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| Mitch McConnell criticizes Trump's Syria withdrawal in rare show of defiance – live | Mitch McConnell criticizes Trump's Syria withdrawal in rare show of defiance – live |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Brendan Gleeson will play Donald Trump opposite Jeff Daniels as James Comey in a TV adaptation of the former FBI director’s memoir A Higher Loyalty. | |
| CBS bought the rights to Comey’s book after a bidding war last year. Deadline reported on Monday that filming on the miniseries will begin in November, after Daniels finishes a year-long Broadway run in Aaron Sorkin’s hit adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic novel. An air date is yet to be determined. | |
| The TV version of Comey’s hit Trump book is not alone. The Emmy-winning director Jay Roach, for example, is attached to the screen version of Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff. | |
| Jeff Daniels to play Comey on TV – and Brendan Gleeson to play Trump | |
| For the first time on record, the 400 wealthiest Americans last year paid a lower total tax rate — spanning federal, state and local taxes — than any other income group, according to newly released data analyzed by the New York Times. | |
| That’s a sharp change from the 1950s and 1960s, when the wealthy paid vastly higher tax rates than the middle class or poor. | |
| Since then, taxes that hit the wealthiest the hardest — like the estate tax and corporate tax — have plummeted, while tax avoidance has become more common. | |
| President Trump’s 2017 tax cut, which was largely a handout to the rich, plays a role, too. It helped push the tax rate on the 400 wealthiest households below the rates for almost everyone else. | |
| The secretary of defense for public affairs, Jonathan Hoffman, said in a statement it does not support a Turkish operation in northern Syria. | The secretary of defense for public affairs, Jonathan Hoffman, said in a statement it does not support a Turkish operation in northern Syria. |
| Despite the president giving a green light for that to occur, the defense department’s statement claims that their position is in tune with the presidents. | Despite the president giving a green light for that to occur, the defense department’s statement claims that their position is in tune with the presidents. |
| The Department of Defense made clear to Turkey - as did the President - that we do not endorse a Turkish operation in Northern Syria. The US Armed Forces will not support, or be involved in any such operation. | The Department of Defense made clear to Turkey - as did the President - that we do not endorse a Turkish operation in Northern Syria. The US Armed Forces will not support, or be involved in any such operation. |
| In conversations between the Department and the Turkish military we have consistently stressed that coordination and cooperation were the best path toward security in the area. Secretary Esper and Chairman Milley reiterated to their respective Turkish counterparts that unilateral action creates risks for Turkey. As the President has stated, Turkey would be responsible, along with European nations and others, for thousands of ISIS fighters who had been captured and defeated in the campaign lead by the United States. | In conversations between the Department and the Turkish military we have consistently stressed that coordination and cooperation were the best path toward security in the area. Secretary Esper and Chairman Milley reiterated to their respective Turkish counterparts that unilateral action creates risks for Turkey. As the President has stated, Turkey would be responsible, along with European nations and others, for thousands of ISIS fighters who had been captured and defeated in the campaign lead by the United States. |
| The homeland security department released a statement in response to the department’s acting secretary, Kevin McAleenan, deciding not to speak after protestors interrupted his remarks at an immigration conference this morning. | The homeland security department released a statement in response to the department’s acting secretary, Kevin McAleenan, deciding not to speak after protestors interrupted his remarks at an immigration conference this morning. |
| The department said McAleenan’s right to free speech and assembly were “robbed.” | The department said McAleenan’s right to free speech and assembly were “robbed.” |
| “Unfortunately the acting secretary and the audience did not get the opportunity to engage in a robust dialogue this morning due to the disruptions of a few activists,” the department said in its statement. “The acting secretary thanked the organizers and returned to work protecting the homeland and American values.” | “Unfortunately the acting secretary and the audience did not get the opportunity to engage in a robust dialogue this morning due to the disruptions of a few activists,” the department said in its statement. “The acting secretary thanked the organizers and returned to work protecting the homeland and American values.” |
| The demonstrators, who represent a coalition of immigrant advocacy groups, also sent around a statement. | The demonstrators, who represent a coalition of immigrant advocacy groups, also sent around a statement. |
| “No Trump henchmen should be given a platform to spread hatred or defend the racist, xenophobic policies put into place by Donald Trump and Stephen Miller,” said CREDO Action campaign director Nicole Regalado, who disrupted McAleenan’s speech. “Institutions that elevate the architects and enforcers of Trump’s hate and normalize that cruelty can expect to hear from us.” | “No Trump henchmen should be given a platform to spread hatred or defend the racist, xenophobic policies put into place by Donald Trump and Stephen Miller,” said CREDO Action campaign director Nicole Regalado, who disrupted McAleenan’s speech. “Institutions that elevate the architects and enforcers of Trump’s hate and normalize that cruelty can expect to hear from us.” |
| A week after having a heart attack, Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, took a walk with his wife, Jane, near their home in Vermont. | A week after having a heart attack, Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, took a walk with his wife, Jane, near their home in Vermont. |
| .@BernieSanders and his wife, Jane, took a walk around their neighborhood in Burlington, VT in the rain. Sen. Sanders told reporters he’d be back on the trail “soon,” that he feels “very good,” and that he is “trying to get back into” his habit of taking long walks. pic.twitter.com/IGklQNaPT9 | .@BernieSanders and his wife, Jane, took a walk around their neighborhood in Burlington, VT in the rain. Sen. Sanders told reporters he’d be back on the trail “soon,” that he feels “very good,” and that he is “trying to get back into” his habit of taking long walks. pic.twitter.com/IGklQNaPT9 |
| US senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, has joined the wave of Republicans and Democrats criticizing Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, allowing Turkey to take control of the military operations there. | US senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, has joined the wave of Republicans and Democrats criticizing Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, allowing Turkey to take control of the military operations there. |
| “A precipitous withdrawal of US forces from Syria would only benefit Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime,” McConnell, a Republican senator for Kentucky, said in a statement. “And it would increase the risk that ISIS and other terrorist groups regroup.” | “A precipitous withdrawal of US forces from Syria would only benefit Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime,” McConnell, a Republican senator for Kentucky, said in a statement. “And it would increase the risk that ISIS and other terrorist groups regroup.” |
| I urge the President to exercise American leadership to keep together our multinational coalition to defeat ISIS and prevent significant conflict between our NATO ally Turkey and our local Syrian counterterrorism partners. Major new conflict between Turkey and our partners in Syria would seriously risk damaging Turkey’s ties to the United States and causing greater isolation for Turkey on the world stage. | I urge the President to exercise American leadership to keep together our multinational coalition to defeat ISIS and prevent significant conflict between our NATO ally Turkey and our local Syrian counterterrorism partners. Major new conflict between Turkey and our partners in Syria would seriously risk damaging Turkey’s ties to the United States and causing greater isolation for Turkey on the world stage. |
| My statement on Turkey and U.S. partners in Syria. https://t.co/6ha3zUhSQO | My statement on Turkey and U.S. partners in Syria. https://t.co/6ha3zUhSQO |
| The Trump campaign just held a call with reporters about 2020. | The Trump campaign just held a call with reporters about 2020. |
| The call centered on a rule change to Republican state party structures that will effectively make it so Trump won’t face his in-party challengers at the Republican national convention. | The call centered on a rule change to Republican state party structures that will effectively make it so Trump won’t face his in-party challengers at the Republican national convention. |
| Trump campaign officials just announced rule changes to Republican state party structures that will essentially make it easier for President Trump to not face any challengers at the GOP convention. But officials stressed the changes were "not done from a position of weakness." | Trump campaign officials just announced rule changes to Republican state party structures that will essentially make it easier for President Trump to not face any challengers at the GOP convention. But officials stressed the changes were "not done from a position of weakness." |
| Responding to a question from @tamarakeithNPR on the Trump campaign call, the official slammed Mark Sanford and Joe Walsh."We don't pay any mind to the guys trying to run in the primary," the person said.Official argued, "The pathway has already been closed." | Responding to a question from @tamarakeithNPR on the Trump campaign call, the official slammed Mark Sanford and Joe Walsh."We don't pay any mind to the guys trying to run in the primary," the person said.Official argued, "The pathway has already been closed." |
| Trump campaign officials seem intent on heading off any worries about their worries. Chasing new delegate rules in 37 states is totally "not about avoiding any kind of disaster" on the convention floor in Charlotte next year, one says. | Trump campaign officials seem intent on heading off any worries about their worries. Chasing new delegate rules in 37 states is totally "not about avoiding any kind of disaster" on the convention floor in Charlotte next year, one says. |
| Utah senator Mitt Romney, a Republican, and Connecticut senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, have released a statement critical of Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria. | Utah senator Mitt Romney, a Republican, and Connecticut senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, have released a statement critical of Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria. |
| “The president’s decision to abandon our Kurdish allies in northern Syria in the face of an assault by Turkey is a betrayal that will have grave humanitarian and national security consequences,” said the senators, who are chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate foreign relations subcommittee on near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism. | “The president’s decision to abandon our Kurdish allies in northern Syria in the face of an assault by Turkey is a betrayal that will have grave humanitarian and national security consequences,” said the senators, who are chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate foreign relations subcommittee on near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism. |
| “After enlisting support from the Kurds to help destroy ISIS and assuring Kurdish protection from Turkey, the US has now opened the door to their destruction,” they said. “This severely undercuts America’s credibility as a reliable partner and creates a power vacuum in the region that benefits ISIS.” | “After enlisting support from the Kurds to help destroy ISIS and assuring Kurdish protection from Turkey, the US has now opened the door to their destruction,” they said. “This severely undercuts America’s credibility as a reliable partner and creates a power vacuum in the region that benefits ISIS.” |
| South Carolina senator, Lindsey Graham, continues to lead the charge among Republicans publicly challenging Donald Trump’s move in northern Syria. | South Carolina senator, Lindsey Graham, continues to lead the charge among Republicans publicly challenging Donald Trump’s move in northern Syria. |
| Graham borrows from Trump’s book and compares his actions to those of Barack Obama – though unlike Trump, he does so unfavorably. | Graham borrows from Trump’s book and compares his actions to those of Barack Obama – though unlike Trump, he does so unfavorably. |
| No matter what President Trump is saying about his decision, it is EXACTLY what President Obama did in Iraq with even more disastrous consequences for our national security.Unlike President Obama, I hope President Trump will reassess and take sound military advice. | No matter what President Trump is saying about his decision, it is EXACTLY what President Obama did in Iraq with even more disastrous consequences for our national security.Unlike President Obama, I hope President Trump will reassess and take sound military advice. |
| It’s been a busy morning. | It’s been a busy morning. |
| House Democrats issued subpoenas to the defense department secretary and the office of management and budget’s acting director as part of their inquiry into Trump’s request for Ukraine to help him target a political rival. | House Democrats issued subpoenas to the defense department secretary and the office of management and budget’s acting director as part of their inquiry into Trump’s request for Ukraine to help him target a political rival. |
| Late last night, the White House announced an abrupt foreign policy change that has left the US abandoning its allies in northern Syria and sending Turkish forces in. Trump has found little support within his party for this decision and prominent allies, such as Lindsey Graham, have vehemently criticized the move. | Late last night, the White House announced an abrupt foreign policy change that has left the US abandoning its allies in northern Syria and sending Turkish forces in. Trump has found little support within his party for this decision and prominent allies, such as Lindsey Graham, have vehemently criticized the move. |
| While Republicans were getting angry about that, a federal judge decided Trump should have to turn over eight years of his personal and corporate tax returns, a decision that was stayed a couple hours later. | While Republicans were getting angry about that, a federal judge decided Trump should have to turn over eight years of his personal and corporate tax returns, a decision that was stayed a couple hours later. |
| The acting homeland security, Kevin McAleenan, was blocked from speaking at an immigration conference by protestors from CREDO Action, Justice for Muslims Collective, La ColectiVA, National Immigrant Justice Center, and Sanctuary DMV. | The acting homeland security, Kevin McAleenan, was blocked from speaking at an immigration conference by protestors from CREDO Action, Justice for Muslims Collective, La ColectiVA, National Immigrant Justice Center, and Sanctuary DMV. |
| House investigators sent a letter today to defense department secretary Mark Esper and the office of management and budget’s acting director, Russell Vought, demanding documents as part of an inquiry into whether Trump urged Ukraine to interfere with the 2020 election by withholding military assistance allocated to Ukraine by Congress. | House investigators sent a letter today to defense department secretary Mark Esper and the office of management and budget’s acting director, Russell Vought, demanding documents as part of an inquiry into whether Trump urged Ukraine to interfere with the 2020 election by withholding military assistance allocated to Ukraine by Congress. |
| In an email, the chairmen of the House committees on Intelligence, Oversight and Foreign Affairs said: | In an email, the chairmen of the House committees on Intelligence, Oversight and Foreign Affairs said: |
| “The enclosed subpoena demands documents that are necessary for the Committees to examine this sequence of these events and the reasons behind the White House’s decision to withhold critical military assistance to Ukraine that was appropriated by Congress to counter Russian aggression,” the Chairmen wrote. | “The enclosed subpoena demands documents that are necessary for the Committees to examine this sequence of these events and the reasons behind the White House’s decision to withhold critical military assistance to Ukraine that was appropriated by Congress to counter Russian aggression,” the Chairmen wrote. |
| If you manage to get past Donald Trump referring to his “great and unmatched wisdom,” in his statement about his decision in northern Syria, he goes on to threaten to obliterate Turkey’s economy if they behave in a way he deems inappropriate. He also claims, very incorrectly, that the US captured all of Islamic State. | If you manage to get past Donald Trump referring to his “great and unmatched wisdom,” in his statement about his decision in northern Syria, he goes on to threaten to obliterate Turkey’s economy if they behave in a way he deems inappropriate. He also claims, very incorrectly, that the US captured all of Islamic State. |
| ....the captured ISIS fighters and families. The U.S. has done far more than anyone could have ever expected, including the capture of 100% of the ISIS Caliphate. It is time now for others in the region, some of great wealth, to protect their own territory. THE USA IS GREAT! | ....the captured ISIS fighters and families. The U.S. has done far more than anyone could have ever expected, including the capture of 100% of the ISIS Caliphate. It is time now for others in the region, some of great wealth, to protect their own territory. THE USA IS GREAT! |
| Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump loyalist on most issues, vowed that Congress would pass a resolution reversing the decision. “Isis is not defeated. This is the biggest lie being told by this administration,” Graham told Fox News. | Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump loyalist on most issues, vowed that Congress would pass a resolution reversing the decision. “Isis is not defeated. This is the biggest lie being told by this administration,” Graham told Fox News. |
| US to let Turkish forces move into Syria, dumping Kurdish allies | US to let Turkish forces move into Syria, dumping Kurdish allies |
| The Guardian’s Middle East correspondent, Martin Chulov, explains how the US’s decision to back Turkey in northern Syria threatens the fight against Islamic State: | The Guardian’s Middle East correspondent, Martin Chulov, explains how the US’s decision to back Turkey in northern Syria threatens the fight against Islamic State: |
| The abandonment of the Kurds is perhaps the most impactful of all. The debt owed to Kurdish forces is acknowledged by western security partners who realise Isis remains unfinished business. Trump’s US had found itself atop a world order it no longer wanted to lead and, more consequentially, no longer seemed to believe in. In the eyes of some bewildered regional allies, Iraq and Saudi Arabia in particular, the US has nothing left to offer but a chequebook. | The abandonment of the Kurds is perhaps the most impactful of all. The debt owed to Kurdish forces is acknowledged by western security partners who realise Isis remains unfinished business. Trump’s US had found itself atop a world order it no longer wanted to lead and, more consequentially, no longer seemed to believe in. In the eyes of some bewildered regional allies, Iraq and Saudi Arabia in particular, the US has nothing left to offer but a chequebook. |
| Trump’s transactional worldview offers no place for history or morality. His ruthless short-term realism ignores the fact that the regional interests he does want to secure – containing Iran and securing Israel – are jeopardised by such a blatant betrayal. | Trump’s transactional worldview offers no place for history or morality. His ruthless short-term realism ignores the fact that the regional interests he does want to secure – containing Iran and securing Israel – are jeopardised by such a blatant betrayal. |
| For all the US president’s talk of taking on Iran, the Iranian attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil supply last month received no response from the US and has instead sparked a detente between Riyadh and Tehran that will inevitably lead to new trade openings and puncture US efforts to crush Iran’s economy. | For all the US president’s talk of taking on Iran, the Iranian attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil supply last month received no response from the US and has instead sparked a detente between Riyadh and Tehran that will inevitably lead to new trade openings and puncture US efforts to crush Iran’s economy. |
| Latest betrayal of Kurds risks undermining defeat of Isis | Latest betrayal of Kurds risks undermining defeat of Isis |