During Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, a number of Democrats, when discussing what the future might look like, if the Senate refused to do their job and remove the President from office for attempting to coerce the Ukrainian government into announcing a bogus investigation into Joe Biden, suggested that we could see individual states being targeted by the administration, forced to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do, because of threats to withhold money, etc. Here, for instance, is something said by Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow on the floor of the Senate earlier this month.
…Is it now OK for the President of the United States to ask a foreign leader to investigate a Member of Congress, or any citizen, if it helps him get reelected, and thus, in his mind, benefits the country? Is it now OK for the President of the United States to tell a Governor that they are not getting any critical disaster relief until they endorse him in the next election?
Well, it would appear that something very similar to this scenario suggested by Stabenow may actually be happening right now. Earlier today, Donald Trump tweeted out the following to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The background is a bit complicated, but here’s the gist of it… The Trump administration, according to Politico, recently intervened to stop “New York’s access to the Global Entry and other ‘trusted traveler’ programs that allow New Yorkers faster border crossings and shorter airport lines,” something which promises to have an enormous negative impact on the state’s economy. And, here we’re seeing the President of the United States, tying the issue to the fact that the State of New York is currently investigating the Trump organization for various suspected crimes, stating that “New York must stop all of its unnecessary lawsuits and harassment.” The implication is crystal clear. If New York wants to open up it’s points of entry, and stay competitive with other states, it had to drop any investigations into criminal activities that could implicate Donald Trump.
Congresswoman Val Demings of Florida said it best. “As we predicted, the president is now expanding his abuse of power to blackmailing U.S. states,” she said. “In this case, he’s holding New York state hostage to try to stop investigations into his prior tax fraud.”
And, here’s Congressman Adam Schiff, who, as you’ll recall, warned us repeatedly during the impeachment trial that Donald Trump would continue to put his own personal interests above those of the American people. [Durning Donald Trump’s Senate trial, Adam Schiff said the following. “He has betrayed our national security and he will do so again. He has compromised our elections and he will do so again. You will not change him. You cannot constrain him. He is who he is. Truth matters little to him. What’s right matters even less, and decency matters not at all.” Of course, the Republicans, with the exception of Mitt Romney, didn’t heed the warning. They heard Schiff say, “Can any of us really have the confidence that Donald Trump will put his personal interests ahead of the national interests?,” and they went right ahead and voted to acquit.]
Trump abused his power to coerce Ukraine into announcing investigations for his personal benefit by freezing military aid.
Now, he's using his powers to coerce states to stop investigations into him and his businesses.
Different corrupt purpose, same corrupt President. https://t.co/4pBqY8gAnI
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) February 13, 2020
And, this, I’m afraid, is just the beginning.
56 Comments
Evil Republicans are willing to stand by and let him do nearly anything.
Feckless Democrats are incapable of doing anything to stop him.
Pitifully few voters even understand what’s going on … and among those few who do, many simply don’t care, or are eagerly cheering him on.
We are witnessing the death rattle of American democracy.
Of course the reality is totally different. NY law conflicts with the ability of DHS to administer the program. Barky, give up this hackneyed propaganda you push every day.
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/new-york-residents-can-no-longer-sign-up-for-global-entry-dhs-chief-says/2280045/
The news from the Trump administration official comes in response to New York’s sanctuary and Green Light laws, which allow residents to apply for a driver’s license or learner’s permit regardless of their immigration status.
In a letter to New York State officials, Wolf noted that the law prohibited state DMVs from sharing criminal records with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The law “compromises CBP’s ability to confirm whether an individual applying for Trusted Travelers Program membership meets program eligibility requirements” and hinders ICE and their agents from fulfilling their mission.
“In New York alone, last year ICE arrested 149 child predators, identified or rescued 105 victims of exploitation and human trafficking, arrested 230 gang members, and seized 6,487 pounds of illegal narcotics, including fentanyl and opioids,” Wolf wrote in the letter. “In the vast majority of these cases, ICE relied on New York DMV records to fulfill its mission.”
Thanks HW. I was about to post some info for context but you saved me the trouble.
I just spent 5 minutes brushing up on why Mark’s interpretation is a total joke. I hope Mark is getting paid to parrot these conspiracy theories he is in love with.
#shameless
Calling it promoting conspiracy theories is being generous. At some point Mark is just going to have to admit he is a propagandist. It is not possible for an otherwise smart person, to be so wrong, in one direction, so often.
“markmaynard.com, a nice little place on the internet, where Adam Schiff is a wise truth-teller and Carter Page is obviously a lying queer.”
I thought Samantha Bee had a good take on this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKaTsWMV14o
I especially loved the footage she had of Tucker Carlson as he realized that this affects white conservative men who happen to live in NY too. LOL!
This isn’t a surprise to me at all. It is exactly what you would expect from a bully who has been put in a position of power. What is most troubling to me is that so many Americans are ok with it!
My hope is, of course, that we can vote the guy out of office so that NY state and perhaps other states and perhaps the federal government can prosecute him for his crimes. The guy should be in prison.
Lynne’s favorite part of the Tucker Carlson interview, as it is interpreted by a comedian, is the part where the comedian uses an edited video to smear Carlson (and by extension a group which he has been assigned to) in a way that is not reflective of reality.
Lynne “hearts” untruth. Happy Valentines everybody!
What does any of this have to do with Mayor Pete and our bright Democratic future?
I love ❤️ Mayor Pete!
Did Zuckerberg teach you how to do that?
Yeah
Wulp, Avenatti is toast. It was not too long ago he was “just the guy” to battle the monster president.
M
Posted May 14, 2018 at 7:56 am | Permalink
If you were writing this movie script, Avenatti is exactly the kind of character you’d come up with to have the public fight with Trump agains the background of the serious Mueller investigation. He loves the limelight and understands social media. He knows how to fight Trump on his own ground. And he’s good at it. I prefer Mueller, but Avenatti might be the guy who starts to ship away at the base.
I will give Mark credit though for being so insanely forward looking. It’s almost miraculous. It never occurs to Mark that he should take responsibility for his past words and blunders. With Mark it is always on to the next piece of propaganda. Onward to the next blunder. Onward to the next bad take….Never look back!
Comey
Has
A
Posse
Aloha HW, I guess one of those secret indictments was not for Andrew McCabe. I could have sworn he would have been one of the evil FBI agents Q was talking about. Another Q nothing burger
Wrong. Durham is well into his criminal probe now and McCabe is one of them. What day did Sessions authorize Durham? What day did Q begin posting?
https://saraacarter.com/john-durham-criminal-probe-gathers-steam-investigating-post-election-docs/
Those being looked into by Durham are former CIA Director John Brennan, fired FBI Director James Comey, fired FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, among others. Durham’s team has already interviewed numerous personnel at the CIA and according to sources “those questioned are very nervous about the direction of Durham’s investigation.”
Durham is looking into the Intelligence Community Assessment on Russia, in which Brennan has stated that the CIA did not use former MI6 spy Christoper Steele’s debunked dossier. Horowitz discovered during his office’s investigation of the FBI FISA review that the uncorroborated dossier was used in obtaining the warrant to spy on Page. Horowitz’s explosive report also revealed that significant information on Page was omitted from the report and that other information was altered by FBI Attorney Kevin Clinesmith. Page had actually assisted the CIA in reporting on Russia – a significant fact that was omitted and changed in the application that was submitted to the secret court.
Aloha just keep living in your make believe bubble
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/14/us/politics/andrew-mccabe-fbi.html?referringSource=articleShare
Why would you say a real criminal investigation is make believe? You think you can just wish it away? By the way Durham was made interim US Attorney by Jeff Sessions on 10/28/17. What a coincidence. That was the day of Q’s first post.
Yeah, that’s right. Shut the fuck up, bitch.
https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/video/2019/10/25/origins_of_trump-russia_probe_now_a_criminal_investigation_cnn_120929.html
Admit I make you my bitch every time you cross me just like Jean and Lynne and Bob and Dirty or you are an actual lying sack of shit.
I’m curious what you make of Bill Barr’s interview yesterday, HW and FF?
Oh did he complain about the President’s tweets? Oh noes, it’s all over!
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/14/us/Border-Patrol-ICE-Sanctuary-Cities.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur
100%, wobblie. You are my bitch.
https://twitter.com/CBS_Herridge/status/1228390453487124480
Catherine Herridge
@CBS_Herridge
SCOOP: Chairman Senate Judiciary formally asks AG Barr to make witnesses available for probe “Crossfire Hurricane” + #FISA
@CBSNews told “former Dept employees“ cited in letter will be contacted directly, plan to call Comey McCabe Yates Rosenstein among others
@LindseyGrahamSC
Who’s the President of Mexico?
Do sanctuary cities harbor criminals?
Party old school ya’ll. I want everyone break dancing on the floor right now. Let’s go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUl0R1-uSyw
How about we raise the roof instead?
Aloha HW. The judge is even in on the conspiracy. One of those secret indictments must be for him too. Living in a bubble reality must be comforting to you
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/02/banana-republic-judge-slammed-doj-for-stringing-along-mccabe-investigation-to-help-trump-politically/
Aloha JH, HW of course does not want to address Barr’s comments. For myself Barr and Trump having a disagreement is pretty much like watching a WWE bout, all make believe to make Barr seem “independent”.
Jean, it felt to me like Barr was intentionally trying to show independence from Trump. Barr is going to need to take a lot of steps to prepare half of the public for the idea that people at high levels of government have abused their powers and committed crimes. I think it was theater. It is necessary theater because half of the country has everything backward.
Read the Horowitz report and listen to the Horowitz again. Many in the media will be implicated in this too. It is going to be a huge shock to the system of many.
Yes, I agree with Wobblie except I think Barr has good motives for displaying independence.
The CIA is setting up Mayor Pete for big wins in Nevada and Soith Carolina.
I thought a trump was dismantling the deep state?
What do you think I should have to address about what he said, wobblie? Why don’t you deal with Durham? I’m sure; fantasy? How?
Aloha HW from Durham’s history I suspect he will do a good job. Focusing on the CIA seems about right. But all of your handwringing in the past over McCabe is just another one of your nothing burgers. We will see if there was dirt that Durham will actually expose about CIA.
Handwringing would imply distress. Do you think I have ever been distressed about McCabe? He is one of Durham’s targets right now so I don’t think it is reasonable to try to say nothingburger. Was it you or one of the others along with JH who wanted to bet me McCabe wouldn’t get fired…then he did get fired just like I said he would.
Why do you dwell on the past?
It’s boring.
Only if you don’t understand it.
Re: McCabe firing: Who is it living in a bubble now, wobblie? I want my money, bitch.
wobblie
Posted January 29, 2018 at 3:16 pm | Permalink
I’ll take your money HW. How much are you prepared to be separated from? We’ll meet Jean or Sad some where and let them hold the money till March when they can give it to me.
You have not been paying attention for the last god knows how many years, folks do not get fired in the bureaucracy. Civil service protection. Same in state government.
Aloha HW , being wrong is part of life. We will see how his wrongful termination suit works out. He may walk away with a million dollars thanks to Trump.
My stipulation was loser changes their name for six months to whatever the winner wants. Do you have a shred of integrity or not?
Aloha what ever you like.
Aloha HW though you are a bit late in collecting. But whatever you like. Will you be a man and apologize to JH and Lynne when McCabe wins his wrongful termination suit?
Okay, until August 15th 2020 if it fits in the Name bar your name is:
I bet HW McCabe wouldn’t get fired and all I got was this stupid name
Try it out!
Aloha, no comment on the wrongful termination lawsuit eh. Just a little too rich for your blood I guess.
Aloha, just saw Tulsi’s latest add quoting Jimmy Hindrex, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace”. Loved Jimmy, love Tulsi. Vote for the good not lesser evil.
Aloha HW, since I posted under a new name it is awaiting the moderator’s approval.
HW is correct. Trump has McCabe in his sites and is actively pushing Durham to press charges against him. If he doesn;t, the whole house of cards narrative comes down. We know Durham was willing to bury evidence the ‘enhanced interrogation’ (aka torture) produced no useful intel for GW Bush. I would not count out his willingness to be complicit in corruption and straight up fuckery again.
“after learning that the Huber investigation is not likely to produce charges, Trump has become more insistent that [U.S. Attorney John] Durham finish his work soon,” sources close to the president told the Post. “Trump, these people said, wants to be able to use whatever Durham finds as a cudgel in his reelection campaign.”
https://www.mediaite.com/news/jeffrey-toobin-warns-cnn-contributor-andrew-mccabes-future-now-really-perilous-due-to-trumps-grotesque-score-settling/
Re my faulty assertion that McCabe wouldn’t be fired: I guess a lot of us have underestimated just how much Trump could get away with and just how diabolical he is.
Did I actually place a bet? If so, please show me what I bet and where and I will certainly make it right?
Great news- a big endorsement today that shows Mayor Pete has overcome his race problems.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/15/politics/keegan-michael-key-support-pete-buttigieg-president/index.html
Aloha, Tulsi called it right. When you strike at a king / despot you must be sure you kill him.
You said you would but no name bets, only money. You did say it was an easy bet with the same rationale as wobblie; how difficult it is to fire federal employees.
Now ask yourself why was I confident enough to risk having to be renamed for six months by derps? What was my (correct) source?
Aloha, HW you seem to lack the spine to acknowledge that when McCabe wins his wrongful termination suit, you will have only won by cheating. Your lack of integrity is only matched by your arrogant hubris. But you inevitably follow the cowards way. Just like your hero
What are you doing? That’s not the correct name. Do it right.
Pretty sure by that logic you have to wait till the CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION into McCabes’ actions is through.
Think about the last two posts wobblie and how they show you are displaying supreme ignorance but pretending that is me. You take a real situation and try to make someone else sound crazy for talking about it.
You don’t think the courts are full of corrupt and biased judges and jurors? Nothing to worry about at all, the legal class is above reproach. Okay there. Good thing the President is appointing more judges than just about any pres ever. Huge effect for generations to come.
HAHAHAHAHA Wobblie. You are cracking me up.
Aloha HW, I don’t squelch on my bets. Integration is one of those important personality traits I hold dear. Kinda important like humility and forgiveness. When you finally move out of moms house and have real human interactions you’ll learn
Humans have reason. You just throw out random insults.