Week #46:  October 1, 2017

This week the country turned to a humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico, where 3.5 million Americans lack basics like water, food, medicine and electricity. At least 16 have already died. Trump seemed split between denying the crisis altogether, and blaming Puerto Rico, its officials and the media. The regime's late and inadequate response to Hurricane Maria is the clearest fallout of Trump's unstaffed federal agencies. ____________________________________________________________

1.

At his UN speech on Saturday, N. Korea's foreign minister warned that a strike against the US mainland is "inevitable" following Trump's mocking Kim Jong Un with the nickname "little rocketman."   Read More About This

2.

An ABC/WAPO poll found 66% see Trump as doing more to divide than unite the country. Just 37% trust Trump on his handling of N. Korea.   Read More About This

3.

Eight months in, the ABC/WAPO poll found Trump's approval at 39% (57% disapprove), the lowest approval level since Truman's presidency.   Read More About This

4.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported more than 120 people were forcibly arrested in downtown St. Louis by police cracking down on protests. Numerous innocent bystanders were swept up by police.   Read More About This

5.

BuzzFeed reported DHS published new requirements for immigration files, including: social media handles, aliases, associated identifiable information, and search results. The rules take effect October 18.   Read More About This

6.

The new policy will cover not only new immigrants, but also green card holders and naturalized citizens. The policy will also affect US citizens who communicate with immigrants.   Read More About This

7.

In February, the Office of Inspector General issued a report which found the DHS pilot programs for using social media to screen applicants for immigration lacked criteria to determine if it's effective.   Read More About This

8.

NBC reported the Trump regime wants to lower the number of refugees allowed into the US to 45k in 2018, down significantly from 110k in 2017, and lower than the State Dept's recommended 50k in the travel ban.   Read More About This

9.

Boston Globe reported 50 immigrants were arrested in MA as part of nearly 500 rounded-up nationwide in sanctuary cities and in the case of MA, a state that did fall in line with Trump's aggressive deportation policies.   Read More About This

10.

Reuters reported the number of immigrants without criminal histories arrested by ICE is up more than 200% since Trump took office.   Read More About This

11.

Trump's DOJ is demanding private account information for thousands of Facebook users in three separate search warrants targeted at anti-administration activists. Three activist leaders are named.   Read More About This

12.

One leader, Emmelia Talarico, operated the disruptj20 page where Inauguration Day protests were organized and discussed. The page was visited by roughly 6k users. DOJ has also sought info from Dreamhost.   Read More About This

13.

Daily Beast reported documents obtained under a FOIA request strongly suggest ICE agents are using private information obtained by NSA surveillance in their investigations.   Read More About This

14.

POLITICO reported immigration judges sent to the US-Mexico border to speed deportations by Trump are finding their caseload nearly empty, while full caseloads back home are left unattended to.   Read More About This

15.

Ten confederate flags posters with cotton attached to them were found at American University Tuesday night.   Read More About This

16.

Franklin Township in Ohio, a state that wasn't part of the confederacy, will reinstall a confederate monument taken down in the wake of Charlottesville.   Read More About This

17.

At the Air Force Academy, after finding racial slurs scrawled outside black students' doors, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria gathered all 4k cadets and told them, "You should be outraged not only as an airman, but as a human being."   Read More About This

18.

House Republican Mark Walker referred to his female colleagues as "eye candy." After public condemnation, he said he regretted his "flippant remark meant to be lighthearted."   Read More About This

19.

An article in Columbia Journalism Review argued "given the surfeit of evidence," including most recently Trump's "castigation of NFL players," it is appropriate to use the term racist about Trump.   Read More About This

20.

At a private dinner Monday night, Trump sounded satisfied with his NFL feud, telling guests, "it's really caught on."   Read More About This

21.

David McCraw of the Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House in Greenville, SC said his restaurant will ban all NFL games until protests end.   Read More About This

22.

In a letter to students and parents, the principal of Parkway High School in LA said athletes must "stand in a respectful manner " during the National Anthem, or risk losing playing time or being removed from their team.   Read More About This

23.

Trump's DOJ argued employees can fire people because of their sexual orientation. The DOJ inserted itself in a case opposing the EEOC which backed Donald Zarda, who was fired by Altitude Express for being gay.   Read More About This

24.

BuzzFeed reported HHS announced, for the first time, the department's ten regional representatives will not help states with planning for the upcoming open enrollment period of Obamacare.   Read More About This

25.

In a letter, Oklahoma officials blamed the Trump regime for rising health-care premiums after the regime missed a deadline to approve a waiver that would have reduced premiums by 30% for 130k residents.   Read More About This

26.

Starting Wednesday and continuing, Trump repeatedly blamed the failure of the latest GOP Obamacare repeal attempt on a US senator being in the hospital, confounding his own aides. No senator is in the hospital.   Read More About This

27.

On Monday, at a rally in Alabama for Strange featuring Pence, campaign staffers informed reporters they couldn't leave the pen to interview voters.   Read More About This

28.

On Tuesday, at a speech at Georgetown Law, Sessions criticized US universities for being "politically correct" and infringing on students' free-speech rights.   Read More About This

29.

Students and faculty protested Sessions speech by taking a knee outside the speech; but ironically many were not allowed inside.   Read More About This

30.

Chuck Rosenberg, the acting head of the DEA, resigned Tuesday, saying Trump has little respect for the law. Rosenberg has served under both W. Bush and Obama, and served twice as Comey's chief of staff.   Read More About This

31.

POLITICO reported even after departures of many Trump aides this summer, many who remain are reaching out to headhunters, lobbyists, and GOP operatives for help in finding new jobs.   Read More About This

32.

USA Today reported information on Ivanka's China supply chain has disappeared since she took a senior role in the Trump regime. Tracking data has vanished, leaving the identity of 90% of shipments a mystery.   Read More About This

33.

Ivanka's business secrecy obscures whether China is using business ties to try to influence the White House  --  and whether Ivanka could profit from Chinese government subsidies while destroying American jobs.   Read More About This

34.

On Monday, in a speech to an oil industry group, Zinke said nearly one-third of Interior's employees are not loyal to Trump. He also said he is working to make the department's culture more business friendly.   Read More About This

35.

Zinke also added, without explanation, "Fracking is proof that God's got a good sense of humor and he loves us."   Read More About This

36.

After campaigning for McConnell in KY in Week 45, Gorsuch addressed a conservative group at the Trump Hotel DC amid protests and criticism for speaking at a venue that is the subject of several lawsuits against Trump.   Read More About This

37.

Sunlight Foundation reported Trump National Golf Club in DC hosted the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup in September, again raising Emoluments Clause concerns. The Turkish government owns 49% of Turkish Airlines.   Read More About This

38.

WAPO reported at a private dinner Tuesday, Trump told attendees he thoughts his calling Kim Jong Un "Rocket Man" at his address to the UN would be seen as a compliment, not an insult.   Read More About This

39.

POLITICO reported Kushner used a private email set up last December to communicate with regime members about government business.   Read More About This

40.

Kushner's lawyer said fewer than 100 emails were sent or received from January through August, but failed to address December, a month when Kushner had undisclosed meetings with Russians.   Read More About This

41.

On Monday, NYT reported that six WH advisers (Kushner, Ivanka, Cohn, Bannon, Miller, Priebus) used private emails accounts to discuss WH matters, sparking charges of hypocrisy.   Read More About This

42.

While four advisers used commercial email services like Gmail, Kushner created a domain, IJKFamily.com in December 2016 for he and Ivanka.   Read More About This

43.

On Monday, Rep Cummings, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Comm, announced he is investigating Kushner's use of personal emails.   Read More About This

44.

CNN reported Kushner didn't inform the Senate Intel Comm about the existence of his personal email account during his recent closed interview.   Read More About This

45.

Burr and Warner wrote a letter to Kushner's attorney instructing him to double-check that he has turned over every relevant document, including those from his personal email account, as well as any other email accounts.   Read More About This

46.

POLITICO reported the WH launched an internal probe of private email use following POLITICO's Sunday report. Of particular interest are Kushner and Ivanka's use of a private email domain.   Read More About This

47.

WSJ reported McGahn considered resigning last summer over lack of protocols for meetings between Trump and Kushner, and concern the meetings would be construed by Mueller as an effort to coordinate stories.   Read More About This

48.

Reuters reported in a letter, McCain and Cardin cited that two months after signing it, Trump has not begun enforcing a law imposing new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea.   Read More About This

49.

The letter also noted the Trump regime has not yet provided information related to Russia's defense and intelligence sectors required under the measure. That information is due tomorrow.   Read More About This

50.

WAPO reported Obama met privately with Zuckerberg at a world leaders meeting in Peru on November 19 to warn him if Russian interference wasn't addressed, it would get worse in the next presidential election.   Read More About This

51.

Facebook contacted the FBI in June 2016 over concerns of Russian espionage after tracking a hacking group, but failed to recognize Russian operatives were pumping propaganda using ad micro-targeting.   Read More About This

52.

WAPO reported Russian operatives used targeted messages on Facebook to exploit racism, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiments, and to sow chaos among Americans during the 2016 election.   Read More About This

53.

The divisive themes used by Russian operatives on Facebook mirrored those used by Trump and his supporters on social ­media and on right-wing websites. Investigators are looking into the possibility of coordination.   Read More About This

54.

BuzzFeed reported Bannon plotted to infiltrate Facebook by getting a spy through the company's hiring process. The idea came from Chris Gacek, a former Congressional staffer who now works at Family Research Council.   Read More About This

55.

POLITICO reported that in addition to Trump, Russian-funded Facebook ads also backed Stein and Sanders.   Read More About This

56.

Daily Beast reported Russian operatives impersonated real American Muslims in a Facebook group United Muslims of America named after a real nonprofit, and shared fake memes about Hillary, McCain and more.   Read More About This

57.

CNN reported Russian operatives bought ads on Facebook which referenced Black Lives Matters and targeted residents of Ferguson and Baltimore. The ads were meant to sow discord among Americans.   Read More About This

58.

Congressional investigators are examining the sophisticated targeted by the Russian operatives, and questions arise on whether they knew how to target their ads because of collusion with the Trump campaign.   Read More About This

59.

Paul Horner, a leading purveyor of fake news during the 2016 election, was found dead of an apparent drug overdose. He was 38. Horner told WAPO in 2016 he thought Trump won the White House because of him.   Read More About This

60.

Mother Jones reported on a new study which found Russia concentrated million of fake news tweets to 27 states, 12 of which were swing states including PA, MI and FL where Trump narrowly won.   Read More About This

61.

In a Facebook post, Zuckerberg said he was wrong to dismiss the notion of fake news and its impact on the election: "Calling that crazy was dismissive and I regret it. This is too important an issue to be dismissive."   Read More About This

62.

In explaining why Trump hasn't been suspended from Twitter despite violating the company's guidelines relating to threats of violence (against N. Korea), the company cited his tweets' "newsworthiness."   Read More About This

63.

NYT reported Russian operative relied heavily on Twitter to influence the 2016 election. The platform was used for large-scale automated messaging using "bot" accounts to spread false stories and promote news articles.   Read More About This

64.

Russian operatives' use of Twitter continues, including this week when a network of accounts activated around Trump's admonishment of the NFL. These accounts continue to identify divisive issues and fan the flames.   Read More About This

65.

Twitter met with House and Senate investigators who are probing Russian interference. The company found roughly 200 accounts believed to be tied to the same Russian operatives who bought ads on Facebook.   Read More About This

66.

Twitter handed over copies of all sponsored tweets purchased by Kremlin-backed news agency RT. Twitter said RT spent $274k on ads in 2016.   Read More About This

67.

Warner said he wasn't satisfied with Twitter's Senate Intel Comm briefing, saying it was "frankly inadequate on almost every level."   Read More About This

68.

WSJ reported Google is conducting a broad internal investigation to assess whether Russian operatives used its ads or services to try to manipulate voters. The company is also talking with Congressional investigators.   Read More About This

69.

On Tuesday, the Trump regime denied a request by Puerto Rico to waive the Jones Act in order to ease shipping restrictions and help get fuel and supplies to the island. Trump had waived the act during Harvey and Irma.   Read More About This

70.

On Tuesday, McCain asked the Trump regime to reverse course and waive the Jones Act to help the Puerto Rican people.   Read More About This

71.

On Wednesday, amid uproar, Trump said he was reluctant to waive the Jones Act, citing "we have a lot of shippers and a lot of people that work in the shipping industry" who are opposed to lifting the act.   Read More About This

72.

Bowing to public pressure, Trump finally waived the Jones Act on Thursday, announced through a tweet by press secretary Sanders.   Read More About This

73.

Lawmakers said Trump's 10-day Jones Act waiver is not enough for Puerto Rico. Several members of Congress are pushing for a one-year period.   Read More About This

74.

On Thursday, AP reported despite DHS Secretary Duke saying "the relief effort is under control," Puerto Ricans say relief is failing them. A young mother of two said, "I have not received any help, and we ran out of food yesterday."   Read More About This

75.

On Friday, while speaking about his tax plan, Trump said Puerto Rico relief is hampered by it being surrounded by water: "This is an island, surrounded by water. Big water. Ocean water."   Read More About This

76.

Cummings, the ranking dem on the House Oversight Comm and Placket of USVI called for an emergency hearing on Trump's hurricane response to Puerto Rico and USVI. The Katrina hearing was cited as precedent.   Read More About This

77.

On Friday, the general in charge of relief in Puerto Rico said there are "not enough" troops or equipment to place to help.   Read More About This

78.

On Friday, in a tear-filled plea to the media, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz said, "I will do what I never thought I was going to do. I am begging, begging anyone who can hear us to save us from dying."   Read More About This

79.

On Saturday in a series of tweets, Trump attacked the Mayor of San Juan for "poor leadership" and being "nasty." Mayor Cruz tweeted asking people to focus on "saving lives" and not to be "distracted by anything else."   Read More About This

80.

Trump also sent a series of tweet before and after his golf game Saturday blaming the "Fake New Media," working in conjunction with Democrats, for spreading disinformation and taking away the spirit of our soldiers.   Read More About This

81.

Trump also tweeted blame at the people of Puerto Rico during the week saying they "want everything to be done for them" and that they were "already suffering from broken infrastructure & massive debt."   Read More About This;  Click here, also

82.

Ironically, Trump's golf course in Puerto Rico filed for bankruptcy, listing assets of $9mm and liabilities of $78mm. The Puerto Rican government's $33mm investment in Trump's Coco Beach was completely wiped out.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

83.

WAPO reported on Trump's "lost weekend"  --  after Maria hit Puerto Rico on September 20, Trump spent a long weekend (Sept 21–24) in NJ during which he and his top aides effectively went dark on Puerto Rico.   Read More About This

84.

It wasn't until the following Tuesday, September 26, that Trump addressed the situation in Puerto Rico. This after senior officials said on Monday, Trump "was becoming frustrated by the coverage he was seeing on TV."   Read More About This

85.

POLITICO reported Price combined business travel on government-funded private jets with personal travel, including a trip to St. Simons Island for he and his wife where they owns property, and a lunch with his son.   Read More About This

86.

On Thursday, POLITICO reported Price also took military jets to Europe, Asia and Africa with his wife, costing taxpayers over $500k.   Read More About This

87.

In total, Price's travel costs exceeded $1mm since May. On Thursday, Price said he'd pay for ‘his seat' and write a check for $52k.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

88.

Late Friday, after Trump said Price is "fine man" but that he "didn't like the optics." Price resigned late Friday joining an unusually long list of Trump regime firings and resignations.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

89.

WAPO reported the EPA is spending almost $25k to construct a secure, soundproof communications booth for Pruitt. No previous EPA head had a similar set up.   Read More About This

90.

Pruitt and his deputies have taken other steps to heighten security, including having EPA staff members surrender their cellphones and other digital devices before entering meetings with Pruitt.   Read More About This

91.

WAPO also reported Pruitt took charter and military flights that cost taxpayers more than $58k. The EPA's inspector general announced a preliminary probe into Pruitt's travels to Oklahoma at taxpayer expense.   Read More About This

92.

POLITICO reported Zinke has taken several flights on private or military aircraft, including a $12k charter plane to his hometown in Montana, and two chartered flights for Zinke and his staff to the USVI in March.   Read More About This

93.

WAPO reported Zinke charged taxpayers $12k for a flight on a private plane owned by oil executives.   Read More About This

94.

WAPO reported VA Secretary Shulkin took a 10-day, taxpayer-funded, trip to Europe in July with his wife. Shulkin had four days meeting, and the rest was spent on vacation including Wimbledon, a cruise and sight-seeing.   Read More About This

95.

CBS reported Trump kids' ski vacation to Aspen in March cost taxpayers more than half a million dollars, including $330k in security costs, $196k in lodging and tens of thousands in other expenses.   Read More About This

96.

On Wednesday, Trump launched his tax plan saying, ""I don't benefit. I don't benefit." NYT reported, based on two pages of his 2005 return, Trump could save more than $1.1bn under his new plan.   Read More About This

97.

WSJ reported the Treasury Dept took down a 2012 economic analysis which contradicts Mnuchin's take on corporate-tax cut's winners.   Read More About This

98.

CNN reported after months of being at odds, the IRS Criminal Investigation division is now sharing years of Manafort's and Flynn's tax returns with Mueller. It is not clear if Mueller has Trump's tax returns.   Read More About This

99.

CNN also reported the IRS Criminal Investigation division has been working with the FBI to investigate Manafort since before the election in probes that centers on possible money laundering and tax fraud issues.   Read More About This

100.

ABC reported Mueller is investigating Russian-American money that flowed into the Trump campaign during the election. Three Americans with significant Russian business connections contributed almost $2mm.   Read More About This

101.

POLITICO reported Pence sent his lawyer to meet with Mueller over the summer to express his willingness to cooperate in the Russia probe.   Read More About This

102.

CNN reported Mueller could start interviewing WH staff this week, or possible next depending on scheduling.   Read More About This

103.

Spicer hired Chris Mead, a high-powered criminal defense attorney, to represent him in Mueller's Russia probe.   Read More About This

104.

BuzzFeed reported Tillerson and Lavrov had a 45 minute private meeting. Under Secretary Tom Shannon, US official for Europe Elisabeth Millard, and other US officials were excluded, and a full readout was not provided.   Read More About This

105.

After the candidate he backed in the Alabama, Luther Strange, lost the senate primary Tuesday, Trump deleted his tweets supporting Strange.   Read More About This

106.

Roy Moore, the winner in Alabama who was backed by Bannon, is so extremist in his racism, xenophobia and homophobia, many Republicans when asked simply claimed they had never heard of him.   Read More About This

107.

Corker, a Trump ally during the 2016 campaign, became the second Republican to unexpectedly announce he will not seek re-election in 2018.   Read More About This

108.

A Quinnipiac poll found 69% of Americans think Trump should stop tweeting from his personal account, and 57% think he is not fit to serve.   Read More About This

109.

Trump waited four days to call Merkel and congratulate her on winning re-election. Merkel had called Trump on November 9, one day later.   Read More About This

110.

Fifty days after Trump announced he was going to declare the opioid crisis a national emergency, he still has not made it official.   Read More About This

Replicated from:   https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-46-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-e23a6920c44b

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Week #45:  September 24, 2017

Week 45 is the week of Paul Manafort -- who now in retrospect, seems an even more odd choice by Trump for campaign manager. As Mueller zeroes in on Manafort and Flynn, almost every Trump campaign and WH staffers, past and present, is being drawn in to the expanding Russia probe. This week several regime members drew heat for unrepentant kleptocracy. ____________________________________________________________

1.

In a series of bizarre Sunday morning tweets, Trump referred to Kim Jong Un as the "Rocket Man," retweeted a criticism of a NYT story, and retweeted two of his own tweets.   Read More About This

2.

Trump also retweeted a GIF of him hitting Hillary with a golf ball in the head, sparking criticism for the violent imagery against a female political opponent. Elected Republicans remained silent.   Read More About This

3.

The original account of the golf GIF was @Fuctupmind, whose Twitter feed is full of racist, anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQ tweets.   Read More About This

4.

Trump began his first UN remarks by mentioning Trump World Tower, "I actually saw great potential right across the street to be honest with you."   Read More About This

5.

Trump threatened to "totally destroy" N. Korea, and using his new nickname for Kim Jong Un, said, "Rocket man is on a suicide mission." N. Korea's ambassador walked out before Trump's speech started.   Read More About This

6.

Trump also said, "I will always put America first," and urged other leaders to do the same. Several analysts compared Trump's speech to the 1920'swhen traditionalist reacted to changing times by stoking hate of others.   Read More About This

7.

WAPO's Asia Pacific reporter noted Kim Jong Un's regime tells N. Korean people every day that the US "wants to destroy them and their country. Now, they will hear it from another source" -- Trump.   Read More About This

8.

On Wednesday, in an escalating war of words, N. Korea's foreign minister likened Trump to a "dog barking."   Read More About This

9.

On Thursday, while threatening escalation, Kim Jong Un called Trump a "mentally deranged US dotard." N. Korea analysts noted it is unprecedented to have Kim Jong Un himself directly attack a US leader.   Read More About This

10.

On Friday, the LA Times reported aides repeatedly warned Trump not to deliver a personal attack on Kim Jong Un at his UN speech, saying insults could irreparably escalate tensions.   Read More About This

11.

Pew Research reported America's image has suffered since Trump took office. In a survey spanning 37 nations, just 22% have confidence Trump is doing the right thing in international affairs, versus 64% for Obama.   Read More About This

12.

As tensions rise with N. Korea, 76% of S. Koreans and 72% of Japanese say they have no confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.   Read More About This

13.

Trump also blasted Iranian leaders as a "corrupt dictatorship behind the false guise of a democracy," and said "the Iran deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions," and an "embarrassment" to the US.   Read More About This

14.

On Friday, Iran showed off its new ballistic missile at a military parade in Tehran. President Rouhani said, "when it comes to defending our country, we will ask nobody for their permission."   Read More About This

15.

At a bilateral meeting, Trump praised Turkey's authoritarian leader Erdogan, saying: "We have a great friendship." Erdogan is the subject of international condemnation for his brutal crackdown on dissidents.   Read More About This

16.

State authorities in NH are investigating the wounding of an 8 year-old biracial boy as a possible hate crime. The boy was pushed off a picnic table with a rope around his neck by teenagers.   Read More About This

17.

US Army recruiters are canceling contracts with hundreds of immigrant recruits, exposing some to deportation. Recruiters claim the move is to eliminate onerous background investigations from the enlistment process.   Read More About This

18.

Newsweek reported white supremacists are recruiting on college campuses. At University of Houston, flyers reading "Beware the International Jew" and "Imagine a Muslim-Free America" were hung around campus.   Read More About This

19.

McClatchy reported the Trump regime is considering a policy which would fast-track the deportation of thousands of unaccompanied Central American teenagers who arrived at the southern border.   Read More About This

20.

More than 150k children who arrived at the southern border, escaping violence and poverty in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, would be sent back when they turn 18, without seeing an immigration judge first.   Read More About This

21.

NPR reported parents traveling within Texas to a hospital to get their two-month old a lifesaving operation were arrested and put into deportation proceedings. A hospital nurse may have tipped border patrol off.   Read More About This

22.

Under Obama, immigration agents avoided enforcement actions at hospitals, schools and churches. The Trump regime rounds up people in the country illegally at those places, even if they have no criminal record.   Read More About This

23.

Guardian reported Trump has assembled the most male-dominated government in decades, with 80% of nominations for top jobs in the Trump regime going to men.   Read More About This

24.

On Friday, DeVos formally rescinded Obama-era policies campus sexual assault meant to protect victims, instead siding with men's rights advocates. No formal policy was put in place, just a higher burden of proof.   Read More About This

25.

WSJ reported as Trump's temporary travel ban expired Friday, DHS may replace it with a targeted approach that will impact nine countries, only one of which is not majority Muslim. Trump has no business interests in the six already on the list, it is uncertain about the additional three.   Read More About This

26.

A triathlon scheduled to take place at Trump National golf course in NC, originally named "Tri at the Trump" then rebranded "Tri for Good," was canceled amid controversy. This would have been the race's fourth year.   Read More About This

27.

WJAR-TV, one of RI's most watched television stations, said it is being forced by its owner Sinclair Broadcast Group to broadcast multiple programs favorable to Trump.   Read More About This

28.

AP reported the Republican Governors Associations quietly set up a media outlet, "The Free Telegraph." Critics called the website, which makes no mention of a being a product of an official party committee, propaganda.   Read More About This

29.

On Monday, Trump said he was looking into staging a military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue for July 4th.   Read More About This

30.

On Wednesday, in a speech at a lunch with African leaders, Trump praised the health care of Nambia, a nonexistent African country.   Read More About This

31.

Nicaragua announced it will sign on to the Paris climate accord  --  leaving only Syria and the US outside it.   Read More About This

32.

Trump blocked a woman with stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma on Twitter. Laura Packard had tweeted Graham-Cassidy would jeopardize the lives of people like her who rely on Obamacare exchanges for coverage.   Read More About This

33.

AP reported lawmakers across the country introduced dozens of bills this year which would close or limit public access to a wide range of government records and meetings.   Read More About This

34.

The Trump regime has removed links to taxpayer-funded climate data on the U.S. Geological Survey website. A search for "Effects of Climate Change" had 2,825 items in December and today has zero items.   Read More About This

35.

WAPO reported that in a memo to Trump, Interior Sec Zinke is recommending modifying 10 national monuments created by Obama, including shrinking the boundaries of at least four.   Read More About This

36.

Justice Gorsuch campaigned for McConnell in a speech in McConnell's hometown on Thursday. In Week 21, McConnell passed the filibuster-ending "nuclear option" that allowed Gorsuch to get confirmed.   Read More About This

37.

WAPO reported Democrats are introducing The Hotel Act, legislation which would ban federal officials from using taxpayer fund for travel expenses at Trump-owned properties or locales.   Read More About This

38.

POLITICO reported HHS Sec Price used a private-jet for travel, breaking precedent. Price has been an outspoken critic of federal spending, and has developed a plan for department-wide savings at HHS.   Read More About This

39.

POLITICO also reported Price traveled by private by private plane at least 24 times since early May, costing taxpayers more than $300k. Many flights were to conferences, so dates were known well in advance.   Read More About This

40.

The most frequent justification for chartered flights is lack of comparable options. POLITICO found several commercial flight options at comparable times for five chartered flights Price took last week.   Read More About This

41.

WAPO reported according to a senior administration official, the WH did not approve Price's travel on chartered planes.   Read More About This

42.

On Friday, WAPO reported the HHS Inspector General is investigating Price's use of two dozen chartered flights in recent months.   Read More About This

43.

ABC reported Treasury Dept investigators are also looking into a charter flight Mnuchin took from NY to DC on August 15 at a cost to taxpayers of $25k. There are ample flight and rail alternatives available for this route.   Read More About This

44.

For a third time, Republicans in the Senate tried to pass healthcare without using regular order or trying for any bi-partisan support. McCain's vote against these tactics will likely cause Graham-Cassidy to fail.   Read More About This

45.

The Trump regime continued to sabotage Obamacare: HHS announced it will shut down the @HHSgov website for 12 hours during all but one Sunday in the remaining six weeks of open enrollment season.   Read More About This

46.

Jeff Mateer, Trump's nominee for a federal judgeship in Texas, in two 2015 speeches, described transgender children are evidence of "Satan's plan," and lamented that states were banning conversion therapy.   Read More About This

47.

WAPO reported the EPA has spent $833k on Pruitt's round-the-clock personal security detail over the past three months, doubling what was spent by his predecessors, and amid massive cost cutting for the agency.   Read More About This

48.

According to a copy of his schedule obtained by WAPO, Pruitt met regularly with executives from the auto, mining and fossil fuel industries  --  in some cases shortly before making decisions favorable to them.   Read More About This

49.

POLITICO reported a review of Trump's pick for USDA hires reveals the agency is full of campaign staff and volunteers, many of whom have little or no federal policy experience or knowledge about agriculture.   Read More About This

50.

Trump's picks are also being paid above their pay scale. One former truck driver is being paid the highest levels on the federal government's pay scale, a GS-12, earning $80k annually, although he has no college degree.   Read More About This

51.

Former Trump campaign adviser Michael Caputo said he will need to liquidate part of his children's college fund to pay for specialized legal representation in the Mueller Russia probe.   Read More About This

52.

Flynn's siblings launched a legal-defense fund to help defray the costs of the Russia probe. The family will not disclose the identity of donors, raising concerns from ethics experts.   Read More About This

53.

Reuters reported Trump is using money donated to his re-election campaign and the RNC to pay for his legal fees related to the Russia probe.   Read More About This

54.

CNN reported the RNC spent $231k in August to cover Trump's legal fees, paying personal attorneys Sekulow $131k and Dowd $100k.   Read More About This

55.

The RNC has also payed nearly $200k of Donald Jr.'s legal fees for the Russia probe in August.   Read More About This

56.

WSJ reported the Republican Party is funding Trump's legal defense in the Russia probe with help from a handful of wealthy individuals, including a Ukrainian-born American with close business ties to Russian oligarchs.   Read More About This

57.

NYT reported Donald Jr. has decided to forego his Secret Service protection, citing he wants more privacy.   Read More About This

58.

Jody Hunt, Sessions' chief-of-staff and Trump's pick to be assistant AG of the DOJ's Civil Division, was present at a key meeting between Sessions, Comey and Trump, at which Trump asked all but Comey to leave.   Read More About This

59.

Sessions' new chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, said Mueller's Russia probe is turning into a "witch hunt," and said Rosenstein should "order Mueller to limit the scope of his investigation."   Read More About This

60.

On Tuesday, Senate investigators canceled a meeting with Michael Cohen, saying he broke an agreement by releasing a statement and speaking to the media. NBC reports the committee will subpoena Cohen instead.   Read More About This

61.

Guardian reported on the eighth person at the June 9 Trump Tower meeting: Ikray "Ike" Kaveladze, saying he is an associate of some of Russia's richest and most powerful people.   Read More About This

62.

Kaveladze was involved in the 2013 takeover of Stillwater Mining by Norilsk Nickel, a Russian mining firm owned by an associate of Putin -- the first Russian company to take a majority stake in a US company. Kaveladze served on the new company's board.   Read More About This

63.

NYT reported on two Trump lawyers, Cobb and Dowd, overheard by NYT reporters while discussing over lunch a clash within Trump's legal team over how much to cooperate with Mueller.   Read More About This

64.

Per the overheard conversation, WH officials fear that colleagues are wearing wires for Mueller. NYT reported in the aftermath McGahn erupted at Cobb, and Kelly reprimanded him.   Read More About This

65.

CBS reported FBI surveillance of Manafort during 2016 picked up conversations between Manafort and Russians about the campaign, and may also include conversations between Manafort and Trump.   Read More About This

66.

WSJ reported Mueller's team interviewed deputy AG Rosenstein about Trump's firing of Comey in June or July. Mueller has independence on his investigation, but ultimately answers to Rosenstein.   Read More About This

67.

Rosenstein said Trump shrugged off any potential consequences for firing Comey. Rosenstein also turned over the May 8 memo from Trump which outlined his rationale for firing Comey, to Mueller's team.   Read More About This

68.

CNN reported Manafort was wiretapped by the US government. The wiretap was first authorized by the special court that handles FISA warrants in 2014 when Manafort was the subject of a FBI investigation.   Read More About This

69.

The surveillance was discontinued late last year for lack of evidence, then restarted by the FBI under a new FISA warrant for ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, which extended into early 2017.   Read More About This

70.

NYT reported on aggressive tactics being employed by Mueller's investigator against Manafort, including prosecutors telling him they planned to indict him as they searched his Virginia home.   Read More About This

71.

To get the search warrant, Mueller's team had to show probable cause that Manafort's home contained evidence of a crime. To pick the lock, prosecutors had to persuade a judge Manafort would destroy evidence.   Read More About This

72.

Also of note: Mueller's team first learned of the emails between Donald Jr. and Russians to set up the June 9 meeting through NYT reporting.   Read More About This

73.

WAPO reported Mueller has requested extensive records and email correspondence from the WH for 13 categories which investigators for the special counsel have identified as critical to their probe.   Read More About This

74.

Mueller's agents have zeroed in on Manafort and Flynn. Their past associates are being questioned on whether they tried to conceal consulting work that could have benefited foreign governments.   Read More About This

75.

NYT reported requests relate to the areas of Flynn's hiring and firing, the Comey firing, and Trump's Oval Office meeting with Lavrov and Kislyak at which he said the Comey firing has relieved "great pressure" on him.   Read More About This

76.

Documents are also sought for communications with Manafort, as well as Trump's campaign foreign policy team: Carter Page, J. D. Gordon, Keith Kellogg, George Papadopoulos, Walid Phares and Joseph E. Schmitz.   Read More About This

77.

Other areas include Flynn's conversations with Kislyak, Spicer's statements on Comey's firing, and the June 9 Trump Tower meeting and the WH response to that meeting.   Read More About This

78.

Axios reported Spicer's colleagues say he filled "notebook after notebook" at meetings during the campaign and then at the WH. Spicer was known for keeping copious notes.   Read More About This

79.

When Axios's Mike Allen texted Spicer for a comment, Spicer responded, "From a legal standpoint I want to be clear: Do not email or text me again. Should you do again I will report to the appropriate authorities."   Read More About This

80.

WAPO reported that less than two weeks before the RNC Convention, Manafort made an offer in an email through an intermediary to give Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska a private briefing.   Read More About This

81.

Manafort and Deripaska had a business relationship in which Manafort was paid as an investment consultant. Deripaska is one of Russia's richest men, and someone Putin turns to on a regular basis.   Read More About This

82.

Manafort emails indicate he may have been looking to get paid money owed by past clients using his role and influence as Trump's campaign manager. An email in April asked, "How do we use to get whole?"   Read More About This

83.

Also of note, Deripaska claimed Manafort siphoned off $19mm of funds intended for investments -- for which Deripaska sued in US court. It is possible Manafort was looking to wipe that debt away.   Read More About This

84.

Also in email, Manafort communicated with Konstantin Kilimnik, his long-time man in Kiev who attended Soviet military school, using code terms like "OVD" for Deripaska and "black caviar" for possible payments.   Read More About This

85.

NYT reported in order to help defray his legal expenses, Manafort is working for allies of the leader of Iraq's Kurdish region on a referendum on Kurdish independence from Iraq. The US opposes the referendum.   Read More About This

86.

As part of that work, Manafort may leave the country and return to the region in the coming days for the vote.   Read More About This

87.

NYT reported New York-based law firm Skadden, Arps has been asked by the DOJ for documentation related to work arranged by Manafort for Viktor Yanukovych, the Russia-aligned former PM of Ukraine.   Read More About This

88.

The work was part of an effort to shield Yanukovych from international condemnation for his government prosecuting and convicting the former Ukrainian PM Tymoshenko without evidence and for political reasons.   Read More About This

89.

Skadden, Arps has returned half the $1.1mm in fees the firm received. It is unclear if the document request relates to Mueller's Russia probe, and its focus on Manafort.   Read More About This

90.

Former Trump campaign manager Lewandowski, while defending Trump, said he hopes Manafort, Stone or any others on the campaign who colluded with Russia in 2016, "go to jail for the rest of their lives."   Read More About This

91.

Mueller brought in Stephen Kelly, fmr congressional affairs chief for the FBI, to act as a liaison to Capitol Hill. Kelly will be a point of contact and keep congressional investigators up to date on the special counsel's probe.   Read More About This

92.

Twitter will meet with the Senate Intel Comm next week relating to the committee's investigation into Russian interference in the US election.   Read More About This

93.

Bowing to pressure from lawmakers and the public, Facebook will release 3k ads bought by a Russian agency to congressional investigators. Facebook also vowed to be more "transparent."   Read More About This

94.

Daily Beast reported Russians used Facebook to organize more than a dozen pro-Trump rallies in Florida during the 2016 election. The page for one such group, "Being Patriotic," was closed by Facebook in August 2017.   Read More About This

95.

On Friday morning, Trump defended Russia from Facebook ads as being a "Russia hoax," while attacking Hillary, tweeting the greatest influence was "the Fake News Media "screaming" for Crooked Hillary Clinton."   Read More About This

96.

USA Today reported, according to the FBI, as many as 39 states had their election systems scanned or targeted by Russia. Several states are now considering switching back to paper ballots.   Read More About This

97.

On Friday, DHS contacted election officials in 21 states to notify them they had been targeted by Russian government hackers during the 2016 election. This was the first time government officials contacted the states.   Read More About This

98.

DHS did not make names of the 21 states public, citing privacy. BuzzFeedreported state officials are outraged, and wanting to know why it took DHS a year to inform them. Sen Warner called the delay "unacceptable."   Read More About This

99.

PA and WI, states with odd voting patterns which were the subject of recounts, were among the 21 disclosed as of Friday night. Officials in FL, another surprise on election night, said they were also a target of Russia.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

100.

On Friday night, former DNI Clapper said US Intel's findings on Russia's election interference "did serve to cast doubt on the legitimacy" of Trump's victory, and expressed concern that Russian interference will continue.   Read More About This

101.

On Friday night in Alabama, at what was supposed to be a campaign rally for Sen Luther Strange, Trump said of his support of Strange, "I'll be honest, I might have made a mistake."   Read More About This

102.

The campaign rally turned out to be a 90 minute rant, including Trump again deriding Kim Jong Un, calling him "little Rocket Man."   Read More About This

103.

Trump also said of Colin Kaepernick who took a knee in protest, NFL owners should respond by saying, "Get that son of a bitch off the field."   Read More About This

104.

The next morning, Trump tweeted about Stephen Curry, a member of the NBA Champion Warriors who had expressed reservations about going to the WH: "Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!"   Read More About This

105.

A WAPO opinion writer described how Trump is making Americans sick: including rising blood pressure, a surge in mouth-guards for night-time teeth clenching and grinding, and unusually busy psychotherapists.   Read More About This

106.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, decimating the island and leaving 3.5mm without electricity for months. On Friday, 70k were evacuated over concern of a failing dam. Trump did little to mention or address this crisis.   Read More About This

107.

The Trump regime plans to rollback Obama-era limitations on drone strikes and commando raids outside conventional battlefields.   Read More About This

Replicated from:   https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-45-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-bf4226b63a4e

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Week #44:  September 16, 2017

Front and center this week were reports on Russia's use of social media to influence the US election, possibly with help from the Trump regime. As well, a slew of reporting continued to build the evolving mosaic of connections and quid pro quo between members of the Trump regime and Putin allies. Trump's short-lived pivot ended abruptly late in the week when he again evoked "both sides" on Charlottesville, then started an embarrassing tweet storm about a tragic bombing in London. An interview by Rachel Maddow of Hillary on her new book, provided a momentary pause and wake up call for how much our country has changed -- both our global standing and government competency -- under a leader who admires, and aspires to authoritarianism. ____________________________________________________________

1.

When asked about Hurricane Irma, Trump took the opportunity to compliment the Coast Guard's branding: "If you talk about branding? No brand has improved more than the United States Coast Guard."   Read More About This

2.

Axios reported according to an adviser, Trump finally realized: "People really f@&@ing hate me." The adviser noted Trump's need for affirmation may have led to his sudden embrace of Schumer and Pelosi.   Read More About This

3.

WH social media director Dan Scavino Jr. tweeted then deleted a video, which he incorrectly attributed to Miami Airport during Hurricane Irma.   Read More About This

4.

FP reported on growing concerns within the CIA that due to his personal beliefs, Trump ally Pompeo is rolling back the agency's diversity mandate.   Read More About This

5.

In June, senior CIA management abruptly canceled an event with the Matthew Shepard Foundation, in honor of their late gay son. Shepard's death led to some of the country's first federal hate crime laws.   Read More About This

6.

On Sunday, Trump announced his sixth wave of US Attorney nominations: 41 of the 42 were men.   Read More About This

7.

On Monday, Trump nominated six to become US attorneys. All six where white men.   Read More About This

8.

Trump's NASA nominee Bridenstine was quoted as saying the agency should be reorganized, and "expansion of human knowledge" about space and Earth should be removed from NASA's objectives.   Read More About This

9.

The UNC Board of Governors approved a ban on litigation which effectively ended the civil rights center work benefitting low-income and minority groups at UNC's law school.   Read More About This

10.

ICE arrested a 34 year-old father of two in Santa Fe, using his younger brother, who was in HHS custody, as bait.   Read More About This

11.

Phoenix New Times reviewed ICE arrest records and found that employees at two Motel 6 locations in predominantly Latino neighborhoods were alerting ICE on undocumented guests.   Read More About This

12.

After an outcry on social media, Motel 6 said it would stop sharing guest lists, but has yet to acknowledge if this was only done at the local level, and to explain why employees were collaborating with ICE.   Read More About This

13.

NYT reported the Trump regime is considering lowering the refugee quota to below 50k, the lowest level since 1980, and less than half the 110k admitted by Obama in 2016.   Read More About This

14.

An ABC News affiliate reported DACA recipients are being detained for hours at Texas border checkpoints, with no explanation as to why. Border Patrol claim it's new protocol.   Read More About This

15.

A federal judge in Chicago blocked DOJ's rules under Sessions which required sanctuary cities to cooperate with immigration agents in order to get public safety grants, like the COPS program in Week 43.   Read More About This

16.

In the wake of Charlottesville, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution condemning white supremacists, neo-Nazis and other hate groups. The resolution called Heyer's murder a "domestic terrorist act."   Read More About This

17.

The resolution urges Trump and his regime to speak out against hate groups, and called on the DOJ and federal agencies to use all resources to improve data on hate crimes, and address growth of hate groups.   Read More About This

18.

On Tuesday, the House unanimously approved the resolution, and on Wednesday, press secretary Sanders said Trump " looks forward" to signing the resolution.   Read More About This

19.

Instead, on Thursday, Trump claimed that both sides were to blame in Charlottesville, repeating his charge that those who resisted the neo-Nazis and white supremacists were as much to blame as the alt-right crowds.   Read More About This

20.

WAPO reported POLITICO's editors warned staff on topics like physical attacks on journalists and white supremacy: "Try to stay away from those things because some of them are partisan."   Read More About This

21.

Trump nominated Eric Dreiband to lead the DOJ's Civil Rights Division. Dreiband testified against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and represented UNC in banning transgender people from using the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity.   Read More About This

22.

In her book "Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History," reporter Katy Tur detailed an unwanted kiss from Trump while covering his campaign. Tur said she was "mortified."   Read More About This

23.

Axios reported that according to an internal memo, the CDC is cracking down on employees communications with the press. The memo says not to speak to reporters, "even for a simple data-related question."   Read More About This

24.

On Monday, Trump's DOJ said in a court filing that a judge should erase her finding that Arpaio violated a court order and was guilty of criminal contempt -- a symbol of vindication.   Read More About This

25.

Two legal advocacy groups filed challenges to Trump's pardon of Arpaio, saying it was unconstitutional because it undermines the power of the judicial branch.   Read More About This

26.

Salon reported Trump has formed at least 49 new businesses since he announced his run for presidency, and continuing since he took office. He has done almost nothing to separate himself from his businesses.   Read More About This

27.

McClatchy reported despite Trump's pledge not to work with foreign entities, a construction company owned by the Chinese government was hired to work on Trump's new golf club development in Dubai.   Read More About This

28.

BuzzFeed reported Trump International Beach Resort in Florida has asked the government for permission to hire more temporary foreign workers. Trump has sought more than 380 H-2 visas since June 2015.   Read More About This

29.

Florida AG Pam Bondi will start next week on Trump's commission to combat the opioid crisis. In April, an ethics commission cleared Bondi of accepting a $25k donation from Trump at the same time she received a complaint on Trump University for fraud, which her office dismissed.   Read More About This

30.

In a September report on executive branch agency waivers and authorizations, the OGE noted the WH has refused to provide information requested and to answer follow-up questions on secret WH waivers.   Read More About This

31.

The Secret Service released just 22 of the visitor names to Mar-a-Lago in response to an April FOIA filing by CREW and two other groups. All 22 names were all related to Japanese PM Abe's February visit   Read More About This

32.

The limited disclosure violated a Federal judge's order to turn over all visitor names from Jan 20  -  March 8, 2017. Trump has spent 25 days at Mar-a-Lago. CREW promised to head back to court.   Read More About This

33.

WAPO shared a receipt sent to "National Security Council" from Mar-a-Lago, showing taxpayers were billed the "rack rate" of $1,092 for a two-night stay. Mar-a-Lago is 99% owned by Trump's revocable trust.   Read More About This

34.

Derek Harvey, the controversial former Mideast chief for the NSC who was fired by McMaster, is going to work for Nunes.   Read More About This

35.

At Trump's behest, McConnell is considering making the blue slip, a way for individual senators to block a nominees from their home states, advisory instead when it comes to appeals court nominees.   Read More About This

36.

POLITICO reported, in a reversal of internal policy, OGE said WH staffers may accept anonymous donations from lobbyists to legal defense funds.   Read More About This

37.

Late Friday, after scrutiny from the POLITICO story, OGE clarified its rules, saying contributions to legal defense funds from anonymous donors, as well as those from lobbyists and foreign governments, are unacceptable.   Read More About This

38.

ABC reported Mnuchin requested use of a government jet to take him and his wife to their honeymoon in Europe, prompting an "inquiry" by the Treasury Dept's Office of Inspector General.   Read More About This

39.

CREW sued the Treasury Dept for documents relating to Mnuchin's use of a government plane to travel to Kentucky with his wife Louise Linton. The Treasury Dept failed to respond to a prior request for disclosure.   Read More About This

40.

Trump's Election Integrity Comm convened its second meeting in NH. Of note, the list of witnesses included no people of color or women, but instead allies of Kobach and tarnished academics.   Read More About This

41.

Gizmodo reported on a document obtained from the DOJ which shows Sessions was lobbied by Heritage Foundation to exclude Democrats, mainstream Republicans, and academics from Election Integrity Comm.   Read More About This

42.

The author of the letter from Heritage, Hans von Spakovsky, participated in Kobach's NH meeting, on a panel. Spakovsky has led the charge for strict voter ID laws for more than a decade.   Read More About This

43.

In a statement, Alan King, a Democratic judge from Alabama on Trump's Election Integrity Comm, criticized the commission for overzealous effortsto purge people from voter rolls in favor of more affluent voters.   Read More About This

44.

ProPublica investigated the Election Integrity Comm's use of emails and found no instructions or training has been given. Some commission members are using private email which violates federal law.   Read More About This

45.

On Monday, Mexico withdrew its offer of aid to help Hurricane Harvey victims, noting Trump failed to send condolences to Mexico for a magnitude 8.1 earthquake and hurricane.   Read More About This

46.

NYT reported that in a WH meeting, Kelly likened Mexico to Venezuela under the leadership of the Chávez regime, and suggested it was on the verge of a collapse which would have repercussions for the US.   Read More About This

47.

Despite an ongoing DOJ investigation into Malaysian PM Najib Razak for misappropriating billions of dollars from a government fund he controlled, Trump invited him to the WH for a friendly visit.   Read More About This

48.

Najib has also been criticized for human rights violations under his leadership. He and his entourage stayed at the Trump Hotel DC.   Read More About This

49.

Yahoo reported Russian news agency, Sputnik, is under investigation by the FBI into whether it is acting as an undeclared propaganda arm of the Kremlin in violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).   Read More About This

50.

Andrew Feinberg, Sputnik's former WH correspondent, turned over emails to the FBI. Feinberg said supervisors regularly "would say, ‘Moscow wants this or Moscow wants that.'"   Read More About This

51.

Feinberg also told MSNBC many of the popular articles from right-wing media outlets like Breitbart, Infowars and Gateway Pundit and were prominently featured on Sputnik's website.   Read More About This

52.

RT, the Russian state-owned outlet, said it will be required by the FBI to register as a foreign agent in the US, signaling their content will be viewed as propaganda of Moscow.   Read More About This

53.

Russian journalist Latynina fled Russia with her family following a series of attacks. Latynina writes for an independent newspaper and Friday received a prize for defending human rights and freedom of the press.   Read More About This

54.

Priebus and McGahn both hired lawyer William Burck to represent them in the Mueller Russia probe.   Read More About This

55.

POLITICO reported lawyers for former and current Trump aides are advising clients not to lie for Trump. Lawyers are also warning clients that being connected to Trump won't protect them from criminal charges.   Read More About This

56.

WSJ reported some of Trump's lawyers concluded earlier this summer Kushner should step down. Among their concerns were undisclosed meeting with Russians, and mentioning Mueller probe to other WH staff.   Read More About This

57.

Also knowing the June 9 meeting was yet to come out publicly, lawyers had prepared talking points for Kushner's resignation, blaming the toxic political environment and him being used as a weapon against Trump.   Read More About This

58.

Russian politician Vyacheslav Nikonov, a member of the Duma, said on live TV that Russia stole the US presidency. The TV show focused on the US's diminishing power on the world stage.   Read More About This

59.

Daily Beast reported Russia used Facebook's event-management tool to remotely organize and promote political protests, including an August 2016 anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim rally in Idaho.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

60.

The event was hosted by "SecuredBorders," outed as a Russian front in March. When their Facebook page was taken down last month, the group had 133k followers.   Read More About This

61.

Former FBI agent Clint Watts noted this group is an example of the next step in Russian influence: "The second part of behavior influence is when you can get people to physically do something."   Read More About This

62.

In the months leading up to the Idaho rally, there were dozens of stories on right-wing websites like Infowars and Breitbart implying immigrants were taking over Twin Falls.   Read More About This

63.

Business Insider reported on another Russian-link Facebook group: "Heart of Texas," which had over 225k followers, and was taken down by Facebook last week.   Read More About This

64.

The group started by posting anti-Hillary memes, then became shifted as Election Day neared. Starting in November, "Heart of Texas" organized a series of anti-immigrant, anti-Hillary rallies across Texas.   Read More About This

65.

ProPublica reported Facebook enabled advertisers to target ads towards users who expressed interest in categories like "Jew hater" and "How to burn jews." After ProPublica contact them, Facebook took these down.   Read More About This

66.

Bloomberg reported that Russia's effort to influence US voters through Facebook and other social media is a "red-hot" focus of Mueller, as well as possible links in that effort to the Trump campaign.   Read More About This

67.

WSJ reported Facebook has given Mueller more details on Russian ad buys, including copies of the ads and details about the accounts that bought them and the targeting criteria they used.   Read More About This

68.

While Congress has the power to subpoena Facebook for "basic subscriber records" and to call witnesses, Mueller's search warrant compels Facebook to disclose much more detailed information.   Read More About This

69.

Vanity Fair reported that Congressional investigators and Mueller are focused on whether any Americans helped Russia target social media to impact crucial swing districts and wavering voter demographics.   Read More About This

70.

In an interview with Forbes after the election, Kushner bragged about the Trump campaign's online efforts, and said he had a technology expert "give me a tutorial on how to use Facebook micro-targeting."   Read More About This;  Click here, also

71.

Questions also emerge about possible ties between Kushner and Parscale to data-mining firm Cambridge Analytica, whose major investor is Robert Mercer, a patron of Bannon.   Read More About This

72.

Senate Intel Comm ranking members Burr and Warner said they are likely to ask representatives from Facebook to publicly testify on Russia's activity on their platform during the 2016 election.   Read More About This

73.

Sen. Warner tweeted that groups linked to Russia which used Facebook to meddle in the 2016 election paid in Rubles.   Read More About This

74.

A campaign finance reform group, headed by the former chair of the FEC Trevor Potter, said Facebook was an "accomplice" in a Russian influence scheme, and called on the company to publicly release Russian ads.   Read More About This

75.

BuzzFeed obtained a proposal delivered by a Putin diplomat to Trump three months into office detailing a wholesale restoration of diplomatic, military, and intelligence channels between Russia and the US.   Read More About This

76.

Members of the WH and State Dept did not dispute the authenticity of the proposal. Delivering the proposal meant Russia believed Trump would not hold alleged 2016 election interference against them.   Read More About This

77.

The Daily Beast reported the Trump campaign has begun turning over documents to Mueller. The Mueller probe is broad, and it is treating the WH, transition team, and campaign as separate legal entities.   Read More About This

78.

At a press briefing Tuesday, Sanders said the DOJ "should certainly look at" prosecuting Comey, claiming he had leaked privileged information to the media and offered false testimony to Congress.   Read More About This

79.

On Wednesday, WH Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee-Sanders again said Comey, essentially a political opponent, should face criminal charges for leaking a memo to the NYT.   Read More About This

80.

Sanders also said ESPN reporter Jemele Hill should be fired for her Monday tweet referring to Trump as "a white supremacist who has largely surrounded himself w/ other white supremacists."   Read More About This

81.

NYT reported after Trump was told that Mueller was appointed, he berated Sessions in the Oval Office. Trump called Sessions an "idiot," and said picking him for AG was the "worst decisions he had made."   Read More About This;  Click here, also

82.

Trump blamed the Mueller appointment on Sessions's decision to recuse himself from the DOJ Russia investigation, and said Sessions should resign. Sessions said he would quit and sent a resignation letter.   Read More About This

83.

Sessions later told associates the way Trump publicly demeaned him was his most humiliating experience in his decades of public life.   Read More About This

84.

Flynn refused a new request to appear in front of the Senate Intel Comm. Flynn has offered to testify before both the Senate and House Intel Comms in exchange for immunity, but neither committee accepted the offer.   Read More About This

85.

Top Democrats on the House Intel and Foreign Affairs wrote in a letter that Flynn concealed more than a dozen foreign contacts and overseas tripsduring the process of renewing his security clearances in 2016.   Read More About This

86.

The foreign contact information came from three private companies advised by Flynn which were pursuing a joint venture with Russia in 2015 and 2016 to bring nuclear power to several Middle Eastern countries.   Read More About This

87.

WSJ reported Flynn continued promoting the project after he took the position of NSA in the Trump regime, even after NSC ethics advisers directed Flynn to remove himself from the project.   Read More About This

88.

Even after Flynn was fired by Trump, he continued to lobby the Trump regime on the project, including Cohn and Barrack, Jr. ahead of their May trip to Saudi Arabia.   Read More About This

89.

NBC reported Flynn's son, Michael G. Flynn is the subject of the federal investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. The inquiry is based at least in part on his work with Flynn Intel Group.   Read More About This

90.

CNN reported the DOJ refused the Senate Judiciary Comm's request to interview two top FBI officials -- Carl Ghattas and James Rybicki - on the firing of Comey, citing Mueller's ongoing investigation.   Read More About This

91.

NYT reported Senate Judiciary Comm ranking members Grassley and Feinstein are considering subpoenaing members of the DOJ in their inquiry on Trump's firing of Comey.   Read More About This

92.

CNN reported Susan Rice privately told the House Intel Comm that she unmasked the identities of senior Trump officials to understand why the crown prince of the UAE came to New York late last year.   Read More About This

93.

The New York meeting (reported in Week 21) took place last December, and was attended by Flynn, Kushner and Bannon. In an unusual breach of protocol, the UAE did not advise the Obama administration in advance.

94.

Shortly after in January, Erik Prince, brother of Betsy DeVos, attended a secret meeting in Seychelles, arranged by the UAE, with a Russian close to Putin, allegedly to set up a back-channel for communications.   Read More About This

95.

WAPO reported DHS ordered all federal agencies to ban the use of a Kaspersky security software. Co-founder Eugene Kaspersky graduated from a KGB-supported school and worked in Russian military intelligence.   Read More About This

96.

The moves comes after the GSA removed the company from its approved vendor list, suggesting a vulnerability exists with Kaspersky that could give the Kremlin backdoor access to the systems the company protects.   Read More About This

97.

BuzzFeed reported that Flynn, Bannon and Kushner met with Jordan's King Abdullah II in NY days before Trump was inaugurated to push a deal which Flynn was advising on: nuclear power plants in the Middle East.   Read More About This

98.

An eye witness said at least half-a-dozen other people were with the trio at the Four Seasons bar. Flynn failed to disclose the meeting in security clearance forms, and Kushner disclosed it only in his amended forms.   Read More About This

99.

As part of the for-profit deal, reactors would be built by US companies and security would be provided by the Russian state-owned firm Rosoboron. Congressional approval would have been needed.   Read More About This

100.

In February, Abdullah visited the WH and met with Trump, Kelly and Mattis. A statement afterward underscored that the US "is committed to strengthening the security and economic partnership with Jordan."   Read More About This

101.

Bloomberg reported at the time Veselnitskaya met with Donald Jr. at Trump Tower, she also represented real-estate company Prevezon, which was under criminal investigation for a money laundering case.   Read More About This

102.

In 2013, Bharara filed a civil suit against Prevezon. Sessions abruptly settled the case three days before trial in May for just $5.9mm. There was no mention of the ongoing criminal investigation.   Read More About This

103.

Democratic lawmakers want to know if the Trump team members put pressure on Sessions to settle the case after Bharara was fired.   Read More About This

104.

Bloomberg said in the criminal case several countries and banks including Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, UBS and TD have supplied documents to the US to track more than $200mm that left Russia after a massive fraud.   Read More About This

105.

Business Insider reported that in the Prevezon criminal case, grand-jury testimonies are at a key stage. Prevezon is owned by the son of a powerful Russian government official.   Read More About This

106.

POLITICO reported Kyle Freeny, an attorney working on the DOJ's highest-profile money laundering case, is joining Mueller's team.   Read More About This

107.

Democrats flipped two very pro-Trump districts in special elections: there was a 28-point swing in NH, and a 31-point swing in OK.   Read More About This

108.

Benevity tracked a shift in donations made by Fortune 1000 US workers: ACLU went from #87 in 2015 to the top spot in 2017. SPLC went from #230 in 2015 to #17 in 2017.   Read More About This

109.

Early Friday morning, Trump took to Twitter after a bombing in London: "Another attack in London by a loser terrorist," and "Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner."   Read More About This

110.

UK PM May publicly alluded to Trump's tweet, saying she never thinks it's helpful to "speculate" on "an ongoing investigation." Friday, McMaster tried to clarify the tweets, saying Trump was speaking "generally."   Read More About This

111.

Bloomberg reported PM May complained directly to Trump, saying she was unhappy with his response when he called to offer condolences.   Read More About This

112.

Joining his classmates at Yale, 185 of Mnuchin's high school classmates from Riverdale Country School classmates called on him to resign.   Read More About This

113.

WSJ reported Rohrabacher contacted the WH trying to broker a "deal" that would end Assange's US legal troubles, in exchange for a computer drive or other data-storage device that he said would exonerate Russia.   Read More About This

114.

Kelly intercepted the call and advised Rohrabacher the deal "was best directed to the intelligence community." Kelly did not make Trump aware of Rohrabacher's message.   Read More About This

115.

AP reported that despite a pledge by the Trump inaugural committee to give leftover funds to charities, nothing has been donated. The group has helped pay for redecorating the WH and the Pence's residence in DC.   Read More About This

116.

Trump's inaugural committee raised $107mm, a record amount and double what Obama raised for his well-attended inauguration. The amount of times to close out the books is also unusual.   Read More About This

117.

VP Mike Pence's press secretary Marc Lotter resigned. It was unclear what his next move will be. Pence recently replaced his chief of staff.   Read More About This

118.

In an Atlantic article, "How Trump Is Ending the American Era," Eliot Cohen described the damage Trump has done, and continues to do to America's global standing.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

119.

On Friday, the Pentagon issued new guidance clarifying that transgender troops currently in the military can re-enlist in the next several months. This is yet another example in past weeks of Mattis going against Trump.   Read More About This

222.

[A Note From the Author, Amy Siskind: Thank you for all your generosity this week. Over 800 donors made contributions of $25 or less towards a new home for The Weekly List and associated tools, resources and videos. Thank you for being on this journey will me!]

Replicated from:   https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-44-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-7fbc1a8d7e01

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Week #43:  September 9, 2017

This week the Mueller probe edged towards engulfing Trump's entire inner-circle. Also of great import, Facebook finally admitted to the company's role in allowing Russian bots to infiltrate our election. Speculation grew that a foreign entity influenced our election, and that the Trump campaign was complicit. This week the Trump regime continued its assault on marginalized communities and women, rescinding DACA and taking away protections for victims of campus sexual assault. A second major hurricane illuminated the extent to which the Trump regime has already deconstructed federal agencies like the EPA and State Department. ____________________________________________________________

1.

Late Saturday over Labor Day Weekend, the DOJ unceremoniously announced there is no evidence Obama wiretapped Trump Tower. Trump did not apologize to Obama for this frequently repeated, false claim.   Read More About This

2.

Trump visited Hurricane Harvey survivors in Houston seeking shelter at the NRG Center. While preparing to serve lunch, Trump said his hands were "too big" to fit in the plastic serving gloves.   Read More About This

3.

As he left the shelter, Trump told survivors, "have a good time everybody."   Read More About This

4.

The Pentagon miscalculated the number of troops deployed the Harvey: command said 6,300 were deployed, but the actual number was 1,638.   Read More About This

5.

On Saturday afternoon, AP reported that while many ultra-polluted Superfund sites in Houston were flooded, and there was concern about toxins spreading, the EPA was not on scene.   Read More About This

6.

The EPA responded with a statement on Sunday, in which the agency personally attacked the credibility of the AP reporter: "Michael Biesecker has a history of not letting the facts get in the way of his story."   Read More About This

7.

The EPA said the Superfund sites were inaccessible, but they had used aerial imaging in their assessments. AP reported its staff had used a boat, vehicles and gone on foot to reach seven of the sites.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

8.

WAPO reported the EPA has taken the unusual step of putting a Trump political operative, John Konkus, who has little environmental policy experience, in charge of dolling out hundreds of millions of EPA grants.   Read More About This

9.

The GAO will investigate hiring practices by the EPA. Agencies are not supposed to hire industry lobbyists for two years, but the EPA allegedly skirted those orders using a provision of the Safe Drinking Water Act.   Read More About This

10.

Trump nominated David Zatezalo, a former chief executive Rhino Resources, a company which repeatedly clashed with federal regulators over safety, to run the Mine Safety and Health Administration.   Read More About This

11.

Trump nominated Jim Bridenstine, a representative from Oklahoma who has denied climate change and has no science credentials, to lead NASA. This is the longest in its history that NASA has been without a leader.   Read More About This

12.

CNN reported ahead of his Senate confirmation, parts of Bridenstine's online presence were scrubbed, including radio and video interviews, and Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts belonging to his campaign.   Read More About This

13.

Following a nuclear test by N. Korea which unleashed a 6.3-magnitude tremor Saturday, on Sunday, Trump was openly critical of S. Korea, tweeting, "their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work."   Read More About This

14.

NYT reported Trump's antagonistic comments recently have made S. Korea question their alliance with the US, which stretches over 67 years.   Read More About This

15.

Later that day, Mattis addressed the press and said, "our commitments among the allies are iron-clad." Mattis repeated that commitment in a statement on Wednesday.   Read More About This

16.

This marked the third time in a week that Mattis's message has differed from Trump (see Week 42), in addition to his statement to troops in Week 42 about upholding American values in the era of Trump.   Read More About This

17.

WSJ reported that nearly 400 EPA employees have left in recent days, leaving the agency with its lowest staffing in almost 30 years.   Read More About This

18.

The Pentagon dramatically scaled back the number of reporters traveling with Mattis overseas to just six: one wire service, one newspaper, a radio pool reporter, and a three-person pool television crew.   Read More About This

19.

AP, the oldest and largest American wire service, which provides news to thousands of print and broadcast clients and has traveled with the defense secretary for decades, will not be included in all trips.   Read More About This

20.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals narrowed the scope of Trump's second Muslim Ban, ruling extended family members are exempt.   Read More About This

21.

The Trump regime filed papers with the Supreme Court in support of a Christian baker in Colorado, who a state court ruled against for refusing to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.   Read More About This

22.

The US Commission on Civil Rights issues a letter denouncing Trump's pardon of Arpaio, citing Arpaio's repeatedly violating the of civil rights of Latinos and defying a federal court order, amongst other violations.   Read More About This

23.

Trump's DHS planned a massive nationwide raids to target 8,400 undocumented immigrants, described as "the largest operation of its kind in the history of ICE" for later this month.   Read More About This

24.

NBC reported the "massive roundup" plan was canceled late Thursdaydue to Hurricane Irma and damage caused by Hurricane Harvey.   Read More About This

25.

Sessions announced nonsanctuary jurisdictions would get "priority consideration" in a grant program called COPS. While Obama had used to the program to promote trust between officers and community, Sessions and Trump are using it to crackdown on immigrants.   Read More About This

26.

On Thursday, at the same time as Donald Jr.'s Senate testimony, DeVos said she will roll back Obama-era directive on campus sexual assault at a speech at George Mason University. She did not take any questions.   Read More About This

27.

DeVos said she would develop a replacement that she said would do a better job of "balancing the rights of victims and the accused." Men's rights advocates applauded DeVos for listening to their side.   Read More About This

28.

On a call with survivor advocates Friday, Biden said DeVos "does not speak for the American people," and called on advocates to meet with college and university administrators and "demand they step up."   Read More About This

29.

CBC News reported on a spike in international undergraduate and graduate applications to Canadian universities in the wake of Trump.   Read More About This

30.

As part of the NAFTA negotiations, Canada demanded that the US end its "right to work" laws in place in some states. Canadian officials say these laws gut unions by starving them of money.   Read More About This

31.

ACLU reported ICE has asked the National Archives and Record Administration for permission to begin destroying 11 types of records, including those related to sexual assaults and solitary confinement.   Read More About This

32.

A Republican in the House referred to a female colleague challenging his amendment as "young lady" and said she "doesn't know a damn thing what she's talking about." He later apologized.   Read More About This

33.

The FBI will probe the brutal arrest by Utah cops of a nurse who followed hospital policy and refused to draw blood (Week 42).   Read More About This

34.

In Iowa, a photo of five high school boys in wearing KKK hoods and burning a cross circulated on social media. The boys were suspended.   Read More About This

35.

Rachel Maddow ran a segment on how Trump has given white nationalists like Bannon and the alt-right a path to power.   Read More About This

36.

An Atlantic piece, "Donald Trump is the First White President," spoke of Trump's white support, the undertones of racism successfully harnessed in his campaign, and his obsession with the negation of Obama's legacy.   Read More About This

37.

USA Today investigated membership in Trump's clubs and traced 4,500 members. For the first time in US history, wealthy people have close access to a president as a result of payments that enrich him personally.   Read More About This

38.

USA Today found membership includes 50+ executives whose companies hold federal contracts and 21 lobbyists and trade group officials. Two-thirds played on a Trump course one of the 58 days he was there.   Read More About This

39.

Republican leaders prevented a vote on a bill in the House which would have banned federal spending at Trump businesses.   Read More About This

40.

Rep. Pascrell's motion to demand Trump release his tax returns was voted down 21–14 in the House Way and Means Comm, helping Republicans avoid a more public vote in the full House. This breaks a 40-year precedent of presidents making their tax returns public.   Read More About This

41.

The GAO will investigate Zinke's threat to withhold support for Alaska over Murkowski's Obamacare repeal vote. In Week 42, the OIG closed its investigation after the two Alaska senators refused to participate.   Read More About This

42.

A lawsuit filed against Trump's Election Integrity Commission alleges that at least two members are using personal emails for office business.   Read More About This

43.

Kobach authored an article at Breitbart claiming out-of-state voters changed the outcome of the NH Senate race in 2016. This claim is false.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

44.

Kobach and the Election Integrity Comm will arrive in NH next week to discuss, among other things, "election integrity issues affecting public confidence."   Read More About This

45.

NH Senators Shaheen and Hassan issued a statement condemning Trump's Election Comm for misleading the public. They also called on NH's Secretary of State to resign from the commission.   Read More About This

46.

Heading back from summer recess, WSJ reported on the unusually strained relations between Trump and Republicans, saying Trump invited leaders to Bedminster, "but they were unable to coordinate schedules."   Read More About This

47.

NYT reported as late as an hour before the DACA decision was announced on Tuesday, administration officials expressed concern that Trump didn't fully grasp the details of rescinding DACA or its impact.   Read More About This

48.

Instead of facing the public, Trump sent Sessions to speak to the press on Tuesday to be the face of ending DACA. Sessions claimed DACA was "deemed illegal by, I think, just about every legal expert."   Read More About This

49.

Javier Palomares, the CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, resigned from Trump's National Diversity Coalition over Trump's decision to end DACA.   Read More About This

50.

A POLITICO/Morning Consult poll found just 15% believe DACA should be rescinded, while 76% believe Dreamers should be allowed to stay.   Read More About This

51.

On Tuesday, in a nighttime tweet, Trump signaled he may be open to changing his mind on DACA, saying if Congress can't pass something in six months, "I will revisit this issue!"   Read More About This

52.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement denouncingTrump's decision to end DACA.   Read More About This

53.

Bannon told CBS's "60 Minutes" he disagrees with Trump on ending DACA, but blasted the US Conference of Catholic Bishops saying they are opposed to DACA because "they need illegal aliens to fill the churches."   Read More About This

54.

VOX noted despite Trump's tweet, the government is already winding down DACA, as the Trump regime is no longer accepting new applications from young immigrants.   Read More About This

55.

On Thursday, Trump again tweeted his assurance to Dreamers, falsely claiming if you "are concerned about your status during the 6 month period, you have nothing to worry about -- No action!"   Read More About This

56.

CNN estimated 983 undocumented immigrants per day will lose protection they previously enjoyed under DACA, as the two-year tenure of their status expires.   Read More About This

57.

At an Oval Office meeting on Wednesday, after Republican leaders and Mnuchin advocated for a 18-month hike for the debt ceiling, Trump unexpectedly sided with "Chuck and Nancy" for a three-month hike.   Read More About This

58.

Later at a rally in North Dakota, Trump called Democratic senator Heitkamp, who is running for re-election, a "good woman," and said, "these are great people. They work hard. They're for you 100 percent."   Read More About This

59.

On Wednesday, after months of denying Russia had purchased advertisement there, Facebook issued a bland headline, "An Update On Information Operations On Facebook," admitting this wasn't true.   Read More About This

60.

Facebook told Congressional investigators Wednesday that the company sold $100k of advertisement to Internet Research Agency, a "troll farm" in St. Petersburg with a history of pushing pro-Kremlin propaganda.   Read More About This

61.

Facebook reported that roughly a quarter of the ads were "geographically targeted." The ads focus was to amplify divisive issues like LGBT matters, race issues, immigration and gun rights.   Read More About This

62.

Daily Beast calculated that $100k in Facebook ads could have reached as many as 70 million users if amplified in a sophisticated manner.   Read More About This

63.

NYT reported on the sophisticated ways "troll farms" manipulated and disseminated news on Facebook and Twitter during the 2016 election. Former FBI agent Clint Watts called it a "bot cancer eroding trust."   Read More About This

64.

NYT also found some of the most aggressive and misogynistic Bernie Sanders supporters were actually Russian bots and trolls   Read More About This

65.

A WAPO columnist speculated that Trump would not have won without the help of an organized Russia attack on Facebook. A NYT op-ed decreed: "Facebook Wins, Democracy Loses."   Read More About This;  Click here, also

66.

Reuters reported Facebook turned over data to Mueller about Russian involvement, including copies of advertisements and data about buyers. Mueller is probing whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

67.

Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intel Comm said Facebook's Russia disclosure is the "tip of the iceberg" on election interferencethrough social media.   Read More About This

68.

McClatchy reported Facebook, Twitter and other social media companies may be subpoenaed. A former prosecutor said Facebook ad buys suggest "numerous crimes, including conspiracy to defraud" the US.   Read More About This

69.

USA Today reported Russia has interfered in at least 27 European and North American countries' elections since 2004.   Read More About This

70.

Nunes, who had recused himself as House chair, lashed out at Sessions in a letter for not sharing FBI and DOJ documents related to the Steele dossier. Nunes also threatened Sessions and Wray with a public hearing.   Read More About This

71.

Vanity Fair reported Gowdy is also waging a war to discredit the Steele dossier. Gowdy claims subpoenas are necessary because the FBI and DOJ haven't supplied the documents underlying the dossier.   Read More About This

72.

Trump attorney Michael Carvin filed a brief asking a federal judge to toss out lawsuit that accuses the Trump campaign of conspiring with Russian operatives to publish stolen DNC information on WikiLeaks.   Read More About This

73.

In Week 23, the DOJ said it was preparing charges against Assange, with Sessions saying Assange's arrest is a priority. Strangely, this never happened and now the Trump regime is defending WikiLeaks.   Read More About This

74.

As a news conference in China, Putin said, Trump is "not my bride, and I am not his groom."   Read More About This

75.

On Thursday, Donald Jr. meet with the Senate Judiciary Comm behind closed doors. Only one Senate Republican attended the hearing, and stayed for only about five minutes.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

76.

Feinstein, the ranking Democrat, said Donald Jr. has agreed to public testimony, and if he doesn't follow through he will be subpoenaed. Grassley, who Trump offered federal support for the ethanol industry in Week 42, said no final decision has been made.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

77.

Donald Jr. claimed he took the meeting with Veselnitskaya and others because she might have damaging information "concerning the fitness, character or qualifications" of Hillary.   Read More About This

78.

NPR obtained a copy of Donald Jr.'s four-page statement in which he said Veselnitskaya "provided no meaningful information," and the meeting was "primarily focused on Russian adoptions" and the Magnitsky Act.   Read More About This

79.

Donald Jr. disclosed, for the first time, three phones calls with Agalarov before the June 9 meeting, the content of which he couldn't recall. He said he had no recollection of any documents left by Russian visitors.   Read More About This

80.

Donald Jr. also said he did "not collude with any foreign government and do not know of anyone who did," and that he hoped the interview had fully satisfied the Senate inquiry.   Read More About This

81.

Newsweek compiled a list of Donald Jr.'s rationales for taking the meeting. Thursday's testimony was his fifth version so far.   Read More About This

82.

After Donald Jr.'s testimony, Democratic senator Coons issued a memo citing statute 18 U.S.C. 1001(a) & ©(2), which outlines the punishments for lying to Congress.   Read More About This

83.

CNN reported Mueller will seek to interview the staff aboard Air Force One present as Trump helped craft the misleading statement issued by Donald Jr. about the June 9 meeting at Trump Tower.   Read More About This

84.

Mueller wants to know how the statement was put together, whether information was intentionally left out, and who was involved. Mueller considers the aides who helped craft the statement to be witnesses.   Read More About This

85.

In Donald Jr.'s Senate testimony, he claimed he was not aware of what role, if any, his father might have played in drafting the statement.   Read More About This

86.

WAPO reported Mueller has alerted the WH that his team will seek to speak with six Trump insiders, including Hicks, Priebus, Spicer, McGahn, and one of McGahn's deputies, Burnham.   Read More About This

87.

Mueller also expects to question Josh Raffel, a WH spokesperson who works closely with Kushner, as well as possibly Trump family members, including Kushner.   Read More About This

88.

Each of the six was privy to internal discussions in areas being investigated by Mueller including the Comey firing, Trump's inaction on Flynn, and possible coordination with Russia.   Read More About This

89.

Daily Beast reported Mueller wants to speak with Hicks about what happened on Air Force One as Trump crafted Donald Jr.'s statement.   Read More About This

90.

Daily Beast also reported efforts are underway to organize a legal defense fund for WH staffers. Legal fees related to the Mueller probe are expected to be high with lawyers likely billing $500–1k per hour.   Read More About This

91.

Late Friday, POLITICO reported Hicks hired Robert Trout, a highly regarded attorney, to represent her in the Mueller probe.   Read More About This

92.

CNN obtained the 17-page Trump Tower Moscow letter of intent, signed by Trump in October 2015, the day of a Republican primary debate. The property would be named Trump World Tower Moscow.   Read More About This

93.

The deal would have given Trump perks including a $4 million upfront fee, no upfront costs, a percentage of the sales, and the opportunity to name the hotel spa after his daughter Ivanka.   Read More About This

94.

During the campaign, Trump said he had "nothing to do with Russia."   Read More About This

95.

On Friday, Trump hosted Russia's new US ambassador Anatoly Antonov in DC. Russia media reported that Antonov describe the meeting as "warm." US media was not informed of the meeting.   Read More About This

96.

Antonov said Russia did not interfere in the US election. Two years ago, the EU put Antonov on its list of officials subject to sanctions, citing his involvement in supporting the deployment of Russian troops to Ukraine.   Read More About This

97.

Dmitry Firtash, a Ukrainian industrialist and top-tier Russian mob associate with ties to Manafort is fighting US prosecutors' efforts to bring him to Chicago for a bribery trial. He remains in Vienna on $174mm bail.   Read More About This

98.

Asked for comment on the second major hurricane in two weeks, Pruitt said Hurricane Irma isn't the right time to talk about climate change.   Read More About This

99.

On Thursday, by a 31–0 vote the Senate Appropriations Comm allocated $51bn for the State Depart and foreign operations, nearly $11bn morethan requested by the Trump regime.   Read More About This

100.

On Friday, the committee blasted the Trump regime in its report saying its approach to foreign policy weakens US standing in the world.   Read More About This

101.

On Friday, the State Dept was criticized for its response to Hurricane Irma which had already affected thousands of Americans in the Caribbean Islands. A task force was set up Friday, after the storm hit.   Read More About This

102.

State Dept employees point out there is currently no Under Secretary of State for Management, who would typically be in charge of State's response to a storm of Irma's magnitude.   Read More About This

103.

In another move towards what Bannon had called the "deconstruction of the administrative state," the OMB issued a memo directing "a net reduction in total incremental regulatory costs" for agencies.   Read More About This

104.

WSJ reported Trump is unlikely to nominate Cohn to Fed Chair when Yellen's term comes up in February, citing Cohn's criticism of Trump's Charlottesville response in a FT interview (Week 41).   Read More About This

105.

NYT reported Kelly is trying to be welcoming to Cohn, but WH aides say Trump is freezing Cohn out by employing a familiar tactic: refusing to make eye contact with him.   Read More About This

106.

Bannon told CBS's "60 Minutes" Christie didn't get a position in Trump's cabinet because Christie wasn't loyal after the "Access Hollywood" tapes.   Read More About This

107.

Bloomberg reported key Trump aide's said Trump is rattled by the pending departure of longtime bodyguard Schiller. Aides described Schiller as the "emotional anchor" for Trump in the WH turmoil.   Read More About This

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Week #42:  September 2, 2017

Despite being a summer week heading into Labor Day weekend, Week 42 is the longest list so far, with the most items relating to Trump-Russia. News reports indicate the Mueller probe in moving ahead on many fronts, and uncovering damaging evidence about the Trump regime. This week Trump was unable to control the narrative. Media accounts paint a disturbing picture of a leader who is stormy, depressed, angry, unsteady and increasingly isolated. Resignations and firings continue en masse, as Trump's WH continues to be filled with drama and showcase his inability to work with others and hire talent. Stories less covered continue to detail bigotry towards, and stripping away rights and protections of, marginalized communities and women. Another continuing theme is the dismantling of government programs and initiatives, alongside instituting authoritarian measures. ____________________________________________________________

1.

WAPO reported before Trump pardoned Apraio, he had asked Sessions to have the Justice Dept drop their case.   Read More About This

2.

Ten days before Hurricane Harvey, Trump revoked Federal Flood Risk Management Standard, an Obama-era set of regulations designed to make federally funded infrastructure less vulnerable to flooding.   Read More About This

3.

On Sunday morning, as Houston was flooding, Trump promoted a book by Sheriff David Clarke on Twitter: "great book by a great guy, highly recommended!   Read More About This

4.

Former OGE director Shaub noted it is a government ethics violation to use public office to endorse any product, service or enterprise.   Read More About This

5.

Clarke, who has been the subject of repeated allegations of mistreating inmates in his jails, abruptly resigned as Sheriff on Thursday. Speculation grew that he would be taking a position in the Trump regime.   Read More About This

6.

On Sunday, when asked by Chris Wallace about Charlottesville, Tillerson said, "I don't believe anyone doubts the American people's values," -- and when asked on Trump's response, "The President speaks for himself."   Read More About This

7.

Also on Sunday, a video emerged on Facebook of Mattis telling troops, "You just hold the line until our country gets back to understanding and respecting each other and showing it."   Read More About This

8.

On Tuesday, again going against Trump, Mattis announced transgender troops will be allowed to remain in the military pending the results of a study by experts.   Read More About This

9.

On Wednesday, shortly after Trump tweeted on N. Korea: "Talking is not the answer!" -- Mattis contradicted Trump's statement and told reporters, "We're never out of diplomatic solutions."   Read More About This

10.

Buzzfeed reported ICE left 50 immigrant women and children stranded at a bus station in San Antonio as Hurricane Harvey approached.   Read More About This

11.

On Monday, Trump reversed an Obama-era policy, allowing police to receive surplus military gear.   Read More About This

12.

Buried in a bill that Trump signed into law is a provision which allows police warrantless searches in parts of VA, MD and DC. Amidst the chaos, there was almost no media coverage.   Read More About This

13.

In Salt Lake City, a nurse was forcibly arrested after she followed hospital protocol and refused to let the police draw blood from an unconscious patient who was not a suspect and faced no charges.   Read More About This

14.

Televangelist Jim Bakker said Christians would start a civil war if Trump is impeached. Roger Stone expressed a similar sentiment in Week 41.   Read More About This

15.

A group of evangelical leaders in Tennessee released the "Nashville Statement," which denounced gay marriage and condemned acceptanceof "homosexual immorality or transgenderism."   Read More About This

16.

Reuters reported that Confederate flag sales have boomed since Charlottesville. One company said their orders quadrupled.   Read More About This

17.

A federal judge in San Antonio temporarily blocked a Texas ban on sanctuary cities from going into effect on Friday.   Read More About This

18.

Trump's HHS cut the advertising budget for Obamacare by 90%. Lowering enrollment is a way to compromise the ACA.   Read More About This

19.

The ACLU said it is deeply concerned about reports of abuse and retaliation by ICE of their clients who are participating in a class action suit to stop the immediate deportation of any Iraqi nationals.   Read More About This

20.

A decorated marine, George Ybarra, who served in the Persian Gulf War was transferred to an immigration center in AZ. Although a federal judge ruled Ybarra is a citizen, ICE continues to work to deport him to Mexico.   Read More About This

21.

The Trump regime said women's right will not be part of their demands in negotiations with the Taliban in Afghanistan.   Read More About This

22.

Mnuchin said the Treasury Dept may scrap plans finalized under Obama to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill to replace Andrew Jackson.   Read More About This

23.

The Trump WH removed a list of 250+ schools under investigation by the Obama administration for violating Title 9 by mishandling campus sexual assault, signaling an end of enforcement and accountability.   Read More About This

24.

Trump ended an Obama-era rule which required companies to collect pay data for workers of different genders, races and ethnic groups.   Read More About This

25.

The Trump regime's Transportation Dept abandoned an Obama-era plan of local-hiring for public workers. The program was meant to help offset longstanding racial and gender imbalances in the construction industry.   Read More About This

26.

Sessions's DOJ will retry the woman who prosecutors say disrupted Session's Senate confirmation hearing by laughing.   Read More About This

27.

USA Today reported anti-protester bills are gaining traction in Republican controlled statehouses. So far, twenty states have proposed bills with restrictions on right to assemble and protest, and six have approved bills.   Read More About This

28.

The Interior Dept's watchdog group dropped its investigation of the threat by Zinke to Murkowski over her vote to repeal Obamacare, after the two senators from Alaska declined to be interviewed.   Read More About This

29.

The GSA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) is undertaking a formal review of how the agency has handled the Trump hotel DC lease.   Read More About This

30.

Trump's Election Integrity Comm apologized after being chastised by a district judge their failure to disclose documents publicly as required.   Read More About This

31.

In addition to his position as vice chair of Trump's Election Integrity Commission, Kobach will become a regular columnist at Breitbart.   Read More About This

32.

On Monday, in a press conference with Finnish President Niinistö, Trump defended his decision to pardon Arpaio. When asked the timing, Trump said, "In the middle of a hurricane, even though it was Friday evening, I assumed the ratings would be far higher than they would be normally."   Read More About This

33.

Trump confused two Finnish women journalists with dirty-blond hair of being the same person, saying "Again. You're going to give her -- the same one?" Niinistö responded, "No, they are not the same lady,"   Read More About This

34.

Trump also falsely claimed Finland is buying Boeing fighter jets. Niinistö pushed back in a tweet Monday, calling this "ankka," which translates to a falsehood or fake news.   Read More About This

35.

On Tuesday, Trump visited Austin. He did not tour areas heavily hit by Hurricane Harvey or meet with any victims. By Tuesday, Harvey had dumped more rain than any storm in history in parts of Texas.   Read More About This

36.

Trump praised FEMA administrator Brock Long, saying he "has really become very famous on television over the last couple of days."   Read More About This

37.

Trump acknowledged the crowd, "What a crowd, what a turnout!"  --  but failed to mention or acknowledge the 15 casualties, tens of thousands of displaced, or irreversible damage caused by Harvey.   Read More About This

38.

Trump wore a USA hat during the visit with a 45 on the side. This merchandise is for sale on Trump's website for $40.   Read More About This

39.

Ari Fleischer, press secretary for W. Bush, said of the visit, there was "something missing" and that was "empathy for the people who suffer."   Read More About This

40.

As Hurricane Harvey continued to devastate, AP reported the Republicans are considering cutting $1bn from disaster accounts to help finance Trump's wall.   Read More About This

41.

NYT reported on voting irregularities in the 2016 election: voters being told they were ineligible to vote, or turned away from polls, or sent to other polling place in several blue counties in swing states.   Read More About This

42.

Little digital forensic investigation has been done to examine the impact in at least 21 states whose election systems were targeted by Russia.   Read More About This

43.

Academic and private election security experts warn future elections, including next year's midterms, could be subject to hacking since nothing has been done to improve or build an effective defense.   Read More About This

44.

Moyers & Company reported pro-Russian bots have been taking up right-wing causes after Charlottesville. A case study was done their impact on the narrative around Berkeley.   Read More About This

45.

Bloomberg reported on the growing sophistication of pro-Russian bots, which are already taking a role in sowing seeds of discord in the US, and taking on Trump critics like McCain.   Read More About This

46.

Experts say the Russian bots never left after the 2016 election, and are sharpening their attacks for upcoming elections in 2018 and 2020. The bots are learning to mimic human behavior.   Read More About This

47.

WAPO reported during his run for president, in late 2015 to early 2016, Trump was seeking a deal for a Trump Tower in Moscow. Michael Cohentook the lead for Trump. The deal was never publicly disclosed.   Read More About This

48.

Felix Sater urged Trump to come to Moscow, and said he could get Putin to say, "great things" about Trump. In late 2015, Trump started to publicly praise Putin. Shortly after, Putin offered praise of Trump in return.   Read More About This

49.

Sater said, at Trump's request, he traveled to Russia with Ivanka and Donald Jr. A lawyer for the Trump Organization said they happened to be there at the same time.   Read More About This

50.

NYT reported on emails between Cohen and Sater which were turned over Monday to the House Intel Comm. Sater emailed Cohen, "Our boy can become president of the USA and we can engineer it."   Read More About This

51.

Sater said he lined up financing for Trump for the Trump Tower in Moscow through VTB Bank, a bank under US sanctions for its involvement in Russia's efforts to undermine democracy in Ukraine.   Read More About This

52.

VTB is also majority-owned by the Russian government, as are other banks in The Weekly Lists including VEB, Alfa Bank and Sberbank  -- all of which have ties to Trump and his aides.   Read More About This

53.

In an email, Sater bragged about his Russia connections, saying, "I arranged for Ivanka to sit in Putin's private chair at his desk."   Read More About This

54.

Ivanka told WAPO she did not recall sitting in Putin's chair. She also said she was not involved with Cohen's discussion on the project, except to recommend architects.   Read More About This

55.

ABC reported in October 2015, four months into his presidential campaign, Trump signed a letter of intent for Trump Tower Moscow.   Read More About This

56.

Rachel Maddow noted the day Trump signed the term sheet was the same day as the third Republican primary debate. Trump seemed off and had a poor performance that night.   Read More About This

57.

WAPO reported in mid-January 2016, Cohen emailed Putin lieutenant Dmitry Peskov to ask for his assistance with the stalled Moscow project and to arrange "meetings with the appropriate individuals."   Read More About This

58.

The email is the first known direct outreach by a senior Trump aide to a senior member of Putin's government. Cohen told Congressional investigators that he did not receive a response.   Read More About This

59.

Peskov confirmed Wednesday that he received Cohen's email asking for his help in getting the stalled Trump Tower Moscow project moving again, but said he did not respond or share it with Putin.   Read More About This

60.

In Week 15, Sater and Cohen were involved in a back-channel plan to get US sanctions against Russia lifted. In Week 17, Alex Orono, a Russian working with them on this plan, died suddenly.   Read More About This

61.

Sater has cooperated with US authorities in the past, signing a plea deal with Andrew Weissmann, who is now part of Mueller's special counsel.   Read More About This

62.

Yahoo reported Swalwell, a Democrat on the House Intel Comm said the panel may call Trump to testify on the Trump Tower Moscow deal to clear up past conflicting statement.   Read More About This

63.

Trump has publicly said of Sater, if he was sitting in the same room, "I really wouldn't know what he looked like." It is believed Sater was conducting business for Trump through 2016.   Read More About This

64.

NYT reported on an eight page letter from Cohen's attorney to the House Intel Comm giving a point-by-point rebuttal to the Steele dossier and "vehemently" denying Russian collusion.   Read More About This

65.

CNN reported the "WV" referenced in Week 41 was Rick Clay of West Virginia, who tried through Trump aide Dearborn to make contact with Russians, allegedly to discuss their "shared Christian values."   Read More About This

66.

NBC reported Mueller's team is investigating Trump's role in crafting Donald Jr.'s response to the June 9 meeting, and whether Trump knew about the meeting and tried to conceal its purposes.   Read More About This

67.

FT reported Akhmetshin gave testimony under oath for several hours on August 11, another sign Mueller is looking closely at the June 9 meeting.   Read More About This

68.

Guardian reported after news that the Senate Judiciary Comm would interview Donald Jr. on the June 9 meeting, Trump called the committee chair Grassley to offer Iowa federal support for the ethanol industry.   Read More About This

69.

Grassley tweeted about Trump's phone call offering support. Also of note from Week 41, the Senate Judiciary Branch will shortly vote on whether to make the Fusion GPS testimony on the Steele dossier public.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

70.

CNN reported Mueller's special counsel has issued subpoenas for Manafort's former attorney, Melissa Laurenza of Akin Gump, and to his current spokesperson, Jason Maloni.   Read More About This

71.

POLITICO reported Mueller is teaming up with NYAG Schneiderman on its investigation into Manafort and his financial transactions. The two teams have shared evidence and talked frequently in recent weeks.   Read More About This

72.

Mueller's and Schneiderman's team has pressured Manafort by approaching his family and former business partners. Several people and firms who have worked with Manafort have been subpoenaed.   Read More About This

73.

Trump has privately discussed his pardon powers with aides. State and federal investigators believe potential of a pardon has influenced Manafort's decision on cooperating. Trump cannot pardon state crimes.   Read More About This

74.

WSJ reported on Manafort's close relationship with Russian oligarch Deripaska. The two worked together from 2004–2015 in counties with Russian political interests including Ukraine, Georgia and Montenegro.   Read More About This

75.

As per Week 28, Deripaska has offered to give testimony to Congressional investigators in exchange for immunity. That offer is still being rejected, for not wanting to interfere with Mueller's probe.   Read More About This

76.

NBC reported Manafort turned over notes taken during the June 9 meeting to Congressional investigators and Mueller. The words "donor" and "RNC" appear in close proximity. It is illegal for foreigners to donate to American elections.   Read More About This

77.

Daily Beast reported Mueller enlisted help from the IRS's Criminal Investigations unit, an elite investigative entity that focus exclusively on financial crime, including tax evasion and money laundering.   Read More About This

78.

One of Mueller's top deputies, Andy Weissmann, has worked with the CI unit extensively. The CI unit would have access to Trump's tax returns.   Read More About This

79.

Bloomberg detailed the massive debt Kushner has outstanding against his family's real estate investment in 666 Fifth Avenue. To pay off looming debt, the family has sold off properties and forgone new deals.   Read More About This

80.

Kushner Cos. bought the building near a market high and has tried to get China and sovereign funds to buy the property or refinance part of the debt. These efforts may be influencing US foreign policy as per Week 35.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

81.

Speculation is Kushner's outreach to VEB and Kislyak could have been related to real estate financing.   Read More About This

82.

WSJ reported lawyers for Trump have met with Mueller and submitted memos arguing Trump didn't obstruct justice by firing Comey. They also claim Comey is not a reliable witness. Experts say this is highly unusual.   Read More About This

83.

Axios reported Russian diplomats continue to die unexpectedly. Russia's ambassador to Sudan was the seventh diplomat to die since November.   Read More About This

84.

Rep. DeSantis floated an amendment to end the Mueller probe and stop Mueller from looking into activities prior to June 2015. DeSantis is a Trump loyalist and is considering running for governor of Florida in 2018.   Read More About This

85.

WAPO reported on Trump's WH during a "summer of crisis," citing Trump's "dark mood." Trump is fighting with Kelly, Tillerson and Cohn, and friends say, "He's turning on people that are very close to him."   Read More About This

86.

WAPO reported Kelly refused to join Trump on stage in Phoenix after Trump prompted, "Where's General Kelly? Get him out here. He's great."   Read More About This

87.

WAPO also reported Trump continues to call friends and outside advisers, including Bannon, from his personal phone when Kelly isn't around.   Read More About This

88.

POLITICO reported on the shrinking West Wing, citing three factors: 1) Kelly's careful review process, 2) five open-ended Russia investigations making it hard to hire, and 3) Trump's dark mood over the summer.   Read More About This

89.

Eight of the 28 members of the Nat'l Infrastructure Advisory Council resigned. In a letter, the cyber-security experts said Trump "threatened the security of the homeland," citing Charlottesville and withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.   Read More About This

90.

Trump lashed out at, then fired longtime aide George Gigicos because of the small crowd size at this Phoenix rally last week.   Read More About This

91.

Responding to criticism about unfilled key roles in the executive branch, Trump tweeted to @foxandfriends: "We are not looking to fill all of those positions. Don't need many of them -- reduce size of government."   Read More About This

92.

ProPublica reported while Trump continues to leave key executive branch positions which require Senate confirmation unfilled, he has quietly installed more than 1k political staffers.   Read More About This

93.

Many of these hires are regulating industries they used to work in. Most names are kept secret. These employees working in the shadows face must less scrutiny, and answer to no one but the WH.   Read More About This

94.

The RNC chief of staff, Sara Armstrong resigned. Armstrong is the sixth RNC staffer to leave in the past month.   Read More About This

95.

FP reported two top State Dept officials resigned in what was called "Black Friday." One State Dept official said "Dissatisfaction is a big factor" for why diplomats continues to take early retirement or new jobs.   Read More About This

96.

Longtime Trump aide Keith Schiller, best known for hand delivering the letter to Comey about his firing, is leaving the WH.   Read More About This

97.

Indictments were issued for 15 security guards of Turkey's Erdogan, who in Week 31 had attacked protested outside the Turkish embassy in DC.   Read More About This

98.

The UN Human Rights Chief Zeid Ra‘ad al-Hussein slammed Trump's attacks on the media, warning Trump's rhetoric could provoke violence: "ultimately the sequence is a dangerous one."   Read More About This

99.

Zeid also raised concern about Trump's "worrying remarks" about women, Mexicans and Muslims, and issue like immigration.   Read More About This

100.

NBC reported on a focus group in Pittsburgh, where voters including those who voted for Trump expressed "abject disappointment" in his tone and leadership. Also noted was Trump's lack of empathy.   Read More About This

101.

A Pew Research poll found just 16% of Americans like the way Trump conducts himself. The poll also noted a deterioration in Republican support: a third agree with Trump on only a few or no issues.   Read More About This

102.

At Gallup daily tracker, Trump matched his biggest net disapproval of -27 (approve 34, disapprove 61), with the trend continuing lower.   Read More About This

103.

A Fox News poll found voter satisfaction with the direction of the country declined to just 35%, and 56% think Trump is tearing the country apart.   Read More About This

104.

On Friday, NYT reported Mueller has obtained an early draft of a letter giving Trump's reasons for firing Comey.   Read More About This

105.

WSJ reported an excerpt from the draft. Paraphrasing, Trump wanted to convey: "You've told me three times I'm not under investigation but you won't tell the world, and it's hampering the country."   Read More About This

106.

POLITICO reported the decision to fire Comey was made in Bedminster, where Trump huddled with Kushner and Miller. McGahn, Priebus and Bannon warned Trump against it, saying it would trigger a firestorm.   Read More About This

107.

NYT reported Trump was supposed to golf that weekend, but it rained, so instead he stewed inside about Comey and the Russia investigation. Trump ordered Miller to draft the letter.   Read More About This

108.

After returning from Bedminster Monday, May 8, Trump handed copies of the letter to senior officials including McGahn and Pence in the Oval office. McGahn was alarmed and tried to stop the letter.   Read More About This

109.

On May 8, Rosenstein got a copy of the letter, and agreed to write a separate memo. May 9, the letter was replaced with a simpler rationale for firing Comey: his handling of the Clinton email investigation.   Read More About This

110.

In an op-ed, McCain blasted Trump, saying Congress doesn't answer to him despite his recent attacks, "We must, where we can, cooperate with him. But we are not his subordinates."   Read More About This

111.

On Thursday, Sanders said Trump promised to donate $1mm of his "personal money" to Hurricane Harvey victims. On Friday, when pressed on where the money was coming from, Sanders said she wasn't sure.   Read More About This

112.

At a signing ceremony in the Oval office Friday, religious leaders took turns praising and thanking Trump for his response to Hurricane Harvey.   Read More About This

113.

NYT reported on Kelly's unhappiness serving under Trump, telling an associate it was "by far the hardest job he had ever had." Trump likes to surround himself with former military men from "central casting."   Read More About This

114.

Trump berated Kelly after the Phoenix campaign rally. Kelly told WH staff members "he had never been spoken to like that during 35 years of serving his country," and he would not let it happen again.   Read More About This

115.

Kelly has not been able to get Trump to stop binge-watching Fox News, Trump's primary source of information. Trump does not have web browser on his phone, despite his frequent retweets of story links.   Read More About This

116.

In a radio interview, Eric Trump said the negative media coverage was impacting his father: "It important to keep in context. Otherwise, quite frankly, you'd probably end up killing yourself out of depression."   Read More About This

117.

On Friday, a day after Trump ordered Russia to close three US outposts, a fire was reported at the DC diplomatic annex, and smoke was coming out of the chimney at the consulate in San Francisco on a 100 degree day.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

Replicated from:   https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-42-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-a1fbe96c91ca

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Week #41:  August 26, 2017

Week 41 is full of content about Trump-Russia, and indications that the Mueller probe is closing in on Trump and his regime. News stories indicate that despite Trump’s public indifference and belittlement of the probe, he is privately consumed by it, and acting in ways which could well be construed as, and lead to charges for, obstruction of justice. In the two weeks since Charlottesville, our country is consumed in flames of hate, and Trump is fanning those flames. As well, he continues his unimpeded march to authoritarian power, neutralizing the judicial branch with an unethical pardon, and attacking members of his own party in an effort to silence them. So far, the latter is largely working, and as this week comes to a close, remaining checks and balances to save our democracy are eroding, and Trump appears to feel fully in power. ____________________________________________________________

1.

Following the counter-protest march of over 40k in Boston, Trump tweeted the country needs "to heel." Trump used the misspelled word four times in two consecutive deleted tweets, before correcting it to heal.   Read More About This

2.

Rev. Bernard, pastor of a megachurch in Brooklyn, became the first member of Trump's Evangelical Advisory Board to resign over Charlottesville.   Read More About This

3.

No WH officials were made available for Sunday political talk shows.   Read More About This

4.

On CNN Sunday, Carl Bernstein urged reporters to interview Republicans on or off the record about whether Trump is mentally fit to lead.   Read More About This

5.

A NBC News/Marist poll found Trump's approval in three key battleground states has eroded: Michigan 36 approve/55 disapprove, Pennsylvania 35/54, and Wisconsin 34/56.   Read More About This

6.

NPR reported some Liberty University graduates are returning their diplomas to protest school President Jerry Falwell Jr.'s ongoing support of Trump, even after Trump's remarks on Charlottesville.   Read More About This

7.

Former HHS secretaries from both parties urged Republicans to move quickly and stabilize Obamacare as Trump threatened to continue withholding key payments to insurers.   Read More About This

8.

Sunday night, when asked by reporters for his reaction to five sailors injured and 10 missing after the USS John S. McCain collided with a merchant ship, Trump responded, "That's too bad."   Read More About This

9.

USA Today reported Secret Service agents have already hit the federally mandated pay caps meant to last the entire year for protecting Trump. Under the Trump regime, an unprecedented 42 people have protection.   Read More About This

10.

Secret Service cited Trump's frequent weekend trips to his properties, and his family's extensive business and vacation travel. Secret Service spent $60k on golf carts, revenues which go to the Trump Organization.   Read More About This

11.

Trump disbanded a federal advisory panel for the National Climate Assessment which helped policymakers and private-sector officials incorporate the government's climate analysis into long-term planning.   Read More About This

12.

Since being established in 1990, the National Climate Assessment is supposed to release reports every four years. The next assessment would have been due in 2018.   Read More About This

13.

Trump's Interior Dept ordered the National Academy of Sciences to halt its study of health risks and harm caused by mountaintop coal mining in Appalachia.   Read More About This

14.

New Yorker reported on the dismantling of HUD under a thoroughly uninformed Sec Carson. There are still no nominees for major parts of HUD, including the Federal Housing Administration and many others.   Read More About This

15.

Carson's team removed online training materials meant to help homeless shelters provide equal access to transgender people, and pulled back a survey to reduce LGBT homelessness.   Read More About This

16.

Interior's Inspector General confirmed in a letter it is investigating Sec Zinke's pressure on Sen. Murkowski to vote yes on the Obamacare repeal.   Read More About This

17.

An ABC News/Washington Post poll found 9% of Americans say it's acceptable to hold neo-Nazi or white supremacist views. This meshes with the 10% who say they support the alt-right movement.   Read More About This

18.

The Anne Frank Center tweeted in alarm, "1 in 10 adults in U.S. say neo-Nazi views acceptable -- 22 million Americans. Evil epidemic of hatred."   Read More About This

19.

The poll also found that 3 in 10 Trump supporters accept or are indifferent to white supremacists.   Read More About This

20.

Singer Billy Joel wore a Star of David during the encore of his sold-out show in NYC.   Read More About This

21.

Brandeis University was closed and evacuated Wednesday after the school received an email with a bomb threat.   Read More About This

22.

HuffPost reported a spike in anti-Semitism in the two weeks since Charlottesville. ADL provided a list of more than two dozen incidents involving swastikas, broken glass and neo-Nazi propaganda.   Read More About This

23.

A coalition of major rabbinical groups canceled their annual High Holidays call, saying Trump's "words have given succor to those who advocate anti-Semitism."   Read More About This

24.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination urged the US government to reject racial hatred and violence. The statement was released online after Trump's mixed messages on Charlottesville.   Read More About This

25.

The Girl Scouts' CEO wrote a letter to families with resources to talk to girls about what they are hearing in the news, and hate and violence, adding lying about what really happened can "undermine her trust."   Read More About This

26.

Twenty organizations have pulled their charity events from Mar-A-Lago in response to his comments on Charlottesville.   Read More About This

27.

Daniel Kammer, the State Dept Science Envoy, resigned in an open letter citing Trump's "attacks on core values of the United States." The first letter of the seven paragraphs spell the word, IMPEACH.   Read More About This

28.

On his radio show, Trump's nominee for Department of Agriculture Sam Clovis said "LGBT behavior" is a choice, and that legalizing gay marriage could lead to the legalization of pedophilia.   Read More About This

29.

Liz MacKean, the BBC journalist who broke the news of the torture of gay men in Russia, died of a stroke at the age of 52.   Read More About This

30.

Trump signaled he is likely to end DACA, the Obama program which allows young people who came to the US illegally as children to remainhere. As many as 1 million immigrants could be affected.   Read More About This

31.

The DHS announced it will require holders of employment-based visas to be interviewed in order to update their status. More than 100k visa holders could be impacted.   Read More About This

32.

The Brennan Center and Protect Democracy Project filed a lawsuit for info on communication between government agencies and the Election Integrity Comm. The agencies did not respond to a FOIA request.   Read More About This

33.

On Tuesday, the DOJ modified its warrant, dropping its request for IP addresses from DreamHost for an anti-Trump site, disruptj20.org.   Read More About This

34.

On Thursday, a court ordered DreamHost to turn over the data requested. The court asked the DOJ to disclose its method for searching the data to minimizing data on innocent third-party visitors to the site.   Read More About This

35.

In a WAPO op-ed, activist Melissa Byrne described being grabbed, cuffed and questioned, and her banner confiscated, by the Secret Service without having been read her rights at a Starbucks in Trump Tower.   Read More About This

36.

On Monday, Trump delivered his second address to the nation. Reading from the teleprompter he asked the American people to trust him in sending thousands more troops to Afghanistan.   Read More About This

37.

Trump opened the speech with a call for unity. Historian Michael Beschloss noted this was the first time a leader "had to start a speech on war and peace by vowing that he opposed bigotry and prejudice."   Read More About This

38.

Trump's speech was full of his typical bellicose terms, like "overwhelming force," but offered little in the way of strategy and substance.   Read More About This

39.

Of note, three generals now seem to have Trump's ear: Kelly, McMaster and Mattis. As recently as Week 38, Trump had scoffed at adding troops. He also compared Afghanistan to a 21 Club renovation.   Read More About This

40.

There is not yet a confirmed US ambassador to Afghanistan.   Read More About This

41.

24 hours after his address to the nation, Trump headed to a campaign rally in Phoenix, despite pleas from the Mayor of Phoenix in an op-edand on air that it was not a good time for Trump to visit.   Read More About This

42.

Despite his calls for unity Monday, Trump delivered a 72-minute dystopian speech in which he repeatedly attacked the media and "others"  --  again targeting marginalized communities.   Read More About This

43.

Trump referred to the media as the enemy of the American people, saying "They don't like our country." After the speech, many in the media expressed concern about their safety.   Read More About This

44.

Trump also threatened to shut down the government in the fall if Congress did not approve funding for his Wall.   Read More About This

45.

Despite his advance promises not to, Trump attacked McCain and Flake, the two senators of Arizona, in his speech without using their names.   Read More About This

46.

Also, despite promising not to do so, Trump insinuated he would pardon Sheriff Joe Arpaio, citing the legal system not treating him fairly.   Read More About This

47.

Trump did not mention the accident involving the USS John. S McCain, or the continuing search for missing sailors during his speech.   Read More About This

48.

WAPO reported as Trump ranted and rambled, "hundreds left early." The room was only partially filled as Trump began to speak.   Read More About This

49.

Police used tear gas to disperse crowds of thousands of protestors after Trump's speech. Police helicopters circled downtown Phoenix.   Read More About This

50.

In a likely violation of the Hatch Act, Ben Carson appeared on stage in Phoenix, after being introduced as the Secretary of HUD.   Read More About This

51.

NPR fact-checked Trump's speech, and found numerous false and misleading statements.   Read More About This

52.

Ahead of the rally Tuesday, Trump met with potential Republican challengers to primary Sen. Flake in 2018. During the brief meeting, Trump referred to the senator as "the flake."   Read More About This

53.

After Trump's Phoenix speech, former director of National Intelligence Clapper told CNN he questioned Trump's "fitness to be  --  in this office." "   Read More About This

54.

Clapper said understanding the levers of power available to a president, he found the speech "downright scary and disturbing."   Read More About This

55.

Clapper also said Trump could be a threat to national security. He worries about Trump's access to nuclear codes, noting it a fit of pique, "there's actually very little to stop him."   Read More About This

56.

Trump tweeted asking if Clapper "who famously got caught lying to Congress," would share "his beautiful letter to me?" Clapper said he had handwritten almost identical notes to both candidates for Election Day.   Read More About This

57.

CNN reported Wednesday that the WH was preparing paperwork and talking points for surrogates ahead of Trump pardoning Arpaio.   Read More About This

58.

On Monday, in a later-deleted Instagram post, Mnuchin's wife, Louise Linton bragged about traveling on a chartered government plane, and about the lavish fashion brands she was wearing.   Read More About This

59.

On Wednesday, CREW requested information on authorization of the chartered airplane. Typically, secretaries fly on commercial flights for domestic travel.   Read More About This

60.

Ethics groups also filed requests to learn if the trip to Fort Knox, KY was planned so Mnuchin and his wife could view the solar eclipse near the path of totality.   Read More About This

61.

On a sudden, unannounced trip to the Middle East, Kushner was snubbed by the Egyptian foreign minister who canceled their meeting without officially citing a reason. The meeting did later take place.   Read More About This

62.

NPR reported Trump's approval with women is at a historically low 29%. Trump's approval with men is much higher (43%).   Read More About This

63.

NYT reported on a brewing war between Trump and McConnell, as the two haven't spoken for weeks. McConnell questioned whether Trump can salvage his presidency.   Read More About This

64.

McConnell also questioned Trump's understanding of the presidency, and claimed Trump was "entirely unwilling to learn the basics of governing".   Read More About This

65.

NYT also reported on an August 9 call with McConnell, which Trump initiated, Trump brought up healthcare, but was "even more animated" about McConnell's refusal to protect him from the Russia investigation.   Read More About This

66.

After the NYT story broke, another Republican senator called the reporter to say Trump is "consumed with Russia."   Read More About This

67.

POLITICO reported on more clashes between Trump and Republican senators over Russia. In additional to Trump public admonishments of McConnell, McCain and Flake, Trump also targeted Corker and Tillis.   Read More About This

68.

Trump tried to convince Corker the Russian sanctions bill wasn't good policy, saying it was unconstitutional and would damage him. Trump berated Tillis for his bi-partisan bill to protect Mueller from being fired.   Read More About This

69.

Including these contacts, WAPO counted seven times so far Trump has attempted to influence actions related to the Russia investigation.   Read More About This

70.

On Tuesday, Glenn Simpson, founder of private research firm Fusion GPS who hired Steele to produce the dossier, testified for 10 hours in front of the Senate Judiciary Comm. He also provided 40k pages of documents.   Read More About This

71.

The Senate Judiciary Comm will vote on releasing the testimony to the public. Rachel Maddow said Simpson's lawyer has given the okay to release the testimony and documents publicly.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

72.

WAPO reported CIA director Pompeo, Trump's close ally, required the Counterintelligence Mission Center, which investigates possible collusion between Trump and Russia, to report directly to him.   Read More About This

73.

Current and former agent Mike Pompeo expressed apprehension about conflict of interests. There is "real concern for interference and politicization," and that Pompeo may bring newly discovered information to the WH.   Read More About This

74.

Pompeo spends more time at the WH than his predecessors. He also defended Trump's comments on Charlottesville, saying Trump's condemnation of bigotry was "frankly pretty unambiguous."   Read More About This

75.

Pompeo has also shown a willingness to handle political assignments for the WH: for example calling news agencies, speaking on condition of anonymity, at the WH's behest to dispute a NYT article on Trump-Russia.   Read More About This

76.

In an internal CIA memo released under the FOIA, former CIA director Brennan wrote some in Congress don't get the "gravity" of Russia election meddling.   Read More About This

77.

Kushner Cos., the real estate company 0f Kushner's family, switched to a public relations firm with crisis management expertise.   Read More About This

78.

NYT reported on Rinat Akhmetshin, one of the attendees of the June 9 meeting at Trump Tower, and his extensive and deep ties to Russian intelligence, government and oligarchs.   Read More About This

79.

Akhmetshin has worked on behalf of several Russian oligarchs to hack adversaries' emails and documents in order to buffer their case. Mueller is interested in why Akhmetshin attended the June 9 meeting.   Read More About This

80.

CNN reported Congressional investigators unearthed an email from Rick Dearborn, a top campaign aide who is now Trump's deputy chief of staff, about an individual seeking to connect top Trump officials with Putin.   Read More About This

81.

WSJ reported Mueller is looking into Flynn's role in seeking Hillary's emails from Russian hackers, along with now deceased GOP operative Peter W. Smith.   Read More About This

82.

Investigators have examined intel reports which detail Russian hackers discussing how to obtain emails from Hillary's server, and then transmit them to Flynn via an intermediary.   Read More About This

83.

NBC reported Mueller issued the first grand jury subpoenas to executives who worked on an international campaign organized by Manafort, a significant step in the inquiry which also focuses on Trump and Kushner.   Read More About This

84.

Mueller's team is examining lobbying done by Manafort for a Russia-backed Ukrainian political party from 2012–2014. According to recent financial disclosures, Manafort was paid $17mm between 2013 and 2014.   Read More About This

85.

USA Today reported on a Russian propaganda Twitter network aimed at American audiences which consistently spreads links from alt-rightmedia including Breitbart, True Pundit and Gateway Pundit.   Read More About This

86.

Roger Stone told TMZ if Trump is impeached the country would break out into civil war, saying "You will have a spasm of violence in this country, and insurrection, like you've never seen."   Read More About This

87.

NYT reported on Trump Hotel DC, the now highly profitable meeting place for Trump family members and surrogates, lobbyists and journalist. Trump continues to profit from the hotel operations.   Read More About This

88.

The hotel is also described as a "safe zone for Trump supporters." Richard Spencer stayed at Trump Hotel DC, and met with white nationalist Evan McClare, as he planned the Charlottesville rally.   Read More About This

89.

WAPO fact checker reported Trump's list of false and misleading claims had topped 1,000 items early in the week. By week's end, the list approached 1,100 items, one of the busiest weeks of lying yet.   Read More About This

90.

After Icahn resigned in Week 40 ahead of a story on his influencing regulations to his financial benefit, the Trump regime stated unlike a government employee, Icahn had "no official role or duties."   Read More About This

91.

Icahn financially benefitted from his 82% stake in CVR Energy. The company had accumulated a large short position in biofuels blending credits, called RINs, the price of which fell when Icahn's proposal on the biofuels regulation was reported in February, netting him a huge return.   Read More About This

92.

On Friday, Trump attacked another Republican, saying Corker is constantly asking if he should run in 2018, and "Tennessee not happy!" Corker had questioned Trump's fitness to serve in Week 40.   Read More About This

93.

In an interview with FT, Cohn was openly critical of Trump's Charlottesville response, saying Trump "must do better" in condemning neo-Nazi and white supremacists."   Read More About This

94.

Fed Chair Yellen spoke out openly against the Trump regime's efforts to roll back banking regulations enacted after the 2008 financial crisis, saying these regulations have made the banking system safer.   Read More About This

95.

Changing course, Bloomberg reported the WH no longer plans to work with Congress to produce a joint tax plan, instead relying on the House and Senate to hash it out. Trump said he will rally the public instead.   Read More About This

96.

The WH rapid response director, Andy Hemming is leaving. Hemming had worked from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. every weekday blasting out stories favorable to the Trump regime.   Read More About This

97.

The RNC passed a resolution to condemn neo-Nazis, the KKK and white supremacists, despite pushback from several Republican members. The resolution did not, however, mention Trump.   Read More About This

98.

A Quinnipiac poll found that 62% of Americans believe Trump is dividing the country.   Read More About This

99.

As Trump left the WH Friday afternoon, a reporter asked, "do you have a message for the people of Texas?" Trump responded, "Good luck to everybody."   Read More About This

100.

Hours before Hurricane Harvey, thought to be the worst hurricane in 12 years, hit landfall in Texas, with the country anxiously watching, Trump issued a directive and a pardon.   Read More About This

101.

Late Friday, Trump signed a directive that precludes transgender individuals from joining the military. Mattis has six months to develop a plan to implement the order, and discretion over those already serving.   Read More About This

102.

Trump's directive also bans DoD from paying for medical treatment regimens for transgender individuals currently serving in the military.   Read More About This

103.

Late Friday, Trump pardoned Sheriff Joe Arpaio, an elected official who defied a federal court's order to stop violating people's constitutional rights. Arpaio had been found in contempt of court in his ongoing case.   Read More About This

104.

The NYT Editorial Board had noted with a pardon of Arpaio, Trump would show "his contempt for the American court system," and also send a "message to other officials that they may flout court orders also."   Read More About This

105.

Questions arose about whether Trump's pardon of Arpaio was testing the waters and sending a signal to those under investigation by Mueller.   Read More About This

106.

Late Friday, Trump adviser Gorka left his post as deputy assistant in the WH. In a letter, Gorka said he resigned. Trump aides said he was fired.   Read More About This

107.

Shortly after 11 pm EST, Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 storm. The National Hurricane Center said it expects "catastrophic and life-threatening" flash flooding and dump 15–30 inches of rain.   Read More About This

108.

The Trump regime imposed sanctions on Venezuela; however, Citgo was exempted. As cited in Week 25, Citgo donated $500k to Trump's inauguration, and that money may have come indirectly from Russia.   Read More About This

Replicated from:   https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-41-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-13247a760fd8

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