A Complete Breakdown Of Donald Trump’s 33rd Unpresidented Week As POTUS
Donald Trump is the media’s abusive boyfriend. He’s nice for a day or utters a coherent sentence while successfully reading from a teleprompter and pundits proclaim “he’s changing!” That is until he’s back to beating them with early morning “fake news” tweets. It’s an endless cycle, and following Donald Trump’s debt ceiling deal with Democratic Leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, we saw it in full swing.
These are the same pundits that were prophesizing about how Chief of Staff John Kelly could “reset” the Trump administration right before President Trump gave a press conference declaring a moral equivalency between white supremacists and anti-racism protestors. There were countless stories declaring that Trump is behaving like an Independent. I’m here to tell you, that analysis is beyond inaccurate.
One deal with the Democrats on Wednesday doesn’t change the fact Trump rescinded DACA on Tuesday.
One deal with the Democrats doesn’t change the fact Trump has backed and is actively pursuing, a repeal of Obamacare.
One deal with the Democrats doesn’t change the fact Trump has pushed for discriminatory bans from Muslims entering the U.S. to transgenders entering the military.
One deal with the Democrats doesn’t change the fact that Trump is unhinged, unqualified, and under investigation.
Here’s a complete breakdown of Donald Trump’s 33rd week as POTUS:
Labor Day Weekend (September 2–4)
North Korea had its sixth nuclear test on Saturday which it claims to have been a hydrogen bomb. The detonation sent tremors through South Korea and China. Secretary of Defense James Mattis responded by stating “any threat to the United States or its territory, including Guam or our allies, will be met with a massive military response.” President Trump took to Twitter.
North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States…..
North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success.
South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!
The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.
Meanwhile…
- President Trump made his second visit to Texas. He wasn’t acting unhinged so naturally, he garnered praise from cable news hosts
- Politico reported that President Trump has decided to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the Obama-era program that grants work permits to 800,000 children of undocumented immigrants with a six-month delay to give Congress a chance to introduce a legislative solution
The news of Trump deciding to end DACA (protects 800k Dreamers) comes on a Sunday night on Labor Day weekend… Cruel https://t.co/lbjpLAJOeS
These are individuals who are productive members of American society. Trump’s decision drew backlash from Republicans from Speaker Paul Ryan to Jeff Flake.
DACA children “should not be punished for the sins of their parents,” says Sen. Jeff Flake #CNNSOTU
— @CNN
With 800,000 people’s futures hanging in the balance, Congress better act appropriately…
Big week coming up!
33rd Week (September 5 — September 8)
Tuesday, September 5
Heartless
Today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions made the announcement of President Trump’s decision to rescind DACA. Before he did so, Trump took to Twitter, calling out Republicans.
Congress, get ready to do your job – DACA!
At a press conference scheduled for 11 am, Sessions delivered remarks in an attempt to defend the president’s decision. Sessions went on and on about the importance of enforcing the rule of law. Interesting given the fact he himself has committed perjury by lying under oath, his boss pardoned a convicted racist and continues to try and obstruct justice. But back to the topic at hand, Sessions also made unsubstantiated claims. Like this one, claiming that DACA recipients are stealing hundreds of thousands of jobs from Americans:
It also denied jobs to hundreds of thousands of Americans by allowing those same jobs to go to illegal aliens.
These are young people who, on average, arrived here when they were six years old. They’ve committed no crimes, went through extreme vetting, and know no other home but America. Trump was aware of the controversiality of his incoming decision, reportedly attempting to find “a way out.” John Kelly then reached out to Republicans where the six-month delay with the hope of a legislative solution came to be. Many feared that the Department of Homeland Security would use the data DACA recipients gave to them to make them more easy targets for deportation.
The economic impacts of DACA recipients being deported would not only be a moral issue, it would be an economic one. According to the Center for American Progress, the U.S. could lose $460.3 billion over a decade if DACA recipients were removed from the nation. Knowing this, Republican Senator Lindsay Graham came out in support of the bipartisan DREAM Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for DACA recipients.
Sen. Lindsey Graham supports plan to rescind DACA, but calls on Congress to pass bipartisan 2017 DREAM Act. More: https://t.co/vayt51sDps https://t.co/Bf3Zc4thgt
— @NBCNews
SIGN THIS PETITION AND DEMAND CONGRESS PASS THE BIPARTISAN DREAM ACT TO PROTECT DACA RECIPIENTS
Former President Barack Obama, who had previously stated he would speak out if he felt morally compelled to do so, posted a lengthy and powerful rebuke of President Trump’s decision on Facebook.
To target hopeful young strivers who grew up here is wrong, because they’ve done nothing wrong. My statement: https://t.co/TCxZdld7L4
As protestors took to the streets of Washington, D.C. and across the U.S., some of which Trump could most likely see from the windows of the White House, President Trump took Twitter with a change of tone.
Congress now has 6 months to legalize DACA (something the Obama Administration was unable to do). If they can’t, I will revisit this issue!
Meanwhile…
- Given heightened tensions with North Korea, President Trump made the following offer on Twitter
I am allowing Japan & South Korea to buy a substantially increased amount of highly sophisticated military equipment from the United States.
- There has reportedly been friction between the congressional committees and Robert Mueller in the Trump-Russia investigation
- The Justice Department stated they have no evidence of the Obama administration wiretapping Trump Tower…because, of course, they don’t
- The House Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed the Department of Justice and the FBI, requesting information on the Trump-Russia — Christopher Steele dossier
- Trump has nominated Oklahoma Congressman Rep. Jim Bridenstine, a climate denier with no scientific background, to lead NASA. He must pass Senate confirmation
Wednesday, September 6
Tired Of Being Hated
A photo gives a behind-the-scenes look at Trump and Schumer after their key policy meeting https://t.co/RBrEJpOTrf
In an Oval Office meeting that shocked many, President Trump came to an agreement with Schumer and Pelosi on attaching a three-month debt ceiling extension to a Hurricane Harvey relief bill. The Washington Post later characterized the meeting:
In that Wednesday morning Oval Office meeting, Trump was impressed with the energy and vigor of Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) relative to the more subdued Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.). Far from fretting over the prospect of alienating McConnell and Ryan or members of his administration, he relished the opportunity for a bipartisan agreement and the praise he anticipated it would bring, according to people close to the president.
Trump was right for anticipating the praise. The media went on to praise him for this bipartisan initiative. Some even going as far as to call him an Independent over the weekend…
Now *four* stories today pushing a narrative that Trump is his own man. Pretty laughable how readily journos regurgitate WH talking points.
— @mattmfm
The real story, however, was one of manipulation. Trump is in a vulnerable position and reportedly now fully aware how he is perceived…
“People really f@&@ing hate me.” — Donald Trump (according to Axios)
Knowing this, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer offered this deal knowing it would appeal to Trump’s obsessive need to be loved. And Trump took it, to Republican Leader’s chagrin.
@AP Democrats accomplished more with Trump in a few hours than Republicans have in over 7 months https://t.co/AFyZTpAfKP
Trump would continue his communication with Democrats over the next few days…
Trump says he thinks Congress wants to take care of DACA. “Chuck and Nancy want to see something happen and so do I,” he tells press on AF1.
Meanwhile…
- Facebook has told Congressional investigators and Special Counsel Robert Mueller that a Russian “troll farm” bought $100,000 worth of Facebook advertising starting in the Summer of 2015 and throughout the 2016 election, spreading divisive political posts
Russian troll farm bought $100k in political Facebook ads How was Russia’s voter targeting so sophisticated? @GOP? https://t.co/Qena1R3E2b
- While giving a speech on tax reform in North Dakota, Trump made a comment about Ivanka that raised some eyebrows
The president invited Ivanka Trump on stage during a speech on tax reform in North Dakota today https://t.co/zA8b5xFE9f https://t.co/MJ5vTR363C
- “Dozens of lobbyists, contractors and others who make their living influencing the government pay President Trump’s companies for membership in his private golf clubs, a status that can put them in close contact with the president, a USA TODAY investigation found”
- Despite Trump’s remarks trying to comfort DACA recipients, a White House memo reportedly states “The Department of Homeland Security urges DACA recipients to use the time remaining on their work authorizations to prepare for and arrange their departure from the United States”
- 15 states and Washington, D.C. sued the Trump administration for their decision to rescind DACA
- “The United States wants the United Nations Security Council to impose an oil embargo on North Korea, ban the country’s exports of textiles and the hiring of North Korean laborers abroad, and subject leader Kim Jong Un to an asset freeze and travel ban, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters on Wednesday.”
- According to Politico, “Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both Democrats, along with Republican Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Johnny Isakson of Georgia, plan to formally roll out a Senate resolution later Wednesday that forcefully condemns the violence in Charlottesville while ‘rejecting white nationalists, white supremacists, the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and other hate groups’”
Thursday, September 7
A Family That Prays Together Colludes Together
During five hours of questioning with the Senate Judiciary Committee, Donald Trump Jr. testified on the now infamous June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower with Russian operatives. Jr. told congressional investigators that he wanted the damaging info on Hillary Clinton because he wanted to learn about her “fitness to be president.” Despite admitting this, he claims he did not collude with Russia and that nothing came of the meeting. Let’s examine who attended the meeting, how it came about, and its points of interest:
The Meeting Breakdown
- Donald Trump Jr., Paul Manafort, Jared Kushner, the Kremlin-connected lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, Rob Goldstone, Russian-American lobbyist Rinat Akhmetshin (has testified before Mueller’s grand jury), Russian interpreter and a representative for Aras Agalarov, Ike Kaveladze were at this June 9th meeting at Trump tower — 8 people
- Goldstone, publicist, and former British tabloid reporter, was the intermediary for setting up the meeting
- Trump Jr. was promised dirt on Clinton before agreeing to attend
- Veselnitskaya was lobbying against Russian sanctions
- Trump Jr. was told it was part of Russia’s effort to support his father’s candidacy (with email confirmation via Trump Jr. himself)
- Goldstone was told to set up the meeting by the son of Russian oligarch Aras Agalarov, Emin Agalarov
- Trump Jr. didn’t appear surprised by Goldstone’s declaration that the Russian government supports his father
- There seemed to have been a phone call between Emin Agalarov and Donald Trump Jr.
- Robert Mueller is looking into whether or not President Donald Trump tried to conceal the nature of this meeting when he personally dictated Trump Jr.’s initial misleading characterization of the meeting
Meanwhile…
- President Trump was reportedly “jovial” about the deal with Schumer and Pelosi and raved about it in a meeting with Schumer and the New York and New Jersey Congressional delegations. Trump also spoke to Pelosi and Schumer over the phone that morning. Trump spoke on how happy he was about all the positive media coverage. On one of the calls, Pelosi said that she got Trump to tweet out a reassuring message to DACA recipients
For all of those (DACA) that are concerned about your status during the 6 month period, you have nothing to worry about – No action!
“I was telling my colleagues, ‘This is what I asked the president to do,’ and boom boom boom, the tweet appeared.” — Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
- President Trump sent this tweet out in preparation for Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Irma is raging but we have great teams of talented and brave people already in place and ready to help. Be careful, be safe! #FEMA
- In a press conference, Secretary of Education Betsy Devos stated that she felt the Obama administration’s position on Title IX rules did not address the “due process rights” of those who had been accused of sexual misconduct on college campuses. Needless to say, this spurred outrage
- Schumer reportedly broached the idea of ending the requirement for Congress to renew the debt ceiling, and Trump said “Let’s do it”
Friday, September 8
Mueller On The Move
Special Counsel Robert Mueller has told the White House that he will most likely request interviews with six former and current Trump administration advisers, including current Communications Director, Hope Hicks, former Chief of Staff, Reince Priebus, and former Press Secretary, Sean Spicer. The Washington Post reports:
Each of the six advisers was privy to important internal discussions that have drawn the interest of Mueller’s investigators, according to people familiar with the probe, including his decision in May to fire FBI Director James B. Comey. Also of interest is the White House’s initial inaction after warnings about then-national security adviser Michael Flynn’s December discussions with Russia’s ambassador to the United States.
Hope Hicks will be of particular interest into the probe of President Trump’s role in crafting Donald Trump Jr.’s initial misleading accounts of his June 9, 2016, Trump Tower meeting, given the fact she was on Air Force One when President Trump “personally dictated” Jr.’s response. Hicks has retained a lawyer.
Meanwhile…
- President Donald Trump signed the $15 billion disaster relief package which is intended to aid the recovery from Hurricane Harvey. Since the bill included the three-month debt ceiling extension, it received 17 Republican no votes in the Senate and 90 Republican no votes in the House
- According to The Washington Post “At Russia’s request, the U.S. military on Friday called off its surveillance of a convoy of Islamic State fighters that has been stuck in the Syrian desert for the past 10 days, saying it is now up to the Syrian government to resolve its fate”
- Fresh off a deal with Democrats, Trump went on a tweetstorm aimed at Republicans
Republicans, sorry, but I’ve been hearing about Repeal & Replace for 7 years, didn’t happen! Even worse, the Senate Filibuster Rule will….
never allow the Republicans to pass even great legislation. 8 Dems control – will rarely get 60 (vs. 51) votes. It is a Repub Death Wish!
Republicans must start the Tax Reform/Tax Cut legislation ASAP. Don’t wait until the end of September. Needed now more than ever. Hurry!
- In the aftermath of the devastation of Hurricane Harvey and the incoming threat of Hurricane Irma, EPA Administrator, and known climate change denier, Scott Pruitt stated that now is not the time to talk about climate change…
“Here’s the issue,” Pruitt told CNN in a phone interview. “To have any kind of focus on the cause and effect of the storm; versus helping people, or actually facing the effect of the storm, is misplaced.” He continued: “What we need to focus on is access to clean water, addressing these areas of superfund activities that may cause an attack on water, these issues of access to fuel. … Those are things so important to citizens of Florida right now, and to discuss the cause and effect of these storms, there’s the… place (and time) to do that, it’s not now.”
If not now, then when?
