| | | | Donald Trump's dumb war on the intel community | | On Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed that President Donald Trump is considering revoking the security clearances of at least six former national security and intelligence officials who have been publicly critical of his administration.
"They've politicized and in some cases monetized their public service," Sanders said. "Making baseless accusations of an improper relationship with Russia is inappropriate."
Among the names she listed: Former CIA Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former FBI Director James Comey, former national security adviser Susan Rice, former deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe and former National Security Agency Director Michael Hayden.
The impetus for this announcement appears to be Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who, weirdly, has become one of Trump's closest Senate allies. (Paul and Trump competed against one another in the 2016 Republican primaries.) "Just got out of WH meeting with @realDonaldTrump," Paul tweeted at 3 p.m. "I restated to him what I have said in public: John Brennan and others partisans should have their security clearances revoked. Public officials should not use their security clearances to leverage speaking fees or network talking head fees."
This is a dumb idea that Trump should not pursue. Here's why:
1. Several of the people named by Sanders either have already had their clearances revoked (McCabe, Comey) or no longer attend classified briefings (Hayden and Clapper). So this is something of a toothless threat from the get-go. 2. There's a double standard here. Former intelligence official Michael Flynn retained his security clearance after being removed from his post in the Obama administration. Trump had no problem featuring Flynn at campaign rallies even as Flynn was building up his own business based in no small part on his experience and access.
3. Trump would be cutting off an important arm of the intelligence community -- its former employees. As CNN's Barbara Starr notes, one of the main reasons these ex-officials retain their security clearances is so that current intelligence operatives can consult with them, taking advantage of decades of institutional wisdom.
4. A little something called "free speech."
None of the above means Trump won't go through with the revocation of security clearances of the half-dozen intelligence officials. He just might because, well, he can. And because it's in keeping with his view -- and the broader view of the Trump base -- that the so-called "deep state" burrowed within the federal government is at war with the President.
The Point: At best, Trump would be cutting off his nose to spite his face here. At worst, he'd been hamstringing the intelligence community for the foreseeable future.
-- Chris | | "There is no excuse for this type of behavior, ever, and I am saddened and disgusted by it."
-- Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, regarding Georgia lawmaker Jason Spencer's use of the "n-word" on Sacha Baron Cohen's new Showtime show "Who Is America?"
Spencer was pranked into believing that the comedian was an Israeli anti-terrorism expert who was able to convince the legislator that a series of racist acts would protect him against terrorists. | | | In case you missed it -- which you probably did because it happened on a Sunday night -- President Donald Trump issued a furious, all-caps challenge to the Iranian regime.
"To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!"
The tweet came just after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a scathing speech on Iran's leadership in Southern California.
As Chris points out in his piece, "Regardless of why Trump tweeted, here's 'what' he did: Taunted an aspiring nuclear power with some of the harshest words we've heard from an American president...Twitter diplomacy -- which is one of the many things that Trump has ushered in as President -- isn't a tried-and-true approach to geopolitics. Especially since it's not entirely clear whether Trump actually checked with anyone in his administration before issuing the threat against Iran." Read more here. | | | Saba exclusively listens to the "Mamma Mia 2" soundtrack. So here it is, in all its glory. | | | Today's topic: Trump's Iran tweet -- and what it means. | | Former coal magnate Don Blankenship lost the West Virginia GOP Senate primary in May. But the ex-con isn't letting those results deter him. Per a news release, Blankenship is jumping back into the Senate race, this time filing paperwork for his candidacy as a member of the Constitution Party. "Mr. Blankenship fully expects to be on the ballot this November," the media advisory states.
During an interview with CNN at his election night party, Blankenship struggled to explain why he lost. But he did blame a tweet President Donald Trump sent a day before the primary, urging West Virginia voters to reject his candidacy. | | There was a LOT of #2020 news over the weekend. CNN's Caroline Kenny breaks down what you need to know: - Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley was in eastern Iowa this weekend for a series of events. He attended a fundraiser with Rep. Dave Loebsack, and state Rep. Phil Miller on Friday at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, then appeared at an immigration event in Davenport on Saturday. He also took part in events for legislative candidates in Iowa City and Tama.
- The Intercept reported that sources close to Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan say the Democratic congressman intends to run for President in 2020, and is beginning to put together a team. Part of his winning strategy? Pulling in the "yoga vote."
In August, he'll head to West Virginia to campaign for Richard Ojeda, the Democrat running in the 3rd District. After Labor Day, he'll be in South Carolina with Joe Cunningham - Lastly, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is on the cover of New York Mag this week, with the cover story headline text "Front runner?" In the article, reporter Rebecca Traister describes Warren as "the candidate-of-the-moment for 2020." Traister writes: "Warren is up for re-election in Massachusetts in November. She can't say that she is running for president. So officially, it is accurate to say that she is not. But of course she's running. ... And, for what it's worth, I think she does really want to be president."
| | Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee of California is running to be House Democratic Caucus chairwoman in the next Congress, CNN reported Monday.
Lee announced her candidacy in a statement for the position held by Rep. Joe Crowley who was unexpectedly beaten by Democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in his June primary race. "I am so inspired to fight alongside you as we work to win back the majority," Lee said in the statement. "There is nothing more important than returning bold Democratic leadership to Congress." | | MANAFORT AND COHEN UPDATE | | New developments have been made in two investigations. - CNN's Erica Orden and Kara Scannell reported that "federal prosecutors investigating Donald Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen have received 12 audio recordings from the materials seized by the FBI during the searches of Cohen's home, office and hotel room, according to court filings." Read more here.
- Also per CNN's Evan Perez, Marshall Cohen and David Shortell: "A federal judge in Alexandria, Virginia, has granted the request for five witnesses to testify with immunity in the criminal trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. US District Judge T.S. Ellis is also ordering special counsel Robert Mueller's team to tell Manafort's team the nearly 30 witnesses it is going to use in the trial. Ellis also delayed the start of the trial, originally scheduled for Wednesday, to July 31." Read more here.
| | | From Brenna: "There are very few things as American as an RV, like this one that President Trump toured as part of a 'Made in America' event at the White House. The President practiced proper stair safety as he disembarked, an example for those of us who may or may not have trouble not tripping while walking up flights of stairs." Anyway, happy Monday! As always, thanks for reading. Tell others to subscribe. | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media, and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba.
Sign up to get updates on your favorite CNN Original Series, special CNN news coverage and other newsletters. | | | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment