Remember Steve Linick? The State Dept watchdog ousted during probes into Secy of State Pompeo’s alleged misuse of funds? The man Linick accused of "bullying" him, under Secy of State for Mgmt Brian Bulatao testifies before Congress today. Story to come.
Background here via my trusty former colleague Tim Ryan:
Live-stream available here, hosted by the @HouseForeign Affairs Cmte:
In addition to Brian Bulatao, also testifying today:
Marik String, acting legal adviser for the State Dept &
R. Clarke Cooper, ass't Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs
The anticipated q's for State officials today will be whether Linick's removal was part of a campaign to keep quiet IG findings that said the '19 emergency declaration for $8B in arms to Saudi Arabia was done without risk assessment for civilian casualties, legal considerations
House Foreign Affairs cmte chair Eliot Engel to Bulatao: "What this is all about is you and Secy Pompeo apparently think you should be able to do whatever you want and not face accountability and scrutiny of any kind."
Engel continues: "Congress is blocking weapons sales? Find a way around it. IG looking into how the secretary spends taxpayers’ money? Fire him. Report shows we made up a phony emergency and didn't do our due diligence to prevent civilians from being killed. Cover it up, spin it"
Engel: "Hide it in a classified annex. Redact redact redact, And you pat yourself on the back that you technically follow process laid out in law. Yeah, more children may die but your scheme to make an end run around Congress wasn’t illegal, strictly speaking. Congratulations."
Bulatao: Linick's removal was not retaliation. The secy did not remove Linick because of awareness to investigations. Those allegations of retaliation "could not be further from the truth" and are without "any factual basis or truth."
Linick, he says, failed to lead w/integrity.
STORY: Officials from the State Department staunchly defended President Donald Trump for his abrupt firing of a federal watchdog investigating weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and possible abuse of power by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
MORE: courthousenews.com/state-departme…
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It's hard to talk about the threat that Trump poses without sounding like an alarmist. But if he wins, there may not be a chance for people like me to talk to you about it frankly. That's worst case scenario, yes, but the fact that it is possible and not so remotely is scary.
I like to be transparent about what motivates me because I literally do not understand the point of hiding this as a journalist; I am invested in the future of my country. I want to live here with people peacefully. I don't think corrupt liars and con men or women deserve power
I do not come from money or power. I am not a coastal elite. I am an average American. I write because I love to write and I report because I feel like this is the only thing I have ever wanted to do that makes sense with what my heart and my mind tells me.
The lawmaker says kids don't want lunch breaks. Hey, that's interesting how on this issue they "listen" to kids. But funny how on every other, like when kids say, hey don't destroy the planet any further, adults, I'd like to live here..ignored. via @msnbcmsnbc.com/rachel-maddow-…
It's almost like these lawmakers actually don't care about these children at all. Hm.
When i was 13, my first job was at a chocolate shop. I had to stand in the store room and spray display chocolates w/ hairspray to give them a sheen. Stood in a room with little ventilation doing this for four hours. I needed a break. Everyone working needs at least 15 mins. Foh.
Tyler Boebert is now appearing before a judge for his arraignment. Before things began, he had a hearty laugh with his co-defendants, though I could not hear what was said.
Atty has concern about names of minors being read out or being made public without redactions.
I was prepared to share a screen shot of this moment with you from the livestream I am watching from but the judge said no screen shots of the zoom are permitted.
In Oklahoma, the only time abortion is legal is when the life of the mother is at risk in an emergency. There are no exceptions for rape or incest and what constitutes an emergency is still legally hazy.
But now, if a new law continues to hurdle through the state’s legislature, any time — and every time — someone has an abortion there, their name will be put into a unique database. lawandcrime.com/high-profile/b…
So, you want to listen to oral arguments weighing whether Trump is disqualified from the presidential ballot under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment?
Heres a link: c-span.org/video/?532724-…
After its over, on the SCOTUS page, there will be a transcript posted if you prefer it that way, by the way. supremecourt.gov
Starts at 10am and I'd bet it will move a lot faster than you think.
Oral arguments weighing the immunity claims of Donald Trump, the twice impeached, quadruply indicted former president accused of criminally conspiring to overturn the 2020 election (and 90 other charges across four total venues), start at 9:30AM ET.
link: youtube.com/live/PEQ1aToav…
Proceedings will be underway shortly. I'm not in the courthouse today, but following along remotely. I will post updates here and then I will have a report out later for @lawcrimenews.
If you prefer, the livestream link is also available from our friends at CSPAN c-span.org/video/?532581-…