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Ex-Trump aide George Papadopoulos released from prison – live Trump blasts Rex Tillerson as 'dumb as a rock' after he claims president wanted to break law – live
(35 minutes later)
Well, that escalated quickly.
After Rex Tillerson opened up about his frustrations working under Donald Trump, the president has fired back against his former secretary of state in a tweet:
Mike Pompeo is doing a great job, I am very proud of him. His predecessor, Rex Tillerson, didn’t have the mental capacity needed. He was dumb as a rock and I couldn’t get rid of him fast enough. He was lazy as hell. Now it is a whole new ballgame, great spirit at State!
Trump’s comments came after Tillerson said he had to constantly push back against the president for instincts that, if acted upon, would be in violation of the law. Tillerson went on to say Trump was “pretty undisciplined” and had an aversion to reading.
It seems safe to say there’s no love lost between the two men.
We have a few clues on what to expect from Robert Mueller’s court filing on Paul Manafort, courtesy of ... Rudy Giuliani.
While it’s good practice to take Giuliani, one of the more flamboyant members of Trump’s legal team, with a grain of salt, he offered the following to CNN:
“In the questioning of Manafort, they did tell them at the time that they believed he was lying about certain things related to us that he’s not lying about.”
Translation: Mueller’s team believes Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, lied to investigators in a violation of his plea agreement. Giuliani is essentially confirming the special counsel’s belief that Manafort lied, but naturally has a different spin on what transpired.
According to Giuliani, investigators don’t buy Manafort’s account that then-candidate Trump did not know about the infamous June 2016 meeting at his eponymous tower in Manhattan.
You know, the one in which Manafort, the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, casually sat down with a Russian lawyer after being offered dirt on Hillary Clinton. It took place after Trump Jr. was told of an effort by the Russian government to help elect his father, to which he responded: “If it’s what you say I love it”.
Giuliani claims the special counsel tried to force Manafort to admit Trump knew about the meeting. Of course, Mueller knows a lot more than Giuliani about what investigators have discovered; and one side has a bit of a credibility problem. No prizes for guessing which.
The Justice Department issued guidance concerning acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker’s role in the Russia investigation, the Washington Post reports.The Justice Department issued guidance concerning acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker’s role in the Russia investigation, the Washington Post reports.
Whitaker’s appointment by the president to temporarily fill Jeff Sessions’ role was controversial for numerous reasons, including his prior criticism of the special counsel investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow.Whitaker’s appointment by the president to temporarily fill Jeff Sessions’ role was controversial for numerous reasons, including his prior criticism of the special counsel investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow.
While it’s unclear what recommendations the DOJ’s ethics office provided, the report suggests Whitaker’s role in overseeing Russia investigation was at least a topic of discussion.While it’s unclear what recommendations the DOJ’s ethics office provided, the report suggests Whitaker’s role in overseeing Russia investigation was at least a topic of discussion.
The DOJ has refused to say if Whitaker sought ethics advice or if he planned to recuse himself from the Russia inquiry. His appointment, which occurred without confirmation from the Senate, has been subjected to legal challenges.
Trump named William Barr, a former attorney general under the late President George HW Bush, as his nominee to head the Justice Department on Friday. But until he is confirmed, Whitaker is so far poised to remain in the role.
Read the full report here.
George Papadopoulos, the former foreign policy aide to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, was released from prison on Friday after serving 12 days for lying to the federal government about his contacts with the Russians.George Papadopoulos, the former foreign policy aide to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, was released from prison on Friday after serving 12 days for lying to the federal government about his contacts with the Russians.
Papadopoulos was the first Trump associate to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller and pleaded guilty to perjury last year. Although the White House has dismissed him as a low-level aide in the 2016 campaign, the FBI launched the Russia investigation after Papadopoulos bragged to Australia’s then-ambassador to the UK that Moscow had dirt on Hillary Clinton.Papadopoulos was the first Trump associate to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller and pleaded guilty to perjury last year. Although the White House has dismissed him as a low-level aide in the 2016 campaign, the FBI launched the Russia investigation after Papadopoulos bragged to Australia’s then-ambassador to the UK that Moscow had dirt on Hillary Clinton.
Papadopoulos received a 14-day sentence in September and was seen exiting a federal prison in Winsconsin Friday morning. He will now undergo 12 months of supervised release, and is required to serve 200 hours of community service within about one year, in addition to paying a $9,500 fine.Papadopoulos received a 14-day sentence in September and was seen exiting a federal prison in Winsconsin Friday morning. He will now undergo 12 months of supervised release, and is required to serve 200 hours of community service within about one year, in addition to paying a $9,500 fine.
We’re still waiting on court filings from the special counsel on former Trump campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and the president’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen. Tick tock.We’re still waiting on court filings from the special counsel on former Trump campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and the president’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen. Tick tock.
Readers: We’ve only hit lunchtime here in Washington and yet it feels like an entire day already.Readers: We’ve only hit lunchtime here in Washington and yet it feels like an entire day already.
If you have any questions about the day’s events, allow me to unpack them for you. Tweet me @SabrinaSiddiqui and I’ll do my best to answer a few!If you have any questions about the day’s events, allow me to unpack them for you. Tweet me @SabrinaSiddiqui and I’ll do my best to answer a few!
Just don’t ask what the president is thinking -- after nearly two years, it’s fair to say no one really knows.Just don’t ask what the president is thinking -- after nearly two years, it’s fair to say no one really knows.
John Kelly has been questioned by the special counsel over potential obstruction of justice, according to CNN.John Kelly has been questioned by the special counsel over potential obstruction of justice, according to CNN.
The news comes hours after it was reported Kelly is due to depart from his role as White House chief of staff in a matter of days.The news comes hours after it was reported Kelly is due to depart from his role as White House chief of staff in a matter of days.
The CNN report stated Kelly was questioned in recent months, becoming the latest high-ranking official from the White House to be brought before federal investigators:The CNN report stated Kelly was questioned in recent months, becoming the latest high-ranking official from the White House to be brought before federal investigators:
“Kelly responded to a narrow set of questions from special counsel investigators after White House lawyers initially objected to Mueller’s request to do the interview earlier this summer,” sources said.“Kelly responded to a narrow set of questions from special counsel investigators after White House lawyers initially objected to Mueller’s request to do the interview earlier this summer,” sources said.
Most Trump associates interviewed by the special counsel were part of the presidential campaign or transition. Kelly did not join the White House until July of 2017, but investigators are interested in suggestions that the president sought to fire Mueller and other efforts by Trump to obstruct justice in the Russia probe.Most Trump associates interviewed by the special counsel were part of the presidential campaign or transition. Kelly did not join the White House until July of 2017, but investigators are interested in suggestions that the president sought to fire Mueller and other efforts by Trump to obstruct justice in the Russia probe.
More staff changes in the works?More staff changes in the works?
Donald Trump told reporters he will have another announcement at Saturday’s Army-Navy game. The latter is a longstanding contest between the two academies’ American college football teams, for the uninitiated.Donald Trump told reporters he will have another announcement at Saturday’s Army-Navy game. The latter is a longstanding contest between the two academies’ American college football teams, for the uninitiated.
The president is set to handle the coin toss at the game, but it looks like he’s also planning to throw a curve ball. (Yes, I just employed a baseball pun while discussing a football game ... I regret nothing.)The president is set to handle the coin toss at the game, but it looks like he’s also planning to throw a curve ball. (Yes, I just employed a baseball pun while discussing a football game ... I regret nothing.)
“I can give you a little hint: It will have to do with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and succession,” Trump said of his plans.“I can give you a little hint: It will have to do with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and succession,” Trump said of his plans.
What that means is anyone’s guess. As is often the case, the Defense Department appears to have no idea what Trump is talking about.What that means is anyone’s guess. As is often the case, the Defense Department appears to have no idea what Trump is talking about.
What could go wrong?What could go wrong?
Pardon the interruption. No, really.Pardon the interruption. No, really.
Bill Barr, Trump's new AG pick, literally oversaw--as AG!--George H.W. Bush's slew of pardons for the Iran-Contra scandal, including a pardon of former Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger *before his trial even began*. The light is flashing red, folks.https://t.co/ZdVqr9uWJUBill Barr, Trump's new AG pick, literally oversaw--as AG!--George H.W. Bush's slew of pardons for the Iran-Contra scandal, including a pardon of former Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger *before his trial even began*. The light is flashing red, folks.https://t.co/ZdVqr9uWJU
The reaction to Donald Trump’s nomination of William Barr as his next attorney general has fallen on familiar partisan lines.The reaction to Donald Trump’s nomination of William Barr as his next attorney general has fallen on familiar partisan lines.
Lindsey Graham, a Republican on the Senate judiciary committee and close ally of Trump’s, vowed to do “everything in [his] power” to push Barr’s nomination through.Lindsey Graham, a Republican on the Senate judiciary committee and close ally of Trump’s, vowed to do “everything in [his] power” to push Barr’s nomination through.
“Mr. Barr is highly capable, highly respected and will provide new and much-needed leadership for the Department of Justice,” Graham, a senator from South Carolina, said in a statement.“Mr. Barr is highly capable, highly respected and will provide new and much-needed leadership for the Department of Justice,” Graham, a senator from South Carolina, said in a statement.
He added: “Mr. Barr is a known quantity, a man of the highest integrity and character, and has an impeccable reputation.”He added: “Mr. Barr is a known quantity, a man of the highest integrity and character, and has an impeccable reputation.”
But Democrats on the committee expressed immediate reservations, stemming in part from Barr’s comments critical of the special counsel.But Democrats on the committee expressed immediate reservations, stemming in part from Barr’s comments critical of the special counsel.
“I will demand that Mr. Barr make a firm and specific commitment to protect the Mueller investigation, operate independently of the White House, and uphold the rule of law,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.“I will demand that Mr. Barr make a firm and specific commitment to protect the Mueller investigation, operate independently of the White House, and uphold the rule of law,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.
“The Senate must closely scrutinize this nominee, particularly in light of past comments suggesting Mr. Barr was more interested in currying favor with President Trump than objectively and thoughtfully analyzing law and facts.”“The Senate must closely scrutinize this nominee, particularly in light of past comments suggesting Mr. Barr was more interested in currying favor with President Trump than objectively and thoughtfully analyzing law and facts.”
The ACLU pointed instead to Barr’s record on the issues, which the group said “suggests that he will follow Jeff Sessions’ legacy of hostility to civil rights and civil liberties”.The ACLU pointed instead to Barr’s record on the issues, which the group said “suggests that he will follow Jeff Sessions’ legacy of hostility to civil rights and civil liberties”.
“The Senate must press Barr to adhere to the obligation of the Justice Department to defend the rights of all – immigrants, women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities,” ACLU spokesman Faiz Shakir said.“The Senate must press Barr to adhere to the obligation of the Justice Department to defend the rights of all – immigrants, women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities,” ACLU spokesman Faiz Shakir said.
“Barr must commit to defending the rule of law and civil rights, not serving as a political arm of Trump’s anti-constitutional agenda.”“Barr must commit to defending the rule of law and civil rights, not serving as a political arm of Trump’s anti-constitutional agenda.”
As we mentioned earlier, Barr needs just a simple majority vote to be confirmed. With Republicans still in control of the Senate, it’s fairly safe to say he will soon be headed to the Justice Department.As we mentioned earlier, Barr needs just a simple majority vote to be confirmed. With Republicans still in control of the Senate, it’s fairly safe to say he will soon be headed to the Justice Department.
Tired of Russia? Well, too bad.Tired of Russia? Well, too bad.
Former FBI director James Comey is testifying on Capitol Hill before the House judiciary and oversight committees.Former FBI director James Comey is testifying on Capitol Hill before the House judiciary and oversight committees.
The closed-door hearing will touch on both the Russia inquiry and Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server as secretary of state. Comey at first resisted testifying in private, but he agreed after a deal was reached to release a transcript of the interview.The closed-door hearing will touch on both the Russia inquiry and Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server as secretary of state. Comey at first resisted testifying in private, but he agreed after a deal was reached to release a transcript of the interview.
House Republicans are moving to end their own probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election before Democrats formally take control of the chamber in January.House Republicans are moving to end their own probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election before Democrats formally take control of the chamber in January.
Comey has been a vocal critic of Trump after he was fired by the president in May of 2017. His dismissal is a focal point for special counsel Robert Mueller, as investigators work to determine if Trump sought to obstruct justice in the Russia probe.Comey has been a vocal critic of Trump after he was fired by the president in May of 2017. His dismissal is a focal point for special counsel Robert Mueller, as investigators work to determine if Trump sought to obstruct justice in the Russia probe.
Here’s a video of Comey’s arrival on Capitol Hill:Here’s a video of Comey’s arrival on Capitol Hill:
moments ago -- James Comey, who is remarkably taller than I realized, arrived on Capitol Hill for his closed-door session with House Judiciary pic.twitter.com/S4SqNuAjMMmoments ago -- James Comey, who is remarkably taller than I realized, arrived on Capitol Hill for his closed-door session with House Judiciary pic.twitter.com/S4SqNuAjMM
Suffice it to say, he looks thrilled to be there.Suffice it to say, he looks thrilled to be there.
Speaking of All the President’s Men, former secretary of state Rex Tillerson is breaking his silence on his former boss and their notoriously fractious relationship.Speaking of All the President’s Men, former secretary of state Rex Tillerson is breaking his silence on his former boss and their notoriously fractious relationship.
Tillerson, the former ExxonMobil CEO who led the state department until March of this year, said he and Trump lacked a “common value system”.Tillerson, the former ExxonMobil CEO who led the state department until March of this year, said he and Trump lacked a “common value system”.
“It was challenging for me coming from the disciplined, highly process-oriented ExxonMobil Corporation to go to work for a man who is pretty undisciplined,” Tillerson said at a fundraiser in Houston on Thursday.“It was challenging for me coming from the disciplined, highly process-oriented ExxonMobil Corporation to go to work for a man who is pretty undisciplined,” Tillerson said at a fundraiser in Houston on Thursday.
He added that the president “doesn’t like to read, doesn’t read briefing reports, doesn’t like to get into the details of a lot of things, but rather just kind of says, ‘look, this is what I believe and you can try to convince me otherwise, but most of the time you’re not going to do that’”.He added that the president “doesn’t like to read, doesn’t read briefing reports, doesn’t like to get into the details of a lot of things, but rather just kind of says, ‘look, this is what I believe and you can try to convince me otherwise, but most of the time you’re not going to do that’”.
Trump famously dumped Tillerson in a tweet, in which the president named Mike Pompeo as his successor. Tillerson had long clashed with the president and once allegedly referred to his boss as a “moron” behind his back (with some more colorful language we won’t repeat here).Trump famously dumped Tillerson in a tweet, in which the president named Mike Pompeo as his successor. Tillerson had long clashed with the president and once allegedly referred to his boss as a “moron” behind his back (with some more colorful language we won’t repeat here).
Tillerson, who has kept a relatively low profile since leaving the administration, said he was often forced to push back on the president and his many, many impulses.Tillerson, who has kept a relatively low profile since leaving the administration, said he was often forced to push back on the president and his many, many impulses.
“When the president would say, ‘Here’s what I want to do, and here’s how I want to do it,’ and I’d have to say to him, ‘Well, Mr. President, I understand what you want to do but you can’t do it that way,’” Tillerson said.“When the president would say, ‘Here’s what I want to do, and here’s how I want to do it,’ and I’d have to say to him, ‘Well, Mr. President, I understand what you want to do but you can’t do it that way,’” Tillerson said.
“It violates the law, it violates the treaty, you know.”“It violates the law, it violates the treaty, you know.”
Lights out for John Kelly? While no formal announcement has been made about the chief of staff’s fate, there is something afoot at the White House...Lights out for John Kelly? While no formal announcement has been made about the chief of staff’s fate, there is something afoot at the White House...
Senior staff meeting canceled. Lights are off in Kelly’s office this morning, per a senior admin official. But as of an hour ago, he hadn’t been fired or resigned. There is a staff holiday dinner tonight that aides still expect him to attend. https://t.co/GzbNuO0HRjSenior staff meeting canceled. Lights are off in Kelly’s office this morning, per a senior admin official. But as of an hour ago, he hadn’t been fired or resigned. There is a staff holiday dinner tonight that aides still expect him to attend. https://t.co/GzbNuO0HRj
Trump is due to depart for an extended holiday stay at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida later this month. Is the president cleaning house before the new year? Time will tell.Trump is due to depart for an extended holiday stay at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida later this month. Is the president cleaning house before the new year? Time will tell.