Monday Night Massacre: Trump fires acting Attorney General over refusal to defend refugee order

[SueEllenRules!]

Trump fires acting AG after Justice Department staff told not to defend refugee order
President Donald Trump relieved acting Attorney General Sally Yates of her duties Monday night after she directed Justice Department attorneys not to defend Trump's controversial executive refugee and immigration ban.

• Yates, a holdover from the Obama Administration, was replaced as acting attorney general by Dana Boente, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
• White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Yates had "betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States." The executive order, which Trump signed Friday, temporarily halted the entire U.S. refugee program and banned all entries from seven Muslim-majority nations for 90 days.
• Yates said in a memo earlier Monday that she was "not convinced" that Trump's order was lawful, nor that its defense was consistent with the department's obligation to "always seek justice and stand for what is right."
• "It is time to get serious about protecting our country. Calling for tougher vetting for individuals travelling from seven dangerous places is not extreme," Spicer said. "It is reasonable and necessary to protect our country."
• Boente, 62, will lead the Justice Department until Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump's nominee for attorney general, is confirmed by the Senate.
• "I am honored to serve President Trump in this role until Senator Sessions is confirmed," Boente said in the White House statement. "I will defend and enforce the laws of our country to ensure that our people and our nation are protected."
• The fallout [of the Executive Order] was immediate: Friction between Trump and his top advisers and a rush by the Pentagon to seek exemptions to the policy. The White House approach also sparked an unusually public clash between a president and the civil servants tasked with carrying out his policy.
• A large group of American diplomats circulated a memo voicing their opposition to the order, In a startling combative response, Spicer challenged those opposed to the measure to resign.
• "They should either get with the program or they can go," Spicer said.

https://apple.news/AjHfPxzjmRI-nubXxujT20g

 

[SueEllenRules!]

The Saturday Night Massacre was the term used by political commentators to refer to U.S. President Richard Nixon's dismissal of independent special prosecutor Archibald Cox, and as a result the resignations of Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus on October 20, 1973, during the Watergate scandal.

Richardson appointed Cox in May of that year, after having given assurances to the House Judiciary Committee that he would appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the events surrounding the Watergate break-in of June 17, 1972. The appointment was created as a Career Reserved position in the Justice department, which meant (a) it came under the authority of the Attorney General, and (b) the incumbent could not be removed for any reason other than "for cause" (e.g. gross improprieties or malfeasance in office). Richardson had, in his confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate, given the explicit promise not to use his authority to dismiss the Watergate Special Prosecutor, unless for cause.

When Cox issued a subpoena to President Nixon, asking for copies of taped conversations recorded in the Oval Office and authorized by Nixon, the President initially refused to comply. On Friday, October 19, 1973, Nixon offered what was later known as the Stennis Compromise—asking the infamously hard-of-hearing Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippito review and summarize the tapes for the special prosecutor's office. Cox refused the compromise that same evening and it was believed that there would be a short rest in the legal maneuvering while government offices were closed for the weekend.

However, on the following day (a Saturday) Nixon ordered Attorney General Richardson to fire Cox. Richardson refused, and resigned in protest. Nixon then ordered Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus to fire Cox. He also refused and resigned.

Nixon then ordered the Solicitor General, Robert Bork (as acting head of the Justice Department), to fire Cox. Both Richardson and Ruckelshaus had given personal assurances to Congressional oversight committees that they would not interfere, but Bork had not. Although Bork would later claim that he believed Nixon's order to be valid and appropriate, he still considered resigning to avoid being "perceived as a man who did the President's bidding to save my job." Nevertheless, having been brought to the White House by limousine and sworn in as Acting Attorney General, Bork wrote the letter firing Cox. Initially, the White House claimed to have fired Ruckelshaus, but as The Washington Post article written the next day pointed out, "The letter from the President to Bork also said Ruckelshaus resigned."

On November 14, 1973, federal District Judge Gerhard A. Gesell ruled that the dismissal of Cox was illegal, in the absence of a finding of extraordinary impropriety as specified in the regulation establishing the special prosecutor's office. Congress was infuriated by the act, which was seen as a gross abuse of presidential power. The public sent in an unusually large number of telegrams to both the White House and Congress. Less than a week after the Saturday Night Massacre, an Oliver Quayle poll for NBC News showed that for the first time, a plurality of U.S. citizens now supported impeachment of Nixon, with 44% in favor, 43% opposed, and 13% undecided, with a sampling error of 2 to 3 percent. In the days that followed, numerous resolutions of impeachment against the president were introduced in Congress.

Nixon's presidency would later succumb to mounting pressure resulting from the Watergate scandal and its cover-up. In the face of certain removal from office through the impeachment process against him, Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974. The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 was a direct result of the Saturday Night Massacre.

In his posthumously published memoirs, Bork stated that Nixon promised him the next seat on the Supreme Court following Bork's role in the firings. Nixon was unable to carry out the promise after his resignation, but Ronald Reagan nominated Bork for the Supreme Court in 1987, though he was rejected by the Senate.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Massacre

 

[McGarrett]

Draining the swamp!!

BEE HE HE HO HO!!!!

 

[SueEllenRules!]

Trump's Muslim ban explained in 90 seconds

 

[SueEllenRules!]

So 15 of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 were from Saudi Arabia and 2 were from the United Arab Emirates. And yet, Muslims from those countries aren't banned, as well as Turkey and Indonesia. Why, you may ask? Because Trump has business interests in those countries:

Countries where Trump does business are not hit by new travel restrictions
The seven nations targeted for new visitation restrictions by President Trump on Friday all have something in common: They are places he does not appear to have any business interests.

• The executive order he signed Friday bars all entry for the next 90 days by travelers from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia and Libya. Excluded from the lists are several majority-Muslim nations where the Trump Organization is active and which in some cases have also faced troublesome issues with terrorism.
• Trump has said he has handed management of his real estate, licensing and merchandising business over to his adult sons to avoid the perception that he is making presidential decisions to boost his own business. But he has retained ownership of the company, meaning that if it thrives during his presidency, he will personally profit.
• Trump’s order makes no mention of Turkey, which has faced several terrorist attacks in recent months. On Wednesday, the State Department updated a travel warning for Americans visiting Turkey, noting that “an increase in anti-American rhetoric has the potential to inspire independent actors to carry out acts of violence against US citizens.”
• Trump has licensed his name to two luxury towers in Istanbul. A Turkish company also manufactures a line of Trump-branded home furnishings. Trump’s most recent financial disclosure, filed in May when he was a presidential candidate, showed that he had earned as much as $6 million in the previous year from the deals.
• Also untouched by Friday’s executive order is the United Arab Emirates, a powerful Muslim ally with whom the United States nevertheless has complicated relations. Trump has licensed his name to a Dubai golf resort, as well as a luxury home development and spa.
• The executive order makes no mention of Saudi Arabia, home of 15 of the 19 terrorists involved in the 9/11 attacks. The Trump Organization had incorporated several limited liability companies in preparation for an attempt to build a hotel in Saudi Arabia, showing an interest in expansion in the country. The company canceled those incorporations in December, indicating that no project is moving forward.
• Excluded as well is Indonesia, the world’s largest majority-Muslim nation, where there are two large Trump-branded resorts underway, built in partnership with powerful local interests.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wa...e6-a453-19ec4b3d09ba_story.html?client=safari

 

[Frank Underwood]

Trump's ramrodding an agenda the likes of which we've never seen before, and much of it is likely unconstitutional.

Trump's entire presidency is based around executive orders, which were referred to as "executive overreach" when Obama used them. Now Republicans like Paul Ryan say they're being used to "overcome barriers."

Our schools, roads, and water systems all need attention, but we're going to spend billions on an ineffective wall and millions more to maintain it. Mexico was obviously never going to pay for some shitty wall we built.

Instead of vetting people who enter the country, Trump's going to arbitrarily ban everybody from predominantly Muslim countries. Except the ones where he does business, of course.

Meanwhile, his cabinet picks are the billionaire elite. "Draining the swamp" was nothing more than a campaign sound bite.

 

[KayLloyd]

Trump fires acting AG after Justice Department staff told not to defend refugee order
President Donald Trump relieved acting Attorney General Sally Yates of her duties Monday night after she directed Justice Department attorneys not to defend Trump's controversial executive refugee and immigration ban.

• Yates, a holdover from the Obama Administration, was replaced as acting attorney general by Dana Boente, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
• White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Yates had "betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States." The executive order, which Trump signed Friday, temporarily halted the entire U.S. refugee program and banned all entries from seven Muslim-majority nations for 90 days.
• Yates said in a memo earlier Monday that she was "not convinced" that Trump's order was lawful, nor that its defense was consistent with the department's obligation to "always seek justice and stand for what is right."
• "It is time to get serious about protecting our country. Calling for tougher vetting for individuals travelling from seven dangerous places is not extreme," Spicer said. "It is reasonable and necessary to protect our country."
• Boente, 62, will lead the Justice Department until Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump's nominee for attorney general, is confirmed by the Senate.
• "I am honored to serve President Trump in this role until Senator Sessions is confirmed," Boente said in the White House statement. "I will defend and enforce the laws of our country to ensure that our people and our nation are protected."
• The fallout [of the Executive Order] was immediate: Friction between Trump and his top advisers and a rush by the Pentagon to seek exemptions to the policy. The White House approach also sparked an unusually public clash between a president and the civil servants tasked with carrying out his policy.
• A large group of American diplomats circulated a memo voicing their opposition to the order, In a startling combative response, Spicer challenged those opposed to the measure to resign.
• "They should either get with the program or they can go," Spicer said.

https://apple.news/AjHfPxzjmRI-nubXxujT20g

If they are unwilling to follow direct orders from the government that they are employed by, there are plenty of other people who will be more than happy to take over their jobs for them.

We have no idea who we have loose in our country because proper vetting has not been done. The president is trying to protect us. Was the implentation executed perfectly with enough guidelines and explanation beforehand? No. It was however long overdue and in our best interest. If Obummer had done the very same thing, a ticker tape parade would have thrown for him and the ridiculous out of touch Hollywood snowflakes would have been singing his praises for protecting us. They're only having such a moronic public cow because their liberal patrons won't have the voting pool to dip into that they expected.

 

[SueEllenRules!]

Draining the swamp!!

BEE HE HE HO HO!!!!

Based on the dimwit grammar, a Trump supporter definitely created this meme. It's "you're," not "your."

 

[Gabriel Maxwell]

We have no idea who we have loose in our country because proper vetting has not been done. The president is trying to protect us.

By banning hapless refugees fleeing terror? They had already been going through a 2-year vetting process.

Unlike the 70+ million visitors to the US from all over the world, many of whom - say, from the EU - don't even need a visa to enter and stay up to six months. Let that sink in and enjoy the comfort of safety it brings.

Trump's incompetence and arrogance will, on the contrary, make the US more likely to be the target of a terrorist attack. Not to mention long-term economic repercussions.

Based on the dimwit grammar, a Trump supporter definitely created this meme. It's "you're," not "your."

'Patriots' who can't even write their mother tongue properly (let alone speak a foreign language).

Lack of education leads to ignorance, which in turn leads to fear and anger, which ultimately leads to rise of this type of evil.

 

[Lois]

Someone needs to 'splain to Trump the difference between being 'cough' elected 'cough' POTUS and dictator who throws temper tantrums. The Executive Office is one part of a three part government.

 

[KayLloyd]

By banning hapless refugees fleeing terror? They had already been going through a 2-year vetting process.

Unlike the 70+ million visitors to the US from all over the world, many of whom - say, from the EU - don't even need a visa to enter and stay up to six months. Let that sink in and enjoy the comfort of safety it brings.


Trump's incompetence and arrogance will, on the contrary, make the US more likely to be the target of a terrorist attack. Not to mention long-term economic repercussions.



'Patriots' who can't even write their mother tongue properly (let alone speak a foreign language).

Lack of education leads to ignorance, which in turn leads to fear and anger, which ultimately leads to rise of this type of evil.

We don't even have enough resources to properly feed, house, educate, employ, and medically care for all of our own citizens, let alone fleeing droves of "hapless" immigrants who want all of the benefits of being a citizen, but are unwilling to be productive citizens of this country, or worse, wish to do us harm. And if you really believe that the Obummer administration did any form of proper vetting of those "refugees fleeing terror", we have some ocean front property in our lovely state of Arizona to sell you. Heck, we'll even throw in the Brooklyn Bridge for free!

We survived 8 years of Obummer, we'll be just fine with Trump, thanks.

As for the "fear and anger", it's flowing like a river from the very people who are projecting it on to others.

 

[KayLloyd]

Someone needs to 'splain to Trump the difference between being 'cough' elected 'cough' POTUS and dictator who throws temper tantrums. The Executive Office is one part of a three part government.

And someone needs to "'splain" to all the Hollywood snowflakes and protesters without any coping skills that like it or not, all of the political statements during award shows and protests in the world won't make Hillbilly Clinton president.

 

[McGarrett]

Based on the dimwit grammar, a Trump supporter definitely created this meme. It's "you're," not "your."

Subjective... You did not understand it??
Hillary had her own spelling problem..

Must have been a "dimwit" Hillary voter..


Bay hay hee hee ho!!!!

 

[SueEllenRules!]

If they are unwilling to follow direct orders from the government that they are employed by, there are plenty of other people who will be more than happy to take over their jobs for them.

Even when those orders likely violate the law and/or Constitution and, therefore, would be indefensible in a court of law? And you're the chief law enforcement officer of the United States? Just fire and demonize them then install some hack who will cave on every judicial principle and just do whatever the f*** you demand?

 

[SueEllenRules!]

Subjective... You did not understand it??
Hillary had her own spelling problem..

Must have been a "dimwit" Hillary voter..


Bay hay hee hee ho!!!!

I'm impressed you actually spotted an error for a change rather than committing one.

 

[McGarrett]

I'm impressed you actually spotted an error for a change rather than committing one.

What are you talking about?? I have been calling Hillary a dolt for decades.

It's always personal with you..

 

[SueEllenRules!]

We don't even have enough resources to properly feed, house, educate, employ, and medically care for all of our own citizens,

Since when did your side of the aisle give a crap about resources for anyone other than the wealthiest 1%? All other citizens are thrown to the same wolves as those "hapless" immigrants.

let alone fleeing droves of "hapless" immigrants who want all of the benefits of being a citizen, but are unwilling to be productive citizens of this country,

Based on what data/statistics? Or do you ever base anything on factual information?

or worse, wish to do us harm.

It's highly debatable (to say the least) that they could possibly do us as much harm as the people who installed the current occupant of the White House.

And if you really believe that the Obummer administration did any form of proper vetting of those "refugees fleeing terror", we have some ocean front property in our lovely state of Arizona to sell you. Heck, we'll even throw in the Brooklyn Bridge for free!

Of course you have ocean front property in Arizona. You bought it from Trump along with the other bill of goods he was selling. Hook, line, and sinker. And I'd do a title search on the Brooklyn Bridge if I were you.

We survived 8 years of Obummer,

Yes, and quite nicely. If only we'd "survived" 8 years of Dubya half as well:

1) Unemployment under Obama declined from 7.8% when he took office to 4.6% when he left.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wa...yment-is-positively-clintonian/?client=safari

2) Obama inherited an economy on the verge of collapse and a stock market in free fall and left it with a 235% return.
https://www.google.com/amp/www.forb...e-obama-stock-markets-235-rise/?client=safari

3) Osama Bin Laden is dead as a door nail...a feat the Bush administration somehow failed to achieved in 8 years. And yet, the "Obummer" administration is somehow the epic disaster.

we'll be just fine with Trump, thanks.

We can thank our lucky stars if the republic manages to remain intact.

As for the "fear and anger", it's flowing like a river from the very people who are projecting it on to others.

And if anyone's an expert on projection, it's most definitely you.

 

[SueEllenRules!]

And someone needs to "'splain" to all the Hollywood snowflakes and protesters without any coping skills that like it or not, all of the political statements during award shows and protests in the world won't make Hillbilly Clinton president.

And someone needs to "'splain" to the Orange Menace and all the hillbillies who voted for him that they can cry voter fraud to their heart's content. It still won't change the fact that Hillary won the popular vote by nearly 3 million and he's only president by a grievous technicality.

 

[Frank Underwood]

We don't even have enough resources to properly feed, house, educate, employ, and medically care for all of our own citizens...

Actually, we do. But we let the 1% hoard it instead.

let alone fleeing droves of "hapless" immigrants who want all of the benefits of being a citizen, but are unwilling to be productive citizens of this country, or worse, wish to do us harm.

So immigrants to this country are either unproductive or wish to do us harm, huh? Tell me, which category did your ancestors fall under?

And if you really believe that the Obummer administration did any form of proper vetting of those "refugees fleeing terror", we have some ocean front property in our lovely state of Arizona to sell you. Heck, we'll even throw in the Brooklyn Bridge for free!

I like how you put refugees fleeing in terror in quotation marks, as if most of them are lying. There is a segment of the population that has no compassion or concern for people outside of our borders, and an irrational belief that every immigrant (especially the brown ones) are evil. Of course we need to properly vet everybody that enters our country, but when are we going to deal with the terrorists born and bred in our own backyard? Every time a deranged lunatic commits a mass shooting, we're always told how wrong it is to politicize it. Yet it's okay to treat all Muslims like terrorists. I fail to see the logic in that.

The majority of the 9/11 hijackers came from Saudi Arabia, and they're not even one of the banned countries. Nor is the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. Coincidentally, Trump does business in those countries.

Also, refugees who are part of a minority religion will be considered for entry on a case by case basis, while members of the majority religion will not. That is discrimination based on religion, and thus unconstitutional.

We survived 8 years of Obummer, we'll be just fine with Trump, thanks.

Being at war with seven different countries under Obama was certainly bad, but Trump's ramping up America's anti-foreigner agenda.

Trump's on record saying torture works and that he wants to kill the family members of terrorists. Both acts are considered war crimes, but there will still be people depraved enough to defend these actions.

 

[McGarrett]