Week #32:  June 25, 2017

There were signs this week that our democracy is fading. The unusual process undertaken by McConnell in attempting to pass AHCA without Senate input or public support. Alarming evidence that Russia may have tampered with 2016 Election Day results, and possibly with help from the Trump campaign. The Trump regime taking steps to shut down access for the media, while our country burns in bigotry and hate. Trump-Russia is still the dominant theme, as investigations open on new fronts, and Trump regime members go quiet and lawyer up. Trump continues to deny Russian interference, which will undoubtedly lead to it continuing in upcoming elections -- of course to his benefit. ____________________________________________________________

1.

For the first time since taking office, Trump visited Camp David.   Read More About This

2.

Russia renewed six unused Trump trademarks in 2016. Four of the six approvals were officially registered on November 8, Election Day.   Read More About This

3.

The Dept of Education said it will scale back civil rights investigations at public schools and universities, including rolling back Obama's efforts to end campus sexual assault and protect transgender students.   Read More About This

4.

Six members of the Presidential Council on HIV/AIDS angrily resigned in a public letter saying Trump doesn't care or have a strategy.   Read More About This

5.

Rick Perry, the Secretary of Energy, denied that man-made carbon dioxide emissions are the primary cause of global warming.   Read More About This

6.

Sessions' DOJ is exploring new legal theories to take on sanctuary citiesin court, and force them to aid in Trump's deportation efforts.   Read More About This

7.

A Muslim teen was brutally beaten and killed while walking to a Mosque with her friends in Sterling, VA. A funeral vigil drew many, while the murder has yet to be charged as a hate crime.   Read More About This

8.

Trump Hotel DC will host a conference for anti-Islamic group, ACT for America, including a private tour. Neither the Trump organization or ACT would answer WAPO's questions about the event and its cost.   Read More About This

9.

An attorney said his client was acting within his First Amendment rights when he disrupted a Black Lives Matter rally in Tennessee by wearing a gorilla mask and carrying a rope and bananas.   Read More About This

10.

NPR reported the Trump regime will not collect LGBTQ census data despite a HUD document obtained under the FOIA which cites this data as "essential." Trump's DOJ questions the "appropriateness" of sexual orientation and gender identity topics.   Read More About This

11.

Trump and his White House have made no mention or acknowledgment of Junebeing LGBT Pride month.   Read More About This

12.

McConnell continued to secretly push AHCA in unusual ways. Not only is the closed-door bargaining not bipartisan, most Republicans haven't seen the bill.   Read More About This

13.

NYT reported that Kushner's team quietly reached out to high-powered criminal lawyers to represent him on the Russia probe.   Read More About This

14.

Sessions hired a lawyer to represent him in the Russia probe.   Read More About This

15.

Pence's use of a private AOL email account to conduct government business is costing Indiana $100k in legal fees to process a large backlogof records requests.   Read More About This

16.

A lawsuit alleges private prison company GEO Correction donated to a Trump Super-PAC, in violation of federal law. Trump has adopted a pro-private prison policy.   Read More About This

17.

Mueller brought in Andrew Weissmann, a lawyer with expertise in witness-flipping.   Read More About This

18.

Speculation grew that Flynn is cooperating with the FBI, including by Sen. Whitehouse, a ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Comm.   Read More About This

19.

Flynn failed to report a 2015 Middle East trip on his security clearance forms. The trip was to discuss a U.S.-Russian partnership, financed by Saudi Arabia, to build nuclear reactors throughout the Middle East.   Read More About This

20.

NYT reported that despite concerns about Flynn being a security risk, Pompeo continued to give him classified briefings for three weeks.   Read More About This

21.

NYT also reported that even though he gave Trump briefings almost daily, Pompeo did not raise the issue of Flynn's ties to Russia.   Read More About This

22.

ABC reported Senate investigators are looking into financial ties between the Trump campaign and Russia/Eastern Europeans businessmen to see if dealing involved organized crime or those subject to US sanctions.   Read More About This

23.

Several names associated with financing for the Trump SoHo have alleged ties to money laundering or Russian organized crime.   Read More About This

24.

One name is Felix Sater, who was twice convicted and served jail time, and as per Week 15, worked with Michael Cohen on a back-channel plan for a Ukraine and Russia 'peace plan' (with new leadership in Ukraine).   Read More About This

25.

Felix Sater, a Russian-born former partner with New York property developer Bayrock, worked with Trump and his children on projects around the world.   Read More About This

26.

Bloomberg reported an employee of Bayrock, Jody Kriss, said he quitbecause the firm was a front for money laundering. A federal judge said a lawsuit by Kriss against Bayrock could proceed as a racketeering case.   Read More About This

27.

In a CBS poll, Trump's approval hit a new low (36%). He is also losing Republican support: 83% approve on Day-100 vs. 72% now.   Read More About This

28.

Mueller brought in a second lawyer from the Solicitor General's office. Elizabeth Prelogar is fluent in Russian and while at Harvard Law, won an Overseas Press Club scholarship to study Russian media and censorship.   Read More About This

29.

On Monday, Spicer did an off camera, no audio broadcast press briefing. The Trump regime's access to the media has become increasingly erratic.   Read More About This

30.

When Spicer was asked if Trump believes that Russia interfered with our election on Tuesday, said "I have not sat down and asked him."   Read More About This

31.

While Spicer acknowledged he is helping find his replacement, Trump is considering new measures including limiting press briefings to once a week and asking reporters to submit written questions in advance.   Read More About This

32.

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson testified to the House Intel Comm that "Putin himself, orchestrated cyberattacks on our nation for the purpose of influencing our election -- plain and simple."   Read More About This

33.

Also at the hearing, Jeanette Manfra, acting deputy undersecretary at DHS, said so far evidence exists that Russia targeted election-related systems in 21 states.   Read More About This

34.

Daily Beast reported that the DHS never ran a formal federal audit to see if votes were hacked.   Read More About This

35.

WAPO calculated that in Trump's first 151 days, he has made 669 false and misleading claims.   Read More About This

36.

A NYT op-ed, "Trump's Lies," catalogued every lie told by Trump since he took office, noting: "…as regular as they have become, the country should not allow itself to become numb to them."   Read More About This

37.

Trump held a campaign rally in Iowa, and gave a speech full of factually incorrect statements. NYT described the rally as a "venting session."   Read More About This;  Click here, also

38.

At the Iowa rally, Trump defended his wealthy economic cabinet picks, saying "In those particular positions, I just don't want a poor person."   Read More About This

39.

Boeing announced layoffs at the South Carolina plant Trump visitedearlier this year where he promoted his "Buy America" pledge.   Read More About This

40.

Trump will hold his re-election campaign kick-off event on June 28 at the Trump Hotel DC. The cost is $35k per head, or $100k for host committee.   Read More About This

41.

While ignoring atrocities committed by numerous authoritarian leaders, Trump tweeted a falsehood, "Mexico was just ranked the second deadliest country in the world," about our former close ally.   Read More About This

42.

Trump called new Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to congratulate him on his new role.   Read More About This

43.

Further to a BuzzFeed article in Week 31 citing multiple deaths in the UK at the hands of Russian operatives, The New Yorker reported on similarly mysterious deaths of Putin critics in the US.   Read More About This

44.

Tillerson proposed a three-point plan aimed at improving relations with Russia, including working together on cybersecurity.   Read More About This

45.

NYT reported that Trump's White House is trying to get the House GOP to weaken the Senate bill that imposes sanctions on Russian.   Read More About This

46.

Rep. Kevin Brady tried to block the Senate's Russia sanction bill, saying it was "blue slip" violation -- revenue bills must originate in the House.   Read More About This

47.

Democrats on the House Oversight Comm questioned why Kushner still has security clearance, and why Flynn kept his clearance, after public reports that both had undisclosed meetings with Kislyak.   Read More About This

48.

Rachel Maddow reported on a second bi-partisan letter to the Trump White House and acting FBI director McCabe questions Kushner's security clearance.   Read More About This

49.

BuzzFeed reported that Bharara wrote a memo on March 9 to several senior DOJ officials outlining his concern about a third call from the WH. Bharara was fired on March 11.   Read More About This

50.

POLITICO reported that Trump has frequently lashed out at White House counsel McGahn for not doing more to quash the Trump-Russia probe early on.   Read More About This

51.

CNN reported that Coats and Rogers both told Mueller and the Senate Intel Comm in a private session that Trump suggested they say publicly there was no collusion between his regime and Russia.   Read More About This

52.

Coats told House investigators that Trump seemed obsessed with the Russia probe, and repeatedly asked him to publicly state there was no evidence of collusion.   Read More About This

53.

On Thursday in a cryptic tweet, Trump admitted he did not tape Comey, raising questions of whether his initial tweet was witness intimidation.   Read More About This

54.

Trump also continued to deny Russia hacked our election, and tweeted blame at Obama: "if Russia was working so hard on the 2016 Election, it all took place during the Obama Admin. Why didn't they stop them?"   Read More About This

55.

Rachel Maddow reported on the many ways Russia, possibly with the help from the Trump regime, may have tampered with actual voting results on Election Day.   Read More About This

56.

WSJ reported Deep Root Analytics, a GOP data firm, left a proprietary data set with personal information on nearly 200 million votersunprotected online -- where anyone could see it.   Read More About This

57.

Gizmodo reported the data leak contains detailed personal information on about 61% of the US population -- including address, birthday, party registrations and views on issues for almost all registered voters.   Read More About This

58.

The RNC paid Deep Root $983k in 2016, but much of the data leaked came from The Data Trust, the GOP's primary voter file provider. The RNC paid The Data Trust $6.7mm during the 2016 election cycle.   Read More About This

59.

The president of The Data Trust was Johnny DeStefano, who is now head of personnel for Trump.   Read More About This

60.

Dallas County, a heavily Democratic area, said its web servers were targeted multiple times by Russian hackers.   Read More About This

61.

Of the 600 IP addresses provided by DHS as possible Russian hackers, 17 associated with Russian computers tried to gain access to Dallas servers.   Read More About This

62.

Rachel Maddow reported that adjoining counties that were heavily Republican did not have any matches from the 600 IP addresses.   Read More About This

63.

WSJ reported on VR Systems, a software company whose product were used to check-in voters in 21 of North Carolina's 100 counties. VR Systems software failed in heavily Democratic Durham county.   Read More About This

64.

Durham county was forced to issue ballots by hand, meaning longer lines, and likely depressed voter turnout. Trump won NC, but the race was very close.   Read More About This

65.

TIME reported the Russian hacking of our election was more widespread than previously reported, and included at least one successful attempt to alter voter information and theft of personal info on thousands of voters.   Read More About This

66.

TIME also reported that there was one confirmed case of manipulation of voter data -- raising the specter of falsified votes.   Read More About This

67.

CBS reported the House Intel Comm investigation on Russia has expanded to probe whether Trump associates received information from hacked voter databases.   Read More About This

68.

Parscale, digital director for the Trump campaign, emerged as a central figure in the Trump-Russia probe. Pascale, known as "Jared's boy," reported to Kushner. His firm was paid $91mm by the Trump campaign.   Read More About This

69.

The House Intel Comm will interview Parscale to ascertain if information stolen by Russian hackers made its way to the Trump campaign.   Read More About This

70.

As he takes over as House Oversight Comm chair, unlike his predecessor Chaffetz, Gowdy said the committee will no longer probe Trump-Russia ties or violations of the emoluments clause.   Read More About This

71.

A NBC/WSJ poll found that by a 2–1 margin, Americans believe Comey over Trump. Just 27% approve of Trump firing of Comey.   Read More About This

72.

Friday, Trump told Fox & Friends he tweeted his lie about the existence of tapes in order to influence Comey's account of their conversation -- further raising the specter of witness intimidation.   Read More About This

73.

Also in the Fox & Friends interview, Trump left open the option of firing Mueller because of his "bothersome" friendship with Comey.   Read More About This

74.

A WAPO bombshell reported on a CIA report delivered only to Obama and three top officials in August, revealing Putin's specific instructions to defeat or at least damage Hillary, and help elect Trump.   Read More About This

75.

WAPO also reported in the months ahead of the election, the FBI became alarmed by an unusual spike in temporary visa requests by Russia for officials with technical skills to enter the US. Permission was denied.   Read More About This

76.

The Obama administration's response was mild and fairly muted, in part, according to WAPO reporting, concern that Russia would sabotage our Election Day.   Read More About This

77.

WAPO also reported on GOP efforts to block intelligence from informing the public, and from acting including the Secretary of State of Georgia who called Johnson's proposal to shore up voting as an assault on state rights.   Read More About This

78.

After the WAPO story, Trump again tweeted about Obama and Russian interference: "Obama Administration knew far in advance of November 8th about election meddling by Russia. Did nothing about it. WHY?"   Read More About This

79.

Trump continued to deny intelligence that Russia hacked our election, saying it was "probably was Russia."   Read More About This

80.

NBC reported Trump has taken little meaningful action, and shown no interest in stopping Russia from hacking our next election, despite a slew of intelligence warnings that Russia will be back.   Read More About This

81.

McConnell rolled out the Senate version of AHCA, which only a small group white male senators and lobbyists were involved in crafting. The public is overwhelmingly against the bill. One journalist referred to the process in a column, "Our Fake Democracy."   Read More About This

82.

Trump has yet to pass a single piece of major legislation despite control of the House and Senate. He seems largely disinterested and disengaged in this sphere.

Replicated from:   https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-32-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-252680d31be6

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Week #31:  June 18, 2017

Another week for the history books: Trump is under investigation for obstruction of justice -- a fact he confirmed through a tweet. With his increasingly erratic behavior, Trump has become his own worst enemy. While investigations by the House, Senate, FBI, federal investigators and special counsel into Trump-Russia steam ahead, Trump's continued efforts to interfere with investigations may prove to be his ultimate undoing. This week the tentacles of the Trump-Russia probe reached new members of the Trump regime, and several chose to lawyer up. Congress is singularly focused on Trump-Russia, save for McConnell's odd, clandestine AHCA efforts. ____________________________________________________________

1.

Trump canceled his UK visit, saying he didn't want to come until the British public supports him. Large-scale protests were expected.   Read More About This

2.

Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ has been coined "the summer White House," and similar to Mar-A-Lago, offers access -- such as Trump crashing parties - as part of the marketing plan.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

3.

Since taking office, Trump has been at one of his properties every 3.5 days, and at one of his golf courses every 6.2 days.   Read More About This

4.

On Sunday, Trump attorney Jay Sekulow, said Trump is considering firing Mueller.   Read More About This

5.

Trump allies, including Gingrich and Conway, attacked Mueller, claiming he was biased for Comey, and that members of his staff have donated to Democrats of liberal causes.   Read More About This

6.

Gingrich also accused Mueller of being part of the "deep state" plot to undermine Trump.   Read More About This

7.

Bharara told ABC Sunday that Trump called him three times. Bharara was fired the day after he did not return the third call. Bharara noted Obama did not call him once while he served.   Read More About This

8.

Bharara also described his contact as "a little bit uncomfortable", and said reading about Trump's contact with Comey "felt a little bit like deja vu."   Read More About This

9.

Kasowitz bragged that he was behind the firing of Bharara. According to a ProPublica source, Kasowitz told Trump, "This guy is going to get you."   Read More About This

10.

In response to a FOIA request, the Secret Service said it has no audio or transcripts of any tapes made in the WH. Trump has still not verified if he lied about the existence of tapes, despite promises to do so soon.   Read More About This

11.

Hundreds of Kremlin critics were arrested amid anti-corruption protests, including opposition leader Navalny who was detained near his home.   Read More About This

12.

A Moscow court sentenced Navalny to 30 days in prison for staging an unsanctioned rally. The White House and State Dept were silent on all of this.   Read More About This

13.

Gianforte was sentenced to a 180-day deferred sentence, and ordered to complete 40 hours of community service and 20 hours of anger management counseling for assaulting reporter Ben Jacobs.   Read More About This

14.

The 9th Circuit upheld an injunction blocking part of Trump's second Muslim Ban. In their ruling, the judges cited Trump's own tweets.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

15.

Trump changed the expiration date of the Muslim Ban in an effort to prevent the Supreme Court from declaring it moot.   Read More About This

16.

Monday, in a bizarre display in front of cameras, Trump's cabinet members took turns praising him.   Read More About This

17.

A journalist noted: " Putin televises the beginnings of his cabinet meetings."   Read More About This

18.

Rep. Quigley introduced the "COVFEFE Act," to require the preservation of Trump's tweets. The original covfefe tweet was deleted.   Read More About This

19.

Also of note, Trump has been actively blocking users on Twitter, despite using his Twitter account for policy and other announcements.   Read More About This

20.

Trump's approval sunk again in a new AP/NORC poll, with his net favorability falling to -29 (approve 35, disapprove 64).   Read More About This

21.

The AP/NORC poll also found that 7 in 10 Americans are at least moderately concerned that Trump or his campaign associates had inappropriate ties to Russia.   Read More About This

22.

A survey of CEOs, business execs, government officials and academics at the Yale CEO summit found that 50% gave Trump a "F" and 21% a "D" for his first 130 days in office.   Read More About This

23.

Bloomberg reported that Russian cyber hack of the US electoral system was far wider than reported -- including 39 states in all. The attacks included incursions into voter databases and software system.   Read More About This

24.

Further, in Illinois, which became known as "Patient Zero" in the government probe, Russian hackers gained access to personal information on 15mm people, half of whom were active voters.

25.

Cindy McCain agreed to join the State Dept, after being aggressively courted by Trump.   Read More About This

26.

Dana Shell Smith, the US ambassador to Qatar, resigned.   Read More About This

27.

Trump's EPA head, Pruitt, skipped much of the G7 environmental summit.   Read More About This

28.

The Dept of Energy said it will close an office that works with other countries to develop clean energy technology.   Read More About This

29.

At a Senate Appropriations hearing, Tillerson said he would not be staffing the State Dept until next year.   Read More About This

30.

Trump's Commerce Dept removed sexual orientation and gender identification from its anti-discrimination policies.   Read More About This

31.

Trump appointed loyalist Lynne Patton, who planned Eric's wedding and golf tournaments at Trump courses, to run the office that oversees federal housing programs in New York. She has no housing experience.   Read More About This

32.

OGE director Shaub responded to a request from four Senate democrats, saying Steve Bannon had in fact violated White House ethics rules, noting Bannon's ethics waiver was retroactive and neither dated nor signed.   Read More About This

33.

USA Today reported that in the last 12 months, 70% of Trump property buyers have been LLCs, compared to 4% two years ago.   Read More About This

34.

China approved nine Trump trademark requests which were previously rejected. Intellectual property lawyers suggested "special treatment."   Read More About This;  Click here, also

35.

AP reported a company that partners with both Trump and Kushner is a finalist for a $1.7bn contract to build the new FBI headquarters.   Read More About This

36.

While Ivanka has made attempts to reset her public image, Guardianreported at her clothing factory in China workers complain of verbal abuse, impossible targets, and poverty pay.   Read More About This

37.

During Sen. Judiciary Comm testimony, Rosenstein said he now agrees that Russia interfered in our election. Rosenstein had not taken a position during his confirmation hearings.   Read More About This

38.

On Tuesday, reporters at the Capitol were told they were no longer allowed to interview senators in the hallways, contrary to years of precedent.   Read More About This

39.

Karen Tumulty, a reporter for WAPO, was expelled from the Capitol for doing just that.   Read More About This

40.

Following a backlash, later that day Senate Republicans backed off from their restrictions on the media.   Read More About This

41.

DC police said they will charge 12 of Erdogan's security guards for assaulting protestors outside the Turkish embassy.   Read More About This

42.

In response to a FOIA requests, a DC judge ordered the DOJ to produce Sessions' clearance form, on which he was required to disclose contacts with Russians, within one month.   Read More About This

43.

The DC judge also ordered the DOJ and FBI to release any records of Priebus reaching out to the FBI to request they refute reports of communications between the Trump campaign and Russia.   Read More About This

44.

Tuesday, Sessions testified in front of the Senate Intel Comm, but largely refused to answer important questions. He did not mention any further contact with Russian officials, nor confirm the third meeting.   Read More About This

45.

McCain asked Sessions if he had "any contacts with any representative, including any American lobbyist or agent of any Russian company" at the hearing Tuesday. Sessions said, "I don't believe so."   Read More About This

46.

Guardian reported that Richard Burt, a lobbyist for Russia who helped craft a foreign policy speech for Trump, said he attended two dinnershosted by Sessions during the 2016 campaign.   Read More About This

47.

Burt also served on the advisory board of Alfa Capital Partners, a private equity fund in which Alfa Bank was an investor. Per Week 21, the FBI is looking in links between Alfa Bank and Trump during the campaign.   Read More About This

48.

Sen. Kamala Harris was interrupted by McCain and then Burr during her questioning of Sessions. Harris was also scolded by Burr for not being "courteous" in the hearing last week of Coats, Rogers and Rosenstein.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

49.

By a 98–2 vote, the Senate passed a new Russian sanctions bill which would impose additional sanctions, and limit Trump's ability to lift them.   Read More About This

50.

WIRED reported on Mueller assembling a "dream team" of lawyers, including attorneys who specialize in money laundering and organized crime, and a former prosecutor for the Watergate investigation.   Read More About This

51.

On Wednesday, a lone gunman, who had volunteered for Bernie Sanders, shot at Congressional Republicans who were practicing for a baseball game at a park in Alexandria, VA. Extreme rhetoric was blamed.   Read More About This

52.

The next night as the bi-partisan game was being played, the Trump regime rescinded Obama's protections for parents of 'Dreamers,' and reduced protections for 'Dreamers.'   Read More About This

53.

In Ossining, NY, ICE detained a 19 year-old on the day of his prom and weeks before his high school graduation.   Read More About This

54.

On Wednesday, WAPO reported that Mueller is investigating Trump for obstruction of justice.   Read More About This

55.

WAPO also reported that Mueller will interview Coats, Rogers and Ledgett as part of the investigation.   Read More About This

56.

In a poignant moment on primetime TV, Lester Holt said on NBC Nightly News, "NBC News has learned the president of the United States is now under criminal investigation."   Read More About This

57.

Late Thursday, Rosenstein issued an odd statement prodding the media for "anonymous allegations" on Russia, and saying "Americans should exercise caution before accepting as true" anonymous sources.   Read More About This

58.

Pelosi predicted that Trump will "self-impeach."   Read More About This

59.

On Friday in a tweet, Trump acknowledged he was under investigation, and described it as a "Witch Hunt."   Read More About This

60.

Trump's tweet also took a swipe at Rosenstein, raising questions of whether Trump would fire him. Doing so could make it possible for Trump to put in place a process to fire Mueller.   Read More About This

61.

Sen. Feinstein said she is increasingly concerned that Trump will fire Mueller. In a strong statement she noted, "We're a nation of laws that apply equally to everyone, a lesson the president would be wise to learn."   Read More About This

62.

AP reported Trump advisors and confidant describe him as increasingly angry over the investigation and yelling at televisions carrying coverage.   Read More About This

63.

NYT reported that Trump's private attorney, Kasowitz, has advised White House staffers not to hire private lawyers yet.   Read More About This

64.

Kasowitz was hit with ethics complaints in NY and DC over this advice.   Read More About This

65.

WAPO reported that Mueller is investigating Kushner for his finances and business dealings. This is in addition to previously reported investigations of Kushner's meetings in December with Kislyak and Gorkov.   Read More About This

66.

WAPO also reported that the FBI and federal prosecutors are investigating the financial dealing of Flynn, Manafort and Page.   Read More About This

67.

CNN reported the House Intel Comm is planning to call Brad Parscale, the digital director for Trump's campaign, in their investigation of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.   Read More About This

68.

CNN also reported that Kushner is under federal investigation for his role in overseeing Trump's data operations, and is expected to talk to Senate investigators about the campaign's data operation.   Read More About This

69.

Pence hired big-name experienced, top dollar lawyer with Watergate experience to represent him in the Russian probe.   Read More About This

70.

Pence's PAC held a fundraiser in Indianapolis Friday night. When Rachel Maddow's staff asked whether funds go towards legal costs, the response was: "His legal fees will be paid by non-tax dollars."   Read More About This

71.

Trump personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, hired counsel for the Russian probe. Cohen is under investigation by the special counsel, and will testify in front of the House Intel Comm on September 5.   Read More About This

72.

Michael Caputo, a Manafort ally who served as a senior communications adviser on Trump's campaign, hired a lawyer. Caputo lived in Moscow, and in 2000 worked to improve Putin's image in the US.   Read More About This

73.

Manafort and Page also hired counsel for the Russia probe.   Read More About This

74.

CNBC reported that the Trump regime is touting that they created coal jobs which might not actually exist.   Read More About This

75.

Putin offered Comey political asylum in Russia, continuing to publicly insert himself into US politics.   Read More About This

76.

BuzzFeed reported that 14 recent deaths in the UK appear tied to Russia.   Read More About This

77.

Frustrating House Republicans, Trump called their version of AHCA/Trumpcare  --  which he had celebrated in the Rose Garden  --  "mean," and said he hoped the Senate would pass a better version.   Read More About This

78.

McConnell has been leading an oddly closed-door effort to pass AHCA in the Senate with no hearings or input. Open frustration was expressed by Democrats, some Republicans, and major patient advocacy groups.   Read More About This

79.

The OGE released Trump's most recent financial disclosure Friday. Trump reported $315mm of loans, including $130mm from Deutsche Bank, the bank known for Russian ties which refused Democrats request for info.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

80.

The 98 pages of financial disclosure showed a sharp rise in revenue at places Trump frequented including Mar-A-Lago and nearby golf courses.   Read More About This

81.

Trump also made $20mm at the newly opened Trump Hotel DC. Despite early promised to turn over payments from foreign government to the US Treasury, Trump is not tracking all payments.   Read More About This

82.

The Attorneys General for DC and Maryland sued Trump for breaching his constitutional oath by accepting millions in payments and benefits from foreign governments.   Read More About This

83.

Nearly 200 Congressional Democrats filed an emoluments lawsuit against Trump saying he has violated constitutional restrictions on taking gifts and benefits from foreign leaders.   Read More About This

84.

A Russian oil tycoon parked his giant yacht in front of the Statue of Liberty. The yacht was a gift from a Roman Abramovich, who in Week 20 was skiing in Aspen at the same time as Kushner and Ivanka.   Read More About This

85.

In an early sign of cracks from unfilled key roles in the executive branch, after the USS Fitzgerald collision, Trump was criticized for leaving the positions of US navy secretary and ambassador to Japan unfilled.   Read More About This

Replicated from:   https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-31-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-dd293e0dd49b

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Week #30:  June 11, 2017

This week all eyes were on the testimony of James Comey (the former/fired Director of the FBI), which opened the door for what could be obstruction of justice, an impeachable offense. Despite Republicans controlling the House, Senate and White House, legislative progress has largely come to a halt amid weekly and sometimes daily bombshells, as all eyes turn to the Trump-Russia scandal. Also of note is the complete disarray of the Trump regime, and the difficulty Trump is having hiring staff and even finding legal representation. ____________________________________________________________

1.

In the aftermath of terrorists attacks in London Saturday night, Trump attacked the Mayor tweeting, "At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"   Read More About This

2.

The US ambassador to the UK contradicted Trump, tweeting from the embassy account we "Commend the strong leadership" of the Mayor.   Read More About This

3.

Trump used the attack as an opportunity to promote his Muslim Ban, "I am calling it what we need and what it is, a TRAVEL BAN!" Ironically, the Trump regime spent months denying it was a "ban."   Read More About This

4.

Trump also criticized Sessions, tweeting the DOJ should have stayed with the first Muslim ban, "not the watered down, politically correct version."   Read More About This

5.

Experts said Trump's tweets would likely hurt the chances on appeal at the Supreme Court.   Read More About This

6.

NYT reported that Trump is fuming at Sessions, especially over his decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation.   Read More About This

7.

Mattis tried to reassure allies at a conference in Singapore, asking them to "bear with us" after Trump's disastrous foreign trip.   Read More About This

8.

POLITICO reported that Trump's national security team was blind-sided when he left out the planned language reaffirming US commitment to Article 5 from his NATO summit speech in Brussels.   Read More About This

9.

A noose was found at a construction site in DC, marking the third noose found in the DC area this week.   Read More About This

10.

The Ku Klux Klan applied to hold a rally in Charlottesville on July 8th.   Read More About This

11.

Reuters reported that the Trump regime is seeking to reopen hundreds of cases of illegal immigrants who were granted a reprieve under Obama.   Read More About This

12.

Buzzfeed reviewed more than 50 reports of school bullying, and found that kids nationwide are using Trump's words to taunt their classmates.   Read More About This

13.

Kim Weaver dropped her run for Congress against Trump ally, Steve King, after receiving multiple death threats.   Read More About This

14.

POLITICO reported that Tillerson has made himself largely inaccessible to staff and outsiders, funneling all inquiries through two staffers.   Read More About This

15.

The Mayor of Los Angeles said ICE's aggressive raids could cause high tensions in his city to boil over: "I fear a tinderbox out there."   Read More About This

16.

Canadian searches for flights to US cities have dropped by 43% since Trump's first proposed Muslim Ban.   Read More About This

17.

Ivanka continued her efforts to reset her image, appearing on the cover of US Weekly with a headline, "Why I Disagree with My Dad."   Read More About This

18.

Questions arose of whether it is constitutional for Trump to block users, given he Twitter communicate about domestic and foreign policy.   Read More About This

19.

Trump filed for a 6 month extension for filing his 2016 taxes. His rationale for the extension is unknown.   Read More About This

20.

WSJ reported Saudi Arabia's lobbyists and consultants spent $270k at the Trump Hotel DC as part of an effort to lobby Trump against a bi-partisan Act that lets Americans sue foreign countries over terrorist attacks.   Read More About This

21.

The DOJ argued Trump can accept payments from foreign governments, saying the emoluments clause doesn't apply to "fair-market commercial transactions" like payments for hotel rooms and golf club fees.   Read More About This

22.

As questions remain on why Kushner met with VEB's Gorkov, Bloombergreported that Kushner is seeking a $250mm loan to pay back Chinese investors for a New Jersey luxury tower. US banks are wary to lend.   Read More About This

23.

WNYC reported the Kushner family is set to lose $6.5mm in annual tax credits for a property in Jersey City.   Read More About This

24.

The acting US ambassador to China resigned over Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord.   Read More About This

25.

The head of the US Patent Office resigned.   Read More About This

26.

85% of the top science jobs in Trump's executive branch remain unfilled and do not have a nominee.   Read More About This

27.

The chief executive of Newseum warned that Trump's denigration of the media would lead to the "delegitimization of journalists," and encourage authoritarians to target reporters and newspapers around the world.   Read More About This

28.

Rep. Gianforte agreed to pay $50k to the Committee to Project Journalists in a civil settlement for assaulting journalist Ben Jacobs.   Read More About This

29.

Mueller brought in several, well-known attorneys with relevant experience to join his special counsel Russia probe, including Michael Dreeben, the DOJ's top criminal law expert.   Read More About This

30.

Yahoo reported four top law firms turned down requests to represent Trump citing his unwillingness to listen to advice, potential harm to recruiting and client relationships, and his history of not paying bills.   Read More About This

31.

Forbes reported that at a charity golf tournament run by Eric Trump for St. Jude Children's Research, $1.2 million of expenses paid to the Trump Organization had no documented receipts.   Read More About This

32.

Additionally, $500k was re-donated to other charities (4 of whom subsequently held tournaments at Trump golf courses), and $100k was funneled though the Eric Trump Foundation to the Trump Organization.   Read More About This

33.

The NY Attorney General's office said it will look into these payouts by Eric Trump's Foundation.   Read More About This

34.

Flynn turned over more than 600 pages of documents to the Senate Intel Comm. Most are business records, but also some personal documents.   Read More About This

35.

The Intercept published a leaked top-secret NSA document which detailed the efforts of Russian hackers to target a voting-software supplier and more than 100 local election officials just prior to Election Day.   Read More About This

36.

The FBI arrested the leaker: 25 year-old Reality Winner, a federal contractor in Augusta, Georgia. The FBI was able to track the leak to Winner after The Intercept provided a copy to the NSA for comment.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

37.

Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intel Comm said Russian attacks on our election were broader and targeted more states than reported in The Intercept.   Read More About This

38.

Sen. Klobuchar asked that the Senate Rules Comm get a classified briefing on the Russian vote hacking attempts.   Read More About This

39.

Deutsche Bank ignored the House Democrats' request for information on Trump's accounts and possible ties to Russia.   Read More About This

40.

Thursday, Deutsche Bank blamed privacy laws for preventing the bank from disclosing the information requested.   Read More About This

41.

At a Senate Intel Comm hearing Wednesday, Coats, Rogers and Rosenstein largely refused to answer senators' questions. One conservative journalist called it contempt of Congress.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

42.

A pro-Trump PAC ran ads attacking Comey as a "showboat" and a failure on the day of his testimony.   Read More About This

43.

WAPO reported Coats told associates Trump asked him to intervene to get Comey to back off the FBI's investigation of Flynn in its Russia probe.   Read More About This

44.

Sources said the ask was made at the end of a briefing at the WH, when Trump asked everyone to leave the room, except Coats and Pompeo.   Read More About This

45.

NYT reported the day after Trump asked Comey to end the investigation of Trump, Comey told Sessions not to leave him alone with Trump.   Read More About This

46.

ABC reported that Trump lashed out repeatedly at Sessions in private meetings about recusing himself from Russia, and that Sessions in turn suggested he could resign.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

47.

After allegations Nunes was behind the House Intel subpoenas on "unmasking," Nunes refused to confirm if he had stepped aside in the Russia probe.   Read More About This

48.

VOX reported that Comey had spoken to three senior FBI officials (Rybicki, Baker, McCabe), who could vouch for his story that Trump asked him to shut down the Flynn investigation.   Read More About This

49.

Trump's approval hit a new low in a Quinnipiac poll: approve 34%, disapprove 57%. Of note, Trump is almost underwater with white men!   Read More About This

50.

A senior State Dept official will travel to Russia to help solve the "irritants" in our relationship.   Read More About This

51.

Putin threatened Sweden with a military response to "eliminate the threat" if the country joins NATO.   Read More About This

52.

Former DNI Clapper said "Watergate pales" compared to what the US is confronting now.   Read More About This

53.

Ahead of his testimony Thursday, on Wednesday the Sen. Intel Comm released seven pages of Comey's testimony.   Read More About This

54.

Highlights include: unusually frequent contacts with Trump, Trump requested a loyalty pledge, Comey documented all contact, Trump focused on Russian hooker report, and Trump asked him to let Flynn off.   Read More About This

55.

Trump's pick for FBI director, Wray, works for a law firm that counts among it's clients Russian-state oil companies Rosneft and Gazprom   Read More About This

56.

Comey testified in an open session Thursday. Major networks covered the testimony as over 19 million watched. Many in DC caught "Comey fever" and played hooky to watch at restaurants and pubs.   Read More About This

57.

Among the highlights: Comey said Trump lied about him and the FBI; that Sessions had no choice but to recuse himself; and that he was fired because of the Russia investigation.   Read More About This

58.

Comey said he took notes starting directly after the first meeting on January 6 because he was concerned Trump "might lie." Comey did not feel the need to take notes with Obama or W Bush.   Read More About This

59.

On Trump's threat of having taped his conversations, Comey said, "Lordy, I hope there are tapes." This spurred another round of demands by Democrats for Trump to produce the tapes, or admit he lied.   Read More About This

60.

Comey said Sessions seemed uncomfortable when Trump asked him to leave the room, "My sense was the attorney general knew he shouldn't be leaving." Comey said the same of Kushner.   Read More About This

61.

Comey said he leaked a memo about his meeting with Trump through a friend at Columbia to the NYT in hopes of getting a special counsel appointed.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

62.

Comey testified he has given his memos to Mueller, and suggested the special counsel is investigating Trump for obstruction of justice.   Read More About This

63.

Comey said there was no doubt that Russia interfered in our election, saying, "they're coming after America" and "they will be back." He also noted this is an attack on our democracy, not a particular political party.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

64.

Trump's lawyer, Kasowitz responded, included a written statement where he misspelled President. He also got the timeline of the Comey memo wrong, and falsely accused Comey of leaking classified information.   Read More About This;  Click here, also; and Here

65.

After the Comey testimony, Republicans mostly shied away from the camera this week, while Speaker Ryan offered a tepid defense for Trump's actions: "he's just new to this."   Read More About This

66.

Numerous Trump surrogates spent the days surrounding Comey's testimony by trying to smear him as a liar and attention seeker.   Read More About This

67.

NBC reported that during the Senate Intel Comm's closed hearing, senators learned about a third, undisclosed meeting between Sessions and Russia. This confirms an item in Week 29, which the DOJ denied.   Read More About This

68.

PM May suffered a major setback in the UK elections, as her Conservative Party lost the majority. Her party's loss also could spell trouble for Brexit.   Read More About This

69.

Senate Intel Comm staff will interview Kushner next week. NBC reported that Congress wants to ask Kushner if he was seeking funding for his NYC tower.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

70.

Pelosi told MSNBC that she is looking into why Trump picked Saudi Arabia as his first country to visit. Past presidents, going back to Reagan had visited close allies Canada or Mexico first.   Read More About This

71.

Pelosi also said she is looking into why while at the visit in Saudi Arabia, Trump had cleared the room.   Read More About This

72.

Trump and Tillerson had an embarrassing difference in foreign policy on Qatar as Tillerson said there should "be no further escalation by parties in the region," and Trump sided with Saudi Arabia and others, slamming Qatar as a sponsor of terrorism.   Read More About This

73.

Trump's attorney said he would file a complaint against Comey for leaking his memo to his friend at Columbia.   Read More About This

74.

According to a letter from the US Office of Special Counsel, Trump's social media director Scavino violated the Hatch Act in April when he tweeted a call to oust a member of the House. He was issued a warning.   Read More About This

75.

In a Friday speech with the president of Romania in the Rose Garden, Trump switched course again and said he would support Article 5 of the NATO pact.   Read More About This

76.

Trump also called Comey a liar and a "leaker," and that Comey's testimony showed there was "no collusion, no obstruction."   Read More About This

77.

Trump also said he would be willing to tell his side of story under oath, "100 percent," but still would not confirm if the "tapes" really exist.   Read More About This

78.

Top Democratic donor Tom Steyer called for impeachment hearings over obstruction of justice.   Read More About This

Replicated from:   https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-30-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-9705fea03cc9

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Week #29:  June 4, 2017

This was an abbreviated week with Memorial Day and Congress out of session. Republicans were largely in hiding. Without the background noise in DC, two major themes played out: the spreading Russia crisis, and the shaping of a new world order. Even before Megyn Kelly's prime-time interview of Putin, Russia has become a national obsession. Several bombshells on Trump-Russia broke this week, as the collusion puzzle continues to piece together. And seemingly at Putin's behest, a new world order is shaping with Trump distancing himself from our democratic allies, and cozying up to brutal authoritarian states. ____________________________________________________________

1.

As the Trump-Russia scandal spread, Donald Jr., Eric and Eric's wife Laramet with GOP leaders to discuss strategy. Donald Jr. and Eric were supposed to steer clear from politics while running the family business.   Read More About This

2.

Secretary of State Tillerson, Exxon's former CEO, was present in Saudi Arabia at the same time Exxon's current CEO was signing a major deal with state-owned Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC).   Read More About This

3.

The Trump regime planned to quietly sell $1.2mm of semiautomatic handguns to Ergodan's security guards. After these guards beat American protestors at the Turkish embassy in DC, members of Congress objected.   Read More About This

4.

Belgian newspaper Le Soir reported that during his Brussels visit, Trump complained to the Belgian PM about his difficulties in setting up golf courses in the EU.   Read More About This

5.

In the final leg of his trip, Trump continued to ignore US press. Trump was the only G7 leader to not hold a press conference after the summit.   Read More About This

6.

The White House omitted the name of the husband of Luxembourg's gay PM from the caption of a photo taken at the NATO summit. It was later corrected.   Read More About This

7.

Merkel warned Europeans that the US and Britain are no longer reliable partners, and that Europe "must take its fate into its own hands."   Read More About This

8.

Macron said his prolonged, white-knuckled handshake with Trump was "not innocent," telling French media, "we must show that we will not make small concessions, even symbolic ones."   Read More About This

9.

In an interview with Megyn Kelly, Putin it would be a good thing for Moscow if NATO were completely "falling apart."   Read More About This

10.

In sharp contrast to Trump, on Monday France's Macron stood on stage next to Putin and called Russian media outlets "organs of influence and propaganda." France also accepted LGBTQ refugees from Chechnya.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

11.

While visiting Australia, McCain sought to reassure our important ally, telling them Trump's actions have "unsettled many Americans as well."   Read More About This

12.

CNN reported that Trump's return from his first foreign trip finds him lonely and angry. One source said, "I see him emotionally withdrawing. He's gained weight. He doesn't have anybody whom he trusts."   Read More About This

13.

A furious Trump threatened a White House shake-up again and again this week amid the broadening Russia crisis; however it also became clear that few are interested in working for Trump.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

14.

Trump's Communications Director quit Tuesday. Other than that, no changes were made this week despite all the drama.   Read More About This

15.

Kellyanne Conway's husband, George Conway, withdrew his name from consideration to lead the Civil Division of the DOJ.   Read More About This

16.

Reuters reported that Trump FBI director search has become "chaotic,"and said Trump interviewed candidates for 10–20 minutes, and in one case, mostly talked about himself.   Read More About This

17.

AP reported Trump gave his cell number to world leaders and urged them to call him directly, raising concerns about security and secrecy.   Read More About This

18.

Trump's Twitter account experienced a strange surge of followers in the month of May. Nearly half his new followers are likely fake accounts.   Read More About This

19.

Rolling back 40 years of progress, the Trump regime plans to disband the Labor Department division responsible for policing discrimination among federal contractors.   Read More About This

20.

Also as part of this move, Trump will also roll back protections for the LGBTQ community, and for victims of campus sexual assault.   Read More About This

21.

Amid racial tensions in Portland, OR after a two men were killed by a white supremacist while coming to the aid of Muslims women, a Republican said the party should use militia groups at public events.   Read More About This

22.

Three days after the Portland attack, Trump tweeted attack was "unacceptable;" although he did so through the @POTUS Twitter account, not the personal account he typically uses.   Read More About This

23.

One hundred eighth graders on a field trip to DC refused to pose with Paul Ryan. One student added, "I don't want to be associated with him."   Read More About This

24.

WNYC reported Trump SoHo plans layoffs, citing in the past five months room and event bookings are down sharply.   Read More About This

25.

As Trump lost the appeal in federal court on his second Muslim Ban, the regime gave US embassies broad discretion to limit travelers through intensified screening measures for visa applicants.   Read More About This

26.

In another act of violence against US media, several windows at the Lexington Herald-Leader were shattered by bullets.   Read More About This

27.

Texas's House passed SB 4, which attempts to abolish "sanctuary cities"by making local officials who refuse to enforce the Trump's regime's extremist measures liable and subject to removal from office.   Read More About This

28.

A Texas state representation, Matt Rinaldi, called ICE on SB 4 protesters. He also threatened to "put a bullet in one of his colleague's heads" during a scuffle on the House floor.   Read More About This

29.

A man arrested for failing to pay fare on Minneapolis light rail faces deportation after undergoing inappropriate questioning by a transit officer on his immigration status. The exchange was captured on video.   Read More About This

30.

In Michigan, ICE agents ate breakfast at an Ann Arbor restaurant, complimented the chef on the waffles and bacon and eggs and toast, and then went to the kitchen area and arrested three restaurant workers.   Read More About This

31.

A Guardian article described ICE agents as "out of control" and "getting worse" as arrests of non-violent undocumented immigrants explode across the country. Agents have also been accused of targeting protestors.   Read More About This

32.

The Trump regime filed a petition with the SCOTUS to appeal the second Muslim Ban rulings. Ironically the Ban, marketed as imperative to protecting America, had a 90 day tenor. It is now over 120 days later.   Read More About This

33.

A noose was found at the segregation exhibition of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.   Read More About This

34.

NYC sculptor Alex Gardena, upset about the Fearless Girl statue looking at the bull, placed a statue of a urinating dog next to the girl.   Read More About This

35.

Signaling his lack of knowledge on governing and his continued authoritarian bent, Trump tweeted the Senate 'should switch to 51 votes, immediately, and get Healthcare and TAX CUTS approved.'   Read More About This

36.

China arrested one activist, and two others disappeared, afterinvestigating alleged labor abuse at a factory that makes Ivanka's shoes.   Read More About This

37.

Sen. Judiciary Comm chair Grassley called for an investigation into a Chinese co marketing investments in a property partly managed by Kushner using EB-5 visas (granting visas for $500k investments).   Read More About This

38.

McCain said Russia is a bigger threat to the US than ISIS, and said "We have done nothing since the election last November to respond to Vladimir Putin's attempt to change the outcome of our elections."   Read More About This

39.

POLITICO reported as Mueller ramps up his Russia investigation, Trump aids are responsible for preserving materials, despite many using auto-delete apps. Destroying materials could expose aids to criminal charges.   Read More About This

40.

On Meet the Press, Clapper said of the Kushner-Russia reports his warning light was clearly on, and "all of us in the intelligence community, very concerned about the nature of these approaches to the Russians."   Read More About This

41.

NYT reported that the FBI is investigating Kushner's motives for meeting with Gorkov, head of VEB, a Russian state bank, and whether it had to do with Russia's interference in the 2016 election.   Read More About This

42.

CNN reported on intercepted conversations during the 2016 election which reveal Russians believed they had "derogatory" information on Trump and some of his tops aides that could be used to influence them.   Read More About This

43.

At a Recode conference, Hillary said the Russians "could not have known how best to weaponize that information" without help from Americans.   Read More About This

44.

Trump's close confidant and personal attorney, Michael Cohen was asked by House and Senate investigators "to provide information and testimony" on contacts he had with Russia. So far Cohen has declined.   Read More About This

45.

The House Intel Comm sent a preliminary request for information to former Trump aid, Boris Epshteyn.   Read More About This

46.

The New Yorker reported that Trump reached out to ally Roger Stone, who is at the center of congressional and FBI investigations, on May 11th and told him, "good job."   Read More About This

47.

CNN reported that Congress is investigating a possible third undisclosed meeting between Sessions and Kislyak.   Read More About This

48.

The House Intel Comm issued seven subpoenas Wednesday on the Trump-Russia probe -- four subpoenas related to Russia investigation, and three were issued to the NSA, FBI and CIA on "unmasking."   Read More About This

49.

Schiff said no Democrats were consulted on the "unmasking" subpoenas. Democrats on the House Intel Comm said that Nunes violated his Russian recusal by issuing these subpoenas.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

50.

The White House finally disclosed waivers granted. VOX reported that Trump has granted more lobbyist waivers in 4 months than Obama did in 8 years!   Read More About This

51.

The waiver granted to Bannon for communicating with Breitbart may have violated ethics rules, as it was granted retroactively.   Read More About This

52.

WH Office of Management Director Mulvaney said the day of the CBO "has probably come and gone."   Read More About This

53.

It has been 36 days since the State Dept held a daily press briefing.   Read More About This

54.

POLITICO reported the White House ordered agencies not to comply with Democrat's oversight requests, as Republicans fear the information could be used against Trump. None of these requests have been honored so far.   Read More About This

55.

Trump tweeted at 12:06 a.m.: "Despite the constant negative press covfefe…" While Twitter stayed awake lambasting Trump, the tweet remained up until morning, when it was replaced by a humorous version.   Read More About This

56.

When Spicer was asked about the Trump tweet the next day, he refused to admit wrong or a mistake instead saying, "The president and a small group of people know exactly what he meant."   Read More About This

57.

Amid outrage by corporate CEOs, US and international politicians and experts, and a clear majority of US citizens, Trump formally withdrew from the Paris Accord with another of his hallmark dystopian speeches.   Read More About This

58.

While delivering his speech, Trump referred to a casino robbery in a Manila casino as an "act of terrorism." This was a false statement.   Read More About This

59.

Trump also bragged in his speech about adding one million jobs. The actual number is closer to 600k. Trump's top economic adviser Cohn said Trump was using the ADP number, ignoring its own government report.   Read More About This

60.

May's nonfarm payroll number came in Friday well below expectations(138k actual vs. 185k expected).   Read More About This

61.

After Trump pulled from the Paris Accord, Ivanka sought to recreate her image, tweeting support for the LGBTQ community and being featured as the "most powerful Jewish woman." Both were met with outrage.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

62.

A poll by POLITICO/Morning Consult found support for Trump impeachment is rising: 43% this week, up from 38% last week.   Read More About This

63.

WAPO reported that the Trump regime is moving to return the two US compounds the Obama administration had taken away from Russia as punishment for interfering in the 2016 election.   Read More About This

64.

Yahoo reported that days after taking office, the Trump regime tasked the State Dept with finding ways to lift economic sanctions, to return the two US compounds, and to relieve tensions Russia   Read More About This

65.

As these were the same State Dept employees that helped develop punitive measures, they were alarmed and rallied congressional allies.   Read More About This

66.

WAPO reported that while Kushner and VEB's Gorkov have given different accounts for why they met, shortly after their meeting, Gorkov met with Putin in Japan.   Read More About This

67.

Congressional investigators are looking into whether Kushner was vulnerable to Russian influence because his real estate holding are over-leveraged, and whether this led to his meeting with Gorkov.   Read More About This

68.

WAPO reported that Kushner financed a luxury skyscraper in Jersey City using federal loans meant to help poor, job-starved areas.   Read More About This

69.

NBC reported that five current and former officials say Trump participated in a private meeting in April 2016 with Kushner, Sessions and Kislyak at the Mayflower Hotel.   Read More About This

70.

Nigel Farage is a "person of interest" in the FBI's Trump-Russia scandal, in part for meeting with Assange at the Ecuadorian Embassy in March.   Read More About This

71.

James Comey is scheduled to testify in front of the Senate Intel Comm next Thursday, and is expected to say that Trump asked him to back off the investigation of Flynn.   Read More About This

72.

ABC reported that Comey is angry, saying Rosenstein and Sessions never relayed any concerns about his job performance before firing him.   Read More About This

73.

NYT reported that Trump could try to block Comey's from testifying citing executive privilege. As of today, Trump has not decided if he will try to block Comey's testimony.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

74.

Going a step further than Trump, Putin said maybe "patriotically minded" private Russian hackers meddled in the US election   Read More About This

75.

DOJ's Weissman, who oversaw foreign bribery and bank cases, is joining Mueller's Russia investigation team.   Read More About This

76.

AP reported Mueller has taken over a separate DOJ criminal probe into Manafort, which predates the 2016 election.   Read More About This

77.

Mueller may also expand his inquiry to investigate Sessions's and Rosenstein's roles in firing Comey.   Read More About This

78.

Reuters reported special counsel will also probe Flynn's ties to Turkey.   Read More About This

79.

POLITICO reported the Trump regime is pushing Congress for legislative victories as Trump grows impatient; but as the Trump-Russia scandal heats up, it's unlikely any legislation will be passed in coming months.   Read More About This

79.

Today, Americans in 150+ cities will participate in the "March for Truth"to demand the urgency and transparency on Trump-Russia.   Read More About This

Some Things We’ve Already Normalized:

•

A closing note: the number of items we have normalized and/or forgotten about from the early lists is astounding. Each week brings new bombshells and scandals - stories that in normal times would be front page news for weeks or months -- for example, Pence's (Week 16) and Tillerson's (Week 19) email scandals. In the chaos, we have forgotten.

•

A closing note: the number of items we have normalized and/or forgotten about from the early lists is astounding. Each week brings new bombshells and scandals - stories that in normal times would be front page news for weeks or months -- for example, Pence's (Week 16) and Tillerson's (Week 19) email scandals. In the chaos, we have forgotten.

Replicated from:   https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-29-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-c9e9f26fc799

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