Illustration: Alicia Tatone In May 2017, Donald Trump fired FBI director James Comey , crashing through the first of many important democratic norms. While FBI directors technically can be fired, they generally serve ten-year terms for the express purpose of ensuring their political independence and to ward off the inherent danger of an unscrupulous president turning the bureau into a partisan weapon to protect his friends and harass his enemies. There were banner headlines and special reports invoking Nixon’s infamous Saturday Night Massacre . Conservatives uneasily justified the extraordinary maneuver as a necessary onetime response to Comey’s messy involvement in the 2016 election . “Given the recent controversies surrounding the director, I believe a fresh start will serve the FBI and the nation well,” said Senator Lindsey Graham . Comey had “made himself eminently fireable,” explained National Review . For a while, the national emergency was averted. The … [Read more...] about The GOP’s Authoritarian Acceleration
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North Dakota’s Burgum showcases he’s ‘a new leader for a changing economy’ as he teases expected 2024 launch
close Video US should sell energy to its allies, not force them buy it from its adversaries: Gov. Burgum North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum joins 'The Next Revolution with Steve Hilton' to discuss the Democratic Party's war on fossil fuels and its impact on middle class America. FARGO, N.D. - EXCLUSIVE - Former software company CEO turned two-term North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is described as a "small town boy turned self-made, world-class business leader" and "a new leader for a changing economy" in a video released ahead of his expected Republican presidential campaign launch this week. "Anger, yelling, infighting, that's not going to cut it anymore," Burgum says as he points to the political dysfunction in the nation's capital. "Let's get things done. In North Dakota, we listen with respect, and we talk things out. That's how we can get America back on track. It will work," the governor emphasizes in the video, which was shared first with Fox … [Read more...] about North Dakota’s Burgum showcases he’s ‘a new leader for a changing economy’ as he teases expected 2024 launch
Des Plaines Park Board Reorganizes for 2023-2024
0 This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own. Community Corner Jana Haas Sworn In As Park Board President Des Plaines Park District , Community Contributor Posted Reply Erin Doerr (R) passes the gavel to incoming Park Board President Jana Haas at the May 16, 2023 Des Plaines Park Board meeting. (L-R) Eli Williams, Don Miletic and Donald J. Rosedale, the re-elected Des Plaines Park Board Commissioners, at the May 16, 2023 meeting. Don Miletic, Executive Director (L) and newly elected Vice President Eli Williams at the May 16, 2023 Des Plaines Park Board meeting. In the annual reorganization of the Des Plaines Park District Board of Commissioners at the May 16 park board meeting, nominations for officers were offered and unanimously confirmed by commissioners. Jana Haas will serve as president for the 2023-2024 fiscal year; Eli Williams … [Read more...] about Des Plaines Park Board Reorganizes for 2023-2024
Manafort Was Paid Millions To Represent Putin Interests
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort worked to advance Russian government interests for a billionaire as early as 2005, The Associated Press reports . Manafort was employed to the tune of $10 million a year by Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch allied with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the time. Manafort proposed a variety of pro-Putin policies to Deripaska that would “greatly benefit the Putin Government,” according to strategy memos obtained by the AP. Deripaska was described as one of the most “faithful” businessmen in Russia to Putin as late as 2009. The memos continue that Manafort already had access to the “highest levels” of the Bush administration and could leverage these connections to push pro-Russian oligarch policies. He proposed mounting a lobbying campaign which would push pro-Russian policies within the U.S. government, which might allow oligarchs to retain former Soviet Union state assets in Ukraine. Manafort also proposed mounting offensive … [Read more...] about Manafort Was Paid Millions To Represent Putin Interests
More Than A Dozen GOP States Sue Biden Admin Over Recent Border Policy, Claim It’s ‘Encouraging More Border Crossings’
Republican Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and more than a dozen other GOP-led states are suing the Biden administration over a recent policy to address an expected surge of illegal migrants at the southern border, according to a statement from his office. The Biden administration rule Miyares is contesting was implemented to mitigate an expected surge of migrants at the southern border when Title 42, a Trump-era expulsion order, ended on May 11 which made migrants ineligible for asylum if they pass through another safe country before coming to the U.S. Miyares, however, argues that the rule has many exceptions that allow migrants to enter the country, including using a phone app to book entry appointments, claiming they face imminent danger in their home country and having their asylum request denied in another country, the lawsuit argues . (RELATED: Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin To Deploy National Guard Troops To Southern Border) “The rebuttable presumption … [Read more...] about More Than A Dozen GOP States Sue Biden Admin Over Recent Border Policy, Claim It’s ‘Encouraging More Border Crossings’
Report: TV Networks Battle For Republican Primary Debates
Major news outlets are vying to host the 2024 Republican presidential primary debates, according to reporting by Axios. CNN, NBC News and Fox News have all reportedly been pitching themselves to the Republican National Committee (RNC) in hopes of securing a primary debate, Axios reported Friday. Republicans, particularly Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, reportedly distrust CNN and MSNBC, while former President Trump’s relations with Fox News are strained due to the network’s coverage of DeSantis, per the outlet. (RELATED: ‘You Supported The Jab’: Trump Spars With Voter Who Blames Him For Deaths From COVID Vaccines) NEW: DeSantis’ team doesn’t want NBC or CNN to co-host a debate @sarafischer https://t.co/vPS8WzKOyQ — Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) June 2, 2023 CNN recently hosted a town hall with Trump that netted 3.3 million viewers, CNN’s highest single-candidate town hall since hosting presidential candidate Joe Biden in 2020, according to Axios. The … [Read more...] about Report: TV Networks Battle For Republican Primary Debates