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The Trump Years- Every day something more shocking than the last! (9 Viewers)

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Gabor Antalics‏ @GAntalics 2h2 hours ago

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The only reason Rex is out now is he had to beat Betsy DeVos out the door by a day to collect the $1 bet he made six months ago with John Kelly.  

 
Sinn Fein said:
So, what is the biggest story on a Tuesday?

1.  GOP declares no collusion between Russia and Trump

3.  Trump fires SOS Tillerson, hours after Tillerson says Russia responsible for nerve agent attack (and fires Tillerson via twitter, just for good measure)

4.  Trump's involvement with Stormy Daniels

5.  Mueller continuing to investigate Trump and his campaign 

6.  Special Election in PA

7. Trump's long-time assistant is fired and forcibly removed from WH, for "serious financial crimes" (unrelated to Trump, of course)

8.  ICE spokesman resigns in San Francisco over alleged lies told by ICE chief

9.  Evidence that Trump confidante lied about his contacts with Julian Assange 

10.  Trump bringing in Impeachment Specialist to his legal team 
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2. George Papadopoulos alleges he told Trump and his foreign policy team on March 31 2016 that he informed them he had contacts in Britian who could arrange a summit between Trump and Putin.  Trump encouraged him.  (this is the Izikoff/Corn book is important point)

 
roadkill1292 said:
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
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Seems like Tillerson’s chief objective as SoS was to hollow out the Department. Makes sense, might as well cut 30% & leave positions open when the sitting PotUS has little interest in diplomacy.

Not a comprehensive list but some of the notable departures:

Rex Tillerson

Secretary of State

Stephen K. Bannon

Chief strategist

President Trump told aides in August he had decided to remove Mr. Bannon, a right-wing nationalist who has clashed with other senior White House advisers and members of Mr. Trump's family. But a person close to Mr. Bannon said that he had submitted his resignation to the president earlier that month. 

Gary D. Cohn

Chief economic adviser

Mr. Cohn's decision to leave came after he seemed poised to lose an internal struggle over Mr. Trump's plan to impose large tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. 

Mike Dubke

Communications director

Mr. Dubke told colleagues that the reasons for his resignation were “personal.” 

Michael T. Flynn

National security adviser

Mr. Trump asked Mr. Flynn for his resignation more than two weeks after he was told that Mr. Flynn had lied to the vice president and was vulnerable to blackmail by Russians. 

Sebastian Gorka

White House adviser

Mr. Gorka served as an adviser to the president on national security issues. Two administration officials said that he was forced out, and a conservative website reported that he had resigned. 

Hope Hicks

Communications director

On Feb. 28, Ms. Hicks, one of Mr. Trump's longest-serving advisers, said she planned to leave the White House in the coming weeks. 

K. T. McFarland

Deputy national security adviser

Ms. McFarland, who was brought to the White House by Mr. Flynn, was named ambassador to Singapore last May. 

Omarosa Manigault Newman

Director of communications for the White House Office of Public Liaison

A former contestant on Mr. Trump's reality TV show "The Apprentice," Ms. Newman was pushed out by Mr. Trump's chief of staff, John F. Kelly, in December. 

Rob Porter

Staff secretary

Mr. Porter cleared out his office in early February amid accusations of spousal abuse. 

Dina H. Powell

Deputy national security adviser

The White House announced on Dec. 8 that Ms. Powell, one of the most influential women in the Trump administration, was going to step down. 

Reince Priebus

Chief of staff

Mr. Priebus was pushed out, tendering his resignation after Mr. Trump told Mr. Priebus he wanted to make a change and offered the job to John Kelly.

Anthony Scaramucci

Communications director

He was fired by Mr. Kelly days after a vulgarity-laced telephone call with a New Yorker reporter was made public. 

Keith Schiller

Director of Oval Office operations

One of the president's most trusted aides, Mr. Schiller announced his departure in September. 

Sean Spicer

Press secretary, communications director

Mr. Spicer resigned, telling Mr. Trump that he disagreed with Mr. Trump’s hiring of Mr. Scaramucci as communications director. 

Katie Walsh

Deputy chief of staff

Ms. Walsh was forced out by Jared Kushner and other West Wing officials. She joined the pro-Trump outside group America First Policies.

Ezra Cohen-Watnick

Senior director for intelligence, National Security Council

Mr. Cohen-Watnick was appointed by Mr. Flynn. He was pushed out by Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, who succeeded Mr. Flynn.

Tera Dahl

Deputy chief of staff, N.S.C.

A former writer for Breitbart News who was appointed by Mr. Flynn, Ms. Dahl left the White House for a post at the United States Agency for International Development.

Derek Harvey

Middle East adviser, N.S.C.

No explanation was given for his exit, but Mr. Harvey was appointed by Mr. Flynn and was widely reported to have been at odds with Mr. McMaster. 

Rich Higgins

Director in the strategic planning office, N.S.C.

Mr. Higgins was forced out after writing a memo arguing that Mr. Trump was being subverted by an array of foreign and domestic enemies, including “globalists” and officials of the “deep state.” 

Josh Raffel

Senior communications official

Mr. Raffel mainly served as a spokesman for Mr. Kushner, the president's son-in-law and senior adviser.

Michael C. Short

Senior assistant press secretary

Mr. Short, who had been close to Mr. Spicer, resigned shortly after Mr. Scaramucci confirmed to reporters that he was planning to fire Mr. Short. 

 
cosjobs said:
Gabor Antalics‏ @GAntalics 2h2 hours ago

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The only reason Rex is out now is he had to beat Betsy DeVos out the door by a day to collect the $1 bet he made six months ago with John Kelly.  
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What happened to the suicide pact? Kelly and Mattis to go now also?

 
Adam Schiff‏Verified account @RepAdamSchiff

Adam Schiff Retweeted Jake Tapper

The White House staff member fired for potential involvement in serious financial crimes was immediately hired for the President’s 2020 re-election campaign. Apparently, they needed someone to step in where Manafort left off.

 
bradyfan said:
Jared has been working a long time on the Middle East Peace proposal.  I look forward to finding out more later this month.
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Yes, Jared bringing his powerfully nuanced and deep historical understanding of our relations in the Middle East also fill me with confidence.

 
Banger said:
Adam Schiff‏Verified account @RepAdamSchiff

Adam Schiff Retweeted Jake Tapper

The White House staff member fired for potential involvement in serious financial crimes was immediately hired for the President’s 2020 re-election campaign. Apparently, they needed someone to step in where Manafort left off.
Click to expand...
I have to wonder if this is Trump's way of "paying" him not to talk about what may have gone on in the WH...give him $10k/month to sit home and surf the web like Trump's bodyguard.

 
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https://www.thecipherbrief.com/article/north-america/haspel-nominated-lead-cia-pompeo-replace-tillerson

Former CIA and NSA Director Gen. Michael Hayden

I think Gina’s choice to stay in the director job will make CIA the most calm spot in the American government for the foreseeable future. She’s a great choice and she’s highly regarded, and so Pompeo’s moving on – that’s disturbing, it creates turbulence. But if you want to end the turbulence as quickly as possible, you elevate a beloved and respected deputy, experienced in the agency. I think the CIA is going to be pretty calm about this.

But her alleged role in black sites and enhanced interrogation will present challenges.

She’s got a confirmation issue, and they will be coming out of the woodwork with her previous history. But that’s a fight I think the president wouldn’t mind having. “I’m tough on terrorism. These people aren’t.” So it may be personally difficult for Gina, but I do think she gets confirmed and I think again the administration doesn’t mind arguing along that line. Challenging the first female nominee to be director of the CIA might create its own extra burden.

Gina Haspel did precisely what the agency and the nation asked her to do.

As for Tillerson’s ouster, there was never positive chemistry between Trump and Tillerson, but I did always view Tillerson as a counterbalance to the president, and I think we lose that because Mike Pompeo I believe thinks and talks more like the president. There’s some good news to that in terms of a smoother relationship, but bad news in that he is less instinctively a counterbalance. Tillerson worked more closely with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. I think they also were likeminded. Now what becomes of that?

Tillerson just made a strong comment about UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s accusations that Russia was behind the nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain.

There’s a decent case to be made that that was a proximate cause for what happened today. It may very well be that he was off script and that was the last straw.

Former Director of National Intelligence Lt. Gen. (Ret.) James Clapper

I think the world of Gina; she is capable, smart, very experienced, well respected by the Agency rank and file, and a great person. I think it’s much better to have intelligence professionals serving in senior intelligence positions. I think Secretary of State is a more natural fit for Mike Pompeo, given his policy activism. I have a hard time envisioning his presiding over the continued dismantlement of the State Department.

I think Gina will be excellent as Director, as long as she is ready to be fired at a moment’s notice. She will be tested on telling truth to power. She will, I think, ultimately be confirmed, but will be challenged by some Democrats (notably California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein) about Gina’s connection with the CIA rendition and black site program.

Gina’s last job before moving to be Deputy Director was Chief of Station in London for me, as the DNI representative to the UK. She was superb in that job—very community focused. In that sense, she’ll work very well with DNI Dan Coats and Principal Deputy Director at DNI Sue Gordon. My experience is she was great to work with. (My ringing endorsement probably won’t help her with this administration.)

What signal does this send to Russia, as the announcement came after Tillerson’s strong statement supporting the British prime minister, and attacking Russian aggression?

Actually, I don’t think it conveys any “new” message to Russia; they already know we’re in turmoil.

Former CIA Deputy Director of Intelligence Carmen Medina

I think Gina Haspel would do quite well as director of CIA. She is a thoughtful professional who has a balanced understanding of CIA’s role: she knows firsthand the operator’s world but also understands the importance of analytic rigor and objectivity. I am confident that she will concentrate on enabling the men and women of CIA to do their jobs despite the political turbulence around them.

As for why Tillerson was fired one day after making strong statements about Russian aggression in support of the British prime minister – in contrast to less definitive statements out of the White House: One of my primary analytic rules is that actions reveal intentions and motivations. Firing Tillerson the day after he made a strong statement about Russian criminal/terrorist activity is not just a coincidence.

Former director of CIA’s National Clandestine Service John Bennett

Obviously I am not an objective observer since Ms. Haspel served as my last deputy when I was director of CIA’s National Clandestine Service and succeeded me as Acting Director. That said, she is one of the most accomplished officers of her generation, having held a series of major field commands and headquarters positions.

She has served in Europe, in denied areas and the Third World. She has taken on some of the most demanding and least rewarding assignments in the War on Terror, not because she sought them out, but because she felt it was her duty during the time of greatest anxiety and uncertainty for the American people in the immediate aftermath of 9/11.

She has a proven track record in multiple assignments of being able to work productively with key foreign partners as well as the FBI. She is extremely smart, strong and unfailingly honest. She is totally committed to the CIA’s mission. Her relationship with the former CIA chief Pompeo will only be a plus if he is to become Secretary of State. It will be very reassuring for the CIA work force that the president has selected a respected career professional to be the next DCIA.

I suspect she will face the same issues in confirmation that were raised when she was named as deputy director of the CIA, specifically her role as Jose Rodriguez’s chief of staff when he ordered the tapes destroyed and her time managing a detention facility.

Given the current polarization on the Hill, including on the intelligence oversight committees, I suspect she will also be pushed on how she views recent pronouncements by some members that disavowed Russian meddling in the election.

I expect Ms. Haspel will continue with the integration of CIA capabilities under the mission center concept but reinforcing the roles of the directorates rather than marginalizing as many believe former CIA Director John Brennan had done.

Finally, like me, Ms. Haspel “grew up” in CIA during the Cold War. She will have no illusions about the nature of the Russian state or the KGB trained autocrat who runs it.

Mary Beth Long, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and CIA officer

Gina will do a fantastic job. She knows how the building works. She will have some hurdles to overcome. Some issues were raised when she was nominated to do the deputy job. Traditionally, the CIA director has strong links with Congress in order to talk about programs, and ensure the shepherding of the budget to keep the intelligence community on board with programs, but Gina will rise to the occasion. Most importantly, she has the admiration and respect of the workforce.

I do think the agency will be sorry to see Director Pompeo go. But he’ll be just across the river so hopefully he’ll join up the agency and State to work hand in glove. I do think he won them over with his respect for the organization and his willingness to work with them. I think he invigorated some of the operations that former CIA director John Brennan discouraged. I don’t think the agency has got under its belt the number and types of anti-terrorist and covert operations of old that some of the officers wanted to re-initiate. He probably didn’t have time.

I sincerely hope that Gina continues along that track and gets the agency more aggressive, less risk averse and working harder on true espionage and covert action particularly when it comes to the rising Russia and China and the continued morphing of the counterterrorism threat.

I know there’s a lot of pressure on the building to come up with a plan, particularly for countering ISIS’s messaging and the morphing of ISIS and al Qaida and other terrorist organizations out of the physical space and into cyberspace, and complaints that those efforts have not been sufficient thus far. Hopefully, Gina will double-down on re-invigorating campaigns to get ahead of the movement out of Syria and out of the battle space of violent Islamists, into the next place they’ll land, including on the internet and social media.

The appointment will help elevate women within the CIA, but not resolve the longstanding problem of inequity, Long says.

I think the building has a long way to go with representation of women and minorities at its upper ranks. I’m aware that during the previous administration, a survey was done, and the advisory board to DCIA Brennan raised it as a continuing issue that the work force did not represent Americans writ large but it was also situated poorly to operate clandestinely in the world in that it simply did not have sufficient numbers of minorities in its operational ranks as well as its senior ranks, and I don’t think Pompeo had sufficient time to have any impact on that, but hopefully this will send a signal to others that there is an effort underway.

But I’m certain that Gina was not chosen because she was a woman, because there will people who say that. She was chosen for her skills and reputation. 

Robert Eatinger, former CIA Acting General Counsel and Senior Deputy General Counsel

If confirmed, Gina will be a great CIA director. She is a very experienced and thoughtful operations officer who has held a series of leadership posts. She has the experience independently to assess the potential for success of proposed operations. She is also uniquely positioned to weigh anticipated intelligence gains against potential long-term losses. That strength in leadership, especially when learned in the “school of hard knocks,” is today often undervalued by those seeking only the satisfaction of retribution.

I anticipate a tough confirmation hearing since the “right” or “wrong” of the former detention and interrogation program continues to stir strong feelings on both sides of the issue. The senators are entitled to the information they need to vote for or against her confirmation. I hope they use their opportunity to learn what sort of leadership, insight, caution and judgment the Gina Haspel of 2018 would bring to the position of DCIA. If they do, I think they would find their interests in effective intelligence within the laws and values of the United States will be best furthered and protected with a CIA headed by Gina.

As a lawyer, Gina was great to work with. When she was up in the deputy director of operation’s front office, if she received a package seeking the DDO’s approval that bore no indication a lawyer had seen it, she would reject it back to the component for a legal review.
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https://twitter.com/MorningEdition/status/973587697443966976

Morning Edition‏Verified account @MorningEdition 2h2 hours ago

Former acting CIA Director John McLaughlin says he is not concerned about Gina Haspel's link to interrogations, says she will do a good job directing the agency. http://n.pr/2FByQgE
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Morell wrote a piece on Haspel when she was nominated as deputy director: https://www.thecipherbrief.com/column/expert-view/why-haspel-makes-sense-as-the-deputy-cia-director

 
bradyfan said:
Some details were shared with the Palestinians and that is not exactly what Abbas called it.  It does not prescribe an end state, but focuses on solutions to issues that have been causing conflicts in the region.
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based on his resume of accomplishments to date I'm sure it will be amazing...the anticipation is killing me.

 
Trump isn’t charged with loyalty to staff positions.

Trump is all about results.

Results have been great, he can arrange and rearrange his staff all he wants.

Trump is loyal to this country unlike any president since Reagan

 
msommer said:
Is he doing this before or after fixing the opioid crisis?
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that's done...he and Kelly Anne crushed it...wasn't that tough after all apparently.

Word on the street is that Jared will paid a sum of $1 bill payable to 666 5th avenue for his Middle East peace solution.  

 
butcher boy said:
Trump isn’t charged with loyalty to staff positions.

Trump is all about results.

Results have been great, he can arrange and rearrange his staff all he wants.

Trump is loyal to this country unlike any president since Reagan
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If results have been great - why so much turnover?  Wouldn't you want more of that greatness?

 
Sinn Fein said:
If results have been great - why so much turnover?  Wouldn't you want more of that greatness?
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Trump had to create the breakthru on North Korea himself, you have to wonder what Tillerson was there for. Can’t you imagine Trump telling him “Rex, just go out and humiliate him, call him “Little Rocket Man” or something to get him pissed off, then turn around kick him in the ### with stronger sanctions and you’ll see - he’ll come around and want to meet!”.

There is only one Donald Trump and Tillerson was a peer in experience and expertise but a totally different person with a totally different approach. It’s not that it didn’t work, but that it could NEVER work in the Trump administration. Trump needs people who can implement his vision, not people who are visionaries on their own.

 
butcher boy said:
Trump had to create the breakthru on North Korea himself, you have to wonder what Tillerson was there for. Can’t you imagine Trump telling him “Rex, just go out and humiliate him, call him “Little Rocket Man” or something to get him pissed off, then turn around kick him in the ### with stronger sanctions and you’ll see - he’ll come around and want to meet!”.
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So why do you think Trump was silent after Putin put out a video of him nuking Florida?

Poor Putin doesn't even get a nickname!

 
Joy Reid‏ @JoyAnnReid 12m12 minutes ago

By the time Trump is done "fixing" his White House the way he likes it, his senior staff and cabinet will consist of Ivanka, the guy who picks up his quarter pounders with cheese, a handful of blinged out preachers and the ice cream man.

#twoscoops

 
Maggie Haberman‏Verified account @maggieNYT

More changes expected include a McMaster departure soon, as NBC recently reported. Among replacements, Tillerson had expressed concerns about working with Bolton.

11:15 AM - 13 Mar 2018

 
Tillerson didn't mention Trump as far as I heard....thanked nearly everyone else...and warned Russia.

 
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