache d’état”; those who backed it are called golpistas). To
look as he was for his tepidly liberal politics. In any case, further intimidate the opposition, and break the will of the
soldiers arrived at his house one pleasant morning in late nonviolent Resistencia movement, human rights centers
June, frogmarched him in his PJs to the massive American sheltering victims were deliberately targeted by
airbase just outside Teguc, and—wham, whack, whoosh— government troops. Well, we all learned the hard way back
Mel was gone from the country within hours. The military in those days. But at least we did learn just how dangerous
then forged a letter of resignation, installed a sham democracy-hating, Third-World warmongers can be.
replacement as head of state, and the coup was complete.
The same can’t be said of the Trump administration. As of
now, it’s set to double down on the same hard-line,
220
authoritarian strategies that enabled the Honduran The first phase focused on wealth creation; it went down at
president-snatching in the first place—and resulted in the Florida International University on June 15, and was
country’s descent into a gang-ridden, apocalyptic immediately met by protests on campus.
nightmare from which it has yet to awaken.
“We’re in this together,” Pence told Central
The “Northern Triangle” Tangle American leaders at the end of the day. He
then went on to emphasize that sense of
The corner of the Central American isthmus consisting of fellowship by adding, “President Trump has
Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras is referred to by already taken decisive action to protect the
military strategists and policy geeks as the “Northern American people from the harshest
Triangle.” Over the last 10 years or so it’s become one of consequences of illegal immigration...” In
the deadliest regions on earth. Young people are other words: We’re here for you,
particularly impacted. The homicide rate among youths is neighbors—just stay the hell on your side
a staggering 90 per 100,000, in part due to rampant gang of The Wall.
violence. Based on murders per capita, the Triangle is far
more dangerous than Mexico, no matter what Mr. Trump The second stage was geared toward the “Security” side of
says on Twitter. the equation, and took place the next day behind closed
doors at the SOUTHCOM military base. Because press
The Triangle is an important stopover on the smuggling access was restricted, it’s hard to know all the specifics
routes that connect the cocaine breadbaskets of South that were discussed. But there are clues that point to a
America with their cartel distributors in Mexico. As such it coming crackdown.
suffers under powerful maras (gangs) with names like
Barrio 18 and the Salvatruchas—both of which originated Despite the cloak-and-dagger staging of the conference,
in the U.S. prison system, incidentally, and arrived in some of the Trump administration’s harsh plans for
Honduras thanks to mass deportations. escalating the Drug War have already been hinted at in
speeches, budget proposals, and conference calls with the
These street gangs are tangentially linked to the cartels press. And critics contend this “old-is-new” approach is
operating out of Mexico, as well as places like Colombia. unlikely to result in either “Prosperity” or “Security” in the
The maras are often hired to hack out small airstrips in the region.
jungle for drug-smuggling planes, or to run overland
narcotics shipments across international borders. And they An editorial on the conference by the watchdog group
find plenty of time to torture local residents. The gangs InsightCrime referred to the Trump doctrine for the
rule entire neighborhoods, specializing in rape, forced Northern Triangle as “heavy-handed” and “going
recruitment tactics, abduction for ransom, drug dealing. backwards.” It also pointed out that all three leaders from
Blackmail is rampant, and they often collaborate with local the Triangle countries in attendance had been accused of
authorities in shaking down their victims. corruption or involvement with drug traffickers or both—
in fact the vice president of El Salvador showed up in
Gang violence is one of the driving factors behind the Miami already under indictment back home.
Central American migrant crisis, which has sent hundreds
of thousands fleeing northward, many of them children. The InsightCrime op-ed concluded by
lambasting Trump’s vision “that the main
All that mayhem finally caught the attention of the Trump threats to U.S. national security come from
regime. But, as usual when it comes to narcotics impoverished migrants, the majority of
interdiction efforts under Trump, the proffered solution whom have no ties to the organized crime
seems to be more show than substance—all at the expense groups, gangs, or drug traffickers that
of American taxpayers. safely operate under state protection in
Central America.” (Italics added.)
A shadowy summit last month in Miami brought together
Vice President Mike Pence, high-powered cabinet The statement issued by Doctors Without Borders about
members like Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the leaders the goals set forth in Miami is even more damning.
of all three Triangle nations, and officials from at least Likening conditions in the Triangle to those found in
nine other countries. The plan they espoused? Spend “some of the world’s deadliest war zones,” the group
untold millions more dollars on a strategy that, according estimates the number of immigrants bee-lining it out of
to experts, is guaranteed to fail. So what’s not to like about their native countries to be about 500,000 a year.
that?
As for the solutions proposed by Trump’s
Co-hosted by Mexico, the two-day session was grandly proxies, Doctors Without Borders accused
touted as “The Conference for Prosperity and Security.” conference planners of “turning a blind eye”
221
to the emergency and went on to say, But strong-arming our way to victory remains a popular
“Addressing the crisis in Central America fantasy, especially among Trump’s all-gringo cabinet.
cannot only be about future prosperity and Johnston says Homeland Security boss Kelly—also a
security; it must also be about saving and retired general and the former director of SOUTHCOM—
protecting lives today.” seems determined to apply the belligerent approach in
Central America, and is responsible for the
Militarization Nation “reprioritization” away from programs like USAID, which
directly targeted problems like economic inequality in the
There are two schools of thought on how you help region.
countries climb out of multifaceted maelstroms like the
one currently walloping the Northern Triangle. The first, “It’s unprecedented that the conference
as favored by the Obama administration, is an aid-based took place behind the gates of a military
approach, usually involving democracy-building barracks,” says Johnston. “The security
incentives, humanitarian programs, and the strengthening apparatus and the Pentagon’s specific
of law enforcement and judicial actors. plans [for the Triangle] are incredibly
opaque,” although the overall implications
Obama’s legacy in the region is far from pristine, but to his are clear enough.
credit he intuited that the coup in Honduras was a mistake “The writing’s on the wall that this is a shift
not to be repeated. (He also understood the importance of away from soft power to hard power,” says
development to affect positive change even if, as with Johnston, who’s been conducting research
Afghanistan, he thought the military had to play a major into Latin American economic issues for
role.) the last decade.
The second method is just to send on down millions of During a Senate hearing in late May, police officers from
dollars for “security assistance”—oversight be damned— multiple jurisdictions in the U.S. lectured lawmakers about
and hope for the best. Care to guess which strategy Team just how ineffective, even dangerous, the Trump
Trump prefers? administration’s brand of steroidal, community-alienating
policing can be when it comes to fighting entrenched
POTUS’ congressional budget proposal called for a $54 gangs like the Salvatruchas.
billion increase in military spending, with an undisclosed
amount of that earmarked for ramping up the counter Nevertheless, says Johnston, “in the future,
narcotics campaign and barricading borders against U.S. diplomacy in the region will likely be
migrants. Meanwhile the State Department and the U.S. wearing a uniform instead of a suit.”
Agency for International Development (USAID) would
see their budgets slashed by about 39 percent from last Cops, Soldiers, and Cartels on the Same Team
year’s levels under the Trump budget.
Over the last two decades of the Drug War, the Pentagon’s
Economic aid and assistance to Central America is penchant for propping up repressive generalissimos in
projected to fall from $520 million down to about $300 places like Mexico, Colombia, and Central America has
million, according to a study by the Washington Office on caused widespread suffering among the populations of
Latin America. All that “charity” chopping will directly those nations, including a plague of extrajudicial killings.
endanger social and educational programs in the Northern
Triangle—further reducing quality of life overall, and To get a precise read on current conditions in heavily
making immigration (legal or otherwise) all the more occupied regions of the Triangle zone, I reach out to the
tempting, observers say. national coordinator for the Honduran Solidarity Network
(HSN), Karen Spring, who is based in Tegucigalpa.
The focus of the Trump agenda is not about solving the
root problems like poverty and government corruption that “Honduran society is already very
drive gang violence and narcotics trafficking, says Jake militarized,” said Spring, in a phone
Johnston, a research associate at the Center for Economic interview on the eve of the Miami
and Policy Research (CEPR) in Washington, D.C. conference. “Since the 2009 coup they’ve
created a whole series of new police and
Johnston refers to the Trumpite approach as “outsourcing military units like the Tigres, who are vetted
security to countries with checkered pasts [on] human and trained by the U.S. government.”
rights.” Far from winning the Drug War, or curbing the
flood of migrants, he tells The Daily Beast, “empowering Following the 2009 coup the U.S. has sent some $200
these sectors is only going to exacerbate those problems.” million in security aid to Honduras, despite a petition
222
signed by dozens of American congressmen asking for a “That’s an elaborate narrative,” she adds,
boycott over human rights concerns. And yet in spite of all and a false one.
that martial funding the country remains mired in one long,
“I work in urban communities every day—
slow-burn Armageddon, with one of the highest homicide
and nobody here believes gangs are acting
rates on the planet.
on their own.” Instead, they “work
alongside and are enabled by a corrupt
At the same time, says CEPR’s Johnston, the post-coup police force.”
years have also seen “a real spike in poverty and economic
inequality” despite the millions flowing south from In Spring’s eyes, the social-aid-first ethos espoused by
Washington. President Obama—who also took his fair share of flack for
sending down questionable military aid to Honduras—has
According to Spring, of the Solidarity Network, the done little or nothing to curb connivance between
militarization craze has also sparked a rise in human rights authorities and organized crime. Trump’s hardball tactics,
abuses, including right-wing death squads tasked with on the other hand, are “much worse for everybody.”
eliminating political dissidents. The fact that “the military
is not trained to be providing civilian security” is part of “I don’t think any aid from the U.S. to
the problem Spring says. But the troubles go far deeper Honduras has made any changes for the
than that. majority of the population,” she says, and
as evidence cites the fact that “60 percent
“The police and military are known to be of the country is still in poverty.”
linked to, or infiltrated by, the drug cartels,”
says Spring, who first went to Honduras The soft-power initiatives seem to have proven useful in
eight years ago as a human rights worker some cases, but Spring also accuses them of “promoting
sent down in the wake of the Zelaya very specific interests” that don’t “have an impact on
takedown. security or why people live in fear.”
(Full disclosure: I knew Karen Spring back in those Johnston, of CEPR, also wonders if the soft programs are
woeful, post-coup days in Honduras, and have seen this adequate.
brave young woman stand her ground against civil abuses
by armed actors more than once.)
“State and USAID have rolled out a number
of community-driven crime prevention
“Even high-level military officials are known programs and held them up as illustrative
to be involved in drug trafficking,” she says, of their success but the reality is we have
and yet, “impunity rates have not gone little knowledge about their actual
down. If you are not punishing people who effectiveness.”
are corrupt—especially people in positions
of power—what deters them from
committing crimes?” The playbook on social development might need fine-
tuning or expansion, but it’s far better than
indiscriminately empowering crooked goon squads. As
Indeed, that corruption permeates Honduran politics at the human rights worker Spring puts it, “hard power just
highest levels, according to a recent report by the Carnegie doesn’t do anything to address the problems that are
Endowment for International Peace (PDF), which perpetuating” Honduras’ downward spiral.
describes the country as being run by “intertwined, or
‘integrated,’ ... kleptocratic networks.” Even the son of the
former president was recently accused in a New York To illustrate the failure of the stick-before-carrot strategy,
courtroom of working with organized crime. she goes on to describe a neighborhood where she works
in Tegucigalpa:
Death and (War) Taxes
“The 18 Street gang controls the
community,” Spring says, and all local
“The way that gangs down here are business owners must provide a regular
portrayed in the international press and by quota for the privilege of living under thug
the government is that they’re these tyranny, or risk being shot.
autonomous actors that take over
communities and prisons,” says Spring, “It’s literally called a war tax,” she says. “An
when our conversation turns to the dreaded impuesto de guerra,” and from taxi and bus
maras. drivers to “the women selling tortillas,”
everyone has to pay it.
223
A special unit of military police set up a permanent base units south of the border. The sad truth, however, is that
on the same barrio’s soccer field, back in 2013, which has even our best attempts to vet security forces engaged in the
put the kibosh on local futbol games as well—one of the Drug War in Mexico, Central, and South America have
few innocent pastimes formerly available to local kids. proven fruitless.
Although the borough is now an occupied zone, A prime example of this futility went down in the remote
Ahuas region of Honduras, during a botched DEA raid on
“everybody is still paying the war tax,” an indigenous village in Moskitia that left four innocent
Spring continues. “Extortion is still going people dead, and several others wounded.
on. There’s still a high level of control in the
neighborhood by the gang.” A State Department chopper team, working with a vetted
Honduran unit, opened fire on a boatload of locals after
In fact, the barrio taxi stand “is right in front of the mistaking them for drug smugglers.
military-police base—but the drivers are still paying”
tribute to the gangs. And that’s not a coincidence. “The Honduran door gunner didn’t fire until
he received orders from the DEA agent,”
The blackmailing goes on in front of the barracks where according to CEPR’s Johnston, who co-
the officers “eat, sleep, and live,” and not by accident, but authored an article on the incident. (The
because “the police are involved in organized crime.” DEA declined to respond to an interview
Everyone in the area knows “they’re working with the request for this story.)
gangs, extorting people for profit.”
As reported by The Daily Beast last year, another badly
Far from being independent entities, she says, the gangs bungled Drug-War op took place in Mexico’s Coahuila
are often tools of the authorities, who “use them for their state, in 2011, when DEA officers shared intelligence with
own purposes.” Mexican officers—who then leaked that intel to the Zetas
cartel, resulting in a massacre that wiped out parts of an
entire town.
Most citizens know they can’t “call the Honduran police
for help” when they’re targeted themselves since “they
assume [officers] are involved” with the maras. “We know from experience that the violent
model that has been in place in Mexico is
to be intensified in the Central American
“You can’t just walk into a community with
countries as well,” says Laura Carlsen,
a complex social structure and take it over,”
director of the Americas Program, in
Spring says. “Militarization is not solving
Mexico City. Some 160,000 people have
the problem—it’s making it worse.”
lost their lives since Mexico’s Narco Guerra
began in 2006.
Drug War Redux
“Lack of justice and collusion between
[authorities] and organized crime,” are
As a general rule, when arming oppressive regimes, lack of
hallmarks of the war in Mexico, Carlsen
accountability is the root of all evil. When we send
says. “In cases of assassinations of
military aid to tropical tyrants we shouldn’t be shocked
journalists and attacks on human rights
when they commit atrocities with those expensive and
defenders, at least 50 percent of the
deadly toys.
perpetrators are identified as government
officials.”
Take the March 2016 murder of Berta Cáceres, a well-
known Honduran activist and winner of the prestigious
And yet conviction rates hover in the single digits.
Goldman environmental prize. During the counter-coup
movement, Cáceres gained fame for her habit of striding
out to meet with army commanders in the streets of Mexico’s Other Wall
Tegucigalpa, in an effort to stem the assaults on protesters.
So it wasn’t a great surprise when her killers were found to A preview of what’s to come in the Northern Triangle is
have ties to the Honduran military. already on display along Mexico’s southern border with
Guatemala. That’s where the Pentagon and [DHS Director]
(Since her death, at least two other members of Cáceres’ Kelly “have placed a real emphasis on militarizing,” says
NGO have been assassinated.) Americas Program director Carlsen.
One oft-proffered solution by hawks in Washington is to That plan for shutting down the border—or the Frontera
improve screening and background checks on individual del Sur initiative—was also on the docket at the recent
224
conference in Miami, where Vice President Pence bragged worsen Central America’s ongoing crisis. Nothing
about how it’s already stifled immigration from Triangle- presented at the Miami conference will “address the
land by 70 percent. Carlsen describes the clampdown as problems that are actually driving people to leave these
another attempt to “make Mexico pay for The Wall countries,” he says.
again—only this time on its own southern border.”
Karen Spring agrees. But she also holds that it shouldn’t be
Thanks to Frontera del Sur, Mexico now deports more left to the Trump administration to implement ham-fisted
Central American migrants than does the U.S. And in fact fixes in the Triangle. Viable solutions have already been
our own Border Patrol reports that illegal immigration put forth by those closest to the violence, who know the
from the isthmus has been halved since this same time last risks and realities best of all—if only the ruling junta
year. And yet that reduction has come with a price. would hear them out:
The crackdown on the Guatemalan border “has had a “There has never been a space in
devastating impact on migrants,” says Carlsen, who has Honduras to really listen to some of the
worked in Mexico since the mid-1980s. proposals that are put forward by local
communities and organizations,” explains
The refugees “are fleeing very serious violence in their Spring, who laments what she calls a
country.” Yet instead of offering succor, Mexico is now “failure of democracy” in the Northern
“attempting to box them in,” in part to curry favor with Triangle.
President Trump and his advisers ahead of upcoming
NAFTA negotiations. Former President Zelaya tried to listen, but his modest
attempts to fight economic inequality got him shanghaied
Mexican cartels are “delighted at these by his own troops. Trouble-making crusaders like Bertha
kinds of policies,” she goes on, “because Caceres have been assassinated for daring to suggest land-
they criminalize migrants, and turn them ownership reforms that challenge traditional elites and
into into prey.” transnational corporations.
For Carlsen, the Trump team’s script for the Drug-War “It’s the voices which have typically been
reboot has “much more to do with repressing people than excluded that are trying to promote an
trying to solve deeper social problems that they’re facing.” alternative,” Spring says, “and for doing so
they’re being killed, criminalized, and
silenced.”
CEPR economist Johnston believes the Trumped up
approach to immigration and the Drug War will actually
.
225
Trump Unloads In Angry Tweetstorm:
Slams "Dumb As A Rock" Mika, "Garbage" CNN
By Tyler Durden
Jul 1, 2017 12:41 PM
One day after the NY Post issued its shortest ever editorial It all started off politely enough, withTrump wishing
on the topic of "Trump's tweets", writing just three words:
"Happy Canada Day to all of the great
people of Canada and to your Prime
“Stop. Just Stop"... Minister and my new found friend
@JustinTrudeau. #Canada150"
226
and dumb as a rock Mika are not bad people, but their low Trump's Saturday tweetstorm may or may not be over, but
rated show is dominated by their NBC bosses. Too bad!" it is sure to provoke more protests about unpresidential
and/or improper language - by both democrats and
republicans - from Trump, which in turn demonstrates that
the president intends to continue defying the "proper"
protocols of appropriate behavior. What his strategy is by
doing so, if of course there is one, remains unclear.
227
Unhinged: Dozens Of Dems
Sign On To Begin Process Of Removing Trump
Who’s REALLY ‘Out There’ – Trump Or Deranged Democrats?
By Usafeaturesmedia
Posted On July 1, 2017
Once the group is officially seated, the
House and Senate could direct it through a
joint resolution to conduct an actual
examination of the president ‘to determine
whether the president is incapacitated,
either mentally or physically,’ according to
the Raskin bill.
And if the president refuses to participate,
the bill dictates, that “shall be taken into
consideration by the commission in
(National Sentinel) Political posturing: Frustrated by their reaching a conclusion.”
inability to take out President Donald J. Trump through the
usual Deep State-media tactics, at least two dozen That provision is especially telling; it essentially says of
Democrats are signing on to an effort to get him declared the president doesn’t want any part of this witch hunt, that
mentally unstable and removed from office under alone can be used to determine he’s mentally unstable.
provisions of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. What’s ironic is that the Dem-led effort to prove Trump is
mentally unfit is being driven by a truly unhinged and
As reported by the UK’s Daily Mail, Rep. Jamie Raskin, irrational hatred of the president.
D-Md., who teaches constitutional law on the side at
American University, has begun an effort to convene a But for the purposes of discussion, there are several things
special committee of psychiatrists and other doctors who that need to happen before Trump is driven from office in
would be tasked with determining whether Trump is this manner:
mentally competent to serve as the nations’ commander-in- Vice President Pence and a majority of Trump’s
chief. Cabinet would have to be on board (not likely)
Under provisions of the 25th Amendment, a president can Raskin’s effort centers around a piece
be removed from office if he self-determines he is unable of legislation, which a) GOP leaders would have to
to continue to discharge his duties, or if the vice president agree to send to their respective chambers for a
and a majority of the president’s Cabinet, “or of such other vote; and b) Trump would have to sign (even less
body as Congress may by law provide,” make the likely)
determination. One look at Raskin and you begin to wonder just
who really is the crazy one.
The Daily Mail reported further on Raskin’s long-shot
As the “Trump-Russia collusion” narrative begins to
effort:
collapse and there is little likelihood of finding any
Raskin’s bill would allow the four evidence that Team Trump did anything nefarious with
Republican and Democratic leaders of the Moscow, the attempt to “prove” Trump is mentally
House and Senate to each choose a unstable is the latest attempt by a deranged political party
psychiatrist and another doctor. Then each and its propaganda media wing to dispose of a duly-elected
party would add a former statesman – like president whose only “fault” is that he isn’t taking the
a retired president or vice president. abuse they heap on him daily lying down.
The final group of 10 would meet and
choose an 11th member, who would
become the committee’s chairman.
228
Elderly Snowflakes Say Trump Is “Mentally Ill,” ‘Does
Deals With The Russians’
Snowflakes Claim Trump "Hits" His Wife Melania
By Shepard Ambellas
July 2, 2017
229
Trump: Fake Media Trying To Silence Us,
But People Know The Truth
Published Time: 2 Jul, 2017 03:14 Edited Time: 2 Jul, 2017 15:18
230
Trump: Right Fake News Media,
Wrong About Most Everything Else
By Stephen Lendman - Stephenlendman.Org
7-2-2017
Instead of demanding he be held accountable for high He’s waging undeclared war on Venezuela. He took
crimes of war and against humanity, along with serving relations with Russia to a new low, after pledging
monied interests at the expense of most others, they blast improved ties. Imposing illegal sanctions on China showed
him for the wrong reasons - willfully deceiving readers and a short-lived honeymoon with President Xi Jinping was
viewers. more mirage than real.
Serving as press agents for powerful interests, truth-telling Instead of combating terrorism as pledged, he supports it.
is considered anathema. Disinformation, Big Lies and fake Instead of draining the swamp, he filled it with neocons,
news substitute. Following their reports assures being hawkish generals and billionaires.
misinformed, uninformed, and lied to.
Instead of serving all Americans equitably, he favors
At a Saturday rally, Trump was right, saying the privileged ones at the expense of most others, especially
“dishonest media(’s) agenda is not your(s)” - omitting self- the nation’s most vulnerable.
criticism, failing to explain his agenda serves wealth,
power and privilege exclusively. All politicians lie. Rare exceptions prove the rule. Trump
showed he’s like all the rest.
Long forgotten are inaugural day promises. He’s a warrior
president servant of power like his predecessors. He’s right bashing deplorable media scoundrels, dead
wrong on most everything else - inflicting enormous harm
Saying he’d “fight for you with every breath in (his) body, on countless millions at home and abroad.
and never, ever let you down” proved hollow rhetoric.
.
231
Trump Criticizes 'Fraudulent'
Mainstream Media for Fake News
© REUTERS/ Joshua Roberts - US
03:26 02.07.2017
Donald Trump went on criticizing the US The recent scandal over the issue occurred on June 24,
mainstream media of publishing fake when CNN took down an article that suggested the US
and biased news Senate Intelligence Committee was looking into the
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US President Donald Trump meeting of Trump's aide Anthony Scaramucci and Russian
went on criticizing the US mainstream media of publishing Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) CEO Kirill Dmitriev. The
fake and biased news, in particular, considering of so- article was retracted, while three CNN reporters who
called renaming of the CNN news channel. worked on the story resigned on Monday.
"I am thinking about changing the name #FakeNews CNN Since Trump assumed the office, US media, including
to #FraudNewsCNN… The FAKE & FRAUDULENT CNN, have accused the US president's team of having ties
NEWS MEDIA is working hard to convince Republicans to the Kremlin. The US president has refuted these
and others I should not use social media — but remember, allegations and labelled the media involved in these
I won the 2016 election with interviews, speeches and speculations as "fake news."
232
Wapo Hypes
The Nonexistent Russian Threat
By Stephen Lendman - Stephenlendman.Org
7-2-2017
233
US Democrats Want To Remove
Trump From White House For Mental Incapacity
© AP Photo/ Pablo Martinez Monsivais - Politics
01:07 02.07.2017(Updated 10:20 02.07.2017)
234
Trump Vows To Stick With
Social Media Despite Recent Backlash
By Edmund Demarche
Published July 02, 2017
Most of Trump’s critics would read that tweet and say: you
may have won the election using that strategy, but now
you are the president, and the role requires more
seriousness and deference.
The criticism for that tweet came from both sides of the
aisles. Brzezinski, for her part, wrote a column in The
Washington Post, saying that she—along with her co-host
Joe Scarborough—are “certain” that Trump is “not
mentally equipped to continue watching our show.”
“is not Presidential—it’s MODERN DAY Fox News' Brit Hume noted on Twitter:
PRESIDENTIAL. Make America Great
Again!”
"Please explain how the president of the
United States can be 'bullied' by the hosts
He also tweeted that of what he says it is a low-rated cable TV
show? Absurd." Hume tweeted again, “His
“the FAKE & FRAUDLENT NEWS MEDIA Tweets make his critics more visible and
is working hard to convince Republicans they diminish him. It's punching down and
and others I should not use social media— it's a mug's game.”
but remember, I won….the 2016 election
with interviews, speeches and social Perhaps one of the main concerns for Trump supporters
media. I had to beat #FakeNews, and did. who-- like Ann Coulter—enjoy when Trump takes on
We will continue to WIN!”
235
opponents on social media, there seems to be no limit to Trump—once again on Twitter-- said that he "did not
what Trump will not post on Twitter. make" and doesn't have any recordings of his private
conversations with ousted former FBI Director James
The White House appears to position Trump’s Twitter use Comey.
as an asset. Deputy White House Press Secretary Sarah
Huckabee, said on Fox News—in response to the tweet— "With all of the recently reported electronic
that Trump fights back. surveillance, intercepts, unmasking and
illegal leaking of information," Trump said
“This is a president that fights fire with fire,” he has "no idea" whether there are "tapes"
she said. or recordings of the two men's
conversations. But he declares he "did not
make, and do not have, any such
recordings."
236
Thousands Of Protesters Marched Down 5th Street And
Broadway In Downtown To Los Angeles City Hall.
Laura J. Nelsoncontact Reporter
July 2, 2017
“We need a leader, not a creepy tweeter.” “It’s all been disproven,” Woods said. “He
has a right to terminate this inquiry.… I
Further north on Broadway, Allen Levinson, 55, of think it’s magnanimous of him to let them
Redondo Beach and two friends hoisted a plastic frame go on with it.”
supporting a wide banner that read “Illegitimate Corrupt
Puppet.” In February, White House officials said the president fired
national security advisor Michael Flynn because the
237
former three-star Army general had lied to Vice President The impeachment march in Los Angeles ended at Fletcher
Mike Pence and other officials about his contacts with Bowron Square near City Hall, where demonstrators heard
Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. anti-Trump speeches, including one from Rep. Brad
Sherman (D-Porter Ranch).
A day later, Trump met with FBI Director James B.
Comey and told him he hoped “you can see your way clear The San Fernando Valley lawmaker has put himself at
to letting this go, to letting Flynn go,” according to Comey. odds with House Democratic leaders by drafting and
circulating articles of impeachment, accusing Trump of
Trump has disputed Comey’s account. The president and trying to thwart the FBI’s investigation into Flynn.
his aides have denied any wrongdoing.
"We have to act now to protect our country
“Why shouldn’t they have talked to from abuse of power and impulsive,
Russia?” said Hollee Garcia of Cathedral ignorant incompetence," Sherman said.
City, who drove in for the pro-Trump The crowd cheered and began chanting,
counterprotest. “I don’t agree with [Russian “Lock him up.”
President Vladimir] Putin, but I respect him
as a man who has a country behind him.
Though does he have them under lock and
key? Maybe.”
239
After Trump’s CNN ‘Fight’ Video,
#25thamendmentnow Starts Trending On Twitter
By Jaclyn Reiss Globe Staff
July 02, 2017
‘‘#FraudNewsCNN #FNN.’’
241
How The Left Lost Its Mind
Polemicists, Conspiracists, And Outright Fabulists Are Feeding An
Alternative Media Landscape—Where The Implausibility Of A Claim Is
No Bar To Its Acceptance.
Mckay Coppins
Jul 2, 2017
But 2017 poses the question: Could the same thing happen
on the left?
Writing recently in The New Republic, Sarah Jones Meanwhile, old-school platforms like Reddit and Daily
identified the popularity of these notorious Kos continue to host freewheeling forums that attract the
tweetstormers—some of whom boast followings in the kind of occasionally enlightening, occasionally deranged
hundreds of thousands—as part of a “disturbing emerging conversations that tend to thrive in those environments.
trend” on the left. “Liberals desperate to believe that the And the HuffPost contributor platform—an un-vetted,
right conspiracy will take down Donald Trump promote unedited section of the site that operates apart from its
their own purveyors of fake news,” she wrote. professional journalism—has been a vehicle for some of
the most bizarre, and outright craziest, content to go viral
Hyperpartisan Facebook pages on the left in recent years.
If Twitter is where liberal conspiracy theories germinate Just this month, editors were forced to delete a contributor
and spread among news junkies, Facebook is where anti- post that began, “Impeachment and removal from office
Republican propaganda can go wide. are only the first steps; for America to be redeemed,
Donald Trump must be prosecuted for treason and — if
Facebook pages like Occupy Democrats have millions of convicted in a court of law — executed.” And throughout
last year’s primaries, Seth Abramson, a creative writing
fans who ensure that every meme, video, and breathless
professor at the University of New Hampshire, used his
blog post they publish has a good chance at virality. The
HuffPost perch to churn out a procession of increasingly
content plastered across these pages includes standard-
delusional blog posts explaining why Bernie Sanders
issue clickbait (“Trump Just Did Something Awful At His
Golf Course”) and hyperbolic headlines (“Queen Elizabeth would inevitably win the Democratic nomination.
Just Told Trump To Go F*ck Himself And It Is Perfect”).
But these feeds are also studded with straightforwardly Abramson’s arguments not only denied political realities
fake news. and delegate math as the race wore on; they often denied
basic human logic. But thanks to the hordes of Bernie fans
An analysis by BuzzFeed during the frenzied final weeks desperately scouring the internet for some hope to cling to,
of the 2016 election found that nearly 20 percent of the Abramson’s posts consistently went uber-viral. (He
eventually wrote a post defending this shameless play for
stories posted by three extremely popular liberal Facebook
clicks as a form of “experimental journalism” that
pages—Occupy Democrats, The Other 98%, and
embraced “the multi-dimensionality of metanarrative.” The
Addicting Info—were either partly or mostly false. While
Washington Post’s Matt O’Brien responded via Twitter:
conservative Facebook pages were even more likely to
spread false stories, BuzzFeed’s finding should serve as a “Area Academic Writes Barely Comprehensible Defense
of Lying.”) These days, Abramson’s main platform is
red flag for the kind of the news that millions of rank-and-
Twitter, where he has over 150,000 followers, and
file Democrats are getting on the world’s largest social-
specializes in imminent-indictment stories in the style of
media platform.
criminal complaints.
243
As with right-wing publishers, the content produced by and massive followings. These may be people who are
these liberal sites varies widely in terms of quality, relatively unsophisticated when it comes to politics and
credibility, and good faith. At their best, they can offer the media, but whose prominence in other fields—academia,
kind of radical viewpoints and unique insights that don’t history, law, literature—gives them a certain sheen of
commonly make it onto the high-profile platforms of trustworthiness. So when they share stories from fringe
mainstream liberalism, like MSNBC or the New York outlets on Twitter or Facebook, many are inclined to take
Times op-ed page. At their worst, they serve up shallow them seriously.
partisan affirmation and dishonest propaganda. And rarely
do the more responsible publishers in this ecosystem spend On the “about” page for The Palmer Report, the site thanks
time proactively debunking the rumors and falsehoods that a range of well-known people and mainstream media
are circulating among their audiences. outlets it claims have shared its (dubious) reporting —
including Representative Ted Lieu, former Michigan
Podcasts Governor Jennifer Granholm, former DNC chair Howard
Dean, the actors Mark Ruffalo and Debra Messing,
The constellation of popular podcasts that has emerged on Newsweek, The Oregonian, and an array of MSNBC
the left serves many of the same functions that right-wing contributors. Laurence Tribe, the renowned Harvard
talk-radio hosts served for their audiences in their early scholar of constitutional law, has been an especially active
days. They provide a mix of commentary, entertainment, booster for the site, routinely tweeting links to highly
and partisan catharsis; a safe space to process the daily questionable, unverified news stories about Trump.
onslaught of bad news.
Last April, when Jason Chaffetz announced he would
The hosts tend not to be household names, but to their resign his House seat, The Palmer Report published an
listeners they are superstars. The most successful anonymously sourced bombshell claiming the FBI had
podcasters are able to sell out theaters for live shows, and discovered the Utah congressman was being blackmailed
can even get recognized on the street (in certain zip codes, by the Kremlin. The story was characteristic of the site’s
at least). well-worn shtick. But that didn’t stop Ned Price, a former
special assistant to President Obama, from credulously
passing it along on Twitter.
The nature of the medium—walled off from the web and
unplugged from social media—means that even
irresponsible podcasts are not innately integral to the “Interesting, if single-sourced, article from a few
spread of sketchy information on the left. Many of the days ago,” he wrote.
most popular podcasts, including those from the
mainstream Democrats of the Crooked Media empire, are Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to Obama, then chimed in,
careful with their evidence and claims, working to debunk
conspiracy theories, and hosting guests with a variety of “Too bad nobody flagged this earlier.”
views. And the gleefully vulgar champions of the “dirtbag
left” at Chapo Trap House make a point of mocking the When journalists began pressing the duo on why they were
Russia conspiracists. Above all, what they offer their sharing a story from a website with such a spotty track
stressed-out listeners is a sense of community (plus plenty record of accuracy, Price’s response was telling.
of discount codes for Blue Apron and MeUndies).*
“Every once in a blue moon, the tin hat can fit.”
VIP Validators
244
Shadow President? Obama Meets With South Korean
President To Discuss Trump
Alex Pfeiffer - White House Correspondent
10:30 AM 07/03/2017
Former President Barack Obama seems to be feeling He appealed to members of Congress in May to have the
nostalgic for his old job, meeting with South Korean “courage” to save Obamacare, and just a few weeks into
President Moon Jae-in Monday for 40 minutes. President Trump’s tenure Obama put out a statement
through his spokesman attacking Trump’s so-called “travel
ban.”
The Korea Herald reported that Moon spoke about his
recent meetings with President Trump in Washington and
asked Obama for his advice on how to improve that President Trump and Obama have had a strained
relationship. relationship. Trump has accused Obama of both spying on
him and obstruction of justice.
.
245
Keith Olbermann: Trump Should
Be Impeached After Tweeting CNN Takedown Video
By Katherine Rodriguez -
July 3, 2017
Please RT if you agree the cabinet must The first time, Olbermann alleged that Trump “attacked
invoke the 25th Amendment, TODAY, and freedom of speech” and called for his impeachment:
immediately remove @realDonaldTrump So @realDonaldTrump has just attacked
from the presidency. freedom of speech in an Independence
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) Day speech. Impeach him, indict him,
July 2, 2017 imprison him, erase his name
https://t.co/w5A6oxJYYS
Trump tweeted the video of himself taking
down someone whose face is replaced with — Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann)
a CNN logo Sunday morning with the July 2, 2017
caption “#FraudNewsCNN #FNN.” Then, he tweeted that the vice president and the cabinet
#FraudNewsCNN #FNN should use the 25th Amendment to get Trump to resign:
pic.twitter.com/WYUnHjjUjg
The @vp and the cabinet of
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) @realDonaldTrump need to invoke Article
July 2, 2017 4 of the 25th Amendment and remove him
from office, today, or resign.
At the end of the video, the letters FNN appear with the — Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann)
words “fraud news network” directly underneath them. July 2, 2017
Olbermann is currently the host of a webcast for GQ called
“The Resistance.”
246
Democratic Bill Lays
The Groundwork To Remove Trump From Office
By Phil Mccausland
Jul 3 2017, 4:55 Am ET
247
"We've got to make sure that we have a In July 1985, for example, then-Vice President George
president who is able faithfully to discharge H.W. Bush was acting president for about eight hours
the duties of office," Raskin said Friday on when President Ronald Reagan underwent a procedure to
CNN's "Outfront." "This is not just for one have a precancerous lesion removed from his colon.
president — it's for all of the presidents.
And I think we can come together in a And Dick Cheney was twice acting president during the
bipartisan way." administration of President George W. Bush: first in June
2002, for about 2½ hours, when Bush underwent a
The White House didn't respond to multiple requests for colonoscopy, and again for about two hours in July 2007,
comment from NBC News. when Bush had five non-cancerous colon polyps removed.
248
Steve Bannon Reportedly
Pushing Trump To Raise Taxes On The Wealthy
By Tyler Durden
Jul 3, 2017 7:40 AM
The tensions between the Trump administration’s populist Lobbyists who have met with Gary Cohn and
win and its more traditionally Republican establishment Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin say they've
types have been well-documented in recent months. And been struck by how impatient the two appear:
now, more than two months after Treasury Secretary Cohn has told associates that if tax reform
Steven Mnuchin and National Economic Council chief doesn't get done this year, it's probably never
Gary Cohn unveiled an outline of the administration’s tax- going to happen.
reform ambitions, another battle between the two wings Sources who know Cohn speculate that he'll
appears to be brewing. leave the White House the instant he concludes
tax reform is dead.
Trump’s chief strategist Steve Bannon is said to be While Cohn and Mnuchin differ stylistically —
pushing to raise the top tax rate on individuals, with Axios Cohn is brash and physically imposing while
saying the former Breitbart CEO would like the top rate Mnuchin is mild-mannered — sources who've
to have “a 4 in front of it” - currently, the highest been meeting with them say they share the same
income-tax bracket in the US is 39.6% for individuals philosophy: Go big or go home.
earning more than $414,000 a year.
Ironically, Cohn and Mnuchin are warming to an idea that
Bannon supported in the aftermath of the election, when he
claimed that he's "not a conservative" and said he would
support spending packages that blow out the deficit,
arguing that the US should rebuild its infrastructure now
while interest rates are low. Mnuchin, for his part, has
refused to promise that tax reform wouldn’t lead to wider
deficits when he and Cohn unveiled the outline for the
administration’s reform plan back in April.
Cohn and Mnuchin aren't bluffing when they say they want
to slash the corporate tax rate to 15% from the current
35%. Neither man has any interest in timid tax cuts,
Some officials – code for Mnuchin, Cohn and the other and they wager that special interests will relinquish
members of the more traditionally corporatist (or rather their loopholes if they become convinced their tax rate
Goldmanist) wing of the Trump administration – believe really will be in the teens.
Bannon’s ideas are crazy. But Bannon believes raising
taxes on the wealthy could help the administration boost its They're becoming far less wedded to revenue
populist bona fides, an angle which Trump appears to be neutrality — the idea, favored by House and Senate
actively pursuing once again having recently failed with Republican leadership, that tax cuts mustn't add to
his more traditional fiscal reform push. But as tax reform is the deficit.
shaping up to be a must-win for the Trump administration, They're increasingly tantalized by an idea some
it would hardly be a surprise to see Bannon’s plan shelved conservatives (like Grover Norquist and Sen. Pat
in favor of across-the-board cuts that would help rally the Toomey) are pushing: Allow major tax cuts to last
Republican Party’s conservatives to support whatever longer than 10 years without having to balance the
reform package Trump ultimately presents. budget.
Conservatives like Toomey favor a more expansive
Cohn and Mnuchin reportedly view tax reform as a top 20- or 25-year period. But top White House officials
priority for the administration. However, as Axios notes, are more cautious, and are said to be weighing a
time to pass comprehensive reform is quickly running out. 15-year period.
249
The last time the US passed comprehensive tax reform, the That's going to be a heck of a challenge. They need to first
legislative battle took two years. Thus, a new theme is pass a budget, which is embroiled in fights over defense
emerging that applies not just to tax reform, but to spending and welfare reform. And they need to finish with
Trump’s agenda more broadly: Do it now, or let it go. health care. Some top Republicans have come to believe,
contrary to conventional wisdom, that tax reform stands a
Context: The last time Congress passed major tax reform, better chance if health care fails — so desperate will
in 1986, it was a two-year rollercoaster. This time, the Trump and Republican leaders be for a victory.
White House officials driving the process have concluded
there's no chance of getting Democrats to support what The x-factor here, of course, is Trump. How does he feel
Trump wants to do. So, they believe it must be done before about raising taxes on the wealthy? And, more
the 2018 midterm elections or not at all. importantly, is Bannon succeeding in moving the Trump
administration in a more populist direction, following
Trump's decision to largely abandon his protectionist
rhetoric? A few more tweets from the president should
provide the answer.
.
250
This proves that one of the smartest people alive can be WRONG!
In recent years, Hawking has become something of a meaning that we might wipe ourselves out before Earth
doom-monger who is determined to sketch out a variety of turns into Venus.
grim fates which await the human race.
.
251
It’s ON! Trump Should Order The Arrest Of Barack
Obama For Violating The LOGAN ACT For Meeting With
South Korean President As A Private Citize!
By IWB
July 3, 2017
252
'Your Worst Nightmare:
A Successful Donald Trump Presidency'
As The President Seizes On Policy Wins And Seeks To Turn The Russia
Spotlight On Obama And The Press, Some Experts Say Liberals Are In
For A Rude Awakening, Trump’s Tweet Attacking CNN Is ‘Un-
American’, Top Media Ethicist Says
David Smith In Washington
Monday 3 July 2017 05.00 EDT
253
Then came the veterans event at the White House where, looking at Russia... under a magnifying glass,
under the gaze of portraits of George Washington and they have zero ‘tapes’ of T people colluding.
Teddy Roosevelt, Trump projected himself as a man who There is no collusion & no obstruction. I should
gets things done. be given apology!”
None of these examples comes without caveats. Handel’s The president has not given a solo press conference since
victory in Georgia was in a seat that Republicans have held 16 February. Since 11 May, he has not given a TV
since 1979. Democrats say Trump’s proposed budget will interview to a channel other than the staunchly supportive
make it harder for veterans to receive care. The Russia Fox News. Combined with increasingly terse White House
investigations are likely to drag on for years and could find press briefings, often off camera, the pattern suggests that
that Trump obstructed justice when he fired FBI director Trump is focused on firing up his base and has all but
James Comey. The supreme court did not fully reinstate given up on reaching beyond it.
his travel ban, granting exemption to people with a “bona
fide relationship” with someone in the US. And his Michael Barnett, chairman of the Republican party in Palm
campaign promise to repeal and replace Obamacare Beach County, Florida, said:
remains in limbo on Capitol Hill, while the president has
been condemned by both parties for a crude attack on TV
“I haven’t seen Trump lose any bit of support on
host Mika Brzezinski.
the ground here. I hear people say he’s not
presidential but it looks like he is beginning to
But politics, after all, is often a battle of perceptions. Niall redefine what it means to be presidential. He’s
Ferguson, a British historian and senior fellow at the not going to take it lying down but he’s going
Hoover Institution in Stanford, California, said in May: stand up for himself and give it back.”
The past two weeks illustrate how, when on the ropes, Trump can still
throw some punches that at least get him to the bell. Photograph:
Xinhua / Barcroft Images
George Ajjan, a Republican consultant and strategist, said:
“It doesn’t take an awful lot for a president to
start looking good. If the expectations start really
low, which they have done, it may be one win, “The early political burials of Trump and
and I definitely don’t rule out a kind of ‘success in impeachment whispers were wishful thinking.
spite of himself’ scenario. And then you begin to Remember we are not even six months into his
wonder if a left-of-Clinton Democrat in 2020 presidency – the proof of the pudding is in the
would be blown away. We’ll see. The fun thing eating, and most of the bowl is still untasted. The
255
fixation of Trump’s enemies on Russia is not Trump’s approval rating hovers at an average of 40%.
strategic: they are wasting their time hoping for a John Hudak, a senior fellow in governance studies at the
silver bullet made in Moscow.” Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, warned:
But from vulgar tweets to healthcare, Trump remains “His supporters [see] someone they see as
highly combustible. As the healthcare legislation continues presidential; the problem is that most Americans
to falter, his reputation as a dealmaker is on the line. Last don’t.
week, Senate Republicans postponed a vote as they argued
“Most Americans see this as a failure of a
over the way forward. Some complained that the president
president and don’t agree with handling of the
lacks a grasp of the basic issues. House Republicans are
economy or his handling of foreign policy.”
also reportedly furious that he branded their bill “mean”.
Hudak added:
Failure to repeal and replace Obamacare would no doubt
be a colossal failure, but the alternative might be worse.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Senate “No one is supporting Trump because three
plan would leave 22 million more people uninsured and people at CNN resigned. This love-fest over
gut Medicaid, breaking Trump’s promise to protect it. His Republicans winning Republican House seats is
hardcore supporters, in states such as West Virginia, would worrying. Trump needs to expand his base: he
be hardest hit. If no legislation is passed, Trump and his will not be re-elected if he relies on the same
allies will have the option of trying to muddy the waters by coalition. He won by the narrowest of margins
blaming the intransigence and dysfunction of Washington. and replication is not a viable strategy. A lot of
The message will be: “Look, I tried, but the politicians got polling data shows the Trump base is an ever
in the way.” shrinking segment of the American population.”
Frank Luntz, a Republican consultant and pollster, On Friday, there was another little noticed celebration in
counselled patience: the Oval Office, as Trump signed an executive order
reviving the National Space Council. Buzz Aldrin, the
second man to walk on the moon, quipped:
“With Donald Trump, every news cycle is a
lifetime. Never assume he’s dead, because he
always rises from the ashes of some political or “Infinity and beyond.”
personal error. And never assume he’s safe,
because the next political explosion is no more Perhaps not aware of the reference to Toy Story’s Buzz
than days away.” Lightyear, Trump replied:
256
Media Reaps Dividends
From Trump Attacks
By Jonathan Easley
07/03/17 06:00 AM EDT
Cable news outlets are pulling huge ratings and reporters According to Nielsen’s second-quarter ratings, MSNBC’s
are becoming overnight celebrities as the attacks between total viewers are up 73 percent year-over-year, with prime-
President Trump and the media enter strange new territory. time viewership up 86 percent, easily making it the fastest-
growing cable news outlet.
The White House has agitated for the fight, believing
that every day it spends feuding with the media exposes Anchor Rachel Maddow has become a cultural icon on the
further press bias and energizes the conservative base. left while also attracting a younger audience of viewers.
MSNBC’s share of the coveted 25- to 54-year-old
But Trump’s claim that MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski was demographic grew 78 percent in prime time over last year.
“bleeding badly from a face-lift" unified the media, with Its prime-time audience has nearly tripled since second
anchors from Fox News to CNN expressing outrage at the quarter of 2014.
president’s tweets and pointing to them as evidence that
the press should not treat Trump like a normal president. Scarborough said on Twitter that his show had a record
month for ratings.
Trump again sent the media into a fury over the weekend
when he tweeted a doctored video showing him at a fake Congrats to the entire Morning Joe team for
wrestling match body-slamming someone with the CNN another record setting ratings month. You are
logo superimposed over their face. Reporters accused amazing. Your hard work makes the difference!!
Trump of encouraging violence against the press. pic.twitter.com/OFH8inG5td
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) July 2, 2017
The relationship between the White House and the media
is in shambles, with the daily press briefings devolving CNN, meanwhile, is running third in the cable wars.
into shouting matches and airing of grievances. Both Journalistically, the network has had a rough stretch, with
sides engage in stunts, grandstanding and political theater retraction-related dismissals, sting videos showing
meant to undermine or embarrass the other. producers expressing frustration with the network’s
editorial decisions and allegations of bias coming from the
The White House has long viewed attacking the media, right.
dubbed “the opposition party” by chief strategist Stephen
Bannon, as a winning strategy. But the nasty turn has also But CNN has still grown 25 percent in total viewers and 10
been a boon to the media and the individual reporters who percent in prime time year-over-year. The network’s deep
register acts of protest against the administration. well of contributors and political pundits ensures that the
Trump show is always rolling.
“Ratings are part of it, but the media’s open
contempt for this administration is part of it, too,” It’s a stark departure from the pre-Trump era, when
said Tim Graham, the director of media analysis sagging ratings provoked a move away from breaking
at the conservative Media Research Center. “I news and political programming. As recently as 2014,
imagine it will continue as long as the ratings CNN was airing “Dirty Jobs,” “America’s Most Wanted”
keep going up.” or “Our America with Lisa Ling” in the prime-time 9 p.m.
hour.
Left-leaning MSNBC pulled big numbers as the only
network in open opposition to the president, even before Some media watchers are growing alarmed by the
the spat between Trump and “Morning Joe” hosts Joe
increasingly antagonistic approach some in the press are
Scarborough and Brzezinski engulfed Washington.
taking. But most expect it will continue as long as the
feuding with Trump attracts new viewers.
257
“The news world is reaping some short-term print and online outlets, where he claimed the nickname
benefits from the running battle with Trump, but “honey badger” — a supposedly fearless animal — and
this is really a short-sighted and ultimately losing said members of the press corps had likened him to
strategy,” said Jeffrey McCall, a media critic and legendary reporters Sam Donaldson and Helen Thomas.
professor at DePauw University. “Sure, it's
sensational and somewhat entertaining, but it Left-leaning outlets have held Karem up as a hero,
makes the media look small and petty. Media although the episode cemented in the minds of many
credibility is quite low and most news consumers conservatives that reporters want to use the briefings to
aren't going to sympathize with the news make their names by grandstanding against the
industry, even when Trump makes boorish administration.
attacks.”
That’s a point White House press secretary Sean Spicer
Fox News is still the front-runner in the cable wars, despite made in explaining why fewer press briefing would be
shake-ups that roiled both its prime-time line-up and televised.
executive suites.
Other reporters have had similar experiences.
Fox’s audience grew 19 percent between 8 p.m. and 11
p.m., as viewers tune in to watch Tucker Carlson or Sean
Veteran reporter April Ryan, who has been covering the
Hannity rail against the news media on a nightly basis.
White House for 20 years and has long been one of the
Feuding with Trump has also become a profitable most respected journalists in the press corps, scored a
endeavor for many individual reporters, with viral video contributor position on CNN this year after several high-
clips and tweets opening new doors for previously little- profile dust-ups with Trump and Spicer.
known journalists.
CNN White House reporter Jim Acosta has
Taking on the White House worked for Brian Karem, an become the face of the resistance inside the briefing room,
editor for a regional newspaper in the Washington suburbs. railing against the administration on the air and on social
media.
Karem was little-known before Tuesday, when a video of
him lecturing White House deputy press secretary Sarah Acosta’s antagonistic tweets have gone viral amid the
Huckabee Sanders over press access went viral. furor over the White House's decision to take the
briefings off-camera. Frustrated with the lack of camera
Less than a week later, he has nearly 80,000 followers on access, Acosta began to tweet pictures of his socks — the
Twitter. only things in the briefing, he wrote, that he was allowed
to show on camera.
After his exchange, Karem made the cable news rounds to
call Sanders a bully. He sat for scores of interviews with
.
258
Trump After Talk With Saudi King:
'Interesting Things Happening'
Mon Jul 3, 2017 5:57PM
Trump also restated his goals from his visit to the region in
May of "defeating terrorism” and “achieving a lasting
peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians."
259
Six In 10 Americans Say They Don't Trust The Trump
Administration But Congress And The Media
Have Even Worse Numbers – And Hardly
ANYONE Trusts Opinion Polls
Marist/NPR Poll Found 61 Per Cent Of U.S. Adults Don't Trust The Trump Administration
That Number Was 68 Per Cent For Congress And The Media, However, Giving The
President A Leg Up
Americans Trust The U.S. Intelligence Community And The Courts
But 61 Per Cent Distrust Opinion Polls, And Just 35 Per Cent Believe Them
By David Martosko, Us Political Editor For Dailymail.Com
Published: 12:38 EDT, 3 July 2017 | Updated: 15:08 EDT, 3 July 2017
The Trump administration is suffering from a trust deficit The media and Congress fared even worse than the White
as the president battles with federal lawmakers and House in a new Marist/NPR poll – and opinion polls
political journalists. themselves have a trust deficit of their own
The media tied Congress witl 68 per cent distrust, but had
far more in the 'not at all' column.
Thirty per cent of adults said they trust the media either 'a
good amount' or 'a great deal.'
260
Trust for the administration and the media is split along Eight-four per cent of Republicans trust the White House,
party lines. compared with just 8 per cent of Democrats.
Trouble on Capitol Hill: Just 25 per cent of Democrats and But 56 per cent of Democrats – including 70 per cent of
39 per cent of Republicans trust Congress self-described 'strong Democrats' – trust the media. That
number is just 9 per cent for Republicans.
261
Georgia Sec. Of State Blasts "Fake News"; Says Media
Biggest Threat To Democracy Not Russian Hackers
By Tyler Durden
Jul 3, 2017 11:00 PM
Back in December, the Georgia Secretary of State, Brian Meanwhile, Kemp pointed out that all of the attempted
Kemp, publicly blasted the Obama administration and the hackings occurred around critical registration and voting
Department of Homeland Security for repeated attempts to deadlines calling into question whether
hack into his state's election system. Kemp figured the
attempts were nothing more than an effort to expose "somebody was trying to prove a point."
security flaws in state election systems so that Homeland
Security could designate all election systems as "Critical
But while the election, and the Obama administration, are
Infrastructure" and seize control in a massive "federal now long gone,
power grab." Here is a recap from our previous post:
Kemp's fight to protect his state's
Last week we noted a letter from Georgia Secretary of
election infrastructure from being taken
State, Brian Kemp, to the Department of Homeland
over by the feds is still going full steam.
Security questioning why someone with a DHS IP address
(216.81.81.80) had attempted to hack into his state's
election database on November 15, 2016 at 8:43AM. That said, it's not the Obama administration's hacking
efforts that has Kemp worried these days,
Now, according to WSB-TV in Atlanta, we
learn that Georgia's election systems it's "misinformation from the media"
were actually the target of hacking by which he now says is the biggest threat
DHS on 10 separate occasions. to Democracy.
The Georgia Secretary of State's Office Below is an excerpt from an opinion piece that Kemp
now confirms 10 separate cyberattacks published in the USA Today:
on its network were all traced back to
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
addresses. Misinformation from the media or
disgruntled partisans not only fuels
conspiracy theorists but also erodes the
In an exclusive interview, a visibly frustrated Secretary of
first safeguard we have in our elections
State Brian Kemp confirmed the attacks of different levels
— the public’s trust.
on his agency's network over the last 10 months.
Failing to respect this process with accurate reporting is a
He says they all traced back to DHS disservice to the American people.
internet provider addresses.
"We're being told something that they To be candid, the most plausible and
think they have it figured out, yet potentially effective attack on our
nobody's really showed us how this elections is not by hacking the vote — it
happened,” Kemp said. "We need to is through the manipulation of the
know." American media machine.
Kemp told Channel 2’s Aaron Diamant his office's With “breaking news” that generates voter confusion,
cybersecurity vendor discovered the additional so-called these baseless attacks and inaccurate stories enhance voter
vulnerability scans to his network's firewall after a massive apathy and erode our confidence in the cornerstone of our
mid-November cyberattack triggered an internal democracy. That’s the real story.
investigation.
Kemp goes on to lament about the number of calls he's
now forced to field on a daily basis from "misinformed"
reporters that have no interest in learning the facts about
262
his state's election infrastructure but rather seek to "dilute tight deadlines. Their questions often
facts and develop false narratives about Russian hacking reflect a complete misunderstanding of
and potential vulnerabilities in the system." voting systems and what safeguards are
in place to keep them secure.
For years, we have run our elections with little interest As reporters chase stories to feed the 24-
from the press. But during last year’s presidential election, hour news cycle, they dilute facts and
everything changed with the news media’s obsession with develop false narratives about Russian
Russian meddling. hacking and potential vulnerabilities in
the system. The prevailing plot line is that
Now, we are bombarded with questions about election states like Georgia can’t provide suitable
security from reporters on tight deadlines. security for elections.
Many news media elite think federal
Their questions often reflect a complete oversight is the answer. Republican and
misunderstanding of voting systems Democratic secretaries of state disagree. A
and what safeguards are in place to “critical infrastructure” designation is simply
keep them secure. a big government power grab.
As reporters chase stories to feed the 24- Informed, non-partisan experts agree that
hour news cycle, they dilute facts and manipulating a presidential election makes
develop false narratives about Russian a good TV storyline but lacks real-world
hacking and potential vulnerabilities in standing. State voting systems are diverse,
the system. highly scrutinized and not connected to the
Internet. Web-based attacks on voter
The prevailing plot line is that states like Georgia can’t registration do not affect the vote count.
provide suitable security for elections. The thing that matters most — your vote —
is secure.
Many news media elite think federal oversight is the Misinformation from the media or
answer. Republican and Democratic secretaries of state disgruntled partisans not only fuels
disagree. A “critical infrastructure” designation is simply a conspiracy theorists but also erodes the
big government power grab. first safeguard we have in our elections
— the public’s trust. Failing to respect
Of course, while we can't argue with the logic, we this process with accurate reporting is a
somehow doubt Kemp's opinion will sway CNN's wall-to- disservice to the American people.
wall coverage of "Russian hacking." To be candid, the most plausible and
potentially effective attack on our
*** elections is not by hacking the vote — it
is through the manipulation of the
Below is Kemp's full opinion piece from the USA Today: American media machine. With “breaking
news” that generates voter confusion,
As Georgia’s secretary of state, I have these baseless attacks and inaccurate
worked tirelessly to ensure our state’s stories enhance voter apathy and erode
elections are secure, accessible and fair. our confidence in the cornerstone of our
democracy. That’s the real story.
For years, we have run our elections with
little interest from the press. But during last Are states doing enough to keep our
year’s presidential election, everything elections secure? Yes.
changed with the news media’s obsession Anything to the contrary is fake news.
with Russian meddling.
Now, we are bombarded with questions
about election security from reporters on
.
263
Trump’s Reckless
Korean Peninsula Brinksmanship
By Stephen Lendman - stephenlendman.org
7-4-2017
Trump earlier said Korean peninsula instability threatens its security. Trump
rejects the only sensible approach - opting for tough talk
“we could end up having a major, major and unacceptable demands instead of diplomatic outreach.
conflict with North Korea. We’d love to
solve things diplomatically, but it’s very Trump calling the DPRK a “growing threat” is nonsense.
difficult.” It’s the other way around. America represents a major
threat to Pyongyang and all other independent
He called the DPRK his biggest diplomatic challenge - “an governments - targeted for regime change, naked
urgent national security threat and top foreign policy aggression Washington’s favored strategy of choice.
priority,” according to administration officials.
On Sunday, in response to more US provocations,
China rejects belligerence. War is “not acceptable,” its including its latest naval intrusion in Chinese waters and
Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed. Trump telling Xi Washington will act on its own if Beijing
doesn’t crack down hard on the DPRK, China’s Foreign
“The Korean peninsula is not the Middle Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said his government “will
East. If war breaks out, the consequences continue to take all necessary means to defend its national
would be unimaginable.” sovereignty and security.”
China’s position is firm, Korean peninsula Later this week, Trump and Xi will meet on the sidelines
denuclearization its aim, diplomacy and dialogue the only of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany. Expect little or
way to resolve things. no resolution on major differences between both countries
on dealings with North Korea.
War on its border is a “red line” it demands not be crossed.
Beijing and Washington are world’s apart on North Korea. China urges carrots. Washington’s approach is sticks.
America’s rage for belligerence makes the peninsula a Diplomacy is the only way to resolve things. Toughness is
hugely dangerous flashpoint. reckless, accomplishing little or nothing.
264
British People Strongly
Object Trump State Visit: Analyst
Tue Jul 4, 2017 5:58PM
265
Media Errors Give
Trump Fresh Ammunition
By Jonathan Easley
07/04/17 11:19 AM EDT
A string of high-profile corrections and retractions by Last week, The New York Times and The Associated Press
major news organizations on stories about President ran similar corrections acknowledging that reports on
Trump or his allies have fueled more allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election had
bias in the mainstream press. overstated, by more than a dozen, the number of U.S.
intelligence agencies that had signed off on the assessment.
The relationship between Trump and the news
media regularly hits new lows, with insults flying between Both outlets had reported that all 17 organizations that fall
the two camps and reporters warning that the president is under the umbrella of the U.S. intelligence community had
inciting violence against journalists. made the assessment. In fact, only four — the CIA, FBI,
the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the
But Trump’s allies on the right believe the president’s National Security Agency — had contributed to that
conclusion.
claims that the mainstream media is “fake news” have
been bolstered by recent missteps. They point to recent
The Associated Press correction was applied to four
admissions from top news outlets — including CNN, The
stories that had run from early April to late June.
New York Times and The Associated Press — that
bombshell stories were either overcooked or included
incorrect details. The corrections were gleefully aggregated by conservative
media outlets and bounced around social media on the
right.
Adding insult to injury: Breitbart News, the pro-Trump
media outlet that is scorned by many in the mainstream The AP ran into more trouble over the weekend after it ran
press, has been fact-checking their mainstream a story about how Environmental Protection Agency
counterparts with some success. Administrator Scott Pruitt met privately with the CEO of a
top chemical company, then decided to drop a ban on a
Breitbart’s Washington political editor, Matthew Boyle, widely used pesticide that has been shown to harm
was first to call into question a CNN story on alleged ties children’s brains.
between a Trump associate and a Russian investment fund
that was later retracted. Boyle was also reporting on an The story insinuated that Pruitt had made the decision
error in an Associated Press report when the newswire under pressure from a corporate lobbying campaign.
corrected and later rewrote the story.
But while the meeting between Pruitt and Dow Chemical
Together, the corrections and retractions amount to only a CEO Andrew Liveris was on Pruitt’s schedule, it never
few stories out of the thousands published every day. But happened — an admission the AP made after Pruitt’s
the high-profile nature of the errors hurts the media's office and Breitbart pressed them for a correction.
credibility at a time when the press is under more scrutiny
than ever before, giving new political ammunition to The EPA and Dow Chemical both said the scheduled
critics of the mainstream press. meeting at a hotel in Houston had been canceled, with the
two men instead having only “a brief introduction in
“There’s a dramatic difference in the passing.”
degree of hostility the press has shown
Presidents Trump and Obama,” said Tim The AP followed with a Saturday story — published
Graham, a director at the conservative without a byline — titled “EPA Says Pruitt Meeting
Media Research Center. “I guess it’s easier With Dow Chemical Head Was Canceled.”
to make errors writing stories where Trump
is twirling his villain’s mustache than when Breitbart took a victory lap.
you’re writing about how tone Michelle
Obama’s arms are.” “A Breitbart News investigation has led to
the correction by the Associated Press–
266
which originally resisted–of the fake news it
printed as deeper questions of Those errors come as Trump’s conservative media allies
responsibility, accountability, and are increasingly on the hunt for media errors and alleged
journalistic ethics consume the AP heading bias.
into Fourth of July weekend,” Boyle wrote.
Conservative activist James O’Keefe has targeted CNN
It’s the second time Breitbart, which was once led by employees in a string of undercover sting videos. One
White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon, has been at video revealed a CNN producer criticizing Kellyanne
the center of a media correction controversy. Conway’s appearance.
Boyle was the first to call into question a CNN report A second video found CNN commentator Van Jones
alleging that Trump associate Anthony Scaramucci was calling the Russia controversy a “nothing burger.” A
under investigation for improper dealings with a Russian third video showed a producer alleging the network was
state bank. Meanwhile, Sputnik News, a Russian state- burying important stories as part of its obsession with
funded news outlet, disputed CNN’s claim that the bank in Russia.
question was also backed by Moscow.
The media’s errors come as Trump and his allies launch a
Later that same day, CNN retracted the article. Several
barrage of attacks aimed at undermining and calling into
days later, three of its top journalists resigned.
question the veracity of the news media.
“An organization of nearly 4,000 news
professionals; an organization that has Trump’s personal attack against the hosts of MSNBC’s
spent huge sums recruiting ever-greater "Morning Joe" and his weekend tweet showing him
reportorial muscle; an organization that tackling a wrestler with the CNN logo emblazoned over
promises both sides a fair shake; an his face have unified the press.
organization that values right-on-the-money
exclusives — it just cannot abide getting GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill have condemned Trump’s
shamed by Sputnik and Breitbart,” attacks, as have a broad cross-section of newsmakers on
Washington Post media critic Erik Wemple the political talk show circuit, who called the "Morning
wrote at the time. Joe" attack sexist and the CNN tweet an incitement of
violence against reporters.
It has been a tough stretch for CNN. A few weeks earlier,
the network had to retract a story authored by some of its “The basic premise is most of the elite
most recognizable on-air talent after it was directly media is center left and most of the country
contradicted by public testimony from former FBI Director is center right,” conservative radio host
James Comey. Hugh Hewitt said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet
the Press.” “Combativeness towards the
In that same testimony, Comey described a bombshell New media plays well. Cruelty does not. And
York Times story alleging contacts between Trump when the president crosses the line
campaign officials and Moscow as between combativeness into cruelty, he
loses some of his base.”
“almost entirely wrong.”
But the White House has shown no sign it plans to let up
Most reports sourced to anonymous officials about the
in the war against the media, and his allies are seizing on
Russia investigation should not be trusted, Comey said,
the missteps to chip away at press credibility.
because those who are willing to talk don’t know about the
investigations and those who do know about the
investigations aren’t talking. “These people claim to be defenders of fact
and truth but are only out to smear Trump
Last week, Vice News retracted two stories about how and his supporters,” said Graham, of the
Disney would not give a robotic Trump figure a speaking Media Research Center. “They’re
role in its “Hall of Presidents” attraction. stenographers for the resistance.”
.
267
Voter Fraud Investigation:
Trump Criticizes Left-Wing States Over Failure To Comply
With Voter Commission’s Information Requests
By JD Heyes
Tuesday, July 04, 2017
268
Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, a about voters. Hosemann fought that
Republican, said he has not yet received the request, but request and won.
if/when he does, he will say, as quoted by Fox News:
And no state election commission is going to provide all of
“They can go jump in the Gulf of Mexico, the requested information.
and Mississippi is a great state to launch
from. … Mississippi residents should Still, there is at least anecdotal evidence to support
celebrate Independence Day and our Trump’s claim that voter fraud in the U.S. is a much bigger
state’s right to protect the privacy of our problem than many believe. Last month a study was
citizens by conducting our own electoral published showing that as many as 5.7 million non-citizens
processes.” may have illegally voted in the 2008 election.
Fox News reported further: “The White House has provided enormous
evidence with respect to voter fraud, with
In a federal court case after a contentious respect to people being registered in more
U.S. Senate primary in Mississippi in 2014, than one state,” White House policy adviser
a group called True the Vote sued Stephen Miller told ABC’s “This Week” in
Mississippi seeking similar information March, amid calls for Trump to provide
evidence for his claims.
.
269
Trump Urges China To End
North Korea ‘Nonsense’, China Urges Calm
Tue Jul 4, 2017 4:48AM
US President Donald Trump waves as he makes his way to board Air On Tuesday, China urged for calm and restraint after the
Force One before departing from Newark Liberty Airport in
Newark, New Jersey, June 11 2017. (Photo by AFP)
ballistic missile launch. Speaking at a daily news briefing,
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said
US President Donald Trump has warned UN Security Council resolutions had clear rules on North
the Chinese leader that the United Korea's missile launches and Beijing opposed it going
States is prepared to act on its own in against those rules.
increasing pressure on North Korea, as
Washington loses patience with
Beijing’s unwillingness to push
Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and
missile programs, US officials say.
270
Some experts say the United States has refused to The Trump administration’s focus on North Korea is
deescalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula in order to nothing short of an obsession, a point that can be inferred
maintain its military bases in East Asia and contain China. from the words of CIA Director Mike Pompeo.
Last week, American officials said the Pentagon had "I hardly ever escape a day at the White
finished revising its military options against North Korea House without the President asking me
and will soon present them to Trump. about North Korea and how it is that the
United States is responding to that threat,"
Pompeo told MSNBC in late June. "It's very
much at the top of his mind."
.
271
Trump Lawyer Sekulow Asks The Obvious:
Why Isn’t There A Special Counsel Investigating
President Obama Over “Russia” Allegations?
By JD Heyes
Tuesday, July 04, 2017
273
The Trump-Putin
Meeting And The Fate Of The Earth
By Norman Solomon
July 4, 2017
Any truthful way to say it will sound worse than ghastly: “Recent scientific studies have found that a
We live in a world where one person could decide to begin war fought with the deployed U.S. and
a nuclear war — quickly killing several hundred million Russian nuclear arsenals would leave
people and condemning vast numbers of others to slower Earth virtually uninhabitable,” wrote Steven
painful deaths. Starr, a senior scientist with Physicians for
Social Responsibility. “In fact, NASA
Given the macabre insanity of this ongoing situation, most computer models have shown that even a
people don’t like to talk about it or even think about it. In ‘successful’ first strike by Washington or
that zone of denial, U.S. news media keep detouring Moscow would inflict catastrophic
around a crucial reality: No matter what you think of environmental damage that would make
Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin, they hold the whole agriculture impossible and cause mass
world in their hands with a nuclear button. starvation.”
If the presidents of the United States and Russia spiral into The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists explains why, since
escalating conflicts between the two countries, the world is last year, it has moved the risk-estimate “Doomsday
much more likely to blow up. Yet many American critics Clock” even closer to apocalyptic midnight — citing as a
of Trump have gotten into baiting him as Putin’s flunky major factor the escalation of tensions between the U.S.
while goading him to prove otherwise. A new barrage of and Russian governments.
that baiting and goading is now about to begin — taking
aim at any wisps of possible détente — in connection with So, the imminent meeting between Trump and Putin will
the announced meeting between Trump and Putin at the G- affect the chances that the young people we love — and so
20 summit in Germany at the end of this week. many others around the world — will have a future. And
whether later generations will even exist.
Big picture:
I put it this way in a recent article for The Nation:
This moment in human history is not about
Trump. It’s not about Putin. It’s not about “Whatever the truth may be about Russian
whether you despise either or neither or interference in the U.S. election last year,
both. What’s at stake in the dynamics an overarching truth continues to bind the
between them is life on this planet. fates of Russians, Americans and the rest
of humanity. No matter how much we might
Over the weekend, more than 10,000 people signed wish to forget or deny it, we are tied
a petition under the heading “Tell Trump and Putin: together by a fraying thread of relations
Negotiate, Don’t Escalate.” The petition was written by between two nations that possess 93
RootsAction to be concise and to the point: “We percent of the world’s nuclear weapons.
vehemently urge you to take a constructive approach to Right now it is not popular to say so, but we
your planned meeting at the G-20 summit. Whatever our desperately need each other to enhance
differences, we must reduce rather than increase the risks the odds of human survival.”
of nuclear war. The future of humanity is at stake.”
In that overall context, stoking hostility toward Russia is,
A war between the world’s two nuclear superpowers could uh, rather short-sighted. Wouldn’t it be much better for the
extinguish human life on a gigantic scale while plunging meeting between Trump and Putin to bring Washington
the Earth into cataclysmic “nuclear winter.” and Moscow closer to détente rather than bringing us
closer to nuclear annihilation?
274
Associated Press Caught In Fake News, Retracts False
Claim That 17 Intelligence Agencies Agree
On Russian “Interference”
By D. Samuelson
Wednesday, July 05, 2017
like “deep state” and “rogue elements,” but that’s not in
their vocabulary. This same false assessment was used by
Mrs. Clinton in a testy exchange during the third
presidential debate.
The AP, in its mea culpa issued June 30, 2017, states that
the intelligence assessment was made after the three
agencies — “the FBI, CIA and National Security Agency .
. . and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence
[DNI]” gathered the data. The DNI, says AP, “represents
all U.S. intelligence agencies” and it was the DNI that
published the information. The AP makes it clear in the
retraction that “not all 17 agencies were involved in
reaching the assessment.”
As reported by Libertarian Institute, here is the transcript
of that infamous exchange which is a stark example
of perjury:
275
The security apparatus has been in place for a few decades. 29, 2017. Oh for the day when the sheeple will wake up
After September 11, 2001 the deep state’s vicious intent on and all the liars will be revealed.
destroying America was magnified a thousand fold and our
current illegal and ubiquitous security system was built.
It’s been growing ever since, as have the anxiety levels of
many Americans. The DNI didn’t even exist before
September 11, 2001. The FBI and the NSA did
not openly share their information until after 9/11. Edward
Snowden risked all he had to make the American people
wake up to the electronic surveillance gates surrounding
them shortly after James Clapper lied to Senator Wyden.
It turns out that the AP isn’t the only periodical that has
retracted at least one portion of an intelligence assessment
that many American believe is completely bogus. The
disheveled New York Times issued its correction on June Follow more on this topic at WhiteHouse.news.
276
Four Ways U.S. Intelligence Reporting
On “Trump-Russia Collusion” Is Extremely Deceptive
By JD Heyes
Wednesday, July 05, 2017
Moreover, the Deep State, via U.S. intelligence agencies, — Not everyone in Congress agreed, either: U.S. Rep.
has not been convincing in providing enough data or Christopher Stewart, R-Utah, during congressional
evidence of Trump-Russia collusion, or even Russian testimony by former CIA Director John Brennan on May
attempts to “hack” the election. As noted by Breitbart 23, raised what he termed a “red flag” regarding the
columnist Ben Shapiro, there are five problems with the agency’s “high confidence” conclusion that Moscow
claims: sought to assist Trump:
— The NSA demurred: In January we were treated to a I don’t agree with the conclusion,
U.S. intelligence community assessment claiming Russian particularly that it’s such a high level of
interference in the November elections. The vague report confidence. I just think there should’ve
was released by the head of the Office of the Director of been allowances made for some of the
277
ambiguity in that and especially for those It only involved the FBI, NSA and CIA as
who didn’t also share in the conclusion that well as the Office of Director of National
it was a high degree of confidence. Intelligence; it wasn’t a full interagency
community assessment that was
— The intel report on the alleged interference by coordinated among the 17 agencies and for
Russia was hastily assembled: That fact was made plain good reason, because of the nature the
by an exchange between Brennan and Rep. Elise Stefanik, sensitivity of the information trying to, once
R-N.Y., during the same testimony in May: again, keep them tightly compartmented.
STEFANIK: So you noted that the The longer this narrative has been out there, the more it
complexity can have an impact on the has been contradicted, explained away or otherwise
timeliness to produce a comprehensive discredited.
report. This report was produced in just 20
days in December. Was there anything To this date, no evidence has been presented, published or
about this interagency process that differed offered proving that Russia changed the outcome of the
the timeline, the approval process, the November election, as even intelligence officials have
editing or the staffing? repeatedly admitted.
BRENNAN: I think it followed the general
model of how you want to do something
like this with some notable exceptions.
.
278
NYTimes Mistakenly Cites
Tweet From North Korea Parody Account
By Tyler Durden
Jul 5, 2017 7:45 PM
Management at the New York Times is planning to lay off chops its editing staff in half. Typically, employing half
half of the copy editors on staff – a decision that provoked the number of people to handle the same amount of work
a walkout at the NYT’s Times Square headquarters last will result in more errors.
week. But after an embarrassing editing error risked
starting World War III, we’re thinking they might
want to reconsider – at least until tensions cool between
the US and North Korea.
279
MSM, Still Living In Propaganda-Ville
Robert Perry
July 6, 2017
Exclusive: The stakes in U.S.-Russia esteemed “Politifact” deemed the assertion “true.” But it
relations could not be higher – possible was never true.
nuclear conflagration and the end of
civilization – but the U.S. mainstream It was at best a needled distortion of a claim by President
media is still slouching around in Obama’s Director of National Intelligence James Clapper
“propaganda-ville,” says Robert Parry. when he issued a statement last Oct. 7 alleging Russian
meddling. Because Clapper was the chief of the U.S.
As much as the U.S. mainstream media wants people to Intelligence Community, his opinion morphed into a claim
believe that it is the Guardian of Truth, it is actually lost in that it represented the consensus of all 17 intelligence
a wilderness of propaganda and falsehoods, a dangerous agencies, a dishonest twist that Democratic presidential
land of delusion that is putting the future of humankind at candidate Hillary Clinton began touting.
risk as tension escalate with nuclear-armed Russia.
However, for people who understand how the U.S.
Intelligence Community works, the claim of a 17-agencies
consensus has a specific meaning, some form of a National
Intelligence Estimate (or NIE) that seeks out judgments
and dissents from the various agencies.
280
CNN, the distinction would almost assuredly not be
detected.
A Belated Correction
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper (right) talks with “still refus[ing] to acknowledge a basic fact
President Barack Obama in the Oval Office, with John Brennan and agreed upon by 17 American intelligence
other national security aides present. (Photo credit: Office of
Director of National Intelligence)
agencies that he now oversees: Russia
orchestrated the attacks, and did it to help
get him elected.”
It wasn’t until May 8 when then-former DNI Clapper
belatedly set the record straight in sworn congressional
testimony in which he explained that there were only three
“contributing agencies” from which analysts were “hand-
picked.”
“followed the general model of how you “assessment was made by four intelligence
want to do something like this with some agencies — the Office of the Director of
notable exceptions. It only involved the FBI, National Intelligence, the Central
NSA and CIA as well as the Office of the Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of
Director of National Intelligence. It wasn’t a Investigation and the National Security
full inter-agency community assessment Agency. The assessment was not
that was coordinated among the 17 approved by all 17 organizations in the
agencies.” American intelligence community.”
After this testimony, some of the major news The Associated Press ran a similar “clarification” applied
organizations, which had been waving around the “17- to some of its fallacious reporting repeating the “17-
intelligence-agencies” meme, subtly changed their intelligence-agencies” meme.
phrasing to either depict Russian “meddling” as an
established fact no longer requiring attribution or referred So, you might have thought that the mainstream media was
to the “unanimous judgment” of the Intelligence finally adjusting its reporting to conform to reality. But
Community without citing a specific number. that would mean that one of the pillars of the Russia-gate
“scandal” had crumbled, the certainty that Russia and
This “unanimous judgment” formulation was deceptive, Vladimir Putin did “meddle” in the election.
too, because it suggested that all 17 agencies were in
accord albeit without exactly saying that. For a regular The story would have to go back to square one and the
reader of The New York Times or a frequent viewer of major news organizations would have to begin reporting
281
on whether or not there ever was solid evidence to support If the U.S. government really took this issue seriously,
what had become a “certainty” – and there appeared to be which it should, why didn’t the FBI seize the DNC’s
no stomach for such soul-searching. Since pretty much all computers and insist that impartial government experts
the important media figures had made the same error, it lead the investigation? And why – given the extraordinary
would be much easier to simply move on as if nothing had expertise of the NSA in computer hacking – is “some of
changed. the most critical technical intelligence on Russia [coming]
from another country,” one that doesn’t inspire the NSA’s
That would mean that skepticism would still be confidence?
unwelcome and curious leads would not be followed. For
instance, there was a head-turning reference in an But such pesky questions are not likely to be asked or
otherwise typical Washington Post take-out on June 25 answered by a mainstream U.S. media that displays deep-
accusing Russia of committing “the crime of the century.” seated bias toward both Putin and Trump.
A reference, stuck deep inside the five-page opus, said, Mostly, major news outlets continue to brush aside the
clarifications and return to various formulations that
“Some of the most critical technical continue to embrace the “17-intelligence-agencies” canard,
intelligence on Russia came from another albeit in slightly different forms, such as references to the
country, officials said. Because of the collective Intelligence Community without the specific
source of the material, the NSA was number. Anyone who questions this established
reluctant to view it with high confidence.” conventional wisdom is still crazy and out of step.
Though the Post did not identify the country, this reference For instance, James Holmes of Esquire was stunned on
suggests that more than one key element of the case for Thursday when Trump at a news conference in Poland
Russian culpability was based not on direct investigations reminded the traveling press corps about the inaccurate
by the U.S. intelligence agencies, but on the work of reporting regarding the 17 intelligence agencies and said
external organizations. he still wasn’t entirely sure about Russia’s guilt.
Earlier, the Democratic National Committee denied the “In public, he’s still casting doubt on the
FBI access to its supposedly hacked computers, forcing the intelligence community’s finding that
investigators to rely on a DNC contractor called Russia interfered in the 2016 election
CrowdStrike, which has a checkered record of getting this nearly nine months after the fact,” Holmes
sort of analytics right and whose chief technology officer, sputtered before describing Trump’s
Dmitri Alperovitch, is an anti-Putin Russian émigré with comment as a “rant.”
ties to the anti-Russian think tank, Atlantic Council.
So, if you thought that a chastened mainstream media
Relying on Outsiders might stop in the wake of the “17-intelligence-agencies”
falsehood and rethink the whole Russia-gate business, you
You might be wondering why something as important as would have been sadly mistaken.
this “crime of the century,” which has pushed the world
closer to nuclear annihilation, is dependent on dubious But the problem is not just the question of whether Russia
entities outside the U.S. government with possible hacked into Democratic emails and slipped them to
conflicts of interest. WikiLeaks for publication (something that both Russia and
WikiLeaks deny). Perhaps the larger danger is how the
major U.S. news outlets have adopted a consistently
propagandistic approach toward everything relating to
Russia.
Hating Putin
When ethnic Russians and other citizens in Crimea voted “On Ukraine, Mr. Trump must also display
overwhelmingly in a referendum to reject the coup regime determination. Russia fomented an armed
and rejoin Russia – a move protected by some of the uprising and seized Crimea in violation of
20,000 Russian troops inside Crimea as part of a basing international norms, and it continues to
agreement – that became a Russian “invasion.” But it was instigate violence in the Donbas. Mr. Trump
the most peculiar “invasion,” since there were no images ought to make it unmistakably clear to
of tanks crashing across borders or amphibious landing Mr.Putin that the United States will not
craft on Crimean beaches, because no such “invasion” had retreat from the sanctions imposed over
occurred. Ukraine until the conditions of peace
agreements are met.”
However, in virtually every instance, the U.S. mainstream
media insisted on the most extreme anti-Russian
283
Along the same lines, even while suggesting the value of hacks and did funnel the material to WikiLeaks, but
some collaboration with Russia toward ending the war in evidence has so far been lacking. And, instead of
Syria, Post columnist David Ignatius wrote in a July 5 presenting both sides fairly, the major media acts as if only
column, one side deserves any respect and dissenting views must be
ridiculed and condemned.
“Russian-American cooperation on Syria
faces a huge obstacle right now. It would In this perverted process, collectively approved versions of
legitimize a Russian regime that invaded complex situations congeal into conventional wisdom,
Ukraine and meddled in U.S. and which simply cannot be significantly reconsidered
European elections, in addition to its regardless of future revelations.
intervention in Syria.”
As offensive as this rejection of true truth-seeking may be,
Note the smug certainty of Ignatius and the Post editors. it also represents an extraordinary danger when mixed with
There is no doubt that Russia “invaded” Ukraine; “seized” the existential risk of nuclear conflagration.
Crimea; “meddled” in U.S. and European elections. Yet all
these groupthinks should be subjected to skepticism, not With the stakes this high, the demand for hard evidence –
simply treated as undeniable truths. and the avoidance of soft-minded groupthink – should go
without question. Journalists and commentators should
But seeing only one side to a story is where the U.S. hold themselves to professional precision, not slide into
mainstream media is at this point in history. Yes, it is sloppy careerism, lost in “propaganda-ville.”
possible that Russia was responsible for the Democratic
.
284
Here’s How Trump Transferred
Wealth To His Son While Avoiding The Usual Taxes
Donald Trump Sold Two Condos To Eric In April 2016 At A Steep
Discount. But He Doesn’t Appear To Be On The Hook For Gift Taxes.
By Derek Kravitz And Cezary Podkul, Propublica, And Will Parker, The Real Deal
July 5, 2017, 8 A.M.
Eric Trump bought the two condos on the two top floors of
the Trump Parc East building at 100 Central Park South
for $350,000 each. Trump Organization filings show that,
as of February 2016 — two months before Trump sold the
apartments to Eric — the condos were priced at $790,000
and $800,000. A similar one-bedroom condo on a lower
floor at the same building sold for $690,000 in 2014.
An owner who sells real estate for less than it’s worth
would typically have to pay gift tax on the difference
between the sales price and the true market value. Any
In April 2016, as Donald Trump was on the cusp of personal gifts that are worth more than $14,000 in a year
clinching the Republican nomination for the White House, are subject to up to 40 percent in federal taxes.
he sold two luxury condos near Manhattan’s Central Park
for less than half the price his company had said they were But as the building’s developer selling the units for the
worth. The lucky buyer: Trump’s son, Eric. first time, Trump had lots of flexibility within the law to
determine the value of the apartments.
Such family-friendly deals would normally incur hundreds
of thousands of dollars in gift taxes. “This is really, really primo real estate,” said
Bob Lord, a tax attorney who reviewed the
transaction records at ProPublica’s
request. “Why would you show a sale at
285
$350,000 other than to play games for tax
purposes?”
New York City records state that the condos are no longer
rent regulated. It’s not clear when they were deregulated,
but the result is that Eric Trump will likely be able to sell
the apartments at significantly higher prices. It’s also
unclear if anyone currently lives in the condos. The
younger Trump bought another, much larger, apartment in
the building for $2 million in 2007.
Trump bought the Central Park South building in 1981 and
It’s ultimately unclear how much, if any, taxes Trump paid later converted it into condos. The building’s 80 units were
on the transactions. The Trump Organization, the White initially filled mostly with wealthy rent-regulated tenants
House and Eric Trump did not respond to requests for who had the right to keep renewing their leases at below-
comment. market rates as long as they chose to remain in the
building. That interfered with Trump’s plan to tear down
But other taxes paid on the transaction suggest gift taxes the building and replace it with a condo project.
were not paid. Trump paid a total of $13,000 in city and
state transfer taxes, New York City property records show. Under New York laws, developers who convert apartment
Those transfer taxes, according to a spokeswoman for the buildings into condos must disclose to the New York state
city’s Department of Finance, are not usually paid when attorney general how much they’re looking to sell units for
“bona fide gifts” are involved. to existing tenants as well as to the public.
Also, when a sale is reported as a gift, buyers and sellers Trump’s 1997 disclosure to the attorney general, known as
typically disclose in transfer records that the sale is taking an offering plan, shows that units 13G and 14G were both
place between two relatives. The Trumps did not. rent regulated and originally listed for sale at $245,000 and
$250,000, respectively. Over time, as market prices moved
higher, Trump filed frequent amendments raising the listed
prices, a standard practice for developers. ProPublica and
The Real Deal obtained the offering plan and amendments
through a public-records request.
286
Freak Out: Democrats’ Call For Panel To Test Trump’s
“Mental” Fitness Is Criticized By Former Dem Lawmaker
Who Says They Are “Destroying The Party”
By JD Heyes
Thursday, July 06, 2017
288
Like Father, Like Son: Donald Trump Jr Ramps Up His
War With CNN By Accusing The Network Of 'Bullying
And Intimidating Citizens' Into Silence In The Wake Of Its
'Blackmail' Controversy
Don Jr Was One Of The First Prominent Republicans To Accuse CNN Of 'Blackmail'
Allegation Stemmed From CNN Revealing It Figured Out Who Was Behind A Secret Reddit
Account That Created A Meme 'Inciting Violence Against Its Journalists'
'CNN: Let's Bully And Intimidate Citizens Online So They Never Question Our #Fakenews
Again! #Cnnblackmail' The President's Son Tweeted Out On Thursday
He Also Attacked CNN Reporter, Andrew Kaczynski, Who Found The Meme Maker
By Liam Quinn For Dailymail.Com
Published: 10:20 EDT, 6 July 2017 | Updated: 12:05 EDT, 6 July 2017
Donald Trump Jr is on the warpath against CNN, echoing
his father's repeated attacks on the 'fake news' network. Donald Trump Jr is following in his father's footsteps by
increasing his attacks on CNN in the last few days. Trump
Don Jr has frequently gone after the network since his and Trump Jr are pictured together after one of the debates
family entered the political fray, but his took his last September
antagonistic tweeting to a new level after CNN was
accused of trying to 'blackmail' the middle-aged Reddit Trump Jr has been tweeting furiously about the
user who anonymously created a GIF of the president 'controversy', and on Thursday morning he fired off
attacking the network. another tweet in response to CNN boss Jeff Zucker saying
the president is trying to bully the news network.
The GIF, created by Reddit user
'HanA**holeSolo', shows Trump tackling 'Also CNN: Let's bully and intimidate
WWE owner Vince McMahon during the citizens online so they never question our
professional wrestling company's #fakenews again! #CNNBlackmail,' Trump
Wrestlemania event in 2007. The CNN logo Jr wrote.
is superimposed over McMahon's head.
Minutes earlier, he had attacked the network's reporter Jim
On Wednesday, CNN was accused by its opponents of Acosta - who his father has feuded with - for questioning
'blackmailing' the person who created the original video on whether the president's press conference in Poland was
Wednesday, after the network revealed it had spoken to 'fake' because he took questions from 'a reporter who is
him and could 'release his identity' in future. essentially an ally of the White House'.
291
The subreddit, which was where the initial meme and blackmailed or coerced him is false,' the
subsequent apology from 'HanA**holeSolo' were first statement read.
posted, promoted the hashtag 'CNNBlackmail'.
'The user, who is an adult male, not a 15-
year-old boy, apologized and deleted his
In addition to Trump Jr, other prominent conservative account before ever speaking with our
online figures, including Julian Assange and Wikileaks, reporter.
pushed the 'blackmail' allegation.
'CNN never made any deal, of any kind,
with the user. In fact, CNN included its
In response to a comment about the alleged 'blackmail', the decision to withhold the user’s identity in an
KFile writer tweeted: effort to be completely transparent that
there was no deal.'
'This line is being misinterpreted. It was
intended only to mean we made no
agreement w/the man about his identity.'
292
Polish Crowd Chants
‘Donald Trump!’ & 'USA! USA!'
'It’s Such A Great Honor'
Jul 6, 2017
Administration had canceled as a part of his
revamped START nuclear treaty.
293
Trump Finally Turns On Russia As He Warns Putin To STOP His
Aggression In Syria And Ukraine As He Issues Full-Throated
Attack On Radical Islamic Terrorism AND Government
Bureaucracy To Delight Of Thousands Of Poles
Who Chant His Name
President Donald Trump Met With Polish President Andrzej Duda On Thursday At The Royal Castle In
Warsaw
He Later Questioned During A Landmark Speech At Krasinski Square Whether The West Has The 'Will To
Survive'
Insisted North Korea Would Face 'Consequences' And Admitted Russia 'Could Have' Interfered With The
Election
Trump Hit Russia Later For Its 'Destabilizing Activities In Ukraine And Elsewhere And Its Support For
Hostile Regimes Including Syria And Iran'
He Urged Vladimir Putin's Government To Join The U.S. And Its Allies In The Global Fight Against
Terrorism
Earlier Said He Thought Russia Had Interfered In The Election - But That Obama Had Done Nothing About It
Visit To Warsaw Came Ahead Of A Journey To Germany For The G20 Summit On Friday And Saturday
By David Martosko, Us Political Editor For Dailymail.Com In Warsaw, Poland And Francesca
Chambers, White House Correspondent For Dailymail.Com
Published: 03:54 EDT, 6 July 2017 | Updated: 15:19 EDT, 6 July 2017
President Donald Trump browbeat Russia on Thursday cyber warfare, we must adapt our lives to
for its 'destabilizing activities in Ukraine and compete effectively in new ways and on all
elsewhere and its support for hostile regimes including new battlefields,' he said in a direct
Syria and Iran' and urged Vladimir Putin's government reference to Moscow's meddling.
to join the U.S. and its allies in the global fight against
terrorism. Speaking to thousands of cheering Poles, Trump called
their nation 'the geographic heart of Europe' and praising
Trump had refused earlier in the day to pin election their countrymen for shaking off both Nazi oppressors and
hacking last year in the U.S. on the Kremlin, saying he Russian occupiers in the last century.
thinks it was Putin's government, but it 'could have been
other people in other countries.' 'That's trouble. That's tough,' he exclaimed.
'In those dark days, you have lost your land
And he did not mention Russia by name in his remarks to but you never lost your pride.'
the Polish people when he committed the U.S. to making
sure Warsaw is
'To meet new forms of aggression, President Donald Trump questioned if the West has the
including propaganda, financial crimes and 'will to survive' in a landmark speech in Warsaw on
Thursday afternoon. He spoke at Krasinski Square in front
294
of a monument commemorating the 1944 Warsaw Trump waves next to First Lady of the United States
Uprising against the Nazis. The Warsaw Uprising was the Melania Trump, Polish President Andrzej Duda and First
largest act of resistance by any nation under the German Lady of Poland Agata Kornhauser-Duda before his public
occupation during World War II and the heroism of the speech
insurgents remains a defining element in Polish national
identity
Trump had earlier met the Polish president and warned that
the future of the West is in doubt.
295
In a speech to the public he praised Poland's 'will to
survive' because they 'have never, ever forgotten who they
are.'
296
Melania donned a navy blue dress with pink and blue
stripes for the event on Thursday. She wore purple heels to Ivanka was beaming as she arrived at the speech hand-in-
finish off the outfit hand with husband Jared Kushner. The couple arrived in
Warsaw on Air Force One with the president and first lady
And Trump projected his fight against Middle Eastern
terrorism onto the template of Poland's historic struggles,
saying, 'We are fighting hard against radical Islamic
terrorism, and we will prevail.'
297
Friday and Saturday's G20 summit, where he will sit down
for talks with the Russian leader for the first time since
taking office.
North Korea's ballistic missile test the day the day before
Trump left the U.S. moved the threat posed by Kim Jong-
un's illicit nuclear activity up to the top of the American
president's list of shared threats.
During World War II, the Germans suppressed the 'I call on all nations to confront this global threat and
rebellion brutally, destroying most of Warsaw and killing publicly demonstrate to North Korea that there are
around 200,000 people, most of them civilians. Pictured consequences for their very, very bad behavior,' he
above, Trump and Melania observed the monument for the declared.
Warsaw Uprising
'I have pretty severe things that we're thinking about,'
Trump said, addressing a question from DailyMail.com,
but added: 'That doesn't mean that we'll do them.'
299
Trump commemorated Polish and Jewish history in his Some Trump supporters tied a 'Make America Great
speech as dozens of veterans looked on. Pictured above, Again' banner to a barrier fence ahead of the speech.
Melania, Polish President Andrzej Duda and Polish First Nearby attendees wore hats bearing the same slogan
Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda listen to Trump's speech
Trump shook hands with several veterans who listened to While some people carried flags, some banners on display
the speech as he left Krasinski Square and headed for in Krasinski Square featured the right-wing, pro-
Germany government Gazeta Polska newspaper.
+
One man kept his supportive sign straight and to the point:
Crowds waving US, confederate and Polish flags gathered He simply carried around a photo of President Donald
in and around a Warsaw square where Trump delivered his Trump to the rally
first public speech in Europe
'To those who would criticize our tough stance, I would
point out that the United States has demonstrated not
merely with words but with its actions that we stand firmly
behind Article 5, the mutual defense commitment,' he said,
checking an important box in his remarks for European
leaders who have worried about that his warnings to pay
up or else meant the U.S. was rethinking its involvement in
the international organization.
300
'A strong Poland is a blessing to the nations of Europe, and for a summit of the world's developed and developing
they know that. A strong Europe is a blessing to the West nations
and to the world.'
Former president Lech Walesa is among the special guests Trump addressed thousands of Poles from Krasinski
in the VIP section. Poland's leaders promised Trump a Square, site of the Warsaw Uprising against Nazi
warm welcome before he heads to Germany later Thursday occupation. More than 150,000 Poles died during the
struggle to overthrow oppression
301
It was also confirmed that Trump accepted an invitation to
visit the small central European nation that is the homeland
Some supporters in the crowd made T-shirts reading 'Make of his wife Melania following his speech
Poland Great Again' a phrase that played on Trump's
'MAGA' campaign slogan
302
Poland has month the tightest abortion laws in Europe, and
a proposal last year sought to ban all abortions unless a
President Donald Trump questioned whether the West has
mother's life was at risk. Demonstrators at Thursday's
the 'will to survive' in a landmark speech in Warsaw on
protest wore pins that read 'Together' in Polish
Thursday
'I think it was Russia, and it could have been other people
in other countries,' Trump said. 'Nobody really knows.'
The president sought to redirect any scrutiny toward his At a press conference following his private talks with
predecessor, Barack Obama, accusing him of allowing Andrzej Duda, Trump said North Korea would face
Moscow to meddle on his watch. 'consequences' for its intercontinental ballistic missile test
303
He also admitted that Russia interfered with the 2016
election and vowed to work with Poland on addressing Trump later said that he was working with Poland on
threats from the country addressing threats from Russia and reiterated his calls for
NATO members to meet their financial obligations
Though the Obama administration warned Russia publicly
and privately before Election Day to stop interfering,
questions have since been raised about whether he acted
aggressively enough to stop the threat.
Trump and Duda shook hands for photo ops several times
on Thursday, including after their joint press conference
'I think what CNN did is unfortunate for them,' Trump said
at the press conference. 'As you know they have some
pretty serious problems.
'They have been fake news for a long time. They have
been covering me in a very, very dishonest way.'
Trump then turned to Duda and asked, 'Do you have that
also, Mr President?', to which Duda shrugged.
305
President Donald Trump is greeted by Polish President
Andrzej Duda as he visits Poland during the Three Seas
Initiative Summit in Warsaw on Thursday
307
'I am here today not just to visit an old ally, but to hold it
up as an example for others who seek freedom and who The two presidents met at the Royal Castle in Warsaw on
wish to summon the courage and the will to defend our Thursday morning head of Trump's landmark speech
civilization,' Trump told his fans.
Trump has made a point of attacking what adviser Steve Thursday's joint appearance with Duda at Warsaw's royal
Bannon has derided as 'the bureaucratic state,' rolling back castle was originally billed as a press conference
regulations that he says are choking free enterprise and
dampening the American economy.
308
'Americans, Poles, and the nations of Europe value Trump will speak to the leaders of Three Seas Initiative
individual freedom and sovereignty,' he said. nations and address the Polish people at Warsaw's
Krasinski Square later in the da
'We must work together to confront forces, whether they
come from inside or out, from the South or the East, that
threaten over time to undermine these values and to erase
the bonds of culture, faith and tradition that make us who
we are. If left unchecked, these forces will undermine our
courage, sap our spirit, and weaken our will to defend
ourselves and our societies.'
309
Thursday's joint appearance with Duda at Warsaw's royal Trump arrives on a state visit at the Okecie Airport,
castle was originally billed as a press conference. Warsaw President Donald Trump visit to Poland on
Wednesday
By Tuesday, however, the White House began describing
it in advisories to reporters as a 'press event', raising
concerns that Trump wouldn't take reporters' questions.
311
Watergate Reporter Drops Mysterious Hints That Deep
State May Be Planning A Soft Coup Against Trump’s
“Malignant Presidency”
By JD Heyes
Thursday, July 06, 2017
and it’s known to the intelligence
community.
“The presidency of Donald Trump is not
functioning,” he continued. “It’s really not
functioning because the character and
capabilities of this president are called into
grave question in a way that those that
know him are raising serious concerns
about.”
As reported by The Hill, Bernstein made the astonishing While Bernstein’s claims may be dismissed by some as
claim that Trump is head of a “malignant presidency,” and more Left-wing noise from a “mainstream” media
that his administration is “not functioning,” leading to psychologically disturbed by Trump’s election win and
much angst among the establishment. continued ability to dodge their arrows, let’s understand
that Bernstein, in 1977, published a 25,000-word essay in
“We are in the midst of a malignant Rolling Stone detailing the close relationship between the
presidency,” Bernstein said. “That Beltway media and the U.S. intelligence community, most
malignancy is known to the military leaders notably the CIA.
of the country, it’s known to the Republican
leadership in Congress who recognize it,
312
And much more recently, in May, U.S. News & World Either way, two things are clear to us: 1)
Report noted that the U.S. media and intel community Trump is having success in implementing
were teaming up for an “institutional second strike” on his anti-establishment agenda, as
Trump, which together could prove to “be dangerous evidenced by the sense of urgency to
adversaries.” increase efforts to get rid of him; and 2)
those efforts are multi-pronged and are
Let’s also not forget Sen. Chuck Schumer’s ominous being led by people deep inside
warning to the president in January — that he was being government who obviously serve
“really dumb” to “take on the intelligence community,” themselves and no longer the American
because “they have six ways from Sunday at getting back people.
at you.”
It seems clear:
As The National Sentinel reports, it is evident that the
Deep State’s inability to dispose of a president who has The Republic is under assault by
decided he will fight back and not go quietly into the night unelected, anointed, shadowy figures
has disturbed behind-the-scenes puppet masters, who are who couldn’t care less about the will of
now self-serving: the people.
313
CNN Boss Says His Reporters Are Ready To Fight Donald
Trump And Will Not Let Him 'Bully And Intimidate' Them
Jeff Zucker spoke about Trump's frequent attacks on CNN in a new interview
'My job is to remind everyone they need to stay focused doing their job', he said
He added: 'He's trying to bully us, and we're not going to let him intimidate us. You can't
lose confidence and let that change the way you conduct yourselves'
CNN has been under fire this week for allegedly 'blackmailing' the person who created a
meme that was lifted then tweeted out by Donald Trump on Sunday
It showed the president tackling a figure with CNN's logo for a head and hitting it
By Liam Quinn For Dailymail.com
Published: 12:02 EDT, 6 July 2017 | Updated: 16:04 EDT, 6 July 2017
CNN President has hit back at Donald Trump and his He said Trump:
near-constant attacks on the network, saying he is
comfortable going to battle with the commander-in-chief 'has caused us to have to take steps that
every day. you wouldn't think would be necessary
because of the actions of the president of
Jeff Zucker, CNN's 53-year-old head honcho, spoke about the United States'.
what it is like for his network to find itself so frequently in
the president's crosshairs. The comment is particularly timely, given the controversy
surrounding Trump's tweeting of a video that 'incited
'My job is to remind everyone that they need to stay violence against reporters', and CNN's subsequent decision
focused doing their job. to track down the person behind anonymous account that
first created the video.
CNN President has hit back at Donald Trump and his near-
constant attacks on the network. Zucker is pictured in New Trump and Zucker were once close friends. They are
York on May 17, 2017 pictured together in Trump Tower on November 21, 2016
315
The controversy, one of many the network has been
involved in since Trump took office, could be a factor in
Zucker struggling to get his eight hours every night.
316
Why Won't The Democrats
Challenge Trump On North Korea?
The Lesson Of The Iraq War Is That Progressives Must Challenge The
GOP’s Hawkish Maximalism Regardless Of The Political Cost.
Peter Beinart
Jul 6, 2017
Take North Korea. Ask congressional Democrats what Trump’s path is doomed to fail because it is based on
America should do about Kim Jong Un’s nuclear scaring Pyongyang into giving up its nuclear weapons
ambitions and they mostly answer: more pressure. Which when fear of the United States is a major reason
is the same answer Republicans give. After Kim tested an Pyongyang wants nuclear weapons in the first place. Given
intercontinental ballistic missile this week, Politico that North Korea still has no peace treaty with the U.S. (the
reported that Korean War ended in an armistice) and watches American
troops patrol the other side of the demilitarized zone, it has
“Republican and Democratic lawmakers on considered the United States a threat for a long time. But
Tuesday called on President Donald Trump over the last 15 years, America’s efforts at regime change
to increase pressure on North Korea and have left Pyongyang even more convinced that only
China.” nuclear weapons bring protection.
317
In April 2003, a month after the U.S. invaded Iraq, a North What Trump doesn’t seem to grasp is why China isn’t
Korean spokesman declared that “working with us.” The reason is that as frustrating as
China finds Kim’s regime, it’s more afraid of contributing
“only military deterrent force, supported by to its collapse. If North Korea fell into chaos, China would
ultra-modern weapons, can avert a war and have chaos on its border. If South Korea swallowed North
protect the security of the nation. This is Korea, China could have American troops on its border—a
the lesson drawn from the Iraqi war.” situation which it went to war in 1950 to prevent.
When Pyongyang conducted a nuclear test last January, its A Democratic alternative would start with the same
official news agency declared that, recognition that underlay Obama’s negotiations with Iran:
Convincing adversaries to curb their military arsenals
“The Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq and requires making America not more threatening, but less so.
the Qaddafi regime in Libya could not (Contrary to Republican mythology, Reagan embraced that
escape the fate of destruction after being same logic towards the USSR as early as 1984.)
deprived of their foundations for nuclear
development and giving up nuclear Although neither Democrats nor the elite press is paying
programs of their own accord.” Therefore, much attention, a number of former policymakers have
“History proves that powerful nuclear offered ways to begin doing this. Last September, a
deterrence serves as the strongest Council on Foreign Relations Task Force led by former
treasured sword for frustrating outsiders’ Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen and
aggression.” As Dartmouth’s David Kang former Senator Sam Nunn suggested that the U.S. and
has explained, “To dismiss North Korea’s South Korea “consider modifications to the scale and
security fears is to miss the root cause of content of U.S.-ROK joint military exercises” as part of a
North Korea’s actions.” deal with North Korea. This June, a group of international
experts, including former Vice Chairman of the Joint
The Trump administration, however, believes America’s Chiefs of Staff James Cartwright and former Under
problem is that it’s not scaring North Korea enough. Asked Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Pickering
as a candidate about assassinating Kim, Trump replied, proposed the same thing: “the suspension, reduction and
“I’ve heard of worse things.” In April, Mike Pence said eventual cessation of US military exercises in South
that, “When the president says all options are on the table, Korea.” That same month, a letter from former Secretary
all options are on the table. We’re trying to make it very of Defense William Perry, former Secretary of State
clear to people in this part of the world that we are going to George Schultz and former Senator Richard Lugar
achieve the end of a denuclearization of the Korean gestured in the same direction. “Washington,” it said,
peninsula—one way or the other.” And in March, the U.S. “should make clear that the United States does not have
and South Korea held an eight-week-long training hostile intentions toward North Korea.” In other words, do
exercise, involving more than 300,000 troops—many more exactly the opposite of what Trump—with bipartisan
than in past years—in which the two armies practiced support—has done.
missile strikes against North Korea’s nuclear sites and
“decapitation raids” aimed at killing its leaders. In The Council on Foreign Relations Task Force also
response, Kim Jong Un appears to have quickened the suggested that in order to convince China to use its
pace of his nuclear and missile tests. Which was entirely influence with Pyongyang, the United States should be
predictable given what North Korea has said and done in open to “revising the number and disposition of U.S.
the past. forces on the peninsula.” In other words, promise Beijing
that even if Korea reunifies, American troops will never
The Trump administration’s other strategy has been to stand on the banks of the Yalu River.
urge China to pressure North Korea economically.
(America doesn’t do enough business with Pyongyang to It’s too late to convince North Korea to scrap its nuclear
wield direct economic leverage. China, by contrast, and missile programs. But, with luck, concessions of the
accounts for roughly 85 percent of North Korea’s kind proposed by these former officials could be part of a
international trade.) But even as Democrats and deal to get Pyongyang to freeze them. And if you don’t
Republicans responded to this week’s intercontinental think that would constitute a major accomplishment,
ballistic missile test by echoing Trump’s demands, Trump remember that Pyongyang still hasn’t learned how to place
himself was conceding that those demands have failed. a nuclear device on an intercontinental ballistic missile. In
the next few years it likely will.
“Trade between China and North Korea
grew almost 40% in the first quarter,” he If Democrats offer such a vision,
tweeted on Wednesday. “So much for Republicans will immediately reply that you
China working with us.” can’t negotiate with Pyongyang. “All of
those negotiations and discussions failed,
318
miserably,” declared Pence in April. The “This was the hammer I had been looking
mantra “North Korea always cheats” is so for to shatter the Agreed Framework.”
uncontested that it even shows up in news
articles. “The past three presidents have There’s an analogy here with Obamacare. By 2002, the
tried to negotiate,” wrote Washington Post Agreed Framework had achieved a lot: It had stopped
National Political Correspondent James North Korea’s primary nuclear program for eight years.
Hohlman on Wednesday, “only to learn that But it had also developed real flaws. Instead of trying to
Pyongyang can never be trusted.” fix them, the Bush administration used those flaws as an
excuse to scrap a deal it had opposed from the start. The
But that’s at best a half-truth. Take the most important result: North Korea reopened its plutonium reactor and in
U.S.-North Korean nuclear deal, the 1994 Agreed 2006 conducted its first nuclear test.
Framework. Pyongyang promised to freeze its nuclear
program. In return, the U.S. promised to provide “heavy Understanding this history is crucial to the Democrats’
fuel oil” to compensate for the electricity North Korea ability to offer a real alternative to Trump’s North Korea
would lose by shutting down its plutonium reactor, to help policy. When Republicans say diplomacy doesn’t work,
build an entirely new, “light water” reactor, and to move Democrats should ask the same question they asked when
toward normalizing relations. Republicans attacked the Iran deal: Compared to what? As
a method of restraining North Korea’s nuclear ambitions,
Critics say North Korea cheated by secretly pursuing a Sigal argues, “nuclear diplomacy” has proved “far superior
different path—via uranium enrichment—toward a bomb. to the record of pressure of sanctions and isolation without
That’s true. But the U.S. cheated too. Because of negotiations.” Yet it’s that latter path that Trump, with the
objections by the Republican Congress, the United States acquiescence of congressional Democrats, seems
repeatedly failed to deliver the fuel oil it had promised on determined to take America down.
time. As early as 1997, notes Leon Sigal, director of the
Northeast Asia Cooperative Security Project at the Social Why aren’t Democrats challenging Trump and the GOP?
Science Research Council, Pyongyang warned that if the A Senate aide says it’s because the progressive foreign
U.S. didn’t meet its commitments, it wouldn’t either. Still, policy infrastructure remains so weak:
North Korea did not reopen its plutonium reactor, a facility
that could, according to U.S. estimates, have produced 100 “A lot of Democratic members are cautious
nuclear bombs. And by the end of the Clinton about getting out there because they know
administration, the United States and North Korea had they won’t have very much cover, and
pledged that neither country would have “hostile intent” when they get bashed there aren’t many
toward the other. organizations that would get their back.”
When the Bush administration took office, however, it That’s true. But it’s also true that progressive wonks,
refused to reaffirm this declaration of no “hostile intent.” journalists, and activists will respond if they see politicians
And in 2002, when it learned about North Korea’s secret worth rallying behind.
uranium program, it used the revelation as an opportunity
to scrap the agreement altogether. The North Koreans The lesson of the Iraq War is that progressives must
offered to abandon both their plutonium and uranium challenge the GOP’s hawkish maximalism regardless of
programs in return for a final deal that provided diplomatic the political cost. The lesson of the Bernie Sanders
relations and an end to sanctions. But as then-Under campaign is that grassroots Democrats hunger for
Secretary of State for Arms Control and International authenticity, independence and courage. If there are
Security John Bolton admitted, dangers for Democrats who challenge the current hawkish
discourse on North Korea, there are opportunities too.
.
319
Trump Weighs ‘Pretty Severe Things’
For North Korea Over Launch
By Toluse Olorunnipa And Margaret Talev
July 6, 2017, 4:25 AM CDT
He added:
Trump, who spoke alongside Polish President Andrzej Trump has said all options including military force are
Duda, offered no details about what he is considering and available against Pyongyang, though its neighbors warn a
did not answer a question directly about whether he is strike could be disastrous for North Asia. South Korea’s
contemplating the use of military force. Earlier in the news new government favors talks to bring Kim to heel, also
conference, he said he is calling on all nations to putting it potentially at odds with Trump’s administration.
"publicly demonstrate to North Korea that North Korea’s pursuit of a nuclear-tipped warhead capable
there are consequences for their very, very of reaching the U.S. is likely to be a significant topic
bad behavior." during the G-20. Trump is scheduled to have bilateral
meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japanese
Trump once again declined to say that it was only Russia Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, South Korean President Moon
that was involved in hacking the 2016 presidential election Jae-In and Putin. Each of those leaders have spoken out
ahead of his meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin on against North Korea’s provocations, and Trump has leaned
Friday. U.S. intelligence agencies have blamed the Russian on China in particular to rein in the rogue regime but
government but Trump has stopped short of laying blame acknowledged recently that it’s not working.
squarely with the Kremlin.
320
321
Will America Attack North Korea?
By Stephen Lendman - Stephenlendman.Org
7-6-2017
War on the Korean peninsula would be catastrophic if The Pentagon lied calling Tuesday’s DPRK intermediate-
launched. Defense Secretary Mattis said it range ballistic missile test an ICBM, explained by Russia’s
Defense Ministry.
“would be probably the worst kind of
fighting in most people’s lifetimes.” On Wednesday, Trump talked tough, saying Pyongyang is
No precedent exists for trying to destroy a nation’s nuclear “behaving in a very, very dangerous
capability by military means. The possibility of nukes manner and something will have to be
detonating on the Korean peninsula should deter any done about it.”
country from risking the world’s first nuclear war, assuring
losers, not winners. “We will see what happens. I have some
pretty severe things that we are thinking
Trump’s earlier threat about a possible “major, major about. That doesn’t mean we are going to
conflict” with Pyongyang sounded like the ravings of a do it. I don’t draw red lines.”
madman.
During an “emergency” Wednesday Security Council
His refusal to engage the DPRK diplomatically assures no session, called by Washington, neocon UN envoy Nikki
way of resolving bilateral differences. If surgical strikes Haley threatened North Korea with a military option,
are launched, catastrophic full-scale war will likely follow. saying
On Wednesday, US Forces Korea commander General “(w)e will use (it) if we must…”
Vincent Brooks belligerently said America is ready to go
to war on North Korea straightaway if ordered. Around 25 million South Koreans live within 50 miles of
the heavily-fortified DMZ, including 10 million in Seoul,
“Self-restraint, which is a choice, is all that 35 miles from the North Korean border.
separates armistice and war,” he said.
(W)e are able to change our choice when If attacked, DPRK artillery, rocket-launchers, and short-
so ordered by our…national leaders. It range ballistic missiles could inflict enormous damage,
would be a grave mistake for anyone to along with a devastating human toll.
believe anything to the contrary.”
Nuclear war would be catastrophic, affecting the entire
White House Deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders peninsula, China, Russia and Japan.
declined to explain what Trump may do next, saying:
Are hawkish generals in charge of US warmaking and
“We’ve been pretty consistent that we are Trump foolish enough to order the unthinkable?
never going to broadcast next steps, but I
don’t have anything further on that right Millions in East Asia have much to fear from a reckless
now.” administration perhaps willing to do anything to achieve
its imperial objectives.
322
Trump Threatens North Korea
With ‘Severe’ Action, Warns Russia
Thu Jul 6, 2017 10:3AM
This picture taken on July 4, 2017 shows North Korea's new two-
US President Donald Trump has stage missile. (Photo by AFP)
threatened North Korea with
“consequences” following its latest
US intelligence agencies said the missile was most likely a
ballistic missile test and warned Russia
new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with an
to stop supporting Syria and
estimated range of 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles), capable
destabilizing Ukraine.
of hitting Alaska.
Speaking at a press conference in the Polish capital of
Warsaw on Wednesday, Trump said he was considering a Haley: US could use ‘military force’
“severe” response to Pyongyang’s “very bad behavior.”
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley openly warned on
Wednesday that Washington might resort to its
“I call on all nations to confront this global
“considerable military forces” if Pyongyang was not
threat and publicly demonstrate to North
willing to accept diplomatic solutions to solve the ongoing
Korea that there are consequences for their
standoff between the two countries.
very, very bad behavior,” Trump said, while
standing next to his Polish counterpart
Andrzej Duda. Speaking at the UN Security Council’s meeting about
North Korea’s latest missile test, Haley said Wednesday
“I have pretty severe things that we’re that Pyongyang’s move amounted to a “clear and sharp
thinking about,” added Trump, saying, military escalation” and the US was ready to respond
however, “that doesn’t mean that we’ll do accordingly.
them.”
323
“The US is prepared to use the full range of "We urge Russia to cease its destabilizing
our capabilities to defend ourselves and activities in Ukraine and elsewhere and its
our allies,” she said. “One of our support for hostile regimes including Syria
capabilities lies with our considerable and Iran, and to instead join the community
military forces. We will use them if we of responsible nations in our fight against
must, but we prefer not to have to go in that common enemies and the defense of
direction.” civilization itself," Trump said.
“We are working with Poland in response to
The Trump administration was putting together a series of Russia’s actions and destabilizing
punitive measures against “any country that does business behavior."
with this outlaw regime,” Haley said, referring to
Washington’s plans to impose harsh sanctions against
Russia, along with Iran, have been assisting the Syrian
North Korea and its trading partners. government in its fight against terrorist groups wreaking
havoc in the Arab country since 2011.
Trump launches into a tirade against Russia, Iran
324
Trump Chides Russia Ahead Of
Putin Meeting, Though Not Enough For Dem Critics
By Brooke Singman
Published July 06, 2017
Trump frequently has said he wants the U.S. to get along Schiff took to Twitter saying:
with Russia and has rejected allegations of 'collusion'
between his associates and Russia last year. At the same “America last. @POTUS already
time, Trump has an interest in reining in Russia's capitulates to Putin."
destabilizing activities around the world -- and confronting
Putin about them.
326
CNN President Jeff Zucker:
"Trump Is Trying To Bully Us"
By Tyler Durden
Jul 6, 2017 10:11 AM
CNN President Jeff Zucker, rather than apologize for can be swayed because they’re not
publishing fake news story after fake news story all in an watching Fox or MSNBC” — networks
effort, by his own admission mind you, to drive ratings for with an ideological bent in prime time."
his network, has decided to take a play from the
Meanwhile, Zucker again raised concerns that Trump's
'disaffected liberal" playbook and pretend to be the victim
bullying could end up getting a CNN reporter hurt.
in his rather public scuffle with President Trump. In a new
interview with the New York Times published yesterday, It's almost as if they want it to happen...
Zucker never once apologized for his network's credibility-
One challenge Mr. Zucker has thought
crushing mistakes over the past several weeks but instead
about: safety.
said that Trump "is trying to bully us."
The level of threats against CNN employees, he said, has
“He’s trying to bully us, and we’re not
spiked this year. Mr. Trump, he said,
going to let him intimidate us. You can’t
lose your confidence and let that change “has caused us to have to take steps that
the way you conduct yourselves.” you wouldn’t think would be necessary
because of the actions of the president of
“My job is to remind everyone that they
the United States.”
need to stay focused doing their job,”
On Wednesday, CNN found itself facing another backlash
To which we have one simple observation, courtesy of the
— and additional online threats — after it posted a story
eloquent Maude Lebowski,
about a man who created a version of the wrestling video
you, Mr. Zucker, are most definitely the that was later tweeted by Mr. Trump; it did not identify
perpetrator here and not the victim. him but said it reserved the right to do so if he resumed his
activities.
You can't intentionally pursue a story you know to fake
day after day in a crusade intended to take down a political So, you can bet your last dollar that the
figure with whom you disagree and pretend to be the moment some CNN reporter breaks a
victim. You can't extort a random American citizen for nail while pounding a table in reaction
having the 'audacity' to poke fun at you and pretend to be to reading the latest Trump tweet, that
the victim. CNN will cover the 'tragedy' on a 24-
hours loop as evidence of the harmful
consequences of Trump's hate speech.
Here, we'll even try to speed up the process to get this over
with:
328
Loretta Lynch Plot Thickens As New Details Emerge Of
Her Dealings With The Hillary Campaign
By Tyler Durden
Jul 7, 2017 3:13 PM
Last night we asked a very simple question about why the members of Clinton's campaign,
DNC has failed to cooperate with Russia investigators by potentially Amanda Renteria, that the
handing over their infamous email server to either the FBI FBI's investigation "wouldn't go too
or Robert Mueller's team (see: DNC Server: Most Critical far"...more from the Post:
Evidence To Proving "Russian Hacking" Is Being
Withheld From Mueller, Why?). Afterall, if Russia did When former Attorney General Loretta Lynch testified last
"hack the election", as we've been told 24/7 by CNN going year about her decision not to prosecute Hillary Clinton for
on 8 months now, then the evidence could very well be on mishandling classified information, she swore she never
that server. Which prompted us to ask this very simple talked to “anyone” on the Clinton campaign. That
question: categorical denial, though made in response to a series of
questions about whether she spoke with Clintonworld
All of which brings us back to our original question: about remaining attorney general if Hillary won the
election, could come back to haunt her.
If the DNC is in possession of actual
tangible evidence that could prove once The Senate Judiciary Committee, which
and for all that Russians hacked their has launched a bipartisan investigation into
servers and attempted to undermine the Lynch for possible obstruction of justice,
campaign of Hillary Clinton, why not recently learned of the existence of a
share that evidence with investigators document indicating Lynch assured the
and enjoy the blissful vindication that political director of Clinton’s campaign
its public release would provide? she wouldn’t let FBI agents “go too far”
in probing the former secretary of state.
We concluded by wondering whether the stonewalling
from the DNC just might have something to do with this
"purely coincidental' meeting between Loretta Lynch and
Bill Clinton on a tarmac in Phoenix and/or Loretta Lynch's Lynch’s lawyer says she is cooperating with committee
'assurances' to members of the Clinton campaign that the investigators, who are seeking answers to several
FBI's investigation (or, "matter" if you prefer) of Hillary questions, as well as relevant documents. Among other
Clinton "wouldn't go too far"? Afterall, if evidence of things, they want to know if she or any of her Justice
"Russian hacking" were on that server, so to would there Department staff “ever communicated with Amanda
be evidence of Lynch's transgressions...if they existed, of Renteria,” who headed Clinton’s political operations
course. during the campaign. Renteria, who has been identified in
the document as the senior Clinton campaign aide with
But we're not the only ones wondering whether there's whom Lynch privately communicated, has also been asked
more to the Lynch story. to testify.
According to an article in the New York And then there is that inconvenient Comey testimony in
Post, some testimony that Lynch offered which the former FBI director says that he was instructed
under oath before the Senate Judiciary by Lynch to refer to the Clinton investigation as a "matter"
Committee last year could come back to rather than what it actually was, an investigation.
haunt her. In that testimony, Lynch said
that she had "not spoken to anyone on Now, as The Post points out, there are new
either the campaign or transition or any developments which would suggest that
staff members affiliated with them." Comey confronted Lynch about the
That said, and as we've reported before, alleged communication with Amanda
that statement seems to contradict Renteria and promptly asked to leave.
reports that Lynch personally assured
329
And it will press her to explain the only one to take the fall? Scandal free administration
discrepancy — along with why she indeed...
reportedly asked former FBI Director
James Comey to leave her office when
he confronted her with the document.
330
CNN Admits In 30th Paragraph That Trump
Was Right About Intel Agencies’ Assessment On Russia
By Accuracy In Media
July 7, 2017
Where did they admit the truth? In the 3oth and 31st
paragraphs:
CNN, far from a neutral news source, wrote a very long Why bury the reality that the liberal media got their
piece on President Trump’s relationship with the country’s narrative wrong, that only 4 out of 17 intelligence agencies
intelligence agencies. However, they buried the truth that believed Russia meddled in the 2016 election so far down
the liberal media overestimated how many intelligence in the piece?
agencies believed the Russian government meddled in the
2016 election.
331
Kim Jong-Un Willing To Discuss
Nuclear Disarmament If US Promises Not To Attack
© REUTERS/ KCNA - Asia & Pacific
20:25 08.07.2017
Pyongyang won't give up nuclear While South Korea's new President Moon Jae-in has halted
weapons unless it receives some sort of further THAAD deployment pending an assessment
security guarantee that North Korea of environment risks, two THAAD launchers were already
won't be attacked by the US, political deployed to South Korea under the administration of Park
analyst Lin Shaowen told Radio Sputnik. Geun-hye.
Russia and China have called on North Korea, South "The deal is there, although it was reached
Korea and the United States to sign up to a de-escalation with the former President. It's difficult
plan drawn up in Beijing to lessen the tension in the for him to call a complete reversal of this
Korean Peninsula. decision. He may take time to see if de-
escalation is possible, then there will be
fewer pretexts for Washington to go ahead
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President
with the deployment of the
Vladimir Putin announced the initiative after a meeting
following facilities of the THAAD system."
in the Kremlin on Tuesday. They issued a joint statement
that called on North Korea to voluntarily halt its testing
of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, and on the US Shaowen said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is
and South Korea to refrain from holding large-scale joint pursuing the nuclear program because of concerns
military drills. for national security.
"Parallel to this, the opposing sides should "The tough talking actually means that it
start negotiations and affirm general (North Korea) has serious concerns
principles of their relations including the about threats; what it wants most is regime
non-use of force, rejection of aggression security or regime survival. So that's why it
and peaceful co-existence," the two so often wants to have direct dialogue
countries stated. with the US, it sees that only the US has
the capability to bring about regime change
or to cause a regime collapse."
Lin Shaowen, political analyst and member of the China
Radio International(CRI) editorial team, told Radio "Kim Jong-un himself doesn't feel secure,
Sputnik that the high level of tension in the Korean that's why it only feels secure when he has
Peninsula prompted China and Russia to make the some greater deterrents – a nuclear
proposal. warhead plus an inter-ballistic missile
carrier. So, by other means he doesn't feel
"North Korea's ambassador to India has secure, unless there is very formal
already indicated that it's willing to talk and commitment of security guarantee."
332
The THAAD anti-ballistic missile system has a radar range "That is the same as the deployment
of 2000km, which makes it able to track movements far of anti-missile systems in Eastern
beyond North Korea, deep in Chinese and Russian European countries pressing onto the
territory. Shaowen compared the US deployment border of Russia. So, this is a similar move
of THAAD in South Korea to its deployment of an anti- which is happening in the North Eastern
missile defense shield in Eastern Europe. part of Asia."
333
Trump Scores ‘D-Minus’ For Nuclear
Policy Failures In Korea, The US & UN
By Yoichi Shimatsu Exclusive To Rense
7-8-2017
- First, with war threats and fumbling over off-and-on Rump Minority of Pro-Nuke States
diplomatic talks with Pyongyang, which are needed to
craft an eventual deal to limit its build-up of warheads in The North Korean nuclear issue has been used by the
exchange for American assurances of non-intervention; Trump team to deflect public scrutiny away from
334
Washington’s blatant insincerity on the proposed nuclear with Raytheon and its THAAD partner Lockheed Martin.
arms ban. While castigating and threatening North Korea No wonder Donald Trump is so worried about the “Korean
for its puny nuke program and missile tests, the Trump crisis”: He needs to protect his real estate investments by
team at the UN led by deranged ambassador Nikki Haley helping his hidden partners in the war industry.
has since early March boycotted the first-ever conference
for a worldwide ban on nuclear weapons. In line with her Daewoo Engineering also built the Trump Towers in
predecessor Susan Rice’s support for nuclear blackmail, Manhattan, which accounts for the dark militarist style of
Haley arm-twisted and intimidated 34 other UN member- the Trump Group’s real estate. On a trip to Korea in the
nations, mostly in Eastern Europe, to join her ill-conceived 1990s, Trump once joked that he planned to order a
walkout from the opening of the treaty discussions in Korean-built destroyer for his luxury yacht. (Daewoo
March. Corporation was scuttled by the 1997-98 Asian financial
crisis, but its conglomerate members Daewoo Englneering
The Trump-Haley boycott has proven to be a fool’s errand and Construction survives on a major international builder
now that an overwhelming majority of 129 member- in partnership with Asiana Airlines, and also Daewoo
nations signed the world’s first-ever nuclear-ban treaty on Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering went on to become
Friday, July 7. Instead of their fanatic posturing and Dr. South Korea's biggest producer of submarines, but is being
Stangelove walkout of the talks, the American delegation investigated for fraud and bribery on a massive scale.) I
could have abstained from the final vote while voicing can envision his yacht entering New York Harbor: The SS
support for anti-proliferation and at least in principle moral Death Star captained by Imperial Cmdr. Don Sidious.
opposition to nuclear war. The US delegation came off as Clearly, the populist Trump is bipolar, with a mean-
if they actually support nuclear war, an idiotic stance that tempered opposite alter-ego who likes nothing better than
couold also be used to justify a terrorist dirty bomb to shout: “You’re fired!” At the personal level, this is a
exploded in Manhattan or on the steps of the Capitol black comedy, but for a nation as proud as the United
building. Morality isn’t useless idealism, it is a necessary States, it’s a grand tragedy.
guide for conduct.
A Measure of Failure
At this greatest international treaty signing during his term
of office, Trump was a no-show and instead hid in a closet In the footsteps of his foundering predecessors Jimmy
of denial. The United States of America is disgraced by Carter (nuclear artillery on the Peninsula) and Gerald Ford
such gutless stage fright. The majority turnout for treaty (capture of the spy ship USS Pueblo), Trump has grabbed
approval shows that the world does not want, need or cling onto the so-called crisis on the Korean Peninsula and is
to any offer of a nuclear umbrella from nuclear predictably tolling the alarm, if for no other reason than to
superpowers United States or Russia. This planet would be ensure profits for his pals in the war industry at Raytheon
a safer place without such “protection” rackets. In any and Daewoo. Despite repeated predictions of imminent
case, nuclear powers like the US and Russia are killing doom from North Korean belligerence from successive
their own societies and environments with radioactive U.S. presidents, there has not been a single serious battle
contamination. Save your pity for the deserving. on the peninsula on the scale of events in Iraq or
Afghanistan in more than six decades since the signing of
His Profitable Korea Connection the Korean Armistice on July 27, 1953. Both Koreas, more
than less, have maintained the peace; and whatever
Trump’s flaws, as his critics content and his advisers skirmishes have erupted in the interval, none have required
understand, arise from sins of venality. “Trump is a American military intervention.
businessman”, they say, and we are supposed to be assured
that he’s just an innocent in quest of a (financial) killing As for the “threat” of a North Korean nuclear strike against
and not a pathological killer. If so, his hysterics over North the Lower 48 plus 2, a quick look at the strategic match-
Korea are just a business ploy. There’s a basis of fact up, with data from the Arms Control Association, is
there. enlightening: North Korea now possesses 10 small devices
versus the 6,800 much more powerful nuclear warheads
His business motive on the Korean Peninsula came as an deployed by the USA. North Korea would not now have
unexpected surprise to me on a recent visit to South Korea that small arsenal if any previous American president had
for a first-hand report on the THAAD rocket deployment. the moral courage to seriously negotiate a peace treaty
On the outskirts of an otherwise beautiful capital stood the with Pyongyang instead of dragging on economic
brute towers of Trump World I, II and III Seoul. These sanctions indefinitely, the political coward’s way out of
grim developments were built by Daewoo, the corporate historic decision.
giant and military contractor. Daewoo assembles Dolphin-
class submarines for the South Korean Navy, and its By now, this recurrent failure of U.S. foreign policy means
contractor for on-board electronics is Raytheon, which also that North Korea will maintain a tiny nuclear deterrence
produces the THAAD and Patriot missile interceptors capability against overwhelming American genocidal
stationed in South Korea. Trump’s real-estate interests are power. At this moment, a cap on nuclear development by
partnered with the war industry and thereby connected Pyongyang is the best deal that can be achieved, given the
335
failures of past U.S. administrations, which flubbed the On a visit to Seongju, the golf course in the southeastern
many opportunities to ensure a non-nuclear Korean tip of the Korean Peninsula where THAAD has been
Peninsula. The nuclear problem in North Korea is not deployed over the past year, I learned that its firing tubes
Trump’s fault; he inherited it and therefore should have the do not contain any rockets. The truck-mounted launcher is
sense not to inflame the situation but deal with it quietly put there on a private golf coure that’s been illegally
through diplomatic channels and incentives for converted into a military base to provide cover for the
Pyongyang, for example, inviting the Kim family to actual mission, which is powerful radar spying on China’s
Disneyland, a bedazzling experience and gesture of airspace over a thousand-mile distance inland. This whole
friendship that should thwart any desire to nuke Anaheim exercise is a deceit, involving massive corruption at the
or Orlando. highest levels of the US government, which also entangles
Donald Trump whose campaign received a hefty donation
The Thud of THAAD from Raytheon. His family reportedly owns a swath of
shares in that incompetent rocket company.
Trump’s fall from grace is becoming a major burden for
American taxpayers with his new-found toy of rocket The only road into the golf course is now sealed off by the
firings, now about to happen on an even larger scale with police due to a road block of boulders set up by villagers
the expensive but ineffectual THAAD ballistic-missile angered by the strange hum of microwaves from the X-
interceptor system (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), band radar, which is also killing the bees needed to
which is slated to be re-tested in Alaska and eventually pollinate local orchards. On top of the THAAD deception,
South Korea and possibly Japan. The system’s midair the US Army secretly helicoptered in a Patriot launcher to
“kinetic” strike method, or head-on collision with the protect US aircraft carriers operating along the east coast
incoming ballistic missile, is as futile as swinging a of the Korean Peninsula.
baseball bat to stop a bullet (except for the fact that an
incoming ballistic missile moves at least 6 times faster Plunge into the Dark Side
than any bullet).
Remember how Trump once criticized Lockheed and
The Raytheon-Lockheed alphabet soup for this phony Boeing for cost overruns? Those days seem like an eon
interceptor system is AN/TPY-2 (A for aircraft, N for past, but it was less a year ago. Breaking with his
reflective radar, TP terminal phase meaning “during campaign pledges against foreign intervention, Trump
descent”, and Y standing for prototype). So the THAAD dumped 59 Raytheon-built Tomahawk missiles into the
batteries in Japan, South Korea and Alaska are second- environs of an Syrian air base as a warning against
round prototypes with zero proven defense value. The first President Bashir al-Assad’s supposed airstrikes against a
models of Y-1 were tested in Kwajalein Atoll in the South jihadist hospital. Most of those sea-borne missiles,
Pacific region’s Marshall Islands. Those test firings from however, landed off-target, destroying only a couple of
Vandenberg AFB were rigged with the unarmed warheads warplanes among the dozens more deployed there. That
carrying a transponder guided by a radar beam from the pathetic exercise in overkill failed utterly, politically and
atoll. Both the incoming rocket and the THAAD were militarily, and we’ve yet to hear Trump apologize for the
guided along the same narrow radar pulse. This is not botched performance, which however did earn Raytheon
rocket science, it’s cheating. substantial revenues for replacement rockets at taxpayer
expense. Yes, Trump is a businessman.
The fraudulent interception results were sufficient to
convince Congress to approve more THAAD missile The spike in Raytheon’s share value spurred the talented
purchases, especially when Raytheon spends more than $2 Mr. Trump forward in his apprenticeship as a Merchant of
million a year in campaign contributions to 94 senators and Death. On his recent to Warsaw, Trump sold Patriot
congressmen including John McCain and Mac Thornberry, missile-interceptor systems to the Polish military.
the chairmen respectively of the Senate and House armed Weapons sales to Poland, a vociferous geopolitical foe of
services committees. In the 2016 presidential campaign, Russia, puts Trump on the same page as the late Zbigniew
the missile company made hefty donations to Hillary Brzezinski, along with the spymaster’s daughter Mika.
Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. As for the Never mind the sideshow of tweets about MSNBC
hopelessly naive American left, a vote for Sanders also Morning Joe, Mika and Don will be seated next to each
would have meant a ballot for Raytheon. other at the Raytheon shareholders meeting waving little
NATO flags and cheering on eastward expansion onto
The cost of a THAAD rocket is more than $1 million Moscow.
apiece, with the entire unit, including X-band phased-array
radar, costing upwards of $1 billion, plus annual payment A plunge into the dark abyss of warmongering is
for support services from Chenega, a Native Alaskan irredeemable, meaning it’s high time to seek (once again) a
minority business that serves as the front for Academi, presidential candidate with integrity of character, but this
formerly known as Blackwater. time around one who’s not secretly on the payroll of
Raytheon, Lockheed, General Dynamics or other war
profiteers. Belief in the machines of war is based on
336
emotional insecurity. As in the case of bombastic men who
doubt their own virility, Trump suffers a deficit of the
quiet courage required to convince sworn foes to trust the
truce and to act honorably out of respect. It is so much
easier to equate mass murder with masculinity than it is to
suffer the frustrations of a healer and a peacemaker trying
to save humanity from self-destruction. Then again, what’s
it profit a man . . . .?
337
Something Must Be Done
About ‘Problem And Menace’ Of Pyongyang - Trump
© REUTERS/ Carlos Barria - Military & Intelligence
22:11 08.07.2017(Updated 09:43 09.07.2017
338
Why Does Donald Trump Keep Dissing Jews?
Frank Bruni
JULY 8, 2017
Then there was an initial, strange silence from Trump and “unlikely that the Trump campaign intended
his aides about a rash of anti-Semitic vandalism and bomb to put out a Star of David image. In fact, the
threats around the country in January and February. campaign moved to replace the star with a
circle when the image gained attention.”
339
Even so, PolitiFact noted, Trump had an Go back to his mini-tantrum during a White House news
unusual habit of “using social media to conference in February, when a reporter for a Jewish
broadcast material that comes from magazine tried to ask him whether he was paying proper
sources with a history of spreading racism, heed to the anti-Semitic bomb threats. Trump interpreted
anti-Semitism or white supremacy.” the question as an indictment not of his behavior but of his
being —
I’m not convinced that Trump is much of an anti-Semite,
any more than I’m convinced that he’s much of a “I am the least anti-Semitic person that
homophobe. (Racism and sexism are another matter.) But I you’ve ever seen in your entire life!” he
think he’s so thirsty for, and intoxicated by, whatever love trumpeted
comes his way that he’s loath to rebuff the sources of it.
— and turned the discussion toward the big, bad media.
A prominent Jewish Republican put it well. Forget about any persecution of Jews. Let’s talk about the
persecution of Trump.
“I think Trump is such a pathological
narcissist that the act of telling people who You can be only so considerate to others when you never
love you that you reject them — he can’t stop considering yourself. And the flamboyantly
get around that,” he told me, interpreting nonconformist culture of Trump’s presidency has
Trump’s reasoning this way: “What can be downsides. This administration shrugs off and throws
wrong with them? They’re for me!” away some rituals and niceties that do matter to people,
estranging them in the process.
Trump is disinclined to denounce any constituency or
tactics that elevate him to the throne, where he’s sure that Gay Pride Month came and went without even a banal
he belongs. The outcome validates even the ugliest and word of recognition from the White House. So while
most divisive ascent. Trump likes to crow, in a hallucinatory fashion, that gays
love him, we made do in June with a tweet from his
“I don’t think he’s goading these people or outsourced conscience, by which of course I mean Ivanka.
associating with them because he shares
their views,” the Republican added. “I do Some of this is Steve Bannon and his ilk. Their idea of
think that he’s so insensitive about the nationalism is chilly to the recognition of subgroups,
presidency — about the responsibilities of including Jewish Americans.
the leader of the free world — that he
doesn’t realize it’s not enough to say, once Some of it boils down to an absent professionalism. Trump
or twice, ‘I don’t agree with them.’ He isn’t matching the respectful choreography of other
doesn’t realize that you have to be very presidents because there’s no one in his inner circle
clear.” And he doesn’t realize — or care — familiar with the dance. Kushner, Bannon, Stephen Miller
that he’s validating and encouraging them. and Reince Priebus are all new to this kind and level of
work. They lack institutional memory, along with any
He doesn’t understand the message of zipping through Yad awareness of how easily those blind spots become
Vashem when predecessors lingered, because he’s less insensitivity.
concerned with the weight of his office than with the
whims and convenience of Donald Trump. It’s all about I can’t know definitively how Trump feels about Jews or
him, always — and if he’s sure in his own heart that he’s gays or a whole lot else. But I can see clearly his
good with Jews, then he shouldn’t have to prove it. sloppiness and self-absorption, and they’re cause enough
for alarm.
.
340
Comey’s Private Memos On Trump
Conversations Contained Classified Material
By John Solomon
07/09/17 08:12 PM EDT
He added,
More than half of the memos former FBI Director James
Comey wrote as personal recollections of his conversations
“My view was that the content of those
with President Trump about the Russia investigation have
unclassified memorialization of those
been determined to contain classified information,
conversations was my recollection
according to interviews with officials familiar with the
recorded.”
documents.
341
place human life in jeopardy, result in the Comey ultimately concluded in July 2016 that Clinton’s
denial of due process, prevent the FBI from email practices were reckless, but that he could not
effectively discharging its responsibilities, recommend prosecution because FBI agents had failed to
or violate federal law,” states the find enough evidence that she intended to violate felony
agreement all FBI agents sign. statutes prohibiting the transmission of classified
information through insecure practices. Clinton at the time
It adds that “all information acquired by me in connection was the Democratic nominee for president.
with my official duties with the FBI and all official
material to which I have access remain the property of the “Although we did not find clear evidence
United States of America” and that an agent “will not that Secretary Clinton or her colleagues
reveal, by any means, any information or material from or intended to violate laws governing the
related to FBI files or any other information acquired by handling of the classified information, there
virtue of my official employment to any unauthorized is evidence that they were extremely
recipient without prior official written authorization by the careless in their handling of very sensitive,
FBI.” highly classified information," he said in a
decision panned by Republicans and
Comey indicated in his testimony the memos were in his embraced by Democrats.
possession when he left the bureau, leaving him in a
position to leak one of them through his friend to the Now, congressional investigators are likely to turn their
media. But he testified that he has since turned them over attention to the same issues to determine if Comey
to Robert Mueller, a former FBI chief who is now mishandled any classified information in his personal
spearheading the investigation into possible collusion memos.
between the Trump campaign and Russia during the
presidential race. In order to make an assessment, congressional
investigators will have to tackle key questions, such as
It is not clear whether Comey as director signed the same where and how the memos were created,
agreement as his agents, but the contract is considered the including whether they were written on an insecure
official policy of the bureau. It was also unclear when the computer or notepad; where and how the memos were
documents were shown to Congress whether the stored, such as inside Comey's home, in a briefcase or on
information deemed secret or confidential was classified at an insecure laptop; whether any memos were shown to
the time Comey wrote the memos or determined so private individuals without a security clearance and
afterward, the sources said. whether those memos contained any classified
information; and when was it determined by the
Congressional investigators had already begun examining government that the memos contained classified
whether Comey’s creation, storage and sharing of the information, before Comey took them and shared one or
memos violated FBI rules, but the revelation that four of after.
the seven memos included some sort of classified
information opens a new door of inquiry into whether One avenue for answering those questions is for a panel
classified information was mishandled, improperly stored like Senate Intelligence, House Intelligence or Senate
or improperly shared. Judiciary to refer the matter to the Justice Department’s
internal watchdog, the inspector general, or to the director
That was the same issue for which the FBI investigated of national intelligence and its inspector general, aides
Clinton, a former secretary of State in the Obama said.
administration, in 2015 and 2016 under Comey. Clinton
used a private email server during her tenure that at times
contained classified material.
342
Angela Merkel's Dreadful Attempt At Networking
With Donald Trump Blows Up As He Scolds EU
DONALD Trump Hit Out At The European Union (EU) In A Private Chat
With Angela Merkel And Donald Tusk, Which Was Heard When The
German Chancellor Forgot To Turn Off Her Microphone.
By Oli Smith
PUBLISHED: 00:01, Sun, Jul 9, 2017 | UPDATED: 09:26, Sun, Jul 9, 2017
RUPTLY - Tusk and Trump could be heard discussing his recent After the awkward exchange, an exasperated Mrs. Merkel
speech in Warsaw, Poland
can be seen looking around the room for an escape from
"It would have been nice to do that speech Mr. Trump before asking:
in Brussels, no?"
"So where is my Chinese friends?
Mr. Trump can be seen laughing off this comment, before
"China is absent. No China in the room. No
Mr. Tusk, who is from Poland, joked:
China in this world."
"A special gift to me I think!"
Mr. Trump was heard asking Mr. Tusk if he knew the topic
the G20 session would be tackling, to which Mr. Tusk said
The US President then appeared to take indirect aim at the "migration".
reception he received in Brussels.
343
The Trump-Loving ‘Prince’
Raided By Police For Possible Fraud
As Far As His Regal Lineage Goes, Prince Stefan Černetić May Not Pass
The Smell Test, But That Hasn’t Stopped Him From
Living The Royal Life.
Barbie Latza Nadeau
07.09.17 12:00 AM ET
The knighting ceremony was followed by the 8th annual Last month, Italy’s Carabinieri military police raided
royal “Ball of Lilies” in a lavish 17th-century castle on the Černetić’s modest home in Turin, which was not a castle
Italian riviera complete with official photographers, ladies after all, and sequestered his computer, documents, medals
in tiaras, and men in waistcoats and tails. According to the and the Montenegro flags he used on his Mercedes to give
prince’s website, which has a gallery of photos from that the appearance of an official motorcade. They launched a
event and many others like it, the Baywatch beauty was formal investigation into alleged fraudulent activities that
honored with the title “for her seaworld charity he, along with an accomplice from near Naples who acted
involvement worldwide.” as his valet and sometimes as an ambassador from
Montenegro, have engaged in since 2009. And his name is
Anderson is one of dozens of people Prince Černetić has apparently Stefano, not Stefan.
knighted. In fact, the prince has spent the better part of the
last two decades galavanting around Europe meeting The accomplice is not under formal investigation, and
royalty, bestowing honors, and carrying out other princely remains nameless, but his home was also raided for
duties. equipment that may have been used to make the false
documents, according to a police report seen by The Daily
Not surprisingly, being a prince carries with it a number of Beast.
perks including free stays at luxury villas and a certain
enviable quality of life that includes royal trimmings like Among the potential charges for which the potentially faux
expensive champagne and private chefs. prince is being investigated are false certification to a
public official and fraud as related to an unpaid luxury
344
hotel bill in the Italian province of Puglia where the prince “Montenegro has two royal houses,” he
stayed last summer. explained. “The other royal house is filled
with Freemasons who pay journalists
€300,000 to €500,000 to defame me.”
Raimondo Porcelli/Facebook
In fact, he says, this is the result of a regal feud, a war Černetić is under investigation and police say he may be
between aristocrats. charged soon, even though he insists charges will be
dropped and, when they are, he plans to “sue every
publication who calls me a fake prince.” In the meantime,
345
he continues to knight people, win awards, dine at lavish
restaurants and plead his innocence.
Stefan Cernetic/Facebook
.
346
Full Statement By Donald Trump Jr.
On Sunday's New York Times Report
Fox News
Published July 09, 2017
347
Xi Jinping’s Meeting With Trump
By Stephen Lendman - Stephenlendman.Org
7-9-2017
China and America are largely world’s apart on ways to He threatened a “tit-for-tat approach” through imposition
resolve differences between them, including major of tariffs on certain Chinese imports.
geopolitical issues.
Trump and Xi Jinping spoke several times by phone. On
Beijing urges diplomatic outreach with Pyongyang and Saturday, they met for the second time on the sidelines of
cessation of provocative US/South Korean military the G20 meeting in Hamburg, Germany.
exercises the DPRK believes are preparations for war on
its country. Both agree on Korean peninsula denuclearization. Xi
stressed the need for both countries to show mutual respect
Washington categorically refuses to end decades of and cooperation on regional and international issues - to
unjustifiable hostility toward North Korea, choosing keep bilateral relations positive.
confrontation over responsible outreach, risking
unthinkable war on the peninsula, possibly going nuclear Trump said he and Xi have a “wonderful relationship,”
by accident or design. expressing confidence both leaders can achieve “success”
in addressing common issues of concern.
Beijing and Moscow want provocative US THAAD
missile systems removed from South Korea, threatening “Trade is a…very, very big issue for the
their territory. The Trump administration is unbending, United States,” he stressed, adding “we’re
keeping them deployed, intending new installations - going to turn that around.” On North Korea,
aimed mostly at China and Russia aggressively. he said “there will be success in the end
one way or the other.”
Unacceptable US air and sea incursions encroaching on
China’s territory remain a major sticking point between Trump is scheduled to pay a state visit to China later this
both countries. year. Focus will be on continuing discussion of major
issues both countries agree and disagree on.
So are arms sales to Taiwan and economic relations.
Trump’s “America first” agenda risks initiating a trade war Resolving latter ones will likely remain unattainable.
- last November saying Washington wants all countries observing its rules. China
insists its sovereign rights be respected - yielding them to
“(w)e can’t continue to allow China to rape no other country.
our country.”
A rocky bilateral relationship looks likely to continue - Xi
“That’s what they’re doing. It’s the greatest under no illusion about America changing how it operates,
theft in the history of the world.” hoping to make the best out of a bad situation.
348
New Research Shows Guccifer 2.0
Files Were Copied Locally, Not Hacked
Elizabeth Vos
July 9, 2017
350
as having “reason” to suppress the truth of the matter. As with Seth Rich, and definitively not remotely “hacked”
one of the only individuals who would have been aware of from Russia.
the source of the DNC Leaks, Assange’s statement
corroborates a scenario where the DNC and parties
described in Adam Carter’s work likely to have included
Crowdstrike, may have participated in “suppressing
knowledge” of the true origins and evidence surrounding
the leak of the DNC emails by confusing them with the
publication of the Guccifer 2.0 persona.
351
Trump Folds On Russia
Cybersecurity Cooperation
By Tyler Durden
Jul 9, 2017 9:28 PM
Just fourteen hours after crowing proudly of his success “When it comes to Russia I am
during discussions with Russian President Putin in forming dumbfounded, I am disappointed, and at
an 'impenetrable cyber security unit'... the end of the day he’s hurting his
presidency by not embracing the fact
that Putin is a bad guy,”
“He is literally the only person I know of
who doesn’t believe Russia attacked our
election in 2016,” Graham said of Trump,
who has said that “nobody really knows”
whether the Russians were behind
attempts to hack the 2016 presidential
election.
And after various Democrats and Republicans blasted him
President Trump appears to have reversed course rather
for
quickly... or already given up hope...
"the dumbest idea ever"...
352
Lindsey Graham Says Trump
Is The Only Person He Knows Who Denies Russian
Meddling; Brennan Says Trump 'Dishonorable'
By The_Real_Fly
Jul 9, 2017 6:50 PM
I wonder how you are able to live with yourselves, If that's not enough for you, here is former POW and hero,
knowing you're a filthy rat traitor. America is the beacon John "shot down again" McCain -- angered and bewildered
on the hill, the proverbial 'shining star' that has waged by Trump's position on a sundry of issues, from Russia to
miserable wars on other nations for 220 of its 241 year Syria to Afghanistan and back to Russia again. Remember,
existence. If you have a problem with America, it is this is a man who got his teeth kicked out by Vietcong
because you're an evil man -- wholly corrupt and sinful. scum. John McCain is a war hero, god damn it -- shot
down 5 times in Vietnam -- accidentally responsible for
Here is the good Senator from S. Carolina, Lindsey the USS Forrestal fire which caused the deaths of 134
Graham, obviously very hurt and bedraggled over the sailors.
President's feckless position on Russian collusion. He said
he knows of no one else, aside from Trump, who denies You cannot question his integrity.
Russia's involvement into our elections. NO ONE. He is,
however, somewhat amused and pleased by recent military Ever.
developments in Afghanistan and N. Korea. But the
Russians haven't been punished and that's a real issue.
353
Russian Lawyer Had Ties
To DNC, Anti-Trump Dossier
By Wanda Carruthers
Sunday, 09 Jul 2017 10:05 PM
“We have learned from both our own The encounter lasted only about 20 minutes and the Trump
investigation and public reports that the team had no further contact with her.
participants in the meeting misrepresented
who they were and who they worked for,”
Veselnitskaya is identified in court documents as a former
said Mark Corallo, a spokesman for
Russian prosecutor and lawyer in Moscow who had been
President Trump’s legal team.
representing Russian businessman and Prevezon Holdings
“Specifically, we have learned that the in a case against the U.S. department of Justice.
person who sought the meeting is
associated with Fusion GPS, a firm which The law at issue in the Prevezon Holdings case was the
according to public reports, was retained by Magnitsky Act, which punished Russian officials from
Democratic operatives to develop entering the U.S. or using the American banking system
opposition research on the President and due to the death of Russian Sergei Magnitsky, who had
which commissioned the phony Steele uncovered a money-laundering scheme.
dossier," he said.
"These developments raise serious issues The law also prevented Americans from adopting Russian
as to exactly who authorized and babies. Veselnitskaya reportedly brought up the issue of
participated in any effort by Russian the Magnitsky Act and Russian adoption in her meeting
with Donald Trump, Jr.
.
354
Nikki Haley’s Latest Ravings
By Stephen Lendman - stephenlendman.org
7-9-2017
Her ravings at the UN and in other public remarks make “(A)nybody” and everybody with any good
her appear unhinged. sense knows no hacking occurred - not by
Russia or anyone else. It’s virtually certain
She’s a diplomatic embarrassment to the office she holds, Trump didn’t tell Putin “we know you did it.”
part of Washington’s lunatic fringe. She contradicts Trump
and Tillerson, an unrestrained reckless loose cannon. Haley:
Her Sunday remarks on CBS News’ Face the Nation were “…I think the message is, look, we are not
beginning-to-end bald-faced lies combined with going to have you interfere, not just with
unacceptable threats. our elections, but with any part of how the
United States functions and I think that’s
Haley: not just us. Russia has been meddling in
multiple ways in multiple countries.”
“…Russia…meddle(d) in the (US)
elections…Trump wanted to make sure Fact:
that President Putin was aware that he was
acknowledging it, that he knew it.” Haley lied. Not a shred of evidence
suggests Russia interferes improperly or
“…Putin did what we all expected him to illegally in the affairs of America or any
do, which was deny it…Trump still knows other country. Plenty of evidence indicates
that they meddled…Putin knows that they polar opposite policies.
meddled, but he is never going to admit to
it.” Fact:
356
Trump Aides: Russia Flap
Proves Don Jr. Is The ‘Fredo’ Of The First Family
Former Trump Campaign Officials Said Trump Jr.’S Role In The Scandal
Involving A Kremlin-Linked Lawyer Is Just The Latest In A Series Of
Mistakes By The President’s First-Born Son.
Lachlan Markay & Asawin Suebsaeng
07.09.17 8:15 PM ET
recurring liability and a chronic headache for the
presidential campaign, prone to unforced errors and ill-
advised activity on social media and elsewhere, and the
precise “opposite of political savvy,” as one official put it.
People who worked and interacted with “Junior” during Trump Jr. caused frequent headaches for campaign
his father’s political rise in the Republican Party aren’t communicators during the presidential race with public
entirely surprised that the oldest Trump son would find statements that ranged from inflammatory to allegedly
himself in this mess. Current White House officials and plagiarized to completely at odds with the campaign’s
former Trump campaign staffers recall Trump Jr. as a
357
long-established messaging on, for instance, his father’s The White House referred questions to the president’s
refusal to release his tax returns. outside legal team. Mark Corallo, a spokesperson for that
team, would not comment on the substance of the Times’
Nevertheless, multiple administration officials said on Sunday reporting, simply telling The Daily Beast in an
Sunday that—despite Trump Jr. claims that he “basically” email,
never speaks with his father since he became leader of the
free world—he has continued to stay in contact with the "The President was not aware of and did
president and has also kept up with some senior White not attend the meeting."
House staff members.
Corallo released a statement on Saturday that suggested
Officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the White House will attempt to portray the Veselnitskaya
they were not cleared to critique the president’s son. meeting as an attempt by Democratic researchers to tar the
president with phony collusion allegations.
Administration and former campaign officials saw
unfortunate parallels between Trump Jr.’s campaign-era “We have learned that the person who
surrogacy activities and the pair of statements he released sought the meeting is associated with
over the weekend responding to a pair of Times reports on Fusion GPS, a firm which according to
his interactions with the lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya. public reports, was retained by Democratic
operatives to develop opposition research
She represented Prevezon Holdings, a Russian-owned real on the President and which commission the
estate firm incorporated in Cyprus that, along with its phony Steele dossier,” Corallo wrote,
executives, was targeted by U.S. sanctions under a 2012 referring to an intelligence document
law called the Magnitsky Act. Veselnitskaya and others claiming the Russian government had
associated with Prevezon have pressed for years for amassed blackmail material on the
Congress to lift those sanctions. president.
During the campaign, Trump, the president’s son in law Fusion GPS has been accused of conducting undisclosed
and adviser Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort, then the lobbying on behalf of Prevezon, which is owned by the son
campaign’s chairman, met with Veselnitskaya after she of Russia’s former transportation minister.
relayed promises to provide damaging information about
Clinton and her campaign, Trump admitted in a statement It’s not clear if the rhetorical strategy will succeed in light
on Sunday to the Times. of Trump Jr.’s erratic public statements, but the eldest son
is likely hoping that it will help spare him his father’s
It was the first concrete indication that the Trump wrath, a long-standing concern for the 39-year-old.
campaign may have had contact with Russian government-
linked individuals for the purposes of damaging Clinton’s One longtime staffer on Donald Trump’s NBC reality
campaign. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that series The Apprentice told The Daily Beast on Sunday that
the Kremlin attempted to aid the Trump campaign through Trump Jr. was constantly “terrified” of his father, and was
hacks of the Clinton campaign and Democratic National in a near-perpetual state of not wanting to disappoint his
Committee and propaganda and media manipulation. dad whenever on-set.
Trump Jr. claimed that Veselnitskaya had actually been “After [Don Jr.] spoke, his eyes would dart
shopping evidence that the Russians were supporting to The Big Man to gauge the reaction
Clinton and the DNC financially. But his statement [which ranged from] blank, passive
acknowledging the political impetus for the meeting came approval or burning glare of disappointment
only after the Times reported additional details. A prior [at Junior].”
Trump Jr. statement on Saturday omitted any mention of
the opposition research that Veselnitskaya had offered to
provide.
.
358
Trump Gives Jewish Kabbalah
Satanic Masonic Symbol Again
From Jordan Maxwell
7-10-2017
Hi Jeff…
359
Theresa May
360
.
361
President Donald Trump Skewered
As ‘Friendless’ And ‘Awkward’ In Viral Take-Down
Bronte Coy And Liz Burke News.Com.Au
July 10, 20171:56pm
Trump didn’t exactly receive rave reviews for his G20 efforts. At the end of the two minute video, Uhlmann provided a
Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images chilling prediction for the future under this US President.
362
“Donald Trump has pressed fast forward on
the decline of the United States as a global
leader. Some will cheer the decline of
America, but I think we’ll miss it when it’s
gone — and that’s the biggest threat to the
values of the West, which he claims to hold
so dear.”
The brutal words are likely to have now been heard in the
White House, with Uhlmann’s Twitter handle currently
trending in Washington.
363
Uhlmann said he was surprised that his editorial had such a
strong reaction, but understood his views were widely
held.
364
The Three Stories Of Donald Trump Jr. (So Far)
Faced With A Series Of Ever-More-Damaging Reports About His Meeting
With A Kremlin-Connected Lawyer, The President’s Son
Keeps Changing His Account.
David A. Graham
Jul 10, 2017
365
to the White House, it attributes the information to “three comment on its latest report, which contradicts those
people with knowledge of the email,” a broader category assertions, it was not successful.
(though one that could take in sources inside the law-
enforcement or intelligence community). Several weeks after the meeting with Veselnitskaya,
Trump Jr. insisted on CNN that the accusation that Russia
It’s almost beyond belief, as Stringer Bell would note, that wanted to hurt Clinton was “phony” and “disgusting.”
anyone would put such a conversation in writing, given
how embarrassing such a communication could be. Can If Trump Jr. did know that he was receiving information
the Times’s sources really be correct? Despite Trump Jr.’s from the Russian government, a crucial question is
sarcastic tweet, campaign veterans told HuffPost that being whether he thought he was receiving emails or other
approached by a foreign agent was unheard of and would materials that had been illegally hacked, which could
have led them to contact law enforcement. Trump Jr. and deepen his legal jeopardy. Trump Jr. also says he did not
Kushner were campaign amateurs, on their first rodeo, but receive any damaging information at the meeting—as does
Manafort, a veteran operator in both U.S. and foreign Veselnitskaya—but with his story changing so rapidly, it’s
politics would, or should, have know better. (If the email difficult to extend that claim the benefit of the doubt.
existed, it will be a piercing irony: Trump’s repeated
impeachment of Clinton’s judgment and honesty during
Trump Jr. also says that his father was unaware of the
the campaign, based on her careless handling of emails,
meeting, a surprising detail given that both Kushner and
was a central pillar of his upset victory.) Manafort were present, the fact that Trump Sr. was also at
Trump Tower that day (where he lunched with Manafort),
Thus Trump Jr.’s third version, this time offered through and the close-knit relationship among Trump family
Alan Futerfas, a veteran lawyer whose hiring he members. Trump’s lawyer maintains he did not know
announced on Monday. The new story: about the meeting, as did a White House spokeswoman on
Monday. (Trump Sr.’s denial of knowledge, terse,
Nothing to see here, folks. straightforward, and unchanging, has stood in unusual
contrast to Trump Jr.’s rapidly evolving story line, and to
In my view, this is much ado about nothing. During this the president’s typical, improvisatory approach.) The
busy period, Robert Goldstone contacted Don Jr. in an Times reports the president was informed of the meeting as
email and suggested that people had information he prepared to return to the U.S. from his trip to the G20
concerning alleged wrongdoing by Democratic Party front- summit in Germany last week. If Kushner kept the meeting
runner, Hillary Clinton, in her dealings with Russia ... Don from Trump, he also kept it from federal officials, failing
Jr.’s takeaway from this communication was that someone to disclose it on an application for security clearance. He
had information potentially helpful to the campaign and it recently disclosed the meeting, as did Manafort.
was coming from someone he knew. Don Jr. had no
knowledge as to what specific information, if any, would As always, it is possible that the meeting with
be discussed. Veselnitskaya was innocent, in both Trump Jr.’s intention
and legality. But his contradictory accounts of the meeting,
Will this version prove to be more complete and truthful along with Kushner and Manafort’s failure to disclose it,
than the earlier ones? Earlier Monday, Goldstone told the create a political problem for the White House, because
Times he did not know the origin of the information, and they offer the impression that President Trump’s son and
that he was told that Veselnitskaya had information about son-in-law have something to hide. At some point in the
illegal contributions to the DNC, despite the Times’s future, it will become clear how serious a legal problem
reporting that the Russian-government origin was they create, too.
discussed. When the paper attempted to contact him to
.
366
Comey Bombshell: FBI Director's
Leaked Trump Memos Contained Classified Information
By Tyler Durden
Jul 10, 2017 6:20 AM
Amid the constant media outrage over everything Trump, We'll repeat the above because it bears repeating: in the
Trump, Trump, some might have forgotten that in the purest definition of irony,
political rollercoaster over the past 12 months, there were
numerous other high-profile individuals involved, James Comey is about to be
including not only former DOJ head Loretta Lynch, whose investigated for the exact same thing
every interaction with the Clinton campaign is about to be which he absolved Hillary Clinton of
probed under a Congressional microscope, but the man doing last summer.
who some say started it all: former FBI Director James
Comey. Almost as if neither Comey nor Clinton were aware of - or
willing to abide by - the security protocol of the agency
they were in charge of.
There was just one problem: according to a blockbuster The only problem is that while Comey
report from The Hill, in addition to the leaked memos, was generous enough to let Hillary go,
now that the ex-FBI chief is facing the
president of the US as his adversary, he
Comey also leaked classified
may not be quite so lucky.
information in gross and direct violation
of FBI rules and regulations.
Upon hearing of Comey's alleged transgressions, the now
former Chair of the House Oversight Committee said
And just like that Comey finds himself in trouble. Only not
simply that
just any trouble, but the virtually same trouble that Hillary
Clinton was in in the summer of 2016... and which James
Comey was tasked to investigate. "IF true, this is bombshell news."
367
one memo he later leaked about former national security
adviser Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn. Additionally, he added,
369
Time For Attorney General Jeff Sessions
To Nix Trump's DACA Amnesty
By William Gheen - President Of Americans For Legal Immigration PAC
July 10, 2017
The first extremely powerful endorsement Presidential That is why GOP officials in 10 states are now threatening
candidate Donald Trump received early in his campaign to sue the Trump administration if he does not end DACA
was from Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions in response to Amnesty as he promised. Also, the US Supreme court has
Trump's campaign promises to restore law and order by recently requested the Department of Justice provide our
fully enforcing America's existing immigration laws highest court with an opinion stating if DACA Amnesty
instead of further compromising our laws through recipients are indeed "lawfully present" in the United
unconstitutional amnesty orders or Gang of Eight style States.
amnesty legislation.
It is time for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to show
Yet, here in July of 2017, it is clear that President Trump America and the Americans who have supported him over
has broken his promise by continuing Obama's DACA the years that he will stand up on the side of our existing
Amnesty for illegals. It was not pressure from Congress, Constitution and laws. It is time for Sessions to make clear
media, or courts that broke Trump's promise to end to the Trump administration, Supreme Court, states, and
Obama's overtly unlawful Amnesty orders on his first day Department of Homeland Security that DACA Amnesty
in office, but President Trump's own hands that broke faith clearly violates our existing laws and nullifies the outcome
with his supporters on this critical issue. Now there is a of our elections and Congressional votes on bills that have
window for our laws to be restored because the US passed or failed!
Supreme Court has requested an official opinion on DACA
Amnesty from Attorney General Jeff Sessions who has It is time for Sessions to do his job to assure that all
been a steadfast proponent of the Rule of Law! branches of our government operate within the limits of
the US Constitution by ordering an immediate end to
Elected officials like Trump and his appointed bureaucrat DACA Amnesty for illegals.
John Kelly, who heads up our Department of Homeland
Security, are committing numerous felonies by giving And the states should go ahead and file their lawsuit led
work permits and thus jobs to illegal aliens without the once again by Texas. Each American citizen needs to get
required legislation from Congress to back that Amnesty on the phone to their state's Governor and Attorney
up! Each government employee facilitating DACA General to demand they sue the Trump administration for
Amnesty is either committing felonies or are accessories implementing an Amnesty for illegal aliens that makes a
before and after the fact! mockery of our elections, laws, and Constitution.
Under our current US laws, which Trump promised to While the Trump administration may be willing to send a
enforce fully during his campaign, it is currently a felony signal to the world that they are willing to lie to voters
for anyone to encourage an illegal immigrant to enter or during the campaign and yet pursue the globalist open
remain in the US unlawfully. It is also a felony to provide borders agenda once elected to Washington, DC, the rest
work documents or jobs to illegal immigrants. of America needs to continue standing up and fighting for
our existing laws and prior elections to have meaning and
Thus, under Obama and now Trump, our own government influence on actual policies of our nation.
has committed in excess of 800,000 felony law violations
by encouraging, aiding, and employing DACA illegals. If Trump supporters are unwilling to call him out when he
And the US taxpayer gets left holding the bag as many supports Amnesty policies that are identical to the plans
states then force taxpayers to pay for benefits to DACA supported by Pelosi, Reid, Obama, and Paul Ryan, then all
Amnesty recipients like in-state tuition. DACA increases of this talk about change in Washington is nothing but
incentives to future illegal immigrants to send their showmanship and lies that will lead America down the
children to the US where their healthcare and education same unwanted path we were on under Bush and Obama.
costs will be covered by our taxpayers. .
.
370
Another Nothing Burger?
‘Everyone Interested To See Nikki Haley's
Evidence Of Russia Hacking’
Published Time: 10 Jul, 2017 16:08
Following the summit, Trump also tweeted that he and the And very few people know because there has been no clear
Russian president discussed the creation of a special evidence on either side.’ What we do know, however, is
working group on cyber security. the Trump administration is certainly concerned about the
allegations that have been made, and it has caused some
drag on the early days of the administration. We also know
However, the idea was roundly criticized by many in the that many of the accusations have been disproved and
US establishment on the basis of Russia's alleged hacking major media networks, like CNN and The Times, have had
activities. their accusations proven to be false. Until there is clear
evidence, it is very difficult for anyone to act, or anyone to
form an opinion. The words of Nikki Haley that we’ve
heard there – I think everyone’s very interested to learn
what information that she has to back up those
371
comments… If no evidence emerges, then I would imagine
it would pass into history as an unsubstantiated claim.
372
Trump: "Comey Leaked CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
To The Media. This Is So Illegal"
By Tyler Durden
Jul 10, 2017 12:30 PM
373
Trump Again Slams Comey
Over 'Illegal' Leaks Of Classified Info
© Ap Photo/ Andrew Harnik - Us
15:52 10.07.2017(Updated 18:39 10.07.2017)
374
Comey’s Leaker Comes Out Of Hiding, Insists:
‘No Memos Given To Me Were Marked Classified’
Cristina Laila
Jul 10th, 2017 7:28 Pm
Comey’s longtime friend and adviser, “the substance of the memo passed on to
Daniel C. Richman came out of hiding to the Times was not marked classified and to
refute a new report that claims he was my knowledge remains unclassified.”
given classified information in the
memos. As previously reported by The Hill, more than half of the
memos fired FBI Director James Comey wrote during his
As TGP previously reported, Daniel C. Richman, private conversations with President Trump have been
a Columbia University professor from Brooklyn went into determined to contain classified information.
hiding after James Comey revealed during his Senate
testimony that he gave his memos on his private More than half of the memos former FBI chief James
conversations with President Trump to a friend to leak to Comey wrote as personal recollections of his conversations
the press. with President Trump about the Russia investigation have
been determined to contain classified information,
Richman vanished from his Henry Street digs by midday, according to interviews with officials familiar with the
and family members, friends and neighbors wouldn’t documents.
answer doors or phone calls to shed any more light, The
New York Post reported. This revelation raises the possibility that Comey broke his
own agency’s rules and ignored the same security protocol
Daniel C. Richman told CNN on Monday, that he publicly criticized Hillary Clinton for in the waning
days of the 2016 presidential election.
“No memo was given to me that was
marked ‘classified’. No memo was passed Comey insisted in his testimony he believed his personal
on to the Times.” memos were unclassified, though he hinted one or two
documents he created might have been contained classified
Richman did share the contents of one memo, he said, but information.
375
Trump Cannot Improve Relations With Russia When Trump’s
Government And The US Media Oppose Improved Relations
Paul Craig Roberts
July 10, 2017
President Trump Has Been Contradicted by His Own On the same day that President Donald Trump said
Government, Which Has Lined Up Against Him in Favor
of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National Committee, “it is time to move forward in working
and the Russophobic Presstitute Media that serves the constructively with Russia,”
military/security complex and the neoconservatives.
and the day after he said
I am afraid that The Saker and Finian Cunningham are
correct. Nothing can come of Trump’s meeting with Putin,
“I had a tremendous meeting yesterday
because, as Cunningham puts it, “Trump doesn’t have
with President Putin,”
freedom or real power. The real power brokers in the US
will ensure that the Russophobia campaign continues, with
more spurious allegations of Moscow interfering to subvert the ignorant, stupid, Nikki Haley, who Trump appointed as
Western democracies. Trump will continue to live under a US UN Ambassador, publicly contradicted her president,
cloud of media-driven suspicions. And thus the agenda of forcefully stating:
regime change against Syria and confrontation with Russia
will also continue. Trump’s personal opinions on these “we can’t trust Russia and we won’t ever
matters and towards Vladimir Putin are negligible—indeed trust Russia.”
dispensable by the deep powers-that-be.”
https://www.rt.com/usa/395814-us-trust-russia-
https://www.rt.com/op-edge/395782-trump-putin-meeting- haley/?utm_source=spotim&utm_medium=spotim_recirculation&spotim_
referrer=recirculation&spot_im_comment_id=sp_6phY2k0C_395814_c_r
media-syria/
DCXsj
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/47392.htm
The ignorant stupid Haley is still in office, a perfect
demonstration of Trump’s powerlessness.
Cunningham points out that instead of lauding the meeting
as the beginning of the process to defuse the high tensions
The ignorant stupid Haley has gone far beyond Obama’s
between the two major nuclear powers, the US media
crazed UN Ambassador, neocon Samantha Power in doing
denounced Trump for being civil to Putin in the meeting.
everything in her power to ruin the prospect of normal
relations between the two major nuclear powers. Why does
What is missing from the media in the entirety of the Nikki Haley work in favor of a confrontation between
Western world and perhaps also in Russia is the awareness nuclear powers that would destroy all life on earth? What
that the dangerous tensions are orchestrated not only by is wrong with Nikki Haley? Is she demented? Has she lost
Hillary and the Democratic National Committee, the her mind, assuming she ever had one?
neoconservatives, the US military/security complex, and
the presstitutes, but also by President Trump’s own
How can President Trump normalize relations with Russia
appointees.
when every one of his appointees wants to worsen the
relations to the point of nuclear war?
Trump’s own ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, and
Trump’s own Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, sound
How is President Trump going to improve relations with
exactly like Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National
Russia when President Trump stands powerless in face of
Committee, the neoconservatives, the Washington Post,
his dressing down by his UN Ambassador? Clearly, Trump
the New York Times, CNN and the rest of the totally
is powerless, a mere cipher.
discredited presstitute media that is committed to raising
tensions between the US and Russia to the point of nuclear
war. Joining Nikki Haley was Trump’s Secretary of State, Rex
Tillerson. Tillerson, allegedly a friend of Russia, is also
376
working overtime to worsen relations between the two We know two things about the alleged Russian
nuclear powers by publicly contradicting the President of interference in the Trump/Hillary presidential election.
the United States, thereby making it clear that Trump is One is that John Brennan, Obama’s CIA director, and
barely even a cipher. Tillerson, a disgrace, said that Putin’s Comey, Obama’s FBI director, implied repeatedly that
refusal to admit that Putin elected Trump by interfering in Trump was elected by Russian interference in the election.
the US election The other is that the charge is false. Neither the CIA nor
the FBI have provided any evidence whatsoever that any
“stands as an obstacle to our ability to such interference occurred. Indeed, months into the case,
improve the relationship between the US the special prosecutor, the former FBI director, can
and Russia and it needs to be addressed in produce no evidence. The whole thing is a sham, but it is
terms of how we assure the American ongoing. There will be no end to it as it is designed to
people that interference into our elections undermine President Trump with the people who elected
will not occur by Russia or anyone else.” him. The message is:
377
The Latest Trump/Russia
Non-Scandal
By Stephen Lendman - Stephenlendman.Org
7-10-2017
379
Vladimir and Donald:
They Spoke
By Israel Shamir
Global Research, July 10, 2017
381
The two presidents spoke about North Korea. Some years However, these agreements did not prevent Kiev troops
ago, Russians had supported sanctions against DPRK shelling the cities of Donbass.
(Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the official name
of North Korea), and the Americans had no problem in To sum it up, Putin and Trump managed to save the day,
passing a sanctions-enforcing resolution in the Security despite all odds. Their immediate achievements are indeed
Council. Not anymore. Last month, the Russians made a modest, but they established the ground for progress.
radical shift on Korea. Now they are strongly against Future steps will depend mainly on Trump’s ability to
sanctions likely to economically strangle the country and withstand the pressure, to set himself free from his
definitely against military action there. So, the Russian minders. He is the first American president experiencing
position has become quite close to the North Korean one, such a continuous media onslaught, and he still stands. It
surprisingly more so than that of the Chinese, although seems that his advisers urge him to surrender to his
Chinese trade with Korea dwarfs the Russian trade. If the enemies in the media and in the congress, but he is a
Americans want the North Koreans to stop their nuclear stubborn man. He also discovered that in Vladimir Putin,
tests, Putin said to Trump, they should refrain from he can have a real friend and partner.
carrying out large-scale military exercises. The Russians
also want to encourage North-South dialogue. Such
The world has changed: in 1980s, the Russians were happy
dialogue had been very successful and popular in its time,
that their leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, had met with Ronald
but then the US interfered in South Korean elections and
Reagan and that he was admired and lionised by Western
blocked pro-dialogue politicians. The Northern rulers,
media. They thought it natural that Gorbachev admires
however, would like the dialogue to resume with Reagan. Then, the Western support was a real asset for a
unification of Korea in mind. The Russians and their Russian politician. Gorbachev came to power in aftermath
Chinese allies object greatly to the American THAAD
of Margaret Thatcher’s blessing.
missile defence system being installed in South Korea.
Now, the Russians are happy that they have a leader who
On Ukraine, the presidents agreed to establish a special can withstand any pressure, a leader who is admired for his
bilateral channel of communications between the US
strength. If he is hated in the West, they feel he is doing
special envoy and his Russian counterpart. They also
something right. Probably the Western media, if they want
confirmed their faith in the Minsk agreements, and this is
to undermine Putin, should begin to sing him dithyrambs.
an important diplomatic achievement for the Russians.
.
382
‘He Has Best CIA Stuff’: Wikileaks Nominates Assange To
Run Trump’s ‘US-Russia Cyber Security Unit’
Published Time: 10 Jul, 2017 03:20 Edited Time: 10 Jul, 2017 04:52
The whistleblowing website Wikileaks has suggested that Amid the ongoing leakage of US secrets and mounting
Donald Trump appoint Julian Assange as the chief of the speculations of alleged Russian meddling in the US
joint cyber security unit as discussed with President elections, Trump and Putin discussed in Hamburg the
Vladimir Putin. Trump, however, clarified that discussions possibility of sharing the responsibility to protect the cyber
do not mean any plans for such unit are in the works. space.
WikiLeaks was quick to respond and nominated Assange, On Saturday, Putin said that during his first encounter with
the whistleblowing platform’s founder, to run the unit. Trump, they shared their views on cybersecurity and had
agreed to “create a working group on how to jointly
“Why not put @JulianAssange in charge of it? He's monitor security in cyberspace.”
trusted by the public and has the CIA’s best stuff anyway,”
Wikileaks said in a sarcastic tweet, linking the message to Trump’s interpretation of the issue was much more bold
the Vault 7 series of documents which revealed the CIA’s and drew more heat for his alleged collusion with the
espionage programs. Kremlin. So later Sunday, the US president had to clarify
his statement on the cyber unit.
383
“The fact that President Putin and I discussed a Cyber
Security unit doesn't mean I think it can happen,” Trump
said while praising the success of the ceasefire deal in
southwest Syria brokered with Russia.
384
Trump And Putin Claw Us Out Of The Swamp
There Is A Lot Of Work To Be Done. But Putin Was Likely Relieved To
Find A Kindred Soul Of Pragmatism Now Occupies The White House
Versus The Ideologues That Have Brought The World
To The Brink Of Madness.
Tom Luongo
July 10, 2017
What could have been a complete disaster in Hamburg on Putin is also no dummy. Despite the smiles and the
Friday thanks to Trump’s overly-aggressive rhetoric in positive words at Putin’s press conference, he knows that
Warsaw the day before, ended up far better than I could Trump has a long way to go in getting control of his
have hoped. Trump and Putin began the process of administration. And so, he will be watching for signs of
draining the foreign policy swamp that has existed since betrayal of this agreement.
the 1970s.
Just like the multitude of ceasefires in Syria and Ukraine
And they did it with such style that it has the Beltway which have been betrayed in the past. Putin and his
Intelligentsia frothing at the mouth and scrambling to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have both termed the U.S.
maintain a narrative of contrived hostility that serves no government “Not agreement capable” and there is still the
one save them. opportunity for someone to screw this up.
My only regret was that Zbigniew Brzezinski wasn’t alive And that someone could still be Trump.
to see it, so he could choke on his own bile. I’ll have to
settle for his partner-in-regime-change-crime, George But, now that the two have met and gotten along
Soros, doing so. I’m sure Soros’ dinner last night was a constructively, it will be harder to betray this deal than
little too rich for him even if he only ate a salad. before they’d met. Trump and Putin have the measure of
each other. Fake intelligence reports and biased profiles
But it is the delicious silence from Senators John McCain won’t be as persuasive as before.
(RINO-AZ) and Lindsay Graham (R-SC) that is the most
satisfying. This is why the Beltway was so dead set against them
meeting. They would lose control of the narrative to
I’ve said previously that I believe Trump and Putin have Trump and Putin.
before them the opportunity to broker a Grand Bargain for
Middle East Peace. That process can only move forward My worries over Trump’s speech in Poland have come for
with the U.S. and Russia as first, willing partners and naught. And I’m happy to see them dissipate. Putin was
second, as guarantors of everyone’s good behavior. asked directly about Nordstream 2 and he reiterated the
basic truth. He welcomes competition in the European gas
The announcement of a cease-fire and establishment of de- market but knows Russia and Gazprom have an enormous
escalation zones in southwestern Syria, near the Golan cost advantage and therefore are not worried.
Heights and Dara’a is a shot across the bow to every
interested party in the bitter Syrian civil war.
385
If Trump pulls back on the political pressure surrounding kinds of wins that build him the political capital necessary
Nordstream 2 -- and a symbolic veto of the sanctions bill to go after the dead-enders in D.C.
would do it -- then we’ll know that issue is truly settled
between these two. While the McCain/Graham opposition We’re not out of the woods yet. There is a lot of work to
to Nordstream will continue, it’ll get no support from be done. But, Putin was likely relieved to find a kindred
Trump. soul of pragmatism now occupies the White House versus
the ideologues that have brought the world to the brink of
And that allows Trump to focus his opposition to German madness.
Chancellor Angela Merkel on immigration and national
sovereignty, not petty gas politics. This is where his focus And if Trump says some objectionable things on the
should be. These are the issues he was elected on. stump, Putin now knows, as he said, that the public Trump
is different than Trump behind closed doors, where actions
No more confrontation and nation-building overseas and
matter and words have minimal value.
cultural/national pride restored at home. These are the
.
386
NY Times FAIL: New Attempt To Resurrect The Phony
“Trump-Russia” Narrative Goes Down In Flames As Prez
Lawyers Cite DEMOCRAT Collusion
By JD Heyes
Monday, July 10, 2017
“President Trump’s eldest son, Donald “Her statements were vague, ambiguous
Trump Jr., was promised damaging and made no sense. No details or
information about Hillary Clinton before supporting information was provided or
agreeing to meet with a Kremlin-connected even offered.”
Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign,
according to three advisers to the White So in the end, the lawyer didn’t have anything, did not give
House briefed on the meeting and two Trump anything and got nothing in return from the Trump
others with knowledge of it,” the second of campaign during a meeting that lasted 20 minutes.
the two stories began.
387
Again, why is this a scandal? participants in the meeting misrepresented
who they were and who they worked for,”
If anything, it’s a scandal heading the other way. Circa said Mark Corallo, a spokesman the for
reported over the weekend that the president’s legal team president’s legal team. “Specifically, we
smells a Democratic rat: have learned that the person who sought
the meeting is associated with Fusion GPS,
a firm which according to public reports,
The president’s legal team said … they
was retained by Democratic operatives to
believe the entire meeting may have been
develop opposition research on the
part of a larger election-year opposition
President and which commissioned the
effort aimed at creating the appearance of
phony Steele dossier.
improper connections between Trump
family members and Russia that also “These developments raise serious issues
included a now-discredited intelligence as to exactly who authorized and
dossier produced by a former British participated in any effort by Russian
intelligence agent named Christopher nationals to influence our election in any
Steele who worked for a U.S. political firm manner,” Corallo continued.
known as Fusion GPS.
“We have learned from both our own Perhaps. But far more clear is the fact that the real scandal
investigation and public reports that the here is another fake news “bombshell” from The New York
Times.
.
388
The Trumps Are America’s Most Easily Duped Family
‘I Was Tricked!’ Has Become Such A Fallback Excuse That
It Should Be On The Trump Family Crest.
Erin Gloria Ryan
07.10.17 10:25 PM ET
Trump has further been tricked into retweeting a photo of If the Trumps are anything, they’re a family brand. Their
British liberal leader Jeremy Corbyn when one Twitter name isn’t as much a thing as it is shorthand for what
user claimed the lefty firebrand was a first-time Trump Donald Trump wants the name to represent—wealth,
voter. Gawker “tricked” Donald Trump into retweeting a success, abundance. Don Jr.’s unfortunate recent stint in
Mussolini quote that they attributed to him. In September the news, including his decision to hire a lawyer that has
2014, somebody tricked then-future President Trump into represented four of the five New York crime families, is
retweeting a photo of Fred and Rose West, a pair of British evocative of another great moment in branding in
serial killers. Trump threatened to sue over that trickery. American history.
But perhaps he, too, was tricking.
In 1782, Congress approved a proposed national seal that
Like father, like offspring. In summer 2016, Ivanka featured the bald eagle in its center, paving the way for the
Trump, the smart one, was tricked into donating to the scavenging bird of prey to be declared the national symbol
Hillary Clinton campaign by a Brooklyn jewelry designer. of the United States. But not everybody thought it
Eric Trump was tricked into taking a photo with a woman deserved it.
wearing an anti-Trump shirt, a fact he’d have picked up on
had he spoken even elementary-level Spanish. He’s been Benjamin Franklin did not lobby for the turkey to occupy
duped by a fake news site with an easy-to-suss bogus the bald eagle’s position of honor, contrary to popular
URL. Donald Trump Junior would retweet any conspiracy myth. He merely surmised, in a letter to his daughter in
theory that reinforces his world view, would meet with any 1784, that something “like a turkey” would be a more
lawyer that promised to help him further his cause, no appropriate national symbol than the eagle, which Franklin
matter how illegal. The Trump family is intellectually thought was a real shithead. Turkeys are native to America
kneecapped by its own insistent self-regard. and can be brave when pressed. Eagles are of “bad moral
character.”
The Trumps have made their fortune on the expectation
that they are, in turn, capable of tricking the masses—a In a way, Ben Franklin was right. From where I’m
pyramid scheme of foolhardiness. It’s why Ivanka was standing, a turkey—a porcine slowpoke with ample neck
able to cultivate a reputation as a savvy businesswoman by folds, an aimless dummy that spends its days gobbling
hawking cheaply made basic bitchwear at Nordstrom. It’s nonsensically, a stumbling oaf that is easy to corral—
why people threw millions into the black hole of Trump encapsulates the 2017 American milieu like nothing else.
University. It’s why Eric Trump was able to use his charity
to funnel millions into the Trump organization’s pockets.
.
390
Trump Jr. Was Allegedly Told Russian
Government Behind Damaging Clinton Info: NYT
By Tyler Durden
Jul 10, 2017 10:57 PM
With the shift in the "Russian collusion" narrative over the people, indicates that the Russian
last 24 hours, which has seamlessly drifted away from government was the source of the
Donald Trump (Senior) and now seeks to pin the Putin- potentially damaging information. It
Puppet tail on his son, Donald Trump Jr, it appears The does not elaborate on the wider effort by
New York Times is also once again shifting the narrative. Moscow to help the Trump campaign.
Having admitted he took a meeting regarding potentially
compromising information on Hillary as part of opposition Once again, the NYT admits:
research - just as the Clinton campaign did against Trump,
only using Ukraine sources –
There is no evidence to suggest that the
promised damaging information was
NYT now reports that three people have related to Russian government
told them that Trump Jr. was told the computer hacking that led to the release
damaging information promised about of thousands of Democratic National
Hillary Clinton was part of a Russian Committee emails.
government effort to help his father's
presidential campaign. But, then prompts the narrative...
Third, NYT admits 19 paragraphs down that the author of In short, the situation could be resolved quickly and
the email that allegedly confirms the source is the Kremlin effectively once the Goldstone's email is presented.
denies it. Incidentally, as Bloomberg also adds,
But Mr. Goldstone, who wrote the email "the election commission - which is
over a year ago, denied any knowledge frequently gridlocked along partisan lines -
of involvement by the Russian also could decline to act."
government in the matter, saying that
never dawned on him. “Never, never Finally, as The Caller reminds us, the Clinton campaign
ever,” he said. Later, after the email was did the same thing with the Ukraine government that
described to The Times, efforts to reach Trump Jr. is now being accused of doing with a Russian:
him for further comment were
unsuccessful. A veteran DNC operative who previously
In the interview, he said it was his worked in the Clinton White House,
understanding that Ms. Veselnitskaya Alexandra Chalupa, worked with
was simply a “private citizen” for whom Ukrainian government officials and
Mr. Agalarov wanted to do a favor. journalists from both Ukraine and
392
America to dig up Russia-related After Trump’s shocking electoral victory, the Ukrainian
opposition research on Trump and government told Politico,
Manafort. She also shared her anti-Trump
research with both the DNC and the Clinton “We have never worked to research and
campaign, according to the Politico report. disseminate damaging information about
Donald Trump and Paul Manafort.”
Chalupa met with Ukrainian ambassador Valeriy Chaly
and one of his aides, Oksara Shulyar, at the Ukrainian But Andrii Telizhenko, a former Ukrainian embassy
Embassy in March 2016 to talk about unearthing Paul officer, told Politico that he was assigned to work with
Manafort’s Russian connections, Chalupa admitted to Chalupa.
Politico. Four days later, Trump officially hired Manafort.
“Oksana said that if I had any information,
“The day after Manafort’s hiring was or knew other people who did, then I
revealed, she briefed the DNC’s should contact Chalupa,” said Telizhenko
communications staff on Manafort, “They were coordinating an
Trump and their ties to Russia, investigation with the Hillary team on
according to an operative familiar with Paul Manafort with Alexandra Chalupa.”
the situation,” Politico reported.
And while we doubt this particular set of similarities will
The Politico report also notes that the DNC encouraged be featured in the press, we are confident that now that the
Chalupa to try to arrange an interview with Ukrainian "Russian collusion" story has gotten its latest boost of
President Petro Poroshenko to talk about Manafort’s ties to Adrenalin courtesy of Trump Jr, even as the similar
the former pro-Russia president of Ukraine, Viktor narrative involving his father had gotten absolutely
Yanukovych, whom Manafort previously advised. nowehere, the only topic across virtuall all media outlets
for the coming week will be, you guessed it, Russia,
*** something which will promptly drag Trump kicking and
screaming on twitter, where he may finally say or do
something that does have negative consequences.
.
393
Kremlin Denies Knowledge Of
Meeting Between Russian Lawyer & Trump Jr.
Published Time: 10 Jul, 2017 15:46 Edited Time: 11 Jul, 2017 08:06
394
Trump’s campaign statements on the need for better The claims, which have not been backed up with any
relations with Moscow led to a wave of accusations that he convincing proof, have been repeatedly denied by both the
and his team secretly colluded with the Russian authorities Trump team and Moscow. The US president’s
to win the US presidential election last year. administration is currently under a congressional
investigation over alleged collusion with Russia.
395
Halperin: Whoever Is Helping NY Times
Is Seeking To Do ‘Maximum Damage’ To Trump Jr.
By Jeff Poor
11 Jul 2017
SCARBOROUGH: Forced.
396
Democrats Intentionally Used
Disinformation From Russia To Attack Trump,
Campaign Aides
By Rowan Scarborough - The Washington Times
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
While the mainstream news media hunts for evidence of anyone should be investigated in
Trump-Russia collusion, the public record shows that Washington, it ought to be Adam Schiff,
Democrats have willfully used Moscow disinformation to Eric Swalwell, Mark Warner and their
influence the presidential election against Donald Trump staffers.”
and attack his administration.
That is a reference to Rep. Adam B. Schiff of California,
The disinformation came in the form of a Russian-fed the top Democrat on the House Permanent Select
dossier written by former British intelligence agent Committee on Intelligence; Sen. Mark R. Warner, Virginia
Christopher Steele. It contains a series of unverified Democrat and vice chairman of the Senate Select
criminal charges against Mr. Trump’s campaign aides, Committee on Intelligence; and Rep. Eric Swalwell, a
such as coordinating Moscow’s hacking of Democratic California, Democrat on the House intelligence panel.
Party computers.
By his own admission, Mr. Steele’s work has proved
Some Democrats have widely circulated the discredited unreliable.
information. Mr. Steele was paid by the Democrat-funded
opposition research firm Fusion GPS with money from a As first reported by The Washington Times on April 25,
Hillary Clinton backer. Fusion GPS distributed the dossier Mr. Steele filed a document in a sealed court case in
among Democrats and journalists. The information fell London acknowledging that a major dossier charge about
into the hands of the FBI, which used it in part to hacking Democrats’ computers was unverified. The entire
investigate Mr. Trump’s campaign aides. dossier never should have been made public and Fusion
GPS should not have passed it around, Mr. Steele said in a
Mr. Steele makes clear that his unproven charges came filing defending himself against a libel charge.
almost exclusively from sources linked to the Kremlin and
Russian President Vladimir Putin. He identified his About Carter Page
sources as “a senior Russian Foreign Ministry figure,” a
former “top level Russian intelligence officer active inside Other dossier targets vehemently deny the dirt thrown by
the Kremlin,” a “senior Kremlin official” and a “senior the Kremlin sources.
Russian government official.”
Mr. Steele’s Russian sources accused Mr. Trump’s
The same Democrats who have condemned Russia’s attorney, Michael Cohen, of attending a meeting with
election interference via plying fake news and hacking Russian agents in Prague to cover up their role in
email servers have quoted freely from the Steele anti- Moscow’s hacking. Mr. Cohen has said he has never been
Trump memos derived from creatures of the Kremlin. to Prague and was in California at the time.
In other words, there is public evidence of significant, One of the main targets of Mr. Steele’s Russian sources is
indirect collusion between Democrats and Russian Carter Page, who lived and worked in Moscow as a Merrill
disinformation, a Trump supporter said. Lynch investor. He had loose ties to the Trump campaign
as a foreign policy adviser and surrogate.
“If anyone colluded with the Russians, it
was the Democrats,” said a former Trump Mr. Steele’s Russian sources accused Mr. Page of a series
campaign adviser who asked not to be of crimes: teaming up with former Trump campaign
identified because of the pending manager Paul Manafort to help Russia hack Democratic
investigations. “After all, they’ve routinely computers, meeting in Moscow with two Putin cronies to
shopped around false claims from the plot against Mrs. Clinton and working out a shady
debunked Steele dossier, which listed brokerage deal with a Russian oligarch.
sources including senior Kremlin officials. If
397
Mr. Page told The Washington Times that he has never met Mr. Reid’s evidence surely came from the dossier and its
Mr. Manafort, knew nothing about Russian hacking when Russian sources.
it was happening, never met the two Russians named by
Mr. Steele and never completed the supposed investment In the dossier, Mr. Steele clearly states that his anti-Trump
deal. accusations are from the Kremlin, which means some
Democrats have been willingly repeating Moscow
The dossier accusations against Mr. Page surfaced during propaganda for public consumption in Washington.
the campaign in a Yahoo News story, citing not Mr. Steele
but intelligence sources. It then went out on the U.S. No Democrats have embraced the Russian-sourced dossier
government’s Voice of America. more than members of the House intelligence committee,
which is investigating Moscow’s interference in the
In the meantime, the Clinton campaign used the Yahoo election.
story to attack Mr. Trump:
Mr. Schiff read from the dossier extensively at a March
“Hillary for America Statement on hearing featuring Mr. Comey and Navy Adm. Michael
Bombshell Report About Trump Aide’s Rogers, who leads the National Security Agency.
Chilling Ties to Kremlin,” blared the Clinton
campaign’s Sept. 23 press release. As Mr. Schiff and other Democrats were bemoaning
Kremlin activities against Mrs. Clinton, they were more
Since the dossier was circulated widely among Democrats, than willing to quote Kremlin sources attacking Mr. Trump
Mr. Page said, he believes the Clinton team possessed it during the election campaign.
and relied on it based on what some of Mrs. Clinton’s
surrogates said publicly. Mr. Schiff lauded Mr. Steele for disclosing that Rosneft, a
Russian-owned gas and oil company, planned to sell a 19.5
“After the report by Yahoo News, the percent share to an investor and that Mr. Page was offered
Clinton campaign put out an equally false a brokerage fee.
press release just minutes after the article
was released that afternoon,” said Mr. Trouble is, the 19.5 percent share was announced publicly
Carter, who has tracked what he believes by Moscow before Mr. Steele wrote that memo. Mr. Page
is a series of inaccurate stories and said he was never involved in any talk about a
accusations against him. commission.
“Of course, the [Clinton campaign
representatives] were lying about it with the Mr. Schiff was more than willing to quote Kremlin
media nonstop for many months, and sources.
they’ve continued until this day,” Mr. Carter
said. “Both indirectly as they planted “According to Steele’s Russian sources,
articles in the press and directly with many the campaign has offered documents
TV appearances.” damaging to Hillary Clinton, which the
Russians would publish through an outlet
Democrats cite Russia’s dirt that gives them deniability like WikiLeaks,”
he said.
Even before the Yahoo story, then-Senate Minority Leader
Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, was using the Russian- Mr. Schiff also said:
sourced dossier.
“According to Christopher Steele, a former
On Aug. 27, with the campaign in high gear and British intelligence officer, who is reportedly
knowledge that Russian hackers had penetrated Clinton held in high regard by U.S. intelligence,
campaign computers in the public domain, Mr. Reid Russian sources tell him that Page has
released a letter to then-FBI Director James B. Comey. also had a secret meeting with Igor Sechin,
CEO of the Russian gas giant, Rosneft.
Mr. Reid called for an investigation into Mr. Carter’s trip Sechin is reported to be a former KGB
to Moscow, where he supposedly agent and close friend of Putin’s.”
“met with high-ranking sanctioned Mr. Page has said repeatedly that he does not know Mr.
individuals. Any such meetings should be Sechin and did not meet with him in Moscow.
investigated and made part of the public
record.”
398
Meanwhile, Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas, another “Oh, I think it should be taken a look at,”
Democrat on the House committee, lauded Mr. Steele’s she said. “I think they should really read it,
Kremlin sourcing. understand it, analyze it and determine
what’s fact, what may not be fact. We
“I want to take a moment to turn to the already know that the part about the
Christopher Steele dossier, which was first coverage that they have on him with sex
mentioned in the media just before the actions is supposed to be true. They have
election and published in full by media said that that’s absolutely true. Some other
outlets in January,” Mr. Castro said. “My things they kind of allude to. Yes, I think he
focus today is to explore how many claims should go into that dossier and see what’s
within Steele’s dossier are looking more there.”
and more likely, as though they are
accurate. Fusion GPS widely circulated the dossier during the
presidential race. The public got its first glance when the
“This is not someone who doesn’t know
news site BuzzFeed posted it online in January, with its
how to run a source and not someone
editor saying he doubted it was true.
without contacts. The allegations it raises
about President Trump’s campaign aides’
connections to Russians, when overlaid One person who says he knows it is a fabrication is
with known established facts and timelines Russian entrepreneur Aleksej Gubarev.
from the 2016 campaign, are very
revealing,” he said. The dossier quotes Russian sources as saying Mr.
Gubarev’s technology company, XBT, used botnets to
Rep. Andre Carson, Indiana Democrat, said: “There’s a lot flood Democratic computers with porn and spying devices.
in the dossier that is yet to be proven, but increasingly as
we’ll hear throughout the day, allegations are checking Mr. Gubarev is suing Mr. Steele for libel in London and is
out.” suing BuzzFeed in Florida.
On MSNBC in March, Rep. Maxine Waters, California It is in the London case that Mr. Steele acknowledged that
Democrat, said she believed the dossier section on Mr. his memo on Mr. Gubarev was unverified.
Trump and supposed sex acts with prostitutes in Moscow
were true.
.
399
Lawyers: Donald Trump Jr.
Is Getting Terrible Legal Advice
Career Prosecutors And Criminal Defense Attorneys Are Aghast At The
Behavior Of The President’s Eldest Son—Who Appears
Determined To Make Matters Worse.
Betsy Woodruff
07.11.17 1:00 AM ET
401
Russian Lawyer Who Met With
Donald Trump Jr. Denies Kremlin Links, Clinton Info
By Adam Shaw
11 Jul 2017
The Russian lawyer who met with Veselnitskaya painted a similar picture. She said that while
Donald Trump Jr. last year has denied the participants in the meeting, that included former
claims that she is linked to the Kremlin campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Trump’s son-in-
in an interview published Tuesday, and law Jared Kushner, may have hoped for information on
says that she didn’t meet with him to Clinton, she offered no such thing.
hand over information about the Clinton
campaign — pouring cold water on the
latest attempts to tie the Trump “I never had any damaging or sensitive
campaign to an alleged Russia information about Hillary Clinton. It was
conspiracy. never my intention to have that,” she said.
“It is quite possible that maybe they were
The New York Times has run multiple stories in recent longing for such an information. They
days reporting on a meeting that occurred during the wanted it so badly that they could only hear
presidential campaign between President Trump’s son and the thought that they wanted.”
Natalia Veselnitskaya. The Times reported Sunday that
Trump Jr. took the meeting in the belief that the As opposed to a meeting reeking of collusion,
participants may have had compromising information on Veselnitskaya paints a picture of a short meeting that
Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Trump Jr. joked lasted approximately 20-30 minutes, in which the
Monday that he was “the first person on a campaign to participants were disinterested. She said Manafort was
ever take a meeting to hear info about an opponent.” looking at his phone during the meeting and seemed
“absent-minded,” while Kushner left after 10 minutes and
Obviously I'm the first person on a Trump Jr. only asked her one question.
campaign to ever take a meeting to hear
info about an opponent… went nowhere “The question that I was asked was as
but had to listen. https://t.co/ccUjL1KDEa follows: whether I had any financial records
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) which might prove that the funds used to
July 10, 2017 sponsor the DNC were coming from
inappropriate source,” she told NBC.
The Times reported Monday that Trump Jr. was informed
in an email that the potential information was part of a
402
Trump Jr. has mocked the controversy surrounding the Media & Dems are extremely invested in
meeting. On Tuesday, he called the controversy the Russia story. If this nonsense meeting
“nonsense” and suggested it was a sign of desperation is all they have after a yr, I understand the
from the media and Democrats. desperation!
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr)
July 11, 2017
.
403
Don Jr. Russia ‘Scandal’ Is Perfect Illustration
Of The Stinking Political Swamp Trump Must Drain
Because “Russia”…Again
By Usafeaturesmedia
Posted On July 11, 2017
In the latest from The New York Times — which is doing So there’s that.
its best to continue beating this dead Russian horse — Don
Jr. was supposedly sent an email describing the Russian “Obviously I’m the first person on a
government’s “efforts” to “aid” his father’s campaign: campaign to ever take a meeting to hear
info about an opponent… went nowhere
Before arranging a meeting with a Kremlin- but had to listen,” Don Jr. tweeted
connected Russian lawyer he believed sarcastically on Monday.
would offer him compromising information
about Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump Jr. was But wait — what about that now-infamous, and widely
informed in an email that the material was discredited, “Trump dossier?” Remember that? Talk about
part of a Russian government effort to aid the mother lode of opposition research; and that, too, if
his father’s candidacy, according to three you recall, was collected by a foreign source with alleged
people with knowledge of the email. “connections” to Russia — former British operative
Christopher Steele.
The email to the younger Mr. Trump was
sent by Rob Goldstone, a publicist and
former British tabloid reporter who helped Except that it wasn’t really opposition research. It was a
broker the June 2016 meeting. In a political hit job all the way. And what’s more, it was very
statement on Sunday, Mr. Trump likely fabricated as part of a Democrat-led effort to
acknowledged that he was interested in undermine Trump.
receiving damaging information about Mrs.
Clinton, but gave no indication that he
404
There’s also this. If you recall, one of the first buffoons to regardless of the source — but any attempt to dig up dirt
pretend like the dossier was real in an attempt to hurt on Trump’s opponent by his son or members of his
Trump was someone from his own party: #nevertrumper campaign team is a big, fat scandal.
Sen. John McCain, RINO-Arizona. And now he faces new
questions about his involvement in handing the phony Because “Russia.”
dossier over to then-FBI Director James Comey to ‘look
into,’ as though it were real, in connection to a pair of “If those are the characters through which
defamation lawsuits filed by defendants in the UK and the Russian government tries to influence
U.S. who were named in the document. Steele also faces foreign elections, the Kremlin suffers from a
questioning. serious recruitment problem,” writes
Breitbart’s Joel Pollack.
So in the end, Americans are supposed to believe that any
and all opposition research on Donald J. Trump, no matter Again, we’re not buying this, and frankly, neither should
how questionable the source and content, is perfect fine, you.
405
GOP Senator: Time ‘Running Out’
To Pass Trump Agenda
By Nicholas Ballasy
July 11, 2017
407
Which Campaign
Truly Colluded With Russia?
Posted By B
July 11, 2017
Case 1: Case 2:
A Hillary Clinton campaign cut-out hires the (former?) Some lobbyist for Russian business interests contacts the
British intelligence agent Steele to pay money to (former?) Trump campaign with a promise to deliver some dirt on
Russian intelligence agents and high-level Kremlin Hillary Clinton. She meets campaign officials but no dirt
employees for dirt about Donald Trump. They deliver on Clinton is offered. Instead the lobbyist uses the time to
some dirty fairy tales. The resulting dossier is peddled far lobby for the business' cause. There is no follow up.
and wide throughout Washington DC with the intent of
damaging Trump.
Question:
Which of the two cases stinks of "collusion with the Russians"?
408
Countercoup 6:
Did @Crowdstrike Fabricate ‘#Russianhacking By
#Guccifer2.0’? Did Peegate Dossier Authors At FusionGPS
Arrange For ‘Kremlin Connected Lawyer’s Meeting’
With Donald Trump Jr.?
Posted By James The Russian Analyst
July 11, 2017
409
Alperovich, the military industrial complex/foreign
government funded NATO think tank the Atlantic Council,
and Alperovich’s wife at the Obama Department of
Homeland Security have raised questions about the firm
since last year.
410
parent organization. I was envious of their resources and
organizational support. While in the FBI, Henry was
already tracking the activities of Russian intelligence and
criminal hackers. That continued once he retired from the
FBI and began working at CrowdStrike. Those in the FBI
who took CrowdStrike’s research probably did so because
of Henry’s reputation.
And why didn’t the DNC turn their email servers over to
the FBI? For one thing, remember that Hillary Clinton was
under FBI investigation at the time for her own email
troubles. She and the DNC saw no upside to turning over
anything that the FBI could use against her in that
investigation. That’s just as prudent as Trump not
voluntarily handing over detailed records of his business
and financial dealings with Russians. This is especially
true since Mueller has assembled a team of experienced
federal prosecutors, not investigators.
The response from anti-Trump and especially ex-US IC
#NeverTrump ers has been to ignore the oddness of trying
to have the cyber equivalent to a murder investigation
without a body. Instead, they rely on the unseen and likely
to never be released data the NSA may have as well as the
supposedly impeccable professional background of
Crowdstrike’s management to maintain a weakening
Narrative, one that Trump has doubted and the Russians
have consistently denied. Russian President Vladimir Putin
denied any election meddling to Trump’s face during last
week’s G20 meeting in Hamburg, and claimed at the
subsequent press conference that Trump accepted his
denial — an account disputed by Secretary of State Rex
Tillerson.
414
a Russian agent’ lunacy on Twitter. The ex-Tory MP has A spokesman for the President’s legal team told The
previously admitted to taking a lot of drugs when she was Independent they now believed Ms Veselnitskaya and her
a young and nubile rock and roll groupie in England, so colleagues had misrepresented who they were and who
perhaps she was viewed as a wasting asset by her low they worked for.
down dirty psyops handlers.
In a statement, Mark Corallo added: “Specifically, we have
Steele Rain — learned that the person who sought the meeting is
the Fusion GPS Set Up of Donald Trump associated with Fusion GPS, a firm which according to
Jr. as ‘Meeting with a Pro-Kremlin public reports, was retained by Democratic operatives to
Russian Lawyer’? develop opposition research on the President and which
commissioned the phony Steele dossier.”
Last but not least, another British connection to the
allegations against Trump that is ‘out in the open’, is of Fusion GPS, which is based in Washington DC and was
course, is the ‘dodgy dossier’ concocted by ‘ex’ MI6 agent established by former Wall Street Journal reporters Glenn
Christopher Steele. Mr. Steele has under legal pressure in Simpson and Peter Fritsch, found itself in the spotlight
British libel court disavowed some of his dossier’s earlier this year after it emerged it was behind an “oppo
findings, claiming the document was never intended for research” dossier containing unproven and often salacious
public release after Buzzfeed‘s editor Ben Smith published allegations about Mr Trump.
it. However, the question as to why an opposition research
firm run by ex-Wall Street Journal reporters (the
WSJ/Murdoch connection again) called Fusion GPS hired
Mr. Steele to ‘prove’ Trump’s connections to the Kremlin,
would also have done work with a Russian lawyer opposed
to the 2012 Sergey Magnitsky Act named Natalia
Veselnitskaya, is most curious. For her part, Ms.
Veselnitskaya denies representing the Russian
government, or anyone but herself in the meeting with Don
Jr. (she has not worked for any governmental entity in
Russia since leaving the Moscow City prosecutor’s office
in 2002). Ms. Veselnitskaya insists that she only wished to
discuss her issue of the Magnitsky Act and its effect on the
Russian government banning Americans from adopting
The ‘ex’ British intelligence aided soft coup
children from Russia, and that she never offered any dirt
to overturn the election of Donald J. Trump
on Hillary Clinton’s ties to Russians.
as president of the United States,
supported by social justice warriors and
Was Donald Trump Jr. ‘set up’ and baited into a meeting eternal Cold War demanding deep staters
with Ms. Veselnitskaya in June 2016, with the promise of alike, isn’t going all that well. The best the
kompromat on Hillary Clinton’s connections to Russia coup plotters have managed to accomplish
(connections already established via Peter Schweitzer’s is demonstrate Trump’s inability to readily
book Clinton Cash detailing Russian oligarch donations to or easily deliver on his campaign promise
the Clinton Foundation)? Some ‘ex’ spooks touted in the of improved relations with Russia — the
legacy media think so, but have no proof that it was the President cannot even fire his own UN
Kremlin’s security services rather than Fusion GPS doing Ambassador when she seeks to undermine
the dangling, via the bizarre-looking publicist Rob his policy of detente after meeting with
Goldstone. Mr. Goldstone works for Trump’s 2013 Miss Putin in Hamburg.
Universe beauty pageant business partner the Russian-
Azeri oligarch Aras Iskenderovich Agalarov, or
specifically his pop star son Emin:
415
Since James Comey’s supposedly attempting to overturn an election by leak (and through
damning testimony, the U.S. Senate and disinformation generated by foreign intelligence agencies
House committees established to including those of Estonia, Ukraine and Great Britain):
investigate Russia’s alleged meddling in
the 2016 election have failed to turn up any “This is not just standard Washington fair”
evidence of collusion between Mr. Trump, [Rep. Ron] DeSantis [R-FL] said. “It’s
his associates, and the Kremlin. CNN, the happening on such a scale with this
‘Clinton News Network’, has been exposed president that it’s much different.”
by James O’Keefe’s Project Veritas as
cynically admitting behind the cameras that “Really, it has a whiff of people inside
they have no proof of Trump-Russia the bureaucracy who do not accept the
collusion, but push the story for ratings election results, so they’re rebelling
anyway (ratings it turns out, often are against the elected president by leaking
worse than Nick at Nite reruns of 1990s and doing things to damage him
sitcoms like Friends, underlying the failing politically,” the lawmaker explained. “It’s
network’s desperation). unprecedented, certainly in modern
American history. The way you stop the
The New York Times latest story citing leaks is if people are leaking info that is
what it says are ‘three sources’ about classified, and that’s a crime, DOJ has got
Donald Trump Jr. having been warned in to pursue that.”
an email about Kremlin efforts to aid the “If the bureaucracy is going to
Trump campaign prior to his fruitless, ten weaponize this stuff, I think Congress is
minute-length meeting with Ms. going to be much less willing to give
Veselnitskaya is just another pathetic effort them the authority to do this,” DeSantis
to produce some ‘evidence’ of said. “It is a big deal, and if no one is held
#TrumpRussia collusion. Despite the accountable it’s going to continue to
story’s overnight prominence on the happen.”
Drudge Report, the email has yet to be
produced and it’s likely to miss the mark And here are his thoughts on Comey…
again — a dying legacy media’s last
wannabe Watergate hurrah.
“Congress needs to press Sessions and
other people to make sure they are
investigating this because the American
people need the truth,” DeSantis told the
Free Beacon in a wide-ranging
interview. “If he did violate any laws, he
needs to be held accountable. If you’re
violating laws in service of doing
political warfare, that is just absolutely
unacceptable, particularly for someone
who held such a high position in the
government.”
“Not only is he leaking this stuff, not only
were the memos done in the course of his
employment and likely government
property, he may have disclosed classified
information in this quest to basically wage
a vendetta against the
president because the president fired him
and to try and create a special counsel,”
DeSantis said.
To Msrs. Steele, Tait, and Alperovitch — and those allied “This guy is really a creature of the
to them coordinating leaks after leaving office like Ben swamp. He maneuvers around D.C. in
Rhodes, James Comey and ‘Riyadh’ John Brennan — we ways that are very similar to how D.C.
just have a few words left: tick, tock. Some GOP insiders operate,” DeSantis said of Comey.
Congressmen are not cowed by your cult of the “He’s one of the best in those regards.”
unimpeachable supposedly non-partisan U.S. ‘intelligence
community’ and have had enough of the derp state “Comey has made a concerted effort to not
disclose these memos,” DeSantis revealed.
416
“I think Congress obviously has a right to
get them.”
417
Does It Even Matter
Whether Donald Trump Jr.
Met With Someone Purporting To Be A
“Russian Government Lawyer?”
Not At All
By JD Heyes
07/11/2017
Reporting by The New York Times, once again using Nevertheless, this has the Left and the #NeverTrump
leaked information that is no doubt illegal, appears to have media salivating because they now think this is the
Don Jr. cold: Emails he himself has released indicate that smoking gun of “collusion” everyone’s been looking for.
yes, he knew he was likely to be meeting a “Russian You have every partisan idiot from former Clinton running
government lawyer,” which — despite the fact that there is mate Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., to most talking heads on
nothing illegal about that, it destroys the position the CNN, MSNBC, and the rest of the cable news alphabet
Trump administration (and Don Jr.) has held for months, soup of networks screaming “Treason! Treason!” —
that no, there has never been any “collusion.” which is especially hypocritical, given the Clinton
campaign’s use of Ukrainian operatives to dig up dirt on
As The National Interest reported, none of that looks good: the Trump campaign. Besides, according to real legal
eagles, Don Jr.’s behavior doesn’t even come close.
Over now to Donald Trump Jr., last seen
backtracking out the White House door And lest we forget, last month, former FBI Director James
after a meeting he attended last summer Comey told Congress that a February 14 article by
with Russian attorney Natalia the Times alleging Trump associates “had repeated
Veselnitskaya was exposed in the press. contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the
The president’s son claimed back in March year before the election” was, “in the main,” untrue. That
that he’d never met with any Russians as a article at least cited “four current and former American
representative of the Trump campaign. officials.” Monday’s article only cites “three people.”
That was later contradicted by the New (RELATED: Are Democrats behind the dubious
York Times, which reported that he’d
418
Trump dossier that has triggered so many ‘Russia’ What should Trump do at this juncture? He’s already
investigations?) signaled his support for his son (and really, what father
wouldn’t?); what else is there?
What’s the point? Only this: The so-called battle lines
between the Trump administration, the Trump-hating Nothing. The chances are good that politically speaking,
political and media establishment, and the #NeverTrump this episode isn’t going to move the needle for or against
elements of the Deep State long ago launched their multi- the administration or the president much, if at all. Trump’s
pronged campaign to disrupt, delegitimize, defame and detractors are only going to howl louder, while his
unseat our duly elected president, and they’ve attempted to supporters — who are very used to their president and his
do so directly and by chipping away at his inner circle. administration being unfairly targeted by the elitists in
D.C. — will most probably circle their wagons in defense,
Don Jr. is merely the latest victim. He won’t be the last. again.
419
What Putin Really Thought After Finally Meeting Trump
He Might Well Have Concluded That Trump Cannot Be Relied On To
Make Or Keep Agreements, And That His Best Hope Is To Try To Get
Something Done Via The State Department
John Helmer
Tue, Jul 11, 2017
The Kremlin publicity version isn’t divulging the state Kremlin insiders acknowledge that Peskov tried to order
secrets revealed by the SIGABA machine. One reason is the omission from the Russian press of details of
that the decrypts confirm Russian intelligence assessments Tillerson’s and Mrs Trump’s attempts to stop the meeting
Putin has been receiving on Trump. This secret also means before the 60-minute mark. Instead, Peskov has announced
another one -- the briefings Putin gets from press arranged that “a ‘certain affection’ had developed between the
by his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov (right), have proved Russian leader and Trump’s wife, Melania, who sat next to
false. Peskov’s version of the success of the meeting can the Russian president at the official G20 dinner, revealing
be read in RT here. that the two discussed several issues on the summit
agenda, including gender equality and women’s economic
“Accusations that Trump is somewhat participation.”
incompetent or that he is a novice, can be
classified as delusional trash,” Peskov told Peskov in cipher: “We can now confidently declare that
Russian state television, intimating he was this was a win-win encounter.” SIGABA: “There is no
addressing western media, not the General confidence. This was a lose-lose encounter -- for Peskov.”
Staff or SVR. “He has expert knowledge,
422
Trump Administration
Run By Zionists, For Zionists: Analyst
Tue Jul 11, 2017 6:24PM
423
SEDITION: U.S. Intelligence Community
Conducting Soft Coup In Washington, D.C.
By State Of The Nation
Posted On July 11, 2017
Deep State will not stop their stealthy Destiny cannot be thwarted when it is
Purple Revolution until Trump is gone preordained in such a profound and
C.I.A. using Mainstream Media to run fundamental way as it is right now for
propaganda campaign against Trump the United States of America. Not only
administration—24/7 is the continuity of the American
Republic at stake, the future of the
“The C.I.A. always softens up the planetary civilization hangs in the
government and propagandizes the balance. In other words the final
citizenry of a targeted country before a outcome of “Trump versus Deep State”
soft coup. If that doesn’t work, they
will ultimately determine the fate of
simply execute a covert but
humanity as it will for the world
violent overthrow via assassination like
they did with JFK. Lastly, they will community of nations.
resort to an outright attack on the key
organs of government authority and/or RUSSIA SCARE: C.I.A. Running PsyOp on the
military power, but only when absolutely American People
necessary.”
— Veteran Intelligence Analyst For the uninitiated, ever since Election Day on November
8, 2016, The Company (aka the C.I.A.) has been very busy
Do you get it yet? implementing “Plan B”, often referred to as the Purple
Revolution. Understanding the true purpose and key
The NWO globalist entity known as players behind this highly organized plot is crucial if it to
Deep State, along with the Democratic be averted. As follows:
Party, will — under no conditions —
accept Donald Trump as the legitimate BEWARE: The Purple Revolution Comes
POTUS. To America…
For that matter, neither will the many turncoat RINOs This seditious revolution has several pillars that define
within the Republican Party. You can add to this list of both its strategy and MO (see the preceding graphic). The
traitors most of the sultans of Silicon Valley, Hollywood whole world has been watching daily the “Russia scare”
moguls and actors, East Coast intelligentsia and strategy— one of the main pillars. Deep State knows that
Mainstream Media magnates. the Russian boogeyman was effective during the Cold War
so why should they reinvent the wheel?
Because of this unrelenting predicament, there’s no
stopping the USS Donald Trump from hitting the Deep The following exposé details some of the subterfuge by
State iceberg. By the way, no one said that Trump is at the Deep State and their agents within the Democratic Party
helm of a 21st century Titanic. which gave rise to the bogus “Russian hacking claim”. In
the face of so much MSM fake news about Russia, who
He may just be the captain of a will now believe the obvious truth in this post?
humongous icebreaker.
CONFIRMED: DNC paid the ‘Russian’
Only time will tell, however, and that time is fast founder of CrowdStrike to hack its
approaching. server so it could be blamed on Russia!
KEY POINT: C.I.A. and MSM: Fric & Frac of Deep State
Likewise, the spook agency uses every major newspaper of The MSM and C.I.A. are guilty of sedition
record — especially The New York Times, The Washington
Post, USA Today, and Los Angeles Times — to float
There’s one major advantage that the President has at this
patently false accusations and deliberately misleading
pivotal stage of the Purple Revolution. The MSM now
headlines on their front pages.
commits sedition on a weekly basis. The C.I.A. likewise
openly perpetrates treason against the nation. These
KEY POINT: traitors to the American Republic expose themselves
regularly because they think they can act with impunity.
Even Nixon was not subjected to such This public display of arrogance and hubris has never
a daily barrage of fake news during happened before in the USA.
the height of Watergate. And, “Yes!”,
much of that media hysteria was also As a consequence, the MSM can legally be shut down with
contrived fake news, produced to one executive order. The C.I.A. can be dissolved with one
facilitate his premeditated removal stroke of the presidential pen. Even the FCC can close
which was in actuality a soft coup. down various MSM organs of propaganda for blatantly
violating various rules and regulations. The law is squarely
The CIA knows full well how to execute a color on the side of the FCC in this regard.
revolution. They’ve conducted many around the globe
over several decades. Their trademark MO is to Hence, the longer that Trump permits the traitors to out
sufficiently frighten the citizenry about ‘dangers’ themselves for all to see, the more of them he can get rid
associated with their current government and/or head of of when the time is right. That moment is fast approaching
state. This is why the American people are now treated to as Deep State is getting closer to pressing the button on
a nonstop campaign of Trump-bashing by the MSM. The stage 2 of the 2017 revolution. Their implementation plan
CIA is aware that eventually a critical mass of citizens will has been designed according to a set schedule which sees
actively support an overthrow. And that those who don’t this Fall as a crucial phase of the Purple Revolution.
show up will at least lend their moral support to it.
What began with a clandestine partnership between
The false story about ‘Russia election hacking’, of course, George Soros and Hillary Clinton back in 2016 has
was the perfect pretext for the U.S. Intelligence evolved into a full-blown conspiracy to bring down the
Community to rally around. Agents in all 17 agencies U.S. Federal Government under President Trump. Clearly
could be compelled to go with the flow — seditious flow the growing insurrection against Trump has many ultra-
— because the POTUS was said to be working with liberal groups and faux progressives, far left-wingers and
America’s historical enemy — R U S S I A! Throw in a brainwashed Democrats, among them. However, it’s the
Democratic Party that is still beside itself with rage and hardcore Obamabots, Clintonistas and Berniacs who are
madness about Hillary’s defeat and you have a full-blown the most dangerous. Rep. Steve Scalise found that out the
Purple Revolution in the works. See the following link for hard way.
valuable perspective: Former Democrat Insider Goes
Rogue—Exposes Plot To Falsely Blame Russia Scalise Shooter Was Staunch Supporter of Bernie Sanders
This transparent scam being run on the American people is As always, George Soros is front and center in this
not unprecedented. Both World Wars of the last century treasonous plot. Therefore, at the very least, he should be
saw similar inflammatory propaganda being thrown about arrested post-haste for sponsoring seditious activity which
here, there, and everywhere. That’s just how it’s always has resulted in so much personal injury (including
done. They did it against Germany prior to World War II numerous deaths) and property damage. One need look no
after they demonized the Kaiser prior to World War I. further than the European Union to view the societal
mayhem that Soros & Company has purposefully wrought.
The salient point here is that it’s now Putin who is being Now they’re hellbent on doing it here in the USA. The
vilified and Russia that is being represented as the mortal Clintons And Soros Launch America’s Purple Revolution.
enemy of the West. Nothing could be further from the
truth, and yet a vast majority of Americans still believe the Special Note:
lies. Whenever a really big lie is repeated frequently, it
starts to sink in. That’s what CNN and NBC are all about
425
The violent coup executed by the C.I.A. God only knows.
(and facilitated by the U.S. Department of
State) in Kiev during February of 2014 is If the American people do not demand an end to the
quite instructive. Even President Putin was violence and lawbreaking, the Bolshevik perps will only
caught flat-footed while the Maidan become more emboldened. These Obama-led and Soros-
Nezalezhnosti was turned into a war zone backed agitators will eventually intensify their insurgency
overnight. That takeover was also nationwide. They will surely increase the number of
preceded by a massive propaganda rioters and protesters — from the ranks of so many
campaign aimed directly at Ukrainian disillusioned illegal aliens — who are quite willing to
President Viktor Yanukovych. The country disrupt civil society.
was split in two just like America is today.
With each passing day of naked lies and
The Bolshevik Left now demonstrates an unparalleled
misrepresentations circulated by the MSM,
willingness to harm people and destroy property never
enough insurgents eventually showed up at
seen within the body politic. Their use of agents
the city’s main square to effectuate a full-
provocateur has become obvious to even the most naive
blown coup d’état. Yes, it was deliberately
and uninformed. Hence, President Trump is completely
staged while Putin was preoccupied with
within his power to immediately prosecute all of those
the Sochi Winter Olympics, but both he and
culpable agents of Deep State.
Yanukovych were completely blindsided by
the swiftness and severity of the
manufactured violence. Team Trump These subversive mercenaries are all cut from the same
ought to be paying very close attention RED bolt of cloth as those who incited and carried out the
from this point forward as there are several Bolshevik Revolution. In fact, the Left is becoming more
plans afoot to depose the POTUS. These vicious and violent by the event. Just as their ilk terrorized
are operating on parallel tracks, some of the major cities throughout Russia in 1917, they use the
which are decoys and distractions. Then same brutal tactics in 2017 across the USA.
there are those covert operations which are
mutually supporting each other in the event Exactly 100 Years After the Bolshevik Revolution of
of a full-scale Purple Revolution. 1917→Comes the Percolating Purple Revolution of 2017
Even Tim Kaine’s wife (far right) was dressed in purple One thing is for sure: the C.I.A. will not stop this uprising
during Clinton’s inflammatory concession speech that was until Trump is frogmarched out of the White House. The
actually a veiled call to insurrection. question then remains:
426
GOP Rep. Names Ben Rhodes As Source
Of White House Leaks – Demands Investigation of Comey
Carter
Jul 11th, 2017 9:15 pm
427
imjustapoorboy.jpg
start new admin job
bored as f*ck drinking coffee
start googling people I work with
realize all of Ben Rhodes’s friends still work
in WH
week later stumble across them all still
talking sh*t about Trump and how he’s too
dumb to fire them
WYD
428
Trump’s Former Campaign Manager
Predicts Mass Firings Over Trump Jr. Leaks
Jul 12th 2017 11:47PM
As the White House reportedly scrambles to find the Emails released by Trump Jr. himself revealed he met with
source, Lewandowski went on Fox & Friends Wednesday the lawyer under the impression that she was was going to
saying anyone who is not on the president's agenda should provide damaging information about Hillary clinton.
be removed immediately and that Trump himself will do
the same.
.
429
John McCain Faces
Questions In Trump-Russia Dossier Case
By Kevin G. Hall - Khall@Mcclatchydc.Com
July 11, 2017 5:00 AM
In relation to the December memorandum, this was not prepared The nature of the Defendants? engagement by Fusion did not
pursuant to any contract as stated at paragraph ?18 of the change during the period between the preparation of the last pre-
Defence. The duty not to disclose this intelligence report to third election memorandum" on 20 October 2016 and the date of the US
parties without the prior agreement of the Defendants therefore did Presidential election. However since the Defendants did not
extend to disclosure by Fusion to its client(s). receive any relevant intelligence concerning Russian efforts to
influence the US Presidential election process and links between
REQUEST Russia and Donald Trump during this period, no memoranda were
produced pursuant to the engagement after 20 October 2016.
5. State whether the Defendants owed any reciprocal duty of
confidence to Fusion and/or Fusion?s clients in relation to the Under paragraphs 12 and 13
intelligence they provided.
Of "Senator John McCain is the Chair of the US Senate Armed
RESPONSE Services Committee and a member of the Us Senate Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs" and "David
Since it was not produced pursuant to the engagement with Fusion Kramer is a former US State Department civil servant and was US
described at paragraph 9 of the Defence, the Defendants did not Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and
owe any obligation of confidence to Fusion and/or Fusion?s Labor from 2008 to 2009. He is the Senior Director for Human
client(s) in relation to the intelligence contained in the December Rights and Human Freedoms at Senator McCain '3 institute for
memorandum. International Leadership
REQUEST REQUEST
6. State whether Fusion?s clients, insofar as disclosure to them 9. Please con?rm (as paragraph 29b(i) of the Defence suggests)
was permitted (see Request 4), were under any duty to the that Senator McCain and Mr Kramer are alleged to have been
Defendants and/or Fusion not to use and/or disclose the acting in these of?cial capacities; and only in relation to those
intelligence, and, if so, give like particulars as to how that duty is capacities in the course of the matters pleaded in paragraphs 14 to
alleged to arise. 17 and 21b; and, if not, identify any other capacity in which they
RESPONSE were acting and when and for what purpose(s).
Under paragraph 14 13. Please state whether the Second Defendant only reached this
conclusion on behalf of the First Defendant or whether Christopher
Of "As a result of these discussions Sir Andrew arranged for the Burrows andior Sir Andrew were party to his assessment.
Second Defendant to meet Mr Kramer, as the representative of
Senator McCain, in order to Show him the pre-election memoranda RESPONSE
on a confidential basis". The Defendants? assessment that the pre-election memoranda
new and any subsequent related intelligence which they received
should be disclosed to the individuals referred to at paragraph 21 of
10. State what is meant by ?on a confidential basis?, indicating the Defence was reached following separate discussions between
precisely what use or uses Senator McCain was/were permitted to the Second Defendant and Christopher Burrows of the First
make of the pre-election memoranda and whether these uses were Defendant; (ii) Sir Andrew Wood (who had spoken with Senator
specified to Senator McCain and Mr Kramer. McCain); David Kramer (who was acting on behalf of Senator
McCain) and (iv) the UK national security official referred to at
RESPONSE paragraph 21(b) of the Defence. Mr Burrows shared the Second
The Defendants understood that the contents of the memoranda Defendant?s assessment at the relevant time. The Defendants
would be treated in the strictest confidence and would only be used considered that the issues were self?evidently relevant to the
by Senator McCain in his official capacity for the sole purpose of national security of the US, UK and their allies and that subsequent
analysing, investigating and verifying their contents to enable such inteliigence relating to these issues ought to be disclosed to the
action to be taken as necessary for the purposes of protecting US individuals referred to at paragraph 21 of the Defence. Each of the
national security. The Second Defendant expressly informed Mr individuals with whom the Second Defendant discussed the issue
Kramer that the pre-election memoranda were only to be used for shared this View at the time and, to the Second Defendant's
this exclusive purpose before he showed Mr Kramer any of the knowledge and belief, continue to hold that View.
memoranda. Mr Kramer was not at this time provided with copies Under paragraph 206 and 21 REQUEST
of the memoranda that had been prepared as at that date, but was
shown copies, ?14. Please state whether the December memorandum was
provided to the UK national security official; and/or (13) Fusion;
Under paragraph 18 and/or (0) Mr Kramer and Senator McCain with the source of the
Of "The Defendants continued to receive unsolicited intelligence on allegations against the Claimants redacted or not.
the matters covered by the pre-election memoranda after the US RESPONSE
Presidential election and the conclusion of the assignment for
Fusion Information pertaining to the status of the source(s) of the
intelligence contained within the December memorandum was not
REQUEST redacted when it was provided to either the UK national security
11. Please state whether such intelligence was actively sought by official and/or Fusion and/or Mr Kramer and Senator McCain. The
the Second Defendant or merely received (as presently pleaded). information contained within the intelligence reports pertaining to
the status of the source(s) was consistent with the Defendants?
RESPONSE conscious efforts to protect the identity of the source(s).
Such intelligence was not actively sought; it was merely received. REQUEST
Under paragraph 19 15. Please state whether the instruction to Fusion contained any
-4- RPC express reference to confidentiality (contrast paragraph 21a which
expressly refers to 'on a confidential basis?).
Of "After receiving some such intelligence the Second Defendant
prepared the confidential December memorandum, referred to at RESPONSE
paragraph 8.1, on his own initiative on or around 13 December In the Second Defendant's communications with Fusion
2016". surrounding the provision of the instruction by enciphered email, it
BECLESI was explicitly stated that the memoranda were only to be provided
to Mr Kramer for the purpose of passing them on to Senator
12. Please state whether the words 'on his own initiative' mean that McCain. Substantive conversations between the Second
the December memorandum was not created; or provided to Defendant and Fusion relating to this matter were conducted using
Fusion pursuant to any contract. If not, please specify the contract secure telephone communications. During those secure
in question. communications, the Second Defendant expressly emphasised that
the December memorandum was subject to the same strict
RESPONSE
restrictions on disclosure to third parties as were contained in the
The December memorandum was not created or provided to written agreement described in the response to requests 1 to 3
Fusion pursuant to any contract. above.
Under paragraph 20 Under paragraph 21a and
432
Of ?D?lccordingly the Second Defendant provided a copy of the Of "Save that it is admitted that the Second Defendant gave off the
December memorandum to: a. a senior UK government national record brie?ngs to a small number of journalists about the
security official acting in his of?cial capacity, on a con?dential basis bra?election memoranda in late summer/autumn 2016,
in hard copy form; and b. Fusion, by enciphered email with an sub?paragraph 8.2.6 is denied".
instruction to Fusion to provide a hard copy to Sen. McCain via Mr
Kramer". 18. Please identify the journalists briefed by the Second Defendant
and state when and how the briefing was done in each case and
REQUEST the gist of what was conveyed.
16. Please state whether intelligence provided by the Defendants RESPONSE
to Fusion was generaliy provided in enciphered form.
The journalists initially briefed at the end of September 2016 by the
-5- RFC Second Defendant and Fusion at Fusion?s instruction were from
the New York Times, the Washington Post, Yahoo News, the New
RESPONSE Yorker and CNN. The Second Defendant subsequently participated
Intelligence provided by the Defendants to Fusion was provided in further meetings at Fusion?s instruction with Fusion and the New
securelyand where provided electronically it was provided in York Times, the Washington Post and Yahoo News, which took
enciphered form. place in mid?October 2016. In each of those cases the briefing was
conducted verbally in person. in addition, and again at Fusion?s
Under paragraphs 23 and 24 instruction, in late October 2016 the Second Defendant briefed a
Of ?it is denied that in their natural and ordinary meaning, in their journalist from Mother Jones by Skype. No copies of the pro-
proper context, the words complained of bore or were capable of election memoranda were ever shown or provided to any
bearing the meaning pleaded at paragraph 7" and "Read in context journalists by, or with the authorisation of, the Defendants. The
the natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of was briefings involved the disclosure of limited intelligence regarding
that there were grounds to investigate whether the Claimants had indications of Russian interference in the US election process and
been coerced by Russia into hacking the computers used by the the possible co?ordination of members of Trump's campaign team
US Democratic Party leadership, transmitting viruses, planting and Russian government of?cials.
bugs, stealing data and conducting altering operations". REQUEST
REQUEST 19. Please state what is meant by ?ofi the record' and, in particular
17. Please identify the context relied on and the reader(s) to whom whether it means:
it was allegedly known. The information provided was not to be published (but might be
RESPONSE used);
The readers referred to are the readers of the December The information might be published but not attributed to the
memorandum who accessed and read the words complained of via Defendants in any way;
the article that was published on the BuzzFeed website on ?10 (0) As but the Defendants could be generically described, but not
January 2017. by name. RESPONSE
The December memorandum was a raw intelligence report which The Second Defendant understood that the information provided
contained information gathered from a confidential source(s) about might be used for the purpose of further research, but would not be
various national security issues that warranted further investigation. published or attributed. The Defendants repeat that no off the
Further, the words complained of were published by BuzzFeed as record briefing ever took place concerning the December
part of an article which stressed that the contents of the dossier memorandum, and no copies of any of the bra?election
(which included the December memorandum) were "unveri?ed?, memoranda or the December memorandum were ever provided to
?unconfirmed? and contained ?unverified, and potentially journalists by, or with the authorisation of, the Defendants,
unverifiable allegations?. The article added that, ?BuzzFeed News REQUEST
reporters in the US and Europe have been investigating the alleged
facts in the dossier but have not verified or falsi?ed them.? The 20. Please state whether these terms were agreed to by the
article reported that the President?elects attorney, Michael Cohen, journalists concerned.
had said that allegations in the dossier ?were absolutely false?. H3- RPC
In these circumstances, readers of the words complained of were RESPONSE The Second Defendant was told by Fusion that the
therefore aware that the contents of the December memorandum terms had been explained to the relevant journalists in advance by
did not represent (and did not purport to represent) verified facts, them and the Second Defendant reinforced the basis on which he
but were raw intelligence which had identified a range of was speaking to each of the journalists he met in person. None of
allegations that warranted investigation given their potential the journalists raised any objection.
national security implications; (ii) persons mentioned in the
December memorandum were unlikely to have been approached Under paragraphs 36 to 39
for comment, and therefore many of those persons were likely to
deny the allegations contained in the raw intelligence; and while the REQUEST
December memorandum was prepared in good faith, its content 21. Please state whether the defence of qualified privilege is relied
must be critically viewed in light of the purpose for and on by the
circumstances in which the information was collected.
Defendants if they are held to be liable for publication to the world
RFC at large as distinct from the admitted publication to the individuals
Under paragraph 32 identified by the Defendants in the Defence.
433
RESPONSE In recent congressional testimony, ex-FBI Director James
Yes. Comey, fired by Trump amid a widening probe,
acknowledged receiving the dossier from McCain on Jan.
STATEMENT OF TRUTH 6. Kramer, a former State Department official who until
The Defendants believe that the facts stated in this Response are recently served as a senior director at Arizona State
true. University’s McCain Institute for International Leadership,
declined comment.
Nicola Cain Position: Legal Director, Defendants? legal
representative Date: 18 May 2017
The British court documents are legal responses in the
RFC British suit and do not reflect the entire docket. The British
V1 suit is related to a similar lawsuit in the United States
against online news site BuzzFeed.
Claim No. HQ17D00413
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE BENCH DIVISION
BETWEEN (1) ALEKSEJ GUBAREV (2) WEBZILLA BM. (3)
WEBZILLA LIMITED (4) XBT HOLDING 5.A.
Claimants and
(1) ORBIS BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE LIMITED
(2) CHRISTOPHER STEELE
Defendants
RESPONSE TO PART 18 REQUEST
RPC
Tower Bridge House St Katherine?s Way London
E1W 1AA
T: 020 3060 6000
Reference: ORB4.1
Soiicitors for the Defendants
435
Russian Lawyer Veselnitskaya Is
McCain Supporter – Posted Anti-Trump Posts On
Facebook
Jim Hoft
Jul 12th, 2017 9:18 Am
436
Veselnitskaya’s facebook page shows she was in New Committee hearing, 8 days after cold-
York City on the 10th and in Washington DC on June 14, contacting Trump Jr. in Trump Tower.
2016.
Here is another shot from the June 14, 2016 Congressional
Veselnitskaya told NBC News on Monday she was not hearing on Russia and the Ukraine.
with the Kremlin as was reported by The New York Times.
Peskov said,
437
British Lawsuit Raises New Questions Over
John McCain's Involvement With The "Trump Dossier"
By Tyler Durden
Jul 12, 2017 4:15 AM
In the aftermath of BuzzFeed's release of the now- didn't get a copy of the dossier until January 6th.
infamous "Trump Dossier," much time has been spent Precisely who saw what and when during that interim
speculating exactly who paid for dirt on the Trump period still remains a mystery.
administration and who had the opportunity to take a sneak
peak at the findings before the report was passed off to the
FBI. Media reports have suggested that the "opposition
research" was ordered by one of Trump's presidential
primary competitors though that detail has never been
officially confirmed.
439
As Russia Scandal
Touches His Son, Trump Privately Rages
By JONATHAN LEMIRE And JULIE PACE, Associated Press
Jul. 12, 2017 2:33 AM ET
WASHINGTON (AP) — The snowballing revelations The president, in conversations with confidants, has
about Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting with a Russian lawyer questioned the quality of advice he has received from
during last year's presidential campaign have broadsided senior staff, including chief of staff Reince Priebus.
the White House, distracting from its agenda as aides However, Priebus has been a frequent target of criticism
grapple with a crisis involving the president's family. for months and even those taking aim at him now said it
did not appear as though a shakeup was on the horizon.
The public has not laid eyes on the president since his
return from Europe Saturday. But in private, Trump has There has also been a difference of opinion within the
raged against the latest Russia development, with most of West Wing has to how to handle the crisis, with some
his ire directed at the media, not his son, according to aides favoring more transparency than others. Some of the
people who have spoken to him in recent days. The only unhappiness centers on Trump's legal team, which is led
comment from Trump on the matter for much of the day by New York attorney Marc Kasowitz.
came in a brief statement via spokeswoman Sarah
Huckabee Sanders, who said Tuesday that the president An unusual statement Saturday night from the legal team's
believes his son is "a high-quality person." spokesman Mark Corallo appeared to claim Trump Jr.,
Kushner and Manafort were duped into meeting with the
The bombshell revelation that Trump Jr. was eager to Russian lawyers, and was viewed as particularly unhelpful
accept information from the Russian government landed by senior White House officials.
hard on weary White House aides. While staff people have
grown accustomed to a good news cycle being The revelations come at a pivotal moment for Trump and
overshadowed by the Russia investigations, Trump aides the Republican Party, as GOP senators race to finish work
and outside advisers privately acknowledged that this on a health care overhaul that has divided the party. Trump
week's developments felt more serious. has largely stayed on the sidelines of the policy
negotiations on the measure, but has still publicly pressed
Trump Jr. released four pages of emails Tuesday in which GOP senators to wrap up work on legislation this summer
he communicates with an associate trying to arrange a and fulfill one of the party's central promises to voters.
meeting with a Russian lawyer. In the emails, the
intermediary says the attorney has negative information On Capitol Hill, some Republican lawmakers cast the
about Democrat Hillary Clinton that is part of the Russian snowballing Russia controversy as a distraction from the
government's efforts to help Trump in the campaign. The health care debate.
then-candidate's son responds:
"We ought to be disciplined and not be
"I love it." distracted by things that may be legitimate
but not right now in our lane," said Sen.
This new setback raises new questions about whether the Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
Trump campaign coordinated with Moscow during the
election, a charge the president has denied for months. And The matter has also distracted from a brief stretch in which
it points those questions more directly at the inner circle of some White House advisers believed they were finding
Trump's own family. their footing.
As has been the pattern for Trump's White House, the Trump aides, who view clashes with the media as central
controversy has sparked a new round of recriminations to the president's agenda, were emboldened when three
among the president's team. Nearly a dozen White House journalists from CNN resigned after the network withdrew
officials and outside advisers spoke on the condition of a story about a Trump ally. Trump's allies were also
anonymity in order to discuss the mood in the West Wing. heartened by his trip to Europe last week, feeling that his
440
speech saluting national pride in Poland was a high point Trump Jr, who is running the family business with his
of his presidency and believing that he held his own during brother, huddled with friends and close business associates
meetings with foreign leaders at an international summit in after the first stories dropped, his mood shifting from
Germany. worry to defiance over the story's lifespan, according to
confidants. He has told those close to him that while he
But the afterglow of Trump's trip quickly vanished, realizes the optics of the meeting aren't ideal, he has
replaced once again with questions about the swirling echoed his father in believing that the media have
federal and congressional investigations into Russia's overblown the matter and, despite some opposition among
election meddling. his allies, has said he wants to publicly fight back.
And Trump allies took notice Tuesday when Vice But White House aides struggled with mounting a strong
President Mike Pence distanced himself from the defense against the scandal that also touched Jared
revelation by the president's son. Kushner, the president's son-in-law and senior adviser who
attended the 2016 meeting. Though Sanders called charges
of collusion "ridiculous," the White House press briefing
In a statement, Pence spokesman Marc
remained off-camera for the second consecutive day,
Lotter said the vice president "was not
limiting the power of her pushback.
aware of the meeting," adding Pence was
"not focused on stories about the campaign
especially those pertaining to the time And the president himself was slated to stay out of sight.
before he joined the campaign." He had no public events scheduled for Wednesday until he
departs for another overseas trip, this time to France.
Pence was named Trump's running mate in the middle of
July 2016, several weeks after the meeting involving the
president's son.
441
Alan Dershowitz Slams
New York Times For Trump Jr. "Treason" Claims
By Tyler Durden
Jul 12, 2017 8:10 PM
"seeking to obtain the work product of a Nor will it be easy to draft a criminal statute prohibiting a
prior hack would be no more criminal campaign from using material provided by a foreign
than a newspaper publishing the work power, without trenching on the constitutional rights of
product of thefts such as the Pentagon candidates. But this is all up to Congress and the courts,
Papers and the material stolen by not the special counsel, with his limited jurisdiction.
Snowden and Manning."
442
And here is the full interview with Dershowitz from earlier
today:
443
Lavrov: US Election Meddling
Claims Not Backed Up By Facts
Wed Jul 12, 2017 12:59PM
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov looks on during a press Donald Trump Jr. arriving at Trump Tower in New York, January
conference in Brussels, Belgium, July 12, 2017. (Photos by AFP) 11, 2017. (Photo by AFP)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Accompanying Donald Jr. in the meeting were Trump's
has once again dismissed allegations of son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Trump's then-campaign
Russia’s meddling in the 2016 US chairman, Paul Manafort, suggested the report confirmed
presidential election, saying he would by five unnamed sources.
like to be shown at least one fact
proving this “amazing” claim. Kremlin denies ties to Veselnitskaya
"I don't know anything about this fact. It's
amazing that serious people are making a The Kremlin also reacted to the report on Wednesday, with
mountain out of a molehill," Lavrov said at spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying the Russian government
a news conference in the Belgian capital has never been in touch with Veselnitskaya.
Brussels on Wednesday.
"We have already said we are absolutely
Lavrov’s comments came in the wake of new unaware of this story, we have never been
developments in the ongoing investigation into US in contact with this lawyer... She has
President Donald Trump’s alleged “collusion” with Russia nothing to do whatsoever with us," he told
to beat his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton during the reporters during a press briefing.
November 8 face-off.
The Times had claimed in its follow-up reports that emails
The New York Times reported over the weekend that sent to Trump’s son before the meeting had clear
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Jr., had met with Russian references to the Russian government as a source of
lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, who had alleged ties to the damaging info on Clinton.
Kremlin, during the campaign.
In an interview with Fox News, Donald Jr. said the
Trump’s son confirmed in a statement that he had indeed meeting was “such a nothing” that he didn’t feel the need
met Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower in June last year on to fill in his father on it.
the grounds that she had damaging info about Clinton and
her ties to Moscow. However, he cut the meeting short "I mean, I wouldn't have even remembered
because the information provided was “vague and made no it until you started scouring through this
sense.” stuff. It was literally just a wasted 20
minutes, which was a shame," he said.
445
‘Category 5 Hurricane’: White House
Under Siege By Trump Jr.’s Russia Revelations
By Philip Rucker And Ashley Parker
July 12 At 6:42 AM
On Wednesday, in his first Twitter posts since the email Inside a White House in which infighting often seems like
disclosures, Trump defended his son as “open, transparent a core cultural value, three straight days of revelations in
and innocent” and repeated past claims that his the New York Times about Trump Jr. have inspired a new
administration is the subject of a “witch hunt” fueled by round of accusations and recriminations, with advisers
leakers. privately speculating about who inside the Trump orbit
may be leaking damaging information about the
“My son Donald did a good job last night,” president’s son.
Trump wrote, referring to his son’s
appearance on Fox News. “He was open,
446
This portrait of the Trump White House under siege is The mind-set of Trump Jr. over the past few days has
based on interviews Tuesday with more than a dozen West evolved from distress to anger to defiance, according to
Wing officials, outside advisers, and friends and associates people close to him. He hired a criminal defense attorney
of the president and his family, many of whom spoke on but maintains that he is innocent of any wrongdoing. After
the condition of anonymity to be candid. his tweets commenting on the matter drew scrutiny, he
agreed to his first media interview — with his friend Fox
The makeup of Trump’s inner circle is the subject of News Channel host Sean Hannity on his show on Tuesday
internal debate, as ever. Ivanka Trump, the president’s night.
daughter and senior adviser; Jared Kushner, her husband
and another senior adviser; and first lady Melania Trump One friend of Trump Jr.’s said the presidential son saw the
have been privately pressing the president to shake up his Hannity appearance as an opportunity to give his version
team — most specifically by replacing Reince Priebus as of Richard Nixon’s “Checkers” speech, a 1952 address in
the White House chief of staff, according to two senior which the then-vice-presidential candidate defended
White House officials and one ally close to the White himself against accusations of financial improprieties.
House.
Trump has had no public events since returning Saturday
The three family members are especially concerned about night from Germany but has been closely monitoring
the steady stream of unauthorized leaks to journalists that developments with his eldest son in the news.
have plagued the administration over the nearly six months
that President Trump has been in office, from sensitive Trump continues to view the Russia controversy as an
national security information to embarrassing details about excuse used by Democrats for losing an election they
the inner workings of the White House, the officials said. thought they would win — and an attempt to undermine
the legitimacy of his victory, aides said. They said that the
Stephanie Grisham, the first lady’s communications president’s frustration is based on the media coverage of
director, said: his son’s actions, as opposed to the actions themselves.
“Of course, the first lady is concerned “He just looks at this as the continuum of
about leaks from her husband’s taking a group of unrelated facts and
administration, as all Americans should be. putting them together in concentric circles
And while she does offer advice and and saying, ‘Aha — look what happened!’ ”
perspectives on many things, Mrs. Trump said Thomas J. Barrack Jr., a longtime
does not weigh in on West Wing staff.” friend of the president who was chairman
of the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
Lindsay Walters, a deputy White House press secretary, “With Don Jr., whatever set of facts there
disputed reports about Priebus’s standing. are may not lead to the conclusion that the
establishment media is making.”
“These sources have been consistently
wrong about Reince, and they’re still wrong Trump and his advisers are deeply frustrated that the
today,” she said. disclosure by Trump Jr. has overshadowed the positive
coverage they expected to receive from the president’s trip
abroad, as well as other issues they hoped to spotlight this
After this story first published, Josh Raffel, a White House
week, such as the Senate health-care bill and trade.
spokesman, said in a statement on behalf of Kushner and
Ivanka Trump:
A handful of Republican operatives close to the White
House are scrambling to Trump Jr.’s defense and have
“Jared and Ivanka are focused on working
begun what could be an extensive campaign to try to
with Reince and the team to advance the
discredit some of the journalists who have been reporting
President’s agenda and not on pushing for
on the matter.
staff changes.”
Trump recently publicly praised Priebus’s work ethic, and Their plan, as one member of the team described it, is to
the chief of staff’s allies note that Priebus has done as good research the reporters’ previous work, in some cases going
a job as can be expected under the unique circumstances of back years, and to exploit any mistakes or perceived
this administration. Defenders of Priebus have long said biases. They intend to demand corrections, trumpet errors
they expect him to make it to a year in the position, and on social media and feed them to conservative outlets,
Trump is said to be hesitant to fire him or any other senior such as Fox News.
staffer amid the escalating Russia investigation led by
special counsel Robert S. Mueller III.
447
But one outside adviser said a campaign against the press under attack because he is “the best public supporter” of
when it comes to Trump Jr.’s meeting could be futile: “The the president. Eric Trump tweeted:
meeting happened. It’s tough to go to war with the facts.”
“This is the EXACT reason they viciously
In the West Wing, meanwhile, fear of the Mueller probe attack our family! They can’t stand that we
effectively paralyzed senior staffers as they struggled to are extremely close and will ALWAYS
respond. support each other.”
No official has yet delivered a robust defense of Trump Jr., Critics of Trump Jr. counter that he should have known
although Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the principal deputy better than to accept a meeting with someone who was
press secretary, told reporters Monday, explicitly described in an email as a “Russian government
attorney.”
“I would certainly say Don Jr. did not
collude with anybody to influence the “It wasn’t naivete,” said Michael McFaul,
election.” the U.S. ambassador to Russia in the
Obama administration. “It was, ‘Oh, they
At Tuesday’s press briefing, Sanders read a brief statement have some dirt on our opponent and I’m
from the president — eager to receive it.’ Nobody thought to
think, ‘Well, how did they obtain that? Is
this coming from the Russian government,
“My son is a high-quality person and I
Russian intelligence?’ Those are the kinds
applaud his transparency”
of obvious questions that should have been
asked, in my opinion.”
— but declined to speak further on the issue, referring all
questions to Trump Jr.’s attorney.
Pence found out about Trump Jr.’s meeting with the
Russian attorney Friday evening in advance of the first
Other senior White House officials were hesitant to talk Times story, said one person familiar with the discussions.
about Trump Jr. — even on the condition of anonymity — Both Pence and his team view the Russia coverage as a
for fear of exposing themselves legally. distraction, and are working to keep the vice president
clear of it and focused on Trump’s policy goals — such as
Some top officials, as well as outside advisers, had earlier health care, the subject of his scheduled visit to Kentucky
suggested that the White House conduct its own internal on Wednesday.
review to identify any potential problem areas related to
Russia so that it can release the information on its own “The vice president is working every day to
rather than be caught unaware by news reports. But that advance the president’s agenda, which is
notion went nowhere, in part because officials were afraid what the American people sent us here to
to discuss any potential Russia interactions that could do. The vice president was not aware of
make them targets of Mueller’s probe. the meeting,” Pence’s press secretary,
Marc Lotter, said in a statement. “He is not
One White House official went so far as to stop focused on stories about the campaign,
communicating with the president’s embattled son, particularly stories about the time before he
although this official spoke sympathetically about his joined the ticket.”
plight, casting Trump Jr. as someone who just wants to
hunt, fish and run his family’s real estate business. On Capitol Hill — where Senate Majority Leader Mitch
McConnell (R-Ky.) announced Tuesday that he is delaying
“The kid is an honest kid,” said one friend his chamber’s August recess by two weeks — Republican
of Trump Jr. “The White House should’ve senators were becoming increasingly frustrated with the
never let that story go out on the White House, which they blame for Congress’s inability to
president’s son … What he’s upset about pass any major legislation.
was that it was a minor meeting and the
media glare — anything that’s Russia- A growing number of senators believe that the widening
related, gets picked up the way roaches get Russia probe — as well as the Trump-
caught in a roach motel.” fueled tumult that seems to dominate nearly every news
cycle — have stalled their legislative agenda, leaving them
Eric Trump, another son of the president, defended his nothing to offer their constituents by way of achievements
older brother Tuesday night by retweeting a message from when they head home over the break.
British politician Nigel Farage, who said Trump Jr. was
.
448
Trump V. Everyone
Sam Jayne
July 12, 2017
449
The Non-Issue
Of Trump Jr.’s Emails
By Stephen Lendman - stephenlendman.org
7-12-2017
Goldstone said he had no knowledge of Veselnitskaya’s “the most insane nonsense I ever heard.”
connection to the Kremlin. Putin spokesman Dmitry
Peskov said the Russian government knows nothing about In a Tuesday interview on NBC News, Veselnitskaya
this woman. denied any connection to Vladimir Putin or Russia’s
government, explaining she didn’t meet with Trump Jr. to
On June 9, 2016, Trump Jr., presidential campaign discuss Hillary or last year’s presidential campaign.
manager at the time Paul Manafort, and Trump’s son-in-
law Jared Kushner met with her at Trump Tower in New Unprincipled claims by undemocratic Democrats and
York. media scoundrels about alleged Trump team wrongdoing,
including possible treason, show how low they’re willing
Trump Jr. said the following: to stoop to damage the president for the wrong reasons.
“I was asked to have a meeting by an It’s more hard evidence of the deplorable state of America,
acquaintance I knew from the 2013 Miss a serial aggressor, a fantasy democracy, an unscrupulous
Universe pageant with an individual who I rogue state.
was told might have information helpful to .
the campaign.”
450
Liberal Media Claims
“Alt-Right” Memes Will Take Down Democracy
Www.Thedailysheeple.Com
July 12, 2017
Leftists have a new warning for everyone using social If you think it’s funny that Salon is attacking memes,
media: the memes will take down democracy. One liberal you’d be joining most others. The problem is that
rag is now claiming that the sharing of memes is a bigger their followers actually believe that freedom of speech is
weapon than fake news. somehow a bad thing. Meaning, you can say and meme
whatever you want, as long as it agrees with a left leaning
As humorous as it is to most, this overt media propaganda agenda. Same with talk radio. You can say anything you
is actually working on some. Look at how effective the want, even if it’s not true. Just make sure it’s leftist
media was at shifting the blame from Hillary Clinton after government worshiping propaganda.
the Podesta emails were released. The problem quickly
became about the individuals who released the Well beyond the problem of fake news, which at least tried
information, rather than the psychos who actually wrote to pose as news, these posts are pure opinion, outburst and
the emails. Even now, the DNC has admitted to rigging the excess. There is nothing about these posts that even
primary election, but that’s being hidden from the public at remotely compares to news reporting — and that’s why
large to protect the reputation of leftists. But the bigger they are popular. At a moment in U.S. history where trust
problem, according to Salon, is the memes. in the news is at a record low, we are seeing the growing
power of individuals outside of traditional media circuits
A Salon write-up warned of the growing threat of alt-right who have built a following by suggesting that their voices
memes, saying they potentially pose a bigger threat to are more authentic and more accurate than those of the so-
American democracy than “fake news,” said the Daily called liberal, elitist, majority-silencing news. –Salon
Caller. And that’s how the article read too. Salon is
actually afraid of memes taking the government down. It’s almost as if the writer didn’t actually read this before
They don’t seem to mind that CNN admitted to being fake publishing the piece. Salon admits the memes aren’t news
news and pushing a false narrative for ratings, they care but says the fake news is to be defended because it’s trying
that President Donald Trump tweeted a gif of himself “to pose as news.” Then they continue to admit that trust in
thumping CNN. The astonishing amount of mental the mainstream media is at an all-time low (it couldn’t
gymnastics used to reach the conclusion that “memes will possibly be because of propaganda laden false narratives
damage democracy” is palpable. The article is even titled: designed to tell a viewer what to think instead of actual
Forget Fake News — Alt-Right Memes Could Do More journalism though, could it?) so blame those whose brains
Damage To Democracy. aren’t as weak, and go outside mainstream media’s mind
control tactics for their news.
Interestingly enough, they claim that talk radio, you know,
that pesky idea that there’s such a thing as freedom of What this week’s Trump Twitter war against the
speech on the radio, was the previous crisis, but now it’s mainstream news media teaches us is that CNN should be
memes. worried —
Just like talk radio before it, growth of alt-right social but not about Trump’s attacks, rather
media is the real crisis behind Trump’s CNN tweet. about the fact that an increasing
451
number of U.S. citizens are forming their Is the author referring to the “information” CNN has
political ideas based on alt-right rants, admitted is fake? It seems like Salon is playing fast and
and not on anything that even remotely loose with the word “information.” But let’s get at least
resembles information. this straight; CNN admits that they push fake news for
ratings and “witch hunt” Donald Trump because their
viewers “want it to be true,” but Salon is concerned with
free speech in the form of memes on the internet? Again,
this is straight up propaganda, and it’s almost too obvious
this time.
452
Remember That Trump ‘Dossier?’
That Was Democrats Using RUSSIA-Fed
Info To Attack The Prez
By Usafeaturesmedia
Posted On July 12, 2017
Don’t let the Democrats tell you they are innocent of any criminal charges against Mr. Trump’s
Russia-related collusion campaign aides, such as coordinating
Moscow’s hacking of Democratic Party
computers.
Some Democrats have widely circulated
the discredited information. Mr. Steele was
paid by the Democrat-funded opposition
research firm Fusion GPS with money from
a Hillary Clinton backer. Fusion GPS
distributed the dossier among Democrats
and journalists. The information fell into the
hands of the FBI, which used it in part to
investigate Mr. Trump’s campaign aides.
(National Sentinel) Political conspiracy: Remember that
time Democrats finally developed a conscience and, in Mr. Steele makes clear that his
doing so, were able to fulfill the party’s longstanding unproven charges came almost
promise of becoming champions for regular Joe and Jane exclusively from sources linked to the
America? Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir
Putin. He identified his sources as “a
senior Russian Foreign Ministry figure,”
Yeah, neither do we — because it hasn’t happened. And it
a former “top level Russian intelligence
won’t.
officer active inside the Kremlin,” a
“senior Kremlin official” and a “senior
Democrats who swear they’ve found a “smoking gun” in Russian government official.”
the latest “Russia” brouhaha involving Donald Trump Jr.
and who claim that taking a meeting with an alleged The same Democrats who have
Russian government lawyer to gather opposition research condemned Russia’s election interference
on then-Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton via plying fake news and hacking email
is treason are able to do so because they have short, servers have quoted freely from the Steele
selective memories. anti-Trump memos derived from creatures
of the Kremlin.
Remember that so-called “dossier” gathered by an ex- In other words, there is public evidence
British spy, Christopher Steele, that contained salacious of significant, indirect collusion
(and bogus) allegations of Russian nefariousness by then- between Democrats and Russian
GOP nominee Donald J. Trump? Well, most all of the disinformation, a Trump supporter said.
details contained in that 35-page document a) came from “If anyone colluded with the Russians, it
sources close to the Kremlin; and b) was commissioned was the Democrats,” a former Trump
and paid for by a Democrat-aligned firm. campaign adviser who asked not to be
identified because of the pending
As the Washington Times reported: investigations told the Times. “After all,
they’ve routinely shopped around false
The disinformation came in the form of a claims from the debunked Steele dossier,
Russian-fed dossier written by former which listed sources including senior
British intelligence agent Christopher Kremlin officials.
Steele. It contains a series of unverified
453
“If anyone should be investigated in The dossier quotes Russian sources as
Washington, it ought to be Adam Schiff, saying Mr. Gubarev’s technology company,
Eric Swalwell, Mark Warner and their XBT, used botnets to flood Democratic
staffers,” computers with porn and spying devices.
Mr. Gubarev is suing Mr. Steele for libel in
the source said, referencing the House Intelligence London and is suing BuzzFeed in Florida.
Committee’s ranking member, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-
Calif.; Sen. Mark R. Warner, Virginia Democrat and vice In January, during an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer,
chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said whoever leaked the dossier in
and Rep. Eric Swalwell, a California, Democrat on the
the first place deserves to spend some time behind bars.
House intelligence panel.
“A leak like that is so significant if it came
As we reported, Steele himself has admitted the dossier
from the intelligence community, they
was bunk, and has slammed the web site Buzzfeed for should go to jail. If it came from the Obama
publishing it earlier this year, even with the caveat that
administration, they should go to jail. You
none of it could be substantiated. The Times was the first
cannot allow the leaking of classified
to report Steele’s revelations. documents, particularly whens it goes to
someone’s character. So I think this is a
Buzzfeed has been named in a libel suit, as has Steele, filed tragedy and Donald Trump is right to be
by Russian technology company figures named in the mad,” he said.
dossier.
We continue to hold out hope that someday soon the
The Times goes on to cite numerous occasions when leakers will indeed be held to account.
Democrats cited the bogus dossier to attack, smear or
level insinuations against President Trump, his In the meantime, don’t let the Democrats tell you they are
administration and especially his inner circle. The paper innocent of any Russia-related collusion. They are neck-
noted further: deep in it.
454
Is Mike Pence
Leaking To Take Down Trump?
Chris Menahan - Informationliberation
Jul. 12, 2017
456
From CNN, Trump. Indeed, their natural impulse will be
to throw him overboard."
"Pence is a loyal soldier, but news cycle is
wearing on him":
457
Was Russian Lawyer Who Met Don Jr. A Dem Plant?
Natalia Veselnitskaya Pictured With Obama Ambassador
8 Days After Trump Jr Meeting
Paul Joseph Watson | Infowars.Com
July 12, 2017
458
Former DOJ Official:
Trump Jr. Didn’t Commit A Crime
Dr. Fly
Wed Jul 12, 2017 12:10am EST
“I think people will make hay over the Disgraced Former FBI Head, James Comey, heading into
willingness to have the meeting. At the NY Times, most likely in tow with Rod Goldstone emails
end of the day, it’s still very vague as to
what statuary violations there would be. While everyone is fixated on the contents of the Trump Jr.
Collusion, in and of itself, isn’t a crime. emails, which of course are important, I think more energy
There would need to be conspiracy to should be directed into finding out who leaked them. After
violate another law. And so this notion all, these leaks are far more serious than the Wikileaks that
that there was a meeting, it may be the democrats bemoan over. They were used in an effort to
politically unpalatable, but it’s certainly derail a reviled and corrupt Presidential candidate, whereas
not a crime to say ‘ok I’ll listen.’ If you these leaks are meant to destroy and take down a sitting
wanted to piece together a legal theory President. The implications of the latter could have
of criminal activity… I haven’t seen profound effects, including loss of life, should the schemes
anything, other than esoteric campaign bear any fruit.
finance theories that don’t make a lot of
sense.”
Enter Ben Wittes, Senior Fellow at the Brookings
Institution, a close friend of James Comey.
Perhaps he’s just a shitposter and this is all one big odd
coincidence. Or, on the maniacal side, he’s a sociopath
who cannot help but attract attention to himself by blurting
out cryptic messages to his sycophantic fans regarding
illegal intelligence leaks.
Your call.
460
NYT Disinformation
On Trump Jr.’S Emails
By Stephen Lendman - Stephenlendman.Org
7-12-2017
462
Trump Jr, along with “Paul Manafort (campaign boss)” The woman claimed that
and his “brother-in-law,” Jared Kushner, met with
Veselnitskaya on June 9. “she had information that individuals
connected to Russia were funding the
Democratic National Committee and
supporting Ms. Clinton,” Trump Jr said.
463
Lavrov Shocked At US Media Claims
Against Trump’s Son Over Talks With Russian Lawyer
Russian Politics & Diplomacy
July 12, 16:22
Lavrov said he was shocked to learn about the accusations "This morning, when I turned on the TV, all
against Russian defense attorney Natalya Veselnitskaya the Western TV channels were discussing
and Donald Trump Jr, the US president’s eldest son, over that," he said. "It is amazing how serious
people can blow things out of proportion."
communication between them.
"We have not seen a single hard fact
[confirming this]," Lavrov emphasized. "If
journalists are ready to work only on the
basis of unsubstantiated statements and
are not prepared to take into account the
fact that there is no hard evidence, then I
can’t do anything. Thus, this is the sort of
profession, which relies on such
approaches given today’s environment."
464
Donald Trump’s Popularity:
His Approval Rating Among His Base Voters Is Back Up
By Tim Marcin
7/12/17 At 2:46 PM
The Economist/YouGov poll interviewed 1,500 U.S. adults All in all, not a great week for the president. But he can
from July 9 through July 11 and had a margin of error of take solace knowing a good portion of his most devoted
plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. voters still like him.
465
Coulter: Republican Obstructionists
'Hate Trump Every Bit As Much As MSNBC Does'
Chris Menahan
Informationliberation
Jul. 12, 2017
Coulter added,
466
Was Trump Jr. Meeting
Deep-State Setup For FISA Wiretaps?
By Zeropointnow
Jul 12, 2017 3:40 PM
Denied Visa colleagues had misrepresented who they were and who
they worked for.
Natalia Veselnitskaya was denied an entry visa into the
United States in 2016, only to be overruled by a NY “Specifically, we have learned that the person who sought
Court so she could participate in an lawsuit opposite fired the meeting is associated with Fusion GPS, a firm which
US Attorney Preet Bharara, which the U.S. District Court according to public reports, was retained by Democratic
of New York later granted on appeal. operatives to develop opposition research on the President
and which commissioned the phony Steele dossier.” -Mark
Why was her entry initially denied? Corallo
The actual date of the arguments in the case U.S. -v- And from the Daily Caller
Prevezon Holdings was the EXACT SAME date as the
meeting in Trump Tower – June 9th 2016 CASE LINK - The Washington Post suggested the person was Rob
Conservative Treehouse Goldstone, a music publicist and personal friend of Don Jr.
Don Jr. has neither confirmed nor denied Goldstone’s
Link to 'Pissgate' Dossier Research Firm - Fusion GPS involvement.
And as The Independent reported on Monday, Whoever the acquaintance was, subsequent reporting by
Circa News said that members of the President’s legal
team have confirmed that the acquaintance
the man who arranged the Trump Jr.
"setup" is music publicist and friend of
Don Jr. - Rob Goldstone - is reportedly “who sought the meeting is associated
linked to Fusion GPS with Fusion GPS.”
- the firm which Democratic operatives retained to develop In closing - Why would a Russian attorney who hates
the now infamous (and largely debunked) 35 page Donald Trump and has ties to the 'pissgate' dossier firm -
'pissgate' opposition research dossier on Donald Trump. Fusion GPS, agree to provide Trump Jr. with opposition
research on Hillary Clinton unless it was a setup?
A spokesman for the President’s legal team told The
Independent they now believed Ms Veselnitskaya and her
.
469
Trolls Are Now Running The Government,
Led By Donald Trump And Republicans Like Steve King
By Alexander Nazaryan
7/12/17 At 6:27 PM
But that was long ago. The era of American civility is as The gentleman from Iowa wasn’t done, introducing what
thoroughly over as the era of the fax machine. Today, appeared to be an anti-obesity plan that dovetailed with the
when politicians talk, they troll. That is, the goal of increased border-wall funding.
political speech is no longer to promote argument but to
incite ire, to annoy one’s opponents into fits of rage.
Because the left knows it can’t convince the recalcitrant “When you match up the EBT card with
right, while the right knows the left secretly wishes it were what the scales say on some of the folks, I
French. “What is the use of talking!” the poet Ezra Pound think it's worth looking at. Michelle Obama
once wrote. Not much, anymore. Better to troll instead. looked at it, Republicans should be able to
look at it too," he said.
And nobody trolls quite like six-term congressman Steve
King of Iowa. His latest coup de troll came on Wednesday, King’s ingenuous plan stands about as much chance of
during an appearance on CNN. King, a conservative who being realized as California’s proposed wall against the
has agitated for tougher immigration laws, reaffirmed his United States. Actually, I’d put the chances of the
longstanding support for President Donald Trump’s California border wall a little higher. You never know
proposed border wall with Mexico. No surprise there. what may catch Elon Musk’s interest next.
What followed, however, was a masterful act of trolling,
with King explaining how he would increase funds for that Then again, I doubt King seriously thinks a border wall is
wall by $5 billion. going to be built with Planned Parenthood funds. But
where better to introduce such an incendiary idea than on
CNN, where it is sure to annoy liberals? What better way
to remind them that they lost the presidential election?
470
the complete thrall of Fox News. The mission of the GOP
as it is constituted today has nothing to do with cultural
conservatism, fiscal responsibility and America’s role as a
global superpower. That was the party of Ronald Reagan.
That party is dead.
“I'd like to see an America that's just so It was Ailes who gave us the nightly programs featuring
homogenous that we look a lot the same, “commentary” by Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck and Sean
from that perspective,” King subsequently Hannity. Their single goal, expressed with grotesque,
explained on CNN, just in case the racial conspiratorial creativity on a nightly basis, was to depict
subtext of the tweet were unclear. liberals as enemies of the state who needed to be mocked
and maligned into silence, trolled into submission and
After a young undocumented immigrant was deported to electoral irrelevance. Earlier this year, Eric Trump told
Mexico in April, King celebrated the news by tweeting a Sean Hannity that Democrats “aren’t even people. ” Fox
picture of himself enjoying a beer. News had been working toward that point for years. How
proud executives must have been to hear it voiced by the
In 2013, he said the following of young undocumented president’s own son!
immigrants who’d been brought to the United States by
their parents: In other words, while King is an acutely active troll, he is
but one example of the Republicans’ unwillingness to
“For every one who’s a valedictorian, engage in anything resembling serious thought. Liberals
there’s another 100 out there who weigh troll, too, of course, but not nearly as much (Kathy
130 pounds and they’ve got calves the size Griffin’s “Trump beheaded” tweet is a reminder that
of cantaloupes because they’re hauling 75 Republicans don’t have a monopoly on crudity). Besides,
pounds of marijuana across the desert.” they are the minority party in Washington. All of Capitol
Hill now belongs to the Republicans. They have the White
King’s trolling may be offensive, uncivil and racist, but it House and Congress.
fits perfectly into the mission of a Republican Party under
471
And what are they doing with their newfound power? back home? They were surely expecting their emboldened
Mocking liberals with “ideas” about border walls and representatives in Washington would show themselves to
Planned Parenthood, sending wrestling memes at CNN. be more than just Twitter trolls.
Hannity must be proud. But what about their constituents
.
472
Did The Deep State Plan It’s Bogus “Russia Narrative” To
Discredit Trump Because They Believed All Along He
Would BEAT Hillary Clinton?
By JD Heyes
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
“The previously unreported meeting was Of course. After all, if the goal has always been to saddle
also attended by Mr. Trump’s campaign Trump and his inner circle with a garbage narrative like
chairman at the time, Paul J. Manafort, as this, who needs proof when pure speculation will do?
well as the president’s son-in-law, Jared
Kushner, according to interviews and the To that point, as reported by Circa News, lawyers for
documents, which were outlined by people Team Trump smell a big, fat Deep State rat in all of this
familiar with them,” the Times noted, new reporting that handily connects the “collusion” dots.
naming Russian lawyer Natalia
Veselnitskaya as the contact. Circa reports that Donald Trump Jr. was approached
shortly before his father was nominated by Veselnitskaya,
In a follow-up report, the Times — citing anonymous who wanted to set up a meeting to discuss Russian policy,
sources who said they are “familiar” with the meeting — according to Trump family lawyers. The site noted further:
then claimed the meeting was all part of Russia’s effort to
help Trump beat his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton: President Trump’s eldest son briefly
gathered others for the meeting, including
The meeting — at Trump Tower on June 9, his brother-in-law Jared Kushner, as well
2016, two weeks after Donald J. Trump as then-presidential campaign manager
clinched the Republican nomination — Paul Manafort for the meeting at Trump
points to the central question in federal Tower in New York City with the lawyer,
investigations of the Kremlin’s meddling identified by Trump family lawyers as
in the presidential election: whether the Natalia Veselnitskaya.
Trump campaign colluded with the
Veselnitskaya used the meeting in June
Russians. The accounts of the meeting
2016 to have a conversation about a U.S.
represent the first public indication that
law called the Magnitsky Act that Russia
473
leader Vladimir Putin reviles and has Starting to get the picture?
retaliated against by blocking U.S.
adoptions of Russian children. Circa noted further that Veselnitskaya is identified in court
The encounter was short and the Trump papers as being a former Russian prosecutor and private
team had no further contact with the Moscow-based lawyer who was representing Denis
woman or the policy issue, lawyers said. Katsyv, a Russian businessman, and his Prevezon
Holdings, in a case against the U.S. Department of Justice
The meeting was recently disclosed to involving civil asset forfeiture. One document said she had
congressional investigators by one of a difficult time getting a visa from American authorities.
the attendees, according to sources
directly familiar with the disclosure.
So, how does this all fit in with Fusion GPS? Circa noted:
Hence, the leak of this newly divulged information. Take
note of the fact that nothing discussed was out of sorts, The connection drawn by the president’s
illegal, or had anything at all to do with the Times’ claim lawyers between Veselnitskaya and Fusion
of “collusion” in accepting dirt on Clinton…that no one GPS comes from a letter this spring by the
has said was actually delivered. Circa noted further that Senate Judiciary Committee chairman
Trump himself was not aware of the meeting and did not Charles Grassley, who disclosed that
attend it. Fusion GPS also provided litigation support
in the Prevezon case.
Circa then dropped this genuine bombshell: Prevezon also apparently lobbied against
the Magnitsky Act, according to Grassley’s
The president’s legal team said … they letter.
believe the entire meeting may have “Prevezon’s lobbying efforts were
been part of a larger election-year reportedly commissioned by Mr. Katsyv,
opposition effort aimed at creating the who organized them through a Delaware
appearance of improper connections non-profit he formed and through the law
between Trump family members and firm then representing Prevezon in the
Russia that also included a now- asset forfeiture case, Baker Hostetler.
discredited intelligence dossier Among others, the efforts involved lobbyist
produced by a former British Rinat Akhmetshin and Fusion GPS, a
intelligence agent named Christopher political research firm led by Glenn
Steele who worked for a U.S. political firm Simpson,” Grassley noted in his letter.
known as Fusion GPS.
And as The National Sentinel has reported, Grassley has
And, as investigative reporter Paul Sperry recently charged that former FBI Director James Comey made
reported, it’s very likely that Democrats were indeed inconsistent statements about the bureau’s relationship
behind that fake dossier, which has been debunked even with Steele (and, by default, Fusion GPS).
by the guy who wrote it.
What we have here is precisely what the Trump legal team
“We have learned from both our own is asserting: A year-long effort (at least) to plant a false
investigation and public reports that the narrative of “collusion” involving the president, his inner
participants in the meeting misrepresented circle and the Russian government. (Related: The ‘Deep
who they were and who they worked for,” State’ Is At War With Trump And Will Continue To
said Mark Corallo, a spokesman for the Undermine Him Throughout His Presidency.)
president’s legal team. “Specifically, we
have learned that the person who sought With that, then consider this: We have been told for
the meeting is associated with Fusion months that prior to the November election the Obama
GPS, a firm which according to public administration, the Deep State and the Democratic
reports, was retained by Democratic establishment all believed that Trump didn’t have a chance
operatives to develop opposition research against Clinton in the general election. The media’s polling
on the President and which commissioned all showed that Trump would get skunked; the pundits all
the phony Steele dossier. believed it; even some Republicans thought so.
“These developments raise serious
issues as to exactly who authorized and So maybe, just maybe — given this new information —
participated in any effort by Russian the Deep State saw how handily Trump had dispatched 16
nationals to influence our election in any other mostly qualified, experienced GOP candidates to win
manner,” Corallo continued. his party’s nomination and in reality believed he had a
474
good shot of winning all along, thus creating the need to Who would go to all of this effort otherwise?
develop some fake narrative in order to undermine his
victory and delegitimize his presidency.
.
475
EXCLUSIVE: Radical Dem Worked
For Russian Lawyer Who Met With Trump, Jr.
Richard Pollock - Reporter
9:47 PM 07/12/2017
Radical left-wing icon former California Democratic Rep. Instead of investigating Prevezon Holdings Ltd., a
Ron Dellums was a hired lobbyist for Natalia Russian-owned firm implicated in the scandal, Russian
Veselnitskaya, the Russian lawyer who met with Donald officials arrested Magnitsky. He died in prison in 2009
Trump Jr. June 9, 2016, the Daily Caller News Foundation after being tortured and killed in prison, according to the
Investigative Group has learned. Russian Presidential Human Rights Commission.
Dellums, who represented liberal San Francisco and Prevezon was owned by Denis Katsyv who, along with
Oakland, Calif., is a long-time darling of left-wing political Veselnitskaya, created the Human Rights Accountability
activists. He served 13 terms in Congress as an African- Global Initiative Foundation in the U.S. The foundation
American firebrand and proudly called himself a socialist. was designed to repeal the Magnitsky Act using a lobbying
He retired in 1996. team that included Dellums.
The former congressman is one of several high-profile This is not the first time Dellums’ advanced the interests of
Democratic partisans who was on Veselnitskaya’s payroll, dictatorships. As a congressman, he was fond of Cuban
working to defeat a law that is the hated object of a President Fidel Castro, and he supported Cuba’s military
personal vendetta waged by Russian President Vladimir intervention in Africa.
Putin.
Dellums also sued President George W. Bush’s 1991
A national outcry has erupted in the establishment media military effort to liberate Kuwait after Saddam Hussein
about Trump Jr.’s meeting with Veselnitskaya. But there invaded the country.
has been little focus on the Democrats who willingly
served for years on her payroll helping to wage a Russian- The former congressman is only one of a notable team of
led lobby campaign against the law. Congress passed the partisan Democrats Veselnitskaya hired to defeat the
legislation, the Magnitsky Act, in response to the murder Magnitsky Act.
of Sergei Magnistky, a Russian lawyer who alleged
corruption and human rights violations against numerous
Glenn Simpson, founder of Fusion GPS, also joined the
Russian officials.
Russian lawyer and “worked with her on a legal case for
years,” according to The Washington Post.
According to a complaint filed to the Department of
Justice Foreign Agents Registration Act division last July,
Fusion GPS is the firm that reportedly commissioned a
Dellums failed to register as a foreign agent representing a
phony “dossier” authored by former British spy
Russian-driven effort led by Veselnitskaya to repeal the
Christopher Steele that alleged salacious and largely
Magnitsky Act.
erroneous charges about President Donald Trump.
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary will convene a TheDCNF contacted Dellums’ lobby firm but received no
hearing next week on the Russian government’s opposition reply to inquiries about his role with the Russian lawyer.
477
Martin Armstrong Rages
"Indict Comey Or Snowden Should Be Pardoned"
Authored By Martin Armstrong Via Armstrongeconomics.Com,
Jul 12, 2017 5:15 PM
Comey is as guilty as Hillary for treating government releasing his memos. Legally, he should be prosecuted as
work product including top secret information as they prosecuted Lewis “Scooter” Libby who was Dick
personal. Cheney’s chief of staff for leaking information.
Comey, just like Hillary, claimed the memos were all Then Comey granted immunity to Hillary Clinton’s
“personal” that he made talking to Trump because he did lawyer Cheryl Mills to protect her against
not trust him (contrary to his trust for Clintons). There is prosecution. In fact, Comey strikingly gave wholesale
no such “personal” qualification and he leaked those immunity deals to virtually every person who had intimate
memos to the New York Times which he admitted knowledge of Hillary Clinton’s illegal private server and
openly in Congress. But those memos contained emails. This protected Hillary beacause nobody would
classified information and that was a CRIME for him to testify against her under threat of imprisonment. Comey
leak them, no less pretend they were his “personal” abused his discretion and made sure that Hillary could not
property. Every FBI agent signed a confidentiality be prosecuted nor any of her staff.
agreement as do traders working for a bank.
There is now more than enough information to hand to
The agreement signed by Comey states plainly: “all a Grand Jury for Comey to be indicted the same as
information acquired by me in connection with my Libby. Comey stole government work product (memos)
official duties with the FBI and all official material to and who knows what else and that is a crime in itself. Then
which I have access remain the property of the United they had classified information – count #2. And he should
States of America.” be indicted to colluding with Hillary not to record her
“interview” and then giving immunity to everyone around
This means (1) he stole government documents obstructing her obstructing justice. You give immunity to someone for
any investigation of him, and (2) he then leaked classified testifying against someone – not on a wholesale agenda to
information to the New York Times. Let’s see; they say cover everything up.
Snowden should be indicted for the same thing.
Curious! If Congress FAILS to prosecute Comey, then Trump
should pardon Snowden!!!!!!!!
This is why Comey never recorded Hillary’s
“interview” before the FBI to ensure she could never be What happened to “Equal Protection of Law” and where is
charged as Martha Stewart was for “lying to the FBI” “justice for all” we indoctrinate children to pledge in
in such an interview and sent to prison. Comey wrote school? If Comey can walk on water, then so should
private memos when talking to Trump, but not Hillary, and Snowden.
then leaked classified information to the New York Times
.
478
Exclusive: DOJ Let Russian
Lawyer Into US Before She Met With Trump Team
By John Solomon And Jonathan Easley
07/12/17 09:23 PM EDT
The Russian lawyer who penetrated Donald Trump’s inner And Veselnitskaya also attended a dinner with the
circle was initially cleared into the United States by the chairman of the House subcommittee overseeing Russia
Justice Department under “extraordinary circumstances” policy, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) and roughly 20
before she embarked on a lobbying campaign last year that other guests at a dinner club frequented by Republicans.
ensnared the president’s eldest son, members of Congress,
journalists and State Department officials, according to In an interview with The Hill on Wednesday, Rohrabacher
court and Justice Department documents and interviews. said, “There was a dinner at the Capitol Hill Club here
with about 20 people. I think I was the only congressman
This revelation means it was the Obama Justice there. They were talking about the Magnitsky case. But
Department that enabled the newest and most intriguing that wasn’t just the topic. There was a lot of other things
figure in the Russia-Trump investigation to enter the going on. So I think she was there, but I don’t remember
country without a visa. any type of conversation with her between us. But I
understand she was at the table.”
Later, a series of events between an intermediary for the
attorney and the Trump campaign ultimately led to the Rohrabacher said he believed Veselnitskaya and her U.S.
controversy surrounding Donald Trump Jr. colleagues, which included former Rep. Ronald Dellums
(D-Calif.), were lobbying other lawmakers to reverse the
Just five days after meeting in June 2016 at Trump Tower Magnitsky Act and restore the ability of Americans to
with Trump Jr., Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and adopt Russian children that Moscow had suspended.
then-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, Moscow
attorney Natalia Veselnitskaya showed up in Washington “I don’t think this was very heavily lobbied at all
in the front row of a House Foreign Affairs Committee compared with the other issues we deal with,” he said.
hearing on Russia policy, video footage of the hearing
shows. As for his former congressional colleague Dellums,
Rohrabacher said he recalled having a conversation about
She also engaged in a pro-Russia lobbying campaign and the Magnitsky Act and the adoption issue: “Ron and I like
attended an event at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., each other … I have to believe he was a hired lobbyist but
where Russian supporters showed a movie that challenged I don’t know."
the underpinnings of the U.S. human rights law known as
the Magnitsky Act, which Russian President Vladimir Veselnitskaya did not return a call seeking comment
Putin has reviled and tried to reverse. Wednesday at her Moscow office. Dellums also did not
return a call to his office seeking comment.
The Magnitsky Act imposed financial and other sanctions
on Russia for alleged human rights violations connected to But in an interview with NBC News earlier this week,
the death of a Russian lawyer who claimed to uncover Veselnitskaya acknowledged her contacts with Trump Jr.
fraud during Putin's reign. Russia retaliated after the law and in Washington were part of a lobbying campaign to
was passed in 2012 by suspending Americans' ability to get members of Congress and American political figures to
adopt Russian children. see "the real circumstances behind the Magnitsky Act.”
At least five congressional staffers and State Department That work was a far cry from the narrow reason the U.S.
officials attended that movie showing, according to a government initially gave for allowing Veselnitskaya into
Foreign Agent Registration Act complaint filed with the the U.S. in late 2015, according to federal court records.
Justice Department about Veselnitskaya’s efforts.
479
The Moscow lawyer had been turned down for a visa to see if the Congress and/or other political leaders would be
enter the U.S. lawfully but then was granted special interested in repealing the 2012 Magnitsky Act punishing
immigration parole by then-Attorney General Loretta Russia or at least ensure the Magnitsky name would not be
Lynch for the limited purpose of helping a company used on a new law working its way through Congress in
owned by Russian businessman Denis Katsyv, her client, 2016 to punish human rights violators across the globe.
defend itself against a Justice Department asset forfeiture
case in federal court in New York City. “There’s zero doubt that she and her U.S. colleagues were
lobbying to repeal Magnitsky or at least ensure his name
During a court hearing in early January 2016, as was removed from the global law Congress was
Veselnitskaya’s permission to stay in the country was considering,” said U.S. businessman William Browder,
about to expire, federal prosecutors described how rare the who was the main proponent for the Magnitsky Act and
grant of parole immigration was as Veselnitskaya pleaded who filed a FARA complaint against Veselnitskaya,
for more time to remain in the United States. Dellums and other U.S. officials, claiming they should
have registered as foreign agent lobbyists because of the
“In October the government bypassed
the normal visa work.
process and gave a type of extraordinary
permission to
enter the country called immigration parole,” Assistant The 2012 law punished Russia for the prison death of
U.S. Attorney Paul Monteleoni explained to the judge Sergei Magnitsky, a Moscow lawyer and accountant who
during a hearing on Jan. 6, 2016. U.S. authorities allege uncovered a massive $230 million
money laundering scheme involving Russian government
officials that hurt U.S. companies.
“That's a discretionary act that the statute allows the
attorney general to do in extraordinary circumstances. In
this case, we
did that so that Mr. Katsyv could testify. Magnitsky became a cause celeb in the United States after
his mysterious death in a Russian prison, but Russian
And we made the
further accommodation of allowing his
officials have disputed his version of events and in 2011
Russian lawyer into the
country to assist,” he added. posthumously convicted him of fraud in Russia.
The prosecutor said the Justice Department was willing to It is that alternate theory of the Magnitsky fraud cause that
allow the Russian lawyer to enter the United States again Veselnitskaya and her U.S. allies tried to get into the hands
as the trial in the case approached so she could help of American officials, including Rohrabacher, the Trump
prepare and attend the proceedings. team and other leaders.
The court record indicates the presiding judge asked the Browder's complaint, which alleges that Washington
Justice Department to extend Veselnitskaya’s immigration lobbyists working with Veselnitskaya failed to register as
parole another week until he decided motions in the case. foreign agents, is still pending at the Justice Department. It
There are no other records in the court file indicating what identified several events in Washington that Veselnitskaya
happened with that request or how Veselnitskaya appeared and her allies attended or staged in June 2016.
in the country later that spring.
All of them occurred in the days immediately after the
The U.S. Attorney’s office in New York confirmed Russian lawyer used a music promoter friend to get an
Wednesday to The Hill that it let Veselnitskaya into the audience June 9 with Trump Jr. promising dirt on then-
country on a grant of immigration parole from October Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton but
2015 to early January 2016. instead using the meeting to talk about Magnitsky and the
adoption issue, according to Trump Jr. and Veselnitskaya.
Justice Department and State Department officials could
not immediately explain how the Russian lawyer was still On June 13, 2016, Veselnitskaya attended the screening of
in the country in June for the meeting with Trump Jr. and an anti-Magnitsky movie at the Newseum, which drew a
the events in Washington. handful of congressional staffers and State Department
officials, according to Browder’s complaint.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-
Iowa) has demanded the U.S. government provide him all The next day, she appeared in the front row of a hearing
records on how Veselnitskaya entered and traveled in the chaired by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed
U.S., a request that could shed additional light on her Royce (R-Calif.), sitting right behind a former U.S.
activities. ambassador who testified on the future of U.S-Russia
policy.
Interviews with a half dozen Americans who came in
contact with Veselnitskaya or monitored her U.S. activities Rohrabacher said he recalled around the same time a
in 2016 make clear that one of her primary goals was to conversation with Dellums about Magnitsky and the
480
adoption issue and then attending a dinner that included “Natalia didn’t speak a word of English,” said one source.
Veselnitskaya at the Capitol Hill Club with about 20 “Don’t let anyone tell you this was a sophisticated
people. lobbying effort. It was the least professional campaign I’ve
ever seen. If she’s the cream of the Moscow intelligence
Sources close to the lobbying effort to rename the community then we have nothing to worry about.”
Magnitsky Act, conducted over the summer of 2016, said
it fizzled after only a month or two. They described The sources added they met with Veselnitskaya only once
Veselnitskaya, who does not speak English, as a or twice over the course of the lobbying campaign, which
mysterious and shadowy figure. They said they were culminated with airing of a Russian documentary that
confused as to whether she had an official role in the challenged the notion that Magnitsky was beaten to death
lobbying campaign, although she was present for several in a Russian prison
meetings.
About 80 people, including congressional staffers and
The sources also described their interactions with State Department employees, attended the viewing at the
Veselnitskaya in the same way that Trump Jr. did. They Newseum.
claimed not to know who she worked for or what her
motives were.
.
481
'Everybody Would Do That':
Trump Downplays Son's Meeting With Russian Lawyer
Fox News
Published July 13, 2017
But one important issue is that Trump Jr. was did not
immediately report that he met with the lawyer. The New
York Times claimed that Trump Jr. only tweeted images of
the emails after The emails between Trump Jr. and Goldstone contain no
evidence that the president’s son was informed of the
“he was told NYT was about to publish the larger alleged Russian effort to meddle in the U.S.
contents of the emails.” presidential election.
Trump Jr. acknowledged in an exclusive interview with Trump, for his part, said on Twitter that the White house
Fox News' "Hannity" Tuesday night that he "probably was
would have done things a little differently"
“functioning perfectly, focused on
"This [was] pre-Russia fever. This [was] HealthCare, Tax Cuts/Reform & many
pre-Russia mania," Trump Jr. told Fox other things. I have very little time for
News' Sean Hannity. "I don’t think my watching T.V.”
.
482
CNN Cracks The Case, Publishes Video Of Trump Dining
With Goldstone And Agalarov's
By The_Real_Fly
Jul 13, 2017 12:13 AM
The plot just thickened, yet again. You have to play six Judging by the evidence available, I'd say the Russian
degrees of separation in trying to understand how Trump lawyer who met with Trump Jr., at a minimum, is suspect.
Jr. got in touch with that Russian lawyer. There are
varying theories out there -- from Trump Jr. being set up Nevertheless, here's CNN, publishing 'exclusive' video of
by the deep state -- to this meeting being the touchstone Trump dining with Goldstone and the Agalarov's --
which introduced Wikileaks and John Podesta's emails to proving the point that the President was familiar with them
the world. and that he had 'Russian ties.'
483
Why Middle America Doesn't Care
About The Trump Jr. Narrative: Reuters Explains
By Tyler Durden
Jul 13, 2017 10:55 AM
For almost a full year now the New York Times, and Trump family members who many in the area see as
Washington Post, MSNBC and CNN, among others, have embattled victims.
teamed up to bring us one Russian collusion story after
another. Yet, after all of it, even including the New York In Hillsboro, the county seat of Highland County, the
Times' most recent Trump Jr. 'bombshell', they are still no editor of the Hillsboro Times Gazette, Gary Abernathy,
closer to actually presenting any tangible evidence that says many people in the county believe the media is trying
anyone within the Trump administration actually colluded to destroy Trump.
with the Russian government and/or otherwise committed
any actual crimes of any type throughout the 2016
"I don't mind Donald Trump being
campaign.
treated critically or aggressively, but not
in a way that is an effort to drag him
And while we suspect that these media outlets somehow down. Donald Trump Jr. had one 20
feel it is their duty to advance the cause of 'The Resistance' minute meeting with a lawyer from
at all costs, even if it means destroying their own Russia and it's wall-to-wall coverage."
journalistic integrity from time to time with a few fake
news reports, we get the feeling that this crusade could end In reality, it's quite obvious that the media's mass hysteria
up backfiring 'bigly' with the folks of middle America. is really only serving to bolster 'The Resistance' in the
major metro areas of the country. But, as Democrats
As Reuters points out today, absent any tangible evidence should have learned by now, rallying the disaffected liberal
to the contrary, the media's breathless Russian coverage voters of New York and California is not going to win any
has done little to turn the pro-Trump sections of middle national elections.
America against the President...if anything, it has only
served to bolster their support of the President and further
erode their confidence in the media.
In short, for those folks at the NYT, CNN, etc, whose goal
is the destruction of Trump - even if simply to validate
their erroneous reporting in 2016 when everyone had
.
485
Pence Affirms He Held No
Meetings With Russian Officials During 2016 Campaign
© REUTERS/ David Swanson/The Philadelphia Inquirer - US
19:31 13.07.2017(updated 19:33 13.07.2017)
486
Ex-DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schulz Launches
Bid To Strip Jared Of Security Clearance
(After Leaving The Democratic Servers Open
To Hacking And Turning Down Offer Of Assistance)
Trump Son-In-Law Jared Kushner Has Revised A Disclosure Form He Completed In Connection
With Joining The White House
An Initial Version Failed To Disclose All His Contacts With Foreign Officials
An Updated Version Reveals More Than 100 Contacts
Former Democratic National Committee Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Introduced
Amendments That Would Strip Kushner Of His Security Clearance
The DNC Got Hacked In An Intrusion The Intelligence Community Says Moscow Was Behind
It Later Emerged That The DNC Turned Down Offers Of Assistance From The Government
Republicans On The Appropriations Committee Called It A Political Stunt
Among Meetings Kushner He Failed To Disclose Was One With Russian Ambassador To The U.S.
Sergey Kislyak
The Form Was Required For Kushner To Get A Security Clearance
By Geoff Earle, Deputy U.S. Political Editor For Dailymail.Com
Published: 18:26 EDT, 13 July 2017 | Updated: 21:08 EDT, 13 July 2017
487
maintain a security clearance for any confirmed that Kushner had met Veselnitskaya during the
individual in a position in the Executive meeting.
Office of the President who is under a
criminal investigation by a federal law Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort also attended the
enforcement agency for aiding a foreign June 2016 meeting – the type of contact officials are asked
government. to disclose when applying for a government security
'Mr. Kushner didn't only leave out a couple clearance.
of meetings, he's had to amend his form
three times, with over 100 meetings with According to the Gorelick statement: ''[D]uring the
foreign nationals," Wasserman Schultz campaign and transition, he had over 100 calls or meetings
said, Business Insider reported. She said with representatives of more than 20 countries, most of
some of those individuals 'were with the which were during [the presidential] transition.'
state of Russia, an enemy state.
Specifically designed to aid his father-in-
law's campaign and assist him in being
elected president of the United States.'
His attorney has said he is providing 'updates' after Donald Trump Jr (left) has become the central figure of the firestorm
discovering the original omission. The New York surrounding Russian meddling in the 2016 election, as he failed to
Times reported Thursday that Kushner supplemented the reveal a meeting with Natalia Veselnitskaya (right), a Russian
attorney, until earlier this week
list three times, adding more than 100 names.
Trump said the 'press made a very big deal over something
really a lot of people would do,' then blamed former
Attorney General Loretta Lynch for letting the Kremlin-
linked woman into the country in the first place.
Jared Kushner, senior White House adviser, listens during 'So, again, I have a son who's a great
a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Moon young man, he's a fine person. Took a
Jae-in, South Korea's president, not pictured, in the meeting with a lawyer from Russia, it lasted
Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., for a very short period and nothing came of
U.S., on Friday, June 30, 2017. The president relied on the meeting. And I think it's a meeting most
Kushner as an advisor and emissary during the campaign people in politics probably would have
taken' the president continued.
In photos released during the transition, Kushner was
The meeting occurred after music publicist Robert
pictured with an array of world leaders, as he was
Goldstone contacted Trump Jr with an offer of dirt on rival
with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in an image
Hillary Clinton and a claim that the Russian government
released by the Japanese foreign ministry.
supported his campaign.
489
It’s Official: Impeachment Resolution
Against President Donald J. Trump. H. RES. 438
By Prof Michel Chossudovsky
Global Research, July 13, 2017
An impeachment motion against President Donald John Moreover, reference to the Donald Trump Jr. encounter
Trump was introduced on July 12 in the US House of with a Russian lawyer (which borders on ridicule) is being
Representatives by Rep Brad Sherman (D-CA) and used as a justification. According to Rep.Sherman:
Rep Al Green (D-TX).
“Recent disclosures by Donald Trump
The Article of Impeachment (H. Res. 438) Jr. indicate that Trump’s campaign was
against President Donald J. Trump points eager to receive assistance from
to “High Crimes and Misdemeanors”. Russia.” The NYT candidly states without
According to Rep. Brad Sherman, “the a shred of evidence that the Russian
Article is based on Article 1, dealing with lawyer is “connected the Russian
“Obstruction of Justice,” which was passed government” intimating that she is a stooge
by the Judiciary Committee on a bipartisan of the Kremlin.
vote on July 27, 1974, regarding Richard
M. Nixon.” Below is the statement of Rep. Brad Sherman
491
Revealed: 'Ordinary 'Citizen' John McCain Dispatched A
Trusted Aide Across The Atlantic To Get Dirty Dossier
From Ex-Spy After Former British Diplomat Told
Him About Blackmail Tapes
The Guardian Charted The Path The Dirty Dossier Made From A British Intelligence
Professional To Sen. John Mccain And Then The FBI
Mccain, 80, Put Out A Statement Wednesday Saying That He Was The Bureau's Source Of
The Controversial Dossier
The Arizona Republican Found Out About The Dossier's Existence While At A Meeting In
Canada And Dispatched An Emissary To Hunt It Down
He Met An Ex-British Diplomat In Canada - Now Identified As Sir Andrew Wood -Who In
One Version Of Events Told Him About The File
Wood Is A Former Associate Of Tony Blair The Ex-British Prime Minister, And Admitted
Talking To Mccain
He Issued A Nuanced Statement Saying He Did Not Give Mccain The Dossier And Had 'Done
Nothing Wrong' - But He Did Not Deny Telling Mccain The File Existed
By Nikki Schwab, U.S. Political Reporter For Dailymail.Com
Published: 16:33 EDT, 12 January 2017 | Updated: 23:59 EDT, 12 January 2017
Sen. John McCain said he did 'what any citizen would do' Andrew Wood. He issued a nuanced explanation of his dealings with
in turning over the dirty dossier, which contained McCain: 'I would like to stress that I did not pass on any dossier to
Senator McCain or anyone else and I did not see a dossier at the
unconfirmed secrets about the president-elect, over to the time.' He did not deny alerting McCain to its existence.
FBI.
Shortly after the election,John McCain (right) was attending a Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal identified the ex-spy
conference in Canada and spoke with a 'former senior western
diplomat' who knew of the dossier's existence. That man was Sir
as Christopher Steele.
492
By the time the contractor had started digging, Trump's Wood told the Independent that he had met McCain,
primary opponent had dropped out. But the firm found a spoken to him about Trump, and about the potential for
Democrat who wanted dirt on the now Republican him to be compromised.
nominee instead.
493
In a carefully nuanced statement he said: Dossier of unverifiable sleaze
'Yes I did meet Senator McCain and his Lurid sex claims
aides at the conference.
'We spoke about the kind of activities the The report states that in 2013 Trump hired prostitutes to
Russians can be engaged in. urinate on the bed of the Presidential Suite at the Moscow
Ritz Carlton, where he knew Barack and Michelle Obama
'We also spoke about how Mr Trump may
had previously stayed.
find himself in a position where there could
be an attempt to blackmail him with
Kompromat [a Russian term for It says:
compromising material] and claims that
there were audio and video tapes in 'Trump's unorthodox behavior in Russia
existence.' over the years had provided the authorities
there with enough embarrassing material
He added: on the now Republican presidential
candidate to be able to blackmail him if
they so wished.'
'I would like to stress that I did not pass on
any dossier to Senator McCain or anyone
else and I did not see a dossier at the time. Trump ridiculed the idea, pointing out that Russian hotel
I do know Christopher Steele and in my rooms are known to be rigged with cameras and describing
view he is very professional and thorough himself as a 'germophobe'.
in what he does.'
Property 'sweeteners'
He did not however address whether he told McCain there
was a dossier - and how to get it. The document states that Trump had declined 'sweetener'
real estate deals in Russia that the Kremlin lined up in
Clearly, somebody did. order to cultivate him.
Ultimate recipient: The FBI Director James Comey was handed the According to the document, one source even claimed that
document by McCain after its extraordinary transatlantic journey
'the Trump operation was both supported
and directed by Russian President Vladimir
Putin' with the aim being to 'sow discord'.
494
'motivated by fear and hatred of Hillary
Clinton.'
'pulp fiction'.
Clandestine meetings
From there, McCain dispatched a 'trusted emissary' who He saw the decline of the ailing vodka-soaked rule of
flew across the Atlantic to meet the source of the Boris Yeltsin and the rise of ex-spy Putin, and was among
documents at an airport that the Guardian did not name. the first to publicly question his second bloody war in
Chechnya, an early sign of the new leader's ruthlessness.
The aide was instructed to look for a man with a copy of
the Financial Times and that's how the individuals met,
with the source taking McCain's emissary back to his
house and giving the American a copy of the documents.
However, McCain decided to hand over the documents to He also choreographed Tony Blair's first visit to Moscow
FBI Director James Comey on December 9. as prime minister, briefly losing touch with the new British
prime minister in the crowds on on the Moscow metro.
'Upon examination of the contents, and
unable to make a judgment about their Known for being understated and cool under fire in his
accuracy, I delivered the information to the dealings with the Russians, and famed for his discretion,
Director of the FBI,' McCain said
Wednesday in a statement about that
Sir Andrew, now 77, represented Britain at the funeral of
matter.
former Soviet first lady Raisa Gorbachev in 1999, seeing
'That has been the extent of my contact her sobbing husband Mikahil Gorbachev lean over her
with the FBI or any other government open coffin to give her one final hug.
agency regarding this issue,' McCain said.
A year earlier he represented Britain at the burial of the
remains of the murdered last tsar Nicholas II and
immediate members of his family, which had been dug
495
from a mineshaft in a Urals forest. He witnessed Yeltsin the ambassador expressed alarm at his sudden decision to
bow his head and denounce the 'monstrous crime' of go out in the evening unchaperoned by diplomats in a Lada
killing the last tsar - 'one of the most shameful pages in our car to visit a newly-opened Irish pub in the company of a
history'. British journalist.
He faced several espionage scandals during his tenure Sir Andrew was also caught in a row over an expensive
from 1995 to 2000. £11 million refurbishment of the then British embassy,
converting it into solely the palatial residence for the
A Russian diplomat was caught red handed by FSB ambassador, with Chancellor Gordon Brown complaining
counter-intelligence officers using high-tech about the lavish lifestyle of diplomats.
communications equipment to pass secrets to British 'spies'
in Moscow. Sir Andrew's led trade missions to distant regions of the
country - including parts of Siberia - but he also saw the
The Russians claimed no less than nine members of Sir 1998 rouble crash when cowboy capitalist Russia, having
Andrew's diplomatic team were involved in walking past rejected communism, witnessing millions lose their life's
the double agent with receiver devices to pick up coded savings amid rampant inflation.
messages he transmitted.
During Blair's walkabout in Moscow, the bald mayor Yuri
A furious Moscow initially demanded nine expulsions Luzhkov sought to muscle in on event to the evidence
from the embassy, but in lengthy negotiations by the annoyance of press secretary Alastair Campbell who
ambassador it was reduced to four. Britain in a tit for tat barked at Sir Andrew: 'Break a line and cut him off. We're
move threw out four Russians. off.'
Sir Andrew also had to deal with the gruesome beheading Despite this uninspiring start with the new premier, Sir
of three Britons and a New Zealander in Chechnya, Andrew later worked for Blair as an advisor on Russian
accused of being spies, and forced to make a confession, investment. He also witnessed the 1996 election when
saying on camera: Reds-to-Riches tycoons intervened to prop up a visible
sick Yeltsin by bankrolling his campaign in return for
ownership of Russia's most prized industrial assets.
'We have been recruited by the English
intelligence service.'
This stopped the Communists retaking power but it was
The ambassador protested: 'It's totally absurd, everyone the start of the oligarch era in Russia. After retiring from
knows, especially in Russia, how these confessions can be the diplomat service, Sir Andrew developed business
interests linked to Russia.
obtained. Why would our special services be in Chechnya?
It's not rational,'
He became caught in controversy over Labour premier
Darren Hickey, Peter Kennedy and Rudi Petschi and Stan Blair's role in helping rescue a controversial £4.2 million
Shaw were installing a satellite communications system for BP deal in Russia. Earlier Sir Andrew served as
ambassador to Belgrade, and in 1989 was appointed
British company Granger Telecom in Chechnya when they
number two at the British embassy in Washington - when
fell victim to the spate of kidnappings.
he is likely to have come across John McCain.
Earlier he worked with controversial tycoon Boris
Berezovsky - who would in 2013 die in Britain in In recent years, he has been a regular at conferences in the
West about Russia. He has also expressed concern at the
unexplained circumstances - to free aid workers Camilla
Carr and Jon James, taken hostage by bandits in Chechnya, direction of Russia under Putin. Last month he was
denying claims that a ransom was paid to terrorists to scathing in dismissing as nonsense Russian claims to have
secure their freedom. had nothing to do with hacking the US election.
He was aware of the risk of sexual entrapment in Moscow. 'Russia always denies bad news,' he said
on Sky News. The Putin regime 'has a
strong record... of this sort of behaviour'.
In 1997 when then Home Secretary Michael (Lord)
Howard - later to be Tory Party leader - visited Moscow,
.
496
REPORT: John McCain Was The Globalist
Point Man In Efforts To Destroy Trump Campaign
By DCwhispers
Posted On July 13, 2017
497
with the refugee crisis fueled by It appears John McCain was working hand-in-hand with
Vladimir Putin.” the Obama administration, the Clinton campaign, media
sources, and multiple foreign operatives to try and destroy
The British contact McCain used to secure the anti-Trump the Trump campaign. This same effort has been ongoing
dossier (which has since been dismissed as a mish-mash of since Donald Trump became POTUS.
speculative nonsense) was Sir Andrew Wood, a former
British ambassador to Russia during the Tony Blair
administration. Blair is another globalist leader who was
dismayed by the Brexit vote and a staunch anti-Trumper.
498
Why Did Loretta Lynch Grant
Trump Jr's Russian Lawyer A Special Visa
To Enter America?
By Tyler Durden
Jul 13, 2017 10:40 AM
With everyone now rummaging through every document, “In October the government bypassed the
intercept, and memo for something, anything tying Trump normal visa process and gave a type of
to Russia, The Hill's John Solomon and Jonathan Easley extraordinary permission to enter the
have unearthed details that show the Russian lawyer who country called immigration parole,”
penetrated Donald Trump’s inner circle was initially Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Monteleoni
cleared into the United States by Loretta Lynch's explained to the judge during a hearing
Justice Department under "extraordinary Jan. 6, 2016.
circumstances" after she had initially been turned “That's a discretionary act that the
down. statute allows the Attorney General to
do in extraordinary circumstances. In
this case, we did that so that Mr. Katsyv
could testify. And we made the further
accommodation of allowing his Russian
lawyer into the country to assist,” he
added.
Simply put, as The Hill notes, this But just five days after meeting in June 2016 at Trump
revelation means it was the Obama Tower with Donald Trump Jr., presidential son-in-law
Justice Department that enabled the Jared Kushner and then Trump campaign chairman Paul
newest and most intriguing figure in the Manafort, it seems the Justice Department had lost track of
Russia-Trump investigation to enter the her... (as The Hill details)
country without a visa.
The Moscow lawyer had been turned Moscow attorney Natalia Veselnitskaya
down for a visa to enter the U.S. lawfully showed up in Washington in the front
but then was granted special row of a House Foreign Affairs
immigration parole by then-Attorney Committee hearing on Russia policy,
General Loretta Lynch for the limited video footage of the hearing shows.
purpose of helping a company owned
by Russian businessman Denis Katsyv,
her client, defend itself against a Justice
Department asset forfeiture case in
federal court in New York City.
499
She also helped arrange an event at the All of which was a far cry from the
Newseum in Washington, D.C. where narrow reason the U.S. government
pro-Russian supporters showed a initially gave for allowing Veselnitskaya
movie that challenged the into the U.S. in late 2015, according to
underpinnings of the U.S. human rights federal court records.
law known as the Magnitysky Act,
“There’s zero doubt that she and her
U.S. colleagues were lobbying to repeal
which Russian leader Vladimir Putin has reviled and tried Magnitsky or at least ensure his name
to reverse. About 80 people, including congressional was removed from the global law
staffers and State Department employees attended the Congress was considering,” said U.S.
viewing at the Newseum. businessman William Browder,
At least five congressional staffers and who was the main proponent for the Magnitsky Act and
State Department officials attended that who filed a FARA complaint against Veselnitskaya,
movie showing, Dellums and other U.S. officials claiming they should have
registered as foreign agent lobbyists because of the work.
according to a Foreign Agent Registration Act complaint
filed with the Justice Department about Veselnitskaya’s Furthermore, as The Hill notes, the U.S. Attorney’s office
efforts. in New York confirmed Wednesday to The Hill that it let
Veselnitskaya into the country on a grant of immigration
And Veselnitskaya also attended a dinner with the parole from October 2015 to early January 2016.
chairman of the House subcommittee overseeing Russia
policy, Justice Department and State
Department officials could not
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) and immediately explain how the Russian
roughly 20 other guests at a dinner club lawyer was still in the country in June
frequented by Republicans. for the meeting with Donald Trump Jr. and
the events in Washington D.C.
500
BREAKING: Hillary Campaign
Used Phony Information Obtained Through Collusion w/
KREMLIN To Damage Trump Campaign
Lucian Wintrich
Jul 13th, 2017 5:58 pm
From McClatchy:
Charges that members of the Clinton campaign were in ‘The journalists initially briefed at the end of
cahoots with a far left opposition research and propaganda September 2016 by the Second Defendant
firm, Fusion GPS, (Steele) and Fusion at Fusion’s instruction
were from the New York Times, the
it is becoming more and more apparent Washington Post, Yahoo News, the New
that many of the false stories that Yorker and CNN,’ Steele’s lawyers said,
Fusion GPS was pushing came directly adding that he “verbally and in person”
from the Kremlin. briefed the first three organizations in mid-
October and a reporter from Mother Jones
via Skype.”
Story VIA Michael Ahrens, GOP Communications:
On the heels of a CNN report refuting Clinton campaign
While most in the media continue to focus officials’ claims that the DNC never worked with a foreign
on a meeting that all parties involved say government to dig up dirt on Donald Trump, we now know
resulted in no damaging material against that Democrats actually used a foreign agent to
Hillary Clinton, there’s little attention being disseminate phony information to the American
paid to the fact that Hillary’s supporters mainstream media that allegedly came from inside the
were able to successfully use a foreign Kremlin.
intelligence agent to disseminate false
information to the mainstream American
press. The phony information allegedly And hardly anyone is paying any attention to it.
came from inside the Kremlin and sought to
damage then-candidate Donald Trump. Background
501
Fusion GPS is an opposition research “Russian lawyer who met with Donald
firm funded by Hillary Clinton Trump Jr linked to investigation group
supporters in the summer of 2016. behind salacious Steele Dossier,” The
Independent, 7/10/17)
“But congressional sources say it’s actually
an opposition-research group for
Democrats, and the founders, who are Steele “once worked as an undercover spy in
more political activists than journalists, Moscow.” “Fusion GPS contracted with Steele, who
have a pro-Hillary Clinton, anti-Trump had once worked as an undercover spy in Moscow.”
agenda. ‘These weren’t mercenaries or (Kevin G. Hall, “John McCain faces questions in
hired guns,’ a congressional source familiar Trump-Russia dossier case,” McClatchy, 7/11/17)
with the dossier probe said. ‘These guys
had a vested personal and ideological The dossier contains several
interest in smearing Trump and boosting anonymous sources from inside the
Hillary’s chances of winning the White Kremlin. “The dossier quotes from a large
House.’ Fusion GPS was on the payroll of number of anonymous sources. It cites ‘a
an unidentified Democratic ally of Clinton former top level Russian intelligence officer
when it hired a long-retired British spy to still active inside the Kremlin’, ‘a senior
dig up dirt on Trump. In 2012, Democrats Russian foreign ministry figure’ and “a
hired Fusion GPS to uncover dirt on GOP senior Russian financial official’.” (Luke
presidential nominee Mitt Romney. And in Harding, “What we know – and what’s
2015, Democratic ally Planned Parenthood true – about the Trump-Russia
retained Fusion GPS to investigate pro-life dossier,”The Guardian, 1/11/17)
activists protesting the abortion group.
Despite denials from multiple DNC and
Moreover, federal records show a key co-
former Clinton campaign officials, a
founder and partner in the firm was a
DNC contractor worked with the
Hillary Clinton donor and supporter of her
Ukrainian government “to dig up dirt on
presidential campaign.” (Paul Sperry,
Donald Trump and his top aides.”
Sketchy firm behind Trump dossier is
stalling investigators,” New York Post, “Multiple Democratic National Committee
6/24/17) officials, former Clinton campaign officials
and Democratic sources denied that the
Fusion GPS hired foreign intelligence
Democratic committee or Clinton campaign
agent Christopher Steele to compile the
worked with the government of Ukraine to
now-infamous dossier containing
dig up dirt on Donald Trump and his top
unproven allegations against President
aides. But multiple Democratic sources
Trump.
said that a DNC contractor, whose work
“Fusion GPS, which is based in included organizing political events for
Washington DC and was established by Ukranian-Americans, did tell DNC
former Wall Street Journal reporters Glenn operatives that Ukrainian officials would be
Simpson and Peter Fritsch, found itself in willing to deliver damaging information on
the spotlight earlier this year after it Trump’s campaign and, most notably, Paul
emerged it was behind an “oppo research” Manafort, his then-campaign head who has
dossier containing unproven and often previously advised Viktor Yanukovych, the
salacious allegations about Mr. Trump. former Ukrainian President who has close
ties to Moscow.”
The company had originally been hired by Republican (Dan Merica, “DNC denies working with
rivals of Mr. Trump during the primary campaign. After he Ukrainian government, but contractor
secured the party’s nomination, the company was instead floated anti-Trump material,” CNN, 7/12/17)
paid by Democratic financial supporters of Ms. Clinton. In
the summer of 2016, GPS hired former British intelligence
agent, Christopher Steele, to help their work.” (Andrew
Buncombe,
.
502
503
504