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In a recent power webinar, host Jimmy Newson, The Impact Influencer, delved into the intricacies of media strategies, branding, and storytelling with two seasoned professionals: Joe Connolly, long-time business news reporter at WCBS 880 and now WABC Radio in New York with 25 years of experience, and Neil A. Carousso, a TV producer at NewsNation... Read more
Hosted by Moving Forward Small Business Summary The conversation focuses on strategies for impact in branding and storytelling, specifically in the context of small businesses. The guests, Neil A. Carousso and Joe Connolly, share their expertise as journalists and news reporters, offering insights on what makes a business or entrepreneur story newsworthy and how to... Read more
By Elizabeth Vargas, NewsNation Produced by Neil A. Carousso Editor’s note: This article mentions suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, resources or someone to talk to, you can find it at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website or by calling 1-800-273-8255. People are available to talk to 24×7. (NewsNation) — South Carolina pastor John-Paul Miller exchanged... Read more
By Elizabeth Vargas, NewsNation Produced by Neil A. Carousso The South Dakota governor avoided directly admitting the claim was untrue She accused tribes of allowing cartels on reservations She defended her decision to shoot and kill her dog (NewsNation) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem acknowledged removing a reference to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un from her... Read more
Produced by Neil A. Carousso, NewsNation Kevin O’Leary says his firms go ‘dark and deep’ on job applicants Anyone ID’d at protests isn’t considered any further Think about your future and your personal brand, he advises (NewsNation) — In an interview on NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” Thursday, “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary said he’s using... Read more
By Carousso Enterprises, LLC New year, new digs for Carousso Enterprises founder Neil A. Carousso. After leaving WCBS 880 at the end of 2023, Carousso has joined NewsNation – America’s fastest growing cable news network – where he is producing “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” anchored by the former ABC “20/20” anchor. “It’s a perfect fit for... Read more
Carousso Enterprises founder Neil A. Carousso is leaving WCBS-AM New York at the end of the year to pursue a new opportunity that will be announced at the start of 2024. Barrett News Media covered Carousso’s career announcement here. After six years, Neil A. Carousso is departing WCBS 880 in New York. Carousso has worked the news... Read more
By Joe Connolly and Neil A. Carousso On the WCBS Small Business Spotlight, sponsored by Dime Community Bank, Joe Connolly and Neil A. Carousso talk to Emicia Parker, the founder of Empress by Emicia, who is inspiring customers through the art of her personal story. Read more
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President Donald J. Trump signed the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 on Friday morning in The White House East Room. It’s a long-overdue promise kept by a Commander-In-Chief who truly has the heart and respect for all those who serve bravely and proudly so that we, U.S. citizens can enjoy the benefits of freedom.
The law repairs the Department of Veterans Affairs government agency that provides health care and other services to millions of U.S. veterans. The bill was prompted by a scandal at the Phoenix VA medical center where some veterans died waiting for care while on secret wait lists and some were prescribed the wrong medications.
A VA accountability measure passed the House in 2014 but it met its fate in the Senate while former-President Barack Obama threatened to veto the bill if it went to his desk, siding with the unions that represent VA employees.
.@PeteHegseth: This VA accountability bill is a major accomplishment for those who believe veterans deserve the best care America can give pic.twitter.com/zpc6v6a371
Pete Hegseth, a U.S. Army veteran and co-host of Fox News Channel’s top-rated morning show “Fox & Friends,” collaborated on the VA accountability bill over several years to ensure veterans receive the care they deserve without lengthy weight times and poor health care caused by government bureaucracy.
What’s In the Law:
The legislation would cut the 30-day advance notice to 10 days. It advances the appeals process that employees use to appeal any disciplinary action against them. It also reduces the evidentiary standards required to terminate an employee and it allows the VA secretary to recoup bonuses and relocation expenses in certain situations.
“Under the current disciplinary process, it takes an average 51 days to remove an employee, largely due to a 30-day notice period,” said VA Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin.
It also allows the VA secretary to directly appoint directors to lead VA hospitals and integrated service networks, instead of going through lengthy hiring processes. There are approximately 350,000 employees in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
True to the law’s name, it will give protection to employees who disclose poor practices and criminal activity at VA hospitals.
On March 30, Fox News reported on retaliation at the Missouri VA in which Dr. Dale Klein was punished for speaking out about long wait times at the VA hospital. Dr. Klein, a highly rated pain management specialist at the Southeast Missouri John J. Pershing VA, is being paid $250,000 a year to sit in his office and do nothing. The government prevented him from seeing veteran patients in need after serving our country because the doctor revealed sinful practices at the Missouri VA.
Stars and Stripes published a story on June 21 about U.S. Army Veteran Mike Verardo who lost a leg and an arm in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2010. After receiving treatment at military hospitals, which included over 100 surgeries, he returned home in 2013, but “waited 57 days for his prosthetic to be repaired, with no backup, and even longer for a neurological appointment.”
VA Secretary David Shulkin and U.S. Army Veteran Sgt. Mike Verardo discuss the newly-signed VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act at The White House (Courtesy: Sara Cook, NHK News)
Sergeant Verardo and his wife, Sarah, were present for Friday’s signing at The White House and was introduced by Secretary Shulkin. Verardo shared his emotional story at the East Room podium and thanked President Trump for his leadership in listening and acting on veterans’ needs. Verardo criticized the Obama Administration for turning a blind eye to soldiers who returned to the U.S.
President Trump gave Mr. Verardo the pen he used to sign the bill into law.
The Verardos sat in Mr. Trump’s VIP box with the Trump family during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland last July. The New York Times featured Verardo in a story about vets who supported Trump for president.
President Trump shakes hands with retired U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Verardo, during the President’s remarks in the East Room of the White House, prior to signing the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. (Courtesy: The White House)
President Trump signs the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act into law in the East Room of The White House. U.S. Army Veteran Sgt. Mike Verardo and his wife, Sarah, (far left) stand behind Mr. Trump. (Courtesy: The White House)
The Verardos also stood beside Trump at The White House in April when the Commander-In-Chief signed an executive order creating a new office at the VA to find and remove incompetent and immoral workers.
Alarming Veterans Statistics:
In 2013, the Department of Veterans Affairs released a study that covered suicides from 1999 to 2010, which showed that roughly 22 veterans were dying by suicide per day, or one every 65 minutes. Some sources suggest that this rate may be undercounting suicides.
In 2014, an average of 20 veterans died from suicide each day. 6 of the 20 were users of VA services, according to Veterans Affairs. Vets accounted for 18 percent of all deaths from suicide among U.S. adults in 2014, while veterans constituted 8.5 percent of the U.S. population. In 2010, Veterans accounted for 22 percent of all deaths from suicide and 9.7 percent of the population.
There is continued evidence of high burden of suicide among middle-aged and older adult veterans. In 2014, approximately 65 percent of all vets who died from suicide were aged 50 years or older. There’s also a correlation between age of veterans and homelessness that is on the rise.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs releases statistics on homelessness among the veteran population.
President Trump Keeps His Promise:
As a candidate, Mr. Trump promised to fire VA employees “who let our veterans down.” Secretary Shulkin has touted the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act bill.
“So to every veteran who is here with us today, I just want to say two very simple words: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You are the warriors and heroes who have won our freedom and we will never forget what you have done for all of us, ever.” – President Donald J. Trump, The White House, June 23, 2017
The bill cleared the House last week by a vote of 368-55, and passed the Senate unanimously by a voice vote.
6-year-old Christian Jacobs hugs President Trump at his father’s grave in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA on May 29. Christian joins his mother, Brittany, every year for Memorial Day. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery/released)
In April, President Trump signed bipartisan legislation, eliminating an expiration measure enacted by the 2014 Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act. It ensures that veterans do not have to travel long distances to receive care at VA hospitals, and it expands the private-sector health program for vets. It also authorizes the sharing of certain medical records across the governmental and private sector health care systems. Mr. Trump promised that those who serve our country would be able to receive health care at any U.S. hospital – private or public – at the government’s expense and by signing this executive order, President Trump kept that campaign promise.
In June, President Trump approved a measure giving priority for federal grants to those federal and state law enforcement agencies that hire and train veterans.
According to CNN exit polls, veterans voted at a 2-1 ratio for Mr. Trump over Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton. In Ohio, North Carolina and Florida, battleground states rich with military history, several counties voted for Trump at higher numbers than GOP candidates John McCain and Mitt Romney had over former-President Obama in 2008 and 2012.
Featured Image: U.S. President Donald Trump holds up the bill after signing the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, on June 23, 2017, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. (Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images)
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) is in critical condition after being shot in the hip while practicing baseball early Wednesday morning in Alexandria, VA for the next day’s Congressional charity game that is played annually at Nationals Park in the nation’s capital.
MedStar Washington Hospital Center tweeted about Scalise’s updated condition at 2:29 PM ET. Initial reports were that the Louisiana representative was stable.
Rep. Scalise was critically injured and remains in critical condition. The other patient is in good condition.
Scalise, 51, underwent surgery after being rushed to the hospital. Two police officers and a Congressional aide were also shot. The other victims are reportedly in good condition in local hospitals.
The shooter was identified as 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson, of Belleville, Illinois. President Donald J. Trump addressed the nation, saying Hodgkinson is dead.
The heroes, the U.S. Capitol Police, took the gunman down and prevented casualties.
“We have to have unity in this country. We are the United States of America. We are great,” Davis said. “We have to bind together as Americans, not as Republicans and Democrats.”
Rep. Ron DeSantis, (R-FL), told Fox News as he walked to his car, a man asked him if it was Republicans or Democrats on the baseball field. About 3 minutes later, at about 7:15 AM, the shooting began, DeSantis said. The shooting reportedly lasted about 10 minutes with Congressmen and Congresswomen and staffers taking cover in the first base dugout.
Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) told Fox News he “felt like I was in Iraq, but without my weapon.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky) described, in excruciating detail, his perspective of the harrowing experience on “The Fox News Specialists,” after calling into “Fox & Friends” as the situation unfolded.
Hodgkinson’s Facebook profile’s background photo is a portrait of Sanders and the profile picture states, “Democratic Socialism explained in 3 words: ‘We The People.'”
Alexandria shooter James T. Hodgkinson wrote in March “It’s time to destroy Trump & Co.” (Courtesy: Facebook)
In one Facebook post, Hodgkinson called Trump a “traitor” and wrote “It’s time to destroy Trump & Co.”
Hodgkinson, who was once arrested for battery, subscribed to a Facebook group called “Terminate the Republican Party,” writing incendiary, vitriolic posts about Republicans.
Partisan Death Threats
Multiple members of Congress say they have received threatening emails and calls on Wednesday including an email to Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) that stated “one down, 216 to go” – a clear reference to the Republican members of Congress who were targeted Wednesday morning.
“Did you NOT expect this?” continued the email sent to the office of Rep. Tenney. “When you take away ordinary peoples very lives in order to pay off the wealthiest among us, your own lives are forfeit. Certainly, your souls and mortality were lost long before.”
Rep. Tenney’s office reported the email to Capitol Police.
Congressmen and Congresswomen from both sides of the political aisle have said they have received death threats.
Politically-Charged Drivel in the Wake of this Incident is Wrong
Longtime Clinton aide and Democratic strategist Virginia Governor Terry McAullife exploited the assassination attempt to push his gun control agenda.
“There are too many guns on the street. We lose 93 million Americans a day to gun violence. I’ve long talked about this; background checks, shutting down gun-show loopholes. That’s not for today’s discussion, but it’s not just about politicians, we worry about this every day for all of our citizens,” said McAullife.
Some liberals have been taking to Twitter in the aftermath calling for stricter gun laws. Illionois, where the shooter is from, has the strictest gun laws in the country and its City of Chicago is home to the most gang-related violence in the U.S.
Virginia: No background checks No licensing No registration No permit req’d for concealed carry of long guns Open carry long guns & handguns
Within moments of the shooting, unhinged liberal activists who claim to be tolerant celebrated the attack on Twitter with some labeling Rep. Scalise as a racist member of the Ku Klux Klan and inappropriately using the opportunity to attack the GOP’s healthcare plan.
So Rep. Steve Scalise, who once spoke at a white supremacist event sponsored by David Duke (google it) was SHOT today in Alexandria.
Other left-wing extremists described the shooting as an act of “karma” because of Rep. Scalise’s support for the National Rifle Association, saying, “The GOP deserves everything it has coming their way.”
I would feel bad for Scalise if he wasn’t a white supremacist. Karma is a bitch and the GOP deserves everything it has coming their way.
— PualBearersGhost (@Carichampionsoc) June 14, 2017
Another individual described the event as “karma for the gun loving right.”
An act of senseless violence, seemingly politically motivated, is inexcusable and sends a strong message to the nation that people need to cool their emotions and keep policy debates civil.
When liberal politicians make appalling claims that people will “die” if ObamaCare is repealed in favor of the GOP healthcare plan, people take notice.
Griffin, who teaches Media Arts and Animation at the Art Institute of Washington, just outside of the nation’s capital, lambasted Republican efforts to repeal Obamacare on May, posting on Facebook his suggestion to shoot Republican House members.
Last month a professor called for the public assassination of the GOP house
Griffin used inflammatory language in another post referring to the GOP.
“Republicans are a f***ing joke and their voting block runs the gamit [sic] from monstrous to ignorant,” Griffin wrote.
Griffin apologized after her posts were reported in online media publications.
Our society should not accept the promotion of violence against anyone, including people with whom we strongly disagree.
Let’s be clear and blunt: This is the shooter’s fault, not the gun’s fault. He sought out GOP Congress members and Capitol Police, according to eyewitnesses.
Two Capitol Police officers, Krystal Griner and David Bailey – the first responders – were Scalise’s security detail; if the House Majority Whip was not present, this situation could have been a massacre in an open baseball field. The armed security detail saved lives.
The FBI is investigating the incident to determine if it was an act of terror and the defined motives of the shooter.
Let’s stand together as a nation on this Flag Day and seek better political discourse following this horrific incident. No political disagreement is worth anyone’s life. That is why vicious, incendiary “jokes” about assassinating President Trump, “blowing up the White House” (Madonna), threats against people for their political beliefs, Republicans being shunned and silenced on college campuses, and similar hostilities that have ramped-up after the election are heinous and should be investigated by the Secret Service and Homeland Security so it doesn’t inspire people to execute such acts.
“We may have our differences, but we do well, in times like these, to remember that everyone who serves in our nation’s capital is here because, above all, they love our country,” remarked President Trump.
God Bless Rep. Scalise and his family, all the victims, our law enforcement officers who save lives every day and the United States of America.
Former FBI Director James Comey testified in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and national television, on Thursday, providing insight into his side of the story as it relates to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s correspondence with President Donald J. Trump.
Comey divulged he leaked the memos he wrote about his conversations with President Trump to the media. He said he decided to leak his memos to the press via a third-party friend, a “professor at Columbia Law School,” later identified as Daniel Richman, after waking up in the middle of the night worried that his side of the story would not get out in the public sphere. The disgraced ex-FBI Director felt it was his obligation, like other Washington, D.C. political actors who leak, to release this information which is being debated as official, sensitive U.S. Government information and personal notes. This is also raising credibility concerns that Comey could have been leaking classified information throughout his tenure to fit a personal agenda, like politicians do anonymously to hurt political opponents or push a political narrative.
Comey said he hoped that by leaking his own memos a special counsel would be appointed. A special counsel, headed by former FBI Director Robert Mueller, was appointed by the Justice Department on May 17 to ensure independence over the investigation into Russia interference of the U.S. election. President Trump had fired Comey 8 days earlier.
According to Fox News sources and other media organizations, President Trump’s personal lawyer Marc Kasowitz will file a complaint with the Department of Justice’s Inspector General’s Office and the Senate Judiciary Committee after Comey said he leaked the private conversation he had with the Commander-In-Chief in order to prompt the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Russian interference. It is not clear whether Kasowitz will file the complaint, but it is expected.
Despite Comey’s testimony, the department sent a memo to Comey on March 2 noting that Sessions had recused himself because of his support for President Trump during the campaign. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
During the hearing, Comey claimed that he never saw any memoranda regarding Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ recusal from all matters involving the investigation into Russian interference of the election and any possible relation with the Trump campaign. However, the Department of Justice released a statement Thursday evening accusing the ex-FBI head of providing false testimony. DOJ Spokesman Ian Prior wrote that Comey received an email on March 2, attached on the Justice Department site, “specifically informing Mr. Comey and other relevant Department officials of the recusal and its parameters, and advising that each of them instruct their staff ‘not to brief the Attorney General *** about, or otherwise involve the Attorney General *** in, any such matters described.'”
Ironically, the only thing that wasn’t leaked to media, as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) pointed out in the hearing, that was discussed in Comey’s testimony was that there has never been an investigation of Mr. Trump. Comey confirmed he told President Trump that he was not under investigation on three separate occasions, as Trump wrote in his letter of termination. Comey also established many media reports chronicling the investigation into Russia interference in the last U.S. election have been false.
As all intelligence chiefs have confirmed under oath, Comey reiterated that there is no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. The ex-FBI Director also said, like all other intelligence officers, he never felt pressure to end the investigation. To the contrary, Comey revealed President Trump encouraged him to pursue the facts of whether or not Trump’s campaign officials communicated inappropriately and/or illegally with Russian officials. Mr. Trump wanted the investigation to be conducted independently, accurately and swiftly.
In 2004, Comey and Justice Department officials threatened to resign over a dispute about former President George W. Bush’s surveillance program. Comey said he never considered resigning from his post under the Trump Administration despite the “awkward” conversations and disagreements he had with the President – most of which has been publicized after Comey was fired.
The ex-FBI leader said former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, an Obama appointee, directed him to call the criminal investigation into 2016 Democrat Party presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s private email server a “matter.” The FBI director reports directly to the attorney general and both serve at the pleasure of the president.
Comey made a public announcement on July 5, 2016 highlighting the crimes Mrs. Clinton committed but concluded that “no reasonable prosecutor” would take the case, relieving Attorney General Lynch of making a tough decision on prosecuting the Democratic nominee days after meeting with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, on the Phoenix tarmac while his wife was under a criminal investigation.
Despite his concerns about Obama Administration officials, Comey only took notes on Mr. Trump and did not pursue a special counsel appointment for the Clinton investigation.
240 Character Commentary and Analysis:
3.6 million Tweets were sent between 7 AM-1:30 PM ET, discussing former FBI Director Comey’s testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee. Here, we compile a series of facts, intelligent comments, perceptive analyses and statements stemming from Thursday’s hearing in reverse chronological order, starting with President Trump’s reaction on Twitter on Friday morning.
Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication…and WOW, Comey is a leaker!
.@POTUS: "The entrenched interests and failed bitter voices in Washington will do everything in their power to try and stop us." pic.twitter.com/2vJIMg0GDy
Comey takes no responsibility. He should have made a public statement if he felt necessary. Instead: More unnamed sources. Agenda? https://t.co/iq1NnIwFzT
Russia interfering is dangerous. They've done it since the '60s. What cyber advancements have we made since then? No votes changed 11/8/16! https://t.co/McbpXpj3rv
Why is the committee ignoring that Comey leaked his own memos? Is it because they all leak for their political agendas? #DrainTheSwamphttps://t.co/w0kKm4OLss
Anonymous leaks always fit an agenda. Obviously, leakers and media aimed to destroy Trump, revive Comey's damaged rep. #WitchHunthttps://t.co/raJzLgnCbA
That is clearly not obstruction of justice. Hoping and pressuring are different. Remember: Trump not a seasoned politician. Real word convo https://t.co/OkhtiorcT7
Feb 14 Oval Office Meeting (per Comey testimony) – Trump said, “I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go.” https://t.co/RAFgF4m2Ua
— Fox News Research (@FoxNewsResearch) June 8, 2017
Burr: "Did @POTUS at any time ask you to stop the FBI investigation into Russian involvement…?"#Comey: "Not to my understanding, no." pic.twitter.com/YNsVqBAe66
Burr: "Would you say that it's normal for foreign govts to reach out to members of an incoming administration?"#Comey: "Yes." pic.twitter.com/xQImb0QBO7
Ahead of #Comey's testimony on his interactions w/ Pres #Trump, here's a look at intriguing remarks made by then-Deputy AG Comey back in '05 pic.twitter.com/pMLtWpfBX0
— Fox News Research (@FoxNewsResearch) June 8, 2017
Flashback: Comey Says Trump Never Obstructed Justice
Former FBI Director Comey says President Trump never obstructed justice.
On Thursday, the ex-FBI director added there is no evidence of collusion between Trump and Russia. Comey has also said, Trump and his team have not impeded the investigation.
All intelligence officials and politicians from both parties have concluded there is no evidence of collusion or change of votes at the ballots on November 8, 2016.
Former FBI Director James Comey says President Donald J. Trump never obstructed justice. ABC News reports exclusively that Comey “will stop short of saying Trump obstructed justice.”
On Thursday, it is expected the disgraced ex-FBI director will murk the waters without providing any evidence of collusion between Trump and Russia because he has testified under oath that there is none. Comey has also said, Trump and his team have not impeded the investigation.
And as a point of clarity: All intelligence officials and politicians from both parties have concluded there is no evidence of collusion or change of votes at the ballots on November 8, 2016.
Last July, Comey revealed the laws that Hillary Clinton broke by illegally using a private email server. He then went above his duty to say that “no reasonable prosecutor” would pursue criminal charges. This abnormal press conference occurred three days after former Attorney General Loretta Lynch met President Bill Clinton on the Phoenix tarmac to discuss “grandkids.”
Lynch refused to recuse herself from the investigation, rather said she would take Comey’s recommendation, putting the onus of the Clinton investigations on someone who has inserted himself into the public political conversation since former President Barack Obama appointed him to the post.
President Trump fired Comey, which he has the unfettered Constitutional authority to do. What has followed has been a series of insider leaks and stories portraying Comey as a victim. The New York Times even published a report that Comey wrote memos contrary to his public testimony that allegedly shows Trump tried to influence the investigation. The Times did not even read the memos for itself, publishing unverified claims.
Now, House and Senate Intelligence Committees want to view all memos, if it exists, going back to the Obama Administration that could shed light on Comey’s decisions not to prosecute Clinton or pursue the IRS targeting scandal even leakers and any insight into Comey’s relationship with President Trump.
The long-term fallout from this entire politicization of intelligence is the lack of trust with our allies in terms of intelligence sharing that is essential to preventing terror attacks. A mantra in World War II is “loose lips sink ships,” meaning our intelligence is critical to our national security advantages. Leaking and politicizing intelligence will put us at a disadvantaged position to prevent attacks, even cyber, on our nation especially when it involves ongoing investigations. Furthermore, glorification of leaking will harm U.S. national security by encouraging more traitors to leak classified information for what they deem justifiable such as bringing down our President.
Featured Image Courtesy: Andrew Harrer-Pool/Getty Images.
President Donald J. Trump has vowed to “drain the swamp,” but the swamp is fighting back against the Washington outsider.
Establishment politicians and the media are calling for President Trump’s head after unnamed sources in a Washington Post story claim the Commander-In-Chief gave classified information to the Russian ambassador at The White House last week.
National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster defended the Trump Administration Tuesday after a Washington Post story, citing unnamed sources alleges Trump gave classified information to Russia. (Associated Press Photo)
National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster gave an on-camera briefing at The White House today, saying, “The premise of that article is false.” McMaster repeated that President Trump’s interactions with the Russian ambassador last week in the Oval Office were “wholly appropriate” in the topics and information discussed.
President Trump tweeted this morning that he wants Russia to “step up their fight against ISIS and terrorism.”
McMaster and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson informed the media Monday that “sources and methods” for defeating the Islamic State were not revealed to Russia.
As President I wanted to share with Russia (at an openly scheduled W.H. meeting) which I have the absolute right to do, facts pertaining….
Let’s be clear: The President has the absolute right to declassify intelligence. He may declassify any intelligence he wants, according to the Chief Executive’s Constitutional authority. In fact, it is common practice for presidents to share classified information with foreign leaders when it may assist in a foreign policy goal.
Therefore, President Trump cannot be impeached, if the story turns out to be true; Mr. Trump also cannot be impeached for firing the FBI director, as he has the unfettered Constitutional authority to do so, much to the dismay of his critics.
Israel was the source of intelligence that Trump allegedly gave to Russia last week, according to The New York Times. The Associated Press reported Tuesday morning that a European official claims that if the Washington Post report is accurate, they may not feel comfortable sharing valuable national security intelligence that saves American lives with President Trump.
The Commander-In-Chief will embark on his first Middle East on Friday where he will meet with Muslim leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Pope Francis at The Vatican.
What is alarming here is that, according to the Washington Post, unelected Washington bureaucrats including White House officials and intelligence officials leaked classified information to the press – a felony of the Espionage Act. Leaking out of Washington, D.C. is nothing new, but it is a serious offense and it causes severe damage to our national security and key diplomatic relationships.
I have been asking Director Comey & others, from the beginning of my administration, to find the LEAKERS in the intelligence community…..
In February, the Washington Post relied on an unnamed source, potentially from the intelligence community, who said President Trump had a combative phone call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Both Trump and Turnbull denied having a contentious phone call through statements, and recently, in person when the two met in New York City to commemorate the 75th anniversary of an important World War II naval battle.
The larger point is that conversations between a U.S. President and foreign leaders are highly sensitive and should never be illegally leaked to the press, no matter the substance or optics, which the media latches on to frame Washington gossip scenarios. Few people in the White House and the intelligence community have access to Oval Office meetings.
Instead of telling both sides of the story and letting the American people make up their minds, the media has been rushing to put out unbalanced information, without context, in an effort to destroy President Trump and give voice to the critics who have been calling for impeachment since before the inauguration.
Ex-FBI Director James Comey says “no reasonable prosecutor” would pursue charges against Hillary Clinton despite laying out a case of illegalities and saying the former Secretary of State was “extremely careless” in handling top secret, special access program classified materials. (Associated Press Photo)
Some are comparing this unverified incident to Hillary Clinton’s illegal use of a private email server, but that is misleading. Mrs. Clinton has never been the President of the United States who is the only person who can declassify intelligence on his own. As former-FBI Director James Comey revealed on July 5, 2016, the ex-Secretary of State broke the law by using the server for classified information with foreign actors “likely” to have gotten hold of American secrets, and deleting 33,000 emails. Clinton also gave U.S. Department of State access to foreign human rights violators.
While President Trump’s ambitious policy platform includes “eradicating ISIS” and working with any country that will join the U.S. in defeating the radical ideology that is a global threat, politicians, pundits and journalists are quick to run with flashy “scandalous” stories without the full scope or understanding of a story. In this era of instant gratification, it is more important than ever to take a step back and critically pick apart every angle of the story, which is not happening.
There are many in Washington, and in the media, who do not believe Mr. Trump is worthy of the Office of the President have been running wild trying to play “gotcha” games to undermine President Trump, which is having an adverse effect of separating the elitists and regular Americans who care about their money, their healthcare and their safety.
Instead, Washington Post “journalists” literally applauded the unbalanced report because it broke their newspaper’s record for total reads that was previously held by the NBC-leaked “Access Hollywood” video tape that revealed off-camera remarks by Mr. Trump in 2005. The leaked tape was intended to bring down Trump’s run for the White House, days before the second presidential debate in October. The Post’s Glenn Kessler tweeted Monday: “Applause in the newsroom as the Russia-leak scoop breaks the Hollywood Access record for most readers per minute.”
Applause in the newsroom as the Russia-leak scoop breaks the Hollywood Access record for most readers per minute
Frankly, there is too much noise and too many unsourced allegations for Americans to digest.
Tuesday evening, The New York Times published a story, citing a February memo written by Comey that said President Trump asked the former FBI director to end an investigation into former-National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. The New York Times reporters did not read the memo for themselves; they quoted people who allegedly saw the memo. NBC News, in reporting on The New York Times story, wrote their reporters did not read the memo, either. The standards of journalism dramatically changed when journalists felt it was their duty to prevent Trump from winning the presidency, instead of just reporting facts and policy positions without editorial.
The unverified story has been denied by The White House in a statement.
“While the president has repeatedly expressed his view that General Flynn is a decent man who served and protected our country, the president has never asked Mr. Comey or anyone else to end any investigation, including any investigation involving General Flynn. The president has the utmost respect for our law enforcement agencies, and all investigations. This is not a truthful or accurate portrayal of the conversation between the president and Mr. Comey.” – White House Statement on The New York Times story “Comey Memo Says Trump Asked Him to End Flynn Investigation”
Comey has refused to speak with Congressional intelligence oversight committees in private. Under oath, the former FBI director has refused to answer questions in which answers would reveal classified information to the public.
Democrats like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) are calling for Trump’s impeachment based on unverified stories, claiming the President obstructed justice. Trump’s critics have been calling for his impeachment since before the January 20 inauguration.
Meanwhile, former-President Obama made numerous public comments claiming Mrs. Clinton did not commit a crime. Obama also publicly denied the Internal Revenue Service illegally targeted conservative groups that applied for tax-exempt status during the 2012 election. Public documents and statements by former-Exempt Organizations Unit Director of the IRS Lois Lerner contradict Obama’s comments on the IRS scandal. Republicans believed Obama obstructed justice in both situations.
Former-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has said under oath, “There is no evidence of collusion between Trump and Russia.”
The ongoing, lengthy investigation is being played out in the public instead of in private by FBI investigators. The crimes we know of are apparently not being investigated: illegal leaking to the media, illegally leaking unmasked names in intelligence reports and Mrs. Clinton’s crimes that have publicly been announced.
The time is overdue to support the President and return credibility to the intelligence agencies and the rule of law without politicizing everything out of Washington because it fits an ideological agenda of “resistance” and bringing down a duly elected President. Without ever giving Mr. Trump a chance, he has been held to a different, unreachable standard than any politician in American history. If Trump committed a crime, he’d be impeached by now.
Journalists and news organizations need to check their biases and agendas at the door and fairly and truthfully interpret the law and the Administration’s policies while citing reputable, named sources.
Unnamed sources should be the exception, not the norm. Illegal activities such as leaking should not be glorified in the mainstream media and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Featured Image Courtesy of the Russian Foreign Ministry via Getty Images. President Trump met with Sergey Lavrov, minister of foreign affairs of Russia, and Sergey Kislyak, Russian ambassador to the U.S. on May 10.
