Trump Is Guilty of What?

 Trump is guilty of self-incrimination. 

Trump says he's innocent. What does a reasonable citizen observe?

1. Characterized as an incessant liar, Trump lies a lot about essential matters. Doing that as an elected federal official is a crime. Why is he not prosecuted? The answer is, the US Congress has a conflict of interest and is failing to do its job.

2. Trump makes slanderous statements that are untrue. People like Obama could sue him. It is former girlfriends who bring the charges. That involves his lawyer, Michael Cohen.

3. Trump's friends, associates, and appointees are a terrible lot. Indited are many as more face criminal investigation including his lawyer.

4. Trump says he didn't conspire to collude or cooperate with the Russians, and yet many of his close associates apparently did. Trump said he didn't have conflicts of interest with Russians, though he never came clean with his IRS statements and business audits.

"Trump keeps saying he’s innocent. But his posturing over his legal troubles often makes him sound guilty, our analysis shows. 

President Trump’s declaration that his longtime personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen would not “flip” and cooperate with federal investigators is only the latest instance of Trump adopting a posture that is both combative and defensive — and, perhaps unwittingly, creates the appearance of a coverup." 

The Washington Post email

Image: Daily Kos

The Trump Experience

Attributed to the reign of Donald Trump, in the last year, some things happened.

1. Many retirement savings accounts lost many
2. The stock market is taking a beating
3. The debt and deficit are on the rise

Is that what his loyalists expected?

Then, there are the matters of squandering money on a partial wall, the collapse of affordable healthcare without a replacement, the revolving door of the executive branch executives and staff, and chronic corruption. Trump didn't drain the swamp; he built another one.

"Stock markets tumble on corporate earnings, rising interest rates 

The Dow Jones industrial average plummeted more than 2 percent in afternoon trading as a key U.S. government bond yield hit 3 percent for the first time in more than four years and several major companies signaled difficult times ahead.

Traders have been worried that the rising yield of long-term government bonds may mean higher rates for consumers and companies and a period of falling stock prices.
Meanwhile, 3M, the maker of Scotch tape and Post-it Notes, weighed heavily on the Dow after the company said it would lower its earnings guidance for 2018. Shares of the bellwether multinational dropped more than 8 percent, and other industrial corporations followed suit." 

The Washington Post email

Image: This Is Money

Democrats Take Trump to Court

Some might wonder, "It's about time." Timing is everything, and it appears that the Democrats filing charges against the Trump campaign and co-conspirators in court is right for these reasons:

1. The Special Prosecutor has a head start and is nearing a position of recommending charges. Democrats can leverage that.

2. The tactic is a proven backstop to the circumstance where a President fired a Special Prosecutor, i.e. Nixon.

3. Taking depositions in the Federal Court venue in New York will amplify the Federal investigation and support actions by Congress to impeach the alleged illegitimate regime.

"Democratic Party files lawsuit alleging Russia, the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks conspired to disrupt the 2016 campaign 

The Democratic National Committee alleges that top Trump campaign officials conspired with the Russian government and its military spy agency to hurt Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and tilt the election to Donald Trump by hacking the computer networks of the Democratic Party and disseminating stolen material found there. The multimillion-dollar lawsuit was filed in a federal district court in Manhattan. 

The lawsuit echoes a similar legal tactic that the Democratic Party used during the Watergate scandal. In 1972, the DNC filed suit against former President Richard Nixon’s reelection committee seeking $1 million in damages for the break-in at Democratic headquarters in the Watergate building." 

The Washington Post email

Image: Liberals Unite

Haley Breakdown is not a 'Spat'

Normally, I depend on The Hill as one of my trusted Washington sources because their reporters report the facts as I once covered the beat with them. Today, they used the word, "spat" to describe the miscommunication between President Trump and her statement to the UN that the US was ready to impose sanctions on Russia. The President pulled back on acting again, even though Congress approved sanctions months ago.

Using "spat" trivializes what is a significant breakdown in a matter of national security. The breakdown should alert Congress to warn the President that if such performance persists, he faces censor or impeachment on the grounds of incompetence.

That won't happen. Though, that is how grave this mistake is.

Surprising this analyst is that Nikki Haley has been performing well in her role, even though her credentials and experience don't suit the position.

"Haley spat fuels political chatter around White House 

Nikki Haley’s public spat with the White House has underscored Trump World’s obsession about the political ambitions of people in the president’s orbit. 

Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, raised eyebrows Tuesday when she hit back at the White House after top economic adviser Larry Kudlow accused her of being confused when she prematurely announced new sanctions against Moscow on Sunday.
Her cutting rejoinder — “with all due respect, I don’t get confused” — earned cheers from people who called it an example of resolve from a strong female leader and boos from others who accused her of disloyalty for going after one of Trump’s newest handpicked aides."

The Hill email 

Nikki Haley, Ambassador to the UN

Trump-Russia Conspiracy

Until now, this independent journalist has not offered analysis or explanation for Donald Trump's behavior toward Russia beyond the obvious. While he was soliciting business in Russia, he likely engaged in sexual activity that the Russians documented on tape. That would provide them with something they could use in the future to blackmail him, should that necessity arise.

On the other hand, Trump may have sewn the seeds for a very big deal with Vladimir Putin. In that deal, Donald Trump and the Russians would make lasting peace in the form of real estate development.

Trump & Company benefits

• A very-large commercial complex in Moscow designed and produced by the Trump family.
• Peaceful coexistence with Russia including denuclearization
• Trade with Russia

Putin & Russian benefits

• Reclamation of a few lost states, i.e., Ukraine
• Warm port and oil in Syria
• Economic development assistance from the USA

It might all make sense in Trump's big picture, short of any details. This conspiracy theory is consistent with the facts on the ground, don't you think?

Image: CNN

Michael Cohen's Devious Ploy

Being an expert on "fixing" calamities, Trump's lawyer must now dig himself out of a mess of his making.

Cohen spent days before the Federal Court appealing that much of the information seized by the FBI is private and under client-lawyer privilege.

As expected, the judge asked that an independent review is made of the inventory to segregate the FBI's trove into categories:

1. Evidence pertinent to the case as defined in the warrant

2. Information that is protected by attorney-client privilege

3. Irrelevant information

Why did Cohen decide to explicitly identify Fox News celebrity, Sean Hannity as a client? The plausible answer is that some information may have involved conversations with Hannity that Trump wants undisclosed and Cohen seeks to hide it under Hannity as a client.

The trouble with that is that Hannity claims he never retained Cohen as an attorney and may have only asked some questions about a real estate deal. He never paid a fee. In that, the only attorney-client privilege argument would pertain to that specific discussion.

That leads to some possibilities about someone lying about the relationship and that something is being hidden. Rest assured that the lawyers and the judge will get to the bottom of it with intense interest by the FBI investigators.

Meanwhile, Fox News is stained by Sean Hannity for failing to disclose his relationship with Michel Cohen.

Image: Fox News

What astonishes this independent journalist is that Sean Hannity has no credible credentials for his job. Look at his resume: college dropout.

"Hannity attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Hempstead, New York, during his middle school years and St. Pius X Preparatory Seminary high school in Uniondale, New York.[7]

Hannity dropped out of New York University[citation needed] and Adelphi University.[6][8][9]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Hannity 

Unfit: It was apparent

In my book, How to Select an American President by James A. George and James A.Rodger (c) 2017 Archway Publishing, I offer readers a method for evaluation of Presidential Candidate resumes. The method applies to evaluating all elected officials to their respective jobs.

You are the judge, and if you look at resumes and consider the criteria, it would be apparent that Trump and Clinton are equally bad candidates for very different reasons. Common deficiencies are the character flaws that make them unfit.

The question is, how can political parties improve their vetting process to give greater assurance to citizens that their candidates are viable. Nothing has happened to improve the process as suggested in my book.

You can help me get the point across to our leadership:

1. Read my book
2. If you like it, recommend it
3. Share the message with your Congressional representatives and party leaders

"In interview, fired FBI director Comey says Trump is ‘morally unfit’ and may be vulnerable to Russian blackmail 

In his first televised interview since being fired, James B. Comey took aim at President Trump in no uncertain terms, comparing his administration to a mafia family, likening his presidency to a forest fire and asserting there was evidence that he had committed a crime. The interview aired just days before Comey is set to release a book and begin promoting it." 

The Washington Post Email 

Both: Unfit

Good Books with Great Advice

Maybe-Maybe-Not Policy

To be fair to Donald Trump, let's pretend that he is a legitimate President. He ran on the promise to change what he believed are errant policies. Some are domestic, and others are foreign.

In dealing with everyone, his approach begins with verbal confrontation and assault followed by contradictions that he would have one believe it is a purposeful tactic.

1. Pick a fight
2. Sew confusion
3. Stimulate chaos
4. Make definite statements
5. Change your mind
6. Offer caveats such as 'Maybe or maybe not.'

You select the issue and policy; Trump will give you 'Maybe-or-maybe-not' policy.

Here is confirmation from the GOP that has a penchant for stepping on its member.

"Breaking News From GOP Insider Brief 

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow warns that the United States might be forced to impose President Donald Trump's threatened trade tariffs on China before actual talks with Beijing occur. 

"I think what's going to happen is we are going to have negotiations at some point. There may be tariffs before, maybe not. We shouldn't panic," Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, said on CNBC." 

GOP email to me

"Chaos, consultation: Inside Trump’s decision to strike Syria 

Trump attended multiple briefings per day, according to officials, and sat in on most high-level meetings in the Situation Room."

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/15/chaos-consultation-inside-donald-trumps-decision-to-strike-syria.html 

Image: CNBC

Get This Straight GOP & Trump People

Character matters when selecting a Presidential candidate, a candidate for the US House of Representatives, and for the US Senate. Character matters at every level of State and Local government.

Having made a huge mistake in electing Donald Trump and other "go-along" Republicans, the nation is faced with the necessity to purge the sitting government by the Constitutional process and the rule of law.

The trouble is, no one anticipated the situation where the sitting president is illegitimate for having participated in undermining the fair election process. Furthermore, many host-Republicans failed to vet their candidate before allowing Trump to bear their brand.

That mistake is gross negligence by the political party for which there is a liability.

In today's news, we learn that Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's "fixer" of problems of his making, settled a large sum in a pregnancy suit involving a Playboy Playmate. This is on top of other misbehavior by Trump. His backers try to excuse it as being a private affair, but it is not because political candidates are representatives of We the People who seek superior candidates in qualifications and character for public office.

Donald Trump's resume and history failed the test. However, the Republican Party failed to evaluate the candidate. Americans lack a standard for evaluating candidates. For that reason, I wrote a book describing How to Select an American President by James A. George and James A. Rodger (c) 2017 Archway Publishing.

I did my best to try to help. I hope you read it.

"Trump lawyer Michael Cohen negotiated $1.6 million settlement between GOP donor and Playboy model who was pregnant 

President Trump’s embattled personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, negotiated the deal in late 2017 with a former Playboy model on behalf of a prominent Republican fundraiser who had impregnated her, according to people familiar with the deal. 

The GOP donor, Los Angeles investor Elliott Broidy, issued a statement Friday acknowledging that he “had a consensual relationship with a Playboy Playmate” who got pregnant. He said he retained Cohen after the Trump lawyer told Broidy he had been contacted by the woman’s attorney. 

“It is unfortunate that this personal matter between two consenting adults is the subject of national discussion just because of Michael Cohen’s involvement,” Broidy said in a statement. 

Federal prosecutors are investigating Cohen for possible bank fraud and campaign finance violations in connection to his efforts to tamp down damaging stories about Trump during the 2016 campaign, according to people familiar with the case." 

The Washington Post Email

 

Image: The Daily Dot

Distressing and Unacceptable: Trump and Congress

Help Us US Congress.

Here is a direct appeal to all members of the US Congress who are witnessing an errant President who abuses his powers and undermines the rule of law and the American Constitution. We the People need you to put patriotism before politics and political party.

When a President becomes tyrannical and authoritarian, no matter how he arrived in office, it is time for impeachment.

The nation and the world have accumulated plenty of eye-witness instances of bad behavior, past and present, from the incumbent, Donald Trump. A Special Prosecutor is investigating and is sure to make multiple reports to Congress about his assessment of the Trump situation.

The trouble is, Trump, the mobster-like individual, is bullying the institutions of justice on which we all depend.

Waving the promise of pardoning power is just one example.

Here is something for all those planning to rely on President Trump's pardoning powers.

1. He cannot pardon individuals or promise to in the instance of an investigation into himself. That won't wash with the law.

2. If it is determined that the Trump campaign committed illegal acts on the way to The White House that undermine his legitimacy, every single thing that he has done and every appointment can be undone on the basis that it was illegal.

3. That means pardons by an illegitimate President will not stand.

I am independent journalist and citizen who is not a lawyer, but who is expected to no the law because there is no excuse for not knowing.

I have witnessed the Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader participate in acts of obstructing justice. I have seen Republican Chairmen of investigating committees corrupt their performance to protect the President with acts of obstruction.

These behaviors are unacceptable to this citizen who has served his country multiple ways and forever.

I am demanding that senior leadership from both parties end this dangerous regime by impeaching Donald Trump and allowing full prosecution in accordance the law.

Image: International Business Times

Support for Special Prosecutor

Thankfully, most Americans favor Special Prosecutor Mueller's continuing investigation into Russian interference and all of the illegalities that are discovered along the way including those of the sitting President whose incumbency may be illegitimate. 

"Mueller probe of Trump campaign, Russian interference in U.S. election is backed by majority of Americans, Post-ABC News poll says 

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds support for inquiries into President Trump’s orbit on several fronts, as some allies push the president to cripple the investigation. 

Nearly 7 in 10 adults say they support special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s focus on possible collusion with Russia. Sixty-four percent say they want Mueller investigating Trump’s business activities. And 58 percent support investigating alleged payments by Trump associates to silence women who say they had affairs with him. 

The poll was conducted Sunday to Wednesday — a period that included the FBI’s raid of the home and office of Michael D. Cohen, Trump’s longtime attorney." 

The Washington Post email

"MSNBC's Donny Deutsch: Michael Cohen has the power to 'bring down ...RawStory 

MSNBC's Donny Deutsch: Michael Cohen has the power to 'bring down the Trump presidency' — but Trump will 'do anything' to stop him"

Getty Image

Emergency Action Required

Don't hold your breath, America, but President Trump is off the deep end. The horses are out of the barn. His escapades as a sexist misogynist are not just disgusting, some have involved paying hush money and doing so illegally.

Image: Know Your Meme

Donald Trump is America's mob-boss style President, a gross mistake and the product of Russian interference and collusion. Those are the impending charges, and even many of the ignorant who made him are becoming appalled at the outcome.

Now, it is deadly serious to have an unfit commander-in-chief who acts as an authoritarian despot while GOP Congressional leaders cower into going along or inaction to stop him.

American democracy is at risk. A new Congress is needed to amend the constitution to close the loopholes that permit authoritarianism to exist in the USA.

First, impeach him.
Second, prosecute him for all his crimes.
Third, prosecute all members of Congress who participated in obstructing justice
Fourth, purge the regime and start over

The Fixer

"The Fixer," sounds like the title of a mobster movie. Former NY Mayor, Michael Bloomberg characterized Trump as a mobster. 

What we know is that attorney, Michael Cohen has been Donald Trump's "fixer," for decades. When Trump's errant behavior created trouble for him, he called on Cohen.

If people had to be "bought off" to be "shut up," Cohen cut the deal employing nondisclosure agreements and other legal instruments. Much of that is a dirty business. However, not all are illegal.

It is when Cohen commingled payments with politics and campaigns that his actions are compromised, and so are those of his client, Donald Trump. Trump likely made matters worse by lying about it and covering up.

That is why the investigation will put a noose around Trump's neck, and the Presidency will be imperiled.

It isn't "the deep state," it is Donald Trump.

‘The Making of Donald Trump’ reveals how billionaire’s attempt to woo mobster’s daughter ended when he told him he’d ‘pull your balls from your legs’

Despite Donald Trump being called "a liar" by Libutti's daughter, he has her vote — and would have had his vote, too, had he lived. 

Despite Donald Trump being called "a liar" by Libutti's daughter, he has her vote — and would have had his vote, too, had he lived. (NEW YORK DAILY NEWS) BY RICH SCHAPIRO
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS 

Donald Trump was once threatened with castration after courting the wrong woman — the daughter of a reputed New Jersey mobster, according to a new book.
Trump, while still married to his first wife Ivana, shamelessly tried to seduce the 30-something daughter of Robert Libutti, a high-rolling horse dealer with ties to infamous Gambino boss John Gotti, the book alleges. 

When Libutti got wind that Trump was trying to bed his daughter, the Garden State gambler confronted the real estate mogul and issued the most frightening of threats.
“Donald, I’ll f-----g pull your balls from your legs,” Libutti told him, according to the new book by journalist David Cay Johnston, “The Making of Donald Trump.” 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/donald-trump-attempt-court-mobster-daughter-didn-article-1.2732403

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS 

Trump Versus America

The investigative noose has tightened around Donald Trump's neck, and he is resisting. The rule of law is all that stands between We the People and an authoritarian tyrant. If Trump is permitted to bully the American Political System without effective protection from the US Congress and the Courts, then the American Democratic Republic is over. The Russians and Donald Trump will have succeeded in exploiting weaknesses to an extreme state of disaster.

This is the final straw for the GOP-led Congress to initiate legislation to protect the Special Prosecutor. Senator Mitch McConnell must step up to save the nation from tyranny.

"Deepening the sense of crisis, CNN reported Tuesday that Trump is actively considering dismissing Rosenstein in a bid to constrain Mueller, even though such a move would reignite claims he is bent on obstructing the special counsel's probe. 

If Trump wields the ax against Rosenstein and then goes after Mueller, he would not only ignite a political storm, but he also would raise doubts about the capacity of the US system of governance itself to hold a strongman President in check." 

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/11/politics/donald-trump-mueller-investigation/index.html

Image: CNN

Trump Attacks DOJ/FBI and GOP Piles On

Look at the image of the email message sent to me by the GOP. It is evidence that the Republican Party conspires with the President to impede and obstruct justice in investigating the President's illegalities.

America's travesty continues to unfold before the world as the once great democracy trembles before an unfit authoritarian President whose legitimacy is in question for many reasons including:

1. Donald Trump repeatedly lies about nearly every matter of importance, and those lies are a felony by a government official.

(You can't excuse it or parse it, as Republican leaders try to do. His lies are substantive and undermine the credibility of our government.)

2. Donald Trump and his campaign have conspired to collude with Russians to subvert the free election process by inviting and encouraging "fake news" that is insurgent propaganda.

(There is sufficient circumstantial evidence that most knowledgeable and aware citizens can conclude Trump is unfit.)

3. Donald Trump and his go-along Congress appointed a host of corrupt individuals to the executive branch where many have been forced to resign.

4. Donald Trump's treatment of women before and after his being a candidate and President is misogynistic and inappropriate. His attempts to cover-up his misbehavior engaged illegal actions by his attorney for which the President encourages coverup and attempts obstruction of justice by bullying investigators.

Herein is a call on members of Congress, Democrats and courageous Republicans to impeach Donald Trump because his behavior and actions are unstable and unacceptable to serve as President.

From the GOP!

Ignorant Waste by Donald Trump

Beginning with his narcissistic behavioral disorder, Trump is trapped. He is overly political, appealing to his base that is unrepresentative of the nation and purpose. 

His obsession with building a wall to combat illegal immigrants is ridiculous and costly. His Republican Congress knows this and cuts his wall-building budget. He retaliated by calling out the National Guard to send troops to watch Border Patrol Agents do their work.

How about asking Congress to increase the border patrol's budget to deploy more of them where they can arrest people. Troops can't do that.

Trump's foolish behavior undermines our democratic system, and the Republican-led Congress goes along. That is why citizens must vote them out of office, impeach the President, and restore democracy.

"Trump sending National Guard troops to Mexico border, but they won't have contact with immigrants 

President Bush had a similar policy in 2006 called Operation Jump Start. 

by Julia Ainsley and Hallie Jackson / Apr.04.2018 / 1:55 PM ET / Updated Apr.05.2018 / 1:34 AM ET"

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-sending-troops-mexico-border-they-won-t-have-contact-n862736 

Image: NBC News

Trump's Trade War

Trump's Trade War, sacrifices the heartland, women, and children first.

America's bully President has a hammer that he uses to fix everything. If it doesn't work, he blames subordinates, Barack Obama, Congress and anything else he and Fox News about can think.

In a blatant act of antiAmericanism, be fabricated lies about Amazon, and attacked technology companies. That was spurred because he doesn't like their leaders. Everything is personal with the man with the hammer.

Major news sources say that Trump is either ignorant or a bully or incompetent. I think it is a combination add to it that he is a misguided missile where Russia gave him the guidance system.

Now, Trump is harming the stock market, the farmers, the technology companies and even defense contractors. What the hell is Congress doing about the errant leader?

"U.S. stocks plunge as Trump and China double down on trade dispute 

The Dow Jones industrial average lost more than 500 points in early trading. The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index and tech-heavy Nasdaq also dropped sharply. 

On Tuesday, the Trump administration revealed about $50 billion in Chinese electronics, aerospace and machinery products it plans to hit with tariffs. The move threatens to upend global supply chains for corporations such as Apple and Dell, raise prices for American consumers who have grown accustomed to inexpensive electronics and aggravate tensions between the world’s two largest economies. 

China fired back by threatening tariffs on 106 U.S. products, including on soybeans, cars and some airplanes, in the latest escalation of a trade war between the world’s two largest economies." 

The Hill email

Shirts from TeePublic

Trump Bullies Corporations

President Trump, the authoritarian bully, has attacked Amazon and Walmart. He is singling out individual corporations, and that is unAmerican.

His jackhammer approach to trade policy is equally abusive, and Americans will suffer by paying more for goods and services while also losing jobs if this keeps up.

Appearing good for business was a short-lived charade. As with everything he does, Donald Trump is not good for America. He is a threat to national security and most likely a treasonous traitor.

"Stocks Tumble on Tech Selloff
Dow drops more than 500 points as FANG stocks lead major indexes lower"


https://www.wsj.com/articles/stock-markets-rise-despite-china-trade-retaliation-1522639136