Congress Will Be Graned Access To Russian Probe Documents

The U.S. Capitol Building is lit at sunset in Washington, U.S., December 20, 2016. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Seattle Times/Washington Post: GOP lawmaker, intel officials will meet to discuss FBI source

WASHINGTON – White House Chief of Staff John Kelly plans to convene a meeting between top law enforcement and intelligence officials and GOP congressional leaders to “review highly classified and other information” the lawmakers have requested about the FBI’s use of a confidential source to aid an investigation of the Trump campaign, a White House spokeswoman said Monday.

President Donald Trump met for about an hour Monday with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats. The meeting came a day after the Justice Department asked its inspector general to investigate Trump’s claim that his campaign may have been infiltrated by the FBI source for political purposes, and amid continued demands from GOP lawmakers that the department produce materials on the person.

Read more ....

Update #1: Republican Leaders Will Be Allowed to See Some Information on Russia Investigation -- The New York Times
Update #2: FBI, Justice to ‘review’ classified info sought by lawmakers -- AP
Update #3: GOP lawmaker, intel officials will meet to discuss FBI source -- Mercury News/Washington Post
Update #4: Trump charges John Kelly with getting Russia probe documents to Congress -- Washington Examiner

WNU Editor: House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes has been demanding for months an answer from the Department of Justice on the why/when was the exact decision made to open the file to investigate the Trump campaign on Russian ties .... Nunes: No More Talks with DOJ until It Turns Over Documents (NRO). I find it remarkable that in view of what has happened in the past year .... the public is still in the dark .... including Congress .... on what was the evidence that was used to start this investigation.

Former President George H.W. Bush Admits That He Voted For Hillary Clinton

CNN: George H.W. Bush labels Trump a 'blowhard' in new book

Former President George H.W. Bush has a blunt assessment of Donald Trump: "He's a blowhard." And his son, former President George W. Bush, has harsh words for his Republican successor as well: "This guy doesn't know what it means to be president."

Those stinging comments mark the first time the former presidents are speaking out about Trump in such stark terms, as part of a new book about the father and son by historian Mark Updegrove, titled "The Last Republicans."

Both men went on the record to give Updegrove their candid assessment of Trump, as well as rare insight into their thoughts on the 2016 presidential race as the drama unfolded.

The most critical comments about Trump came from the elder Bush, now 93, who told Updegrove in May 2016, "I don't like him. I don't know much about him, but I know he's a blowhard. And I'm not too excited about him being a leader."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: More proof on how out of touch the Bush's now are with the Republican base.

More News On What Remarks From Both Bush Presidents

Trump Is a 'Blowhard,' 'I Don't Like Him' and I Voted for Hillary, George Bush Says in New Book -- Newsweek
Both Bush Presidents Worry Trump Is Blowing Up the GOP -- New York Times
George H.W. Bush calls Trump a 'blow hard' while his son says he lacks the 'humility' to be president in new father-son biography called 'The Last Republicans' -- Daily Mail
George HW Bush calls Trump a 'blowhard' in new book: 'I don't like him' -- Fox News
Trump blasted as a 'blowhard' by George HW Bush in 'The Last Republicans' book -- New York Daily News
The Bushes — father and son — unload on Donald Trump in new book -- USA TODAY

U.S. Congresswoman At Center Of Fallen Soldier Row Accuses John Kelly Of Racism And Lying

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson says John Kelly lied about her behavior at the dedication of an FBI building in her district. 'You know, I feel sorry for Gen. Kelly. He has the sympathy for the loss of his son. But he can't just go on TV and lie on me,' Wilson said Friday on CNN

Daily Mail: 'He can't just go on TV and lie on me': Congresswoman at center of fallen soldier row accuses John Kelly of being RACIST and lying about her behavior at the opening of an FBI building in her district

* Rep. Frederica Wilson caused an uproar when she revealed President Trump's conversation with military widow Myesha Johnson
* Trump had placed a condolence call to the family of Sgt. La David Johnson after his death on Oct. 4 in Niger
* Wilson listened in on the president via speakerphone and said Trump told Johnson's widow 'that's what he signed up for'
* White House chief of staff John Kelly blasted Wilson as a 'selfish' Member of Congress on Thursday
* He hammered an 'empty barrel' lawmaker (Wilson) who took credit for funding a building to honor slain FBI agents
* Wilson told Politico Trump was a 'jerk' and Kelly was 'trying to keep his job'
* The Florida lawmaker now says that Kelly is a liar - she couldn't have 'bragged' about the money because she wasn't in Congress when it was appropriated

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson says John Kelly lied about her behavior at the dedication of an FBI building in her state and made a 'racist' charge against her in the process.

Wilson says she wasn't a Member of Congress when the money for the building was secured, so she couldn't have 'bragged' about bringing home the bacon like Kelly said she did.

'You know, I feel sorry for Gen. Kelly. He has the sympathy for the loss of his son. But he can't just go on TV and lie on me,' Wilson said Friday on CNN.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This is why people hate Congress (among other reasons) .... 'I'm a rock star now': Frederica Wilson helped Trump by making a Trump-like comment (Washington Post).

The U.S. Republican Civil War Between President Trump And The Party Continues

Senator Bob Corker "begged" me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee. I said "NO" and he dropped out (said he could not win without...

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017

..my endorsement). He also wanted to be Secretary of State, I said "NO THANKS." He is also largely responsible for the horrendous Iran Deal!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017

...Hence, I would fully expect Corker to be a negative voice and stand in the way of our great agenda. Didn't have the guts to run!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017

WNU Editor: A lot of inside "baseball" revealed by President Trump. Not surprising, Senator Corker is not amused that these facts are being exposed, and he has responded quickly ....

It's a shame the White House has become an adult day care center. Someone obviously missed their shift this morning.

— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) October 8, 2017

As to what is my take .... Senator Corker is not going to run in the next election. Too much of his past has caught up to him (see link here), and the sentiment among the Republican base (i.e. Trump's base) in Tennessee is that they want him gone. He read the tea leaves, and decided to bail out .... but I think he did not expect to be kicked out of the door in such a matter. As for President Trump .... he continues to make enemies within the Republican Party (but I do not think he cares).

Republicans Position Themselves In The Event That President Trump Is Not On The Ballot For 2020

Vice President Mike Pence appears to be cementing his status as President Trump’s heir apparent, promoting himself as the conduit between Republican donors and the administration. Credit Eric Thayer for The New York Times

New York Times: Republican Shadow Campaign for 2020 Takes Shape as Trump Doubts Grow

WASHINGTON — Senators Tom Cotton and Ben Sasse have already been to Iowa this year, Gov. John Kasich is eyeing a return visit to New Hampshire, and Mike Pence’s schedule is so full of political events that Republicans joke that he is acting more like a second-term vice president hoping to clear the field than a No. 2 sworn in a little over six months ago.

President Trump’s first term is ostensibly just warming up, but luminaries in his own party have begun what amounts to a shadow campaign for 2020 — as if the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue weren’t involved.

The would-be candidates are cultivating some of the party’s most prominent donors, courting conservative interest groups and carefully enhancing their profiles. Mr. Trump has given no indication that he will decline to seek a second term.

But the sheer disarray surrounding this presidency, the intensifying investigation by the special counsel Robert S. Mueller III and the plain uncertainty about what Mr. Trump will do in the next week, let alone in the next election, have prompted Republican officeholders to take political steps that are unheard-of so soon into a new administration.

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WNU Editor: Many in the Republican Party have made no secret that they do not support President Trump .... so it is natural they are looking (and hoping for) someone to replace him. I also think that many in Washington .... and that includes both political parties, pundits and consultants, and the media were disturbed by the turnout for President Trump's Huntington speech in West Virginia on Thursday. After all the non-stop negative publicity that has gone on forever concerning President Trump .... he was able to fill .... with little if any publicity .... a 9,000 seat auditorium to the rafters with thousands waiting outside in a sleepy town on a weekday .... Trump energizes WV supporters with Huntington speech (Herald-Dispatch). No politician who is in office today can come even remotely close to drawing in those type of spontaneous crowds .... no one. For those who run Washington .... that must send a chill up there spines.

U.S. Justice Department Appointing A Special Counsel To Probe Russian Interference In The U.S. Presidential Election

Washington Post: Deputy attorney general appoints special counsel to oversee probe of Russian interference in election

The Justice Department appointed a special counsel Wednesday to investigate possible coordination between President Trump’s associates and Russian officials — a clear signal to the White House that federal investigators will aggressively pursue the matter despite the president’s insistence that there was no “collusion’’ with the Kremlin.

Robert S. Mueller III, a former prosecutor who served as the FBI director from 2001 to 2013, has agreed to take over the investigation as a special counsel, Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein announced. The move marks a concession by the Trump administration to Democratic demands for the investigation to be run independently of the Justice Department. Calls for a special counsel intensified after Trump fired FBI Director James B. Comey last week.

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WNU Editor: After almost one year of claims of Russian collusion with the Trump campaign .... I have yet to see any evidence of such collusion .... and no .... talking to a Russian official is not evidence of Russian collusion .... Trump campaign had at least 18 undisclosed contacts with Russians: sources (Reuters) .... because if it was all of Washington would be under indictment. And while there is almost universal support for this appointment .... Saved by a Special Counsel (Robert Schlesinger, US News and World Report) .... my prediction is that with time this will morph into investigating other claims that have been levelled at the U.S. President, become a talking point for those who are against President Trump to claim that he is under investigation, as well as continuing the claim that this is why Hillary Clinton lost. And speaking of Hillary Clinton .... if she was the President does one really think she would ever support the appointment of a special counsel .... I doubt it.

More News On The U.S. Justice Department Appointing A Special Counsel To Probe Russian Interference In The U.S. Presidential Election

Robert Mueller, New Special Counsel, Is Known for Independence -- New York Times
Justice names special counsel for Russia investigation -- The Hill
Former FBI chief Mueller appointed to probe Trump-Russia ties -- Reuters
Lawmakers’ Russia probes to continue despite appointment of special counsel -- Washington Post
Rosenstein to be grilled today on Trump bombshells -- The Hill
Twice Robert Mueller threatened to resign from the FBI. Twice he decided not to. -- Washington Post

Wikileaks DNC Email Data Dump Puts The Democrat Convention In Disarray

Reuters: Democrats in disarray on eve of convention to nominate Clinton

The head of the Democratic Party resigned on Sunday amid a furor over embarrassing leaked emails, hoping to head off a growing rebellion by Bernie Sanders supporters on the eve of the convention to nominate Hillary Clinton for the White House.

Lingering bitterness from the heated primary campaign between Clinton and Sanders erupted after more than 19,000 Democratic National Committee emails, leaked on Friday, confirmed Sanders' frequent charge that the party played favorites in the race.

In a statement, DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said the best way for the party to accomplish its goal of putting Clinton in the White House was for her to step aside after the convention. Sanders had demanded earlier in the day that Wasserman Schultz resign.

The furor was a blow to a party keen on projecting stability in contrast to the volatility of Republican candidate Donald Trump, who was formally nominated at a raucous convention in Cleveland last week.

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WNU editor: Wikileaks founder Assange has been stuck in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for the past 5 years .... and during his "imprisonment" he has blamed the U.S. (and President Obama) for why he is in the situation that he is in. He is not a happy man, and my guess is that this massive data release of emails is his way of exacting revenge on the Democrat party by destroying the unity and momentum that this convention was suppose to bring. As for the emails themselves, this evening I have been browsing through some of them .... here are some of them .... and others here .... Here are the latest, most damaging things in the DNC’s leaked emails (Washington Post) .... and many of them lay bare the "dirty politics and tricks" that were deployed to stop Bernie Sanders run, and the "dirty tricks" that are being deployed on Donald Trump. As to what to bothers me the most from these email revelations .... the media collusion .... Leaked Emails Indicate Democrats Cozy With NBC News’ Chuck Todd (NBC) .... and the organising of protests to purposefully disrupt Donald Trump events.

Update: This is one way to lose/alienate the male vote .... EXCLUSIVE: Democratic National Committeewoman says her party is 'clearing a path' for Hillary because 'the women in charge' want it that way (Daily Mail).

More News On The Wikileaks Email Scandal Rocking The Start of The Democrat Convention

On their convention's eve, Democrats bedeviled anew by email -- AP
Discord, Email Scandal Taint Eve of Democrats' National Convention in Philly -- VOA
Leaked DNC emails reveal details of anti-Sanders sentiment -- The Guardian
Amid email uproar, Wasserman Schultz to step down after convention -- USA Today
Inside the scramble to oust Debbie Wasserman Schultz -- Politico
Wasserman Schultz goes from favored to on the outs -- AP

Are The Koch Brothers And Exxon Mobil 'Enemies Of The State'?

Newsbusters: ExxonMobil, the Koch Brothers 'Enemies of the State'? Kerry Won't Disagree with Rolling Stone Tribunal

James Taranto of The Wall Street Journal wrote his last column of 2015 on a John Kerry profile by New Yorker editor David Remnick, and a Rolling Stone interview with Kerry. He found this exchange with Jeff Goodell in the aging-hippie magazine “unhinged” in tone:

Q: Given your characterization of climate change as a national-security threat, when you look at what the Koch brothers and Exxon Mobil are doing—as you know, Exxon Mobil is being investigated by the New York state attorney general for lying to investors about what it knew about climate change.

Kerry: Absolutely. It’s tobacco—it’s R.J. Reynolds all over again.

Q: Given what’s at stake, do you consider Exxon Mobil or the Koch brothers an enemy of the state?

Kerry: Well, I’ll leave it to other people to assign metaphors or allegories. I would prefer to try to build the consensus necessary, and we don’t get there if we start accusing people of things. So we need to try to bring people into an understanding. I don’t think we’re going to do it with the Koch brothers. But I think that Exxon Mobil stands potentially to lose billions of dollars in what I would imagine would be one of the largest class-action lawsuits in history.

WNU Editor: If a Republican official said the same thing .... without denouncing the premise of the question .... the media would be in a frenzy right now. Instead .... this is buried in a news website that examines media bias. The Rolling Stone interview is here .... John Kerry on Climate Change: The Fight of Our Time (Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone). Sighhh .... I left the Soviet Union because of this mindset .... but it appears that this mindset exists among many in Washington.

Update: Someone has just emailed me that Rush Limbaugh has said the same thing.