*45th POTUS Donald Trump – Page 69

September 25, 2018June 12, 2020

Rod Rosenstein: Will He Resign? Will He Be Fired? Will We Know?

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein’s expected departure may not feel exactly like a surprising news story. There was speculation during the summer that Trump might fire Rosenstein after the FBI raided the home of Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal lawyer. What stands out at this point about the possibility of Rod Rosenstein’s leaving is the recent alternating news about his mode of departure.

First, the news came over the weekend that Rod Rosenstein was about to be fired in the aftermath of a story that appeared in The New York Times. According to the Times, after Trump’s firing of former FBI director James Comey in early 2017, Rod Rosenstein had allegedly suggested invoking the 25^th Amendment to remove Trump from office. Rosenstein also reportedly talked about secretly recording Trump’s conversations. Rosenstein has denied both allegations.

Later, on Monday, it was reported that Rosenstein was going to resign because he expected to be fired. He visited the White House on Monday, and met with Chief of Staff John Kelly, as well as speaking with Donald Trump, who was in New York when they spoke.

At the end of Monday, however, Rosenstein’s job was still intact. He will meet in person with Trump on Thursday, September27.

In anticipation of Rod Rosenstein’s expected departure one way or the other, is the White House trying to blur the public’s impression about whether Rosenstein was fired or whether he resigned?

Something important to remember is this, from The Atlantic: “If the president can browbeat Rosenstein into resigning—or even plausibly misrepresent the firing as a resignation—Trump gains the power to bypass the Senate confirmation process under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. He can replace Rosenstein with any serving official previously confirmed by the Senate to any other job.”

In the summer of 2017, when Trump ordered the firing of Robert Mueller, and Don McGahn refused, some predicted that Trump would next try to fire Rod Rosenstein, who also indicated that he did not intend to fire Mueller. This, some said, would remove the block (Rosenstein) to ending the Russia investigation.

If Donald Trump’s current chance to get rid of Rod Rosenstein plays out, Trump would be able to control who steps in at the Justice Department to run the Mueller probe. That person would have to be confirmed by the Senate, but with a Republican-dominated Senate, most of which either strongly backs Trump or has been largely sluggish, it’s likely the Trump appointee would be confirmed. That person would then direct Robert Mueller, and could effectively put an end to the investigation into Russia’s influence on the 2016 presidential election. Thursday may not only be a big day for Rod Rosenstein, it could be a fateful day for our country.

Napolitano on potential fallout if Trump fires Rosenstein | Fox News [2018-09-24]

Rod Rosenstein speaks with Trump about recent news stories, will meet Thursday | CBS News [2018-09-24]

September 18, 2018June 10, 2020

Two Reasons Why the Kavanaugh Vote Should Be Delayed

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has been accused of sexual assault, just before a vote for his confirmation was to take place on Thursday, September 20. In their haste to confirm a Supreme Court justice who would support their agenda, however, most Republican federal lawmakers are willing to diminish the gravity of the accusations against Kavanaugh. After all, having Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court would create a conservative majority on the court – a Republican dream come true.

Democrats, a few key Republicans, and even White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, want to give Kavanaugh’s accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, a chance to be heard before a vote is cast for Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation. Among the Republican Senators who oppose an immediate vote are Lindsey Graham of North Carolina, Jeff Flake of Arizona, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine.

Besides the obvious and grave importance of taking allegations of sexual assault seriously and giving both sides a chance to be heard in court, there are several other reasons why it’s important to delay the vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination until both Ford and Kavanaugh testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

First is the attention the #MeToo movement has brought to sexual assault and sexual misconduct by powerful men (and how they’ve gotten away with it in the past). If Republicans were to ignore or downplay the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, it would surely cost them votes in the November elections.

As CNN’s Stephen Collinson writes, “The spectacle of white, middle-aged or elderly men on the GOP bench voting to confirm Kavanaugh in the committee could prove a damaging image in districts that could turn on a younger, more diverse electorate.”

Second, a Supreme Court Justice appointment is for life – it’s not the same as a summer job at the Dairy Queen. An ice cream stand employee may be hired quickly, likely won’t undergo an extensive background check, and can be fired at will. Dairy Queen can afford to take a chance on the employee.

The U.S. cannot afford to take such a chance on an employee who is appointed for life. A Supreme Court justice can have a huge impact on the direction of our country. That impact can last indefinitely, as could his or her position on the Supreme Court. Thorough scrutiny is imperative, and more so in the face of allegations of wrongdoing.

Failure to thoroughly vet Brett Kavanaugh in favor of quickly pushing him through the appointment process could backfire for Republicans. Trying to force their agenda by downplaying the accusations against him could be a short-term win for the Republicans, but could cost them votes in November. It may cost them votes, even at this point, however, if they continue to speak out against allowing Kavanaugh’s accuser to share her story.

New Kavanaugh hearing to address allegations | Fox Business [2018-09-17]

Full Duckworth: Senate Has To ‘Set An Example’ By Taking Kavanaugh Allegations | MTP Daily | MSNBC [2018-09-17]