April 1, 2018

Outlines of a New Democratic Party Emerge

April 1, 2018 at 9:22 am EDT By Taegan Goddard

“A new Democratic Party is emerging in congressional primaries across the country, united over the most liberal policies in decades but sharply divided over which candidates to run against President Trump and Republicans in the midterms,” the Washington Post reports.

“The party taking shape will challenge the GOP with a distinct populist tilt, marking a departure from the centrist views that had dominated during the era of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. This year’s candidates have largely endorsed universal health care, a $15 minimum wage, easing the financial burden for college students and tougher gun control.”

“But there is sharp disagreement as more than 1,100 candidates have filed, with disputes over tactics — how to criticize Trump or how best to talk about issues — and sparring over who should be the standard-bearers, either first-time hopefuls or experienced politicians.”

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https://politicalwire.com/2018/04/01/outlines-of-a-new-democratic-party-emerge/

April 1, 2018

Trump demands 'nuclear option' to allow border patrol to 'do their job'

Source: The Hill



BY LUIS SANCHEZ - 04/01/18 10:30 AM EDT

President Trump said on Sunday that Republicans must change Senate laws in order to ensure Border Patrol agents are able to do their jobs. In a switch, he also said the GOP should no longer make a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals deal with Democrats.

Trump tweeted that liberal laws are preventing Border Patrol agents from doing their job and Republicans need to take action.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/980443810529533952

The nuclear option Trump is referring to would involve changing Senate rules so legislation can pass with a simple majority instead of 60 votes. Republican leadership has resisted his previous calls for the change.

In his tweet, Trump stressed that there should no longer be a deal on DACA legislation. The program provides constitutional protections for young undocumented immigrants. Trump ended the program last year, while calling on Congress to negotiate a fix.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/381161-trump-demands-nuclear-option-to-allow-border-patrol-to-do-its-job

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Trump claims Mexico is laughing at US immigration laws, reiterates call for border wall

BY REBECCA SAVRANSKY - 04/01/18 10:35 AM EDT

President Trump on Sunday again reiterated his call for a wall along the country's southern border and said Mexico is laughing at U.S. immigration laws.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/980451155548491777

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/980451798606602241

full article:
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/381164-trump-claims-mexico-is-laughing-at-us-immigration-laws-reiterates

April 1, 2018

Christie: If Trump uses 'hyperbolic' style with Mueller it could send him to jail

BY REBECCA SAVRANSKY - 04/01/18 09:58 AM EDT

https://twitter.com/ThisWeekABC/status/980434245385506817

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Sunday warned that President Trump's "hyperbolic" style could have consequences if he testifies for special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

"One of the things that makes the president who he is is that he's a salesman, and salesmen at times tend to be hyperbolic," Christie said during a panel on ABC's "This Week."

"That’s OK when you’re working on Congress. It is not OK when you’re sitting talking to federal agents because, 18 U.S. C 1001 is false statements to federal agents, that's a crime, that can send you to jail."

Christie also said he doesn't think Trump should ever "walk into that room with" Mueller.
Mueller is currently investigating Russian election interference and possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. His team is reportedly discussing plans for him to interview the president with Trump's attorneys.

more
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/381160-christie-warns-trumps-hyperbolic-style-could-send-him-to-jail

April 1, 2018

Trump's World-Leader Buddy Is Starting to Regret It

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wooed the new American president harder than anyone. But his bet on Trump is not looking so hot today.

By WILLIAM PESEK April 01, 2018

TOKYO — Japan’s Shinzo Abe probably embraced Donald Trump faster, and with more warmth, than any other foreign leader after the reality TV star shocked the world with his upset victory in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Now, he’s having buyer’s remorse.

On March 25, the Japanese prime minister lunched with Barack Obama in Tokyo, setting off warm reminiscences of their “sushi summits” in the local press. For Abe, the reunion was the political equivalent of comfort food.

The 14 months since Trump stomped into the White House have been a different kind of raw for the Japanese establishment—and increasingly unappetizing for a government that prizes strong U.S. ties above any other relationship.

Dating back to the 1980s, Trump was among America’s most vocal Japan critics. In 1989, the real estate mogul said Japan “systematically sucked the blood out of America” and called for a 20 percent tariff on all its goods. On the campaign trail, candidate Trump called for Japan to pay more for Washington’s security blanket—saying “we can't afford to do it anymore”—and raised the specter of Tokyo developing its own nuclear weapons.

When Trump defeated Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8, 2016, Abe’s government was as shocked as any. In fact, when Abe had visited New York 50 days earlier, then-frontrunner Clinton was his first port of call. Trump Tower, just a few blocks away, didn’t make the cut. But priorities changed rapidly. Just nine days after the billionaire trumped Clinton, Abe became the first world leader to visit Trump Tower—and for what may end up being the biggest blunder of his premiership.

more
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/04/01/japan-shinzo-abe-trump-world-217767

April 1, 2018

Flynn's son: Parkland student Hogg's parents didnt 'smack' him enough growing up

BY REBECCA SAVRANSKY - 04/01/18 08:16 AM EDT

The son of former national security adviser Michael Flynn ripped Parkland student David Hogg this weekend, saying he hadn't been smacked enough growing up.

https://twitter.com/mflynnJR/status/979462843845181443

His tweet came in response to Hogg rejecting an apology for a critical tweet Fox News host Laura Ingraham posted about his college prospects. Hogg has become a vocal advocate for gun control since the deadly shooting at his high school in Parkland, Fla.

-snip-

Flynn Jr. later doubled down on his comments, tweeting: "Lot of libs triggered by this comment. If smacking your kid when he gets out of line/mouths off is 'troublesome' for you, you’re one of the main reasons our kids (in the US) are #22 in the world in education. Called LACK OF DISCIPLINE."

https://twitter.com/mflynnJR/status/979765577861517312

Flynn and his father have been investigated as part of the ongoing probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Flynn Jr. served as his father's aide for work on his consulting company, Flynn Intel Group. Flynn Sr. was Trump’s national security adviser in January 2017.

full article
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/381148-flynns-son-parkland-student-hoggs-parents-didnt-smack-him