How We Got Here

Ken AshfordL'Affaire Russe, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

I have been out of town and/or recuperating from being out of town, so the events of earlier this week caught me off guard.  Nothing to say, and yet so much to say, and yet so much has already been said.  Clearly though, this appears to be the beginning of the end for Trump. We are in impeachment territory, and … Read More

Day 116. Jeopardized.

Ken AshfordImmigration and Xenophobia, L'Affaire Russe, North Korea, Republicans, Syria, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

1/ Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian diplomats during their Oval Office meeting last week, which has jeopardized a critical source of intelligence on the Islamic State. Trump’s decision to disclose information risks cooperation from an ally that has access to the inner workings of the Islamic State. A US official said Trump “revealed more information to the Russian … Read More

Day 117. Wow.

Ken AshfordForeign Affairs, L'Affaire Russe, Polls, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

1/ Trump asked James Comey to shut down the Michael Flynn investigation in a February memo he wrote shortly after meeting with Trump. “I hope you can let this go,” Trump told Comey. The request is the clearest evidence that he tried to directly influence the Justice Department and FBI investigations. Comey kept detailed notes of his meetings with Trump, … Read More

Trump Fires Comey

Ken AshfordBreaking News, L'Affaire Russe, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

It’s been an amazing 16 hours. The comparisons to Watergate’s “Saturday Night Massacre” can’t be helped. Let’s be clear about this: Trump has fired the head of the investigation into his campaign’s contacts with the Russians. The reason? Because of the way Comey handled the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email server.  Almost nobody is buying that rationale, or the timing. … Read More

Yikes! Yates!

Ken AshfordL'Affaire Russe, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Sally Yates is a career civil servant in the Justice Department. She was hired under the first Bush administration, promoted during the Clinton administration, promoted again during the second Bush administration, and yet again under the Obama administration. Two years ago she was named deputy attorney general, the second ranking position in the department, and then became acting attorney general … Read More

Trump’s Executive Order On “Religious Liberty”

Ken AshfordGodstuff, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

I was dreading this. Trump signed it about half an hour ago. But the final version of the order addresses two issues. First, it instructs the Internal Revenue Service to “exercise maximum enforcement discretion” in cases of pastors and other religious leaders speaking about political candidates from the pulpit, which is currently outlawed by a provision typically referred to as … Read More

Crucial Vote on Healthcare Today

Ken AshfordCongress, Health Care, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

The ACHA, once thought dead, got revived yesterday.  The big change? 8 billion for states that choose to create high risk pools for people with pre-existing conditions.  Of course, the fact that this 8 billion boondoggle (which goes to insurance companies) exists only highlights the lie that “no changes are being made with respect to pre-existing conditions”.  And 8 billion, … Read More

Day 104: Nauseous.

Ken AshfordL'Affaire Russe, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

1/ James Comey said he’s “mildly nauseous” at the suggestions he swayed the election. The FBI director defended his “painful” decision on the Clinton email probe during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee today. “This was terrible,” Comey said. “But honestly, it wouldn’t change the decision,” because failing to inform Congress would have required an “act of concealment” which would … Read More

Trump Has More Civil War Issues

Ken AshfordHistory, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Between the 14th hole and the 15th tee of one of the club’s two courses, Mr. Trump installed a flagpole on a stone pedestal overlooking the Potomac, to which he affixed a plaque purportedly designating “The River of Blood.” “Many great American soldiers, both of the North and South, died at this spot,” the inscription reads. “The casualties were so … Read More

Day 103: Floundering.

Ken AshfordTrump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

1/ House Republicans are floundering on the Obamacare repeal as 20 Republicans have now opposed the plan. Paul Ryan can only lose 22 votes and still pass the bill. With the 20 lawmakers against the bill, GOP leaders would have to persuade almost every undecided lawmaker to support the legislation in order to reach the 216-vote threshold needed for passage. … Read More

And It Was Only Monday

Ken AshfordHistory, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Politico: President Donald Trump questioned why the Civil War— which erupted 150 years ago over slavery — needed to happen. He said he would be “honored” to meet with Kim Jong-Un, the violent North Korean dictator who is developing nuclear missiles and oppresses his people, under the “right circumstances.” The president floated, and backed away from, a tax on gasoline. … Read More

Bizarre Things Trump Has Said And Done In The Past Two Days

Ken AshfordTrump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Suggested that Andrew Jackson was alive for the Civil War Praised Andrew “Trail of Tears” Jackson Praised Philippine despot Rodrigo Dutert Praised North Korean despot Kim Jung Il (and confirmed) Stated that nobody ever asks why the Civil War had to be fought (which is literally a question in the test given to immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship Said “I don’t … Read More