@jamiedupree's Threads
While we wait for the President's announcement on a citizenship question for the Census, let's do some background in a thread 1/
First, a citizenship question is legit on the Census. The Supreme Court ruled in late June that the Trump Administration hadn't followed the rules to do it properly. 2/
You can read the court's ruling at supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf…
Lawmakers don't always ask all the questions at a hearing. Sam Dash & Fred Thompson come to mind immediately.
And the GOP used a non-Senator to ask questions in the Kavanaugh hearings in 2018.
And the GOP used a non-Senator to ask questions in the Kavanaugh hearings in 2018.
Other examples of committee counsel asking questions off the top of my head:
+ Arthur Liman in the Iran-Contra hearings (D)
+ Michael Chertoff in Senate Whitewater hearings (R)
+ Richard Ben-Veniste (D) Whitewater hearings
+ Arthur Liman in the Iran-Contra hearings (D)
+ Michael Chertoff in Senate Whitewater hearings (R)
+ Richard Ben-Veniste (D) Whitewater hearings
Here's a transcript from hearings in 2001 on pardons issued by former President Clinton. This is part of the opening statement by Rep Dan Burton R-IN on questioning by committee counsel 
In a tough speech in New York tonight, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein throws elbows at Congress, Obama, Comey over Russia probe
In one part of his speech, Rosenstein took clear aim at the Obama Administration
Then Rosenstein criticized the FBI, and former FBI Director James Comey
Only one of two things is possible:
1) Don McGahn lied in testimony to Robert Mueller
2) President Trump is lying about ordering the firing of Mueller
1) Don McGahn lied in testimony to Robert Mueller
2) President Trump is lying about ordering the firing of Mueller
Page 216 of the Mueller report: McGahn says Trump called him to order the firing of Mueller. McGahn ignored Trump.
When news of that leaked out in 2018, Trump ordered McGahn to deny that it had happened. McGahn refused.
This FBI Twitter account has released information at odd times in recent years. Today, it's material on the Kushner Companies.
Before the 2016 elections, the FBI Vault released records that raised eyebrows. But the IG found no wrongdoing
The FBI Vault publishes FOIA requests - why today for this info about Jared Kushner's father is not clear
For a second straight day, the House has approved changes to the background check system for gun sales ajc.com/blog/jamie-dup…
Here's the list of party switchers on the "Charleston Loophole" gun vote in the House
GOP: Fitzpatrick PA, King NY & Smith NJ voted for both gun bills
Dem: Golden ME & Peterson MN voted against both gun bills
Dem: Golden ME & Peterson MN voted against both gun bills
It looks like Rep Matt Gaetz R-FL has deleted his tweet from yesterday about Michael Cohen
Here's the screenshot of the original tweet, in which Gaetz seemed to threaten to air dirty laundry about Cohen's marriage
Just a few minutes ago at the Cohen hearing, Del Stacey Plaskett D-VI said there should be an Ethics Committee investigation of Gaetz for witness intimidation
Asked if there is other wrongdoing being investigated about President Trump, Cohen says he's been asked by SDNY not to discuss certain issues
Cohen says his original statement to Congress - in which he lied about Trump Tower Moscow - was edited by Trump lawyers including Jay Sekulow
Cohen again testifies that he believes President Trump knew about the Wikileaks DNC release in advance, but not the specific details of those emails
Michael Cohen is now testifying.
Cohen now detailing the receipts he is providing to the committee
Cohen: "The last time I appeared before Congress, I came to protect Mr. Trump.
Today, I’m here to tell the truth about Mr. Trump."
Today, I’m here to tell the truth about Mr. Trump."
Michael Cohen's prepared testimony is now public for today's hearing
Cohen pleaded guilty to lying about this subject to both the House & Senate Intelligence committees
Just in case this wasn't clear from court documents
Rep Matt Gaetz R-FL to Michael Cohen about Wednesday's hearing
Gaetz is not on the House Oversight Committee. But this seems to be an opening salvo at Cohen about his testimony.
I'm not a lawyer, but it seems like this section of federal law could apply
Asked about voter fraud in North Carolina race, President Trump: "I condemn any election fraud," quickly pivots to California, Texas, Florida
While the President mentioned Texas, state elections officials there have backed away from their original report last month on illegal voting
On California, the President said, "They found a million fraudulent votes."
That's not true.
The state was forced to remove 1.5 million inactive voters, who had not voted in recent general elections.
That's not true.
The state was forced to remove 1.5 million inactive voters, who had not voted in recent general elections.
Just found a folder of documents that hadn't been opened in a while
Might have to read through this one
Another artifact
The President has often said that he makes a distinct clarification on his tweets about the press, fake news, and the 'enemy of the people.' This was last year.
This was a tweet from January along the same lines
And now this morning
President Trump nominates replacement for Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein.
What is notable about the pick is that Jeffrey Rosen is already Deputy Secretary at the Transportation Department - he was already confirmed by the Senate
I'm pretty sure that means Rosen could be shifted over to DAG immediately - raising the possibility that Rosenstein could be gone before his scheduled mid-March exit
The President's national emergency still is short on details on what money gets diverted to a border wall jamiedupree.blog.ajc.com/2019/02/18/tru…
The Pentagon is facing a major fiscal squeeze as the President looks to move $3.6 billion in military construction money to a border wall 2/
The entire military construction budget for 2019 is $10.3 billion - so, $3.6 billion is over one-third of that. That will hit a lot of home-state military base projects. 3/
Trump to sign funding bill to avoid government shutdown - then use executive actions + national emergency to funnel money to a border wall jamiedupree.blog.ajc.com/2019/02/14/con…
As we wait for the details of what the President does, here's one section of law on national emergencies and military construction money
Here's another possible section of federal law, "Military Support for Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies," §284
GOP lawmakers struggling with parliamentary procedure on the House floor right now, as Republicans did not call for a vote on the CR
Listening back to the floor audio - I don't hear any Republican lawmaker asking for a recorded vote on the CR
The chair, Rep G K Butterfield D-NC then waited 30 seconds after declaring the CR vote, and no Republican objected, or asked for a vote
Speaker Pelosi says the meeting with the President was 'lengthy and contentious' - no deal on ending partial shutdown
Schumer tells reporters the President said during the meeting that he would keep the shutdown going 'months or even years'
President Trump to speak soon
Big flurry of votes now on the Senate floor; Flake changes from No to Yes. Corker votes Yes - now tied at 47-47.
Jones D-AL votes "Aye" - the only Democrat to do that on the motion to proceed. VP Pence breaks the tie.
McConnell says it's up to Democrats to cut a deal with the President. There seems to be no deal in sight.
VP Pence now in meeting just off the House floor in Speaker Ryan's ceremonial office. Photos not allowed. Lots of security. Lots of reporters.
Secret Service seems especially skittish outside Pence meeting. We have been specifically warned not to push too closely for comment upon departure. Normally Pence walks by us without any issue.
Pence, Kushner, Mulvaney leave without comment. Meadows says talks are 'ongoing'
Sen Flake voted against proceeding to the House-passed CR; tells reporters the bill has no chance at passage. Vote currently 37 yes, 40 no
Flake: "If we're going to proceed, let's proceed to something that can pass"
Sen Jim Inhofe R-OK says if the motion to proceed fails, then the Senate should just go home and allow the partial shutdown to take place
The House is now voting on the new GOP 7-week funding bill + $5.7 billion for border security + $7.8 billion in disaster relief funding
Big win for President Trump & GOP leaders as the House approves Republican funding plan with $5.7 billion in border security 217-185
One would assume this will not pass the Senate tomorrow. It's unclear what will happen after that. The funding deadline is Friday night at midnight.
THIS JUST IN
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Trump says Defense Secretary James Mattis will be retiring at the end of February and a new chief will be named shortly.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Trump says Defense Secretary James Mattis will be retiring at the end of February and a new chief will be named shortly.
MATTIS:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Jim Mattis says Trump deserves a defense secretary `whose views are better aligned with yours,' says he's stepping down.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Jim Mattis says Trump deserves a defense secretary `whose views are better aligned with yours,' says he's stepping down.
Key graf from Secretary Mattis letter - not retiring as the President announced. Mattis is leaving.
