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Federal watchdog asked DOJ to open 'criminal investigation' into ex-Transit Sec. Elaine Chao: report - Raw Story - Celebrating 16 Years of Independent Journalism. On Wednesday, The New York Times reported that the Transportation Department inspector general asked the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into former Secretary Elaine Chao, wife of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Federal watchdog asked DOJ to open 'criminal investigation' into ex-Transit Sec. Elaine Chao: report - Raw Story - Celebrating 16 Years of Independent Journalism

"In a report made public on Wednesday, the inspector general said the Justice Department's criminal and public integrity divisions both declined to take up the matter in the closing weeks of the Trump administration, even after the inspector general found repeated examples of Ms. Chao using her staff and her office to help benefit her family and their business operations and revealed that staff members at the agency had raised ethics concerns," reported Eric Lipton and Michael Forsythe. "The inspector general's investigation detailed a series of instances where Ms. Chao directed her staff to spend federal government time and resources to help with matters related to the shipbuilding company and her father," said the report.

Former White House Physician To Andrew Cuomo: Dude, Hold My Beer! Hoo boy.

Former White House Physician To Andrew Cuomo: Dude, Hold My Beer!

Ronny Jackson makes Andrew Cuomo sound like Mr. Rogers! The Department of Defense inspector general looked into allegations about the former White House physician who's now a Republican congressman, and it ain't pretty. Remember, what's in this report are only the incidents witnesses reported. Via CNN: The Department of Defense inspector general has issued a scathing review of Rep. Not to mention the sexual harrassment! Jackson, of course, claims the report was politically motivated because he refused to "turn my back on President (Donald) Trump. " Yeah, well. By the way: I worked for several years as an investigator into medical insurance fraud, and impaired physicians were an all-too-common factor. Anyway, now we have evidence of yet another Republican congressman who doesn't take public service all that seriously.

While DeJoy Was Gloating 'Get Used to Me' in Hearing, Biden Was Engineering His Ouster. — from Daily Kos In Wednesday's congressional hearing, U.S.

While DeJoy Was Gloating 'Get Used to Me' in Hearing, Biden Was Engineering His Ouster

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy brought his usual brash, bullying self to the table, at one point snarling at Rep. Jim Cooper that he would be in this job for "a long time. Get used to me. " Within an hour of that exchange, news broke that President Biden had been vetting nominees to fill vacancies on the U.S.

Within another few hours the nominees were identified: Anton Hajjar, former general counsel for the American Postal Workers Union; Amber McReynolds, chief executive officer of Vote at Home, a group that pushed mail-voting in the 2020 election; and Ron Stroman, a former deputy postmaster general who was on Biden's transition team. "Far too many constituents across the Chicago region have gone days and sometimes weeks without mail," Rep. The Trump administration’s terrible restaurant guests.

One chilly morning early in the Trump administration, a guy with an unnervingly unpleasant countenance sat down in my section, ordered a green tea, and immediately started interrogating me about the caviar.

The Trump administration’s terrible restaurant guests.

While diners will prod you all day about the terroir of a white Burgundy or West Coast oyster, they don’t ask too many questions about caviar, maybe because the people who order it tend to represent cultures and/or generations that don’t expect service workers to pass daily food knowledge quizzes. Also, usually they’re on dates. This guy was with his almost equally off-putting brother, and he wanted to know exactly which bodies of water had produced the caviar and how precisely it had been extracted from its mother.

I was ashamed to admit I had no idea, but then it turned out the chef, who could have given a TED Talk about any other ingredient on the menu, didn’t know either; his old boss had switched purveyors right before quitting the restaurant. “This is table 60,” he said. Scandal-plagued Trump adviser hired by DC lobbying firm: report - Raw Story - Celebrating 16 Years of Independent Journalism. On Thursday, Popular Info reported that Tate Bennett, a controversial adviser to former President Donald Trump, was hired by Forbes Tate, a top D.C. lobbying firm — but the hire was kept as quiet as possible.

Scandal-plagued Trump adviser hired by DC lobbying firm: report - Raw Story - Celebrating 16 Years of Independent Journalism

"Bennett came to Forbes Tate from the White House, where she had served as a Special Assistant to former President Trump since April," wrote Judd Legum. "While at the White House, she was in charge of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which was plagued by inefficiency and mismanagement. Before that, Bennett had a controversial tenure at the EPA which resulted in three United States Senators accusing her of unethical conduct and demanding an Inspector General Investigation. " As Legum noted, the hire was not advertised, an unusual move. "Normally, when the firm makes an important new hire, it lets the world know. Larry Kudlow Trashes Trump On The Way Out The Door. Larry Kudlow, one of Trump's fiercest defenders who lied to the American public about the severity of COVID19 in late February of 2020, now is criticizing Trump for not doing more to squash the riot at the Capitol.

Larry Kudlow Trashes Trump On The Way Out The Door

Trump's NEC director was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, and made these comments. “I was hoping that he would come out quickly and make statements calling everybody back and stopping the violence,” Kudlow told the WSJ. Kudlow also said he thought about resigning his position after riots, but decided to stay on. “Once the electoral college declared Mr. Biden to be president-elect, we would have been better advised to acknowledge that, and to pivot toward talking about our positive achievements, and the policies that generated those policy achievements,” Kudlow said.

Trump should have conceded as soon as Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin were called for Joe Biden, and he should have agreed to a peaceful transfer of power. Peter Navarro says impeachment 'did violence' to Trump: 'Let the man leave peacefully with his dignity' - Raw Story - Celebrating 16 Years of Independent Journalism. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro revealed on Thursday that he's "never been more pissed off" after the U.S.

Peter Navarro says impeachment 'did violence' to Trump: 'Let the man leave peacefully with his dignity' - Raw Story - Celebrating 16 Years of Independent Journalism

House of Representatives made President Donald Trump the first president in history to be impeached twice. During an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, Navarro addressed Trump's second impeachment, which came after the president incited a violent insurrection on Capitol Hill. "What happened yesterday was a travesty," Navarro opined. "The Democratic Party did violence to this country by attacking a president who I believe was legally elected on Nov. 3. If the election was held today, he'd be elected again. Nation’s Most Insane-Looking Lawyers Enthusiastically Volunteer Services To Trump Rioters. WASHINGTON—Speaking from their legal practices in stripmalls, back alleys, and Holiday Inn guest suites, the nation’s most insane-looking lawyers enthusiastically volunteered their services on Thursday to any Trump supporters who participated in the Capitol riots.

Nation’s Most Insane-Looking Lawyers Enthusiastically Volunteer Services To Trump Rioters

“Make no mistake, we will passionately represent the interests of the president’s most ardent supporters in a court of law—pro bono, if need be,” proclaimed the flopsweat-covered group of wax-mustachioed, toupée-wearing, and leopard print-bedecked attorneys in unison from their dingy, chaotic offices, gathering obscure legal tomes from beneath piles of broken typewriters and Civil War memorabilia to declare their full-throated support for the insurrectionists’ rights. Trump budget director bans key staffers from meeting with Biden transition team: report - Raw Story - Celebrating 16 Years of Independent Journalism. On Thursday, Bloomberg News reported that Russ Vought, the Office of Management and Budget director under outgoing President Donald Trump, has blocked key officials at the agency from meeting with members of President-elect Joe Biden's transition team — possibly delaying the new administration's fiscal policy by months. 'The director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, has argued internally that the agency needs to focus on finishing new regulations the Trump administration plans to publish before the president leaves office, according to people familiar with the matter," reported Nancy Cook.

Trump budget director bans key staffers from meeting with Biden transition team: report - Raw Story - Celebrating 16 Years of Independent Journalism

White House science office takes credit for 'ending' pandemic as infections mount. Despite the White House’s optimistic rhetoric, health officials warn that things could get worse as winter approaches and people are forced to spend more time indoors.

White House science office takes credit for 'ending' pandemic as infections mount

Last week, the country set a new record of 83,000 cases in a single day, and the seven-day case average is now hovering around 70,000 — more than any other time during the pandemic. Over 42,000 people are hospitalized with Covid-19, up from about 30,000 one month ago, according to the Covid Tracking Project. The Tuesday press release from the White House science office touting “Science and Technology Accomplishments” includes a report detailing some of the “significant investments, accomplishments, policies, and other actions undertaken by President Trump to advance science and technology.”

“The highlights in this report represent just a fraction of the achievements made by the Trump Administration on behalf of the American people,” Kelvin Droegemeier, who heads the office, said in a statement. Trump's Doctor Tries To Walk Back Morning Press Conference Mess. Dr. Conley, Trump's doctor, attempted to give an update on Trump's condition on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, it was filled with numbers and dates that directly contradicted publicly available information. For example, Conley said Trump was diagnosed 72 hours ago, which would have meant early Wednesday, not late Thursday (which is what the public was told.)

Conley also said that Trump was administered the experimental drug 48 hours ago, which would have meant early Thursday, before Trump went to a fundraiser in Bedminster, NJ. Larry Kudlow Calls Question About Americans In Poverty 'Nitpicking' Totally Sane Michael Caputo Will Find The Strawberries. Mental Health The smug mug of Michael ‘White Like Me’ Caputo Guys, remember this nice man? You know, the guy who said that “‘the coronavirus was because “millions of Chinese suck the blood out of rabid bats as an appetizer and eat the ass out of anteaters.’” You know, the top spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, Michael Caputo? The NYTimes reports that Caputo claimed that there is a resistance unit of seditious scientists (which is my new garage band name!) Michael R. Caputo also complains that he is being attacked by the media, and said that his “mental health has definitely failed” (Fact check: TRUE!)

The White House is trying hard to throw Peter Navarro under the bus. Let's wish them well on that. What we didn't know, but should have guessed, is that Navarro is a living bloody terror to work with, something akin to putting mittens on a rabid wolverine, giving him his own office, and Just Seeing How That Goes. Navarro was so consistently abusive towards women on his staff, reports the Post, that then-Chief of Staff John Kelly ordered the White House Counsel's office to launch an investigation. Navarro only kept his job because that investigation concluded Navarro was a raging asshole to absolutely everyone.

Indeed, the Post's sources seem to indicate that every last person in the building hates him, as do Republican lawmakers, as do Trump's other allies. "Navarro is often hostile and overbearing in arguments, prone to attack anyone who disagrees with him as a representative of the 'deep state,'" reports the Post. Really, though, we can't overemphasize how on board we are with this particular White House plan. Of course everyone hates him! Outcry as US intelligence stops in-person reports to Congress on election security. The United States’ top intelligence office has told lawmakers it will largely stop holding in-person briefings on election security, signaling that it does not trust lawmakers to keep the information secret. Donald Trump’s new director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, notified the House and Senate intelligence panels on Friday that it would send written reports instead, giving lawmakers less opportunity to press for details as the 3 November election approaches.

A judge asked Trump to prove claims about mail-in votes and fraud — it didn’t go well. President Donald Trump has been obsessed with the idea that mail-in voting encourages voter fraud, and his campaign has filed lawsuits against Pennsylvania and other states because of their plans to encourage voters to use mail-in ballots in November’s election. Journalist Richard Salame, in The Intercept, reports that in response to the Pennsylvania lawsuit, Trump’s campaign was asked to show proof that voting by mail encourages voter fraud — and it was unable to.

Salame notes that Trump’s campaign is “suing Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar and each of the state’s county election boards to prevent election administrators from providing secure drop boxes for mail-in ballot returns.” Two of the groups that support voting by mail in Pennsylvania, Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future and the Sierra Club, asked the Trump campaign to demonstrate that there is a connection between mail-in voting and voter fraud — and Judge J. Salame explained: Enjoy good journalism? Trump Announces Unqualified Fox Doc As His New Adviser On Covid-19. Dr. Trump donor Woody Johnson has turned America’s UK embassy into chaos: report. CNN interview derails as Trump aide Peter Navarro reminisces about drinking from a ‘colored’ water fountain at Woolworth’s. Trump White House in turmoil as top staffers battle over how to address massive street protests: report.

According to a report from Politico, top aides to Donald Trump are at a loss over how to address the street protests over the death of George Floyd that have expanded right up to the White House gates. With reports that the Secret Service moved a “rattled” Trump to a secure bunker under the White House as the protests raged outside, the report states that chief staffers are at loggerheads over what to do next as the president stays out of sight.

The report, based on interviews with a half-dozen senior administration officials and GOP lawmakers, states the White House is faced with the question: “How can the president soothe and lead a nation at a moment when more than 100,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus, another 40 million are unemployed, and protests are raging through the U.S. after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last Monday?” “The protests are not just connected to the death of George Floyd. Space Force Admits Space Doctrine Mostly Just Adding ‘Space’ To All Space Nouns. WASHINGTON — In the face of mounting criticism from inside and outside the government, during a congressional hearing today Chief of Space Operations Gen.

Trump Official Won't Admit His Boss Is Giving Dangerous Medical Advice On Hydroxychloroquine. After Trump blurted out at a press conference last week that he's supposedly been taking hydroxychloroquine preventatively for two weeks, despite FDA warnings, a recent Lancet study found there were no benefits to treating patients with the hydroxychloroquine, and patients were more likely to die in hospital and develop heart rhythm complications than those who were not treated with the anti-malarial drug drug. National Security Adviser Claims Trump Is Working '18 Hours A Day' While Taking Hydroxychloroquine. Dr. Birx Defends Trump's Refusal To Wear A Mask With A Lie. Dr. Senator clashes with Steve Mnuchin at contentious coronavirus hearing: ‘How many workers should give their lives to expand the GDP?’ Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) unleashed on Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin during the Tuesday morning meeting with the Senate Banking Committee over the coronavirus relief package.

Brown began by attacking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for forcing the Senate to hold meetings at such a dangerous time. Dr. Birx: ‘There is nothing from the CDC that I can trust’ White House economic adviser struggles to explain his pandemic ‘model’ that shows zero deaths by May 15. Trump delegates response to underserved communities impacted by the new coronavirus to Ben Carson. He Seems Nice. The smug mug of Michael ‘White Like Me’ Caputo Another racist nincompoop joined the 4th Reich. The Isolated Camera View Of Dr. Birx's Reaction To Trump's 'Disinfectant' Suggestion Is… Quite Something. Ex-Trump health advisor cornered on CNN for administration’s failure to heed warnings in pandemic briefing book. Steve Mnuchin: Americans Can Live On $120/Week During Pandemic. 'Why Should People Trust You?' Martha Raddatz Slams Larry Kudlow For Claiming Virus Is 'Contained' OPINION: Steve Mnuchin Wants More Power — to Save the Rich, and Screw the Rest.

The Midday Quote. Trump White House put coronavirus-infected Americans plane full of healthy people — over CDC objections. ‘Not fair!’ Steve Mnuchin wails in hearing after Ron Wyden accuses him of ‘stonewalling about stonewalling’ Republican Telemarketer Shannon Burns Stiffed the Feds Out of $411K. The Trump White House Gave Him a Job. Trump Offers Hunter Biden Job In Energy Department Based On Oil Industry Experience.

Internet argues over what ‘Mick Mulvaney looks like’ after hilarious photo of Trump’s acting chief of staff. Kurt Volker to ‘modify’ his testimony — and claim he was ‘out of the loop’ on Ukraine: NYT. Chart: Side-by-Side Comparison of Kurt Volker’s vs Other Witnesses’ Testimony in Impeachment Inquiry. Trump’s Ukraine envoy may have lied to Congress more than a dozen times: Law professor. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman to be removed from National Security Council. Mick Mulvaney makes bogus claim to avoid testifying as witnesses point to his central role in Trump’s quid pro quo. COVERUP: Amb. Sondland Ordered State Dept. Not To Monitor Ukraine Call With Trump.

In disastrous development for Trump, his allies start looking out for themselves. Grifters Gotta Grift, Kentucky Edition. Robert Jeffress is Donald Trump’s minister of hate. Lewandowski: The First Rat To Jump ONTO A Sinking Ship. ‘This is not OK’: Ohio Republican goes off on Trump at intel hearing over his Ukraine call. Rep. Heck pushes back when acting DNI Maguire refuses to answer the simplest of questions. Trump’s most reliable and obsequious sycophants.

The Five Distinct Levels of Donald Trump Ass-Kissing, Explained. Trump aide Cuccinelli snaps after CNN’s Camerota shows him pictures of caged kids: ‘I’m not going to take that’ Trump Aides Go Into Crisis Mode After President’s Errant Remarks Condemning White Supremacy. Coats Replacement Ratcliffe Caught Lying about his Credentials. WATCH: Top Trump official faceplants at House hearing after being asked a simple question about Russia – Raw Story. Daily Deals With Wilbur Ross. BUSTED: White House caught blocking intelligence aide’s testimony on a ‘possibly catastrophic’ disaster – Raw Story. Trump admits his Cabinet had ‘some clinkers’ Trump embarrassed Kellyanne Conway in front of journalist for limiting his ability to polish his image: report – Raw Story. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt Is Subject of Ethics Investigation 4 Days Into Office. Trump admin illegally blocks House Democrats from entering prison camp for migrant kids.

Kirstjen Nielsen Resigns from Trump Administration - Will Likely Face No Consequences for Family Separation. Conservative pundit says Nielsen has no business complaining: ‘When you sold your soul you don’t get to cry crocodile tears later’ Internet destroys Trump spokesperson for calling Puerto Rico 'that country': 'Jesus. DHS Disbands Domestic Terror Intelligence Unit. Trump Picks Florida Man To Gut Healthcare. Trump official hammered after saying ruining the US auto industry was worth doing for border shutdown. Finnish People School Nikki Haley On Healthcare In Finland. White House official caught using AOL email to discuss sensitive sale of nuclear technology to the Saudis.

Senate Confirms 37-Year-Old To Lifetime Seat On U.S. Circuit Court. White House Convenes Panel Of Scientists To Make Case That Trump Capable Of Crushing Train With Bare Hands. Trump official freaks out after Rep. Omar asks him if he'd back genocide in Venezuela like 'you did in Guatemala' Mick Mulvaney: Trump Will Refuse To Pass Laws If Dems 'Punch Him In The Face' With Investigations. All of Donald Trump's Cabinet Members in 2019 - Presidential Advisor Full List. Former Trump official squirms as CNN's Camerota corners him on intel officials contradicting the president. Mick Mulvaney Claims Trump Caved Because He's 'Winning'

Bloomberg - Are you a robot? White House aides ridiculed as 'zombies' for mindlessly applauding while Trump caved to Pelosi in Rose Garden speech. Merkley Calls for FBI Perjury Probe into Homeland Secretary Nielsen After Child Detention Memo Leaked. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker grovels before President Trump at first Cabinet meeting. Trump's economic advisor flounders in CNN interview while markets tank in the screen next to him. Former Trump tax attorney busted with federal extortion charges.

Trump Cabinet Combines Grifting and Incompetence - Ryan Zinke and Ben Carson Team Up for a Scandal. Shocker: Acting AG Whitaker Seems To Have Padded His Resumé. Bigots, Bloggers Liars: The Top-Ten Worst Judges Trump Has Put on the Bench. Kirstjen Nielsen Is Responsible for Children in Migrant Detention Centers - Sexual Assaults by Staff, Inmates Common. ABC's Jonathan Karl Shuts Down Mick Mulvaney's Spin On Trump's Border Wall. Wilbur Ross Lied About Divesting Stock That Caused Ethics Issues - Trump Grifter Has Conflicts of Interest. Politics.theonion. White House Ficus To Leave For Virginia Arboretum After Declining Trump’s Offer To Be Chief Of Staff. Fox News Intern Fetching Coffee Tells Herself This Will All Pay Off When She Trump’s Secretary Of State One Day.

VA Shadow Rulers Had Sway Over Contracting and Budgeting. - The Washington Post. Scandal-plagued Trump cabinet member just replaced his department's inspector general with a political appointee. DHS secretary panics under questioning from Kamala Harris: We do not 'detain' children, we 'care for them' Jason Miller, The Pride of CNN, Leaves CNN. Gina Haspel CIA Torture Cables Declassified.