á Three
more Palm Beach charities canceled plans to hold gala events at President
Donald TrumpÕs Mar-a-Lago Club following the presidentÕs remarks on the
march of neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups in Charlottesville. http://tinyurl.com/yb4ee95m
á The
Washington Post reported that, so far this year, Trump-owned companies have
earned revenue of nearly $1.3 million from the Republican National Committee
for parties, golf, rent, and legal consulting. http://tinyurl.com/y79lefrz
á The
Los Angeles Times reported that Republican Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee said
the president has yet to show the ÒstabilityÓ and ÒcompetenceÓ needed to
achieve success. http://tinyurl.com/yb8p3tt6
á NPR
News reported that the US State Department decided to temporarily stop issuing
nonimmigrant visas to Russians in response to Moscow's decision to force the US
to slash its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia. http://tinyurl.com/y9bjqrh2
á According
to Daily Intelligencer, TrumpÕs travels have broken the Secret Service budget
which covers the cost of protecting Trump, his family, and an unprecedented
number of cabinet staff. http://tinyurl.com/ycdy4yyf
and http://tinyurl.com/ycvsupe3
á Chairman
of the Congressional Black Caucus urged cancellation of a meeting next month
between White House officials and leaders of the nationÕs black colleges, and
considered backing Democratic efforts to impeach Trump saying ÒWe donÕt think
you [Trump] understand us at all.Ó http://tinyurl.com/y8p9rmvl
á According
to TalkingPointsMemo, the Trump administration is preparing to roll back the
Obama-era free birth control mandate, a move legal groups say would be unconstitutional
and subject to a court challenge. http://tinyurl.com/ya9757pg
Tuesday,
August 22
á
The Washington Post reported that the
Treasury Department placed sanctions on Chinese and Russian individuals and
firms for conducting business with North Korea that advanced the countryÕs
missile and nuclear weapons program. http://tinyurl.com/ybh2zwp6
á Trump
unveiled a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan after much deliberation with
military advisors. According to The Washington Post, his advisors convinced him
to take Òa more conventional route.
He tilted toward the generals who now dominate his inner circle
and had urged a large-scale troop expansion, although he did not opt for the
tens of thousands of troops they advocated initially.Ó http://tinyurl.com/ybr42evm
á The
Washington Post reported that two legal complaints were filed by the Justice
Department seeking the forfeiture of $11 million from two of the sanctioned
North Korean companies believed to have been laundering money in the US on
behalf of North Korea. http://tinyurl.com/ybh2zwp6
á The
Washington Post reported that the Interior Department ordered the
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to halt a study of
health risks for residents near surface coal mining sites in the Appalachian
Mountains. http://tinyurl.com/ycd9m4ns
á Attorneys,
who represent Trump in the Russia investigation and now represent Energy
Transfer Partners, sued Greenpeace for tactics used in protest of the Dakota
Access Pipeline. http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41743-trump-s-lawyers-sue-greenpeace-over-dakota-pipeline
á According to Breitbart, Trump flip-flopped
between his campaign, when he criticized the Afghan war as a wasteful folly,
and in his address to the nation today, when he announced plans to send more
troops to Afghanistan. http://tinyurl.com/ybukfo92
á Trump
at a speech in Arizona said that heÕd shut down the government if his border
wall was not funded, that NAFTA is likely to be terminated, and that he would
pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio. http://tinyurl.com/y9mcz495
á The
Iraqi army with the help of US airstrikes broke ISIS forces to reclaim Tall
Afar, a major ISIS stronghold in northern Iraq. http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-iraq-mattis-20170822-story.html#nws=mcnewsletter
Wednesday,
August 23
á According
to ProPublica and an analysis by Ben Nimmo, a fellow with the Digital
Forensic Research Lab, revealed there were hordes of automated bots
generating Twitter posts — and much more — last week to help make
right-wing conspiracy theories and rallying cries about Charlottesville go
viral. ItÕs impossible to tell how much of the traffic originates from Russia
or from mercenary sources. http://tinyurl.com/y8xaq69k
á China
demanded that the US immediately withdraw new sanctions on companies and
individuals trading with North Korea to maintain mutual trust and cooperation. http://tinyurl.com/y8y8jskr
á The
UN expressed deep concern over reports from Syria that 78 civilians died in
Raqqa city during US-coalition led airstrikes. http://tinyurl.com/ydz3ax9q
á A
White House memo provided guidance to the Pentagon about how to implement a ban
on transgender people in the military and rules for how to remove them from the
military. http://tinyurl.com/yb8nxn77
á A
UN committee charged with tackling racism has warned the US over racism and
urged the Trump administration to reject discrimination. http://tinyurl.com/y7w7qjxk
á The
New York Times
reported that Trump has clashed with Senator Mitch McConnell for not doing more
to shield him from Special Counsel Muellers investigation. http://tinyurl.com/ya3bbojy
á Federal
judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos rejected a Texas voter ID law as discriminatory
because the law specifies types of ID most likely possessed by Anglo voters and
not by Hispanics and African-Americans. http://tinyurl.com/yb6tx7py
Thursday,
August 24
á Special
counsel Mueller has expanded his investigation of Paul Manafort into
whether he may have evaded taxes or engaged in any money laundering schemes. http://tinyurl.com/y8y4vynb
á Chris
Barker, an Imperial Wizard of the KKK, claimed the KKK has grown at record pace
since TrumpÕs election. http://tinyurl.com/y848etzu
á TrumpÕs
threat to shut down the federal government over border wall funding has
escalated his rift with Congressional Republicans and Democrats over the
upcoming budget agenda. http://tinyurl.com/y9c8et52
á Trump
blamed Senator McConnell and House Leader Ryan for what he predicts will be a
mess to raise the debt ceiling. http://tinyurl.com/yaucc69x
á The
National Institutes of Health removed references to Òclimate change" from
its website. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45407-another-government-agency-has-removed-references-to-climate-change-from-its-website
á CIA
director Mike Pompeo may be in conflict of interest regarding the CIAÕs
involvement in the Russia investigation demonstrated by PompeoÕs support of
Trump and in playing down the investigation. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/at-cia-a-watchful-eye-on-mike-pompeo-the-presidents-ardent-ally/2017/08/24/18c1d716-7ed0-11e7-9d08-b79f191668ed_story.html?undefined=&utm_term=.f6ca42e512fa&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1
á A
federal judge ruled that Internet service provider DreamHost must provide email
addresses and other information to the Justice Department about people who
visited an anti-Trump website. However, the court limited how and with whom the
Justice Department is allowed to use the data, and the data will be overseen by
the court. http://lists.readersupportednews.org/ss/link.php?M=68384&N=25422&C=587bb1249d465d9d8c86566eaf4d0277&L=34279
Friday,
August 25
á Comments
from attendees at the Federal Reserve conference in Wyoming challenged TrumpÕs
policies: president of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi warned that
Òopenness to trade is under threat.Ó US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen
defended tightening of financial regulations. http://blogs.marketwatch.com/capitolreport/2017/08/25/jackson-hole-fed-conference-live-blog-yellen-draghi-on-tap/?mod=MW_story_latest_news?siteid=bnbh
á The New
York Times reported that TrumpÕs use of his power to pardon former Arizona
sheriff Joe Arpaio may be unconstitutional because it violates the due process
clause of the Fifth Amendment as Arpaio was charged with depriving citizens of
their constitutional rights. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/opinion/trump-arpaio-pardon-arizona-sheriff.html
á Senator
Tammy Duckworth implored Congress to oppose the proposed ban on transgenders in
the military saying Òwhen I was bleeding to death in my Black Hawk helicopterÉI
didnÕt careÓ about their sexual preference. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45413-senator-duckworth-on-trumps-trans-ban-when-i-was-dying-it-didnt-matter-who-saved-my-life
á House Representative
Lou Barletta and several Trump advisers have ties to Federation for
American Immigration Reform, described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a
hate-group. Others with ties include Jeff Sessions, Kris Kobach, Kellyanne
Conway, and Stephen Miller. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45411-gop-congressman-refuses-to-cut-ties-with-extremist-anti-immigrant-group
á A
US coalition airstrike killed at least a dozen people, including six children,
in Yemeni capital Sanaa. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45410-us-backed-saudi-coalition-strike-in-yemen-kills-at-least-a-dozen-including-six-children
á Interior
Secretary Ryan Zinke recommended to Trump to shrink at least three protected
national monuments. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45409-department-of-interior-recommends-trump-shrink-national-monuments-protected-area
á Trump
slammed Senator Bob Corker -- who, last week, questioned TrumpÕs stability and
competence -- by tweeting, ÒStrange statement by Bob Corker considering that he
is constantly asking me whether or not he should run again in Õ18. Tennessee
not happy!Ó https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/08/25/trump-slams-another-republican-senator-warning-bob-corker-that-tennessee-not-happy/?undefined=&utm_term=.a567eed72781&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1
á Gary
Cohn, Trump's chief economic adviser, said Trump must condemn white
supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the KKK and implied that he might resign. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/08/25/mutiny-trumps-top-economic-adviser-just-issued-an-unprecedented-rebuke-of-his-boss/?utm_term=.95f90c6691cd&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1
á The
Trump administration imposed sanctions on the Venezuelan government that bar
selling Venezuelan- and state oil company-issued bonds and stocks. http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/10453681.365679/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3Mvd29ybGQvd3AvMjAxNy8wOC8yNS90cnVtcC1hZG1pbmlzdHJhdGlvbi1zbGFwcy1uZXctZmluYW5jaWFsLXBlbmFsdGllcy1vbi10aGUtdmVuZXp1ZWxhbi1nb3Zlcm5tZW50Lz93cGlzcmM9YWxfYWxlcnQtQ09NQk8td29ybGQlMjUyQm5hdGlvbiZ3cG1rPTE/58b0dd73e9a8a20d708b4740C63c80345
á In his
first weeks in office, Trump announced he would hire 5,000 new Border Patrol
agents. So far, this has not happened, and the number of agents has shrunk. http://latimes.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f089ecc9238c5ee13b8e5f471&id=26d0604294&e=f4c24e771b
á North
Korea launched what seems like a ballistic missile. http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/10458457.365712/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3Mvd29ybGQvd3AvMjAxNy8wOC8yNS9ub3J0aC1rb3JlYS1oYXMtbGF1bmNoZWQtd2hhdC1tYXktYmUtYW5vdGhlci1iYWxsaXN0aWMtbWlzc2lsZS1zb3V0aC1rb3JlYW4tbWlsaXRhcnktc2F5cy8_d3Bpc3JjPWFsX2FsZXJ0LUNPTUJPLXdvcmxkJTI1MkJuYXRpb24md3Btaz0x/58b0dd73e9a8a20d708b4740Cb0e06c9e
á Trump
pardoned former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio.
á In
a possible violation of the Code of Conduct for US Judges, Judge Linda Reade,
chief judge of the Northern District of Iowa, prosecuted immigrants rounded up
in raids while her husband bought stock in prisons. http://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2017/08/a-federal-judge-put-hundreds-of-immigrants-behind-bars-while-her-husband-invested-in-private-prisons/
á Citizens
for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington have been investigating Treasury
Secretary Steve Mnuchin and his wifeÕs use of a government plane to travel to
Kentucky. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steve-mnuchin-louise-linton-travel-kentucky-ethics-watchdog-crew/
á According
to Inequality.org, predatory lending practices have resurfaced in communities
that experienced high rates of foreclosure during the subprime recession.
Called Òcontract for deed,Ó this practice does not transfer home ownership
until a mortgage is fully paid. http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41720-loan-sharks-were-meant-to-be-eradicated-now-they-re-back
á Congress,
with the support of the Department of Interior, has introduced the Sportsmen's
Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act that prevents the National Park
Service from regulating commercial and recreational fishing, and the hunting of
bears and wolves in Alaska wildlife preserves. http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/45425-freedom-means-shooting-bear-cubs-while-theyre-hibernating
á TrumpÕs
proposed budget for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) cuts over $7 billion,
about 15%, of HUDÕs annual budget and may push thousands of poor families into
homelessness. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45423-secretary-carsons-hud-budget-may-push-thousands-of-poor-families-into-homelessness
á A Somalian
deputy governor claimed a US-backed raid killed ten civilians including three
children. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45420-10-civilians-including-kids-dead-in-us-backed-somalia-raid
á Trump
signed a presidential memo that bans new transgender recruits from the
military. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45432-trump-officially-bans-transgender-people-from-military
á Special
Counsel Mueller issued subpoenas to two Washington lobbying firms that did
public relations work for Paul Manafort, TrumpÕs former campaign chairman. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/washington-lobbying-firms-receive-subpoenas-as-part-of-russia-probe/2017/08/25/55e547de-89c2-11e7-a50f-e0d4e6ec070a_story.html?undefined=&utm_term=.bdc1d029825d&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1
á Gary
Cohn, TrumpÕs economic adviser, publicly criticized TrumpÕs comments about
violence in Charlottesville for not condemning white supremacists, neo-Nazis
and the KKK. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cohn-trump-charlottesville-20170825-story.html#nws=mcnewsletter
Saturday,
August 26
á Sebastian
Gorka, TrumpÕs counterterrorism adviser, walked out of the White House,
resigning from his job. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45430-sebastian-gorka-follows-steve-bannon-out-the-white-house-door
á TrumpÕs
pledge to abolish NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, has been
replaced with a plan to modernize it. http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/45429-the-nafta-consensus-war-on-workers
á Last
week the Wall Street Journal reported Attorney General Sessions urged Trump to
nominate a tough-on-crime prosecutor nicknamed ÒHang ÔEm HighÕ Henry Hudson to
oversee sentencing guidelines on the US Sentencing Commission. http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/45435-focus-qhang-em-highq-henry-hudson-to-oversee-sentencing-guidelines
á Rick
Dearborn, TrumpÕs deputy chief of staff, sent an email last year when he was a
campaign aide about a person who sought to connect Trump officials with Putin. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45441-top-trump-aides-email-draws-new-scrutiny-in-russia-inquiry
á According
to a ThinkProgress investigation, the White House Council on Environmental
Quality has no members. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45437-trumps-council-on-environmental-quality-has-no-members-at-all
á North
Korea fired short-range missiles into the sea. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_KOREAS_TENSION_ASOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-08-26-04-19-54
Sunday,
August 27
á Washington
Post reported Trump asked Attorney General Sessions last spring if the
government could drop the criminal case against Joe Arpaio, and Sessions
advised it would be inappropriate. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-asked-sessions-about-closing-case-against-arpaio-an-ally-since-birtherism/2017/08/26/15e5d7b2-8a7f-11e7-a94f-3139abce39f5_story.html?undefined=&utm_term=.684cef73fb09&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1