Three-Dimensional Chess: Nancy Pelosi throws a wrench in Stephen Miller's "Blame the Dems" speech.

[Miles Archer]

I shared this previously on DU (the part about Trump planning to use the speech to blame the Dems). Here are the details:

Stephen Miller was writing SOTU to blame Democrats for shutdown — until Nancy Pelosi pulled the rug out: report



https://www.rawstory.com/2019/01/stephen-miller-writing-sotu-blame-democrats-shutdown-nancy-pelosi-pulled-rug-report/

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) may have thrown a wrench into President Donald Trump’s primetime plan to blame Democrats for the shutdown.

Citing security concerns on Wednesday, Pelosi called on the president to delay his State of the Union Address — or submit it in writing — if the government was still shut down.

According to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Trump speechwriter Stephen Miller had been planning to blame Democrats for the shutdown as a centerpiece of the annual speech.

Lauren Fox
?
Verified account

@FoxReports

My colleague @kaitlancollins adds some context: Stephen Miller and other WH speechwriters have been working on the SOTU address for weeks. An administration official said they were prepared to craft it around the government shutdown, targeting Democrats, if it was still closed

7:58 AM - 16 Jan 2019

Pelosi first extended the invitation for Trump to address Congress after she became Speaker on Jan. 3. As Speaker, she has the power to rescind the invitation.

[mr_lebowski]

1. Any details on what the 'security concerns' would actually entail? (nt)

[leftieNanner]

2. From what I understand

there is a beefed up Secret Service team. Since these people are not currently being paid, it would be a serious challenge to put it together. This isn't a made up thing by Nancy Pelosi.

[EffieBlack]

30. The SOTU is a huge national security priority event

The only time other than an inauguration that all of the principals and senior members of every branch of government - including virtually every officer in the presidential line of succession - are gathered in one place.

She's not blowing smoke here. The SOTU is a BFD security-wise and can't/shouldn't be done on the cheap with with a reduced/overworked security contingent.

[Salviati]

39. Exactly.

When an event is the typical example given in the definition of "Designated Survivor" then that means that security is a real issue for that event.

[calimary]

60. Yep. As I understand it, ONE Cabinet member has to be a no-show.

Absolute worst-case scenario planning. But it IS a mighty big security challenge. Literally everybody who’s anybody is present for that speech.

It’s like the entertainment world’s Golden Globes. Everybody shows up. EVERYBODY. In film AND TV. And it’s still considered THE gateway to the Oscars. So you’ve got to take it seriously and of course you’ve got to cover it thoroughly.

[Stinky The Clown]

44. Security extends well beyond the Capitol Building or even DC.

The guardians of our skies and seas are also on high alert.

And they are not being paid!

[EffieBlack]

51. Yep!

The air space is restricted for miles around, the streets are closed and water traffic is shut down.

All of the departments involved in the national security apparatus - including DHS, Defense, Transportation, Treasury - go on standby and a cabinet member is spirited away by helicopter to a remote area with a full military and Secret Service contingent to ensure some manner of continuity in the event of a disaster.

This is some serious ish, and not something to be done on the cheap.

[Ginger42]

59. That's how we ended up

with President Jack Bauer.

[EffieBlack]

63. LOL

True!

[Miles Archer]

4. She discusses it here:

Link to tweet

[BumRushDaShow]

6. The House chamber is large

and there are many invited guests up in the galley + the SCOTUS is also invited along with all the department heads etc.

It really is a big to-do.

None of the security folks including the SS are being paid. You don't know who might get in!

[robbob]

34. Aak aak aak! Aak!! Aak aak!

...probably about as intelligible as anything tRump and Miller will come up with. And fewer lies, to boot...

[BumRushDaShow]

35. That guy at the podium

is actually Miller in disguise.

[Bettie]

55. I think you mean

Miller without his disguise!

[BumRushDaShow]

76. True dat!

[AllyCat]

86. Lol!!!

[dmr]

81. When I'm calling you-ew ou yew ou ye yew ou ....

I really do like that movie. Hey, even Calista's in it (chewing gum). You know Newt's wife.

[BumRushDaShow]

94. ...

[LakeArenal]

37. Love love love. Thanks for the laugh! 😁

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

101. Great movie.

[emulatorloo]

8. Secret Service and DHS have not been funded for 26 days. See her letter here, esp paragraphs 2,3,

and 4.


Dear Mr. President:

On January 3rd, it was my privilege as Speaker to invite you to deliver the State of the Union address on January 29th. The Constitution calls for the President to “from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union.” During the 19th Century and up until the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, these annual State of the Union messages were delivered to Congress in writing. And since the start of modern budgeting in Fiscal Year 1977, a State of the Union address has never been delivered during a government shutdown.

In September 2018, Secretary Nielsen designated State of the Union Addresses as National Special Security Events (NSSEs), recognizing the need for “the full resources of the Federal Government to be brought to bear” to ensure the security of these events. The extraordinary demands presented by NSSEs require weeks of detailed planning with dozens of agencies working together to prepare for the safety of all participants.

The U.S. Secret Service was designated as the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating, planning, exercising, and implementing security for National Special Security Events by Public Law 106-544, December 19, 2000. However, both the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security have not been funded for 26 days now — with critical departments hamstrung by furloughs.

Sadly, given the security concerns and unless government re-opens this week, I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing to the Congress on January 29th.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

NANCY PELOSI

Speaker of the House

[mr_lebowski]

17. I see ... I had not read that SS was not being paid ...

Personally I'd find it very hard to believe the people actually in charge of directly protecting POTUS are not getting paid, but I dunno.

Either way, it sounds like (at least) many others at the USSS are not getting paid at this time.

However, I'm not convinced it's politically wise to imply that, basically, because they're not being paid, that they're not actually doing their required jobs, therefore, no SOTU speech. That would indirectly imply that, once the checks start rolling again, maybe they shouldn't get theirs, since they weren't 100% doing their jobs during the shutdown.

Further, it's not really her 'position' to determine whether USSS has or does not have the capacity to properly protect the event. It's USSS job to make that determination.

It is, however, well within her position to say 'Actually, your SOTU invitation is revoked ... unless you sign a CR re-opening the government ... because fuck you!'. And frankly I'd be more than fine with that.

[BumRushDaShow]

47. The SS is paid under DHS

and the House passed H.J.Res-1 as a first order of business after being sworn in. It was a C.R. to continue funding for DHS at current levels, to allow time to negotiate further. It sits fallow in the Senate, and therefore no one in DHS is being paid.

These are all the entities that come under DHS (and receive that department's appropriations) - https://www.dhs.gov/operational-and-support-components

Note that the U.S. Constitution states this -

Article I

<...>

Section 9.

<...>

No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.

<...>

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlei

As a sidenote, Congress created the SS and Congress can take it away.

[EffieBlack]

64. And we're not talking just Secret Service salaries

but also all of the assets (magnatometers, communications systems, aircraft, etc.) and other costs unrelated to direct personnel costs. NO money has been appropriated for any of these things.

[BumRushDaShow]

65. That is actually coming under

H.R. 264 that was also passed last week and sits idle in the Senate!

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/264/text

It covers the Office of the President and provides funds for all the guards and everything needed just to secure D.C. during events such as this!

(was gonna post about that one but thought it might have been too much )

Edit to add this for example -

TITLE II
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO THE PRESIDENT

The White House

salaries and expenses

For necessary expenses for the White House as authorized by law, including not to exceed $3,850,000 for services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109 and 3 U.S.C. 105; subsistence expenses as authorized by 3 U.S.C. 105, which shall be expended and accounted for as provided in that section; hire of passenger motor vehicles, and travel (not to exceed $100,000 to be expended and accounted for as provided by 3 U.S.C. 103); and not to exceed $19,000 for official reception and representation expenses, to be available for allocation within the Executive Office of the President; and for necessary expenses of the Office of Policy Development, including services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109 and 3 U.S.C. 107, $55,000,000.

Executive Residence At The White House

operating expenses

For necessary expenses of the Executive Residence at the White House, $13,081,000, to be expended and accounted for as provided by 3 U.S.C. 105, 109, 110, and 112–114.

reimbursable expenses

For the reimbursable expenses of the Executive Residence at the White House, such sums as may be necessary: Provided, That all reimbursable operating expenses of the Executive Residence shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, such amount for reimbursable operating expenses shall be the exclusive authority of the Executive Residence to incur obligations and to receive offsetting collections, for such expenses: Provided further, That the Executive Residence shall require each person sponsoring a reimbursable political event to pay in advance an amount equal to the estimated cost of the event, and all such advance payments shall be credited to this account and remain available until expended: Provided further, That the Executive Residence shall require the national committee of the political party of the President to maintain on deposit $25,000, to be separately accounted for and available for expenses relating to reimbursable political events sponsored by such committee during such fiscal year: Provided further, That the Executive Residence shall ensure that a written notice of any amount owed for a reimbursable operating expense under this paragraph is submitted to the person owing such amount within 60 days after such expense is incurred, and that such amount is collected within 30 days after the submission of such notice: Provided further, That the Executive Residence shall charge interest and assess penalties and other charges on any such amount that is not reimbursed within such 30 days, in accordance with the interest and penalty provisions applicable to an outstanding debt on a United States Government claim under 31 U.S.C. 3717: Provided further, That each such amount that is reimbursed, and any accompanying interest and charges, shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts: Provided further, That the Executive Residence shall prepare and submit to the Committees on Appropriations, by not later than 90 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Act, a report setting forth the reimbursable operating expenses of the Executive Residence during the preceding fiscal year, including the total amount of such expenses, the amount of such total that consists of reimbursable official and ceremonial events, the amount of such total that consists of reimbursable political events, and the portion of each such amount that has been reimbursed as of the date of the report: Provided further, That the Executive Residence shall maintain a system for the tracking of expenses related to reimbursable events within the Executive Residence that includes a standard for the classification of any such expense as political or nonpolitical: Provided further, That no provision of this paragraph may be construed to exempt the Executive Residence from any other applicable requirement of subchapter I or II of chapter 37 of title 31, United States Code.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/264/text

[EffieBlack]

66. True -

But a lot of this doesn't fall under presidential protection - it's spread out over many different budgets related to national security, the military, etc.

[BumRushDaShow]

69. I edited to add an example directly related to you-know-who

For example - the funding includes what might be needed for this specific type of event -

TITLE IV
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Federal Funds

<...>

federal payment for emergency planning and security costs in the district of columbia

For a Federal payment of necessary expenses, as determined by the Mayor of the District of Columbia in written consultation with the elected county or city officials of surrounding jurisdictions, $12,000,000, to remain available until expended, for the costs of providing public safety at events related to the presence of the National Capital in the District of Columbia, including support requested by the Director of the United States Secret Service in carrying out protective duties under the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for the costs of providing support to respond to immediate and specific terrorist threats or attacks in the District of Columbia or surrounding jurisdictions.

(the House did mini-buses)

[erronis]

74. Well, I do think she has the responsibility to make sure the House is safe

"Further, it's not really her 'position' to determine whether USSS has or does not have the capacity to properly protect the event. It's USSS job to make that determination."

I would be very hesitant to place the Speaker and all the other House members (even some of the repuglicans) in harms way if they can't be adequately protected during a critical time.

[CreekDog]

90. you're being deliberately obtuse about the facts here

The US Secret Service has the lead, but as the highest profile security event, planning for it involves multiple agencies, some being paid and some not, as well as furloughed employees who aren't available to do their normal jobs because they're furloughed.

Even though you might be able to designate people essential, agencies without their full complement of staffs and funds are going to face special challenges in supporting this event at the level it has been in the past.

But thanks for the concern!

[mr_lebowski]

93. Honestly I'd just rather she go with 'because fuck you' than 'the security' ;)

Also i could see him using this occasion as an excuse to refuse to sign a bill paying the furloughed workers (which I believe must happen via a bill and isn't automatic) ... 'obviously they weren't properly 'on-call' to be able to secure MY SOTU speech, so ... f-them' kinda thing.

[Politicub]

23. "Don't characterize the strength that I bring."

Nancy is showing the country what real leadership looks like.

[aggiesal]

40. Read her letter, it explains it all ...

[Stinky The Clown]

48. Pitch Perfect!!!

[Marie Marie]

68. Yes but Trump doesn't read.

But after someone else read and explained it to him, I take great delight in knowing that his head exploded.

[wishstar]

3. Trump already got one free primetime propaganda campaign speech blaming Dems over shutdown

He does not deserve another chance to spread his toxicity while government is still shutdown.

[SunSeeker]

24. Exactly. He already blew his wad. nt

[NurseJackie]

5. I was kinda hoping for a "YOU LIE!" moment.

[bdamomma]

11. I posted the same thing

but a poster responded that is obvious. But I would still like to hear it.

[NurseJackie]

14. GMTA! :-)

Only... I can also imagine the joy I'd feel if it was a series of "you lie!" moments. Perhaps starting with one individual, then doubling each time... until EVERY Democrat was responding with "YOU LIE!" in response to each an every lie.

I'd love to see him get flustered and storm out of the chambers.

[bdamomma]

15. would tRump

bang and stomp out of the Chamber, I would love it.

[murielm99]

25. Nancy is doing this elegantly.

And she is doing it within her rights as Speaker.

Trump oversteps and does everything in a vulgar manner. The contrast is beautiful.

"You lie!" Would be vulgar. We don't need to do what he does.

And the country will learn more about the history and protocol of the SOTU this way. It is beautiful.

[TimeToGo]

42. I agree

Last edited Wed Jan 16, 2019, 05:23 PM - Edit history (1)

I didn't like the you lie moment before -- not just because it was aimed at Pres Obama, and not just because it wasn't accurate. It wasn't a proper moment.

Now, I am not a permanent agent of decorum -- I can certainly imagine breaking it even in Congress. But, let's not go there yet. This would be the first SOTU with a Dem house for a while. I would want them to show the difference between the parties.

BTW, as I imagine most here know, but prob not most Americans. There is no constitutional requirement to do an annual state of the union, and there certainly is no requirement for it to be given as a speech.

So let him send the letter that the Speaker suggests. It doesn't censor him, but he doesn't get the cameras.

[murielm99]

43. Like you, I can imagine

breaking decorum later.

If he goes before the cameras anyway, he will look foolish. It will be like Clint Eastwood addressing a chair.

[Cheviteau]

95. Where Did You Get This Information?

Of course, the President is required to report on 'The State of the Union' to Congress annually. There are several formats that may be used, but it must be done. It's a constitutional requirement. Perhaps by using "to do" in your post, you meant having a big 'blow-out' that it has become.

[LiberalFighter]

96. Not required annually.

It only states "He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union".

[Cheviteau]

97. My Point...

...was that it is required. However, I seem to remember that somewhere along the way either a resolution, law, agreement, or some understanding came into being that it was to be done annually.

[TimeToGo]

100. Not required annually

It has become the norm, but that's different.

The same is true about the speech as opposed to a letter.

And, the report is to the congress -- the power is with that branch.

[erronis]

75. No, we would never be rude to a speaker as in the British Parliament

If not a "You lie" then how about a very large set of sniggers, guffaws, ROTFLMAOs?

[BumRushDaShow]

78. Plus the MPs are up close and personal when the do it too!

[MyOwnPeace]

79. I've got it!

How about a "hrumph, hrumph" like they gave the governor in Blazing Saddles!

[bigpenguin]

91. "I didn't

get a hrumph out of you!"

[MyOwnPeace]

54. I would not like that (even though we all know its true)

...but I was looking forward to watching the VP having to sit, you know, next to a WOMAN!!!!

[TimeToGo]

73. (He'd have to bring his wife up there)

[cab67]

62. I would prefer laughter.

Trump tries to make a serious point, and there's laughter.

[NurseJackie]

99. THAT would make it worth watching!!!

Wasn't their laughter during his "reading of words on a TelePrompter" at the UN?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

98. I was kinda hoping for one truthful moment.

But I expect his whole speech to be a continuous "You lie!" maelstrom.

[Raster]

7. Nancy Pelosi pulled the rug out...

...and promptly tacked it to Miller's head.

[volstork]

18. LOL!

[BearThom70]

20. You mean SPRAYED it on!

[Blue_true]

87. How did she find out what that little Ass was planning? nt

[bdamomma]

9. that bastard needs to go

Stephen Miller r he can go move to Russia too. Slimy little jerk. I want to see him appear for questioning too. He's guilty also.

[smirkymonkey]

83. He is such a goon.

That is one person I really want to see go down hard.

[bdamomma]

84. Hey smirky

is Mueller or any Democrat focusing on him???? and how he pulling the strings of this puppet?

[smirkymonkey]

85. Not enough, as far as I am concerned.

I hope there is someone behind the scenes that is turning this guy's history inside out, and I am sure there is.

He is just smart enough to know how to manipulate Trump, but too stupid to know that he's going to go down with the ship sooner or later. There is nothing I want to see more than having that obnoxious smirk wiped off his creepy face.

[Initech]

10. That Nazi POS can go eat a steaming bag of rancid dog shit.

[FiveGoodMen]

26. I will second THAT!!!

[akraven]

12. She's playing chess.

He's playing tiddlywinks. And still misses.

[0rganism]

38. she's playing chess, he's playing with lighter fluid and matches

he may be a clueless hateful lummox, but Trump has the advantage of not giving a shit about the health of our nation -- and may even have orders to destroy it.

[akraven]

41. Truth. He has no humanity.

She'll nail it down. I have hope.

[FuzzyRabbit]

70. Bingo!

may even have orders to destroy it.

BINGO!

[bdamomma]

13. It seems like

He's (Stephen Miller) Goebbels of the regime.

[2naSalit]

92. +1

[niyad]

16. the misogynist in chief must be foaming at the mouth having to deal with Speaker Pelosi.

smart, competent, strong, capable women are people who probably scare the **** out of him.

[rurallib]

19. Trump caused the shutdown, then got shutdown by the shutdown

[crosinski]

49. Oh it's a thing of beauty, isn't it!

Kind of like a kick in the ass for being an ass.

[dalton99a]

21. Yep, the main purpose of his speech is to attack Democrats

https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-contemplates-weeks-more-of-shutdown-11547235701

Inside the White House, some aides have discussed using their captive audience for the State of the Union to have the president admonish lawmakers for a shutdown that at that point would be on its 39th day, and to reprimand them by saying they haven’t given enough attention to what the administration views as an immigration crisis along the southern border.

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/424973-trump-on-declaring-national-emergency-not-going-to-do-it-so-fast

The Office of Management and Budget is gearing up for the partial shutdown to continue through February, and aides have discussed using Trump's Jan. 29 State of the Union address to admonish Democrats over their opposition to the wall.

[randr]

22. I'd bet money that he was going to blame Dems and then end the shut down as a gesture of humanity

The only reason he has kept the charade going for so long would be so he could get some air time out of it.

[Roadside Attraction]

27. Pelosi is the mother of five . . .

. . . and grandmother to I don't know how many kids.

She knows how to deal with immature, bratty, snot-nosed kids . . . like Trump and Miller.

[barbtries]

28. this is never reported really,

but i have the distinct feeling that trump is spending a lot of time with this slimy fuck whispering in his ear.
a jewish nazi. how does that even happen.

[atreides1]

46. A Jewish Nazi!

Not really that far fetched!

http://listverse.com/2017/01/03/top-10-nazi-collaborators-who-were-jews/


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/museums/10682975/The-Jews-who-fought-for-Hitler-We-did-not-help-the-Germans.-We-had-a-common-enemy.html


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erhard_Milch

[barbtries]

77. pretty farfetched.

not unique necessarily, but not anywhere near common.

also deplorable.

[DoctorJoJo]

29. Let's Quit Using This Cretin's Pix With the Phony Spray-On Hair!

[Scurrilous]

31. K&R

[Rene]

32. They should ban Stephen Miller from any contact with Drumpf

That man is dangerous for/to America

[A HERETIC I AM]

33. In my hoped for future, THIS will be Stephen Miller;

On trial, in an international court, for crimes against humanity.


How is it that Mattis and every other sane individual is gone from this administration, but this wet behind the ears fucking NAZI is still employed by the Executive Branch?

HOW? WHY?

I think I hate Miller more than I hate Trump, because Trump is just a stupid fucking con-man.

Miller is Goebbels. He is evil to the core and has no business being within 1000 yards of the government of a decent civilization.
The similarities are uncanny.


And yes, I know that first pic above is a pic of Goering, not Goebbels, but the point is made.

[druidity33]

80. Not really...

to be honest, i could pull up multiple pictures of Jeremy Irons that look way more like Goebbels. But i get your point. This guy is beneath filth. Scum is too good a word. As a photographer though i will say that people look different from angle to angle. If you don't know a person and see them in 3 different photos in 3 different settings at 3 different angles with different lighting, you would likely not know they were the same person. If you knew the person though... BAM! You will recognize them in shadow, back turned, huddled over. Sorry for the mini rant. "Similarity" photos always kinda bother me.

[Honeycombe8]

36. Check....or checkmate?

[Drifter]

45. This tells me ...

that there is absolutely no incentive for republicans to open the government. In fact, it seems clear that the shutdown is/was planned and executed for this exact reason.

Cheers
Drifter

[Baltimike]

50. I don't see all those "we need fresh blood" naysayers now

funny that

[dem4decades]

52. Speaker Pelosi chews that little shit Miller up and spits him out

Before breakfast

[Power 2 the People]

53. Please rescind it Nancy!

McConnell and Boehner did everything they could to humiliate President Obama so I suggest that Speaker Pelosi return the courtesy in spades.

[usaf-vet]

56. So that means tRump is not planning to end the shutdown until after SOTU?

Again, it is always about gaining a political advantage.

tRump and the GOP will gladly let 800,000 federal workers suffer during an unnecessary shutdown.

And millions of other families struggle through financial difficulties during the unnecessary shutdown.

A heartless evil bunch tRump and GOP congress members.

[JCMach1]

57. She put the 3yo in time out!

Gotta love it!

[TheCowsCameHome]

58. Aw, is the MAGA rally in jeopardy? So sad....

[avebury]

61. Based upon his perpetual whining about border security,

Donald can hardly argue with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It is amazing to watch how she handles the Speakership, Democratic Caucus and Donald. She plays multi-dimensional chess and he can't even win at tic tac toe.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

67. OT: about that photo

I saw some stuff growing on a wall that looked like that fuzzy patch on Miller's head. Clorox cleared it right up. Don't wait for it to spread.

[keithbvadu2]

71. Falsely blaming democrats for Trump's Proud Shutdown

Falsely blaming democrats for Trump's Proud Shutdown

“I am proud to shut down the government for border security, Chuck. … I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down. I’m not going to blame you for it.”

[NastyRiffraff]

72. I bet he was looking forward to the SOTU

The crowd! The cameras! The chance to blame Democrats for everything from the shutdown to (much more important) his KFC being cold!

Nancy stuck it to him, and she didn't do it just out of spite; she had good reason. (I wouldn't be surprised if she grinned as she signed that letter, though.)

[Akacia]

82. What a thing of beauty, I love it!

I cheered when I read her letter and that was before I read this, about Miller writing the SOTU address. That makes it even better!!!! Anytime he is shut down is a great thing!

[dalton99a]

89. It is a carefully crafted, well written letter

[moondust]

88. Security.

With the government shut down there is always a chance that security personnel who may not be getting paid decide to call in sick or strike at the last minute, leaving all those elected officials unprotected. Clusterf*ck or worse. No good reason to run that risk.