Trump nominates new slate of federal judges

Washington Times

"President Trump announced a new round of 11 judicial nominations Wednesday, including three nominees for high-profile federal appeals courts.

"One of the nominees, Colorado Supreme Court Justice Allison H. Eid, is being tapped by the president to fill a vacancy on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals created when Justice Neil M. Gorsuch was confirmed for the Supreme Court in April.

"Judge Eid was on Mr. Trump’s list of conservative potential Supreme Court nominees that he presented to voters during the presidential campaign last year. She has served on Colorado’s high court since 2006, and previously was the state’s solicitor general.

“ 'These nominations follow the successful nomination and confirmation of associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court, the successful nomination and confirmation of Judge Amul R. Thapar of Kentucky to serve as a circuit judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the nomination of numerous candidates to other judgeships,” the White House said in a statement.

"Mr. Trump also nominated U.S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Erickson of North Dakota to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and said he intends to nominate University of Pennsylvania Law School professor Stephanos Bibas to serve on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Erickson has served on the district court since 2003.

"The White House called Mr. Bibas, director of the university’s Supreme Court Clinic, “one of the nation”s leading experts in criminal law and procedure.” He has argued six cases before the Supreme Court, taught at the University of Chicago Law School and served from 1998 to 2000 as an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York." . . .

National Review comments on Trump-Comey

Jim Comey Backs Up Trump’s Story, But It’s Not All Good News for Trump

[T]he FBI’s leadership and I were concerned that the briefing might create a situation where a new President came into office uncertain about whether the FBI was conducting a counter-intelligence investigation of his personal conduct…In that context, prior to the January 6 meeting, I discussed with the FBI’s leadership team whether I should be prepared to assure President-Elect Trump that we were not investigating him personally. That was true; we did not have an open counter-intelligence case on him. We agreed I should do so if circumstances warranted. During our one-on-one meeting at Trump Tower, based on PresidentElect Trump’s reaction to the briefing and without him directly asking the question, I offered that assurance.

Comey for the Record  "In short, this isn’t much of a bombshell and is going to be a very thin reed to try to build an obstruction case on."

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: James Comey’s Prepared Testimony, Explained

There’s evidence Donald Trump abused his power, but it’s not yet clear that he obstructed justice.

"Comey was right to be concerned, but he was also correct not to interpret the president’s request as an unlawful act. Obstruction of justice is a legal term with a legal meaning, and Trump’s request on its face and by itself simply doesn’t satisfy the elements of the crime. Rather than comply with the president’s request, Comey consulted with his senior leadership team and decided to keep the information closely held to avoid tainting the investigation. This strikes me as a defensible and prudent act."
. . .
"There’s no serious argument that this is appropriate behavior from an American president. Imagine for a moment testimony that President Barack Obama or a hypothetical President Hillary Clinton had a similar conversation with an FBI director. The entire conservative-media world would erupt in outrage, and rightly so. The FBI director is a law-enforcement officer, loyal to the Constitution, not the president’s consigliere. 
"Second, while the request to drop the Flynn investigation is not by itself obstruction of justice, by providing sworn testimony of the request, Comey is putting in place a piece of a larger puzzle that’s getting much closer to obstruction." . . .

Trump has to better understand not just the separation of powers but also the constitutional and legal obligations of governance, or the turmoil surrounding Comey’s termination will be but the first of a series of controversies that could well shake his presidency to its foundation.

"If this is all Comey has, it’s not what Democrats had been hoping for", Legal Insurrection

*"Here’s a link to the full prepared remarks."

Comey to testify that Trump sought 'loyalty,' asked to lift Russia 'cloud'
"James Comey plans to testify Thursday that in the months before he was fired as FBI director, President Trump sought his “loyalty” while also pressing him to “lift the cloud” of the Russia investigation and lay off Michael Flynn, according to written testimony released ahead of his Senate committee appearance.
"The prepared remarks for his opening statement, released by the Senate Intelligence Committee, also make clear that Comey repeatedly assured Trump he was not personally under investigation.
"Comey's statement detailed several meetings he had with Trump dating back to January. He extensively described a Jan. 27 dinner where he said Trump told him: “I need loyalty. I expect loyalty.”
" . . . Comey plans to say as well that Trump sought help ending any probe of former national security adviser Flynn, reiterating previously published reports about such claims.

"Comey's testimony will mark his first Capitol Hill appearance since his firing a month ago. Lawmakers are eager to hear his side, amid a raft of reports suggesting Trump had pressured Comey over investigations of Russian meddling in the election and coordination with his associates.
"Trump has denied pressuring Comey as well as any collusion with Russia.
"If Comey's opening statement is any gauge, Thursday's testimony will be explosive.
"The seven ­page document, however, began with a piece of good news for the president ­­ confirming his past claims that Comey assured Trump "we were not investigating him personally." Comey first gave the assurance during their first meeting at Trump Tower on Jan. 6, during a discussion about a salacious and widely contested anti­Trump dossier, and reiterated the statement in subsequent conversations.
"Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel highlighted those passages, tweeting Wednesday, “Comey’s testimony reconfirmed what @POTUS has been saying all along: The President was never under investigation.' ” . . .

Comey Says He Did Tell Trump He Wasn’t Under Investigation, Trump Didn’t Try To Interfere In Russia Investigation…

*"Here’s a link to the full prepared remarks."

The self-adoring One enjoys island life.

http://terrellaftermath.com/

Why Barack Obama Chose Marlon Brando’s Island Hideaway

He seems to have a thing for private islands, especially after being spotted on Richard Branson’s private escape, Necker Island, earlier this year. And, true to form, Obama’s getaway style is very much on trend in the realm of luxury jetsetter-dom.

. . . " At 3000 euros a night, The Brando includes all meals, some alcohol, one massage per day, all non-motorized sports, and one guided activity per day (like a worthwhile visit to the nearby bird sanctuary). During the quieter months (or for longer staying guests like Obama) the property also absorbs the cost of the inter-island flight from Papeete." . . .

February:  Barack Obama enjoys a laid-back holiday on Richard Branson’s private island with wife Michelle

"BARACK and Michelle Obama are a picture of relaxation as they stroll through Moskito Island — the private paradise owned by Virgin boss Richard Branson.

"The couple were snapped after arriving on the British Virgin island, near the famous Necker resort, on billionaire Branson’s private jet as they enjoy their second week since leaving the White House." . . .

Point and counterpoint: Poland: Refusing to Import Muslims is Only Proven Counter-Terror Method

Rutgers forums

Virginia Hale  "The only way to protect Poland from Islamic terror attacks is to not allow Muslims to migrate en masse, a British-born, senior MEP for the nation’s ruling party said on Monday.

“ 'When it comes to reducing the chances of Poland being hit by [Islamist] terror attacks, the only proven method is to not allow in Muslim migrants,” Ryszard Czarnecki told local radio after an attack in London on Saturday killed seven and injured at least 48 others.

"Noting the children of Islamic immigrants have been responsible for a large number of ISIS-inspired attacks on European soil, the London-born Law and Justice (PiS) MEP said Poland is “learning from the mistakes” of other nations in the West, and so refuses to “open [its] doors to Islamic migrants.”

"Asked whether he thinks the politicians running Poland have any good advice on how to avoid terrorism for Britain, which has experienced three Jihadist attacks in three months, and other countries in Western Europe, Czarnecki said the country has “a very specific concept  — no Islamic immigrants.

“ 'With regards to Britain, we have already told them on several occasions they need to deport, not tolerate, radical migrants.

“ 'If a radical Muslim cleric in a mosque calls on his brothers in the faith … to fight the infidels, well, I think that there are grounds to expel such an imam." . . .Read more.

CATO: Terrorism and Immigration: A Risk Analysis  "Terrorism is a hazard to human life and material prosperity that should be addressed in a sensible manner whereby the benefits of actions to contain it outweigh the costs. Foreign-born terrorists who entered the country, either as immigrants or tourists, were responsible for 88 percent (or 3,024) of the 3,432 murders caused by terrorists on U.S. soil from 1975 through the end of 2015. This paper presents the first terrorism risk analysis of the visa categories those foreign-born terrorists used to enter the United States.

. . . "The federal government has an important role to play in screening foreigners who enter the United States, and to exclude those who pose a threat to the national security, safety, or health of Americans. This terrorism risk analysis of individual visa categories can aid in the efficient allocation of scarce government security resources to those categories that are most exploitable by terrorists. The hazards posed by foreign-born terrorists are not large enough to warrant extreme actions like a moratorium on all immigration or tourism." . . .

How Democrats Permanently Stole Your Vote

Michael Bargo, Jr.  "Every election cycle we hear about how every vote must count, how every voter must have equal access to the ballot box, and how no one can be denied the opportunity to express their voice to how the government is run. This concern has been seized upon as the primary interest of the Democratic Party who have made it their party's crusade to ensure fairness in every election, by the careful, fair supervision of the voting process in every voting precinct.

"But while this is the public rhetoric, the private reality is much different. The fact is, while Democrats are preaching fairness and equity among voters, in Congress they have seized control through a scheme that has taken over the legislative branch of the Federal government, and done so in a manner that permanently denies all of us the full value of our vote.

"How this has been done has, until now, never been explained. At first glance this observation seems to be another unfounded conspiracy, but no observation on how government has managed to steal the value of our vote can be more solidly founded on the principles of our republican form of government and the realities of the national budget.

"In order to understand how this vote theft has been perpetrated it’s necessary to briefly review the nature of the American form of national government. " . . .

TV Client Sues Celebrity Attorney Gloria Allred for Fraud, Legal Malpractice

LawNewz

A former client of Gloria Allred has filed a lawsuit against the celebrity attorney for legal malpractice and fraud, claiming she negligently represented him during a case. Kyle Hunter, a local television weatherman, hired Allred to go after CBS for allegedly discriminating against him in favor of younger, attractive female meteorologists. His lawsuit filed on Tuesday contends Allred botched his legal case, and didn’t properly notify him that she was working with CBS to produce a legal drama inspired by her life — an obvious conflict of interest, he claims.

“As Allred negotiated in secret a TV deal for herself with CBS during the Hunter lawsuit, the malpractice in her handling of the case led to a near- seven-figure legal bill for Hunter, a sunk suit against CBS, and an impaired reputation for Hunter,” the lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles County Superior County, reads." . . .

John Kelly, Kamala Harris Snap at Each Other During Exchange on Sanctuary Cities

Free Beacon  "Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) snapped at each other repeatedly Tuesday during an exchange about the Trump administration's sanctuary city policy.

Harris cut Kelly off to say the administration was forcing cities into a "Hobbesian choice" between complying with federal law or forfeiting DHS counterterrorism funds, according to the NTK Network."Had you not cut me off, I would have said the same thing you just said. Probably not as eloquently, but I would have said the same thing you just said," Kelly said.Later, Kelly said he told city officials that whatever they do within the law, "we're willing to work with them. So—""So are you aware that there's local law enforcement—" Harris started."Could you at least let me finish once, before you interrupt me?" Kelly said."Sir, with all due respect," Harris responded."With all due respect, senator," Kelly said.Harris asked Kelly if the administration was advising local enforcement leaders that they could overlook government requests on detainment to avoid liability."We talk to them about whatever they're comfortable with, whatever they think they can do within interpretation of their local attorneys general, as an example, or local lawyers—" Kelly said.Harris interrupted again, and Kelly became irritated."

Seth Meyers’ Ivanka Trump Joke Falls Flat At Awards Show

Youngcons  "For some reason, comedians in liberal enclaves are convinced that jokes about Trump are edgy and original.

"In reality, it’s the lamest and most boring comedy you can possibly put forward.

"A true comedian takes risks. They don’t do what they think everyone in the room will like.

"You want to actually stir things up? Make a joke defending Christians. Not bashing them.

"Make a joke about irrational Trump haters instead of bashing Trump like everyone else does.

"Norm MacDonald, arguably the greatest stand-up comedian of all time, touched on that issue in a recent interview." . . .

From the Daily Caller: Seth Myers Goes After Trump And Ivanka At Fashion Awards Show

“Abercrombie & Fitch has announced it’s putting itself up for sale,” Myers told the crowd. “Meanwhile, thanks to Donald Trump, the United States has become a Banana Republic.”“It’s harder than ever to separate fashion from politics,” he added. “First Lady Melania Trump made headlines recently after she decided not to wear a head cover when visiting Saudi Arabia. Which is especially shocking cause her husband wears a head covering literally everywhere.”

The left went bonkers apparently over this photo of Ivanka sitting behind the president's Resolute desk:

"Ivanka Trump posted a photo on Monday sitting behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office and female journalists lost their minds on Twitter."

 

Here are the 24 Disgusting Anti-Trump Tweets by NSA Leaker, Reality Winner

Here are the 24 Disgusting Anti-Trump Tweets by NSA Leaker ‘Reality L. Winner’

"From her Facebook page Reality likes: Animal Rights, The Daily Show, Bill Maher, Michael Moore and the Trump bashing “Trump Draws” facebook page."

. . . 

"Here are 24 anti-Trump tweets by lunatic leaker Reality Winner.  Note the comments on her tweets now!" . . .Read more.

Leaker To Iranian Foreign Minister: “We Stand With You”  "Do social media and security clearances go together? Er … maybe not, especially if the person who holds the clearance ever has to show up in court. Following up on an article in the Daily Beast about Reality Sara Winner, the woman arrested by the FBI for transmitting Top Secret information to The Intercept, Twitchy discovered that the would-be whistleblower has a rather odd set of loyalties. Almost exactly four months ago, Winner sent a message of solidarity to Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif:

3 Feb

Javad Zarif 

✔ @JZarif

We will never use our weapons against anyone, except in self-defense. Let us see if any of those who complain can make the same statement. pic.twitter.com/xwGquvqLvb

 Follow

Sara Winners @Reezlie

@JZarif There are many Americans protesting US govt aggression towards Iran. If our Tangerine in Chief declares war, we stand with you!

See iconic D-Day black and white photos brought to life in color

Washington Examiner  "On the 73rd anniversary of the D-Day invasion, black and white photos newly rendered in color bring history to life."

"On the 73rd anniversary of the D-Day invasion, black and white photos newly rendered in color bring history to life. 

"Brazilian artist Marina Amaral used Photoshop to color both iconic and unfamiliar images of the largest amphibious invasion in history for the June 6 anniversary.

"Amaral detailed on her website the process behind coloring each image.

" 'Every completed work has gone through long and in depth research, and is supported by the opinions of experts in each particular area if necessary, to faithfully reproduce the original colors and atmosphere," her website says.

"Amaral said coloring the photos took her three days and nights, and added that she has seen positive responses from people." . . .