Embedded Files
Post date: May 15, 2017 1:7:21 PM
Published 5/15/17
By Nick Robertson '19
FBI Director James Comey with President Obama in 2013. Comey gave testimony to a Senate hearing Wednesday, though many of the Senate's questions could not be answered due to classified information. US Federal Government, Wikimedia Commons
Welcome to This Week in Politics, the recurring column covering the highlights in politics for this week.
Saturday, April 29 - Sunday, April 30
100 Days Later
President Trump has reached 100 days of being President, with many promises left unfulfilled. Read more about Trump’s first 100 days in CXI.13’s News spread.
White House Correspondents Dinner
Saturday marked the annual dinner which brings together journalists from across the world who cover the White House. President Trump decided not to attend the event, the first President since Ronald Reagan to do so. Reagan was recovering from an assassination attempt and therefore could not attend.
The dinner was hosted by comedian Hasan Minhaj from The Daily Show, the first Muslim to host the event.
Emergency Budget Passed
A stopgap federal budget was passed Sunday night to prevent the government from shutting down. The budget slightly modifies current funding, but not to the extent of President Trump’s announced plans. The budget lasts until the end of the fiscal year, September, because a new budget could not be agreed upon this week.
The budget includes a clause that prevents the Justice Department from prosecuting state legislatures for the use of medical marijuana, even though the drug is labeled as Schedule I (the highest rating for illegal drugs). This goes against the policy of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has repeatedly said that marijuana has no place in being legalized in the U.S.
Notably missing from the budget is allocations for Trump’s notorious U.S.-Mexico border wall, and many promised budget cuts outlined in the budget proposal released last Wednesday, including funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Network (PBS).
Also in the budget is an across-the-board increase to national science funding. The National Institute of Health received a $2 billion increase and NASA’s budget is now $58.7 billion, among other agencies to receive increases. This is nearly the exact opposite of what President Trump promised with his budget plan, which cuts most science funding altogether.
Trump Campaign Stop in Pennsylvania
President Trump held a rally for his supporters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with attendance of around 7,000 people. Trump gave a speech similar to those of his campaign, speaking about Senate Democrats, the American Health Care Act and many of Trump’s other troubles in his presidency so far. Trump missed the White House Correspondents Dinner to attend the event.
This marks a new trend in presidential history; Trump is the first President never to stop campaigning. His “never-ending campaign” is integral to his presidency, something unheard of only a year ago.
Trump Talks with Duterte
Trump had a “very friendly” conversation with the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, who President Obama repeatedly condemned during his term. Trump also invited Duterte to the White House.
Duterte, who took office in 2015, is responsible for the Philippine war on drugs, which has killed over 7,000 Filipino citizens. Police-led death squads kill drug dealers and users in dozens of daily extra-judicial killings. Duterte has been accused of crimes against humanity for his actions by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations.
North Korean Missile Launch Fails
Another missile test from North Korea has failed, the second in the last two weeks. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is “keeping all options open,” and even Pope Francis encouraged the two countries to ease relations.
Q1 Economic Report Released
The U.S. Department of Commerce released their quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report, the first of President Trump’s term. The GDP increased by 0.7 percent in the first quarter of 2017, down from 2.5 percent during Obama’s presidency and far below Trump’s 4 percent growth promise.
It is unclear if this trend will continue into the future, or if this trend was caused by consumer weariness due to the election and the economy will return to normal.
School Choice Study Rebukes DeVos’ Plan
A study on the effect of school choice programs on student achievement in Washington, D.C., has been released. The study shows that these programs either have no effect, or in some cases, a negative effect, on student achievement.
“School Choice” programs use federal, local or state money to provide vouchers to parents to send their kids to charter or private schools. These programs have become an emphasis in Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ policy. It is unknown the effects of this study on the DOE’s policy.
White House Had Knowledge of Flynn Activity
New reports show that the Trump Administration, specifically Vice President Mike Pence, was aware of former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn’s contacts with Russia, and his prior lobbying jobs in Turkey. This directly contradicts Pence’s previous statements, who said that he had no knowledge of Flynn’s activity. Flynn resigned from his position due to the scandal.
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) said, “I warned the Vice President directly six months ago about the conflicts created by Lt. General Flynn’s company lobbying on behalf of Turkish interests.”
Flynn took $600,000 to lobby for a firm in Turkey which has ties to Russia. He also had repeated contact with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, which violated federal law.
Trump Did Not Know Challenges of Office
In an interview with Reuters, President Trump said “I thought it [being President] would be easier.” During that interview, Trump also directed Reuters reporters to maps of the electoral college results in the 2016 election, seemingly at random. Trump also complained of his new life, saying, “I can’t drive anymore... I like to drive.”
Monday, May 1
Trump Praises Kim Jong Un
Trump spoke of North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un, saying that he would be “honored” to meet him “under the right circumstances.” No president has even met with a North Korean leader, as the United States is the sworn enemy of the country. This marks another key break in U.S. policy, this time with one of the country’s largest threats.
Trump Campaign Launches Ads
Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., one of the president’s many “Super PACs” assisting in his re-election, has released its first ad campaign, costing $1.5 million. The campaign includes multiple commercials that outline Trump’s first 100 days as president, and includes multiple falsehoods and exaggerations.
It is the first time that a sitting president has had an ad campaign run on his behalf so early before re-election, as the 2020 election cycle is not expected to start until early to mid 2019.
Fox News Executive Fired
Bill Shine, known as the “right-hand man” to former CEO Roger Ailes was let go after numerous sexual harassment allegations. Shine is the third major Fox employee to be fired due to sexual harassment allegations, after host Bill O'Reilly last week, and Ailes last summer.
Trump Confused on Civil War History
During a press interview, Trump said that President Andrew Jackson was “very angry” about what happened in the Civil War, even though Jackson died 16 years before the war began.
Trump also asked “why was there the Civil War?” and likened himself to Andrew Jackson, suggesting that he could of been able to stop it if he was president at the time.
Trump Administration Sued for Federal Worker Intimidation
The nonprofit United to Protect Democracy has filed a suit against the Departments of Energy and Health and Human Services for allegedly intimidating federal workers.
The Department of Energy suit claims that the Trump Administration's request for a list of names of DOE workers that believe in climate change violated their privacy.
The Department of Health and Human Services suit claims that the White House's request for a list of DHHS employees that worked on the Affordable Care Act also violated their privacy.
Jimmy Kimmel Defends ACA
On his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel made an emotional 13 minute monologue on the current state of the American health care system. Following emergency heart surgery for his new-born son, Kimmel broke down crying on the show, and advocated to keep the Affordable Care Act.
Kimmel said, “We were brought up to believe that we live in the greatest country in the world, but until a few years ago, millions and millions of us had no access to health insurance at all. Before 2014, if you were born with congenital heart disease like my son was, there was a good chance you’d never be able to get health insurance because you had a pre-existing condition. You were born with a pre-existing condition. And if your parents didn’t have medical insurance, you might not live long enough to even get denied because of a pre-existing condition. ... If your baby is going to die, and it doesn’t have to, it shouldn’t matter how much money you make. I think that’s something that, whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat or something else, we all agree on that, right? ... This isn’t football ... There are no teams. We are the team, it’s the United States. Don’t let their partisan squabbles divide us on something every decent person wants.” President Obama later thanked Kimmel for his support of the ACA and wished the best for his family.
Tuesday, May 2
Utah Drops Planned Parenthood Appeal
The Governor of Utah, Gary Herbert, announced that the state of Utah will no longer attempt to block all funding from Planned Parenthood locations and others that provide abortion services. Last year, a federal judge overturned the Governor’s law to block Title X funding, and the state legislature has now reached a compromise. Funding will be allowed, but no new contracts with Planned Parenthood or other abortion providers will be allowed.
This comes as a shock to many pro-life supporters, as Utah is one of the country’s most morally conservative states, mostly due the its high Mormon population.
Government “Needs a Good Shutdown”
In a series of tweets, President Trump responded to the passing of a 2017 budget by saying that the government “needs a good shutdown” in September to fix the “mess” in Congress. He also said that the Republican majority in the Senate should “go nuclear” and change Senate rules to move the vote requirement for filibustered bills from 60 to 51, an unprecedented rule change.
Senate Republicans later denounced the President’s recommendation to change the voting rules.
Clinton is “Part of the Resistance”
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tweeted that she is “part of the resistance” to President Trump, in her first major statement since losing the 2016 presidential election.
White House Backs Down in China Dispute
U.S. officials denied a Navy request to sail near Scarborough Shoal, a small island in the South China Sea. The island is claimed by both China and the Philippines, and China has recently increased its efforts to legitimize its claim. President Trump repeatedly called President Obama weak on China in the South China Sea, though this action shows that a new administration has brought no change to the policy.
U.S. to Join Syria Peace Talks
Trump agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin to send a U.S. representative to Russian-led peace talks with the Syrian government and rebels. The two nations hope that negotiations can bring the current Syrian civil war to a cease-fire.
Wednesday, May 3
Comey Faces Senate Hearing
FBI Director James Comey faced a Senate Judiciary Committee on the topic of his announcement days before the election in November. Comey announced that the FBI would again investigate new evidence to find if former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had misused her private email server. Nothing was found in the second investigation, and many accused Comey of using his position to assist President Trump in his election.
Comey said, “Concealment on my part, would of been catastrophic,” but also said that the thought of his actions affecting the election made him “mildly nauseous.”
Puerto Rico Declares Bankruptcy
The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, with a population of nearly 3.5 million, has declared a form of bankruptcy following years of financial insolvency. The island has a total debt of $73 billion and has $50 billion in unpaid pensions to pay. Puerto Rico is now the largest government to apply for a form of bankruptcy, and will face a federal court to negotiate with creditors.
Executive Order on Churches Signed
President Trump signed a new executive order that gives churches and other faith-based organizations more influence in politics. Faith organizations that are exempt from taxes, like churches, were previously banned from participating in politics due to their tax exemption; this executive order allows the organizations more freedom and influence in the political process.
Trump also refused to sign a proposed order that allows the same faith organizations to discriminate hiring and service against LGBT people.
Prince Philip Retires From Duties
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband of the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth, has officially retired from all of his official duties. The 95 year old will no longer attend formal events, though the 91 year old Queen will still participate in her ceremonial duties.
AHCA Passes House Vote
The Republican plan to “repeal and replace” Obamacare, the American Health Care Act, has passed a vote in the House of Representatives, and now moves to the Senate. The bill includes a repeal to the individual mandate, and allows states to opt out of preventing discrimination against patients with pre-existing conditions, among others changes.
Multiple Republican Senators have already pledged to shoot down the AHCA in the Senate and rewrite their own healthcare replacement, calling it “a disaster.”
Friday, May 5
Fox Faces Discrimination Suit
Fox News now faces another lawsuit, now over sexual discrimination in the workplace. The plaintiff, a former employee, claims that she was fired shortly after complaining about alleged discrimination. Fox News’ parent company, 21st Century Fox, has had their stock drop nearly 10 percent since April 1 after a wave of sexual harassment and discrimination scandals.
Trump Hosts Turnbull
President Trump hosted Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier in New York City to celebrate the 75 year anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea. It is the first time since his inauguration that Trump has visited his hometown.
The Battle of the Coral Sea occurred in 1942 off the coast of Australia between the Japanese Navy and an allied coalition mostly consisting of Australian and American ships. The battle weakened the Japanese Navy and eliminated the threat of a Japanese invasion of Australia, and was a turning point for the war in the Pacific.
Trump later praised the Australian health care system, saying to Turnbull “...you have better healthcare than we do.” Australia is one of the many nations worldwide with a single-payer health care system, similar to the one advocated by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) during his presidential candidacy. The AHCA, Trump’s current health care plan, directly contradicts the Australian healthcare system.
Unemployment Drops
The Department of Labor’s new unemployment statistics show that the U.S. economy added 211,000 jobs in April, the highest so far in Trump’s presidency. The unemployment rate now sits at 4.4 percent, a 10-year low.
Navy SEAL killed in Somalia Mission
One Navy SEAL was killed and two other U.S. soldiers were injured in a Somali Army mission to eliminate members of Al-Shabab, a Somali terrorist organization. The raid marks the first U.S. fatality in Somalia since the infamous “Black Hawk Down” incident, where two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down, resulting in 18 U.S. fatalities.
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