Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Steve Bannon is currently testifying before the House Intelligence Committee. Next up, Hope Hicks. Update!

Courtesy of AP:

Steve Bannon, the onetime close confidant to President Donald Trump, arrived early Tuesday for his interview before the House Intelligence Committee. 

His interview follows his spectacular fall from power after being quoted in a book that he sees the president’s son and others as engaging in “treasonous” behavior for taking a meeting with Russians during the 2016 campaign.

I imagine that Bannon is spilling his guts right now.

After all what more could he possibly lose at this point?

Next one the barrel is apparently Trump's side piece. (Oh come on! You know it's true.)

Courtesy of CNN:  

White House Communications Director Hope Hicks is expected to meet with the House Intelligence Committee as soon as this week, making her one of President Donald Trump's closest confidantes to be privately interviewed in the panel's Russia investigation, multiple sources with knowledge of the matter told CNN. 

Hicks, a trusted Trump aide for years, was one of then-candidate Trump's first hires as he put together an improbable run for the White House. During the campaign, she was often by Trump's side and attended nearly every rally, while she was in frequent communication with other senior officials as they plotted their tactics to win the White House. 

The House panel plans to interview her about any knowledge she has of contacts that occurred between other Trump associates and Russians. And she is bound to be questioned about other controversies as well, namely the White House's involvement in crafting a misleading response last summer once a June 2016 meeting between Russians and Donald Trump Jr. was revealed in the press. 

The meeting is expected to occur as soon as Friday, the sources said.

I know that Hope Hicks and Stephen Bannon have a potpourri of potentially damaging information about Trump and the campaign to share, but I still lack confidence that the House Intelligence Committee is actually interested in revealing that information.

I am much more interested in what Mueller and his team manage to squeeze out of these two.

And we just learned today that Mueller has issued a subpoena for Bannon to testify before a grand jury.

Courtesy of the New York Times:

Stephen K. Bannon, President Trump’s former chief strategist, was subpoenaed last week by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, to testify before a grand jury as part of the investigation into possible links between Mr. Trump’s associates and Russia, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter. 

The move marked the first time Mr. Mueller is known to have used a grand jury subpoena to seek information from a member of Mr. Trump’s inner circle. The special counsel’s office has used subpoenas before to seek information on Mr. Trump’s associates and their possible ties to Russia or other foreign governments. 
The subpoena could be a negotiating tactic. Mr. Mueller is likely to allow Mr. Bannon to forgo the grand jury appearance if he agrees to instead be questioned by investigators in the less formal setting of the special counsel’s offices about ties between Mr. Trump’s associates and Russia and about the president’s conduct in office, according to the person, who would not be named discussing the case. But it was not clear why Mr. Mueller treated Mr. Bannon differently than the dozen administration officials who were interviewed in the final months of last year and were never served with a subpoena.

Popcorn anyone?

Update: I stand corrected, Bannon was uncooperative until he was subpoenaed during the hearing.  

52 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:20 AM

    I’m not expecting anything. Apparently Trump and his crew see nothing wrong with lying.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous11:27 AM

    I hope Bannon nails Trump's butt and forces his impeachment or resignation - shaming him to the maximum for his dastardly deeds throughout his life and short time as potus.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous11:57 AM

    Trump’s DOJ pushes bigoted propaganda while ignoring threats from domestic terrorism

    https://shareblue.com/trumps-doj-pushes-bigoted-propaganda-while-ignoring-threats-from-domestic-terrorism/

    Trump’s lost more top staffers in disastrous first year than any president in 35 years

    https://shareblue.com/trumps-lost-more-top-staffers-in-disastrous-first-year-than-any-president-in-35-years/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous11:58 AM

    Adult film star said she had a nearly year-long affair with Trump — not just a single encounter

    In an interview with Slate, actress Stormy Daniels, whose given name is Stephanie Clifford, said she met Trump at a golf tournament in 2006, where they “begun a sexual relationship” that “lasted for nearly a year.” The tournament took place not long after the real estate mogul married Melania Trump, and just a few months after their son Barron was born.

    The admission that happened “in a series of phone conversations and text exchanges that took place between August and October of 2016” runs counter to a statement provided to the Wall Street Journal and written by Trump’s lawyer that Daniels allegedly signed.

    In the statement, which was included in the Journal‘s initial reports that attorney Michael Cohen shelled out $130,000 in October 2016 to keep Daniels quiet about her affair with the candidate, the actress signed a document claiming she and Trump did not have a “sexual and/or romantic affair.”

    http://www.rawstory.com/2018/01/adult-film-star-said-she-had-a-nearly-year-long-affair-with-trump-not-just-a-single-encounter/

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous11:58 AM

    You know, it makes sense. Sarah saying hockey and them choosing military when injury derailed hockey was an outlet for him. I know Sarah wasn't fond of him enlisting but she probably did believe he do well as soldier #3423 and not Track PALIN, another target for the media to abuse.

    But if you look at things, he didn't really change in pictures until she ran for Governor. I think anger began a slow build from her high profile career. He was so jovial and fun before that. We've heard about such and such celeb kid who has to home school because the attention gets to them.

    Because he was too good and too soulful. I also think there were enough good times and normal times where they were able to write things off. They've been slandered so much and of course mentally ill commenters are going to exaggerate things. And Track had legitimate reasons to be pissed at Bristol's ex, who is a bonafide liar and king of coverups. An look where that got Levi; he had to cut his only sibling out.

    Parallels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:11 PM

      Are you drunk?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:31 PM

      Wrong thread Dotard

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:40 PM

      Wrong thread, stalker.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:41 PM

      ///////////// These lines are parallel.
      What you're saying is nonsense.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:48 PM

      You drunken fool! The kid has been a ticking time bomb since high school.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous12:00 PM

    8 years!

    MAGA!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 8 years in a Federal penitentiary isn’t long enough.

      America was already great before the Deplorables elected a sociopathic malignant narcissist with the emotional stability of a two year old, the attention span of a gnat and the intelligence of black mold.

      GA is right. We’r all GAgging over President Shithole.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous12:01 PM

    Trumps circle is thick with sycophantic liars. Lets see how much of the truth Mueller can extract. These folks don't care about lying under oath if they think they can get away with it. I'd love to see them all go down on perjury.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous12:03 PM

    Calling Trump a racist ‘is the new McCarthyism’ — according to right-wing billionaire’s newspaper

    Pittsburg newspaper owned by right-wing billionaire James Cox Kennedy is being blasted for “the worst editorial you’ll read in 2018” after attempting to silence critics of President Donald Trump’s racism.

    “Calling someone a racist is the new McCarthyism,” the Pittsburg Post-Gazette claimed. “Calling the president a racist helps no one — it is simply another way (the Russia and instability cards having been played unsuccessfully) to attempt to delegitimize a legitimately elected president.”

    The Pittsburg Post-Gazette is owned by Cox Enterprises. Jim Cox Kennedy, the Chairman of Cox Enterprises, is estimated to have a net worth of $12.7 billion, making him the 39th richest American and the richest resident of Georgia.

    The Martin Luther King Jr. Day editorial also suggested that Trump should not be removed from office — on any grounds.

    “If he is to be removed from office, let the voters do it based on his total performance — temperament as well as accomplishment — in 2020. Simply calling him an agent of the Russians, a nutcase or a racist is a cowardly way to fight,” the Post-Gazette claimed.

    Damon Young, the editor-in-chief of Very Smart Brothas, paraphrased the goal of the editorial.

    “Racism isn’t bad or cowardly. But recognizing racism and articulating it is the true danger. The true evil. This entire piece is an exercise is gaslighting,” Young charged.

    This isn’t the first time Jim Kennedy has attempted to use his wealth and power to silence political critics.

    http://www.rawstory.com/2018/01/calling-trump-a-racist-is-the-new-mccarthyism-according-to-right-wing-billionaires-newspaper/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:05 PM

      The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Just Published the Worst Editorial You’ll Read in 2018

      ...To be fair, although this piece is attributed to the Post-Gazette’s editorial board, this is primarily the doing of John Block, the paper’s publisher and editor-in-chief. The notoriously conservative Block family also owns the Toledo Blade, where the piece first appeared. According to a source at the PG, the rest of the editorial board fought against Block republishing this. But since he’s the owner, he can do what he wants. Fortunately, so can I!

      Anyway, the first line of this editorial, below, lets you know you’re in for a ride. And by “a ride” I mean “a ride on a roller-coaster at Six Flags Over Racism.”

      https://verysmartbrothas.theroot.com/the-pittsburgh-post-gazette-just-published-the-worst-ed-1822123972

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:33 PM

      @1:05 this line?
      "Pittsburgh is also the second-whitest major metropolitan area in the country. When I share this tidbit with black people who’ve been to the Burgh, many of them express surprise because, to them, the city seems much blacker than that. But their perception is skewed because if you’re in Pittsburgh and you happen to be around black people, it’s likely a hyper-segregated space, which could lead you to believe that it’s an accurate or close-to-accurate representation of the city’s demographics. But once you leave those few places where black people live and congregate, you’re firmly ensconced in stark and boundless whiteness."?

      Delete
  9. abbafan12:04 PM

    I am thoroughly enjoying seeing trumps underlings, aka enablers, sweating in the spotlight! Young Ms. Hicks will crack under pressure; after all, she is his head pants-steamer, and belt-buckle polisher! Mr. Mueller will make Bannon sing for a drink!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope. I think she is the only one that won’t crack. She’s setting herself up to be #4.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous12:18 PM

    Bannon was always going to need the cover of a subpoena. I get the feeling that he really wants to talk.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He probably does now that Trump has thrown him under the bus and had the Mercers fire him.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous12:19 PM

    Somebody should subpoena Dr Ronny Jackson and make him appear under oath. What bullshit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:57 PM

      I watched him too and think he is being paid off by Trump - he came across to totally support Trump in EVERY way which was terribly disheartening to watch and hear.

      It made me sick to my stomach! I, too, think he should be made to appear under oath.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous1:54 PM

      I don't think Dr. Jackson is lying. Trump was given an easy 10-minute test called the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. He was not given a thorough psychiatric evaluation.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous3:18 PM

      He said he's in excellent health. That is a lie. No man in his 70s living on straight fast food and no exercise is in excellent health.

      Delete
    4. One pound short of obese. As Colbert said, what a coincedence. And that good genes shit? Nothing but bullshit.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous4:51 PM

      I don't think he was paid off, there is the risk of evidence. I think trump used his veiled threats trick, after all he is the commander in chief. He could make it very difficult for Doctor Ronnie.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous12:39 PM

    Here is why I think Track is just one of the millions of unlucky people to have a psychiatric illness. We know Sarah and Todd are good parents. We know Sarah spent an untold amount of time trying to get Bristol to date a more respectable person who wasn't a high school dropout. Bristol has said her mom always said to her "don't do it." We know Todd once made Willow go to school and apologize for being mouthy. The two of them grew up to be exceptional people who work hard and have healthy lives and personalities - even in spite of dealing with shitty, two-faced people and those who slander them.

    I think maybe around age 15/16, which nicely coincides with a run for Governor, Track might have developed a disorder one would develop in those years. Teenage depression is pretty common, sadly, and other conditions do develop then and worsen in one's 20s.

    I think because he played an aggressive sport and was told he had pro potential, it was written off because it was an outlet. When he got injured, he and his friend enlisted. (They still maintained contact with a boot camp friend into 2011.)

    Track's Afghanistan-front friend and Track had "big plans" when they returned home in 2012.

    I'm not convinced being overseas made it worse. I think it bought time. He and friends worked out a lot there.

    Big families always have at least one with some disorder. It's kind of statistical. We have blog friends here who've had kids commit suicide. Mrs G I believe. We all know someone with some nature-given issues and in this case, it was exacerbated by a hatred of attention and bullying media.

    This is a man who will defend the helpless (DS brother). Who defends his sisters against people who treat them poorly. with an underlying biological issues, all these things would eventually run together and make it hard to differentiate between good and bad. Good family Vs evil media bullies. Not that fighting bullies is ideal. he needs come coping skills for that. But it's admirable he feels he has to defend those who are wronged.

    Psych eval
    Therapy to give him some coping mechanisms for anger
    And privacy are my medicine for him

    He's too good to let it worsen into a truly horrific scene. There are too many people who idolized him and are rooting for him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:55 PM

      OH MY GOD!!! STFU YOU CREEP! NO ONE IDOLIZES HIM AND HIS PARENTS AREN'T FIT TO RAISE CACTI!!!!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous1:15 PM

      GAG.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous1:16 PM

      Sarah and Todd are as FUCKED UP as parents as you can get. You're blowing smoke up our asses and we aren't buying it. So anything you write is suspect and mostly BULLSHIT. Stop wasting our time with this crap, because it is right in line with the pathological liars that the Palin/Heath clan is.

      Track is a mess, he's been a mess for decades, he's NOT a decent man, he's a fucked up drug addict, a violent felon and a twisted gun nut. And no amount of your bullshit will change that.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous1:18 PM

      We don't much care what you think, especially when your head is clearly up your ass.

      Delete
    5. Just give it up, Alicia. No one is buying your bullshit here.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous4:52 PM

      I think you are nuts.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous12:41 PM

    I wonder, could it be hicks and jared?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous12:43 PM

    I’m a bit lost. How do you subpoena someone who is already there to testify. Not trying to be stupid!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:52 PM

      House committee under oath
      and separate, and republican members with hard of hearing and compromised.
      Grand Jury, is criminal, under oath, subpoena. is important.
      Who and where is the "Grand Jury" ? don't know. The Court summons them in County where crime is committed.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:21 PM

      I was wondering the same...

      Delete
  15. Anonymous12:45 PM

    If Bannon wanted to earn Trump’s favor again, wouldn’t he refuse to give testimony while in front of the House since many of Trump’s stooges would report back to Trump. I suppose the only place Steve will sing is in front of Mueller.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous4:55 PM

      That is what I think also. trump won't be able to get his hands on his testimony in front of the grand jury either.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous1:19 PM

    Trump is calling "every black person he knows" and asking them if they think he's racist. Most won't answer his call.

    https://twitter.com/RogueSNRadvisor/status/953296830074208258

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He should have called ol’ Ben Carson first.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:02 PM

      HA HA HA, Well that probable took all of 1 minute of executive time.

      Ben Carson has been making some remarks that trump is nuts. Can’t remember exact quote.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous1:26 PM

    Happy to focus on policy, Katie. Trump recently announced he doesn't want *any* more immigrants (skilled or not) from 57 "shithouse" countries that are almost entirely black. Instead, he wants immigrants (skilled or not) from rich white countries.

    That's a shitty, racist policy.

    https://twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/953317602226515970

    --Sources say Bannon told by WH not to answer questions before House Intel Cmte about the White House and the transition. Did not assert executive privilege. Committee subpoenas him during the meeting to comply while in the hearing.

    https://twitter.com/ChadPergram/status/953332280277241856

    Stunning if true.

    Stunning that the White House would try to pull a stunt like this without asserting executive privilege, as such tampering with a witness can be illegal, and stunning that House Intel members were ready to subpoena him on-site as soon as he refused to answer.

    https://twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/953372272869498881

    The "other measures [to combat the drug epidemic]" that Trump said regretfully can't be used in the U.S. include the *open murder of citizens* by the government (see Duterte, who Trump seemed to be referring to).

    This is actually one of the scariest things Trump has ever said.

    2/ Note that he said, "they say" I can't use such measures. Not "I wouldn't," but, effectively, "I would, but *they* won't let me [murder citizens without warning or due process]."

    https://twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/953366772253634563

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:00 PM

      THAT> ' is actually one of the scariest things Trump has ever said.'
      "*open murder of citizens* by the government"{HIM}
      "regretfully can't be used in the U.S"" "they say"
      I can't use such measures." REDRUM REDRUM

      Delete
  18. Anonymous1:36 PM

    Ok so bannon is fairly sleaze bag, biosphere, brietbart, fake news, x wife complaints, and ? check.
    He is testifying under oath to the house committee. check.
    Now subpoena to testify to grand jury. Ok so assuming steve is decent average blab artist that wants to live out his life ok. He can save America as a decent ok dude.
    OR?
    If he wants to be a scumbag, ugly, nasty, sloppy ogre than he will continue the lie and scam.
    Stand tuned.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous1:49 PM

    That is hilarious!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous1:55 PM

    What happened between 10AM, when Trump told Sen. Graham he'd compromise on immigration, and noon, when he raged about "shithole" countries? Simple: he talked to a white supremacist by the name of Stephen Miller.

    And what came out of that talk was a *racist* immigration policy.

    https://twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/953358764954083328

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous3:54 PM

    http://www.politicususa.com/2018/01/16/sen-richard-blumenthal-explains-steve-bannon-screwed-testify-russia.html

    "Bannon is not a member of the cabinet and is no longer in the White House, so his claims of executive privilege on questions about Russia are worthle$$""

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous5:10 PM

    NOT talking:
    http://www.rawstory.com/2018/01/steve-bannon-refused-to-answer-house-intel-committee-questions-even-after-receiving-a-subpoena-gop-rep/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:47 PM

      the art of the DEAL?

      http://www.rawstory.com/2018/01/bannon-plans-to-cooperate-with-muellers-subpoena-despite-stonewalling-house-intel-committee-report/

      Delete
  23. Anonymous4:30 AM

    That AP photo of Steve Bannon makes him look less like the drunken madman he usually looks like and more like a minor "founding father." He must have gussied himself up for the day. The camera angle helps too.
    Beaglemom

    ReplyDelete
  24. One pound short of obese. Colbert nailed it.

    ReplyDelete

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