The Trump White House descends into chaos

Written By: - Date published: 8:29 am, May 12th, 2017 - 80 comments
Categories: Donald Trump, International, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, us politics, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags:

Watching the reign of Donald Trump as POTUS has been like watching a slow motion train wreck unfold before your eyes.

If you want to have a concise day by day blow by blow account then I recommend the website What the Fuck just happened today.

But it appears that things are getting worse.  Over the past few days:

  • Donald Trump has directly contradicted his own White House spin and said that he had already decided to terminate James Comey’s position.
  • The Russians managed to get a camera into the White House and took photos of Trump and the Russian Ambassador in the Oval Room.  I gather the security boffins are having kittens about this.
  • Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe directly contradicted Trump’s claim that Comey had lost the confidence of rank-and-file FBI agents.  This was reiterated by Thomas O’Connor, the president of the FBI Agents Association, who called Comey’s firing “a gut punch. We didn’t see it coming, and we don’t think Director Comey did anything that would lead to this”.
  • Federal prosecutors have issued grand jury subpoenas to associates of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn seeking business records, as part of the ongoing probe of Russian meddling in last year’s election.
  • And the Senate intelligence committee has subpoenaed Michael Flynn for documents regarding his interactions with Russian officials. Flynn’s attorneys had previously informed the panel they would not cooperate with the probe unless the former general was granted immunity.  You have to wonder what he is worried about.

The feeling is strong that Russian involvement in last year’s election is going to result in charges.  And the White House is in turmoil.  How Trump responds to ongoing events is going to have a deep long term effect on America’s democracy.

80 comments on “The Trump White House descends into chaos ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Ad 1
    12 May 2017 at 8:38 am

    President Trump needs to serve out his full term.
    He is a joy to behold.

    The next set of questions to measure are:

    – Will Flynn flip against Trump now that he’s been subpoena’d?

    – Who will Trump appoint to run the FBI?

    – Will the FBI and the Justice Department investigate, or capitulate?

    – Will Republicans in Congress gradually generate a majority that turn against Trump and form an independent inquiry?

    And

    – Oprah or Dwayne Johnson for Democratic Presidential nominee next time?

    • Johan 1.1
      12 May 2017 at 9:27 am

      To Ad,
      The circus continues that is American politics. “President Trump needs to serve out his full term. He is a joy to behold.” You think, or is this your attempt at sarc?
      Perhaps, if Trump gets a decent night’s sleep his decision making skills may not border about the insanity range. I doubt very much that Trump will complete a whole term in office, there are way too many skeletons in the closet.

      • Ad 1.1.1
        12 May 2017 at 9:36 am

        He is a joy to behold because he is going to take the Republican majority in the House with him. This situation is going to get uglier and uglier and uglier, and he’s the guy the Repuglies backed to the hilt.

        • Johan 1.1.1.1
          12 May 2017 at 10:03 am

          Do you enjoy your trolling Ad?

          • marty mars 1.1.1.1.1
            12 May 2017 at 10:34 am

            he is just excited because he has a nice seat to watch at the Colosseum

          • Ad 1.1.1.1.2
            12 May 2017 at 10:48 am

            You need to see this as a renewal of democracy and of the Democrats in the US.

            Step back for a moment and see the patterns evolving.

            Politics is important again. It’s not the political team I wanted, but it’s doing part of a good job despite itself.

            Trump is not managing or reforming like Obama or Clinton did. He is wrecking. Just as he promised. No one and nothing is safe. As a result the Presidential office and Congress and the Senate are front and centre of public life. Trump will probably be jailed in the process – another great result.

            As a result, the contest within a calendar year will be down to the constitutional limits of all branches:

            – the military and intelligence community
            – the Supreme Court
            – the Senate, Congress
            – and the President,

            …all against each other, and against the fourth estate.

            Now that’s the kind of renewal that Washington has been needing for quite some time. And it will do the whole world some good as well.

            • weka 1.1.1.1.2.1
              12 May 2017 at 10:57 am

              In the absence of detail or even an actual vision I’m going to assume that the renewal you talk about will be a revitalised neoliberalism. Yaay. Meanwhile, what will happen to all the people that vote Tr*mp because they’re all pissed off with the status quo? You think they will be won over by some baubles?

              • Ad …
                12 May 2017 at 11:28 am

                The constitutional framework is different from the politics of the parties.

                • weka …
                  12 May 2017 at 12:49 pm

                  What’s the relevance of that comment?

                  • McFlock …
                    12 May 2017 at 1:04 pm

                    Well, let’s say that part of the backlash involves the dems taking both houses and nuking the electoral college, or campaign finance reform.

                    Neither will directly change the dominant policies in the US, but they will make it more genuinely democratic – which will in turn make the party positions more responsive to voter demands rather than donor demands.

                    Whether that means the end of neoliberalism in the US would be more in control of the voters, but would not be determined by the constitutional changes.

                    • weka …
                      12 May 2017 at 1:55 pm

                      “Well, let’s say that part of the backlash involves the dems taking both houses and nuking the electoral college, or campaign finance reform.”

                      Is either of those things likely? I mean, given the huge and organised resistance within the Dems to Saunders, why would it be reasonable to think that the powers there want things to change?

                    • McFlock …
                      12 May 2017 at 3:36 pm

                      Well, Sanders becoming a contender has shifted leverage to the progressive dems like Warren.

                      And the tea party and trump have scared a lot of “shear not skin” republicans.

                      I think the AD theory is that Trump being a cataclysm now leaves the backlash in a better shape than the creeping totalitarianism that’s been the post-WW2 US. If I’m not mirepresenting AD, I agree with them.

                      The bigger threat is a president Pence who progresses more and more Talibanesque policies under the guise of respectability.

                      I reckon it’s coming to a head, either way, in the next couple of decades, whether the US becomes more democratic or simply becomes another tinpot regime without even the pretence of free speech. They’re already arresting reporters.

                    • weka …
                      12 May 2017 at 8:15 pm

                      That makes a fair amount of sense (and I appreciate the effort at explaining). I guess I just don’t see quite the same potential for something good to come out of this. Happy to be wrong about that.

                  • Ad …
                    12 May 2017 at 1:35 pm

                    The Constitutional framework allowed for the economic politics as broad as Lincoln, the two Roosevelts, Johnson, and Bush 1 and 2. So you’ve made a wrong assumption.

                    • weka …
                      12 May 2017 at 1:53 pm

                      But the actual people in the Democratic Party are unlikely to change much and will be happy to shift things to the extent that allows them the power to continue with the status quo. Unless I am missing something, in which case someone can explain.

                    • Ad …
                      12 May 2017 at 4:22 pm

                      Stop worrying about the Democrats.
                      They’re not in power.

                    • weka …
                      12 May 2017 at 8:14 pm

                      ok, so the Republicans will implode and a magical new political class will rise from the ashes and transform the US political science. The Dems will sit on the sidelines and twiddle their thumbs.

                  • North …
                    13 May 2017 at 6:44 pm

                    The relevance of Ad’s comment, that constitutionalism ‘trumps’ bullshit (forgive me), sticks out like dogs’ balls Weka.
                    President Petulant Child seems to appreciate that The Constitution is there to serve President Petulant Child personally. You know that’s bullshit Weka so what’s the relevance of your query of Ad ? Your shifting of the goalposts with conjecture as to likelihoods of this or that does not assist to make relevant your initial irrelevant query of Ad.

                    • weka …
                      13 May 2017 at 8:26 pm

                      No idea what you are on about. Ad chooses not to explain what he means, so there will be people here myself included how don’t get it /shrug.

            • Johan 1.1.1.1.2.2
              12 May 2017 at 11:16 am

              To Ad,
              “As a result the Presidential office and Congress and the Senate are front and centre of public life.”
              I hate to burst your enthusiastic bubble, but the US Senate is not separate from congress. Congress is made up of a Senate and the House of Representatives.
              I do agree that the Democrats as a party need to get rid of a number of flaws which were already visible during the Obama campaigns.
              The nature of the beast which is US politics with its checks and balances, will eventually come back to an equilibrium position.
              US presidents do not go to jail, each president gets to have a “pardon, get out of jail free card” for past wrongs. Cheers

              • Ad …
                12 May 2017 at 11:31 am

                Trump is going into water even Nixon avoided. And Nixon was forced to resign.

                Forget your quibbling and read the plays. American government is going to come out after Trump shinier and cleaner than a dime in a can of Coke.

                • Andre …
                  12 May 2017 at 12:04 pm

                  Erm, after Nixon was Carter. Then Reagan.

                  • Ad …
                    12 May 2017 at 1:32 pm

                    Aware of both.
                    Go ahead and make a point.

                    • Andre …
                      12 May 2017 at 1:59 pm

                      Carter’s administration was relatively clean, but hardly “shinier and cleaner than a dime in a can of coke”. And at the time, Reagan’s administration was somewhat putrid, although standards have lowered since then.

                      So living through Nixon didn’t bring about the renewal you’re expecting to follow Trump.

                    • Ad …
                      12 May 2017 at 2:14 pm

                      Who knows what leader will arise after Trump?

                      It’s not the personalities that follow, it’s the system itself, which is going to be so profoundly tested that we won’t have seen anything like it since Lincoln. The shakeup is one almighty charismatic force against the entire constitutional framework.

              • North …
                13 May 2017 at 6:55 pm

                Somewhat sniffily semantic there Johan. I’d wager handsomely that Ad is singularly aware that ‘Congress’ embraces both the US House of Representatives AND the US Senate even if by usage a member of the former is referred to as “congresswoman/congressman”
                Thanks anyway for underlining what we already know. Big point.

            • D'Esterre 1.1.1.1.2.3
              12 May 2017 at 12:05 pm

              Ad: “You need to see this as a renewal of democracy and of the Democrats in the US.”
              Haha, good luck with that!
              See this: https://consortiumnews.com/2017/05/11/the-scandal-hidden-behind-russia-gate/

            • D'Esterre 1.1.1.1.2.4
              12 May 2017 at 12:17 pm

              Ad: “Trump is not managing or reforming like Obama or Clinton did.”
              Say what? Obama in particular achieved virtually nothing in office – the ill-fated and flawed Obamacare aside – firstly because he was shite at politics, secondly because he was white-anted by the neocons, almost as soon as he’d taken office. The same thing that’s happening to Trump, of course.
              As to the old goat Clinton, he was too busy screwing interns in the map room – then ordering the bombing of Belgrade and an inoffensive factory in Sudan, to distract public attention from said interns – to get too much done. Besides, he was absolutely in thrall to the neocon project.

            • Phil 1.1.1.1.2.5
              12 May 2017 at 1:43 pm

              You need to see this as a renewal of democracy … Trump is not managing or reforming like Obama or Clinton did. He is wrecking. Just as he promised.

              Your interpretation is fundamentally flawed. Going back to at least Truman after WWII, each US president has incrementally eroded the power of the constitution and the checks and balances applied by Congress – sometimes by staring-down Congress, sometimes with the complicity of Congress.

              Examples include Obama’s enhanced use of drone strikes, Bush-2’s sweeping new powers after 9-11, and the absurdity of American involvement in Vietnam being a “Police action” rather than a war.

              Trump does not represent a departure or variation from this trend whatsoever. All he has done is taken a much larger step down the path toward absolute presidential authority, instead of the incremental or baby-steps of his predecessors.

              • Ad …
                12 May 2017 at 4:17 pm

                Oh I’m not pretending Trump has a conscious clue about most of it.
                Or even his team.

                But the effect of a true, hard test of the constitutional framework and the full strength of the checks and balances is coming, right to its core.

                • North …
                  13 May 2017 at 7:05 pm

                  I wouldn’t be too concerned about the responses of self proclaimed lefty purists Ad. There is vast moral purity in selecting the greater of evils over the lesser of evils in protest at the whole greater/lesser of evils number. Such is purity chortle.

            • reason 1.1.1.1.2.6
              12 May 2017 at 2:51 pm

              Your dreaming Ad …. Competing factions of oligarchs is not renewal.

              Forget about ‘reds’ influencing the Billion dollar circus they call democracy/elections …. The accusation is dodgy http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-03-07/wikileaks-exposes-cia-exploit-capable-cyber-false-flag-attack-blame-russia ..

              Apart from the rank hypocrisy ( 31 min mark, the cia coup on Gough Whitlams Labor Government ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CFLpZcY3ss

              It is actually Nazi ideals , connections and money ….. which has warped their politics and blood-thirsty foreign relations ……..

              Delusional “gods greatest” propaganda sees them above and immune from international law….. on the basis of their huge military.

              They have a long history of support for fascism ….

              “Pioneer Fund’s first president, Harry Laughlin, “wanted the lowest 10 percent of Americans sterilized to ‘eradicate in-ferior people’”. Over 75,000 Americans were sterilized against their will between 1924 and 1972. The legality of the com-pulsory sterilisations was upheld by the
              US Supreme Court in 1927. The 1927 decision has never been overturned, and is still a part of US law.”

              Many of their biggest corporations prolonged WWII .,… by feeding the German war machine … tax havens were also handy

              “Thus, when the Allied troops successfully invaded France near the end of World War II, they discovered that they had something in common with their German enemies: Ford and General Motors vehicles run-ning on gasoline provided by Standard Oil.
              2
              Ford, GM and Standard Oil weren’t the only ones, of course. All in all,
              around 200 prominent US corporations helped the Nazis before and during World War II,”

              https://dogandlemon.com/sites/default/files/cars_nazis.pdf

              https://libcom.org/library/allied-multinationals-supply-nazi-germany-world-war-2

              http://emperors-clothes.com/docs/gehlen2.htm

              http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3177385/The-second-life-Nazi-war-criminal-German-documentary-reveals-butcher-Lyon-Klaus-Barbie-fixer-drug-lords-went-run-South-America.html

              Trump ( and clinton ) are a damning indictment of a nation which feels free to kill ………… the Untermensch

              • Ad …
                12 May 2017 at 4:20 pm

                Are you saying the US government are Nazis?
                I’m trying to figure your comment out.

                • ropata …
                  13 May 2017 at 7:07 pm

                  The US legal framework giving corporations human rights, and a free pass to pollute and kill poor communities, is fascist in practice. However lovely their PR and bullshit about the Constitution, the US empire exists only for the benefit of mega corporations and the ultra wealthy 0.01%

              • Stuart Munro …
                13 May 2017 at 6:34 pm

                Sad to agree – Dahlian polyarchy in all its dystopian splendor.

    • Wainwright 1.2
      12 May 2017 at 6:25 pm

      ‘a joy to behold’ says someone who isn’t gonig to be imprisoned, extradited or left to die from preventable disease because of him. Honestly the way some of us treat this fascist thug as a bit of light entertainment before the great socailist revolution is revolting.

      • rhinocrates 1.2.1
        12 May 2017 at 6:36 pm

        Or worse, as a good thing because he will supposedly accelerate it. Omelettes and eggs and all that – as long as those eggs are other people.

      • Anne 1.2.2
        12 May 2017 at 6:44 pm

        …the way some of us treat this fascist thug as a bit of light entertainment before the great socailist revolution is revolting.

        We don’t Wainwright. Trump is revolting and he needs to be gone before he does any more damage. But in the meantime there is still a place for humour and light-hearted banter to sustain people and give them something to laugh about. It’s happened in bad times throughout history.

    • Tui 1.3
      13 May 2017 at 8:42 am

      yes! trump needs to be given a chance!

      ~tui

  2. joe90 2
    12 May 2017 at 8:50 am

    Michael Hayden:

    I mean I’m purely speculating here. I’m trying to avoid the conclusion that we’ve become Nicaragua.

    https://www.thecipherbrief.com/article/why-now-1093

  3. Andre 3
    12 May 2017 at 8:57 am

    How the impeachment might go down…

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-republican-plan-to-remove-trump_us_5913d4d3e4b01ad573dac120?section=us_politics

    Or why Trump will get a second term…

    https://theconversation.com/trump-will-likely-win-reelection-in-2020-77362

    Maybe all that needs to happen is for people to just be nicer to the delicate orange snowflake and it will all settle down…

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/05/11/maybe-comey-had-just-hurt-poor-donnie-s-feelings

  4. marty mars 4
    12 May 2017 at 9:16 am

    The projected train wreck is wrecking – meanwhile the collateral damage to real people trying to live real lives continues – don’t forget who is really losing out of all this – the targets of the mango Mussolini and his pitiful crew and supporters – the poor, the disadvantaged, the people of colour, the Hispanic peoples, women, minorities, anyone who wants healthcare, and so on and on.

    some from within their privilege will enjoy the spectacle (including me) – others will cower down trying to survive as it all fall apart around them.

    trump is scum, trump’s team are cum and his supporters are um.

  5. joe90 5
    12 May 2017 at 9:19 am

    Popcorn, lotsa popcorn…..

    If you're curious why @FBI is raiding the national GOP consulting firm Strategic Campaign Group headquarters in Annapolis, here's a hint…— Matthew Chapman (@fawfulfan) May 11, 2017

    .@FBI Dennis Whitfield, senior advisor at @scgpolitical, has ties to BKSH & Assoc. That's a Paul Manafort company. https://t.co/PfDJ4gfrQb— Matthew Chapman (@fawfulfan) May 11, 2017

    https://twitter.com/fawfulfan/status/862740680787070976

    ANNAPOLIS, Md. —

    FBI agents executed a search warrant Thursday at an office of a GOP fundraising/consulting firm in Annapolis, the 11 News I-Team has learned.

    […]

    The firm is touted for pioneering the use of technology in political campaigns, and it represents GOP candidates nationwide. The firm’s website said one of its principles was formerly associated with a firm operated by Paul Manafort, who is the former Trump campaign manager whose business dealings with Russia are under intense scrutiny.

    http://www.wbaltv.com/article/fbi-searching-annapolis-fundraiserconsulting-firm/9639787

  6. mauī 6
    12 May 2017 at 9:31 am

    Response from Russian propaganda machine and conspiracy theorist Ron Paul:
    https://youtu.be/ST2XZ97sjIk

  7. Anne 7
    12 May 2017 at 9:32 am

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201843559/acting-fbi-director-contradicts-white-house-over-james-comey

    Incredible stuff – in particular second half from Simon Marks.

    Load the fridge, we’re in for a tumultuous time.

    • D'Esterre 7.1
      12 May 2017 at 12:20 pm

      Anne: “Incredible stuff – in particular second half from Simon Marks.”
      Lord! Surely you don’t take at face value anything that little hack says? Remember his prognostications prior to the US election? Heheh

  8. joe90 8
    12 May 2017 at 9:42 am

    heh

    9. What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of Donald Trump? (Numbers are not percentages. Figures show the number of times each response was given. This table reports only words that were mentioned at least five times.)

    idiot 39
    incompetent 31
    liar 30
    leader 25
    unqualified 25
    president 22
    strong 21
    businessman 18
    ignorant 16
    egotistical 15
    asshole 13
    stupid 13
    arrogant 12
    trying 12
    bully 11
    business 11
    narcissist 11
    successful 11
    disgusting 10
    great 10
    clown 9
    dishonest 9
    racist 9
    American 8
    bigot 8
    good 8
    money 8
    smart 8
    buffoon 7
    con-man 7
    crazy 7
    different 7
    disaster 7
    rich 7
    despicable 6
    dictator 6
    aggressive 5
    blowhard 5
    decisive 5
    embarrassment 5
    evil 5
    greedy 5
    inexperienced 5
    mental 5
    negotiator 5
    patriotism 5

    https://poll.qu.edu/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=2456

  9. joe90 9
    12 May 2017 at 10:06 am

    Comey was given the arse to bring the Russia investigation to its end.

    The White House said Thursday that removing FBI Director James Comey from his post may hasten the agency’s investigation into Russian meddling.
    “We want this to come to its conclusion, we want it to come to its conclusion with integrity,” said deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders, referring to the FBI’s probe into Moscow’s interference in last year’s election. “And we think that we’ve actually, by removing Director Comey, taken steps to make that happen.”

    http://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/11/politics/comey-fbi-investigation-russia-sarah-huckabee-sanders/

  10. Johan 10
    12 May 2017 at 10:25 am

    To Joe90,
    Joe are you entertained by all the spin and BS? Trump being the ultimate control freak would definitely want a yes-man as head of the FBI.

  11. Andre 11
    12 May 2017 at 10:47 am

    Ya gotta hand it to the Chump. Even with all the turd tornadoes buffeting all around him, he can keep a clear focus on his top priority. His Twitter feud with Rosie O’Donnell.

    http://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/11/politics/donald-trump-rosie-odonnell/index.html

  12. AmaKiwi 12
    12 May 2017 at 11:55 am

    Number 45 is ruining NZ politics because he is so entertaining. To paraphrase him, “Andrew Little or Bill English could shoot someone in the middle of Queen Street and no one would notice.”

    Thank God Number 45 is so incompetent. What a nightmare if he had the organizational skills of a real dictator like Putin!

    • dukeofurl 12.1
      12 May 2017 at 12:19 pm

      new Presidents are normally pretty clumsy, Trump has moved the bar a little lower thats all.
      Will his voters come out in the mid terms is the question, even when his name isnt on the ballot.
      Obama had his face slapped by the voters at his first mid term, its one track for Trump to get his arse kicked

      • Andre 12.1.1
        12 May 2017 at 12:28 pm

        Yeah, the President’s party usually loses support at the midterms. But set against that is turnout is usually low, which allegedly favours Repugs. And the Repugs actually gained in 2002, coz 9/11. I’m pretty sure that lesson has been taken on board by at least some members of Trump’s team.

      • AmaKiwi 12.1.2
        12 May 2017 at 1:41 pm

        He has been brilliant in uniting the center and left voters in their hatred of him.

        “Friends may come and friends may go, but enemies accumulate.”

        I predict the Republicans will get massacred in the mid-terms. Then impeachment becomes a mathematical possibility.

        • Andre 12.1.2.1
          12 May 2017 at 1:54 pm

          Impeachment by the House may become likely. But to actually remove the President requires conviction by 2/3 of the Senate, 67 votes. The Dems currently have 48 Senators.

          The Republican-held seats up for election in 2018 are: Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Nebraska, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee. So mathematically it’s impossible for the Dems to have 2/3 of the Senate, at absolute most they can get to 56. But realistically they’ll be doing very well to even get to 50/50.

          • DeadSmurf 12.1.2.1.1
            12 May 2017 at 5:26 pm

            If the rumours of multiple grand juries and impending indictments are true then I could see some repug senators moving fairly quickly to side with the dems. Especially from states in the north.

          • DeadSmurf 12.1.2.1.2
            12 May 2017 at 5:34 pm

            If the rumours of multiple grand juries and impending indictments are true then I could see some repug senators moving fairly quickly to side with the dems, especially from states in the north.

            If that happens then they could get to 2/3.

  13. Bill 13
    12 May 2017 at 4:28 pm

    That which passes for democratic governance in the US is in turmoil – not “Trumps” White House.

    This nonsense that Russia interfered in the election, where the bulk of the ‘proof’ for that is scheduled and aired RT programmes that engaged in such nefarious behaviour as having three way debates including Green Party presidential nominees… It leaves me speechless that otherwise seemingly intelligent people gave any credence to the pages of gossip that were released as an Intelligence Agencies report, but hey.

    Which (that and other paper thin reports) suggests there’s an argument to be had that the Intelligence Agencies have become politicised.

    There’s also an argument to be had that the bulk of msm reporters are playing the role of the stenographer and that their vacuous shit is being underscored by their employer’s editorial lines.

    Which may boil down to an argument to be had that a ‘realignment’ or an attempt at ‘realignment’ is underway within the lofty echelons of the US elite.

    But “Trumps” White House is not in turmoil. Hell, it’s not “his” White House any more than it was ever “Obama’s” White House.

    It belongs to the US elites and some of their nonsense ripples through it.

    Separate from that, sometimes they (the elites) are gifted a figurehead by the electorate who knows the game and plays along (Obama, Clinton, Bush, Bush, Reagan….) Sometimes not so much. And in those cases the figurehead is ‘enlightened’ as to the existence of the game and ‘encouraged’ to play.

    In essence, there’s a circus in town. We can traipse along with our pop-corn and give it our undivided attention, or we can give some focus to what’s going on outside the Big Top and (scary thought!) actually question why we bother with circus at all 😉

  14. joe90 14
    12 May 2017 at 4:34 pm

    I guess they can’t grind those drives up fast enough.

    CNN's Jeff Zeleny reporting that Comey's office is cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape. You can't make this stuff up— Will Bunch (@Will_Bunch) May 12, 2017

  15. Philj 15
    12 May 2017 at 8:09 pm

    For some reason, this reminds me of the Syria disaster. Somehow connected?

  16. xanthe 16
    13 May 2017 at 11:27 am

    this link seems relevant as context.
    pic.twitter.com/NDUk90Jp5q

    • joe90 16.1
      13 May 2017 at 11:31 am

      Link, where?.

        • Anne 16.1.1.1
          13 May 2017 at 12:18 pm

          Okay, so when the results came through they were shocked and stunned. Somebody said it was the effing hack that caused it. Somebody else said… and Coney made it worse. They were furious and upset about what happened. We call it “Dirty Politics”. In this case it was “Filthy Politics”. Over the next few days they openly repeated what they were thinking. Big deal? No. It’s normal behaviour from normal human beings.

          In fact it was pretty much my reaction too. Was I involved in some deep, sinister Democrat inspired conspiracy to fool the nation? No.

          • xanthe 16.1.1.1.1
            13 May 2017 at 1:08 pm

            But who was saying, “we fucked up”? who was saying “hey maby a dumb idea to promote Trump” ? who was saying “perhaps we should have offered something positive instead of just demonising Trump”? who was saying “perhaps it was not such a good idea to stack the deck against bernie”?

            Because I dont see this! all i see is “the russians didit” (bullshit !) and “Comey didit” (more bullshit !!).

            who is saying “hey maby if we had played a straight game the hack and comey would not have mattered” ?

          • Xanthe 16.1.1.1.2
            14 May 2017 at 9:05 am

            Anne there are those that fool and those who are fooled

            • Anne 16.1.1.1.2.1
              14 May 2017 at 11:05 am

              Regardless of the accuracy of the Democrat’s claims, calling a beat-up a beat-up is a common response to beat-ups. Imo, that is what that linked item is… an attempt to turn the Demo Party’s initial response into a sinister conspiracy. Piffle.

              • Xanthe …
                14 May 2017 at 1:16 pm

                Anne , If you cant see that “the russsians did it, Comey did it, is a beat up then you really are not in any position to call “beat up”

                i dont “support trump” in any form, I am implacably opposed to public misinformarion and misleading the public and unlike you I will oppose it whoever the target is. You ARE the problem for the left!

  17. rhinocrates 17
    13 May 2017 at 11:58 pm

    New Yorker podcast, discussion with a legal scholar:

    http://www.newyorker.com/podcast/political-scene/can-trump-survive

    Can Trump Survive?
    On Tuesday, the President dismissed the F.B.I. director, James Comey, who was leading an investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Evan Osnos joins Dorothy Wickenden to discuss how Trump continues to damage his own Presidency.

    Earlier article by Evan Osnos written before Comey’s sacking and mentioned in the interview:

    http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/08/how-trump-could-get-fired

    HOW TRUMP COULD GET FIRED
    The Constitution offers two main paths for removing a President from office. How feasible are they?

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-18T14:08:00+00:00