“Not fit to clean toilets”: USA Today excoriates Donald Trump in breathtakingly scathing editorial
LaunchUpstairs at home, with the TV on, Trump fumes over Russia indictments
The walls are closing in… Everyone is freaking out. — A senior Republican in close contact with top Trump staffers who spoke to the Washington
LaunchRepublican lawmakers’ troubles deepen as Koch donors and Bannon take aim
We could face a bloodbath. I think that we have a potential of seeing a Watergate-level blowout. — Ted Cruz, telling donors at the Koch-aligned
LaunchThe Republican’s guide to presidential etiquette
A must-read from The New York Times: “In 2017, there’s a whole new bar for tolerable conduct by the commander in chief. Our original guide cataloged several dozen examples. Almost five months later, it’s clear that an update is necessary. This expanded list is meant to ensure that Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell and other congressional Republicans never forget what they now condone in a president.”
LaunchWhat is hate speech?
Mass marketed hate speech is not “mere speech” by an individual. It is actually physical in nature because all ideas are physically constituted by neural
LaunchIndiana voter: Pence would be no relief
“During his time as governor, Mr. Pence was the most divisive leader this state had ever seen. If he had not accepted Mr. Trump’s offer to be his running mate, he most likely would have lost a bid for a second term.”
LaunchTrump associate boasted hat Moscow business deal ‘will get Donald elected’
I arranged for Ivanka to sit in Putins private chair at his desk and office in the Kremlin. I will get Putin on this program
LaunchTrump gets rid of Stephen Bannon, a top proponent of his neofascist agenda
Via The Washington Post: “Trump on Friday dismissed his embattled chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, an architect of his 2016 general election victory, in a major White House shake-up that follows a week of racial unrest, according to multiple administration officials.”
LaunchOutspin. Outlast. Presenting…. Survivor: White House
Who will be the next to get voted off the Island… er, West Wing?
LaunchReports of bias incidents in Oregon and southwest Washington since Donald Trump’s election | OregonLive.com
The Oregonian has published an accounting of all of the reports of hate crimes and bias incidents reported in Oregon and southwest Washington since Trump’s victory in 2016. The newspaper is partnering with ProPublica on the project.
LaunchWhen it comes to John McCain, some journalists will never, ever learn
McCain talks a good game to reporters, at times providing them with juicy quotes criticizing his party’s excesses. But his voting record in recent years
LaunchWhy did Donald Trump turn on attorney general Jeff Sessions?
Analysis from The Guardian: Donald’s “public anger at one of his early supporters is rooted in Sessions’ recusal from the Russia investigation – to Trump, a personal betrayal.”
LaunchPresident Trump is considering pardoning himself. I asked 15 experts if that’s legal.
All the experts agreed about one other fact: Even if Trump does pardon himself, that would not shield him from impeachment hearings. And most believe
LaunchDonald Trump Jr. makes the Russian connection
If it’s what you say I love it, especially later in the summer. — Donald Trump, Jr., responding to Rob Goldstone, an ex-British tabloid writer,
LaunchTo comprehend Trump, read this
Bloomberg columnist: ‘What’s wrong with Donald Trump?’ Instead of ranting in response, as I’d been doing for months, I’m now offering up a reading list. Here it is.”
LaunchShades of Richard Nixon: Trump spokesperson says Trump is not a liar
When Richard Nixon said he wasn’t a crook, it caused people to think of him as a crook. And now Trump’s spokesperson is saying her boss is not a liar. It certainly brings to mind that memorable moment from the Watergate saga.
LaunchJames Comey lays out the case that Donald Trump obstructed justice
Trump made his wishes clear and fired Comey when his wishes weren’t respected… It doesn’t matter whether it was an order or not. What matters
LaunchDonald Trump told visiting Russians that firing ‘nut job’ Comey eased pressure from investigation
Donald Trump told visiting Russians that firing ‘nut job’ Comey eased pressure from investigation (The New York Times).
LaunchHistorian Timothy Snyder on Trump and what happened to the Democratic and Republican parties
What we ended up with, from Bill Clinton onward, is a status quo party and an “undo the system” party, where the Democrats became the
LaunchWell, well, well: Mike Pence used private email for state business — and was hacked
Breaking news from the Indianapolis Star: “Mike Pence routinely used a private email account to conduct public business as governor of Indiana, at times discussing sensitive matters and homeland security issues.”
LaunchNow it’s the FBI’s turn to be investigated: Justice Department inspector general will probe Bureau’s handling of Clinton email case
Via The Washington Post: “The Justice Department inspector general will review broad allegations of misconduct involving FBI Director James B. Comey and how he handled the probe of Hillary Clinton’s email practices, the inspector general announced Thursday.”
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