But "When the president does it, that means it is not illegal": Trump thread LXXXVIII

[lionheart]

Thanks, Pain and lion.

This came up just now as I was perusing my Twitter feed in the hope of something good on Brexit and the Irish Question:

Donald Trump Jr.
‏Verified account @DonaldJTrumpJr
3m3 minutes ago

Donald Trump Jr. Retweeted Jennifer Jacobs

This would be great... Get it done! #FirstStepAct

Donald Trump Jr. added,
Jennifer Jacobs
Verified account @JenniferJJacobs
NEWS: White House is already declaring victory. Trump believes criminal justice overhaul bill will pass Senate and he intends to sign it, I'm told.

Under pressure from Trump, McConnell announced floor vote. Jared Kushner is notifying supporters whip counts shows enough votes.
20 replies 22 retweets 53 likes

Sorry, that last was in response to this:

Sahil Kapur
‏Verified account @sahilkapur

NEWS: Mitch McConnell says he’ll allow a Senate vote on criminal justice reform “at the request of the President and following improvements to the legislation that have been secured by several members.”

He says the Senate could turn to it “as early as the end of this week.”

Why, what's now in this bill?

It's been hanging around for a while, so is it just nastily suspicious of me to wonder about 45's sudden desire to see it to pass chop chop?

McConnell revives Trump’s criminal justice reform
The president had pushed the Senate majority leader to vote on the bill, which has divided Republicans.
www.politico.com/story/2018/12/11/mcconnell-senate-will-take-up-trump-backed-criminal-justice-reform-1056146

The legislation makes sweeping changes to federal prison laws, expanding programs designed to discourage recidivism and limit juvenile solitary confinement. It would also reduce mandatory minimum sentences for certain criminals. Most conservative groups and many law enforcement groups support it, though Cornyn is still trying to get buy-in from the National Sheriffs‘ Association.

Critics of the bill, led by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), have argued it could allow the early release of violent criminals. Grassley and other advocates have scrambled to meet those concerns.

Josh Marshall
@joshtpm
Trump: "If I needed the votes for the wall in the house, I would have them in one session. It would be done."

Pelosi: "So go do it."

Josh: "Next two years are going to be amazing."

mobile.twitter.com/joshtpm/status/1072541139427827712

Polly Sigh
@dcpoll
This is glorious. Trump is so used to his bootlicking cabinet sucking up to him in front of the cameras that he's completely flustered by Nancy and Chuck not taking any of his lying BS. Meanwhile, Pence is too terrified to open his useless mouth.

And

The Hoarse Whisperer
@HoarseWispere
This Trump-Pelosi-Schumer argument demonstrates exactly why Republicans hate Nancy Pelosi with a passion.

She is utterly tenacious, unyielding, unflappable and CANNOT be bullied.

Her non-reactivity is also a narcissist’s worst nightmare. It strips them of all power.

I love the Chuck and Nancy show!

President Trump engages in an Oval Office clash with Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi over border security as the shutdown deadline looms

Pelosi: "I don't think we should have a debate in front of the press on this" twitter.com/CNNPolitics/status/1072544137155629056/video/1

Ooh! Yet another nasty woman
He'll be back to tweeting something vicious about her soon - he never has the guts to say anything to his adversaries' faces.

A Newsweek Op Ed piece.

The China tariffs

Make it stop ...

Newsweek
‏
Verified account

@Newsweek

'Is Rudy Giuliani a leaker? Trump's lawyer fingered by James Comey.'

www.newsweek.com/rudy-giuliani-leaker-trump-lawyer-fingered-james-comey-1251501?utm_campaign=NewsweekTwitter&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

Tom Nichols
‏Verified account @RadioFreeTom
49m49 minutes ago

Honestly makes me say it: The most statesman-like person in charge in that WH disaster was Pelosi. Second place to Schumer for baiting Trump into owning a shutdown. Honorable mention to Pence for willing himself to blend in with the furniture.

I was at the Chuck & Nancy show with the big toddler known as Trump and the cardboard cutout Pence who never said a word and barely moved.

Two intelligent people can run rings round Trump as they call a Govt shutdown 'The Trump shutdown' and he says he will be proud to do that

Channel 4 News
‏
Verified account

@Channel4News
56m56 minutes ago
More
“Right now, if you Google the word ‘idiot’… a picture of Donald Trump comes up. How would that happen?”

Google CEO Sundar Pichai faces questions from Congress over Google Search.

Interesting interview hearing him explain WHY when you google images and the word 'idiot' Trump comes up. It's because he is reported as being one!

It's true! 😀

www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/10/protesters-disrupt-us-panels-fossil-fuels-pitch-at-climate-talks?CMP=share_btn_tw

Statesmanlike

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
James Comey just totally exposed his partisan stance by urging his fellow Democrats to take back the White House in 2020. In other words, he is and has been a Democrat. Comey had no right heading the FBI at any time, but especially after his mind exploded!

mobile.twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1072564293302976512

www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/11/trump-administration-strip-pollution-protections-streams-wetlands-harm-wildlife-drinking-water

Trying for a last minute save ...

'The White House just called for pool reporters to gather on short notice. That means we will see Trump again on camera soon, which was not expected. We don’t know what this will be, but watch these comments to see if POTUS tries to reframe his earlier shutdown comments.'

Chris Geidner
@chrisgeidner
JUST IN: Federal judge orders Stormy Daniels to pay President Donald Trump $293,052.33 in attorneys' fees in her defamation case against the president, which the judge tossed out

That's a lot.

My previous post was from Eamon Javers (CNBC).

Pelosi.

www.politicususa.com/2018/12/11/nancy-pelosi-refuses-to-give-trump-a-single-penny-for-his-wall.html

This is just perfect!

twitter.com/PaulLeeTicks/status/1072596513417781249/video/1

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/11/trump-meeting-pelosi-schumer-democrats-wall-border-funding-clash-debate-

Interesting thread

Matt Stoller
@matthewstoller

1. Today it's all about Google CEO Sundar Pichai testifying before the House Judiciary Committee, the committee that handles antitrust. Hearing starts at 10am. Some thoughts.

mobile.twitter.com/matthewstoller/status/1072484218423390208

'Is Rudy Giuliani a leaker?

At his age he's bound to get a bit of seepage...

This is from a news-site for Federal Management Personnel.

www.govexec.com/management/2018/12/i-am-proud-shut-down-government-trump-says-during-fight-democrats/153443/?oref=channelriver

He's 'proud to shut down the Govt'. What a blustering egotistical asshole. I went through a few shutdowns during my career and they are scary and unsettling. You either sit at home unpaid or you are deemed 'essential' and forced to go to work not knowing if you'll ever get paid for that time. It was bad enough any time, but a triple slap in the face when it was near Xmas! At least other POTUS would pay us lip service and apologize for being 'forced' to furlough. This piece of shit is fucking happy to do it because it makes him feel powerful. Bastard.

Yep.