Gah! "Mr. Feinberg’s only experience with national security matters is his firm’s stakes in a private security company and two gun makers."
6
The accusation about the leaks is yet another diversion by the Liar in Chief to distract the public from the ties with Russia. Soon he will have his followers believe that the leaks were lies...because if the Liar in Chief says so, that's the way it is.
Really let's have public hearings on the ties with Russia--not closed door briefings or hearings.
As for the appointment of this billionaire to investigate these intelligence agencies, it seems like the beginning of a witch hunt by someone not qualified to know how these agencies operate. Will he get top secret security clearance before being briefed on the matter? What are Feinberg's international business ties?
Really let's have public hearings on the ties with Russia--not closed door briefings or hearings.
As for the appointment of this billionaire to investigate these intelligence agencies, it seems like the beginning of a witch hunt by someone not qualified to know how these agencies operate. Will he get top secret security clearance before being briefed on the matter? What are Feinberg's international business ties?
5
Tired of Hypocrisy:
By independence, I believe the article means freedom from partisan political demands. The intelligence community is about protocol, procedure, and chain of command. Don't be hysterical.
By independence, I believe the article means freedom from partisan political demands. The intelligence community is about protocol, procedure, and chain of command. Don't be hysterical.
Stephen Feinberg and Paul Singer are fanatical supporters of the most hardline and militant factions of the Likud Bloc. To have them oversee American intelligence agencies is like letting the Fox guard the hen house. We had enough of Neo-Con wars of aggression in the Muslim world on the behalf of the Likud Bloc and the resulting retaliation aka terrorism.
12
He's rich. So he must be smart. He's a great businessman -- made billions of dollars by shuffling paper on Wall Street. He can run the intelligence agencies like a business. He is the Industrial part of the Military Industrial Complex. So he's got skin in the game. Hey, what's the problem?
7
How about why the heck do we have so many different intellligence bureaucracies..CIA, NSA, DIA....this guy should combine them into 1 and cut some fat and redundancy and kill the infighting.
1
Somebody needs to clean these agencies up. They are not supposed to be political operatives. To wiretap an American citizen and give the information to the Washington Post is beyond the pale. Isn't this what Liberals were afraid of during the Bush years? NSA and CIA should not be conducting political hit jobs on the elected government.
3
I imagine there's a case to be made for a clean-up of intelligence agencies. I would prefer the clean-up be executed by our Congress, accountable to the people, through a structure similar to the Senate's Church Committee in 1975.
15
We certainly wouldn't want a situation that recapitulated Clapper with Obama when intelligence was fixed for political purposes to paint a rosier picture of Iraq and ISIS than Obama let on. Or Susan Rice going on all those Sunday shows to mislead the public. Or officials lying about the contours and negotiations of the Iran deal. Or...
It gets complicated. There is currently likely an Orwellian effort by high-placed intelligence officials to discredit the Trump administration in utero via innuendo and nonsense charges -- and yet a sitting president also has a vested interest in shutting down dissent that must always be monitored.
By Occam's razor, it's wildly implausible that if intel chiefs had a smoking gun on Trump colluding with Putin to win the election, we wouldn't have heard about it by now -- given the near non-story of Flynn's hapless dishonesty being the stuff of modern Woodwards and Bernsteins.
Thomas Friedman was doltishly talking of a 9/11-magnitude event of intelligence espionage. Would that he had been 1/100 so attentive when Obama misled foreign policy and accelerated chaos everywhere.
It gets complicated. There is currently likely an Orwellian effort by high-placed intelligence officials to discredit the Trump administration in utero via innuendo and nonsense charges -- and yet a sitting president also has a vested interest in shutting down dissent that must always be monitored.
By Occam's razor, it's wildly implausible that if intel chiefs had a smoking gun on Trump colluding with Putin to win the election, we wouldn't have heard about it by now -- given the near non-story of Flynn's hapless dishonesty being the stuff of modern Woodwards and Bernsteins.
Thomas Friedman was doltishly talking of a 9/11-magnitude event of intelligence espionage. Would that he had been 1/100 so attentive when Obama misled foreign policy and accelerated chaos everywhere.
2
The source of the leaks is DJT himself. He is constantly spewing, and is a complete blabber mouth. And, he is still using an unsecured phone. OK, I know it sounds crazy...but I imagine the source(s) are closer than he thinks. Pax, jb.
4
Another fox to guard the henhouse?
7
"Mr. Feinberg’s only experience with national security matters is his firm’s stakes in a private security company and two gun makers."
This is a good article, because it is a topic which has to be on every front page. But, Mr. Feinberg in a top US intelligence post is a frightening thing. Certainly his alleged experience with national security matters sounds like NO experience. He knows a lot about disressed investing, most often in bankrupt companies, and about private equity investing. Neither of those things qualifies him for a top US intelligence post. As noted he has no relevant experience. Anyone with no relevant experience in such a post will without a doubt be a danger to the nation and the world. He is in Trump's sweet spot.
This is a good article, because it is a topic which has to be on every front page. But, Mr. Feinberg in a top US intelligence post is a frightening thing. Certainly his alleged experience with national security matters sounds like NO experience. He knows a lot about disressed investing, most often in bankrupt companies, and about private equity investing. Neither of those things qualifies him for a top US intelligence post. As noted he has no relevant experience. Anyone with no relevant experience in such a post will without a doubt be a danger to the nation and the world. He is in Trump's sweet spot.
11
Great idea. Let's have yet another spectacularly unqualified person run an extremely important government bureau. I feel safer already. Not.
16
With the Oscars coming up, watching Trump's press conference reminded me of the dialogue in the movie 'The Cain Mutiny':
''Ahh, but the strawberries that's... that's where I had them. They laughed at me and made jokes but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt and with... geometric logic... that a duplicate key to the wardroom icebox DID exist, and I'd have produced that key if they hadn't of pulled the Caine out of action. I, I, I know now they were only trying to protect some fellow officers...''
''Ahh, but the strawberries that's... that's where I had them. They laughed at me and made jokes but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt and with... geometric logic... that a duplicate key to the wardroom icebox DID exist, and I'd have produced that key if they hadn't of pulled the Caine out of action. I, I, I know now they were only trying to protect some fellow officers...''
5
"It has raised anxiety within the agencies that the review could curtail their independence."
Independence? In a representative republic they should never, never be independent from the American people. Does no one remember the "independence" of the NSA?
Independence? In a representative republic they should never, never be independent from the American people. Does no one remember the "independence" of the NSA?
3
And speaking of national security: How is it that the so-called president doesn't say one word about the Russian spy ship currently buzzing our shores??
11
Leaks are everywhere. These leaks, as a whole, is a message to America:
SOS
SOS
SOS
SOS
SOS
SOS
14
Trump and his goons have much to hide. We need folks to step up and expose their dirty laundry.
10
Can you remember when the news media actually tried to report the news, even given some genteel. bias, Walter Cronkite-style?
Now we have a fifth of the country convinced that foreign countries mess with our elections when there is NO evidence at all other than the generation-old trick of email accounts being rifled through.
PROTIP: Your password should never be ''password.''
Now we have a fifth of the country convinced that foreign countries mess with our elections when there is NO evidence at all other than the generation-old trick of email accounts being rifled through.
PROTIP: Your password should never be ''password.''
1
If POTUS Trump thinks the Intelligence "community" is trying to undermine him now.....wait until he tries to push back against the Intelligence deep state with one of his billionaire pals......Political death by one thousand small cuts will become deep slashing wounds in ways he is totally unprepared for.....
I would expect that every illicit thing POTUS Trump and close members of his family and senior advisors have ever done will become public.
Most Presidents quickly learn they must reach an accommodation with powerful elements of the deep state...think LBJ and J Edgar Hoover......POTUS Trump is likely too arrogant to recognize that he is very vulnerable
I would expect that every illicit thing POTUS Trump and close members of his family and senior advisors have ever done will become public.
Most Presidents quickly learn they must reach an accommodation with powerful elements of the deep state...think LBJ and J Edgar Hoover......POTUS Trump is likely too arrogant to recognize that he is very vulnerable
4
Trump's continuing campaign to undermine our confidence in our best-in-the-world intelligence community, excellent free press, independent judiciary, and virtually scandal-free electoral system crosses yet another red line. His mission is clearly to intimidate and insult our intelligence agencies. How much more of this do we have to endure?
11
Trump is rushing headlong into an authoritarian regime where truth, authenticity, experience, honesty - nothing matters. The speed of this is frightening and bodes badly for our creaking democracy to be able to respond quickly. Take nothing for granted. We must enlist the reluctant Republicans in Congress in forming an independent commission to investigate all of Trump's potential Constitutional violations - links to Russia, conflicts of interest, mental stability, the men he associates with, the lies and attacks on first amendment freedom of the press... We must move quickly, I believe, to remove an extremely dangerous man from office before he shoves us all into a state of unbridled tyranny from which we may not soon escape.
8
The integrity of the entire Republican delegation to Congress and the Senate isn't worth two cents.
3
I am just aghast that this criminal continues with his antics. My hope is that someone, somewhere will reveal unimpeachable video and audio evidence of some criminal wrong-doing vis-a-vis the "Russian mob" headed by putin. At that point...the chips will fall and this great country can begin to right itself....
4
Sounds like Trump is trying to politicize intelligence.
That always ends well for the American people...not.
That always ends well for the American people...not.
4
well da , do you think ? We need a review when confidential and or classified information is leaked to the press , a review and purge of the WAR MONGERS of the Bush administration and the Obummer hold overs is imperative . These two groups are the ones responsible for the leaks and should be tried and if found guilty of leaking information especially if to the press ---- all benefits and retirement should be stripped from them and thrown in jail .
3
Wasn't DynCorp the contractor implicated in the security failures at Benghazi? Isn't Eric Prince the brother of Betsy DeVos? And Pompeo was a Rubio supporter, and Rubio was one of the main benficiaries of DeVos family money, and we never did find out which GOP primary candidate funded that dossier by the Brit spy forced to go into hiding with his family. Hmmmm. As the worm turns.
11
Measuring IQ in net worth sure ain't working for this country.
13
We definitely learned over the past eight years that pretty, well-spoken elites playing golf for 6 years non-stop never got anyone a decent job. I'll go with the ruffian every day.
Trump pops off and misses as many facts as he hits off he cuff. BUT he's honest at heart. Those of us who have had uncles or neighbors who popped off are used to Trump's delivery style but the 3:00 P.M. guy on Fox News can't get over how often Trump gets stuff wrong.
BUT he is crazy about jobs and defending us from enemies.
Trump pops off and misses as many facts as he hits off he cuff. BUT he's honest at heart. Those of us who have had uncles or neighbors who popped off are used to Trump's delivery style but the 3:00 P.M. guy on Fox News can't get over how often Trump gets stuff wrong.
BUT he is crazy about jobs and defending us from enemies.
If you believe he's honest at heart, just look at the thousands of lawsuits he's been involved in, and the settlements over Trump University. He's as honest as Al Capone.
10
Doubtless, our intelligence agencies will prove courteous enough to return the favor and "review " Mr. Feinberg and his dealings, in turn.
It would be only courteous to do so.
It would be only courteous to do so.
9
Where to start? trump is trying to make leaking the crime -- the crime is treason. It was treason when it occurred and trump knew about it at that time. Treason is okay with trump, apparently, until you get outted.
Lets see those tax returns. I bet there is more going on here than we know.
SAD
Lets see those tax returns. I bet there is more going on here than we know.
SAD
20
If I was Putin... I would have Trump do this too. It's a smart move for Russia. Hope the US intellegence community finds away to contain this threat.
2
Government agencies have leaks, people who speak off the record to journalists, typically to air grievances or to bring to light things they find objectionable that have yet to be reported. Perhaps the President should spend more time asking himself why there have been so many reported leaks in the early days of his administration. Is it because career employees of the intelligence agencies are very concerned about the behavior of the people surrounding the President? Is it due to the President's apparent unwillingness to meaningfully respond to briefings the intelligence community provided about contacts between the President's staff and advisors with Russian officials?
As noted by many commenters, hiring an unqualified billionaire to address these leaks, just avoids the matter that started the leaks - the possibly inappropriate behavior of key advisors to the President. Our President has not reacted well to criticism and should expect more leaks unless and until he demonstrates a grasp of the gravity of the issues related to Russian meddling in our elections and the possibly inappropriate or illegal behavior of those close to him. The American public should be concerned about a President who has a history of ignoring evidence, making up "facts" and behaving badly with our friends while cozying up to the nation his Defense Secretary stated is our greatest foe.
As noted by many commenters, hiring an unqualified billionaire to address these leaks, just avoids the matter that started the leaks - the possibly inappropriate behavior of key advisors to the President. Our President has not reacted well to criticism and should expect more leaks unless and until he demonstrates a grasp of the gravity of the issues related to Russian meddling in our elections and the possibly inappropriate or illegal behavior of those close to him. The American public should be concerned about a President who has a history of ignoring evidence, making up "facts" and behaving badly with our friends while cozying up to the nation his Defense Secretary stated is our greatest foe.
4
I can only hope that our intelligence agencies destroys Stephen A. Feinberg and Trump along with Bannon, Miller and Kushner. Our so called President is an incompentent fool who knows nothing - he's been counting money all of his life just like most of his cabinet. They are clueless and dangerous buffoons. The intelligence community knows this and they don't trust any of them, especially when there is this connection to Putin.
20
Is this legal? Let's hear from legal experts.
If I wanted to "oversee" our intelligence agencies because I do not trust their actions, would I be allowed to do so? Or would I be laughed out of the room?
Whichever person 45 puts forward as his overseer is no different than any one American, so why not me?
In an administration characterized by mediocrity and cronyism, these are valid questions.
If I wanted to "oversee" our intelligence agencies because I do not trust their actions, would I be allowed to do so? Or would I be laughed out of the room?
Whichever person 45 puts forward as his overseer is no different than any one American, so why not me?
In an administration characterized by mediocrity and cronyism, these are valid questions.
8
Dyncorp is one of the companies owned by the investment group. Keep in mind, Dyncorp was responsible, in part for training the Iraqi Army. Today, it is one of the largest DOD contract companies...
3
Maybe the US is perpetually at war because mercenaries are so influential here.
4
One would think the NYT, of all newspapers, would look askance at anything coming out of the Intelligence Community, given its unforgivable role in promoting war in Iraq in the wake of 9/11, based not just on faulty intelligence but fraudulent intelligence.
Now the paper seems bent on stirring up antagonism between the US and Russia. Does it really want to help start yet another war?
Now the paper seems bent on stirring up antagonism between the US and Russia. Does it really want to help start yet another war?
2
as I recall georger tenet, the former cia director said it was a slam dunk as per the nyt. if a political appointee, cia director asked his career analysts for something. do you think for a minute he would say no?
have you forgotten Judith miller of nyt?
war is a money making racket.
have you forgotten Judith miller of nyt?
war is a money making racket.
Don't pretend this is about warmongering. The consequence of further ill will between the US and Russia rests squarely with Donald Trump and his strategists for spotlighting Russia in the conversation during the election and after, a dilettante trying to show his global chops or worse somehow beholden to the Bear. The hawks are in the Oval Nest where the ignorant impulsive figurehead of the provincial electorate that put him there holds court over a confederacy of dunces. This situation is exactly why foreign affairs requires measure, caution and deep expertise, qualities not present in Trump or his advisors.
1
Will Mr Feinberg be on the government payroll? Can we see HIS tax returns?
11
We generally think of American Institutions as pretty robust to any one individual. But with the Republicans waging war on governance for the past 15 years, Trump comes in a time when Congress is weak and divided. It begs the question of how much damage Trump can PERMANENTLY do to our country in just a few years. Dismantling our intelligence agencies and the state department and other executive agencies causes them to lose institutional memory. If we rely on these organizations for the functioning of our government, we could very well find ourselves without expertise - even after Trump leaves office...
11
This institutional memory is the root of the problem. The memory is morphed, currupt.
1
How exactly are these agencies supposed to be reviewed? I mean they have highly classified information, and the only way to actually review these agencies are if you see this classified information. Does Mr Feinberg have the rights to see this information so that he can conduct an actual review.
For that matter, what would Feinberg know about how to review an agency? What qualifications does he have to do so?
For that matter, what would Feinberg know about how to review an agency? What qualifications does he have to do so?
17
It was Josef Goebbels, Nazi Minister of Propaganda, who said, "The bigger the lie, the more the people are willing to believe it."
Am I to believe that a billionaire "ally" of Trump - appointed by Trump and with no background in intelligence, other than seeming to be a spy wannabe - will do anything in his "review" of U.S. Intelligence agencies but parrot anything President Bannon wants him to say? The current White House gets more insulting to me every day. Clearly President Bannon's declaration of war on the media and intelligence agencies is losing momentum thanks to the intelligence and actual belief in America of a growing number of patriotic journalists and intelligence professionals. What better way to adjust the tactics of this "war" than to attack the intelligence community from within - an attack led by an inexperienced Trump/Bannon crony beholden to President Bannon and his personal ventriloquist's dummy for the opportunity to live out his James Bond fantasies at the expense of the nation I love so dearly.
Each day, the lies coming from the White House get bigger and bigger. Each day, the same people remain willing to believe them. Goebbels's statement wouldn't have endured for eighty-plus years if it weren't true.
Feinberg is as qualified to "review" American Intelligence as Trump (or Bannon) is qualified to lead this great nation.
Am I to believe that a billionaire "ally" of Trump - appointed by Trump and with no background in intelligence, other than seeming to be a spy wannabe - will do anything in his "review" of U.S. Intelligence agencies but parrot anything President Bannon wants him to say? The current White House gets more insulting to me every day. Clearly President Bannon's declaration of war on the media and intelligence agencies is losing momentum thanks to the intelligence and actual belief in America of a growing number of patriotic journalists and intelligence professionals. What better way to adjust the tactics of this "war" than to attack the intelligence community from within - an attack led by an inexperienced Trump/Bannon crony beholden to President Bannon and his personal ventriloquist's dummy for the opportunity to live out his James Bond fantasies at the expense of the nation I love so dearly.
Each day, the lies coming from the White House get bigger and bigger. Each day, the same people remain willing to believe them. Goebbels's statement wouldn't have endured for eighty-plus years if it weren't true.
Feinberg is as qualified to "review" American Intelligence as Trump (or Bannon) is qualified to lead this great nation.
13
Its now pretty clear that Trump is hiding treasonous connections to Putin and Russia while waging an all out war on the intelligence community. Since he's obiously not going to do anything but slow, obstruct , and obfuscate the Trump-Russia investigations, it becomes an act of patriotism for the I.C. to leak their findings (e.g. the eggregious Flynn-Ambassador calls/lies). I am a progressive in full support of this kind of leaking from the I.C.--AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS KIND OF ACTION AGAINST OBAMA HAD HE BEEN STUPID ENOUGH TO COMMIT TREASON. (He wasnt as far as we know.) Given the anti-I.C. environment, Trump has promoted, we are not going to be able to drain DC without this kind of leak. We need these leaks. Keep 'em comming, I.C.!
#DrainTheWhiteHouse
#DrainTheWhiteHouse
7
@ Dr. T.R. Morris
If the Intelligence Community (IC) and the President are at odds, what is the appropriate action to resolve this conflict ? Is the 'leaking' of sensitive material appropriate? What kind of precedent is then being created? And, is it really "All Out War" on the IC if the President calls for the IC to be reviewed? Maybe, everyone needs to calm down a bit.
The nation definitely needs a resolution of this conflict between the Executive branch and the IC.
What is right action here?
If the Intelligence Community (IC) and the President are at odds, what is the appropriate action to resolve this conflict ? Is the 'leaking' of sensitive material appropriate? What kind of precedent is then being created? And, is it really "All Out War" on the IC if the President calls for the IC to be reviewed? Maybe, everyone needs to calm down a bit.
The nation definitely needs a resolution of this conflict between the Executive branch and the IC.
What is right action here?
The vocabulary of this discussion needs to change completely. The issue is not one of leaks but of whistleblowing. The press and DC democrats should stop allowing Trump to frame the discussion as such or effectively set the tone and define the parameters of this political brinkmanship. Those charged with holding Trump accountable should decline to use the word "leaks" beyond direct quotation.
Recall how Trump and the Republicans chose variations of the catch-phrase "hysterical democrat" to try to neuter criticism of the administration's fiascos since inauguration. We saw the term saturate interview after interview and trickle into social media. To borrow a page from the White House playbook, the term "whistleblower" should be adopted in lieu of "leaks." Words define our perceptions and can take us closer to or further from the truth in subtle ways that can be difficult to recognize. This simple but not insignificant tool should be used to counter Trump's dissembling.
The whistleblowers, who have shown light on the malignant behavior of Flynn and possibly others in the White House, deserve protection. For Trump to tap a partisan crony to begin a witch-hunt must be challenged, and most importantly, the administration put on notice that this anemic attempt to redirect attention from the Trump-Flynn-Russia scandal proper to a diversionary issue fools no one. My hope is that the NYTs and our other responsible news outlets will dig in and stay focused on the real story here.
Recall how Trump and the Republicans chose variations of the catch-phrase "hysterical democrat" to try to neuter criticism of the administration's fiascos since inauguration. We saw the term saturate interview after interview and trickle into social media. To borrow a page from the White House playbook, the term "whistleblower" should be adopted in lieu of "leaks." Words define our perceptions and can take us closer to or further from the truth in subtle ways that can be difficult to recognize. This simple but not insignificant tool should be used to counter Trump's dissembling.
The whistleblowers, who have shown light on the malignant behavior of Flynn and possibly others in the White House, deserve protection. For Trump to tap a partisan crony to begin a witch-hunt must be challenged, and most importantly, the administration put on notice that this anemic attempt to redirect attention from the Trump-Flynn-Russia scandal proper to a diversionary issue fools no one. My hope is that the NYTs and our other responsible news outlets will dig in and stay focused on the real story here.
8
10 Steps to Becoming A Dictator
1. Get yourself appointed to high office by a select cabal, regardless of the will of the majority of the population. Then, using carefully chosen loyalists, aggressively take the following steps to eliminate opposition to, and to implement, your agenda:
2. Dismantle and restructure the bureaucracy
3. Dismantle and restructure the judiciary
4. Dismantle and restructure the law enforcement apparatus
5. Dismantle and restructure the government information apparatus
6. Dismantle and restructure the diplomatic apparatus
7. Subdue and seduce the legislative apparatus
8. Position your family to control highly lucrative political relationships
9. Take absolute control over the security apparatus
10. Take absolute control over the military apparatus
Look familiar? Be afraid, we are already several steps along the way...
1. Get yourself appointed to high office by a select cabal, regardless of the will of the majority of the population. Then, using carefully chosen loyalists, aggressively take the following steps to eliminate opposition to, and to implement, your agenda:
2. Dismantle and restructure the bureaucracy
3. Dismantle and restructure the judiciary
4. Dismantle and restructure the law enforcement apparatus
5. Dismantle and restructure the government information apparatus
6. Dismantle and restructure the diplomatic apparatus
7. Subdue and seduce the legislative apparatus
8. Position your family to control highly lucrative political relationships
9. Take absolute control over the security apparatus
10. Take absolute control over the military apparatus
Look familiar? Be afraid, we are already several steps along the way...
7
It's call Facism. The following are classic propaganda tools that represent fascist regimes...
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
4. Supremacy of the Military
5. Rampant Sexism
6. Controlled Mass Media
7. Obsession with National Security
8. Religion and Government are intertwined
9. Corporate Power is Protected
10. Labor Power is Suppressed
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
14. Fraudulent Elections
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
4. Supremacy of the Military
5. Rampant Sexism
6. Controlled Mass Media
7. Obsession with National Security
8. Religion and Government are intertwined
9. Corporate Power is Protected
10. Labor Power is Suppressed
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
14. Fraudulent Elections
6
Agreed, @Barbara. And, what's disturbing is that our little dialogue here is not academic. It's happening. Our system of government is being stress tested and so far it's barely holding up. Trump's power moves are brash, audacious, in your face -- and alarming, because he's getting away with it.
4
May be Trump consulting KGB chief Putin on how to get control of spy agencies.
2
A very unfunny joke. These leaks are not like the Valerie Plame leak, which hurt our country's efforts to fight enemies of our country. This is a vindictive search for exposers of treasonous activity by the president and his staff. This president is much worse than Nixon.
What about the inadvertent leaks by the president himself at Mar-a-Lago? Who is going to set this incompetent "federal employee" straight about his inappropriate behavior affecting homeland security?
Any investigation needs an independent investigator, not a biased friend of the president.
More money down the drain. At the rate he is going, Trump is going to both destroy and bankrupt the government.
What about the inadvertent leaks by the president himself at Mar-a-Lago? Who is going to set this incompetent "federal employee" straight about his inappropriate behavior affecting homeland security?
Any investigation needs an independent investigator, not a biased friend of the president.
More money down the drain. At the rate he is going, Trump is going to both destroy and bankrupt the government.
9
Trump wants Feinberg to lead a broad review of the intelligence agencies. Oh, it will take from here to eternity to complete. Hopefully the public will forget about it. It is something most intelligent people call "a whitewash".
1
Sending a corporate cannibal into the intelligence bureaucracy in hopes of stopping a couple hundred thousand backstabbing unruly professional spies from torpedoing the boss is something only shameless small time TV huckster like Trump could come up with. Feinberg should confine his weaseling to cheating aging workers out of their pensions and absconding with the coffee and donut funds at the moribund companies he plunders. The spies will eat Feinberg and Trump alive.
10
Let's us stop the chase. At this point -- the whole world knows -- the best American secret is out in the open.
US American voters have elected a mental case unfit/unqualified president.
The question is: what you guys are doing to do about it?
US American voters have elected a mental case unfit/unqualified president.
The question is: what you guys are doing to do about it?
12
Trump takes the job to new levels of madness each and every day. Seems impossible but that's one skill he seems to possess. When do the Republicans make a move and get this lunatic removed from office. Hint: It's called the 24th Amendment.
9
Question: What do the intelligence agencies & the NYT have in common?
Answer: 1. They both know more than you do. 2. They're both smarter than you are. 3. They both think you should do what they tell you to do.
Answer: 1. They both know more than you do. 2. They're both smarter than you are. 3. They both think you should do what they tell you to do.
5
Trump's enemies list grows stronger and longer by the day, but he needs them. To paraphrase Eric Hoffer, every political movement can survive without a god but not without a devil. The only thing that's keeping Trump where he is, is hatred and blather. He has nothing good of substance to offer. There is no god. But he and his idolators sure believe in devils.
8
Should anyone be shocked that Donald Trump is appointing a billionaire crony to spy on, ahem, 'review', intelligence agencies? POTUS hasn't a shred of decency in his entire being.
By the way, how are the plans for job growth in the Rust Belt coming along?
By the way, how are the plans for job growth in the Rust Belt coming along?
14
Only in Trump's vision of America would a billionaire from the financial sector review our Intelligence agencies.
While it is wise to have some civilians on such review boards, they should not lead them. All of us will suffer from such ineptitude by this impulsive, bumbling President.
The next time I'm worried about my retirement planning or investment portfolio, I'll hire a CIA Analyst to look them over.
While it is wise to have some civilians on such review boards, they should not lead them. All of us will suffer from such ineptitude by this impulsive, bumbling President.
The next time I'm worried about my retirement planning or investment portfolio, I'll hire a CIA Analyst to look them over.
9
Trump and his stooge will probably inside trade on what they learn too.
This is what an authoritarian oligarchy looks like and smells like. Very un-American. We can only hope that career intelligence staff stay in place through all of this and do the right thing on behalf of American security in spite of all of this. It's a lot to ask but it's the right thing for people of conscience to try and do. I think they, and America, will prevail over this darkness.
11
What if this is part of Putin's plan?
What if the main objective is the general destabilization of our governing system in the form of a Constitutional crisis and NOT to stand up a Manchurian(Siberian?) President?
What if the plan is to make working life so unbearable for career diplomats, analysts, spooks, and just regular bureaucrats that they quit en masse leaving Trump and Putin free to replace them with willing apparatchiks?
Let's not forget the national pastime of Russia is chess.
Why did the Russian vice minister openly say "of course there have a lot of contacts with the Trump campaign."? Why did these "senior intelligence officials" speak so openly with Trump minions on lines they knew were intercepted?
The questions mushroom.
What if the main objective is the general destabilization of our governing system in the form of a Constitutional crisis and NOT to stand up a Manchurian(Siberian?) President?
What if the plan is to make working life so unbearable for career diplomats, analysts, spooks, and just regular bureaucrats that they quit en masse leaving Trump and Putin free to replace them with willing apparatchiks?
Let's not forget the national pastime of Russia is chess.
Why did the Russian vice minister openly say "of course there have a lot of contacts with the Trump campaign."? Why did these "senior intelligence officials" speak so openly with Trump minions on lines they knew were intercepted?
The questions mushroom.
6
I simply don't know enough about Feinberg to comment whether he is the man for the job and I doubt very many of the commenters here know him any better. The idea of an independent review of the intelligence services, however, is an outstanding idea. The several services have become very large and that breeds inefficiency in spending money and in being effective at the job. Given the results of WMD intelligence and other critical intelligence matters a review is over due. And yes I understand that even if the WMD intelligence had been good the idiot Bush would have invaded anyway.
2
Feinberg is a buddy of Trump's, there is nothing independent about this.
4
An independent review will not be done by an employee, whether formal or not, of the executive branch. There are, however, committees in each branch of the Congress that are charged with intelligence oversight, and they are likely to be as independent as anyone.
2
He is independent of the intelligence community which is what is needed.
Vigilance and persistence are positively essential, but Trump is self-destructing.
4
With the unprecedented amount of leaks occurring in direct opposition to President Trump, I welcome a review of our intelligence services to see if they are involved in them. And if not involved in the leaks, why they haven't prevented them.
1
Wouldn't anyone appointed by Trump to review the intelligence community require security clearance? Which I understand is conferred by the intelligence community?
Does anyone know if Vegas has started taking bets on when Trump implodes?
10
This is classic criminal defense strategy. When the evidence against the defendant is overwhelming, attack the sources/witnesses of the incriminating evidence and attempt to impeach them instead of the defendant, who in this case is the one who should be impeached. Such an obvious and transparent ploy.
8
It didn't seem to bother Trump that Flynn might have violated the Logan Act. He was mostly upset that the general public found out about it. With Trump as president, leaks will be more important than ever since we can't rely on him for openness and truth.
8
Swampier & swampier ... frightening!
7
Inexperience appears to be the prerequisite for any position within his cabinet. You must remember Trump’s Need to give the impression that he’s smarter than anyone else. Chaos is what makes him feel important.
6
What on earth are Mr. Feinberg's qualifications to review the intelligence community in this country? Heaven help us all. I knew this (Trump in the White House) but I didn't think it could actually get worse. Well, news flash (alt news flash?) to me, it IS getting worse, daily. Who are the people that support this man? Americans are just getting dumber and dumber and now we have Betsy Devos to help continue that trend.
9
This nomination is the official beginning of his dictatorship. Someone who along with Sessions and all his other "gang members" will do anything to undermine the rule of law. All of them have massive experience doing that already in their private lives.
6
Wonder where this all will lead? Maybe right back to the V.P. Maybe he's the leaker. He has the most to gain if Trump is brought down. As Harry Truman famously said "if you want a friend in Washington get a dog" Dopey Donald will probably be the last one to figure that one out.
4
Just a bit of advice for Mr. Feinberg. It sounds like you have a good life, more money than anybody could ever need, social prominence , etc. As a former attorney at the Pentagon, I can assure you that picking a fight with with US intelligence agencies will not improve the quality of your life. Stay in New York.
14
No no no no no! A thousand times no! If this actually happens, their investigation results will be meaningless.
15
Someone on WAPO posted these phone numbers. Call and let them know this is not acceptable.
Paul Ryan
(202)225-3031
Mitch McConnell
(202)224-2541
Paul Ryan
(202)225-3031
Mitch McConnell
(202)224-2541
14
Thanks. And here's another one for the arsenal:
Congressional Main Switchboard
(202) 224 3121
Congressional Main Switchboard
(202) 224 3121
7
If, in fact, the allegations of deliberate withholding of information from President Trump by the CIA and NSA are confirmed to be true, the concern of Democrats, Republicans, middle of the roaders and all manner of political persuasions in between should be as one in dealing with what is in effect a coup d'etat by some in the intelligence community. Members of the CIA, NSA, FBI and all other intel agencies serve at the pleasure of the citizens of the United States, under the auspices of our elected representatives.
Senators John McCain and Chuck Schumer should take a few minutes away from pointing out all that President Trump is doing wrong (he’s not even been there 30 days) and join the White House in specifically denouncing and then championing the firing of all personnel who consider themselves better suited to govern than the men and women voted into office to do so.
To play politics as usual is a very dangerous game.
Senators John McCain and Chuck Schumer should take a few minutes away from pointing out all that President Trump is doing wrong (he’s not even been there 30 days) and join the White House in specifically denouncing and then championing the firing of all personnel who consider themselves better suited to govern than the men and women voted into office to do so.
To play politics as usual is a very dangerous game.
4
The FBI, CIA and NSA are behaving exactly as Radar O’Riley on MASH would have predicted. Radar understood that there are millions of rules and there are trillions forms and they must all be deftly bypassed or nothing will ever get done. Issuing orders and barking commands is not how you get things done in big bureaucracies. Trump needs his own Radar O’Riley who knows the system or he will be pecked to death by the ducks.
3
Ironic that Stephen A. Steinberg, a co-founder of Cerberus Capital, would front a company named for the Greek mythological animal with 3 heads and vicious behaviors. Ulysses ultimately subdued and captured the vile creature and took him home for punishment. May we infer that his company sees "capital" as 3-headed? Does that instill confidence in investors' trust? Bizarre. Of course, it appears the White House he would serve should be named Medussa.
8
Even more ironic is Mr. Steinberg's affiliation with Blackwater -- and the fact that Betsy DeVos' brother, Erik Prince, founded the company.
7
The plot thickens.. . . . surreal.
I think we could say, "the plot sickens!"
"Speaking at a news conference, Trump said that Feinberg, a longtime friend of his, had "offered his services," then added: “It’s something we may take advantage of, but I don’t think we’ll need that at all.”
Why hasn't this article been updated to reflect Trump's own words at his news conference?
Why hasn't this article been updated to reflect Trump's own words at his news conference?
6
Obviously, this is but another example of Trump trying to outrun and control any one that challenges him. Just how much corruption has taken place, or is taking place? It's unbelievable that a person like this is in power. What will it take for everyone (Republicans included), to realize that this is a farce and an extremely dangerous one.
Trump needs to be removed and all his cronies should follow - We are imperiled.
Trump needs to be removed and all his cronies should follow - We are imperiled.
13
Won't be long before there is some sort of Russian military provocation towards us (they're already starting) and when this idiot-in-chief doesn't respond, we'll know that he's bought and paid for. And he's too stupid to see it for what it is.
12
Bye, Alaska. Hello, Sitka Province.
4
They should be scared. The Ivy League ideologues' days are numbered. Turn on the lights and let the cockroaches scatter for cover. The footsteps are getting closer. Can you hear them, you nest of vipers?
2
Good luck with that, Mr. Trump! Our good civil servants won't stand for it, and the leaks will flood so fast your head will spin faster than it's already spinning!
11
I own and care for two horses. That should more than qualify me for head of the Department of Agriculture in this administration.
Oh wait. I'm not a billionaire. And I don't send money to Republicans. So I guess maybe I'm not qualified. Sad!
Oh wait. I'm not a billionaire. And I don't send money to Republicans. So I guess maybe I'm not qualified. Sad!
13
Mr Trump was happy when Ms Clinton emails were leaked. Mr Trump even asked his friend Vladimir for more. Now he is complaining about the leaks . Could Mr Trump Tax returns be next?
Can I say :"Live by the Leaks, die by the Leaks."?
Can I say :"Live by the Leaks, die by the Leaks."?
16
Very interesting article for connecting the dots:
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/11/a-billionaires-dreams-of-cr...
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/11/a-billionaires-dreams-of-cr...
2
Thanks for the link.
1
This is really incredible! Either Trump has ZERO clues what those agencies are doing or he is just dumb to understand the sensitivity surrounding these agencies.
Sending a billionaire which might have some experience based on Bond movies to review top secret agencies work?? Really??
How would he pass all the top level security clearance and what his review would look like? "Please show me all the papers you have on Trump"??
STUPID!
Sending a billionaire which might have some experience based on Bond movies to review top secret agencies work?? Really??
How would he pass all the top level security clearance and what his review would look like? "Please show me all the papers you have on Trump"??
STUPID!
11
Is this review necessary?
No one denies that excessive 'leaking' is occurring. It is also important to determine whether there is an underhanded interference of one branch of government upon another, such as had been reported by the Guardian in 2014:
"The CIA unconstitutionally spied on Congress by hacking into Senate intelligence committee computers. This grave misconduct is not only illegal, but it violates the US constitution’s requirement of separation of powers. " See:
@ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/31/cia-admits-spying-senate-s...
Senator Mark Udall wrote, then, that change was needed because the public had been misled.
And, Senator Feinstein was quoted as saying " the agency breached the firewall to obstruct the committee’s investigation of the agency’s torture of post-9/11 terrorism detainees. "
Time for an impartial, objective review by outsiders ?
No one denies that excessive 'leaking' is occurring. It is also important to determine whether there is an underhanded interference of one branch of government upon another, such as had been reported by the Guardian in 2014:
"The CIA unconstitutionally spied on Congress by hacking into Senate intelligence committee computers. This grave misconduct is not only illegal, but it violates the US constitution’s requirement of separation of powers. " See:
@ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/31/cia-admits-spying-senate-s...
Senator Mark Udall wrote, then, that change was needed because the public had been misled.
And, Senator Feinstein was quoted as saying " the agency breached the firewall to obstruct the committee’s investigation of the agency’s torture of post-9/11 terrorism detainees. "
Time for an impartial, objective review by outsiders ?
Absolutely .The only problem is that this individual is not the one to do it.
I suspect that anyone with the intention of getting at the truth , wouldn't be
on the planet very long .
I suspect that anyone with the intention of getting at the truth , wouldn't be
on the planet very long .
1
Before, Stephen A. Feinberg gets within 10 feet of a government building have every conversation he has had since the patriot act was signed reviewed and vetted.
What countries is he close too? By all means, tell the american public too.
What countries is he close too? By all means, tell the american public too.
7
So the silencing has begun. What next? Re-education camps?
13
While I grant that the White House's alt-reality seems to change from hour to hour, this particular report seems to be "fake" news - at least judging by the President's comments at his press conference today. If we are to take the President at his word, Mr Feinberg offered his services but the President did not think they would be required.
The Tao tells us that if you don't trust the people, you make them untrustworthy.
5
if these agencies become politicized we will be living in a police state
6
They are politicized, hence the leaks. The leftovers from the Obama administration that detest Trump and all of his staff are the ones doing the leaking.
1
Gclan - Do you really not know that many of these people have been at their jobs long before President Obama took office? Why rush to show your ignorance?
5
And , let us not forget about all of the false stories that were spread
about Bernie Sanders by the so called liberal media .wish we had
Edward R Murrow doing the peoples work .I've had enough spin
and false information to last more than one lifetime .
about Bernie Sanders by the so called liberal media .wish we had
Edward R Murrow doing the peoples work .I've had enough spin
and false information to last more than one lifetime .
1
How is this even legal?
11
The Donald has something to hide otherwise there is no sound explanation for the White house moving to control our intelligence agencies. Trump is playing with fire by looking more and more like he's in deep with something beginning to smell like treason. Congress had better pay close attention, our President may have another country's interests at heart, not ours.
8
The intelligence agencies, all of them, are part of the executive branch and therefore subordinate to presidential authority. Executive control is not absolute and the agencies are subject to a number of kinds of congressional oversight, but he claim that the president should lack control over them runs against both Article II of the Constitution and common sense.
This is the last straw .... now I'm really going to move to Canada!!
3
Considering all the "Russia Contacts" within the Trump team, should we not check this guy out - make sure he is not an agent for another country?
6
Senate/ House need to initiate Impeachment proceeding. Flynn definitely took order from Fake 45 before contacting Russian Ambassador.
6
the swamp gets murkier
2
This is cronyism at its worst. Oh my friend the billionaire. Sure Trump -- just how objective do you think he will be? Do we have to pay "your friend"?
Why is Mr Trump wasting time and money with Mr Feinberg? He can just asks his friend Vladimir Putin, to find out where the leaks are coming from. I heard the Russians were good at hacking.
10
What is astonishing is not that President Trump distrusts US intelligence agencies, but that the NYT and the public would trust them in light of their repeated failures that have cost the lives of millions. From false reporting on the war in Viet Nam to false justifications for invasions of Libya and Syria and secret support for the revolution/coup in Ukraine. Really, on March 31, 2005 the NYT made the following report - but where is any follow up? There simply is NO REASON TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN AMERICA's FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE: "A scathing report made public this morning concludes that American intelligence agencies were "dead wrong" in almost all of their prewar assessments about the state of unconventional weapons in Iraq ... "in the end, it was the United States that put its credibility on the line, making this one of the most public - and most damaging - intelligence failures in recent American history." The failure was in large part the result of analytical shortcomings ... in the end the agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, collected too little for the "analysts to analyze, and much of what they did collect was either worthless or misleading."
3
Daniel, I was stationed in Vietnam during the war .... it was the military that devised a plan for misinformation not the Intelligence Agencies.
3
Iraq ?
I remain furious at the ludicrous usurping of power being displayed by the White House. Enough. As accountable as arrogant, dangerous, intellectually challenged, supposedly billionaire Trump is, he never, ever had any interest in the role of Presidency. Always his intention was to rule as a lying tyrant, and never does he want his authority questioned. That, to anyone with a brain in their head, has always been apparent. (Unfortunately we've got some pretty intellectually challenged people in this country, who have the privilege to vote, and blindly believe in him and the alternate facts he spoon feeds). But who I really hold accountable, are the Republican rogues in Congress who just roll over and let him steamroll. If he and his corrupted circle want to do it their way, I do believe it is up to the press and the American people to do it ours. No one in power is looking after us. They are actively undermining our democracy. And I hope some unsung heroes display a mass barrage of leaks. Including his tax returns. This man and his brethren sickens me.
4
Feinberg is yet another Blackwater connection. Scary!
6
On the front page at 3:00 pm, "Trump Plans to Have an Ally Review the U.S. Spy Agencies". Please, even if space is tight, they are intelligence agencies. Language matters.
11
Just how long is it going to take for Donald Trump to realize he is not king.
The President works for the American People, not the other way around.
Each of these billionaires is going to choke on that realization at some point in time.
To each would-be government worker: If you don't want your dirty laundry exposed for the boss to see, don't apply for the job. If you don't want to put the welfare of the American People before your own, don't apply for the job.
When you take a government job, at whatever level, you will be working for the American People. From the highest elite in a gilded hotel to the poorest vet living on the cold streets, we, the American People, are the boss from now on.
If you don't want the job, don't apply for the job. If you don't want the job, don't accept the job.
If you are already in the job, either do it or get out.
The President works for the American People, not the other way around.
Each of these billionaires is going to choke on that realization at some point in time.
To each would-be government worker: If you don't want your dirty laundry exposed for the boss to see, don't apply for the job. If you don't want to put the welfare of the American People before your own, don't apply for the job.
When you take a government job, at whatever level, you will be working for the American People. From the highest elite in a gilded hotel to the poorest vet living on the cold streets, we, the American People, are the boss from now on.
If you don't want the job, don't apply for the job. If you don't want the job, don't accept the job.
If you are already in the job, either do it or get out.
4
Feinberg's interest in Blackwater is very interesting. Blackwater sold itself as a private company whose employees were former Special ops from the U.S. government but filled it's ranks with former military and police from all the countries in the world to save labor costs and often did not provide the most basic backup arrangements to secure the safety of their people nor to assure the success of their endeavors, resulting in preventable deaths and atrocities by incompetent operators. Using Feinberg as his source of grasping how the intelligence community is operating and how reliable they happen to be rather than people who have actually worked with those agencies is a bad sign. Trump is sending someone as ignorant as himself to do a job that requires real expertise to accomplish. Feinberg is going to add confusion and misunderstanding to Trump's imagination rather than give him a sound grasp of what the people in this top secret part of government are doing.
7
And don't forget -- The brother of Betsy DeVos, Erik Prince, is the founder of Blackwater.
It all fits together quite nicely now, don't you think???
It all fits together quite nicely now, don't you think???
6
What this guy, Feinberg, knows about intelligence is ZERO. Talk about cronyism. Do we know if he even qualifies for a security clearance?
9
Isn't this a breach of national security?
Then what is the purpose of those The President has put in place in our intelligence agencies?
To place this TOTALLY UNVETTED person within the intelligence structure is insane!!!
Then what is the purpose of those The President has put in place in our intelligence agencies?
To place this TOTALLY UNVETTED person within the intelligence structure is insane!!!
15
What do you mean? The fact that he is totally unvetted and comes from the financial community, makes him uniquely qualified for the position of covering up Trump's lies, and any breaches in the Intelligence agencies.
The question is, does he speak Russian?
The question is, does he speak Russian?
What about investigating THE RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE in US elections & exactly who in the then-Trump spoke with the Russians, when, about what, was any money involved, etc??
7
I forced myself to watch this trump news conference. During many years of practicing law I came across plaintiffs and defendants alike (and some counsel) that left me shaking my head for days: I've never witnessed anything like the performance trump put on today. Troubles, big troubles, for all of us. Does he have any sense of reality, is he capable of having any sense of reality or is he simply a stone-cold liar? His ability to manipulate anything and everything to make himself look the victim and to turn every negative into a positive for him just takes my breath away. Double-speak, triple-speak. Media, please, please do not let yourself get sucked into this morass of lies: keep it straight, be relentless.
15
Trump just denied pretty much all contact with Russians.
Whew! Glad to put that behind us...
Whew! Glad to put that behind us...
6
Save that tape. It will be delicious when heated and reserved after the truth emerges.
1
I am ASTOUNDED that none of the press corps asked Trump about his outrageous behavior at Mar-a-lago while he was hosting Mr Abe. Trump went on and on about the leaks in terms of the protecting of classified info, yet no one asked him about the insane way he flaunted security considerations with Abe, handling North Korea's provocation (which he mentioned in the press conference) in a public setting with all sorts of pocket sat-com trucks (phones) looking on and listening. This is a burning matter for me. I worked for five years at the FBI's Terrorist Screening Dev Center (TSDC) from 2005-2010. In 2009, I witnessed a hacker incursion into the top-secret/SCI network over my logon, as if I had set it up. That is, a sync between the classified volumes attached to 'my' TSDC Mac Pro and an Appleshare volume in the cloud. It took me a year and thousands of dollars to figure out that this incursion was done using a tandem of the Mac's Bluetooth DUN signal and an iPhone or Android nearby. Since I didn't know about the Mac's weaknesses at the time, I had to go over my bosses head to file a breach report. As I was trying to write the report, the hacked Mac was overwhelmed by disruptions, and I received a terrifying call. No one said hello. Merely to scare me, they played back to me an iPhone voice memo I had made in my home. I was pushed off the contract, and as a direct result lost over $150,000 in lost wages alone.
What Trump did at his resort shows he is not only a liar but a fool.
What Trump did at his resort shows he is not only a liar but a fool.
10
No need to be astounded. Just look at how Mr. Spicer runs the Press Conference.
He cherry-picks journalists, the same way he cherry-picks questions -- In this White House, the best way to ask an honest question is by not being called on.
He cherry-picks journalists, the same way he cherry-picks questions -- In this White House, the best way to ask an honest question is by not being called on.
4
Are the Republicans just going to sit n their hands and whistle Dixie while Trump turns our intelligence community into his personal secret police? Are they going to allow White Supremacist Bannon full control of our nation? Is not there a patriot among them?
12
Jefflz--This is exactly what they are going to try to do. They will not go home to face their constituents. They will not answer their phones. They will just go into their dark back rooms and stir the cauldron of vicious, anti-social, backwards "legislation" in an attempt to rake as much money, as possible, into their own pockets, and roll back the clock to the 18th century, or further.
6
Hundreds of thousands of public and private employees with top secret clearance, hundreds of public and private agencies and companies working on the top secret missions of the government, and a handful of people with clearance to investigate the operations of all of them to limit sources of leaks. You are talking about every kind of intelligence operation known to man, requiring every kind of highly skilled and deep knowledge of everything from human behavior to knowledge of the physical sciences and engineering only those with advanced degrees can comprehend. Trump comes up with a short cut artist who has spent his life examining companies so that he can deconstruct and sell them off in whole or in parts to make quick profits. Just one more instance of Trump's failure to work through a problem with any seriousness.
38
Maybe the ultimate goal is to turn Langley into REIT
"Trump comes up with a short cut artist who has spent his life examining companies so that he can deconstruct and sell them off in whole or in parts to make quick profits. Just one more instance of Trump's failure to work through a problem with any seriousness."...because of course he has no intention of working through the problem (of leaked information), but merely to extricate himself from an even bigger one which is that his cover as a "Manchurian candidate" has been blown.
A man whose company is named for a three headed dog whose function was to keep dead souls from leaving Hades seems a perfect choice of hack for hire to keep the "ghosts of events past", from emerging to haunt the trump and foretell his future.
A man whose company is named for a three headed dog whose function was to keep dead souls from leaving Hades seems a perfect choice of hack for hire to keep the "ghosts of events past", from emerging to haunt the trump and foretell his future.
Let's step back and look at what is taking shape. Trump was appointed president by a cabal of 304 electors. The votes, both for (about 63 million) and against (about 74 million) Trump actually had nothing to do with it.
Trump's has chosen his cabinet nominees primarily based on loyalty to him.
Trump's surrogates have brazenly and angrily declared that federal judges do not have the standing to question Trump's authority.
Trump unabashedly fired the acting head of the Justice department, an experienced, career law enforcement professional, for refusing to champion his illegal executive orders.
Trump has gagged himself in reaction to questions from the media, and he has restructured press conferences to stifle questions from the media, in order to avoid questions about his words and actions.
Trump, ignorant, inexperienced, and incurious, has belittled and dismissed objective reports from the intelligence agencies that are derived from the work of legions of highly trained intelligence professionals in fields like espionage, cybersecurity and geopolitics, that Trump does not even comprehend.
Now Trump is putting another loyalist in place to silence the intelligence agencies under the euphemism of "review".
And Republicans are accommodating Trump every step of the way.
We are witnessing the rise of a totalitarian dictator, and the possibilities are scary. Who can stop him, who will stop him, and when, are alarmingly unclear.
Trump's has chosen his cabinet nominees primarily based on loyalty to him.
Trump's surrogates have brazenly and angrily declared that federal judges do not have the standing to question Trump's authority.
Trump unabashedly fired the acting head of the Justice department, an experienced, career law enforcement professional, for refusing to champion his illegal executive orders.
Trump has gagged himself in reaction to questions from the media, and he has restructured press conferences to stifle questions from the media, in order to avoid questions about his words and actions.
Trump, ignorant, inexperienced, and incurious, has belittled and dismissed objective reports from the intelligence agencies that are derived from the work of legions of highly trained intelligence professionals in fields like espionage, cybersecurity and geopolitics, that Trump does not even comprehend.
Now Trump is putting another loyalist in place to silence the intelligence agencies under the euphemism of "review".
And Republicans are accommodating Trump every step of the way.
We are witnessing the rise of a totalitarian dictator, and the possibilities are scary. Who can stop him, who will stop him, and when, are alarmingly unclear.
13
Stopping him is easy entity. Forgo all 3rd parties. No more Jill Naders. Never again. Do not get sidetracked on trivia. Vote Democratic as a party and power block. Never miss an election. Quit trying to change things through the presidency alone. Learn to love local elections and midterms. Nothing but Democratic no mater how ho hum the candidate. By doing so you will kick out the Republicans at every level including, and perhaps especially, dog catcher. Once that rotten party is gone push the Dems to the left if that is where you want to go. Above all understand how much progress Obama made in spite of endless obstruction. Taxes on the 1% went up and that reduces inequality. Forgo fantasies of instant gratification through a savior. One rung at a time up the ladder.
Trump sure is acting like a guilty person in deep with the Russians. Because if he wasn't, you think he would be at pains to be transparent -- release his taxes, answer questions, be an open book.
Instead he's lashing out and covering up. Doesn't look good. This can't end well.
Instead he's lashing out and covering up. Doesn't look good. This can't end well.
12
One extra detail might be relevant to this paragraph:
"In 2008, Mr. Feinberg also considered investing in Blackwater, the security firm founded by Erik Prince, a former member of the Navy SEALs, before it was ultimately acquired by other investors."
Erik Prince also happens to be the brother of Betsy DeVos, the new Education Secretary.
Feinberg, Kelly, Prince, DeVos-- Trump appoints them to lead, then get to work looting of every corner of government. I guess the (R) party-abbreviation now stands for "Raiding Party"...?
"In 2008, Mr. Feinberg also considered investing in Blackwater, the security firm founded by Erik Prince, a former member of the Navy SEALs, before it was ultimately acquired by other investors."
Erik Prince also happens to be the brother of Betsy DeVos, the new Education Secretary.
Feinberg, Kelly, Prince, DeVos-- Trump appoints them to lead, then get to work looting of every corner of government. I guess the (R) party-abbreviation now stands for "Raiding Party"...?
13
Watched the news conference today. I don't know how it works but I sure do hope that the president isn't the sole arbiter who decides whether or not to push the button!!!!!! He's unhinged.
7
You can't make this up, the comments here are bizarre. Left wing and progressive people incensed because the secret services might have to submit to a civilian review.
6
"Civilian review"?....how about a trump crony with no talent, experience, or knowledge requisite to what such a review would encompass.
2
Sorry. Are we reading the same article???
1
What is really going on:
The difference between our president's policy/strategy & that of the last 2 democrats to hold the office is the endpoint: peace, liberty & prosperity in the case of Trump vs legacy, always noxious legacy, for Obama & Clinton.
Legacy was expressed in terms of the Nobel Peace Prize—lust for the elusive Nobel in the case of Clinton, retroactive rationale for the unmerited Nobel in the case of Obama.
Concerned that he will be consigned to the proverbial dustbin, Obama has gone so far as to extend his legacy salvage operation into his post-presidency, setting up a shadow govt 2 miles from the WH.
This salvage operation necessarily takes the form of undermining and thwarting current US policy, which is illegal. This is not mere "distruption." This is sabotage.
Flush with dark money to pay for professional agitators, & with an army of seditious bureaucratic holdovers paid for by the taxpayers, Obama continues in the only role he knows—Alinskyite "community organizer" and traitor.
This is sedition. The Trump DOJ has no choice but to nail him.
The difference between our president's policy/strategy & that of the last 2 democrats to hold the office is the endpoint: peace, liberty & prosperity in the case of Trump vs legacy, always noxious legacy, for Obama & Clinton.
Legacy was expressed in terms of the Nobel Peace Prize—lust for the elusive Nobel in the case of Clinton, retroactive rationale for the unmerited Nobel in the case of Obama.
Concerned that he will be consigned to the proverbial dustbin, Obama has gone so far as to extend his legacy salvage operation into his post-presidency, setting up a shadow govt 2 miles from the WH.
This salvage operation necessarily takes the form of undermining and thwarting current US policy, which is illegal. This is not mere "distruption." This is sabotage.
Flush with dark money to pay for professional agitators, & with an army of seditious bureaucratic holdovers paid for by the taxpayers, Obama continues in the only role he knows—Alinskyite "community organizer" and traitor.
This is sedition. The Trump DOJ has no choice but to nail him.
I suspect many of us are getting burned out. Could it be any crazier to bring some outsider in to review our covert intelligence agencies? This is a non-cabinet position. How can this be? Is it even permitted?
OMG.....Trump's the most superficial president who walked to a podium.
With the Israel president ,I was disheartened and discouraged he was unprepared, had no coherent policy prescription, and just bungled along like a television host. He literally was flying by the seat of his pants.
With today's press conference, he wasn't focused on any pressing problems faced by the nation. It was his ratings, election numbers, standing with fans, comparisons to other presidents election results....His response to increased violence toward American Jews was simply derogatory.
What a day for fact checkers. And blood pressure medicine stocks.
Small wonder important officials are warning that he is not up to the task.
Not only did he back away from a 2 state solution, he made it seem trivial.
And fun.
I am literally screaming at my television these days.
OMG.....Trump's the most superficial president who walked to a podium.
With the Israel president ,I was disheartened and discouraged he was unprepared, had no coherent policy prescription, and just bungled along like a television host. He literally was flying by the seat of his pants.
With today's press conference, he wasn't focused on any pressing problems faced by the nation. It was his ratings, election numbers, standing with fans, comparisons to other presidents election results....His response to increased violence toward American Jews was simply derogatory.
What a day for fact checkers. And blood pressure medicine stocks.
Small wonder important officials are warning that he is not up to the task.
Not only did he back away from a 2 state solution, he made it seem trivial.
And fun.
I am literally screaming at my television these days.
5
In Detroit, we are quite familiar with Feinberg's work (hustling Chrysler and damn near running it into the ground). He also known for rolling 18 gun makers into a single conglomerate (he likes to shoot at Blackwater's training facilities). Like most of these private equity shell gamers he possesses a fine ego and a pathological lust for power ("Eat what you kill" apparently is a mantra at Cerberus). I know Trump equates, literally, "billionaire" with "intelligence" but this man has no business stepping anywhere near the intelligence community. Like DeVos and most of the others, his only true qualification is his bank account. "We the People" are entirely out of the deal. Losers.
13
So Trump wants his own spy in the intelligence community to run and tell tales to the White House. Surprised he hasn't appointed Flynn especially as he now talks about him in glowing terms.
A definite way to demoralize people and encourage back biting.
A definite way to demoralize people and encourage back biting.
7
Poor Donald. He says "I inherited a mess." As usual, he screwed up the verb. He meant to say: "I created a mess."
10
Every time Trump makes a decision, it shows more and more how crooked he is.
7
This shows how inept the man really is;he should know better than to antagonize the intelligence community, they will bite back hard.
4
God, I hope so.
4
Because such an investigation must be absolutely independent to be credible, it cannot be done by a crony appointee of Trump's. We've already seen his appointees break rules and mislead the people; we cannot let that happen again with this important issue.
7
So, let me get this straight, Feinberg will review intelligence agencies, at the same time that he is in a money/contract dispute with the State Department over security services? The corruption in this new administration is quickly becoming worse than the corruption in Texas.
8
It is very clear that the elites running the US Military Industrial complex want both a new nuclear arms race and massive spending on the US Military and are willing to use any means necessary to get both. This includes both Democrats, Republicians, NSA, CIA and the Armed Forces as well.
Given Trump's lies about Russian interference in our election and his campaign's contacts with the Russians, along with the unwillingness of most GOP members of Congress, especially those in leadership positions, to call for an in depth, bipartisan investigation of the possible compromise of this administration by the Russians, it is an act of patriotism for members of the intelligence community to leak the facts. To do otherwise would be to allow possible treason to go punished. The failure of many in the GOP to uphold their oath to SUPPORT and DEFEND the constitution will be very costly to their reputations and ultimately, to their party's continued existence as a legitimate institution.
3
This is all looking like paving a way for the dictatorship???
3
I hope that Trump is impeached and convicted and then goes to a small island where he can assemble his family and staff and run things any way he wants to--away from the nuclear codes and with his precious phone to send all the tweets that he want to. My dream for the day.
4
Trumps keeps insisting on playing with fire.
The prospect of a witch-hunt is terrifying. I am comforted, however, in that our intelligence community is almost certainly a whole lot smarter than this guy.
7
It's time to clean out the PC bums from our 'intelligence' agencies.
1
The daily diatribe, the blaming and deflection from the truth is egregious and disheartening. Have no idea how it will end, if it can end well. The playbook is so transparent. These who live for power and wealth seem unable to resist the call of their ego. Convinced they are above the law, the morality of most of us, they extend their tentacles as they please on a a path they think they own. When you don't like what is happening appoint a friend to take care of it for you. No matter that he is not a paragon of ethical behavior, has conflicts of interest that disqualify him for the assignment. It feels like forever because the performance is not new. A day will come when "the bell that tolls for thee" will ring so loud there will be no place to hide. Then the emperor without any clothes will be revealed in full for the charlatan he is.
2
Who are these people? Is this what business schools are churning out? Were they never required to take a humanities class as undergraduates? Anthropology? Philosophy? Sociology 101? Literature?
Would the NYT be kind enough to educate us as to the workings of hedge funds? Are there rules? Is this stuff regulated?
You want a real chill? Read the Washington Post’s article on Mr. Feinberg, excerpted below:
On Wall Street, Feinberg is considered an enigma. He rarely gives interviews and once said of private equity executives: “We try to hide religiously.”
“If anyone at Cerberus has his picture in the paper and a picture of his apartment, we will do more than fire that person…We will kill him. The jail sentence will be worth it.”
Feinberg is worth about $1.27 billion, according to Forbes. “In general, I think that all of us are way overpaid in this business. It is almost embarrassing.” [WP 02.16.17]
Embarrassing? OK. How about immoral?
Intelligence agencies should be answerable to the United States citizenry. Actions have been taken in our name resulting in destabilization in various countries, arguably in some cases to catastrophic effect. That being said, regulation and oversight of intelligence should be used to improve our humanitarian record, NOT used as a means to construct a secret police answerable to and protective of only the president and his close associates.
Time to wake up. This is the sorriest mess I have heard of in a month of sorry messes.
Would the NYT be kind enough to educate us as to the workings of hedge funds? Are there rules? Is this stuff regulated?
You want a real chill? Read the Washington Post’s article on Mr. Feinberg, excerpted below:
On Wall Street, Feinberg is considered an enigma. He rarely gives interviews and once said of private equity executives: “We try to hide religiously.”
“If anyone at Cerberus has his picture in the paper and a picture of his apartment, we will do more than fire that person…We will kill him. The jail sentence will be worth it.”
Feinberg is worth about $1.27 billion, according to Forbes. “In general, I think that all of us are way overpaid in this business. It is almost embarrassing.” [WP 02.16.17]
Embarrassing? OK. How about immoral?
Intelligence agencies should be answerable to the United States citizenry. Actions have been taken in our name resulting in destabilization in various countries, arguably in some cases to catastrophic effect. That being said, regulation and oversight of intelligence should be used to improve our humanitarian record, NOT used as a means to construct a secret police answerable to and protective of only the president and his close associates.
Time to wake up. This is the sorriest mess I have heard of in a month of sorry messes.
5
Why not have his good bud Vlad do the review for him instead?
5
Is that even legal to appoint a private citizen (and another multi-billionaire who happens to be on the Economics Council) who is a friend of Trump (FOT!)? This guy, our so-called President, is out of his mind. He is going to destroy this country and is totally inept. Putin is laughing all the way to the proverbial bank. His influence (hacking?) into our elections is paying off big times. The congress, Republicans and Democrats, need to see through the fog and distractions (or is it simply uncontrolled chaos?) created by the Trump administration and come up with ways to avoid total calamity. How are we going to stop this runaway train?
2
trump values $$$$'s as a measure of competence. Perhaps that is why we have had modest military success since WWll. Our generals are not paid enough to become billionaires
Think of the CIA as a citadel. Trump is on the outside looking in, but they won't let him see anything. Trump's solution is to get someone else from the outside to see if they can get a better view. Not going to happen. This is doomed to failure.
5
At least George W. Bush read books and was somewhat personable in his delivery...never thought I'd hear myself say that!
5
G.W. read books? As in books without pictures? Are you sure about that?
1
In his deranged press conference, Trump named trusted persons who will lead the agencies -- including Pompeo and Coats (his nominees) ... and COMEY. He said, "We have Pompeo, Coats, and Comey ..." implying that these are his people. So this is yet another indication that Comey was protecting Trump by refusing to reveal investigations into Trump's Russia ties while interfering in the election with his Clinton letter.
8
Perhaps someone in the administration - say Bannon - actually leaked the information. A perfect way to justify a review of the intelligence agencies and then on some pretext compromise their independence.
6
Well this is interesting.....
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-says-didnt-tell-flynn-to-di...
So Trump is admitting that he would have told Flynn to break the law. Why isn't this breaking news?
If Trump really thinks Flynn did the right thing, why did he fire him?
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-says-didnt-tell-flynn-to-di...
So Trump is admitting that he would have told Flynn to break the law. Why isn't this breaking news?
If Trump really thinks Flynn did the right thing, why did he fire him?
2
Please keep in mind that Trump’s MO is to deflect and Never to admit or confess to anything. The objective of this administration is to create illusions of the truth. while simultaneously creating this inner circle so he/she will carry out the prescribed strategy of Fleecing the US and fueling funds to his endeared Idol (Putin). The likely-hood that the leaks are coming from his own white house staff is not far-fetch, it is deliberate that his team selected to make the intelligence agencies the target. The objective is to silence any work or activity that will lead back to Trump and his team (their individual and collective business deals with Russia. As for their rationale to select anyone with no experience in government is simple (control of any and all backdoor deals made).
It is also interesting that all of the previous Presidents have entertained foreign leaders at Camp David in a secure location. Why, every weekend Mar-a-largo? From Watergate to Russia-gate I’m sure his Idol is eating this up!
It is also interesting that all of the previous Presidents have entertained foreign leaders at Camp David in a secure location. Why, every weekend Mar-a-largo? From Watergate to Russia-gate I’m sure his Idol is eating this up!
5
Someone needs to clean house. It is OBVIOUS that for political reasons intelligence is being leaked, illegally I might add. This should alarm every American. Funny that the left doesn't seem to care.
We heard that intel was cooked under Obama...and I refused to believe it. Now I think it is probably true. This level of partisanship has NEVER been seen before from the intel community.
We heard that intel was cooked under Obama...and I refused to believe it. Now I think it is probably true. This level of partisanship has NEVER been seen before from the intel community.
1
Exactly how would you know? Everything being classified.
1
Not so fast Tom. Nothing classified is being leaked. They are telling us that there were either verifiably illegal (Flynn) or suspicious contacts with a foreign government by private citizens. The left is not up in arms because the leaks are merited given the complete incompetence of the people you voted for. OB ran a tight ship and there is no both sides on this.
2
After Mr. Feinberg is done reviewing American intelligence agencies, President Trump should ask President Putin to review them as well. It is time to Trump removes the pretense that he works for the American people.
7
President Trump seems to like the idea of a shadow cabinet, staffed by people like Mr. Feinberg. Historically, shadow cabinets are one of the tools needed to craft an autocracy, and that's probably the only history Trump knows.
5
Perhaps but my guess is that he thinks it has to do with cars
3
From Mr. Feinberg's resume, it appears that he has major contracts with the Federal Government and inherent conflicts of interest should he take some sort of political position within the administration. Will he be forced to divest himself of those interests?
12
How long is it going to take before somebody reads the Emoluents Clause to the U.S. Constitution???
2
A thorough review is needed. Feinberg is the man to do it. He needs to determine why the intelligence community opposes Trump. Trump is now their boss. Did they not receive the memo stating that Trump won the election? Well he won. They must do as he says. Simple as that. Thank you.
2
They know more than you or I and they distrust him. What does that say to you?
2
Well, technically they're supposed to do what the Constitution and federal/international law says. "I'm the boss, do what I tell you to do," only goes so far in a constitutional-republic, even for spies.
Question is, considering the intelligence-agencies' history of breaking laws, and Pres. Trump's campaign-promises to break laws; the question for ordinary folks is, "which side scares you more...?"
Question is, considering the intelligence-agencies' history of breaking laws, and Pres. Trump's campaign-promises to break laws; the question for ordinary folks is, "which side scares you more...?"
2
And Nixon was "their boss" -- until he wasn't. What needs to be determined is why there were multiple Trump-related contacts with a foreign power engaged in trying to influence our election in favor of Trump, and why those contacts were kept secret by the Trump entourage. And, no, intelligence is not composed of what "the boss" decides it is, except, of course, under authoritarian rule.
2
It's like he's 12. It's like he doesn't even know that intel, national security and stuff is an actual thing. That it's an array of actual, professional skill sets, where the people who have these jobs have to actually know about those things. For him to think that his rich arriviste friend can just waltz in and fix his problems is the surest proof of what we've known all along. Meaning that he's not just crazy and corrupt; he's flat-out stupid.
17
Good point about his maturity. I wonder if this is a case of arrested development from the point when his dad sent him off to the military school. That lonely picture of his stern dad on the credenza was sort of pitiful; it seemed to be the first personal thing he brought to the Oval.
That press conference was so Nixonian. It reminded me of that last day when Nixon rambled on about his sainted mother. I think we have many more of these in our future.
That press conference was so Nixonian. It reminded me of that last day when Nixon rambled on about his sainted mother. I think we have many more of these in our future.
1
It's really pathetic how Trump sees people with money as having superior intelligence to tackle any problem. Some people see this tendency of his and say that it's because he has tons of money himself. I beg to differ. I really do not think that Trump has tons of money. Super rich people do not really care about what other rich have got to say about them, or about anything for that matter. They just don't care. And the more money they have, the less they care. But when you look at Trump, not only he cares too much, he seems to worship them! No wonder he won't show us his tax papers.
9
So let me get this straight...it's not that one of his key subordinates did something that might be illegal and destroyed his trust, it's that he GOT caught.
It might not rise to the level of Watergate (yet), but all the earmarks are there...arrogance, paranoia, deflection, and crime. Not to mention a level of Narcism even Nixon (et al) couldn't present.
This fish stinks (and rots) from the top.
It might not rise to the level of Watergate (yet), but all the earmarks are there...arrogance, paranoia, deflection, and crime. Not to mention a level of Narcism even Nixon (et al) couldn't present.
This fish stinks (and rots) from the top.
14
This is more insane conjecture and yet another in a parade of imbecilic ideas.
Given that we, for the moment, have a president who is free from nearly all knowledge and as ignorant a president as we've ever had in our history, our impotent republican-led congress needs to take some control of the situation. Obviously with the mindset of a dictator, Trump cannot investigate himself. Or the intelligence agencies. Or the judiciary. Or anything else for that matter. Another unfit, unqualified billionaire with close ties to the fascist, white supremacist advisor Bannon, doesn't suddenly rewrite logic, protocol or the rule of law.
Congress must initiate the appropriate investigations. Third parties will likely be needed as well. Trump's ties to Russia. Pence's knowledge and involvement. Tillerson's involvement with Russia. Trump's taxes and full financial disclosure--which will tell a great deal that we basically already know.
Given that we, for the moment, have a president who is free from nearly all knowledge and as ignorant a president as we've ever had in our history, our impotent republican-led congress needs to take some control of the situation. Obviously with the mindset of a dictator, Trump cannot investigate himself. Or the intelligence agencies. Or the judiciary. Or anything else for that matter. Another unfit, unqualified billionaire with close ties to the fascist, white supremacist advisor Bannon, doesn't suddenly rewrite logic, protocol or the rule of law.
Congress must initiate the appropriate investigations. Third parties will likely be needed as well. Trump's ties to Russia. Pence's knowledge and involvement. Tillerson's involvement with Russia. Trump's taxes and full financial disclosure--which will tell a great deal that we basically already know.
9
Donald Trump needs to be impeached.
18
Trump is doing his best to destroy government services and is now focused on our intelligence agencies. We need stronger agencies now that Russia feels it is alright to have a ship 30 miles from our eastern shore. All of the major powers will be testing us. These agencies don't trust Trump and he is proving they are correct.
14
The Times missed a salient point in the article. Toward the bottom, the authors have written: "In 2008, Mr. Feinberg also considered investing in Blackwater, the security firm founded by Erik Prince, a former member of the Navy SEALs, before it was ultimately acquired by other investors."
Erik Prince, besides being the founder of Blackwater, is also the brother of Betsy Prince DeVos, now secretary of education.
Hmmm.
Erik Prince, besides being the founder of Blackwater, is also the brother of Betsy Prince DeVos, now secretary of education.
Hmmm.
15
The agencies hold the cards. I'm sure they have whatever the Russians have on Trump and then some. All they have to do is show it to Trumps attempt at a henchman. I'm sure we won't hear Koch about this after that.
1
And when the reviewer is not granted the confidential access, because he doesn't pass muster, Trump will play it as he always does - he's just trying to make the country great and everyone else is the opposition against him and the 'mercan people. Poor Donald.
This will backfire on Trump. It will only multiply the leaks.
8
Any idea why the leaks company cannot publish more news about the repeated contacts between Donald Trumps election teams with Russian intelligence before the election.
I guess they ran out of their "awesome" sources that were feeding Hillary's email debacle stories.
I guess they ran out of their "awesome" sources that were feeding Hillary's email debacle stories.
1
This is quite clearly another ham-fisted attempt to squelch the independence of our intelligence agencies and to create another echo chamber for his worldview (whatever the heck it is). As if the most nepotistic, incestuous and unqualified presidency in modern times was not already a bridge too far. Nothing could be more corrosive or dangerous to the safety and integrity of our nation than this latest planned intrusion into the sanctity of our institutions en route to what appears to be designed to become "one man rule."
6
Bannon and Flynn were locking heads in National Security to see who would call the shots. What Flynn did was wrong (and typical of his history) but I would look closer at Bannon's communications. I suspect that he leaked this to the press so Flynn would be taken out and he would have free reign at National Security.
God help us all.
God help us all.
9
So, here's a question. How do we stop a clearly unmoored "president," who may have colluded
and may still be colluding with the Russians, from choosing yet another cronie w/o experience in government to "evaluate" (read "stifle") our intelligence community, which appears to be the only gatekeepers between our democracy and the abject tyranny promised by Trump et al?
and may still be colluding with the Russians, from choosing yet another cronie w/o experience in government to "evaluate" (read "stifle") our intelligence community, which appears to be the only gatekeepers between our democracy and the abject tyranny promised by Trump et al?
9
Systematic efforts to demean free press and scheme to control the efforts of intelligence community are critical first steps that will move Trump administration to establish autocratic rule.
This reminds me of introduction of Emergency Rule in India from 1975 to 1977 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It allowed her to rule by decree. Opposition party leaders and journalists were imprisoned and elections were barred. She was under heavy influence of Russia (then USSR). Sounds familiar???
Anyone who saw his joint press conference with Netanyahu would agree that Trump is too imbecilic to orchestrate this. His immediate support team of Bannon, Kushner and Pence are behind this.
The real question is this. At what point the totality of all corruption, collusion and missteps by Trump and his cronies will cross the tolerance threshold of republican congressmen/women so that they will start opposing Trump actions?
This reminds me of introduction of Emergency Rule in India from 1975 to 1977 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It allowed her to rule by decree. Opposition party leaders and journalists were imprisoned and elections were barred. She was under heavy influence of Russia (then USSR). Sounds familiar???
Anyone who saw his joint press conference with Netanyahu would agree that Trump is too imbecilic to orchestrate this. His immediate support team of Bannon, Kushner and Pence are behind this.
The real question is this. At what point the totality of all corruption, collusion and missteps by Trump and his cronies will cross the tolerance threshold of republican congressmen/women so that they will start opposing Trump actions?
3
Hey Russia!
Leak the Trump tapes and files!
Leak the Trump tapes and files!
3
Italians have already been through this inexperienced billionaire in power thing with Berlusconi and that didn't end well. You can't say that they didn't warn us, repeatedly.
3
Vlad's too busy?
4
"...contradicts the President's worldview"...?
REALLY? Don't you mean his lies and falsehoods?
REALLY? Don't you mean his lies and falsehoods?
3
And one more thing (because it's really all related):
If you didn't catch this on the NewsHour last night, read or watch it now -
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/scientists-scrambling-safeguard-vital-env...
This is what it's come to? Everybody gotta go? Persons of 'little value' are of course the first write-off. Also the press (discredit and control them or they're gone). The intelligentsia - the academics, the scientists, writers (discredit, control or gone). Artists - visual, writers (again), poets, musicians, actors (discredit, control or gone).
That should certainly thin out the population. An underclass, under the economic thumb of New Sheriff, will be maintained to perform menial employment tasks and procreate a next generation of laborers and soldiers.
For Mr. Bannon being touted as such a history buff, surely he should see that a brain drain and all that that entails will not MAGA.
Cerberus is right. Lately I definitely feel like I'm locked in Hell and can't get past the Republican guard dog at the door.
If you didn't catch this on the NewsHour last night, read or watch it now -
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/scientists-scrambling-safeguard-vital-env...
This is what it's come to? Everybody gotta go? Persons of 'little value' are of course the first write-off. Also the press (discredit and control them or they're gone). The intelligentsia - the academics, the scientists, writers (discredit, control or gone). Artists - visual, writers (again), poets, musicians, actors (discredit, control or gone).
That should certainly thin out the population. An underclass, under the economic thumb of New Sheriff, will be maintained to perform menial employment tasks and procreate a next generation of laborers and soldiers.
For Mr. Bannon being touted as such a history buff, surely he should see that a brain drain and all that that entails will not MAGA.
Cerberus is right. Lately I definitely feel like I'm locked in Hell and can't get past the Republican guard dog at the door.
3
Prior to inauguration, Trump's absence from intelligence briefings at
Obama's invitation. was the beginning of I'm-smart-and-I-have-nothing-
to-learn-because-I-stage-the-show. There was no leak then- the President-
elect was a "no-show." He didn't show up for his country.
Obama's invitation. was the beginning of I'm-smart-and-I-have-nothing-
to-learn-because-I-stage-the-show. There was no leak then- the President-
elect was a "no-show." He didn't show up for his country.
5
You can't write a corruption scandal & plot like this for Hollywood!
Where are the morals and ethics in the GOP if they don't put a stop to Trump's madness?
Is there no shame for Jason Chaffetz too? Nunes?
Where are the morals and ethics in the GOP if they don't put a stop to Trump's madness?
Is there no shame for Jason Chaffetz too? Nunes?
4
So we are now going to witness the intelligence community being reviewed by and unqualified political appointee. What could go possibly go wrong?...he is a billionaire.
6
I just read where to penalty for leaking "classified information" is up to 10 years in prison. I'd like to know why the information regarding Trump and his cronies with regards to the Russians is "classified". Why isn't it the right of every American citizen to know what these people are doing and to whom they have been talking? After all, aren't these people supposed to be serving us - the tax payer?
9
And this guy's credentials for doing such a review are ??? He's a Trump ally and hardly independent.
4
Don the Con needs to be removed from office as soon as possible.
He is a menace to himself, our country, and the world.
He is a menace to himself, our country, and the world.
9
Republican ideological illness, a minimally treatable condition, has transmogrified into mad-Trump disease. Those voters who have contracted the latter become brain-dead threats to the survival of the Republic.
3
He must be the right man for the job.
Like most other appointees & nominees a king of the swamp.
Like most other appointees & nominees a king of the swamp.
1
The CIA is the most trusted intelligence agency in our country.
Their proven ability to ferret out enemies of the US is unique.
Our despotically inclined Potus works in a different realm,where
billionaire sycophants of his make better choices for vital agencies.
When will congress demand accountability for his bizarre choices?
Perhaps Putin is pulling Trump's strings.
Hang tough CIA we are with you.
Their proven ability to ferret out enemies of the US is unique.
Our despotically inclined Potus works in a different realm,where
billionaire sycophants of his make better choices for vital agencies.
When will congress demand accountability for his bizarre choices?
Perhaps Putin is pulling Trump's strings.
Hang tough CIA we are with you.
6
Steve Feinberg is the guy who bought Chrysler and drove it into bankruptcy and near extinction. In 2006, he also touted mortgage-backed securities, the financial instruments that were the accelerant of the great recession.
Feinberg did not know anything about manufacturing and making cars, and he does not know anything about intelligence and spies. Feinberg did enjoy huge profits from mortgage backed obligations derived from subprime mortgages.
Mr. Trump, you want to know a big part of the reason manufacturing jobs have left the country? It's Wall Street types like Steve Feinberg who deal in numbers and widgets.
https://nyti.ms/2lbRqOM
Feinberg did not know anything about manufacturing and making cars, and he does not know anything about intelligence and spies. Feinberg did enjoy huge profits from mortgage backed obligations derived from subprime mortgages.
Mr. Trump, you want to know a big part of the reason manufacturing jobs have left the country? It's Wall Street types like Steve Feinberg who deal in numbers and widgets.
https://nyti.ms/2lbRqOM
8
Is there NO end to the incompetence of this man, Trump? Is there NO end to his attempts to "manage" the most delicate aspects of our national security with sycophants?
4
Welcome to North Korea. Kim Jong-Bannon wants you to know they have absolutely no ties to that strong leader Putin. His crony will prove it. You'll be amazed. The new intelligence community will be made up of winners only.
The Reublicans in congress will let the intelligence community be gutted and compromised, they will not appoint independent investigators to find out if the Trump campaign or Trump himself has ties to Russia.
It would be naive and foolish to believe the Russians did not also hack the Republicans. Want to guess what Ryan and McConnell had to say about Trump? Or how they discuss the American dupes--I mean, people--from whom they wish to strip health care, social security and Medicare? Want to guess what blackmail fodder lurks in their emails?
Poor guys, repealing the New Deal isn't easy. People have a funny way of expecting the government to honor its promises and contracts with people. Trump provides great cover for Ryan and McConnell. In the haze of corruption and the smoke of ineptitude, many unpopular pieces of legislation can be hidden.
Look for McConnell and Ryan to protect themselves and their human shield at any cost.
The Reublicans in congress will let the intelligence community be gutted and compromised, they will not appoint independent investigators to find out if the Trump campaign or Trump himself has ties to Russia.
It would be naive and foolish to believe the Russians did not also hack the Republicans. Want to guess what Ryan and McConnell had to say about Trump? Or how they discuss the American dupes--I mean, people--from whom they wish to strip health care, social security and Medicare? Want to guess what blackmail fodder lurks in their emails?
Poor guys, repealing the New Deal isn't easy. People have a funny way of expecting the government to honor its promises and contracts with people. Trump provides great cover for Ryan and McConnell. In the haze of corruption and the smoke of ineptitude, many unpopular pieces of legislation can be hidden.
Look for McConnell and Ryan to protect themselves and their human shield at any cost.
4
Trump inadvertently confirmed the leaks are true by complaining about them. He cannot have it both ways. He cannot claim that Flynn is being treated unfairly by 'fake news' when he asked Flynn to resign. And he cannot claim that Flynn was fired for lying when he knew for weeks. It just makes it look like it wasn't a problem as long as the public was kept in the dark.
This point has been lost in the fray, but leaking is a lot worse than the hacking he once requested against his political opponent. People in government and his own administration are leaking because they want to hold him and his administration accountable for their misdeeds and also to undermine each other. It's a symptom of people who are fighting for dominance and uneasy with the administration's decisions. Now he's hiring his own toady to make things worse.
This point has been lost in the fray, but leaking is a lot worse than the hacking he once requested against his political opponent. People in government and his own administration are leaking because they want to hold him and his administration accountable for their misdeeds and also to undermine each other. It's a symptom of people who are fighting for dominance and uneasy with the administration's decisions. Now he's hiring his own toady to make things worse.
58
The ship of state has been shanghaied by the ship of fools.
3
What else is new? Nepotism rules the Trump administration. That's why it's difficult to find any critical clear thinking amongst any of them, and why launching an investigation into any possible malfeasance will be next to impossible.
2
Republicans in Congress should wake up. They are not immune to loss of power and authoritarianism. Reminds me of the old frog in the pot allegory . Gradually raise the water temperature so slowly that the frog doesn't know he is being cooked.
3
"On Wednesday, Mr. Trump blamed leaks from the intelligence community for the departure of Michael T. Flynn, his national security adviser, whose resignation he requested."
Are people that blind to the obvious? Trump is blaming the intelligence community for doing their job and forcing him to fire Flynn. As opposed to thanking them for bringing Flynn's national security risk to his attention so he could get rid of him.
Then again, the name 'intelligence agency' is probably intimidating to him since he has little to show for the former.
Are people that blind to the obvious? Trump is blaming the intelligence community for doing their job and forcing him to fire Flynn. As opposed to thanking them for bringing Flynn's national security risk to his attention so he could get rid of him.
Then again, the name 'intelligence agency' is probably intimidating to him since he has little to show for the former.
7
Billionaire, Wallstreet, friend of Eric / Blackwater and manufacturer of weapons used at Sandy Hook. Regardless of the president's mental state, he is assmbling an administration that embodies the most evil and corrupt. To discount the president as an incompetent is to ignore what is truly happening here.
6
Since the election it does seem like there has been a great deal of classified information leaked to the media. Perhaps there are still some government employees who are not happy with the current leadership but leaking is still better than burning, breaking and rioting!
1
I wonder what Trumps billionaire friend will have to say about Trump in his "review"?
We are all holding our breath!
We are all holding our breath!
2
When the news media reports, they are feeding the American public "fake news".
it stands to reason that when unsavory facts see the light of day through leaks, and there is an investigation about Russia's contact with Trump allies and their possible influence on the election and future policy, then you investigate the investigators, call them liars, and silence them.
"I am the truth, the truth is me"
it stands to reason that when unsavory facts see the light of day through leaks, and there is an investigation about Russia's contact with Trump allies and their possible influence on the election and future policy, then you investigate the investigators, call them liars, and silence them.
"I am the truth, the truth is me"
3
Apparently, our allies have been doing intelligence of Trump & Co. I hope that their information can help speed us to greater safety. We must employ all the tools at our disposal to discover criminality on the part of Trump and his thugs. He/Bannon and Putin are moving quickly to protect themselves and destroy our democracy. This feels like a fast moving catastrophe. It addition to stopping Trump, we have to finds ways to communicate the truth to his loyal supporters. They are our fellows, yet represent a wall eliminating the facts for 'fake news'. The war of words between them and a majority of Americans could become even hotter and more entrenched. There is much danger within.
3
Regardless of this individual's qualifications a review of the intelligence agencies is imperative. President Obama's last minute EO allowing NSA to bypass safeguards and distribute gathered information about American citizens to 16 different agencies should concern us all. This order not only invades our privacy unduly, it endanger the security of the information and makes it near impossible to trace leaks.
Obviously, the recent unlawful leaks regarding General Flynn took advantage of the Obama order for political purposes. I find it shocking that Americans of the left apparently think this dangerous abuse by the intelligence community is acceptable simply because it thwarts or embarrasses President Trump.
Obviously, the recent unlawful leaks regarding General Flynn took advantage of the Obama order for political purposes. I find it shocking that Americans of the left apparently think this dangerous abuse by the intelligence community is acceptable simply because it thwarts or embarrasses President Trump.
Is it possible that we cannot do anything about this billionaire crony sent to quiet or dismantle the intelligence community? Trump knows very well how much leaks can do, since he cheered the Russian damage machine against Clinton. He will no doubt stop at nothing to plug leaks, this time, about him and his team. The GOP will just stand there. Voters have no say for four more years. Who checks this move? Terrifying.
3
the best way to stop the leaks is to come right out and explain why all the contacts were made and what was discussed, with verification.
4
The best thing for him to do is stop lying. Then again would his supporters still support him if they knew what was really happening behind the scenes?
I am sitting here up in Canada completely gobsmacked. What on Earth is going on down there?
There is much I don't understand. If President Obama was kicking Russians out of the country before President Elect Trump's inauguration, presumably all those in government knew there was a confirmed problem with national security via internet hacking. The fact that a number of aides in the Trump campaign had close electronic communications with employees of Russian intelligence should have set off alarm bells for everyone. Apparently alarm bells did go off for President Obama and he reacted - at that time everyone in the country was alerted that there was a problem. So why would the new president appoint Flynn in the first place? The four people named as having constant contact with Russia should have been quietly set aside until there could be an investigation to either clear them or prosecute them.
Perhaps President Trump views the U.S. as he views young attractive women- in that he can do whatever he wants and no one will say anything?
There is much I don't understand. If President Obama was kicking Russians out of the country before President Elect Trump's inauguration, presumably all those in government knew there was a confirmed problem with national security via internet hacking. The fact that a number of aides in the Trump campaign had close electronic communications with employees of Russian intelligence should have set off alarm bells for everyone. Apparently alarm bells did go off for President Obama and he reacted - at that time everyone in the country was alerted that there was a problem. So why would the new president appoint Flynn in the first place? The four people named as having constant contact with Russia should have been quietly set aside until there could be an investigation to either clear them or prosecute them.
Perhaps President Trump views the U.S. as he views young attractive women- in that he can do whatever he wants and no one will say anything?
5
I'm watching this press conference. I think he must have just watched The Godfather. He's doing Brando.
5
Barack Obama's prized operatives in important positions in the national security organizations have now stooped to committing felonies to damage the national security of the United States. Releasing secured communications to unauthorized personnel is a violation of the Espionage Act.
Mr. Obama may or may not be in constant touch with these shadow government sources leading the new civil war but it is clear that a few will be going to jail as soon as they are caught. There are not that many people authorized to see or hear such private communications involving people like the NSC and they will be found easily enough.
A note to readers of anti0American outlets like this one: When an enemy of the permanent state, like Rush Limbaugh, is quoted here, you must assume that the quote has been severely edited to make him and the political Right look as badly as possible.
Remember, this is the paper that refused to print a normal picture of Trump during the fall election season, but always fuzzed him up or blew him out of proportion to frighted the malleable ignorant happening upon the website.
Mr. Obama may or may not be in constant touch with these shadow government sources leading the new civil war but it is clear that a few will be going to jail as soon as they are caught. There are not that many people authorized to see or hear such private communications involving people like the NSC and they will be found easily enough.
A note to readers of anti0American outlets like this one: When an enemy of the permanent state, like Rush Limbaugh, is quoted here, you must assume that the quote has been severely edited to make him and the political Right look as badly as possible.
Remember, this is the paper that refused to print a normal picture of Trump during the fall election season, but always fuzzed him up or blew him out of proportion to frighted the malleable ignorant happening upon the website.
2
"...fuzzed him up or blew him out of proportion to frighted the malleable ignorant happening upon the website."
Uh...what's that you say? Sorry, but that makes NO sense.
And what's that about Rush Limbaugh? He's an enemy of the "permanent state"? No: Rush Limbaugh IS the permanent state--the permanent state of loud, hateful, rightwing rhetoric. His followers are the know-nothings that think the Clintons are the leaders of a murderous sex cult and that President Obama was a communist Muslim who was plotting to take away their precious guns. They're the ones who actually believed that Trump would "make America great again"--whatever that means. The only thing that Rush Limbaugh is an enemy of is human decency.
Uh...what's that you say? Sorry, but that makes NO sense.
And what's that about Rush Limbaugh? He's an enemy of the "permanent state"? No: Rush Limbaugh IS the permanent state--the permanent state of loud, hateful, rightwing rhetoric. His followers are the know-nothings that think the Clintons are the leaders of a murderous sex cult and that President Obama was a communist Muslim who was plotting to take away their precious guns. They're the ones who actually believed that Trump would "make America great again"--whatever that means. The only thing that Rush Limbaugh is an enemy of is human decency.
1
"A normal picture of Trump"??? --- Is there such a thing?
3
@L’Osservatore: Leaks are coming from within the Trump administration, especially the White House, and from Republicans worried about Trump's lack of sanity. Blaming Obama-affiliated "shadow government sources" is sheer paranoia.
Oh, and there's a simple explanation for the unattractive photos of Trump: he's an ugly, weird-looking cuss.
Oh, and there's a simple explanation for the unattractive photos of Trump: he's an ugly, weird-looking cuss.
1
1:09 pm EST Thursday Feb. 16. I'm listening right now to our so-called president's speech in South Carolina. The man is clearly delusional. Big problems. Be vigilant.
5
With all the frightening things happening minute by minute, this is the most terrifying of all. We are completely without the benefit of the usual checks and balances. Now, a Bannon buddy is being asked to assess the intelligence community for leaks. Without the leaks, we never would have found out the extent of the possible treasonous acts that have been committed.
If the intelligence agencies are shut down, there simply is no hope for our survival. We will be consumed by a dictatorship.
If the intelligence agencies are shut down, there simply is no hope for our survival. We will be consumed by a dictatorship.
6
No hope for our survival?
That is the kind of sniveling self-defeat that liberals are famous for. It's exactly what the neofascists expect from a bunch of snowflakes.
Read the Declaration of Independence. Read the Second Amendment. Apply.
WE THE PEOPLE are the last line of defense against tyranny. Not any government figure. Our forefathers have gone to war to protect our freedom and liberals are willing to roll over and accept tyranny if no one saves them from it?
That is the kind of sniveling self-defeat that liberals are famous for. It's exactly what the neofascists expect from a bunch of snowflakes.
Read the Declaration of Independence. Read the Second Amendment. Apply.
WE THE PEOPLE are the last line of defense against tyranny. Not any government figure. Our forefathers have gone to war to protect our freedom and liberals are willing to roll over and accept tyranny if no one saves them from it?
1
Not surprising, because this what authoritative figures do once in power. Consolidate your power base, purge anyone who will oppose you, and appoint loyalists to a fault that will carry out your vision. From a big picture perspective this is the perfect blueprint Putin wanted from his patsy mean comrade in Trump. Tie up the U.S. intelligence community with a years long 'review', purge highly capable intelligence professionals, and make sure no focus on the actual damage Russia is doing. Instead have folks focus on the sideshow of the leaks. Putin would have dismantled our capability to check his power without firing a shot. Trump sold his soul to the Russian devil so he can have the ultimate prize in our country, the presidency.
4
White House Intelligence Review? I have reviewed it. There is no intelligence in the White House.
9
This 'so called' president is on Television speaking like a dictator right now. And he's lying and speaking falsehoods left and right. This is full blown demagoguery.
11
Collusion with Bannon. The billionaires should rebel.
2
Trump's plan makes sense because the CIA has absolutely politicized this mess. The NYTs has turned what was a Obama Administration clown college mistake in Ukraine into something wholly sinister. I think Trump is a dangerous unqualified clown and Putin is an international rival. The NYTs wants to treat Putin like he is an enemy. The Russian's activities following the USs interference in Ukraine has been amazingly wrongly characterized. The US seems to think with Russia that heads I win tails you lose. It is dangerous a zero sum relationship. If Putin wanted to Trump to win the election that's his business. The NYTs and others want to turn alleged circumstantial connections with Russian into a major international incident which they cannot prove. The NYTs repeatedly stated they had information from US intelligence agencies that proves the Russian worked with Trump to swing the election. But they don't.
Trump has been targeted, as he has questioned the same military-industrial complex Eisenhower warned about, that facilitated JFK's assassination, that toppled multiple foreign popular, democratic heads of state, that paved the way for the Iraq war with 'WMD'. Even former Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich realizes this (http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/02/ex-rep_dennis_kucinich_.... It is beyond sad that commentators here are so blinded by their hatred of the President that they actually think the CIA, NSA et al - whose history is drenched in blood - are the 'good guys' Wake up, folks, as Dennis said.
2
Don't you mean the "congressional-military -industrial complex"
1
How convenient for you to ignore the highly successful and absurdly expensive lobbying/corruption that has overrun and enlisted the republicans in Congress. Who do you think enables that "complex"? They don't do it by themselves. There is no "them/us" when it comes to the deluded president and our intelligence agencies.
He has gotten himself into a serious and highly questionable legal place by engaging with the russians, and is attempting to kill the messenger. That's TODAY, not in the 60s.
He has gotten himself into a serious and highly questionable legal place by engaging with the russians, and is attempting to kill the messenger. That's TODAY, not in the 60s.
2
The sad reality is that no matter what happens, Putin has already won. If Trump/Bannon remain in power, with their myriad plain and hidden connections to Russia, Putin has direct influence on the White House.
If Trump is forced out, the 60 million who voted for him will cry "coup" from the intel community, further weakening trust in our own government.
Meantime, the FSB's own propaganda during the election, and Trump's fake "fake news" declamations have further eroded trust in "mainstream" (actual) media as a shared source of truth.
We are in a very bad place.
If Trump is forced out, the 60 million who voted for him will cry "coup" from the intel community, further weakening trust in our own government.
Meantime, the FSB's own propaganda during the election, and Trump's fake "fake news" declamations have further eroded trust in "mainstream" (actual) media as a shared source of truth.
We are in a very bad place.
4
"White House Plans To Have Trump Ally Review Intelligence Agencies." In other words, Trump wants to politicize the intelligence agencies to suit his warped brand of politics even if it undermines national security.
5
How can he 'drain' the 'swamp' without leaks ?
1
Uh yeah. Because the best way to cultivate a supportive, congenial and collaborative relationship is to hire a babysitter from a different planet with a really big stick and an some ideas about how to force them to eat vegetables.
3
Ax Axelrod for head of secret police? Will he give us a special deal on guns?
"...much of the information and analysis produced by American intelligence agencies contradicts the policy positions of the new administration."
When information (facts) contradicts policy, we know which way Trump will go.
Lordy, when will Trump give up these childish Tweets?
And right now I'm hearing on the radio that Trump's new nominee for Sect of Labor went to Harvard and is a "good student". Will Trump give him an "A" and a little star for good behavior?
Yuck!
"...much of the information and analysis produced by American intelligence agencies contradicts the policy positions of the new administration."
When information (facts) contradicts policy, we know which way Trump will go.
Lordy, when will Trump give up these childish Tweets?
And right now I'm hearing on the radio that Trump's new nominee for Sect of Labor went to Harvard and is a "good student". Will Trump give him an "A" and a little star for good behavior?
Yuck!
2
"Trump ally" indeed -- how many of Trump's 250 numbered companies are in debt to this man?
I believe that Caligula, dabbling with his sister Drusilla, had more self-awareness than Donald Trump.
I believe that Caligula, dabbling with his sister Drusilla, had more self-awareness than Donald Trump.
3
So Trump and Bannon get their boy to purge the intelligence services of everyone who represents a possible challenge to their authority. Meanwhile they continue to attack the courts and work to install federal judges and Gorsuch.
If they succeed, they will have consolidated their power across every area of our government.
They also are working to undermine net neutrality and attacking the media on a daily basis.
If they succeed, they will control the flow of information.
Anyone else starting to feel like we are on the edge of the final stages of an authoritarian coup?
Anyone else contemplating what we the people need to do about it?
If they succeed, they will have consolidated their power across every area of our government.
They also are working to undermine net neutrality and attacking the media on a daily basis.
If they succeed, they will control the flow of information.
Anyone else starting to feel like we are on the edge of the final stages of an authoritarian coup?
Anyone else contemplating what we the people need to do about it?
7
THIS is the story. I hope and pray that the NYT and the Washington post will continue to dig deeper into this. Please do not give up on this story. Hiring a billionaire to go after our own spies is a trump distraction. More evidence that he is a malevolent and dangerous. Sowing chaos and keeping everyone off balance including the press is his strategy.
5
This is how totalitarianism establishes itself, just as Putin did. Take control of all the intelligence agencies, and muzzle any and all criticism of the ruler from within. Of course, in a democracy, we're supposed to have checks and balances to prevent such a thing, but that requires three functional branches of government. We appear to have a non-functional legislative branch, bordering on criminal negligence.
How is Bannon allowed to sit on the NSC? By LAW, he should have been vetted and voted on BEFORE he took a seat. NOW, we see one of his personal friends, with highly a questionable background, and obvious lack of qualifications, being brought in to "review" our intelligence agencies?
This is beyond ludicrous. It's dangerously ill-conceived and threatens the stability of our intelligence agencies, and the LEGITIMACY of the presidency.
This is the move of a dictatorship, not a democracy.
The president is actively attempting to hide something from the American people: his ties to russian interests and foreign governments, and maybe something worse, active collusion with a foreign government. WE NEED TRUTH!
How is Bannon allowed to sit on the NSC? By LAW, he should have been vetted and voted on BEFORE he took a seat. NOW, we see one of his personal friends, with highly a questionable background, and obvious lack of qualifications, being brought in to "review" our intelligence agencies?
This is beyond ludicrous. It's dangerously ill-conceived and threatens the stability of our intelligence agencies, and the LEGITIMACY of the presidency.
This is the move of a dictatorship, not a democracy.
The president is actively attempting to hide something from the American people: his ties to russian interests and foreign governments, and maybe something worse, active collusion with a foreign government. WE NEED TRUTH!
8
Root out the traitors and assassins in the NSC, lock them up, and throw away the key. Then we can start on the NYT, WaPo, and all of the traitorous leftist press.
People who look to dismantle this country for their own gain are the traitors, nt those that are trying to defend it.
1
Seems to me Trump fails to understand a basic truth: There are some 70,000 men and women in the "intelligence community". Many of them are career professionals who have devoted their lives to national service. On the other hand, there is only one Trump. If he continues to disrespect the career professionals he should expect they will turn against him. And if that happens he and his merry band will look even more foolish than they do so far. If I were he, I wouldn't want those professionals digging up dirt on me and my coterie.
3
This gives me some hope. Thank you.
1
By declaring war on the intelligence communities (and in less than 4 weeks on the job!), Trump has taken on something he does not understand. I almost feel sorry for him.
1
Mr. Billionaire Fox be reviewin' the chickens.
Good job by The Trump Team.
Dear Lord the nausea is starting once again.
Good job by The Trump Team.
Dear Lord the nausea is starting once again.
3
Trump his projecting his inability to trust on the very agencies he needs to work with. This is a dumb idea. And by doing so, Trump has shown himself once again to be two bricks short of a load. Our intelligence services recruit, hire , promote and retain pretty smart people. They are vetted and tested for their loyalty to the US and their ability to do their highly sensitive and oftentimes delicate and dangerous jobs. Having this billionaire greenhorn in there to review them is an insult. And, I am sure he has alienated them with each and every outburst and accusation. With no experience or background what does he hope to find? He won't be able to interpret anything of substance. And it will just alienate the very people Trump needs on his side more...
2
The powerful groups that oppose Trump are very interesting and not what one would totally expect from a historical analysis of authoritarian regimes. First the judiciary which is generally conservative and whose performance varies from Dred Scott, to Brown vs. Board of Education or Roe vs Wade advancing democracy when the other two branches often are not progressive enough. There is the press and the broadcast media. In general both are concentrated and owned by large players in the Corporate establishment such as Amazon and Comcast. The fact that they are leading the charge against Trump with cooperation of the CIA/NSA indicates it is the largely conservative (keep things as they are) establishment along with a Judiciary never seen as the forefront of progressivm tells you the limitations of this effort. The mass movement allied with this is generally young urban Proessionals along with their Latino and African American democratic suppoprters. is the one good part of the story. Who would believe that Black Lives Matter and the CIA leakers would be implicit allies to defeat Trump. Lets hope things stay as they are, they can easily get much more authoritarian Fast.
1
Stephen A. Feinberg, a financial Visigoth who has cost this country more lost jobs than probably any other single individual.
Gee, I feel better already.
Gee, I feel better already.
5
I give up.
If our officials in Congress (on BOTH sides of the aisle) are too stupid to figure out what Steve Bannon is trying to engineer here, then I simply give up.
If our officials in Congress (on BOTH sides of the aisle) are too stupid to figure out what Steve Bannon is trying to engineer here, then I simply give up.
3
Isn't it ironic that the Democrats who decried leaks about classified emails found on Carlos Danger's computer shared with Huma are now ecstatic that leaks are hurting Trump administration?
Now that we all know that our intelligence agencies are listening in on phone calls made and received by Russian Ambassador and all others, are we being hypocritical that Russians are 'hacking' our communication systems?
Hypocrisy, thy name is Liberals.
Now that we all know that our intelligence agencies are listening in on phone calls made and received by Russian Ambassador and all others, are we being hypocritical that Russians are 'hacking' our communication systems?
Hypocrisy, thy name is Liberals.
2
Isn't it ironic that the Republicans who cheered leaks about emails found on Anthony Weiner's emails are now crying that leaks are hurting Trump's administration?
Rather than point out the false equivalence, I'd rather point out that all partisanship has an element of hypocrisy, even yours.
Im not a democrat by the way. I vote that way usually only because the Republicans are generally so much more blatant about their disrespect for the American people. But I see the Democrats as a weak buffer between us and the far right agenda at best, and passively complicit at worst.
Rather than point out the false equivalence, I'd rather point out that all partisanship has an element of hypocrisy, even yours.
Im not a democrat by the way. I vote that way usually only because the Republicans are generally so much more blatant about their disrespect for the American people. But I see the Democrats as a weak buffer between us and the far right agenda at best, and passively complicit at worst.
4
@sonny
You can try to blame the Democrats and Liberals all you want, but that still doesn't take away from the fact that this is all on the G.O.P. and Trump's watch.
They OWN this.
You can try to blame the Democrats and Liberals all you want, but that still doesn't take away from the fact that this is all on the G.O.P. and Trump's watch.
They OWN this.
Sorry Donny. That's not gonna work. Everybody has figured out your distraction game and we're not going to buy your con artist shenanigans anymore. Your treasonous love affair with Russia and Putin are now fully out in the open and no efforts on your part are going to make it go away. I look forward to your impeachment hearing.
4
Let's see...Netanyahu in the White House, Feinberg reviewing American intelligence agencies...this should be fodder for the Real Right.
This is anightmare straight out of John LeCarre.
The President appoints Stephen Feinberg to lead a "broad review" while agencies scramble to gather evidence of a Trump-Putin leak. The agencies are gutted as Putin prepares to expand his circle of influence. George Smiley, we need you!
I feel for any agents in the field who may be outted by such an investigation.
The President appoints Stephen Feinberg to lead a "broad review" while agencies scramble to gather evidence of a Trump-Putin leak. The agencies are gutted as Putin prepares to expand his circle of influence. George Smiley, we need you!
I feel for any agents in the field who may be outted by such an investigation.
3
Underlying the shocking revelations from the Intelligence Community, is the now public admission that they do not trust this president to keep his oath to the constitution. Dig into that reality, Mr President. In short, your IC doesn't want counseling. They want to divorce.
The decision to burrow into a nest of spies to root out specific instances of distrust, is akin to hiring a pitbull lawyer to try to intimidate your wife into staying in the marriage. It's not going to work.
If the IC does not trust the President, America has a full blown constitutional crisis on their hands. That's where we seem to be in week four of this presidency.
Increasing numbers of Republican senators seem to be working toward a bi-partisan effort to restore order to our great country. No doubt they took a hard view of the way the President isolated and mistreated their colleague, Vice President Mike Pence.
The decision to burrow into a nest of spies to root out specific instances of distrust, is akin to hiring a pitbull lawyer to try to intimidate your wife into staying in the marriage. It's not going to work.
If the IC does not trust the President, America has a full blown constitutional crisis on their hands. That's where we seem to be in week four of this presidency.
Increasing numbers of Republican senators seem to be working toward a bi-partisan effort to restore order to our great country. No doubt they took a hard view of the way the President isolated and mistreated their colleague, Vice President Mike Pence.
5
Another layer of Government bureaucracy to be added, not because our government is burning, but because someone called the fire department.
5
Oh yes get a trusted friend to investigate and tell you what you want to hear. This is the same as having.'the fox guard the chicken house'
But of course one more billionaire should be great for the country. We are getting to be more and more a third world country with the very rich running things.
When Bill Clinton lied about a consensual sexual encounter the Republicans were up in arms and impeached him. Now Trump and lies and withholds information and nothing happens other than him calling for an investigation of himself. How much more nutty can we get?
But of course one more billionaire should be great for the country. We are getting to be more and more a third world country with the very rich running things.
When Bill Clinton lied about a consensual sexual encounter the Republicans were up in arms and impeached him. Now Trump and lies and withholds information and nothing happens other than him calling for an investigation of himself. How much more nutty can we get?
2
The fact that Trump thinks he can firs insult and then subdue the intelligence agencies only shows how deluded he can be. Feinberg will most probably not get a security clearance from them, and that will spiral into another crisis, with cascading damning leaks, hysterical tweets and chaos in the White House. Bannon, having achieved his stated goal of total disruption, will quietly resign while Kushner prays the Almighty to spare him and his family from the ugly fallout of his juvenile folly.
2
The intelligence agencies have been and are continuing to investigate a large number of steady and continuing contacts between President Trump’s team and Russian intelligence, which began before the hacked files of his democratic opponent were released.
We now know that Trump and Vice President Pence have lied to the American people about those contacts. Both have publicly said they never happened. As for Flynn, Trump knew about his conversations with Russia for weeks during which time Trump lied and said he knew nothing.
How can this be anything other than what it looks like? Given all that we know, the most likely hypothesis is that there is something very wrong vis-à-vis Russia that the administration is trying to hide—in this case by stopping the investigations and the leaks.
We now know that Trump and Vice President Pence have lied to the American people about those contacts. Both have publicly said they never happened. As for Flynn, Trump knew about his conversations with Russia for weeks during which time Trump lied and said he knew nothing.
How can this be anything other than what it looks like? Given all that we know, the most likely hypothesis is that there is something very wrong vis-à-vis Russia that the administration is trying to hide—in this case by stopping the investigations and the leaks.
70
Trump can have any crony of his he wants investigate anything he wants investigated. The FBI, CIA, Congress, a special prosecutor, and perhaps other "official" bodies are the only ones that count. Anything else is meaningless, irrelevant and a waste of time - aside from the outcome being a foregone conclusion .
5
If ever there were a Defcon 1 for competent governance, this kind of news should do it. Red alert. Air raid sirens. Flashing red and blue lights as far as the eye can see. This is horrifying, even for Trump.
He loved leaks and secrets going public as a candidate, as long as it could hurt the other side. Now he's as paranoid as Nixon at his worst and lashing out at the intelligence professionals upon whom any sane president critically relies in a relationship in which mutual respect is crucial.
So his solution to being in way over his head and taking offense that he obviously knows nothing about the complexities and contradictions of his job? Bring in another billionaire buddy who knows nothing whatsoever about national security or the intelligence apparatus, to "review" how information is gathered and "restructure" it to suit the Tweeter-in Chief's infantile worldview.
What could possibly go wrong? No, no, no, no.....
BTW, is this new plutocrat rookie a wife-beater, too, like Puzder and Bannon? Seems to be a prerequisite around the Gilded T White House.
He loved leaks and secrets going public as a candidate, as long as it could hurt the other side. Now he's as paranoid as Nixon at his worst and lashing out at the intelligence professionals upon whom any sane president critically relies in a relationship in which mutual respect is crucial.
So his solution to being in way over his head and taking offense that he obviously knows nothing about the complexities and contradictions of his job? Bring in another billionaire buddy who knows nothing whatsoever about national security or the intelligence apparatus, to "review" how information is gathered and "restructure" it to suit the Tweeter-in Chief's infantile worldview.
What could possibly go wrong? No, no, no, no.....
BTW, is this new plutocrat rookie a wife-beater, too, like Puzder and Bannon? Seems to be a prerequisite around the Gilded T White House.
12
Trump won by convincing 'middle America' that he will champion them over the 'elites.' I hope and trust they are satisfied that his cabinet of billionaires are folks just like them.
17
This essentially amounts to an attempt to purge the intelligence community while he is under active investigation.
24
Right-winger love the intel community when it does the right thing. When three or four people intentionally release national security info for clearly political reasons the law says that they must go to prison.
Remember, the NYT's political enemy who showed a civilian woman his daily schedule was fined a hundred grand and could have gotten ten years. Do recall that Hillary's similar mishandling of national security info actually got people killed in Libya and Iran.
Remember, the NYT's political enemy who showed a civilian woman his daily schedule was fined a hundred grand and could have gotten ten years. Do recall that Hillary's similar mishandling of national security info actually got people killed in Libya and Iran.
"Mr. Feinberg’s only experience with national security matters is his firm’s stakes in a private security company and two gun makers." Our 30,000+ intelligence professionals must be enjoying a good laugh about now, I sure hope so.
5
Clear Message: Repress Decent. Rather than tap this for what it is, a cry that things are wrong and need fixing, The Donald doubles down with his favorite thing: whine like a pre-teen and bully others. The faucet is open and he opened it.
1
Trump caused an uproar by Democrats when he said that our elections were manipulated, while he + cronies were exactly doing that.
After Democrats refuted the very idea that our elections COULD be rigged, they of course had a hard time shouting FOUL.
What a strategy!
We do not need impeachment + a President Pence. We need the elections annulled + repeated!
After Democrats refuted the very idea that our elections COULD be rigged, they of course had a hard time shouting FOUL.
What a strategy!
We do not need impeachment + a President Pence. We need the elections annulled + repeated!
13
A billionaire Wall Street guy and Trump/Bannon crony overseeing the nation's security: What could possibly go wrong?
Trump is not going to rest easy until he completely screws up everything.
Trump is not going to rest easy until he completely screws up everything.
7
He's already done it to the Washington press corps! yay
Please, please tell us that President Trump is taping the oval office, a la Richard Nixon. Trump has just the right qualities for wanting to do so: a massive ego and an absurdist sense he's going to make history by remaking the world.
Oh, how we will delight in hearing the crooked and treasonous utterances on those tapes once the GOP Congress comes to its sense, realizes they have an agent of Putin in the White House and subpoena the bunch of the recordings. Of course, they'll be in digital format this time, so we should be able to better hear the salacious contents. (I wonder who will play Rosemary Woods...) I can barely wait for the tapes, the congressional hearings, the books, the movie.
Oh, how we will delight in hearing the crooked and treasonous utterances on those tapes once the GOP Congress comes to its sense, realizes they have an agent of Putin in the White House and subpoena the bunch of the recordings. Of course, they'll be in digital format this time, so we should be able to better hear the salacious contents. (I wonder who will play Rosemary Woods...) I can barely wait for the tapes, the congressional hearings, the books, the movie.
6
Don't hold your breath. An administration that doesn'record sessions of the National Security Council because they don't want to leave a paper trail, is extremely unlikely to be taping conversations in the Oval Office.
Oh so great, another rich white guy to make Russia great again!
4
The only way that anything significant will happen is the democrats regain control of either house in the 2018 midterms.
7
This is where the House and Senate need to step in; for Pete's Sakes! Instead of the president investigating the supposedly independent arms of government that keep us all safe, Congress should be investigating their findings regarding this Russian intervention.
This should be the tipping point for the nation. Either Congress do its job - its real job, not looking at an email server for over $16M dollars - or face the consequences in 2018.
If the tables turn in 2018, let the investigations begin!
This should be the tipping point for the nation. Either Congress do its job - its real job, not looking at an email server for over $16M dollars - or face the consequences in 2018.
If the tables turn in 2018, let the investigations begin!
11
If I were President for a day and I was concerned about leaks, what would I do?
First, I would confer with leaders in the intelligence community on what actions could be taken. Take their advice if prudent.
Second, I would establish a bilateral commission to investigate the leakage problem and to provide solutions.
Finally, I would work with Congress to enact laws designed to protect classified information.
First, I would confer with leaders in the intelligence community on what actions could be taken. Take their advice if prudent.
Second, I would establish a bilateral commission to investigate the leakage problem and to provide solutions.
Finally, I would work with Congress to enact laws designed to protect classified information.
4
It would be a lot easier if the President did not lie to the American people. Then there would be no reason for leaks to happen. A lot cheaper than bilateral commissions or Congressional investigations.
Any five year old could figure that out. But, we're discussing President Trump, so I'm not sure that qualifies him the maturity of a five year old.
Any five year old could figure that out. But, we're discussing President Trump, so I'm not sure that qualifies him the maturity of a five year old.
1
I wish FOTSCPOTUS (Friend of the So-Called President of the United States) wasn't such an unwieldy acronym. I feel like it's going to become increasingly useful, even necessary, as the crony billionaires line up.
Donald Trump, Friend of the Working Man!
Donald Trump, Friend of the Working Man!
3
You can see why Trump likes Putin so much. Putins retains dictator-like power because he controls all the information in Russia. He will straight up kill you if he has to. And this strategy clearly works for Putin (but not for Russians).
I have no doubt Trump will continue to flout the Constitution by moving closer and closer a Putin-like dictatorship (or the closest thing to it). His tirades against the media and our own intelligence community proves it. Like Putin, Trump knows that he can't stay in power unless he controls all information.
I have no doubt Trump will continue to flout the Constitution by moving closer and closer a Putin-like dictatorship (or the closest thing to it). His tirades against the media and our own intelligence community proves it. Like Putin, Trump knows that he can't stay in power unless he controls all information.
8
As they say -- when you are in a hole, stop digging. Trump, however, just can't help it, can he?
So let's see -- during the campaign, he was perfectly fine with leaks against Hillary, and was in fact encouraging Russian agencies to hack into her emails, but now all of sudden he wants to stop leaks when they're biting up his bottom... This is what getting a taste of your own medicine feels like, Mr. President!
Besides, don't get so hung up on the agencies. Washington is a porous city -- leaks can come from everywhere, including staffers in Congress. As information propagates among the agencies, the various committees, and relevant third parties, it can slip out, like water through concrete. So man up, Donald, and learn how to deal with the consequences.
So let's see -- during the campaign, he was perfectly fine with leaks against Hillary, and was in fact encouraging Russian agencies to hack into her emails, but now all of sudden he wants to stop leaks when they're biting up his bottom... This is what getting a taste of your own medicine feels like, Mr. President!
Besides, don't get so hung up on the agencies. Washington is a porous city -- leaks can come from everywhere, including staffers in Congress. As information propagates among the agencies, the various committees, and relevant third parties, it can slip out, like water through concrete. So man up, Donald, and learn how to deal with the consequences.
12
Emperor Donnie KNOWS what happened with the Russians.
Emperor Donnie KNOWS what the Russians have on him as leverage.
He is frightened that the intelligence agencies will find out, that the facts will come out, and the jig will be up.
So he has to try to politicize the non-political intelligence agencies, and cut that off at the pass. Just what any prospective dictator would do.
Emperor Donnie KNOWS what the Russians have on him as leverage.
He is frightened that the intelligence agencies will find out, that the facts will come out, and the jig will be up.
So he has to try to politicize the non-political intelligence agencies, and cut that off at the pass. Just what any prospective dictator would do.
9
Trump will be unsuccessful in his attempts to silence the various agencies. Of the millions of people working in the Federal goverment we only need a few to unwind this whole mess. I hope the next Ed Snowden comes forth soon. Good luck spying on the spies.
5
To paraphrase a line from William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" . . .
"There is something rotten in the Oval Office".
If Stephen A. Feinberg is allowed to "review" intelligence agencies, you can toss the notion of "unbiased and objectivity" right out the window.
7
The American people aren't stupid, and we know a cover-up when we see one. Trump and Co., including Congressional leadership who refuse to investigate, show their true colors and we take note. The people leaking TRUTH are patriots.
7
As per Trump, it takes a crony billionaire to change government for the better, and to run or audit any government agency. Lack of knowledge or experience is no barrier. Go figure out that logic.
As for competence, Trump is "very , very rich" and "very very smart", so if he can run the country, then it stands to reason that the other "very very rich" can help do the same. Right?
In the meantime, the Republicans are afflicted with the Tommy Syndrome: Deaf, Dumb and Blind
As for competence, Trump is "very , very rich" and "very very smart", so if he can run the country, then it stands to reason that the other "very very rich" can help do the same. Right?
In the meantime, the Republicans are afflicted with the Tommy Syndrome: Deaf, Dumb and Blind
3
It gets more dangerous by the day. If the intelligence agencies have no faith in their commander in chief, how does that bode for the national security apparatus as a whole? How far will they have to go to protect the national interest from a man they and most of the public see as a Russian puppet? Will there be mutiny in the ranks? Will there be coup? God, I hope not. We all saw what happened in Turkey and how Erdogan used it as an excuse to destroy the opposition and establish a true dictatorship. The right thing for Congress to do now would be to impeach Trump before this goes any further. But that won't happen so long as the Republicans are in charge.
7
Our intelligence officials have forgotten whom they work for. All of the faceless bureaucrats who are leaking classified information need to be charged. The same rationale for HRC being a criminal applies to them. Classified information needs to be protected and using the tools of the state to discredit the political opposition, BHO's picks still run agencies, is appalling.
3
They have not forgotten. They work for the American people and defend the Constitution. Presidents come and go, but the needs of the American citizenry stays the focus. Maybe if you had graduated high school, you might have learned about this in civics class.
4
Trump needs to focus on why the leaks are occurring. If he's really intent on draining the swamp, he needs to get out of the muck.
Unless he once again wants to hide the truth behind the smoke of the "leaks," then he need to appoint an independent counsel to examine why his own campaign had continued communications with Russia, and answer the questions surrounding his own staff's questionable involvement.
Stop pointing us elsewhere and look inside.
Unless he once again wants to hide the truth behind the smoke of the "leaks," then he need to appoint an independent counsel to examine why his own campaign had continued communications with Russia, and answer the questions surrounding his own staff's questionable involvement.
Stop pointing us elsewhere and look inside.
45
This has to be stopped. It's a blatant move to intimidate and purge the intelligence agencies to head off findings of inappropriate illegal activity by Trump and his gang. It explains why Dan Coats was nominated to be DNI and then disappeared. Either Coats is pushing back or he's being eased out to make room for the Trump-Bannon crony, Weinberg. And let's be clear: contrary to what Paul Ryan said today, these "leaks" about Trump flunkies contact with Russian intelligence operatives is not in any manner shape or form a "threat to our national security." On the contrary, exposing such skullduggery protects the nation and strengthens our democracy. The "leakers" are honest, patriotic whistleblowers who take their oath to "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic."
126
Spoken like a true patriot! Thank You.
If Mr. Feinberg owns DnyCorp "which has a wide array of large contracts providing security to the State Department and other agencies" and "is involved in a major legal dispute over the fate of a $10 billion State Department contract", I would say that his conflicts of interest more than disqualify him from being involved in the Intelligence agencies.
Being a billionaire does not qualify one to be in charge of the intelligence agencies, nor does a course in firearms from Erik Prince -- brother of Betsy Devos.
Trump's paranoia is apparently what is driving all of this. Why not let Mike Pompeo and Dan Coates, should he be confirmed, run the agency? There will never be a government without leaks. Trump is beginning to sound like Captain Queeg from The Caine Mutiny and will soon be trying to find out who ate the strawberries.
I believe the President needs some Quaaludes and the country needs a more stable person in charge.
Being a billionaire does not qualify one to be in charge of the intelligence agencies, nor does a course in firearms from Erik Prince -- brother of Betsy Devos.
Trump's paranoia is apparently what is driving all of this. Why not let Mike Pompeo and Dan Coates, should he be confirmed, run the agency? There will never be a government without leaks. Trump is beginning to sound like Captain Queeg from The Caine Mutiny and will soon be trying to find out who ate the strawberries.
I believe the President needs some Quaaludes and the country needs a more stable person in charge.
3
How is it the un-elected people like Bannon and Kushner, with no governmental experience, are in control of these critical national security decisions?
Astonishing.
Astonishing.
4
And there on the wall of the Oval Office, above the fireplace, is a portrait of General Washington, forced to stare down at the red-nosed Mr. Bannon and the President's son-in-law Mr. Kushner.
The father of our country, the beloved general of the Revolution, the first President of these United States, who refused to be named king when a grateful country clamored for it after all his years of service, must be rolling over in his grave to see the White House taken over by people with no history of service to the country; negligible, if any, experience in governance; and no dedication to the well-being of ALL the people without regard to life circumstance or belief.
Well, a majority of electors put this crew in office and we are all forced to live with it. But can't someone please find a second portrait of Andrew Jackson as a replacement. George Washington should not have to watch, while his selfless legacy and all the years that followed in the work towards a better and more representative democracy, is torn down bit by bit in the service of the rich and powerful.
The father of our country, the beloved general of the Revolution, the first President of these United States, who refused to be named king when a grateful country clamored for it after all his years of service, must be rolling over in his grave to see the White House taken over by people with no history of service to the country; negligible, if any, experience in governance; and no dedication to the well-being of ALL the people without regard to life circumstance or belief.
Well, a majority of electors put this crew in office and we are all forced to live with it. But can't someone please find a second portrait of Andrew Jackson as a replacement. George Washington should not have to watch, while his selfless legacy and all the years that followed in the work towards a better and more representative democracy, is torn down bit by bit in the service of the rich and powerful.
2
If I didn't have 100% confidence in the NYT's credibility and reporting of truth (thank you; please keep it up), I'd think that what's reported in this piece are alternative facts. Is this for real? This is NOT normal or acceptable.
7
This will be Trump’s desperate move to save his presidency and try to stop the investigation about his connection with Russia...hoping is too late for that. Trump is desperate trying to blame the intelligence community about the leak. The fact is that the Flynn’s fiasco was known by many people during the Obama’s administration. Many people that were fired or let go when Trump took over. Many people that couldn’t tolerate any more how Trump’s team was lying to the American people – that is the real problem.
3
will someone ..anyone...please... please... leak his tax returns!!!
8
Having a major conflict of interest seems to be a prerequisite for serving in the Trump adminitration. A billionaire who owns a security company embroiled in a $10B beef with the State Department--what a perfect fit! Isn't this the very man to "root out" the rotten apples in the intelligence agencies, especially the leaky ones?
Fortunately, I can hardly imagine Mr. Feinberg qualifying for kind of security clearance it would take to do this job. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? No this guy!
Fortunately, I can hardly imagine Mr. Feinberg qualifying for kind of security clearance it would take to do this job. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? No this guy!
4
This is getting curiouser and curiouser as we descent further and further down the rabbit hole!
5
So illuminating. Trump is not concerned at all about the behavior of either Flynn or his inner circle having conversations with Russian intelligence operatives.
What he's most interested in is the fact that it became public. Had Flynn's discretions not become public, he'd still be part of the Trump team.
Talk about twisted ethics.
What he's most interested in is the fact that it became public. Had Flynn's discretions not become public, he'd still be part of the Trump team.
Talk about twisted ethics.
8
Lack of ethics is more like it.
OMG... as they say. Why is this man being allowed to do this? Don't the pitiful Republican peons know all this will come around to them? Do they think they are safe if they just hide in the back of the crowd? This man wants to be king.
3
Question: Who will the Republicans blame if our entire spy network in Russia is exposed, tortured, and executed because of Russian spies having access to sensitive intelligence about their identities through the White House?
Answer: Obama.
Question: Who will the Republicans blame if there is a terrorist attack because the intelligence agencies were too busy dealing with this ridiculous whistleblower hunting expedition?
Answer: Obama.
Any other similar question about Republicans assigning blame?
Answer: Obama.
Answer: Obama.
Question: Who will the Republicans blame if there is a terrorist attack because the intelligence agencies were too busy dealing with this ridiculous whistleblower hunting expedition?
Answer: Obama.
Any other similar question about Republicans assigning blame?
Answer: Obama.
4
Impeach him now, before he drags the whole country down with him. "Purges," indeed? Who does he think he is? Stalin?
5
Wow , drain the swamp indeed . The swamp is crawling with 1% cronies . This is one of the most frightening developments so far . I hope the patriots of the intelligence community help us all save our country and make America great again , after 3 weeks of this crazy assault .
5
Another unqualified Trump lackey, whose final "investigation" report is already written. Conclusion - remove qualified and career intelligence officers, and replace them with inexperienced, supportive, "yes" men who tell Trump what he wants to hear. Being from New Jersey, I saw the same thing when Chris Christie had buddies Gibson Dunn & Crutcher "investigate" his involvement in the GWB scandal. Of course they "cleared" Christie.
We might as well just get it over with and give Putin the keys to the White House...
We might as well just get it over with and give Putin the keys to the White House...
4
This doesn't sound like a good idea.
2
There are allot of stories based on the comments from unnamed members of the US intelligence community. Why would they go and jeopardize their positions by leaking classified information? And when it is the intelligence agency that is leaking information who do you have investigate? Would they then investigate themselves?
Either members of the intelligence community are getting paid to leak classified info or are doing it for political reasons. Trump is right to have an outsider come in.
Either members of the intelligence community are getting paid to leak classified info or are doing it for political reasons. Trump is right to have an outsider come in.
Maybe, just maybe, they are true patriots who want to stop Trump and his gang of neofascist thugs from fully consolidating their power and plunging our republic into tyranny?
2
Maybe they are helping the American citizenry to see the truth behind all the lies of the so-called Trump Administration. Funny how you did not care about leaks that concerned Democrats. Have you ever heard the word "hypocrite?"
2
It is only a matter of time before the intelligence agencies have had enough of Trump's boorish behavior and unleash something that throws him under the proverbial bus for good; the day can't come soon enough.
9
Trump's (or, more probably, Bannon's) "Hail Mary"; intelligence agencies know too much, and this is the last-ditch attempt to silence them.
3
No Mr. Trump. The scandal here is that it took a leak to discover your nefarious Russian ties and connections. Those are YOUR secrets - Not classified national security secrets. Indeed, your secrets appear to pose an actual national security threat!
Now Trump wants another billionaire buddy to oversee/review intelligence agencies? Mr. Feinberg, like all of his appointments, is a complete amateur except when it come to him profiting off the "business intelligence he can gain to further "his and Trump's gain.
Trump is trying to pull a Bush-Cheney on us - where they can control and manufacture intelligence to fulfill their goals - like fake weapons of mass destruction. This administration sees ISIS and terrorists everywhere - even where there are none.
Now Trump wants another billionaire buddy to oversee/review intelligence agencies? Mr. Feinberg, like all of his appointments, is a complete amateur except when it come to him profiting off the "business intelligence he can gain to further "his and Trump's gain.
Trump is trying to pull a Bush-Cheney on us - where they can control and manufacture intelligence to fulfill their goals - like fake weapons of mass destruction. This administration sees ISIS and terrorists everywhere - even where there are none.
6
In response to Sentinel's comment about hypocritical progressives suddenly being fans of intelligence: Trump is the first president in my adult memory whom I felt did not have the best interests of the country at heart. I have not been a big fan of all of our presidents that I can remember, back to the 70's, but I never had any reason to believe that they did not believe that what they were doing was best for the country. I think Trump does not care about our country or know or care about what it stands for. He cares about himself and his power and power and wealth. I don't trust him to refrain from throwing the U.S. under the bus for the sake of making deals with Russia, for instance, to whose oligarchs he owes millions. Yes, suddenly I am a big fan of intelligence. Also, for a while it appeared the cold war was over and intelligence seem so yesterday. Putin has turned back the clock.
119
How is this even legal?
2
My hunch is that Mr. Feinberg's report on the intel community is already written: CIA and NSA are full of Obama and Clinton supporters, multi-nationalists, apologists for Iran and unrepentant foes of Russia, and therefore must be purged. I expect we will see over the next 6-12 months a large number of experienced and patriotic intelligence professionals "retiring". And that will be another victory for Putin.
3
This is becoming more Nixon-ish as the days go by. Just a matter of time till he appoints Ivanka to investigate all those stores that are canceling their relationships with the Trump brands.
2
Great, another Swamp Creature from Trump's Inner Circle!
Have Fun in the Swamp Stephen!
"Singing That Swamp, Swamp, Swamp, Swamp Music"
Have Fun in the Swamp Stephen!
"Singing That Swamp, Swamp, Swamp, Swamp Music"
1
Trump plans to purge U.S. intelligent agencies and make them personally loyal to him.
Isn’t that what dictators like Putin do?
Isn’t that what dictators like Putin do?
3
One can only hope the intel gets Donald before Donald gets the intel.
This, as much as anything, shows the deficit of political experience: as with the war on the media, the president* cannot win.
This, as much as anything, shows the deficit of political experience: as with the war on the media, the president* cannot win.
4
Contact your Congressional representatives immediately. Remind them of the oath of office they took to "support and defend the U.S. Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic." Ask them: Will they serve their country honorably?
3
I, for one, look forward to reading details of his life.
1
Next up, declaration of Martial law?
6
Mainstream media hasn't made enough of the issue that Trump blames the media for Flynn's downfall rather than thats Flynn was dismissed for lying about his contact with Russia, and only after the media made that public and Trump felt pressured to dismiss Flynn. The media is asking the public to put 2+2 together and read between the lines. You need to make an issue of this for those that want to dwell on leaks rather than what the leaks say: That Trump's team has a suspect relationship with Russia.
3
The first step in creating a police state is to find a way to purge the intelligence and police agencies of people who are not wholly loyal to the strongman. Then fill it with cronies and toadies and use it against the people. If those agencies don't initially have domestic jurisdiction, then jin up a crisis that requires that their particular skills be turned internally so that we can be "safe." (The "safety" being that of the state and especially the tyrant.)
of course, that can't ever happen here.
of course, that can't ever happen here.
6
Cerebus,in Greek Mythology, was a three headed dog that prevented the living from entering the underworld. In the U.S., we could have the former head of Cerebus management, preventing the American people from finding out the truth about the increasingly problematic, and chaotic Trump administration.
2
Come on Don get it right! It's spelled Cerberus not "Cerebus" and this three headed dog prevented the dead from leaving the underworld, not the living from entering. A prime example of fake news.
There is a book on the subject: The Dictator's Handbook.
3
Mr. Feinberg seems to have no qualifications that will inform his review of national intelligence. Mr. Trump seems to choose people because of their assumed business acumen, which is often confined to a narrow field. This is no exception. Whether Mr. Feinberg is being groomed to head an intelligence agency may be less important than Mr. Trump's continuing denigration of US intelligence while praising Russia and Mr. Putin.
Meanwhile, the swamp is not being drained: it is being inundated with people who have no experience in the areas to which they are being appointed.
Meanwhile, the swamp is not being drained: it is being inundated with people who have no experience in the areas to which they are being appointed.
71
he will most likely be misled. they are intelligence after all.
In all the chaos we have witnessed during the transition , at the very least ,
we have a heightened view of all of our representatives on both sides of the aisle.For me , I'm forever glad to have been educated by Wikileaks .
we have a heightened view of all of our representatives on both sides of the aisle.For me , I'm forever glad to have been educated by Wikileaks .
People didn't necessarily pay attention when they were told about the one percent. Donald Trump is diagramming it out for your perusal. His supporters thought he was out to help the middle class and poor. Guess what? He lied! To Donald Trump this is the ultimate reality show. Do you ever get the feeling that Trump is laughing at us? He's saying and doing the most ridiculous things and he's got people running around like scared rabbits trying to keep up with and make sense out of nonsense. The very fact that he was elected (with an immense assist courteous of Putin) and then after all the scandal and notoriety, he's actually still there boggles the mind. He’s making a mockery of our country, our people and Congress. To let him win this game would be disastrous. He’s making fools out of his supporters and his adversaries as well.
12
Danger!! Danger!! Oh, what is going on with this drive to make America great? A Trump (Bannon) ally to investigate the intelligence community? WHAT? Why is there a loud, loud protest from congress?
7
This guy with zero experience in national intelligence will turn up information that lifelong professional spies and analysts have made their life's work to keep secret if they choose? Hah!
9
Stephen Feinberg is a recipient of the NRA's gold ring award because his company contributes more than $1 million dollars/year. He and his wife both donated hundreds of thousands to the Trump campaign. His Cerberus subsidiaries include the company which sells most of the semi-automatic weapons in the U.S. including the weapon used at Sandy Hook, and a private security contractor which has been accused of human trafficking in Afghanistan, of inflating costs in Iraq, and the occasional unjustified shooting of civilians in Bosnia and Iraq.
His subsidiary's CEO at DynCorp was formerly at General Dynamics where he did among other things cybersecurity and was both top management at a defense supplier and an advisor to the Defense department at the same time. Feinberg's company did exactly what Mitt Romney's Bain Capital was hated for, during the 2007-8 crash, picking up companies for a song, "restructuring" them and selling them again.
How someone so tangled in arms dealing and private security contracting associated with some of the most high profile tragedies in modern American history is a good person to investigate the intelligence agencies is baffling.
His subsidiary's CEO at DynCorp was formerly at General Dynamics where he did among other things cybersecurity and was both top management at a defense supplier and an advisor to the Defense department at the same time. Feinberg's company did exactly what Mitt Romney's Bain Capital was hated for, during the 2007-8 crash, picking up companies for a song, "restructuring" them and selling them again.
How someone so tangled in arms dealing and private security contracting associated with some of the most high profile tragedies in modern American history is a good person to investigate the intelligence agencies is baffling.
23
One day we may need to use his product ourselves in order to preserve the integrity of our nation. Ironic, eh?
1
Because of this review and what I feel are breaches from within the administration I have decided to 'drop out' of defense research. I know for the readership of the NY Times there may be rejoicing that a defense researcher is 'dropping out'. My role has always been a very minor one (hydrophones) so it will not make any difference. But I am not feeling confident that the administration can keep certain secrets secret and that they are working towards the security of americans. Also, I am writing to other 'leaders' to express this view and my action.
8
In a way, it must make all of your enemies laugh their heads off America. Not mine, of course... Makes you vulnerable and disoriented... The enemy of every State: instability... What made you great: focus and unity of purpose... What makes you weak: oligarchy and confusion... Trump - to his credit - has given me a renewed sense of appreciation for a professional public service! Let's just hope the damage is not permanent.
4
I hope the Intelligence community goes all out on the Grifter and Liar and denounce him for what he is: a corrupt KGB allied. Want more proof about his inrtentions? Do something before it is too late. He is going after the press and now the Intelligence. Wake up.
14
The Five Eyes group must be going nuts - Bannon is not only on NSC as a key player - but now will have an associate doing the purge / politization of IC.
7
Well let's just govern our country according to how the FVEY feel. The intelligence agencies are out of line and have politicized themselves.
Wow, an arsonist is going to inspect our house. Novel.
11
It is crunch time. Trump wants to control the right of public officials, or anyone in fact, to expose the criminal acts of his administration. It is Germany, 1933 and the Republicans are looking the other way and whistling in the wind as they deny any Trump wrongdoing. Next will be internment camps for his critics. We the people must stand up and take to the streets to protest against the fascist police state that is Trump's model for government.
13
If internment camps for critics are next, it's too late for protests. Better to stock up on guns and ammo and organize militias.
Second amendment works both ways, baby!
Second amendment works both ways, baby!
1
As an Eagle Scout I am probably more qualified for this position than Feinberg, another one of Trump's swamp dwellers. It is obvious everyday that Trump does not have the ability to make rational, well thought out decsions. His staff (who are actually in control), put little pieces of paper if front of him, he applauds like a little child, and says "make it so". Our Puppet "President" is dangerous- and I want to know who is pushing a fascist agenda on America.
12
President Bannon, that's who.
4
Bannon from the domestic side and Putin from the international one.
Trump is not a mere figurehead, either. He has always been enamored of fascism. He's thrilled to be the face of the operation.
Trump is not a mere figurehead, either. He has always been enamored of fascism. He's thrilled to be the face of the operation.
2
What's the point of a review if you have a friend do it? That alone should show that Trump is up to no good.
11
It's not until the second paragraph of this article that we learn the name of the person Trump wants to lead a review of the American intelligence agencies; Stephen A. Feinberg. The NTY deems it more important to broadcast his net worth as a prelude to naming him. To what point? I find Messrs. Risen and Rosenberg's approach to Mr. Feinberg very disrespectful, bigoted and one sided.
2
President Trump has already reached a conclusion as to both the role and effectiveness of the American intelligence agencies.
He now needs someone to rubber stamp that conclusion.
He now needs someone to rubber stamp that conclusion.
4
Very good article that brings up the unfortunate direction that Trump is taking to suppress information he doesn't want to hear. My main concern: what the heck does Russia have on Trump? It must be something pretty substantial to warrant all of this bizarre covering up of events, especially concerning Flynn. We need to get to the bottom of all of this and put a fire under congress.
8
Gee, A long time ago, I had a Federal security clearance. Trump thould hire me. I have more security knowledge and experieance that his billionaire.
5
A hypothetical: Let's assume Trump gets a tip that someone in the Trump Org - e.g. his accountant - has been stealing money from him, about $10,000 a month.
What do you think he'd do? Get furious at who tipped him off and seek to find and fire that person? Also, would he publicly praise the accountant and say what a victim he is that someone revealed his scam?
In this upside down administration, that's crazy scenario is what's playing out, obviously because there is so much more Trump is trying to hide. And it's stunning how so many Republicans are sitting on their hands. . . a party passing its last opportunity to show principles. Pandora's box has been opened, and they like won't be able to avoid the inevitable consequences.
What do you think he'd do? Get furious at who tipped him off and seek to find and fire that person? Also, would he publicly praise the accountant and say what a victim he is that someone revealed his scam?
In this upside down administration, that's crazy scenario is what's playing out, obviously because there is so much more Trump is trying to hide. And it's stunning how so many Republicans are sitting on their hands. . . a party passing its last opportunity to show principles. Pandora's box has been opened, and they like won't be able to avoid the inevitable consequences.
5
What qualifications does Feinberg have to conduct an intelligence review?! None! Which makes him the ideal candidate in this new upside-down administration.
It seems like the Republicans would rather the intelligence agencies just cover up any national security breaches and let spies and saboteurs run rampant through the country. Let's imagine the uproar if one of Obama or Clinton's aides was colluding with Putin.
It seems like the Republicans would rather the intelligence agencies just cover up any national security breaches and let spies and saboteurs run rampant through the country. Let's imagine the uproar if one of Obama or Clinton's aides was colluding with Putin.
6
When this so-called president needs help, he does not call experts in the subject at hand. No, he calls his cronies and anyone who cheers his ego. What is needed for the sake of the nation's reputation and its democratic institutions is the formation of an independent commission to investigate his ties to Putin and his crooked Russian cronies. And the first order of business should be to investigate why this fake president adamantly refuses to release his tax returns, because it should be obvious even to his most rabid supporters and the deaf and mute Republicans in Congress that this guy hiding something; otherwise this fake president who likes to make a show of everything would have released his tax returns on prime time television long ago. Let's subpoena those tax returns and let the American people find out the truth.
117
#taxreturns45
#LoserTrump
#Resist
#LoserTrump
#Resist
2
The silence emerging from Congressional Republicans speaks volumes about the character. If they can impeach Bill Clinton because of Monica, then they need to show that the country matters more than their party by prosecuting Trump and his administration. Democracy should trump Party interest - I hope...
5
Minions beware. You are reading this. Your masters will throw you to the dogs. Immediately, like now, get at least two copies of verifiable acts of treason off site. Where they can't be hacked. Remember in plea agreements the first to sing has the sweetest song. Start singing if you ever want to hold your children again.
Arrange to have both law enforcement and the media informed, because you don't know who you can trust today. Save your sorry self from the gallows. Or worse, supermax. Listen to Johnny Cash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJlN9jdQFSc
Arrange to have both law enforcement and the media informed, because you don't know who you can trust today. Save your sorry self from the gallows. Or worse, supermax. Listen to Johnny Cash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJlN9jdQFSc
3
Get Uncle Vlad to lend you the KGB. I'm sure the price would be right- nothing but access to the CIA and FBI.
5
This is one of many steps on the road to Fascism .
Dismantle the independence of the judiciary, the press, and the intelligence community. Take down any and all threats to absolute power and any challenges to keeping that power.
This is what you voted for people. Totalitarianism .
( at least a minority of you )
Dismantle the independence of the judiciary, the press, and the intelligence community. Take down any and all threats to absolute power and any challenges to keeping that power.
This is what you voted for people. Totalitarianism .
( at least a minority of you )
14
This is nothing more than Trump angling to turn the CIA et al into a Trump Public Relations Agency.
5
Right out of SNL's playbook.
This is laughable.
This is laughable.
4
The only good thing to come out of the Trump administration might be the destruction of the myth that being a rich businessman makes you qualified for any government position.
I feel like I wake up every morning and there's another billionaire being considered for a position in which he has NO experience. And HE is the correct term. I start laughing so I won't cry.
I feel like I wake up every morning and there's another billionaire being considered for a position in which he has NO experience. And HE is the correct term. I start laughing so I won't cry.
7
Trump seems to be mimicking the moves Putin made as he solidified power and his personal wealth. Putin has been reported to have become one of the wealthiest people on earth ($89 billion and counting) as a result of jailing and otherwise eliminating his rich adversaries in Russia. Putin also has complete control of Russia's security and intelligence apparatus, a fact not lost on our new Demagogue in Chief. Like a child determined to get his way, Trump is taking all of the toys off the table.
6
Yet another HRC analogy. Imagine if you will Hillary appointing Marc Cuban to oversee the Spy agencies after the media had been reporting on her connection to Russian to stop the leaking from said agencies.
Who doesn't think the GOP would have already started impeachment if she had won.
Who doesn't think the GOP would have already started impeachment if she had won.
4
NO NO NO
Trump is so transparent.
Trump is so transparent.
2
Trump's downfall will be the war he is waging on the intelligence community. It's not advisable, and he will not come out of it any stronger.
2
It is a worst idea to employ a billionaire friend to watch Intel agencies . Why we have CIA director or Trump has no confidence on Mr.Pompeo? I think these Intel officers put their lives in the front line to protect us. This is not nice to pick up fight with these guys. They deserve our respect and not name calling.
2
Wikileaks has promised to publish Donald Trump's tax returns if they got a copy.
How about a GoFundMe account for a significant sum (say $10 million) to be paid to the first person who provides a copy of Donald Trump's tax returns to Wikileaks.
Put up some cash as a reward, and watch what happens.
That would be the most consequential "leak."
How about a GoFundMe account for a significant sum (say $10 million) to be paid to the first person who provides a copy of Donald Trump's tax returns to Wikileaks.
Put up some cash as a reward, and watch what happens.
That would be the most consequential "leak."
7
A trump ally? Can he SPELL intelligence???
5
What??? Another billionaire, selected by Bannon and with zero intelligence service experience is going to lead a review of the countries intelligence services. To what end? Improve intelligence service performance? No. We need to stop leaks, stop the investigations of Russian involvement in the elections; stop investigations of Trump's connections with Russia; control all future investigations to eliminate any future similar work.
Will the Republican Congress say anything? Nope. They already have sore necks from looking the other way.
We've already seen Mr. Trump collecting names of government scientists who could offer disagreeing opinions on environmental and climate change topics. To silence or fire them, of course.
This is headed towards a police state. Silence dissent is just the start.
Should we be worried? I'm both dumbfounded and honestly terrified.
Will the Republican Congress say anything? Nope. They already have sore necks from looking the other way.
We've already seen Mr. Trump collecting names of government scientists who could offer disagreeing opinions on environmental and climate change topics. To silence or fire them, of course.
This is headed towards a police state. Silence dissent is just the start.
Should we be worried? I'm both dumbfounded and honestly terrified.
13
It's time to decapitate all intelligence services three levels down and replace with trusted individuals. If leaks persist, decapitate again. Follow en suite until all leaks cease. Do this periodically, 2 year intervals, as a matter of national security.
2
And watch national security disappear.
2
Much to my horror, I actually spoke with someone last night who was more outraged about the intelligence leaks that she was about Trump's deception about Flynn's illegal conversations with Russian officials. Her reason? Well, she comes from a military family, you see, where following orders is preeminent. I had to walk away...there was what I assumed to be an intelligent woman putting following orders before stopping the slow march of despotism. I'm getting insight I never expected to need into what happened in Germany in the 1930's.
16
I had the exact experience, awful dark days ahead.
3
If lying doesn't work, try intimidation. It's worked before.
5
Wow. He's directly attempting to control and intimidate the intelligence agencies because they actively oppose his phony, factless, yet dangerous agenda.
6
Every American, including Trump voters, should realize that this country is now in the clutch of a disoriented want-to-be government unable to give any direction to the boat. The danger posed by their confusion and amateurish approach to strategic issues is making America vulnerable to any sort of intrusion and attack.
6
I read an article the other day which stated that 2/3 of the 4 plus million who voted libertarian would have voted for Trump instead of Clinton which giving Trump the majority of the vote as well as the electoral college. Libertarians are very turned off by Neocon philosophy of both Republicans, Democrats, and biased journalism. However Libertarians embrace a woman's right to choose.
Ding! Ding! Ding!:
"Through Cerberus, his private equity company, Mr. Feinberg has strong ties to the government contracting industry. Cerberus owns DynCorp International, which has had a wide array of large contracts providing security to the State Department and other agencies. DynCorp is now locked in a major legal dispute over the fate of a $10 billion State Department contract that it previously held to provide air support for counternarcotics operations overseas.
"Through Cerberus, his private equity company, Mr. Feinberg has strong ties to the government contracting industry. Cerberus owns DynCorp International, which has had a wide array of large contracts providing security to the State Department and other agencies. DynCorp is now locked in a major legal dispute over the fate of a $10 billion State Department contract that it previously held to provide air support for counternarcotics operations overseas.
3
This is un-American. Plain and simple. Step up, Congress. Remember, it's
"We the People," not "We the billionaires."
"We the People," not "We the billionaires."
6
The Trump Administration Motto: "No Billionaire Left Behind."
12
Or, the bucks stop HERE.
Normally, bringing in your own people is a plus. In Trump's case, it is a negative because he prefers loyalists over competency. We started with the unqualified in Trumpery and he just built on this shaky foundation with the addition of inept cabinet appointments. Since the only thing Trumpery is hands on with is his twitter account, do not expect much to be accomplished. God forbid a major crisis that would require a critical approach for resolution.
4
About time. The intelligence 'community' is too large, spends too much money for their results, and misses too much. We've needed a shakeup/consolidation since the end of the cold war.
Why not break up the CIA with analysis going to the State Dept, the 'direct action' to the Pentagon, and undercovers to a smaller agency?
Why not break up the CIA with analysis going to the State Dept, the 'direct action' to the Pentagon, and undercovers to a smaller agency?
if he keeps inviting foxes into the hen houses, the entire world will suffer. everything seems to be done to distract. if the president had nothing to hide, why not invite an investigation? release tax returns?
7
Appointing a hedge fund billionaire to review our intelligence agencies would like appointing Maleficent to review our Education system...Er wait, no....Like appointing A mole to oversee our Defense Establishment...Sorry, no....Like appointing a Tax dodger and corporate flim flame artist to oversee the IRS and the Security Exchange system. Well, words fail me. God help us, reality under the Trump regime is simply fast overtaking any attempt at hyperbole or satire.
7
I want to be the Surgeon General. I took a splinter out of my finger the other day.
7
Do you meet the other criteria: net worth > $1B?
1
Darn, I forgot...I don't have a billion dollars, nor did I contribute to Trump's campaign.
It's no secret that big money runs our country. You need big money to back your election, and when you're elected, big money tells you what to do. We are the leading weapons supplier in the world. I doubt God cares about big money; in God we trust is an oxymoron.
5
This PROVES the GOP (gramps old party) is an accomplice to the destruction of our democracy, and has abdicated any role in maintaining sanity in the executive and legislative branches of our government.
6
Since when can a President suddenly "appoint" an independent person, one with no Intelligence Agency background (and presumably no security clearance as of yet), to "investigate" the very agencies who do the investigating? Did we elect a king or an emperor? He is the President and as far as I can see has no authority to hire anyone to investigate our Intelligence agencies! The raw audacity amazes and boggles the mind! Call your democratically elected representatives people--stifle this man's absurd requests and keep yourselves and this once great nation safe from (as great philosopher Hannah Arendt once said), the "banalities of evil." For that is what this is.
12
Feinberg will no doubt look at the security apparatus of the US and see what opportunities there are for Cerebus. No conflict of interest here.
13
i am ready to volunteer to identify myself as a leaker, as long as I can demonstrate how I do that at Emperor Donnie's desk.
2
Too bad a thorough investigation of the Russian interference into our election didn't happen in 2016. It may never happen now. But Obama thought it would be viewed as interfering in the election and nobody expected Trump to win with 46%.
1
There's this organization called Congress and this third branch of the government called the Supreme Court. We also have the Department of Justice. All of these agencies are in place and one of their jobs is to ensure the stability and operation of the government. I'd suggest he start with these groups first.
1
here's a thought that struck me and this is not meant to be anything against immigrants. There are now so many immigrants here fleeing dictators, war and worse, that if we have a billionaire takeover of ose people left their countries because they didn't/wouldn't/couldn't stand up to the dictators, so why would they do that here? Welcome to the American Brotherhood.
Some of the most dogged intelligence pursuit of clues from this very Intelligence community led to the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden. We cannot thank the invisible heroes of this community enough, for keeping our Nation safe.
So Mr. Trump wants to appoint a billionaire someone to "review" this community?
I would rather it be the other way around : Trump and his actions during and after the elections (particularly those concerning Russia ) need serious review.
So Mr. Trump wants to appoint a billionaire someone to "review" this community?
I would rather it be the other way around : Trump and his actions during and after the elections (particularly those concerning Russia ) need serious review.
3
OK, let me get this straight: a guy with no prior expertise, contacts, or working relationships with the intelligence community is going to "review" the community? I am less scared about the reality of this move than I am flabbergast at the posturing and the stupidity of it. How, exactly, would Feinberg go about finding the leakers? Won't he need a security clearance? Could he even get one? Is he familiar with all the technology and protocols that they employ in their work? Are intelligence workers going to line up to show him how to spy on their co-workers? Would anyone who speaks to the press anonymously brag to their co-workers over the water cooler that they were the one who provided the Flynn leak? Do they have so little respect for their own work, which is slow and detailed, and based on months and years-worth of expertise and relationship-building, that they would help this billionare outsider?
This move is so blatantly and psychologically unsound, that "even a fifth grader" would recognize this as the tactic of someone who has no idea how to effectively and intelligently run a company and build a healthy, well-functioning job culture, LET ALONE do the complex job of the POTUS.
This move is so blatantly and psychologically unsound, that "even a fifth grader" would recognize this as the tactic of someone who has no idea how to effectively and intelligently run a company and build a healthy, well-functioning job culture, LET ALONE do the complex job of the POTUS.
5
1st Trump declines the daily brief, now he says they are withholding information. 1st Trump praises wikileaks and the FBI, now he's threatening an investigation purge and criminal prosecutions of leakers. The one commonality, if its good for him leaks are ok, bad, then it's a crime.
6
This review should be about one thing, what did Flynn say to Russia and did anyone else know about it or order it. If it was Trump then he no longer deserves to be president. If it was someone else they should also be fired. This investigation into what patriots in the intelligence community leaked is a cover up of the real abuse by the new administration.
5
I was hoping things would improve with Flynn gone, but apparently Trump has no plans to fix any of his national security issues. Pray we have no foreign attacks anytime soon or it will be a disaster. This is very depressing. Congress needs to act soon before it is too late!
3
Wow, people defending those agencies that brought us the Iraq War as if they weren't politicized.
Dick Cheney brought us the Iraq War.
3
Actually, ExPeterC, it was the Bush-Cheney Administration that fished around for fake yellowcake uranium 'intelligence' that led us to the Iraq War.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger_uranium_forgeries
It was GOP Fake News and right-wing fraud that brought us the Iraq War...and this so-called President.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger_uranium_forgeries
It was GOP Fake News and right-wing fraud that brought us the Iraq War...and this so-called President.
2
No it was intelligence communities that were willing to lie for political purposes including the head of the CIA. Anyone who thinks this same thing isn't still going on isn't paying attention.
Yes Donald, it's time to bring our intelligence agencies into your alternate reality of facts.
If you want to do something useful with the intelligence community by championing the constitution and the rule of law, end the NSA domestic spying program and storage of all our communications. Here's another good joke for you Donald...
If you want to do something useful with the intelligence community by championing the constitution and the rule of law, end the NSA domestic spying program and storage of all our communications. Here's another good joke for you Donald...
2
Seems like this is exactly what Putin (I say Putin and not Russia, because doesn't represent the average Russian citizen) might want - weakening US intelligence...and what better way then to let us do it ourselves.
2
Trump is forming a government of his friends and relatives, a puppet government giving him greater control. What does this say about his larger plans?
5
How about a presidency sans scandal? Nothing to leak. Sort of like the Obama years.
3
PBS news hour is pure prejudiced rhetoric against Russia. Listen to John Batchelor show (John Batchelor is a Republican by the way) where every Tuesday evening for 3 years he has hosted Stephen Cohen who is a real Russian scholar to hear the other side of story. Or go to Ron Paul's Institute for Peace website and also the eastwestaccord.com website. Read the excellent journalism on RT.com. The elephant in the room for tilting election toward Trump was the Catholic church and evangelical Christians who interpret their ideas of the Constitution as another Bible. This religious influence is what should be investigated as these people do NOT know more nor should they hold the trust that a woman's doctor holds.
Stephen Feinberg has no qualifications including any training or experience in intelligence matters.
Why not pick an insider like Trump's idol and friend Russian President Vladimir Putin to perform this review?
Or perhaps Trump's buddy Benjamin Netanyahu would be willing to make the sacrifice.
Better still have them jointly lead and chair the effort. If we want to know what Trump really thinks they are our fraternal twin best sources.
Why not pick an insider like Trump's idol and friend Russian President Vladimir Putin to perform this review?
Or perhaps Trump's buddy Benjamin Netanyahu would be willing to make the sacrifice.
Better still have them jointly lead and chair the effort. If we want to know what Trump really thinks they are our fraternal twin best sources.
2
"Mr. Feinberg, who has close ties to Stephen K. Bannon..." So Feinberg's job would in reality be to interfere with any investigation into the White House - Russia Connection? And bring the independent CIA into line with the Bannon/Miller/Trump supremacist views? And the checks and balances for this is the Republican Congress? And a significant number of Americans do not see this administration as a threat to American Democracy? This is the shake-up they voted for?
We'll see...
We'll see...
4
The CIA and NSA aren't independent of the executive branch. They are PART of the executive branch. Trump is a fool but he also draws our attention to the fact that CIA and NSA have too much power and not enough democratic oversight.
23
So what are you advocating? Letting the fool put his business buddies in charge of the spies? Why not just put a direct phone line in the Oval Office that goes to Putin's desk?
1
There are several inconsistencies in Trump's criticisms of the "leaks", most obviously the fact that they are occurring in his branch and yet he seems oblivious to the fact that he's in charge of it. Equally puzzling his insistence that the"leaks", which, by definition would mean that real facts are being disclosed, are "fake news". But the most troubling is his stated intention to improve the life of the "forgotten people" by disrupting the government. Those people may be happy that they are emboldened in stating their undemocratic biases, but the chaos is not improving healthcare, providing jobs or improving anyone's circumstances.
And Feinberg will make it better?
Allegances, loyalities, power: and are the allegances, and loyalties, what it is to an American, to be loyal to America, and not some person, or worse, some corpoiratin?
A man with no intelligence background or clearance is basically being handed "the store"!!!!
Incredible! And not one Republican is protesting!!!
We have a maniac in the WH and no one cares!
Incredible! And not one Republican is protesting!!!
We have a maniac in the WH and no one cares!
3
This is very serious and the first step towards creating a police state. The paranoid Mr. Trump who has much to hide, would put a new set of eyes and ears, of a businessman no less, to essentially spy on the spies. What this means is a total lockdown for counterintelligence.
It's also not a smart move for Trump. He may be seen, I hope finally, by many in Congress who so far have stood by silently hoping Trump will "normalize". They might then begin to realize they could be next.
This is pure Bannon--The wife batterer and Leninist who is helping Trump destroy democracy.
It's also not a smart move for Trump. He may be seen, I hope finally, by many in Congress who so far have stood by silently hoping Trump will "normalize". They might then begin to realize they could be next.
This is pure Bannon--The wife batterer and Leninist who is helping Trump destroy democracy.
8
Wouldn't Feinberg need to receive top level intelligence/security clearance before he could go traipsing through America's intelligence agency?
Oh, silly me, Trump will just sign another Executive Order filled with typos and lies, saying it's just great that his buddy Steve will be making America great again.
What could possibly go wrong? Why can't the ACLU or some legal beagle group challenge a civilian billionaire's right to go through our intelligence agencies, all for the benefit of his money swindling group.
Oh, silly me, Trump will just sign another Executive Order filled with typos and lies, saying it's just great that his buddy Steve will be making America great again.
What could possibly go wrong? Why can't the ACLU or some legal beagle group challenge a civilian billionaire's right to go through our intelligence agencies, all for the benefit of his money swindling group.
4
Trump's plan is completely asinine: Him picking a friend to investigate His Regime. By doing so, he is assuming the ignorance of the American People, and also usurping one of the Constitutional Powers of Congress.
Donald, if you ever DO get someone to read the U. S. Constitution to you, pay particular attention to: the part about "Advisce and Consent", and also the provisions for Impeachment, with charges brought by the House, and a subsequent Trial bing carried out in the Senate.
You are not Above the Law, you are supposed to be a Public Servant, and Employee of the American People, and the roll of the U. S. Congress is to supervise your actions, and take all appropriate action, when necessary.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Donald, if you ever DO get someone to read the U. S. Constitution to you, pay particular attention to: the part about "Advisce and Consent", and also the provisions for Impeachment, with charges brought by the House, and a subsequent Trial bing carried out in the Senate.
You are not Above the Law, you are supposed to be a Public Servant, and Employee of the American People, and the roll of the U. S. Congress is to supervise your actions, and take all appropriate action, when necessary.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
3
Dyncorp is a firm with legions of telecommuting and other six-figure workers that needs an in-depth review. Hopefully the NYT's can take a deep look this government contractor.
2
Sounds about right...a billionaire from a financial management company "investigating" all the intelligence agencies. Seriously?
3
It’s a tenant of Donald’s imagination that billionaires in business with no government experience have the best minds to analyze, improve upon and run varies government agencies. Not only has Donald’s own performance proved that tenet wrong, but so have the top executives of the financial industry in 2008.
4
The big story today, in case you missed it what with the smoke of the visit of Israeli P.M. to D.C. and the abrupt dropping out of Puzder as labor secretary, is:
Stephen A Feinberg.
Feinberg, billionaire co-founder of the secretive, massive, and extremely deep pocketed equity fund, Cerberus Capital Management, has been asked by Herr Trump, according to The New York Times, “to lead a broad review of American intelligence agencies.”
At last, private equity gets its hands on the intelligence. That this follows the revelation of national security advisor Flynn’s resignation due to contact with Russian government spies is no accident.
Herr Trump & Feinberg are going to the source. They will try to shut it down.
This is Cereberus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerberus_Capital_Management
One big area of growth for the fund is in buying distressed real estate holdings. You remember that, right? The 2008 banking “crisis,” that led, in fact, to private equity snapping up assets at low, low prices.
A good friend of mine who is in private banking described that era as, “A fire sale.” People made a mint.
And now Feinberg turns his sights to U.S. intelligence. Want to bet he recommends getting rid of the top people in the agencies and on cutting back staff?
Stephen A Feinberg.
Feinberg, billionaire co-founder of the secretive, massive, and extremely deep pocketed equity fund, Cerberus Capital Management, has been asked by Herr Trump, according to The New York Times, “to lead a broad review of American intelligence agencies.”
At last, private equity gets its hands on the intelligence. That this follows the revelation of national security advisor Flynn’s resignation due to contact with Russian government spies is no accident.
Herr Trump & Feinberg are going to the source. They will try to shut it down.
This is Cereberus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerberus_Capital_Management
One big area of growth for the fund is in buying distressed real estate holdings. You remember that, right? The 2008 banking “crisis,” that led, in fact, to private equity snapping up assets at low, low prices.
A good friend of mine who is in private banking described that era as, “A fire sale.” People made a mint.
And now Feinberg turns his sights to U.S. intelligence. Want to bet he recommends getting rid of the top people in the agencies and on cutting back staff?
2
Ironically, also, even the name of Feinberg's corporation is suspect. Cerebrus, in ancient Greek mythology was the guard dog at the gates of the underworld, whose job it was to make sure the souls of the dead did not escape back into the world. Ah, irony.
2
Does Feinberg have a top secret clearance? Can he get one?
3
We have an intelligence Czar that Trump appointed, heads of intelligence agencies that Trump appointed, we have multiple Congressional oversight committees that the Republican Majority Leader and Speaker appointed but now we need another level of Bureaucracy to do the job these others were charged with. This is all because the Republicans are less worried about who is burning down the government than they are with who called the fire department.
5
Every time we turn around this adminstration is doing something to undermine the country. We need to strengthen our security apparatus, not demoralize and weaken it for crass political gain.
7
We’re marching to an oligarchy..an oligarchy …an oligarchy.
4
So the purging will begin. How horrible for the United States of America.
5
Politicizing the intelligence agencies?? Why not just let Putin do it? Better yet, why not impeach Trump?
5
This reeks of cronyism as much as a panicked attempt to stop the leaking. Seems like Dear Leader is caught between his desire to enrich his friends all the while becoming more illegitimate on a daily basis. Sad.
4
I applaud Trump's ability to come up with the most inappropriate, outrageous, government- and ethics-destroying people to run his government. Doesn't he have enough billionaires on his team already? Haven't they milked the 99% enough? When no.45 looks into intelligence agencies, will they find more alternative facts than real facts? What a total laugh and a total disaster for America.
5
Isn't there a term for a leader putting corporate friends into positions of power while at the same time denigrating, subverting and trying to destroy the integrity and power of other institutions that could challenge?
6
I believe the word you are looking for is, 'Fraud'.
Not quite birdsong, although it does start with an "F."
The word medianone is referring to is "fascism."
The word medianone is referring to is "fascism."
So, the issue is not that Flynn and the Trump campaign had suspicious communications with the Kremlin but that the IC leaked about it??? You cannot make this up; Trump is actually becoming the Bond villain that conservatives, in their fantasies, accused Obama of being!
The GOP is rolling over for Trump; Ryan is spineless and only interested in his economic agenda and Chaffetz is more concerned about the source of the leaks than what the leaks point to, and these are the people who need to keep Trump's power grab in check.
It's sad to wish for some elements from the IC to go rogue and leak whatever they have on Trump because that'd lead to more problems down the line. But this cronyism is getting really close to a personal secret police that serves this vindictive and petty president's wishes.
This is not a joke.
2) It'
The GOP is rolling over for Trump; Ryan is spineless and only interested in his economic agenda and Chaffetz is more concerned about the source of the leaks than what the leaks point to, and these are the people who need to keep Trump's power grab in check.
It's sad to wish for some elements from the IC to go rogue and leak whatever they have on Trump because that'd lead to more problems down the line. But this cronyism is getting really close to a personal secret police that serves this vindictive and petty president's wishes.
This is not a joke.
2) It'
4
I find it highly disturbing that the majority of the Senate is silent on this and all the possible security infringements that led up to it. Is it possible that some of these Senators ALSO knew about them and kept quiet? And are afraid that an inquiry would reveal that? I can't believe they'll let Trump do what he wants as long as they get ACA repealed and tax cuts for the rich. Or that they're afraid of tweets. This article is the most frightening thing in the paper today.
3
But, does Feinberg have the Top Secret Clearance for access to whatever he is supposed to find? Is he know to have integrity above reproach? Is he "independent"?
Another Trumpet crony........yeah, right. How long will the government of, for, and by the people stand for this nonsense?
Clean the swamp.....poisonous snakes go first: Yellow Bannona, Blaring Trumpet, Spice Rack, Con-way, and all the rest of the rats....
Another Trumpet crony........yeah, right. How long will the government of, for, and by the people stand for this nonsense?
Clean the swamp.....poisonous snakes go first: Yellow Bannona, Blaring Trumpet, Spice Rack, Con-way, and all the rest of the rats....
3
A clearly retaliatory move by Trump in an effort to discredit the intelligence community. Security clearance? Denied!
2
This is a travesty! A billionaire goon influencing our national intelligence agencies. Resist, good public servants, resist! The rest of us, we need to keep marching in the streets, protesting wherever we can!
2
Just what we need - another billionaire who has no clue about anything in the intelligence community examining the intelligence community. Wonder if Trump plans on EXTREME VETTING this guy - he has no business poking around the CIA, FBI, + other agencies. Trump is so worried about leaks - they've been going on for years and years, but TRUMP HIMSELF wanted Russia to hack into Hillary's computer and publish 30,000 emails during the campaign. Time for more leaks to get the transparency Donald promised all of us, because he certainly has clammed up since inauguration.
2
Trump is more and more in a bunker of his own making, surrounding himself with the familiar but unqualified with Feinberg. Trump doesn't know the rules, and has not really cared - that's why things are happening the way they are. He's finding out that the people are less and less with him, the courts are not going to bend, the intel community is not going to bend, the press is not going to bend, and at some point, even the GOP house will bend less and less. Pretty soon, he's going to want to take his football and go home, only to be told that it's not his football but he's more than welcome to leave without it.
149
Oh how I hope you are right!
The sooner the better!
The sooner the better!
1
Alex, good point on the football.
I hope the "football" is actually a pig-skin football where we do not have to worry about a fumble causing untold "carnage". Like the intelligence withholding sensitive national information from an unreliable, untrustworthy (proven so) commander with unraveling ties to Russia, this would be a sensible move to keep the "football"out of his reach.
I hope the "football" is actually a pig-skin football where we do not have to worry about a fumble causing untold "carnage". Like the intelligence withholding sensitive national information from an unreliable, untrustworthy (proven so) commander with unraveling ties to Russia, this would be a sensible move to keep the "football"out of his reach.
1
I hope you are right about this.
Wouldn't it be excellent if the entire intel community simply stood up and said, "We can no longer function. We cannot protect this country. Get him out uot you're on your own, America." That would be both terrifying and crystal clear.
A girl can dream. Sigh.
A girl can dream. Sigh.
1
Does he have a top level security clearance?
Can someone sue to make sure he doesn't get one?
Can someone sue to make sure he doesn't get one?
2
Let's face it: Trump does nothing without president Bannon's approval. This is a Bannon strategy. Once again, they are doing Putin's work. For years, Bannon has advocated the downfall of our government. Now they want to intimidate anyone who wants to scrutinize Russia and control the flow of intelligence to the NSC as well as the decision-making by the NSC. They have cut a deal with Putin--Trump for wealth, Bannon for power.
174
What you just did there..... What you just did was use words of sound reason to make your point. And you cut to the chase doing it. I wish I could give you two thumbs up!
1
With this move, or the mere discussion of it, what do you think is going to happen about DJT's taxes??? I bet we get them really soon, leak, leak, leak!
2
President Trump what are you hiding? You loved it when leaks came out and destroyed Hillary. But when it comes to you and your cabinet doing wrong, you are going to build a wall inside America's White House to protect you and your minions from your mistakes. When will you learn that running a country is not about you, it's about protecting and serving your country.
3
Considering how Trump gifted Mitch McConnell's wife a plum spot in his new administration, how likely does anyone really think it is that McConnell will take Trump to task on any matter at all? That leaves Paul Ryan. And he can barely form any response that is contrary to Trump and his agenda.
That leaves McCain and Graham. Two old Senators that may not have the stamina we used to think they had. WAKE UP GOP!
That leaves McCain and Graham. Two old Senators that may not have the stamina we used to think they had. WAKE UP GOP!
1
I hope the media continue to report on the REAL issue, which is not leaks but the outrageious Trump-Putin coziness. PLEASE, media, do not bite at the distracting "leak" issue being pushed by 45. Continue to do your job! The survival of our democracy depends on it!
2
Can we just say no to having Trump assign another fox to guard another henhouse?
1
Mitch McConnell it is time for you to get off the side line and do your job. The American public demand to know the full back ground of this president. If you are reluctant to start this investigation, then that signals to me that you know more about the subject and wish to keep that information from us. You are our representative and the American people are watching you. Which side of history do you want to come down on Sir?
Wait a minute....a Trump Ally may review our intelligence agencies? I'm hopeful that the Office of Inspector General has some regulation that states a government official is prohibited from conducting business with friends or family. Congress should investigate agencies that are bipartisan and not connected with the President from birth to 70 to ensure a fair investigation if there is a concern. Mr. Trump nor his advisors should be making that call.
If this were President Obama....WOW....the saga continues.
If this were President Obama....WOW....the saga continues.
2
What an awful idea. What is crooked lying Trump thinking? Has he become so paranoid, that he is thinking all others are of his condition, untrustworthy and unscrupulous?
2
Whenever presented with a fact that Trump doesn't like, he immediately attacks the source of the fact.
4
It’s ironic that our intelligence agencies take a modicum of comfort in the fact that any changes in their organization require Congressional approval- the very branch of government they have lied to and withheld information from in the not too distant past.
1
In Greek mythology, Cerberus is a three-headed dog that guards the gates of hell. Why would anyone name a company that?
12
Getting your friends to cover up your mess is one thing, but destroying our intelligence department leaves us wide open to attack. Guilt and insecurity are swallowing Donald Trump.
9
There should be a "Chinese-Wall" - er, a Mexican Wall - between Drumpf and this investigation. It's quite clear what he's trying to do.
#ImpeachTrump
#ImpeachTrump
12
Yeah, let's let the profiteers of this quest do the estimates on this insurance claim. I am so sick of protection rackets. Can I have my old Cosa Nostra back?
7
Dear Liberal Urbanites, watch as your worldview devolves into a place it belongs. Did you know the USA is one GOP state legislature from convening a constitutional convention? That would mean the GOP rewrites the constitution.
Great job Obama, the Clintons, Pelosi et al! (p.s. I know they are not responsible, Hillary won the popular vote right?, all is well). Don't change a thing.
Sincerely, a GOP supporter.
Great job Obama, the Clintons, Pelosi et al! (p.s. I know they are not responsible, Hillary won the popular vote right?, all is well). Don't change a thing.
Sincerely, a GOP supporter.
How's life on planet Mars?
3
Did you know that there are more Democrats than Republicans and that those urban liberals that you disdain pay the way for many dead beat red states? And if you try and change the Constitution, get ready for a two-state solution. And you won't like the one you end up in.
5
What, exactly, are his qualifications?
4
Trump owes hundreds of millions to Russian bankers that is the hidden story,he is in debt up to his eyeballs again. American banks would not lend to him anymore.
8
It's not news that this administration would take issue with something called intelligence.
7
I completely understand the notion of surrounding yourself with people you trust and who's judgment you value. That's only human nature. What I DON'T understand is the thought process of choosing Stephen A. Feinberg to review American intelligence agencies. This choice isn't being made to "Make America Great or Safe Again" rather, the opposite. The only party that "wins" in this decision will be Trump and Trump alone. I think he is so darn afraid of what the CIA and FBI either has or will discover, that he will go to any lengths to try and eliminate that information. I never thought I would be defending the CIA in any of their actions, but in this case, Trump is potentially putting this country in far greater risk than the CIA ever has.
11
Trump won't win anything if he goes after the intelligence community in this manner. What he will see are his tax returns printed on the front page of this newspaper. And that will be the end off this disaster.
So Trump's going to put a guy basically in a position to control the intelligence agencies during the investigation of his treason in urging Russia to hack the DNC to help him get elected. What could possibly go wrong?
If you don't want to be living in a military dictatorship along the lines of what Russia is now you'd better find a way to get out of the country because that's the wqy we're headed.
If you don't want to be living in a military dictatorship along the lines of what Russia is now you'd better find a way to get out of the country because that's the wqy we're headed.
6
How appropriate (or telling) that Mr. Feinberg named his company, Cerberus, after the ancient Greek multi-headed demonic dog that guards the gates of hell to prevent the dead from escaping the underworld.
What was that that Maya Angelou said about believing someone the first time when they show you who they are?
What was that that Maya Angelou said about believing someone the first time when they show you who they are?
7
What happened to "nobody has more respect for the intelligence agencies than I do"?
7
Who is next on Trump's "enemies list"? First it was the press and now it's the intelligence community. What happens to the DynCorp contract dispute with the State Department if Feinberg becomes part of Trumps inner circle?
8
I wonder if there will be sufficient, copper bottomed, absolutely guaranteed air bridge between the President and the US Department of Justice investigation into Deutsche Bank?
Deutsche Bank are being investigated to ascertain whether Deutsche Bank loans to Mr Trump "may have been underpinned by financial guarantees from Moscow" (The Guardian, London. Article:'Deutsche Bank examined Donald Trump's account for Russia links' Thursday 16th February, 2016).
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/16/deutsche-bank-examined-t...
Deutsche Bank are being investigated to ascertain whether Deutsche Bank loans to Mr Trump "may have been underpinned by financial guarantees from Moscow" (The Guardian, London. Article:'Deutsche Bank examined Donald Trump's account for Russia links' Thursday 16th February, 2016).
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/16/deutsche-bank-examined-t...
1
Wonderful, Trump may succeed not only in ruining the US government for many generations but in destroying the National Security State!
2
Both Trump and Bannon have repeatedly evidenced authoritarian tendencies. Trump has always put gratifying himself and his insecure ego above all else.
I fear that they, out of spite and because it has openly opposed them, plan to purge and gut our intelligence services. This will put our country at serious risk to foreign adversaries like...Russia.
The GOP congress is, through their refusal to investigate this scandal, abetting Trump/Bannon in their seditious purge. The country is in a very dangerous place.
I fear that they, out of spite and because it has openly opposed them, plan to purge and gut our intelligence services. This will put our country at serious risk to foreign adversaries like...Russia.
The GOP congress is, through their refusal to investigate this scandal, abetting Trump/Bannon in their seditious purge. The country is in a very dangerous place.
202
"The GOP congress is, through their refusal to investigate this scandal, abetting Trump/Bannon in their seditious purge."
And perhaps also thereby abetting Russian influence of our intelligence agencies?
And the GOP congress's response to this threat is ... do nothing till they get their tax cuts?
And perhaps also thereby abetting Russian influence of our intelligence agencies?
And the GOP congress's response to this threat is ... do nothing till they get their tax cuts?
1
dt has no issue with Flynn and likes Putin. Therefore, Putin isn't a foreign adversary. We are in a massive purge. It appears like this regime is sending people to their death plunge. Enter, Michael Moore's "Plan B" that most Americans can't afford (nice thought, though).
One more billionaire in government, one step closer to an oligarchy, similar to Russia, where billionaires no longer use politicians as middlemen, they directly step in to pull the strings of government to benefit themselves. A billionaire whose investments include clandestine security contracts having control over the intelligence agencies - that makes sense.
11
Trump is betting here that he is more popular than the intelligence agencies, that well stand with him rather than them. And God knows that the NSA and domestic spying have gone way too far. But in a match up between intelligence and Trump's lack thereof, a lot of us will go with intelligence. Trump may have the billionaires but spies hold the secrets. The power of the latter usually comes out ahead.
For whoever is doing the leaking, I beseech you: please don't stop now. This country needs you.
For whoever is doing the leaking, I beseech you: please don't stop now. This country needs you.
11
Another coverup by another "billionaire"! We've seen rich cabinet members falter so will Fienberg. Private Equity firms are notoriously criminal.
1
The US is experiencing a head infection. Godspeed to the antibodies.
3
I'm so surprised that the GOP is putting up with Trump's war on our intelligence services. Aren't they supposed to be heroes? Aren't they supposed to be the best in the world? If a Democrat did this, he or she would be labeled a traitor.
11
Members of Congress are as terrified of the intelligence agencies as Trump is.
Like Trump, they know there is information about THEM that could take away their cushy jobs, and, like Trump, they are willing to do ANYTHING to keep the secret dossiers closed.
Imagining that they care about our country is fatuous.
Like Trump, they know there is information about THEM that could take away their cushy jobs, and, like Trump, they are willing to do ANYTHING to keep the secret dossiers closed.
Imagining that they care about our country is fatuous.
We should demand that anyone running for president be able to pass top security clearance before she/he can get a party's nomination. Trump surely could never have qualified to be even a White House intern. Why do we hold low-level bureaucrats to a higher standard of scrutiny than we do a POTUS?
11
First, he calls our intelligence officers "Nazis" and now, he is going to have a billionaire, who does not have an ounce of experience in the intelligence field "review" the agencies! What a slap in the face of our brave men and women and all those in the support staff that work diligently to keep America safe!!!
My last hope is Sen. McCain who can walk over to the West Wing and tell the narcissist-in-chief, NO. The fact the intelligence is being kept from the narcissist because he is not trusted by the intelligence services is enough, in my opinion, to have Congress investigate!
My last hope is Sen. McCain who can walk over to the West Wing and tell the narcissist-in-chief, NO. The fact the intelligence is being kept from the narcissist because he is not trusted by the intelligence services is enough, in my opinion, to have Congress investigate!
9
This is a stark example of the iron thumb of fascism Trump is bringing to our country. Hello good people, this one's as ugly as it gets. Pay close attention and plan to act.
11
It hasn't even been one month, and already our government is imploding.
8
In the split between the Intelligence Community and tump, I go with the Intelligence Community to get the truth out. I hope they take this man down soon.
Watch for tump to argue this again today and defend Flynn. Tump loves leaks from Wiki-leaks on Hillary, true or false; he can't stand the leaks from inside his own white house. Truth hurts doesn't it tump?
Watch for tump to argue this again today and defend Flynn. Tump loves leaks from Wiki-leaks on Hillary, true or false; he can't stand the leaks from inside his own white house. Truth hurts doesn't it tump?
3
Mr. Feinberg's company, Cerberus, is named after the ancient Greek attack dog that guarded the gates of hell so that the dead could not escape the underworld after they came to realize where they ended up because of their sins. Cerberus had 3+ heads so that he could hunt down those trying to escape (leak out?) from the underworld because he was Evil's guard dog.
Talk about a modern metaphor for today's White House and GOP, if not also the parts of Mr. Comey's Clinton-hating FBI!
Talk about a modern metaphor for today's White House and GOP, if not also the parts of Mr. Comey's Clinton-hating FBI!
5
Since he's Bannon's guy, maybe intelligence will now take it upon themselves to investigate Bannon's connections to Russian intelligence, too. The overlap between Russia's aims in our election and the fake news/propaganda pumped out by Breitbart was uncanny. They seemed like an arm of the Russian disinformation campaign.
This is really scary stuff! First he launches an all out effort to discredit legitimate press outlets. Next he elevates far right and fringe media outlets, Townhall.com, Breitbart, Infowars, etc. to "normal" status. Now he wants to eliminate any possibility of oversight or information gathering regarding his administration. Are we now in Russia? Will the republican congress actually allow this appointment to happen without challenge?
4
This would be frightening, if not for Trump's leadership continuing to be so incompetent. Cook up some more popcorn, and enjoy the next episode of Dysfunction House.
1
Let's hope this development serves as a catalyst for our intelligence community to burn the Trump administration once and for all.
1
In spite of the myth's of rogue agencies who do as they please and the occasional rogue agent who seems to prove this, our professional Civil Servants are just that and play according to the rules.
I wrote this comment for a story in yesterday's NYT and but changed a few words to make it fit this story: "But of course the President cannot place someone as reviewer of American intelligence who has essential experience since that person is likely someone whose experience comes via being in the system, and therefore is part of the whole Washington swamp problem that Trump told his dim-witted voters needed to be changed. There's a billionaire out there who owns and shoot guns who would be the perfect person to be that reviewer."
3
Well, judging by his investments and friends, Feinberg sounds like an awful person, so he is perfect for the Trump Admin, no doubt.
1
The very suggestion admits the defeat of the GOP Congress as a representative body following the Constitution. The President, and the GOP in Congress represent all Americans and our laws. Not just those they like.
Sounds like another potential appointee that's not qualified for the position. And why propose that an ally investigate the intelligence community if the Trump campaign didn't do anything improper or illegal? Seems like a way to intimidate his critics.
1
An outside audit can be very helpful.
Needless to say, it is the the quality and impartiality of the auditor, that determines the value of the audit.
Needless to say, it is the the quality and impartiality of the auditor, that determines the value of the audit.
2
First we shoot all the messengers (the press). Next we kill all the lawyers (congress) and put the wolf (Putin) in a position to gobble up Little Red Riding Hood (America). Shakespeare and Grimm's Fairy Tales are playing out on a daily basis. Then Peter( the intelligence community) is denied authority to kill the wolf (Putin) and the fox in the henhouse(Trump) is free to gobble up all of democracy in a thrice. And thus endedth the lesson for the day.
2
Another attempt by Trump & Bannon to discredit & weaken the institutions of American government. Ultimately, their goal is for Trump to have unbridled influence & power. Trump may well be very worried about what the intelligence community will eventually discover regarding his ties to Russia, and the degree to which he is compromised. We may yet discover that Trump is a Russian functionary.
Those working in American intelligence agencies are some of the most patriotic, selfless people we have protecting our country. Their work is not driven by politics or partisanship but rather the collection of information for the benefit of the United States. The truth is DJT does not like getting information that conflicts with his nationalist views. Instead he rather suppress one of the most sophisticated federal government apparatus for what...groupthink?
These people in the intelligence community are whistle blowers trying to save our country by speaking truth to power. We are in great jeopardy and this man in the white house is so unstable that we can not afford to have him in office. We also need to be deeply worried by the presence of Bannon and the scary son-in-law in this government. They are acting against most decent Americans---tearing us apart and turning us against one another and all our allies. Who will ever trust this government? Why should anyone ever trust this government? It doesn't matter if the president is naive or stupid or the director of this madness. Running the country is not a side show. This is the main event to the destruction of our democracy. McCain (and I'm a Democrat), please rally the troops and save us!
2
Emperor Donnie the Dunce now wants to put Stephen Feinberg, a political supporter (who donated $1.5 million to support his campaign) to oversee the intelligence agencies. Feinberg is a vulture capitalist who buys failing companies, rips them apart and reassembles pieces, and sells off the rejiggered organization. It sounds like Emperor Donnie the Dunce thinks something similar might be done with 17 different intelligence agencies.
Who gets to buy the "rejiggered" parts?
(What a silly approach, but hey, Emperor Donnie the Dunce is hard at work. Yeah, right.)
Who gets to buy the "rejiggered" parts?
(What a silly approach, but hey, Emperor Donnie the Dunce is hard at work. Yeah, right.)
Sounds like a threat to the people he transparently pretended to support in his laughable and insulting speech to them back in January. So, not only Hillary and the press, but now the intelligence community is the opposition. When will enough of his supporters wake up to curtail this? How is he going to shape the world as he states without good intel - cooperation is a 2 way street.
Yet another authoritarian move.
Look, the Trumps know no other way. All any of them has ever known is their royalty-like roles in powerful family business.
In other words, the deeper problem isn't them. Rather, it's an election system and body politic that gave them the jobs they have.
While it's impossible for the media to ignore their machinations, somehow we the people must also examine the deeper problems relating to why the US has a boorish, sexually abusive, vindictive, backward-looking, dishonest, power-hungry President whose only evident strength lies in his ability to amass personal wealth (i.e., line his own pockets).
How did we the people come to be such pawns in our own demise? Are we so desperate for material well-being that we'll actually put up with this?
We know Trump. We've know him for years -- since long before he ran for office. We are not thinking straight. And that's on us (not Trump)!
Look, the Trumps know no other way. All any of them has ever known is their royalty-like roles in powerful family business.
In other words, the deeper problem isn't them. Rather, it's an election system and body politic that gave them the jobs they have.
While it's impossible for the media to ignore their machinations, somehow we the people must also examine the deeper problems relating to why the US has a boorish, sexually abusive, vindictive, backward-looking, dishonest, power-hungry President whose only evident strength lies in his ability to amass personal wealth (i.e., line his own pockets).
How did we the people come to be such pawns in our own demise? Are we so desperate for material well-being that we'll actually put up with this?
We know Trump. We've know him for years -- since long before he ran for office. We are not thinking straight. And that's on us (not Trump)!
1
Trump can just pick a random person, with no review or appointment process or intelligence clearance, and that person can access all US intelligence organizations, functions, and information to decide whether or not our intelligence program should be preserved? How is this even a constitutional function?
This keeps on getting worse every day. Mr. Trump knows nothing more than how to bully people, apparently that is the management style his supporters prefer.
So bully the media. Call them crooked, biased, unfair. Anything Trump dislikes is immediately "fake news." The few times his administration submits to questioning, they call mostly on right leaning organizations.
Next he attacks Intelligence agencies for being incompetent, biased, crooked. Now he wants to put his political appointee in charge. He then will control the justice department, intelligence agencies, and the press is just marginalized.
He will stop all investigations and only sanction positive news stories. It's pretty obvious where he's going. He wants ultimate control of all of government. As his spokesman Miller said on Sunday, "The President will not be questioned."
He must be stopped before we reach a point of no return.
So bully the media. Call them crooked, biased, unfair. Anything Trump dislikes is immediately "fake news." The few times his administration submits to questioning, they call mostly on right leaning organizations.
Next he attacks Intelligence agencies for being incompetent, biased, crooked. Now he wants to put his political appointee in charge. He then will control the justice department, intelligence agencies, and the press is just marginalized.
He will stop all investigations and only sanction positive news stories. It's pretty obvious where he's going. He wants ultimate control of all of government. As his spokesman Miller said on Sunday, "The President will not be questioned."
He must be stopped before we reach a point of no return.
2
The Trump refrain: It's the fault of intelligence leaks. It's the media's fault. Flynn's only fault was being caught. Solution? Toss a sop to Cerberus and open the gates of hell for more unqualified billionaires to come swarming out. And then the administration will rush back to the hell from whence they came, dragging the rest of the country along with them. Say goodbye to democracy. Welcome to hell. Congress: Do something before it's too late.
And who is going to feed that master plan? Hmmmm, guys with no experience in either government, intel, or the military but with friends in Russia headed by the most successful KGB agent in their history - offering them some helpful pointers about where to look. Wow, that was difficult to see why you might be extra tight with your sources and tradecraft.
Perhaps Mr. Feinberg could put together a private security force to protect Trump while he keeps an eye on the CIA and the Secret Service, eliminating any players foolish enough to oppose Trump by informing the public.
If we are watching the dismantling of our government, and the formation of a dictatorship, I wonder how far it will go before Congress and Justice bring this to a halt. Or will it be left to The People in the streets to take their country back at some point down this dark road?
If we are watching the dismantling of our government, and the formation of a dictatorship, I wonder how far it will go before Congress and Justice bring this to a halt. Or will it be left to The People in the streets to take their country back at some point down this dark road?
Good question
Talk about a diversionary tactic! While leaks are a concern, the real issue is the nature of what's been leaked. The content of communications to and from the Trump organization with Russian nationals before during and after the election, may border on treason! The concern should be about what was discussed and who was involved. Following the chain of command upward, the mantra of the Nixon years rises. "What did he know and when did he know it?"
Sure. The leaks could be from disgruntled US Federal employees. But we just went through an avalanche of targeted leaks during the election campaign and the originators turned out to be Russian. We apparently have a lot of access into their government apparatus...It is not a stretch to believe they have access to ours? This has a lot of signatures of a classic disinformation program. My money's on the Ruskies.
"co-founder of Cerberus Capital......" Cerberus, as in "the monstrous multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. Cerberus was the offspring of the monsters Echidna and Typhon, and usually is described as having three heads, a serpent for a tail, and snakes protruding from parts of his body." (Wikipedia)
Honestly, what kind of person names his company after a hell-hound? Unless he feels a close affinity with his chosen mascot. I.e., a ruthless, egotistical and amoral hedge fund manager. Wow; hard to believe a man with such traits ever crossed paths with Donald the Great.
And now this person with no relevant experience is going to "lead a broad review of American intelligence agencies"? One can only imagine the first bullet point of Mr. Feinberg's ultimate report: "ROE on the CIA and NSA is too volatile to recommend further investment. Agencies produce much useful data, but too often make the President look foolish as well as clueless."
His recommendation? Make the agencies report to him or Steve Bannon, personally, and fire al dissenters. Kind of like having a political officer assigned to every military unit, to second-guess subject matter expertise using political expediency as the guide. Hey, it worked for Stalin, didn't it?
This is what totalitarianism looks like. Shutter independent sources of information, message that you are infallible and punish anyone who dares to disagree.
Honestly, what kind of person names his company after a hell-hound? Unless he feels a close affinity with his chosen mascot. I.e., a ruthless, egotistical and amoral hedge fund manager. Wow; hard to believe a man with such traits ever crossed paths with Donald the Great.
And now this person with no relevant experience is going to "lead a broad review of American intelligence agencies"? One can only imagine the first bullet point of Mr. Feinberg's ultimate report: "ROE on the CIA and NSA is too volatile to recommend further investment. Agencies produce much useful data, but too often make the President look foolish as well as clueless."
His recommendation? Make the agencies report to him or Steve Bannon, personally, and fire al dissenters. Kind of like having a political officer assigned to every military unit, to second-guess subject matter expertise using political expediency as the guide. Hey, it worked for Stalin, didn't it?
This is what totalitarianism looks like. Shutter independent sources of information, message that you are infallible and punish anyone who dares to disagree.
1
Putin deserves more credit as a geopolitical chess-master. By getting Trump elected he has destabilized NATO, the EU and the rest of the planet. But the the 3D chess move was destabilizing the US. Talk of Trump being Putin Puppet is misses the strategy of making sure the US will no longer have the norms and stability the world has relied upon for nearly a century.
Russia with a GDP of $1.3 trillion or 7.5% of the US economy (smaller than New York state) has effectively planted political time bombs within the White House.
If the White House permits Russia to do as it pleases, Russia gains.
If damaging information becomes public about the Russia/connection, Russia Gains.
If we as a nation face a constitutional crisis, Russia gains.
All without firing a shot - Time Magazine should pick Putin as it's Man of the Year for 2017.
Russia with a GDP of $1.3 trillion or 7.5% of the US economy (smaller than New York state) has effectively planted political time bombs within the White House.
If the White House permits Russia to do as it pleases, Russia gains.
If damaging information becomes public about the Russia/connection, Russia Gains.
If we as a nation face a constitutional crisis, Russia gains.
All without firing a shot - Time Magazine should pick Putin as it's Man of the Year for 2017.
2
This is how power entrenches and protects itself. Place not experts but loyalists deep within institutions deemed powerful but threatening. As the Administration gets better at this, the leaks will dry up. Building a "wall" around itself, the Admin will grow fortified as well as paranoid. It will become increasingly out of touch with Congressional leadership and the American public. Unfortunately the time scale of repurcussins is in years, not months.
1
Having spies bring down the civilian elected government is dangerous. What is happening brings to light how much we take civilian control of our government for granted. Both parties and the American public that elects our government needs to take their vote and their responsibility as citizens seriously.
This is a constitutional crisis caused by a Constitution that has allowed our country to be gerrymandered and have a minority of voters take control of the civilian government. This minority government has their own private media that has infected the country. Fortunately the professional class that isn't political that actually runs things does have a say.
Unless Republicans in Congress are willing to appoint a special prosecutor and find out if our Commander and Chief was involved in treason, we may well face a coup brought on by the professionals that run the government's day to day activities.
The professionals are speaking, will our elected officials act before it's to late? Our country is in trouble and we can't wait. The Republican congressional leadership must act or they will be responsible for bringing down the USA.
This is a constitutional crisis caused by a Constitution that has allowed our country to be gerrymandered and have a minority of voters take control of the civilian government. This minority government has their own private media that has infected the country. Fortunately the professional class that isn't political that actually runs things does have a say.
Unless Republicans in Congress are willing to appoint a special prosecutor and find out if our Commander and Chief was involved in treason, we may well face a coup brought on by the professionals that run the government's day to day activities.
The professionals are speaking, will our elected officials act before it's to late? Our country is in trouble and we can't wait. The Republican congressional leadership must act or they will be responsible for bringing down the USA.
Civilians should take down the civilian elected government. I said weeks ago that when liberals care enough about this country to form a mob and physically remove these thugs from office let me know. The offer still stands.
But truth is liberals will just wring their hands until it's too late. I can't even get overwhelming support for the nonviolent tax revolt I had planned since the election. If people are too afraid not to pay taxes to fund Trump, they certainly aren't going to rise up and overthrow him.
November 2018? Too late. Dream on.
Seems the consensus is this country isn't worth actually fighting for. So I'm getting out before they lock the exit.
But truth is liberals will just wring their hands until it's too late. I can't even get overwhelming support for the nonviolent tax revolt I had planned since the election. If people are too afraid not to pay taxes to fund Trump, they certainly aren't going to rise up and overthrow him.
November 2018? Too late. Dream on.
Seems the consensus is this country isn't worth actually fighting for. So I'm getting out before they lock the exit.
1
Really? A Trump ally checking something like this out? No matter what he finds it will not be viewed as honest or truthful. A bipartisan committee would be a better way to handle this. Once again, King Trump shows how tone deaf he is when it comes to being president rather than being a candidate for president. This is akin to asking the criminal robbing your house if it's secure enough.
13
Trump needs a real buddy checking out our intelligence community – the leak he is concerned about is not about policy, because he has none. His concern is leaks about nefarious deals with Russia, oh and there are those pee-pee tapes he would prefer we don’t see either.
33
Emperor Donnie is giving the term "leak" a whole new meaning with those tapes.
Guess what, "President" Trump. The people in the security agencies took an oath to defend the constitution, not an oath to King Trump. When they see a security threat to this nation, in the form of Russian meddling, they will defend it.
68
Have we lost our collective sanity and sense of reasoning here?
Guess it's team for the uninformed and previously uninvolved American citizens to pack up for a country wide march on Washington. We can call it the WE'VE HAD ENOUGH - LET'S MAKE AMERICA SANE AGAIN tour.
Guess it's team for the uninformed and previously uninvolved American citizens to pack up for a country wide march on Washington. We can call it the WE'VE HAD ENOUGH - LET'S MAKE AMERICA SANE AGAIN tour.
44
Follow the money.
He's doing all of this in service to his Russian backers.
He's doing all of this in service to his Russian backers.
26
At this point it would be so nice if something leaked from the IRS.
89
Unless there is nothing to leak. Trump has never produced the letter of audit the IRS would send to anyone they plan to audit. There is no audit.
1984!
9
Bannon and Trump's cabinet of oligarchs (now plus Feinberg) emulates Putin's authoritarian system. Billionaire flunkies subject to the whims of a central dictator. The federal treasury (our tax dollars) pad their Swiss bank accounts. Meanwhile, in the words of Brendan Behan,"It's the same the whole world over, no matter where you go. It's the rich that gets the gravy, and the poor that stays the poor."
19
I'm pretty old now so maybe I won't be here to see the ultimate handover of the United States of America--to Russia via American billionaires.
We can only hope that when the inquisition begins that many employees in our intelligence services will stay and stonewall, foot drag, deflect and obfuscate in order to preserve these services, and, prevent the twit in chief from causing yuuuuuge damage to the services.
One more attack on some of our valued agencies by the unqualified individual in the White House. Sad.
One more attack on some of our valued agencies by the unqualified individual in the White House. Sad.
28
We can't be too far away for 'you're doing a heck of job' Brownie' comeback.
5
Looks like Trump is just trying to feather out his little nest of super right hatchlings to assimilate and grab key levers of power of the most powerful agencies on the planet. Foreign countries tremble at the thought of a rogue U.S. Superpower. American citizens should be afraid as well.
19
We are in big trouble -- unless the few intelligent and honest Republicans in the Senate are brave enough to step forward. John McCain, it is time to go public with what you believe -- which I'm sure would be a complete repudiation of Trump -- and work to sway those with similar but hidden views of this would-be demagogue to go public, as a group, and deny him his ambition, for that ambition has nothing to do with America's interests.
31
McCain is an aging warhorse. He doesn't have the 'stamina' he once had. He needs some support. Graham might help, but they need at least one more GOP Senator. Then they could caucus with the Democrats to move things forward. Add another 10 patriotic Republicans (is that now an oxymoron?) willing to put country before politics and there would be a veto proof majority in the Senate that not even the Supreme Obstructionist Mitch McConnell himself could stand against to keep them from taking America back.
1
Glad you mentioned McCain, a man who must have developed immense courage and optimism earlier in life. His silence is deafening. The other Repugnant-cants are merely too weak to act on saving this country. Remember the last eight years of the "Do-Nothing" Congress? They're still in office, as numb and as lazy as always. Or is it "as confused and inept" as usual?
This plan is in line with the Bannon/Flynn/Sessions agenda (yes Flynn) to replace all government agencies with a dozen Trump staff to make all decisions and enact power plays (in lieu of laws). This is the only structure he understands. As of this date, the republicans appear to ok with TRUMP WHITE HOUSE (see gold letters). It certainly makes their job easier.
8
Trump says the media and leaks brought down Flynn. That means he was aware of Flynn's conversations with Russia. He is basically saying if no one had found out he wouldn't have had to fire Flynn. He was told about the conversations and did nothing. When it was leaked he had to take action, or look crooked...er. I doubt we will find a smoking gun in Trump's desk, but I have little doubt he was pulling the strings.
12
The intelligence community needs to be as independent from this White House as possible. We don't need a Trump mole in there. Trump is obviously under some influence from Russia - there is no other way to explain his posture toward Russia and we need to get the truth and then: "Lock him up!".
19
"Mr. Feinberg has strong ties to the government contracting industry.... now locked in a major legal dispute over the fate of a $10 billion State Department contract.." One can only imagine what benefits Feinberg's investigation may reap. Perhaps a clue may be found within the expected benefits from proposed $10 billion investment in counternarcotics operations. What is that about?
13
Somehow I cannot help but believe that like Trump, the latest nominee - another billionaire - is loyal first and foremost to his wallet, second to the maniac and his wallet and if there is anything left over - not likely - to the security of the American nation.
No Trump loyalist should be permitted to hold any kind of office. And that includes the psycho himself as he is loyal to himself and only to himself.
No Trump loyalist should be permitted to hold any kind of office. And that includes the psycho himself as he is loyal to himself and only to himself.
25
The swamp is overflowing.
36
The thought of Stephen Feinberg reviewing American intelligence agencies and possibly being the next National Security Advisor with his only "qualifications" and experience is his firm’s stakes in a private security company and two gun makers is more frightening to me than the CIA AND the Russians combined.
47
Having an outsider come in to do a "review" of intelligence agencies is troubling. Is the main purpose of such a review is to silence those who find, like with Flynn, that dubious if not illegal activities are taking place? This is a slippery slope.
25
Well isn't that just tremendous?
8
Trump is scared. Why else would the Trump administration want a billionaire buddy with ties to Bannon and Kushner to investigate the American intelligence agencies while Trump's staff and Trump himself are BEING INVESTIGATED FOR TIES TO RUSSIA? Somehow, I don't think it's because Trump wants them to do a great job of investigating! It's time for Congress to appoint select independent investigations into Trump and Russian influence. I see treason and impeachment proceedings on the horizon.
45
I see treason and impeachment proceedings on the horizon."
.........
NOT as long as the GOP congress is sleeping in their tents. We could wind up with a J Edgar government where everybody is fearful due to dossiers. Traitors all. Tax season is upion,JUST SAY NO!
.........
NOT as long as the GOP congress is sleeping in their tents. We could wind up with a J Edgar government where everybody is fearful due to dossiers. Traitors all. Tax season is upion,JUST SAY NO!
I'm sure he'll be welcomed with open arms and enthusiasm by an Intelligence Community that has received nothing but love from this administration.
14
Perhaps Trump will spend so much time looking over his shoulder and under his bed that he will forget to enact those harebrained policies he has been trumpeting at campaign rallies and in midnight tweets. But appointing yet another billionaire, and this one as totally untrained and inexperienced at the job as Trump's cabinet picks, will not get far without eroding and unbalancing intelligence agencies, which are so critical to our security and operation.
Witch hunts rarely find real witches. What the real ones did was to simply destroy a lot of innocent lives along the way, then declare the deed done.
Sending intelligence authorities to look in their midst will merely pit one agency against another, or internally, one agent against another. This is no way to run a government. So much of the information we gather tells us how we should deal with threats foreign and domestic. The information also performs the less dramatic but equally important job of educating us about foreign foes and, yes, even unruly or questionable allies.
I happen to think intelligence officials or some others with the information became desperate about outing Flynn after Trump ignored their warnings to fire him. And congressional Republicans have been defending this President at all costs. So going to the press became the only, best alternative.
I think the officials acted in the best traditions of American whistle blowing. But even if you believe the opposite, witch hunting is never the answer.
Witch hunts rarely find real witches. What the real ones did was to simply destroy a lot of innocent lives along the way, then declare the deed done.
Sending intelligence authorities to look in their midst will merely pit one agency against another, or internally, one agent against another. This is no way to run a government. So much of the information we gather tells us how we should deal with threats foreign and domestic. The information also performs the less dramatic but equally important job of educating us about foreign foes and, yes, even unruly or questionable allies.
I happen to think intelligence officials or some others with the information became desperate about outing Flynn after Trump ignored their warnings to fire him. And congressional Republicans have been defending this President at all costs. So going to the press became the only, best alternative.
I think the officials acted in the best traditions of American whistle blowing. But even if you believe the opposite, witch hunting is never the answer.
14
Why would another Wall Street crony of Trump's be given a security clearance to investigate the intelligence agencies? Trump has already shown appalling judgement in every choice he has made for his administration. Feinberg is unqualified and ignorant of intelligence matters. Say no to any further security clearances for Trump associates until he is cleared of wrong doing in Russia-gate.
22
OMG. Does he think he can also stifle the European sources of intelligence that know more than the US? The Europeans have been "running" with this for a while and have MORE information.
IF you are corrupt, shoot the messenger.
IF you are corrupt, shoot the messenger.
17
That's a very good point. Given his treatment of our allies, they will have plenty of incentive to take him down. Thanks for cheering me up a bit.
Is America becoming great again?
How about safe again? Does anyone feel safe right now?
How about safe again? Does anyone feel safe right now?
8
Oh joy, more "Let's put on a show" policy from Trump The Persistently Overwhelmed and Defensive.
Somehow, in appointing a blue ribbon panel to chastise, I mean review, the practices of our premier intelligence agencies, Trump has managed to decrease confidence all around that he can get a handle on anything, let alone national security.
Given the glowing reviews Mr. Feinberg's employees and country club peers give him, though, I have full confidence that he will want to begin his review by making a determination of the Trump administration's behavior relative to national security, laws regarding self-dealing, and the degree of their exposure or even willing acceptance of foreign influence. So he can assess the motives and the impact of the not yet confirmed leaks from somewhere that isn't Trump's responsibility. (Because if I worked in Trump's White House, I would be leaking like a grass hut in a hurricane.)
Which means, at long last, we can expect to see Mr. Trumps tax documents and a full accounting of his foreign holdings and liabilities rather soon.
At least we don't have to pretend any longer to believe that horrible, corrupt Comey, now that there's a new sheriff in town.
Somehow, in appointing a blue ribbon panel to chastise, I mean review, the practices of our premier intelligence agencies, Trump has managed to decrease confidence all around that he can get a handle on anything, let alone national security.
Given the glowing reviews Mr. Feinberg's employees and country club peers give him, though, I have full confidence that he will want to begin his review by making a determination of the Trump administration's behavior relative to national security, laws regarding self-dealing, and the degree of their exposure or even willing acceptance of foreign influence. So he can assess the motives and the impact of the not yet confirmed leaks from somewhere that isn't Trump's responsibility. (Because if I worked in Trump's White House, I would be leaking like a grass hut in a hurricane.)
Which means, at long last, we can expect to see Mr. Trumps tax documents and a full accounting of his foreign holdings and liabilities rather soon.
At least we don't have to pretend any longer to believe that horrible, corrupt Comey, now that there's a new sheriff in town.
7
Feinberg will be a Mossad agent protecting Trump in exchange for giving Israel a free hand in the middle east.
6
Why? Mr. Feinberg is a billionaire. Doesn't he have enough to do running his business empire? Why does he want to work for Trump? Is there a business deal he wants to push?
Apparently he knows Steve Bannon. So now only friends of the real President are being hired for made up jobs? To do what? A review or a silencing and reduction of influence of our current intelligence community? Trump and Bannon are only upset with 'leaks' because they were caught. If they were to control the intelligence reports then they could manipulate them to support their I mean Steve Bannon's agenda of ? Fill in the blank - war with Islam, a total breakdown of existing government?
This must be seen as a grab for more power by a very dangerous man. Bannon does not support American democracy, equality and justice for all.
Apparently he knows Steve Bannon. So now only friends of the real President are being hired for made up jobs? To do what? A review or a silencing and reduction of influence of our current intelligence community? Trump and Bannon are only upset with 'leaks' because they were caught. If they were to control the intelligence reports then they could manipulate them to support their I mean Steve Bannon's agenda of ? Fill in the blank - war with Islam, a total breakdown of existing government?
This must be seen as a grab for more power by a very dangerous man. Bannon does not support American democracy, equality and justice for all.
11
Maybe the spooks can bring Feinberg down too. The fools in the WH decided to take on the intelligence community with denigration, hostility and lies. The fools in the WH will be gone soon enough---they have no idea how outclassed they are by patriots who know what's the whole crooked WH cabal has been up to with Putin.
11
His actions-blaming the press, blaming leaks, appointing a billionaire friend to overhaul our intelligence community, strongly imply the beginning of a coverup.
It hasn't worked in the past and won't work now. Whether it's through the judiciary, the admittedly lame and shameful Congress, the press, the appointment of a special prosecutor, or a combination of decent, smart people who are courageous and love this country, we will find out the truth of his connection with Russia and Putin. If there is no nefarious tie in, fine. Then we're merely dealing with an unhinged president.
If the evidence demonstrates the President is, indeed, a "puppet" of Moscow,
as Clinton asserted in the debate, then the dimension of his alleged wrongdoing
surpasses anything in our country's history and the appropriate process will address it. We can't dispair. We shall overcome.
It hasn't worked in the past and won't work now. Whether it's through the judiciary, the admittedly lame and shameful Congress, the press, the appointment of a special prosecutor, or a combination of decent, smart people who are courageous and love this country, we will find out the truth of his connection with Russia and Putin. If there is no nefarious tie in, fine. Then we're merely dealing with an unhinged president.
If the evidence demonstrates the President is, indeed, a "puppet" of Moscow,
as Clinton asserted in the debate, then the dimension of his alleged wrongdoing
surpasses anything in our country's history and the appropriate process will address it. We can't dispair. We shall overcome.
8
To borrow a line from "It's a Wonderful Life," didn't somebody ever tell Donald that no man is a failure who has non-wealthy friends? Donald wants to stick it to the intelligence agencies, and the only person he can turn to for the job is a fellow billionaire? Sad!
The country was served well when another billionaire (Nelson Rockefeller) was charged with the task of investigating the CIA in 1975, but that was a different set of circumstances altogether. Ford himself wasn't a billionaire without non-wealthy friends, and the reasons for investigating intelligence agencies at that time were absolutely valid.
The country was served well when another billionaire (Nelson Rockefeller) was charged with the task of investigating the CIA in 1975, but that was a different set of circumstances altogether. Ford himself wasn't a billionaire without non-wealthy friends, and the reasons for investigating intelligence agencies at that time were absolutely valid.
2
Like his other appointees, trump is deliberately going out of his way to find someone whose personal and financial interests conflict with the work of the agencies he's being asked to investigate. At a time when most citizens are worried about these agencies' independence (not enough) trump is worried that they are too independent.
Feinberg will be asked to report on the inner workings of these intelligence agencies to a president who is sweet on the country that just tampered with our elections, whose staff has been, to an unknowable degree been in communication with their intelligence agencies. Because Feinberg has a financial stake in influencing what the president decides to do with the information he provides, it is a win-win deal between Feinberg and Trump.
What swamp? This makes my hair stand on end.
Feinberg will be asked to report on the inner workings of these intelligence agencies to a president who is sweet on the country that just tampered with our elections, whose staff has been, to an unknowable degree been in communication with their intelligence agencies. Because Feinberg has a financial stake in influencing what the president decides to do with the information he provides, it is a win-win deal between Feinberg and Trump.
What swamp? This makes my hair stand on end.
15
Now there's talk of a Bannon/Kushner associate (billionaire, no less) being installed in the White House to "review" the intel agencies. Just how futzed up can this get before sanity returns? That Miller kid was one scary little dude last weekend. I bet he and Sessions are fun when they get together. These are the parasites who have latched onto a demented host and are controlling the Oval Office. I'm addicted to MSNBC, CNN, Politico, NYT, Washington Post.........but I've been actually getting a sick feeling from this. I take sanity breaks by checking to see if the D.C. eagles have laid their eggs yet.
14
Well said. We are addicted too, because we are clinging to hope that congress will step in and impeach this lunatic!
That picture of Bannon with Kushner. Yikes. Jared looking like a kid wet behind the ears. So innocent and yet so "brilliant", apparently. Like a lamb headed to slaughter. HOW is is possible an orthodox Jew can conspire with an anti-semite? HOW is it possible that he would really think if this whole thing plays out to Bannon's dream "vision" that he is not under literal existential threat? Or would HE get a pass? Soon is he selling other Jews down the river for his own personal gain? Sickening. These people that have NO morals, NO ethics, NO restraint, NO sense of the value of social cohesion and the greater good. WHAT is it that they think they are going to accomplish that will be their crowning achievement? HOW do they get to this place of perverse destructive desire?
11
Remember the story of Queen Esther.
"What is it that they think they are going to accomplish that will be their crowning achievement?" This is what I ask myself. What do they want?
Power? Money? I ask myself these questions again and again, until I remember that I only need to know what they DO. If they ban a class of people from entering the country based on their religion, they need to be stopped. If they attempt to undo all regulations now protecting the environment, they need to be stopped. If they collude with foreign governments to steal an election, they need to be stopped. If they unleash an historically predatory financial sector to feast on the nations savings, they need to be stopped. There is no crowning achievement. Greed and power are the motivating forces here, and there isn't enough on the planet to satisfy them.
Power? Money? I ask myself these questions again and again, until I remember that I only need to know what they DO. If they ban a class of people from entering the country based on their religion, they need to be stopped. If they attempt to undo all regulations now protecting the environment, they need to be stopped. If they collude with foreign governments to steal an election, they need to be stopped. If they unleash an historically predatory financial sector to feast on the nations savings, they need to be stopped. There is no crowning achievement. Greed and power are the motivating forces here, and there isn't enough on the planet to satisfy them.
1
So President Trump, as so many others are wont to do in our disturbingly polarized climate, wants to extend his "echo chamber" to drown out anything that even remotely questions his heinously ignorant and uninformed worldview to our intelligence agencies? The same intelligence agencies that found his aides to be in contact with Russia before the election? And he wants a New Yorker co-founder of a hedge fund to proceed?
Republicans, when you elected this Cheeto-colored charlatan to drain the swamp, you should have known that he was going to replace it with raw sewage.
Republicans, when you elected this Cheeto-colored charlatan to drain the swamp, you should have known that he was going to replace it with raw sewage.
9
President Trump's selection of Mr. Feinberg to review the intelligence agencies will result in reforms long needed in the intelligence community. Mr. Feinberg, a graduate of Princeton University, has the mind needed to accomplish the job. His lack of experience in intelligence will be an asset as he will approach the subject without preconceived notions. Without preconceived notions, what other call expertise, Feinberg will immediately see the challenges facing intelligence, and offer solutions. Feinberg is an example of the unfettered thinking Trump has brought to government. Government needs more unadulterated minds to solve problems. Thank you.
2
No foundation in reality. The workings of the Intel community are complex. There is no issue here beyond collusion with the Russians picked up in normal surveillance of Russian officials. Cerebus also clearly has a legal conflict. What Trump has brought this far is chaos, a lack of ability to clearly articulate policy and a series severely compromised parties with questionable ethics.
1
So now "lack of experience" is considered "no pre-conceived notion".
I'll remember that the next time someone applies for a job at my firm with absolutely no skill set as required for the position.
I'll remember that the next time someone applies for a job at my firm with absolutely no skill set as required for the position.
2
I would love to be in charge of coordinating your medical treatment. I'd be happy to find some outsiders with no experience to handle your next surgery.
2
Mr. Trump is more interested in bullying the intelligence community until they start issuing reports that agree with his opinions. This is in line with the Republican stance to investigate whistle blowers and not the Russian influence in this administration and its election.
11
The "only" qualification any job seeker needs to be a member of the corporate Trump Clown show is the willingness to lie, distort facts and create "alternate facts" on an as "ordered" basis.
Trump simply refuses to accept that there are checks and balances in the U.S. government. Notice how he has not mentioned that Russian spy ship sitting off the coast of Long Island? But he will take the trouble to bash intel he needs to protect everyone living along the East Coast from a Russian spy boat?
Trump simply refuses to accept that there are checks and balances in the U.S. government. Notice how he has not mentioned that Russian spy ship sitting off the coast of Long Island? But he will take the trouble to bash intel he needs to protect everyone living along the East Coast from a Russian spy boat?
9
White House Plumber to seal leaks in the Intelligence communities. The opportunity to rotor-rooter the system comes after the "pig" in the pipeline cursory inspection.
The Administrations wishes to avoid a swiss cheese scenario where various "bad hombres" in the community intentionally leak unflattering and taudry details from a train ripe with baggage.
The vetting of Intelligence Officials in the upper echelons includes a stated goal of "no Deep Throats".
A concern is the "bunker mentality" that gripped the Oval Office in the twilight of the Nixon Administration has set in so soon at the dawn of the Trump presidency.
The Administrations wishes to avoid a swiss cheese scenario where various "bad hombres" in the community intentionally leak unflattering and taudry details from a train ripe with baggage.
The vetting of Intelligence Officials in the upper echelons includes a stated goal of "no Deep Throats".
A concern is the "bunker mentality" that gripped the Oval Office in the twilight of the Nixon Administration has set in so soon at the dawn of the Trump presidency.
4
Does Feinberg have a security clearance? Won't he need months of vetting to get a high security clearance? I don't understand how this idea is viable. Someone please explain.
12
When I first read the headlines, I thought it was an Andy Borowitz satire. It's real. I always thought Nixon's administration was the most crooked, paranoid and dangerous. Nixon's pales in comparison to Trump's.
15
People make these little jokes about Donald Trump wanting to be a dictator; they base it on his his continued disparaging of the free press (Fake Press), appointing Steve Bannon who leans on Italian fascist writings strategy. President Trump even has his own palace guard, which the free press seems to have given him a free pass on. (See the big swarthy guy the other day in the security team, out of place of course with the rest of the Secret Service agents, but in the lead.)
The President is always thinking ahead; someday they are going to come for me, gotta be prepared.
So with Steve Bannon's voice in his ear he shapes up a cabinet of mostly White Yes Men.
Then he chats it up with the country's sheriffs; the most conservative and least professional of all our law enforcement agencies. After all, sheriffs are elected, they are political animals. Trump came into the presidency with no governing experience, he can relate.
Now Trump wants to neuter the Intelligence Service. I think if things ever settle down for a week, he is going to make a play for the military as well to ensure that when he orders soldiers into the streets, they go into the streets.
The sky isn't falling, but it is growing darker. That is an expression that was used to describe the skies over Europe in the Thirties... Go look in the history books while we still have them...
The President is always thinking ahead; someday they are going to come for me, gotta be prepared.
So with Steve Bannon's voice in his ear he shapes up a cabinet of mostly White Yes Men.
Then he chats it up with the country's sheriffs; the most conservative and least professional of all our law enforcement agencies. After all, sheriffs are elected, they are political animals. Trump came into the presidency with no governing experience, he can relate.
Now Trump wants to neuter the Intelligence Service. I think if things ever settle down for a week, he is going to make a play for the military as well to ensure that when he orders soldiers into the streets, they go into the streets.
The sky isn't falling, but it is growing darker. That is an expression that was used to describe the skies over Europe in the Thirties... Go look in the history books while we still have them...
21
Stephen A. Feinberg and Cerberus, his three-headed tax evading monster, have targeted fair taxes and the American public for decades. When then Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee called for a reform of the tax code to restrict hedge funds use of 'carry forwards' to evade billions if not trillions of tax dollar liabilities, Feinberg was likely the main actor behind a broad and coordinated campaign to unseat Rangel for inhabiting a few serially signed (completely legal) leases in a rent controlled apartment building with the reportorial assistance of The New York Times, fed selective information via such cut out conduits as Trump buddy, Roger Stone.
See the following report for how the carry forward tax scheme works:
chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5811&context...
See the following report for how the carry forward tax scheme works:
chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5811&context...
25
Are billionaires always intelligent, humane, highly qualified people?
Donald Sterling.
Donald Sterling.
4
I have a great deal of faith in our civil servants, in this case intelligence staff, to quietly resist and thwart this kind of effort. These people LIVE bureaucracy! The exact same process that frustrates you and I when forced to jump through bureaucratic hoops will be their saving grace. The intelligence community will be collectively rolling its eyes and muttering, "Amateurs!"
Which leads me to a second point: this kind of move was learned in Abysmal Management 101. Trump has ZERO experience at running an organization and the concept of a team is as alien to him as, say, humility. He was head of a family business as judge, jury and executioner. Leaders like this (I use the term loosely) bring in Messiah after Messiah to solve their problems. Guess what? It doesn't work. A top-heavy assemblage of individual loyalists, each a legend in his own mind, is one of many reasons this WH is so dysfunctional.
And that's what 45 learned in Abysmal Management 201: if what you're doing already doesn't work, double down and do even more of it. Which in its own way is kind of encouraging. Even in the absence of checks and balances, this administration is set on auto-destruct.
Which leads me to a second point: this kind of move was learned in Abysmal Management 101. Trump has ZERO experience at running an organization and the concept of a team is as alien to him as, say, humility. He was head of a family business as judge, jury and executioner. Leaders like this (I use the term loosely) bring in Messiah after Messiah to solve their problems. Guess what? It doesn't work. A top-heavy assemblage of individual loyalists, each a legend in his own mind, is one of many reasons this WH is so dysfunctional.
And that's what 45 learned in Abysmal Management 201: if what you're doing already doesn't work, double down and do even more of it. Which in its own way is kind of encouraging. Even in the absence of checks and balances, this administration is set on auto-destruct.
13
What are his qualifications? Just being a billionaire doesn't hack it (lord knows, Putin's a billionaire). Will he be answerable to anyone but Trump? This looks like a naked power grab by a would-be supreme leader. Surely there must be some legislative roadblocks available, in the unlikely event the Republican leaders screw up their courage? If not, perhaps more leaks, lots of leaks, will provide a solution.
8
What should have been shouted at him when he made that statement standing next to Yahoo "If it's fake news why did you fire him?"
8
This move is SAD! So Absolutely Disgusting. Need more be said? Congress, stop this madness now!
27
Trump is trying to gut the intelligence agencies before the investigation into his collusion with Russia is complete. He is worried about impeachment. And yes, impeachment is coming.
In the manner of Watergate, the appointment of Feinberg is the start of a slow-rolling "Saturday Night Massacre."
In the manner of Watergate, the appointment of Feinberg is the start of a slow-rolling "Saturday Night Massacre."
42
Please...no impeachment. Don't want Pence to be the incumbent in 2020
Donald....a much better pick for your Intelligence Czar would be Alexander Bortnikov, current Director of the Russia's FSB since May 12, 2008.
He's corrupt, he can't stand the media, and he's got experience poisoning democracy and destroying freedom of expression, and best of all he's Russian.....he's got it all !
Make America More Like Russia: Trump 2017
He's corrupt, he can't stand the media, and he's got experience poisoning democracy and destroying freedom of expression, and best of all he's Russian.....he's got it all !
Make America More Like Russia: Trump 2017
136
It is reasonable and indeed appropriate for Mr. Trump to appoint someone he trusts to look in to our intelligence agencies.
The continuous series of leaks, particularly those related to Michael Flynn, are worrisome. They seem to have been motivated politically and not by a desire to shine light on corrupt practices in the government. Under our laws, the press that has so eagerly reported the leaks is protected by the first amendment, but the government employees responsible very much broke the law, and may have jeopardized our national security by doing so.
It is hard for a member of the public to judge this extraordinarily complicated situation. The liberal media seems to consider it their mission to undermine the Trump administration. There is, to be sure, much to be concerned with regarding Mr. Trump’s governance, and the press needs to be vigilante. But one gets the impression the liberal mainstream media are overdoing it.
Mr. Trump was elected to run the country, and needs to be able to do so. Part of his job is to try to get a handle on our massive intelligence gathering complex. Just remember, not too many months ago papers like the Times were heaping endless praise on Edward Snowden and themselves doing everything they could to investigate our spy agencies.
The continuous series of leaks, particularly those related to Michael Flynn, are worrisome. They seem to have been motivated politically and not by a desire to shine light on corrupt practices in the government. Under our laws, the press that has so eagerly reported the leaks is protected by the first amendment, but the government employees responsible very much broke the law, and may have jeopardized our national security by doing so.
It is hard for a member of the public to judge this extraordinarily complicated situation. The liberal media seems to consider it their mission to undermine the Trump administration. There is, to be sure, much to be concerned with regarding Mr. Trump’s governance, and the press needs to be vigilante. But one gets the impression the liberal mainstream media are overdoing it.
Mr. Trump was elected to run the country, and needs to be able to do so. Part of his job is to try to get a handle on our massive intelligence gathering complex. Just remember, not too many months ago papers like the Times were heaping endless praise on Edward Snowden and themselves doing everything they could to investigate our spy agencies.
20
What is so complicated about it? Why is it so hard to judge? There is strong evidence that Flynn broke the law. There is also strong evidence that the administration sat on that evidence for weeks. And, so far, there is no evidence whatsoever to contradict that other than some presidential tweets. If there is evidence to the contrary, then why did Flynn resign within 48 hours of the story breaking? Because the media is so mean? Really? That's pretty weak.
18
None of this matters if the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to influence the election. If Trump wants to put this to bed and keep iltel leak-proof, then he should release his tax returns and do whatever else is necessary to clear his name.
13
Every administration lies to a certain extent. Trump's administration has taken it to a whole new level. If someone hadn't leaked the information about General Flynn's interactions with Russian intelligence agents, we would never have known about it. Thankfully, some patriot took it upon himself to reveal the truth.
12
Our political system has- in three weeks, turned into the Theater of the Absurd. The *people* demanded (and voted for)" No Experience Required". That is what they got. The interesting thing is; we see there are more "Donald Trumps" in the word than we could have imagined: Each nominee has one and only one requisite; belonging to the Billionaire's Club.
Yet, in accepting the call-of-Donald, they (also) see themselves as being fit and equipped to lead a department for which they know absolutely nothing: That is a terrifying revelation. Trump and his associates view Government Agencies in the same light they view being ceremonially appointed to various Executive Boards; just another title to be added to a long list.
Yet, in accepting the call-of-Donald, they (also) see themselves as being fit and equipped to lead a department for which they know absolutely nothing: That is a terrifying revelation. Trump and his associates view Government Agencies in the same light they view being ceremonially appointed to various Executive Boards; just another title to be added to a long list.
24
Donna, Indeed there are some 63 million little Donalds out there, and they approve of every move he makes.
2